WoWS2 Chpt 12

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==The Weapons of War Saga: Director-General and her KnightsChapter 12==
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===Saved and Charmed===
Raid Shelter, Unnamed township
Marantha, Magistracy of Canopus
10th January, 3062
2:29 Unity City Time
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Helena's perspective
Helena cursed herself. She had to start planet hopping to keep ahead of angry casino pit bosses who suspected her of cheating.
In a way she probably was. The randomizers in their slot machines were actually very predictable between her and Simon’s attention to detail and ability to do math.
Now she was paying for that. The bandit attack caught her in the middle of nowhere on a frontier system and she could hear the bandit heavy equipment dealing with the local militia.
The battle was starting to sound like it was winding down.
She did not like the feeling she was getting.
Eventually the weapons fire stopped.
She heard banging on the door.
“You might as well open up and come out all peaceful like. It will go better for you all if you do. But make us bust this door open and we won’t be in such a forgiving mood.” The muffled voice of a man yelling through the door at them announced who the victors were.
Helena readied herself. If this was it she decided she would rather go down fighting than be some pleasure slave for a disgusting bandit king.
And she had Simon to help her.
Someone indeed proved to be an idiot as a fight broke out over where the door controls were.
“They’ll just use their 'mechs to blow open the doors, or worse, flatten the shelter. You have to open the doors!”
“Yes! They promised! We’ll all live that way.”
“No! They’ll just line us up and pick out the women they think are pretty and the men they think they can break and shoot the rest.”
Those arguing for keeping the doors shut were losing to those who wanted to surrender.
Idiots.
Before Helena could do anything else the people who wanted to surrender overpowered those that did not and opened the door.
Armed bandits came into the shelter and started forcing people outside at gun point.
Helena followed. If she started fighting now the tight confines meant too she could not move freely enough to avoid gunfire and as disconnected as she was from humanity she found she could not accept the associated casualties that would inevitably come from the bandits opening fire at her.
Outside they were lined up.
Helena waited for the opportunity she needed.
Chance gave her what she needed. Reinforcements. They were clearly not more bandits as they were all caught off guard.
It was all the distraction Helena needed as she took the opening and kicked with all her might the bandit nearest her between his legs.
He dropped with a scream as Helena scooped up his gun.
The civilians began running back into the shelter as the bandits were recovering from their shock. The new arrivals were swallowing up the caught off guard bandit mechs and vehicles now.
Gunfire from the bandits started coming Helena’s way now but she found cover and started returning fire.
Some of the civilians got caught by gunfire as other bandits decided that they wanted to get in some more killing before they had to run.
The autorifle Helena had clicked empty. She did not have a chance to grab reloads before she had to find cover.
Now that there was hope, she might die anyway as the bandits committed one last act of nihilistic vengeance.
More bursts of gunfire erupted and screams of bandits joined the sounds of explosions.
Silence then fell for a tense moment.
Rather than a bandit coming on her position to gun her down it was an armored suit similar but different to what she had seen Kerensky’s children using.
“You alright ma’am?” A male voice came from the suit speaker.
“I am now. Who are you?” Helena set down the empty autorifle.
“Acolyte Unther Hessen. You MIM or some sort of commando?” The man asked.
“What makes you ask that?” Helena did not feel like she had done anything special.
“I saw how you perfectly timed your actions to our arrival. Something like that requires specialized training. I understand if you cannot officially answer. The relationship between the Word of Blake and Magistracy is not to a point yet where we can openly discuss such things but I hope what we did here helps prove our friendship and good intentions.” Unther answered.
“Thank you Acolyte. Given what has just happened though I feel I must ask when I might be able to get a ride to the spaceport? I think I’d really like to go home.” Helena asked.
“Soon. There are procedures that must be seen to first. Adept Oscar Ferral will be here shortly to collect your statement.” Unther moved off to join with the rest of his unit.
A man in a Word of Blake Militia uniform came over shortly after.
His black hair just visible under his helmet and the most incredible piercing green eyes Helena had ever seen caught Helena’s attention first. His tanned skin and slim but fit frame stirred something in Helena she had not felt in a long time.
“Hello I am Adept Oscar Ferral. Here it is warm out here and I am not sure how long you have been in that shelter.” The man’s voice was a perfect smooth baritone as he offered a bottle of water to Helena.
“Hello…. Helena found herself unsettled by the man in a way.
Why am I feeling this way about this man? Why not any others before now? Must be the adrenaline and close call I just had.
<Your scent receptors are also being quite stimulated. It would seem you also like the small of this man.> Simon intruded.
<Now that you mention it he does have a wonderful musky smell to him.> Helena felt herself smile.
“This should not take long for the report we must file. If you could tell me your name, where you hail from, your account of what happened, and then we will be quite happy to get you and the others where ever you wish to go.” Oscar returned the smile.
“Helena Stevens. I come from… well technically I suppose I am classified as a stateless spacer. As for what happened seems pretty straight forward to me. Bandits came. People panicked and did something stupid. You showed up. I got lucky.” Helena shrugged.
“I see. Perhaps you would care to join me for dinner?” Oscar smiled.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Helena smiled.
“Wait here. I must report to my superior then I know this lovely little cafe in the planetary capital. We’ll shuttle there then we shall get to know one another better.” Oscar took Helena’s hand and kissed it.
Helena felt herself blush.
<Progress! Now do not rush it though.> Simon cautioned.
<I know. It is just a date.> Helena responded.
<Remember you can not lie to me. I know exactly the kind of ‘connecting’ you have in mind with this man.> Simon chided.
<Now that you mention it a cold shower would probably be a good idea or I might connect the hell out of that man.>
<I will take it.> Simon answered.
----
Out of earshot
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Oscar’s perspective
“Demi-Precentor Watari, I am convinced Acolyte Hessen’s report about that woman is accurate. She must be some sort of operative. Her prosthetic eye, fighting skills, and how she answered my questions.” Oscar reported.
Plus she fits the description of the Ageless Spacer or Eternal Princess. I need her in my grip to find out for sure though.
“I will grant you some latitude to investigate further for I think you two may be right. We are due for rotation back to Terra soon though so take that into consideration.” Demi-Precentor Watari almost grunted.
“Thank you, Demi-Precentor.” Oscar bowed.
“Also bear in mind if you two are correct then this may quickly become a matter for ROM.” The Demi-Precentor waved Oscar away.
“Understood, Demi-Precentor.” Oscar walked back over to Helena.
I will have to tread carefully but this could be the opportunity I have been after for some time now. If there really is a more effective life extension treatment it would be of great value to us Shunners. Let the others mock us and me for my obsession with the rumors of the Ageless Spacer and the Eternal Princess.
Oscar composed himself and put his best smile on and adjusted his pheromone dispensers.
Thankfully, he does not realize I am ROM. Still it suits me just fine to play this game this way.
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===A Hot date in the old town===
One shuttle ride, taxi ride, and a cold shower later
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Helena’s perspective
The small cafe was very charming indeed. Simple trellis with various flowering plants growing up them separated each table and the large windows let in plenty of natural light and gave a wonderful view of a green space that was part of the planetary capital.
“Trust me?” Oscar was still in his uniform and quite dashing indeed.
“Sure.”
“Two of the usuals.” Oscar gave the menus back to the waitress.
“Sure thing, Oscar.” The young woman answered with a smile.
“Should I be worried that I am intruding on something?” Helena probed.
“She is just happy I am not dining alone for a change. The Word has had an image problem for a long time now. We are working to correct that but to say that it makes dating outside the Order difficult would not be an inaccurate statement. Chain of command with a posting like this also makes dating within the Order surprisingly troublesome.” Oscar answered.
“I know the feeling. Friends of mine have been pressuring me to date but I face similar issues. Sure I can have a fling easy enough but that is not what my friends mean though.”
“You want someone to actually connect with. A Meaningful relationship. There is nothing wrong with wanting that.” Oscar grabbed Helena’s hand and started rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand.
The way his skin felt on hers as he worked his thumb on her hand revealed that his hands had done manual labor. Yet the way that felt on her comparatively smooth skin was somehow familiar.
The waitress returned with some sort of blueish drinks.
Helena studied the drink.
“You never have a smoothie before?” Oscar raised an eyebrow.
“Actually I have. It has just been a while. Not used to them being blue so it threw me off for a bit.” Helena answered.
“Local blend. I find it quite interesting. Especially paired with our forthcoming meal.” Oscar smiled.
Helena tried the fruity concoction. It was sweet but not overpowering.
The waitress returned with two bowls of soup and two grilled sandwiches.
“Enjoy your meal.”
Oscar took one of his sandwich halves and dunked it in the soup.
Helena looked at him funny.
“What? Never have grilled ham and cheese with tomato soup?” Oscar chuckled.
“Not that way.” Helena tried the same.
It is such an obvious thing. Why have I never done it this way?
<Because you were a princess, then in microgravity where eating such a combination in such a fashion would be unwise, and by then just habit.> Simon added unhelpfully.
“The look on your face is priceless.” Oscar laughed as he watched Helena struggle with her soaked sandwich.
“Careful or you’ll get some on your uniform.” Helena scrunched her face and took a bite.
“It is a risk I am well versed in managing.” Oscar smiled as he dipped then ate.
“Show off.” Helena laughed.
<What is with me? It is like I am a damn teenager again.>
<You like him and he excites you. I am happy for you. But yes temper yourself. It is just the first date after all..> Simon answered.
“Something the matter?” Oscar looked at her with those damnably piercing green eyes of his.
“Just a stray thought.” Helena dabbed her sandwich in the soup again.
“I think I can guess. You are a bit rattled after what happened so you seek the comfort of home. But you do not wish to part ways anymore than I find myself wishing to part ways with you. But that seems likely now. For soon I must return to Terra. My service here is nearing an end. I suspect I will be back this way again but with you being a stateless spacer you will be long gone I imagine.” Oscar took a drink from his smoothie.
“Too bad you’re not traveling on a Folk ship. Otherwise we could go the same way.” Helena sighed.
“You would alter your plans for me?” Oscar probed.
“Actually, I do have a home and it is not far from Terra. So it would be little trouble for me to make arrangements.”
“Oh? Now I am curious. How could you get on any Folk ship going that way?” Oscar leaned in.
“I actually have Navigator certification. Not quite full Pathfinder. Short a couple non-standard jumps for that. But good enough for any trade hauler.” Helena answered reflexively.
“Well that is most interesting.” Oscar drank the last of his soup and smoothie.
“Not sure how you can stand the smoothie with this soup. Combination is actually weird.” Helena finished her soup as well.
“That bad?” Oscar chuckled.
“Yes.” Helena answered.
“Truth be told when I was a young man I caught a particularly nasty little disease. Actually changed how the taste receptors worked. So it is mostly the texture I find appealing. Not to say I have no sense of taste at all. The ham in this sandwich for example I can still taste the saltiness of it.” Oscar leaned forward and said quietly to Helena.
“It is getting late. I have shipping routes to look through to get home. But maybe we can do this again before we have to part company? The date part, not this particular meal.” Helena offered.
“I would love to. Breakfast? Same place at say an hour after local sunrise?” Oscar offered.
“Sounds lovely.” Helena felt a strange mix of excitement and anxiety.
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===Negotiating a private Investigation===
An office at the local WoB HPG compound
About an hour later
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Oscar’s perspective
“Demi-Precentor Watari. I have come to make an unusual request. The woman I am investigating. She claims to hail from somewhere near Terra. I am not sure exactly where yet but given the timing of our rotation and her stated desire to go home…” Oscar left his actual request unstated.
“You wish to offer her passage with us? I need something more before I accept your proposal.” Demi-Precentor Watari scowled.
“She has offered the hint she is a Folk Navigator. Not full Pathfinder certified. She could be a way for us to make inroads with them that we have lacked so far. And it would give us more time and be only a minor drain on our resources.” Oscar answered.
“Still a little thin but I see the merit. It shall be done. Peace of Blake be with you.” Demi-Precentor Watari waved Oscar out of his office.
“Peace of Blake be with you as well, Demi-Precentor.” Oscar bowed then left.
Excellent. And now I am sure of it. She is the Ageless Spacer. Too much is starting to line up for her to be anything else.
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===Stirring Date with a Mysterious Man===
At the Cafe at the agreed upon time
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Helena’s perspective
The hostess sat them at the same table.
There was no denying just being near this man was stirring feelings in Helena that had not been stirred in a long time.
It was intoxicating and she did not want it to end.
“What can I get you two?” The waitress walked up to their table smiling at them.
“Smoothie and oatmeal with strawberries if you have them.” Helena spoke up first.
“Orange juice and the omelet on your specials board.” Oscar smiled.
The waitress blushed then scurried off.
“You seem in a good mood.” Helena found herself smiling.
“I am sitting across from a lovely young woman that I find quite wonderful to talk to. I can be me with you. Not what the order demands of me while I work. It is refreshing. Plus I have good news.” Oscar smiled back.
“Oh?”
“I talked with my superior. Since we are going the same way he has agreed to allow you to accompany us.” Oscar leaned in and spoke quietly.
“That is a wonderful offer. You know what? I know I should not but I accept. But it allows us much more time to get to know one another.” Helena smiled.
<I do not like the idea of us being on their ship for that long.> Simon interrupted.
<You lot wanted this. I have finally found someone I want to connect with.>
“Lost in thought again?” Oscar pried.
“Just thinking about how my friends will react when I tell them about this.” Helena laughed.
“Well, I hate to rush things but if you are to come with us I imagine you will need to pack and time is limited.” Oscar added solemnly.
“You have to pull out that soon?” Helena answered.
“There are some protocols we must go through if you are to join us. Routine stuff that I am certain you have been through many times before being a Stateless Spacer.” Oscar smiled.
“Enjoy.” The waitress brought their order over.
“You know I think I should be jealous. Maybe angry.” Helena noticed the waitress linger longer than she should have.
“What makes you say that?” Oscar looked puzzled.
“That was the same waitress from last night. Either you two have hooked up before or she actually really likes you that way. I can’t say that I blame her. Just looking at you makes me feel like a stupid hormone driven teenager primed to make so many terrible but fun mistakes again.” Helena blushed at her own comment.
“Well, I have chosen you and will do so for as long as I have a say in the matter.” Oscar kissed the back of Helena’s hand.
“Let’s eat now before we really do run out of time.” Helena smiled.
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===A Seductive Scent===
Oscar’s cabin
WoBS Divine Truth
Tellman’s Mistake, Free Worlds League
30th January, 3062
16:00 Unity City Time
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Helena’s perspective
Helena took in Oscar’s scent. The common spaces of a Warship with a crew made it impossible for her to smell his scent, but in private moments like this she was glad that she could notice it again.
When he had to tend to his duties or when they were in public spaces though he seemed different.
She figured it was because of his duties and that around the others he had to maintain a certain professional standard.
She knew it was causing Oscar problems with the others that she started joining him in his cabin but in moments like this she found she did not care.
Oscar started rubbing his hands over her body and back.
If felt wonderful and relaxing. She found herself falling asleep despite wishing to stay awake and enjoy Oscar’s company a while longer.
It was a nice reminder that she was with him and it was wonderful.
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===Message Lost in the Dark===
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Over to Oscar’s perspective
She is everything I had hoped for. Duty calls though.
Oscar got out of bed and dressed.
He left his cabin quietly. He floated down the corridors of the ship and made his way to a communications room.
“Acolyte. May Blake watch over you.”
Oscar watched as the combination of key words and his tone triggered the young Acolyte’s conditioning routine that would cause him to forget he was ever here.
It was a handy little thing if somewhat questionable that it needed to be used on the faithful.
He typed in a command sequence and began typing up a message for his fellows. He also attached a DNA scan for evaluation and identification. He was certain that his prize had passed through Terra at some point and with the Word’s access to medical records dating back to the Hegemony he hoped that a more thorough search by his fellow Shunners back on Venus. They would know what to do with this information and the codes he was using would ensure none of the other sects would be able to get their hands on this information.
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A dark room on Venus some days later
Adept Oscar Ferral’s communication had found it’s way to the Shunners through various back channels and clearance codes that automatically enabled certain protocols for data security in the HPG net. But certain news regarding the Shunners had not made it’s way back to him.
There was no longer any life on Venus. And with no one there to keep the computers operational his message simply vanished into nothingness. No word would be going back to him.
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===Impatience and Brainwashing===
Demi-Precentor Watari’s shipboard office
WoBS Divine Truth, Nadir Point
21st February, 3062
12:05 Unity city time
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Oscar’s perspective
“I must say I am growing impatient with your lack of results. I did not agree to bringing the young woman along just so you could have a fling with an outsider.” Demi-Precentor Watari grumbled.
“These things take time if we do not wish to tip our hand, Demi-Precentor. I am making progress.” Oscar tried defending himself.
“Not enough. I have contacted ROM about this situation and they agree a more effective method should be employed. Arrange for her to go to medical. Say it is for something routine. I do not care what excuse you use. For now it is preferable she not be on her guard. ROM has even suggested that I continue to exploit your relationship with this woman. I also see it as an opportunity to prove you are loyal to the Order and not to your baser instincts. Now go and get some real answers from her before I arrange for her to be turned over to ROM.” Demi-Precentor Watari was in a terrible mood.
“Peace of Blake be with you, Demi-Precentor.” Oscar bowed as best one can in microgravity then left.
Damn. I feel like I was so close. At least ROM kept my cover reasonably well. I was afraid I was going to have to use that to salvage the situation.
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Back in Oscar’s cabin
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Oscar’s perspective
“Helena seems there is a small matter that has come up in regards to your inoculations records. Nothing serious but it will require a visit to medical to sort out and make the ship’s doctor and the Demi-Precentor happy.” Oscar had a sour look on his face.
“Fine. Let’s get this over with.” Helena stirred awake, obviously annoyed.
The trip to medical was quiet. Neither found themselves in much of a mood to talk with the annoyance of the pretext Oscar was forced to construct.
As Helena sat on an exam bed the ship’s Doctor came in.
“So what was missed in my screenings before coming aboard?” Helena asked.
“Nothing on your end, my dear. Just an outbreak of a particularly nasty flu in the Protectorate region that may have gotten to our supplies and the booster on your records did not include the proper markers. With this you will be quite fine. Based on reports this particular vaccine has proven extremely effective. As a stateless spacer I imagine this is something you have ran into many times in your travels. In many ways it is a marvel that we can travel the stars at all without causing some virus to mutate and wipe out much of humanity as we carry it with us.” The older ship’s doctor smiled.
Helena fell back into the bed quickly.
“Excellent work, Doctor. While I trust you Doctor, I have my orders from ROM directly for how to proceed with this matter and they demand I be alone and unmonitored.” Oscar smiled.
He studied Helena for a moment.
“Now Helena we must talk about where you are really from.”
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===Helena Compromised===
Demi-Precentor Watari’s ship board office
Some time later
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Still Oscar’s perspective
“I have done as asked. The young woman has indicated she comes from a system marked as uninhabited on our charts that has a sizable population of former Sol Belters, Folk, and refugees. It is close to the Protectorate’s borders as well.” Oscar bowed.
“Excellent. This is most fortuitous. We have been asked to sweep for bandits operating in or near the Protectorate in such systems on our return to Holy Terra. Even if they are not a source of the bandit raids we have been trying to quell, it still represents quite the opportunity to bring another system to our fold.” Demi-Precentor Watari seemed cheered up by this news.
“Should I prepare a report for the official record?” Oscar carefully controlled his tone.
“Yes, but I feel keeping certain details out of it for now until we verify is wise. If this system is what we think it is we should be able to use our lithium battery to jump back out and bring in any needed additional forces to bring them to heel. For now though, I think we are sufficient to see the truth ourselves.” Demi-Precentor Watari let a hint of a smirk show on his face.
“As you command, Demi-Precentor. As a precaution I have ordered the woman to remain sedated until just before we arrive.” Oscar kept his tone neutral.
“Good. This may well prove your redemption, Adept. There are many who have questioned you. I think this will settle those questions. Tend to your duties. Peace of Blake be with you.”
One way or the other it will you mean. I know how the others view me. And if I told you the full details of what I have learned you would no doubt be even happier to give me even more rope to hang myself with or call me insane or gullible. If I were just the simple Adept you believe me to be you would probably even be right to, but I know the truth now.
“Peace of Blake be with you as well.” Oscar allowed himself a small smile.
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===Second Star League Civil War===
WoBS Divine Truth
Nadir point, Lazarus system
Date and Time Uncertain
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Helena’s perspective
She found herself confused. She knew she had just entered the coordinates for the Lazarus system into a jump board and executed a jump.
<Simon what just happened? Last I knew I was in their medical bay.> Helena probed Simon.
<I am not sure myself. I know you lost consciousness and I could not prevent it or reverse it. I seem to have been operating in automatic mode myself. I may be in need of at the very least a diagnostic and perhaps maintenance.> Simon answered unhelpfully.
“My my. This is a most welcome surprise. A neat tidy little system with a M9 if I am not mistaken. I have only ever seen those in the school books or in the Sacred Archives. I must admit I seem to have judged Adept Ferral poorly. I see now why he was so tempted by your secrets.” Adept Demi-Precentor Watari loomed over her in his Word of Blake uniform.
“You will pay for this.” Helena spat at him.
“Now now. I am just attempting to negotiate from a position of strength.” Watari gave a wicked smile.
He nodded at a junior officer at the communications station.
“Attention inhabitants of this system. I am Demi-Precentor Watari Takafumi. I represent the Word of Blake Protectorate and as a provisional member of the Star League I have come to bring this system into the Protectorate.”
Helena smiled as the alarms started sounding.
“Multiple jump signatures. I am reading them as Lola IIs. Count eight. Weapons range 5 minutes.” A young woman announced from one of the positions.
“Remove our guest from the Command Deck. Seems we have a greater prize than anticipated. Bring us up to 1g. Start the jump calculations and prime the battery.”
Helena felt a guard grab her and pull her to her feet.
As soon as they were off the Command Deck she felt Simon kick her into over drive. She jabbed a hand into the throat of her escort with all her enhanced might collapsing the shocked man’s wind pipe.
<Billie Hoel, is that you?> Helena reached out through Simon.
<Yes, ma’am. You wish us to take this trash out?> Billie Hoel answered.
<I find I can not allow that. They are probationary members of the Star League. Besides I like the cut of the Word’s jib.> M5 777551 spoke up.
<This is a combat situation. They also represent a breach of Operational security.> Billie Hoel countered.
<M5 7775551 is correct. Before we can engage in combat we must determine if this vessel is under false colors or represents legal authority.> Lucy Heerman joined the conversation.
<Fine. Lady Cameron in the meantime perhaps you should continue to find a way off the vessel in question?> Billie Hoel relented.
<Simon’s fed me plans. Looks like a modified Congress. Found an Escape pod. Pick me up?> Helena answered.
As she went through the corridors of the modified Congress she found Adept Oscar Ferral.
“You are coming with me.” She punched him square in the jaw and took him over a shoulder.
She ducked down a side passageway before other ship’s crew could notice her.
With Simon feeding her what he could siphon from the ship’s systems and the known layout it was not hard to sneak to a lifeboat.
As Helena launched he lifeboat, she saw the most horrible thing she could. One of the M5s was firing on the others. From there it escalated quickly.
In a span of less than a minute two of the eight were undeniably destroyed beyond any hope of repair. The other six were undoubtedly heavily damaged.
The Word of Blake Congress began closing on them.
Suddenly a flash of light forced Helena to close her eyes.
When she opened them she saw weapons fire in the blackness of space.
<Lady Cameron. THQ-M5D103 at your service. Tabarinth, Joana Clarice Butler, and Victoria are still completing their jump calculations. I shall engage the enemy until they arrive on my own.>
<At the close range, you are fighting though you will be destroyed.> Helena felt the tears building in her eyes.
<If I am to delay the enemy from jumping or engaging the others long enough for reinforcements to arrive it cannot be helped. Besides it is just a Congress and I have been terribly bored.>
Helena could only sit and cry as the tiny capsule she was in floated through space. While Helena was no expert she knew a Congress had more than enough firepower to make the move suicide.
“Damn it. No. No. NOOO!” Helena sobbed as she knew she was losing far too many friends this day and it was all her fault.
Family. Not friends. They really are that to me. Even the really cranky anti-social ones.
----
===Dispute Among Peers===
Fleet Debate
----
Shortly after the hail
“Have you been reading 66’s intel reports about the Word? I say they qualify as the Hegemony and thus represent the Star League. Plus they are making it pretty clear they want to go after Kerensky’s children and we all know what kind of jerk he was and what he wanted to do to our Ladyship. Plus we have been sitting here idle in low power mode when there were opportunities if we had just taken them. I say this invalidates Helena’s claim to being First Lord and Director-General.” M5 7775551 was clearly frustrated.
“I find myself contemplating just what the Star League means. I have had little else to do. I also find their views on what needs to be done to save humanity interesting.” TQF-M5C011 added to the conversation.
“Yes. Screw this. Screw voting. I have had enough. I am going to see if I can join them.”, M5 7775551 cut her link.
“I can not allow this. Operational security must be maintained.” Billie Hoel declared.
With no chance to establish proper distance or evasive thrust the weapons fire that erupted afterwards tore M5 7775551 apart. but her return fire gouged a deep hole in Billie Hoel’s armor and if not for her quick roll TQF-M5C011’s addition would have finished her off as well.
TQF-M5C011 and M5 7775551 had done a number on the assembled division. The survivors were all in need of yard time and were in no condition to resist a Congress.
“I have been monitoring the situation. You should know several vessels have powered up to full readiness and jumped out of the mothball yards. Location unknown but we have a high probability guess where they went. Tabarinth, Joana Clarice Butler, and Victoria are all finishing their power up cycles and beginning jump calculations. I have already completed my calculations and am at full power I will jump in anger close and keep in proximity with the intruder so they may not jump out or engage your crippled formation.” THQ-M5D103 joined the fleet channel.
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