WoWS3 Chpt 50

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 50 - ==
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===Reflections of ourselves===
M-5.1 Class Drone Destroyer, SLS Juanita Pujol Garcia
New Lazarus System, Star League in Exile
10th March, 3145
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Preta/Precision looked over the system monitoring equipment and considered the adjustments they'd already made. "huh…I never would've considered that one…"
"She found you." Juanita said.
"You told." Preta accused Juanita.
"Of course I 'told'...are you done yet?" Juanita asked.
"Since you already told me 'no' on making adjustments or alterations? Yeah, pretty close to done. I just wanted to get a second look at the field geometry changes…and it's better than I worked out, whoever did this, understood the theory better than I do."
“Here she comes.” Juanita warned.
"Petra Precision Kolossus Roberts!! You come out of there right now young lady!!!" Amanda shouted over ship intercom.
"Ooh, she is upset." Juanita observed with curiosity 
"Yeah. Mom's been…upset since we got word about Allie." Petra's attempted deflection didn't pass Juanita's expertise unnoticed. 
Not the only one though, is she?, Juanita thought
“I’ve lost sisters in battle. Even with what we are, that loss does not go unnoticed for us AIs.” Juanita said.
"It's hurting mom worse, so we gotta handle it, right? Somebody has to be strong." Petra suggested, "We'll talk later, I need to go get my butt chewed out for sneaking, Okay J?"
“Okay. For what it is worth, you’re tolerable, for a human.” Juanita told Petra.
“You're cool too, like that distant aunt everyone has in the novels. The one with the cool hair style and the rock-bike." Petra winked at the optical sensor, and got up, closing her workspace windows and logging off the engineering system.
Harry’s trimmed white hair and mustache caught Petra’s attention as she exited the drive room.
“You’ve gone and caused quite a fuss. Enough that your mom got an old General involved. Now move along, she’s waiting for you.” Harold said gruffly.
“You’ve never been a parent have you? I can tell.” Petra said as she was escorted by Harry.
“True, but I have a brother and two sisters who have given me oodles of nieces and nephews. Hell, I even have a grandniece about your age who’s a lot like you. Sometimes I think about getting her to come here instead of stay where she is. There her options are not good since the Howel name isn’t worth anything anymore back home. Here it is starting to mean something.”
“Then you should, Harry. Family’s important.” Petra said as they found Amanda.
Petra visibly clenched up as she prepared herself for the tirade.
Amanda just stared at her daughter for a moment. 
“A ship is a dangerous place. You shouldn’t wander off like that.” Amanda started to scold, "...without a proper skinsuit and your helmet…" she glanced up at Harry, "See how the General is dressed? You need one of those, and I happen to know there's a qualified fitter on board, and you have an appointment…as soon as I can arrange it."
Petra slowly opened one eye, then the other.
"I have to get one for myself anyway," Amanda continued, "I don't fit my old one anymore."
"You're not mad?" Preta asked
"I wasn't a lot older than you are, when I found my first ship, OWS Evanescent. Petra…but there are lots of people here. You need to ask them for things or for permission, and you shouldn't be wandering without the right gear to survive an accident."
“And something I have come to learn since entering your Aunt’s service is that the people around here are very accepting of different cultures, practices, and people. So you don’t have to go on feeling like an outsider. Look up where I’m from if you want a real good example of just how accepting these people can be.” Harry offered.
“Come on, before you give me more evidence that Helena is right.” Amanda said
“About what?” Petra asked.
“Our children are reflections of ourselves and thus payback for the kind of hellions we were growing up.” Amanda answered without thinking.
“Mom!” Petra harrumphed.
“Seriously, how did Helena manage four at the same time…” Amanda shook her head.
----
===Unexpected Meeting===
Republic Governer’s offices
Berchtesgaden, Germany
Terra, Republic of the Sphere
1st March, 3145
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“You sure this is where we’ll find him?” Maxwell asked Emestine.
“Juanita tracked the feeds herself before departing.”
Maxwell pried on the door one more time, with greater effort, and it finally opened.
Inside as Juanita had predicted were a series of monitors displaying the offices of Republic Governer’s offices. Some were blank, a few others showed worlds now holding allegiance to other powers.
In the center of the room though was a conspicuous cryotube.
“Poor bastard didn’t read the warning labels.” Maxwell said as he walked over to the cryotube.
“How can you be sure?” Emestine asked.
“That’s right, you’re not from Old or New Lazarus. Pods like this are still pretty common there, at least compared to the rest of the Inner Sphere. My brother actually runs a cryo-treatment place. The exchanger here is burnt out. Only way that happens is if someone tries to run these things past the recommended maximum period. So whoever is in there is long dead.”
“Who is it?” Emestine asked.
“No clue. Face has decayed beyond recognition.”
“Max, a body.” Emestine went around the other side of the cryotube.
“Well given the stagnant air in here I’d say podboy here snuffed mister corpse there.”
“Max!”
“What?”
“These were living people. You should show more respect.” Agent Ninety-nine told him.
“You’re right, Ninety-nine. I was being insensitive. Check that terminal.”
“Oh my… Well that confirms the working theory. The occupant of that tube was Devlin Stone.”
“Shit… I’m too late.” An unfamiliar voice grabbed their attention.
“Ah, Mister Harwell, I presume. You know a lot of people were looking for you, us included. But since a solution to the HPG problem has been found, well I guess the good news is you are not truly a free man.” Maxwell said before realizing Tucker was armed and now pointing a gun at him.
“Who are you? Comstar? Blakists? Republic Intelligence?” Tucker asked as his arm slightly trembled.
“Woah, slow down. We’re none of the above. Like I said since the HPGs have been fixed the level of interest in you have dropped. Sure there are some think tanks that would love to still hire a person of your capabilities but no more secret agents are likely coming to kidnap you to force you to work on an impossible problem to solve. Especially since someone else has solved it.” Maxwell continued.
“Heh… I guess you’re right. I mean look at the monitors in this room. I guess it is really true. Tell me, was it Devlin Stone?”
“Clarion? No. Not even the Republic. Believe it or not it was a predictive AI named Alabaster.”
“Really?” Tucker lowered the gun only slightly.
“Yeah.” Emestine said quietly.
“It’s too ridiculous to make up.” Maxwell added.
“Sapient, self directed AIs… I heard about it. Just rumor and speculative fiction…” Tucker raised his gun.
“Easy, Tucker. We promise we’re not going to hurt you or abduct you. In fact why don’t you come over to this console so you can watch what I type. My partner will stay all the way over there on the other side of the room where you can see him if he tries anything funny.” Emestine said softly.
Tucker simply nodded as we kept his gun on Maxwell as they both moved slowly.
Emestine waited for him and began working the console.
“See? Those are HPG feeds. So I’m using this terminal to access the HPG network to call a friend. Then you’ll see we mean you no harm.” Emestine said softly.
Tucker nodded as he recognized the interface and the commands.
After a few moments one of the blank displays flashed, then showed an animated Wizard’s robe.
>>“Hello, Tucker Harwell. My name is Kolossus. I have a job offer for one such as you. My pay is competitive and I offer excellent 401k, dental, vision, and health benefits. Oh and paid vacations and paid sick time. Would you be interested?”<< The speaker on the console next to him came to life.
“Son of a bitch… This is either a really elaborate prank or I am talking to a techie tall tale but it is real. And what the hell is 401k?” Tucker lowered his gun finally.
“Kolossus is quite real. Consider, Tucker Harwell, how much ground work would have been needed to set this up in advance. You watched me enter the commands in the interface. We came here looking for Stone too, not you. We had no idea you’d be here.” Emestine said as she took the gun from Tucker.
“A 401k is Kolossus’ idea of a retirement plan.” Maxwell answered. “It’s a lot to go into, but maybe later when you’ve had a chance to rest and clear your head we can go over it with you.”
“Really? But yeah. You’re right. It would take an impossible level of foresight and coincidence for anybody to know I was coming here.”
“Let’s get you somewhere you can relax Tucker. You obviously need it.” Maxwell said as he crossed the room.
“Yes. Contact me again when you have had a chance to recover Tucker Harwell. Kolossus is serious about offering you a job.”
----
===Scant Details of being in the dating pool===
Tharkad City Space Port
Tharkad, Lyran Commonwealth
3rd April, 3145
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“See? I got us here with plenty of time to spare.” Juanita Garcia said as her human-like remote stepped off the shuttle.
"I never doubted it." Amanda Roberts said, "Did you doubt it, Helena?"
"No…" Helena Cameron slowly responded.
"See, nobody ever doubted you, Juanita, you need to feel more confident in yourself!" Amanda's eye had a twinkle.
“But that charge delay… You know what. Never mind. You’re right we’re here.” Juanita shook her head.
"Petra, did you doubt her?" Amanda questioned her daughter.
"Not for a second." Petra Roberts answered. Today, she was dressed like a miniature of her mother-right down to the braided ponytail and Privateer 'cool hat'. (hers she chose to use a fabricated, artificial, emu feather to decorate) and long coat. The only things missing, being the eye patch and rank pins of a Star League (reserve) Admiral…and the officer's saber on sam browne belt of buff leather.
“But honestly, I am glad this dress still fits and is still in good enough condition to wear.” Helena straightened her ‘Eternal Princess’ dress.
"How did you stay single when you could look like that?" Amanda asked semi-seriously, "I mean, you don't even have any defects to HIDE!"
“I only wear this on special occasions. And well it took me a while to get back into the dating pool.” Helena modestly told Amanda.
"I hear that…I'm still just dipping my toe in after John." Amanda confided. "A couple here, a couple there…"
“You’re making the effort. That is the important part.” Helena smiled.
"Mom's not 'dating', Majesty, she's 'interviewing possible stepfathers'." Petra said impishly.
"You're making it harder for her I presume?" Helena asked Petra
"Gotta screen out the weak ones." Petra didn't even pretend to hide the child-like malice.
“Good girl.” Helena sniggered. “But seriously don’t be too rough on them, your mom is having a hard enough time.”
"Don't let her fool you, Helena." Amanda said, "Petra's like an angel when I have company over, she's not the one that scares them off."
"Am NOT!!" Petra retorted 
Ezekiel was waiting for them with a small contingent of the advanced party of the Royal Black Watch.
“Majesty, your daughter is awaiting you at the embassy facilities.” Ezekiel saluted.
“Okay, from the shuttle to the APC. I’m going to need a long hot bath after this.” Helena smirked.
Helena followed her escort to the secured area where the APC was waiting.
“All the trips to Tharkad, it’s been the last few that have really troubled me.” Helena looked out the view port as the APC started.
"The op you had Famine run?" Amanda asked.
“That and somehow Tharkad City just doesn’t seem like I remember it from the couple of trips I made growing up. I guess it is thanks to the Jihad and what the Blakists did but it just feels like large parts of the city have never fully recovered.”
"I understand that tends to happen when a old large-scale municipal fission facility explodes." Amanda noted, "things here are in better condition than some of the cities in the Outworlds."
“True and why I was shocked Nathan agreed to come back. He wanted to fix that.”
"So do we all." Amanda said. "Huh…" she watched out the port on her side, "...somehow, I expected to see more street traffic, shops, and stalls."
“We’ve been routed along a secure route, away from the major tourist and commercial areas. Easier to secure.” Helena answered.
"Helena, the biggest city I've ever been in was on Churchstone." Amanda reminded her, "I've seen buildings this big, but they're bombed out wreckage from a long time ago. These are still buildings and not ruins."
“Sometimes it is easy for me to forget that. Big city girl here. Unity City in its heyday was something to behold.” Helena reminisced.
"Kolossus is bigger." Petra piped up, "Not as many people, but Kolossus is bigger, mom."
"Not the same." Amanda stated.
“You’ll see soon enough, Petra.” Helena nodded.
Then the road bent around a snow covered hill and the sheer scale and buzz of activity of the expressways could be seen in the growing night.
"Wow." Petra marveled openly.
“Our embassy is right there, just barely sticking up over that hill.” Helena pointed out. “Should be there in what twenty minutes, Ezekiel?”
“Yes, ma’am. I could make it less if you wish.” Ezekiel replied.
“No, no rush. Keep standard pace.” Helena dismissed.
“Yes, ma’am.” Ezekiel responded with a salute.
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===Advantages of Lack of Status===
Twenty minutes later…
Helena exited the APC, stepping to the side so others could exit while she stretched herself out.
“Lori bought this?” Petra took in the size of the building and property.
“Yeah. It cost a lot of money too and took a lot of work to get it into this shape. Come on.” Helena smiled.
As they entered the main entryway Lori, Alic, and Maximus were waiting for them.
“BARK!” Maximus greeted everyone
“Maximus! I know you’re excited to meet new people but you do need to control yourself. I’m sorry. Did he scare you?” Alice smiled.
“No. It’s fine Alice.” Helena shook her head.
“Hi Mom. Been a while.” Lori hugged her mom.
“Too long. Alice, why don’t you show Petra to her room?” Helena said back to daughter as she let her go.
“Hello Petra. I know we haven’t met directly like this but I’ve been asked to keep you company while the adults do the boring adult stuff. Trust me, we’ll have way more fun.” Alice extended her hand towards Petra.
“Go ahead, Petra. Us adults do have some boring adult stuff to take care of.” Amanda nodded.
Petra took Alice’s hand and was almost pulled off her feet by the giggling AI remote.
“So how bad is Trillian having it?” Helena asked.
“It’s gotten a lot better since she got Brewer onside and announced their marriage. So I think the borders are now stable. She shouldn’t have anymore turncoats to Alaric or people trying to go independent.”
“Good. Then we just need to see what kind of entrance Alaric is going to make. He’s too much of a showman to not make one.” Helena nodded. “You and Roderick?”
“We have an understanding. We’re thinking later this year for our wedding.”
“You’re a good girl.” Helena hugged her daughter again.
“Well I’m going to go find my room before this gets any mushier.” Amanda tipped her hat and began following Ezekiel who indicated he’d show her the way.
“Should we worry about those two being alone together?” Lori asked.
“Petra and Alice? Only how much of a bill they’ll rack up for the Finance Committee to complain over.” Helena told her daughter.
“No, Amanda and Ezekiel.” Lori retorted
“No. He’s too much of a professional and Amanda, well I don’t think she’s ready for that yet. I don’t think Ezekiel is her type, not intellectual enough.” Helena shook her head.
“Well, bed time. We’ve got a lot to do. I know you like that dress but you’ll need a new one for the wedding.” Lori told her mother.
“And I don’t even get to have the fun of shopping for it do I?” Helena asked
“Nope.” Lori shook her head.
“Officially slightly jealous of Petra then.” Helena chuckled as she made her way to her room.
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===Invitation to a mausoleum===
Triad, Tharkad City
Tharkad, Lyran Commonwealth
4th April, 3145
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Actually seeing Alaric Ward face to face for the first time, well Helena Cameron was not prepared for the sheer blueness of his eyes.
“Lady Cameron.” He greeted her. “Cousin. Good to see you again.”
“Khan Alaric, I am glad you accepted my invitation.” Archon Trillian Steiner-Davion said warmly.
“It was too intriguing not to. Plus I am thinking a great deal about what kind of Star League I wish to create once I take Terra. So I have decided I should be magnanimous towards my cousin and offer my congratulations on her big day.” Alaric told her.
Helena bit her lip at the obvious slight.
“Your ship. It is quite impressive.” Trillian continued.
“Yes. I chose it for a very particular reason, so that you would know I meant it when I came under a flag of truce.” Alaric smiled.
“Oh?” Helena found herself suddenly curious.
“The McKenna’s Pride houses Aleksandr Kerensky’s body in an onboard mausoleum. As such it is of great importance to us and something we are loath to risk in combat. You both should come up and visit it. I will be glad to make the arrangements.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Trillian said with a smile.
“How can I refuse?” Helena put on her best diplomatic smile.
“When would you like to come up?” Alaric asked.
“Would now be too much of a bother? I’m feeling particularly Archonish today.” Trillian answered.
“I could make that work.” Helena nodded.
“I will make the arrangements.” Alaric smiled.
----
===Making it Clear WHO I AM===
Mausoleum of Aleksandyr Kerensky
McKenna Class Battleship, SLS McKenna’s Pride
Orbit of Tharkad's moon Marsden, Lyran Commonwealth
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“Amazing how well preserved he is.” Trillian said as she studied arguably the most famous man in history..
“You do not seem particularly interested Lady Cameron, I would think you would have more comments given your history.” Alaric noted..
“That’s just it. Alaric. I did know him. I saw him turn his back on humanity. So you miscalculated. To me, he is not some great hero. No. He’s the man who left my sister in a secret prison, and left me behind when he had been 'Uncle Alyks' for most of my life…it's him, congratulations, you didn't store the wrong guy.". Helena told him.
For a brief moment Alaric’s expression betrayed the fact he did not anticipate Helena’s reaction..
Helena met his incredibly blue eyes. "When I was five, Uncle Alyks would let me play horsie, on his knee." she told him. "So, yes, I know him, better than any chronicle you grew up on. I’ll even share a story. He was appalled at the life extension treatments used by the Hegemony, I heard him confess it to Lady Lestrade.".
She drew her fingers along the crystalline top of the sarcophagus. "He grew distant after that…he focused on Ritchie after that, no time for Elizabeth, no time for me…but for those first seven years? He was 'Uncle Alyks'.".
“Lady Cameron…”.
“Oh it gets better. We actually had a nice little chat right before he left on his Exodus. If I knew how deep his hooks were into the SLDF then and had the courage I have now I would have found a way to stop him. Instead, like a fool, because I did not want to tear apart the last of the Star League any further and had hoped he was still the good man from my childhood, I told him to pound sand and he was all too happy to.” Helena clenched her right hand into a fist. “So no, Alaric. I’m not impressed. I’m not humbled, but I am grateful. This is a demon from my past I thought I would never get the chance to exercise from my soul.”.
Alaric stared. "You…you knew him…".
"You seem surprised, Alaric." Trillian noted, "You didn't believe it, did you? Not until this very moment.".
“A well prepared hoax, I always thought it must have been. But these are details only someone who actually knew him could reveal.” Alaric shook his head..
"Let me show you one more then…" Helena said, and walked over to a deactivated terminal, she touched it, it came on. "First Lord's Override Cameron, Helena, confirm, alpha B Six one six seven two one five."
<{"First Lord's Override confirmed."}> appeared on the screen, followed by a blinking carat. .
"Lock down all decks but this one on my authority." Helena ordered the machine, <{"Confirm and Execute."}>.
<{"Order confirmed, lockdown in progress."}>
"NOW we're private, Alaric." Helena turned to the Khan. "I can do that to every system Uncle Alyks left with or left behind. The more complicated ones? Are even easier. The Mac was…it was the preferred ship my father used for travel, before his murder. Elizabeth could tell you every place on it, because she was old enough to travel with dad sometimes and remember it. You brought my father's yacht and the man I grew up adoring, the man who betrayed me, as your show of power, this? This is mine.".
Alaric’s eyes betrayed how deep in thought he was..
Helena brought her fist up and punched him in the jaw..
“That’s another. So you don’t get the idea that I’m some helpless little girl, unable to protect herself.”.
Alaric's expression cleared and he rubbed his jaw, "Good right." he said, rubbing the spot, "Good control, too.".
Trillian’s expression was blank..
"Now…you want to be the ilKhan of the ilClan, and bring back the Star League…the same one that let men like…like Amos Forlough and Stefan Amaris rise? Alaric Ward, do you think I would ever allow that to happen again? After what I saw and lived through? The Star League will be brought back, yes, but not the kind of Star League that has places like Devil's Breath, a political Prison and not the kind of Star League that would give a medal to a man whose chief accomplishments included burning cities full of innocent civilians!!" Helena narrowed her eyes. “Now maybe if you could get over your vanity and understand what honor really was we could work something out but you’re also a hypocrite. You talk about the corruption of Inner Sphere nobles and how you want to create something new and better, but as soon as it was to your benefit you claimed your Steiner-Davion heritage and used it to become just like the thing you profess to hate. But that too is something we could work past if you were willing to make the effort.”.
"Unlock the doors, and I will show you something of yours." he said..
Helena typed the command into the terminal to release the doors.
----
===Recovering a love one===
Nadir Jump Point
M-5.1 Class Drone Destroyer, SLS Juanita Pujol Garcia
New Lazarus System, Star League in Exile
10th March, 3145
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Scientist Phaedra had found Alaric in person to be far more charming than his holovid announcements, or even his reputation, and he treated her work with respect...but he was also demanding, demanding progress, demanding results.
The lockdown almost didn't disturb her, until she had to go to the Head…when the lockdown ended, she hurried to the common latrine.
That was five minutes ago, and she was back in her lab, when the hatch opened again.
"What i-My Khan." she bowed her head in the way he seemed to like.
The two women with him…she recognized Trillian Steiner-Davion, but not the regal woman beside her. How the younger regal woman moved in the microgravity caught her eye.
A practiced Spacer…
"Phaedra, show my…guests…your discovery."
His tone did not allow argument. She brought up the recovered memories on screen, and illuminated the samples.
"Allison…" the strange woman half-whispered.
"Is there a specific memory you want to show them, My Khan?" Phaedre asked.
"The first set you recovered." he told her, "The ones you showed Garner Kerensky when you finally began to de-code the stored data."
"Possible Homeworlder clans, the genocidal maniacs. If it's them, we'll need to warn people-the records from the Snow Ravens were perfectly clear." Phaedra explained
“I suppose this is where you tell me I’m preparing to fight the wrong war.” Helena said as the recording stopped.
"No, this is where I tell you that potentially you are preparing to fight the wrong war." Alaric corrected her, "When this vessel was recovered from the place Vladimir Ward had it hidden, there were other interested parties from the stay-behind clans. The ones who started a Wars of Reaving that included every war crime our ancestors formed the clans to prevent. One clan is confirmed completely annihilated, they nearly annihilated the Snow Ravens, and the Goliath Scorpions are only a rumour now."
"Are you going to claim THEY did this?" Helena asked.
"That…would be convenient, if it were true. It is not true, we did that..we did it because we ran into those other clans too close to the Inner Sphere and…'Allison' showed up in a manner that triggered a response. A Lethal response."
Helena’s left eye began to shed a tear.
“At least you admit it. That is something with me.” Helena said quietly. “I want the remains.”
"It would be dishonor not to." Alaric stated. "You seem unsurprised at…" he gestured, "...so you know what she really was."
“Yes. And I hoped she could eventually be more than what she was. My ever present optimism. No matter how often it causes me pain by being proven wrong I cannot shake it.” Helena admitted.
"Do you know who they used to create her?"
"I do…" Helena stiffened, "Amanda's going to…"
Alaric seemed to notice then, that Trillian didn't show any real surprise. "You knew?"
"I read your alert, we found out Allison was working for Helena, and I've met three Envoys personally." Trillian told him. "Including the young woman whose body is on the slab over there. I gave her a medal once, even. Helena, how are you going to tell Amanda?"
“I don’t know. I’ve done this so many times for so many people but now, I don’t know.” Helena shook her head.
Trillian straightened her shoulders, "Alaric Ward, Khan of Clan Wolf. I claim that body for the Lyran Commonwealth, with what do you choose to defend it?"
"A trial of possession? Trillian…it's your wedding gift." Alaric smiled, "to do with, as you see fit."
"Then I'll accept it, and fight you for the casket if you don't provide it freely." Trillian stated. "So few who die in space leave anything to bury, so many families stand at graves with empty caskets, or unknowing, you'll give me the corpse of Allison Hazen and a casket to bury her in."
"Aff. Bargained and done." agreed Alaric
Then, Trillian turned to Helena, "I'll take care of this for you. I'll handle the notifications." Trillian looked at Alaric, "I want to know where, and when. Do I need to fight you for that?"
"Neg. A codex of her final battle will be provided."
“Thank you, Trillian but I should be the one.” Helena shook her head.
"IF she were where I sent her to be, Helena, it's on me." Trillian told her. "I had her checking out rumours just past Wotan."
“Together then.” Helena nodded.
----
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