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[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne watched her leave and sighed, going back to eating.

 

"Why's it that every ship I end up on has to have a mutiny?" he asked out loud, sounding exhausted as he worked to finish the meal before the briefing.

[Cknarf]

Frank peered over at the now empty shuttle.  He hadn't had an opportunity to check it out, as he'd only been on the Audron a short time.  Now was his chance.  He slid from the Kodiak, and into the crowd of civilians. He elbowed his way through towards the shuttle.

 

What were those things?

 

I don't know, and I don't care.  I don't want to talk about it...

 

 

...ripped him in two.  I couldn't believe it.

 

 

Have you seen James?  I hope he made it...

 

 

Blood... so much blood...

 

 

...sbane stayed behind to fight.  I should have been there with him.

 

 

...went down fighting.  She took out a couple of them, before she was overwhelmed.  Killed a few more in the blast.

 

 

I've never heard screams like that...

 

 

Whatever these people had been through, it sounded bad. Frank, for once in his life, resisted the urge to ask questions.  Besides, there was a kickass shuttle he wanted to inspect, and conversation would just slow him down.  He pushed through the last few civilians, and stopped before the shuttle.  

 

He circled it a few times, scanning various sections with his omni-tool.  There was damage in places, but most of appeared to be superficial.  He looked up at the turret above, it had obviously gotten the worst of it.  He climbed atop one of its 'wings'.  Its sharp angles provided plenty of flat areas to walk on.  

 

Frank examined the turret.  It appeared to be retractable, but the damage kept it from functioning properly.  He didn't see any obvious marks from small arms fire, or even energy weapons. It was too mangled to repair while still attached.  It needed to come off.  Frank slid his goggles on, grabbed some tools from his bag, and began prying away at the armored panels surrounding the turret.  Hopefully its owner wouldn't mind.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

VERA noticed the damaged armor being removed from the turrets. She searched for the communications frequency of the person removing the panels.

 

"Excuse me, you, removing the panels from my turret. Who are you?" she asked.

 

"Frank. They call me 'Beans.' But you can call me either one. I'm going to try and fix these."

 

"Thank you. It is difficult for me to use the turret with my armor damaged. My name is Vera. The panels are not necessary for the functionality of the laser, but they do provide protection. I can, at least, retract the laser and close the port without them. Please hurry. The Captain announced another mission. My organic may require my services again if it turns out to be another disaster."

[Cknarf]

Frank wasn't expecting a VI to contact him via omni-tool.  " You got it, Vera.  This shouldn't take long." He ground away at the armor, allowing the turret to move freely. "I should be able to get these panels straightened out before your 'organic' returns.  I hope she won't be too upset that I'm wrenching on her shuttle."  

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"You are a sweetheart, Frank," VERA replied, "I think Naleena will be quite grateful that you have done the work. If you do the work properly, I will even put in a good word for you. Perhaps we could have a drink when this mess is over? Not me, of course, but you and Naleena. I will just converse."

[Redbelle]

Deidrus rubbed his jaw which was stinging from where Naleena had struck him and tried to focus on his terminal by the galaxy map. Only it was hard trying.

 

That Asari had struck him.

 

She was already skating on thin ice and she'd struck him. He was her ticket to a full pardon. The prospect of a future without being hunted or chased and she'd thrown a punch.... at him. Not for the first time Deidrus wondered just who it was who was pulling all these misfit's together. If he could have his way he'd gladly swap them out for people who carried less baggage from their past into the mission. It was going to get them killed.

 

Spirit's, at this rate it was going to get HIM killed.

 

The rest were not much better. Going off without telling him. Not keeping him informed of progress or asking for advice or wisdom that his year's of service had accumulated and was available to share......

 

It wasn't that he wanted them to fall..... but without being kept in the loop, he couldn't support or co-ordinate them into getting the job done to the professional standards he'd been raised by.

 

But he had to admit.... they'd done a good job. Without support or guidance they'd uncovered a link to the collectors. The ships computer's were absorbing Terraquads upon Terraquads that had been grabbed and with it, his analyst's were confident that they could begin predicting the collector's movements, knowing which planet's had been visited by the Aspire seemed to be a good indicator of planet's with higher than normal visitation rates.

 

He was drifting. Had to focus. A map of the planet surface showing the tracks the train would travel along and their position. The Audron moving at a speed to hover just outside of a network of sensors that pinged. The pilot plotting the timing of those pings, then increasing speed to make it past a radar tower before it pinged again and it caught the Audron red handed on approach.

 

........

 

His men weren't going to like this. He didn't like it. It was criminal. He was a Spectre. The law could be broken in times of great need. The Audron was the point ship in the collector investigation and losing it would set back everything. They needed the armour. And since the other Spectre had been unwilling to give into his demands, he was damn well going to take it. Using the group he'd collected made sense. They were already a morally grey lot. The need for armour would keep the ship and therefore themselves alive. And if the council ever found out it would be their heads, not the heads of his men and women that rolled. It was a hard pill to swallow. But these people hadn't taken an oath of service and were essentially rogues and renegades.

 

And they were proving to be a bad influence on Eteon and Aelias.

 

Eteon especially. It was already going to be a challenge to turn her into a model soldier. Her tendency towards lateral thinking making her a bad fit in the more rigourous and studious Turian mindset. But her capacity to adapt was unrivalled making her a useful tool that was at his disposal when he needed a screwdriver instead of a hammer to solve a problem. Only he knew that one day, that disregard for authority would land her in hot water. Making her dodge right when she should have dodged left. It was the same problem as the group, only she had the military background to make her managable.

 

Focus........

 

It wasn't going to get any better. Stress was always a factor. It made peopple revert back to type. A soldier had the discipline to resist and form a wall. Awaiting order form his commander. These people..... he didn't know what they would do. They would fight, he had seen. They could work together. Knitting into groups on instinct is had seemd back on Omega. All supporting the other's in one shape or form whether it was assualting the enemy of sabotaging their ship and weapons from the inside.

 

They didn't like him much right now. His troops? Easy to bring in line.... These people? Mabe he needed to get a wrestling match going after the heist.

 

Spirit's.... he was actually going to rob a train. Maybe they were rubbing off on him too.

[favoritehookeronthecitadel]

The Citadel was busy. Salarians, asari and others were walking at a brisk pace to get through the crowds. Travelers that were standing on the sidelines to admire the scenery would stay in their own corners of the railings to avoid getting shoved by anyone. All of the shuttles breezing by sounded of a laser gun consecutively going off. It was rush hour, or "rush hours", due to the unexpectedly busy time of day at the Citadel. Good for profit for the markets and shops, not good for the desk workers that operated in the Presidium. All of the noise made it difficult to complete work.

 

In the Zakera Wards, Brann Riso was hurrying past a family. He had long, braided red hair, several tattoos, and 2 golden ear rings on his face. For a human, his appearance stood out. He walked quickly down a set of stairs, looking around. He was panicking. The artificial sky looked down at him, almost giving him a false sense of freedom. Scanning around, he bit his lips. No, don't panic. ****, what do I do? I'm a dead man. He took out his omni tool and called Borak, a Batarian spy that worked for Zymandis, a hanar diplomat.

 

"What do you want?", asked Borak, annoyed with Brann's unexpected call.

 

"I need to talk to Zymandis. Right now.", he demanded.

 

"Alright, I think he's not busy." Borak huffed as he walked from one darkly lit room to another, where the hanar stood. 

 

"It's Brann. He says it's urgent. Go ahead."

 

"Zymandis!" Brann exclaimed in relief. 

 

"Brann, this one wonders why you're on the Citadel."

 

"I know, I'm supposed to be in hiding. But listen, I did exactly what you asked. But something went wrong. The Shadow Broker knew I was still alive. My ship exploded as planned, and I was flying outside of Terminus, and someone started following me. Then they shot at me. I got away barely, but- but I saw them again. I had to land on the Citadel because you've got to find me a secure place to stay. He might be tracking me now."

 

"This one is not interested in helping you further. If you want to live, this one recommends contacting the staff at the Citadel."

 

"Don't **** with me. The Shadow Broker wants my head. I need to fake my death again. I need a place to hide. Now, hanar! Because if something happens to me, the Council will know of all of your dealings. I have a contact that will alert them on my death."

 

"This one is no longer going to help you, and believes you are bluffing. Still, even if you weren't, the Council will look the other way. And any evidence you have will be disproved by this one's staff."

 

Brann turned off his omni tool and cursed aloud. Suddenly, a gun was pressed on his back. "Take a walk with me.", a man whispered behind his ear.

 

"Wh-what?"
 

"The Shadow Broker wants you dead or alive. I personally don't care. But if you value the wondrous perks of living, you will go exactly where I say."

 

"Alright. What do you want me to do?"

 

"I rented a lovely apartment. Should be a few levels up from here. Let's go. Quietly. If you make a scene, you'll die."

 

The pair went up an elevator and walked towards the apartment. Synthetic janitors were mopping the hallway and took no notice of the two. The mercenary had one arm over Brann's back to make it look like they were friends, and the other pointing the pistol behind his back.

 

When they went in, Brann immediately stepped backwards from the mercenary. The man was a human in his 30s. Wearing all black and having a rough, sucked in face and spiked up dark hair. He looked like a professional killer. 

 

Brann raised his hands up in the air. "Look, I have money. Whatever the Shadow Broker's paying you, I'll double it. Triple it even. Maybe quad. What is it gonna take?"

 

"Unfortunately, a bounty is a bounty. And even so, you probably don't have that much. Your wealth hasn't aided you so far. It certainly didn't help you feign a believable shuttle accident.", the man said as he raised his Arc pistol at Brann.

 

"No! What are you doing?! I thought I was wanted dead or alive! Please!"

 

"That was a lie."

 

With a few shots, the upper chunk of Brann's head came off. Though brutal, the bounty hunter still liked to be neat. He bagged the body and cleaned the remains on the walls and carpet, leaving, at best, evidence of a fight. 

[Cknarf]

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to pass on those drinks."  Frank looked over at his mangled Kodiak.  "I make rather poor decisions while under the influence." He laughed. "However, I wouldn't mind a little conversation later."

 

"Such a fine machine." He pushed some armor back into place.  "Waaaaay cooler than my Kodiak over there."

[Kel Riever]

The town was dying.  But that didn’t stop Calvin and his companions from holding off as many of the monsters attacking the town as they could.  They rode through the streets, firing and distracting as much as possible to keep the enemy away from the last functional landing port to the east. 

“You got another one of them bombs, Cal?”  Hoss was using a pistol as he rode, and held out his hand.

“Right here, Hoss,”  Calvin pulled out one of his last packets of chemical putty explosives, once meant for utility, but handy as a grenade for the apocalypse.  He tossed the putty and affixed detonator to Hoss.

Hoss caught it, set the timer with his thumb, and tossed it behind them immediately into a pack of the creatures pursuing them.  A massive explosion blew several into the air.

“Yee haw!” Cindy Lou cried out.

“Don’t be surprised if they get up again,” Cal warned, “Those things is tougher than my dead wife’s bacon.  Rest her soul.”

Two simultaneous yelps went up as two winged Collector hybrids slammed each into Jimmy and Rufus, taking them to the ground.  Hoss called out but it was too late, as the boys were swarmed by creatures that made quick work of them.

“I love you boys!”  Hoss shouted, tears in his eyes.  Then he fired his pistol more.

Cal heard the roar of engines overhead, and saw Red Jack’s rickety freighter flying up into the sky.  That was the last of the ships, Cal knew.  He couldn’t help but be overjoyed at that moment, and he shouted, “They’re away!  We done did it!  They got everybody who wanted out to the heavens above!”

“Tarnation,” Cindy Lou cheered, “I hope they remember us.”

“Sure do,” Hoss said.  “Ride close, darlin'.  I’s always been proud to have a daughter like a son to me.” 

Cindy Lou smiled and pulled up close to her dad as they rode.  Suddenly a massive tentacle reached out from the pack of monstrosities and yanked both away, leaving only two empty, running mecha-steeds with bloody saddles as evidence they were ever there.

Calvin knew his time was at hand.  A claw raked his leg, and he batted it away with the butt of his Sabre.  As he rode, he punched in a code to self-destruct each of the mecha-steeds still on his lot.  It wouldn’t make much of a dent, but it had to be done.  He cried at the thought of all his life’s work going up like a field of fireworks.  At this end of town, he couldn’t even hear them go off.

A glistening, brown and black, heavily armored hybrid loomed before Calvin and his steed, blocking his way.  There was no one left now that Brisbane could see, except for his pursuers and the monster blocking the way forward.

“I am ready to meet mah maker!  Die you spawn from the pit!”

Red faced Calvin Brisbane charged, his Sabre firing away.  The creature took his shots, and then when Calvin was within reach, it snatched him up in two pincer-like hands to tear him in half. 

And that was the end of Calvin Brisbane.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Frank? I am going to ask you something, and it might sound a bit silly to you, but I find your name and attitude quite suitable for a noir novel I am writing," VERA said, "Would you care to be it? If you would I ask that you describe yourself. I am going to make you a police detective. Morgan is the private investigator."

[Cknarf]

VIs don't write books.

"A police detective?"  Frank shook his head, laughing  "Yeah, I'm game."

He gave VERA a slightly exaggerated description of himself.

"Six-two,  two-ten, muscular."  He jokingly flexed his scrawny arms.  "Oh, sooooo muscular." he groaned. "Basically the most handsome man in the galaxy.  Take that and run with it."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Okay, five feet eight inches tall, rotund with dark, thinning hair. He wore it in a comb-over. Two of his lower teeth were knocked out recently." Vera said, "That was a joke. I know you're not fat. I know you're exaggerating. Why do you keep a girl guessing like this? My guess is 5' 8", about 150 pound, and wiry. My guess is because of the amount of pound per square inch you put on my hull and the distance between your hands and knees. So what color hair and eyes do you have? What is your favorite color. What kind of dames do you like?"

[Redbelle]

Jess was stripped naked. Thrust under a shower head and made to stand there as a naked Anika scrubbed her down. Looking off to the side Morgan was also there. Naked and letting the water beat down on him as he used the second brush to get all the Hanar off her.

 

It was hard business. The Hanar guts stank and liberal amount's of soap was needed to even begin getting it to soften to the point it would come off.

 

All three were in the ships shower room and all their attention was on Jess

 

"This is hard going". Anika complained.

 

"I'm not going to complain". Morgan gibed as he scrubbed somewhere that had Jess standing on her toes.

 

"My Clothes! This is a wardrobe disaster"! Jess moaned looking at the bag Anika had stuffed them in. "Can't we wash them out or something"?

 

"With what? This is a warship. Not a washing service courier vessel".

 

"They must have some way"!

 

Anika sighed. "I haven't seen anything but hard metal shell armour. And they irradiate Captain. There's no dry cleaning here".

 

"Well.... we won't be here for long. We can't help but go along with jacking the train but after this.... My agreement with Deidrus comes into effect and I can go back to the Medusa". Jess sighed. "And.... I'm kinda hoping to get a few other's to come along". She said looking at Morgan. "And Anika? I need to ask. Do you want to come? Seems like that life I told you to keep an eye out looking for? You think it's here"?

 

Anika stopped scrubbing and her eye's locked with Jess's. Then she spun her around, pushed her lower back against so she fell against the wall and continued. "Your my captain. She has a ship. And yes I want her to come. But.... things are up in the air right now. I need to ask what it is she's going to do. She has her work and I have mine. And I don't know if Deidrus wuold let them off the mission. Not without prior agreement".

 

"We're not prisoner's aboard his ship luv".

 

"Aren't we"? Anika said pointedly. "Because if a ship's captain won't let someone go... there's not much that can be done about it..... Right"?

 

"That's why I brought the MIP's. Handy for a stealh getaway".

 

"They only seat three".

 

"We have three, maybe".Jess looked at Morgan. "And if Naleena want's to come she's got a shuttle to make it under her own steam. I'm just surprised I haven't heard back from them".

[Kel Riever]

Undisclosed Asari Salaris Armor Facility, Duellos

 

Xanthe unconsciously rubbed the white diamond facial marking in the middle of her forehead as she sat, staring at the Duellos satellite imagery on a vidscreen.  At one moment, she was receiving a message from Tela Vasir and wondering why the other Spectre was on Illium.  At the next moment, she was sounding the general alert and sending commando teams to get the train back to the secret base owned by Anotaria Industries, that produced Silaris armor for the Republics.

The reason that Xanthe, a Spectre, was assigned to the base?  To prevent another Spectre, like Deidrus Androkan, from overriding authority, coming to see what was going on, and taking the Silaris armor for helping them with another Council mission.  Here Xanthe was, helping protect secrets only for the asari, and yet with the Council purposely turning a blind eye even if it hurt another of their operatives.

The Council had really made a mess of Duellos.  By deciding it was a joint colonization, with each of its individual species members becoming greedy enough that the Council decided to have a hands-off approach, the planet had become more of a gladiatorial arena of claims.  With the secrets kept between Council species, Duellos was ready to fall apart.

And yet when Duellos did fall apart, it seemed not to be because of any of the Council species, but some weird, underground spawned, life form.  A life form that ran rough shod through the nearby town, started spreading to the rest of the planet and even somewhat into space.

Standing behind Xanthe, a tall, wispy asari with large eyes asked, “What is our situation?”  It was Foteni, the chief scientist at the base.

Xanthe looked up at Foteni, “The base is strong enough to withhold against whatever swarm is out there, at least long enough for us to leave if that is what it comes down to.  In the meantime, it is my duty to inform you to prepare to remove all critical data, equipment and the entire staff.  Everything that goes must fit aboard our evacuation transport, and please remind people that only necessary items will be allowed aboard.  I do not need rare sculptures to be taken along for the journey.”

Foteni was nervous.  “And what of the prototype plates, not to mention the data blocks, that are at the receiving station, meant for liftoff to Antonari headquarters?”

To Xanthe, Foteni was typical of someone in her field, thinking she was smarter than those she was surrounded by. “Since the rendezvous with the Republics’ freighter can’t occur before the threat reaches us, the train is returning to base with it cargo.  I’ve sent commandos to ensure its safe return.”

“They will come back immediately, then?”

Xanthe stood and stared at Foteni, “You’re job is to prepare the evacuation at the base.  It is mine to make sure the train comes back with its cargo.  Now, please, you are wasting time.”

Foteni gulped, and nodded. “I will leave you to your work.”  She then left the base’s control room.

With a sweep of her hand, Xanthe activated her omni-tool and contacted Mira.  “T’Riel, what is your status?”

The adept’s voice came back immediately. “We are at the receiving station.  All commandos are in place and the train will be leaving on schedule.”

“Get on your way, Mira.”  Xanthe cautioned, “There are heads that will roll if this goes awry, including yours and mine.”

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"I'm right here, Jess." Naleena said, "Anika, I wanted to ask you. I'm taking my shuttle as a backup on this run, just in case the main shuttle gets into trouble for the pickup. Do you want to go with me?"

[Redbelle]

Jess twisted her head around from under the flow of water. "Oh, hey Naleena! Didn't hear you come in. Don't mind us. Just some cleanup".

 

Anika looked from Jess to Naleena. "I'll think about it. I need to make sure the captain's in her armour this next time around....".

 

"I'm not a baby dammit". Jess complained.

 

"....Oth-er-wise..... there's no telling what she'll be wearing".

 

Jess grunted. "Fine! Fine! I'll wear the armour! It's nly because that last mission was supposed to be info gathering I wasn't in it to begin with! People put up walls when you seem like a stone faced goliath wearing plated hard panels. Now are you going to go with her"?

 

Anika bit her lip as she thought about it. "I don't know. It depends where you'll be. I'm your bodyguard and I'm supposed to put myself between danger and you".

 

Jess turned away from the wall and face her. "That's sweet. But you know what? I'm not planning on facing down a group of Asari. I'm an engineer before anything else. I can do more good figuring out how we're going to grab the car's contents. Taking the whole car seems simple but there's linkage's and the cars security and security to consider. It'll be easier with the town down and out, but the question is, what's Deidrus's plan? The car must have left. Or have been diverted somewhere else away from the port. Maybe to another loading platform"?

[Kel Riever]

Do asari know how to knock?  Probably not.  The conversation was one that needed to be had, regardless.  People going different directions had to be bad for Androkan, but there were pressing issues that weren’t being addressed.  How did Silaris armor help Morgan make sure his family was safe?  Then there was the Medusa that Jess had to get back to.  And if there were other issues which hadn’t come up yet….

 

Morgan finished in the shower, stepped out, and grabbed some towels for people.  “There might be other engineers on board who can help with this train.  Not to mention infiltrators.  Now on the point of the train…if what is happening with the Numan…repossessed…hybri…whatever you want to call them, is planet-wide, I wouldn’t expect that train to be running for long.  But there has to be another station out there, or they wouldn’t need a train to go anywhere and could go straight to space.

 

“Jess, of course I’m coming with you.  Anika…” Morgan said and then stopped.  He tossed them towels, wrapped his around his waist, and stepped out of the shower where he saw Naleena.

 

“The Captain’s got to get back to her ship,” Morgan said to the asari.  “Want to come along after we rob the train?”

 

Morgan contemplated the kinds of penalties people paid for undermining Spectre missions.

[Redbelle]

Anika shook her head. "Jess.... Captain. I know what your trying to do".

 

"Do you"?

 

"And I'm grateful.... I, have feelings. And yes I think it could be serious". Anika looked at Naleena and smiled. "You know how I feel. But I have a job and so far I've done a poor one. Morgan's done more to keep Jess in one piece than I have and.... And that's not good enough. I'm the one whose supposed to protect you. What would happen if Morgan and you got seperated? I appreciate the efforts Morgan". She said over to him. "But I can't rely on another to keep doing what it is I'm supposed to do".

[Kel Riever]

Morgan gave Anika what was a bit of a look of disbelief, but he didn't mention why.  He simply turned to Naleena, awaiting her answer.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"So you're saying you're going to go with Jess? Fine, then. You have a job to do. You're obviously busy. I'll see you after the mission. I need to prepare." Naleena turned and left. She was already in a foul mood. She needed Anika to calm her down. She went to her quarters and flopped her ridiculous hat on her bed, and shook the dust off her coat.

 

Dahlia came in the room. "Is everything alright?"

 

"I'm fine. Get that brush over there and dust this filth off my armor, would you?"

 

"I'm not your maid."

 

"Just do it!" Naleena's aura glowed. She slammed down a shot of ice brandy. She took a deep breath and shook her head. "Sorry, this has not been a good day. You've done very well; better than I ever expected. Aria would be pleased. I'll put that in my progress report to her. I want you to go on the main shuttle and stay close to Morgan today. Do what he tells you."

 

"I heard you punched the Spectre."

 

She turned to face Dahlia. "I may have to leave soon. This... is not a good place for me. I heard Jess and Morgan discuss a train robbery. I... have a bad feeling about this."

 

"Why?"

 

"I do not think the Spectre wants people who knock him into bulkheads. I think he is going to ask me to leave after this mission," Naleena put her hands on Dahlia's shoulders. "You were born on Omega. You are a citizen of the Terminus Systems. I on the other hand was born in Polos on Cyone and am a Citizen of the Asari Republics. Do you know what is here? An Asari military base, and the train tracks run to it."

 

"What are you saying?" Dahlia asked blinking her big purple eyes.

 

"I'm asking you to keep your mouth shut," Naleena said, "Do I have your word?"

 

"...."

 

"Do I have your word?"

 

"Yes."

 

"It is treason to the Council to sabotage a Spectre mission, so no one has to worry about me doing anything to undermine this robbery," Naleena took her hands off her shoulders, and explained as she took tranquilizer darts out of her case and loaded them into her magazine for the SIG 226. "Yet to attack an Asari military squad or steal from the Asari military is treason to the Asari Republics."

 

"So what are you going to do?"

 

"I have no choice but to leave." Naleena said, "Take care of my belongings for me. You will see me again."

 

"You're taking darts," Dahlia commented.

 

"In case things go wrong." Naleena holstered her pistol.

[Kel Riever]

Morgan looked at Anika, all seven feet tall of her, and leveled as serious a voice as he could muster.  "If you care one thing about that asari, throw on something decent and go after her right now.  Either ask her to come with us, or let her down easy.

[Cknarf]

"Alright, you got me. Frank smiled.  "Brown hair, but I keep it shaved.  Not bald, but pretty short.  My eyes are hazel, and I like the color orange."

"As for women..." He paused.  "Well, to be honest, Vera,  I haven't the slightest clue.  I'm-"  He pulled his goggles down around his neck. "Let's just say I've never been involved in a 'romantic relationship'."

He put the last of the armor in place, and brought something up on his omni-tool.  "That should do.  For now, anyways."  he ran his hand over the seams of the repair.  "A little rough around the edges, but not too bad for a quick job.  I can clean it up later, when there's more time.  Before I go, is there anything more you need?"

[Redbelle]

Just then the comms came on. The group, upon looking, saw the channel was transmit only.

 

"Attention Collector Investigation Team"! Deidrus's voice rung out, set so that only they could hear. "Congratulations on finding a link to pursue the collectors. The Audron's analyst's are looking through it now and we are sending out alert's to the most vunerable colonies to be extra vigilant. The council are sending picket ships near the relays in the area now they know the threat is credible. With good fortune we will finally see records of the ship or ships carrying out these attacks".

 

"The recent attack by these unknown creatures that our science team are now calling Hullectors..... Silly name.... have proven unfortunate. But I want you to know that this is not the only Aspire location in the galaxy. We have alerted the planet's on where they are and are readying evacuation plans while the security forces prepare to repel the Aspirant's..... Now that's a name... Dont' you think that's a good name? Put it into the record..... Ahem..... The Aspirant's if the need arises".

 

"None of this however is our immediate concern. As I'm sure you recall our resident Captain Silver believed that she identified a source of armoured plating that this ship sorely needs to help in ship to ship combat against the enemy. Our current defences are weak and so the safety of this vessel against a foe of clear technological superiority is of our highest concern".

 

A pause.

 

I can confirm that the armour for the ship, the armour we have a clear need for, is on planet. Unfortunately negotiation's on this planet failed to acheive the goal of acquiring any for our use. Due to time constraint's and the situation this planet finds itself under, and the importance of our mission, I have decided to forego seeking council approval for acquiring the material's we need. And have decided to take decisive action in acquiring said resources.....".

 

"To this end, I require that you prepare and be ready for deployment. We will be taking what we need. Any resistance is authorised to be neutralised with deadly force if neccessary. The key objective, and the thing you will all focus on, is that the collector's are the largest threat to this ship that we will face. Without that armour we cannot continue our mission with a resonable chance for success. If sacrifices must be made on account that any opposing force tries to stop you.... then those sacrifices are worth it".

 

"I expect to see you all alive and well at the end. Aelias has the mission details. Good luck everybody. Deidrus out".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Frank, well, I will have to fix that romantic part in the story. Hazel eyes, huh? Brown tweed suit; white shirt, and let me see... what color tie? Dark red tie. Brown hat," Vera said, "I am going to have to let your hair grow out a little bit. Orange isn't something you will wear, but we can work with it. Just promise not to tell my organic we had this chat, okay hon?

 

"I am also going to age you to about 30, and you work in homicide. Los Angeles Police Department. Your car is a black 1947 Ford four-door sedan. It is what cops drove."

[Redbelle]

Anika blinked. Her eye's were moist. "Whats.... Dammit. What's wrong with me".

 

Jess reached up and wiped away a tear that had formed after Naleena had left. "You didn't act on your feelings".

 

"I have a job"!

 

"Your not your job. Your a woman. Who needs to learn to let go".

 

Anika blinked at her. "I'm not quitting the Medusa Jess. It's my home too"!

 

"That's fine. I understand. It's moving fast. Maybe to fast. But you melded right? Tell me now. Thinking about her, not your roll in keeping me safe... How's she feeling? Right now"?

 

Anika sniffed and blinked. "I'm being professional dammit"!

 

"No your not. Your being controlling! And Naleena's throwing a baby tantrum and neither of you are going on this mission till you both sit down and talk to the other"!

 

"But"!

 

"No buts! I'll wear the damn armour. I was planning to anyway. now take this". She picked up a towel and threw it at Anika. "And go find her".

 

Anika's grabbed the towel out of the air and threw it open to wrap it around herself. "I've got to get ready".

 

"I'll get us ready. I used to have your job, remember? Go"!

 

Anika wiped away the moisture around her eye's and took a deep breath. Suddenly the idea of seeing Naleena again had her cetered once more. "Thanks Jess".

 

"Just don't let her get her own way all the time love. True loves equal and understanding. That hissy fit she pulled? Bad sign. But maybe it was pressure. We've all had a bad day".

 

Anika nodded. "I can massage it out of her. Just you watch...".

 

"Just you go"! Jess shooed her out the door and when it closed, Jess turned to regard Morgan. "Now then. Where were we"?