Chapter 51
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TIME:
15 DAYS LATER
(3 MONTHS AND 23 DAYS AFTER RETURNING)
LOCATION:
BETA CHARON
HIGH ORBIT AROUND LIMBO
ASTRO DAWN
"So what's happening in the space above Carin Zorv? I know this was an emergency. Don't tell me they've found it and are in the process of wrecking it. We just finished installing the assembly line for the C-01!"
I scowled at the display that showed a whole light strike fleet of warships belonging to the Burningthorn Princes. In total there were 6 modified merchant vessels of varying quality, 4 destroyers on the high end of class II, and a single light cruiser that's barely a class III.
The light escort fleet was currently sitting above Limbo in an orbit that put it over the site of Cairn Zorv every 90 minutes. And to make matters worse the light cruiser was—if our own sensors were correct—covered in a variety of weapons some of which weren't the usual lasers they seemed to adore.
"They haven't seemed to find anything yet Lilith. I can't be certain but I speculate that they are trying to make their own base on Limbo or trying to resupply on ice. I am detecting shuttle launches coming out of the merchant vessels and heading towards the surface. The trips seem rather sedate and unhurried," Mother said. I was still upset as these ships were orbiting at a rate that made trips to Cairn Zorv reckless and basically impossible.
From the amount of shuttles flying laps to and from Limbo I was certain that whatever they were doing was large. I would like to see what exactly they were attempting but that would have to wait until the orbital group left whenever that would be.
"Should we contact the Onyx Revenants," I asked. This strike fleet was, annoyingly, just too big for me to handle by myself without risking the Astro Dawn, or using currently irreplaceable munitions.
"I think contacting them would be wise but it would take time for them to actually get ready. The state of some of their ships leaves much to be desired. If we send a message right now it might take them at least two weeks to actually join us in our retaliation."
I frown, "Why would they take half a month to get ready for combat?"
"Their voidships are barely hanging on and they would need to make sure their most vital systems can even handle the rigors of combat. I would like to start supplying replacement parts soon. I advise we supply them sooner than later so it can actually become useful, but it can wait for a month at least."
Shaking my head I turn to leave the CIC telling Mom to send the message and to return us to Midnight Nostalgia. It was looking like I would have to build a new medium sized MAT, but the hybridization pods would take precedence for at least another month.
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TIME:
4 DAYS LATER
LOCATION:
CARDAMOM
ELYISSCITY
MILITARY HEADQUARTERS COUNCIL WING
POV:
Admiral Serena Vrit
I look up from my table as I hear someone knock on my office's door. I purse my lips at the sound. It was a touch more forceful than usual.
Waiting a moment in vain hoping the person would state who they are; but it was a fool's errand.
Eventually I just groan and state the obvious question, "Who is it? I am a touch busy at the moment."
"Its Chief Engineer Reckner, may I come in Admiral Vrit?" The voice asked impatiently but I felt something else I couldn't quite place in his voice.
"Yes come in, and please make it quick. I have work that needs to be done."
I lifted my gaze as a slightly tall man with short blond hair and a face that made it clear he hadn't spent a day of his life on the frontlines strode in awkwardly. His glasses despite being useless nowadays was definitely a choice on his part to wear.
"Greetings uh Admiral, I would like to ask how you're doing, but I'm afraid that small pleasantries would be rather, uh, pointless in these circumstances. Would you like me to, uh, get to the point?"
I felt my eyebrows lower, I already knew what this was likely about. As if to confirm my hunch he started to readjust his glasses. He likely knew whatever he came here to discuss was not to be well received.
I stared at him, not speaking for a moment as I recalled who this man was. What I could remember is that he served under General Macnell as his Chief Engineer of Acquisitions and Development.
Remembering that man I felt a frown form he was a rather... unscrupulous man with more corporate dealings that would be wise. Sadly he was on the council and was influential among the ground forces.
I am now certain I already know what he will ask, his choice in messenger made it obvious.
"Ugh don't make me guess, but does it involve a certain system governor named Lilith Runethari?" The man nods quickly, nodding a touch too quick to be formal. "And what is it this time I have already made my position clear, I will not intervene in her trial nor will I attempt to stop this overreach. If you want my support, then give me something that is clearly not just theater and is actually a valid charge."
"... Well the general was uh hoping that if you gave your support even privately for convicting her he will owe you a uh favor."
I don't say anything, just stare at the researcher. We squirms under my gaze but eventually I decide to speak again, "I don't think your general has an idea of how badly this looks for the prosecution. First of all if I wanted a favor I would want one from the woman herself. Just the list of equipment we can expect to receive from her is enough for me to back her. Class IV power armor based on Lumen Ascendancy designs set to be delivered within two years by the platoon. No matter how you look it would be a boon for my forces. And before you ask I doubt she's stupid enough to leave the designs accessible, and from what little I know of her character she'd definitely have it deleted if she is convicted.
"And good luck with that conviction, honestly the report of it alone almost makes me want to help her. Like are you kidding me? You're trying to imprison a system governor for having their void ship fly over uninhabited and undeveloped land while their life was in danger. That is setting a rather ill-advised precedent. Now please tell your commander that my answer is the same as it has always been, I will help once you have something that isn't just making a mountain out of a mole hill." I finish with a glare as the Reckner nods quickly, getting up having enough brains to know what a dismissal sounds like.
After leaving I let out a weary breath, this was just wonderful. Everyone was trying to either start a war with the biogen despite the idea being incredibly foolish, or they were trying to steal whatever they could from those beneath them. It made me pity this Lilith she chose one hell of a nation to appear in. Maybe I should at least visit, it would make a good excuse to see my brother and finally meet my poor niece he ran off with...
"No I can't, someone has to make sure nobody does anything stupid. Cardamom was supposed to be the military capital where everything was centered on merit, but as of late it's been more the quagmire of vipers and rot that was Cascadia. The fall of that world had once united our nation when it should have shattered. Now look at it, businesses hold more authority and power than most civil servants. The military leaders who should guide the nation to a brighter future are stuck trying to steal glories and resources from each other.
If Biogen's navy hadn't been neglected in pursuit of better, more deadly bioweapons we might be living under their cruel gaze. My job was preventing them from taking our nation and turning us all into lab rats to poke and prod for their sickening attempt at furthering our species, all at the cost of everything that makes us human. This task was growing increasingly difficult the more generals and admirals kept squabbling over petty disagreements.
Knock knock
"It's Lawrence ma'am."
"Come in and be quick, I just got done with someone else and I need to have these deployments sent out tonight."
As Lawrence entered he didn't walk to the chair as expected instead stood close to the door before closing it lightly.
Raising an eyebrow I asked him if everything was fine. Lawrence was never exactly delicate, what with being 2 meters tall and built like a concrete wall. He also had all the empathic abilities of said concrete wall. The man had served for longer than I've been alive... still looked to be in his late thirties despite that.
He was also a verified psychopath as well, but was fortunately high functioning, never falling to the depths you expect when hearing the word psychopath. If anything, talking to him was awkward as he didn't understand humor, or grief. He just took things with a calm most found not unsettling, but well, awkward.
He took deep breath and eventually started speaking, "Admiral Serena Vrit I am sorry to relay this news, but your brother former Captain Richard Vrit is dead. He and his wife were found murdered in their apartment on Garnet Station in the Zeta Zepharii System. An investigation is being undertaken but the results point to this being a silencing. A message arrived aboard a void ship a week ago, rest assured it hasn't been accessed or read we have made sure to verify that. Here is the drive containing the message."
I stare at the man, my heart plummeting as he slowly walks over laying a small thumb drive and slowly walks out of the room.
"What?"
My world turns blurry as the news finally hits me. My brother was dead, my dear older brother murdered... and what about my niece!
With trembling hands I connect to the drive using my MID. Entering a password our family always used for delivering important messages.
Reading the text file I feel my breathing hasten and my hands shake as grief turns to anger. I didn't scream, yell, or slam anything. Instead I glare at the file. It was a call for helping the same woman I just said I wouldn't intervene in. Immediately it was obvious why my brother had been killed. It didn't take a genius to put 2 and 2 together. It was a miracle the drive even made it to me.
With shaking hands I disconnect my MID from the storage drive. Connecting with my MID to my second-in-command I send a short message.
"Samael please alert the junta that I will be leaving Cardamom to investigate System Governor Lucius Grumman for incompetency and will see if he is fit to continue leading his system, Zeta Zepharii. Make it clear I will be going to also investigate Lilith Runethari as well as her ship Astro Dawn's capabilities, and whether she has the right to keep it in her possession."
I cut communication as I remove the usb and slip it into my pocket quickly leaving my office.
'Don't worry Ari, your Aunt will rescue you.'