Plans lay sprawled across his desk, which was a mess. A birds nest of papers, data-pads, memory sticks, a half empty bottle of aspirin, and the framed holograph of his Wife and three Daughters. There expressions were smiling, the background a sunny countryside - really a projection on board the passenger ship "Roger Young" during the exodus. Smiling, they seemed to say 'we still love you, even if you fail.' It was a naivete that soured in his mind, knowing exactly what was at stake.
Before him sat everything. Civilian census - Military deployment strategies - Logistical needs of those deployment plans - Intel on suspected gallic movement - The last reply from King Charles - Projections on the logistical nightmare of dragging Hfuel from Okinawa, down to the Molly's of Dublin...
On the ground, the people had really changed - everyone seemed to believe Richards messages of hope. There was a very real feeling of every pulling together for a brighter tomorrow. But up here, in this office, it seemed that an entire nation was a massive weight, being held aloft by the very slimmest of threads. If that thread gave way, there would be no salvaging the aftermath.
The Republics military was also faltering. It was stretched thin, and needed supply. Richard knew they needed Bretonia's military support to have any hope of winning this war. But Bretonia's military leaders had been disinterested in becoming involved in the negotiations, at least until they got what they wanted - settlement for refugee's. But that, was all being held back. IMG, slowing things down like a boot caught in a bog - and now, the crisis of the day - Coronado, up in revolt over IMG's diplomatic blunder.
Intelligence agents, and, really, just hearsay on Barrier Gate Station, all pointed to something big happening, and he needed a fly on the wall, to have any hope of coming through it. Only a few hundreds of thousands had survived Crayter - if Richard did anything else, he could not fail them. Not now.
The door to the office opened.
"Mr. President? Their here."
Richard nodded, and stood up over his desk. His suit jacket was slung over one of the chair behind him.
Xi de Mortis and Marek Belka entered. The young "Minister of Pizza" (a small joke that would have brought a smile to his face normally) had joined the Parliament only recently, and still had connections to the type of people who might be needed. Marek, the tall and ram-rod straight Intel Director looked as blank as he always did, with just that ghost of a smirk that could curl his lips at any second.
"Ill be short with both of you, because we dont have the time. Something big is happening on that station, and we need to know what it is. Xi, Your more well versed with these sirians then we are, and I'm told you have connections with people who wouldn't be amiss in that type of environment. We need someone in there. Someone we can trust."
"Marek, give Xi all the support she needs. But overall, find out whats happening."
"A storm is gathering, I can smell it on the wind."
Marek nodded cordially to Richard, then turned to Xi.
"Do tell me what you need, and we can be on our way to planning. I have a man already on the station itself, though, probably not the ideal cover you're looking for."
Xi de Mortis had been going over the needed specifications for Demeter when she had been called. It was unusual for her to be requested personally; she wasn't usually called out of the blue. Frowning, she straightened her clothes and headed for her personal Celestra. She climbed onboard, the pilot looking up from his Girls of Sirius magazine.
"I was told before the message was forwarded to you. President Connors has requested you."
Xi frowned, taking her seat. The pilot closed the hatch and pushed off from the deck.
"This is Ministry Transport 005, requesting escort to Pecos, over."
"005, this is Sabah. Echo Four and Echo Seven of the 15th just got done with overhauls; they'll escort you to Pecos before breaking of for a patrol of Cortez."
"Roger that Sabah, we're out."
The Celestra exited the confines of Sabah and entered cruise speed, the two Nyx fighters slotting into escort Positions.
"This is Echo Five, callsign Raindancer. The famous Pizza Hut, eh?" The female pilot inquired with a chuckle.
Xi leaned forward, smiling. "Thirty minutes or it's free."
The other pilot, an older man, sighed. "Echo Seven, callsign Hammer Time."
"Thank you for escorting me." Xi said.
"Our pleasure."
________________________________
The two Nyx fighters peeled off as they crossed the threshold of Jericho, two Nyxes and a Pytho taking over.
"005, this is Alpha One. You've entered our escort range. We'll see you to Pecos."
"This is 005 to Alpha Wing, we thank you for the escort."
"Our pleasure."
The Celestra entered the corridor, the snubs peeling off. Xi held on, sighing as the vessel shook. Soon enough, it hit the lower atmosphere and headed down.
"Transport 005 to Ground Control, requesting permission to land, over."
"You have priority 005, Pad One. A truck will be waiting for the Minister."
Xi sighed. Never a dull moment.
______________________________
Xi stepped out of the truck, guards already gesturing her towards the main doors. She hurried up the steps, stepping into the warmth to meet Marek Belka.
"Mister Belka." She said emotionlessly. Belka were not a family that Xi liked. She remained cordial.
"You two, President Connors will see you. Now."
Xi stepped into the office, slightly nervous. She was the youngest Minister in the Republic, which didn't exactly make her the most, well, serious one. She took a deep breath before the doors open. Showtime.
She stepped in to find President Connors swamped. He stood, and outlined what he wanted.
Xi merely smiled. She knew the perfect person.
"Mister President...I know the perfect person. Her name is Isabella Archer. She goes to Barrier Gate when she needs a change of atmosphere, and currently should be on Manhattan. She is an old friend; I'm sure she would be more than willing to be our eyes and ears." Xi slipped her comm unit from her pocket. "I can call her and have her heading there in ten minutes if she isn't busy."
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
Connors nodded, the grave look on his face all the harder. It was funny, because most people saw Connors as he appeared in his declarations to the Republics people, all warmth and smile - like a grandfather. In truth, Connors could be as hard as iron, and just as implacable, when needed. He'd escaped a sector crushing singularity, watched his family perish as his homeworld was ground into fine powder - flew a Charon, even took life. He figured he'd weathered as much as any Colonial, and was still comforted by the fact the bitterness of loss didn't rule his heart.
"Isabella Archer. If you trust this person, then do it, get her."
"As of this moment, this whole operation is top secret, no one is to know. Marek, you'll handle the security."
Xi de Mortis pressed the speed-dial. She didn't step out, she didn't pause. Pressing the comm to her ear, she waited.
One ring
Two rings.
Three rings.
"Hey Xi." The familiar voice of Izzy came through clear. Xi smiled.
"Hey Iz. Got a free schedule? Need a favor."
"I do. Whacha need?"
"Get to Barrier Gate and sit in a massive assembly of Freelancers and Mercs and the like, then tell us what goes on when it's over."
"Pff. And here I thought you'd ask me to seduce a Gallic Duchess, Minister de Mortis." She chuckles. "I'll be there as soon as possible. Tell your friends to not to shoot the Eventide, will you?"
"Will do. Thanks Iz. Give my love to Strix and Violete." she hing up, sliding the comm into her pocket. "She's on her way Mister President. Sitting and listening is a small favor." Xi crossed her arms loosely over her chest. "Do you need anything else sir?"
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
Connors nodded, and sat back down in his chair. Looking down at the weight of work still needing to be done, all over his desk, he suddenly felt very tired. The future of the Republic lay in the hands of a sixty-something man who had never wanted responsibility, and who could never say no to people.
The Eventide detached from Barrier Gate, Seiryu at the helm. Izzy was down in her small cabin, rubbing her neck and selecting a replacement stiletto, since that Bret woman stole her other one. She slide the kunai off her thigh, then started to remove all her knives - all twenty seven of them - from their various hiding places. She left the obvious one that was in a special shoulder sheath, then put them away.
"Iz."
Izzy looked up to find herself looking at Haley.
"Yeah Hal?"
"Sei says we've exited the Barrier Nebula and are heading to Pecos now. We should arrive in thirty minutes."
"Thanks."
Nodding, the woman left, leaving Izzy to dig through her small wardrobe to extract the nicer green dress. Like she'd meet a President while wearing a skirt and T-shirt, in tennis shoes.
________________
The Claymore gunboat settled down on the landing pad, and Izzy walked down the ramp. A car was waiting - courtesy of Xi, who Seiryu must have called, Izzy slide in and buckled in. The car pulled away, leaving Seiryu to keep an eye on Cam and Haley.
The car pulled to a stop in front of the President's Office. Izzy stepped out, glad she refuses to wear heels and instead wore her nice green flats. Climbing the stairs, she was ushered in, where Xi de Mortis waited.
"Xi!" Izzy said, hugging her friend.
"Hey Iz." She hugged back. "We'll be let in soon. How bad was it?"
"Let's just say, things could get hard for the Republic..."
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |