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827-02-18: SNS Harmony - In orbit of Planet Sudbury

The symbol of the Separatist Navy, the battleship Harmony was seemingly slowly going around the barren wasteland of planet Sudbury. Without her escorts the retrofitted dreadnought didn't look any weaker, the powerful engines keeping her in stable orbit. Soon her sensor arrays would pick up a group of Xenos vessels approaching. The Lane Hacker improved systems screamed at the anticipated attack. But this time they were granted docking access.

Meanwhile Victoria was already in the conference room, ready to meet with the current leader of the Xeno Alliance. She'd went through all the summaries of the operations with the Xenos. Had read political reports on them. Even went so far and read through interviews with, by now silenced, members of the party of the Liberty Free Republic. All in all it caused her a headache. And she was actually slightly nervous. The movement was starting to run out of options. They needed a proper alliance. And proper steps to give new hope to the actual goals of the movement.

Hearing about the Xenos ships arriving finally calmed her down. No more waiting. This was her combat these days. Diplomatic meetings with people. Deciding the fate of her men and women in the field. Organising a military. She closed her eyes for a few moments. It would take a while for Morreti to arrive. To be escorted by security. To be specifically escorted down the corridors with the most amount of Liberty memorabilia. Past the photo of showing Knight among a group of saved Libertonians, destined to slave away in some foreign house or worse.

It was a meeting to decide the future of their Liberty.

The Xeno delegation arrived in an assortment of fighters, the blood orange Prosecutor standing out at the head of the formation. They seemed to be escorted by a defiant class gunship that was oddly enough lacking its main armament in terms of the forward cannon. Once all the craft had docked, the gunship remained on a patrol route around the separatist flagship.

Morreti seemed to have been accompanied by three other individuals, likely trusted advisors. They were fairly compliant with the security protocols that were in place on board the ship, though even if they were requested to surrender the firearms they had holsters on their thighs, they would collectively refuse out of principle. The corridor of propaganda attracted some amount of attention from Morreti's entourage but not him. He didn't seem to bother with the trinkets or the wall mountings, least of all the picture. It must have been hastily put up to appeal to their sentiments.

Eventually they were all in the room that had been prepared for this meeting and it was up to the host on whether to exchange pleasantries first or have their guests seated immediately. Though there was the expected tradition of having the leadership of both causes at least shake hands prior to the commencement of talks. In the end it was Knight's decision to make and Morreti was just along for the ride.

By now Victoria had been joined by other officers of her command. Not all of them, that'd have been most unsafe. But enough to make a point about the officiality of this meeting, the importance. Victoria was treating the Xenos as any other organisation she'd get into diplomatic contact with. Certainly like the Hackers or the BDM. Still the Xenos had in the past been something volatile. Someone you'd avoid to align yourself to. And while they had supported the Battlegroup in combat that might'Ve been desperation. There was the possibility of them trying to wipe out part of the command here and there. And that tension was noticeable for her among her staff.

Some tension would fall off everyone once Morreti arrived. Victoria rose to meet him half way across the room, shaking his hand. "Welcome aboard the Harmony, Mister Morreti." she greeted him before offering him and the comrades he brough a seat. For most Xenos the situation must seem almost surreal, sitting at a diplomatic table onboard a Liberty warship and talking to high level Navy commanders.

"In the name of the Navy loyal under my command, I thank you for comming here so quickly. Recent operations have shown that we have much to gain by working together. And more in common than we believed. While some forces of ours have fought more closely together with your movement already, the general population of my people have changed their views. It took some time, understandably if we consider our origins. Considering your support recently, may I assume a similar change among your people?"

He smiled politely and shook firmly, despite his reputation and affiliation there was an element of grace about him, something refined amid all the blatant crudeness. Though this inherent uniqueness did also mean that he didn't quite fit in with any of the sorts that inhabited Liberty. In response to his status as a bit of a societal oddity, a well circulated rumor had cropped up regarding his similarities to the 'freaks' that ventured to Liberty from the Northern-most fringes. But by now his critics had largely been won over by the recent successes and overall improvement as far as operations were concerned. "With all due respect, Admiral. The hostility that we shared in the past was only ever in response to disrespect. The Xenos represent the common man of Liberty. And when your forces have in the past tried to behave roughly, we have reacted in kind. It was the holier than thou attitudes of people like Linford that kept us from realizing our mutual enemies and agendas. If that's something which can be corrected under your leadership. Maybe this will go somewhere productive."

The borderline excessive branding of Liberty's typical design philosophy seemed to aggravate the people he had chosen to come here with, many Xenos had a bitter resentment of the Navy, the police or simply the Government and all its associated forces, owed to a history of abuse and brutality. And though their methods in response to these crimes were clearly excessive, there was no shortage of justification for what the movement had been pushed into becoming. "All wounds heal, but the more graves ones tend to leave scars. In this case the scars left behind are bodies, dead ones of course. My people might, at least for the most part, choose to forgive transgressions of that sort. But if I'm entirely honest, I don't expect any of them to forget. It's something you'll have to keep in mind going forward." It didn't seem to come from a place of pride, though something did well and truly seem off-kilter in the way he regarded people. Almost like a child holding a magnifying glass over ants.

With their informal exchange finished, he and his accomplices took their seats without issue and seemed prepared to actually go ahead with the talks that were planned for the day.

Hearing the name of her second in command being stated as a reason for the bad blood between them made her both tense but soon after immediately relieved. That meant that she could mend it. Change policies, orders. She was the one representing the movement, not her. She'd done a good job but she wasn't Victoria. And Victoria would do her best to gain alliances, gain ground, fight for her people.

"The people fallen on both sides will be a regret we carry forever. As much as you don't forget yours, we don't forget ours. But while we remember we cannot let that dictate our actions." she stated diplomatically. She meant it too. While regrettable she'd not let that spark animosity, these people died for a cause. One she had the mission to see through to the end to her best ability.

"Our forces are among the strongest fighting the current governments forces. And while we fight for a better Liberty we don't connect with its people. Our resources don't allow for that. And our past lifes were well documented. Our past relationships cannot afford the political focus that your movement provides. On the other hand, we are the true Liberty's military force. We did not allow Powell's reign to stop our mission, nor will we allow Hawthorns even more dangerous looking plans to."
She paused for a moment to show the united room a few bits of data, Alaska entries, scouted fleet positions.

"We have corporations suddenly moving into the Zone 21. Personnel favourable to our cause report Universal and Ageira vessels are of the most numerous. It confirms our suspicions about Ageira's deep involvement with the government." She then moved to the fleet positions. "With the war over and despite their heavy losses the LSF and Navy focus as strong as they used to on fighting us and the Hellfire Legion. As much as we disagree with the Commonwealth, it is concerning how heavy they suddenly focus on wiping out opposition to their government specifically." she made a point of not displaying all this combat intel as a trade. It was freely given to someone she intended to work together with.

While his advisors seemed to visibly react towards a mention of the Commonwealth and certain other words she'd use, Morreti never gave Victoria any sign of a tell in regards to what he was thinking. At least in this regard, he was more of a Xeno than his peers, entirely unpredictable. One could never be certain he was even listening, and it didn't seem like he was right now. Blue eyes idly watched as she spoke, gestured and behaved, as if scanning for imperfections. Since the dialogue seemed to only concern the figureheads of both organizations, Morreti's advisors let him do all the talking if only to be polite and spare verbal bombardment. "From the looks on the faces of my Luminaries here, I'd probably avoid calling yourselves Liberty's true military force. It implies subordination to the entity that's directly responsible for our existence. And I should like to presume that you renounced your subordination to the Republic in favor of your own freedoms. A bully is a bully regardless of how legitimate his claim, and that's the present association we have when it comes to Liberty's military." So apparently he was listening, just not too keenly. And he also seemed to have the intuition necessary to know what his colleagues were thinking, just by looking at them. It wasn't remarkable if one considered the fact that he'd probably spent a lot of time with them by now.

"Your relationships, as you put it, have always been a point of contention. It's also why you're, to put it frankly, unappealing to the average man. Why? Well, consider this. We act in the pursuit of ideologies that made Liberty great to begin with, ideologies which were quickly sold when the margins were the most compelling to the Republic. Take my word for it, what the people you're trying to fight for really want, are people they can relate to. It's why we enjoy a level of support no other organization in Liberty can hope to stake a claim to. And the reason for that is simple, there's no difference between them and us beyond the obvious. And we regularly keep tabs on their needs. So when a movement like yours, aligns itself alongside entities distinctly opposed to our way of life, such as the Unioners. You automatically disqualify yourself from any potential favor. You become part of the grand problem, and an enemy not only to those people, but to us." It appeared as if he'd had time to think through what he'd just said, or perhaps his advisors had fed him all the pertinent information he needed prior to this meeting. It didn't really matter, they were a critical analysis of what the situation was and they were valid. There was no way in hell the working man was going to get behind a cause that actively supported people intent on pushing him around.

Despite how cold his remarks might have just seemed, he smiled before continuing further. "The Commonwealth is a mutual point of disagreement. They've been unreliable, untrustworthy and selfish recently. I wouldn't put much stock in them personally, especially not with how eager they were to leave us out to dry in Bering once they settled their differences with you. I don't think you've ever been briefed on this, but we went into Bering alongside the Legion to help them fight you. The Legion then decided it did not want to fight you and backed off. But they did not do us the courtesy of establishing our own withdrawal. They just left. And they left us holding the bag, in front of you and every mercenary looking for easy credits. Ultimately we blame the Commonwealth for that gross misconduct. I'd prefer if we left them out of the current discussion entirely. They aren't worth passing mentions." With those facts established it hardly came as a surprise that the Xenos were not the biggest fans of the Commonwealth at the moment, but it also seemed like there was more to it than that. But that only circled back to his point of not wanting to waste time talking about just that, a waste of time.

She heard one officer next to her draw in his breath at hearing he shouldn't call himself military. This organisation had a proud history of it. They all were proud to be soldiers. It was just circumstances that had forced them into this situation. But Victoria understood what he'd meant. And had seen how some of those Xenos reacted. Military and the Commonwealth weren't exactly things they looked onto favourably. She'd have to call their organisation something else in front of them.

Luckily the Unioner relationship had turned from support to war and then only back to a mere ceasefire. While that hadn't been helpful for the movement much it was helpful right now.

"Allying with the Unioners was a mistake we regretted in the end. It felt like a necessity at the beginning of us having to run from the Navy. The Hellfire Legion immediately started their assault on us the moment we left their clutches. It was only over time that we realised who we decided to work with. We're no longer working with them. And our cease fire is one out of necessity. The Unioners know Bering well. They're strong there. Any war we fight them in alone is allowing the Navy to push us back." she explained to the people why they had been allied to the Unioners and why they wren't currently fighting them actively.

"We aren't used to this kind of operation. We used to fight for what we believed was a just cause. We were betrayed for that. Like Liberty has betrayed you and the people you represent. I've seen plenty of that suffering. And while our core fight is with the Navy it is people like Hawthorne commanding them to such terror. We all have families in Liberty. Or we fight for their memory. It is not about petty revenge. Taking down the current leadership is a necessity for the people of Liberty." She looked at the reports about Alaska again, they suggested things she didn't want to think about too deeply. But she also considered the massive war force Liberty was producing without stopping. What, apart from taking down the Legion and the Separatists did they plan?

"Quite possibly more than just the common people of Liberty."

Morreti relaxed a little in his seat, leaning back and crossing his legs. He listened keenly to what he was told, it was a definite change of pace compared to before, with him seeming so attentive now. "Survival is a tricky branch of mathematics. We can understand the struggle associated to it, but so long as you compromise on what's necessary for your own sake it'll harm the perceptions of people suffering because of your decision." It was a sentiment his companions seemed to agree with implicitly. To them Liberty or death was more than just a catchphrase to use in the propaganda. You were either on the right side or the wrong one, and people on the wrong side typically died to make way for the interests of the right.

Once more he paused, as if looking for water or at least expecting there to have been refreshments of some kind. Though he didn't seem to care all that much about failing to find anything, electing to continue what he was saying. "Where we protect our own from the Unioners in Hudson, you've been turning a blind eye. You want the impression to change then you need to show the common man that you actually care." That much was true, Liberty's civilian and commercial traffic were occasionally attacked in Hudson. And the Xenos of Barrow were typically quick to respond given their proud tradition of vigilantism. Something Morreti himself occasionally indulged in.

It seemed like the most tense topics for both parties were now overcome and they could probably talk plans now. At least that's the direction Morreti seemed to take now.

"Luckily we have realised that much. We've stopped supporting them and the only cooperation is now when Liberty's forces assault Bering directly. I will admit, Hudson has been mostly unprotected by us. Something we've tried to rectify numerous times with limited success. If you would provide us with the necessary staging ground to store some fuel we can spare a division to protect traffic in northern Hudson as well as southern Texas." she offered. Hudson had been something the Separatists leadership would have liked to have already taken over. A planet, even one still in active terraforming would make many operations easier. And it was a clear statement.

"If the Unioners interfere we can handle their small raiding groups. Especially since they will not outright retaliate as they would in a direct Bering engagement." Her plans still seemed careful. Unwilling to declare outright war on the Unioners once more if they had no one at their side or the clear upper hand.

Now they were getting somewhere, into what could hopefully turn out to be a fairly substantial and beneficial arrangement. He had come here with the intention of cutting the Legion out of its ability to dictate terms with the Alliance, the Prosecutors in possession of the Alliance could be maintained with a jury-rigged combination of borderworlds and Liberty-made parts. The technological components of the ship were something he felt confident about being able to work on in terms of replacement if it started acting up. But he would not be able to surmount the barrier of production, the movement would only have the Legion hardware currently in its possession and could not make more, this was if of course hostility was the eventual decision.

"We could do that for you, yes. But our only staging ground in the system of Hudson is already cramped. We can hold that point better if you assisted our men there with hardware and supplies, trying to fit in your division would require a station expansion which could be a future consideration." A gradual development between the two movements would prevent the same kind of exploitation that the Legion was trying to pull now. The end goal was the self sufficiency and strength of the Alliance, subordination could not be an option.

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Victoria Knight

Reeves

Victoria Knight

Reeves

Victoria Knight

Reeves

Victoria Knight

Reeves

Victoria Knight

Reeves