She had to admit that the little jab at her newly announced guideline was not lost to her. She pondered Freya's words for a few moments while she took another small swig, this time more to busy her hand than to numb anything. It seemed that the 'Witch' had not lost her edge when it came to rhetorics. Her ability to say nothing with many words had always rivaled her own, and this time was no different. She shrugged. "Saying that I couldn't use your aid would be a lie, we both know that." She intended to continue, but stopped herself. It seemed clear that the offer was the help she had needed a few months ago, if a little late. She stood up, facing one of the few windows in the room and looked out, a pondering expression on her face. "But I honestly doubt that the Party will ever stand united again, if it isn't the subject of a revolution itself. The Widerstand's decline only served as a proof to that. Bruchsal has grown complacent in their role as the outcasts on the moral high ground, unable to decide on what they want to do. Heck, some even prefer to be in that role because it nets them sympathy in the Assembly."she smiled a humorless smile, reminiscing to the times where she'd try tackling the Party's inner problems with much more... tolerable methods, and how it had cost her everything while achieving nothing. The pained expression on her face staying, she turned her head slightly to see what the other woman was doing."What the party needs is fire, before it can heal again. And I honestly don't know if you're ready to... help me with that."Her voice failed her as she started choking up again. What Irony. Annika Haupt, the young idealist with a dream to change the world, traumatized by the methods Freya had made her use, now warned the older woman of getting involved with herself for exactly the same reason. And come to think of it, why the heck did she want to protect Freya all of a sudden? What was going on?
Freya Eistochter
Freya smirked, she hardly needed a lecture on what was wrong with the Bundschuh today, but she kept her sarcasm for herself this time. Annika’s zealousness had a certain charm, she could not deny that. “A revolution, internally or externally can only be done if you have a solid alternative at the ready and for that some unity is required.” It was an odd situation, Freya talking about unity, while regarded by many as the cause for the division that brought down the Widerstand in the first place.
“I propose a united front between your group and my own allies, so as to be the victor as we make others lose.” Freya was not impressed by Nika’s warning. “And this united front will help with whatever little project you’ve got going, if it isn’t stupid and will further the cause.”
Freya leaned back. “This is hardly the time to avoid risks, I’ve got little to lose.” She leans forwards towards Nika, coming just close enough to make someone anxious perhaps, but not so close that it becomes a blatant entering of personal space. She speaks with a soft voice, “So what do you say? Do you accept such a united front?” She gives a mischievous smile to Annika. “Do you accept me?”
She couldn't really understand what was so funny. The smirk on Freya's face kept growing with each passing moment, as if there was something amusing her that Nika didn't see. She offered a shy smile back, before she faced the window again.
The considerations if Freya was useful, if her offer was genuine, were helping to distract from the chaos that her mind would likely be when she was on her way back, so she dove into them fully, making sure that they were the sole thought process occupying her attention.
But for now, she had to admit that there was even an immediate use to the offer. One that would serve as a test for the seemingly rekindling of their cooperation - and judging by the smirk on the other woman's face, even a friendly cooperation. She really didn't know if she liked that caveat, but there was likely no changing it. "There's hardly any reason to deny you, Freya. And you very well know that. So... Since you won't openly announce your return, I think we could make this mutual. Make sure it stays secret for as long as possible." Now it was her turn to smirk, a smile that Freya had likely never seen on her. The expression that lingered on her face whenever a plan was working just as it should. "And chance has it that I have a plan how to do exactly that. We'd need to cooperate for that, but that is what you are offering, after all."
Freya Eistochter
Annika’s choice of words appeared diplomatic and all her suggestions carefully planned. She had grown into a capable leader, that was the impression Freya got. Still, Freya could not help but feel a bit worried about Annika. Sure, it was Freya who had sent Annika in many dangerous situations, but this was different. This time Freya had no influence over what Annika was getting into, she could not guide her. This time it was not under Freya’s control as it had always been in the past. No matter the risks, at least Freya decided on what risks to take.
At the same time, it did not feel right to worry about Annika. Why would she have to worry? After all, not being in control and not deciding on the risks meant it was not her responsibility. It was irrational to care, and yet she did, and hated that she did. She shrugged of the confusing and frustrating feelings that were setting on, and tried to focus on the matter at hand.
Her smirk widened slightly, before she stashed the canteen and handed Freya a data drive. It wasn't marked, seemed like a standard, inconspicuous part of tech. "We're both no friends of people opposing the freedom of information and choice. And as chance would have it, the White rose, the very movement that we're gonna keep your return secret from, is one of them. Remember Michael Wolf? He and a few others announced their support for me a while back. Only... That message never seems to have reached the citizens of the station." A slight glimmer appeared in her eyes. Acting was always preferred to sitting on her bum and doing nothing, so far, and some part of her jumped with joy that the operations with Freya seemed to be back. The Witch and the Banshee, working together again. Back then, nothing could stop them. It was unlikely that this time it would be any different. "Some sources tell me that you still have some leverage with the Admiral. We need to make sure that Bruchsal's ruling elite... loses their control over the media. A freighter infested with an Order-made, cyclic self-destructing computer virus would do the trick... And if I recall, all refugee shipments go through Eltmann. You get where I am going with this, I assume?"
Freya Eistochter
Freya nodded. “I can arrange access to one of the hangars. However, you will need to bring a tech-savvy guy of your own there. Many of the refugee-freighters are converted civilians vessels and I don’t think their systems are integrated with the Bundschuh neural net systems so accessing them from a distance is a bit more of a hassle, while physical access can easily be provided by my people.” Freya yawned, travel between planets gave the worst possible jetlag. “I’m sorry, the journey was tiring.”
Nika stashed the canteen in the bag and closed it, immediately removing the sole heat source. A shiver went down her spine, causing her to shake her head slightly. She went over to her former mentor and lay her hand on Freya's, smiling a mischievous smile. It took her a significant amount of resolve to do so, but it felt like the right thing to do. "You bring the virus and the freighter. I bring the manpower. Together we'll make them remember our names again... Even if it's just whispers." Finally, she stood up and nodded a simple goodbye. There was no need for further words, and she had to admit herself that the exposure to Freya had caused a storm of conflicting emotions that she needed to deal with first. And before she broke down in front of the older woman, she had to make sure that she was out of range.
Within minutes, she had launched her ship and begun the tedious process of leaving the atmosphere without generating a strong signature. The wind and rain shook the cockpit, and she was glad for it. Because if it hadn't been so loud, she would have heard her own cries of anger and despair, shouted into the empty void of the green, wet sea in front of her.
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