Still wearing her light robe and towel, she felt a little embarrassed. She listened as the governor spoke and nodded her understanding. Still, she was a bit sheepish, giving that slight smile of embarrassment.
She looked at herself quick and answered, "First of all, I apologize for myself as I wouldn't accept this from one of my crew." She then became more confident. "I was informed not long ago that my engineers have addressed the transponder issues we have been having so bring Med Force Two and it's services to use shouldn't be a problem."
"As to a link with John Holliday, well, perhaps if I can have access to a secure com channel, I can patch you to him personally on my own code," she suggested.
She stood confident at this point, ignoring her lack of proper dress. A small part of her felt like a defiant teenager. There she was still in a wet bathing suit, a light robe that had become wet itself and a towel and the exposed skin of her chest still slightly damp and standing close to Oreste. It was then she looked to her side and smirked on the side of her face that the governor couldn't see but Oreste could before looking back to the governor. She gave the governor a light smile. "Any time you are ready, Sir."
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
Oreste saw her signs of defiance and he felt proud of her. However, something was on his mind and he wanted to finish the conversation as fast as possible so Sarah can return home "Governor, what is it that they want us to do with Richard ? And as for Doctor Naggar, I will send a comm asking for her to come as soon as possible."
Aeryn looked down at his feet and embarrassment took over him "Honestly I do not know Oreste. I really do not know but this CIS operation and with most of the CIS Fleet in this system, I must say that I am a bit terrified. You know they are way above my pay grade and to be honest, they really don't say much..." but he couldn't continue as the doors swung open and three black armoured soldiers entered the room.
The middle soldier continues to walk toward the Governor and he scanned the two persons standing next to him, while the other two soldiers closed the door and placed themselves on each side of the door, weapons standing at attention.
With a touch on his arm, is helmet fall down, showing the intensive use of nanobots in creating the armour. Seeing Sarah's lack of clothing and Oreste half dressed and with their hair still wet he smiled.
"This is exactly for what we have been fighting for. For young couples like this to enjoy their life." He saw Oreste trying to protest but with a snapped hand he cut him out. "Please, allow me to introduce myself, I am Agent Zeta, CIS. Governor, nice to see you in person."
"Agent, welcome to Gemini. I am pleased that you are here and maybe you can shed some light on what is going on."
"Gentlemen and Lady, what I am going to say cannot leave this room. If it does, Article 86 will be enacted. Former Fleet Admiral Richard was caught while he tried to negotiate a price for Tau 44 to be sold. Naturally, we interfere when we caught wind about it and we arrested him. There was a small conflict aboard the Olympia with casualties on both sides but we managed to recuperate Olympia even after she jumped and brought her back to Crayter Space. At the moment, the Admiral is resting on our Shadow Base in Coronado but since he is half cybernetic, we cannot fully break him or reprogram him. And when I say re-programming I am meaning pure and old brainwashing. We need to know how large is the scale of treachery in the Crayterian Fleet or in his office. We need technicians specialised in Nanobots and Top Medical Personnel to oversee any complication. As much as we may dislike the man for his actions, he is still a Citizen of Crayter and he must be looked after. Oreste, you and Commander Sarah have a talk about whom you can think about as top Nanobot programmer but make sure he or she understands that if he or she accepts, she will not leave until the mission is finished. We will take care of all their needs but we cannot risk a breach of information." taking a short pause he continued, addressing the Governor now "Get Doctor Naggar here as she is one of the top Doctors within the Republic. Thank you. I will come back in a few days to check on your progress." he continued and then he headed to the door.
On his way out, he touched again his arm and his helmet came back off and also the people could notice that the lights are now on full power. While he was near the door, he turned around and his helmet gave his words a mechanical sound "Next time, get dressed you two lovebirds, ok ?" and he chuckled on his way out.
Aeryn looked after the Agent and he whispered towards Oreste and Sarah "I don't like when these guys come to see me around. Something serious is going down if Agent Zeta came!"
Oreste was about to protest but he never saw the Governor so worried "Why you say that sir?"
"Agent Zeta is Overseer of CIS operations. One of the top notches. Letting us see his face was among the spookiest thing they could do. They usually never let us see their faces. But something big is planned for Richards ...." and he shook his head.
Remembering Sarah, he turned towards her and with a slow bow, he apologized "Commander Sarah, sorry to drag you into this and for the agent behaviour... "
Sarah was a good deal overwhelmed. As the commander of a medical cruiser, special ops were something that she knew nothing about. Even her time with the Rheinland military never got her involved with such things. While the whole conversation was going on, her head turned from the governor to the Agents to Oreste and back again with a look of confusion on her face.
"CIS, Agents, article 86? What just happened? And why do I think I'm going to find myself on some sort of restriction that isn't a result of my own doing?" A touch of anger could be sensed.
Then she looked toward the door where the agents left and commented, "Lovebirds? Why you......" She took a breath, "Ugh!"
She then took a moment to compose herself managing a calming smile as she addressed the governor.
"Now I must insist that I use your comm system to send my boss a message. While [MFE]Med Force Two has landed on Yuma, I will try to get more."
She didn't mind being a bit bold as she stepped toward the com and used her own chip, including a copy for both Oreste and the governor himself.
Hello, John,
We have a bit of a situation taking place in the Tau 44 system. We were set up for the training of medical personnel but the mission has changed. I cannot say over this com as to what. A request for more medical staff and a specialist in Nanobots, if you have one, would be helpful. I will keep doing my job here. I don't know what you need so I will leave that between yourself, the governor and Dr. Oreste. I will stand by to direct things as needed.
Thank you,
Sarah
With that, she hit "transmit" and turned to the governor, "It is done. I just don't know how long it will take him to respond as he's often busy."
She then walked back over to Oreste's side and requested of them both, "Now if neither of you mind, I'd like to wash the salt off of me and get some fresh clothes."
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
Aeryn looks at Sarah and nodded when she jumped to use the comm. "I am sorry Commander. Of course. "And he gave several instructions to Oreste on what to do "Tomorrow morning, send a comm to doctor Naggar. Then I want you to order some of the best equipment we have on Yuma to be moved to Borneo. Meanwhile, go through the list of Army candidates and start to do a triage. Also, take care of Commander, I am going to go and inspect some facilities which I presume we will need to modify for CIS usage." and he strolled out of the room.
While he was looking after the Governor, Oreste grabbed Sarah's hand "Are you alright? Apologize, Sarah, if the CIS made you feel uncomfortable. Shall we go back to Atreus Settlement?" and he guided her towards the waiting Cheetah and he saw the same Guardsmen were waiting for them.
"Please, after you" and he waited until Sarah took her sit and he went on her side.
The Guard turned back and asked, "Where to sir?"
"Atreus Settlement. And fast"
Seeing that Sarah is looking still puzzled he tried to explain "So, where to start. I heard you were asking what CIS, agents and Article 86. First thing off, CIS is the Crayter Intelligence Services. They are the ultimate bastion of our Republic, having almost unlimited powers and they respond only to President. Their operatives are called Agents and they loyal to the Crayter Republic ideals. Incorruptible and ruthless against the enemies of the Republic, internal or external, they are always on the lookout and they supervise everything that is happening inside the Republic. They are controlling most of the comms in and out of the Nation but they are known not to interfere only when a said person action may cause harm towards the Republic. In that case, the comm will automatically cut and the person will be detained while his life would be thoroughly searched." he smiled "Do not think that they have an agent which oversees every communication package, they pass through an automated system and if certain words are used then is brought to an Agent attention." he stopped and waited for a few seconds before continuing "Now, there is a special article in our constitution which gives them emergency powers to deal with a person and if that article is invoked, they are the jury, the judge and executioner. In that case, the person's protection given by the Constitution is revoked and he will be ... punished. It is known that even some Admirals and Presidents were under this article." and he saw the worrying note on Sarah's face "Don't worry, I think he likes us since he showed us his face. Plus, there is nothing to be worried about ..."
Meanwhile, the Cheetah continued towards Atreus Settlement and one of the Guards smiled when he heard the explanations. Little did they know that CIS was right next to them.
Sarah was bothered by some of what she had just heard. There was time enough to process it as she was a quick thinker. She had to be as she so often had to coordinate the various functions aboard her ship.
"That's a lot of power for even a small group to have," she commented to Oreste. "I mean, the need for security is a high value thing especially when you have a lot of enemies but I'm a believer in checks and balances. I guess it's a good thing that I have little to hide."
She gave a shiver and tightened her shoulders together a bit. The sudden turn of events and not being able to change left her feeling a bit cold. She adjusted the towel to cover her shoulders and the exposed skin of her upper chest. Her datapad chimed and she read the message and typed a response. "Very well, carry what you can and head for Borneo." She made no effort to hide it from Oreste.
"They finally can land on Yuma and they need to turn back around," she quipped.
She was feeling fatigued and yawned. It was a long, whirlwind of a day so she was tired out.
"I ssssoooo look forward to some rest after I have a light dinner tonight," she stated. Now she just had to wait to get back to Atreus.
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
Seeing her shiver, Oreste tapped the Guard in front of him and asked him if he has a coat.
"Let me check" and he looked through the door compartment. Finding a military jacket he gave it to Oreste "Lucky you, it seems fresh new."
"Thank you Guardsman. What can I call you?
"I am Lance Corporal Mike sir.Mike Sheridan."
"Thank you Mike"
Turning towards Sarah, he gave her the found jacket to cover "Here Commander. Cover yourself. I am sorry that our Cheetah are not fully covered but this type was designed for City Patrol. As for your dinner, tell me what you desire and I shall speak with our Cook and see that is done. You've been through enough today. At least a good dinner is what I can offer." smiling he added "Maybe some wine?"
While waiting for the answer, the Cheetah was speeding towards what they are now calling Home...
She clutched her hands together and kept tight as the jacket surrounded her.
"Thank you, Corporal," she said to the guard.
Thoughts of dinner went through her mind. Crayterian cuisine wasn't anything that she had ever experienced nor did she know anything about it.
"Tell me about Crayterian food," she asked of Oreste. "I know nothing about let alone try it. I should just defer to your judgement on that." She smiled at him, "In fact, I defer."
Wine. Wine wasn't something she got to enjoy much. Growing up deep in Rheinland, she was exposed to Schnapps and some Cognac. She did, however, find Gallic wine very good.
"This may be an insult but Gallic wine is quite good," she commented. "I haven't had much of it but I found it very tasty."
Then she asked Oreste, "Have you ever tried Schnapps? It comes in a lot of flavors." She just smiled a little brighter, "It's just a taste of home."
Commander Sarah Coyle
Commanding Officer, [MFE]Med Force Two
With the view of the Estate growing larger and larger, Oreste was thinking what could he propose but at the moment he must admit it that his brain was blank, nothing in there just the matters that they have discussed and the fact that Sarah was near him.
"I really do not know what we can have, I think is best if we let the chef surprise us? I can let him know, however that we would want a meal in the small atrium." and he turned to type in his request on his pad. "There, shall be a few minutes for the response. And Ja, been trying some schnapps when I used to be part of the 88th Nemesis battlegroup, detached to Omega. Rough job and rough drink." he continued waiting for the chef message.
To his surprise, the Cheetah really lived up by the name and soon they were entering the Estate gates and approaching the Mansion. "Finally, mister Buxter will have something special for us in 1 hour and a half. Think that is good for you?" he said offering his arm for Sarah to get out of the car. "Thank you Corporal" and he directed Sarah towards the main entrance. "Think I need a hot bath"
While the two of them made their entrance towards their flats, in a small atrium overlooking the nearby forest and orchards, a small detachment of chaperons, all wearing the semi-protocolar Atreides uniform, started to prepare the place for the meal, making sure that everything is sparkling and in good conditions, setting up the nano-roof to allow for sounds to come in and to imitate the image of a full moon but making sure that no bad weather will make her way inside, as a rain was forecasted.
Considering the fast pace of the day, she took a few minutes to settle down. The first sip from a fresh cup of coffee brought a smile to her face. It was what she needed to find a second wind for an evening meal. Wrapped in a bathrobe to warm up, she explored her new flat a bit as it was still very new to her. Her wardrobe now filled her walk in closet but it was that point that she realized how little she really owned or ever needed. Living on a cruiser for so long, most of what she needed was already there so little else was needed. It only surprised her a little when she took a moment to think about it.
Her cupboards were stocked with plenty of food, spices and needed items for cooking as well as cookware and dishes. She managed a soft smile as she sipped her coffee while she looked and thought to herself, "they take good care of their guests here."
She then looked out the window. She had a nice overview of where she was living. She looked out and then skyward toward where he ship was. She again smiled knowing that it was in good hands. It was nice being on solid ground again. Warmed up, she finished her coffee and headed for the shower. Once cleansed of the ocean salt, she fixed her hair and freshened up for an evening meal with Oreste. Standing only in some undergarments, she then thought to herself, "Now what do I wear?" She wasn't used to dressing up beyond her uniform. Picking through her wardrobe, a lot of it of which was new to her, she found a black and white long lace dress, one she hadn't seen before. Finding her mirror, she found her way into it. She loved it and smiled brightly when she was making small adjustments in the mirror.
She then placed a matching shawl over her shoulders to take the slight chill of the breeze out. With a final check of herself she asked aloud, "Did I overdo it?" She shrugged. For once, it felt good to dress up for something other than work. Taking her purse, she went to find Oreste.