The Mosquito and the Crimson Holy Cross

[Hidamari]

"of course" Claes acknowledged and turned, gesturing her hand in order to better guide them to the control tower behind them and the Dromedary her guest had arrived in. "Arietta, Horacio, Henrique you're dismissed, good work, continue you're other duties" Claes said and nodded to them, "Si Commandante!" they shouted in unison. The other personnel left Claes and Erika alone, The lights on the deck of the hangar began to glow in a undulating pattern towards the centre circle where the crimson cross dromedary was positioned. Claes looked out of the shield barrier and saw one of her own Dromedary waiting for clearance to land. "Signoritta Epinosa, would it be possible to clear the deck of your ship? we can only manage one Dromedary at a time, and.." she turned pointing to one waiting to land. "we need the space, if.. thats okay with you...?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
-----------------------------------------

The Inquisitor raised her gloved hand near her face, the screen on her gauntlet igniting and chirping to life before going silent. "CEV 4 return to base." A few moments later the Dromedary roared to life again, and the gangway out the side of the vessel retracted. The three guards Espinosa left behind retreated to the far hangar wall and stood silently in full attention as the shuttle began to startup.
Faint radio chatter began to play through the Inquisitor's gauntlet as the shuttle began to take off, maneuvering thrusters flashing all around the hull before deciding on a downward direction to counteract the Fience's artificial gravity. Another few moments of lingering above the deck, and the main engine ignited, the shuttle listing away slowly at first but picking up speed as it phased through the hangar's barrier and out of sight- carefully passing through Cartagena's scaffolds and passing above a CSV outside. Espinosa looked at Claes, curious but with a slight hint of suspicion on her voice "We're expecting someone else?"
-----------------------------------------

Claes shook her head slightly, "no... but repair materials are constantly arriving from other area's of space, its expensive to buy them from here, we outsource almost everything.. We can't really afford much these days.. anyway.. oh, hold on." she warned holding her arm in front of Erika while the Black and gold Dromedary marked 'Ombra' entered the shield, bringing loud bellowing engines with it. Once the craft had cleared over the walkway, Claes dropped her arm and half turned to Erika, "alright, let's go". They crossed the long walkway in front of the shield and moved to the control tower, gradually the sound of the engines died down as the ship closed down, crewmen of every kind swarming it to refuel, repair and unload the craft.
-----------------------------------------

Espinosa followed, her single entourage of a guard followed while the rest remained behind, standing out of the way in the bay. "Funding that much of an issue for you?" She asked, interest piqued
-----------------------------------------

Claes rubbed her hair a little, making sure not to smudge the paint on her face, not really wanting to admit that they were poor, as a matter of pride but saw no option really, it wasnt difficult to see. "Si.. we are small, always have been, you just saw all but six of the personell under my command in the Mosquito squadron, five of them should be due back here on Dromedary runs for supplies like Ombra here, the last, is my personal nurse.." Claes said with a pause, "She looks after my baby daughter when myself and Horacio are doing other things"Claes Guided Erika into the base of the control tower and through the airlock door, there was a long shaft going upwards with no apparent elevator control. Looking upwards, Claes stepped into the shaft and jumped, the passage being designed to have minimal gravity, so it was possible to jump up several tens of meters almost up to the top of the tower.
Stepping off at the top Claes got her footing again in the normal gravity and awaited Erika to follow.
-----------------------------------------

Perplexed, Espinosa watched Claes ascend up the shaft so easily. Surprised at first but quickly catching onto the jist of the situation. She hopped into the shaft and jumped, springing up the tube and keeping her arms crossed the way up. At the height of the shaft, she came eye-level with Claes and made a perched landing on a single boot re-adjusting to the normal gravity. "Curious.. one of the old Tridente-Classes had that same shaft concept.. though I believe it was more of a design flaw in the grav-plating than intentional." Her escort was next up, grunting as he landed but otherwise remaining silent. "and back up a second... you carry a child on a warship?"
-----------------------------------------

"The Fenice D'Oro is as much a warship as it is my home, and the culmination of my men's efforts under my leadership. There is nowhere else I would feel safe keeping her." Claes answered, her tone light but dry, not really liking thinking about it. "You saw the Galacticus I'm sure... it's there to keep this ship as far from harm's way as possible, while also being able to guide and direct all of our forces wherever they may be simultaneously" Claes continued as they walked down the halls of the Fenice D'Oro. Crewmen from the ship stopped and saluted as Claes and Erika passed them, together with her aide.
-----------------------------------------

Espinosa mockingly brought up her computer gauntlet in front of her, looking it over for only a split second. "Last I checked, most the Navy was doing it's job, Malta would logically be safer but I'm probably the last one to give parenting advice I suppose.." She trailed off, her sarcasm replaced with monotone for a moment before she shook herself back to focus, nodding to one of the crewmen In the halls as they walked. "and I will say I'm impressed; few have managed a full re-design of a vessel in such a way and still maintain effectiveness, current predicament not withstanding, obviously."
-----------------------------------------

"You think the ground on Malta is safer than this ship? I would have to completely disagree with you there.. the only reason I have a daughter is because Malta isn't safe at all. Might be safe from invasion from a foreign power, but that's all... Land grabs are still commonplace, I have many enemies down planet side." Claes answered not really paying attention to Erika's mocking tone and mannerisms. "The ship is impressive... I can't disagree with that, but I wish it wasn't going to take so long to repair" Claes said with a sigh. "Fenice?" Claes asked, a moment later a hologram appeared before them with a male avatar and maintained in positon in front of them as they walked. ::Si? Commandante?:: it answered, Claes eye twitched a little. "What have I told you about appearing before me with a physical presence... voice only" she hissed quietly. The hologram disappeared and then Claes continued, "Ready the observation room for conference mode" she demanded sternly. ::Si, Commandante:: the AI responded and then was heard no further.
-----------------------------------------

"There are places on Malta better secured than others yes, but I wouldn't consider it completely inhospitible- Though I suppose that largely depends on ones own standing." She pondered aloud, trailing off. "And I suppose thats what I'm here for; to alleviate some of these repair problems." She paused, taking a moment to acknowledge the on-board system persona, chuckling to herself "An AI? You actually bother with those?"
-----------------------------------------

"Dont ask..." Claes asked, putting her the thunb and index finger of her right hand against her nasal bridge, feeling a migrane coming on again as her stress levels quickly rose. "Eduardo Garcia -designer of this ship and our chief- engineer found a discarded AI core and managed to tame it " Claes responded with stress evident in her tone as they walked. Taking a left down another corridor they approached another anti-gravity space, Claes jumped up and ascended to the top level deck, and waited for Erika and her aide again.
-----------------------------------------

Espinosa followed Claes up the shaft, taking a moment at the top to run her fingers through her hair and get it back into it's usual shape. "Can't say I've had much in the way of luck with any Artificial Intelligence-- one particularly annoying associate of mine keeps one as a pet so I get to hear from it all the time-" She paused, turning around to note the guard following the two of them up "- and the recently those damn 'Prime' beings" she said, making sarcastic finger airquotes "- have started to prove more trouble than they're worth."
-----------------------------------------

The group walked onto the bridge of the ship, looking out of the window the bow Light mortar turret could be seen and a Storta class vessel in the dock a little ways off. Claes turned and guided the party down a small corridor to the rear of the Bridge, they walked along it eventually entering the communications centre. The giant Galacticus radar array was set into the room causing most of the central space to be blocked by a round wall, inside of which the machines that controlled the radars spin and angle were contained. the walls were lined with desks and high tech communication and imaging equipment.

"Can't say I have either, no matter how many times I tell the thing not to use a visual avatar and to remain voice only, it just seems to either forget, or ignores me." Claes said massaging the bridge of her nose slowly.
-----------------------------------------

"quite the sensors you all have on this thing.." She said, pointing out the massive sensor dish mounted to the spine of the hull. "This thing /has/ to be a hindrance in an actual engagement" she reached up a fist and lightly banged on the internals of the sensor array with an audible "clank"
-----------------------------------------

Claes turned around with a curious expression, "This sensor array is what keeps us as far away from engagements as possible, unless the enemy present no tangible threat to the ship" Claes answered folding her arms.
-----------------------------------------

Espinosa shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to preparing warships for combat over support classes. Must just be a mentality we're used to over at Tarxien."
-----------------------------------------

Claes puts her hands against her hips "Don't misunderstand, Fenice is more than capable of defending itself from anything that might dare to attack it. but unlike yourself, we can't afford the damage that might be incurred, and the loss of this ship is the loss of our whole faction as a whole" she finished, turning around and continuing down another narrow passageway on the other side of the room from the one they had just been through. After another hundred meters they entered a large room spanned by windows, rows of radio, radar and visual imagining equipment of every kind lined this room as well.
-----------------------------------------

Erika followed, her smirk returning "No vessel or life is thrown away carelessly. I guess when you're used to having a larger backing of vessels, plantations, families, personnel, and weapons, you tend to rely on those things coming to your aide." She peered out over the scenery before them outside; the scaffolding and passing support vessels gracing the view of the pair in the room as a lone CSV passed within a few metres to the window. She turned back to her shadow of a guard, nodding to him, whereupon he took up position just inside the doorway without a word.
-----------------------------------------

Claes stopped, and slowly turned around, "As I've said, the sensor we installed together with our patrol craft keep this ship well out of harm's way, we do not ask others to come to our aid in battle, nor require it, fore battle is not what we are in space to do." Claes said a little sternly as she felt like she was being insulted. turning around again Claes climbed up a set of ladders leading to the observation deck where they could talk in private finally.
-----------------------------------------

The Inquisitor followed, removing her gloves at the top in the observation deck while the guard took up position next to the ladder below. "Hard to believe as it is: that wasn't meant as a foray against you. I've worked with the Cross for longer than most people would care to know about it's very existance." Erika stated with a short pause before continuing "Which brings us back to the topic on hand I suppose: support and assistance. You need support, and we can provide assistance."
-----------------------------------------

"We are used to receiving slights against our faction, from our choice of vessel, right down to mine or my squadron mates' heritage. It is of little consequence." Claes said standing in front of the huge gold rimmed black conference table, Claes moved to the nearest seat on the table and sat down. "yes indeed, our chief engineer has recently told me that the power output we receive isn't what is coming out of the core in engineering." She revealed with a pause. "He claims this is due to a bottleneck in the system which to fix, would require the complete and total re-wiring of the entire. ship." she paused again, subtly twisting the chair side to side with a movement of her leg before standing again.
------------------------------------------

Espinosa nodded, opting however to stand behind a chair of the table as Claes spoke, listening intently while turning on her heel and pacing up and down the room. "And you're sure it's not a power generation issue?" she asked to be certain.
------------------------------------------

"According to Signore Garcia who designed the ship and watches over the engine room, it's a wiring issue, he claimed we could get past the issue by installing two smaller generators of gunboat size, or we could re-wire the ship" Claes said pacing up and down on the opposite side of the table. But if we do just install these smaller generators, we are simply throwing away a huge amount of our power output while increasing energy consumption and waste exponentially..." She revealed rolling her eyes. "SO... ive ordered him to re-wire the ship, either decision I made wouldn't have been any cheaper than the other." she grumbled with a sigh.
-------------------------------------------

"Right. So, new wiring it is." Erika responded, punctuating her sentence and standing still on the spot. Espinosa briefly checked her gauntlet and quickly flipped through a few messages ensuring they were nothing urgent. "so... aside from a renovation crew, what exactly would you need?"
-------------------------------------------

As Claes paced she looked up to Erika, still walking. "How many men can you commit to helping us?" Claes asked, "we would also need materials to continue the repairs, that Dromedary that just came in, -the Ombra- that was the... last of our money"
-------------------------------------------

Espinosa paused, flipping through her gauntlet again and checking some files; presumably a duty roster. "I have a crew from Valetta that just finished work on a 'friend's' vessel upgrades. They've contracted out an organization to assist with supplies and resources that would be otherwise.. unattainable, I suppose you could say." She paused again "and if you need any particularly well-versed engineers or weapons developers, I've got just the man ready for the job" A smirk spread across her face as she looked back up Claes. "People or resources shouldn't be too much of an issue. Don't worry your head about that--"
-------------------------------------------

Claes stopped and turned to Erika, "just the right man for the job? you say." she quoted curiously, "and does that mean you want Fenice D'Oro moving to Valetta?" Claes asked in a surprised but cautious manner, "we've never been able to afford the astronomical berthing fees to dock at the homeworld shipyard" Claes mentioned.
------------------------------------------

"Valetta or here, your choice. Doesn't make a difference to me; I just need to know where to start shipping people towards." Espinosa paused again, and stepped over to the table, sitting half perched on the edge. "Now... you said that shipment was the last of your the 75th's credits?"
------------------------------------------

"Until next harvest season, yes, unfortunately that is the case" Claes responded folding her hands watching a drone fly by the window off to the stern of the ship. "I wouldn't want to chance moving the vessel when there are open panels all over the ship, might cause even more damage to Fenice' internal systems." She sighed hoping that wouldnt have to be the case.
------------------------------------------

"Cartagena it is then. Once we're squared here, I'll get crews on the way and they can get to work." Espinosa shifted on her spot on the table, straightening her posture and keeping her shoulders back. "Before that however, tell me: how much do you know of the Cross as an organization?"
------------------------------------------

Claes continued to pace for a moment, "I know you are a highly organised, powerful and religious sect of our kin from the homeworld. but honestly, my dealings with internal affairs have been lacking in the face of my more.. Immediate concerns let's say, my daughter and this ship." Claes stated, as she stopped pacing and faced Erika.
------------------------------------------

The Inquisitor nodded; closing her eyes for a moment before continuing. "Religious and powerful, sure. The Order of Tarxien began as a sect of priests in the mountains, studying a series of tablets and artifacts found there; the very stones that Tarxien now stands on and protects. Those stones, once interpreted told of a brilliant Light that would lead the Maltese people to glory and power. The ancient Cross followed the rest of the tablets blindly into an attack on our enemies, who promptly wiped out most of the support they had gained." Erika told, as if telling a story, continuing on a moment later.
The Cross remained in a state of desolation with much of what returned from that destruction left in orbit over Vesuvius. When the spirits led their attack on humanity 20 years ago, they reinvigorated our order; suddenly everything the tablets that had been disregarded proved to be true. Some of those that still resided in Tarxien believed it was time to shelve the war effort and focus our energy elsewhere. The Armando family simply disagreed, and backed by them, the new Cross that you now know of was formed. The inquisitor stated, making sure Claes was paying attention and didnt look lost, "It was with this new spirit and fire that we now garner the respect and strength of the countless other familias that now make up the Holy Order's ranks. Our eyes are set upon Malta's enemies again, and we're in a better position now than ever to make good on our promises from those years ago. "

She paused again, looking directly into Claes' eyes."I give you this little history lesson because as much as I hold respect for you and your people and what you do, I cannot simply pledge people, credits and resources to something for nothing in return. I need something I can take back to the Council and justify the expenses incurred. Credits are not a concern, but the people and resources could be spent elsewhere to support the gathering war effort. "
Espinosa stood, coming to full attention with her hands behind her back. "You are in possession of something the Maltese fleets could use; a class of ship that can better direct a battle than any other, and quickly deploy teams and people where needed. A vessel that can detect any flanking elements scores better than anything I currently maintain command over. You have the Misericorde class. Not only would your people's efforts go towards benefitting yourselves, but would also benefit the whole of Malta at the same time. The Cross's interests and Ishmael's are one in the same. What I'm offering is this: upon completion of your renovations and repairs, you would allow the Cross access to the schematics to the Misericorde-class for us to put into service to the Holy Order of Tarxien. Is this something we can agree to?"