The day was bright and of an exact temperature only experienced on Malta, just as any other day.
Chenzo and lucky had walked, sat, walked and talked for hours when an armed man approached them from behind a dilapidated storage barn. His clothing not of uniform but tidy none the less, Chenzo looks at Lucky on his approach and Lucky just nodded to confirm all is well.
Armed Guard: "Senors, I'm sorry for interrupting but can I offer you some food? A drink?"
Chenzo immediately thanked but declines the offer, however Lucky at almost the exact same time had graciously said yes.
Chenzo stood and apologised to Lucky, he'd lost track of time and there was so much that had happened in the his absence. Crimes committed by even the Maltese Dons and those beneath them which would have seen them killed or exiled for their nature. Lucky kindly asked for a few things and the guard whisked himself away to make it happen.
Chenzo had absorbed all of the information available to him from the back and fourth conversation with Lucky. There was still much to learn but from their conversations, the only reason Granja Justa had survived so long without the 101st's iron fist of defence was due to not appearing to be more than a bunch of well organised farmers, despite the entire community which thrived within. Children born of the slaves kept out of sight and schooled every day of the week on the skills required to be a part of Granja Justa. Drummed into them that the greatest form of life could only be experienced here. In depth family tree's were kept of everyone and made up a large part of the community backbone, to know who came from what family, what each family's traits and specialist skill sets were. There were of course those who came as adults with no children, no family or friends to speak of. These were the most frequent to seek the option of leaving in a starflier, to re-attempt life with better prospects. They of course were taken away by the weekly Shetland Trains which had become more and more frequent with Granja Justa's continued growth. No wonder he'd never been called to Malta. Everything was running much better than expected.
Lucky and his family had gone above and beyond Chenzo's wildest expectations. How so many self proclaimed Don's had come to power and fallen in Chenzo's time away. How things were now so backward, so un-just.
Chenzo turned to Lucky and asked if there was anything he wanted from him, anything needed. Lucky had responded with great caution, the curiosity clearly overwhelming him.
Lucky: "Where have all these shipments and people been going all this time? If you don't wish to tell me, that's fine. But it's something I get asked as enough material to build over a hundred of each class of warship has left here in those Shetlands since you've left. Also, over ten thousand people too, we've never heard anything back and it's the largest worry that everyone here faces."
Chenzo had never thought of what had happened to all of the ship and station materials, but then it had hit him. Where had he been living all of this time? How had the large station which would have taken but a short time to fly around in a Sabre now turned into the mass it was now?
Chenzo: Do you remember Nuevo Amenecer, senor?
Lucky: "Si, of course? I mean, I know of it in orbit of Carnea from your mentioned before you left, also people talking of it a very long time ago. But that's something of myth isn't it? Nobody has ever found it. There's a new installation there or at least close by called "Santa Verne" now?"
Chenzo: "Santa What? Yes, senor. it very much exists. The Junkers Congress had indeed supplied me with everything required to build the modular installation but that was its most basic form. From there, and with the help of the spirits and indeed the input from your phenomenal efforts the station, guarded by every warship I personally own removed the station from its orbit, almost a thousand miles off any patrol path, deep within Omicron Alpha. Beyond any scanners range and beyond. It is there these supplies have been used and stockpiled. That's where the Shetlands go, senor."
He stands up and looks Luciano directly in the eye.
"The people? I've seen many, many come and go but I've never interacted with them personally. People of all shapes and sizes, ethnicities. I don't think I've ever walked from one end of Nuevo Amanecer to the other, senor. in over a decade. It does explain the amount of Starfliers that seem to go up and down as they do across the docking bays. does that satisfy your question?".
Chenzo had never lied to anyone he'd trusted. Nor mislead the truth. Luciano was the most trusted person he remembered that even existed still. He wasn't about to lie to or mislead him, Luciano knew this.
A look of total bewilderment falls over Luciano's face as Chenzo explained. He was trying to comprehend how one station, ship or structure could accommodate even a quarter the supplies sent over the years. A few minutes passed whilst he thought before Chenzo broke the silence.
"Senor, What about here, Granja Justa? Do you wish to continue? Is there somebody else you'd see take over so you can be relieved? Your hard work here goes well beyond that of what one ever expected, your family deserves the best of the best from your clear precision management to you excellent diplomacy and bargaining skills."
He shook his head without hesitation, Chenzo could feel his passion for Granja Justa, it was his blood by now.
The guard approached again, this time Chenzo stood up first and vowed Luciano that he'd be in touch more often. That if anyone of old asks for him that they are to notify the pilot of the Shetlands, that if anyone comes by mentioning his name, to treat them friendly but insist he has not been seen. Not to allow them to see what Granja Justa really is.
Chenzo got back into his sabre after wishing Luciano good day and to enjoy his meal, he set course to take a tour of Omicron Alpha in depth.
Chenzo undocked from Malta as he'd done countless times before, however this time was different.
Valetta shipyard was missing. A most curious ship, an "Outcast Light Carrier Prototype" just outside Malta's docking rings. This vessel intrigued Chenzo greatly, he engaged a scan of it's core features before moving on. Things here had clearly changed a lot. What was going on?
Chenzo engaged cruise engines and headed to the Outcast Guard system, Omicron-85. There was no need to look at any form of navigation device. A mark of confusion fell over him. What was going on? Where was the gravitational anomaly? This Sabre had been built upon Nuevo Amanecer, it'd never seen Maltese space until now. He had nothing to reference from.
A "new" installation was near the light carrier prototype in front of Malta. Scanners read the station as "Malta Research Station". Chenzo was sure that if station was anything like the name suggested, there was some pretty powerful scanning equipment on board. He set course for the "new" station and requested to dock. There was no answer for a moment, when a voice that was clearly not used to taking in visitors responded and allowed him to dock.
Upon docking on bay three of the station, he went to the bar. There was paperwork everywhere but nobody to be seen, just the same as the hanger bay he had left. The place was a fire hazard waiting to happen. Moving on unchallenged he began searching for people. Somebody here had to be in charge. The station's layout was familiar, like the early stages of Nuevo Amanecer itself. Gliding his way through the quiet but cavernous hallways he made his way to what he knew should be an area of activity, the main operations room. As he drew closer, voices could be heard and the chatter of keyboards became more apparent. Upon entering the operations room, hundreds of desks with people sat there fell silent as he entered as all attention and eyes were now on him. Chenzo called out, his voice echoed.
"I am Chenzo of the 101st Outcast Guard, Who is in charge here?"
The room remained silent.
"I demand to know who is in charge of this installation. I wish to use your facilities"
Nobody answered. His eyes scanned the room, the filfth everywhere, the clutter, the paperwork. A women popped her head up and advised Chenzo that nobody was in charge, that the owners,the Lightstar Clan had been gone for over a year. That nobody aboard was of any military authority and that almost everyone aboard was of a scientific background. They had been tasked with the study of Xeno Relics and not much else. Supplies were rationed and the station was only just holding together as funds left behind were wearing very thin.
Chenzo could not believe that such an installation which would have cost a fortune to place in orbit of Malta existed. How nobody had laid claim to it in the absence of it's former masters and commanding officers?
He put his mind back to the task at hand and asked the woman to take him to the most senior scientist aboard the station to which he was told it was her. Lucy Carmine. Chenzo asked Carmine to accompany him to the bar, they had a lot to discuss.
Upon reaching the bar, Chenzo exclaimed his disgust of the mess everywhere, he pushed papers off a table and seats and gestured her to sit. She asked him many questions of who he was, her memory faint with the knowlege of the 101st, however stories of legend told her Chenzo was the real deal. They spoke for around an hour on the events which took place up to now on the station, Chenzo again absorbing as much of the information as he could before turning to his own agenda.
"Senorita, I will now assume command of this station and also take on responsibility to see that it's re stocked with everything required to support everyone and their current tasks, however you are now to be in charge of cleaning this station up. Get rid of all of this paperwork, I've never seen such a mess. How does this sound?"
Carmine agreed giving Chenzo a computer chip, she had noted down things Chenzo was saying on her hand held device from their discussion itemising what they need to bring the station back together. Immediately, this Carmine woman had proven herself worthy at the tasks at hand. Chenzo asked her to lead him to the scanning room, he wanted to update his ship's navigation information with everything known of Sirius. Carmine was amused, she lead Chenzo to the hangar and handed him another computer chip.
Carmine: "Plug this into your ship, senor. Your navigation system should be fully functional after."
Chenzo got into his sabre and launched, immediately heading back to Granja Justa. The same defence sabres fell on his tail but this time welcomed him. Lucky was walking down the steps of the dilapidated mansion. Upon their talks a few hours before he'd mentioned they have access to a few small transport freighters, Chenzo handed Lucky the computer chip with the lists of materials and resources to him, few words were spoken but Chenzo had asked as much as possible to be dropped off at Malta Research station, he'd just acquired it. Lucky wasn't surprised Chenzo was already throwing his weight around as per his memory of him.
Chenzo immediately made his way back to Malta's orbit, his Sabre's navigational systems fully active. An old tour of Sirius was in order.
The intense brightness of Tau-37, the economic buzz of trade within Kusari, the distinctive glows of Bretona, the moronic notes of Liberty, the as ever busy with efficiency echoing Rheinland space. Lots had changed yet it all seemed familiar.
He took a mental note of a few groups of interest on his flight.
After leaving Tau-37 and entering Tau-23, a small group of Zoners caught his attention, they were gathered around a strange anomaly. Of course, such things could be disastrous but given their appearance usually involved Nomadic activity, he wasn't phased too much. The groups callsign showing on scanners as "SLRC" greeted him but quickly turned back to their research. They were clearly busy trying to work out what was going on in the area, they had a station which was clearly under construction. They weren't important to Chenzo, but he was amused at their studies. He kept quiet and moved on.
Upon entering Kusari he came across a group he knew well, or at least thought he knew well. The long lasting order of the Golden Chrysanthemums were very trusted allies and greeted Chenzo with great affection. He'd not met these siters before, however they certainly knew he was. An offer was extended for him to visit them in Shikoku was noted but politely declined for the time being.
Within Liberty, The Bristol Construction Company seemed totally unphased by his Maltese transponder. Even greeted him as if he was a friend. He monitored the groups movements for a while, they seemed to have a couple of stations in-between Liberty and Rheinland. They were clearly capable of building stations and ships. Chenzo was unsure of the extent of their capability, however believed if he could work with them, it would be most advantageous. Chenzo saw the Lane hackers and rogues, however steered clear in the hope of avoiding delays like the encounter in Kusari. He greatly respected his allies, but was on a trip of nostalgia rather than getting fully acquainted at this stage. He docked at Buffalo base within New york, the station as scabby as ever yet serving it's purpose as it always had done. The mention of a name, "Oliver Cesari of the Lane Hackers" was mentioned a few times. Chenzo listened to the talks of atrocity, he had a feeling he'd be meeting with this individual if any of the rumours were true.
One particular group caught his attention within Rheinland space, the DHC. A number of vessels he saw laying clearly dormant at Briesen Station in Omega 7. Chenzo had seen nothing of the 101st and learning of their existence all but disappearing lead his mind into thoughts of rebuilding. Not necessarily the 101st, after all the Ghosts of Razgriz was a collection of unique pilots all with their own skills and attributes, their own stakes around Sirius. But building none the less. These ships quickly became a focus of interest for him.
Chenzo totally ignored the Gallic space for now, he knew not of their capabilities or customs like the rest of Sirius.
He headed back to Alpha, docking on Malta Research Station where people were rushing around to clean the place up, just as he'd expected. It was here he took a seat at the bar and began plotting. His mind focussed on the steps needed to get to where he wanted to go. He knew he had an unfathomable payload of equipment back on Nuevo Amanecer, this muct have been the purpose set out all that time ago.
Chenzo called for Carmine, to which she appeared quickly and without question lead Chenzo to the communications room upon request.
It was here that Chenzo launched his first communication to the Bristol Construction Company. Talks were hostile at first, but that was clearly just a reaction to his methods. It seems he'd caused a stir among the Bristol company's staff and their director, Daniel J Lennox was very clear with how chenzo was to communicate with them, if anything was to happen. Chenzo strongly appreciated Lennox's firm grip which only further confirmed they were capable of the tasks which Chenzo had hoped to work with them on. The communication insighted a few difficulties with groups in Liberty. Chenzo took action immediately to contact the Land Hackers, Liberty Rogues and Xeno's to place a hand of respect toward his trusted allies and a word of caution toward the Xeno's in an attempt to help grease the wheels of business with the Bristol Construction company.
These talks highlighted a few truths which were unpleasant to hear, also confusion over Maltese dealings with those in Liberty in his absence.
For the Rogues, it would seem that the trusted yet erratic group had an internal power struggle but still assured Chenzo of their ability to deliver The Orange Dream in and around Liberty was untouched. He wasn't so sure, but the rogues were always a more rough and tumble outfit rather than the extreme organisation and precision of that of the Lane Hackers.
The Xeno's, a group Chenzo had rarely interacted with in the past apart from occasionally gunning down the Liberty Navy side by side before parting ways. They had little interest in one another in times of old and Chenzo saw no reason for that to change. They had mentioned something of the Kepler accords but given the fact that Outcasts had never associated with or actively worked with the Xeno's, the mention of them fell to the back of his mind.
Talks with The Lane Hackers matched expectation the same as the Chrysanthemums, an encounter which fitted Chenzo's memory well. Calm, cool and calculated. Extreme precision. All of the normal expected traits from this group. Just like the Golden Chrysanthemums, they had used their gift of the orange dream to the best of their ability allowing them to think to the point as well as being unrivalled assassins. Like all considered allies of Outcasts, they were hooked deep to the orange dream. The encounter however did catch Chenzo off guard. The Lane hackers hated the Xeno's with deep passion. He'd never looked into this as the Xeno's were to small and insignificant to worry about in Maltese eyes, the Lane Hackers could more than keep them at bay. Ironically and as expected from his travels, Oliver Cesari was the Lane Hacker who answered Chenzo's transmission to them. Their interaction fruitful as Cesari had provided Chenzo with the promise of Counterfeit Software tailored to Chenzo's needs to take hold of the ships untraced which were essential to his plans of building. Chenzo had also found himself making a promise to Cesari. The promise was to investigate and report back to him about whatever the Keplar accords may be. For Chenzo, these were of importance but not the highest. For cesari, he noted they were of the highest importance to him. Chenzo made this promise and for sure would deliver, as promised as and when he had a stable military base to work from. To Chenzo's dismay, Cesari had also confirmed that there had been no sightings, mention or activity noted of the 101st since around a year after he himself had disappeared. This was harsh to hear. The Lane Hackers were indeed keepers of maticlios records unmatched by anyone in Sirus. If anyone was to have information, they would have.
None the less, he continued on to begin executing his plans. The Bristol Construction company would surly notice a difference within their operations in relation to these three groups too.
Supplies were of the upmost importance now. Nuevo Amanecer had stockpiles further than the eyes could see. Malta research Station was comprised mainly of factories for the building of elaborate space faring equipment so wasn't best equipped with storage space, however given Chenzo's plans, he had to make the use of what was available to him and proceeded to request shipments of Robotic Hardware, Ship Hull Panels, Reinforced alloy along with all materials stockpiled which were now required to begin building stations. He went about beginning construction of a station right next to Malta Research Station which given time would eventually absorb and replace it, also another station in a much more hidden and secretive location. The first was to be a front and financial backbone of his plans and the second, a stronghold eventually capable of building future warships, acting as a 101st stronghold for any units he may find as well as continuing his personal goals of research into weaponry and future expansion of Cardamine. He was sure that the potential of The Orange Dream hadn't been tapped, nobody as of yet had been able to harness it's true potential.
Of course, such endeavours would need to be guarded well and he sought about organising his personal fleet to aptly do so.
Chenzo organised them as follows:
Outside Commercio Fantasima in orbit of Malta,
[101st]MNS-Loyalist's-Fist, a Ranseur class dredanaught.
Malta was well guarded by the Hyperspace Fleet who Chenzo thus far had only had brief encounters with. Not much was known other than they were the only Maltese ships being flown in Malta's defence. For this fact alone, Chenzo respected them however he didn't know them well enough yet to trust them. He had expressed an interest to meet their leader, though he was not ready to do so yet.
Next, was Puesto Avanzado Fantasma, Ghost Outpost. This is the installation hidden so that nobody would be able to find it, way behind the Hispania. all the same, Nuevo Amanecer was slowly drifting to this location to assist with construction of this base and supply Commercio Fantasima. The [101st]MNS-Loyalist which was Chenzo's first and oldest Sarissa class battleship had been consumed for its powercore and various other things in the construction of Nuevo Amanecer, however the only other battleship left to guard stood to protect these two vital growing assets. The only major defence being:
[101st]MNS-Fantasia, the controversial Dunkirk class Bretona Battleship
This ship was equipped with jumping technology which although now common in Sirius, was very new and rare at the time of it's installation. This was essential to obtaining the three Shetland trains which had been refurbished and worked faultlessly for over the past decade. Should the worst ever happen, although extremely unlikely, this ship was essential to jumping Chenzo's prime weaponry and snub collection, his research to safety, or at least somewhere less hostile. The ship was very much combat capable, but given it's rarity was only ever intended to be an extreme last resort.
Chenzo's personal assets were layered thinner than he'd have liked, but this was essential for him to amass strength of arms for this installation whilst it grew.
A small portion of the over all plan was now set in motion, he knew not what the future would hold but was sure this was the best way of going about it.
![[Image: chenzo-final-2ATTEMPT.png?ex=6624272d&is...bfae104dd&]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1107756032106692772/1226269190453985298/chenzo-final-2ATTEMPT.png?ex=6624272d&is=6611b22d&hm=3404fc6fd8d6e4a5890ea3a23bf72424b7ee64cb41a3f4caa2ec2d1bfae104dd&)