"Dammit Agathon, what the deuce were you thinking?!"
Deputy Chief Karl Agathon sputtered something about not thinking at all, to which Myers shouted "DAMN RIGHT YOU DIDN'T!" Which he punctuated by slamming both palms on his desk. "You can't go in guns-blazing with a warrant in a case like this. So..."
He paused, and collected himself, calming down. Can't let the blood pressure get too high...
"What we got is Toronto station basically in the hands of god-knows-what, likely either SCRA-sympathizers or SCRA officers themselves. We've pulled most of our forces out to either Los Angeles or Red Deer, which we may have to evac by the by."
"Evac Red Deer?" Deputy Chief Markey popped in. It was a meeting between the Chief, Agathon, and Markey. Hull O'Brian was currently on Los Angeles, over-seeing the operations going on there.
"Aye," Myers said wearily, rubbing his eyes. "Not only does this situation mess with the line of supply, but Rogues are getting restive up there. We have more or less an entire SWAT division that got out of Toronto up there right now, though."
"Wait a minute, we do?" Agathon asked, shocked. Markey also had a look of puzzlement on his face, and added in, "But I've been tracking all our deployments, we moved that SWAT division to San Diego..."
Myers shook his head vigorously. "No, that's what everyone but me and the good people on Red Deer think. And now you two, so don't go blabbing. They moved in on a supply run to Red Deer. Instead of food rations or water, one of the transports from Toronto (the last one, as well as the last scheduled one I might add) was full of officers and weapons, as well as their special pods used to board hostile ships."
Both men looked on in shock that this had happened under their very noses without them realizing it.
"Anyways, we have to nail this Katz son of a bitch and nail him hard. He thinks he's got his bases covered..."
"He does," put in Agathon, still frustrated at how his attempt at a warrant had gone.
"No he doesn't. Oh sure, he'll disavow any relation to the SCRA til he's blue in the face, but who the hell can say Toronto wasn't just about torn from the rafters by riots in his name?"
"So..." Markey said slowly, a light coming on in his eyes. "So we nail him on exactly what he says is protecting him. He says he's got freedom of speech, association, and assembly..."
Agathon finished the sentence: "But those rights aren't protected if it leads to violent actions!"
"So, what now?" A knock on the door interrupted their discussion, and Fred Hamilton (Myers' secretary) stuck his head in. "Sir, you have Admiral Hale wanting to see you."
David Hale heard from outside the door. He didn't wait to be invited in, and following Hamilton into the room, he took a seat at the table.
"Evening Myers."
"Admiral," Myers said, forcing a cheerful tone into his voice as he reached over the desk to shake his hand. "What brings you to my humble office?"
"You'd know well enough. I heard you're acting already on the Katz situation. I thought I'd just bring a few things to your attention." Hale reached into his briefcase and placed a peice of paper on the table between them. The top line read The Constitution of the System of Ontario.
Myers rather pointedly sighed and rubbed his eyes again. It had been a long day.
"Yeah, we're trying. Thing is, we have the force to sweep the station if we tried... if we could get inside, past the station defenses. The CEO..."
He paused, wondering if he should tell Hale more, then figured oh what the heck.
"The CEO was considering recommissioning the Leavenworth. But still, he's running in damn legal circles."
Hale smiled for a second. Myers always amused him, and he could never quite put his finger on why.
"Anyway Myers, as I was saying... He can't run for office. It's against the constitution. See?"
Hale indicated towards acticle four, section three of the Ontario system constitution. Myers read aloud.
"Section 3. The governor shall be at least thirty years old and shall have been a citizen of The Republic of Liberty for at least fifteen years and a resident of this state at least ten years next before election."
"Exactly..." Said Hale sounding slightly satisfied. "I thought you'd be rather more up on the law yourself Mr Myers, but it doesn't matter much. He can't run for office. He's not a citizen, and if he is... Well that can be fixed. Furthermore, the President declared the SCRA as enemys of the state a number of years back. We're both authorised lethal force against the organisation."
Myers chuckled to himself. "The LPI is a legal force unto itself, Hale. We got a lawbook as thick as a stack of encyclopedias, and I had to commit most of it to memory. Excuse me for not being so up-to-speed on the Constitution of Ontario, specifically. So, that leaves us..." He smiled wickedly. "That leaves us in a rather good position. We have a couple aces in the hole. Maybe we could help each other out, as we are lacking in a couple areas."
"I've already moved Gold Wing to Fort Severn, and placed a few extra patrols in the system. I expect there to be an SCRA backlash, and like always they'll resort to violence. They're not entirely wrong about many things Mr Myers, but I do know they're violent." Said the admiral with a sigh. His experience with the SCRA had been bitter. They'd put the INtegrity into drydock a number of months ago in an extremely violent attack on the West Point facility.
Myers laid his hand on the table as well. "We've got five SWAT divisions ready to roll from Los Angeles. Grizzlies with hull-breaching and boarding capabilities... usual riot-suppression deal. And, also, we have a division on Red Deer that no one -- not the SCRA, not even these two until a few minutes ago -- knows about. Our problem is breaching the outer station defenses, hence why the CEO was considering bringing back that old Dreadnought. I hear Clements has been trying to get it back in working order, though I haven't the faintest idea if he's succeeded or not. Either way, likely we'll need some big guns on this one, more than our bomber force -- or even the current Leavenworth -- can muster."
"The Arizona can deal with it easily enough. However I'd rather like to appeal to reason and cut the head off the snake, rather than damage what is after all a highly populated civilian installation Myers. If we do that, then the discontent will only grow. We have to be careful..."
Hale paused for a second and sighed.
"However, the various groups who have moved in to support Mr Katz are known criminals and agitators. If we can weed those individuals out then I think the general population would calm itself down. I think we should exclusively target the LRF and whatever band of rheinland criminals he's brought with him as muscle."
Myers nodded in support. "Indeed, Hale, but the problem stands of getting past station security. I digress..." He paused, and told Agathon to go get some coffee. "This is a PR nightmare," he muttered.
Raising his voice to be directed at the Admiral: "Perhaps you've never seen a riot. I was there right behind the line of transparent shields on Houston when a few Xenos managed to rile up the populace a few years back." He paused, caught up in recollection.
"We caught those damn Xenos fast enough. Big mouths, they had. Claimed the same rights as Katz, and are still in... prison," he caught himself a moment before he said 'Attica', "til this day. Riots continued for a week. They begin with ideas or ideals that, though not necessarily bad, lead to violence. And when the violence starts, it becomes a mind of its own. A force that can't be stopped by cutting off the head. I'm afraid Toronto is about to go through hell and back, Admiral, and quite frankly, I want to keep fatalities," he said, notably not using the word 'casualties', "to a minimum."
Hale spoke slowly and clearly. "The Xenos and Katz arn't too far removed from one another. Perhaps some public broadcasts declaring such might put a number of people off the idea of the red revolution...
Law and order is easy to restore in the short term, but we need to be extremely careful not to create some long term bitterness. Operations as loud as this tend to cause problems.
If I can do this with a slightly more precise operation against a number of the LRF leaders in space, and any Coalition forces we see, then with the leadership gone it'll settle back down."
"So," Myers said slowly. "What are you proposing we do?"
"Well." Hale stopped, wondering how much Myers knew about Gold wing before carrying on. "We have a unit which specilises in 'recon' operations. Stop looking like that Myers, you know what I'm talking about."
He waited for Myers to reorganise his facial features.
"We can take out Katz, any SCRA and LRF that are operating in the system without much trouble. That coupled with some targeted broadcasts and pointing out the fact that katz is a member of a terrorist organisation which would impose a tyranical and non democratic regime on Liberty should be enough to quiet the unrest.Your job is to maintain law and order, like always. You sort the symtoms, I'll treat the disease."
Myers nodded. "We have a clause in our rule-book that says we can declare close to martial law on any station where rioting has occured. Should be easy enough to take care of things once we get my men onto the station. Personally, I don't think it's going to be as easy as you say, but we'll see."
"Men on the station? Hale chuckled. "The LSF already have men on the station. On my word they can essentially open the doors and let your boys walk in."
Myers almost laughed. "Damn, shoulda known the LSF would have their own aces shoved down Katz' throat. Well the, the only question that remains is... when do we start?"
"OK men," the leader of the unit said, loading his riot-buster shotgun, full of non-lethal pellets used to incapacitate unruly citizens. "This is the real deal."
The team, led by Jack Sawyer, was on board their Grizzly on Red Deer, awaiting clearance from HQ to launch and begin the operation. They had received mission orders from the Chief himself. He had handed them down directly to the leaders of all the SWAT units in the division.
"You are the most integral part of our plan to retake the station. Admiral Hale seems to think they'll just roll over and die, but he hasn't seen our training." At that point every head in the unit nodded. The Navy didn't understand this part of their job at all. "Your division as a whole will secure all the integral parts of the station; the command center, launch bays, etc. Stand by for further orders."
He then went down the list of units, the most experienced three getting the responsibility of taking control of the command center.
"Epsilon," he said, finally addressing Jack Sawyer's team. "Your mission is to get to the reactor and shut it down, everything except for life support. We don't want any tricks, and we don't want the station defenses causing more problems than they're worth. The good Admiral promised that the LSF would take down the station defenses, but I don't trust them to get the job done."
And so they waited. Not a word on going after Katz, nor on crowd control. Sawyer pitied the other divisions that had to deal with that particularly nasty aspect of the situation.
The Grizzly entered the launch bay, along with several others. It was Toronto, and it was eerily quiet. As the ships set down in their anti-grav struts, the ramps lowered and disgorged the LPI officers in full-out riot gear. Sawyer led his team towards the nearest lift, hoping to circumvent any resistance by taking relatively deserted service tubes to the lower levels. Elsewhere, several more Grizzlies entered docking bays and even latched onto the outer hull, cutting through weakly-defended hull enforcements to put down forces in more opportune positions.
The LNS Arizona was on standby as well, though its help wasn't expected as Hale had been correct -- the LSF had indeed disabled the station defenses.
~ ~ ~ ~
SWAT division 7 held their ground. Things were getting ugly. The population of the station was unruly, though not out-right violent. A line of riot police held up see-through shields capable of holding back a press of bodies as well as stopping blaster shots. Each side shouted at the other, neither willing to start any outright violence. From head-to-toe the LPI officers were dressed out -- Kevlar-Z vests to resist blaster shots, gas-masks, goggles. A few more skittish people backed away from the police line, but the more emboldened ones pressed forward. Then...
"HEAR ME!" It was a voice over the intercom. "The LPI seeks to take away what is rightfully yours, your independence. FIGHT for what is yours!"
With that, the crowd erupted, and all hell broke loose. The populace rushed forward, slamming against the police wall with shouted obscenities. The LPI pushed back, using nightsticks at close range. Out of nowhere, grenades flew into the crowd, noxious gas pouring out of them. Tear gas. Rubber bullets followed, and soon people with blasters started returning fire.
~ ~ ~ ~
Frank Quinn had boarded with the first of the teams, and had put himself in a nice position to watch the show... and record it. The voice that caused the riot was clear as crystal, and he forwarded it to not only the Chief, but the media. This would effectively discredit them...
~ ~ ~ ~
Jack Sawyer hit the deck as blaster bolts flew over his head, punching into an officer behind him. Quickly dropping his riot gear, he flipped his Ageira "MP5" Repeating Blaster Rifle and returned fire. They had had little trouble getting through the rest of the station. It seemed like everyone was in the main promenade areas, ready to resist... or martyr themselves if necessary. Right outside the reactor room, however, was a large contingent of highly-trained... something. Pirates, likely. Coalitioners. Didn't matter, the entire unit had been authorized to use lethal force, and they were.
"GET DOWN!" one of the officers yelled into their communicator, throwing something in front of the defenders. It exploded with a flash and loud bang. Sawyer had stuffed his face under his arm, as had the rest of the team, and now he smiled. Flashbang.
Getting up fast, before the effects wore off, he rushed the defenders with the rest of the unit and started beating them on the heads with the butts of their rifles. Looking past them, they saw the blast door slide shut to the reactor room. In the last second before it closed, he saw a man looking on in worry. There were more in there, and Sawyer didn't like what that might mean.
~ ~ ~ ~
CNS News Bulletin
LPI declares 'martial law' on Toronto Station, population resists violently
The video of the above incident taken by Frank Quinn plays
In a surprise move, the LPI deploys near a dozen SWAT divisions onto Toronto in a quick and efficient manner, taking control of key areas of the station within a couple hours. Fierce rioting broke out, incited by alleged SCRA propaganda. More at 11...
Alexander Keith lay on the ground, covering his head, hoping not to get hit. He and his militia boys couldn't fight that.
Funny, nobody he had spoken to, like Mister Katz and his buddies, had ever said anything about fighting the Police, eh?
They had always said to respect the local law enforcement, for the most part. Sure, they said to stop those slavers and the drug peddlers, but telling folk to rebel all violent-like? That wasn't how folks normally did things in Ontario. That Alvin guy was tellin' 'em to do the cops' job for 'em basically, on account of them bein' fat an' useless... He didn't say anythin' about shootin' up the pigs!
Alexander crawled as best he could, back to the bar. That got him thinking. Some drunk from the hockey game might have got a hold of the intercoms.
---FORT SEVERN---
--HQ: Liberty Navy Taskforce "23"
--Several hours later...
"This could be disastrous. They've moved in with everything they have..."
Several men and women, wearing Liberty Navy uniforms, stood inside a sealed briefing room inside one of Fort Severn's highest Security compartments.
"Mr. Meyers' security forces could complicate matters further."
"At any rate... we do not have any more time. We will need to prepare operations immediately."
These people were busily examining a number of internal reports, as well as newsfeeds and sensor records.
"They're not transmitting a lot of information internally within the Navy. We can only suspect that they're trying a black op... we can assume they don't want 'Katz' alive..."
A holographic image in the center of the room flickered into being. That of a woman of Kusarian complexion, who captured the attention of all of the people in the room.
"I have received your report, and the information has been forwarded to Overwatch. This was expected... and it means we have to expedite operations quickly." The woman stated.
"That goes without saying..."
"Remember, your priority remains. Recovery of Katz, alive, and ascertaining the location of the artifact and his ship."
"We will have to improvise. The LN are clearly doing 'something' covert. Something they haven't informed the Majority of the navy from. We can tell by lack of communication to our own, as well as the build-up of forces here and throughout Ontario."
"We will send what covert support we can. Outside parties may be called upon to expedite the operation. In the mean time... the lack of information given to the bulk of the Navy creates an opportunity. They need to be turned against one another..."
"What about the -unlawfuls-?"
"Use them. If we can convince them there are elements in the Navy which desire to defect... that could create a massive internal conflict. This will create more then sufficient chaos to gather the Artifact and whatever personnel we need in order to meet our goals."
"This has a high probability of comprising Red Cell. You know that?"
"It is a sacrifice we are willing to make. All we care about is Katz, and the Artifact. Get those, and your cover is unnecessary."
"What are our contingencies?"
"Capture whatever Liberty hardware you can and bring it to Kusari. Ships, personnel, whatever. And we can attempt future operations once the situation dies down...
...we can be certain they know nothing of -us-.
In any case, there is only so long we can prepare for. Whatever drastic measures it comes down to are to be taken. Everyone and Everything except Katz and the Artifact are expendable."
"Understood..." the 'Navy' troops said in unison.
With this, the holographic image disappeared. And the soldiers returned to their own planning.
"We will need to gather more forces. We only have a few combat-capable units under our control at the moment."
"Our units in the field will sweep and search for anything that can be taken over. As well, we'll prepare an emissary to visit the 'Ontarians'."
"Go to it. We'll try to round up more units from Fort Severn. And if possible, try to flush out some of the 'covert' elements to figure out their goals. Until then, assume the worst."
With little ceremony, the soldiers moved off to their respective tasks.
---
Several fighters launched from Fort Severn, bound for all corners of Ontario and beyond. As well, a Grizzly transport made it's way to Toronto station itself, carrying inside a number of plainclothes agents, none of whom would be easily IDed as Liberty Navy. Their enigmatic purpose would only be revealed with time.
Hours later, the Grizzly transport approached Toronto station. Now under lockdown due to the internal rioting and police presence. Insertion would likely be difficult, but it would have to begin somewhere.
"This is Navy shuttle Sigma-1-1, calling inbound to Toronto station. We need priority docking clearance, under authorization code Lima-Tango-331-75. Don't ask questions." The pilot asked over the comms, trying the simple direct approach.
The transport and it's escorts held their position, patiently awaiting a reply.
The explosive court case of Alvin Katz has reached it's climactic finale with the prosecution and defense signing a plea agreement. Katz has been exonerating on all charges and is walking, in return for his agreeing to leave the Ontario system alone. LPI's declaration of "martial law" is only valid up to a month after any civil unrest or terrorist actions. It appears that the riots have died down for the most part; the LPI is redistributing their SWAT divisions and assigning more patrols to Ontario.
Chief Myers said in a statement earlier that this was "not the outcome he hoped for, but at least peacefully resolves the situation without need of further bloodshed." Admiral Hale was unavailable for comment.
We have not been able to reach Katz for comment yet, but we understand that he will be making a public appearance shortly, before possibly leaving Liberty. There has been no verification of his planned actions.
Alicia refilled his coffee mug as he blearily rubbed his eyes. He looked up from his desk at her gratefully. She didnt say anything, simply set the coffee pot aside and began to straighten the files on his desk, packing some of them away into cardboard boxes along with some of his possessions.
She was efficient, selecting binders and setting aside those that he wouldnt need, keeping herself busy waiting for him to say something to her.
He rubbed his temples, wondering what there was to say to her. He was moving out of his office as per the plea bargain agreement, everything was to be boxed and moved to the Social Credit for the long journey back home. But she was his assistant, and with his unemployment, there was hers as well. A fact she no doubt expected, but she was waiting for him to say something.
He stared at her keeping busy and wondered what he would say? Everyone had been shocked by the Martial Law declaration, by the rioting, an uncomfortable silence that came with news they didnt quite know how to take. The fact that Katz himself didnt quite know how to tell the general population the news may have been the cause of that, but it didnt help him in reaching a decision.
Alicia, Katz began taking off his glasses and setting them on the desk beside his mug.
She turned to him, her eyes brimming with tears as she had her arms around him. Youre the best boss Ive ever had she said quietly as she clung onto him.
He smiled at her warmly, resting a hand on her dark hair as she sobbed into his shirt. Im the only boss youve ever had, he pointed out. But seriously, I
They separated, Alicia drying her eyes as she stepped back.
Katz sighed and turned from the room, returning to his own office where he grabbed his great coat down from the rack behind the door. Donning a heavy scarf, he pointed to the boxes. Can you run those down to the Social Credit? he asked Alicia.
She looked up at her boss and nodded. What do you want me to do with this? she held up a bundle of envelopes.
What are they? Katz asked, picking up his briefcase.
Mail addressed to you personally, she said. I found it in the inbox.
Katz contemplated it and sighed. Id best take it all, he said, stuffing the bundle into his briefcase and snapping the clasps shut. He paused to look at her, Hey, chin up. You know youre not going to be unemployed for long.
I dont want to work for just anyone, she said resolutely, getting up herself and walking out past him to her desk to get her coat.
Katz sighed as he looked at her, and up at Lisa who, having seen them get ready to leave, was herself donning her coat and crossing to join them. Both of them looked depressed and he glanced at his watch and up at them both.
Ok, I give up, he said with a dramatic sigh. You both win. You can come to Omega-52 with us, if you want.
Lisa broke out into a broad smile and gave him a hug. I knew you would say that, she said proudly.
Alicia grinned, Does this mean Im not fired?
Katz sighed as he glanced over at Thorpe who was nodding from the doorway to Averys office, I guess, just get your things together we dont have much time.
He walked out of his offices, and onto the promenade, looking up at the LPI officers that were everywhere. The station had never been so quiet, it was like someone had plunged a knife right into its heart and had bled it dry.
Citizen Katz, Joe called hurrying across to him, looking flushed. I came to say Im not going with you he swallowed. What I mean is, Ontario is my home, I have a life here. Your offer of relocation is kind and all, but I just cant leave my businesses many feel the same way we we want you to know that were grateful for everything youve done here. You put Ontario on the map, and you brought our issues to the forefront, when Colonies like this are often trodden all over Thank you Citizen Katz!
Katz inclined his head. No, thank you Joe. Honestly, youre support since the beginning has kept me going. Dont give up on Ontario, its a damn fine place.
He looked over at the Tim Hortons coffee-shop, being closed up and dismantled. What are they doing? he asked with a nod.
Cynthias going with you, and well we figured since you know, you boys down in the Omegas dont have a decent coffee shop to save your lives. We figured wed send this one down with you. We can always open another one up here should Ontario change in the future.
Youre giving the Coalition a Timmies? Katz asked in genuine surprise.
Lock stock and barrel, Joe said. You should get going, before someone tries to take another pot shot at you
***
Down in the hangar bay Katz was greeted by a surprise.
A long double line of people flanking the corridor to the airlock. People and simple workers from Huron. Slave families that had been rescued. And other supporters to the Ontario cause.
He walked slowly down the line, as one by one they reached out to touch his shoulder or shake his hand. Tears and utter silence. Katz did his best to keep walking, knowing that just the feat of putting one foot in front of the other was monumental. He wanted to turn around, every fibre of what he was demanded that he turn around, march back up there and throw every single fascist off of the station but he couldnt.
He just couldnt.
Standing before the door, a young boy held a folded flag in his hands. The same flag that had been raised over the hockey arena. The flag was dusty, and there was blood splatters upon it, Ontarian blood. But it was still proud.
We will be free, the boy said trying his best not to cry.
Katz accepted the flag, trying his best as he turned to look at the crowd.
I could give a long speech, of fire and brimstone, directed at the betrayal of democracy that has happened here Katz shook his head. But we all know what happened here. We werent beaten in a court room, we werent beaten by speeches, and we werent beaten in some glorious space battle. We were beaten in the back rooms of power, and our democratic rights have been stripped from us. Liberty died here, in Ontario and that is all we need to know.
If they betray the agreement, if slavery and Cardamine doesnt stop flowing through this system if in a month, or two, or six, I find out that Ontario is again abandoned. I will be back, I have a signed document that says clearly that I will be permitted to run in that circumstance woe be to them if they forsake you again.
***
He made it through the hatch, moving forward through his ship, doffing his overcoat and taking off his tie. Reaching into a storage locker for his leather jacket and sliding it back on.
Slipping back behind the controls of the ship he looked over at CPO Pavel Byk. Power up all ships systems, and prepare for departure. How many families decided to come with us?
We have about a hundred families on the transports. Pasha answered. They are all secure and ready to leave.
Then we leave, Katz said sliding a headset on and tuning into the right frequency. Toronto Control this is the CPW Social Credit, requesting permission for departure.
As Ben stood in the centre of the undergound base's Command Centre, watching LRF Revolutionaries preparing for evacuation he felt...Sad...Sure it was a semi-Victory in his eyes, the LRF had shown many the Navy's true colours, but the price was high, in his right hand he clutched a small set of Dogtags. Apparently Rick did not survive and had died just before the ceasefire was declared...With a heavy heart he opened his palm and gazed at the name and set of numbers that had been given to Rick before he gently closed his hand over them once more.
An young woman wearing a set of coveralls that had grease upon it rushed up to him, dodging a pair of men carrying a large file cabinet towards the stairway that led to the surface, where their Albatross, the Crimson Dawn, waited, evacuating LRF on the surface aswell as their equipment, now the command centre was a shell of it's former self, cold unfeeling rock made up the walls, the floors now bare of the items that made it home...
The young woman tugged his sleeve, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Mr Warner, you must evacuate, we don't know how long until the LPI decide that we are a risk and must be removed." she whispered urgently to him, Ben merely nodded vacantly, staring at his hand which clutched the tags.
"You go ahead and take the Transport Veronica...I shall leave using my Eagle..." He softly spoke, turning slightly towards Veronica with a sad smile.
"We lost a home...But we are not defeated...Once your in orbit, set course for Bering, use the Jumpholes we mapped several weeks ago to get there...I shall remain here for alittle longer..." he urged her with that same sad smile upon his face. Reluctantly she nodded and started to leave with the last group of LRF Personnel, leaving Ben alone once again...Most of the LRF had already left, leaving a small sleeper Cell in the mining settlment to keep an eye on things...Ben walked over to the Liberty Revolutionary Front's Flag, a proud Black Fist infront of a Crimson Star, gently caressing it he let it be...hanging there in the back of the room...Ben sighed as he turned to leave, pulling on his trench coat as he left, he reached the stairs and took one last look at the falg, lonesome within the room now...A small smile came upon his face.
"We are defeated...But this is just the beginning...I promise you that we shall return...Perhaps not for several years...But we will be back..." he swore softly before turning, heading up towards the surface. As he came to the Shed Portion he opened the door and headed towards the last ship in the plains, an old Eagle that Ben modified heavily for Combat...He climbed into it and prepared to lift off...Leaving their home behind once more to brave the stars of space...
As he made a beeline towards the Jumphole into the California system his smile grew until he started to laugh softly.
"Oh yes...Defeated...But our spirits unbroken..." he commented to himself between his periods of laughing...His ship entering the Jumphole to follow the Crimson Dawn towards Bering once more...
Meanwhile...Within the former LRF HQ the flag seemed to flutter from some unknown wind passing through...Yet did not fall...Shaken...but unbroken...
![[Image: u8rHEaq.png]](http://i.imgur.com/u8rHEaq.png)
![[Image: DramaticExit.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/DramaticExit.gif)
![[Image: sig-9566.jpg]](http://www.clintonio.com/sig-9566.jpg)
