//This is a response between Akiyama and Shade in the Former LTH Research Facility.
Akiyama was glad that the Omicroner topic was not pressed further. Their absence meant a geopolitical struggle as various groups tried to fill the power dynamic. It also meant she lost a lot of her self-identity in the process.
"No it's not common news. Most people here have fight left in them. If I tell them that a former Omicroner is held hostage by the TAZ.... well chances are that most will jump straight to Baffin and rip Shasta apart." Akiyama spoke of the delicate balance, where most of the Freeport was made from hardened veterans who lived in edge space, "It's family out here. One of our own, trapped, would start a war. We would win, we have more experience than mere space hippies, but it would come at a cost. One I am not willing to pay for. One that we shouldn't have to pay for."
"So, here we sit. Preventing a leak. If John Douglas dies in Baffin, whatever excuse the TAZ cook up will not stop a Zoner civil war." Akiyama spoke more impersonally this time as if this was a matter of fact.
"This is why we need your help. We must prevent a militant or infected TAZ from weakening the Zoner populace with violence. We need to get John Douglas back, regardless of which way this swings." Akiyama's voice had a tone of pleading to it. Anyone could see how precarious the situation was.
"Any news from our contact?" asked the Commander, looking at her communications officer. "Not yet... but with all due respect Commander, we still have time to reconsider." "What is there to reconsider, Lieutenant?" she firmly replied. "People like us? We don't get to reconsider. We have a job to do, and you better damn well remember that. If we don't take her out of the game, if -we- fail, the consequences will be ours to bear."
The Commander slightly raised her hand as she saw the men approaching their table, silencing the occupants in a mere second. She listened to the man that identified himself as head of the local security force. Something seemed odd, they did not look like the usual security forces you can find on Freeports. The theatrical effect and general look of the armor seemed to be more like something The Order would do, but in doubt, she'd play their game.
"Interesting outfit here, Commander. Your observations are correct, I'm the Commander of the Pine Ridge. I'm not exactly sure what upset you about my soldiers visiting your station and see what it has to offer. After all, we're here for at least two months, they most likely want to get the best deals before someone else get it. There's no reason to be worried. Trust me if we had a different intent you would have known already."
Shade listened with intensity as Mio spoke. He felt sorry for the situation she had been pushed into, Necroth had always felt sorry for people forced into impossible situations he thought to himself "TAZ really has stirred up a hornets nest here and they don't even have any proof of any wrongdoing..."
"Mio you are correct, this information is delicate to say the least. Our actions must be precise or all hell could break lose. We need to keep this information from the public for as long as possible. You're right, out here on the edge we are a family and our ties are what keeps us from all perishing. This life is hard and we become harder ourselves ever year as we struggle to survive. Conflict is something I wish we didn't have to face but it seems we face it far to often...and this time by people who call themselves Zoners. If Mr Douglass dies by the hands of the TAZ all bets are off. Do you have any plans on rescuing him or would you like us to send a diplomatic delegation to attempt to secure his release"?
"I think a diplomatic delegation would only get held hostage. Or worse, shot down. We could always try though." Akiyama responded, not knowing what options were left.
"There's not much else to do. We can only sit here and fortify our position and supply trails." She contemplated on the issue for a while, "Perhaps we have enough support now to discourage any attempts at taking over the station."
"Could you run me through Phoenix security assets for Freeport 11?" Akiyama asked, knowing that planning for an attack was critical.
Necroth finds himself running different tactical scenarios through his mind, each has faults that seem to be unavoidable. Mio was correct, the options were starting to look bleak and each could lead to disaster.
"I believe that our first course of action should be the diplomatic route, I doubt that the TAZ would openly attack Phoenix vessels or attempt to take our envoys as hostages. If they were to do anything as foolish as that, it would have Zoners across Sirius in an uproar. Their actions already seem...suspicious and this would only solidify that something terrible is happening in the ranks of the TAZ. This might even indicate that the Nomads are in fact responsible for destabilizing the Zoner populous".
Necroth chose his next words wisely knowing that the aftermath of the next conversation could cause the whole situation to break into full out armed conflict.
He says quietly after looking around the room ensuring that no one besides Mio could hear.
"We could attempt a rescue operation, this is a risky thing as this could also lead us to open conflict. We would need to be very careful in how to approach this type of operation. My skills in this area are well...limited to say the least and we would need to get assistance from whom I do not know but I think this should be a last resort..."
Necroth feared this course of action above all others, defending Omicron space was one thing as he had done this for most of his adult life but infiltrating Baffin and attempting to free "political" prisoners was something entirely different. He switched topics to something more familiar, preparation as he knew this above all things could make the difference in survival.
"Our current strategy is to have several heavy transports full of medical supplies, food rations, water and other emergency provisions ready to be deployed from Livadia shipyard at a moments notice. These transports will be fully escorted by our security forces. Additional transports have also been readied at Phoenix Space Port as a redundancy to the supplies provided by Livadia. This emergency back up is under heavy protection from several Fearless class vessels and other security fighters. An Aquilion class carrier is tied to this to provide additional support if needed. Three full fighter wings will be stationed here as well, piloted by trusted veteran pilots these are people we trust entirely and each has faced conflicts over the years. They are not green recruits who might spark open conflict. Two Conference class vessels have been deployed to act as our eyes and ears, each has orders to simply identify possible threats and then to fall back to secure locations. Fortifying the station itself will commence as soon as possible, all docking and mooring points will have Mk III DSM-101 Heavy directional shield generators and HAW-6 "Vengeance" weapon arrays installed. Additional units will be installed in other strategic locations around the station as well. Our work crews have been stockpiling these pieces of equipment for some time and we have been slowly upgrading our stations with them since the Zoner Alliance situation".
Necorth turns his data pad to Mio and shows here the tactical information in regards to the upgraded internal security systems.
"Mio, Phoenix work crews and transports are prepping now to begin the instillation process but I wanted to verify that these upgrades are okay with you first. If you have any questions or concerns I would very much like to hear them. I know this cannot be an easy situation for you to be in and I want to make sure that you have full disclosure about these systems".
A red haired woman made its way slowly to public part of biodome, nervously avoiding any contact with Liberty "guests" that recently visited Omicron Delta star system. Her escort - four seasoned soldiers carrying no visible insignias or recognizable decals that could betray their allegiance to perceptive enough eyes - remained calmly behind, as far Freeport's security allowed them due to lockdown. Station ran relative normal through reduced capacity, still serving passing by vessels with fuel, repairs and expendable equipment consumed in combat or otherwise. Noticeable difference that much of other distractions it had offered were shut down in favour of more restrictive rules due to current crisis.
Nevertheless, the bunch of crew that by rotation had its entertainment and rest just fine despite hitting the most tough time they could pick. As rest of her escort, redhead navigated installation flawlessly, making an appearance of looking for someone as in hope that this very specific individual received and understood her instructions. Among crops that grown under solar rays of local suns, she took a seat on more isolated meeting place among the fields. For her, Freeport 11 felt bit like a home... still stained by blood spilled years ago despite innocent looks today.
His face betrayed nothing, just a thoughtful expression
I'm sure I would 'ave known abou' it. My problem is tha' you jus' occupied this station wit' your marines. Tha's not usually the sign of "nice" people. It makes me a li'l suspicious you know. I'd appreciate a fair warning before people moored an Atlantis and offloaded a full compliment of marines. Ye can un'erstan' I hope.
He sits back, crossing his arms
I'm always in contact. You can easily hit me up. We aren' fer prying too much, bu' a li'l explainin' is appreciate', specially with the position we are all in curren'ly. Wha' wit' the TAZ an' Or'er kickin' off wit' each ot'er.
Anythin' yer'd like te say before I disappear Commander?
"No, Commander. I believe we're done." replied the woman, with a smile. "I just have to wait for my guest. In the event you need us, you know where we are."
Akiyama took in the data before her, studying the plans slowly. There was no list of things that were required to be shipped in, despite the new technology needing resources.
"The plans have my full approval. Do you know what will need to be shipped over?" Akiyama asked, genuinely curious. She expected that the Phoenix would have better shipping assets than the people on the freeport.
She pushed the thought of John Douglas from her head, since that situation had resolved itself.
Mike sat in his office. It felt wrong for him to have one. As far as he was concerned, the only people that should have offices, are his Councilmen, and these Freeport officials that he worked to protect. That reminded him, the message sent out by John Douglas a short time ago meant one thing, trouble. His job was to protect civilians, not get involved in political conflicts. This meant one thing, make sure John is aware, along with the other Freeport 11 higher-ups, or get his arse handed to him by Joseph Wolf, neither of which he really wanted to do at all. The only thing he could think of right now, was to call them together in a conference room, and try to discuss a plan of action
This is an open freeport broadcast from Commander Mike Spencer. Would Administrator John Douglas, Deputy Administrator Tobias Parker, and Miss Mio Akiyama please contact me, and arrange a room for our meeting. To the rest of Freeport 11, we appologise for any confusion caused by current affairs, and urge you to contact a Guardian to discuss any fears you may have. We are here to protect you, remember that. Good day, good luck, and keep smiling 11
The frequency switched off, Mike sat back, flicking his helmet communicator on. He should soon recieve a reply from them that way.