Somewhere in the Omicrons A man is sitting on the bridge of a empty, lifeless ship.
he is intently watching some of the communiques that still comes across his ship regarding Zoners. He ponders the situation that has transpired for the last several years and his exhaustive search for two close friends and business associates.
He looks around at what is a now ghost ship that has little activity. He can remember when this ship "The Headquarters of his company" was very much alive like a beehive.
This ship kept him alive and those that served/helped him for many a peril during his search. The man thinks to himself then talks out loud as if to the ship " They are all gone and have started new lives and I will be forever grateful to them. *a long pause* Well girl I think it is time you were put to good use again. What do you think?"a faint rumble can be heard thru-out the bowels of the great ship as if the ship was responding.
The man then chuckles and speaks softly" I thought so"
He then turns and heads to the bridge and once there he goes and sits in the command chair for the possible last time and punches in a access code to one that Colonel Mitchell only knows and sends a brief message.
Greetings Colonel
I see you have a situation I maybe able to help with.
I invite you to my current place of residence for talks on your situation
also bring a security crew as you may want to start things in motion.
Yours truly
Chester.C.
ZoE
***End Transmission***
The man gets up and head to his living quarter to freshen up and then await his guest.[/color]
Somewhere in deep space The Errant Venture floats stoically, diligently watching over The Order and her interests from the shadows.
Colonel Tereus Mitchell sits alone in the cockpit of his Spatial, safely nestled in The Venture's main assault hangar. Leaning back in the pilots seat, glass of bourbon in hand, Tereus stares through the transparisteel canopy, seemingly at nothing, lost in his thoughts, or rather, the nightmares of his past.
Abruptly Tereus' personal commlink beeps, and the voice of a young ensign could be heard on the other end.
"Colonel, I apologize for the intrusion, but we have just received a Level 6 priority encryption from somewhere within the Omicrons. Its addressed directly to you sir."
Tereus slowly took another sip of his bourbon, then activated his commlink.
"Have it transferred directly to my spatial ensign. Mitchell out."
Seemingly instantaneously, the comm panel on the spatial whirred to life as the encrypted message from an old friend was processed. As the last bytes of the communique were decrypted, the effeminate voice of the spatial's AI, nostalgically nicknamed Aerith, broke the stuffy silence within the cockpit.
"Decryption complete. Please authenticate to proceed."
Tereus threw back his glass in hand, effectively finishing off the rest of the bourbon, and leaving a welcome sting in the back of his throat.
"Aerith, authenticate, Mitchell, Tereus. Delta 2642 Bravo 235 Sierra Ghost Manhattan. Audio and visual playback."
Tereus paused a moment, staring into his now empty glass, watching the ice cube within slowly roll around. Flashbacks of dealings within the main houses of Sirius played out in his mind, as Chester Copperton's message played back.
As the last of the message was played back, and the holoviewer faded to black, all that was left in the cockpit was the silence, and the thoughts swimming around in Tereus' mind.
"Aerith, prepare an encrypted communique, encryption level 6..."
A faint crackle can be heard on the comm panel. A moment later the computer starts to decrypt the returned prerecorded message.
"Chester Copperton! It has been far too long, I am happy to see that you have survived, despite the fickle nature of this reality we call home. Your message has been successfully received, as well as the coordinates you hid within."
The image of Colonel Mitchell pauses for a moment, and can be seen taking a sip of a drink. The message continues.
"My inference of the particulars regarding your message, puts the majority of the risk on yourself. As such, and knowing what treachery can fall upon a prestigious man as yourself, I am mobilizing The Errant Venture, and The Twilight Wanderer.
While I know you may consider this overkill, the nature of our meeting, as well as your personal safety, are my sole motivator to my actions. I shall contact you shortly to discuss the particulars of our meeting.
By the time this message reaches you, The Venture and The Wanderer should be within a few hours of your encrypted coordinates.
I look forward to our reunion old friend. Mitchell out."
The message ends, and the console powers down. By this time, Tereus and his entourage should be within two hours of the rendezvous point.
On board the silent ship Chester just finished getting ready and he hears a beeping sound coming from his communicator. He heads to a console then punches in a code.
Chester sends a confirmation code back to the source of the transmission acknowledging the sender. Chester pause for a brief moment.
Ah Colonel I am glad you are well old friend and that you have received my message. As for the inference of overkill I trust your judgement in these matters as I am only a business man; however you have taught me a few very useful things in the past that I doubt there will be any issues that pop up.
My remaining staff has prepared the ship for your arrival and now has departed.
I will be the only one on board awaiting your arrival.
the ship is on full automation and here are the access codes for her encryption started*** ------------
Well Colonel I look forward seeing you again and some of your crew especially
Mr H.M. Murdock as I found him highly entertaining.
Until your arrival
Chester Copperton
Chester ends the message and finishes the encryption sequence.
Chester turns away from the console and heads to the kitchen to prepared a hot meal for his guests. A spring to his step has appeared that has been missing since the heights reached by ZoE as a corporation. As ZoE headquarters sits silently in space it too seems to give the appearance of coming back to life as systems are coming back online. The Pillar of Solace is coming back to life.
On the bridge of The Errant Venture Colonel Tereus Mitchell sat intently in the command chair, gazing out into space. It had been quite some time since He had been in direct contact with Mr. Chester Copperton, three years to be exact. In that time the CEO of ZoE had slipped silently into the shadows, as had Tereus himself.
As the bridge crew scampered about the heart of The Venture, coordinating with the crew of The Wanderer, Mitchell gazed at the enhanced image of The Pillar of Solace, the ship he was here to obtain. While the image was magnified, and he doubted very much that the station crew, or anyone in the system for that matter, were aware of their presence, Tereus took a last look at the former ZoE headquarters, then leaned over and opened a channel to his Spatial, currently being loaded in the forward assault bay.
"Daugherty, this is Mitchell. I've had The Twilight Wanderer hide itself in the Nebula, along with The Venture. How are preparations coming along for our little trip to the station?"
Tereus leaned back in his chair, and a few moments later the comm panel chirped, and Daugherty's voice came flowing through the speaker.
"Daugherty here sir. We are finished loading and are running pre-flight checks now. My team and equipment is already onboard and ready to go sir, awaiting your arrival."
Tereus pressed the comm panel once more, then spoke.
"Copy that Daugherty, I'll be along shortly. I'll brief your team on the way, at our current location, it will take about 15 minutes to the station, without the use of cruise engines, and we can use that time to go over the final details of this mission. Mitchell out."
Tereus turned to Major Adelaide Zurie, his executive officer.
"Major you have the bridge. The jump coordinates, in the event of an emergency will put you two kilometers from the main hangar of the station. The coordinates relayed to The Wanderer will put them one kilometer off the starboard side of The Pillar of Solace. While I don't anticipate any hostile action, it never hurts to be prepared. I leave The Venture in your capable hands Major."
Tereus briskly walked too the turbolift which would take him to deck twelve. From there it was a short tram ride to the main assault hangar, and then a casual stroll across the hangar to his spatial.
While the spatial was a fairly common craft, created by the ingenious engineers of the Independant Miners Guild, His Spatial, was one of a kind. While most spatial's were used for freelance work, or mining surveys, this spatial had been retrofitted into an offensive assault craft, fully able to accomodate a strike team of twelve, with atmospheric assault capability, or, in this case as a security transport carrying twenty plus supplies for a standard three day excursion.
As Tereus walked up the rear hatch into the equipment bay of the spatial, Major Daugherty was already closing it behind him, and signaling the pilot that they were ready to roll. Daugherty was a relatively new addition assigned to Tereus by SGM Command roughly a year after last contact with ZoE, nevertheless he was a capable, and dedicated officer, and this was made more apparent by Daugherty having the main security detail already assembled in the command center / briefing room in the heart of the ship.
"Squad Atten-hut! Officer on Deck!" Daugherty stated in a authoritative manner.
Tereus did a quick once over of Daugherty's team, then casually announced, "At ease."
And so began the briefing on the trip to rendezvous with Chester Copperton aboard The Pillar of Solace. Tereus outlined the particulars, explaining protocol for the changing of hands of the fine ship, that most of the ship was automated and capable of being operated by a sole person, and that most likely, the kind Mr. Copperton had most likely prepared a lavish meal for them. The main point Tereus stressed in the meeting was the need to secure, and inspect the main reactor core of this ship. While Copperton's engineering teams had done perfectly fine over the years maintaining it, Zoner tech was highly secretive, and a thorough inspection needed to be done of this area, to avoid any unpleasantries...
As Tereus finished his briefing the hiss of maneuvering thrusters could be heard echoing throughout the ship, followed by the loud metallic clank of the spatial's landing struts touching down on The Pillar of Solace's hangar floor.
As the rear hatch lowered, and Tereus, Daugherty, and his security detail disembarked the spatial, a familiar face could be standing next to a bulkhead control panel, and motioning for Tereus and his entourage to head that way.
"Ah Mr. Copperton, my old friend!' Stated Tereus...
1800 hours local time - The Pillar of Solace Main Hangar Bay
Chester patiently watches from the bulkhead control panel as the Spatial maneuvers into position and gently sets down. He hears the ship power down and waits for the hatch to open up. As the hatch opens fully, Colonel Mitchell and his team exits with their usual bravado. Still Chester looks a little taken aback.
as Colonel Mitchell speaks "Ah Mr. Copperton, my old friend!' Chester steps forward and extends a hand to the colonel responding in kind
Colonel it is good to see you again. It has been far too long. We will need to catch up on a things. I due trust that you are well? Let me welcome your security force aboard the Pillar of Solace. Gentlemen please relax and make yourselves comfortable.
Chester then turns to the team which came alone with the Colonel and motions them to relaxed but he knows it will be to no avail as he is sure and know a bit about the Colonels habits of Discipline and preparedness. Still the protocol of his time as CEO it is habit for him to ask all guest to get comfortable. Being a business man requires to ensure the comfort of guests at all times.
Chester then turns to the Colonel and speaks
"Well colonel how was the journey out to my little hole in the galaxy of Sirius? I know you wish to inspect and check everything out but first we must dine as I know you and your crew are hungry therefore I have a feast prepared for you in the main dining hall. One finished your crew then can acquaint themselves with the ship in the general vicinity of course, and we can talk in my the lounge over some fine Bretonian Bourbon. After that we can get down to an in depth tour of the ship ending up with the engine area of the ship. Colonel I have plenty of food for all and more I am sure you brought more then your spatial out here so send any extra food and drinks to the other ships.
Chester smiles at this knowing how Colonel Mitchell leave nothing to chance. He know there are ships out there even though nothing came up on scanners. Chester motions his guests along a beautiful corridor towards the dining hall. The ship looks more like a place of Business to the Colonels team then a great warship, the corridor is lined in deep rich wood walls and thick expensive carpet. The ship looks like it is ready to host royalty as the team see that everything on board is of the finest quality. They feel that Mr Copperton was very successful at what he did at ZoE, many thoughts go thru their minds as Chester turns to Colonel Mitchell and speaks
“ well Colonel I am sure you remember the original name of this ship.” as they approach the dining hall Colonel Mitchell turns to Chester and speaks
Colonel Tereus Mitchell - Pillar of Solace, In Transit to Dining Area
Tereus subtly scans the corridors and surrounding area as they approach the dining hall. While Chester Copperton had always been a trustworthy ally, He did have a certain eccentricity to him. Copperton had been leading the conversation this entire time, and to the untrained, or rather, unfamiliar person, his tactic would have worked, causing the unwary guest to stick their foot in their mouth.
Tereus smiled as Chester posed his first test prior to entering the dining hall.
"Clever Copperton, still sharp as ever." Thought Tereus before he turned to meet Chester's gaze, and responded,
"Of course Chester, I do believe the name of this ship, before your extensive registry...editing, was "The Klondike.""
Tereus paused for a moment, still grinning, then continued.
"Correct me if I'm wrong Chester, but The Klondike was originally named after an ancient mining incident, which uncovered several hundred tons of gold, wasn't it?"
Tereus peered warily into around the dining hall, which, as Copperton had stated, was empty, save for the extravagant feast that Copperton had prepared. He paused a moment more, before turning back and meeting Chester's grinning gaze.
"So Chester, Did I pass your test? After all, I am quite hungry."
A Spatial comes to a stop on route to Colonel Mitchell's location.
He opens the comms
"Colonel have arrive at rendezvous point Alpha Delta 6697 Tango Zulu 19er....
Capt Murdock reporting in sir **turn and yells at nothing**... Felix! Stop drooling over everything and go and sit down will you! No don't give me that look the Colonel will be upset. I don't care the Colonel will use you for food it you don't behave."
.... Turns back and speaks again
"Sorry colonel, Awaiting further orders... Captain Murdock out"
Captain Murdock sits and waits for further orders.
Death Before Dishonour! Honour above all!
This masterpiece was made by Calego. (Iron Legion)
"Test Tereus? me? I would never do such a thing to you as you are one that is hard to fool. Yes the Klondike is named after that and on Sol name also for something called the Klondike Gold rush."....pauses for a brief second before continuing...
"besides Tereus I am now pretty much finished with such test with friends, however I dare say you have taught me a few things out here in space"
Tereus returns the smiles and nods. Chester extends his arm to show his guests into the dining hall.
Chester speaks to his guests
" if you would like, the images in the windows can be change to what ever you like. Welcome to the Pillar of Solace dining hall."
The dining area
"Please help yourselves to the food and Colonel you would honor me by sitting at the head table.Lets enjoy the food then get down to business"
as the security team enters the hall Chester turns to Tereus
"So Colonel what do you say? and I promise no more tests"... chuckling...
Colonel Tereus Mitchell - Pillar of Solace, outside dining area.
Tereus takes one more quick scan of the dining hall, then obliges Chester Copperton, and approaches the head of the table. Active scans from his power armor indicate that the next surprise that Copperton has up his sleeve is a small contingent of attendants behind the hidden doors to the kitchen.
"Ah Chester, you almost had me there. It would appear that we are to waited on, as we enjoy this elegant meal, and get down to business," Tereus says with a smile.
Tereus nods to Daugherty to relax, and to have his security team do the same. As Tereus takes a seat, the wrist communicator on his armor alerts him to Murdock's transmission. While Chester was busy chatting with Daugherty, over the finer "historic" accents in the Pillar of Solace's lavish dining room, Tereus composed a quick encrypted, short-range databurst to Murdock.
With the message sent, and undoubtedly Murdock and Felix content, Tereus turned his attention back to the matter at hand.
"So Chester, do tell me more about the former "Klondike"" Tereus stated with a small grin.
on board a drifting Spatial a red light blinks on and off signaling and incoming message.
Murdock reacts quickly and flips a switch.
A voice announces that the decryption sequence has begun. A few seconds later the same voice announces that the process is complete.Murdock reads the message
Murdock! So glad to see you could make it. RV at The Venture at the
following coordinates:196N-243S-54X-82Y-180.2A
Zurie has been apprised of your imminent arrival. Land in main hanger.
P.S. Chocolates waiting for Felix upon your arrival. T.M.out.
Murdock yelps with joy then checks the charts. "Dang it, if that ain't an nasty area of space" he thinks.
Murdock enters the coordinates and powers up the ship, he turns to the empty seat beside him then speaks
" hold on Felix we're out of here and heading to The Venture and CHOCOLATES!!"
The spatial picks up speed and several barrel rolls are done and if at all possible a large loud WAHOO could almost be heard.
Death Before Dishonour! Honour above all!
This masterpiece was made by Calego. (Iron Legion)
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