Dabadoru was seemingly detached from the regular warmongering of Delta, at comfortable distance to only see deep space Core raids whenever they break the perimeter. At time of Megaera’s visit, The Order had upper hand in the depths of Kiribati belt. Scouts did not bothered her, they knew better than to pick a fight with random freelancers, the area itself was not cordoned in any way from neutral contacts. The station itself was flanked by an Order Osiris named ironically after Ancient Earth’s mythological deity of chaos.
The hangar deck was clearly designed to maximize the number and efficiency of fighter craft operations. Historically it served as Core’s first installation out in the dark when this adversary of The Order still hailed either from Freeports or nomadic flotillas. Nowadays, The Order boldly walk upon its decks, destroying all symbols of the Core “imperium” erected by the last Guildmasters that governed Dabadoru. In fact, there were no memoralia’s that Core has ever occupied its corridors, save for painstakingly obvious signs of vandalism or how the locals had given to call it: “restoration of good taste”. Lady Mageara was expected by a bunch of black uniformed soldiers. At least they brought a hovering transportation, reducing need to spend here to absolute minimum if she willed it.
Level below the main hangar deck were found facilities that ensured needs of the crew were fulfilled. So they reached module designated for screening. Admiral Golanski, as his comms had not been a decoy was there present. All she could possibly recognize was his face from a wanted poster or some Order transmission, the man hardly bearing any distinction of his position besides some intricate uniform modifications shared by some of the other officers she might have spied on: The Overwatch soldiers, or Black Squadron as their name of old.
“My personal apologies for misspelling your name. This will not take long and you will be free to return to your Dragon friends soon...“ Admiral spoke with no accent that could possibly betray his place of origin within the Colonies of Man, with a tone indicating he seen it as mere formality to reaffirm her status as not part of the great alien commune. Either that or he gave a good face over a bad game.
"Greetings admiral. I would shake your hand, but seeing the circumstances, I would understand that you would refrain from that."
She walks towards him and keeps her distance. A young Kusari woman in her early 20s, looking at him with a self-confident smile.
"I am sorry for being rude earlier, but seeing the information the SCRA fleet distributed, feels less than fortunate for me. Show me what I must do. I will tell you beforehand that you will find no signs of infection. Perhaps I will learn something about my body I did not know before."
The room was distinctively clear with various medical and scanning equipment on the walls. The ‘doctor’ if such term could be used wore full body armor over uniform of white, reminiscent of Ageira. His face obstructed, protected in most likelihood against attacks of Das Wilde playing innocent until the very end. Suspended was currently inactive defense turret, by characteristics of local architecture it was obvious it was not placed here initially. “Take a seat.” man asked without a sign of nervousness in his no doubt dangerous profession. Hundreds of such procedures and dedication to The Order’s cause had removed any doubts in his head.
“Myself I am subject to this mandatory protocol every month.” Admiral stood back where he was, accompanied by Overwatch operatives of Kusarian and Corsair descent. “Everyone here present does, taint of heresy cannot be permitted to spread.” Monitoring equipment lowered, its shape fitting the description of the first trial. Device hummed as the operator approached from her side with sidearm sized blood sample collector, clearly displayed in his hand to reveal it is not a threat. It was all done after perhaps uncomfortable sting, The Order required substantial amount for clarity. “Sit in there for four more minutes and we will retract the scanner.” Faceless voice explained, inserting the sample into the computer somewhere behind her. Megaera’s fate could be decided by few well placed shots from Golanski’s bodyguards laser rifles but there was not a single most discreet signal for them to dispose of her. Minutes passing, the personnel working at the station started producing full report on what they have learned from her life liquid. “Red light.” The medic abruptly spoken calmly, their terminology unknown. “Failed for infestation on both accounts, life functions nominal. Sir, it is done.”
“Finish the report, I believe she will need full documentation to prove it.” Admiral called as device around her head disappeared in the roof.
"All this trouble because people refused to believe my words... If people just listened to me, I would not have wasted your time and resources. But This did give me the chance to meet the famous Golanski and you do not apear as bad as they say you are. They treat you like the worst thing that flies around the Omicrons, but I am not that impressed yet. Not that I do not like you. You seem quite hospitable. Now that is done..." she said standing up and walking towards him, stopping infront of his guards with a smile. "Can I shake your hand?
He shook her hand confidently and started walking the way out inviting Megaera to come along. The Overwatch soldiers followed but nevertheless kept respectable distance.
“Morality highly depends on the individual human psyche and culture. Sadly I have the strength, ability and willingness to take responsibility for actions few would have awareness to realize it was necessary. Even fewer would like admit that those acts were justified. Thus I will live with stigma of a uncaring warlord and this assessment is not entirely unfair.”
One of the marines from Admiral’s own outfit approached them, handing over small datapad. The Order’s everwatchful eye dominated the top of the document embedded in triangle. Inserting one of the cheap dispensable data sticks into the side of the device, all details entailing adequate encryption, neural-net digital signatures and certificate of purity were uploaded on it. After couple of seconds of data transfer, Golanski detached the stick and handed it over to her.
“Here is everything you need to clear your name according to standard Order protocol. No one sane in the Edge World should question authenticity of this test, from Malta though Crete to Gran Canaria it should carry some weight. I cannot guarantee that the House officials would see it in the same light, their state agencies tend to disagree with us merely on the principle of deeply engraved hostility. Yet as far I am aware, this is not them you are trying to convince.”
If she had any portable device to review the set of documents The Order just issued her or used any neural net terminal on Dabadoru or aboard her Sichel starfighter, she could see the following verification. What followed under were more precise information that was gathered on her health in no particular sorting or order: someone who studied appropriate medical fields could conduct deeper analysis on the data.
This following certificate attests that individual under name “Lady Megaera” - true identity could not be established at current time - holding position of a non-aligned Freelancer is confirmed free of alien infestation and/or contamination. Screening was enacted by The Order Specialists on explicit wishes of Heung Hideyoshi, Treasurer of The Blood Dragon Shogunate.
⧫ Date of screening: 13th February 825 A.S.
⧫ Notes: Indication of minor, non-life threatening brain tissue damage. Possible cause could be linked to oxygen deprivation. Recommending further study at neurological department.
Ensign Rene Northrop
The Order Intelligence Division “Wedjat”
Section 1 Research and Development
"We all need to make sacrifices and make choises that many would find objectable. Those who change the world are believed to be its enemies. It is the small minded humans that are unable to adapt to the changing tides that are the ones who seek to try and destroy us. We are not the enemies of Sirius, we are its saviours. But in order to save it, we must first cut out the sickness.
But. I will not be contained or destroyed. This is just the beginning, admiral, you will hear of me again. By then you will have to make that choice too. I hope to meet eachother on the side of change. You seem like a man who understands. I see it in your eyes."
He gave her words some precious moments to process. Megaera without a doubt was crazy but this was first step on path to intellectual greatness and another breakthrough, provided mind was adequately focused. His green eyes stared off to nowhere in particular, when he decided to share some of his own wisdom to her.
"Man’s choice in this regard is illusion. The age imposes objectives which man may follow or rebel against, but target and defiance alike still derive from the outside, byproducts of time we are living in. Not even Nomads are free of this eternal constant, despite their alien shared consciousness they are many just like us. Only plural, detached from ‘we’ may choose objectives with complete and unrestricted freedom. This is talk of real gods, not man made constructs of faith."