TWO

Safehouse, Quadrant D, Abaddon Station

June 18th, 2505

Agents Kate “Hawk” Hawkins; codename Magpie and Taylor “Grim” Baker are being briefed on their past

Inside the safehouse, the architecture looks quite industrial. While Hawk kept herself busy in her smuggler identity, maintaining the lesson she learned in First Action Strategic Recon training, Making alliances is key to accomplishing your mission, a one important lesson that she learned. Of course, not all alliances are equal. Some are established through greasing the palms or doing favors for shifty characters. Considering the circumstances, FSTR is willing to do such alliances if it meant furthering their goals.

Hawk and Grim were in the briefing room with the communication screen at the wall with Raptor in tow. The screen opened, revealing Major Kyle Harper of the Frontier Defense Alliance, callsign Overwatch, a weathered-looking man with a dark skin and greying hair. “Rangers, you’re here. Good. Here’s the skinny…”

“We’ve established contact with an Ilikeer who works third-party for Crimson Iron. Says he has valuable intel about their plans. This will be a covert mission, so you’ll be inserted to Quadrant D wearing inconspicuous clothing to maintain plausible deniability at all costs. That sector is home to one crime boss, Malice. Nasty piece of work. I’m sure you’ve heard of her considering the run-in your fellow Rangers had with her back in the late 90s.”

Overwatch wasn’t wrong. Rangers did have a run-in with the crime boss. It was not pleasant to say the least. “We do, sir. Quiet and simple.” Hawkins stated. Harper shifted his mouth, feeling skeptical “We’ll see. Hawkins, you’ll be in the Hollow’s Den to make contact with the Ilikeer client. Baker, you’ll be on Overwatch on Building A1’s rooftop and keep sight on the client. Understood”

Both Lieutenants nodded, understanding their assignment. “Excellent. The mission will commence in three days. Here’s your equipment for the mission.”

The communication screen shifted, showing two screens of equipment meant for Hawk and Grim. First off was the lightweight Ranger armor for both Rangers.

Then, for Hawk; Domino Arms DA85 Assault Rifle/ED45 sidearm, and a spotter scope.

And, for Grim: Keeler Industries KI-8 Marksman Rifle, Holdor Dynamics HD7 Submachine Gun, and a spotter scope.

“Good luck, Lieutenants” Major Harper saluted, then the screen goes black. Hawk, Grim, and Raptor bumped fists, with the latter wishing them luck.

Time to get to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three days later, Magpie was in her element her assignment, readying herself to establish contact with a third-party client working for Crimson Iron. [[Overwatch to Magpie. How copy?]], Magpie felt the buzz in her left ear and clicked it, “On site, Overwatch. Awaiting contact with the client.”

[[Understood. Will be radio silent until you gather the intel. Remember uyour poject Overwatch out.]], Overwatch responded. Considering the briefing she got a few days before, Magpie understood the circumstances. Overwatch closed their call, leaving for Magpie to call Case, “Case, are you in position?”

[[Affirmative. On the rooftops of Building A1, overlooking four entrances to the Hollow’s Den.]]

“Confirm visual on the client as soon he makes his way to the Den. He will be wearing a dark purple cloak for disguise. He’ll make his way to the right side entrance, so you’ll have a perfect vantage point on the front side of Building A1’s rooftop”

[[Rog’. Good luck out there, Kate. Case out.]], Case’s comm went out. Magpie sighed for a moment, then focused her sights on the ongoings in the Den. Buzzing with activity, chatter, deals, and laughter. And also the usual fist-fighting between customers wanting a piece of illicit items.

She then shifted her eyes towards the outfit she was wearing. A dark green trenchcoat, red scarf, blue armored vest, dark boots and pants with thigh pads. A fitting outfit for a FSTR agent working undercover as a notorious smuggler of the Tartarus Sectors. Can never be too careful in these parts.

“Let’s do this”, Magpie murmured.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Building A1 rooftop, south-east from the right side entrance to Hollow’s Den, Quadrant D

Agent Taylor “Grim” Baker; codename Case, maintaining watch on the client.

Building A1, a 4-story apartment complex, wide enough to house different kinds of people living Quadrant D; Criminals, workers, just simple people trying to live a simple life. For Case, its rooftop is a perfect vantage to maintain watch on the target.

Were she wearing the Ranger Armor, her presence would be conspicuous. Thankfully, as a FSTR agent, she blended well and took the stairs to the rooftop with no trouble wearing a simple dark blue jeans, a brown leather jacket with white shirt underneath. And a grey balaclava mask, to keep her identity secure.

The rooftop itself had no other people there, thus making Case’s job easier.

Case readied her S41-D Sniper Rifle on the ledge, using its 3 level variable scope to sight towards the right side entrance for Hollow’s Den to maintain perfect sight picture.

Case took deep breaths, inhale then exhale, as she kept looking people coming in and out of the Den. Within a few minutes, she found her mark. An Ilikeer wearing dark purple cloak making his way to the right side entrance. From her sight, he looked like an avian crossed with prey, hind leg, and webbed feet. As the Ilikeer made it to the entrance, he stopped for a moment and shifted his head left.

Case couldn’t clearly see what the Ilikeer was doing due to his cloak hiding his face. She sighted a little further went further through the scope, finding the Ilikeer’s head had shifted left. Within seconds, he made inside the Den.

Case felt suspicious, wondering if the Ilikeer is being followed or just making sure he’s secure. Regardless, the mark was found and is making his way to Magpie.

She pushed the FSTR-COMM button on her left shoulder. While the STAR’s communication system is secure and well known to be uncrackable, FSTR uses its own communication system to maintain operational security and prevent interception by enemy intelligence. As such, FSTR agents are required to have data ships in their sectors to maintain full communications on the other side of the galaxy with their handlers. One such data ship, masquerading as a supply freighter, was docked in Quadrant A.

“Case to Magpie. Target marked, he’s heading your way. Be advised, he may be followed. Expect contact, over.” ,Case called up

[[Affirm. Will maintain vigilance. Stay radio dark unless needed. Out.]], Magpie responded. Case holstered her S41-D and put her FSTR-COMM on radio silence, only allowing pings from Magpie or other FSTR agents just in case.

Case sighed slightly, looking towards the Hollow’s Den. From the outside, it looks like a big shell filled with different kinds of light.

“Good thing I love a challenge.”, Case smirked beneath her mask.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Magpie tapped her feet, leaning on a dark corner not far from the side exits. As she waited for the client, her mind drifted into thoughts; of her family, of her homeland. For a moment, she wonders how her family are holding up, especially with they have been through ever since the massacre of 2490. During that time, she lost her sister Anya in the chaos of the massacre. Or so it seemed.

As the client approached nearby, Magpie pushed away the thoughts, focusing her gaze on the cloaked Ilikeen. She and the Ilikeen exchanged glances, then the latter spoke first, “Hello, human friend. Would you perhaps have a stock of Seeker Drones in your inventory today?”, leaving a smile.

It was a covert sign, “Mine’s in the freighter.”, Magpie spoke with a countersign. The Ilikeen dropped the act, “Hmmm, you’re not very armed. A boon or death sentence. Could go either way.”

As the Ilikeen reached his pocket, Magpie rolled her eyes, not amused by his rhetoric. He hands the agent of what looks like folded paper map. Less susceptible from being intercepted, Magpie mused. She opened the map, revealing a blueprint sketch of a port. Port C-10, as its written on the top of the paper map. The agent examines the front and side entrances as well as a few ventilation shafts that could be used for recon.

The Ilikeen client pointed his finger to two ventilation shafts. “Shaft 1 connects to an area near the left side entrance and takes you to the side catwalk. Shaft 2 connects near the customs security section and will take you on the top catwalk overlooking the center of the port. Crimson Iron officials will be meeting with Malice in two hours.”

Magpie nodded, “Understood. Appreciate the info.”, She folded the map, putting it into her pocket. The Ilikeen then shifts his body, “Fortune graces you, Ranger. And remember, we never spoke.”, he takes his leave from the dark corner and leaving Magpie’s sight.

Magpie opens her FSTR-COMM and calls for Case. “Case, I’ve met the client. We have a meeting in Port C-10. Two hours.”

[[Understood, Magpie. Best get dressed up fast, don’t wanna miss the opportunity.]], Case remarked cheekily. Magpie chuckled, “You’ll probably dress prettier than me.”

[[Yeah, nah. You have a husband, so that gives you a leg-up, yeah?]]

“Yeah.” Magpie shrugged. Pushing the banter aside, “Meet me at the RV in 15 minutes.”

[[Affirmative, boss. Case over and out.]], the call ended. Magpie then called Overwatch on comms. “Overwatch, we have confirmation of a Crimson Iron meeting in Port C-10 in 2 hours. How copy?”

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She awaited their response, wondering whether the mission continues or not. [[Understood, Magpie. Get to the port and record that meeting. We need any intel we can get of their intentions.]], Overwatch responded.

“Understood, Magpie copies. Out.”, She closes the call and marks the RV point for herself and Case. Intel gathering has been completed, now it’s time for strategy and recon. What First Strategic Action Recon Unit agents are best at.

And the occasional combat engagements, Magpie mused.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Port C-10, Quadrant D, Abbadon Station

Agents Kate “Hawk” Hawkins; codename Magpie and Taylor “Grim” Baker; codename Case are doing recon on a Crimson Iron meeting.

Port C-10 looked clean and filled with a number of Crimson Iron combatants and Malice’s guys doing patrol and standing in their post. In the far side of the port is a docked ship, almost rectangular shape and designed for function rather for form. At the top catwalks overlooking the center of the port, two of Malice’s guards lied down, throat cut, and blood seeping on the floor.

Magpie and Case infiltrated the port through the shaft from the customs security station. They were wearing a light-weight Ranger armor, just in case they find themselves in a conflict. Magpie’s assault rifle and sidearm were holstered, allowing her to use the spotter scope. Meanwhile, Case equipped herKI-8 Marksman Rifle to maintain watch against hostiles who could spot them. Luckily for them, the top catwalk is empty, leaving more room to maneuver.

Magpie kept eye on the meeting between Malice and a Crimson Iron official who was wearing a crimson-colored uniform, while Case maintained watch with her MMR to keep watch of any potential compromise. Through the spotter, Magpie could hear the conversation via the device’s microphone detector.

“I trust that your people have been moving our supplies discreetly?”, asked the Crimson Iron official. “That is correct, my friend. Nera and the rest of the syndicate are not aware of what’s inside. As far as they’re concerned, those supply crates belong to my organization and none is the wiser.”

The official moved alongside with Malice as they toured across the port. Magpie and Case kept tailing them to hear more. “The Trotsinan Empire and United Human Dominion have been on a Cold War for decades. They like to pretend that everything is fine and normal, not caring of anything happening outside their domains.”, Malice remarked. “They care only for their own interests, Malice. That is why I must present you something.”, the official remarked as he and Malice moved to where the Crimson’s docked ship to present her something.

A huge metal crate makes its way to the catwalk from the ship through a floating carrier. After the carrier sits down, the official opens the crate, revealing a ball-like device connected with four drill-like devices and a small terminal connected to the circle as well. “This is the PK-N device. Planet Killer-Nuclear, It was well used during the Second Cybaran War against planets and territories that were occupied by the Cybar.”

Magpie gritted her teeth behind her helmet, grimacing. “Steamin’ hell”, Case hissed.

Malice looked around the PK-N device, rubbing her chin. “What of the Frontier Defense Alliance? They have an interest in seeing the UHD come to an end.”

“Indeed, which is why we’re planning to put serial numbers and markings used by the Trotsin Imperials, plant a number of these devices them to a few FDA planets. When the time is right, we detonate them in FDA outposts and have the Empire implicated in these attacks. Give the FDA an excuse to wage war against them. With two enemies at once, their resources will be depleted and ensuring the UHD’s continued survival.”

Malice chuckled, seeing amusement at such measures the official, and moreover, Crimson Iron are taking in tipping the balance of power. “You Crimson Iron folks are quite wicked in your methods. I admire it.”, She brought her hand to the official, with the latter reciprocating and shaking hands with the crime boss.

“When will this PK-N devices be shipped in FDA planets?”, Malice asked. The official nodded, “In six months, we need to maintain infiltration in order for our mission to succeed.” “Indeed. We must be always be wary of any kind of infiltration”, Malice growled, gazing her sight at the top catwalk. Pushing a button on her wrist device, Port C-10 goes into high alert. “Por fortuna, my friend.”, Malice shouted to the official as he enters his ship in haste. The ship broke from its docking, getting ready to leave. Not wasting time, Magpie used the spotter scope and pushed a capture button to make screenshots of the ship as it left the port. “We have to go, now!”, Case emphasized.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go.”, Magpie murmured as she and Case runs their way, shooting their weapons at Malice’s people and some Crimson Iron mercs. Case throws a smoke grenade to the vent shaft where they came from, allowing her and Magpie concealment as they crawl their way out. Malice’s troops and Crimson Iron mercs kept shooting at the smoke. Malice put a hand on one of her own, demanding ‘em to stop firing. As the smoke dissipated, the intruders were nowhere to be found. “Inform our troops, these intruders must be found and brought to my custody.”, Malice ordered her trooper, who nodded in return and used his comms to call for other units.

Meanwhile, Magpie and Case ran their way across Quadrant D, avoiding any green-colored bad guy in their periphery, lest they get shot up. During the run, Magpie’s comm buzzed, [[Overwatch to Magpie. What’s going on there?]]

“We’ve been made. Need immediate extract!”, Magpie shouted. [[Okay, there’s a hatch half a click north-east of your position with a tunnel that will take you to Quadrant A. Nera’s people will wait for you there.]], the comms call closed off with the location marked on their huds. Magpie and Case kept running while direct energy and ballistic fire whizzed by them, seconds feeling like minutes with their enemy right on their tail. Fortunately for the two, they found the hatch and made their way there. The hatch was opened, revealing two of Nera’s troops shooting at Malice’s. During their entry, a yelp could be heard.

“Magpie!”, Case shouted as she looked at her friend’s wound. A direct energy fire hit her cybernetic arm, causing it to crackle and facing shut down. She grabbed Magpie by the right arm, ready to move. “We need to move before they open up!”

One of Nera’s troops shouted. Case nodded, holding Magpie’s right arm to her neck and putting her hand on the waist, moving ahead ahead towards the tunnel.

Magpie couldn’t speak, focusing more on the pain her cyber-arm is going through, hissing. “You’re gonna make it, mate. You’re a survivor”, Case said to Magpie, encouraging her to fight on.

Magpie still couldn’t speak, but she could hear her friend’s encouragement. Yeah, I’m a survivor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Safehouse, Quadrant A, Abaddon Station

June 25th, 2505

Agents Kate “Hawk” Hawkins; codename Magpie and Taylor “Grim” Baker; codename Case being debriefed.

It’s been a couple of days since the operation. Despite the injury that Magpie, or rather, Hawk in this case sustained in her cybernetic arm, actionable intel on the Crimson Iron has been acquired. And Hawk’s arm was fixed after some much needed help from certain mechanics. Mechanics who prefer to be inconspicuous and away from eyes and ears except for certain clients. Rangers and their covert unit FSTR happen to be one of those clients. Inside the safehouse, the place is clean, or rather too clean for a safehouse. Hawk and Grim were in the briefing room alongside Raptor, awaiting for Overwatch to come online the communication screen. For Hawk, she wore a gray Ranger shirt and dark blue pants revealing her brown skin color and short dark hair that only reached her neck. While for Grim, she wore a gray Ranger shirt and dark blue pants as well in addition to a half-mask that only reveals the upper side of her face, revealing her fair skin color, brown hair, and her green eyes.

Meanwhile, Raptor herself wore a blue Ranger shirt and black pants, showing her face that could speak of a German heritage. Blonde hair, and blue eyes. She could be the role model for UHD troops to aspire. Good thing she ain’t no UHD loyalist, Grim mused to herself.

The communication screen came online, revealing Overwatch. “Major Kyle Harper.”, Raptor greeted him with a salute. Harper gestured Raptor to be at ease, in which she obliged. “Explain, Captain Wolf. Explain how the fuck Malice and her troops knew of our infiltration?”

Hawk stepped up, “Major, all due respect, we couldn’t have…”,

“With all due respect, Lieutenant Hawkins.” Harper emphasized her rank and name in his interruption, “The mission was clear. Maintain plausible deniability at all costs. Go in, gather intel and recon, then go out. And now Malice and her motherfucking army are scouring Quadrant D to look for you and Lieutenant Baker. The only reason your head is intact is because you’re not in her fucking territory.”

Hawkins wanted to talk back at the major, giving him the finger. She glanced at Wolf, who looked at her calmly that says I got this, Kate.

Wolf glanced back to Harper, “Sir, all due respect, but Malice has always had a grudge against STAR and FSTR for years. We’ve been a thorn in her side ever since. It shouldn’t be a surprise that she’d take measures to mark her territory against us or even anticipate us in her way of the woods.”

Harper sighed, rubbing his nose. “Sure you could’ve done anything to get past the writing in the wall, Captain?” Baker rolled her eyes, feeling like this is less of a debrief and more of an interrogation. Wolf tensed, but relaxed her shoulders, resolving in defusing the argument, “All this reprimanding means nothing while we have actionable that both Lieutenants Hawkins and Baker managed to intercept. So, let us focus on the intel.”

Seeing the argument that Wolf made, Major Harper relaxed himself and gestured his hand for Wolf to share the intel.

“We have intel that Crimson Iron is working with Malice to covertly smuggling PK-N devices to FDA outposts in different planets. Marking them with Trostinan serial numbers and markings to implicate the Empire. If successful, things could escalate to a full-scale war with the imperials. We already have our hands full with the UHD, Major. We can’t afford two wars at once.” Wolf stated.

“And how exactly would they manage to smuggle these devices to our territories? We have ships that patrol our planets.” Major Harper stated. Hawkins shook her head, dismissive at the Major’s arrogance. “Which is exactly what they plan to do, Major. Hit us while we’re complacent. Lieutenant Hawkins managed to capture a screenshots of one of their ships.”, Wolf sent the pictures remotely to the Major.

In the screen, Harper sees the pictures and examines them, “I see. So, when do they plan to send these nuclear doomsday devices?”

“In six months, which is why we should double up ship patrols and do monthly inspections on the far northern clusters of our Frontier, Major. We can’t afford to stay complacent.”

Major Harper shifted his head for a moment, rubbing his neck. “I’ll do what I can from here, Captain. But I can’t promise perfection. Some of us…” he interrupted himself, “Some FDA groups only care in the fight against UHD and nothing more, consequences be damned.”

Wolf nodded, “I understand, Majo. We’ll try to intercept any unauthorized flights on our end.”

“Of course. You’re Rangers. Best of the best. Major Kyle Harper out.” Harper’s screen went dark. The three Rangers sighed heavily. “What an asshole.” Wolf hissed.

“Knowing him, he’ll ignore the order and leave us to clean the mess.” Baker remarked cheekily, not being fond of the Major himself. “Let’s be real, Taylor, you don’t like anybody.”, Hawkins retorted. “True, but I do like you, and Ahmed, and Emilia.” Baker bumped fists with Hawkins.

“So what’s next, Captain?” Hawkins asked. Wolf looked at the wall for a moment, taking a deep breath, then glancing back to her fellow Ranger. “Pack your bags in a few days. You’ll be sent to the Imperial Capital Planet, Trotsin for 3 months. Solo op.”

Hawkins’ eyes widened, “Wha.. What about the nukes?” Wolf flicked through her data device, “I have other agents to take care of it.”, Hawkins and Baker looked at each other, then looked back to Wolf, “What about me, Emilia?” Baker asked.

“You’ll be sent to a secret op in the Trotsin Empire territory. Scuttlebutt says there’s been a feud between one of their planets and the Imperials. They’d like to keep it discreet. It’s solo and in your element, Lieutenant. Tradecraft and Containment.”

“I don’t like this, Captain.”, Hawkins stated bluntly. “I understand, Lieutenant. And I get that…” Wolf stopped for a moment, looking at Baker for a moment. Given the personal history between the two, she didn’t want to breach to old wounds. “But the Empress herself asked you for this mission, personally. She couldn’t rely on anyone else.”

Hawkins looked down on the floor for a moment, then shifted her eyes back to Wolf. “I understand, Captain. Give me a few days to prep and I’ll be ready.” Hawkins saluted and left the briefing room to pack up.

“Solo Ops, yeah? Don’t want us get too close to the case” Baker sniped. Wolf nodded. “Yeah. We haven’t had a great reputation for almost two decades now. If only there’s something we can do to win this war.”

“I get it, Emmy. Not everyone in the FDA are fond of us and would’ve preferred to do things their way.”

“Well, I gotta get ready too. Like you said, need to be in my element. See ya.” Baker left the briefing room as well, leaving Wolf by herself.

Emilia “Raptor” Wolf couldn’t help but smile sadly upon those two. Both of them went through a lot when they were kids and were best friends since. No, not just best friends. Family, Wolf corrected herself.

What worries her the most is not Baker, she can take care of herself. But Hawkins, given that Trotsin itself has been home to a certain Hawkins family member who have been believed dead for years.

And knowing Kate, family means a lot to her.