UGT: 30th Ascent 280 a.G.A. / 10:44 p.m.
Location: sitting in a café adjecent to a spaceport, Au'Shalis Prime, Clinton's Beak system (red dwarf), Republic of Nox, Second Human Federation, Milky Way
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It truly didn‘t take long for Admiral Thorrison to reach the café. The moment he entered he scanned the entire room, his eyes even passing over me without any signs of recognition. Really, just because I wore different clothes and acted slightly differently he didn‘t manage to recognise me. And I had thought my blue hair would have been a dead giveaway. But to be fair, by now it already was quite dark inside the café and with me sitting in one of the darkest corners, I could understand why people would confuse my haircolor to be black instead of dark blue.
I raised a hand and waved lazily. That was all it took for the Admiral‘s eyes to snap towards me and I could see the recognition flash through his eyes. Swiftly he walked towards me while calling for two terran espressos. How nice of him. Second later, Admiral Thorrison sat down in front of me, his face for once not a stony mask. Or rather a bad imitation of one.
For the first time, I truly noticed how old the Admiral was. Easily into his fifties, if not even his sixties, his black hair was slowly whitening out and first wrinkles started appearing from the stress his job had put him through for over a dozen years already. Not many Admirals that old were still on the frontlines directing their fleets personally, instead of sitting in some office on Terra to plan from afar. It truly showed his dedication to his nation, even after all these years of catastrophic and apocalyptic war.
“Captain Lunaris. Finally we meet in person. I looked forward to that moment.“, he said.
“Likewise Admiral. You may not always prove to be the most complient, but I can work with that. Honestly, I‘m surprised you came alone. No guard dogs to follow you around at every step?“
“With you informing me that you would come by yourself, I decided it to be rude to bring others into our private little meeting.“, he said. Both of us ignored the barista coming back and bringing us our ordered espressos.
“Well, I appreciate the gesture of goodwill. It comes to me as a pleasant surprise that some parts of our old honor system actually survived the last three centuries. I did not expact it to be honest. After all, based on all I currently found out, honor was one of the first things you threw out of the window by betraying the First Federation.“, I said, my words laced with venom.
„I see, still hung up about that. Captain, you have to understand two things. First, the Federation you have known was long gone by the time the civil war broke out. The SHF destroyed a brutal and currupt dictatorship that wasn‘t even worthy of the name First Human Federation anymore. Loyality can only go so far if the nation you see before you is far from the nation you once held loyality to. Second, none of us was alive back than. There is no one left that could take the blame for what happened back than. I understand that mentally you are still in a time long past, but you have to adapt. And now tell me: What are your true plans? Because there is no way I‘d fall for your theatrics and you should have known that.“, he lectured me.
I tilted my head slightly to the side. „Why would you believe that?“, I asked, slightly disturbed by how fast this conversation left any of my expectations behind.
“I have read everything I could find about the First Federation since meeting you. At first it was only a sneaking suspicion, but by now it‘s confirmed.“, the Admiral said evenly. I tensed, ready to jump into action at any moment if needed. Meeting Admiral Thorrison had been a mistake. I had become overconfident. This was a stark reminder just how quickly things could go south.
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„46th Federation fleet objective. ‚All high-ranking fleet personell is expected to display overt zealotry and patriotism towards the First Federation while in public.‘ Quite an interesting tactic, I‘ll give you that. It makes you unpredictable and allows you to build up your reputation easier.“, he said grinning victoriously, like he had just figured out the greatest riddle of all time.
“…What?“, I asked, completely perplexed, while Fen laughed in my head.
“Surprised we know of that? I was as well. But after the fall of the First Federation, some high-ranking fleet personell traded a few First Federation secrets in exchange for political immunity. It was a smart choice to keep that act up. Only my paranoid nature and sheer dumb luck that the SHF had the correct data saved in its archieves allowed me to figure it out.“, Admiral Thorrison continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil.
„Well, that is good to know indeed. I did not expect the SHF to have available in-depth knowledge about the First Federation.“, I said, still treading the seemingly once more safe ground carefully.
“And you are still avoiding my question. So I ask again: What are your true goals?“, he commanded more than asked. I leaned back in my seat.
“I hope you know what you are asking of me there. The SHF and I are no allies. And while your arguments as to why the Federation had to be deposed of are logically sound, I do still hold an emotional grudge over it. Furthermore everything I tell you will find it‘s way to your higher-ups. Opening up about my plans like that would be quite unwise. But the goals I previously stated still rangs true. One or two systems where I can mind my own business. That‘s all I‘m officially asking for.“, I answered.
“You said officially. There‘s more to this, isn‘t there?“, Admiral Thorrison asked rethorically, but I answered anyway.
„Yes, but it‘s nothing you or the SHF have to worry about. What I stated is everything I need from you and I do not plan to become a threat to the SHF as long as they don‘t try to mess with me. You can tell that your superiors as well.“, I said. Admiral Thorrison only nodded in quite acceptance.
“Well, than we have the point of what exactly you are searching for here on Au‘Shalis Prime, together with these ‚special operatives‘ of yours. I don‘t even believe for a second that you are only here for a good old round of sightseeing. What is it you are doing and how much trouble will that bring down on me?“, he continued.
“Ah, do not worry about them. They won‘t cause you or the civilians any grief. In fact, you won‘t even notice them! They truly only have the mission to scout and observe.“, I said. And it was true. The only person that might be doing something that could cause problems was me after all.
„That does relieve me somewhat. But you are truly set on keeping your secrets, aren‘t you?“, Admiral Thorrison said exasperated.
„Ah, don‘t give me that. Your Second Human Federation has more secrets than I could ever have. We both know that.“, I said flatly and the Admiral shrugged, changing the topic.
“It‘s getting late. I booked us the fastest route inward there is, but it will still take four hours. Time at least get some sleep.“, he said.
“You booked for both of us?“, I asked and he just shrugged once more.
“Yes, I did. There was no reason not to, after all. There is only one route into the depths of Au‘Shalis Prime and you would have to use said route anyway to get anywhere.“
“Fine, but next time you first talk with me about such things.“, I commanded, scrowling slightly at him. He only nodded in complience, clearly not intending to challenge me on that. Here on the ground he was far more self-assured than in space. Probably because here he truly held the advantage over me. After all, I was in his territory. The advantage I held in space was nearly non-existent here.
Anyways, together we paid and than we left towards the spaceport again. As far as I understood it, we would be transported by a shuttle. The shuttle was indeed already prepared to start as soon as we got on board. Not that surprising, considering this was a private flight. Fen? Would you look out while I sleep for a bit? If Admiral Thorrison tries anything, wake me up instantly.
[ I can do that. Rest well May, we are going to need all the energy we can get if we want to have a shot at pulling this off. ]
Will do. Thank you Fen, truly.
[ It‘s alright. Now rest. ]