"White Reach: Landfall" (Part 6)
- Date: September 18, 3031
- Planet: Tharkad, Tatyana Islands
- Location: [Redacted]
"If you insist on it." The man said with a sigh, actually rolling his eyes at the bravado on display. "But we do have such lovely things to talk about before we get to that." He fixed his gaze down at the prisoner again. "I want to know, who took over after Aldo Lestrade?" He smiled thinly at the prisoner glancing around. "Yes, we know about that. So do you want to continue to the torture?"
"I don't know anything about that." He muttered, and tried to move his legs. Bindings around his ankles kept that from happening though, and the chair was bolted to the floor. Panic started to rise, as he realized they knew more than they should. Or maybe they didn't know, and were just trying to rattle him. "Who's-"
"I am afraid my time is limited." The man said softly. "Torture is not often effective, but I expect you are allergic to the family of drugs we use for interrogations. Which is such a shame." He pursed his lips, seeming to gaze past the prisoner for a moment. "I prefer more civilized means of getting the information I need. And right now, I need to know who leads after Aldo."
"I don't know!" More struggles. "You can't seriously expect torture-"
"I promise you, sir." The man removed his hands from his pockets, a small syringe in hand. "There are a good many people who were killed by the bomb your people left to disrupt that meeting. The good news, none of them were important to the meeting itself, so in a way you very much failed." He waved the syringe slightly, amber fluid glinting in the light as the prisoner watched it. "The bad news, at least for you, is how many friends of those who died would like to find out who is responsible."
"Do your worst, I really don't know anything."
"This is getting tedious." A soft sigh, then there was a sound of a door opening. A brief shift of that impassive face showed annoyance as the man in the suit turned around. "I told you not to bother me, agent." The voice was now sharp, annoyed indeed.
A new voice was caught quietly. "Sorry, Director, but this came in. There's been an incident." A paper was handed over, and the man addressed as 'Director' held it in the light for a moment to read it before handing it back with a sigh. "What should we do?"
"I want a pouch prepared in ten minutes and brought to my office. Also, please pass my apologies and condolences on up to the thirteenth floor. I was not able to get anything out of our prisoner." There was a sound of a door closing and the Director turned back to look down. "I suppose you should consider yourself grateful, sir. I do not have time to torture you today."
"Ah, wait. I-"
"You do not know what I need, and my attention now has to move to another matter. I cannot waste any more time on... you." The syringe jabbed into the upper arm of the prisoner, who gasped and felt a haze sweep over his senses. "A small mercy, friend."
Janus Templar watched the man start to sag, and waited long enough for the breath to slow into the rhythm he was listening for. Unconscious and in a deep sleep, and likely ready to wake up confused and disoriented. Perfect, he'd pass it off to one of the Corps' more promising younger interrogators. For now, he reviewed the paper quietly and scowled.
"ComStar locked down all incoming and outgoing communications through their services. Situation on White Reach reaching critical. AFFS unit en route, arrival at any point from two to three months. Legion is moving as well, confirmed presence leaving Port Moseby. Sanglamore Training Battalion assigned to maneuvers on White Reach, Kommandant Valdane given command. Believe FS agents also present, but uncertain. Please advise."
Janus departed the holding cell, quietly motioning to the guard to keep watch as he strode to the elevators. Someone was going to need to take over for now, this matter was going to take precedence until someone decided to take him off the White Reach matter. But he was going to need to move without consulting his partner on this one, and hope what he had in mind would work. Actually, he hoped they were still on the same page at all.
- Date: September 17, 3031; 19:55 Local Time
- Planet: White Reach, Lucent Continent
- Location: DropShip 'Aquila', 'Mech Deck
That was all from the debrief logs, and the other three survivors of the mission were quietly in their own rooms trying to recover from the battle. Mikell would let them stew for a little longer, before securing for lift. Louis glanced up at him on the upper deck, and hesitated before shaking his head. It was bad, Mikell knew that meant, and there wasn't any supplies left to do too much.
Elly's voice came into his ear. "Sir, we have confirmation the interference has lifted. Planetary communications network is in the process of restarting their systems now. Tomorrow morning at the latest, we should access."
"At least something went our way." Mikell hurried out of the 'Mech Deck and climbed up towards the communications center. "Any sign of any reprisals?"
"No, sir."
"Any sign of where they could have gone?"
"No sir, trail was cold before we got here. Otto and Vandal didn't find enough of a useful trail to follow. And we-"
"Thank you, Elly." He sighed. "What about the 'Shadowfox'?"
"Eva reports everything is normal there, or at least nothing major has happened. What's your orders, sir?"
"We lift at twenty-one. Tell everyone to get that started, and secure." He rubbed his face. "I'm going to lay down."
- Date: September 18, 3031
- Planet: White Reach, Pelea Continent
- Location: DropShip 'Shadowfox', Cockpit
"I want to take off and leave. I also want to get paid, so there's only so much I can legitimately do." He settled into the extra chair, looking at her for a long moment. "It was bad. We got the jammer, but it was bad."
"Well, Jade is working on it in the briefing room. She said now she might be able to get information from the planetary communications network after it restarted to see just what was going on." She held up a finger. "She also said not to disturb him, as she's busy working on that."
Mikell nodded, and turned, leaving the cockpit and heading past the briefing room. A handwritten note was stuck to the outside of it, reading "Do Not Disturb - J". A second note was scribbled in a different handwriting, bold strokes and underlined. "She means it!!" The commander shook his head and kept walking, pondering how he was going to handle things.
"Elly, this is Mikell." He touched his earpiece. "Any news on ComStar?"
"They're still telling us no new outgoing messages until they clear their backlog. No ETA on that." She hesitated. "However, they are disseminating all messages they received while shutdown. Including our package, which I forwarded a copy to the High Senate couriers." She sighed. "I think we might be getting into a better state now, once that gets settled."
"I'll make a wager, Elly. I wager Murphy's going to have it in for us."
"You invoked him, it's your fault." She shot back cheerily. "If you don't mind, I'm sorting through messages for crew. I'll keep you informed, sir." A soft click as she shut the connection. That would leave the personal comms off for a little bit more, he considered as he climbed down to the 'Mech Deck of the 'Shadowfox'. He paused, seeing teams at work here, but then noticed they were grabbing any supplies they could for a resupply and to try to strip whatever armor they could off the destroyed Wolfhound.
"Sir!" One of the team leads hurried up to him and handed a datapad. "Final damage reports are in. Head Tech Sands said you'd want them as soon as we finished." He paused. "We're going to need access to parts, though."
"I'm not sure how fast that is going to happen. Keep ready, I'll let Head Tech Sands know when we have something to work with." He glanced over the datapad readout and looked for anything unusual; there it was, the reason the Warhammer was out of commission now. The hip joint had been snapped and wasn't standing upright on its own power now. "Carry on." He walked off towards the ramps, then started to jog just to get the blood pumping.
Several minutes later, he noticed an unfamiliar car waiting outside the general cordon and Sergeant Fredericks was standing there with two armed members of her squad. He hurried over, shaking his head. On the way, he touched his earpiece. "Sergeant, what's this?"
"Civilian, sir." She replied blandly, and looked at the car. "Says she has a message for you." And Mikell sighed as he recognized the courier standing up out of the car.
"Do they have anyone else to act as messenger?" He muttered to himself, then continued approaching. "What is it today, another citation? Parking in the wrong spot?" He called towards the car.
"Commander Sethan, I'm here on official business." She stared at him for a moment. "Have some courtesy." She held up an envelope, and then handed it to him. "The High Senate is reconvening tomorrow. You are being summoned to speak before them. Failure to show up will be followed by an order for your arrest, to ensure you will show the next time." Her eyes twinkled as she opened the car door again to get back inside. "Have a nice day."
Mikell watched her, then looked to Janice. "Okay, Sergeant, keep an eye on them as they leave. I'm going to go prepare for tomorrow." And try not to make sure we all get put in cells, he thought to himself as he headed towards the Aquila.
- Date: September 19, 3031; 8:59 Local Time
- Location: White Reach City, High Senate Chambers
Much of the procedure was the same, opening up as each of the High Senate introduced themselves. Mikell made a series of dutiful notes on his datapad quickly with a stylus, then glanced up. "Commander Sethan, we have reviewed your credentials as delivered, and thanks to ComStar releasing critical information regarding your status there will be no charges filed over your presence here. However, we will have to ask for you to honor the Common Senate's request to reimburse those affected by your initial battle on the planet. Do you have any objection to this?"
"No, Senator, I do not." Mikell shook his head. "I merely require access to my funds through ComStar and to have a chance at contacting my employer."
"Very well then." He looked around at the other eight members, as if inviting them to speak up.
"Pardon me, Senator Greene. I do have a concern, Commander." One of the women leaned forward to peer at him steadily. "You did begin a battle without provocation, and without authorization from this body. You furthermore have been seen to engage in more activities despite having been brought before the Common Senate to answer for your activities. Am I correct?"
"Not exactly correct, no, Senator." Mikell held up a finger. "I do not answer to the Common Senate. I also was not explicitly given to the High Senate's authority, though if it had been in session I would have at least advised you of my contract's goals and limitations." He glanced at all of the senators individually. "I also was not... brought before the Common Senate, I chose to appear there, since they do not have the authority to demand anything from me. I instead, ah, chose to answer their request." He smiled tightly.
There was a brief silence, as Senator Greene seemed to be trying not to smile, as the woman leaned back in her chair and mulled on that. "I have nothing more for our guest." Mikell glanced at his notes, Senator Amelia Pavil was her name. Supposedly her major district was on the Lucent Continent, so it would explain how she heard about the events there so quickly.
"If I may speak?" One other senator lifted his audio pickup and consulted his own console notes. "Senator Pavil may have been a little confrontational in her phrasing, but it would decidedly please me, if not this body, to know you do not intend to simply do as you please."
Mikell nodded slowly. "I would find that exceptionally disruptive to my goals, Senator Rush. I had honestly hoped to at least meet with the High Senate before proceeding."
He gave a small smile, almost a patient one, before speaking again. "What would you need to see us about?" The Senator looked to his colleagues, and when he looked back Mikell had already begun pulling things up on his console. "Commander?"
"I need supplies." He said finally. "For the most part, I can buy munitions from off-planet now that ComStar resumed normal operations. I also can restock spare parts which have been used up, primarily in an effort to shut down the interference which had been plaguing the planetary communications network. But local businesses have declined to sell to me, over the concept my outfit is... a rogue operation like the others on the planet." He tapped the desk in front of him. "What I would like is written authorization to show local suppliers, so they do not feel it is... illegal to assist my outfit. I primarily was looking for business with Whitfield Electronics and the Castellan Metals Refinery."
Senator Greene spoke up with an amused tone to his voice now. "You came prepared with a list of requests, Commander Sethan?"
Mikell didn't even stumble "I did not want to come unprepared, Senator, please excuse my presumption." He continued. "I also will need food, before I have to start issuing dried rations to the techs. Medical supplies, I believe I will make purchases from off-planet so as not to strain your own resources." Also, he was pretty certain Kelly's medications weren't available on-planet at all. He looked up to see the nine senators sharing glances, and decided to cut them off at the pass. "I would note, I am not unreasonable in my requests. I would be willing to pay ten percent above fair market value for these goods from local suppliers instead of ordering imports. Furthermore, I may be here on a fairly specific goal but if need be I will be willing to entertain contracts from the High Senate itself to try settling problems caused by other mercenary outfits on the planet."
There was a pause, and Senator Rush rubbed at his forehead for a moment. "Are you suggesting, Commander, we hire you?"
Mikell made a show of balking to answer, then pitched his voice quietly. "I am a mercenary, and I have payroll to make. If I can pick up a side-contract working for you to help secure your planet - which is my primary contract goal, I might add - then I feel it would be advantageous to all involved."
"You are describing being paid twice for the same job."
"With respect, Senator, I am describing being paid extra to prioritize specific goals. Goals which I might not even be made aware of without having them brought to me by members of this body." He smiled, and met Senator Rush's eyes. "As an outfit, Priam Company is intensely interested in not having to spend more time here than is necessary to complete our objectives. We are committed to avoiding as much disruption as we possibly can in the process of this goal. If we can fix something else along the way..." He let himself trail off and offered a shrug. "The offer is out there, and we are willing to negotiate. If you choose not to take advantage of our presence, this is your decision."
"Thank you, Commander Sethan." One of the other senators spoke up, Mikell noting this was a dark-skinned gentleman who regarded his own notes. "Are there any other requests you would like to present to the High Senate, perhaps a request for fine linen and wine?"
"Truthfully, Senator McMillar, I do have one more request. I feel it is in our mutual best interest."
- 12:04 Local Time
- Location: DropShip 'Aquila', External Access 3
"I need to go speak with Elly about making some calls to places, then Louis." He handed her his datapad, and pointed. "There are three files you will find important." He kept walking, and she got up to follow him. Probably to continue heckling him in her boredom. "Today turned out a little better than I expected."
She was quickly scanning through the files. "Okay, the first one looks like a standard contract but it's missing a lot. Is this saying we're working for the planetary government?"
"No, it's saying we're authorized and local businesses will be selling to us at a hundred and fifteen percent of fair market value. If any business can be proven to have marked up prices just to gouge us, the High Senate will reimburse us for the difference and see about acting on the information." He glanced at her expression, which was amused for a few seconds until it turned to confused. "Yes, I offered to pay more than market value. What?"
"Seems wasteful."
He sighed. "Olivia, the two places I asked about getting metal for armor before this meeting offered me a price up to three hundred and twenty percent over what I could get it for if I wanted to wait on a DropShip from another system. Two hundred and fifty percent over that, if I included the delivery charges. This was me keeping those costs down."
"I did say 'seems', boss. I suspected there's a reason you negotiated up. Oh, look, second document seems to be a copy of the first only we now have 'special dispensation for action under the auspices of the High Senate'- what does this mean?"
"It means, from time to time, we can take contracts from them, directly, to intervene in situations they want us to as long as it falls within our contract with Mister Templar."
"We work for the government and we're here to help?"
Mikell chuckled, and snapped his fingers. "I know, it's glorious and sends chills down my spine thinking about getting to say that and mean it."
Olivia looked at him for a moment, then returned to reading. "Third document is a land-" She stopped, scrolled through, and then looked up. "Sir, did you convince them to let us continue squatting on undeveloped land we were already using anyway?" He made a shrug and a hand gesture as if to agree, and she looked down again. "How?"
"For the security of the capital, we will be stationed in a position within one hour's deployment of any part of the capital or its outlying Wards. As such, we will essentially act as a deterrent for any other mercenary outfits who want to take a shot at the capital. Again."
"Do you really expect anyone to be doing that?"
"Now that the HPG is back online? Nope. That would be career suicide, crossing a planetary government in the glorious new Federated Commonwealth. But the High Senate doesn't seem to agree." He grinned at her, and she laughed, handing the datapad back. "So, now I go to Elly and see about getting some local crews vetted to build us a spot to operate from. I hate to say it, but this isn't going to blow over as fast as our contract on Anywhere."
"Good. I like this place better. Less snow."
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