by Andrew Mack
Captain Vincella was flabbergasted. “You hid the Ambassador on Vandabri?”
Nick looked at his sister in a disapproving way and said, “You were on Vandabri?”
Alexis looked at Nick incredulously. “Like I had a say in where we went?”
Willits quickly responded. “Well, clearly, it was safer than being here.”
Captain Vincella responded, “Well, no soldier’s cot will do for what you guys needed.”
Willits was too pissed. “Thanks, Vincella, you are right. Remind me to thank your team of ass-hats guarding us. I feel so much safer.”
Vincella went to grab Willits. Willits was ready until Jones, and the other two BRG officers got in the middle. Commander Devanoe finally stepped in, as Vincella and Willits were trying to fight each other. Nick finally shouted “Enough gentlemen….,”
The two were still being pulled apart as Commander Devanoe continued, “Fighting will not get us anywhere. We are all on the same team.”
Jones interjected because Willits was too hot and bothered. Jones said, “That may be true, but that does not change the fact that these incidents are related, and likely that Taz is still on the hunt for the Ambassador.”
The Ambassador was now confused. “Incidents?”
Willits was happy to answer. “There was an attack on Space Port Earth from Taz, likely directed at you, at the time we should have left. I am certain this incident is tied to it.”
The Ambassador was still a little astonished by the new revelation. “There was an attack on Space Port Earth? And it was directed at me?”
Captain Vincella softly said, “We believe so, sir.”
Commander Devanoe hoped he was the voice of reason, being both a respected officer in the AuFa but also being human. “Ambassador Bird. I can assure you that Captain Vincella of the BRG has made the necessary arrangements to ensure your safety and will allow you to keep your DAG detail at all times. Is this acceptable to you?”
Willits and Jones looked at Ambassador Bird, both with a look of disapproval on their faces. For the first time, Bird had realized their unorthodox approach, while appearing overly cautious, had likely saved his life. Before, privately, he could not wait to get into a BRG detail. Now he was not so sure. He looked at both of them for a long time, before finally responding to Commander Devanoe, “I would like to hear if Commander Willits has any suggestions.”
Willits turned to Devanoe and Vincella. “It is clear Taz has made the Ambassador a priority. I am not sure if he knows he is here or not. I understand that Battle Cruiser is our safest way out.”
Nick was about to cool off Willits. “Well, Commander, if you had followed your manifest, you would be in the Corvalis System right about now, on a Battle Cruiser headed to Torsalli. So let’s not throw stones in a glasshouse. Let’s work together to get him safely out. The Battle Cruiser should be here soon. It was about an hour behind me.”
Captain Vincella responded, “That is not accurate, Commander Devanoe.”
Commander Devanoe looked surprised. “Excuse me?”
Captain Vincella continued, “We got a communication from your Captain Kimmel....”
Trujillo looked immediately at Tunsall, who, ever so slightly, shook his head no when glancing at Trujillo.
Vincella continued, “... It seems Lord Malovex has joined the Battle Cruiser. They are going to stay in Corvalis temporarily believing Taz will show up there looking for Ambassador Bird.”
Willits and Jones just looked at each other. Commander Devanoe was taken aback by this revelation. “Well, it seems I am wrong. We might be here for a while, Commander Willits. What do you need?”
Willits paused for a moment to reflect on the new information. “Until the Battle Cruiser arrives, we must keep the Ambassador on our C-62T. We need a BRG security detail outside. And we want the Ambassador’s ship to be flanked by two F-81’s in case we need to make a quick getaway.”
Vincella answered, “I can’t give you those types of resources, Commander Willits. I do not have two F-81’s to spare, nor do I have an additional security detail for you.”
Commander Devanoe countered with a hopeful solution. “I have two F-81 fighters on my T-141 transport ship right now. They’re not being used to pursue Taz.”
Commander Jones looked at Devanoe. “They come with Belinean pilots?”
Devanoe was astounded by the rudeness of the question. “They are highly trained, professional AuFa pilots Commander Jones.”
Willits saw the opening. “I am sure they are fantastic, but why don’t you give us the F-81’s and we will handle the rest.”
Vincella practically laughed. “Willits, are you fucking crazy? Who is going to fly those fighters, you?”
Willits stared him down. Pointing at Tunsall and Trujillo, he said, “No, these two will…”
Commander Devanoe was taken aback slightly. Looking at the rifle security guards in a new light now, he said, “You two are qualified to fly an F-81?”
Tunsall and Trujillo both responded simultaneously, “Yes, sir.”
Commander Devanoe was caught off guard. But this was a compromise. He knew getting Ambassador Bird on that Battle Cruiser is all that mattered now. “Ok, how about your two pilots share detail with my two pilots. It should not be too long before the Battle Cruiser gets here anyway. Is that acceptable, Commander Willits?”
Willits looked at Jones, then at the Ambassador. Finally, he looked at Devanoe and nodded as he spoke, “I’m fine with that, Commander Devanoe.”
Commander Devanoe exhaled. “Good. Captain Vincella, if your BRG officers are needed elsewhere, perhaps it is best if we take over the Ambassador’s transport from here, with your permission?”
Vincella nodded.
Devanoe continued. “Then, Ambassador Bird. If you are done surveying the scene, let’s escort you back to your ship.”
Belinea 3.5
Earth, Japan
Director Kimakawa sat behind his desk. Vice Director Franklin Meyers was on the opposite side, in front, hunched over. Both looked at a 3-D data screen, assessing the information they had received a few minutes ago. A buzz was heard on his intercom, followed by a voice. “Ms. Anella Devanoe is here.”
Kimakawa quietly said, “Send her in.”
The doors opened to the cold, dark, spacious office of the Director of the DAG. Annella Devanoe, a woman in her mid 60’s, short, with salt and pepper hair, walked in. Without waiting to be addressed, she practically shouted across the room in her Scottish accent. “Thank you for returning my calls Director.”
Kimakawa looked up as Meyers turned around to address the lady dressed in a suit. “My apologies Ms. Devanoe.”
Annella continued. “I tried three times. I was beginning to think someone killed you and left your body out on the mountain.”
Kimakawa stood up as Ms. Devanoe made her way to the desk. “There was a terrorist attack on Braccus. Initial reports are that it was Taz. He bombed a Temple.”
Annella asked, “How many dead?”
Meyers shook his head, “BRG won’t confirm, but at least 50, maybe 100.”
Annella then asked, “And Ambassador Bird?”
Meyers spoke again. “No update from the DAG detail team, so we cannot locate the Ambassador, but according to his manifest, he should already be in the Corvalis System. There is a significant time difference in the communications.”
Annella Devanoe then sat down in the chair and crossed her legs. She let out a sigh. “So Director, you have no update on my daughter. Is that why you did not return my calls?”
Director Kimakawa sat down as well, behind his desk, as Meyers chose to stand. He crossed his hands in his lap and replied, “I told you I would let you know when we knew something. We just found out about this attack on Braccus ten minutes ago. It is classified.”
Annella looked at Kimakawa dea
d in the eyes. “What can you tell me about my daughter?”
Kimakawa first looked at Meyers before looking back at Annella. He replied, “Commander Willits and the detail should be in the Corvalis System. If that happened, and it is likely it did, they should be leaving now for Torsalli. Given the circumstances, I requested the BRG that an AuFa Battle Cruiser escort them the rest of the way to Belinea.”
Annella patiently asked, “And what did the BRG say?”
Kimakawa raised his eyebrows. “They haven’t gotten back to me yet. But the C-62T they traveled in is very fast, and once they get to Torsalli, they will be deep in Council occupation.”
Annella paused to digest this information. After a few seconds, she said, “And the Battle Cruiser in the Corvalis System. Which one is it?”
Kimakawa looked puzzled. He looked up at Meyers, who then haphazardly guessed, “I believe Battle Cruiser 54? I will have to check that, Ms. Devanoe.”
Annella gave another sigh. “Please do. Battle Cruiser 54 is the ship my son Nickalis is on. He just got assigned there a month ago.”
Kimakawa leaned back in his chair, still with his hands crossed in his lap. “The Commander in the AuFa, yes. I did not know where he was assigned.”
Annella paused before looking up. “Vice Director Meyers, will you please give me a moment with the Director?”
Meyers looked at Kimakawa, who, ever so slightly, nodded. Meyers then said, “Of course.”
Meyers walked out of the room. Annella waited until the door closed before continuing. “These are troubling times, Taichi.”
Kimakawa pulled out from the drawer and held up a bottle. “Scotch?”
Annella responded, “As long as it’s mine and not the Japanese stuff.”
Kimakawa chuckled, “I have both, but I’ll pour your Lagavulin.”
Kimakawa poured into two empty glasses, pushing one towards Annella. Anella held up her glass, Kimakwa responded with the same gesture, and Annella took a good swig.
Annella waited for the scotch to go down properly before speaking, “Are your feelings about these two DAG Commanders leading the detail team the same?”
Kimakawa looked at her for a second and took another swig of scotch. He then replied, “The situation has me questioning a lot of things, Annella.”
Annella nodded. “Because this Guard is not your little play pool Taichi. And you certainly better not be playing games with my family.”
Kimakawa then nodded again before delivering a small crooked smile and replying, “I would never play games Annella, I understand what is at stake. What possibly makes you think I do not know that?”
Annella did not smile when responding, “A mutual friend keeps me informed, and sometimes that paints an alternative picture.”
The response brought out a small half-smile from Kimakawa, as he knew who the reference was. He finished off his scotch before responding, “Annella, we share a rather large common vision, that your children are fighting for as well. I promise you, any harm inflicted on any of your children is not intended and out of my control.”
Annella finished her scotch now as well. She stood up. “As I expected. Please keep me informed when you hear any information.”
Kimakawa stood up as well, saying, “Of course.”
Annella was almost out of the room when she stopped, turned around, and said, “Oh, Taichi…”
“Yes…”
Annella put her gloves back on “Next time I contact you, don’t ignore me, or I will cut your little fucking balls off.”
Kimakawa just smiled as she walked out of the room.
Belinea 3.6
AuFa Base, Port of Braccus
Standing outside the C-62T were Commanders Willits and Jones. They watched as the T141 Transport ship, flanked by two F-81 Sirator fighters, gently landed around the C-62T. Coming out of the back belly was Commander Nick Devanoe. He walked up to Willits and Jones and immediately asked, “Will this do?”
Willits responded, “Yes.”
A BRG officer walked up to them and reported. Devanoe introduced him. “This is Lieutenant Bezra with the BRG. He is here to assist. Lieutenant, this is Commanders Willits and Jones of the DAG.”
Willits did not shake hands, nor did Jones, just a nod in acknowledgment. Willits then asked, “How long has the Ambassador’s C-62T been out here?”
Both Lieutenant Bezra and Nick Devanoe were confused by the question. Bezra responded, “Probably about an hour, correct?”
Willits continued, “Yes, and has the BRG or anybody guarded the vessel during that time?”
Bezra was already caught off guard. “I am not sure, Commander Willits.”
Willits coldly responded, “Well, get sure, Lieutenant. Otherwise, people die.”
Bezra nodded his head. Willits continued. “Let’s get a detail team to do a complete sweep of the ship.”
Bezra looked astonished. “A complete sweep will take at least four people, and it won’t be quick.”
Willits was not in the mood. “Well, unless someone can assure me with complete certainty that nothing was put on this ship in the last hour, it needs a complete sweep. The attack on Space Port Earth was targeted at Ambassador Bird, and Taz will not change that until he is dead.”
A soft explosion could be heard in the distance, likely some more rioting in the streets. All four heard it, glancing back at the Port Terminal building before refocusing on each other. Bezra first looked at Commander Devanoe, as if waiting for him to chime in. Bezra responded, “Do you really think that is necessary, Commander?”
Willits just stared at Bezra and said, “If that were a Belinean Ambassador, you would have ten BRG officers out there performing a sweep of the area.”
Bezra waited a few seconds before replying. “An amusing anecdote Commander, because we are still trying to process why someone would try to kill an Ambassador of such insignificance. This notion that we just started security detail last week, ignoring the hundred years we have, is arrogant even for you Earthlings.”
Willits gave a sarcastic half-smile. “What is arrogant Bezra is the notion that Belinean’s can shit rainbows and gold coins. It stinks, and you wipe your ass just like the rest of us.”
Nick had decided to end this before it went any further. “Alright, cool it, both of you. Let’s stick to the work. Bezra, can you get a detail team out here to do a sweep, yes or no?“
Bezra was still annoyed. After a deep breath, he said, “I will get a team out here as soon as possible, Commander.”
Nick continued. “Commander Willits and myself are appreciative of your efforts, correct Commander?”
Nick looked at Willits. Willits, still a little salty, extended an olive branch. “Thank you for your timely response, Lieutenant.”
Bezra nodded and walked off. Nick, still looking at Willits, said, “See what happens when we all learn to cooperate?”
Willits began looking around, as was Jones as if to spot something no one else was looking for. Another explosion could be heard in the distance. “No offense Devanoe, but I do not know how you wear that uniform. I do not trust any of them. They are a bunch of racist pricks.”
Nick kept looking around as well. “It’s sometimes challenging, but not all of them are like that. You do not do us any favors by shitting on all of them.”
Willits gave a cocky half-smile. “If you think I started this animosity, then you have not been in the AuFa as long as I thought. I am shocked you have made it to Commander and not cleaning toilets somewhere.”
Devanoe stopped looking around and stared directly at Willits. “Just do me a favor, and keep the barking down to a minimum. We will get the Ambassador out of here fast enough. Speaking of, where is the Ambassador?”
Jones then responded, “Inside the base with your sister, watching the security footage of Taz’s attack. Tunsall and Trujillo are wa
tching them. Have you seen it yet?”
Nick responded, “The attack footage?”
Willits nodded. Nick continued. “The thing Taz did with the sword and the fireball? Have you ever seen anything like that?”
Willits shook his head while responding, “I’ve heard some things, but never seen that. You?”
Nick shook his head also and continued, “Never. I’ve seen Lord Argo and SS officers of the Quill do some crazy shit with those rings they have, like turning into steel swords. But never fire.”
Jones then said, “Well, that makes three of us.”
Devanoe then asked, “What do you guys know about Ambassador Bird?”
Jones continued, “Not a whole lot. We met him just before we took off.”
Devanoe asked again, “Is this guy going to put my sister in danger?”
Willits looked at him for a second before responding. “He’s a politician. Eager to change the universe, in love with his own voice, not overly cerebral. Safe to say your sister is the brains behind the operation.”
Devanoe half smiled, “Alexis is the smart one in the family, and the most stubborn.”
Willits changed the subject by asking him, “Hey, I need a favor.”
Nick responded, “Sure, if I can.”
Willits then asked, “Look, this Ambassador likes the ladies, in case you didn’t notice.”
Nick now looked a little annoyed. “Certainly, the stop at Vandabri was not Alexis’ idea.”
Willits continued. “No, and I certainly can’t take him back to Vandabri to get some action. What are the chances I can sneak the two I had from Vandabri back here?”
Nick just looked at him and said, “Really?”
Willits responded, “Well, it’s that, or I send your sister out there to go find some action for him. Your choice.”