Over the Event Horizon and Far Away

by JimdeGriz

Trooper David Wessex joined a mercenary outfit to make his fortune and see the universe. Hunting pirates on a backwater world had not been part of the original plan, but then a mercenary cannot be too choosy about the work they do. However, all is not quite as it seems as it turns out that not all pirates are made equally and as it happens neither are mercenaries.

1. Prologue

11th February 3061

Officially speaking the room in which Lieutenant General Percival and nine of his peers sat did not exist, nor did the meeting officially take place and even if it did, the men and women in the room held only ceremonial titles. None the less, there was in fact a meeting going on in the room that didn't exist, discussing events that could be neither confirmed nor denied.

Percival feigned disinterest in Mr Garland, Honorary Vice President of the Capellan March Board of Trade, as he outlined the Ministry of Information, Intelligence, and Operations' current priorities and ongoing operations. Hidden behind his veil of disinterest, Percival watched each of the assembled group carefully. With the de facto breakup of the Federated Commonwealth well underway it was no longer clear who in the room was merely a rival and who was a potential traitor.

"Percival, this pirate threat to the worlds on the periphery. I'm reliably informed your people have something in hand?"

"Yes." Percival replied smoothly. Officially he was a Honorary Colonel in the Syrtis Fusiliers, in reality, a member of the Department of Military Intelligence 7's Capellan Branch. "It is MI's opinion that allowing these raids to continue unchecked exposes our forces weakness in the area and will encourage our enemies to make incursions. As such we have dispatched a mercenary company to the region with orders to resolve the situation post haste."

"So I saw." Mrs Welzak said. She was another member of MIIO who's official title bore no resemblance to her actual role. "I also saw that the mercenaries will be reporting directly to Taygeta HQ rather than a local command. That is a lot of independence to give a very green commander. I understand this is his first mission in command, are you sure he's the right man for a potentially delicate operation?"

Percival didn't show his annoyance at being questioned, nor did he react to the inadvertent admission that there was more going on than the actions of an over ambitious pirate. To Percival it set off alarm bell, it suggested that someone was involved in something they most definitely should not be.

"We have other irons in the fire if they are required," he replied neutrally. "But, I don't believe they will be required. Major Shadowsword is a veteran of the Clan Invasion, a few pirates shouldn't be beyond his capabilities." Percival turned to look at Mr Garland. "If MIIO can narrow down the list of likely next targets, that would expedite maters."

"I will ensure all relevant intelligence is sent to your aide." Mr Garland replied. "If there is nothing else I'd like to move onto…"

Percival settled back into his seat as Mr Garland continued to talk. Well horned instincts told him that something was afoot. It was too early to say if it was criminal activity or actually treason. But, someone was playing a game in his area that he was unaware of and that was unacceptable. He smiled internally, Nicholas Shadowsword was one of those annoyingly inquisitive officers, the ideal type to 'accidentally' uncover secrets he didn't know he was looking for.