Dark Hunter, Dark Saviour
Chapter 37: Courtship, veterans and plans.
24th October 2900
Solaris, New Earth, Island base
In the island control centre, the interface displays flashed with progress reports of island infrastructure and forces status. The place had only 3 other robots here, 3 basic trooper units, outfitted to interface directly with the control tower computers. Their presence was more for security.
However, Alex looked over the reports, checking the status of his garrison and planetary and system operations. In space, the destroyer Guardian had been dispatched to the asteroid belt, a further 60 million miles from Solaris's star than New Earth was, or roughly 1.4 AU, to conduct strip mining of asteroids rich in platinum, titanium and lithium. Mining was still a necessity for any civilization, even ones with replicator technology. After all, the replicator tech was really only practical for small scale production, or the production of small amounts of elements or compounds. On larger scales, it was easier to mine asteroids, comets, or planets.
The manufacturing and assembly facilities were operating at optimal efficiency, and the fusion plant was running all green too. The only issues were with the satellite network in orbit. Despite replacing all 6 out of 16 destroyed missile, laser or railgun satellites, along with the 3 jamming and communications satellites, two of the four main satellites had been badly hit by a small meteor, and still needed delicate repairs. They were half blind until then.
Seeing his review was done, Alex checked the new developments. On the global map, the sights of operations on this planet were displayed. He reserved chain of islands 300 miles away for weapons and vehicle testing, and had even located a vast, salt flat in the north eastern earth Kingdom for weapon and vehicle testing also. No one could possibly live out there, so it was a perfect place to land test equipment after airlifting it.
With that gone, he entered the service elevator, going down to the apartment levels.
Exiting the elevator, Alex found that the lounge area was not unoccupied. Staring out of the window was Raxler, this time in his robotic mode, standing perfectly rigid in his 7 foot frame. On the couch, Lexa sat down with Se'rie and Norstith, watching the robot somewhat. All three turned to look at Alex as he exited the elevator.
"He's malfunctioning again. It's the same thing again." Said Lexa pointedly. Norstith stood up, and said to Alex: "You need to address this problem with Raxler. It may not be of critical importance, but his behaviour outside of his arranged roles is becoming worrying."
Sighing, Alex walked up to Raxler, ignoring the worried look Se'rie was shooting him from the couch. There was just something off about Raxler, most likely his fully artificial intelligence. Yet he seemed to be halfway between that and a human now. That much was apparent as Raxler stated to an obviously questioning Alex:
"The runtime overloads are continuing, I cannot achieve a consensus on the situation."
"Remind me what they are again, and give me a rundown of anything new." Asked Alex. Raxler clicked once, and continued:
"A 14 per cent decrease in processing speed due to allocating processor power to achieve consensus on organic emotional inflections this past 6 weeks exactly, and an additional 6 per cent decrease in processing speed whenever you are not present for the reason of additional, spontaneously planned organic interaction.."
"Which means you're still plagued by these emotions whenever I socialize with the others here or on the mainland." Noted Alex. Ruefully, he thought, and then it occurred to him. He had not noticed for so long that he had been busy making preparations, and that Raxler had never said anything. They had tried software patches, rebooting, but nothing.
With an impossible combination of pride and guilt, Alex said: "You're jealous of when I blow you off for the others outside scheduled meetings, aren't you?" As he said this, Lexa's eyebrows shot up, surprised at the revelation. She had her suspicions of such, but she only had vague evidence to go on. Norstith was silent, his disguised eyes widening slightly, more in amazement than annoyance at such a trivial emotion. Norstith then got up, saying: "That matter is cleared, and I am going to join Yal'hesk and Fe'lera in the hall." As the robotic, dark matter disguised Leg'hrul left, Lexa got up too, saying: "I'd better go find where Xale is."
That left Alex, Raxler and Se'rie in the same room. Nervously, Se'rie got up, knowing that it was partially her that had detracted Alex from his schedule, causing today's debate. He had told her often how Raxler was like a son to him, as loyal as they come, even with the lax leadership Alex had on his base garrison.
Alex now felt guilty, and said: "I know I was ignoring you for the others, but I had so much to get off my chest with them, so many new people I'd met. I got sidetracked, and I forgot the one person who always stood by me since his beginning. My greatest creation. I'm sorry.
Raxler whirred, and said: "I understand the reasons for you disregarding me I favour of organics. Organics seek organic comfort, not synthetics. I understand, but the emotional inflection inhibiting my processes still exists. I hold no ill feelings towards you or your befriended or allied organics, my programming does not allow it."
Thinking, Alex turned to Se'rie for advice: "I don't know Se'rie. I love you and all, I really do, but I just feel wrong by paying so little attention to Raxler after all he's done. What should I do?"
Grasping his arm beneath his jacket sleeve, Se'rie squeezed comfortingly: "He's yours, he was there before us. Do what's right for both of you." Agreeing, Alex said: "Raxler, I promise that I shall not as often choose to override scheduled work time with you for any reason unless suitable. Those weapons tests in the firing range will need 2 people to thoroughly test them before it can be released to the troops. Let's get back our good schedule keeping."
Raxler turned his body to face Alex, and he whirred a bit, clicking, and finally saying: "Pledge filed into memory banks. Today was a day allocated to the bond of love between each other in Leg'hrul customary tradition. We have no appointments booked together today."
Walking off silently, Raxler headed down the long hallway, turning into his cramped quarters, the door sliding shut behind him. Se'rie blinked, and Alex saw this, reassuring her: "He'll be fine, but we'll know if this is a ploy or not unless I keep that up and monitor his state."
Se'rie smiled: "You need each other, don't lose a bond like that over anyone ever, even over me." Pulling herself into his side, she leant against him very slightly. Alex then asked: "Wait. What Leg'hrul tradition?"
Smirking a bit, Se'rie said in a mysterious tone: "You'll see."
A mere hour later, and Alex stood with Se'rie atop one of the island's cliff faces, a near vertical face, roughly 30 metres tall, or 100 feet. Below, rocks and white water crashed with the incoming tidal surges.
Behind them, on the same hilltop, Xale and Azula lay down on the grass side by side, staring up at the sky like everyone else. Lexa sat down beside them, looking up also. Ja'hail was standing by, looking a bit bored, but somewhat interested in the display above, while Morthas Krithos was talking idly to Norstith over past memories.
High above, as per the day of a standard year in the Alliance, the Leg'hrul couples performed their aerial dances, an annual event where Leg'hrul would test the efforts of how far their mate was willing to go for their other.
Going at a slower pace, Yal'hesk trailed after Fe'lera, who was soaring left, right and vertically on the coastal wind. They were seasoned from over 2 dozen of these annual rituals, and knew the intricate procedure well. The female would lead the male, testing him, seeing if he can keep pace, driving him to his edge, or her edge, of physical performance. Once one was peaked, the last move would be pulled, as Fe'lera would begin soon.
As Yal'hesk panted, slightly screeching from keeping up with Fe'lera, he saw her spin around 180 degrees in the air, and angling downwards vertically. Knowing this was it, he drew alongside quickly, extending his own talons to reach hers. In mid dive, heading for the ground at as fast as possible, the two Leg'hrul stayed locked as one being, talons sealed together, and they spun slowly, as the ground grew closer and closer.
With a reasonable distance to spare, the mated couple split apart, flying parallel, and levelled out, flying high once more, this time more calm and controlled. Yal'hesk panted from the effort, still beating his wings. Beside him, Fe'lera panted as well, and commented over the wind: "You've still got it then!"
"We may not be as young as we once were, but I can still match you in any move you pull!" Yelled Yal'hesk. Laughing, Fe'lera said: "Let's land, we've done our part today."
On shore, Norstith commented: "They are less reckless than when they first did it. They barely cleared the ground with 2 metres to spare first time." Shrugging, Ja'hail said simply: "So they get less cocky with age, big revelation. I wouldn't want to a feathered stain on some rocks either."
"At the speed those two are flying at, that outcome may occur." Said Azula, her voice rising in anticipation. Looking up, they saw Sa'thor and Kail'aris were flying, at a noted greater speed than the elder couple. Their moves were slightly more spontaneous, energetic, and sudden. Not graceful sweeping curves, but sudden, snaps. It was their first time in this courtship dance, and they were doing it to their maximum.
With Sa'thor furiously beating his wings, he managed to catch up to Kail'aris, who with her slightly smaller bulk, was more nimble than he was. Mirroring the elder two, just as Sa'thor came within 20 metres, Kail'aris let out a screech, and flipped around, angling vertically down, talons extended outwards. Reacting, he flipped down, flying mirror to her, catching up. Folding his wings in, he seized her talons in his own, locking tightly onto them. Letting out a raptor's caw, he began to angle his tail feathers, beginning a rapid spin, barrelling the first time couple downwards.
On the ground, everyone watched, mesmerized or fearful, as the young mates plummeted towards the sea, barrelling almost uncontrollably. At what seemed like the last moment, both of them broke apart, pulling up sharply. Kail'aris's wingtip skimmed the sea's surface for a brief moment, but she recovered, pulling up hard, screeching aloud in victory as she rejoined Sa'thor.
The two couples landed, and much of the congratulations went to the younger couple, for their daring, albeit reckless first time.
"So that happens every year between mates?"
"Yes. It's a way to see how far you can still go for each other. Success isn't how well you do, its how well you do relative to your physical potential. Also, the dive at the end tests the spirit through bravery and trust." Said Se'rie.
"But, if we ever, well, I'm not sure I could ever do it. Not a Leg'hrul myself." Argued Alex, admitting with disappointed humour. Se'rie reminded him: "But you can fly, you've got two feet."
"I cheat compared to Leg'hrul. The only UIP species born with the natural ability to fly from the beginning are Cybertronian Seekers, anyone else has to use other means to fly."
"What about Shockwave?" Asked Se'rie. They had been walking past the hanger bays, on route to see Shockwave. As she asked that, Shockwave looked around from his laboratory table, and said: "I was sparked with a non flying frame. My alternate mode can fly, but Seekers can fly due to their lighter build and flight capabilities in any mode. The matter of a lighter build leads me to presenting my latest development."
Reaching around, he presented what looked a set of strap on, half litre sized battery packs. He also showed on the desk what appeared to be a scaled up version to be worn solely on his back, along with the small fusion reactor powering his right arm cannon. He explained: "Attachable antigravity generators. Each is capable of reducing the connected object's effective weight by up to 10 kilograms, after including the generator's own weight. They can be linked to the power system of any hard suit or cybernetic systems. Useful roles include lifting heavy objects, improving mobility and enhanced flight agility."
"Are you sure these have been tested?" Asked Alex. Shockwave rumbled, and said: "I developed these small generators in conjunction with Raxler, as a scaled down version of those used to stabilize the Behemoth units."
Se'rie then had a brainwave, and grabbed Alex's shoulders: "That's it Alex! That's how you can do the air dance with me!"
"What are you saying!"
"You can try and learn how to fly with wings like that of a Leg'hrul, and use those generators to make you the same weight as one! That way you won't have to use your flight pack!"
"One problem, where do I get a set of wings! Its not like I can just grow them here and now!" Asked Alex. Shaking her head, Se'rie outstretched her left wing fully, saying to Alex: "Use your dark matter to make your own."
He did, and a ashy coloured wing extended from his arm, slightly larger relative to his body than found on a Leg'hrul. At the sight of it, he finally understood. He then turned to his girlfriend, and said in a doubtful voice: "Tough luck though, I can't fly like this until I get the generators and learn a bit if how to fly like a Leg'rul."
Shockwave said: "A compromise. You continue to provide combat lessons to Se'rie, and she can teach you how to fly like her kind."
"Fair enough. I guess we can, maybe, start tomorrow?" Said Se'rie. Alex replied:
"Alright, but we need to stick to Raxler's schedule. We know he's a bit sensitive now, and I don't want to risk going back on my promise." Nuzzling his cheek, Se'rie said: "Aw, its nice to see you care about him."
"That I do, a lot. But also, I didn't leave any blocks on him getting revenge if I go back on him." Replied Alex. Shockwave then gestured to the hanger door, saying: "My laboratory is not a social area. Leave now."
The couple were done there anyway.
Approaching sunset, and on a balcony of the organic quarters, Azula and Xale lay side by side on a wide, reclining deck chair/bench of sorts, wide enough to support them both. Xale had fallen asleep, and Azula found herself nestled deep into his side, watching the clone's peaceful face, and rising and falling chest. He wore a sleeveless vest of sorts, dark red in colour, and he wore black shorts also, coming down only to his knees. It was warm outside, roughly 34 degrees Celsius, and both were dressed thinly. Azula wore a long, dark red tank top, with an inch or two of midriff showing, and she wore a dark red and gold belted tied skirt over some black short leggings.
Watching her love sleep, Azula contemplated everything that had happened to her. She had been put in a mental institute, and saw an increase in stability, though her anger at those who betrayed her diminished little. When Xale and Alex rescued her, and she helped them alongside the very people she hated in the Varya operation, she knew things had changed. Now, thanks to Xale's help, and Lexa's understanding, and Raxler's cautious 'trust', she now had a home, had regained the trust of her family, avenged herself by killing her father, the one who caused misery to many, including herself, she had all the power she could dream of at her fingertips to the point where she realized that power wasn't everything. She had an understanding of what could bring true happiness. True, she was as cold and as perfection seeking as before, but she put it to better use now.
Lightly groaning, Xale rolled to face Azula, his sleeping form instinctively draping an arm over her body. He muttered almost incoherently: "Az-Azula." Blushing a bit, Azula nestled deeper into the clone's body, enjoying the feel of his muscular, larger body against her own. True, she was the dominant one in this relationship, but she liked the moments when Xale would take charge, even subconsciously, it let her relax a bit, and exercise her new found trust in someone who would be loyal to her just for the sake of love.
Kissing Xale lightly on the forehead, Azula muttered: "Oh shut up." She placed her head against his chest, his gentle heartbeat lulling her to sleep."
Returning from combat training as teacher to student, Alex and Se'rie walked down towards the lounge area of the organic quarters, eager to have a rest together. Inside though, they found three people sat on the couches.
Morthas Krithos was waiting patiently, whilst Norstith and Ja'hail sat nearby, as if discussing something previously. Ja'hail was the one to speak: "Hey Alex, Morthas and Norstith were just telling me some of the things you got up to in the KI."
"I was explaining to him the one mission you and I embarked upon, the one of great significance to you after you were first brought back." Said Morthas. Realizing what he meant, Alex whispered: "The Haenkyo station."
"What exactly happened? I've only been given a vague summary." Before Alex could realize, Se'rie had sat herself down on the couch beside Norstith. Disregarding how fast she had moved, Alex sat down on another couch seat, saying: "Might as well fill her in. You were my second in command that day."
"Yes. You and I were sent to lead a strike team aboard the station while our fleet kept reinforcements away and jammed their systems. As I recall, you had the first kill that day." Said Morthas. The memory of snapping off the mouth mandibles of that Predator technician came back to Alex.
No details were spared, and Alex also learnt some things that Morthas never told him, such as how they actually more kills in their half of the dozen squad than Alex's team put together, despite Alex getting the most kills that day. Morthas then made a note: "In my time I heard or saw your work, I must admit, you can be very clean and quick, but when you let your emotions get too strong, you become messy, unnecessarily brutal. I made no bother to say this before, because whatever your state, you attained results."
"The last time I really lost it, I killed by stepfather. I don't want to ever lose myself like that again." Said Alex. Norstith said wisely: "Anger can grant you great power, but you can lose yourself if you become too angry. If this whole coup is to work, that anger may need to be utilized, properly, if you want to be as successful as possible."
"In other words, don't lose your cool too much, or you could lose your focus. Then, boom, one lucky sniper or something and your out of it." Said Ja'hail. Morthas then commented: "I might also add that while I can't argue with your results, your methods can be unnecessarily brutal, and messy. So uncivilized, and quite frankly, it leaves too much evidence in some cases."
The former KI operative then stood up, heading for the library, saying as he left: "We won't know anything more about any upcoming campaigns until Kirth and La'kais arrive in 3 days, and Zoran contacts us the day after that. If anyone needs me you know where to find me."
Ja'hail had an amused look, and said: "He's an example of the stereotype of Leg'hrul. Level headed, better mannered, and I stress better, and quite frankly a little too interested in knowledge."
Norstith jibed at him: "That's nothing to be worried about. However, you seem rather close to the personality stereotype of Kro'nogri."
"I worry for your species." Said Alex in a deadpan voice. Se'rie nodded as if in agreement, noting: "Well, besides La'kias when he gets here, we should be picking up hopefully one more Kro'nogri within the next few months."
"Another princess? Maybe we should reconsider while we have a chance?" Jokingly suggested Ja'hail. Se'rie asked: "Wasn't she exiled 15 years ago though? For killing her father and the king at that time?"
"Yes. As unbelievable as that is, and her reaction suggesting otherwise, the evidence was there. Many still believe she is innocent though, she had no reason to kill her father, and they got on well. That is one of the great mysteries of the Kro'nogri royal family." Said Norstith.
Alex shrugged, saying: "Maybe we can get her side when we find her. 15 years though, we might have another case like Azula."
"If you think I'll get involved with her like Xale did with Azula, I'll just say she's not my type." Muttered Ja'hail. Alex then finished with a sly tone: "Hoping for a chance at royalty?"
"You hoping for a chance for me to shove Hilda up your arse and fire until her heat sink is full?"
Now in Se'rie's room, Alex and her lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Se;rie's room was laid out differently than her old room, but everything she had brought with her was here. She had printed some of her better art pieces from her digital tool's databanks onto display hangers, and hung the art pieces on her walls, to cover up the plain, light beige plaster coloured walls.
They lay back together, simply talking about the future:
"I guess here we can help the world's people by bringing things back that can't be easily gotten back, like the flying bison maybe, or the lemurs. Maybe if we isolate the airbending genes in these humans, we can help them repopulate."
"They're so different in that they can use these forces of nature like that. And to think they're so similar to humans." Commented Se'rie. She was still amazed with this world even after so long on it.
"Actually, scans show that there is a lesser degree of genetic compatibility with regular humans and bending humans. By natural means, foetus and infant survivability would drop by 20%. The genes of bending arts just create difficulties in DNA compatibility."
"So if Xale and Azula decide to maybe start a family they'll have to be cautious."
"Precisely." Said Alex. Se'rie sighed, and she said: "All this just reminds me that we can't truly be together. We can't go all the way like other people can, not just for the species matter, but for the war. If anyone saw us together-"
"I won't let what other people think of us being together stop us from loving one another. I would never intentionally let anything or anyone harm you, and I would do anything to protect you." Reinforced Alex. He finished: "If this whole coup goes to plan, this war could be over within a year. We can open up relations with the UIP, explain to them that the people of the Alliance didn't want war, their leaders did. If the fact that you and I can get along and love one another, surely the UIP and Alliance can?"
Gently, Se'rie pulled his lips to her beak, engaging in the usual strange looking kiss of lips on beak, but her beak, as hard as it was, had a unique taste to it, which Alex had grown hopelessly addicted to. Breaking away after a few seconds, Se'rie murmured to her human lover: "You're right. If we can find love, they can surely find understanding once this conflict is over."
Shifting on the bed, Alex let Se'rie bury her head into his neck, which had become her favourite spot to sleep near to on his body. Her head fit almost perfectly between his torso and chin, her head crest feathers lightly caressing his chin as she nestled in there. She buried her body deeper against his warm torso, and wrapped her legs, around his, her metal talon covers matching his metal and carbon fibre legs, exposed in their T shirt and shorts combination from training. Her sleeveless shirt and shorts combination was beautiful to Alex, as it showed off more of Se'rie's beauty and lithe, graceful sexy body to him. One wing was wedged between both of them, whilst the other covered their bodies like a feathery blanket.
Inside the laboratories, Shockwave and Raxler worked in conjunction via wireless broadcast, overseeing a new development in advanced armour. This was a new form of armour, very high tech, and very complex. It was experimental in the UIP, and only the most advanced armed divisions in the Alliance brass used it on weapons or autonomous units.
A synthesized muscle tissue, capable of expanding and contracting much like organic tissue. Comprised of cells, the cellular structure for these cells came from a species of small lizard, evolving on a planet with a strongly radiating red dwarf star in the local star cluster in which the Solaris system was. These cells were adapted to resist high levels of radiation, and inserted nanobots could correct any DNA alterations made anyway.
The testing was for a new line of flexible, regenerative armour. It would be introduced into newer combat units, fused with machinery, the synthetic muscle structure would never form an organic organism on its own, it would always form a regenerating structural component of a larger, organic appearing machine. A fusion of cell and machine, the strengths of both, the weaknesses of neither.
However, it was still being developed, and the cell mitosis reproduction was only double the rate of a human's. They aimed for 10 times the rate of a human, and that meant designing any areas of synthetic muscle on new units with their equivalent of blood vessels and nerve receptors. The technological difficulties were high, but the potential results would be worth it. A Cybernetic organism.
Cybertronians did not possess the quicker regeneration of body parts that organics did, instead using parts to replace in the case of injuries. By fusing machine and flesh in the best possible ways, the ultimate force could be made.
For now, as Shockwave analysed the tests, along with Raxler's input for suggested improvements, the synthetic muscle still needed improving in cellular regeneration. The rest would come easy.
October 26th 2900
Ki'ristalis, Central Intelligence Bureau.
2 days until he would contact Commander Kirth aboard the Dawnbreaker. Zoran scratched his forehead scales, his mandible mouth flexing from irritation from the large amount of bureaucratic work he had just finished dealing with. He missed the days when he was out in the field before the war, even so back as when he was a mapping scout for the UIP. He had made his fair share of mapping achievements, finding suitable worlds or systems for mining or mass settlement.
That was before he had an incident that left him without a ship, where he was ambushed by butchers and savages aboard their ship, and taken back to their chief with his other companions. They negotiated their way out, but not before losing one of their own. After a few months, they returned, having been continuing their mapping of the sector. When Zoran and his companion returned, Zoran knew he had to expose the true brutality beneath those savage monsters. He committed a vile act, pending the blame on one of their own leaders. Later saying he and his companion enlisted that leader to kill the other leader, they left, knowing the savages would be foolish enough to challenge the UIP en masse. And they did eventually, and Zoran had capitalized on this, finding dissention among their ranks, securing deals with them to buy shares in whatever companies provided them with their tools to fight back.
There were many things that Zoran didn't regret, and one of them was inciting that savage group into attacking, while he made a small profit off of their weapons ventures. Carefully, he saw it was too late to go back, and he invested in the weapons dealers who supplied the UIP with weapons to quell this threat. A conflict arose, and while the UIP beat back the attackers, Zoran profited.
He was not proud of it, but he did not regret it. He exposed the savage nature of those beastly outliers in the UIP territory. People like them had no place in the galaxy, and if they were going to go, Zoran may as well make a profit off of their demise.
Still, that matter was second to ending the war.
Inside the lower level of the Bureau, Krith Lovisk nervously scratched her jacket and neck scales, her stiff tail swaying slightly in aggravation, the upright stood warm blooded lizard alert and wary of her colleagues. The Sril'sask was nervous, he was not supposed to be late.
Behind her, an accented voice spoke in Na'vi dialect: "Stop worrying Krith, I got here alright." Turning around quickly, Krith Lovisk's dragon like face relaxed, seeing another of her friends in the intelligence office before her. He towered over her 6 foot 5 height with his 10 foot 2 inch height, his body covered in a working suit, his hair well kept, and his tail swaying patiently side to side behind him. Bal'toro's blue face was smug, amused at her anticipation.
"Fine. It's just, you know that Jarothes was taken in after we hit a breakthrough on this data load. I think someone doesn't want us to know this data's secret." Said Krith nervously, her eyes flickering left and right down the hall, watching the bureau workers entering and exiting the hallway, all clad in business dress.
"The more valuable secrets are better protected. Now come on, we should get going to your place. It's safer there." The large blue being walked beside the upright lizard, letting her lead the way. Exiting the building, she asked him: "So what are you doing when the next holiday comes around in 3 months?"
"I think I'll visit my parents. It's been a while since I saw them, and the Eastern Sea Ikran Clan is always a good place to visit."
"Good beaches then?" Asked Krith heartily. Remembering the jagged coast, he said: "Hardly any beaches, some, not much. The coast is mainly cliffs, but there are amazing views of the sea though."
"Sounds nice. Meanwhile I'll be on Earth doing some work helping my superiors oversee progress of Earth based intel agencies. I don't like the idea of being outnumbered by humans by millions to one, makes me feel out of place." Krith Lovisk was never good in crowds, preferring to work in smaller groups or teams. She was not racist, in fact she liked all races, even the Leg'hrul and Kro'nogri, just not their Alliance's policy of warmongering, much like the UIP was also.
Shrugging, Bal'toro said: "We'll be only a handful of light years apart. Quite a small galaxy isn't it?"
"I wish." Krith muttered. While he would be only a few light years away on holiday, she would be working as hard as ever, not just officially, but she knew she could find someone to entrust a copy of some or all of the valuable information she had 'dug up' on one of the leaders of the intelligence bureau.
Hey readers. Okay, the story shall take off from here now. The Princess shall be met, and this second plot concerning the intelligence officers shall tie in also eventually.
Please leave reviews for me to learn from. As much as I like the fact that people are reading my stories, it would help to have more reviews to get feedback.