"Price Of Admission"

Freeport System

Harmony

2698, December 2nd


The Scar they called it now. Noah twisted his mouth in disgust as he heard the reports on the AOD gun fires. All the grass fields, the crops, burnt to ash. First the trenches, now orbital bombardments; joining the Militia had brought more damage than he first thought would be possible. Yet, his strategy was already yielding promising results. True to his word, Graves had brought in a second fleet of Militia ships to secure the system against the IMC. Perhaps even better, was that sitting across from him was Commander Briggs, who was telling him that the Coalition requested his presence on Concord. While he didn't wish to leave his planet and people, being a part of a new governing body was too exciting to ignore.

"They shouldn't call it the Scar," Noah mumbled.

"Of course," Sarah affirmed then made a note on her tablet, "I'll pass that along to my Squad Leaders when we brief after this."

He held up his hand. "That's not what I mean, Miss Briggs. Please ignore the comments of a bitter old man."

"Mister Greene, I'm from a planet not too different from this one. Each attack by the IMC is always the same but the people aren't. For every Scar or Execution Alley, there's a Nexus or Angel City. This is your planet's history, not the IMC's."

Noah nodded. He could see why his people liked her so much. Passionate, understanding, relatable, the very face of a resistance movement. In some ways he liked her too he supposed. Had she been born on Harmony, Greene would've made her the General of his army and stayed a Magistrate.

"I believe you're right. Once the fires are contained, we'll have to deal with the chemicals from the communication beacon." And bury more Harmonian dead. He silently added to himself.

Sarah seemed to sense his thoughts. "They were good people, once the First finishes capturing Artemisium, the system – your people – will be safe."

"That is good to hear. I haven't heard from the Field Commander in sometime. How is he doing on Artemisium?" Noah asked personably.

A shadow fell over Commander Briggs. "There was an incident... an IMC ship damaged the Annapolis outside the shipyard. Graves was severely injured in the attack."

An incident? "But Graves is alive, yes?"

"Yes, Commander Bish is now taking charge of mopping up the stragglers. We're working on establishing direct communications again with the First Fleet but initial reports say Graves will recover."

"Despite the cost, I feel we can now breathe easier."

"Yes," Sarah replied then hesitantly added, "there is one more thing, Magistrate."

"Oh?"

"I'm no good with politics but now that the system's stabilizing you may want to consider forming a security detail for when you go to Concord."

"I suppose that's a prudent course, Commander. Any suggestions?"

In truth, he had suspected as much from the Coalition. No doubt sooner or later they would come asking. Noah considered refusing to see if he could push the Coalition into making him an offer to leave his planet, using their newly gained Independence as political capital. Yet, Noah found he didn't have the strength in him to fight right now. Better to rest now to have the strength later inside the bear's den.

Sarah cracked a half smile. "In my experience, take only those you trust."

Noah leaned back in his chair. "So wary. Tell me, how do you feel about the Coalition Council?"

The Militia Commander drew into herself. Careful to not impart some poor word that would spoil the Coalition's chances with Harmony. "They're... they're the first real move towards legitimacy we've had. At least, someone I know thinks so."

"Commander Bish?" Noah guessed

She let out a nervous chuckle and searched the room for something for her thoughts to latch on to. "I'm not the best at talking about it. I leave that to other people. For me, I chose to fight the IMC but at some point this war has to end and I think the Coalition, no matter what it is now, is the first part of that. Something to come back to when the war's over."

Noah found himself nodding in agreement. "That's exactly what I want for my people but I fear that peace may not come. I want my people to feel secure, to rest easy at night. Without leaving one eye open for a cloaked Silverback."

"They will." Sarah promised. "If there's one thing I know, it's that the Militia won't stop fighting until the Frontier is free."

"Thank you, Commander. No doubt I've held you up long enough but I do hope to speak with you again before I leave for Concord."

"Of course, Magistrate. Anytime."

He stood up from the table to see Sarah out and then after went to the window. The air quality was still terrible and smoke mixed with cloudy sky. Soon the fires from the guns would be put out. In a few days the air would be normal again. Despite his skepticism, he tried to believe that would be the case.

Magistrate Greene pulled himself away from the window and to a kettle for tea. His schedule was full of arrangements, meetings, and other functions as Harmony's de facto leader. These small windows allowed him to breathe and reorient himself.

A knock at the door signaled that Ashburn had arrived early. Noah set the tea down and opened the door. Isiah looked haggard but the grin on his face made Noah think that he must look worse than he actually was. Noah showed his compatriot to a seat and Isiah tugged a frown on his lips.

"It never stops does it?"

Noah just made a dry chuckle and offered his friend some tea. "So much of our things are these days."

"As if our fields and mountains aren't enough, the sky is polluted and debris is raining from orbit." Ashburn made a weak shrug with his hands before he accepted the tea.

"How are the negotiations going?" Noah changed the subject and grabbed his desk chair.

"Coordinating through a dropship relay to a orbiting frigate to Concord has a considerable lag time. Besides that, we're haggling over percentages and rights." Ashburn replied. "Tools and equipment provided by Kodai at lower prices for eight years in exchange for exclusive access to those crop yields once the fields were harvested. If they can be harvested. Exclusive rights for Canis Major to do all Coalition shipping from our space port. How much we can charge for tariffs and what things we can tariff."

"And how bad is that?" Noah asked, dreading to hear the actual numbers.

"Poor, actually. It basically makes it cheap enough for them to generate business, not enough for us to really mend our fields."

"Hm," Was really all Greene could muster at that poor news.

"Most of them are old ICA or Ceti exiles disenfranchised with the Core Systems. Their policies swing from practical one moment to radical the next."

"They did lose the war if I recall." Greene commented on the Ceti's.

"History doesn't interest me." Ashburn sipped his tea. "What concerns me is how they plan to conduct business and treat our interests."

"And how do they intend to treat our interests?" Greene set his tea on the table.

Isiah considered that question a moment then said, "It all depends on how our crop yields and trading profits go in eight years. If high, they will respect our interests. If low..." Isiah held out his hand and tottered it.

"I see. Am I right in saying that for now, they're willing to listen and work with us?"

"Yes, provided their interests are met. Such as jobs and production but they're also trying to prove their model of government works and Graves is up there fighting to keep it around long enough to try." Isiah sighed.

"He's alive by the way." Noah informed him.

Isiah seemed to ignore the statement. "There are those that won't like letting corporations back onto Harmony." He warned him.

"They'll be strictly regulated." Noah promised.

"The Coalition won't like that. Especially, if we don't want to be indebted to those very same corporations who lent us the means to fix our planet."

"I really don't care what those companies want. It was the Militia I wanted here." Noah reminded him. "The Coalition is just... the price of admission."

"A steep price at that. What little credits we do have left over from the occupation will have to go towards medicine, food, equipment, and other things lost. Not to mention, that now that the IMC have been ousted, people will want to go back to their farms. Our army will disband, which will put us at a further disadvantage now that the Vanguards have left."

Noah paused to glare at Isiah. "You think I was wrong?"

Isiah stared back him, hard as steel. "I wouldn't be here if I thought that. No doubt, you've thought of these questions too but remember you're the one who called the Militia to this planet knowing full well that they work with the Coalition. The two go hand in hand now. Your people fought to get rid of corporations and corruption. How they see the Militia and the Coalition is up to you."

Greene let out a small laugh. "You don't make it easy do you?"

Isiah smiled sardonically and sipped his tea. "Not really."

They sat and drank their tea in near silence for a while. When Noah had nearly finished his tea, he broached the silence.

"Sarah has informed me that I'll need to go to Concord to induct Harmony officially into the Coalition."

"That's expected."

"That I'll need a security detail too."

"Hm. And where will that come from, I wonder?" Ashburn quipped.

"I'm hoping I won't have to look too hard. I've given it some thought and I think if I find the right person first, the rest will follow."

"Oh? Who did you have in mind?"

"She's already saved me once before. Now she's the embodiment of our people."

"Ah, Master Pilot Darragh, Patriot of the Bloody Fourth, hero of Nexus, savior of the Magistrate, and defender of the Scar. Yes, she and her Titan would certainly help your cause. Have you heard the rumors about her Titan though?"

"They're not rumors, I can assure you."

"Hm." Isiah hummed pleasantly and finished his tea. "Then I agree. If she believes in the Militia like you do, the people will believe it."

"Good. Well, I must make myself ready. Good day old friend."

Ashburn returned his tea to the table and left without saying a word. Or he did and Noah didn't hear him. Greene's mind was already thinking about what he was going to say to Lena and what she might say in return. Noah muttered the mnemonic devices he used to remember people's names, faces, and where they lived.

Magistrate Greene finally left the farmer's market in Nexus and travelled by a red painted Gremlin transport. The drive was long. Now and again, he would have the driver stop, so he could see what was happening out in the burned wastes. He spoke to those he could and ask them about their lives. No matter what the topic was, eventually they'd mention the Titan covered in names. They spoke with pride, awe, joy at what Lena was doing to protect Harmony.

Eventually, they found her. The Scorch Titan kneeling on a hill, alone. The light from the setting sun stretching it's shadow over the blacken ground. As they drove closer, it's Pilot noticed them and drew closer to her Titan. The large machine stood up and Greene watched as the behemoth drew a hand down to lift up it's Pilot.

When they got close enough, Greene could see the number of names that now decorated the chassis. He recognized most of them, even saw some that he did not. Lena gasped when she saw him step out of the car.

"M-Magistrate, I didn't know you were coming!" She said from the hand of her Titan.

"I had sent word through Pullman, I recall." He called up to her.

Lena's face reddened. "Forgive me Magistrate, with all that's happened, I've switch off my comms."

He chuckled warmly. It was fake but he had practiced the gesture so many times it felt real. "There's nothing to forgive, a hero is inclined to rest once in a while."

Greene smiled, his political smile, and walked towards the legs of the Titans. Despite the trepidation they gave him, he pushed himself to walk to it. He was still the Magistrate of Harmony and no machine would give him pause. Lena ordered KSX to lower her gently to the ground. Greene found it interesting she called it "Kilo," like a first name. A useful fact to remember, he mentally noted.

"Still, I shouldn't have." Lena chastised herself. "I won't do it again Magistrate."

He laughed, this time feeling more genuine. "You'd be mad to think that this old man doesn't wish to sneak away every now again. Enjoy the peace when you can get it."

She made a nod and swallowed. Noah knew she was awkward when he was around but Lena was one of his most dedicated leaders. Ever since she and the villagers of Aker's Pasture had joined the resistance, her tenacity had won him many victories. He hoped in time that peculiar awkwardness would pass.

"Y-yes, of course." She said clearing her throat.

Noah traced a name with his pointer finger for a few seconds to draw out the conversation. Making someone impatient or anxious worked well in negotiations. There was also the added benefit of not saying something right away. A sort intimidation. He took the time to think about how the names were etched into the Titan's armor, how long it must've taken, and why. Small questions that would give him a greater inference into it's Pilot's mind.

She began to say something but Greene quickly spoke over her. "I'm leaving Harmony, Pilot Darragh."

"Y-you are?" She stuttered, surprised.

"Yes. The Militia's governing counterpart, the Coalition, needs me to ratify Harmony into their new government."

"Oh," Lena said unsure of how to answer.

"You are a strong woman, Master Pilot. In these times, Harmony needs people like you to lead us and keep us focused on what matters: peace. Harmony is done fighting wars, don't you agree?"

"Sir, I... I don't know anything about governing." She said frankly.

A real laugh escaped him. Her unexpected reaction pulling genuine emotion out of him. She seemed worried that she'd upset him. Greene waved his hand.

"No, no nothing like that child. You seem to grasp how people feel about you, don't you? There's a reverence in what they say."

"Everything I did was for harmony, just like anyone else. Why should I be treated any different?" Lena protested.

"That is true. There were many heroes in our unsung war of independence. Many, I'm sure are remembered on your Titan."

"I don't know why I did it," She looked back towards Kilo, "but when people saw it, they asked to write names on it too. I couldn't tell them no..."

"I suppose not." He agreed.

"I cried..." She suddenly admitted. "When so many people came with their pain. I cried. Kilo wasn't just my Titan but something else entirely."

Noah remained silent. Listening to her words.

"Magistrate, do you think that a thing can change from what they were before? Can doing good make it better? Even a Titan?" She swallowed then laughed nervously. "That's stupid isn't it?"

Greene tried to hide his surprise. Here she was, Lena Darragh of the Bloody Fourth, admitting to him that she was worried about her Titan's, what, sins? Certainly the issue was pressing on her mind. He could tell as much. Titans were walking tanks of the battlefield. They were machines built for war. A rifle did not carry the same burden of guilt as it's owner did.

"I think," he said carefully, "that it is the Pilot that makes the Titan."

"Yes, Magistrate." She nodded. "Pullman told me that Kilo's didn't bond with the Pilot I killed. While I would never question your mandates, Magistrate, I find it hard to Pilot something like this that used to belong to the enemy."

Noah drew a sharp breath. This was the crucial moment to winning over Lena Darragh of Aker's Pasture. It was a moment like this that Noah lost Uji. He would not lose a second time. Slowly, he faced Lena, making sure to look her in the eyes.

"It is not a question of duty but of blood you ask of." Noah observed Kilo. Taking in the damage, the names, the care of it's parts, the heat radiating from it's motors. Lena remained quiet, awaiting his answer. "I do not believe that machines possess the kind of soul that we as humans have, but that the machine does mold to the personality of it's Pilot. Knowing your commitment to Harmony and the dedication of which you have protected it's people. I think that any harm that this Titan's former Pilot has done pales to the good you have done with it."

"I want to believe that..."

"It's true, Master Pilot. You fought fire with fire! Turned this weapon meant for burning homes and crops into saving them. You're a liberator of Nexus, savior of the Magistrate, and a hero of Harmony. There are many heroes on Harmony but you're the one that inspires us. The one people have entrusted you with their fallen." He nodded towards the names on Kilo.

Lena looked back at Kilo and traced the names up towards the cockpit. There were a few she lingered on for a moment longer. He recognized a few of them, members from her old team that had assaulted Nexus. Records from the battle were spotty, but if he had to wager credits they were the ones that had died by this Titan. It made her position make sense now. Noah understood more clearly now of the position he had put Lena into. Yet she was still willing to endure the pain of piloting a Titan that had killed her team and still follow her duty.

Perhaps he was reading into things. Perhaps everyone on Harmony felt that way too. They had always used IMC equipment to fight the IMC, the practically in the face of no other resources had been their only option, excluding the Vanguards who had used their old Harvesters. It had been a strategy that had beaten a larger apathetic enemy.

"It's scary to think about," She said at last.

"It can be," Noah admitted. "but that's why they trust you. Why I trust you."

Lena turned to him, surprise in her eyes.

"Oh yes. It's because of that trust I want you and Kilo with me on Concord. To be a part of my security detail. When the system's clear, I will have to travel to Concord to bring Harmony into the Coalition. Who better to trust my life against all those politicians than someone who's saved it once already?"

Noah already knew Lena would say yes. The answer was written all over her face. Her eyes focused on his, unwavering. Her jaw firm and determined. She would follow him. So Harmony would follow him.

She turned and surveyed the charred hills and fields around them. Noah watched her gaze cast over his shoulder to Cherry Knob and the ruins of the beacon. Their planet was scarred but it would heal in time. Noah had no doubts.

"I'm not sure what I can do on another planet but if you have need of me, Magistrate. I will help you."

His instincts told him that she was going to miss Harmony. "We will return to Harmony, Master Pilot. I promise you that."

"I hope so." She replied.

Greene's wrist-comm chimed alerting him to another meeting request. "Thank you, Master Pilot. I've taken up enough of your time. Until we meet again."

She startled at the abrupt change and saluted. "Of course, Magistrate."

He travelled back to Nexus after that with an air of satisfaction, knowing that the safety and peace for his people were coming together. As the elected representative of his people he would secure Harmony's future until the Frontier was rid of the IMC. The rest of his day was spent with local farmers, the wounded, the workers containing the Scar. There was no rest for the wicked.