INTERLUDE I

Ziliang, Sindar PDZ,
Capellan March, Federated Suns,
October 24, 3073

Major Fernandes, CO of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry, fiddled with the focus of the holoprojector, trying to get the clearest pixelation of the Lexington Legends' battleROM. His eagle eyes peeked from his unkempt bang, following every move of the holographic Jagermech in the middle of the room. Enemy fire poured down on it, but it stood unfazed, firing back at things off screen, presumably.

"Image is good. Quality is the least of our concern."

Fernandes observed his Kuritan counterpart. A fine specimen in her mid-20's, Sho-sa Scarlet, the CO of Ryuken-go battalion, wore her flowing-red hair in a high bun atop her head. The tight black spandex glimmered under the holographic light, revealing her shoulder and luscious cleavage, giving him a memento of how exquisite her skin felt without the encumbrance of those spandex. A small Kuritan dragon patch adorned her left breast. Her long bang covered her right eye, though her left one followed the field report from the Lexington Legends just as intently as his.

"If you say so," he muttered. "Just don't want you to waste your time. You came all the way here from Luthien. It'll be a shame to return to Kuritan world without something to 'remember me by'."
"Like I have discernable recourse in the matter," Scarlet threw a dirty look at Fernandes. "I'll take whatever you throw at me."

"Very well," Fernandes smiled bitterly. Scarlet was strict and aloof, oftentimes annoyed at his cheerful, compassionate, and optimistic nature. She disliked his mischief, which more often than not created rifts between them. She had a great sense of justice and pride in being a member of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery and leader of the Ryuken-go battalion. But underneath that tough shell lied a warm, bright woman, full of kindness and passion, as Fernandes pleasantly found out during their intimacy.

"This is the Lexington Legends," Fernandes explained. "Davion's outsourcing mercenary unit specialized in black ops and 'ghost' missions. This ROM is from New Macao, a formerly Davion territory that fell to Capellans during Operation Guerrero. They landed in, did the deeds, then bailed out before Liao forces overwhelmed the world. The Liaos dropped 2 battalions on New Macao just to find these guys, but they escaped with minimum casualties."

"Sounds like you are very proud of your new 'toy'," Scarlet said unenthusiastically.

"Come in handy in times, especially in tight places where no Davions can go," Fernandes chimed jovially. "Granted, the Liaos will throw a lot of shit at us for New Macao, but they can't prove anything. Lexington Legends never get contracts from Federated Suns. They answer to me, not the Davions."

"What about Kuritan places?" Scarlet muttered. "Should I be worried about them in Kuritan worlds?"

"Is there a reason for me to send them to Kuritan worlds?" Fernandes chuckled.

"Fifty years ago Draconis Combine and Federated Suns were mortal enemies," Scarlet huffed. "If my grandfather were still around, he would spit on the name of Davions. Then the Clans came, and Kuritans allied with Davions to fight common enemies. If my father were still alive, he would spit on the name of the Clans. Then Word of Blake appeared, and we fought alongside the Clans to fight our common enemy." She turned to look Fernandes in the eyes. "Alliance is fickle, Major Fernandes. Kuritans and Davions are allies, but who knows what they will become – what we will become - in the near future."

"Then it's a good thing I show you about the Lexington Legends, isn't it?" Fernandes flashed mischief through his smile. "You know what to expect from me."

"Should I expect a black-ops unit on my six?" Scarlet's voice turned dark.

"I love you, Scarlet," Fernandes grabbed her hand. "I really do. I will never raise my arms against you. But your unit, your lance mates, and your nation, they are fair games. My allegiance is to the Federated Suns. If the Federated Suns requires me to take them out, then I will do everything I can to get it done."

"Any attack at Ryuken-go or Draconis Combine is an attack at me," Scarlet growled.

"Then let's hope that day never comes," Fernandes replied lightly. He turned off the battleROM and put up the map of Davion-Kuritan border along the Outworlds Alliance territory. "Do you know why I invite you here?"

"Other than booty calls and bragging about the Lexington Legends?" Scarlet shot a small smile.

"The Federated Suns have many friends in this area," Fernandes brushed off Scarlet's comment, although he took serious note on her 'booty call' remark. "The border worlds of Outworlds Alliance have been involved in trading of some sorts with Davion. We are in good terms with the Alcatar family from Callone IV, among others. But recently this synergy is threatened by increasing activities by the Kuritans, Outworlds Alliance, and internal crime warlords. Recently the Alcatar family succumbed to internal conflict with rivaling families. The Federated Suns lost one of its contacts in the Outworlds Alliance."

Fernandes zoomed in on a star system in Outworlds Alliance near the Davion-Kurita border. "This is Pummelo, another one of those border planets with ties to Federated Suns. The settlements are divided into three factions: those who support Davion, Kurita and Outworlds Alliance. Each faction had their own militia and mercenary defenders.

"Recently we have reports that Kuritan and Alliance's activities had increased. We don't know the nature of this spike, but we cannot let them overwhelm Davion loyalists. We already lost Callone IV to the crime lords. We cannot afford to lose another one.

"I'm sending the Lexington Legends to Pummelo to barricade the Davion settlements. I ask you not to interfere."

"I am a servant of Coordinator Hohiro Kurita," Scarlet strode around the holographic map. "If he sends the Ryuken-go to reinforce Kuritan loyalists at Pummelo, I will gladly go."

"The Coordinator will not send a respectable unit like the Ryuken-go to garrison Kuritan loyalists. It will incite open confrontation with Outworlds Alliance, one that he cannot afford, considering most of his troops have been dedicated to fight the Word of Blake."

"Then what is your concern?"

"You. I'm concerned about what you may do with this scenario." Fernandes put up the overhead map of Pummelo on the hologram. "The arrival of Lexington Legends may be construed as an act of aggression by the other loyalists. I don't know what kind of army the Kuritan and Alliance loyalists have on world, but the Lexington Legends should not have trouble fighting anything. Blood will spill. People will die, including Kuritans."

"And you expect me to look the other way?"

Fernandes let out a labored breath. "Yes. Direct your effort and energy toward the Word of Blake fronts. What happens at Outworlds Alliance is not your responsibility. Your involvement in this conflict will only complicate our relationship. Not to mention putting Draconis Combine and Federated Suns in an odd situation."

Scarlet observed the map for a while, trying to picture troops movement all across Pummelo. "On one condition. Treat the Kuritans well. Keep casualties minimal. If I ever hear even the slightest news about massacres or civilian casualties in high number, I will take action." She turned around to look into Fernandes' eyes. "And we both know, my Ryuken-go can send your Lexington Legends all the way to hell."

"Deal." Fernandes turned off all electronics, then caressed Scarlet's hair. He lifted up her chin for a kiss, but stopped a mere inch from contact. "Your consideration will be handsomely rewarded."