Upon reaching FDG's quarters with Helena in his arms, Martinez was suddenly blinded and pressed into something soft. A few seconds later, he discovered that what actually happened was that Friedrich had gotten him in a sudden, tight hug.
"Oh, I'm so, so sorry…" she stammered out, a far cry from her usual demeanor.
"What's there to be sorry for?" Martinez kept Helena in his arms as best as he could.
"All of this is because of me, mein kind… " she said, ashamed.
"How is it because of you?" He asked. Her logic was confusing him.
"I didn't realize it, because I was having so much fun, but…" She looked on the verge of tears. "She was leading me on! Kiting us towards her with a series of picket fleets! I should've caught on…"
She began to weep quietly while holding Martinez and the still-unconscious Helena in her arms, eventually making it to the seat by the fireplace in her quarters.
After a short while, she got a hold of herself, drying her tears and continuing to hold Helena and Martinez close to her.
Martinez spoke to Astra. "Who was that?"
"Enforcer XIX, The Sun." she answered. Martinez looked at Helena, who was only just now beginning to recover.
"Fitting. Can you tell me more about her?" He responded.
"She's one of the Empress's… I believe your human expression is 'Attack dog'? Anyway, she sets her upon whichever human commander becomes too much of a thorn in her side. Otherwise she's overseeing the collective's… less, ethical experiments."
"So she's been at this for a while?"
"Yes. And if memory serves, she was the one who captured and oversaw the… augmentation of New Jersey. There was quite some celebration among the network on her being taken off of the field… until you came along."
"So Wisky and NJ'll have an axe to grind with her. I wonder what they'll think."
"Well, nothing for it besides to head home and hope nothing else happens, for the moment," Friedrich replied.
V^V^V^V^V^V^V^V
Eventually, after an uneventful voyage, the fleet returned to the Citadel.
Upon arrival Martinez was greeted by the two siren sisters, who asked to speak with Astra.
"Ah, Cartographer and Surveyor. Is the construction complete?" she asked.
"Yes it is, superintendent. The labs have been expanded to hold the proper testing facilities. With the data we shall be able to begin researching."
"Good." She turned to Martinez, "We will be able to begin the research shortly."
"I see you have everything under control," he replied.
"Oh, I'm nothing if not that, human. A superintendent's purpose is to be in control."
He nodded. "Get things underway and come back to me once you've got something."
"Understood."
Martinez left them and returned to his office. To his surprise, Midway was there, with an official-looking form in her hand. She gave it to him.
"Your transfer orders?" He asked.
"Yes, sir. All I need is your signature, and I'll officially be assigned to the Citadel." She replied.
Martinez signed the form and shook hands with Midway. "Glad to have you aboard."
"Happy to be here, sir." She left the room, as Martinez took his seat and began to flip through everything that needed to be done. Things were beginning to look up.