Chain of Command
Bridge/Prayers to Broken Stone/ Vale Air space
10:12 am September 23rd
Crewmen were at their stations and technicians were doing their job. All systems' green and ready for the officers. Taking center stage a holo-table where the commanding officers of ships J.T.F. stood. Overseeing the ship operations and personnel. Once things were settled CPL Ryan and the team leader with Ms. Scarlatina had entered the bridge. The Captain took notice and went to greet them.
"Corporal," he addressed.
"Captain, Sir," Ryan acknowledged as he saluted his commanding officer. The captain saluted back.
"I brought the Huntsmen as requested, Sir."
"Thank you Corporal. At ease," he ordered.
Ryan then transitioned from attention to parade rest. The captain then turned his attention to Ms. Scarlatina and the team leaders.
"Hello," Velvet said.
"Welcome aboard The Stone. I'm Commander Jordan the ship's Captain. I'll be overseeing Command Operations for the duration of our assignment."
Jordan then gestured to the other officers of the J.T.F.
"With me are 2LT Ozzie of our Marine Recon Platoon, LT Gunnarsen of our Naval Air Flight, Knight LT Fabre of our joined force with Vale, and my XO LCDR Holland. Before we proceed are there any questions?"
One of the student leaders raised their hand. Jordan notices and acknowledges him to answer.
"Yes Mister . . . Rose, was it," he asked, making sure he got his name right?
"Yes sir, but I mostly go by Albus, but if I may, what is the status of the Colonies and the Huntsmen that were assigned there?"
The other two team leaders and Velvet gave side-long glances to each other in concern to Albus's inquiry. Jordan soon answered with a bit of hesitation.
"Last I checked . . . their status was good. Aside from slight problems with their communications, they're fine."
"What's wrong with their comms," Velvet asked?
"It's most likely due to the weather conditions and limited resources but we have been getting the all clear signal from them. So there should be nothing to worry about."
"Should," implored one of the student leaders?
"We'll know for sure once we get there," Jordan protested. "Speaking of which, ESN Moreno, what's our ETA?"
"Sir, our ETA to the colonies should be seven hours. We will be there at 1730 hours sir," stated Moreno.
"Carryon Ensign," acknowledged Jordan. He then turned back to the students, and Velvet. "Once we arrive there you'll be given your assignments by the local colonial administration, till then enjoy your stay aboard The Stone, Dime will be aide and tour guide."
As if on cue a woman with a fair and slim appearance entered the bridge.
"Greetings, I'm Dime, If you would kindly follow me I'll show you to your temporary quarters where the rest of your teams are," she suggested.
Albus took note of her appearance. She seemed familiar somehow but he couldn't figure out why. She had shoulder length black hair, pale skin, green eyes and looked to be in her mid-late twenties. As she got closer to the group he noticed that she had freckles but on her left cheek he saw black lettering that gave it away to what she was. A serial number. It read; PCS/A04-343 D/10-7. Now he remembered where she was from. She was an android from Pietro Cyber Systems. Most likely from the D10 Series latest model 7 line. If her serial number is anything to go by.
He kept it to himself but he was more likely sure the others had already figured it out. Normally he wouldn't be concerned, but Military service androids were banned right? It's been that way for decades now. So is one in use now complete with a service uniform. She then gestured her hand for us to follow her. She turned around and led the way. Velvet and the students followed suit and left the bridge. Holland then walked to Jordan once they were gone.
"They seemed nice," He began. "Remind me again why we're letting students come with us?"
"Because you suck that's why," boasted Fabre!
Jordan, Holland and the other officers and Bridge crew turned their sights towards the Vale Knight.
"What, I'm just stating facts," she asserted.
Everyone went back to work and Jordan soon answered Holland's inquiry.
"To answer why Alllen this world will be theirs someday and we can either get onboard and help or get out of the way."
Holland stood silent for a minute pondering about Jordan's advice. To him it sounded like something quoted by the Deceased Headmaster Ozpin. He then changed the subject to something else that was on his mind.
"So Albus Rose? He wouldn't happen to be related to Ruby Rose by any chance would he?"
"Why hoping to meet one of your favorite heroes," Jordan jested?
That made Holland quiet and a bit embarrassed, hoping no one else heard what Jordan said.
But Fabre and Ozzie heard unfortunately and Gunnarsen could care less about it.
Passenger quarters/ Prayers to Broken Stone/Vale Air space
10:30 am September 23rd
Three hundred colonists sit patiently as they wait for the ship to depart. Some of them write and catalog their thoughts and experiences so far. Most call their families as it may be a while before they can get a clear signal to do so again. While a few converse with crewmen and Vale Knights. Mostly to the Knights. But amongst them a strange man is keeping to himself as one of the crew keeps an eye on him. They are soon joined by a familiar Marine.
"So who is this guy," asked Ryan?
"No clue, but he really wanted to get onboarded for some reason?"
"Anything worthy of concern yet Kate?"
"Not yet, and it's Petty Officer Hext by the way."
"Whatever you say Kate. So what do we have on this guy?"
"Nothing came up on facial recognition so far and he has been searched and he's only carrying a journal, a few ration packs, a med-kit and a survival combat knife of unknown making that he turned in soon after he boarded," she stated.
"Unknown making?"
"Nothing came up in our records and none of the senior personnel onboarded recognize the design."
"So it's custom?"
"We're looking into it but so far no matches."
An announcement from the Captain over the intercom broadcasts to everyone onboard.
"Attention all passengers stay seated as we are about to take off and depart for the colonies," Jordan announced.
Ryan and Hext look at each other..
"Mind if I see that knife," Ryan asked?
"Sure. Wait . . . what about him," she asked why gesturing to him?
"I'll get Gaia to watch him till we return."
"Are you sure about that?"
"What's the worst that can happen? It's Gaia."
"Fairpoint."
They left the room soon after. Unbenounced to them Oliver had heard everything they were saying. An idea soon came to his head. An opportunity that Gaia can give him. He just has to play his cards right or things will take a turn for the worse.
Through the corridors of The Stone Dime leads Velvet and the students to their temporary quarters.
"This is where you will be staying till we reach our designation," she said. "If you have any further questions or need anything during your stay, feel free to contact and ask me."
"Thank you Dime, we will let you know if we need anything," responded Velvet.
She and the student leaders went into their quarters and regrouped with the rest of their teams. While Dime remained outside in case they needed anything. As soon as they all entered Jun started to converse with Timiga;
"A Synth soul! You don't see many of those now these days," she claimed.
"And for good reason," Timiga interjected.
"I know but still . . . seeing one in person it's' just . . . WOW!"
As they continued Albus walked towards his team. Only to be jumpscared by a member from one of the other teams. As soon as they emerged from the wall's shadow, Albus realized who it was. Too bad it was after the scare.
"GOD DAMMIT Bell," he Exclaimed!
She laughed at his expression of anger, and scorn.
"What's the matter? Still not used to your baby cousin getting the better of you after all these years?"
As they continued their banter with Bell smiling with Glee and Albus in disdain, the rest of Team A.R.J.T. gazed on at the antics of their leader, and his cousin. With boredom as they've seen this all before. Some more than others.
"Fè m sonje ankò; Ki jan yo gen rapò," Zeev asked?
"Her Mom married his aunt," answered Ren.
"Li difisil pou kwè yon ti fi endisipline, ak nayif tankou li te antre nan New Beacon nan katòz," Zeev criticised.
"And yet, it still surprises me by how much you fail to grasp about the world after being a part of it for almost three years now," added Sil.
Zeev gave her a snide laugh in resentment for his fellow isolated teammate.
"Sooooo, . . . who do you think is gonna get the upper hand in this argument," asked Ren about Bell and Albus's family squabble?
"Albus," Sil claimed.
"Ou toujou chwazi l," Zeev stated.
"Even though he never does," Ren reminded.
"I know. But Still you never know when things might change," she affirmed her decision.
As soon as she said that Albus lost.
"Good thing you didn't bet any Lien on that," Ren snickered.
"Shut up with your game of emotions you play," Sil quipped.
"I don't think I will," she preached.
Albus soon joined them after being done with Bell.
"What's up team," he asked?
"Nothing much," Ren answered.
"Mind if I ask you something," said Sil?
"Sure, what is it," asked Albus?
"I overheard Tim and Jun mention something about a synth soul. What is that about?
Cargo Hold/ Prayers to Broken Stone
"So this is it? Just inspect and make sure everything is here according to the manifest?"
"Pretty much, yeah."
"Greaaaat . . . why did we get this job? Shouldn't the Marines be doing this? Isn't naval security part of their job or something?"
"Stop whining and get back to work."
"Fine, but the job still sucks though."
The crewman continued on with their assignment. Inspection was going as expected. Until a noise had gotten their attention.
"What was that?"
"I guess wind turbulence must have knocked over a crate."
"Okay first of all, all the crates are magnetized. Second, we're in a military frigate that is designed to deflect Dust projectiles and absorb explosions. Third, even if the wind can knock the ship it would have to take at least a hurricane. So get your light and gun out and let's see what it is."
The lead crewman drew out his gun and light and took the lead. The other crewman soon followed. They proceeded till they got to where the source of the sound came from. It was all clear until they saw an empty crate.
"There weren't any pets onboarded right?"
"No, none at all."
They were on their guard as they continued to see where the contents of the crate went. While hoping it wasn't something serious. Until they saw the grate of a ventilation shaft on the floor. The lead crewman soon contacted ship security and the Captain.
"Captain this Petty Officer Graves,we have a security breach. We have a potential stowaway or grimm infestation. Initialize security protocols and High Alert procedures. I repeat we have a security breach."
Ch. 2 Notes
J.T.F.= Joint Task Force
Bridge crew
Captain; CDR Alton Jordan (age 44)
Executive Officer; LCDR Allen Holland (age 32)
Chief Engineer; LCDR Madeline Clarke (age 35)
Chief Medical Officer; LCDR Felicia Fitzgerald (age 37)
Communications Officer; LT Nelson Adkins (age 30)
Officer of the Deck; LT Sophia Glover (age 29)
Conning Officer; LT Clara Bowman (age 27)
TAO(Tactical Action Officer); LTJG Roman Day (age 25)
TIO(Tactical Information Operations); ESN May Morales (age 22)
Helmsman; ESN Gordon Crawford (age 21)
Navigation; ESN Virginia Moreno (age 22)
Other core Personnel
Ship caretaker Android; Dime:PCS/A04-343 D/10-7 (age -1)
Naval Air Commander; Lieutenant Ramsey Gunnarsen (age 30)
Knight Troop Leader; Knight Lieutenant Aureole Fabre (age 25)
Marine Platoon Leader; Second Lieutenant Zoe Ozzie (age 21)
Translations
Fè m sonje ankò; Ki jan yo gen rapò/ Remind me again; How are they related
Li difisil pou kwè yon ti fi endisipline, ak nayif tankou li te antre nan New Beacon nan katòz./ Hard to believe an undisciplined, and naive little girl like her got into New Beacon at Fourteen.
You always pick him/ Ou toujou chwazi l
There's a little easter egg in this chapter that may be obvious for some people so the first person who spots it will get 3 spoiler questions for the fic answered.