As predicted, just shy of an hour later a utility vehicle came around, the General stepping out once more and leaving his entourage outside. He made his way to the VIP room in the back of the establishment, away from prying ears outside. Volx and Haxx were at the bar as well, the former going to alert Vult of the new arrival before returning to her drinks.
The General meanwhile, took a sip from a bottle of beer offered to him by the Lieutenant as he waited for Vult to come to the room. There was much to discuss indeed.
Vult, having already delivered a short-hand series of notes pertaining to their next assignment-to-be, had the Captain's tactical mind working away already. When details became available and more hard intel to incorporate, the approach would be fine tuned, sharpened like a finely-honed blade for battle.
Once their mission was solidified, tasks assigned, and equipment secured, only then would everyone be briefed in full. For now, he ensured morale remained high and everyone got much-needed rest and rations. That was until news of General Vaukt's return was brought to him. He appeared a short time later from upstairs with Lieutenant Volx in tow.
"Thank you, Volx. As you were." He cordially dismissed, never missing a step as he approached Vaukt, snapping a salute. "General."
"Commander," he gestured for him to take a seat after returning the salute while staying seated. "I apologize for not divulging more earlier."
Wary of his tone to not create rumors among his own, he forewent further pleasantries in a lower volume.
"I need to speak to you...in private." He nodded his head towards the adjacent room behind closed doors. The same where Tuu's fate was decided some nights ago.
"Read my mind," the General proceeded inside and took a seat, waiting for the Commander to proceed.
Without further delay, he led Vaukt from his booth to the waiting room with purpose. Opening the door for the General to step through, he promptly followed. A great deal of restraint was exercised in closing it, but the slam resonated in the empty dining hall nevertheless.
"What made you think bringing her here was a good idea?" Vult all but demanded of him. "That is not even getting into the two medics you dropped in my lap."
The Commander mentally stopped himself, taking a deep breath to calm himself, eyes closing and slowly opening once again as he did so.
"...excuse my shortness, General...but you blindsided me, Sir. I needn't remind you why this is concerning."
"I can sense a cunning about the High Marshal. She'd know if I were holding back on her. I would rather have not have her find out the other way." Vaukt could understand the outburst, he let it slide. If the roles were reversed he very much would've reacted similarly.
"So I could tell. That cunning cuts both ways, Sir." Vult countered, allowing a cooler mind to prevail. "Maybe my paranoia is getting the better of me, but her arrival amidst our other...ongoing assignments, gives me grave concern. I struggle to believe if she was being genuine or playing us both for fools. Grimm, she is not, and that is deeply troubling."
"I get the idea if she knew about the other arrangements, you'd have been swarmed with Elites by now and I never would've made it out of her presence alive. We may be safe on that front, for now."
Vaukt's assurance served to alleviate the Commander's concerns. He fell back on the fact this man was sympathetic to their efforts and willingly aided them. That should all of this come back to bite them that he would be a traitor alongside them and suffer a similar fate. A lack of trust on his part in others. A realization that filled him with a sense of guilt and a heavy sigh.
"I...yes...you are correct, General. My apologies. I was...overwhelmed in the moment she arrived and all but kissed my c'hurta for doing my job and following orders. Maybe the gross incompetence Grimm radiated has stained my outlook on officers of her level...but it was as if she was probing me. Testing me to some ends. The manner in which she spoke, her body language, the eyes...the same way I'd behave interrogating someone without them knowing it."
"She was eager to assess us, surely. See which ones of us were lacking...but, we seem to be safe. There is the matter of Zutel and Posa. I wanted to discuss that in depth earlier, but the High Marshal prevented that. I hope they've been of some use to you in the meantime."
Vult did not immediately indulge in the General's curiosity as the second matter of importance was broached.
"I have not heard any issues stemming from their arrival as of yet, so I assume yes." He reasoned, folding his arms across his chest. "...I will be to-the-point. They are still beneath PAK programming. Outsiders...and you dropped them into my lap without warning. I was more preoccupied with fielding the High Marshal's inquisition to delve further into it. I will never turn additional help away when we need it most, especially specialists...but can they be trusted? The team has gotten...comfortable operating under the assumption that all of us are moving in the same...direction. Are they going to march to that beat or do they intend to play their own song?"
"I trust Zutel with my life. She trusts Posa, I've also seen her at work myself. They're dependable, reliable. I assure you they'd be on board. Zutel herself even told me she'd follow me even if I were going to punch death itself in the face. We're all on the same page." Though, there was a pause that followed, "I suspect this removal from the PAK's programming would be more of a benefit to more than just those two, yes?"
"It would put my concerns to rest, yes. Were it my own well-being at risk, I would take it for face-value...but the others have entrusted me to lead them and lead them I have...and the direction we are going will have definitive consequences. It would be gross negligence bordering on arrogance to not protect them from these two."
Vult paused, leaning against the wall with another long, tired sigh as a palm ran over his antenna in exasperation, smoothing them back against his skull.
"...you speak highly of them. Vouch, even...and I convinced you of the path we're set on...maybe it is time I need to be reassured that others are capable of doing the same."
He closed his eyes, waging a brief mental tug of war over his next statement.
"...if they're willing to follow you to the ends of the universe, make it abundantly clear just what direction you're leading them to and ensure they are not going to deviate. One more to our ranks is one less the Empire has to use against us...but I will not risk everyone's lives on uncertainties. Can you convince them to join the cause and commit fully? Unhooking and all?"
"I can, though I think would also prove to drive the point home if even I were unhooked. If you think it wise. I don't know how far your inside man can help us avoid the prying eyes of the control brains. But I would rather they not dig around in my memory and discover this conspiracy." Vaukt dove straight to the point.
"B-...our benefactor in all of this said it'd be best to keep you in the system. Less suspicion cast overall. I'd assume that has to do with the level of authority you have in the Armada. We, collectively, fly under the radar given our unique position and number. It'd draw too much attention from other members of High Command and Internal Affairs." Vult reasoned. "...those two, however, would disappear from the public eye just as we had with their transfer and unplugging."
Vult cast him a half-smirk.
"If I could convince you to join us, I'm sure you've got the charisma to convince them to join as well...but as I have made clear to the others, it's best if it is a choice of free will. Forcing them is no different than what the Empire at-large does to us currently. The goal is to be better, not the same."
"Perhaps your man could cook up a jammer that your man on the inside can trip if it becomes necessary. That would suffice to keep my cover in place for the time being. I could also use such devices to build some loyalists...when the time comes, I would prefer to move without hindrance. As for those two? Give me fifteen minutes at most. They'll be on board. I can guarantee you that much."
Vult did not break eye contact with the General as he tapped the side of his helmet, opening a communications channel.
"Sula."
A brief pause, but a response crackled through.
"Yes, Commander?"
"Is the Sublieutenant and her understudy with you?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Send them downstairs to the dining room if you would."
"Yes, Sir."
"Thank you, Sula." He concluded their exchange before ending the transmission. "This is not in spite of you, General, but I want zero distractions with what lies ahead of us. If we are to topple Tallum, I don't want one of my own putting a plasma bolt in the back of my head at an opportune moment."
"Understandable. If anyone else you find worthy also needs the unhooking, and you think it's safe, you have my go ahead." He looked behind Vult to see Zutel and Posa enter the room. Vaukt smirked, "Have your man ready when they leave the room. You'll have two medics ready to go, free of any...problematic tendrils."
"I prefer to stay." Vult countered, his tone either accommodating or unkind. Simply a cordial response as he remained present.
His only immediate action as he leaned against the wall was to bring up his integrated communications suite on his gauntlet with the intent of sending Vard and Sula the appropriate messages.
The doors parted with the two newly-arrived medical personnel making their entrance. Zutel, the higher-ranking of the two, led Posa in. The latter, noting the absolute amount of brass adorning the shoulders present and familiar faces from earlier, scrambled to snap the appropriate attention and sharp salute.
"General Vaukt, Commander Vult, Sirs!" She belted as drilled with proper form.
"At-ease, Private." Vult dismissed after returning her salute. "No need to be so stiff and formal out here. Would prefer you weren't, to be honest. VDF could have marksmen sneaking about outside and I'd rather not catch a plasma bolt through the window for my troubles."
That realization suddenly brought a barely-contained wave of embarrassment and shame over the fresh-faced medic. With a great deal of discipline to remain composed, she settled for a single nod.
"Yes, Sir, sorry, Sir."
"No worries, Posa…" The Commander assured, gesturing to Vaukt. "I had Sula send the two of you down at the General's request. He has a matter to discuss with you."
"Yes…" Vaukt took out a cigarette to smoke as he began, "I have two things to bring up. First of all, I'd like to make your assignment with the Commander and his team far more permanent. The Commander deserves nothing but the finest I have to offer, which leads me to the second matter of things." He paused to take a drag on his cigarette, "The matter will not leave this room even in a place of absolute privacy."
"More...permanent, Sir?" Posa sought clarification through her confusion. "An official transfer from your staff?"
"Precisely. You'd be operating under the Commander's orders, wherever he needs you. I've seen the report from Caz earlier. I think his team could use more than one medic." The General looked right to her.
"General, if I may," Vult interjected, standing upright off of the wall to approach the two medical personnel before them. "Both of you have already been acquainted with Sula, yes?"
"Yes, Sir," Posa nodded, resisting an eager grin. "She's sooo good at what she does! Knows anything and everything from burns to bleed outs-"
"Yes, thank you, Posa." Vult smiled at her earnest excitement. "My point being is that, as the General stated, she is my only medical specialist. The team is growing, as are the scope of our assignments. This most recent one put it into perspective that each of the two teams of my unit need dedicated medical personnel. Bringing both of you on board will fill that role and, in time, see to it that one is relegated to specialty duties, such as dedicated surgeon.
Vult cast a glance to Vaukt in knowing fashion.
"We...have a tendency to get banged up these days and I want to keep everyone on their feet and operational...so I need the best the Empire has to offer."
"The...best? Is that...me? I'm the best?" Posa struggled to not feel giddy at such praise.
"I trust Zutel with my life. She has good reports about you, about your talents. Leads me to believe you'll be a fine medic yourself. Which I hope you will work with him as well as you have under myself. Now, for this second matter, this is one that is absolutely serious." He paused once more for a drag. "If you want this assignment, the both of you, there's something you need to know and agree to."
Zutel raised a brow, curious, "Something up, General?"
"With this particular assignment? Yes, it will absolutely change the course of your life. Total commitment, no turning back."
A pause and a nod from her followed, "Well, you know where I stand, sir, I'd follow you right into the maw of death itself if you needed me to. Let's hear it."
There was a long pause as Vaukt took a deep breath, "This assignment will lead to the eventual demise of the Empire."
Zutel's eyes went wide for a moment, unsure of what she heard. "Uh, General, did you just say what I thought you said?"
"Yes, yes I did. Look around us. You were with me the first time around. We're led by imbeciles. The Tallest, Grimm, the Empire never gives a damn about any of us at all."
"Yet you do for your subordinates, sir," she interjected.
"I know, but I guess I might be an exception. We're all easily replaceable as it is. Nobody's permanently needed or valued. The Commander and his team will upend that order. In fact, I'm going to help him when the time comes."
Posa had a similar reaction. Her bright eyes shocked wide, breath caught in her throat, and blood ran chilled to her very core. The demise of the Empire? Speaking ill of their glorious leaders? Her gaze frantically darted between Zutel, Vault, and Vult. The Commander's blue eyes studied every nuance of her movements like a predator, waiting to strike.
"You hesitate, Private. Why?"
"W-Why? Are you serious?!" She stammered, incredulous before trailing into a hissed tone. "Y-you're talking of...treason!"
Her cold blood thickened, moving slower and slower as if freezing. Her spooch plummeted into the abyss as she swallowed nervously. She was just the understudy to a superior in her assigned field! These two were asking her to commit the highest degree of dishonor to the Empire! Merely voicing it in the open could spell certain doom for all parties involved.
"I'm absolutely serious. The Commander knows far more than I do. Though, from what I can tell, the truth of what the Empire is in fact runs deep. I've spoken with them, I'm keen on assisting them. Though, Posa, disregard rank for the moment, I want to ask you something, and I'd like an honest answer."
"I-...s-sure?" She managed, clearly distraught at the events unfolding before her.
"Your current position in the Empire, do you truly enjoy it? Is there anything else you would do with your life if you had a choice?"
"Choice?" She echoed, more confused than distraught now.
"You were assigned the duty of combat medic, yes?" Vult sought to clarify.
"Yes. On Devastis."
"Correct. You were hatched, for lack of a better term, from an artificial womb. Cloned, like the rest of us. You were PAK'd, like the rest of us...and then you were programmed, just like the rest of us. From your very first breaths, your future and fate were decided...just...like...the rest of us." Vult hammered the point home to her. "Choice is an alien concept to us. It is the act of deciding between one concept or another. To choose something is to pick one over the other, or vice versa."
"...so you are asking if I would have...chosen to be a medic if given the...choice?" The Private stumbled through awkwardly.
"Yes, that is what you are being asked...would you have chosen to be a medic if allowed to pick from any role in the Empire?"
That alone blew Posa's mind. To pick what she wanted to do instead of being forced into the role. By choice. Her choice. Her selection, not the Empire's.
"I...don't know, Commander. I...like what I do...I think? I mean, if we are programmed and encoded...do I actually like it or is it because it was chosen for me?"
"She's got a good point," Zutel spoke up, "Though, if it means anything coming from me, I've been with medics who may as well have been fumbling about. You've got natural talent, some proper healing hands. Be proud of that."
"Maybe this comes with me being higher up, but consider this." Vaukt spoke once more, "What if you didn't have to carry a rifle to be a medic? What if you could operate your own medical facility? Head a surgical team perhaps?"
"...but I have to carry a rifle. That is how I was trained...and programmed." Posa reasoned, furrowing her brow in an amalgamation of confusion and anxiety over what was being presented to her. "...and I am not tall enough to achieve such stations."
"So do you accept your assignment of combat medic and expect nothing more in return?" Vult reasoned with her logic. "Is that your goal? To...fulfill your assigned purpose until the Empire no longer has a need for you?"
"B-but they'll always need me!" She countered, nearly desperate. "Soldiers fight and get hurt! It's my job to fix them!"
"And when you can't and they die? What do they do then?"
"...reinforcements arrive to replenish the ranks." Posa answered, unsure of what angle the Commander was playing at with such a well-known answer. "How is any of this relevant?"
"It's all relevant. The soldiers that you cannot save die. They are replaced. No one remembers who they are, where they fell, what they died for, and why the Empire is even bothering to commit forces to the campaign...only that orders are orders and orders are to be followed." Vult elaborated further, gesturing to Vaukt. "What does the General gain in sending soldiers like you to their deaths? A taken objective? Another hill conquered? None of the fallen are remembered...and how many Irken have fallen on Vort alone since the beginning of the invasion?"
"Do we even get so much as one smidge of appreciation from our leadership?" Vaukt continued to hammer the point, "No. They use us and throw us aside when we are no longer needed. Can't perform a task? You really think they reassign those of us who can't fight anymore? Zutel, you want to tell her?"
The Sublieutenant looked to her understudy, "You know those guys we manage to cobble together some prosthetics for? If not for that, they wouldn't even be alive right now."
As the topic shifted to examples of the futility of their work beneath the current banner, Vult took the opportunity to unbuckle his right greave. Setting it aside to roll the soft ballistic layer of his uniform up and tug the undersuit glove off his hand. The expected green skin and organic structure was nowhere to be found.
Rather, in its place were synthetic fibers of black replicated major muscle groups intertwined by the dull, metallic polish of repurposed alloys and plating. Some wear had accumulated since its initial installation as the edges of segmented plating and joints were showing significant scuffs, scratches, and scrapes with the occasional miscoloring of carbon scoring. The Commander held this miniature marvel of improvised engineering aloft, flexing and twisting his artificial appendage as if it were his own from the day he was born.
"Were it not for one of my own, I would have been deactivated after losing my right arm." Vult plainly informed them, flexing his false hand into a fist. "An incapacitating, debilitating injury sustained in the valiant service of the Empire...no greater glory with the exception of falling in battle for our "glorious" leaders...and I was to be deactivated for no longer being capable of holding a weapon."
As he concluded his statement, he began to situate his uniform back into place, one step at a time.
"Tell me...at what point...is that fair to the likes of me and the countless others both of you have stuffed spooches back into, amputated limbs, and plucked shrapnel out of to be sentenced to certain death for failing to meet the perfected "mold"?"
"It isn't," Zutel was the first to answer. "It really isn't, and I've met a lot of good guys over the years I was glad to give the ability to keep living."
"You see why I'm so keen on not putting you into danger with reckless abandon like Grimm? Why I do everything I can to keep everyone like you alive?" Vaukt added in.
"Yes, General, I do…" she paused, "So, what, we do this, say we manage to end the Empire. Then what? Say, I want to open a hospital or something. I can actually do that? No permission from anyone?"
"Not from the Tallest or anyone, no. In fact, your height wouldn't even be an impediment."
"That sounds rather...alluring, I have to admit."
"Alluring...you mean insane?!" Posa hissed at Zutel. "Sounds too good to be true...this is a loyalty test, isn't it?"
Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, Vult couldn't help but smirk in amusement.
"Something of that nature, yes." He summarized cryptically. "General Vaukt speaks the truth. As do I. There are others involved and you will get to meet them should you agree and join our cause. As it gathers strength and we look beyond our immediate circles, our recruitment...methods are growing more...heavy-handed out of necessity, not cruelty."
Posa gave a brief pause of reflection, raising her gaze to meet the Commander's once more.
"...and if I refuse?"
Vult's right hand casually came to rest atop his magnetically-locked sidearm, ready to draw with the press of a single button. His body language, relaxed and void of hesitation, combined with unhardened glare sent shivers down Posa's spine. He was completely and utterly serious. This officer would not hesitate to shoot her where she stood without a second thought.
"Then you will join the countless others who have been forgotten with time as your peers march over your corpse and grind it into the mud beneath their heels. Another will replace you. They always do...so long as this system remains in effect."
Zutel looked to the Commander and only laughed, "That wouldn't be necessary with me. I'm in, General."
Vaukt took a drag and looked to Posa, "I want to save my men from more losses. In fact, I didn't leave you back in my headquarters because I firmly believe this is the best path forward not only for you but for us in general. If I didn't care, you wouldn't be standing here right now. Take into consideration that I care."
"...and if this is all a trick? This is some...elaborate ruse to test my faith in the Empire?" Posa challenged, teetering between willing and unconvinced. A cautious suspicion.
"What would you normally do?" Vult entertained. "Tell your superior? That would be me. My superior is sitting right there. His superior has far more pressing concerns to deal with than rumor alone. Your immediate chain-of-command is highly involved in this and I can assure you nearly any alternative you can think of, we have planned for accordingly."
"What's to stop me from agreeing and then notifying Internal Affairs about all of this?" The Private remained steadfast, conflicted with the nagging thoughts in the back of her mind now.
"Your message would never reach them. You would never reach them." Vult answered with absolution. "I am not a fan of ultimatums. Never have been...but you are being given one now because someone did not speak with me first before dropping you in my proverbial lap...are you to join the cause or do I need to start finding a place to hide your body?"
"I meant it when I said this matter does not leave this room, Posa," Vaukt added, "and yes, Commander, I do still apologize for the circumstances. Still, this is a conspiracy, you're now aware of it. The Commander and I are very well aware that we can't have any loose ends floating around."
"A concept both of you should be very acquainted with by now being members of Special Operations, ironically enough." The Commander concluded his superior's sentiment. "Zutel, speak some sense to your subordinate. Our time...and my patience is growing thin."
"Posa, you've worked with me all these months," Zutel spoke next, "I trust the General's making the right move here. You trust me so far, yeah? I say we should do this. Besides, I need my understudy around and preferably not with a plasma blast bored through her brains."
The Private weighed her options heavily. A simple choice with far-reaching repercussions. To stay the path of loyalty to the Empire...or spite it in favor of the longest of shots at something unknown or even impossible to obtain. A fear of the unknown struggling against the necessary evil that they all collectively endured. The risks to her life as a soldier of the Empire were known variables on the battlefield. To turn her back on it, to be insubordinate, to rebel…
Her hesitation saw Vult step forward. In the same motion, the magnetic lock of his holster released and his sidearm rose, leveling off at the understudy's head. Staring down the barrel of her superior's weapon took her back in shock, eyes wide and trembling in fear.
"Whose beliefs are you willing to die for? The Empire's or yours? Do you want your death to mean something or nothing? Do you want to be remembered or forgotten? Choose, now."
Hearing his conviction and the unwavering weapon inches from her face, Posa swallowed nervously with shaky breath.
"I-I...something! Remembered! Mine!" She stammered, nearly panicked. "I-I-I'll do it. I'll follow."
The Commander's azure eyes shifted from Vaukt, to Zutel, then back to Posa before withdrawing the sidearm from her head to safety and return to its holster. The medic understudy breathed a heavy sigh of relief amidst her cold sweat.
"I know this is difficult and the cost is great should we fail, but it will be worth it in the end." Vult attempted to assure her. "You are not alone and over time, we will continue to grow. I will only ask the same of you that I have the others...that you trust me and the direction we are going. Give me your loyalty and I will do everything within my power to see us successful...even unto my dying breath."
"I-I believe you." Posa shakily nodded with a nervous laugh. "You're...intense, Commander. Very intense."
"I prefer diplomacy over intimidation but circumstances did not allow me the former. I do not want you to fear me. Only follow and believe in the cause."
"Yeah, he is, one reason I like him." Vaukt couldn't help but crack a smirk, "He's a damn fine operator and a leader, that much I know. You'll be fine, Posa."
Zutel put a hand on the shoulder of her understudy, "I can see the Commander's got a good head on his shoulders. Plus, you're also going to get to work with Sula a lot more with this assignment. That's pretty appealing, yeah?"
Despite their collective assurances, Posa struggled mentally with what she endured just moments before. Staring down the barrel of her superior's weapon. Death a single trigger pull away from a man more than willing to make it so. She was at his mercy-their mercy.
"Y-yeah. It is. I'm...honored to be a part of it." She struggled with a nervous, uneasy smile. "...just wasn't aware of the...terms and conditions."
"All I ask is you stand by your decision and let your actions speak louder than words." Vult offered in a more amicable tone. "Nothing has changed, yet. Only that there are things in motion and working as we speak. Our involvement is passive at best still."
"...so we are still just...following orders then, Sir?" Posa queried with an arched brow of confusion.
"For the time being, yes. Do not let this confuse you or lead you astray."
"Only to trust you."
"Yes. My trust in you is not misplaced, is it?"
"N-No, Sir!" Posa snapped to attention. "I'm on-board, one hundred percent...death is inevitable for all of us. Part of life, really...and we don't really get to choose how we die...but I am choosing how I'm going to live."
"That's the spirit. Remember that moving forward." Vult encouraged, giving the young woman a pat on the shoulder. "Sit tight and stand-by. Sula and one of my other team members are going to make your decision a little more...permanent."
"That takes care of that most pressing issue," Vaukt took one last drag of his cigarette and extinguished it in the ashtray before standing, "Commander, I need to get back to operations, I'll leave everything else here to you. Expect your revised target list after I get more recon in."
"Yes, Sir. Antenna will be open and to the ground in the meantime." He nodded as the General passed by.
The doors opened upon Vaukt's departure, revealing both Sula and Vard, as requested, with their respective devices in hand. The data cable and attached slate worth its weight in palladium at this point and the Medical Officer's repertoire of instruments necessary to complete the procedure with minimal invasion or discomfort.
"W-what are they going to do?" Posa queried uneasily, looking between Zutel and Vult.
"They can give you the technical details about the procedure in-full." Vult assured her, resisting a smirk. "...the poetic version? They're going to give you the power of choice and free will. Master of your own destiny. Commander of your fate."