"You sure we've come to the right place?" Thea asked.
"Your employer was an Alliance guy?" Rallel joined in. She was suddenly regretting her decision to join. She had… a history against the Alliance.
"I'm sure this is the right place… Dock C13, right?" Kisa looked at Jackson's message again. She didn't read the message wrong – Liam said to come to C13 for their transport dressed in the "most presentable manner".
"C… 13. Yeah, we're at the right place. But I've asked a question. Is. Your. Employer. An. Alliance. Guy?" Rallel demanded.
"Where's Jackson then?" Thea asked, avoiding the question.
"That's his name?" Rallel counter-asked. She was getting quite angry and worried. Working with the Alliance?
"Uh, well, err…" Thea remembered that Jackson had worn the Quarian suit, most likely planning to see Rallel as a Quarian first. It was too late now. "Yes. Liam Jackson. He is from the Systems Alliance. His nickname is Lone Wolf." Thea finally answered.
"You'll find that nickname very fitting in the battlefield." Kisa added.
The three women looked at the unusual-looking starship in front of them. It strangely reminded Kisa of her hospital, especially the room where she first met Liam. Wearing the closest thing they could find to an official dress (Thea decided to stay in her lawyer's attire, Rallel went for a semi-combat, semi-diplomatic fluid suit and Kisa went with a human-style business suit), they were dragging a carriage bag behind them, full of things they bought from Jackson's credits. Right now, they were trying to locate the ship that Jackson had reportedly arranged as their transport.
Suddenly, the ship's airlock opened, and a male human jumped out. He seemed quite flustered, his face deep red as if in embarrassment.
"Miss Soracs? Miss Ghanovan? The Captain said that you will arrive here soon. My name is James Allison, Horizon's executive officer. Welcome on board! Come quickly though – we'll be leaving in ten."
Soracs shared startled glances (Rallel was still thinking whether if she should run with her bag). Although they knew that Jackson was a man of many secrets, didn't expect this.
"What's the captain's name?" Thea asked, just to make sure.
"What? Didn't you know? He's Captain Liam Jackson." The human answered. Rallel noticed a small flare of anger as he said his name. "He wants to speak with all of you in his cabin."
"You've got a great taste for boys!" Thea remarked to Kisa as they made their way into the ship.
Rallel hesitated, frowned, and then decided to join them. The past was past, right?
…
Jackson, as much as he hated the idea of having privilege over other members of the ship, loved his new cabin. It was small, compact, yet had everything he needed (it was actually quite similar to his room in Thea's apartment). It even had the aroma of soap.
Right now though, he had other things to worry about. Being suddenly positioned in command of a ship without any prior knowledge… that created a lot of work: Including figuring out what to do next.
Before he visited the Admiral, he had planned to stay in Omega, slowly gathering the team, perhaps snagging another ship and only then finding the bomb. Now, his plans had been sped up by at least a month. Frankly, he wasn't exactly sure what to do.
Admiral seemed to have foreseen this, and sent him a note on his omni-tool:
Jackson, I understand that you may need some time with your crew. Most of them are new to HIGHCOM and only a few of them know much about you. Therefore, I suggest on you going to Israfil. That trip will give you at least two days, more if you take things slow, to get to know your crew better. It's a suggestion. Remember, you have the full rein.
There was an anomaly detected by SSV Manila, the ship that's currently guarding the planet in Valhallan Threshold. They requested that another ship to take a look at it. You may also be able to purchase some element zero needed for your own biotics over there, and the Hidinors (the Quarian engineers on your ship) may also be able to get some supplies with the Quarian group nearby.
Just send me a word if you are thinking of going.
Jackson realised that the Admiral was taking careful steps towards him, as if he was a child about to throw a tantrum. Perhaps he was worried about his psych? He quickly wrote a reply, carefully choosing his words:
Thank you for your suggestion sir. I will head off to Israfil as soon as I finish a little business on Omega. I will have the after-action report ready within approximately 40 hours. I am still very much in your debt, and you have no reason to be afraid to give me an order sir.
May I request a couple of things for the mission? Firstly, I would like to recruit a Turian named Nekros Agius, a Turian Spec-Ops personnel. He is currently in Omega, conducting some research duty. Would it be possible that something is arranged with the Turian Hierarchy?
Secondly, I require a large bomb (or a cluster of bombs) – with the blast yield of at least a hundred megatons of TNT. I believe a lithium fusion, or helium fusion initiated by uranium fission will be sufficient. I recognise that this is extremely illegal, but it is a crucial part of the mission.
Thank you again, sir. I will not fail this time.
He paused, unsure as to what to write more. He eventually decided to press send. An electronic buzz sounded simultaneously. Surprised, he checked his omni-tool. It never made this sound before… perhaps his biotics flooded it with eezo?
The buzz sounded again. It came from the door. Jackson grinned at his own foolishness. He was becoming a human once more.
"Come in."
Thea, Kisa and a Batarian filed in the cabin. All of them looked shocked, but each with a different version – Thea was impressed, Kisa was just surprised and the Batarian looked pissed off.
All four of the batarian's name went wide when she saw him. He got up, putting his hand forward to offer a shake:
"Hello Miss Ghanovan. My name is Liam Jackson. A pleasure to meet you."
The batarian kept up her scowl, but eventually took the offer.
"Rallel. I assume that you know me already, but I don't know you. And you work for the Alliance. Don't expect me to be all smiles."
Rash but confident, seems to be a little troubled. Likes to appear tough but inwardly quite friendly. Indeed quite similar to Thea.
"It will be a pleasure to work with you indeed." Jackson replied with a smile. Addressing all three people, he spoke again "Now, I am not quite organised myself. However, I will assign you your beds. Thea, you will have F9, Kisa F11, Miss Ghanovan, F14. You will find a cabinet to put some of your…" Jackson glanced at the women's carriers. "luggages in…"
He shot Kisa and Thea a sharp glance, as if to ask 'how much did you buy?', but the only response he got was a sheepish grin. He shook his head in an exaggerated manner and returned the smile.
"The ship will begin its launch in eight minutes. I should really be on the bridge right now. I will talk to you two once we are flying FTL."
They left his room, Rallel still looking rather uncomfortable. Something was clearly bothering her.
Most Batarians hate humans. Probably shouldn't aggravate her. Jackson made a mental note. He took a quick swig from his eezo bottle and checked the omni-tool one last time. Satisfied that everything was going well, he left the room.
…
Tom Davies heard the cockpit door open behind him and swung his seat around to greet the newcomer. He was originally afraid to join the HIGHCOM, but his friend, Neil, convinced him that it wasn't too bad. After a week or so in HIGHCOM, he still wasn't sure about the people in HIGHCOM… but their equipment was certainly superb.
Horizon was the third ship he was stationed on since joining the Alliance by far the best. From cutting-edge FTL drives to highly flexible seats, it was an amazing ship. Not surprisingly, he was excited, and he was doing his best to keep it down.
But it was difficult.
"Captain on deck!" Neil shouted formally. Communications officer John Craw and the Gunnery Sergeant Nicole Ferguson also swung their seat to greet the Captain.
Neil had told him a little background about their captain: secretive, solitary and lethal, his nickname Lone Wolf was known quite well amongst the HIGHCOM "oldies". Apparently, he was feared by everyone. But to Tom, his captain looked approachable.
"At ease." The Captain seemed to look curiously around the cockpit, scanning it from right to left. He had done the same when he first entered the ship.
"We will be ready to launch in seven, sir." Neil commented. The Captain nodded in approval.
"I see that the retrofits have gone in quite well."
"Yes sir! I saw the holo of this room before the retrofits." Tom burst out in his distinctive British accent. "Frankly, I don't understand how anyone would have managed to fly this thing without feeling embarrassed! There was even a giant captain's seat where you are standing now, sir. You know, like Star Trek. They've gotten rid of most of those stupid things. Now, it's just five seats for five officers. Also-"
Neil gave him a jab. He suddenly realised that he's gone over the top a little. In such cases, the Lieutenant Commander Allison would have shouted at him for being too casual on-duty.
The Captain smiled broadly.
"I could not agree with you more. There was also a galaxy map over there" the captain pointed at the far left side of the triangular room "but I ripped it out. I see that they decided to replace that area with a window instead."
Tom froze. He had overheard that this ship was hijacked from the Eclipse mercenaries, but he didn't know who lead the team. As far as he could tell, this was a news to everyone else in the room, too. Neil's face went white.
"Permission to ask, sir." Neil asked.
"Granted." The captain replied casually.
"Was it this ship that you hijacked alone?"
"Yes." Still casual.
A fearful silence fell on the room, filled only by the gentle purr of the warming engines. Neil's face went even whiter.
The Captain laughed. "Why are you all suddenly scared? You all look like rabbits caught in a headlight. As I said, and I repeat, I won't bite you. There is no reason to be afraid of me. And also, I believe that's a red warning for decoupling."
Neil swung around on his chair again, getting prepared for their launch. Tom joined him, running through the list of protocols and mechanically reading out the ship's status. Others seemed to follow them with a nervous tension, all too aware of the man still standing behind them.
"Perhaps they should have kept the seat." The captain grumbled.
Tom couldn't help but to grin at the comment.
He may be a Lone Wolf, but a friendly one.
…
SSV Horizon roared to life as it finished its engine burnout. The ship gracefully moved out of dry dock and flew into space, starting the mission which the whole galaxy's fate unknowingly depended on. Only one person knew about the true important of this mission. For the rest, it was a start of an adventure.