Three Black Ghosts and two Southers ran for their lives down one of the few remaining safe tunnels.
"Faster, faster!" Towle hissed "We barely got out of the bunker, and the South generally if it comes to that, with our lives! If the comm chatter's accurate, only eight others survived this long - though it sounds as if they're runnin' for it over the surface!"
"Like it's bin out there" said the Souther who'd led most of the fast attack forces "I'm not good at this, feels like my plokkin' lungs are comin' out in pieces - but at least we's alive even if my best boys an' girls might not be".
One of the cloudwalkers raised a hand fast, then told the Flaming Skulls on patrol ~Five lifesigns, five! Running fast, below the surface - some distance from the South, heading toard the dark side!~
~Track them!~ Captain Sobbok ordered ~As soon as the Irregulars' mentalist links in again I'll pass this on~
It took some time before Amara was allowed back on duty, but Sobbok was ready and told her his news as soon as she had linked in.
"Bridge, medical..." Amara called over the internal comm before passing over the estimated position of the fleeing Sebaceans "Black Omega detected enemy personnel fleeing through an as-yet undiscovered tunnel some distance away from the South! If someone could scan the terrain ahead, we may find out where they intend to go - perhaps they may have an escape craft ready?"
"We will do that, Amara" Caseya replied, smiling as she heard her adopted daughter's voice "It is being done now, in fact".
"Coming on screen!" a Kalish voice called "There looks to be some manner of construction not far from the location given... but I cannot tell what might be there, it is well shielded".
"Seein' faint heat patterns too!" Jane added "Can't tell how many, Gen'ral... but more than one, all together!"
"Amara?" General Lazarus called "We gotta get someone down there to cut them off! Can you do that for us? Are you good to go?"
"I can do that" Amara confirmed "Should I also scan the target location with my special skills? Might we be able to find out more that way?"
"Do it" Lazarus decided immediately "Gimme pics here on the bridge as well. I don't know a lot about what PK special-ops might use, but I can't tell at all if there's an escape craft there if you don't look since they baffled an' shielded that place".
Amara's eyes glowed quite brightly before she nodded and called "I see... two Harbringers! Should I communicate with Black Omega and help them destroy these craft, or should we deploy troopers to seize one or both for ourselves? Of all those aboard, only the Commander and my mama have their rating for these - though auntie Talannah can fly one also".
"I hear you, dear daughter" Trannak replied once Amara made contact "Your aunt is with me now. We have a team of skulkers each and are ready for you to deploy us by mentalism, Amara".
"Good, we's not been found!" a Souther called between ragged breaths.
"Some kinda door in sight!" one of the other Southers called, a little louder "That where we're goin' ?"
"Yeah, just keep running like your life depended on it" Towle replied " 'cause it does. The sooner we get past that door, the sooner we're well out of here an' back to a carrier. Then we can get you three trained up enough to see what you're worth".
"Gettin' some real support" the fast attack driver replied happily "Nice gear. Good food. Maybe even some recreatin' time if luck goes our way".
Towle actually laughed at that.
"You haven't passed your training parade and you're already deciding how to spend your liberty!" he called, still laughing "Just get through that door, we're not even out of sight of those Irregulars yet - who knows if that big ship they got can see right through the blocks an' shield or not? I don't want to hang around an' find out!"
The most shifty-looking of the three Southers was swiftly volunteered to go through the door first.
"No one 'ere" she hissed "Just seein' two ships! Like nothin' I ever saw before too, real nice!"
Towle split his small group of survivors between the two ships, but just after one group got half way to their ship they heard a pop of displaced air and nine skulkers from the Irregulars appeared.
"Back here!" Towle bellowed "Anyone who's still alive, get through the hatch where I am - you got ten microts, then we gotta go!" before calling "Flash-start!" towards an internal comm device on the wall and running for the stairs to the upper deck and the Harbringer's small bridge.
One Souther was killed and one Black Ghost taken prisoner - but that gave Towle barely enough time to blow prepositioned charges in the roof and create a hole big enough for him to fly through.
"Unfortunate..." Talannah said "but we have one more prisoner and their Harbringer. Caseya, you will fly us back in this ship and I will stay below with the others and watch our prisoner. Everyone get aboard".
Caseya consulted with Shellek and Harrigan over the comm, then took a few momens to bypass enough of the security measures aboard to reset the comp and get airborne.
"I hear you..." Harrigan said when she commed in "Don't you worry, we can sort out the software issues with the comp once you get back. Pity those guys got out, but we got all you lot back alive unless I'm missing something".
"We're all alive" Talannah confirmed, once Caseya spliced her into the call "We have one Black Ghost for interrogation. There was one other ship, but it left with the other enemy personnel before we could reach it".
"This ship is a newer model than your own, Commander" Caseya added "The external shape is different enough to influence handling in atmosphere, and the computers are better as well. I do not know if the sensors or comms are different, we have no technical personnel with us. Weapons appear to be the same as your own ship".
Caseya was pleased to see Harrigan standing on the flight deck when she flew back aboard, landing the newer craft beside Harrigan's older one.
"It doesn't look as different as I thought it might" Harrigan told Caseya, once everyone had disembarked and the unconscious Black Ghost was transported to the maximum security cells "Does it really handle different in atmo? Better or worse? Are the computers noticeably faster to everyone or just you?"
Caseya smiled and giggled a bit before telling Harrigan everything she had learned about the differences between the two ships in precise detail.
"You can take me out in the new one another time, then!" he laughed "Once all this plok groundside is sorted out".
"We got some stuff to sort out here for a bit" Harrigan told Captain Zarithak a short while later "Until I tell you otherwise, you an' Captain Karath can handle the mop-up - sing out if you need us, but you're giving the orders. I'll update you on what's going on this end once stuff actually starts happening".
"For now I will need to call on your tactical command and bloodstar command forces, if not your skulkers" Captain Zarithak replied "simply because we don't have the numbers to do this on our own with speed".
"Drop to atmo and use your guns if you gotta" Harrigan said "If you need firepower Strykers can't supply but don't want to make too much mess, call us here and we'll send one of our smaller capital ships".
"You have at least a small number of additional large craft, then?" Captain Zarithak said, surprised but pleased "Good! With your new crewmembers, you have crews for them as well - it seems as though many of the Kingdom citizens, both new and by birth, have many useful skills".
"We put 'em all to work" Harrigan replied "Not just the soldiers. Everyone's got stuff to do. Call General Lazarus if you need air support, General Tareg or Cap'n Karroch for ground forces" before discomming.
"Ah, you're here" Captain Sobbok said, once Kurlun and his troopers had rematerialised less than a metra in front of him "I'd wondered where you'd got to. We have good intelligence from that ship up in orbit, showing both ground maps as well as the best known estimates for territory controlled by both temporary allies and known enemies. Most of my Black Omega are clearing and destroying tunnels - there are a lot of these, but we crush the tunnels and fill them with rubble from buildings destroyed by aerial bombardments and other war operations - we are running a little short on material for this, but we make sure to target tunnels leading to areas close to the former checkpoint and the port first".
"Unless something else has changed" Kurlun replied "We still have access to Irregulars' air support. I got the updated target list as regards gang leaders and their territories - it's unfortunate one of our temporary allies is an ex-Army officer with a list of charges against him several fenches long, but for now he's been given permission to stay alive. Better someone we know than someone we don't, I suppose".
"If those Irregulars can't deploy air support for you, Captain" Sobbok added "My Flaming Skulls or even the Storm Lords should be able to help you unless you need an entire mansion nullified. The cloudwalker whose services you made use of earlier in the war has let me know she is standing by to assist you with scouting support and nullifications as needed".
"Well..." Altur told General Tareg "Mental interrogation of our Black Ghost prisoners seems to suggest the insurgency support was launched from the PKCC Thodd battlegroup".
"The human Crichton was ambushed by four of their Vigilantes" Tareg replied "The timing suggests that the battlegroup was in position to provide emergency support to the insurgency when Moya encountered them on her way here".
"The War Commander is currently in conference with Crichton" Altur explained "The stonewalker with technical skills is with them, as is the Chief Engineer and two Kalish. I don't know what they're making, but I heard a lot of technical noises and scientific muttering".
Tareg laughed for a few microts before he added "Crichton seems to be a little odd even for his species, Commander! But he and the War Commander are talking at length - I can't listen too closely, you know that, but from what I did hear, their project is proceeding well".
"Why is it whenever we cross paths..." Crichton grumbled "it's cause you want me to whip up a wormhole for you?"
"Well, you saw what I showed you" Harrigan replied "We recorded all that the last time you dropped by".
"Yeah, didn't think to ask about that then" Crichton groused "You got all the essentials - gotta find your destination once you're in, most of the time - at least with the sensors you have here you can hear satellites once you're close, get a good time and position fix".
"We'll need it" Harrigan replied, watching the technical stonewalker as that man sat cross-legged on the floor reading Crichton's notes, occasionally projecting equations in the air for him and Crichton to read "We got people who can do the flying, no problem - you can come up on the bridge for that if you like, since Moya's got her own room for this run".
"Pilot says Moya doesn't like being unable to see space" Crichton explained "but she is very relieved that others are supporting her and us, and that she won't need to do any of the hard work herself".
"We can hook her up with a sensor feed if she really wants it" Harrigan said "For now she just needs to lay back and relax".
Less than a momen later, Pilot's voice came from Crichton's comm badge and he said "Moya appreciates the sensor feed, Crichton. She does not like being prevented from seeing space around her. You should pass this along to that other human, the one who leads here".
"I hear you, Pilot" Harrigan added "Good to hear Moya's calm an' happy - well, happier, anyway".
"Moya thanks you for your concern as well" Pilot replied, nodding "For protecting us during the recent conflict as well. Has this been dealt with fully yet?"
"Nah" Harrigan told him "Enough so that we can take a back seat an' let our friends in the two dreadnaughts handle most of it, though. Apart from that, it's all territory disputes between locals over who gets all the streets an' goodies not needed due to their former owners being dead".
"Looks like we found where most of the remaining heavier anti-air guns are" a cloudwalker announced "The Flaming Skulls are fully committed to nullifying the tunnels, so they can't solve this problem for us - and the artillery at the forward operating base is out of range. Can you Irregulars support us?"
"I'll send heavy air in to flatten the place" Harrigan said "They got the range to do the deed while being untouched by the bad guys".
The cloudwalker nodded, then discommed.
Doors on one of the loading docks opened, after which a pterodon-class warship dropped out and flew into atmosphere fast.
"Bolt Thrower is inbound to target" the high-caste Scarran in the pilot's chair called over the comm "ETA less than five momens! You'll need to stay well clear from now on - main guns are armed and we're firing as soon as we come into range!"
The cloudwalker who called in for support, the same bloodhunter who had assisted Kurlun earlier in the fighting, stayed hovering at what she considered a safe distance away at the edge of her hypersense range. When two extremely loud high-pitched cracks, sounded, followed by four more, she called ~Railcannon fire, Captain Kurlun! Multiple shots fired at the target location an- ~
~Yes?~ Kurlun replied ~You're still alive, aren't you? What happened?~
~Heavy railcannon fire, Captain~ she repeated ~An unidentified small warship bearing an Irregulars crest flew past me and fired a number of shots from more than one gun at the target location. I was a little too close, I had to move - the kinetic energy from the impacts has to go somewhere, and since not all of it went into the ground many pieces of building were hurled in all directions. Including towards me~
~Pass that on to your comrades in the Flaming Skulls~ Kurlun ordered ~They can break the rubble into small bits and use it to fill tunnels. Captain Sobbok has a good weight handling range but can't handle big pieces on his own, so stay airborne once the dust settles and guide his forces in from above~
"Multiple successful hits, including secondaries!" a happy Scarran captain reported over open comms from the Bolt Thrower "We can't see the target zone, but sensors show a big crater, a lot of dust in the air, and a lot of rubble in that sector! I'd suggest anyone going there do so in sealed armour!"
"Copy that, Bolt Thrower" Harrigan reported "Glad to see your special new stuff works good".
"Black Omega is inbound" Captain Sobbok called next "I doubt we'll need it, but I'd appreciate that warship staying overhead in case we need support".
"We've been told to do that already" the Irregulars captain assured him "This sector of operations belongs to my ship! Nothing lives except by my word! You are clear to proceed, Black Omega".
In an otherspace, both nearby and far away from Talzenadar IV, two entities appearing humanlike were alerted to the work being conducted by Crichton and his helpers.
~WE SEE IT~ one told his superior ~IT IS THE MAN IDENTIFIED AS 'CRICHTON'. WE SHOULD INVESTIGATE? QUERY~
~CONFIRMATION~ came the reply ~HE HELPS OTHERS IN REBUILDING A PHASE-STABILISER. HE GUIDES THEM IN THE THEORY OF FORMING AND TRAVELLING THROUGH WORMHOLES. INVESTIGATE. STOP, IF REQUIRED~
Other people, in a different otherspace, also noticed Crichton's work.
"This is the man you told me about, Lord Kurth?" a Sebaceanoid woman with pale skin and blonde hair asked "He is the one who assisted you in nullifying one of the Enemy before?"
"He is, my love" Kurth confirmed, rumbling softly - and less than a microt afterward, Nashikk popped into existence beside her, looked in the direction she indicated for about the same length of time, then added "It's him, the human Crichton! His friends are there! Others are there who I don't know! They're aboard an enormous warship of Scarran manafacture!"
Before Kurth could open his mouth and give orders, another man appeared. This man was about four denches shorter than Kurth - until he stoneshifted, which made him larger in both bulk and weight.
"Kasan Rybak" Kurth called in greeting "Good to see you".
"It looks like this man is known..." the stonewalker replied "To the rest of you, anyway. Is Thoa here yet?"
A minor and brief temperature spike made Kurth smile, then nod.
"So you did get here..." Rybak laughed "Nashikk probably shouted loud enough for every resident of several realms to hear him, then!" before he asked Kurth "What are we going to do? Are we moving out to help this odd man and his friends?"
Kurth updated Kasan Rybak on their history with Crichton, after which the stonewalker nodded and replied "A useful ally, then" before both he and Nashikk turned, picking up a presence on hypersense.
"Not hostile..." Nashikk said when Rybak looked over at him "but not that friendly either. Crichton will not know they are there until they reappear in his native realm. We should be prepared to help him - and we should bring everyone, since Crichton may well know us but also has a habit of attracting trouble".
The creature known to Crichton as Einstein materialised, along with his assistant, across the other side of the room from Crichton.
"You again?!" Crichton moaned "What do you want this time?"
"You are repairing a device to assist others in wormhole travel" Einstein replied, slowly walking closer "This is extremely unwise. Others not residing on your ship are here. This implies you are either helping them... or teaching them what you know. Exceptionally unwise".
"They're friends here" Crichton told him "I doubt you've ever heard of that term before!" before sticking two fingers in his mouth and whistling loudly.
"Now!" Kurth commanded.
Each of the First Five shifted from their otherspace to normal space, inside the Cry Havoc where Crichton was trying to work - and drew weapons, surrounding Einstein and his helper.
"Well, I wasn't expecting to see godlike Scarrans again..." Crichton said "I get enough trouble with normal ones most days of the weeken! But since you're here...".
"Greeting to you, Crichton" Kurth called, nodding in Crichton's direction "You and your friends I have met before... are others in this room your friends as well?"
"Come up closer, big man!" Crichton called to Harrigan "Bring your friends so the two Men in Black don't get away before I've finished ranting at them! Dunno if you've met these other guys, but we know them a bit - so please try not to kill them...".
Blades of several kinds flicked into place around Einstein's neck and that of his helper - the most notable of which was Kurth's huge axe, which he held in one hand while the blade itelf remained steady against Einstein's neck.
"The odd human and his crew, you two..." Nashikk snapped "are under our protection! We will not permit you to harm them even a tiny bit! Why are you here?!"
"We won't get an answer out of them that way, Nashikk..." Rybak told his friend, though he did turn toward Einstein a litte more before adding "Explain your presence here, and preferably soon. The female of my species now standing behind you is not patient at the best of times - it would not take much for her to use her power against you".
"We sense the presence of a Scarran behind us" Einstein's helper confirmed "A strong firemoulder".
"Very well..." Einstein decided "We are restrained, unable to leave this place... but no matter why that has happened or how, something must be done about this proliferation of wormhole travel knowledge. Why are you doing this? Who are these people? The power to travel through wormholes can so easily be misused... or weaponised. What makes you think these people will not endanger the existence of whole sectors or more in many realms? You have one chance to explain. One".
"I got the power, Einstein" Crichton replied "This time I ask the questions. I got the power. Well, my friends do. If they're feeling happy right now they might even do bad things to you if I ask them to".
When Einstein's helper screamed, everyone turned to look at him.
"Oops" Thoa said, thought only the changed heard her soft rumbling laugh "Looks like that one's got a scorched eema for a while. Think that neat black jacket's burning, too".
Kasan Rybak used his own power to snuff out the flames,after which he spun his spear around in a circle and pointed the tip right at Einstein's treblin eye - Harrigan, Lazarus, Sturk, and Troll all moved in to cover Einstein and his helper with multiple deadlock zones.
"We can handle being restrained this way" Kurth explained softly but firmly "You, I think, are finding it considerably harder. Be assured that despite being restrained, any of us can still cut you down in the blink of an eye - if we need to. If you endanger us or our friends".
Einstein didn't dare move, let alone speak - so his helper explained whey they were both there over almost half an arn.
"You can trust our friends" Thoa told the pair of them "We know them well. Despite the man Crichton seeming to attract trouble wherever he goes, we know he will not reveal what he knows to those he does not trust even under threat of torture or death. People have tried before. None have succeeded".
"Very...well..." Einstein's helper said eventually "Considering both the number and strength of the allies arrayed against us... we will not pursue this matter now, though we retreat under protest. Be sure, Crichton, that the knowledge you give to these people stays with them".
"Big man here tends to kill people who try to get him to talk when he doesn't want to" Crichton replied "Specially if they try to get between him and food".
"Think we can let 'em go with all their arms and legs still on, Mr C?" Harrigan asked "I expect one of your friends could chop a toe or two off just to make a point..."
"Nah" Crichton replied, waving his treblin hand in dismissal "Let 'em run off to wherever it is they live. Kurth, can you get your guys to put away all the sharp pointy things so those two can make a quick exit?"
Kurth nodded, after which the First Five lowered their weapons but didn't put them away - Nashikk didn't stop looking at them until both of them faded from view and returned to their home realm.
"Don't think I saw the woman beside you or the big rock man there before" Crichton asked Kurth "Are they more of your people, then?"
"This is Sholah" Kurth revealed, rumbling softly and lovingly "She is my mate and she is a medical mentalist... among other things. The large man is not made of rock, as you think... he is Kasan Rybak, and he is a stonewalker. Your friends here know what kind of a person a stonewalker is... I expect one or more will explain to you later".
The technical stonewalker caught most of the conversation and stood carefully before making his way over to Crichton and looking at him carefully, then nodding and telling him "Stonewalkers...rare. Not common. Change their shape... fleshform to stoneform. Back again" in his rudimentary speech before stoneshifting for him to see.
~See?~ he added in considerably clearer thoughtspeech ~I am a stonewalker too confirmationpride I am better at mindspeech, far better than speaking verbally - since our Commander is not upset by mindspeech, I would hope you are not either~
"Not had a chance to find out, mister" Crichton replied "Didn't think big man Harrigan here had any jedi with him..." before calling "How many you got?" to Harrigan.
"Hah!" Harrigan laughed "Jedi's one thing they're not, Mr C! They're good, though - we got... a few... one or two, who help out here an' there when we need special stuff done. Like the guy here who's been helpin' you work stuff out".
The technical stonewalker revealed his rank before naming himself Dolgan.
"Lightweight, mostly" he said when asked about his powers "Good, two things. Move things. Look all places".
"Hypersense and telekinetics" Kasan Rybak clarified, getting a nod from Dolgan "Classic and useful skills. I'd bet you've got a slightly above average level of cryokinetic skills, since you've got the skin of an arctic-adapted Scarran - what else I'm not sure".
Dolgan did smile when Sikozu's curiosity got the better of her and she walked over to him, after which she started poking and asking questions at length.
"Needed, work" he told her after a few momens "Help, human, Crichton".
"He's real clever, Sputnik" Crichton told her "Dunno if too many of your lot would come close, to be honest - not sure what his memory's like, but it's closer to yours than any Scarran I've seen before"
Dolgan smiled and nodded to Crichton before rumbling softly.
A number of the most influential leaders met at the SubTerranea stadium, a little over two weeken later.
"It's not good for business if we keep fighting" one of the Sebacean leaders said, a man noticeably younger than most of them "We can't get product in or out, whatever our product of choice happens to be, when half of the South's a no-man's land where little lives".
The costs incurred getting those Irregulars to airlift key goods and people to safe places was high the Scarran gang leader decided in his own thoughts but so far has proven worth it! Not only has Mistress Lonn realised she's better off negotiating with me for key materials to get her drug manafacturing off to a faster start, but the war has put me at a significant advantage when it comes to people needing support or safe passage to get people or things to the port or offworld altogether! My soldiers like that, they like escort contracts, and it means I can make more money at less risk before thinking for a few microts and deciding Perhaps I might expand my protection services to enable traders to bring things Southward for the reconstruction who might not otherwise think it safe to do so. I can expand my influence outside the South that way, perhaps even find opportunities to make money in ways law enforcement will not feel the need to examine in microscopic detail...
"We certainly do have issues and grievances that need settling" a Sebacean female, clearly not in favour with Mistress Lonn considering the hostile looks going her way, replied "I wish to obtain certain territories, and perhaps may be persuaded to part with certain others in exchange, now that a few obstacles to progress have been removed, so if we ca-".
"Not just yet" the Scarran, the sole member of his species present, said "The sole order of business now is to negotiate a ceasefire before the governor and others decide looking further into the business of the South is what they want to do! The less he and Security look, the happier we all are, I think".
"Then someone needs to go to the governor and find out suitable grounds for settlement of issues" Mistress Lonn told the Scarran, grumbling a little "I don't care who goes... but it needs to be someone we all trust to air our mutual views and and see our mutual needs are met. There's no need to invite the governor to intervene further in the South than he already has - if we send an envoy soon, he might not get to the point where he decides to move the border crossing and seize territory for himself!"
"It is agreed, then..." a middle-aged Interion male announced politely but firmly - and after several momens of voices quietening down and stopping altogether he added "Since I own the largest facilities open to all people of all allegiances... I will go to the governor and see what he and his advisors have decided in regards to the South. I have more of a vested interest than any of you anyway, since this stadium is closer to the old checkpoint and border post than any of yours... so should any of you have specific issues of concern, I will pass these onto the governor".
Irregulars like to visit the stadium to eat and drink and bet and we all know it the Scarran knew You're banking on your influence and profits expanding if you settle this war and prevent the governor from cleaning up any loose ends by ordering the Irregulars to pulverise the entire South End from orbit.
"I hear you, Mister Sobin Tho" the governor told the Interion who owned the SubTerranea stadium "It's good to hear the people of influence in the South wish to settle matters among themselves and not have me do it for them. My advisers and I - which, in this case, only included one Irregular - agree that the border with the South will move a short distance before a reinforced wall is built, but we also agree that there will be a small number of additional official border crossing points in this new wall"
.
That I hadn't expected Sobin Tho decided Moving the border will mean it moves South, there's no avoiding that - but more official crossing points means all of us benefit. It'll be cheaper to bribe border guards than use those concealed blast pits that revolting Charrid halfbreed's successor has, that's for sure - and with any luck that'll put that man in his place and show him he can't push too far and too fast.
"Your new plan puts the border wall next to one of my biggest facilities, governor" Sobin Tho said next, thinking fast "Perhaps I might offer a suggestion..." and outlining an idea over the next arn or so.
"You may certainly do that" the governor replied, nodding "As long as you don't damage the wall itself in any way, I have no objection to it being used to lessen your expenses for an expansion of your stadium".
Sobin Tho smiled and nodded before offering the stadium as a location for sporting events at the next Games - though the governor told him he would need to consult with the Irregulars about that.
The resolution for cessation of hostilities was broadcast throughout Talzenadar IV, and was a popular topic of discussion among many traders both small and large - all of whom were pleased business could return to normal, while a few speculated privately if they could gain contracts for reconstruction work. Administration HQ was filled with people doing their best to secure such contracts, with the Scarran gang leader himself being called on at one point to provide assurances materials and people would be safe Southward.
"The governor and I have come to... an arrangement" he told a gathering of trade leaders "I will provide security between the old border and the stadium to the north, and along the edge of the port running to the west from there. My soldiers will keep your workers and materials safe" before he smiled at them all, rumbled for a half-momen or so, then added "For a small percentage...".
None of them liked that, but all of them eventually came to accept it.
"I hear you" Mister Farakk said, once he was told "I had not expected you to be able to ingratiate yourself with both your competitors Southward and the governor as well, to be honest - especially so quickly".
The Scarran gang leader passed on the full text of the agreement to cease hostilities all the leaders had agreed to - and while Mister Farakk didn't like all of it, he smiled when he heard that his subordinate would be providing security and protection in key locations where construction would be taking place.
"Once the work starts..." Mister Farakk decided, much to his subordinate's surprise "I might consider travelling to Talzenadar IV to examine the state of both our business arrangements and the state of the South as a whole. For now, Rogkyun is as settled as it ever gets - I can safely leave one of my best soldiers in charge of my affairs here for a short while".
"Ok, what's it telling us?" Crichton asked "No nasty red lights?"
"Working good" Dolgan replied, after which he took a few microts to link Crichton in and show him the full technical report in his head.
"Feels like my head got stuck in an ice machine for a sec, to be honest" Crichton admitted "It supposed to be like that? Looks like you got the theory down cold, though" before grinning a bit at his play on words.
~It works as directed~ Dolgan assured Crichton by mentalism ~The notes and data in our archive, as well as additional data revealed by you, have taught me what I need to know to advise our Commander and bridge officers should that be required~ before he rumbled briefly and added ~As for your reaction earlier... I am an arctic-world Scarran, mental contact with those like me can affect people in ways like those you described to me, even though it doesn't do so very often~
"Good, all goes well" Kurth decided, before telling Dolgan "I have enough skill and control that I could read your mental conversation with the human Crichton, by the way... none of the Five will pass that knowledge to others, even if we understood it enough to do so. Besides that, we do not need to use those methods to go anywhere we need to".
Once all medical stations were polled, a full tally of the injured and dead was collected - almost three hundred soldiers of various commands lost their lives in addition to Ghost, though a good deal more were injured enough to require long-term restriction to a sick bay or the ship. Captain Vincha had finally succumbed to her medical condition and passed over as well.
One the royal anthem was sung, Harrigan told everyone "Next stop's gonna be dropping Ghost, he's the sniper from skulker command an' from where I'm from, off for a proper burial with honours. Ride's going to be a bit wild getting there but hopefully won't take too long. Apart from Ghost's funeral arrangements, I'll see about resupply as well, both with a few luxuries as well as necessities. My home planet makes all kinds of good food, might even think about getting a bit of booze if everyone's nice and does what they're told while we're there, too. Rest of the details will have to be sorted out after we get there".
The few children now without parents were also resettled with other families, usually more distant family members - but three children would not settle for being accomodated inside their own species and insisted other couples look after them.
"Master Juroch lived with Kalish" one Scarran high-caste girl said stubbornly when she was asked to reconsider "It was good for him and it was a challenge. It will be good and a challenge for me. I want to see if I can train to be a Master like Master Juroch did. I will be the first female Scarran Master", after which she looked up at the Kalish couple she had chosen and rumbled at them.
"Come with us" the mother of the family urged happily "You are welcome in our family. My Kalish children are a little older than you and can teach you many interesting things as well as play with you".
"I come" she agreed, holding up her arms - the Kalish woman smiled at how it felt to hold a Scarran child, especially the warmth of her body, which caused the girl to smile and rumble more loudly and happily as she rested her head against her new mother's shoulder.
Councillor Shuljek and his retinue flew across to the sole Reaver.
"We are pleased to welcome you, Councillor" the ship's Captain announced "More so that you bring additional soldiers with you. We have a good number of crew but we are still not at full crew capacity - so we need everyone that we can get".
"Captain Kran's son..." Councillor Shuljek replied proudly "has taken my daughter Shakka as his mate for life... so she will not be coming with us. I have been authorised to bring you basic medical data for the change program... if only for the basic level as used by the Hierarchy's Praetorian and other special units".
"That in itself will be useful, Councillor" the captain replied, nodding "I hear it can even be applied safely to those of other species! I hear the War Commander has several such people among his own crew!"
"The data we have..." Shuljek revealed "has the next level of defensive measures over the standard program that the Hierarchy have, though not the advanced measures the War Commander and others have. That shows you are trusted if the Irregulars reveal those things to you - it's not just because I'm with you".
"We will look at that later" the captain decided "We will return to Scarran space, closer to the other Councillors and the rest of our people, where we can transport you from world to world as you conduct your business".
"Looks like a slightly easier workload for you, Cap'n Zarithak" Harrigan said over short-range comms "since some stuff's being taken care of locally now".
"The governor has agreed to myself and Captain Karath assuming security responsibilities while your own ship is absent, War Commander" Captain Zarithak replied "We have needed to accept a slight drop in commissions due to funding for reconstruction needing to be found somewhere - but all areas of the planetary budget have undergone brief and temporary cuts, and ours is less than some".
"Was wondering if that'd happen" Harrigan replied "We're stocked up for a while - but as I told the crew, we'll resupply in some areas at our next port of call. We shouldn't be away too long... but long enough for you and Cap'n Karath to earn some nice coin while we're gone".
"We appreciate that" Captain Zarithak replied, rumbling a little "It means we can take care of our own resupplying without outside assistance for a while longer than usual".
"Gotta go" Harrigan said next "One bit of personal business to finish up, then we'll be on our way".
Kurlun was pleased to get planet leave before returning to his garrison on the Nebari border - if a little less so now he knew he'd have to call more official transport to get him there.
He grinned when Amara contacted him by mentalism, telling her ~Kamiel and I are waiting, daughter - I would rather not go to the North End, all that fancy plok isn't worth the effort and the price as far as I'm concerned~
~Should you wish to, first papa~ Amara suggested, wondering if her birth father would accept her idea ~We might meet and eat in a shop owned by Kalish people, owned by my grandparents. Food is not their first line of business, but my grandma is a very good chef and can prepare anything you might wish to eat - since we will be with you, she may even permit us all to eat in their dwelling to the rear should you wish more privacy. She would require a short period of notice to obtain ingredients, but that would be all~.
Kurlun thought about that for a few momens, conferred briefly with a very enthusiastic Kamiel, then replied ~We will do this. When you and those with you have landed, contact me by mentalism as you do now and show me where this more secure location is - then Kamiel and I will obtain public transportation and be on our way~
"We will be prepared, dear daughter" Caseya's father said when he was told of the idea for the farewell meal "If you are bringing soldiers with you, we cautiously agree to Amara's first father being admitted to our dwelling in order to preserve security and secrecy".
"Trannak and I will come" Caseya replied "As well as both Amara and Harek, plus Master Juroch and our Feltano. The Commander is busy, or he would likely come as well".
Caseya's father started the engine on a small truck he had bought some time previously, after which he and his wife travelled to the food markets in the central sector of market street. Recent insurgency or not, there was still a good selection of foods on offer from many worlds - so Caseya's mother bought a wide range of things which she knew could be used to make a number of dishes for both their guests and to sell to customers before they drove back to their home.
Once they both returned, Devin and Lerren both joined in to help with food preparation - Amara smiled and sent them both thanks in their heads, after which she told her first father ~Food is being prepared, first papa. We are taking off now, and we will be dropped near the embassy but not within its control zone - when we have landed, I will call you once more and both Kamiel and you can come with us~
~Do not bring transportation~ Kurlun replied ~Kamiel can walk like the rest of us. I don't think he's due an eating time for another weeken, but I doubt he'll pass up an opportunity to eat snacks and drink your Kalish drink even if he does have to walk to get to it~
"Prepare yourselves" Amara called to the small number of people on the bottom deck of the Stryker "I will transport us to ground level, at a safe disance from the embassy, by mentalism. While this is harder than doing so from one ship to another, General Tareg has taught me eveything I need to know. You will all be deployed correctly and be well".
"Lower your deadlock, Harek" Trannak reminded the young man "You too, Feltano. Amara cannot transport the changed unless they do this" before he heard a slight rumble and turned to see Sherenka beside his son.
"You too, then" he added, grumbling a little "Lower your deadlock as well, Sherenka".
A few microts later, Amara nodded - and everyone reappeared within sight of the embassy at ground level. They did stumble very briefly, but soon steadied themselves, after which Amara called ~We are here, first papa. Outside the embassy and to hammond. My brother is amusing himself by finding and counting the embassy guards and deciding what species they are~
Kurlun passed that onto Kamiel, who nodded and said "This brother of Amara occupies himself much as an Organisation student who was military-trained would do, though I doubt he would appreciate either of us telling him this. Is he... half-Scarran, like Amara?"
"We'll both see when we go outside, mister" Kurlun replied, grumbling and rumbling as he made sure his uniform was as it should be and he had his basic weapons "We'll do that now".
~Target in sight!~ signalled Feltano to the others.
"Good, Feltano" Juroch whispered "Tell us... are they dressed in smart civilian clothing or combat fatigues, as I am? Do they have visible weapons? Is the Kalish, Kamiel, in stone form or flesh form? Have guards left the embassy with them?"
"Combat fatigues, uncle Master" Feltano whispered "Kurlun has a single sword over his back, uncle Master, and pistols under each shoulder. Kamiel has one pistol under his treblin shoulder, uncle Master, and his Kalish blades under his hammond shoulder like auntie Master does. No soldiers come with them".
Amara moved off slightly ahead of the rest of the group, then called ahead to Kurlun by mentalism.
~I see you~ he replied ~I see others with you. One looks like a Force Strangler veteran. I can't tell what the others are~
"I see too, Captain" Kamiel said "The odd one with green skin is from the Force? His outfitting is the way all members of Force Strangler dress by common regulation, Captain?"
"There's little in the way of common regulation at that level, mister" Kurlun replied "There's a small detachment of the Force with my Team, though you didn't know that before, Kamiel, since you didn't need to know. You had better not be telling anyone else, or you'll be a very unhappy Kalish indeed".
Kurlun grumbled a bit for show, but didn't object when Amara hugged him briefly before introducing everyone in her group to him.
"You are my daughter's brother..." Kurlun said, looking Feltano in the eye "Interesting. You are hybrid, as she is, but with high-caste and not low-caste like myself".
Feltano nodded, rumbled for a microt or so, then replied "Our papa is here too - look, he is the one with a green hat. Our papa is a General, Captain Kurlun".
Kurlun looked at Trannak carefully as he approached.
I can hardly hear the sound of his footsteps, even by hypersense he decided with interest My Amara's adoptive father or not, I will check the characteristics I see now against both formal and informal records once I return to my garrison.
"I am Amara's second father, Captain Kurlun" Trannak said, nodding once and briefly "Her brother is here as well, you talked to him for a short while just now - the very large young woman is his mate. Should you wish to know her name, you will need to ask her - she may answer should she wish to, her identity is not classified".
Kurlun looked up at Sherenka's face.
She is very large indeed, even for a full-blood Scarran female he decided She has a variety of the change, as I do and as I now see all of this group do - but not all of them are changed in the same way. This is an issue of concern, but not one I'll pass on unless it proves to be something I can't handle myself. Her hair alone suggests she is a hybrid, though I can't tell with what species apart from Scarran.
"I am Feltano's mate" Sherenka said when she saw Kurlun look up at her "I am not just large but I am clever as well. Feltano and I will both be part of the Force here when we are older".
Kurlun grinned at that, even more so when Sherenka insisted it would happen and stood a little taller and straighter, but simply said "Good. That's a good goal for a young adult to have" before noting that in his mind as well.
The group formed up around Kurlun and Kamiel, with Amara to Kurlun's hammond while everyone else took positions to either side as they walked back towards the Dulenos' dwelling and shop. Devin was serving customers when they arrived, though he stopped to lift a panel in the counter so they couldd pass to the dwelling in the rear of the premises with as little interruption as possible.
"This, Captain Kurlun..." Juroch announced softly "is the home dwelling of the Duleno family. Before you now are Feltano and Maranno Duleno, the heads of this family - Devin and Lerren Duleno are elsewhere conducting the business of the shop we came through".
"You know who I am, I think" Kurlun replied "At least as much as you need to. The Kalish with me is my aide, Kamiel - since his record after arrival at Tal IV's been good, he got to come as well".
"You are Amara's first father, Captain Kurlun" Feltano Duleno replied "Yes, we have been told who you are - at least, that part of who you are. Our friends have told us a few other things about you as well, but since you are Amara's first father you may join us all here since you are escorted by those we know".
Caseya's mother told Kurlun what food had been prepared for both him and the others.
"Good classic Scarran foods" he replied with approval "Ones I know and I like. You are correct in assuming I like Scorcher as well".
"My father eats lots of that" Sherenka told him "My sisters and I eat it too, but only my brothers eat it as much as father does".
Despite Kurlun's lack of understanding, Juroch opened the meal with the traditional Kalish eating time words - which made Kamiel smile even if Kurlun himself didn't know what he heard. Kamiel thanked Juroch at length for that courtesy and show of respect, after which he bowed briefly when Juroch indicated his Mastery ribbon.
"This Kalish spirit is good" Kurlun decided "It's odd, it's not like grolsahk, but it's good and it's strong".
"Kalish grangacha is not like the grolsahk you and I grew up with, Captain" Trannak confirmed "but it is very good, and an excellent accompaniment to Kalish foods of several kinds".
Kurlun didn't say much for the rest of the meal, though he smiled and rumbled before laying back on the lounge after eating.
"First papa is happy, grandma" Amara said "I see it in his head. He is happy and full and likes the food you made for him and the grangacha as well. His aide Kamiel likes your food and drink as well, grandma - though I think he ate a little too much outside of an eating time, I can sense his stomach's reaction to eating at unusual times quite clearly" before trying to soothe him by mentalism.
"I thank you..." Kamiel said "I would not normally eat at this time... but the food before me smelled so good I felt it worth the risk. Thank you for treating my reaction to eating ahead of schedule, Amara - do I owe you any currency for this?"
"You do not" Amara replied, though she smiled as well "It is good to see you well and happy in my grandma and grandpa's home dwelling, Kamiel".
Devin and Lerren came in after a short while as well, though only Devin would approach Kurlun even when given permission. Devin picked out several ways that Kurlun was like Amara, which got a nod of approval from Kurlun and a smile from Amara.
Once the pair of them had left the Dulenos' dwelling, Kurlun asked "Report, mister. What did you see in there? What opinions have you formed about both my daughter and her friends and new father?"
Kamiel took some time to both report and explain how he reached his conclusions, enough so that the pair of them reached the embassy again by the time he'd finished.
I think I know what the green hat means Kamiel decided, while Kurlun was occupied arguing with the guard It is just as well the Captain did not think too closely about it and about what it might mean - but I will tell him what I have decided if my initial guess proves correct. If we can both get away from under surveillance, too.
"That took long enough" Harrigan said with relief, on the bridge some eight days later "Thought Cap'n Kurlun would stay around for several monen... but there he goes".
"First papa needed to wait for a Switchblade to come and retrieve him, uncle Commander" Amara explained, nodding "He could have chosen a less detectable ship and asked for a Reaver, it is true... but he preferred the Switchblade's speed. He did not wish to remain away from his garrison for longer than necessary".
"He should be well outside detection range by now" Shellek added "I don't know if what you were manafacturing is ready, Commander... but now's a good time for us to get going to your homeworld. Before those supply ships for the reconstruction get here".
"Almost forgot about them!" Harrigan replied, a little sheepishly "Yeah, better get going as soon as Dolgan and Crichton give the word".
"Good to go!" Crichton called when Harrigan commed to ask him about that, after which he ran for the nearest transit stop, taking a car to the cargo hold Moya was currently in "Just gotta get in the car an' get outside!"
Moya and her crew watched as Crichton did his part in forming the wormhole, with Dolgan guiding Harrigan's actions on the helm so the Havoc didn't get too close before the wormhole was fully and safely formed.
"Interesting..." Councillor Shuljek said when Harrigan commed him on the Reaver "But not so interesting that I want to follow you into it".
After Harrigan laughed a bit, he said "OK, dunno if you want in on this... or any of the others... " before explaining another idea of his at length.
"Captain Karath, Hierarch's Bane" Karath announced "Positive confirmation".
"Captain Zarithak, Sunbuster" Zarithak added "An interesting idea... not one I expected... but acceptable. Positive confirmation - as long as this means we get access to certain... special information... I am hearing you gave to the Councillor and his Reaver".
"Fine with me" Harrigan replied "Councillor Shuljek will have overall command... but I don't object, if that's what you wanted to know".
"I hear you" Councillor Shuljek added "If you agree to this, and the War Commander confirms it, then you will get access to the new things as well".
Once both Captains, Councillor Shuljek, and Harrigan confirmed their agreement to the additional request, Harrigan opened comm to both dreadnaughts, the Reaver, and the other frigates with them before announcing "In consultation with the senior Captains and Councillor Shuljek... I hereby announce that the Hierarch's Bane, Sunbuster, and all other associated vessels shall come together and form the 2nd Irregulars. Irregular units call no one world or system, but the entire Kingdom, their home - they move from place to place as deemed necessary by their Commander, with Kingdom communities and allies supporting them as best they can wherever they go. Councillor Shuljek will be the overall commander of the 2nd Irregulars".
"It may not be received with such enthusiasm by all of the other councillors" Councillor Shuljek told Harrigan "but since I was the councillor assigned to oversee general military operations before you were appointed then they will come to expect it even though they may be wary of me having a full battlegroup with me everywhere I go rather than one ship as they do".
"Hmm... true..." Harrigan replied "But each of them has soldiers with them as they do their stuff anyway, it's just that you got a few more - which, to be quite honest, is to be expected for the senior councillor involved in military operations for the Kingdom".
"We will find a way to solve any disagreements" Councillor Shuljek assured Harrigan "I will remain Governor-General of my birthworld even if the other councillors reassign other worlds under my authority to others".
"Make a few contingency deals with your closest allies on council" Harrigan suggested "Get them to take care of business for you in the event someone else tries to push for reassignment of worlds looking to you right now".
"That will have to be the first order of business when the 2nd Irregulars return to Scarran space, then" Councillor Shuljek decided "I know perhaps two Councillors and a few more lower in authority whom I can trust to oversee the affairs of those worlds should it come to a vote in Council".
"Good flying to you, then" Harrigan told him "Call me if you need me... but I doubt you will, you got by well before I came out this way".
Harrigan smiled as Councillor Shuljek gave deployment orders from his Reaver, with both dreadnaughts and their support vessels moving to positions that ensured maximum sensor coverage of the Talzenadar IV system
"We good to go now, big man?" Crichton asked, a little impatiently.
"Get your eema back aboard" Harrigan replied "Once you're back here, we'll get started before too many curious eyes turn our way".
Less than five momens later, Crichton leapt out of his module and called "Landed!": before running for the nearest transit stop, after which Harrigan called "Dunno if you gotta lock Moya down, but let her know if you do - she won't get car sick, but we don't need stuff flying around"
"Moya says that no additional precautions will be needed, War Commander" Pilot replied when Harrigan called to ask him about that "She and I know what needs to be done to ensure safe travel at times like these and we have done it".
"Lock down both flight decks and all loading docks with smaller warships inside!" Harrigan called over general comms "Secure all loose objects in case of extreme manoevreing - the inertial compensators should keep up, but better safe than sorry! Anyone not Kalish who has issues with tight manoevreing, strap yourselves down - or at least stay sitting for a while! Galleys and other places of assembly are closed for business until we get where we're going!" before calling "Caseya, I want you staying on helm - I don't think I'll need you to actually do anything, but I want you looking at everything as we go. Ask questions if you like - as long as I'm not in the middle of wild flying, anyway".
Once the other flight stations were assigned, Harrigan called "I got the conn... flight controls to command chair... NOW!"
"You have the conn, War Commander" Caseya confirmed from the helm station "Keyah Kamara... you should advise the crew of potential adverse travel conditions, since you have travelled this way before and know what we have to deal with".
Keyah smiled and nodded before doing just that from the comm desk, while Harrigan called "Coming about... turning to one...eight...zero mark zero... zero... three... and there we have it. Right in front of us".
Once all facilities had called in to announce readiness, Harrigan called "All ahead one half... grab your gizzards, we're goin' in...".
The Havoc did shake a little as it entered the wormhole, but Crichton - who was at the engineering console with Dolgan - called "Not too unusual, everyone - looks like we're in for a little chop, though".
"Systems, all good" Dolgan announced "Engines, good. Defensive screens, good. Sensors, good".
Harrigan muttered and grumbled as he did his best to manoevre the Havoc down the wormhole, calling "This one's going on for a bit... Keyah, don't bring us out too close to when we were here last. Big man Mr C here says there's issues with time dilation... try an' get a signal from about 2012 or so if you can, all the details an' frequencies should be in your logs for you to check. Sing out when you got something that stays stable".
The current commander of the International Space Station was pleased the long range radar had been fitted and worked, even if budgetary limits and politics had made that happen two years behind schedule.
"Do we have anything interesting in range?" she asked.
"Same as we've been seeing for the past few months, ma'am" came the reply "Only things we've seen are when satellite launches happen or we get supply flights come in. The US Mars probes don't talk to us here".
"Good" she replied, with some relief.
I have read the classified logs. They say that one time some years ago, an enormous armed spacecraft exited a wormhole right here in our system. Personally, I hope it's a publicity stunt from SETI - since whoever authenticated those logs had their name redacted I can't judge how trustworthy they are.
"Signal acquired on designated frequencies, Commander!" Keyah called "Faint but stable! Frequencies used suggest the navigation satellites you named GPS, Commander - both those of your sector and the ones you described as belonging to the Roo-shan sector called GLONASS".
Harrigan didn't bother to correct her pronunciation this time, instead calling "Talk to me..."
Keyah, well accustomed to Harrigan's odd speech by now, knew this meant she was required to give course directions as needed, so she called them out every few microts.
"What the...?" a sensor operator on the International Space Station muttered, smacking their instrument panel.
"What you got?" their supervisor asked.
"Seeing some weird shit outsystem, sir" came the reply "Can't say what it might be... comes in an' out...".
"Did you run it through the system?" the supervisor asked, somewhat predictably.
"First thing I did, sir" the sensor operator replied "Damn thing made some weird noise an' didn't tell me anything".
"Do it again" the supervisor asked "If I can't figure it out I'll pass it up the chain and the commander can deal with it".
The sensor operator focussed their sensors on the same region of space where the anomaly occurred before, but nothing particularly unusual happened this time.
"Call me if it happens again" their supervisor decided "If it happens before my shift's over I'll come see. Not like it can get much more boring out there, after all..." before returning to their own console.
"Signal's clearing up..." Keyah called "If our most promising exit point remains stable, we should emerge... local time... 2017. Early in the cycle if I remember your archive data correctly on this matter".
"Stand by, stand by..." Harrigan called around the bridge "Looks like we're good to pop back out again. Dunno if the station we saw last time will be able to pick us up when we do... don't even know how far insystem we'll be, to be honest..."
"It's coming ba-crap! Gone again!" the sensor operator called "Just picked it up for a few seconds, sir - but it'd moved! Further insystem!"
The supervisor headed off the deck as soon as their relief arrived, and he called "Call me if something actually happens... I'm tired..." before leaning back in their chair.
"Clear space ahead!" Caseya called excitedly "Look, Keyah!"
"Clear space ahead, Commander" Keyah announced more calmly, though with no less interest "I cannot predict when we might emerge into normal space, of course... but if you wish to move to an elevated level of readiness, Commander, then now would be a good time to do so".
A number of Reaper pilots were pleased to be put on standby alert.
"We will be the first to see this new world and its star system" the senior pilot of the gathering announced "The War Commander's archive says that this world does not have a planetary defence force as we know it... but does have a station with scientific equipment and sensors on board. Should we be required to deploy our Reapers, we will find that station and investigate it and any communications going to and from it in case they refer to us".
"It's coming back again..." the same sensor operator replied "Bit stronger...".
"Something's happening, that's for sure..." another added, which got the supervisor sitting up straight "Not right on top of us... but closer than I'd like, that's for sure...".
"Summon the commander" the supervisor eventually decided "Since more 'n one of you thinks they've seen something that's not supposed to be there, we have to pass this on - so this had better be real and not a sensor ghost".
"Stand by for emergence in... three... two... one..." Harrigan called (with mounting excitement, as far as Keyah could tell) "NOW!"
The Cry Havoc shook a little on emerging into real space again, but Harrigan immediately ordered "Nav, get me a position fix - how far insystem are we? Comms - get me local time for the locations listed in archive as Cape Canaveral, Florida and Washington, DC!"
Shellek spoke first, calling "Barely five momens' travel outsystem of your world's one moon, Commander - I'm seeing a lightly-built space station in geo-stationary orbit around your home world".
"Yeah, that's supposed to be there" Harrigan replied "We won 't be stopping there, but get me Reapers close enough to listen to their comms".
"Energy spike..." the first sensor operator called, barely loud enough for the station commander to hear - before a bigger burst of energy was detected, the wormhole opened, and the Cry Havoc emerged.
"HOLY SHIT, IS THAT REAL?!" the sensor operator screamed, just as the station commander entered the room "LOOKS LIKE ONE HUGE GREAT-"
"Quiet" the commander called, bringing her right hand down in a short chopping motion "I can see it as well, there's no need to shout..." before she called "Everyone out. Whichever one of you saw this first will stay. No one else".
Once everyone had left, the station commander walked over to the sensor operator's station and ordered "Take a closer look. If that is what I think it is, I need a much better view".
"That's as close as I can get" the sensor operator replied, after trying every trick they knew to get a better picture.
"Image quality is still bad" the station commander replied "But it's enough to confirm my suspicions" before ordering the sensor operator to keep quiet about what he had seen.
"That is classified" the station commander insisted "I don't care who asks you about this or why, but you keep your mouth shut. With any luck this will be taken off my hands... so get out, I have to call someone".
"Comm traffic from station to planetary surface..." the Reaper flight commander called over comm to the Havoc "They've definitely seen us, the wormhole, or both".
"Someone's calling dirtside for orders" Harrigan told the bridge crew "Basically, there's three options as I see it... Jack Crichton, that's Mr C's Dad... TR Holt, he's No Such Agency... or the White House. That means the President".
In the Oval Office, the president of the United States was discussing matters of state with a number of advisors when Jack Crichton got a phone call.
"General Crichton..." he answered.
"Sir, you left standing orders saying to contact you if ... unidentified objects... turned up insystem" a voice announced around intermittent static "One just arrived. It matches the description you gave in your orders as far as I can tell, sir".
"I'll have to tell the President" Jack replied "since your call came when I was in the Oval Office. I'll get back to you shortly... and see if we have something in launch-worthy condition, just in case".
"Yes, General Crichton?" the president asked "My first meeting after being sworn in and the head of IASA gets a phone call while I'm talking? This should be interesting".
"President Diesel..." Jack Crichton said cautiously "This concerns events that first occurred early in your predecessor's administration... and which were classified at the highest level. I can tell you about them if you like... but no one else in the room is cleared".
The president shooed everyone else out of the room, and once a Secret Service agent had shut the door he said "This had better be good...".
Jack Crichton explained, in detail and at length, about the Farscape missions and the resulting return of Harrigan and the Cry Havoc.
"Normally I'd say it's a total crock" the president replied "But from what I've seen from your personnel file you've got a solid record and don't just make up stuff on the fly. For now, I'll take this... on faith".
Jack Crichton smiled when he heard that, knowing something of the current president's history in acting, and nodded before saying "To be honest, I don't know if our people on the International Space Station can contact that ship, Mr President... we may just have to wait until it reaches geo-stationary orbit and its captain makes contact with us".
"Stay here once my meeting's over" the president decided "If anyone from that ship contacts you, I want to be there when it happens".
The president's staff were called back inside. The meeting continued, though Jack Crichton split his attention between the people there and his phone.
"Comm traffic on known frequency" the Reaper flight commander advised Harrigan "Not speaking any language I know".
Harrigan listened as the comm traffic was sent back, then nodded and said "We've been detected here on the Havoc. Doubt they've seen you at all. Someone just called for orders".
"Do you have any for us, sir?" the flight commander replied.
"Stay where you are" Harrigan decided "I'll bring the Havoc in close to the station for now - when we get there then come back inside. Relay anything you hear back to me while you wait".
People throughout the Cry Havoc that could find viewing portals noted that they could see people looking out of the International Space Station at them.
"Don't worry about them" Harrigan advised "That station's not armed, even less so with anything that could scratch the paint here".
"We have reached geo-stationary orbit, Commander" Caseya announced "Do you have further orders?"
"Get me into the US phone system" Harrigan told Keyah "I gotta make a call".
Jack Crichton's hand went up as the presidential meeting concluded, so once everyone had left the President motioned for him to put the call on speakerphone.
"Hey Jack, we're back" Harrigan called "How's tricks your end? We didn't freak out too may people on the station when we turned up, did we?"
"Just a small number, Mr Harrigan" Jack replied "You arrived at an interesting time... I'm in the Oval Office with the president. I gave him a brief overview of your situation from the files, but he wants to speak to you as well, I think. We're on speaker".
"Well, well, well..." Harrigan said "Not sure if Jack's shown you pics of my ship yet, Mr President... but I'm sitting beside the International Space Station freaking people out right now".
"Do you represent a government, captain?" the president asked "Or is that, and I hope it is not, a privately owned craft?"
"Sorta..." Harrigan replied "Prob'ly not a good idea to talk about this over comms unless you want it on CNN within the hour... so say the word and I'll bring a couple of officers down for a bit of a chat at your place".
The president summoned the secretary of state before giving her a brief overview of the situation - when she nodded, he told Harrigan "Providing you have a small craft that won't destroy the White House lawn... I'll wait for you to arrive".
"I'll shout when I take off, then" Harrigan replied "What we got might knock over a tree or two but won't damage the landscape too much - it'd be helpful if Marine One wasn't parked out front or I'll likely have to land right on top of it".
"Unless the Marine pilot has landed while you're talking to me" the president replied "then the helipad's currently unoccupied".
Once Jack Crichton has discommed, Harrigan asked "Who wants to come along? I gotta go, no getting around that - but General Lazarus can go as long as he promises not to fry any Secret Service agents without me telling him to... or you could come, Tal... or maybe Trannak...?"
When Trannak was asked, he said "Protocol would suggest, as I see it, that representatives from each of the three major species of the Kingdom be present - especially since this is the first official contact the Kingdom will have with your home sector, Commander. You, of course, are both our leader and the human representative... there are any number of Scarran officers who can represent our species... I don't know a lot of the Charrid officers well, they're in tactical command with General Lazarus... and while Keyah holds the most senior position among the Kalish, she is not the only officer among them".
"First contact at this level better be with people who've dealt with humans unofficially" Harrigan decided "Only real exceptions to that would be Rulok, Lirak, or General Tareg. Since we didn't have any Charrids until fairly recently, General Lazarus gets to choose who their representative will be".
This generated a lot of interest among the Charrid officers.
"Our people get to send a representative to the leader of our commander's home sector!" one man announced loudly and happily over comms to all of his species that weren't working "Others will go with landing expeditions later, I'm sure... but since this is primarily diplomatic we need to send an officer".
The man's PDA had to be restarted twice before a result was given, but one female officer almost strutted forward when her name was given as the chosen representative of her people. Everyone laughed a bit, but her name was passed on to Harrigan.
"We are not required by protocol to send Keyah Kamara?" one of the Kalish asked Harrigan over comms, surprised "She holds the most senior position among our people, she has served in the Irregulars for the longest period of time, and she is a Master".
"Keyah said she'd put her name in the lottery" Harrigan replied "but she'll abide by the result whether her name comes up or not. Just make sure whoever submits their name won't bombard the president with a million questions and try dragging him off to see things and we'll be good".
The Kalish who made the call passed this on to all of his own people - this took far longer than it did for the Charrids, but eventually a result came back.
"It has been decided, War Commander..." the Kalish man who spoke before announced "that should General Trannak be representing his people, his wife should represent our own. If this is not the case, and if Keyah Kamara does not wish to appoint herself as our representative, that Commander First Rank Sara Shan from tactical command should be our representative".
"Me, War Commander?!" Caseya replied when Harrigan told her, greatly surprised "I may now hold a senior position... but I am not a Master, nor am I the most senior of my people in other ways!"
"I think your fellow Kalish thought that having a Scarran-Kalish couple representing both species" Talannah explained "would show that the Kingdom is accepting of all peoples. From what my John tells me, it also shows we accept at least some kinds of unconventional relationships as well".
"Tal, you got the conn..." Harrigan called, getting up from the command chair "I gotta go see the president... no getting out of it...".
"Hah!" Talannah laughed "You are the Captain of the ship, the most senior military representative among us, and the representative of the human people... even if everyone else lets you avoid it, I will not!"
"Looks like I'm overruled then!" Harrigan laughed back, before hugging his wife and heading to the hammond side flight deck.
When the small group saw Troll grinning at them from the flight deck entry door, Harrigan laughed and said "Come on then, let's go - since I'm assuming you got the job of flying us down there! You'll be staying in the Reaper, Troll - so no playing games with the Secret Service by wandering around the White House cloaked!"
"If you say so, big man..." Troll replied "Martha's working in a galley, she can't come... so I'll bring Alphak, Garakk, an' Tab since Sherenka doesn't like leaving Feltano's side these days".
Jack Crichton's phone went off again.
"Just me again, Jack" Harrigan said, boarding the Reaper "We're just about to take off... you might want to warn the pres, unless you want him to see us landing right outside the White House".
"I hear you, captain" the President said, standing beside Jack "Once the Secret Service sees your craft making its landing, you will be met and escorted into the Oval Office".
"Copy that" Harrigan replied "Oh, looks like my pilot's getting impatient, he's started singing loudly and out of tune... see you in a few..." before discomming, strapping in, and calling "Punch it!"
"Big man Troll calling for takeoff clearance" Troll announced, comming the bridge "Someone open the door, please?"
"I hear you" Keyah replied "Containment field is on... flight deck doors are opening... and you are cleared to proceed".
Troll did what he usually did and shoved the throttles all the way forward, shooting out of the Havoc's hammond flight deck before the deck doors were fully raised - then tipping over fast and heading for where he knew Washington DC and the White House were once he saw the familiar outline of the United States from space.
"We just broke atmo" Harrigan called once the Reaper entered atmosphere "We're comin' in real quick, so if you want to get a welcoming party ready now's the time".
"Mr President..." Jack Crichton called "We have just a few minutes before they land. I need to be there when they do... if you want to send the secretary of state, or come yourself, we should go now".
"SecState can go with you" President Diesel decided "Four Secret Service agents can go with you".
Troll didn't make a hard and fast combat landing, but bled off speed by flying around the White House a couple of times before making a more sedate landing on the White House Lawn where Marine One usually made its landings. Jack Crichton, the secretary of state, and the Secret Service agents stood well out of the way until one of the agents reported the treblin access hatch on the Reaper opening.
"The big one is their leader" Jack told the Secret Service "I know him, my son knows him. I might know one of the others but can't tell until they come closer".
"That one's really freaking huge" one of the agents replied "Is that natural, or is he wearing armour?"
"Can't tell you" Jack replied "Even if I could, I don't know the fine details anyway".
"They've sealed the door again, Mr President" one of the agents reported "We can't see inside. Probably still has a few people in it, but we can't see them".
"I hear you, miss" Harrigan called "Yep, no way I'm leaving my ride unattended - even here".
Caseya looked at the agents with a little caution, asking who the agents were.
"Secret Service" Harrigan explained "Here, they're the Presidential bodyguard... usually they're a kind of police, but they're not responsible to anyone except the President as far as I ever heard".
"Political Enforcement, then" Trannak replied "Well, I can't say I'm surprised, War Commander, not really. We didn't see any of them the last time we made landfall on Earth, though".
"We did" Harrigan corrected "Only a few, since TR Holt and Senator Beasely chose to invite themselves to my wedding... just there's more of them here".
"War Commander Harrigan..." Jack Crichton announced "On behalf of the President, welcome once again to both the Earth in general and the United States in particular. If you'll just follow me, the President wants to see you in the Oval Office".
"Haven't been in here since my parents took me here on one of the tours when I was a kid" Harrigan said, then added "Oh yeah... your son's come back with us as well, Jack - he's just topside on my ship right now. Once we've had a bit of a chat with the President, we can sort out visits and resupply and all the other secondary stuff".
"The President will be pleased you want to spend money here" the Secretary of State said "Assuming you have things that can be traded for US dollars, we'll find a way for you to get what you need".
Harrigan pointed out the few things he knew about as they walked through the corridors, and within a few minutes they arrived in the Oval Office. Trannak had to duck going through the doorway while Harrigan had to both duck and turn slightly sideways, but eventually the entire group got in.
Secret Service agents tried to scan and search them by hand, but Harrigan told them "Back off, the lot of you. Those scanners are about as useful as a chocolate kettle, and hell will freeze over before we let you take our weapons off us".
"We can't let you stay in the Oval Office and remain armed, sir" one replied, trying to remain both polite and firm "You'll get them back when you leave".
"Not gonna happen" Harrigan insisted, a few electrical sparks now moving over his arms and chest.
Jack Crichton whispered a few words in the President's ear, after which he waved the agents back.
"Stay here" the President ordered "Stay watchful. They've shown no sign of hostility yet... but I'm not going to let them have it all their own way, so while they can keep their weapons you make sure you have yours close to hand as well".
"Yes, Mr President" the more senior Secret Service agent replied, clearly not happy but unwilling to go against his commander in chief.
"Welcome to the United States" President Diesel told them "Despite Jack here having told me a little of the last time you were here, I still know little to nothing about any of you as individuals - and less than that about who you serve".
"We chose to bring a group that represented our Kingdom as a whole, Mr President" Trannak replied, speaking clear English with a slight Scarran accent "There are a number of different species in the Kingdom, but before you now are representatives of the three major ones - plus our leader, of course".
"You speak our language" the Secretary of State replied "That's one inconvenient problem avoided... I thought for a while we may have to have General Crichton accompany you wherever you go".
"We all speak your language" Trannak confirmed "if only at a conversational level, for the most part" before introducing the members of the group by both species, gender, and name.
"...and here is our leader" Trannak finished, indicating Harrigan with his treblin hand "While he is the owner, master, and captain of our ship he also holds the rank of War Commander in our Kingdom. This means he is the commander in chief of all Kingdom military forces".
"This Kingdom is the current government of your species?" the Secretary of State asked, though Trannak shook his head before briefly explaining the political history of the Kingdom.
"Government-in-exile" President Diesel said.
"That's right" Harrigan replied "Think of us like the rebel alliance in star wars, just more awesome".
"Why did you choose to visit Earth?" the President asked.
"Whatever I look like to you, Mr President" Harrigan replied "I'm actually human - and American by birth as well. Jack's son's been here before, some of your lot here probably saw the news while their guys were here before".
"That explains why you speak English, then" the President replied "It doesn't really explain why you came back, though".
"Not really a pleasure call, no" Harrigan agreed "We're bringing back the first American special-ops soldier to be killed in action offworld for burial at Arlington. Buying stuff is secondary".
"Get SecDef in here now" the President told one of the Secret Service agents "Send someone out to get him if you have to".
"I think he's still in Washington, Mr President" the agent replied, before making several phone calls - it took almost an hour to get him to the White House, but eventually he came and immediately asked about the odd-looking aircraft on the White House lawn.
"That's mine" Harrigan told him "Might tell you a bit about it later if I still like you. For now, there's more important issues to attend to", after which he explained about Ghost's funeral arrangements.
"I assume the ...people... where you're from have your own arrangements for things like this" he replied "Why not take care of this under your ways?"
"Ghost knew us, he was our friend and a valued comrade" Harrigan replied "but for all that he never assimilated into the Kingdom all the way like our other guys did. He deserves to be buried here, among other American soldiers, as a hero of the Kingdom and the US Air Force".
Mentioning the US Air Force made the President turn to Jack Crichton, who explained for a few minutes to both him and the Secretary of Defence.
The Secretary of Defence then got on his own phone and made a call to someone in the Air Force - who checked personnel files.
"Yeah, none of us left entirely on good terms with the few government officials we met last time" Harrigan confirmed when the Secretary of Defence relayed what he'd been told.
"Officially, the soldier identified as 'Ghost' was listed as missing in action, as were those listed as 'GI Jane', 'Troll', and an officer called Captain Anton Lazarus" the Secretary of Defence revealed "Unofficially, in certain circles your reputation is not good - but the reasons why weren't just redacted in those troops' personnel files, they were removed".
"Isn't that nice..." Harrigan replied "We obviously have at least one friend who's still alive in the US. I'd thank them for that if I actually knew who they were".
"It'll look good to properly honour a fallen soldier" the Secretary of Defence decided "even if he didn't die as a member of our armed forces. We'll track down any remaining family members and send a chaplain out to tell them about this and about arrangements for a state funeral at Arlington".
Harrigan shook his head, saying "His Dad should still be around now, not sure about his mom - and I know where they are unless they moved since I've been away. They know me, so I'll fly over and tell them about this myself since I was his CO. Send someone from Air Force PR if you like, or Jack, but I'll be doing the talking".
