Watch change wasn't long after that. Haxx took Kazak's place on the roof for the duration while Corr had Tuu at ground level to double check the nearby alleys and scan the streets before moving up. Before he could switch places with Haxx, the sound of an engine resonated on the otherwise empty street, despite the sounds of no man's land in the distance. A commandeered Vortian light utility vehicle stopped and the back door opened. General Vaukt himself stepped out, wearing field-issue rain gear rather than a weather-proofed trench coat like most officers would, rain dripping off his helmet as he approached Tuu.
Tuu, standing post outside of the entrance to the Vortian eatery turned into a field command post for the team, immediately snapped to attention at the curious arrival once confirmed. General Vaukt, Spec Ops' chief of staff and currently in the thick of it on Vort with the rest of them.
"General, Sir!"
"So, this is where you lot set up? Not a bad location. Anything interesting happen?"
The marksman remained at attention, wary of them being in the field...though they were behind the line. Did he still remain so or go to at-ease and not attract unwanted attention? It was so rare that they were behind the action amidst other Irken soldiers, no matter their rank.
"Uhh...No, Sir. Nothing to report." He informed.
Vaukt looked around, motioning for Tuu to relax before he attracted attention. He withdrew a pack of Vortian cigarettes from a pocket and lit one, inhaling and letting it linger before exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Good, last thing we need is for any of their spec ops types to try and make their way through." He took another drag as he paused, though smaller, "Just keep an eye out, have your people call it in if they see anything." With his brief stop over, the General started heading to his vehicle, intending to head off again.
The Sergeant watched as Vaukt turned to leave. Confliction filled him as opportunity presented itself. The Commander. Everyone's behavior. Their changes. Rha's outburst on Haven. Volx's attempt to conceal and omit information from the same mission...something was very wrong within the ranks and it all but screamed to be addressed. He couldn't ignore it any longer.
"Um...General Vaukt...Sir?"
Vaukt stopped, looking over his shoulder, "Something on your mind?"
He hesitated again, now having the General's attention. He had to tell him. If he knew of half of what had been going on aboard the Ghost of Irk or even on-assignment...yet...he couldn't say it outright. As tense as things were, as many questions as he had about Vult's intentions...these people were still part of his unit. His team. His...family, as Vult put it.
"I...there is something...I need to tell you, Sir. In private. It's important."
The General motioned for him to follow, headed for a shop across the street from the restaurant and apartments where the others were. Vauked stepped between the frames of the broken glass sliding doors that were the entrance. A convenience store, he could pick up some more smokes once this was done. Instinctively, one of his escorts hopped out of another door on the vehicle, Vaukt motioning for him to stay put then looking to Tuu once he was inside. "So, what is it?"
Swallowing, the Sergeant followed after General Vaukt. Glancing over his shoulder back towards the tavern he was standing guard outside of, no one was watching him. Good. Somewhat relieved, he caught up to Vaukt, disappearing inside the store. A million thoughts flooded his mind. What to say. How to say it. The timeline of events. There was so much going on and he had only recently been personally documenting the things he saw or witnessed that were off and worthy of question.
"General, Sir…" Tuu began, struggling with his own conscience on the matter to proceed. "...there is something I need to tell you...about my commanding officer...officers...and my squadmates. Sir. I...cannot take this up my chain of command for I am...unsure they can be trusted...Sir."
That was...curious. Can't be trusted? Unable to take it up the chain of command? He didn't get that impression of Vult or Corr when he saw them earlier. "Is that so?" He stopped to drag on his smoke, clearly whatever this is would be rather revealing. "Out with it, then, I'm listening." As he spoke, smoke came out of his mouth, Tuu had his attention.
The point of no return. Even if it irritated the General, he could still turn back now if need be...but something inside of him demanded to be heard. It was becoming a point of contention between himself and multiple members of his team.
"Sir...given the actions and behavior of those above me and within the unit in recent months...I am led to believe that my commanding officers have been compromised, Sir. I do not say this lightly, but I am beginning to believe that the authority and clout that Commander Vult wields is being used for...nefarious purposes, Sir. Those not in line with the ideals of the Empire and it is placing me, his subordinate, in a very difficult position, Sir."
Vaukt was about to take another drag and stopped short. His more relaxed appearance tensed up as his hand lowered, "Accusing a superior of sedition is a very serious charge. What sort of evidence do you have to back up your claims against him? From what I've seen so far, he hasn't shown any of that."
"...I cannot speak for the others, General, but most of my squadmates and superiors have all changed physically. They are...defective, Sir. First Sergeant Aero is defective, our tallest member. Commander Vult, Captain Corr, and Lieutenant Volx have not reported as such or seen to it themselves...and now most of the team is sharing similar attributes to her defectiveness, Sir."
The General promptly flicked the remaining cigarette out the window as Tuu went on. Sedition, and now leveling the charge of members of his unit being defective. "These are very, very serious charges you're making. I will admit that your Commander and second seemed more on the...broad side of appearance. How are you so sure that it is not simply due to physical conditioning? If these charges are true, there must be evidence of it. Hard evidence. Something I can point to and look at. Otherwise, this is simply hearsay, and I would be well within my rights to inform your Commander of baseless accusations, if not have you dragged to the nearest IIA station on this rock." He paused, leaning forward, "So, if you have proof, get to it."
"These aren't baseless accusations...Sir," Tuu defended, catching himself and evening out his tone as his voice began to rise. He was beginning to feel like the only one that was sane anymore now that Rha was going native and Rem was indifferent, isolated in the bridge for most of the time.
"...physical conditioning does not cause physical mutations, Sir. I have been performing the same conditioning alongside them and I have not changed in stature or mass as the males have. All of the females have developed the same exact mutation that First Sergeant Aero has and hers was caused by PAK damage that made her defective. Corporal Hesa has the same mutation and hers was induced by Dr. Turb'Zharic, whom we had in our brig for months...Sir."
He huffed, trying to remain composed.
"...Sir, all of this is sensitive, classified information due to the nature of our unit and answering to the authority of the Almighty Tallest, but this has been going on for months and I cannot be quiet any longer about it. Commander Vult has been hiding a lot of things from the Tallest and even countermanding orders. I do not make these claims lightly, General."
"Mutations?" Vaukt blinked. He wouldn't exactly call Corr or Vult mutants, and he hasn't seen any of their women. "I can't personally attest to the mutations. I've only met Vult and Corr, not Aero and Hesa that you speak of. Though…" He opened his raincoat and withdrew a datapad, opening it up and looking to the report that was released later to Spec Ops from the Tallest regarding the polar station. "If our intelligence was correct...Doctor 'Zharic was in that station, and as this report shows, the entire facility was reported clear with everyone within killed. That was the extent of what I received."
The General extended the datapad to Tuu so he could look it over himself. "So, how do I know you really had the Doctor in your brig for months?"
"The report is a lie, General," Tuu cut to the heart of the matter. "It is fictitious and was purposely filed to hide the knowledge that Dr. 'Zharic was taken into our custody aboard the ship, along with Brigadier General Kiara'Zharic, his daughter. General 'Zharic was the officer in charge of Sub Zero Station at the time of our infiltration. Commander Vult also allowed the release and escape of several scientists working beneath Dr. 'Zharic. Lieutenant Volx attempted to intercept them with her team but they made it to the facility motorpool and escaped down the mountain before they could be engaged."
Tuu paused, trying to collect his thoughts and not sound like a rambling lunatic making very serious accusations about his superiors to a very powerful man within the Empire's command structure.
"...Commander Vult countermanded the Almighty Tallests' orders for a clean sweep of the station. Dr. 'Zharic and General 'Zharic were taken into our custody and Corporal Hesa, the very same in our unit now, was taken aboard with us as well-"
Vaukt looked back to his previous unit roster for the previous attempt on the station authorized by one of his subordinates...and there was a Corporal Hesa right there on the roster from the 3rd Special Operations Group...marked as deactivated by the Control Brains. "This Corporal Hesa you spoke of...you said she was in that station...was she not previously from the Third SOG? Heavy weapons specialist?" It looked like Tuu just delivered hard evidence without providing anything other than his words. If this was the same Hesa, he'd have no choice but to confront Vult about it.
"One in the same, General," he nodded. "Dr. 'Zharic was experimenting on her at the time of our encounter with her. He was developing a superweapon. Project Silent Night. A means to remotely deactivate Irken en masse. His experimenting had not only bypassed her hormonal inhibitors, but also shielded her from the Control Brains. She is still very much alive and in the building behind us. Commander Vult brings them aboard the ship, suddenly everyone is changing physically and behaving differently than before."
The datapad went dark and slid back into a pocket as he zipped up his rain jacket. The smokes could wait for the moment. This had to be double checked immediately before anything else was done with it. "Take me to him, now."
A combination of relief and dread filled him at that command. Swallowing, he nodded.
"Yes, Sir." He rose from his seat, leading the General back out into the rain, destined for the restaurant across the street.
Vaukt followed, lighting another cigarette as light began illuminating the streets, aside from those street lights that were otherwise undamaged. He followed Tuu, heading up the stairs to the top floor and stopping at Vult's commandeered quarters. "You can return to your post." With that, Vaukt hammered on Vult's door, forcefully. "Commander, open the door, now."
Vult, amidst reviewing the reports filed from watches and keeping in contact with Saro in the event that Grimm demanded to know what was taking so long, rose from his seat at the kitchen table. Setting the datapad down, he approached the door. Just as he was to demand who was giving him orders and as to why so early in the morning, he threw the door open.
General Vaukt. An unexpected surprise.
"General, Sir," He went to attention, snapping a salute. "Apologies. I wasn't expecting you, Sir."
Vaukt disregarded his salute, shoving him to one side and slamming the door as he walked in. "Sit," he pointed to the table in the kitchen. He noticed some movement nearby and looked over, seeing Hesa rushing in mostly dressed. Her boots and pants on, though only with a tank top.
"Vult, wha-oh shit."
"Ah, Corporal Hesa of the Third SOG. You're supposed to be dead. You sit too." Hesa shot a look to Vult, there was shock, even a tinge of fear in her eyes as Vaukt drew his sidearm, "That wasn't a request."
Recovering from being forced aside, more in shock than anything at the General barged in. Before he could seek further clarification or ask what was wrong, Vaukt's pistol cleared its holster, remaining in his hand as he ordered Hesa to take a seat. Her fear visible, Vult just nodded gently, slowly slinking into a chair as well.
"...is there something wrong, General?" Vult began, remaining collected despite the presence of the gun.
"Is there a problem? Yes, yes there is." He walked to the kitchen, keeping out of range of the both of them to do anything without giving him time to notice and react accordingly. "You see, Vult, I just received some very enlightening information from one of your men." He gestured to Hesa's breasts with a slight nudge of his sidearm, "Physical mutations for one, resulting from overriding your PAK's hormonal inhibitors and disconnecting yourselves from the Control Brains. The fact that there's a number of survivors from the station your team reported all VDF and civilians KIA, some of which were in your brig. Ah, but let's not forget what absolutely takes the prize. She's deactivated, she's supposed to be a rotting corpse. I sure don't see that. Charges of you being defective and committing acts of sedition seem to look very true."
The General paused to take a smoke, "However, I consider myself a man of principles and hearing men out under my command. Since you so graciously requested that a while ago. I'm going to extend the same courtesy. Acquit yourself, including the fact that if I go find your lady Aero, I'm going to find similar lumps that are on Hesa here."
Well, this was happening sooner than he liked. If only he had the means with Byte's assistance to work around this. Unfortunately, away from the ship, planetside, amidst a slough of a campaign stood in the way of that. The discussion had with their benefactor on the inside at Judgementia remain fresh in his mind. This very scenario he was warned of. "One of his men" meant one of two people at this conjecture - Rha or Tuu. At the rate things were going, he may never find out which it was and how to handle it.
"...to which I appreciate, Sir," He cautiously began, keeping his hands visible and on the table. No sudden movements. "...there is much to address and I will answer your questions accordingly. What do you wish to start with?"
"Let's start with her," he motioned to Hesa with his smoke in the otherwise free hand. "I have my reports from our first attempt at the substation. She's on the roster. I have the report, and those of the team who weren't KIA were remotely deactivated after several days had passed. We assumed they were taken prisoner. She was on that roster marked as remotely deactivated. Now, as I was told, she was shielded from that by a Doctor 'Zharic, who we'll get to later, but, first, knowing your orders and that she's defective, why did you not blow her brains out on the spot?"
Vult's blue eyes tracked Vaukt's movements, glancing to Hesa at the mentioning of her. A brief, albeit, tense silence overcame them as he thought his response over before looking back to the gun-wielding General.
"...She was deemed a valuable asset by my own assertion, Sir. Dr. Zharic successfully removed her from the Control Brain network...and she still lives. Through that, she also aided in repelling the enemy so we could make it to extraction, where she demonstrated combat prowess under duress. The very same sort of criteria I hand-selected my team from the ranks for...her loyalty has never come into question, nor does she demonstrate any remote hint of dereliction or unwillingness to follow orders despite this."
He made sure to focus on Vaukt fully, his eyes particularly.
"Why throw away the life of a skilled veteran simply because of protocol, Sir? It seems wasteful...does it not?"
His own principles deep down couldn't fault Vult's logic. The same reason he pulled all Spec Ops out of Grimm's hands, rather than attaching them to various units as was usually the case. A live, skilled veteran is worth much more than fresh recruits with no combat experience under their belts. His eyes couldn't betray that. "Yes...much as I dislike admitting it. So, continuing on these physical mutations, explain. I know that to alter the PAK means you're all disconnected. I could see Hesa, and Aero from what I was told. However, that doesn't explain the rest of you who did this willingly. Anyone could look at this and see nothing but malicious intent and treason."
The Commander under fire heavily weighed his options. Did he continued to pay lip service to Vaukt to let him hear what he wanted to hear and hopefully go about his day or did he tell him the truth...a truth that, to anyone within the Empire as far as he was aware of, was a certain death sentence for him and his team...the same people that trusted him with their lives in more ways than one.
"I ask you to look at me, General. What do you see? Pay close attention."
The General looked Vult over. Half an antenna missing. A war injury, clearly, he could respect that. Clearly a well fit soldier, more than himself, these mutations almost seemed beneficial in that regard. His eyes stopped at Vult's arm. Synthetic muscle, high end materials. Clearly nothing Imperial, it almost looks Vortian. Scrounged materials from their travels? Possibly. "With something like that under protocol, you should've been shot and replaced, not have something like that cooked up. How many good men have we lost because of injuries like that which could be solved with something like that replacement of yours?" He mused to himself and paused to smoke. "Your team's work, I'm guessing? I know for a fact we don't issue those."
"Yes." He left it ambiguous on purpose. "Injuries sustained at the hands of a Sanitation Drone we were sent to return to her assignment on Dirt. The Tallest failed to inform me that this Sanitation Drone was an Invader-in-training waiting to retake her final exam and I nearly died because of the equipment and weaponry at her disposal. I, of the Irken Elite, survivor of Impending Doom I, at the front on Praxxus 7, should be deactivated because of injuries sustained due to a lack of intelligence from the entity assigning the mission in the first place. Please, in your infinite wisdom as a chief of staff, General, explain to me how that is fair to loyal soldiers of the Empire."
"It isn't," those were the first two words out of his mouth, much to Hesa's surprise. "They should have told you of her previous assignment, even if it was training, and allowed you to take the proper measures to protect yourself and your team. The Tallest are imbeciles, High Command back on Irk are filled with desk jockeys who haven't seen the field in ages, if ever, and Grimm is by far the worst offender of them all. Right now he's responsible for more deaths among the Generals here on Vort than the VDF." There was another pause for a smoke as ash fell to the floor near his boot. "So, I'm guessing that would be your explanation as to why you countermanded orders as well."
"It is," Vult kept brief. If Vaukt wished for more, he would ask. "You and I both know conditions in the field change. Intelligence is off. A new entity enters the equation. Whatever euphemism you want to use. You adjust accordingly to complete the objectives and keep your team alive. Unlike the Irken Elite or Imperial Troopers, I don't have legions of manpower, logistics, or heavy ordnance at my disposal. Orders followed blindly result in death."
The General lowered his pistol slightly, "So, you're not connected to the brains, you clearly have the same grievances I do. Yet, unlike me, you're free to maneuver without risk of having your off button hit remotely. Explain the sedition and the charge of hiding things from the Tallest. I want the entire truth of the matter. So help me if I think you're holding anything back."
"The Tallest wanted everyone at Sub Station Zero killed. I explained why that was countermanded in detail already." He began, unwavering. He decided to throw more caution to the wind. "Were you aware that the VDF had saboteurs operating with impunity on Devastis, General? Supreme Commander Grimm's complaints of delays in reinforcements? Attributed to their efforts. We intervened. They were to be killed. I held them as my prisoners because they had augmented suits of armor we had never seen before. So much so that one delivered a sidekick to Captain Corr's leg and shattered his femur. Snapped it like a dry twig. I wanted to know about this technology to even the sides again. Especially now after seeing what SIS has at their disposal. That requires doing legwork, gathering intelligence, and interrogations. Corpses cannot be questioned, General."
"No, absolutely no, I wasn't aware of any attack on Devastis. All we were told was that cloning shipments were being delayed. Some talk of them being needed at Foodcourtia or Conventia. That explains why; soldiers are a more urgent need, not a bunch of menial workers." He looked back to Vult's cybernetic limb. "So, did you scavenge one of their suits? I had a close run in with one of them, you know. Impressive pieces of machinery. I wish we had a chance to study it. They self destructed the suit, melted it along with its wearer." He made a mental note of SIS, he would have to get that information out to his teams if they're in this fight. Far more brutal opposition than the norm.
"Corporal Hesa," Vult began without sparing her a glance. "Tell General Vaukt what we discovered SIS intends to do the moment this stalemate is broken and the Empire advances into the heart of Tallum."
She took a breath to relax as best she could before speaking. "They're going to infiltrate the powerplant, force a meltdown, and turn this area into a crater. They're going to kill everyone, sir. VDF, Irken, and civilians alike. They're doing it as one last act of spite to take as many of us with them as possible."
His pistol came down fully, though he still kept his distance. That was quite the revelation, and one he needed to address immediately. "How did you come by this? This wasn't on any radio chatter we've managed to intercept. They're not talking about anything over the airwaves except check ins. How did you find out?"
"A member of the VDF's Special Operations Group "Ohnmatu" approached us." He said with a straight face. "Had I been hooked up to the Control Brains still, it would have been impossible to navigate to receive this information. The Vortians are desperate to stop this from happening to be coming to us Irken for assistance."
That was a revelation, and it said a fair deal about Vult's motivations. Clearly revolving around his team. That was something he could sympathize with. Though, how a Vortian would seek him out directly, that was an even more disturbing question. "Before we discuss this rather alarming intelligence. How did this operative from Ohnmatu know to seek you out? Are you collaborating with the Vortians or is there something more at play here?"
Hesa's hand clenched, Vaukt noticing that movement as she looked to Vult. He knew he hit something much as her face tried to hide it. It was just a matter of what he said that would make or break the situation.
Vult didn't miss it either. The only difference between them is he hid his nerves better than most. A common trait, well-practiced in his line of work.
"Contact was made with Ohnmatu through our prisoners' equipment and resources. Them reaching out to us was a recent development." Vult told the half-truth. "We are still in the process of determining if this is some sort of misdirectional ploy or the truth. SIS is the unknown factor in play at the moment."
Vaukt glanced between the two. He wasn't convinced fully. He had a feeling Vult was hiding something but he wasn't sure what. However, there were some more pressing matters at the moment. "You've bought yourself some more time." He stopped to holster his sidearm, "Know this, you and your team are on notice. I don't know what you're not telling me, and either I'll find out or you're going to tell me, those are the only two options, the former ends far worse for you."
He finished off his smoke and approached the table, snuffing the remains out on a plate left on the table. "Now, tell me what you know about this threat, if you really think it's credible, and what you intend to do about it. I'd much rather put off securing the city than see all of us dead."
Vult strongly contested the mental urge to bring Vaukt into his "inner circle" of those in-the-know of what was truly going on. He could make for a potentially powerful ally deep within the Empire...or he could seal his own death warrant in revealing his open collusion with the enemy and treacherous acts against the Empire. Something the likes of Grimm and even Saro would salivate over the chance to report him or even mete out his punishment in lieu of informing the Control Brains themselves.
About that time, the rapid pounding of quickened footsteps climbing the stairwell and racing down the hallway interrupted his train of thought. The fast steps skidded to a halt outside of the door, immediately followed by the fast rapping of insistent knocks.
"Commander Vult? Sir?" Vard's voice pursued from the other side. "I, uh...Priority One message for you."
Vaukt's head motioned for Hesa to answer the door. She rose and moved to open it as the General looked right to Vult. "This conversation definitely isn't over. Though it seems you have more pressing matters, and I'm intrigued to hear it." Hesa closed the door once Vard was inside, with Vaukt only giving a glance over his shoulder to the short technical expert of the team. Another one, it seemed, even despite his diminutive statute he looked tough. Curious.
No sooner than the door opened, Vard, somewhat labored from a combination of exertion in running up all the flights of stairs and stress from the nature of the transmission, stopped in his tracks. General Vaukt. Overall commander of Spec Ops on Vort. Violet eyes behind his goggles darted between the officers present, mostly because he was at a loss of how to proceed.
"Uh, G-General, Sir, apologies." He finally stammered out, snapping a shaky salute.
"Enough with the formalities, man, a priority one takes greater precedence over that in my book! Out with it! I need to know if it has to do with this intelligence your commander just shared with me."
At that moment, Vard's throat went dry as sand. His spooch knotted up over and over on itself. His heart plummeted in his chest and breath seized. He couldn't speak as his pulse skyrocketed and immediately began sweating.
"Sergeant," Vult addressed him, getting his attention. "The message, what is it?"
"I-I-I-uh...um…" He struggled yet, his hands trembling at his sides, fingers fidgeting.
This wasn't for dramatic effect. It was because of who was in the room with them and who was demanding his intervention into that conversation. Vult's eyes searched his subordinate's body language. The short statured man acted before he could speak again.
Well-practiced given their standard of training, Vard's sidearm cleared its holster and snapped to Vaukt. He locked his arms out and held his pistol in prime posture to engage, but didn't pull the trigger.
"Drop the weapon, Sir! Now!"
"Vard, what are you doing?!" Vult demanded, leaping from his seat to intervene. His pistol snapped to Vult as he took a step back.
"Sir, do NOT...Byte told me to! I-I-I had to!" He hoarsely informed, immediately snapping back to Vaukt. "On the deck, NOW!"
The General stood, but rather than obey Vard, he acted himself, grabbing the nearby Corporal as a shield as he withdrew his weapon again, training it on Vard rather than Vult. "You're out of line, Sergeant!" He stopped and looked to Vult, squeezing Hesa's neck slightly to get her to stop struggling. "I guess this conversation is still going, then. Who's Byte and why is he telling your man to do this?"
The Commander felt an instinctual rise in aggression as Vaukt took Hesa as his impromptu prisoner and use of a shield. It took everything he had to not leap into action and assault Vaukt himself and put an end to this madness. Instead, he kept his hands aloft, slowly stepping between both of their lines-of-sight.
"Vard, stand down."
"Sir, I-I-I can't-"
"I wasn't asking you, Sergeant."
"He-"
"DO IT!" Vult's voice barked with authority over his shoulder. His blue eyes faced Vaukt. "Let her go. I will explain everything."
"Very well, I have no intention of hurting the Corporal, but he holsters his weapon first...call it a show of good faith." His sights were still trained on Vard, ready to gun him down if he had to. "I know your team aren't idiots, neither am I. Don't insult me thinking I'm like Grimm, Saro, or any of these other fools who needlessly send men to their deaths over their self-inflated egos."
The blue-eyed Irken let Vaukt speak, seeming to keep the man calm himself. His attention drifted to Hesa, ensuring she was okay despite the situation. Behind him, he heard Vard's lack of securing his weapon.
"Vard."
"Sir, please-"
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes, Sir, I do-"
"I haven't led you astray yet...put your sidearm away. Trust me." He spoke calmly, looking to Vaukt. "...even if this goes south, he has to shoot me and Hesa first. You'll drop him before he can get to you and he knows it...just put it away and relax."
Reluctantly, if not frustratingly so, Vard abided by his superior's wisdom. His pistol returned to its magnetic lock at his right thigh.
"...now...General." He gestured. "Let's put the gun away, sit down, and have a civilized discussion about this."
Vaukt let Hesa go, she rubbed her neck and walked back over to Vult. He also lowered his pistol, but kept it in hand. "I think given what transpired, I'll hang onto it as a precaution...though, yes, let's talk." He walked over to the table and took his seat again, setting the pistol down on the table with his arms resting over it firmly, so none of them get any bright ideas.
"I'll ask again, Vult, who is this Byte and why did he instruct your man to shoot me?" He paused, smirking, "It smells of sedition, but against whom?"
Vult watched as Vaukt abided by the very shaky agreement. He, too, slid back into his seat as Hesa did the same. Vard remained standing, looking among those present.
"Vard."
"Sir, I'm sorr-"
"Worry about that later," He interrupted, gesturing for him to approach. "...do you actually have a message for me or did Byte just tell you to intervene?"
"He...is waiting to speak to you, Sir...and has been yelling at me...to shoot General Vaukt."
"So we've all seen," Vult's calm approach served to keep nerves from fraying further. "Put him on speaker, Sergeant."
"Sir, I-"
"Trust...me...please."
Hesitate, if not panicked still, his trembling hands procured a particular piece of communications equipment from his belt, opposite from his pistol. A few switches flipped, knobs turned, and data input, he powered the device on and placed it at the center of the table.
A pop and hiss of static soon followed before the transmission came in crystal clear.
"VARD FOR THE LOVE OF IRK SHOOT HIM!"
Vult cleared his throat unnecessarily loud.
"Byte? It's Vult."
Silence.
"We...have a predicament. I know you're there. You're on speaker."
More silence.
"Okay, let me rephrase: General Vaukt hasn't shot all of us yet because he is willing to listen to what you have to say. If you don't start talking, I will find you myself and rip your spine out and beat you to death with it."
A long, weary sigh came through.
"...this is awkward."
"Very. Whatever he asks, answer him. All of our lives depend on it."
"...Very well...General Vaukt...apologies for the...rude first impressions. I just...did not intend to meet under these circumstances and sadly lacked a contingency plan for it. A man of subterfuge yourself, surely you understand the need."
"If this is sedition I'm smelling, I'd almost expect it." He huffed using one hand to withdraw another cigarette and light it, helping to calm his nerves. "Now, from the conversation I was having with Vult, there are several questions I have. First: who in the blazes are you? Second, I know this is sedition already, but against what? Third, he got intelligence from this Vortian group called Ohnmatu, I guess they're the equivalent of Vult and his team. How do the Vortians know to contact them?"
"Who I am is not important. This is not for dramatic effect or the need to hide my identity from you. I could give you my name, my occupation, and where I could be found and you will still never find me. All of your requests to report this information to the Control Brains will be...lost in transmission, to say the least," He heavily implied, explaining his clout. "You have more pressing matters than chasing ghosts half a universe away while continuing the campaign on Vort."
"Byte…" Vult growled.
"Fine...how honest are we being?"
"Tell him everything."
"Do you have a death wish?!"
"You took us into the most secure, top-secret Vortian facility in the entire universe and we walked away. If the General wanted us dead, we would be already. Stop wasting his time before he loses his patience and starts shooting."
Another long, heavy sigh. One born of a strange mixture of frustration and apprehension. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this. Not so soon. He had just barely made contact with Haven and started directing more supplies and the sort their way. A means to start their civilization and learn to defend themselves proper. A scant few hundred and no means of using them to their advantage!
"...if we're just going to cut to the heart of the matter and get this over with...I've engineered, guided, and a touch manipulated Vult and his team to be the spearhead to be driven into the heart of the Empire. Overthrow the Tallest. Destroy the Control Brains. Remove the PAK system. A return to what we once were. Commanders of our own destiny. Defenders of our own virtues. In summary with a single word? Revolution."
Vaukt leaned in, rather intrigued. So his senses were on. Though, in the eyes of command this was outright treason. He served the Empire faithfully for so long, but what has that gotten him? Subordinated to a maniacal commander who's content to achieve an objective no matter the casualties. Such a man would be cashiered out of any other military service...but the Empire wasn't just any other service. The General took a longer than usual drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke.
"So, upend the system, remove the incompetency...and you said you didn't intend to meet me under these circumstances...so you must've had me on a list of potential individuals to help you out with this little...revolution of yours."
"Just so you are aware, General, it is incredibly difficult to maintain this transmission and its secure integrity...please be careful of word choice still. Even with my expertise, it only extends so far over unsecure means of contact." He warned before proceeding. "...and yes. There are several officers of varying rank and assignment that are on the potential radar for being tapped as potential supporters of the cause...but not until further traction was gained. The issue being is you so much as hint at what we are discussing to the common soldier or drone, they immediately report such to their superior or the nearest IIA officer. Support comes with success. Success comes from traction and momentum gained by the movement."
"So why not currently?" Vult pursued, forcing Byte to elaborate.
"Because, Commander...it was VERY difficult to navigate the system and keep your activities hush-hush. General Vaukt is not at the same level of security clearance as you are. More entities can access his information. More loose threads, so on and so forth. It's the very same reason why I didn't appropriate a legion of troops fresh from Devastis to begin with. It would be immediately discovered."
Vaukt chuckled, "I think I know some ways around that for the future. However...as to this little bag of tricks you people seem to be fond of...I think given my mistreatment and lack of respect from those above me, the bag is rather appealing...though I must ask what's in it for me if I were to contribute some tricks of my own?"
"That depends on how vainglorious you are."
"Be nice."
"Fine...it all depends on what you seek to imprint on the movement. What you wish to bring to the table. What you have to offer and where you think you would best fit? If you seek recognition, titles, and that sort, well...to quote the Vortian people...you can fuck right off, Sir."
"I think you're aware that after the first Impending Doom we've had an increase in the number of experimental units, yes? You're also aware that most of them are under my branch. You must also be aware that they were all formulated by me in hopes of changing how we handle warfare. I already have a number of highly trained, specialized, and loyal troops to call on. Not to mention...like minded to myself. As for my desires, I only had two: maintaining my current rank, and, if at all possible, I want to deal with Grimm personally."
"I am very well-informed, yes. Should you doubt this, question Vult. He will tell you so. Hence my-...our interest in reaching out to you and those like you when the time was right. Your rank is of no consequence to me. That will be for your comrades to decide if you merit it or not. Elsewhere in the universe, throughout space and time, rank and command structure is often dictated by experience, merits, charisma, and reliability. Your stature has nothing to do with it and will matter for naught whenever the system that dictates such is removed and the new one is put in its place."
Byte paused, breathing deeply to steady his own nerves and continue to watch things on his end for any sign of changes locally before proceeding.
"...as for your...grudges, I am sure there will be a very long line armed with axes aplenty to the grindstone. If you get to him first, then so be it. No one present will stop you."
"I'm aware of the business on merit with rank. In fact I'd prefer it that way." He glanced at Vult briefly, pausing to secure his sidearm at last. "Fine, I'm in. Sounds like some sense from someone, finally."
"That's good...because I just now gained access to send the deactivation signal to you and you alone if you weren't. I'm pleased it didn't come to this." Byte reasoned, if not cheekily so. "Obviously, I do not speak so directly about these things normally. I can't take the risks. You need to reach me, go through Vult and his team. They have proper means of communication outside of the Empire's scope of...understanding, let's say. I can divulge more freely through it. Now, at the risk of being rude, I need to go. A broken clock is right twice a day and the system will eventually back-track my activity. Ta-ta for now."
He severed the transmission from his end, leaving the speaker to output a gentle hiss of static in its place. Vard hesitantly stepped forward before taking the device up to deactivate it and immediately change its settings to cover their own tracks.
"Apologies for manhandling you, Corporal, circumstances." Vaukt stood, heading towards the door. "You have my directline, Vult, keep me informed, or I'll call you."
"Wait, sir-" Vaukt stop short of opening the door to look to Hesa.
"What is it?"
"You said one of us told you about this?"
"Yes. I'm assuming he was on watch when I was diving by."
Hesa looked to Vult, concerned, "I think the only two on watch right now are Haxx and Tuu."
"Doesn't matter," Vult remained collected about the entire ordeal, if not relieved that Vaukt was able to listen to reason and, at the very least, give it a chance. "Tuu does not know we know he was the one that informed the General. He cannot be faulted. He is still following PAK programming."
"I don't buy that...Sir," Vard finally spoke up, swallowing nervously. "General Vaukt elected to join in Byte's cause with us and he is still connected to the system."
"Then why would Tuu not be able to make the same willful decision?" Vult pursued his subordinate's cursory thoughts.
"...at the risk of speaking ill of a fellow squadmate, Commander? His loyalty to the Empire transcends what is reasonable even among the rank-and-file. It is blind loyalty. Fearful of reprisal loyalty. It's why he saw the opportunity to attempt to get General Vaukt to compromise us. He fears your activities are going to bring about shame and punishment for his loyalty to you. It's why he constantly second-questions orders given by yourself, Captain Corr, and even Lieutenants Volx and Kazak."
"Disloyal subordinates are easy to deal with by means of a transfer. Those who would sail you down the river to save their own hide, how soon until the knife is at your back again?" Vaukt left Vult with that before opening the door and heading out the door, closing it behind him.
Hesa heaved a sigh, a mix of relief and frustration. "Honestly, I have to agree with Vard. I mean, think about it. Aside from me, all of you made the decision to willingly disconnect yourself from the Control Brains. Vaukt's still connected and he chose rebellion. Those Drones in Haven from what Rha said can also clearly exercise free will. Even with PAK programming, they haven't fully removed it from us. Tuu just made himself a threat to everything we're doing here."
"He is still one of us," Vult defended. "I have treated him no differently than the rest of you and recruited him in similar fashion. With the exception of Rha and Rem, the rest of you have seen reason in your own ways and with your own motivations. Everyone made that decision at different times for different reasons. Just because he does not do it when we like does not mean he will never be willing."
"At the risk of insubordination, Commander," Vard began, the irony of pointing his pistol at him and a General just moments ago was not lost on him. "...I think that is a mistake and I have to agree with Corporal Hesa on this one. He has shown he will not hesitate to report all of us higher up the chain...I don't think you fathom just how lucky we got...Sir."
"He's right," Hesa looked to her left hand, still somewhat shaking from the ordeal that transpired moments ago. "I think Tuu saw his chance and sent him here with one of two ends in mind: either Vaukt shoots us on the spot as traitors, or he reports us to IIA, and then we have to contend with them sending a battalion of IIA down on our heads. Not to mention we can't very well retreat to Vortian lines, we'd be stuck in the same boat as them with no real way out. Save for Tuu, who'd probably get a pat on the back and a new unit assignment." She paused, "Imagine if he told Saro or Grimm."
"I dare Saro to report anything but good news to Grimm after what Corr and I have done for him," Vult sneered, shaking his head in remembering the day they arrived on Vort and the mess they fixed to save the wretched man's life...again...for the second time. "...and even if that were to happen, it would only accelerate what is to come…" he sighed, somewhat forlorn. "...I cannot fault Tuu for his actions...if we were not so enlightened, we would be doing the exact same thing...I just don't know how to get through to him and convince him we are not the enemy. Not under these circumstances."
"I'm sure Calla felt the same way about the same people she trusted that blew her cover, Sir," Vard delivered the cold, hard truth. "What you, I, or any of the others want or desire doesn't matter if his mind is set and he cannot be swayed short of holding him down at gunpoint and I unplug him from the system. Even then, he may still yet fall back on what is comforting and familiar. Commander...Sir...he cannot be trusted. Not with what we are doing. Not now."
"We need to do something, Vult," Hesa interjected, "He's going to do something if he doesn't see that his plan worked. He'll go straight to Grimm I think. That not only puts us at risk, but also Vaukt. I don't think he signed on just for IIA to show up and arrest him, or shoot him."
Vult mulled over it mentally for a moment. This wasn't as simple as giving an order to go there, hold that position, or eliminate that hostile. They were talking about one of their own. Up until that point, he had been a trusted confidant and reliable member of the team. Unwavering, unyielding, and good at his assigned duties to a fault.
"...everything that was spoken of and about in this room today? Doesn't leave it." Vult made explicitly clear. "...Vard."
"Yes, Sir?"
"Notify Captain Corr that I want to hold a...team meeting. Tonight, 0300. I only want those that have been unhooked from the system to be woken up and present. Rem, Rha, and Tuu are not to be present under any circumstances."
Vard, making quick, short-hand notes on a small notepad, nodded as he finished doing so.
"Anything else, Sir?"
"I want a secure line prepared to General Vaukt and the Tallest. Separate frequencies. Work your magic."
"Yes, Sir."
"That is all. Dismissed."
Vard saluted, lingering a moment as he fidgeted with his hands.
"About earlier, Commander-"
"It's done and over with, Sergeant. You did what you thought was best under the circumstances. I'd have probably done the same. Leave it be and move on."
"Yes, Sir." he nodded, relieved as he took his leave and departed the room with his orders given.
With the room to themselves, Hesa rose and went over to Vult, hugging him tightly. "I won't lie, I thought we were both absolutely fucked earlier. I mean, don't get me wrong, if we get through this…" she paused, unsure of what to say, "I really just didn't think that if this relationship really went somewhere we'd have both died like that."
Alone with her once more, in private, he sighed heavily, welcoming her touch as the stress of what they just endured melted away. Multiple times they almost died. Either by Vaukt's hand or dare he even say Vard's for trying to force Byte's will upon them. All of this was getting so complicated and trying now that they were caught in the middle of the Empire and the Federation fully now.
"...you and me both. It...pains me to even consider this knowing Tuu trusted me-us...and felt so betrayed he'd risk punishment by going above me outside of our team. I wish it hadn't come to this."
"I know...I know…It isn't anything good, it stings, hard." She moved, sitting in his lap to cuddle with him. "Let's just...stay a bit...at least we're still here, and we have each other."
Vult was okay with that idea. Being deployed, in the field, and more or less waiting until it was their time to enter the fray, such moments would be few and far in between moving forward.