The rest of the day followed with little other activity other than more movement from Elites and Troopers passing by outside on the way to reorganized lines at the front. The intelligence of Saro's reorganization also held off the suicidal plan SIS concocted, for now. With no Vortian counterattack and not much else to do other than plan potential moves, it was mostly a mundane day at the front.
The only high point was the arrival of a second scout sniper, First Sergeant Avak, the man who replaced Kazak once he joined Vult's crew. Attached to them by Vaukt's clearance through Captain Mizak, he took one of the remaining empty apartments of the building. Kazak had plans on how to distract them when Corr informed him about the planned meeting that night, easy knowing his team's tactics.
They went out late at night for a recon operation: scouting the overland routes in the valley of death between the power plant and the city center, as well as mapping out the sewer infiltration routes and seeing how far back they can be from the plant be it by routing or collapse of the street above. By Kazak's estimation, they'd be back by dawn. Plenty of time.
Right on the dot, the team gathered in the restaurant's VIP room, Vard and Aero dressed for watch, but the rest were either in uniform or in a more casual form of it as they intended to go back to sleep after this was over with. Once Corr made sure everyone was present, he nodded to Vult, "All those you requested are here, Commander."
Gathered around under low light provided by a handful of powered lanterns to not provide easy prey for would-be marksmen sneaking around in the rubble of the city around them, the team sat in chairs and at booths. All of which were in varying states of sleep depravity, between wide-awake and what could pass for being barely alive. Even at rest and doing little legwork as of yet, sleep was precious and much to their irritability, this clandestine meeting was called by a rousing shake and hushed whisper to assemble. What was this all about and why couldn't it wait until morning?
Vult, having spent the afternoon in Hesa's company and at rest, was fully awake and aware while in full uniform. He had to look presentable before his troops after all.
"Thank you, Captain," He nodded, standing before those present at-ease, hands folded behind his back. "I'm sure all of you are wondering why I've gathered you here so late and thrown the watch rotation off schedule. It is for a good reason and I only ask for your attention while I explain."
Allowing that to sink in and wake the dozing ones up a little more to be alert, he proceeded.
"There is a reason why I have asked you and only you to be present. Look amongst yourselves and you will see that Sergeant Rha, Sergeant Tuu, and Navigator Rem are not among you. The reason for this is that of those currently on the roster of this unit, these three are still securely connected to the Control Brains. This has not been an issue...until yesterday morning at first light."
There were some looks around the room, confused, before Haxx spoke up, "Is it Rha? I bet it was Rha. What happened, sir?"
"Actually, it wasn't Rha," Hesa spoke from her seat, "It was Tuu." There were some more looks around and some whispers then silence for Vult to continue.
"A lot, Haxx, so I will keep it brief." Vult opened with, now that he had their undivided attention. "General Vaukt, the lead chief of staff of Spec Ops planetside on Vort, was making his rounds while Sergeant Tuu was on sentry duty. He approached the General and broke OPSEC. He informed Vaukt of classified information pertaining to our actions and activities. He brought grievances and speculation to the General rather than take them up with his immediate superiors or myself. The reason for this is because, worst of all, he informed General Vaukt of our detachment from the Control Brains and removal of our PAK inhibitors. This, by Imperial code, makes us all defective. This is what he presented General Vaukt. General Vaukt then demanded an audience with myself."
Haxx's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. "S-should we be running for it instead of sitting here?"
Volx put a hand on his shoulder, "Relax. The Commander would be getting us back to the ship if that were the case."
"Actually, we're still alive, by a shred of luck," Hesa interjected, "General Vaukt is actually in on the rebellion and isn't going to report us to IIA."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa….whoa," Aero began, standing up as she shook her head. "You're sayin' that…" she paused, yawning as she held a single finger up to be patient and wait. "You're sayin' that General Vaukt knows all that stuff...and we're not gonna have the IIA goons storm the place and take us out?"
"That's right, Aero. General Vaukt, at least after a very lengthy discussion about it with him, is very much on board. He, too, is not pleased with how the campaign on Vort has been going and generally the Empire's attitude towards casualties and the treatment of its ranks."
"Soo...we're safe then, right? No harm, no foul?"
Sula raised her hand.
"Yes, Sula?" Vult addressed her.
"Commander...Sir...permission to speak freely?"
"Of course. Floor's yours."
She nodded, breathing deeply as she searched for the words...and the courage.
"...Sir...I want to ask you a question, with everyone present…" She opened with, swallowing nervously. "I have heard...rumors in passing and I will not mention names...but...after hearing about what Tuu has done and General Vaukt...are-...are you planning on taking us and going rogue?"
"What?" Aero scoffed, amused at the fact as she looked back to Vult. "What? Are we gonna fight the Empire and its billions of soldiers its got? That's insane!"
Her laugh became nervous as she saw Vult's expression no change once.
"...right?"
"Commander." Vard stepped in, tipping his chin up as he remained at-ease. "...a little transparency goes a long way. We've earned it. You tell us to trust you. We trust you. Trust us as much as we trust you. It goes both ways...Sir."
"Trans- What are you talkin' about, Vardy? I thought this was about Tuu's big, fat mouth and how he can't keep it shut...what is all of this you're goin' on about?"
"There's...a lot more to this than you realize, everyone. I'm sure you met Calla at some point over the past weeks." Corr spoke, standing not far from Vult but off to the side. "Commander, I think you can put this into better words than I."
Vult sighed, putting the words together mentally as everyone was fully alert and listening by now.
"...While Corr was healing and Lieutenant Volx took Purple Team planetside to Eight-Eight-Four-Five, he was spending most of his time going over what I told all of you to be encrypted intelligence acquired during the mission to Irk. This was a half-truth. It was intelligence, but not what we are used to. A...benefactor by the name of Byte, who, at the time, was the Administrator our team ended up tracking down and "eliminating". I will expand on that more soon. It was volumes upon volumes of recorded history of the Irken people. Pre-spaceflight accomplishments and achievements. Culture, music, art, cuisine, science, medicine...the things combined that make a people's identity. None of this information can be found anywhere within the Empire's own records. Embedded within this knowledge that cannot be found elsewhere in the Empire was an encoded series of coordinates. Those coordinates lead to the Vortian Federation's top-secret, highly-classified research station, far off of any charted starmap. Myself, Lieutenant Kazak, and Sergeant Vard left for those coordinates with Dr. 'Zharic aboard the shuttle."
"THAT'S what you were doing!" Aero called out in shock and surprise. "I-I-I remember! You took the shuttle while the other one was gone and we were short-handed! That's where you went? Is that why Turb didn't come back with you?"
"That's right." Vult nodded. "I brought Dr. 'Zharic as a peace offering to the Vortian officials...that and we did not want to be blasted into dust on-approach before we could make contact, either. It was after we arrived there that we came to discover what all of this meant. The information Byte had given me. Corr procuring the coordinates from within it. Us arriving there. Byte had contacted the station beforehand much to their dismay. I explained that was the only reason why I would willingly lead myself into the waiting restraints and muzzles of rifles of the peer-enemy we are currently at war with."
"So...Byte, that's the guy right? He's dead...but not really?"
"He's very much alive. What I "killed" on Irk was a robotic construct. A remotely-controlled, synthetic body made to look like an organic, normal Irken. His insurance policy in making sure his observations about us were correct. He has been watching. He knows everything there is to know about us. What we are. Who we are. Who we once were in the Empire. He knows about this unit. He knows everything we've done and will do."
"He's also the reason why none of us are dead," Kazak added in, "He's kept the Control Brains very much off our activity. Why none of us were being deactivated? Sure, the security clearance does give us leeway, but a broken clock is right twice a day. If they found out, we'd have all been screwed. Thanks to him we've been able to disconnect and not raise alarms. He's even disconnected in his own way."
"He has kept some of us alive long before being unhooked," Vult picked up. "Myself being among that group after my injuries sustained at the hands of Tak. The PAK damage you sustained, Aero...Byte has kept you alive as well."
"That's...wow...I don't know what to call that. Spooky? Scary? Awesome? All of the above?" Aero rattled off, shaking her head. "So what's this all mean? Where are you goin' with this, Sir?"
"...Byte, whom I don't even know if that is his real name, is able to do all of this because he is on Judgementia. He is very well-connected within the system that manages and controls the Control Brains. The same system that dictates who lives and who dies...and who turns a blind eye to who...and he had manipulated that system...and us...with a goal in mind."
"What, is he like a god or something?" Aero scoffed.
"No...he's an architect. A designer of a very intricate, grand plan." Vult corrected, having all of them on the edge of their seat by now. "...we are a very large stone intended to be cast and cause a rippling effect across the Empire. The spearhead being sharpened to be driven deep into the heart of it."
"Rebellion." Vard cut to the chase, turning to face his squadmates. "I was there today when General Vaukt agreed to this. It is why he hasn't reported us to IIA...and why I wasn't forced to kill him."
"And bring an end to this system of relentless conquests, bring our species back to what we had, what we were." Corr threw in to start, "Overthrow the Tallest, destroy the Control Brains, and put an end to this PAK system, even if we have to do that one bit by bit."
"What's more," Kazak started, "Those three Vortians back on our ship? They're on our side now. Once we go open with this, they have orders to help us out, swell the ranks on our team, help us out. Some of the other Ohnmatu guys seem to know too. Actually met Rub'Ahko last night as one of them." Not that the name meant anything to them, probably, but he remembered what Vult said, "That one who spared him when his spotter was hanging out the window."
"Spotter- Ooooooh...right, the guy...the one I…" Aero motioned with her hands, having struck him in the face with a large wrench in hand-to-hand and knocked teeth out. "...huh...crazy how that came back around to benefit us."
"It is...all of this is, really," Vult reasoned. "I know this is a lot to digest and moving forward it will impact...well, everything...but if you have any questions or concerns...voice them, please. Vard was correct in his assertion. I have asked much of you in trusting me throughout this process. I am now trusting you as I should have from the start."
"So...we're actually rebelling, right?" Haxx seemed confused, "We're going to rise up against the Empire, just the nine of us?"
"And the four Vortians on our ship, and the VDF is going to help us from the sound of things," Volx chimed in, being in on things earlier, but not to this great an extent, "I have to say, I'm looking forward to it."
"How are we going to convince others to join us though? What with the Control Brains and all?" Haxx paused, "Wait a minute...are those drones we saved and Rha helped escape now in on this too?"
"Whooa...that's like...an actual army." Aero realized.
"Alright, dial it back," Vult insisted, "...to summarize what everyone believes, yes...the relationship between us and the Empire is deteriorating for a multitude of reasons. However...until further notice...we are to maintain the illusion we are still the prime example of loyal soldiers to the Empire. This is for the sake of intelligence gathering for our VDF counterparts. We, ourselves, cannot openly strike out against the Empire...but there are plenty of others that can with our help."
"So what about Tuu then? Isn't that what all of this was about to begin with?"
"It was...and the purpose for all of this was I wanted to discuss Tuu's future with the team...it is becoming clear that Sergeant Tuu will jeopardize all of us. We were fortunate General Vaukt sympathizes and is willing to join our ranks. We will not be so lucky if he pursues to do the same elsewhere."
"Well, what about Rem and Rha? They're not here for the same reason right now, right?"
"Correct, Aero, but Tuu has show an unwillingness to consider the alternative. He is faithful and loyal to the Empire and will lay down his life to preserve it. I cannot fault him for doing so but it is clear he will endanger all of us should he remain. I cannot bring myself to make the decision myself, nor do I feel it fair to do so without your input, so we will put it to a vote...will Sergeant Tuu remain with this unit or shall I have General Vaukt make arrangements to have him transferred out and away from us?"
Haxx blinked, "Why don't we lose Tuu some other way? You know...make him get lost in some suicidal operation or something? Or...shoot him ourselves?"
"Haxx!" Aero scolded him. "That's still someone we know...and kinda like! Yeah, he doesn't agree with us and would probably have a meltdown with what we're doin', but that doesn't make it okay to just kill him."
"Better him than all of us if he decides to, I dunno, go to Grimm or something? Why not just put two in the back of the head and be done with it?"
"Too suspicious," Volx replied calmly, rather than rebuking Haxx's train of thought, "He would likely see a reprisal coming from us right now. I'm not willing to lose anyone. Besides, like Kazak said, our security clearance does give us a lot of leeway. Aero's got a point too, we still got to know him. You think any of us could easily pull the trigger?"
"I couldn't. I know I couldn't." Aero admitted, looking to Haxx. "...and you can pretend to not like him all you want, I bet you couldn't either. None of us could have and don't want to. It's different when you don't know the person...and that makes us sound like terrible, awful people…"
"He's looking for validation, Sergeant, a transfer would suit him well and make him think he's helped and that IIA will get to us, eventually." Corr added, "It's the best fix."
"But, that's not permanent."
"It doesn't need to be, Sergeant. We only need to hold him off long enough for us to go rogue."
Haxx stayed silent while he thought it over, "So you guys want to get rid of him and make him think he's won so he can't hurt us before the time's right?"
"Essentially, yes, that's the idea."
"I'm for getting rid of him, then."
Vult nodded, looking to address the others. "That's one vote in favor of. I want everyone's input and let the group decide what we do."
Sula, already timid and shy by nature, found it difficult to even fathom what they were discussing. Getting rid of one of their own over a difference of opinions and ideologies. She understood the logic and reasoning behind it, but it felt...wrong.
"...is this the only choice we have, Sir?" She managed, almost pained. "He's one of us. This isn't some...prisoner or even a Trooper or Irken Elite we are talking about here."
"I am fully aware of that, Sula. This is not an easy decision to be made, hence why I have brought it to all of you. Tuu will be our undoing as things currently set and all of this will be for naught. We will be discovered. We will be hunted. We will be killed in possibly the worst ways imaginable for our defiance."
"Why not have him unhooked from the Control Brains like the rest of us? Maybe that is what is influencing him." She reasoned out loud.
"Even if it is, you all made the conscious decision of your own volition to be unhooked. I did not force you. I did not make you choose. You were given the choice and you made it yourselves. Tuu has demonstrated a clear unwillingness to compromise and is clinging to his loyalty to the Empire in light of all we have experienced. He has been through the nightmare of Vort both times, he was on Devastis with us, and most recently, his mission to Eight-Eight-Four-Five. Every instance, he has been unwavering and steadfast in the belief the Empire knows best and we must accept our fates dealt to us no matter what without question."
As much as she hated to admit it, her commanding officer was right. They all made that choice of free will to be unhooked. Tuu's behavior as of lately was unbecoming of a subordinate and after the stunt he pulled getting General Vaukt involved...it was becoming painfully clear of what was etched in stone before them.
A weary, almost pained sigh escaped the Medical Officer as she solemnly nodded, lifting her head.
"...if there truly is no other way...for the sake of all of us, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...I vote to transfer him out."
Vult nodded, waiting for the next.
Hesa looked to Vult with a nod, "I'm sure you already know where I stand. I was there."
"It'll put us short a marksman," Volx started, "I'll slap a scope on my rifle to make up for it as best I can. Let's remove the Sergeant."
"Oust him," Kazak added in his vote.
Aero grimaced, drawing her features tight as she weighed it over. She tried and tried to be optimistic. Maybe he would come to listen to reason. Be on board. Just like the rest of them...but the risk was too great. All he had to do was go to another high-ranking official in the Empire. Word would reach the Tallest. Internal Affairs would deploy in force and no amount of training or preparation would save them. Certain death.
"...He has to go." She softly said. "We won't be so lucky the next time he pulls this stunt."
"Agreed." Vard nodded, looking to Vult. "Goes without saying, Sir. I was there. Sergeant Tuu needs to be transferred or we will be forced to make a very hard choice that will result in someone's death. His or ours. None of us want to pull that trigger."
The Commander nodded, running his palm back over his damaged antenna with a sigh.
"...unanimously in favor of his transfer out of this unit." He summarized. "Likely the best outcome for everyone involved."
"So that's it then, Sir?" Aero shrugged. "What do we do now? What's next? Why are we even on Vort still?"
"We have to maintain our image as loyal soldiers to the Empire. It is the only way this will work. That being said, do not say a word to Tuu about what we discussed and decided here tonight. He needs to believe this is a natural progression, a reward for his integrity in reporting us to Vaukt. Do not shun him. Do not ostracize him. Nothing has changed as far as he is aware of."
"When will we take that plunge, Commander?" Sula queried, the thought of open rebellion terrified her.
"I don't know. Could be tomorrow. Could be years from now. For now, we are nothing more than a source of information for those who stand defiant to the Empire. The races the Tallest seek to conquer. It is difficult to raise our weapons for an entity we no longer support, I know, but we must persevere." Vult reasoned, giving them one more long look over. "Should things change and we deviate, you will be notified immediately by myself or your commanding officers." He gestured to Corr and the Lieutenants Volx and Kazak.
Haxx sat quietly and put an arm around Volx. She shot a look at him at first then saw the somewhat nervous look on his face. "Haxx, listen, I know you're a loudmouth, but I know you have it in you to keep it shut about this. If you think you can't, just avoid him, all right?"
"Yeah...yeah I can do that." He paused to look to Vult, "Is there anything else, Commander?"
"Unless any of you have questions or something to add, I have said my piece on the matter," He answered, leaving the floor open for them. "Otherwise, back in your racks, get some rest. I will notify General Vaukt at first light of our decision and leave the rest in his hands."
"Yeah, I got a question, Sir." Aero began. "...if we lose Tuu...are we gonna get a replacement? We're at what? Twelve on the roster now? Six and six per team? Won't that make things uneven and wonky in the field?"
"I will discuss the matter with General Vaukt. His resources and knowledge of what we are undertaking will get us a more...like-minded individual. Until then, we'll deal with being short-handed. Not the first time we've been handicapped and against the odds. Won't be the last, either." He summarized.
"The Lieutenant said she'll use a scope in the meantime. It won't be all bad, Aero." Haxx added in with a smirk as he stood up. "I mean, she can't make long range kills like Tuu and Kazak, but she'll be great for closer in fighting like this."
"At least I can hit the broadside of a building, Sergeant," Volx quipped back at him as she rose as well."
"Hey, fire superiority has its own uses. Keeping their heads down can be just as important as killing them. Or is that jealousy I hear that you can do a job and not have any accuracy requirements?"
"Sergeant-"
"I know, I know, I'm goin'." Haxx shook his head, still smirking, as he made his way out of the room and headed back, Volx following after him.
Kazak shrugged, "They must be tired. Can't blame them." He got up and stretched, "Vult, if it's fine with you, I'll be in the kitchen. See if I can't scrounge us up some breakfast. I want to be wide awake when Mizak and Avak come back so I can debrief them on what they found."
"So long as you're ready for whatever needs doing, the time is yours," Vult acknowledged. "...but make enough for two. I'll join you. I want to speak to Vaukt personally."
"I'll get some coffee going." Kazak left, the remaining members of the team filtering out of the room, leaving Corr and Hesa as the last two in the room. The Captain looked to the Corporal and then to his commander. Whatever he had in mind could wait. He had some sort of idea of what was going on from how he felt about Calla. He simply smiled at Vult with a nod and took his leave.
Vult returned the gesture, looking to Hesa as the rest of the team returned to get a little more much-needed sleep and mull over what had been laid before them. Whatever relief he felt in sharing his growing knowledge of an uprising in its infancy had burdened them with uncertainty. They shared their grief and complaints about the Empire, but still followed orders and knew when to keep such opinions to themselves. Yet, their commanding officer told them it meant nothing now and they were the start of something bigger than themselves. A lot to take in. A lot to think over. Most of all...a lot to keep quiet about and pretend nothing nefarious was afoot around Imperial regulars and officers alike.
Waiting until the others left the room entirely, he stepped closer to the Corporal, a consoling touch to her shoulder to garner her attention.
"You should get some rest." he insisted. "I need to speak to Vaukt personally and I want to be waiting for him should he arrive. You don't need to stay up."
"Don't get too worn out, bed's a bit less cozy without you in it." Hesa stood, giving him a kiss on the cheek coupled with a hug before leaving him to linger.
"I won't be longer than necessary." He assured her in parting with a small smirk. Watching her leave, he set off to find Kazak. A stimulating drink and a hot, fresh meal sounded like the best way to start the day to come.