'I'm happy you made it back safely,' Evangelina said, shaking Ramos' hand.
'So am I. Thank you for the escort,' Ramos said, nodding to O'Connor.
'You're uh… Quite welcome,' He replied, coughing to clear his throat.

As amusing as it was Evangelina moved on to the other person that Ramos had arrived with, 'And Minister Clarke. You're looking quite well for someone who I've had the pleasure of trying to pick a replacement for.
'I apologise for not notifying anyone, but being dead did have some advantages,' Clarke replied, much more respectful than any of their prior conversations.
'And what happened in your office? Or did you just decide to fake your own death?'

Clarke's eyes scanned the room, 'I take it a fresh sweep for listening devices has been done before we start talking?'
'Yes, Hudson oversaw it, the room is clear,' Evangelina said, not adding they had found some bugs.
'I received a warning, source unknown but given it notified me about the attack less than a minute before it took place whoever sent it must have been close to whoever tried to have me killed,' Clarke said, oddly calm given she was describing an attempt on her own life.

'Have you tried to trace the origin of the message?' O'Connor asked.
Clarke shook her head, 'No. Whoever sent it must have taken a great risk. If I go tracking them down it might put them in danger. I'd rather keep that person safe and hope they act again if the need arises. And there are other matters that it would be better to focus on now.'
'Yes. Such as finding out about some of what's been going on behind our backs. But first the immediate problem. These Hammer satellites, what do we know?' Evangelina asked.

Ramos nodded and started sending information from her PDA, 'They're our design that's for sure. I was calling around and found out a few of our design teams were asked to develop new components for these things to bring them up to modern specs.'
'That didn't raise any alarms? Surely they would have noticed what they were putting together?' Kristeen asked.
'No,' Ramos said, shaking her head, 'It was all compartmentalised and above top secret. We've had them work on parts separately for our legitimate work so it didn't flag up. Someone gamed our process and used it to get these things upgraded.

'How bad is it?' O'Connor asked.
'Well they've upped most of the features and added some kind of rapid repositioning mode to let them manoeuvre into new orbits faster. Alongside that they added a kinetic barrier to all of them,' Ramos said reading down the list.
'Why didn't adding the barrier seem out of place? Surely that would have been military enough to ask questions,' Evangelina asked.

She got a confused look for a moment before Ramos pinched the bridge of her nose, 'Right. You weren't read in on the space side before this, sorry. You know how Remnant's moon is fragmented from some impact in the past? Sometimes debris gets pulled into orbit and at the speeds it's moving a chunk hitting would be like a cannonball even if it was the size of your finger. Even those relay and recon satellites we've got had to have barriers installed, same for the UIR's.'
'Alright so we're looking up what boils down to MK2 Hammers hanging over us. What about finding out who built them or taking them over?' Evangelina asked.
'No sign of how they got into the dock, it's like they just appeared there,' Ramos said, shaking her head.

'We've got some of our best people trying to work on seeing if there's a way to override them from the ground. But so far it's not looking good. The original Hammer system let off a few warning shots when someone tried to get access to make clear what would happen if they kept trying. Whilst we've not poked it that far it's not looking good,' O'Connor said with a sigh, 'Those things have top of the line security and we're not likely to get them to even talk back without a pre-authorised connection.'
'Which whoever is controlling them will have. What about tracking the control signals? Surely we'd notice a rogue Sat-Com facility by the activity coming from it even if we didn't notice the dishes,' Evangelina said.
'I've ordered recon flights to sweep for any signs of a transmitter site, visual or signal based. But if the people behind this are using a directional transmitter and have the satellites relay the signals between themselves we'd have to fly between the ground station and the satellite it's talking to whilst they were communicating.

'So we've got little to nothing. Alr-' Evangelina was cut off by an urgent tone from her terminal, she hit to accept the call, 'Yes?'
'This is Ambasiotor Mvek, I've just had a COG airship over the UIR capital performing an attack. Can someone please tell me what in the name of the Allfathers is happening?'
'What are you talking about? Do you know which airship it was?' Evangelina asked.

'A few hours ago the whole city was on alert. We'd hunkered down in the embassy bunker but watched through the external cameras. We thought the sky was being Inked by the Swarm to start with, then an Emissary-Class came roaring out of it and started dropping DeeBees all over the UIR airbase outside the city. They're in a rage and demanding to know why you're not answering their calls,' The ambassador said, his voice clearly stressed.
'I've not had any calls,' Evangelina said checking her logs, 'I'll contact the Premier myself. But we're not at war with the UIR. If they push you let them know it's rouge elements and we're working to neutralise them, should they be attacked they'll have my full support to use any and all means to defend themselves. Is that good enough?'
'Yes I'll pass word to them on my side now,' The ambassador said before ending the call.

'Hammer satellites, airships and DeeBees. Do we have any idea what is going on outside?' Evangelina snarled, slamming a fist into her desk so hard the screen flickered.
'That thing about the sky, that's something that Myers had asked about for the Onyx airships,' Ramos said, drawing a surprised look from O'Connor.
'Get Hudson in here, now,' Kristian ordered.

The acting captain of the Onyx guard arrived quickly and already could tell his boss was pissed, 'Ma'am, I was given sparse details around the situation. An Onyx Guard airship launched an attack on the UIR?'
'That seems to be the case. I didn't know there were Onyx Guard airships. Let alone they were equipped to interfere with sensors across a wide area, why don't we start there,' Evangelina said.
'I take it you're fine with me revealing this information to those present?' Hudson asked, looking at Ramos and O'Connor.

'Yes now start with why I've not heard about these ships before,' Krinstane said.
'In the past the Onyx Guard operated its own formations to act under the direct command of the leader of the COG. With how key airships are to working on Remnant and their inherent advantages two Emissary-Class craft were designated for conversion for our use. Agent and Operator. They're meant to be stationed at the Keep right now,' Hudson said.
'Could you please check if that's still the case?'

'One moment,' Hudson said, checking his vambrace display and searching for a moment, 'According to this Agent received orders signed by yourself several hours ago. It was directed to link up with a 1st Lieutenant Jaune Arc and a detachment of MP DeeBees. Under orders to pursue a group of fugitives.'
'What? I thought I'd authorised a discreet snatch and grab not an outright assault in full view of the UIR citizenry!' Evangelina shouted.
'Ma'am all orders should go through me. I've not seen this request until now. Along with that it seems one of our Glassfly prototypes was also taken out from its testing area.'

'Wait the stealth version of the Dragonfly? Those aren't even out of concept yet,' Ramos said turning to Hudson, 'How did you guys get them?
Hudson sighed, 'The former First Minister requested that the Onyx be prepared for covert action against an asymmetric enemy force. No documents officially named the Swarm but…'
'But you've all been ready compared to everyone else, but for the wrong war brilliant,' Evangelina said, sighing.

'Why didn't Alec tell us? We would have been well placed to know and help,' O'Connor asked.
'He and Myers had to gauge the risk of work getting out and that would make people freak out. They didn't seem to know the Swarm was here for sure. So the plan was the Onyx would be ready to clamp down on any signs of them. Head out aboard one of the larger airships. Use the Glassfly's for the last part to avoid prying eyes and try to snuff any Hives whilst they would have been small. Had to try and avoid causing a panic since that would just put strain on us since the Grimm would just take interest,' Hudson said, taking a long breath.
'What was that quote about the road to hell being paved with?' Evangelina asked mockingly.

'I'm sorry Ma'am. Things didn't turn out as planned for,' Hudson said with a nod.
'Clearly. Alright I've got to make a call. You three chase up your own leads so we can start looking like there's some semblance of control over this mess,' Evangelina sighs leaning back into her chair.

They all stepped out of the room leaving her alone. She'd spent the last couple of years faintly angry with how Emmerich had been handling things. All the secret meetings and classified things she'd been kept out of.

Part of her had always thought she was still the more qualified person to have been made governor. But now she was having to play catch up. If this was how he'd been having to work day after day she was already starting to understand his change in mood.
Sighing, she tapped on her terminal and requested to call Premier Široký. The line took a moment to connect. Then the screen flicked to show a distinctly angry Široký staring back at her.

'First Minister, so kind of you to return my calls,' He said, making clear in his tone he was not pleased at all.
'Premier. I must apologise, it seems we're having some problems on our side of the systems,' Evangelina said, trying to sound diplomatic.
'Hmm. Problems that lead to your forces launching an attack on our capital?'

Evangelina bit her tongue as she thought for a moment, just denying it all would make this worse. What the hell would Emmerich do? He'd negotiated with Široký before now.

'That operation was rouge. I won't lie to you. I did sign off on trying to recover the persons in question. But it was meant to be discreet and not result in such an open violation of your sovereignty,' Evangelina admitted, hoping it was the right play.
Široký stared back for a moment, 'Seems you are having to learn this faster than your predecessor. He was careful to keep his favours and debts in balance. As a courtesy to him I'll accept your version of events.'
'Thank you. We're working on tracking down those responsible. When possible I'll ask that you be kept informed.'

'That is most kind. Have you already started your investigation then?' Široký asked, relaxing slightly.
'Yes. We're already following what leads we have and are actively looking for whoever could be behind this all. We're of the mind that the Hammers, attack on yourselves and the attempt on Minister Clarke's life are connected,' Evangelina said listing off the events they knew about.
'Ah so Clarke is alive, seems I've lost a bet,' Široký said with a faint smile.

Evangelina's eyes widened slightly, she'd let something slip so easily, 'Well-'
'Please there is no issue,' Široký said waving his hand, 'We will keep it discreet for now. Just remember that anything you say and don't say will be scrutinised by others. You're a leader now, one wrong word and you can set things in motion without intending to.'
'Thank you for your understanding,' Evangelina replied, having to trust the Premier's word that he'd keep Clarke's survival quiet.

'If I may ask though, have you investigated who suggested the mission that led to the attack?' Široký asked, leaning forwards on the screen.
'The person who suggested it?' Evangelina, thought for a moment. It had been Day, Day had come in after Hudson had left and given her the report, 'It's something of an internal matter.'
'Would it have happened to have been a Lucy Day of the Onyx Guard?'

Evangelina's eyes narrowed, how did he know Day's first name and why suggest her so quickly? Was it the UIR who'd been bugging the office? Or did he have some other source?

'I'd have to ask who gave you that name?' Evangelina asked.
'The other two Onyx made a call to an officer on our side. They gave up some information, we were still trying to decide what to do with it when the attack took place. From what they reported they have strong reasons to believe that Day is involved with the conspiracy,' Široký said with a nod.
'Involved how? I can't order an investigation without sufficient evidence,' Evangelina said, though they both knew she could.

'From what we've managed to learn she was waiting in Vacuo when they arrived here, despite them not telling anyone where they were going nor how they were travelling. She was not alone either, a Lieutenant Jaune Arc was with her and tried to join their group for a time. But he'd concealed a JACK unit from them and provided tampered equipment, upon being confronted Arc used a teleportation device. I was led to believe by First Minister Emmerich the COG did not possess such technology,' Široký said tilting his head.

'We don't. You're sure it was Arc who was with her? The same one who announced himself during the attack?' Evangelina asked an unpleasant picture forming in her mind.
' 're sure of it, they were squad mates after all,' Široký said, nodding.

Evangelina's jaw tightened. She'd forgotten that, and Day had neglected to mention it. That fact combined with Day's visit being timed after Hudson had left, bypassing her commanding officer to get approval was daming enough.

'Thank you for this information Premier Široký, I'll be contacting the right people imminently to have this looked into,' Evangelina said with a slight nod.
'You're most welcome. I'm hoping we'll be able to continue the prior spirit of cooperation that the UIR and the COG had found after our arrival here,' Široký said before adding, 'And I take it your stance is not changed should we come under attack again?'
'Premier if any COG forces so much as tap your borders without me asking you first you're free to consider them hostile and acting without approval of this government. What action you take I'll leave up to you.'

Emmerich was rather torn about being locked in this cell. On the one hand yes he was a prisoner of a madman who was trying to seize control of the COG. But provided he could ignore the discomforts of the place it was the closest thing he'd had to time off since he'd been appointed Governor.

Part of him was enjoying the idea that viewing it like that would piss Fisher off even more. Perhaps that was what made it so bearable. Some small act of spite that kept him from giving up.

There was the sound of footsteps as someone arrived at the cell door. Emmerich looked up to see Jaune Arc standing there. A blank on his face as he entered the code to unlock the cell.

'He wants to see you,' Arc said, marching over and pulling Emmerich up from the bed roughly.
'By he, you mean Fisher right? Or is there another mastermind behind this insanity?' Emmerich grunted as he was pushed out of the cell.
'I'm just to bring you to him, there was no mention of if you were walking there under your own power,' Arc snarled, his eyes looking wild.

Even through the combat glove gripping his shoulder like a vice Emmerich could feel Arc was shaking. That along with the swing in mood it was clear he'd been on something. Were they drugging him up?

'I'm not resisting,' Emmerich said calmly as he was forced to walk through the stone hallways of this place.
'Good for you,' Arc snapped, pushing him along.
'You seem on edge. Did something go wrong?' Emmerich asked, hoping for some kind of hint as to the world outside.

'Oh no, everything is just fine. Now keep quiet, we don't care about what you have to jabber about,' Jaune said, adding another rough shove.
'I'm just trying to understand what makes someone side with Fisher over the COG,' Emmerich said, and that comment got him slammed into the wall.
'Shut up. I've got an arrangement and I'm holding up my side of it. That's all you need to know,' Arc hissed into his ear before pushing him through the archway they'd been approaching, 'Welcome to special holding.'

Emmerich stumbled down the steps into the chamber. There were alcoves set around it that had been turned into customised cells. Their fronts sealed with several inches of transparent polymer letting you see into them he could only see the first few from here.

One had a hulk of a man, his restraints thick enough to hold a ship let alone a person. The second was some limber Faunus with a scorpion tail he was strung up with his limbs spread out. The third was covered with frost on the inside, a cryo stasis chamber hiding its occupant.

And there laying on the table in the centre far to still just to be relaxing was Salem. Merlot was hunched over her, the Doctor turned to look at them. He sighed and turned back to his work.

'You may leave Lieutenant. My assistants can take it from here,' Merlot said with a wave of his prosthetic hand.

Two of his Androids stepped out of a sideroom and marched over to Emmerich taking hold of him. Arc nodded and turned to leave. Merlot called out to him.

'And I'd advise you to stop off at the Mess. Your body is suffering due to extended Stim usage. We'll adjust the system next time,' Merlot called.
'Thank you Doctor,' Arc growled before stomping away.
'Now then,' Merlot said, moving away from Salem and looking at Emmerich, 'How should I use the time before Fisher gets here?'