A/N: As a heads up I've been rewriting some of the early chapters to clean up their formatting for better reading. I'm going to try updating them over the next week or so. This is a heads up to anyone who gets pinged like 20 messages if they're following, I'm not pulling a whole final act out at once it's just corrections. I'm not adding any hidden rewrites to retcon stuff just doing the spacing and hopefully correcting when I've spelt Pyrrha's name wrong among other things.
The wait was eating at all of them. It was to be expected. Afterall it wasn't every day you tried to unearth a conspiracy.
O'Connor was checking Ramos' concealed vest was fitted properly again. Something neither of them seemed to have a problem with. It was a measure that made them all anxious, like the rest of the she needed to be in the room and things could turn nasty.
Clarke was across the hall in the ready room, watching over the shoulders of her two underlings as a Condor, reportedly carrying Fisher back from some work in Mistral touched down. The Minister of Security's face was blank as she studied the images, looking for any sign of deception. Her subordinates were trying not to look nervous and not quite pulling it off.
Hudson was checking with the Onyx on duty, he'd handpicked everyone of them. They'd been transferred here in a myriad of ways to avoid any monitoring of their movements. Instead of the usual platoon there were two with a support team all hidden away inside the building.
Evangelina was trying to keep a plain face but everytime she thought of how Fisher seemed to have wormed his way into things her jaw tensed up. Not a massive tell but likely one that was too big. She let out a long breath and checked the Snub pistol fixed under the meeting room table beside her, she'd insisted on it.
She didn't plan to shoot Fisher or Day the moment they came through the door. As appealing as the idea was. First they needed to get what they could out of them.
'First Minister,' Clarke called, 'The Condor has just reached the hanger.'
'You're sure he wasn't on it?' O'Connor asked.
'Yes. The ground crew was questioned. They're sure that no one was on the plane. According to them it was ordered back here empty.'
'Great so not only are we being tricked by the records being tampered with. But they're burning through our fuel and maintenance budgets whilst doing it,' Ramos spat.
'And the Glassfly?' Evangelina asked.
'Waiting in a holding pattern now,' Hudson said checking his vambrace display, 'We'll bring them down from the roof once Fisher and Day are in the room.'
'Good. Can you show me the feed for the Watcher at the hanger?' Evangelina asked, looking over to Clarke's bunch.
One of them tapped in a set of commands and the display built into the desk in front of her clicked on. She'd wanted snipers, or Deadeyes, something that meant she could order the two of them dealt with. But they didn't know who they could trust right now, or if the orders would be intercepted.
So it was a regular old Watcher that was meant to be checking between the hangers for any points of concern. Loose cargo, dropped tools or people who shouldn't be there walking around. The view turned as one of Clarke's minions took control and started flying it so it was looking at the hanger that the Condor carrying Fisher, at least by its manifest, was parked in.
The smaller personnel doors opened and Day came out with a pair of Onyx from her platoon. Fisher was just behind them with the fourth member of the Onyx squad bringing up the rear. As he stepped out Fisher looked up then cried out as he flinched.
'What the hell?' Evangelina hissed.
'Ha. Some bird must have been lurking in one of the buildings,' One of Clarke's team snickered as the view zoomed on Fisher's head.
'Ah man got him right down the collar,' The other spy replied as the splatter came into view.
'Heh heh. Looks like someone arranged for some airsupport without telling me,' O'Connor said with a grin, getting an elbow from Ramos.
The offending bird was likely being chased off by another Watcher to avoid striking any of the planes. As childish as their amusement was, it did mean they'd all be a bit more relaxed when Fisher got here and that he'd be more off balance when they met. Their main suspect glowered as he headed into a toilet to scrub off what he could.
For the next few minutes they tracked Fisher and Day's team as they were picked up by Khan in an Onyx Guard Raven and flown into the city proper. Once they'd been dropped off on the roof Khan left to clear the pad for their other guests. They closed down the displays, shut the doors to hide Clarke's two subordinates in the room across the hall and made a show of chatting as the suspected traitors arrived.
'Seems we're a bit behind,' Fisher said as he walked into the room.
'Well it's not like you can just appear here out of thin air,' Ramos remarked casually.
'If only. If only,' Fisher replied without giving anything away, though he didn't seem happy to see her or Clarke.
'Well we're here to discuss the current crisis so let's get started,' Kristien said, gesturing for them to sit down.
Once they were all seated she began, 'As everyone knows First Minister Emmerich is no longer with us. This alone has caused some concerns to be noted amongst the citizens. But now we're all well aware that somehow someone has built a Hammer Of Dawn system and diverted the resources to do it from the war effort.
That system has already fired multiple times within full view of both our own troops and those of other nations. Needless to say a state of outright panic is now building amongst our people and the Kingdoms are not much better off. Many of us from Sera know what kind of damage that weapon can do. And right now we're unable to give the Kingdoms an explanation that doesn't make us sound insane, stupid or that we're trying to lie to their faces.
We're here to try and determine who might have been behind these actions and what actions are needed to neutralise the Hammer Of Dawn.'
Fisher's eyes widened as she spoke. There was no direct accusation, but the fact they were looking into this with a mind towards destroying the Hammer was clearly making him panic. He sat forward in his chair.
'If I may. This all seems to be a terrible miscommunication,' He said looking around at the others.
'How so?' Evangelina asked.
Fisher took a long breath, 'I can explain. But you must understand that I made a promise to Alec that I wouldn't tell anyone without good reason.'
'You and First Minister Emmerich were on a first name basis?' O'Connor asked.
'Yes. You see… He came to me and asked that I head up a program to help prepare the COG,' Fisher said looking around, 'There were… Concerns that perhaps some of the Swarm came through with us. Or that the Kingdoms might attack.'
'The former First Minister came to you with these concerns?'
Fisher nodded to O'Connor, 'Yes. With such a disparity in our strength compared to the Kingdoms and the limits they wanted us to comply with he was worried that we'd be vulnerable to a co-ordinated strike.'
'I can say the First Minister Emmerich came to me when I raised such concerns and signed off on measures to ensure our security whilst remaining within the guidelines the Kingdoms set out,' O'Connor said firmly.
'I'm also surprised that he'd not consult me regarding such matters seeing as how DBI is the main industrial partner for the COG. I liaised with General O'Connor around all major developments and avenues of research,' Ramos added.
Fisher spread his hands, 'I can only tell you what I know. Perhaps he was worried that the more people knew the greater the risk of the program being discovered. But Myers did know as well. He chose Day to be his standby should the worst happen, which given what's happened seemed to be the right course of action.
'So you're saying that Captain Myers gave you personal orders to set up a parallel chain of command within the Onyx Guard?' Hudson asked, looking at Day.
'Yes sir. It was intended to provide redundancy since I was already briefed on the programs and the reasons behind them. I was ordered to act as Fisher's personal guard,' Day replied.
'And that gave you freedom to open fire on a crowd. Abduct people looking into the program without trial and launch the Hammer satellites without even contacting this government?' Evangelina asked.
'The incident at Drake Bay was an error. The onsite team assumed they were under attack and as per the emergency plan authorised live fire to defend the site whilst they performed a rushed launch. We were still trying to sort out the line of succession and didn't want to reveal the nature of the work to persons who might not need to know it,' Fisher explained.
'What about the secret orders being slipped into our systems? The ones that have the factories making military mechs,' Ramos asked.
'The program wasn't just about the Hammer. It was about getting us back to how we once were as a nation. With all the tools and capabilities that we need to protect our people and our way of life. I'm sorry that this is how things came to light but it was all done with the best of intentions,' Fisher said solemnly.
'Well then. We don't seem to have anything to worry about then,' Evangelina said, 'Since you have given your reasons it seems this was down to an error in communication.'
'Thank you for being so understanding. It was unorthodox but clearly this was the best course of action,' Fisher said, nodding.
'So then you can get started on transferring control of the Hammer and bring us up to speed on anything we've missed,' Evangelina added.
'I… Eh… I'm sorry?' Fisher blurted.
'We'll be taking things over from here. The Hammer will need to be transferred from your control to the relevant organisation. General O'Connor that would be Telecommand wouldn't it?' Evangelina asked the General.
O'Connor nodded, 'Yes. They manage all COG military assets in relation to space for communications and command.'
'I'm' sorry but I can't do that just yet,' Fisher said bluntly.
'Why not? You've just assured us you were given a task and were acting as the caretaker for this project. Now it's live it should come under the review of the government,' Evangelina said with a cocked eyebrow.
'There's the matter that the questions around succession haven't been settled. I can't in good conscience pass over such a powerful weapon and the classified details of the work that's been done if you're not the legitimate First Minister,' Fisher said with an air of authority.
'And why would that be a concern? I was the Deputy First Minister, the chain of command means that I would step into Emmerich's post,' Kristien said.
'That would be the case, if there were no questions around Emmerich being promoted to First Minister without following the proper process. Please understand this isn't a mark against you because you put forward the motion,' Fisher said, holding up his hands.
Evangelina leaned forwards keeping her voice level, 'That motion was legitimate, he was the highest ranking person here. Without anyone else above him, who else was going to lead us?'
'There are a number of experienced hands who could have been given that responsibility,' Fisher replied.
'Were there? And even if there were, the matter is void. I've been the Deputy First Minister for over three years. Nobody else is up to speed on running the COG as I am. Regardless of any prior experience,' Evangelina said, enjoying the shade of red Fisher's face was turning.
'And if you lose a vote of no confidence?'
'There can't be a vote. We're at war and such an act would only lead to instability. Now I'll ask again, turn over the controls for the Hammer and any details about the orders you insist Emmerich gave you,' Evangelina said, her finger stabbing the table in front of her..
'I'm sorry but I can't comply. I have orders that superseded your position,' Fisher insisted.
'Then produce them. You've surely got a way to prove the orders you've been given, don't you?'
Fisher sat still for a moment, on the verge of trying to form an answer. His eyes flicked to Day for a moment before he suddenly changed demeanour. That friendly mentor voice returned.
'Of course, but I don't keep them on my person. I do, however, have a hard copy in my office. If you'll allow me a mo-'
'No need for you to leave,' Evangelina nodded to Hudson, 'Call someone and once Fisher has provided the location of the orders they can bring them here. In the meantime he can fill us in on what's been going on.'
'There's really no nee-,' Fisher started.
'Nonsense, we can't be wasting time. I'm sure you have a lot to explain so we can get started, now,' Evangelina said making clear she wasn't asking.
'I see,' Fisher said, looking around the table, noticing how all their attention was on him.
'What's the matter? You seem tense?' O'Connor asked.
'Just feeling a little targeted here,' Fisher replied.
'Why? We're all on the same side right?' Ramos said with a shrug.
'Of course,' Fisher muttered, 'We're all COG here.'
The door to the meeting room opened and Evangelina looked to the newcomer, 'Ah thank you for coming, Corporal Rodriquez.'
Fisher's mask of control shattered as he turned to see the Commando standing a few metres away. She gave him a grin that had no trace of friendliness. Her hand on the hilt of her combat knife.
'What's the matter. You look like you've seen a ghost,' Rodriquez said.
Day reacted before Fisher could act like a fish gasping for air. With one hand she grabbed his shoulders and pulled him backwards on the chair so he hit the ground. Her other hand had drawn her Snub to let off a pair of shots towards Rodriquez.
The commando dove aside taking cover behind a solid hardwood cabinet. Day had already changed targets, firing around the room at the others as she pulled Fisher from his chair and out the door. O'Connor was covering Ramos, Clarke fired off some shots but wasn't able to do anything from her angle.
Evangelina had drawn the Snub from under the table and took the time to aim. Day had gone for O'Connor and Clarke assuming they'd be armed. What the traitor Onyx must have forgotten in the heat of the moment was that Emmerich wasn't the only administrator who'd gotten trained back on Sera.
She took aim and squeezed the trigger. The high calibre pistol barked as the round shot out and struck inside of Day's arm, where there wasn't any plating to allow movement. It tore into the protective fabric being slowed but not stopped by the weave.
Day shouted in pain as she pulled Fisher from the room, one arm now injured. More gunfire was coming from inside the building, the other Onyx that had come with Day likely trying to cover their escape. First blood to them it seemed, now to find out if Fisher had an escape plan to leave the building.
The fighting was brutal, fortunately they'd evacuated the staff on the grounds of a high security meeting so as not to endanger them or tip Fisher off. Onyx met Onyx in close quarters.
Fists, knives and pistols were used up close. No one was crazy enough to use the chain bayonets, the time needed to cut through armour would leave you open to attack by your victims' allies. Day blasted one loyalist out of the way with a blast from her Gnasher battering another aside as she dragged Fisher behind her, heading for his office.
'They're heading further in?' Evangelina muttered as they looked at the camera feeds from inside.
'I checked the plans, there's no secret escape tunnel, not unless they're taking the stairs down to the shelter and digging their way out,' Ramos said, shaking her head.
'What if one of them has a semblance that could do that?' Clarke asked.
'Now you tell me,' Ramos hissed as they all thought about that possibility.
'If they do, they can't go far anyway. The foundations would slow them down,' Evangelina pointed out.
'They'd better. We shouldn't have skimped on those at least,' Ramos said, folding her arms.
'Ma'am I should go help,' Rodriquez said almost out the door.
'No you stay here. You've done your part for the moment by flushing him out. Now we need to see where this rat runs to hide,' Evangelina said, staring at the screens, 'You're sure you recognize him?'
'Oh yeah that prick was at the base. Back then he was pretending to be part of the Defense Research Agency. Guess he shed that skin when he didn't need it anymore.'
'So it would seem,' O'Connor snarled, 'Still can't believe we trusted him.'
'His records looked good, guess no one wanted to look into why his records survived the Locust war so well,' Evangelina said.
She'd trusted Fisher more than most. He'd turned up when she'd been stuck at the accommodation camp after Settlement 2's evacuation. Right off the bat he'd been a great help getting them everything they needed.
Now she had to wonder how much of it had been delayed just so he could pull off that act. Had he pulled strings to get them just on the verge of chaos only so he could sweep in and save the day. He'd spoken highly of her and talked her up before she'd spoken to Emmerich, was he hoping she'd blow up and try to have Alec removed?
Evangelina pushed those thoughts aside. Fisher had been poisoning them against one another, no reason to doubt herself and do his work for him. She returned her focus to the screens as they watched Fisher's band retreat into his office.
The loyal Onyx were forming up to breach, some even rappelling down from the roof to go in through the windows. But just as they got ready there was a flash of light from inside followed by an explosion that blew out the windows and door. They felt the shake in the meeting room a moment later.
'Son of a bitch,' O'Connor growled, 'Tell me he didn't just blow himself up.'
'I doubt it. He must have had some way to get himself out of there,' Clarke said, 'We'll check the place but I'd assume he's fled.'
'What I want to know is what the hell is he planning to do now?' Evangelina asked.
Jaune was already in full kit by the time Fisher's party returned. He along with the Gears and DeeBees were waiting at the teleport area for their arrival. There was the usual blinding flash and five figures appeared on one of the pads.
Fisher pulled his shoulder from Day's grip, 'Let go of me! That stupid arrogant cow thinks she can trap me? I'll show her.'
He stormed away, leaving the injured Onyx without even looking back. Jaune nodded to the others who set about getting first aid sorted. Day waved them off and fell in behind Fisher along with Jaune.
Their leader marched to the cart station and got on, mumbling the whole way under his breath. Jaune and Day exchanged a look of worry, anger wasn't a good state of mind to take action. Arriving at the station near to the Palace they followed him to the Command Center.
One of the Controllers tried to report to him, 'Sir. We've picked up incre-'
'Shut up and get out of my way!' Fisher shouted barging past.
The others in the room swapped looks of their own. Fisher dropped into his seat overlooking the holo-globe, his breath heavy and eyes wild. He pulled out the case holding the command key for the Hammers and tore it out.
'Sir?' Day grunted, clearly worried.
'They think they can sit there and stop me from taking what's rightfully mine? Let's see them try and talk their way out of this,' Fisher hissed as he connected the key.
It chirped as he entered his credentials and disabled the timer. Then the holo-globe flashed as one of the satellites received new orders. The icon for it flashing as it retracted its solar arrays and radiators before it started to manoeuvre into a new orbit.
'Sir!? I really think we should discuss any action prior to it being taken,' Jaune said, taking a step towards Fisher.
'This isn't a time for chatter,' Fisher said, his fingers dancing over the keys, 'War's the best kind of environment. All that opportunity in the chaos. Time to get things rolling with an opening shot. Or better yet an opening salvo.'
On the holo-globe the lone Hammer platform was moving to the north. A dotted line showing its vector would take it over the Kingdom of Atlas. Several towns were along its path of travel, each with a strike icon with an estimated time counting down.