Chapter 14: Foundations

Knowing what the enemy will plan next, what their motivation is, what their goal is, is the difference between needing and not needing people like me. People like me only exist because others need solutions to problems they couldn't fix. We are the hammer to drive in the nail, the key to start the engine, the spark to light a fire. Without us, there would be no flaw. Without flaw, there would be no us.

The Space Pirates had a very odd way of conveying their artistic skills. Even at the Homeworld, I couldn't even notice the full potential of their crafty ways. I witnessed a sharp contrast between what they showed and what was really their mastery of the arts. The Absolute was a prime example of this. A Greco-Roman style fluctuated throughout the ship. They mixed their taste in the metallics in structures like Gothic columns with steel vines dancing up them. You would expect to see a few crumbles of rock fall if you tapped one of them, but all you would receive was the ping of metal.

It was almost as if the Space Pirates didn't build the ship themselves at all. It felt like it was made for the Space Pirates rather then by them.

The ship gave off a magnificent feeling, but the dark shadows cast by the columns and arcs of the conference room didn't reflect that sentiment. Even so, it didn't hinder from the upbeat persona of Superior Helgon. While he understood the situation at hand, he couldn't help but feel good. It made Veron a bit uneasy, but Master Superior Ulron wasn't phased by it.

Ulron ushered the two to sit down, and when they promptly did so, he began to unveil the reason of their gathering.

"Normally, I'd go with inter-vessel communication, but I wouldn't disgrace the matter with such laziness. Veron, you obviously know what is of the matter, but Helgon...well, I doubt you are up to speed."

The Superior gave a quick nod. Ulron began to utter words, but Veron stopped him. He wanted to tell him personally. It was his mission, after all.

"The Hunter. She has become a pain to us for no longer. Ridley has given us the permission to settle this once and for all. I don't think I need to explain this to you much longer, do I Superior?"

"Not at all, Commander."

"Good."

Veron turned to Ulron and swiftly gestured towards his lower quarters. Ulron flashed out a small plate, no larger than a piece of paper, and slid it onto the middle of the table. To save time, Veron jabbed at the buttons for Ulron, allowing a large hologram to jump into the air above the table. Pictures and grids bounced around the sphere it created, before one area was zoomed in on and blew up to engulf the whole area of the projection globe.

The destroyed remains of SR-388.

"This is SR-388. The last time we gained any information on the Hunter. We figured she was on board the Galactic Federation's vessel. I doubt she was on board during the crash, as we would have found more than a small chip of her shoulder."

Ulron butted in.

"You wanted to be up to speed, Helgon? Well, there you go. That's all we know as of now."

"Which is why we need to performreconnaissance. That is where you come in, Superior."

"How will I go about it? I do appreciate the opportunity, but I don't see how I'll do it alone."

Helgon was a smart soldier. He didn't just patronize, he understood. When they needed him, he was there. That's why he was one of the few Superior's in the army.

"You won't be alone. The Commander and I will be offering support if you need it through our ships and extra troopers. You'll be bringing in your own squad and gather as much information as possible."

"From who?"

"The humans, of course."

"But...I-I wouldn't even know where to begin."

A hologram backed off the image of the destroyed SR-388 and out of a blank corner flew in a model of the G.F.S. Olympus, the largest human ship in the fleet. The hologram showed it drifting in the empty green holographic space above their heads, ships flying to and away from the massive vessel and disappearing out of the range of the projection.

"The Olympus. If we need information, that's where it will be."

Ulron took control of the discussion again, almost as if he was going to finish what Veron was going to say. It didn't surprise Helgon. He wouldn't be surprised if someone told him Veron and Ulron were long lost brothers. It sure seemed that way to him.

"This is the highest amount of activity we have seen from the ship since our operation concerning the Phazon manipulation. Since then, it has been rather inactive. We believe this jump in ship activity is because they are searching for the Hunter themselves."

"Why? I don't remember us trying to attack her or anything. Wouldn't she be with them?"

"The humans are far too different to fully understand their morals and customs. We don't know why the Hunter isn't with them and if they really want her back or just want her gone. Regardless, we are sure the ships are being sent out to find her. They probably know as little as we do."

Helgon swayed in his seat. He was uneasy, that was clear. Veron was concentrating too much to notice, but Ulron was fully aware of him.

"Superior, it is your duty as a Superior to perform tasks dire to the goals of the Pirates. Do you not understand this?"

Helgon jumped to attention, noticing the message he was sending them with his body.

"Yes, I understand. But, I do not want to risk the operation with any faults I could cause."

Veron, finished fiddling with the device in front of him, caught his uneasy feeling with the task at hand.

"Superior, you will do fine. I don't see anyone else to put in your position. I would personally do it, but I believe you are up to the task. We will hold our parts of the operation and fulfill them to the best of our abilities and we expect nothing less from you."

"Plus, Veron forgot to mention to help you will be getting on the field."

"I thought you said-"

"Yeah, but, like I said, we didn't mention it. Since you haven't been on the field of battle in quite some time, we figured it would be best for the mission for you to have a helping hand. One of our top generals will be joining you."

"May I ask whom?"

"Weavel Xeron of the Special Forces unit."