Chapter 4 - Mission Start!

Fourteen Days after Tendril Tension.
Border into The Expanse; Confederation Contact Point Theta; Myu'al system.
0602 System Time;
Operation Sword Hunt: Day Two

"It's not that I don't appreciate what you're going through." The purple skinned male on half the screen sneered. "Quite frankly I like ending my shift with a good sob story; especially for you Feddie-Terrans." It had been going on like this for half an hour already. Commander Feoras was on the other side, steel faced. "If there was a notice that the Greater Council agreed to let your, ah, 'Reconnaissance' Vessel and its flotilla into the region; It might have been held up in translation, don't want something to get misunderstood because of 'syntax', after all."

"Not at all," Commander Feoras observed, "I have to imagine its quite a change of pace having so much tonnage passing through all of a sudden." 

It was a slight at the station that was currently way laying them. Despite being an outpost station, it was barely the same size as Merdian, and even for a ship that was ostensibly meant for support, it outgunned the station by a whole magnitude in the size of its weapons.

But they had the home field advantage. 

"We see plenty of big ships." The Urthak man scowled. "We're not some backwater. Your ship's far from the biggest I've seen while commanding this station."

"I never suggested that you were," The Commander eyes caught some light, and Sable smiled as he watched the conversation play out from the pilot's seat of Dragon Slayer. "Its good to hear that you're used to ships of our weight class, because if we aren't able to pass through, we'll have little choice but to enjoy your patronage."

"Patronage?" The Station Master blinked hard as the gears turned in his head.

"Of course, the Talus Union Stations have a policy of providing fuel and services to ships that provide proper compensation, no question." The commander smiled. "I do have a quite the crew, plus all the marines aboard. "The Feoras's smile was kind but his eyes were ice. "Lots of eager new faces who would love to show off their Ship patches on your promenade." 

The purple skinned Urthak blinked twice with both sets of eyes and and coughed into his hand.

"Well, all the same, I'll check the communication buffer to see if anything new has come up, since you arrived." He added.

"We have been having quite the conversation," The Commander offered, and both sides ended their calls.

--

"The Commander sure knows how to work a channel." Rose 'Waltz' Azura crossed her arms in her seat that was the front of the tandem with Max's.  "What's the turn over on comms, again, Dan?" 

The Ensign didn't need to queue the data he counted on his fingers. "Between check in at Alpha Contact, Travel to the Crossword Station, Analog Translations and Deliberations, Back again. A Two Weeks Travel, combined, But we're not first or biggest ship so I doubt there was much bitching when it came to our Passes."

In order to prevent a broad scale 'invasion' of military forces forcing their way into the Expanse, every FTL capable Military vessel had to register and apply for a permit. That applied to each Gunship, Shuttle, and Dropship with an FTL drive. It was excessive, but the paranoia had caught two attempts, from non-Confederation groups, to sneak unregistered ships into the Expanse in the the last decade.

Ships that were rigged with explosives and chemical weapons, hidden in smuggler spaces.

A Few minutes later, they were hailed directly.

"Confederation Gunship Dragon Slayer" a terse voice came over the line, an equally exasperated looking Urthak officer appeared on the screen in front of Max, "your Pass has been confirmed, transmitting travel codes now." Max didn't look away, instead his eyes were on the smalls screens set around the larger, each showing either on of the three crew members on the bridge, or the interior of the Valkyrie Ready room. Pix's head bobbed and Max smiled.

"Station Control, we confirm Receipt. We'll be making way shortly." He managed to get out before the video cut out. "Dick." He added after he saw the confirmation that the line was actually closed. He cocked his head and looked back at the Valkyrie Lieutenant. "Pix, let Merdian know we're ready to head out on the green light." 

"Aye-ffirmative." The young noblewoman smiled and quickly hailed their Mothership. 

"So this is it," Daniel asked, and Max could see his face turned toward the fore and the black of space beyond the narrow strip of transparent metal at the front of the cockpit. "We're heading out there." It wasn't a question, and Max nodded. It was a few more minutes before the Commander transmitted to all ships in the floatilla. Many of the shuttles and drop ships were already on their way back to land on Meridian but some of the long range craft, and the Gunships, remained in formation. 

"Push it on the big screen, Pix." Max said over his shoulder, and suddenly the 'visor' dimmed and around it screens were projected in various screens. It filled out the rounded inside of the cockpit and gave the look of various faces surrounding the Commander's. 

"All ships," Commander Feoras smiled. "We've confirmed that every last vessel has received their travel papers. There's probably something to be said here; some speech to inspire you to find our brothers and sisters and bring them home. But I don't doubt that every last one of you is already fully committed to this mission." He smiled and Max saw the expressions on Gunship and Heavy Craft captains mirror that smile. "That being said, I think we've wasted enough time at this scrap-heap of a backwater. All ships:" He brought his arm up to his chest before sweeping it straight out, beside him. "Launch!"

It harmony, a dozen craft tore holes in space time and were encompassed in blue light before vanishing into the void.

---

Expanse Sector: Cro'Zham (Froth of Tides)

Dragon Slayer appeared in real space with a burst of blue light a ripple in space-time. After a moment the ship began to realign in relation to gravity and pointed itself roughly toward the center of the star system. 

"We are 2.8 AU's from system center." Daniel announced. Scope has a navigation and communications beacon; high to the port." One of the angular projectors that had previously shown a Captain's face now showed a beacon that was clearly assembled from different models, plausibly even different species' technology. As a result it was sure to provide its intended service no matter who flew by.

"Permission to handshake?" Pix asked. "I've got a isolated circuit ready."

"Let's confirm where we are," Max nodded. "And see what the local news has for us." He leaned back in his seat as data began spilling in through physically separate communication lines, isolated from the rest of the ship. A screen attached to his seat showed various images, videos and submitted reports. Most if it was data on the mining going on in the asteroid belt of the system. Prospectors had finished 'rolling forward' into the next sector of the belt and reopened their mobile base in earnest. Trade boom, job market up, exports in raw materials on the upswing. 

Supply and demand worked a little differently in space, where there was potentially a limitless market, if you had the cargo space and the FTL drive for it. There was always someone just a little further out in need of what you had. Always a refinery that could use the raw ore, always a factory that could use the refined materials, always a colony that could use the finished products, and always people willing to be paid for one and pay for the other.

A captain with a ship, a crew, and a good ear could live forever on the ebb and flow of commerce. 

If she had the chops to handle the rougher trade lanes.

"Hot damn!" A voice came from the Valkyrie room. "Look at all the traffic. Maybe that asshole wasn't lying. Lots of Mega-Bulk haulers in these parts." Specialist Roan observed. Max brought up the list and narrowed his gaze. She wasn't wrong, the number of heavy haul vessels in the system had jumped in few weeks, according the the public navigation record.

It was customary in the Expanse to allow everyone to have equal read access to navigation records. If someone was lost, it made them easier to find. If someone was running, it made them easier to chase.

Max compared the spike in activity to the estimated 'arrival time' of the Resolute in the Expanse. He sighed as the spike was much sooner than the date in question, but after a quick check, did match up to the Mining station entering the last leg of its relocation.

"Just a mining rush. Lots of leases to pay off, insurances to keep up with,"

"And Mercs," Mica chimed in from the Engineering room. "Guns needin' ammo and polish." His camera feed showed a lewd hand gesture that got a smirk out of Max. Mica had worked with Pix to 'tweak' the translator to return more accent and less lingo to his banter. Jess had declined, insisting the crew learn to understand her.

"Captain," Lance Corporal 'Verily' Denver spoke up. "One of the ships on the list: Rana's Insistence works for the same, ah, company, as my cousin."

"You know that off the top of your head?" Captain Sable asked as he brought up the ship specs. an Urthak Mega-hauler from the keel up, it looked decidedly 'off the yards' on its registration. All standard issue equipment as far as the attached security images went. In fact they almost looked decidedly plain for a ship that was apparently ten years old.

"My cousin likes to talk about which ship Captains owe him favors, or who catch his eye. In this case, it's the First Officer, He worked with my Cousin as the Navigator and apparently the two ran a 'spice run' a couple months back and only deviated ten parsecs back and forth to make the pickups. "

There was an impressed whistle on the bridge, and Max cocked an eyebrow when he realized it was Daniel. 

"Shall we head there, sir?" Senior Lieutenant Azura asked as she brought up the hauler's last confirmed ping, the Mining Station Churning Bounty. "If nothing else, these haulers come from all points; Lots of eyes and ears and intel to buy."

"No expectations of generosity or obligation?" Pix snarked and Max saw the small feed of Rose's face, and her eyes narrowed. He also saw the Valkyries gravitate to watch from their screen. "Color me surprised."

"Well, Second Lieutenant Wolfwood," Rose cut back, "We are guests out here, I'd be rude to not compensate them for their time."

"Is that what you call it?" Alexandra leans over the arm of her seat. "Compensation?" Rose leans back and smiles crooked at the Provisional Baroness.

"Well I do prize my assets rather highly, certainly you do the same?" Waltz winked and Pix choked on a laugh before the two leaned back into their seats with more laughter and less fire between them.

Neither of the two noblewomen had any desire to bring 'family' politics aboard the ship, and Rose had made her respect for the missing Admiral Wolfwood clear and on the record the first time she and Alexandra had gotten into a row, and the two had quickly built up a cautious trust and friendship.

---
One Day Before Operation: Sword Hunt

"Checkmate." Rose put her piece in place, claiming the Tower that had been there as a captured piece and putting her Vizier in a position to attack the Throne.  Alexandra blinked as she looked at the problem in front of her. The multi leveled game board had numerous pieces of two colors along its many levels. Small stones fit on the intersections, demarcating territory and advantage; flat pieces indicated support units and 'hidden' combat pieces. The taller 'classed' pieces indicated those offensive elements of the game. 

Right now, Alexandra's offenses had been spread thin, then cut down. "Not the best game I've had." She admitted, "But-"

"Draw." Alex declared as she flipped a piece on Rose's half of the table. On one side the piece indicated 'Prince', and Alex's fielded color. Having it on her side of the field, Rose prevented Alex from moving most of her 'royal rank' pieces. However Alex flipping the piece allowed it to reveal 'Assassin' on the other side. It also put this Assassin in a position of checkmate with Rose's Throne.

An element of the game was these sorts of surprises.

Rose narrowed her eyes and Alex scratched her head and shrugged. The young Valkyrie smiled and laced her fingers behind her head, pushing her naked chest out.

"Well fuck me," Rose sighed, even as a flush began to spread across her breasts. "I attacked first, so a draw-"

"Is your loss." She indicated the gleaming pole not far from the table with one hand and with another hit a play button on a entertainment system. A tone held as a thumping 1-1 drum beat started up. Rose cocked her leg out to the side as she raised her legs up to the air as the vocalist called on the audience and when the drums and synthesized sounds kicked up she began to shake her ass in time.

Pix sat back and took a sip of whiskey as she watched with anticipation. Her body, and recently added organs, were already enjoying the view, but she felt the throb of excitement as Rose picked up the beat.

She ran her hands through her hair and down her body as she took a step forward, arms back and thrust her hips forward and back in time to the beat. She rolled her head and let a lusty smile spread over her face as she met Alexandra's Violet eyes. The glow was brilliant, and the sheen of sweat Rose built helped hid the glisten that grew in her slit.

Alexandra's smile had shifted to smug to enraptured as she saw the fire in Rose's eyes. Her toes curled against the pile carpet under her feet. As the music beat on, she felt the similar pounding in her ears, the urge to grab Rose and pull her onto her growing lady-dick was building, but not uncontrollable. She bit her lip as the music ebbed, wondering if the song was already over, Rose seemed to be slowing down. 

But she knew the way the song went, and when the refrain began she turned, hands on the bar and did a modified jumping jack so that her legs were spread wide, her ass was up, and that her head was low while she held onto the bar. , her ass was almost in Pix's face, and Rose actually felt hot breath against her damp sex before she pulled back and turned, her back against the pole as she thrust pelvis forward and back again. 

It took all of Pix's self control not to shove her face into Rose's crotch and eat her out, cunt and ass. The sweat beaded on her face.

The song slowed slightly, the music slightly muffled before it surged and Rose spun on the bar, smacking her ass even as she clung to it. She rode her momentum over the polished pole and as the song ended slide down to the ground, her body flush with exhilaration as she looked over at the rest of the crew in the living module. 

The crew of Dragon Slayer had gotten used to the pair of noblewomen playing 'strip chess', but the pole dancing antics weren't something to pass up.
----

A short, in system, jump and Dragon Slayer was in range of hailing the Mining Station and its Approach Control. Given the density of traffic around the station, just 'jumping in' would only cause disaster. They flashed their 'papers' and were flagged for a landing zone that was, while not crowded, but certainly reserved for more suspect vessels. 

"Can you get an eye on Insistence, Dan?" Sable asked as he clenched his hands and shook of the rattle of FTL.

"I think I can, sir; if it's even the same ship." He cocked his head as he stared at his screen. "Whoever is rewriting that ship's intel isn't just good, they've got a sick sense of humor." He keyed a few icons on the screen and Max realized what he was talking about.

The images 'on file' for Rana's Insistence painted the vessel as nothing more than a robust hauler that had been kept in spec for ten years. What was currently coasting in the void not terribly far off was more like a pirate's battleship. The upper half of the vessel bristled with small anti fighter guns and sported a few anti capital ship cannons as well. The underside still looked like it was meant for hauling massive amounts of cargo, but Max doubted that cargo strictly came from markets and mines.

"Station Command is hailing us, Captain." Pix announced. 

"Main screen." Max rolled his shoulders and sat up straight, looking more the officer and less the playboy, as Captain O'Reilly had come to jest.

The screen blinked on and Captain Sable blinked as a Human-Urthak hybrid woman appeared on the screen. Well, he thought she was at least Uruthak and Human. She had four eyes and her skin, while tinged purple, had a slightly tanned pigment. She also had ridges running along her head, similar to a Thilidin. Damn that was a combination. 

"Morning, Captain Sable!" The woman beamed at him. She had a bit of smudge under her chin and her uniform that looked worn in, mended, and worn out again. "Station Mistress Zulama Resheda, at your service." Sable blinked again as a smile broke through his 'officer face.' Definitely part Thilidin.

"Not a Resheda of Thilusa Rox?" Small Verse.

"Yes, indeed, Captain." Her voice accent translated into a drawl that was equal parts homey and outdoorsy. "Word is you and the other Confederals are looking for some lost finery?" Word travels fast, though the other groups were probably deep into searching the unclaimed territories already. 

"You're well informed, any help would be appreciated." He fished, maybe she had picked up something.

"I'd have sent a runner to the border if I had anything, sorry." She shrugged. "You sticking around?"

"I've got some words to share with the Tops of at least one of these Haulers, might be pointing in the right way." Sable replied and Zulama nodded, gears in her head turning as her eyes flit to the side, perhaps to a list of ships. "After that we've got to make way and cover void."

"Well we're up and running, and if you're packing trigger pullers we've got plenty of attractions for 'em to stretch their legs." She winked, and Max took her meaning.

"Maybe on the way back, once we're celebrating." He added and Zulama was beaming at the thought. 

"I'll save some of the good stuff, Resheda out!" She waved and ended the call.  Max confirmed the line was closed and leaned back to look at Pix. 

"Give us a hail on the Insistence, would you, Pix?" She nodded, "and Verily, get ready to join the call, quick like."

"Aye, sir." Lance Corporal Denver nodded from in front of the view screen in the Valkyrie room, as the others moved out of sight. 

"Line out and received," Pix announced, "They're replying with audio only."

"This is the Xulam Group Trade Vessel, Rana's Insistence" The weathered voice on the line heavily emphasized the claimed occupation of the ship's designation, as if making sure the translator had plenty of time to work over the syllables. "Insistence Actual speaking, Captain Nadus of House Cedung. To what do I owe the 'privilege' of being hailed by a Confederation Gunship, so far outside its jurisdiction?" Ah, there was the bile. 

"This is Flight Captain Maximilian Sable, in command of the Gunship Dragon Slayer." He greeted in reply. "I'm calling on behalf of one of my crew who would like to pay regards to, I believe, your XO?" He nodded at Beverly's image on the screen and she spoke up.

//"This is Bevilaria Denver, Blood of House Vertus."// She spoke directly in Urthak-Proper, and Max felt his translator kick in. //"I call to hail to, and wish well of, Gelum Torben, in the line of House Troben'Ral."// There was a surprised laugh from the other line.

//"Well met then, Blood of House Vertus. Torben will join the line in just a moment."// Sure enough there was the slight crackle of another handset being picked up and soon another voice joined the call.

//"Greetings and good tides, Blood of Vertus. This is Gelum Torben, House Torben'Ral."// This voice seemed younger, more debonair, and a bit playful. Beverly smiled, even though she wasn't being watched by the XO, it carried into her sultry voice.

//"I wish you clear void and good fortune, Torben'Ral."// Beverly greeted, but held her tongue from saying more. There was a soft, pleased sound that carried from the line, like Gelum had just tasted something sweet. 

//"I receive it gladly. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your lovely voice?"// He was a smoothie, Sable chuckled internally, definitely a smoothie. 

//"I am told by my Cousin, Halius, that you are one to speak to, for advice in certain matters."// 'Bevilaria' explained, cryptically.

//"Once again, I find myself wishing Halius was nearer,"// Gelum sighed, //"If only so that it was easier to buy him drinks."// He added, though sounding serious all the same. // "What manner of 'matters' do you need assistance with?"// He asked, as if he didn't know.

//"Those that, if handled poorly, would be cause insult for our gracious hosts, here in the Expanse."// Beverly intoned, //"That is something my Captain wishes to avoid, sincerely."//

//"Is this so, Captain Sable?"//  Gelum asked. //"You wish to avoid 'treading on toes' as you look for the lost Sword?"//

"It's no big secret," Max spoke up. "But all the same I'd like this to be over and our good relationship with the Expanse to be intact."

//"Likewise. Our ship does much trading into and out of the Confederation, I'd hate to lose such valued customers and partners."// Max saw a window pop onto his screen.

Dan had, in the span of the conversation, looked into the ship's transponder and the ship was flagged as supsected, and subsequently cleared, of various smuggling charges in the last few years. Petty stuff, no piracy, slavery, or drugs; just 'restricted' hardware that was supposed to be sold only through 'exclusive' vendors: ECC vendors, so ultimately the Federation had no reason to stop them, so long as they weren't stealing from Confederation trade.

//"It looks like you've had a very successful history in Confederation Space."// Sable spoke in a rough Urthak dialect that sounded course after Beverly and Gelum's smooth exchange, all the same it was grammatically correct. //"That's the very sort of thing that would only go to waste if I don't avoid making,"// he paused and found the right word, //"Ignorant choices, going forward. We're hoping you can bring us up to speed on how things stand. Fleet Intelligence is Good, but-"// Max stopped, realizing he was monopolizing the conversation. 

//"Locals know what's right and wrong, not simply what 'is'."// Gelum finished, there was some humor in his voice, and a touch of something else. //"This sort of conversation is better done without radio waves between us, and with beer in hand. There is a fine bar on the Station, that I think will do nicely."//

---

Half an hour later, Max was walking down thoroughfare of the station, Beverly on one side and Felicity on the other. The three of them cut impressive figures and while they weren't armed, they were certainly armored. It wasn't uncommon, however. Mining stations ran the dual risk of being targets for pirates, seeking to crack open a Station master's vaults and loot the wealth; and then there were the dangers of mining in space, and hauling massive amounts of massive materials around the station.

Decompression sucks; wear a helmet.


Verily was wearing a lighter version of the normal Valkyrie armor, it was more like a plate layer over the skin suit, but with some module capacity. She moved with grace beside Max and with her helmet riding on her hip her hair trailed out and her purple skin shone even under the industrial lights of the station. Back in 'Terran' space she might have been considered unique or different by merit of her skin tone; here she was just another mixed breed and Max noted a few others with clearly human features watching them go by.

 Felicity 'Dread Hoss' was wearing her standard Armor. Every footfall was a slight echo of metal from the deck, but even covered in the suit she got plenty of the workers pausing to eye up her 'architecture'. She smiled, her faceplate transparent, at a few workers who had the guff to whistle and call out to her, hands making lewd gestures. 'Hoss' just replied with a few of her own, and from the laughs Max heard, made a good first impression with the locals. Salt of the Verse, miners. Without these resources the rest of the Expanse would soon run out of all their lovely luxuries and eventually: the ability to maintain their independence would dry up.

Max Wore a 'walking out' version of the Fleet Uniform that was built around a flight suit, it added an officer's half skirt and a few other denotations of rank. A raven over a star rode on his left arm carved by Captain Geravine, out of a Harrik Dragon's tooth. He got his far share of callers, from various mixes, and a few clearly of single race. He let his hands move with his body as the saber on his hip rocked slightly with his steps. 

The meeting place was nothing less than the loudest, and most crowded bar the station had to offer. The three of them stood just off a crowd that was congregating to enter as those who'd drunk their fill or past it, and danced to the satisfaction of their 'evenings' companion or failed too left the bar. 

On a full scale operation like this, someone was always working, someone was always resting, and someone was always relieving stress. 

"Any idea how we make room for ourselves?" Fel asked. Max smirked as Beverly shook her head.

"We wait to be invited in," She corrects the Specialist, "If Gelum has a reservation-"

"Already 'Gelum', huh?" Max spoke up and looked over his shoulder, Beverly blushed blue. "Sorry, but it is a bit quick for first names, isn't it?"

"Not exactly. He might not have mentioned it but we do, kind of go back." She shifted her weight as she scanned the crowd near the entrance, people were filing out and those sober enough or not so distracted on their date were taking notice of the three Humans, two in powered suits, standing just off the main crowd.

"Ooh," Roan cooed, "Sounds juicy." She prodded.

"Oh it is." Beverly didn't even try to hide it, "My cousin fancies himself a matchmaker of our 'generation' in the family," She laughed, "And, to his credit: all the dates he sets up end in romance, except when someone unexpected interferes." She added under her breath. "Then he becomes anybody's big brother and sets things 'right'." She smiled.

"Sounds like a good man," Max observes, and turns to look at Beverly, and she's looking past him, and the light of her eyes and the smile on her face quiets any further comment her might have had.

//"Oh, he is!"// Comes a musical voice from close by. A doorway that looked like part of the wall is open and from it a Urthuk man with brilliant skin and a tasteful appreciation for the eternal utility of black fabrics approached with arms wide. //"Bev!"//

//"Gel."// Beverly closed the distance and accepted his embrace. Max noted that the armor didn't halt the man from giving the strongest hug he could manage, but still be tasteful for public, even this public. //"I'm so glad to hear your still kicking. That shit with the escape launch-"//

"You heard about that?" Max spoke up, but shut his lip almost after it, Gelum looked his way, but only concern on his face.

//"Yes, you'd be surprised how fast word travels in the right circles, and my Company looks after its own, and those who might be leveraged against us, for no fault but shared blood."//

"Shared?" Felicity cocks her head, then blinks, "Oh, duh; Cousin." She shakes her head.

//"Indeed, and he keeps me informed of all your exploits, not that it's difficult considering how he brags about how your out there;"// he turns his head to Sable, //"Hunting Dragons."//

"I'm a Valkyrie." Bev spoke Terran for sake of Translation, "If its not at least that dangerous, it's cruel to put one of us up against it, all the more with a squad."

//"Very true,"// Gelum nodded, //"But where are my manners?"// He gestured toward the concealed doorway. //"I promised a reservation, not a patch of deck on the causeway."//

"Somehow," Max smiled, "I feel like you could make even a picnic on the deck outshine a five star," he laughed as he took Gelum's invitation, but leaned close to whisper, in a subtle dialect<<"Given her smile.">> He barely lost a step and was back to walking toward the doorway, the guard nodding his head and only offering a simple cord of rope to Max. The Captain took it, and deftly tied a knot to bind the saber sheathed. 

To the Valkyries, the guard simply nodded respectfully. but both of them nodded back in understanding, 'don't cause any trouble, please.'

At the table, in the quiet corner of an otherwise eardrum pounding establishment. Spending most of the time around heavy machinery, Max would think that their tastes in music would be different, but Metal was Forever, after all.

//"At present, you Cousin is back working Horatius with the Boss, after our little 'stunt', he wants us where he can see us."// Gelum laughed. Beverly smiled but cocked her head with what Max had learned was a look of calling bullshit.

//"Sure it's not just him keeping Naza's favorite out of harm's way?"// She asked. Max felt an obvious question coming from Fel and put a hand on her leg to distract her.

//"Lords, Bev, don't talk about that."// Gelum looked over his shoulder. //"These crew aren't mine, they're Company muscle. They get word back to the Boss-"//

//"Has my Cousin been anything but a loyal man who has done right by your Boss, and by Naza?"// Beverly leaned close and put a hand on Gelum's arm. //"What worries you?"//

//"Politics."// Gelum nearly spat the word and took a shot to wash his mouth out. //"People are saying its a 'response' to the Confederals showing up, but that's crap; they were always around."//

"What sort of 'response'?" Max asked and leaned in as he took a drink. The sweet liquor had a slow burn to it, Max had to struggle to keep the smile off his face as he sipped it.

//"Horatius and a couple other one world systems, are starting to really gear up and push out new hulls. They've always had the numbers in bodies to man them, but most of that's been on reserves or stations. Now they're launching and it's made another three previously unaffiliated systems scrambling to make nice as they happen to adjacent to all three of these schmucks. Now the 'claim' is that they are simply building up their fleets to defend the Expanse and its independence from 'Imperial powers'."// He shook his head. //"But the lead bitch in charge is some fucked up ex-noble from the Confederation."//

"Ah, shit." Max swore. He turned his wrist up and the inside of his cuff glowed a line of text walked across the inside. P: Get a name! He looked back up at Gelum, who was contemplating the bottom of the shot glass. "Who?" The simple word that probably meant that things in the Expanse would become exceedingly complicated if this mission didn't wrap up quickly.

//"The Once Baronetess, now and 'forever' Glorious Admiral-In-Chief of the Former Colony of Delnorai: Helena Hydrangean."//

Max sat back in his chair as he saw the profanities spill over the inside of his cuff comm. 

The Hydrangean House had once, and only once, had an Empress on the Throne of the Nobility in the Confederation. It had been a short, violent, and shameful time for the Confederation and the next three Empresses had spent their entire reigns, and the length of their lives, working to undo the damage that had been done by her hand. Consequently the Hydrangeans thought themselves as being those who shook up the monotony of the Confederation, when 'rogue' members of their house would 'promote' various elements with 'divergent' and 'atypical' ideals and objectives.

It was also a house that had mastered the art of plausible deniability to the point that they were protected by the very laws that should have their gates broken down and search and arrest warrants plastered on every door. They remained intact by merit of the fact that most members simply 'disagreed' with how the Confederation was run, and any member who participated in any illicit activities was publicly ostracized and disowned from the family, their titles revoked, though never stripped of their surname.

In particular Helena was responsible for this particular former colony of the Confederation for staying independent. A movement had begun that wanted this state of the Expanse to return to its Colonial roots. Times were hard, and the established power was losing its grip on the people.

So when Helena decided to 'insult' the Matriarch of the House for being 'Old, Feeble, and Ineffectual', she took her personal flotilla with her. A small group, but certainly enough to reinforce a failing regime, or bring it down all together. She installed herself as the de-facto ruler of the planet, and the people hailed her as a hero of freedom.

The power of propaganda, brainwashing, and negative reinforcement (by way of 'removing' bothersome 'troublemakers').

//"So now, we've got the issue that, very likely, the Lord of Horatius is going to marry his eldest son of to her in an old fashioned marriage pact."//

"Wait," Max spoke up, "That's Admiral Nerrik Horati, right?"

//"The very same, you've heard of him?"// Gelum nodded.

"A bit," Max waggled his hand, "Mostly from reading his war game record with Urthari Empire, Commander Feoras had it in his curriculum when he did a class at the Academy." Gelum nodded.

//"He's earned a lot of credit to his house, but there's another, more practical, issue."//

"And that is?"

//"The young Admiral has no interest in courting the Lady of Delnori, or any of the eligible ladies in the Expanse."// The emphasis spoke enough. Max raised his eyebrows and took another sweet swig of liquor.

"So then their Alliance is doomed then," Felicity suggested, "Or they'll find another kind of binding for it." She added, but Gelum shook his head.

//"Words shaky on this, but the Admiral has a very long time friend and confidant that has, until recently, never left his side."// Max nodded at the thinly veiled implications. //"As of a few weeks ago, and the announcement of this engagement said Confidant is strictly in the employ of the Admiral's Lord Father."//

"Wait, a few weeks ago?" Max spoke up and raised a hand. "I thought this Alliance was supposed to be about us coming into the Expanse?"

//"Exactly."// Gelum pointed at Max directly. //"This is their own shitstorm they were starting, and now they're using your honorable, and lawful, actions to add fuel to their propaganda fires."//

"Well fucking timed, at that." Max sat back. The table grew quiet as music continued to thump outside.

----

"You feel that?" The whisper crawled into his ear and he shivered on his sheets. "That pulse?" The flex pushed his strained ass a little wider, and he gripped his sheets all the tighter. "And this one?"  Again, and his toes curled like fists. "And this?" He bit into the pillow. "This." Again and his forehead was pressed against the pillow. "It's yours." It wriggled and wiggled in his ass. "All of this." The flex worked its way up, then down. "Is yours." Smooth fingers laced between his own. "Whenever you want it." Large breasts squished against his back. "However you need it." Her lips traced the line from his ear to the base of his neck. "So tell me" He turned his head and looked into bright Cerulean eyes that glowed even in the dark of the bunk. "What can I do for you?"

The haze of bliss made it hard to think. It made it hard to dwell. It made it hard to remember and regret. It made a lot of things hard, Dan thought with a dorky grin. He let himself smile and was treated to a dazzling smile as Hona spread her lips at his goofy expression. 

"Kiss me?" He asked, nervous and hopeful all the same. She didn't laugh or chuckle, instead she happily obliged and he felt her soft lips press against his own and gently work them open as her tongue pushed deeper. Much the same way, her cock pushed deeper into him.

These sessions had started the day after he'd moved in with Hona; the day after she had targeted the cracks in the masks he was wearing and tore them down one after another. The day after she had, in only a single evening, given him the chance to lay bare all those tangled emotions and just let it all out.

It had been liberating as it had been tissue consuming. Still, he had lingering pain, and the brief memories of terror were overshadowing all the good ones that were laid before it. Hona's solution, make more good memories and sandwich the bad. 

His tongue worked hers with slow circles and her hands wrapped around his chest. She ground her hips forward, and with a grunt, he pushed himself up on his knees and elbows. She gasped and he pushed further, and rolled them onto her back. Her hands wrapped around his cock as she fondled He slammed his ass down onto her cock and she moaned in pleasure as they came. Her cock writhed and shivered and spurted and her hands milked him as he jerked and sprayed thick ropes of cum.

It wasn't just the sex. Not that the sex wasn't great, but having a shoulder to rest his head on was much more of a balm.

"I think I'm gonna like a Captain who does the leg work himself." Dan exhaled as he nestled into Hona's embrace. She traced her fingers up his abs and pecs with one hand, and with another pulled the sheets over them. "Working guns you just hear orders and targets: I mean, yeah, I get the logistics of it. Still." His brain was coming down from the haze, already.

"Crewing a ship like this you're a bigger part of something more focused." She kissed his neck and held him close. "Its easy to feel lost on Capital ships, like your just another uniform." Dan didn't nod, but hummed in agreement. His own hands came up to hold hers, as they gently rolled with their backs to the bulkhead. Dan thought they should shower soon, in case something came up.

He pushed the thought aside and just held Hona's hands in his and let a thoughtless rest take him.


---

"That was productive." Max beamed as he sauntered toward the docks, both the Valkyries with him laughed in agreement. They came up to a junction that would bring them closer to where Dragon Slayer was docked, when Sable paused. "A thought occurs to me." He held up a hand and curled his fingers so that his index digit was pointed upward. "I've been aboard this station, yet I've not paid the good Station Mistress a visit, despite her welcoming me so cordially."

"You did say that you'd be back, after our mission was successful."  Beverly put her hands on her hips. "Why" What are you thinking?"

"For starters I shouldn't be allowed to drink whatever your boyfriend bought us, ever again." Max smiled. He wasn't buzzed. No. He wasn't smashed or hammered or any kind of 'drunk'. No. This was just a warm gloss over his usual attitude and it felt good. Great even.  Yeah. "But also that I should maybe pay her a visit, just to say hello?" He made the idea a question, why'd he do that?

"Captain, I respectfully disagree." Specialist Felicity 'Fel Hoss' Roan asserted. "You're under the effects of some really good booze and while it would certainly be a step toward a friendly relationship, you said you'd be back another time, she might have already booked 'work' for her schedule today instead of 'play' where that kind of meeting would take place.

Max frowned and looked up, through a transparent canopy in the passageway, to the central 'command' pillar of the station.

"Ah well, next time we come round." He shrugged and cracked his neck. "We have no real clues yet, but leads to our leads that might lead to clues leading to what led us here." He blinked as he replayed what he'd just said in his head. "Okay maybe it's not the best for to be calling on Station Mistresses when I'm talking in circles." He admitted, and both the Valkyries present, and the others listening in, had a laugh.

Back on the ship, Max took a short walk to the infirmary 'corner' set in the main habitat room. He found a narrow case on it and, reading down the list, found what he was looking for. Two bright purple little tablets. He snapped them out of their case and popped them into his mouth, dry.

He swallowed, and immediately felt the glaze pull back and the stark reality of the word hit him. The contrast of whatever that booze did to him and sobriety was apparent now. He could have gone back for a 'meet and greet' with one of Nora's Clan members. It was a small 'verse, but Nora DID have a rather 'prolific' family tree, more like a grove.

"Feeling saner, Captain?" Nolan asked from the planning table that had rose from the center of the room. He nodded as he closedd the bottle, returned it to his cabinet, and sealed it all back up again. "Good, so what's our next plan of action?"

"This war that's brewing could be a major problem for any further operations, ours and others." He walked over to the table and brought up the chart of the systems they were assigned to. He looked things over and started weighing his options, as he did, the rest of the crew assembled for one reason or another, Max noted, on the back burner of his brain, that Dan and Doc looked like they'd shared a shower.

"Okay, here's how it is: We can A) Keep to our mission and head to Horatius, pursue the Beverly's Cousin for information; But given the change in political climates, we might want to steer clear of Hortius, Delnori and their ally system Collunto." He highlighted the systems in Orange." The were arranged almost like a triangle with several uninhabitable systems within it, or along the edges. 

"I see that as being a bad idea, given how they're ally is labeling us as a their latest scapegoat." Pix paced, she seemed on edge, not surprising, but still more intense a reaction than he expected. 

"Right," Max nodded, "Option B) We pursue some of the other leads we have available to us, but have the crew of Rana's Insistence carry on a message to Bev's Cousin that we're out here and want to meet up."

"We could try meeting up with the Roans." Felicity suggested, and Jessica nodded emphatically. "They should be in this part of space, round about now." She squinted at the star chart, as if trying to dig something up from memory, Jess had the same look on her face, and they both leaned in, pointing at a star system. Different star systems, though, and they crossed their arms to point. They glared at one another and soon enough they broke into an argument.

"Option C," Captain Sable continued, allowing the two redheads their banter, "Stick around here and start asking other Captains what they've seen, but given that we might not be the most politically welcome around here, it might be best to stay mobile."

The Valkyries and Fleet Crew stood around the table in thought, discussion, or in argument with one or another. Max added that he was open to further options, and if any of the crew felt their leads might be nearby, to sound off.



((Once again! Let's get some reader participation going! Pick an option, or suggested a fourth? If you do, try and attach the crew member and an idea of who they might know in the Expanse!)) 