RPG Silver One

[Rachmaninoff]

Though not as impressive as Jared?s or Sandra?s quarters, Darren had to admit it that he liked having floor to ceiling windows along one wall. It was very soothing to end his day by sitting in one of the nicer padded chairs with his feet up facing them while he reviewed the information he had been working on. Unlike Sector One, which had, but a thin layer of green due to the surface being destroyed quite some time ago, Earth was very beautiful to look at from space. But back home, at least in Sector One, everyone lived in underground caverns. Though the moons of that sector had people living in structures on the surface.

He wasn?t sure why the High Council had elected to allow things to recover more naturally instead of using their technology to repair the damage, but then he rarely understood any of their decisions these days. Finished with what he had been working on Darren set his handheld aside on the small table just to right of his chair and continued to watch Earth as the Creator continued in it?s path around the planet.

It was interesting to watch as the view went from day to night especially where the U.S. and Canada was concerned. Now that Canada was virtually empty it was dark at night instead of being lit up like the U.S. was. And in the Middle East, ever since Sandra had destroyed a number of oil fields and had people pull back and leave them isolated, the lights changed every day as they had been fighting among themselves the entire time. Logically he could understand her decision, but emotionally, it just seemed so pointless that they could not stop fighting. Did they really enjoy conflict so much that when denied access to his people they were perfectly happy annihilating their own? It was not a pleasant thought since he was sure there were plenty of women and children being caught in the senseless violence.

[I]All they are doing is proving the High Council?s assertion that other races are inferior.[/I] He thought. [I] Idiots.[/I] Darren got up and went into the bedroom to get ready for bed. Tomorrow was going to be rather busy since he had to interview humans tomorrow to find someone to handle the paper aspect of how Earthlings did things. If he were lucky he?d find someone suitable quickly like he had in Denver, Colorado. And it went without saying, the less time he spent with Jared, the better. He pulled out the silk pajamas in the compartment next to his bed and quickly changed into them.

Yet another thing he had to admit that he liked. The silk sheets and night clothing were something that once this was over he would probably continue to use as they were much nicer than the plain cotton he was use to wearing. It was interesting how many of the types of materials for clothing they used were similar to what Earth had. Maybe later he?d check out what was available on Earth. He had contacts that dealt exclusively in transporting goods like that to other worlds. And if he was going to minimize the issues over the jealousy other merchants had in regards to his current position, he was defiantly going to need to make sure he had some good information for those he was use to dealing with in the shipping industry.

With a sigh he turned the lights out and climbed into bed.[I] I'm turning into a politician [/I]he thought with disgust. [I]I never had to worry about others being jealous and sabotaging my shipping out of spite before. If it's not the damn resistance giving me grief, it's Jared and my own people![/I] He shook his head. [I]Stop thinking about it fool, losing sleep over things you can't change won't help. [/I] He sighed again as he shifted to find a more comfortable position before finally falling asleep.

[Horendithas]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]The very next morning after talking to Crystal, Stevens requested the files from the High Council on Jason and Celestia. It pained him to admit that though he had thought to have their top experts examine all of the testing and programs that they had written while they were onboard the Crimson, even the one that had been used by the resistance to disable the Crimson and the Tempest. He had not thought to send the information to the new Elite Specialist. If Crystal was able to recognize that someone had used her research, perhaps it was possible for Kiva to determine if it was likely that Celestia and Jason were responsible for just how effective this branch of the resistance was. At least as far as the programming side of it went.

It was one thing for the experts to analyze the data, but he was willing to bet it would be more useful for someone like her who actually dealt with it out in the field. While he waited on the files to arrive he pulled up the data on those of the Crimson who worked with Crystal who would have had access to her research. Unfortunately, since that incident one of the technicians in the sickbay had quit and disappeared, leaving him to believe that the traitor no longer worked for the military. Still he would check it out just the same. It wasn?t like he didn?t have the time for the next couple of days. Then about an hour later the information he had requested came through. He paused what he was doing in favor of quickly writing up a report along the lines of why he was sending the information for Kiva to review before finishing up and actually sending it. Even if she couldn?t use the data, it didn?t hurt to make sure she had access to it just in case.

[CENTER]---------------------[/CENTER]

It hadn?t taken Jared very long to go through the reports that Stevens wanted him to take care of. From potential leads on the resistance to tracking down potential resistance members within the fleet. Most of them had taken less than a day to complete and now he was down to the very last one. One that had interesting implications and because of that he had sent off a request to the High Council for further information before he had left. Because if the person were indeed guilty, it would surprise the hell out of him as he had been quite certain that they had no interest in joining the resistance.

Jared was more inclined to believe that fear would have been a factor, but he still didn?t have the necessary information and as he headed towards his quarters on the Creator he finally got a chime indicating that he had a response from the High Council. Once he was inside and at his desk he opened up the file to take a look, surprised by what he found. He had only intended to find out whether or not they would want him executed. He had not expected to find him listed as the person the High Council considered the leading expert in his field. [I]What in the world did he do for them to have him listed in their files?[/I] Jared read further only to be more surprised, [I]he was responsible for that? No wonder they suggested that we use him.[/I]

Jared caught himself tapping his fingers on the top of his desk and stopped himself. Quickly he pulled up the more official record, the one he had gone through when he first met him. Or rather before he met him when they had stopped his ship in Sector Thirteen. The report from the High Council certainly explained why he had been able to get the permits he had as a merchant. The only thing Jared did not understand was why he was working independently. Or why he had not taken credit for what he had done. The royalties off of what he had done would have made him wealthy overnight. Literally.

He went back to the report from the High Council and to what they had to say in regards to execution should he turn out to be guilty. Once again he was surprised by their response. They were being very forgiving and lenient; it was practically an open invitation for him to be excused due to the value of his abilities. Much in the same way they looked the other way when Crystal was a bit stubborn. And knowing what he had done even he understood it. So long as they were not actively supporting the resistance, one did not throw away people who were as talented as they were.

Jared smiled; it didn?t mean he couldn't have a little fun though. And he still needed to verify just what had happened. If nothing else they needed a reminder as to just how important it was to not keep such things to themselves. Misguided merchant code or not. It wasn?t something that he could overlook. Not when the other person involved was that important. He sent a communication to Darren indicating that he was to report to him the moment he returned from Earth.[/COLOR] [/SIZE]

[Rachmaninoff]

Darren ignored the chime from his handheld computer indicating that he had a new message. He was nearly finished interviewing the last person for the day and since it had not been the tone indicating it required immediate attention, it could wait. He was eager to be finished since so far today the people he had talked to though skilled, were far from what he was looking for. Darren stifled a yawn as he wrapped things up and thanked the young man for coming. Then once he had finally left Darren turned back to the windows overlooking the city. Electing to sit on the edge of the desk while he pulled up the message. A groan of exasperation escaped his lips when he realized just who it was from.

With a snarl of irritation he closed the message and sent a request to the Creator to be transported up. [I]The sooner I get this over with the better.[/I] He thought. Once he was on board the Creator he put in a request to find out where Jared was and then headed off in the direction of Jared?s quarters as the system listed him as being in that location. Darren groaned again. Jared was always worse about teasing him when he was in his private quarters. And sure enough when he arrived and entered, Jared had one of those self-satisfied little smirks he often wore around Darren.[I] Lovely,[/I] he thought.

?[B]Take a seat Darren,[/B]? Jared said indicating the sofa in the center of the main room. ?[B]I have something I want you to look at.[/B]? He tossed Darren a data chip once he had taken a seat.

Darren caught it and inserted it into his handheld, but the last thing he had expected was the logo for top-level security to come up on the screen. He looked up questioningly at Jared who had joined him on the sofa.

?[B]Go ahead,[/B]? Jared said as he leaned forward and flashed a conspiratorial smile at Darren, ?[B]It is about you after all.[/B]?

Puzzled Darren turned back to the screen and pressed the button to open up the file. It was a file about him from the High Council. There was nothing surprising in it other than them listing him as the person they considered the top expert in the field of shipping. [I]I don?t understand, what is he trying to show me? [/I]Darren turned back to Jared.

?[B]I don?t understand.[/B]?

?[B]It?s simple Darren, that is taken directly from the High Council?s personal records, they are the only ones who have access to it, your official record makes no mention of how it was you who made the suggestions that completely changed how shipping protocol is handled through out the Empire. Nor how you refused offers to work with either the military or directly for the High Council.[/B]? Jared pulled back a bit and crossed his right leg over his left one, shifting to better face Darren, ?[B]You even refused the royalties from the change and instead simple requested to be given access to all permits, including the one to handle weapons, something no independent merchant can get. You went to all that trouble only to receive next to nothing for your hard work. Why?[/B]?

Darren closed the report and set his handheld computer on the low table sitting in front of the sofa. He pulled back, clasping his hands together in his lap, uncertain as to how to continue. How was he to explain that he did not want the recognition? That he did not want to alienate his family who disliked the military? Though with the way things had gone, perhaps it would have been better if he had. He would have been wealthy enough to retire somewhere for life instead of working as a merchant, if he hadn't been working he wouldn't have been dragged into this mess. He sighed inwardly. He enjoyed being on his own and if he had accepted the credit it would have tied him down and his own family, though he cared for them, were far from objective when it came to money.

?[B]Money and recognition is not what I care about.[/B]? Darren turned to look at Jared, who still had that self-satisfied smirk. ?[B]I like being independent and accepting the credit and the royalties would have interfered with that.[/B]?

Jared laughed and then laughed some more when Darren flushed over his reaction. ?[B]I would imagine being hounded by your family played into it as well. But enough of that, though it is worth noting your accomplishment since it is part of why I am going to go easy on you.[/B]?

[I]Go easy on me?[/I] Darren thought. [I]What is he talking about?
[/I]
Jared picked up Darren?s handheld computer and turned it back on as he took out the chip with the report and inserted another one. His expression all business, as even the usual smirk he wore vanished. Something that sent a shiver down Darren?s spine as he handed it to him and instructed him to look at the contents and when he saw what was on it, he froze in panic.

?[B]That?s right Darren, unless I?m mistaken that is Jason?s sister, Sara Sanders entering the building you were stationed in while you were in Denver Colorado. Her appearance is quite different or else we would have realized it was her much sooner.[/B]? Jared reached over and lazily took Darren?s handheld computer from him, noting how Darren was trembling. ?[B]Did you really think I would send you to a location that was not secure? The surveillance and security was set up long before I even arrived at Earth. If you thought you were not being checked on, you were mistaken.[/B]?

Darren jumped when Jared grabbed his right arm and leaned forward to speak, his eyes now cold and calculating, ?[B]She was in the building for nearly an hour Darren, and you were very nervous when I joined you that day. If she was checking out the building, she would have seen you. The question is, did you actually see or speak to her?[/B]?

Darren opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Fear paralyzing him as his thoughts raced like mad. [I]He knows! He knows I spoke with her![/I] He thought in panic. Darren couldn?t think coherently,[I] I shouldn?t have warned her![/I] He swallowed hard as his breathing became more rapid as he began to panic even more at another thought that crossed his mind.[I] He?s going to kill me! [/I]And then he tried to squirm free when Jared pulled out a shot and administered it before he could properly react.

Jared sighed dramatically, ?[B]I thought you were smarter than that Darren, this time, you won?t be able to lie to me.[/B]? He tossed the syringe onto the table and then leaned forward until their faces were nearly touching. ?[B]And for your sake, I hope you weren?t foolish enough to have actually joined the resistance. Because that is something I will not be able to forgive you for.[/B]?

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]It didn?t take Jason and Celestia too long to finish writing the program to tell the scanners what to look for. If the material they needed for the crystals growth were here, the level of scanners they had would detect it. A moment later to test it and then they divided the planet into sections for the scanners to check at random intervals.

?[B]It?s a pity we can?t outright scan the entire planet.[/B]? Jason said as he started the program. ?[B]It would go a hell of a lot quicker if we didn?t have to worry about heavy scanning activity being picked up.[/B]?

?[B]I know.[/B]? Celestia replied.

Jason looked at the timer on his screen, it didn?t seem like it but they had already spent close to twelve hours working on the program. Which now that he thought about it, explained why he was feeling rather tired. He turned to Celestia who was sitting to his right.

?[B]What I?d really like to do is go outside and scan things in person. I know I can?t but I am sick and tired of being stuck underground. At least when we were on the ship with William or at other more established bases they had a room set aside for holographic recreation.[/B]? He gestured to the gray walls and the cold lights above and to the room in general. ?[B]As impressive as all this is, it?s cold and barren. I miss the sunlight.[/B]?

Celestia leaned into Jason wrapping her left arm behind him and around his left side. Smiling when he placed his right arm across her shoulders. ?[B]I know I feel the same way. Even the holographic programs just weren?t the same, the grass did not smell like grass, the flowers had no scent and the fake sun had no warmth.[/B]? She looked up to see Jason looking down at her. ?[B]As dangerous as it is, I actually envy Sara as she is allowed to leave the base, where the chances of Daniel agreeing to allow us to leave are pretty much non-existent.[/B]?

?[B]I know,[/B]? Jason replied bitterly. ?[B]I asked him the other day and you would have thought I was asking him if it was okay for me to hand myself over to the Versilan military! And then I got quite the lecture to go along with it.[/B]? He sighed. ?[B]I don?t know about you Celestia, but sometimes it feels like we are wasting our time. I know William said that we would not be able to stop the invasion of Earth and that it was critical that we delay the take over. But he?s so damn closed mouthed as to what?s up that I haven?t a clue as to how that actually helps![/B]?

Celestia just hugged him tightly as she too felt the same way. Though it didn?t make sense to her that they would even try to resist if there was no hope at all. And some of the programs William had her and Jason write when he first rescued them had her rather curious since they could be used to achieve some very interesting results. She pulled free of Jason and moved back to the workstation to pull up a file to show him as his talk about missing sunlight reminded her of something Daniel had shown her a while ago. A moment later she found it.

[CENTER][IMG]http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6143/highcouncilge2.jpg[/IMG]
[SIZE=1]Copyright [URL=http://bakenius.deviantart.com/][COLOR=RoyalBlue][U][B]Bakenius@DeviantArt[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL] [/SIZE][/CENTER]

?[B]What is that?[/B]? Jason asked her.

?[B]Talking about missing the sunlight reminded me of something Daniel showed me a while back.[/B]? She pointed to the white crystalline cluster of buildings in a huge underground cavern. ?[B]That is the where the High Council is in sector one.[/B]?

?[B]It?s Underground?[/B]? Jason asked, surprise written across his face.

Celestia nodded. ?[B]It was built after the ten factions joined together to form the High Council and establish peace at the end of a war that Daniel said almost resulted in the annihilation of his people. The surface of the planet even to this day can barely support life. So everything in sector one is in underground caverns such as this one.[/B]?

?[B]Couldn?t they just repair the damage?[/B]? Jason asked.

?[B]They could, but Daniel said the High Council left it as it is to remind the people of just how close they foolishly came to destroying themselves. Other sectors are just like Earth with things being built on the surface, but I understand there are literally millions of people living there who have never been on the surface of any world.[/B]? Celestia finished.

Jason turned the workstation off, ?[B]Never been to the surface huh? I can?t even imagine it.[/B]? He reached over and brazenly tickled her.

?[B]Jason![/B]? She cried with laughter even as she pulled away. Only to blink with surprise as he caught her and pulled her close so she was facing him. And then blush when he leaned forward until their noses were touching leaving her breathless as well.

He stared straight into her eyes before he wrinkled his nose and pulled back a bit. ?[B]You are trying to distract me.[/B]? He accused. ?[B]And what?s more, it?s working![/B]?

Celestia giggled at his mock serious expression and then laughed some more when he outright tickled her.

Jason stood up, pulling Celestia up with him before letting her go. ?[B]I say we get something to eat and call it a day, sound good to you?[/B]?

Celestia wrinkled her nose at him in return. ?[B]It does.[/B]? She reached out with her right hand and took his hand in hers before heading out the door towards the mess hall. [/COLOR]

[Horendithas]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]All it took was Darren?s reaction to the clip of Sara entering the building and then how it cut to her leaving much later for Jared to confirm his suspicions that they had indeed run into each other. And his complete and total switch to pure panic and fear was also more than enough for him to administer the shot he had prepared earlier. Unlike Kim who had been an officer and would have received training in how to resist being drugged, Darren had not. Still Jared did not plan on actually torturing him so he had prepared a rather potent mixture of three different truth serums, something that even a Versilan would have a hard time resisting even with training, something that if given to a human would kill them.

Jared waited patiently for it to take effect saying nothing else after his last statement, which only made Darren even more nervous, he could see it in his eyes and body language as he made an effort to somehow sink into the sofa and disappear, stammering to the effect that he had not joined the resistance. Something that Jared was inclined to believe. Then when Darren started to get the glazed look in his eyes that was a result of the truth serum. Jared got up and the reached over, ignoring Darren?s startled cry and how he instinctively clutched at his hand where he had grabbed him and pulled him to his feet.

He dragged him over to one of the simple padded chairs surrounding the table in his kitchen area and then swiftly bound him to it by virtue of pulling his hands behind him and fastening the restraints so Darren was now attached to the chair. Jared didn?t need to bind him, but it was an effective tool to further unbalance Darren and ensure that what he got was the truth. Then after pulling up another chair so he was facing him he began.

It didn?t take long to get what had happened from him, and like he had thought fear had been a factor. After all Sara had nearly killed him the first time they had met. He had probably thought that he was going to die when he realized just who was in the room with him. But for him to actually warn her that he was coming, he shook his head. It never failed to amaze him at how blind the merchants were when it came to him. Jared knew about their little code and steering others away from members of the military they thought were ruthless. He moved closer to continue once Darren was done telling him what had happened.

?[B]You disappoint me Darren, I know all about your precious little merchant code and I can even understand why you might feel the need to have warned her. But at the same time it just shows how ignorant and short-sighted you really are.[/B]? He moved a little closer before continuing.

?[B]Have you ever bothered to find out if the rumors about me are even true?[/B]? Jared smirked at Darren?s startled look, confirming his suspicion that he had not done so. ?[B]When it comes to our race, I do not take those who are innocent. Every single merchant I have killed has been engaged in various activities from illegal smuggling, to drug running, to illegal slave trading.[/B]?

Jared moved even closer, ignoring Darren?s weak attempts to move away. He reached up and grabbed his hair and pulled him forward until his lips were nearly touching Darren?s right ear. Grabbing his shirt with his left hand to hold him steady as he whispered to him.

?[B]If I were as ruthless as you make me out to be, with your pretty looks, you wouldn?t have lasted a day after being arrested.[/B]? Jared chuckled when Darren shuddered with revulsion and then Jared let him go and moved back to where he was simply facing him.

?[B]Don?t lie to me again Darren.[/B]? He ignored Darren?s quick reply that he would not and continued. ?[B]It?s a good thing you did not join the resistance or I would have no choice but to execute you,[/B]? he smiled maliciously, ?[B]after I had some fun first of course.[/B]?

A response that only served to make Darren more uncomfortable as Jared could clearly see the fear in his eyes. Jared got up and started to unbind him.

?[B]If it were anyone else, failure to disclose important information would be an instant death sentence, but you are not an officer and the High Council has ordered me to give you some leniency due to your skills.[/B]? Jared set the restraints on the table and watched as Darren warily rubbed his wrists but made no move to get up.

?[B]Make no mistake, that leniency is a one time deal Darren, something that you can consider a back payment for those royalties you did not accept. Understood?[/B]?

Darren nodded before responding, ?[B]Yes, I understand.[/B]?

?[B]Good, you can leave.[/B]? Jared indicated the door.

He watched as Darren tried to get up only to stumble and fall. Jared winced as he had forgotten to give him the antidote. He started to pull out the shot only to stop when Darren started panicking again.

?[B]Relax, Darren,[/B]? Jared said as he moved to give it to him. ?[B]This is just the antidote to the truth serum I gave you.[/B]? He gave it to him and then helped Darren stand up.

?[B]I can help you get to your quarters, or you can wait here for the antidote to take affect.[/B]?

?[B]I?d rather go to my quarters.[/B]? Darren replied.

Jared just smiled, ?[B]I thought as much.[/B]? [/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Aaryanna_Mom]

[B]OCC:[/B] Once again we are being moved ahead several days. Per SunfallE?s direction so this is at least three days after Jared finished with Darren.

[CENTER]-------------------------------[/CENTER]

Kim just sighed when they brought her back to her cell. The break from being interrogated had been far to brief and Crystal?s newest combination of drugs along with the disruptor's was leaving her with moments where she couldn?t be sure if she was merely thinking or speaking. She curled up on her right side facing the wall of the cell. If she was speaking, then it was only a matter of time until Stevens got what he wanted as she couldn?t stop the thoughts of what he wanted to know from coming to the surface. If they were just thoughts, he had a long way to go. [I]Pity I can?t tell for sure,[/I] she thought. Stevens had seemed a bit exasperated with her so if she was lucky she hadn?t said a thing.

She giggled a bit feeling rather hysterical. Why was she even trying? It was getting harder and harder to feel any desire to hold on. Why not tell them what they wanted so they would just end it? But even as thought crossed her mind she knew she would not. It was pointless really, but she couldn?t live with herself if she didn?t fight as hard as she could for Daniel?s sake. [I]Can?t live with myself?[/I] She laughed out loud at the sheer irony. A laugh that turned into a sob as tears ran down her cheeks.

[I]Who am I kidding? I will never see any of them again. Even if he wanted to, there?s no way he could get me out of here[/I]. Kim thought with despair. [I]The only thing I can do is delay them as much as possible. [/I]She chuckled in a lighting quick change of mood, something that was all too prevalent these days.[I] At least annoying Stevens is fun.[/I] She thought.

The sound of the cell door opening was not enough to convince her to move, after all, it would only be Crystal coming to force nutrients into her yet again. Something she always did every day. Though Kim had quit responding to her questions. After all why should she help Crystal keep her alive?

[CENTER]-------------------------------[/CENTER]

It had been at least three days since Daniel gave Celestia and Jason the information on how to modify the signal security, though he did not tell them why. In this area it was easy to take care of things since simply telling them it came from William was enough to end any questions. He was not a programmer so he knew they would save any questions for William. Though William had warned him that even with the change it couldn?t guarantee that what the Elite Specialist was up to wouldn?t work. It would greatly decrease the chance of the disruption leading them right to both bases, but it just wasn?t possible to make sure something like that still wouldn?t happen.

To their credit, in addition to the work William had sent them they had gotten everything written and running. It was a credit to how hard working they really were that they could implement things so quickly. Jason and Celestia made more of a difference than either one of them realized.

Daniel closed down his workstation in the side room he was using as his office. He had other problems to think about. Even though destroying new construction was working well in both the U.S. and Europe. Once the troop reinforcements arrived, it would become much harder, and it didn?t help that within a few weeks their supplies for such activities would run dry. He did have another source, but he hated to dip into it so soon.

He got up and left, heading towards the mess hall to grab something to eat, still deep in thought. In addition to the lack of supplies, Daniel was concerned about just what was on Mars. He had been trying to think of what would justify a Class X shield and yet he still couldn?t think of a single thing. Mars was a good location for building underground caverns for all sorts of things like growing the Crystals and such, but if that were the case, why use a Class X shield? A good stealth shield would have easily done the job. No, there had to be something else on Mars, or rather more than just underground caverns for something like growing Crystals.

Daniel absently mindedly grabbed some sandwiches and took them over to an empty table and sat down.[I] All right, think idiot. What would you use a Class X shield for? I certainly wouldn?t use it to hide building underground caverns for Crystals, unless I had a good reason to believe that such a facility would be sabotaged.[/I] He paused for a moment. [I]Now that?s a thought, if we knew something was being built on Mars, it?s a given that we would have made sure to destroy it, especially since until the invasion there wasn?t enough of a military presence to stop us. [/I]

He started tapping his right fingers on the table, not even fully aware that he was doing so. [I]William has confirmed that they built a research facility in sector fourteen where the previous resistance base use to be, what if they are building a top-level military outpost on Mars? Installing equipment of that nature could justify a Class X shield, especially if they were planning on doing weapons research. That would require installing equipment equal to what could be found on the Catalyst. [/I]

Daniel finished the sandwiches and got up to head back to his office. [I]I should talk to William about this. If they are doing anything like that, it would mean that the High Council is planning on making sector thirteen the focal point for eventually taking over the rest of the sectors that have been mapped for conquest. If that?s true, there is probably already quite the military presence on Mars, something that would have been easy to hide from class B sensors. [/I]Quickly he went to his office and sent out the signal to talk to William, he could wait as long as it took for him to reply, especially since once the Elite Specialist was done, he wouldn't be able to talk to him so easily anymore.

[Rachmaninoff]

At this point, Darren wasn?t sure what to think anymore. After that horrible incident with Jared earlier in the week he had done some checking into the backgrounds of the merchants who had been initially taken by Jared and then later executed. And just like he said, each of them had been into some form of illegal activities. Something that if Jared hadn?t gotten them, the law given a chance would have as what they were into was punishable by death depending on the severity of the charge.

He tossed his handheld computer aside not caring if it landed on the bed or not and leaned back against the wall, not quite ready to settle under the covers and go to sleep. When he had first come back to his quarters after being interrogated by Jared, he had still been too shaken and upset over the experience. It had taken a while for the shaking to stop, the horrible fear to fade and for him to finally fall asleep. And even then he kept waking up, expecting to find that Jared had lied to him and that he was going to be executed for warning Sara.

But then a couple of days had passed with nothing happening, not even a jab or tease from Jared. So he had started looking into things, only to be further confused by what he found. Darren pulled his legs up until he could rest his head on his knees. Letting out a small sigh as he did so. Everything pointed to Jared telling the truth. The only thing he couldn?t verify was if the file Jared had shown him about the High Council listing him as the top expert in the field of shipping was true or not. But if it really was a top-level file, even someone like Jared would not have the clearance to access it. One could only be given access by a High Council member.

This whole experience was frustrating. On the one hand if he had accepted the credit for what he had done, it would have likely put him out of being in his current position, but at the same time it would have been a disaster as far as his family went. And even then that wasn?t a guarantee that they wouldn?t have made him come anyway. Then on the other hand, his refusal put him in the position that since he was not an officer and had not joined the resistance, they were going to look the other way as if it had never happened. It was often confusing to look back at what could have happened if I had done this. And in the end he quit trying to analyze it since it just wasn?t possible to determine if his life would have been different if he had accepted the royalties from his work and taken a job working for the military or the High Council. Or rather different in a way that would have prevented what was currently happening.

Tired from thinking in what seemed like circles he gave up and worked his way under the covers before issuing the command the turned the lights off. At least he had finally found someone to handle the paper aspect of the job on Earth in Australia. If only the rest of this mess would be as easy to do. And it went without saying that whatever happened, he did not want to repeat the experience of being drugged and interrogated by Jared. Because, as horrible as that had been, he had a feeling that if there was a next time, it would be far worse than what he had already experienced.

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Crystal tried unsuccessfully to stop a series of yawns as she headed to the transport room to head back to the Tempest. It didn't take long to see to Kim especially since she ignored any questions she had for her. And to be fair Crystal couldn't blame her. Usually she ignored her surroundings as she went through the Conqueror, but tonight she ended up watching the crew as they hurried along the corridors. The sharp sound of their shoes as they hit the metal flooring, the soft whisper of conversations that were not quite loud enough to be understood. The rustle of clothing from the crisp dark and light green uniforms of the crew.

It didn't matter that the Conqueror was massive, there wasn't a corridor that didn't have at least several crew members on various errands. And mixed in among all that bustle were the small messenger droids, specially designed to move small things since transport doors could not be freely opened through out the ship. Unlike when she had first taken command of the Tempest, there were no second glances at her uniform that was a combination of the cut for a Military Commander and that of a Doctor. Not that she would have cared, but as she walked through a corridor that was floor to ceiling windows on one side, she couldn't help but notice how different she looked when she caught a glimpse of her own reflection as she walked past.

Instead of the plain dark green with gold trim, she also had the universal medical symbol cleverly woven into the entire outfit so that a turn of the material caused it to reflect lightly to who ever was facing her. And the cape that went with it was of white instead of pale green with the medical symbol on the back in gold. Crystal turned her eyes back to where she was going instead of watching the view of Earth from space, another turn and she would be at one of the designated transportation rooms.

She had already checked on the progress of the medical facilities being built on Earth. It was the one thing the resistance left alone. Everything else was fair game, except for Australia as it had been left alone. Though she wished they would leave everything alone, she was at least glad that who ever was in charge was smart enough to leave the medical part alone. Otherwise the humans would be suffering quite a bit due the chaos since most of the medical networks other than the largest ones had collapsed. Crystal entered the transportation room and got in line for her turn, it was a pity she was stuck assisting Fleet Admiral Stevens, she would have liked to have taken the time to tour the medical facilities and see how things were coming along.

A moment later it was her turn, the technician merely waving her through as he already knew her on sight. A brief word wishing her a good day and then she stepped through to the Tempest. Crystal nodded to the technician there before heading towards the bridge to take care of some things before calling it a day.[/COLOR]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1][CENTER][IMG]http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/4373/silveronebanner001fj1inel5.jpg[/IMG]
Banner by [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/member.php?userid=20994][COLOR=RoyalBlue][U][B]indifference[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL] [/CENTER][/SIZE]

?[B]All right, is everyone in position?[/B]? William asked from his position in the center of the bridge of his ship. A few nods and verbal confirmations from agents who were tied in to the bridge quickly came in.

William stood up and walked forward until he was standing right behind his second in command, his hands clasped behind his back. Not that he needed be closer to see what was going on as the main viewer not only had an image of the planet where the target was, but running along each side was the corresponding images and incoming data of the others involved in the operation.

?[B]How much longer until the fleet with the reinforcements for Earth are in position?[/B]? William asked.

?[B]They just passed the last checkpoint, unless they deviate from their current path they will be in range in ten minutes.[/B]? His second replied.

?[B]Excellent,[/B]? William smiled. ?[B]As always they are right on time. Prepare to initiate the first charge on my mark. And then follow up with the others exactly one minute apart.[/B]? He paused and snickered before continuing. ?[B]We wouldn?t want the fleet to miss out on the fun now would we?[/B]?

A nervous chuckle ran among his crew and the others that were tied into the communication. Not that he blamed them, after all if it worked; this was one of the most aggressive moves the resistance had ever made. He already knew that Stevens and the High Council considered them a real threat now, but this would cement that fact into the rest of the population even more than what they had done when they disabled the Tempest and the Crimson.

William took a deep breath as the time crept closer; it had taken quite some time to build the resistance to the point where a difference could actually be made. It was time to start doing so. And when time finally came, without hesitation he gave the order.

Then though William could not see the effect immediately, a moment later it became apparent that something was being destroyed as flashes began to show up from multiple explosions. The planet in question was not where people in sector six actually lived, but rather was one where the merchants and the military stored surplus goods such as the crystals used for their technology.

?[B]Sir! We have a problem![/B]?

?[B]What is it?[/B]? William asked.

His second in command pulled up the information from the scans to the main viewer. Before his second in command could explain what had gone wrong the main space station in orbit around the planet along with several merchant ships and small military ships seemed to shudder as if in the grip of an unknown force. A number of the smallest ships literally broke apart.

?[B]My God![/B]? William exclaimed. ?[B]It wasn?t supposed to do that![/B]?

?[B]I don?t have enough data yet, but it looks like the initial distortion from destroying the crystals along with the supplies sent out a shock wave at least three times stronger than predicted.[/B]? His second in command turned to face him before continuing. ?[B]We need to move sir, and now. Otherwise the fleet won?t be the only ones affected by the shock wave.[/B]?

?[B]All right, you heard him everyone get moving.[/B]? William ordered. A moment later the communications closed and he went to sit back down in his seat.

?[B]Back us out of here, but slowly. If possible stay just ahead of the shock wave. I want you to get as much data as possible understood?[/B]?

His second turned back to his station, his fingers flying over the console as he input the commands. ?[B]Understood sir.[/B]?

?[B]Any news on the fleet yet?[/B]?

His second in command answered by switching the view to one showing the fleet on the other side of the shock wave where they had been dragged out of hyperspace by the shock wave, a number of the ships drifting as if they had been severely damaged.

William smiled. ?[B]Good work everyone, finish getting as much data as possible. Hack any and all communications to find out just how severe the damage was. I?ll be in the conference room should any of you need me.[/B]?

He got up and left and then once inside the side conference room he sent out a communication to Daniel. He would send him the specifics later, but for now he would want to know that those reinforcements for Earth would not be coming any time soon. The destruction of some of the smaller ships had not been in the original plan to simply destroy the supplies and possibly yank the fleet out of hyperspace or force them to stop to restore order. William grimaced at the thought of the innocent people who had gotten in the way since that had not been his intention.

He finished sending the information to Daniel and then started pulling up the data to see just what had happened. It may have worked, but it would be foolish to try that tactic again without knowing what had caused the shock wave to be so strong. Now if only he could be there when Stevens found out. He smiled at the thought. [/COLOR]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=darkslateblue]"That's it for Jupiter's moons," Daego said. "Ready to move on."[/color]
[color=darkslateblue][/color]
[color=darkslateblue]"[/color][color=#483d8b]Not yet," Kiva said. "I want a scan of Jupiter first. We've seen how ingenious this resistance branch is on several occasions now. It wouldn't suprise me too much if they've somehow managed to have a relay or control station suspended within Jupiter's atmosphere."[/color]

[color=#483d8b]"Yeah, they are quite good. All right, initiating scan... scan has commenced."[/color]

[color=#483d8b]At that moment, the 'message recieved' beep sounded. Kiva took a look at the new message. "Looks like Stevens messed up," she said. "I've got a lot of files here about the wanted Resistance members suspected to be on Earth. The summary indicates that a lot of this would have been useful earlier on. There's also evidence of a pretty major security breech. Stevens wants us to take a look at the stuff and see what we can do with it. There's also some stuff that may help me with my hacking. Looks like information on Jason and Celestia's programming skill. I'm going to examine that stuff first. You start going through the rest."[/color]

[color=#483d8b]Kiva began examining the information about Jason and Celestia's programming abilities. It seemed that those two were quite intelligent and resourceful. By matching the provided information with data from the attempts to hack into the [i]Catalyst[/i], she was able to confirm a similarity of techniques. It seemed quite likely that those two had been behind the attempts to hack into the [i]Catalyst[/i]. Stevens would want to know this. He'd already been notified of the hacking attempts and advised to assume that the fleet's ships had been hacked. Now he'd learn who was probably behind it.[/color]

[color=#483d8b]Some of the information Kiva was able to put to immediate use. "I think I might be able to get a bit of information out of the control stations," she said. "I'm going to hack into the one we found on that last moon and see what I can find."[/color]

[color=#483d8b]Kiva hacked in and, using the new information, was able to decipher some of the data. "Okay, it looks like this confirms what we've seen so far. There should be three relay stations to each control station. Also, it looks like there should be a total of five control stations."[/color]

[color=#483d8b]"That's good to know. But we're not going to change anything, are we?"[/color]

[color=#483d8b]Kiva nodded. "That's right. We're still going to scan everything. There's no garuntee that what's recorded here is all there is. We need to be absolutely certain that we've got everything, and the only way to do that is by scanning every possible location."[/color]

[color=#483d8b]"All right, then. We'll continue on after we're done scanning Jupiter."[/color]

[color=#483d8b]"Yeah. In the meantime, let's go over the rest of the information Stevens sent us."[/color]

[Aaryanna_Mom]

When he got the report from William, it was so surprising that Daniel read it again to make sure he wasn?t misreading what he sent. He knew about the planet in question and just how much was kept on hand for both civilians and the military. The whole planet, though small, was nothing but a giant warehouse. Before he had ended up in the resistance, he had stopped to re-supply there on his way to sector fourteen when he still commanded the Tempest.

The sheer amount of food supplies, extra crystals for their technology along with military goods, including explosives, made it a prime target for illegal smuggling and as a result there was a permanent space station along with an extensive military presence both on the ground and in space to maintain order. For William to have done what he did meant that he most likely had agents in that area for years.

Daniel just shook his head in disbelief. This was far more than a simple run. The brief records William had sent showing what the shock wave from destroying the crystals had done to both the space station and the fleet that had been heading to Earth with reinforcements was astonishing. The amount of trouble this was going to cause could only be good for the resistance.

It was a pity that Stevens would not be held responsible. Even Daniel knew enough about the higher levels of command to realize that the person responsible for maintaining order within the ground troops was separate from the space forces. It would still force Stevens to divert the reinforcements to that area instead of Earth though. Not to mention it was the perfect opportunity to set in motion some plans he had already been working on to raid the facilities here on Earth. All he needed to do was wait a day or two in case some of the forces here were diverted to sector six, though he doubted they would be.

Sara would be pleased since she had been despondent when he had simply listened to her suggestion on stealing supplies and dismissed her. But then he had already been considering the idea and his top agents had yet to finish working out a plan for actually doing so. He pulled up the information that had been presented to him if he was going to actually do it he needed to get started.

[CENTER]-------------[/CENTER]
Kim had barely been brought to the interrogation room and strapped in when Stevens console chimed indicating there was a priority message for him. Crystal who was in the process of actually walking over to Kim to administer the drugs paused and turned towards Stevens. One did not interrupt an interrogation without good reason and Kim wondered just what in the world could be so important that they would actually contact Stevens.

Though she couldn?t hear what was being said to Stevens, there was no missing his irritated expression or his sudden outburst.

?[B]They did what?[/B]? Stevens snapped. ?[B]When did this happen?[/B]?

Again Kim could not hear what was being said, but it didn?t matter. Anything that upset Stevens could only be a good thing. She smiled and snickered, a move that caused Stevens to briefly glance at her and then back to who ever he was talking to.

?[B]I?ll be right there.[/B]? Stevens said. He closed the transmission and turned to Crystal. ?[B]I?m leaving you in charge of today?s session. Check in with me when you are finished.[/B]?

Crystal nodded at Stevens who got up and started to head for the door. Crystal turned and went back to her usual spot that she stayed in while Stevens interrogated her.

Kim didn?t know what had happened, but she couldn?t resist taunting Stevens. ?[B]I thought I told you not to bore me Stevens.[/B]? She smiled when he hesitated and looked at her. ?[B]Running away before you?re even finished? Not only are you a poor interrogator, but a lousy Fleet Admiral as well.[/B]?

Kim giggled when Stevens clenched his hands in anger, raising the right one slightly as if he was thinking of actually hitting her.

?[B]That?s right! Show me just how powerful you are, hitting a defenseless woman is about all you?re good for.[/B]? She paused and sighed dramatically when he did nothing. ?[B]As I thought, even when tied down a mere woman is more than you can handle. You may as well go run home to mommy, at least she is capable enough to serve as a member of the High Council.[/B]?

Kim laughed mockingly at Stevens when he merely looked away and left the interrogation room. When she was finished she turned her attention back to Crystal and smiled at her. Taunting Stevens had been juvenile and childish... and yet so satisfying as well. If only she could find out what had happened.

?[B]So miss doctor turned commander, are you going to desert me as well?[/B]? She asked not really expecting Crystal to answer. If there was one thing she had learned, unlike Stevens, Crystal simply ignored taunts or jabs as if they hadn?t even been spoken. Something that held true as Crystal merely ignored her and came over to administer the shot.

[Horendithas]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]Jared had barely left his quarters to head down to Earth when he received an incoming message on his handheld computer instructing him to join Fleet Admiral Stevens on the Conqueror. No explanation was offered so with a shrug he put it back into the small pouch that attached to his right side just and hurried over to see just what Stevens wanted.

At first nothing seemed out of place, but when he was walking though the corridors of the Conqueror he noticed that there was an uneasy feeling, as crew members seemed to be upset over something.[I] I wonder what?s happened?[/I] It was unusual for the crew to be upset. Most of them were to well trained to show it.

Frowning slightly, he finally entered the observation room only to find both Stevens and Sandra already there, talking with several members of the High Council. Without a word Jared quickly sat down to the right of Sandra curious as to what could have brought about this unexpected turn of events. Sandra had already turned on the console for him and though he kept an eye on the main viewer and the conversation between Stevens and the High Council members, he quickly read through the summary of what had happened in sector six.

[I]They actually managed to pull this off?[/I] He thought incredulously as he looked through the initial damage estimates. Jared winced, an operation of this scale should have never happened. And the way the person responsible coordinated it to affect the reinforcements that were supposed to have come to Earth was nothing short of brilliant. Whoever was responsible was smart. Jared looked up from the screen at the mention of the Elite Specialist from one of the High Council members. [I]I need to pay attention, [/I]he thought.

?[B]No,[/B]? Stevens was saying. ?[B]If you want a specialist to check into how this could have happened, send someone else. The task Kiva Salqarian is currently involved in is too important. She may be the closest, but then it would take several weeks to get another one here to take her place and it?s not worth it just to save a few days time in getting someone there.[/B]?

?[B]I don?t agree,[/B]? One of the members, replied to Stevens. ?[B]Getting someone there immediately is more important than tracking down a communication relay system.[/B]?

?[B]Oh really?[/B]? Stevens replied, an edge of irritation creeping into his voice. ?[B]Have you even bothered to read the reports I have been sending you? The resistance here has been hacking into our systems.[/B]? He paused to let that sink in. ?[B]That?s right gentlemen, the supposedly secure system of the Conqueror no less. It?s entirely possible that they got the information they needed to pull this off from this location.

If I send Kiva as you seem to think is best, merely to get someone there two days quicker, you leave things open for even more information to be passed on while we wait for a replacement. Don?t be so damn short sighted! We need to cut off that line of communication before it?s used to pull off something even worse![/B]?

Jared smiled a little at Steven?s audacity. In some ways he was like Crystal in that respect, as he had no trouble pointing out if you were an idiot. And just like when she did it, Jared enjoyed watching it.

?[B]You don?t know for sure that they got the information in that manner Stevens.[/B]?

?[B]And you don?t know that they didn?t.[/B]? He shot right back at them. ?[B]Honestly people, think about this. Unless you intend to revoke the authority you gave me to do as I see fit, Kiva stays here.[/B]?

He held up a hand to stay the protests. ?[B]I?ve already sent the Specialist who was stationed in sector fourteen along with a third of the fleet there. Unlike Earth, the situation there is stable and two days won?t make enough of a difference to matter, especially since I?ve already ordered the ships and troops there to start assisting with the clean up immediately. Even the ships that were simply pulled out of hyperspace without being damaged.[/B]?

Sandra spoke up causing everyone to turn and give her their full attention. ?[B]We need to be working on fixing the damage instead of squabbling over getting someone there quicker.[/B]?

She leaned back and crossed her arms in disgust. ?[B]Finding out what happened is important, but seeing to the needs of the people must come first unless you want to have panicking and riots. Stevens is right, two days will not make a difference and leaving ourselves open here is unacceptable. Honestly, use your brains and think. If we ignore the people in favor of investigations it will only play into the resistance?s favor, making us look like we don?t give a damn about the common person. And that is an attitude we cannot afford.[/B]?

Surprised both Jared and Stevens looked at Sandra as if she had gone a bit nuts. Though they agreed with her, it was highly unusual for her to voice her support when it concurred with Steven?s point of view. Jared resisted the urge to snicker at Stevens and the High Council?s dumbfounded expressions. It looked like someone had literally smacked all of them from behind.

Sandra stood up, ?[B]Take it however you wish, but I for one do not intend to waste my time arguing with [I]fools[/I] when it could be better spent helping to organize relief and operations from here as well as tending to my duties in regards to the liaisons for Earth.[/B]? And with a stiff bow she turned her back on all of them and left.

A heavy silence descended once Sandra had left, leaving Jared to wonder just what the High Council was going to do. And to his relief, her own father finally spoke up.

?[B]Very well, Stevens, Kiva stays and though her choice of words were lacking, Sandra is correct in that we all have things to take care of. We will take care of things on this end in regards to managing resources to make sure what is needed is sent immediately. Keep us informed of your progress in regards to both Earth and sector six. [/B]?

?[B]Well that was fun,[/B]? Jared said when the communication closed. ?[B]Anything you wish me to take care of?[/B]?

Stevens just sighed, ?[B]Nothing we have time for I?m afraid. Though if you can manage it, it would be useful if you took over following up on the leads we?ve been getting from Earth on the resistance and wanted criminals.[/B]?

?[B]Consider it done.[/B]? Jared replied as he got up and excused himself from the observation room. [/COLOR][/SIZE]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=darkslateblue]"Scan's done," Daego said. "Nothing found. Jupiter's clean."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"All right," Kiva said. "Let's move on to Saturn."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Got it." Daego gave the command, and the [i]Catalyst[/i] began moving towards Saturn. A couple minutes later, the 'message received' signal sounded again.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Man," Kiva said, "how many things do they have to tell us?" She began viewing the message, and gasped in shock. "Holy shit!"[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"What is it?" Daego asked as he began to view the message as well. It wasn't long before he saw what had provoked Kiva's reaction. "They... how the hell did they do that?"[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"I have no idea," Kiva said. "Someone in the Resistance found a way, though. Shit, and I thought the stuff we've seen in this sector was impressive. Man, those people are good."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Yeah, you can say that again. And they obviously had inside information, timing it as perfectly as they did. Shit, it looks like their plan was just about perfect."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"No, not quite. Look at the data. Multiple civilian ships were caught in the blast, and the Resistance doesn't like harming civilians. And if you look at the trajectories here, they could've greatly decreased civilian casualties by detonating the explosives earlier while still doing substantial damage to the fleet."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Is that significant?" Daego asked. "They could have miscalculated, or maybe they had some sort of problem and had to blow the bombs late, or something."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"There's a more likely possibility," Kiva said. "Look at the data on the explosion and the resulting shockwave. Would you have known that the explosions would cause that kind of an effect? Because I certainly didn't."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Neither did I," Daego said. "I knew that crystals could make big explosions, but not that kind of thing."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Exactly, and judging from this data, it's likely that nobody in the Empire would've expected it, either. I think the resistance, just like all of us, didn't anticipate the severety of the blast. Anyways, it's not our problem. Says here that another Elite Specialist is being sent. Even though we'd be able to get there faster, we're still assigned here."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Yeah. Well, we'll just have to take those Resistance bastards down."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]Kiva nodded. "We'll do our part, don't worry. Let's get back to the data from the previous transmission. We may still find something useful. And remember, odds are that when we get back to Earth, we'll soon have the location of at least one other base."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"I hope so," Daego said. "I hope so."[/color]

[Rachmaninoff]

Darren had barely finished getting dressed after taking a shower when a chime sounded indicating he had an incoming message. He sat down at the workstation in his quarters and pulled it up. It was Mike.

"[B]What can I do for you Mike?[/B]" He asked.

"[B]You don't know?[/B]" Mike asked.

"[B]Know what?[/B]" Darren replied puzzled as to what he meant.

"[B]Dude, it's all over the news, the resistance blew up the storage facilities for the military and the merchant guild in sector six. I've been halted at the border by the military since it's a complete and total disaster in there.[/B]"

"[B]When the hell did that happen?[/B]" Darren asked even as he pulled up another screen with a live news feed.

Mike shrugged. "[B]I'm not sure, all I know is that when I dropped out of hyperspace to go and pick up another shipment for sector fourteen I was stopped by the military. I understand that the shock wave from destroying so many crystals at the same time damaged the space station, destroyed several smaller ships docked there and even knocked a passing fleet out of hyperspace, damaging the smaller military ships![/B]"

Darren just shook his head. "[B]That's unbelievable, I've never heard of the resistance managing to pull something like that off before. Are they sure it was them?[/B]"

Mike snickered. "[B]That's the best part, shortly after the explosion a transmission was broad casted by someone claiming to work for the resistance saying that they were responsible for the destruction. Parts of that are all over the communication networks. Including a statement on how conquering other races is wrong, and that if we are really superior we should be protecting them instead of turning them into slaves.[/B]"

Darren sighed. "[B]Well that's just great. I want to feel sorry for them but to be blunt I don't give a damn. All this means is that I'll be stuck here even longer.[/B]"

Mike shrugged, "[B]I know, those idiots who work for the resistance just don't get it. Even if they are right, there's no way the High Council would ever agree to what they said. Anyway, what do you want me to do?[/B]"

"[B]I don't know. I'll have to ask Jared unfortunately.[/B]" He grimaced at the thought. "[B]Just sit tight and take advantage of the down time to relax a bit. I'll get back to you as soon as I know what Jared wants you to do.[/B]" Darren finally said.

"[B]Gotcha, I've been meaning to check out some new holographic programs anyway. Later.[/B]"

Darren leaned back once the transmission ended.[I] Now what?[/I] He wondered. A quick glance at the time showed that he didn't need to be at Earth for at least another hour and another quick glance to see where the system said Jared was showed that he was over at the conqueror. He typed up a request for instructions for Mike and then sent it to Jared. Then because he still had time he started going through all the news reports and information in regards to what happened in sector six.

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Even though Kim had already been taken back to her cell, Crystal was still there going over the information she had gotten. Once Stevens had left she had switched tactics, something that was going to be done in a few days anyway. There were better combinations of truth drugs that could be used, but not at the same time a disruptor was used as it was too dangerous. And though using both had proven to be effective, she did not like doing so. Still in the end it had at least made today?s session productive as far as eliminating possibilities went.

Crystal finished writing up the report for Stevens and then took a moment to go over all the information about what had happened in sector six. It hadn?t been easy to stay focused on doing her job, especially since she would have rather helped coordinate the medical efforts being put together, but in the end she knew it wasn?t necessary as there were plenty of qualified people in sector six.

In the end what had really surprised her was that civilians had been caught in the crossfire since unlike the military the resistance had always made a point of avoiding civilian causalities whenever possible. She put it out of her mind since she needed to talk to Stevens and a quick query to the system showed that he was in the observation room just off the bridge.

It didn?t take her long to get there and after a brief moment Stevens opened the door and waved her in motioning for her to take a seat across from where he was sitting at the main desk. She waited patiently for him to finish what he was doing. Then when he was done he turned his attention to her.

?[B]Crystal, I take it you have something to tell me?[/B]?

She nodded, ?[B]I do, after you left I went ahead and used the more potent truth serum. Then instead of focusing on her activities since she left the military I focused on verifying her time before that, looking for inconsistencies with her official records.[/B]?

?[B]And did you find any?[/B]?

?[B]I did, a single name, Will or William. Kim mentions him as being an independent merchant and yet searching the official records shows that there hasn?t been a merchant with that name in over four hundred years. Not only that there is no record anywhere of her actually talking to a merchant at any time. If such records exist they?ve been erased.[/B]?

?[B]I see, that is interesting, anything else?[/B]? Stevens asked.

?[B]No, when I tried to pin her down she regained control and told me to find my own answers.[/B]? Crystal paused and handed over a copy of the session on a chip to Stevens. ?[B]Everything is on that in script format, however I?m inclined to believe that focusing on her time before leaving the military is pointless. The officers on the Tempest all testify to her being forcibly dragged from the bridge of the Tempest by the resistance at the same time Daniel, Jason and Celestia were rescued. I?ve reviewed the investigation from that time and it?s highly likely that until that moment she was not a member of the resistance.[/B]?

Stevens reached over and picked up the chip Crystal had put on the desk. ?[B]That's what I believe as well, I would imagine that Daniel or someone else convinced her to join after that happened. I?ll review this then, any thing else?[/B]?

?[B]Not really, were you planning on continuing tomorrow? Or did you wish for me to take over?[/B]? She asked.

Stevens shook his head, ?[B]No, most of what needs to be done has already been taken care of. And considering what happened today finding out what she knows is critical.[/B]?

Crystal stood up to leave, ?[B]I?ll see you tomorrow then[/B].? [/COLOR]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]The first thing Celestia noticed when her and Jason entered the command center was the live news feed from other parts of the Versilan Empire. They both sat down intending to work but instead ended up pulling up additional information at their own workstations. As much as she could understand the need, it was a bit shocking to find out that innocent people had died. They were always so careful to keep innocents out of the way if possible. When another report came up showing the level of devastation on the actual world she turned off her monitor and left. Ignoring Jason?s calls to for her to stop, forcing him to run to catch her. They were just outside their quarters when he finally managed to grab her right wrist and force her to turn to face him.

?[B]Hey! I?ve been calling your name since you left the command center![/B]? Jason hesitated when he realized that Celestia had tears in her eyes. He reached up and used his key card to access their quarters and pulled Celestia inside with him, taking her over to the sofa and sitting down. Then he pulled her close and simply held her while she cried. Waiting patiently for her to finally calm down.

?[B]I?m sorry,[/B]? he said.

Celestia sighed, ?[B]What for? You didn?t do anything wrong.[/B]?

He kissed her gently on the forehead, ?[B]Yes I did, I didn?t even think about how seeing the destruction would upset you.[/B]?

?[B]There?s no way you could have known.[/B]? Celestia pointed out as she wiggled closer to Jason and placed her right cheek against his chest. ?[B]Both Daniel and William didn?t tell us what they were going to do.[/B]?

Jason smiled sadly, ?[B]That may be true, but I know you and once we saw the initial news I didn?t even think to ask Daniel for more details.[/B]? He reached up with his right hand to gently stroke her hair. ?[B]Especially when I know just how tenderhearted you can be.[/B]?

?[B]I can?t help it, even if technically they are both my people and our enemy, I can?t blame all of them for what their leaders do. They don?t know any better and no one deserves to die.[/B]? She choked a bit before continuing. ?[B]I know I?m naïve in my desire to end this without any bloodshed. I just?[/B]?

Jason just tightened his grip, holding her even closer, ?[B]I know, you?re a hopeless optimist.[/B]? He felt her stiffen a bit but he continued before she could pull free. ?[B]But that?s what I love about you.[/B]? He smiled at her when she pulled free just enough to look up at him to see if he was serious.

Then he tenderly kissed her, ?[B]Don?t ever change Celestia.[/B]? He said when he pulled back after kissing her, gently holding her chin, ?[B]Optimism such as yours is desperately needed.[/B]?

Celestia frowned a bit, ?[B]You?re just saying that.[/B]? She accused.

Jason let go of her chin and placed his hand on her back, ?[B]No I?m not. Too many people on both sides are caught up in getting vengeance for what has happened. It?s one thing to put a stop to the High Council and enslaving other races, but what happens afterwards? If we aren?t careful we?ll make the same mistake they did and punish innocent people who were just doing their jobs, or even worse, simply had the bad luck to be on the other side. Unless someone makes a point of reminding them that they are innocent of wrongdoing.[/B]?

He watched, as she thought about what he said and then sighed before resting her head on his chest again.

?[B]If we actually win that is,[/B]? Celestia finally replied.

Jason shifted a bit so that he could comfortably hold her close before responding, ?[B]Then lets do our best so we will.[/B]?

Celestia just sighed and closed her eyes.

With a small smile Jason simply held her and said nothing more. He knew her well enough to know that when she was ready she would pull free on her own. But then she surprised him by falling asleep, at least it surprised him for only a moment until he realized just how hard she had been pushing herself and how little sleep she had gotten since the invasion started.

Gently he moved his right hand without waking her to grab the throw blanket that was on the side of the sofa and then carefully he maneuvered it using his other hand until he had covered both him and her. He shifted slightly so he could simply rest his head against the back of the sofa, as he himself was tired as well. [I]We?ve been working every day without any stop other than to eat and sleep, [/I]he thought.[I] I should talk to Daniel about taking a brief break, invasion or not, we need one.[/I]

Then as the warmth of both Celestia and the blanket began to make him feel drowsy as well, he closed his own eyes and fell asleep. [/COLOR]

[Horendithas]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]It had been several days since the resistance had destroyed the supplies at the shipping facility in sector six. Not only had all the buildings been leveled on the planet, but the resulting shock wave from the crystals going up had resulted in the stores on the station as well as the ones on the smaller ships going up as well. The investigation was far from complete, but the initial data indicated that it was their own cargo of crystals going up that destroyed the smaller ships since it had been determined that the shock wave only seemed to affect other crystals within a certain range that weren?t heavily shielded.

It was rather interesting to read since unless they found out otherwise, it was looking like the civilians caught in the crossfire had been accidental instead of planned. No one had ever destroyed so many crystals at the same time and the military?s top experts had been quick to point out that even their own models as to the results predicted a shock wave less than half the strength of what had actually occurred. And even then, the shock wave in question primarily affected other crystals not flesh and blood. Other than those on the planet and those in the ships that had broken apart, no one else had been hurt.

Which just reinforced Jared?s assessment that who ever had done this was very smart. Due to illegal smuggling, the military ran the storage on the planets surface so the only ones affected by the initial explosions that set the crystals off were military personal. If the smaller ships with cargo's of Crystals hadn?t been within range, only the military would have suffered casualties as well as the annoyance of the fleet being knocked out of hyperspace. And though a number of the smaller military ships were extensively damaged, no one in the fleet had been hurt.

Jared closed the reports, along with the ones he had been working on from Earth in regards to potential resistance activity. Though he was not directly involved in the clean up and investigation in sector six, it still meant more work for him. He had not realized just how many of the reports for suspected resistance activity on Earth were totally useless. [I]This needs to end,[/I] he thought as he got up and headed toward the bathroom in his quarters. [I]Over ninety percent of the reports are completely false and to say your neighbor is a member just because you don?t like their cat? [/I]

Jared sighed as he entered the bathroom and quickly stripped down before entering the shower and turning it on, taking a moment to relax under the warm water before cleaning up. Then he turned it off and grabbed one of the thick white towels hanging just outside the actual shower and began to towel off as he walked out of the shower.[I] We need to either do away with the reporting system or start punishing people for frivolous reports. Starting with the woman who reports anyone who owns a cat.[/I] He didn?t remember the exact number, but she had put in over fifty reports since the invasion.

A moment later after drying his hair and grabbing a clean pair of underwear and silk pajama shorts and getting dressed, he walked back out into the main room and over to the kitchen area and fixed himself a drink before wandering over to look out the windows to see Earth. [I] Better yet,[/I] he thought as he took a sip of his drink,[I] we need to see if there is a pattern of misinformation. One that would indicate that the misleading reports are actually coming from a member of the resistance.[/I] Since he was sure they were putting in fake reports to throw them off.

With a sigh he finished his drink and walked over to place the dirty glass in the bin for such things before heading to his bedroom. What he?d really like was some time for recreation instead of constantly being required to work since in addition to the mess in sector six, the removal of the extra humans had slowed down due to many of the transport ships being diverted to assist with the disaster in sector six. It wasn?t too bad, but it made it harder since he had planned on being able to shuffle the troops on Earth to help keep trouble areas under control and he couldn?t do that until the area they were in were evacuated. With yet another sigh he climbed into his bed and issued the command to turn the lights out. [/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Rachmaninoff]

"[B]They have you doing what?[/B]" Darren asked Mike incredulously. Jared had told him several days ago that he would see to Mike being reassigned, but not to something like this.

Mike just shrugged as he looked away at something on the ship before turning back to face the screen and talk to Darren. "[B]Beats me, all I know is those military goons assigned several security personal to your ship and then pretty much locked me and the others up in the bridge while they loaded it. I tried questioning them but the only thing I could find out is that the transport ships that were headed towards Earth can't be used until enough crystals and part arrive from another sector to start repairing the damage. My guess is they're loading us up with stuff from the blast area to be analyzed since as soon as they are done I've been directed to head to sector one.[/B]"
[I]
I hope that idiot got clearance to tell me what he's up to[/I] Darren thought before responding. "[B]Mike, you haven't done anything stupid have you?[/B]" He accused.

Mike winced. "[B]No, in fact I was told by the lead security officer to contact you and update you as to what is up.[/B]" He scowled at Darren. "[B]What kind of idiot do you take me for anyway?[/B]"

"[B]The same idiot that got himself blasted when this whole mess started.[/B]" Darren shot back at him.

"[B]All right! All right! Guilty as charged.[/B]" He said ruefully. "[B]But I've been behaving since then, just ask that sicko Jared since he's been requiring regular updates from me. But enough about me, what about you?[/B]"

Darren looked away uncomfortably as he had never told Mike what had happened with the Earth woman Sara or how he had been interrogated by Jared. It still pained him to admit even to himself that on some level he had been wrong about Jared. Not that he still wasn't a sick bastard since he enjoyed tormenting others. Sure they may have been guilty, but that didn't excuse what he did to them. You didn't sink to the same level of common criminals by torturing them, you execute them quickly and cleanly to avoid being tainted by their sickness.

But Jared...He shivered without even realizing it...He had found the video of the execution he had arranged for Daniel's mother, that had been inexcusable. Even if she was guilty of treason, there was no reason to allow what had been done to that poor woman. It was no wonder people joined the resistance. With a start he realized that Mike was speaking.

"[B]Hey! Darren, what gives? I asked you a question remember? Jeez! The way you're behaving one would think..[/B]" he trailed off as Darren turned beet red. "[B]I mean...[/B]" Mike looked away before turning back again. "[B]Um...I need to go.[/B]"

"[B]Don't you dare do that![/B]" Darren snapped at Mike before he could end the transmission. "[B]Nothing like that has happened between me and Jared. Nothing![/B]" He asserted forcefully. Furious at Mike for even thinking it.

"[B]Calm down Darren! I only thought he had, you know, taken advantage of you like he always does to everyone. No need to get so worked up over it.[/B]" Mike mumbled in return.

Darren took a deep breath and then let it out, Mike was right, there was no need to snap at him. "[B]I'm sorry, you're right, after all that is what he is known for doing.[/B]" He looked away, "[B]If it were you here I would have thought the same.[/B]" He turned back. "[B]Forget I said anything, I'm just frustrated that the recent trouble caused by the damn resistance means I'll be stuck here working with that sicko even longer. He may leave me alone for now, but it doesn't stop that jerk from teasing me every chance he gets.[/B]"

Mike just shrugged, "[B]Well I suppose that's better than him doing more than teasing, right? Anyway, I need to go since it seems we are suppose to get going now. I'll contact you as soon as I'm allowed to. Take it easy Darren. Later.[/B]"

Darren turned off the workstation in his quarters once the transmission had ended. At least Mike was being kept busy. He was, but not in the same way, he had been forced to wait on implementing some of the new changes due to how violent the resistance had become on Earth. In the past four days since the incident in sector six they had become even more of a pain. To the point that he was left simply monitoring the progress in Australia instead of moving to start in Europe. Especially since the reinforcements that were suppose to help stabilize the area would not be arriving tomorrow like they had originally planned.

And they couldn't shift any troops as the areas that would have been evacuated were simply being maintained while the transports were being used elsewhere. In short, other than the construction in Australia, things had come to a standstill. The question was, what was he to do with the extra time? Or rather what would he be doing since Jared had left him a message indicating he was to join him tomorrow for some new assignments. He just wished he knew what he was going to have him do. And he was not looking forward to meeting Jared in his quarters. The memory of what had happened the last time he went there was still foremost on his mind. Darren sighed, he couldn't think of anything he had done that would warrant another incident like before, and if he didn't show up. He winced, he would find out soon enough what Jared wanted. Unfortunately.

[Aaryanna_Mom]

Daniel finished going over the reports of activity in both the US and Europe. In the past week since William had arranged the disaster in sector six he had managed to create quite a bit of trouble for the invading force. The removal of humans had dropped by half as transports were diverted to assist with sector six and best of all the reinforcements had not arrived. However, the military was fairly efficient and William had already informed him that once they finished repairing the ships they would be sending about half of the troops who would arrive in about a week. Sara had mentioned raiding the troop facilities and if he was going to do so it would be best to make that strike before the other troops arrived.

It had taken some time and working together with those in the base in Europe, but it had finally been arranged, in just a few days they would be striking close to twenty locations in rapid succession. At the same time a wave of strikes to disable facilities that had been taken over or were currently being built would also be done to serve as a distraction. Getting into the troop barracks would be easy since they only had very basic shielding to prevent transport doors from being opened inside their barracks. Earth did not have the technology to disrupt simple shielding, but he did. It wasn't the best but it would serve it's purpose since he did not intend to actually transport them directly in but rather the agents were going to use it to collapse a tiny section of the field just big enough for them to literally slip in. The entry points had already been determined.

Once inside they would swiftly disable the computers by virtue of using disruptor's to destroy them while another part of the team secured the storage facility. Then the moment the computers went down everything would be transported using the newest movement aspect to do away with the need to physically move the supplies. And finally a small charge taken from the supplies would be used to destroy the storage facility making it difficult for them to determine just what was taken. Daniel was only sorry they didn't have enough people to do more than twenty raids, or enough storage for the equipment they were going to steal since the scanners on the ships would easily be able to pick them up unless it was shielded, and the only two locations with shielding that good was the bases.

He paused what he was doing when a chime indicated someone was at the door to the side room. He opened it to let in one of his top operatives.

"[B]I take it everything is ready?[/B]" He asked him.

"[B]Yes sir, the only thing that needs to be done is to brief Sara as to which team she will be on.[/B]"

"[B]She will be on your team.[/B]" Daniel responded.

"[B]Sir, if I may.[/B]" He looked questioningly at Daniel.

"[B]I know what you are thinking, she lacks military training and experience, but she's every bit as good if not better at hand to hand combat and stealth techniques than anyone here. Something that Kim verified for herself.[/B]"

He bowed before replied, "[B]My apologies sir, I hadn't realized that. If she's that good then the only way to get better is through actual experience.[/B]"

Daniel nodded, "[B]Correct and she has been following through on her given tasks and reading through the requirements as to how our chain of command works. I don't expect her to be a problem. However, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that she would be better suited to the part of your team that secures the supplies.[/B]"

The man smiled, "[B]No sir, as any new recruit would be given the same starting position. I'll finish getting ready then.[/B]" He nodded again and left.

Daniel waited until he had left before going back to what he had been working on. Sara was currently out on patrol, he would brief her when she returned since the operation wasn't due to happen just yet.

He sighed as he wondered how Kim was doing. A quick look at the date showed that she had been gone for three weeks. He wondered if she was even still alive at this point. Daniel had checked the records for wanted criminals and though her name had been removed it didn't specify whether or not she still lived. He stopped what he was doing for a moment and placed his elbows on the edge of the table and then placed his head in his hands, covering his face with his palms.

"[B]You're probably dead,[/B]" he said to himself, choking on the words. He took a deep breath and let it out, he didn't have time to worry about her.

He sat back up and started working on things to finish getting ready for the raids, but in the back of his mind, the thought that she really was dead still haunted him. Especially since he knew that most people simply did not last more than a few weeks, the combination of drugs and torture was that effective. It was rare for someone to be able to hold out. No matter how determined you were, everyone always broke, he knew. From personal experience from when he had been required to interrogate criminals to being interrogated by Jared when he had been stripped of his command and declared a traitor. It was only a matter of time.

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Crystal waited until Kim had been taken away before turning to address Stevens. The last few days, though productive as far as the interrogation process went, had been a bit depressing. There was no getting around it, Crystal did not like watching people's barriers being stripped through torture and drugs, and even though she could to a certain extent focus on other work, in the back of her mind the screams of pain and the cruel gloating from Stevens as Kim finally began to break...it all just grated on her nerves. He was not as cruel as Jared was, but he wasn't too far off. Crystal just suppressed her irritation, it didn't serve any purpose and snapping and Stevens would change nothing. And when Stevens finally looked up in her direction after turning the equipment off she didn't give him a chance to analyze her expression.

"[B]Now that you're almost finished, what do you plan on doing with Kim?[/B]"

Stevens just raised an eyebrow at that statement.

"[B]Stevens, don't play coy with me.[/B]" Crystal said with real irritation. "[B]I know perfectly well how Jared likes to amuse himself.[/B]" She ignored Stevens slight look of surprise and continued. "[B]I'm the one who lectured that idiot for using a combination of drugs that could impair his ability to fulfill his duties remember? And though you aren't as direct as Jared, I know perfectly well that you have your own idea of amusement so don't play stupid with me.[/B]"

Stevens threw his head back and laughed for several minutes, Crystal waited patiently while he recovered his composure. Then just as suddenly he stopped and looked at her again, crossing his legs and taking an amused stance.

"[B]Still as blunt as ever Crystal. No wonder Jared likes you.[/B]" He chuckled a bit when Crystal raised an eyebrow at that statement. "[B]To be honest, I haven't decided. It goes without saying that the High Council has left her fate up to me. I can simply execute her here. I [I]could[/I] send her to sector one for a more public execution, or...[/B]" He trailed off and then leaned forward as if to whisper. "[B][I]Or[/I]... I could keep her here as my own personal slave. Though I would imagine she wouldn't be very cooperative. At least not on a more intimate level.[/B]"

Crystal just sighed, "[B]Don't beat around the bush Stevens, if you want the records on what I gave Jared to use on his,[/B]" She paused and grimaced a bit before continuing. "[B]Diversions. Then just say so, or better yet, simply ask Jared.[/B]"

"[B]I wouldn't want to put you to any trouble Crystal, especially when I have not decided what to do just yet.[/B]"

"[B]Stevens, if you and Jared really want to not put me to any [I]trouble,[/I] then find better ways to, as the humans would put it, [I]get laid.[/I] Better yet, the two of you have been lovers before so try entertaining each other instead of using your power to get what you want. You might find it refreshing to actually have a more normal relationship for a change.[/B]" Crystal replied.

Stevens just laughed delightedly at Crystal yet again. Causing her to frown in irritation. "[B]One of these days you two will explain to me why you find me so funny. I was being serious![/B]"

Stevens chuckled some more and then got it under control. "[B]It's simple Crystal, so few people are as blunt and to the point as you and it's rather refreshing, especially for people like Jared or myself, we are too use to people attempting to curry our favor.[/B]"

He got up and walked over to where Crystal was sitting and leaned over as if to impart yet another secret, looking her straight in the eyes.

"[B]You see people like you are the real treasures,[/B]" He smiled at the slight hint of pink on her cheeks. "[B]Even Jared would willing share genetics with you and you're a woman![/B]" Stevens leaned over and kissed Crystal on the left cheek before straightening back up.

"[B]I'll let you know if there's anything I need you to do.[/B]" He said with an impish grin. And then he left, leaving Crystal sitting there speechless. [/COLOR]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=darkslateblue]"Scan complete," Daego said. "As expected, Pluto's clean."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]The [i]Catalyst[/i] was in orbit around Pluto, the last object Kiva and Daego had to scan. they'd already found five control stations with three relay stations each, but they had finished scanning every potential location anyways, just to be sure they'd found all of the stations, which they had.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Well, that takes care of that," Kiva said. "I've confirmed signals from all stealth drones; they're functioning properly and ready to relay the signal when it comes."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Good," Daego said. "Let's get back to Earth. It's about time we struck another blow against those idiots."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Indeed," Kiva said, giving the command for the [i]Catalyst[/i] to return to Earth. "Let's just hope our tracking plan works."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Yeah. We need to get rid of them before they fuck up anything else."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]Daego's attitude towards the Resistance had been angrier than usual over the past few days, something that Kiva had expected. She'd seen it before when the two of them had served together in the past. Daego was like that for a while after every major Resistance strike. The reason had to do with the messages broadcast by the Resistance after every such strike, the ones claiming credit for the strike. These messages always stated the Resistance's position, that the superior Versilan race should protect inferior races instead of enslaving them.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]Hearing that always got to Daego, as it matched how he saw things. He agreed with what they said. His view was that it was the duty of the superior Versilan race to protect inferior races; he had joined the millitary because of that belief. So why would the Resistance, the enemy, believe the same thing? If their positions were really the same, why did they fight each other?[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]Daego's reactions to the messages always followed the same pattern. First came the shock of hearing them state his position as their own. For the next couple days, he would question the Resistance's reasoning, the Empire's actions, his membership in the Empire's millitary, etc. As the doubt faded, it was replaced by anger at the idiotic Resistance, which fought those who shared its position. This anger would slowly fade over the course of a few days, until Daego was back to normal.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]Kiva was hoping that striking a blow against the Resistance would speed up Daego's return to normal. He still carried out his duties with the same level of ability, but still, Kive preferred to have him in his normal state of mind. Hopefully, hurting the Resistance would help him return to normal.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]Returning to Earth didn't take much time at all, as there was no need to stop and scan anything on the way back. So before long, the [i]Catalyst[/i] was back in Earth orbit.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Sensors properly set," Daego said. "Ready when you are, Kiva."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Got it. Sending signal... all drones report signal was recieved and relayd properly. Detonation in five seconds."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]When the bombs exploded, Kiva and Daego knew immediately. The sudden destruction of the relay network caused huge signal disruptions, which the [i]Catalyst[/i] picked up immediately and began tracking. The equipment on Earth quickly adjusted to avoid detection, but the disruption had still been sufficient to lock on to. However, it prooved to be less useful than Kiva had hoped.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Damn, these people just aren't taking any chances," Kiva said. "They had the relay stations set to signal burst upon destruction." A signal burst was when a sudden burst of meaningless data was sent, the purpose being to confuse sensor equipment. It wouldn't have been enough to confuse the [i]Catalyst[/i]'s sensors, except that fifteen bursts had been sent simultaniously. However, some of the actual signal, despite being hidden within the bursts, did get traced, and this, combined with the disruption pulses temporarily scrambling anti-tracing safeguards, was enough for Kiva and Daego to narrow down the location of one of the resistance bases. Unfortunately, it wasn't narrowed down to a small area like the base in Australia had been.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Okay," Daego said, "it looks like the area is fully within the continent the database says is called Europe, not counting the part that's in the ocean. Of course, there's a lot of Europe to check. The area includes places that the database identifies as the U.K., Ireland, and parts of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. I don't think we can narrow it down any further."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Yeah. At least we don't have to check the section of the area that's in the ocean. There's no way the Resistance could have a base under water. The necessary equipment would be impossible to hide from our sensors. Still, we've got a pretty large are to search."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Yeah, so let's get started."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"No, not yet," Kiva said. "First, we need to send a report to Stevens updating him on our progress. Also, we should ask if he has any updated information or orders for us."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"All right," Daego agreed. "Let's get on that."[/color]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Celestia smiled at the view from the cabin high up in the mountains surrounding Denver. She couldn?t see the city, but she didn?t care, it was just so nice to not be stuck in the windowless base for a change. The structure was cleverly built into the mountain side instead of being out in the open, with the front built to look similar to the rock face as well as the entire structure being coated with a special type of stealth substance. Not enough to hide that the building was there, but to hide the fact that there were life forms in the area from scanners.

So long as she and Jason did not wander among the woods and stayed on the upper and lower balconies of the building or inside, no one would detect that someone was living there. It was part of what Daniel had first done when he arrived at Earth. He had immediately overseen the construction of quite a few safe houses. It was her understanding that there were lots of them built in various places around the US and in Europe and that they had been built in Australia as well, until the Catalyst had destroyed them in Australia that is, the others were still in place.

Celestia closed her eyes as a soft breeze brushed her face, laced with a strong scent of pine. Just standing there leaning against the railing of the upper balcony was sheer heaven. She opened her eyes at the sound of Jason coming out to join her, and then smiled when he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back, resting her head against him and reached up to take his hands in hers.

?[B]It?s a beautiful day isn?t it?[/B]? He asked her.

?[B]I know. I?m going to miss this when we return to the base.[/B]? Celestia said a bit sadly. ?[B]Which reminds me, you promised that you would tell me how you got Daniel to agree to let us come here. Well we?ve been here for two days and you?ve yet to tell me.[/B]?

?[B]It?s simple, I told him that unless he let me take you somewhere to relax, we wouldn?t help him anymore.[/B]?

Celestia pulled free and turned around to face Jason to see if he was serious. ?[B]Please tell me you didn?t tell Daniel that.[/B]?

Jason crossed his arms across his chest. ?[B]I most certainly did, especially after talking to the doctor about how upset you got over the destruction in sector six. And she agreed with me, that a break would do both of us a world of good.[/B]?

?[B]Why didn?t you say something to me?[/B]?

Jason walked over and sat down on the redwood sofa with soft cushions and motioned for Celestia to join him, waiting until she had reluctantly sat down before continuing.

?[B]Because every time in the past I?ve suggested we take a break, you come up with some reason as to why we can?t. Celestia, the Versilan?s have been at this for a very long time and working ourselves until we drop from exhaustion won?t change that fact.[/B]?

Celestia frowned a bit, ?[B]I know that![/B]?

?[B]Perhaps you do, but honestly, even before we were dragged into this mess, you didn?t even take a break from your regular job.[/B]? He pointed out.

Celestia sighed, ?[B]I know, but what if something were to happen while we are taking a break?[/B]?

Jason just shook his head. ?[B]Celestia, even if we?ve been taking it a bit easy here, we both brought our handheld computers so we could still work on projects and we?ve been checking in with Daniel every day. If something happens that needs our attention he?ll tell us.[/B]?

?[B]All right! All right![/B]? She said with a grin, ?[B]You win.[/B]? She moved until she was leaning into Jason, smiling when he obliged her by putting his left arm around her shoulders. Even sitting down the view was still fantastic with all the pine trees and the hint of blue from the lake much further down.

?[B]Besides,[/B]? she said mischievously, ?[B]You?re far more affectionate when no one?s around.[/B]? She chuckled when she looked to see Jason blushing at the statement.

Celestia snuggled even closer to Jason. It really was a shame that they would be returning to the base in a few days. It had been so nice to have the huge cabin to themselves, Jason had turned out to be quite the romantic as he had fixed her breakfast and lunch as well as candlelit dinners. Something that due to their circumstance she hadn?t even known he could do. It had never occurred to her that he knew how to cook. If only the High Council could be stopped and soon. She wanted more than anything to simply settled down somewhere with Jason and start thinking about having their own family.

?[B]So, do you want to help me with dinner?[/B]? Jason asked.

Celestia pulled free and got up at the same time Jason did. She smiled and replied. ?[B]I?d love to.[/B]?[/COLOR]

[Horendithas]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]Normally Stevens enjoyed the expansive view from his quarters with specially designed windows that went from the floor and curved till they ended halfway in the ceiling. He liked nothing better than to get comfortable in one of the massive padded chairs, slightly tilted back and either enjoy the view of the stars as he enjoyed a drink or simply went over the reports in a relaxed manner with his handheld computer. Unlike the standard quarters on a flagship for the Commodore, his was fitted to reflect his status as the Fleet Admiral and the huge open space was similar to how it was done in Jared?s and Sandra?s quarters with square columns from floor to ceiling a foot apart. Only in his case the main room, the area with the desk and the section for eating was quite a bit bigger.

The same could be said of the restroom and his sleeping area. And unlike others his sleeping quarters had the same effect of floor to halfway up the ceiling windows. The only difference, they were designed that he could see out but no one could see in. And if he so choose he could with a simple command change it to where even he could not see out. He shifted in the padded chair centered in the main room of his quarters until he was sitting more upright to look at the screen of his handheld computer. Though he was finally getting useful information from Kim, it was turning out to be less useful than he had hoped for.

For one thing she did not know the exact location of the other two bases, and even the one she had been in, other than to know it was in Australia she had not known where. He had tried repeatedly during the past few days to pin her down only to have her laugh hysterically at him, gloating over her lack of knowledge. And laughing even more when she saw his expression of disbelief. The only thing he had gotten out of her was that one was in Europe and the other in the US. But both of them were far from small when it came to searching, making the information nearly useless.

About the only good thing was the list of Versilan?s she knew personally at the base in the US and the fact that former Commander Daniel Landers was indeed in charge of the resistance stationed on Earth. Something that certainly explained why this branch was so effective, it was the first one he had dealt with one that was being run by a former Commander in the Military, and it showed. He didn?t have to guess at understanding military tactics, he knew them by heart. And the sheer audacity and near perfect timing that went into the resistance raiding twenty military troop encampments and not only stealing the supplies as well as destroying part of the facility along with the computers for each one was impressive, especially when not one resistance member was caught.

Stevens shook his head; it was a good thing the reinforcements would be arriving soon since they were dangerously close to having real riots on their hands after the news of the raids spread across Earth. He pulled up another aspect of the interrogation as well. He had already been certain that both Celestia Lynn Henderson & Jason Eric Sanders were on Earth so having that confirmed was a good thing, but still fairly useless since the knowledge didn?t help any. Unlike learning about Commander Daniel, knowing he was in charge required a shift in tactics, as soon as he had the necessary manpower to do so.

Now he just had to decide what to actually do with Kim. He would be working on her for about another week to re-verify some of the information he got since he was fairly certain at this point he had gotten all that there was to get. It really was a pity that he simply didn?t have the time to bend her to his will and completely break her. Someone like her who had had held out nearly a month would have been an interesting challenge. Since the previous record for someone holding out had been two weeks, even Commander Daniel had been broken in just one day. Though he suspected Jared?s technique of using the recording of his mother?s execution along with his own unique methods had brought that about.

He sighed, no it would probably be better to send her to sector one for a public execution, that would at least serve as a good example to other military personal as to what happened to those who committed treason. He closed the handheld and set it aside on a small low table near the chair he was relaxing in. After all he didn?t have to decide that immediately.

A quick glance at his glass showed that the ice in his drink had completely melted while he had been preoccupied. With a grimace he got up and took it over to dispose of it in favor of a new drink. Watered down alcohol was not what he enjoyed. Then once he was done he went to his desk to start writing up a response to what the Elite Specialist had sent him earlier. At the time he had still been involved in a session with Kim and even then when he was finished he wanted to go over some details of the reports he had Jared taking care of before he sent them their update.

Stevens started up his workstation and began reviewing what they sent earlier once again. Five control stations along with three relay stations each had been successfully destroyed and the disturbance tracked to narrow down one of the bases location. Not as much as he would have liked, but definitely much smaller than Kim?s information that there was one in Europe. Especially since the necessary equipment to build a base underwater was far too bulky to hide, literally. Then the part of Kiva?s report about how the programming information and the actual programs written by Jason and Celestia were not only useful; but led Kiva to believe there was a good chance that not only was the program for separating the control stations from the relays programmed by Jason and Celestia, but that they were responsible for hacking the updates system as well.

Stevens smiled; if that were the case then Kiva would certainly appreciate a full copy of the program being used to hack the updates. One of his specialists on the Conqueror had written a program to snag it intact. And after quite a few attempts he had finally gotten one. Stevens attached a copy of it to the update for Kiva and her crew. Perhaps knowing about it would help her trace it to one of the bases, or at least narrow down the search area. As well as knowing about former Commander Daniel being in charge since even though he was not in the Military anymore, some of his tactics might reflect how the military did things and might make it easier for her to spot patterns in their attacks as he included the information on the disruptions the resistance was causing as well.

A chime indicated a message was being sent to him. He opened it up to see that it was from Jared indicating that he had been delayed on Earth and could not make it in time for his meeting with Stevens, attached was a summary of his report in regards to what Stevens had assigned him. Stevens sent back a message for Jared to report to him anyway when he was done and then he quickly reviewed what he had sent him. To his disappointment, there was nothing that would be useful for the Elite Specialist.

He closed the report and then went back to the one he has started on for Kiva, in addition to the update that former Commander Daniel along with Jason and Celestia as well as Sara were to be captured alive, he also sent the copy of the program that was being used to hack the systems. Then he included the information from Kim that in addition to a base being in Europe, something that Kiva already knew, there was also one in the US. Though there were no specifics as to its location. The only clue, one he had already sent, indicating that before the invasion Kim, Daniel and Sara had been living in Denver Colorado, though he highly doubted the base was under that city.

Now that the communication between the resistance here and other factions had been severely crippled Kiva's duties were to continue her search for the wanted criminals. And to find and destroy the bases as well as any safe house in use by the resistance. He finished by making sure to complement her and her crew on a job well done. There was no doubt in his mind that Kiva was exceptionally good at her duties.

Especially since he had worked with Elite Commander Hays, he would have allowed his arrogance to overlook details like the programs written by a supposedly inferior race that Kiva simply used to her advantage. After all he had failed to see that a supposedly lowly military personal such as Kiva would find out he was a traitor. Kiva may not have been in an Elite Military Unit, but that didn?t mean she wasn?t good at her job. And in the end she was far more efficient and talented than Hays with his decades of training and Command experience had ever been.

Stevens looked over the information he had for Kiva, since there was nothing else to add he sent it off to her. Wishing he had more to give her to go on, still he was certain she would find the resistance, after all she had already proven she was capable of so much more with even less information than he had to give her. Stevens was confident that Kiva would find the resistance and deal with them.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Rachmaninoff]

When Jared had called him to his quarters, the very last thing Darren had expected was to be given access to all the merchant records for sector six and asked if he knew enough to review the shipment and look for things that could help track down how the resistance had managed to not only get on the ground where the storage facilities use to be but to plant the charges as well. And though he couldn?t determine if a record was false or not he was familiar with tactics used to make things look legal as far as how the electronic records were presented. But more importantly, a task such as this would mean little to no contact with Jared since full access to the records required him being in his quarters on the Creator to make use of the communication link via the ship. The last week looking through the shipping reports, though a bit boring, had been quite peaceful and almost relaxing.

Australia was so well under way at this point that Darren?s presence was hardly needed anymore as the liaison that Commodore Sandra was working with along with the other necessary arrangements had things running smoothly. His part in getting the structure started and set up for shipping in that area was complete, even the necessary arrangements to go along with other areas once they were more secured had been prepared. In the end it wasn?t that difficult to make arrangements for an area that had such a small population. With only around twenty million people, it was rather small.
[I]
Well at least if I?m stuck in my quarters for now, at least they are spacious?[/I]Darren hated to admit it but being stuck in something like his old quarters on his own ship would have driven him a bit nuts as he hated tiny enclosed rooms. It was one thing to sleep in them, but to spend your whole day there? Certainly not his idea of fun. He closed the shipping reports since once again the few leads he had found weren?t what the military was looking for, he did make a note of them since they were most likely some form of smuggling, but nothing that involved the surface of the planet that had been attacked.

The only strange thing he had found was that the name Will or William kept popping up occasionally but yet there were no records of a Merchant by that name, or company or product. It was very strange, he would find a record indicating that someone received a shipment from this person, and yet they did not exist in the official data banks. And even the few records he found were fragmented. He would find one saying someone delivered something to them only to not be able to find the original manifest or the date of delivery or where it was even delivered. Each and every instance of this occurrence he saved in a separate file since it indicated a serious level of black marketing going on. He suspected that the only reason he even found a few files was due to this Will or William not having access to where all the records were stored, or else they would have deleted all of them.

Even the tiny bits he was finding had next to nothing on this mysterious person. It didn?t say where they were from, or if they were male or female, no information on age, type of ship. Absolutely nothing that would help him narrow his search down. Who ever they were, they were good at hiding. In fact if he had not been searching so extensively he would have never even noticed the fragmented records. And if someone who didn?t understand the ins and outs of how the protocols worked had studied it, they might have missed it as well. But Darren had written the protocols himself and such fragmented records should never have occurred. Which meant someone was hacking the system and altering the records. Much in the same way someone had hacked it and given him clearance when he shouldn?t have had it.

Tired, Darren closed the report on the mysterious Will or William and pulled up the one on his next assignment. Stevens had informed him earlier that day that once the new reinforcements arrived he was to start working on the transportation in a country called UK. With sixty million people and a much smaller land mass, it would present an interesting challenge to set things up, it would require a much different and more secure system than what was up in Australia. And Stevens had confirmed that there was a chance that one of the resistance?s bases was somewhere in that country since it had been confirmed that the UK fell within the radius of where one of the two remaining bases had to be.

Darren didn?t know how he had gotten that information, and part of him did not care, but what he was not looking forward to was working in the city called London since more people and the threat of resistance attacks would mean he would once again be required to work more closely with Jared. Something that in spite of Jared being less cynical and snide, he was not looking forward to. He rather suspected that Jared?s lack of innuendos and teasing was only due to a lack of opportunity. Darren sighed. He was not looking forward to being harassed by Jared again, because no matter how hard he tried to not respond in anyway, he couldn?t change the fact that just knowing Jared was even looking at him bugged him immensely, making his skin crawl. Especially since he knew exactly what Jared wanted to do to him. Something that even just thinking about it caused him to shudder a bit.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[color=darkslateblue]"About time we got a reply," Kiva said as the signal sounded. She opened the message, and she and Daego began going over its contents. Although there wasn't much new about the locations of the bases, aside from the fact that one base was in the USA, some of the other information would prove quite useful.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Man, whoever did this is good," Kiva said. "Looks like the [i]Conqueror[/i]'s got someone who know what he or she's doing. I mean, code snippets are one thing, but snagging and copying the entire hacking routine? Shit, that's impressive."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"How hard is that knid of thing?" Daego asked.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"It depends on how good the routine is, but I've done it a couple times, and I know from experience that it's never easy. And this looks like a pretty good routine. I know a few tricks I probably could've used to catch it, but still, it wouldn't be easy. Whoever caught this is pretty damn good."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Okay, well, let's move on," Daego said. He and Kiva continued to look through the report. In addition to what they'd already seen, the report contained a detailed description of what had been gotten from Kim. Not much of it was very useful, although this 'William' was someone to watch out for. There was a request to send a reply in regards to Kim; Stevens wanted to know if they had any questions they'd like Kim to be asked.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]Kiva and Daego didn't have anything then wanted from Kim at the moment, but they knew that she was too valuable a resource to give up just yet. So in her reply to Stevens, Kiva requested to be kept informed of his intentions for Kim. She also recommended that Kim be kept alive and in the sector. Additionally, her message asked said that if Stevents had no further use for her, he could transfer her to the [i]Catalyst[/i]. Like everything else on the ship, the [i]Catalyst[/i]'s containment and interrogation equipment was the best there was, so handling her would be no problem, and if nobody else had a use for her, it would be more convenient for Kiva and Daego to have her on the ship if they wanted anything from her.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Okay," Kiva said after sending the reply to Stevens, "you start in on our sensor logs. See if you can't narrow down the Europe base's location any more, I'm going back in to the Resistance's computer network. Now that I know more about who set it up and how they work, I may be able to get some more information."[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]"Got it," Daego said as he got to work on the sensor logs. Kiva got into the Resistance's computer network through the signal from the grade B sensor gear as usual. Once in, she ran her search programs, which now had information about the likely programmers to work with. Which they were running, Kiva left another report. This particular report included, in addition to the usual updates, the information they'd just gotten from Stevens, including the fact that the Resistance's hacking routine had been caught and copied and a recommendation not to use the same routine or a similar one again. Kiva also included Kim's current situation.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]In her report, Kiva also included a recommended method for coping with the loss of the relay stations. It wasn't perfect, but it would allow secure communication with Resistance members outside the sector. Kiva's suggestion would also make the signal harder to trace, though it wouldn't get the signal security back up to the level it'd been at with the relay stations.[/color]
[color=#483d8b][/color]
[color=#483d8b]With her report planted, Kiva waited for her programs to finish running, then pulled out of the Resistance's computer network. She began reviewing the gathered data, looking for any new piece of information that might be useful.[/color]