THE TWELVE LABOURS
15 Nov 2021Jav Marlo
THE TWELVE LABOURS10 OCT 3307, Eotienses system.
This is commander Jav Marlo, recording this log at Cortes Heights, a tourist settlement in the Eotienses system.
Jav Marlo looking out of the window at his room in Cortes Heights
It has been six weeks now. (Deep breath) Six weeks being a “guest” of Admiral Denton Patreus from the Empire. I have my own room, I have been well treated, but I am here against my own will. And I don´t know if Ayumi made it. They keep constant watch over me, and I am not allowed to leave the settlement. I have no access to communications nor news feeds and, so far, nobody has talked to me..., well, until some minutes ago.
Jav Marlo at his room in Cortes Heights
A guard came to my room, gave me back my personal belongings, including my recorder, and told me that there was a ship waiting for me on the landing pad. I don’t know where it is going to take me. As far as I know, it could be a trap. Anyhow, I am recording this… just in case…
…
Jav Marlo walking by Cortes Heights escorted by a guard
I am walking towards the landing pad escorted by a guard. The only ship there is a magnificent Imperial Clipper. I saw it landing one hour ago from my room. Such an imposing ship. The Mjolnir, that is an interesting name. I can see Patreus decal on the hull and there are no more ships landed, so that must be it.
Jav Marlo admiring the Mjolnir for the first time
I am quite puzzled by the fact that they are letting me carry my pistol. Perhaps it would be too risky for me to try to escape the settlement by foot shooting the guards and venturing into this hostile planet with no ship, comms or backup. But the prospect of taking over the Clipper seems more than appealing to me. (Sighs) I guess the ship has a full compliment of soldiers and it won’t be so easy as I am figuring.
Jav Marlo approaching the Mjolnir
Wait the cargo hatch is opening... what? No security detachment? No... nobody. The cargo hold looks empty. I am confused but the guard that guided me here is signalling me to come in. This does not smell good.
Jav Marlo observing the cargo hatch of the Mjolnir
I am walking into the cargo hold now, a door just opened on the other side... I am walking through, the corridor is lighting as I walk... There, that must be the command booth... Empty too. What kind of joke?
The Mjolnir command booth
(COVAS ALIX) Welcome commander Marlo. I am Alix, and this is the Mjolnir, your new ship.
What? Wait a second. You just said that this ship is mine.
(COVAS ALIX) Affirmative, the Mjolnir has been registered as commander Jav Marlo’s ship.
It cannot be.
(COVAS ALIX) Negative. The Mjolnir is your ship. Please, take a seat. I will show you.
Jav Marlo sitting on the Mjolnir cockpit
It is not possible. Wait, you just contradicted me. I mean... what kind of COVAS are you?
(COVAS ALIX) I am not ordinary COVAS. I am Alix.
You mean... you are and AI?
(COVAS ALIX) In a way. You may consider me like a version of the PA912 administrative robot, only that in my case I administer the systems of this ship.
You mean that you fly the ship?
(COVAS ALIX) Not exactly. You fly the ship, you are the commander, but I can take over control during certain maneuvers like take-off and landing or keep orbit around planets and moons, and more.
More? You mean... you have access to the weapons?
(COVAS ALIX) Affirmative. I can provide cover fire if needed, but never as accurate as you would do, commander.
Don’t call me that. I am not... well, I am a commander, but not your commander.
(COVAS ALIX) Negative. You are the commander of the Mjolnir. And I am the Mjolnir central computer.
Wait. Slow down. Why are you here? I mean, on the ship.
(COVAS ALIX) My objective is to ensure that the commander Jav Marlo fulfils his mission.
My mission? This is a mistake. I have no mission, I am getting out of here.
(Door slamming)
Jav Marlo in the Mjolnir cockpit
(COVAS ALIX) I cannot let you leave commander. Perhaps my master will explain better.
Your master, I thought I was your...
(COVAS ALIX) You are my commander, but not my master, I am patching him through comms now. On screen…
What? NO.
Greetings, commander Marlo.
Admiral Patreus
PATREUS!... Ahem, I mean Admiral Patreus.
(Grunt) I can see that you already are getting acquaintance with Alix. Use her well, she is a remarkable tool. Do you like your new ship?
The Mjolnir
Listen Patreus... (cough), I mean, Admiral. I deeply regret if I have caused you any inconvenience, but I just want to recover my ship and find my partner. And I can promise you that we will never enter again Imperial space.
(Scoffs) I am afraid your situation is more complicated than you realize and what you suggest is not possible.
I was just investigating the recent attacks on the Alacagui Holding settlements. You have no right to hold me here. I have a comission of the Navy to do so. I am a squire of her highness the Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval.
Not any more... Let’s see your file... Commander Jav Marlo, born in Gateway, orphan. It seems you have seen a lot of action. You started your career working for Wolf 406 Transport & Co, but as soon as you could afford an exploration vessel, you moved to the Pleiades to collaborate with notorious professor Palin. You joined the Distant Worlds 2 fleet and managed to reach Beagle Point, achieving the rank of Elite in exploration. Quite impressive.
The Mjolnir landed at Cortes Heights
Upon your return, you participated in the campaign against the Thargoid raid in the Witch Head Nebula where you rescued hundreds of civilians. Then moved into Low Temperature Diamonds mining and trade making a small fortune, that gained you the Elite rank in trade, and that you have invested on a remarkable private flotilla of ships.
You have taken part in several conflicts along the Bubble for many different factions and even explored the Formidine Rift and beyond, which indicates that you have a dangerous curiosity for conspiracies. You also have proved yourself against the Thargoids in the recent skirmishes in the Pleiades. You were given for dead after an encounter with a Hydra but, somehow, you managed to survive and reappear some months later. And, I must say, that your combat progress during the Anima system wars delayed my plans for taking over the system. You achieved the rank of Rear Admiral of the Federation Navy for your efforts there, but lately defected.
And then, you appear here, on Imperial space, as a humble squire investigating some raids to imperial settlements, with not a lot of success, I must say. Such a menial task for a man of your... talents. Something makes no sense.
Jav Marlo trapped inside the Mjolnir
Listen. You might not be aware of the situation. Those settlements were attacked by a tactical team of commandos and...
I AM MORE AWARE OF THE SITUATION THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE, COMMANDER. I know that these raids are part of a scheme. I suspect that Alacagui Holding has been collaborating with the Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army and that the responsible has been wiping out the settlements and its crews in order to keep the secret buried. And I believe that they are blaming your partner Ayumi for a reason... a reason I would like to know... so tell me commander Marlo, who is this Ayumi? It is clear that her commander profile is a fake.
Jav Marlo listening to Patreus in the Mjolnir cockpit
I don’t know myself. We partnered up a while ago and have been together until... (sighs), until recently... Perhaps if you let me go and find her I could convince her to tell you what she knows.
(Deep sigh) You are not being very useful commander, and your logs say nothing of her before her pass by the California Nebula… It does not matter. I have my spies working on it and soon I will know the true identity of your partner Ayumi.
Then I wish you good luck. Can I leave now? I would like to find my partner and return to the Pleiades, where I am... useful.
NO, YOU CANNOT. I have taken a lot of effort to help you and, besides, your partner Ayumi is out of your reach now.
What? What do you mean?
It was me who told you about Ayumi trying to destroy the Pride of Alacagui. And I am afraid that, despite your efforts, the Pride of Alacagui did not survive. Right after the attack you so boldly interrupted, the Cutter exploded upon jumping to Alacagui taking with it the souls of a hundred Marlinist refugees and putting me on a very delicate position. My guess is that the Pride of Alacagui was never intended to reach its destination and that it was programmed to explode. But the official version says that I and the Navy have allowed a terrorist to harass the Alacagui system and utterly destroy a refugee ship. And there is plenty of footage of your partner attacking the Cutter. And, of course, there are no images of you impeding the attack. A perfect narrative to accuse me of harassing the Marlinists and seeking open conflict.
I think you’ll get over it. Where is she now?
Jav Marlo inquiring Patreus about Ayumi
(Scoffs) Right after the attack, your partner flied to Tiana Fortune’s base on Achenar. Of course she did not knew about the Pride of Alacagui being obliterated, but Tiana Fortune must have sawn it on the news feed. I guess she was quite surprised when she saw the ship she helped engineering requesting permission to land at her home after blowing up a refugees transport. She called Imperial Internal Security Service and your partner Ayumi was arrested.
You should have released me. I should have been there to help her.
On the contrary. You could not have helped her. You would be arrested now too if not for me “rescuing you”. I have kept you here for your own protection. The situation with the Marlinists is complicated. It was better for you and me to let the waters settle.
(Sigh) I see. Where did they took her?
She was supposed to be taken to Baker Terminal, but the ship carrying her never arrived.
(Deep breath) I need to find her.
I would like to find her too. And... no offense, I think I have more chances of finding her than you. So, I propose you a deal.
(Deep breath) What short of deal?
I will find your friend for you.
In exchange off?
In exchange of your services, of course. Commanders with your talents and skills are not easy to find. I have read that you have an interest in Mythology, that is clear by the name of your ships. Have you heard of the Twelve Labours of Hercules?
(Deep sigh) If you want me to work for you, I am going to need my ship.
The Mjolnir readying to depart
On the contrary, everything you need is here, on the Mjolnir. I named it thinking on you. It is a magnificent ship, fully engineered for combat. You will find some military grade gear on the armory too, and everything you need to make yourself... comfortable.
What about the AI?
You may think of Alix as my insurance to guarantee that you fulfil your part of the deal up to my standards. It is like if I am Odin giving you Thor the magnificent weapon that is the Mjolnir to carry my will.
Now you are mixing Gods pantheons.
(Scoffs) I like you commander Marlo, but do not test my patience. You are my agent now. Like it or not. You represent me. I am granting you the rank of Baron of the Empire Navy and access to lots of resources. Please use them properly and do not let me down.
(Scoffs) I’ll do my best.
And now I am afraid that my attention is required elsewhere. Alix has all the details of your mission. I’ll contact you as soon I find more information. Patreus out.
(Deep sigh) Alix, what is our first... labour?
(COVAS ALIX) We are required to hunt a pirate that is predating the nearby systems. Do you want me to take control and fly the Mjolnir to our objective?
DO NOT DARE TO TOUCH THE CONTROLS. (cough) I mean, I am flying this thing. Just give me the damn coordinates.
Jav Marlo signing out.
The Mjolnir departing Cortes Heights