The Ceremony
07 Nov 2024Martind Forlon
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Return to my old base in Yaroklis was exactly as expected. Locked doors, tons of dust, stale air and cold corridors. However security mechanisms were still working and local AI immediatelly responded to my voice command. Quick look on local factions charts revealed that any actions in behalf of SJC will now have only limited impact because four factions were locked in war, ... eventhough it seemed that one of these conflicts would be resolved soon.
Deborah sat down at the keyboard of the main computer and she had quickly prepared list of available missions for me. There was a big load of goods to be delivered and on the return way there was even much more to bring back. Two days had passed quickly, but positive results were showing up very slowly. I was just studying a few contracts asking the termination of pirates in nearby systems, when Deborah appeared in doors: "Hey Boss, if you want to be in time on Veyder's carrier Shenzhou in Phiagre, you need to go NOW!"
Oh, the Ceremony! With all those ongoing old routine actions I have almost forgot that the main reason of my return were the rumors about Veyder's possible retirement ... which was a nonsence of course. But still, it were the messages which have leaked, with a little Deborah's help, from Ryan's computer. And as a follower was mentioned Yazar, which my memory linked with older tall man using often an heavyweight Shillelagh ... some might think that's just a common walking tool, but to me this one was more kind of the blunt weapon. Veyder's kneecaping affairs were legendary, this had no smaller potential for such kind of fun. My small fast personal ship (Imperial Courier) reached Legion's main carrier in next few minutes, and docking was swiftly allowed in dock no. 13 ... perfect number, I've thought, nothing bad could happen with that ...
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As I entered carrier's Bar, to my surprise I saw only Rian, alone ... He was sitting in the back corner and greeted me with a smile. Then he quietly said: "I hope you didn't really think that information could be leaked from my computer so easily, did you?" Then he stopped smiling, ordered us two drinks and continued: "Enjoy, there soon won't be time for this, things are changing essentially . What you might thought are rumors are not. Legion's leader transitions ceremony will start in half hour, and legions top Officers and Operatives will start arriving in few minutes ... And of course, there is much more, the Bubble is on the brink of a huge shift of Powers, and the Thargoids still remain as a wild card, no matter that they are now seemingly in retreat."
Few minutes later, the bar was full of Commanders of the Ghost Legion... Then started the Ceremony which later continued also on board of the nearby station Greeboski's Outpost.
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