ONE WEEK KING - Introduction
15 Apr 2018Commander-Wingnut
"This is highly irregular. You'd better make it good.""Yes, ma'am. It is concerning the survey of Pleiades being conducted by one Commander Wingnut, who I believe used to be an asset for Canonn Interstellar at one point."
"Yes. I know him all too well. There is a man who defies all manner of probability and common sense. The very universe seems to fold in about him in unexpected ways. Someone like Wingnut does not work with a research group for very long. Your point?"
"The Commander put several days into gathering that exploration data, but I regret to inform you that it was all lost in a heat-sink malfunction that damaged the ship's systems. It will not be released to United Cartographics unless he starts over."
--:-:--
"Where's the Commander now?"
"He is presently in the HIP 9599 system, working from the rescue ship "Angus Prime" near the damaged starport "Guidoni Enterprise." In his absence, anti-war efforts have been picking up their momentum, fueled by the recent comments of one Imperial heiress. The efforts from the Empire to silence him has essentially nullified any effect on the galactic community that the 'State of Pleiades' report would have had in the first place."
"All that work. What a shame. I still don't understand what you're contacting me about. You do realize WHY this whole conversation is irregular, right?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I am acutely aware." But the informant did not volunteer as to why.
"And you want me to involve my -family- on your Commander's behalf.
A connection that's been a closely guarded secret for decades in the first place. What's in it for you?"
"As unorthodox as the methods of Commander English may be, he has persuaded me. The Thargoids do not discriminate, ma'am. Their mission is nothing less than the eradication of all other space-faring races - based on what we've seen, anything else is a hopeful lie."
--:-:--
"Persuaded?"
"Ma'am?"
"If I recall, your job is that of a Navy Provisional Crewman. An NPC is not supposed to be thinking for himself - what you're doing is so far above your pay grade that your TP agency would have to file termination papers by railgun."
"Yes, ma'am."
The stern-looking woman pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "Regardless, Commander Wingnut's role in the Pleiades, both for Canonn and AEGIS, has been nothing short of indispensable. I cannot dispute that he's done us a tremendous favor in the process, especially at the Oracle and Titan's Daughter.
And those -are- Canonn ships he's been rescuing."
"Indisputably. Despite the frustration he may have brought you in the past, you owe him much."
"You're thinking again." As the pause became pregnant, she sighed.
"Very well, Mister Vega. I can make a few calls, but what happens after that is up to you and the Commander."
"Thank you, Founder. That is all I ask for."
--:-:--
Founder Madisyn Winters of Canonn Interstellar Research Group closed the communications link with a fierce stroke of a button, and exhaled bodily.
"He's doing it again.
I don't know how the hell he does it, but he's doing it again."