Chapter Three (Closure)

[Akirapryde]

It didn’t take long for Adrian to find where the Sho Sho and Kat were having their meeting. He hacked the phone lines and overrode the electric disconnect on the phone in the room. Adrian couldn’t help but lean back with a smile on his face as the voices filled the Medical Bay. Sadly, there were no security cameras. This meant that the party only had the voices of what was going on.

Suki gladly translates where it was required. However most of the conversation was in English.

“Kat, we are in private now” she the Sho Sho, “tell me what all of this is about?” It was clear that the Sho Sho didn’t wish to mince words with Kat. It was a blunt approach that the party had already observed with the Sho Sho’s behavior. However even in what they had seen, this behavior signaled something between the two of them.

“War” Kat said plainly, “as you know, Macko is pushing for a war with Tharkad. A war that we can’t win. General Macko’s hatred of the Lyrans is well known. I have spoken with him after the invasion. He told me that his greatest regret was not being on New Earth during the invasion. But he promised that he and his 3rd Corps will make the Lyrans pay for the invasion. Despite the fact that we were lucky during the invasion, Macko is pressing for war and has his supporters. This is what is most dangerous about this whole situation is that the Lyrans seem to be pressing for war also.”

It was then that the voice of the Sho Sho cut in, “the Combine is well aware of this. We have been tracking Lyran military units in the area. While the Archon has been forced to shift her focus from New Earth to other more pressing concerns for the Alliance as a whole. Despite other issues, it is clear that the Archon is not done with New Earth. It is because of this reason, why the Coordinator has sent us.”

“What are you not telling me Linna?” there was clear surprise in Kat’s voice.

It was clear that Linna moved in her chair, “the Coordinator would rather fight a proxy for the Lyon’s Thumbs on New Earth with New Earth forces than risk Draconis units.”

“Linna, you can’t!” Kat said then was interrupted…

“Calm yourself Kat,” the Sho Sho said. “What the Coordinator wants and what he will get are not always the same thing. Yes, the Combine wants a proxy here on New Earth. But something larger is going on.”

Kat “what are you saying Linna?”

“I discovered a dispatch from a high ranking ISF officer. It was a high level investigation in to the events of Clearwater. I found a mention of a man by the name of Professor Walter Stevens. Within the report was the mention of Destiny.”

There was shock in Kat’s voice, “Destiny?”

The Sho Sho fell silent for a moment, “I took this mission to find this Professor Stevens and uncover his documents.”

“So Linna, do you know anything about this man,” Kat asked.

“No, all I know is that as of six months ago he was located on New Earth. The Lyrans were after him because had stolen documents from Lyran Intelligence. I suspect that these documents were what Lyran Intelligence had stolen from Clearwater. Accepting the Coordinator’s mission allows me to locate this man and secure these documents before they fall in to the wrong hands. I did not forget my promise. Destiny will be protected above all other loyalties,” Sho Sho explained. She paused a moment before adding, “your turn Kat.”

There was a silence, then the sound of something being placed on the table. “What you are about to hear is classified as Ultra.” Kat paused, “Listen, Kimiko can’t know this information. We cannot risk her siding with General Macko out of anger.”

There was no sound till a recording started to play. It was of two men speaking to each other.

“Who are they? Can you get eyes on them?”

“I don’t know. I can’t see them. They flew behind us.” The Co-pilot said then asked, “communications?”

“Long Range Communications with base are still being jammed. I just hope they are listening to Guard Frequencies.” He paused, “This is New Earth Air Flight 628 on Guard, we are an unarmed, civilian flight. We will follow you to which ever air bases you want us to land at. Hostile Fighters, please respond!”

“Allah be merciful, they fired on us!”

“No its just a warning shot. Keep calm Steve.” The man paused, “This is New Earth Air Flight 628 on Guard. Be advised we are a non-military flight with no weapons. Do not fire, we are a civilian flight. Please respond.”

“I think I can see one.” The man’s voice was frantic. “yes….I can see it now, their Lyran!”

“Hostile Fighters, be advised we are a civilian, NON-MILITARY flight with two hundred plus six souls aboard. We surrender. We will land where ever you dictate!”

A new voice come over the recording, “New Earth Flight, confirm you are New Earth Air Flight 628 out of Summerhaven.”

There was a heavy sigh of relief as the co-pilot uttered a pray of thanks to Allah while the pilot replied. “Yes, we confirm. We are a civilian flight, New Earth Air, Flight 628. We are heading for Franka but will allow you to escort us to which ever airfield you decide.”

A few minutes later the co-pilot sounded frantic, “I can’t see them anymore. They slowed down……..”

Then a loud explosion and a computer voice, “warning, Engine Flame Out, Catastrophic Hydraulic Failure” The recording stopped.

“The rest is their futile effort to save the transport” Kat said. “The Lyrans murdered those people to target your sister. And if Kimiko…..” she was cut off once more.

“If Kimiko knows the truth you fear that she will be swayed to support expanding the war with the Lyrans.”

“I love Kimiko like she is my own Linna. You know this. But she carries with her a great deal of public support. If she were to endorse General Macko’s plans, President McGray’s efforts at keeping war limited will be hindered beyond repair. Which is why Kimiko needs to return to Luthien.”

The Sho Sho spoke, “Kimiko has made up her mind. We will return to New Earth.”

A door opened up and the private conversation shifted to more mundane ship business. It was clear that the new comer was a member of the Dropship’s officer staff. The conversation didn’t return to the subject matters above.