Chapter 166: Diplomacy is Not

Chapter 166: Diplomacy is Not

USD: Three days after returning to MIL-1A

Location: Meltisar, MOR-1, Ambassadorial Station Segment, Near Meeting Room A

Station MOR-1 had just a slightly higher-pitched hum than MIL-1A, but it was enough to annoy Alex as they continued down the hall. MOR-1 was the largest orbital in Meltisar, the primary civilian hub, and had hundreds of super freighters and tankers attached to its seemingly endless forest of mooring arms. The vistas had slowly disappeared as they moved deeper into the stations' guts and disappeared completely after leaving the tram station.

They had not had to go far. Their mooring had been a high priority zone near the center of the station, and the ambassadorial section was near the main elevator. That gave it and its users convenient access to the elevator service.

Why the ambassadorial service would need access to the space elevator, or even their very own high-speed rail that serviced them exclusively seemed stupid, but Alex was sure they had an excellent reason.

Like probably needing to spend all of their ridiculous yearly budget every year and having a hard time finding enough things to spend it on.

[Notice: Would Avatar wish this unit to perform a financial record check of the Meltisar Foreign Services Administration? On average, a 22% clerical error rate has been detected in most government organizations within the system.]

Youll give them all heart attacks; I dont think those errors are by accident. Alex mumbled.

Admiral Westlake looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She gave him an innocent smile, not feeling the need to explain her conversation with Nameless.

Theyd finally reached their destination, a meeting room inside the embassy section of the station. A threat monitor highlighted four people already in the room through the wall. In her peripheral vision, eight PDC-K cannons offered green check marks and happy electronic signals that indicated they were ready.

Nameless, if something happens, please perforate any threats. Alex gave the mental order. Rather than reply, a single additional line appeared on her HUD.

|Personal Defense Systems Activated |

That made her feel better while the polished floors and ornately decorated walls did not. It looked like they had used real gold alloy and wooden framing for some of the artwork, and the normal deck plating had transformed into some type of soft, short fibered carpet. Wasteful extravagance.

Rachel appeared at the other end of the hall, leaning around the corner and waving at her before giving a thumbs up. A small smile crept on Alexs face as she waved back. But her thoughts leaped back to the meeting as Captain Mackey opened the framed wooden door and held it for her.

Admiral Westlake put a hand on her shoulder. Were right here with you. He said in support.

Captain Mackey nodded, Youve got this.

Alex stopped and took a deep breath to steady herself before nodding. Stepping inside the meeting room, her threat indicators beeped unhappily as the red rectangles that had been highlighted through the wall blinked around the inhabitants.

She ignored it.

The room was dominated by a long mahogany table, stretching through the long rectangular room. It was flanked by high-backed chairs upholstered in dark colored smart fabric. The scent of fresh flowered filled the air, masking the scent of metal and oil that pervaded the rest of the station.

The four envoys were spread out around the table, flanked by two human aides apiece. The noticeable gaps between each group hinted that none of them wanted to be closer than necessary to each other. As they all turned their attention to her, Alex realized theyd all been in some type of glaring contest with each other.

She had spent countless hours undergoing therapy and physical retraining. Despite her initial apprehension, she had agreed to let Alex use nanites to repair her neural damage and heal her body from its near-death state. Ultimately, if she couldnt trust her sister, who else could she rely on?

Ultimately, the choice proved to be the right one, bringing immense relief to her. She had not become a mindless puppet or a cyborg. She still didnt fully trust Nameless, though.

Her choice allowed her to regain her independence, freeing her from the constraints of a wheelchair. Additionally, she recovered her ability to speak, which had been a constant source of frustration.

Her datapad beeped, and a quick glance gave her a landing pad number. She took one last glance at the breathtaking vista before her and then turned and made her way toward the assigned location.

As soon as she stepped outside the structure, wind gusted around her, high above ground level. Catwalks and railings provided protection from potential falls. Several other passengers stood hesitating at the exit, holding onto the metal while searching to see if their ride was ready. Elis wasnt concerned and strode right out toward her pad.

An aircar descended onto the metal structure while she waited. Its door opened automatically, and she climbed in without hesitation.

Once inside, the door closed and sealed itself shut. The vehicle was entirely automated, leaving her as its lone occupant. Basic displays on the front panel indicated their flight plan and current vehicle status.

The square main screen in the center illuminated with a familiar faceThea.

Couldnt you get me a direct flight in a shuttle? Elis asked.

Thea smiled and shook her head. Those are expensive, and this is more low-key.

I checked; you took a shuttle yourself. Do you know how annoying a night trip down the cable is? Elis said.

I needed time to get things set up, Thea replied cautiously.

For her part, Elis stretched out and tested her seats ability to recline. To her satisfaction, it tilted back to an acceptable angle for relaxation.

Thea cleared her throat. Its an eight-hour aircar flight, non-stop.

Elis shrugged. Yeah, whatever. As long as my gear and suit are ready?

Youll have a chance to check and maintain it yourself, Ms. Federation Marine, Thea explained. Nameless manufactured it for you personally, and it has just arrived. I havent looked at it myself.

Elis closed her eyes and settled into the seat, getting comfortable. Fine, fine. Wake me up when I get there. I can probably sleep now.

You can sleep in an aircar but not on the elevator? Its way louder, Thea remarked.

Here I only have to worry about one person getting me killed instead of being cornered with a dozen strangers at arms length, Elis replied.

Thea nodded and said, Sure, before signing off.

The soothing hum of the aircars engine enveloped Elis like white noise, lulling her into a sense of calm. The windows dimmed as if on cue. A comfortable darkness filled the aircars interior.