Book 4: Chapter 185: Ideology

Book 4: Chapter 185: Ideology

USD: The next day

Location: Meltisar, Mil-1A, Naval Academy, Instructor Housing BLKA, Alexs Room

The meeting had left Alex feeling stressed and worn out. That didnt mute her enthusiasm when she and Elis had returned to her apartment and her sister had cooked cheesy potatoes for dinner. But she did spend most of the evening in her room, looking up laws and other information to the best of her ability. Nameless was a source of more reading material than she could ever hope to possibly consume, and she had a sudden appreciation for expert systems and people who focused on one topic.

She didnt have that luxury, though. She needed to know everything, and that was impossible, even with Nameless helping her.

What she could do was find someone who knew about the topic and enlist their expertise. Except Tia had already vetted and prescribed a lawyer for her to meet when she arrived in Meltisars capital in a few days.

She could have reached it already, using a military shuttle to the surface, but the extra time was helpful for them. The IFRB still demanded her presence. It was just her choice on how to arrive at the court. They couldnt force her to not use the elevator, and there was a subtle standoff in the bureaucracy. As long as she was complying, they couldnt say anything.

If they wanted to complain about the speed, that would be a whole nother argument and would actually make her arrive slower, since shed not be beholden to move at all until the parties came to an agreement.

When she woke up, she was slightly late. The lack of telltale cooking smells hadnt coaxed her out of bed. It wasnt like Elis was beholden to cook for her, though, so she was more upset at herself than anyone else. There was still plenty of time to catch her elevator ride down to the surface.

Eliss door was shut. That was odd. She didnt usually sleep in.

Elis, Im leaving. Are you alright? Alex raised her voice to the shut door. The direction of the reply was backwards from what she expected.

Im in here. Elis replied from the living room.

Alex was taken aback when she saw Elis in her marine uniform, standing at the entrance, her travel pack already on her shoulder. Elis? Her voice wavered with hesitation and confusion.

Elis tilted her head. Are you okay? Im going with you. Ive got a mission from Tia, Elis said, adjusting the cuff of her uniform.

Alex blinked. Youre coming with me? She wasnt upset by the idea, but considering that the last time she went planetside, shed done so without revealing the dangerous role until after the fact What kind of mission?

Im heading to Fort Glisson, Elis explained as she opened the door. Did you literally forget yesterday?

Alex centered herself and followed Elis out of the room. UmmI was sleepy and wanted to beat Thea at Portal Combat before we left.

Elis shook her head. Tia asked me to go groundside to scout for some talent.

Multiple worries assailed Alex. It hadnt been that long since Elis had recovered from her traumatic injuries. Shed jumped right back into the action, fist fighting Thea in her suit and then running down the rogue Ertan NAI.

And I thought you didnt want anything to do with this super-secret cabal. Alex teased lightly, trying to lighten up the mood.

Elis shot her a glance. I might have said that, but it was before it became really clear how much help you needed.

A small crook appeared on the edge of Alexs mouth, the smallest hint of a smile. You think just I need help?

Clearly. Elis said without looking at her.

Are you sure? Cause you seem to be working with Tia a lot and helping Thea, too. Alex said.

That did receive another look. Im not sure how much I trust Tia, but she does seem to keep to her word on things and has a decent head for managing things. But I think shes in over her headjust like a blue-headed little sister I know. So how can I sit back and not help?

Alex moved in to clasp onto Eliss arm. Thank you.

Elis raised an eyebrow.

I know you dont like NAIs. Alex said. It must be hard to work with us.

Elis paused, and they came to a sudden stop. A hand combed through her red hair before she finally responded. Its not that. None of you are The Entity. Part of me still fears that its some trick, but its clear that things have changed. None of you are the same as that thing, and youre more human than not. I dont agree with the type of government Meltisar has, but its better than the others, in my opinion. I havent seen them myself, so thats not entirely fair, but Ive learned enough about the way the NAIs rule them to be wary. What you and Tia are doing here is the best chance for the values I believe in surviving. So here we are.

Alex blinked, unprepared for the words. What values?

No. I went to sleep and got a good nights rest before coming here. Alex answered, perhaps a bit too quickly. She hadnt intended the snippiness in her voice.

Veliana raised an eyebrow. Youwent to sleep?

Yes, why? You dont sleep? Alex asked.

I do, but higher ranking NAIs minimize their time offline. Veliana explained.

Ive been there and done that. I cant recommend it. At the very least, it makes me cranky. Probably while all the other NAIs are such stuck up bitches? Alex asked, acid seeping into her voice.

Elis eyed her, clearly taken aback by Alexs tone.

Veliana didnt seem to notice and continued. You are the one responsible for this mess, so you should look at the findings. Our defense will need to take into consideration the information you sent in thoseinciting reports you sent from Dedia. Unless we can find some angle that shows they were false.

I wasnt the one dropping unprotected colonists on top of alien hives, she shot back pointedly. And I certainly didnt incite local species to justify genocide.

The air in the lounge seemed to tighten as silence fell between them after Alexs biting words. Elis watched from the corner of her eye but remained silent.

Veliana blinked rapidly, as if trying to process Alexs pushbackit was clear that she had not expected such a response. The scornful look that had been etched onto Velianas face faltered slightly under Alexs unwavering stare.

Purple eyes flickered back and forth between Alex and Elis. Celestia told me wed be working together to fight the Corpo charges in court, she said slowly, clearly struggling with the concept. But I didnt expect you to take the other sides view.

I was there. The reports arent inaccurate. Your Grazhdanin captains dumped thousands of people on top of the nest and most them died. Those are facts. Alex said, crossing her arms. Im not going to revise history, even if its not convenient.

Veliana listened silently, her eyes never leaving Alex as she spoke. When Alex finished, Veliana nodded slightly. I would not suggest such a thing in any event. Its impossible to avoid the amount of proof floating about, even without your reports. We believe that the Captain in charge of the mission was a Corpo sleeper agent, part of a black-op false flag operation.

Elis snorted. You have Corporate plants in positions of command in your navy? That will not look good to admit. Do you even have proof?

Veliana shook her head. We dont have concrete proofits hard to investigate further with the clashes along the frontier getting worse.

Alex frowned. Is there any information from 92 Pegasi or Nu Crateris?

Veliana shook her head. The Corpos pushed through and launch an attack on 13 Centauri. We took considerable damage to our assets there before repulsing them. Any forces that were cut off have been presumed lost.

Alexs heart dropped. She had hoped there would be positive news about A31 or H32. The first destination theyd test the wormhole device on would be Nu Crateris and shed look for them.

If there is no evidence of that, whats our plan for defending ourselves in the IFRB court? Alex asked.

Normally, you would have your own lawyer and just create enough doubt that a jury couldnt convict you. Veliana said. But weve been instructed to work together on the defense, and its part of your side of the deal. As it stands, with no evidence proving otherwise, the Corpos case appears clear cut with violations of the accords. Wed be screwed.

But? Elis chimed in instinctively, sensing an unspoken addition to Velianas statement.

There might be proof of everything we suspect Veliana continued, her gaze turning thoughtful. Since there is one person who would need to know, Freylia.

I dont think the Corpo Envoy is going to be divulging information like that, and we cant touch her or force her to talk, Alex said.

I said nothing about touching or harming anyone. Veliana replied, shaking her head. Freylia is a Sigma. She wont have the capacity to keep all her information stored in her head or core. Its likely she has an external data node where she keeps crucial databases and knowledge.

Alexs eyes widened. A what? If its that important, wont it be protected?

It can only be so far away from her, like her ShipCore. Exchanging it should be possible for a Phi-level NAI. Veliana concluded.

Im a Chi. Alex said flatly. Veliana stared at her without replying.

Sounds like youre going to have a fun spy mission, Elis said.

Alex shot her a look of frustration.