DATE:: 2932.11.14 A.G.C. (After Galactic Conflict)
LOCATION:: Aboard The Templon above Daria Prime, Bosska System
The idle ship’s engines hummed steadily as it hung anchored above a desolate planet on the edge of the Tesh Empire and its fragile demilitarized zone. Heavy footsteps rang against the grated floors, echoing down the corridor’s length. From the catwalks above, crewmen peered down, watching the Aikido class work through their grapples below.
The sound of a body hitting the mat with a loud thud reverberated. “Argh.”
A man in full Gi offered his hand out to the man he had just slammed to the floor. “So, Lieutenant… what did you do wrong this time?”
With help from his teacher, the student was hoisted off the ground. “I should’ve been born with four arms,” he smirked.
“Very funny, wise guy. I hope your technician skills are better than your jokes, cause right now, you’re lacking in both combat and comedy.”
“Ah, come on, Commander, he can’t help it. Fisher was born with a rare condition, after all. It’s called foot-in-mouthidis,” a woman burst out, laughing at her own joke.
“Ha-ha, hilarious. I’ll have you know, I was called a comedic genius back home.”
“Oh yeah, in what century?” another classmate sounded off from the other side of the room.
An eruption of laughter rang out; even the commander stifled a chuckle. “Alright, let’s go again. Miwa, show Fisher how it’s done. As for the rest of-”
Just then, two light chirps chimed in, bringing everyone to full attention. Over the intercom, a voice announced, “Commander Korban, you’re needed on the bridge, sir.”
“I’ll be right there,” he said, gathering his clothes. “Right, class is dismissed for today. We’ll resume next week and practice those throws like I taught you. That goes double for you, Fisher,” he spoke over his shoulder as he walked out the automatic doors.
Making his way down the corridor, he disrobed his Gi top, pulling his officer’s shirt over his head. Each clank emanating from his boots had crewmen saluting him as he passed. At the end of the hall, an elevator was waiting for his arrival, accompanied by an armed guard.
“Commander,” the guardsman nodded. Korban nodded back.
“Two for the Bridge,” Korban ordered. The elevator doors closed as the pair started to move upward. The digits on the side of the door ticked away from 34 to 1 in less than ten seconds.
“Bridge – Commander on Deck,” the computer announced over the intercom as the elevator doors swung open.
Korban entered the familiar, bustling room to find crewmen operating terminals and his captain signing a digital pad in his chair. Moving to his side, Korban saluted with grace and presence.
“Captain.”
“Commander,” the captain acknowledged as he finished signing the pad and handed it back to the officer beside him. Turning to Korban, he raised his left wrist. He was wearing a captain-issued Gauntlet, a communication device strapped to his forearm. With a few taps and a swipe on the screen, he raised his head to his subordinate.
A ding sounded out from Korban’s own Gauntlet. “I just sent you the details. We received this communique a few days ago. Our dear Minister Voss is airing out his grievances to us – again. I’m sending you down to quell his nerves.”
“Anything we need to worry about, sir?”
“Oh, same old, same old. The economy is collapsing; it’s our fault; you know the drill.”
“Understood. I’ll head down with my team immediately!”
“Be careful, and do take an extra security detail with you. We don’t want to start anything tedious.”
“No need to worry, sir,” Korban assured.
With a brief smile, the captain gave a small salute chop before swiveling back in his chair.
Walking back to the elevator, he opened the details on his Gauntlet. The armed guard again greeted him as he entered. “Deck 5.”
With a slight shift downward, the computer announced, “Deck 5 – Commander on deck.”
“Jackson, gather an away team. The captain has ordered us to handle a civil matter below,” the commander said to the guard as he briskly walked out of the elevator toward his quarters, his eyes still glued to his screen.
Jackson hurriedly moved in close enough for Korban to hear a hushed whisper. “Sir, the Tesh ship has moved out of our sensor range.”
They stopped in the middle of the hallway—low traffic meant they didn’t have to worry about someone eavesdropping. “They’re not above Daria Prime?” The Commander scrunched his eyes almost shut. “Where’d they go?”
“They headed east. From there, we’re not sure, sir.”
Thanking him for the information, Korban sent the guard on his way. Without skipping a beat, he entered through the automatic doors of his room and began to change into a new set of clothes, continuing to read the Minister’s message. The message read as follows:
***
Date:: 2932.11.11
Location:: Daria Prime, Alwar
Sender:: Alden Voss, Financial Minister of Daria Prime
Receiver:: Eamon MacTire, Captain of the P.C.C. Templon MK V
Message:: “To the commanding officer of the P.C.C. Templon, I, Minister Alden Voss, request an immediate face-to-face audience with you regarding the status of the Delphic Treaty.
At this time, we stand at a crucial juncture that could determine the fate of this very colony and our fragile peace. Though it may not concern you, my people’s well-being is my top-most priority, and if this accord continues to degrade any further, I fear we could lose everything we worked so hard for over the last couple of years together.
To ensure that both our parties are acting for the mutual benefit of each other, I am sending over my proposal for the addendum to the treaty:
‘From henceforth, the Sovereignty will provide the Tesh Empire with 20% of allocated space in their trade hubs. They will also map out sustainable trade routes from the demilitarized zone and provide detachments to ward off cargo thieves, which have been running rampant as of late.
In exchange, the Empire will assign 2500 additional science and medical officers to Sovereignty outposts along their southern border. And we shall share starcharts as well as Class-B intelligence.’
I intend to forward this document to my superiors in the coming days as I expect you to follow suit.
Let’s not waste this moment on petty squabbles. I shall expect your arrival soon. With good news, I hope. And for the sake of all our lives and the lives of those we love, I pray we can reach a swift accord.”
::END MESSAGE::
***