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Queen Dana of Highwinds the Elf Kingdom inside the Empire has a problem. One that she cannot fix personally. The problem is with a small minority of her population. A problem that has been brought to her attention by the half elf son of a problematic Duke. What is a Queen to do? She calls on help from a friend. The question now is does she realize what she is letting loose on her kingdom?

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Chapter 13
Command Post, Camp Resistance, Highwinds.

Robert Wolff sat quietly behind his desk reading over the after-action reports from his investigation teams. The one report that upset him the most was the one from Waltz and Silence. If it wasn’t for the fact that the rest of the Fallen Angels were due to arrive sometime today. He would be kicking down the door of the tower for Highwinds Military High Command. The more he read the madder he became.

Robert knew that if the information contained in this report ever got out. The Nightmare Regiment would utterly decimate the Highwinds Military High Command and not give a shit. What he needed was a team of Operatives outside the normal chain of command. That team was the Fallen Angels.

“Sir, there’s a group of Death Dealers at the Main Gate requesting the location of the TOC.” The Regimental runner said from his office door.

“Did they give their unite callsign?” Robert asked not looking up from the reports. It wasn’t that Robert cared. He just didn’t want to lose his place in the report he was read.

“Yes, sir. Callsign is Fallen Angels. Should I tell the gate guards to turn them away sir?” His runner asked him politely.

“Negative Corporal. Signal the gate to let them pass.” Robert chuckled as he looked up at his runner. “By the way Viper. Don’t let them talk you into a poker game. Those clowns will empty your wallet, then your bank account.”

“Yes sir.” Viper said as he went to carry out his orders. Once he was alone Robert reread Silence’s report as he waited for his teammates. As he went over the information Silence and Waltz gained from Gantar a plan slowly formed in his mind. This was the type of war that he and his team were originally formed to fight. Antiterrorism tactics is their bread and butter.

“Attention! Veterans in the AO!” Ten minutes later the shouted command from the unit CQ let Robert know that the rest of his team had just arrived. The answering command of ‘as you were’ from Iceman let Robbert know that all of his team had made it to Highwinds. Standing up from behind his desk Robbert smoothed out his BDU bouse and smoothly walked out of his office to greet the six members of the Fallen Angels that were his fellow teammates.

“Damn Ripper. You got these troopers trained up right.” Iceman chuckled as he and the other members of the Fallen Angels snapped to attention before rendering a salute. “Fallen Angels ready to kick ass and take names sir!”

“Sorry it took us so long to get here Ripper. We would have been here sooner, but we had to take an indirect route.” Jukebox told him.

“Don’t worry about it guys. I see that you’re all sporting some new brass there guys.” Robert chuckled as he took in the new ranks of his teammates. They like him had all been promoted to Officers among the Highwinds Military. Though he was the only Regimental Commander as an E-6 or as the regular military calls them a Bird Colonel. Because of the eagles on his collar.

“How’s Lady Imra doing? We heard about the attack.” Tigger asked him kindly.

“She’s out of hospital and recovering nicely. Even if she insists on returning to work. Don’t worry I’ve one of my strike teams providing security for her and her family. Plus, one of my Captains convinced her to carry an equalizer.” Robert told them before waving towards his office. “Why don’t we continue the rest of this little get together in my office Angels.”

“Screw that shit Ripper. Just tell us which assholes you need put in the ground. Give the order and I’ll introduce them to the Devil’s Fiddle.” Rimfire snarled. As the only other qualified sniper on the team Snow knew what Robert was thinking. Not only that. Jake ‘Rimfire’ Stonewall wanted to give his brother what he wanted the most.

Even if Ripper didn’t want to admit it at the time. It was the death of the man who dared to attack Imra Ventris. Rimfire knew and understood just how hard it was for men like them to find someone who was willing to overlook and understood the cold hard fact that snipers were the true nightmare of the battlefield. The two of them had proven this fact on Apollo Six.

“Not out here, Rimfire. This is one topic that shouldn’t be discussed outside of team level.” Robert told him and the rest of his team as he led them back to his office. Once inside and the door was closed, Robert asked. “Talk to me Iceman. Start with what happened to your training detachments.”

“It was crazy Ripper. We had just popped the lids on their tanks. When this jack hole from the High Command shows up out of nowhere. We barely got our ‘shinnies’ used to their new bodies, and the jack hole started handing orders. First he broke our battalions down into individual Group size teams. Then broke those Groups into five Bravo teams each. Then he broke the Bravo teams down even further into Alpha teams. After he had everything broken down the way he wanted. He issued their deployment orders. He sent all of our people to individual MI Battalions within the Elf Death Dealer Divisions. After that the asshole ordered us back to the Empire.” Iceman explained.

“Which you can’t do until you receive orders from home.” Robert snarked then sighed. “So how did you end up here?”

“That’s the crazy thing Ripper. We were halfway back to the Empire when the dropship we were on got orders to reroute to Hifa Major. There we were meet by a Dagger class Destroyer. After cross decking to the Dagger, we jumped back to the Tempest March and the planet Evergreen. There we crossed decked to a Corvette which jumped to the Winter System. We cross decked again only this time to a Devlan class torpedo frigate. Which then jumped into the Four Winds system.” Jukebox told him then sighed. “Sorry it took us so long to get here Ripper. We would have gotten here sooner but with all the transfers.”

“It burned up time. Don’t worry guys. I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t done on purpose. I’ll be honest, I got a feeling that most of what has been going on with your training units has been done with the express purpose of saving lives. While at the same time proving the Death Dealer Divisions much needed Real Time Intel assists.” Robert told them, then explained his reasoning at their looks of confusion. “Here’s the deal guys. There are several officers in the Elf chain of command that should be leading divisions or even battle groups. Only they’re stuck in desk jobs because of their birth.”

“Hold on here Ripper. Are you telling me that we got Death Dealer Commanders because they’re members of the Nobility?” Tigger demanded.

“That’s not what I’m saying Tigger. The problem comes from the WAY the overall Military Command structure is set up. Unlike back home where the Death Dealers have their own High Command. Here Death Dealers answer to the Highwinds Kingdom High Command. Only the War Prince Divisions actually stand outside the of the overall military structure.” Robert told them.

“Hold on here bossman. What exactly does that mean?” Snow asked him.

“It means that with the exception of the War Prince Divisions. All the Death Dealer Divisions fall under the direct command of the regular Elvin High Command. Because of that, those in dipshits in their Military High Command decide where and when the Death Dealers can be deployed. That’s why the majority of them are on the Velmaro Consortium boarder. With only a one or two divisions in their respective racial sectors of Elf Space.” Robert told them. Then explained how the regular military’s command structure was constructed. When he finished Robert gave them the really shitty news. “Our biggest problem, not to mention pain in the ass, is Grand High Field Marshal Belanor Wranlynn. Unless Queen Dana gives the order he’s basically the overall Supreme Commander for the Highwinds Military. The man is a total asshole and if given the chance would happily leave the Death Dealer and War Prince Divisions to die in a last stand battles.”

“You have got to be shitting us Ripper?!” Tigger asked in shock voicing the surprise echoed on the faces of the other Fallen Angels.

“I wish the frack that I was Tigger. So far I’ve been able to quietly remove the more radical of the Hardliners in the Highwinds High Command.” Robert told them then explained how Valkyrie ‘Silence’ Starfire had been using local street gangs to handle the problem.

“Talk about rehashing a Whitechapel Ripper strategy.” Iceman snarked as the rest of the team chuckled. Iceman waited for the chuckles to die down before continuing. “However, they’ve run into a hiccup, right?”

“You could say that. There is a pack of arrogant assholes calling themselves the Millennium Group that’s been giving the disenfranchised members of elven society military style training and weapons. The sad part about all of this mess is the fact that most of these Millennium frack nuts are former or current members of the regular military operating under what they believe to be legitimate and religious orders from the High Command.” Robert told them.

“Hold on her Ripper. Are you telling me that some yak dick in the religious class is part of the Elven High Command who is actually giving their military personnel orders?” Snow asked in total surprise.

“Yup.” Robert told them then took in the looks of surprise in his team’s faces. “Okay guys. Why does it look like I smacked you all with a tune fish?”

“Um… boss none of our training units had any type of religious leaders. In fact, most our trainees used someone from their ranks as a religious guide. Usually, one of the oldest members of their units.” Jukebox told him.

“Then letting Imra spend their Holydays with the troops acting as their spiritual guide was mistake?” Robert asked his team in confusion. Only to see Tigger and Jukebox gap in surprise. While Iceman, Snow, Rimfire, and Free Runner all facepalmed in unison. In that one moment in time, the four men of the Fallen Angels proved that ancient theory. It truly is impossible for NCOs to facepalm hard enough to cause brain damage.

“Oh, for the love of GOD, Ripper! Under what god forsaken sun possessed you to let your lovely fiancée to act as the spiritual leader for your regiment?” Jukebox asked him with a pained filled voice.

“Hay! Don’t go blaming me! Imra did it all on her own! Honestly, Jukebox. I thought that by letting Imra act as the troops’ spiritual leader. I could basically avoid having one of those limp dick Forest Elf High Priest shitheads on my base.” Robert told her bluntly. All the Fallen Angels knew Robert’s attitude towards religion and weren’t surprised that he wouldn’t want a regular member of the Clergy on his base.

“Oh man. I’m actually surprised that your unit has been taking prisoners.” Snow grunted then saw the look in Ripper’s eyes. “What’s their body count?”

“Not counting the training cadres and support personnel, forty-one. If I throw them into the mix the body count jumps to just over three hundred. Though right now I’m not too sure of that number. It could be higher or lower. The Wraiths, not to mention the rest of the Nightmare Regiment have been on an almost Holy Crusade to eradicate the Millenium Group to the last man.” Robert told his team as he thought about his teams that were currently elsewhere in Four Winds and around the planet.

“Robert just how many wet work teams do you have operating right now?” Tigger demanded of him with real concern. Robert knew what she really wanted to know. Had he crossed over the line between legal antiterrorist operations and into Shadow work for the Queen.

“None. The only teams I have operating out there are antiterrorist teams. Their mandate is clear Tigger. Observe, report, track, verify. Only once everything has gone through Queen Dana and Prince Raygel are they allowed to take action. Trust me guys. After our first strike against the Millennium Group’s training centers, a shit load of checks and balances were put in place. Mostly because of what we found at those centers.” Robert said.

“What did you find Ripper?” Snow asked him softly.

“Pandora’s tears.” Of all things Robert could have told his teammates. Those two words weren’t on the list of possibilities. Nor were they two words that the six Special Operations Death Dealers want to ever hear again. The very thought of that weapon in the hands of civilians, let alone terrorists, sent bone freezing chills down their spines.

“Please tell me that you’re fracking joking Ripper?” Iceman begged.

“I fracking wish that I was, Iceman. You want to know the really big kick to the nuts. Each and every storehouse belonging to those training centers held front line equipment. All of it marked with the Greystoke Family crest. Guys when I say that that equipment is front line gear. I’m talking about everything from M-forty-seven assault rifles all the way up to second and sometimes third generation Land Warrior Armor. I won’t even go into the armor some of those storehouses held. I’m talking about Mark VI Panther AI assault tanks, M-one-R-three Marauder APS’s, one even held a lance of eighty ton KV-Nine Knight Assault class APSs.” The more Robert told his teammates about what his strike teams had found. The madder the six Fallen Angels became.

“I hope that you’ve been able to track all that equipment back to where it was supposed to go?” Rimfire asked with a snarl.

“Yup. All of it, with the exception of the Armored Power Suits, was supposed to be delivered to Death Dealer units. There was also a shit ton of beans, bullets, and boots, that were supposed to be delivered to our units. Instead, it was getting diverted to those Millennium training centers. I’ve been able to put a stop to the pilfering of Death Dealer supply lines.” Robert told them then chuckled softly. “Well, I should say one of my team leaders has put a stop to that shit. The little lady has a way with the criminal element.”

“I take it she’s another street rat turned Death Dealer?” Jukebox asked with a nasty smirk on her lips and a glim of mischief in her eyes.

“Worse. She’s the illegitimate daughter of Duke Davon Starfire.” Robert smirked as all six of his teams tried again to cause self-inflected brain damage through facepalming. Before they could regain their collective shit Robert figured that he might as well get the rest of the fun news out of the way. “Oh, by the way. I don’t know how many of your trainees came out of their tanks as Claymores, but every last one of mine did.”

“Holy Shit! How the hell did that HAPPEN?!” Snow asked in total shock. As the only member of the team that was actually trained as a Medic. He knew that the chances of there being more than one Claymore for every one thousand candidates is astronomical. There was no way that Robert’s detachment could have that many Claymores.

“What I’m about to tell you is beyond Top Secret people. I’m talking about burn upon reading and shoot the messenger shit people.” Robert told his team before going into the explanation. He went on tell them about how the Silver moon Elves had been left behind on earth and how they had interbreed with humans. The more he explained the more Snow got this faraway look in his eyes. When Robert finished only Snow was nodding his head in understanding.

“Damn it. That explains so damned much. No wonder the Highwinds High Command and their scientific community have been asking to exam a Claymore. Those assholes knew exactly what was causing Claymores in the first place.” Snow snarled as he fought to control his anger over the situation.

“It’s actually worse than that Snow. The process is actually geared towards bringing those dormant genes to the surface in half-elves and mixed breed elves. Because the only way to get a half-elf or mixed breed elf is for one of the parents to have the Silver Moon Elf gene. That is why there are so few half or mixed breed elves in the universe.” Robert told them honestly.

“Tell me something Ripper. Why would the ancient elves leave one of their races behind on Earth?” Iceman asked in confusion.

“Silver Moon Elves were breed for war. They were literally the Boogeyman of more than just humans but the Elves as well. Why do you think Claymores bring out a very primal fear in all of us? It’s not because they fight like demons. It’s because of a racial memory that goes back to a time before record Human History.” Robert told them all with a soft chuckle. “Not that I got any room to talk. Every time I pop my lid I bring about that same fear.”

“I hate to tell you this Bossman. We got a damned good reason for being afraid of a you when you pop your lid. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, can stop you short of direct hit from a PPC to the head.” Snow told him as the rest of the team just chuckled before asking. “What we want to know is why haven’t you put these Millennium shitheads in the ground?”

“No shit Ripper. From the sound of things. This Millennium Group are a major terrorist group. What’s been holding your people back?” Iceman asked.

“It’s actually two things, Iceman. The reasons are simple. Politics.” Robert told them with a snarl. “While I’ve been able to remove most of the Hardliners that are members of the Millennium Group. Because almost all of them are members of the Elf Nobility. They’ve been pushing for Trials by Blood. Which Queen Dana will be forced to grant by Elven Law and tradition.”

“Why she just doesn’t outlaw these damned trials by combat is beyond me.” Rimfire bitched voicing the rest of the team’s frustration with certain Elf customs. They had all dealt with at least one Trial by Blood during their time as Instructors for their individual units.

“Because Trials by Blood have been part of our society since then time of Atlantis, Major.” Grace ‘Waltz’ Witman said as she entered Robert’s office unannounced. “Sorry for interrupting sir, but we just received a priority one alert message from Lady Imra. Should I read it aloud?”

“Go ahead, Waltz.” Robert told her. Then followed her eyes towards the rest of his team. Robert chuckled. “I highly doubt the Lady Imra would include privet communications in a priority one alert message.”

“Understood sir. Message is as follows. To Nightmare Command, From Your Lady. Request urgent deployment by Lord Davion Starfire of any available Alpha teams to Parliament Tower and Tower of Nobles for security. Possible military takeover by Millennium Group is imminent. Loyalty of Senatorial Guards is no longer assured. End of message.” When Grace Wittman finished reading the message she looked into the eyes of her CO and the rest of the Fallen Angels. For the first time in months, Grace felt true fear of her lover.

“Contact Stalker, and Banshee. Op Order is a follows. Operation Beekeeper is a go. A-one loadout for all available teams. Once they’re armed and ready they’re to deploy to Government Center. They’re to link up with Fallen Angels assets once on site. Understood?” Robert ordered her as he head for the door to the Regimental TOC with the rest of the Fallen Angels hot on his heels.

“What about the Wraiths sir?” Grace asked him. She knew that the one team on their roster, Valkyrie Starfire’s Wraiths were the most familiar with the layout of the Government Center. “Should I alert them as well.”

“As much as I would love to have her team in on this operation. We need to leave them out. Besides, I have a separate mission for them. One that is just as important.” Robert told her as he picked up the report from Silence. “One that will need to be handled in the back allies of this kingdom.”

Four Winds, Highwinds
Private office of Davion Starfire. Earlier that day.

Not for the first time Davion Starfire wished that his daughter Valkyrie was his personal guard as he entered his office in the Tower of Nobles. Only she was a Death Dealer and finally safe. Well, as safe as any other Death Dealer. Even now as he sat behind his desk in the Tower of Nobles. Davion knew that his brother was doing his best to disband the Nightmare Regiment.

“Excuse me Lord Starfire.” A young aid said as he entered him as Davion’s inner office. Davion could tell that whatever was bothering the young man must be extremely important. “I’ve a report from the Corkscrew Nebula.”

“Thank you, Yar.” Davion said as he took the printout from the aid. Davion rarely if ever received reports of a military nature. The only reason he was even receiving this report was because the nebula bordered the Tempest March. While no one could lay claim to the corridor exit and the four systems directly in line with it, Davion was still expected to keep watch over the military by the other nobles. “Is this report accurate, Yar?”

“Yes sir. It has been confirmed. All the early warning post and their command and control station have been destroyed. The Shinigami battle platform Queen Tatiana will also need extensive time in the shipyards for repairs.” Yar told Davion before lowering his voice and saying. “Sir this is the perfect opportunity to finally wrestle control of those ships away from the Death Dealer High Command. If we play this right. We might finally be able to take control of all the Death Dealer naval assets.”

“Yar, I really do wish you and the rest of the young bloods would give up on this delusion of controlling the Death Dealers. As it is every time one of you pulls something stupid. I spend an excessive amount of resources keeping the military from killing you all.” Davion snarled at the young forest elf.

“But my Lord, if you had control over those abominations. We could finally force Queen Dana to see reason. We don’t need the Humans and their damnable empire. We can set our nation to rights with the kind of firepower that just one Shinigami battle platform represents.” Yar countered him quickly.

“Is that what you truly believe, Yar?” Davion asked the young man in surprise.

“I do my Lord. I am not the only one who feels this way. I know that Queen Dana has a rightful place on the throne, but she is still a child. She has barely more than half a century of life. Yet, she commands seventy-two divisions of Death Dealers and another twenty-eight in the Queen’s Royal divisions. Why couldn’t she be satisfied with allowing Knight Commander Lord Yetra DeNarra to command the Death Dealer Divisions.” Yar told him plainly.

“Tell me Yar. Do you know of our nation’s Blood Debt to the Human Empire?” Davion asked as he waved for the elf to sit down.

“What do you mean, sir? As far as I or any other elf knows. We have always stood on our own.” Yar answered in confusion as he sat down.

“Until the Great Shattering, we the elves of Highwinds had lived peacefully with the Grand Human Empire. We were depended on the humans for our protection from the Velmaro. During the Great Shattering the Velmaro ruthlessly attacked our boarders. While the rest of the Human Empire broiled in bloody civil war the ninety human divisions that protected our boarder never left their post. They fought the Velmaro to a standstill on every planet that was attacked. On some planets even dying to the last man. All to buy our civilian transports time to evacuate as many as possible. It took time for us to build a military. Time that those ninety human divisions bought us. Time that we sorely need boy. Time that was paid for with the blood of those human divisions.” Davion snarled because he could tell the Yar didn’t believe him.

“That is heresy sir. We Elves are the purest and most honorable race there has ever lived. All the Holy texts prove this.” Yar sputtered.

“And that is the problem with our educational system and society Yar. Both rely too heavily on the Clergy for our history. Allow me to give you a piece of advice in the form of an ancient Human saying. If you want enlightenment go to a Preacher. If you want facts talk with a historian. If you want lies talk with a politician. If you want truth talk to a soldier.” Davion said harshly as he slowly stood up from his desk. Turning to the window behind him Davion took a deep breath to calm his anger.

“By the way Yar. We are far from the most honorable of races. In fact, only we have ever so utterly betrayed our defenders that in our darkest hour we had to beg a people that our clergy demonizes for protection.” At Yar’s look of confusion Davion asked. “Have you never heard the story of the Silver Moon elves and why they are no more?”

“Surely you’re not talking about that old children’s tail, sir?” Yar snorted.

“That children’s tail is only partially true Yar. Even though it is meant to be a warning against our baser instincts for war. The story leaves out the simple fact that the Silver Moon Elves were abandoned by our ancestors. They did it not out of need but out of jealousy.” Davion told Yar harshly as he turned around to face the young man.

“By the way Yar. At this very moment. The descendants of those ancient warriors have been returned to us and once again we owe the humans. That’s right boy. The key to this resurrection are Death Dealers. The very people you and your friends in the Millennium Group would try to control as slaves.” At the look of disbelief on his face Davion went for the kill.

“I have heard about what you and your friends in the High Command tried to pulled at the Death Dealer camp. You have a choice to make. Tell me the names of all the Millennium Group members within the High Command or die where you sit. One way gets you a prison cell. The other way you’re dead.” Davion told the Forest Elf coldly as he drew his not so ceremonial knife.

“Why do you and the other members of the Reformist Party refuse to see reason Lord Starfire? The Millennium Group is fighting to preserve our way of life. Queen Dana has continuously ignored not only our traditions, but the Holy Texts. The return of the Silver Moon Elves is just another disregard of our races core beliefs.” Yar told him.

“If that is your belief Yar then you are sadly mistaken. Queen Dana is only completing the work that Queen Tatiana started. Allow me to give you a quick lesson in the Holy Texts. Nowhere, and I do mean nowhere, is it written that we are to enslave our children. This includes those of mixed races. By the way that includes half human elves. Another thing that’s wrong in your oh so precious Holy Texts, is the segregation of our people by race. Before we ever left earth we were one race except for our creations, the Silver Moon clan. That’s right boy we created the Silver Moon elves and breed them to be our war dogs. Our scientists took genes from every type of elf there was at the time. Then mixed them together.” Davion told the stunned Forest Elf. Then went on to tell Yar of the creation of the Silver Moon elves.

“From the Silvain Elf we gave them their intelligence. The Drow gave them their cunning. The High Elf gave them their wisdom. From the Winter Elf they were given their strength. We took their dexterity from the Forest Elves.” As Davion explained where all the attributes for the Silver moon elves came from he left the most disturbing for the last. “But their thrust for battle came not from elves. We took it from the humans of the time.”

“That can’t be possible. The Clergy would never allow such a mixing of races. Even if it was to protect our species.” Yar countered in shock. What Davion just told him went against everything he had been taught by his religion. It also went against everything that the Millennium Group stood for.

“You poor, deluded, foolish, boy. Who do you think were the scientists of the time?” Davion asked with a note of true sadness. The knock at his office door drew his attention away from Yar at just the wrong time. “Come.”

Even as his office door was opening Yar attacked Davion with the blind rage that only the truly fanatical can achieve. If Davion had not already had his knife in his hand. Yar might have been able to land a killing blow. As it was Davion only barely managed to parry Yar’s knife strike. Then to Davion’s astonishment a pistol roared twice from the direction of the office door to be followed by Yar’s chest becoming a bloody mess.

Davion slowly turned to stare in disbelief at the young Silvian elf woman. To his knowledge Imra Ventress was never trained in how to use a firearm. Yet there she stood holding a Silver Scorpion Firearms tactical pistol. The weapon was modeled after the iconic Browning M-1911A1 .45ACP semiautomatic pistol of legend. The big pistol looked out of place in the small woman’s hands, yet Davion could tell that she knew how to handle the weapon.

“Lady Imra not that I’m not thankful for your timely intervention, but where did you get that monster?” Davion asked her politely.

“I was hoping to talk with you about your vote concerning the new Equal Rights Bill for half and mixed elves. Though I see that we have a more pressing matter to discuss.” Imra told him as she returned the pistol to the shoulder holster she was wearing. When she saw the look on Davion’s face Imra sighed. “The pistol is a compromise with my fiancé.”

“A compromise, Lady Imra. How is a handgun a compromise?” Davion asked her.

“So long as I agree to carry the pistol. I don’t have to have a full strike team as bodyguards.” Imra told him bluntly then chuckled. “For some reason the thought of me being attacked again has Colonel Wolff concerned.”

“Carry the damned gun. We don’t need the Whitechapel Ripper waging a personal war of revenge.” Davion told her bluntly.

“Which is why I have it, Lord Davion.” Imra told him as she stepped further into his office. “Right now, we have a more pressing concern Lord Davion. Why hasn’t the Senatorial Guards responded to the sounds of gunfire?”

“That is a good question Lady Imra with a very disturbing answer. I fear that the Senatorial Guards have been infiltrated by the Millennium Group and influenced by the more radical members of Parliament.” Davion told her as he toed the lifeless body of Yar. “Sadly, I believe that not even our aids can be trusted anymore. Yar Glade Leaf has been a member of my staff for years. Until today I never would have expected him of such treachery.”

“I fear Lord Davion that the situation may be worse than we think. One of Colonel Wolff’s best captains has proposed a theory. That if proven correct, could very well cause a civil war between our warriors and the more religiously fanatical members of our society. Especially among the Forest Elves.” Irma told him bluntly as she thought about what she had just done. Just a few short months ago Irma Ventress of the Ravenwood clan would never have shoot someone. Yet she didn’t think twice about shotting the assassin.

“Please tell me about this theory and the captain who proposed Lady Irma.” Davion said as he led her from his private office. They had no sooner stepped into the outer office than Davion pulled his knife once more. “Lady Irma when you first arrived at my office. Were you greeted by my staff?”

“No one was here when I arrived. I heard you talking with someone in your privet office. That was why I knocked on the door. Why?” Irma asked pulling her pistol from its holster.

“Because this just confirms my suspicion. Yar sent the rest of my staff to lunch before attempting to kill to me. I fear we are not safe.” Davion said.

“Oh, we’re very safe. I doubt that my friends will allow any harm come to us.” Irma said with a giggle as she opened the door to the hallway. “Have the Senatorial Guards arrive yet Sargent Kinns?”

“Just now, my Lady. Should we let them in?” Sargent Leit Kinns asked her.

“Bring them in and show them into Lord Davion’s Inner office. There they’ll find the body of Yar Glade Leaf. Unfortunately, I had to use Robert’s gift.” Imra told the Death Dealer standing watch outside the office.

“Better that than having the Colonel deal with the matter, my Lady.” Kinns chuckled as she led the four guards inside. As their NCOIC passed her Kinns grabbed the man’s arm. “Don’t even think this piss poor response will go unreported Corporal. As it is you need to be very happy that Lady Imra hasn’t given the order to end your worthless life.”

“No need to scare the Senatorial Guards Sargent. It is not their fault that their training is nowhere near as stringent as a Death Dealers. After all they are only expected to protect politicians. Not wage war or conduct antiterrorist operations.” Imra told her with a small chuckle.

“Doesn’t matter my Lady. There should be at least five two-man security teams on this floor at all times. I counted no less than thirty infiltration points along our route to Lord Davion’s office. I won’t even talk about the total disregard for professionalism among these so called Security Personnel. I can assure you my Lady. If you don’t report this information to the Colonel I will.” Sargent Kinns told her honestly then dropped the other shoe. “And my Lady. If I’m the one who does the reporting. It’ll not be your levelheaded fiancé that answers my report.”

“And just who would answer your report, Sargent?” Davion asked. If he had known what her answer would be. Davion might not have asked.

“At the bare minimum, Lord Davion. Captain Valkyrie Starfire and her Shadows. If not her full team of Wraiths. I don’t even want to think of what his maximum response would be.” Sargent Kinns shivered.

“Just how far would Robert go Sargent?” Imra asked her.

“No offence my Lady. None of us want to find out. If the stories surrounding the Colonel are even half true, I can see him ordering an orbital strike as a way to show his displeasure.” Kinns told her with a sly grin.

“Surely you jest Sargent?” Davion asked in surprise.

“Sadly, I can actually see him going that far, Lord Davion.” Imra told him with a soft chuckle then turned serious. “Though a more likely response from him would be sending his Angels to handle the High Command.”

“And just who are these Angels?” Davion asked with real worry.

“Just six of the meanest, rowdiest, rudest, batch of nut jobs to come out of Camp Red Cloud in the last twenty years. When they get rolling nothing short of a battalion of Assault class APSs can stop them. Even then I would have to say that the odds are still on their side.” Imra told him bluntly. “Trust me on this, Lord Davion. Before I returned home. I had the great pleasure of meeting Robert’s teammates. Your daughter and her Wraiths have nothing on the Fallen Angels. Especially when they’re pissed off.”

“Then what are you going to Lady Imra?” Davion asked her.

“The one thing the Millennium Group and their supporters would never expect me to do. Sargent, please send the following message to Camp Resistance. To Nightmare Command, From Your Lady. Request urgent deployment by Lord Davion Starfire of any available Alpha teams to Parliament Tower and Tower of Nobles for security. Possible military takeover by Millennium Group is imminent. Loyalty of Senatorial Guards is no longer assured. End of message.” When she began her message Imra was expecting the Sargent to take a pen and paper. “Do you think you can remember all that Sargent?”

“Don’t worry my Lady. I started transmitting your message the moment you started talking. I figure that it will be in Colonel Wolff’s hands any minute now.” Sargent Kinns told her with a smile.

“Then we should have our need assets shortly, Lord Davion. Though I doubt that Robert will be extremely subtle about his response to my request.” Imra told the man with a soft smile of confidence.

“And why do you believe that, Lady Imra?” Davion asked.

“Because the Whitechapel Ripper has been bidding his time, waiting for something like this to happen. Now that he has a valid military excuse to use his people. Nothing and I do mean nothing, not even our gods and goddesses will stop him from end the threats to my life or this government.” Imra told him bluntly. Not realizing that there was a soft snarl in her voice that made her sounded like a pissed off kitten.

As Davion Starfire looked down at the Silvain elf he was filled with to very conflicting emotions. The first was one of great respect. Here was a young woman barely into her third decade of life and she was actually trying to set right the sins of his nation’s past. The other feeling was one of pure fear. A fear that sent icy shivers down his spine and gripped his heart in a cold crushing grip of death. This fear come from the fact that this young Lady had won the heart of one of the deadliest humans alive. A Death Dealer.

Four Winds, Highwinds
Con 1 Mess hall, Death Dealer Central Command.

“Excuse me First High Lady Silver Leaf. Urgent Message from the Queen Tatiana and the Corkscrew Nebula Command Station.” A 1st Lieutenant said as he rushed up to the First High Lady of Death Dealers for Highwinds.

“This must be extremely important for you interrupt my lunch Lieutenant. Let me see the message.” Commander Deseray Silver Leaf told the young High Elf as she held out her hand for the message tube. It took Deseray reading the message three times before she actually understood what she had read. “Has this been authenticated Lieutenant?”

“Three times by the operator who received it, twice by the EWO NCO, and twice by myself, ma’am. The message is authentic. The Queen Tatiana did indeed suffer major damage in the defense of the Nebula exit. They are requesting immediate redeployment of their Battle Group to secure the corridor.” The Lieutenant told her with a slight frown on his face.

“I’m not doubting your cryptology skills Lieutenant. I merely wish to verify the validity of this message. I mean we are talking about a Shinigami battle platform after all. It’s historically proven that it takes a Shinigami to kill Shinigami. Do you understand the kind of firepower we’re talking about?” Deseray told the young elf.

“Yes, ma’am. I fully understand the implications of that message. Whatever it was that attacked the Queen Tatiana is as powerful as a Shinigami.” He told her honestly.

“How badly damaged was the attacking ship?” Deseray asked.

“Unknown ma’am at this time, ma’am.”

“What do you mean unknown?” She asked.

“The attacking ship opened some kind of wormhole and jumped away ma’am.” The Lieutenant told her.

“An Einstein Rosenberg Bridge jump engine.” Deseray gasped in realization. At the look of confusion on the Lieutenant’s face she explained. “ERB Engines were our first attempt at leaving Earth. We were never able to get them to work properly. Though from what I understand. Human scientists were able to figure them out before their last Great World War. Thankfully that technology was lost during the Human’s Last Great World War.”

“Apparently not before they lunched several of their colonization starships.” The Lieutenant snarked only to quickly apologize. “Sorry ma’am.”

“No need to apologize for stating the obvious Lieutenant. Was the Queen Tatiana able to identify the ship?” Deseray asked.

“Yes ma’am. According to the reports from the Tatiana and the OCP. They were attacked by the North American Alliance’s colonization warship Bifrost. According to the reports, the Bifrost utilized an extremely high output energy weapon, comparable to the ERB, to damage the Tatiana and destroy the Observation Command Post, ma’am. In a separate AAR sent in by Fleet Admiral Jassin Qigeiros he called it a Madusa cannon ma’am.” The Lieutenant told her before asking a question Deseray didn’t want to answer. “Ma’am why would Admiral Qigeros sent a separate report about this weapon?”

“Because he wants to keep a very dark secret kept from the High Command. One that will shake the very foundation of our Military’s High Command and change how we will face the rest of the universe, Lieutenant.” Deseray told the Lieutenant as she stood up from her table. “Did Qigeiros give a possible end point for the ERB jump?”

“Yes ma’am. According to his Navigation team. They predict the termination point for the warship somewhere in the Tempest March.” The Lieutenant said.

“Bloody hell1! Not there! Are they sure? Could they be wrong? Where exactly did they put that end point?” Deseray snarled as she rounded on the man.

“According to their report ma’am. That is the Navigation section’s best estimate. As for pinpointing the exact termination point for the Bifrost’s jump. They gave three possibilities. However, they are all along the same trajectory with a plus or minus of three.” The Lieutenant answered before lowering his voice, not wanting to be overheard. “But they place the primary target planet as Evergreen Prime ma’am.”

“Frack me sideways in a black alley with a twelve inch steel dildo. What are the other two planets?” She quickly asked just as quietly.

“Nova four and Heliox Prime, ma’am.” The Lieutenant whispered.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit. Can this situation get any worse?” Deseray whispered to herself as she thought about the political ramifications present by those planets. Any of them being attacked by a pre-hyperspace travel Human nation would be all the proof they would need to finally start a Holy War with the Human Empire. It would be the perfect justification for The Millennium Group to finally push to overthrow Queen Dana. Deseray knew that she would have to act fast and put resources in place to protect those planets. The question was what resources could she put in those systems that would have the firepower to stop a pre-hyperspace Colonization Warship and not weaken the rest of the Kingdom’s defenses.

“Lieutenant contact the rest of the First Battle Group. Have them deploy to the Corkscrew Nebula immediately. Then sent the following message to the King Robin Goodfellow, Queen Iesha Longfellow, and Prince Raygel. Attention to orders. The lost North American Alliance colonization warship Bifrost has exited the Corkscrew Nebula corridor. Destination is unknow at this time. Threed possible targets exist in the Tempest March. Evergreen, Nova Four, Heliox. They are to leave their Battle Groups in place. End of message.” Deseray told the Lieutenant who was quickly writing down her orders.

“What of our home world my Lady?” The Lieutenant asked her.

“Contact Lord Brighthorn and the tenth Battle Group. Have the Queen Valkerie Starfire and her escorts deployed around Highwinds five just incase that ship shows up here.” Deseray told him after a few seconds of thought. “Lord Brighthorn can leave his combat divisions in place on the border.”

“Anything else Lady Deseray?” He asked her.

“Other than pray to whatever god or goddess you believe in Lieutenant no.” Deseray told him as she turned towards her staff car.

“Pray for what ma’am?”

“That they’re in time to stop that ship. Because if those three Shinigami battle platforms cannot stop that ship. Our nation will erupt into a civil war.” Desray answered him harshly. “Should that happen. What the Human Empire went through forty years ago will look like a tea party.”

“Why do you say that Lady Deseray?” The Lieutenant asked with real fear.

“Because our Civil War will be divided along political, ideological, racial, but most importantly religious lines. The last war to be fought along those divides was among the human and took three centuries to end. Even after all that bloodshed it still did not address the root causes of the war. To this day centuries after that war the two groups are still fighting over the same bullshit. Only for us there will be a definitive end. It will end with the total annihilation of the Forest Elves.” Deseray told the young man coldly. “And worst of all. We Death Dealers will be caught in the gods be damned fracking middle of it all with no way out of the fighting. All while the Wingnuts, Stalinists, and Nazis gobble up our planets one by one.”

-----tbc-----

Hello everyone. I'm finally back to writing full time. (HOPEFULLY) As such I've returned to finally finish this story line and Lucifer's Child.