Systems In Chaos: Dissention

Epilogue

Epilogue

Galvin’s boots clanked against the steel flooring as he marched through the enormous command deck of the Old Spike, the flagship of United Alliance armada. It was the biggest ship he had ever been on, it was a Tier Three class Battle-Cruiser. Currently it had almost twenty thousand soldiers on board, it sported almost two and a half thousand guns, sixteen gigantic particle cannons and a host of almost a thousand small, one man, fighters. Old Spike flew at the head of an, almost, three thousand strong armada – and that wasn’t including the smaller fighters. Throughout some of the larger ships, the Battle-Cruisers and the Destroyer class ships, a thousand Zeuti Guardians were waiting for their time to fight. On board the Old Spike there were approximately two hundred Guardians, and three Titans to boot. Second Seat Jane Gand and Ninth Seat Varko Kinn were both with Galvin on the ship. The other Titans flew aboard the Broken Rival.

As he moved through the command deck of the ship he stepped up to the command console. The Admiral of the fleet sat in his chair studying the projected holographic battle map which floated just in front of his face. His bushy grey eyebrows  always made the man look as if he was brooding on something all the time. He probably was. Galvin had yet to see the man smile. “El’Fin,” the Admiral acknowledged curtly. He didn’t raise his eyes from the map for a moment.

“Admiral Russ.” Galvin stepped up next to him and looked at the map, “Where are we going to enter the system?”

Russ’ wary, blue eyes flicked up at the Titan for an instant and then he sighed and pointing to a section of the map. “Around here I should think.” Admiral Zax Russ was not one for idle chit chat, or small talk. The combination of the two of them made for a very dull conversation.

Galvin rubbed his chin, “On the far side of Kalorin? Good. We can liberate them first. Deal with the Hadi there.” He was looking forward to seeing Teran again, despite everything.

The Admirals quiet chuckle made Galvin’ brow furrow, “No need, Guardian. I received a comm. wave from them earlier. The forces on the planet have dealt with the major threats.” He set a small chip onto the corner of his chair.

“You didn’t tell me about this when you got it?” Galvin asked angrily. He frowned.

Zux shrugged, “You weren’t around. Just like the Zeuti Order hasn’t been for the most important situations in the war so far.” Russ ever so slightly turned his head away from the Titan. “We are going to focus our efforts on clearing the space of Hadi warships and reclaiming Fathom. I will tell you when I have need of you. Now, leave my Bridge.”

Galvin sighed and walked off. So, that’s how it is? He holds it against us for not joining the war sooner... can’t say I blame him. He walked back through the halls of the war craft and down into the mess hall. There were soldiers everywhere. They were all eating, having a good meal before the fighting was due to begin. He walked through the crowd as they parted for him. He found himself in a small briefing room. Jane and Varko were sitting inside talking. “Well, Kalorin has been saved by the forces on the ground. Apparently this happened some time ago.” He threw the small data chip onto the desk.

“Well, that’s good then. We will have less trouble regaining control over the sector,” Varko weighed in. He sat on the far side of the desk, a cup of hot tea in his hands.

Jane shook her head, “We don’t know that. We haven’t had any decent reports of enemy ship numbers or movements in a long time. We don’t know what we are flying into.” Galvin took a seat next to her. She turned to him, “You know this isn’t going to stop at the retaking of the Centauri system, right? The Hadi Empire have begun a war of survival. The United Alliance isn’t going to stop once we get both Kalorin and Fathom back, they are going to want to move into Hadi space. They are going to want to occupy the capital, Ceaser, and finish this.”

Galvin nodded, “I know. But that can take time. Our priority is claiming this system back, and freeing the citizens. I think that...” Galvin was interrupted by the noise of his communicator beeping. Hmm... there is only a handful of people who know how to contact me... He glanced down checked the ID name. It was encrypted. He quickly hit two buttons and his communicator linked in with the small projector device he carried around with him. He placed it on the desk as it buzzed to life. In a few quick seconds the translucent, faded blue, hologram of Fourth Seat Zen Tall appeared. Also, in the frame, there was his brother, Commander of the Salem, Edward Tall.

Zen looked around, he noticed who else was in the room with Galvin, “Good, only you three are here.”

“What’s going on Zen? I told you not to contact me until you were back with the fleet,” Galvin asked suspiciously. Varko placed his cup on the table and turned to face Zen’s hologram.

Zen was shaking his head and running his hand through his hair, “I-I can’t believe what I am about to tell you. We met with the information broker, Uggra Gus, in Nar Shanni. He...” Zen looked away almost ashamed to continue, “He told us some very troubling reports. If they are true... we are in a far graver situation than we ever imagined. Galvin...” Zen looked up again, “I’m sorry, but I think we have made a huge mistake taking the Guardians to war.”

“Zen, what do you mean? What are you talking about?” Jane asked, urging him to continue and speak plainly. She was getting worried now, she had never known Zen to act like this.

“It’s... It’s Daego...”

“First Seat, Titan, Daego Vix?” Varko asked curiously.

“Tell us, Zen!” Galvin ordered. This was sounding worse by the moment, he needed to know what was troubling Zen so much.

Edward Tall spoke up while his brother was having troubles believing his own thoughts, “The leader of the Zeuti Order, Daego Vix... is not who he makes himself out to be. He...”

Zen cut in, “He is an extremely high ranked, and highly skilled, Hadi operative. One of three of the Masked Ones: Hadi whom are specialists in infiltration. He is stronger than The Ten, stronger than us Titans... He has been concealing himself well... his real name is...” Galvin heard Jane take in a sharp breath and Varko shift in his seat. Galvin’s eyes widened, Jane was breathing heavy and Varko was utterly confused. This was one revelation none of them had let into their wildest nightmares.

“What!?” Galvin roared, standing up in a rush and almost throwing the desk over.

Ed took over as Zen choked on his words, “His name is Ilgam... Artosis. Your Learner’s, Teran Artosis’, grandfather.”