Hellbent Vigilanty
CHAPTER 9: HELLBENT VIGILANTLY
My armor, I haven't worn this armor since Imaryu. Looking at it inside a large box containing all my military pieces, along with the new High Fleet Admiral shoulder plate. My phantom armor, though still showing signs of being burnt, was restored rather well thanks to my sister. Digging deeper into the box i came across a sash belt. Completely identical to the one my sister made me. It held a note.
"Dear Jakli;
I couldn't restore my old sash i gave you forever ago. So I decided to put my old craftsman claws back to work and made you this new one. I hope you like it, I tried to keep it as identical as possible. However, this time I put in a special engraving on the far end of the sash. I couldn't remember how your tattoo went on your arm, so I went through a great deal of finding your old artist and getting the design. He said it meant perseverance; I'm not one for old human Gothic markings, but I liked this one. Hopefully you don't burn this one into a crisp, I'm not as good at this as I once was.
If you are also seeing this, it means you are going to be heading back to the front under your new position. I hope for the best for you and whoever you command, I know those soldiers are in the best care under your command. Once this war is over and you have the free time, I would really enjoy going around DeLoom like we used too. I heard the new mall-market there has some really neat things. Anyways, I'll stop writing; For the sake of all of us, come back home. I love you Jakli. Safe Travels.
Your Amazing Sister
Sina"
I couldn't help but smile. My sister can be a joke-ster, but she has a one of the warmest hearts. Picking up the sash I could feel the neatly made fabric. The Gothic symbol was also very well done; holding the exact layout as the marking on my right arm.
Putting on my armor and my new sash belt, I walked into the living room where Shade was sitting on the couch watching the TV. I walked over, behind the couch and leaned down, laying my chin on the top of his head. "Alright, I have to go." i said as i kissed the top of his head. He laid his head back allowing me to give him a kiss on this lips. Upon exiting the kiss, he turns around to look at me. He smiled as he looked up and down my body. "Well don't you look like a warrior." He said. I chuckled and wrapped my arms around him and embraced him. "The best warrior around." I said. He closed his eyes and laid his head on my stomach. "Can't I go with you?" he asked. I shook my head, "No, sadly you cannot." He pushed himself back and looked up at me, "But, I know how to fight, I've trained with rifles for years now."
I looked back down at him and kissed his snout, "Then go the Citadel of War and prove it, once you do that, I'll put you in my ranks, but until then; Here's a card, this is tied to my bank. You can stay here and keep yourself entertained while I'm away." He took the card and looked at it, "Your trusting me with your bank account? I did live a life of crime.. I shouldn't have this." trying to hand back the card. I smiled and pushed his hand back, "I trust you, I can tell inside your eyes that you wont steal from me. I know you want to be with me more then anything else. Besides, I don't make a lot of purchases, so if you go willy-nilly on buying things, my sister will notice and hunt you down. Sina, can be rather scary so be careful." I said before leaning in and kissing him again. "I'll be back sooner then you think, I promise." He nodded, "I.. I love you Jakli, I'll be here when you get back." I turned and walked to the door, "I love you to Shade, stay safe."
Walking out of the apartment and to the elevator, heading down to the ground floor and walking out of the Presidium heading to the Citadel Of War. It was good that my club was sitting on Diamond Square, made traveling to the Citadels rather easy.
Upon reaching the Citadel of War, a soldier rushed up to me and saluted, "Admiral Jakli, I'm here to escort you to the Battle Chamber for briefing." I nodded and stated "Lead the way soldier." We walked to the Battle Chamber where Oxy, Blave and Kinhard where standing around the war table. I thanked the soldier and walked up to the table.
"Ahh, Jakli, good now we can start. " Oxy stated. "So whats the news?" I asked and looked around the table, seeing it was the galaxy map of The Milky Way.
"You are going to enjoy this one Jakli." Blave stated pointing to the planet of Earth. "The Empire Of Leviathan have reached out to us, not in a peaceful manner either. We are being put to blame." Blave said.
"Blame? For what?" I asked
"Theres a renegade Illusionist running about, attacking pirates, mercenaries, and even military figures with-in the Empire.. Oh you are going to get a kick out of this one." Blave then picked up a remote and pressed a few buttons. The table then opened and a large hologram appeared over the table displaying news articles and pictures. "This renegade, names herself, Champion of Jakli." One of the pictures enlarged and showed Morrigan and some of her crew attacking a military outpost.
"Morrigan...." I said as I looked at the pictures. "What.. What is she doing..?"
"Following in her fathers footsteps it seems. She leads an army known as the Illusionists Uprising. She also commands a Leviathan Zealth battle cruiser named the Sorrows Embrace. I think she tried to steal my own flagship name." Blave joking said. However I didn't laugh, I kept focus on the picture of my daughter.
"She is causing quite the stir in the Milky Way. Now because there's only 3 Illusionist sanctuaries, all being owned by Lyss, the Humans blame us for this. This is making the already thin peace we have grow thinner." Oxy stated. "We cannot face the Leviathan fleets. They outnumber us a thousand to one." He also stated.
I nodded "Yes the Leviathans hold the largest fleet in the known two galaxies, I'm aware. So what do you want me to do?" I asked.
"You will head to Earth, gather information, and find your daughter and bring her and her crew back to Ragrinok. We don't want war, and if we bring Morrigan down, then this may lead to thicker lines of peace with the Humans." Oxy stated. "Also, you are now under command of Task Fleet 43, the newest built task fleet. You have a good number of ships under your command, however you will only take two Omega cruisers as escorts to not alert the Humans. You will also have your own cruiser as your flagship."
"Thank you sir, I will command 43 to victory." I thought for a moment. "Wait, my own flagship?" I asked
Blave clicked another button on the remote and a 3D blueprint appeared in the Hologram. "I talked with Sina and your father, along with using my own knowledge of you. To create the perfect ship. I call her a Planet Liberator Cruiser. This ship should do exactly what you ask of it. She is sitting in the docks up in the Orbital shipyard being prepped for this mission. I also was able to get your old crew to man this ship as well."
I looked at the blueprint, the ship was elegant, "Its perfect, thank you Blave." I nodded to him.
"I knew you would like it." He nodded back.
"You will have diplomatic immunity while you are in Leviathan space, this will allow you to conduct your search without the human fleets interfering." Kinhard stated handing me the necessary papers for proof.
"What about the Legion?" I asked.
Oxy waved his paw, "They are not of importance right now, they are on the defensive. Taking Imaryu as swiftly as we did I believe made them understand fear. The Legion home world of Laplialiv has shown no signs of any large offensive undertakings. Besides, we can handle them, you just deal with your Daughter."
I nodded and saluted. "Ill find her and bring her home."
Oxy nodded, "Good. One more thing, if your daughter is under the corruption of Illusion, you know what you must do. Its better if you do it, then anyone else."
"Ill do what is needed my Ancient, I will not the corruption take my little girl." I stated before I walked out.
Leaving the Battle Chamber I made my way outside and to the Orbital Teleporters. Getting inside with a few other soldiers and being teleported to the Orbital Station. Making my way to the shipyard i could see my flagship sitting in dock. The two suns shimmered light across the hull, it was glorious. I made my way to H23 where she was docked. I saw Lucy, my old first mate ordering the crew. I walked over to her.
"Jakli! Its good to see you!" Lucy said happily. "Welcome to your new ship, she, doesn't have a name. So I hope you have a name ready." I looked at the hull and noticed that DD was already painted on the side of the ship. I instantly thought of a name.
"Double Dutcher, The Protector of the Weak as the old Ancient tongue states." I said nodding, liking the name. Lucy wrote down on her pad renaming the ship from Planet Liberator to Double Dutcher. "Done, fitting name. Anyways, the crew is ready to depart on your go Admiral. The captains have been briefed. Captain Sillaatith commands your first Omega cruiser, The Prince, and Captain Zaumthur commands the other, the Dragons Revenge." I nodded, "Alright tell them to get ready to un-dock; we depart in thirty."
I took this time to head to the main cargo hold of my new ship, grabbing the comm on the wall and speaking into it. "Crew of the newly named, Double Dutcher, Report to the Cargo hold, I have something to state. Jakli out."
I made my way over to the second story walkway and stood on the cargo-masters platform. The crew massed around and filled the entire hold in a few minutes. I waited for every to get settled and let the room grow quiet.
"Crew." the room stood at attention and saluted. "At ease. I am glad to be standing before you all again, so many of the Krytas crew being my soldiers again makes me overwhelmingly happy. I personally, welcome you all back, and welcome you to our new home, the DH Double Dutcher. Shes bigger, faster, and packs a larger punch then the Kryta, but I'm more then happy to call her my own. For those of you who are new to my crew. We all stand together, we are brothers and sisters, not rivals. We take the banner of the Hierarchy to victory at all costs. You are my family, and I will leave no one behind. You all can rest easy knowing that the ones around you will protect you from the greatest of dangers. This ship, will protect you, and over all. I will protect you."
"On this mission, we are going on the hunt for my daughter, Morrigan Carsus. She is of my blood, I have no intention of bringing her back here in a casket. Are we clear?" the crew then saluted again and yelled, "Yes. Sir!" I would nod and start pacing back and forth on the platform. "Good, we are heading into human territory, specifically, Earth. Dragons are not welcome on the Human home planet, so expect for some nasty communication, But we will be heading there to gain clues about Morrigan nothing else. Now, go get ready for Cross galaxy travel. It will be a good 26 hours until we reach earth, so get comfy. Dismissed!"
The cargo hold began to clear out as the crew went back to their posts. As I was watching them head back one character stood out from the entire crowd. I focused and noticed it was a hooded figure, though I could not see their face, I could tell it was Laude due to her armor. It stands out like a sore thumb. I climbed down the platform and walked over to her only to notice another hooded figure next to her. I didn't recognize the armor.
"Laude..? What are you doing here?" I asked as i put my hand on her shoulder and turned her around. The ship jolted back and forth a bit as we left dock. This made the other figure wobbled a bit and i was able to see under their hood.
"Oh hey Jakli! Wha-" I interrupted Laude as i recognized the other figure. "Shade...? What in the Ancients are you both doing here?" I asked rather confused.
"You will not believe how small this universe is. You are with Shade? Man, I met Shade years ago on one of my missions. Stowed away on the same ship together. Been in touch since." Laude said seeming still surprised by the news.
"Yeah, I cant believe you are Laudes best friend. Awwh man. Truly a small universe." Shade said as he removed his hood.
"Yeah, great you both know each other, that's all wonderful, but do you mind telling me what the hell you both are doing on my ship?" I said in a rather harsh tone.
"Well Mr. AngryPants, when I got word from Shade about him and you. I immediately rushed over to your apartment so we could talk. Not long after that, I got word from a contact about this mission, heard it was about Morrigan, and figured I would come with. Morrigan and I are great buddies, you know this and seeing you are with Shade here, I asked for him to come with me. Now, we are here." Laude stated.
"You do realize that Shade isn't protected by any military laws like you Laude? You can be here, but Shade, I am glad you wanted to come, but this is a military operation you-" Laude interrupted me.
"Shade... isnt here. That's how smuggling works big butt-munch. If it really comes down to it, he's protected by Phantom Code." Laude stated
"Phantom Code?" Shade asked.
"Phantom Code, Law 43. Any Allied Assets can be protected by Code against the Oxy Military when given by the Phantom themselves. Basically saying, you are good by me, and obviously by Jakli here. Plus he seems to forget that Phantom Code Law 56 protects significant others of Phantoms from Military Laws."
"Phantom Code doesn't work with me as strongly as it did Laude. Even still, Shade isn't a soldier what if-" Laude yet again interrupted me.
"Shade here is not a soldier, you are right, but he knows how to shoot a sniper rifle better then me. Heck hes better with pistols then me. So if the Humans decide to open fire on us, or any pirates or whatever in your hypothetical situation, Shade can handle himself, I bet my life on it." Laude stated.
I stood there as I thought, "Well it seems I cant say anything other then, Fine. Head to my cabin and ill brief you both on the mission once we start leap." I turned and walked away not giving them a chance to say anything. Making my way to the Bridge. Upon entering the Bridge I saw the navigators moving the ship into position. Both of the escorts moved into formation as well.
"Coordinates set Admiral, we are ready to leap on your go." Head Navigator, Razelov stated. I nodded and hit a button on the command console that brought up communications, setting channel to that of our group.
"Prince and Dragons Revenge. Begin your leap and launch once the Dutcher leaves. We will see you at Earth. Fly safe." I stated. Hitting the button again and looking over to Razelov. "Lets get this over with... Launch!" I said.
The ship sprung forward and the space around the ship began to distort. We launched forward in the direction of Earth.
Time to come home my little girl..
Time to come home Morrigan..