Existential Threat: Chapter 10 Part 1 of 1 (Patreon)

Chapter: 10

11/07/2242

Luke ate mindlessly, sitting in the cafeteria again as he watched his screen propped up against his cup.

An older dignified looking man with thinning grey hair stepped out across a stage in a pressed suit with a solemn expression, a voice over talking.

“President Maranos addressed the people of the Federation once again today.”

The president cleared his throat as he stood behind a podium sweeping those infront of him with his eyes.

“I ran on the policy that we should protect this Federation and its people. That we would stand tall against those that would attack us, those that would spread lies and deceit. We have been attacked, attacked by a group of terrorists that wish nothing more than to destroy what we have. That push us towards war. We will hunt them down and make sure that there is nothing left of them to ever harm anyone ever again.

“I undertake this duty and charge the military with destroying this menace through any means possible. These people attack us out of jealousy and out of spite, we must stand united against their threats and their actions. The Federation military has always stood against those who wish to harm its people.”

The video cut to a question.

“What about the involvement of the Sphere World vessels?”

“I and my government have warned everyone about the threat that this group poses since the beginning. We have tried to unseat these tyrants, the independent systems are requesting our assistance. They are pleading with us for protection. We have tried to give it but Administrators Martin, and Lee have twisted their arms with their alliance. They endanger all of us, pushing their AI’s as they don’t have the trust of people. AI’s that are dangerous and have even turned on them before. We have warned people again and again about the threat they remain.” He shook his head sadly.

“This Free Alliance is clearly another ploy on their behalf we are investigating their involvement. We promise that we will not let a single person that has a connection to these attacks go free. The Orion Belt Enterprises have done nothing but lie ever since they came into power with the greedy Coalition and jealous so-called independent systems looking the other way. These groups need to come to understand reality. We will do what we have to, to defend the Federation and those that are oppressed.”

The voice-over started, showing another shot of the president waving and leaving the conference with his military aides.

“The President did not respond to questions on how the Federation were able to beat back the Adraxi infection that ravaged the home system. He didn’t answer questions on protections for freighters moving between their systems. Other factions have issued warnings about shipping goods to the Federation.”

The next video started to play, two men on a call.

“So, the Federation president there, calling out the Orion Belt Enterprises and insinuating that they are connected to this Free Alliance, what do you think Jimmy?”

“Well I think that it is clear that they had to get these ships and weapons from somewhere right?” The man shook his head, the first presenter nodding like he had a good point.

Luke switched off the screen, rolling his eyes.

“Federation propaganda machine in full churn,” Shiro said, eating his breakfast.

Moose grunted.

“Just straight up lying to people, like how they didn’t mention anything about the fact they blew up a station and that there are multiple accusations of piracy against them, like I dunno? That might be the reason that these people are shooting up their freighters?” Jynx shook her head.

“Still doesn’t give them a right to shoot freighters though,” Fin said.

Luke shook his head, it was all so messed up. He’d hung out with Ramirez, chatted with him, laughed with him. This was all so twisted. “I can’t see Ramirez doing this, but like, shit.” He shrugged. When the hell did the world get so twisted like this? He thought of the conversations his parents had gotten into, one party doing this another faction this. Maybe it was always there in the background, a part of the world he didn’t see as a child.

Those were simpler times on the freighter, it just seemed that everything got more complicated, that everything impacted and changed everything else. That he was adrift in a river and as hard as he swam, he couldn’t get away from the pull of it.

“Best part, the Federation are basically boasting that they protect all of the ships that are using the ‘qualified routes’, their gates,” Jynx said.

“Course they’re saying that, they charge everyone to use the gates, double dipping and make more off of the freighters, also it makes it look like the people that are trying to cheat the system are the ones getting hurt, turns the blame onto them instead of the military,” Fin screwed up his face.

“We need to stop this Free Alliance, I don’t have a great love for the Federation anymore. I’m pretty sure some of the crap they’re being accused of is true. Innocent people shouldn’t be paying for the shit the military and those greedy officer fucks pull,” Moose said.

“Not much we can do right now,” Luke grabbed his screen and mug, drinking from the mug and storing the screen.

“Just going on like nothing changed though?” Jynx muttered, moving around the last remains of her breakfast with a spork.

“When shit happens it’ll happen fast. We can’t be on alert all the time, if we did that then when it did kick off we’d be all messed up. The Federation is saying a lot of shit, but they haven’t done anything yet. We’ve been building up and they know it. Also they do have to deal with this Free Alliance. That stuff’s above our paygrade,” Luke checked them over, like the resto f the cafeteria they had sullen looks, and there was a grouchy anger just riding under the surface. Bunch of explosive barrels waiting to pop.

“At least we’re not repairing Sphere World Two today. We’ve got a full training mission, stop worrying about all the crap that’s happening out there and get your head’s switched on. This ain’t going to be easy.” He checked the time. “And we should get going for the net room.”

They grabbed the remains of the breakfast, dumping it and heading towards the net rooms.

“Everyone using the same loadouts?” Luke asked.

“Yeah,” Shiro said, looking back, no one said anything else. “You going to be with us the whole time Fin?”

“I don’t know, things are changing all the time, but we’ve got a lot more people to deal with admin, so should be fine. Could do with blowing some shit up.”

Luke snorted. “Classy as always.”

“Girls love explosions.”

“Can’t say I don’t,” Jynx shrugged with a smile.

“You got any info from Foster on the mission?” Shiro asked.

“I know that we’re expected to defend a planet.” Luke shrugged.

“Five days mission time right?” Moose said.

“Yup, so from Monday today till end of Friday,” Luke said.

“I kind of love the new sim, we have the planet so we can use the building facilities but the fleet above are loaded with gear and need to do gear runs through the lagrange to resupply their attacking forces on the ground. Just like in the real,” Fin said.

“Of course you would love anything that deals with supplies and gear,” Jynx butted his shoulder.

“Battlestations battlestations! This is not a drill. All Legion members report to battle stations!” Sally yelled through the station. Luke checked over his shoulder, the rest of the squad following as the food court drained of people heading for the nearest net-room. “Unknown Sphere World fleet detected in Ilsun system. Battlestations, battlesations!”

Dammit, had to be inside a system we’re not allied with.

“Looks like training is going to be postponed,” Moose said.

“Why would Ramirez attack an independent system?” Jynx asked.

“Find out soon enough,” Luke pulled out his screen, slapping it against the security gates.