Starspeaker IC (Closed for silvertongue217)

[silvertongue217]

"I heard" Came Jase's instant reply and she felt him moving to go to her office and meet her.

"Quite a task she has given us" He continued "No ones been on the planet that isnt a member of her species they have had to fight several attempted take over by both PEACe and the other members of the coalition"

"Not only did she ask us for help" Samantha said appearing next to both of them at the same time "she also sent us an encrypted data packet containing the secrets of their birthing process and what they need in the new planet"

"The problem is were do we put them? Behind the front lines surely but most of the core planets have already been colonized, every planet that fits their ideal is taken for the most part I dont see how we are going to do it without moving some one and stepping on some toes" Jase thought stepping into her office and waiting.

"And thats not even counting moving their entire eggs population and the caretakers" Jase reminded them both accessing the data and muling it over.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera listened to Jase's musings, humming along in agreement. She loved that he was already on top of it, thinking it through and analysing the situation. By the time he finished speaking she had an idea.

"Jase, what if we don't move it? I don't even want to imagine the possible trauma it could cause to the developing babies. The move alone would be epic, and that is not considering how hard it will be to find somewhere safe and discreet to move them to. Do you think we could find some way to lure Hive away? Draw them onto another path? There are other uninhabited planets not far from there, and with the added resources of the Rebellion we may just be able to trick them..."

 

[silvertongue217]

Jase hummed in thought flicking through the data they had received before sighing.

"The problem is even if we divert them they can still end up by the planet or close to it" Jase said turning and smiling as she came in.

"Lets say we divert them" Jase remarked rising up "And then we leave they could come back and we wouldnt be able to do any thing but rush back as fast as we can... we can leave a crew there or a division but they will get over whelmed easily without the full might"

"It would be easier given that the move and even finding a suitable planet are going to be next to impossible but we dont have enough manpower to leave a division behind to watch over them not only that but the Queen wants this on the downlow still she basically wants the old smuggler in me" He said with a chuckle coming over and taking her hands.

"I missed you by the way" He said leaning in and kissing her deeply.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera broke the kiss and chuckled at his comment, unable to help herself.

"We've been apart an hour and a half," She said before pressing a soft kiss against his lips. "Though I suppose even that is too long."

Vera looked down at the data pad Jase had been using it. She flicked through the documents with a heavy sigh, zeroing in on the number of developing offspring on the planet. They were listed by stage of development, but even so the numbers were staggering.

"I know she wants our discretion, and I want to give it to her, but moving this many with appropriate life support systems is anything but discrete. I have a feeling it may just draw Hive closer."

Vera's eyes scanned the long list of planetary requirements that Arellian's kind would need and shook her head. There was a reason that they only had them on one planet; it was one of the only ones of it's kind in their part of the universe. It was fertile, clean, had a perfect climate range, and no large or threatening predators. It was also devoid of humanoid life and the usual plethora of technology that came with it. Arellian's information did say that they had a number of generators to provide power to the caretakers and emergency systems, but nothing of any real substance. Uninhabited, so far are PEACe guidelines would define it.

Uninhabited.

That gave Vera an idea.

"Sam, can you please get Starspeaker to meet me here instead of my office?" She asked.

"Sure," Sam said.

"Jase, it seems Hive like uninhabited planets,' she pulled up a list of the planetary bodies that they had already cannibalized for power or taken over, and sure enough they were focusing on ones with intelligent life and technological presence. "If Starspeaker can confirm this, perhaps we can convince Princess Arellian to consider a technological black out, and we can find some way to disguise the vitals of the planet's inhabitants. Then we may only need to move those that are closer to full term and giving off stronger life signs."

 

[silvertongue217]

"That could work" Jase said stroking his chin as they all waited for Star Speaker to come in "I mean it fits there MO and I doubt there interested in empty planets when there are so many they can infest and assimilate"

"Still it would be a big gamble" Jase told her looking over at her "What if were wrong? Or they send a scout ship? What if they go there any ways.... We wouldn't be able to go back in time to help them"

"I think if were going to do it were going to have to at least put some thing of a force there" Jase remarked furrowing his brows and leaning in to study the planet "Not conventional forces no the best of the best maybe from all species people who can keep the planet safe and hold off an alien invasion long enough for us to get in there"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

"That would be good, but we would need to keep them off planet when Hive is near to prevent detection. And we would also need to keep the ship cloaked. We could keep the main team there and have a small secondary force a quick jump away from back up. One good thing is that, we know cannibalising a planet takes them a bit of time. Enough for the smaller back up to arrive, which they wont be expecting," Vera said, considering Jase's plan. "Though I think we need to leave it to the Princess to determine the breadth of the specialised task force; she did want to keep it under wraps.

When Vera finished speaking Starspeaker entered the office. She and Jase filled him in on the situation and he was reasonably confident hag their plan would be sufficient. There were no guarantees, he said, but in life there rarely were. They hashed out more of a plan, and also discussed their main attack for a while, Starspeaker being extremely insightful through it all. When he left Vera thanked him and walked him to the door. She then walked back and sat on Jase's desk. She leaned over, pressing a lingering kiss against his lips.

"I should probably go and consult with the princess..." She sighed, her eyes raking over him appreciatively.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Oh should you?" Jase said smirking in pleasure and doing his own share of eye fucking. He moved in grabbing her by her hips and pulling her so their bodies were wrapped together.

"But I have some thing so much more fun" Jase teased leaning in to bite her lower lips before reluctantly moving apart.

"And I should probably join you any ways" Jase remarked rubbing the back of his neck as Starspeaker tried his best to look busy "We have to explain to her the need to bring at least a select people in on it and also why we wont be moving them"

"I know the princess better than most and can show her the solidity of the plan" Jase said shrugging and threading their arms together "At the very least I would like to see her"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera's body screamed for her husband's, but she knew they had work to do. She sighed, accepting his arm and nodding in agreement.

"Sam can you please-" Vera begun.

"Already done!" Sam piped up appearing beside the, "She is on her way back to the meeting room you used earlier."

"Great, thanks," said Vera with a smile, marvelling at the fact that Sam had turned from one of her most ardent dislikers into one of the most important people in her life. It was probably because she was carrying her grandchildren.

"Sam," Vera thought as she and Jase walked, knowing only Sam would hear it. "Are you going to tell Jase who you really are?"

 

[silvertongue217]

"I thought we already talked about that" Sam said her voice tight with concern "I dont want him knowing"

She sighed appearing besides her and shaking her head "To much is going on right now to add that to whats on his plate I dont like that you even know it its to much of a secret to carry"

"Sam you okay?" Jase asked as they made their way into the conference room "your being quite today"

"Just busy making sure every thing is running at peak efficiency" Sam replied opening the link for Jase to join "Shes on her way luckily she is staying onboard the ship for the duration of the retrofitting"

"Excellent" Jase said sitting down and nodding at Vera to join him "which means you have time to relax and sit for a while" He told her his voice clearly pleased.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

"Oh, come on Sam. I am a professional secret keeper. You needn't worry about me," Vera thought directly to the AI, ignoring she fact she had shut down the conversation. "I just think that Jase would be so happy to know who you were, to have your guidance when the babies come. If I didn't know... Honestly, I think I would be terrified. Just consider it, please."

Vera sunk into a seat, laughing at the grin on Jase's face.

"I've been in meetings most of the day," she said gently, "I have been getting plenty of rest time... Though some lunch would be good."

"On it.." Sam replied, voice ever so slightly clipped.

Vera reached for Jase's hand, pulling him over and down into the seat next to him. She felt another bubble and pop low in her stomach, and pulled his hand onto it.

"You won't be able to feel it, I barely can, but they're moving again," she said, stilling her body and closing her eyes, concentrating on the fleeting flutter.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Oh are they?" Jase asked head turning eyes widening at her words "Seems so hard to believe that on top of every thing else that your breeding two babies in there"

"I dont know how you have the strength" Jase said shaking his head "Your the strongest person I know"

Before he could say any thing more the door opened, an attendant came in carrying two trays of food for both of them. He set them down and after saluting and the usual traditions made his leave.

"Eat" Samantha said appearing her eyes flickering as she managed and kept on top of every thing going on in the ship "The princess said she will be here in an hour so you have time"

"Thank you Samantha" Jase said nodding at her as he began to eat "Hows the ship"

"Getting there slowly however" Sam said frowning "Nothing we can do about it though there simply isnt enough time"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Jase's words touched Vera deeply, in her state of near constant exhaustion they were a great bolster to her. She smiled gratefully at him, and sat up a little straighter in her seat as the attendant brought in their food. She started eating as Jase was talking to Sam.

"There is only so much time in this universe," she said with a heavy sigh, "And you two are making the best you possibly can of it. This war will come, whether we are ready or not. We just have to try our best to meet it and not to lose ourselves in the process."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Bah its a crap shoot of a time" Jase said shaking his head and sighing "but there isnt much we can do"

"The best I can do is nintey percent of the repairs" Sam said her eyes flashing with data "the rest will have to be done as we travel lets just hope we can get them done in time"

"Its going to make it a headache a repair fleet from the company is going to have to travel with us" Jase remarked finishing his food "that means if we get attacked in surprise we have to protect them as well"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

"It is hard having to protect the extra fleet, but I feel better having them there. Maybe we can keep them a galaxy jump behind us if Hive are near by. They can jump in and out as needed," Vera supplied. "I think the first real test will be the asteroid belt recovery. Once we get the treaty done for the Rebels, we will see how they can help us. Do you think they will stick to what we agreed Jase?" Vera asked. He knew them infinitely better than she did.

 

[silvertongue217]

"I think were going to have their numbers but not their help" Jase said shrugging "I know them I know they dont like PEACe and never wi;; their ships and guns I am sure we will have but them as an actual fighting force and with us? No I doubt it"

"I do like your idea about the repair fleet" Jase said leaning in "what do you think Samantha"

"They would be out of harms way" Samantha said shrugging "however it will be at cost to us to keep them so close"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

"I think some costs are worth it," Vera said, "We need them close enough to help out if needed, but not so close they risk themselves in whatever skirmish we're engaged in."

Vera finished up her food and pushed her tray back gently. She went over and grabbed a data pad from a shelf in the wall and then sat back down. She logged in and pulled up the treaty Sam had been working on. Her attention was only half hearted though, her eyes flicking to Jase while he finished eating, her gaze appreciative and just a little aroused.

 

[silvertongue217]

"patience" Jase told her smirking as he saw her look "Soon"

Before they could say any thing more the princess came in smiling at them both "jase how wonderful to see you"

"The pleasure is mine princess" Jase said leaning in to kiss both of her cheeks before gesturing for her to sit "If you sit we have a proposal for the mission you gave us"

The princess nodded and sat down her wings tucking in as she regarded them both.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera explained their proposal to the princess, to shield the planet from Hive and to try to reroute them where possible. She explained the information Starspeaker had given her as well as their alternatives. It really was the best option, she said, and they would really appreciate her input on who shr thought would protect her hatchlings.

"The biggest problem is that there is no other suitable uninhabited planet, but I am sure you know that. The conditions are specific, and the move itself would have huge risks. It is up to you in the end, but this is the best option that Jase and I can come up with," Vera explained, watching the princess for her reaction.

 

[silvertongue217]

The princess sighed leaning back and regarding them both "I feared as much as well"

"Princess if I may" Jase said leaning in "No one cares more about preservation of races than us we dont like it either but.... the situation is just not leading to many other options"

"But what if they turn around or go to the planet?" The princess asked "I mean what if there is an infected member of any of our species or mine who knows about the planet and gives it to the Hive?"

"We thought about all of that" Jase said nodding at Vera "we are going to place a team there off planet hidden the best of the best that way they can hold off the invasion if any thing happens"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

"Like I said, at this stage Hive are interested only in inhabited, technologically advanced planets. It's what they need to power their ships. Once our fleet is at war with them, they will look to your breeding planet as a wild, uninhabited zone. If we cut the power there with an EMP based on Hive's proximity, they will never know it has been inhabited at all. We will keep our team near by, on a moon, monitoring the planet around the clock. They will head in and distract Hive if they return, and they will send for us, "Vera recited the plan again. "I know you want them moved, but we have nowhere to move them, and an operation of that magnitude.... half the universe would notice it. I wouldn't want to do it half hearted- the transfer would take ships equipped to the teeth with state of the art medical and environmental equipment, ships that we do not have nearly enough of at this stage. There are risks either way princess, and ultimately it is up to you, but even if we do move them that alone could cause trauma to the hatchlings."

The princess sighed, leaning back, looking between Vera and Jase.

"And you think we can find a good crew to leave behind? One we can trust to keep the planet safe? Keep their mouths shut?"

"We don't really need to tell them what is on the planet, only that they need to protect it," Vera said.

"And General, this is your preferrred plan?" the Princess asked, turning to Jase. She made no apologies for her preference of him, and Vera didn't blame her. She had years of trust with Jase.

 

[silvertongue217]

Jase sighed nodding at Vera "I agree with my wife as much as I wish there was another option"

Jase took her hand "as parents or soon to be ones we understand wanting to get them out of the front line I wish there was a way to but Vera is right and you know it to they simply cant be moved at least not off planet"

"My plan however is to gather them all in one city" Jase said nodding at the Princess "I will with the help of the empress and you personally pick the very best people to watch over them if any thing happens or there is any contact the team will run interference until we get back there"

"Its the best we can do" Jase said locking eyes with her "But we will make sure they are safe that much I swear to you"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

The Princess' shoulders fell. Whether in relief or defeat, Vera couldn't tell.

"I trust you both," the Princess said with a nod, her wings fluttering behind her as she rose. "Please let me know if you require any assistance from me. Myself and my representatives are at your disposal. I truly appreciate your assistance."

Vera rose then too, reaching out and grasping the Princess' hands in her own.

"We will do our absolute best, you have my word."

 

[silvertongue217]

"I know you will" The Princess said smiling "regardless of our past I know from one mother to another you will do every thing within your power"

The Princess nodded at them both before glancing at Vera and biting her lower lip "It may interest you to know that our species can take genetic material from any species and use it to create our eggs"

She cleared her throat a faint blush creeping onto her cheek "Jase while you are not parent in the sense of your earthlings you might want to know that you have been used as a donor many times" She said her wings flittering.

"Not to drive any wedge between you two but it was some thing I was never able to share with you given our birthing secrets" The Princess replied moving to the door "however I wanted you to know that you have a personal stake in it albiet a very vague one please do not let it cause you any sort of strife"

She left the room letting the awkward silence hang, Jase simply starred at the door his eyes bugged out and his breath uneven as he struggled to process the news.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera's mouth dropped open, all pretenses of political mask gone. She watched as the princess floated out, those last words reverberating through her mind. Her heart pounded against her rib cage painfully, blood roaring through her ears.

Vera reached out, holding onto the table as she sat down, struggling to process it all. They had used Jase's DNA to create some hatchlings? Had he known about this? She looked over at him, watching as he struggled to comprehend it all. No, she didn't think he knew at all. She reached out, hand grasping his, squeezing it, as a million emotions fought a war inside her.

 

[silvertongue217]

Jase shook his head his mouth working up and down as he tried to literally digest the information. It would seem fatherhood was hitting him from all sides, he thought snorting at the entire situation.

"I mean its not like they are my kids" Jase finally said sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose "So strange" he murmured shaking his head and glancing at her.

"I wouldnt let it bother you" Jase said coming over to her and gently bringing her into his arms "I mean its strange but then again were strange" He said chuckling and leaning down to kiss and nibble on her neck.