Starspeaker IC (Closed for silvertongue217)

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera sat in the new office she shared with Jase. It wad only early in the morning yet she was tired enough that it felt like evening. When Jase came in and started rubbing her shoulders she groaned, leaning back into his touch

"Mmmm.... That's nice." She pushed her data pad away and let her eyes flutter shut under his talented ministrations. "Just reading and finalizing some be tactical and weaponry policies. I must say though, I'm glad this day has arrived. I'm not happy about going to war, obviously, but it is good to finally be making a move. I often find that the anticipation is so much harder than actually doing something."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Well to be fair we have been sitting still in one place for far to long" Jase reminded her rubbing her shoulders expertly as she put the data pad down and relaxed "We were both used to going going going in the Falcon" He reminded her leaning down to kiss the top of her head.

"Now were moving with a purpose A way forward even if were still stuck in the ship" He told her smirking a little at that "Though I have a feeling once we get there and take back the asteroid field we will have our own issues to deal with wrangling every one together? And the rebels it isnt an easy task and even with both of us standing firm there will be sure to be.... some compromises"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

"You're right, of course," Vera sighed, pushing back in her seat and pivoting it to face Jase. She straightened in her chair and then leaned forward, pressing her head against his chest as she took a deep breath.

"I don't look forward to dealing with the Rebels once we have helped them out of their belt, but we will push forward, we have no other choice." Vera said, looking up at him and smiling. The babies squirmed within her and she laughed. "These twins of yours are becoming more and more active, Jase. I have a feeling they will give this was a run for its money."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Ha" Jase said reaching out to touch her belly and rub it up and down "We better win this war before they come out then because I cant imagine dealing with three enemy forces" He said his eyes alight with pleasure and mirth.

He leaned down kissing her belly and then going over to the holo console and waving his hands. The tactical plans and read out of the asteroid came up along with the latest intel of the hives troops deployments.

"We have no idea what their weaponry is like" Jase murmured shaking his head "They could cut us clean through..... At the very least we need to be prepared to deal with them trying to board us and set up some kind of bio hazard response team" He said glancing at her and frowning.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera leaned back in her chair as Jase moved over to the holo console. She watched as he pulled up the asteroid belt and suspected troop movement.

"Starspeaker has already given us a good idea of what they might do, we just have to hope they haven't advanced too much since their last invasion. And a medical response team is perfect. I will send out an order to have one set up on every ship in the fleet."

Vera got to her feet with a groan, her normal ease of movement offset by the change in her center of gravity. She walked over to Jase and stood with him, shoulder to shoulder.

"And what is the latest from their main force?" Vera reached out, opening up the hill menu to bring up the latest Intel from the scouting forces. A picture of the hive mother ship appeared, it was at the edge of a galaxy, slowly but surely crawling towards one of the fringe planets that had just been evacuated. Vera let out a heavy sigh, knowing that they probably wouldn't be able to save it in time.

 

[silvertongue217]

"You means besides the forces in the asteroid?" Jase said watching as she brought the intel up "As you can see there beginning their advancement the only thing we have working for us is that there fleets slow very slow as a matter of fact"

He highlighted them showing off the latest intel reports "Even with that though we estimate were only going to be able to get 85 percent of the population off the planet I deployed the second fleet to try and stall them with hit and run tactics but they cant fully engage the fleet"

"All we can do is push them as much as we can and hope its enough to stall them and get the colony cleared out" Jase told her holding her hand "We have to take back the asteroid belt before we do any thing... its just to close way to close to every thing else and the core worlds"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

The fact that they were unable to evacuate more than 85% of the population did not sit well with Vera. She swiped her hand through the hologram, clearing it with a frown as she brought up a detailed list of their ship movements. PEACe were, as Jase had said, completely tied up at that point. Vera then brought up the estimates on the Rebel and Coalition ships.

"I think it is time to call in on those treaties I spent far too long writing," Vera said. She used the swipe pad to send a few orders through to the fleet commander. "We all need to work together, so we will get the other groups to jump on the wagon too."

Once the orders were sent through Vera turned to Jase.

"So, you did well at the release this morning," she said, reaching out and placing a hand on his chest.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Did I?" Jase asked studying the holo map as she placed a hand on his chest. He brought it up lightly kissing the digits before smiling at her.

"I dont know about all that but at least every one seems committed and ready to go" He said to her smiling softly "If there wasn't so much on the line I would be damn impressed and happy to be leading such a huge fleet into battle"

"We should be hearing from Avery soon as well" Jase said to her leaning in to lightly kiss her lips "and how her first recruitment drive went" He said kissing the top of her head before going back to his desk and working on paperwork.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Avery Watersmith

Avery's first mission close to the mothership and a rather easy one in comparison to the rest of the dossier Jase had put together.

Kino Agar. A member of the Laraxis people. Jase and the intel crew on the mothership had tracked him down to a planet only one system away from the dry dock. He was a universe-renowned fauna smuggler. He took on high paying jobs for royalty in every star system. Normally he is the type of person that one would not want anywhere near a job like Princess Arelian's. But thankfully, Agar was not your typical fauna smuggler. He was one with a conscience. Even though he bypassed numerous quarantine laws and PEACe/planetary reporting procedures, he ensured that every creature he moved had a safe place awaiting it, and people who could actually care for it. According to the personal description Jase had provided; he is more interested in sharing the wonder of the universe than the money.

The Falcon pushed into the atmosphere of Terra Dilak with a shudder. Fiddles let out a low chuckle, a lover of the turbulence that normally made other people quake with fear. Avery wasn't concerned though, she was used to the flying, and she trusted the woman more than almost every other pilot in the universe (Jase included, Avery still found him a touch too reckless). Fiddles guided the Falcon lovingly to the nearest spaceship capable dock. She had mentioned on a number of occasions how much she loved the ship. Avery highly doubted Jase would get his beloved ship back with the way that Fiddles was talking. Fiddles was already concocting a plan to fly off with it after the mission and never be seen again.

While Fiddles was spooling down the ship she made her way to Jase's old room. She had reluctantly taken it over as there were only two rooms on board. She felt a bit odd being in there, but she had no doubt that it would soon feel a little bit like home. She suited herself up, using plain unbranded armor rather than PEACe gear, and made her way out to the ramp. Fiddles joined her a few minutes later, also forgoing the PEACe gear, but looking badass nonetheless.

~*~

The bar was horrible. A total den of iniquity. From the way Jase had spoken so fondly of Agar, she had a rose-coloured view of him. That view was quickly tainted when she saw the places he liked to hang out. There were females and males of every species writing about, half naked and looking lust-crazed. Avery and Fiddles had shared looks of apprehension as they entered, both feeling overdressed for the situation.

Luckily for the two women, there were very few of Kino Agar's species around. The few that were there stood out like sore thumbs. The Laraxis were a tall bunch, their vibrant red skin smooth and good at adapting to many climates. They had long, black, curved horns and slender muscular tails continuing out from their tailbone. Agar had the typical black hair of his species, but according to the dossier his eyes were entirely white. A spontaneous genetic mutation, one that saw him shunned by most of his own kind.

So even though three of the six Laraxis in the club were male, there was only one with all white eyes. When she spotted him, Avery gestured for Fiddles to hang back. Avery advanced through the crowd slowly, trying to keep in the sway of the music and press through the thick forest of damp bodies. As she approached Agar she could see him dancing with several people from different species. Tall, short, humanoid and tentacled, they seemed to be having a good time. Avery was tempted to go in there, grab him by the tail, and drag him out, but she knew that wouldn't go down well. So she slid over, insinuated herself into the group seemlessly, and waited for the Laraxis to notice her standing between a Kurigan male and a Hepcat hermaphrodite.

 

[silvertongue217]

Kino was more than a little blitzed out

Even so he could tell the pretty girl who joined the throng was not just a regular party goer. She was to.... well to serious for one.

Plus body armor was a bit to much for this kind of setting

He danced for a few more minutes (because hell he liked to dance) before he finally moved away from the crowd. He nodded at her and then moved going into the shadows and the more private tables.

He slid down "Two drinks please" He said to the AI at the table before he leaned back.

"You going to join me? Miss?" He asked not glancing up figuring she had followed him.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

It took a while for the Laraxis to notice her. Avery saw him sliding out of the crowd, his red skin contrasting with the other less vibrant tones around him. He looked back at Avery, nodding at her, and she knew she was good to follow. When they got to the table he asked if she was going to join them. She noticed him taking in the abundance of clothes she was wearing and nodded, sliding into the seat.

"As you can probably tell I have come here with a business proposal," she said softly, barely enough for her voice to be heard over the music, but she knew Laraxis people had better than average hearing. "I've been sent by Jase Crestfield."

Jase had worked with this guy a few times, according to the dossier, and it had always gone well. She hoped dropping Jase's name might help.

 

[silvertongue217]

"You mean the fucker general?" Kino asked taking the dossier and snorting "Whats he want with a lowly alien like me now thats he general of PEACe" He asked flicking open the document and reading it. He scanned it quickly his playful and joking demeanor quickly leaving as his eyes widened.

"Are you serious" Kino asked glancing "Fuck dont tell me" He told her rising up and grabbing the dossier.

"This isnt some thing that can be talked about in a bar" He told her moving "Your ship or mine?" He asked her his horns quivering with excitement.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Avery watched the expressions on Kino's face closely, she heard what he said but could see the amusement between his eyes. Jase had said they were close at one stage, and she certainly believed him now.

"I have the Falcon, we can talk there," Avery said as she got to her feet. She gestured for Kino to follow her. She signalled to Fiddles on the way out, and the pilot tailed them back to the ship.

~*~

Avery waited until they were settled in the rec room of the ship.

"What are your thoughts?" She asked, knowing that Kino had spyed the information in the dossier.

 

[silvertongue217]

"My thoughts are you need a military team not a smuggler" Kino said his horns bobbing as he stepped inside.

He glanced around the ship smiling at it as old memories flashed before his eyes. He then turned looking at her seriously for several minutes.

"Its one of the best kept secrets of the galaxy" He told her taking the file once more "The planet.... the eggs on the planet.... I cant tell you how hard this secrets been protected how important this is for the species.... I am nothing more than a smuggler I mean sure im a good shot and I can get any thing any where but.... What do you want me for? Surely this needs a special op team of some sort?"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

"You're the first person I have set out to recruit," Avery admitted, watching Kino with interest as he tried to figure out the point of the mission. "If we wanted a special ops team we would put one in. We know that we would get a group of well trained PEACe fighters and spies who can follow orders. What we need is so much more. We need people who might care about the mission, not just do it because of order. We need people with a broad range of experience, who can think on their feet, who aren't afraid to breach a few protocol to ensure the safety of the planet-" Avery gave the male a wry grin, "Though that is strictly off the record."

Avery say back in her seat, and reached over to a small bar fridge. She retrieved two bottles of beer and pulled them out, offering one to Kino as she took one for herself.

"What will it cost to persuade you?" Avery asked then, eyebrows rising.

 

[silvertongue217]

Kino took the beer and tossed and turned it in his hand for several seconds before sighing.

"I will do it" Kino told her finally cracking it open "I want my record cleaned though and my usual fee"

"I figure this is going to be an extensive long term mission" Kino remarked drinking the beer slowly "Where are we going to be based at? And who else is on the list of recruits?" He asked raising an eyebrow "There are certain people in the..... well the underground I wont work with and who wont work with me"

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Avery Watersmith

Kino asked for far less than Avery had anticipated. In that moment she decided that she liked the smuggler. He could have asked for a whole world if he wanted to, but he stuck with his normal fee and a clear record despite accurately predicting that this mission could last a long, long time.

"We'll worry about that when the time arrives," Avery said. She had already been prepared for this eventuality. Apart from being the closet to the mothership, Kino was also the first priority on her list of recruits. If the others refused to work with him then she would have to let them go.

"Now, how about we give the General the good news? I'm sure he's eager to hear you're on board with the mission."

Avery reached over to a data pad on the table and flicked over to the holo call. She waited for it to patch through before a rendering of Jase and Vera in their new shared office appeared between her and Kino.

"General, Chancellor, I'm here with Kino now," She said with a respectful nod.

 

[silvertongue217]

ON THE MOTHERSHIP

"We got a call coming in from Avery General" Samantha said appearing and walking over to the holo table.

"So soon" Jase murmured moving up and nodding at Vera "Lets see how your girls doing" He said moving over to the holo table.

It warmed up rendering both Kino and Avery. Jase could not help but smile at the sight of Kino sitting there and back on the Falcon.

"Jase you son of a bitch" Kino remarked leaning in and grinning "So you go straight and now expect me to? Thats some shit"

"You were always the straightest fucking smuggler out there" Jase reminded him snorting "I'm just giving you a job" He reminded him as Kino laughed.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Avery Watersmith

Avery's lips quirked up in an amused smile at the obvious camaraderie between Jase and Kino. She let the two have their bromance before she cleared her throat.

"Fiddles has told me that the next possible recruit is a good distance away. I don't expect that I will be able to give you an update for another few days," Avery announced. She knew that Boomer would be able to access these transmissions and she had developed a code of language with him before she left. Technically she would be able to report back to the crew in around twenty-four hours, but she didn't really trust Kino enough yet to let him know what her true reporting schedule was.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Thats okay" Jase replied turning to check some reports and readings "Were going to be busy the next couple of days any ways with the asteroid attack report in when you can and good luck" He told her nodding and cutting the transmission.

"Good luck to us as well" Jase remarked rising up and sighing "Were going to be in the thick of it sooner rather than later darling" He told her leaning in to kiss her hair.

"We should go rest up tomorrow is the war council meeting" He said taking her hand and helping her rise.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera took Jase's hand and allowed him to help her up, groaning as he did. Her back was sore and she was tired from the huge day. The idea of resting was alluring. She smiled at him as they walked out of their new office and towards their quarters.

"The builders who did our office will need to start on our quarters soon. We should enjoy the last few nights in our room before we give it up for a while."

 

[silvertongue217]

"We wont be moving far" He reminded her walking and holding her hand "It was nice of Boomer to offer their qaurters for the time being though honestly I think we did him a favor poor boy hasnt liked sleeping there since Avery left"

He led her into their suite and turned keying in the security lock.

"Suite sealed" Samantha said appearing by the lamp "Were secure"

"good" Jase said sighing and rubbing the back of his neck "Hows the test going?"

"See for yourself" Samantha said smirking and reaching out to pluck the lamp into her hands "Hard light hologram in this room is successful"

"Now comes the fun part" He remarked going over to the bar and pouring himself a stiff drink "I would offer but" He said winking at her belly and moving to the couch "I can however offer a foot massage" He told her plopping down.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera smiled as she watched Samantha picked up the lamp.

"Jase, you have been one busy man," Vera said. The foot rub sounded divine, but Samantha walked over to her and Vera stayed put

"Finlay," Samantha whispered, barely louder than a breath as she stepped in front of Vera and her hard light hand reached out. "May I?" She asked, pausing an inch away from Vera's belly, emotion bubbling in her eyes.

"Of course," Vera replied, taking the AI's hand in her own and pressing it against her swollen abdomen. "They are your grandchildren." Vera added through the mind link, for Sam's benefit only. Her eyes flicked to Jase and Sam's hand tensed. "Don't worry, I said I would keep your secret. Though I do wish you would tell him. He has taken all of my secrets in stride, I know he would do the same for yours."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Well when you got the time you got the time right?" Jase teased rubbing her feet and stroking his hands up and down her soles and her ankle.

Samantha rubbed her belly for a few minutes specifically ignoring her words about revealing where she came from. Finally she stepped back a small smile on her face at having been able to touch the babies.

"Well then isnt that exciting" She said her voice thick with emotions.

"You okay Samantha?" Jase asked glancing up and frowning.

"I will be" Samantha said smiling at him "I have a few more things to take care of I shall leave you two for the night" He said disappearing with a wink.

"How are you and the babies feeling?" He asked reaching out to stroke her belly.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Vera rolled her eyes as Sam pointedly ignored her words but continued to stroke her belly. Still it was nice, and her annoyance was soon pushed away as Jase's hands took to massaging her feet. Vera groaned in appreciation and sat back in her seat, allowing the feeling of relaxation to wash over her.

Vera could hear concern in Jase's voice as he asked if Sam was alright, but soon the AI was gone, hard light form blinking out of existence, and he leaned forward to stroke her belly. She smiled over at him, resting her head against the back of the lounge.

"They are moving around a lot more now," she said, looking down to where his hand was fondly. "It is all still flutters and twirls, but it is nice to know they're in there. Before I knew I was pregnant, but other than the bump there was no evidence. Now? Well, they are real growing little people inside there. It is amazing." There was a level of awe in Vera's voice that was entirely new. One brought about by her newfound appreciation of just what a wonder the twins really were.