The Stray Sheep

[Noraim]

--- Planet Los Angeles
--- California System
--- [Ambience]

The shades on the appartment windows slided up slowly, revealing the cityscape view.

Jason lay on the couch in contemplation, bathing in the dim light flooding the room from the city's nightlife.



A woman came by, barely dressed, gently wrapping her arms around him from behind the couch and whispering after a kiss on the cheek "We really ought to do this more often..".

Before the man could reply, a bleep on the nearby console signaled an incoming transmission. The girl behind Jason sighed lightly "Do you really have to get that ?"

"That's a private line. Whenever it sings, I move." he replied as he watched her get up and slowly walk out of the room with a smirk.

Jason leaned to tap on the console and pick up before lying back as he was, puffing a smoke from his cigarette while the live feed came about. "Commander. How can I help ?" he spoke, adopting a professional tone despite his unwinding posture.



Liara came up on the screen "Hello Jason. Good to se-.." she then paused suddently as she noticed the atmosphere in there and the girl departing. "Ahem-..am I interrupting ?"

"Ofcourse not. What was it you were saying ?"

"Hai. I need you to be on the lookout for agent Stone. She's listed as departed from our ranks on medical reasons. Ofcourse, we know better. Reports mention her being spotted not so long ago around your area, supposedly with Legionairs."

Jason seemed unimpressed despite exhibiting curiosity "Hellfire Legion ? Official reports barely mention them anymore. I was unaware they were still active even.."

"They may not be, not the original Legion that is. No further info on the manner and extent regarding Stone's entanglement with them, and as such, you're to be extremely cautious on your approach. We wouldn't want to risk bringing her back in more than one piece."

The man nodded as he got up after extinguishing the cigarette and leaving the glass on the coffee table before him "Understood Commander. I'll get to it now and further any relevant info to you."

Liara smiled and bowed her head lightly "Much appreciated. Any additional intel on this was transfered to your datapad when this conversation commenced. We shall speak again. Sayonara."

They both saluted right before the transmission ended.

[Noraim]

--- Omicron Zeta System
--- Amunet Forward Bridge

The Amunet kept watch of the surrounding space within orbit of Zeta's golden sun, directly outside the edge of the Yap Nebula.
Inside, Liara rested upon her chair on the bridge in quiet contemplation, completely detached of her surroundings as the other agents carried out their tasks.

Monitorization was in full scale, transmissions being received and forwarded to and from the nearby Phoenix Spaceport and Meskhenet Outpost.

The woman turned her gaze outside, staring at the sun's radiating yellow hue for a few brief moments before adressing the comm Agent. "Adam, bring up Agent Morigan on screen." she passed the order before turning towards the terminal.

"Aye aye commander. Commencing transmission." - The screen exits stand-by and displays the video feed.

On screen, Agent Morigan salutes accordingly, Liara bowing her head in reply "What've you got so far Jason ?" she inquired.

"Not looking good commander. I've kept eyes on Liberty and surrounding systems but if I were to guess, I'd say our Agent is no longer here."

Liara naturally assumed the worst, her expression make it visibly so "Are you saying we lost her for good ?"

The man shook his head in denial "Negative. It's rumored that the group that had her held up previously has now gone under for whatever reasons. However, I've caught wind of sightings of our friend somewhere else. She might have taken refuge within Kusari."

She seemed both relieved by the news yet slightly concerned at the same time, her words cut short by a second incoming transmission. The comm Agent turns towards Grey "Commander, we have a priority transmission inbound from Outpost Ryuku. It's Lord Hashirama, ma'am." the man reports and then brings up the transmission on another screen.

With slight interest she turns towards the terminal once more after motioning for Jason to hold his thought as the elder Dragon comes online on video-feed.

Liara stood up and bowed graciously before him "Father, to what do I owe the pleasure ?" she inquired with a soft tone accustomed to adressing her parent.

The man replies in kind with a gentle bow of his head "Greetings dear. The reason why I've come to bother you is a matter you might wish to look into. Several days ago, a squad of our people stumbled upon what seemed to be a friend of yours, seeking sanctuary. The person in question is one Aelita Stone, I believe she called herself. We are currently housing her within Kyoto, though she seemed rather restless. She repeatedly requested that she be brought to you due to matters of importance she couldn't stress enough, as she said."

Liara stared at the terminal, a mere nod came in reply as she shifted her gaze to the other screen "Make best possible speed to Chugoku, Jason. Pick her up and we'll rendezvous in Tohoku. Time to bring our Agent back home again."

Jason began pushing the coordinates on the console as his ship powered the engines "Acknowledged, I'm on my way." he replied before his transmission cut off.

She then turns to Hashirama once more as the man assisted at the previous conversation "I will ensure your Agent has clearance to approach Kyoto for the pick-up shortly, and send word to your friend. I believe the idea of going home will be most appealing to her." he smiled kindly.

"Hai. Thank you father, this means a great deal to me." she hushed and bowed once more.

"I know dear. We shall speak again soon. Sayonara."

With both transmissions now terminated, Liara took a seat back in her chair "Navigation, set course to Tohoku. We'll be expecting a guest near Ryuku soon."

"Aye aye ma'am, we're on our way." the navigation agent replied as the cruiser was set in motion.