A torrent of rain pelted the secluded woodland compound. Thanks to the marvels of orographic lift, a storm had gotten caught up just against the mountain, suspended right over the Erie Militant hideout at its foot.
The sound of the pelting rainfall was dulled to near-quiet from inside the restored command center's head office. Inside, coordinator Bowman and an older Eriean woman deliberated on their situation, seated across from each other at his thick alloy workdesk.
"It's all still rather a work-in-progress here, you see."
"The rough living shouldn't matter. Our folk are used to it. This place'll do. How's things here with your people?"
"Bitter, for the moment. If we're to manage what you're after, I'll need more hands." The Bretonian motions deliberately toward the door to his office, towards the rest of the base and his personnel within. "They're a plucky bunch, but even pivoting our strategy like this, there's just too few of them to matter for when we resume operations."
"Maybe you ought to consider your Group's old partners. I can tell you they're still running around making mayhem for the police at Wickertail."
"That's Malek over with Alleghany, right?"
"Him, and Gerig with Group Elk. They're not much worse off than you."
"It's getting word to them without tipping off the bluebells that's our problem."
"I've got more friends than just you who want our independence, Al. You need a message taken to them, I'll pass it along. Maybe get you boys talking to each other again."
"So long as it doesn't bring bombers down on us, Dess."
"I didn't tell you where to find this place just to watch it turn into a crater. I'll do my part as long as you're doing yours." She raises a finger to point upwards, toward the ceiling. "And you're sorting things out up there, too, I hope?"
"Making progress, anyhow. Very few spacers to go around in Clarion. You're familiar with Trouble already, I understand."
"The pilot. Sharp one. Where'd you pull her from?"
"Nowhere. She found us, then volunteered. Cousin of one of my lieutenants."
"Found you? I thought you all were trying to stay hidden. Your man give you up?"
"The curious thing is, he didn't. She's got talent for this work, it seems. I'm looking into her background. Her freighter's proven invaluable, but I've begun to diversify."
"In what way?"
"By tugging on old connections. There's a man on Bethlehem. He's who first welcomed me to your system. Good friend of mine. He's willing to take charge of our transport craft and get it crewed, and we've a line on purchasing it in the Bering system."
"Trustworthy?"
"I'd give my other arm for him before anyone else here."
"You mean you don't trust me like that, Al?"
"Oh, come off it."
"That it, or anything else?"
"Aside from ongoing communiques, I might be able to get a gunship captain into our circle, but she's volatile. It'll take work."
"How volatile?"
"What you'd expect of a pirate. She's in the fight for the thrills, I take it."
"Dabbling with this woman is worthwhile, why?"
"You did hear me, yes? She's got a gunship. We've got no other way to apply pressure beyond the atmosphere. Knows a few other pilots as well. That's firepower I want close at hand."
"You know one more ship isn't what's going to drive Liberty out."
"I know. But, it'll help me play for time. For this idea of yours to work, military considerations have to be addressed. We need to have the match before we can strike a fire, Dess."
"Got your work cut out for you, then. Keep me looped in."
"Of course."
"Just don't go thinking you'll start trading punches with the House. There's only one way Liberty'll leave Erie."
"How's that?"
"When it loses the people. And we're a long way from there yet."
