Lullaby of the stars

[Rodent]

08:57 - Day One | Lisbon Station | Taweret's office

"Mr. Davids, Mr. Ravenov, I trust you'll hold the squadrons in position as I've asked you to."

Taweret stood in front of her console, talking to holographic images of Davids and Ravenov. She'd asked them to take fighter and bomber squadrons and hold positions at two points...

-The Omicron Minor Jump hole in 92
-The Omicron Minor Jump hole in Omicron 100

Eriksson shook his head in resignation.

"I still don't like that we're sending you and Michal into an unknown situation", He said.

Davids tilted his head towards Ravenov, listening. He then makes a chopping motion with his hands.

"I think we've planned enough for contingencies, there is no looking back now, Erik."

Taweret nods.

"The Svizra is undergoing final preparations. Me and Michal will be boarding it shortly. Remember, for the grunts, we're defending against a possible two-pronged nomad attack from Omicron Minor. Trusting that we're clear...that'll be all."

With that, the comms links were cut. She immediately shut down all remaining consoles and left the office. While an element of uncertainty remained, she was doing her best to wrap up loose ends.


16:40 - Day One | CV "Svizra" | Bridge



The Svizra was in position, near the outskirts of the Omicron Minor system. Matrim Cauthon looked around the bridge once, and was given an all clear. He leaned back in his chair, wondering. The main object of his concern were the two people standing behind his chair.

Taweret and Michal Golanski looked at him, and Cauthon nodded.

“We’re in position, and Papyrus is ready for launch. As soon as you’re away, we’ll cloak and hope that we are not required” He reiterated their orders. Normally, this wasn’t necessary…but everyone was on edge.

Golanski nods and starts walking towards the elevator. Taweret lingers.

“How well can you perform on a skeleton crew, Cauthon?” She asks, looking at the swirls of the nebula.

Cauthon laughs wearily. Performing on a skeleton crew had become standard fare for him, and he’d always preferred a compact operations procedure.

“Better”, was all he said aloud though. Taweret half smiles and nods. She turns to follow Golanski through, but then stops.

“What would Tigraine make of this, Cauthon?”

Cauthon barks out a laugh.

“A lot.”

Taweret nods and walks through the elevator, leaving Cauthon to his thoughts.



23:54 - Day One | "Papyrus" | Bays

They were a few minutes out from the Normandie. Taweret looked around. The ten marines they'd choosen as an honor guard were all strapped in their seats, and silent. Golanski had closed his eyes, apparently deep in thought. And Balor...his cybernetic eye twiched around restlessly, while his human eye stayed fixed on...something.

She needed to focus. There was a technique, the void. Tigraine had been fairly adept at it's use, and she'd taught those who could learn. Taweret was one of them. Relaxing her breath, she concentrated.

Forming a void in your mind was the first step. All your emotions, detracting thoughts, and feelings were to be thrown outside that void, and that was when your focus increased incredibly. There could be no emotion in the void, only emptiness and focus on what was important.

She prepared the void in her mind, and within little time, it was ready. Everything seemed clearer, sharper, more visible. It was as if her senses had been amplified. In reality, it was the focus.

They and their fighter escort asked for docking permission with the Normandie, which was granted. As Papyrus settled down in the bowels of the Gallic battleship, the bay doors hissed open, and the Order contingent walked out. The marines in full armor had their guns out, but had them lowered. Their armor brought attention to the three figures without it.