Close to the Finale

[Charos]

“I’ve summoned you here to congratulate you for completing the task you were given and bringing everyone home alive and to assign you a new mission. I have authorized the deployment of Polyphemus in Cortez and Coronado to observe and destroy anything that looks suspicious and you two will have the command. Your primary targets are Rogues, Outcasts and Lane Hackers that pollute those systems and are often spotted dealing in drugs and slaves. Your other target is the Colonial Republic, I want you to keep an eye on those damned flies and report every action of theirs directly to the High Command. We are currently in an agreement but after their last power trip we cannot be sure if they will turn on us again.” Markus paused to take a breath. “Your secondary mission is top secret and you will report that part directly to the Lord Commander via an encrypted channel. If information that we are spying on them leaks, we might have that war we prevented not too long ago. Any questions?”

Taylor listened carefully to what the Lord Commander had to say and some parts made little sense. “Markus, I cannot leave my post on Leniex as too many things depend on me. You know that because it was you who put me here. Unless that means that you’re relieving me?” Markus smiled naughtily at her “Not at all! You will continue doing everything you do now, plus directing and handling any requests from Polyphemus from Leniex. More work for you, I’m afraid.” Chloe let out a silent sigh and carried on with her questions. “On the classified part of the mission, you mentioned something about reporting everything to the Lord Commander and not to you. Anything we should know?”

Markus sat back on his chair and looked at Chloe’s ash tray. “This is a tough life we are living and we are forced to go on through many hardships. I may gave out not before too long so I made sure that my replacement will know about it in the worst case scenario.” Markus chuckled “But the truth is that I will be relieving myself from my duties very soon, I’m stepping down from Lord Commander for personal reasons that you do not need to know. I’ve already found my replacement so there won’t be a time without someone to carry the burdens. Anything else? Daniel, got something to ask?” Daniel replied negatively but Chloe was surprised by Markus’s words.

“Those are shocking news but I understand your sentiments. I’ll oversee Polyphemus through its new mission, be certain of it. It is sad to hear that you are stepping down and I really wished you were joking but I can see it in your face that you’re pretty serious about it.” Chloe stood up from her chair “Well, I have nothing else to ask and I should return to my duties. Am I dismissed, Lord Commander?” Markus glared at Chloe “After you clean the ash tray, you are. You too Rou, you are free to go. Sucks that you kept quiet through the entire meeting but I’m sure you’ve understood every bit of it.” Markus laughed and signaled them to empty the room.

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Remember our fallen, we are the Legion.