Athena Conference , Compound A , New Astarte ,Planet Yuma

[Atreides2]

Ryo Kase is heading toward the island of New Astarte , the Crayterian University home , the 53rd Headquarters. He looks at his time and see that it is 11:20 YST.

*Good , still have enough time to settle everything*

Ryo is feeling a nod in his stomach , is the first time he is meeting the delegates from IMG and Planetform. *They are here for two weeks and I am meeting them for the first time and to make matter worse , I represent the Republic* is one of the thoughts that is crossing his mind while directing the shuttle pod towards the island.

While is changing it’s course to counter a storm another thought is crossing his mind *It must be happening in the best conditions , nothing is too much for our guests … Damn storm … I need to look into securing a better meteorological control over Yuma … Air power… This is how we will tame this planet … Air power…. Gods , focus Ryo , focus , meeting , scientists , the future is ahead*

Deep in the distance , the glittering towers of the island can be seen and his AICIISS started to alert the pilot about a shield been active at the location.

*The storm must have hit New Astarte, good thing that we managed to install this old army shields on the islands*

“ New Astarte Control , this is CRSP-111 , requesting permission to dock”
“CRSP-111, We have you on our scanners , please send security password to lower the shield”
Ryo is typing his numerical code and looking at the small AICIISS hologram thinks *Ehh , Lidia , you can change the government and change the people leading but in our Republic , the militaristic way can be seen everywhere. We always live behind our weapons and shields , behind our Army and Fleet. When all of this ends?*

“Roger that CRSP-111 , your access code had been authorize , shield is lowered , please state destination!”
“ I am heading towards the Compound A, please notify Secretary Aumi to join me”
“Understood, Minister Ryo , please proceed to pad 11. Security detail had been also sent. Secretary Aumi is joining with you know sir. She wants to report that Conference room 6 is ready for your inspection”
“Thank you Control. Proceeding”

Ryo is heading his shuttle toward the pad and lands. Opening the canopy he feels the fresh salty air of Yuma ocean , called Rubicon Ocean , in the memory of a warship.

“Minister , the conference room is ready. Please follow me”

Jumping from the shuttle , Ryo is looking at the young secretary *She is not even in her 30’s but she seems capable of administration jobs. Let’s see how she will surprise me*
Following her , Ryo enters the enclave that is called Compound A , luxurious buildings in the center that are surrounded by habitacle units , labs and all kind of small utility buildings.




From the beginning , Ryo is amazed what they have done there , having to approve funds for redecoration the moment secretary Aumi took over.

“It looks amazing , Aumi , it truly does.”
“Thank you minister , we tried to make it more comfortable.”
“ It is , this looks like our ambassadorial buildings from Crayter. Look at it , it just gives you the feeling of being at home. Amazing , good job again Aumi”

Aumi moves forward to the magnetic elevator, followed closely by Ryo. She press the button to floor 6.




“This is the Conference lounge. It is designed to give the guest enough resting place and to gather their minds. Entertainment is available and the room have been recently cleaned and refreshed. “
“Aumi , you are amazing , it is exactly as I envisioned from the sketches that I approved”

Aum heads to the end of the room and opens the door.





“This is the conference room as you asked, for a small party”
“Indeed. Looks good Aumi , looks good. Now tell me , did you do all of this just to earn a promotion? “
“No Minister , I just wanted the best for the best , sir. It is my compound after all and I want to look and be one of the best on Yuma”



Aumi heads to the kitchen

“Here we have a small service kitchen , nothing fancy , having some heating units , food stored in the cupboards , a selection of tea and coffee , wine also and fresh Supernova cockteils. “
“Excellent. And the cups or glasses ? “
“The cupboard on the right , Minister. “
“Thank you, Aumi”
“Anything else , sir ?”
“No”
“ I will take my leave then and let you here.”
“Thank you and you managed to impress me Aumi”
“Thank you Minister”

Aumi is heading to the exit and come back in a few seconds

“Minister , there are some Marines here assuming guard positions and there is a CIS officer also”
“Ahh , yes. General Duncan sent it. What can we do , Military , neh ? “
“Yes, Minister , once more , good luck sir.”
“Thank you”

Aumi leaves the room and Ryo is putting his briefcase on the table and gets some copy of the latest report made by 53rd and starts to put them around the table, but then it changes his mind and puts them all in one pile. The name and series number can be seen *EXPEDITION ON TRIPOLI – 53- 44122312-C*




Ryo looks again at his watch and realise that there are more then 35 minutes before the meeting. Looking at the table , he realise that there are compartments under it and stash all his files.
A Marine and the CIS officer enters and make the introduction and then they switch their headset to headset communication and they ignore Kase until a sudden growling is heard.
Both Soldiers look at Kase and the CIS officer is contemplating the situation ..

“Sir , did you had anything to eat today ? “
“ No”
“Far for me to order you anything Minister , but maybe a toast and a coffee may do the trick ? “
“ You are right , Officer …”
“Shelter”
“ Really , officer Shelter ? “
Ryo is going to the kitchen and fast is making two pieces of toast and a coffee and comes back and sits toward the Soldiers



“I knew an Officer Shelter from CIS in Tau 44 , before the Exodus.”
“ No relation , sir”
“ Actually , it was during the CFF conflict and if I remember correctly , a lot of CIS agents were called Shelter”

The CIS officer smiles and states

“ Maybe sir , we are a band of brothers”
“So , I cannot know the name of my stomach saviour ?”
“No sir , but I can tell you the marine name , is Gareth”
“ But still not yours”
“ I am sorry sir , for that you may need to speak with CIS Superior Forum”
“ Will do , will do”

The Officer and Marine again entered in a state of silence and Ryo is having his toast and coffee and looks at the time : 20 minutes.

“ Soon , they will come”

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