Distortion

[Wesker]

Hangar bay -> Vogtland HQVogtland Station, Dresden
05/15/827 AS, 20:00

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-19:30, Vogtland Station Hangar bay-

The deck officer on Vogtland Station walked towards the hangar entrance, accompanied by guards without a doubt. Order Agents were dispatched to Vogtland Station frequently as of recent, at least none that they knew of.

As it touched down, the deck officer waved his hand. It was discreet, done at shoulder height, the guards responded by fanning out around the vessel - checking the exterior for anything out of the ordinary. Both turned back with thumbs up, indicating there was nothing they could make out visually - scans would determine the rest in a matter of seconds.

Lucien exited slowly, climbing down to the deck before waving to the deck officer and approaching. His fear hadn't sunk in at all yet, and though it had been a long flight - he seemed more attentive than ever. Good evening He said to the deck officer, nodding slightly after. Your business here... The deck officer dragged out the statement. Commander, Luciano Marquez. Lucien filled in his statement, to which the deck officer nodded. Commander, what is the nature of your stay here on Vogtland Station? He asked.

I've been deployed here as the Order's temporary ambassador under Grand Admiral Golanski's directive. I have all the necessary forms and identification if you require them. Lucien answered. The deck officer nodded and extended his arm, Lucien handed him the orders and ID. As the deck officer went to validate them, Lucien took a second to glance around the hangar bay. He could see all sorts of Hessian craft entering and exiting. Some were damaged, others seemed to be returning on routine patrols or missions.

Welcome Commander, and thank you for informing me of this. I will route this up accordingly if you would please follow me. We will escort you to our guest room where you will stay for the duration of your visit here. The deck officer spoke up, breaking his concentration on the area around him.


Thank you. Lucien said as he walked behind the deck officer towards the hangar bay exit.

-19:45 Flag officer's quarters, Vogtland Station HQ.-

Stress, anxiety, nightmares, personal demons, it was all too overwhelming. Just when life seemed to let up, it's weight and misfortune came crashing down like a rockslide. The Fleet Admiral of the Armed Forces knew about her dead son, she had nearly snapped trying to stop herself from killing the only living person that resembled a son - Lukas. Now, the Hessians were on the brink of destruction.

Anna stood at the command center, accompanied virtually by the Command members of the Kassel, and Saarbrucken garrisons. The group had been on the line for over an hour, planning, considering every possibility. But as far as most plans went, the situation was dire, an endgame.

Rig the charges then, keep me informed, you have your orders. The second they enter - destroy it. Each of the members nodded in response and acknowledged the command before breaking off the line. The lights came back up slowly, as they did, the door alarm rang behind her.

Enter. She said aloud, the door opened, and in walked one of the administrative personnel.

General, an ambassador for the Order, Commander Marquez has arrived. He was sent here to oversee the Order's involvement in this confrontation. He stated that the Grand Admiral is unable to reach us at the moment. Is there a preferred time you'd like to speak to him, or shall I defer him to...

What's his full name? Anna interrupted.

It says here his name is Commander Luciano J. Marquez... Anna immediately rushed over, ripping the PDA out of the officer's hands and examining it for himself.

General, is there something....

Send him up here, now. Defer every transmission to major Weiss. She interrupted again, shoving the PDA against the officer's chest before turning back. The officer stood there, confused for a second before turning around and exiting.

-20:00 Vogtland Station HQ, Guest level-

Lucien unpacked some of his things. Beyond a pillow and sheets were more relics than anything else. Things he had kept on him from his time before the Order. Things he knew his wife would remember to incase she didn't recognize him. It had been so long, he felt as though a part of his life was either truly coming to a close - or he was going to dial back into a new chapter again. He had prayed it would be the latter, since the day Golanski gave him this opportunity. His head was in the right place, he was ready to confront any type of response - even the one that likely killed him.

The door rang for a second before opening, in entered the duty officer for the HQ. The Generalmajor will see you - now. The words shot through him, and just like that the fear began to settle in. Very well, let's go then. It wasn't a long trip to the elevator at all, he could feel his heart pounding through his chest; his body practically radiated anxiety. As the elevator came to a stop, and the door opened. Lucien froze for a moment, taking in his last few calm breaths before following the officer down the hall. She will answer when she is ready, wait here. He rang the door and turned around, quickly descending back down the elevator.

Before he could even turn around and react, the door opened. He felt something grab his shoulder and pull him through the door threshold. By the time he realized what was going on, his wife had wrapped herself around him. He responded by doing the same, tears rand down his cheeks as he held on.

I'm sorry, I didn't know for years...

No Lucien, this isn't your fault.

You're not upset?

I don't want to hold a grudge against you. Against anyone I love. There's so much that happened, I couldn't stop myself. The two broke off, Lucien was a little shook by Anna's appearance. She wore the same scars she did in his nightmares, the same wounds. But more than all of that, she appeared tired, miserable, stressed.

What happened to you? He said, pressing his palm against her cheek.

I can't explain, I can't... can't put it into words. I remember what happened, but... you wouldn't believe me if I told you.

I would. Look at what this is doing to you. You can't stay here, like this.

I don't know what to do.

Come with me. His response left Anna, phased out for a second. She shook her head slightly.

How... Where would we go? I'm a wanted DEAD in every place that isn't here.

Do you still trust me?

You can't do that to me. Her head tilted and shook a little more as he responded, she struggled to maintain eye contact. Tears rolled down her cheeks in the process. Her breathing pattern shifted, almost as if she was about to start pacing.

Anna, I didn't come all this way to tell you how much I love you, and leave you here like this. Please, you owe them nothing... Lucien's sentence was broken by seeing his wife's reaction. She kept phasing in and out, putting her palm against her forehead.

Look at me. He said, interrupting her as he put his other hand on her shoulder. You don't need to stay, we can get away from all of this. But I need you to trust me.

After a few more deep breaths, she made eye contact with Lucien again. The blue in her iris faded back, as she calmed down. On one condition. Her tone returned to normal, there was a faint chuckle behind the response.

Anything.

I keep my ship. She smirked after replying, Lucien chuckled for a second. If we get into trouble, I'm still mostly counting on you. He replied.

I still haven't met that mystery pilot, so you're in luck... I need to pack some things, and I need you to do exactly what I say - otherwise we're both dead.