The Scarman Enigma

[Robert Merlow]

Drop Ship Bay, Tuatha de Danaan

Fleet Robert Merlow stood outside the drop ships, his Sadukar and his HiME awaiting his word to drop to the surface. They had no transports, and their teleportation chambers were destroyed, save one. Their last option was to conduct true surface invasion tactics. Their last choice was a drop pod assault. He thought about all of the faithful personnel that died today, the dead Scarmans, the numerous innocents that died during this whole ordeal. This long, meandering trail of thought lead back to one thing: little Heather Scarman and Captain Victoria Wade. Merlow had taken this far beyond matters of military affairs, beyond national security. He thought of this as a personal vendetta now. There was two goals to this mission: the rescue of Heather and Victoria and the death of Tyrant Marcus Scarman.

General Thomas Serov stood along side him, anxiously awaiting Merlow's go order. He knew how Robert's mind worked. If there was anything that involved children, if any harm came to them in any way, he would do everything in his power to bring justice to those who harmed them. He thought of the Tyrant as disgusting already, but to attack children? He didn't know that a man could stoop so low. Not even the Corsairs of his home universe would debase themselves to that level.

Merlow turned his head to the side, his voice volume near a whisper, "General, load up the Marines. I want them ready to go as soon as we're planet side. We'll be the first wave: You, me, Scarman, and the HiME I assigned to us. We'll be in the first in there. As soon as we link up with Anderson and the HiME team already on the surface, I want the Marines planet side."
"Of course," Serov simply confirmed. He transmitted the orders to the Sadukar Officers. He looked behind him in time to see Admiral Scarman running up to them.
"Sir," he called to their backs, "They're not on the surface yet."
Serov rolled his eyes, "It was a feint, wasn't it?"
Scarman slid to a stop next to him, "Yeah, it was. He's a clever one."
Merlow turned around to face them, "You're telling me that the f***er is still on board my ship?" he asked quietly, obviously trying to hold back the feelings of intense rage.
"Looks to be that way. We have no idea where he is on the ship either. We've lost contact with the brig and it looks like there's a powerful virus running rampant in our security systems."
Serov looked behind the trio once again to the soldiers standing behind them, "We're already committed."
"GODDAMNIT!" Merlow screamed, his control snapped, "F*** ME IF WE LET THIS PIECE OF S*** RUN AROUND LIKE A F***ING PLAGUE!"
Serov stepped back, the sheer force of Merlow's booming voice seeming to push him, "Rob, what do you propose we do...?" he asked cautiously.
"GET TESSA ON THE F***ING JOB AND HAVE HER SOLVE THE F***ING PROBLEM!" Merlow boomed, losing all forms of vocal self control.
"Right on it," Scarman replied quietly, "Anything else?"
"GET DOCTOR SAGISAWA OVER HERE! I NEED NANITES!"

-----

Planet Side, Planet Los Angeles

The doors burst forth from the pod, exposing those inside to the air. The scent assaulted Seras' nose, causing a fit of sneezing. Miyu Greer looked upon her briefly before she brushed her blue hair back and materialized her element, a pair of katars.
Seras wiped her nose with a handkerchief, "Damnit, Miyu, you're too much like Nagato."
Miyu allowed a chuckled lightly, "I'm not emotionless, Seras."
"Let's go, ladies." Harada Chie said, "We've go to meet up with Anderson."
Seras nooded, "Gotcha." She materialized her large Harkonnen Rifle and held in over her left shoulder, "Let's move."
Chie summoned a simple cane, "Let's."

---

Commander in Chief of the Migrant Fleet / Former Fleet Admiral of the Liberty First Fleet
Second Survivor of the Mentat Program.
We must give and take with good measure. Give too much, we become complacent. Take too much, we incur the wrath of our own. Tread Lightly.
--Supreme Bashar Robert Merlow--