Green sundown

[Sturmwind]

Schroedinger looked at Meyer, waiting for a command. They were both shocked, Meyer was even sweating, although it could hardly be seen under his visor cap.

"Accept it."

Without any comments or responses, the communications officer approved the incoming transmission. A rusty, deep, yet somewhat familiar voice started speaking. Meyer recognised the voice of a man whom he haven't met in a long while, as he had been stationed at the Altenburg about three years ago, which was already in Dresden at that time. The man was Kapitaen Spielman, a man reputed for his cool, merciless manners. Meyer had no idea how he got to Frankfurt or became his superior.

"Major Meyer, this is Kapitaen Spielman. You are making a huge mistake with not obeying the Kanzleramt's commands. Return to Fulda at once and leave the Kishiro agents alone."

"Kishiro? There are Kempeitai here!" replied Meyer without trying to control his rage.

"Are you questioning my orders, Major? Return to base at once or you will face charges of disobedience."

"Ver... verstanden."

The red light turned dark again, the screen monitoring comms traffic was blank. Meyer took his cap off and stepped to the plexiglass window looking into deep space.

The green liquid was entirely emptied from the Kusarian ship's tank, floating in space it looked like a wounded beast of some sort. One of the two smaller transports was still burning, it was obviously beyond the point of repair. The convoy was being embraced by the arriving Kusari Naval Forces heavy fighters, whose presence troubled Meyer more than the rebels the Hansa had to take out beforehand. Something was most definitely not right here.

The orders were clear though. The aging Major sighed and spoke up.

"Lock in waypoint 9027-D2, Alt. 21. Charge cruise engines, set speed to 300."

First officer Koehler repeated his orders, nav officer Krieger accomplished them. The Hansa and her two escort fighters retreated like an ancient warlord, having to surrender the claims he fought for with fang and claw, to a handful of men, simply because the king told him to do so.