Xeno Alliance Leadership and Hellfire Legion Leadership "talks". (AO)

[wainwright]

He didnt know quite where to look. As the eyes of the holographic projection before him bored into his, his mind raced. An alliance with the Xenos! What was GRACE planning? He knew all sorts of equipment would be monitoring his breathing rate, perspiration levels, posture, everything that might give away his feelings to his new Lord Commander.

Understood, Lord Commander. I have no questions at this time. None thatll get me anything but sarcasm, he thought. If that will be all, Ill head for the hangar bay immediately.

No response was immediately forthcoming from the face that floated before him, GRACE merely nodded. He stood to attention and snapped a crisp salute.

You can depend on me, Lord Commander.

With that he turned on his heel and strode from the bridge. As the doors closed behind him, he leaned up against the walls of the corridor.

Fleet Admiral! He jumped guiltily as GRACEs voice crackled from a speaker concealed nearby. Now is not the time to think. Youll have plenty of opportunity to do that aboard your transport. I suggest you move with alacrity.

He ground his teeth as he hurried to hangar bay A. Dealing with the Lord Commander of the Legion was never a comfortable experience, but at least with those that had gone before, once he was out of their immediate company, he knew he was alone. Now, as he hurried along the corridors of the Incursus, he felt GRACEs eyes following him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he entered the hangar bay, and climbed aboard the transport that awaited him.

Settling himself into his quarters, he reached for the paperwork laid out for him.

*********

The intelligence on the Xeno Alliance proved interesting reading. He barely noticed as the transport transferred to Cortez, then California, then Ontario, then Colorado space. The Xenos had a bad reputation with most ex-navy officers. Many years of conditioning and propaganda were hard to break down, but if the Legion taught one thing, it was that certain groups were not as they first appeared. The data GRACE supplied him with showed them to be idealists, much like the Legion itself. While their technology was limited, consisting mostly of rescued hardware, patched together to be barely fit for purpose, the people themselves were dedicated, hardworking and loyal. The more he considered what he was reading, the more sense an alliance would make. Their goals were basically the same, and while the Legion had all the finances, technology and firepower, what they lacked was political ingenuity, popular support and manpower. The Xenos could provide this and more. He looked up at a knock at the door to his quarters.

Yes?

The captain of the transport stepped in, saluting smartly

Sir, were on our final approach to Ames. Well be docking in approximately ten minutes.

Very well, Captain. he returned the salute, and the captain retreated from the quarters. Taking another quick look at the paperwork, he then collected everything together. As they entered the final docking sequence, he began to hear the grinding of bay doors, and the internal workings of the station, echoing through the transport. He moved to the mirror and looked at himself. This was going to be extraordinary. He was negotiating the future of the Legion today. Thinking back to his days at Westpoint, he smiled and shook his head. You never could tell where your life was going to lead you. Gathering himself, he made his way off the transport and into the bustle of Ames. A short time later he was about to walk into his quarters on the station when he spotted a young man heading directly for him. As the man approached he held out his hand, proffering what appeared to be a letter.

Richard raised an eyebrow as he took the envelope. The man simply nodded, and moved away. Not particularly subtle Richard thought, but the personal nature of the delivery of the letter warmed him to the writer. Entering his quarters he opened the envelope and read the message it contained. He smiled, and settled down to await the arrival of the infamous commander of the Xeno Alliance.

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All the old knives, that have rusted in my back, I shall drive deep into yours.

Betrayed