Snubnose

[Locke]

I was leading a wing dispatched to escort a Rheinland diplomat from Bretonian space. Her safe return was priority one, as she was the Chancellor's niece and she had valuable information concerning Bretonia's most recent dishonourable war practices. The planned route was through Liberty space, but no sooner had we entered neutral territory, Hackers and Outcasts swarmed our location. I had no choice but to turn the convoy back to Bretonia.

"I must return to Rheinland with my report," she said, obviously frustrated.
"I understand that ma'm, but the situation is too hot in Liberty right now. We'll have to wait it out."
"I won't stand for this. We're taking the route through the Omega's."
"Ma'am, report's show a recent surge in Hessian activ..."
I was cut off, "I am of the Chancellor's blood and you will do what I say, Lieutenant."
She must have sensed my unease.
"What's the matter? You can't fend off a few out-of-work miners?"

Against my better judgment, we passed through Cambridge and plotted course to Omega-3. My stomach turned as we neared the jump hole. Something was not right.

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