The man skimmed through the data, until he saw Loyola move her feet up in the corner of his eye. Both Claire and Renaud weren't happy to see this, and she was clearly taking advantage of the situation.
"You really have some nerve. Even if I were to homour you and take you seriously with your complete lack of manners, we don't have any other choice. Either this ship and its crew return to Gallia, or we're lost to never seeing what we've been fighting for ever again. There's no base of operations that we can reasonably turn around and return to at this stage." he replied, pointing his finger accusingly. He looked at Claire as if to check if she actually supported the Outcast beside her, but only received a blank glare back as she had completely mixed opinions on the options ahead.
"This only means we'll have to focus on making sure our weapon systems are at the best state they can be if this "provisional" Navy decides to try and stop us." he said confidently. "I can't imagine their border patrols will be a match considering the terrorists have been fighting all over Gallia."
Arguing with idiots is a waste of time, Enma knows that well from the years of experience. She has met a lot of idiots and this one is no special. Loyola gives him a very special type of look, the one to tell him to know that she thinks he's an idiot. Maybe he won't be upset about, but it's for Enma herself to not take a little failure to convince him too close. It's always better to bring negative emotions to someone outside than letting them force double guessing at herself.
— Great, I am not going to convince you. But I will give all opportunities for everyone who wants to leave this ship a chance to do so.
Enma takes Claire by the hand to inspire some confidence into this little princess. Taking a calm and somewhat powerful look into the princess' eyes, letting her know that everything is under control. And that she has someone who is capable and not an idiot at the same time by her side. She then disconnects her device, the images disappearing at the very next second.
— Your Highness, if you could please deliver the message among personnel. I am not going to stay here for long, you had hostiles on board who must be sent this ship's status and local when they were alive to the enemy. I doubt we are having a lot of time, the only option would be to hide in the asteroid fields until I would manage to get you a drydock. But it appears to be not an option.
Enma spoke about things that don't matter now. But she wanted both people in this room to clearly understand that the captain is objectively an idiot. Enma then gets close to Claire's ear, whispering so that only she could hear. She seems to be having much more energy than yesterday, maybe because it's morning.
— Your Highness, please after you warn everyone, go and gather your things. I will be leaving in a few hours. Maybe less.
The captain shook his head, not believing what he was hearing. What was this foreigner doing, trying to give orders on his ship?
"I'm going to stop you right there. Nobody is leaving this ship without my permission, and I'm about to give you permission to leave this ship permanently. If we lose any more crew than we already have, we won't be able to defend ourselves at all. Duchesse, you invited this drug addict on the ship and I've allowed it. Now she's trying to sabotage any hope we have left, and you're going to help her?! If you weren't a DeFrance, I'd have assumed you were a Council saboteur." he said with his voice raised.
Claire understood exactly why the captain was upset, and so was she. The issue was that he didn't know that they were already hostages at this stage, and she didn't want to be the one to break the news out of shame; she was the one who caused this situation, after all. She couldn't respond to the captain, there was no explanation that would make him see reason. The only thing she could try is figure out a compromise.
"Capitaine, I deeply apologise for what I've caused, I don't want to see the crew abandoning this ship, either. But we surely can't attack the gate and expect to go through unscathed when we can't even repair the ship or even travel quickly. We should at least see if we can find somewhere to moor the ship and repair the engines before considering an assault. I'm sure our guest can find a solution like she suggested."
Renaud slammed his fist on the table. He wasn't hearing anything he wanted to hear. She was correct about one thing - without repairs, the Council could send as many ships as they like, and they'd be able to catch up to them quickly. Yet, now he doesn't want to entertain the idea of relying on that smug bastard sitting on the other end of the table.
"I'll consider waiting only if we have a viable solution. If I don't hear one, we will keep the course. And I will remind you, nobody is leaving this ship without permission." the man replied.
Enma leans down into the chair, this captain, that's something. Loyola is keeping calm, but something is not letting her feel fully comfortable. Maybe it's about this suicide runner who can hold her at the ship even under a threat of her being destroyed by the Outcasts before it reaches the gates. The whole idea coming in alone was to flex and demonstrate full domination, but there's something she doesn't like about this. Anyway, these speeches are something that she meets with various ways of grimacing. Not counting constant sighs and raising eyebrows.
And Claire already said that he doesn't anyone else to die here, but oh well, this guy is certainly the candidate. Once he's turning back at her, there's a high chance of this turn of events. Enma is quite sick of this Gallic shit, it's still being quite humiliating while she still fails to see something that would even benefit her eventually. Anyway, she would play with her pocket device a little until they finished.
Enma then finally turns at the captain, yawns before speaking, which makes the first few words to sound incredibly low.
— As I said, I am not going to convince you. Nor I take orders from you. As for Council saboteur, it's you who is leading her highness, this ship, and the crew to be detained by the Council. So I wonder... Anyway, I am here as a servant of Her Highness and my duty is to keep her safe and alive. I have a little care about other people on this ship, but there's no reason for them to die so aimlessly in my opinion. But they may as well if people who are responsible for their lives so desire.
Loyola brings her foot down at the floor, seemingly getting ready to stand up and to make her final statements, at it seems a lot like a time waste. Now she thinks if other Gallic officers are like that, then there's little wonder about them losing the war. Such an anti-pragmatic mentality and complete belief in their own powers like this captain have is quite a combination. Enma is looking at Claire before proceeding.
— It's all your decision, I see no reason for participating in this conversation any further. I will be leaving in a few hours. Captain, take those hours to possibly reconsider. I see no reason to work at any actual plans before there's a decision to cancel this operation and captain himself starts caring for things.
Enma stands up, slowly, offering her hand to Claire, offering her to join her in leaving this somehow pointless from the start meeting.
— Your Highness, we have some things to talk about in private. Would you be so kind?
Claire took Enma's hand and stood up, starting walking out of the room.
"Capitaine, please reconsider staying at the asteroid field nearby. I'm sure we can think of something." she pleaded to the man as she was on her way. Renaud only looked at them leaving the room, before starting to think. He saw the recordings of traffic there, it did seem protected, and the response wings would start coming in quick. There was no escaping them.
The sound of a desk slam reverberated throughout the room once again. Renaud clutched his head, thinking. Those two. Those two were especially problematic. First causing a hostage situation, now they want to drag away the rest of the crew from the ship. For what purpose? The Outcasts are slavers. Doesn't that stupid girl realise that they're taking advantage of her gullibility? He'll need to talk about getting rid of that Outcast sooner than intended.
Loyola is leaning against the wall halfway back to Claire's room. Taking deep breaths, she's looking down into the floor, then coughing. Finally, regaining her posture and looking at Claire. Enma is generally satisfied with her behavior in the situation room, especially considering the fact that the princess mostly played at her side. Yes, she doesn't have a lot of choice in the end, and be situation different she wouldn't even be allowed on this stip, but still, it's was a good feeling.
Before addressing Claire with a rather low voice, Enma nods to thank Claire for waiting for her. Loyola then sounds rather aggressive, but not against Claire. She's just being in the fighting mood, it usually happens when she feels some competition. In that case, the captain is clearly antagonizing her, and they seem both to be dreaming to get rid of one another.
— He looks like a fanatic, I won't wonder if he won't allow just us to leave the ship. I should have shot him there with any other high ranking officer stepping in instead. Is that a common mentality among gallic officers or this one is a special kind of the mule? I at some point can respect people of his kind, but not when they going up against me openly, this kind is dangerous.
Loyola keeps thinking about it, wanting to leave this place rather sooner than later. Her people are whining about being bored outside as well. It's just yet another border system with not much happening. If it was a raid, they would attack convoys and get a lot of expensive things to sell or use. But Enma has to go down into not very amusing play, with questionable reward. Speaking of which, she's looking at Claire again, as they reach her room.
— Do you need any help to gather things, your highness? Take things that are important for you personally, you will have a lot of money to buy generic stuff from many markets. Even from Gallia, yes it will be a little bit more expensive, but you will have everything you need. So there's no point in having massive bags full of daily goods. I say it would look a bit humiliating to leave ship like in this bad fashion. Leave with style.
Enma smiles, she does really things that moving with massive begs would look bad. Maybe it's just her weird way of thinking and Royals are used to carry everything with them. Anyway, it's a bit late to think about it, since she already said it. There, she's double guessing herself again, gotta get some alcohol as soon as the situation is less tense.
"Capitaine Dumont is a very distinguished officer, and this is the reason I was placed on his ship. He's been very polarising as of late, but I can understand that, given the circumstances..." she replied. "We don't need any more losses on this ship, don't do anything hasty. If we lose Dumont, the ship and its crew will be lost, too. I'll talk to him in private, I'm sure he will see reason."
It's not a surprise to Claire that Dumont reacted that way. Her aide and herself tried something very similar when the news of Gallia falling to the Council broke out, but the captain was very stubborn about it. The key was to offer an acceptable alternative, and the mention of staying in the asteroid fields seemed reasonable enough.
She hasn't had the time to even think about what was going to happen after she had left the ship, only the idea that she was leaving. Seeing Charlotte would be an absolute godsend, but will they be able to leave together was the concern that flagged up in her mind. She's already shackled to their planet, from the sound of it.
"Bags? Clothes and other essentials I can bring. I was encouraged to bring as little as possible with me when coming to this ship. And regarding Dumont, I'm going to give it time, and I'm going to speak with him again in an hour. I'm sure I can convince him to redirect the ship. Do you know where we could find a moor, or if it's even realistic to find one?"
Enma nods, observing princess packing her things, leaning against the wall in her rooms. Trying not to stare too much at the same time, checking her nails and thinking to it would be a good idea to check a communicator. Neural Net addiction is no good, but she only almost just a human after all. Everything Claire says makes sense and after certain lessons, there's nothing rude or passive-aggressive coming her way, which is making life much easier.
— Nothing hasty, orders received your highness.
Enma replied in a surprisingly serious tone, yes there is a very light smile at her face, but it doesn't look like a sarcasm either.
— But it's my solemn duty to protect you and shall he limit your freedom of movement, there won't be any other choice but to use force. Not only I have the bombers, but also a ground assault team ready for boarding the ship. I doubt we will need to use that option, but in my position, I cannot be too careful. Hope you understand.
Loyola things about the moor and if she should or not should reveal the location of the Outcast outpost in that field. Since thins information may fly directly to Gallia and defect right to the Council along with so weirdly behaving captain who seems to be thinking about trading things for his head, including Claire.
— We have an outpost nearby, this should do. Alternatively, we could fly back to Tau-37 and request docking on the Freeport. Gallic activity is usually low in Tau-37. I have many plans and we need to have the result here before we can decide on any of them. We will need to be taking diplomatic and possibly forceful action against the traitors in Gallia, finding loyalists, building connections. It's a complicated work that sadly cannot be put on delay.
Enma took some of Claire's things, looking at them, naturally without asking permission. It was interesting how the princess lives. Then she looks around in this room.
— Yeah, I will be able to provide you with better housing conditions, even when on the move. I now think if Outcast Dons live a more luxurious life than the royalty.
Claire did try packing, but it wasn't the best work one could have done. She used to rely on her aide, as with most other chores and tasks, so she could focus on what really mattered. She could only mimic the technique she observed Léon doing before flights, but most of it ended up a cluttered mess anyway. Claire would have expected her "servant" to help, but Enma was clearly too busy playing with her communicator. Instead, she could only feel embarrassed as she was convinced the woman was judging her, catching her glimpse on more than one occasion.
"There's no need to assault this ship... the crew has already suffered through enough. I'll f-" she cut off herself mid-sentence as she heard the familiar sound of the mechanical door letting out a beep, indicating it has been unlocked. As soon as both of them turned their heads to the door, the silhouette of the Captain came into view.
They were just as stunned as he was. He came back to discuss the option of finding a moor, but instead caught them in the act of preparing to escape the ship against his orders. Shortly after, his expression turned grim. It was clear he wasn't amused.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked rhetorically, moving his arms behind his back to show authority. "I thought I've made you aware no one is leaving this ship until I find a solution."
"This isn't what you think it is.. I wanted to speak to you immediately after finishing tidying here!" she blurted out in a haste. Claire acted on impulse, trying to defuse the situation.
The man looked at Enma. Claire's excuses evidently weren't very convincing.
"You are going to have a lot to answer for, Outcast. I've yet to have a foreigner on my ship, but I see that the standard, unsurprisingly, has been set very low. You really want to kidnap the duchess, don't you? That's a lot of 'credits' that are going to be lining your wallet. Ridiculous. I should have ordered to shoot your ship the moment it came on radar."
Loyola is not reacting to captain appearing or his speech. At least she didn't move, despite her face is demonstrating some emotions of disgust. And sadly nothing really can save her from encountering people like him, dumb fucking idiots, they are everywhere. And he really got the dumbest accusations that you can think of. It was irritating, but at the same time, she couldn't be fucked to react to this and even talk to him. She already tried and he just keeps on this not very smart position.
She's preparing her body for fast and decisive movements, but unfortunately, those are not coming up easy. Hopefully, she will be able to execute everything she wants at the right timing. She's feeling herself like at a gun standoff, though she isn't sure how ready the other side is. It looks like he won't let them out anyway, as he never even discussed the condition, yet he's always trying to point out that it's only up to him to decide. Now he's talking about shooting her ship? Fuck this guy, seriously.
With the sudden and decisive move, she's pulling her thin family pistol from the holster. Aiming directly at the motherfucker's head. Her hair got on top for her eyes for a moment, which could screw everything up, but gladly they moved away at the next moment. Aiming lower, hitting both knees, which forces a poor guy to fall down on them. Enma is meeting screams and blood of the person she now hates with a hooked smile on her face. it was wonderful in a way, adrenalin is filling her veins and her pulse is pleasingly high. It feels like morning running. Loyola's aiming at his head again, she will finish him off right here and right now, that's clear, but then she opens her mouth.
— Talking about shooting me, huh... Denying her highness' freedom of movement, threating a donna. Potential Council defector or a dead man anyway. I sentence you to die.
Loyola fires five shots into his face, nearly completely destroying it. She would kick his dead body, Enma is hating people who are causing trouble. Now one less to deal with. She really wanted to do that in the situation room, but this was too much. She smirks, then turning back at Claire.
— Sorry about that your highness, that guy is fishy... After all, he had no problem to host a giant Council turncoat squad in here, but he's having problems with you not flying directly into the Council's hands. That's at the very least makes him incompetent, at worst, a traitor. Pretty sure there will be second or third in command to take care of things, it shouldn't be a problem. Shall they ask for your highness to help, I will do everything that is necessary to help this ship and her crew. But I don't think they should hold a member of the Royal family basically under arrest.
Enma is taking Claire's bag, preparing to go for the hangar, but then...
— You must want to leave them a message at the local network or to talk with someone?
Loyola turns around, waiting for an order, maybe? It's been very hard to tell who's in charge here.
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