Chief Operating Officer Augustus Domition of Manticore Munitions sipped his spiced tea. The figures were up: sales, logistics, contracts, new hires. He was pleased. Feeling his 65 years in his bones, the white haired and kind hearted gentleman of the Empire spent most his career and life trying to hold this sector together. Between the pirates, Federal rebels, and stress of managing an often overlooked backwater system.
A soft knock at the door
"Come in" as the older man stroked his close-cropped white beard.
In stalked the diminutive form of Mia Sara; short black hair, piercing water blue eyes, and a crisp black Operatives uniform. She calmly sat in a chair in front of Augustus.
"Countess Mi.." the gentleman began to say as the girl softly waved it off. "No need for titles Augustus, I consider us friends"
"As you wish" the elder smiled.
"Things are looking well here" Mia spoke softly. "local crime is down, more people are moving to Volta dock and output has increased. The newest shipment of Saturnite armor-piercing shells are on their way to Lugh. There is still plenty to do, but I feel that we're making excellent progress. Once the Jotunheim resistance is removed, I'm positive that Manticore will be the dominant business in the sector.
"No one could have done more" Augustus nodded "You've been a dynamo ever since you arrived".
Mia smiled softly "I do what the Empire needs me to do. My commanders have stressed the importance of all ship yards, munitions works and foundrys working at capacity."
The older man frowned "Is it war then?"
Mia sighed "I don't know. I haven't heard anything, but something is off. My superiors are very worried about...something."
Augustus nodded his head softly "I have worked here for 30 years. I swore when I took the position that Manticore would never let down the Emperor, and I won't start now".
Mia nodded "your record has been sterling and your loyalty is well regarded" she slid a black card with the Imperial logo in platinum "Use this to by-pass official channels if you require anything, the Arcani answer to the royal family alone.
The gentleman studied the card, picked it up and put in his breast pocket. He raised his tea "To our Emperor".
The slight girl stood up and nodded "Thank you for your time, we'll meet soon"
Mia closed the door "If only more of the Officers were like that old man. He lives and breathes Empire." she stalked down the hall to her waiting Asp when she shuddered, leaning heavily against the wall. Mia, like other Operatives of her class had volunteered for genetic grafting to give her enhanced strength, reflexes, and greatly reduced the aging process. The side effect was periods of utter exhaustion that would last a week or two. She resumed her composure, strode to her ship, Seventh Sister, and entered.
The familiar scents of machinery, lubricating oils and leather greeted her as she reclined in the pilots chair and closed her eyes. A soft chime and a blue light indicated incoming communications.
"Well?" An impassive looking man, half cloaked in shadow, asked from the screen.
"Everything is in order" answered Mia "The system is near capacity and should be fully operational in a week".
The man nodded "Very good. Stay there for the time being until we work out where you'll be going next. Vulpes out".
Mia blinked at her reflection in the canopy "What could possibly have High Command so worried? Well, we'll cross the Rubicon when we come to it".
She filled her mug from the coffee dispenser, activated the launch cycle and rose to her second home, among the stars.
A soft knock at the door
"Come in" as the older man stroked his close-cropped white beard.
In stalked the diminutive form of Mia Sara; short black hair, piercing water blue eyes, and a crisp black Operatives uniform. She calmly sat in a chair in front of Augustus.
"Countess Mi.." the gentleman began to say as the girl softly waved it off. "No need for titles Augustus, I consider us friends"
"As you wish" the elder smiled.
"Things are looking well here" Mia spoke softly. "local crime is down, more people are moving to Volta dock and output has increased. The newest shipment of Saturnite armor-piercing shells are on their way to Lugh. There is still plenty to do, but I feel that we're making excellent progress. Once the Jotunheim resistance is removed, I'm positive that Manticore will be the dominant business in the sector.
"No one could have done more" Augustus nodded "You've been a dynamo ever since you arrived".
Mia smiled softly "I do what the Empire needs me to do. My commanders have stressed the importance of all ship yards, munitions works and foundrys working at capacity."
The older man frowned "Is it war then?"
Mia sighed "I don't know. I haven't heard anything, but something is off. My superiors are very worried about...something."
Augustus nodded his head softly "I have worked here for 30 years. I swore when I took the position that Manticore would never let down the Emperor, and I won't start now".
Mia nodded "your record has been sterling and your loyalty is well regarded" she slid a black card with the Imperial logo in platinum "Use this to by-pass official channels if you require anything, the Arcani answer to the royal family alone.
The gentleman studied the card, picked it up and put in his breast pocket. He raised his tea "To our Emperor".
The slight girl stood up and nodded "Thank you for your time, we'll meet soon"
Mia closed the door "If only more of the Officers were like that old man. He lives and breathes Empire." she stalked down the hall to her waiting Asp when she shuddered, leaning heavily against the wall. Mia, like other Operatives of her class had volunteered for genetic grafting to give her enhanced strength, reflexes, and greatly reduced the aging process. The side effect was periods of utter exhaustion that would last a week or two. She resumed her composure, strode to her ship, Seventh Sister, and entered.
The familiar scents of machinery, lubricating oils and leather greeted her as she reclined in the pilots chair and closed her eyes. A soft chime and a blue light indicated incoming communications.
"Well?" An impassive looking man, half cloaked in shadow, asked from the screen.
"Everything is in order" answered Mia "The system is near capacity and should be fully operational in a week".
The man nodded "Very good. Stay there for the time being until we work out where you'll be going next. Vulpes out".
Mia blinked at her reflection in the canopy "What could possibly have High Command so worried? Well, we'll cross the Rubicon when we come to it".
She filled her mug from the coffee dispenser, activated the launch cycle and rose to her second home, among the stars.
