Carpathia IV: Episode 154 - Signal
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer
The lift doors opened and the bridge crew darted for their respective duty stations with Aire barking orders before he even reached his chair.
Aire: Nalma, tactical update. Kit, get Captain Azrael on the horn, secure channel.
Kit: Yes, Captain.
Nalma: Vashta shuttle has just docked. Otherwise no change in offensive or defensive posture.
As soon as Nalma delivered his answer, Azrael appeared on the viewer.
Azrael: I see the vashta shuttle has returned. How did the meeting go?
Aire: Not much different than the last time, except for one thing. Something is about to happen, but I don't know what it is. Nyana slipped me a note in secret just before she left. Ryuu tells me it says "Wait for my signal."
Azrael: Is that all?
Aire: Just that. Any ideas?
Azrael: None come to mind presently. It stands to reason that we should be prepared for anything no matter the circumstances, but I believe that should be doubly true now.
Aire: You've been talking to them much longer than I have. No ideas at all?
Azrael shook his head.
Azrael: Regrettably, we spend our entire conversation debating my captaincy. It was not a pleasant experience to say the least.
Aire: Unfortunately, I have some experience with that myself. The conversation went about like you'd expect. Not an exact duplicate of Ksenva's visit, but not that much different, save for the end. Lamia, however, seems the most interesting. There could be a slim chance that she's amenable to change.
Azrael: It's worth considering the idea but keeping it to the side for now. At least, until we find out what this signal is and what the ensuing consequence will be.
Aire: If you don't mind another observation to put on that side pile, I noticed that Nyana put a heavy emphasis on my name whenever she said it. I don't know what that could mean or if she was just trying to goad a reaction.
A beep from Kit's console interrupted them.
Kit: Incoming communication request from the Vashta ship.
Aire: Terminate secure channel and open a three-way channel with us, Azrael, and the vashta ship.
Azrael disappeared from the viewer and then reappeared a few seconds later with the Vashta ship on split screen. Front and center, once again, was Kali. Nyana stood far behind and to the side with her arms folded across her chest. Aire did not know what sort of argument they had on the way back to their ship, but it appeared that she was on the losing end of it and Kali looked to be in more of a state than usual.
Aire: Is there anything else we can do for you, Madam Kali? If there's nothing else, we'd like to request that you leave our space.
Kali: We're not going anywhere until you turn over all that belongs to the Great and Mighty Empress Lazmaedia. You will hand over all vashtari on your ship, including yourself, immediately.
Azrael: Bold demand for someone who is hopelessly outgunned.
Behind Kali, Nyana and Lamia did not speak, but were engaged in a conversation nonetheless using gestures, nods, and eye movement.
Kali: The grace of the Great and Mighty Empress Lazmaedia will give us the strength to persevere in all things.
Already it was getting difficult to concentrate on whatever it was that Kali ranted about, not because it was vapid and trite—though it very much was—but because whatever silent conversation Nyana and Lamia were having was far more interesting. Even Azrael's eyes became shifty.
Kali: We'll see about the rest of you later. For now, all vashta are the property the the Great and Mighty Empress Lazmaedia and you will be returning with us.
By now, nobody heard any of Kali's piffle anymore, but watched with great interest as Lamia nodded and turned toward Kali, slowly striding forward with silent footsteps.
Kali: All is for the glory of the Great and Migh...
It all took maybe three seconds tops and anyone who wasn't watching closely could be forgiven for missing it. With a single, fluid motion, Lamia pulled her swords from their sheaths, sliced Kali into three pieces, one going through the neck and the other just above her waist, and swiftly sheathed the swords again, all before the three bits of Kali hit the ground. For a split second, Aire thought Lamia missed. Attesting to the terrifying sharpness of Lamia's swords, Kali's head didn't go flying away, but stayed perched right upon the top of her neck where it had always been. Until, of course, gravity took over and the entire mess splat to the ground. Shock pervaded all three bridges as Nyana gingerly stepped forward to the viewscreen, no doubt taking care not to slip on the pool of blood undoubtedly on the floor.
Nyana: My ship is yours. Our fate is in your hands. However, Kali was not here alone and you shall give us some time to get her staff sorted. I will contact you again when all is done.
The viewscreen went dark, leaving behind a stunned bridge crew.
Aire: Um... Kit, Azrael again, secure channel.
Kit only gave a curt nod as he tapped at his console. Soon after, Azrael appeared on the screen again.
Azrael: I would say that was the signal.
Aire: That's a given. Assuming they succeed in securing their ship, what's next? I'm not keen on allowing them to remain in control. We've seen what their ships can do.
Azrael: Including creating a temporary black hole when they explode, which I find most disturbing.
Aire: I think this one might be a bit above our pay grade. I suggest we contact Admiral Zhang and I'll get our Vashta expert to the bridge.
Azrael: Agreed. My communications officer also tells me that Kuro is on her way here aboard the dragon ship.
Aire: We've attracted quite a bit of attention. If you can contact Admiral Zhang, I'll get our Vashta expert up here.
Azrael: I'll contact you on split screen when we're ready. Azrael out.
Azrael disappeared from the screen and plopped into his chair, letting out a deep sigh, suddenly aware that he wasn't sure how long he'd been holding his breath.
Aire: Get me engineering.
Moments later, Minnie came on speaker.
Minnie: Minnie here, Captain.
Aire: Report to my ready room and bring Sylvar with you. I want to fill you in on what's just happened and we're going to need our Vashta expert.
Minnie: On my way, Captain.
Aire stood and straightened his uniform. After a quick glance around the bridge, he landed on Nalma.
Aire: Put a weapons lock on the Vashta ship but don't fire unless you get the order from Joust or myself. We need to be cautious, but not rash.
Nalma: Understood, Captain.
Aire: Joust, you have the bridge.
Joust: Yes, Captain.
With the ship as secure as he could make it, Aire climbed the stairs to his ready room to await Minnie and Sylvar.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
Falke2009
