FROM: @CMDR | TO: @ALL

[byfist]

ATTN: ALL PERSONEL.

We have had recent recruits that have joined our fight. I understand you have been briefed and given training for this mission and our stay in Aranean society. As for the rest: I am your Commanding Officer, Grothia, previously of the Regency. Unfortunately, at present, I am often tied up in diplomacy meetings with the high court. But you can reach me via your BCE, or at certain times during the day in COST's supplied quarters.

Field Officer Young, who is at present wearing of her human appearance, is also present. She can be found at similar through similar means.

If you have any concerns, you may bring them to either of us.

As for your mission here. Our main concern is to secure COST's supply of Ymir, this substance is responsible for powering all forms of time travel in the Galaxy and the dimension shifting required to do so. It is the bones of the fallen God, Ymir and it seems mankind was not made to touch their Gods. Aranean's are a species genetically made to mine such a thing and no human is capable of it. That is why they are absolutely crucial and our alliance with them over the Regency, at all costs, must be assured.

At present, High Queen Thsch is our best bet of this. There is no denying the woman is cruel. A slight is enough to make her snap your limbs, one by one. But the natural Jhashcn bias to those who would eat those who suppress inclines her to us, and we need to foster that fondness.

Her daughter, on the other hand, wishes to overthrow her mother, as is their way. So far in my dealings with her, she has been far more moderate. She favours neither heavy slavery nor absolute forms of punishment. She even has an open, qualitative relationship with her brother as I have observed them. They frequently whisper together at the meetings I have attended. That may be appealing, but she will have no bar with us, as we cannot at present assure what she needs to take the throne.

That is as much as my limited position has allowed me to learn. Sadly neither Officer Young or I can move too freely due to our high profile scrutiny. Remember: if it moves, it is a spy, here. There is nothing you say, or do, that is not being reported to someone unless it is done through the BCE.

As such: COST operatives, I require a debrief of your actions, so they we may assist one another. If you have an idea, a skill, speak up, so that we can use it. This is not a usual type of battle, more's the pity, and awareness of movements is needed more than ever.

Comments

[neutronium]

Well better to be honest than to be a hypocrite. I may not agree, but I'll always prefer the former to the latter. [He's known too many hypocrites in his time.]

Strong words. Though I find that you give mixed messages telling people to follow your orders and then posing things to a 'vote' in the past.

An Aranean, a person--

--some things are universal motivators.

[byfist]

It's an unfortunate side effect of my training. We are without ability to speak except very directly.

I would not have a cell, much less, my soldier's trust if I simply did as I always thought best without ever questioning myself.

So your plan?

[neutronium]

Questioning yourself can happen privately, from one leader to another.

[And, well--]

And my plan?

I won't be sharing with you.

[...Hux, that isn't going to sway anyone to your side. Idiot.]

[byfist]

[ There's a very long, long pause. Then: ]

Report to my quarters, now.

[neutronium]

Query:

Can you do more than demand that?

[byfist]

Would it suit you if I could?

[neutronium]

[Calm, Hux.

This could work to your advantage.]

Fine.

I'll 'report'.

[byfist]

Do mind your way here.

action

[neutronium]

[The walk over to the Commander's quarters gives Hux some time to calm down. As occasionally happened with Snoke, and Ren, he had lost his temper, which was something that never went well for him.

Sloane would be displeased with him. He needed to maintain things for the sake of his own personal missions, for what he wanted to get out of this, here.

So swallow things down, smooth back your hair, and put that chin up straight.

Signaling his arrival, Hux stood at the edge of the doorway, hands clasped behind his back.]

You wished to see me?

[byfist]

[ Grothia is sat, at the long desk that had been declared hers as fitting for a Commander. The room was grand. But it hardly looked lived in, she touched nothing, disturbed nothing, she did not have to. Clothes were set out on the bed in a set order, the sheets neatly made. For herself, she was in her officer's blue uniform. Her BCE in front of her, typing on it at a quick pace.

She spares him one look up, her hand lifting for him to take the seat opposite in front of her. ]

I did. Sit.

[neutronium]

[Hux's lips twitch, wanting to frown, but he keeps himself from doing so. Instead, he does as he's told, moving to sit, back straight, gloved hands placed on his knees. The room reminds him a bit of how he lived off the Finalizer--but it was an observation, nothing more.

He waits to be spoken to; after all, she demanded this; he wouldn't be here, otherwise.]

[byfist]

[ She waits until he is settled, and her sentence finished on her missives before she sets it aside. Her hands settling in front of her. Her fingers linking as she sits just as stiffly as she stands during their training. ]

Why are you here, Operative Hux? With COST?

[neutronium]

[Hux knows exactly what she is doing; it is what he would do, in the same situation. Lips pressed close together, Hux gives a slight shrug of his shoulders, a quirk of his brow.]

I needed to get away from the current situation in my own reality. Gain a new perspective on things.

[Unfortunately the person who was causing him issues came with him, as well.]

You're offer was adequate, so I took it.

[A beat, then]

Being able to assist the cause was an added benefit.

[byfist]

[ Her finger taps against the side of her hands. Though her face remains, otherwise, utterly blank. Emotions are difficult, something she has to work into and towards - but as herself. She is just as the Regency made her, empty of anything else but a direct will. So there is little give there.

And then at once, she snaps with her words, clipped, deep, merciless. ]

We aren't a holiday, Operative. We aren't a respite. We are not your added benefit. Your fellow soldiers are dying out there, have died, will continue to - to keep not just their, but your future - safe.

[ She lets it sit. ]

So I ask you again, why are you here?

[neutronium]

[Ah.

So he needs to just lie. There are things that she says, in the way that she says it, that cuts across parts of Hux that he doesn't like to think of. He ignores it, buries it down, for now. Getting angry or showing emotion now won't do any good.

So instead he lets out a breath, presses his lips together, and answers.]

I am here to serve COST. In whatever capacity I can. To serve the cause.


[The answer will please her, or it won't. It's what she wants to hear, but if she dislikes Hux's answer, then it never was about that to begin with.]