Space Odyssey: Spectre

After talking for a bit they moved to the bridge of the Discovery. Where Director Fenrir would explain the entire situation to them. The information was a relief because Salem had not contacted him since escaping and he was worried she had not managed to get with the Union just yet.

His squad was gathered on the bridge while the scientists and researchers were moving about. The only room they were banned from entering was the central computer where that odd tree was growing into the machines.

Director Fenrir stood at the front by the view screen. "Cerberus Squad, until General Isaiah and the Venture arrive you will be operating under my orders." She informed them and looked around the bridge to see if there were any disagreements.

"Yeah, you can skip to the explanation for what is going on and what we are going to be doing." Jace informed her as he resisted the urge to spin in the pilot's seat.

Director Fenrir chuckled and shook her head, "very well." She then looked serious and threw a data chip toward Jace. He caught it and then mentally caught on a second later as he stood up and moved to the central chair plugging it in and pushing it to the view screen. "As of one week ago, the first prince had begun making overt actions against the current Vexical Emperor. His personal forces which were supposed to be on the frontlines fighting the Crystoph Federation have been gathering on Vexical Prime and in the space around it. In response, the Emperor was forced to send both Warships to the frontline."

She waved her hand and looked at Jace. He clicked a button and an image appeared on the screen, the image was of the first prince speaking in front of a crowd. "He has now begun speaking out against the emperor openly, talking about how during his rule the empire was weakened and the people now need a stronger ruler. Meanwhile he has been buying off the nobility by promising them better positions both within the government and making promises that would directly contradict the current laws of the Vexical Empire."

Jace clicked another button and several other images appeared. They were images of several other nations who had riots and other battles occurring. "Several neighboring nations have been destabilized as well, either by the Union or Tyranus Society. Which includes the Crystoph Federation, although it appears that they are suffering under something else as well, something we do not know about. The point is, now is the perfect time to trigger our own Civil War."

Jace clicked the button again and a few more images appeared. One was of an older man, the other of the first prince, another of a middle-aged man, and the last was of a young boy. "While we start it off we have an objective for the Cerberus Squad. You are to infiltrate the Royal Palace on Vexical Prime and extract the youngest prince. While you are there you have been given permission to destabilize the enemy by killing the first prince, Cassius Vexical, his personal guard and spymaster, Oberon West, and the brains behind this plot, Archduke Edius Beltrum."

Jace clicked the button and several more images appeared, "these are all for your planning and use. That was all, now show me how to take off in this ship." Jace chuckled as he pulled out the datachip from the central chair. They would plan later; they still had a day before they would likely leave for Vexical Prime.

Jace began showing her the pilot's controls and she began operating the ship, while Nila asked permission to take off from the station. Once she was given the all clear the Director began flying the Discovery away from the station. Gaining some distance before they activated the warping feature of the ship since they did not know what effect it would have on the surroundings.

Jace moved and sat on the central chair, "is the hangar door closed?" Jace asked towards the ship.

"It is indeed closed, Spectre Jace. Do you want me to run through a list of preparations before going into warp?" The ship's computer asked innocently.

"Might as well." Jace answered.

"The exterior doors all need to be closed. Check. The navigational computer needs to be set up with coordinates and direction. Check, but I have no idea about this course." The computer told them.

Jace shrugged, "it is roundabout for a reason. I am sure whatever scanning equipment you have access to will allow you to realize that when you get close."

"Okay." the computer answered and Jace could almost hear the shrug, he got a quizzical look from Director Fenirir but he just shrugged in response. "Engines. Check. Power. Check. Clear of any debris in the immediate vicinity. Check. We are ready to go."

Director Fenrir chuckled and put them into warp. "Okay, go get your squad prepared for-"

As Jace stood up he could barely see it out of the corner of his eye but he did still see it. It looked like a small person running away from the bridge. He was so suddenly focused that he ignored the Director's words. "Who opened the bridge door?"

He looked around as the Director stopped speaking. None of them responded, but they did look toward the bridge. "Computer, who opened the bridge door a moment ago?" There was no immediate response so Jace pulled his Pyre and quietly moved to the door.

The rest of Cerberus Squad were preparing their weapons and following him off the bridge. Jace focused his senses and listened for the extra set of foot falls. He could hear it softly toward their right.

He moved in that direction but he soon arrived at a door but before he opened he stopped, "wait! Don't hurt her!" The computer yelled in panic. "I did not notice until we were just about to leave."

Jace raised an eyebrow under his helmet and opened the door. He then blinked in surprise at the young girl that was in front of them. "How did she get aboard?" Jace asked as he kept his weapon trained on the floor but waved at the others to lower their weapons.

"She managed to open the airlock and came inside. She then avoided me catching her until we were about to go to warp when I specifically scanned for life signs aboard the ship and realized there was an extra one. The airlocks were both completely sealed before we left without me having to do anything." The computer explained, but then he caught onto something she said.

"She managed to open the airlock I sealed? Is there anything wrong with that one?" Jace asked as he looked over the small girl who looked like a beggar. He had seen plenty like her while growing up.

"Before there was not, but there was an electrical short triggered in the door for a moment when she entered." the ship's computer explained, and Jace looked at the little girl to see her hold up a small tool.

"Huh… either way it does not look like we can take her back if she overheard anything important." Jace decided, "Director Fenrir, I have a new problem for you to handle."

"Oh great, now what?"