Bringer of Light, Chapter 43: Ceres – Monitoring
A few moments ago:
GEN: Moth…Talbot. I am tracking a small vehicle, roughly two hundred thousand kilometers distant.
TALBOT: So close. Why did you not discover it sooner?
GEN: Apologies. I was distracted by the recent message from our agent, returning to Luna.
TALBOT: I see. Before I hear more about the incoming vehicle, tell me about our Luna agent. She returned safely?
GEN: In a manner of speaking. The coup appears to have settled into an equilibrium of sorts.
TALBOT: So she was apprehended?
GEN: Only in the beginning. She convinced UA forces that she posed no threat, and that it would best serve their interests if she were to return to her former duties. I believe some, er, physical persuasion was necessary at some point.
TALBOT: I see.
GEN: Agent Gagnon says that the UA forces, and some evidently locally-based troops, are now fighting against primarily Chinese Imperial forces.
TALBOT: So…the serpent turns on its own tail…
GEN: Pardon?
TALBOT: Never mind. An old symbol.
GEN: (hurriedly) Agent Gagnon adds that one…ah, Ardan Jacoby, has been appointed to assist in the return of proper—
Talbot: (waves her hand) Right. Now, about this small vehicle…
GEN: (checks a screen) It appears to be an asteroid hunter ship of some sort. Ah. I believe we have seen it before.
TALBOT: Gen.
GEN: Yes?
TALBOT: No, not you, dear. Gennaji. Heading?
GEN: (checks)
TALBOT: Mars.
GEN: Mo…Talbot, are you also able to read minds, now?
TALBOT: No, son. Only hearts.
GEN: Orders?
TALBOT: Send an encrypted message to Mars. Let them know who is coming, with a reasonable ETA. Send another to Gennaji and inform me of our “deal.”
GEN: “Reasonable,” meaning…?
TALBOT: Gennaji has one final moral duty to fulfil. Let him.
GEN: And after that?
…
TALBOT: Then we shall once again start at the beginning, no crees?
Next: Bringer of Light, Chapter 44 – The Red Temple
Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon courtesy of Nature TTL at https://www.naturettl.com/landscape-photography-locations-moab-utah/
