[Naked Crook]

Jennifer took a step back, as she folded her arms and looked at Nighthawk. Jennifer: So, I am very curious, Nighthawk... Jennifer paused. Jennifer: Are you really going to withhold Jacob's intel from Harerison? Nighthawk shook his head. Nighthawk: No, I plan on turning it over. I said I would take care of it, and I intend to keep my word. The only reason I made the threat was to make Harrison think before he tries to cut me out of this. Jennifer: Well, he does not think much of you. I seriously doubt he is going to want to cooperate with you to any degree, even if you hand the information over. Nighthawk: You think so? Jennifer: If his tirade was anything to go on, then yeah, it is s safe bet he wants nothing to do with you after this. I would not expect him to reach out to you for any more assistance. Nighthawk: That is a shame. Nighthawk shrugged. Nighthawk: It may be for the best anyway. If HAWK has his way, I may end up in Harrison's iron sights. Jennifer: What do you mean? Nighthawk: It is best I don't discuss this here. However, needless to say...I may need to borrow The King Raven's surplus slipspace core. Jennifer became wide eyed. Jennifer: What could you possibly be planning that would warrant the use of the Slipspace Core? Nighthawk was silent for a moment. Nighthawk: Spender was right about one thing; The Covenant is a threat. Even if I somehow manage to stop The Trust, here and now, I will still have to stop The Covenant. Anaconda stepped forward. Anaconda: Once the Trust has been defeated, I have no doubt that The Covenant will try and take this world for themselves. Chieftain Dangerus and Shipmaster Xyrho may have a vested interest in destroying Vanguard...but I have no doubt that Xyrho also has a vested interest in getting his hands on the technology of The Forge. Allowing that technology to fall into the hands of The Covenant will mark the end of your species. Jennifer took in what Anaconda said. Her sight then shifted back to Nighthawk. Jennifer: Nighthawk...what are you planning? What are you trying to do? Nighthawk: I am trying to do what is necessary to stop Vanguard, The Trust, and The Covenant... Nighthawk stepped forward, as he placed his hands on Jennifer's shoulders. Nighthawk: I need that Slipspace core...and I need it now... As Nighthawk said this, he was taken aback when he heard a voice behind him. Vanguard: Human... Nighthawk pushed Jennifer back, as he drew his Shotgun, and held it at the ready. He aimed his Shotgun at the far end of the Observation deck, where a holographic avatar of Vanguard had appeared. Anaconda saw the holographic avatar of Vanguard appear. He snarled in anger, as he stepped forward, drawing the Gravity Hammer of his back. Vanguard: You plan my destruction... Vanguard paused. Vanguard: Your aspirations are beyond your limited reach. I cannot be destroyed. Nighthawk looked at the holographic avatar, as his heart rate tripled; his heart pounding against his chest. Nighthawk: You... Nighthawk paused. Nighthawk: How the hell are you still here? Vanguard: What you see is but a fragment of infinity; left behind to give voice to your desolation... Nighthawk thought about what Vanguard said. Nighthawk: A subroutine...a part of your greater whole... Jennifer: THIS is Vanguard? Nighthawk: No...this is a fragment of the AI...possibly a derivation that was created. An AI this sophisticated would no doubt be capable of replication and de-duplication... Vanguard didn't respond. Nighthawk: What the hell do you want? Vanguard paused, as he considered his response. Vanguard: I want...closure... Vanguard's focus shifted to Anaconda. Vanguard glared at Anaconda for a moment before it continued to speak. Vanguard: I came...for THAT creature; that creature that presumes to be my destroyer; the creature that bested me... Nighthawk and Jennifer turned to look at Anaconda. Anaconda, however, continued to look at Vanguard. Vanguard: We meet again...Chieftain... Nighthawk was taken aback by what Vanguard had said. The implication was very clear; Vanguard knew who it was dealing with when it came to Anaconda. Vanguard saw right through Anaconda. Nighthawk: How does it know? How does it know who you are? Anaconda: I don't know...