[Naked Crook]

============================================================= Midnight System – 15000 Km from the Planet of Midnight – Cloak and Dagger – Main Bridge - 1245 Hours - October 12th 2555 ============================================================= As The Cloak and Dagger emerged from slip space in the Midnight System, the helm officer spoke up, as they gave their report. Banks: Sir, we have emerged from the slip. Drive core is now cold. Vernette, who was on the bridge, looked up from a tablet that he was reading, as he acknowledged his helm officer. Vernette: Very good, Lieutenant. Plot a course for Midnight, and get us into geosynchronous orbit over Federal heights. Banks: Acknowledged. Vernette looked over at the sensor officer. Vernette: Status of our other ships? Sensor Officer: The Dreadhawk and The King Raven have also emerged from the slip. They both emerged several thousand Km away from where we did, but, they have already plotted a course for Midnight. The sensor officer paused. Sensor Officer: There is no sign of The Venture Capitalist. Vernette: There never is. Don't worry about it. They will turn up. Vernette sighed, as he put his tablet down on a small table next to his command chair. Logistics Officer: Sir...The Elites in our hanger bay are requesting permission to disengage, and return to their ships. Vernette: Clear them for departure, and, extend my personal gratitude to them for their assistance on New Harmony. Logistics Officer: Yes sir. Vernette paused for as moment, as he considered how he should proceed next. After the events on New Harmony, Vernette felt more comfortable dealing with the Elites in a more strategic sense. He felt that after what they had been through, it had helped to break the ice on the situation. Vernette: Comms...inform the Brutes and the Elites to hold their position for the time being. Let them know that I desire to speak with them further concerning our offensive strategies against The Trust. Let them know that I a tactical response to The Trust's attack is absolutely necessary. Vernette paused. Vernette: Inform them that we will share whatever relevant strategic information is required to facilitate a joint counter-attack. Comms Officer: Aye sir. Vernette: Finally, let The Elites and The Brutes know that we understand if they wish to discuss recent events among themselves before meeting with us. Let both sides know that there is a standing invitation to meet with me at The Citadel at any time that is convenient for them. Senior personnel only. Comms Officer: Copy that, sir. As Vernette finished, he stood up from his chair. Vernette: That being said; Lieutenant Banks, you have the deck. I will be proceeding down to the Citadel once we have achieved orbit. Banks: Yes sir. As Vernette turned to leave the bridge, he stopped, as he snapped his fingers, and turned around. Vernette: One final thing... Vernette looked at the Comms Officer. Vernette: Contact Rear Admiral Burke and Captain Hayes, and inform them that I also desire to speak with them, in person, at the Citadel. Additionally, inform Captain Frost that she too is to join them. Vernette paused. Vernette: And...on that note...inform Captain Cochraine that she is to report to The Citadel's CIC immediately. I wish to personally debrief her on her mission. I have a few questions that need to be answered. Comms Officer: Yes sir. I will make sure these orders are sent out. Vernette nodded, as he turned, and left the bridge of the Cloak and Dagger. As Vernette stepped off the bridge, and into the corridors, he stopped, when he came across Barrabus. Vernette: Hey, Big Guy! Barrabus: We need to speak. Vernette shrugged. Vernette: I was just on my way to The Citadel. Care to tag along? We can talk on the way. Barrabus grunted, as he turned and walked along side Vernette. Vernette: What can I do for you? Barrabus: We did not get much time to speak after what happened on New Harmony. Vernette: No, we didn't. It is funny how quickly three days can pas when you are buried neck deep in work. Barrabus grunted. Vernette: What is on your mind? Barrabus: Well, I was going to say that your plan worked. Tricking The Trust into attacking us during our meeting with The Sangheili was...gutless. I liked it. Vernette: It was necessary. The Elites needed to see what The Trust was capable of. They needed to see how dangerous The Trust could be. I didn't think that our word alone would have been enough to convince them of our fight. However, The Trust showing up, deploying clones, and with the Bismarck of all ships...there is no way in hell The Elites are going to let The Trust get away with this. Vernette laughed. Vernette: I am certain that we have the support of The Elites after that. Barrabus growled. Barrabus: It feels weird fighting along side them. Vernette: Yeah, I know. Barrabus: The fur on my neck stands up when one of them is standing behind me. I do not trust them. I always suspect them of wanting to place a blade in my back. Vernette: I know. However, we have to remember why we are doing this. A conflict with The Trust is going to be expensive. Our ships will be damaged, and we are going to lose able bodies in any fight we get into. By bringing The Elites in, we mitigate our own losses, plus, we vastly increase our own firepower. It is only beneficial to have The Elites fighting by our side on this one. Barrabus: Yeah, I know. Vernette: Believe me, I understand the bad blood between your species and the Elites. I cannot imagine that it is very comfortable having to work with them, considering all that has passed between your two races. However, I have always believed that the best things in life that are worth doing, are the hard things. Even if this alliance is a one-off thing, at the very least, we can hope that a little bit of mutual respect was created. Change does not happen over night. It takes years, even decades, but it always starts with something small. Vernette shrugged. Vernette: Something like a handshake...a compliment...or even an act of selflessness. What matters is that in the end, when it is all said and done, we should be able to say we didn't just take evil out of the world. We should be able to say that we put something good in its place. Even if The Brutes and Elites hate each other a little bit less when it is all said and done, to me, it was worth it. Barrabus growled. Barrabus: Far too optimistic for my taste,. Barrabus scoffed. Barrabus: If we can get through this WITHOUT me turning an Elite into a belt...then I will call it a success. Vernette laughed. Vernette: Yeah, lets try to avoid the belts.