RP: UCS Zenpyou [Mission 1] Blackened Wings

[mizunoyoroko]

This spot will be filled by the previous roleplay, need to dig it out of the bowels of my computer. Until then...

The air shaft was still only dimly lit as Alice climbed back in, the smell of blood still filled the air. As she crawled along the access tube back toward the ladder her communicator started to blink.

Alice was thinking about turning her flashlight on but it would give away her position instantly. She decided she will let her touch and intuition lead her. She will go slowly but she won't get into the trap. She was on her way to place where she found bleeding girl when communicator started. She picked it up. "Peacekeaper Mason here."

"Peacekeeper Mason, this is Peacekeeper 2nd Class Maria Johnson with the Security squadron, we've managed to reactivate the internal sensors of the ventilation tubes, scans indicate that there are two more people. We can get to one of them from where we are, but the second is closer to you. We're sending you his location now." With that a 3D map popped up showing Alice the layout of the Zenpyou's ventilation shafts, a dot marked her location and it slowly moved toward a flashing dot, indicating the path that would lead her to the intruder.

The blinking dot was slowly moving across the ship, the path indicated would intercept him.

Okay, here goes nothing, thought Alice. She readied her pistol. At least she didn't have to track him her down herself. And she could use the flashlight most of the way and take him by surprise. After all, she knew where he was but he shouldn't know about her. Alice started moving as quick as tight space of shaft allowed her.

Though the pirate was a considerable distance away, the planned path allowed for travel time and soon Alice arrived at the last stage of the junction. Before her stood a ladder, the pirate would be passing through a tunnel over the ladder momentarily according to her map.

This pirate won't be messing with my ship anymore. Alice thought it was funny that she wasn't on the ship for more than a hour and a half and she was already considering it her ship. Moving through the ship's ventilation wasn't very comfortable but she finally got here.

She moved herself next to the ladder. Alice figured that if she couldn't get into his way that she would just wait for him to pass over her and get behind him, if he didn't decide to move up or down the ladder that was.

There was a banging noise as the pirate slowly moved through the shaft above her head. As Alice looked up she noticed the pirate glance down, but he apparently didn't see her in the low lighting, and continued across the shaft.

Alice's heart stopped beating for a second as pirate looked down her way. Luckily, he didn't see her and moved on. There wasn't much time now. Alice started climbing the ladder as quietly as possible and got into the airshaft. When she was up, she moved away from the edge and prepared her pistol and flashlight. Pirate advanced a few more meters down the shaft while she was climbing.

She sneaked a couple more meters closer to him. Then she turned on her flashlight and aimed both it and her pistol in attempt to confuse and blind him. "Don't move or I will shoot you!"

The pirate tensed up at seeing the light come from behind him. The pirate sat in silence for a few seconds, trying to figure out how he was going to respond before he finally spoke. "Alright, you got me," the pirate said, still not moving.

"Turn around. Slowly," said Alice to him. She really hoped to not get into any trouble and she didn't want to kill anybody. Luckily the pirate seemed to give up.

"Seriously?" the pirate asked before grumbling a little and beginning to turn around. As he did so, he held something in his hand, something that looked vaguely like a gun.

Why can't this go well? What do he think he is doing? Do he think has chance of getting away? From the ship full of peacekeepers. Damn it! Alice gave him a warning. He didn't listen. "Put that down or I will shoot!" screamed Alice prepared to pull the trigger if her target moved too quickly.

The pirate dropped what he was holding, trying to put his hands as high as he could. "Alright alright!" He replied, accidentally slamming his hand into the ceiling. "OW!" the man snapped, inhaling sharply as he tried to keep himself from doing anything that'd get him shot. "I'm turnin' I'm turnin'." The man said as he continued to turn. Once he was completely turned around the man looked at Alice expectantly. "Okay, now what?"

Alice almost fired when the man hit the ceiling but thanks to sharp reflexes honed through training, she was able to maintain her control, she never thought she'd ever be as grateful for boot camp as she was right now. Alice thoroughly looked at the man searching for any sort of weapon or strange equipment. After that she looked at the gun-looking thing.

It seemed like he was unarmed though he was wearing slightly baggy clothes so it would be difficult to tell, as for the gun-looking thing after gazing at it from a distance for a little bit it seemed to be some kind of hand held fusion cutter, but it'd have to be more closely analyzed to tell for sure.

"Now step back a little," said Alice to him and picked up her communicator. "This Peacekeeper 3rd class Alice Mason. I have apprehended the pirate. Requesting back-up to escort him through the shafts."

"Understood Mason, we'll have a unit to your position in no time, just sit tight until he gets there." Johnson replied. Meanwhile the pirate sat there staring at Alice. Well, sat as best he could considering the tunnel. "Pirate?" he asked with a small amount of surprise in his voice. "You think we're pirates?"

Alice looked at him. "It doesn't matter what I think. You are a person who is not supposed to be on this ship. So you are either pirate or really big rat. Now tell me what was your plan."

The man chuckled a little bit, "Squeak?" Sighing the man continued, "my job was to disable the communications system manually." The man looked down at the 'gun' and motioned toward it with his head. "Obviously, I had a long way to go before getting there."

"And what about the others? Why have you been even trying to sabotage the ship? And how did you even get in?" There was a flow of questions. Alice was glad that it looked like the man would have the answers.

"There were two others besides myself, one of us was supposed to disable the engines, the other is supposed to tamper with the main power system. As for how we got on...well, we did rip a mighty big whole in the ship earlier, we were smuggled on by our friends in power armor." The man paused. "As for why...give me a break. You guys would have attacked us one way or another, we were just acting preemptively," the pirate replied his tone slightly bitter. "We're not pirates, just so you know. We're traders."

"Traders normally don't sneak up on the ship full of peacekeepers in
attachment to disrupt it preemptively," Alice retorted. She sighed and continued. "Come on, we are peackeepers! It is said in the name. To keep peace! We use diplomacy first. Why did you think we would attack you?"

"Because you're more likely to believe the lying SONS OF BITCHES ON THAT POOR-ASS PLANET," the man practically yelled the last line, obviously a little incensed. "They killed my SISTER! Then they had the nerve to kick us out of town and won't even punish the guilty. Tell me peacekeeper, who are you more likely to believe? A whole town or some traders?"

"You know what I would believe in? In proof and a proper investigation! It is not like your deeds here have made you really trustworthy? Tell me one reason I should even believe you now? But I do believe in solving problems other ways than like this!" Alice shouted back.

"It'd be doubtful there, honey, it's not like they can't completely change the facts to suit their needs. After all, if the whole community is intent on letting the guilty person go then it's their word versus ours, and they can change the so-called 'evidence' since it occurred in their city," As the man was talking the other guard came up from behind him and signaled to Alice that he was ready. The pirate, realizing that there was someone else there fell silent.

Alice waved at another guard then she looked at pirate again. "Well
it looks like our chat is over. It is probably brick time for you now. I may be a really small fish but I will put everything you said here into my report and you should also tell it to the investigators that will be talking to you in future. Now let's go," Alice didn't know if she was supposed to trust him or not but she is not the one to judge all this. She turned back to the peacekeeper who came to her aid. "Okay so should I go first or you want to go first?"

"It'll be faster if we go this way, ma'am," the peacekeeper replied before leading the pair through the tunnels to a nearby exit. As they exited the pirate was put into handcuffs and lead away. "Good job," a nearby peacekeeper said to Alice.

"Thank you sir, but not very pleasant one. But it comes down to this when you're a peacekeeper doesn't it?" Alice was grateful she had all of this behind her. "Somebody should talk to him, he has a lot of interesting things to tell. By the way do you know if that pirate girl will be okay?"

"He'll be questioned, don't worry about that. As for the girl, I hear she's in intensive care, they just got her to medical in time. Can't say whether or not she'll make it though," the man was about to open his mouth when Alice's communicator went off again, this time loudly and annoyingly.

"Peacekeeper Mason reporting," said Alice quickly with sign of nervousness in her voice after being startled by the communicator.

"Peacekeeper, we need you over in the engineering immediately, we've engaged one of the pirates." Gunshots could be heard in the background. "Come in from the port-forward door."

Oh crud, thought Alice. "I will be there ASAP!" said Alice and started to run using her communicator to show her the shorted route. Damn it! She had only a small laser pistol, did they want her to get killed or what. Her power armor was left somewhere and there was not enough time to get it. She hoped she won't get herself killed.

Alice's communicator took no time in showing her the shortest route. Soon she was at the door to the generator room.

Okay, here goes nothing. Alice opened the door her with pistol ready to fire.

Alice got a brief view of the enemy pirate who was holding a handgun and hiding behind an impromptu barrier that was formerly a control station. Of course, as soon as the door opened the person realized that Alice was standing there and raised their gun to fire at her.

No point waiting. It either her or the pirate. And it was not going to be her. The pirate should have known that it would come to this. Alice aimed and pulled the trigger.

Both Alice's and the pirate's shots went off at the same time. Alice's shot hit the pirate square in the chest, scorching her clothing and burning her skin as the energy bolt impacted. Alice however was lucky and the shot missed her and hit the wall a few feet away from her. Shakily, the pirate tried to raise her gun to shoot again at Alice.

The Pirate was hurt but she was still alive and dangerous. Alice didn't have much choice, this was a firefight not a training simulation. Her or one of her comrades could get hurt or even killed. She won't let that happen. Not now. Alice pulled trigger again, twice.

Energy rounds tore into the pirate, but not before she fired again. The bullet came narrowly close to Alice's ear, so close in fact she could feel it move through her hair as it whizzed by. Luckily for Alice however, the bullet missed. Unluckily for the pirate, Alice did not. Slumped forward behind the control console lay the pirate's now dead corpse, luckily because of the rounds being energy there was no blood as all wounds were immediately cauterized.

Alice stood her for the moment breathing heavily still aiming at the pirate before snapping out of it. She looked around a little confused now that adrenaline started wearing off. "Target down!" She shouted and went to check on the pirate.

The pirate was riddled with 3 laser wounds to the chest, one of them right over the girl's heart. Alice's check for a pulse at first turned positive, it was very weak but still present. The girl's eyes slowly slid up toward Alice's face, tears forming in them. A tear slid down her cheek just as her heart stopped beating, the life in her eyes faded until there was nothing left but darkness.

Alice closed girl's eyes and then stood up. She put a safe on her gun on and then holstered it. Then she took a deep breath. She wanted a shower. No, a long shower. But she couldn't right now, instead she looked at the other peacekeepers. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, luckily she wasn't a good shot," One of the peacekeepers said as medics ran up, one checked out the girl and another looked at Alice to see if she was okay. "We had someone take a hit, they've been sent down to medical already. You can have a break for now, Mason. We'll handle it from here."

"Thank you, sir. I could use a break after all this," Alice sighed and sat down on the chair next to one of the control stations. She put her hands on her face rubbed it. "Sir? I've only been on the ship for about two hours, where can learn the location of my bunk?"

The man laughed a little, "One second," the officer looked through the list of rooms available before finally deciding to let Alice have a little control for once. "Pick a room that isn't taken on Deck 3," he replied.

"Thank you, sir," replied Alice stood up and walked to the nearest lift. She went to pick up her Tenshi and put it back in the power armor bay, then she picked up her stuff and went to find a room. She stumbled into the first empty room threw her things on the bed and went straight into the shower. Unfortunately, the feeling of being a murderer can't be washed away.

 

[mizunoyoroko]

As the door closed behind Roken's last interviewee his Tenshi signaled that it had an incoming communication. "Peacekeeper Roken, this is Natsuko. We've uncovered some...interesting information over here in the city's central computer core, why don't you join us for a little bit?"

Roken put his helmet back on before returning the signal, "well I think I have something that might beat that, the bartender told me the truth. The Barras family didn't murder any kid, it was one of the colonists that did." Roken stepped out of the bar, making his way quickly to central.

Natsuko didn't respond to the message instead she growled lowly with her mic off. Figures, the Cadet thought just as Roken walked into the building. "Here, look at this," Natsuko said pulling up the video footage that Ai had uncovered.

"We thought something was up when Ai realized that the footage had been altered." Natsuko let the video play through and pointed out the parts of the video that looked altered before turning to Roken again. "We'll need to appraise Commander Fleming on this, I think. For the time being the Colonists don't seem to be in any danger, plus the Zenpyou is here so they should be relatively safe. Let's pull out for the time being until we can figure out a better way to handle the situation."

Roken didn't say anything as he looked at the recording with a frown, "alright lets let Commander Fleming know, and take this with us as well." He looked over at console as he tried to access the other systems. "Is there anything else we can pull up or is this it?"

"We have access to just about everything, did you have anything in mind?" Natsuko asked peering over Roken's shoulder. Well, peering over the towering Jiyuuian as best she could considering her short stature.

Roken thought for a moment, "no...nothing really..." He took a moment to look the systems opened already before he would begin prod at it more. It took him a moment but he slowly began going through his usual hacker know how kicked in. He wasn't really hoping to find anything but it didn't hurt to try before they left, they needed all the information they could get there hands on.

As Roken looked through he managed to uncover when the file was originally edited, not only that but he managed to recover the deleted bit of the video file which only served to further support what the bartender had said. Natsuko sat behind Roken slowly clenching her fist when she saw the altered file.

Roken frowned as he pulled up the deleted part of the video, "well....I think this should be enough to set things right....hopefully," Roken double checked to make sure they were not being monitored but he wasn't worried, whoever altered and hid the files did a poor job.

Now we can leave, Roken thought as he pulled up the security cameras around the central control center.

Nobody was monitoring the Peacekeepers, either they thought that their attempt to cover up the details would be enough or they didn't expect the peacekeepers to look deeper into the matter. Either way it seemed safe.

With that, Natsuko ordered the withdrawal of the peacekeeper forces from the surface, promising the civilians that the Zenpyou would keep the colony safe from pirate attack in the meantime. Once aboard the crew was released to do what they wanted, though it was getting quite late, while Natsuko went to talk to Commander Fleming.


Early the next morning, Alice's communicator chirped softly about an incoming message and Natsuko found herself outside of Roken's door. "Peacekeeper Roken?" Natsuko asked into the microphone box after pressing the chime button.

Roken looked back as he quickly finished up his repair on his damaged eye before making himself presentable, "come in." He set his repair equipment aside as he waited to see who was at the door.

Natsuko walked into Roken's room after the door slid open. "Sorry if I woke you. I was wondering if you'd like to join me for breakfast, I'd like to get your opinion on the Miyamae situation while we eat, if that's alright that is."

Roken smiled as he returned his repair equipment before standing up, "don't worry, you didn't wake me and yes, I would like to join you for breakfast." He blinked his newly repaired eye a few times before making his way to the door, "I am hungry and its an excuse to leave my room."

Natsuko laughed lightly before turning and leading Roken to one of the officer messes. "It's kinda strange eating here." Natsuko said after the pair had gotten their food. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to being an officer." Natsuko shoveled some of the food into her mouth, clearly hungry. Finally she slowed down enough to speak, "You're the one that really found out what's going on down there. What do you think about the whole situation?" Natsuko asked.

Roken leaned back a little in his seat as he thought about it, "well...it's not surprising to me, drunk guy can't take a hint and gets carried away....but to go the extra mile to try and cover it up and put the colony in danger is just strange." He took a moment to take a bite from his fork, swallowing it down before continuing.

"Isn't it?" Natsuko asked rhetorically. "Why would they do something like that? I mean seriously, I wouldn't want a murderer living with me, though I guess I'm another story." Natsuko absently touched her ears, a subtle reminder that she still hadn't switched bodies yet.

"Well," Roken looked at Natsuko for a moment, "it's a colony, a community so they kinda stick together but this is a bit extreme." He folded his arms as he thought for a moment, "another thing they seem to have an issue with Nekos, also we need to know more about the Barras family." Roken was thinking hard about there first contact with them.

Roken rubbed his ribs for a moment before speaking again, "it wont matter much since they have stealth on there side and some kind of staging area to attack us and anyone that gets close to the colony." He took another bite from his food as he let what he said settle on him.

Natsuko nodded in agreement. "Our ships sensors are almost back online, there won't be too many places that they could hide once they're fully operational. Chances are they won't try for another sneak attack, considering how their first one turned out. Some of the captured boarders indicated they'd be willing to contact their ship in the interest of peace. Nonetheless, we've still got some work cut out for us I guess."

Roken sat there with a nod, "I'm sure this will be resolved soon." He would be relived when the mission was over, I would rather be in a fire fight than sifting through data and questioning people, Roken thought to himself as he finished his plate, "So what did the commander have to say about what we found on the colony?"

"Well, he was pretty surprised to say the least," Natsuko wasn't sure if surprised would have been the right word to use, but it was a more polite way of saying it. "It fits the Barras family's story, not that that helps them much since they attacked us. Ultimately though he wants it to be resolved peacefully, sadly, I think we both know that's not going to be easy."

Roken just shrugged at that, "well we will do what we have to, this is going to end and end on a good note." He really didn't know if it would end well but he had to be a little positive, and if it would end in another
fight then he would be ready for it.

Natsuko nodded. "We've been tasked with making contact with the Barras family, and hopefully working this whole mess out." She ran a hand through her hair before speaking again. "Are you up to it?"

Roken nodded before picking up his cup of coffee, "always ready." He smiled as he took a sip of his coffee before setting it down, "wouldn't be much of a peacekeeper if I wasn't." He laughed a little I am a Nepleslian, nothing can change that, The thought stuck to him for a moment while he enjoyed his coffee.


--------------

The sound of the communicator woke Alice up. What really surprised that she slept hard without any nightmare. She rubbed her eyes and looked on the communicator.

Alice's communicator showed that the call was coming from the medical bay, still softly chirping away.

"Peacekeeper Mason here," said Alice after picking up quickly. There must be a report on that girl! It must be it! Alice really hoped she survived. She would be so glad to save life after ruining one.

"Peacekeeper Mason, there's a patient here in medical that is requesting to see you. Do you think you could come down here?" the medical officer asked.

"I will be there immediately!" answered Alice eagerly. Oh she is alive great news! Alice put on her uniform quickly and left her room. She hurried to medical bay. If she could she would run.

About five minutes later, Alice came wheeling into the medical bay of the Zenpyou. After a few seconds of looking around she was shown to the girl's bed. The girl looked relatively healthy, though her wound was covered by her blanket anyway. Alice was shown quietly into the room, the girl unaware of Alice's arrival.

"I heard you wanted to speak with me," said Alice softly looking at girl.

The girl's head turned to Alice when she started speaking. "I wanted to thank you, in person," the girl said motioning for Alice to come closer. "You saved me."

"Well, I am a medic. Kind off," Alice said with a little blush on her face. "And I am a peacekeeper. That is what we do or what we should do. What happened to you anyway? That was pretty nasty wound," Alice really wanted to change topic and she was curious too.

The girl looked away from Alice, "I was climbing inside the ventilation shaft when I fell down one of the vertical shafts. I managed to break my fall, but I got caught on an exposed pipe," the girl replied. "I'm sorry for trying to disable your ship."

"Luckily for both of us, you didn't succeed," said Alice. She was feeling a little awkward. Not a really good topic. "Well, first you can do to correct you mistakes is to work with us. Did someone already come to question you?"

One of the doctors that was in checking on the girl answered before she could. "Nope, she's been under medical restrictions up until just recently. We want to make sure she's doing okay before we finally give it the okay. If you want you can go ahead and ask her a few."

"Okay then." Alice responded. Ugh she and to do the questioning? She was a marine not an investigator. Well, she could at least give it a shot. She took out her communicator to record the conversation. "Well, first I would like to know you name and what was you task."

The girl looked a little upset, nonetheless though she answered. "My name is Analise Barras, I was supposed to disable the power systems." Analise paused, "Did you find my brother and sister?"

"We captured two others, One woman, one man. Since there is only one man he would probably be you brother. He was smart and didn't resist at all," said Alice. She wasn't sure if she could talk about it, but for now she hoped that the woman she killed wasn't the girl's sister. "Just what were you trying to accomplish by disabling Zenpyou?"

"You would have attacked us anyway, we were trying to even the odds a little. It didn't work though." Analise was visibly upset by that point and the doctor took note of it.

"Peacekeeper Mason, perhaps you should come back at a later time. It's time for our patient to get some rest," the doctor said softly.

Ahh, that stupid Barras family! They all think that peacekeepers would just attack them because some rednecks would tell them that they are bad. She sighed aloud. "We will talk about that later. The doctor is right, you should get some rest." She said to Analise and turned around and left. Doctor just didn't want them to get worked up. Analise was well enough to talk.

 

[mizunoyoroko]

Natsuko reached over to her communicator and brought up the holographic keyboard before quickly typing out a message. "They're trying to encourage us to stop using our telepathy to get things done," Natsuko commented as she typed, obviously a little unhappy about the
'suggestion'.

To: Peacekeeper Recruit Mason
From: Cadet Hiragi Natsuko
Subject: (none)
Message: Please report to me in the Officer's Mess. The ship's computer has been instructed to permit you entry.

Then looking up to Roken, Natsuko continued speaking, "While we were gone some additional pirates were discovered on board the ship. Evidently, they took advantage of the chaos and stowed away, intending to sabotage the Zenpyou further. Peacekeeper Recruit Alice
Mason was part of the security detachment that was charged with
capturing them. She's had direct contact with the Barras family in this regard, so she could prove a useful asset," Natsuko said before ordering a plate of eggs for herself. "Would you like anything?" Natsuko asked.

Roken shook his head, "no ill be fine for a while, this is good that we have a Barras family member in our custody." He was about to drink his coffee when he realized it was already empty. "Oh...actually i could use another cup." Roken said with a smile. He thought for a moment as he put the cup down, "so has there been any luck talking to our stoways?" Roken asked.

Natsuko smiled before ordering another cup for Roken. "There has been some marginal luck. They claim to have been acting in some twisted form of preemptive self defense when they attacked us. They claim that it was the colonists who murdered their child, not the other way around. They're very...emotional...about this subject." Natsuko responded. Seconds later Roken would find a waitress approaching to fill his cup of coffee up.

Alice was on the way from infirmary when her communicator beeped. She took it out and checked the message. Officer mess? Strange. Okay no time to waste, an order is and order. Alice thought for herself and got on her way.

About that same time, Alice found herself before the doors of the Officer's Mess. As she stepped closer toward them, they slid open. A few of the other officers inside looked at her with an odd expression but said nothing.

Roken thanked the waitress before taking a slow sip of his cup, "well from what we have and what I saw down there I'm thinking the Barras family is right about what really happened but the more information we get the better." He set his cup back down on the table before leaning on the table.

Okay, I'm here. But what now? Darn, who should I report to? That cadet maybe, but how should I find her? There were a lot of people there and they were looking at Alice like she was ghost. Alice started scanning the room for somebody with a Cadet insignia's, that Natsuko must be here somewhere.

Luckily, Natsuko heard the door slide open. Turning toward it, the Cadet recognized Alice's face from her personnel record. "Peacekeeper Recruit Mason," Natsuko said while motioning for Alice to come over.

Alice took her communicator out to look up personnel files, she knew she wouldn't be able to access too much won't information but she would at least have a picture of this Hiragi Natsuko. She looked at the picture and then scanned the Mess again. Oh, there she is and she was actually calling to me. Alice walked to cadet and saluted. "Peacekeeper recruit Mason reporting, ma'am."

A big smile grew across Natsuko's face. Oh, how I miss the good 'ol days, the Nekovalkyrja thought as she reflected on her own time as an enlisted in the YSE. "At ease, Recruit. Why don't you take a seat, we were just discussing the boarders that you helped to detain," Natsuko said with a motion toward an empty chair. "Have you had the opportunity to eat breakfast yet?"

Alice looked at the Neko in front of her before she nodded and sat down. "Not really ma'am, but I can eat later in crew mess. What about the boarders? Yes, I helped security with that."

"Nonsense, you can eat now. What would you like? I think they can do just about anything, save for some of the more exotic stuff," Natsuko insisted.

Alice was little nervous about this. Officers are officers and soldiers are soldiers, what Sarge always said in in boot camp. He also said it was not good to mix those two together. But here she was with an officer. "Maybe some cereal would be good?" Said Alice with shy voice.

Natsuko rolled her eyes. "Alright...we'll fix you up with some Aether-o's then," Natsuko decided. When Natsuko's plate of eggs arrived the Cadet ordered the Recruit a bowl of Aether-O's. After the waitress left Natsuko looked around the table briefly before speaking. "So, to catch you up, Recruit Mason, we've been tasked with smoothing things out between the Barras Family and the colonists. Obviously, this won't be an easy task and we cannot go into it unprepared. You're here because you've had some contact with the Barras Family. Let's plan this out. We've already stated our objectives. Let's state the positions around the table. Peacekeeper Roken, would you brief us on the colonists' standpoint?"

Roken cleared his throat for a moment as he looked at the officers and Alice that were in there before speaking, "well....from what me and the others were able to get from the colonists and there security cam recordings was a bit disturbing..."

Roken turned to address the whole group before continuing, "the colonists were lying about what really happened, I was able to figure this out from the bartender I interviewed during my time on the colony...turns out one of the colonists was turned down by one of the Barras's women and not letting it go killed her, the colonists tried to cover it up and protect the colonist which forced the Barras family to take....a more aggressive action." Roken took a moment to pull up the actual recording unedited and the edited one together for them to see. "We were lucky they didn't put much effort into there security or we would not have been able to get this at all." He paused to let what he said settle on the rest of the members in the room.

Natsuko nodded quietly before looking to Alice as her bowl of Aether-O's arrived. "And what is the Barras family's position?" Natsuko asked.

So that's how it is. Alice was still a little confused about colony and Barras family. She arrived yesterday and didn't even got any sitrep, but what Roken said made it a little more clear. Bowl of her cereal arrived but now wasn't time to eat. "Well, I had chance to have a little chat with only two of Barras family, one while I was apprehending him and second just a while ago in infirmary. But both pretty much hate the colony and thinks that Peacekeepers are here to take them down. They think we won't bother with any investigation, label them as pirates and take them down.

Natsuko nodded, "That's more or less the state of things as it is. We have several problems here, a murder committed and covered up by the colonists. A merchant family attacking a Peacekeeper vessel. Both parties have committed some hefty crimes, what we need to do is work out appropriate punishments that leave both sides satisfied and still uphold the law. Anyone have suggestions? Keep in mind that this isn't something that can be fully negotiated without both parties present, but we can at least have some offers to bring to the table."

Roken took a sip of his coffee before deciding to speak, "we need bring the person who started this in for questioning....and protection." He let that last part hang for a moment before continuing, "I don't think the colonists are equipped to protect him against an attack from the Barras family and with him in our custody and the Barras stowaways under medical care we might be able to use them to bring both sides together," Roken agreed with Alice on that seeing that both ideas worked together.

"Well ,ma'am, I have a thought. The head of Barras won't be in much mood to talk with us or listen to our reasoning, but we have his daughter in infirmary and I think she would listen to what we have to say and help us calm her father down."

Natsuko smiled. "Good, we're already starting to line up our notes," Natsuko said to the pair. "I don't think the Barras Family would be foolish enough to attack the colony while we're in orbit, but it would be good to have the murderer in question. This brings up the next issue, will the colony give him over to us?"

Alice thought about it for a while and then said. "Ma'am, I don't think they have much choice in the matter. We have a recording that proves what happened and if they don't want make it any harder on themselves they should give him to us."

Natsuko nearly hit herself in the face. "And....I just remembered we didn't tell them about the evidence either. We could say we just need to question him further."

Roken folded his arms, "Evidence or not they might fight us on it....we might have to enforce peacekeeper rules and all that to make sure they don't do anything stupid." He looked at Natsuko "We still need him here on the ship and under strict monitoring. The last person I interviewed before the bartender seemed to be getting info from somewhere."

"Hmm, what about randomly picking four to six colonists, plus the murderer and summon them all for questioning, they shouldn't be very suspicious and we can grab our guy," Alice suggested.

Roken thought about Alice's idea, "that could work."

"We shouldn't get all heavy-duty on the colony, that could end in blood and that is bad." Yeah blood is very bad. This sentence made Alice remember yesterday. Blood is very bad indeed.

"Alright, I'll have the colony contacted and a shuttle sent down. As for the Barras Family, we don't know where their ships are, but we could broadcast a signal. Perhaps indicate our willingness to return their family members that we captured if they'll agree to attend negotiations."

"Maybe our stowaways know where the ship is parked?"

Roken finished his coffee, setting down the empty cup, "finding out where the Barras are hold up would be helpful but if we can get both sides to come to the ship at least then if things go wrong there on our home field." He thought for a moment, eyes closed before speaking, "It's still going to be tough though, lets hope our guest can get them to show up."

"I think for the time being, we should let the Barras family feel secure wherever they're at. We want them to want to come to us after all, of course mentioning that we have their murderer might help a little too," Natsuko said.

"But it could also make them attack as again. Those people are furious because of that murder. They think injustice was done to them," Alice got lost in the conversation. This was great, scheming and trying to work things out so it won't end up as a bloodshed. The tension was gone and she even caught herself eating her cereal during the time others talked.

Roken looked at Alice, "yeah and they might be right to feel that way but they wont try and attack us again....lets wait till we have our prime suspect aboard before we announce anything.......heck they may try and attack the dropship." He paused as he look of concern crept across his face.

Natsuko grinned, perhaps it was the Nekovalkyrja in her, who knew. "IF they do that, I assure you they will fail." For some reason, the Neko seemed a little too excited about that.

"I don't think they will attack the dropship unless they would know why we are sending, and there is no possible way they could know it," said Alice while fencing with her spoon in front of her.

"I'll have the arrangements made. I want the two of you to lead this. Yes, I realize that neither of you are officers, but there's no time like the present to gain such skills," Natsuko said.

Alice's spoon stopped in the middle of its move. What? Alice leading anything? She was a recruit for the sake of stars. "But ma'am, I've only been on the Zenpyou for a day and I am only a recruit. I am pretty sure it will lead to problems."

Roken blinked for a moment before smiling at Alice, "oh I'm sure things will go well besides you have been talking with the injured Barras so I'm sure they will be more comfortable with you than me that's for sure." His smile faded for a moment as he sat straight.

Natsuko elected not to say anything, after all Roken had just said what she was thinking anyway. "It'll be fine. I'll be with you, but I'll mostly be observing. Plus...my race could cause issue." Natsuko's mind flashed back to when they were planet-side and both her and Ai had been the subject of odd stares and even mean glares.

"I am not sure about that, Roken, but an order is an order. But maybe the Barras girl will talk to me next time," said Alice. Oh boy this will be something. But maybe something good will come out of it.

Roken nodded, "Yeah, I think me being there might scare her....since I'm a bit big," He joked a little about that but he was a little worried about dealing with the colonist "Let's hope our prime suspect is in a talking mood."

 

[mizunoyoroko]

After hours of traded communications with the planet, the Zenpyou managed to convince the colonists to send up some of their members in a dropship for 'supplies'. Once they were aboard, they were escorted to a different location on the ship and sequestered under the pretenses that due to the previous pirate attack they would need to wait until they could repair the forcefields in the cargo bay.

Simultaneously, thanks to information provided by one of the captive Barras Family members, an encrypted message was transmitted to the Barras Family, one that indicated that the Zenpyou had several of their family captive and would like to return them, as well as, negotiate an end to the blockade and peacefully resolve any issues between the colonists and the Family. All of this took several hours, during which time preparations were being made for the negotiations to be conducted.

Natsuko found herself standing in front of the door to the room that would be serving as the negotiating chamber. "You ready?" Natsuko asked Roken and Alice, inhaling deeply before she did so.

Alice took a deep breath. Well, here it is. Now Alice would be taking her part in bringing peace between two angry sides. It won't be easy to lead them to their senses but she would do her best. "Well, I am more ready then I'll ever be, ma'am!"

Roken stood there, arms folded as he prepared to deal with the colonist responsible for the whole thing, " ready here, it shouldn't take me long too deal with the boy." Roken looked at Alice and Natsuko giving them smile.

"For the moment, the Colonists aren't going to be involved. Let's probe the Barras Family and find out what they're willing to do for peace. I think we can all guess that they'll demand some form of justice though," Natsuko said before nodding to the other two and pushing the door open to the Barras Family. The Neko lead the two Peacekeepers into the room and motioned for them to take a seat at the chairs directly across from the family. As the group entered the room, the Barras Family rose, visibly uncomfortable with the situation but seemingly willing to give it a try.

Roken kept his eyes on the beras family as they stood up, trying very hard not to make any hostile movements as his Nepleslian instincts slowly surfaced. He took his seat as his augments focused on each member of the family.

Alice walked in. She looked on the members of the family. "Good day," she said. No reason to not be civil. Then she sit on on of the chairs. Then she looked on the Roken wishing him to start.

As both Peacekeepers sat down, so to did the family. "Alright, I'll start I guess," one of the men said. "My name is Phineas. How long do you intend to hold our family members hostage?" The man asked a little gruffly.

Roken looked over at Alice as he took a deep breath before responding to Phineas, "they are in our care till we can safely resolve things between you and the colonists, we're not holding them hostage." Roken hoped his response was the right one but at least they had an answer.

Alice looked at Phineas. She really didn't want to believe what she heard. "They aren't hostages. You should be grateful, they are not prisoners, after attacking those ships. One of them would be even dead without our aid," she added. But then she immedietely shut up. She definetly said something she shouldn't

"How many of our family do you have under your...'protection'?" Phineas asked.

Alice didn't want to response to that. She really didn't want to talk about woman she killed so she looked at Roken again.

Roken kept his gaze on Phineas, ignoring Alice previous response, "Three all being taken care of Phineas, once things have cleared up they will be free to go....but right now with how things are going now there safe with us." Roken was going to wait before asking them anything till they were comfortable with them.

The Barras Family side of the table all grimaced visibly, some even showing outright anger. Phineas opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by Natsuko before a word could leave his lips.

"IF by chance you're thinking of the force you sent to attack us, most of them were unfortunately killed in the attack, they put our entire team at risk and themselves when one of their Demon power armor reactors exploded. We tried to keep most of them from being killed, we can't say the same was true for them toward us. We're not here to hear your outrage about your attack on us, so if you've got any more of that you can stuff it." Natsuko was a little bit more than angry when she spoke. "Peacekeeper Mason," Natsuko said placing her hand on the Peacekeeper's shoulder. "Why don't you get us started."

Uh, here it goes. Just don't blow it. "Okay, the main problem is. We have taken a few testiomonies from your people. We found out about the murder of a girl of Barras family. But before anything else, I want you to tell us your story- what happened that night... the truth without any shadows."

One of the family members rolled their eyes but didn't do anything else. "Alright." Phineas said, still slightly upset with Natsuko's words and actions. "We make runs to the colony every now and then, to give them supplies you know, and to enjoy some time planet-side. Last time we were down there some of us went to the bar and had a little to drink. We're mindin' our own business when one of their boys, smellin' a little hammered, comes up and starts hittin' on my little sister. Wel,l she didn't like that none-too-much and told him where he could stick his tool... In response he pulls out a knife and starts to stab her," as Phineas spoke tears welled up in his eyes. When he spoke again the sorrow in his voice was unmistakeable. "By the time we got to him she was pretty bad. They pulled us apart and told us to leave. We sat in orbit for days demanding him, for days they denied us justice. So we did the only thing we could, put up a blockade."

Alice sighed. What kind of crazy man could stab a girl just because she didn't want to bed him? Darn it. "Nevertheless, your attack on Zenpyou was pointless and didn't give you much trustworthiness. Lucky for you, peacekeapers believe in proof and not anything else."

"Oh we thought about calling the peacekeepers. Hell, we even threatend to do it to the colonists. You know what they told us? That they'd never believe us over them, after all if they get everyone to say the same thing then who're you more likely to believe? Some innocent looking colonists or 'pirates'?" Phineas retorted.

Hah, it is always the same song. Pirates versus colonists. Darn it, they really don't have much trust in peacekeepers here. Alice stayed shut for a while to give Roken a space to react.

Roken was listening to everything, eyes never trailing away from the family member in the room, "well you should have tried, as peackeepers we can handle the situation equally we're not just going to favor one side by status or anything like that." Roken paused for a moment, leaning forward before continuing, "we have gathered information that will help us resolve this situation fairly but right now we need cooperation."

Alice thought there won't be much else that they could get out of Phineas, so she looked at Natsuko.

"Alright. What else do you want? We've told you what happened from our side of the story," Phineas said.

Roken was going to leave the arrangements up to Natsuko, wanting to leave out that they already had the colonist in there custody.

Natsuko realized that the two were waiting on her. "Well, let's start at this from a different angle," Natsuko suggested. "We've talked to the colonists. They've insisted that they committed no such crime," as the last words came out of Natsuko's mouth various members of the family made various facial expressions along the lines of 'of course' and 'they don't believe us'. Natsuko gently pushed on Roken's back, as well as, sent him a message. "Take it from here. Find out what they want, but remember that colony still needs every person to survive. Try and work out a deal with them."

Roken gave Natsuko a mental nod before speaking, "with your cooperation of course we would like you to remove the blockade to start with." He knew it would not work out and made sure they wouldnt respond to that yet, " we're asking this to ensure the safetey of the colony and the people....try not to get upset but right now your ships are a threat, we have gained information and evidence that has lead us to belive they were lying and they are responsible." He stood up in his chair now staring hard at them, "Let me just remind you that right now because of your actions, justified in some small way, will also be dealt with by us....you should have had faith in the peacekeepers, we're here to help and we will treat both sides equally." Roken sat down hoping what he said would have helped in any way.

Phineas leaned over to the others and they whispered quietly among themselves. "You're asking us to let the colonists off the hook for a murder they committed. We cannot do that unless you can guarantee us that he'll pay for what he did."

Alice leaned against him. "You shoudld let us do the punishment and stuff. If I have to sound cheesy, we are the force of law here. That man commited the highest crime and he won't go unpunished." Yeah I commited one like that just yesterday. Killing in self-defense really didn't help much.

Roken looked at them all, "he will be dealt with but you will be dealt with as well for attacking a peackeeper ship....but yes, he will be punished to the full extent of the law."

Phineas gritted his jaw and took time to stare down each of the peacekeepers one at a time. "Alright, we'll pull off the blockade." he said finally. "I'm assuming you'll release our family members?"

"I will have to talk to my superiors, but the man and woman, should be released. One girl hurt herself and she still needs medical attention. She is not in any state to be transported," alice added softly.

"What's her name?" Phineas asked.

 

[mizunoyoroko]

One of the members of the Barras family looked up at Phineas with a glare when he asked for the girl's name. "That's enough. They've agreed to release our family members that they have captured. That should be enough, I'm sure they'll release her too when she's healthy enough. If we're supposed to start trusting them, this is as good of a place as any," the Phineas snapped. "We will however, require a formal apology from the colonists for hiding and supporting a murderer. In addition to his punishment."

Roken smiled a little, knowing that things have worked out peacfully now that the Barras family are letting them handle it, " a fair request i think." He looked over to the others with him to be absolutely sure about that they asked, "we can get them to do that, and deal with the murderer's punishment and thing should work out."

Alice looked at Rokken. How can he be so sure they will apologize? They were harboring murderer for Amaterasus sake. "And of course, the murderer will be judged and punished accoridingly to his crime."

"Then if it's alright with you, we'll take our wounded back to our ships and order them to leave the colonists alone," Phineas said, trying to rush the process in hopes that the Peacekeepers would forget about the punishment for attack a UOCPF vessel.

Roken staired hard at Phineas, "we still have another problem that has not been resolved so i think we should let the wounded rest a little while longer." He stood up now very much upset as looked at them all, "you attacked a peackeeper ship, THIS ship and I don't want to hear that you were unsure bit again you still have to answer for it. You put this crew through hell with that first attack and put a few of us in medical facility, and another thing, you would sacrifice your own by equiping them with sensitive armor that could blow up, what were you thinking?"

"Not to mention infiltration and trying to sabotage this vessel." Alice added. "You must understand that we just can't let this topic go."

Phineas sighed, realizing that he had been trapped. "What do you suggest then."

"Please give us a minute. Me and my collegue will discuss it. It is very sensitive matter and we don't want judge unjustly," said Alice and looked at Rokken.

Roken looked back at Alice, thinking a little on how they would handle it, " I don't like that they have there own personal army, we should take a way some of that but leave enough for them to deal with any pirates that might try to attack them," Roken whispered.

"That is not bad idea. But we must make to leave them enough to defend themselves. They are merchants after all, they are attacked often," Alice whispered back.

Roken agreed not wanting them to be without some kind of protection, "alright then I think we will leave them enough so they can defend themselves," Roken figured it was fair.

"Okay, let's do that then. And while we are confiscating weaponary, we can look for anything illegal they would have there," said Alice so nobody but Rokken could hear that then she turned back to Phineas. "Okay, we've settled upon confiscating of some of your weaponry. Don't worry we will leave you enough to defend yourself."

Phineas's teeth ground together but the man said nothing, after all the Peacekeepers were the law...and they were also better armed. Finally, after looking at all of the family members his gaze returned. "Fine. Do we choose what weapons to turn over or will you choose for yourself?"

"Our speacialist will look on your weaponry and choose what will be confiscated."

Sighing Phineas nodded. "Alright. Now may we take our wounded and leave?" he asked

"I think that should be all. I am glad we found a solution. If my collegue doesn't want to add anything you may leave," said Alice and smiled at the man. It was probably hard for him loosing a family member.

Roken shruged, "no, but lets make sure the injured are able for transfer." He sat back in his seat.

The family slowly rose, "We'll wait for a representative to arrive in shuttle at our ships. We'll give him the coordinates to meet us at."

As they rose, Natsuko motioned for someone to enter and take Phineas and the family to their injured relatives. "Now comes the unfun part, the colonists," Natsuko said to the pair of peacekeepers before her. "How do you want to start it?"

"Do we start with colony representatives or with the murderer? Well is there even a need to see that man?" Alice asked.

Roken took a deep breath, "we need to speak to the representatives first, they would be stupid to deny the evidence we have on them as for our murderer I'll deal with him if we have to," Roken smiled a little at that.

"Well, we have the murderer in our hands now, so that is done. Plus we have a evidence. But we could just announce them what we have and that they can stop playing dumb if doesn't want to have problems. They do want to be protecetd by UOC after all," said Alice.

"So, representative first then?" Natsuko asked before mentally paging a peacekeeper to bring the representative to the room. A few minutes later, the bartender entered the room with a grumpy look on his face. "Is this about what I think it is..." the man asked with a guarded expression.

"That depends, sir, on what you think this is....." Now, now, let's show them who had the upper hand here.p Roken looked at the upset bartender, "take a seat and we can get started." He was not going to like how this would turn out.

The bartender sat down, in one of the chairs and waited for the peacekeepers to begin.

Roken was a little confused at the moment, leaning over to whisper to Natsuko, "he is the representative of the colony?"

Alice looked at Rokken when he was asking Nat. She couldn't hear him but it was probably important so she will wait for him.

Yamataian and Nepleslian ears are kinda...ugly... Natsuko thought as she leaned in to whisper a response to Roken. "No, but I figured it'd be easier with someone we've had extended contact with." Hopefully, I'm not wrong. Natsuko thought as she leaned back. Then another thought struck her. Ears...what an odd thing to think about at a time like this.

Roken just shrugged as he looked at the bartender. He better get the job done or were gonna have another headache to deal with

"Okay sir, I am pretty sure you know what topic and event we will be discussing now. You saw the event yourself after all," said Alice and looked at bartender. Her face was as cold as it could be. She didn't want to be nice to him.

"The murder," the bartender said with a sigh. "Is that the real reason you brought us up here?"

"What other reason you think it could be?" Alice asked

"Well, I don't know...supplies. That's what we were told," he waved his hands dismissively. "Alright, we're here. What do you want?"

"We want you tell us the truth about the murder. Now!" Alice said. She didn't shout but her voice was strict.

The bartender eyed Alice before his eyes slid to Roken. "We've been over this already. I saw what happened, I told your partner here. But you can't take him away, every person in that colony is vital to its survival."

"The individual is coming with us to be punished." Roken said, "were not letting this just pass unless you want the family back at your doorstep."

"You harbored a murderer, mister. You are lucky we got the merchants off of your back. That man must be punished for what he has done. You should udnerstand it!" said Alice.

"Aye, and if you take him the whole colony will wither on the vine!" The man nearly shouted. "Sometimes, you have to sacrifice for the greater good."

"No!' Roken said, "if he stays your only causing more trouble for your colony, how important is this individual over everyone who lives there?"

"Every person in our colony fills a vital role. Take one person away and that role is unfilled. We barely make ends meet as it is, with one less labourer to mine how do you think we're going to keep up the output?"

"You will also have one less person to feed. And this is not a disscusion. He commmited a crime. He killed a young woman. That is all there is to is," said Alice. Her voice was begining to get more and more unfriendly. She started to feel more and more angry.

"He is going to be punished and that's it, what we need is for you to put together a formal apology to the Barras family," Roken took a quick look over at Alice and understanding how upset she was, "right now this is the option, we're not going to just sit here and guard you from those you have wronged regardless to your way of life."

The man sighed. "I'll talk with the rest of the folks here and see what they think. After all, it's gotta come from the elder. I can't guarantee they'll be all that receptive though," he didn't look happy about it, but he didn't have a choice either.

Roken just looked at the bartender for a moment, Definently not the represenative we needed, he thought before speaking, "just let him know that if he does not cooperate he will have a lot more to worry about including the fact that he altered evidence from security vids."

"Not to mention lying to the investigators," Alice added.

The bartender nodded, "If you'll excuse me then," he said before rising, still awaiting a nod from someone.

"It has been some time since I used telepathy," Alice looked at Natsu as she messaged her. "I think this is all isn't it? This slob won't help us much more."

"It should be fine," Natsuko replied telepathically before rising herself. "You may go," the Nekovalkyrja said.

With that the man left the room and Natsuko looked to her two subordinates. "That didn't go as well as expected, but I guess you can't win them all. How are you guys feeling about it?" she asked

Roken folded his arms and leaned back in his chair, "I'm not to confident that the bartender will get through to them, although it wont matter since we have the murderer aboard, that should be enough to make the Barras satisifed at least."

"Hmm, I still think we are letting them off easy, but there is probably not much more we could do," said Alice. She scratched her head and then added. "I mean there is not much more we could want from them. We could make them apologize as a punishment, telling them that other possibilty is jail time for elder as a leader of their scam"

"Let's wait it out, better not to say anything else that will further alienate them from us unless it's absolutely necessary," Natsuko replied. "By the way, you both did quite well."

Roken shruged, "rather be on a combat mission than this....but this was not so bad."

"I could use a cup of tea now, but I think I will go check upon the Barras girl. There will be time until the colonists reply. That is of course if I can go, cadet?" asked Alice.

"Go ahead," Natsuko replied.

"Thank you, ma'am," Alice said and stood up. She noded to Rokken. On her way to the infirmary she was thinking that it wasn't bad working with him. When she arrived on infirmary she asked if she could she the Barras girl.

Roken stood up, nodding to them both, "well since your going to talk to our guest ill just head to the hangar and tend to my armor...and whatever else I need to do."

"Alright," the doctor replied, "Just remember she's still recovering. Try not to get her too excited." After a few minutes Alice was led to the girl's bedside. She seemed to be lazily watching everything going on around her.

"Good to see you again. I have good news for you. Once you will be healthy enough you will be transported back to your family," Alice said and smiled on the girl.

A warm smile crossed Analise's face. "You mean it?" She asked, happily.

"Of course I do. Especially since you didn't even get a chance to break anything here on the ship, se we can send you off." said Alice with a little laugh. "You just need to get better soon."

"Well the Doc's been treating me well, he says I'll be able to walk around in a few days," Analise replied.

"That is good to hear. I hope you are not in pain anymore. Anyway others who boarded Zenpyou were already returned to your family. And one other thing, you can know that it was made sure that the murderer will get what he deserves. We made sure about that, Alice said reassuringly to Analise.

 

[Kim]

Aboard the Zenpyou in one of the many Staterooms, a small group of colonists that represented the leadership of the Miyamae colony were secured with several armed Security teammembers standing outside the door. The Peacekeepers stood guard in case the Barras family decided to act out with the revelation that vengeance was finally within reach and in the event that the colonists would try to make a hasty retreat without any resolution to the problem at hand.

Inside of the room, there were several hours of great deliberation amongst the Miyamae colony's leaders. They fumed, argued and cajoled at the notion of betraying one of their own to a bunch of strangers regardless of whatever authority they represented.

"They haven't said how they would punish Johnny!" One elder voiced. "How can we surrender him into their hands if they don't even know what they are going to do with him?"

"He KILLED someone, Mr. Midas! How did we really ever expect to keep this quiet for so long? I know he's your son but we have to settle this! How do we know he isn't gonna do this sorta thing again the next time one of the girls turns him down when he's had too much to drink? How'd ya feel if one of them Barras boys knifed Angie for telling him she didn't want him in her knickers?" Joe Rockus, the bartender, interjected with a great deal of exasperation. He knew that this was going to be a headache from the start.

Wren Midas glared at Joe like he could kill the man right there if he didn't fear for his life at the hands of the Peacekeepers aboard the ship. He might've been able to hide the action again for a time if he could talk Joe into leaving the reach of the colony's security cameras out beyond the barriers. But for now, he had to resign himself with the cold, raw fear that ran through his veins at the thought of what would happen to his oldest and favorite son. "If you hadn't sold Johnny that booze, that girl would still be alive!" He snapped at Joe as he lunged for the bartender.

Kelley, a large Nepleslian man, roughly grabbed Wren by the back of his collar and yanked him back away from Joe. the Nepleslian towered several feet above wren, so the much smaller man didn't try to struggle, knowing full well that Kelley could quite easily inflict a great deal of bodily harm on him.

Shayla Trine, one of the only female elders, cleared her throat loudly, earning her the attention of the five men in the room around her. "GENTLEMEN, you fail to grasp that this is beyond Johnny and Vespa now. The situation has spun out of control and we are now accomplices to MURDER. Do you remember what the punishment for murder is in Yamatai?"

The men paled and nodded. "Execution," they collectively whispered.

"Exactly, the entire colony is now at risk of execution. If they only wish to take Johnny then as you have put it, 'sometimes sacrifice is need to protect the greater good', isn't that right, Wren? I am ashamed that I lost my conscience when I agreed to this. Do you realize just what we have done? Joe has given us the way that the Peacekeepers propose to make this right. We apologize to the Barras and surrender Johnny to the Peacekeepers to await trial. We can only hope that Prime Minister Tange with show him clemency and not execute him... but he must be held accountable for his crimes," Shayla stated rather distastefully, like there was a foul taste in her mouth.

And so it wasn't a surprise that a few hours later, Johnny Midas was given up to the crew of the UCS Zenpyou and Wren unable to face his son's look of betrayal, left without saying goodbye to his eldest child.

Elder Shayla Trine met with Marcus Barras, Vespa's father, and gave him a formal apology for what they had done. They all knew that no amount of words could ever bring the young woman back but it was a start to help the Barras ease their hearts in her memory, she would finally be avenged.

And with the Zenpyou's crew fulfilling their promises to the Barras family, they let the Peacekeepers board their remaining ships to relieve them of some of their weaponry to keep their end of the bargain. The loss cost them a lot of money but it was significantly cheaper than what would happen if the incident went to trial. the evidence against the Barras family in regards to the destruction of the other ships was circumstantial due to unconfirmed reports of NMX ship sightings in the system during the time the other ships went missing. But they did have a strong case since the Barras family did very plainly attack the Zenpyou.

Commander Stacey Fleming had a considerable amount of power in how to resolve this situation without it going any further. He ruled that because the Barras family members that did actually assault the UCS Zenpyou were in fact killed during the assault and with the confiscation of Barras weaponry- that they were even. The Barras family could return to trading peacefully with Miyamae if they wished, but he advised them to seek business elsewhere.

The UCS Zenpyou had received enough repairs with the help of the UCS Cael's crew for it to limp back to Siren system to receive further repairs at Meyer station. Once it relieved itself of the remaining Barras and the colonists (minus the murderer), the Zenpyou started its journey home to report their findings.

The week long flight to Siren was uneventful. The morale of the crew had improved with the successful if albeit messy conclusion of their mission. Their mission debrief was full of praise for the crew who had a personal hand in the resolution of the conflict. And a small cheer was heard when the battered ship landed at Meyer station and the sound of "Liberty Call" rang out over the ship's PA system.

They were granted a week of liberty but they were to stay on Siren in case of emergency recall.