Chapter Twenty - Curious Alliances

Hesperus II
Tamarind March, Federated Commonwealth
20 February 3054

Daisaku Hayakusora just shook his head in disgust and continued down the street, leaving the newspaper display behind him. Despite the Star Swords withdrawing so soon from Oliver, the war had been going very well.  Now with the entrance of House Liao and the shifting of units to repel them, the Conspiracy War had settled into a stalemate. The Conspiracy was too weak to advance again beyond their handful of worlds, but the Commonwealth loyalists had no units to exploit that weakness.

Daisaku checked his watch and noted the time. His afternoon in the city was soon to come to a close and he was expected to go on duty in less than an hour. He quickened his pace, walking past the entrance to one of the city’s hotels as he headed for the subway station that would take him back to the base.

A hover taxi had recently parked in front of the hotel and a young woman with a cane was trying to get out of it. Surprised to see such a healthy looking person so limping, Daisaku went to give his aid to her.

“Can I help you there?” he asked.

The woman looked up at him, noticing first his Star Swords field uniform and then meeting his eyes. She smiled. “Well, on planet less than an hour and here you are.”

“Excuse me?” Said Daisaku, helping the woman to her feet.

“Surely, I don’t look that different, Daisaku.” She said.

“Gwen?” asked Daisaku as recognition came to him. He now remembered her face from the vid-chip Lisa had received.

“The one and only. Did Joshua not tell you?”

“No, I knew you had survived.” Said Daisaku. “I just wasn’t expecting to see you here on Hesperus. I thought you were with Kurita.”

“I was. To them, I’m dead. So I came here.”

“It seems someone else tried to make you so.” Said Daisaku, looking at her cane.

“Yeah, Richard O’Malley likes his intensive interrogation techniques. I was prisoner of the Conspiracy for a time. This is the result.” She tapped her shin with the cane for emphasis. “Nerve damage. I will have a limp with this leg for the rest of my days. With some therapy I should be able to get of the cane eventually though.”

“So why come here?”

“You are here.” She said flatly. “Given my duties on Northwind are now brought short by my injuries, I decided it was time to seek out the other survivors. To find you and Joshua and the others.”

“You may find your welcome a bit chilly. Much has happened since Dieron.”

“I know about Lisa.”

Daisaku’s demeanor hardened at her name. “Do you have any idea what you have done to her? To Joshua?”

“I didn’t come here to be held in judgment by you or anyone else.” Retorted Gwen sternly.

“But that is what you will find. Lisa was my friend and she was already traumatized enough. Now she’s gone and God only knows where.”

“I know where.” Thought Gwen. “But Joshua will never learn it from me. It is time that he forgot her and remembered who it is that he was truly meant to be with.” She looked at Daisaku and smiled. “If that is what I face, then so be it. But I am here and I mean to join you.”

---

Joshua chased his toddler son about his office. “I cannot believe how much he’s grown.” He lamented. “Have we been away for so long?”

Marian smiled. “Father was pleased to hear your request for me to bring Daniel to Hesperus. Of course, I think part of it was to get me off New Belfast for a while.”

“I’ll not inquire as to his reasons there. But tell me, Marian, is your father still angry with me?”

“Unfortunately, Joshua, I think he will remain so until Lisa returns to us.”

“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Right now, I’m on just about everyone’s shit list. Prince Victor is mad at me. My father-in-law is mad at me.”

“He’s not your father-in-law any longer. Merely the grandfather of your son.”

“Excuse me?”

“Father annulled your marriage to Lisa.”

“That son-of-a-bitch. What gave him the right?” Joshua roared in anger. Daniel, frightened by his father’s outburst, began to cry.

“He is the Duke and Lisa is his daughter.” Said Marian. She scooped up Daniel and made to comfort him. “For what it is worth, I thought it too extreme a move. It is clear to me, at least, that you have your regrets about what happened and if Lisa were here, you would be working to make amends with her. But it seems Father thinks your sin unforgivable.”

“He may be Lisa’s father, and his position as legal ruler of New Belfast may give him the authority to do such a thing, but he had no right to do that.”

“Miranda opposed the move as well. As I understand it, she has already written Father an angry missive in response.”

“At least my two sister-in-laws are on my side. Whatever anger you may harbor for me, at least you are willing to give me the opportunity to repent.”

“I hope you have that opportunity. Whatever Father says and does doesn’t really matter in the long run. This is between you and Lisa and I hope you see her again. I hope you bring her home to us again. I miss my sister.” Marian wiped away a tear. “She’s been gone so long and now the trail has gone cold. She could be anywhere.”

Outside the cracked door to Joshua’s office, Daisaku and Gwen paused. They had heard much of the conversation within. Daisaku merely looked at Gwen. Gwen did not return his gaze. She gave the door a quick rap to let those within know she was there.

Both Marian and Joshua looked up as Daisaku entered. “Ah, Daisaku, Marian has come to visit us and brought Daniel along.”

Daisaku gave Mariah a curt nod. “She is not the only visitor we have received.”

“Oh?” queried Joshua.

At that, Gwen entered.

“Hello, Joshua.” She said meekly. “It is good to see you again.”

“Speak of the devil.” He mused, letting out his breath. “Marian, this is Gwen Laidir. Gwen, meet my sister-in-law, Marian. And the boy she holds is my son, Daniel.”

Gwen glanced at Joshua upon hearing her brother’s name. She then looked back at Marian and gave a polite nod. “It is a privilege to meet you.”

“You’re the one on the vid.” Accused Marian. “You’re the one who drove my sister away and you dare come in here.” Marian glared at Joshua. “And you dare call her friend.”

“Allow me to prove that moniker.” Cut in Gwen. “I bring a peace offering.”

“And that is?” said Joshua.

“Northwind. Lisa is on Northwind.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Said Gwen. “Am I out of my mind? I could have had Joshua all to myself and yet here I am telling him where to find his wife.”

“Are you certain?”

“I am.” Said Gwen. “No backing down now. Guess this is my good deed for the day.” She continued. “Javier and I came to Northwind as part of an ISF black ops against the Conspiracy, but rather than die valiantly in the service of the Dragon, Javier and I deserted and joined the Northwind underground. Among them was a young redhead whose eyes always shot daggers at me. When she and several others were taken prisoner by the Conspiracy, Javier and I launched a rescue operation. After I set her loose, she gunned me down, telling me her name as she did so.”

Gwen paused to let it sink in. “There’s more. Because she shot me, I was taken prisoner. Richard O’Malley recognized me and tortured me personally. But he wasn’t interested in anything about the underground. He wanted to know where ‘she’ was.”

“And did you tell him?”

“No. And now I have this limp for that refusal.”

“Northwind is the worst place in the galaxy she could be.”

“He knows she is there.”

Joshua went behind his desk and sat down. “Joshua, if she’s right, we’ve got to get her out of there. O’Malley will kill her.” Pleaded Marian.

“I know that. But what can we do? Northwind is the heart of the enemy. Victor will have my head if I dare defy him again by taking the Swords there. And that’s if we’d survive, which is unlikely with the garrison that planet currently boasts. Even the Star Swords have their limits.”

“You are overlooking another option.” Offered Gwen. “On Dieron, you had friends outside your Star Swords. Friends that could help you.”

“Mercenaries.” Said Joshua, reading her intent. “Logan.”

Northwind
Conspiracy Occupied Zone, Federated Commonwealth
6 March 3054

Javier growled to himself as he listened to the tri-vid newscast. The Conspiracy controlled media was celebrating the withdrawal of Victor’s forces to deal with the Capellan threat. To hear them say it, the Conspiracy was more than spared, they were victorious.

“Sun-tzu Liao has bought you time, nothing more.” Thought Javier. “But still, at least for now, the Conspiracy War is over.” Javier doubted that Ryan Steiner would sit back and just let this be however. Javier knew Steiner wanted the throne at Tharkad and it would only be a matter of time before he made another attempt to get it.

“This is only temporary.” Said Nathan Bairn from his seat across from Javier in Kyle’s bar.

“I know, but even temporary allows Duke Ryan to consolidate his position. And O’Malley’s response to us has been much more muted than we anticipated.”

“I think he knows the Conspiracy needs to tread lightly with the Highlanders. Their loyalty to the people of Northwind, as you guessed all those months ago, is much greater than any hatred they may bear the Draconis Combine.”

“More bad news. A heavy hand would have worked in our favor. Our enemy is sadly smarter than that.”

“You’ve become quite the pessimist since Gwen had to leave.” Commented Nathan. “And I would think that Justice would have made up for it.”

“The ice-queen? I don’t think so.”

“She has a renkesu ring.”

“I know what she is…or rather was to the late Baron Napineo. But that was a lifestyle imposed on her by force. It doesn’t seem that she’s embraced it. And I’m not interested anyway.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

Kyle entered and interrupted their conversation. “Some of scouts came back last night with something disturbing. The both of you’ll want to take a look.”

Javier looked over the photographs Kyle offered. He looked up at his associates with dismay.

“These are some disturbing photographs.” Said Javier. “Where is this again?”

“Napineo’s old prison. They’re using the grounds to stockpile munitions.”

“For what purpose, I wonder?” asked Javier.

“At last check, there’s enough for 1 full regiment on a protracted campaign in there. We’re having trouble getting too close though. There’s a full battalion of Highlander mechs guarding it.”

“3rd Battalion of the 2nd Kearny. Baron Ian’s battalion.” Said Javier.

Justice walked in next. “We have some interesting news I hear.”

“The Conspiracy’s using Napineo’s prison to stockpile munitions.” Said Kyle.

“Oh, our favorite place.” She said sardonically. “Those are cursed grounds.”

Kyle nodded grimly. He hated looking at the place where his wife had died so horribly.

“How much?”

“Enough for an extended campaign at present and growing daily.” said Nathan. “The Conspiracy is going to use this to launch an attack and go back on the offensive.”

“No doubt.” Said Javier. “And it would help O’Malley’s efforts against us if the Highlanders were elsewhere.”

“Napineo’s prison is rumored to still be active,” said Justice. “There’s more than just munitions there, if so.”

“That’s why we sent out the scouts to begin with.” Reminded Nathan. “Reports are sketchy, but the prison is inhabited again. Whether or not it’s our people is anyone’s guess at this point.”

“Slave labor. Prisoners of war and those handful of our supporters that O’Malley has arrested so far.”

“Most likely.”

“Where are the munitions coming from?” said Nathan, changing the subject.

“I’m not certain.” said Kyle. “I do know the order to stockpile them here came from high channels, so this is definitely the prelude to something big.”

“Alright.” said Javier. “I want to get a better look at this. Justice, you and I are taking a trip. Nathan, we’d best find out who’s signing those orders. We need to work on a plan to destroy the depot, including getting the people out of there first, regardless of whether they’re ours or not.”

“You’re slipping again, Javier.” Scolded Nathan. “I am the commander of this operation.”

“With your permission, sir. This is the best course.”

“I know, I know. Just try to stop going over my head, my friend.”

“Sorry.”

The group broke up and headed off their separate ways. “Why me, Javier?” asked Justice. “I would be better suited planning the raid, than aiding you on recon.”

“Because you were Napineo’s mistress and had free run about the complex.”

“Not really. I was as much a prisoner as anyone else. Better fed perhaps, but I don’t really know that much.”

“Any little bit can help.”

“That’s not the real reason. Have I actually impressed you when we busted Gwen out?”

Javier looked at her and gave no answer.

“Thank you. I’ll try not to let anyone know you actually respect me.” She paused.

“The others only see that ring in your nose. I know there’s more to you than that….Lisa.”

“Don’t call me that. I left that name behind. I am Justice now.”

“Why the change? It’s not like you need hide your identity from all of us. Kyle knew you before you were taken to the prison.”

“Lisa…that name is not safe. Not here.”

“O’Malley?”

Justice nodded.

“There is a story there that I want to know.”

“The garrison mechs are no doubt rigged to detect infantry.” Said Justice, ignoring his demand. “It will be tough.”

Javier conceded defeat…for the moment. “We shall see.”

Star Swords Compound, Defiance Industries
Hesperus II
Tamarind March, Federated Commonwealth
10 March 3054

“So this is your little place.” said Gwen, walking into Joshua’s apartment on the Defiance Industries complex.

“Not exactly my castle back home, but good enough.” said Joshua, walking in behind her.

“A castle. You really did get the fairy tale, didn’t you?”

“Sort of. I married a Duke’s daughter.”

“No fairy tale for me…not yet anyway.” She looked out the window upon the Myoo Mountains.
“Although, with a view like this, you’d never know it.” She whistled. “To think that places like this exist in the Inner Sphere.”

“I don’t follow you.”

“Look at the beauty of this place. Your tenure at the head of the Star Swords has already taken you to countless worlds. I’ve not had that luxury. The ISF kept me pretty well buttoned up and when I did travel, I had little opportunity to see anything but a battle field.”

“Many of the places I’ve been have become that battlefield, sooner or later. But if you want beauty, you will like New Belfast. The plains may be a bit dull, kilometer after kilometer of grain fields. But the mountains there are something like you’ve never seen.”

“Maybe I’ll get my fairy tale after all. Come to your world. Live in your castle. Be the Princess to your Prince Charming.”

“You heard the anger in Marian’s voice earlier. That will not happen.”

“I’m not interested in how your in-laws feel. What does Joshua want?” asked Gwen bluntly. “You came to me so willingly on Dieron. Even wedded to Lisa, I know you’ve still feelings for me. Strong feelings.”

“You offer me back my wife then try to persuade me to leave her for you?” said Joshua. “You are a bundle of contradictions, Gwen.” His tone turned mocking. “Just like before. I love Javier. I love Joshua.”

“Don’t mock me, Joshua. You owe me right now.” Said Gwen. “I could have cheated. I could have kept my secret and had you all to myself. With her gone, even with the anger and displeasure of your former family, you’d have come to me eventually. You’re human and you’re alone. You would have been mine.”

“But that will not come to pass. I’ve already put the Dark Rangers on alert. They will find her and bring her back.”

“Something for which her family will be eternally grateful. It never my intent to drive her away so literally from you and all that love and cherish her. I don’t bear your wife any ill will. It’s you that I want.”

“But you risk losing that by bringing her back.”

“A chance I’m willing to take.”

“And if I choose Lisa, what then? What becomes of Gwen if you lose this little gamble?”

“I won’t. I know you too well.” She said. “But I clear my conscience and give back to a grieving family what they have lost.”

“You’re not so cold and selfish after all, are you, Gwen?”

“I try to live my life with no regrets…and yet it seems I have countless ones. I’ve many mistakes to make amends for. Not the least of which, as you point out, is choosing Javier over you seven years ago.”

“And this is how you amend that?” asked Joshua. “You never stopped, did you? Never stopped being in love with me?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“And all that you’ve done is find your way back to me. The problem is, Gwen, that your quest to win me anew has wrought far more harm than that one ancient mistake ever did. You have heaped far more ‘regrets’ as you put it in these last few months than rejecting me all those years ago ever did.”

“For you, perhaps.” Said Gwen. “I’ve made my choice, Joshua. I came here. I will fight for you. I will die for you. And I will love you until the day fate ends my sojourn in this universe. And that will be true even if you do choose Lisa and her castle and her family and all the fairy tale that is her over me.”
Joshua did not know what to say to that, so he kept his silence.

Rebellion Hideout, Exiletown, Georgia
Northwind
Conspiracy Occupied Zone, Federated Commonwealth
14 March 3054

“You have a transmission, Javier.” said Justice, bringing in a package for Javier into his office.

“Who gave you the authority to accept my mail?” said Javier.

“I did.” said Justice.

“You know, if you want to integrate yourself so thoroughly into my life, you could at least sleep with me first.”

“And have you cry out for Gwen with every thrust? No thanks.”

“It doesn’t help that you so remind me of her.” Javier let out his breath.

“We each have our loyalties, Javier. You love Gwen and there someone out there to whom I have pledged.”

“For all my loyalty, as you put it, I have little to show for it.”

“As do I. But that is irrelevant. A promise is a promise, and I have been forced to break mine far too often.” She tapped the renkesu ring for emphasis.

“So what did I receive? From Comstar?” He took the message from Justice’s hand. He noticed the origin of the message was Hesperus II. “Gwen.”

“That would have been my guess. But why Hesperus?”

Javier slid the message chip into the player on his desk. The Comstar symbol was quickly replaced by Gwen’s face. “Hi, Javier. I haven’t talked to you in a while. I’m getting better. PT has been going well. Doctor expects me to have almost 75% control of my leg back when I’m done. That’s pretty good. As you might have expected, I tracked down Joshua and his unit.” At the mention of that name, Justice sat up and paid attention. “They’re on Hesperus II getting refit and repair. I decided it was time. The Wolverines have been apart too long, and you are the last of us. Join us when you can, when your duties on Northwind conclude.”

“Joshua?” queried Justice, feigning ignorance.

“An old rival.” Said Javier.

“For her affections?” asked Justice.

Javier gave her a sidelong glance. She already knew the answer to the question, but he need not know that.

“On another note, do you have your report ready?” asked Justice. “Nathan and the others are expecting us upstairs.”

“Yes, I do. Let’s go. There are more immediate matters to be dealt with than Gwen’s disposition with Joshua.”

The pair headed upstairs into the bar proper. Kyle and Nathan and a few other leaders of their so-called rebellion were present, awaiting word from them about the prison that Javier and Justice had investigated earlier that week. It was as they had feared, a huge stockpile of munitions for a protracted campaign.

“So,” said Nathan after Javier had finished explaining their findings. “as we expected, the Conspiracy has begun preparations for a major assault to be launched from Northwind to parts unknown. Probably against Kurita targets to draw them into the war. The death of Coordinator Takashi on Skye has only ratcheted up tensions between the Commonwealth and its supposed ally. It wouldn’t take much to blow this thing wide open.”

“They have to be stopped.” Said Javier. “Prisoners or no at that prison, we cannot allow the Conspiracy to launch that attack.”

“Now wait a minute…those are human beings,” interjected Kyle. “Our supporters. POWs from the front. We can’t just sacrifice them.”

“No, Javier’s right. As tragic as it is, in the big picture they are of a secondary concern.” Retorted Nathan. “But there’s the battalion of Battlemechs around it and we simply can’t put up the firepower to deal with opponents like that.”

Justice looked over the reports again. “No, we can’t do this. This operation is beyond us. It’s time to call in help from outside.”

“As much as I’d like to, the truth of the matter is I’m still just a peon in the DMI organization.” Said Nathan. “I don’t have the authority to call for a mech raid.”

“I’m not asking you to pull strings for us, Nathan.” Said Justice sternly. “Get me to the Comstar station. I’ll pull a few of my own.”
---

Intrigued, Javier decided to tag along as Justice headed for the Comstar facility. Who would she contact? How could she guarantee a mech strike on-world? These questions rattled about in his mind as the mystery of this woman deepened for him.

“Remain here.” She told him as they pulled up and parked at the front door of the Comstar building. “I’ll be a few minutes.”

“And I have no intention of doing that.” Said Javier to himself. Justice headed inside, carrying with her the reports the resistance had gathered about the Napineo stockpile.

Javier waited about 30 seconds then got out himself. He headed in the front door and was pleased to see Justice was no longer in the front waiting room. He headed over to the desk clerk. “Excuse me, I could really use a rest room.”

“Down the hall, sir.”

“Thank you.” He darted down the hallway towards the bathrooms. As he did, as he hoped, he passed the door to the recording center. He darted inside, taking pause to ensure the clerk wasn’t watching.
The recording center was made up of a large room filled with small cubicles. Inside each was a fax machine and tri-vid camera, allowing a person to send documents or record a video message or both as needed. Javier slid over near where he could see Justice’s red hair over the top edge of her cubicle. He listened as she began recording her video message.

“Joshua, if I know anything, Gwen has already told you where I am. We need your help. I’m sending you a fax of our best intelligence on a munitions stockpile here on Northwind.”

“Joshua? Gwen? No way. Could it be?” thought Javier in surprise.

Justice continued, still unaware that her escort was eavesdropping. “The job’s too big for us, but not for the Star Swords. You could hit it, destroy it, and prevent Duke Ryan from starting the war anew. We’re counting on you.” She paused. “As for us, I’ve done a terrible thing by running away. It was giving up, letting her just have you instead of fighting. And God, what have I done to Daniel? What have I done to our son? I will come home. But right now, I’ve made a commitment to these people…and there’s O’Malley to consider. He’s coming for us…all of us. I have a chance to stop him and I’m going to take it. In spite of all that’s happened thus far and regardless of what may come, know this. I love you both and Joshua, I’ve forgiven you. I just hope the both of you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. I will see you soon.”

Javier darted back out of the center, his eyes wide with amazement. Justice, Lisa was none other than Lady Lisa MacLeod of the Star Swords, wife to his old rival Joshua Messer. It explained everything, including her vendetta against O’Malley.

Justice came out of the recording center and saw him. “I thought I told you to stay in the car.”

“You did, but I had to piss.” He lied. “Everything done?”

“Yes, we should get help.”

“I don’t suppose you’re going to share this little secret…of how you can call in a mech strike?”

“Have I ever shared any secret?”

“We’ve put a lot on trusting you, Justice.”

“And have I failed you yet?”

“No, but still…”

“Your curiosity will have to remain unsatisfied, Mr. Libereux.”

“She knows my story. Knows about Joshua and I.” thought Javier. “But now I know hers.”

Hesperus II
Tamarind March, Federated Commonwealth
15 March 3054

The large Wolf’s Dragoons dropship settled down on the tarmac of the spaceport. Gwen looked over at Joshua as the massive machine began to unload its cargo, new mechs from the Blackwell factory on Outreach, a gift to the Star Swords from their allies in the Dragoons.

“For me?” asked Gwen teasingly.

“Perhaps. You do need a machine.” Said Joshua, looking up from his clipboard.

“And a job?”

“Well, about that. I’m looking for a new intelligence liaison.”

“And you think my ISF credentials qualify me?”

“You’ve got more field recon experience than anyone else in the unit, save Juan. And he turned traitor on us. So…the job is yours.”

“Juan had a battalion command in addition to his intelligence duties.”

“That he did. How’d you like Third?”

“Third Battalion? Isn’t that Daisaku’s command?”

“It used to be.”

“And what’s become of him?”

“You’re looking at part of it. Five Gallowglas class mechs, the new design being fielded by the Dragoons and one Bandersnatch, built by the Dragoons’ neighbors on Epsilon Eridani. The other six mechs in that Union are various designs built in the Federated Suns and purchased by the Star Swords for our rebuilding. A full company. The seed of a new fifth battalion.”

“The name is deceptive. You have only 4 battalions, since you ‘retired’ the second after Garrison.”

“Correct.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“I’m moving Fourth Battalion and the new Fifth into a whole new regiment, the Second Star Swords. Daisaku has been promoted and will have field command of this new unit.”

“Only two battalions of mechs per regiment?”

“Correct. The third battalion of each Star Sword regiment will consist of support forces, aerospace, infantry, and vehicles. I’ve decided to reorganize us. You will be a part of that…Kommandant.”

“I still need a mech.”

“Take your pick. We seem to have plenty, between this new shipment and what’s coming off the line at these Hesperus factories.”

“Joshua!” called a voice.

“Ah, there’s Daisaku now.” Said Joshua, turning. “We were just discussing your new duties.”

“And has Ms. Laidir accepted her new position?” asked Daisaku.

“She has.” Gwen answered.

“Take good care of them.” Said Daisaku. “They’re good troops.” He turned back to Joshua. “Priority message for you from Northwind.”

“From Northwind?” asked Joshua. “Javier?”

“Or Lisa.” Said Daisaku.

“I’ll take it in my office. Come.”
---

“The plot thickens.” Mused Daisaku, looking at Gwen as Justice’s message came to an end.

“She knew you’d come here.” Said Joshua, also looking at Gwen. “And she knew you’d tell me.”

“Bitch shot me. I don’t owe her anything.” Snarled Gwen. “She’s the reason I ended up in O’Malley’s hands.”

“Can you blame her?” said Daisaku. “You did sleep with her husband.”

“But she was right. She knew you’d tell me, one way or the other.” Added Joshua.

“I’m apparently doing a very poor job at being the evil ‘other woman’ if I’m so predictable.” Said Gwen sardonically. “But what of the intelligence she’s provided?”

“It looks legit. And we’ve no reason to believe otherwise.”

“If O’Malley’s gotten to her…made her tell us this as a lure for a trap?” proposed Gwen.

“Is that the sort of thing the woman who shot you would do? Cave in? Play O’Malley’s game?”

“No.” said Gwen.

“Then you understand my wife better than you know.” Said Joshua. “The two of you are a lot alike, you know. Tenacious, fierce. You didn’t give in when O’Malley demanded of you Lisa’s whereabouts. Nor would she.”

“So what do we do?”

“The Swords are not suited for this sort of work. It’s time to call on the Dark Rangers. Now we have a legitimate reason for a strike, something I can argue to Victor beyond the personal. Send orders to Logan. The Rangers are going in.”