Interlude 146 - 147: New Orders
NorCal CBT
Interlude 146 - 147: New Orders
Date/Location:
May 18, 3065 / Zhongshan, Lyran Alliance (Class B)
Estate of Duke Hildebrandt zu Zhongshan, 10:13 local time
Miss Black sipped gingerly at the hot tea. The brunch spread the Duke’s servants had brought into the parlour was a delightful array of biscuits, tarts, and other pastries along with a selection of delicious jams and jellies, all served with a very robust tea.
“Thank you again for allowing us to stay here while we complete recovery operations, Euer Gnaden,” she said to the Duke between sips.
“Gern geschehen, Frau Schwarz. It is the least I could do after all you and your men have done for me,” he replied with a smile.
Miss Black smiled back before taking another sip of her tea.
XO Thames entered the parlour. He gave a polite bow as he spoke.
“Please forgive the intrusion, Euer Gnaden, but I’m afraid I need to steal away my commander for some important business. I promise to return her soon,” he said with a grin.
“Very well,” the Duke replied, “but don’t be gone too long, Frau Schwarz. We don’t want your tea getting cold.”
Miss Black rose from her seat and followed the XO to the study the Duke had provided for their use.
“What do you have for me, Thames?” she asked as the door closed behind her.
“A new contract,” he answered. “The Allies want to take us off our hunt for a little while. Take a look.”
He handed her a tablet. On the screen was a message:
DATE: MAY 17, 3065
SUBJECT: ACME AMALGAMATED NEW ORDERS AND REVISED CONTRACT
MESSAGE:
MISS BLACK,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS SO FAR. WE HAVE BEEN PLEASED TO HEAR THAT YOU WERE NOT ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN GATHERING INTELLIGENCE, BUT WERE ALSO ABLE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH YOUR QUARRY AND RESOLVE THE SITUATION ON ALARION.
IN LIGHT OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS ELSEWHERE, WE ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU PLACE A HOLD ON YOUR HUNT AND RELOCATE TO MUPHRID TO REINFORCE ALLIED UNITS THERE. A REVISED CONTRACT FOR CONTINUED SERVICES IS ATTACHED TO THIS MESSAGE IF YOU WISH TO CONTINUE YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE ALLIED WAR EFFORT. IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN CONTINUING OUR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, PLEASE RESPOND AS SUCH AND WE WILL CONSIDER YOUR CONTRACT CONCLUDED.
IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE WITHIN ONE WEEK WE WILL ASSUME YOU ARE DISINTERESTED IN EXTENDING YOUR CONTRACT.
SINCERELY,
MAJOR KRINGLER
DEPARTMENT OF MERCENARY RELATIONS
ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERATED SUNS
Miss Black set the tablet down on a desk and sat down behind it while she pondered this for a moment.
“What about your revenge quest, Thames? Surely it will be harder for us to track the Lyran First Regulars if we let the trail go cold?” she asked.
“True, but we don’t know where they went after Alarion, and I don’t think the Duke will let us stay here until his nephew feels like calling,” he replied as he took a seat nearby. “We don’t have any good cards to play right now, so we might as well keep ourselves involved in the Allied war effort until an opportunity arises. I’ve waited thirteen years for this. I can wait a little longer.”
“Very well,” she said as she got up and went to the door. “Send our acceptance and start work on the travel plan. I need to get back to the Duke.” She left, closing the door behind her.
XO Thames smiled, pulled out a pastry he had pocketed when no one was looking, and took a bite as he started drafting up the contract.
Thomas F.
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 2:53 PM
To: norca...@googlegroups.com <norca...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Interlude 146 - 147: New Orders
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Josh Cochran
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2026 8:07:28 PM
To: norca...@googlegroups.com <norca...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Interlude 146 - 147: New Orders