Crisis at Garmil's Gate - 03

At the outer edge of the Garmil's Gate solar system, the Red Eyes pirate band led by Dashing Jack hid in their hidden base- a hollowed-out asteroid. Merciless men, and worse, scurried about the interior running arms into the ship berthed therein while the ship's compliment of mecha got repaired and rearmed. In the base's headquarters, Red Eyes and his lieutenant Gori stood before their master, who called upon them from elsewhere.

"The arrival of the Solar Guardsman made our raid unprofitable, my lord." Dashing Jack said, "So I ordered a retreat before we lost too much."

"But you did accomplish your mission?" Red Eyes said, his vicious visage filled the viewscreen.

Jack bowed, as did Gori. "Yes, my lord. We found the location of the tomb, and we dropped our shipment to our allies on the surface. The Paladin's arrival only disrupted the attempt to take the bulk freighters."

"And what word does our man inside Gatewatch have on the opposition?"

Gori held up a notepad and read from it. "The Paladin met with the Fang commander. They discussed the current points of conflict, but he could not discover what the Paladin's plan of action was. He is certain to leave the station and go planetside within 24 hours, but where on the surface is unknown."

"My lord, I think we should move now. That Paladin has a reputation for trouble-shooting. I don't think we have long before he begins to dismantle our operations here."

Red Eyes looked off screen, as someone leaned in to whisper into his ear. He nodded, then looked again at Jack. "Do you require reinforcements?"

"No. I've already arranged for a complication of my own."

"Oh?"

* * * * *

"Sir Kei, Lord Fang's flagship has arrived."

The Opulent Dragon dropped out of hyperspace on approach to Gatewatch. At a quarter-mile in length, and almost half that across, this battleship was not only the flagship of House Fang's fleet but also the mobile home of the house's master- and Sir Kei's father. Escorting this battleship was a symbolic handful of cruisers and destroyers, as Lord Fang feared no attack within his territory.

The vessels drew up alongside Gatewatch, and a shuttle left the Dragon for the station. At the landing bay inside, Sir Kei stood ready with an honor guard to receive his father and master. The ramp came down, and a middle-aged man wearing his disgust like a mask descended from the craft flanked by his own honor guard and attendants.

"Welcome back to Gatewatch, father. This visit is on short notice."

Lord Fang answered his son with the back of his hand across his son's face. "You know why I am here. Where is the Paladin?"

Sir Kei stood there, stoic and unmoving. "He departed for the surface a few hours ago, father."

"To where?"

"He did not say. All I know is that he had leave by the Guild to land at the mine."

"Fool! Recall him, immediately!"

"I cannot. He comes under the authority of the Speaker of the Court of Stars as well as His Holiness the Pope. Neither you nor I have the authority to constrain his actions. You know well what that means, father."

The mask of disgust warped into one of frustration and rage as Lord Fang walked out of the bay. "You fool. You cannot do anything right."