(Untitled)

[onemorebounty]

*The lift reached the control tower, and Samus and the other hunters piled out. She'd allow them this, that while there was a job to do they didn't waste time--even if Rundas had been preening over being able to "rescue" her earlier, not a word was wasted as they each took a control panel, priming Norion's orbital defenses. She was starting to

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[vicioussweetie]

With the coordinate tag less than helpful, Ali had very few options she liked. But there was nothing else to do: she and her little ship would have to get there as fast as they can. A little research did let her skip a vast portion of the trip by PINpointing into the system, but she knew that this was the easy part. The hard part would be getting past the various other ships. She couldn't count on even GalFed counting her as friendly; whatever had taken Samus down would be an even bigger challenge.

Not that Ali really expected to have any chance against whatever it was that had incapacitated Samus. She knew that her skills were woefully inadequate to the task at hand. The best she could hope for would be to take advantage of the momentary surprise her arrival would inspire, and run away before anyone else remembered to shoot.

Not even this could stop her from going. Samus needed her: that was the only thing that mattered.

[onemorebounty]

*By the time she can get close to the planet that is her destination, the battle is over, the pirate fleet's remnants having fled in the face of their failure to seed the planet, as well as the suddenly-active orbital defenses. While wreckage of ships still tumbled and burned, the Federation fleet was already consolidating its position over Norion when she drew close enough to notice.*

*She'll know when she's gotten the fleet's attention, as her comm crackles to life.*

Unidentified craft, this is the GFS Olympus, you are entering a condition white threat zone. Power down your engines and identify yourself immediately.

*Condition white, if she remembers or looks it up, indicates a wary post-combat stance not quite yet prepared to relax. A sort of yellow alert, but after the fact.*

[vicioussweetie]

Ali doesn't power down her engines, but does look up what "condition white" means before responding.

"No. I received an emergency call, and will respond." She's using her most effective "you will not mess with me" tone of voice, hoping to cow whoever's on the other end of the line into submission. It's a grand bluff, considering her natural inclination to panic still hasn't died down. "Is Hunter Aran still planetside?"

[onemorebounty]

Hunter Aran's status is classified. Unidentified craft, this is your final warning: you will identify yourself, or measures will be taken.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali huffs to herself, frustration and panic making an uncomfortable pairing in her stomach. Sending her identification (such as they're for some version of herself she doesn't quite know yet), she gives the Fleet ship a moment to process the information before she speaks again.

"I believe you'll find that I'm the Hunter's designated contact in emergencies. Now, are you going to tell me where she is, or are we going to have problems?"

[onemorebounty]

*There's a moment's silence after she speaks, and then a different voice addresses her; this one sounds older, the gruff, clipped tones of an aging military man.*

This is Flag Admiral Dane; Hunter Aran is incapacitated, ma'am, and I'd be interested to know how you found us. This line isn't secure--I'm granting you clearance to dock with the Olympus to discuss the situation in person.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali bites her lip to keep from making a snarky and unhelpful comment. Several, actually, involving people's parents, ability to understand short direct sentences like "no", and who is most at fault and thus most needing of a bitchslap.

"Thank you. I expect to be taken to see her directly," she finally manages through clenched teeth as she sets the new coordinates, "and I had best not find you've been up to anything untoward."

[onemorebounty]

We'll discuss the situation when you arrive.

*When Ali docks, she'll be met by an honor-guard of marines standing at attention, and an aged humanoid man who stands at wary attention. He salutes as she disembarks, the marines following suit.*

Your highness, we weren't expecting you. Welcome aboard the GFS Olympus. And I'd still like to know how you were aware of this operation.

[vicioussweetie]

The brief time it takes to dock is spent, by Ali, mentally preparing. Posing as a seasoned military officer would require a more clipped set of manners then what she usually cultivates, as well as a new style of movement. The latter she can model of Samus; the former, well, it's a good thing she's seen all those old war movies. When the ship comes to a stop, she pulls on a himation, carefully draping it over her weaponry so it's not obvious but still accessible. She wishes, briefly, that she had a uniform to wear--it might help. But there's no helping that now.

Ali acknowledges the honor guard with a nod, though her attention is clearly fixed on Dane. She's seen men like him before, and she's never thought it was a good idea to let them wear uniforms.

"I'm sure you would. But the more urgent concern is the Hunter. You can tell me what you know about what happened to her on the way. I'll want to see her, first; have her suit delivered to my ship. I'll store it for her until she's recovered."

[onemorebounty]

*The admiral frowns at Ali's evasion, turning as she reaches him to escort her deeper into the ship; behind them, a pair of marines fall into escort, the rest filing out to other duties.*

The pirates attacked the training facility on Norion, apparently covering the approach of a propelled phazon asteroid. The attack knocked out planetary defenses; Aran and the others were to get them back online, and shoot the rock down. They succeeded, but something hit the control tower and took them down. From the security feeds, it appears to have been that "Dark Hunter" who was reported killed on Aether last year.

*His tone implies a certain amount of fault on Samus' part for claiming to have killed something that quite clearly wasn't dead. He punctuates his coming request with a sharp glance toward Ali.*

They're in medical, now. And if you know how to get that armor off of her, my medics would appreciate it.

*Again by his tone, he seems to find her a little less than forthcoming.*

[vicioussweetie]

Ali shows no sign of having noticed, or cared about, his frown. He hardly matters. The escort does get a glance, however; instead of replying immediately to anything Dane said, Ali remarks, "You do realize I'm, nominally, on your side, right? I don't think you need the babysitters."

[onemorebounty]

They're for your protection, ma'am.

*He gestures as they walk to a rent in the ship's hull, where only forcefields stand between them and the icy void of space. Suited mechanics can be seen inside and outside the hole, busily making repairs.*

We've already seen action, and I'd prefer not to lose anyone else when the pirates return.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali gives the damage a glance, but had been aware that things were barely going in the Fleet's favor before she docked. "Thank you, but I can take care of myself, and I'm sure they have other duties to attend. Such as preparing for your next visitor. I have no doubt Lis will be here as soon as she's able."

[onemorebounty]

"Lis?"

*Dane looks askance, but at his gesture the marines give a crisp salute before turning to move off.*

[vicioussweetie]

Ali waits until they've left before she turns to face the Admiral. "Lis Uthaal. I'm sure you noticed her during the Hunter's trial? She's the pretty girl with the white hair and the Pantuar husband. Now, I really must insist on seeing Samus immediately. If she is still in need of medical treatment, we don't have time for your delays."

[onemorebounty]

*Dane compresses his lips, as an Ali who answers his questions turns out to be no better than one who doesn't. Turning, he escorts her deeper into the ship, to a windowed compartment overlooking the medical bay.*

*Each of the four hunters has been strapped down on a bed, under the attentions of enough medical personnel for any four ships. A few moments after their arrival, a medico detaches from the group to step through a small airlock to join them. Dane gives the woman a glance.*

Report.

Sir?

*The medico gives Ali a significant glance, prompting the admiral's frown to deepen.*

Go on.

Sir. All four are showing signs of phazon corruption, and immune response is virtually nil. We're hoping to modify a PED to stabilize, but I can't estimate how long they've got.