Minister Golan Asperant watched the Haruna back slowly into the wet dock. He'd been expecting them sooner but it they'd discovered the special 'cargo' than a few days leeway was expected. Sighing, he watched as Erica Simmons strode out of the command centre and practically leapt down the open iron grated staircase spiraling down around the broad metal tower.
"They have it." She leaned against the metal pole he rested his hands on and turned to him. "I have the facility prepped."
"Are we really doing the right thing?"
"That hardly seems like something Minister Asperant should say, he's usually so single-minded, driven even." Erica smirked. The wind buffeted against her brown hair. "The Princess needs to be told, Golan."
"I know. I'll discuss it with her tonight." He straightened up and buttoned his dark purple coat. "Begin defrosting the patient as soon as possible." He turned on a heel and descended the rest of the way to the tarmac.
"Is this really wise?" Ledonir Kisaka appeared by her side. "Awakening him in this day and age...it could break his mind. We can't afford to lose him."
"I know. Ideally we should keep him in a controlled environment, free from outside stimulus. But we don't have that luxury, Kisaka, and you know it!" Simmons quickly followed Asperant. Kisaka looked out to the wet dock and spotted Cagalli standing by the disembarkation tower.
"Cagalli."
Morrey jumped down from the airlock and fell into line beside Masters and Sarasin. The blonde standing imperiously by the line of Ministers and military officials glanced in his direction. A blue-haired man stood just behind her in a pair of dark sunglasses.
"The crew of the Junk Guild cruiser Haruna." Masters saluted the line of Ministers. The Lion Princess, Cagalli Yula Athha returned the gesture and shook the captain's hand.
"Remember, Morrey, we don't mention the 'cargo' we picked up at Heliopolis, understand?"
"Why not? She sent us out there, right?"
"Yeah, she sent us out there but she didn't send us out there for that. That's Guild property now, technician, so keep your mouth shut!"
"I trust that your mission proved successful, Captain?" Cagalli motioned for the Captain and crew to follow her to the administrative buildings beside the control tower.
"We did what you asked, Princess. Heliopolis was a mess."
"I know," she bit back. 'Alex Dino' her bodyguard looked worriedly at her for a moment before resuming his nonchalant alertness. "What did you find?"
"There's a lot of ore floating around out there, some magnetic emitters on some cargo ships and you'll have an easier time than mining." Masters' smile dropped off his face. "We cleared what remains we could from the area as well."
"I see..."
Erica walked into the operation room deep within Morgenroete and watched the technicians attempting to open the stasis capsule. Honestly, it could take forever to fathom out the workings of pre-CE technology.
"Chief? We've found something." She crossed to a goggled tech.
"What is it?" She squatted by the capsule and looked down at a boxy control unit. A switch, covered by hardened crystal, was illuminated by whatever power supply kept the stasis field going. 'ON' and 'OFF' were clearly marked. She flipped-up the crystal cover and snapped the switch to 'OFF'.
Suddenly, the capsule emitted a dying whine and all the display lights faded. Everyone stepped back as the glass window crashed down to the floor and the hibernating body followed after.
"Get him off the floor and to the ICU!" Erica watched the medical personnel rush in, scoop up the pale naked man, and load him on a gurney. She glanced at her stunned crew. "Who knew pre-CE technology was so idiot-proof?"
(Posted Sat, 07 Apr 2007 17:15)
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