Snippet #1032065

(On the Front Lawn)
A man in a suit walked over to the Mercenary who had just arrived piloting the large Frame with the sword. He indicated that the man should head over to a freight elevator near the back of the property. Saying the others would join him in the hanger shortly.
(In the Foyer)
Michael relaxed his gun from being aimed at the Captain, and noted that Ms. Mary had most likely already disarmed the mercenary; still he holstered his revolver just incase and handed the other pistol off to a servant who was passing by. He watched these exchanges with interest. This is why he had invited these people. He needed to know how they had reacted. For the last few months he had hacked and stolen all the personnel files available from both sides, and had painstakingly chosen who he thought would be the best people to join him on his vengeful raids of both sides’ leaders. He had compiled a list: Captain Arthur Wainwright was a genius of space combat and a brilliant tactician, thus making an excellent candidate for the position as the new Captain for the Legacy. Jarvis Lagan and Evangeline Akranion were both the prodigies of the Psycho Frame pilots. The mercenaries he had assembled were nothing but a stepping stone to attaining these pieces to the puzzle, but if he found some true talent then he would consider it a bonus. And now he saw his chance. He stepped forward and interrupted the two men, “Peace?” he asked with a slight chuckle. “Do you entertain such an idea Captain? With the leadership on both sides there will never be peace. The council of the Federation may be slightly subject to the people’s growing weariness of this ever escalating conflict, but you know as well as I do that the Admiralty of the Federation has no intent of stopping this war. After all, whether you know it or not the three highest ranking men in your military are all ‘Merchants of Death’ like me; they make profit in this war, some way or another. And the Head of the Jupitris forces, that person has no heart I assure you that.”

His mind flashed back to the day that he had lost his family, he had just acquired the second mine and was on his way home to celebrate, but when he got there he found his family dead, his house in flames, and a message in blood on the wall “Paid in full.” was all it had said. That was when he decided he would act aloof, leave the Coalition, and stay neutral. He would use the persona of a Merchant of Death to get closer to the leaders of both side, the Federation who has let the people be crushed under foot, and the Coalition, the only reason there is to kill that person, Yu Kojima. It was Kojima who had his family murdered for money and military gain, he wasn’t about to let it slide. His hand tensed again on instinct, but he kept a straight face and looked at Jarvis. “Mr. Lagan, you do know that the man who killed your father is long dead. After all, I am not aware of any Federation soldier who survived the Purging of Jupitris right after the war started. It’s most likely that he is gone, so who do you hate now?”

He turned to the Captain, “And Captain, you must know by now that this war is just a game to those at the top, hence why I won’t get involved with my company. If you want to stop the war,” He looked to the Mercenary and then to Evangeline, “You’ll have to put aside your loyalties and become neutral, and then strike both sides down. Neither side fights for the people now, both fight for individual profit. If you want peace, you’ll have to join men like me, and bring it about from the inside.” He knew this was dangerous. He had just openly admitted to be waging a war against both sides from within. And though he wasn’t sure if the angered pilot would catch it, the Captain gave him pause. Michael was rolling the dice, gambling that he had read the man in only a few minutes. If he was right, and this man was loyal to the idea of peace he wouldn’t report anything here to his superiors, if he was wrong: his home here would soon be destroyed, and his companies’ offices would be raided. “Peace is beyond our reach at this point, gentlemen. At least for those of us who fight for one side. The only peace offered by both sides is destruction.” He nodded to a small suitcase on a pillar which had a faded atomic symbol on it, it was a tactical nuclear weapon. “How long unit your ship is ordered to fire one of those at Jupitris Captain? Or until your Psycho Frame is sent to place one on the Moon Mr. Lagan.” It was true that the war was currently at a stalemate, but it was only a matter of time before both sides began firing WMDs, this war is one of annihilation. Those weapons no longer were deterrents; they were now swords to be drawn. Who would draw them first?

A servant came into the room and nodded to the host who nodded back. “Do any of you realize that by fighting for one side, you have consented to murdering the other without real cause?” he asked, not expecting an answer, he walked over to the largest painting in the room, one of the First Mars settlement, and pressed his hand into the wall next to it. The painting rose and there was an elevator waiting. “Come, it’s time to give you all your gifts.” He said stepping into the large elevator and awaiting his guests.