[b]Fomoria[/b]

The terraformation of Fomoria had finished long ago but still, the small planet felt devoid of life. A dusting of grass and a breathable atmosphere had replaced the sandy karst that covered much of the planets only landmass, New Karelia. Terraforming was still a fledgling industry at the time, so the Eosians had left New Karelia as a blank slate, with only the bare necessities for human life present - air, water and any food they could muster together. No life had been discovered, so the humans brought their own - cattle, chickens, pigs, bees, dogs, cats and five species of birds were the only permitted animals. Land was parceled out to whoever wanted it and Fomoria saw large immigration from Europe, the old principle landmass of Earth. In particular, it became popular among the poorer regions of Europe - Finns, the Irish and the Welsh made up the bulk of early colonists.

The man sat across from Malachy was definitely of Fomorian Finn stock - his carefully spoken English, his dark hair and slightly folded eyes put him apart from the everyday Fomorian Finn. But that wasn't all that put him apart from the average Fomorian redneck. His suit was carefully ironed, his floppy hair was pushed from his face and the shuttle the pair were currently sat in was perhaps the sleekest on the planet. A kilometre above the planets surface, it lazily drifted towards the Fomorian capitol as the two men spoke. 

"Captain Malachy, it has certainly been a pleasure travelling with you today. I am quite happy with your decision on this Nemesis matter" said Jouko, the politeness in his voice almost strained. Despite all his airs and graces, Jouko had a childish grin and a mischevious look in his eye, as if he had never truly grown up. "Aye" grunted Malachy in reply, scratching his beard in boredom. All this official business with politicians drove him to wits end. As much as he loved the planet, the inhabitants did annoy him. 

He'd been finishing a week-long break with family when he'd gotten the call only two days before. The Fomorian Fleet was using the [i]Virgin[/i] to assist in the hunt for the [i]Nemesis[/i]. Jouko Pajala, a Fomorian politician and an ally of Malachy, had taken it upon himself to transport the Irish-Fomorian to and from the Fomorian Fleet Command, located deep within the continent. But Malachy knew the real reason why Jouko was being so helpful. Jouko represented a faction within local politics he had grown to dislike. Those who wanted autonomy from Eos but only for their own ends. Still, Malachy had been told by his friends to keep him at arms length. He could be useful in the future.

Jouko reached forward to press a button. A small screen appeared on the smooth, white tiles and the Oriental chauffeurs face appeared on it. "Hello, sir, I am hard at work, yes sir!" barked the chauffeur. "Very good, Hou. Where are we now?" said Jouko, ignoring the frantic button pushing of his driver in an attempt to look busy. "We approach Capitol in five-ten minutes, Mr. Pajala!" Jouko nodded, the same grin plastered to his face and pressed a button, making the screen disappear back into the wall.
 
"So, Malachy, I think now is time we discuss the real reason for this" said Jouko, switching to Finnish and leaning back into his seat. "I realise you can't speak my language very well, so I'll keep this short. In the fight for Fomorian independence, there are certain players who believe that physical force is necessary. As you see below you, hundreds of Eosian soldiers are currently suppressing a revolt among the people". Malachy glanced out his window and saw khaki-coloured patrol shuttles zoom past, probably off to suppress another revolt somewhere on the planet.

Jouko's Shuttle was nothing like the Eosian patrol shuttles. It was built for comfort and for an excuse to show others how rich he was. The insides were coated in a gaudy white leather and white touchscreen plastic, there was a small wine bar and he even had a personal Chinese chauffeur with the barest grasp of English. The shuttle was slowly gliding into the Capitol and Malachy could only wish it would go faster, if only so the constant Finnish drone across from him could be silenced.      

"What I am saying is," continued Jouko. "I want you to take control of the [i]Nemesis[/i]".

Malachy looked incredulous. "Are you having a laugh?" he replied in English, almost laughing himself. Jouko shook his head, a smirk on his lips. That had caught the captains attention. "Remember, Finnish" said Jouko, wagging a finger at the man twenty years his senior. "I'm sure a captain of your caliber can take it without issue". Malachy snorted with laughter. "You have seen my ship, aye? And you've seen the [i]Nemesis[/i]? It can't be done" said Malachy, shaking his head with a smile around his lips. "Not literally, of course. I may be another bureaucrat to you, Captain Gallagher but I am not stupid. I do not expect anything less than the entire Eosian Navy to defeat, let alone take, Admiral Iosif Vranas and the [i]Nemesis[/i]" he paused before continuing, as if considering the weight of what he was about to say. "My colleagues and I believe that having the Nemesis and the Admiral on the side of Fomoria would be extremely helpful to our cause."

Jouko's shuttle made a lazy turn and began into the Capitol city. It was early morning and the military-imposed curfew was still in effect, which meant the streets were empty. The Capitol of Fomoria looked more akin to a 21st-century Earth city than a 26th-century Eosian city. Large, blindingly-white skyscrapers, housing entire communities, rose up into the sky, probably the highest structures on the entire planet. Large screens projected onto the sides of these showed advertisements, news reports and even reflections of the shuttle as it flew past. Malachy sighed as he considered his options.

He was a captain in the Fomorian Fleet and more widely, the Eosian Navy and had been for almost fifteen years. Yet he'd seen his friends and brothers killed by the very men he now called his superiors. He was a man of Fomoria first and a man of the Eosian Federation second. Below him, Fomorians were being killed by Eosian drones and patrols for protesting and revolting. His friends, former men of the Fomorian Defence Navy and the current Fomorian Independence League, were reluctant to act with so many soldiers and drones patrolling the planet. But perhaps this Jouko fellow was onto something. Nobody knew where or why the Nemesis had escaped into deep space but perhaps this Admiral Vranas could be reasoned with.

Malachy finally tore his eyes away from the Capitol and looked at the Finn sat across from him. "Okay then. I'll see what I can do" he finally said, holding out a hand. Joukos face lit up and he shook his hand enthusiastically. "Of course, I don't expect you to find the Nemesis right away but as the captain of one of the best scouting ships in the Fleet - hell, the entire Navy! - I'm betting you'll make contact with the Admiral before the year is out! And don't worry, you shall be well rewarded if you bring the Nemesis to Fomoria!"

Malachy held a tight-lipped smile. He wasn't so sure about that.