[@Quote5][@Metatrooper][@CmdrAlfieq]

	“So you are the Commander I’ve heard so much about. And believe me, I know more than you might imagine.” Fanny steps forward and extends her hand to shake that of the Commanders. After shaking his hand, she doesn’t take a seat. She remains standing, gives a small gesture to her friend, Junior, to let the Commander know the drone was important to her, then addresses the Commander with the important issues at hand, saying;

“By now you are aware of Hany’s Ribbon. She is the only one of her kind. I’ve been tracking her for a while now. She has a power that is so far unprecedented in this universe. Everything she makes contact with is destroyed beyond redemption. All efforts to destroy her only makes her stronger. Combat is not an option. Only escape. But don’t be completely at a loss, Commander, previous efforts to escape her path have been successful. Furthermore, it is not unlike Hany’s Ribbon to disappear without warning. So let it be known, until she actually strikes, there is a chance that you won’t be destroyed.”

Fanny takes a moment to consider her next words, and says; “I’m a little concerned, though. Hany’s Ribbon usually targets those who have questionable principles…. So I must ask you: Is there something you’re people are doing that might make Hany’s Ribbon want to destroy you? Something that… conflicts with the balance of nature? Anything that could be deemed… Evil?” 

[hr]

	"Oh goodie!" Hank replies to Ramrod, starting to sound much more confident now, "I really do like to help when I can, and to be perfectly honest with you, I don't want to die! So here’s the thing.... The Forte are a little distracted right now because they are busy being scared of Hany's Ribbon like everyone else! They're unable to jump to Transit Drive because of it. So I'll be very quick in case they revert their attention to this room again soon!" 

Hank clears his proverbial throat again and explains: 

You see, the Forte's tractor beam systems are quite straight forward, but very strong, I've never seen anyone break free of them! They do however have a particular weakness. An explosion! That's right, if something they have in their tractor beam explodes, it causes a cascade feedback surge through the beam and causes the central Tractor beam matrix to shut down, and in extreme case, go offline completely! Isn't that great?? There is just one little problem with that though...." He clears his throat again, and tells; "Not just any explosion in the tractor beam will do the trick. Nah-ah! It literally has to be an object that the tractor beams have a direct hold of, which in this case would be one of the many ships that are now being held in said tractor beams. In other words, Ramrod - my very new and adorable friend - one of those ships out there will have to self-destruct in order to break every other ship free of the Forte's hold! Helpful, right?" 

Hank takes a deep, simulated breath and finishes:

"So, how about I go ahead and tap into the Forte's communications array and connect on a broadband wavelength with all the other ships in the area? Then you can go ahead and message them all; tell them what needs to be done! But make sure you're fast in delivering that message to anyone who is listening, because it won’t be long before the Forte realize what I'm doing with the communication array and sever the link. That, or the interference form Hany’s Ribbon might disrupt the signal. So, you ready?" He pauses for a moment. "Good! The link is now open - go ahead and send the message!" 

With that said, Ramrod hears a bleeping sound come out of Hank, indicating that the Forte communication array has opened to all other ships in the area, including the Tempest.

[hr]

	Meanwhile, Siren does not receive a response from the Forte, and her attempt to disrupt the Forte's systems don't cause any real issues for the Forte vessel, at least not visibly. When Sing is initiated, the tractor beams flicker for less than a second, but never actually loses their grip. They keep holding strong. But who knows what sort of internal confusion Sing is causing for them. It might just help in the near future....  

[hr]

	Strangely enough, The Forte weren't pulling in The Tempest or any of the other ships they had seized. Maybe the Forte were preoccupied, possibly by the interference of Hany's Ribbon. The Tempest, the Wave blaster, and all thirty of the Rodia vessels are suspended without moving from the Forte's grip. It would seem that Meta's plan to jump is on hold. 

Fanny on the other hand is still very excited about what is happening. She follows Meta to the cockpit, beer still in hand, and sits in the co-pilot seat beside him while staring wide-eyed out at the view of space in front of them. 

“It’s such a beautiful thing, don’t you think? It could destroy every one of you without remorse….” She says, and as she is speaking those very words, Hany’s Ribbon comes into view. It literally looks like a waved ribbon of violet light stretching across the stars, slowly swelling in size as it heads straight for them. 

Fanny then looks at Meta and holds out her beer for him to take a sip, saying; “Why don’t you take off that helmet so I can see your face with these eyes? I’d appreciate it, and besides, what else is there to do right now?” She smiles in a way that seems far too relaxed under the circumstances. “Don’t worry, I don’t have germs.” She winks as a platonic gesture. “Dorsin ost Halit.”

In her final words, which she speaks in a way that should certainly raise suspicion, The Tempest detects Jezebel just a few meters off the Port Bow, but only for a second or two before vanishing again and Ramrod’s unlikely transmission is received from the Forte’s Ship…. 

[hr]

Hany's Ribbon is now less than an hour from making contact with all members in its path. 

[hr]

[@Doc Doctor]

	With the snap of his fingers, things were about to get very strange for Donny. 

Fanny stared pensively back at Donny while the snapping of his fingers - instead of echoing out quickly like any normal sound - moved around the room as if it were a ball, bouncing off the ceiling and the floor and the walls for several seconds before finally dribbling off into the distance. In the returning of silence, Fanny’s thoughtful expression bled away to one of an impassive gaze. 

“It’s a shame….” She said, “when a great man like yourself underestimates his challenge.” She releases a long, quiet sigh, turning her eyes to the door as if to think for a moment, then says; “Behind that door is a holding room. In it is a metal crate, unlocked, and in that crate are the rest of your personal effects. Beyond that room are the 23 floors of a city sized vessel filled with busy and unsuspecting Quatis.” She turns her eyes back to Donny, lifting her left hand, the one with the device attached to it. “All you need is this hand. Place in on the panel next to the door and the door will be opened for you.” She places her hand back in her lap. “All you’ve got to do is get through me then take it from me. My hand, that is. Make sure it’s still warm, it won’t work without a sufficient amount of body heat.”  

She then rises from her chair, rolling her shoulders as if to warm up for a fight and gives Donny a ready nod. 

“You know, I haven’t had a good rumble since Jacob. Holy Israel. Quite a man.” She pulls up her sleeves. “No dirty stuff, Donny. Just the limbs you’ve been given. Keep your blade in your shoes or you’ll be disqualified. Now… are you ready?” She gives him a wink, smiles, then adds one last thing: 

“Remember… Dorsin ost Halit.” 

[hr]

[@Dartbored Fairy][@Zyngard]

	Lieutenant Shard, at first visibly disturbed by overhearing the news that a loved one has been abducted, then turns her frown to a grin from ear to ear in response to Hida.

“Oh, yes please! I was hoping for some action on my first away mission.” She places one hand on Hida’s should, which is an effectual act to note her excitement, while turning back to the door of the Station Hall, saying; “We need to take the Admiral with us. I know he’s a lot to get used to, not everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s the one man who can help you guys right now.”

As it happens, Dino Gavon has already re-entered the Hall. He has overheard the conversation. He gives Shard a sturdy nod before walking over to where the two women are standing. He is holding his rifle across his body, secure in both hands. When he arrives at the pair, his turns up his eyes to meet with Cuna, visible at the top of the stairs. Dino’s expression for Cuna is one of a man who seems to be remembering a recent forgotten memory, before he also gives Cuna a nod of recognition and turns his attention to Hida. 

He said; “Am I to understand one of your fellow barbarian has been abducted?” He smirks, for the first time looking like he’s only making a joke, not serious about the name calling. “My lieutenant is certainly right about that, I can mostly likely help with your needs.” 

That said, he relinquishes his weapon to the grip of one arm and raises his wrist device to his mouth and speaks into it. 

“Flagship Egress, come in.” 

The voice of Officer Cas is then heard on the com; “This is Cas, sir, tell me what you need.”

“Good to hear you’re okay, son.” Dino replies, “We have another situation down here. I need you to survey all preliminary and recent scans of the area. More specifically the Station Hall. Look for anything out of the ordinary.” 

Cas: “Can you be more specific, Sir? We have two thousand megaquads of data here.” 

Dino: “Specifically Cas, search for any signs of individuals who may have vanished from the residence in the last five minutes. Bring up all records of individual bio signatures while you’re at it. Any other reading that may be consistent with the prior. Get back to me as soon as you’ve found something. That means yesterday, son! Dino out.” 

Dino then lowers his device to give what actually appears to be comforting nod to Hida, and says; “The best science officer in the Quatis Fleet is on it. Hold tight. We’ll get your friend back, even if it means missing my lunch.” 

[hr]

[@jorcool] 

	Soon after the fleet of Lanist Khaganate exit the wormhole into uncharted space, their sensors will no doubt be aware of a small one-man vessel. The vessel is adrift in the asteroid field and sending out a destress signal. The signal has an automated message embedded in it:

[i]This is Fanny May of The Jezebel. I need help. Life support systems are failing. Please respond.[/i]

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