Now, Ariel didn’t like the phrase ‘I told you so’, or other such sayings along those lines. It was prideful and bitter, and had never contributed anything of value in a crisis. It soured relationships and incited tempers to flare up. It was meaningless aggression in times that called for cooperation and unity.

As a swarm of starfighters whizzed past in the silent vacuum outside, however, she began to think that maybe some firmer rhetoric or even a mind trick would have saved them all some grief. Oh well. She had her orders.

It was séance time.

[hider=And with neither speech nor motion, Ariel called upon the underworld.]

The 1st Fleet had hardly taken casualties. It wasn’t surprising in the least that it was one of the deserters who responded first.

[color=e9e6e1]“Departed decedent, disfavoured by destiny — answer now or nevermore know rest.”[/color]

Bewilderment. “What the hell.” A tinge of frustration at the sheer impossibility of what he was presently experiencing. “What in the world is going on? Who are these people? What?” Questions and more questions. It was nothing unusual; most people reacted this way. Ariel offered him only a firm gaze, not quite aggressive but showing little sign of compromise or yielding. As her trainers had taught: take advantage of confusion to wrest control of the conversation.

[color=e9e6e1]“Answer: to whom or what does this fleet hold allegiance?”[/color]

Authority and stability were compelling forces in turbulent times. He answered without hesitation, as if hypnotised. “Madam Jensen. Elaine Solarie Jensen. She’s the leader: the sister of our former fleet admiral, Berkeley Jensen.”

[color=e9e6e1]“Answer: what were the circumstances of your death?”[/color]

“Really? You’re going to make me remember something like — o-okay, okay, I’ll talk! Just… damn it all to hell. I was working in one of the thrusters. I guess it was a rocket? The fighters were shooting those off at the turrets at first. Thick armour on those, so they only got scratch damage. But there’s nothing like that for us engine crew. Oh no, nothing at all. The whole room got blown up. I saw… they’re dead.” The gravity of the situation must have set in right about now. The man’s face grew ashen, and the flaring anger left him for a moment. “It’s all gone. Destroyed. Everyone’s gone.”

Then, rage again. “Bloody gunners can’t even do their job, and we have to die for it? If the Akriem’s Razor, if our goddamn [i]flagship[/i] sinks, it’s all their fault! Bunch of…”

[color=e9e6e1]“What defences against boarding does the Akriem’s Razor possess?”[/color]

“Huh? Boarding? How in the… you’re mad. What are you now, pirates? Hah. Well, good bloody luck then. I don’t know jack, because— pfft. That’s crazy. Good one, missy. I’d love to see this dinghy try and board a cruiser. You’ll be legendary.” He kept on going on about the madness of the plan. Perhaps that was his way of avoiding the question, or concealing his lack of knowledge on the topic of inquiry. Either way, it did not matter. 

Ariel had no more use for him. 

There was no need to waste time. [color=e9e6e1]“The world of the living bids you farewell; the world of the dead beckons. Go now, begone. Your duty here is complete.”[/color]

“Hey! What? Don’t you—“

The rogue sailor’s soul vanished, returned to its eternal resting-place far removed from the world of men and mortals, to be remembered by few and soon forgotten. Ariel hadn’t even asked for his name. There was no need to do so for the next soul, however — it was an Ascendancy aviator, still dressed proudly in the Navy uniform he had worn to his death. Intimidation had worked on the turncoat, but a loyal serviceman would require a somewhat different approach.

[color=e9e6e1]“Good day, Sergeant Barker. I am Lieutenant Ariel Sin, 1st Fleet Intelligence. You have unfortunately been killed in action — but it appears you may serve Grand Admiral Kherol even still.”[/color]

As expected, it was confusion which showed itself first on the man’s face. He furrowed his eyebrows as his hand passed through the unfamiliar walls around him, then even more as he looked at what seemed like a little girl half his age. Yet the call of duty was too strong — plus, she had invoked Kherol’s name with uncanny confidence. It was quite the persuasive boldness. The lifelong soldier could hardly resist. “Yes, ma’am. What are my orders?”

Success. Ariel didn’t like lying, but work was work.

[color=e9e6e1]“Your mission is simple. Conduct reconnaissance on the Deilos Fleet’s flagship, the Akriem’s Razor. Identify any high-value targets and potential threats to our boarding team. Our point of entry will be the bridge, so prioritise that area. This may greatly exceed your scope of expertise, sergeant, but the 1st Fleet is counting on you. Good luck.”[/color]

The ghost was a smooth operator. Travelling at the speed of ectoplasm or whatever it was souls were made of, the spirit-turned-scout was quick and professional in investigating and reporting his findings. Soon enough, the séance was complete.

[/hider]
Not very much time had passed at all. Séances had always felt longer than they really were. By the time Ariel had bid the last ghost farewell, the assault team had just completed their preparations. 

[color=e9e6e1]“Heads up from the dead! The bridge has been evacuated, save for five people — the fleet commander, an Elaine Solarie Jensen, and her four armed guards. Four males, one female; all adults. They’re expecting us.”[/color] Details were thankfully plentiful, as the opposition clearly had no concept of defence in depth. The only real threats appeared to have been all concentrated in the bridge. The rest of the Deilos crew lived up to their name — fearful and cowardly even as their end drew near.  [color=e9e6e1]“We’re looking at plasma weapons for all five, with quite the eclectic mix. Three rifles, one plasma-thrower, and one with what appears to be a scythe. Their captain is still steering the ship, but she’s still armed with a rifle, so watch out. She’s seated in the centre — white hair, red bodysuit.”[/color]

Finbarr had already opened the portal. It was do-or-die time. Ariel offered a final wave. [color=e9e6e1]“Stay safe, everyone!”[/color]

There was little else she could do.