[b][i]Natasha Zhang, Ashton and Flame[/i][/b]

There it was again, that nagging feeling she failed someone. That nagging feeling she failed to provide adequate answers to other people's questions. That nagging feeling that she had failed the people under her charge just like [i]last[/i] time. Gritting her teeth, she tried to ignore it, to force it out, but it was clear from Laurey's sarcastic reaction that she had failed her crew yet again, that she didn't provide them what they wanted, no, what they needed to hear. Why can't she be the perfect Captain for once? Why couldn't she provide the right answers, the right moves?

She knew that her plan and the others' would succeed, but would it be because of her, or [i]in spite[/i] of her? Had she really wagered the lives of her crew to get 'catharsis' and ended up compromising her crew's trust instead? Natasha Zhang was angry, and it seemed as though the part of her which she [i]hoped[/i] was good and noble was being actively suppressed. But she had to stay calm, she had to give commands, she had to prevent her mask from breaking down. Otherwise, the crew [i]will[/i] die and so would she and it would be all her fault, her fault for choosing action over safety. 

As the enemy ship began firing back, Natasha Zhang shifted out of self-pity, moving the ship into evasive maneuvers within the limits of a really good freighter in emergency circumstances. She can be more skilled than this, more adept at using the frictionless environment of space and the strength of G-Forces to avoid the enemy's fire, but that would make sure that Kherol saw through their deception if he hadn't already done so -

And then she had it. She had the trump card Laurey wanted, the trump card which 'a veteran can see but a civilian cannot'. Recovering her confidence, she grinned and sent out a message through the comms:

"Everyone, I [i]do[/i] have an actual plan and I think you guys might even like it. We're a ship with advanced technology of Ascendancy Origins and we carry a cargo of 'Star Marines'. Who's to say that we cannot pose as though we're [i]still[/i] part of the Ascendancy?" A pause for effect, then she continued, "Kherol cannot be deceived easily, but we're a ship filled with child geniuses, hackers, and other Ascendancy Insiders. Oh, and of course, mind-readers and mind-suggesters. Plus one must remember that Moonstrike One has access to Ascendancy surplus and Ascendancy intelligence -"

"So does Narvia," Ashton said to everyone as well. "And we can always use Ariel's seance abilities to, you know, get the actual information we need to pass ourselves off as an Ascendancy Black Ops unit. Quite frankly, though, it's strange that Moonstrike One -"

The ship shook, but not because of a hit, but rather because of an evasive maneuver to [i]avoid[/i] said hit. As Ashton took the controls of his turret and began firing at the Delios Fleet's ships, his train of thought was interrupted, while Flame said his piece.

"Captain, Laurey, I have something else which can help - Our formation of 'Star Marines' might not even be listed as traitors yet. We can theoretically come back to the Ascendancy whenever we want," the redhead continued, "Not that I am suggesting that bullshit, but quite frankly, I and Ashton served with Kherol before just as Narvi served with 'The Dragon'. He doesn't like us much, but he will give us the time of day if we tell him we're still with him - "

[quote]
[color=0b4cb5][i]"This is ANS Manfred von Richthofen of the Ascendancy Navy. You are in unauthorized territory and are potentially undermining our military operation. Identify yourself, your intention and what is it that you are attempting to do?"[/i][/color] 
[/quote]

"Speak of the Devil," Flame muttered, even as Natasha grinned on her end and responded to the broadcast.

"Captain Natasha Zhang and this ship is the Xuanzang, officially carrying trade goods from the Outer Worlds to The Ascendancy's Core. Unofficially, this is an Office of Internal Security vessel, Code Black, tasked with the return of precious cargo lost to the Rau've after Proxima. You know which ones."

A pause, as Flame interjected, "You look well, Admiral Carina. Star Marine Flame Brooks reporting for duty, just thought we'd do the Grand Admiral a little favor before we arrive at our destination - We're to be redeployed to the Plenty Warzone."

Ashton added, "If you want additional credentials, I have the requisite OSI codes for the ship - Proof that we work directly for the President-for-Life."

He then transmitted a series of codes which if eavesdropped on by Laurey or received by Kherol, [i]would check out[/i] - The ship was literally showing as on the Ascendancy's payroll.

A text to Laurie to explain, [i]Rau've Intelligence is more competent than most people expect and that's all I can say about that. Let's just say that these will tide us by for a time. But just in case they recognize that the codes are stolen...[/i]

Another message to Iris, Samuel, and Amy, [i]Iris, Samuel, you two and Amy enchant the comms so that they can transmit and [b]amplify[/b] Amy's mental spells as much as possible.[/i]  

Then to Trajen, [i]Trajen, keep your head low - From what we've heard about you, you're an official deserter and your presence will endanger the alibi. Think up a backstory about how you didn't really desert but was drafted into the OSI.[/i]

And of course, Doctor Millard, [i]Be ready to take care of injuries once the Assault Team comes home from victory, Doctor![/i]

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