[center] [h1][b][color=f72f39]Alexander Kherol[/color][/b][/h1] [/center][hr] It didn't take long for a reply. The moment Carina announced the reply to him, both the Grand Admiral and his captain put on their earpieces. There was no need for any magical persuasion, as Kherol simply followed the simple line of logic to address this reply. [color=0b4cb5]"Star Marines? Aren't they like...gone after Proxima?"[/color] Carina asked. [color=f72f39]"As far as I know, we're not prohibiting them from further serving, or just straight up going back to their home. What surprised me is they'd actually serve the Ascendancy after all that happened. Especially that edgy kid Flame."[/color] Alexander replied, as he laid back on his chair with his palm on his cheek. Still, regardless of feelings, he should check the facts: the OSI code. [color=f72f39]"Get the OSI code and match it with the ship model in the database."[/color] Carina nodded as she relayed the message over to the necessary department. On the while, Kherol was deliberating what to do with the Akriem's Razor, now that there are a bunch of kids in there. His original plan was to surround the ship with starfighters, wreck their shielding and engine system and then used his newest weapons - the Longinus squadron - to just blow up the whole ship. Obviously getting the reputation of killing several perhaps innocent kids weren't something he wanted in his moral or professional autobiography, so he wanted a better plan. After weighing different options, he settled with his own boarding party. Sure it risked self-destruction, something Kherol clearly had gone through but this was the plan with the least collateral damage. Seeing Carina was busy, he turned to the second in command. [color=f72f39]"Get our boarding squad ready."[/color] [color=0b4cb5]"The OSI appeared to match. OSI Xuanzang, Tang-class transport corvette. Status: Operational. Seems like the real deal."[/color] Alexander still had a bit of suspicion. But confirming the ordeal with the OSI would be time-consuming. They're widely known for having slow service query, and Alexander's request might take up a day or two even as a high-ranking official. He wanted to finish this quickly without delays as there are more things he wanted to move onto. [color=f72f39]"Fine. I'm convinced."[/color] Alexander said as he stood up from his chair. [color=f72f39]"You mind giving me the intercom."[/color] Carina nodded as authorization was transferred over to the Grand Admiral. [color=f72f39][i]"Normally I would have had you all tried for obstruction of governmental operations, but considering the urgency, I am letting you off the hook this time. Once your mates get back to the ship, you are to leave the system. Consider this our token of appreciation for your so-called 'help'."[/i][/color] The transmission ended. Alexander immediately relayed further instructions to the crew, all combatants and the blockade about the Xuanzang's allied status. At this time, the Richthofen and its supporting ship would have already arrived in the vicinity and was quickly approaching the group. In the meantime, Carina took one final opportunity to send a little message to her 'buddy' Natasha Zhang. [color=0b4cb5][i]"Hello darling. It's not the best of positions to be meeting each other again, is it? Hope next time we can be more on equal footings."[/i][/color]