[center][h1][b]The Trojan[/b][/h1]
[h3][i]Undisclosed location - War Council of the Goddess[/i][/h3][/center]
[hr]

“[color=yellow] Mayday! Mayday! We’re takin—[/color]” a hush of radio static soon followed only for it to start again “[color=yellow] –engines down. The Hierophant has…[/color]” and another wave of radio static, this time only interrupted for seconds by loud explosions “[color=yellow] -fallen. May the Goddess protect us. FOR THE GODDE–[/color]” the only sound that came afterwards was an explosion and nothing more.

“[color=gold] Status report, High Hierarch. How many did we lose in Ishtar? [/color]” said the grave voice of the Goddess, Ashevelen. Gone was her usually sweet and calm voice, taken now by exhaustion. Long weeks have passed since Ishtar was attacked by the PUNT, long weeks in which Ashevelen planned war strategies and coordinated the Chosen forces. 

“[color=green]With great sadness I have to report that we’ve lost contact with most of our forces, my Goddess. The Hierophant was our last large battlecruiser in Ishtarian space. Smaller vessels are engaging enemies in a guerrilla style of war, taking pot shots at them and running away before they can retaliate. Minimal success for now. The jamming employed by the PUNT army doesn’t help either. If I may, I suggest we pull all of our forces from Isharian airspace and use them to fortify our side of the Gate. [/color]” replied Catherine in the same tonality as Ashevelen. 

Herself, Ashevelen, Julius and Pontius formed the war-council from the Chosen side of the gate while William coordinated war efforts from the Meeting Place or better said, William coordinated the medical side of the war. The civilians, the refugees and those too injured for conventional medicine. 

“[color=red] I agree with the High Hierarch, Catherine. We should leave those heathens to fight between themselves and after their forces have been spent, send our Golden Armada to take over what’s left. Make them see your light and wisdom. [/color]” 

A slap on the table that made it shudder. The metal groaned, loudly as if asking what did it do to deserve such treatment was Ashevelen’s reply. The guardian Templars took a step back unwillingly, their fight or flight sense taking over their actions. 

“[color=gold] One more word Pontius about heathens and I shall dismantle you piece by piece with my own hands. I guarantee you that. I promise you. No, I swear to you on my own name. I shall…FUCKING RIP YOU APART! Got. That?  [/color]" said Ashevelen as her hands grew into very sharp talons, capable of easily cutting through metal. Her voice made all at the table, including Julius who took a step forward towards the Goddess, releasing huge amounts of calming pheromones in the air. All directed towards her, in the hopes that maybe, just maybe the Goddess won't follow up on her threat.

The subject of said threat was shivering. His face…red but not of fear but anger. How could the Goddess disrespect him in front of the others? How could she be angry at him for saying only the truth? How can she allow her name to be sullied by it being associated with those heathens? Those creatures? 

"[Color=red] I am merely–[/color]" Pontius started to say before the Goddess appeared before him, lightning fast.

"[Color=gold] Yes, Hierarch? Do you want to add something? [/color]" said Ashe in a low tone. Threat clear.

With a bowed head, Pontius took a visible gulp and shook his head. 

"[Color=gold]Very happy to hear that. I've warned you before. Don't question me. I won't repeat myself again. Now. Hierarch Catherine, how's operation Trojan? [/color]" asked the Goddess before throwing one last look at Pontius.

Without betraying any emotion, Catherine bowed her head in reverence before answering the question. She knew better than adding anything to the previous conversation, especially when the Goddess was in a foul mood.

"[Color=green]We’ve managed to hook in a fish. Dragging it to the shore as we speak. [/color]” curtly replied Catherine.

“[color=gold] Catherine, would you like to explain Trojan Op to the others? [/color]” said Ashe while looking at the confused faces of the others. In truth, operation Trojan was a secret of the highest order. None but Ashe, Catherine and a few very, carefully chosen Chameleon types knew of it. All hand chosen from Catherine’s personal inner circle.

With a few types on a datapad, the details of the operation appeared. 

“[color=green] Operation Trojan, named after the famous Trojan Horse. It’s the type of operation that can give us a massive advantage over the PUNT and maybe, just maybe, can make us win the war. You are all aware of the Chameleon types that the Goddess has recently created. The plan is to capture a PUNT ship, something small and unnoticeable if lost for a longer period of time. We then take prisoners, brainwash them, get all the information we can and then replace them with our Chameleons. Simple? Not so much. After our Chameleons infiltrate PUNT airspace, they’ll have to find ways to subtly subvert and provide us with information about the inner workings of their nation. A nation trained and brainwashed into wishing us all dead. After sometime, after they’ve managed to secure a safe way for us to send in some Virophages, we’ll equip them with disabling viruses. The same we’ve used during the Blasphemous Insurrection of 72’ but downgraded a bit so as to not cause any permanent damage to the populace. [/color]” explained Catherine, while looking into the eyes of each Hierarch and the Goddess at times.

Pontius was the first to react, not that it surprised anyone. “[color=red] How is it that this is the first time we’ve heard of this? All war decisions should go through the Inner Circle of the Church. As for the plan itself? The brainwashing facilities are part of my arm of the Church. When would’ve I been told about this? [/color]” 

Before Catherine could address Pontius, Ashevelen raised a finger in the air. “[color=gold] It’s called a secret operation for a reason. Need to know-basis. If somehow the enemy would’ve gotten wind of this plan, we would’ve lost more than a few ships. Your arm of the Church is mine to command as I see fit, Pontius. You seem to forget your place these days but that’s for after the war. The brainwashing facilities are developed by myself but we’re not going to use yours. I have something else prepped for them. Something stronger and faster acting. Now, anything else to add, anyone? [/color]” replied Ashevelen with a dark look upon her face. 

As Pontius started to reply, Catherine interjected. “[color=green]Goddess. Incoming priority transmission from the Charon. You’ll want to hear this. [/color]” 

“[color=gold] Put it on screen. [/color]” 

Soon the image of a Chosen that seemed to blend in the background behind them appeared on the screen. 

“[color=darkgreen] High Hierarch Catherine. Missi–[/color]” started to speak the Chameleon, in a voice that seemed to be formed of many. As if more people were speaking at the same time before they were stopped. 

“[color=green] The Goddess is in attendance. Present your report to her. [/color]” 

Almost instantaneously, the Chameleon dropped on one knee and turned towards Ashevelen.

“[color=darkgreen]My Goddess. May you bless us with your light forever. I am Micra of the Chameleon squad 14. Mission successful. We have a PUNT ship. [/color]” 

“[color=gold]Be blessed in my name, Micra. Congratulations. How many did you lose? How many did you manage to take prisoner? Ship condition? [/color]” 

“[color=darkgreen]2 dead and 1 injured from my squad. 1 infiltrator-class ship that was supporting us was damaged too. These PUNT bastards wouldn’t go down without a fight. We manage to capture most of the crew but the captain of the ship and a few officers. Cyanide pills or shot themselves. Off-ed themselves before the disabling agent could take hold. It will be a hard sell but I believe the mission can still proceed. Our ship has taken some damage but their ship was taken, in good condition. It was hard to get close enough to them without damaging it but our faith in you gave us the needed resolve. [/color]” 

“[color=gold]Damn. I wished we could have captured the captain. Idiots. We would’ve let them live…Anyways, this will cause some issues with the plan, Micra. I am sorry to tell you but you need to damage the PUNT ship, make it look like you’ve taken heavy damage before being forced to retreat but before that, use code authorization AS-43-421-3562-11-90423 and request aid from all available ships around you. Have them create a diversion to allow you to leave with the ship unnoticed. [/color]” 

With a short bow, Micra followed suit on the orders received from the Goddess and sure enough, days later, the PUNT ship would pass through the Chosen Gateway. The first enemy ship that would pass through the Gateway and with a bit of hope, the last one.