30 September 2977

DDG-381 Hannibal approaching Gibraltar Naval base, in orbit around New Bretonia, Shackleton System

Captain Reyes stands on the bridge, observing the approach to the naval station, as the massive base comes into view he uses the comm console “Gibraltar control, this mercenary vessel DDG-381 Hannibal requesting docking clearance.”

The station AI responds “Affirmative Hannibal, clear to dock at station 45.”

Captain Reyes muses “They could house the whole Bretonian navy here.”

After the ship has docked the Bretonian navy board and place the ship under lockdown, they begin scanning the computers for any traces of the data from New Dawn, after 3 hours they did not find anything and left the ship.

Evelyn sighs and asks “what was the about?”

Lucia replies “I suppose we are about to find out, our escort has arrived.”

Just as she finishes here sentence General Churchill approaches

He salutes then says “Ah Commander, sorry about the welcome, as you unfortunately found out we had some problems recently and you Miss Blackburn a pleasure to see you again, now on to why I am here, I have to request that Miss Nakamura remain behind, due to the tensions having a citizen of Amaterasu on the planet is not advised, however we will send a transport to fetch her later, the Empress wants to meet the whole team. Something to do with the next assignment she wants to hire you for.”

Amber replies “Thank you General, but you have to admit this is highly irregular, her Majesty never meets with commoners, much less mercenaries.”

General Churchill then says “It’s classified I’m afraid, you’ll have to wait”

Evelyn then says “I’m going to remain behind then as well if that isn’t a problem?”

Gunner then speaks “Permission granted, just stay online so you’ll know when to get ready”

Amber then says in an almost condescending manner “And do try to dress properly”

Evelyn just looks at her and shakes her head.

Gunner then says “Enough you two”

Both of them reply “Sorry, Sir”

Amber then says hesitation palpable on her words ”I have something I need to do before we leave, I’ll meet you at the palace or ship when I am done.”

Gunner, Lucia and Anastasia get into the transport with General Churchill while Amber goes off towards her families estate.

On the way to her families estate she sits and thinks about when her father exiled her from the house and told her to never come back, even though she is still recognized as regent of House Blackburn she holds no actual power as per bretonian law, the last conversation she had with him still fresh in her mind even though it’s over 100 years ago, she thinks of the message she received stamped for delivery when she reaches New Bretonia once more, breaking her thoughts the transport pilot speaks “Miss Blackburn? We are approaching the estate now”

Amber replies “thank you, your fee will be transferred shortly”

He gives her a curt nod as he lands the transport.

As she steps off she looks around and muses to herself “nothing changes does it?”

She hesitates once more as she approaches the gate, she touches the screen to call the house, as the screen turns on she says in disbelief “Valeria? But how?”

Valeria replies just as surprised “Amber? Father said that you died, how?”

Amber just stands there dumbfounded as Valeria opens the gate and Amber walks through, completely confused by this turn of events, the last time she saw Valeria was for her eighteenth birthday, before she entered basic training in the military, she did not see her sister since that day. So many emotions and thoughts running through her mind, as she reaches the door Valeria is waiting for her and embraces her in a hug she did not expect.

Valeria says “I have some tea ready, we have a lot to talk about, do you want some?”

Amber says “That would be lovely.”

They walk through the house to the living area, upon entering Amber is surprised to see her portrait still hanging, it was painted on her twenty eighth birthday, she looked on at the auburn coloured hair and emerald green eyes, “another person from another life” she thought until Valeria broke her out of her reverie.

Valeria asks “Anything wrong?”

Amber replies “How are you alive?”

Valeria says “I should ask you the same thing, i was placed in stasis, mother had me placed in there, she never gave up hope, always believed you would come back. I just wish you did it before she passed. It was her wish that someone you knew be there for you, my stasis ended last week as it was reaching the maximum amount of time one can be inside. Why did you not return if you were alive?”

Amber then says sadness in her voice “I was forbidden from seeing you”

Valeria then asks in a softer tone “Amber, do you mind telling me what happened to you?”

Amber says “As you know I was required to enlist in the military during the Iron Viking invasions in those years, we were fighting in Bretonia City, holding the main gate to the palace, when they broke through our fortifications, fiercest fighting I faced up until that point, overwhelmed as even the medics were required to man the defences, I had little front line experience, didn’t pay attention and I was hit on my back a ripper axe from one of the invaders, my armor was breached and my spine damaged, laying there bleeding out I thought for sure my time was up, I could hear the brute closing in to finish me off, it was at this moment that it happened, it is immensely painful when happens, the amount of aether that floods your body completely permeates every cell and nerve ending, it felt like I was on fire, that is how much it hurt, without a second thought I hurled a lightning bolt at the Viking, bewildered at what happened I retreated toward my squad who were still fighting, they looked at me in surprise and that is all I remember, I collapsed according to the reports and woke up a week later, my body still feeling like it was on fire and my back hurt a lot.”

Valeria says “Mother always said you were destined for great things and here you are.”

Amber then says “Father did not approve of what happened. When I returned he had already read the reports of what transpired, called me foul aether spawn and told me to never return, I pleaded with him, he did not want to hear anything I had to say. So I left, drifted for a while and joined a mercenary group, the War Gods, which for better or worse became my family.”

Valeria then asks “So why return now?”

Amber then plays the message she received, it was their mother Aurelia “My dearest daughters, time and space have caused us to drift apart, I wish I could see both of you again but sadly events have taken one of you from me, Valeria please forgive me for placing you in that icy prison I did it purely because I didn’t want your sister to be alone and Amber please can you forgive yourself, I know you are probably destroying yourself on the inside, feeling like you abandoned us, please be there for each other, you are facing an uncertain time alone now. With all my love, Aurelia”

Valeria sits there and breaks down in tears, Amber comforting her.

As the hours pass the two sisters talk and reconcile their differences.