Brynn Phytrelia 12

"I was staying aboard Atalanta and when Avenger was attacked, I flew the ship." She needn't explain to them about the voices; that would only complicate things. She didn't even know how to explain it herself.

This statement seemed to draw a lot of perplexed and confused expressions from everyone in the room. A different woman this time, dressed like Admiral Jastarin this time, asked the next question. "And, you've a lot of experience flying interstellar ships?" Doubt seemed to fill this question.

"Um. No, but Ophelia...the computer aboard Atalanta, helped me. Besides...I watched Captain Chariton enough time to learn how to lift a ship off the ground. That and just plain luck was on my side." She stared back at the woman easily.

There was a long silence. They seemed to consider this, mulling it over quietly. "And, what made you decide to abandon Avenger...only to board the ship that had originally instigated the attack on both you and Captain Chariton, while aboard Atalanta, and then again while aboard Avenger on two separate occasions. You decided that this was the best course of action? To fly Atalanta aboard this ship, leave the Atalanta, and then...escape in the craft that Lieutenant Kichrista found you aboard?"

She stared at him, and then nodded slowly. She was not going to try and explain the voices. That was ridiculous to try and go into details about that. "Of course. I took the best course of action in each situation. I am a survivor by nature. I do what I have to do and those seemed the most logical, intelligent decisions. And they worked...I did survive."

There was another long silence. "Indeed..." She didn't say another word, but her expression bore the degree of disapproval she had for Brynn's actions.

"What do you know about...?" A different woman from the table. She seemed to pause a long moment, unable to find the right word, "...them? Do you know anything of consequence? Do you know anything about the woman who took Idris Chariton's abilities from him? Do you, perhaps, know the name of her ship? Is there anything you know that you haven't told us?"

Brynn focused on the woman speaking now, and arched an eyebrow at her, as she focused on her question. "I don't know much about her, not at all. I do not know the name of her ship. But I do know that Idris is still captive on her ship. That is what I know. And I very much want to see him safely returned to me." Brynn felt as if she had failed herself a little, knowing so little or at least, able to share so little.

She nodded at her, a warm expression on her face. It was obvious that some of the people seated at this table felt a desire to see Idris returned to her, but it was also obvious that it was not at the top of their very long list of worries and concerns.

A man spoke up this time, a confused expression on his face. "Wait, you mean to tell us that, to your knowledge, both Atalanta AND Idris Chariton are aboard the SAME vessel?"

"That is what I'm saying. It was not possible I escape on Atalanta and... so, yes. Idris and his ship are aboard the SAME vessel." She told the man, stepping towards him. Was that good? Did that mean something she hadn't realized yet? Her heart began to pick up and her eyes got a bit wider. Please be good news, she thought as she clasped her hands in front of her.

The man turned away from her, towards the only man not seated at the table. "Something must be keeping him on board. There is no way, with the resources that the AI and the ship provide, that he would remain aboard the vessel of his own will." He turned to Brynn, his forehead creasing. "Why, again, was the reason that he did not accompany you? Why did you opt to leave one of the most advanced cruisers we've ever built, aboard the enemy ship?"

"He...uh..." She certainly couldn't explain the voices, but she could lie a little more. She was starting to become annoyed with herself at how much better she was becoming at lying, especially to a room full of people staring at her. "He told me...he couldn't. They had done things to him on the ship, heightened his senses, run experiments. And he told me if he left...he'd die. I don't know much else. He wasn't very clear."

A different man sighed and frowned, addressing the table and the admiral. "We suspected they were experimenting with gene therapy and things like that, but it sounds like, just as with some of the work SI has done, that the patients require stabilizers to keep them alive."

The previous man turned his attention away and looked up at Brynn. "He obviously wasn't very detailed, but...did you see them...did he seem jittery? Or did you ever see them administer any drugs to him or anything of that nature?"

"No, never saw them. But he...he looked sickly, almost dead. He was so pale, little gaunt. And yes...jittery." Brynn nodded quickly, speaking a little faster as she pressed for further answers from the people in the room. Gene therapy? Had Idris mentioned that? She could barely remember what he told her anymore. She just remembered how she felt when she saw him again, could actually feel him.

The two men at the table looked at one another and nodded, then looked up to the admiral. "I think this merits further investigation, especially if the Delethirians have discovered a viable way to confiscate unique abilities. We have to end this..." He looked over at Brynn and frowned. "...no matter what..."

She didn't like that look that he gave her, and it actually made her take a step back away from the table of people. "I understand." I think, she added mentally, but said nothing to him, arching an eyebrow.

The mood in the room seemed to fall a great deal, everyone's expressions growing solemn and quiet. The admiral's shoulders fell as he looked to Brynn and then to the table. He frowned and inquired of the room. "Do we know if the transponder is still onboard Atalanta and active?"

One of the men nodded. "Yes, we still have a strong signal. We don't think they have discovered it yet."

"How long before we could put together an attack on the ship? And do we have enough ships in the area available to ambush and destroy it?"

One of the women spoke up. "We could easily have four or five Defense Class battleships meet us in the area. That should be sufficient to at least destroy the single vessel. We'll need to have a plan of escape in case it isn't alone, however. We do not want a repeat of the Avenger's loss."

There was a long silence, the subject of Avenger's demise still a sensitive subject. Then the admiral nodded at her. "Good. Get to work on the attack. Gather our forces and determine an attack strategy." He turned to the woman. "And have your strategists decide the best avenue to escape from in case the scenario goes bad."

Brynn listened and watched all of this business, feeling a little lost in the whole scheme of things. She'd done her part, given them the information needed, and now she had nothing else to do but wait. Sighing a bit, she took a step back again, and placed her hands on her hips as she waited to be addressed. At least to even be told to go back to her room and rest. They were going after Idris, that was good. She'd see him. She'd have him with her again. But could they keep him alive?

One of the people at the table, who had yet to say anything, approached the admiral, concern on their face. Their voice was hushed. "But, Admiral, what if there are other prisoners aboard the vessel? Yes, I understand that in order to stop this endeavor...one life could be forfeit, but what if they have hundreds...or thousands, not just one?"

His expression fell a little, and he looked over at Brynn, a little sad, and then back at her. "We have no other choice, I'm afraid. We cannot allow them to continue their work...at all. We have to destroy the ship and leave nothing intact."

She frowned. "Captain Chariton is a good man, and he has changed since his inception. It is a shame to see him go after all he has done." She shook her head, but didn't protest any further, simply walking away from the room and out into the corridor, following everyone else.

Brynn stared at the two speaking, catching the Admiral's eye when he glanced at her. Whatever they were talking about she didn't like. The way the man was looking at her...sad...regretful. Her heart almost hurt wondering what it meant for her and even more importantly Idris. Taking a deep breath, she approached the admiral when he was alone, and gave him a very faint smile. "I hope I was of some help to you all. I will do anything to help, particularly if it means I will get Idris back." She gave him a look, emphasizing her words with more emotion than she meant.

He paused a long moment, thinking on her words, and frowning. "Mistress...maybe you...should sit down..." He frowned a little, and it was quite obvious...whatever he was going to say, it wasn't going to please her.

Brynn continued to smile that faint smile, but didn't move towards a chair. "I'm fine standing, Admiral, but thank you. What is it? And please, don't...sugar-coat anything. I'm not an idiot, mind you. What's wrong?"

He cleared his throat and moved to lean against the table, looking at her with an unsure expression. His body language and expression spoke a great deal to his thought processes, and it appeared as though "sugar-coating" was exactly what he'd intended to do. "Mistress Phytrelia, if this operation the empire has going on is as advanced as you say, then we have to destroy it, and the ship it is aboard even if it means that...the ship that Captain Chariton is aboard." He sighed and looked at her, gauging her reactions, tensing for the storm. "I am afraid that...we may not...we may not be able to return Captain Chariton to your...custody."

Brynn stared at him, not sure if she had heard him correctly. "May not return Idris"? Her hands slid down from her hips and her cheek pinked with anger. "That is not an option. No, no it's not. You will NOT let him die on that ship Admiral, do you understand me? I HELPED you. I helped ALL of you, and if I had known you were planning on killing him, I'd have said 'screw you all!'" She stepped up to him fast, closing the distance between them. "Listen to me, you WILL get Idris. You WILL. I don't care if that means I have to go on that ship myself, but I will rescue him." She felt her entire body begin to heat up, her blood pressure rising, and she knew she wanted to light something on fire, but how would they all react? Probably not well.

The room had been virtually evacuated of most of the officers, only a handful remaining to converse amongst themselves. The three of them looked over to the confrontation between Brynn and the admiral, their eyes locked on her.

"We did not have any intention of harming Captain Chariton. Unfortunately, we cannot control where he is or risk mounting a rescue. If they succeed, it could bring down the Alliance. It will give them the upper hand, call many more systems to their cause, and bring THOSE systems INTO this vicious circle. We just can't afford to risk that, Mistress Phytrelia. I'm sorry. There is nothing we can do..." He backed away from her a little, wary that she might do something reckless and hurt herself, or hurt him.

"That's a lie!" She snapped barely giving him any space. As he backed away, she stepped forward, her hands balled into fists. The people around them were lost to her. All she cared about was the Admiral. "You WILL rescue Idris, dammit!" Her voice rose as she became angrier and angrier. Swallowing hard, she took another step towards him, leaving little to no space between them. "I don't care about any of your little politics, or whatever. I care about Idris! He is all that matters to me. Do you understand that?! No, of course not. Of course you don't, you idiot!"

He glared at her. "What would you have me do, Miss Phytrelia? Risk plunging the entire galaxy into chaos by attempting to rescue your impetuously, reckless lover?! The man who put you in danger, who abandoned you? The man who lied to you time and time again. Idris never told you the truth, did he, Miss Phytrelia? He never told you that Atalanta wasn't just some ship and that the AI Ophelia wasn't just some computer. Before he got First Lieutenant Usid killed, Atalanta was one of the most advanced ships in the fleet, and in Captain Johansen's possession, it lead more counterintelligence missions than any operative in the Initiative! But, because of CAPTAIN Chariton," he said the word like he was swearing, "Atalanta was lost. When the empire discovered her and they figured out just what he was flying around, General Durron and the REAL Captain Chariton requested that the council put the ship in Idris' possession and allow him to run missions for us. And now, THEY have that ship. I'd just as sooner fly Grestada into a black hole than send it on a mission to rescue Idris Chariton. It is not up for discussion, Mistress. Now please, return to your quarters until we figure out what to do with you." He turned away as though the issue had been resolved, ignoring her now.

It all stung. It stung in ways that she had felt when anyone insulted her and Idris at this level. Breathing heavily, she watched the Admiral turn away. IF he was lying or not, she didn't care. She was angry. So angry, she didn't realize flames had appeared in her hands, circling her entire fists.

"How dare you. HOW DARE YOU!" She practically screamed at the admiral and walked after him quickly, drawing a hand back and punch him hard in the back. Normally she didn't hit hard, but the added flames and rage added much more to it. The force of the blow through him off his feet and he felt his back hit the wall. Practically growling now she continued to speak. "It was not his fault Lieutenant Usid was killed. Not at ALL! Everyone should get their xfing story right. And furthermore...he NEVER lied to me when he didn't have to!" Tears welled up in her eyes as the flames grew brighter, stronger, and climbed further up her arm. "I have half the mind to hurt you very badly right now, and you are VERY lucky I have some self control. But I warn you, ADMIRAL," now she said this as if it were a filthy word, "...I don't have to have any."

He turned on her and was about to get caught up in a loud tirade, but her fiery arms caught him off guard. He looked confused. "You..." He pointed at her. "You're an elemental..." He took a step back, not out of fear, but caution. "How is that you survived their attack? Elementals...you...you're the first ones to go in a harvester raid. How did you evade capture...or avoid confiscation?" He shook his head, obvious not quite aware of her words. He seemed timid and confused.

Brynn remained angry, glaring at the admiral despite his words, despite his reactions. "It doesn't matter. I just did. I hide very well. I told you I am a survivor, Admiral. And I will do whatever it takes to get what I want." She snapped, and the flames began to grow darker as they intensified in heat. Anyone standing nearby could begin to feel their bodies warm from the flames.

One of the other officers came over. She had a warm expression in her eyes. "He saved you, didn't he? I can feel how intensely you feel for him." She frowned and sighed, extending her hand out to Brynn. Inexplicably, Brynn could feel her anger waning. She couldn't remember what had her so angry to begin with. What was it? Had what the Admiral said really called for her to act out so intensely? The doubt became overwhelming, and soon Brynn found herself feeling calm and content. The flames receded to her hands and disappeared as the distraction and the emotions overwhelmed her. Suddenly, she felt out of place, as though waking from a strange dream. Her surroundings seemed familiar, but...how had she got there? The man behind her, who she had not seen, spoke up. Where had he come from? "Admiral, is it really so difficult for us to request that an Ulratian vessel accompany us? I am sure if they are notified of the situation, they'd want to help." The admiral stopped and looked around, a little lost himself. He began to nod slowly. "I...I guess it wouldn't be too difficult. I don't see why not." He still looked confused and unconfident. He turned and left the room. The woman and the man looked at each other and smiled. Suddenly, Brynn could feel all of her emotions boiling to the surface. She was so angry. Angry that the admiral had said all those terrible things about Idris and that...he'd decided to leave him to die. But, wait, what had he said? "Brynn, I assure you, Idris will be fine. We'll get him back for you and you two and take off and never look back." He put a hand on her shoulder and winked at her. Brynn was then left alone, left to sort through everything that had just happened.

Brynn turned to stare at the woman who approached her, thinking it odd the woman was so calm when she felt so out of control herself. "Yes! Yes, he did. And that's why I can't understand why you all..." Her voice trailed off as she frowned, feeling her anger slip out of as if she couldn't keep a hold of it. And suddenly, there wasn't any reason to be angry. Frowning, confused by everything that was happening now. She listened to them all exchange words, and then as soon as the admiral left, she felt the anger return. But she couldn't recall why. Even her flames had died away, no longer having a target to threaten. Turning to focus on the man, she nodded very slowly at her words. "...Thank you. I..." she shook off her anger as best as she could, "...can't tell you how much I appreciate that." As soon as they were gone, she stood there numbly before she began to move, trying to remember where her room was. She would have to get used to maneuvering these ships.

As she turned to enter the corridor, she ran into Teric. "Oh, Mistress Brynn, there you are. Would you like me to accompany you back to your quarters? Captain Chariton still wants me at your side until we can get everything sorted out, regardless of what the admirals want. If...that is ok with you, I mean." He seemed hesitant and apprehensive. Clearly, this decision was in her hands, and it was obvious that Teric's concern for her was sincere.

Studying Teric a little bit, she slowly nodded. The admiral's words form earlier insinuating a strange relationship between her and Teric echoed in her mind. She didn't care. He actually seemed to worry about her. "Yes, please, Teric. Thank you so much." She offered him a warm smile, as she began to walk.

He led her down the corridor, silently for the most part, the walk not lasting quite as long as it had before. Obviously, Teric had an idea about where he was going. When they got to her quarters, he turned back to her. "How did...it go?" He obviously felt unsure about being so nosy, but his words seemed less nosy than they seemed concerned and worried.

Brynn let out a little laugh at his question, shaking her head. "It...went...I answered their questions, and then they just...dismissed. They told me they were going to find Idris for me." She smiled at Teric, happy with that news at least. "But, that Admiral," just thinking about him, even though she couldn't quite remember what was said, "he makes me so angry."

He creased his forehead and looked at her with a perplexed expression. "What do you mean? Did he say something else to you? They obviously agreed to find Idris for you, didn't they?"

"Yes, they did. But...he just..." Holding up a hand, she shook her head again dismissing the topic. "Never mind. It doesn't matter now. What matters is they find Idris and bring him back to me. Listen to me, I sound silly, don't I?" She laughed a bit, rolling her eyes more at herself than Teric.

"So they are going to find him? What did they say? I mean..." He sighed, and shook his head. "Never mind, Mistress. It's not any of my business. I am glad to hear you that you got what you wanted." He composed himself, but his eagerness and curiosity were brimming, and it was as clear as crystal to Brynn that this man had a deeper investment in the issue than he was letting on. Just how much did Brynn know about this mystery guard...?