- Discreet Meeting

They met in an alleyway over to the side of the first years floor, away from anywhere where someone might stumble upon their meeting. The need for secrecy was absolute, given their high standing

"It seems like your gambit failed, Dean. So tell me, why should us four lend you the support of our squads? Not only did you fail to take your revenge and humiliate him, but you are now on the verge of having your scheme exposed. You're not fit to lead a line, much less the ambition of our platoon!"

Lisbet Rammson, the UNNCA born daughter of the Admiral of the Solar System's Grand Fleet. Her blonde hair was worn formally, tied back in a neat ponytail, and her face wore a naturally cold expression. Her blue eyes, hidden under a sleek glasses frame, were as empty as the stars she dreamed of one day conquering.

"I concur. When you came to us with your issue, and asked for our support I thought you to have promise. While the issue did seem rather juvenile, wanting to avenge a slight against you no matter the severity of it was a quality that we could respect. Or, rather, I could respect. But you are now one move away from checkmate, so to speak."

Julian Biel, son of the commander known to most as the Icelord. If Lisbet was cold, then he was below freezing. Much like his father, everything that passed into his mind was little more than information to be understood and categorised. His hair and eyes, both tinted silver thanks to cosmetic surgeries, both reflected his cold nature as well as the grey rock he called home.

"Honestly, I can respect it. Could have done with a bit more brutal, uncaring murder for my liking, but it was good enough. What, so I'm not allowed to make jokes about things now?" he said, responding to the stares he received in response to his words. "I only want to see that happen to the aliens, and maybe some people. But they deserve it."

Genghal Rao was born in the western region of the Combined Asian States, in the state of Old Ind. Shortly after he was born, his father left the system in favour of the frontier, taking a thousand men with him as a mercenary group known as the Warband. They were brutal and sadistic, and his father was the worst of them all. It was clear to most who knew him that he had adopted these traits, and as a result was defiantly the wildcard of the platoon he found himself in.

"I have a way out, I promise," William protested. "A way to beat him. Just trust me, and lend me your strength."

"He is not the issue for now. You are. You and your mistakes."

The one who spoke was the de facto leader of the platoon. A tall, built boy, with a cunning glint in his eye and a knowing, sly grin on his face, he was the son of some third rate politician with the power to change barely a state in one of the regions on Earth. Unlike his mother, who was considered inept at her job, he was touted as someone who could have had an exceptional career if he had chosen it. But it was not as if the military did not have roles for people like him.

"Somehow, they know that your father's funds were used to purchase the services of the mercenaries. Obviously your father knows that it was not himself, so he's investigating the matter too. And I'm sure that if anyone knows about your dislike of Braye then they will swiftly be able to put two and two together to make four. So, how will you fix this?"

"They shouldn't have even got the name. There are laws-" William protested, before being silenced by a hand.

"I didn't ask for excuses. I asked for a plan. So give me one."

"We'll just get rid of them. If we take Braye and his squad out of the equation, then there will be nothing there to make the link between myself and the mercenaries. No, that wouldn't work. It would only solidify the link and make me look more suspicious."

The Unified Way are hardly liked. Surely we could get someone to claim credit for the attack, someone who would have a justifiable reason. Mauro, surely you would know of at least one person through your mother?"

"If you can find a way to make that happen while making the fact the credits used were your father's, then I will help you get that person. But it is a long shot, and I would not be surprised if you ended up failing once again."

"That still leaves the issue of Braye. Let's say, for arguments sake, that you can convince the galaxy that the attack was the work of some group like Warpath. How are you going to deal with him? He will know for certain that it was you, and so poses the biggest threat to the potential success of this. You must have a plan for him?" Lisbet asked.

"I do, and I would prefer to have the strength of your squads in order to guarantee the success of the plan."

"Are we at least going to be told this plan before we agree?" Julian asked.

William smirked before revealing his plan. While he kept it brief, he did make sure to properly convey the essence of the plan without revealing too many of the explicit details of how he would do it. They would be useful allies to have, but he still could not trust them right now.

Genghal laughed. "I like it! You have my support!"

"I would like more detailed plan, but I will give you my support," Lisbet said.

"Take his pieces off the board until the king is all alone? I can back that plan," Julian said with a slight smile.

"It is unanimous then!" Mauro declared, before swiftly leaving the alley.