$W 25th $W January $W 2368
$W 40 $W days $W after $W the $W Great $W Exodus

$W Fleetmaster $W Tyrone's $W office $W Ready $W Room
$W ORD $W Ironclad

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: ...and as for the rest of our outstanding issues, how goes the relocation of the defectors from Rossendarch's fleet?

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: My tactical arbiters have already got the job done. Most of them will join Frigate Division Two and Three of the Escort fleet. The Desdemona and the Alcaeus will be welcome additions to the Roaming fleet. Those Vidar-class frigates are outstanding. I'm surprised that Fleetmaster Caliphtys allowed this to go forward.

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: You shouldn't be, Horatio. As much as you are a tactician, Caliphtys is a strategist. He considers the bigger picture and prefers that new Federate assets are split just like Leibniz's. And I agree with him. 

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: Yes, but it contradicts his own doctrine. I still remember my struggle to keep Roaming Fleet away from his command. And now, he's giving me two extra frigates. 

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: I assume it's Tessandras' influence too. His appearance has shifted the Fleet's politics. Caliphtys is being forced to reckon with a new center of power. 

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: I'm eager to see how those two get along. I can't tell which of them is more...eccentric. 

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: Both of them are founding fathers of the Syndicate. Tessandras was reported MIA, but that's not a surprise for the head of BOD. They have known each other for a long time. 

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: You think they're friends somehow? Come on, Aasira. People like Caliphtys and Tessandras have no friends, besides their own selves. Can you imagine being friends with someone like that? The devil himself might object. 

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: Hah!

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: Heh, well...I told you this conversation is off the record, right? 

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: No, sorry, I was thinking of something else, Fleetmaster. But your joke was also amusing.

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: Can I ask what this “something else” was, exactly?

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: Since Cor Caroli you've called me “Aasira,” instead of “Fleetmaster Raji.” It's against protocol, but to be honest, I like it.

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: Yes, I...I have called you “Aasira” recently, haven't I? To be honest, I hadn't really noticed. You are right. We should always employ proper military protocol. We should avoid addressing each other as civilians on holo channels.

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: You can call me Aasira when we are alone on this channel. No one is listening, Horatio.

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: Yes... But I--

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: No one, Horatio. No one but the Universe. I'm sure it won't hold a grudge.

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: Yes, the Universe or whatever they call it.... Listen, Aasira. You are the only one in the Fleet, except for Al-Zardari perhaps, who I actually trust. I'm constantly thinking of strategy, ship movements, new tactics. Being a Fleetmaster is a difficult responsibility. You are the only one who understands.... I think I want you to know that talking to you helps me get through all of this.

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: You sound so anxious. Calm down, Horatio. Everything will be fine and...I'm glad you can talk to me. It means something to me. Actually, it means a great deal.

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: What do you mean?

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: Look. The Malia device  is the opportunity we've been hoping for. I've been talking with Al-Zardari about my doubts and he said that I should trust you and to have faith in the Mastermind. He wanted me to know that one day, everything will be alright. To be honest, I actually started to believe that for the first time since we lost our home. 

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: If I had faith like you or Al-Zardari, I would say the same thing. I cannot. I must focus and press on. The Anjaneya is crossing the Malia today, correct? Ironclad was assigned as the rearguard. I must focus on our current situation and nothing else.

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: But you know we will survive. You have always known. You know the Fleet will be waiting on the other side of the Malia...and I will be waiting as well.

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: Aasira, I...I want this nightmare to end. The apocalypse the Shivans brought, the sleepless nights, the terror of extinction.... I want to go through the portal and you...you know exactly why.

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: Horatio.... Here is what will happen. The Heavy Fleet will form a blockade on the other side of the portal and protect us while we traverse the Malia. Then we will close the portal. 

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: And then?

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: We will meet. Not as holograms, but in the flesh. Then we'll see what will happens next...

$B Fleetmaster $B Tyrone: That's a good reason to make it through the gate alive. Farewell, Fleetmaster Raji. Farewell, and good luck.

$G Fleetmaster $G Raji: Farewell, Fleetmaster Tyrone. Ad astra per aspera.
