P: ... entering lunar orbit, trion wing moving to intercept rebel fighters.
K: Maintain holding orbit. Launch fighters in defensive screen. Let Seleucis’ boys pick off the mosquitos, then engage the capital ships when the scrum has cleared.
P: Aye, admiral.
L: Your opinion, Ponty?
L: Oh, come now. Stop sulking. We’re here to put down a rebellion in the name of the divine Alexandros, aren’t we? I would think you would approve of that.
K: Charge catapults. Fire!
B: Your compensators are out of alignment. I suggest a thirty-one point eight lateral drift.
L: Silence!
A: I’d take her advice if I were you. She’s very good at this.
P: Sir? We are listing, about what she says.
K: ... Make it so.
B: Also you are failing to take the strategy of Celimarchos into account. If there are any enemy forces in reserve, your rear and lower flanks are wide open.
L: I said, silence. You are a prisoner here, madam. Leave the strategy to the strategoi or I will have you removed from the bridge.
B: Suit yourself. Your funeral.
A: Ours too, don't forget.
Lm: What do you expect to accomplish by this? Apart from ego stroking, that is.
L: I would have thought it obvious. We are liberating this satrapy from the chaos of mob rule.
Lm: Yes, I know you’re making a power grab. I meant, why are you wasting time at Lamia when you could seize Athens with a fleet this size, if all you really wanted was the silver mines.
L: You know why. It is our duty to release poor Antipater from his troubles.
B: Lamia lies at the extreme edge of the termination zone of a first-rank archon. I assume that has something to do with it.
L: You had your warning, girl. Take her away, put her in solitary confinement.
Lm: What’s the matter, brother? Afraid of your crew hearing what you really have planned for Antipater?
L: ... It is of no concern.
K: My crew is loyal, spy. Nothing you can say will sway them.
Lm: It’s you I really don't understand, Krateros. You were one of Alexandros’ closest friends.
K: And I would be still, were
he still among us. I seek only to rescue his empire from the serpent Perdiccas and see the true heir take the throne.
A: Are you out of your mind? Even if you manage to beat him, it won't stop there. There’s a conspiracy at work. Maybe even some of your so-called allies are in on it.
Lm: Be quiet, Aeolus. He doesn't want to hear.
K: But I do, spy. I would be very much interested in what evidence you have managed to collect. It will help narrow down the next traitorous diadoche to meet justice.
Lm: What do you mean, 'next’?
L: I do apologize. The theatrics of the situation overcame me before I could give you all the details.
...
...
..........
Lm: .... sure about this?
K: As certain .... possible.
L: Few had the knowledge .... such a feat. Not since Aristotle.
Lm: I see. You should have told me before.
L: You are finally with us, then?
Lm: If I agree, will you release Biblia?
L: I think not. No offense, dear brother, but you have rather been lying to me about what you actually do for a little over two thousand years, so you must forgive me if I don’t find you entirely trustworthy. The girl is our insurance that you will uphold your part.
A: You son of a bitch.
Lm: Aeolus, watch whose mother you’re insulting.
A: Sorry, boss.
Lm: He does have a point, though. Hiding behind a girl is hardly appropriate behavior for a diadoche, let alone a royal bodyguard.
L: These are trying times. Honor must take second place to necessity.
Lm: The day those who rule it let honor take second place to necessity, brother, is the day this empire is no longer worth preserving.
No comments:
Post a Comment