Guarded (#2 Post-Order 66 Series)

Guarded - Part 17

"YOU ALLOWED HER TO DO WHAT?" Hunter's voice was louder than he normally allowed it to get it, but he was absolutely flabbergasted. How could Tech allow this to happen? TECH?

Tech's hologram indignantly pushed his goggles further up his nose. "Allowed isn't exactly the word I would use-"

"Sergeant, I coerced him. It's not his fault. I came up with the plan and didn't really give him an option." Kestia's face was that of a child not taking her scolding seriously, and Hunter turned to Typho, gesturing helplessly. The captain was pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, seemingly aging a decade before Hunter's eyes.

"Kes, what were you thinking?" Gregar asked.

"That I cannot allow the Empire to so easily take our homeworld while we're still on it. And you have to admit, it worked."

Hunter knew Typho would certainly not admit it, but Kestia was correct. Her and Tech's broadcast had managed to make its way around the planet, and the Empire had been unable to interrupt the signal thanks to Tech's transmitter design. It had done wonders to stoke public outcry against the occupation, and the militias that they'd contacted had reported a significant uptick in recruitment, although Hunter and Typho had cautioned against accepting too many new people since the Empire would undoubtedly deploy spies to infiltrate them. Still, Kestia had taken a massive risk, and Tech had been her accomplice in that.

"What's done is done, Gregar. Tech and I made it back in one piece, so no use in dwelling on it at this point, I'd think." Kestia said, her arms crossed over her chest.

Typho sighed in defeat. "I just don't understand you sometimes, Kes."

She shrugged. "Am I done with my dressing down now, Gregar? If so, I'd very much like to get to the business of winning this war we've found ourselves in the middle of."

The captain sighed. "Alright. I'll go grab the others. Hunter, can you contact the Fellen group?" Hunter nodded, and Typho departed to go gather Tarren, Wrecker, and the others.

As Hunter punched in the comm frequency, he eyed Kestia and Tech, who were conversing quietly, their holograms still glowing blue on one side of the table. He couldn't put his finger on quite what it was, but something had shifted between the two of them. They were more at ease with one another again, much like they had been before the gala. Kestia was standing closer to Tech, and the tension that he normally carried in his shoulders was no longer there. Tech said something that Hunter couldn't hear, and Kestia stifled a laugh behind her hand. Hunter bit back a smirk.

Just then, Iden's holo popped into view with Echo and Crosshair. "You rang, Sergeant?"

"How are things in Fellen?" he asked, and Iden laughed.

"If this was a normal time, I'd be swimming in one of the lakes right now, but alas."

"Alas indeed," came Typho's voice from over Hunter's shoulder. The captain was coming back down the stairs with Wrecker, Tarren, and a few others in tow. "There'll be plenty of time for swimming once we win our planet back, Lieutenant."

Iden grinned. "Of course, Captain."

Once they'd all assembled, Typho brought up the map of New Centrif. "Alright, Tech where are we with your review of the schematics?"

Hunter watched as Tech pushed his goggles further up his nose. "I've had a chance to review them, and unfortunately, I think a modification of our plan will be required." Hunter's eyes moved to Kestia, and he suddenly became very wary of how she appeared to be stifling a smile.

"Oh?" Typho said, and Hunter noted him shifting nervously on his feet. They're up to something, and he knows it too. "Enlighten us then."

Tech nodded, punching a few keys on a panel that was out of view. The schematics he'd been sent leapt into view on the holo, and he scrolled through a few items before finding what he wanted. "The good news is we should be able to adjust the frequency and power settings to overcome the blockade communications blackout. The issue comes with the system mechanics itself. Once we adjust the settings to what we need and place the power couplings in line to boost the signal, we will have to do a full system reset. This will take the entire system down for a minute or two."