Space Odyssey: Spectre

"No." Director Fenrir answered resolutely there was silence afterwards as the hologram of their stalwart director stared him down. Jace stood at attention while still saluting his expression unchanging. Behind him stood Nina, the second in command of his unit. To his right was Captain Hammers, the captain of the Anvil and the one 'in charge' of his unit. To his left was Vana, the agent from Woltar who was acting as the contact for the Woltar. But even she knew to refrain from updating the Woltar Government about the current situation.

Director Fenrir then sighed after a few minutes and rubbed her temples. "At least that is what I would like to say. But I know better, after all I trained you. So I know you will find a way to get there regardless of what I would like to say. What I can do is provide you with the rest of the shock troopers and other Spectres. Aside from the ones that are part of Shadow Unit that is."

Jace nodded and stopped saluting, "that should be enough manpower. As long as we can come back for a refit that is." Jace began making calculations in his head. He was able to get specific information about the Lord Hoodwink's base from Qwan Lee. At the moment they were debriefing him just so they have an official record.

"I agree, you can come back for now. Just make sure the location is concealed from your guest. In addition the Oda Empire is asking for Qwan Lee back. Are you done with him yet?" Director Fenrir asked.

"Just about, we will need about a day or two to wrap things up here before we can head your way. We will take a roundabout route just in case. Was there anything else?" Jace asked as he yawned.

"Actually…" Director Fenrir seemed to wait for a moment as she glanced at the others. "I will tell you the rest next time I see you. But for now we have almost completely categorized all of the Labyrinth. Solisa also wanted me to let you know that your theory about the gravity anomaly system was correct. So I have classified it to Spectre level and above."

Jace frowned before saluting, "understood!"

"Good, now go get caught up on the information about the war with the Crystoph Federation while you wait." Director Fenrir then turned off the hologram.

Jace relaxed a moment later and shook his head. "Okay, Nina and Vana. Take care of finishing everything up with Qwan Lee. The drugs will wear off in approximately twelve hours. You can hand him over in thirty six hours. We need to get the drugs completely out of his system before we hand him over. Hammers you can stick with me for a bit while I review the war news regarding the Crystoph Federation. Then you will plan out our trip to…" Jace trailed off and glanced at Vana. "Well you got the idea."

They all nodded and both Nina and Hammers saluted before leaving. Vana grunted before she left.

Jace turned back to the table and manipulated the holotable. He pulled up the reports and troop movements. A slew of information came up. But it seems for the most part the wars have been confined to two systems. One system was in the Vexical Empire. While the other was in the Crystoph Federation.

The Rena System in the Vexical Empire was the frontline of the war for the Crystoph Federation. With Archduke Beltrum's control over the system he was able to direct the war in a manner that benefits him. Especially since the majority of the soldiers on the frontlines are part of the First Prince's and Archduke's faction. At least that was probably the initial idea but from the records, Jace could tell they were struggling.

It seems after the Vexical Military was able to boot the Crystoph Federation out of all other systems in the Vexical Empire the federation focused its efforts on holding its position in the Rena System. While the Archduke was struggling to boot them out because of his lack of competent military commanders.

Since their faction was more focused on political connections it made sense. But as a result the war with the Crystoph Federation was at a standstill. The Federation had a presence in the Rena System. Occupying a single planet and having several ships in orbit protecting it.

Meanwhile in the Crystoph Federation in the system bordering the Rena System, the Wellton System. Inside the Wellton system a group of Vexical Military soldiers were partially occupying a planet. But they were losing ground as days went on. Especially with no support from any spaceships since their ships had already been shot down.

The Archduke was not bothering to send support when he was already struggling with booting them out of their system. The records indicate the communication with the group holding out in the Wellton System was sparse. Apparently they were able to hold out but they doubted they could hold out for more than a month before an issue arises.

It seems they had a blockade in the Wellton System. Since that was the only one boarding the Vexical Empire it would prevent them from entering the Crystoph Federation. They could not go through the other nations. So they would have to get past the blockade. That should not be that difficult. Nor would sneaking through the Rena System so the Archduke does not realize what is going on.

The only other systems that were affected by the war have since been able to fix themselves. On both sides they were acting cautiously and seemingly using Rena and Wellton as the front line. There were a few other warp lanes and paths that could be used but most of them went too close to other nations' territory.

"Am I missing anything?" Jace asked as he reviewed the data. Troop movements on their side suggested they were prolonging the war while the other side was making regular raids and was probing the Rena system's defenses.

"Yes, you forgot to look at the classified reports from the Echo System. Just for your information, those reports can not be pulled up by searching general information. You have to specifically reach out and find them. Which is what I did." Hammers explained as he moved several files to the front of the pile. "It seems that several different people, or rather spies, were able to report the same information. The Tyranus and Noble faction are working with a faction inside of the Crystoph Federation. Apparently they are only making it appear like a war. They actually plan to hand over a system in exchange for the federations assistance during the empire's future civil war. In addition it seems the Crystoph Federation are also struggling with the Babylon System, it appears it has been taken-"

"By the Victorium. I can see that." Jace interrupted him as he quickly read the reports. The Victorium had taken the Babylon System and kept an iron grip on it. Quan Lee, the admiral not the criminal they had captured, was still trying to take it back. But his own Fleet command was getting in the way. Seems there were politics at play or they were just using it as an excuse to keep him from the bordering systems.

"Then there is the last thing. It seems in addition to our border they are also having a military buildup on the border with the Rogue Metal Legion. That in particular has people worried, you are not part of the regular meeting so you would not know. But it almost looks like they are preparing for an invasion from the Rogue Metal Legion." Hammers explained that information was not in any of the files. But it was likely from the regular information meetings the commanders of the Echo Base had.

"Either the Crystoph Federation has done something or is planning on doing something that will greatly upset the Rogue Metal Legion or artificial intelligence in general." Jace growled in annoyance. "Have we warned them?"

"No, there are no plans to warn them either. Especially since we have no physical evidence to back us up. Troop movements cannot be considered evidence and the emperor is worried about us losing credibility if we end up being wrong about it." Hammers answered. "I think that is just about it. I will head to the bridge and plan our roundabout route to the Echo System. Can I leave making appropriate arrangements for making space for the additional troops and the invasion plan to you?"

"Yeah I will take care of it. But I think you can make a route to the Orcus System. I just sent all of the information pertaining to avoiding the enemy to your communication. We could make our own route. But it would be too dangerous to do in case we were discovered by the Crystoph Federation. We do not want them to know about everything that we can do." Jace informed the captain as he pulled the Anvil's schematics.

"Understood." Hammers then walked out of the ready room.

"Hey little flame, I know you are listening. I have some orders for you as well." Jace spoke towards the holotable and a small flame appeared next to the schematics of the ship on the holotable.