Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 181: Traitor from Tartarus Project

Jace walked into the hangar just as the first of the Puddle-Jumpers arrived. He and the rest of the Spectres had black body armor and other gear. But this time they were not wearing armor. At least not full body armor. They had absorbent armor, helmets, and face masks. But that was all they really needed for protective gear.

Jace had his heads up display communication aviators in one of his pockets. While he also had a knife along with a Pyre as backup weapons. His main weapon being a grenade launcher. He was bringing several different types of grenades. Including taser pucks and sleeping gas. There was no telling which one would be more useful for the situation.

He and Nina walked to the first one. "Are you sure about this Jace?" Nina asked as the other four grouped up. They would be waiting for the next Puddle-Jumper. Jace had not spoken a word since the meeting with Director Fenrir had ended. "I am perfectly fine with going off script to see what is going on with her. I mean there is no way that is true. She and you were Director Fenrir’s main disciples. I mean you both were the best of us. Not to mention you and her were...well you know."

"No, there is a reason she is sending us after different targets. Me because I would not be able to follow through. While you would only be able to complete the objective of two targets only while I am there." Jace answered as he walked up the ramp.

The rear area of the ship was open. It had canvas seats on both sides of the craft while the center had two chairs that were clearly designed to hold prisoners.

"Are you sure I will not regret it?" Nina asked as she sat on one of the seats. Setting her Spitfire to the side. Her choice of weapon for their objective.

Jace walked towards the front of the ship. "Hey, we are all good to go. You know our destination?" The two pilots who were wearing black and red combat pilot gear gave thumbs up in response. He had only seen that design in the Echo System. They were the direct and elite soldiers of Director Fenrir’s.

Jace nodded in response and moved back. Sitting near Nina but not sitting next to her. Nina stared at him, raising an eyebrow after a moment before speaking again. "You did not answer my question."

Jace sighed, "I will not regret it. Salem’s a grown woman. She knows what she was getting into when she started working with her. Besides, if she really is compromised, with her powers she knows far too much with her ability and talents." Jace reminded Nina. "So she needs to be brought in even if it is a false positive."

Nina sighed, she waited a few moments while leaning back. "Do you think Director Fenrir knew you two were sleeping together?" Nina shuffled slightly. "Only reason I know is because I accidentally happened upon it, just that one time. But not even the others learned about it."

"Yeah, she was aware. She did not care." Jace shrugged.

Nina smirked and punched him in the shoulder. "I have never heard you be quiet for so long. You did not even comment on mine or the others gear. I mean you brought a basic grenade launcher for this mission."

"Bean bag rounds, taser rounds, sleeping gas rounds, just about everything we will need for this mission. Because if you recall we were given orders to bring them in alive. As for me being quiet..." Jace tapped his communication watch, pulling up something and showing it to Nina.

Nina raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh dear... she managed this much in that short amount of time?"

"Yeah, she is famous and in a good way now." Jace nodded. He had pulled up a newsreel. It was covering Salem and the good she had done. The news had her as a hero against corruption both in the military and government.

Nina nodded as she turned on the volume as they listened to the report. "She is really pushing hard against Tyranus. Maybe she was set up by them to bersmerch her reputation. I mean it would deal a blow against the anti-noble factions that have been popping up."

"No it would not. It would actually act against them. If they wanted to frame her they would have framed her as a normal corrupt Inquisitor. Setting her up as part of the Union would only help the Union’s position. It would even make her the face of the Union in the public’s eye." Jace shook his head.

"So then who do you think framed her?" Nina asked as Jace turned off the newsreel.

"I do not think anyone did." Jace answered, getting a look of surprise from Nina. "She was always way too careful. That and it is not as well known but her entire family is dead. They died when the Union first made their existence public."

"You mean... back when we were in the academies?" Nina asked in surprise. "Well that sucks. What happened?"

"No clue. All she was told was that they died in a car crash. But she always did seem a bit bothered by it so she might have thought differently." Jace answered as he relaxed in his seat.

"Do you mean she might be thinking that her family’s car accident was not actually an accident?" Nina nodded before grunting, "you are probably right, I might have only gotten a month to know her. But she is definitely the type that would investigate a suspicious accident like that."

"Hmm... maybe." Jace nodded.

"You do not think she traded government secrets for the identity of her family’s killer. Do you?" Nina asked in confusion. "Or the knowledge that they even had a killer."

"I would prefer not to think about it. Nor should you think about it either." Jace told her as he waved. "Now get some sleep. We only have a few hours before we hit the ground running."

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