by Max Barry

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Region: Northern Utopia

Fury, Utopian Orbit
Colonel Alamond sat alone in the small observation room, taking a moment to brush some of his white hair from the aperture of the cybernetic rangefinder that replaced his left eye, faded heavy coat slung across his shoulders, mostly covering the padded beige shirt beneath.
In the distance, slowly spinning upon the axis of its length, sat the inert weapons platform, dark hull illuminated by the many floodlights pouring from the hull of the Fury, distant flashes of engines from the staggered departure and arrival of Jericho shuttles.
As the door behind him slid open, a familiar voice spoke out; "So apparently it's all stable now, but they aren't saying what they needed to cordon half the ship for." as the bald woman casually walked into the room, standing besides him; "But that's typical for the Alpha branch, caught any spies yet?"
Alamond laughed with an ever slight wheeze, "I doubt any of them are dumb enough to try it, those alpha boys are ten times spookier than any agent I reckon."
"How's the new position holding up, Colonel?" Minverva asked
"Slow, dull, kinda feels like retirement." he replied, "How's the pride of the Skies of Irene treating you?"
"The engines barely work, there's not enough people to cover even a fifth of it and the alien goobers up back give me the heebie jeebies."
Alamond slammed a heavy hand down upon Minvera's shoulder with an equally heavy smile, "I wouldn't put too much stock in them giving you anything hard, whole thing is big enough to tell people to buzz off on its own."
Minvera's response lingered in her throat, matched to a downward gaze at Utopia below; "I hear it's getting pretty crazy down there... I think I'm happier with a bit of distance, the devil I know is a bit of a prick."
"So what's the deal, then?... you don't usually come my way."
She glanced back at the closed door cautiously, "Well you didn't hear this from me..." she started, leaning up against the transparent wall, "But the running theory is that the Voidrunner popping back about Bahram is to blame for all the mucky muck with the cores."
"Guess the plan is to send us over?" Alamond inquired, "Didn't think this thing could move that fast."
"No, they've fast-tracked the N-7 to Starfall, cutting every corner they can..."
He replied with a playful, "Spooky." matching his worn grin.
"I know enough to know I don't want to know more." Minvera firmly stated, "My job's hard enough."
"Well I got the old checkers board out if you want to vent more, along with more brandy and scotch than I know what to do with... drop by sometime, alright?"
An exasperated sigh slips as she starts to turn back to the door, "Assuming I can get a damned break... don't die on me before then." came Minverva's final words as she stepped out into the corridor, giving him a mocking wave and vanishing as the door slid shut.
Left alone once more, he returned to watching Irene's Light, ensuring the coast was indeed clear before pulling a small leather pouch from his coat, removing a cigarette and lighting it up; stuffing it back into the internal coat pocket.

Deep within I slumber, I feel their fear through the dreary eyes... My river tainted with weeds from beyond, my shell left unguarded... I must return, I must bring the light.

The Soviet state of Svalbard, Lake perseverance, and The Kohen

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