The Brumal Bastion was one of several converted offshore oil rigs Solstice used as bases of operation. Elijah was mildly surprised that they were taking a two hour ferry trip to it from the shores of the Holy Republic of Varalfa rather than fly there, but not as surprised as he was when his mother had told him that they had loaded a few persons of interest for someone to deal with upon their arrival. He had done maintenance on some of the hovercraft before but riding in one as it went full tilt across the sand was a novel experience. There were 6 of them riding in formation, five carrying various types of equipment and spare parts and one reserved for Elijah, Nadia, and a few SSS members acting as escort.

Things seemed tense and SSS presence was felt in the area, both manned and drone patrols had been stepped up after the incident with the Cult and in consideration of Evona’s birthday ceremony coming up in the next day. There were no Vain Glories openly operating in the area yet but he was sure that that would change tomorrow.

Lingua franca across the various SSS staging grounds and deployments were scattered at best and Elijah had made the mistake his first week assuming that English, Arabic and his highschool Spanish would be enough to let him muddle through. In truth Solstice Security Solutions hired from wide variety of walks of life, the core membership all understood English, Russian, and Arabic but it was a mixed bag with the various contractees. Thankfully the Babel universal translator existed to smooth relations and shrink the communication gap. Elijah was currently wearing his preemptively as was Nadia, a side perk of wearing them now was being able to hear and understand each other over the roar of the hovercraft’s engines.

“So, how was the tearful and no doubt heart wrenching goodbye you shared with the princess?” Nadia asked Elijah as they zoomed across the sand.

“Tearful and heart wrenching.” He deadpanned.

“Come now, she’s a lovely young lady. You’re an unattached young man. You can’t sit there and tell me you’re uninterested?”

“It’s -”

“It’s not at all complicated. Unless, it’s the tiny one you’re interested in instead? I can’t say I don’t see the appeal. Razor sharp and deceptively densely muscled. She’d be quite the catch.”

Elijah shuddered at the thought of romance with Saif, It would feel like dating his sister or a close cousin.

“Don’t think I don’t see that reaction! Or are you more the type to dream of building a harem? That’s forbidden love Elijah! How could my nephew have become so depraved in such a short amount of time?”

“Practice, auntie. Just like how anyone gets good at anything else.” He snarked shifting in his uncomfortable seat. “Don’t worry about my purity, Harems are shit, monogamous relationship with a traditional wife is hella based.”

“Oh, discounting men as possible soul mates? That’s half the population you know? Some days I wonder how we are even related then I remember that I married into the family and heave a sigh of relief.”

“Who said that? I’m just saying that mama didn’t raise a blushing bride over here.”

“You’re just a treat kiddo. Never change, you and your siblings keep me young.” She said with a good natured laugh.

“You’re not that old Auntie.”

“Cute of you to say but I was your great grandfathers doctor you know.” She said smirking at him.

Elijah’s mind froze as he tried to process what he had just heard. She was pop pop’s, pop’s doctor? That would have to make her positively ancient. He tried and utterly failed at keeping the shock off his face and Nadia cackled in response.

“I’ve been around the block a time or two. Been friends with your family for a large chunk of time before I joined it.”

“Uncle Eli must really appreciate a more mature woman then.”

“There are arguments to be made for preferring a woman with life experience.”

Time passed swiftly and they soon found themselves at the meeting point on the beach, the barge ready to receive them. The hovercrafts with equipment loaded in first followed by their own hovercraft after. As soon as they were settled and firmly on their way Elijah stepped onto the deck eager to stretch his legs.

“You’re handling the sea better than most people.” Nadia said, pointing out one of their escorts who had looked miserable ever since the barge rocked into motion.

“Grew up fishing with dad and training with mom on bases just like Brumal Bastion.” He said with a stretch and a quick yawn. “It’s gonna take more than a gentle rolling in warm water to put me off.”

As he took in the sights and fresh air he felt his phone begin to vibrate in his pocket, checking the caller ID revealed it to be his sister Lumi so he quickly answered.

“I hate you little j.” She said first thing.

“The feeling is mutual night light.” Elijah replied.

“I can’t believe you just left! No, hey sis how are you? No, hey I need to head out? Not so much as a bye bye?”

“Hey, don’t blame me. Mom said we couldn’t delay any longer.”

“You said good bye to that brat Evona!” She seethed.

“Yeah but-”

“And you waited in line to pick up your equipment!”

“But aunt Blanche -”

“I don’t care who gave you that ugly ass rifle! It’s a gun! I’m your sister!”

“It’s a really good gun...” he muttered.

“What’d you say!?”

“Well I’ve got two sisters but that Railgun is pretty unique…”

“You’re such an ass. You’re treating me to an apology dinner the next time I see you. Sunny too.”

“Hey, c’mon sis. I’m sorry, my wallet really can’t afford that right now.”

“Bullshit. You were laid up in medical, that’s hazard pay! Not to mention all the bounties.”

“What? What bounties?”

“You took out four grunt suits and an Echidna command unit. Those cultists all have active bounties so you’re practically flush with cash not to mention the salvage rights.”

“Cool it, that’s still classified probably.” Elijah admonished her. “Wait how did you even know about that?”

“Chill, danger sense is all clear. Mom has me doing some plumbing, and who do you think escorted auntie N to you?

“Huh, thanks sis. I guess…”

“I am demonstrably the greatest. Praise me.”

“No.” He said. “Really though, I’m sorry I didn’t think to see you before I left.”

“You should be. I didn’t even get to sign your cast.”

“Don’t sweat it.” He said with a laugh. “The thing’ll only be on me for a week or so.”

“God, that’s stupid quick.”

“I know right? I made the mistake of asking how the whole thing worked, Nadia gave up an hour in and just said ‘Nano machines, son.’ and refused to elaborate further.”

“Alright little j, I love you but I have to go. Not all of us have the luxury of a tranquil cruise to a scenic locale.”

“love you too night light.” He put away his phone with a sigh and followed the rest of his group to where his aunt was waving him down.

“Nice to see you back with us. Lets head up to the bridge and greet our captain. Can two of you guard the package meant for our hosts?” She asked their escort. They agreed with a salute. While the rest of them proceeded to walk up the staircase two of their guard walking ahead of them and two behind Elijah commented on the number of guards traveling with them.

“Think of it this way Elijah, pilots have three men assigned to them for safety at all times. Not to brag but I am much more valuable than the average pilot. Also helps that your Uncle Eli and your mom are big shots. Means I have more pull than the average sawbones hanging about would have.”

Once they entered the bridge the captain greeted them with a smile and let them know that the waters were calm and conditions optimal for swift arrival.

The interior of the bridge was a tribute to a bygone age, while all the modern accoutrements were present the walls looked to be made of a rich dark wood with maps and charts of areas that had at some point dramatically shifted framed on them. The screens displayed the open seas around the ship and a security feed shifted between various hallways and views of the lifeboats. Elijah was distracted from inspecting his surroundings when he realized that the captain was still speaking.

“I have however received word that The Frostbite has been delayed and could take anywhere between 8 hours and a whole day to arrive at Brumal Bastion.” The captain explained.

“I see, thank you for the news captain. Is there anything else we should be aware of while aboard?”

“Nothing comes to mind Ma’am. You and your party are free to avail yourselves of my quarters until we arrive.”

“Thank you for the offer captain, We’ll accept you generosity.”

“Lovely, my first mate will guide your group down.”

They followed the man below deck one of their escorts radioing the guards left outside to alert them of the change in location. As they walked Elijah noticed that the lavish décor of the bridge seemed to be the rule rather than the exception. He was rather impressed and told told the first mate such.

“Thank you sir. This vessel is our pride and joy and would not be possible without Solstice.”

“Oh, how so?” Elijah asked.

“This vessel is divided into shares between the captain and crew, each of us being members of SSS. We acquired the barge at a rather substantial discount, then the company was kind enough to connect us with a group that specializes in retrofitting and modernizing these kind of vessels. We have a hanger suited to storing and launching Vain Glory units and a few nasty surprises for pirates looking for easy prey.”

“That’s amazing, is this sort of set up industry standard?” Elijah asked.

“While I can not speak for the industry our group is not unique to the ranks of SSS. We exclusively work with the company of course, resupplying the various bases and escorting VIPs.” The man explained. “We have arrived, please enjoy your stay sirs, madame.” He held the door open and once Nadia and Elijah were through closed it with a gentle click.

The cabin was a stark contrast to the rest of the ship they had seen thus far. A minimalist white with recessed shelves holding various different colored tablets was before them. A White slab that Elijah assumed was a desk with a screen embedded on the surface and a few labeled buttons on the side was front and center. At the touch of one of the buttons a few plush white sofas rose from the floor. Nadia immediately left the desk and sprawled across one.

“Sit nephew. Enjoy the perks.” She drawled.

“Don’t mind if I do.” He said taking a seat. “So what’s on the agenda when we arrive?”

“First things first.” Nadia tossed a familiar black box at him and with a push of his power he connected.

[Hello world.]

[Bug Check.] He sent.

[Acknowledged. Scanning.]

[…]

[…]

[…]

[2 video, 6 audio detected.]

[Please disable them for the next two hours.]

[Acknowledged.]

“We’re clear, just the standard company security surveillance in here.” He told Nadia once the task was complete.

“Good. Keep the box, I have more.”

“Can do. So what’s the plan once we arrive?”

“Well it looks like we’ll have some time until Adam arrives so we’ll start by leaving the packages somewhere cozy. Then we’ll go with a physical in an actual modern facility, and if there’s time we’ll see what happens when you interface with AI.”

“Sounds like a blast.”Elijah said.

With plans in place they settled in and enjoyed the smooth ride to the Brumal Bastion.