Star Bate Saga: XI

6 Months Earlier

"You want to what?!"

"We're going to storm the Star Bate and and take it as our own. We will then travel to the Brio Galaxy in which we hope to find Sidereal." Chatoyant said, meeting Grayson's wide eyed stupor. 

"Oh of course, now that you've explained it there was no need for my incredulous and rude outburst. Ha ha. I'm not doing any of that!"

"Fine." Firmament's voice dripped icily as she slid into the room and sat down at the southernmost chair. "I can do it by myself worst case. I just thought I'd alert Chatoyant to my plans."

"But why the Star Bate?! Why not a supply ship? We have hundreds of those scarcely monitored docking nearby!"

"It's personal."

"That makes it okay."

Chatoyant rolled her eyes and stood up. "Grayson, this isn't just about Firmament, it concerns us all. A fight for freedom. We're taking a stand for all the wrong that's been done to us." Here Anderson and Aria walked in. Aria was a beautiful android with carmel colored skin and copper plating. Her eyes were almost teal and she wore a scarf of similar color wrapped around her head. 

"This is for you Grayson. This is for your mother, who was taken as a slave to the Rose Galaxy." Grayson went rigid and looked down. "This is for Aria and Anderson who can't get married. This is for me. And this is Firmament and all others like us who were wronged." 

The room was quiet and tense. Nobody dared draw a breath lest ruin the beautiful intensity of the weight of the speech just given. Chatoyant pointed her chin up and smiled. 

"Well now that I've got your attention. Aria, statistically, how successful will this mission be?" 

Aria went rigid as numbers scanned over her eyes. "We have. A 45% chance of seizing the ship without error but only a 35%. Chance of successfully navigating to the Brio Galaxy and an uncountable chance of finding Sidereal. But. We are all protagonists. So I say we have a pretty. Good chance of this working out. Correctly."

The room was silent until Anderson let out a small chuckle. Soon the whole room was laughing, including Firmament, who smiled softly. 

"A little faith goes a long way." Chatoyant cooed. 

"And logic. And numbers." Aria replied. 

"Don't forget engineering and fortitude." Anderson called. 

"Or reason. And wit." Grayson smiled softly.

Firmament spoke softly. "Or courage." 

At this, they all met each other's eyes.