Hilton Head Island — Terra
ComStar Headquarters
The BattleROMs of Operation Grave Robber finally came to an end, along with all the additional data presented by Precentor ROM. For a moment, there was absolute silence within the First Circuit as they processed what they had just witnessed.
What they had seen was salvaged footage and fragmented data, gathered from agents who had survived Operation Grave Robber on the planet. These agents had been forced to rely on small data bursts using ComStar data boxes, which essentially functioned as mobile HPG units. The downside was that these devices transmitted information extremely slowly in order to remain undetected, but despite that limitation, the Order had received everything relevant to the operation.
The footage raised several immediate concerns.
Critical assets had been deployed within the region without notifying the First Circuit. Nuclear warheads had been authorized and used without consultation with the Primus. These actions alone were enough to raise serious questions, but they were overshadowed by something far more concerning.
The appearance of two superior machines.
These machines had destroyed numerous Cat's Paw lances with alarming efficiency, and the weaponry they wielded allowed them to cut through BattleMechs with relative ease. The level of technology displayed was unlike anything the Order had encountered in the Periphery.
Precentor ROM further revealed that several covert agents had managed to return to the Home System, bringing with them fragments of cargo recovered from the Artemis Facility. During the final hours of the operation, they had successfully secured passage aboard a JumpShip and escaped with what little they could carry.
The Order had long known of these so-called "paradise worlds" and had quietly hoarded their contents for itself. However, this was the first time they had been repelled from such a prize. What made matters worse was the confirmation that the primary vault—believed to contain significant technological data—was now completely out of their reach. Only scattered experimental weapon data and secondary materials had been recovered.
Even the wreckage of a downed DropShip had been analyzed.
It had been destroyed by a unique pink blade—something entirely unfamiliar, something the Order could not yet classify.
Julian Tiepolo: cough, cough, cough… Well. That was illuminating… and informative, Precentor ROM. Despite all of this, you acted without the approval of the First Circuit or my own authority. You deployed nuclear weaponry from our stockpile and committed critical assets that could have been reserved for future operations. However, the information you have brought before this council… does outweigh those failures. Make no mistake—you will not act in such a manner again without consulting us.
Precentor ROM: Of course, sir. I simply took initiative, and because of that initiative we have uncovered quite a bit. Through the use of our black boxes, we continue to receive data from agents who survived Operation Grave Robber. Despite the slow transmission rate, the data is ongoing. At least two agents have successfully integrated into this society, and I am awaiting further updates.
The Primus and the other Precentors nodded in agreement, though the question of what to do next opened an entirely new line of debate.
Different strategies were proposed. Some argued for immediate action, suggesting the deployment of ComStar's hidden fleet to eliminate this emerging threat before it could grow further. Others opposed such measures, pointing out that their military assets were limited and not easily replaceable. There were also those who argued that the Order was already heavily invested in the ongoing Succession Wars and could not afford to divert attention away from the Inner Sphere.
In the end, the First Circuit reached a decision.
The matter would be shelved.
It would be revisited once the current Succession War had concluded.
—///—
Precentor ROM POV
Returning to my private office, I triple-checked every inch of the room for listening devices or hidden cameras. Once I was satisfied that I was alone, the false smile I had worn throughout the meeting faded.
Anger replaced it.
With a sudden burst of frustration, I lashed out, destroying several pieces of furniture within my office.
Those Blake-damned fools… arrogant, blind, stupid fools. They fail to see what stands before us. This is the greatest threat our Order has ever faced, and yet they hesitate.
But I should have known better.
In truth, I did know better.
I did not share everything.
There was more data—far more than what I presented to the First Circuit. From what I have gathered, these people are descendants of Kerensky's Exodus. Their history, their structure, and most importantly, their rate of technological advancement…
It is accelerating at an alarming pace.
The only logical conclusion is that the Artemis Facility is still active.
…FUCK.
This cannot be allowed to continue.
I am going to have to eliminate the Primus sooner than I had planned, but it must be done carefully. It must appear natural. There are methods… subtle ones.
A certain plant. A slow toxin. Something that could mimic a heart attack over time.
Yes…
That could work.
Once he is gone, I will ascend to the position of Primus, and under my leadership, ComStar will act.
—///—
P19 — Shopping District
Within the bustling shopping district of the newly constructed port city, civilians went about their daily lives. Hover vehicles moved through the air in organized lanes, transporting people between districts while others relied on personal transport systems to navigate the vertical cityscape.
Many carried Omni-tools, using them for a variety of tasks—some for work, others for entertainment. The standard orange interface had already begun to change, with users customizing colors to suit their preferences.
Inside one small shop, a woman who had recently relocated to the city managed her business. She sold entertainment hardware and software, including video games, while also accepting payments through her Omni-tool. On the side, she offered home-baked goods she had prepared herself, drawing in a steady flow of customers throughout the day.
When night finally fell, she closed her shop and made her way upstairs to her apartment.
Once inside, she locked the door behind her and entered a separate room.
There, she powered on a sealed computer—one completely disconnected from any local network. From a hidden compartment, she retrieved a small black box roughly the size of her hand and connected it to the system.
Moments later, data began transferring.
The process was slow.
Silent.
Then, after a brief vibration, the box went still.
The woman exhaled softly in satisfaction.
For the Blessed Order.
Carefully, she hid the device once more before preparing for sleep, ready to continue her life within Clan Wolverine society the following day.
⸻
—///—