It had been weeks since House Voss formally declared public mourning for the loss of late Baron Neilson Voss throughout the entire Voss's territory. Banners hung in black and silver across Velmora.
Public ceremonies were held daily, military parades were reduced and fleet activity significantly reduced.
To the watching Empire, House Voss appeared wounded and grieving.
***
Far from Velmora, in a famous cruiser drifting in deep space near Ulix controller trade corridors. It was one of the main transports linking House Ulix citizens to House Voss's.
Inside a private briefing chamber illuminated was a man.
He had a sharp jawline, dark hair and a thin scar running down his left cheek. His eyes were slightly altered in hue.
This was Wein, at least his new alter ego. Kael Ardra.
Made thanks to gene-masking and dermal reconstruction that erased any presence of the famous heir. Remaining was a cold, charming man.
He wore matte black tactical armour worn out from years of battle. Over the suit was a long maroon coat and black tactical gloves. He was the complete opposite of Wein Voss and Wein Serin.
The room contained eight individuals, handpicked.
Former special operations, intelligence officers and tacticians.
But the most surprising thing was that among the individuals there was a familiar face, one who had worked well with Wein in the past. Derek Thorne.
Wein activated a holographic display and an image of the huge mining planet Dawro and its moons appeared. Along with routes, fuel depots and locations of such sort were displayed.
"Our destination is Dwaro third moon Dwaro iii," began one of the intelligence, his voice lower and tougher than Wein's natural tone.
A hologram zoomed in, showing a crescent shaped settlement hugging the moon's surface.
"Dwaro iii has been used as a relay by House Voss." Spoke one of the technicians. "It serves as a connection from the colony on Dwaro to space station because of its more stable atmosphere".
"Based on the intelligence we have acquired. The settlement has long since been compromised." Added an officer.
"We believe it to be related to the crime syndicate that has been attacking House Voss recently."
"Our mission is to infiltrate and weaken them".
"So we have to wound their personnel?" asked Kael.
"Yes, if we manage to bring down their operations. They can't protest to the main House because they are compromised and we will get information without arousing suspicion."
"Are there civilians we need to be wary of?" asked Derek finally.
"Yes, there are innocent civilians and unassuming personnel within who don't know. We will act fast and move out before they can identify our backers".
"Understood" the majority replied.
The hologram shifted again, showing the section to look for and the schematics of the buildings.
"Remember not to blow your cover and be ready to provide support. Mr Ardra and Thorne will be doing most of the heavy lifting. We will drop here…"
The briefing continued, they went through the possible location to infiltrate from, reading about possible security and response and each objective to do. Until they were set.
Minutes later, the chamber doors opened and they departed each going their separate ways. Armour was concealed beneath civilian clothing for Kael and Derek and carrying small easy to carry duffle bags.
Kael was walking with Derek when they emerged on the main passenger deck and appeared as old friend going on a trip.
"It has been a while, sir" Kael began, all smiles and easy going.
"Please, don't call me sir. How could I?" replied Derek, who felt uncomfortable. He was the only one just now who knew Kael's true identity.
"You were once my superior, old habits".
"Still…"
Just then, a child ran passed them, slightly bumping into Derek.
"Careful, kid" he responded.
"Sorry"
Behind was another kid running after him. Ahead were two men arguing over a person issue enough to be heard by everyone close. To the side, a couple laughed near the observation glass, pointing at the stars.
Across were food stalls and accessory shops, business busy as a marketplace.
Derek had taken a mental of note of all this, being able to scope the entire platform in a matter of seconds. Kael pressed his hand behind his back smiling.
"Come let's get going" he called.
Through the viewport, they could see the entire planet of red planet Dwaro coming clearly into view as the courier adjusted course to head for the moon.
"I thought you would be content with a promotion and become captain again" Kael continued.
"It did not match with what I wanted of my life".
As they walked, they reached exit platform. Just then, the cruiser began its descent, descending into the third moon.
"Thank you for boarding with us…"
Rang the announcement comms ringing through the entire ship. Kael carrying his duffle bag found himself in a line descending on moving stairs as everyone else busy with their lives.
The rest of the team was mixed in with the rest of the passenger. Nothing felt strange and they were able to pass through customs. They entered the colony safely.
They existed the customs terminal without issue. Dwaro iii greeted them with stale industrial air and the distant hum of mining engines.
The crescent settlement stretched across the moon's surface, steel structures layered over old rock formations and cargo transport moved along magnetic rails from one point to the other. Neon lights flickered against the cold air outside.
Kael walked slightly ahead, duffle bag slung casually over his shoulder, his ear with earphones and whistling to a tune.
Derek followed two paces behind a family taking in the sights. He was observant with his own bag in hand, making sure there was no tail.
When they moved further from docking, they entered deeper into the settlement which was like a small city. There was everything, dug deeper into the moon. There were an industrial district and centre with people walking to and from work. There were small cars moving on lanes carrying cargo and neon lights flickered on establishments and buildings.
The two turned into the industrial district away from prying eyes.
"The surveillance team will find a secure position and wait for confirmation".
The message came through Kael's encrypted earpiece.
"Copy" he replied.
***
"Surveillance team in position. I have tapped into municipal grid. Cameras looped for thirty seconds every two minutes."
The voice came on comms.
"Support team also in position"
"Ok everyone, let's begin" Kael replied calmly. He, Derek and another entered a maintenance corridor of a building.
Inside was a dim, empty and metallic corridor. The team had already changed attire, wearing black vests with armour that can withstand lasers. They pulled on matte black mask, minimalistic and clean covering the entirety of the face.
Derek assembled his compact rifle with mechanical precision, while a side arm rested holstered at his thigh.
The tech operative held a tablet firmly with her arms, then they moved on.
***
The building's exterior appeared mundane even most of the interior. Crates stacked high with minimal workers and automated loaders hummed quietly.
Through the outer sections at most two guards were stationed at the entrance, some even walked through the corridors armed with their own rifles.
Derek and Kael emerged from the dark like monsters, catching the guards off guard. As they reached for the comms, the two released silent precision shots. They were clean and in a moment the guards fell.
"Entry clear" Derek murmured.
The tech specialist attacked a bypass module to the access panel.
"Sublevel access opening"
The metal doors slid apart with a low hiss. Kael stepped inside first, blaster raised and alert. Behind him followed the technician and Derek while above the enemy was fed doctored live image updates to the enemy's system.
The sublevel smelled of coolant and dust. Dim industrial lights flickered along the corridor with faint hums of fans. As they were moving, Kael signalled to stop. Footsteps echoed from the far end, about four.
Derek angled down the corridor as the tech specialist stayed behind the corner table braced to her forearms.
The guards were getting closer as the team readied themselves.
Kael/Wein recalled his talk with John. His need to gain experience and push his physical and mental strength to the max. this was the beginning.
He stepped forward into view of the guards, it was too late as he collided with them. He threw an arc right punch at one, so strong he sent him to his knees while the disoriented group tried to regain control Kael fired.
A single blaster bolts struck one. Their armour vest absorbed part of it, but being close as they were it was not enough. He then proceeded with a spinning left click striking the head of the third guard to collide with the wall.
It was with so much force that the wall was indented. After that, Kael noticed that the fourth guard had already regained control and aimed his rifle at him ready to fire back.
It was at a brief moment, Kael knew he had to act fast. This was the moment he was waiting for. He grabbed the disoriented guard and used him as a human shield as a hail of gun fire rained on him.
The impact from the shots were great but Kael was able to withstand until the guard was silenced by Derek who was still guarding the technician.
"Clear" he said calmly.
"Negative" the surveillance from the comms replied. "Image shows movement approaching from sublevel access".
There were heavy boots at most five. Kael glanced toward the stairwell.
"There won't be time to hide the bodies. We will need to take them all down."
His eyes narrowed behind the mask, while Derek moved to the stairwell entrance and trained his rifle downward. Metal footsteps thundered up from below, chatter of unassuming guards could be heard.
The first one emerged and Derek fired, alerting the rest. Then the staircase erupted in crossfire. Laser bolts scorched the walls leaving molten streaks. With the first man down, Kael did not wait for the others to emerge and vaulted over to the stairs charging down.
Being a knight required courage and bravery, but above all it meant thriving against thin odds and Kael/Wein knew to get stronger faster. Be in danger as much as possible and for him being reckless was it at least in a controlled situation such as that.