Devin arrives on the Ordainer’s bridge in his blue pilot suit, helmet under one arm. Beyond the viewport, repair crews swarm his damaged GM III.
Rina and Toma stand nearby under armed guard, unrestrained. The captain’s tactical display places Karaba’s copied flight trail beside a live trace matching the conditioning broadcast.
Captain
Lieutenant Halbolt, your trail leads hostile attention directly toward my ship. Give me one practical reason to shelter you and the Sera siblings.
Rina Reese
Because that broadcast is not following us by chance. It is searching through the same network that used Toma and me as transmitters.
Toma Sera
If we reach the colonies, we can identify the remaining relay links. If we stay here, the signal may keep spreading through every system that receives it.
The captain studies the overlapping traces without answering. Then a low pulse travels through the bridge consoles, making indicator lights brighten and fade in the buried relay’s rhythm.
Captain
Your evidence may justify a temporary berth, not a voyage. Convince me this ship gains more by protecting you than by putting you ashore.
“Devin offers himself as the trade. He's an ace pilot, and technically A.W.O.L. from the Federation. So he's unemployed. If the Ordainer will shelter them, he will serve under the captain's command. He already showed what he could do when he drove off the Neo-Zeon strike force outside the ship.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Devin Halbolt
I am AWOL, and the Federation has no claim left to my service. Shelter us, and I will serve under your command. You saw what I can do out there.
Devin steps forward beneath the bridge displays, placing himself between the captain and the Sera siblings. Outside, repair crews pull scorched armor from his GM III.
Captain
You offer an ace pilot, a combat-ready machine, and two witnesses tied to an active hostile network. That is a useful exchange.
The captain keys a command authorization into the tactical display. Devin’s Federation credentials turn amber, then lock under the Ordainer’s operational registry. His access to Federation logistics and secure channels is severed.
Captain
Accepted. The Ordainer shelters all three of you. Lieutenant Halbolt, you serve under my command effective immediately. The siblings are protected personnel.
Rina Reese
Then the signal found us a ship instead of a grave. Devin, we will help your captain dismantle the network.
Toma Sera
And we will not waste what you just gave up for us.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the captain's mandate to investigate the conditioning network
“Devin asks the Captain for his name, so Devin can address his superior properly.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Devin Halbolt
Captain, I am Devin Halbolt. If I am serving under your command now, may I have your name so I can address you properly?
The bridge quiets around the request. Tactical displays cast pale light across the captain’s uniform while the Sera siblings watch without interrupting.
Captain
Captain Elias Vale. You may address me as Captain Vale, Lieutenant Halbolt.
Vale enters his name into the operational registry beside Devin’s new assignment. The system immediately flags Devin’s AWOL status for every senior officer aboard.
Captain
There. Properly addressed, and permanently recorded. My officers now know exactly who I have taken aboard and why.
Rina Reese
Captain Vale, the record may draw attention, but hiding Devin’s identity would make the arrangement look worse.
A repair alarm pulses from the hangar, reporting depleted armor stock and a damaged shoulder launcher on Devin’s GM III. Vale glances toward the status panel.
“Devin tells the captain they brought two more mobile suits with them on the shuttle. A Nemo and a GM II.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Devin Halbolt
Captain Vale, the shuttle also carries two mobile suits: a Nemo and a GM II. They came with us from the aerodrome.
Vale turns from the repair display as the bridge tactical system pulls up the shuttle’s cargo manifest. Two dormant machine signatures appear beneath the Ordainer’s hangar inventory.
Captain
A Nemo and a GM II. That gives us additional pilots, spare systems, and two more machines the network may be tracking.
Rina Reese
Both were recovered through isolated local controls. Their external links were disconnected before launch, and neither suit transmitted through Federation channels.
The hangar officer confirms the shuttle is secured and begins arranging a sealed transfer bay. Crew members prepare inspection teams without opening either mobile suit’s cockpit systems.
Captain
Bring them aboard under quarantine protocols. No network connection, no remote diagnostics, and no pilot interface activation until my technical officers clear the frames.
Toma Sera
That is reasonable. If the machines are clean, they may help defend the Ordainer while we trace the conditioning network.
“Devin says he can't speak for the twins on whether or not they want to pilot again. He just wants them safe, but he respects their choice.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Devin Halbolt
I cannot speak for the twins on whether they want to pilot again. I want them safe, but that choice belongs to them.
The bridge falls quiet. Vale studies Devin, then the two siblings, while the hangar crews continue sealing the quarantined transfer bay below.
Captain
Understood. No officer aboard this ship will assign either of you to a cockpit without your consent. Safety comes before operational convenience.
Rina Reese
Thank you, Devin. I may choose to fly again, but I will make that decision myself, after the technical teams clear the machine.
Toma Sera
I do not know yet. The GM II might be a way to help, or it might bring everything back. I need the freedom to decide later.
Vale changes the quarantine order, adding a consent lock to both pilot interfaces. The system requires verbal authorization from Rina or Toma before any cockpit can activate.
Captain
Their choice is now part of my standing orders. Lieutenant, your concern is noted, and the Ordainer will protect them without turning protection into another command.
“Devin salutes and thanks captain Vale.”
Devin straightens in his blue pilot suit and salutes Captain Vale. The bridge displays cast pale light across his raised hand and the newly amended quarantine order.
Devin Halbolt
Thank you, Captain Vale.
Vale returns the salute with measured precision. Around them, the bridge crew continue their duties, while the Sera siblings remain beside Devin beneath the protective order.
Captain
You are welcome, Lieutenant Halbolt. Protecting your people is now part of this ship's mission.
Rina Reese
Then we know where we stand. That matters more than another machine in the hangar.
Toma Sera
For once, the choice is ours. No one is putting us back into a cockpit without asking.
The salute ends, but the decision remains recorded across the Ordainer's command network. For the first time since entering orbit, Devin and the siblings have protection without surrendering their choices.
“Devin asks if they will be assigned quarters? He needs a shower after the trip from the surface and the battle. He didn't mind communal quarters if the siblings are ok with that.”
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Devin Halbolt
Captain Vale, will we be assigned quarters? I need a shower after the surface trip and the battle. Communal quarters are fine if Rina and Toma are comfortable with that.
Vale glances toward the siblings, then taps the personnel display. A nearby logistics officer receives the request while the bridge continues tracking the damaged hangar.
Rina Reese
I am comfortable with it. Toma and I can share a communal berth, provided we are not separated from Devin.
Toma Sera
That is fine with me. A shower and somewhere to sleep sound good, especially if we can stay together.
Captain
Granted. I am assigning you a three-person communal berth near the protected crew section, with immediate shower access. The berth is one of our last unoccupied spaces.
The logistics officer marks the berth occupied and deducts its reserve space from the Ordainer's scarce crew accommodations. A temporary access card prints beside Vale's console.
Captain
Take the card. Your quarters are ready now. Report to medical afterward for a brief post-sortie examination, then you may rest under the siblings' protection order.
Quest Complete
Secure the captain's mandate to investigate the conditioning network
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Great→Superb
+ New Item Acquired
Temporary access card