#12 by Kaal

Fort Bush, New York

As the pod dropped onto the loading dock Falken emerged out of the lifesaving device, running his hands through his hair and putting on his favorite cap, "that's what I get for taking off my lucky soft-top," he said to himself.
It could have been worse; the auto-ejection could have locked him in the cockpit when his fighter went down, he could have been demolished by space traffic that cruised through the Ft. Bush/Baltimore Shipyard Area or he could have been detected by Elyon's scanners and shot out of the sky for good. It wasen't unheard of, but Falken wasen't complaining.
Down the causeway leading deeper into the station Falken could see two men approaching his way. Two uniformed LPI officers, "great, just effing great," muttering just enough for a dock-hand to look up and smile.
"Well there could be worse friend," consoled the dockman, "they could be here to shackle you up."
Yeah, that they could or they can take him down to interrogation and keep him locked for 24 hours on suspicion, Falken didn't know what would have been the most preferable.
The mustached officer opened his mouth first, "Contractor Myers, we have a few questions. Please come with us."
The interrogation room it is then.
Moving down the causeway Falken took note of the boogling eyes of LPI and Liberty civilians as he proceeded down to the central offices. Behind him the silent clean shaven LPI officer shadowed his footsteps, staying outside an arms reach of Falken. The perfect distance to keep watch over a trained fighter; not too close but close enough to get in quick if Falken showed a hint of 'resisting arrest'.

They reached the elevator after a time, taking the long way to get to them. He was a dammed caged monkey, and the level D42 was the parade route.
Before reaching the elevator, a ranked Navy officer came out of the elevator. Solid posture, six something tall, lieutenant pips, broad shoulders and good taste in solarshade brand; definitely military intelligence or he one 'metro' Naval Officer.
"First-lieutenant Davenport, Naval Intelligence. This guy is with me." Bingo.
Mr. Mustache LPI wasen't buying it, "this man is under our custody for disturbing the peace over Liberty Police space, and where the hell is your credentials?"
If under perfect timing Mustache's comm unit went active. The LPI gave his companion "the look", as Officer Imposing only toughened up, eye-dogging Lt. Davenport while Mustache moved off to the side to answer the call.
"Uh huh. Sir...no sir. Yes...sir, right away." Mustache wasen't looking too pleased, as the old can says about "stuff" falling down the ladder.
"Apologies sir, I leave him to your custody." Mustache cleanly saluted along side Officer Imposing and quietly left. Falken and Davenport both entered the elevator.

Davenport issued a designation to the elevator computer, "Command Deck LN2."
As the doors closed and the hum of the elevator kicked in, Falken felt now as was a good a time as any to break the silence.
"Thanks for that Lt. Davenport. For all I know the LPI would have loved to send me to..."
"That would have been avoided if you hadn't been shot down Contractor," the officer ejected.
He may be right, but it wasen't all on Falken, "Hey I shot the guy down over by Westpoint, and for some reason or another (not naming any names), this Elyon was able to get back into New York and reengage. Either someone in Naval Intel doesn't give a rats ass or you're leaving the GMS out to dry," Falken rebutted.
Well back at square one, the Lieutenant was unfazed and quiet as Falken looked for any hint of response.
"Hold elevator," Davenport commanded. The box came to a stop. Davenport looked to Falken, and Falken balled his fist.
"Yes you are right Mr. Myers, we did leave you to 'dry' out there. Try to understand the delicate situation," the officers said as Falken unclenched his fists, "we see you, frankly, as a exploitable resource. Your unique position as a third-party employer allows us to continue operations with as little association to Liberty's military as best possible."
That was true as bad as it sounds; the beauty of contractors is that they were paid to enforce the policy of their employers, while being an expendable and deniable asset at the same time. A double-edged sword.
"We were hoping to avoid further direct incident with Deshima League and Liberty Navy and allow the GMS to handle that side of the affairs, but with this Elyon entering deep into New York twice to target you," Davenport paused, "...makes this a bit more complicated and harder to ignore."
The lieutenant had a point, this was going to lead to something bigger in the future and whether Falken liked it or not, the GMS had a role to play.
"So what is gonna be our next move," Falken asked.
"Our 'move' is to get you to a secure terminal and secure a debrief with Naval Command," Davenport answered as he ordered the elevator computer back on the move.
As the doors opened, Falken saw the hustle and bustle of the Ft. Bush Liberty Navy CIC; crewmen and officers alike moving efficiently through the chaos of the mass movement of bodies. Everyone had a job to do, and getting that job done was built in clockwork. Falken angled and curved his body bumping a couple of individuals as he followed Lt. Davenport through the crowd, admiring how the Lieutenant walked straight through the mass of bodies that either gave way or stopped to salute him.
Reaching a room down the hall from the busy CIC, the Lieutenant opened the doors and in-parting words offered his last advice, "Contractor Myers, whatever they ask tell the truth as clearly and honestly as you can. The less you bullshit the more efficiently we can work to get this sorted and the sooner you can get on your way."
Falken mouthed a thanks and looked to the large vid screen as he took as sharp intake of air and sat down.
The vid-monitor flickered to life as the faces of the leaders of the Liberty Nation and her Military filed up in front of Falken.
As soon as the links stopped uploading into the video conference, one of them began with a chilling grin "Mr. Zack Myers, the Deshima League have an interesting way sending their messages don't they. Let's start at the beginning shall we?"