Regardless of the unified, defiant front the Alliance showed the Federation and its own citizenry, the governing body was fractured and fighting over what to do about the Odmena debacle. In order to keep Kohl viable, he was declared a rogue element and stashed away at a secret base until the heat let up. Now that Alliance Fleet Command was ordering raiding missions into Federation space with some regularity, it seemed safe to assume Kohl would be released soon to continue on with his own mission.

The only thing that made him nervous was the fact two full members of the Council had flown all the way out to his base and were now cooling their heels in the Implacable's lounge. That was a big risk to take exposing their attachment to his operations when a courier could have just as easily delivered his new orders.

Kohl stood and downed the last of his vodka and slipped on his uniform's dress coat. The high-collared, navy blue uniforms the Alliance had adopted were impressive but uncomfortable. He checked himself in the mirror and left the ornate office, making his way to the lifts to reach the VIP area in the forward superstructure.

He was still corraling his thoughts as he walked in on the political delegation he had left waiting. Every head in the room swiveled to look at him, some expressions curious, others openly hostile.

"Good evening, everyone," he said, nodding politely. "We're honored by such an august assembly."

"Not honored enough to arrive on time, apparently," Senior Councilman Pak said. "This is not a social visit, Admiral. The sooner we get to business, the sooner we can leave."

Kohl seethed at such a public rebuke in front of some key political players from the Council, but there was little he could do but swallow his pride and take it. Jin Pak was connected, powerful, and from one of the old Asianic Union's mainline families. The Pak family industrial might was instrumental in helping the new Eastern Star Alliance become self-sufficient without the systems that had sided with the United Terran Federation. Kohl knew he must project strength, but he knew trading insults with someone like Pak would make him look small and petty.

"An unfortunate reality of command, Senior Councilman," Kohl said with a bow. "Practical matters that could not be put off demanded my attention. I am here now. Let us proceed." There was some grumbling from those apparently enjoying the bar and buffet the Implacable's crew had set out, but everyone made their way to their seats.

"We've all been read-in on this operation, we all know what's at stake… needless to say, if we find out anyone in this room has been speaking about what they hear, they will be dealt with accordingly," Pak said as he paced in front of the tables. There were only nine people in the room, including Kohl and his trusted second-in-command, Captain Vincent Russo. Russo, a New America ex-pat, had been with him for many years. He was the only person Kohl trusted to hear all the details about their covert operation.