The plan was set, everything was ready. Now it was just a question of whether Lily would see it through, or more importantly, if her mother would honor it. She was betting it all on this, and it took no small amount of convincing for the others to let her go through with this.
“It’s not too late for us to turn back and pick you up, Captain," said Astor in Lily's ear, as if hearing her thoughts.
“We already decided it’s the only way you all get away," she replied.
“You’re risking a lot on the hope your mom has a code of honor.”
“She can be a cold blooded devil, but she’s a warrior at heart. Thats the one thing I took from her.”
“Let us hope you’re right, Captain Baek,” this time it was Roin who answered. “You are the best sword fighter I’ve met, and I pray we get to play again some day. So godspeed, and thanks for remind me why I chose this life."
"Godspeed Captain," replied Lily, returning the respect. "Ah, there they are,"
She stood watching through the large windows of the deck of the cruiser, now abandonbed by all but her, and on the dark horizon now aproach 3 full HPA cruisers at full speed. They would be withing range of communications now, and sure enough, the digital ringing of the call came in on the monitors.
Lily took a deep breath, and accepted the call. A large screen popped up on the windows, and Lily saw her mother for the first time in years. She stood there, exactly like she remebered her, the same cold black eyes looking down on her, her face a mask for her emotions. Admiral Helen Baek, the comamnder of the entire HPA fleet, the one who had taught Lily the sword, and the one she had disapointed the most in her life.
"Umma (엄마)," said Lily, using Korean out of old habit.
"Daewi (대위)," replied her mother in korean as well, her tone formal, but Lily was surprised she would address her as "Captain" after everything.
An awkard silence fell between them, and Lily felt she would lose her nerve if she didnt say something. "Soooo, how are things-?"
"You know you can’t run." her mother interrupted suddenly. She didn't raise her voice, but she didn't need to, she was merely stating a fact.
"Yeah, well, neither can you."
"Excuse me?"
"You’ve been dreading this more than me, haven’t you? Having to face your own daughter like this. I don’t know if that’s out of any true motherly love or just your priorities being screwed up, but the moment is here. Now."
Her mother said nothing, though her impassive expression didn't change. "Are you going to send your goons in numbers here to cuff me? Are you going to parade me back at headquarters?"
Lily looked to the sides, quickly noticing the two cruisers accompaning her mother's flagship were now stationing on either side of the one she was in just as she expected. "Or are you going to come face me yourself?
"You still have quite a high opinion of yourself, dont you?" Her mother said finally, almost with a derisive laugh hidden in there. "Despite our relationship, you are nothing more now than a desserter turned mercenary. The only reason I came here was because I clearly can't trust my officer with the simple task of taking you in, but don't confuse that with any mercy from me, Eun Nari."
Using her korean name, which only her parents used, made the statement all the more painful to hear. Detached and personal at the same time, but she knew not to expect anything less at this point from her. "You know, part of me wandered if you had missed me all this time, if despite the circumstances, you would still be happy to see me again," said Lily, trying to keep her voice equally robotic. "But you really haven't changed at all have you? Nothing matters more to you than your precious duty...not even your own family."
Helen Baek's face twitched slightly at her words, the first crack in the mask Lily had ever seen. She closed her eyes and looked to the side, as if Lily had slapped her, maybe feeling the justice of her words. It was more than Lily had expected, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.
"I've had enough of this," said Helen, her voice now with an angry tone. "You may refuse to grow up, but you will pay for your crimes and see if that dosen't straighten you up a bit."
"Oh mother, that ship has sailed," said Lily with a laugh, unable to help herself. "I know you wanted me to date Liutenant Cho back in home planet, and he was cute, but I have my eyes set up on a very impresive woman these days."
"Stop trying to provoke me!" yelled Helen, losing her temper for once.
"I'm quite serious," replied Lily, feeling more herself as the conversation turned to banter. "I would have told you I was bi ages ago, but to be fair, you never asked."
"Enough of this, lieutenant, send your men in there to take my daughter and her friend into custody."
"Oh, there's no one left here but me," said Lily casually.
"What?" and Lily saw as an officer carefully approached her mother to whisper something in her ear, no doubt comfirming it. And Lily took the opportunity to notice that her flagship was also now parked close enough to her for things tow work.
"I take it your scans have told you as much by now, but yes, I sent them away."
"You sacrificed yourself to let them get away?" asked her mother, incredulous.
"Well, maybe, let's see how this goes first. Like I said, I want to resolve this, just the two of us."
"Why on Earth should I bother with you at all?"
"Because I imagine even you have a sense of self preservation, if not for yourself then perhaps for your men or...maybe even me? I got my fingers crossed here."
"What are you talking about?" asked Helen, her eyes darting suspiciosuy.
In response, Lily pulled out the trigger Emma had given her from her jacket pocket. She lifted the activation switch, and shook it a bit at the screen to make her meaning clear. Her mother eyes went wide in recognition.
"You don't mean-?"
"That the whole cruiser is rigged to blow if I press this button? Yeah, I'm afriad I do. And I would advise against trying to escape!" Lily added loudly as she heard the men behind her mother start to panic.
"All three of your ships are now close enough that the explosion would take them out as well, or at least considerably damage them. If you don't care to find out, I suggest you agree to my terms."
Mother and daughter locked eyes, and for the first time, Lily felt her mother recognized the mettle in hers. Lily was prepared to push the button, she had told her crew as much to allow them to escape, and one way or another, this family amtter would be settled today.
"Very well, you want me to go there personally for you, is that it?"
"I'm thinking of a proper duel," replied Lily, smirking. "You win, you get to take me in and nothing has to blow up in your face. And if I win...you leave."
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