Author: Julian Miles, Staff Writer

Kinswaller reads the report with a mounting feeling of doom: another failure, this time with casualties on both sides. The appended note from the monitoring A.I. cements the feeling.
‘Have recommended Field Combat Intervention. Combat zone and planetary data was requested. It has been supplied. In response, an Operative has been assigned.’
Well, he’s finally going to meet one of the fabled Operatives. Unfortunately it’s regarding the zone he’s in charge of. He checks the ETA.
An hour ago!
He queries his XO.
“Do we have an Operative lurking about the station?”
“Operative China Descartes is currently in Ordnance Bay 4, overseeing the repainting of her suit.”
“She’s what?”
“Overseeing the repainting of her suit, as well as having the field generators recalibrated to display a visible spectrum.”
Muttering crude, dark, and physically impossible things about Operatives and members of the FCI Synedrion, Kinswaller heads for O-Bay4.
His anger is stalled by the sight of the weapon towering over everything else: nearly twenty metres tall, there isn’t an ugly line to it. Sweeping curves and purposeful edges, fixed half-wings, a whole lot of closed weapons blisters, and no visible head.
H-Bloc regulation grey is being covered in shades of deep metallic blue. Where did that come from?
“I brought it with me. Just got your people to mix and apply. I saw photos of the lightning-break pattern your vehicles use. Can’t beat artists at their best.”
Kinswaller turns, then has to look down to meet the eyes of the diminutive woman who walks up to stand beside him.
“Is that a Lucifer?”
“You’d be surprised how often I get asked that. No, this rarity is an Osprey. A Lucifer is five times the size, and nowhere near as pretty.”
“Apart from pretty, what does it bring to my combat zone?”
China looks up at him.
“It brings me, Colonel Kinswaller, and I bring a solution. But I’m going to need your assistance.”
“We’re familiar with providing fire support for suit operations.”
“No. You’re deploying to the big lake system north of here. There’s a shoal of gigantic serpents that dwell there. They’re a complete terror for the locals. Who you’re not to talk to. Let the Diplomatic Corps handle that while you thoroughly eradicate the serpents. Do make sure you get them all.”
“While we’re providing a spectacular diversion for the monitoring teams, what will you be doing?”
“I’ll also be doing a spectacular. Descending from the heavens looking like a Metagrro – a sparkling blue avatar of the river god Legrro. After informing the locals I’ve sent you off to deal with the serpents, I’ll demand they prove they’re worthy of being left alive. All they have to do is point out the sympathisers of Adabo, the sky god. Those are the ones who’ve been stirring things up, calling you vile servants of Legrro. I’ll obliterate them in awful, messy ways the locals can’t manage, then tell the locals to work with you or else. After that, I ascend into the heavens like the avatar I obviously am.”
“What about the negotiations?”
“A fundamental mistake. You came down like gods, clearly able to conquer all, then behaved like small town politicians. Awe turned to contempt, which the priests of Adabo used to goad the locals. They were looking to start a theocracy.”
“Aftermath actions?”
“Set up one of your drones with shield colours that match my pretty blue ones. Fly it about every dark of the moons. The hint that Legrro is still watching should keep everything in line.”
Kinswaller shakes his head. This is what Operatives do? Ye gods.