Southern Cross by Windstar

"Don't make me put the fear of God into you, American."
Emily was laughing again by then and Weston sighed, shaking his head.
"Children, Children… Ow!"
Katya grinned unrepentantly after elbowing him, much as Julie had done to Emily earlier and the
Prince tried to glare at her as well.
The roar of the crowd drew them all around toward the scene below again.
The Marines had just officially handed over the captured American Spec Ops to the State
Troopers. Everyone knew that nothing would come of the charges being laid against them, but
that wasn't the point.
Julie studied the chaos below and had to admit it probably was a good move, politically wise.
Great publicity for the Empire, and it showed exactly what they thought about the U.S. attempt
to invade one of their bases.
"When do you have to leave again?"
Julie did sigh at that one and leaned back against the warm length of the First Guardian.
"In about an hour. We're due in New York City by this afternoon. Betty did some more sifting
through the financial records, and managed to track down the accounts to a firm with its office
there. You wouldn't believe the number of shell companies she went through to get it."
"Remind me to speak to you about Betty when we have a bit more time. Come on. Let's see
about getting some lunch. Weston, Katya, you want to join us in scrounging up some food?"
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Emily stretched her six-foot frame and winced as her back realigned itself. Lunch at least had
been fun, as had this morning. The day had steadily gone downhill from there.
"Are you positive?"
The large man shifted uncomfortably in a seat which seemed dwarfed by him and shook his
head.
"Not a hundred percent."
Emily closed her eyes once more and massaged a temple with her fingers. She'd come back up to
North Star shortly after lunch, and had been sifting through reports for most of the afternoon.