by A. K. DuBoff
“You’ll gain control. I have no doubts.” Kaen-Nox cinched the bed’s restraint cuffs around her wrists.
“I thought you’d be more concerned about me being a potential security risk.”
“You’re plenty secure now.”
“But what about my telepathic abilities? How might that interact with the Robus nanotech?” Kira asked.
Kaen-Nox smiled. “We’ll wait and see.”
— — —
Kira watched Colonel Kaen leave the room. Something about him seemed different from the man she’d known before the mission to Valta. She couldn’t place what exactly, but it seemed unlikely the security-conscious officer she’d known would be content to leave her with only a couple of restraints in the middle of a Guard base. After all, she was carrying unknown nanotech inside her, and that could do anything.
Kira expected him to have flipped his shite when he learned about her condition but, instead, he seemed calm. But not just calm, almost… pleased.
That’s not possible, Kira dismissed with a shake of her head. Right?
She couldn’t think of a reason that might explain his behavior. More likely, he was acting normally and it was her perception that was off.
She squirmed around on her bed to get comfortable, but there was no way she was going to feel at ease while strapped down. Moreover, there were too many uncertain thoughts running through her head.
I trust Leon to figure out what’s going on with me, but maybe Kaen is right. Maybe this is something for me to embrace rather than run from. Kira hated the idea of such a fundamental life change being thrust upon her with no warning, but it wasn’t like she’d planned on having telepathic abilities, either. She was shocked, and then she adapted.
With special skills came the likelihood she would be used—just like the people on her home of Valta wanted her to become a Reader, and just like the Guard used her now for their covert investigations.
She was a willing participant in the latter, but how many new ‘special assignments’ would she get if she were a telepath and a super-soldier?
The team dynamic would change, that was for sure. But her team was her family. She wanted to stay with them and to work together—it’s what made her work fulfilling. Losing that companionship was the last thing she wanted to change.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the plexiglass window looking out into the hall. She looked over to see Doctor Elric holding up a handwritten sign.
Why the fok would he be writing something out on a dry erase board rather than typing it? In true doctor fashion, his handwriting was almost indecipherable. She squinted at the script to make it out: ‘Kaen isn’t who he seems.’
Kira’s heart dropped. She shook her head with confusion.
Elric erased the message on the whiteboard and wrote another: ‘Play along.’
Before she could question him, the doctor departed.
What in the stars was that about? Kira released a long sigh and nestled into her pillow. If the colonel was indeed not who he seemed, then things would be getting very uncomfortable, fast. He was a senior officer, and not a lot of people in the Guard would have the authority to detain him on suspicions alone. The doctor had better have some sort of evidence to support the odd behavior of handwritten notes.
Kira groaned. And the day had gotten off to such a good start.
CHAPTER 3
Leon’s lab setup in Orion Station’s science wing was a far cry from his previous arrangement at MTech, but he hadn’t exactly had time to do any customizing yet. Colonel Kaen had indicated that Leon would have a budget to purchase anything he might need to continue MTech’s nanotech and genetics research in a more civilized and ethical fashion, but having a budget meant little without also having the time to acquire those materials.
He looked over the equipment at his disposal and frowned. This won’t get the job done.
The lab had also come with two assistants, who’d been pulled off related research assignments with medical applications. They watched Leon from their chairs on the other side of the room.
“Something wrong?” Jack asked.
“You don’t have a sequencer,” Leon replied. “How am I supposed to run any sort of analysis without a sequencer?”
“Well, we sorta do,” Tess countered. “It’s just not the type you’re used to.” She rose from her chair and crossed the seven-meter-wide space to a console along the wall near Leon. She opened a door in the console and produced a fifty-centimeter-square box.
“And that is…?” Leon prompted.
“The old-fashioned way of doing things,” Tess replied. “Breaks everything down and tells you how it ticks.”
“Organic analysis? I didn’t realize the Taran Empire still did things this way.”
“Well, most labs don’t,” Jack responded, “but this kind of research hasn’t historically been a part of the Guard. This equipment is old.”
Leon groaned. “Using this, we’ll have to translate the components to their digital representations to create an expression model.”
“Unless you know of another sequencer, then this is what we have to work with,” Tess replied with a shrug.
“I know exactly where we can get one, but I don’t know if they’ll allow it.” Leon crossed his arms.
“Where?” questioned Jack.
“The MTech lab on Valta.”
Tess screwed up her face. “Wasn’t that place condemned after your op?”
“It wasn’t my op, it—” He shook his head. “Never mind. Yes, it was condemned, but that was to keep the locals out. Lots of debris and equipment where a person could get hurt. But if you know your way around, there’s lots of good tech to be obtained.”
Jack frowned. “That’s private MTech property.”
“Yes, which is why I said the Guard might not allow it.”
Tess pursed her lips. “Even with transit time to the Elvar Trinary, we’d still save time versus an organic analysis.”
“My thoughts, too,” Leon agreed. “If I can get permission to go.”
“Give it a shot,” Jack said. “We’ll get going on the organic sampling in case you can’t swing it.”
“Maybe I can find us some other goodies, too.” Leon smiled. “By the way, thanks for jumping in to help with this.”
Jack shrugged. “The chance to study genuine alien tech? That’s not something any sane scientist would pass up.”
Leon’s eyes narrowed the slightest measure. “Remember, this tech is connected to a person, and I happen to care about her very much. Her name is Kira, and she’s not just a subject.”
Tess grinned. “Ooo, I see what kind of assignment this is! We’re not just here for science, but we have to save the love of our boss’ life.”
Jack chuckled. “That’s a nice little bit of motivation.”
Leon sighed. “She’s not…” No, he wouldn’t kid himself—not after the years he’d tried to forget Kira and pretend that his career was enough to fulfill him. Some bonds were too strong and ran too deep. They’d been lucky to meet each other young, but it was before they knew what it meant to be a partner to someone, and they’d tossed it away. Now, they were back together, and he wouldn’t let her go again. He saw in Kira’s eyes, even when they were crazy Robus orange, that she felt the same way. Leon had to do everything he could to either make Kira’s new condition bearable for her or find a way to reverse it.
He looked to his team members. “Yes, she means a lot to me. More than science, I’m here as someone who wants her to have the best future she can. I hope you’ll help me give her that.”
Tess nodded. “Stars, I’d have done it for just the science. But I’m a sucker for a love story.”
“As long as I get an equipment upgrade at the end of this, I’m game for whatever,” Jack said.
Leon smiled with satisfaction. “Then I have an MTech lab to raid.”
— — —
The voice in Kaen’s head had been quiet since the chat with Ki
ra, following the revelation in the supply closest when everything had become so clear. Now knowing his part in the recent Guard security breach, Kaen reevaluated everything he thought he’d learned during the investigation. He felt a twang of remorse for the fates the other Guard members would suffer as a result of his actions.
But Nox had a vision, and Kaen was powerless to deviate from that plan. It had all been explained to Kaen with such conviction that he almost believed it was the best course. Almost. Kaen was determined to resist, despite being relegated to backstage in his own body and mind.
From deep within himself, he sensed his body returning to his office—a place that was as much his home as any residence he’d ever had as a child. He looked around the place with new eyes, absorbing the details for what was now an unrestricted control room from which to orchestrate plans with civilization-scale impacts.
“It’s so impersonal,” Nox commented, looking over the unadorned desktop and walls. “Then again, you are a loner.”
“You already know everything that’s in my mind, yet you still comment and ask questions,” Kaen replied.
“Come now, Terence. What did I say before? We are to be the best of friends.”
“Then tell me,” Kaen demanded, “how many others have I subverted?”
Nox gave him a mental tsk. “I can’t give away all my secrets, can I?”
“So, you probably won’t tell me how many others there are like you.”
“There are… enough.”
“What are you after?” Kaen asked.
“We are hungry.”
“For what?”
“In time, it will become clear,” was Nox’s only response.
Kaen-Nox turned his attention to catching up on communications that had stacked up while he was gone. He scanned through the list of electronic messages, mostly copies of memos to keep him in the loop rather than anything requiring direct action.
One particular message, though, caught his eye. It was from the alias account he’d used for his written correspondence with the Elusian president: >>Chancellor Hale may not be herself. Possible connection to the subversions within the Guard. Investigate immediately.<<
“Oh, can’t let anyone else see rumors like that!” Nox said.
“How long has the chancellor been subverted?” Kaen tried to ask, but the presence controlling him suppressed the thought.
“Don’t worry yourself. You’ll be in good company soon.”
Kaen watched his hand select the message, send a generic acknowledgment, and then delete the original.
“See? It’s nothing at all,” Nox said. “Now, what else do we have?”
The next message that caught Kaen-Nox’s eye was a follow-up communication regarding the sentencing for the three individuals who had violated security. It grated on Kaen’s conscience that he had been the one to subvert them and that they were now being punished because of it.
The lieutenant and captain both had motivations Kaen-Nox had been able to exploit through subtle telepathic prodding, and some mysterious helpers behind the scenes made sure those promises related to outside had been delivered. With Alan, though, Kaen-Nox had simply implanted a command for the unlucky communication tech to do his bidding and then to forget anything had been done. The part of Kaen that was still himself hated the abuse, but he was overpowered by Nox’s pleasure.
All the other messages could wait for another time. There was a more pressing matter.
Nox’s presence filled Kaen’s mind. “You must guide Kira in her new abilities. Prepare her for us.”
— — —
Major Lucas Sandren had lost good soldiers over the years, but having one transformed into a new type of being was a novel experience. He scowled as Colonel Kaen relayed the news about Kira’s uncertain condition to him in his office.
The colonel was surprisingly calm about the whole thing, so maybe it wasn’t as big of a deal as it sounded. But Sandren knew Kira, and he was certain that no matter how calm she might appear on the outside, she’d be filled with uncertainty and concern over what this change meant for her.
“I’d like to talk with Kira,” Sandren requested when Kaen finished his explanation.
“She already asked to speak with you,” Kaen assented. “I think she wanted you to fill in her team.”
“Oh, right. Not looking forward to that conversation.”
“She’s alive and doesn’t appear to be in any immediate danger. I look at this as an opportunity,” Kaen stated.
Sandren was taken aback. “Sir, our people aren’t commodities. I suspect Kira didn’t want this. We have to do what’s best for her.”
“Oh, of course. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
“Well, I’ll check in on Kira and see how she’s doing,” Sandren stated. “But, sir, I do recognize that her telepathy is a unique asset to this organization and that having additional augmentations would make her that much more valuable.”
“Yes, her care is our top priority.” Without another word, Kaen departed.
Sandren slumped in his desk chair and took a moment to gather his thoughts before heading to the infirmary.
When he arrived in the medical center, Sandren headed for the quarantine rooms in the back, where he had been informed Kira was being held. His chest constricted when he saw her strapped to the medical bed like a criminal. “Kira…” He stepped up to the window.
“Hey, Major. I don’t think I’m about to rip your face off if you want to come in to talk,” she greeted.
Sandren entered through the containment tunnel and approached her bed. “Why did they strap you down like this?”
“I changed earlier and then blacked out in some sort of seizure. This is as much for me as it is to make sure I don’t hurt anyone.” She stared down at her feet. “I like to think I’ll be able to hold onto myself, but I’m not sure I can.”
“We’re all here to help you,” Sandren tried to assure her, but he really had no idea what he could do aside from offer moral support.
“I wanted to talk about my team,” Kira said. “It’s important.”
“Of course, I’m listening.”
“It’s really important,” she emphasized, looking him in the eyes.
Sandren caught on and repositioned so she could look at him straight-on. A moment later, he felt a presence in his mind.
“Doctor Elric came by a few minutes ago. He held up a handwritten sign that said ‘Kaen isn’t who he seems. Play along.’ ”
“I don’t understand,” Sandren replied.
“Have you noticed anything odd about his behavior?”
“Come to think of it, he did seem rather unconcerned with what’s happened to you. I’d dismissed it as being his usual detached manner.”
Kira swallowed. “That’s what I thought, too. But he told me to embrace this. Who says that to someone who’s been infected with an unknown thing?”
“No Guard officer I know,” Sandren told her. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“I really appreciate you coming to see me,” Kira said aloud. “So, my team… unless they’ve decided to be heartless asses, they’ll be worried about me. Will you let them know I’m okay?”
“Of course, I’ll relay a message. I might be able to get them added to the visitor list since you’re not actually under quarantine.”
Kira’s gaze passed over her restraints. “I’d rather they not see me like this.”
Sandren nodded. “I understand. I’ll let them know you—”
“Major Sandren, sorry to interrupt.”
Sandren turned around to see Leon standing on the other side of the plexiglass. “I heard you talking about Kira’s team. I have a proposition.”
“And what is that?” Sandren asked, stepping away from Kira’s bed toward the window.
“I don’t like where this is going,” Kira interjected from the bed. “Not sure I want those social circles to blend.”
“If you want out of those restraints faster, then you mig
ht want to hold that thought,” Leon replied with a wan smile. “Major, I’d like to take Kira’s team back to the MTech lab on Valta to extract some equipment.”
“That’s not ours to take,” Sandren protested.
“It’s specialized and can’t be purchased from any old supplier,” Leon continued. “It’d have to be custom commissioned, and that would take weeks. Without it, we’re looking at three days for each test we run here, and we’re not going to get what we need the first time. Those tests can be performed in half an hour with the equipment I want to retrieve.”
Sandren considered the proposition. “Come to think of it, our official investigation requires a deeper dive into MTech’s research practices. I believe we need to send in a team to procure additional evidence from the facility for examination and testing here at Orion Station.”
Leon smiled. “I’d like to volunteer myself for that assignment.”
“Very well. Approved,” Sandren said. “And yes, Kira’s team would make for excellent support on the mission since they are already familiar with the facility.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll leave as soon as possible.”
“I don’t like the idea of you going back there,” objected Kira.
“It’ll be quick. Just grab the equipment and go,” Leon told her.
“That’s the plan, right. But what about MTech? You think they’ll really just let us condemn the lab and not come for their equipment? It’s only been a few days since our raid. They might show up around the same time you do.”
“Which is why he’ll have a team of elite Guard soldiers accompanying him,” Sandren countered. “Like I said, this will all be aboveboard as part of the Guard’s official investigation. They won’t have grounds to bar entry into the facility.”
Kira frowned. “It’s not getting in I’m worried about, sir. It’s getting back out.”
“I said I’d do anything to help you, Kira, and this is what I have to do,” Leon told her.
Sandren looked Kira in the eyes. “If we want to run detailed analyses to find out what’s going on inside you—or Kaen—then this is what we need.”