"We have fifteen heavily damaged cruisers out there, Mr. Gruberg."
"If they can move you better move them. If not... all I can say is sorry for your loss. This is all we can do for you, Admiral. Our time here is up."
"The admiral returned a single nod. "Good luck, Mr. Gruberg. At least those warships won't be returning to the fight."
The Bangor zipped out to the location of the Gooch. A jump back to Midelon space followed.
Gandy came over the comm. "Glad you made it out. We forgot about moving Farker over here before you set off the boson bomb."
Harris nodded. "And we're lucky we did. We needed him to acquire some data on that weapon for us. Mission accomplished. We can feed it to Alex once we're on the ground."
"Great news," Gandy replied.
Both ships settled on the grass beside the bunker. Five bots were standing outside cheering about the return.
Harris stepped out. "Hey Idiot, come here."
The bot waddled over. "Yes, Harris?"
"I thought I told you to skip all the goofy celebration of us coming back?"
"You did. And then I thought about it. You don't own me. You're not my master. I'm your assistant, a free and individual entity."
Harris chuckled. "You're an uppity collection of nuts and bolts is what you are. Come on Farker, let's go get some food."
Instead, the dog turned and raced into the bunker.
Harris put his hands on his hips. "Great. Now I've got two of them."
Tawn placed her hand on his shoulder. "Trouble with your minions?"
Harris shook his head. "I guess that's yet to be determined."
Tawn clapped her hands. "Junior. Get in there and set a meal out for me."
Her bot assistant hustled off.
"Junior?"
"I renamed her. I'm Senior, she's Junior."
Harris laughed. "You're senile maybe."
Tawn turned toward the supply hut. "I have an assistant. You have a disrespectful idiot. How do you think that happened?"
"Don't know. One of you haven't been tampering with his program have you?"
Tawn chuckled. "No. He got all he has from you. Maybe with a few tweaks from Alex."
Gandy sat beside Harris and his bot beside him. "So the Denzee ships all just blew themselves up?"
"Took out a half dozen Earther cruisers. Another half dozen or so were disabled. I can only guess their fates. Probably the same as those Denzee crewmen."
Harris looked over at the stack of MREs as Gandy tore his open. "Hey, one of you bots, bring me a rib platter over here."
His orders went unheeded. Tawn chuckled as her bot set an unpackaged and freshly heated meal in front of her.
"Those bots aren't gonna listen to someone who disrespects them."
Harris raised a hand in protest. "They're bots. They aren't supposed to need respect."
Trish said, "They may be bots but they're programmed to follow and mimic our actions. Idiot is just following the example of his... idiot."
Tawn again chuckled. Harris stood, walking over to the stack to retrieve a meal, taking a seat again beside Gandy.
"You people are twisted. Those are machines. They don't have feelings."
Sharvie's bot stood, began to weep and then ran out the door.
"Mr. Gruberg? Why do you have to be mean to them?"
Harris smirked. "There's no nice or mean. They're bots. You give them orders and they're supposed to follow them."
Sharvie stood, walking out the door after her bot.
Harris looked around. "Are you people going nuts?"
Junior, Tawn's bot, put its hand on Harris' shoulder. "Just eat your ribs big guy."
Tawn spit out her food. "Now that was funny. Come here Junior."
A high-five was exchanged.
Farker trotted into the supply hut.
Harris said, "You have something for us?"
An image of Alex came into view over the dog's back. "I've done a quick analysis of the Denzee weapon. There is a slim possibility it can be reproduced. However, the intricacies and precision of its construction would likely require equipment that we do not have. That equipment will be costly to build and to maintain. And there is no guarantee the weapon would work as it does on the Denzee ships."
"So what are you saying?" Harris asked. "Can we build it or not?"
"I believe it to be beyond our ability at this time. And that would include Domicile. The precision required on some surfaces goes down to the molecular level. With time and experimentation perhaps this equipment could be constructed."
"So we can't build them with our current technology?"
"Correct. I wish I had better news."
Tawn asked, "If we can't build our own, could we shield against them? I mean, without having to build those external shields."
"I will have to evaluate that possibility, Tawn. Would you like me to do so?"
"Please."
Sharvie returned with her bot. Sitting at another table and not looking at Harris.
Tawn leaned in. "You should say something."
"This is ridiculous. Sharvie, I'm sorry if I hurt your bot's feelings."
Sharvie turned. "Not good enough. You need to apologize to Emily."
Harris rolled his eyes and stared at the discontent face of the latest member of their team. "You're serious?"
Sharvie crossed her arms. "Yes. Emily deserves it."
Tawn shoved her partner.
"Fine. Emily, I'm sorry I was so harsh."
The bot stood, scurried over to Harris and gave him a hug.
Harris said, "Please tell me no one recorded that."
The bot returned to its normally quiet but cheery self.
Trish asked, "I know it's always me asking, but what are our current plans?"
Harris set down a rib and turned, sauce dripping from the corner of his mouth. "We do nothing until we have the first of those shields to try. We'll take it out and put it through the paces. We need to have full and precise control of it before going into battle."
Trish grimaced. "Your face is disgusting. Use a napkin."
"Don't ask me questions when I'm in the middle of eating."
"So we get the shield and we test it out. What happens next?"
Tawn answered, "We hope the Denzee don't attack until we have at least a dozen of those Legion ships. Otherwise they will just run over whatever colony they choose."
Harris said, "Since we're in a holding pattern of sorts, we can make a trip back to Domicile. You three will want to spend some quality time with people you know. If the Denzee attacks pick up you may not have another chance."
Tawn nodded. "And given our track record of being on the other side of the law, we're likely to do something that irritates our pacifist government, putting us back on the wanted list. So let's go home and enjoy the time we have there."
Sharvie asked, "What about our bots?"
Harris turned to face Farker. "Bring up Alex."
An image appeared. "Yes Harris?"
"The bots. Are they strictly tied to this planet? Can they leave?"
"They could. Although it is not allowed. They each possess the technology needed to return to this planet, but it is not yet enabled. Taking them out into the world without sufficient security would risk exposing Midelon to those who are not properly prepared to deal with the responsibility it holds."
"You allowed us in here."
"And we are a year into our partnership and you still do not have complete access to the facility. Do you feel there are any others who are qualified to come here without having gone the path you have been on?"
"I can think of a couple. And maybe it's time the world knew what this place was about."
"Do you feel that would make this facility more or less secure?"
Harris thought for a moment. "Less I guess, but not so much so that it would probably matter."
"So are you willing to risk all interstellar travel on that guess?"
Harris sighed
. "I guess not. I see your point. And just when is it we're gonna have access to the next level?"
"The key to further access is more interaction with your bots. Each of you should be spending time both questioning them and being questioned by them. Once an evaluation reveals specific goals have been met, you will be allowed access."
"Farker, close the comm."
Harris turned back to his ribs.
Tawn chuckled. "Looks like you and Idiot will be spending some quality time together."
Harris tore a piece of bogler flesh from a rib with his teeth. "You know, I used to think being a Biomarine and being dropped into so many hot-spots was just a crazy world. It doesn't compare to this. Out there on the battlefield you knew your mission and you knew how to get it done. Here, we're bouncing from one guess as to what's right to another."
"So you're ready to give up and call it quits?" Tawn prodded.
"Hardly. I'm ready to get things ordered and known. We take out these Denzee and then we shut down the emperor and his ambitions. We do those two things and I'll be ready to quit."
Tawn chuckled. "So until that happens we have to listen to you constantly whining and complaining?"
Harris nodded. "Exactly. Nice to have a partner who gets me."
The meal was finished. Each of the team members collected their bot and moved to a private location. Individual discussions took place for the remainder of the day and the full day that followed. On the morning of the third day, Harris made a decision. A trip to Domicile was required for him to keep his sanity.
After dropping the Bolemans and Sharvie on the surface of Domicile, he and Tawn made a trip to Chicago Port Station. A trip to the Emporium and back to his hotel had Harris sitting in a bubble bath.
Tawn was shaking her head. "Didn't think I'd see the day you would pass on the ribs at the buffet. And fruits and salads? No wonder you've been so grumpy of late."
Harris scowled. "This soaking isn't doing much for me either. I'm down ten kilos now, but I don't feel all that healthy."
Tawn pulled a chair from his study. "Time to start that exercise routine. And until that routine starts to become habit you're gonna be double miserable."
"Is that possible?"
"The weight of the world is resting on your shoulders. You're where I was on the stress-meter when we were first getting into all this. Remember how much you bugged me about my training and how I was supposed to be able to handle it better? Well you're at that place I was then. I mean, look at me, carefree as a lark."
Harris chuckled. "Yeah. A lark. You're still the tightest wound slug I know."
"And yet I'm enjoying this chair while you can't even enjoy your bubble-tub."
Harris frowned. "Point taken. I'll start a workout routine tomorrow."
Tawn smirked. "Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?"
"Exactly."
— Chapter 15 —
* * *
A trip was made down to the surface. A visit was arranged with Bannis Morgan. Tawn, Harris, and Farker sat in the lobby of the Hosh-Morgan headquarters.
Bannis approached, moving much slower than the last time they had seen him.
"Tawn, Harris, good to see you."
Harris pointed. "Bit of a limp. You injure yourself?"
"My bones are old. I've more than once thought about plopping myself down on one of those mobility scooters. I just have this fear that if I do that once I'll never get up. Come on. I have something to show you in my office."
A slow walk was followed by Bannis closing the door behind them. "Take a seat while I pull this up."
An image of the centurion shield came into view. "I hope to have the first one ready for you to play with this afternoon. I'd like to team you up with a couple of my engineers for the evaluation. We get the kinks taken care of and we can start turning these out for you. Half a million credits each."
Harris nodded. "I just hope we don't need it before those Legion ships are ready. Oh, and I have the specs on that superweapon. We led an expedition by the Earthers to take out the damaged Ratoons before they could be repaired. They attempted to take over several of them with hopes of taking them to new Earth for study. Unfortunately the Denzee self-destructed all seventeen at once."
"That would have been a great capture. Would like to study one of those myself."
Harris smiled. "I thought you might. Farker, transfer the Ratoon weapon specifications to Mr. Morgan's comm. We got the data on it."
"That is fantastic. I'll assemble a team to get to work on this immediately."
"Don't rush. We've done an analysis already. We don't have the tooling or machine precision needed to manufacture it."
"So we build them."
"Take a quick look at the resonance module. Check the precision specifications on it."
Bannis looked over the data. "That has to be a mistake."
"It's not. And is probably the reason they can amplify and build that power output up to what it is. But with this you can see what power we need to shield against. Maybe work it from the angle of making it obsolete."
Bannis scowled. "If these numbers are correct that's a tall order. Mr. Gruberg."
"They're correct."
"Then I'd say the centurion shield is the way to go. Not ideal, but it should be workable."
Tawn asked, "Any progress on that gamma weapon?"
Bannis sighed. "One major hurdle remains. It has us running in circles. I'll pass this on to my gamma team to review. Perhaps the break would do them good."
"Keep it tight though. Even if we can't build it now, somebody might figure out a way. And the somebody I worry about is the Earthers. So as few eyes on this as possible."
"We'll keep it close, Mr. Gruberg. My elite team has been with me for ages and I trust them implicitly."
Harris closed the comm. "You up for a surprise visit to Mr. Romero? I feel like we neglect him sometimes."
"He's a good man. Sure. Won't hurt to fill him in on everything. He likes to be in the know just as much as the rest of us."
The Bangor landed just outside his offices, drawing curious looks from a number of pedestrians. Tawn and Harris hurried indoors, not wanting to attract a crowd.
Fritz stood as they entered his office. "What a pleasure. How have the two of you been?"
Tawn replied, "We're still alive. How goes the recruiting?"
"Fantastic. I have a deep waiting list of well qualified candidates. The collapse of the defense industry here on Domicile has opened the gates with skilled laborers lining up to join us. No need for signing bonuses or any other extra bennies."
"Let's hope we can keep them employed long enough for the pacifists to see the light and turn the budgets around."
A comm came in from Bax. "Goober. Was hoping I could find you on planet. The Denzee have attacked again. This time its Jellon II. Three million colonists. The emperor has deployed almost three hundred of his ships. Nearly half. We need any help you can offer."
"How many of the Ratoons did they send?"
"Twenty-four. Our ships have already begun to engage."
"We'll be out there as soon as we can."
"You better make it sooner."
The comm closed.
Harris stood. "Duty calls, Mr. Romero."
"Will do all I can to support you from here."
Harris chuckled. "Sorry. I know you work as hard or harder than anyone I know, but that came across as funny."
Fritz smiled. "Every statement has a hidden message in there somewhere. Give them your best and bring yourselves home."
Harris looked to Bannis Morgan. "Plans have changed. The Denzee are attacking at Jellon II. We need that shield right now."
"It's untested."
"We'll take our chance with it. We can test it on the way there. Have your team ready with it, probably twenty minutes or less."
"I'll send word now."
The Bangor lifted. A comm was placed to the Bolemans and Sharvie Withrow. The three were collect
ed from their parents homes. A jump to the Retreat had the ship slowing as it moved in close to the new centurion shield.
Harris opened a comm. "Tell us where you want us."
One of Morgan's engineers replied. "The pointy end is the front. Just slip in behind her. You'll want to keep about a hundred meters between you and the shield. I'm passing you an app that will allow remote control. It should lock to your nav system and move when you move. If it takes a hit or when you reach your target just turn off the app. The shield will go autonomous."
"And if we don't use it but need to reacquire it?"
"If you're within comm range, enable that app and it should find you. Just keep in mind the only testing this has seen is in a simulator. Real-world can offer a few unexpected challenges."
Harris nodded. "Your guys are thorough. It'll work. Just keep building them because we're gonna need more. A lot more."
Tawn installed and started up the control app. The drive of the shield synced up to the nav system of the Bangor. Harris turned the ship away, the shield remained out front.
Tawn said, "Excellent. We have a camera feed-through so we can still see what's out there."
Gandy stood behind her. "Is there anything we can do? We could sit out on the edge of the fight in the Gooch, maybe zip in for a pickup if you get disabled?"
Harris shook his head. "Not a chance. We need you at Midelon. Check in with the colonel and Mr. Morgan periodically."
A comm opened from the colonel. "You think you're going in without us?"
Harris replied, "We don't have a shield ready for you and I was under the impression the Hailstorm was still getting some work done."
"She'll fly. I'm sending coordinates for a meetup point at Jellon. Wait for us there. We'll probably only be a few minutes behind you."
"You don't have to do this, Colonel."
"We do. We'll use the Earthers to draw fire for us."
"There are still twenty-four Ratoons this time. Not going to be a fun day."
The colonel shook his head. "Two of us working will yield better results. Just wait at the coordinates I just sent. Spend a few minutes riding behind that shield. The practice will do you good."
ARMS Eden Lost: (Book 4) Page 13