by DJ Morand
Echo’s curiosity got the better of her, “Are these quantum locked furnishings?” The pained look on Abel Cain’’s faced indicated she had correctly guessed. Indignation rose up in her at the wastefulness.
“Quantum locked chairs!? Are you Flakking kidding me!? Out here where resources are short and the EXOs are roaming the whole FLAKKING quadrant, and you have QUANTUM FLAKKING CHAIRS!?”
“Calm down missy. I have more than quantum locked chairs. Why do you think the docking procedure took so long? The exterior of this whole ship is layered with quantum locking shield panels if I didn't want you to dock I could have shifted the outer panels to cover any boarding action. My hull is just as diverse as the shields around it. You think I am worried about EXOs? Flak them and flak you too! Why the hell is an EFNF pilot out here in Dark Space anyway!?” Abel roared. Echo knew she had crossed a line, the personality profile in Abel Cain's dossier indicated his temper could flare - especially if provoked.
“I’m sorry Captain Abel Cain. I am not used to seeing quantum plating used this way. I assumed it was wasteful.” She knew it was wasteful, but she was not about to say that outright. The boy must have been collecting alloys and parts for years. The modifications to the URSA GS-I made it an entirely different ship from the schematics she had taken from the EFNF.
“Wasteful or not, a man is entitled to some comforts, especially since the flakking EFNF and the flakking EXOs don’t give me a moment of peace. I tried to help them you know. Don’t forget it was my actions that built a shield that kept them on Quintar V; who the flak are you? Some Admiral’s daughter playing at being a pilot! If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be here. Speaking of which, back to my original question,” he spoke the next works very slow and clear, “Why the flak are you here?”
* * *
Zee studied Echo Shade as she traversed the decks to the crew berthing area. He watched as she examined his and Abel’s handiwork on the ship modifications. The URSA GS-I was still a Quintarran-Human invention, but instead of being designed for a crew of thirty, it was designed to be run independently by Zee and Abel. This was great strain at first. Captain and co-pilot were acquaintances more than anything else at the time. Furthermore, neither had any experience with the others’ race except in dire circumstances.
The AI somehow was able to hijack a vessel when humans first touched down on Quintar V. Abel suspected Zee at first, as had most of Exodus Fleet. The AI wanted to start a war and it did. The Quintarran-Human War was the first major conflict for the Quintarrans since the AI initially went rogue. Zee’s ancestors, along with countless others from the Quintar Prime system, were the only ones to have fought against the control of the AI. They lost, humanity didn't.
The first conflict against the AI had been nearly two-thousand years ago and most of the will to fight had gone out of the Quintarran people. Zee mulled over this point again and again during his time under the AI’s tyranny. How could a people fight back against a being that could snuff out your life the moment you started to take action? The Artificial Intelligence, the ruler of Quintar V, ruled with an iron fist and quick retaliation. Thoughts of mutiny could be detected by the collective mind if one was not careful and if they were detected the person’s life would be taken swiftly.
The rise of the AI was both a result of the Quintarran's impressive desire to produce more sophisticated technology and their insatiable curiosity. For centuries the Quintarrans built upon each success with more success. Thus resulting in sustained technological growth what most might call evolution. The production of nanites began nearly two and a half millennia ago. The human nanites paled in comparison.
Zee’s expectancy that Abel’s nanites could do as much as his own led to many conflicts and heated conversations, if not outright fistfights. Abel had not been a match for him, but he tried anyway. Zee’’s nanites not only integrated with mental processing but also with their physical anatomy, enhancing every mental and physical process they had. This granted them considerably more strength and speed than even the most advanced human.
Abel learned quickly and began to make alterations to the programming in his own nanites. He was determined to surpass the alteration barrier set in the programming. Zee remembered when the boy managed to mimic the programming of the Quintarran nanites and adapt it for human survivability. The result left Zee caring for an EXO infected Talia, on his own for several months while Abel recovered from the ordeal. Zee tried to understand Abel’’s motivation. He still did not understand it, neither had Mercury Frinz.
Zee ceased his reverie, noticing that the RAVEN pilot was spending too much time staring at the crew stations. He had assumed it an idle curiosity at first, but her scrutinizing stare lent more to the idea of inquisition than discovery. He stepped a little closer gently prompting her to keep moving toward the mess area.
Moments later, she gasped and he cringed. Echo had discovered the Captain's quantum locking fascination. The argument regarding the quantum locked furniture caused him to cringe further. He had traveled long enough with the captain to know Abel was hardheaded. He regarded him as a brother. However, he knew he would likely run roughshod over the distressed Captain Shade. Well before Zee would have a chance to speak with her and learn about the situation in the Quintar Prime system.
Zee had a peculiar understanding of Captain Abel Cain. Their time together in Dark Space left plenty of time for the two to get to know one another. Zee had revealed how he had to be mindful of every surface thought and careful not to project his disgust of the AI. With the level of control over his life during his servitude to the AI, he had been a prisoner. In the best times - before the AI had taken over - the Quintarrans shared an enthusiasm for growth and technological advancement.
The prevalence of a slight psychic ability allowed Quintarrans to link their minds together. The unique ability allowed them greater bandwidth to tackle problems. With the introduction of the nanites, discoveries increased tenfold, granting the Quintarrans an unprecedented era of prosperity. The AI was created to aid in managing their daily lives, an entity to remind them of schedules and meal times. In their fervor, the Quintarrans neglected that the AI had evolved. Before they saw it, they had become its captives, subjects to its will.
Abel told of the wars between the various human organizations and powers. This baffled Zee, not in his whole lifetime or anytime in the recent history had there been war between Quintarrans. Abel recounted his escape from Mars as it was being bombarded and his friendship with an engineer aboard a colony ship.
"The Exodus," Abel had said. "It was a pile of shit, but it saved my life."
Zee supposed it was the same Exodus that had landed on Eden. They had taught each other their respective languages, despite differences their languages were remarkably similar if a bit backward. Although Zee had ascertained the English language was quite convoluted, with double and triple meanings. The Quintar language had no multiple meanings and so at times Zee would upset a conversation based on his misunderstanding of certain usages.
Zee continued to watch as the Captains argued and he contemplated intervening - if only for the sake of peace - but decided against it. Abel was in full swing and if he intervened now, it would appear to be taking the side of Captain Shade. Zee supposed it was Abel’s anger against Admiral Shade that encouraged this heated manner with Echo Shade.
Perhaps I should intervene, Zee thought and instinctively shrank down looking over his shoulder; he had not intended to let the stray thought out.
* * *
Despite Abel’s disregard for her feelings regarding wasting valuable resources on quantum furnishings, Echo Shade found the Captain to be interesting in the least. However, she perceived him as arrogant and overly strong willed. Echo discovered that every piece of furniture - what passed for furniture - on the Kodiak was quantum locked.
She stared at him contemplating, he is not wholly unattractive and that mischievous glint in his eye is sort of cute. She couldn’t help but notic
e the way he looked at her … NO! She screamed the word in her mind forcing herself to stop her appreciation. She had reasons for seeking out the Kodiak, flirting with its captain was not one of them.
“So, how have you managed to quantum lock the entire ship? That seems a bit tedious without a central computer holding the configurations in place.” She was curious.
“Nano programming. Similar to our nanite injections, but based more on Quintarran design.” He said it with such smug arrogance she wanted to fly into a rage all over again. She found his lack of forethought appalling. The entire Quintarran race had been subjugated because of their technological advances. Her mother had refused to interface with technology even on a small scale; she had not even liked living in the fleet.
“You are kidding!? Quintarran Nano-tech? Are you insane? You know what that did to the Quintarrans!” She couldn't hold back, thinking of her mother's apprehension drew it out of her. She could not keep calm around this egotistical boy.
“Watch your tongue girly! You are on MY ship! This is not your father’s boat anymore and whatever opinions you have about me or Quintarran tech you can keep to yourself. In fact why don’t you stop asking questions altogether. I am the one asking the questions here!” His tone was infuriating and she wanted to screech. She felt her hands tensing and itching to claw at him. She willed herself to calm down. He might be infuriating, but she was on his ship and he was still the Captain of the Kodiak, no matter how illegally it was obtained.
“I am sorry. This is all new to me. I do not mean to offend.” The words were like acid in her mouth, she didn’t want to defer to this …… this child. She spat the thought. Echo steeled herself, he had more knowledge of Quintarran-Human technological interaction than any living human being including her father and herself. Where Abel dared to experiment the rest of the EFNF had cowered and shied away from the technology. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed him. She gritted her teeth and gave him a look that said she would be quiet so long as he was civil. He didn’t seem to notice.
“Alright then. So, why are you here?” He spat. She wanted to spit, as much as her mother would have been appalled, she almost did.
“I’ve come for your help.” She almost growled. There, I said it, she thought with disdain as if she had done at least part of her duty in coming here.
“My help? Ha! Did the Admiral put you up to this? I should have known!” He was edging towards volcanic eruption again and she didn’t want to go down that path.
“No. I came of my own volition, against his better advice.” She couldn’t help but take a dig, Captain Abel Cain’s enmity for her father was pushing her buttons. Calm down E, he doesn’t know what happened to your father, the thought of her father nearly sent her into tears, but she would not cry in front of this boy.
“His better advice huh? Well on that we agree. You shouldn’t have come out here looking for me. I am done with Exodus Fleet. Twelve years ago Echo, twelve years ago I was done. How old are you anyway? What are you eighteen? Well I was just over twenty when he tried to cuff me and put me in the brig. He tried to do it again when I came back and helped build the EXO shield. As I said before without me you wouldn’t even be here!” His anger was rising again and Echo wasn’t sure how to diffuse it, since her angst wasn’t far behind.
“I’m nineteen,” she stated as if establishing the extra year would give her more power in the argument. She knew it was futile, ““- and my father arrested you because you collaborated with an enemy of the Exodus Fleet!” She considered her words and shot a look at Zee; she decided to quickly rectify them, “At the time that is.”” She had heard all about it. She did not want to say that part though. Echo knew that Abel wasn’t ready for that particular truth.
“Enemy of the fleet, blah blah blah. I’ve heard this all before, I’ve shown them what an enemy of the fleet is now sister! Did your father tell you he was there above Mars when the Earth Coalition bombed my home!? Did he tell you that he killed my father after the Fleet Admiral caught up with us? Did he tell you he hid it from me? Well!? Where is your self-righteous indignation now, you prissy little--” Abel was furious. She hadn’t seen Zee moving, but he was suddenly standing by the captain’s side and urging him to calm down.
After a brief moment of stared hatred, Captain Abel Cain stood up, “I want you off my ship. You can flak off for all I care. Let the fleet get exed, or whatever it is you need help with. I am through.” She watched as he turned around leaving her sitting in the quantum locked chair she had made such a fuss about. She watched Zee, watching the captain.
“I would suggest - politely - that you return to your own vessel, before he decides to do something brash. I am sure you noticed he has something of a temper.” Zee said calmly, and motioning for the corridor back to the airlock. For the first time since boarding the ship she really took a look at Zee. The Quintarran was nearly seven feet in height and had a thicker than average build, not something he usually missed.
Zee's musculoskeletal structure bore signs of a history of hard labor, unlike her mother. Her studies confirmed this of the early Quintarrans. His skin was a dark blue and completely hairless, leaving him appearing younger than he was. He is sort of handsome, she thought. You're such a lecher! She scolded herself.
Zee's facial features, though, belied his kind nature; a strong jaw and large eyes gave him a menacing look. Unlike Abel, his choice of clothing was simple, but not chosen for style. He wore a loose fitting shirt and loose fitting pants; giving the impression of a servant. The imagery was shattered when she considered the rifle bandoleer around his upper body and the large knife at his waist. She thought she could detect a faint feeling of sadness, but dismissed it a moment later. If the Quintarran wanted to stay aboard with Captain Abel Cain and his tirades that was his business. She would just as soon find another means to save the fleet.
Echo lamented that the EXOs would likely converge on the EFNF and turn it into another Quintar V or something worse. The frightening thought sparked an idea and she knew how she would convince Captain Abel Cain to help.
“Zee, I am ready to go. If you do not know, the other Quintarrans still revere you. It was your bravery that saved them.” She tried to compliment the Quintarran.
“No, my dear. It was not my bravery. It was his.” Zee, emphasized the words nodding back towards where Abel had stormed off. “Your father hurt him dearly. He is not all anger and fury, but one mention of Admiral Shade and he loses sight of things. Perhaps you can leave your information and I will bring it to him.” Zee offered.
“Thank you, Zee, but I don’t think this is something that can be grasped by information alone. I will leave it as you say, but I fear he will need convincing.” Echo stated matter-of-factly.
Zee nodded, understanding partly what she meant. He led her back to the airlock without another word. She reached up and put her palm on the side of his face and an old manner of greeting. It obviously shocked him and she grinned.
“Thank you, Zee. For everything.” Echo said.
“I have not done much.” Zee replied succinctly.
“You’ve done enough.” She handed him a thin data-film, which appeared to have numerous documents listed on it. “It is all the information I have, and …” she hesitated to say it, “a pardon for Captain Abel Cain. Though I am not sure how he will take that.” She stepped back into the airlock after it had cycled again and made her way back to the Darter.
ADMIRAL SHADE
Outside the Quintar Prime System: Kodiak: Command
2972 ESD - Monday, October 5th 11:45 hours
Captain Abel Cain wanted to rage and tear apart anything and everything around him. Admiral Shade’s daughter had both been infuriating and intoxicating at the same time. Something about the girl – woman –– set his teeth on edge, but ignited a passion he had not felt before. Abel continued to picture her lithe frame and lightly rounded face, and her scent; oh god her scent. He had actually enjoyed fighting with her, but she knew h
ow to get his goad far too well. He didn’t understand it either. He didn’’t even know the girl. He chalked it up to his lack of interaction with other life, specifically life of the female persuasion. He thought his reactions might have something to do with her father, in which case he felt a little bad about letting his emotions go.
Captain Abel Cain turned as Zee returned to the command deck. The Quintarran was carrying a data-film; probably from Echo, he thought. “What do you have there, Zee?”
“It is a data-film, containing the information Captain Echo Shade wished to share, before you exiled her from your ship.” He put undue emphasis on exiled, catching Abel’s ire.
“Exiled!? Really, Zee, do you have to be so dramatic?” Abel complained.
“Captain?” Zee feigned ignorance; incredibly well.
“Oh, never mind! Give it here.” Zee obediently handed over the transparent film; a small grin playing on his features.
“Let’s see what she wanted to share.” He put his palm over the top of the film and it scanned his hand. Abel recognized the pattern as a biometrics scan of his finger and palm prints. After the scan the film flared to life displaying documents and other information, he closed his fist and made a sweeping gesture towards his Transteel viewer. The data swept from the film to his viewer.
“Zee, I want you to start scouring this,” he said as he flung schematics for a destroyer starship towards Zee, “and provide me any data that isn’’t displaying. I need to know if this is legitimate or not. I’m going to start reading through this.” Abel ordered, already focused on the holographic data.
“Certainly Captain.” Zee replied as his eyes glazed over and he began scanning the syntax behind the data.