by R. E. Weber
Almost at once, the two warships began spitting out bolts of blue light towards the drones, which had stopped attacking the Ghost wing and turned their attention to the two new arrivals. The drones fired back, but their bolts just seemed to glance off the two huge hammerhead ships. One by one, the remaining drones exploded in huge plumes of debris under the relentless fire from the vessels. Then the ships shot by overhead and quickly positioned themselves in between the Star Shield Platform and the Ghost Wing. First Mentor, having sensed the new arrivals, had already detached itself from the drone it was attacking and retreated quickly inside the ship. Then a new message appeared on Theo’s companion:
Incoming Communication:
Affinity Navy vessels Zehur Alpha 203 and 206 in attendance.
Attempting to terminate malfunctioning Star Shield Platform.
Proceed immediately to Athonesis Quantum Portal for jump to Polisium.
Suddenly, his head began to swim and he felt extremely dizzy. His thoughts, which had been so vivid moments ago, seemed to drift off into nothing. Then, within seconds, he was in a deep, long, medically induced sleep.
Chapter 19 – De-briefing
Theo woke suddenly and gasped as he opened his eyes. It had seemed like only seconds since he had fallen unconscious on the ship, but when he checked his companion, he was shocked to discover that two whole standard days had passed.
‘Are you OK?’ said the familiar disembodied voice of First Mentor.
Theo felt around his face with his fingertips. The tingling sensation, which he’d felt before, had now stopped and the waxy lump of plastercine that had been his nose now felt normal again. Slowly, he sat upright on the bed. He felt a little dizzy for a moment, but it soon passed, so he swung his legs around and sat on the edge of the bed.
‘I think so,’ said Theo. ‘But where am I?’
‘You are in the Star Agency Command Infirmary,’ said First Mentor.
Theo sat for a moment, deep in thought. ‘We were rescued,’ he said suddenly.
‘Correct,’ said First Mentor. ‘Two Affinity Navy vessels...’
‘But weren’t we dead?’ interrupted Theo. ‘You said there was no chance. That I had to face the inevitable.’
‘An explanation is due of course,’ said First Mentor, ‘but before we continue, I just wanted to ensure that you feel OK, physically?’
Theo held out his hands in front of him. They both looked normal. Then he felt his nose. It felt just the same as it had always done. It even had a tiny notch along the bridge where he’d broken it several years before.
‘I think so,’ said Theo. ‘But my face... I mean, it’s almost like it never happened.
‘That was the intention,’ said First Mentor. ‘Over the last two days, you have been immersed in regeneration tank. The tank contained a nutrient rich, oxygenated fluid, infused with nano-medics.’
‘Nano-medics?’ said Theo.
‘Microscopic medical repair drones. They used the nutrient enriched fluid to repair your wounds and regenerate the damaged tissue.’
‘My nose,’ said Theo touching it with both hands. ‘It’s still crooked. You could have at least straightened it out.’
‘No Theo, we could not. Remember that this mission was highly classified. You need to look exactly the same as you did before you left Polisium Prime, otherwise your appearance might arise suspicion. It is identical to its template setting as I advised you that it would be.’
‘Shame,’ said Theo feeling around his nose. ‘So anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeh, weren’t we dead?’
‘It is true that our situation did appear impossible to survive,’ said First Mentor.
‘And….’ said Theo, waiting expectantly.
First Mentor paused for a moment.
‘There was, shall we say, an unexpected development.’
‘No kidding,’ said Theo. ‘One minute we were going to die because there were no ships nearby and you were making me feel stupid for asking you to re-send the message. Then I send a message, and the next minute two ships appear out of nowhere and save us.’
First Mentor paused for a moment before replying. ‘Theo, the tone of your voice seems to indicate that you harbour some resentment or mistrust towards me. Is this the case?’
‘Yeh, I mean no. It’s just that... well nobody ever listens to me. But I was right, wasn’t I? I was right to ask you to send the distress signal again.’
‘Actually, no. The timing of your distress call had no bearing on our rescue,’ said First Mentor.
‘Hold on a minute. I send the distress call. Then minutes later, we’re rescued. A bit of a coincidence, wasn’t it?’ said Theo angrily.
‘Unfortunately, yes. This was coincidence.’
‘Sorry, but I don’t buy it. I don’t…’
‘Theo, the rescue ships were despatched from Star Agency command. They were berthed in orbit around the Polisian Moon.’
‘Yeh, and?’
First Mentor paused for a moment. ‘Theo, do you recall our discussions regarding the time dilation effects that take place during passage through a Quantum Portal?’
‘Yeh, I remember you telling me when I first arrived here. When you travel through a portal, the journey is almost instantaneous to you. But to everybody else in the outside universe it takes several hours. It…’ Theo paused, realising that he had just answered his own question. ‘OK, I think I know what you’re saying. Our distress call wouldn’t have got back to Star Agency command in time for them to launch a rescue, would it? It would have needed to pass through the Quantum Portal to get to them and that would’ve taken hours.’
‘Correct.’
‘So how did they, I mean, what happened?’
‘It would appear that an alert was raised from within Star Agency command before we were attacked.’
‘Before? How? That’s not possible. I mean it’s….’
Then the sudden realisation hit Theo.
‘Hold on, you mean somebody knew we were going to be attacked?’ said Theo, shocked as he spoke.
‘It would seem so,’ replied First Mentor.
‘OK, so who was it?’
‘We have, as yet, been unable to trace the originator of the alert.’
‘Let me get this straight. You’re saying that somebody in Star Agency Command, but you don’t know who, knew we were going to be attacked, allowed us to go, then alerted the ships to come after us? If that’s true, then why didn’t they just tell us before we went and stop us from going? Why all the games?’
‘The alert was received approximately two hours after our departure for Athonesis. It is possible that whoever sent the message, did not receive the intelligence regarding the attack in time to prevent our departure.’
‘OK, but I still don’t get how somebody could have sent us an alert without identifying themselves. Surely there must be some trace of who sent it within the system? I mean, isn’t it against the rules to hide your identity?’
‘Clearly, whoever sent the alert went to great lengths to ensure their anonymity. We do not yet know how or why. And yes, all such messages should come from an identified source. Accountability for ones actions is of supreme importance within the Star Agency. Rest assured though, we are carrying out a thorough investigation into the matter. We will determine who sent the message and interrogate those responsible.’
‘But…’
At that moment there was a faint rush of air and a doorway appeared.
‘You should not be alarmed, Theo,’ said Orientator striding into the room, seemingly continuing the conversation. ‘I am personally overseeing the investigation and will pursue it to its logical conclusion.’
‘I’m not alarmed,’ replied Theo. ‘I mean, whoever sent it did me a favour, didn’t they? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here. It’s like, well I suppose you could say somebody was looking out for me.’
‘On Polisium we would say that your Lusok is smiling.’ replied Orientator.
‘My what?’ said Theo.<
br />
‘Your Lusok,’ said First Mentor. ‘Or to give it its full name, Lusok Mah, the mischievous one.’
‘OK, but I still don’t…’
‘A Lusok,’ continued Orientator, ‘is a mythical being which travels with your on your journey through life. From time to time it will interfere with the events of your life. Depending on what mood it is in, it will either help or hinder you. If it smiling, it may give you some assistance.’
‘Of course, no such beings have been found to exist,’ said First Mentor flatly.
‘Indeed, not,’ replied Orientator. ‘It is merely a tale that we tell our young. We have, for the most part, moved on from such superstitions. However such beliefs have shaped our language and our culture. I am sure you have parallels on Earth.’
‘Guardian angels, I suppose,’ said Theo.
‘I believe,’ said First Mentor, ‘that a closer parallel might be a belief in luck. An intangible quality that can influence your life: a quality that might be considered good or bad.’
‘Granddad always said he didn’t believe in luck. He said you make your own. I agree with him. I made my own luck down on that planet.’
‘Indeed, you did,’ said Orientator. ‘However you must concede that such beliefs, such sayings, are reassuring, are they not?’
‘No, not really,’ said Theo. ‘I’m in control of my own life. There’s no mystical force controlling my destiny. There’s…’
Suddenly, Theo stopped mid-sentence, remembering what had happened on the research station. He had heard a voice, seemingly from nowhere. Was that his own Lusok perhaps? Or was it just his unconscious mind fighting back against the fear that had gripped him?
‘Theo,’ continued Orientator, ‘I just wished to re-assure you that the matter of our attack and the source of the warning alert will be investigated, without delay. We are very thorough within the Star Agency.’
Somehow, Theo didn’t doubt it.
‘I also wished to say to you that I…’ Orientator paused for a moment as if composing himself, ‘admired your resolve during the mission. You were clearly able to function, despite the stress placed upon you, even in the face of your own apparent impending demise.’
Theo looked at Orientator, shocked. Then a broad grin crept across his face.
‘Orientator, was that a compliment?’ said Theo.
‘It was…. an acknowledgment.’ replied Orientator.
‘Don’t worry, Orientator,’ said Theo, still grinning, ‘your secret is safe with me.’
Orientator stared at Theo for a moment in silence, before dipping his head lightly. ‘Your servant,’ he said formally. Then, without another word, he turned and quickly left the room with the doorway closing behind him.
‘Before we continue with your de-briefing,’ said First Mentor, ‘I was wondering if you would you permit another visitor?’
‘Who?’ said Theo.
‘The head of Star Agency Operational Command.’
‘Yeh, I guess he wants to know how I managed to blow up the research station.’
‘There is no cause for concern. He simply wishes to meet you in person. Will you permit him to speak with you?’
‘Yeh,’ said Theo, ‘fine, whatever. I’ll talk to him. In fact I’ve got a few things to say to him too.’
‘Good,’ said First Mentor. ‘In which case I will invite him in.’
Theo got up off the bed, stood up and straightened his clothes. Then he looked back towards the doorway. But as the doorway opened, he staggered backwards in shock. There, crouching on all fours, was a squat, vicious looking Protah, exactly like the one that had attacked him several weeks before.
‘What the?’ said Theo shocked. ‘What’s going…’
Then he noticed a scar under its left eye. It wasn’t just the same species. It was exactly the same creature.
‘Do not be alarmed,’ interrupted the growling creature. ‘You will come to no harm in my presence, as indeed you would not have on our previous encounter.’
‘You?’ said Theo, alarmed. ‘You’re the head of Star Agency Command?’
‘Yes. I am in charge of Operations at Star Agency Command.’
‘I…. I don’t believe this,’ said Theo. ‘This has to be a joke.’
‘No humour is intended,’ said First Mentor. ‘Protah Haarrnn Toh is the longest serving head of operational command, and he wishes to speak to you regarding your recent mission.’
Theo watched the squat creature as it clumped clumsily into the room. Slowly and nervously, without speaking, Theo sat back down on the bed and fixed the Protah with a hard stare.
‘I am judging by your reaction,’ said the Commander as its tentacles writhed around its mouth, ‘that you wish for an explanation of the particulars surrounding our last meeting, although I must admit that I am surprised that you haven’t already guessed.’
Theo thought for a moment about the night several weeks earlier when he’d first met the creature. He thought about how it had seemed determined to start an argument with him for no apparent reason. Then, how it had pinned him up against the wall with its tongue around his neck and how it had disabled him so he couldn’t fight back. Yet even though his body had been paralysed, his head had been able to move and he’d been able to spit at it. Then he remembered how it had babbled some nonsense about the Redeemer and him being Guilty. To Theo, it had never made any real sense. It had all somehow seemed fake, like a badly written TV fantasy. Then, just in the nick of time, naturally, it had been forced to release him by the security drones. He remembered later on, when he’d returned to his quarters, how he’d examined himself and found that, apart from a slightly reddened neck, he’d scarcely had a scratch on him. He’d always had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something was wrong and that something didn’t ring true. Then there were all those beings at the restaurant, which had ignored Ruby when she’d cried out for help. There had to have been a reason why they’d ignored her and shown little interest in the creature. It was almost as if it wasn’t real. It was almost as if…. Suddenly, it all clicked into place. And Theo stared back at the Commander, grinning.
‘Let me guess,’ said Theo. ‘It was a set up. You were testing me.’
‘Well reasoned,’ growled the Commander. ‘Our last meeting was the first step in your overall appraisal.’
‘But all that stuff I read, I mean about you and your species. What you’re like and how we’re supposed to react to you. I know that wasn’t a setup. That was all true. I know that because Ruby read the same thing later on in the public database.’
‘Indeed, it was true,’ growled the Commander. ‘However for the purposes of the encounter, I was required to exaggerate the behaviour.’
‘Over acting,’ said Theo. ‘I knew it.’
‘We needed to test how you would react to confrontation and unplanned situations.’
‘Did you indeed?’ said Theo. ‘So how was I? How did I measure up? Did I pass?’
The Commander considered his response for a moment. ‘Your response was… undisciplined.’
‘Oh,’ said Theo, disappointed.
‘However,’ continued the Commander, ‘your reactions did show a good measure natural aptitude. Your instincts were surprisingly impressive considering your lack of training.’
‘Ruby thought you were going to kill me,’ said Theo.
‘That was the intended impression,’ said the Commander. ‘However, if Ruby had known a little more about our species, she would have realised that it was highly unlikely. But you already knew. Even in the centre of the confrontation, you had prepared yourself. You had armed yourself with the most powerful weapon of all.’
‘Information,’ said Theo smiling.
‘Correct,’ said the Commander.
A look of shock suddenly appeared across Theo’s face. ‘I called you a slime ball. I told you to get back to your swamp. Then I spat at you.’
‘I do recall the responses,’ said the Commander, ‘and they were app
ropriate to the situation. However if you are to work for the Star Agency, you will not be allowed to address me in such a manner.’
‘Erm… hang on a sec. Never mind how I’m supposed to address you, I haven’t agreed to work for you yet. There’s a little matter of my nearly being killed, twice!’
‘Indeed, this is so, and does require an explanation.’
‘So?’ said Theo. ‘Go on, I’m waiting. What happened on the planet?’
The Commander paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.
‘As you are no doubt aware, your mission to Athonesis Alpha was a reconnaissance mission. The situation you encountered was genuine. However, what you are not aware of was that an Operative had already been despatched, terminated the lockdown and filed a report.’
Theo stared at the Commander in shock. He really didn’t know. The Commander of the Star Agency, the head of the Affinity Secret Service with the highest level of security clearance, had no idea that Theo had read the station’s hidden logs. And if he didn’t know, then it was likely that nobody else knew. Theo felt sick as he stared at the Commander, who seemed to be glaring at him as if expecting a response. He had to do something. He had to act like he didn’t know. He lifted his eyebrows and opened his eyes as wide as he could.