Merker's Outpost

by I. Christie

  "So, what's happening?" Harriet sat up straighter, attempting to get her blood to move faster.

  "The message I had sent to your Admiral has a retuned response of 'Geomatria.' Lt. Montran, can you explain to me that phrase? I have not been able to locate it in any of my searches."

  Lt. Montran chuckled, feeling relieved. "It's a word we use to combine, 'Good to hear you're fine' and 'hang on, the troops are on their way.' It could mean also, to 'guts it out, because were kind of busy here'."

  "Ahh. A bit confusing if the receiver is depending on a clear message. Well, let's hope it's the first. Time for the broadcast is near…and the windstorm above their city is winding down. Lord Chaney is attending a meeting aboard his ship to take out one of his smuggler partners." He laughed shortly. "This situation in the city is like a plump and soft vegetable in a pressure cooker. To further heat up the action in the pot, Maud has created some trouble. While the inhabitants were topside searching for your whereabouts, she was able to remove a few more of the captives in one of the rooms that they left unguarded. I vented some outside gas to cover their escape."

  Lt. Montran sat forward. "We won't get that opportunity again. Chances are the Black Rose will be dispersed throughout the city to keep an eye on any more surprise visits. You said Lord Chaney…has programmed as a bodyguard a metradame."

  "You find this hard to believe."

  "I was wondering what her skill level is," the image of a seductive bodyguard appeared before her mind's eye and she had to struggle not to grin. And the idea of taking from Lord Chaney something that would cause him a great deal of inconvenience had a strong appeal. She leaned back in her chair, flashing with impatience on her inconsistent feelings about this operation. One moment cautious and not really sure about jumping into the fire, and the next looking at it with anticipation. Shaking her head with annoyance, she focused on the metradame, an unknown. The only information she had about metradames were sexual images from the advertisements. For a moment, she frowned as she remembered Sharon's anger when she found her reading the advertisement. No, that was a dream, Harriet. They don't have metradames in Collective space.

  "Ahh. I see you know Dr. Sharon Teal." Guardian picked up the vivid image of her previous lover. "She is one of the few metradames that has been able to override her program."

  Harriet's hand stopped in mid motion of bringing the sandwich to her mouth. A long quiet moment passed before her brain kicked back into gear.

  Sharon...a metradame?! That's crazy! "You have the wrong Sharon Teal. The one I know is a respected scientist and she isn't in Committee territories. Metratoys haven't caught on with the populace in Collective space. I think only a few brothels on spaceports have them. They are considered too life-like."

  The company that attempted to sell them did not do their homework on the attitude of the planets in Collective space. They had made the mistake of extolling the life-like bots as ideal for assisting the young and people with sexual hang-ups as training tools. Collective planets used the Monks of Hela or members of Aphrodite's House to address personal and intimate problems dealing with a person's sensuous side or lack of.

  Guardian flashed images of a young woman recreated with an older woman's face, looking just like Sharon on one screen.

  "No!" she nearly shouted in disbelief. Then softer, "I can't believe that. How would you have tapes on that?" she asked suspiciously.

  "Security recordings at the lab. However, that's not what I'm trying to bring up here. Metrapeople are real people, but they are programmed with someone else's agenda."

  "Sharon was real. Is real! She's not…one of those!"

  "Yes. They are all real, as you call it. And that, Lt. Harriet Montran, you must remember when you meet up with Sheila, Lord Chaney's bodyguard."

  "Goddess!" Harriet tried to refocus on Guardian's words after hearing her voice come out like a hysterical soldier. "What are you getting at? Oh!" she opened her eyes wide suddenly realizing what he was worried about. "You're afraid I will kill her if we get into some sort of skirmish. That's it, isn't it?" Her insides where shaking and she was confused as to whether it was from the accusations about Sharon or his feelings that she would blast away any life that got in her way. It was understandable since in Committee space, law enforcement used it as an expedient way to rid themselves of problems and potential problems; whereas, in Collective space, it was a last alternative, no matter whom the complaint came from or who it was about.

  "No. I want you to know that metrapeople are living, viable, though imprisoned, beings."

  "It's not because you think that the old Spartan training will kick in and I will shoot first, and take names later?"

  "No. I have faith in your six or seven years of retraining. My intention is that you know that metrapeople are as real as you."

  "How do you know so much about me...Sharon and what's going on away from Merkers Outpost...aside from belonging to the Vine. I know they aren't in the habit of letting every member into the nuts and bolts of things."

  "I'm a scientist in a computer. Gathering information, extrapolating what I need for the moment, and experimenting to prove out what I've surmised from the stats, is like a hobby, if not something to do to relieve boredom."

  Until I get into a heated fight where instincts take over…that will be the true test if all the retraining has worked. And it's not something I want to be obsessed with or I'll be distracted in doing my job. The real problem here is that my back up consists of one civilian. So, whatever I do it's going to have to be low profile stuff, just enough to keep them off balance. Am I ready? Helga's Bloody Moon! Of course, I'm ready! So…the next question here is…what can I do to effectively keep their attention on my annoying antics and away from Maud? And I'm not going to forget they shoot first and ask few questions later. I sure hope Admiral JoCasta sends help bloody well soon. I wonder how she's going to get around the rules of engagement and glide into Committee space…oh, that's right. Merker's Outpost is neutral. Harriet smiled. I think I'll let the big brass figure out the politics of how to get a ship here, 'cause I know Admiral JoCasta is going to want to personally get these smugglers. They've been a thorn in her claw for a while now. Harriet nodded to herself. If the scuttlebutt were true, the admiral would have her special forces, the Tanjmi here as fast as possible. Therefore, whatever she did, it would have to be for a short time and she had to not get caught.

  "Lord Chaney had Sheila trained at one of the best bodyguard schools, Bodshiva Avante Guard. However, I understand in your new job in Collective space, you have been trained by one of their ex-instructors, Ewep De."

  Lt. Montran looked startled at this bit of news. "Yeah? I...I don't believe any of the students knew that, at least not in my student track." She frowned for a moment remembering how a lot of the young officers grumbled at having to take the class, thinking his class in 'Awareness' was superfluous. Maybe because she was the oldest in the class, she held her tongue about the class. Her CO would not be sending her to this class if it were worthless. And she was right. If they had studied the way it was pronounced they would have known that it was just a cover to what the class was really about. The professor taught on two levels and if you were not aware, which was the whole idea of bodyguarding, then the class would be boring.

  "It was a difficult class to pass, but it was interesting." A lot of good it did me when I let those jerks remove me from the shuttle. She paused a moment, remembering that everything had a purpose so it was really up to her to turn mistakes and regrets into something worth the lesson. Harriet handed her empty cup of tea to Charles so she would not knock it off her armchair.

  "Everyone has a weakness." Harriet said that more to remind herself that she had faced adversaries that were better armed than her and she had managed to come out on top. However, that was a long time ago, she prudently pointed out, and her edge of having more experience, was nullified in this case, just by the sheer numbers.

  "You have the advantage of using the most
advanced technology devised for this planet. Of course, there is nothing I have that is lethal," he mentioned off-hand, which made Harriet wince, thinking that it did not give her much to threaten with. "Any weapon I give you to use will only knock them out for a while or put them to sleep for as long as the patch remains on them, which means they may come back for another foray."

  It certainly will make me run faster once I knock someone down and steal his or her weapons so I don't get shot in the back. So, why his interest in how I combat the metradame? Does he want me to capture her and bring her here? Why can't Maud do it? "Do you know the odds of my being able to keep them harried or occupied with other things before they take me out?" she asked, suddenly wondering if she really was being a bit too daring for her own good.

  "As long as you are on this planet you shall not become anything less than what you are," Guardians voice was firm. "Believe me when I say there are a lot of places to play hide and seek in the city that they know nothing of, nor will be able to take advantage of. Maud has been doing it for two years and she has no military training," he reminded her. "I would wait for reinforcements; however, players once on the fringes have suddenly taken an interest in what goes on here, and we need to remove the captives from the equation and prevent the intruders from settling in any more than what they are. Charles, can you get the lieutenant her new environmental suit and communicator? This equipment is from our labs, suited for this planet," Guardian continued as Charles handed the lieutenant her communicator first. It consisted of two patches smaller than the tip of her smallest finger. One was placed on the bone behind her left ear and the other on her throat.

  "It can only be heard by someone with my equipment," Guardian explained.

  The environmental suit was dull brown. Once sealed at the neck, the suit laid on her clothing as if it were part of it. Her touch not dulled by the gloves as most gloves have a tendency to do, allowed her to feel the texture of the suit as she pecked at it. When she activated the helmet it looked like a clear sack, but her vision altered. Her life readings flashed under her left cheek on the visor, and information on the suit, rather than on her wrist. As she moved her head, she noted that four new screens were up on the Com console, showing views of what she was seeing and not seeing.

  "As the screens are showing," Guardian explained proudly, "the helmet acts as a camera giving a panoramic view of what is going on all around you, including above. It was very helpful for us to monitor the researchers. For the last two years, I've been modifying the suit for other defensive needs. For example, it takes on the texture of what 90% of it leans against. When you have more time, you can study the extras; however, know that that particular ability is not something to be used lightly."

  Harriet looked up at the hologram surprised. To prove this she leaned against the hull and looked at her hands. Nothing changed, however when she glanced at the screens she was not visible...except for one. She stood away from the wall and she could see herself again on the four monitors.

  "Now this is something to play with," she grinned at Guardian. "But, you're right. It's too good of an advantage to give away its existence."

  "Yes. I am glad you see it that way. Maud has been using it to a great advantage. To deactivate it simply say 'blend off' and to reactivate it 'blend on.' I had thought of other words to use; however, Maud had pointed out to me that the simpler the better. The suit will assist you in surviving a wind storm topside, in case you decide to test it out. You will have to anchor yourself down of course, because the force of the winds would carry you quite a distance. I will be able to locate you no matter where you are on this planet, so you cannot get lost. It also will protect you from most explosions, heat, and some weapons fire."

  Charles handed her her own utility belt. She noticed the space for a weapon was empty.

  "This weapon that Charles has here," he continued as Charles handed her a sidearm that fit snuggly into her palm, "is adapted for this planet's atmosphere and will only work for you. It is coded now to your bios. It does not kill nor does it give pain. It simply renders the person unconscious or if you want them simply limp, change the charge to the other color you see there on the bore. Now Charles will show you to the lower level where the tube will take you to New Century City. Maud will be at the other end. The trip takes about one stan hour, traveling at a very high rate of speed, so don't try to step out or slow it down. By the time you reach your destination, the subliminal information should be starting to surface to your awareness."

  Charles was already out the door. At the doorway, Harriet turned back to Guardian.

  "Good bye and good luck, Alexandra," Guardian's warm voice spoke out of the darkness.

  Alexandra?

  Harriet turned to hurry after Charles. How did he know her by that name? She had left it with all that went with it when she was still a young girl. Ah, she must have thought of it while hooked up to Guardian…however, she did not think she had thought of it. Why would she? She will not fall asleep in Guardian's chair again, or for that matter, sit. No telling what information he was getting from her for his games.

  Charles was waiting at the familiar elevator with the polo players, only now they were in another pose, though still hard at play. The door slid open as Harriet approached.

  "Charles, why didn't this door open when you were in front of it?"

  "Perhaps a minor glitch in the system. I will speak with Guardian when I return. I will leave you here and wish you well in your journey and job." With that, Charles wheeled around and disappeared back down the dark corridor.

  As she suspected on her arrival, the elevator had more than one exit. However, instead of directly behind her, it opened to the side. The room she entered appeared to be a small waiting room with comfortable couches along the walls and chairs around small tables. Tempted, she slapped one of the chairs to see if there was any dust. No dust, dirt or signs of wear.

  Well the retailer's industry will be very disgruntled with the upkeep here...but then again...I don't recall if Guardian said how old this place is, and there is no one to run it down...except in New Century City. The thought of her going there gave an extra lift to her steps. She had not been on any missions for the last seven years that were not contrived. Though simulators seemed very real, a part of her knew the situation was not.

  She continued on to another entrance with a rail car icon on the door. Though the interior was dark, the view from the helmet revealed a typical transportation station. Lights in the floor flashed in the direction she was intended to go. Further help came from a soft light on the inside of her transportation vehicle. The door was invitingly opened. Two seats on each side were facing each other with plenty of legroom, which would make any Copac with his or her four legs comfortable. Harriet sank into a comfortable seat. The moment she settled a cushioned restraint slowly descended, securing her from movement in any direction.

  "Bloody moon, I'm lucky I'm not claustrophobic," she muttered.

  "It is a very fast ride with a sudden stop, which needs the padded restraints. I don't want my passengers peeling bits of themselves from the interior," Guardian's voice cautioned her. "I will be in touch with you at all times, so if you need anything...I'm just a whisper away." Numbers changed on her visor next to her left cheek showing her bios as they escalated with the pressure from the build up of speed of the car.

  While the small car sped her to her destination, Harriet closed her eyes and mentally reviewed her plans to escape the sense of being too enclosed. It was a familiar routine, so she was able to easily escape into her thoughts. It had been a long time since she had been in the thick of things. As a flag ship officer in-training of the Centurion Corps, her job was that of an advisor…situated far from the heat of battle, watching plans unfold and determining what was not working and what would work. She suspected her CO wanted to be sure her Spartan training had been completely eradicated. Spartan training used deep subliminal methods, reinforced and with drugs. Lt. Montran felt they
were justified in their concern. She could already feel her adrenalin flowing with the excitement of a drop into enemy territory. It reminded her of her drops into enemy territory and how everyone in the troop was pumped up…to survive…to beat the odds. Later she had learned a lot of the hyped up sense of immortality was due to drugs that was part of the pre-strike meeting, which consisted of subliminals on the operation and medical clearance. It was a life she was indoctrinated to accept as part of a mission. Now, she was going to be back in action.

  But on my terms! No drugs, no subliminal to destroy the enemy, and no orders that had the overtones of being a suicidal drop. Wait a moment. This is suicidal. One person against five hundred personnel...well, two people, a computer and some strange weapons. Aww,Bloody Moon, lieutenant! Just enjoy the ride and kick some butt!

  Harriet pursed her lips in thought.