by Bruce Adams
“Lluras, is there any other sentient who knows about the Sahin human and that you’ve tapped her communications?” Chol stopped smiling.
“No one…per your instructions,” replied the tech, still smiling.
“Excellent – you have done well Lluras. I will see that you are well compensated above your normal pay.” He terminated the link silently and the image of the Evene technician faded from view. Chol made a mental note to himself. He would have to eliminate the Evene after confirmation that the insufferable human female had been terminated. The ability to hack into secure communications was worth a fortune…and he didn’t want the Evene to take his knowledge to competitors. After all, as long as the knowledge was still secret, no one would bother with upgrading the security to block the eavesdropping.
Chol chuckled to himself…a low rumble that came deep from within his massive chest cavity. Vortex would rise again, stronger, and more powerful than ever. The setbacks of the last few months would be forgotten and new contacts would be made that would gather him yet more lucrative deals. There was always a need for mercenary work in the Verge, and in other fringe parts of the galaxy. As Chol set about sending orders to a strike team to hunt down and kill Tess Sahin, he didn’t realize he had already made a mistake.
The brilliant technician Lluras, the Evene Chol Cuxa had brought from the slums of a backwards world months ago was even smarter than Chol imagined or thought. The Evene had managed to put a backdoor trap on all implant links that would forward the contents of all thoughts for ten seconds after the link had been terminated. Thus, he heard Chol’s thoughts about having him executed after he was no longer needed. He had suspected that the big mercenary leader would do away with him once he was no longer needed, but it was chilling to hear the thoughts directly. He shuddered…Lluras Serrick Vas Petras was no fool…and he had lots of work to do to make sure he survived in the coming days.
Lluras had been making plans for weeks. He knew that Chol was a monster…though he had worked for him to get himself out of poverty and the situation he had found himself in. Where he would go and what exactly he would do he didn’t know right now. But Chol had many enemies…surely some of them would pay Lluras handsomely for information on the Orvod’s movements and plans.
The Evene was not far distant from Chol as the big Orvod had wanted him close by so he would be easier to control. Lluras would make his move in the next few days, slipping away on a small shuttle that would take him to an uninhabited system and far away from the Vortex mercenary group and Chol Cuxa.
CHAPTER 27
The laboratory on board the Sparta was state of the art, but even with all of the high tech equipment and miniaturization, the work space to maneuver in the room was still small and cramped. Doctor Xinhao and the Arrasian scientist Gelkar Ruz-Zel initiated the sequence one more time. Gelkar had been in the laboratory, along with Doctor Xinhao, for over ten hours working non-stop on their latest experiments. If he was tired, he didn’t show any outward signs of fatigue. After only a few minutes, test results flashed on the holographic display in bright neon green and orange numbers and letters.
“You see? It is confirmed once again.” He scratched at the base of his left antennae with an absent-minded movement. Doctor Xinhao was short for a human female, but Gelkar was even shorter than her. He looked at her smiling an Arrasian smile – no teeth evident, just lips. Lia didn’t share his enthusiasm.
“How do we know the sample isn’t contaminated? There are a hundred things that could have gone wrong…” For once she was the skeptic and not the enthusiastic scientist. Gelkar seemed shocked at the suggestion.
“What?! Impossible!” Gelkar was perturbed at the thought and vigorously shook his head in the negative. His wings buzzed with a high pitched whine. Lia noticed that happened every time the Arrasian was upset.
“Sorry, just playing at being the Devil’s Advocate. So it’s true then? The Valdren must have inserted genetic sequences into every sentient life-form they came across…” Lia whistled appreciatively. The sheer amount of genetic engineering seemed too vast…too big to be true. The Valdren had experimented on nascent life-forms on a galactic scale.
“Yes, that is exactly the case. All of us are…in a way…the children of the Valdren. Obviously, our sample size is too small, but the implications are amazing. All of the humans on board this ship and the scattering of non-humans have tested positive for genetic manipulation. Together with all of the samples that were brought back from Furnace. I think this proves it conclusively.” Gelkar turned his head to the side as his wings fluttered softly. “Now, we need to concentrate on determining how the signal was broadcast. If we learn that we might have a chance to block it and keep it from activating the Valdren genetic markers.”
Lia nodded solemnly. “We will do that. Who knows if or when we’ll run across another Valdren device that is rewiring sentients into unholy monsters. I know that Eli Bowman said he had some thoughts on that and has been working privately in his quarters.” She tapped the side of her head with her left forefinger. “What I wouldn’t give to have his abilities…” Lia said with soft longing in her voice. She then called him up using her comm link implant. A few moments later his face and body appeared in the air as a tiny holographic image.
“Umm…Doctor Xinhao, what time is it?” said Eli groggily. Lia saw that he had been awakened by her call. She realized it was after two in the morning.
“I’m sorry to awaken you Eli. We have a status update and it couldn’t wait,” she said flatly.
“What is it?” Eli rubbed his eyes and seemed to be a little more aware of what was being said.
“The Valdren…everyone on the ship, including Gelkar…and Sev Tariv…along with all of the specimens we brought back from Furnace…all of us have traces of Valdren DNA manipulation throughout our genetic structure.” Lia was shocked hearing herself saying it aloud. Somehow that made it seem all the more real. Gelkar spoke up.
“Eli, have you discovered anything that could help us block the Valdren signal?” The Arrasian was agitated; something was clearly irritating him.
“I have an idea for an electronic countermeasure…but it will have to be tailored to each person individually and synchronized based on their unique DNA. There is no way to block the signal with a ‘one size fits all’ approach.” Eli managed a wan smile. “It should be possible to create an armor mod as a test case.”
“That is excellent news,” said Gelkar, “I’m sure a prototype will be sufficient for now. Once you have it working we can mass produce and calibrate for every sentient on the Sparta…” Gelkar rubbed his wings together with glee. “I would not have thought it possible that you could be capable of such thinking Eli Bowman.” He gestured at Lia and continued, “For someone that is not a scientist, you have unusual skill.”
“Uh…thanks, I guess?” Eli replied sardonically. “I’ll get started on the first one as soon as I get some sleep. I’ll modify the Captain’s armor so she’ll be the first to have it.” He looked away for a moment and paused, lost in thought. “I’ll also need to coordinate with both of you on a way to synchronize the DNA scans…”
“That shouldn’t be a problem, Eli,” said Lia. “Professor Ruz’zel and I are in accordance with how we should proceed. We’ll have something ready for you in less than six hours.”
“Uh…good night to both of you then,” Eli said switching off the link and his image faded. Gelkar turned to his fellow scientist.
“I must congratulate you as well, Lia Xinhao. You have been able to grasp my understanding of the Valdren technical schematics with enthusiasm and expertise - I had not expected humans to be so knowledgeable…” Gelkar never stopped talking and took no breaks in his speech. “Though I must admit, it was galling to work with you at first…”
Lia’s eyes widened. “Why was that?”
“Your species is so damned ugly it is almost too distracting to keep work flowing in a positive direction - but I manage.” Gelkar had picked u
p a laboratory instrument and was preparing for more tests.
“I see…” Lia was bemused and let him keep talking.
“Nothing personal of course,” said Gelkar holding up his left hand in front of his chest while his right lazily waved the instrument.
“You don’t get out much do you?” asked Lia with a sweet smile.
“Oh, I assure you, I have been all over the galaxy on expeditions across dozens of worlds and hundreds of systems.” Gelkar’s wings rustled with a slight humming as if he was indignant at the words. “Don’t get out much…” Gelkar turned back to working on the task at hand and paid no mind to his human female colleague.
Lia let the conversation end as it was obvious Professor Ruz’zel didn’t understand her sarcasm and took her literally. Arrasian’s were the second space-faring species humans had encountered and it had only been sixty seven years since the first meeting – first contact. Seventy years since the first Zari and Human meeting…and the knowledge that humanity was not alone among the countless stars. Seventy years was not nearly enough time for the two humanoid races to get to know each other well. Moreover, the Monotreme and insect-like qualities of the Arrasians made them much harder to assimilate into the gestalt of the new galactic civilization. They were just too weird for most humans to understand. Lia thought that despite the high technological innovations of the major sentient races, biology was triumphant. Concepts of breeding and physical attractiveness still mattered to every species almost more than any other consideration.
Still…I’m glad that the Arrasian’s are allied with humanity and not at war with us. They were a formidable alien race and had mastered travel between the stars a hundred years before humans did so. Lia had been impressed at the brilliance and methodical craftsmanship of the Arrasian scientist – he seemingly never made mistakes. She thought of her own situation. At first, it had been a thrilling adventure; jumping through space, investigating clues, trying to understand what was truly happening. Now though, she had seen the reality – people transformed into something inhuman and monstrous. What was worse than the physical disfigurement was what happened to the mind of each person affected by the Valdren Initiator – they had become unthinking tools of a long dead civilization.
She shuddered at the memory of what happened in the deep mines of Furnace. It seemed so long ago and so far away – yet it all had occurred less than twenty-four hours ago. Lia excused herself from the lab and walked to her cabin, her mind numb. She was startled when she saw Arnav Malik come striding up to her. He looked fresh and clean and wide awake.
“Commander…I would have thought you’d be fast asleep in your bunk,” Lia saw he was armed but not wearing the heavy black durasteel combat armor that all of the marines wore.
“I have OOD duties, Ma’am,” he said. “Though, if you have a moment, I’d like to speak with you.”
“OOD? What’s that?” Lia asked. She was polite, but her weariness was showing on her face.
“Officer of the deck - it means I’m in charge of the ship while Captain Monroe is off duty, in this case she is asleep.” Arnav turned his head slightly and grinned at Lia, “Though she only sleeps for around two hours each day – wish I could do that.” Arnav Malik was a tall man, taller than even Captain Monroe…Lia had never noticed that before. Of course, she had never really talked to him in any depth before either – she never had a reason to.
“I understand, but if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed…” Lia meant it. The hour was late and she was exhausted.
“Doctor, I just wanted to thank you personally…for looking after my personnel. Isabella says you fixed her up as good as new.” Arnav said quietly.
“That’s my job, Mister Malik…but thank you for the kind words. Now I am dead tired and my bed is calling me.” Lia Xinhao was a small woman, Arnav Malik towered over her, he easily could have blocked her but he moved out of her way with respect written all over his face.
Once inside her quarters Lia relaxed for the first time in days. Star, her Trill, was lounging inside a small open cage hanging from the ceiling. In her tired state Lia still managed to get a treat from her locker. She sat on her bed and held it for her pet. Star hopped down from the slowly swinging cage and looked at her with wide brown eyes, taking the morsel in her tiny hands and began to eat happily.
Star began to sing a song that only Lia heard inside her head. The melody was sweeter and more soothing than any natural voice could make and soon Doctor Xinhao was fast asleep.
In the only area on the Sparta used for physical conditioning, Kizzara was busy. She wore nothing, her fur covered her entirely. As an Evene, she was slightly smaller than someone of her age among her species, but she was exceptionally strong for her size. She hung from a bar set three meters from the ceiling and swung her body in an acrobatic whirl. After a dozen revolutions, she flung herself at another bar catching it with precision. Her acrobatic routine was being watched by Eris, who had awakened just a few minutes before and had come to deck two to get her morning workout routine in. She was admiring the Evene and her moves through the clear plasteel wall that allowed observers to watch – and those on the inside of the gym, to know they were being watched. She entered the gym wearing her usual workout clothes, and stopped near a cardio cycle. The size of the workout area on the Sparta was minimal; there wasn’t room for a track, just a few treadmills, cycles, strength equipment and the parallel bars for gymnastic exercises that had been installed specifically for Kizzara Amara Vis Sala.
Kizzara finished her routine and landed in a three point stance. Eris saw that she wasn’t sweating at all. Her golden fur covered her breasts and concealed her pubic area. She showed no signs of anxiety about being unclothed in front of her Captain.
“Nice landing, Kizz,” said Eris. She nodded appreciatively. The acrobatic moves the Evene pilot had performed were artistic and mesmerizing to watch. Though all Evene were intersexed by nature, each of them at puberty represented as either male or female – choosing to exhibit either masculine or feminine psychological traits. Evene took either the name adjective ‘Vis’ for female or ‘Vas’ for male. There were a small percentage of Evene that enjoyed and were attracted to both males and females equally. They took the adjective ‘Vos’ to show their nature to the outside world. Eris took the towel she had brought and put it on the cardio cycle’s bar as she sat on the saddle. The device auto-adjusted itself to her workout pattern as it read her biometrics. Kizzara walked over and smiled at her captain.
“You should see me at one of the arenas on Rallan, the gyms there are amazing!” Kizz was speaking of her homeworld, the only home the Evene knew. The Archism, or planetary government of the Evene, had not colonized any other worlds yet.
“Aren’t they a hundred times bigger than this tiny gym?” Eris was a little fuzzy on Evene cultured and didn’t know the answer. She was intrigued though – as she was with every alien race she encountered.
“Of course - they are very large, and allow for much greater freedom of movement,” Kizzara said. She seemed very proud of her people, and the architectural structures they had built.
“Maybe when all of this is over, you can take me there someday.” Eris said wistfully. “I’ve seen videos of Rallan - it is a beautiful planet…”
“Yes, ‘eco’ tourists come for the scenery though many still regard my people as backwards and primitive. We were only contacted by the Arrasian’s seventy-five years ago. Many on my homeworld are distrustful of the wider galaxy. That is why there are so few of us scattered throughout the stars.” Kizzara saw how Eris had switched to a multi-workout machine that included a bench press. The machine had set the weight to five hundred kilos. As Eris worked out, she developed a fine sheen of sweat on her skin. After three sets, Eris stood up and used the towel to dry herself on her face and neck. Kizzara had watched the entire time.
“I…I wanted to ask you something, Captain,” Kizz’s tail was twitching. Eris knew that something was bothering her.
&
nbsp; “Go ahead.” Eris said with an encouraging tone.
“I have read all of the reports from your mission on Furnace – and I saw some of the video logs that Eli prepared,” Kizz’s claws were popping in and out of her pads. She began to pace the small workout area in front of Eris while looking at the floor. “Were you ever afraid?” She finally looked at her captain – her golden pupils were dilated. “I mean, did you ever feel fear?”
“Yes, I was afraid…”
Kizzara had a strange look on her face, as if something didn’t add up. “But…I thought you of all people, you never fear anything!”
“Fear is in all of us – all sentients evolved with the response so that we could survive.” Eris put her hand on Kizzara’s shoulder; the Evene’s skin was warm. “Fight or flight, it’s the instinct that is set at a primeval level – but we can use it.”
“If I had been in your place, I don’t know if I could have reacted as well as you did…you didn’t hesitate…not even once.” Kizzara had stopped swishing her tail and popping her claws. “I watched all of the logs.” Kizzara’s puzzled expression deepened.