by Marc Stevens
Justice was broadcasting to my implants so no one could hear him. “Commander I am picking up a continuous transmission signal coming from the Operative. I believe our discussions are being relayed to her ship and then on to her home world. It would be wise to choose your words carefully.”
Justice was correct. I did not wish to present a less than stable and confident picture to the Operative’s superiors. The outcome could be disastrous for us all. I need to make sure the Chaalt understand where I am coming from before they pass judgement on me.
“There will be no tricks Senior Operative. Your invasion of our base was unexpected and unwelcome. Your troops pointing their weapons at innocent people and your arrogant threats were the reason I responded in the manner I did. I protect all who live here. What would your people do if I were to go their homes and act the way you have? OH! I just remembered you have a Union blockade to prevent such Throgg scat!”
The Operative’s attitude did a one eighty. She either realized I was playing it up for the microphone or she in fact was remorseful for the brute force entrance.
“Mr. Myers, I apologize for the intrusion. I was ordered to take every precaution because we had no intelligence on what we would find when we arrived. Our disagreement was…regrettable.”
Now I was wondering if the old war horse was ordered to come back and play nice. Apparently the Chaalt know all about catching flies with honey.
“We are prepared to offer you a very generous finder’s fee and an additional bonus for our intrusion.”
Her offer confirmed my suspicions: she was ordered to play nice. I was relieved to know they did not want a conflict. I would still tread lightly because I could tell the Senior Operative was not on board with this tactic.
“My superiors have instructed me to award you twenty-five billion credits.”
The Operative was stunned when we all stood stone faced giving her no recognition of the offer.
Turning my head to the side I talked over my shoulder. “Do we need any more credits?”
My crew and the Grawl scientist were shaking their heads negative.
“The numerous criminals we have brought to judgement offered up their ill-gotten gains in hopes I would spare their lives. They died destitute.”
The reaction from the Operative was a look of newfound respect. The corners of her mouth curled slightly, and she gave me a nod of approval.
“We have no need for credits, but we do need new tech. While the advanced races turn their backs to the rampant crime and injustice going on before their very eyes, we do not! We need advanced technology to give us an edge over our enemies. The corruption we have uncovered involves a great many races. If we can stop even a small percentage, it will impact the lives of many. If your people were to join our cause we would make a much greater difference.”
Sael Nalen’s eye blinked then got wider. “I must discuss these matters with my superiors. I need to return to my ship. I will contact you before I return.”
I wasn’t sure what the strange looks meant, but I had the feeling she had been recalled. “Justice, deactivate the shield. I believe security is no longer an issue.”
My comment netted me another minute smile. The Operative turned away. This time she walked a considerable distance before disappearing in a report that left no ringing in my ears. Justice again confirmed what was on my mind.
“Commander, the transmission signal halted several seconds before the Operative said she needed to discuss our request. I speculate she was recalled to determine if they will offer us technology.”
“Those were my thoughts as well. Whether or not they will do so remains the question.”
There was always the possibility they would offer more credits and then tell us to go buy what we need. I doubt we would be able to find a deep space comm system or a transporter. We would have to wait and see what happened. I was not alone in this, so I decided to call another meeting to decide what we would ask for if given a choice. We headed back to the common area and the Grawl scientists.
As I entered the room, I had everyone’s attention. “I am sorry we have to continue playing games, but now there is the small possibility we may be offered new tech. I would like all of you to choose five items, and list them in priority of acquisition. List the items from ‘most important’ to ‘would like to have.’ Submit the list to Xul. If the opportunity arises, I will present it to the Chaalt.”
The chatter and noise started all over again. I went to the lift waiting for Tria, Coonts and Klutch. When they joined me, we made our way back to the Legacy. Once aboard, we retired to our cabins. I had just taken a shower and climbed into bed when the door to my cabin opened and Tria came in. Justice took it upon himself to give Tria unfettered access to my personal space. She had a blanket wrapped around her. As she walked across my room she let it fall from her shoulders to the floor. She was only wearing braces on three of her four arms. My mouth went dry and my heart started racing. I cringed when an extruded appendage carefully set a carafe of water and two glasses on the small table next to my bed. “JUSTICE!” The appendage disappeared as if it had been cleaved off. Tria smiled at me. I suddenly felt feverish and covered in goose bumps. My breathing became shallow and fast.
“Can you feel me Nathan?”
“Yes”
She slid into bed with me and I was trembling. She embraced me with all of her arms. I kissed her.
“COMMANDER! Sael Nalen is in route to this location and will arrive in five minutes.”
“ARE YOU FREAKIN’ KIDDING ME?”
“No Commander. I can assure you I am as upset about this turn of events as you are.”
“JUSTICE, NOT ONE MORE WORD!”
I heard Tria giggle. She got up and ran to my bathroom. I quickly dressed and told her I would see her later.
Again, I heard her laugh. Then she said, “Perhaps, Nathan Myers”
I rolled my eyes and started swearing in sentences. A cold shower might save me considerable embarrassment. I thought about who I was going to see and it quickly became unnecessary.
I didn’t think I had been more than five minutes. I must have been mistaken, because the Operative stood with all of her arms crossed. She had a look of impatience written all over her less than attractive face. As I approached the Operative, the expression on her face changed from annoyance to shock, then surprise. Her expression finally settled to a frown. I suspected she sensed Tria’s aura or Sha’leen or both on me. I was not here seeking her approval and really didn’t give a shit what the Senior Operative thought about my relationship with Tria. My opinion of the Operative was that she needed to get laid and lighten up. If she was to get her battle scars fixed and ditch the guns and swords, she just might find someone crazy enough to try.
“I have no idea what Tria Burlor sees in you or your race. Her injuries must have affected her mind.”
If the Operative was trying to get a rise out of me, it was working. I really did not wish to go down this road again. I closed my eyes and took a deep cleansing breath. I stepped right up into her personal space and looked her in the eyes.
“I know you are not delusional, Senior Operative. I also know you can sense what she sees in me and my race. Obviously, the truth does not sit well with you. I am sorry it is difficult for you to grasp the fact my race and I will eventually be the cure for the sickness spreading throughout the galaxy. With or without your help, what I have told you will come to pass.”
The look on the Operative’s face was once again full of anger and spite. The old bitch was so used to no one giving her shit she was on the verge of another meltdown. I started thinking if I could push her in that direction, maybe upper management might replace her with someone who had more tolerance and less bigotry.
“Look Senior Operative, I thought we had already established which of us has the bigger penis, so could you please just get on with it?”
At first, she looked puzzled. Then someone or something must have spoon fed her the trans
lation. The look on her face turned deadly. I gave her my best Earth-boy smile and readied myself for what would surely come next. Her response shocked me.
Her homely face softened and she let out a barking laugh. “Your fearless overconfidence will one day get you eviscerated, you mindless primate!”
Easing my stance, I now felt like the pissing contests were finally over with.
“Old witch, I am glad you have finally come to your senses.”
The briefest look of confusion crossed her face then vanished with another harsh laugh. “For reasons I cannot begin to understand, my people now consider it wise to bargain with you and your followers.”
I gave her another Earth-boy smile. “You may now call me Nathan; all my friends do.”
She looked at me for a moment and she smiled, the kind of smile one might see on a cat’s face while it’s looking at a mouse pinned under its claws. “You may call me Senior Operative because no one dares to do otherwise.”
It was my turn to laugh and I let the comment go. “Your meeting was brief; can I take that as a sign your superiors have decided to share technology with us?”
Her look of neutrality gave me no hint as to what might be on her mind. It dawned on me she came to bargain and not just give tech away.
“We know the Prule hunter is of no use to you.”
Before I could get mad and tell her to screw off, she quickly held up two of her hands and continued. “We do know there is a possibility that information gleaned from the bio-machine could unlock secrets to the galaxy of its origin. Do not misconstrue my statements. We place great value on these possibilities. However, it might not be the value you have determined it to be.”
Looking over the Operative’s shoulder, I saw Xul trying to catch my attention. Focusing back on the Operative, I excused myself and walked over to Xul. The words now coming from the Operative were not endearments. Xul handed me a small note and I examined it as he retreated to the down tube. I smiled because the first two items on the list were the same I wished for: the deep space comm system and the transporter. Next was all information the Chaalt might possess on the unknown spacecraft. That was indeed a noteworthy consideration. The one after that was another very good choice. Updated star charts. I might have bumped that one up to third, but the Grawl were much smarter than I was, so I had to agree. The last was interesting and another good choice: any Oolaran weapons that could be fitted to the Legacy. The Grawl were thinking of my safety as much as I thought about theirs. I turned back to the very annoyed Operative.
“As you were saying, Sael Nalen?”
I could tell she was ready to spit more venom for my use of her given name. Surprisingly, it was well watered down.
“Are all humans mindless fools such as you?”
“We have our fair share. Most are politicians and government officials. But hey, that means we might get lucky and find one who will take you for a mate.”
The glare my comment garnered softened to a small smile.
“Human, in all my years as a soldier I have never met an alien such as you. All but my bitterest enemies grovel in my presence. Most willingly bend to my authority. I am actively questioning my sanity and find no reasonable explanation why I feel compelled to like an offensive beast such as you. I find your audacious levity and reckless insubordination refreshing. That being said, if you ever spout scat like that in front of my people I will cut your tongue out.”
I smiled and blew her a kiss. “Old witch”
Her eyebrows went up and her eyes pinched shut. She shook her head and laughed. “Rancid beast!”
I was glad we finally understood each other and I would attempt to drop the theatrics. “Attempt” was the key word.
“Justice, please tell Xul, Graf and Tria’s father to meet me in the artifact building.”
“Affirmative Commander.”
I was confident I would not be denied access to my own artifacts. I walked up and put my hand on the security scanner. The airlock opened and the Operative and I entered the decontamination chamber together. Once the process was complete, we entered the warehouse and the Operative made a beeline to the Daggers.
She looked at me. “Have you determined what these are?”
I decided to be honest with her. “We know they are spacecraft, probably fighters of some sort. We have had very little time to study them due to past events.”
The careful scrutiny and the way she looked at the small starship told me she knew much more. I hinted to her that this was just the tip of the iceberg. “We have discovered several very interesting artifacts where we recovered the Daggers.”
She nodded and turned to me, her curiosity aroused. “May I examine what you have recovered?”
I saw Xul, Graf and The Scholar approaching. Just coming out of the decontamination chamber behind them was Tria, Coonts and Klutch. I waved them over and we headed toward the hallway, giving us access to the stored artifacts.
7
I had Xul open the first large doorway we came to. The Scholar and the Operative entered while the rest of us stood just outside. The 699 and 2762 that filled the room was interesting, but not enough to get more than a cursory inspection. The thin sheets of material we had yet to identify were getting careful scrutiny from the Scholar. The Scholar turned back to me. The blank looks on our faces must have tipped him off we did not have a clue what it was.
“The material is artifact 481. You have enough to shield a small starship. It is a highly sought-after commodity because it is impervious to most forms of radiation. Due to its light weight and rugged durability, the more advanced races desire it for the fabrication of body armor.”
I gave Xul a nod at the door across the hall. The strange look on his Grawl face radiated apprehension. He approached me and politely asked to speak with me in private.
Facing the Scholar and the Operative, I asked to be excused. “Could you please give us a moment? I will not be long and we will continue the tour.”
Xul took my hand and walked me clear of our guest. When he thought we were out of earshot, he pulled me down so he could whisper to me. “Nathan Myers, we have not had time to discuss our current research. The room you wish to show the Chaalt is one of the new research labs. It has been set up and designed to study the nanites you discovered. The microscopic robots are of an amazing design. They are made from an unknown material that makes them exceptionally resilient. My point is: unless they have been programed to disassemble themselves, they will continue to do their programed tasks indefinitely. They are capable of an extraordinary range of uses.”
“Okay, Xul, why are you concerned if the Operative or the Scholar sees them?”
“Commander, fifteen of the storage receptacles are full of nanites that have no designated programming. The other fifteen have been programmed as weapons. Our research has shown that it takes a trigger code to activate them. Once activated, they will devour whatever they are unleashed upon. They can disassemble a starship or a biological. They will not stop until a self-destruct command or a dormant command is given. They attack at the molecular level. Targets literally dissolve. I fear if the Chaalt should let this information pass on to the Galactic Union, we will be in direct conflict with their laws. Possession of weaponized nanites is considered illegal and leaves all of us subject to severe censure and possible internment.”
“Thank you Xul. I see I should have spent my spare time getting a full debrief from you. Is there anything we can show them that will not endanger our security?”
“Yes, Nathan Myers, we have a large collection of encapsulated minerals or metals we have yet to identify.”
I looked at the group in the hallway and all were getting fidgety, wondering what we were discussing. I jerked my head in their direction and we rejoined the group in the hallway.
“My crew and I have been away for an extended period of time. We have just returned and I have failed to ask for a full debrief on our recent discoveries. It has come to my attention that som
e of our artifacts will require a nondisclosure agreement before we can give you access. I cannot, at the present time, believe you can give me an absolute guarantee of secrecy. Please follow Xul and he will give you access to the balance of our discoveries we can show you without reservation.”
The frowns I was getting told me the Scholar and Operative’s curiosity was killing them. They now wondered what I was hiding from them. Xul walked down the hall to the second door on the left side. He touched the security scanner and it opened. The Scholar went in to investigate, but the Operative walked up to me. In a move that surprised me, she took me by the arm and walked me down the hall to the large open storage area. All eyes were on us; Tria in particular was watching intently. All of the things I could possibly think to say to the Operative right at the moment would piss her off. I was not a human known for keeping my mouth shut when prudence suggested I should. The stern looks on the Operative’s face likewise implied I should refrain from blessing her with what might be considered intelligent conversation. For reasons unknown, I picked unintelligent conversation instead. When the Operative swung me around to face her, I startled her by putting my finger to her lips. Her eyebrows shot up and her eyes went wide.
“I know you can’t help it, but you really need to control yourself. Tria is all the Chaalt female I am going to be able to handle at one time.”
The punch was short and sharp. It was delivered perfectly to my solar plexus with her lower right hand. I don’t think anyone behind me even saw it. I know I didn’t. It instantly quieted the balance of my snide remarks. The strike was so unexpected it expertly evacuated the air from my lungs along with a small quantity of spit that landed on her cheek. She calmly leaned forward and cleaned it off with the collar of my uniform. She straightened my collar out and pressed it neatly back in place. I finally dragged enough air into my lungs to halt my wheezing gasps. The lukewarm smile on her face let me know she was enjoying my discomfort.