SHU'KAN

by Martin Durst

  They followed him and did their best to push the brush aside to get through while Li’el swore under his breath about how humans were barely civilized. They emerged into a partial clearing and saw Matheus standing in front of the largest tree Tr’al had seen so far. Its berth was at least fifty feet wide. Matheus looked like a small animal standing in front of it. The base of it stretched out into wide, thin, fan-like wedges. It was against one of these wedges that Matheus leaned, grinning in pride.

  ‘-Something isn’t it?’ he asked.

  ‘It’s … remarkable,’ Li’el said stunned. ‘Are all of these trees like this?’

  ‘Well, not all get as big as this, but this one is very old.’

  Li’el wandered around its base in amazement.

  ‘It is called a Topak tree,’ Matheus said. ‘But they are just one of the hundreds of species of trees here.’

  Tr’al had to admit she was impressed. Earth was truly a treasure in the galaxy. They were fortunate that humans were willing to let them to live here.

  ‘-Anybody hungry?’ Matheus pulled the pack he had on his back off.

  ‘I got some bread, cheese, and feijoada! –And don’t worry, it’s made with beans and pork. –Both are things you can eat, right?’

  ‘Yes,’ Tr’al answered with some hesitation, ‘but I can’t say I’ve eaten … feijoada … before.’

  ‘Don’t worry, you’ll like it. I promise.’

  Matheus cleared leaves and twigs to expose a large round circle of dirt. He snapped some bark and small sticks into a pile then started a small smolder. He blew on the pile until tall flames licked hungrily at the wood. He added more wood, and finally had a respectable fire.

  Tr’al and Li’el watched in amazement.

  ‘You’re going to have to teach me how to do that,’ Li’el said.

  Matheus stacked three large rocks around the fire and pulled a small pan from his pack. Reaching back into his pack, he pulled out a square plastic container that was clear. It obviously contained food of some type. ‘-Know we’re roughing it,’ he chuckled, ‘but you can’t beat the power of Tupperware!’ He pulled the lid off and dumped the contents in to the pan.

  ‘Tupper what?’ Tr’al whispered to Li’el?

  ‘I don’t know,’ he replied, ‘but I think we’re going to die.’

  Matheus happily whistled as he went about preparing the meal, so Tr’al decided to explore a little. She walked to the edge of the small clearing and investigated some of the fauna. She couldn’t wait to share some of this with Shi’la. The realization that her sister may be dead hit her again. She suppressed a swell of emotion that threatened to overcome her. Pushing the thought from her mind, she continued exploring.

  Deeper in the thick brush, she saw a plant that made her curious. She decided to go a little further. It was shaded a beautiful color of purple. Its flowers hung in the shape of small bells as if waiting to be rung. At the center of each bell was a stem that was yellow-tipped. Its fragrance was potent.

  A large snap suddenly startled her. She crouched instinctively quietly surveying the forest in front of her. Her heart was beating rapidly; and for a moment, she thought she saw a glimpse of a human female within the thick foliage.

  Calm down, silly, she thought. Your imagination is running wild. She slowed her breathing. Everything seemed normal, so she nervously stood. Better get back to Li’el and Matheus.

  By the time she returned to the fire, Li’el was heartily spooning in the feijoada.

  ‘Tr’al, you got to try this! It’s delicious!’

  Matheus smiled in appreciation. ‘Here,’ he said offering her a bowl, ‘you’ll like it too.’

  She spooned a mouthful in. It really was delicious, and she said so. She attacked it hungrily.

  They ate as they sat around the fire. Though it was a warm day, the jungle was cool from the shade of the tree canopy. Matheus also shared the cheese and two water bottles he’d brought. He offered his to her and gave one to Li’el. She was pleased that he was willing to share with her. She was really starting to like him.

  While he talked to Li’el she observed him more closely. He seemed totally at ease here in the forest. His facial features were handsome. –Though human skin was less to be desired for. And it was strange seeing hair on earth males. His was long almost to the shoulders, and slightly curly. The color was dark. –Almost black. His eyes were also dark, but not fully brown like Shu’kan eyes.

  He cleaned up the eating utensils as he finished telling Li’el a story. She noticed sweat layered in beads on his skin. It ran in droplets down his neck and chest. His shirt was damp with perspiration.

  She suddenly realized that no one was talking and that they both were looking at her.

  ‘He asked if you were ready to go back,’ Li’el chided.

  ‘Uh, yes. –Sorry. I was day dreaming.’

  ‘Well, let’s get going,’ Matheus said. ‘I promised your Father you’d get back early.’

  They cleaned up the site and covered the ashes with dirt. Matheus then poured some of their water over the dirt. ‘-Don’t want to start any fires.’

  They walked in silence; each of them enjoying the scenery. They stopped at the ledge again for a final view. The Canyon’s waterfall still roared in the distance.

  Matheus moved back to the trail, and Li’el followed behind him. Tr’al took one more look then turned to follow.

  Her foot slid on some loose pebbles and she felt herself falling towards the edge. ‘Matheus!’ she screamed. As she fell backwards, she desperately grabbed empty air.

  Chapter Five

  Admiral McConnel sat in the corner of Mac’s Diner. He tried to look inconspicuous, but it’d been twenty minutes since he sat down and ordered his coffee and Brianna was late.

  The diner wasn’t exactly high society, but he needed to stay away from Earth Fleet hangouts. The thick smell of grease hung in the air while he listened to the kitchen staff complain about their jobs. –Their voices audible through the swinging door.

  At one time the joint had a nice décor, but now it needed a serious renovation. The wall hangings were faded and covered in dust. Artificial plants hung from the ceiling. Every other booth had tape patches over the rips in the seats. He could also tell from his own booth that the springs were worn and in need of replacement. All the tables boasted a genealogy of graffiti.

  New York was a modern city that modeled efficiency. But greasy spoons like Mac’s Diner still occupied the back streets and old districts as if time passed them by. It was because of this that the less than honest and criminal minds preferred to do business here. They owned these streets and could run their businesses without fear of reprisal. –And since the Hiver’s, law enforcement in the old districts was marginal at best.

  Admiral McConnel stirred another creamer into his luke-warm coffee.

  He looked up at the door when the bell tied to it jingled. It was Brianna. He glanced around nervously. She saw him and joined him in the booth.

  ‘You’re late,’ he hissed.

  ‘-Sorry. I got hung up. Coming here won’t do either of us any good if we’re followed.’

  He looked nervously at the door.

  ‘Were you?’

  ‘No. But I made sure. I doubled back a few times.’

  The waitress came over cracking her gum with both hands on her hips. ‘What can I getcha, honey?’

  Brianna looked at the waitress as if she loathed her very existence. -As if the waitress symbolized everything that she was not. She managed to control her contempt while giving her order.

  ‘I’ll take a cup of coffee as well.’ She rubbed her finger on the table. ‘Does this place pass health inspections? I couldn’t even chip ahead my order.’

  The waitress looked at her still cracking her gum. She turned without a word to get the coffee.

  ‘Can you get any more obvious?’ he said. ‘We’re here to keep from drawing attention to ourselves.’

  ‘The packages are in place,’ sh
e said changing the subject. ‘But we’re having difficulty getting all the required equipment.’

  ‘I’ve got it under control,’ he replied irritably. ‘You just worry about your end. I have Fleet personnel delivering the rest of the equipment tonight. I hope you and your people are being cautious. I’m risking a lot on this. It’s not easy to keep a high-profile project like this hidden. We can’t afford any loose ends.’

  ‘We are fully aware of the risks you are taking, Admiral. We share those risks. However, there is no cause for worry. We are professionals and are willing to do whatever’s necessary to ensure the survival of the human race. The question is, are you?’

  Admiral McConnel fought to control his anger. He couldn’t allow his feelings to affect his judgment. ‘My wife died thinking the human race was over. I’m not about to confirm that belief by allowing the Prime Minister to fight a limited war. With the Hiver’s, its total war or nothing. And I don’t have confidence that the government can develop an effective weapon in time.’

  The waitress returned with the coffee. She placed it on the table, refilled his cup, asked if they needed anything else, and then left.

  He slid an envelope across the table.

  ‘-Here. Getting you clearance to land that capsule was one thing, but you’ll need these to come and go without suspicion. The research facility requires level five clearance. Inside you’ll find a civilian identicard for you and your team. Yours identifies you as a research contractor. Also, there is a data card that contains information you need to up load to your identichip. It will confirm your identity when you’re scanned. –A process I’m sure you’re familiar with. I’ve arranged with the facility director to allow the Shu’kan female access to research material, but she’ll be forced to work in seclusion from the rest of the teams at the facility. As far as they know, she doesn’t exist. The Fleet Officer with her will serve as collateral in case she gets … uncooperative. We’ll meet tomorrow at the hangar at the same time.’

  He signaled for the waitress. She came over and he handed her his identicard card for payment. She scanned it nodding his approval. ‘Thank you,’ he said taking his card back. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow. Everything will move according to plan. We’ll just have to be a little more patient.’

  Brianna didn’t respond as she sipped her coffee, so he assumed she understood and left.

  She continued drink her coffee while reflecting on the Admiral. A man without much spine. Still, as much as she knew he needed her, the need was mutual. She couldn’t get access to the research facility without him. And as the Commander of Earth Fleet, his resources were virtually unlimited. She wasn’t sure how long it would take to develop a bio-weapon, but they could work with virtual immunity while on the base. Everything they needed was there: Food, materials, staff, and scientific equipment.

  She leaned her head back and rotated her neck. Her headaches were coming almost daily now. They’d gotten worse since … Jeremy died.

  Jeremy never knew he died. In fact, he never knew anything. He was only a few hours old. The doctors said the best thing to do was just to try and forget about it. The day he was killed she was still recovering from delivery. A group of Hiver’s attacked the hospital feeding on everyone inside. They’d made it to the OB Ward by the time Earth Fleet ground forces arrived. Seven babies were eaten by the time the last two were brought down. –Her baby was the last eaten. Blood and baby parts were strewn everywhere as they savagely gorged themselves. Since that day, she knew she’d do whatever it took to protect Earth from the Hiver’s.

  Chris, who was now officially her ex, never understood. –Said she was obsessed with the Hiver’s and that she needed to put it behind her and move on. Maybe he was right, but she didn’t want to put it behind her. What she wanted was revenge. He left, and their marriage ended.

  ‘So where are your thoughts off too?’

  She looked up. It was Wilson. –The one man she almost trusted. They’d been together since Biotech Corporation was organized. At times their relationship took on a more personal nature, but mostly it was professional. It was a mutual understanding. They both preferred it that way. –No attachments.

  ‘I was thinking of our two guests,’ she lied. ‘They’ve been there four days now, but the Admiral assures me the equipment will be there tomorrow.

  ‘We’d better think of ways to motivate her. The new research team is already underway.’ he said.

  She nodded her head in agreement.

  She stared at her coffee cup. It was cold. It tasted as bad as the restaurant looked. She slid it aside in defeat. Waving to the waitress, she put the contents of the envelope in her pocket. ‘-C’mon. I’m beat. We have long day tomorrow. And I’m sure the Admiral will have something else to complain about when we get there.’

  ‘We’ll just have to ensure that he doesn’t get cold feet. –That he stays committed.’

  Brianna had been working with Wilson long enough to recognize that tone of voice. ‘What’d you have in mind?’ she asked.

  ‘The Admiral has a son. I put a man on him to keep track of his whereabouts … just in case we need his … assistance.’

  She smiled slightly. Sometimes Wilson scared even her. But the stakes in this game were too high to not play all their cards. ‘-Good call. I hope the Admiral doesn’t lose his nerve … for his son’s sake.’

  The next morning, Admiral McConnel tackled the mountain of paperwork at his desk. Actually, there was little ‘paper’ these days. It was usually reserved for formal and diplomatic documents. But the expression was still used. He’d been distracted by his extra-curricular activities lately. On top of his normal duties, he’s arranged for several items or importance to be delivered to the Iceland facility.

  –Items needed for research. A paper trail had to be created and justified because of the expenditures. –Not an easy thing to do. Hiding and sustaining two extra people and several guards in a facility that was supposed to be solely for research took some creative maneuvering.

  ‘-Hey, Dad. What’s going on?’

  He looked up from his com screen to find his son staring at him. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a couple days and had a bruise under his left eye.

  ‘-Jesus, son! What happened to you?’

  ‘I knew you’d see it sooner or later, so I thought I’d get it over with,’ he said grinning.

  ‘Please tell me you’re not in trouble. With everything going on here, that’s the last thing I want to deal with.’

  ‘-No,’ he replied. He stood with both hands in his jean pockets. ‘The guys and I were just having a couple beers at the bar.’

  ‘So what was the fight about?’ he asked.

  ‘Bill made a move on this girl and her boyfriend wasn’t too happy about it. I tried to smooth it over, but they were both drunk. The other guy took a swing and I wasn’t looking. –Got caught in the middle.’

  ‘Well,’ he said with a grin, ‘women have a way of making fools out of all of us; even if you’re not the one chasing them.’

  They shared a laugh together. –Both of them thinking of the past.

  ‘But usually,’ he added, ‘I realize I’m the fool who gets it all started.’

  They were laughing heartily now. It was good to see his son laugh again. Perhaps he was moving on and accepting his mother’s death.

  ‘Are you and Prevost ready for graduation? –Everything on track?’

  The mood grew somber again.

  ‘Yeah. –Four years at the Academy doesn’t leave anyone wishing to stay any longer.’ It’d been hard at the Academy since the Hiver’s killed his mother. But he wasn’t the only person who lost someone. His best friend, Bill Prevost, lost his sister. Together they’d worked through their grief and pushed on with Academy requirements. Not everyone was able to do the same. Many Midshipmen dropped out.

  ‘No matter what,’ he continued, ‘I want to be a pilot. If the Hiver’s come back, I want a piece of them.’

  ‘You know it won’
t be easy. The other officers will know who you are. They’ll make your life a living hell. –You sure you’re up to it?’

  ‘I know I am,’ he answered. ‘I just hope I’ll make you proud.’

  He blinked away his tears. If only his son knew how much he loved him and how he’d be proud of him no matter what. ‘I know you will, son.’ He hugged him tight not wanting to let go. ‘I suppose now you want me to give you a brevet promotion?’ he joked.

  ‘You think they’ll recognize the signature?’

  He chuckled not answering. ‘-You hungry?’

  ‘Starving!’

  ‘C’mon. My treat! Let’s celebrate your up-coming graduation with lunch.’ For the first time in a long time, he felt happy. He no longer doubted his actions. His son deserved a future in Earth Fleet. –And he would do anything to ensure it.

  ‘Well, Sir,’ Ensign Baker began, ‘there’s good news and bad news. Which do you want first?’

  Admiral Cook rubbed his chin while sitting in his command chair. It was the only place on the Bridge that belonged to him, so it was natural that he made most of his decisions from here. ‘Give me the good news first.’

  ‘The good news is we currently don’t have any hull ruptures.’

  ‘We had a hull rupture?’ he asked.

  ‘No, Sir. But I didn’t have any other good news. The bad news is all the information that was transmitted to Earth from the engine room? It was all the data we had on the Shu’kan. –Biometrics from the ships surgeon, ship capabilities, and all their data on the virus.’

  ‘-Humph,’ he grunted. –Made sense if someone was trying to get to the data. Earth Fleet HQ was virtually impossible to hack. Its computer systems were state-of-the-art. The data had originated from here, after all. ‘What else?’ he asked.

  ‘The DNA sweep came up empty. The entire area was clean. –Too clean. I took the initiative to sweep the entire engineering bay. I found nothing but DNA that matches the crew compliment.’

  ‘So you’re saying that nothing unusual was found?’ The Admiral hid his impatience. They were about to make orbit at Mars, and duties were pressing. ‘Let me know if you find anything useful, Ensign Baker. I have matters to attend to.’