“I see the logic.” The Captain responded to his prompting, voice measured by untouchable resolve to complete the required task. That same tenacity had seen her through mission after mission. Not to mention, played no small part in the fact that to date, she’d been granted over a dozen of the most prestigious military awards and commendations in the Quorum Aligned Systems.
“My guess is that the ‘Powers That Be’ are concerned that the Karukai are not the only players, that they are extending alliances to other groups.” Captain Serros stated. “Plus, there are other considerations. Firstly, Humans want representation due to our recent experience of the Margrom War. This is especially true because no tactical analyst that can write out her own title in five minutes or less, believes that hostilities have ended between the Karukai Imperium and the Quorum Aligned Systems.”
“Inevitable is the appropriate word to use.” Commander Perez commented, tone grim.
“Exactly.” The Captain confirmed. “The Quorum would want a Shield Operative to directly address the situation for this reason alone. Secondly, given our experience during the Margrom War, Nova Squad would be a natural choice.”
“Don’t forget to add your specific actions during the War, Captain Serros, and your total track record as a whole.” Delegate Sweetwater interjected.
“Yes, well, like any intelligent buyer, the Quorum prefers a known quantity.” The Captain remarked, shrugging off the Delegate’s words, uncomfortable with but much too savvy to fully dispute Sweetwater’s assessment. He almost laughed out loud, knowing her dislike of public fuss only too well.
“Thirdly,” Serros continued, “given that the rogue agent is Vosaia, my guess is that they want one of their own involved who’s a Shield Operative. Especially given the… sensitivity between the Vosaia and Karukai peoples. Delegate?”
“Locked, Captain Serros.” Sweetwater confirmed, offering an appreciative chuckle. “You are the designated lead on the mission, a specific point that the Quorum wanted for all of the reasons we’ve already discussed. Politically, it’s simply more comfortable not to have a Vosaia be the lead investigating a Vosaia traitor.”
“Make’s sense, I suppose.” Commander Perez remarked.
“Your second in this mission is Quorum Shield Operative Major Goyan Hadarr.” Delegate Sweetwater informed, shifting a bit as he spoke. “She unearthed the intelligence on the Vosaia traitor, and will not only provide mission support but, as an active Vosaia STF before becoming a Shield Operative, Major Hadarr will afford necessary data regarding the target.”
“I’ve heard the name.” Captain Serros acknowledged. “Not sure I’ve liked everything I’ve heard.” Her eyes flared like sunlight blooming during the dead of night as she looked to the Delegate for answers. For his read.
And trusting him to be honest.
Sweetwater controlled an internal sigh. He knew Captain Avara Serros very well, knew her to be the most exceptionally gifted commander and soldier he’d ever met. Hell, he’d helped to scout and train her when she’d been just a Cadet. Decades later, Sweetwater had been the first to back Avara’s proposal to the Quorum to create her own team after the disastrous outcome of the Cindrex Affair.
Sweetwater also understood what kind of person she was and why this question was critical to other, less obvious mission objectives. Quorum Delegate Jameson Sweetwater knew he had to address her concerns, here and now.
“You are aware, better than most, how tenuous the state of the Quorum Aligned Systems currently is.” Sweetwater began. “As you yourself just pointed out, the rising threat of Karukai expansion is both real and immanent. Simultaneously, there is another consideration adding significant weight to the matter at hand. Specifically, a certain political trend that, given our situation with the Karukai, make’s creating positive relations and alliances with all Quorum worlds and the Vosaia in particular to be absolutely crucial.”
“The proponents of Unification within the Vosaia Consulate.” Captain Serros proclaimed softly.
“Exactly.” Sweetwater confirmed with a nod. “The Vosaia are the natural enemies of the Karukai and one of the most valuable allies if and when hostilities break out. We need the Vosaia to be fully on board with the Quorum, not fractured with internal dispute by a small faction pushing for reunification with the Karukai.” Jameson could hear his own voice rise, propelled by knowledge and sheer instinct that given the state of affairs as they stood, the Vosaia political situation carried the potential to represent grave danger. That potential had to be snuffed out before it could take root and reach fruition.
Taking a breath, Delegate Sweetwater let the former Ministry Naval Officer in him take over as he forthrightly declared, “You and I both damn–well know that in the sum total of horrors that wait to pounce on Humanity as well as all of the other Quorum races, the single most dangerous threat is the Karukai Imperium, plain and simple.”
“So you need me to make nice and help solidify Human–Vosaia relations.” Captain Serros replied.
He nodded, meeting her eyes unflinchingly.
“Jamie, I’m no politician and you know how I feel about political machinations.” Captain Avara Serros declared, frustration raking her normative state of calm for the first time as she ran both hands through her dark hair, pushing an errant cowlick back like the unwanted reality of her position.
As if reading her mind, Sweetwater commented quietly, “I know. Just as you know, this is part of the job. Part of guaranteeing lives. We not only need the Quorum’s best, but we need Humanity’s best, to stand as an exemplum of the past and of who we are and what all of the Quorum Systems can be. We need you, Avara.”
Watching his old friend carefully, the rich skinned Delegate let that thought settle in the space between them. “Either way, rumors are just rumors. Major Goyan Hadarr is highly competent and necessary for the Ministry and the Quorum to achieve all of its mission objectives, not just the overt tics.”
“Okay, okay, I get it.” Captain Serros responded, raising her hands in mock surrender. “No need for top grade polemic; I already voted for you!”
“Ha–ha! Good thing, too. Wouldn’t want my feelings bruised.”
With a sigh, Serros’s half–grin faded. “You know I will complete the mission, Jamie. But you also know, never again will I freely allow another Cindrex. Some compromises should not be made.”
Sweetwater made himself directly meet his friend and one time protégée’s gaze. “That’s a given, Captain Serros, at least for me.”
She nodded once, in acceptance. “Then where and when do we meet my fellow Quorum Strategic High Risk, Intelligence, and Enforcement Operative, and begin the mission?”
“Cillian Station.”
“Then we better set course for Cillian Station, Commander Perez.” Captain Serros remarked mildly, glancing over at her Executive Officer.
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
CHAPTER 2
Cillian Station was a Vosaia construction, one of their first fully operational stand–alone space stations. Fashioned almost a millennia ago, it was originally built for the twin purposes of mining therum gas and as a defense outpost. Though still directly under control of the Vosaia Consulate, over the centuries the station had also become both a way–stop for spacefarers and a hub for intergalactic exchange. As such, the station continued to expand until it could house its current population of over four hundred thousand souls of many different races. In build, Cillian Station resembled a weirdly sleek–lined, massive snowflake with elongated points against a clear night sky. Dozens of vessels were visible maneuvering to and away from Cillian, as well as patrol shuttles and maintenance teams wearing skinsuits as they worked in the vacuum of space.
“Captain, Cillian Station Communications is asking for docking identification.”
“Thank you Lieutenant Rygel. Please identify.”
“This is the Quorum vessel, QS Excalibur.” The fair–haired Communications Officer stated clearly, his fingers dancing over the proje
cted holo–display of his terminal.
“QS Excalibur, please state your reason for station visit and transfer authorization codes.”
“Open the channel for me, Rygel.” Serros ordered.
“Yes, Sir. Channel open… now.”
“This is Captain Avara Serros, Quorum Shield, here on Quorum business; authorization code SAV–thirty–three–seventy–seven–fifty–eight. Please notify Quorum Shield Operative Major Goyan Hadarr.”
Less than a minute passed before station communications responded with “Identity and purpose confirmed and cleared. Shield Operative Hadarr will meet your party to board at Docking Bay 17C, Captain Serros.”
“Thank you, Station. Lieutenant Chopa, please initiate docking cycle and bring her in.”
“Docking cycle initiated, Captain.” The Excalibur’s Navigation Officer responded.
Turning her head to the Ops station positioned to the left of Navigation on the Bridge portion of the Command Deck, Serros announced, “Lieutenant Commander Adeline, please assemble Nova Squad for debrief in the Strategy Room. Additionally, I want all Senior Staff present.”
“Yes, Sir.” The Excalibur’s Senior Operations and Intelligence Officer nodded in response as she coolly carried out the expected order.
“Commander Perez, you’re with me. All right people, let’s go meet our new addition.”
*
“If it is indeed them, the Fosaki interest would be obvious,” Lieutenant Commander Diana Adeline started, lustrous brown eyes intense as she considered the scenario like a university’s top student attacking a particularly prickly equation.
“Yes. Synthheads are practically not even biological anymore.” Major Ca’rrakk rumbled, the casual epitaph strangely at odds with his normally urbane mode of speech as coal–colored fur rippled in disdain.
“Yes, obviously. However,” Lieutenant Commander Adeline began again, irritation clear as she tossed her head towards her Gorath squadmate, kinky dark–brown hair flaring with the movement and serving to emphasize her annoyance, “We know that the Matrix already possesses and employs all Arca Microtech augmentations. Meaning, they have little need to covertly gain access to Vosaia research that they already possess the equivalent to. Which leaves us with well–founded skepticism.”
“Major Hadarr? Perhaps you can offer some motive clarification and insight into the purloined data?” Captain Serros asked, watching her fellow Shield Operative closely.
Goyan Hadarr smiled faintly, her expression cool and slightly disapproving of the apparent free–for–all brainstorming session taking place in the Strategy Room. She was dressed entirely in well–fitted, dark brown synth the color of Old–Terran saddle–leather. Like all Vosaia, Hadarr was striking, with ice–white skin and pale blue markings, in her case, on her brow and chin as well as trailing up the front and back of her neck. Her straight hair was a natural blue–silver in hue, an asymmetrical, feminine cut framing elegant features.
One long leg crossed over the other as she sat back into the chair, considering the question. “As all of you are undoubtedly aware, there are currently nine separate Enhancements and levels of Arca Technology that an individual can potentially permanently fuse with her biological make–up.”
Pausing as if not entirely pleased to be sharing the next morsel of datum, the Vosaia Shield took a measured breath before adding, “What is definitively not common knowledge, is that through a government sponsored contract, the Vosaia company ApexArcatech has been developing a tenth Enhancement for the past eleven years. It is an Enhancement that is currently in the final stages of testing.”
Lieutenant Dane Rygel’s whistle split the silence that suddenly smothered the room. Hadarr’s faint smile appeared again.
“Arca Level X?” Major Belgrum Naxos asked, onyx pupil–slits dilating within green–blue irises.
“There hasn’t been a new Arcatech breakthrough in over three centuries.” Dr. Argos remarked. “The implications… are significant.”
“If obtained and the Fosaki ever decide to venture out of their hole, it would make fighting them that much more dangerous since synthetic enhancements are compulsory.” Lieutenant Commander Adeline pronounced, tone thoughtful. “Even more importantly and I’d say, much more likely, if the Karukai were able to gain the tech, it would potentially have a disastrous effect upon Quorum worlds.”
Musing to herself, Captain Serros noted that, as was typical, the team’s Ops and Intel Officer had put her finger directly on the pulse of the issue.
“And, it seems that Vosaia Intelligence channels have just ascertained that the Matrix does indeed already possesses the equivalent Enhancement.” Major Hadarr proclaimed, her tone heavy with implication.
“So it’s back to the Karukai.” The typically reserved Senior Engineering Officer, Lieutenant Commander Gareth Philips offered into the expectant hush that had followed Hadarr’s announcement.
“What is this new Enhancement?” Lieutenant Naxos queried, his pebbly, mottled red–orange skin weirdly reflecting the blue–light of the three–dimensional holo–display of the Strategy Table’s HUD.
“I do not believe the Consulate would be pleased if such information became public.” Major Hadarr answered.
“It could be pertinent and the information will not leave this room.” Captain Serros stated quietly.
The space was pregnant with the Major’s pause. “Very well. It is quite different from other Enhancements, actually. Simply put, the new Enhancement agitates molecules, causing the detonation of objects by focusing on the weak points of items that are electronic in nature. Its applications are expansive: weapons, armor, shields, seals, etc.”
“Arca Level X. Seems almost redundant in some ways, considering that, what… less than two percent of all sentients can actually reach Arca Level X?” Doctor Jenna Argos asked, looking at the newcomer for the stat projection.
“Point–zero–five percent.”
“Damn!” Lieutenant Rygel muttered.
“Not surprising, since only two–percent of all people are physically capable of supporting the previous maximum of nine Enhancements.” Dr. Argos remarked thoughtfully, the lyrical accent typical of the Northern portion of her homeworld of Rylos ringing clear as she spoke. “Astonishing. Truly astonishing.”
“Yes.” Hadarr agreed, pale turquoise eyes shifting to Captain Serros as she commented, “Even an Arca VII stat’s in at only six–percent.”
The Captain’s eyes narrowed slightly at her fellow Shield’s deliberate observation as she calmly inserted, “Rarity and potency are a dangerous combination.” Then, shifting her gaze to encapsulate the entirety of her Senior Officers, Captain Serros stated “We all understand the stakes people. I want us to have a tight operation plan. We’ve read the mission dossier, Major Hadarr; can you please tell us everything you know about our rogue STF Agent?”
“Of course, Captain Serros.” The Vosaia answered, her hands moving with easy familiarity across the Strategy Table’s HUD controls and the projected holo–pad keyboard of her own CPA at her forearm. A moment later, a three–dimension holo–projection of the woman who was their objective appeared in full detail along with relevant statistics, all of which synced with each crewman’s own personal CPA.
Though Captain Serros had already conducted her own study of their target, Hadarr’s information was much more complete. Not surprisingly in a population in which the female to male ratio was five–hundred thousand to one, their target was a woman and like all Vosaia, the would–be Arcatech research thief had skin the color of fresh fallen snow that also featured natural blue markings. In this case, the birthmarks were comprised of faint, whirling patterns above her ears on her temple as well as at the start of her high cheekbones, continuing their path to trail down the back and lateral sides of her neck. The target possessed long, wavy, rich royal blue hair that was in this image, pulled back into an elegant knot. Her eyes were an unusual, arresting, brilliant violet in hue.
Serros also knew the
target was reasonably young, considering her race’s fifteen–hundred plus year life–span. Mentally shaking her head, Captain Avara Serros thought she looked far too young to be a traitor, but pushed the stray idea away like an irritating insect. The Vosaia was a full adult who had made deliberate choices and was at an age when most Humans without a Longevity Arcatech Enhancement would be facing their final years of life.
“Our target is STF Agent Lieutenant K’llan Z’arr.” Major Goyan Hadarr began, her tone deliberate, without a hint of emotion. “Her connections are impressive, for her mother is Ry’anlyar Z’arr, one of the Vosaia’s foremost medical researchers and doctors, and also a member of the Consulate. At age forty, quite young for her years, K’llan Z’arr received a dual–doctorate from Thalia University in Arca Microtech Engineering and Weapon’s Design.”
Leaning forward over the HUD, the Major issued a vague gesture of emphasis as she continued with, “Upon graduation, Z’arr was employed by the Vosaia Consulate to develop advanced weaponry for military application. After, she accepted a Research and Development position with ApexArcatech, staying with the company for sixty–three years until she applied for advanced military training. Her scores and skills were exceedingly high and as such, she was accepted into training by Vosaia Strategic Task Forces. After twenty–five years and top marks, then Sargent K’llan Z’arr was given full STF Agent status and Clearance of Level 6. Over the next several years, Z’arr very competently completed over two dozen missions and as such, made Lieutenant.”
With her brow furrowing ever so slightly, Major Hadarr concluded with “Then I received word that Lieutenant Z’arr is double–dealing with an unknown party. Specifically, she fell off the grid and her Operations Manager, Nanzai C’lann, was found dead at her dinner table one week ago. As I said before, our current intelligence points to the unknown being a Karukai Agent.”
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