by M. D. Cooper
“Feel better?” Tanis asked with a raised eyebrow before popping her salad’s second egg into her mouth.
Sera’s skin rippled, turning red from the neck down—except her hands, which she ran through her hair, flipping it over her shoulders.
She sat and glared at Tanis and Finaeus.
“Yes, lots, actually. It just itched too much!”
“Pay up,” Tanis said to Finaeus.
“What? No! You had two days, and I had four. This is day three; we round up to five, therefore I win.”
“You two bet on how long I’d keep wearing clothes?” Sera asked, her eyebrows halfway to her hairline.
Tanis shrugged. “There were also bets to see if you’d even do it in the first place. However,” she looked at Finaeus. “We don’t need to do your insane, napkin-math rounding. We know the minutes, and the count is closer to my selection of two days. I win.”
“If I won, Tanis was going to have to eat one hundred BLTs in one sitting,” Finaeus said with a frown.
“And now that I’ve won, Finaeus has to stop threatening to leave and go after Sabrina.”
Finaeus shoveled more meatloaf into his mouth and glared at Tanis as he chewed angrily.
“No,” Sera replied. “We were also discussing who we should place in charge of Khardine, and who should go to Vela—should I agree to eventually establish the capital there.”
“Ah,” Finaeus said after he swallowed. “So you’re debating Greer versus Krissy, and you figured I might have some insight.”
“Very perceptive of you,” Tanis said.
“I’m really smart,” Finaeus replied. “Maybe not an L…what are you, Tanis?”
“Two,” Tanis replied, giving Finaeus a significant look.
Tanis had often wondered what Sera would think of her, should she learn what Tanis and Angela really were.
A vanilla human, known as an L0, had one hundred billion neurons, and as many as one quadrillion synapses. L1 humans had half again as many neurons, and a number of synapses commensurate with that increase.
L2 humans were a significant leap beyond that. Tanis’s brain contained only double the neurons of an unaugmented L0 human, but her dendrite and synapse count was an order of magnitude higher.
“Right. An L2 like Tanis, here, but I can figure things out.”
“And so can I,” Sera said. “Which is why I can tell that something’s up between the two of you.”
Tanis glared at Finaeus and then released a cloud of nano to mask their conversation from the rest of the officer’s lounge.
“Finaeus, Earnest can keep the secret for centuries, but a month after you find out, you’re dropping hints all over.”
“Not all over,” Finaeus said. “Just to Sera. You’re her field marshal; she needs to know.”
“Yes,” Sera nodded. “I need to know. Now tell me.”
Tanis drew a deep breath. “You probably know that Angela and I have been together for a long, long time.”
“I do,” Sera replied. “Almost two hundred years, I believe—just fifteen decades or so longer than is recommended. You two are certainly defying the odds.”
“Well, sort of. We can’t be separated anymore, not even if we wanted to be—not that we do. Our minds have been interconnected for some time now.”
Sera raised an eyebrow. “Interconnected how?”
“Well, ever since Angela and I defended the Intrepid against STR’s fighter attack in Sol, we’ve started to overlap. Not in identity, but in usage of the other’s hardware.”
“Which should be impossible,” Finaeus added. “Tanis and Angela should have undergone a personality merge not long after that—but they didn’t.”
“I didn’t know the specifics, but I’ve always been able to tell that you’re two people. That much was apparent when we first met. You were unconscious, Tanis, but Angela was not, and she was decidedly testy.”
Sera chuckled. “That you were. Though I’ll admit, on the Link, the two of you feel like opposite sides of the same coin.”
“I’d noticed that, too,” Finaeus commented.
Tanis nodded. “I’ve heard people mention that before, as well. Anyway, Earnest has been monitoring us for some time, mapping our progression. Since he was staying behind at New Canaan, and we have no idea how long we’ll be fighting this war, he brought Finaeus up to speed on my condition. Which is when they found something…new.”
“Something pretty amazing,” Finaeus added.
“You two are killing me,” Sera said. “Spit it out. You’re not dying, are you, Tanis?”
Tanis laughed. “Stars, no. What Earnest found was a new type of neuron in my—our—brain.”
“That’s not the most interesting part,” Finaeus pressed. “The neurons are comprised of elements not normally present in brain tissue, and they are able to tap directly into Angela’s neural net—rather than going through the interfaces.”
Sera’s mouth hung open as her gaze darted back and forth between Finaeus and Tanis. “Are you two messing with me? Was this part of the ‘get her naked’ bet?”
Tanis chuckled. “No, though that would have been funny if it wasn’t true…not that it’s not funny, just…whatever, you get what I mean.”
“How are you still sane?” Sera asked
“Who says I am?” Tanis smirked.
“Not funny, Tanis. Be serious. Are you merged?”
“‘Neural hardware’, nicely put, Angela.”
“That’s not even the best part,” Finaeus said with a wide smile. “Tanis’s new neurons—though they’re mostly dormant, at present—have strange quantum activity.”
“What do you mean by ‘strange’?”
“They seem to operate with a quantum superset; they’re like tiny, organic, quantum computers.”
“What’s going to happen to you?” Sera asked, her eyes wide with worry.
“Don’t get too upset,” Tanis said. “Bob thinks this has been going on for some time, but that the cells were just too few to notice. There still aren’t many of them; we could have centuries before anything significant happens.”
Tanis laughed and winked at Angela.
“So why tell me, then?” Sera asked.
Tanis shrugged. “Ask Finaeus.”
“Seemed like you should know,” he said with a shrug. “Tanis is instrumental in the whole ‘save humanity’ thing we have going on. You need to know her weaknesses.”
Sera’s eyes narrowed as she peered at Tanis. “Are you going to ascend, Tanis?”
“Honestly?” Tanis asked. “I have no freaking idea. Finaeus is the ascension expert.”
Tanis and Sera looked at Finaeus, who had just taken a bite of cake. He responded over the Link.
“Yay for different,” Tanis said with a wan smile. “I sure do love being a trailblazer.”
“So what are they becoming?” Sera pressed Finaeus.
He swallowed and peered into Tanis’s eyes.
“They’re becoming…more.”
THE HIGH GUARD
STELLAR DATE: 08.06.8948 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: ISS I2
REGION: Khardine System, Transcend Interstellar Alliance
Tanis surveyed the sixteen men and women who stood before her, all perfectly rigid and at attention. Half were TSF soldiers and the other half was comprised of ISF Marines. They were the best of the best—veterans every one, with station, shipboard, and dirtside combat experience. They were all capable pilots, and many had experience with deep infiltration operations.
“You have been selected because of your exceptional skill and experience,” Tanis began as she walked before the assembled men and women. “You have proven your valor, your loyalty, and your bravery time and time again.
“Are you still Marines of the ISF, and Soldiers of the TSF? Yes you are; you will never stop being those things. But you are now something else. You are the High Guard. The first of an elite unit, tasked with protecting the President of the Transcend against all aggressors.”
Smiles lit the faces of several of the soldiers, though the Marines’ expressions never wavered. Tanis didn’t begrudge the TSF troops their freedom of expression. They were not undisciplined, they just had a different style of discipline than the ISF.
“You are going to set the standard and the traditions of the High Guard for centuries to come. The deeds you undertake will become legend and lore. Because—make no mistake, High Guard—this is no cushy assignment. You won’t be sitting around, polishing your rifles—metaphorical or otherwise. We’re going to get in trouble out there. You’re going into the fire. And you know me; when I say ‘fire’, I mean the blazing inferno of an A0 star on its worst day.”
Tanis walked up and down the line, looking into the eyes of each soldier.
“This is a volunteer outfit, so anyone who doesn’t think they’re cut out to deal with the shitstorm that we’re getting into, please step back.”
Tanis observed the men and women with keen eyes. The TSF members of the Guard lost their smiles and stood stock-still. Not a single one moved.
“Then are you ready to take on the most important assignment of your lives?” Tanis asked.
A mix of ‘Yes, ma’am’s and ‘Ooo-rahs’ met her ears.
She winked at them. “You all are going to have to unify that shit. Can’t have you shouting different things when we’re out there trying to make a good impression. And, Marines: you’re going to have to give a bit. Remember, you’re not changing Marine tradition, you’re building a new tradition.”
A few small nods were visible, and Tanis smiled.
“Then I’m going to turn you over to your new CO, TSF Major Valerie.”
“Thank you, Field Marshal Richards,” Major Valerie said as she walked in front of the High Guard. Tanis gave them one last look and nodded with satisfaction. They would acquit themselves well. She was sure of it.
Once Valerie had fully briefed them, they would assemble to swear an oath to the office of the President.
MORNING CLASS
STELLAR DATE: 08.06.8948 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Intrepid Space Force Academy
REGION: The Palisades, Orbiting Troy, New Canaan System
Cary stood in front of the mirror and looked over her uniform, turning to see the sides and back. She spotted a piece of lint on her back and sighed. What I wouldn’t give for an auto-fit dresser right now. Or even just a holomirror.
“Stupid 2D mirror,” she muttered.
“Yeah,” Cary replied aloud, distracted and forgetting that she wasn’t alone. “But I also had a holomirror; you know, to make sure I look ship-shape and all that.”
“What was that? Do you need me to check you over?” Jill asked from Cary’s side, thinking Cary was talking to her.
Cary started; she hadn’t even seen Jill approach in their platoon’s small restroom. “Sorry, Jill, I was talking to Faleena. She and I are still getting used to being this close to one another all the time.”
“They’ll be hitting the gate soon,” Jill said, abruptly changing the subject.
“Halfway through first class,” Jill said. “I know we’re not supposed to, but I’m going to be watching the feeds…I just need to know that the I2 makes it OK.”
Jill’s mother, General Brandt, was also on the I2. Cary understood Jill’s sentiment all too well, but the two women weren’t alone. A lot of the students had parents, siblings, even children on the great ship and its accompanying fleet.
Everyone was going to miss that ship.
It was a big galaxy out there, and the war would be long. There was a chance—albeit one that Saanvi insisted was extremely low—that the I2 would never return to New Canaan.
Cary wondered where Saanvi drew her certainty from. Her sister had spoken to Bob before the ship left, but she hadn’t revealed much about the conversation; just that it had happened, and that she was going to miss Bob.
“STC to Cary,” Jill said, waving her hand in front of Cary’s face. “You there?”
Cary shook her head and gave Jill a wan smile. “Yeah, just thinking about Mom and Angela. I’m going to miss them a lot.”
“I know what you mean,” Jill added, a look of longing in her eyes. “Mom gave me this big pep talk before she left, telling me about how I was a woman now. Strong, capable, nothing to fear…. Thing is, I’m not worried about being here at the ISFA; I’m worried about her out there.”
Cary chuckled. “I don’t think there’s any reason to worry about your mom, Jill. General Brandt is one of the toughest people in the galaxy. I heard she once shouted a minor planet out of her way.”
“Pretty sure it was a gas giant,” Jill said with a grin. “It’s funny, she’s never like that at home. Never yells, never even raises her voice. But put her in front of a company of Marines, and she turns into something else entirely.”
Cary turned and leaned against the counter. “I still remember being terrified the first time I went over to your house. I was worried that she’d yell at me for doing something wrong…but she was super nice.”
“I guess she gets it all out of her system at the job,” Jill replied. “By the way, where’s Saanvi? I thought I’d see her getting ready in here, too.”
“Oh, she’s long gone,” Cary replied. “Something about examining one of the assault drop ships in Hangar 18A14 before class today.”
Jill snorted. “Of course she is. If ever there was a born overachiever, it’s Saanvi. Still, if she finds out anything useful, I hope she shares it with us.”
Cary patted Jill on the arm. “You and me both. C’mon, we have to get down to Ring Nine for class, and I cannot be late. I’m already on latrine duty for the rest of my life; I don’t want to add my afterlife to that sentence.”
The two women walked out of the restroom and into the platoon’s bunk room. Eight double-bunks lined the space on each side. They were all assigned; every training ‘toon was full on The Palisades this semester.
The other cadets were already gone, and Cary increased her pace, worried that they wouldn’t make it to class in time—though she pa
used to look at her bunk as they walked past, making sure it was perfect. Sergeant Grant would be through once first class began, and if he spotted so much as a single fiber of cloth out of place, he was prone to blow a gasket.
“Glad I’m not in your shoes,” Jill said, shaking her head as they reached the doors. “Always one infraction away from certain doom—mind you, I wouldn’t object to being known as a hero of the Carthage Defense.”
“Oh, trust me,” Cary said, blowing out a long breath. “In the past two days alone, each of my instructors has lectured me about how I’d better not let that go to my head, and that it was only dumb luck that kept Saanvi alive. I’ve been told I was foolish, reckless, insubordinate, disrespectful…and I’m sure a whole bunch of other things that I can’t pick out of the general morass anymore.”
“Plus all the times that Sergeant Grant has screamed at you already,” Jill added. “I think it’s been three times so far.”
Cary gave a rueful chuckle. “Five. He’s cornered me outside of the dorms a few times. I swear, boot was easier than this.”
“Funny how Saanvi isn’t getting beat on like you,” Jill said. “She was with you the whole time.”
“Yeah, but everyone knows I dragged her along. Instead of the yelling, she gets the ‘I’m disappointed that you bowed to peer pressure like that’ speeches.”
Jill shook her head. “I can’t believe they’re so hard on you two. Everyone knows you saved Landfall. If those Trisilieds carriers had managed to get their fighters into the mix, a lot more assault craft would have made it to the planet.”
“Thank stars I’m the great Tanis Richards’ daughter,” Cary said with scorn in her voice. “Otherwise I’d be getting beat up under stairwells for being allowed into the academy after what we did.”