...and they are us Homecoming

by Patrick McClafferty

  Zed just held his head in his hands. “Oh no…”

  The next day the sign on the door to the Bow Wave lounge, written in Katherine’s own hand, said CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. And under that: OFF LIMITS TO ALL STRIKE TEAMS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

  Katherine and Dimitri were not to be found, but at breakfast Larisa Borisyuk let Zed know that the Russian and American Strike Teams were learning a new trade: carpentry. Apparently Katherine had LOLA generate several hundred linear meters of raw lumber and the teams were busy building new chairs and tables by hand, along with laying new carpet, cleaning the floor and painting the walls. When that was completed they would be practicing hand to hand combat for twelve hours a day. Zed had a few lingering doubts as to whether or not he really wanted to marry a certain red-haired hellcat.

  It was two o’clock the next morning when LOLA woke Zed from a sound sleep. “Zed would you please come to the bridge?”

  He blinked awake. “Give me a minute, LOLA, and I’ll change into my uniform.”

  “That won’t be necessary. I’ve taken the liberty of modifying the recliner in your living room to connect with your neural link.”

  “That’s a good idea.” He commented as he slipped on his favorite threadbare bathrobe. “You might go ahead and convert it to an encapsulating bridge chair, if you will.”

  “As you wish, Zed.”

  He slid into the recliner and felt the edges fold protectively around him. In the case of battle, the chair would completely encase the user, shielding him or her from violent maneuvers, or even radiation up to a point. In the event of an emergency the chairs would transport the user to the appropriate lifeboat or auxiliary craft. The chairs had saved his and Kat’s life once. “What do you have?” He stepped out onto the empty platform in deep space. He had the bridge to himself.

  The vision before him slewed, and centered on a pair of small red dots at the very edge of detector range. LOLA, sporting orange hair today, walked up to Zed and handed him a cup of steaming coffee.

  Zed blinked in surprised pleasure as he slowly took the cup out of her hand. Quickly, before she could move away he bent down and gently kissed her cheek. Using Dramul, Chamdar and Terran technology, LOLA and the other AIs had improved feedback circuits to a point that the AI could, in certain circumstances like the bridge, actually experience feeling, taste, sight and sound. LOLA’s eyes widened, and Zed could see her breath quicken. “What did you do?” Her voice was husky.

  “Among us biologicals, it is common for men and women to exchange a kiss with someone they care for.” Zed touched her arm, and felt warm skin beneath his fingers. “If you are going to look and act like a biological, then you might be prepared for other things as well.” He smiled. “Now, what do you have for me?”

  Returning his smile, she gently touched his fingers resting on her arm. She shook her bright hair. “It appears that the Creednax scout we have been pursuing is preparing to enter the hangar of another larger Creednax ship. The size of the return indicates an armed corvette of some sort, about the size of our own frigate.”

  Zed stared at the two dots for a long time. “Is the Boston ready to be launched?”

  “Yes, Zed. All primary systems are operational. A few fiddly bits have yet to be completed, but will in no way impede mission capability.”

  “Tell me LOLA, could the Boston run down that Creednax ship and using our Strike Teams, board it… take it over?”

  “That is one of the things our frigate was designed to do, Zed. The magnetic grapples and boarding tube have been completed and tested. Captain DeThomaso and her crew have been running extensive simulations with the boarding tube. I suspect that she second guessed you.”

  Zed laughed. “She would. How long until we hit the optimum launch window for the Boston?”

  “Thirty hours, Zed.”

  He leaned over the rail and nodded. “Notify section heads and Strike Team leaders that there will be a meeting at 08:00 hours in the small conference room.” He looked out into the depths of space. “Do you think they’re up to it?”

  “I really don’t know Zed. The Teams are still pretty divided.”

  “Damn. This is precisely why we wanted them in the first place. Well, it will be a trial by fire for them. On another subject, how is your research into null gravity coming?”

  “Very well. I can now make a self-contained generator that will lift and maneuver 250 grams for a period of 6 hours. In a week I’ll be able to fabricate one that could support a man and weighs no more than half a kilogram.”

  “So you could make a few probes that could go with the strike teams and insert themselves into the Creednax computers, retrieve information and maybe set the self-destruct?”

  “What could we recover from these computers that we didn’t get from the Creednax information on QX’an tril Station?”

  “Current events. Information about Terra. Troop and ship movements. Information about their homeworld. Think in military terms, LOLA.”

  The image at his side sighed. “I was designed to run a ship, Zed. Fighting and tactics were handled by humans because my Dramul creators didn’t trust an AI. They pointed me and said ‘shoot,’ and I shot. They purposely did not say think.”

  “That’s only because they never realized how smart you are, LOLA.”

  “Thank you Zed. I’ll endeavor to bear military applications in mind.”

  “Just as long as you don’t forget friendship.”

  LOLA gave him a long look with her golden eyes. They, like her hair, changed color regularly. “It’s not likely I’d ever forget our friendship, Zed. You and Katherine are my only real friends, my family so to speak, yet I consider myself lucky.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Cybele isn’t here, and I don’t have to share your affections with her.”

  Zed laughed aloud. “Cybele is your sister you ninny. Teach her about friendship. She could wind up being your closest friend and confidant. More than once I’ve wished I had a brother or sister.”

  LOLA was quiet for some time as she mulled this over. “Is this what humans call love? Your feelings for Katherine and for me and for Cybele?”

  “Yes LOLA, in differing shades and degrees. And for the crew too, and for my world and people. In the end, it’s all about love, my solid state friend.”

  “You’ve given me a lot to think about.” LOLA’s voice sounded—thoughtful.

  “I’d like to go back to my room now, LOLA. I need to shower and change. It’s going to be a long day.”

  “As you wish.” LOLA stood on the bridge alone, staring at the stars.

  Zed sat at the conference room table with his third cup of coffee and watched the other staff members saunter in. They looked relaxed and slightly sleepy. That, he knew, would change shortly. Katherine’s face was expressionless. Dimitri looked at him as he walked in, and turned red. Senior Chief Petty Officer Emilio López of Seal Team 87 and sporting a new black eye, stared at the table.

  “And where is Lieutenant Delray, Chief?” Zed asked in a flat voice.

  “He sent me in his place Fleet Captain. He… ahhh…” The Seal didn’t raise his eyes from the table.

  “I understand, Chief. Please tell the good Lieutenant that living up to his mistakes is part of command.”

  “Aye, aye. I understand, sir.”

  “Good.” Zed looked up at the faces around him. “LOLA has sighted the enemy, ladies and gentlemen.” A murmur ran around the table. “The scout we’ve been chasing is currently docking with a larger vessel, one the size of our frigate. It is my intention for us to board the enemy vessel, strip her computer drives of information and destroy her along with the scout. This operation will be performed by the Frigate Boston, along with our new consolidated Strike Team.” He turned to face Dimitri. “Are they up to it? If they aren’t let me know and the Boston and the Rose can use the enemy ship for target practice.”

  Dimitri raised a sullen face. “We do the job, Kapitan Flota.”

 
Zed frowned. “If you say so, Dimitri. Once you’re away with the Boston it will be too late to turn back.” The Russian glared at the table and said nothing. Zed sighed. “All righty then.” He raised his eyes to Alina. “I understand you’ve been doing drills with your crew. Are you all set?”

  “Yes Fleet Captain.” Her eyes sparkled. “The Frigate Boston is ready to go.”

  “How is the Rose and her crew, Captain Johansen?” He asked Katherine.

  “The ship is fine, Zed. The crew, with so many new people, is a little shaky.” Her voice held a hint of frustration.

  “They’ll do fine. Optimum launch window for the operation is in 24 hours. Spetsnaz and Seals have been practicing with the new weapons for a couple of weeks. Pick what you think you’ll need. As far as I know this type operation has never been attempted before, so I can’t offer any advice or assistance. According to computer records, the Control Center of the Creednax vessel will be amidships on a central deck. The Boston will attach as close to center as she can. After that it’s up to you to find the computer and let LOLA extract the information. When she is finished you will leave. The Boston and the Rose will then destroy the Creednax ship.”

  “Understood Fleet Captain.” Dimitri grumbled.

  “Understood.” Chief López said quietly.

  Zed stood in the bridge watching the blocky shape of the Frigate Boston pull away from the cloaked Rose of the Dawn. Since the frigate launched cloaked, the image Zed saw was a very realistic computer simulation. The Boston wasn’t sleek, by any means, and looked more like an elongated flying brick with squat powerful engines attached to the aft, than anything else. Sensor masts protruded in the front while bulbous weapons turrets dotted the exterior of the blocky hull. As black as space, she looked a competent and deadly killer. He felt Katherine slide up beside him.

  “Worried?” Her husky contralto voice gave him shivers. Standing this close to her, he could smell the faint lavender soap she favored and he sighed, knowing that he would probably need another cold shower when he left the bridge. She was fifteen years old, legally, and although she was blindingly smart, with two PhDs, and emotionally as mature as he, she was still under age. Pushing Earth laws to the limit, he knew that they could marry when she was sixteen years old. He frowned as he tried to remember just how many months away that still was. Finally he just shrugged.

  “We’re attempting something that’s never been done before by any sane race, with an untried and confrontational team using unfamiliar weapons against a remorseless enemy. What could possibly go wrong?” He gave her a sour look, and then smiled. “I sent both of our cats along with Alina. They can provide backup if the team is in danger of getting swarmed under by those damned spiders the Creednax use instead of nanites. The cats have proved themselves against the Creednax, which is more than I can say for our Strike Team.” Kat was silent, and Zed suspected that she shared his same fears. The time crept by, minutes feeling like hours.

  “The Frigate Boston is approaching the Creednax vessel.” LOLA’s comment was unnecessary, as the entire bridge staff could see the two ships hanging in space before them. Resembling nothing more than a ninety meter green okra pod, the Creednax corvette looked more grown than constructed, and he shuddered as he considered the plant THAT thing came from. Cables snaked out from the Boston, gluing themselves to the nonmetallic hull of the Creednax ship, and a long flexible cylinder slid from the dark ship to attach itself firmly to the green one. “The ships are connected, Captains.” LOLA murmured curtly. “Strike Team is moving into position.” A section of the screen flickered to show camera views from four of the Strike Team members; two Spetsnaz and two Seals. One of the Seal Team views was labeled Lt Delray, the other López. A fifth camera showed the interior length of the extended boarding tube. Before them the green hull within the cylinder flowed away as LOLA’s nanites ate their way into the alien hull. A purplish gas rushed into the boarding tube and the first Strike Team member stepped aboard the Creednax ship. “There is air and gravity aboard the Creednax vessel, Captain. The masks will be sufficient for our teams.” The first man turned and said something in Russian that was muffled by his breathing mask. The next man’s returning laughter was garbled due to the fact that his jaw was wired shut.

  “What did he say?” Zed frowned.

  “Spetsnaz rule, American slugs.” LOLA commented dryly.

  “Oh no!” In the camera he could see the 30 Strike Team members, both Spetsnaz and Seal, bolting through the opening. “Tell them not to run. Enter quietly!” He shouted to the air.

  “I’m sorry Zed. All Team members have switched to the tactical frequency and are, basically, ignoring you.”

  “Shit!” He took a deep breath. “This is likely to get ugly quickly. LOLA, send in your spare probes. See if they can find a computer terminal somewhere.”

  “Probes have been launched Zed, and are entering the Creednax vessel.” Zed leaned over the railing along with the rest of the bridge crew, watching the action. The teams pounded down rough walled green corridors filled with a thin purple gas, winking lights giving the corridors of the alien ship a strange evil glow. The first half dozen members of the Strike Team to enter the Control Center were all Spetsnaz. Small silver spheres that were LOLA’s probes shot from Spetsnaz equipment harnesses and headed unerringly for lumps and protrusions in the walls and ceilings that Zed could only guess were computer access or control nodes. The sickly violet light gave everything a horrible lavender tinge. A green pincer swept down, and the first camera went dark. Someone screamed and the air was torn with the crashing sounds of the short ugly railguns the Spetsnaz seemed to prefer, and the snarl of heavy energy weapons. A beam swept down and in the camera’s unrelenting eye, a Spetsnaz trooper fell, clutching the bleeding stump of his arm. Beams and shots crashed in the small room, and the air became hazy with smoke as equipment flared.

  “LOLA, what’s happening?” Kathering shouted. Zed stood frozen, staring in horrified disbelief as the members of his Strike Team were literally torn apart before his eyes.

  “Approximately fifty Creednax warriors are converging on the Control Center, Captain. Fleet Captain, my secondary probes have discovered a data terminal and are beginning a download.” The second Spetsnaz camera went dark and suddenly the Seals were in the room, firing and adding to the confusion. A Creednax soldier fell across the field of one of the last cameras, and the bridge crew had a terrifying glimpse of a creature the size of a Saint Bernard dog that combined the worst parts of an ant and a spider. This one seemed to be missing several limbs from one side as it flopped. Smoke filled the air and on the far wall a piece of damaged equipment was burning, yellow fingers of flame standing starkly against the now flickering violet lighting. Someone shouted a curse in English, and green blood spattered the camera lens.

  “Sound recall, LOLA. Let’s get as many men and women out of there as we can.”

  “If they listen to us. Sounding recall Zed. The Creednax appear to have released spiders, Zed.” One of the last two cameras jerked and fell, showing the skewed view of a torn and bleeding figure. Small green spiders swarmed the fallen form and hid the still twitching body from view.

  “It appears that Lieutenant Delray has fallen, Fleet Captain.” A volley of shots drowned out her voice. “The others are responding to your recall.” The last camera showed a half dozen Seals dragging fallen Spetsnaz members back toward the boarding tunnel. Something small and green, about the size of a tennis ball scuttled by, and there was a shout as the camera jerked about.

  “Pass a warning about the spiders. They’re poisonous!”

  “I’ve already done that at the initial briefing, Zed.” One of the Seals screamed, clutching at a half dozen spiders that were clambering up his arm and shoulder. He gave a last spasmodic jerk and fell. The survivors staggered back into the boarding tunnel, unencumbered Seals firing back into the Creednax ship to cover the other Seals who were dragging the wounded Spetsnaz soldiers to safety. Zed fervently hoped that a
wild shot didn’t pierce the flexible material of the boarding tube. The Spetsnaz and Seal masks might be good for the Creednax atmosphere, but they weren’t designed for death vacuum.

  “Damn. Have the cats moved to the entry tunnel to cover the Strike Team retreat. When the teams are aboard recall the cats, seal the hatch and blow the tunnel.” Two dark streaks, both equipped with a sleek, form-fitting breathing apparatus flashed by the staggering men, and fell on the skittering green forms, tearing them apart with their razor sharp claws. The Seals eliminated the one Creednax fighter that made it to the tunnel, firing over the heads of the two attacking cats as they retreated.

  “The Strike team is back aboard the Boston, Fleet Captain.”

  “Recall the cats and blow the tunnel.”

  LOLA paused for a moment as Zed and the rest of the bridge crew stared in shock at the sole remaining camera. “The cats are aboard, Fleet Captain, as is a small contingent of scientists who were recovering samples from the Creednax vessel while the Strike Team was busy in the computer room.”

  “You have got to be shitting me! Who turned the scientists loose?” Zed turned to the young woman at his side, and growled through clenched teeth. “Captain Johansen, would you be so kind as to destroy that damned ship, before some of our personnel decide to have a picnic there?”

  A ball of actinic light so bright that it blanked their screens enveloped the Creednax vessel, and when the glow faded all sign of the corvette was gone. “Ship destroyed, Fleet Captain.” Katherine’s voice was very low.

  “Thank you. LOLA, did you get what you needed?”

  “Yes, Zed. The probes were able to upload the entire corvette database before it was destroyed.”

  “How badly was our Strike Team hurt?” He quailed, guessing at the answer.