by Paul Phipps
Enter the sensorium; place each hand on the green glowing area on each side. The lid will close and the tank will fill with the suspension gel. It’s very similar to a sensory deprivation tank in that way. It may take a few minutes for the connections to be made but you WILL ‘awake’ I suppose you could call it, in the Telefactor here near me.”
The Sergeant saluted and went to the rear of the room to follow her instructions. Everyone and especially Colonel Hernwell were watching carefully. Then the lid closed on her and shortly thereafter the filled tank rotated back to the horizontal position.
Six minutes later an image of the Sergeants face appeared on the head of the Telefactor and her Name and Rank was displayed on the front and back of the Telefactors Torso.
It came to the attention position and then looked around itself. The Sergeant’s voice came through perfectly. “This is unbelievable!” She said in awe.
“With your permission Captain Thomas I would like to move around a bit.” Sergeant Thomas asked her.
“Certainly, go ahead and move around the room. I would like you to test the microscopic vision too. Pick up and handle as many things as you can and then report back here and tell us what you have discovered.
Now unless there are any questions for me, I am turning the rest of the briefing over to Colonel Hernwell.” Evana waited a minute or so and then looked at the Colonel. “It’s your show Colonel Hernwell, if I or the Louis Pasteur can assist you in any way just ask.” And then she left the lectern and went to the right side of the room and sat down to observe.
Colonel Hernwell got up slowly from his seat and walked to the lectern. He stood there and watched Sergeant Thomas holding something in her hand and examining it intently. Then he smiled wryly and turned to Evana.
“Captain Thomas, does the TSN have anything like a Tricorder available for us to use?”
“Let me check.” Evana returned with equanimity.
Lt. Commander Thomas/ Comm Mode: “Henri, do you know what a Tricorder is?”
Louis Pasteur/ Comm Mode: “I believe so; popular media history files and Wikipedia have it listed as a Computerized Investigative and Analysis tool. There were various types that specialized in Medicine, Physical Engineering, Scientific investigation, And General Usage.
The TSN has similar devices available. All require TSN implants to function properly.”
Lt. Commander Thomas/ Comm Mode: “Can these Isolation Duty Telefactors be fitted out so that the Operator can utilize these devices without the need of implants in the operators?”
Louis Pasteur/ Comm Mode: “I don’t know, I’ll ask the Med-Center and Fabrication if it can be done.”
Lt. Commander Thomas/ Comm Mode: “Thank you Henri. Let me know later on.”
Colonel Hernwell had continued on talking to his team. “This Telefactor Technology changes things quite a bit for us. Since we don’t have to use so much time up in Suiting Up and in Decontamination we are going to be able to move faster.
Lt. Colonel Alvarez, your team will be up first. The area has already been cleansed of humans and most mammals so securing the area will be relatively easy. Please determine the spread of the Spores and determine the most efficient means of clean-up if that is possible. Major Ramirez, you will be tasked in examining the Bunker Complex.
Major Phong, I want your team to take the TSN laboratory that is being provided and configure it as necessary for analysis of the Spores. As the General previously briefed us this could be the De1t8 Bio-Weapon that was developed under the President-for-life’s regime. If it is then at the least we will be free of worry from accidental contamination.
Any questions?”
Evana indicated she wished to speak. “Colonel Hernwell, I have an answer for you. Yes, the TSN does have available devices that function quite similarly to the ’Star Trek’ Tricorders. Unfortunately for you to enable them to function requires additional TSN technology you don’t have access too directly. We are researching the possibility of retro-fitting the Isolation Duty Telefactors so that they can use the tricorder technology while your personnel are utilizing them.”
“Thank you Captain Thomas, I hope that such a work-around is possible. Now then, Sergeant Thomas, Please come to the Lectern and try to describe and pass on your observation while using the Telefactor.”
Sgt. Thomas’s Telefactor put down the object it was resting on before she picked it up. Then walked up to the Lectern and saluted the Colonel. He in turn returned the Salute and then waved her to the Lectern. She seemed a little nervous being the center of attention but settled down quickly.
“Operating the Telefactor is simplicity. It’s just like using your own biological body, you just do it. Specialized functions like the microscopic and telescopic vision are controlled by intent. There are also microscopic manipulators available in each hand for manipulating objects down to the cellular level.
All in all, this Telefactor has much of the normal equipment and instrumentation already built-in and available for my usage that I normally need to do my job properly. I estimate at least three-quarters of our normal equipment is superfluous while using these Telefactors.”
There were a number of questions for her that concerned the transfer process and then the Colonel asked her to demonstrate the return of her conscious to her real body.
Around ten minutes later the Sergeant was being released from the Sensorium and looking for her regular Uniform clothing.
Evana went over to Colonel Hernwell and told him, “Colonel, each of your team members including yourself has a Telefactor assigned to them. There is a private room for each of them and their sensorium tank. When you say so, we will send down the unit to be used as your base and lab.
Oh, yes, I forgot to tell you. The Telefactors are range limited to around two miles. If your people need to go farther than that from the base they need to get a booster equipped vehicle so as to maintain the communications link.”
“Anything else Captain Thomas?” Colonel Hernwell said with a grin.
“Not at this time. I’ll stay out of your hair. If you need me just ask the Louis Pasteur to give me a call.” Said Evana as she headed for the Trans-Portal, it was time to check up on Colonel James and the others.
* * *
“Good Afternoon Colonel!” Evana said cheerfully as she entered Colonel James Treatment room. The Colonel was inside the Bio-Med Gel Cell undergoing therapy. However she was conscious and capable of carrying out a conversation.
“Good afternoon yourself Lt. Commander, it’s nice that you took the time to stop by. Captain Loveless was in here only an hour ago.” Her voice came over the communicator built into the Gel Cell.
“Very good of the Captain, May I inquire as to your prognosis?” Evana asked politely.
“Certainly, I’d like to know myself actually.”
“Nurse! Colonel James’s prognosis please.” Evana said to the room at large. The standard nurse Hologram appeared and said.
“Colonel James prognosis is good. Before full cancer eradication is begun we are investigating the root cause of the Cancer. So far Gene Mapping and Analysis is 32% complete. There has been nothing of note found there yet. Endocrine balancing is finished and no primary indicators are present however there are two secondary and one Tertiary indicators that we are following up on. Analysis should be complete within seventy two hours.
The spread of the tumors has been halted and Nanite removal of the masses is currently being analyzed. This is a very delicate procedure and the patient will be required to assume a full suspended animation posture for completion of that task.”
“Any estimate on release from Med-Center and back on full duty?” Evana asked the Nurse.
“If there are no complications then full release may be as early as two weeks from today. Any complications in treatment or post therapy will necessitate a longer stay at this facility.”
“Excellent then, thank you nurse.” Evana said with a broad smile, “There you have it Colonel, beha
ve yourself and follow the recommended course of treatment and we will have you home in a few weeks.”
“Thank you, for the update. Lt. Commander. I believe that I will do exactly as your Med-Center has recommended.”
* * *
Evana was in a ‘borrowed’ office in the Med-Center re-reading a report on the Deep Interrogation scan of the young man standing at ease in front of her desk. Finally she put down the report and then said.
“Private Ahn, please make yourself comfortable. According to this report you have a clean bill of health now and you are also informed about what is in the report of the Deep-Interrogation scan. What this report doesn’t tell me is about your feelings.
You know intellectually that there is no way you or your family could have known what was done to you shortly after you were born. But how do you feel about this?”
The young private was sitting almost at attention in the chair in front of her. He had a look of intense concentration on his face.
“Ma’am I’m angry… No make that, I’m ready to go kill someone.” He said in a near monotone that Evana interpreted as intense self-control being exercised.
“Were you informed that you are not the first person we have helped in removing the bomb Capsules?” Evana Asked.
“No Ma’am I wasn’t, but I’m not really surprised either.”
“Would you like to meet some of the others? Or would you prefer that I put you to work instead?” Evana asked.
The Private was startled at the questions, but then got a contemplative look on his face. “I would like to meet them but at this moment I think I need to be doing work. I know myself well enough to know that I need a routine right now otherwise my mind starts going on and on about it and I just start getting angry all over again.”
“Very well then that’s what we’ll do.” Evana paused and then said. “Henri, if Major Padgett is available to speak to me, then I would like you to patch me to her.”
A minute later Major Padgett’s voice was heard. “The Louis Pasteur informs me that you need to talk to me?”
“Yes, Major, Private Ahn is being released from the Med-Center. Since you are the senior officer present in his chain of command I am sending him to you. He is in need of work and a regular routine.”
“That’s excellent, I know the private and I do have some jobs that will keep him very busy. Send him right over.”
Evana smiled at the young private and told him, “The Trans-Portal behind you is programmed for Major Padgett’s location. I wish you well and if you need to speak to me further just ask the Louis Pasteur to arrange it. Have a good day, Private Ahn.” Evana said as a dismissal. She watched the young man come to attention and then turn to pass through the Trans-Portal.
She leaned back in the borrowed chair and rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands. “Henri, I’m going to my cabin now. Could you have the Food Replicator make me up a hearty snack? I’m hungry again.”
“Certainly Evana , I’ll have one made up for you. Is a BLT with extra Bacon acceptable?”
“Sounds delicious, some of those vegetable chips I had yesterday would go nicely with that too.” She added as she got up and stretched then headed for her Cabin.
TSN Companion, 1830L, Tuesday, November 17, 2026
All of the current human members of the TSN were in the Wardroom of the Companion having a semi-formal dinner. After the dinner was finished and everyone was full of good food, Admiral Webster decided to turn the gathering into an impromptu briefing and sharing of information.
The Fullers were on a temporary release from the Med-Center with the understanding that as soon as they felt tired they were to return for more rest and observation.
“Commander Webster, any more breakthroughs on those encrypted Satellite Phone calls?” Admiral Webster inquired.
“Yes, actually there are. Thanks to all of the computing power that Seeker got for us from the other vessels we have crunched our way through 80% of the Encrypted calls that we recorded.
As we also expected, most of them don’t figure in on our search for the ‘Shaitan’s Breath” vials.
On the other hand we now know that Emir of Smugglers failed in getting the vials out of the IUR in time. In one case the vehicle carrying a shipment actually ran into and totaled itself when the blockade shield went up right in front of it. That vial was recovered and the Emir now has it back in his possession. The other vial though is somewhere where we control.” At which point Ansel smiled an evil grin and looked over at Evana.
“Let me guess, Ramsheh?” Evana said looking right back at him.
“That’s correct, Ramsheh. The last word that the Emir received is that their vehicle broke down and they were awaiting parts to fix it so that they could return to base. With the imposition of the Smaller Shield wall though, they don’t have Satellite Phone Coverage so now he’s lost to the Emir.”
Mr. Fuller perked up at that. “Do you know where this base is at?”
“No not yet, It’s somewhere within two to three hours’ drive of Tehran.” Gunnar answered him.
Evana in turn spoke up. “I believe I have a good idea who their agent is in Ramsheh. He was in the crowd when I was speaking to the Mayor and tribal elders there. He won’t be too hard to track down, he has a RFID chip in his body and Rover has a dedicated IGD following him.
Actually it’s a very similar one to what Gunnar, the Fullers and I have. Which to my mind makes it an official Government one, probably for graduates of the Naval Academy in this case.
In fact I had Rover check with the Epiphany, all of the Academy trained officers have similar RFID chips.”
All of the former Naval Officers just stared at Evana and then The Former Admiral Fuller now Mr. Fuller said. “RFID chip? I’ve never had one!”
The others all said the same in various ways. Once they were all done Evana said matter-of-factly. “I never agreed to one either. But Rover’s IGD’s found him and his RFID and he is also the one who informed me that it was very similar to my own with the same first eight digits.”
Admiral Webster was frowning and looking blankly into space. Finally he brought his attention back to the group who were now watching him intently. “At your first opportunity have those RFID chips removed. Next, Evana you have an appointment tomorrow in Ramsheh I believe.”
“Yes Sir, I do, at High Noon to receive their leaders’ decision on what their status is to be.”
“Excellent! Please pick up this man and any traveling companions he might have as well as their vehicle and possessions. Make it visible so that the people of Ramsheh know what you did. Then bring him to the Louis Pasteur, wring them all dry of information.” Admiral Webster directed.
“Ariadne?” Admiral Webster continued.
“Yes sir?”
“Anything of interest from the Iranians?”
“Yes Sir, several things of note actually. The President of the IUR informed the Ayatollah Tariq Al-Quds that the ‘Shaitan’s Breath’ was now lost to them and presumably under the TSN’s control.
The Ayatollah inquired if there were any further communications from us and he was told no. No communications, no contacts peaceful or hostile. That in turn makes the Ayatollah content. He’s actually happy that the IUR is sealed off from the rest of the world.
He then directed the president to ignore us as long as we ignore them. So I don’t expect any hostilities to be directed toward us in the near-term future.”
Mr. Fuller inquired, “What of the people? Any idea what they are thinking?”
“It’s interesting there too. The vast majority are just going on with their daily lives. The only ones saying anything different than the official policy line are the relatively few that had direct dealings with the world outside of the IUR.” Ariadne replied.
Admiral Webster nodded his head slowly, and then directed. “Please keep those who are dissenting under surveillance. I believe that we will offer them the opportunity to evacuate to the M1 Base in a surreptiti
ous manner.”
Ansel was surprised and asked, “Why would we do that, sir?”
“It will lessen internal tensions in the IUR. I want the sheep and those who follow the Ayatollahs version of Islam to stay right there. Quiet and content for now anyway, call it a social experiment if you will. Let us see what sort of society they evolve in a couple of hundred years. It might just give us an insight so as to prevent other attempts at racial extinction in the future.”
“And maybe the other Muslim controlled nations will get a clue?” Mrs. Fuller chipped in.
“Well… Yes, there is that isn’t there? And who knows, once the other versions of Earth are colonized they might change their tune when they find out that one won’t be set aside for them if they don’t make up their minds.” The Admiral said with a slight frown.