...and they are us 3: HiveWorld
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Athena took his arm in a sisterly fashion. “What’s the problem, Zed? Don’t you find Boadicea attractive?”
He gave her a straightforward look. “You know that I do, however, with Katherine out of the picture for the moment, I’d feel like a rat.”
Athena frowned, and gave him an uncertain nod. “I’m not certain I understand your logic, but I will speak with Boadicea. She will wait until the situation with Katherine has been resolved. You are, however, our brother, and a certain amount of… intimacy is involved in that relationship. You can’t get out of it.”
“What do you mean by that, Athena?”
Her look was… disappointed. “We don’t need to wear clothes here in Olympus, Zed, and we usually don’t. You obviously enjoy looking at us without clothes. You could return the favor. Have you ever thought that we might enjoy looking at you too?” She raised an arched eyebrow.
Zed stopped and turned to face her, still holding her arm. “What are you, Athena? What are all of you?”
She tilted her head to the side slightly, and gave him a fleeting smile. “We are something new. Not just the three of us who make up The Morrigan, but the four of us that make up our Olympian family. Perhaps Boadicea will, one day, become a part. Perhaps not. Your daughters will be a part, and their daughters. As you know, Katherine and your son will not, cannot be a part. That may cause problems in the future.”
With her arm in his, he turned, heading deeper into the temple. “It’s still nice to have a family. Who’s cooking dinner tonight?”
“LOLA.” Athena replied in a slightly disgusted voice. “We’re having Spaghetti Bolognaise with garlic bread, a tossed salad and gallons of Italian red wine.” She looked down at her white robe.
Zed grinned. “We can eat nude, if you like. You’ll just have to pardon my automatic reflexes in the presence of such beautiful women.”
She gave him a blinding smile. “Thank you brother.” Her kiss was anything but sisterly, and for a moment Zed regretted his nude dining offer.
It had been another quiet day filled with routine work: paperwork, weapons drills, paperwork, hand to hand combat taught by the Strike Team members, paperwork, lifeboat drills and finally more paperwork. As this particular day rolled to a close, Zed leaned over in his seat and touched Mike on the shoulder. “Busy this evening?”
Mike hesitated a moment, looked guilty, and gave Zed a sheepish grin. “Nothing I can’t put off, why?”
“Once upon a time I promised you a story. It’s quiet right now, and this is as good a time as any.”
“After dinner?”
Zed shook his head. “We’ll talk over dinner in my quarters.”
“LOLA can serve dinner in your quarters?” Mike asked, sounding surprised.
“I can do that.” Zed replied slowly.
Mike gave him a long look as he rose from his seat. “This is going to be a hell of a story.”
Over hamburgers and fries, Zed started with the battle of Callidus, and granting Athena total control of the defense of the planet. He explained the Callidus Weapons Vault as a data vault containing all the restricted research into weapons and defensive systems ever dreamt of by the Dramul or Chamdar Empires; weapons too dangerous or too exotic or too insane for standard military usage. Weapons that only a madman would design, let alone build or use. Added to that archive were Terran offensive and defensive systems that fit right in.
Mike mulled over what Zed had just finished saying, and nodded slowly. “Back on Callidus before the battle I heard what you and Athena said about the Weapons Vault, but I never really understood it. This stuff sounds like magic to me.”
Zed let out a dry, understanding chuckle before he began explaining to Mike how he had died during a battle with the Creednax, cooked so thoroughly that the very DNA in his body was destroyed, the helmet of his EVA suit fused to his skull. He explained to Mike how he had been rebuilt in a different mold from data records, and neural downloads taken just seconds before he died. He explained how he now had both digital and human persona, and he explained his human control relationship with LOLA, The Morrigan and the world of Olympus. The explanation of The Morrigan, who and what she was and how she functioned was a little more complex, as Zed had only the vaguest idea of the mathematics involved. He didn’t begin to explain his own more personal involvement with the former Artificial Intelligences.
Mike set his empty beer down. “Well, that certainly was a story, though I’m not certain that I believe any of it.”
Zed sighed. He’d expected that reaction from the pragmatic former Marine Major. “LOLA?”
“Yes?” She was standing by his side, her hand on his shoulder. Mike’s eyes widened.
“Mike needs some convincing that what I told him is the truth. Could I bring him to Olympus?”
LOLA thought for a moment. “Not alone you can’t. Not yet. Together we can do it.”
“But…but…” Mike stuttered. “Who will be running the ship?”
“Oh, I will.” LOLA replied nonchalantly, as she took his hand.
Zed took Mike’s other hand. “You get used to things like that after a while, or maybe just numb.” He grinned. “Take a step Mike.”
“Isn’t that what the rabbit said to Alice?” He stepped.
LOLA did a little curtsey. “Welcome to Olympus, Major Flaherty, or perhaps Wonderland.”
“The home of the gods?” The big Marine replied, looking around. “This is one hell of a place.”
Athena, clad all in white again, stepped around a pillar and smiled. “Welcome to our home, Major Flaherty.”
Mike, who had seen Athena once or twice before, took her hand and kissed it. “I’m honored Athena.”
Athena gave Zed a wink. “Are you taking note of his good manners, brother?” She stepped forward and gave Zed a warm kiss on the lips… possibly an eight on his ten scale. His toes didn’t quite curl.
Mike shook his head. “I’m sold. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it.”
Athena slid her arm through Mike’s. “Let me show you around then, so that you may believe even more strongly.”
LOLA slid her arm through Zed’s. “Where’s Boadicea?” He asked curiously.
“Working.” LOLA wrinkled her nose. “Dan Grinwell decided to have a weapons drill, and test the systems and personnel on the Yamato. The ship is fine, but the crew is a little… uncertain. I think he’s going to beat them to death if they don’t learn. He’s holding you and the Rose up as shining examples of heroism and valor.”
“I think I’m going to throw up.”
“Hush. He has the recordings of the end of the battle when you told me to put all the energy into our weapons, including that from life support. That was pretty heroic stuff.”
“If Cybele hadn’t arrived, would you have put our power into weapons as I asked, even if it cost us our lives?”
LOLA held him very close. “Yes Zed I would.”
He looked down on the small elfin figure on his arm with her flaming orange hair.
She stopped so suddenly he stumbled. Reaching up, she wrapped her hands around his neck, dragging his head down to her level. She obviously didn’t care if Mike gawked. Her kiss, after their tongues flicked teasingly, left him breathless and rivaled Boadicea’s eleven.
He gave her a smile from the distance of 15 centimeters.
“Oh bother.” She muttered aloud. On Mike’s arm Athena laughed.
It was a letdown to return to Zed quarters. Mike stood in the middle of the room for a long while, just staring into space. “I didn’t want to believe you, Zed. I really didn’t.” He let out a self-mocking little lau
gh. “You took me down the rabbit hole, and my world will never be the same.” He turned a thoughtful look on Zed. “I may just retire there, if they’ll let me.”
“Being a part of Olympus has its drawbacks, my friend.”
“Oh yeah, name one.”
“I’m not human anymore.”
“No big deal. Keep going.”
Zed gave him a level look. “Katherine and my son will grow old and die. I don’t think I will.”
LOLA put her hand on his shoulder. She hadn’t been there an instant before. “You won’t Zed, nor your daughters, or their daughters.”
Mike swallowed, his face pale. “Yeah, well… Olympus is still a hell of a place.”
LOLA turned a level look on him. “If you should choose, Michael Joseph Flaherty to dwell in Olympus do but let us know, only remember this; thy trip is but one way. Thou wilt dwell in Olympus forever, in a small village on the shore of the eternal sea.”
“Damn Skippy!” His eyes got very big. “Can I bring…”
“Just thee.” LOLA interrupted.
“But in twenty years, how do I, ahhh…”
“You have a neural link, silly.” LOLA replied with an exasperated sniff. “Just let me know.”
Mike turned and left the room in a daze, not saying another word.
“Did you mean what you said when you told him it was one way?” Zed asked in a questioning tone.
“Of course not. We just had to test his resolve. If he tells us that he wants to go then we know that he will want to stay.”
“Very sneaky.”
She gave him a shy smile. “We have a very good human teacher who instills very strict moral values in us.”
“Someone has to.”
She bent and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Get some sleep.”
“Yes mother.”
Zed had finally managed to get caught up on his paperwork when they arrived at the world of Sarjana.
“Zed!” He looked up from his desk. “You’re needed on the bridge. We’re coming up on a tangle of tachyon trails. Many are Creednax and some few are from a different species, neither Tildan, Eacrorth or any other race we are familiar with.”
“I’ll be right there. Engage cloaking and shields. Arm the weapons.” He stood with more than a little relief and left the desk behind.
The view-screen, alive with Tactical Displays, was showing a crazy quilt-work of red and green lines. Apparently the battle had started several AUs from the planet as defensive forces tried to fight off the Creednax. As the planet swam into view he saw that the defensive forces had not been successful. Smoking craters glowed where at least one city and several good sized towns had stood.
“Targets?”
LOLA’s voice was sober. “Planetary assault vehicles are descending as we speak. There is only one Creednax frigate in orbit to cover them. There are signs that the battle continued, moving away from the planet and toward the other side of the system. I’m going to assume that there is another inhabited planet there.”
“Can we nail the assault ships and frigate before they land? If the Creednax soldiers spread out it will be murder to track them down.”
“Yes Zed.”
“Do it!” The saucer trembled as both RVMs and Main Guns took the Creednax ships apart. Zed saw one assault ship, its engines a mass of twisted wreckage from an RVM strike, slam into the ground and explode, adding another mushroom cloud to the dozen already gracing the surface of the world. The frigate disintegrated under repeated strikes, the remaining bits and pieces leaving fiery trails in the atmosphere as they burned. Point Defense filled the sky with fireworks as Creednax nanites died.
“I’m receiving what sounds like an emergency beacon from a lifeboat.” The Tactical Display swung, highlighting a small shape with a green dot. A yellow blinking ring surrounded the dot. “This appears to be a damaged corvette class ship. Atmosphere in the ship has almost totally vented to space.” Another smaller shape appeared, a smaller green dot moving away from the first. “This is a lifeboat. Indications appear that it too is damaged, and would not survive planetary reentry.”
“Absolutely wondrrful.” Zed grumbled dryly. “Tractor the lifeboat into our hangar. We don’t have time to be gracious to our guests. Disable their drive, seal the lifeboat to the hangar deck and have a team weld their door shut. Figure out what they breathe, and pump some into the boat. We wouldn’t want them to suffocate as we save them. We’ll apologize after the battle is over… if we survive. How are our magazines and energy reserves?”
“Main Gun and RVM magazines at 90 percent. Energy weapon charges at 93 percent.”
“Push the reload, LOLA. I’ve a feeling we’re going to need it.”
“Postponing secondary projects, Captain. We should have full weapon capability when we reach the main battle.”
He looked at the dim lines on the Tactical Display. “Sound General quarters, LOLA, and engage at maximum velocity.” The stars streaked by as the Belerophon fled toward battle.
“Sensors indicate the presence of wreckage, Zed.”
“Creednax?”
She was silent for a moment. “One Creednax planetary assault ship has been disabled, along with several of the unidentified ships. From what my sensors indicate, this race is only slightly in advance of Earth humans, Zed. It is probably a good thing that you are meeting them under these circumstances. If we survive this encounter with the Creendax, humans and this species will be fierce friends. If we had not fought for them they could have been equally fierce competitors or even enemies.”
“If we live.”
“If we live, Captain.” The cold stars streamed by. “We’re coming up on another planet, Zed. Electromagnetic traffic indicates that this is, in all probability, the homeworld of the unknown species. Creednax ships ahead, Captain.”
He stared at the view-screen. “Oh shit…”
Beside him Mike Flaherty swallowed. “Uh, LOLA?”
“Yes Mike?”
“I’ve made up my mind.” He said very quietly. “If it looks as though I’m going to die, I’d like to spend eternity in Olympus.”
“There is always the possibility of heaven to consider, Mike.”
“I’ve been to Olympus, smelled the air and seen the ocean.”
“As you wish, Michael Joseph Flaherty.”
Zed’s XO let out a long sigh.
“Now.” LOLA’s voice rose. “It seems that we have three Creednax battleships, four cruisers and four Tulari class destroyers. Supporting the capital ships are eight Creednax frigates, six planetary assault ships and six auxiliaries.” The bridge was deadly quiet. “It appears that planetary bombardment is about to begin. At best count, there are thirteen corvette sized and smaller friendly warships defending the planet. One destroyer class vessel appears to be out of commission and adrift. Power readings are minimal. My sensors indicate that the damaged destroyer we have been following, in company with a single frigate, are bypassing the battle.”
Zed studied the configuration of the enemy ships. “We don’t have a choice any longer.” He glanced at his XO. “Sorry Mike…”
“I’ll launch a probe to shadow the destroyer, Zed.” LOLA said in a quiet voice. “It will be able to give us some limited information, like speed, heading and anything that might have been cast aside.”
“Thank you, LOLA.” He turned his attention back to the screen. “If we were to do a close pass to the first battleship laying mines as we go, we could strike the second battleship and the closest cruiser just as the mines detonate on the first battleship.”
> “The first battleship is in a low orbit. If it falls to ground the impact will be devastating.”
“I know that, LOLA, but what do I do?”
LOLA thought for a moment. “I believe that the planet can survive a single impact. Two will certainly trigger an ice age.”
He stared down at the beautifully rugged planet. “I’ll do what I can. Send our view-screen display with Tactical Overlay to our new guests.”
“They won’t know what we’re saying.”
“They can guess.”
“I’m monitoring their language. To use your own motion picture history as an example; it sounds rather like two cats fighting an angry Klingon. I should have full decoding in a few minutes.”
“We don’t have a few minutes.” Before them one of the heavy energy cannons in a Creednax battleship fired on the planet below, and a city vanished in flame. “Begin our run, LOLA.” The stars swung dizzily, and the Belerophon slipped unnoticed below a Creednax battleship. The deck under Zed’s feet trembled slightly.
“The mines have been released, Zed. Beginning the run on the cruiser and the second battleship. Time on target one minute. Do you wish to try and contact the planet?”
Zed chuckled. “Let them think it is divine intercession.”
“After you release the weapons on the battleship and cruiser, turn toward the second, lock and fire as soon as you are able. Don’t give them the chance to recover.”
“That’s as good a plan as any, Zed. TOT in three…two…one… weapons away.” The stars swung. “Accelerating toward…” The screens went white as a giant hand swatted them from the sky.
Alarms were ringing. “LOLA?”
“Standby. Minor damage in three sections. We were struck by the blast from the exploding battleship.” The Belerophon shook. “Weapons release on second cruiser.” The saucer gave a wrenching jerk. “Energy strike from cruiser. Shielding down to 87 percent in quadrant Lambda and Mu.” The screens blanked and came back on. “That cruiser is now dead in space.”
“How is the first battleship we hit?”