28_Investigation of the Source

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28_Investigation of the Source

Post by Diaho »

Investigation of the Source






Lina stood on the balcony overlooking the square. She thought she’d never see Jinto let alone the Princess again yet when they approached her she knew immediately who they were although it had been almost six years since she last saw them. She swore Teel would never know they had come and for the few minutes she got to see them she knew it was an acceptable trade off.

The official dinner would be in another two hours however Ambassador Li had asked for a private audience with Lina before hand. The presidential assistant approached Lina and informed her that the Ambassador was waiting in the southern wing. Lina stepped into the room and followed the assistant to the south wing.

“I’m not sure how to address you, but according to Jinto, if I call you Lina that should be acceptable. I am Li second to the leader of my clan and the chosen Ambassador to this world. I wanted to speak with you concerning the planetary exile of those of the Abh race and their allies. I know you’re not a government official but you are knowledgeable in this subject. Please tell me why your world hates the Abh as they do.”

Lina motioned Li to sit beside her and spent the time until dinner explaining how her world came to despise the Humankind Empire Abh. Li found the conversation more than interesting as Lina explained in detail Li also related her personal experiences with those of the Abh race. As the time to attend the dinner approached both women not only had a deeper understanding of each other but the Abh as well.

The dinner concluded we find Lina and Li walking through the garden of the presidential residence. Once they were alone Li said.

I’ll be leaving you soon, but I wish to keep a line of communications open between the two of us, if that is acceptable to you.”

Lina was ecstatic for years she wanted to know how Jinto and Lafiel were doing, a legal open communication channel, oh yes she most definitely wanted that. Those cryptic messages from Paveryua, although she cherished them, they never gave her any detailed information. Then Li let the other shoe drop, she invited Lina, as the first lady, to visit Shahrazad at some future date. Li made it known this invite was for Lina and party, the President should stay at home it would avoid complications.

Lina bounced like a school girl she wanted to leave that very moment but she knew better. She thanked Li and escorted her back to the transport. Lina caught a fleeting glimpse of Atosuryua and realized just where this help and technological assistance really came from. It didn’t bother her in the least. She watched as the transport departed and took note of the absence of the press and Teel.

*********
The sub light engines had just cut in and we were approaching Seelnay’s home would. With permission from the provisional government we landed about one hundred and twenty kilometers from the Capital. We brought two hover sleds with us and once off loaded the six of us were off to explore the original landing site. Jinto, Lafiel and I were on the first sled. Scholar, Seelnay and Dai were on the second. Sobbash was left in command; Samson moved to the bridge and took Jinto’s station. We didn’t expect any trouble but Lafiel’s orders were at the first sign of trouble Sobbash would retrieve us no matter what we were doing.

*********
This trip to Martine has given me a new outlook concerning those who inhabit the surface worlds. Granted Febdash was a rocky asteroid we did have soil of a sort so living on land is something I’ve done before. What I saw from the bridge using the ships sensors brought excitement to my otherwise stoic heart. Martine is incredibly beautiful the cities do not encroach upon the forest and on departure we flew over the enchanted forest Jinto spoke so highly about. I understand completely his love for this surface world, it has natural beauty those who live in space can only dream about.

Yet this planet of beauty also has a dark and hideous side. We saw that as well on departure, there was smoke on the horizon and I scanned the area. It was a small village about two hundred kilometers from the capital. It had been attacked by insurgents, I assumed, and there was little left. Bodies lay about the streets; buildings were in rubble. We found no signs of life whatsoever, for one moment I almost stopped our ascent, the thought of those souls…

I put it out of my mind and remembered what Jinto had said under no circumstances were we to make another landing on Martine unless it was approved by the central government. I forwarded our scans to Li, she sent them to the capital, and there never was a response to the message. When we get back to Shahrazad I plan on meeting with the Council. I’m getting a very bad feeling about all of this, very bad indeed.

*********
As we approached the area where the Zu’har had landed it became obvious the amount of destruction they could unleash in a short amount of time. The area that was still showing signs of damage was about thirty kilometers in diameter; according to Seelnay it was originally two hundred kilometers. It’s taken almost a thousand years for the land to reclaim the invasion from space, an invasion which, the purpose of was lost long ago. We intended to find the reason they landed here in the hopes it would give us some insight on the race we were about to remove from the universe.

Its ironic here we are investigating the cause of an event that happened almost a thousand years ago so we can use that information to exterminate the Zu’har. Lafiel and I are scanning the southern area; Scholar and Seelnay are to the north while Jinto and Dai are sending our data back to Sobbash for the Independence to analyze. We plan on spending till dusk here then returning to the ship for the night.

*********
Scholar and I topped a ridge and found a cave about a thousand meters down the slope that lead to the valley. What drew our interest to this cave was the barren land that surrounded it for about two hundred meters in every direction. Scholar sent an image to Jinto he in turn forwarded to Lafiel and Sobbash. Lafiel contacted us and asked that we hold our position until they could meet us.

At first I couldn’t understand why Lafiel wanted us to stay out of the cave. Then Scholar started to back away from our position and motioned me to follow her to the other side of the ridge, where we could observe the cave, but not be seen. I noticed Scholar seemed suddenly uncomfortable with the thought of going inside the cave and made this transmission to Lafiel.

“I’m sensing something that I can’t quite put my finger on what it is. One fact I’m sure of is that Seelnay and I are not alone out here. We are withdrawing to edge of the forest meet us there and come expecting a fight.”

Scholar grabbed my hand and pulled me back the way we came. We ran back to the edge of the forest, about ten minutes later Lafiel, Noel, Jinto, and Dai met us. Lafiel started to unload the laser rifles from the hover sleds and Scholar stopped her.

“Lower your data crystals for one moment you’ll understand what’s out there.”

Lafiel gently pulled her crystals from her alpha and let them dangle in the breeze. Her first expression was that of shock then as time passed it became one of curiosity. Scholar asked Noel and Dai to not join in, what Lafiel saw she would relate to all. Jinto stood next to me he hardly ever wore his alpha. He settled for the decorative covering he’s worn since the Empire took over but I could tell he was sensing something as were the other two. I’ve had my defenses up since we landed. This planet has always given me the creeps. I started to lower my barrier and felt Scholar’s hand on my shoulder.

“Seelnay this is not a good idea. You shouldn’t make contact with what’s out there…”

At that moment as Scholar was speaking Lafiel retracted her data crystals and preceded to hand each one of us a laser rifle.

“What ever it is, it’s a threat to all of us I’ve sensed that. We are going to investigate this and if necessary destroy what is out there. “

*********

The clearing was spacious enough for the Independence to land and fifteen minutes later Sobbash neatly parked about five hundred meters from our present position. As the ship approach the area Samson tried scanning the cave but had his scans reflected. It was once on the ground that the sensors started picking up what Samson classified as very weird readings coming from the cave ahead.

We moved to where the Independence was parked and Sobbash joined our group. She and Lafiel got into a very heated discussion over what to do next.

“I strongly urge you NOT to enter that cave. I can bring the main weapon on line and remove….”

“Yes Sobbash you can remove any evidence we might need along with several thousand metric tons of soil. I appreciate your concern however this one needs to be explored, don’t worry we’ll be careful.”

Lafiel turned to walk away and Sobbash spun her back to facing her.

“I’ll be blunt Lafiel, after everything we’ve been through together. You think I’m going to let you go into that cave willingly you’ve got another think coming. It’s not going to happen.”

As Lafiel and Sobbash were about to square off Risch stepped in between them, separating them he looked at them and said.

“We have a probe I can send it into the cave, if it’s safe then you can go exploring, is that acceptable ladies?”

Lafiel and Sobbash both looked at each other and then Risch then faced each other again and nodded. Risch would send in the probe and they would await the results. As they were walking back to the ship Lafiel noticed Sobbash was armed. Taking the laser pistol from its holster she found it to be set on heavy stun, it seems Sobbash was very serious about making sure Lafiel didn’t go into that cave. Something Lafiel was giving great thought to as well.

*********
Li asked us to ‘take our time’ leaving Martine. Once in orbit and before the departure burn to rendezvous with our escort, we made a detailed scan of the surface and intercepted any and all transmissions that occurred planet side. Something was troubling Li and she shared her concerns with me. As Captain of this ship and overall commander of this mission I also expressed my reservations about the past twelve hours. Li finally relented she wanted to stay longer but our escort was waiting and we were on communications blackout, any delay in our arrival would bring Spoor’s Calvary charging into the system, which would create more trouble, that I didn’t want to have to explain.

We departed as the Government news was being broadcast. Li listened intently for any mention of the destruction we had seen on our departure, there was no mention, in fact our visit was now at the end of the broadcast and it was reported as a simple cargo delivery. Li slammer her fist on the console and left the bridge, I order the Ku Dorin to maximum speed and on a direct intercept course towards our escort. I’ve never seen Li or for that fact any member of the Council this angry before. My meeting with them to discuss my feelings about Martine may have become a mute point. We’ll be home in two days hopefully Li will have cooled off in that time if not I don’t want to think about that at this moment.

*********
Risch and Samson fitted the probe to a small crawler a unit which was remotely controlled and normally used to move containers around the cargo bays. It was not very fast but it was a strong stable platform. Placing the crawler three hundred meters from the entrance Risch activated the unit, it made steady progress towards the opening and as it entered the cave Risch stopped it suddenly.

“Look at these energy readings. One moment there was nothing but background and now…”

We looked at the display the reading was almost off the scale the amount of energy being generated from deep inside the cave indicated there was an operating force field, a field that was deadly to most life on this world.

Risch reversed the crawler as it withdrew the power levels returned to normal. Had we stumbled into the cave we would have succumbed to the field and died. That explains the dead area around the cave; the energy field must get triggered by a stray animal and the results we’re now seeing before us.


Lafiel wanted inside that cave she sat pondering the alternatives when her creunoc became active. It was Sobbash she had pinpointed the source of the field, it was about sixty meters inside the cave and well shielded. She figured a short blast from the weapons array would either disable or destroy it. Lafiel was about to give the order when Jinto interrupted.

“Hold on you two! This isn’t space the blast will have repercussion to this world. Does anyone have any idea of what might be released if the power source is destroyed?”

Lafiel told Sobbash to stand by and faced Jinto. There was no hint of anger in her eyes, more surprise; she hadn’t considered what discharging the weapons on a planet would do to the planet itself. Her color slowly returned and the wind gently blew her hair out of her face. Lafiel started to pace the area between the hover sleds, she acted like an animal recently released from it enclosure. Finally she stopped and asked Sobbash if there was any way the ships force field could be placed around that source and isolated it long enough for it to be deactivated or the cave explored.

*********
Risch and Samson were in a deep discussion when Lafiel approached them. She overheard enough to let it continue uninterrupted.

“We can place a force field around the power source and using the towing beam remove it from the cave but once we have it outside the what should we do? Not knowing its composition deactivating it might be impossible…”

“You’ve failed to take in to account it’s probably booby trapped any movement might cause it to self destruct.”

Lafiel’s voice from behind them brought Samson and Risch to turn around and address her directly.

“That’s true, but if it’s contained with in a force field then should it self detonate the field would protect us and the planet. Granted you’d lose the chance to examine the unit but at this moment we are pretty well stuck. We either leave it in peace or remove it and seeing the damage it’s still causing; personally I would like to see it gone.”

Lafiel took a long look towards the cave and the examined the area surrounding it she agreed with Samson leaving it there wasn’t an option. Since the provisional government on this world was one established by the Abh eighty years ago dealing with royal family was not what the local government wanted. So they gave Lafiel Carte Blanc in dealing with anything she might find. Lafiel was about to exercise her powers.

“How long till you can remove the unit, I figure we have about two hours till dusk.”

Two hours wasn’t much time, after a little consultation it was decided that using the ship to generate the fields instead of the portable equipment was the logical choice. The sleds and probe loaded we positioned the ship to where it would be a straight pull this meant we were in essence hovering about six meters above the surface of the planet.

“We are as ready as we’ll ever be.”

Risch’s voice echoed throughout the bridge Lafiel gave the command and the process started. Establishing the force field was fairly easy yet when we tried to move the device that’s when the wild power fluctuations started. We were able to keep the field stable and once that was accomplished we basically yanked the unit from the cave in doing so it ceased functioning.

Outside, lying on the ground, the unit showed no power output. However there was steam escaping from the cave. Scholar surmised that it was a geo thermal powered generating unit and when we gave it a tug we severed the connection to the planetary thermal source, we in essence had pulled the plug, so to say.

We landed, the scanners were now functional, and a detail scan of the unit and the cave were made. The cave seemed clear but we wanted to have a detail look inside. Risch sent a repair robot inside, it managed to shut off the flow of steam from the cave. Then we made our way to the device which sat about thirty meters from the cave entrance. It was almost the size of a hover car there were pipes and connections ripped from one side but basically it was a box, a sealed unit, which at the moment we were unable to open. It was becoming dark; we decided to wait till morning light to complete our examination of not only the cave but the unit too.

*********
Li sat at the dining room table Kim sat next to her and Atosuryua sat across from them. It had been a quiet dinner too quiet for Atosuryua. Li had spent most of the day in her cabin reviewing the data collected as we departed Martine. Sensors showed there had been numerous outbursts in the cabin as well. It took several invitations for her to finally stop what she was doing and join us for dinner. She sat there with no emotion on her face, her long black hair hanging at her side, and those jet black eyes resembled two black holes in space.

Kim tried to converse with his daughter on two different occasions while we were eating it was like neither of us were in the room. She finished the meal stood abruptly and exited the room. Sensors showed she stopped by communications and then returned to her room. Kim cleared his throat and said.

“While I can not speak for my daughter I’ll speak for myself. The occurrence we saw leaving Martine has deeply upset me. The government’s refusal to accept the facts is probably what has my daughter upset I am also quite upset about their silent denial. The Count of Hyde will hear about this at his earliest convenience. I know since they are observing communications blackout any attempt to contact him will be futile but I wonder just what my daughter is up to.”

Kim made eye contact and said the following making sure I understood every word.

“Captain, understand this, you and this ship serve at the will of the Council. The only reason we are heading home is this is a transport not a warship had it been one I’m quite sure Li would have ordered you to…”

Kim stood as if something he had said triggered a thought he didn’t want to share. He excused himself and proceeded to Li’s room.

I opened a link to the communications station I inquired as to the nature of Li’s visit. I was told she had received a communication from Shahrazad and nothing more. I began to try to put the pieces together and what I saw I didn’t like. Our escort was part of Spoor’s task force that meant Painiach has operation command over them but I also knew Painiach and the Council had an agreement as well. Li had the look of one about to make a course changing decision. I left the dining room and made my way to my cabin. I opened a device Lafiel had given me some time back; a personal communications device which she said would always be monitored. I activated the link and sent a message that I knew would bring a response from her.

*********
Daylight was an hour ago Risch and Samson had managed to open the device in that time. It was as Scholar thought a geo thermal power unit but the question was what was it powering? We were about to enter the cave when my creunoc emitted a sound I hoped I’d never hear. I silenced it and stepped back into the shade so I could see the display. It was a warning from Atosuryua telling me to return to Martine as soon as possible, and once we were out of communications blackout she’d explain in detail.

I showed the message to Jinto, he told me to go on and finish what we were here for. He would try to monitor Paveryua’s daily dispatches and see if they contained anything relating to what Atosuryua was talking about. Jinto returned to the ship Noel, Scholar, Risch, and I entered the cave. Samson stood at the opening and Sobbash was monitoring our every move from the ship. Risch turned on the search light and we moved inside.

About seventy meters inside the cave it opened into a room, this was not a natural room either. The walls were smooth almost polished in appearance. We found where the device had been the pipes were still dripping a steamy watery substance on the floor it was then that Risch took the light and followed the connections that left the area. A short tunnel again not naturally made exited this room the connections followed the wall and about ten meters later we were in another room this one three times as big as the first.

Risch panned the light around and what we saw stunned us. We had stumbled upon what looked like a nursery. Although the chambers didn’t resemble anything the Abh ever used the basic layout of the room and shape of the devices lead one to believe this was where the Zu’har planned to colonize this world from. Now what happened here to stop them and was there anything left we could discover. We opened the thirty chambers one by one, scanned them took samples of a substance that was in each one of them. Risch scanned the rooms took samples of the water on the floor and generally documented everything we saw.

We finished and returned to the ship, I found Jinto leaning on the support arm for the loading ramp he seemed very upset about something.

“Lafiel… Something has happened on Martine. The daily dispatch says about five hours ago Li returned with Spoor’s escorts and tried to… engage the government in a detailed discussion. They were greeted by ground fire. Li has retreated to the fuel depot. I have no idea what has happened but if you’re done, we need to get there without any further delay.”

Scholar had overheard Jinto and Lafiel she went aboard and broke communications silence. Contacting Li she told her no matter what authority she thought she had from the Council she was ordered to take no further action against Martine until the Independence arrived.

Lafiel and Jinto entered the bridge as Scholar was finishing her dialogue with Li. Although Scholar had broken communications silence and given their position away, Lafiel was not angry. She would discuss it with her later, once everything had settled. Their equipment loaded and the site secured the Independence left. Two hours later it arrived at Martine and made for the fuel depot. While enroute to Martine Lafiel had spoken with Atosuryua and received the data she had collected. Li had transferred to the lead escort vessel she ordered the Ku Dorin home an order which Atosuryua respectfully refused.

The Ku Dorin was station keeping outside the Sord that led from Martine. Atosuryua recorded Li’s approach to and withdrawal from Martine along with both sides of the communications. Those files she transferred in person to Lafiel on the fuel depot. Li was not happy to see Atosuryua and tried to threaten her with disciplinary action for her refusal to carry out her orders. It was then and there that both Lafiel and Scholar decided to set Li straight on the facts of life.

*********
I found Jinto in Paveryua’s office reviewing the data Li’s threw at him as she was being addressed by Lafiel and Scholar. Atosuryua’s data Lafiel had give to me and I was delivering it, however Jinto asked me to stay in the room while he reviewed the rest of the data. He finished and looked at me strangely.

“Noel look at this and tell me with your honest impression of what you see.”

I sat and viewed everything Jinto had and I didn’t understand it. What I saw and what the government said, not only in the broadcast but to Li directly, it seemed like there were two Martine’s. The one Atosuryua scanned and the one the government claims nothing happened on. Jinto had tried to scan Martine and found the atmosphere ionized all scans were being deflected or reflected back to their source. He could not confirm what he was seeing. It was at that time he asked me to get Samson, Risch, and Sobbash and bring them to him. I was to leave Lafiel and Scholar out of the loop for the time being as they had their hands full with Li.

*********
Noel came aboard and talked with Sobbash she approached my station and told me I was in command. I was not to let the crew off or allow any communications while she was gone. Noel, Samson, Risch and Sobbash left the ship the crew took notice and continued on as nothing was wrong but I knew something was brewing all of the senior staff were off the ship and that was not Lafiel’s style not at all.

*********

I lead them to Jinto, and Jinto had one question. Could the Independence get close enough to Martine to scan it without being detected? Risch and Samson asked what kind of detection devices Martine employed. A list was displayed on the viewer in the office and Samson commented on it.

“Pretty simple stuff, but there is no mention of the device that’s ionizing the atmosphere. Which means this list might be in error or outdated.”

Jinto called Paveryua into the office he showed him the list and was told it was no more than ten days old. He too was at a loss to explain the atmosphere being ionized.

“Not possible Jinto unless they’ve received a shipment I didn’t see and I doubt it… Well wait one minute; about six days ago there was a localized scanner failure for about five hours. It self corrected or did it? Now you’ve got me wondering. Samson, give me a hand, we need to pull the maintenance records and logs for that period of time.”

With that they vanished into the back office Jinto sat staring at the list as did Risch. Sobbash and I were looking out the window into the central part of the depot. Scholar, Lafiel and Li were still at it although Li looked like she was ready to give in. Jinto looked out the window and told us to go get them and bring them in. They were making enough of a scene as it was.

“Okay, Okay, OKAY! You’re right I didn’t contact the Council I asked Spoor if I could take command of the escorts. She willing gave me that privilege which I now realize I messed up badly.”

Li stood there on the verge of tears Scholar and Lafiel’s relentless questioning had finally got to the truth. Lafiel would deal with Spoor later and Scholar wanted a piece of the Grand Duchess as well. Noel and Sobbash arrived about a minute after Li confessed and they all retreated to Paveryua’s office. Jinto brought Lafiel and Scholar up to speed on what he had found and that Martine seemed to have acquired technological assistance from sources unknown. Their ionizing of the atmosphere was something they shouldn’t be able to accomplish with what they reportedly have.

*********
“Hey boss what brings you to our part of space?”

Seelnay sat in her cabin this voice only conversation was done on purpose. She wanted to know what her friends and fellow co workers had been up to. She also knew if they could see her face they’d know she knew they had been up to no good but, she wanted them to confess this on their own.

“I’m fine. I’m aboard the Independence we are docked at the fuel depot.”

The amount of silence lead Seelnay to believe that the link had been broken but it hadn’t her friends just realized the real meaning of this conversation it was Arisa’s voice that finally answered.

“Well I see we can’t put anything over on you. There is something that I’ve been meaning to tell you but the time never seemed right until now. I’ll meet you in the coffee shop on the depot in about an hour.”

Seelnay acknowledge the transmission and left the ship, she wanted to find Lafiel, she knew the coming confession from Arisa and what was happening on Martine were related. There were times she wished she didn’t have the gifts she had and hoped Dawn would never have to experience what she has.

*********
Lafiel sat sorting through everything Jinto had told her. Martine was suppose to be neutral as far as the Empire was concerned yet the recent clashes and now this new found shielding lead her to believe someone had broken the treaty establish shortly after Jinto granted Martine it’s independence. Lafiel understood that although the Empire was involved in a wide spread system management plan the treaties were established to give the local governments the advantage of saying NO to undesirable influences. Someone had brought technology to Martine in violation of that treaty those who did need to be found out and punished according to Abh law. Seelnay’s hand on her shoulder broke her train of thought.

“Lafiel you need to come with me. I’m pretty sure I know who’s been tampering with Martine.”

Lafiel said nothing she stood and followed Seelnay to the coffee shop. They took a table in the far corner and waited for Arisa. Not a word was said between them until Arisa arrived.

“Ah Seelnay, Your Highness, somehow I’m not surprised to see you here. I’m here to confess a grievous error in judgment and help rectify the problem then accept the punishment for breaking the treaty.”

Seelnay placed her head in her hands and Lafiel started the questioning. The incident started almost six months ago when a high ranking official on Martine asked Arisa to import some goods. It was about that time the Abh were having logistical problems so as a favor she complied. Arisa then stated it was her looking the other way on the next shipment that lead to the present trouble not only on Martine but the new orbital devices as well.

“We transported not only goods but personnel the next time. I know it was in direct violation of the treaty but Martine’s plight seemed real, however once the militia formed and the attacks started I knew we’d been played for fools. I’ve been trying to get up the courage to tell Seelnay, but things started happening so fast and then the Independence showed up. I though it would all go away, it didn’t, the village that was leveled contained the scientist that developed the new planetary defense system. Also something else you should know although I can’t prove it. I suspect there are foreign agents on Martine. Too many things have happened that I can’t explain any other way. ”


Lafiel’s interest peaked when the words foreign agents was mentioned. There was something on the planet that had bothered her and now things were beginning to gel. She stood and told Seelnay and Arisa to follow her, they met Jinto in Paveryua’s office and the story was retold for Jinto’s benefit. Jinto’s reaction was predictable yet the amount of anger he displayed even surprised Lafiel.

“WHY!?!... Why did you do this and don’t tell me it was for the money. That treaty was signed to prevent this very thing from happening. Be glad I’m not Lafiel because a rapid exit from an airlock would be looming in your future.”

Jinto stood and left the room his anger and disgust were still very evident. Lafiel faced Arisa and asked her if she knew what kind of defensive grid was now orbiting Martine? Arisa handed Lafiel a copy of the manifest and her scans of the cargo. Lafiel returned to the main office those who were with her earlier overheard the entire conversation. Lafiel place the information on the table and told everyone to have a look at it and then they would decide the best way to deactivate what Arisa had brought to Martine.

*********
Jinto found Samson and Paveryua; he shared with them his conversation with Arisa. Paveryua was disappointed and Samson was frustrated. This wasn’t the first time in history that Seelnay’s partners had managed to foul up the works although this time they seem to have done a stellar job of it.

“Now that we know Count Hyde, you better figure the ones using the equipment know as well. It would be foolish to assume otherwise. I’m sure their plan was to draw the Independence into a situation that would be sympathetic to their cause. News of your visit even though it was broadcast limitedly has made its way through the populace. Opinion on the planet is running five to two against the militia. Teel has won a propaganda victory but I’ll bet he doesn’t know what’s orbiting the planet. Drawing you into a trap and portraying you as the invader would play into the militia’s hand. This isn’t going to be easy especially if there are influences from another race involved. Did you find anything interesting on Seelnay’s home world? “

Paveryua’s question bounced around inside Jinto’s head. It was only after several minutes to sort everything out did he respond. They hadn’t found anything because they hadn’t review the data collected. The left in a hurry and stepped from one mess into another.

“Guess we should finish what we started before we take on another project. Paveryua can we use the labs on the depot? We have some samples to catalog and quickly.”

Paveryua nodded, they returned to the office found Lafiel and the others. Jinto stopped their pursuit of those on Martine and shifted their efforts to analyzing the samples and data retrieved from Seelnay’s home world. It would take the rest of the day to sort through everything. Jinto left Paveryua to start sorting out Martine’s problems. Seelnay and Arisa excuse themselves from the room they were last seen in the docking bay having a very animated conversation.

*********
The Ku Dorin had berthed fifty minutes ago, Lafiel, with Li in tow, delivered her to Atosuryua. It was made very plain that Li was to return home with Atosuryua it was also made very clear that Atosuryua was in command and all operations would be cleared through her. Spoor’s escort detail got the same message from Lafiel. As they were readying to leave, Lafiel confided in Atosuryua as to the nature of the present situation.

“Martine’s been compromise to what extent I do not know, but figure the Zu’har are involved, so watch your back going home. Your return to this world has been noted and when we decide what we are doing next, you may become a target of their retaliation. Remember you and the Ku Dorin are valuable, Spoor’s escorts are to insure you arrive at Shahrazad in one piece that means if in a fight you have to run off and leave them do so, you are not armed well enough to take on what we just did.”

Atosuryua nodded accepting everything Lafiel had said. As she boarded the ship she responded to Lafiel.

“I’ll not play the hero as long as you follow your own advice Your Highness. You got real lucky last time don’t expect your luck to hold out this time, unlike me you don’t have an escort to protect you and I don’t care how powerful that ship is you can be overwhelmed. Remember that you can be out numbered and out gunned. ”

*********
The Ku Dorin departed. Lafiel found Seelnay wondering the docking bay. She asked where Arisa was and Seelnay informer her that the fuel tender was joining the Ku Dorin on the trip back to Shahrazad. It was there Arisa would surrender to the Council and await Lafiel’s return. Lafiel placed an arm around Seelnay they made their way back to Paveryua’s office. There was a lot of data to sort through and Seelnay was more than willing to help.

*********
“Well Kufadis, I wonder what the ambassador needed with the escort fleet? I also noticed the transport hasn’t returned either I hope they stayed close to the escort and didn’t try coming back on their own. I would be very upset should anything happen to that ship…”

There are times in my relationship with Painiach that I’d like to deck her, knock her off her feet, and on to her aristocratic behind. This is one of those times, Atosuryua is an experienced commander, I’m sure she stayed close to the escort no matter where it ended up. My worry is just where did Li take them and hopefully they didn’t engage in combat. Although thoroughly trained that division has not seen combat in sometime and if they befell the Zu’har I could see dead ships floating in space. It was true at this moment I was doing everything in my power to keep from flooring Painiach. After what must have seen an hour to her I finally answered her question.

“I hope they are well. Since we’ve haven’t received any communication I have to assume where ever they are they have come to no harm.”

That is what I said, what I thought was an entirely different scenario. I saw Li leading them into a confrontation which none of them could handle. I hoped that somehow Lafiel managed to get there in time to prevent an outcome I’d already envisioned. I turned my back on Painiach and walked away. I knew this would be the best thing to do although the image of her sitting on the deck on her duff was appealing to me I’d let it pass this time.

*********
FOS255 was that mystical substance that we all hoped we’d find in the samples we took from Seelnay’s home world. We didn’t find it, instead we found something similar, almost a match to FOS255, but altered in two ways. First, it seemed capable of reproduction of making more of itself from a small sample. Secondly there was a component that at first we didn’t understand, but later discovered was an anti tampering agent. Should you try to alter it chemically, in anyway, it becomes an inert dark green substance which smells badly. I guess this was in response to the Guardians successful attempt a century earlier to poison the Zu’har.

It became evident that poisoning the Zu’har as the Guardians had wasn’t going to work. We needed a different approach a little genetic re engineering, now how does this stuff work? Samples were divided into groups and analyzed for properties and chemical make up. Samson was right this was the Zu’har primary food source a complex molecular structure that not only provided nutrition but carried the genetic codes use in reproduction of the species.

After several hours we hit an impasse, what we needed was a live Zu’har to finalize our research. We knew they were not one hundred percent insects, there were traces of human DNA in all of our samples but how does this organism function? That was the underlying question. Scholar figured out an answer something none of us had thought about.

“The Abh are masters of genetic manipulation, I say we clone one, not to maturity, but long enough to figure out its physiology and a way to halt their reproductive cycle.”

What Scholar said didn’t surprise me I knew from the moment I told her of the agreement to remove the Zu’har once and for all she was never comfortable with the military option. Yet the destruction of their fleet, bases and home world were what I had promised the Wise Ones we would do. This was her attempt at a compromise, a plan which I thought had merit yet the thought of leaving one Zu’har alive didn’t set well with me. Then Scholar made a request that was going to be difficult to accomplish on the depot or the Independence.

“Lafiel we need a gestation chamber, I see two possibilities we use one from the depot, if they have any, or return to Seelnay’s home world and bring one of the Zu’har chambers back. Either way we are stuck as far as proceeding with our investigation.”

*********
My training, when I was younger, gave me the ability to decide what order of importance to give to situations like I was facing now. However the tasks that presently faced us went beyond any logical problem solving I’d been taught. It was time to have a consultation with those involved. My thinking was to leave Martine go for the moment and concentrate on finding out everything about Zu’har that we could. I knew Jinto would want to place Martine at the top of the list it was his home and I could see the distress on his face.

The consultation went as I expected. Jinto was incensed on returning Martine to its pre Arisa involvement state. A decision that I can relate to but we weren’t sure exactly what Martine’s state was before Arisa intervened. I also reminded Jinto that we had just delivered goods and equipment that Martine didn’t have before, although what we did fell within the treaty we have also altered the natural course Martine was on.

Paveryua added something to the conversation I knew was coming but I hoped it need not be mentioned. The depot although well equipped did not have the facilities to continued our investigation of the Zu’har another location would be required and Shahrazad now became the logical choice.

Jinto relented, he asked Paveryua to monitor Martine and to try to ascertain what changes have occurred in the past month and then forward that information to him on Shahrazad. We gather our research materials and departed the depot. Once we were on Shahrazad, Scholar and I took our research to Doctor Sasoum. The balance of my staff spent time studying everything else we’d acquired in our travels. Jinto became a bit of a recluse, Martine weighed heavily on his mind actually it was Lina and Teel that occupied his thoughts he was convinced that they knew nothing about the orbiting devices around Martine. I hope Jinto’s correct in his assumptions if it’s proven otherwise I’ll have one very big problem on my hands.

*********

The message from Scholar said I should return to the Village at once. I took Noel with me and shortly before dusk we arrived at the Council chambers from there it was a short walk to Doctor Sasoum’s research center. We enter and were greeted with this:

“Your Highness I know how you’re not fond of surprises, so I’m warning you now what I’ve discovered is very disturbing and came as quite a surprise.”

Doctor Sasoum lead us into the adjacent room, in there was a gestation chamber that upon on closer inspection contained… a human embryo…

“The Zu’har have mutated outwardly they appear as humanoid, yet until this develops further I have no idea how…”

Doctor Sasoum who is normally very confident and never at a loss for words stood very quiet. It was apparent from her look and general mannerism that at this moment she was stumped. Our genetic genius was baffled with the life form that was developing before her and at a rate unlike any human she’d ever encountered.

“According to the data I’ve retrieved so far that should be ready to be born in less than twelve days time. I find it completely incomprehensible for humanoid life to develop at such a pace.”

I questioned her use of the word humanoid I was surprised when she said this to me.

“Lafiel the sample you provided is more human than insect the DNA is so intertwined that only a detailed study of the…”

She took a couple of steps toward the chamber stopped and stared. What only a few minutes ago was an embryo had become a fetus with an approximated age of three weeks. Doctor Sasoum shook her head she then addressed Scholar.

“I want a well armed detail at my disposal. I’ve got a bad feeling about what is in that chamber. Should it… Look I have no idea what’s going to happen, I’m going to work on the worse case scenario, we maybe creating a monster in there, and then again we may not. Should it do something unpredictable I want to keep it contained to this lab. I hope you understand my reasoning.”

All the time Doctor Sasoum had been talking I had been watching the chamber. Noel stood beside me the life form had changed considerably in the five minutes that I had had been watching it. Scholar granted the request for an armed detail and we left the research center.

*********
I contacted Jinto and told him that Noel and I were going to spend the night in the Village. Noel sat staring out the window the moon filled the night sky. I pulled a chair along side her I could sense an uneasy feeling emitting from her. Not changing her gaze she addressed me.

“I know you made a promise; I also know if left unchecked the Zu’har will be back. Yet, if they’ve evolved to a humanoid life form, do you think it might be possible to reason with them, come to some sort of a peaceful conclusion?”

The moon showed Noel’s conflict. I’ve known for quite sometime that the war before had played heavily on her. The thought of killing on the scale we were lead to believe was tearing at her. I knew it when we returned from our first encounter I felt it again while we were in the lab and I’m sensing it now along with the two faint streaks of tears running down her cheeks.

“Noel the Zu’har has proven to be beyond negotiation. The violent attacks against the Star Forces and this world have proven that. I sense your conflict if you wish to be replaced I can look for a suitable…”

Noel’s reaction time has always exceeded mine; her hand slapped my face before I could even try to stop it.

“You’re missing the point Lafiel, you and I are alive because I was there to save our hides. Replacing me and continuing on your present course will…”

She returned her gaze to the moon and I watched another set of tears stream down her face. It took a few minutes for me to recover from her slap I placed my arm around her and pulled her to my side. She placed her head on my shoulder and continued to weep softly.

I found solace in the moon; Noel fell asleep on my shoulder in a short time. This mission was becoming something I was not train for. I was going on gut feeling, adapting what I’d learned and had experienced to guide my decisions. I felt alone and confused it wasn’t a feeling I was accustom to. Helping Noel to bed I spent a few hours staring into space, my original home, yet now this orbiting mass had become my home and trying to protect it was taking everything I had.

I finally fell asleep my mind still racing wondering what was growing in the chamber, where the Zu’har were and how to make all of this work…


To Be Continued in: TAY

"Ah! You don't know my name?
Its very simple, Lafiel you shall say.
In return I'd like to call you Jinto."


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