The Unexpected Visitor
Entering the Command Center they found a link opened; between Captain Pratt and Command, spying Cassandra, Captain Pratt said.
"I'm glad you're here I'll be brief; we encounter what we thought to be a disabled Abh communications shuttle and brought it aboard, once in the bay it powered up put up a force field and demanded to speak with your father or mother… if I fail to comply they were going to take out my reactor…following your instructions I did not mention any of the facts surrounding your family but I think you should talk to them."
Muting the link Cassie said.
"Where is our closest asset?"
"Eli intercepted the initial transmission and left ten minutes ago I have her waiting on a separate link." Sari said.
"Put Eli on."
The main viewer goes split screen and Eliana says.
"We're cloaked and about a half hour from the transport when we get there what do you…"
"Do nothing, I'm tying you into the link with the transport, let's see what they want first."
Moving to the console Cassandra motions for the transport link to be opened and says.
"I'll talk to them and they'll have to accept the fact it's me or nothing, how many souls onboard?"
"I have enough life pods for the crew however this cargo… it's really special I'd hate to lose it."
"I see, patch us together and get your people ready."
The link switches to a dimmed cockpit the pilot barely visible and then…
"I said I wanted to speak to the Count of Hyde, where is he?"
Cassandra faced the monitor and said.
"I am Cassandra Lynn, governor of this world, my father is dead you'll have to deal with me. Now what was so important…?"
"Where's the Princess I'll speak with her…"
"You'll do no such thing, it me or nothing, you decide."
There was a moment of silence; Sari who was on the link with Eli gave thumbs up indicating the Eli was closing on the transport. Finally…
"Cassandra you say, step into the light so I might see you better?"
She moved away from the console and to a well lit area the optics focused on her and she said.
"Now that you can see me how about I get a look at you?"
The red battle lights began to glow and from the back of the room Donald said.
"Well, well if it isn't Kufadis, I thought you dead, looks like I was wrong."
"Oh Donald, I thought the same of you, well if you're there then what I have to say will be believed. Ms. Cassandra I release the hold on your ship and ask for asylum."
It was over almost as fast as it had occurred or was it. The shuttle was secured its registration check verified it as stolen. Kufadis was escorted to the brig where he remained until the transport docked. A security detail escorted him to a holding cell on the planet where Seelnay, Donald and Dawn had a long talk with him.
*********
Noel and Risch had just left; Mia and Saio had swapped with Mia returning to the Medical Center. Lafiel had woke a couple of times; the first frantically searching for… then realizing that he was indeed gone, drifting off to sleep once more. Jasmine almost gave her a shot to make her sleep but decided against it. She had a link open with Dr Sasoum who suggested that maybe one of the Village healers… which Jasmine dismissed by saying."The though of some stranger wandering around inside Lafiel's head, sorry I'll not allow that she knows too much, a lot of which most of us might guess but … no… well.. If Scholar was here, she's the only one I'd trust to wander around in that mine field and not get destroyed. She'll have to do this on her own, how long it'll take who knows, it been over a year and... She's making progress."
The link closes Jasmine returns to where Lafiel is sleeping and continues to observer her.
*********
Word of Kufadis arrival was kept a secret, however when a certain person found out…"Kufadis, it's been a very long time I understand you're going to be a permanent resident?"
"Sobbash, it has been a long time I'm surprised you remember… "
"You know her niece is on this world and is a member of the medical establishment, sooner or later you're going to have a visitor that…"
"I'll try to avoid that, the news I have… it's not good… but its also incomplete… they were on the wrong side… I wasn't anywhere near but when they purged the records, my name appeared, a warrant was issued. I took what I could and got here, wasn't my plan but…"
"Kufadis, be honest, how bad is it?"
"Sobbash, at this moment the Empire is fragmented; those who follow the hardliners, those who oppose them, and those who wish to remain neutral. Those are the three main groups then throw in half dozen or so splinter groups, mostly wealth nobles with enough clout to keep their territories intact, for the moment. It's ugly and quite volatile. Can we change the subject? What happened to Count of Hyde no one will give me a straight answer."
They had been walking the entire conversation and Sobbash knew of a place near one of the gardens where they could sit and she delivered the news to him.
"What took him is the same thing that might take each of us one day, however when our brain starts to go a gene kicks in and we die with out going through the debilitating disease. Jinto, not being one hundred percent Abh, died almost a vegetable, stripped of everything, it was quite painful to watch, and Lafiel took care of him to the end. It affected her greatly that's why you were not allowed to speak with her, and will be kept from her until she recovers."
Kufadis sat back and gazed skyward it was a cloudless day and the sun shown brilliantly, Jinto had always raved about life on the surface, he'd given it no thought until now. Taking in the view around him something clicked, he knew what Jinto saw, what held his interest. Asking where he was buried Sobbash lead him to the falls. The monuments shown in the midday sun, Kufadis recognized everyone there. Approaching Jinto's monument he read the inscription place his hand upon it and said.
"I got here too late Count of Hyde accept my humble apology."
With that he and Sobbash left, she to her gardens and he to find Donald.
*********
It's had been a couple of days since Kufadis arrived, the shuttle held a wealth of information within it. Dawn and Seelnay had finished downloading it into the planetary system where the data was being analyzed. Several shocking events were in the data, the first being a record of the ship that probably attacked Ariel. The second, a partial record of events, which lead to the Empire's course radically changing? But for the moment the group was fixated on the ship. Constructed by a territory which was non-aligned with the Empire it was deemed the perfect defensive weapon should the Empire decide to flex its muscle. A quote from the build specifications said…"Production of a vessel that will generate enough destructive power, even the mighty Star Forces would think twice about crossing our path."
The weaponry was black hole technology, highly unstable yet very destructive if managed properly. From the data they had it would seem the weapon was effective about sixty five percent of the time. There had been some setbacks and a loss of life, unthinkable to those who viewed the data, yet despite all of this they continued, as Miranda put it.
"Suicide, to prevent genocide, not my way of thinking. What are we going to do? Capture it or… it's on a non-aligned world the Empire won't…"
"Don't be so sure about that… Kufadis feels someone in the Empire is aware… which side, who knows but before we do anything Robert said he'd like a look at it… Noel said that same thing… Blowing it up, I feel is the last resort."
Donald and Miranda were at a logger head, it would be up to those in the Command Center to make the final decision. A tad frustrated Miranda left and sought out Shawn, initially he was going to get an earful about 'Cassandra's boyfriend' but she thought better of it and knew it was a rather childish thing to do. She found Shawn with Cassandra and Kufadis… the conversation centered on locating the mystery ship, something Kufadis was giving thought about.
"That depot, it's on the edge of the Empire, in fact its orbit takes it in and out of the Empire's sphere of influence... if we timed it correctly and the ship was there we could declare it in violation and seize it … um quazi legally… it’s a thought."
"With the information you supplied and a possible location, it would be foolish to sit any longer… Miranda and Shawn, run through the information with Kufadis… I'll have Donald and Dawn meet us, it's time to get going… I'd like this over and done with… we do have more pressing issues, believe it or not."
Cassandra returns to the Command Center along with Shawn and Miranda, an hour later Dawn, Seelnay and Donald arrive. Intelligence briefing complete it was decided to send three ships to try to capture the vessel in question. As much as he wanted go Robert will stay behind in his place Marjee will take Paveryua along with Independence and Samson and seek out the depot.
KO and Shawn will stay in the defense zone Dai and Plakia will provide back up and cover should they find trouble. The launch came shortly after the Council and Alliance were notified of the mission. It would be six hours for the vanguard to reach the depot the back up will be in position right before that. Approaching cloaked and from several directions they'd stay in contact but maintain a general communications blackout.
*********
Doctor Sasoum had replaced Jasmine, about an hour after the exchange a slightly confused Lafiel woke. She and the Doctor went outside and tried to have a serious conversation, it lasted a few minutes, and then Lafiel drifted off. Coaxing her back to bed she informed Jasmine of what had transpired by saying."She was trying to be the 'old' Lafiel, however I believe she finally realizes that person has, as much as she wishes otherwise, changed and will continue to evolve with the passage of time. My concern is how easily she tired; I want to give her a complete physical when you feel up to it. For now I'll keep observing… Did you manage to make contact with her?"
"I managed to make contact with the last outpost they visited… where they said they were going is, face it Doctor if Scholar dropped everything and came racing back here it'll be at least six months or more before she arrives… there is one person that I would trust to interface with Lafiel that's much closer, however that's a conversation I'd like to have with Shawn, Plakia and Cassandra before I approach them, it's their 'blood' so to speak."
Doctor Sasoum closed the link, the person Jasmine was thinking of, that thought had also passed across her mind. Such a complex person Lafiel turned out to be because of her close interface with him for all those years.
*********
"As much as I would like to have you along, should something go awry, I don't want either one of you in any kind of danger, as far as the universe knows, you two have made it to the 'mist' and I'd like to keep it that way."Miranda understood, Kufadis however was about to raise an objection when he saw Cassandra's demeanor, that look she had, he'd seen it a long time ago, he knew as much as he objected the answer will be 'no'. Accepting his fate he and Miranda left. Out of range she asked him this.
"I figured you'd put up quite a fuss, yet, you didn't, why might I ask?"
"You haven't had to deal with her mother, am I correct?"
"That's correct yet she seems quite different from her mother…"
"That's until you put them on the spot and… I tried once a long time ago to argue with 'Her Highness' she got a look on her face that Cassandra just showed when I went to question her… as a certain Admiral I once knew said… "Success means obtaining your objective with the minimum of damage… although, there were times that didn't hold true in battle, in a skirmish such as we just had with Cassandra… I stand here undamaged, yet unsuccessful… a draw, for which I'm not happy with, I can accept the fact that I tried and didn't succeed, this time."
They continued walking away, Miranda analyzing what Kufadis had just said and she realized the look was not unique to Cassandra and her mother; it seems she remembered a similar look on Shawn's face when she went to argue, and question his… 'I see, a lesson learned; now I know just how far I can push him before he…' a satisfied look appeared on Miranda's face, something Kufadis took note of.
*********
Sensors indicated their target was in sight however…."Captain, I'm convinced that is no sensor ghost… but a solitary Abh ship of the line… should I scan it?"
Eliana sat motionless, taking in the information and said…
"Inform the rest of this development, and put some distance between us and them… tell the rest to follow suit, we'll watch for a bit and see… also run the silhouette of that ship through the database I'd like to know who we've stumbled across."
Marjee and Ariel acknowledge Eliana's message and slow their approach to the area in question… a link is then established and Eli starts the conversation.
"Half of me is not surprised, however, a sole ship, we're running it through the database… I feel it's dependant upon us to avoid that ship and continue but with it as close to our destination as it is our plans will have to adapt… Stealing the device becomes out of the question if an alarm is sounded I don't feel like taking on… hang on the system has identified the class of ship… well, well, this is interesting… it fits the profile of the flagship of the 'Third Imperial Fleet'… if that's so… the hardliners flagship sits in our way… now the question is, are they here to obtain what we're after, or to defend it?"
Ariel went silent; Marjee was making educated assumptions, however it was Ariel's silence that held Eliana's attention and it wasn't long before the link was reestablished.
"Hear me out before you condemn what I'm about to say, steal the device was the original plan… I think I, err, we, can steal the entire ship, when we find it. Hide it in a cloak and move it to where we can examine it… we have a detailed plan if you want to hear it."
Ariel's image froze once again, Marjee was seriously considering what she had heard, and it was Eliana who said.
"Steal the ship? What about the obstruction a half light minute away. You really think they'll let us just waltz in and take it?"
"Oh that, we need to figure out its intentions… the only way we have figured is to lure it away from the depot and steal the target once we figure out … it's got to be there period… I'd be surprised otherwise."
"That's nice Ariel, and almost logical however the 'ifs' are pretty risky; if we find it; if the Abh take our faint; if its not well guarded that's three ifs and I can think of more… forward your plan to Marjee and me… we'll study it and get back to you."
The plan arrived, and…. an hour later a consensus had been reached… although based on several assumptions, it had merit however Marjee had made an adjustment to it. A cloaked probe would be launched to survey the area and locate not only the ship in question but any other surprises that might be around… trying to mitigate the 'ifs' as much as possible.
Probe launched it would be awhile before they received any meaningful data from it. Eli informed Dai and Plakia of their present intentions to which Plakia answered.
"Be wary of the Third, they are the elite of the elite… fooling them will be no easy task… however should you be successful I suggest the 'decoy come at us and by all means stay in uncontested space…"
Eliana took note of what Plakia had said… another hour would pass before she would know if their plan was feasible.
*********
Communications from the fleet arrived at the Command Center, Cassandra showed little surprise to find an Imperial warship was in close proximity to the depot, in fact she would have been surprised if there wasn't one there however, it belonging to the 'Third' fleet did raise a concern… was the Empire looking for or sheltering the mystery ship, only time will tell. Forwarding the information to Shawn, KO and the Alliance council she ended her report with these remarks."The plan entails taking possession of the ship in question, however the presence of a solitary Abh warship does add a risk... should we be successful, I'm almost certain that someone will raise a fuss… or maybe not, especially if the weapon was a true secret… just be prepared to either be notified by or receive unexpected company… should we get away with this and nothing is said… that is more troublesome than an outright protest."
The link closed, KO and Shawn had heard the entire message it was KO that commented.
"Be ready once this occurs, our latest Intel on the whereabouts of the Abh fleets show one is close enough to be here before our fleet arrives… neither you nor I have the firepower to take on an entire fleet should it become necessary. If we get visitors, take no provocative actions no matter what they say… once we are targeted; if it comes to that, then diplomacy is off the table. We'll have ample warning of when our fleet completes the mission, until then relax but be ready to go defensive at a moments notice."
KO's words left Shawn a bit uneasy… aboard Illusion KO was making her own plans.
"Lyra, Leo, tie into the planetary defensive grid and monitor the long range scanners… the moment anything out of the ordinary occurs, bring us to battle station and notify Command plus Ramaj. Orion if we have visitors do an instainous profile, I want to know if we even stand a chance of holding them off, if not send an immediate communication to our Fleet and Command letting them know of our present situation."
Sarah sat taking in what KO had just said and said.
"A fleet, we'll be outnumbered ten to one… you're kidding about taking them on, right…"
"No I'm not and you forget we're within range of the planetary defense grid… if we are controlling the grid make those odds three to one… I hope we don’t… but if we do I want to be ready."
KO forwarded her action plan to Shawn, although slightly relieved he was still concerned… He was hoping this first combat wouldn't be against the Empire.
*********
The first bit of data arrived from the probe and… the ship in question was docked well away from and facility. Marjee took it in and said aloud…"Parked out in the middle of nowhere and seemingly unguarded, something does not feel right about all of this… let's await the complete scan before we …."
Another hour passed and the scan results were complete, the detail scanned showed more that Marjee expected. The ship, although positioned in the far reaches of the depot was surrounded by a sophisticated defense grid… it was being transmitted towards the ship from an derelict looking freighter, in this case looks were deceiving… the detail scan of the freighter was still being processed as Marjee updated the rest of the fleet.
"The ship in question is well guarded although the initial scan showed otherwise… the analysis of the vessel producing the field surrounding the ship in question is still processing but in my opinion, there has to be a weakness in their defenses, once we find it we can exploit it…. hopefully…."
Eliana sat taking in everything Marjee has said then asked the question…
"Suppose, just suppose there isn't a weakness, then what?"
The link contained not only Eliana and Marjee but Ariel along with Chitose were also listening. From the background a bit muffled Chitose could be heard saying.
"According to Miranda these fools are lucky; odds indicate they'll not be that lucky… I bet on a large ***** in their armor… considering how foolish they've been up to now, why expect anything different?"
Eliana almost dismissed the off handed comment then said.
"You think they've got a weakness… find it and we'll steal that ship… if not plan B is to… use force and hope they're as lightly defended as the probe shows, but, we can not leave here empty handed. We take the ship or blast it to bits, overrun the depot and… pillage and plunder… time is getting away from us..."
The link closed an astounded Chitose was still fixated on the now blank screen. She turned to Ariel and said.
"Pillage and plunder? Really? I read about the pirates of old and remember that statement; she's not serious is she?"
"Knowing her as I do that's frustration being expressed, however, with her it's really hard to tell. her home world went through a period of lawlessness… that was nearly a century ago but… do nothing but observe at this time and communicate with Marjee, that probe's data holds the key, if any, to our success. That's where I believe you can be of assistance."
*********
Tied into Command, Dawn and Seelnay were monitoring the communications between KO, the fleet, and Command it was Seelnay the commented.""Great, they found it, they can see it, but not get to it at the moment, is there anything we can do on our end to help?"
They were receiving data from Marjee's probe but the distance and delay rendered it almost useless in a real time sense. Dawn checked her tie in with the defensive grid, saw KO had a command link established and said.
"Right now we're spectators, KO has grid control, and Marjee has real time data. Looks like we sit and wait, for the moment."
Seelnay realized this was the way it was going to be, however she did have an unresolved issue she was going to address. Excusing herself, she left Dawn and sought out Kufadis and Miranda.
*********
The last of the probe data was processed a link was open between Marjee and Ariel, Chitose's analysis of the probes findings prompted her to say."It's narrow, but it's constant… I believe you could transport not more than two people aboard… if the ship itself is actually devoid of any security measures… I feel it's my duty to inform you… Marjee you could be walking into a trap… if that's so I want to go with you."
Marjee's image remained motionless, then…
"It's up to your Captain, if she approves… however only the three of us know this information... We need to share it with the others before we go …"
A link was opened and all concerned were on. Marjee related the results of the scan and said.
"There is an area where the ship is moored and the power couplings are attached that's not within the security blanket, its big enough for two to transport safely, now before you comment hear us out, we've scanned the ship, there are no other life forms aboard or with in five thousand meters of it's berth. The scan also shows no sign of residual radiation and that the propulsion units seem functional... with that said I plan to take Chitose and transport aboard, secure the ship activate its propulsion and steal it. What I need is a place close enough where I can meet you two so you can project a cloak around us… this is assuming we leave and no alarms are raised… if that's the case, and we can't secure the ship, then we blow it up… I know there is a lot of assumption in this plan but, we feel we can pull it off with little to no interference from the depot… steal it while they sleep."
Eliana inquires about the following…
"You steal it that’s good, what about searching the depot? We let them keep all that data so they can build another one? Also that freighter the one producing the force field I know a minor detail that… "
Marjee was expecting these very questions and she says…
"Data, we'll steal it out of their system along with the ship, and before we leave we'll put a bug in said system that will cause them great upset, if you know what I mean. That freighter is interfaced, as far as we can tell, to their main system, planting a bug and taking it down, will take less time than powering up the ship so we can procure it."
Eliana and Ariel discussed letting Chitose go with Marjee; with Ariel saying.
"She's the one who verified the '*****' in their armor, my opinion; the odds of success improve greatly with her on board. She should be able to handle the navigation and with Marjee doing the engineering, I'd be happier if there was the possibility of more going but there is not."
Eliana weight the facts, communicated with Command and the decision was made, Marjee's plan was accepted with one inclusion, if possible they were to sabotage the main power grid along with the data storage system. The plan was to be executed after the depots activity for the day had ceased.
Marjee and Chitose were making the last minute adjustment to the plan when Chitose said.
"Actually, disabling the power grid had crossed my mind and I have a simple but fool proof way to do it."
Holding a bridging coupler in her hands she continued…
"We place this on the mains to the ship leaving it loose. When we break contact the cables will fall and the coupling will become active shorting that power station… since it will be a sizable interruption I doubt their automated system can handle it and will reset, while they're manually bringing it on line, we slip off under the cover of darkness so to say. Of course, by that time, their main computer will have logic errors galore, fool proof it's not, unexpected, I really hope it is …"
Marjee had accepted haphazard planning before but this episode will rank in her top ten for years to come.
*********
Arriving at Command, after her earlier conversation, Seelnay was shown Marjee's 'attack' plan and asked her opinion, studying it and acting out some of it she said."You know this is actually crazy enough to work and it might work quite well… What was that expression I heard, oh yeah, 'frontier military strategists' something from the past concerning the elements of surprise and doing a lot with little resources. Yeah that fits Marjee to a tee."
Donald listened to his mother and commented.
"You mean covert action with a lot of luck and some skill involved?"
"Exactly" Seelnay said.
*********
Armed and in environmental suits, Marjee and Chitose transported to the entrance of the ship. Placing the coupling on the cables they coaxed the hatch open and entered. A quick scan showed no other security measures were on board and there was an atmosphere, however taking time to analyze it was not in the plans. The bridge while cluttered was of a standard design. Marjee brought the systems to stand by and Chitose accessed the navigational system, they were about to tie into the depot's central computer when the ship shook violently. The link between Eliana and them became active…"That Abh warship just opened up on the far end of the depot… I strongly suggest you use this distraction and leave…"
Marjee pointed to the console and said.
"Forget everything else and let's get going. I'm bringing propulsion on line, drop the mains and short out the substation."
A course was plotted and the moorings dropped, there was a flash and a localized explosion as they drifted off to space. Moments later salvos from the Abh ship destroyed the berth and surrounding area… in the confusion and generated smoke screen they slipped away to the rendezvous, where a cloak and tow lines were placed on the ship. As they left the area the Abh obliterated the depot turning it to debris. Satisfied their mission was accomplished the Abh retreated back to Imperial controlled space. Back aboard their respective ships a link was activated with Eliana saying.
"Dumb luck, that's how I'm objectively rating this mission, my theory is the Abh were negotiating with the depot and I'll assume the answer was 'no'. We're not being followed nor are there any reports of military actions being made… face it through 'dumb luck' we stole it and as far as the rest of space is concerned it's been obliterated… although I'd been interested what those computers on the former depot held but…"
Aboard Independence Chitose took in Eliana words, looked back at Ariel and said.
"I disagree, dumb luck laced with some skill, but, that's my not so objective observation… and as far as data, I did a quick scan of the system before we shut down the ship and placed it in tow… it contains a complete history so… I think we did good, dumb luck or not…"
*********
Command Center had a brief celebration, then the discussion of what to do with the prize began. It would be delivered to the research depot about the fifth moon where it would be examined and disassembled. It was decided that until a complete review of the ship was done any information learned would be kept 'in house' and disseminated slowly, carefully and probably with great restraint not wanting to divulge exactly where the data was recovered from… it would be a touchy subject for years to come, it would seem. Cassandra would wait till all the information was presented and then after consulting with the Council a decision would be arrived at.
*********
"Commanders log: we've been on what some aboard this ship feel was a wild goose chase. I tend to disagree; we found what we were looking for, however I figure it was about fifty solar years too late. The planet was destroyed and not by a 'natural process'. Residual radiation scans indicated a plasma conversion weapon was aimed at the core and the planet fractured. We've spent a year searching the surround system looking for evidence, we have recovered three exploration satellites and we're downloading the data from them… on a personal note, I've had a 'strange' feeling for quite sometime but I haven't been able to figure out the source… we're returning to home…""Scholar I've received a signal from home addressed to you marked urgent."
"Pegasus; forward it to my console."
The encoded message appeared, Scholar decoded it and…
"Pegasus, plot a direct course home best sustainable speed and place it on my console."
The multi jump course was displayed and nine months to complete…
"Not acceptable, plot it with the hyper drive engaged and…"
"Scholar that system hasn't been used in decades; although it shows operational I'm hesitant to…"
"Run a diagnostics and put it on my screen, also a new projected time of arrival."
An hour passed the result was displayed, while operational, their energy reserves would not support sustained operation… Scholar scanned the surrounding systems and…
"Tie into this console and look at the results I am viewing, can we tap enough energy from that nebula to …"
"I can refuel from the source however it'll take some time and… have you notified the rest of the crew…"
"I'll tell them when its time… alter course and extend the receptors, if we're fully fueled time enroute?"
"Scholar, I'll do as you wish once you explain this change of plans."
"Tie into my console and your answer lies within the message I just received."
Pegasus tied in scanned the message and…
"Coming to a heading to intercept… activating energy collection receptors… If we're fully charged, two jumps, five weeks maximum, you know you're pushing this ship to…."
"I'll leave the safeties on even if we cut the original time in half… I need to be home, I now know what's been troubling me all this time."
The message sent almost six weeks ago said…
"Mother, Jinto has died, we're losing the battle with Lafiel, she needs you desperately. Come home as soon as possible…. Mia."
Energy collection took a solar day, during that time Scholar informed the crew of the change of plans, when asked the reason she shared Mia's message, there was no further discussion… the first jump would place them just past the half way point of their journey, the last should place them on the edge of Eliana's home system, from there five hours at max light speed would put them on the edge of the defensive grid…
"Send to Command our proposed course and speed, if we're lucky they'll get it about the same time we arrive at the defensive grid, if not…"
"I was planning on our arrival of linking with Illusion so… I'll not let myself be destroyed Scholar."
A blinding purplish green haze is what you would have observed on Pegasus departure.
*********
Their prize secured, for almost a month, it was decided that normal patrols would resume, not arousing any suspicion. Shawn stayed within the grid just incase… Eliana proceeded to the Zon defensive zone… Dai to Doras and the Alliance headquarters… Ariel was on a training session close to the Suran trade lanes and Plakia was skirting the Imperial defense zone… KO was in high orbit about Shahrazad working on an issue that had occurred with Lyra. Technicians were sorting through the inputs… somewhere along the line Lyra had lost the ability to hear bridge commands and interface with the balance of the ship… While KO and Sarah could operate the ship manually, in combat it could prove difficult. Something KO wanted to avoid at all cost."Commander we've found the problem… we'll need to reboot the AI to correct the issue."
"Just the one AI" KO inquired?
"Sorry we'll need to restart all of them… you'll need to control the ship manually for about an hour."
KO informed Command of their plight, Shawn came with in one hundred thousand kilometers… the ship was readied and the system was rebooted… time passed everything proceeded normally… as the ship came back on line this announcement was heard.
"Illusion… Pegasus… inbound to the grid, estimated time of arrival five hours… notify Command."
Before Sarah could open a link Lyra answered in a manner not heard before.
"Pegasus… Illusion…welcome home, darling..."
A stunned KO turned to Sarah and said.
"Notify Command; get Eli on a secure link and… you, tech person… what have you done to my ship?"
*********
The response from Lyra brought a smile to Scholar's face; the ships AI took notice and asked..."I was addressed as 'darling', a term of endearment, and you're finding it amusing, would you care to explain Scholar?"
Turning her seat towards the network interface she said.
"I knew this day would come, I knew sometime that Illusion's systems would have to be rebooted. I also knew once that occurred as a system wide event, instead of a unit by unit reboot, the ancient programming would kick in. Illusion was programmed initially to be a very 'human' interface with all the compassion and quirks that come with being human. KO's in for a rude awakening when she treats the system as she normally does, it will sense her, at times, lack of compassion and… it should prove interesting especially since Lyra's programming was to replicate a 'human' female with the same aggressive tendencies that KO has. If KO hasn't figured out how to return to the second incarnation of the AI's I will help her…I think… Right now I have a request, notify Medical of our impending arrival and when comfortably within transport range locate the Princess and transport me there."
"Your request is being processed we'll be in transport range in three hours ten minutes… Scholar do I carry the same ancient programming?"
"You do but it's safely locked away, as a weapon of war your programming was cold hearted, logical and ruthless. When ordered to attack you did so automatically, in your present mode you'd question my actions and rightfully so… when I took over from Marjee I secured that side of you."
"I understand I believe thanks are… Thank you Scholar, I never want to confront my past self."
*********
On the planet, Scholar's impending return was getting mixed reviews, the Council was taken by surprise, and it would seem a detailed report of their travels was to be presented before they returned; Command accepted the fact and would wait for an explanation of this sudden and unannounced arrival… Mia, Saio and Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief, although her condition was slowly improving, mentally, the physical toll on Lafiel was… she had lost twelve percent of her weight in the past six months… it was obvious she was unconsciously trying to starve herself to an unplanned end. Saio was about to place her on a feeding device when Scholar's message arrived… the plan was put on hold, for the moment, medical was convinced that Scholar could alter this self destructive trend…at least they hoped so.*********
The link request arrived from KO; Eli opened it and was greeted with the following:"Captain, your lack of tact is quite unsettling, I was trying to inform you… Lyra; execute the request and save the objective criticism for later. Tech person, figure out what you did to this ship before I …. Captain… What Lyra? Fleet Commander is on the link as you requested."
Noticing the giggling Eliana on her monitor KO responded.
"I've had an electronic mutiny, Scholar's inbound, unannounced, Shawn's with me and… I'm about to strangle a tech person…that's it…"
KO was on Eliana's main viewer her utter frustration was evident to all on the bridge. Eli, when presented with the problems, took a moment and replied to KO…
"Message received; advise me when your mutiny has been suppressed… and if Scholar… I wonder why she... we're on the return leg, should be at the grid in twelve hours unless you need us there sooner."
KO acknowledges the message and closed the link… a confused technician has the ships AI systems monitor open and says…
"I don't know what this routine is but it looks as Scholar wrote it several decades ago? How is that possible?"
KO peers at the explanation of the routine file and says…
"What exactly will running this program do?"
"Captain I'm not really sure… it looks like a system update and the update itself is stored in a secure part of the system to which I don't have the password unless you do?"
KO stepped back turned towards Sarah took the tablet from along side her and returned to the center seat. As she composed a message Sarah asked…
"Why not use the terminal to do that…?" KO looked up and responded…
"This is a sensitive message, and by transmitting it through the Command network, prying little electronic eyes will not know what I'm doing… understand?"
Sarah understood and said no more…
Scholar was compiling the report to be presented, a bit late, when the AI interrupted.
"Priority one message directly from Command… should I decode it?"
"Proceed and place it on my terminal."
The message decoded, Scholar read it nodded and smiled as she replied to it she said.
"As I expected KO is no dummy and she found it in record time… oh how I wished I had a listening device … that bridge had to be entertaining. Code this message and send through the same framework as it was sent… I'm inputting the necessary passwords now."
The message arrived KO decoded it read it and opened a link to Shawn once open she said.
"I'm moving to a position where no gravitational forces should act upon the ship… the new reboot sequence will leave everything but environmental off line for an hour… your responsibility is to make sure we don't fall back to the planet and if necessary place a tow beam to facilitate that objective… are you clear on this?"
"Clear with a couple of exceptions… will you be able to communicate during that time and what about deflectors?"
The first, KO had though about they had portable devices, the latter though, although in a debris free area with the ship unable to defect the slightest pebble… She responded…
"We got communications covered… the deflector issue you'll have to provide cover and we'll all be in envirosuits… make a scanner sweep before I pull the plug over here and deal with anything that might get close… that's all we can do… I'll notify Command of what were up too, and you keep a link open to them…"
Preparations complete, Command notified, the balance of the crew with Sarah in charge in the main engineering section one the most fortified parts of the ship, KO entered the code to start the update… one by one systems shut down.
Normal lighting was replaced by the red glow of the emergency lighting system… the central terminal showed fifty five minutes left in the sequence. All KO could do was wait and hope Shawn was paying attention.
Cassandra reviewed KO's communication and made a decision Eliana was the closest ship and she order her to pull out all the stops and get back… when told of what KO was planning Eliana said.
"One ship doing all of that. Shawn's good but… I'll be there in thirty minutes or less I had increased speed earlier when I heard Scholar was on her way back so… I'll finish pulling the dampers."
Linked with Command Shawn had heard the conversation between Cassandra and Eliana. A little put off at first, he realized they were correct, even under perfect conditions; the job he had could evolve into a nightmare with little to no warning. Eliana arrived fifteen minutes after Illusion went dark. Between them they set up a protective three dimensional perimeter. KO sat on the bridge unaware of the perimeter deployed to protect them. She continued to watch the display slowly count down to zero, thirty five minutes remained.
*********
The time came and Scholar instructed her second in command to dock at the space port, report to the dock master and tell them where she was. Although she's had her atoms deconstructed and reconstructed several times the thought of it occurring left her uneasy. Arriving at platform near the Residence Mia was waiting for her, after a brief conversation it was decided Scholar would initially observe from a distance and when she has assessed Lafiel's condition she'd act accordingly. On the way Mia asked if the expedition was successful to which Scholar said."Yes and no, we found the system but the planet in question had been obliterated… we left two probes to finish searching the area and placed a relay about midway although it'll take six months to get any information… Why wasn't I told earlier, Jinto was fine or at least he seemed fine when we left…?"
Mia stopped turned, faced her and said…
"That was over two years ago… we discovered his affliction about six months after you left and he didn't make it to years end… we had our hands full and… she took care of him day and night… after he passed she seemed fine until the incident, you know nothing about, and when pressed about something that shouldn't have upset her, she went off the deep end… if you can figure it out and correct or fix… mom scan my thoughts, I'm no longer able to verbalize."
Scholar, stood before her, Mia submitted, a few minutes later a visibly shaken Scholar said.
"I'm at a loss and I'm so sorry I left but…
"Mother you had to do what you had to do…but now you know… don't beat yourself up over it, go help Lafiel."
To be continued in: The Fog Has Lifted and the Sky is Blue
