Heliosphere 2265
Volume 9
by Andreas Suchanek
The moment of decision was upon them. And it had arrived far too soon. Lieutenant Commander Tess Kensington slowly shook her head as she stared intently at the approaching military shuttle. The vessel was shaped like an over-sized torpedo and could transport up to four passengers. Usually the shuttles were used to transport just a single officer – the courier – but not this time.
Tess leaned back in her contour chair and switched to the camera monitoring the landing pod toward which the shuttle was making its final approach. As she had expected, Commodore Ashton and EC Lipsted were standing by to greet the new arrivals. Ashton, the station’s Commandant, waited at the pod, his chest swollen with pride. The EC represented the Inner Security Police and was a man with far too much power for Tess’s liking. There was an oily sheen to his bald head in the cold light of the hangar.
Alongside them stood Captain Ivo Coen, who had been appointed Commodore Ashton’s deputy only days ago. It was he who had informed her that the shuttle was coming to collect Commander Zev Buckshaw on the orders of President Skolberg. Buckshaw was to be transferred to the station from the prison world of Pearl within the next few hours. There was no way he would ever arrive on Earth – of that much she was certain.
The courier shuttle landed and a man aged in his late forties exited the vessel. The insignia on his crisply starched uniform identified him as a commodore. He scowled as he stalked across the hangar floor to the assembled officers, followed at a distance by his aide, who stumbled from the ship’s interior in his wake. The young man was little more than a puppy in her eyes. A puppy that had been tossed into piranha-infested waters before it had even learned to swim. His cheeks were flushed with fear and he clutched a pad to his chest like a life-buoy.
The officers struck up a conversation, but its subject was of little consequence to Tess. She turned her attention to a second display, where a real-time network intrusion map identified the nodes within the station’s data network that had been successfully infiltrated by the Trojan virus. The code had infected most of the network by now, but a few modules still remained unaffected. And this fact presented her with a dilemma.
Admiral Pendergast’s plan hinged on the success of the cyber-attack, which would cause the station’s defenses to target the home fleet rather than the invading rebel force. The mere threat posed by the station’s missile installations would bring the battle to a swift and relatively bloodless conclusion… provided the virus successfully infiltrated the entire network. But if she waited for the virus to achieve this goal before activating the signal that would launch the attack, the rebel fleet could not possibly arrive in time to rescue Zev Buckshaw and Lukas Akoskin. Instead, the two officers would either be on their way to Earth or dead.
Tess cursed aloud. Luck had been on her side so far, but now it had deserted her when she needed it most. She had little doubt that Skolberg had learned of Buckshaw’s true identity following his interrogation on Pearl, and she couldn’t bear the thought of Zev falling into his hands.
Is this genuinely about the greater good, or am I just looking after my own feelings?
Once the thought had entered her mind it took on a life of its own and began to eat away at her confidence. She loved Zev. Of course she did. And she wanted desperately to rescue him. But she knew that calling in the rebel fleet to save his life was not an option. Her personal feelings didn’t factor into this. She had to focus on the big picture. But where did that leave the rebels? They might not know it, but they needed Zev.
And then there was Akoskin – a man who had saved her life more than once. It was true that he had once belonged to very organization that had carried out the killing of her parents, but she could no longer hold that against him. Not after everything that he had revealed to her about his past.
He too was a victim. Captured by an Eriin Alliance raiding party, he had been sold to the assassins as a child. They in turn had used brute force to break his resistance to the brainwashing techniques that they used to turn innocent children into highly trained and merciless killing machines. But somehow Akoskin had found a way to preserve his humanity.
In time he could provide a wealth of information about the Ketaria League that might one day lead to their destruction. The rebels needed Akoskin as much as they needed Zev.
What’s wrong with me? I never used to question my motives…
She glanced to the left and studied her reflection in the deactivated display. It was the face of a stranger. Scarred and disfigured by burn scars. The battle in the Algethi System had cost the HYPERION and its crew dearly. As macabre as it sounded, Tess knew that she could count herself among the fortunate. Many of her comrades had been killed. Others had suffered far crueler injuries. But something had changed inside her since she awoke from her coma in the medical bay.
She had lost her sense of certainty and found herself questioning her decisions more than ever before. Only after completing her mission to NOVA Station could she afford to have the scarring on her face removed. Until then, there wasn’t a biometric system that could recognize her. Or so she hoped.
Pendergast should have sent Doctor Tauser with us, she thought bitterly.
With a shake of head she put her doubts behind her. She had to act fast. The success of this mission depended on her making the right decision and making it now. She took another look at the network intrusion map then activated the phase-comms squirt. The rebel fleet would be standing by, the assault could begin. And as the ships made their final preparations, Tess began with hers. She began to pray, hoping against hope that the virus would spread throughout the network before Pendergast’s arrival.
*
Jayden awoke with a jolt. His first instinct was to leap to his feet. Then, remembering where he was, he sank back into the sheets. The ambient AI, noting that he had awakened, bathed the cabin in warm light. Beside him his companion’s steady breathing paused momentarily, then she sighed and rolled over to continue her slumbers. Jayden turned to study her. Lieutenant Commander Kristen ‘Kirby’ Belflair. He smiled at the thought of the events of the past evening – and indeed of every evening since his return from CASSIOPEIA. There really is a silver lining to every cloud, he mused. In this case, the cloud was his damaged ship and the lengthy repairs which had prevented its deployment on their mission. Pendergast wanted to have him around and he had been transferred to the TORCH as an observer. Since then, the fleet – comprised of the few vessels still armed and fit for battle – had loitered on Alzir System’s outermost periphery. A little downtime, he had discovered, had its own rewards.
“Your smile is brighter than the lighting”, grumbled Kirby. “How is a woman supposed to get any sleep around here?”
It was only then that Jayden realized that the steady rhythm of her breathing had changed seconds before. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wake you.” He kissed her lightly on the lips, lay back on the futon and clasped his hands behind his head.
“I was only joking”, Kirby grinned. “Nobody wakes me that easily. Not even Jayden Cross, star-fighter and all round hero.” She rolled over onto her side, resting her head in the crook of her elbow.
“Don’t you start!”
“And why not? Bugging you is a lot of fun. You should try it.”
His smile vanished. “I guess I’m just tired of people calling me a hero.”
Kirby snorted derisively. “You’ve got no one else to blame. People were just beginning to forget about your little stunt on Tikara II and what did you go and do? You rush off to Cas III, steal Skolberg’s kill chip extraction technology, thumb your nose at him and his ISP goons AND return with the serum to heal Noriko Ishida.”
“You were there. You know as well as I do that we got lucky “
“The ILLUMINA wasn’t directly involved in the operation. And you really need to get over this ‘we got lucky’ number. Sure – a bit of luck never hurts. But you risked your life to help us. And if your FO is alive today then it’s thanks to you. Those are the facts. It was you that gave us the means to deal with those chips and every officer in this fleet is grateful for it. You shouldn’t begrudge them that, Jayden.”
“Then how about you show me some gratitude just one more time?” He grinned cheekily.
“Why, Captain Cross! I’m shocked!” She punched him lightly then sat up and declared: “Let’s remember that it was I who warned you of the incoming kinetic strike. And that makes me something of a hero too.” She motioned to him with her hand. “You may massage my feet.”
They giggled.
“But seriously”, said Kirby with a straight face. “How is Ishida? I’ve heard all kinds of rumors.”
“Surprisingly well. Even Isaac is impressed. According to the doctors, her brain shows no signs of organic shock or trauma.”
“It’s amazing. That stuff could save thousands of lives.”
Jayden’s eyes clouded over. “Isaac and Collins were able to retrieve microscopic traces of the serum from the cylinder after Ishida’s treatment.”
“And?”
“The nano-matter decayed within minutes even though it was extracted in a clean room.”
Kirby groaned in disappointment. “Walker’s orbital strike made a gigantic crater out of the military research station on Cas III so I don’t expect there’ll be more of that serum arriving any time soon. It’s a wonder he didn’t completely obliterate Central City while he was at it. But I guess we can be grateful that Skolberg will be hurting too.”
“And I’m sure he’ll make us pay for it. I can’t believe I once looked up to that man. He protected me and my crew from Michalev.”
“Sure. But only so that he could use you.” Kirby nodded. “I’m familiar with the report you submitted to Santana about McCall’s revelations. She uploaded the documents relating to the ShadowNetwork discovered by Commander Gold’s wife to the fleet network.”
“I know. Everyone is talking about it. Pendergast moved him to the HYPERION before the TORCH departed. It’s possible that his wife is being held on Pearl – I mean, who isn’t? Pendergast wanted to get him out of the firing line. Desperate men do desperate things.”
“Precisely. I’m sure your Alpha 365 will keep an eye on him.” Jayden cleared his throat. “If he doesn’t have another one of his manic-depressive episodes. How did the Admiral react when you told her about his little problem?”
“How about that foot massage?”
“You’re kidding me?! You were going to tell her! Dammit, Jay!”
It was strange hearing her address him by his nickname. His childhood friend Jonas Tauser was the only other person to use it and only when they were off duty. Jayden had a sneaking suspicion that Kirby might make more liberal use of it.
The fury in her eyes snapped him back to reality. “I just couldn’t find the right moment. And as long as the HYPERION is away from the front lines, the risks are minimal.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing. Do me a favor, will you?”
“Sure. What?”
She smiled cheekily. “Just make sure that I’m around when you tell her.”
Before he could respond, their comms implants began to blink simultaneously. A moment later their priority alarms sounded. They both sat up and studied their implants.
“The fleet is inbound to NOVA”, said Kirby.
He nodded. “Here we go…”
*
Commander Noriko Ishida tossed her pad onto the couch. Behind her, the door to her quarters slid to a close with a hiss. She was relieved to have her most recent examination by Doctor Isaac behind her. Physically, she was in excellent condition. And no one was more surprised at this than she. After all, the nano charge had pretty much blown her brain to pieces. But according to Doctor Isaac the nano-matter that Captain Cross, Alpha 365 and Lieutenant Commander Belflair had found on Cas III seemed to have replicated the damaged tissue completely. Somehow this new tissue was able to simulate her brain functions.
It was as if nothing had ever happened. At least in physical terms.
Her stomach turned at the thought that a part of her brain had been rebuilt with a technology that may well have been used to create higher caste Parlids. Captain Cross had even suggested that the nano-matter could be the result of tests conducted by military scientists on a Parlid body.
No wonder the other officers look at me as though I’m a ghost. To some of them I’m a walking miracle, but to the rest I’m nothing more than a freak.
She strolled across the room to the auto-vendor from which she took a cup of piping hot tea. Joining the ranks of the commanding officers had its perks. While lower-ranking officers had to make do with simple water-coolers and took their meals at the cafeteria, senior officers enjoyed a degree of luxury.
She closed her eyes and sipped at her tea. The sencha leaves had been a gift from Santana Pendergast in honor of her recovery. Pendergast was often seen with a mug of ViCa in her hand, but she was a closet tea drinker.
I can assure you that the other officers do not consider you a freak, the words of Doctor Jonas Tauser echoed in her mind. They are fascinated by your recovery. And a little intimidated perhaps. But that’s all. Just give them time to get used to the situation. But above all, give yourself some time.
Of course, things weren’t that simple. She had returned from the dead – or from death’s door at least. Somehow her terrible injury and subsequent recovery had changed everything.
Noriko sighed. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help noticing that her dark hair had lost its sheen and her green eyes had grown dull. Even the tea tasted different.
She perched herself on the edge of the sofa, activated the smart wall to display a sapphire-blue beach and sipped at her tea as she let her thoughts wander. She had read Captain Cross’s report on his mission to Cas III and was both grateful and touched in equal measure. Her commanding officer had risked his life to save hers. For years she had lived the life of a pariah, snubbed by most other officers and mobbed by Bruce Walker and his cronies. It was strange to be the subject of such loyalty. Strange, but good.
Noriko gazed at the beach for a few minutes before picking up her pad again. The repair crews working on the HYPERION were making progress. She was amazed at what they had achieved without the support of a construction tender or space dock. The crews had salvaged parts from rebel vessels damaged beyond repair in their recent engagement to restore the HYPERION’s operational capabilities. Noriko had initially suspected that the ship would fight on the front line in the coming battle, but things had turned out differently.
I’m not quite sure what she’s up to, but Pendergast has plans for the HYPERION. She needs this ship for something.
They would find out sooner or later. Provided that Admiral Pendergast survived the attack on NOVA Station. The fleet’s destination had only been revealed minutes before its departure from the staging area. If there was a traitor among their ranks, he or she would not have had time to warn the military authorities on Terra. The rebel counterintelligence wing had blocked all outbound phase-comms in the hours before the assault and cut the fleet off from the rest of the Solar Union.
Noriko turned her attention to the reports from ship’s senior officers: thanks to the combined efforts of doctors Isaac and Collins, Commander Devgan had now returned to his post as Head of Damage Control. With Devgan’s return, the ship’s foodstuffs and hydration systems were up and running again. Many of the ship’s systems were still operating below full capacity, but the regular supply of fresh food and drink would do wonders for moral. Doctor Isaac had brought a semblance of order to the medical bay and, with the help of a team of skilled technicians, a number of the bay’s dispensary droids were back in service. Combat Systems Engineering had cleared the ship’s torpedo tubes and had even succeeded in scavenging enough munitions to replenish their magazine. The shield generator was now able to achieve a constant power level of sixty percent – an impressive performance under the circumstances. Noriko couldn’t help feeling a pang of regret at the thought of the ships whose stores they had plundered to refit the HYPERION. It would take months to refit the vessels and restock their reserves – if the rebels ever managed to capture a shipyard.
The news from the drive module was all positive. Their Pike and interlink drives were operational again, but both drives were subject to dropouts. Her gaze settled on the signature at the bottom of the page – Lieutenant Commander Lorencia.
Giulia.
The first engineer had helped Noriko get back on her feet in the days after she emerged from her coma. Giulia had brought her up to speed on events after their escape from the Parlid home system and had helped Noriko to get her bearings again. But Noriko could tell that something was on her mind.
She was about to validate the last of the reports with her thumb print and digital signature when her door buzzer sounded. A glance at the display revealed none other than First Engineer Lorencia, who stood nervously biting her lip outside. Noriko deactivated the lock and the door slid aside.
Giulia strode across the room toward her. “We need to talk and we need to talk now.”
*
They had crossed a point of no return when Captain Coen injected the virus into the station’s network. Eventually someone, somewhere would notice the manipulation and the hunt for the rebel spy would take its relentless course. With little time to spare, Tess set the next stage of the plan in motion. Thanks to Coen, she now had an ARFID armband granting her full military access, enabling her to safely enter any part of the station. Coen had also given her access to a standard issue naval uniform. The insignia on her collar and shoulders identified Tess – quite correctly – as a lieutenant commander of the fleet. Only the name embroidered on the chest pocket was false. The real Patricia Falsi was the captain of a military freighter captured recently by the rebels. Kensington had infiltrated NOVA in the role of the ship’s captain, with Akoskin as her FO.