“Ensign Freeman, I need to talk to you.”
“About what, Commander?”
“How much do you know about Neuronic Links?
“About what, Commander?”
“How much do you know about Neuronic Links?
“A little. Fleet medics get some training in managing the risks that come with them. Psychological, physical... Spirituall... We trained for all of that.”
“Then may we speak?”
“Of course, Commander.”
“I’ve been... Hearing voices lately, through my Link.”
“What do you mean?”
“When we left the Fata Morgana, I heard someone’s voice telling me to depart. I knew that we weren’t ready yet, but I felt compelled to give the order to leave the Fata. Something similar happened when we picked up that starfighter.”
“So which kind of advice do you need? Physical, psychological, or spiritual?”
“I’m honestly not sure. I highly doubt that it’s the last one though.”
“Could it hurt?”
“Haven’t we had that conversation? Neither of us buys into that.”
“Fair enough. Physical or psychological?”
“In the context of neurology, what’s the difference?”
“If you’re problem is physical, the link is making you insane. If the problem is psychological, then you are insane.”
“Amusing, but I think I understand your point. So you find it likely that I’m experiencing major psychological issues?”
“I apologize for the attempt at humor, Commander. No, I do not find that likely. Honestly, I find it likely that your Link is working as designed.”
“Do you care to clarify?”
“That’s the purpose of a Link, isn’t it? It gives you the ability to directly interface with other humans and computers. If you’re not hearing voices, then honestly, that’s the problem.”
“Maybe. I’ve never been around other people who’ve been Linked before.”
“It’s called a Link for a reason.”
“That’s true, I suppose.”
“Tactical Agents are all linked. It’s the reason they’re so effective in combat—they can feel each others thoughts. It’s limited, primitive, barely functional, but it’s a combat edge unlike anything a team of normal Terrans, no matter how well-trained can ever have. They’re derived from the Xon hivemind, restructured using distributed computing, and spliced into Terran wetwork. So in other words, it’ll take some getting used to, but your link is working as designed.”
“That’s simultaneously comforting and disconcerting.”
“If you don’t mind me asking... When did you get it that didn’t involve other Linked individuals?”
“Anyone who graduates from the Ansibilics or Single-Ship Tactics Fleet Schools has to get a Link. Those are the Schools that can lead to command of a Capital Ship. They want Agents to be able to shut you off if you get out of hand.”
“That’s horrifying.”
“Welcome to the Republic.”
The bridge of the UTFS Warbler was crowded. That was a strange feeling, being surrounded by people.
The logistics of taking on five new people, while a refreshing problem to have, was still problematic. Kim and Ervin were there, as was Isabella. Kim’s Deck Officers, Deborah Chambers, Celia Abrams, and Alan Kalkus were also present, as was Shishani’s second, Agent Red.
“There’s two issues we have to address in order to restore this ship to combat status.” Shishani was saying, standing in the center of the room. “We have to rearrange the crew structure, and we have to reaffirm the Chain of Command. Obviously there are some clear vacancies that can be filled within the Crew—from what’s been said, it’s rather clear that Deck Officer Chambers is short-staffed by one, possibly two pilots.”
“Yes, First Citizen.” Deborah replied. “We’ve been substituting one of our Midshipmen in for a pilot, but that still leaves us with one empty Console since... Since Ensign Silver’s death.”
Isabella nodded. “Agent Ketteth and our observer, Spartoi Tesari both have some piloting experience. If there’s no objection, we’ll transfer them to Weapons.”
Kim thought for a moment, but deferred to Deborah’s acceptance of the proposal.
“Excellent. You’ve also been using an Artificial Intelligence to help run the ship, correct?”
Ervin answered this time. “Yes, First Citizen. We salvaged it from the TS Hoatzin a few months ago, and integrated it into the shipboard comms systems.”
“Which is an excellent idea, of course. There’s no way you had of knowing this, but there are very real risks associated with the presence of an AI, as the amount of access that they are given inherently requires oversight, even for a human. In light of Patriarch Pious XVIII’s Contra Artificium, and of Bridget O’Malley’s Fundamentals of Artificial Sentience, however, it becomes clear that we require a person intimately familiar with the construction and operation of an AI in order to safely operate one. Therefore, Agent Augustin, as an AI Specialist himself, should assume those duties.”
Kim nodded. She had often been frightened by Aetna, and though she didn’t put much store in Contra Artificium, the Fundamentals was a scientific text from the founder of the field.
“Excellent. Now on to the second half of this equation. We’re left with a command structure that has to adapt here. Obviously, as First Citizen, I am entitled to take command of the ship. However, given that the majority of its crew is still used to the current command structure. However, we will be integrating Agent Red and myself as equivalent to the XO and CO respectively.”
That was a horrible idea, a breach of authority, not the way the system was supposed to work. Having the ship run with two COs was a sure recipe for disaster. Shishani was right about one thing though—she did have the authority to seize command of the Warbler. Given that, as horrible as this proposal was, it wasn’t the worst possible outcome.
“No objection.” She said.
“Excellent. I’ll expect a report on the ship’s recent activity, and operational status.”
Kim nodded. “We’ll do that. Logistically, where are we bunking these people?”
“Enlisted Quarters have three open bunks.” Deborah said, looking up to Kim. “Everything in there’s a bunk, so we shipped with an extra one—and of course, we’ve had two casualties.”
“It’s the same in Midhsipman’s. We only have three Middies aboard, so there’s an empty bunk there.” That was Celia Abrams.
“I fairness, that puts one in contact with Burton and Steele. That sounds like hell.” Ervin remarked. Kim almost smiled.
“Out of line, XO.”
“Apologies, Commander. Anyway, that still leaves us one bunk short.”
“Probably not, actually.” Red said. “You’ve apparently been letting the AI run the ship on its own at night, instead of having an Officer of the Night. That’s highly unsafe. You need someone overseeing it at all times. We’ll just hot-bunk the Officer of the Night.”
Kim nodded. “Then we’ve got this covered. If we can change tack for a moment, since we have our Officers assembled here, we need to determine a course of action for the next few days. We’ve been discussing a fold to Sol, and the time seems right to do that. The advantages of this should be obvious—if there are other survivors or Republic ships, Sol will be a natural point for them to assemble.”
“I was at Sol, Commander Shan. The fighting there was horrible. Terra and Mars were both glassed. There’s nothing there for anyone worth seeing.” Isabella said.
“It’s still a natural rally point for anyone from the Republic though. Was Antimatter deployed?”
“Yes, it escalated to an Antimatter engagement later in the battle.”
“Then it’s even possible that some of the non-LTO and LMO space stations might have gone unnoticed.”
Isabella shook her head. “While Antimatter reactions might make it hard to detect the energy signatures of space stations in the radiation spectrum, they don’t have any effect on the Ansible Field. They’d have just folded in and cut them to pieces.”
“Still a rally point.”
“There’s no objection to that, other than the fact that that LTO is still going to be full of unreacted Antimatter. This is a Fleet-issue Icterid gunship, it doesn’t have shields worth a damn. You fold into LTO, your ship is going to fall apart.”
“Then what’s your alternative? The clear and only possible mission for the Warbler at this time is to take whatever measures necessary to make contact with other Terrans. Folding to the Fata Morgana was risky, and could have ended horribly. One of our crewmembers died.”
“If you fold to Sol, there will be nothing there. If you fold to Terra or Mars, debris and Antimatter will destroy the ship.”
“With all due respect to the First Citizen, Commander Shan is correct.” Celia said. “There’s no purpose to this ship other than to seek out other survivors of the war.”
Kim notice Agent Red looking towards Isabella, though the First Citizen was ignoring the Agent. “For reasons that cannot be disclosed, that is a very, very poor idea.”
“Oh? Why can’t they be disclosed?” Deborah looked up, eyes furrowing. “You pulled this on me before, with the MSSF. You keep acting like you’ve got some mandate here from the Republic, when in actuality, you’re just as lost as we are. Your father won the Xon War and set up a functioning, not explicitly tyrannical government in the chaos that followed the collapse of the Federation. That does not make you the best person to command this tiny remnant of humanity. There’s less than two dozen people left, and you insist on ruling them and pretending that there’s still ‘classified information’ that you can’t disclose to us. Damn that. You might have a couple of Agents willing to back you up, but that doesn’t mean that we will. There’s no good reason to not, at the very least, investigate Sol.”
Kim looked to Deborah, and smiled. She had made the right choice in appointing this woman to the head of Combat Systems. It was also clear why she had never earned that under the Republic.
“You’re an officer in the United Terran Fleet. You swore an oath to the Chain of Command, the Fleet, and the Republic, but primarily to the Governance Committee, which I represent. Tread carefully, Deck Officer.” Isabella said, glaring. “Commander, should you feel the need to fold in to Sol, by all means, do so. I will not be held responsible for your deaths.” Isabella turned, and stalked out of the room, followed by Agent Red.
Kim breathed deeply. “You’re all dismissed.” She said, standing up. Turning to Deborah Chambers, she put an arm on the pilot’s shoulder. “Thank you.” She said.
“You’re welcome, Captain. Please know that none of us support her over you. We just need to show her that.”
“Thank you for that. I really do wish it was that simple though.” Kim sighed. “You’d best get Augustin and Tesari their assignments.”
Chambers saluted, turned, and left the bridge.
“I’m sorry that went down like that.” Ervin said, putting his arm around her.
Kim brushed it off. “You support her over me. You’re an idiot.”
“Kim, she’s right. We swore loyalty to the leaders of the Republic, and that’s what she is. We were at Saray. Do you really think that First Citizen Julian Shishani survived that? Obviously not, if he had, the fleet would still be intact. Through some fluke of luck, she’s survived, and while maybe I’m not happy about it, she is the most senior person as far as continuity of command goes.”
“We’ve had this discussion before. It’s not worth having again. Do what’s necessary for the functioning of this ship, that’s your duty. It’s both of ours.” Kim shook off his arm and headed for the door.
“With all due respect, First Citizen, what the hell were you doing in there?” Red had its helmet off, exposing gray skin pulled taught over its skull, black skin around its eyes, pointed teeth bared as it pulled back its lips. The worst part was that that wasn’t even Red trying to be threatening—that was just Red with its helmet off.
“Running the Republic.”
“Why don’t you just tell them about the Boneyard? The actual rallypoint?”
Isa shook her head. “Security risk. We don’t know who she knows or supports. It could be Killian.”
“Killian Hazzard and Riya Dare are dead. The Warden went down at Sol. We saw it.”
“You’re just trying to convince me that they’re not a threat, aren’t you? Do you work with them?”
“Isabella, you’re acting irrationally.” Red’s voice was too human. It didn’t fit. That was the scary thing—Red was absolutely as intelligent, emotive, intuitive, sentient, hnau, or whatever other qualitative measure one could come up with, as a Terran.
“I’m sorry, I know you’re not with them. It’s just... My own family. Red, I have to be able to trust you.” Isabella grabbed the Mod’s hands.
“You understand that I’m inherently loyal to you and your family. That’s the point. I cannot act against your interests. However, you can. Trust Shan. Everything we’ve done on her has indicated that, while she thinks otherwise, she’s fundamentally loyal.”
Isabella shook her head. “We can’t do that. The Boneyard isn’t something we can trust just anyone with the location of.”
“Who would she tell? Even if they were still alive, and even though you say that they were traitors, Killian and Riya were still on our side. Shan literally couldn’t be a D traitor if she tried—we can’t even determine what they use for communication, much less use it ourselves.”
“There’s the Kynaki strain. They can get inside us, take us over. That could be her. Maybe it was Killian and Riya. We don’t know. Red, it could be anyone.”
“Isabella, you’re not acting rationally. They’ll have Quiesine in the medbay, it’s a standard shipboard medicine. You’re under stress, your instabilities are coming back.”
“No. I’m not doing that again. You know as well as I do that my father didn’t trust me, that’s why he put me on that. Red, I need you to trust me.” Isabella looked the creature in the eyes. “I’m sorry I have to do this, but I need you to trust me.” She unclipped the canister from her belt. It was the key to creature's like Red.
It just took a little spurt of the aerosol. If Isa had thought about it, she probably would have found it unethical or something of the like. That’s why she didn’t.
“Agent Red, I need you to make contact with the Agent or Agents who were assigned to the Warbler when it was deployed. Ascertain their loyalties. Get a feel for the ship. How easily can we take control? Also... Send me Ervin Norton.”
Red nodded, and donned its helmet once more, the black visor obscuring its face. “Yes, First Citizen.”
The First Citizen was alone, no longer wearing her black armor, sitting on a canister of some foodstuff or other in the Storage Bay.
“You asked to see me, First Citizen?” Ervin asked, saluting her.
She nodded. “Sit down, Ervin. And please, call me Isabella.” She paused for a moment, then continued. “Your loyalties have been rather clear over the past few hours, Ervin. You are loyal to the United Terran Republic, are you not?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Would you fight for it?”
“I am.”
“And die?”
“I don’t see any other choice.”
The First Citizen held out a cylinder to him, with a needle at the end.
“Prick yourself with this. Make sure it draws blood.”
Ervin frowned. Cautiously, he took the device, and inserted the needle into a fingertip.
After a moment, it flashed. The First Citizen held out her hand to take it back, and Ervin gave it to her.
“Your blood is clean. You, at least, really are loyal.”
“What do you mean, ma’am?”
“We’ve been testing several of you for Species D nanites. They’re capable of infiltrating a normally functioning human body, and then taking control. At least two of your fellow officers have been infected, Chambers and Abrams. Your Captain also.”
Ervin breathed in sharply. “What?”
“I assume that you were at Kynak, no?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Then you brought the infection aboard there. We’re going to have to take control of the ship, Deck Officer. Speak of this to no-one, but there is a rally point where there are other surviving Fleet ships gathered. We will go there, but first we will have to purge this ship of the D.”
Ervin nodded. “Yes, First Citizen. Is... Is that all?”
She nodded in return. “Yes. Stand by for my orders, Mister Norton.”
As he left, he felt tears welling up in his eyes.
Kim.
“Then may we speak?”
“Of course, Commander.”
“I’ve been... Hearing voices lately, through my Link.”
“What do you mean?”
“When we left the Fata Morgana, I heard someone’s voice telling me to depart. I knew that we weren’t ready yet, but I felt compelled to give the order to leave the Fata. Something similar happened when we picked up that starfighter.”
“So which kind of advice do you need? Physical, psychological, or spiritual?”
“I’m honestly not sure. I highly doubt that it’s the last one though.”
“Could it hurt?”
“Haven’t we had that conversation? Neither of us buys into that.”
“Fair enough. Physical or psychological?”
“In the context of neurology, what’s the difference?”
“If you’re problem is physical, the link is making you insane. If the problem is psychological, then you are insane.”
“Amusing, but I think I understand your point. So you find it likely that I’m experiencing major psychological issues?”
“I apologize for the attempt at humor, Commander. No, I do not find that likely. Honestly, I find it likely that your Link is working as designed.”
“Do you care to clarify?”
“That’s the purpose of a Link, isn’t it? It gives you the ability to directly interface with other humans and computers. If you’re not hearing voices, then honestly, that’s the problem.”
“Maybe. I’ve never been around other people who’ve been Linked before.”
“It’s called a Link for a reason.”
“That’s true, I suppose.”
“Tactical Agents are all linked. It’s the reason they’re so effective in combat—they can feel each others thoughts. It’s limited, primitive, barely functional, but it’s a combat edge unlike anything a team of normal Terrans, no matter how well-trained can ever have. They’re derived from the Xon hivemind, restructured using distributed computing, and spliced into Terran wetwork. So in other words, it’ll take some getting used to, but your link is working as designed.”
“That’s simultaneously comforting and disconcerting.”
“If you don’t mind me asking... When did you get it that didn’t involve other Linked individuals?”
“Anyone who graduates from the Ansibilics or Single-Ship Tactics Fleet Schools has to get a Link. Those are the Schools that can lead to command of a Capital Ship. They want Agents to be able to shut you off if you get out of hand.”
“That’s horrifying.”
“Welcome to the Republic.”
The bridge of the UTFS Warbler was crowded. That was a strange feeling, being surrounded by people.
The logistics of taking on five new people, while a refreshing problem to have, was still problematic. Kim and Ervin were there, as was Isabella. Kim’s Deck Officers, Deborah Chambers, Celia Abrams, and Alan Kalkus were also present, as was Shishani’s second, Agent Red.
“There’s two issues we have to address in order to restore this ship to combat status.” Shishani was saying, standing in the center of the room. “We have to rearrange the crew structure, and we have to reaffirm the Chain of Command. Obviously there are some clear vacancies that can be filled within the Crew—from what’s been said, it’s rather clear that Deck Officer Chambers is short-staffed by one, possibly two pilots.”
“Yes, First Citizen.” Deborah replied. “We’ve been substituting one of our Midshipmen in for a pilot, but that still leaves us with one empty Console since... Since Ensign Silver’s death.”
Isabella nodded. “Agent Ketteth and our observer, Spartoi Tesari both have some piloting experience. If there’s no objection, we’ll transfer them to Weapons.”
Kim thought for a moment, but deferred to Deborah’s acceptance of the proposal.
“Excellent. You’ve also been using an Artificial Intelligence to help run the ship, correct?”
Ervin answered this time. “Yes, First Citizen. We salvaged it from the TS Hoatzin a few months ago, and integrated it into the shipboard comms systems.”
“Which is an excellent idea, of course. There’s no way you had of knowing this, but there are very real risks associated with the presence of an AI, as the amount of access that they are given inherently requires oversight, even for a human. In light of Patriarch Pious XVIII’s Contra Artificium, and of Bridget O’Malley’s Fundamentals of Artificial Sentience, however, it becomes clear that we require a person intimately familiar with the construction and operation of an AI in order to safely operate one. Therefore, Agent Augustin, as an AI Specialist himself, should assume those duties.”
Kim nodded. She had often been frightened by Aetna, and though she didn’t put much store in Contra Artificium, the Fundamentals was a scientific text from the founder of the field.
“Excellent. Now on to the second half of this equation. We’re left with a command structure that has to adapt here. Obviously, as First Citizen, I am entitled to take command of the ship. However, given that the majority of its crew is still used to the current command structure. However, we will be integrating Agent Red and myself as equivalent to the XO and CO respectively.”
That was a horrible idea, a breach of authority, not the way the system was supposed to work. Having the ship run with two COs was a sure recipe for disaster. Shishani was right about one thing though—she did have the authority to seize command of the Warbler. Given that, as horrible as this proposal was, it wasn’t the worst possible outcome.
“No objection.” She said.
“Excellent. I’ll expect a report on the ship’s recent activity, and operational status.”
Kim nodded. “We’ll do that. Logistically, where are we bunking these people?”
“Enlisted Quarters have three open bunks.” Deborah said, looking up to Kim. “Everything in there’s a bunk, so we shipped with an extra one—and of course, we’ve had two casualties.”
“It’s the same in Midhsipman’s. We only have three Middies aboard, so there’s an empty bunk there.” That was Celia Abrams.
“I fairness, that puts one in contact with Burton and Steele. That sounds like hell.” Ervin remarked. Kim almost smiled.
“Out of line, XO.”
“Apologies, Commander. Anyway, that still leaves us one bunk short.”
“Probably not, actually.” Red said. “You’ve apparently been letting the AI run the ship on its own at night, instead of having an Officer of the Night. That’s highly unsafe. You need someone overseeing it at all times. We’ll just hot-bunk the Officer of the Night.”
Kim nodded. “Then we’ve got this covered. If we can change tack for a moment, since we have our Officers assembled here, we need to determine a course of action for the next few days. We’ve been discussing a fold to Sol, and the time seems right to do that. The advantages of this should be obvious—if there are other survivors or Republic ships, Sol will be a natural point for them to assemble.”
“I was at Sol, Commander Shan. The fighting there was horrible. Terra and Mars were both glassed. There’s nothing there for anyone worth seeing.” Isabella said.
“It’s still a natural rally point for anyone from the Republic though. Was Antimatter deployed?”
“Yes, it escalated to an Antimatter engagement later in the battle.”
“Then it’s even possible that some of the non-LTO and LMO space stations might have gone unnoticed.”
Isabella shook her head. “While Antimatter reactions might make it hard to detect the energy signatures of space stations in the radiation spectrum, they don’t have any effect on the Ansible Field. They’d have just folded in and cut them to pieces.”
“Still a rally point.”
“There’s no objection to that, other than the fact that that LTO is still going to be full of unreacted Antimatter. This is a Fleet-issue Icterid gunship, it doesn’t have shields worth a damn. You fold into LTO, your ship is going to fall apart.”
“Then what’s your alternative? The clear and only possible mission for the Warbler at this time is to take whatever measures necessary to make contact with other Terrans. Folding to the Fata Morgana was risky, and could have ended horribly. One of our crewmembers died.”
“If you fold to Sol, there will be nothing there. If you fold to Terra or Mars, debris and Antimatter will destroy the ship.”
“With all due respect to the First Citizen, Commander Shan is correct.” Celia said. “There’s no purpose to this ship other than to seek out other survivors of the war.”
Kim notice Agent Red looking towards Isabella, though the First Citizen was ignoring the Agent. “For reasons that cannot be disclosed, that is a very, very poor idea.”
“Oh? Why can’t they be disclosed?” Deborah looked up, eyes furrowing. “You pulled this on me before, with the MSSF. You keep acting like you’ve got some mandate here from the Republic, when in actuality, you’re just as lost as we are. Your father won the Xon War and set up a functioning, not explicitly tyrannical government in the chaos that followed the collapse of the Federation. That does not make you the best person to command this tiny remnant of humanity. There’s less than two dozen people left, and you insist on ruling them and pretending that there’s still ‘classified information’ that you can’t disclose to us. Damn that. You might have a couple of Agents willing to back you up, but that doesn’t mean that we will. There’s no good reason to not, at the very least, investigate Sol.”
Kim looked to Deborah, and smiled. She had made the right choice in appointing this woman to the head of Combat Systems. It was also clear why she had never earned that under the Republic.
“You’re an officer in the United Terran Fleet. You swore an oath to the Chain of Command, the Fleet, and the Republic, but primarily to the Governance Committee, which I represent. Tread carefully, Deck Officer.” Isabella said, glaring. “Commander, should you feel the need to fold in to Sol, by all means, do so. I will not be held responsible for your deaths.” Isabella turned, and stalked out of the room, followed by Agent Red.
Kim breathed deeply. “You’re all dismissed.” She said, standing up. Turning to Deborah Chambers, she put an arm on the pilot’s shoulder. “Thank you.” She said.
“You’re welcome, Captain. Please know that none of us support her over you. We just need to show her that.”
“Thank you for that. I really do wish it was that simple though.” Kim sighed. “You’d best get Augustin and Tesari their assignments.”
Chambers saluted, turned, and left the bridge.
“I’m sorry that went down like that.” Ervin said, putting his arm around her.
Kim brushed it off. “You support her over me. You’re an idiot.”
“Kim, she’s right. We swore loyalty to the leaders of the Republic, and that’s what she is. We were at Saray. Do you really think that First Citizen Julian Shishani survived that? Obviously not, if he had, the fleet would still be intact. Through some fluke of luck, she’s survived, and while maybe I’m not happy about it, she is the most senior person as far as continuity of command goes.”
“We’ve had this discussion before. It’s not worth having again. Do what’s necessary for the functioning of this ship, that’s your duty. It’s both of ours.” Kim shook off his arm and headed for the door.
“With all due respect, First Citizen, what the hell were you doing in there?” Red had its helmet off, exposing gray skin pulled taught over its skull, black skin around its eyes, pointed teeth bared as it pulled back its lips. The worst part was that that wasn’t even Red trying to be threatening—that was just Red with its helmet off.
“Running the Republic.”
“Why don’t you just tell them about the Boneyard? The actual rallypoint?”
Isa shook her head. “Security risk. We don’t know who she knows or supports. It could be Killian.”
“Killian Hazzard and Riya Dare are dead. The Warden went down at Sol. We saw it.”
“You’re just trying to convince me that they’re not a threat, aren’t you? Do you work with them?”
“Isabella, you’re acting irrationally.” Red’s voice was too human. It didn’t fit. That was the scary thing—Red was absolutely as intelligent, emotive, intuitive, sentient, hnau, or whatever other qualitative measure one could come up with, as a Terran.
“I’m sorry, I know you’re not with them. It’s just... My own family. Red, I have to be able to trust you.” Isabella grabbed the Mod’s hands.
“You understand that I’m inherently loyal to you and your family. That’s the point. I cannot act against your interests. However, you can. Trust Shan. Everything we’ve done on her has indicated that, while she thinks otherwise, she’s fundamentally loyal.”
Isabella shook her head. “We can’t do that. The Boneyard isn’t something we can trust just anyone with the location of.”
“Who would she tell? Even if they were still alive, and even though you say that they were traitors, Killian and Riya were still on our side. Shan literally couldn’t be a D traitor if she tried—we can’t even determine what they use for communication, much less use it ourselves.”
“There’s the Kynaki strain. They can get inside us, take us over. That could be her. Maybe it was Killian and Riya. We don’t know. Red, it could be anyone.”
“Isabella, you’re not acting rationally. They’ll have Quiesine in the medbay, it’s a standard shipboard medicine. You’re under stress, your instabilities are coming back.”
“No. I’m not doing that again. You know as well as I do that my father didn’t trust me, that’s why he put me on that. Red, I need you to trust me.” Isabella looked the creature in the eyes. “I’m sorry I have to do this, but I need you to trust me.” She unclipped the canister from her belt. It was the key to creature's like Red.
It just took a little spurt of the aerosol. If Isa had thought about it, she probably would have found it unethical or something of the like. That’s why she didn’t.
“Agent Red, I need you to make contact with the Agent or Agents who were assigned to the Warbler when it was deployed. Ascertain their loyalties. Get a feel for the ship. How easily can we take control? Also... Send me Ervin Norton.”
Red nodded, and donned its helmet once more, the black visor obscuring its face. “Yes, First Citizen.”
The First Citizen was alone, no longer wearing her black armor, sitting on a canister of some foodstuff or other in the Storage Bay.
“You asked to see me, First Citizen?” Ervin asked, saluting her.
She nodded. “Sit down, Ervin. And please, call me Isabella.” She paused for a moment, then continued. “Your loyalties have been rather clear over the past few hours, Ervin. You are loyal to the United Terran Republic, are you not?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Would you fight for it?”
“I am.”
“And die?”
“I don’t see any other choice.”
The First Citizen held out a cylinder to him, with a needle at the end.
“Prick yourself with this. Make sure it draws blood.”
Ervin frowned. Cautiously, he took the device, and inserted the needle into a fingertip.
After a moment, it flashed. The First Citizen held out her hand to take it back, and Ervin gave it to her.
“Your blood is clean. You, at least, really are loyal.”
“What do you mean, ma’am?”
“We’ve been testing several of you for Species D nanites. They’re capable of infiltrating a normally functioning human body, and then taking control. At least two of your fellow officers have been infected, Chambers and Abrams. Your Captain also.”
Ervin breathed in sharply. “What?”
“I assume that you were at Kynak, no?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Then you brought the infection aboard there. We’re going to have to take control of the ship, Deck Officer. Speak of this to no-one, but there is a rally point where there are other surviving Fleet ships gathered. We will go there, but first we will have to purge this ship of the D.”
Ervin nodded. “Yes, First Citizen. Is... Is that all?”
She nodded in return. “Yes. Stand by for my orders, Mister Norton.”
As he left, he felt tears welling up in his eyes.
Kim.