by A. K. DuBoff
The chancellor leaned back on the couch. “That is a very interesting plan, indeed.”
— — —
Leon and Doctor Elric studied the monitor inlaid in the lab’s wall. Having Jared in custody offered too great a research opportunity to waste any time during the two days they were authorized to study him.
“What’s next?” Leon asked the Guard doctor.
“This is your lab, I’m just here as a consultant,” Elric replied.
“You know the Guard’s operations, though. I’m an outsider.” Leon turned back to the tray where they had the sample of the live nanites collected from Jared.
They had an array of chemicals on hand to add to the sample to gauge reactions. It was how they had determined the baseline mixture to give Kaen, but Leon was interested to see what would happen if they went the opposite direction with the dosing.
To maintain as much scientific rigor as possible, they had been adding controlled amounts of the chemicals in sequential order. The findings supported their initial observations that neurochemicals associated with positive emotional experience suppressed this particular strain of nanites while those linked with sadness or aggression fueled the nanite’s functions.
Leon was particularly interested to find out how the nanites behaved when introduced into a new host. Of course, they couldn’t actually expose a person to the nanites, so his study was restricted to what he could observe in test batches and within Jared. Unfortunately, the time with their subject was running down far too quickly.
Doctor Elric eased into one of the tall chairs at the workstation. “I’m used to dealing with Taran technology—and even some newly rediscovered tech from the Aesir—but this,” he pointed to the graphic on the screen, “is something else entirely. It’s all disjointed.”
“What could it mean?” Leon asked.
The doctor took a deep breath. “If I had to speculate, I’d say that this race has adopted pieces from different sources and cobbled it together.”
“That means that there are other aliens out there.”
“Likely, but we’ve always suspected that,” Elric continued.
“At any rate, how do we fight these guys?” Leon pointed at the screen. “We think they’re in Gaelon, but if they have no bodies, what do we look for?”
“There is that issue, yes.”
Leon nodded. “It concerns me that their base may be so close to my home system.”
“On the flip side, that proximity is what made your home the way it is,” the doctor said. “We know the tech is alien in origin, yet it’s markedly similar to seemingly naturally occurring neural structures in native Valtans. Add in that your people in the Elvar Trinary never venture into Gaelon despite it being the neighboring system, and the entire situation sounds like a conspiracy orchestrated by this master race.”
“Especially since we know they have embedded themselves in the Mysaran government.”
“Precisely.”
Leon thought for a moment. “We need to learn more about the nanotech’s mode of transmittal.”
“Agreed. I’d like to be certain we won’t have new subverted officers walking around with no notice.”
“No kidding.”
“In the meantime,” Elric continued, “I think I have enough data to devise a vaccine, of sorts, to prevent the nanites from being able to create a TR.”
“That’s a major step forward.” Leon paused. “What do we say about the nature of the nanotech?”
The doctor shrugged. “It’s alien and it’s dangerous. We can treat the symptoms here, but to stop the menace, they’ll have to go to the source. Once Kira’s team gets the chancellor, we’ll know where that is.”
CHAPTER 18
The Raven dropped into orbit around Mysar in full stealth mode. Kira had been on a number of missions that required a silent approach, but never before had she gone after a world leader.
“I’ll check in with Colonel Kaen. Stand by,” Kira instructed her team and then headed to the private communications booth.
Kaen answered her video call after ten seconds. “What’s your status?”
“Just arrived, sir.”
“Excellent. President Joris relayed information about the transport ship Ellen used to get to Mysar. One of his administrative assistants, named Nico, is waiting for you at the spacedock. He can provide the specifics.”
Information appeared on the screen detailing how to contact the Elusian ship. “Understood, sir.”
“You have clearance to use Nico as a point of contact while you’re on the surface, and he can relay information back to us. The encrypted signals will draw less attention if they’re going to a known ship.”
“Can he be trusted, sir?”
“I have the Elusian president’s word.”
Considering that President Joris trusted Ellen and she was an assassin sent to kill him, I’m not sure the man is a great judge of character. Kira nodded. “We’ll use our best discretion for communications.”
“Good luck on the surface. I’ll be awaiting your report.” Kaen terminated the comm link.
Kira sighed. This entire op is a shiteshow through and through.
She was used to improvising and adapting to situations with questionable intel, but the combination of complications in this case were starting to add up. Even though she was never one to back down from a challenge, there were many more lives than her own on the line.
After taking a minute to clear her head, Kira opened an encrypted channel with Nico’s transport ship.
The video feed resolved on the wall-mounted viewscreen. A young man was seated at a communication station similar to her own. “You must be Kira,” he stated. “I know communicating through an intermediary isn’t ideal, but it was the best solution Ellen and I could come up with on short notice.”
“That’s what happens when you don’t think through a plan! You should have left this to the Guard.”
“I wasn’t a part of that decision.” Nico spread his hands on the tabletop. “What I can tell you is how Ellen will facilitate your access to the government building.”
“I’m listening.”
He cleared his throat. “So, Ellen used to work closely with a man named Dominic when she was employed as a Mysaran administrator. As I understand it, he officially holds a place in the Mysaran government, but he’s the main liaison with the underground group responsible for all the advocacy for Mysaran independence, the Sovereign. The government pulls the strings for the actions this group carries out. He got Ellen her place in the Elusian Alliance.”
Kira eyed him.
“Yes, I’m aware of why she was originally sent to Elusia,” Nico revealed. “The president granted her an official pardon, and I processed the executive order.”
“And you still trust her coming back here?”
He nodded. “I spoke with her at length during the trip over. She’s changed her thinking. I believe in the right for people to learn and grow.”
“I agree.” Kira paused. “All right, so she’s convinced Dominic that she wants in again. How does that help my team get to the chancellor?”
“Because the Sovereign collaborate more closely with the government than most realize—even those who know about the arrangement. Dominic, and now Ellen by extension, regularly lets members of the Sovereign into the capital building for strategy meetings. They have a back entrance for that occasion, and it’s the only time the security system is deactivated, so there isn’t an official record. Ellen will have access to that meeting schedule and can tell you exactly where to go to avoid the security system.”
Kira crossed her arms. “That’s great, and all, but we have stealth suits. We need to get down there as soon as possible, not wait for one of these meetings to happen.”
“There’s one tonight.”
“Oh.”
“Ellen sent me a datapacket with the details,” Nico continued. “Would you like me to forward it?”
“Okay, I have to admit,
that will be helpful, but this doesn’t forgive the fact that she ran in without clearing her plan with the Guard.”
“You can bring that matter up with her yourself in…” Nico checked the time, “three hours. She’ll be waiting for you at the entrance to the council chambers.”
An indicator on the screen blinked as the datapacket transferred to the Raven.
“Thanks, Nico. I’ll have the crew relay any relevant information once we’re down in the field. Be prepared to rendezvous back at Elusia.”
“We’ll be standing by. May the stars be with you.”
— — —
The meeting with the chancellor had gone surprisingly well. Chancellor Hale had asked Ellen precisely the right questions to show that she was engaged with her idea. Everything seemed to be going to plan.
Now seated in the back corner of a room filled with cubicles, Ellen assessed her work station and surroundings. How closely will they be monitoring my communications?
If nothing else, she needed to look the part a Sovereign loyalist while she waited for the Guard to arrive. She made coded notes about her meeting with the chancellor, using the organization’s secret vernacular. Everything was presented as official Mysaran government business using a code, so a discussion of a new water pipeline could really be a conversation about positioning mercenaries to seize an Elusian supply cache.
When she’d completed the plan overview, Ellen peeked over the edge of her cubicle to see if any of her coworkers were paying attention to her. They all appeared to be absorbed in their work.
I better do this while I have the chance. Ellen took a deep breath and began the riskiest part of her venture yet.
It was one thing to lie to a person but quite another to try to fool a computer. Though piggybacking a personal message on an official communication was as challenging as it was risky, it was critical she confirm the details about the Sovereign’s meeting schedule for Nico so he could relay the information to the Guard. Assuming they received the information, the Guard team should land on the planet in another hour.
There was nothing more for Ellen to do before then. Now how should I look busy?
Approaching footfalls drew her attention. Ellen craned her neck to see who was coming. To her horror, she saw three guards wearing body armor.
Oh, shite! She ducked back into her cubicle. Being in the back corner, she had nowhere to run except straight past the approaching guards. Did that latest communication give me away?
Her mind raced, trying to think of how she’d explain her actions. She held her breath while she prayed to the stars that the guards weren’t coming for her. Of course, she couldn’t be so lucky.
The three soldiers turned down her aisle. Two stopped three meters from her while the other continued ahead until he blocked the entrance to her cube.
“Ellen Calleti.” It was a statement not a question.
She swallowed. “Is there a problem?”
The burly man scoffed. “That depends on whether or not you want to cooperate.”
“I’m here as a servant to the Mysaran government. Why wouldn’t I?”
The guard shook his head. “It really didn’t take long for you to confirm our suspicions.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ellen insisted, even as an icy chill gripped her chest.
“Did you think we were that stupid? That you could contact an Elusian ship without us knowing?”
Ellen bristled. “Yes, of course I’m communicating with that ship! I was sent here on official Elusian business, and I need to keep up appearances. I have a designated contact on that vessel. I wasn’t hiding anything from you.”
The guard consulted with the colleagues. Another guard nodded.
“All the same,” he continued, “we need to take you in for further questioning. Standard procedure. If you have nothing to hide, then you don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Have you talked to Dominic about this?”
“He’s the one who requested we take you in,” the guard replied.
Ellen’s heart dropped. “He—”
“Well, it wasn’t me, exactly,” Dominic said, coming up behind the guards.
She pivoted to address him. “I just got here! Why are you—”
“Oh, Ellen.” Dominic leaned against the cubicle divider of an adjacent workspace. “You honestly believed you could get back in with us this easily?”
“I was loyal—”
“Oh, at the time, yes,” he agreed. “But we know you’re one of the Elusians now. We’re not sure who you’re working with, precisely, but this was all a ploy to gather information, no?”
“Dominic, you know me.”
“I knew you, Ellen. But you are no longer the young woman I mentored. Whatever happened on Elusia was not a setback to our plans. You turned against us. When you showed back up here with that bold plan, I suspected you weren’t being genuine with your motivations. Only the chancellor could determine if your intentions were honest, so she read you. And Ellen, you have not been very forthcoming.” Dominic locked her in a piercing stare.
Ellen’s heart pounded in her ears. I thought the Guard would get here before they realized…
She should have known her cover was blown the moment she went to meet with the chancellor. Of course, she’d never get an audience like that, regardless of the plan she had presented. Dominic had been playing her the whole time.
“What happens now?” she asked, realizing it was pointless to resist. Being too obstinate might make them inclined to kill her on the spot, but if she feigned cooperation, perhaps she’d be able to buy herself time until the Guard arrived.
Dominic scoffed. “What do you think will happen, Ellen? We’ll learn what we can from you, and then it’ll end for you the same way it ends for anyone who opposes us.”
Yeah, with that kind of thinking, no wonder people have a tendency to defect. It was a little late for that sentiment. If they had already pegged her as a traitor, she may as well play up that story to make herself seem valuable enough to keep around for a while longer.
“Yes, I was sent here to relay information back to Elusia,” Ellen admitted.
“Ah, finally some honesty.” Dominic perked up.
His willingness to believe the lie revealed a valuable piece of information to Ellen: he wasn’t subverted by one of the aliens, at least not under permanent control. She might be able to slip some little lies through. I’ll see how long I can keep them off the Guard’s trail.
Dominic took a step toward her. “You know, that’s the only reason we didn’t arrest you the moment you walked into my office. There was no way you’d come here completely alone, so it was more advantageous to wait until you directly implicated your co-conspirators.”
“This opposition is bigger than a handful of individuals,” Ellen shot back.
“Then it’s helpful that our definition of victory calls for total dominance.”
Ellen swallowed. “Have you ever taken a step back to ask why? Do you know who you’re working for?”
“That’s why it’s always been such an easy decision,” Dominic replied. “We are such simple, mortal creatures. How could we not answer to such superior beings?”
“They’ve brainwashed you.”
He chuckled. “Oh, no. They’ve been kind enough to show us how much better we can become.”
Ellen stared at him with disbelief. “Is that all that Mysar is now? A planet dedicated to helping some outside race exert its superiority?”
“It’s not like we won’t get anything in return.” He smiled. “We’re so close to being able to turn our simple race into the soldiers we were meant to become. The ancient technology has been there, and they took it and built upon it. With their intellect and our physical forms, we will rise.”
“I think you’re underestimating your opposition.”
Dominic cocked his head. “If they want a fight, then let them bring it.”
— — —
“All right, team, we have everything we need to complete this op without coming under fire,” Kira said while she loaded into the landing shuttle with Ari, Kyle, and Nia.
“Then why do we have the big guns?” Kyle asked with a smirk.
“Because we’re totally going to get shot at,” Ari said loudly while cupping his hand over his mouth to mime a whisper.
Kira chuckled. “You know the drill.”
Nia took the shuttle’s controls next to Kira. “What happens if we get captured?” she asked.
The team didn’t broach the topic too often, even on the riskiest missions. Though there were official protocols on the books, each situation called for a tailored approach, given the relative likelihood of backup arriving, the sensitivity of the information they were sent in to extract, or other factors. They were all prepared to give their lives in the line of duty, but facing that possible mortality was always different than the hypotheticals.
“We don’t get caught,” Kira told the lance corporal. “There’s no reason all of us won’t walk out of there.”
Nia nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Kira kept her own nerves to herself, knowing that expressing her misgivings about their ill preparation wouldn’t help her team. At least Nico had relayed Ellen’s confirmation of the landing plan. That part was on track, if nothing else.
When everyone was strapped in, Kira powered up the shuttle. “Here we go!”
The shuttle dropped out of the Raven’s belly and then boosted at an angle toward the planet as soon as it was clear of the craft. Its stealth tech would make the craft almost impossible to spot during its descent.
Kira and the rest of her team remained silent for the initial approach, their gazes fixed out the viewports to get the lay of the land.
“It’s so barren,” Nia commented once they were low enough that details in the landscape began to come into focus. “I can’t imagine why anyone would settle here when Valta was an option.”
