by Ken Lozito
Jim shook his head. "Not anytime soon. Both Field Ops and the Colonial Defense Force have been devoting a lot of resources toward tracking ryklars because of increased reported activity in the northern areas."
Selena's eyes widened at the mention of ryklars. "Where have they been spotted? Is it anywhere near where we think there are NEIIS locations?"
"No, it's more northwest of here, but I've heard Captain Ramsey and Connor speaking about the lack of planetary survey capabilities because Sierra has been so focused on rebuilding the city. The Vemus decimated our satellites and the ones we have . . . well, you get the picture,” Jim said.
“Perhaps we should add an addendum that states something about how the limited availability of Sat resources necessitates the need for our own survey mission. We can focus our efforts away from the riskier areas. I'm not keen to run into any more ryklars," Dash said.
Merissa glanced at him, seeming a bit surprised by the admission. "And here I thought you'd be trying to convince us to go anyway."
Dash smiled. "I still want to go, but I want to be smart about it. Being trapped in another outpost is not my idea of fun and is certainly something I don't wish to repeat. I’m sorry I dragged you guys into that."
Merissa's gaze softened and Dash felt his chest tighten. "You couldn't have known, and we didn't have to go."
Jim and Selena repeated the sentiment and Dash felt a small weight lift off his shoulders.
"Thanks," Dash said.
"So how do we convince Dr. Bishop and the Research Institute to support a field survey mission to one of the locations on the NEIIS map?" Jim asked.
They were silent while they all considered it. Dash had been thinking about it since they'd first started working on the console. Then, as they were drafting their peer review research paper, he'd begun to get a bit restless to be back out in the field. They should be able to just go if they wanted to. Before the ryklars had attacked them he'd been in his element, and couldn't wait to go back out there and explore. He didn’t want to be cooped up anymore, and he had the feeling that at least to some degree the others felt the same way.
Dash glanced down the long black laboratory table where the original NEIIS data storage module sat. The module was oval-shaped and had protruding channels as thick as his fingers running the length of it with evenly spaced nodules. The outer casing was constructed of the same bronze-colored metallic alloy the NEIIS used in most of their construction. When they put it under a microscope, they’d seen a field of wafer-like shapes on the spines. Dash walked over to the data module and stared at it for a moment.
Merissa came over to his side and he glanced over at her, his gaze lingering on her long, silky hair. He wanted to run his fingers through it but suspected it wouldn’t end well for him if he tried. She’d never given any hint of whether or not she was attracted to him.
"What are you thinking?" Merissa asked.
About how your lips would feel pressed against mine, he thought longingly but then inwardly shrugged it off. Focus, Dash!
"I'm trying to think of a way we can get more information off this thing," Dash said, gesturing toward the module.
Merissa brushed a rebellious strand of hair from her cheek. "I thought you made a copy of the data when you first brought the console online."
Dash nodded. "We did, but we’re still meshing two completely separate technologies. I don't care what the tech guys say; it's not the same as using NEIIS technology for what it was designed to do. I suspect there's more information on that thing, but I'm not sure how to get to it."
"Can't you just plug it in somewhere and see what happens?" Merissa asked.
Dash frowned and then smiled. "Yeah, we could, I guess. I didn't even consider it before because we made a copy of the data and we had the output from the original console. But what if the console was damaged in such a way that we’re just not aware of the extent of it? Plugging the module in someplace else . . . I think you might be on to something," he said.
Dash spun around and hastened over to the nearest workstation where he performed a quick search for any other NEIIS consoles that would be capable of housing the storage device. The others came over and joined him.
"What's he doing?" Selena asked.
"I sparked a brilliant thought in him," Merissa replied.
Dash glanced at her and nodded. "You most certainly did, but I'm not sure this is going to work."
"Why not?" Merissa asked.
Dash pinched the top part of his nose and felt some of the pressure recede from above his eyes. He needed to get outside for a while instead of being stuck looking at screens all day. "Plugging the module into another console isn't going to do it. We need to bring it to the archives."
“At the heart of the city?" Merissa asked.
"That's the one, but they're not going to let us," Dash said.
"Why wouldn't they?" Jim asked.
"Because the NEIIS archive is the most complete data repository we've found to date. They’re still cataloging it, and if we show up asking to stick our data module into it, we’ll likely get denied because the tech guys will say it's too much of a risk," Dash said.
Jim frowned and glanced at the others.
Merissa seemed to consider what Dash had said for a moment and then smiled. "Maybe you just need the right people to ask them," she said, her eyes alight with mischievous delight.
"Miss Sabine, are you suggesting that you could get the cooperation of two lonely tech guys in charge of the NEIIS data archives so we can get some more information off this data storage module?” Dash asked, gesturing toward the device in question.
Merissa smiled sweetly. "It couldn't hurt to ask, but perhaps you should let Selena and I take the lead on this."
Dash frowned. He didn't like where this was heading. "No deal. Jim and I have to be with you. Besides I'm the only one authorized to take the module from the lab." Dash felt his cheeks becoming a bit warm and wondered if Merissa had noticed. She hadn’t.
"Well, at least let us go in first and see if they're open to the idea," Merissa suggested.
"I don't get it," Jim began. "Why can’t we all just go ask them for help?"
Dash gave him a sidelong glance and was surprised to see that Jim really didn't understand. "Have you worked with any tech guys here? Sometimes they can be a bit territorial. They think they’re the only ones qualified to touch anything and the rest of us just break things that they then have to fix. But what our two esteemed colleagues are suggesting," Dash said and placed one hand on each of the ladies’ shoulders, "is that those tech tyrants might be more willing to help them than they would be to help you or me, implying that they might be a sucker for a pretty face. That about sum it up?"
Selena snorted and Merissa glanced at his hand on her shoulder. He quickly withdrew it and her lips curved ever so slightly upward.
"I've been known to do the same thing in reverse," Dash said.
Merissa arched one eyebrow. "I'm sure you've tried, but I'm not sure how successful you've been."
Dash smiled boldly. "You're still here, aren't you?"
Jim snorted after a moment and Selena just shook her head. They'd been working closely together for the past few days and had gotten used to his humor.
Merissa eyed him for a moment, her face impassive. "Perhaps I was just bored," she said dryly.
"Me, too. So, you guys ready?" Dash asked.
Merissa shook her head slightly and smiled. "Ready when you are," she said and began to walk away, then stopped and turned back around. "When we get there, try not to hover so close. You'll scare the fish away."
Jim grinned as Dash left to retrieve a case for safe storage of the memory module.
Chapter Eleven
"What are we going to do if they refuse to help us?" Jim asked.
"We'll have to improvise," Dash said and finished securing the memory module into the storage case.
A small holoscreen appeared above the case where the NEIIS data module had b
een, with a blank text box that required his attention. In the upper right corner was a five-minute timer that had begun counting down. Dash quickly updated the log to show that he was removing the memory module from the lab. Then, a secondary input screen appeared that required further information. Connor must have updated the security protocols. Dash thought about just entering something general, like “field study” or some such, but he knew Dr. Bishop would see right through that. She believed in him and he didn't want to disappoint her, so he quickly entered some text about bringing the memory module to the NEIIS archive for analysis. He’d see how they reacted to the truth when they received the log update.
Once the update log finished saving, Dash closed the session. It was likely that Dr. Bishop wouldn’t notice the update until she returned to the lab, and he didn't know when that was going to happen. She'd been with Connor outside the Research Institute for the past couple of days, meeting with some colonial government official from Sierra. Dash had no idea what that was all about.
Dash and Jim quickly caught up to Merissa and Selena as they left the Research Institute behind, squinting in the bright sunlight. He glanced upward, noting the crystal-clear blue skies with only a few wisps of clouds, and felt some of the tension drain from around his eyes. The others were doing the same.
"It's really nice today. We should get some R&R. Would you guys want to hike out to the lake after we’re done at the archives? Maybe go for a swim?" Dash asked.
The day was warm but not overly hot. The others seemed noncommittal about it.
“It’s in the safe zone and not off limits,” Dash said.
Selena nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, we all need some time out of the lab. I don’t know how you guys do it day after day.”
Dash looked at Merissa, who shrugged.
“We’ll see. Maybe,” Merissa said.
“I’ll do whatever everyone else wants to,” Jim said.
Since the NEIIS hadn’t built any stairs, the different levels of the city were connected via a series of ramps, and they quickly reached the subterranean level where the NEIIS archives had been found. Temporary light fixtures automatically turned on, sensing their approach. As they walked, Dash moved next to Merissa.
"So, have you thought about what you're going to say?" Dash asked.
"Do you mean how I'm going to bat my eyelashes at them?" Merissa replied.
"Something like that," Dash said.
Merissa glanced at him, her gaze narrowing playfully and seeming to bore right through him. She leaned toward him. “Well, first I open my eyes really wide and look at them as if they were the most important thing in the entire world. Then, I speak in a really high, airy tone like this and pretend I really need their help,” she said and paused, pushing out her chest. Her firm breasts swelled against her shirt and the breath caught in Dash’s throat. “Then, I might arch my back like this and maybe swing my hips a little bit—you know, use all my assets," she said in a sultry tone.
Dash found that his mouth was hanging open and he’d taken a step backward. "I . . . I think that could work," he said, sounding awkward.
Merissa lapsed back into her normal persona and laughed at him. "I'm not going to do any of that, you idiot. Do you really think I would do something like that?"
Dash stammered for a moment.
"Choose your words wisely," Merissa warned.
Dash blew out a breath and covered his mouth with his hand for a moment. "I knew you had a sense of humor buried in there somewhere."
"I'm not sure what surprised you more: that I could act like ‘that girl,’” she said, using her fingers to make air quotes, “or that I would for a moment entertain the thought of trying to manipulate someone to get something for you."
"I thought it was for all of us," Dash replied innocently.
Surprisingly, Merissa smiled back at him. "I can see you coming a mile away, Mr. Dewitt. My plan is to just walk in there and ask them directly. You know, be completely honest. Tell them what we're trying to do. I was just joking before."
Dash nodded. "No, I knew that. I was . . . I thought that's what you meant. I wouldn't think you would . . ."
The edges of her full lips lifted as she watched him stammer away like an idiot.
“Right,” Merissa said. “I'm glad we cleared that up. Why is this so important to you?"
"I'm tired of being cooped up. Aren't you?" Dash asked.
"A little bit, I guess. But this whole ‘unravel the mystery of the NEIIS’ thing seems like it means more to you than most people,” Merissa replied.
"All of us almost died a year ago. I was at Sierra during the Vemus attack. I'd volunteered with the colonial militia and we basically ran support for the CDF. It was pretty scary. The fighting was . . .” Dash shook his head. He didn’t need to relive that. “When we had to flee the city, I kept thinking about everything I hadn't done yet. After that I was determined to do something important," Dash said.
"And you think unraveling the mystery that surrounds the NEIIS is that important something?" Merissa asked.
"Yeah, and . . . we're here. This is our home and I want to see every bit of it," Dash replied.
"I didn't know you were with the militia. Selena and I were here at Sanctuary, hiding during the attack until the end when anyone who could hold a weapon was on the wall. I’ve heard about what happened at Sierra. It sounded really bad when the city fell,” Merissa said.
Dash didn’t like to think about it. He'd seen a lot of people die and that was one of the reasons he’d pushed to come to Sanctuary in the first place.
They walked on in silence, but every now and then he thought Merissa was watching him. She seemed to be more at ease since he'd shared that with her. He hadn't planned to talk about his time in the militia but found that it felt good to share something personal with her.
They came to a huge circular building, easily the size of a cathedral. The NEIIS archive had a large round door that had been partially withdrawn into the thick wall. Inside was a well-lit interior with amber lights along the smooth walls. The NEIIS hadn’t been big on fixtures inside this building and the spartan interior of the archives was a stark contrast to some of the other sites that had been discovered. The archives were workplaces, but Dash always had the impression that they were also unfinished. Like most things the NEIIS had created, there was just the feeling that they had left in a hurry, and he had no idea why. Discovering other NEIIS sites was the only way to figure it out.
They walked inside and headed to where the tech guys worked. Dash knew they rotated shifts and preferred to do most of their work remotely, but something must have happened for these two guys to be brought in from Sierra. Dash wondered if they were being punished somehow.
Merissa quickened her pace to walk ahead, but Dash decided at the last second to match it and stay by her side. She glanced at him questioningly and he just nodded for her to continue.
Two young men were working on opposite sides of a holoscreen. They'd been chatting quietly until they heard Dash and the others approach. They seemed surprised that anyone would voluntarily come down there.
"Hello. Is there something we can help you with?" one of them asked.
"Yes, we were hoping you could help us out with something," Merissa said and introduced the others.
The one who had spoken introduced himself first. “I’m Brad Kelly and this is Travis Cook. What is it you need down here?" Brad asked.
Dash cleared his throat and held up the storage case. "We have this NEIIS memory module that we'd like to plug into the same system as the archive to retrieve the data on it.”
Brad frowned and glanced at his partner. "Okay, I think that can be done, but I'm not sure why you'd want to."
"We have the original NEIIS console in our lab at the Research Institute, but there's a lot of system degradation on it and we’re only able to get partial information out of it. We think that if we were to load it up in the archive system, it would automatically do some cross-ref
erencing for us and give us some more information to go on," Dash said.
"So would you guys be able to help us out?" Merissa asked.
Dash watched as Brad blew out a long breath and ran his fingers through his curly blonde hair.
“Why don’t you show us the module and then we can decide if we’ll be able to help you?” Brad said.
Travis coughed loudly. “Brad, you know we can’t do this. The risk to the archive is too great.”
Brad glanced at the other tech guy and then looked back at Merissa, who smiled sweetly. Dash was rather impressed.
“What? I just want to take a look at the thing. We might be able to help. You see, Travis, it’s people like you who give the rest of us tech guys a bad reputation,” Brad said and gestured toward the case Dash was holding.
Dash set the case down on the desk and opened it, carefully lifting out the oval NEIIS data module for the others to see. There were parts where the bronze color shined, but mostly it was obvious it had been exposed to the elements for a long time. Brad and Travis peered at the data module intensely.
“You weren’t kidding. This thing has seen better days,” Brad remarked.
Travis leaned in and took a closer look. “Are you sure this still works?” he asked doubtfully.
Dash nodded. “It does. We’ve tested it in our lab.”
Travis looked unconvinced and Dash struggled for a moment to keep his irritation with the technical engineer in check.
“How about you let us test it out?” Travis suggested.
Dash resisted the urge to snatch the NEIIS module off the workstation desk. “It’s pretty fragile. What is it you think you need to test?” Dash asked.
“We just don’t want to burn it out,” Brad replied.
Dash used his implants to access his PDA and brought up the test report they’d done at the Research Institute. He then sent it to the nearby holoscreen. “Here, take a look. This is what we’ve done and the results of the power testing we did. It shouldn’t bother the system here.”
Brad and Travis turned toward the holoscreen and quickly scanned the report. Brad glanced at Dash and then at the others. “I’ve seen this testing suite before. You’re using the new protocols set up by Noah Barker, a former captain in the CDF.”
