The Crucible- The Complete Series

by Odette C. Bell

  A holographic access panel suddenly blinked up in the middle of my desk.

  The doomsday device. The Chief had finally accessed the Doomsday device.

  I practically threw myself at the access panel. It was just a semicircle of controls made out of holographic light, but would input to the computer and allow me access to the data on the doomsday device.

  “As requested, you have private one way access to the doomsday drives,” the Chief’s recorded voice explained. “It took a hell of a lot of rigging, but I managed to get them running satisfactorily. I’ll be busy mucking out the engines by the time you get this. Have fun,” she commanded.

  “Will do,” I replied through a grin, even though she couldn’t hear me.

  I started manipulating the controls as quickly as I could.

  I wanted to know everything I could about the Mari Sector.

  Soon enough, I accessed the relevant section of the database.

  I stood back.

  “The Mari Sector has many areas of archaeological significance,” the computer began to explain to me. “There is evidence of pre-lightspeed civilizations on at least two of the planets.”

  “I want to know about Moon Alpha 78,” I said quickly as I crossed my arms.

  “A survey mission picked up evidence of post lightspeed tech on Moon Alpha 78 approximately two years ago.”

  “What can you tell me about it?”

  “There is evidence to suggest that the archaeological site on Moon Alpha 78 belongs to an as-yet-unknown race.”

  “Unknown race?” My eyebrows peaked high up my forehead. “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  “What information do you have on them?”

  “The original survey discovered a promising site, but it needs extensive excavation. As of this time, several groups have applied for funding to excavate the site. However, due to its complexity and the location of the Mari Sector, it is unlikely this site will be excavated in the near future. Other archaeological sites of more perceived value are stronger candidates to receive funding from the Archaeological Institute.”

  I nodded. “So what exactly did the survey mission pick up?”

  The computer replied by showing a small relatively nondescript looking metal disc. I walked up to the hologram, frowning as I swept a hand forward, caught the hologram, and brought it close to my face. My gaze swept over the flat metal disc.

  If you asked me, it looked like nothing more than a squashed metal ball. Apparently it wasn’t.

  Apparently it had kicked off something massive.

  “So you have no idea who this unknown alien race is?” I asked, only realizing how stupid my question was once I’d asked it. The race was unknown, after all.

  “There are no correlates within the database. There is no other information on this race.”

  I nodded.

  Well, at least I’d learnt one fact – there certainly were archaeological sites in the Mari Sector, and the Enforcement Unit clearly had erased any evidence of them from the galactic databases.

  They would never have assumed that someone would gain access to a doomsday device and dial the clock back to discover the missing data.

  I clutched a hand to my chin and drummed my fingers against my jaw.

  … An unknown race.

  “You said this unknown race were post lightspeed? How can you assume that when you have such little information on them?”

  “That metal disc is made of trithalium,” the computer replied.

  My eyebrows shot up. It was a substance that could only be manufactured, and only by extremely technologically advanced races.

  I nodded. “And that’s it? You don’t have any other information?”

  “I have displayed all information.”

  I sighed, dragging my fingers down the back of my head.

  Just before I walked away, I stopped. I slid my gaze back to the holographic access panel. I shifted towards it, brought up a stiff hand, and typed something into the holographic controls.

  “Computer, I want you to access all Star Forces personnel information. Specifically, look for an Ensign Jenks.”

  “Searching,” the computer said.

  It took some time before it came up with an answer. Fair enough, the doomsday drives were massive, and the computer had to search through every datafile for a mention of Jenks.

  “There are approximately 55,000 data files relating to Ensign Jenks.”

  “I don’t want just any Ensign Jenks. Cross-reference with the Ensign Jenks aboard this ship and use her crewmember file.”

  The computer paused. “There are no matches.”

  I shook my head. “Cross-reference with the Ensign Jenks aboard the Ra’xon,” I repeated, voice clearer. “Find out her unique indicator number from the Ra’xon’s own database. Then look up that unique indicator number in the doomsday drives. Then pull up any information relating to her.”

  “The computer understands the request, but cannot comply. There are no data files relating to that identifying number.”

  “What?”

  “There are no files—” it began.

  “Stop. I understand,” I said, even though I didn’t.

  I took a sharp step away from the table.

  If Ensign Jenks had changed her name, her identifying number would have remained the same.

  “Pull up Ensign Jenks’ file from the Ra’xon. When did she join the Star Forces Academy?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

  “Five years ago, 300 days, seven hours, and 34 minutes.”

  “If she joined five years ago,” I said through a stiff breath, “then why isn’t there any information about her on the doomsday drives?

  “Unknown.”

  I took another step back.

  “Shit,” I swore, clamping a hand on my brow and shifting my fingers so hard against my nose it was a surprise I didn’t pull it from my face. “Shit, she’s the spy,” I realized.

  A truly cold feeling spread through my gut.

  She had to be the spy.

  If Jenks really had joined the Star Forces Academy five years ago, information about that would be on the doomsday drives. The only reason there would be no reference on the drives, was because she hadn’t joined five years ago.

  Ensign Jenks was a plant. Her name, her position, her history – it was all fiction.

  She was a spy.

  I felt cold. Cold through and through. It was such a distinctive, overpowering feeling, that it took up all my awareness.

  This felt so wrong. So goddamn wrong. Like a violation.

  I barely knew the woman, but somehow I’d grown to trust her. Expect more from her.

  She’d saved this ship, and my life.

  … Or had she?

  Ensign Jenks had discovered the sabotage in the life-support system, and she’d also put her life at risk to save the ship.

  But she was a spy, and this was all a game, wasn’t it?

  The reason Ensign Jenks had noticed the sabotage to the life-support system, was because she’d breached the system herself. And the reason she’d apparently sacrificed her life to save us all, was to ingratiate herself to us.

  She’d been rewarded too – the Captain had brought her into the inner circle.

  Christ, it all made sense now. It all fit into place.

  Shit, why hadn’t I seen this earlier? She hadn’t been a member of the resistance, but she stayed on the ship.

  Every move she’d made was to gain our trust and further her cause.

  I balled up a hand and slammed it against my thigh. I didn’t care that pain stabbed through my leg. I just did it again. And again.

  I’d trusted her.

  Goddamnit, I’d even started to like her. Her direct personality, her reliability.

  But that – that was all a game.

  She was a spy.

  I turned. As the bile filled my throat and the anger punched through my gut, I made a fist.

  It was time to catch t
he spy.

  Chapter 7

  Ensign Jenks

  I could only think of accessing more compound 78.

  The jitters were already setting in. For the love of god, I’d given myself a dose barely a day ago, but somehow it felt as if I hadn’t had any 78 for weeks.

  I couldn’t control the twitch in my hand. If someone asked me to pick up something in my current state, I’d probably drop it.

  And in a few hours, I’d do something worse. If my symptoms continued, they would degenerate and I’d start having a true telekinetic fit.

  I wouldn’t be able to control myself, and if I didn’t make it to an area without people….

  I was walking along the corridor, and thankfully it was deserted. I balled up a hand and struck it against the wall, tears filling my eyes.

  This wasn’t fair.

  It wasn’t goddamn fair.

  I’d allowed myself to feel a glimmer of hope when I joined the resistance. With all those Omega weapons and all their resources, I could have made a difference.

  This wasn’t making a difference.

  This was dying slowly every day.

  I struck the wall again, a few more tears building in my eyes.

  It was then I heard footsteps.

  I tried to straighten up, but I wasn’t quick enough.

  Nathan Shepherd walked briskly down the corridor.

  I tugged my head to the side, hiding my tear-streaked cheeks with my hair as I quickly brought up a hand and thumbed them away.

  “Jenks,” he said.

  Had he seen my tears? Because his tone was strained.

  I took a sharp breath, patting the rest of my cheeks dry. “Shepherd,” I managed after I took a deep breath. “How can I help you?”

  “Walk with me for a while,” he suggested.

  I would have looked at him if I could, to gauge his expression. But I didn’t want to reveal my puffy eyes.

  “How have you been?” he asked directly.

  This again? He wasn’t going to question me until he was blue in the face, was he?

  “I’m fine, Lieutenant Commander.”

  “Really? Is the wall back there fine?” he asked. “Because you were pounding on it pretty hard,” he noted.

  There was something missing from his tone.

  It took me a while, then I realized what it was with a shiver.

  Compassion.

  I stiffened.

  I watched his gaze slide towards me and lock on my body. “How are you settling in?”

  “Fine,” I said. “You?”

  “That’s nice of you to ask. I’m finally finding my feet, I think.”

  Rather than looking directly at him, I caught glimpses of him in every reflective panel we passed.

  He wasn’t acting normally.

  My heartbeat started to pick up, and the tingles in my fingers only became worse as a result. Without being able to stop myself, I pumped the fingers of my right hand back and forth.

  “Is that still injured?” he asked conversationally. “You should really get it checked out.”

  There it was. That empty compassionless tone.

  I now felt cold through and through. “You must be busy, Lieutenant Commander.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you, Jenks, I’m not a lieutenant commander anymore. Here in the resistance, we don’t have any ranks.”

  “Sorry,” I managed.

  We drifted into silence.

  I could feel his eyes on the back of my neck.

  He couldn’t… God he couldn’t suspect me, could he?

  I thought I’d been more careful than that.

  Yes, I’d taken the Omega weapons, and yes they’d somehow found the evidence. But they couldn’t have linked it to me already.

  My heart beat faster and faster, more and more sweat picking up across my brow. Though I wanted to control my breath, I couldn’t. It wheezed through my throat.

  “I should really thank you again for saving my life,” he suddenly said.

  “Please don’t,” I said in a quiet voice that barely made it out of my throat.

  He smiled.

  He actually smiled.

  He thought I couldn’t see him, but I caught sight of him in a reflective panel.

  He knew.

  The realization slammed into me like a punch.

  For a while there, for a few short days, I’d fantasized about trusting Nathan Shepherd. He seemed like such a good man. Open, diligent, kind. And above all, compassionate. He tried to look out for me.

  But now he knew the truth, or at least he thought he did.

  He thought I was still a member of the Star Forces. A telekinetic spy sent to destroy the resistance.

  I stopped.

  He stopped right beside me. Without even turning to him, I could feel his energy change. Feel his back stiffen, sense the hairs along his neck and arms stand on end.

  Sure enough, when I finally swiveled my gaze to his, he was staring at me with such a stiff, cold determination it was a surprise I didn’t shatter. “Is there something wrong, Jenks?”

  I looked at him.

  Not with suspicion, not with anger, not with hatred. With disappointment. With soul-shaking disappointment.

  For a few short days I’d thought I’d found someone I could trust.

  I’d been wrong.

  I wasn’t ashamed to say that a few tears touched the corners of my eyes.

  That cold hard anger of his – it shifted. His gaze flicked towards my tear-filled eyes, and I watched his brow compress slowly. That electric edge of confrontation morphing into something else.

  I opened my mouth.

  His command PIP beeped. “Commander F’val has arrived,” someone informed him.

  “What?”

  “Commander F’val has arrived on an urgent matter.”

  “… Understood,” Shepherd said slowly. He kept his gaze on me. And second by second it changed. The anger melting right out of it to be replaced by confusion. “On my way,” he added eventually, still not looking away from me.

  As for me, I just held his gaze.

  I was too tired to think. Too destroyed mentally to realize how stupid it was to just stand there and look at him.

  He clearly knew what I was. It was time to incapacitate him and flee.

  But I didn’t move. I just stood there and faced him.

  He made the first move. “What’s your story, Jenks?” he asked openly.

  I couldn’t help but laugh. It wasn’t arrogant, it wasn’t sadistic; it was defeated. “You really want to know?” I challenged.

  We stared at each other.

  He began to open his mouth, but his command PIP beeped once more. “F’val has landed. He requests your immediate presence.”

  “On my way,” Shepherd repeated in a distracted tone as he still stared at me.

  He no longer looked as if he wanted to rip me limb from limb. In fact, every electric charge of confrontation that had zapped through the air was starting to wane.

  “Who are you,” Jenks?” he asked, every word slow, his lips dropping open as he swallowed hard.

  “Who am I?” I still couldn’t keep the fragile shattered laugh from my voice, “I’m Alyssa Nightingale,” I answered.

  “… What?”

  “That’s my name,” I said through clenched teeth, tears now trailing down my cheeks as tension stabbed through my jaw, “that’s my name,” I said, words hardly recognizable. “That’s my goddamn name.”

  I didn’t want to cry, didn’t want to fall apart. But I couldn’t stop myself. The trembles, the headache, the fact the man I thought I could trust had just turned on me – I just broke down.

  The tears came thick and fast, the sobs raking through my throat. I balled up a hand and struck it against the wall beside me, not caring that my nail nicked through my flesh and made it bleed.

  “That’s my goddamn name. That’s the one they took from me,” my voice shook. I couldn’t control it. Couldn’t control
anything.

  Shepherd could have turned on me. He could have called for security. Could have tried to incapacitate me.

  He didn’t. Instead his face broke with compassion. The same compassion he’d withheld from me moments before.

  It flooded out of him as if I’d broken a wall.

  Maybe he could see that my act was no act at all. The true bitterness behind my tears and words could not be manufactured.

  I sobbed so hard my body shook.

  I kept repeating “that’s my name,” over and over again.

  I crumpled against the wall.

  Shepherd followed me down on his haunches, his gaze still cracked open with raw compassion. “Jenks, Jenks… Alyssa, it’s okay, just tell me who you are. It’s okay,” he kept repeating.

  His command PIP beeped again. “Sir, Commander F’val has accessed environmental controls.”

  “Sorry?” Shepherd snapped, clearly distracted.

  “Sir, he is on his way to your position. He requests you hold.”

  “Sorry?”

  “Internal scanners confirm you’re with Ensign Jenks. He requests you hold.”

  “What?” Shepherd asked, insistence stabbing through his tone.

  I gasped.

  A sudden pain exploded through my chest.

  I couldn’t breathe.

  I couldn’t breathe.

  I collapsed my shaking hands over my throat, but nothing worked.

  I struggled for air, grasping towards Shepherd.

  Eyes wide, he reached out and wrapped two arms around me, stopping me from falling.

  “Jenks? Jenks? Alyssa?”

  I couldn’t respond.

  …

  Lieutenant Commander Nathan Shepherd

  All of a sudden she started to fit.

  She couldn’t breathe.

  She struggled for air, a gasp echoing through the corridor, the most horrible sound I’d ever heard.

  “Alyssa?” I called her name, but she couldn’t respond.

  She was now convulsing in my grip, deep muscle spasms practically twisting her body in half.

  I clutched my arms further around her back, determined to support her.

  Several minutes ago, I’d been determined to hand her in.

  Then she’d cracked in front of me. Fallen apart.

  I’d never seen somebody break so quickly and so completely.