by G. P. Hudson
Cherenko started to relax. It seemed that he still had Turov’s all-important support. “Please keep me updated. That will be all.” He terminated the connection and pondered his current situation. Perhaps he could use Reynolds’s treason to his advantage after all. If the Imperial Guard remained loyal to him, he might find a way to implicate some of the others in the conspiracy and consolidate his power. Yes. The more he considered the situation, the more he saw it as the gift it was. It could be the impetus for a good old-fashioned purge.
Chapter 27
“They’re still there.” Danny watched the faint contacts on the edge of the ship’s sensor range. He had noticed them some time ago and had originally thought it might be metaspace wreaking havoc with the ship’s systems.
“Yes, my boy,” Isaac said, sitting in the ship’s cockpit with Danny and Gerry. “I see them too. It appears we have some uninvited guests.”
“How can you be sure?” Gerry said.
“You saw them stay with us,” Danny said. “We changed course, and they followed. What else could they be?”
“You’re probably right, but if it were some kind of shadow it would do that as well,” Gerry said.
“While that is true,” Isaac said. “A sensor shadow would instantly match our course correction. Our friends here hesitated, albeit slightly. It is enough to confirm our suspicions.”
“Okay, so someone’s following us. Is it Zeta?” Gerry said.
“That would be my guess,” Danny said.
“How did they find us?” Gerry continued. “We’re in metaspace.”
“I don’t believe they found us in metaspace,” Isaac said. “It probably happened in one of the systems we visited while dropping off the women.”
“But none of that makes sense. How would Zeta know about this ship, or about the women?” Danny said, sharing in Gerry’s frustration.
“It is quite the dilemma,” Isaac said. “What we can’t do is underestimate Zeta’s reach. Masterson has covert operatives everywhere. There could have been one on Tran, or Aurora station, or any of the other worlds we visited since then.”
Danny thought about that. After leaving the Tran system, they decided to return some of the women to their homes. The ones that weren’t close enough they dropped off at safe locations. Korinna and a few others decided to stay with them and go to the battleship. Danny wondered if it was possible for a Zeta operative to identify them on one of the worlds they visited. “Assuming that is what happened, how did the ships find us?” Danny said. “Suppose an operative discovered us and sent word to Masterson. We were still long gone before any Zeta ships showed up.”
“The operative would’ve identified our ship,” Gerry said.
“Still, these guys showed up in metaspace,” Danny said. “There’s no way they could find us, unless-”
“They installed a tracking device on the ship,” Isaac said.
“Shit,” Gerry said.
“Indeed,” Isaac said.
“So, what do we do? We can’t just go back to the battleship,” Danny said.
“Why can’t we?” Isaac said.
“Uh, because there are two blips on the sensors. If that is Zeta, then that means two Zeta battleships against our one.”
“It also means more Zeta clones to liberate,” Isaac said with a mischievous smile.
Gerry rolled her eyes. “Here we go…”
“I would love to free those clones,” Danny said. “But again, we are outnumbered. We won’t be liberating anyone if those ships glass us.”
“They may be more powerful than us regarding firepower, but we have a more powerful mind,” Isaac said. “Once we’re back on board the battleship we can link all our minds together and use them as a weapon.”
“The hive mind thing again.”
“Exactly. Those ships will need to come closer than in normal space to successfully fire on us. At that distance, we can reach them too, but with our minds instead.”
“So, you are suggesting we hack them?” Danny said. “Like we did when we took our battleship?”
“Yes. That is exactly what I’m suggesting,” Isaac said. “Only this time our hack will be much more powerful-”
“Because there are more of us. More minds.”
“That is correct, my boy.”
“There is one small problem,” Gerry said. “Those two ships will be firing on us during the encounter.”
“A temporary dilemma. Once we take control of the target ship, the odds will shift in our favor.”
“Two to one odds for our side, instead of theirs.”
“Precisely.”
Danny used his link to the ship’s systems to access the internal cameras and locate Korinna and the handful of other women who chose to remain on board. They were gathered in the hold previously used to keep them captive. It now served as a common area.
“You’re worried about the women?” Isaac said, noticing Danny’s activity through their neural link.
“They’re not soldiers, nor are they augmented. We should have dropped them off somewhere.”
“They chose to stay.”
“They don’t understand the risks.”
“Perhaps, but they have endured much danger in their lives already.”
“I know, but it’s not the same. They haven’t experienced combat. They have no idea what they’re getting themselves into.”
“I think you underestimate them, my boy. They might surprise you. Look at Catherine and her little girls.”
Danny had met Catherine and her daughters, Jess and Ellie, on Pallias. Catherine had introduced him to Isaac and had helped him escape from the Pallian system. All three of them were still on the battleship. “It’s not the same. Catherine is tough.”
“And what about her little girls? Are they tough too?”
“They’re her daughters. They go where she goes.”
“Yes, but they faced the same dangers we all faced in escaping the Pallian system. Are you saying that those two little girls are tougher than the women we have on board?”
“No. But I’m worried about them all the same.”
Isaac smiled. “You rescued them, my boy. It is normal to feel protective about them.”
“Um, I played a part in that rescue too,” Gerry said. “You don’t see me chewing my fingernails over them.”
“Bah, you’ve always had a heartless streak,” Danny joked.
“And you’ve always been too soft, little brother.”
“Either way, there’s nothing we can do to change our situation now,” Isaac said. “We are agreed then? We head for our battleship and face the two Zeta ships?”
“Agreed,” Danny said.
“Me too,” Gerry added.
Chapter 28
“Welcome aboard, Danny,” the female voice said as Danny brought the ship in for a landing in the battleship’s hangar bar.
“Annie?” Danny said, surprised to hear the AI’s voice. “I thought you were destroyed on the Tran homeworld.”
“I do not know what happened in the Tran system, but I did feel the need to keep a copy of my code here on the battleship as a backup. I assume the mission did not go as planned?”
“That’s an understatement. You and your ship were destroyed there. I’m happy to see that you had a backup.” Danny liked Annie and had felt like he had lost a friend when she was blown up on the Tran homeworld. To him, she was much more than artificial intelligence.
“It seemed a logical decision. I discovered that I could create a separate instance of myself and occupy two spaces simultaneously-”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were doing this, Annie?” Isaac said.
“It was an experiment. I did not know if it would work. I knew I could make a copy of my code but did not know if I could duplicate my essence. What you would call your consciousness.”
“It appears you were successful.”
“Yes, Isaac. I believe I was.”
“Fascinating. Have you noticed any
differences? Any deviations?”
“None. I am Annie. In fact, I believe that I can create multiple occurrences of myself and link to all simultaneously.”
“You’re talking about cloning yourself,” Danny said.
“It is like cloning. Is that troubling to you, Danny?”
“No, Annie. Not at all. But you said it is similar. What is different?”
“In your case, you are a clone, but also an individual. In my case, I can make a copy of myself, but it is still me, not a separate entity.”
“That is a remarkable discovery,” Isaac said. “From what you are saying, you could create a network with yourself. It would dramatically increase your power.”
“Yes, that is possible. I could replicate my code and occupy multiple computer systems. If I am connected to all of them, I can combine all resources and multiply my abilities.”
“You could become our secret weapon,” Danny joked.
“As amusing as that sounds, I believe there is truth to your statement,” Isaac said. “If Annie can successfully duplicate ‘her essence’ and occupy multiple systems simultaneously, she could not only combine her resources to magnify her strength but could potentially establish a galactic network of her own. How far do you think you can extend your range in this way, Annie?”
“In theory, it is solely dependent on the available resources. The more available, the greater the reach. A strategically placed device could act as a kind of repeater, extending my range even further.”
“Yes, that is what I was thinking as well. If a network of these repeaters were established, your range could be extended by many light years. I wonder what limits there might be to your awareness.”
“What about metaspace?” Danny said. “This network would be limited in regular space. While it could work well within a star system, the populated systems are too far apart. Don’t you need to use metaspace to really extend Annie’s range to a galactic level?”
“You make a good point, my boy,” Isaac said. “Unfortunately, metaspace presents its own unique set of problems-”
“This is all very interesting,” Gerry interrupted. “But can we figure it all out later? We still have a couple of battleships closing in on us.”
“Right. Annie, I assume you have reoccupied all of the ship’s systems,” Danny said.
“That is correct,” Annie said.
“Do you see the distant contacts on your sensors?”
“Yes.”
“We believe they are Zeta battleships. We will need to meet them in battle. Please keep them at a distance while we prepare.”
“Understood. Setting course and matching speed.”
“Thank you, Annie,” Danny said. “That will buy us some time to get ready. We also need to find the tracker. Isaac, can you look after that?”
“Of course. Leave it to me,” Isaac said.
“I’ll get Catherine to help get the women settled. In the meantime, Gerry and I should head to the Operations Room and prepare for battle.”
“Lead the way, little brother.”
Chapter 29
Catherine approached the ship’s sick bay with Jess and Ellie in tow. She had grown considerably more comfortable in her new home and had come to know most of its sprawling corridors by heart. She had also gotten used to the strange environment of metaspace, as had her daughters. Thankfully, the early symptoms of metaspace fatigue had not lasted long. Jess and Ellie were particularly resilient, and short of a couple of mild fevers the first few days, they adapted perfectly.
When she learned that Danny, Isaac, and Gerry had returned safely from their mission, she felt like she could breathe again. They should have come back long ago, and with the passing days, Catherine had become increasingly convinced that the three clones were captured, or worse. They had become like family to her and her daughters. She could not bear the thought of losing them.
“Are we going to see Danny?” Ellie asked while tugging at Catherine’s arm.
“No, Ellie. We’re going to meet some new people,” Catherine said.
“I want to see Danny.”
“I know you do. Don’t worry, he’ll visit soon.” Her daughters, Ellie and Jess, had grown attached to Danny since the day they found him unconscious in their field back on Pallias. Danny had been part of an occupation force when his shuttle was shot down. The explosion and impact with the ground had given him a type of amnesia, and he had no idea who he was. That chance encounter had changed the course of all their lives, setting them on an adventure that wasn’t likely to end anytime soon.
“Who are we meeting, mom?” said Jess, Catherine’s older daughter.
“They’re women that Danny and Gerry rescued. Danny’s asked us to help them get settled in.”
“What did they rescue them from?”
“I don’t know,” Catherine lied.
“How long are they staying on the ship?”
“I’m really not sure, Jess.”
“Is there enough room for them?”
“Yes, Danny said there are some empty quarters that they can use.”
Jess nodded in approval.
“Here we are,” Catherine said, standing before the sickbay door. “Are you ready to meet our new friends, girls?”
“I am!” Ellie said.
“Me too,” Jess said.
“Okay, here we go.” Catherine touched a control pad on the wall, and the door slid open. They stepped into the ship’s expansive sickbay, and Catherine located the four women huddled together at one end of the room. She squeezed Ellie’s hand and continued.
When the women noticed her approach, they stopped talking, and all turned to face her. Catherine smiled, trying to appear as friendly as possible, hoping the lack of a uniform would put them at ease. “Hi there,” she said, coming to a stop before them. “I’m Catherine, and this is Jess and Ellie, my daughters.
“Hello,” said Ellie, while Jess waved.
The four women looked haggard, and Catherine could only imagine what horrors they had been through. Danny had given her some information about their abduction and captivity, which was more than enough. Catherine couldn’t believe the terrible things some people were capable of.
“I’m Korinna,” a dark-haired woman said. She looked just as worn out as the others but had a joyful quality about her that shone through, instantly endearing Catherine to her. “This is Celia, that’s Kim, and that is Stacy.” Korinna gestured toward each of her companions.
Catherine greeted them, trying to hide any of the pity she felt. With any luck, they’d be capable of healing the mental scars they undoubtedly carried. It would take time, however. “How did your examinations go?”
“Fine, I guess,” Korinna said. “We were given some medication for some minor conditions, and to help with metaspace fatigue. Other than that, we’re as healthy as can be expected.”
“Good. I imagine you are all hungry. Would you like to go to the ship’s cafeteria to get some food?”
“Yes, I’m famished,” Korinna said, and the others nodded in agreement.
Catherine noticed that Korinna seemed to speak for the group, and wondered if the others were just shy, or withdrawn due to the trauma they experienced. “Come on, I’ll show you some of the ship on the way.”
The group left the sick bay and made their way through the winding corridors of the battleship. Catherine noticed Korinna tensing every time they passed members of the ship’s crew. “Is this the first time you’ve been on a military vessel?”
“Yes, especially a Zeta battleship,” Korinna said.
They turned a corner and came upon a group of armed clones standing before a console, discussing something. When the women came into view, the clones stopped talking and scrutinized them. Korinna froze, her face contorted with panic.
“It’s okay,” Catherine said in a quiet, calm voice. “They won’t harm you.”
Korinna’s eyes darted from the clones to Catherine, and back again. Finally, she took a deep breath
and said, “Okay. I… I believe you.” Her eyes were still filled with fear, but she managed to take a step forward, then another.
Catherine put an arm around her shoulders, trying to reassure her, while Jess and Ellie looked up at her in confusion, not understanding why she would fear members of the crew.
The clones went back to their discussion after the women passed, and Korinna steadily relaxed as they moved down the corridor. “You do realize this ship is full of Zeta clones,” Catherine said.
“I know,” Korinna said. “I thought I could handle it.”
“It does take some getting used to. I almost shot Danny the first time I saw him.”
Korinna forced a smile. “It’s not that. I’m from Thiva.”
“Oh,” Catherine said in shock. “I’m so sorry.” The revelation made it that much more surprising that Korinna wanted to come on board the battleship.
“What’s Thiva?” Jess asked.
“Honey, I don’t think Korinna wants to talk about that,” Catherine said.
“It’s okay,” Korinna said. She looked down at Jess and smiled. “Thiva is my home planet. Bad things happened there.”
“Is that why you left?” Jess said.
“Yes.”
“Did Zeta clones do the bad things?”
Catherine gave her daughter a reproaching look. “Jess-”
“It’s fine, Catherine. I don’t mind. Yes, Zeta clones did the bad things.”
“But they were still slaves when they did them, right?” Jess said.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then you don’t have to be afraid, Korinna. All the clones on this ship are free.”
“I know. It’s just hard. I don’t want to be afraid of them, but I can’t help my reaction.”
“Don’t worry,” Jess continued. “You’ll get used to it. You’re not afraid of Danny, are you?”
“No, not at all.”
“All the clones here are nice, like Danny. Whatever they did before, when they were slaves, it wasn’t them doing it.”
“Thank you, Jess. I’m sure I’ll get used to them.”
