Spartan looked increasingly impatient.
“What?”
The machine lowered half a meter and then stopped. A gentle hiss and whine from his motors now being the only sound anywhere near them.
“Dangerous.”
Spartan nodded in agreement and then smiled.
“You can bet your ass it’s dangerous. I want this Core concept removed once and for all. The only way these soldiers can fight for us is if their loyalty is without question. If they can be reprogrammed at will, then the Biomechs will always have a way to take them back.”
“But this solution, it will give the Thegns complete autonomy. They could turn against your own armies, or even against your commanders.”
Spartan now understood the machine’s concerns.
“No, that’s not it, is it?”
He stepped close to the Biomech so that his face almost touched his scarred metal armor. At this distance, the machine could have killed him by simply crushing him against the wall. He said nothing though. Teresa looked to Spartan as confused as she’d been a minute earlier.
“What do you mean, Spartan?”
He looked to her and then nodded to the doorway.
“He’s worried that if we give them the ability to choose their own fate, they will use it to turn on their enemy. The one enemy that has spent their entire existence killing, mutilating, and torturing them.”
“Biomechs,” Teresa said under her breath.
Spartan looked back to Z’Kanthu.
“Somehow, I don’t think they’ll care too much about this rebellion of yours. They’ll want revenge against you, Dersna, and any other Biomech they can find.”
The machine made a few odd noises before speaking
“That is one of my concerns.”
Spartan smacked his artificial left hand down onto the metal plating.
“Then we’d better make sure they understand what’s at stake.”
He then moved through the door with both of them following him. Spartan was sure he could sense one last question. He looked over his shoulder to see the machine walking just a few meters behind.
“What?”
“How can you be sure of their intentions?”
Spartan moved on and indicated toward the pair of red armor clad Jötnar waiting on each side of the wide passageway.
“Almost every one of the Jötnar was constructed by the enemy for one purpose. After capture, we removed the programming of every single one of them. Any born since have been clear of the command system of your people. Do you know what we’ve found?”
Z’Kanthu shook his metal torso from side to side.
“They are the most loyal, trustworthy, and brave soldiers in the Alliance. But even more than that, they have a hatred that is bone deep for anybody that would attempt to enslave or control them again. It’s why they are such formidable fighters.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Teresa laughed.
“Because these Thegns have the potential to be more than just cannon fodder for your wars. They could be an asset to all of us, just like the Jötnar proved to be.”
The two humans walked ahead, and Z’Kanthu trailed behind, trying to imagine what kind of universe it would be if the Thegns had free will. No matter how many different ways he looked at the problem, every single one ended up with him and his kin dead.
* * *
The storage hold on the port side of the ship was large, easily big enough to house four Maulers and all their assorted paraphernalia. Instead, this section of the ship was being used to store a number of the special containers collected from the other dig sites throughout the Kuiper Belt. Each was the size of a Cobra, one of the small Marine shuttles. They were rectangular and surrounded by a lattice of armored ribs that protected whatever lay inside. Two-dozen marines waited at their posts along the two entrances, as well as around the containers themselves. Z’Kanthu moved closer to the unit and placed both his hands on top.
“Wait there, do you know what is inside?” Teresa asked.
The machine looked back at her.
“This one carries the markings of On'Sarax. She is one of the youngest of the rebels. We fought together at the Battle of Fire where seventy of our brothers held the line. It was a major victory for us, but not for long.”
“On'Sarax, a female?” Spartan asked.
Z’Kanthu looked at him, his machine eyes glowing bright red.
“Yes.”
He pointed to the other containers.
“There are more of them bearing her mark and those of her bandon. They will contain the warriors, but it is this one that contains her.”
He then looked back to the container and twisted two of the bars to reveal a hidden panel. He reached inside his chest and withdrew a pair of smooth cables and pushed them into the unit. Dots of color moved back and forth from the container to him. This went on for almost a minute before the colors flickered and died. Z’Kanthu rose to his full height and stepped back.
“Well, is that it?”
The machine remained completely still.
“Watch.”
They waited, and for what seemed like an eternity nothing happened. Then a gentle hiss and clunking sound spread from one end to another. One of the ribbing bars turned and dropped to the floor. The others followed until all of those on one side had broken away. More noise came from the container, and then the entire panel on the side tipped over and crashed to the ground with an almighty crunch. Two of the marines moved from where they were watching, both with their weapons raised to their shoulders. Teresa lifted her hand and sent them back.
“Soon,” said Z’Kanthu.
Dust now surrounded the unit as more panels and sealed layers of thin metallic film ripped away, and a dark shape moved. Spartan wanted to move ahead, but the sounds coming from inside did little to encourage help. Finally, an object appeared, a machine-like leg little different to Z’Kanthu. The metal object touched the floor and tapped it. Another quickly followed, and then with a crunching sound the machine pulled itself out from the container and lifted itself up to a height not far short of Z’Kanthu.
“Wow, we have a second one,” said Teresa.
Z’Kanthu approached and stopped two meters away. Both machines faced off like a pair of metal demons. This new one was shorter and much broader in shape. Its legs were of the same design, but instead of two arms, it carried two on each side, both hanging down low to the knees. There was no obvious head, but a single blue lamp flickered as it began to speak roughly where a face would have been. The two spoke for nearly thirty seconds, and then they turned to face Teresa and Spartan.
“This is On'Sarax. She is my old master at arms and my teacher in the ways of war.”
* * *
Spartan, Teresa, and Major Terson walked quickly along the starboard access corridor. The ship was busy now as marines moved about carrying equipment for the new arrivals. There was a palpable sense of both urgency and danger every minute they stayed out here in Sol. The passageway was wide enough for four marines to pass along and lit by a series of floor and ceiling strip lights at regular intervals. On one side were short, full-width windows that showed a clear view of the empty space further away from Mars. Like all the windows on the ship, they were artificial, yet they served the purpose.
“Look,” Teresa said.
She stopped for a moment and pointed out of the window. Spartan saw the shifting patterns of darkness, as the stars seemed to dance. All three of them knew what was coming, but a young private further down the corridor stopped and watched in surprise.
“What the hell is that?”
Another marine coughed to get his friend’s attention. The man looked at the three senior officers and straightened up before continuing toward them. Spartan smiled at the man’s surprise and looked back at the shifting colors.
“He’s early, isn’t he?”
Major Terson checked his secpad.
“Yes, by a few minutes at least.”
“Well, I guess this means things are starting to get back to normal,” said Spartan.
Major Terson tensed his brow and frowned.
“This is different though. Until now, it’s been rare for Alliance ships to make this trip. Earthsec are pretty militant about looking after their own territory.”
“You don’t say,” muttered Spartan.
Major Terson looked at him, tensed a little, and then looked to Teresa.
“Sending Alliance ships in as escort is a clear message from Terra Nova. In the past, we’ve had to clear a flight plan well in advance with Earthsec. Why do I think High Command just sent these through without clearance?”
“Great,” said Teresa, “so Terra Nova is flexing its muscles.”
Spartan watched the shapes of the ships with a mixture of annoyance and curious fascination. He could already identify some of the markings from Euryale and Kerberos.
“Those ships have been around the block a bit.”
He then looked back to Teresa and the Major.
“I don’t really get it. Earthsec is something that had significance maybe before the Rifts. Now we are linked together by a matter of days, or hours in most cases. Sol is part of the Alliance, so why the hell do we let something like this even exist?”
Teresa looked almost as surprised as the Major.
“Well, the Alliance has an agreement with Earthsec. They operate semi-independently but under the protection of the Alliance.”
Spartan shook his head and continued on forwards. He looked at the ships as they activated their thrusters and moved into high orbit around Mars. With the planet now secure, there were hundreds of other vessels dropping off people and supplies to the Red Planet. Even more ships were making preparations to travel to the other worlds and moons throughout Sol to ply their wares once more. Trade and industry was taking a chance in this system, but even as they tried to return Sol to some semblance of normality, it was clear that times had changed. None of the crews could have missed the new shapes of the huge cruisers and destroyers that had taken up positions around Mars and further away toward the Rift entrance itself.
* * *
Spartan watched the mainscreen inside the CIC of the massive warship with fascination. It had been some time since he’d been on board such a vessel, let alone inside the CIC. Teresa looked at him and shrugged. Many types of military ships were now posted there, but it was the flagship ANS Dreadnought that caught most attention. It sat there, squat and foreboding, unlike anything owned or operated by Earthsec.
“There’s nothing like a few warships to get things moving, don’t you think?”
Major Terson looked to Spartan and finally nodded in agreement.
“This is a failed backwater; Mars was barely functional before the Biomechs attacked. Now, well, it’s a ruin. There’s little of value out here anymore.”
Spartan couldn’t really argue with that, though he had just remembered that Captain Cobb, the leader of the mission to Mars had just entered the CIC and was looking right at him.
Great, I wonder how much of that he heard?
The two had come to something of an understanding during the original operation on Mars. Now that it was over, he’d being doing his best to avoid the man. The officer was one of the sternest Spartan had met. Even on a ship of which he had no jurisdiction, he still strutted about as though he had some degree of influence on board. He moved past them and directly toward Captain Vetlaya who watched his arrival warily. He stopped and saluted.
“Captain, I bring greetings from Earthsec as the senior Earthsec officer in this territory.”
She smiled and threw a quick glance to her executive officer.
“It is good to finally meet you, Captain. I understand some of your operatives are still being cared for on board one of our medical frigates. Is there anything your people need?”
Spartan didn’t know the Captain, but he could see there was much more to her than the façade offered by her pleasantries. Though not particularly young, she was still young for the command of a vessel as significant as this one. Spartan looked to Teresa in her smart dress uniform and immediately felt a slight pang of nostalgia. He might be wearing clothing taken from Alliance stocks, but he was no longer involved in the Corps.
“Governor Trelleck thanks our armed forces for their assistance in this unfortunate incident. I have been tasked with facilitating the handover to our own security units on the surface.”
Captain Vetlaya opened her mouth to speak, but Teresa interrupted her.
“Captain, perhaps this would be better left to the new delegation from Terra Nova?”
That put a smile on the Captain’s face.
“That is an excellent point, Colonel.”
She then looked back to Captain Cobb.
“Colonial matters are a little out of my jurisdiction, Captain. My forces are here by the order of Alliance High Command.”
“But Earthsec has…”
She raised her hand to silence him.
“I’ve already answered. Now, let us discuss other…”
Spartan looked away to Teresa, but she had moved away and in her place was Khan. He still wore his armor, but at least it had been repaired, patched, and cleaned. Even so, he still looked as though he’d just arrived fresh from a warzone.
Well, I suppose he has.
“What are you doing up here? I thought you were busy swapping war stories with your friends?”
Khan’s visor was open and showed his large, expressive face clearly. He lifted an eyebrow in mock pain.
“Me? Why are you here, Spartan? We’re not in the Alliance military anymore.”
He found it hard to stay serious though, and his face broke to a smile.
“They do have some good stories though. Did you hear about Teresa’s command on Prometheus? They say she and Osk commanded the ground battle in some serious combat.”
“Of that my friend, I have no doubt.”
Khan took that as an opportunity to regale him of the details of the operation, with suitable embellishments from his kin. As their discussion continued, ANS Dreadnought moved silently in orbit above the surface of Mars. Spartan could see the colors and markings of one of the oldest and most famous planets in the human Alliance, while at the same time hearing of dismemberment and combat. Finally, he shook his head.
“Khan, the General will be here soon. Are you sure we’ve gone over everything?”
Khan lifted both of his shoulders in mock confusion.
“Probably. How could he refuse?”
Spartan raised his left eyebrow and sighed.
“Because right now we’re in the middle of a bloodbath. You know how much trust there is from the average person toward your kin. Can you imagine how they will feel about this new plan?”
Khan considered his words.
“True, this will change things.”
He then lifted the corner of his lip and chuckled. One of the junior science officers heard him and muttered something. Khan spun about and pointed at the man.
“What did you say, little man?”
The officer raised both of his hands in mock surrender an
d looked back to his station. Khan laughed quietly to himself.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
CHAPTER TWO
Experience on the battlefield of the Helios System would finally introduce the concept of autonomous machines. The Khreenk and Byotai military both made extensive use of machines for war, though nothing to the extent of the machines of the Biomechs. The discoveries made by Colonel Teresa Morato and her taskforce in the old worlds of Sol were like nothing even imagined before. If Alliance High Command had even an inkling as to what she and Spartan were doing, they would have shut down the entire operation. Chance and timing would prove as important as the discoveries themselves.
Computer Science 101, 7th Edition
ANS Dreadnought, Mars Orbit, Sol
Sol was a shadow of what it had once been. Mars and Earth had seen millennia of colonization, along with the outlying moons and asteroids. With its peak coming just before the Great Expedition, it is now inconceivable that a place so rich on life, resources, and intelligence could be brought so low. Mars was now one of the few productive colonies in the Old World, a place where refineries and factories were the dominant features of the planet. In the past, the planet had been home to some of the largest colonies of Sol, but generations of neglect and failure had reduced the entire star system to something of a backwater. Local colonial administrations had been merged together, usually peacefully, but on occasion under force of arms. The Lunar rebellions of the twenty-second century cemented a firm belief in a strong Earth-based administration. Wars, famines, and plagues had done their own foul work, but it was the discovery of new riches in Proxima Centauri that did the greatest damage. Those that could leave did so, and those remaining fought over and destroyed what was left. Only the construction of the Proxima Centauri-Sol Spacebridge in the last generation had given the old planets of humanity a fighting chance at recovery.
The massive Alliance warship wasn’t the only military vessel in orbit over the Red Planet. The capital ship was flanked by dozens of the new Liberty class destroyers fresh from the Promethean shipyards, as well as several veteran Crusader class heavy cruisers. This contingent of powerful Alliance ships had all recently arrived from Prometheus where they had taken part in Admiral Anderson’s complicated and ultimately successful plan to eliminate the Biomech presence in Alliance space. Their battleship gray paint appeared dull and uninspiring compared to the more colorful civilian vessels that had now returned to the shipping lanes.
Star Crusades Nexus: Book 08 - Wrath of the Gods: Page 2
