“Fine. But can you get me out of here, now, AX?”
“I can. But I must scan you to make sure you are well.”
“Fine,” Jordan said standing still. “Scan away.”
“You have to be naked,” AX said.
“What?”
“Oh, don’t act so precious. I know you’re pansexual.”
“This has nothing to do with that!”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Jordan huffed a breath and then began to strip, irritation in every gesture. AX watched him curiously.
“Is it me?” he asked.
“What?” Jordan growled.
“Is it me you do not want to be naked in front of? Do you like me?”
Jordan stared at him in disbelief.
“You do, don’t you?” AX crowed.
Jordan rolled his eyes, but kept his mouth firmly shut.
“Don’t worry, I don’t mind. I know I am very good-looking. Matthias made me so.” AX flicked his circuits so his eyes glowed greener than any natural thing could and flicked back his mane of dark brown hair. His synthetic skin covered a well built muscular male body made in the faithful reflection of comic book heroes everywhere. Jordan looked everywhere but at him as AX scanned his body from head to toe, looking for any sign of corruption.
“You are very fit and healthy. Congratulations,” AX said at last.
“Thanks,” Jordan murmured as he slipped on his clothes again. “Now can we get out of here?”
“We must find Zorica first,” AX said.
∞
They rounded a corner to the women’s ward and stopped short in surprise. Zorica was lounging against the wall, bag slung over her shoulder, looking impatient.
“Took you long enough. What’s the plan to get us out of here?” she asked.
“How did…?” Jordan asked, mouth open in surprise.
Zorica pointed at herself. “Me, mage. Can magic,” she said, sarcasm dripping off every word.
Jordan snapped his mouth shut. “Great. So AX, do your thing.”
The AI led them down a side corridor and through an obscure entrance with a sign pinned on it that said ‘Staff Only.’
“Did you see those creatures?” Jordan whispered to Zorica as they walked.
“Creatures?” Zorica lifted an eyebrow at him.
“I saw something awful in the bathroom. A human morphing into something monstrous. I think that’s what this contagion does.”
Zorcia stopped. “I eavesdropped on some medics in the locked ward. They called it an infestation.”
“What do you think is happening?” Jordan asked.
“The blink?”
“That was my thinking. What if they infected him with something, knowing that the Federation would definitely attempt a rescue?”
“Or maybe it was in whatever they shot at us as we escaped. We need more information.”
“Or it could have nothing to do with the Martians at all,” AX pointed out as he hacked into the door’s security so he could get the code to allow them to escape.
“Occam’s razor,” Jordan murmured, and Zorica shot him a quizzical glance.
“What does that mean?” she asked.
“It’s an old Earth saying. The simplest solution tends to be the right one. If you are faced with competing hypotheses to solve a problem, choose the one with the least assumptions.”
Zorica stared at him. “AX, seems we have a philosopher in our midst. Who knew?” she said with an impressed smirk.
Jordan lightly cuffed her shoulder. “Hey, just because my family members are criminals doesn’t mean we don’t read.”
“Hey, nobody said you don’t read. I was just expressing my admiration for your knowledge. Don’t project your insecurities on me, cowboy,” Zorica said.
Jordan turned away. “Sorry. I guess I’m sensitive about it.”
“No shit,” Zorica murmured.
“Got it,” AX said and opened the door.
They rushed out into the artificial sunlight of the dome that surrounded the asteroid they were on. Jaime was waiting in the jeep, and they took off as soon as the door closed behind AX.
“Well?” Jaime asked, glancing at AX.
“If they weren’t clean, do you think I would have brought them out?” AX replied.
Jaime nodded, not really surprised that he’d been right.
“Do you have any intel for us?” he asked the three of them.
“We should probably wait until we have the team all together,” Jordan said.
“You’re right,” Jaime said and drove faster.
They arrived on the base to find Epone pacing up and down in front of the command center, looking slightly anxious – which for her was the equivalent of extreme agitation in anyone else.
“Epone. Is there a new problem?” Jaime asked, getting out of the vehicle.
“We have new orders.”
“What? Already?”
“Yes.”
They eyeballed each other. This could not be good. They were still recovering from the Martian raid. Stress levels still registered as very high and for sure Jordan and Zorica were not field duty ready.
Jaime stepped past Epone and into the command center where all the monitors were blinking.
“What’s going on?”
“The Martians have dropped a bomb on the moon. Sub sector six is destroyed; the bomb also contained a virus that wiped out all data in that area.”
“But…it’s preserved right? There are clouds.”
“Data subspaces were jettisoned literally into space minutes before the attack, but it’s difficult to tell at this point what was saved and what was erased.”
“And what does command wish us to do?”
“Go to the sub sector, pick up clues and follow the trail. Find the source.”
“I thought the Martians were the source.”
“Indeed. They are. But which ones specifically? We are to bring them back for questioning.”
Jaime frowned, staring at Epone thoughtfully. “Because of the contagion. Command thinks they’re related?”
“That would be my conclusion.”
“What do you think though?” Jaime asked, looking around at everyone in the room. Ash avoided his eyes which meant for sure she had many thoughts on these developments. Jordan twirled a stylus in his hand and looked thoughtful but not driven to say anything which meant he probably didn’t know anything. Zorica was detached. Epone looked primly on like she was waiting for the rest to speak before declaring her conclusions which would of course, override everyone else’s. AX simply stared as usual like he was trying to read Jaime’s mind, and Uzochi looked amused at everything.
“Anyone?” Jaime prompted.
“What do the Martians have to gain by blowing up sub sector six?” Zorica asked.
“That is a good question and for the purposes of this meeting let us assume that we have drawn no conclusions as to who is behind this bombing.”
Zorica snorted. “Command have decided it was the Martians.”
“And they are sending us in to verify that theory,” Jaime countered.
“No. They are sending us in to eliminate any survivors,” Epone said softly.
“Careful,” Jaime said, narrowing his eyes at Epone. “Let us refrain from pointing fingers until we know more.”
“We’re the Mage Marine Misfits – our job is to get killed doing things other units don’t want to. If they wanted to bring back prisoners, wouldn’t they have sent someone else?” Jordan said.
“Our purpose is not getting killed. Not on my watch. Of that I assure you,” Jaime said and raised his hand as several people opened their mouths to counter him. “I’m not saying our superiors might not see us as canon fodder. I’m saying I won’t allow anyone to be killed on my team, if I can possibly help it.”
The room was silent, as several of his team members studied him thoughtfull
y.
“You really mean it,” Jordan said.
Jaime nodded. “I do.”
“And that’s why you rescued us? From the ward?” Zorica asked.
Jaime nodded again.
“Okay then. Let’s find out what is happening,” AX said with a clap of Dr. Teke’s hands. “This is going to be so much fun!”
“Your idea of fun is worrying, AX,” Uzochi said with a grin.
“Ah, life is too short. You must enjoy every second of it.”
“Yeah, especially in a stolen body,” Ash said.
Everyone turned to stare at her. “Did you just…make a joke?” Zorica asked in disbelief.
Color suffused Ash’s pale face, her skin turning a beautiful shade of blue as she fidgeted in her seat.
“Aww, she’s blushing!” AX said.
“Shut up, AX,” Jaime said, turning their attention back to him and away from Ash. “We need to come up with a plan of action. Zorica, Jordan, you’ll sit this one out?”
“No way!” they both said at the same time, creating a disturbing echo in the room.
“You are not combat ready,” Jaime said firmly.
“This is a recon mission,” Jordan protested.
“We don’t know that.”
“Fine, we’ll stay on the ship and provide back up and surveillance but we are not staying behind!” Zorica said.
“They attacked our base,” Jordan added. “I’m betting that wasn’t random.”
Jaime sighed. He truly could see their point and did not want to leave anybody behind if he didn’t have to.
“Fine. Report to med unit for a complete once over, I want a full report on my desk ASAP. Meanwhile, Uzochi, Epone and I will be in the war room, setting up protocols. The rest of you get some rest.”
“Yes sir!” Zorica said with a mocking salute before leaving the room. Jaime couldn’t help watching her go. The rest filed out slowly after her, and soon he was alone with his two team leaders.
“Shall we adjourn to the war room?” he said.
“Let’s,” Epone said and led the way.
∞
Jaime was just stepping into his cubicle after going over protocols for Team A and Team B when his communicator went off. He lifted his palm.
“Answer,” he said, and the general’s face filled the screen.
“We have a situation,” he said without preamble.
Jaime sat down. He had a feeling he would be thankful for that in a second.
“What situation, sir?”
“Two members of your crew have broken out of a locked ward thus breaching protocol and possibly spreading contagion to the general population of this island.”
“Sir, Mage Zorica and Adjunct Jordan did indeed leave their wards, but I can assure you that they are perfectly healthy. I can send you their med reports-”
“That is not the point Captain, and well you know it.”
Jaime sighed, barely refraining from shutting his eyes in defeat. “Sir, I am the one who broke them out. So if anyone needs to be punished it is me.”
‘Curious side effects; but they could prove useful. Observe only. We wait to see how this unfolds.’
Jaime almost visibly jumped. It had been a while since he’d heard voices. He’d almost forgotten about them. He frowned, trying to place the voice.
“You are indeed responsible for the actions of your team.” The general leaned in so his face seemed like it might come right through the screen. “So you better bring me results, Hall, or your entire unit will be dismantled.”
Jaime swallowed. “Yes sir.”
“Good. Have those med reports on my desk stat. Transport is standing by.”
“Yes sir,” Jaime said, and then closed his fist to end the connection.
“Fuck,” he murmured to himself.
“Arnold, get me those med reports,” he told his AI.
“Already uploaded to your pad, sir.”
Jaime checked them over thoroughly, looking for anything even the slightest bit off. According to the medline, both Zorica and Jordan were in peak physical condition apart from their injuries from the blast which were almost healed. Medline recommended a good night’s rest and a chance to de-stress. Jaime sighed in relief, and sent the reports on.
Chapter Ten: Kidnapping and Extortion
“What kind of shoes do spies wear?” AX asked, his voice drifting through the Alpha Squad’s comm. units.
Sighs of various volumes came from the other members’ lines. Zorica, Uzochi, AX had all been assigned the quiet recon mission scouting the perimeter and looking for clues on the rocky outpost of the type of vehicle used, any clues as to species, discarded DNA, and other species-specific signs. Jaime had been hesitant about having Zorica on active duty, let alone as an alpha squad, but they were the best suited for the job. With her imps and her knowledge of tracking different species, she would be invaluable to the team.
Currently, Epone, Ash, and Jordan were investigating the remains of the sub-sector. But they were operating as the beta squad. Because of the material which made up the walls of the housing, they were out of range of mental link with the alpha team.
Jaime believed they could handle it. Jordan was the most experienced on this terrain, and even though he had no magical powers, he did have two people alongside him who did. Or better yet, a mage with a third eye and a keen sense of self-preservation as well as a Drueerd with healing powers. Plus, he believed his intelligence helped make up for his lack of magical abilities.
Jaime knew that the surface of the moon had some of the booby traps ever to have been laid by not only the Federation but various nations who had chanced upon it on their travels; there was a reason nobody ever tried to colonize it for their own uses despite its advantageous position in the cosmos. But it reassured him knowing that the squad he sent as alpha could hold their own. And even though he didn’t like the idea, he knew it was necessary.
“I don’t know, but I think you should shut your mouth and concentrate,” Jaime growled, curling over his control panel as he tried to keep an eye on everyone. The team had split up so they could scout the entire site efficiently.
“Geesh, Cap,” AX replied quickly, sounding surprised at his boss’ outburst, “but the answer was sneakers anyway.”
“How funny,” Jaime chuckled, feigning enthusiasm.
“I thought it was funny,” Uzochi mumbled from his end of the comms.
“I’m a pretty funny guy. But Cap struggles to see it,” AX chimed in.
“Stop talking, all of you. This is still a recon mission,” Jaime reminded, putting his head in his hands.
“Calm down everyone. We’ve been at this for hours, and without a solid lead, I think all of us are a bit frustrated,” Zorica soothed.
“Zorica, the voice of reason, everyone!” AX exclaimed quietly.
“You won’t be saying that when we’re canceled for finding nothing.”
‘-shipment to Bruhsaa. It needs to be harvested as soon as possible.’
“Yes, I will be, Uz,” AX snapped back, sounding much sharper, like maybe Dr. Teke was coming through a little.
“Quiet,” Jaime hissed, looking around to make sure that he remained unseen. He forgot for a moment that he was the only one who could hear the voices in his head.
“What? Why?” AX asked quickly. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, continue your search.”
Jaime reached for his pills. He was supposed to take them every twelve hours but if he felt like things might be getting fuzzy or confused, he was allowed to take one more. He found that the drugs helped with the visions. Although he wasn’t sure if he should be trying to stop them. So far they were too fragmentary to be useful, but who knew what they could become with time?
He dry-swallowed a pill, eyes closed for only a moment and then got back to his job.
‘It’ll be done, marster. I have a transport pod already on its way,
but the next shipment won’t be available for departure until tomorrow.’
Jaime scrunched his eyes shut and then opened them again, landing on the camera showing Zorica’s progress totally by accident.
She silently crept down steps leading off the now destroyed sub-sector six building and leaped to the ground and stealthily landed in a roll. A small thud was audible from the impact. She got back on her feet quickly and disappeared into the shadows.
“What was that? You okay, Zorica?” Uzochi asked, concern discernible in his voice. When he didn’t receive a response, his worry only grew. “Zorica, can you hear me?”
“Zorica, come on. Please answer us. We need to know that you’re okay.”
“Fine, sorry. It was just a roll. I’m okay,” she said, a flash of silver on the screen the only evidence of her continued existence.
“We have to be careful. Someone might still be around,” Jaime said, juxtaposing from what he had heard.
“And no imps or spells, people. Not until we know what’s out there,” he ordered.
“Can you see anything?” Zorica queried.
“No, I’m trying to get a closer look at the western fall but the mountains are in the way. Don’t mind me, stay focused. The sooner we get something, the sooner we can leave,” Jaime replied, pressing buttons on his console to zoom in to blind spots. “Stay on task.”
Uzochi heard heavy footfalls approaching from the pathway. He knew that meant there had to be someone else out here. He had two options at hand: run out of the shadows and confront whoever it was, or stay hidden and watch. And even though he’d prefer the latter, Jaime would have his head if he came back with false accusations. Uzochi repositioned his hands on his kusarigama and threw his vision out, trying to see without being seen.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Here I am, getting the drop on a Seer. Your people must be so proud!” the voice echoed behind him. Uzochi froze and slowly turned around to find himself eye level with a monster. A Soulhag, he realized. A mutant hybrid of a demon and a man, they were scavengers, living on the outer fringes of society; mercenaries. He was screwed.
“Go ahead, tell your team that you need back-up,” he prodded, pushing the Seer against a grey rock face.
Uzochi sharply inhaled and rolled his shoulders, preparing for anything. “You must be joking,” he spat back, not even looking toward his comm. device.
Mage Marine Misfits: Book 01 Page 8
