by Scott Rhine
Bella didn’t answer him but he could tell something had changed in her demeanor. Even now he wasn’t any better at reading body language so he just had to hope that he had made his point. He grabbed a hold in the wall, changed orientation and shot off down the corridor away from Bella.
Zane didn’t hear how Bella’s talk with Sasha turned out but the girl remained with the Fleet as they moved out of her home system. He soon realized that she did indeed have a crush on him. H would find her looking at him when she thought he was not paying attention. His soldier training kept him alert at all times though so he missed little. Her interest didn’t bother him; in fact he liked it a bit.
Zane had not pursued a romantic involvement with anyone in the Fleet. Some of the reason was his inexperience but in truth he had little interest in such things. Whatever his creators had designed him for, Franklin was correct in thinking that Z class soldiers were not made to love or be loved. He did miss the sense of camaraderie he had felt in those early months of his life. Life among the denizens of the Fleet was lonely at times.
Omar spent much of his time in conference with the other Fleet Captains, mostly Captain Kharzin. Bella fought in combat arenas on the Sikorsky for money when she wasn’t drunk. Pulan was always ready to talk while he pursued a dozen different research projects but there was always a disconnect between them, a bridge neither could fully cross. He found Sasha to be the companion he had not known he was missing.
For the first weeks Zane showed her around the Sikorsky, letting her know which parts of the ship to avoid. The girl’s curiosity was unquenchable and infected him somewhat, making him think about aspects of ship life he had never considered before. Even as he showed her the wonders of his world, her enthusiasm made him see it all anew.
Soon enough though, Omar came for her. Zane felt a touch of remorse when he saw the autoinjector strapped to her arm. He had convinced her to join them, to accept Omar’s Faustian bargain. If they caused her harm he knew the guilt would fall squarely on his shoulders. Though he had killed thousands in combat, the thought of being responsible for this young woman’s death filled him with apprehension. For her part, Sasha seemed happy and eager for what was to come.
Zane was horrified when he found her barely conscious on the Moving Finger. Flashes of Franklin’s withered and broken body nearly overwhelmed him. He screamed for Pulan even as he carried Sasha to the medbay. His worry was unfounded though and Sasha woke before Pulan could even examine her. She smiled up at him and told him not to worry. She had simply overextended herself.
Pulan confirmed her diagnosis. The growing nanocytes utilized the body’s resources, a trait for which they had not accounted for. She had drained herself of much of her ATP as well as a dozen other metabolic pathways. Pulan gave her a few injections and determined that she would require a change in diet as well as close monitoring.
Zane found Sasha sitting in the control room of the Moving Finger the next day with her eyes closed. Without opening them, she spoke.
“Hello, Zane.” Considering he had floated silently through the open hatch, it was quite a feat.
“How did you know it was me?” He asked.
“I have access to all internal monitors on the ship. For example, I know that Pulan is currently calibrating the attitude controls, a job which would take three human crewmen working together. His ability to multitask is really quite amazing.”
“Yeah, he’s an odd one. So I take it you have some level of access to the nanocytes?”
“It comes in flashes and spurts. One minute I’m dreaming about flying over my home city and the next I’m interfacing with a dozen different systems on the Moving Finger. Nearly launched us from the Sikorsky before I realized what was happening.”
“Does Omar know?”
“Not yet. I wanted a chance to feel out my limits before alerting him.”
“So what are your limits?”
“I’m still not sure. I feel a hundred times smarter than before but it’s compartmentalized. I can feel the machines thinking and solving problems I set for them but its more like a low buzzing unless I really think about them. Then they come into focus. I can also feel the Finger’s systems out there, so close I can touch them but more like a tool than a piece of me. Past that I can feel the walls the Sikorsky has put up to keep me out. I could break through them in seconds but it would only get Captain Kharzin angry.”
“That’s amazing. Do you feel all right?” Zane asked. At his words Sasha opened her eyes and stretched. She smiled at Zane.
“I’m fine Zane, really. I can keep track of my nutrient levels internally better than Pulan now. I think passing out was just a product of the primary initialization. I’ve reviewed the logs of Franklin’s interactions with the nanocytes. Nothing like that is going to happen to me, thanks to him.”
“When did you do that? I thought Omar had locked those records.”
“He did. It was easy enough to get past his security once I knew where to look.”
“He won’t be happy about that.”
“He’s the one who told me that privacy is an illusion in any advanced society. The nanocytes are from a highly advanced culture. I don’t think there is any place in the Fleet I can’t look unless it’s an isolated system. Besides, he only locked that info to keep me from changing my mind. It’s too late for that now.” Zane felt a shiver crawl up his spine at those words, as though something had been set into motion that he was now helpless to stop. Sasha must have noticed something because she added. “Don’t worry Zane. I’m still me, there’s just more of me than before.”
“Good. I was just getting to know Sasha Fion-Hadi. I’d hate to see anything happen to her.” Zane meant the words in a friendly manner but the girl blushed and looked away.
“Thank you. I’d hate for anything to happen to you too.” She said. Zane felt like the conversation was falling into dangerous territory so he shifted tactics.
“Well, we should call Omar. The sooner he can give you a clean bill of health the sooner your quarantine can end. You must be tired of being cooped up on this ship.”
“I was, though I now feel like I have space to stretch my mind at least. Do you think he can get me something to read? I’ve scanned the mainframe but other than technical manuals there isn’t much to read. Doesn’t anyone on this crew ever read for fun?”
“Dunno. It always seemed a little outdated and slow to me. I think Omar has a book of poetry around here somewhere.”
“Poetry? He doesn’t seem the type. I meant a data drive. With my new abilities I can read a thousand times faster than before and I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
“Well don’t overexert yourself.”
“I won’t. Thanks for caring Zane.” Zane considered her words for a moment and decided that he did care. Maybe he was more capable of growth than Franklin had thought.
During the next few weeks Zane watched Sasha transform into something amazing. The nanocytes did not harm her as they had Franklin but they did make subtle alterations. Always alert to changes in his environment, Zane thought he was the only one to notice how much stronger Sasha became. Her muscles gathered a tone to them which lounging on the small ship could not offer. Her posture changed also, more naturally ready for action.
He also noted that her spatial awareness was higher. She exerted a minimum of motion to move throughout the ship. She could move to exactly where she wanted with a slight wave or kick, giving her movements a gracefulness that the bookworm from Lanis had lacked.
None of this changed her demeanor though. She remained cheerful and playful. To Sasha, her newfound powers were simply playthings. Zane found her in her quarters one day with dozens of objects spinning rapidly in space.
“How are you doing that?” He asked, astounded.
“It’s easy really.” She said, laughing. “I figured out that with a little effort the nanocytes can exert themselves on objects in the world. Its slow but I can push things a little at a time until th
ey build up speed.”
“I thought they were only for interfacing with computers.”
“That’s only the tip of the iceberg. They maintain my body at a state of perfect health. I’ll likely never get sick again and might live forever. I can heal injury in minutes.”
“Doing something like this,” She indicated the spinning objects. “…is much harder. I have to manufacture a lot of nanocytes to have enough to actually move something large. I can short out electronics from a distance though. I just send a few thousand out and once they reach their target they blow their load. I figure that can come in handy.” Zane thought about his battle with Price. He had been right to avoid trying to use his rifle. The man could have rendered it useless before he pulled the trigger.
Even though she was advancing far beyond him in abilities and Omar had her learning more skills than Pulan, Sasha continued to find time for Zane. He had not realized how lonely he had been before she joined the crew and was happy that the nanocytes had not changed their relationship. It felt good to have a friend.
About a month later, Zane floated into the cockpit of the Moving Finger where Omar and Sasha were conversing. Omar looked up and motioned for him to sit.
“Zane, I’m glad you’re here. We’re going to hit the next system in a few days. Our records say it was a reasonably advanced society, but those records are centuries out of date. They could have devolved but I’m betting that they will pose a significant threat to the Fleet.
“This is our first chance to show the Fleet what our newest crewman is capable of. If the locals aren’t friendly, I want to try to get Sasha in contact with the local networks. She may be able to disable them without firing a shot. It would be a big win for us and may save thousands of lives. Depending on the situation, I’m going to need you to keep her safe.”
“Can do sir. No one is going to hurt Sasha while I’m around.”
“Good. Sasha, this is your chance to prove your value to the Fleet. If this succeeds I’m sure I can get all your restrictions lifted.”
“I won’t let you down sir.” Sasha said. “I would like a chance to test out my abilities before then though. Are there any ships in the Fleet that would let me try to hack them while we are in transit?”
“Doubtful, though I’ll ask around. This is likely going to be a trial by fire. Also, if you fail or get caught the Fleet will probably disavow any knowledge of your attempt. You can be sure that the Moving Finger won’t leave you behind without a fight but we don’t have a star drive. If the Fleet decides to leave the system we won’t have much choice.”
“I understand. Why don’t we have one? Is the ship too small to support the system?”
“No, we just can’t afford one small enough to fit on her. Maybe one day, but for now we have to rely on the Sikorsky for transport.”
“It’s a good thing you have such a solid working relationship with Captain Kharzin then, isn’t it?” Sasha added.
“Yes, it is. That is why I am asking you to refrain from attempting to access the Sikorsky’s systems until I can convince her that you are trustworthy. The captain is not a woman who gives her trust easily.”
“I understand. The Domer was much the same way.” Sasha replied.
The system was much as Omar had predicted. They were not antagonistic toward the Fleet but neither were they friendly. As well, their level of technology was high, higher than the Fleet average. Under most circumstances this would make them ideal trading partners, but while the arrival of the Fleet was tolerated, the local government refused to trade with them. Shore leave was authorized though. Omar procured two of the limited number of passes to the primary planet, Haro IV.
As Zane and Sasha were escorted to the unarmed shuttle that had been cleared to enter the planet’s atmosphere, Sasha pulled Zane to one side and asked the escort to wait a moment.
“What is it Sasha?”
“I’m trying to decide if we’re the bad guys here.”
“What do you mean?”
“The locals haven’t fired on us and don’t intend to do so. Why are we shutting down their networks?”
“Survival.” The answer seemed obvious to Zane. “The Fleet can benefit from the technology these people have. As the Fleet prospers, so do we. Besides, we need to prove your value outweighs the risk associated with keeping you around.”
“I get all that, but what’s the point of it all? The Fleet goes from system to system, taking what it pleases. It owes no allegiance to anyone and has no real purpose. I’ve reviewed the history of the Fleet. I know why it started traveling the stars. Its current incarnation is nothing like its beginnings. It’s a parasite more than anything else now.”
“Things change. Omar is trying to reform the Fleet, make it into something better. Sometimes I think he may even succeed. He can’t do that unless he has the influence to do so. Listen, I was born to violence, an existence much like that of the rest of the Fleet. Omar gave me a second chance, offered me a better way to be. I may not have lived up to his ideal but I’m trying. If I can change, maybe the Fleet can as well.”
Zane realized as he spoke that he had never really considered why he had stayed with Omar. He’d had dozens of opportunities to leave before now including offers from other ships in the Fleet and he had stayed. Somewhere along the way he had become a believer. For him, helping Omar had given his life some meaning.
“So you really think betraying the little trust this system has offered to us is the right course of action?”
“I don’t know.” Zane sighed. “Maybe the galaxy would be better off if you used their defense systems to blow the Fleet out of the sky. God knows most of them deserve it.”
“Didn’t they bring an end to centuries of war in your home system?”
“No, Omar did. Without his influence the Fleet Captains would have bombed us into submission, stripped us bare and left the survivors drifting in space. The question you have to ask is whether you trust Omar’s judgment. I can’t answer that for you. I can only say that I do.” Sasha seemed to consider this for a while.
“I guess I do as well. I hope that he knows what he’s doing. Otherwise we may simply making the Fleet a bigger threat than before.”
“Great risk brings great reward.”
“That’s pretty deep for you, Zane.” Sasha smiled.
“It’s a fact of military strategy. Sometimes in order to defeat your enemy you must risk defeat yourself.”
“Ok. I’ll trust Omar for now. Let’s go.”
Zane was prepared for Sasha to need to get into a secure location. He had thought out strategies for keeping her safe while she worked. He had underestimated exactly how advanced the tech in her head really was.
The two landed on the planet without any hassle and walked a distance from the space port into the city. Zane found the city beautiful. The locals had used extensive deposits of a green rock in the construction of their buildings. Emerald skyscrapers stretched to the sky, their design lithe and sinewy. The people were uniformly descended from some Asiatic culture though Zane could not decide which. It was not rare for a system to have been settled by a distinct ethnic group but the effect was more pronounced here than in most other worlds Zane had visited. They seemed a pleasant people and welcoming to the outsiders who had come to their world from the stars. Zane almost felt bad for deceiving them.
Sasha found an unoccupied alleyway and led Zane down it toward what he guessed was a data node attached to the side of a building. She placed her hands on its surface, her fingers caressing it. She traced its outline and closed her eyes.
“I’m in.” She said.
“So easy?”
“I’ve accessed their networks. It will take a little more time to find their defenses.” Zane kept a watch for passerby but he guessed if anyone saw them they would not look suspicious. Sasha did not even keep her hands on the device, though her eyes remained closed. After what seemed like at least two eternities, she opened them with a grin. “Yup, that ea
sy.”
“You’re done?”
“If they attempt to engage their defenses the systems they will find their command structures have been encrypted far beyond their ability to crack. I’ve set instructions for planetary defenses to disable any of their own craft that attempt to launch and defend ours from isolated systems I have been unable to access. Now we just need to get word to the Fleet.”
“You really are amazing.” Sasha blushed. Zane led her back toward the space port. The only snag came when they tried to board the shuttle.
“Why have you returned so soon?” The security guard asked.
“Do we need a reason?” Zane asked.
“You left the shuttle only a few hours ago. What purpose could your landing here have that would take such a short time.”
“We just wanted to stretch our legs a bit.” Zane could tell the guard was unconvinced by the fact that he began to hold his rifle in a more ready position.
Zane debated trying to disarm him but an idea occurred to him. He suddenly knew that Sasha could affect the guard with her nanocytes. He started to question how he knew when he saw an image of Franklin winking at him in his mind’s eye. Zane turned to Sasha and said in a conversational tone.
“Sasha, did you know that the human mind operates much like a computer? It’s really just a system of electrical impulses, easily disrupted.” Sasha looked confused for a moment and then her eyes widened.
“Are you sure?” She asked. Zane nodded.
