by Frank Carey
"Dammit. And this Atmar?"
"In the wind. He is like a ghost. We've tried facial recognition, but we found nothing," Stone said.
"He has to come out some time," Mitrell observed. "Monitor all data channels including League, OffSec, and Tralaskan as well as the trade stations. I want to know the moment he shows his face.”
###
Ten years prior to the Maranta Five Incident...
Sonya knocked on Mitrell's office door. "Mistress, I have news," she said.
"Come!" Mitrell said as she buzzed the door open. "What is it?"
"This just came in over the news feeds. It was suppressed within minutes of initial transmission, but we were able to record it."
"Who suppressed it?"
"OffSec, mistress," Sonya said as she brought up the feed on the room's main viewer. It was of a life pod found floating near Albion Station. The caster was prattling on about the destruction of a ship called the Spindrift and the finding of a single survivor, an elf. As Sonya and Mitrell watched, a Starguard crew opened the pod. Immediately, a half-crazed elf emerged. He was yelling something about a Goranthi decimator and a group of slaves killed in the explosion. Moments later, he was whisked away to a waiting Starguard ship.
"Hold!" Mitrell said. Sonya stopped the playback as Mitrell walked up to the screen. "Those are OffSec agents," she said while pointing to several figures waiting next to the Starguard ship. "They knew, dammit. Whatever happened out there, they knew about it before it happened. Reverse to the point this elf emerged.”
Sonya complied. She then stopped the feed right after Harmon emerged from the ship. They could see his face. "Computer, run facial recognition on subject currently on main viewer. Compare to subject Atmar."
"Working. Ninety-eight percent match."
"Mistress, I will have our agents find this elf..."
"Stop!" Mitrell said as she looked at the face in the screen. "There is something wrong. Look at his face. It’s filled with pain, remorse, sadness, yet all of our reports indicated Atmar is devoid of these emotions. Computer. Tie into Office of Security secure database. Identify subject elf on screen.”
“Working. Subject is Harmon Aymar.”
“Background check. Report.”
“Subject Harmon Aymar. Smuggler and hacker. Disappeared from radar four years ago.”
“Compare time of disappearance with time of appearance of subject Atmar.”
“Times coincide to the day.”
“Is there a brain scan available for subject Harmon Aymar ?”
“Yes.”
"Working. Brainwave scans available subject Harmon Aymar."
"Compare scans subject Atmar with scans subject Harmon Aymar."
"Working... Fifty-six percent match. Results inconclusive."
"But it’s him!" Sonya said.
"Yet the computer says it might not be. Sonya, tag Mr. Aymar for surveillance. Something is afoot, and I want to know what it is."
"Yes, mistress," Sonya said as she exited the room.
Mitrell remained and stared at the viewer. "Who are you, Harmon Aymar, and how do you fit into this sordid tale?" she asked.
The figure on the screen had no answer to give.
Chapter Four
The Asgard set down on a forested plateau in the northern continent of Maranta Five. It was a warm summer day with a few patchy clouds to break the monotony of the blue sky. A river ran about five hundred feet below the landing site which was ringed on two sides by rocky up thrusts, a perfect spot to set up camp.
Once the Asgard's engines were powered down, Mykkl and Tannith exited the ship and did a check of the perimeter while placing mini guard towers along its length. Each guard tower was about an inch in diameter and four feet tall with a metal tip at one end and a flashing light at the other. They were placed at three yard intervals by plunging the metal tip into the ground and pressing a red button on one side before moving to the next, finishing when the camp was ringed. Each tower had a complete sensor package which would alert the camp's occupants of approaching meteorological, biological, or mechanical danger.
"Finished," Tannith said to Mykkl as she pressed the activation button on the last guard tower. Looking around, they saw all poles in place with their lights flashing, so Mykkl pulled his datapad from its pouch in his vest and used it to activate the system. Now, instead of randomly flashing, the lights chased around the perimeter in a counterclockwise direction.
"Asgard, this is Mykkl. The coast is clear, and the fence is up."
"Copy that," Jemtah replied. "I am unleashing the horde."
The Asgard's hatches opened, disgorging the other group members while a robotic handler brought out the crates containing the bots. As each crate was dropped in place, Iolaus and Aerith opened them, activating the bots inside.
"Iolaus, aren't you rather rare, being an Olympian male and all?"
"Yes, quite rare, but that situation is quickly changing now that our planet is experiencing an influx of Earth males. Soon, I shall be just another pretty face."
Aerith laughed. "You better square away a date for the Spring Dance. How do you handle being a member of such an exclusive club?"
"Not well, but it isn't the uniqueness that's the problem. It's being revered. I'm treated as something fragile which drives me crazy. Until recently, I couldn't go out in public without being surrounded by a dozen guards. No, the minute my people opened diplomatic relations with Earth, I applied for a posting at the University. I assume your situation is similar yet different?"
"Similar in that I am rare. Humans and elves have known each other for as long as both species existed, but the elves left earth and created their own civilization on another world. Many elves and humans consider my kind abominations. I am far from being revered."
Iolaus walked over and put his hand on her shoulder. "Then they are all fools," he said with a smile.
"Are you trying to sweet talk me? If so, it's working," Aerith said as she patted his hand. He patted her shoulder in return before getting back to work.
While Iolaus and Aerith continued their work, Mauro began a photographic record of the trip by walking the perimeter of the encampment, taking photos as he moved about. "What'cha doing?" Doris asked as she slid up to him and grabbed his wrist.
"So you know?"
"Of course I do. I'm the medic who's going to treat you if you have problems. Your pulse is good and body temp is normal for someone with Rotarr's Syndrome. How'd you get it?"
"Family vacation to Regulus Three. I ate an infected piece of fruit and twenty-four hours later, I was literally burning up. Local hospital happened to have latesin on hand."
"You're damn lucky they did, or you'd be so much ash. You're the first human survivor of Rotarr's I've ever heard of. What's your prognosis?"
"The latesin is keeping the parasite at bay, and I'm not communicable anymore, so they let me on the expedition. A pharmaceutical research firm thinks it has a cure which they assure me will be ready in a few weeks. Until then, I push latesin every seventy-two hours."
"I assume the research firm is picking up the tab?"
"Yeah. I'm the only known human reservoir for the bug. They've harvested liters of my blood. Seems it has a lot of uses other than killing its host."
"Well, I'm carrying a spare dose and there's another one aboard Asgard so no worries, OK?"
"Yeah, I know. The bug feeds off negative emotions, so I'll only think positive thoughts."
"Excellent. Now, what'cha doing?"
"I'm creating a photographic record of our landing site to be used in an advertising campaign for the Department of Colonization," he explained. "Once this planet is cleared, they’ll want to send colonists which means they'll need volunteers. I'm part of the team creating maps and other advertising materials."
"Ooooh, take my picture!" Doris said as she draped a tentacle across her head.
He aimed the camera at her and fired off a few shots. "Got them. We are going to have to beat th
e colonists off with a stick when they see these."
"You are just the sweetest mammal I've ever met," she said while sliding off to check on the other researchers.
"How can you handle being touched by that… That… Creature?" Mykkl said as he walked up to Mauro.
Mauro stopped what he was doing and thought every calming thought he could muster. Finally, calm, he turned to Mykkl and said nothing. Instead, he gave the Security Intern a look of deep pity before walking away.
"Mykkl!"
Mykkl turned to find Aerith inches away from his face. "You and I are going to have issues," she said as her tail peered at him over her shoulder like a cobra ready to strike. "Just keep the hell away from the rest of us, and we may all make it off this planet alive."
"Are you threatening me?"
She looked at him, shaking with rage. "Yes," was all she could say.
He swallowed while taking a step backwards as he realized the danger he was in. It dawned on him he had possibly stepped over a line.
"Aerith, it's OK," Tannith said as she appeared out of nowhere. "I've got this."
Aerith snapped her tail like a whip before walking off while muttering something in very low elf.
"Mykkl, your job is to protect the rest of us regardless of what you think of us personally. If you can't bury your feelings while on the job, then I suggest you head back to the ship and stay there until we leave. Understand?"
"Yes, Instructor. It won't happen again."
"See that it doesn't. Now, get back on the perimeter."
"Yes, ma’am," he said before walking back to patrol the fence line.
Tannith turned and saw Aerith punching commands into a bot's control console. The instructor walked over and stood next to her niece. "You OK?"
Aerith said something the universal translator could not render into standard. Fortunately, Tannith was fluent in all elf dialects.
"Yes, I agree. He's maddening, arrogant, and has a superiority complex, but that's cultural. Deep down I think he feels bad for what he said."
Another stream of untranslatable elf.
"Don't get so angry. It isn't worth it nor is spending life in prison for killing one of your team members, and no, you can't just hide the body," Tannith said with a tilt of her head.
"Are you sure?" Aerith said, reverting back to Standard.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Now, where are we on preparations?"
"We were ready ten minutes ago. I just needed to blow off some steam," she said holding up a bloody hand.
"Let me see that!" Doris said as she slid up out of nowhere. "Ouch! You know they respond better to a gentle touch," she said as she pulled out her medical kit and staunched the flow of blood before cleaning the wound.
"Excuse me while I go and check on the other's progress," Tannith said as she walked off knowing Aerith was in good hands—make that tentacles.
"What, you mean the controls?" Aerith asked Doris, wincing.
"And people. Let me tell you a little secret. I know several Alturan surgeons who refuse to work on mammals. Something about not training to be a vet."
"So you heard all that crap from Mykkl?" Aerith asked while Doris bandaged the wounded hand.
"Damn Skippy. Hell, my aural acuity is twice yours. Thank you for sticking up for me, but it's quite unnecessary. Look at it this way: What if I called you a dry-skinned mammal?"
"I see what you mean," Aerith said as Doris finished. She flexed her hand and found the bandage fitted perfectly while the pain was gone. "Damn, you're good."
"Was there ever any doubt?" Doris asked as she closed her kit and slid off to check on the other members of the team.
Aerith watched her leave before getting back to work. It was a beautiful day and she wanted to get started with the test.
"Everyone, gather around," Tannith called out. The students did as requested while Penny walked out of the ship to watch. Per protocol, Jemtah remained inside the ship. Rules stated at least one pilot had to remain in the ship at all times.
"OK, the perimeter is set, the bots are activated, and control systems are hot. Next up is establishing a base of the area. Grab a datapad if you don't have one, and do a manual survey of the landing site. Make sure your pads are set to download to the central collection server. Mauro, I've set the CCS to copy its data to your mapping computer."
"Thank you, Instructor," he said.
"Mykkl, grab a datapad and perform an extended security survey of the surrounding area out to and including the cliffs surrounding us."
"Aye, Instructor," he said, determined to make up for his previous gaff.
"Remember, the purpose of this exercise is to have data to compare with the data collected by the p-bots. Someday, people will colonize this area, so we need to gather as much good data as possible either by bot, manually, or both. You have two hours. Good hunting."
They grabbed datapads and checked to make sure they had water, food, weapons, and location trackers, before setting out in pairs per mission protocols laid down in the briefing book.
Iolaus and Tannith set out together as did Doris and Mauro, leaving Mykkl and Aerith as the final pair. "Looks like it's just us," Mykkl said while eying Aerith's military-grade knife.
"Look, I'm sorry about blowing up at you back there. Your remark just happened to hit a sensitive spot."
"Yeah, my fault. I have a habit of rubbing people the wrong way. I forget most of the League races don't consider my race as returning gods who should be revered and worshiped."
She stopped and looked at him in shock. "You're kidding, right?" she asked.
"OK, none of the other races. Look, let me be honest with you. Alturans, elves, Sokuhl, hell even humans, freak me out. You've got to remember, my people hadn't seen another race for tens of thousands of years. I'm embarrassed to say I've been having a flight or fight response since leaving the Halcyon home world. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss the Arctic wasteland of home."
"So I freak you out?"
"Yes, though having that talk with you earlier really did help," he replied with a faint smile.
Aerith found herself warming up to Mykkl. She believed him. She was raised on an elf merchant spaceship and meeting new species was second nature to her, but she knew that someone from a cloistered background could easily find dealing with other species overwhelming.
"What did you think when you met your first Alturan?" he asked.
"Honestly? I was like fifteen years old. I tried to pick his tentacles up to see what was underneath."
Mykkl shuddered. "What did you find?"
"More tentacles. He was not amused."
"So, your people knew about the League long before you joined it?"
"Yeah, there’s a lot of trading going on along the edge of League space and a lot of that is with species who have no interest in joining the League. Thousands of years ago, elves and humans had a thing, but we drifted apart, then we met up again at stations along the rim. Eventually, we joined the League right around the time Earth formally joined."
"The Halcyons didn't know about the League until a couple of freighters landed outside our city followed by League and Martok warships,” Mykkl said. “Funny, one of the first people we met was an elf named Gloria Aymar. She scared the hell out of us."
"Ah, Gloria and her brother Royce. She's one of the reasons the elves joined the League, her and her Elven Industries company."
"You know her?"
"She's my father's cousin which makes the two of them my second cousins. Something you should know about elves is that we have big families. For instance, Gloria and Royce are my cousins as are their cousins, at least those who want to acknowledge my existence. Royce is a Major in the Elf Marine Expeditionary force, and he's married to Losira, Queen of the Elves. He taught me how to defend myself when others took me to task. I owe him big time."
"You're royalty?" Mykkl asked is awe.
"No, only Losira and her immediate blood-family are considered royalty. Elves like
to keep the royalty thing to a minimum."
They walked and scanned while they talked. Mykkl stopped and swung his pad around. "Odd, I'm getting faint refined metal and energy readings in those cliffs off to the left," he said while adjusting his pad.
Aerith aimed her datapad in the direction Mykkl was pointing. "Damn, you're right. The metal looks like an adamantine carbide composite. The energy signal isn't natural, unless nature figured out a way to output a 100-cycle AC voltage. Come on, let's check this out."
"Wait. I need to report this."
"Fine. I'll just stand here and look pretty for the wombats or whatever those things watching us from the trees are."
Mykkl smiled at her impatience. "Base camp, this is Mykkl. We found something, over," he said into his communicator.
"Mykkl, this is Tannith. What did you find?" the Instructor asked. She made it a habit to monitor all communication channels during field trips.
"Instructor, Aerith and I are at the base of the tallest cliff near the precipice. We've picked up refined adamantine composite material signatures and an energy signature that can't be natural."
"Copy that. Turn on your beacon and wait for us. We're heading your way. Tannith out."
"You heard the instructor. We wait," Mykkl said as he activated his communicator's beacon.
"Maybe you are, but I'm going to check this out," Aerith said as she leapt in the direction of the signals.
"Aerith, wait!" Mykkl yelled as he ran after her. "Does she have wings?" he muttered to himself as he tried to keep up with her. Winded, he caught up with the young woman at the base of the cliff. She, on the other hand, hadn't even broken into a sweat. "How the hell do you move that fast?"
"Something about the tail acting as a counterweight. You should seriously consider getting one installed," she suggested while she read her scanner. When she heard no reply, she turned and saw Mykkl giving her one helluva quizzical look. "Sorry, just kidding."
"Right. I knew that," he said as he scanned the rocks. "Interesting. There's a door behind this rubble and a room beyond." He pulled out his blaster and set the output to wide-beam. "Stand back," he said as he took aim at the rocks.
