Endless Advance: Age of Expansion - A Kurtherian Gambit Series (Uprise Saga Book 2)

by Amy DuBoff

  The chancellor lingered for several moments, then Karen felt her mental presence withdraw. “And who are you, Karen?”

  “Karen Carter, ma’am. I’m from Coraxa, but I attended school here on Nezar. I began working with the government as an intern, and I quickly realized Nezar’s culture more closely aligned with my own ways of thinking than my homeworld.”

  “Yet, you are now the Alucian president’s new press secretary, correct?” Heizberg raised an eyebrow.

  Karen nodded. “A little over two years ago, I was approached by the Sovereign. I was sent to Alucia to get close to the administration so that I could kill the president, should the need arise.”

  “I am quite familiar with this organization and the intent,” Heizberg revealed. “I’m the one who established their mission statement.”

  Karen had suspected as much, but she was surprised the chancellor would so readily admit it. “A cause I believe in, ma’am. I’m still upset that the president moved forward with joining the Federation so quickly. I didn’t have a chance to act.”

  “You maintained your close place. Why?” the chancellor asked.

  “That’s why I invited Karen here to speak with you,” Dominic interjected. “She presented a plan that would give Nezar permanent independence.”

  Karen nodded. “In my time working on Alucia, I had contact with the FDG—a covert ops organization ancillary to the Federation’s military. I learned through those interactions that the Federation is somewhat selective about the matters they get involved in. A world such as Alucia doesn’t have much to offer and, therefore, will take a lower priority when it comes to dealing with potential issues. If Nezar were to make a direct move against Alucia, the Federation could easily overwhelm us, wipe us out. But what we want is for the entire system to be left alone. We need to make the Federation distrust Alucia itself. If the Federation decides Alucia should not be a member, they’d leave and never come back.”

  Heizberg nodded. “And I take it you have a strategy to make that happen?”

  “I do. Now, what could little Alucia do that would be a threat to the powerful Federation?” Karen asked rhetorically.

  Heizberg glanced at Dominic, then gave Karen a questioning look.

  “You threaten their connection to their empire: the Annex Gate,” Karen continued. “Stage Alucia as trying to maintain control of the gate. Supply shipments can come in, but no tourists or any other visitors promised through the agreement with the Federation. The Federation will assume Alucia was disingenuous in their intentions about the free and open exchange of resources as a member world, and the Federation will withdraw.”

  The chancellor leaned back on the couch. “That is a very interesting plan, indeed.”

  * * *

  Luke and Doctor Dwyer studied the monitor inlaid in the lab’s wall.

  “What’s next?” Luke asked the FDG doctor.

  No one had explicitly instructed them to continue conducting research into the mysterious nanotech that had created the TR in Kurtz’s brain, but having Jared in custody offered too great a research opportunity to pass up.

  “This is your lab, I’m just here as a consultant,” Dwyer replied.

  “You know the FDG’s operations, though. I’m little more than an outsider.” Luke turned back to the tray where they had the sample of the live nanocytes collected from Jared.

  They had an array of chemicals on hand to add to the sample to gauge reactions. It was how they had determined the baseline mixture to give Kurtz, but Luke was interested to see what would happen if they went the opposite direction with the dosing.

  To maintain as much scientific rigor as possible, they had been adding controlled amounts of the chemicals in sequential order. The findings supported their initial observations that neurochemicals associated with positive emotional experience suppressed this particular strain of nanocytes while those linked with sadness or aggression maintained the nanocytes’ functions.

  Luke was particularly interested to find out how the nanocytes behaved when introduced into a new host. Of course, they couldn’t actually expose a person to the nanocytes, so his study was restricted to what he could observe in test batches and within Jared. The latter research option, however, was temporary. Kurtz had given them two days to make as many observations as possible before curing Jared just as they’d done for Kurtz.

  Doctor Dwyer eased into one of the tall chairs at the workstation. “I’m used to dealing with alien tech—almost everything the FDG uses is alien in origin, Kurtherian or otherwise—but this,” he pointed to the graphic on the screen, “is something else entirely. I see familiar components of the technology from many of the advanced races we’ve come across, but this configuration is unique.”

  “What could it mean?” Luke asked.

  The doctor took a deep breath. “If I had to speculate, I’d say that the tech is so similar because this other race has adopted pieces from those other cultures.”

  “That… could be a major problem.”

  “Yes and no,” Dwyer continued. “On the one hand, that means they’ve encountered other races at one time or another and taken some of that technology for their own use. But on the other hand, we’ve never encountered them before. That indicates to me that they’re either reclusive or can easily be overpowered. In either case, that means we can win the fight.”

  “If we can find them,” Luke pointed out. “They’re in Gidyon, but if they have no bodies, what do we look for?”

  “There is that issue, yes.”

  Luke nodded. “It concerns me that their base may be so close to my home system.”

  “On the flip side, that proximity is what made your home the way it is. We know the tech is alien in origin, yet it’s markedly similar to seemingly naturally occurring neural structures in native Coraxans. Add in that your people in the Alaxar Trinary never venture into Gidyon despite it being the neighboring system, and the entire situation sounds like a conspiracy orchestrated by this master race.”

  “Especially since we know they have embedded themselves in the Nezaran government.”

  “Precisely.” Dwyer sighed. “What we do with this information… I don’t know what to suggest.”

  “Well, we may not be able to investigate its origins right now, but we can still learn more about its behavior,” Luke advised.

  “Particularly the mode of transmittal. I’d like to be certain we won’t have new subverted officers walking around with no notice.”

  “No kidding.”

  “In the meantime,” Dwyer continued, “I think I have enough data to devise a vaccine, of sorts, to prevent the nanocytes from being able to create a TR.”

  “That’s a major step forward.” Luke paused. “What do we say about the nature of the nanotech?”

  The doctor shrugged. “What else can we say? It’s alien and it’s dangerous. We can treat the symptoms here, but to stop the menace, they’ll have to go to the source. Once Ava’s team gets the chancellor, we’ll know where that is.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The Raven dropped into orbit of Nezar in full stealth mode. Ava had been on a number of missions that required a silent approach, but never before had she gone after a world leader with her team.

  “Great, we’re here!” Samantha said with thick sarcasm. “How are we supposed to get in touch with Karen?”

  “That’s a very good question,” Ava mused. “So long as we remain stealthed, she won’t even know we’re here.”

  Nick nodded. “And if we’re not, the Nezaran government won’t be pleased to see the FDG coming to intervene.”

  “Precisely. And Karen would know that,” Ava replied. “She had to have left us some means to get in touch without giving away our position.”

  Edwin snorted. “That’s assuming she thought it through.”

  “True. This is the same person who ran off to a world controlled by telepathic aliens without getting clearance from anyone,” Nick agreed.

  “She’s impu
lsive, but she isn’t stupid.” Ava mentally ran through the options. A transmission of some sort was a possible means to relay information, but that could be intercepted by anyone. That meant a sentient intermediary was far more likely.

  Her team must have been thinking along the same lines, because Samantha asked, “Do we know if she came alone?”

  “Haven’t a clue. But she indicated that the Alucian president signed off on her coming here, so I’m guessing he’d know.” Ava headed for the ladder, which would take her up two decks to the small communications room.

  “Are you going to contact him directly?” Nick asked.

  “No, I’ll let Colonel Kurtz handle that.” Ava scaled the ladder, leaving the rest of her team in the lounge room.

  She entered the small communications room and opened an encrypted channel back to FDG headquarters. In the past, she wouldn’t have ever reached out to Kurtz directly, but there was no sense in wasting time going through Widmore with this matter.

  Kurtz answered her video call after ten seconds. “Ava, are you still on the Raven?”

  “Just arrived, sir, but there wasn’t exactly a welcome mat laid out for us. Would it be possible for you to reach out to the Alucian president? He may know how to get in touch with her.”

  “Ah, apparently you didn’t get my message,” the colonel replied. “President Connors relayed information about the transport ship Karen used to get to Nezar. One of his administrative assistants, named Leon, is waiting for you in orbit. He can provide the specifics.”

  Ava checked the incoming communication log, and sure enough, the colonel had forwarded instructions to them an hour prior. “I’m sorry, sir. I should have checked before I reached out to you.”

  “I know you have a lot on your mind, but stay sharp, Lieutenant. We’re counting on you.”

  “I know, sir.”

  “Talk to Leon and finalize your approach plan. You have clearance to use him as a point of contact while you’re on the surface, and he can relay back to us. The encrypted signals will draw less attention if they’re going to a known ship.”

  “Can he be trusted, sir?”

  “I have the Alucian president’s word.”

  Considering that President Connors trusted Karen and she was an assassin sent to kill him, I’m not sure the man is a great judge of character. Ava nodded. “We’ll use our best discretion for communications.”

  “Good luck on the surface. I’ll be awaiting your report.” Kurtz terminated the communication.

  Ava sighed. This entire op is a shit show through and through.

  She was used to improvising and adapting to situations with questionable intel, but the combination of complications in this case were starting to add up. Even though she was never one to back down from a challenge, there were many more lives than her own on the line. The more complications, the more dangerous it would be for everyone. She and her team would need to be more vigilant than ever.

  After taking a minute to clear her head, Ava reviewed the contact details in the message Kurtz had forwarded. The instructions provided a specific channel and encryption protocol—everything she’d need to make contact. She entered the requisite information and waited for a response.

  The video feed resolved on the wall-mounted screen. A young man of Torcellan descent was seated at a communication station similar to her own. “You must be Ava,” he stated.

  “I am,” she confirmed. “And you must be Leon.”

  He nodded. “I apologize for communicating like this. It was the best solution Karen and I could come up with on short notice.”

  “She should never have gone to Nezar.” Ava glared at the man through the screen.

  “The decision was made before I ever became involved. Alucia has had some… difficulties with authorities coming through for us recently. President Connors agreed we needed to take action.”

  “Karen going down to the surface isn’t going to solve anything! She’s just putting herself in harm’s way and making things more difficult for us.”

  “You’d never be able to gain access to the building without her.”

  Ava’s eyes narrowed. “Leon, I know you’re just the messenger and Karen is to blame for this half-assed whatever the hell she’s doing. But neither of you has a clue what the FDG is capable of. Next time, stop her from being stupid.”

  Leon waited in silence for Ava to finish. “What can I do to make you feel better about this?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Well,” Leon spread his hands on the tabletop, “then let me explain to you how Karen has prepped everything for you.”

  Ava slumped back in her chair. Maybe I was too quick to pass judgment. She nodded for Leon to proceed.

  He cleared his throat. “So, Karen worked closely with a man named Dominic when she was employed as a Nezaran administrator. As I understand it, he officially holds a place in the Nezaran government, but he’s the main liaison with the underground group responsible for all the advocacy for Nezaran independence, the Sovereign. The government pulls the strings for the actions this group carries out. He got Karen her place in the Alucian Alliance.”

  Ava eyed him.

  “Yes, I’m aware of why she was originally sent to Alucia,” Leon revealed. “The president granted her an official pardon, and I processed the executive order.”

  “And you still trust her coming back here?”

  He nodded. “I spoke with her at length during the trip over. She’s changed her thinking. I believe in the right for people to learn and grow.”

  “I agree.” Ava paused. “All right, so she’s convinced Dominic that she wants in again. How does that help my team get to the chancellor?”

  “Because the Sovereign collaborate more closely with the government than most realize, even those who know about the arrangement. Dominic, and now Karen by extension, regularly lets members of the Sovereign into the capital building for strategy meetings. They have a back entrance for that occasion, and it’s the only time the security system is deactivated, so there isn’t an official record. Karen will have access to that meeting schedule and can tell you exactly where to go to avoid the security system.”

  Ava crossed her arms. “That’s great, and all, but we have stealth suits. We need to get down there as soon as possible, not wait for one of these meetings to happen.”

  “There’s one tonight.”

  “Oh.”

  “Karen sent me a datapacket with the details,” Leon continued. “Would you like me to forward it?”

  “Okay, I have to admit, that will be helpful, but this doesn’t forgive the fact that she ran in without clearing her plan with the FDG.”

  “You can bring that matter up with her yourself in…” Leon checked the time, “three hours. She’ll be waiting for you at the entrance to the council chambers.”

  An indicator on the screen blinked as the datapacket transferred to the Raven.

  “Thanks, Leon. I’ll have the crew relay any relevant information once we’re down in the field. Be prepared to rendezvous back at Alucia.”

  “We’ll be standing by. May the stars be with you.”

  * * *

  The meeting with the chancellor had gone surprisingly well. Karen had presented the details of her plan, and the chancellor had asked precisely the right questions to show that she was engaged with the idea. The execution of the plan would be tricky, but Karen knew it would never come to that. She only hoped the Nezaran government officials didn’t suspect the giant stall tactic it was in reality.

  Everything seemed to be going to plan, though, considering Dominic had shown her to a previously unoccupied workstation to serve as her office space.

  Now seated at the desk in the back corner of a room filled with cubicles, she assessed her surroundings.

  I need to look like I’m working. How closely will they be monitoring my communications? she wondered.

  In an effort to look productive, Karen made some entries in a text document to serve as a record
for her conversation with the chancellor. She saved the notes to the server that handled the coded communications related to the Sovereign. Everything was presented as official Nezaran government business using a complete vernacular where terms were interchanged in such a way that a discussion of a new water pipeline could really be a conversation about positioning mercenaries to seize an Alucian supply cache.

  The vernacular came back to her as she typed. She would have needed to layer in more subtleties were the notes for a plan she intended to carry out. As it was, though, it only needed to be good enough to pass a cursory inspection.

  When she’d completed the plan overview, Karen peeked over the edge of her cubicle to see if any of her coworkers were paying attention to her. They all appeared to be absorbed in their work.

  I better do this while I have the chance. Karen took a deep breath and began the riskiest part of her venture yet.

  It was one thing to lie to a person, but quite another to try to fool a computer. To access the information, she needed to relay to Leon, Karen set up a fake contact in the system, posing as a collaborator for the Sovereign. The guise was thin, but she could only do so much under the circumstances.

  Under the pretense of verifying meeting details for this fake contact, Karen navigated through the logs, looking for the coded message about the meeting scheduled for that night. The time matched up with the information she’d already forwarded to Leon.

  For her previous information relay, she’d used a direct, encrypted databurst—explainable since it was common knowledge she’d arrived on an Alucian ship and would need to communicate with the captain about her future travel plans. That was a one-time excuse, though. For this relay, she needed to be far craftier.

  Her best option was to piggyback a generic message on the official orders from the Nezaran government to her ship about its orbital pattern. Such messages were sent every hour to foreign vessels, so she had ample opportunities. However, slipping her own personal message into an official communication was as challenging as it was risky.