The Alpha Choice

by M. D. Hall

  Instinctively, Gorn looked over to Trang and saw her deep in conversation with the executive officer, a man in middle age. His name was Kirion. He was born on Zenath, a planet conquered by the Te seven hundred and fifty years ago. Because it had triple moons, and was part of a binary star system, there was no shortage of volunteers who wanted to plant roots in this wonderful new world, and be part of a new beginning; volunteers who wanted more than the sedentary life of most Te’ans. By the time the first settlers arrived, the planet looked as though it had never been inhabited by other sentient life forms. No sign that it ever hosted an indigenous, advanced society remained. From first contact with the Te, to total eradication took twenty-four years. So, when Kirion’s ancestors arrived there six hundred years ago, it was a veritable paradise.

  It would be easy to fall into the trap of suspecting that, as one of the longest serving bridge officers, Kirion might have learned of the true nature of his birthright. However, Darl was no longer the commander of a sweeper, and would want to keep the truth from as many as possible, Kirion could well be an innocent.

  It worried Gorn that had had no idea how many, in that room, knew the truth behind the mission. His initial assessment of Zan’s ignorance had been wrong and, at that very moment, he realised how truly alone he was. It was too risky to take Kirion or anyone else, particularly Zan, into his confidence.

  As for the two, erstwhile bridge officers?

  Trang’s predecessor, or so it appeared from Darl’s demeanour, seemed to have been taken away for reasons only known to the Council. While Gorn’s predecessor, according to the personnel records, had left of his own accord. Gorn thought it noteworthy, Darl had chosen not to mention this particular officer. It was certainly convenient that his leaving enabled Gorn to be positioned on the bridge; his personnel file recorded only that he left for domestic reasons.

  Both officers were at the peak of their abilities and would, ordinarily, be looking for a high-powered civilian post, or their own command. One of them was acting on the direct instructions of the Council and, therefore, fell outside the usual order of things and, for Gorn’s purposes, could be discounted, not so the other. Serving as a bridge officer on this ship, opened doors officers would otherwise, never encounter. As the military had a long history of accommodating officers with ‘particular’ domestic needs, the entry in the personnel record made no sense. Perhaps, the two officers were not so far apart after all, perhaps neither of them had a choice. He would find out, as it could have a direct bearing upon what he was planning to do, particularly, whether anyone was aware of his intentions.

  He turned his attention back to the Tactical officer who regarded him with intense, dark eyes. ‘I’m not sure I understand you,’ was all Gorn could muster by way of response. It was the truth, he thought he knew, but could not be sure.

  ‘You will, in time,’ and with that last, cryptic comment he moved off, leaving Gorn alone.

  Before he stepped onto the shuttle, he only had to concern himself with the task set by Narol. It was dangerous and complex enough when he had no distractions, and could work unobserved. Now, in the space of four and half hours, he had managed to secure the attention of Trang, Zan, and a Nopa all by doing absolutely nothing!

  He had very few options. If he ignored Trang, he would be constantly looking over his shoulder with no idea as to her agenda. He could probably put the Nopa to one side, for now. As for Zan, he would dig further, but concluded his only danger lay in how open he was with the tactical officer. The solution was simple - ignore him for the rest of the mission!Where he needed stealth, any scrutiny was unwelcome. So it was, almost on cue, that he found himself staring into the face of Trang. ‘It seems you have something you want to ask me.’ It was a simple statement.

  ‘I’m sorry, I don't think I know what you mean?’ he replied.

  ‘You’ve been looking across at me, and it’s fairly obvious you have questions.’

  To say he was taken by surprise, would be an understatement. Of course, she was absolutely right, but what was he to say to her? He thought the best approach was to mention her demeanour on the shuttle, it was less dangerous. ‘Earlier, on the shuttle, you seemed distracted, and I was concerned.’

  ‘Why would you be, we don’t know each other?’

  ‘I know, but we are crew mates and…’

  ‘And, nothing. What I think is my own affair, and not to be discussed.’ While her tone fell short of aggressive, it was clear that his attentions were unwelcome.’

  He decided to press on. ‘Fine, but this isn't all one way. On the two occasions I've seen you it seems you have a problem with me, which frankly, I’m at a loss to understand. As you say we don’t know each other.’

  ‘Fine,’ she replied. ‘I don't know you but like everyone, I do know of you. Gorn, the great zagball player, son of a hero of Gallsor - worst kept secret in the fleet. What are you doing here? You're a scientist.’

  Now she was looking angry, although her voice was kept so low, no one else would know what she was saying. Gorn was relieved, this was nothing more than plain, old fashioned jealousy. He had scanned her records before he left his cabin which showed that she was the only child of an unmarried archivist. There was no note of the father, which suggested he was an officer who was kept off the records by the mother to protect his career, or her privacy, for whatever personal reason. Arrangements like that were not uncommon. It all fell into place. Trang saw him as an interloper using his connections through Bakir, and his exploits in the cuboid to get on in the service, while she, the child of a lone parent with no connections, had to do it all on her own. This he could handle. He must have smiled with the relief. ‘What’s so amusing?’ she was looking more angry than before.

  ‘I didn't mean to take you lightly, you're right, I do have connections, but I’ve always wanted to be part of active service. I don’t think I’m here because of my zagball exploits; Darl wanted a science officer, and I’d like to think I’m qualified. I can't make you like me, but let me at least prove to you that I’m here on merit?’

  Her anger seemed to subside, and after a few moments, she nodded.

  As though to spare Gorn any further complications, Darl re-entered the room and Trang moved back towards her seat, thinking as she did so, hopefully, that will throw him off the scent.

  Darl was looking agitated, and Kirion, reading the signs addressed the gathering. ‘I am sure I speak for all present when I say how grateful we are to be serving with such a distinguished commander.’ He looked to the group, producing a seemingly spontaneous round of applause.

  Gorn, politely joined in, but he did wonder whether a few snacks, however delicious, warranted the epithet ‘distinguished commander.’ Perhaps Kirion was referring to something else that Darl had done, of which Gorn was unaware, he thought not. More likely, a code of conduct beyond that espoused at the Academy, existed in the strange microcosm that was the Eclipse bridge.

  Darl nodded his appreciation and, as though prearranged, the guests filed out of the room. He caught Gorn’s eye and something about the look suggested he was not to leave with the others. The fact that Trang also remained behind came as no surprise to Gorn. Within moments only the three of them remained in the conference room.

  Kirion paused at the doorway, and looked back into the room, waiting.

  Darl dismissed him with a shake of his head. It was clear he wanted to be alone with his two newest recruits. Kirion appeared less than pleased, as he turned and walked out of sight.

  Ω

  Gorn walked around the large table until he was alongside Trang, and looking at the man who would provide him with the opportunity to destroy the Te’an way of life, did he but know it. For now, however, Darl had other matters to contemplate and while he remained standing, he motioned for the two officers to be seated. With Trang sitting to his left, it was necessary for Gorn to look past her to Darl, but at no point did she acknowledge his presence.

  Their commander spoke to the comm
and console. ‘I would like a private word with my two young officers.’ The effect, as Gorn knew, was to erect a sound net around the three of them. No attempt to overhear them, either directly or via technical means, would be successful, according to those who developed them. Gorn had familiarised himself with the technology behind such barriers, knowing he would have need to use some, and circumvent others. He also knew they were rarely used outside combat situations, where secrets were necessary to preserve life. Darl’s action surprised him, there was no possibility of a true combat situation arising, and he had found nothing in his commander’s database to suggest this meeting was even taking place, never mind the reasons behind it.

  He made a mental note, it’s dangerous to assume everything will be recorded. His wanderings through the ship’s memory could only tell him so much, imponderables like this impromptu meeting, would have to be factored into his plans.

  While he was unable to see Trang’s face, he imagined it portrayed the same level of surprise as his own. Darl relieved the suspense. ‘There are reasons we must not be overheard. I believe there are those on board who would sabotage our mission.’

  From where he sat Gorn could sense Trang stiffen slightly, although from the look on the face of his commander, he doubted if Darl had noticed any change. After all, he was confiding in the two of them, and this would be a very clumsy way to determine which, if either of them, was a saboteur. Gorn was satisfied that Darl was not looking to discover a traitor, he was seeking allies.

  The older man continued. ‘We are about to embark on a mission, which must be handled with the utmost delicacy,’ he permitted himself a wry smile, ‘at least to begin with. I believe there may be those among my senior staff, who are less than sympathetic to our assignment.‘

  When neither of the young officers rose to the bait, he smiled. ‘I’ve chosen well, controlled emotions, no empty gestures, excellent!’ The smile disappeared. ‘Now to the point. What do you know of the officers you’re replacing?’

  Gorn told the commander his thoughts on both officers, and went so far as to suggest there was no valid explanation for one of the absences.

  ‘Very good,’ responded Darl, ‘you're absolutely right, I had no choice over Dron, and would have kept him, if I could,’ he looked at Trang. ‘I mean no offence, I believe you to have the potential to be a far superior officer.’

  Trang’s half smile, hidden from Gorn, acknowledged the compliment.

  ‘Your predecessor, Prokar,’ he was now looking at Gorn, ‘placed himself in an untenable position when he openly questioned the motivation behind this expedition. Once his dissent was made public, he had to go.’

  ‘What was the reaction of the other officers, sir?’ asked Trang.

  ‘They said, nothing,’ he paused, waiting for Trang to develop the premise she was forming.

  She obliged. ‘May I speak freely, sir?’

  ‘You may, and for now you can drop the sir.’

  ‘Did you have suspicions before then.’

  ‘General suspicions, but nothing that implicated him as an agitator.’

  ‘You’ve had him thoroughly checked out, since,’ she asked.

  ‘I have, and there’s nothing. It looks as though his conscience got the better of him. So before you ask, he isn’t a rebel, but…’

  ‘Just because there’s no evidence to say that he is, doesn’t exclude the possibility, and you’re wondering why he would come right out and question the mission…at a guess I’d say the details of what we are about to do were a poorly kept secret?’ Darl nodded. ‘I think you're right, there is someone else.’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘There was probably a tacit understanding, between him and at least one other, that he would speak out while all bridge officers were present. I wouldn’t expect a display of empathy from his fellow officers?’

  Darl shook his head.

  ‘Then any sympathisers remained in the shadows.’

  He smiled, grimly.

  She continued. ‘Either, all the bridge officers were innocent, simply too intimidated by you to say anything, or one, possibly some, shared his views and thought discretion to be a better gambit. More likely,’ Darl’s eyes were bright with anticipation, ‘there was a mixture of both. Either extreme you could readily resolve, albeit you would have preferred sycophancy, to sweeping rebellion,’ she waited for confirmation, but Darl said nothing. ‘You have to assume there’s at least one among them sharing his views and potentially, very dangerous. Perhaps they were as shocked by the outburst as you, but if they’re as clever as you suspect, they knew what was about to happen. They may have even engineered the outburst, making one sacrifice to assuage any suspicions you had concerning the loyalty of those who remained.’

  Darl chose this moment to comment. ‘I agree. He’s been used as a dupe, and from our checks probably an innocent one, in the hope I’ll consider the threat gone.’

  ‘They’ll be on their guard, won’t assume anything, and be watching for any sign you remain suspicious,’ she had to compose herself, as she felt herself being swept away, and it was imperative her response was measured and rational. Darl seemed to sense this, and waited.

  For his part, Gorn largely agreed with her analysis, but saw a fundamental flaw in her logic, which he hoped was deliberate, and also unseen by Darl.

  Trang continued. ‘You want to be seen as falling for their ruse, and as you don’t know who you can trust, you need to bring in two outsiders who will hopefully see what you’ve missed, or has been kept from you.’

  Darl was visibly impressed. ‘Precisely, but I sense you have a question?’

  ‘Yes, while I’m honoured you should think fit to confide in me…us,’ she corrected herself, without so much as a glance in Gorn’s direction, ‘how do you know you can trust us?’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry yourself Lieutenant Trang, I’ve had you both thoroughly checked out,’ he paused, but not, Gorn was sure, for dramatic effect. When he spoke again it was with a tinge of regret. ‘Of all my officers, other than Kirion - who would be spotted in a flash, if he snooped around - you two are the only ones I can absolutely trust.’

  At this, Trang did look at Gorn. Her face had not softened, but it no longer showed any trace of anger. Beyond that, he had no idea what she was thinking. He imagined his own face must have been the exact opposite of Trang’s, he was completely confused. Narol must have known this was a possibility, why did she withhold it from me? He thought.

  Seeing the look in Darl’s face, he knew the commander had misread the signs, thinking it was genuine surprise at the sheer randomness of it all. Gorn widened his eyes, to exaggerate the effect.

  Trang spoke again. ‘You have the reputation of leaving the nurturing of young officers to your XO. Won’t it look strange if we are seen to spend an inordinate amount of time with you?’

  ‘Indeed it will,’ Darl replied, ‘which is why you won’t physically contact me, unless another officer is present. I have preloaded a direct, untraceable link between each of your private consoles, and mine. You’re not to discuss this through any means other than the consoles, that way neither of you will be compromised.’

  Darl looked directly at Gorn, and Trang turned her head to follow her commander’s gaze. The pressure on Gorn to speak was immense. ‘You want us to spy on our fellow officers. What did you find in our personnel records that led you to believe we were willing to do that?’

  ‘Absolutely nothing, in fact I am dubious as to whether you, Gorn, are capable of subterfuge, your face betrays your feelings.’ Gorn thought, if only you knew how wrong you are. Darl continued. ‘I’ve found nothing to suggest the two of you are anything other than loyal, and that’s the most I can hope for. As to spying, I’m not asking you to actively look for evidence, but rather, let me know if anything comes to your attention. A subtle distinction I agree, but an important one.’

  Before he had a chance to say anything, Trang answered. ‘Agreed.’

  Darl seemed to take it
for granted that she was speaking for them both, as he failed to look at Gorn for confirmation. In the minds of both Darl and Trang there was a pecking order beyond rank, and Gorn was last in line.

  ‘Good,’ replied Darl.

  ‘When you leave this room, you’ll be asked to repeat what was said between us. Tell whoever asks, that I was reassuring you about stepping into your predecessors’ shoes. They’ll conclude you’re both favourites and make them less inclined to be open with you, but at least their suspicions will be deflected.’

  Neither of the young officers replied.

  ‘No one is above suspicion, no one, is that understood?’

  They both nodded, without saying a word.

  ‘Oh, I almost forgot. I need the identities of those who quiz you.’

  Ω

  Narol went straight from Darl’s buffet, to the recreation room. She stood, for a few moments at one of the myriad drinks dispensers and, having discarded the empty cup, made her way to the nearest teleport. Approaching the station, she noted an innocuous nod of the head from one of her confederates - the only safe means of communication.

  No-one would notice the imperceptible smile on the face of the Archeology Liaison Officer, as she stepped onto the teleport platform. Causing a malfunction while we were with Darl, clever boy. She was not in the least surprised Gorn had found the evidence so quickly. Her confidence in her nephew was not misplaced, after all.

  Ω

  Gorn followed Trang out of the conference room, needing to clear his mind. He halted and focussed on the elegant simplicity of the bridge, a circular room no more than sixty metres in diameter with a clear domed roof, controlling a ship over three kilometres in length. Applying his mind to factual matters, which had nothing to do with conspiracies or espionage, produced the immediate desired, rationalising effect.

  Trang, on the other hand, moved straight to her station and, true to her instructions, ignored Gorn. To any casual observers there was nothing to suggest Darl had discussed anything, with the two young officers, that might be contrary to their own interests. Yet, despite only junior staff being on duty, almost all the senior officers, with the exception of Zan, were still present on the bridge.