The Alpha Choice

by M. D. Hall

  ‘Am I speaking to…’

  Again Kirion was not allowed to finish his question. ‘That is hardly of consequence. Clearly, as we are both here, one of us must be Garnoth. Accordingly, I speak as Garnoth or with his express permission. Now answer my question, and consider the consequences of vacillation!’

  If the XO was afraid of the unveiled threat, it did not show, however, he did tell the Agency head all that had been told to Gorn - the private conversations with his commander, he kept to himself - as well as Gorn’s meeting with his friend. When he was finished, Garnoth/Avatar smiled and looked over to Gorn. ‘I am quite impressed, if you tire of the humdrum life of a sailor, you might reconsider life in the Agency. That level of duplicity with your best friend is a trait we find admirable.’

  Gorn reddened, but did not rise to the bait. Nevertheless, he was aware of everyone’s eyes boring into him and knew that, within days, his spying trip to his best friend would be all over the ship.

  Kirion addressed both Garnoths. ‘Perhaps you will allow us to proceed?’

  ‘Indeed my dear man, proceed away.’

  The XO waited a couple of minutes and when nothing happened, spoke again to the newcomers. ‘I can’t proceed until you’ve left.’

  ‘No, you need to proceed, and I intend to observe, so please get on with it,’ Garnoth/Avatar appeared to have finished, but then added. ‘You are not labouring under the misapprehension that my orders do not apply to everyone aboard this ship, you included, are you?’

  ‘Of course not, my mistake.’

  ‘You are forgiven,’ came the generous reply.

  The two uninvited guests approached to within touching distance of the ship and peered at the equipment being assembled by the technicians, who in turn did their best to appear unruffled. Within a few minutes one of the technicians looked at his colleague, and receiving a nod of reassurance, stood to address Kirion. A look of confusion appeared upon his face, he then turned to the Agency twins, before shaking his head.

  ‘Perhaps, my man, you should address your remarks to the Executive Officer,’ Garnoth assured the technician, ‘after all, we would not want to upset protocol,’ Garnoth smiled. The relieved technician faced his superior. ‘Everything is ready, sir. Shall I proceed with the test?’

  ‘How will it proceed?’ Kirion asked.

  ‘Well, sir, any transmissions from the dart, from the moment it left the hanger until its return, will be registered. Then we’ll proceed to check for any incoming transmissions.’

  ‘How reliable is the test?’

  ‘I can say with absolute certainty that any messages sent, or received will be recovered.’

  ‘Very well, carry on, and please ensure that everyone present can hear the results.’

  Garnoth raised one eyebrow. ‘Is that wise?’

  ‘I’m sure you agree that we all want this exercise to be seen for what it is, a transparent and fair assessment of the communications systems.’ Kirion did not wait for an answer, but simply nodded to the technician. For a moment or two there was nothing, then came the clear voice of Genir: ‘Genir to Eclipse, the Tellurian craft six hundred metres to your port side is incapable of returning fire. Do you wish me to capture the craft, or proceed to destroy it? I await your order. Genir out.’

  Even the normally taciturn shock-troopers looked surprised. So the reason behind Genir’s arrest had got around, thought Gorn. For his part, Kirion looked perturbed. ‘When will we hear the inbound communication?’

  ‘That’s everything there is, sir. There is no inbound communication,’ the technician seemed apologetic.

  Kirion kept his own counsel, but that did not prevent Garnoth from making a helpful comment. ‘Oops! Transparent enough for you Kirion?’

  The XO ordered the troopers to remain at their posts, then left the hangar. Garnoth simply smiled, but the smile was not reflected in his eyes.

  Ω

  Gorn caught up with his superior officer. ‘So, we won’t be testing the implant now that Genir’s version has been verified?’

  Kirion stopped, and turned to his young protege. ‘Why would you think that? All that’s been demonstrated is that he did ask for clarification. If he then received the order to destroy the Tellurian, via his implant, he has still disobeyed a direct order under fire. I know you want to believe your friend, and I have to admit, I was surprised at the results of the test, but don't build your hopes on this. It’s practically certain he received the order, and you have to prepare yourself for that.’

  The rest of the journey continued in silence. Thankfully, for Gorn the journey was short. Outside Genir’s door were four troopers, ready to accompany the prisoner to the labs, no teleports would be used as Genir needed to remain in sight throughout the journey. The door to the quarters opened and Genir stood before them in full dress uniform, face grim. ‘Shall we get this over with?’ As he stepped into the corridor, the troopers fell into place to the side and behind him, as Kirion led the party down the corridor.

  Throughout the five or six minute journey, Gorn saw no other person on their route. No one waited at the lifts, no doors opened, it was as if they were the sole occupants of the huge ship. Being away from his console for so long, he had no idea what message must have been sent to the crew to achieve such an instant, eerie response.

  What awaited them outside the lab, smiling benignly and confirming they were not the sole occupants of the temporary ghost ship, were the Garnoth twins, while inside the lab were the same two technicians. Evidently, Darl did not want the details spreading beyond the handful already involved. To add to the sense of otherworldliness, the normally talkative Agency head said nothing, speaking only with his eyes, which burned with an excited curiosity.

  The technician who spoke earlier in the hangar, presumably he outranked his mute colleague, addressed Genir without going through Kirion. ‘You won't feel any discomfort, and the full process will only take a few moments. I need you to stand in here,’ he gestured to a cylinder of crystal, twice the height of a man and in the form of a semi circle, topped with a circular, silvered band, containing the equipment needed to run the test. Genir stepped inside, but instead of facing his accusers, he stood with his back towards them. The only response was a quiet chuckle from Garnoth/Avatar.

  The technician walked to the holo display at centre of the room, and was greeted by a complex array of data and symbols. Speaking to no one in particular, he said: ‘We’re only concerned with matters pertaining to this incident, although I’ve received an instruction from our commander to extend the time period to the moment the officer boarded Eclipse.’ Another chuckle escaped from Garnoth/Avatar. Kirion was in Gorn's line of sight, but other than an imperceptible tightening of the jaw, the XO demonstrated no sign of irritability prompted by either the spymaster’s provocation, or the announcement. Darl is interested to see if any communication had been received from the Agency, Gorn thought, I wonder if he told Kirion?

  New symbols and figures appeared within the display. After a few seconds scrutinising the data, the technician turned to the assembled group and announced the results. ‘This implant was fully functional, until the moment officer Genir left Eclipse to join the battle. At that precise moment it ceased to function,’ Gorn looked first at Garnoth/Avatar, and then at Kirion. Both the XO and the talking twin, had knitted brows. It was Garnoth/Avatar who spoke first: ‘How certain are you that the results are accurate?’ However, before the technician had a chance to answer, Kirion asked a question of his own: ‘Is it possible to interfere with the functioning of the implant?’

  The technician, in deference to the senior serving officer present, turned to Kirion. ‘The technology doesn’t exist to permit interference, certainly no technology we’re aware of. As for the readings, I’ve triple checked them,’ he looked at the prisoner, now facing outwards, but still within the cylinder, ‘Officer Genir’s implant was incapable of receiving any transmission from the moment he left Eclipse.’

  ‘And now?’
it was Gorn who asked the question, attracting curious looks from both Garnoth/Avatar and Kirion, before they returned their attention to the technician.

  ‘Now, the implant is functioning perfectly.’

  Without any further word Garnoth/Avatar turned and, with Avatar/Garnoth at his/its side, walked over to the teleports.

  Kirion, looked momentarily after the departed pair, then directed his attention to the shock troops. ‘Take Officer Genir back to his quarters and remain outside, until you hear from me. Gorn, return to your station.’ With those words, the XO strode over to the teleport station, and was gone.

  Gorn watched as his friend was escorted out of the lab, hoping for some indication of how he was feeling. At no time did Genir look in the direction of his friend, he looked dead ahead with no expression on his face. Where Gorn expected to find relief, happiness or even anger, there was nothing at all. Alone with the technicians, who were busying themselves and seemingly unaware of his sole presence, he walked over to the teleport and formed bridge in his mind. In less than a minute he would be off duty. Returning to the bridge he handed over his station before returning to his quarters, where he did not expect to sleep.

  Ω

  Garnoth, standing at the drinks dispenser with filled cup in hand, turned to his twin. ‘Why did you keep this from me?’

  ‘You need to be more precise, Garnoth. To what do you refer, when you say this?’

  ‘Do not be obtuse, you know exactly what I mean,’ the normally unflappable spymaster was displaying definite signs of irritation, but the Avatar remained silent. ‘Very well, let us work backwards. Is it possible to interfere with the working of the implant?’

  ‘I cannot exclude that possibility, however, at our current level of technology, it would not be possible to interfere with the implant in situ without harming the host, and even then it could not be restored to working order.’

  ‘Could you do it?’ Garnoth asked.

  ‘Not even I have that capability, but I suppose I should be flattered you have such confidence in my abilities.’

  ‘Perhaps you should, but we both know being flattered is also beyond your capabilities.’

  ‘As is being offended by your comments, Garnoth.’

  ‘I sometimes wish you could be offended,’ the human twin replied, ‘but enough of this nonsense. How likely is it the implant simply suffered a temporary glitch?’

  ‘Of itself, it could not be excluded, but for…’

  ‘…the issue with the dart’s communications,’ Garnoth completed the sentence.

  ‘Quite,’ the Avatar replied.

  ‘Now to my precise question. You knew about the pilot’s actions towards the Tellurian ship. Did it not occur to you that I might need to know that?’

  ‘It did occur to me. As you know, very little escapes my attention.’

  ‘And?’ Garnoth's irritation was beginning to resurface.

  ‘You are aware of the pilot’s family history? Of course you are. We sat with the Council in the aftermath of the Gallsor incident, and you know of his father’s actions towards an enemy. Having considered the pilot’s history, and his behaviour aboard this ship, I concluded this was little more than a son seeking to emulate his father, a perfectly normal human response. It certainly had nothing to do with our investigation, no insurrectionist would draw attention to himself, then do nothing other than seek permission from his superior officer to take the enemy prisoner. Remember, Garnoth, the pilot has no idea of the truth behind the invasion. To him the capturing of the enemy was a no risk gambit, which could do wonders for his career.’

  Garnoth blinked slowly before replying. ‘I concede your logic, however, it was my decision to make.’

  ‘You were asleep, and as soon as I became aware that Commander Darl was taking steps to support a different view, I woke you. Now, if we are finished, I can tell you the Executive Officer has just entered the commander’s ready room. I take it you want to hear what they have to say?’

  Garnoth permitted himself a smile.

  Ω

  Darl responded to the presence outside his ready room. ‘Enter!’ On this occasion Kirion acceded to his commander’s invitation to sit. ‘So, XO, what do you make of it all, other than the fact that the boy Genir is clearly innocent?’

  ‘That’s one good piece of news, but I’m sure you’ve already formed a view?’

  ‘I have, but I’d like to know your thoughts,’ Darl replied.

  ‘I’m no expert but I’d say, what was done is beyond us and by extension, beyond any rebel involvement. We’re left with only one viable culprit, the Custodians.’

  ‘I agree,’ answered Darl, ‘that’s the who but I’d like to know the why.’

  ‘Perhaps, they wanted to see how we would react when Genir demonstrated compassion, if that’s what it was,’ Kirion offered.

  ‘Maybe, but as they didn’t carry out their threat, we have another problem. No matter how much we try to tie this down, others will draw the same conclusions as us. Too many have witnessed what has happened. Word will get out and it won’t be like it was three thousand years ago. Back then, things could be buried…were buried, now the rumour of Custodian involvement will travel like wildfire.’

  ‘What do you propose we tell Garnoth?’ Kirion asked.

  ‘Garnoth? Nothing, that monster is just as likely to quell the rumour by killing everyone with knowledge of it!’

  Kirion looked taken aback. ‘You can't be serious?’

  ‘I’m deadly serious. This is my crew and they deserve my protection. What happens over this last incident…mess, will have to play itself out. Send the order, Genir is no longer confined to quarters. Go and give him the good news, personally.’

  ‘And Gorn?’

  ‘What about him?’

  ‘Do we not tell him that his friend has been exonerated?’

  ‘If he isn’t smart enough to figure that out for himself, then he isn’t the man I took him for.’

  The XO nodded, but as he turned to leave, Darl added: ‘Check the bridge crew for any signs they suspect anything.’

  Kirion wanted to say: and how do you propose I do that, without drawing attention to the very thing we want to hide? but realised the question would be pointless, or if not the question, then certainly the answer, and so left the commander to himself.

  As the door slid shut behind his second in command, Darl sat back in his chair and regarded the ceiling, interesting times ahead, he thought, maybe it’s time I retired.

  Ω

  ‘The commander does not think well of you Garnoth,’ the Avatar’s tone held no hint of reproval.

  ‘I will have to review my assessment of him,’ replied the spymaster, ‘he is absolutely right.’

  ‘Concerning the Custodians?’

  ‘No, that was the only possible conclusion, even for a man as limited as Darl. His concern for the welfare of his crew is warranted. How many are aware of recent developments concerning the pilot?’

  ‘Including the technicians, eighteen. Once the current duty roster changes, that number will increase substantially.’

  ‘Have you excluded Darl and his executive Officer?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Then in order to protect the presently ignorant we have a duty to act swiftly. How quickly can you dispatch the eighteen?’

  ‘No more than an hour, but are you sure you want to proceed down this path?’

  ‘Absolutely, Darl will feel a sense of moral outrage, but that will pass when he realises it is the only way to avert a firestorm.’

  ‘No such thing has ever happened on board a warship, the rest of the crew will ask questions.’

  ‘Unless we provide them with the answers first. Every member of this crew knows why we are here. We will simply announce that in our search for rebels, we got too close and our witnesses were murdered,’ Garnoth exuded an air of serenity.

  ‘Very well. The pilot still has four guards outside his quarters, I will proceed there first.’ />
  ‘And the other evidence?’ asked Garnoth.

  ‘I will ensure none of the monitors record my actions. The results of the tests will be voided,’ the Avatar paused slightly, before adding, ‘there will be additional deaths where some of the eighteen are in the company of others. I will seek to minimise this, but…’

  ‘No matter,’ replied Garnoth, ‘you had better be on your way.’

  Ω

  Gorn collapsed on his bed. Everything had gone to plan, in a moment he would check on the reactions of Darl and Garnoth, but for now he needed just a moment or two to relax…

  Ω

  As Kirion stepped between the teleport posts, confident in the knowledge that no one on the bridge suspected anything, he felt a certain liberation in his decision not to go straight to Darl, but rather to the young officer and put his mind at rest. The commander would expect an immediate report, he’ll find out soon enough, and when he asks why I chose not to inform him immediately, I might even tell him the truth: because your needs aren’t always paramount, but no sooner had he formed the thought than his shoulders dropped, he would tell Darl no such thing, most likely he would say, ‘I assumed, wrongly, that in the absence of a direct report, you would conclude that everything was in order, I apologise.’

  He materialised in the corridor leading to Genir’s quarters, and was surprised to see Garnoth approaching from the opposite end of the corridor, why would he want to see Genir, he thought. The shock troops outside the pilot’s quarters looked from one to the other of the recent arrivals, but otherwise remained relaxed.

  Ω

  The Avatar found the predicament it faced interesting, but only that. Its orders were clear, and whilst Kirion was meant to survive, Garnoth had made it clear that consequential, unintended casualties were an acceptable risk, accordingly, the eradication of Kirion was now inevitable. It had already ensured there would be no record of what was to transpire in the corridor. It sized up the risks in less than the time it took for a human heart to beat. Kirion was not armed, and so it would eradicate the guards before running down the Executive Officer. The six bodies would be hidden in the pilot’s quarters. It would ensure the door would remain closed before it re-established visual surveillance of the corridor, and moved on to remove the remaining obstacles to secrecy.