Ilox Saga 1: Eris Monroe: More Than Human

by Bruce Adams

“Not to be rude, Captain, but what’s the point of that?” asked her XO. He idly scratched the stubble that had appeared on his chin. “Our orders from Mr. Gray were explicit – we’re to find and destroy any weapons or schematics that the Alliance has obtained at the Holdfast. For every day we delay, the Alliance gets closer to discovering some kind of super weapon.” He leaned back in his chair. There were murmurs of assent from the others present. Hasephrey spoke next – his voice booming.

  “I disagree. Alliance is evil, yes that is known. Alliance is intent on discovering and reverse engineering Valdren technology - that is true as well. However, we have many questions that need answering.” The mobile tattoos on his massive bald head had become mauve with patches of red and were very slowly moving in concentric patterns. “Sev Tariv is an adequate engineer, not the best, but decent…he was a difficult sentient to work with, but we do not know what his motivations were. Why did he attempt to kill the Captain? What has he done? Maybe he snapped and is acting on his own…or the Valdren device affected his mind. Who knows? However, if he gave the Alliance technical schematics of the stealth system, Alliance engineers will possibly be able to detect us within a few weeks…and if they can detect the Sparta, they will easily be able to destroy it. We must find out what he knows!”

  “Sparta will never be destroyed!” shouted Kizzara as she leapt to her feet with a feral snarl.

  “I don’t think the Alliance is smart enough to figure these things out. I mean…look, they were searching for the Valdren device on Furnace for months and it only took us a day to find it…” Eli had jumped to voice his thoughts, but it made matters worse. As the room erupted in chaos, Eris closed her eyes momentarily as if to mentally steel her resolve.

  “ENOUGH!” she shouted over the bedlam of strident voices and conflicting opinions. “Control yourselves! We’re a team – act like it!” She took a long look at each member of her crew. When her gaze locked with each officer, they became still and quiet. All of the officers sat down, but Eris remained standing. She let the silence build for a few moments before speaking.

  “Arnav, the threat from the disease or mutation that occurred down on Furnace is real… hundreds…maybe even thousands of sentients have died because of it. I have Professor Ruz’zel and Doctor Xinhao in the lab right now trying to figure out what caused that – and figure out a way to counteract it if possible. They have a theory, but they need to run tests to find conclusive proof of the cause.” She let that sink in for a few seconds. “Additionally, we need to know what Sev Tariv knows. If he gave the Alliance access to our null field technology, then we’ve been compromised. I say if though, because I find it unlikely. I’ve had him under surveillance for some time and I don’t think he ever had the time or the opportunity to deliver any plans or have contact with any Alliance operatives.” She rested both hands on the black surface of the table in front of her.

  “I value input from all of you…and I want to hear your thoughts on the situation. However – I will not jeopardize this ship or the lives of her crew to make an assault on the Alliance primary military fortress before I have all of the facts.” She glanced at Eli. “Bowman, were you able to learn anything with your talents concerning the Valdren device before you helped to destroy it?”

  “Yes, Captain. I learned one thing. The moment I switched it off, the headache I’d been suffering from…stopped. The pains that T’sell suffered from also ceased the moment the Valdren device was destroyed.” Eli flinched just from thinking about how awful that pain had been. “My hunch is that the ancient tech was broadcasting a wide-field signal that reached outward for kilometers, maybe dozens of kilometers and was affecting higher order organic beings.” Eli glanced at Eris Monroe and then at Kyle Arneson. “I also know that many of the miners that suffered from the sickness had also complained of headaches for days…perhaps weeks…before they died. I read that in some of the databases I scanned while we were in Platinum City.”

  “Do you think the device had something to do with the mutated miners and Vortex mercenaries?” Eris asked.

  “I don’t know for sure…but if you asked me to guess I would say yes. The ancients were accomplished at incredible feats of engineering and technology, so I wouldn’t put it past them to be capable of such a thing.” Eli looked expectantly at Eris.

  Eris brought up a holographic image of the Holdfast. “Commander Malik, I want you and your team to study all of the data we have available on the Alliance Holdfast. I want recommendations on how to destroy it – if it comes to that. If we can ascertain that all of their research is isolated in a single location within the Holdfast and we are able to disable or destroy it, then our mission will have been successful and we will have averted a galactic war.”

  “Captain, I’ll get my squad working on that right away…but it is obvious that planting a thermonuclear device would be the easiest method of taking out the Holdfast. It’s just a matter of getting one close enough and inside their shields and armor,” Arnav Malik spoke with a somber face. “We could easily do that with the Sparta being undetectable to their sensors…”

  “I’ve seen more death and destruction than most people here in this room and I’m sick of it.” Eris paused for a moment and continued – her eyes shone. “I would much rather not use a nuke on our enemies. I would do that only as a last resort, if everything else we try fails.”

  “The Alliance has shown that they are an enemy of the Republic…why try to save their lives when they deserve to die?” Arnav asked the question but everyone else in the room wanted to know the answer as well…they waited on the Captain’s response. A hushed silence permeated the room. Everyone could feel the tension. Eris was silent for a few moments as if lost in her own thoughts before she replied.

  “Every sentient deserves to be treated decently – with dignity and respect. Especially the working grunts that have no say in what they are ordered to perform. I refuse to believe that every living soul on the Holdfast deserves to die for what their leaders have decided.” Eris was growing tired of the back and forth with her executive officer, but it was cathartic to let all of her emotions out for once – she had kept them bottled up inside her for far too long. Arnav spoke decisively.

  “Death comes to everyone at some point…it’s inevitable…and life is fucked up so why bother trying to be decent or good at all? In my book, those people made their decision when they chose to join up with the Alliance military. They deserve whatever they get…and that would be justice.” replied Arnav. His eyes shone with sincerity.

  “I’ve dealt death in the name of justice all my life, but I refuse to take the lives of those who had nothing to do with trying to start a war…unless there is absolutely no other way…” Eris Monroe’s voice rang with steel – all sentients in the room knew that hers was the final word on the subject. As all of the officers filed out of the comm room Kizzara stood waiting and then moved to stand by Eris. She put her hand on her captain’s shoulder.

  “Captain…I believe in justice too. Long ago, my people were once slaves to the K’Tosk and we were freed only by those that stood for decency when all others called for endless war. I will do whatever you think is best – I believe in you…” Kizzara left the conference room leaving Eris to herself. She quickly ordered the computer to initiate a quantum relay link to her employer. After a few minutes the holographic image of Dominic Gray appeared.

  “Nice to see that you still call…” Dominic said with a bemused expression on his face.

  “We destroyed the Valdren device as you wanted,” Eris cut him off abruptly.

  “Excellent. I knew you and your team would be able to perform to specifications.”

  Eris furrowed her brows when she replied. “Is that all we are to you - some kind of organic machine that is ordered to perform tasks…to specifications?” She crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at him.

  “Captain, I can assure you…”

  “Let me finish...you have been enigmatic at best…and
that’s being generous. You are eccentric. I get that, I truly do. A MEK shows more emotion than you…” Eris was just getting started. Gray was silent and letting her have her say. “I don’t know which is worse, the fact that I signed up to kill for you or that I actually believed you.” She unfolded her arms and began pacing, her combat boots making a metallic thunk with each step on the corrugated decking. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you’ve told me.” Thunk…a boot on the deck.

  “You never told the truth about T’sell T’savri…a lie of omission is still a lie.” Thunk – another step shod on durasteel grating. “You offer half truths as statements of fact…Hasephrey thinks you’re going to take the Valdren technology for yourself and make weapons.” Thunk…and Eris stopped pacing and jabbed her index finger at his three dimensional image. “It’s always been about power…hasn’t it?” Eris suspected she was right. Dominic Gray was not smiling.

  “Are you quite finished?” Gray stated with no hint of emotion. The corners of his mouth were turned down. He was clearly displeased.

  “No…why didn’t you warn us about the sickness on Furnace? Another omission…another calculated risk?” Eris waited to hear what he had to say and stared at his image.

  “As much as you may think I have all the answers…I don’t. I am not some magical fountain of information that you may drink from.” He looked wounded, as if the words Eris had stated actually had hurt him. “I am sorry that you think so little about me that I would purposely withhold information from you for these missions. If I had known about the inhabitants of Furnace being sick, I would have told you. I am not sorry that you were successful in your mission, and I am grateful that you were there to destroy the device instead of the Alliance obtaining it.” Dominic Gray was not overtly remorseful and seemed defensive. “Eris, what do I have to do to make you believe that I only want what is best for the Republic…and for humanity?”

  “Why don’t you come and do these missions yourself?” Eris was not serious…no one with the power Dominic Gray held would ever do such a foolish thing.

  “I may not look it, but I am old…far too old to go traipsing across the galaxy to right the numerous wrongs that people foist on one another. Ask yourself why I put together a team of the most skilled and accomplished sentients I could find. Ask why I spent over a trillion credits building the most sophisticated starship humanity has yet devised...ask yourself why I spent time and treasure bringing you back from the brink of death…” He paused for a moment and let his words sink deep.

  “Eris, you may not trust me, but you must respect my intention to help humankind. All I have ever wanted to do was to build and create lasting institutions that help the people of the galaxy…not to make weapons…not to destroy. You speak of power…that is what the Alliance wants, except they want unlimited power and they will have their way unless they are stopped. They will succeed unless we stop them. Every master craftsman uses tools to build with – unlike a hammer however, you have a choice in whether you are used at all. You can walk away from this if you wish. Give up command, let Malik take over and you can be out of the picture. Of course, I don’t think he would be as successful as you have been with these missions…and likely he would fail, resulting in the death of the crew and the destruction of the Sparta.” He glanced at Eris soberly.

  “It is your decision, Captain.”

  Damn him…he was right. Every instinct she had said that Dominic Gray was a manipulator, and that he craved power. Did that mean he was nefarious?

  “Okay, you win. I…” For the first time in her life, she didn’t know exactly what to say.

  “That’s alright…understand, that for me, this is not a contest between you and I. I don’t get upset by winning or losing – labels mean nothing to me, only results. Go and get me results, Eris…” Dominic disconnected the connection before she could say anything.

  That was foolish of me. Maybe I am too tired to think clearly. She left the comm room and headed down to deck three and the laboratories. Outside of lab one she heard Eli talking with Gelkar Ruz’zel.

  “Yes, that is correct, Mister Bowman, the Valdren technology was much more advanced than what we are capable of today, but that doesn’t mean we cannot study it…and learn from it.” As she entered the workshop, she saw Eli, Gelkar and Lia standing around a table containing a slew of delicate equipment.

  “Captain Monroe, Gelkar was just telling us how he has been researching the Valdren for the last six years by visiting planets where they had outposts,” said Eli. He was grinning. “He even built a prototype for a portable shield generator…remember - down in the mines? He built that!” Eli was acting like a schoolboy and his excitement was contagious.

  “It was my prototype…but we left it, as we left the mines in quite a hurry. Remember? I asked you specifically if I could take it with me, and you said there was no time.” He looked at Eris expectantly. “I can build another from what I’ve seen of the material fabrication processors here on this ship,” stated Gelkar. His wings buzzed for a few seconds. Eris ignored him.

  “Doctor Xinhao, did you analyze the blood and tissue samples you took from the mercenary…and from T’sell and Eli?” Eris was curious to know what exactly had happened.

  “Yes, I scanned the samples and should get an answer from the medical computer within the next few minutes. From my preliminary work, I can rule out all known human related communicable diseases…the computer is cross-checking to see if the pathogen is of alien origin.” Lia looked expectantly at Gelkar as if waiting on him to speak. She finally nudged him with her elbow.

  “Ah…yes, of course, forgive me Eris Monroe - I was lost in thought. I had promised to tell you everything about why I was in the mines below Platinum City when you rescued me.” Gelkar stood only a little over a meter tall, and he backed up to crane his gaze to look Eris directly in the eyes. His wings fluttered for a moment and then quieted. The quick sound of his insect-like wings was a soft buzzing that was pleasant to the ear.

  “This should be good,” murmured Eli under his breath.

  “I am a researcher of Valdren antiquities and ancient sites. I work for myself mainly, though occasionally I receive grants from the Arrasian Concordia. My research had led me to the Zaniah system and the mining colony located on Tempest, a frozen planet that held quite a few rare mineral deposits and a few Valdren sites. There was no governmental structure on the planet and it was quite lawless.” He cleared his throat. “Ahem…excuse me. Where was I? Oh yes, there was little to be found there, but I did discover one clue that led me to Furnace.”

  “What was the clue?” asked Eli, eyes wide.

  “I was interpreting a data module that had been badly damaged. It was coded in the Valdren tongue, at a time just before they were destroyed in an extinction event. My algorithm could not completely restore functionality to let me read the device, but I managed to learn a few things.” The small alien seemed to be smirking.

  “A device was built by the Ancients composed of several parts. What the device was for is unknown as that part of the manual had become so corrupted it was not legible. The machine element that was named was also the part I was seeking - called the ‘Precursor’ in the ancient language. Are you following me?”

  Eris nodded her head and Eli sat down. Doctor Xinhao was busy with her lab equipment and was partially paying attention to the story told by the Arrasian scientist.

  “I was able to decipher cryptic parts of the manual, which led me to believe that the Precursor had been moved to the Ekaph system by the Valdren…naturally I travelled to the mining planet NSP362 and landed. This happened forty-one days ago…” He cleared his throat again and walked to get a cup of water. After taking a few sips he continued.

  “On NSP362, or Furnace as the locals termed it, I found a prevailing sickness amongst many of the miners and station crew.”

  “Wait, how did you get past the Alliance? They had the planet quarantined with vessels blockading the planet…” Eris stat
ed flatly. She watched Gelkar closely to see how he would react.

  “Ah, that was easy. Once I knew of the sickness, I told them I was a doctor and offered to help try to find a cause for the sickness and then produce a cure. Naturally, they accepted my help.”

  “You worked for the Alliance?” Eli was baffled.

  “No…I offered them my services as a doctor to understand what was going on and seek a cure, they never paid me remuneration for my services – there was no contract involved, thus I was not an employee.” Gelkar seemed agitated and his wings buzzed for a few seconds. “However, they insisted that I be escorted everywhere under their direct supervision. At first this was not a problem…”

  “But it became a problem?” Eris asked. She had casually crossed her arms.

  “Yes, unfortunately for the Alliance, there was a large contingent of Vortex mercenaries also on the planet - ostensibly working for them, apparently employed by someone high up in the hierarchy of the Alliance military structure – I never did learn the name. At any rate, there was constant tension between the two groups as they sought to find the Precursor…fights actually broke out several times. The sickness had begun to spread, and was infecting over two thirds of the population at each outpost. He shifted his body as if he was disturbed by what he was remembering. “I spent three weeks running diagnostics, tests, everything I could think of to find out what was happening. Nothing I tried worked, and I could find no evidence of any pathogen that was causing people to die, only massive internal injuries.”

  “However…about three days ago, the mutations began appearing. It was at that point that I knew something else had to be going on. The amount of change was drastic. Skin changes…structural changes…to the body as well as the mind – and it didn’t just affect humans it affected K’Tosk and Orvod as well. Of course, that was also when we found the Precursor…what you called the Initiator.”

  “I thought you were only trying to help with the sickness, the Alliance used you as well to help find it?” Eli seemed flabbergasted.