Ilox Saga 1: Eris Monroe: More Than Human

by Bruce Adams

  “Of course! They knew my reputation as a researcher of the Valdren. They had no one of any intelligence or skills working on their team…all of them were military soldiers – no one of any expertise.” Gelkar turned his head slightly. “Except for one Orvod I met ten days ago. He seemed to have a grasp of the situation – he knew what was going on, his name was Chol Cuxa…”

  “He’s the leader of the Vortex Mercenaries - when did you last see him?!” Eris interrupted Gelkar who turned to face her.

  “A week ago was the last time I saw him. He showed up because he had brought new information that we began looking where the Valdren device was finally found. “I think he was there to crack some skulls and get results from his men…”

  “When was the device found?” Eris asked. She had an intense look on her face.

  “Two days ago - I am certain he was not there when it became fully active.” He smiled a shallow grin, his lips barely pulled away; his teeth were flat as all Arrasian’s were herbivores who ate only plants.

  “What happened then?”

  “Destruction, death, chaos…” said the Arrasian with a frown. “I was trying to stay alive…the Vortex mercenaries that were part of the crew began to physically change and fight the Alliance soldiers – brutal hand to hand combat…they eviscerated each other.” Gelkar shuddered as he recounted the story. “If not for my portable shield generator I would have died. I still wish I had been able to bring it with me…” He sighed in a very human manner and was silent.

  “So it’s highly probable that the Valdren device made the transformations happen!” exclaimed Eli excitedly. Lia Xinhao was conferring with her lab computer and interrupted.

  “Captain, the analysis is finished. I tested the arm that Commander Malik returned to the Sparta with. Chromosomal base pairs show an extra five strands of DNA that are unknown. It appears that this is unlike any disease ever known. I don’t think the widespread sickness was the result of a pathogen at all – it was something else.” Gelkar brought up the lab conclusions on his datapad and began parsing them.

  “I’ve seen these before. Look…here…and here…these base pairs are identical to Valdren DNA.” The Arrasian scientist shook his head in disbelief.

  “Wait, you’re saying that human DNA has Valdren DNA added to it? And this is throughout his whole body?” Eris was taken aback…she didn’t know what to say to that. “Run more tests and double-check your results.”

  “Of course, Captain,” said Lia in a soft tone. She began hurriedly communicating with her lab computer, ordering it to begin the analysis again. Gelkar helped her and began offering his insights into Valdren technology.

  “I don’t understand…how could this even be possible?” Eris wanted answers. Gelkar turned his head upwards to look at the tall human captain.

  “Eris Monroe - the Valdren were far above our technological level. They didn’t even use ships to traverse the galaxy…they used psionic ability to do so. It is not only probable but highly likely that they were capable of such genetic manipulations. Of course, that doesn’t answer the question of why they would want to do such things to other life forms.” Gelkar looked thoughtful. Eli shook his head.

  “That doesn’t explain the headaches…or all the deaths that occurred. If the Valdren device caused the mutations after it was turned on, what was causing all of the headaches?” He put his chin in his hand and seemed lost in thought.

  “Speculation of course, but it is possible that the Valdren device became aware that it was being searched for and put itself in a minimal operational status…and began broadcasting its signal…which began to subtly alter and prepare sentient genetic structures for further instructions to be coded and altered. When the device became fully operational, the physical changes came on rapidly and severely.” Gelkar eyes widened…he looked as if he had discovered a sudden truth about the ancient race. He continued after pausing for a moment.

  “There is a theory that the Valdren had contact with all of the non-space-faring sentients throughout the galaxy…perhaps it is true after all.”

  "So what you're saying is that the Initiator caused all of the mutations," said Eli.

  "Correct."

  "Lia, continue studying the samples we brought back from Furnace - keep me apprised of any new information you discover." Eris proceeded to exit the lab and headed to the brig. She was lost in thought as several crew members passed her by. Stationed outside of the brig were two of XO Malik’s marines. They saluted her as she approached.

  “Tariv?” Eris didn’t have to say more than a word. Isabella Dulac and Trygve Fasjovik had pulled guard duty for the mutinous Sev Tariv locked behind them in the only cell that the Sparta contained.

  “Ma’am, he’s been quiet, but Trafelle has been in there ever since we docked,” said Sergeant Dulac with an air of suspicion. “Whatever type of interrogation she’s doing, it’s not like anything I’ve ever heard of.”

  “Trafelle…has unusual talents…when it comes to interrogation. I am sure she’s been getting useful Intel.” Eris waved for Trygve to let her in. The big Norwegian complied without a word, manually entering the code to open the heavy durasteel door that also had a see-through plasteel window set in it. The door silently opened. As Eris entered, she saw Sev sitting down on a chair, with both hands handcuffed to a metal table in front of him. T’sell T’savri sat opposite Sev Tariv, wearing the face of Trafelle Talani. Sev had a pained expression on his face and T’sell seemed serene and at peace…her eyes were closed.

  “Captain, I have some answers for you,” said T’sell without a hint of satisfaction or smile as she opened her eyes. Eris ignored T’sell for a moment and turned her gaze at her former engineer.

  “Why?” Eris needed to know. The K’Tosk only glared at her sullenly and said nothing. “You were a vital part of the crew…and you betrayed us…you betrayed me.”

  T’sell telepathically projected the words inside of the Captain’s mind. “I’ve managed to isolate what triggered his condition.” Eris thought back at the woman – the more she concentrated, the easier it became to converse in the realm of the purely mental.

  “What did you find out,” Eris replied in her head.

  “Remember when I said that he had a neural firewall in place?” The sound of T’sell T’savri’s voice was soothing in her mind…like the wind blowing through the branches of a hundred trees.

  “Yes, I remember. You said you would monitor him…” Eris wished that T’sell had been able to warn her before Sev’s murderous intentions had become crystalline to her and the crew.

  “I’m sorry…but the Valdren device gave me such pain that my abilities were rendered useless. However, I have probed his mind deeply. I have your answers. Let us adjourn to your cabin…” T’sell said nothing verbal as she stood and faced the only door out of the brig. Sev Tariv grimaced and moved his hands inside the tight manacles.

  “Are you going to take these off of me? They hurt.” Sev was as emotionless as ever. T’sell looked at the Captain who imperceptibly shook her head. T’sell allowed herself a small smile that no one saw and turned her back on him as the door swung open.

  “No,” said T’sell as she left the cell with Eris just behind her. Eris turned to the two marines as they shut and secured the brig door.

  “I want him watched at all times and I want two guards posted here continuously…understood?” Eris said. Her face was stern. Eris knew there were three hidden cameras covering every centimeter of the cell, but she was taking extreme precautions.

  Isabella Dulac saluted smartly. “Aye, aye, Captain…” Isabella watched as Eris and Trafelle disappeared down the dimly lit corridor then put her hand on Trygve’s shoulder.

  “You think they’re going to kill him?” She hadn’t served with Tariv long, just this current mission, but she had heard about him working for Dynamic Space Development during the last year. He had been the main engineer working on Sparta when the Orvod Hasephrey Saephan had quit DSD. Trygve Fasjovi
k was easily over one hundred and ninety centimeters and towered over Isabella. He looked at her with a blank expression on his face.

  “I don’t know, but let me tell you this,” Trygve said in a gravelly baritone. He looked down at his smaller but equally lethal companion with bright blue eyes that shone clearly behind his faceplate. “If you attempt to kill Captain Monroe, and don’t succeed…there’s a special hell reserved just for you…” Trygve leaned against the bulkhead of the prison wall to the left of the cell door. Both of the marines were wearing their full combat gear and had their gauss automatic assault rifles attached to their backs with mimetic seals.

  When Eris reached her quarters, she saw Sif come bounding out of the small cabin.

  “Down, Sif…down - go to bed, no, go to bed…that’s a good girl,” Eris wanted to do spend time with her dog, but she still had important things to do - very important things. Sif reluctantly moved over to the small bed that was hers and curled down into it. Sif was intelligent and knew what Eris needed and was quiet. As the door closed, Eris began taking off her combat armor piece by piece, starting with the breastplate. She felt dirty inside of it and sorely needed a shower. A satisfying snick followed by a click emanated from the durasteel plate as she unfastened the seals. The armor she just put on the floor – she would stow it away properly once she had finished with T’sell. She felt no inhibition at paring down to her underwear in front of an alien female.

  “As I was saying…the apparent neural firewall that Tariv had in place…” said T’savri in an even tone.

  “What did you find out?” Eris arched an eyebrow as she took off her armored gloves, followed by the arm greaves. She let the body armor fall to the deck with a metallic clatter. She would stow them properly later…for now she was tired and wanted some sleep. First, however, she had to learn what the Zari woman had discovered with her telepathic probing.

  “His memories indicate he was detained briefly by what he thought were Alliance agents roughly two months ago. They had him for only a short amount of time, but it was sufficient to install an undetectable neural firewall. Of course, it was not a normal type of neural implant…” T’sell appeared frayed and worn as she continued, “Nothing would show on medical scans because the Alliance agents didn’t put anything biomechanical inside of his head – they put a new type of security implant in him... purely biological – altering his ego and amplifying his greed instincts.”

  “He tried to kill me so he could make himself wealthy?” Eris didn’t want to believe that. Greed was a powerful motive.

  “Yes, he thought that the time was perfect to get rid of you and the rest of Alpha team. He thought that since I was incapacitated and Eli had shown signs of weakness, it was time to make his move.

  “What about Gelkar Ruz’zel? How did he figure in his plans?”

  “Sev figured the Arrasian scientist would be collateral damage.” T’sell looked wearily into her Captain’s eyes. “With you out of his way he could then grab the Valdren device – kill everyone else, and if challenged…claim that the transformed miners had killed all of Alpha team.” T’sell had a hint of admiration in her voice. “He calculated he would make billions…after he sold it to the Alliance, or highest bidder on the black market.”

  “Do you think the implant the Alliance installed was the direct cause of his actions – like some kind of mind control?" Eris asked as she watched T’sell with an intense expression.

  "No...I believe it was anger at seeing Hasephrey Saephan put in charge over him – that event triggered his behavior. His lust for money and power merely fueled that driving anger until he acted." T'sell kept her face neutral, betraying no emotion.

  “Alright, thank you for your report T’sell. I’m tempted to space the bastard out the airlock…but Dominic Gray will want to have him interrogated further. We’ll hand him over to security once we arrive at another DSD facility.” She looked longingly at her bed and Sif lying on the floor near it. “For now I’ve got to get some sleep.”

  “You should eliminate him. If he ever escapes he will try to kill you again. He has as much anger against you as he does against Hasephrey.”

  Eris said nothing as she lay down on her bed – her pet leaped up to sleep with her…curling into a round warm fur-ball beside her.

  T’sell took that as her cue to leave the Captain’s cabin. Her features flowed and she appeared once again as the human female Talani. The rest of the crew had not been told of her true identity…Monroe would inform them later on she was sure. T’sell had seen things in Sev Tariv’s mind that she wanted to forget. She would head over to the mess bay and see if any food had been cooked.

  CHAPTER 26

  Chol Cuxa did not like the reports he was getting and was irritated. Glaring at the Orvod standing in front of him, Cuxa grabbed the edge of the desk he normally sat behind and flung it at the closest wall. The desk, containing half a dozen computer holo-displays, datapad’s and a host of other portable electronics he used for his day to day business was smashed to pieces – with all of the equipment landing in a heap, cracked and broken.

  “Unacceptable!” Cuxa roared at the mercenary wearing black durasteel combat armor. The Vortex insignia of two planets in eclipse, black on amber was visible on the upper right breastplate.

  “We did our best, but the plague caused major problems. When the soldiers began to change and fight each other - all became lost.” The mercenary shuffled his feet and looked at the floor. It was obvious he did not want to be standing before his boss.

  Cuxa knew that. He had read the reports and seen the frantic messages sent back and forth from the planet Furnace. The operation had lasted over six weeks, and nothing but expenses had come from it. Nothing useful had been gained.

  “Excuses…nothing more…nothing less - we are Vortex and I expect victory not defeat. This…this was a defeat. What I expected and what I received was not the same thing. He glared once more at his subordinate. “Get out of my office!” Chol began to think fiercely how he would salvage something profitable from this mess. After an hour he punched up the code that would give him a link to the Sahin woman. He had not spoken to her in some time. Her small human form appeared in his mind’s eye. His implants had recently been upgraded and the connection was fast and clear.

  “Cuxa…what is it? I am very busy.” The female human was demanding and imperious as always. He saw only her features and nothing of her surroundings.

  “NSP362…that fiasco of a mission won’t ever happen to Vortex – or to me again. You have made me lose face with my men…and my organization,” Cuxa tried to maintain a calmness about his words, but he could feel the anger building inside him.

  “So? I paid you a lot of money to do a job. You failed to do it,” the female was cold in her mannerisms…and calculating in her speech. If she had been trying to push his buttons she was succeeding extremely well. Cuxa was furious.

  “You lied to me!” Chol said with acid bile on his tongue. He wanted to snap her frail human neck with his oversized hands. It would be nothing to him.

  “I didn’t lie; I gave you all the information that was required to finish the job. Your men failed because they did not find the Valdren device in time.” She flung her words bluntly…as if punching him in the gut.

  “Your own Alliance ships in orbit began to destroy the outposts. Most of my men that had not become sick were killed - slain by your orders!” He screamed out the words in his office, not just in his head. His mind’s eye showed the image of the human woman Tess Sahin. He wanted to crush her.

  “That is not true. The Alliance was containing the threat in the only manner left to them. By that time, it was too late. Your men paid the price of their own stupidity and incompetence.” She looked thoughtful. “In fact, you have been exceedingly clumsy in the choices and arrangements you have made. Bowman was the beginning of your failures…and Furnace was the last.” Tess Sahin appeared smug.

  “You are dead…” Cuxa threatened her in a low voic
e but she didn’t seem to even notice.

  “Don’t attempt to contact me again. You will receive nothing but static.” Sahin cut the connection before Chol could answer her.

  The men he could replace. The equipment was a major cash investment…but overall, the reputation hit on his organization was what galled him the most. He still had an uneasy truce ongoing with the Horizon mercenary group and other…lesser…groups. Once word got out that Vortex had suffered so many losses, the other mercenary groups in the Verge would be gunning for Vortex – and him. He had made many enemies in the last thirty years. What had transpired on Furnace could be described as nothing short of unmitigated disaster. When the Sahin woman had contacted him months ago to forge the unlikely alliance, it had been good business and hugely profitable. Now the relationship had become a nightmare. With a quick mental flick of his mind he activated his comm implant and the link was instantaneous. An alien face covered in white fur appeared in his vision.

  “Did you intercept the source of the signal?” He demanded of the Evene technician he had hired months before. The alien was a genius at intercepting and deciphering modern communications.

  “We got it boss!” The Evene was clearly excited. “The signal originated from a system deep in the outer quadrant. “I have the exact coordinates here for you.” As the Evene began to spout technical jargon, Chol cut him short.

  “Send me the information now,” Chol commanded. The Evene nodded, and he received mental confirmation that coordinates had been downloaded into his cortex. He could access the knowledge at any time and send a kill squad to find her.

  Sahin would send assassin’s after him…of that he had no doubt. She was ruthless and cunning – he admired her for that, but she still had to die. Many plotters had tried in the past to eliminate Chol and he had survived them all – emerging stronger and wiser after each attempt. He would kill her before she could kill him. Chol smiled…his four rows of teeth gleamed. After paying a fortune to gain an ability to penetrate the supposedly un-penetrable quantum communication systems, his expensive gamble had paid off.