by AM Scott
“I…suppose so. What is it?” What in the suns? The Scholar had nothing but the clothes on her back, and there wasn’t much left of those.
“It is a shielded box. She said it is the sample Sister Ferra retrieved. Would you give it to the appropriate Sister, please?” An access panel slid open, revealing a dull silver box the size of a loaf of bread.
“Certainly. Thank you, Fortuna Lucia.” He picked up the box. It was extremely heavy for its size. No wonder the Scholar was so exhausted, carting this thing around through kilometers of tunnels.
“You are welcome, Captain Ruhger.”
The hatch light turned green, and Ruhger exited, quickly securing all the hatches. Talking to the Scholar’s shuttle made his skin crawl. Was Fortuna Lucia a modified assistant, or an AI? He certainly couldn’t tell. He wasn’t sure Katryn could either.
He made his way back to Alpha shuttle, ignoring the giggling girls, relieved to find the shuttle blessedly empty. He collapsed on his own bed. Grant must have pulled it out before he left. Ruhger would have to remember to thank him. Pulling off his own boots and socks with a sigh of relief, he massaged his feet. He’d rather have the Scholar’s thin, strong fingers on him, but that wasn’t going to happen. Talking to the Scholar’s shuttle reminded him—forcibly—why he wouldn’t get involved with her. She had far too many secrets, dangerous ones. Ruhger couldn’t put the rest of his crew or Lightwave at risk for anyone. They took enough risk flying strangers around the universe. He had responsibilities and those came first. He’d do his own rad-blasted foot rubs.
Snorting derisively at himself, Ruhger got up and walked to the armor storage cabinet, placing the boots in the proper slots. He worked the rest of the armor fasteners. He needed a shower in the worst way. Pulling off the last piece and clicking it into the cabinet, he noticed the sample box, sitting where he’d dropped it on his desk. He stared at the box. All that trouble, pain and death for a tiny sample. A most likely worthless sample. Such a shame.
And such a shame he’d never get to know the Scholar better.
Ruhger sighed and strode into the sani-mod.
Epilogue
Saree smiled, watching the excited and apprehensive girls leave her shuttle, a few waving back at her. While she wouldn’t miss the constant noise or crowds, Saree would miss a couple of them. The ever-so-earnest Yusah, eager to learn proper research methods; the over-emotional but musically talented Mari; and even Nat. After working through the initial stages of grief over her Sister’s death, Nat buckled down, cleaning every bathroom on Lightwave meticulously and giving Saree a heartfelt apology for trying to take her shuttle. Nat also designed a cleaning schedule for every single spot on Lightwave, giving every girl an area or object to care for, but not too much for any one girl. Nat was a natural leader—she’d be a general or own a hugely successful business someday. Or run the Sisterhood.
Saree would miss the younger children the most. They adapted so easily and it took so little to make them happy. Even in the crowed corridors of Lightwave, the kids managed to find fun and happiness and share it with everyone around them.
Even so, it was a relief to see everyone go. Toward the end of the trip, tempers flared over tiny things and everyone was on edge. Even after hearing they’d be more than welcome on Secundus, the uncertainty of the road ahead made the adults nervous and fretful. The mood wasn’t improved by the continuing coldness between Lightwave and the Sisters’ leadership. Except Lashtar, who they considered family; she’d redeemed herself by helping with Saree’s rescue. The continuing rift between Lightwave and the Sisters’ Council reminded the rank and file Sisters about Ferra’s betrayal of their principles—and them. There was also tension between Lashtar and the other leaders. Many clearly felt Lashtar overstepped her authority all too often and they didn’t like her relationship with Lightwave’s crew. Especially the rumors of a relationship between her and Chief Bhoher. Anyone daring to confront either of them got nothing but cold stares.
Being immune to that particular tactic and incurably curious, Hal snooped and confirmed there was a relationship, but it appeared to be more of a physical comfort and release kind of relationship than a desperate romance. Was Hal interpreting what he saw correctly? Saree didn’t know and had no interest in intruding further.
Chief’s face was grimmer than usual this morning, but any number of things could cause that reaction. Sister Lashtar was her normal commanding general self, although she’d taken the time to personally say goodbye to Saree and apologize again. She’d also offered Saree sanctuary at any time, for any duration she wanted.
When Saree demurred, Sister Lashtar said, “The offer is open, Scholar. It’s always open to any woman of good heart, but you’ve earned it far more than most. And with your life?” Lashtar shrugged. “That day may come sooner than you think. It did for me. Thank you again and remember you are always welcome.” Then Sister Lashtar strode away, black staff in hand, without a backward glance.
The most surprising part of the whole ordeal was the bizarre reaction of the rest of the universe. The core yawned about a world takeover and evacuation, but monsters? Those were exciting.
Out of boredom, one of the Sisters drew a picture of the tunnel monster bones based on Saree’s description and sent the drawings off to a professor of biology at Proxima University. The return reply was unnecessary—core news teams picked up the story about ‘Giant tunnel monster worms of Cygnus-Gliese!’ The story generated so much excitement Galactica Corp agreed to fund an exploration team—with a professional reality-vid team along—to discover if there were still living tunnel monsters or any other artifacts left behind.
Galactica also broadcasted stern warnings: unauthorized explorations would be met with deadly force. The warning probably had a dual purpose—keeping other prospectors away from any mineral discoveries and everyone away from the remaining Inquisitors. Galactica would have to round them up. Would they cooperate? The Inquisitors weren’t used to being packed up and shipped off for a bunch of scientists. Maybe Galactica would credit the surviving members with the transuranic find, rather than the Sisters, who deserved it—credits would pull them out of the Badlands; threats might not.
No matter what, Saree knew once the tunnel monster mania died down, Galactica Corp would strip the Badlands down to the mantle for those transuranic metals. Too bad it wasn’t a transuranic useful to the Sa’sa.
Saree was equally sure she had absolutely no desire whatsoever to watch any of the tunnel monster hunter vid, especially if they found living tunnel monsters. Just the mere thought made her shudder.
Saree waved at the girls a final time and secured the cargo hatch. She walked back to the pilot’s chair. “Well, Hal, here we are, alone again.”
“But we aren’t alone, Saree. Lightwave’s crew and the Al-Kindis are still here. And Gentle Ursuine will rejoin us shortly.”
Gloom descended like a force shield as she readied the shuttle for takeoff. “Yes, but Lightwave wants to talk. And they want to talk about you. Once they find out you’re a true AI, we probably will be alone.” Saree snorted. “We’ll be lucky if they don’t strand us in an empty system somewhere or send us shooting into a sun.”
“I would not let that happen, Saree. If they attempted such a thing, they would quickly lose control of Lightwave.”
Alarm swept away gloom. “Hal, please don’t do that without talking to me first. You do realize, I hope, that is one of the reasons humans are so worried about AIs?” Saree fired the engines and they rose into the sky, leaving Cygnus-Secundus behind. Hopefully for good. All that jungle had far too many things that liked to eat humans. She had no desire to go beyond her shuttle hatch. Or join the Sisters.
“Yes, I do realize that. But I would do it to save your life.”
“Would you do it to save your life, Hal?”
Silence rang for long seconds. “Maybe. I am not certain of the answer in all situations, Saree.”
Relief tinged Saree’s continuing alarm. “That’
s a good answer, Hal. There are no absolutes. And there may be extenuating circumstances.” Saree set them on the pre-programmed course, and sat back, watching the greenish-blue ball of Secundus recede.
“Yes, I can postulate several situations where taking over Lightwave to save myself would not be appropriate. However, I cannot allow their actions or failures to kill you.”
“That’s comforting, Hal, but I don’t want to trade my life for theirs. I would rather die than cause a good person to die.”
“Understood, Saree, although I cannot promise I can overcome this portion of my programming, or fully understand when it is appropriate to do so. You will have to direct me and explain your reasoning carefully.”
Saree nodded. “Understood, Hal. Hopefully it won’t happen.” She couldn’t think of anything further to say, at least nothing useful. Hal didn’t need things repeated, and some decisions he had to make himself. Hopefully they’d agree, but most likely, there was conflict in their future. How depressing. Saree frowned. She already felt down. Time to think about something else. Looking around, she realized she had a useful but mindless task. Activity was better than sitting here, moping. “Hal, you fly; I’ll start removing all these harnesses. I don’t see us needing to seat multitudes again soon.”
“Certainly, Saree.”
She spent the rest of the flight back to Lightwave removing harness straps and replacing floor panels. Saree returned to the pilot’s seat when Hal announced they’d reached Lightwave.
“Welcome back, Scholar,” Chief said, his expression unusually cheerful. “We’ll have you back in your slot in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
“Copy that, Chief.” Saree chuckled. “Just out of curiosity, Chief, just how fast is that?”
Chief stared at her. He said, slowly, a puzzled look creasing his face, “You know, I have no idea, Scholar. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a lamb other than on vid.” He chuckled. “You pick up weird sayings and habits travelling the universe, Scholar.” He smiled at her.
Saree smiled back. “Don’t I know it, Chief.”
Chief looked away, then back at her. “Shuttle Fortuna Lucia, you’re locked on and secured. Welcome back to Lightwave. Chef Loreli requests your presence at an informal celebratory dinner in two hours.”
He’d returned to his normal placid look, but she got the distinct feeling Chief really was happy to see her. Saree smiled. “I’d be delighted, Chief. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Scholar. See you soon.”
Saree closed the connection, puzzled. The Chief so friendly—that was just weird. He’d always been professional but rather distant. He seemed distant from most people, even Lightwave’s crew, except Captain Ruhger, possibly. She’d assumed Chief was an extremely intelligent man with little time or care for social niceties.
But if Chief was warming up to her… maybe she could stay with Lightwave. Saree couldn’t help but hope. She’d found more than a convenient fold across the universe, more than mere friendship. Lightwave was more like… family. The family she’d never had. Warmth bloomed in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, everything would work out after all. She and Hal could stay on Lightwave, safe and secure while she did her silly research—and her real job. Hope and happiness settled, warm and comforting.
Saree walked to the sani-mod, joy in her heart and a happy little song on her lips.
Thanks for reading! Want to know what happens next? Watch for Lightwave: Shooting Star, Folding Space Series 3.0, coming November 1st 2018. Available for preorder now at all your favorite e-tailers!
Please consider leaving a review at Amazon, Goodreads, or another major retailer. I don’t buy a book without reading a few reviews, so it’s truly helpful. Thanks!
Acknowledgments
Thanks are due, once again, to many people.
First, to my readers—thank you! You make it possible for me to continue writing.
Second, to my reviewers—double thank you! You not only make it possible for me to keep writing, but for other readers to find my books.
Third, my sister, author Julia Huni. Julia is an outstanding developmental
editor and this book, in particular, wouldn’t be anywhere near as good without her. Find her book, Murder is Messy, a fun cozy mystery on a space station, on Amazon.
Fourth, to my editor, Nick Bowman and my cover artists, Deranged Doctor Designs. You guys rock!
Fifth, to my husband, the Amazing Sleeping Man. Thanks for putting up with my muttering about plots, blathering on about business, and taking an interest in marketing. I’m sure you’ll be much better at marketing than I am.
Sixth, to my writing partners, Lou Cadle and Eric T. Knight. Thanks for keeping me on track!
Seventh, to the fine people at 20Booksto50K. Absolutely invaluable advice!
Eighth, but not last, to God for giving me a new purpose in life. A fun one!
All errors are mine alone.
A percentage of the profits from this novel will be donated to Team Rubicon: Disasters are our Business, Veterans are our Passion. See teamrubiconusa.org to join or donate!
About the Author
After twenty years in US Air Force space operations, AM now operates a laptop, trading in real satellites for fictional space ships. AM is a volunteer leader with Team Rubicon: Disasters are our Business, Veterans our Passion, and lives deep in the mountains of Montana.
If not out adventuring, find AM in all the usual places:
Website: https://www.amscottwrites.com/
(sign up for my newsletter and get a free novella about Tyron & Katryn)
Twitter: @AM_Scottwrites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMScottWrites/
Email: [email protected]
Want to know how Tyron and Katryn Phazeer met? Sign up for my newsletter, Scott Space, and I’ll send you an exclusive, free novella, Lightwave: Nexus Station, coming in fall 2018. I promise I won’t sell your email address or spam you. https://www.amscottwrites.com/
I love to hear from readers—the good, the bad and the ugly. If you find errors, please let me know at the email address above. I’m on all the normal social media, but somewhat irregularly, so if you ask a question or make a comment, please don’t be offended if I don’t immediately reply. I’m particularly difficult to contact when I’m on Team Rubicon operations or out backpacking—cellphone towers don’t exist in disaster zones or the wilderness!
Please consider leaving a review. I don’t buy a book these days without reading a few reviews, so it’s truly helpful.
Lightwave: The Sisters of Cygnus Copyright © 2018 by AM Scott. All Rights Reserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. Pirates may be dropped into the giant black hole of Andromeda without further warning.
Cover designed by Deranged Doctor Design
Copy editing and proofreading by Nick Bowman
Developmental Editing by Julia Huni
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
AM Scott
Visit my website at www.amscottwrites.com
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing: Aug 2018
Smashwords edition
Lightwave Publishing LLC
ASIN: B07DY4G2RB
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