The Phoenix Project

by Kris Powers

  “Excellent.” The abilities of Catherine’s council created a deeper vision than any one of them was capable of alone.

  “What do we see?” Catherine asked her comrades.

  “An empty cradle,” Elizabeth replied.

  “And a burning Coalition flag,” Napoleon finished.

  “Yes,” Catherine said. “Everyone return to the present.”

  All of the Twelve opened their eyes and the cloud of ethereal fog disappeared from wherever it had come from.

  “Your interpretation?” Catherine directed to Alexander.

  “We need a child because our nation is in distress.”

  “I agree. Perhaps you’re not an entirely wasted intellect.”

  “I agree as well,” Victoria said.

  “And I,” Napoleon said.

  “Good. Then it is done. Are we all speaking of Nadine?” Catherine asked. Ten of them nodded in agreement. “Well then. We need her.”

  “Yes,” many of them said in unison.

  “How will we get her to a room of seduction?”

  “First Contact,” Napoleon supplied.

  “What would you propose?”

  “She’s now a diplomat. We have our first contact with an alien species. She is the prime choice as an ambassador.”

  “How does that bring us closer?” Henry asked.

  “Nadine will be personally responsible for our welfare within their walls. Elliot Fredericks will only be a few doors down the hallway.”

  “What is to guarantee that Admiral Fredericks will remain there now that his initial mission in completed?” Alexander inquired.

  “That will be one of our many demands. The Alliance will believe that it is out of a desire to keep a more experienced diplomat out of the way. We will know better.”

  “I agree,” Victoria said.

  “I’ll add it to the contract immediately.”

  Nadine waited in an anteroom outside of the Council chambers.

  She regarded her surroundings while she waited to be called. Nadine looked to the wall—mounted dark iron fixtures lighting the room. She had admired them many times while sitting in this room. Nadine looked to them now as a way to pass the time. The Twelve had purposefully kept her waiting for twenty minutes. They had done that as a passive way to voice their displeasure with her. It ensured that transgressors knew their place.

  Nadine heard the tick of a door unlatching. A thin man dressed in the traditional black uniform of MERA opened the outer door to the chambers.

  “The Council will see you know.”

  “Thank—you,” Nadine said and got up from her chair, calming herself with a deep breath, she clasped the copper door knob and opened the heavy mahogany door into the twelve sided room.

  Unlike the large arched set of main doors to her right, this one was small and rectangular. Knowing her role of subservience in this meeting, she crossed the floor and stood in the center of the circle of high backed chairs as all submissive students do.

  “Some respect for our position. I see you remember your lessons now.”

  “Yes, Catherine. I admit I may have been hasty in my desire to contact you previously.”

  “Admit your mistakes or don’t. Never make your stand in gray areas. You are not a diplomat here,” Catherine said.

  “I crossed a line in contacting you by wireless rather then coming to the Council personally. I apologize.”

  “Better. This diplomatic post is softening you too much. I hope we didn’t make a mistake by posting you there.”

  “It will not happen again,” Nadine said.

  “Concise and direct; this is what I expect from my students. It is good to see you are still in there.”

  “I never left.”

  “Your skills will be needed in the future. You will be tried to a greater degree than before.”

  “I’m ready.”

  “Nadine, we are not going to demand our own Ferine representatives.”

  “I doubt they would be willing to issue another pair or split up the ones they have already sent.”

  “I didn’t think so either. What we will do is accept the situation and ask that an ambassador be sent to ensure we have a voice.”

  “Yes, Catherine,” she said before the realization of what they implied hit her. “Me?”

  “You would be a prime choice. You are head of diplomatic relations and First Contact is unique to you. The Ferine already know you and it means you will be in close contact with Admiral Fredericks.”

  “The Alliance wouldn’t dare to protest this,” Nadine said.

  “It is perfect, my child. The Alliance would not protest a move which appears to benefit them. Even if they did, their whole government would look foolish to sacrifice physical possession of the aliens. They would be open to greater demands.”

  “They can oppose a liaison,” Alexander said.

  “The Prime Ministers know we would then demand our own Ferine representatives. That is something they can’t monitor. Be my best student, Nadine. We will make our statement shortly. We require you to return to the AWS Endeavour as our ambassador.”

  “Yes, Catherine,” she replied. She proceeded to exit through the side doors.

  “Go through the main doors, Nadine. Your penance is finished.”

  Nadine obeyed and exited through the arched way. The Twelve faced each other again in commons.

  “Now, as to the loss of Outpost Fourteen,” Catherine said.

  “We lost forty—seven ships,” Napoleon said.

  “As we expected.”

  “We attempt to secure our future through such losses. I don’t like it,” Elizabeth commented.

  “Neither do I, but, we did see the number forty—seven surrounded in bright light. Our consensus seems to be accurate in hindsight,” Catherine said.

  The Twelve nodded in agreement of the situation and continued on to the next subject.

  Elliot returned to the Maria’s hospital room during regular visiting hours. She already looked better from the previous night. Her skin had a more lively color and dark locks of shoulder length hair had been properly cared for. If not for the great regenerative device across half of her face, she would have looked much like someone asleep in their own bedroom. Elliot took a seat by her bed as he had the night before. He united his hands around her right hand.

  Elliot waited.

  And waited.

  Elliot wiped his eyes and covered his friend’s hand again.

  He felt her hand clasp his.

  Elliot jerked his head up to look at Maria’s face. She let out a mild breath and moved her head. Her features twisted in confusion as she regained consciousness.

  “Maria?”

  In response to her name being called, she moved her legs slightly and then turned to the sound of the voice to her right. A single blue eye opened.

  “Elliot, you should be on the Endeavour.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “I think I was on my flagship. I’ve been meaning to tell you how incredible it is.”

  “Oh?”

  “It’s pretty sturdy. I knew it would do the job when I decided,” she paused once recent memories flashed across her mind’s eye. “Oh God.”

  “You’re okay now.”

  “The last thing I remember is getting in that blasted capsule.”

  “You got off the ship.”

  “Thank God!” she exclaimed in relief. “There was something else.”

  “Something else?”

  “Right before that big coffin closed.”

  “It can’t be important. You should get some rest,” Elliot said.

  “No, I remember seeing something.”

  “You can think about it later. I wanted to tell you that the Coalition backed off.”

  “Just before it closed, I saw something from the starboard side of the bridge. It was so bright.”

  “Maria.”

  “The monitors, I think. They went white. All of the stations exploded. I felt,”


  “Maria, just rest.”

  “I felt,” she fought for the memory.

  “Please rest.”

  “Burning! My face was burning! The whole right side of my face felt like it was on fire. I couldn’t see.”

  “It’s alright now.”

  “What happened? Why can’t I see out of my right eye?”

  “You were hurt.”

  “Hurt? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Maria’s hands flew up to her face. Her left hand met skin, but the right one met the obstruction of metal.

  “What is this?” she demanded in a panicked voice. Her left hand joined the right to feel the prosthetic. Trembling fingers explored the smooth surface of steel.

  “What happened to my face?”

  “Stop! Maria stop!”

  “Take it off!” she screamed. Maria began to dig her fingers into the edges of her mask. Elliot slapped the quick response button on her bed.

  “Nurse to Room One Twelve!”

  “Take this fucking thing off me!” she screamed at Elliot. The mask began to come loose now that her fingers had found purchase. Elliot grabbed for her hands. She tried to beat him away as she fought the terror of what had happened to her. Two nurses broke into the room. One teamed with Elliot to pin her arms to the bed while the other nurse slammed a shot into her arm. Within seconds, the fighting stopped and Maria slid into unconsciousness.

  Elliot disembarked from his shuttle having returned to the Endeavour. He left the outpost and Maria once the Admiralty issued him news orders.

  “How’s Maria?” Madison asked, once Elliot stepped onto the ship.

  “I wish I could say that she’s alright.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “Head trauma. No brain damage, luckily. She reacted badly when she woke up,” he said.

  “How badly?” Lathiel asked.

  “Bad enough. The nurses had to sedate her.”

  “She will recover?” Lathiel asked.

  “Yes I believe so, but not easily.”

  “Can we do anything to help?” Madison asked.

  “I don’t think so. I’ve received orders to return to Earth tomorrow. Can I assume our new Ferine friends will accompany us?”

  “Yes, we were wondering when you wanted to get underway,” Lathiel said.

  “Right away,” Elliot replied.

  “What about your Coalition friends?” Lathiel said.

  “Good question. We will plot a course and turn our ships towards Earth, if they have a problem with it, I’m sure we’ll hear from them,” Elliot replied.

  “We already have,” Joshua said.

  “What did they have to say?”

  Joshua eyed the Ferine. Elliot caught the need for a more private meeting.

  “Lathiel, will you be able to inform your ships of the time for departure?”

  “Definitely, I will see to it now,” he walked away with both hands clasped behind his long back. Once he was out of earshot, Joshua continued.

  “They’re sending an envoy.”

  “Who do they want to send?”

  “That bitch, General Hanover.”

  “So let her come aboard.”

  “I don’t like spies,” Joshua said.

  “Josh, calm down,” Madison said.

  “She’s a Coalition General! Are we just going to just let her walk around here?”

  “Of course not,” Elliot said.

  “I want some guarantees.”

  “You’ve got them. What do you need?” Elliot asked.

  “The bitch gets restricted access.”

  “Done, and stop calling her a bitch,” Elliot said.

  “No access to the bridge whatsoever and I want a guard on her at all times.”

  “Anything else?”

  “No, we’d better get going. She’s going to arrive soon.”

  “Have someone tell Joshua and Ranik to meet us at the airlock. I’m sure they’ll want to be there,” Elliot said.

  Madison nodded and relayed his orders. The two groups of people met up at an airlock two decks away from their previous position. Joshua thumbed a chirping device at his ear, replied a confirmation to an inaudible voice and turned it off. He motioned to a guard nearby who took up a protective position near the hatch.

  “She’ll be here in two minutes.”

  All five of them waited in silence for a shuttle to dock with their ship. Just as Elliot looked to his watch, the familiar muffled clang of a docking ship was heard. Seconds later, the airlock door parted and a blue eyed woman stepped into the corridor.

  “Lathiel, Ranik, it is good to see you again,” Nadine said, ignoring the rest of the party.

  “Likewise, General,” Lathiel said.

  “As I have said before, call me Nadine.”

  “Yes, I understand you will be spending more time with us.”

  “My government requested an envoy to be dispatched to improve our relations with you and your people. I hope that there isn’t any problem with this arrangement?” Nadine asked.

  “Not at all. I believe we’re getting underway for your home world soon.”

  “We are?” Nadine asked.

  “I was going to inform you as soon as I could and see if that would suit your needs,” Elliot said.

  “I believe it would be alright. Just allow me to consult with the commander of the battle group,” she said. Nadine turned to her side to speak into her earpiece.

  “My ships are ready to depart whenever yours are.”

  “Good, Joshua, tell the helmsman and the battle group to set a course for Earth at ten c. We’re leaving immediately,” Elliot ordered.

  “Aye, Sir,” Joshua said and spoke to his earpiece.

  “Lathiel, are your ships ready?” Nadine asked.

  “My ship will join us but my associates onboard the other two ships would prefer to remain in the immediate area,” Lathiel replied.

  “Can I leave my battle group with them for protection?” Nadine asked, seizing an opportunity.

  “Yes, that would be fine,” Lathiel said.

  “Would you mind if some of our ships stayed as well?” Elliot asked.

  “Admiral, surely an entire battle group is sufficient to protect the Ferine. Others are in the area if there is a need for more,” Nadine said, before Lathiel could reply.

  Elliot decided to let the matter rest, even though a battle was just lost. “You’re right, Ambassador. May I show you to your quarters?”

  “That would be nice of you,” Nadine responded. “Gentlemen,” she said to Lathiel and Ranik.

  Elliot left the group, with Nadine and the guard at a short distance behind them. He showed her to a lift, which began its descent several decks down into the ship and away from primary systems. The guard joined them in the lift, too close to be excluded from their conversation. Nadine chose to become more formal in her speech.

  “I take it that I will always have an escort?”

  “At the Captain’s request. But you can understand the need for security. I do support his order.”

  “What other orders are there for me to observe? I wouldn’t want to be shot,” she said, nodding towards the armed guard.

  “The guard of course.”

  “Of course.”

  “You will have limited access to the ship, and no bridge access,” Elliot said.

  “That is exactly what I would have done in his place. I may have attempted to be more subtle, though.”

  “Point taken,” Elliot said.

  The lift came to the end of its short journey and the three stepped off. Elliot indicated a right and they continued their walk. The guard now took his position at a further distance away.

  “I also hope you will keep in mind that I will block you from invading the minds of anyone on this ship,” Elliot said.

  “Fair enough.”

  “Here are your quarters,” he said, and indicated a door to his left.

  “Does the guard stay outside, or will he be watching me show
er?”

  “The guard stays outside out of respect for your privacy.”

  “Good,” she said and walked through the parting doors to her quarters. They heard the small beep of the lock being activated from the other side.

  Maria sat alone on a doctor’s examination bed clothed in a blue hospital gown. The damn things were always uncomfortable in their loose confines and embarrassing in their tailoring. She looked at the white walls of the small room and examined items on the counter with her eye in an attempt to ignore the growing bowling ball sitting in the pit of her stomach. One side of her face remained partially hidden by the mask protecting the damaged flesh of her face.

  The door opened and a grey haired specialist in the field of reconstructive surgery entered. He held a link in his hands, examining the details of her results. He looked up at her with a stony stare. The doctor looked back to the link, all the while avoiding her questioning gaze.

  “Admiral Peterson, we have the results of your tests.”

  “I thought so.”

  “We are able to do a fair amount of reconstruction,” he said.

  “How much of it can you restore?” she asked, looking up to his face.

  “We can grow the destroyed bone of your skull. We can also encourage growth of new muscle and skin.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “Yes,” he said and nodded, “but we do have less encouraging news.”

  “What is it?”

  “We can only partially grow the muscle at this point.”

  “Oh,” she said and fought back threatening wetness from her eye.

  “Most of the muscle is gone. It appears that what hit you was superheated. Much of that part of your face was vaporized when it did. We think it may have been a minute amount of plasma.”

  She remained mute at his comments.

  “At any rate, it will take multiple surgeries.”

  “I understand,” she said, looking down at her lap.

  “Realize Admiral Peterson, that there are alternatives and we will be diligent in returning you to your original appearance.”

  She listened to him with only half of her attention. Her gaze shifted to a spot on the opposite wall.

  “In the meantime, the protective prosthesis will be necessary at all times.”