by Will Crudge
“So, where do you come from?” David asked Sasha. She knew what he was trying to ask.
“My kind were created as, what we call, a happy accident. Millennia ago, a human in our gene pool went rogue, and tried to apply our unique genetics to predatory animals as a precursor to enhancing regular humans. His goal was to create the ultimate warrior… one that can be replicated. He was inevitably stopped from completing his works of abomination, and my ancestors were liberated by, what would become, the War Master’s Guild. It didn’t take long before a mutually beneficial alliance between War Master and Zodiac would be forged. It takes years of training, of course, but we are nearly unstoppable when properly paired together.” Sasha waved her huge paw around as if she were speaking with human hands.
“Zodiac?” Kara and Kelley asked at the same time.
“Yes, Zodiac. We’re only referred to a War Master’s Mount when we’re paired… or at least trained to be paired. But we are collectively referred to as Zodiacs. The term Zodiac, is derived from the same root word that we get the word ‘zoo’, which is the polite term of where we were first found. My ancestors bore the term as a badge of honor, so it stuck.”
“I had no idea!” Kara said. “I know you… Zodiacs… have your own sector of Unum’s facility designated as your habitat, but I had no clue you were called that.”
Sasha nodded. “We Zodiacs are citizens of Unum. We marry, raise our young, and fight against any threats to peace. We started as natural predators, but now are warriors. Since we do share some human DNA, we’re legally considered humans. “
“That’s so cool!” Kelley nodded in excitement. “What’s your… lifespan?” She was almost reluctant to ask, but curiosity won the day.
“Indefinite. We live until we’re killed. But once we’re fully grown, we never die of natural causes.” Sasha winked, then took a long sip of her fruity cocktail.
Kara smiled and cut the link. Skull was her buddy, but she could only take so much of his banter. She then set her thoughts to Steve. The old perverted AI was a hero. She never knew he had it in him, but then she’d never been at war before either. He was back on the Foehammer since his node wasn’t needed to execute the Paladin Protocol. The battlecruiser’s AI’s were liberated. He’d done his job.
“Major Elders?” A voice came from behind. She turned to see a man in marine battle armor, and two stars on his status display.
“Yes, General?” Kara stood up and saluted her ally senior officer. She realized that Kelley and David had beaten her to the punch and were already rendering salutes. She almost didn’t notice the woman standing next to him. She was blonde, with short cropped hair, and wearing an Unum uniform.
“Captain Ives, here gave me the run-down of what occurred at Clarendon. I owe you, and the crew of the Foehammer my thanks.” The General said.
David sent a message to Kara directly to her interface and explained that General Todd was the marine force commander aboard the Hailstorm.
“You’re very welcome, sir.” Kara smiled and nodded.
“Ma’am, it’s an honor to meet you face to face. I was also sent to inform you or your promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.” Ives snapped a sharp salute at Kara.
Kara’s eyes went wide, and she almost stumbled before returning the gesture of respect. “But why wasn’t I informed before I left Unum?”
“Because, colonel… This rank is not an Unum commission,” said the General. “Apparently there’s a clause in Unum’s treaty with the UAHC that allows for ranks to be bestowed to worthy members of either nationality. The Unum government has respected the wishes of Fleet Marshal Darius, and I’ve granted the authority to Captain Ivey to inform you. However, it takes a senior ranking officer of either nation to perform the ceremony without a standard status display system.”
Kara smiled inwardly. Darius. The man she barely knew had managed to steal her heart and pull her closer to him at the same time.
The End… for now.
For those of you that are reading this as your first introduction to the Humanity Weapon Universe, then I invite you to read Sovereign Protocol, Book 1 in the Humanity War saga, and learn about the broader events that led to the start of this adventure. But for those of you that have already been with Kara from the beginning, then I invite you to read The Battle of Tangine, Book 2, and delve back into the action on multiple fronts! Follow on Facebook for news, release information, and upcoming projects. Feel free to also check out my non-fiction work, Universal Truth: Achieving Enlightenment in the Modern World, and explore the source inspiration for this saga’s mythos.
-Will Crudge
