ARTIS PRIME

by Tobias Roote

  Jennings seemed to think about that. No doubt digesting the news that there was still an ongoing investigation, thought RIGA, who was practically reading his mind from his body language. “Yes, I... Of course, Ambassador.” He suddenly realised that an opening was being provided for him to retrieve the situation.

  RIGA had her own reasons for taking this tack. She needed to put Talbeck out of the picture while at the same time, place Jennings on the defensive. “Yet, I wonder at your initial behaviour towards me when I came to you for help on the same mission. Coupled with this, I’m at a loss to understand your arrival and departure at the site of the exploding communication asteroid, where the other ships present were evidently not Terran Navy.”

  Jennings now peered out the window, seemingly watching the dance of flitters in the distance, as they pirouetted around Epsilon Gamma’s capital. In reality, she could see his mind grinding out a plausible explanation.

  “Ambassador, I was misinformed - deliberately, it would appear. I understood you to be an emissary true, but had been given information that you were secretly representing the conspirators by Lieutenant Wright. He also called our attention to the explosion and advised us that it was possible that you were behind it. We left because your drive signature wasn’t present, and Lieutenant Wright presented credentials for the other ships. They were supposedly, a secret task force set up to hunt down the smugglers, and deal with them. Our presence was putting their operation in jeopardy, so we left.”

  “Yet, you were the Captain of the Tesperadus, why was it, you were unaware of this secret task force?” RIGA queried.

  Jennings turned to RIGA with a rueful smile. “It would seem that certain recordings were handed to my superiors by the political division - recordings that showed me in a poor light in a confrontation with your fleet. As punishment, I was put under Wright’s orders for the balance of the operation, and trust me, Ambassador that was not a comfortable situation for a fleet captain to be in.”

  RIGA considered his response. It did make sense, her recordings would have severely compromised the Captain’s position in a situation where two sides were competing for supremacy. Also, his contradictory behaviour could easily be accounted for, if the political officer were providing misinformation, as background to her mission. “I am inclined to accept your explanation Captain. It would appear you have found your traitor.”

  “Indeed, that may be so, Ambassador Rigel. However, knowing it and proving the fact, especially against one with whom I would be seen to have a grievance against, is highly implausible. They will need irrefutable proof, and it would need to come from someone, other than me to carry any weight with Naval Command and the Space Council.”

  He turned back to the window. “However, my main mission is to discover the whereabouts of Osachi and instigate his rescue, if that is still possible.”

  Talbeck went to speak, but Jennings turned to him and placed a hand on his arm. When Talbeck looked at Jennings there was an implicit message in the man’s face that told him to remain quiet.

  RIGA had noticed the subtle shift in power between them, knowing precisely why they were taking a different tack. Jennings had accepted the new role that RIGA had laid out for him, thinking it would get them the information without a battle. However, this also took the pressure off Bollida and the ESSG, whilst preparing the ground for RIGA to spring a trap.

  “Then, I will see what we can do about that, Captain. I too would very much like to rescue Osachi,” RIGA responded, looking carefully at Bollida, knowing full well they both had to talk, and now.

  Bollida, as if reading her mind, which in a sense he was through their mental messages, stood as if to draw the meeting to a close. “In the meantime, I am sure councillor Talbeck has arranged accommodations for you, and perhaps now would be a good time for him to show you to them?”

  23. Enemy Fleet

  RIGA and Bollida sat quietly, their conversation running hyper-fast, a private encrypted channel that, in this room was the most secure means available to the Empirum. They sat in the same room because it also afforded them the additional security of Bollida’s shielding.

  ‘Talbeck is a continuing problem, he seems bent on destroying the Empirum from the inside. Does he represent a threat that we need to deal with?

  ‘No, we cannot do that without good reason. Just because he’s opposed to the ESSG and military force doesn’t make him a threat, although to be honest some of these humans seem to lack any ability for logical analysis, which might make them a threat one day,’ Bollida laughed.

  RIGA considered telling Bollida of the grief Talbeck had given her while she was working on a previous mission. She had managed to deal with him and protect her boss, who was Talbeck’s real target all along. Could they gain anything by her bringing it up? Probably not. She would find a way of dealing with him in her own time. She was careful not to let Bollida read any of her thoughts - he would not approve at all. Still, it wouldn’t do any harm to keep his suspicions aroused.

  ‘I’m highly suspicious of the way Jennings and Talbeck came together. Am I the only one that finds their alliance suspicious? How did Jennings manage to meet up with Talbeck, the only Councillor assured to attack us without us even getting a whisper they were in the Epsilon system? And we still don’t know where they are, or how many ships they have brought with them.’ in fact RIGA was disgusted with their own military alertness. She suspected there was more to that to be uncovered. She made a note.

  Bollida responded. ‘We need to be able to trust the Terrans. If we can't, then we will have to go it alone. We could end up with a war on two borders which could decimate us, leaving us completely vulnerable.’

  ‘Yes, I know. The problems come with the agents of Tochin, one of whom we have to assume is this ‘Lieutenant Wright’. We are quite possibly compromised at many levels. We cannot move forward unless we are fully capable of secrecy. Any mission we carry out to rescue Osachi, or discover his whereabouts will be difficult with so many officers and crews. The enemy have communication facilities and battleships all across our systems.’ RIGA’s eyes were closed as she accessed her memories for clues on how to proceed, while continuing to communicate with her superior.

  He responded, equally introspective, chasing down his other duties while talking to her. Multi-tasking was his own little specialty.

  ‘Well, we have tracked down a few of the enemy network addresses you uncovered. One is here on Epsilon Gamma, another is on Zeta Nine. All indications so far are that the one here is a young cell, not yet fully operational. Several reports had been received of unauthorised attempts to access the fleet’s secure communications. We were able to use the combined intelligence from those, to narrow down the source. Two AI’s and two humans are being taken into custody as we speak.’

  ‘Why would AI’s work with these people. The whole Tochin society is anti-AI. They would be terminated if the Tochin win here.’

  ‘They do it for the same reason revolutionaries always do it, a deluded desire to instigate sociological change, but on their own terms,’ he answered, knowing she was well able to analyse this aspect of sentient nature, as he.

  ‘Do we know how they were approached, enlisted, or inserted? Are the arrested humans Tochin? We need to find their contact; they must have a transmitter. Perhaps there is a ship hidden in-system?’ RIGA continued to fire questions at her boss who swatted them onto his mental desktop and allowed them to sit there, while his mind explored his vast communications network, trying to find answers that would provide her with the necessary momentum for her mission.

  Bollida went quiet for a few seconds while he received input from one of his sources.

  ‘It appears we have a lead. The Vasta has discovered a cloaked ship in the Epsilon system. It is passively monitoring for activity. When we monitored the cell prior to capturing them, we noted it maintained communications with an external source. This has since been confirmed by your friend, Xandarl, as the probable recipient of the trans
mission.’

  ‘They will run if they realise they have been discovered,’ RIGA responded. ‘I need to get there before they become aware they are compromised.’

  ‘Agreed. If you can, use this opportunity to track down their fleet. Take Jennings with you, he will be useful if you end up back in Terran space. Even if you don’t, it will be politically advantageous to have them as allies in this.’

  RIGA knew better than to argue. Her boss rarely ordered her to do anything, he knew her mind worked like his. She could see the larger picture even when bogged down in the intrigue. She would have to tell Jennings the truth, but on her ship where Gossie could monitor his reactions and they could control his communications. It would give them an opportunity to uncover his real allegiance, which still remained in doubt.

  ‘I’m on it. Tell Xandarl well done, from me and to monitor all communications from and to the ship - patch everything through to Gossie,’ RIGA asked. This was what made Bollida and her such a good team. As much as she disagreed, or had reservations, if Bollida told her to do something, she would commit to it completely, whilst still making sure she covered for her boss.

  RIGA opened a channel through Bollida’s shielding and called her ship.

  ‘Gossie, we need to move now. Can you locate me and jump me aboard. Also, find Captain Jennings, he’s around somewhere close by, and request his presence, if confirmed, then jump him too, but don’t tell him anything.’

  Opening her eyes and standing ready to be teleported out of his office, RIGA looked down at her boss.

  ‘I’m going to intercept the ship and either try to board it using the technology installed on Gossie, or I’m going to follow it and try to uncover the rest of the fleet, or track Osachi and rescue him,’ RIGA advised. ‘ Please arrange for Captain Xandarl and his fleet to shadow us. I will use an encrypted frequency to update him.’

  ‘Good. That technology needs to be made available to our fleet; make that your ultimate goal with the Terrans. I will keep the Security Committee quiet here until we hear from you, and don’t worry about Talbeck - he has no teeth to bite us with.’ He nodded, dismissing her.

  RIGA was aboard her ship as soon as Bollida had finished. She knew he would be astounded at the sudden vacuum of space where she had previously stood. She grinned mischievously. Making him jump would have been worth recording.

  As she strapped herself into the cockpit in preparation for a fast pursuit, RIGA felt the pressure change as Gossie brought Captain Jennings aboard.

  “Sit yourself down Captain, we’re about to pursue the enemy, and I don’t want to have to pick up the pieces if our manoeuvring throws you against the bulkhead,” RIGA smiled.

  She looked out the corner of her eye, as the Captain slipped into the seat next to hers, and strapped himself in.

  “I need to update my ship on my location and destination,” Jennings said.

  “Negative, Captain. We’re on a secret mission and your officers and crew are not cleared by the Empirum military,” she said curtly. Then, as if to soften the impact of her harsh words, remembering Bollida's instruction to keep them onside, “...they need to stay where they are until it is deemed in order for them to either return to Terran space, or be checked for hostiles by our security.”

  “Hah! That’s never going to happen, your people crawling over the Tesperadus?” Jennings scoffed.

  “Gossie, patch me through to the Tesperadus AI please,” RIGA requested.

  “Hello RIGA, how are you?” asked Paris

  “Paris I’m fine. I need you to do something for me,” RIGA asked.

  “Go ahead, RIGA.”

  “Contact the GEN Vasta, speak only to Captain Xandarl and attach your fleet to his command.”

  “I can only do that with Captain Jenning’s authority, RIGA, you know that,” Paris responded.

  “Yes, anticipated. Hold while I confer with Captain Jennings.”

  “Well? Do you want to be part of this, or do you want to go back to your ship and return to Terra?” RIGA asked the Captain, who plainly felt out of his depth by the turn of events. He took a long hard look at RIGA, then nodded.

  “Paris, this is Captain Jennings, voice match and authorisation ALPHA, FOUR, TWENTY, ZULU, CAPSTAN. Proceed to contact Captain Xandarl of the GEN Vasta and link the Tesperadus fleet to his. However, on no account allow boarding of Terran ships by any Empirum representatives. Advise officers of the fleet that we are on neutral military exercises with the Empirum Navy and to accept overall command from Captain Xandarl. No engagement with any enemy ships is to be undertaken without authorisation from me, or the officer commanding the bridge. Captain Jennings out.”

  “Affirmative Captain. It will be as you ordered. Tesperadus out.”

  RIGA smiled. She knew Captain Xandarl would keep the Terran fleet occupied until they were needed. It was unlikely the Terrans would get an opportunity to fire on any other ship, while in Empirum space.

  “Gossie, cloak and shield, proceed to designated coordinates,” RIGA commanded.

  She turned to face Jennings. “Captain, you should know what is happening, because your fleet may well be called to Action Stations in your absence.”

  “They will not fire unless fired upon. The Terran fleet will remain neutral in a fire fight and withdraw. That is the order I gave,” Jennings responded.

  “Yes, I’m aware of that, Captain, which is why I need to tell you something that you do not know, and mustn’t be shared until we have established full security procedures with the Terran Authorities,” RIGA explained.

  “Go on. I’m somewhat a captive audience at the moment,” he said gruffly.

  “Captain, are you aware that the Terran Empire and the Empirum have been infiltrated by an enemy calling themselves the ‘Tochin’ who are even now, preparing to invade both of our empires, after first sabotaging our defence and weapon systems?”

  “I’m going to have to take your word on that seeing as I am unable to verify anything. Are you sure, and what evidence do you have?”

  ‘Are you monitoring his responses, Gossie?’ RIGA sent through her mental message channel.

  ‘Affirmative,’ was the response.

  “Fair question Captain. I have uncovered a pipeline of sabotaged missiles and defence technology that would have failed on a command given by a Tochin invasion fleet, leaving us completely at their mercy. We are currently replacing this equipment with clean hardware.”

  Jennings said nothing, his face though showed considerably more. RIGA wasn’t getting a good feeling about this, but continued, she needed irrefutable proof.

  “We also believe that the same has been occurring within the Terran system.”

  “Who are the ‘Tochin’?” Jennings asked.

  “They are an Imperial Empire much the size of ours. They are genetically matched to both Terran humans as well as Empirum humans...“

  He interrupted her. “Wait, what does that mean, ‘genetically matched’?”

  “It means they are ‘human’, Captain Jennings. Their DNA matches Terran and Empirum DNA. You.. We... are all one race,” RIGA remembered just in time to include herself. “They are hiding on our worlds in plain sight, and I believe your Lieutenant Wright is actually a Tochin infiltrator.”

  Jennings put his hand up to make her pause while he absorbed the information she was giving him.

  She continued when he nodded his understanding.

  “They don’t have a vast fleet, or superior technology. So they cannot afford a protracted battle, and they do not want their home worlds attacked, so are working to disable any long distance threat. From what we understand so far, they are extremely political and so long as they are winning without major cost to themselves, they will happily pursue their objective of subjugation of our nation states.”

  Jennings had taken it all on board. “So, you're saying that the fleets and governments of both of our home worlds have these ‘Tochin infiltrators’ who are undermining our mutual security, and the only way to st
op them is to give them a bloody nose that will frighten off their political support back home?” RIGA wondered if he was aware his reactions were being monitored closely.

  Jennings continued, asking his own questions. “That I can understand, but how are you going to deal with the ‘Tochin’ infiltrators? If they are all human you won’t be able to identify them from anyone else.”

  “That’s the really interesting part of all of this.” RIGA offered waiting for Jennings reaction to her next statement. “By chance we obtained their DNA and were able to analyse it. They have a particular DNA signature which can be used to identify them, which was why I said your ships needed to be checked for hostiles,” RIGA answered. “If they can be cleared of any ‘Tochin agents’ then you can use your small fleet to test and clear further ships until your fleet is cleared to defend your Empire. We know what to look for in terms of sabotage, and this data can be passed to ‘cleared’ groups who can check your own armaments.”

  Jennings was nodding, very convincingly. “This is all fine, RIGA, but why am I confined on your ship on an unknown mission, when I could be cleaning house on my own ships, as you suggest?”

  ‘RIGA, his body temperature is cool, but his skin temperature is rising, pupils dilated and pulse is rapid. He’s developing a tick under his right eye. He’s panicking, so go easy we don’t want him to blow just yet.’

  “We are hunting an enemy fleet in our system that is acting as contact point for the local terrorist cells. Since I destroyed their inter-system telephone exchange in your sector of space, I suspect they need to use their fleet to transmit communications between everyone,” RIGA explained.

  “Hmm! So, you are suggesting that those ships at the site of the explosion were Tochin battleships. No wonder they looked so different, I was told not to ask questions, and my ability to independently verify anything meant I was unable to pass the data along to Naval Command.”