Nova

by Lora E. Rasmussen

  “Why you?” Commander Perez asked.

  “Excuse me?” Hadarr inquired, her tone cool.

  “Why did you get word about our little runaway?” Perez clarified.

  “Ah, I see. I was one of Z’arr’s STF Trainers.”

  “Doesn’t that mean our objective will recognize you then? Will this compromise the mission?” Lieutenant Dane Rygel asked, gray–blue eyes bright in his young–looking face.

  “No. My appearance has changed a great deal from when I trained K’llan Z’arr, and we never spent a lot of time together.” Major Hadarr answered, her tone suggesting an almost grudging note of respect regarding the pertinence of the Communications Officer’s query.

  “Great. Any personal input you can add?” Commander Perez asked, his r’s rolling lazily in his native West Kylos style of speech. Serros could tell Marcus was enjoyed prodding their new guest, who obviously wasn’t comfortable getting cozy with the eclectic and outspoken Nova Squad.

  “Brilliant, gifted, exceptional.” Major Hadarr answered slowly, her expression thoughtful and eyes misty with remembrance. “She is a skilled combatant, an accomplished Weapons and Arcatech specialist and also, an Arca IV herself. She’s rough around the edges in certain facets… idealistic and somewhat naïve. She does not quite understand how the galaxy operates.”

  “You mean she’s not cynical.” Serros remarked. “Hardly part of the standard modality of a traitor.”

  Moving her left hand through her blue–silver hair, the a–symmetrical cut running with the motion, the Vosaia studied the Human Captain for a few moments before answering. “Well, even the best agents can have blind spots, can’t they, Captain? Regardless, I would doubt if her motives are wealth or personal glory. Either way, at this stage her reasons are immaterial; her actions are both illegal and dangerous, and so she must be stopped.”

  “Motives are rarely immaterial.” Captain Avara Serros disagreed calmly, ignoring the quiet yet implicit critique Hadarr had just issued. “Did Z’arr express any form of dissatisfaction with the STF, the Vosaia Consulate, Quorum?”

  “No. Idealistic.”

  “Was her idealism an act?” Lieutenant Rygel asked, tapping his right hand on his crossed knee in a snick–that–phump staccato.

  “Not unless she’s been acting, pretending to be what she is not, for the past sixty–plus years, and I do not think so.”

  “What do we know about the exchange?” Major Naxos inquired, tongue flicking into the air between short, sharp teeth.

  “It is to take place on the Quorum world of Voss in thirteen days at the club Revenant. K’llan Z’arr is to meet a third party to coordinate the actual exchange place and locale. The contact is an Irdoi information broker and fence by the name of Odass.”

  “Suggestions?” Captain Serros queried.

  “I believe the best tactic is to stop the exchange before the buyers actually get within eyesight of the Arcatech.”

  “Ha! I’m down with a little club recon.” Commander Perez commented with a grin.

  “I’m sure, Marcus, but then who would watch my back if you’re busy watching every woman in the club?” Captain Serros remarked, teasing her friend.

  “Hey? When have I not have your back?”

  “Well, there was that time on Sigil in the Green Sector when you were occupied… acquainting yourself with two of the staff while I was busy fighting four Braxiens in a temper over my drinking habits.”

  “As I recall, before the fight started, you’d been occupied as well.” Marcus Perez shot back.

  “As amusing as memory lane is, can we get back to planning our Operation?” Lieutenant Commander Adeline interjected, her Old–Terran English accent snapping her consonants even more precisely than usual.

  “You’re just jealous, Pirotécnica.” Commander Perez commented, brown eyes twinkling and tone daring her to refute him.

  “What? That’s utterly… that’s ridiculous.” Adeline half–stuttered, earth–toned skin turning a faintly pink color.

  “Okay, children, lets refocus.” Captain Serros stated. It was a struggle to smother the laughter she all but choked on at the verbal interplay, but somehow, she managed. If barely.

  “Captain, you and I should handle the meet on our own; the rest of the Squad would only tip Lieutenant Z’arr off.” Hadarr proclaimed, her tone clearly critical of the informality of the strategy session.

  “That’s not the way we do things in Nova, Major.” Commander Perez declared.

  “It is the way Quorum Shields Operatives ‘do it,’ Commander.” The Vosaia rejoined.

  Before her Executive Officer could respond, Captain Serros stated, “Major Hadarr and I will go into the club and the rest of the team will be in positions less than half a click away.”

  “Here is the floor plan for Revenant, and the surrounding six–block radius.” Lieutenant Commander Adeline announced, pulling up the layout with some deft finger swipes on the HUD. Avara knew her friend and third in command was deliberately helping to smooth over any ruffled feathers regarding style disagreements between the team and the more reserved Major Hadarr, and the Captain appreciated her efforts.

  “Inside could be a potential nightmare. Four levels, eleven separate dance floors, six bars, several lounge spaces, a seventy–five person staff and on a typical night, four hundred or more patrons.” Diana Adeline continued.

  “Okay, we need surveillance in the club, all points. Dane?” Serros queried the Squad’s tech–master and the ship’s Communication’s Officer, Lieutenant Rygel.

  “On it, Captain.” Rygel replied, already working with Lieutenant Commander Adeline.

  “We have twelve days at QGST until we make Voss. I want a preliminary Op laid out tomorrow by eight–hundred. Dismissed.”| Captain Serros calmly watched her crew file out of the Strategy Room, all accept for Major Goyan Hadarr.

  “Captain, may I have a word?” The Vosaia Shield Operative asked, tone cool.

  “Of course, Major Hadarr.” Captain Serros replied, motioning to the chair next to her.

  “I have some… concerns about the mission lay–out.”

  “Can you be specific?” Serros asked, her pose at ease with right leg crossed over left and fingertips touching as she leaned back into her chair.

  Studying her counterpart for this mission, Captain Avara Serros thought that there was something about her that was… distant would be the best descriptor. Stretching her Arca enhanced empathic senses, all Serros could read was a wall that surrounded Hadarr’s mind and heart. It was a barrier that defied any entry, with Avara’s efforts as productive as rainwater sliding down glass.

  Given her slightly pulsed reactions during the mission brief, Serros wasn’t surprised when Hadarr opened with, “I am unused to working in such an encouraged, collective style, let alone a collaborative team. I am concerned that all of the input and excessive… personal commentary, will distract from the operation.”

  “Mm. I’ve found over the years such open collaboration to be a definite benefit. My Squad is solid.” Avara responded.

  “Your team may have skills, certainly their records are impressive, but you and they seem casual and casual, Captain Serros, equates to sloppy. Either way, Quorum Shields typically work alone.”

  “Different styles.” Serros rejoined, unruffled by the older Shield Operative’s criticism.

  “I am just surprised. It is a potential weakness. Eventually, it will be exploited.” Major Hadarr stated, tone containing a sliver of earnest belief, one of the first real emotions to slip by those opaque psychic and cognitive barriers of hers.

  “I’ve found that the strengths of having a squad of loyal specialists outweigh any potential weakness.” Avara answered, and, keeping Jamie Sweetwater’s concerns in mind, offered an engaging smile that from experience, she knew usually produced positive results.

  As she was submitted to Hadarr’s intense scrutiny, Captain Serros had the distinct impression that the Vosaia was analyzing her for any potential
flaw or advantage, almost like a hunter sizing up prey. The Captain couldn’t quite capture the angle as to why, except for a sense that Major Hadarr was uncomfortable working closely with others and was concerned about achieving their mission objectives.

  After several quiet moments, the other Shield remarked, “I still think it would be better if you and I handled this mission alone.”

  “Your concerns about the club are valid.” Serros acknowledged with a nod. “Yet Nova will still be available for support.”

  “Per the Quorum, you are the lead on this, Captain Serros, so your way it is. As long as we achieve results; Lieutenant Z’arr cannot be allowed to succeed. Treason by a Vosaia is not tolerated.” There was a dangerous undertone in the Vosaia Major’s voice that Serros had no difficulty at all reading.

  “Yes, treason cannot be tolerated, but our mission is to bring Lieutenant K’llan Z’arr in alive. We need to know why she turned and who her contacts are; there could be more. Plus, we need to know how she was able to infiltrate the government–tied military division of ApexArcatech.”

  Surprisingly, Goyan Hadarr laughed, though Serros could read no real humor in the sound. “How? Surely you know about the… advantages we Vosaia possess to understand what others want and thus, to persuade them that our wishes are their own.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of certain biological talents. But, I’m also certain that preventative high–security measures would have been in place.” Captain Serros responded, voice one of perfect equanimity in the face of Major Hadarr’s probing.

  “Hmm. Do you really understand?” Major Hadarr questioned, leaning forward towards the Captain, her turquoise eyes strangely bright. “Do you know why Lieutenant Z’arr’s mother is so respected by the totality of Vosaia society and the reason she was granted a seat on the Consulate?”

  “Ry’anlyar Z’arr was the Doctor whose research led to the creation of Vitani Serum.” Serros promptly replied.

  “Yes, Vitani Serum. Do you know what that serum meant for my people?”

  The Captain paused for a second, scanning her internal pneumonic databanks. “In order to survive, Vosaia must Feed on the psychic and cognitive life–energy of other sentients. If not carefully managed, this reality can easily lead to either exploitation or even the death of those being Fed upon. Vitani Serum provided a way for the Vosaia to gain the sustenance they require to survive without having to Feed on other sentients. As the Vosaia and the Karukai were originally the same race, the Karukai have the same needs but culturally, had and have no interest in substituting Feeding for Serum.”

  “Accurate, if very basic and certainly not politically correct to say to a Vosaia, Captain Serros.” Goyan Hadarr answered, though her voice held no rancor. “Feeding doesn’t just represent required sustenance to survive, although that is absolutely true. Given the right circumstances, Feeding is an almost overwhelming, powerful draw for the Vosaia or Karukai alike, and when overindulged in, it is very hard moderate. That draw is reciprocal between the one Feeding and the one Fed upon.”

  Hadarr’s voice dropped to a lower register, surprisingly rich with an emotion Serros couldn’t quite name as she added, “These strings of discussion signify only one portion of how the Vosaia and Karukai evolutionary schema manifests and what it represents, for we Vosaia and the Karukai also possess certain abilities to support our evolution. Abilities that by design, attract others to be Fed upon.”

  Shifting forward in emphasis, Hadarr continued “Most applicable as to how Lieutenant Z’arr would have been able to infiltrate a secure R&D Lab, is that as a general talent, Vosaia can exude potent pheromones that make her irresistible to most. Secondly, just as any person possessing an Arca Synergy Enhancement, Vosaia can sense another’s emotions. These two gifts combined together provide an avenue for very real and strong influence upon others.”

  Steepling her fingers together like a Professor who’d just finished a lecture to a particularly slow–learning student, Major Hadarr concluded, “The pertinence of these abilities should be fairly obvious when you consider the ramifications.”

  “Z’arr didn’t necessarily need contacts to steal the research, just her natural gifts.” Captain Serros answered.

  “Exactly.”

  “I thought using those abilities on non–consenting parties is outlawed by Vosaia law?” The Captain asked, brow furrowed in thought.

  “Yes. But that does not mean it doesn’t happen, only that we Vosaia try to keep it at an absolute minimum and contained with harsh measures. We also keep it quiet when it does occur. The rules can be bent if the reasons are believed to be just.” Hadarr remarked. “And, if Z’arr is willing to commit treason, the improper use of her abilities would mean little.”

  Avara Serros peered thoughtfully at the holo image of their target for a moment, then commented, “Something still doesn’t quite add up. It is a priority to make sure Lieutenant Z’arr is captured and brought in for interrogation.”

  “We will try, Captain Serros, but our first priority is to stop the exchange, our second, to stop the traitor.” The Major avowed, no movement in her tone.

  “Then let’s not make escape an option.” Serros responded evenly.

  Goyan Hadarr looked speculatively at the Excalibur’s Captain for a moment, then remarked, “It will be interesting to work with you, Captain. See the legend in action, so to speak.”

  “Likewise, Major.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Despite the size of the club, Revenant was filled to capacity. The press of bodies, the smell and sight of a multitude of different species and genders, the sound of blaring base–heavy music and swarm of voices was utterly enveloping, as if you had stepped into another world that was nothing less than a sensory kaleidoscope.

  “Relax… you have to look like you actually want to be here.”

  Following the advice, Captain Serros took a deep breath, trying to drown out the almost overwhelming cacophony of the club.

  Arca Enhancements are not always a benefit, she thought wryly.

  With focus, Serros was able to dampen her enhanced senses and tone down the swelling humanoid and synthetic noise. Even after all of these years, small moments like this still occurred, flashes when her Arca enhanced abilities caught her by surprise or seemed to be almost too much to bear.

  “Better.” Major Goyan Hadarr commented, a knowing look in her eyes. Considering her own Arca Enhancements, Avara figured the Vosaia Operative really did know and understand.

  “Shall we?” Captain Serros asked with a thrust of her chin pointing further into the club.

  “Yes.” Hadarr put her arm through Serros’s, a deliberate smile of effusive, free–going joy suffusing her features as she fell into the role the two had agreed upon. They wore no armor or visible weapons to give them away, though each had a hand pistol and Micro–Assembler hilts hidden on their persons. Serros wore a midnight blue synth jacket and black synth pants as well as a short sleeved, pale blue shirt. Hadarr had chosen tight–fitting, all dark gray synth to blend in with the assorted club–goers.

  Both were careful to scan the crowd closely yet covertly as they moved through the sea of people. Captain Serros spotted a black furred Gorath in a group of Humans that looked startlingly like her squadmate Ca’rrakk, though he was shorter and the feline–like eyes were a burnished gold instead of brilliant green. A group of brightly colored, male Braxiens with elongated heads surmounted by center head–ridges and short spikes on the sides of their skulls, reluctantly made room for the two at one of the first level bars, allowing them bartender access.

  A female Zirgesh with pale, milky–brown chitinous plates and six arms quickly nodded to them while mixing three drinks simultaneously. Her six small, blood–red eyes reflected the gyrating lights of the club weirdly, almost like light through ruby–colored glass. “What can I get for you ladies?” She asked, using the standard galactic language of Vanni.

  “Two Soha beers, please.” Hadarr requested.

  “Right u
p.” She answered, moving swiftly to finish her current orders and then take the next. A moment later, two condensation–covered, cool blue bottles of golden Soha slid down the silvery–colored bar right towards the Shield Operatives. Serros placed the requisite 10 Mark bill on the smooth bar–top and then the two moved over and rested their backs against the bar, continuing to scan as they drank.

  As if she was leaning in to speak to Major Hadarr, Serros queried, “Adeline, do we have any matches?”

  “Recog hasn’t made any hits as of yet for either Odass or K’llan Z’arr, Captain, though the connection is solid; the micro–image renders on your apparel are working perfectly.” Lieutenant Commander Diana Adeline’s voice was clearly audible from the tiny, portable receiver secreted within the Captain’s ear.

  “Thanks, A; keep at it.”

  “Ops, I see two Irdoi, on my three o’ clock.” Hadarr announced, keeping up pretense by moving her mouth to Serros’s right ear in the intimate gesture of a lover. Captain Serros canted her head just enough to catch a glance of the two Humanoids. Both possessed the hairless, green–gray skin and sparse, short frames typical of their species.

  “Mm…captured. No match, Major.” Adeline answered.

  “I think it’s time for us to switch positions.” Serros offered after several more minutes of unobtrusive surveillance.

  “Agreed.”

  The two moved further through the club, discretely leaving tiny micro–imagers behind as they carved an erratic path, tagging bars, walls, even the jackets of other club–goers, all to expand their visual recognition net. Two and a half hours had passed, and yet they still hadn’t been able to locate their targets despite having spotted close to thirty Vosaia and half–a–hundred Irdoi.

  “Captain, Major, we seem to have a hit on the information broker. Odass is loitering on the fourth level, near the second dance floor. No sign of the Vosaia.” Adeline informed, contained excitement clear even through the metallic sounding ear ‘ceiver.

  “Well done, A. We’re making our way now.” Serros answered.

  The two Quorum Shields slowly traveled up, deliberately pausing along the way to make the journey appear natural. When they made the fourth level, Hadarr grabbed Serros’s hand and led her to the dance floor near their target, close enough to see him but not close enough to appear to be looking.