Commander

by Mel Todd

  "Are you okay?"

  She blinked, the images and feelings from the dream, the memory crystal clear.

  "I don't know."

  "You're crying. I heard you in my bedroom."

  McKenna lifted her hand and touched her face, feeling tears covering her face. The sorrow slammed into her.

  "Wefor, what the hell was that?" She fought to not cry, scream, or be sick. The images of the children clutching at the adults slammed into her and she retched, but kept everything down, barely.

  "Kenna?" Charley looked on the verge of panic.

  "I'm okay. I think." She wiped at her tears, feeling like they weren't enough, that she needed to cry blood to atone for what she'd done. But she hadn’t done it, had she?

  "Wefor, why do I feel guilty? What the hell?" Her voice spiked in panic as she fought to get her emotions under control.

  The sound of her rapid breathing in the room only served to ratchet up her stress as she waited for the AI to respond.

  [This outcome had not been considered. When sharing nanobots between the other Kaylid information also transferred. Some of that information included training scenarios to help condition Kaylid for planet incursions. That particular scenario looked like an amalgam of a few attacks, created for maximum impact.]

  Hope welled up in her chest.

  "So, it was just a game, like a virtual reality game?"

  [No, the depiction seemed quite accurate from what my data implies. Planet fall when a Drakyn settlement is found, kill all non-combatants to demoralize and remove their reason to protect the planet. Elentrin then move in and strip it of all resources taking them back to their home planet system. The surviving Kaylid are assessed and put back in storage until needed again.]

  Storage? Kill all non-combatants?

  Bile rose back in her throat, demanding and unable to be ignored. She sprung from the bed rushing to the bathroom where the contents of her stomach were deposited in the toilet. When she finished and thought she could function, she rinsed her mouth with mouthwash and walked back into the bedroom.

  "That is what they want from us?" She said it out loud, so Charley would hear her, and the fact that mind speech right now seemed too intimate, too raw for anything she could handle.

  [You are Kaylid. Their troops against the Drakyn.]

  The words hung in her mind and she swallowed.

  "But they aren't here, and this isn't anything I need to worry about for a while, right?"

  [Correct. They will not be here for approximately ten liads. If the information programmed is still correct.]

  Ten. Her mind caught on that.

  "Then I'm not dealing with that. I don't have the ability to change or stop an alien invasion. I'm nothing thinking about it. And I'm going back to bed. As a cat."

  She hugged Charley pulling him down with her. He willingly shifted with her and she curled around him needing the touch of another creature and trusting to the animal mind to prevent anymore scenarios.

  McKenna carefully didn't think, didn't ask, didn't wonder how long a liad was.

  Chapter 13 - Paying Respects

  The Olympic committee has come down with a ruling regarding shifters. After extensive study on both athletes who are shifters and those who are not with the cooperation of all athletes, it has been determined that while the ability to shift makes getting in shape easier; it does not affect their ability or desire to compete. As a result, there will be no follow up on limiting eligibility. As a side note, approximately fifteen percent of Olympic athletes are shifters, while in the professional sports there are closer to thirty percent. ~TNN Sports

  "Are you really sure you want to go with me?" McKenna asked again, looking at Charley. He had on his nicest clothes, a pair of dark twill slacks and a button up light blue shirt. He’d even gotten his blond hair to lay flat.

  "Yes. I was there. I saw it. I liked her. She talked to us a lot at the zoo that day. I should come."

  McKenna closed her eyes, fighting to swallow a sudden lump in her throat. "Well, then. We should go."

  The drive to Kala’s parent’s house hung heavy with memories. The bright smile of the girl, how much fun she’d had as a jackal, the grin of acceptance at coming with them that day. Coming because Raul had called out sick.

  That thought tickled the back of her mind, but she shrugged it away. Today she needed to focus on trying to give her condolences to parents who had lost their child. Mixed with the relief that she hadn’t lost anyone else’s child.

  Their home was a ranch style in a small subdivision, neat, clean, with a black wreath on the mailbox.

  She walked up the path to the front door, smoothing her dress down, feeling odd in the heels and nylons, but some things you didn’t take casually. Death rated high on that list.

  With a tight heart she reached out and pressed the doorbell, wincing at the blatant blare she heard on the other side of the door.

  She waited, listening to the sound of feet moving slowly towards the door. The click of locks and the door pulled open to reveal a woman who looked so much like Kala, McKenna found her breath catching. She had wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, which were swollen and puffy, a scarf wrapped around her head in dark gray, and a dark tunic over leggings all in that same color.

  The color of sadness.

  "I’m sorry this is not a good time for visitors." The woman said, her voice, low rough, and McKenna wanted to cry and grab Charley and all those she cared about to prevent this level of grief.

  "I understand, but that is why I am here. My name is McKenna Largo. I worked with Kala and I was there when they shot her." The words cut like broken glass coming out of her mouth, but she pushed them out. "I came to offer my condolences."

  The woman’s eyes widened just the tiniest bit, then she nodded stepping back holding open the door. "Please enter and be welcome."

  McKenna entered, Charley close behind her. The woman led them to a living room where two men sat.

  The woman turned to McKenna. "I am Sarah Mansour, this is my husband Sammad and my son Daveed." Her voice still soft as she finished introductions. "Sammad, Daveed, this is Officer McKenna Largo. She worked with Kala. She is the cop that was taken. I am sorry, is the child yours?"

  The older man, Sammad rose, his dark eyes looking at her, but Daveed made her flinch as he glared at her.

  "This is Charley Davis. He was one of the kids there, he saw Kala…" she trailed off, not sure if she should say, murdered, killed, shot, what word did you use in this situation?

  "Thank you for coming," Sammad said, his voice low. "I understand you watched over the children in your care until you could escape."

  "Yes. But I needed to tell you how sorry I am that Kala was shot. I know her funeral was observed while I was unavailable, but you needed to know she acted honorably and protected the children until the very last." Her voice certain even as she reached out to touch Charley, needing to feel him.

  "Honorable? She should not have been there. She should have chosen a job that let her have a family and be protected." Daveed raged as he sprang from the couch storming towards McKenna.

  She heard a low growl in the back of her mind.

  ~Charley, no.~

  He subsided, and McKenna met Daveed’s anger head on, her heart aching as she took in the dark circles under his eyes and bitten to the quick nails.

  "Kala told me how proud she was to be a police officer. How much she enjoyed serving that she felt it was a debt she owed as this country saved her family. Should I dishonor that sacrifice?"

  The Mansour family froze, stunned, and Sarah Mansour stammered. "She said that. That is why she became a cop?"

  McKenna nodded. "She wore her badge with pride. I know she felt stress that you didn’t support her job, but she tried to be a good cop. I would have done anything if I could have saved her, but I had to protect the kids."

  Her brother started to blurt something, but Sammad laid his hand on his shoulder. "No. That was the correct decision. Chi
ldren are gifts that we can’t replace. And one child lost so that many are saved is what is right."

  "But she shouldn’t have been there," Daveed protested. "Why didn’t she become a teacher or something safe? You could have made her."

  Made her?

  McKenna didn’t say anything but stayed quiet, not wanting to get into what was obviously a familiar battle.

  Sammad stood a bit straighter looking at his son, she couldn’t understand the emotion in his eyes. "Should I have? Then how would I be any better than the people that chased us from our home? We are taught to raise strong intelligent children and to let them make their own way in the world. I did that. While I cry at the heavens for taking my daughter from me and I would wish she had a less dangerous career, I would not turn back time and take away her right to choose. I am proud of her. Proud of the woman she was, even against our disapproval."

  "Daveed. She did what was right for her. Do not sully her memory by taking away what she did." Sarah’s voice had the weight of mother in it. She turned dark eyes to McKenna. "Thank you. We needed to hear that. I never understood why she wanted to do something so unfeminine, but I never looked at it as a service. That makes me proud of her choice."

  Charley spoke up, his young voice cutting through the heated atmosphere. "I liked her. She talked about family to me. And told me family is who loves you even when they don’t like you. She loved you a lot, she told me she wanted her parents to be proud of her." Everyone looked at him and he shrugged. "We were watching the wolves, and I told her I wished I could stay a wolf and never have to deal with family. She talked about you. Said you didn’t understand or like what she did, but she never doubted you loved her. And that a true family always loved you. Then she hugged me and told me someday I’d have a family like that." His hand reached out and grabbed McKenna’s and she thought her heart might explode with the well of emotions. "Now, I think I might. I’m sorry she died. She was a nice lady cop."

  All the adults looked at him, and color slowly rose in his face and he looked at the ground but didn’t let go of McKenna’s hand.

  "Thank you. Both of you." Sarah said reaching out to gently touch Charley’s head and Daveed nodded, tears streaking his face as he turned and went to stare out into the back yard.

  McKenna made their good byes, and they escaped. But before she got in the car she pulled Charley close into a tight hug. Neither of them speaking even though she knew Sarah watched from the door. She hugged him for a long minute, then they got in the car and headed home.

  Their home.

  Chapter 14 - Knowledge is Dangerous

  There have been more incidents of people who shift into animal form and go crazy. While still not common, there is enough data to indicate that the norm of being fully in control of your animal self may not be the only outcome. As of yet, no one knows enough to be able to make any suggestions or theories as to why or how to fix it. ~TNN News

  JD took a sip of his beer watching her. McKenna felt his eyes on her, but she didn’t respond, listening to Charley play on the video gaming system JD had brought over. He’d told her he’d had it sitting around and since he never had time to play he thought Charley would enjoy it. She didn’t quite believe him as it looked awfully new, but either way he’d enjoyed giving it to Charley so much she wasn’t going to argue. And for now, it kept him occupied.

  McKenna didn’t want to hide things from Charley, but at the same time letting him know everything would just cause more stress.

  She sighed and drank her iced tea.

  "So, talk," his voice low and she wrinkled her nose at him.

  "If I do that it makes it all the more real." It came out as a half whine and she sighed. "Why can’t I just be a cop, do my job?"

  JD snorted. "Because you change into a cougar, are the most famous person in the world, and are now a mom."

  That brought a smile. "That change I never expected, but I’m enjoying it."

  "I never understood why you were so against being a mom."

  "Life experience. Didn’t figure I could be a good one. But he’s had it rougher than I did, so I figure I can’t be worse. If that makes any sense."

  "It does. Not a happy thing, but I get it." He said, a wry smile twisting his mouth.

  Should I ask about his family? He’s worse than me about not talking about his past. Nah, don’t think either of us are up to world shaking revelations today.

  They fell into a companionable silence, the cicadas chirping, explosions coming from the TV, and the distant sound of cars the music surrounding them.

  [There are changes to my programming I need to make you aware of.]

  Wefor’s voice jolted her out of her almost zen state and she bit back a curse. A quick glance at JD told her Wefor had spoken to both of them. At least her unwelcome guest learned when to share thoughts and when not to. An advantage of a sort.

  "And what changes would that be?"

  JD leaned back, beer in his hand, but she saw the white knuckles as he held it and agreed. Wefor never seemed to tell them good news.

  [The commander programming has been repaired to the point that full access to all commander functions is now available.]

  McKenna blinked trying to think through that.

  "I thought all commander gave me was the ability to talk to other people if we shared nanobots?"

  [No. While the structural repair is standard across all nanobots, the ability to link to other Kaylid is available to all. Commanders have a variety of abilities and they are all functional now. Drone abilities are basic while commander builds on them.]

  "What are the drone abilities?" JD’s question filled the air and McKenna sagged in relief. She didn’t know what to ask, well she did, but if she asked anything it would lead to more questions, and her life right now already seemed fraught with complications.

  [All Kaylid are equipped with basic cellular restructuring. This allows for regeneration of wounds, ensures all cellular copies are perfect, short range transharmonic communication for any Kaylid that has swapped nanobots, warrior and animal form, and resistance to alcohol and most diseases.]

  "I get most of that, but why the part of cellular copies being perfect?" McKenna asked now more fascinated than anything and pushing far to the back the knowledge that this affected her.

  [Beings age because their cellular structure is duplicated imperfectly. The Elentrin solved that issue millennia ago. All cellular structure is preserved to being perfect copies of the original, or in some cases the improved original.]

  McKenna glanced at JD, a questioning look on her face. "Are you saying we do not age?"

  [Once optimal conditioning and age has been reached, all structures are locked in place, allowing wounds to be healed, and even limbs regrown given enough calories and time.]

  "Holy fuck," McKenna whispered, her voice low as that sank in. The idea seemed too large to even begin to comprehend, so she let it go. "Okay, so drones are immortal werewolves. How does a commander differ?"

  [Commanders act as communication hubs to allow all Kaylid under them to communicate with each other without having shared nanobots. They have a translation matrix in place that learns languages when exposed, have multiple forms, technology models, drone control, identification of other Kaylid and their shape symbols, partial shift, multiple forms, and should have restricted command procedures driving their actions.]

  "Wait, what does that mean? Should have restricted command procedures?" McKenna remembered the her in the dream, the one that watched but couldn’t even begin to resist the commands implanted in her mind.

  [All commanders are the best of the Kaylid, the one most suited mentally and physically to further the Elentrin vision. Allowing them freedom of will has proved perilous in the past, so their orders are imperatives they are unable to disobey.]

  McKenna swallowed. "Is that why in the scenario I felt emotions and had curiosity, but never slowed or looked at anything that wasn’t part of that mission?"

  "Wait,
what scenario, what are you talking about?" JD demanded sitting up, his lazy relaxation gone as he stared at her.

  "I got pulled into a dream where I was a ground trooper. It was freaky, scary, cool, and amazing all at the same time. I’m not sure else how to describe it other than virtual reality on steroids. Everything felt real, everything."

  Especially the people dying.

  [Those are training scenarios. As a commander you can pull in a set of drones into one to dictate how they should respond and make sure they follow the orders. Provide training to eliminate confusion in a battle situation.]

  "So, she could pull me into one?" JD’s eyes lit up. "Let’s go I want to do that."

  "No," McKenna responded faster than the AI. "I’m not ready for that, you aren’t ready. Just no. Maybe later."

  JD looked like he would start pouting any moment and she glared at him. He rolled his eyes at her and sat back down sipping his beer again the picture of relaxation.

  "What did you mean by technology modules?"

  [Complete data on the technology any commander would be expected to use while on mission is loaded. If needed access can be granted.]

  "Really? That would be kind of cool to be able to program computers and stuff."

  [The modules are specific to data crystals, ships, weapons, and cultural customs for the Elentrin. Currently it would be of no use to you in your current role.]

  "Well, so much for that." McKenna sighed and sat back.

  "What new commander functions are now available? Or did you cover all of them?" JD asked, his eyes up on the stars above them, stars that didn’t seem so bright and full of hope anymore.

  [All functionality has been mentioned.]

  The AI paused, and McKenna tilted her head, waiting.

  [Integrating all the information from the other drones updated data missing in the command module. However, this data directly conflicts with information you have provided. Direction is required to understand how to correctly incorporate this data.]

  "Like what?" Her stomach tightened as she waited for the answer.