by Frank Carey
Talia followed Varn into the side room and shut the door behind them. "Sir?"
"Computer, tie-in with Platinum."
"Working..."
"Varn, what can I do for you?" the AI leader said as an image of a spinning tesseract appeared on the room's viewer.
"Kerus and Vapin."
The tesseract stopped spinning. "Where did you hear those names?"
"Kerus is a guest of the League. An AI by the name of Malakai spoke with her an hour ago."
"Malakai! That old fool still resides in this continuum?"
"Yes, and he tells of an insurrection that occurred a long time ago. Why didn't you tell us?"
"Why would we tell you stories from a long-dead past? Kerus and Vapin were gone, their damage done. The Logash and their seed ships spread their race's DNA across the galaxy."
"Wait, you mean they colonized this Galaxy?"
"Yes, this is why there are two elf populations. The Logash diaspora had built-in redundancies. I know because I helped design it. Many of my people were in those ships to ensure their safety."
"My gods, do you know what you’re saying?"
"I am saying nothing, except we never anticipated Vapin rising from the ashes. For that, we are truly sorry."
"You couldn't have known. None of us could."
"What are you planning to do?"
"The League is mustering forces to stop Vapin and Harvest Moon. We have transferred our civilians to the Carlotta which will divert to Ventos Prime, the elf home world. Meanwhile the rest of the fleet will join the League in facing Harvest Moon. We can do no less."
"A word of warning. Vapin and Kerus are devious. Do not underestimate their capacity for treachery."
"Understood. I will not keep you further."
The viewer cleared as Platinum returned to his duties.
"Wonderful," Talia said as she spun a stylus between her fingers. "Twenty billion elves dead over an ages old blood feud."
"Yes, but it stops today. We may not have started this fight, but we're damn well going to end it."
"Roger that, sir."
"Captain, make preparations. I want all ships at ready alert thirty minutes before we arrive at the rendezvous point."
"Yes, sir!"
Talia got up and walked out of the room to prepare, leaving Varn to his thoughts.
###
Sana and her team were eating when Vapin made an appearance. "So, how are my guests doing?" he asked while walking into their "room" uninvited.
Sana got up and walked over to the silver form. "We're doing just fine," she replied. "You can let us go at any time."
"Oh, but if only I could. You see, I'm using you five as hostages to get my Kerus back."
"And if they can't find her?"
"Then it sucks to be you."
"Let my team go. I make a great hostage. I've been trained in groveling," Sana said.
"As much as that sounds appealing, I have to decline the offer. I just got off the Comm with a Director Ciara Devlin from the Cube who informs me they have found Kerus's ship and are in the process of recovering Kerus personality from it. She assures me Kerus will be returned to me before the deadline I gave them." He got up and walked out the door. "Let us hope so for your sake," he said as the door closed behind him.
Sana stared at the closed door.
"Skipper, what's up?" Lt. Trell asked.
"The League does not negotiate with hostage takers. Dir. Devlin is planning something."
"Whatever the plan is, I hope it includes dismantling that bot," Sgt. Mena noted. "It's really getting under my skin."
"Amen, brother," Sgt. Tracy said as she patted her teammate on the shoulder.
Sana continued to stare as she formed a plan.
###
Shenda stood at the back of the room as she waited for her turn to address the Leaders of Space Command. Ahead of her were Chasm and Ruby who were there to inform Space Command of the imminent danger the League faced from Chrome/Vapin. Next to her stood her father. She took a deep breath while trying to calm herself.
"Nervous?" Harmon asked nonchalantly.
"Yeah, wouldn't you be?"
"Nah. You have a solid plan. These people respect solid plans. Just be yourself and remember, if they make you nervous, just imagine they are all wearing bunny rabbit pajamas, you know, the ones with attached feet. It works for me."
"Dad!" she hissed.
"Oh, you're on!" he said with a wicked smile.
###
Adaira, Breanne, and Connie paced around the small briefing room, drinking tea while they waited for their skipper to arrive. An image of the Harvest Moon floated over the holotable at the center of the room.
"Aye, that beasty is huge," Adaira noted.
"And deadly," Connie said. "Can you imagine? Twenty billion elves, wiped out in an instant."
"I can't imagine twenty billion elves," Breanne added. "The population density must have been staggering."
"I wonder what the skipper has in mind," Connie said while rotating the image.
"Don't know," Breanne replied, "But I hear it impressed Space Command. I never saw Harm that happy before. He literally danced out of that meeting."
"Damn, this has been one crazy day," Adaira said while manipulating the image to zoom-in on the engineering section. "Especially finding out the skipper is a princess."
"Make that a warrior princess," Connie corrected her. "Remember that bar fight at Orinoco Station? She wiped the floor with that Goranthi who wanted to take her as a bride."
"Which only made it worse," Adaira reminded her. "I hear he still sends her love poems."
They all laughed.
The door opened, followed by Torren, Christa, and Bobby entering the room.
"Hey," Torren said while giving Adaira the eye.
"Hey, Moron, leave a few clothes on her so she don't get cold," Christa said. "Forgive him; he gets randy before a mission."
"Don't mind at all," Adaira said while giving Torren a once over. "Lad, you're kinda cute."
"Thanks, ma’am. You're very easy on the eyes."
"You two want to get a room?" Connie asked, not a little exasperated.
"Perhaps after the mission," Adaira noted.
Ruby walked into the room. "Where's the skipper?"
"On her way," Christa replied. "How's the body working?"
"Great," she replied with a twirl. "It's kinda odd not being in constant contact with Chasm."
"Telemetry not working?"
"Something at his end. I'm supposed to be still tied into the remote, but the link is down. Harm's working on it. I can deal with it meanwhile."
The door opened, and Shenda walked in.
"Good, you're all here," she said as she walked across the room to get a tea. "Space Command has authorized my plan. We are go for gear up in two hours."
"And what is this plan, exactly?" Bree asked.
"The Marta will deliver Kerus to the Harvest Moon and Exchange her for Sana and Team One."
"So, we trust those two git of a devil?" Adaira asked.
"No, of course not. That is why Chasm is going to take Kerus to Vapin. He assures me he can disable the ship if he can get into the control room. Meanwhile, you three will maintain immediate launch status while Ruby, my siblings, and I rescue Team One."
"You all are going to rescue a team of elf Marines?" Connie asked, with a look of confusion.
"Yeahhh. I never told you the four of us are combat certified. Mom thought the training would help us with our schoolwork. Ruby will be able to run interference by interfacing with the ship's systems."
"Right. Explains a lot." Adaira commented. "So, Torren lad, you know personal combat?"
"Aye, the more personal, the better."
"What the hell did I miss?" Shenda asked, while watching the interplay between the two elflings.
"Nothing a cold shower won't cure," Connie explained. "Where is Chasm, by the way?"
"Running an errand. I will brief hi
m and Kerus when they get here. Meanwhile, you seven are to prep the ship."
"What about weapons?" Bobby asked.
"Squirreled away in the usual nooks and crannies. Bree and Connie can show you if you've forgotten.
"I assume we're going to hack the Moon's systems," Christa said.
"Yes. Chasm and Dad uploaded new routines into the Marta's memory banks. Bree can help you with that. Any other questions?"
"Yeah, why us?" Torren asked.
"Aunt Losi convinced Space Command that the elves should get first crack since Harvest Moon is an elf ship and Team One is an elf Marine contingent. And we're the only freighter available with our crew's unique background."
"You mean we're the only civilian crew crazy enough to go on a mission like this?" Connie asked.
"Yes, there's that. Any other questions?"
They all shook their heads.
"Good. Get to work and I'll be down shortly."
The six elflings and Ruby walked out, leaving Shenda alone in the room. Moments later, Kerus walked in, followed by Chasm.
"Ah, you made it. Good. Chasm, how did your errand go?"
"It went well. Did Space Command accept your plan?"
"Yes, it did."
"What is your plan?" Kerus asked.
"We give you back to Vapin in exchange for Team One. Once we're clear, Space Command deals with the problem."
"What do you mean by 'Deals with the problem'?"
"They haven't confided in me, but I would guess they'll throw a dozen warships at the Harvest Moon. I put her chances of surviving at about one hundred to one."
"Wait, I don't want to be destroyed."
"I understand that which is why Chasm is going with you. We'll signal him the moment we have Team One. All you two need to do is get back to the Marta or find an escape pod. Space Command will hold off their attack as long as possible to allow everyone to escape. Any questions?"
"Nope. Sounds like a plan," Kerus said, while Chasm remained silent.
"Good," Shenda said, while pressing a button on the holoprojector. Two members of security walked in. "Take Kerus to the Marta McMurphy."
"Yes, Princess," they replied.
When they were alone, Shenda looked at Chasm. "You look like you want to say something.”
He walked over to her and took her in his arms while their tales intertwined. He kissed her. When he stopped, he just looked at her.
"Wow," she said while burying her face in his shoulder. "You picked a helluva time to do that. You do know what this means, don't you?"
"Yes. We are betrothed, mated for life."
"Yep, that sums it up."
"Do you accept?"
"What, accept? Of course I do, or I would have stopped you at the tail thing."
"I need you to promise me something," he said as he looked into her eyes.
"What?"
"When they try to kidnap me, you will not reenter the ship."
She pulled back in shock. "Kidnap you?"
"Yes. I can sense Kerus lying. Even in the suit, she isn't good at it. She has no intentions of letting me go."
"Then why the hell did you volunteer for this mission, knowing this?"
"I lied about my duties."
"What?"
"I lied about my duties. I have only one purpose on this mission: fail safe. Chrome and Opal were chosen over all other AIs, including Ruby, because they were a bonded pair. There were concerns that one or both were unstable, so instead of choosing other AIs, and setting the program back years, it was decided an organic fail safe would be used. That failsafe is me."
"Failsafe how?"
He remained silent for a moment. "It doesn't matter. What matters is you, your family, and your crew cannot try to rescue me. I will exit the ship when I have assured it is no longer a threat. The timing will be tight, but it's doable. You just need to trust me on this one."
"Trust you? Are you insane? I can't leave you..."
"I know that ship better than they do. That's why I was late. Gloria and Harm were using a telepresence unit to copy everything I know about the Harvest Moon into the Marta's memory banks, data which your sister, Breanne, and Ruby can access and use to get the Marta, her passengers, and crew off the Harvest Moon. I will follow when I can."
"You better, fool! I want kids, dammit, and I want them with you!"
"I would like that as well."
"Wait, what about Ruby?"
"She would make a great babysitter..."
She cuffed him. "Does she know all this?"
"She has been briefed. She is none too happy."
"Copy that. We need to go."
He nodded and kissed her again before the two of them walked out into the corridor, leaving the image of the Harvest Moon to spin above the table.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The LTV Marta McMurphy waited while the cosmos watched the ship and its brave crew.
"Time check," Shenda asked as she stared out the forward windscreen.
"Any minute, skipper."
"Bree?"
"Scans are clear. No traffic within one light-year."
"Your friends aren’t here?" Kerus asked.
"No. They don't want to spook Vapin."
"Good idea. Hey, Chasm, sorry about screwing up your life with all this. I hope you don't take it personally."
Chasm said nothing, opting instead to stare at the synth with his fiery green gaze.
"Hey, could you tone down the green lasers," Kerus asked. "They give me the creeps."
Chasm turned to stare out the window.
"Skipper, contact! Ten points off the starboard bow. It's big, really big."
Out the windscreen, they watched as the five mile long Harvest Moon materialized as it left hyperspace. It turned toward them, revealing a mile-wide black spot on its port bow.
"What the hell happened?" Kerus asked.
"Vapin waited too long to destroy the Hunter's Moon," Chasm explained. "Backwash from the explosion did significant damage."
"You survived that?"
"Obviously."
Kerus just stared at him, as if she was looking at a ghost. She reached over and poked him, just to make sure he was real.
Shenda looked over to Chasm. "You're on, Big Elf."
"Breanne, if you would open a channel."
"Chasm, you’re on."
"Vapin, this is Chasm. I have Kerus with me. Do you copy?"
"Chasm! You’re still alive! This is wonderful news. So Kerus told you about the two of us. Fantastic. Your Team One is waiting for you."
"Vapin, I have a tri-atomic bomb in the hold. If this is a trick, then we all will visit hell together."
"My, aren't we a distrustful soul. No tricks. I'm opening the Hunter's Moon's landing bay. Just park next to the Searcher. See you in a few. Vapin out."
"You're bluffing," Kerus said. "There's no bomb in the hold."
"Would you like to stake your life on it?" Chasm asked as he continued to stare out the window.
"No, I don't think I would."
"Got it," Shenda said. Dead ahead. Prepare for landing."
###
Once down, Chasm walked Kerus to the end of the forward ramp. In front of them was the bow wall of the hangar bay while the partially disassembled Searcher sat quietly next to them. "Your boyfriend is going to catch hell for all that damage. That's Space Command property, you know."
"They can send the fool a bill," she said.
"Vapin," Chasm yelled out into the expanse. "We're waiting."
A hatch opened in the wall ahead of them and two large, bipedal robots walked out onto the deck and over to the Marta. They stopped at the foot of the ramp. "Follow these two and bring her to me," Vapin said over the bay's PA system.
"That's not part of the deal," Chasm replied. "Where's Team One?"
"You bring her to me or I kill the hostages. I will release them only if you do exactly as I say."
Chasm turned back to look at Shenda who was standing at
the back of the ramp. "I'll be back. This shouldn't take long."
She nodded, uncertainty clouding her face.
"Lead on," he said to the two bots as he took Kerus by the arm and led her down the ramp and onto the deck.
Once the pair and their robot escorts disappeared through the hatch, Shenda closed the forward ramp. Once it was sealed, she activated the intercom and ordered, "All hands to the aft bay."
###
When she arrived at the aft cargo bay, Shenda found her crew, her family, and Ruby waiting. "OK, Ruby, where is Team One?" Shenda asked as she activated the ceiling holoprojector.
Ruby walked over and brought up a three-view of the interior of the Harvest Moon. On the side, near the dorsal surface was a red dot representing the Marta. Aft, about half a mile away, was a green dot representing Team One. "The Harvest moon is designed with all crew amenities located along the dorsal spine, including shuttle bays, quarters, labs, and everything else a crew would need."
"So, there was a crew?" Shenda asked.
"No, no crew. They would come later, after Keystone was ecoformed."
"And the rest of the ship?"
"Equipment, former beam emitters, systems, the usual. The ship was designed to become an orbital station once the transformation of the planet was complete and the colonists had arrived."
"One thing I don't get," Connie said. "What role does Chasm play in all this? It sounds like a simple case of Chrome arriving and doing his thing. Where does Chasm fit in?"
Ruby looked at Shenda who nodded. "Chasm is the organic failsafe of the mission," Ruby explained in a hushed tone.
"Excuse me?" Bree said. "Did you say failsafe?"
"She said failsafe," Shenda said with an edge to her voice. "He's almost died trying to fulfill his mission, and he is walking into a trap as we speak so that he can finish what he started while giving us time to get Team One and this ship and its crew out of here. Now, are there any more questions?"
They all looked at her before slowly shaking their heads.
"Good. Then we have a team to save. Ruby, can you scramble Vapin's control of the section aft of us without him knowing?" Christa asked.
Ruby closed her eyes for a moment. "Done, but I don't know for how long."
"Um, Skipper," Bree said while pointing toward Torren. Shenda looked and saw her brother and Adaira kissing, their tails entwined.
"Are you two kidding me?" she asked pointedly.
