Alutia Rising

by Craig Gerttula

  The flash report that flowed into his mind was too vague for him to decipher if this was actually a drill, or what he suspected...a real emergency. The only information provided stated unknown contacts approaching the Earth star system and for all TSB fleet and medical personnel to immediately report to their assigned starships. He had a glaring suspicion that the contacts weren't unknown, but had something to do with Sir Simwa and his allies.

  After a five minute trip, the tube came to silent stop and the quiet whispers turned into an excited roar as he exited the tube with the rest of the nervous TSB officers and crewman. The shuttle bay transport station was much larger than the one he'd just left, with over 50 tubes circling the wall, allowing personnel from all the different wings of the TSB Earth Base to arrive simultaneously. He quickly moved through the crowd, fighting his way to the doors and into the massive shuttle bay. The sight, like always, took his breath away.

  Cut directly out of solid rock, the shuttle bay stood a kilometer wide and five kilometers long. The walls were smooth bedrock, with grey and red natural swirls, looking more majestic then any painting, and were partially covered by massive TSB emblems. The smell of sweat and nerves almost drowned out that of the machinery, a slight scent of ozone mixed with burning metal. He shook off the last thought, knowing it was most likely his imagination. The air scrubbers would quickly remove any irregularities within the air supply of Earth base. But the rows of maintenance, cleaning, and moving carts, surrounded by stacks of silver supply crates left scattered when the alarm sounded, reminded him of his short time working in engineering, and the smells...always the smells.

  TSB personnel flowed like a wave, past the stacks of crates and machinery, running towards the far end of the hanger, vying for the best seats in the 30 special TSB shuttles that were lined, nose-to-tail, on the acceleration rail. The shuttles could each hold up to a thousand personnel, but only about 750 comfortably. They were shaped similarly to all other NHA designed spacecraft, being a long rectangle with the top of the nose angled slightly back. Their coloring was different than standard, however, and would constantly shift, turning from a dull white to one identical to the walls surrounding them. The materials used for the hull would camouflage the shuttle as it launched, making them all but impossible to spot with the naked eye.

  He pushed his way through the pressing mob and into the flow heading towards the lead shuttles when a loud tone sounded and the first shuttle, which was closest to the giant launch tunnel cut in the side of the hanger wall, shot off, leaving a blast of wind in its wake. The shuttle would accelerate down the 5000 kilometer long launch tunnel until it reached sufficient speed to be launched, discreetly, into space.

  He rushed up the ramp and into the second shuttle, quickly checking in with the flight officer before continuing towards the open seats, stumbling over a crewman in surprise when he caught sight of Lieutenant Cody seated by a window in the back. He quickly apologized and pushed through the rest of the personnel who were fighting over the middle seats, which myth explained would cause fewer launch side effects, and took the seat next to Cody. She looked up, nodded while flashing a smile and turned back towards the projected viewport. His breath caught as memories of the previous evening returned...her cherry scent once again assailing his senses. Why weren't they assigned to the same starship, he thought, suppressing his rising lust.

  "You should have been on the first shuttle." Her words were all business, the playfulness of the previous evening, a distant memory.

  "I tried. I'm surprised you beat me here." He wiped his brow clean of imaginary sweat.

  "My room is on the way to the tubes and I always have my combat uniform ready...in case of just such an emergency. I was in and out in less than a minute." Daniel looked at her, impressed. It took him almost five minutes to get ready after she left. He was about to ask if she'd heard anything when the launch warning sounded, prompting an air mask to appear from the rear of the seat before him. He quickly grabbed it, securing it over his face as his own seat became like jelly, completely enveloping him and locking his body in place.

  Within moments the shuttled reached the acceleration of 35 kilometers per second squared that was required for its unpowered flight. The seats, that now enveloped all the TSB personnel, lowered the effects of the rapid acceleration down to about six gravities, but Daniel still found it very uncomfortable.

  Seconds ticked by as the shuttle continued its rapid acceleration and the sudden painful increase, then decrease in gravity, signaled they were clear. It took the unpowered shuttle less than a second to reach orbit and break free of the Earth's gravity well. It would take almost an hour for them to reach their destination, the TSB Fleet base, hidden within the Earth star systems inner asteroid belt.

  The seats retracted and Daniel turned to Lieutenant Cody. Her eyes were closed and a slight mist condensed along the inside of her oxygen mask. He suppressed a laugh, knowing it was impossible for him to sleep in this situation. Sitting back, he started to wonder what was going to happen next.

  *********

  An image of a small, bronze, fluidic like sphere appeared over the portable irradiated particle display unit, the physical representation of one of the many Programs in existence throughout the NHA.

  "Priority one request. Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia, please confirm identity." The sphere's liquid like surface pulsed and rippled as the Program's monotone voice broke the silence. Sasha stared in confusion. The Program should have still recognized her as a Princess, not the Grand Duchess. She turned to Guard Lieutenant Lia'Sil.

  "Should we be concerned that the Program is referring to me as Grand Duchess even though the official transfer ceremony has not yet taken place?" asked Sasha, hoping she didn't sound like the ignorant traditionalist nobles she'd come to despise. Lia'Sil thought for a moment, gazing intently at the rippling sphere.

  "I don't think so, Your Grace. Program's are impossible to hack since they…" She gestured towards the floating sphere. "...were made using sealed science...or so I've been told. The only person who may be able to alter their behavior is the Emperor." Lia'Sil couldn't hide her own quizzical look as she delivered her response.

  "What about the title? Shouldn't the Program still consider her a Princess, not the Grand Duchess?" Tiana chimed in, repeating Sasha's question in a way to remind Lia'Sil of the unanswered issue.

  "Uncle Debova once told me Programs base their decisions on actual authority, not perceived." Everyone looked with surprise at Regalia, who spoke in a very dainty voice, almost a whisper. Seeing all eyes on her, the young girl gathered her courage and continued.

  "It happened when my father died and our Earldom was taken over by an administrator. He was a very mean man and tried to...to evict my mother and I out of...from our home. We did not want to move, so we stayed, and when he tried to have us removed forcefully by the local constables, they refused. We did not know why at first, but when my Uncle returned and took control, he said that even though the administrator was perceived, and even accepted by other nobles, as having control over the Earldom, the Program knew that my Uncle was the actual authority, even though he had not yet made his claim. So the...the official request for our removal was denied..." The young girl paused for a second while looking up at Sasha, suddenly blushing, but keeping her gaze steady. Sasha cursed her catillian and once again wished the bonding ritual would come to an end.

  "Is that similar to your situation, Lady Sasha?" asked Regalia, her voice a little more steady and a look of honest curiosity. Sasha couldn't help but smile at the bright young lady.

  "I believe so. There are very many similarities. Thank you so very much for the information, Regalia." The young girl smiled and then quickly looked away. At first, Sasha thought it was because of her embarrassment, but a single tear said otherwise. She quickly rushed over to Regalia's side, but Tiana moved faster, taking a seat and embracing the young girl. Sasha was about to sit as well, but stopped, almost forgetting that she couldn't due to her bo
nding catillian.

  "I'm sorry...Sasha...I promised my mother I wouldn't cry anymore, but when I thought of Daddy I could not...." She sobbed lightly as she apologized. Tiana tightened her embrace, rocking and cooing to the suddenly young again 10 year old girl, whose built up tears broke free. Sasha did all she could, stroking Regalia's silky blond hair in the same manner she did with Tiana when she was young, waiting patiently for the crying to subside.

  Minutes passed and Regalia's crying gradually began to wane, eventually stopping completely. Gil'Da, who had assumed the role of guardian for the young noble, quietly entered the room, moving to Sasha's side, leaning close to her ear.

  "Your Grace, it is quite late and I promised Lady Regalia's mother that I would have her in bed early until she has become better acquainted with her new environment." Both Sasha and Gil'Da looked down on the young girl in Tiana's embrace. Sasha nodded and Regalia was carefully separated from Tiana and led out of Sasha’s sitting room. Lia'Sil was the first to speak.

  "She seems to have had a tough time, Your Grace. I think it would be wise to keep a close eye on her until she is fully acclimated." Sasha nodded her agreement at the suggestion.

  "I agree, Sasha. Let me handle it while you deal with that..." Tiana pointed at the floating sphere. "…and that." Her pointing finger swung, aiming at a spot on Sasha's lower leg where the furry little catillian was in the process of creating yet another feeding node.

  "I would appreciate that Tiana, thank you." She turned her gaze back to Lia'Sil, ignoring the flash of playfulness that told her that Tiana was hoping to garner a certain response.

  "Do you agree with Regalia's words? It does seem to make sense, based on what I've read of Program behavior." Sasha commented, thinking how brave the young girl had to be to interrupt the adult conversation and deliver her bit of information. She may be a great asset in the years to come, Sasha thought, concealing a smiling

  "It explains it very well, Your Grace. The Program knows that you are currently the ultimate authority in the Alutia Duchy, even though it may not be official, and probably didn't think twice about adding the title." Sasha nodded again and turned back to the sphere.

  "Good, that's all I wanted. Program, I am Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia." A small beep emanated from the sphere in an immediate response.

  "Identity confirmed. Please note: some information contained within this request is protected by mandate New Universal Empirical Human Alliance Emperor Decree VVV77701. Due to reasons deemed necessary, this Program will allow this record to be viewed with the expectation that further dissemination will not occur." The Program's monotone voice responded after the beeps stopped.

  "Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia, do you take responsibility for allowing Alutia Guard Lieutenant Lia'Sil and Lady Tiana to view this request? Please note: you will be held responsible in the eyes of the Emperor if the stated parties share information about this event." Sasha looked at the two ladies in the room alongside her, who nodded back stiffly, and she suddenly felt the craziness of the entire situation. She was naked, bonding with a catillian, about to view the restricted record of an unknown event to decide if awarding the Star of Terra, the second highest honor in the universe, was justified, and find if Duke Zehman or Vice Commander Daiyu is lying to her. If someone had told her this would be happening two weeks ago, she would have thought them crazy. She composed herself, ignoring the questioning looks aimed in her direction, and turned back to the sphere.

  "I, Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia, take full responsibility for allowing Alutia Guard Lieutenant Lia'Sil and Lady Tiana to view this restricted record." A beep acknowledged her declaration and the PDU instantaneously projected a three-dimensional image of the interior of a large, all white room, showing what looked to be the beginning of a trial. Four of the participants, three of which wore blue and white dress uniforms, while the fourth wore a gaudy green noble doublet, were seated in a circle, each behind a table with an integrated PDU. In the center sat, quite obviously, the person on trial, restrained to his seat and wearing a plain blue and white jumpsuit.

  "This is a formal request submitted by Terra Space Battalion Commander, Knight Captain Quinn, and accepted by the Program responsible for Earthling Enlistment Trials, and seconded by the Program responsible for the Terra Space Battalion, for the rewarding of the Star of Terra, and all rights included therein, to TSB Lieutenant Trent Marcello. Does Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia acknowledge the receipt of this request?" Sasha thought deeply before responding, trying to place the name of the man being considered for the commendation. She was positive one of the letters from the assorted nobles mentioned him, but couldn't recall exactly what was said. Deciding to let it be for now, she responded.

  "I, Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia, acknowledge receipt of the request. I now await the evidence that TSB Lieutenant Trent..." She panicked when she forgot the rest of his name. Tiana jumped up and quickly whispered into her ear.

  "...Marcello is indeed worthy of being awarded the Star of Terra." She smiled her thanks to Tiana, who smiling back, quickly returning to her seat.

  "Receipt acknowledgement logged. The case will now be presented. Since this is a unique incident, records that are not directly involved in the event will also be included." the Program's monotone voice started and the image quickly rotated down, closing in on the man sitting in the center chair.

  Sasha's heart tried to escape her chest and she felt herself suddenly flush. The catillian let out a loud squawk and scurried from her leg to her bosom, but instead of curling up to sleep, it stared at the man's image, then turned back to squawk again. Sasha was shocked at her own reaction, and suddenly very aware of her nudity, quickly trying to regain her composure before anyone noticed. But by the look on Tiana's face, she knew it was too late. She ignored her friend’s wicked smile and looked closer at the image that fascinated her so.

  The man wasn't anything special, she told herself as she studied his face that held an expression she could only call melancholic. His hair was a dirty brown, cut short and slightly receding. He had a pronounced jaw and well shaped lips, which caused her to unconsciously lick her own. His nose was on the smaller side, but fit his face perfectly, while his eyes suddenly jumped out at her. They were a dark green and slightly bloodshot, showing her the depths of his soul, which frightened her, but made her heart race all the same.

  As quickly as the image appeared, it vanished, replaced by that of a large, grey bearded man sitting in the seat facing the first, then to a woman with a very exotic birdlike appearance, followed by an average looking man wearing the gaudy green doublet that made it apparent that he was obviously a noble. Finally, the image finished on a very attractive young man with a lieutenant insignia on his collar, who reminded Sasha of the arrogant noble boys of her youth, causing a shiver to run down her spine. The image then returned to the previous, all encompassing viewpoint, but now with five two-dimensional displays around the edge, each clearly showing a close up of one of the participants. Sasha's eyes were once again attracted to the first face that belonged to the man in the center, wearing the restraints.

  The record began to play and the large man introduced himself as Knight Captain Quinn, then to Sasha's surprise, Enlistment Candidate Trent Marcello was introduced as the man in the center. As the gasp that escaped her lips faded, she realized her mind had unconsciously assumed the attractive TSB Lieutenant was the one being nominated for the Star of Terra. She looked at Lia'Sil, who shrugged, then at Tiana, who still had a dirty looking smile on her face, neither having any additional insight. As the introductions continued she found that the bird faced woman was the one who sent her the message, Vice Commander Daiyu, and the average looking noble was Sir Simwa, the man who was beaten and honor had been tarnished, and it all began to fall into place. This must have been the interview where the event in question occurred and she would soon find out first hand if Duke Zehman's words were, in fact, true.

  The record continued and Sasha raised her eyebrow when she heard that
Trent had battled a krakllian, then listened intently as Sir Simwa, quite arrogantly, spent time arguing over the use of the word bravery. She had an itching suspicion that the letter she received from the Vice Commander may be more accurate then the Duke's, but held herself back from making a judgment based on feelings alone.

  After the Knight Captain raised concerns that Sir Simwa had not reviewed the record of the event in question, an image suddenly appeared in front of each of the five participants. The image being displayed for Sasha shifted as well, to a planet side scene with leafy green flora she didn't recognize, and a strange looking crisscrossing track cutting through the center. An odd looking metallic colored building sat on one side of the track, surrounded by debris and what looked to be old, decaying dwellings of some sort. Green vegetation could be seen encroaching on the structures, showing that the buildings were more than likely abandoned. On the other side of the strange track sat another circular structure on stilts, which was also rotting. A disheveled man suddenly appeared at the edge of the image, skipping merrily and stumbling occasionally, when suddenly, a sight that everyone who grew up in the NHA knew from childhood stories appeared beneath the circular structure, a krakllian.

  "There really was a krakllian!" Lia'Sil exclaimed, seeming to have been as skeptical as Sasha of the Knight Captain's initial words. The three ladies gasped repeatedly as the man, she realized was Trent, charged the beast and a fight ensued. Sasha found her heart beating rapidly, unusual emotions rising to the surface, along with a resurgence of a certain feeling that was completely out of place in the current situation. She really wished she had some clothes, since her body's coloring showed the honesty that her mind would not accept. Thankfully, neither Tiana nor the Guard Lieutenant noticed, both being engrossed by the unimaginable event being displayed before them.