by Seth Libby
“Yes but I think I would like to hear directly from you as opposed to some secondhand written report. You know reports, they always have a bit of fluff added to them,” Adam explained, indicating the paperwork spread across his desk with a wave of his hand.
“I can understand that, I have seen the reports and they are rather…flowery. So what would you like to know first?”
“How is the knights training going? Have we replaced all the knights we lost back in December?” the president asked as he leaned forward, placing his forearms across his knees parallel to each other.
“Yes, Templar knights number just over two thousand.”
“Really? I would have thought that number would have been a lot higher. We were able to find over three hundred within the first month back when we received word of the impending Shenkar invasion,” the president said disappointedly.
“Those were different times then, i'm afraid. Back then we were a world recovering from the avian bird flu. With the announcement you and the Council of Earth made last week regarding upcoming space expeditions, everyone is flocking to join up. Now people see opportunity, a chance to see what is out there. It matters little to them that they could be headed off to war if the Shenkar return. It's a new world, Adam, you will just have to get used to it.”
The President sat back and thought for a few moments of the Council of Earth. After the Shenkar had been defeated, the leaders of many nations felt a governing council should be established so no one nation held absolute power over the new space fleet and her supporting military. Adam knew the coming years would be trying ones as nothing like this has ever transpired before in history. All the major nations of Earth, under the rule of one governing body. Some nation’s leaders, like France, had tried to establish themselves as sole leader but that had quickly been put to rest. For the most part things were going better than expected, although the President of France had argued against the main facility being established in the United States. It was only when the leaders from England, Australia and Japan threatened to vote France's removal from the council did they relinquish their argument.
“Yes I suppose that makes sense,” the president said with a sigh.
“There is good news however, they have been able to modify the nanite technology and have developed a process that they will be able to introduce into more men and woman. The new knights won't be anything like our current knights but they will be enhanced just not on the same levels. Because of the difference they are talking of calling them Paladins as opposed to Templar knights.”
“That is good to hear. How goes the construction of the fleet? We had a pretty severe setback a few months back with that explosion that resulted in the loss of a shipyard.”
Frank thought of the incident in which the President spoke of. Antimatter torpedoes were being loaded upon a newly constructed heavy cruiser when something went wrong. A malfunction in the wiring was speculated but never proven. The resulting malfunction caused a catastrophic explosion which destroyed the heavy cruiser along with the shipyard. Luckily most of the maintenance and engineering staff had been moved to another shipyard to help with the new flagship for the expeditionary fleet, which was severely behind schedule. After the disaster the council had voted to cease the use of antimatter torpedoes. Luckily a new explosive compound had been discovered. The compound which had been discovered on the asteroid base in system 238 and was also key in the destruction of the Shenkar command base. Also luckily, was there was no need to travel to system 238 to attain more of the compound. Earth's own asteroid belt yielded the same compound, newly named Xyglycerium. The new torpedoes lost some range, due to reconstruction, but the explosive yield was equal to that of the antimatter torpedoes.
“The fleet construction is going well, the Earth defense force is completely rebuilt and now we are concentrating on the expeditionary fleet.”
“Good to hear. How is the pride of the expeditionary fleet? Is she finished yet?” asked the president.
“No sir, we are still experiencing some problems with the fold drives. She is larger than anything the Meshtrell have ever built and it even dwarfs that Shenkar Dreadnought we destroyed last year. They are having some troubles extending the enveloping field. Right now if we were to try, only three quarters of the ship would make the trip. I have been assured they will solve the problem soon. However, I can report we have solved the interceptor’s problems and have successfully installed the new pin point defense system on all capital ships.”
“Excellent, that will severely reduce enemy torpedo impacts. So tell me, how have the Meshtrell taken to our improvements to their technology?”
Frank laughed at this question.
“It is one of the few times I have seen that odd one, Reeta, I think, speechless. They keep saying we are “truly remarkable” because we adapt so quickly.”
The President laughed at this before settling back into his chair, his face turning serious.
“Do you think we are ready for them? I mean if they come back, do you think we are more than a match for them? Remember we’re friends, so be honest.”
“I think we are. The Shenkar will assume the Meshtrell are building our fleet replacements as they feel we are an inferior race not capable of comprehending the building of such advanced technology......at least this is what the Meshtrell believe. Either way the Shenkar will definitely return just on the simple fact as they cannot accept being defeated by a lesser race.”
“I suppose you are right, I guess we will see what comes and just have to meet it head on.”
November 22nd, 2013 8:34am
Olympus
Earth Defense Force training facility, Texas
The fork of scrambled eggs was halfway to Liam's mouth when there was a heavy knocking at his door.
“It's open,” yelled Liam, lowering the fork.
The door opened and in walked Tim. Liam noticed he carried a sheet of paper in his right hand. Before Liam could say another word the sheet of paper was thrust towards him.
“Don't tell me you knew about this?” Tim asked angrily.
“Excuse me? Knew about what?” asked Liam.
Again Tim thrust the paper at Liam, who took it and began to read it. Liam immediately recognized it as the roster for the new Paladin candidates. Looking up at Tim in confusion he held up the paper.
“It's the list of the new Paladin candidates, so what is the problem?” asked Liam.
“Read the name of the sixth person from the bottom.”
Liam scanned the paper once again till he located the name in which Tim was speaking of. Reading the name he had to then read it again to confirm what his eyes were telling him, the name was Sabrina Wellmo. Looking up quickly he now understood why Tim was so angry.
“Tim, I swear I didn't know anything about your daughter joining up. This is as much a surprise to me as it is you.”
“She can't be part of this, I already lost my wife, I can't lose her......you have to stop this,” Tim pleaded, his anger bleeding away.
Liam sympathized with Tim but he knew by now she would have already have been incubated. Looking up at Tim's desperate plea he knew
he couldn't tell this to Tim. Sighing he dropped his fork into his unfinished breakfast, pushed back his chair, and stood up. Grabbing his uniform jacket from around the chair, he headed for the door.
“Come on, let's see what we can do.”
November 22nd, 2013 8:48am
Olympus
Earth Defense Force training facility, Texas
Liam and Tim marched into the medical facility where the “new recruits” were enhanced. None of the soldiers on duty moved to intervene as all knew that Templar knights had free access to anywhere on base. Quickly they moved through the hallways until they arrived at the stairs and began to descend. Even at their quick set pace it took them another fifteen minutes to reach their destination.....a set of red security doors. Reaching up, Liam placed his palm against a finger print reader. The reader
emitted a low whine as it scanned Liam's palm then there was an audible click from the security doors. Opening the door Liam and Tim entered the enhancement room.
Looking around Liam searched for someone in charge. Scientists, doctors and medical assistants moved about checking the status of their incubated patients. One of the scientists paused at his work and looked up to see Liam and Tim. The scientist was clearly surprised to see two Templar knights present, which Liam thought rather odd considering they deal with knights everyday. Shaking off his surprise he then made his way over to them.
“Mr. Brennan, it's good to see you again,” said the scientist.
Now it was Liam's turn to be surprised. Looking at the man he judged him to be in his mid twenties, black hair with a plain thin face. Looking at the man’s name tag he read the name: Henry Davran, a name he didn't recognize. This was the first time he had ever come down to the incubation center and he never recalled meeting this man.
“You don't remember me, do you? Well it has been a long time. I had heard your group had recovered their memories so I figured you might remember me. I was the scientist who you last spoke to before you underwent the enhancement process,” explained Henry.
Liam thought for a moment before it all came back to him. The young scientist who, although uncomfortable with the subject, had tried to explain what his body and mind was about to undergo. It seemed like an eternity ago when he had volunteered to undergo a new alien process that would make him the super soldier he was today.
“Sorry, so much has happened since then. I do remember you now that you have reminded me of that day. Good to see you weren't present when the facility had been attacked; many of the scientists that had been present had died.”
“Yes, I was already in Texas at that point although I lost a few good friends that day,” Henry explained sadly.
“Henry, I am sorry but we didn't come here to reminisce, we came because of one of the new recruits,” explained Liam.
“Oh......yeah, sure I am glad to help, what is their name?” asked Henry.
“Sabrina Wellmo,” Tim blurted before Liam could respond.
Henry looked up as if thinking the name over in his head. After a few moments his face fell slightly.
“What?” asked Liam.
“Yes...What?” asked Tim, a bit more demanding.
“Well...it’s just that there were complications with Miss Wellmo's incubator. There was a power spike which resulted in an overload in her. While she is stabilized, she is registering no brain activity, we fear she might be lost,” Henry explained, clearly uncomfortable having to explain this to the father of the subject.
Tim's face filled with anguish with this news. Seeing his friend in pain Liam spoke.
“Please take us to her.”
Henry nodded and then turned. They followed Henry to the back of the incubation room to a small door. Passing through the door took them into a small room that held three hospital beds. Sabrina Wellmo occupied the middle bed while the other two beds remained empty. Several machines were hooked up to monitor her life signs as well as regulate her breathing.
“Could you please excuse us, Henry?” Liam asked.
“Oh...yeah, if you need anything I will be in the incubation chamber.”
After Henry had left the room Liam stepped up next to Sabrina and studied her as he thought. Tim moved to the other side of the bed and took up his daughter's hand, placing it to his cheek.
“Sabrina, What have you done?” Tim murmured in a tear-choked voice.
Liam walked to a set of drawers nearby and began to open and close them until he found what he was looking for. Returning to Sabrina's bed he held a scalpel in hand. Tim seeing the scalpel gave him a questioning look.
“Tim, I don't know if I can do anything but I will try,” Liam said.
Tim, at first, looked confused but then sudden comprehension dawned across his face and he nodded. After he was sure Tim understood, Liam leaned forward and made a deep incision near Sabrina's temple then proceed to make another incision in his left palm. Placing his palm to Sabrina's head he closed his eyes and pulled in on himself. Slowly he focused upon maneuvering his nanites through the open wound into Sabrina's head. Tediously he examined Sabrina's brain as his own nanites worked their way throughout her brain. Liam could not find anything obviously wrong yet something didn't seem right to him. Seeing that none of the brain tissue showed any signs of damage he moved out of the brain and began to spread throughout her body. Moving slowly he searched for what had caused Sabrina to suffer such a fate. He continued to find no obvious damage as he searched yet that nagging feeling he was missing something obvious continued to gnaw at him. He didn't know how much time had passed; it could have been minutes or hours yet Liam couldn't say as he labored to find the answer. It wasn't until he began his third pass through Sabrina's body did it finally hit him. None of Sabrina's nanites were completely active; it was as if they were set in standby mode. They pulsed with a faint glimmer of life but otherwise they did nothing. Further investigation revealed a large group of nanites were clustered around her cerebral cortex, which were interfering with brain activity, effectively shutting her down. Slowly Liam moved his nanites into place around the cluster. When the last of his nanites were in position he focused an electrical surge from his own nanites into the cluster. Nothing happened. Focusing again he intensified the electrical surge but this time overlaid a new set of parameters in the nanites programming to accelerate the process. This time there was a reaction as the cluster came to life, a flurry of activity. The newly activated nanites spread quickly, linking up with the remaining inactive nanites to in turn activate them. In a matter of minutes all of Sabrina's nanites came on-line and finished the integration process.
Liam withdrew his nanites through the open wound back into his own body, sat back, and waited. Tim looked from Sabrina to Liam and back again before he spoke.
“Liam, are you okay? You have been at it for hours. Were you able to do anything? Is she going to be okay?” Tim asked in an anxious tone.
Liam didn't say anything but continued to watch Sabina. Tim moved from his position by the door where he had been watching in case Henry returned. Just as he reached Sabrina's bedside the monitors came to life. Brain activity spiked suddenly as her eyes shot opened. Liam calmly reached over and hit the call button that would bring the medical personnel.
Sabrina blinked a few times then began to look around, confusion on her face. Her eyes saw Liam first then she must have felt another presence as she turned her head to lock eyes with Tim.
“Dad?” she asked cautiously.
Tim carefully reached out and brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. A tear slowly ran down his cheek.
“Oh Sabrina, I thought I had lost you,” Tim said in a choked voice, tears beginning to flow freely now.
Sabrina's face softened now as tears welled up in her eyes. She sat up and enfolded her father in a tight hug.
“I am so sorry, dad, for how I treated you before, I know you would never have purposely done anything to hurt mom. I thought I would never get a chance to tell you how wrong I was when I saw you go on the deep space mission,” Sabrina explained in choked sobs.
At this point a doctor entered with Henry following close behind. The doctor immediately moved to Sabrina's side and began to check her vitals. Henry stood at the foot of the bed with a look of amazement upon his face.
“What did you do?” asked Henry.
Liam didn't answer but instead just stared at Henry until Henry became uncomfortable and looked away.
“Well.....I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. So is she going to be okay?” Henry asked the doctor.
The doctor continued to examine her for a few more minutes before he turned to the three.
“She will be fine...actually I can't find anything wrong with her but I would like to make a few more in depth tests before we release her.”
“Uh....is it all right if I get a blood sample? I would
like to test her current nanites to make sure they are working properly.” asked Henry.
“I don't see any reason why not....hand me that syringe on the counter,” said the doctor.
Henry handed the syringe to the doctor who then turned, located a vein, and pressed the needle into Sabrina's arm.....or attempted to at least. As soon as he began to push the needle into her arm it was suddenly repulsed by a shimmering energy field.
“Um....that’s not possible,” said Henry.
Everyone turned and looked at Henry.
“I think I had better explain that more. You don’t know but Miss Wellmo volunteered for the Paladin program. Paladins, through the enhancements, have enhanced strength and reflexes. They also have the regenerative health as well as the superior learning abilities. However, all of these abilities are not as superior as knight’s abilities are. The Paladins also lack that sword deflection ability as well as the kinetic shield. Or at least they are supposed to lack the kinetic shield. I don't understand how it is she has this ability,” explained Henry.
“It is simple, she isn't a Paladin, she is a Templar,” Liam calmly stated.
“Really? How is this possible? She was tested for the knight enhancement process and she failed. She would have died if she had undergone that procedure,” explained Henry.
“Let's just say I was able to fix her nanites the only way I know how they are supposed to work,” Liam explained.
Henry cocked his head to the side as he thought about this for a few moments before he answered.
“So you essentially made her a Templar? But if you could do that then you can do that for anyone,” Henry said excitedly.
“No,” Liam said simply.
“But why? If we have a million Templar knights then we would crush the Shenkar when they returned or even better yet we could go on the offensive and hit them at their home world. Why would you not want to assure the survival of the human race?” Henry asked a bit hotly.
“For many reasons, first and foremost I fight to defend, not to kill. I will not be part of wiping out another sentient race no matter how barbaric they can be. Second reason, I am not positive I could do this for just anyone, I was mostly guessing when I did this. So who is to say I could do it again? Third reason, even if I could replicate the process do you realize how long it would take me to make a million Templar knights?”
