by Tripp Ellis
“The Federation will sense this weakness and strike. They are foolish if they don't."
"Perhaps now is the time for an alliance with the Federation."
Captain Vesplata furrowed his brow. "You can't be serious? The humans cannot be trusted, and their hunger for power and control is insatiable. "
"I owe my freedom to a human. I think, perhaps, negotiations may be possible. They are not so different than we are. They want to live in peace. They want to see their children grow up in a safe environment and have a promising future. An alliance could ensure freedom for both our kind. This war was the Emperor's doing."
The captain still wasn't sold on the idea.
55
Zack
Zack clenched his fist and gazed down at his new arm. It was a shiny, metallic prosthetic. He was still a little groggy from the anesthesia, but at least he was feeling no pain. The Tarvaax doctor had jacked him up with some pretty heavy duty pain meds. It seemed like a strange dream, like it was happening to someone else. Almost like an out of body experience—watching the movie of someone else's life.
Zack lay in a bed in the recovery room. Wireless electrodes on his chest monitored vital signs. The results displayed on a vibrant monitor next to the bed. Nerve conductivity impulses were monitored on the display as well.
Honor stood at his side, holding his natural hand.
“Wiggle your fingers," the doctor said.
Zack opened and closed his fingers, gazing at the articulation in amazement. The nerve impulses displayed on the monitor.
"Flex your arm?"
Zack curled and extended his arm a few times. The prosthetic moved effortlessly, gliding on smooth hinges. He could hear the subtle noises of servos and actuators.
The arm looked like it belonged to a robotic bodybuilder. It was much bigger and thicker than his natural arm. He regarded it with curiosity. He might feel differently about it once he came down off the pain medication, but for now, he was just glad to have a functional prosthetic.
The doctor ran his finger along the prosthetic’s forearm. "Can you feel that?"
Zack nodded.
The doc took a needle and poked at the metal surface. "How about that?"
"I can feel the sensation, but it doesn't hurt."
"Good." The doctor grabbed a glass beaker and handed it to Zack. "Hold this as you would normally."
Zack took the glass in his synthetic hand. There were sensor pads on his palm and fingertips. It gave him tactile sensation. He could feel the glass and sense the correct amount of pressure to use without shattering the beaker into a million shards.
Charlie entered the compartment and his eyes grew wide at the sight of the prosthetic. His face tensed with anger. "You were supposed to reattach his natural arm."
"I didn't feel comfortable making the attachment. I'm much more familiar with synthetic replacements. I put his arm in a preservation solution, so that when he returns to his kind, there's a possibility they could reattach it. In the meantime I fitted him with a prosthetic."
"I don't know if I would call that a fit."
"It's the best I could do."
Charlie glared at the doc, then his eyes flicked to Zack. "How are you feeling?"
“I feel great," Zack said. "But you might want to ask me that tomorrow. I have a feeling I'm going to be in for a pretty rude awakening once I come down off these meds."
"You may notice some tingling and burning at the attachment site over the next several weeks as the nerves adjust to the interface,” the doctor said. "Before long, you won't even notice that it's a prosthetic."
"I think it's always going to stick out a little bit," Zack said.
"I don't know. I kind of like it,” Honor said. "It's unique."
"Well, she likes it, I guess it's a keeper," Zack said with a grin.
Charlie smiled. "I've spoken with your president. I feel confident we can form a coalition and secure control of Lusova. After which, I expect peace between our species for the foreseeable future."
“That sounds good to me,” Zack said.
“They are anxious for you’re return. I have informed them that the demise of the Emperor is you're doing. They tell me that you are a hero among your people, and you will return even more so."
“So, the president didn't say anything about being absent without leave, did he?"
Charlie chuckled. "I think they'll let that slide. I'll have a transport take you back to the Federation as soon as you're well enough to travel.”
Zack had a solemn look on his face. “My friends are still out there. They were taken captive by Aarnok's guards. I can't go home without them."
Charlie gave him a reassuring smile. "Your friends are just fine. Sergeant Cole and Corporal Dawson have apparently liberated an entire prison facility.”
Zack raised his brow, surprised. "How did they pull that off?”
“You’ll have to ask them when you see them," Charlie said
“Thank you," Zack said, extending his new robotic hand. "For everything."
Charlie clasped Zack's prosthetic. "The thanks belongs to you. And to Honor.”
56
Zack
Cole, Diesel, and Cyclops waited anxiously on the flight deck of the USS Intrepid. Diesel’s eyes lit up as the Tarvaax dropship cruised into the bay. Flight crews scurried about, and a platoon of Marines stood ready.
The air distorted beneath the thrusters as it landed on the deck. A few moments later, the loading ramp lowered, and Zack emerged hand-in-hand with Honor.
Diesel was excited to see him, and she was thrilled he found Honor. But she couldn't help feel a twinge in her gut. There was no denying she had feelings for Zack, and she knew now there wasn't a possibility of ever having a relationship. She put on a big smile and tried to be happy for her friend.
Charlie followed behind Zack and Honor. The three of them were greeted by the officer of the deck.
Zack snapped to attention and saluted. “Permission to come aboard, sir.”
“Permission granted,” the OOD said with a grin.
Diesel and Cole raced to greet them.
Cameras flashed, and the press pool shouted questions. They were cordoned off in a section on the quarterdeck. There were lights and video cameras and microphones. They leaned over the stanchions, trying to get closer. It was a good thing they were sectioned off, or Zack would've been swarmed with them.
Diesel wanted to throw her arms around Zack and give him a big hug, but she restrained herself and extended her hand. She shouted over the rumble of the noisy flight deck. “That's a fancy piece of hardware you have there.”
"I'm getting used to it,” Zack said, admiring his prosthetic limb. “Plus, you wouldn't believe how strong it is.”
“Really? Do you think you're going to keep it?"
Zack shrugged. "I don't know. I'll tell you this, I'll never lose another arm wrestling match with this thing.”
There were laughs all around.
Zack shook hands with Cole and Cyclops and made the introductions to Honor and Charlie.
“You’re a very lucky girl,” Diesel said to Honor.
Honor smiled. “Yes, I am.” She kissed Zack on the cheek.
“What happened to Rex?” Zack asked.
Cyclops shook his head.
“I’m sorry,” Zack said with a solemn look on his face.
“Admiral Tovark, the president is waiting and ready to see you now,” the OOD said.
Charlie excused himself, and was led away to meet with the president and hammer out the terms of their newfound alliance. If all went according to plan, the UPDF and the Tarvaax resistance would join forces to crush the remaining Tarvaax Navy and install Admiral Tovark as the new ruler.
“I don't know about you, but I think it's time for a real vacation," Cole said.
“Something tells me a vacation is going to have to wait until after the invasion,” Diesel said.
“Just in case anyone forgot, there is the matter of
payment,” Cyclops said. “50% was due upon completion of the job."
Zack cringed. “Yeah, about that. Can we work out some kind of payment plan?”
Cyclops arched an eyebrow at him. “I guess you can start with buying me a beer.”
“Deal,” Zack said.
“May I suggest Landlubbers,” Cole said. I'd like to avoid Anchors Away if possible.”
Diesel laughed. "What happened, did you leave an unsatisfied customer?"
“All my customers are very satisfied, I'll have you know." Cole puffed up his chest.
Diesel rolled her eyes. “I’ll take your word for it.”
The group strolled off the flight deck and into the horde of reporters. Zack braced himself for the onslaught.
“How does it feel to be the savior of the Federation?" a reporter shouted.
“I don’t know,” Zack said. He motioned to Honor. “Ask her.”
Thank You!
I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please consider reviewing the series on Amazon—a simple “Loved it,” or, “Hated it,” would be appreciated.
—Tripp
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I'm just a geek who loves sci-fi and horror. I was abducted by aliens and forced to travel the galaxy as the official biographer of an evil galactic ruler. This is where I learned to hone my craft. Fortunately, I escaped and made my way back to Earth, and now I write about my adventures. I hope you enjoy!
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