by Ben Winston
"Perhaps they should not try," Shies replied gently. "The city can be rebuilt around it and the crater turned into a harbor. Before this atrocity occurred, Starlight had a very active and busy seaport. I do not know the details, but I do know that there was a large fishing fleet based out of there, as well as shipping from the other continents."
"Perhaps you might suggest that to the incoming civilian authorities, Ambassador. They will be taking over here once we depart for our own system," Ian replied.
"I will do that, Admiral. Thank you," Shies replied, smiling at him.
They boarded the raptor and left for the planet. Sasha and Lissa took them over the ruins of the city and Ian saw the extent of the damage. Surprisingly, the suburbs were mostly intact, but the city center, for a kilometer in every direction was gone. Ian saw the drones working in the rubble close to the water and while he watched, three drones surfaced in the flooded crater and headed west on their anti-grav drive systems.
Finally, Ian asked Sasha to take them to the camps. What he had seen of the remains of Starlight had depressed him, but he knew that it would be rebuilt better than before.
"I'm actually surprised Hyperion did not have a planetary AI. I thought the invasion predated the Talosian policy regarding AI," Jenny said conversationally.
"Actually, it did," Trante replied. "It self-destructed when the Empire attacked. But, since this was a rather unimportant colony, she was the only one in the system."
Ian smiled sadly. "Well there'll be more than one here now. One of our freighters arrived very early this morning carrying the defense network assembler, as well as a traffic control unit, a communications control unit and a new planetary controller. The ATC and Comm AI will remain in orbit with the Network assembler while the techs take the new AI down and install her on planet. These are Terran AI, not Talosian; which means all four are sentient beings."
"We have been given the information about how your AI became sentient, Admiral. I can't say I agree with the practice, however, I also have not had much opportunity to interact with one," Lieutenant Commander Haskin said.
"Actually, my Love, you have," Shies replied gently. "Officer Lissa is a sentient AI."
"No, she can't be, Shies! I've touched her! I've shaken her hand! She's a real being just like you and me, not holographic," he replied.
"Officer Lissa Dancer is the AI present aboard this very special vessel, Lieutenant Commander," Ian replied. "She inhabits a biological android body, but her main processors and memory units are installed below us. She was given the body to better interact with the team as well as perform her duties."
Both Talosian men were stunned.
"Is she not romantically involved with Officer Sasha?" Trente asked.
"With respect, Sir, she is romantically involved with all of us," Jerry replied from his place at the table. "We are a very close team, and she is very much a part of it."
Ian nodded. "It's also a very closely guarded secret. So I must ask all of you not to pass this information on to anyone else without her permission to do so. The truth of her existence is at her discretion. She has the same right to privacy as any other citizen of our society."
"Of course, Sir," Haskin replied. "It is only that the information took us by surprise. We meant no disrespect or insult to any of you."
Jerry smiled and put his hand on the man's shoulder. "It's just one of the differences between our cultures, Commander. No offense was taken."
"She feels very different from other beings, but she does feel… alive," Shies replied. "As does Major Dancer. Whatever else may be said of them, they are life-forms and well worthy of our respect. At first, I did not understand what I was feeling from her, but I made the connection after I met her mother."
"Mother?" Haskin asked.
"Major Dancer of course," Shies replied. "There is even a family resemblance, after a fashion."
Ian put his hand over the hologram of his rank. "There is something I would like to ask you, Shies, not as an Admiral, but as Ian Williams, a friend to Lissa and Star."
"Of course, Ian. What can I help you with?" Shies asked concerned.
"Both Lissa and Star were the ones fighting to keep the Imperial mecha out of the control computers at Starlight. Presently, they believe they failed. The truth is, they did not fail; they were sabotaged," Ian said.
"They were what?" Sam asked, surprised.
"They were sabotaged, Sam," Ian replied. "Intelligence has been working on it since Chief Laskar found the proof in the logs. As close as we can figure out, one of the Talosian Marines we brought with us isn't just a Marine."
"Why would a human be working for the Empire?" Haskin asked. This discussion was troubling him.
"We don't know, Commander; it's one of the things we will be asking them once we catch them," Ian replied. "Provided they survived the blast."
"As troubling as this news is, Ian, I would be honored to speak to them with you," Shies replied. "What happened in Starlight could not be blamed on them, even if sabotage had not been involved. That atrocity can only be placed at the feet of the Emperor and his servants."
"Thank you, if it would be alright with you, I will ask both of them to join us for dinner this evening. I would do it before, but I don't believe time will permit," Ian said. "Ladies and gentlemen, what has been said here is still classified. I must ask all of you to keep this to yourselves as well."
The Raptor team was bound to secrecy anyway, but Shies and her companions nodded agreement.
"Admiral, we’re landing at Camp Alpha. Admiral T'rolith and his party have just arrived and are awaiting us near the control center," Sasha said over the comm. "Team; Escort Protocol."
"Thanks, Sasha," Ian replied as the rest of the team, already dressed in their armor, unracked their weapons, slung them on their armor, and fitted Shies and her consorts with personal shields.
"Is the shield really necessary, Admiral? I have nothing to fear from these people," Shies asked.
"I'm afraid it is, Ambassador. It is not just the people out there that I am worried about. If the Empire has a saboteur in our forces, who knows what else they may have?" Ian replied.
"I agree with it, Shies," Haskin said. "Personally, I would prefer you to be in the same armor the Admiral and Commander are wearing, but I know you would not agree to that."
"You know me too well, my Love," Shies replied smiling at him and caressing his cheek.
Sam stepped forward and offered Haskin and Trante sidearms. Both men accepted the weapons and strapped the belt around their waists.
The Raptor landed, and the side passenger door was opened. Jerry and Shannon exited first, to make certain the area was safe, and stood guard as the VIPs and the rest of the team got out of the ship.
Off to one side, Ian could see the large form of Admiral T'rolith standing next to Serena. As Ian and his group approached, both Serena and T'rolith came to attention and saluted. Ian returned the salute and bowed to T'rolith as custom dictated; Although Ian was the leader, T'rolith was actually senior in rank to Ian.
"Sorry we're a little late, I asked Sasha to take us over the remains of Starlight," Ian said by way of greeting.
"No apology is needed, Admiral. We, too, used this opportunity to survey some of the damage," T'rolith replied. "There is much to be done to repair this world."
Ian nodded. "Yes there is, but that is a task for others to accomplish. We are needed to get back to the war soon. Shall we go make sure everything that can be done is being done?"
T'rolith nodded. "Perhaps we can use what we have learned here to free other worlds lost to the Empire. In that way, push these invaders out of our galaxy once and for all."
Ian smiled. "That's a nice thought, but this strategy will only work until the Empire changes tactics. Now that their gates are destroyed, they are probably doing that exact thing right now."
T'rolith nodded agreement. "Well, this is still a viable plan. One I do not see High Command abandoning anytime soon. No
w that we know we can take worlds back from them, I am certain there will be more."
As they were talking, they had begun moving out into the camp. As expected, they're passage began to draw a crowd. People in the camp coming to see just who it was that had rescued them. People applauded them and cheered, but there were a lot of folks that wanted more information on the fate of Starlight. They had all seem the explosion, even from this distance. Rumors had invaded the camps and people wanted to know what happened, as well as if there were any other survivors. Many of them had friends and family that had not made it out of the city with them.
All Ian and the others could do was to refer them to the location and identification service that had been set up. In return, they asked them if their needs were being met and if there was anything that they might be in need of.
There were the normal complaints, especially from the 'privileged', about poor or inadequate accommodations, and how the 'menials' were not showing them proper respect.
Ian looked at these people like they were from another planet. "All of you, listen to me; and you better take this to heart. The accommodations you have are all you will be getting here. There are no class distinctions here. There are no menial laborers here. The people working to supply your needs are not servants, but in most cases are soldiers. Many of them had to watch their friends die or be wounded in the battles fought to protect you. Since they are still armed, you might want to think twice about pissing them off. In short, be thankful you have what you got, because you won't get anything more until you return home - if your home is still standing. If you still feel you are being mistreated here, you are free to leave. I'm sure the support staff would be greatly appreciative for having less people to worry about."
"I tried to leave! These 'people' refused to provide transportation back to the city! So don't tell me we are free to do any such thing young man!" a rotund man snarled.
Ian narrowed his eyes at the man. "Who are you, Sir?"
"I am Silas Herstel of House Bjorin, Garins Family. I am the head of the undersea mining guild here on Hyperion," the corpulent man said, puffing up with his own self-importance.
"Mister Herstel, I am Admiral Ian Williams. Among other things, I am the person in charge of all military operations here. May I assume from your description that you had an office building near the waterfront?"
"The top four floors were our residence! It is the tallest building in Starlight! Now, I demand you order these men to take myself and my family home this instant!" the man replied.
"Mister Herstel, at present, the place where your building stood is currently under a thousand meters of saltwater. In case you did not hear the news, the main power reactor for the city was intentionally detonated by Imperial soldiers resulting in the total vaporization of the downtown area. The force of the blast destroyed buildings in the outer areas and killed two-hundred and forty thousand of your fellow citizens. If you try to demand anything from these people again, I will order them to take you out into the middle of the now flooded crater, dump your fat ass in the water, and leave you there. Do you understand me?" Ian said in not so friendly a manner.
"Now see here!" the man began. "I will not be spoken to in such a manner! I'm…" the man tried to reply but Ian stopped him.
"Corporal?" Ian called to one of the troopers holding the crowds back.
"Sir?" the woman asked as she stepped forward.
Ian pointed to Herstel. "This man doesn't care for the way he's being treated here. Please see that he is taken to the edge of the camp and released. He no longer requires our assistance."
The woman grinned hugely, but the man sputtered. "Now see here! You can't do this to me! I'll have you arrested and drummed out of the military!" Two other soldiers took the man by the arms and led him away. Ian turned back to the corporal. "Keep an eye on him, and let him back in in twelve hours. You can do it sooner if you think he's learned anything."
She nodded. "Understood, Sir, we'll drop him near one of the guard posts, and they can keep an eye on him."
Ian nodded. "I don't want him hurt; just scared a bit. Make sure he has plenty of water, but I wouldn't be too concerned about food; I think he'll be fine for missing a meal or two."
"I'll take care of it, Sir," She replied and saluted. Ian returned the salute and she took off after the two soldiers.
CHAPTER TEN
While he'd been speaking to Herstel and the corporal, Ian had noticed Serena seemed distracted. He moved over next to her. "What's bugging you?"
"One of the guards over there reminds me of one of my granddaughters. She'd be that age now. The problem is, she was on Premora with the rest of my family when it fell," Serena replied.
"What was her name?" Ian asked gently.
"Jarla. I admit, she was only six cycles old the last time I saw her, but it's really bugging me," Serena replied.
"Not a very common name. It means 'sacred' or 'blessed' in ancient Talosian doesn't it? Do you think she would remember you?" Ian asked.
Serena nodded. "It means 'precious' actually. She should remember me; she was always following me around when I was home on leave. I didn't mind at all, either; she was a great kid."
Ian got Sam's attention and waved him over. "Sam, Serena thinks she recognizes one of the Marines in that group over there," Ian nodded his head in their direction. "The problem is the girl is supposed to be on an occupied world. Think you can find out if her name is Jarla?"
"Not a problem, Sir. What do I do if I confirm it?" Sam asked.
Serena looked up at him. "We'll need to speak with her, Officer. She shouldn't be here."
Sam nodded to her once. "Aye, Ma'am. I'll get her back to the Raptor without causing a scene. I'll backfeed the conversation to you so you know what's going on. May I borrow Lissa? She can get control of their armor faster than I can."
Ian nodded, and Sam grabbed Lissa, giving her a quick explanation while they walked toward the three female Marines. They had removed their helmets, and Lissa nodded her agreement to his plan. She was smiling softly by the time Sam approached the women.
Suddenly Ian and Serena could hear Sam's voice over their comms; "Excuse me, ladies, I'm Officer Sam and this is Officer Lissa of the Raptor Damocles. Might I beg your names?" Sam was using every ounce of charm he could muster, and he wasn't an unattractive man. The women responded almost automatically.
"Certainly Officer, I am Sergeant Laorna, this is Corporal Kinber, Private Jarla, and Private Shomes. What can we do for you this day?" The woman smiled at him in a friendly manner.
"Well, Lissa and I just found out about a special shipment the Admiral ordered for the folks here and we're gonna need some help driving the sleds back. If I clear it with your CO and offer to buy you ladies lunch, would you be willing to give us a hand?" Sam asked very politely. "All you'll have to do is drive the sleds back here; no heavy lifting involved, I promise."
"Throw in your contact info and I'll go!" Kinber replied, grinning.
"Kinber, you're such a slag," Jarla replied chuckling.
The Sergeant laughed along with the others and agreed for the group. She gave Sam the name of their CO so he could clear his borrowing of his soldiers for a time. The captain had no problem since they were off-duty anyway, and the group headed for the landing area.
"It's all set-up," Sam replied. "You guys seem close, been friends long?"
"We're all from the same planet except for Shomes; she's from Crellilte III. We met in training and have been friends ever since," Laorna replied. "Where are you from?"
"A small planet you've probably never heard of. It's called Atlas. I'm told that the system wasn't on Talosian charts," Sam replied.
"Officer Lissa, are you from that planet as well?" Jarla asked innocently.
"Not exactly, I'm from one of the moons, so I guess you could say I am," Lissa replied. "Sam and I only met when we began Raptor team training."
"What's that like? We've all heard hundreds of rumors about it, but no one
really knows. Your whole sector is like that, really," Shomes said.
"Well, mostly, it's classified. But honestly, it's way harder than basic training was. It even seemed impossible a couple of times, but we made it through," Sam replied, making small talk and flirting with the girls.
Ian glanced at Serena who had a concerned look on her face. "Did you notice they avoided saying their planet of origin?"
Serena nodded. "Yes, they skipped right over it. My question is, who are these women?"
"I don't know, but we're going to find out," Ian said and lifted his cuff to access his comm. "Lissa, don't acknowledge. Try to get them to say what planet they’re from and what unit they're with."
While Ian was speaking to Lissa, Laorna asked her what it was like spending so much time on missions cooped up with such a handsome man.
"Well, it's sure isn't boring!" Lissa replied jovially. "Besides, there are four other members of the team, and none of them are exactly ugly or hard to get along with. Besides, I'm sure you know what it's like being stuck on a ship with attractive men! What unit are you guys with?"
"Freise Company, second platoon. We have all women in our squad, so we have to go hunting when we're stuck on the transport. Not that we mind keeping to ourselves, but sometimes a girl just needs a change, you know?" Kinber replied. "None of us have any ranking in our house, so we can do pretty much what we want."
"So you're all from the same House then? Let's see, that's House…" Lissa said like she was thinking hard.
"Harclen, Yes, we're all from the same House. The girls and I are from Rijiz out near the occupied zone. When Premora fell we thought we would be next, but they never showed up, thank the gods," Laorna replied.
After a bit more flirting and small talk, they arrived at the landing area. Of course, there was no shuttle.
"Damn, they're late. Come on ladies, let's go to the Raptor, I can get you that lunch I promised and find out where the hell that shuttle is," Sam said casually.
