Spinward Fringe Broadcast 11

by Randolph Lalonde

  "See you in a few minutes," Jake said.

  Alice turned and looked to her squad, who seemed listless, leaning against the wall beside the airlock leading to the Clever Dream, with the exception of Woone and Faloo, who were leaning against each other, back to back. "We're finished here," she announced, holding her finger up and waving it in a small circle. "Pack up, we're standing down." It felt like the kind of gesture Yawen would make, the kind of thing she'd say, and Alice immediately missed her.

  Sixty-Seven

  Reporting

  * * *

  Alice received an order to have the Clever Dream dock at a specific mooring point on the War Forge, to disembark with Gabe Vernor then send the Clever Dream on to a military hangar near the habitation section of the station. They followed instructions, but Alice was wary, feeling that there was something other than a pat on the back coming. It was only accentuated by the fact that Iruuk and Theodore wouldn't look at her while they made the trip.

  They docked, and she felt the full weight of their silence as she slipped out of her co-pilot's seat. Ute broke it, her high voice confident. "I'm proud that I was on that mission with you, Captain. I couldn't have imagined how important it was, for me or you or even the fleet."

  "For you?" Alice asked, genuinely curious. Ute was one of the most intelligent people she'd ever been in the presence of, not just scientifically, or where general problem solving was concerned, but socially as well.

  "I am the first Mergillian to enter another dimension," she said. "I could go back to my people and my life would already be remarkable to them. I mapped a small piece of it, and that would have gone unknown for a long time if you didn't tell me it was something special. I'm a pioneer now, and I want to stay on your crew permanently."

  "I'll make that request," Alice said, her eye drifting to Iruuk, who was busy working on his report while watching the scanner displays. "Thank you, Ute, I think even Lewis thinks you're a better pilot than he is."

  "I do," Lewis said. "Your reflexes aren't better, but you think ahead further than any human I've ever had at the controls, and your style is… entertaining? I think that's the right word."

  Alice left them behind, joining Gabe as they bantered on. They were through the airlock, walking down the hallway within the War Forge when he finally said; "I'm sorry I lost some of your people. There was nothing more I could do."

  "I don't blame you," Alice said, keeping it short, afraid that if she thought about Yawen too much it would bring her grief to the surface. The room they were instructed to report to was within a dark hall with photo-resistive paint that interfered with all visual recordings. The double doors parted and they moved into the simple sitting room as a pair. Commodore Sawyer waited for them in the middle of a broad, semi-circular sofa. The wall past her showed the ongoing construction of a ship, small robots hovering around it, placing parts, arms reaching in, printing sections of the inner structure, and skitter bots delivering complex components within the frame.

  "Congratulations to you both," she said, gesturing for them to take a seat on the semi-circular sofa across from her. "Welcome to the most secure conference room in the solar system, or one of them, at least."

  "Should I be honoured or terrified?" Gabe asked.

  They sat down, only centimetres apart. Alice couldn't believe how comfortable the seat was, it seemed inappropriate somehow. "This is going to be a long debrief," Commodore Sawyer said, leaning back. "Fleet is taking the Lorander philosophy: people are more forthcoming when they're off their feet and comfortable. We'll put a food order in shortly."

  "So, we have your ear until?" Alice asked.

  "Until you're finished," the Commodore said. "That's part of Haven Fleet's forming philosophy. The chain of command has to be knowledgeable and must demonstrate a true understanding of itself all the way up and down. When we have time, we have to communicate under the best conditions."

  "So, this has nothing to do with the shakeup I started?" Alice asked. "Going forward, I'm going to disappoint you if you think I'll be that influential ever again. It's overrated."

  Commodore Sawyer smiled, nodding. "The Admirals and Generals who don't know you or think they might be on shaky political ground are terrified of you. That's not why we're having this extended debrief. I ordered it as soon as I read your medic's report. If what he says is true, then I agree with his assessment."

  "What did he say?" Alice asked.

  "He was impressed by your capabilities, even though he was clear that they're beyond most people's understanding, including his, but he suggests that you take some time to adjust and to recover. There are recommendations that you consult with a Lorander telepath, be put on standby after the first few days so you can react to an emergency, but his assessment is that you should take your recovery in stages. Full rest for a week, put on standby part way through that, then training with your crew under your sole direction, and then ramping up to full duty at the end of a one-month period. There are serious vascular and stress concerns that he's highlighted here. The first were addressed and corrected, but the second will take time."

  "There is an invasion coming," Alice said. "I have some thoughts on how to prevent it, and I'd like to be part of that effort."

  "I agree," Gabe said. "Captain Valent showed good judgement during two crisis that I've seen her involved in. I'd follow her into anything right now."

  "I applaud your sentiment, but we need to go over the particulars. Especially now that Admiral McPatrick's actions today are under review." The Commodore paused for a moment, looking from Alice to Gabe then back to Alice. "You haven't heard. Well, minutes before the Nova Concord emerged on the edge of our solar system, Admiral McPatrick commandeered the Light Runner, a Haven Fleet corvette that was crewing up and testing its main systems. He ordered it to intercept Intelligence's classified Cache Site where the Exile Geist was being held under sedation. He issued a warning to the staff there and once they abandoned it, he launched nine Lance Torpedoes loaded with antimatter at the station and obliterated it. It wasn't a large station, two torpedoes would have wiped it out, but we're guessing he had to make sure. When the Clever Dream emerged, he was already on his way to the Nova Concord, but it was across the entire solar system. He states that he arrived in time to block your connection to the Geist aboard the Citadel ship docked with the Nova Concord, scaring it off and saving you from severe trauma."

  "That last part is true, but I don't know anything about the Cache Site," Alice said. "I'm sure Oz saved me."

  "All right. That's something that'll help him when he faces the disciplinary board. Unofficially, I'm pulling for him. Officially, I can tell anyone who is cleared to listen that he was at least partially acting with the general good of the Haven System in mind. That is, if you think so."

  "Definitely, Geists are…"

  "Hold there, Captain," Commodore Sawyer said. "You're encouraged to share your opinions, but it's always best to preface them with facts."

  Alice could only nod, she knew the regulations and the legal benefits of doing things exactly the way her commander was explaining.

  "So, let's start at the beginning. I'll hear Lieutenant Vernor's report first, starting with your arrival in the Cefa system and any pertinent information leading up to that."

  "While he begins, can I have a moment to send my father a message?"

  "Go ahead," the Commodore said. "There's an anteroom through there."

  Alice followed where she pointed, stepping through a door that was almost hidden in the side wall. The space was small, a waiting area with a sofa and two chairs, the table in the middle with a tissue dispenser implied that it was reserved for bad news. She called up her father's ident and called him. A few blip-blips later and a hologram of his head appeared. "I don't have long," he said. "I'm in debriefing with Admiral Karn and Riley."

  "I'm in debriefing too. It looks like I'll be here for a few hours. I just wanted to warn you that Ayan has a big surprise for you, it's good, but you're
going to be a little shocked." The concerned look on his face was enough for her to guess that she hadn't told him about Laura yet. "So, you haven't had a chance to talk to her? See her?"

  "No, we're on separate ends of the station right now, it's huge. She's in classified meetings, I'm in a classified debrief."

  "All right. Brace yourself, don't look up her personal profile before you see her, let her show you the surprise on her own, okay?"

  "All right," Jake said.

  Alice had a feeling that the moment her father disconnected the call, he'd look Ayan's personal profile up. "You promise me," Alice said as seriously as she could. "Don't go looking for information on what this is. Let Ayan tell you her own way."

  "All right, all right," Jake said. "Good luck with your debrief."

  "Thanks, see you soon."

  Sixty-Eight

  Home

  * * *

  In daydreams that were difficult to turn away from, Jake imagined that he would arrive at Ayan's door in the Everin Building and he'd find her eager to meet him but busy. That was the real impression he got from most of her messages, that she was always occupied by a Fleet that didn't have enough strong leaders.

  The debrief was over, it was a strange meeting with a panel of Admirals, two Generals led by the ruling Triumvirate: The Minister of Public Welfare Pamela Grey, Science Minister Shawn Lourdes, and Defence Minister Carl Anderson who led the question period after Jake and Minh-Chu summarized their basic report. The question period went on for two hours with Carl Anderson squelching as many questions as were put to them, citing the report that Jake and Minh-Chu already had filed.

  The question period about their new artificial intelligence weapon was led by the Science Minister, who seemed as curious as he was concerned, tugging on a short grey goatee as Liara and Remmy stepped forward to answer very specific questions. The Public Welfare Minister listened to everything closely, shifting in her seat whenever any combat in which someone was killed was brought up. Four of her questions were squelched, all of them indicating that she hadn't bothered to review any of the military reports from the Revenge. In fact, the worst question she asked was simply; "How did you come to the decision to bring Freeground Alpha to the Haven System?" which was squelched immediately by Anderson, who simply said; "You'll have to do your own reading on that. Moving on."

  That was the largest flare up amongst the members of the Triumvirate, the ultimate ruling body for the solar system aside from Ayan, who left all decisions to them despite her official title of Queen. She could have been there, but Jake knew why she probably stayed away. At a guess, he thought she'd either feel like she was sitting on the wrong side of the table, or that she'd be a distraction, or that she ultimately didn't want to give any sign that she was interested in wearing a crown.

  "That wasn't so bad," Jake said, hoping saying it would make it true. Most of the questions felt fairly mundane. While the whole ordeal was under way, he was getting status reports on members of his temporary squad. All but three were saved and he'd be able to visit them in the medical centre aboard the War Forge. The others were in line for consideration for the resurrection program.

  They were effectively dead. Their existences were over thanks to a high level of brain damage. There was an excellent chance what was left of them would be used to put a body together so scans taken aboard the Revenge or by their armour could be written onto the new brains, and a copy of them would resume their lives. While it was good for the military, Jake still had reservations about it. None of that seemed like it would be as seamless or as easy as Haven Fleet seemed to think, and he wondered what complications would arise with relatives. Someone died, but everyone would be presented with a new copy that incorporated parts of the original body if possible, and a whole clone when impossible. Would some families want to honour the original with a funeral? Would most prefer to go on as though the replacement was the same as the original? He had a unique insight into the topic, but still didn't know where people would lean or how many complications there would be as the Resurrection Program was phased in. Time and testing would tell.

  He and Minh-Chu made it through the scan check aboard the War Forge, marvelling at the sheer size of it. The rooms were tall, an extra half metre almost everywhere, and the halls were broad. The solidity and feeling of permanence he felt while he was there made him feel like they were entering a station that was affixed to an asteroid. There were no machine noises, even though it was mostly a manufacturing centre and shipyard, and the lights emulated the full healthy spectrum for humans.

  "It's strange," Minh-Chu said. "I thought the Revenge would get here first." Jake felt immediate sympathy for him. It was clear that he imagined a happy reunion with Ashley when he arrived. He started at the arrival of messages on his command and control unit. "My sister. She's left five messages in the last two minutes," he said, activating his small holographic projector. "Oh, brother of mine!" she said, her face a little older, but not so much different from the bratty, energetic young woman Jake remembered. "They wouldn't let me greet you properly. Something about you going for scans and classified checks at a super-secret site. I told them they'd better let me be the first to welcome you, or they would hear about it every time someone in Fleet uniform came to my restaurant. You know what they did? Oh, wait, customer." The message cut out.

  Minh-Chu smiled a little and played the next one. Carnie was already holding his mouth, keeping his chuckles in for the most part. "I'm back! You know what they asked me when I said they'd hear about this injustice? They asked if I would poison the food! I could not believe the disrespect! I would never tamper with food, and poison! The food doesn't deserve… Oh, there's a group of them coming in now." The message ended.

  "I'm back! Oh, customers." That message ended as well.

  "Finally! It is no easy thing being the most successful restaurant owner in Haven Shore. Anyway, what was I saying? Oh, yes. No tampering with food! The stomach rarely makes decisions, so why punish it with bad food or poison? That's what I told him, and he laughed! I couldn't believe it, serious philosophy offered to him and he didn't have to buy so much as a dumpling, and he laughs! I invited him to the restaurant. I think he believes I will serve him excellent food, and I will. It's his ears I'll poison! If I could pour hot dishwater soup on his mind, then I would, but I'll have to let him hear all about it and embarrass him in front of his friends. Ooh, I hope he comes in soon." Minh-Chu burst out laughing at the conclusion of the message, which gave everyone else permission to do the same.

  When he started to calm down, he held his hand up. "Wait, there's one more," he said, playing it. She appeared, smiling sweetly with a framed picture of Minh-Chu from much younger days beside her head. "I can't wait to see you, brother, it's been too long. There are directions to my restaurant in the message, but I know you can follow your nose. I am proud of you."

  "She's a complicated woman," Minh-Chu said as the message faded. His words were critical, but their tone was filled with adoration.

  "It was a long debrief," Jake said. "You should go straight there."

  "You're right. She's probably climbing the walls." He looked to Noah. "You hungry?"

  "Always," he replied. "Especially if you're paying."

  They came through the last short hall before the waiting area and Jake's heart leapt as he spotted Ayan from behind. Her figure and her curly red hair were unmistakable to him. She was in a Fleet uniform, but there was something very different, even from behind, and it looked like she was holding something in her arms. She turned around with a big smile, but her blue eyes were asking a question. In a sling that hung high on her chest made from a fold in her uniform, she cradled a newborn.

  He was across the room, at her side in seconds, and she greeted him with a brief, but warm kiss. "I know a little extra time passed while I was away, but," he said lightly and quietly as he put his arm around her gently.

  "It's a big surprise, I know. An even bigger ask; you don't just get me,
you have to take me and a baby and I never got a chance to ask you, but…" she trailed off. Before he could say anything Ayan looked up at him. "This is Laura. The daughter I thought I would never have. Alice's team rescued her from a refugee ship, and I adopted her."

  "She's beautiful," he said, looking down at the black-haired newborn as her tiny lips worked into a shape that made it look like she was about to whistle. Her eyes half opened, closed then started looking around. "If you asked me, I would have made sure I was there for everything." Laura fussed a little, then her lips started turning upward. "Is she smiling?" A little 'poot' sound drifted up and he laughed.

  "Passing gas," Ayan said. "So, taking our relationship out of order doesn't scare you?"

  "We've started over enough," Jake said. "Maybe it's about time we skipped ahead a little."

  Minh-Chu, his sister Kim-Ly and Noah were on their way to them, and Ayan looked up at Jake, her lips pursed. They stole a quick kiss. "I missed you so much, Jake," she whispered.

  "I missed you too. Thank you for the messages." Was all he had time to say before they were joined by a trio who were mesmerized by Laura. "You made it up?" Jake asked Kim-Ly.

  "They came down in front of my restaurant in a shuttle and brought me here. The windows were blacked out, and I had to wear audio blockers, as if hearing anything in space was even possible."

  "Welcome," Ayan said. "I've been meaning to drop in at your place, but I've been busy. I've ordered a few times though."

  "That's all right," Kim-Li said softly, looking at Laura. "You have a little dumpling of your own to take care of."

  It wasn't the homecoming Jacob expected, no, it was complicated, and shocking, but he would rather be nowhere else. A check on his command and control unit told him that Alice was in a black section of the station, her exact whereabouts classified. "Congratulations, Admiral, Captain," Noah said respectfully before he turned to Minh-Chu. "There's an old friend on the station I have to connect with. I'll see you later."