by Scott Baron
“And you look stunning, my dear,”
“Good save,” she chuckled.
“I mean, she looks good and all, but doesn’t hold a candle to you,” he said, pulling her close for a kiss.
“Hey, that’s my sister you’re talking about.”
“Gah! It’s a lose-lose situation!” he said with a warm laugh. The one that made Daisy’s knees go a little bit weak.
They watched as Finn handed Sarah her drink and began walking with her toward the festivities getting underway nearby. Sarah glanced at Daisy, flashing a look that could only mean ‘it’s just one drink, don’t gloat.’
“You think she’s finally going to take that stick out of her ass and loosen up?”
Dear Lord, I hope so.
“Yeah, me too,” Sarah replied.
Daisy noted the slightly down tone of her voice in her head.
You okay, Sis?
“Yeah. It’s just a little tough, ya know? Being stuck in here while she…”
I know. If there’s anything I can do––
“Nah, I’ll be fine. I just think I’m going to go do my own thing for a bit. Leave you and Vince to yourselves.”
Okay, but the second you need me––
“Don’t worry, I’ll reach out if I do. Now go have some fun, okay?”
Will do. Love you, Sis.
“Back atcha.”
Daisy took Vince by the hand and led him to join the others in what was to be the best party Earth had seen in a few hundred years.
The following morning, still mildly tipsy and warm with the joyful memories of the happy event, Daisy and Vince climbed aboard Freya and flew off to survey the work the aliens had been doing on their Trojan Horse fleet. His engineering know-how, combined with a highly motivated workforce, had led to rapid advances, though it was still going to take them months to be truly ready, despite having functional warp technology at their fingertips––courtesy of the recently-arrived fleet.
“They’ve already hooked up one of the warp drive units in that one over there, but we still have to patch up the hull before they take it up into space,” he told her.
“New weapons system?”
“Yeah. It retracts perfectly.”
“With you designing it, I expect nothing less.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but this is Ra’az tech, so there’s been a steep learning curve. But like I was saying, the weapons retract and tuck into the hull, and the regular surface slides back into place to camouflage it perfectly. Still, there are a few connecting points in the recessed compartment that aren’t as air-tight as I’d like them. I really don’t want any surprise decompressions out there, especially in combat.”
“The Chithiid training in orbit are really doing well, you know. I think they’ll perform admirably, even if they're not soldiers by trade,” Daisy noted.
“Yeah, but once the real shooting starts and their friends start dying, things change real fast,” he replied.
“Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the mouth,” Daisy quipped.
“Indeed. Let’s just hope for the element of surprise.”
“Hey, Daisy?” Freya said over her comms.
“Yeah, kiddo?”
“I was listening to what you guys were saying just now.”
“And do you think the ships will hold up?” Vince asked.
“Oh, that? Yeah, they’re looking great, actually. Structural tolerances are far above their original parameters, actually.”
“Huh, I didn’t realize that,” he said.
“See? You’re even better than you knew,” Daisy said warmly.
“But that’s not what I wanted to tell you.”
“What did you want to tell us, Freya?” Daisy asked.
“Well, you mentioned the element of surprise, and how people will start dying if the Ra’az realize what’s happening and start firing on our guys. So the thing is, I’ve been working on something––with Marty’s help. A side project that might be an even bigger surprise.”
“Bigger than enemy ships sneaking into their ranks?” Vince asked. “You’ve got my attention.”
“Yeah, it could be. You see, I’ve been thinking about the way the Ra’az invaded Earth. How they took over without needing a massive battle. I thought, why not use their tactics against them?”
“Well, we are launching a sneak attack––”
“No, not that part,” Freya said, impatiently. “I designed a modified version of an AI virus, much like the one they used against all of my new friends.”
“But Freya, the Ra’az don’t use AIs on their ships,” Vince pointed out.
“Well, duh. But they do have massively-interconnected computer systems running every system. So my virus, which is totally not dangerous to any AIs, by the way, should be able to spread through their systems undetected, then trigger when we want.”
“Holy shit. You mean you could disable their entire fleet without firing a single shot?” Daisy gasped. “Freya, that’s amazing.”
“Well…”
“What’s the ‘well,’ Freya?”
“The thing is, it doesn’t disable all of their systems. I mean, sure, it’ll knock out a bunch of them, only I can’t really predict which ones it’ll affect. So it is a weapon, and it should help our guys, only it’s kinda going to have to be a sort of wait-and-see kind of element to the attack.”
Daisy and Vince shared a hopeful look. It was by no means a perfect solution, but Freya––with no nudging––had taken the initiative to do something, and what she and Marty had come up with could possibly make a big difference on the day. If it worked, that is.
“So I assume we’ll need to inoculate our own captured Ra’az and Chithiid ships against it, right?” Vince asked.
“Yeah. I’ve already prepared a data packet, but after what happened on Dark Side, I didn’t want to hand it over to just anyone.”
“Good thinking, kiddo.”
“Thanks. I’ve put it on a data chip for Vince to install manually. It’ll be a bit more work, not mass-distributing it, but he should be able to do it while working on the other projects pretty easily. And that way, there’s no chance of anyone stealing the cure and giving it to the Ra’az as soon as we attack.”
“That’s a damn clever kid, Daze,” Sarah said.
Don’t I know it.
“Thanks, Freya. You did good. You know what? I think we should track down Maarl and fill him in. He’s one Chithiid I’m one hundred percent sure of, and this will be some welcome news for him after the Dark Side fiasco.”
“Oh, he’s over by the tribunal building. I’ve been keeping tabs on key members of the team these last few days, just to make stuff easier.”
“How did you do that, Freya?” Daisy asked, her curiosity piqued.
“I kinda gave him a secured communicator when he was aboard, just in case he needed me.”
“And that communicator also happens to let you track his location?” Vince said.
“Yeah, obviously. Duh.”
“Hey, mind the snark,” Daisy said.
“Whatever. But yeah, it’s a tracker as well.”
“Well, then, I’ll ignore the minor invasion of privacy, since it expedites things for us today. Come on. Let’s go see him.”
Maarl was more than slightly thrilled to hear of not only Vince’s progress with the fleet, but also Freya’s secret weapon. It seemed things were coming together, and much faster, and smoother, than any of them could have anticipated.
Except for the problem on Dark Side, of course.
That would require weeks of repairs, if not months, and even with a gaggle of military AIs on the job around the clock, it was still, by its very nature, a time-consuming task.
“With the arrival of the human and AI fleet, our alliance is greatly strengthened,” Maarl noted. “This, and especially the warp technology they are now sharing with our retrofitted fleet, is likely why the loyalists broke their cover and attacked prematurely as the
y did. Once more, I must offer my humblest apologies for not discovering their true nature before they acted.”
“It’s not your fault, Maarl. Things were hectic, and they bore none of the loyalist markings.”
“But we have always known there were loyalist spies hidden in our midst.”
“And there likely still are. All we can do is be alert, and protect key systems and information as best we can. Critical knowledge should only be shared with a select few,” Daisy said.
“I agree, Daisy. And there is something else we should address.”
“Yes?”
“This alliance. I have been in touch with the one they call Zed. He has quite rapidly learned the Chithiid tongue, and is a very impressive intellect.”
“I got that impression from him.”
“He’s a cool guy, too!” Freya chimed in.
“Not now, kiddo,” Daisy replied over her open comms.
“Ah, Freya. It is a pleasure to hear your voice,” Maarl said. “But Daisy is correct. We must focus on this issue at hand with all our attention for the moment.”
“So what’s on the plate, Maarl? What did you guys discuss?”
“We are going to be facing an enemy on three fronts, not including the clean-up required here on Earth. Originally, we were going to have to utilize all of our assets at once, quickly moving from objective to objective. But now, with an entire fleet joining us, and providing warp technology to our ships as well, we may now better utilize our resources.”
“Meaning what, exactly?”
“Meaning we shall separate into three separate fleets to begin our missions simultaneously. Should any Ra’az communications happen to leak to warn the others, this will minimize any harm that might cause.”
“Seems logical,” Daisy said.
“Indeed. The force infiltrating and overcoming the Ra’az fleet will be a quiet operation, led by one of my most trusted men. We are currently gathering him a small core of rock-solid crew to provide an untainted support team. I will personally lead the fleet moving to retake my home world, in conjunction with several AIs from your people’s fleet.”
“And the Ra’az homeworld?” Daisy asked. “That’s going to be the toughest nut to crack.”
“Zed and I agree on that,” Maarl said. “And for that reason, we have selected the greatest of your strategists to lead that assault.”
“Well, Zed’s a pretty solid guy, that’s for sure, and he has centuries of––”
“We have selected you, Daisy.”
Daisy fell silent as the words sank in.
“I’m sorry, you what, now?”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Sarah trudged through Freya’s airlock when she picked her up just past noon. Dragging her feet, and more than a little hungover, Sarah grumbled her hellos to Daisy, Vince, and Maarl, then flopped into her seat.
“Are you okay, Sarah?” Freya asked. “I’m reading dehydration and elevated cortisol levels. If you want, I could––”
“Shhh,” Sarah said, wincing at the chipper AI’s voice. “I just need a little quiet time, is all. Can you do that for me, kid?”
“Oh, yeah. Sorry,” Freya apologized, lowering her voice. “But I was just saying, I can whip you up a B-complex and electrolyte pouch. It should alleviate most of your discomfort.”
“Sure. Whatever,” Sarah sighed. “And dim the interior lights, will ya?”
Daisy and Vince shared an amused look as Freya took to the skies.
“You sure you don’t want to go take a nap?” Daisy asked. “Maybe, lay down for a bit?”
“Shut up,” Sarah grumbled.
“Hey, just making an offer,” she replied, leaving her sister to her misery.
And this is why we didn’t have alcohol on board the Váli, Daisy mused.
“I know I shouldn’t laugh at what is technically my own misery––sort of––but she kinda had it coming. Was I always that uptight?”
Nah. I just think this version of you is going through some stuff.
“And the dead version wasn’t?”
It’s not the same, Sis. I mean, you and me? We had time to talk and find a rhythm before you learned what had happened. That you? She was fine one minute, then woke up to learn she was essentially dead and had been rebuilt with mechanical bits stuck on. Kind of a mind-fuck of a different kind.
“Still, doesn’t mean she needs to be a bitch.”
You are so lucky I’m not wearing my neuro-band.
“I don’t care. Let her hear.”
Now, now. Play nice with your hungover self.
“Well, at least she finally let her hair down and enjoyed the party.”
Seriously. She was still dancing when I left. Her feet have got to be aching as much as it looks like her head is, Daisy noted with an amused grin.
“What’s so funny?” Vince asked, noting her smile.
“Oh, just thinking about stuff,” she covered. “Don’t worry, I’m all serious now, and ready to go.”
“Cool. We should be ready to jump any time. Hey, Freya, do you have those coordinates worked out yet?” he asked the ship’s clever AI.
“Yeah, ready to go whenever you guys are. It will probably take a dozen or so jumps to pinpoint the Ra’az fleet, but that’s better than arriving right in the middle of them.”
“Amen,” Sarah groaned.
“Okay, then, kiddo. Let’s get started. The sooner we establish a firm location and scout out their actual numbers, the sooner our tactical specialists can get to work planning the minutia of the infiltration and assault.”
She turned to her Chithiid ally.
“Freya says it will take a number of warp jumps to accurately locate the position of the Ra’az fleet. Hopefully we’ll find them in less than twelve.”
“I heard,” he said, tapping a small device tucked into his left ear.
“Freya, did you make a translator comms for Maarl?”
“Yeah. I thought it’d be easier if I just went ahead and translated for him real-time, since everyone else on board is human and doesn’t speak Chithiid. Except you, of course. Your Chithiid is really good.”
“Good thinking,” Daisy replied. “And thanks for the compliment.” She cinched herself into her captain’s seat and looked at the forward monitors. “All right, Freya. Hit it.”
Freya fired her thrusters and took them on a quick loop to the empty space between the Earth and the moon and lined up for her warp.
“Okay, here we go.”
A familiar blue skin formed over her hull as the device powered up. Then, in an instant, she was gone.
Freya’s estimate was a bit off. A lot, actually. It required nearly two dozen jumps before they finally came across the Ra’az fleet’s path of destruction.
“That’s three small planets stripped bare, Daze,” Sarah said, reviewing the scans they had collected en route. “No survivors that I can see, and all support ships appear to have already wrapped up and jumped back to join the fleet.”
“Just like the bulk of the force they left behind surrounding Earth,” Vince noted.
“Well, yeah. But those stuck around a hell of a lot longer before leapfrogging back to their main fleet. Home proved a troublesome target for them,” Daisy said. “It’s interesting, though, how they do this expanding conquest thing.”
“How so?”
“You’d think the part of the fleet overseeing a new planet would never catch up to the rest of them, right? But with the way they stop periodically to conquer new worlds and strip them bare, they actually leave a clear breadcrumb trail, as well as shortening the number of jumps needed to rejoin the fleet.”
“And they already know the plotted course,” Sarah added.
“And now that we finally connected all those damn dots, we know it too,” Daisy said with an exhausted smile.
“Freya, exactly how far off are they?” Vince asked.
“Just at the edge of my scans. I don’t even need to warp to reach them. They’re moving prett
y slow. Probably because there are so many of them.”
“Uh, how many are we talking, Freya?” Daisy wondered.
“I can’t be entirely sure from this distance, but it looks like there are around seven hundred and fifty ships, including the three dozen main Ra’az command vessels. Those look like the ones they leave in orbit around a new world until it’s been subjugated, from what I can tell.”
“They are,” Maarl confirmed. “And a dozen of them remain in orbit around my home, keeping our people living in fear as they provide an ever-flowing workforce.”
“Bastards,” Daisy growled. “We’ll take them out, Maarl. You have my word on that.”
“I know, Daisy. But first, our mission is to accurately survey this fleet. Their vessels are many, and the numbers seem intimidating, but the vast majority of those ships are either support craft, or work vessels operated by my people and lacking weaponry.”
“Salvage vessels and the like?” she asked.
“Yes. And personnel transport ships like the ones we will use as our main infiltration craft as well. While others are deployed on nearby scouting missions, ours will slip into their places, mimicking their ident codes and blending in.”
“A good plan,” Daisy noted with a contented grin. “Freya, let’s get close and get a preliminary log of the vessels present, then run a sweep of their ships in nearby sectors. You know, the ones doing scouting runs for more planets to strip.”
“Okay, Daisy.”
“What’s the plan, babe?” Vince asked.
“Oh, sorry. I totally forgot to hook you up with a Chithiid translation earpiece,” Daisy said apologetically. “We’re going to run a survey, then fan out and log all the ships that separated from the fleet to identify potential target worlds. After that, we’ll do a quick hop back to Earth, transmit the data to Zed and his boys to run calculations and strategy sessions on, then get back to it. Unlike tracking down the Ra’az fleet, Maarl knows the exact location of his planet, so that should make things a whole hell of a lot easier.”
“We’re actually going to see the Chithiid homeworld,” Vince marveled. “I have to say, I’m kinda looking forward to it.”
“Not nearly as much as I am,” Maarl commented, solemnly.
