by C H Gideon
A nervous tic, Reynolds thought, once again projecting his knowledge of humanoid races onto the Krokans. From what he saw, they were consistent. It was a nervous tic in a body that was under a great deal of stress.
These people weren’t as confident as they’d originally appeared.
“Colonel Raf informed us that you are interested in trading with the Krokan people,” Flor began. “What would you like to discuss?”
The Krokan representative waved everyone to seats, and the crew obliged, plopping down. The aliens waited until the superdreadnought’s crew had taken seats before following suit.
“Forgive me,” Mar Son asked, jumping in. “But are you…an android?”
Reynolds grinned. “This body is, yes, but I am not,” he replied. “I am an artificial intelligence, an AI, inhabiting this form so that I might be mobile, but I’m also a part of the ship we arrived on, the Superdreadnought Reynolds,” he explained. “We are inexorably linked.”
He’d added the last as a warning to the Krokans, should they think they could separate the crew from the ship. He made it clear that wouldn’t happen.
Mar Son nodded at his answer, seeming to understand the implied threat.
“Forgive our curiosity,” Flor said. “We have never met with an android before.”
“Nothing to forgive,” Reynolds assured her. “This is no more than a husk to house a small piece of my consciousness. Rest assured, you are not treating with a simple machine.”
“Can we ask you about the attackers in the red and black ships? The Orau?” Jiya interrupted, trying to redirect the conversation and maybe catch the Krokans off balance so they would give away information without realizing it.
Flor sighed. “They are a scourge upon our people,” she replied, disgust plain in her voice. “They have attacked our forces and raided our planet for years, but no fight is ever straight up. Their attacks are sneak attacks, their raids are against the defenseless.”
“Sounds difficult,” Jiya comforted.
“It can be, most certainly,” Flor explained. “Hence our distrust of strangers.” She glanced at the crew, her gaze landing on Reynolds.
“Understandable,” he told her, “but we are not the Orau.”
“That much is clear, seeing as how you did not return fire upon us despite our targeting your ship when you first arrived.”
“We hadn’t expected to appear in the middle of a war.” Reynolds laughed. “As such, we can’t hold your reactionary fire against you,” he explained. “You ceased hostilities as soon as we broke off. That assured me that we made the right decision by engaging the Orau as we did.”
“For which we are grateful, most certainly,” Flor went on, “but, again, you must forgive us. We have to be certain of your intentions before we allow you anywhere near our planet or people.”
“Of course,” Reynolds told her, raising his hands to show he meant them no harm.
“According to Colonel Raf, you are here to trade with us? What would you be looking for?”
“We’re on a mission for the Etheric Federation,” Jiya explained, jumping in.
It was always good when she did. It put a more natural face on the negotiations, which could be easily derailed by strange beings made to converse with an android AI.
“While the details are our own, I’m afraid, our visit here is a peaceful one,” Jiya continued. “Our mission takes us far into unknown space, and we make an effort to set up safe havens along our path and trade for essential supplies we might need as well as technology that will make it easier to accomplish, or at least more comfortable for the crew.”
“And what do you think we have that fits that latter description?” Flor questioned.
“To be blunt,” Jiya said, “the vast majority of your people live underwater. “Given the salt content of Krokus 4’s oceans, you must have a fantastic filtration system, at the very least.”
Flor nodded. “We do have a system that allows us to convert the ocean water to freshwater without difficulty, yes,” she replied, “but I am not certain our president would be willing to part with its details so easily.”
“Of course not,” Reynolds replied, smiling.
He hadn’t expected the negotiations to be simple. They never were.
“Well, we are nothing if not obliging,” Reynolds told her. “Given the circumstances of our arrival, and what you’ve stated, it appears that you need a stronger system of defense to ensure that Krokus 4 can stand up to the Orau.”
“And you can provide such a system?” Flor asked.
“We can indeed.” Reynolds nodded, glad that Gorad had provided them with the blueprints for his defense ring. “It just so happens that our last stop provided us with the schematics for a planetary defense system, which can be used to automate your defenses and stop any and all future Orau assaults upon your planet and people.”
Although Flor tried to hide her excitement, Reynolds could read it in her suddenly stiff posture. He’d struck a nerve in the Krokan rep.
Which was good, because he wanted to get down to the planet and investigate the connection they had to the Kurtherians. He wondered if maybe they were getting closer to finding them, or if this were simply another waystation on the path the Kurtherians had taken through the Chain Galaxy.
“We would be willing to trade that defensive system for your filtration system, as well as the promise of a sanctuary for the SD Reynolds to dock safely at any point in the future when we pass through your space.”
Mar Son leaned in and whispered something into Flor’s ear that Reynolds couldn’t hear. She nodded in response before returning her attention to the crew.
“We will pass your request on to the president and his people,” Flor announced, getting to her feet. Her people did the same.
“If you can provide us with what you say, I suspect President Jaer Pon will be willing to meet with you in person.”
Reynolds rose, as did the crew, and he nodded. “We would be grateful to continue our conversation.”
“Then please, return to your ship,” Flor told him. “We will travel to the surface and petition the president on your behalf. Colonel Raf or I will reach out to you as soon as we have the president’s decision.”
“Thank you,” Reynolds told the representatives.
They filed out and returned to their shuttle and the crew went back to their Pod, everyone departing the makeshift station.
On the way back to the SD Reynolds, Jiya stared out the window at the Krokan shuttle as it headed into the planet’s atmosphere.
“This seems like a lot of effort to go through just to meet the boss,” she complained.
“It means they’re being careful,” Maddox answered. “If I were them, I’d be analyzing every scrap of information they’ve learned about us and everything we said in order to come up with a plan to take us out, if it comes down to that.”
“Do you think this is a delaying tactic?” Jiya asked.
“Just like we thought the trip to the station was a trap, they think our fortuitous arrival and assistance is the same,” Maddox explained. “They’re slowing negotiations down so that they can examine us, just like we’re trying to figure them out and decide what we really want.”
“Which is to kill Kurtherians, but that’s not something they’re going to learn by scanning us or asking stupid questions,” Ka’nak gloated, grinning.
“True, but they are going to continue to probe us,” Maddox told the Melowi. “Our unexpected arrival is suspicious, no matter how you look at it. Our offering them the means to protect themselves against their enemy is even more so. They’ll continue to be cautious, so we can’t let our guard down even if they do invite us dirtside.”
“Are you suggesting they’ll try to take the tech from us rather than trade?”
Maddox shrugged. “I’m no mind reader, but I would be slow to trust anything they tell us at this point,” Maddox continued. “Did you notice how worn down the reps appeared?”
&
nbsp; “I did,” Reynolds replied. “They’re under a great deal of pressure, it would seem.”
“And whether that’s from the attacks of the Orau or something to do with their own government is something we might need to determine before we get in too deep. It could be a huge factor in what happens planetside.”
“I agree,” Reynolds stated. “You keep working on your hacks and be ready, Geroux. Should they invite us down to the planet, it’s possible we’ll need to play dirty to retain our advantage if they are under the assumption that we are simply a new face of their old enemy.”
“I’m on it,” Geroux replied.
“So, we’re off on another adventure, huh?” Jiya asked.
“Wasn’t that why you joined up?” Reynolds countered.
“It was,” Jiya admitted.
“Then let’s do this,” Reynolds told her.
Chapter Three
Hours after the crew had returned to the SD Reynolds and prepped for a trip down to the planet, the Alfar hailed them.
Colonel Raf appeared onscreen.
“President Jaer Pon has approved your visit to our planet,” the colonel reported, “but there are conditions.”
Reynolds had known that was coming.
“No weapons, I presume,” he asked.
“Precisely,” Colonel Raf replied. “We will allow you to travel to the planet in your own shuttle for convenience and to provide you with a sense of security, but there will be fighters escorting you down.”
“Understood,” Reynolds told the colonel. “We have no interest in harming your people, Colonel. We’ll abide by your directions.”
“Your cooperation is appreciated.” Colonel Raf offered a thankful nod. “Send down your shuttle when you are ready. Our escorts are in place and waiting.”
The screen flickered, and the colonel cut the connection.
“Still thinking they’re planning something, Maddox?” Jiya asked.
“You never know,” the general answered. “It certainly doesn’t hurt that we’ve packed some of Takal’s toys to take with us.” He tapped the chest of the armor he was wearing.
One of the inventor’s projects, besides trying to design a new and better android body and brain for Reynolds, was the creation of personal cloaking devices. Takal had modified them recently and they had miniaturized nicely, allowing them to be included in a suit of powered armor or carried by a person without it being obvious.
Unfortunately, Takal had been so busy with the agroprinter system that he hadn’t been able to include cloaking devices in all of the suits. Only about half the crew had them.
Splitting his time between duties, he had, however, managed to minimize the obviousness of their armor suits, all while increasing the protection they provided. While Takal hadn’t yet gotten to the point where the suits weren’t obviously armor, they were far more maneuverable and sleeker than those he’d started with.
Using the special metals they’d collected on Lariest to craft the suits, the armor was far more effective than anything they’d had before, yet it hardly looked the part.
Once he was able to get all of them cloaking devices, the armor would be nearly perfect.
“Too bad we can’t pack a bunch of guns to take with us,” Ka’nak complained.
“Guess you’ll just have to kill all the bad guys with your bare hands,” Tactical told him. “You can do that, right?”
Ka’nak snarled toward Tactical’s station. “Of course I can. Doesn’t mean I want to, though,” he replied. “Do you know how hard it is to get blood out from under your nails?”
“Can’t say that I do,” Tactical replied.
“Well, it’s a right pain in the ass,” Ka’nak informed him.
“Ever think to wear gloves?” Tactical questioned.
“Is this really the conversation we’re having?” Jiya asked.
“He started it,” Ka’nak muttered, pointing at Tactical’s station.
“And I’m ending it,” Reynolds told them. “Shut the hell up so we can get on with this.” He sighed. “Asya, stay in touch with us on the comm and keep us on the scanner, and be sure to let me know if that shithead Loranian craft decides to pop back in.”
“Hopefully those mines we left for them at our Gate points took care of that problem,” XO said.
“We’re not that lucky,” Jiya argued.
“Probably not,” Reynolds agreed, “so stay on your toes. We don’t want a repeat of what happened above Grindlevik 3.”
“Those destroyers out there aren’t automated, though,” XO clarified.
“No, but that doesn’t mean the Loranians can’t gain control of them,” Reynolds replied. “With all the Kurtherian tech floating around these parts, it’s better to be smart than dead. Who knows what they can accomplish?”
Reynolds started off the bridge. “Now, let’s go, people. Places to be, people to negotiate with.”
The crew followed him, and Reynolds wondered if he should include Takal this time around.
He thought better of it as they made their way to the shuttle.
Reynolds needed Takal to continue his work on both the new agroprinter system—the food supply system that would provide the SD Reynolds with fresh food no matter where they were—and the design for Reynolds’ new body.
He flip-flopped on the priority of the two multiple times a day, but the inventor had assured Reynolds that he could work on both at once if he had sufficient help.
Reynolds had offered him San Roche, one of the Telluride they’d picked up on Grindlevik 3. Along with the prospect of having an army of bots and the maintenance crew at his beck and call, Takal was enthusiastic about the possibilities.
After everyone was aboard the shuttle, the crew set off for Krokus 4. Four Krokan fighters joined them as soon as they flew beyond the Reynolds’ shields.
“They’re not playing around, are they?” Geroux asked, peering out the window at one of the fighters.
“Nope,” Jiya answered. “Two of them have us targeted already.”
“Then let’s just follow their directives and avoid giving them a reason to blow a hole in our collective ass,” Reynolds suggested.
“Speaking of which,” Jiya announced, “they’re hailing us now.”
She didn’t wait for the order to open the channel.
Flor Alar’s melodic voice sounded over the speakers. “Greetings again, Reynolds and crew.”
Jiya returned the greeting.
“Coordinates have been transmitted to you,” Flor told her. “Do not deviate from the flight plan you’ve been provided or your escort will be forced to fire upon you.”
Jiya turned in her seat and raised an eyebrow at Reynolds. He shrugged and nodded, ordering her to do as she was advised. She turned back to the controls with a grunt.
Jiya acknowledged.
“We’ll speak soon,” the Krokan rep said before cutting the connection.
“You realize the coordinates they gave us lands us on some tiny-ass island in the middle of nowhere, right?”
“Well, I do now,” Reynolds replied. “I’m sure they have a reason for us putting down there.”
“Maybe they want us to swim in,” Ka’nak suggested with a straight face.
Reynolds wasn’t sure if he was joking.
“Let’s hope not,” he replied. “I might rust.”
“Nice to know your priorities are in order, Reynolds,” Jiya complained. “Don’t worry about us drowning or anything.”
“You know how to hold your breath, right?” Reynolds fired back.
“Maybe I should just crash us into the ocean now and skip the wait,” Jiya growled.
“Please don’t,” Geroux said in a plaintive voice. “I can’t swim.”
Reynolds rolled his eyes. “You tell us this now?”
Geroux shrugged and stared out the window at the water-covered planet. “No one asked.”
“Let’s hope our hosts have something better planned than dunking us in the ocean,” Maddox
said.
Fortunately, they did.
Jiya followed the course down exactly, and the shuttle landed on a piece of land that wasn’t much more than a sandy beach about the size of the SD Reynolds’ bridge.
The landing gear sank into the sand until they hit something solid. The engines quieted.
“What now?” Ka’nak asked.
As if Flor had heard him, the comm warned of an incoming call. Jiya answered it.
“Thank you for complying,” the Krokan rep said. “The next step will require the same level of compliance, or you risk both your ship and your crew.”
Jiya bristled as if she’d been threatened, but Reynolds raised a hand for patience.
“What do you need from us?” Reynolds asked.
“You will need to shut your shuttle down except for your life support systems and minimal lighting,” Flor advised. “These instructions must be followed for the remainder of your journey.”
Reynolds signaled for Jiya to comply. He had no idea what the Krokans had planned for them, but he didn't hear a threat in Flor’s voice, only a warning.
Once Jiya had complied, Flor spoke again.
“A protective shield will now cover your shuttle so that it can withstand the pressure of the water.”
“Wait! We’re going down there?” Geroux asked, pointing at the ocean.
“You will be safe,” Flor assured, hearing her concern. “Barring your engines flaring or weapons fire, the shield is near impenetrable.”
“Near?” Geroux said, eyes wide.
We’re safe, Reynolds told her over the internal comm. Even if their shield fails, which it won’t, the shuttle is designed to survive and function underwater.
Geroux looked slightly mollified, but not much. She swallowed hard and stared down at her computer, doing her best to ignore what they were about to do.
A loud hiss outside made that difficult.
The island expelled a clear plastic-looking substance that rose around the shuttle to envelop it.
Alarms sounded in the shuttle and Jiya silenced them, but the frustrated look on her face made it clear she wanted to fly them out of there immediately.
