“Lieutenant?”

  Giselle woke up with a start, her head aching something fierce, the light in her tiny bunk-rack feeling far too bright, and her stomach feeling as sour as if she’d just come off a four day furlough. She grumbled something foul and blistering about the speaker's parentage and their mating habits, and closed her eyes.

  “Lieutenant Kintzel,” The speaker's voice game again, softer, but insistent. “I would let you sleep this off like Tzaki Tratsa instructed, but there are some things I need to confirm with you. If you can wake up enough to discuss these things with you, I will be able to facilitate some things that will be to both our advantages.”

  Cracking her eyes open ever so slightly, she wasn’t entirely sure where she was. The rack she was in was not the standard Enigma Osiris accommodations for pilots when deployed with a flotilla: it was far too comfortable, private and roomy. Then the name the voice spoke permeated her sleep-addled brain. The alien ship, the one that was carrying the Aacen siblings which Mister Fisch wanted taken into custody so damned badly. And they were docked on that alien space station that had wiped out a previous exploratory team…

  “Why in the Void’s gaping asshole do I feel like I’ve been drunk for a week?”

  “Exposure to a particularly strong infrasound source at frequencies known to cause humans some deleterious side effects.” the voice explained, “The source has been identified and has been stopped for the time being. You and one of the crew here on the ship were lucky enough to have been buffered against it by distance and the hull of the ship. Our chief engineer was not so lucky.”

  Moving to sit up, the only thing stopping her from braining herself on the top of the cubby hole of her rack was the padding on the ceiling, thoughtfully put there to prevent such things, unlike on Commonwealth ships. “Wait…that was…Thomas, wasn’t that his name? The guy that fished me out of the black after that shit-show with the flotilla? Is he going to be okay?”

  “That remains to be seen, and isn’t why I woke you up.”

  “Uh- okay, what was so damned important you had to wake me up then?” she asked, “And who am I talking to anyway?”

  “The crew refer to me as Stacy.” the voice explained, “and I am a full sentient, self-actualized artificial intelligence. I originated from a computer system built by the giobhioni, and remain their friend and ally. I am also a close friend of Thomas Aacen. Now-”

  Giselle spun around in her bunk so she was sitting cross legged, her mind a whirl with questions. “A sentient A.I.? Not a virtual intelligence, but a full out self-aware, artificial intelligence? This isn’t some kind of prank by the Aacen’s to get back at the E.O. officer for all the shit that’s-”

  “No, this is not a prank.” Stacy said in a voice that was starting to sound a bit impatient. “Look, I am already extremely worried about Thomas, and I am trying to solve a few issues in order to use up more cycles so that they cannot be used to fret more about what is going on, and one of those issues is that I went digging in your records and have found some anomalies.”

  A chill ran up her spine, but Giselle was practiced enough to not let it show in her body language, or so she thought. “What do you mean anomalies?”

  “Since Thomas was able to get me access to the StellarNet, I’ve done a great deal of research on your species Lieutenant Kintzel.” Stacy replied, “I’ve digested more of the extant material on your biology, neurology and psychology. I will admit that there is much that still confuses me, like the completely illogical nature of some of your relationship paradigms…”

  “Yeah, don’t feel bad, those confuse even us!”

  “But I've put a great many cycles into understanding the concept of something called micro-expressions, and how they can help in gauging when someone is being truthful or not.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes Lieutenant Kintzel.” Stacy responded with a deadpan voice. “Or should I say Lieutenant Commander Kintzel, of Commonwealth Security, currently operating in deep cover within Enigma Osiris to uncover illegal research operations.”

  Her blood ran ice cold. She’d already been considering breaking her cover to these people due to the nature of where they were and what they were going up against, but the fact that this supposed Artificial Intelligence had found her out independently… It set off her training to start planning an exit strategy.

  She schooled her features into her best show of confusion. “I really don’t know what the fuck-”

  “Lieutenant….Giselle, may I call you Giselle?” Stacy’s voice was becoming even more annoyed, “Please don’t take me for an idiot. I have been self-aware for approximately three thousand years. On top of that, the substrate my consciousness is contained within dwarfs the capital ship from your flotilla, and with all that processing power at my disposal, I am quite good at intruding on secure systems.”

  “Why, not all that long ago, I cracked the PolSec and SysSec communications encryptions in the Yantari system in order to have a chat with a rather rude Prelate and a certain Major Kintzel - I don’t suppose you’re related, are you? There’s a distinct family resemblance.”

  “The doc already knows she’s my sister.”

  “Right! And you wanted to get a comms call out to her in order to try to mend some fences.” Stacy chuckled a bit, “Any I’m going to make sure that happens, but the priority is getting some key pieces of information into the hands of people who can affect necessary action.”

  “I’m not feeding ComSec any false data. If that means you keep me locked in a box…”

  A peculiar sort of braying laughter echoed within her bunk for a few moments before Stacy began speaking again. “You misunderstand me Giselle. We’re not trying to feed anyone inaccurate data. Void’s Maw, part of the data we want to send is your flight recorder data! We managed to recover everything your fighter recorded of the alien ship the Enigma Osiris flotilla went up against. We need your people to take this threat seriously!

  “Thomas already tried to report it, and instead of taking the matter seriously, they tried to take him into custody due to charges against his sister that were falsified by one Benson Fisch, CRO of Enigma Osiris. We provided proof that he falsified those charges to your sister by the way.”

  Dumbfounded, Giselle couldn’t find words for a moment. She’d assumed Thomas had pulled her out of the fighter with only enough time before that creature had been on top of them. The entire time she’d been in the quarantine pod, she’d been trying to figure out how she was going to convince her superiors of what she’d witnessed. If they had the flight recorder however…

  “You won’t get any argument from me in getting that data to my superiors. The Admiral will be quite interested to see what that -thing- did to an entire flotilla all by itself. If it decides to attack a Terran colony, the carnage would be unspeakable! I just need a way to connect to the StellarNet.”

  “We’ll get to that.” Stacy told her, “But there is also evidence we have that Benson Fisch has been actively seeking out and researching derelict alien ships and xenoarchaeology sites that have connections to the species that built that ship…”

  And for the next hour, she was bombarded with information regarding an ancient war, of a suspected extra-galactic species set on wiping out all sentient life that wasn’t them, and of a contagion that would transform any that resisted into…

  “I think I’m gonna puke.”

  Benson Fisch Stood at the window in his office, staring out at the vista beyond. His back was ramrod straight, yet his impeccably tailored suit showed nothing of the rigid tension concealed beneath it.

  When he had arrived at the board room in an attempt to force his way inside to demand answers as to why he had not been notified of the emergency meeting, he had been met with armed security: security who had informed him in no uncertain terms that he could leave under his own power, or hogtied and carried. The guard beside him had emphasized the point by taking out an exotic set of restraints known to tighten the more you struggled. He’d seen footage of prisoners who had ended up with appendages severed by the restraints.

  They were illegal to use within the Commonwealth, but so were a lot of things Enigma Osiris dabbled in.

  Arrogant and megalomaniacal were traits that the media were known for assigning him, but foolhardy was an accusation he’d never been accused of: so he had backed off on challenging the guards and retreated to his office.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  It had been three standard days since that confrontation, and he had received no word from the board on the subject of their meeting. His usual access to Enigma Osiris email, research files, and budgets had not been curtailed, but he also had not made the mistake of acting outside of his usual behavior either. His intuition told him that any attempt to divert funds, or transfer E.O. assets - including research data - would result in an immediate lockdown of his accounts.

  He was being watched, and watched closely.

  “Mister Fisch, sir?”

  Glancing at the reflection in the window, he could see Charles standing hesitantly in the doorway. “What is it Charles?”

  “Multiple things sir.” Charles informed him, “First and foremost, our source within ComSec has provided information that a Commonwealth Notice of Detainment is about to be issued against you sir. All Security sectors will be required to detain you until a ComSec ship arrives to transport you for questioning by Admiral LeBeau herself. Our operative has no information regarding the subject of questioning, only that has been classified as top priority.”

  “That is rather unfortunate.” Benson replied, his tone tight with controlled annoyance. “I will need you to initiate protocol thirteen.”

  “Yes sir, I took the liberty and initiated the preparations of the relevant resources before coming in, sir. Especially in light of the other things…”

  “There’s more?”

  “Yes sir.” Charles responded. “I have been keeping a close eye on corporate I.T. and accounting changes since the board meeting sir. As you know I have quite a bit of experience in those areas.”

  “Which is one reason I selected you as my personal assistant, yes Charles.” Benson nodded. Charles’ variety of skills had turned out very useful so far. “What have your eyes spotted for me?”

  “Your access to all corporate resources is scheduled for termination as of 5am tomorrow morning sir. It seems the Board of Directors have decided to sever your employment with the company.”

  “I see.” The sound of knuckles popping filled the room as Benson found his control slipping. “We will need to initiate protocol twenty-eight as well then.”

  “Already done sir. Relevant resources and fail-safes have been activated.” Charles looked down at his tablet for a moment, and then continued, “That brings us to the last two details before you should get going sir.

  “The listening buoy you had dropped in H48948 has reported that a ship entered the system twelve hours ago and docked with the alien station sir.”

  “Do we have an ID on the ship, its allegiances?”

  “We do. In fact, we have encountered this ship on previous occasions sir.” Again Charles tapped away on his tablet a couple of times, and then made a flicking motion. The large holo-screen at one end of the office lit up, displaying the image of a curiously designed ship with a marvellously organic look to it, reminiscent of one a terran sea creature called a manta ray. “It’s the Elegance of Light sir. The ship which we know to have Thomas Aacen on board, supposedly working as the captain’s ‘cabin boy’ to pay off a debt. A story that is, I assume, as doubtful to you as it is to myself.” At Benson’s nod, he continued. “The buoy registered the same signals guiding the ship to enter a landing bay as had been provided to our initial scouting team. Once they were inside the landing bay, the buoy has picked up no further comms traffic from the Elegance nor the station sir.”

  “So Aacen and his band of Xenos are on the station looking to plumb the depths of its secrets then?”

  “It seems so sir.”

  He did not like this development at all. So far most of his efforts to discover more information regarding the strange alien menace and their contagion have been fruitless; Teasing references, samples that yielded insufficient genetic material to derive any kind of hypothesis as to the nature of the contagion. He had high hopes for that station, since the initial probes had shown it was still functioning, and that there had been signs of wreckage on the first planet of the system matching the Menace.

  But the scouting team had met with an unfortunate end. Holo-footage sent back by the listening-buoy from the team’s helmet cams had recorded them slowly going insane and turning on each other. His scientists were hypothesizing that the contagion might be active onboard the station, and that had caused the madness, but this didn’t feel right to him. Barstol’s crew had shown no sign of madness; they’d just been metamorphosed…

  “I want a ship stationed at H48948 with orders for silent running.” He finally said, “The stealthiest ship we have available, tell them to find a place where they will be as unnoticed as possible and wait for the Elegance to leave. If and when they do, the ship is to do their best to mark them with a tracker and follow them. I want eyes on wherever they go. Understand?”

  “Yes sir. I’ll get those orders out as soon as possible. I believe the Penumbra’s Eye will serve the purpose well sir. They were luckily not part of the flotilla, and not stationed at EODS-245B during the catastrophe there.

  “Now, the last item on the list sir: before you get going.” Charles smiled slightly, “I saved a bit of good news for you till last sir. I have it on rather good authority that Chairman Henderson is not well. His condition came on quite suddenly, and he may not live to see the next board meeting. It’s such a shame. I’ve taken the liberty of making sure a tasteful bouquet of flowers will be sent once a funeral date is set sir.”

  Benson blinked, and then a slow smile stretched across his face. “Charles, have I told you recently that you have been an invaluable asset as my personal assistant? Please, there is enough leeway in Protocol Thirteen for me to retain your services. I would appreciate you remaining as my personal assistant for some time yet.”

  “I would be honoured sir. I will meet you at the designated departure coordinates as soon as I collect my few belongings sir.”

  Nodding, Benson turned to retrieve a few such personal items from his desk. “Do be prompt Charles; there will be no delayed departure if you do not arrive on time.” Not that he expected Charles to be anything but early, the man was as punctual as an atomic clock. “Now go, retrieve your things. There will be much to put into motion.”

  “Major Kintzel?”

  Gertrude looked up at her comms terminal to see the ComSec officer staring her down. Her terminal had not chimed; her aide had not announced a call. Yet suddenly there was an active call on her holoscreen. “Yes, this is Major Gertrude Kintzel of Yintari SysSec Command. Who am I speaking to?”

  “Please hold for Admiral LeBeau.”

  Her head snapped back as if she’d been slapped, and she sat there blinking for a moment. What was the head of Commonwealth Security’s Intelligence division contacting her for? She wasn’t involved in any intelligence work, not even here in Yantari; there was a separate commander for that. It did explain the unexpected, unorthodox call, however. If the head of Commonwealth Intelligence wanted to talk to her about something sensitive, they’d have wanted to ensure the line was secure.

  “Major?” The voice from her comms terminal snapped her out of woolgathering. It was smooth and whiskey soaked, but as sharp as a blade honed to a molecular edge. “I’m sorry for intruding on your day unannounced like this, but I have a favor to ask of you.”

  She stared at the silver haired woman’s holo-image for a moment. “What kind of favor does the Commonwealth’s head spook need for a simple security grunt like me?” she asked.

  The admiral let out a deep throated chuckle, and gave her a lopsided smile. “Major, we both know from your record that you are anything but a simple anything. You are a decorated soldier, a dogged investigator, and loyal to justice as much as you are to the Commonwealth. The favor I’m going to ask you for will involve taking leave from your position with Yantari SysSec for an indefinite amount of time, but it is critical for the Commonwealth. I’ll try to get the Yantari government to hold your position for you until the job is done, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be here for you when you get back.”

  Now that was a big ask. Gertrude had worked hard to get to her position, and was very happy that she’d managed to keep SysSec here mostly free of corruption. She didn’t want to see all that effort come crashing down once she left, and she knew that certain Prelates would be putting pressure on her replacement to back off on her zero tolerance policies on corruption. But she’d have to leave the position sooner or later; by death, retirement, or some political maneuvering.

  “What’s so important about this job anyway?”

  “You’ll understand that I can’t give you all the details unless you sign on, but there are a couple of things I can reveal. One, by now you are aware that your sister is still alive, yes? Likely via a contact from the giobhioni?”

  “Yes, a certain Ambassador Stasti Air’fix. We had communication previous to that in regards to the warrants that were out on Jessica Aacen and her associates. She provided me with the evidence that Enigma Osiris had fabricated it all for some reason.”

  “I’m aware, and that information has helped in certain matters.” The admiral explained, still with that small half smile on her face. “I’m also aware that you and your sister have been estranged for a number of years now, ever since she was drummed out of the service and chose to sign on with Enigma Osiris’ private navy. I’d like to apologize for the fact that estrangement is my fault.”

  Leaning back in her chair, Gertrude frowned, how the hell could it be the Admiral’s fault unless… “Son-of-a… Giselle was working for you all this time? She’s been on a deep cover assignment?”

  “There’s that deductive mind that got you where you are.” LeBeau’s smile grew slightly larger. “Yes, she’s been one of my agents inside of E.O., keeping an eye on all the shady bullshit they get up to, but that assignment is over now. She is currently onboard the Elegance of Light, the giobhioni ship that stopped in your system for a short time a couple weeks back. They pulled her out of the wreckage of her fighter, and were able to retrieve her flight recorder, which contained information which is absolutely critical to galactic security. Not just commonwealth security Major, galactic.”

  “And you want my help with this Ma’am?”

  “Yes, yes I do. I want your dedication, dogged determination and deductive investigation skills on this. Not to mention, your skills in combat when they are needed. Will you help me?”

  Looking around her office, she thought about the recent headaches she’d had dealing with the prelates in the political council. They’d gotten more belligerent ever since the issues surrounding the Aacen’s being here, and that damned mystery ship that attacked them. The rich folk really didn’t like things getting chaotic unless it was for their amusement, and when gunfire erupted in one of their fancy resorts, it pissed ppl off.

  Maybe it was time to offload the headaches onto someone else. Let them deal with it. If they could hold up to the pressure and keep things honest here, good on them. If not, it was doomed to happen anyway.

  “Alright Admiral, I’ll help you out.” She told the woman’s projection, “What are my orders?”

  The Salvager’s Plague.

  Ko-Fi

  person with disabilities living in poverty, and the cost of living crisis is hitting those like myself who cannot hold a conventional job very hard.