Chapter 16: Damon Honshu

Roy followed the green dwarf through the revealed side door. “Where are we, Sir/”

“We are in a sub-level of the Union Fleet Outpost, Your beast teleported you in the non-shielded part of this facility.”

Roy wondered how Partner knew about this place, aloud he asked another question while the Ariglou called for an IST,

“You say you are Cara’s boss, would it not be you who came up with that bait thing?”

The green man-made an inviting gesture towards the open door of the IST car. “I know it must be confusing indeed. Cara is an officer in a very small Army service department, the smallest in fact, but we still have over 70 million active members in the Upward sector of this galaxy. I am also the boss of her supervisors.”

“Seventy Million?”

The green officer had to look up. “Yes, Roy. That is a minuscule number, especially considering the monumental task we face every day, but as a number, it will hopefully illustrate that there are many projects and missions active at the same time. Especially now that we are at war with an enemy that bases much of its technology and society on psionics.”

Roy could understand this. “I know very little about all this, and less than I should so it appears, but what about Cara. When are we going to rescue her?”

The IST released them into a spacious, yellow carpeted lobby with soft white undirectly illuminated walls and a sleek curved central counter with the Union Fleet logo behind it.

One side of the lobby was a wide-open door front. Beyond the doors, gleaming stone floors many hundred beings of all kinds and shapes milling in every direction.

Highly polished Cerberus robots, wearing a striking color and design scheme with the Union flag as a base. Roy never seen robots decorated like that. Charles usually appeared in the dark gray of its Ultronit armor or reflected an adaptive jungle colored camouflage.

There was a line of beings from the doors to the central desk.

Roy counted four officers in Union fleet black, two in Army green and massive Petharian in Marine blue.

All of them looked very busy.

The little green General pointed towards a wood-paneled door with the Army logo. “I am must apologize, but this outpost only has one small suite dedicated to the Army, I just arrived myself.”

Roy gestured to the busy lobby. “Is this normal?”

“Oh no, this is usually a very quiet post, but ever since the Assembly declared war against the GC and the Kermac, every Armed forces post looks like this. Swarmed with citizens that want to enlist, re-activate or join one of the Academies.”

The Ariglou General led Roy to a small office with a desk and two personal equipment locker containers stacked almost right behind the door. “The Union’s war machine is now turning Roy, and there is nothing in the known Universe able to stop it.”

Both the sizeable containers rose into the air and floated further away from the door. The Ariglou using a hand gesture to guide them.

While Partner wasn’t impressed at all and sat down on his hind legs looking towards Roy, as always eager to do what Roy wanted it to do.

“Shouldn’t the Second in Command of the PSI Corps have a host of adjudants and staff?”

“Oh, this isn’t my office Roy. The local post officer and a team are on his way to get your friend Cara out of her predicament. I was about to join when I noticed your mind arriving in our basement.”

Roy still didn’t trust the situation just yet. Too many twists and turns and unanswered questions. “Sir, please don’t get this the wrong way, but why are you here. I mean on Pishoir and what mutual friend send you?”

The PSI Corps General sat down on the desk surface itself, folding his legs in a peculiar way underneath himself. “I was on Pluribus when I received a call from Admiral Stahl. Normally he would consult General Lichfangh of course as she works very closely with the Eternal Warrior, but as you know we have a war going on, and Alycia’s attention was urgently needed in another issue. It has to do with the theft of a Destroyer and the enemies ability to infiltrate his beloved Marine Corps, I believe it to be the case. I am not revealing top secrets when I tell you that he hates spy business, clandestine operations and all that is associated.”

Roy nodded. “That I can understand.”

Hytro’s ageless, almost childlike face showed amusement. “We Ariglou, come from... , let’s say another place, but we do not know of a more capable military leader than the Eternal Warrior. He, of course, knows that intelligence is at the core of everything related to military and war. He uses these tools, but he doesn’t like them.” Hythro now openly smiled. “He also dislikes psionics by the way.”

Roy simply listened and wondered if he should do something about Cara, but he decided to be a little less impulsive and gather more information before he jumped into action. “Admiral Stahl sent you?”

“Indeed, once you are on his scanner he won’t forget. And you are a big scanner blip so to speak. Anyhow, because Alycia is busy he asked me to look into all this. When you left Odenworld, I left Pluribus. I knew you both would stop here. I arrived only two hours before your bus landed. Cara contacted us regarding a tail following you and the rest of the story is still unfolding.”

“Where is Cara and who abducted her?”

“An Army Special Response Team is closing in as we speak. We are not entirely sure who it is exactly as it appears there are two, maybe three factions after you and only two of them seem of Kermac origin.”

“What is it you want me to do?”

“You are going to travel as fast as possible to Sares Prime. The Tele Listener is there and the Leedei are ready for you.”

--””—

A crane boom extended from the Karthanian freighter’s cargo hold lifted the cage with the three women right off the lizard drawn cart.

The cargo hold, despite its open hatch, was feelable cooler than the hot atmosphere of Alvor’s Cove.

Two armed green-skinned brutes watched the crane set the cage on the metal floor of the deck.

The third being appeared to be the same hooded and cloaked humanoid that purchased them.

Martha could not see much under the dark shadow of the hood but was almost certain she saw the glimmer of an eye-pair. The hooded person raised a gloved hand, also of human shape and proportions and pointed at the caged women.

“I know of your talents and have taken measures to neutralize them, behave and do what you are told. In return, I will have you fed and make you a bit more comfortable. Disobey and I will punish you in most unpleasant ways.”

Before Martha could respond angrily and defiantly, the Bronze skinned woman was faster and asked. “Who are you and where are we going?”

“I am acting on behalf of someone interested in talents like you and we are on our way to the Shattered Star System. Now be good girls and relax.”

The hooded man left. The two Oghr lashed the cage to the cargo floor and also left shortly after the cargo door had closed.

The hold was not empty, there were other containers but this freight hold was far from filled.

Martha felt truly hopeless now and sobbed silently. The blonde said.”I am Geha, what is your name?”

Roy’s mother sniffed. “Martha.”

She looked towards the Demonic woman. “Do you have a name?”

The four-eyed woman somehow managed to sound sad. “I have no memory of anyone giving me a name. I am referred to as Night Terror or Nega Ker since I gained consciousness. All the memories I have don’t even feel like my own.”

Martha asked. “What would you like us to call you?”

“I don’t know. I never thought of myself as ... someone. I only know I am a terrible evil thing and the product of evil things.”

Martha blinked with her eyes and said. “You use the word evil as if you understand the concept, meaning you understand there is an opposite to evil right?”

“Some actions are evil, and some are not. I was created for a purpose that is immoral and wicked. I remember these words and terms, I do not know from where or why. I know Night Terrors and Muta Ker were made to serve a purpose however those I was made to serve and the purpose have been purged.’ The demonic woman sounded sad and confused as she looked with a pleading stare towards the two o0thers.”I know those who purged my creators and those who were like me want to destroy me too.”

Martha cleared her throat and said. “Whatever we were is in the past. I was a Union Scientist but now I am nothing but an object to be bought and sold for purposes I do not know. I will call you Sister if that is okay.”

Geha had her arm stretched beyond the cage bars and tried to reach for something. “I think we are taken to the Shattered Star System of the Bassett’s, that’s the only shattered Star system I know.”

Martha crawled closer to Geha to see what she was trying to get and said. “You know a lot about things. I wish I had paid more attention to conditions outside Union space.”

Geha grimaced. “That’s the Union for you. None of the citizens cares about what happens beyond Union borders. Everything is clean and easy. Pirates and slavers are terrible but oh so distant.”

Martha frowned. “I knew she was right. She too had heard the sporadic news of a fringe colony raided, or a civilian ship hijacked or captured. These reports were few and never really exceeded a few colonists.

Martha remembered her reaction, thinking it was their fault to board ships that skidded along fringe lines or people colonizing the world so far from Union core. She never really thought anyone would dare to attack a science cruiser. Now she cursed the Assembly and the decision to heed the Freespace Treaty.

Before all this, she was a little interested in the military. She considered it a waste of credits to support a single battleship or maintain a fleet. Back then she felt the resources would be far better spent on research and exploration.

Now, her opinion had changed completely, damn the Assembly and the voices of reason and peace. They all should listen to the Eternal Warrior and clean up the galaxy from one end to the other. Kill every single Kermac and Togar; hang every slaver and pirate.

While she was thinking that, she saw Geha trying to reach for a piece of steel wire about five inches long.

It was just out of her fingertips to reach. Geha groaned. “It looks like a piece of twist wire or something If I could just reach it.”

Martha said. “Let me try.”

Geha moved aside. “Your arms are even shorter than mine, but go ahead try it.”

In all her misery, Martha grinned. “My arms might be shorter, but not my legs.”

She stuck her leg between the bars and without much difficulty reached the metal piece and took it between her nimble toes.

Moments layer she handed it to Geha. “There you go.”

Geha rolled her eyes. “I am stupid, I should have thought of that.”

“What is it and why did you need it?”

“I think it came of a steel cable or something and it just might help me tp get Sister’s steel cable restrains unlocked.”

The red-skinned Demon woman said. “If you can get my hands free, I can undo your collar. I am immune to Neuro Ripper effects.”

Geha smiled. “That is the idea.”

--””—

Sam put his hand around the butt of his TKU, while it was still out of sight under his cloak. “Charles, this could get tricky. There are too many for us to fight off without revealing your true nature. If you let loose they know you are a Cerberus, and no one will ask if you are a civilian and sentient machine. I am not concerned about these goons, you alone could fight them and most of the planet’s population, but we must keep our Union origin secret.”

“I understand. I have a self destruct option.”

“That’s the very last option my friend. Shooting has not started just yet, and I think the Vdca are associates of the slave merchant. This community is just not big enough for us to completely disappear, but I wonder who sent the other two. They seem more professional.”

“Do you think they will attack here in the open? There are many bystanders. That hamper them as much as us.”

“No doubt the Vdca will if they have the guts that is. There are at least twenty of the Local Lord’s guards close by, they all are well armed and once the shooting starts it will escalate.”

“What do you suggest?”

“We split up, very fast. There are two or three narrow cross-sections to this canyon coming up before it tapers out onto the landing field.”

“But you must catch the Unth. The next connection to Brhama Port maybe weeks from now. Martha Masters chances of survival are less likely the more time we lose.”

“Charles, we can’t risk the Shiss and the Nul entering the war because of us. You are not a senseless machine, catch the next ship to SIN 4 or Netlor and return to Union Space.”

“Master ... Sam. I would not want to let you alone.”

“Charles, I was a RAvE man long before I had a Cerberus robot friend. I will be fine, We can’t be the reason for an escalation of the war, you know this. Now go my friend, We will meet back on Green Hell if not earlier.”

Charles could not display emotions, but the robot was certain he had crossed the threshold to sentience. The strange tingling sensations that did not originate from his sensors could not be analyzed by his logarithms, He saw the logic in Sam’s argument. The four goons were not a threat to them, they could easily be defeated. But the location placed them in the open and any retaliation could easily reveal his true nature. Sam was right, no report reaching the Shiss or the Nuk would speak of a sentient machine, but of a Union War machine.

Charles moved fast, but within the average beings’ capability and one Vdca and the Basil followed him. There in the small, narrow side canyon, Charles managed to move out of sight of his followers. Long enough to ditch the Dust cloak and activate his adaptive camouflage. He moved a few hundred feet deeper into the narrow canyon and then pressed close to the wall. Unless the pursuers had sophisticated sensor devices, Charles was now as good as invisible to the visual sensor abilities of almost all known species, including Vdca and Basil.

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