Traders Tale - chapter 21 completed

[Mercenary]

Conclusion below the *****************

Merc.



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Chapter 21 - Materials
Serandamancketal had docked at the Solar Power Plant Alpha in Nopileo's Memorial. Information had reached him that there was someone here both he and Creed wanted to chat to. The bar was crowded, mostly with prospectors looking to claim a stake on one of the mineral rich planets, if they could find an interplanetary shuttle to take them or, in a few cases, drifters who were just here for additional supplies.

There was a haze of smoke, some sweetly scented weed and the aroma of cheap space fuel. Serandamancketal eyesight cut through it all. At one of the tables, tucked into the shadows he saw the person he was after. In turn Korecmancketras saw him.

Korecmancketras raised a glass in friendly greeting and waved him over.

"Serand my old friend! What brings you into this cesspit?" The Paranid growled, then glanced around the rest of the crowd. "Not brought your friend with you I see!"

"He's running escort. But will be here soon enough!" Serandamancketal responded and looked directly into Korecmancketrass' eyes. "Actually it is you that I am here to see!"

"Then I am honoured but before you tell me why let's get you a drink!" Korecmancketras placed an order on the table console and a few moments later an android arrived with the drinks. He leaned forward slightly, "Shows how bad things are here. They can't afford real waitresses!" and smiled.

They both picked up their glasses. Korecmancketras proposed the toast. "To the priests and the old times!"

"To the priests and the old times." Serandamancketal echoed.

"So why did you want to see me?" The Paranid swirled the last dregs of his drink and ordered the next round.

"Rumour has it you're working with The Shadow Troop!"

Korecmancketrass' eyes narrowed slightly before he answered, "I have had dealings. They needed someone to help recruit people."

"Then perhaps you may of heard about a science station that was attacked recently." Serandamancketal turned and took the newly arrived drinks from the android waiter.

"I may have done, but what is it worth?" Korecmancketras took the drink as the other Paranid handed it across.

Serandamancketal laughed briefly. "I'll put in a good word for you! You know how Creed feels about former guild members working for the opposition!"

There was the hint of a deep sigh. "It's been a long time since I was a guild member!"

"Once a guild member always a guild member. You know the rules Korec!"

"Fortunately for me then that The Shadow Troop had nothing to do with the science station you mentioned earlier."

Serandamancketal leaned forward and in a deep whisper, "Then who did?"

"Try the Claw Clan. They've been searching for a spaceweed factory in the asteroid field. If they took your scientists then you'd be better off looking in the Teladi held New Income sector." Korecmancketras responded quietly.

"And this information is reliable?" Serandamancketal was examining his glass then glanced up as he asked the question.

"Serand, I have no reason to lie to you. If it had been the Shadow Troop do you think I'd still be sitting here." He fixed the other Paranid with a hard stare. "I for one don't want to be running from your friend Creed." There was a pause as they tried to gauge each others next move. "By the way he's just arrived."

"I have indeed!" Creed sat down. "Drink anyone?"

"The best they have is Baktraq Ale." Korecmancketras replied. "Mine's a large one!"

Creed put in the order then turned to Serandamancketal, "You have the information?"

"Yes! Claw Clan." Serandamancketal responded but glanced, questioningly at the other Paranid. He nodded in turn.

"Makes some sense they seem to have quite a presence in the sector!" Creed responded, then in a casual manner said, "So Korec, they tell me you've joined up with pirates!"

At that moment Korecmancketras knew his life was in the balance his answer was as truthful as he could make it without showing true allegiance. "I recruit pilots for The Shadow Troop, mercenaries not pirates! I take money from them but I do not fight for them!"

The android waiter arrived with the drinks and placed them on the table.

"Then you have no allegiance to the Troop?" Creed glanced across.

"None, but as long as they pay me to recruit members then I must abide by the code!" Korecmancketras answered.

Creed nodded slowly and Serandamancketal glanced over to him, it was a psychological line in the sand that had been drawn. The code and the contract of the mercenary to defend the paymasters' interests, whatever that happened to be. Even if Creed tried to buy or force information from Korecmancketras the Paranid would not be forthcoming with any information about the Troop. It was a discipline instilled in all the War Master Mercenaries and a rule Creed was adamant about. Unless you wanted to be skewered on the end of one of his blades.

"I have to respect my own rules!" Creed commented quietly.

There was a moment of unease and tension as the three of them sipped their drinks. Creed did nothing to ease the tension when he glanced across at the Shadow Troop member and commented. "I also hear you know the whereabouts of the bitch Nyeshta." It was a cold, cutting comment, laced with malice and spoken in a quiet voice.

Korecmancketras glanced at both men unfazed by the undertones in Creeds voice, knowing the feeling behind it was not truly directed at him. He took a slow long draw on his ale then looked Creed in the eye, "Why do you hate her so much? She made one small error in judgement and has had to run ever since!"

"She betrayed me and it cost the lives of several of my men." Creeds eyes narrowed, the tone of his voice did not change.

"As I understand it, it was Goltran her partner that betrayed you. It was unfortunate that she trusted him, intimately as I understand it, and answered some of his questions." Korecmancketras replied. He watched as some of the muscles in Creeds faced twitched as he gritted his teeth. "Anyway I seem to remember you cut him up and threw him out of an airlock! A fitting end."

Serandamancketal had quietly observed, careful to watch, but Creed had not struck out. He commented, "Either way she broke the code and there is a price to pay!"

Korecmancketras picked up his drink, glanced at Serandamancketal and nodded slowly, "I do not mean to offend you Creed, but the next time I see her I will mention that I tried to talk to you but your mind is set!"

Creeds' face relaxed and the tone of his voice returned to normal. "You're trying to protect a friend and I respect that, but you keep poor company Korec!"

"There is no better company than the company of true friends!" Korecmancketras replied.

"I'll drink to that!" Creed replied, smiled and ordered another round.

Serandamancketal turned the conversation, "Korec, when this is over perhaps you should consider coming back to the guild!"

The other Paranid smiled, "I've had my thirst for adventure quenched. I like the quiet life now and this work is easy."

Creed glanced across as the next round of drinks arrived, "Keep your nose clean and we may be able to find you an easier life, and you won't have to watch your back if the Shadow Troop become pirates or interfere in our business!"

"I will remember that!" Korecmancketras raised his glass in acknowledgement and took a long draw on the drink.

They chatted and reminisced a while longer about some old bar brawl they had been involved in and relaxed until the drinks were drunk. Creed and Serandamancketal took their leave of Korecmancketras and headed back to the docking bay.



Caran was reading through the latest report from one of the outer colonies and the continuing probing incursions by the Khaak. Macar entered the office and Caran looked up, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"Sir I think you need to come and have a look at this!"

He closed the console and rose to his feet. "Lead the way!" He almost encapsulated the entire comment in a sigh. Hoping the news was better than the report he had just read.

"We've made progress but it's been tough!" Macar commented as they marched along the corridor at a quick pace.

"The Alien AI?" Caran questioned.

"If it's on the system then it's well hidden, but it would have a lot of places it can hide." Macar responded as they reached the door. It slid open.

Stepping inside Caran noted that there was additional equipment present. "What's all this?" He asked sharply.

Macar glanced across a little sheepish, "I can assure you it's needed! Let me explain." He pressed his fingers on an authorization pad. "Computer give me an image of the Alien Ship Alpha!"

The holo-projection screen illuminated and produced an image of the ship. Caran glanced at the technician.

"The research teams data set that we have is excellent! This information is what they collected. The structure of the ship is unique, as we already know. The outer hull is incredibly hard with multiple layers including a double metal skin, which is energized against any object that pierces the outer one." Macar began.

Caran thought about the latest weapon systems, "Explain!"

"Any object which breaks the outer skin will also touch a highly energized inner skin, in essence making a short between the two. The energy level between the plates is sufficient that the resistance of the impacting object causes it to vaporise before breaking the inner skins." Macar answered eagerly. "But that's not all!"

Caran realized the problem with using an agency technician to look at the data. He would have analyzed all the weapons and defense systems first. His mind set focusing on the offensive and defensive capabilities in order to determine any weaknesses. Rather than looking at the data in general to see what it contained. Still the information could be useful.

Macar continued, "Don't be deceived by the low level shield reading! Our estimates are that it has considerable potency, enough to survive multiple hornet strikes. However we haven't been able to determine a weapon system!"

"Very interesting, but what do we know about the Alien pilot?" Caran asked abruptly.

The technician hesitated a moment then frowned, "Interesting that you should come on to that as I was going to go on to say. All this information comes from the scanner information the scientists have gathered including an internal layout of the ship! From the logs they managed to patch in a booster supply to the computer system. However when I've checked the datalog the power was diverted to section delta two." Macar paused briefly put his fingertips on the authorization pad then spoke to the computer, "Show us section delta two."

The holo image changed to the internals of the alien ship and highlighted the bunk area of the cabin.

"This is described by the biologist on board as the cryogenic, stasis chamber." Macar glanced over at Caran, "What we were sent in terms of data was all the information the scientists gathered and then all this other 'stuff'. I've run it through all the translation codes I could find, one managed to produce some results then what appeared to be junk."

"So are you saying it sent us bad data?" Caran asked.

"No!" Macar responded almost immediately then paused. "At first I thought it had, but thinking about the system we are looking at I decided, on a whim, to ask one of our biologists to come and have a look. That's another reason this equipment is here."

"Go on!" Caran commented, now intrigued more than ever.

"Well he had a look and, at first, was as confused as me. Until he saw some sequences of what he termed genetic code. So we pulled in the other equipment here capable of doing biological analysis and this is what we have!" Macar once again placed his fingers on the authorization pad, "Computer show us Alien bioscan!"

Caran glanced at the holo-image. Macar glanced at him and said. "That took up the memory capacity of the data system we have! It's one eighth of the cranium of the alien including the brain. As my friend said. 'It's a perfect map'. Something we have never managed to achieve."

"How perfect?" Caran asked.

"Every neuron connection and nerve ending. Every protein link, carbohydrate and blood cell. This is more than a DNA sequence! This is the alien captured in the memory banks of the stasis chamber!" Macar replied with dramatic effect.

"And if the whole thing gets onto an active computer system?" Caran asked warily.

"Who knows! Perhaps you wouldn't be talking artificial intelligence more like actual intelligence!" Macar replied.

"And how do you think it might react after three thousand years in the deep freeze!" Caran spoke his thoughts aloud.

"Hey don't ask me! Ask a psychologist!" Macar raised his hands as a gesture of surrender.

Caran glanced at him, and nodded slowly.

"One thing we did speculate on is why so much information? And one thought we had was if the alien has a good replication device than it could regenerate the whole creature without having to worry about the thawing process." Macar paused.

"And it could do that?" Caran asked, as he met Macars glance.

Macar looked edgy like someone with bad news.

*****************************************

Tereana was awake again, it had been a restful sleep and despite everything she felt safe. Stretching she rolled onto her back then slowly opened her eyes. She looked towards the cockpit area and noted the ship was moving forwards at slow speed.

Tor glided in on the first container and scooped it into the cargo bay under the watchful presence of the freighter and mercenary ships. Tereana stood up and wished she could take a shower, she was also hungry. Moving forward she stood next to the pilot seat. Tor only glanced across briefly as he concentrated on the second container.

"Sleep well?" Tor asked politely.

"Well enough! How long was I out?" She replied.

"About six hours!" Tor was in position and gliding in on the second container.

"And they've only just got here?" Tereana spoke with dismay and shook her head.

"That's the last one!" Tor sighed as the container was picked up on the near field tractor beam and drawn into the cargo bay.

"Do you have any food around here?" Tereana asked.

"Try in the lockers next to the re-heater, left side of the bunk!" Tor commented. The freighter and fighters were already moving away.

"So what have you been up to whilst I was asleep?" Tereana tried for some casual conversation. Found some recon food and placed it in the re-heater.

Tor hesitated. The ship was now heading back towards the asteroid field. "Trying to talk to our friend here!"

"Really, about anything in particular?" Tereana glanced across to Tor curious to find out if he had found out anything interesting.

"It's about the most taciturn system I've ever encountered." Tor replied despondently.

She sighed, "So what's the plan now!"

"Well this isn't everything, we have a few days before the last two items are delivered." Tor responded and then continued, "So the plan is to head back to the station."

Tereana took a step backwards, "Oh no. I don't want to go back there!"

"Why not?" Tor asked in feigned surprise.

"Well for one there's two dead bodies on that station, and I'd rather not be around if the pirates return!" She answered curtly.

"Did I mention Caran provided us with new computers and a couple of maintenance robots!" Tor commented with a hint of sarcasm.

Tereana removed the meal from the re-heater and slammed the door, then sighed with resignation as she sat down with her back to Tor.

"I am detecting a certain amount of primitive hostility between you!" The AI observed. It was the first time it had spoken for some time.

"Well you taking over the ship hasn't exactly helped!" Tor snapped.

The AI was silent.

"Well that was a brilliant stroke of communication skill!" Tereana commented airily.

"Look! I don't want to go back to the station either, but I don't think we've got a lot of choice." Tor was losing his normally calm and care free demeanor. He was annoyed and winding his way up to anger.

"Okay, okay, calm down!" Tereana commented then went back to her meal.

Tor sat quietly for a moment then spoke up again, "Compromise for you. We take all this stuff back to the station, off load it and then return here!"

"Sounds like a plan!" Tereana responded and shrugged her shoulders.

"It'll also give you a chance to get your personal stuff and freshen up!" Tor responded mildly.

"Are you saying I smell?" Tereana replied, but this time with a bemused tone.

"Well I didn't want to say anything!" Tor smiled as he responded.

"Well you're not so pleasant smelling either!" Tereana quipped back cuttingly but in a lighthearted manner.

"Does this mean we shower together then?" Tor piped back.

"You wish!" Tereana answered abruptly.

"Just thought I'd ask!" Tor concluded.

The Piranha was already on its way back into the asteroid field. Again as they approached the station Tor had the growing sense of apprehension. Tereana felt the same, somewhere in the back of her mind there was a voice whispering, but she could not make out the words.

"Computer can you tell me what that noise is?" Tor asked.

"What noise? I don't hear anything!" Tereana commented and glanced around as she put the plate in the disposal unit.

Tor looked back towards her, "Sweety told me about it. It's at levels outside the normal range but it's there."

"Then how do you know its happening now?" Tereana quizzed.

"Because it's causing me to feel anxiety, as though there is something trying to get into my head!" Tor replied.

"Like a whispering!" Tereana commented quietly.

"Then you do hear it!" Tor replied and looked back at the console. "Computer please answer?"

There was no answer.

"Tor, might I suggest you build up some sort of rapport with the AI before demanding answers!" Tereana commented softly.

"Well I'm happy for you to try!" Tor commented with hint of skepticism.

"Computer what's your current status?" She asked.

There was a pause, then the AI responded. "All systems functioning within normal limits!"

"We picked up materials a short while ago will you be able to produce the fuel cell?" Tereana asked.

"Primary fuel components still missing! I have sufficient material to produce the containment!" The AI answered.

"Excellent! Can you replicate the casing with the available technology on the station or this ship?" Tereana was searching for an avenue that she could pursue in an attempt to get the AI to reveal more information about itself.

"The replication technology aboard this ship should be sufficient!" The AI responded.

"Is there any way that we may be able to assist?" Tereana asked hopefully.

The AI hesitated. "No!"

Tor looked on, saying nothing. Tereana frowned. "This cell is for the primary drive system and system power. What about the secondary drive unit?"

There was no answer.

"Computer! If we are to help you then you must share some of your knowledge!" Tereana spoke up and shrugged when she saw Tor's bemused look.

She had turned away to take a seat when the AI spoke. "It is against our laws to disclose and share technical knowledge with an inferior species."

"Don't you think it's a little bit late for that? We already have technical data on your ship!" Tereana commented.

"That is of your own discovery not of my disclosure!" The AI commented.

"You're three thousand Argon years from home! What that is in your own time I don't know." Tereana paused as she gathered her thoughts. "Your species have probably moved on in terms of technology! So I think you're probably safe to let us know some things."

"With a renewed fuel cell it will take fifty Cahulagion cycles to return home!" The AI responded.

"What's a Cahulagion Cycle?" Tereana asked cautiously.

The AI scanned through the Argon database at its disposal and answered. "Solar Year."

"That means your primary drive is some type of galactic drive?" Tereana asked as she pressed for answers.

"We call it a space distortion drive!" The AI replied.

Tereana paused for thought and then sat down as she tried to come to terms with some hitherto unknown concept. Tor was impressed that she had managed to get the AI to disclose some new information even though he did not understand a word of it.

Feeling he had to somehow contribute. "So that's three thousand years to get here and fifty years to get home?"

"Not exactly, but it's a reasonable summary!" Tereana answered. "Computer by your clock how many cycles have you been travelling?"

"Four thousand three hundred and fifty two!" The AI answered.

"And not all of it at constant velocity!" Tereana commented quietly.

Tor looked around, "How's that?"

Tereana glanced across. "You pilot a spaceship and you don't know the environment you work in?"

"I know it's a vacuum out there and it's bloody cold. More than that I don't need to know!" Tor responded and swiftly realized it was an answer that shouted ignorance.

Tereana shook her head. "Ever heard of Solar Winds?"

Tor thought for a moment. "The Boron have a Sail Ship race around the home world moons which has something to do with it."

Tereana sighed. "These are solar particles that have almost escaped the gravitational attraction of the sun moving at extreme high velocities close to the boundary of a solar system. As a ship supposedly leaves a system these winds will help it by pushing it along. However the Aliens ship had been heading into the system so the winds would have been slowing it down until the gravitational pull of the planets and sun took effect."

Tor nodded slowly. "And what does all that mean exactly."

"We know roughly how long it's been out there but we don't know how far it's gone relative to its starting point." Tereana answered. "Chances are with gravitational attraction it could have flown in a near perfect circle, but for us stopping it, it could nearly be home!"

She thought a while longer. "Alternatively if it were to visit all of our known sectors it may find one much closer to home than this one!"

"Computer, your ship. Other than the degraded fuel cell, it appears to have no other damage and we were wondering what the circumstances were that brought you here?" Tereana asked.

The Alien AI did not respond.

The ship slowed and both of them looked forward.

"Looks like we're here!" Tor exclaimed. "Computer get us docking permission!"

The outer bay doors opened and Tor gently eased the ship to the dockside. As the docking clamps engaged he relayed console orders for the cargo hatches to be opened. The maintenance robots were the first items to be released, one received immediate instructions to cleanse the station of the two bodies and the second instructed to empty the cargo bay of the supplies originally intended for the scientists and additional equipment. Leaving only the fuel cell.

Tor took a moment longer to examine the manifest. "Looks like Caran has provided us with additional environment suits, so we now have one set each and a spare one per person!"

Tereana did not look impressed. "I'd rather be in a completely different place!"

They sat and waited for the robots to signal they had completed their respective tasks, both of them were edgy and prone to fidgeting. Tor occasionally standing up and pacing the confines of the small rear cabin.

"Will you stop that!" Tereana commented.

"What?" Tor answered sharply.

"Pacing!" Tereana replied equally as sharply.

Tor stopped moving and closed his eyes, he took a few deep breaths and tried to focus his mind, something was clouding his thoughts. He stepped up to his personal locker and opened it. Reaching in he picked up the holo-cube of his parents. He felt the pang of pain and wave of grief clear his mind as old memories of long forgotten happy moments as a child and the occasional blazing argument between him and his father flared brightly in his minds eye.

Tereana watched as he put the holo-cube carefully back into the locker. There was no longer the irritability in his stance or the tension in his face. Only a deep abiding sadness, and through his expression she could sense his mood. "What is it?"

"Just before I came here someone informed me of the death of my parents!" Tor spoke slowly and clearly. "They told me the funeral will be quite soon and that I would be able to holo-link in. To be there, to see it and pay my last respects! I guess this changes things!"

Tereanas' own feelings were a mixture of embarrassment and sympathy for having spoken up earlier. It also struck her that the strength of the emotion had also quietened the whispering in her mind. However Tor was already ahead of her with the same thought.

The message came in that the station was ready and tentatively they both exited the ship. Tor grabbed a few personal items and both datapads.

Tereana led the way, the first stop was the central lab. Much of the equipment had been pilfered, but the new units were being installed by the first of the maintenance robots.

"We should come back later check to see if we can patch into your ship and upload the data off its computer!" Tereana commented.

"Will that take the AI with it?" Tor asked hopefully.

"I don't think so, your ship is more useful to it than this place!" She answered.

The headed out towards the private chambers. Tereana fully intended to have a quick shower then pack everything she possessed.

"Tor you can use any of the accommodation units on the right and I'll see you in say thirty minutes?"

Tor nodded and stepped up to the first door he came to. It slid open. Looking around it was obvious the room had never been used and, Tor considered, probably never would be after he left. The shower felt good and with a fresh set of clothes he felt relaxed.

His previous set went into the auto cleaner and within a few minutes came out clean and pressed. He carefully packed them away and checking his timepiece left the room. Tereana was already waiting.

"Let's go!" She commented and without another word returned to the docking bay.

Standing on the dockside, she dropped to her knees and cried. Tor looked gravely at the empty void where the Piranha had been.

[Gandalf The White]

Very good!

So, I was right then. It's not AI but an actual being then. Interesting.

[Al]

Getting intriguing. Nice chapter but I sense there is more exciting stuff on the horizon

Al

[Mercenary]

[Mercenary]

[Rega]

humm very interesting story m8 keep it up

[Adamskini]

another good read Merc

[Gandalf The White]

bump

[Mercenary]

Cheers Daz,

I'm out of here till monday so will catch up with any new feedback then and the rest of the chapter...


Merc.

[KiwiNZ]

Very good read with lots of tension building up. That is going to very exciting, I reckon.


You may want to read through it again, though because I found a few instances where you have word repititions in one sentence or so. Leaves sometimes the impression as if you were too considerate with us and rushed it a bit. Your writing style in the prior chapters has been tidier. Anyway, I am not complaining, it is very good!

One I found again: I also here you also know - here=hear and two also's

Looking forward to more!!

[Gandalf The White]

bump

[Moss]

Very good read again Merc, i'm thinking we may get to see the alien if the correct "Materials" are supplied to the ship maybe!

I think Creed has to be one of the most stuborn and unforgiving good guys! i've ever met in a story

Keep it coming, cheers.

[Mercenary]

[SteveMill]

Very good again Merc.

The first para needs a little punctuation work though

The bar was crowded, mostly prospectors looking to claim a stake on one of the mineral rich planets, if they could find an interplanetary shuttle to take them, or in a few cases just (needs a word here like Drifters or miners) there for additional supplies.

Very very minor quibble in a really good piece of writing.

[Mercenary]

Cheers Steve,

Edited here and in the master, used the word drifter it seemed to fit better in the text.


Merc.