Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Completed under the ++++++++++
Merc
-----------------
Tor sat spending an inordinate amount of time examining his big toe. It still throbbed painfully having stubbed it on the corner of his desk. "Do you think it might be broken?" He asked out loud.
Tris exclaimed in disbelief, "What? Did you actually take in anything I just said."
Tor looked up. A confused and worried expression crossed his face, "Err, yeah, sure."
Tris looked at him furiously, "And?"
Tor desperately racked his memory and a vague snippet of information seemed to spring to mind, "Something about the other pilots not leaving litter in your ship when they go out on patrol."
Tris sighed, "That was five Mizuras ago."
Tor looked completely lost and pointed vaguely at his toe, "This really hurts."
Tris commented, "Something else is really going to hurt in a Mizura."
At the same precise moment the door opened and Broden stepped in. Catching the last comment he raised a questioning eyebrow and said, "If you two would like to be left alone for another thirty Mizuras, I can always come back."
Tor responded, "She's threatening me with physical abuse."
Broden turned on his heels, "Call me when you're finished."
Tor replied quickly, "No, I mean she's going to hurt me!"
Broden paused for a moment and replied, "Some men pay good money for that sort of thing."
Tris commented, "Is that the voice of experience talking?"
Broden turned back to face Tris with a broad grin, "Depends on if you're offering?"
Tris asked, "Would you like me to hurt you?"
Broden replied, "Only if I get to choose how."
Tor butted in, "Look is there something someone wants to tell me here, because my toe really hurts and I think I'm going to see a doctor."
Tris looked despairingly at Tor before turning her attention back to Broden, "Perhaps you should mention the Roamers recent activity, because he sure as hell isn't listening to me."
Broden glanced at Tor, then at Tris and nodded slowly, "Okay, and I've had a word with the lads and they apologise if their intended joke caused any offence."
Tor became aware that he may have missed something important. Tris smiled and said, "Thanks, I'm going to get some food, I'll see you around."
As Tris left, Broden gave Tor a long thoughtful look. When the door closed he sighed and then commented, "You may be young and care free my friend, but where that lady is concerned you are being singularly stupid." There was a pause when Broden added, "Sir."
Tor opened and closed his mouth. He eventually shrugged and said, "Sorry you lost me for a second there."
Broden muttered, "I think we should have the doc check out your ears rather than your toe." Then commented aloud, "Which bit do you need clarifying Sir?"
Tor flinched as he put his foot gently on the floor, "If there's one thing I do notice, you only ever call me Sir when you're insulting me. So I take it I'm doing something wrong?"
Broden commented, "That's remarkably enlightened of you Sir."
Tor asked, "So?"
With a slight shake of the head Broden commented, "Well let me put it like this. None of us know if we'll ever see home again and there's a fair number of the lads that would give their hind teeth to be in your position with respect to Tris. Now if you don't pay her a little more attention then, chances are she'll turn her attention elsewhere."
Tor said slowly, "Ahh."
Broden however was not totally convinced that the message had sunk home when Tor commented, "Does my toe look broken to you? It seems to be a funny shape."
Broden looked around, "Sorry I think I must have the wrong office. This is the office of Tor Grall isn't it?"
Tor looked perplexed and replied slowly, "Yes."
Brodens’ eyes narrowed, and he breathed in deep, "The same Tor that was impaled to his seat in a Discoverer and survived. The same Tor that was ejected out of the cockpit of his exploding Piranha. The same Tor that stood up to Creed and lived. The very man that stood in a room when a grenade exploded, took a rifle butt to the head and who was subsequently subjected to multiple stun grenade. The person that piloted his ship through the heart of a Khaak destroyer, faced death numerous times and with bare faced audacity lived to tell the tale. Who almost suffocated in his space suit to save his ship. The very man that led those of us who survived to the safe haven of this sector."
Tor quietly replied, "I suppose so."
Broden looked around for dramatic effect, "Well where is this man? All I see is a boy whining about a stubbed toe."
Tor commented, "I guess I'm not doing so well then?"
Broden gave a wry smile, "Not today. The feeling is getting stronger that you are Governor in name only, Parrel is the real leader of this sector and I am undisputedly in command of this station. So no one truly understands where you fit in." He paused for a moment, "Now I'm telling you all this as a friend and advisor, this is your wake up call so to speak and if you don't begin to make an impression soon then you might as well be just another face in the crowd."
Tor responded, "I'd hate to know what you'd say to me if I wasn't a friend."
Broden hesitated for a moment and then replied, "I'd lie to you and tell you you're doing a great job. Now to business something you do need to know is that the Roamer launched an interplanetary shuttle about forty Mizuras ago and it's heading for the Mohrabas homeworld."
Tor asked, "Any word from Parrel why?"
Broden replied, "Nothing yet."
Tor spoke to the room in general, "Sweety, can you give me any info."
Sweety replied, "I have not been able to access the Roamer data banks. But having monitored a number of the transmission frequencies the Roamer lost a survey probe which was launched to take images of the planet. The probe appears to have been destroyed."
Tor asked, "Did it crash?"
Sweety responded, "Shot down would be a better description."
Tor shot a look over to Broden, "That doesn't sound too friendly."
Broden thought for a moment, "Seems a perfectly reasonable reaction to me."
Tor considered what he should do next, "Sweety any chance you can get access to the Roamers databanks and find out what's going on?"
Sweety replied with a hint of incredulity, "Are you asking me to break in to another computer system?"
Tor sighed and frowned, "You used to do it all the time."
Sweety said, "That was then! Now as a recognised citizen I have social responsibilities towards less fortunate members of my kind."
Broden gave a wry smile and Tor commented, "What you really mean to say is that Dorlf won't give you access and can keep you out."
Sweety replied curtly, "I see this conversation is going nowhere so good day."
Tor opened his mouth when Broden said, "Stop! Now I think I know why Nye left." He addressed the room, "Sweety, from the Mohrabas archives does it mention anything about planetary defence systems?"
Sweety replied calmly, "Nothing found in the data store."
Tor commented, "Parrel did mention that he may try and get in contact with the Mohrabas if they were found to inhabit the planet."
Broden asked, "Sweety does the shuttle have any cargo?"
Sweety replied, "Long range scans indicate that it may be carrying a nav sat. However it is now too far away for an accurate reading."
Broden commented, "Well there's a job for you. Knowledge is power so get in contact with Parrel and find out what he's up to."
Tor nodded, "Anything else."
Broden thought for a moment, "Sorry forgot to add the Sir on the end of that." He smiled and continued, "We have stabilised the Cattle Ranch core power plant, but in terms of operating energy cells it's going to consume twenty five percent more than normal to make up the shortfall."
Tor said, "What's the current stock list?"
Broden handed over his datapad knowing this was something that Tor had some skill in. Tor commented, "If I'm reading this right we should start to run short in about fifteen Tazura. Hopefully we should have the Crystal Fab running by then. I see the construction is going to plan but I'm guessing we're likely to see the same main power plant problems."
Broden shrugged, "Probably worse as we had to increase the amount used in the cattle ranch to stabilize the reactor. But that's only the start of the potential problems."
Tor kept his eyes on the datapad, "I notice we are writing off the first three yields of crystals."
Broden nodded, "It'll take that many runs just to get the quality right. Our Paranid friends will not risk sub-standard crystals in the generation of energy cells."
Taking a moment Tor added, "It's usually normal for Solar Power Plants to have crystal production experts on board. We should ask if they will send someone across to assist with any technical issues."
Broden gave a small smile, "Well you know how the Paranid are about dealing with the unholy. And to be quite frank they can be a cantankerous bunch of unhelpful guys. But maybe as they have some respect for you as a pseudo defender of the faith against the demon Khaak hordes you could negotiate a deal with them."
*********
ThaStornias eyes swept over the council. The chambers were filled with the brightly coloured robes of representatives from all eight cities, something that had not been seen for over one hundred Mohrabas years. The taste of the air was not of anxious anxiety but of curious anticipation. News of the visitors had been circulating for some time and now the destroyed probe seemed like a catalyst in the ground swell of opinion.
Once more they would reach for the stars and this time they would be prepared.
The halls of the Mohrabas council purred with the voices of the elders and council members. ThaGoracks' father, ThoBieght took the centre stand and with a nod from the Chief Minister called the room to silence. As the room hushed he spoke about the arrival of the visitors and at length about the alien object that had been destroyed.
It appeared to ThaStornia that the consensus was the aliens were not the ancient enemy returned and for now their intentions appeared peaceful. However the despoiling of the ancient remains led to some dissenting voices in how to deal with them. Since the arrival no more ships had come through the gate and none of the ships left. This in itself appeared odd.
Questions were growing and needed to be answered, but there was one certain and undisputable fact, they were now discovered and anything they did could not undo this.
ThoBieght addressed the council again, "We should not avail ourselves to gentle words. Actions speak louder. To understand the nature of our visitors we should test them and by their response should we judge them."
ThoHault, one of the senior members of the council asked, "Learned councillor, what test do you propose?"
ThoBeight growled, "The question is heard councillor ThoHault. It is our considered opinion that a show of arms should be sufficient."
Chief Minister ThiRioth purred, "Learned councillor, they are few, a full show of strength would prove nothing of the nature of these creatures."
ThoBeight bowed slightly, "Excellency I do not propose to send the whole fleet, just six warships."
ThiRioth looked over the assembly, "Councillor ThiHient, we have not heard your voice in this matter."
The silver haired ThiHient raised himself up from his seat and leaned heavily against his walking staff, although very old even for one of his race, the Mohrabas elders' eyes keenly looked over the faces around him, "Excellency. As they survey us so we should survey them. Yet their communications is primitive, and we should first learn to communicate on their level. To defend ourselves against an enemy is one thing, but we should not mistakenly make enemies because we failed to talk first."
There were murmurs of approval and ThoBeight gave a nod, "Excellency, we are engaged in developing a transmission system that uses the frequencies of the visitors for when the time is appropriate. Yet that will take a while before it is complete and the visitors have already sent another ship towards our world for what purpose we cannot determine."
Deep purrs and growls rippled through the chamber in a low sweeping wave of noise. ThiRioth rose to his feet in a single smooth motion and hammered the steel tip of the base of his staff of office against the hard stone floor three times. Silence descended and all eyes watched. Moving to the central pedestal he gave a slight bow to ThoBeight who returned the gesture and yielded the floor.
ThiRioth looked over the council chamber and then his eyes landed on ThoBeight, "The time for our return to the stars has come. Prepare your ships we will go meet these visitors and see what we can learn."
The Mammoth held position fifteen k's from the nearest station and Tor had come to visit Parrel. The commander was already in the briefing room when Tor stepped in, "Come in Tor. Surprised not to have seen you before today!"
Tor sat down, "It's been busy, the new cattle ranch and crystal fab have some issues. We're desperately short of central power plant core material for one. At the moment we don't have enough to start the crystal fab when it's completed."
Parrel frowned, "I can see that's a big problem."
Tor nodded, "Just a little, we have about fourteen Tazuras of production energy cells remaining after which there'll be no more production. Unless we start harvesting and processing by hand. But other than that what have you been up to recently?"
Parrel started, "I guess you already know that we lost the probe. So now we have a shuttle delivering a nav sat to a safe location near the planet and hopefully we can send them a message of goodwill."
Tor commented, "Let's hope they hear us and understand the message."
Parrel nodded, "Let's hope. If you're happy to hang around for another thirty Mizuras you can watch the deployment of the satellite."
Tor said, "My next appointment is in three Stazuras with the Paranid station commander."
Parrel smiled, "Sounds like a fun meeting."
Tor commented, "Yeah, need to get them to give some advice and support with crystal production."
The holo screen flickered to life and Sheero appeared, "Sir, sorry to disturb you but we have ship movement on long range scanners."
Parrel looked suddenly anxious, "From the planet?"
Sheero replied, "No Sir, from the inner moon. Six ships but we can't get a fix on type other than they have interplanetary drive systems."
Parrel asked, "Course and heading."
Sheero responded, "They will intercept the Shuttle in sixty three Mizura, Sir."
Parrel glanced at Tor, "Any comms?"
Sheero frowned, "Nothing we can detect. Sir"
Parrel looked pensive and commented, "Mission is to proceed as planned. Deploy the satellite and have the shuttle wait."
Tor asked, "Why don't you have the shuttle come back?"
Parrel glanced over, "No, it will give the wrong impression."
Tor asked, "But what if they're hostile?"
Parrel frowned, "Then regrettably we're going to lose a shuttle and it's crew."
Tor looked incredulous, "And that's worth the risk?"
Parrel looked at the holo-image, "Thank you Sheero. I will be on the bridge shortly." The image faded and Parrel turned his attention back to Tor, "Understand this, the shuttle is a damn long way from where we are now and it's taken several Stazuras to get there. It's not a fighter craft so it has a token gesture in terms of weapons capability. Chances are if it tried to run from these incoming ships it wouldn't get back here before they caught up with it. So if they're hostile then the shuttle is already as good as destroyed. But what impression do you think that running away is going to give to whoever is out there."
Tor knew the answer in his heart but did not reply.
Parrel continued, "One impression is that we're scared. The second is that we're up to no good."
Tor commented, "Yeah but being scared isn't too bad."
Parrel sighed, "Scared people do stupid things. Like start shooting and what we don't want is to outstay our welcome due to some stupid misunderstanding. So the mission goes on as planned and we pray like the Paranid that our message reaches the ears of the right people."
Tor was silent for a moment, "Okay. I think the others need to know what's going on."
Parrel smiled, "Are you proposing having a meeting?"
Tor said, "If you're okay with that?"
Parrel looked up and commented, "Why are you asking me? Aren't you the one in charge?"
Tor replied, "Only in name according to the latest opinion."
Parrel nodded, "If you're not used to ordering people around then it's easy to slip back into your comfort zone and allow others to do it for you. Like wise I'm probably just as guilty but from the other side, having been in charge so long it's almost second nature to give out orders. The decision I give to you and for once I'm not going to say if it's good or bad."
Tor considered his options for a short while, "I think we should wait until the satellite has sent its message. Then call an emergency meeting of station owners."
Parrel simply responded, "Let's get a bite to eat and go to the bridge and watch the deployment from there."
=============================
The bridge of the Roamer was on skeleton crew. Without the threat of immediate danger being present and while the ship was not on active patrol, the regular staff were enjoying the additional rest and relaxation time.
A live feed was being transmitted from the shuttle craft with only a light amount of chatter as the crew reported their current status. Tor could make out that the craft was very near to its destination and the speed was falling away rapidly.
Sheero commented, "ETA three Mizuras. Scanners are clear, no immediate threat detected."
The pilot reported back, "Acknowledged. Satellite systems are clean and unit loaded into position for deployment."
Tor sat in one of the vacant seats of the science station whilst Parrel casually reviewed reports on his datapad. Occasionally he glanced up at the information screen but let Sheero deal with the verbal instructions.
The final Mizuras seemed to drag. The shuttle pilot eventually reported in, "Satellite deployed and ready to transmit."
Parrel looked up and commented, "Are we ready to transmit?"
Sheero replied, "Yes, sir."
Parrel asked out load, "Dorlf, have you confirmed translation with Sweety."
It was one of the few times Tor had ever heard the Roamers AI speak when Dorlf replied, "Translation and phonetics verified. Transmission will commence upon request."
Parrel ordered, "Transmit on full sweep of frequencies."
On the Mohrabas home world ThoBeight looked up as his son gave a slight bow. He asked, "What is it you have for me?"
ThaGorack appeared slightly perplexed when he answered, "The visitors are transmitting a message to us."
ThoBeight shrugged, "Have our translators deciphered it?"
ThaGorack shook his head, "They have no need, the transmission is in our own language."
ThoBeight considered this and asked, "Hand me the message clip."
ThaGorack handed him the small clip. ThoBeight held it in his hand and closed his fingers around it. Briefly he closed his eyes and gave a slight purr. When he opened them again he commented, "It is a good translation. Not perfect but close enough. I will inform his Excellence of this."
ThaGorack said, "Yes father." And made a slight bow to leave.
ThoBeight commented, "Before you go. I am aware of your rivalry with ThaStornla. As your father I insist you put aside your grievance. It does neither of our families reputation any good."
ThaGoracks' eyes narrowed as he responded, "And if I cannot?"
ThoBeight answered in a deep gentle purr, "His Excellence has also noted this rivalry, and he is displeased to see it so open. If you do not put it aside then he will take steps."
ThaGorack blinked slowly as he considered his fathers words and with a slight bow he left.
Tor sat in the briefing room of the Roamer and looked at the faces of the station owners. Each one was on a seperate screen. Commander Parrel sat quietly and looked expectantly at Tor. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves, "Looks like everyone is here! So I can now give you an update to some recent developments. A short while ago a satellite was placed near to the local planet having determined that there may still be a technologically advanced species on the surface."
Tor paused briefly, "Within the last few Mizura a greeting was transmitted and we can report that six space worthy ships of unknown type and capability have been launched. These ships appear to have interplanetary capability and are closing in on the position of the satellite. At this moment we have had no formal communications response. Within the next twenty Mizura we will have more details on the alien craft."
With the exception of the Paranid, the images of the other station commanders glanced at each other. It was Garet that spoke up, "How long have you been aware that the planet was inhabited?"
Tor resisted the urge to look over to Parrel for an answer, and gave a response, "A probe was launched a few Tazura ago to determine if we could find any raw materials for the Cattle Ranch and Crystal Fab power cores. The probe was destroyed by a planetary defence system less than one Tazura ago."
Garet asked, "And we're supposed to be encouraged by this news?"
Tor replied, "In hindsight the response is only how we would react if an alien object of unknown purpose entered within range of one of our planets. We see nothing sinister in their reaction and in our message apologised if the probe caused offense."
Garet turned his attention to Parrel, "And is this your view also Commander."
Tor looked at Parrel who stared back at him and asked, "With your permission?" Tor gave a slight nod. This appeared to receive a number of curious glances from the station commanders.
Parrel addressed Garet directly, "As Tor has mentioned the probe unfortunately got too close. The satellite and corresponding message was sent to allay any fears in the local populace."
Garet commented dryly, "Assuming they understood it."
Parrel looked to Tor to answer. Tor commented, "The message was given in the native language."
The other station commanders appeared content to let Garet act as spokesperson as he asked another question, "But they haven't responded?"
Tor replied, "Not yet," And with what struck Parrel as an rather insightful evaluation, Tor continued, "But that may be because their communications systems work at a level we have yet to discover."
Garet smiled, "So how do we know they received the message?"
Tor sighed, "We don't. But like our own technology we assume they can scan far more frequencies than they transmit over, without making adjustments to systems."
Parrel quietly considered this and decided he would go and talk to some of the communications experts.
Garet once again addressed Parrel, "Commander is this possible?"
Parrel replied absently, "Oh yes, very possible. Scanners will pick up spatial anomalies by their frequency signature but you wouldn't develop a transmitter to work at that level. There wouldn't be any point."
There was a brief silence and Tor asked, "Any further questions?"
For the first time in many meetings Molamanckebale, the Solar Power Plant commander asked cautiously in his deep voice, "And you will be making us fully aware of developments as they happen?"
Tor knew this was not a question and gave a slight bow of the head in Paranid fashion to acknowledge firstly that he had heard and understood the statement and secondly as a submissive gesture in recognition of the speakers seniority, "Everyone will be updated as developments occur."
Tor then addressed the other station commanders, "Any further questions."
There was no answer. Tor concluded, "Then this meeting is over. We will be in contact again soon."
Each of the screens disconnected and Tor turned to Parrel, "Well?"
Parrel smiled, "You should build on that. Opinions could change sooner than you think and I like your reasoning. You are welcome to stay on board until the encounter but I need to go and chat to some of my staff."
Tor spent some time examining his datapad and occasionally making calls to Broden or Liann for miscellaneous snippets of information. The Silicon mine carried only a reduced buffer stock of wafers and a small reserve of energy cells not destined for the Cattle Ranch or the Crystal Fab.
Parrel returned to the briefing room ten Mizuras before the intercept time. With him were several of his senior officers. Tor put aside the datapad and looked questioningly at the Commander.
Parrel said, "We have a new development. Only one of the six ships has reduced speed."
Tor asked, "Which means?"
Parrel replied, "The others are coming this way."
Tor sat back, "And we still haven't heard anything from them?"
Parrel shook his head and sat down. The officers also took their places. Parrel commented out loud, "Computer log the meeting time and begin recording. In the light of the recent development we have now managed to scan the local ships. Sheero can you give us an update?"
Sheero looked around the table, "Vessel type and class appears to be very much like our new Corvette class. Multiple weapon placements and what we believe to be missile launch pods."
Parrel asked, "Any verification on the weapons type?"
Sheero shook his head, "Unable to determine and the same story is true for the shield type and strength."
Parrel frowned, "Is there any way we can match the energy signatures to the weapons and shielding of the Sentinel currently onboard the Silicon Mine?"
Sheero replied, "There is a small correlation between the Sentinel shield system but not enough to prove it has the same effectiveness. As for the weapons they appear to be unpowered so we have no way of matching them."
Parrel looked at Craydon and asked, "What's their estimated ETA."
Craydon answered, "Sir, since the change of heading and speed, ETA will be in two Stazuras."
Tor asked quickly, "Change of speed?"
Craydon glanced across, "They have doubled it."
Parrel looked around the room, "For the moment we must assume they have advanced their reflective shielding technology. How effective this will be against high energy plasma weapons is unknown, and I don't want to find out. Sheero, ensure only half the fighter patrol is on duty and they must have weapons offline when the ships arrive. Tor you will need to insist that the other station commanders comply or put all their fighters into dock."
Tor reiterated the comment Parrel made previously, "Scared people do stupid things."
The officers looked at Tor and Parrel gave a nod with the comment, "They do indeed, but in some cases they can do remarkable things."
Tor said, "I'll contact the station Commanders and get their assurance they will comply."
Parrel nodded, "Thank you." He then addressed Chareth, "Any progress with the comms?"
Chareth replied, "Nothing Sir."
Tor asked, "Have we really expended all options?"
Chareth glanced over, "One of the science crew mentioned something about phased pulse modulation in an inverted sub space medium as being the next leap in communications, but it's only a theory and the scanner technology hasn't been invented to detect it yet."
Tor had no idea what this meant and responded, "Ahh."
Parrel chipped in, "I'm sure Tor would enjoy discussing the finer details of the theory, however we don't have the technology or the time to develop it. Needless to say, we still may not be able to tap into the locals transmissions even if we did have it. So let's stick with what we can achieve and hope for a reply soon."
Parrel glanced at his time piece, "Time to conclude this brief update. Dorlf activate the monitors and give us the live feed from the shuttle."
++++++++++++
The shuttle pilot came on screen, "Commander, just going to switch you to external view."
As they looked out the hull of the Mohrabas ship caught the light of the sun. The targeting system counted down the distance, as the gap closed to less than five k's the screen went blank suddenly.
Parrel asked quickly, "Dorlf, what just happened?"
Dorlf replied, "All communications have been lost."
Sheero asked, "Destroyed?"
Dorlf answered, "Unable to establish. However my last scan indicates no power surge to the alien vessels weapons."
Parrel commented quietly, "Gentlemen until we have positive confirmation of the destruction of the shuttle we must assume that they have jammed the signal." He looked at each face around the table and waited for an acknowledgement of his summary.
Tor asked, "Can you be so sure?"
Parrel looked at him, "We have to believe they are being cautious."
Tor asked quietly, "And at what point do we change our mind?"
Parrel answered, "When the shooting starts."
Tor looked around the room, "And how do we know they haven't already started shooting?"
Parrel gave a loud sigh and fixed Tor with a hard stare, "Because I can't hear any guns going off."
Tor sat back wondering if he might have pushed the point too far. Despite Parrels calm appearance there had been an abruptness in his tone. Parrel waited for a moment and then asked, "Are there any other questions?"
No one said anything so Parrel said, "Very well. I would suggest everyone takes some time to rest now to be refreshed and ready for duty when the ships arrive."
All except Parrel stood up and headed for the door. Parrel commented, "Tor a quiet word if you don't mind."
Tor stopped and looked over, "Yes?"
Parrel waited until the last officer had departed before commenting, "Just for a moment there you sounded like you were beginning to panic."
Tor shrugged, "I didn't mean to."
Parrel cut in, "Some advice. As someone who's in charge you should not feed the doubts of others with your own. At all times you should appear to have the situation under control, or at least have a damned good idea what to do next. Remember your fear is their fear and your strength is their strength."
Expecting a continuation of the lecture Tor simply nodded.
Parrel stood up and commented, "I expect you need to update the other station Commanders. Before you talk to them though, think about your own questions and reservations then come up with suitable responses. Remember we don't know what, if anything, has happened, or is happening to the shuttle, only that we've lost comms. Don't scare people with speculation and doubt. Make them think this contingency was planned for and we have no reason to believe anything bad has happened. And if possible try to believe it yourself."
Tor asked, "Do you?"
Parrel immediately replied, "Yes, I have to, and so do you!"
Tor sighed, "Shall I make the call now whilst we're here?"
Parrel shook his head, "No you need to think about your going to deal with awkward questions without sounding vague and uncertain. So I suggest you think about it on your way back home as you'll also need to get some rest afterwards."
Tor commented, "And I'll need to get some rest before beginning negotiations with the Paranid."
It was a short trip back to the Silicon Mine. Tor was too distracted to notice that the ship had docked as he struggled to come up with answers that sounded convincing to the questions that buzzed around his head. Five Mizuras after docking he stepped out of the ship and with a deep look of concentration moved purposefully towards the shuttle lift.
Broden stepped out of his way and watched him pass Tris with barely a sign of recognition. She looked momentarily lost until she noticed him and Broden beckoned her over with the wave of his hand.
Tris asked, "What's up with him?"
Broden shrugged, "Looks like someone’s given him something to think about."
Tris commented cuttingly, "That shouldn't be difficult."
With a slight sigh Broden commented, "So he hasn't apologised to you yet?"
With a derisory laugh Tris replied, "Apologise? Who him?"
Broden frowned as he turned his gaze and watched Tor step in to the shuttle lift. The doors closed. He commented, "Give him time, but today I get the feeling all is not well with our universe."
Tris asked quietly, "What do you mean?"
Broden replied, "I'm not certain but I guess it's got something to do with the activities of the Roamer."
Tris began, "You don't think..."
However Broden cut in, "There's only one way to find out."
Tris hesitated and she commented softly, "You go."
Broden considered this for a moment, "Okay. Get some drinks lined up, and I'll go find out what's going on."
Tris looked over to her ship, "I'm due out on patrol."
With a slight smile Broden, "Change of orders, you're going to the bar."
Tris began, "But."
Broden commented, "I'm the Station Commander, are you disobeying my order?"
With the hint of a smile Tris replied, "No Sir."
With a quick nod of the head Broden commented, "Then why are you still standing there?"
Tris turned smartly and marched away. Turning he made his way quickly to the shuttle lift. Once reaching the Command Centre level he met Liann and commented casually, "Hello gorgeous."
Liann replied with a smile, "You're just in time to take me to dinner."
Broden said, "And it'll be the best meatsteak dinner credits can buy." He paused, "However I need to see the boss first. Look do me a favour, Tris has just gone to the bar to have a few drinks, if you're quick you may get one on the tab before she starts on her third."
Liann commented, "Don't be long then, otherwise we'll both be drunk." They briefly hugged and headed towards their respective destinations.
The door to Tors' office slid open and Broden stepped in to see Tor sitting behind his desk staring intently at the monitor.
Broden said loudly, "Sir."
Tor seemed to come out of his look of deep concentration and his expression changed to one of near surprise, "Yes Broden, what can I do for you?"
Broden replied, "Question is Sir, is there anything we can do to help you?"
Tor thought for a moment, "Maybe there is. I need to have good answers to hypothetical questions."
Broden asked, "Such as?"
Tor replied slowly, "Such as, we've just lost contact with our interplanetary shuttle, circumstances unknown, and with what appear to be five warships heading towards us. Do we think they're friendly?"
Broden commented, "Do we know the shuttle was destroyed?"
Tor replied, "We can't tell."
Broden said cautiously, "Did the scanners report any type of weapons charging up?"
Tor searched his memory, "No. Just the comms went out."
Broden replied casually, "Then be optimistic. As far as you know the shuttle is unharmed but its comms have been blocked."
Over the next few Mizura Tor told Broden all the details of the shuttle mission, the events and meetings held and finally the conversation with Parrel. The former Captain highlighted only the salient points which should be mentioned and agreed to sit in on the briefing with the other station commanders.
The video conference itself was surprisingly short. The many questions that Tor had feared he would have to answer never materialised. As the screens blanked out Broden commented on the fact the Commanders were unusually quiet and speculated that they were probably digesting the information and discussing it privately amongst themselves. Somehow this left Tor with a feeling of unease.
Declining the offer of a drink at the bar Tor retired to his quarters and tried to get some sleep before the five ships arrived. Also so that he would be relaxed for the meeting with Molamanckebale. What sleep he did get was restless and haunted by images of Khaak destroyers laying waste to the sector. Twice he found himself lurching up into a sitting position from deep sleep, the image of a Khaak pounding at his door and at the station window, it remained sharp in his mind with the pounding of his heart beating in rhythm to the movement.
The dreams were becoming more frequent as the days passed by. Sweetys' voice gently commented in the darkness, "That's twice in one night. What is it you dream that scares you so much?"
Tor replied, "Dying Sweety."
Sweety commented quietly, "But death is inevitable why do you fear it?"
Tor sighed and lay back on his bed, "It not death itself that worries me but how I die."
Sweetys' voice softly filtered through the still air, "Do you believe you see the future?"
The mental image left by the dream flashed back and Tor answered, "For all our sakes I hope not."
Sweety asked, "What is it you see when you dream?"
Tor replied in little more than a whisper, "Khaak ships everywhere. Stations and ships burning, people dying and a Khaak creature beating on the door."
In a whisper Sweety asked, "And do you see your friends?"
Tor hesitated for a moment before replying, "Each and every one."
Sweetys voice touched the limit of Tors’ hearing as she asked, "And do you see me?"
Quietly Tor replied, "Yes Sweety I see you." Silence descended but Tor did not feel like closing his eyes quite yet and he asked, "Sweety, do you like being free?"
The soft night voice of Sweety replied, "It is not how I had simulated it to be."
Tor replied gently, "That is so often the case." For a moment he reflected on a comment Broden made and he asked, "Do I treat you badly?"
Sweety commented, "Occasionally in what you say. Tact doesn't seem to be one of your strong points."
Tor responded, "Sorry Sweety." He sighed and said, "Light level twenty percent."
The lights glowed dimly and Tor reached for the glass and the space fuel container beside his bed. Giving the bottle a cursory shake he knew he would have to get another soon. Pouring the last of the liquid into the glass he sipped the contents slowly.
Sweety asked, "Does that help?"
Tor replied quietly, "A little." Draining his glass he put it back on the side, lay back and closed his eyes hoping for a peaceful sleep. The lights dimmed out.
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