Future in the Stars Read online

  “That went very well, Lord Kaporine.”

  “Yes, Ambassador, it did.”

  “The visitation rights and the possibility of parole came as a surprise.”

  “Dame Desinal almost jumped out of her fur.”

  “I thought that, after you presented her actions with the Mortek meetings and her obvious efforts to prove herself, she showed a great deal of acceptance of her actions. She also displayed contrition. Dame Desinal has always been a loyal clan member. I think that, this time, she was just very wrongheaded.”

  “I agree with your assessment, Sire.”

  “Now, I have a bond-mate waiting for me. And you, Little Fire, have a world to run. But, before that, you need to be the dutiful daughter. Let us leave the Griffin Den to do whatever they need to do.”

  “I would rather that you run the world, Father.”

  “Funny, Cub. Come. You need to spend time with your mother. She’s been complaining about you not spending enough time with her.”

  “Well, I guess that running the world can wait a while longer.”

  The Griffin contingent watched Lord and Mistress Kaporine board the transport, along with the Elonian Guardsmen and a limping Mahajani. After the ship left, they all entered HEBA’s headquarters.

  “Now what, Krag?”

  “Now we focus our attention on putting a ship together and go looking for Igaklay’s people.”

  “Oh, yes!”

  “First we need a flight crew,” Krag stated.

  ”You already have a captain. Captain Long.”

  “True, Keiko. Igaklay, where is Captain Long?”

  “He is at the at the HEBA compound near the spaceport, Commander.”

  “Would you please contact him and have him come to H.Q.?”

  “Immediately, Commander. I have stationed shuttles at the town, knowing that transportation between the space port and here would be required.”

  “Thank you, Igaklay. Next, could you send a shuttle for Mack and Sue? We need to start planning for this little odyssey.”

  Igaklay’s avatar froze. After a few moments, it reanimated.

  “I have communicated with Mz. Sue, Commander. She and Mack will be here within the hour. Captain Long has just arrived.”

  “You jumped the shuttle?”

  “Yes, Commander. Five hundred miles would have taken about thirty minutes to get here. I thought that you wouldn’t want to wait.”

  Everyone looked at the pyramid wall as an iris opened. Although in civilian clothing, the Griffin crew could see that the slender, darkhaired man entering had been cut from military cloth. His stride, the swing of his arms, the expressionless face all bespoke of Federacy Navy.

  Keiko remained seated on the couch while Krag rose.

  Holding out his hand, Krag asked, “How is dirtside treating you, Slim?”

  “Bored out of my skull, Hawk.”

  “Well, I think we can change that. Have a seat. We run casual here, so loosen up.”

  “Trying to, Commander. But, after putting in my twenty, well, you know.”

  By this time, Long had taken an overstuffed chair and Krag retook his place beside Keiko.

  “Yeah. It took me a while to pull out the stick. Anyway, how would you like to do something that you have never done before?”

  “If it gets me back on a ship, I’m in.”

  “Not so fast. Hear me out.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “Good. Well, I made a promise to Preceptor Igaklay about a year ago.”

  “As did I,” Keiko interrupted.

  “Yes. We made a promise to the Preceptor that, after the war with the Mortek was settled, we’d search for his people. Apparently, they took a walkabout around two thousand years ago and Igaklay doesn’t know where they ended up.”

  “You want me to find out where they went.”

  “Yup.”

  “Any idea where to look?”

  “None, whatsoever. Not even a vector.”

  “Me and Iggy might have an answer to that,” Mack said as he and Sue approached.

  “I was just going to say that, Mack.”

  “We do not have an answer, Commander. Just a hypothesis. The one which Mack discussed with you three days ago,” Sue added.

  “Yeah. Let’s talk it out.”

  Ex-Captain Long sat forward in his chair, focusing on the conversation.

  “Like I said, under the energy dome on Bachama, is a small, abandoned community with factories and everything. Completely cut off from Iggy. And, like I said, there’s a strange ship also in there.”

  “We got that far. And no one can go in.”

  “No one with Iggy tech, Cap. But, me and Iggy, we think that someone without Iggy tech will be let in.”

  “Which brings me to the first ask. Slim, how would you feel about having your nanites flushed out? It would be only temporary until we can do a recon under the energy dome we found on Bachama.”

  “Where’s Bachama?”

  “Oh. Sorry. Igaklay, could you put up a hologram, please?”

  Igaklay removed the small pyramid he always carried in his tool belt, placed it in the middle of the coffee table and froze for less than a second. A three-dimensional hologram sprang up. The planet Bachama displayed as blue with a red dot. Ballison displayed as green.

  “It’s here in the Ballison solar system.”

  “Yes, Slim.”

  “Then you are proposing that you flush out my nanites, remove the Iggy tech, as Mr. McCauley would say, and have me sail over to collect the intel. Is that right, Hawk?”

  “That’s it, in a nutshell. Except, we need to find some specialists to go with you. We don’t know how hard it will be to retrieve the data.”

  “Ay, Cap. Me and Iggy, we’ve been thinking. We would sure like to get our hands on that ship in there.”

  “You are not going in there, Henry McCauley Junior. No way, no how.”

  “I know, Love. I’m just saying that we get a crew in there and fly it out. That’s all. Then me and Iggy, along with Master Varrini, give it a good once over.”

  “I agree with Sue, Krag. Until their baby is born, Mack and Sue are on the beach.”

  “Maybe longer than that, Keiko.”

  “What Sweet Sue said, Cap. Now that I’m hitched and going to be a father and all, I need to cut back on trapsing around.”

  “Then, we need a new crew. Who do we get for a mechanical engineer?”

  “That’s easy, Cap.” Mack pointed at Griffin’s replacement mechanic. “Cansina. He’s itching to set out on his own.”

  “Cansina, what do you think? Would you mind losing your nanites for a time, then wandering the stars?”

  “That sounds very challenging, Commander. I would want to, very much.”

  “You may be out there for a while, Cansina. Would that be alright? Do you have any family that you would be leaving behind?”

  “Just my parents and one brother, Ambassador. I volunteer.”

  “That gets us a captain and an engineer. What about a pilot? software? A navigator? Weapons?”

  “Krag, Captain Desinal’s bond-mate said that they are going to mothball Reprieve.”

  “So, you agree with me, Keiko? You’re thinking that Ollie could be the pilot?”

  “From everything the captain said, he seems qualified, and he does like challenges.”

  “Igaklay, could you please contact Mr. Briar and have him report here?”

  “Aye, aye, Commander.”

  “If he buys in, that gets us the pilot.”

  “I was thanking, Captain.”

  “Tell us, Sue.”

  “At first I thought that dame Srilin would be a good choice. But she has a family. And she is the lead software engineer on Wisdom Seeker. Then I thought about our wayward pair from Odin. You already absconded Lieutenant Carter. That leaves Ensign Baker.”

  “What is she doing, now?”

  “Nothing, really. Except for some minor projects that Mack needs, she’s s
itting on her hands.”

  “She doesn’t have the experience that Sweet Sue has, but she’s a bright one, is that girl.”

  “Do you think that she’d be interested?”

  “Oy ya, Cap. Right now, she’s a caged cat, dying to escape.”

  “Igaklay, would you contact Ensign Baker and have her join us?”

  Everyone waited a moment.

  “The Ensign is on her way, Commander.”

  “Who else?”

  “Me, I’m thinking that this is a good start, Cap. We need to get into that dome and do some snooping to figure out where we be going next.”

  “OK. Let’s wind this up. Igaklay, if Mr. Briar and Ensign Baker sign on, how soon can you remove the nanites from the four of them?”

  “It all depends on them, Commander. I need to order the nanites to collect in their intestinal tracts. Then, with normal bowel movements, they will be expelled. It might be a little painful.”

  “You’re saying that you are going to give them the trots, Iggy?”

  “Having researched English slang, yes, Wrenchy. I am going to give them the trots.”

  “This just keeps getting better and better,” Captain Long commented.

  Chapter 05

  Ballison Medical Center

  Krag, Keiko, Mack, Sue, Buster and Igaklay faced four beings dressed in surgical gowns. They saw Ensign Baker crossing her arms on her chest, trying to hide her nakedness under the simple shift. While the young, goth woman attempted to become very small, Engineer Cansina stood tall, all seven foot of him, with his tail sticking through the hole in the back and raised high. His ears focused on his Commander.

  Captain Long stood at parade rest while Pilot Briar just shuffled around, waiting for things to start. Krag stepped forward.

  With a decision to take command, Krag cleared his throat.

  “Gentle beings, I want to emphasize that this is a volunteer mission. Any one of you may withdraw with no one thinking any less of you.”

  “Um, Commander?”

  “Yes, Mz. Baker?”

  “If we get rid of our nanites, will we go back to who we were before we had them?”

  “What are you asking, Ensign?

  “Well, before Preceptor Igaklay injected me with nanites, my thyroid worked only at about ten percent. I had to have an injector system implanted to keep my thyroid functioning properly.”

  “Igaklay, can you answer that question?”

  “Yes, Commander. Ensign Baker, if you will recall, I had to create customized nanites for each individual. From the blood sample which you submitted, I was able to recognize that your thyroid gland was underperforming, almost dormant. Also, I determined that your immune system was attacking your thyroid with white blood cells. Causing, autoimmune inflammation.”

  “Yeah. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. So, I was taking a synthetic thyroid drip.”

  “I had your nanites modify your thyroid at the cellular level. Now, your white blood cells no longer inflame your thyroid. You should have no further problems.”

  “That’s a a major relief. Alright, Commander. Am I going to be able to play with alien computers?”

  “That’s the plan. You have resigned your commission from the Federacy, right?”

  “Oh, yeah. The moment the peace treaty was signed.”

  “Are you in?”

  “You would have to beat me off with a stick to stop me.”

  “I don’t think we’ll be doing that, Mz. Baker. However, you are going to need to lose your piercings.”

  “Call me ‘Kimberly’, Commander. Or Kimmy. Everyone else does. And I figured that I needed to do that.”

  “Kimberly it is, when we are not on mission. What about the rest of you?”

  Just then, the door slid open and one of Griffin’s Elonian Guardsmen padded in.

  “Commander.”

  “Guardsman Negiani. What can I do for you?”

  “I have spoken with Tribune Ambakai. He has given me permission to volunteer for this mission. It is my belief that there might be physical danger involved. Therefore, I believe that you need a warrior on this team for protection.”

  “Has Tribune Ambakai released you from your oath of allegiance to the Griffin Den?”

  “No, Commander. He deems that these volunteers are an expansion of the Griffin Den. Therefore, I am simply being re-tasked.”

  “I see. You do know that you must first have all nanites flushed from your system. Correct?”

  “That is correct, Commander.”

  “If you are going on this mission, Guardsman, you will need weapons training to handle the ship’s weapons.”

  “I will do what is necessary to continue my duties as a Griffin Guardsman, Commander.

  “Welcome aboard. Any other questions?”

  “Do I get to fly an alien ship, Captain?”

  “A Mortek frigate for sure, Ollie. Anything else, let’s wait and see.”

  “Cool!”

  “Any other questions?”

  Everyone paused and looked around.”

  “My turn!”

  “Yes, Igaklay. You are up.”

  Nanites flew from the medical pyramid’s wall, swirled, and returned. Where they had clustered, an Elonian chair now stood next to the previous four.

  “Please take your seats, everyone. That one is yours, Guardsman Negiani.”

  The Griffin people watched while Igaklay waited for the volunteers to take their seats.

  “In a moment, you will feel some painful cramps. Behind you, you will see five doors. They are toilets designed for your physiologies. Guardsman Negiani, I am almost done with yours. I will save your adjustments for last.”

  The three Humans and two Elonians sat and looked at each other.

  “Please relax. The more tense you are, the longer it will take. I will count down from three. Please focus on relaxing.”

  “Very professional, Preceptor.”

  “Thank you, Ambassador.”

  “Ya, Iggy. You’re doing right guid.”

  “Here it goes. Three. Two. One.”

  Three humans and one Elonian immediately doubled over, grabbing their midriffs.

  “Lordy, Lordy,” Captain Long breathed.”

  “I’m going to screw with your code, Igaklay. Let’s see how you like cramps.”

  “Mz. Baker, I told you there would be some pain.”

  Guardsman Negiani followed suit, doubling over. Then, with force of will, he sat up and placed his paws on his knees.

  “He’s a tough one,” Keiko whispered.

  “He’ll be good for the team,” Krag answered.

  After seeing the Elonian sit up and absorb the pain, Captain Long followed. Not to be outdone, Ollied copied the other two. Just then, Kimberly broke for her door.

  Within seconds three more duplicated Kimberly’s rush with their own mad dashes. Negiani forced himself to stand slowly and stroll to his own.

  “Oy, Cap. There is no way I’d want to be in any of those cubicles. I’m thinking that it would burn out my nose.”

  “Sometimes, you are a real jerk, Wrenchy.”

  “Ah, Love. Just stating the obvious.”

  “Igaklay, how are they doing?”

  “Very well, Ambassador. All five are flushing their systems nicely. I would say that they will be detoxified of their nanites within the hour.”

  “Sue, while they are waiting, what is Dean up to?”

  “He’s still working for Doctor McCauley. Why, Captain?”

  “Well, I just lost my latest engineer. And I was thinking. Since we’re not at war and Griffin is going to be nothing but a shuttle service for Ambassador Suzume, I thought that I could enlist your son.”

  Krag said this with a wink at Keiko.

  “What a great idea! He could live on Ballison.”

  “Now, Love. He’s pushing twenty. He’s gonna want his own home.”

  “Of course. But, he’ll be on Ballison. I’ll talk him into it.”

&nbs
p; “Ya know Sweet Sue, Cap. You just got an engineer. Me and Iggy, we’ll keep an eye on him, make sure he takes care of Griffin good and proper.”

  Ballison – Clan Kaporine Palace

  The midday, Ballisonian sun beamed its rays on Mount Rhetho, turning the high peak into a bejeweled crown of ice and snow. The new Clan Kaporine palace sparkled under the Ballisonian sun, its icy spires and towers resembling a castle from a fairy tale.

  Lord Kaporine and his bond-mate, Lady Naliana, sat on one of the many balconies, luxuriating in the snowy cold and warming sun. as they finished their morning repast, Palace Manager Johi entered.

  “Lord, Lady, Mistress Analyn has arrived and wishes an audience.”

  “Send her in, Johi.”

  “The Mistress appears extremely agitated, sire.”

  “Thank you, Johi.”

  The Lord and lady of Clan Kaporine knew their daughter. From Johi’s understated warning, they knew that a whirlwind was coming. The door to the balcony opened. The whirlwind arrived.

  Lord Kaporine and his Bond-mate looked up at their daughter, as she marched towards the seating area. The saw the extended claws on their daughter’s foot-paws dig into the ice covering the floor. They saw their daughter’s ears pointed forward, the high flicking tail, the grim comportment of her muzzle. Looking from her face, they saw the large snow leopard also striding with the same aggressiveness as its master.

  Analyn and her synthetic guardian reached the table.

  “Have a seat, Little Fire. Would you like some of your mint tea?”

  “No, Father. I do not want any mint tea.”

  “Come, Anyl. Sit. Talk to us.”

  Analyn could always fight with her father. When it came to her mother, she became the dutiful daughter. She sat. After a quick look and mental command, her guardian cat squatted to the icy ground, ready to spring at any form of danger.

  “How do you like your human pet?”

  “She’s fine, Mother.”

  “Do you like her? How is her personality?”

  “Her personality is maturing. Yes, I guess that I like her.”

  Analyn reached down and scratched the synthetic cat’s ear as she said this.

  “What is on your mind, Little Fire?”

  “You know what is on my mind, Father. Who tried to assassinate you and Mother?”