NationStates Jolt Archive

"Alright", Booley said as the doors were released, "Let's collect the Thlemists." They moved in, gathering the five Kolnari and their equipement and moved them toward the station's brig.

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

Turquine stopped. He didn't particularly feel like talking to anyone, but this individual helped saved the lives of everyone here. "I'll do as you request. Who is this Camlokewen and where might I find this individual?"

Jann nodded his agreement with the General. "Indeed, Sir. We've had enough fighting for one day, first on that ship, then here. And half of us aren't combat troops."

He removed his suit helmet and allowed it to collapse to its stowable form, before clipping it to his ammo pouch. He then slung his rifle over his shoulder. He glanced at the others, most of whom were also removing their helmets.

"Reid, if you're unhurt, take Dex, Riv and Jace. Go and find Sergeant Sharpe and link up. The rest of us will go back to the med station and check on Holly. If you don't need us, General."

The Indoans prepared to leave, but waited in case Booley wanted their assistance.

****

Sgt. Sharpe grinned triumphantly inside his armour as he saw the pirate leader go down. As the pirates reacted, the Rangers brought their weapons up and flipped off the safeties. They were about to open fire, when Crowe realised their armour was locking up and called the 'Hold Fire' command over the comm net.

The Rangers immediately returned their weapons to port arms with safeties engaged, refraining from firing on the helpless pirates. Pvt. Dietrich accepted his knife from the King with a curt "No problem, Sir," wiped the blade on the cloth kept for the purpose and returned the weapon to the sheath at the back of his armour.

Sharpe and Dietrich were both thinking the same thing. Both had seen the expression on the King's face, and knew why it was there. He was an honourable man, and he considered the method used to bring down the pirate captain to be dishonourable. As realists, they both knew that the pirate would have had no qualms about dishonourable acts, and as soldiers they themselves were trained to always push the odds of victory as much in their favour as possible, but the King still held his honour.

They both wondered if there was anything they could do to make the King feel as though he had not broken any code of honour.

Booley nodded to Jann, "See to your people Loot, we'll clean up. And Loot, tell your people thank you, and very well done." He saluted Jann and then turned to gather the pirates and get them into a brig.

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

Turquine simply walked away. Though a veteran soldier himself, with over two centuries of combat experience, he could never accept these kinds of victories with ease. But his honor came second to the lives of others, though it came before his own life. He waited for Way's respond as to who he should be talking to and where.

Way sent a two hands length tall hologram floating before the King

"This is Cam, and she is back where your party was before they moved to the docks"

Turquine returned to the room where Laura had been injured and move over toward Cam. Foster turned to look and stood near Cam protectively as he eyed the thickly muscled man.

Turquine bowed to her, "Lady Camlokewen, I was told you wished to see me?"

The Indoans left the docking area and headed back through to the area where the medical vessel was, near where they had been fighting to start with.

As they moved through the station, Kane suddenly let out a loud whoop. When the others looked at him questioningly, he shrugged. "Hey, we're alive, aren't we?" he said.

At that they all smiled. Kane called Reid on his comm. "Hey, Eve. Congrats on staying unharmed."

"Thanks, Nik. I commend your stupidity on account of your getting in the way of three rounds. Obviously all those times you've been shot previously haven't taught you anything."

Kane roared with laughter over the comm. "Hey, Eve, you think I'll get that medal now?"

"Maybe, Nik, maybe. You'll just have to wait and see. It's all up to Jann anyway. Later, Nik." Kane allowed her to continue her job.

The cluster of dark-blue battlesuits was very noticable, even in the large area, as was the avatar's blue skin. They immediately began searching for one of the senior medical staff, with the aim of finding Holly Khonsari.

****

Reid and her group eventually found their comrades, and she saluted crisply as she approached the two Sergeants.
"Sarge, we're here on request of the Ell-tee. He wanted us to link up. Everything okay here, sir?" she asked.

"Just hunky-dory, Eve. Oh, what comm freq are you on? So we can all be on one net," replied Sgt. Crowe.

"One sec, sir." Reid called up her comm freq on her visor. "Two-two-eight-point-seven, sir."

"Got that. Rangers, switch to freq two-two-eight-point-seven and continue. Well, Eve, since you've been with the Ell-tee, what do we do now?"

"I don't know, Sarge. The Ell-tee has taken the others to the med station to see Holly. He didn't say what you were supposed to be doing."

Crowe's shoulders slumped in frustration. "Alright. Station commander, Sergeant Crowe here. Do you need us for anything more?"

In the medical area Jann and the others who had met her could see the Queen moving from patient to patient, sometimes comforting, sometimes binding wounds while the more severe cases moved through to the Albion and closing her eyes, muttering something for the ones who died, red trails on her cheeks from the blood tears she let fall for them all.

Baghtru and Brook did what they could, lending thier strength where it was needed to move patients or equipement. Presently they were volunteering to go with a station team for room by room searches where the Kolnari had been to bring in any wounded or dead that couldn't call in.

The medical staff took all the help they could get with the numerous people coming in. Channa had gone to medical to bring up extra supplies and personel while Patsy went to get all the blankets and pillows she could scrounge up. Even Mart'an and his waiters were going to the Perimeter and back to bring fresh baked food for those who could eat and drinks for others.

Finally a doctor approached them. "Holly Khonsari?" she asked and checked her data padd. "Oh here she is. Surgery. Onboard the Albion. We ask to limit visits to one at a time to prevent crowding." She handed them a card that would allow them on board. "If she's not done surgery already then she should be soon."

After they had spoken to the medic, Kane spotted the familiar figure before anyone spoke.
"Hey, Jann. Isn't that the vampire Queen you were talking to?" he asked the pilot.

"Huh? Where?" He looked in the indicated direction. "Yeah, I think so. I'm not surprised she's here, after the way she healed Kate."

"Jann, which one of us should go see Holly first?" asked Roxanne Tyler.

Jann was quiet for a few seconds, thinking over the choice. "I'll go. Kate's the only other one unhurt, and she might be able to help here. Andie can come with me, you two help Kate, since your wounds are okay."

The two Rangers nodded and followed Riesco as they moved into the mass of patients. The avatar and Jann headed towards the docking bay where they could access the medical ship.

Riesco found that there wasn't much for her to do to help with the kit she had, so she tried to find another medic to ask what she could do to help. At one point, she found herself and Lauralin looking at each other, and nodded a greeting.

Lauralin nodded politely though briefly and moved on to the next patient. A young boy, already dead. She closed her eyes, more tears leaving red streaks. She mumbled something and he was encased briefly in a blue aura and then she closed his eyes and moved onto the next.

"You're a medic?" one of the Albion medics asked. "Yeah we can use all the help we can get. Follow me." He led her to a makeshift station where supplys were being brought out from the ship. "If you have any questions on how to use anything", he said and then pointed to a rather odd looking alien dressed in Albions medical suit. The creature had four eyes and it's mouth was on the top of it's head. Nose slits replaced the normal nose and when it spoke it's voice was rather beautiful. The skin was had a bluish tinge in it's light pink coloring, "he's the one to ask. Doctor Nas. Not his real name but we don't have time for that since thier names incorporate every ancestor." He smiled and moved away to another patient.

There were no guards on the Albion ship and they were able to enter it easily. They were only stopped when the reached a juncture, unsure which way to go and a young woman asked what they needed. When she got a response she nodded, "Surgical 12, 16. I believe they were closing up", she said smiling. "That's deck 12, surgical suite 16. Tubes are that way", she said, pointing to thier left. Then she slipped past them and out to the deck.

Cam stepped past Foster with a gentle smile on her face. She looked up at the much taller man from all of her five and a half feet and arched her whiskers forward

"Firstly I wanted to thank you for agreeing to help Way. Please don't let your upset keep you from using your god given gifts to heal yourself."

She placed a hand on his shoulder, her face very serious

"I could give you the entire colllected data on what is known about the Kolnar, but I know it wouldn't change how you feel right now. And it shouldn't - a good man would feel no other way. I just hope you can mitigate it with the fact that you saved many, many lives."

She wanted to say more but felt that it wan't her place, so she just stepped back and thanked Turquine once again

Turquine's wounds were already mostly healed and healing even as she spoke. "My healing abilities are for other's not for myself. They never were." The many scars seemed to substantiate his claim. "As for what they are, it doesn't make it any easier, but, I do what I must for the greater good. I would be remiss, however, were I to forget to thank you for your kind words of wisdom, and so ... I thank you." He bowed to her, then to Foster and turned to head toward the dock where the medical teams, and more importantly, his daughter, were helping the wounded.

"One more ghost in a haunted conscience", Foster said stepping forward. He sounded as though one who spoke from experience. "I don't envy his position." He looked at Cam, "God given gifts huh? Somehow I don't think that would go over well with his daughter." His face was unreadable as he said the last.

Cam looked at Foster "Not all vampires are evil, and sometimes one pays a huge price to do what is right and necessary."

She looked at the various pieces of destruction about her.

"I think we need to see where we can help the most. Also I need to talk to whom is ever in authority here, about the Kolanri"

Foster nodded as he looked around. "Simeon is in charge, Channa is his brawn."

Suddenly a grating dropped from behind and as the two turned they could see a pair of legs in a rather tight skin suit slide of a ventilation shaft. The form that followed was curvy, buxom and pleasant, the blonde hair dropping down as she slid from the shaft and dropped onto nearby crates. She turned, her mild blue eyes taking both in.

"Hey, I'm Joat Simeon-Happ", came the familiar voice from earlier who had taken the station during the transitions. "You can get scrunched something grudly in there", she said, directing a thumb toward the vent. "Going to see how pops is and try an get him back in column."

"Joat?" Foster asked. "Adopted daughter of Simeon and Channa?"

"Yeah, so?" came her reply, feeling wary now. "Stopped in on the W.Y.A.L., what's it to you?"

"I was here during the last Kolnari attack. Or afterward, rather. You've grown."

"Now you know where adults come from", she replied, then keyed a comm, "Hey Rand, how ya doin buddy?"

"Oh I'm just fine, Joat. Kolnari crawling all around and me stuck in the W.Y.A.L., what more could I ask for?"

She grinned, "Yeah, your fine. You only bitch if you are. See ya soon." She waved at Cam and Foster and headed out.

Foster watched her go and shook his head. "I feel sorry for the man that catches her eye."

Crowe was about to ask Way Farer what he wanted the Rangers to do, but changed his mind.
"Fuck it. Eve, lead the way to Holly. We'll go and see her. And we can pick up Tony's body for transport back home."

Reid nodded and led the Rangers back through the station, towards the makeshift medical area. Since she could not see any of the other Indoans, she asked Kane over the comm.

"Nik, where's Holly?"

"On the med ship docked with the station. Andie and the Ell-tee are finding her now, since they'll only allow one at a time. Tyler and me are helpin' Kate with medical stuff."

"Thanks, Nik. We're somewhere around that area."

"Got you clocked, Eve. Check ten." Reid looked in the appropriate direction and spotted the three battlesuits, two hunched over a prone patient. Reid raised a hand in acknowledgement, then turned back to Sgt. Crowe.

"Sir, Tony's through there, out in the docking bay. That is, assuming they haven't moved him."

Crowe nodded and detailed two of the Rangers to find and retreive the body and equipment, Dietrich being one of them.

****

"Thanks," Jann called after the retreating figure, then followed the avatar along the corridor to the tubes.

It took them several minutes to find the right place, and nearly got lost again in the process, but they got there. The avatar accosted another medic that was nearby.
"Holly Khonsari," it said. "Can we see her? She's one of our troops."

When Dietrich and the other ranger arrived at the place where thier fellow soldier had fallen the body was gone. Body's in bags were being lined up in bay 3, visible from where they were at, the faces left exposed (where possible) for identification by family and friends.

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

The med tech reached over the counter, apparently quite proficient at operating the system, essentially, upside down as well as reading upside down. "Just finished surgery, in the recovery room." She turned around to face them. "She shouldn't be long, we just like to make sure everything is okay before we let them leave. She'll be fine, if you weren't aware of that already."

"Damn, Chloe. They moved Tony. How are we gonna find him now?" complained Dietrich.

"He's over there, with those other bodies." Pvt. Chloe Hardenne, nodding in the appropriate direction.

"How do you know?"

"He's still wearing his battlesuit helmet and I can see it. Come on, let's get this done."

The two Rangers went over to their comrade's body and lifted the bodybag clear of the others. They then each took one end of the bag and began moving it.

"Come on, Tony. We'll have you on your way home in no time." Dietrich activated his comm. "Sarge, Dietrich. Can you ask Shrike to move to our end of the station so we can transfer Tony back to the Fortunes?"

"Will do, Corporal. Come back when you're done."

****

Jann's shoulder's slumped with relief, and the avatar smiled slightly.

"That's good, we assumed she would, but it's always good to know for certain. Thanks. Can we see her now, or do we have to wait until she's released?" Jann asked the medic.

Andie activated her neural transceiver. ~ Andie for Riesco.

~ Go, Andie.

~ Kate, Holly's going to be fine. They've just finished surgery, we're trying to see her now.

~ Great. Let me now when you're done. Where's that girl?

~ Somewhere on the ship. I'll find her and bring her out to see you when it's quieter.[Break]

"One meets all sorts of people when things like this happen" Cam said with a chuckle "And if Simeon is in charge, then we need to go see him, but it's probably best to wait it he's back where he's accustomed to being. Just let me hop over to..."

Her voice trailed off, and her eyes went 'round and she shivered, all of her fur going spikey and her whiskers sagging. She and WayFarer had been partners for nearly twenty years, most of that time with no one but each other for company.

Way's voice came firm and crisp, an audible crack

"Cam! Stop it. I was, we were..what ever... the University knows, and no I don't have a carrier signal, but that doesn't mean anything. The University has my master copy, so I'll be "out of date" for a while" He laughed at the last hoping to shake Cam out of her sudden funk "Erm, Foster? Help?"

The two Rangers went over to their comrade's body and lifted the bodybag clear of the others. They then each took one end of the bag and began moving it.

A med tech came over quickly. "Hello. I'm glad to see you found your loved one. I just need you to sign off. I know this isn't an easy time but it's for I.D. purposes." He checked the tag, found the entry, checked retrieved and held out the padd for signature.

****

"That's good, we assumed she would, but it's always good to know for certain. Thanks. Can we see her now, or do we have to wait until she's released?" Jann asked the medic.

"No, no, not at all. She's in recovery. Please, follow me." The tech led them down the hall, checked in at two doors where the pass was checked and then into a room where several others were recovering or being stabalized in preperation for cybornetic replacements. There were also a few of the black boxes that the Colonel and her people had been taking out of the T2's once they weren't combat able. "That should be her right over there", the tech said pointing to Holly, then smiled and walked away.

****

"Cam! Stop it. I was, we were..what ever... the University knows, and no I don't have a carrier signal, but that doesn't mean anything. The University has my master copy, so I'll be "out of date" for a while" He laughed at the last hoping to shake Cam out of her sudden funk "Erm, Foster? Help?"

"Hey", Foster said softly as he put an arm around her. "You know, at least you can get him back." He nodded toward the door where Joat had just walked out. "She almost lost Rand once. Rand is an A.I., the only real sentient A.I. in Central Worlds. She built him and programmed him herself and with her own hard earned money. But she had to build him into the W.Y.A.L. and it almost got sold on her after it got repoed. I ... ehh ... someone bought the W.Y.A.L. before it hit the block and gave it back to her. Your a lucky lady to be able to get Way Finder back again. And just think. Since he's outdated you don't have to come up with new jokes for awhile", he said grinning and kissed her cheek.

Cam made herself smile. She didn't want to mention that other than the part of Way that his avatar held, as far as she knew the main part of him handn't been updated in a couple of centuries

'Well lets see if Simeon and Channa will grant us some time. and I'm sure Rand and Way will have lots of things to talk about."

She kissed Fosters cheek in return and tucked herself in under his arm

"You are a good man Foster, no matter what name you use."

"Oh I have lots of names. Most of them I won't utter in front of a lady", he said grinning and began slowly walking toward Simeons chamber, knowing that would take shot time to get there.

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

Simeon had the Avatar walk him back and place him in his column. Joat watched with interest and then stepped forward. "Ugh. Nothing like seeing a nude parent to make you hurl your lunch."

"Very funny", Simeon replied, "Can you hook me back up?"

"Who hooked you up last time, and blinded I might add."

"Who taught you arrogance, Joat?"

Joat snorted, "Life." She began disengaging the hair fine wires with the tools on her belt and in her pockets. Forty-five minutes later Simeon was back again and he groaned as he saw the damage to his station body.

"Hey, Helva is here by the way."

"Yeah I know, I was going to go see her", Joat replied.

Foster and Cam entered Simeons quarters then as Simeon said, "now, Way, if you could close my hatch then I would appreciate it."

"Tony ain't a loved one. He's a comrade, and a pain in the ass is what he is. Was," corrected Dietrich as Hardenne retrieved her ID tag and dangled it in front of her by the chain.

"We don't sign things, but I got my ESID," she told the medic. She took the datapad and swiped the ID tag over the top. The datapad beeped a couple of times, then accepted the read and the words:
Indoan Combat Forces, Army, 512-R-3-C-9B, M-9476-563-58010F, Pvt. Chloe Hardenne, ID#1-50693827-2831
appeared on the screen.

She returned the tag to its former location and picked up her end of the bodybag. "Come on, Paulo, let's get Tony on Shrike. If that's okay with you?" she asked the medic.

****

"Thanks," Jann said to the medic before she disappeared, then went over to Holly. "Hey, Holly. How are you?"

"Fine, Ell-tee. Really good in fact. No scar, full recovery already. I could be back on active duty tomorrow," the Ranger told him happily.

Jann laughed. "Well, I think you can still have your time off. No need to rush you back to active yet, just take it easy."

"I never said I wanted to go straight back on active duty. I'm looking forward to my time off. How're all the others?"

Jann's face became solemn. "Tony's dead, Holly."

She was silent for almost thirty seconds, then found her voice again. "And the rest?"

"All fine. A few holes and scratches, but nothing remotely serious. Hey, where's your gear?" he asked suddenly, remembering that she had still been wearing her armour when she was taken to the medical ship.

She pointed down by the side of the bed, where her kit was piled in a heap. "They said I'll be out soon, so if you want to hang around, I'll go with you." The pilot and the avatar nodded their agreement. The avatar had been silent so far, as it had been communicating with both the Fortunes and the other Rangers, informing both that Holly was fine.

"No, not at all", the medic replied. "We can help with funeral requirements if you want, or the legion can, as they'll handle thier own. Just let us know if you want any assistance." The medic then turned away to assist others in finding thier own, using DNA and Central data to ID the bodies.

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

Simeon began cleanup as soon as he was in his column, first arranging to clear out the space lanes and then beginning to arrange cleanup of the station. "Jeeze", Simeon muttered, "some things never change. I already have people screaming for insurance claims."

"Channa?"

"Yeah, Simy", she replied tiredly.

"First of all, get some bunk time, then I need help process insurance claims."

"Already?" she asked.

"Yeah", Simeon sighed, "thus soft shells march on."

Way shut the column, listening quietly while Simeon and Channa conversed

"I can help with those insurance claims, if all it is is high speed processing of paper work. Just let me know, as I am going to see Helva, and see how shes getting along with her Avatar. She actually came off her shipself with out thinking!"

He turned to see Cam and Foster enter. He gave Cam a close look and she gave him an equally close one. Avatars had been known to go to insame when their senior/main selves disolved. And to put it frankly she was worried about him Sighing to herself she turned to Channa and Simeon.

"I'm sorry to bother you but what is going to be done with the Kolnari?"

"Well", Simeon said, overriding Channa who turned to look at his column indignatly, "since Channa is going to BED, I'll answer that. They'll be turned over to CenSec for questioning and trial. They never talk when we do manage to capture them, though. The sentance is normally death or service in the Legion. They usually pick death. So the cycle goes on. The one ship that escaped will head to the rim where there are plenty of places to hide. A message will be sent out to keep hidden for now and in a decade or two they'll start again."

Channa had headed to her quarters after Simeon started, though not without an affectionate pat on his column.

"We can never stop them completely and they multiply like rabbits. Their gestation period is only four months."

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

Once Booley and his people got all the Kolnari gathered in the brig he had the medics heavily sedate them and then removed thier weapons and armor.

"Simeon?"

"Yes, general?"

"How soon can you send a message out?"

"A day, maybe two."

"Understood, Booley out."

He then set guard duties to supplement the volunteer security on the station and headed to the med area to gather his dead.

Cam very carefully turned her back, she didn't want Foster to see her face, and she didn't want to see his. Her voice was cool, dispassionate and very precise

"I can stop them. I've got the ability, if you are willing to acknowledge that what it truly is *is* genocide, no matter what judgement you fancy it up under."

The long vanished race that had designed the Xa, considered the Xa Czi'nni to be their ultimate weapons. Weapons that contained a variety of abilities Genocide was an alien concept to the Xa's creators - it was merely extermination of vermin, lesser species.

Carefully, omitting nothing Cam described what would happen if she set her body to creating that which would render the Kolinar sterile, slowly but surely exterminating them

Simeon was silent a long moment after Cam finished. He hated the Kolnari. Twice they hurt his people and himself, but he wasn't sure that he was quilified to make that kind of decision. "Well, umm... I'm afraid I can't make that call. Uhh, Colonel?"

Foster snapped his head up to look at Simeon's column. "If we had to make the decision on the spot then I could. But this is no longer a combat situation, nor an emergency. It'll require a higher clearance than mine."

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

Suddenly space seemed to explode in several areas and a huge warship came in followed by two cruisers and two frigates.

"This is General Quester-Benn to Vega station, respond."

"Simeon here, General, ahh, is that the presidential flagship?"

"Yes. Don't worry Simeon, they didn't give me the mantle. I see you've seen some action, just as I suspected. Prepare to receive me."

"Yes, sir. Is the uhh, President coming in?"

"After I evaluate the situation and determine if it's clear. Do we need firepower on the station?"

"No General, but we could use one helluva a big trash can."

"Well I guess your screwed, we don't have one that big", she said. "See you soon. Micaya out."

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

"Oh boy", Simeon muttered.

"What is it?" Foster asked.

"General Quester-Benn is here on the Presidential flagship. She doesn't sound happy."

Foster grinned, "She never does. This is good. Will she do a sweep first?"

"Yeah, before letting the President onboard."

"PERFECT! Then we might just get to stop the Kolnari once and for all."

"WHOA! I'M not bringing this plan to her", Simeon stated.

"Nahh, I will. I haven't seen Mic since the Nyota Five incident. I served under her as her intel officer for years."

"Shew", Simeon said in relief. "Well she's coming into the north dock."

Foster nodded, "I'll meet her there." He looked at Cam, lightly cupping her cheek, "Micaya is good people. I think we can get the idea past her. She's military but she'll find some way to get it through. She doesn't break rules, mind you, but they will scream for mercy by the time she's done."

Hardenne barely repressed a curse. Tony's going home for his funeral, not having it here, you asshole. He gets a full military funeral with honours, in front of the entire regiment, which will be called back to see it.

The two Rangers carried their fallen comrade through the station to the docking bay where Shrike Two was waiting for them. The Assegai had a full crew of six, and the door gunners were waiting to help with the body.

"Goodbye, Tony. We'll see you again soon," murmured Dietrich after they had allowed the gunners to place the body aboard the transport. The Rangers thanked the crew of the Assegai and left, heading back to the rest of their unit.

****

~ What the hell? The Faded Fortunes thought as the five warships arrived. Talk about some serious firepower. Gotta be someone big, to have that kind of escort.

The IFF beacons reported the new contacts to be Central Worlds vessels, so it assumed it was safe, but its own IFF signature was one unknown to most Central Worlds vessels, so it was wary of the new ships, just in case.

The repairs were continuing well, the hull breaches were almost sealed with the replacement panels, and the engines and shields were coming back up nicely. It would have to go into refit when it returned to the Indoan Alliance, to fully repair all the damage and lost systems, but it was good enough for the moment.

It flashed off its report to the Indoan High Command, explaining why it had missed the last one and giving full details of the incidents that had passed recently.

Cam was surprised that Foster touched her. Usually after someone found out exactly how alien she was, and what all the Xa could do...that usually put the kibbosh to any relationships. And she hated at times her own innate honesty and soul deerp attachement to giri.

"It's me and my abilities, and on my authority that I offer them to the Central Worlds. I will do the presenting, so as there may be not one itota of misunderstanding."

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

Way had already left, heading for Helva. He knew what Cam was going to do and didn't want to be there to see her potential relationship with Foster turn to dust.He had his own worries and a place where he could safely release his grief.

Helva saw Way approach and quickly reinhabitated her avatar form. She ran to the ramp and down, stopping just as she reached him. "Way? Way is it over?"

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

Foster led Cam to the airlock that the presidential vessel would be using and waited for it to dock. General Booley approached as well returning Foster's sharp salute and bowing politely to Cam. With him were Samantha and Snyder, the, now fully loaded, borg standing behind everyone.

Way managed a nod. "Helva, could I borrow your cargo hold and some privacy for a bit?"

He was holding tight to his pain but he could feel it threatneing to overwhelm him. his other half, the greater half was gone, the half that held the memories, that was the foundation of 'him' was gone.

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

Cam followed along quietly, acknowledging General Booley's bow with one of her own. She wondered how soon the University would arrive, for she knew that WayFarer had sent off a distress signal. They'd send in a stealthed probe first. With five million students and twice that in professors, reasearchers, and other folk necessary to the operation of the University, they could not afford to jump blind.

Helva nodded, "Of course. She watched him go in and considered peeking in on him from the cams in the bay but decided not to. She would let him have the privacy he desired. She realized that what he lost was more than like family and never having had that she couldn't begin to understand what he was feeling. She wished there was something that she could say or do, but she had never been able to cope with a brawns death, except bury herself in assignments until she could find someone else to share her time with. She did the only thing she could think of, she entered her ship self, removed herself from the Avatar after placing it in one of the cabins and began to study everything she could find on the closest subjects that she could get.

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

When the lock opened and General Quester-Benn emerged the three bio bods saluted while Snyder came to attention with a sharp metallic clang.

General Micaya Quester-Benn was in well into her fifties with brown hair peppered with white. Her hair was cut to shoulder length in military fashion and her face was had sharp features to them, reminding one of a hawk. A slight whining could be heard from her cybornetic arm, which she would have to have fixed soon and her tread was heavier than her frame would seem to indicate, with her two cybornetic legs. Her eyes were a perfect match, however, though had to be replaced. Being on the Presidents ship she had to wear dress uniform and the left side of her jacket was literally covered with medals and citations. They were almost all for combat, indicating that though she had five comets on her collar to Booley's one she was a field commander through and through. Her medals included three purple hearts, several medals for valour. Two citations for courage above and beyond the call of duty. Two humanatarian decorations and a number for honor and distinguished service.

"As you were", she said, after a return salute.

Uncustomarily she addressed Snyder first instead of Booley. "Snyder, I see your still baby sitting the infant General."

Snyder was silent, not quite sure how to reply to that. She liked Booley, he took care of his people, bio bod and borg alike. General Quester-Benn, however, was a ranking officer.

"Sir ... I do as I'm ordered to, Sir."

Micaya nodded and looked at Booley, "At least she didn't flat out agree, says something about you. I think you do your old man proud."

Booley stood a little straighter and smiled, "SIR, THANK YOU, SIR."

Micaya looked at Samantha, "Colonel, I hear tell you did a damn good job."

"I had help, Sir, the Indoans."

"I'd like to thank them personally. See to it."

"Sir, yes Sir", she replied and turned away to look for them.

The General then turned to Forrister, "Fost, how are you, you old space dog?" She stepped forward and reached out her hand. They didn't clasp hands but rather reached forward to take each others elbow in a grasp that indicated that they had fought together and earned each others respect.

"Good to see you, Mic, your looking quite dapper", he replied.

Micaya rolled her eyes, releasing her grip, "It's got so much damn starch my tits itch."

"Sounds like a personal problem", he said grinning.

"Yeah well if I tried to do something publically about it then it would turn into a scandel. We're still being hunted by the way."

"Figures", he muttered.

"Well since everything seems under control then I don't see why this should be a military controled issue any longer", she told him.

"Actually, I would prefer if it was left that way for now", he replied.

"Of course being as I would want to verfy things for myself it'll remain so", she said, raising an eyebrow but giving him what he wanted. She turned to Booley, "General, I'm putting you in charge of the President's protection for now."

Booley snapped to attention, "Sir, thank you Sir."

"Don't thank me it's fardlin baby sitting job which is why I'm happy to be rid of it."

Booley grinned but snapped a salute and gestured to Snyder to follow him, then headed into the airlock.

Micaya nodded to Cam then looked at Forrister, "Alright Fost, spill it, what color rabbit do you want me to pull out of my ass this time?"

Forrister nodded to Cam, "Cam can explain it better than I can, it was her idea."

Micaya turned to Cam, waiting for the explanation.

"I am Camlokewen, Senior scout for the Universal University. I hold J cubed status in five hundred and seventy eight soverign polities. What that means is that five hundred and seventy eight govermnents acknowledge me as competent to pass judgement, and carry out the sentences that I hand down."

"I am a Xa' Czinni, and ... Once again she explained what she could do and the outcome

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

Way let out a cry and then curled up in a fetal position, unable to command his physical shell any longer

"Well Camlokewen Central Worlds recognizes no such authority. It can't condone such an action. That being said, we're making this a covert ops and you'll have to work with Forrister."

She looked at Forrister who looked a bit surprised at such an easy sell. "They used a diversion to keep us from reaching Simeon while they tried to nab him. The nuked a city, Fost. Over 50,000 lost and still counting."

She looked back at Cam as Forrister put a hand out on the nearest crate to support himself, "Let's work out the details and get this done. I can't keep it a military issue for too much longer, since the immediate danger is past. I want these bastards dead. Let's take a walk while we discuss this."

Micaya headed toward the nearest door, not bothering to look and see if they followed. Forrister followed immediatly, accustomed, not only to following orders, but Micaya's in particular as he had served with her for so long.

Cam's ears went flat, as did her whiskers, as she barely stiffled a growl. Then firmly she disciplined herself and took a deep breath. Complete objectivity was the only way now. Quietly she padded along beside Foster, a gentle hand on his shoulder. Then she stopped, and let out a wrenching low yowrl...

"I am so terribly stupid." Was her first reply as the others turned around and looked at her...And she sank to the floor, shaking.

"Four days...we have four days."

"Four days?" Foster asked, "What do you mean we have four days?"

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

Samantha finally reached the area where the med ship docked and began searching for the Indoans.

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

After scanning numerous files Helva finally gave up. What it told her to do, or more precisely the multiple things they mentioned often contradicted each other. She did the only thing she could think of.

The avatar activated again as Helva occupied it. Way had come to her, and given her a great deal. She would do the same in return and hope it was enough. She toned the bay speakers just before entering and then waited a few second before stepping in. "Way? I'm ah ... I'm not very good at this. Well I just wanted to say that ... I'm here for you, if you need me."

Can picked herself up off the floor, the fight within her clearly visable. She straightened herself with a visable effort and shook her fur and whiskers into place.

"In for a centicredit...I am so breaking DORA...I've been here less than twenty four hours, that means I am four days in my past...and yours as well" She looked at the others and essayed a weak smile

"I'll bet anything that Way Farer mentioned it to Helva, and she just hasn't realized it yet. WayFarer and I came here via time travel.. I've got to contact the University, and get them here. The amount of time we can travel backwards is limited, but if you want to stop the attack on this base and the city..."

She let her voice trail off, giving them time to assimilate what she had said

Micaya raised an eyebrow and turned to face Cam fully, "How far back can you go?"

"For me, and a limited number of people, four days. I wasn't here four days ago, so I'n not violating an apparent paradox, ...I don't know if they've formally given it a name and I don't understand eighty percent of the math and the theory gives me the shivers. But if I can get to the university, they had another ship almost ready to go...We can jump back, and prevent either attack...and none of the people here, or in that city will die."

She looked at the General

"However if I do this, I want the Kolnar, I want you to promise me that the Xa get the Kolnar. We were given, as a race, a chance to change and grow. I doubt we can change the adults, but we would want to try the change the children...and I promise you that if I call in the clans, the Xa will take the Kolnar with no trouble."

"The Kolnar can all rot in hell for all I care. They tend to stay out beyond the rim most of the time anyway, which is not our jurisdiction."

She turned and took a couple of steps away, "Four days. What the hell can I do in four days. Not enough time to get the fleet here."

She turned back, "The other problem is that any who can't go back would have to be convinced of the threat."

"Hardly", Foster replied to her, "Everyone knows you Mic, everyone respects you. Give the word and it'll be done. Simple as that."

Micaya was silent for some minutes, "I still don't see how we'll stop them. If we had an idea of where they came from, then maybe. I don't know if Simeon can give a guess about those that attacked him but I know that I have no clue where the ones came from who attacked the planet. We received the distress call only after they had taken six of the cities."

"General - all we have to do is have enough ships to interdict them when they first jump in. And missiles waiting for them. Your combat net should have the information of exactly when and where they jumped in. We lay mines, bomb pumped lazers, and they will not survive. I promise you that"

Cam gave the General a predators fang filled non grin

"Now here at the station might be a bit harder, it seems that they used natural interferance to hide their actions. But if we have to, I bet this station could be evacuated of civilians and then filled with marines in barricaded ambush in less than a day"

"The problem is getting enough ships for the planet's defense. I'm legion, I don't have say over the navy. And I know the Admiral wouldn't agree to your terms." She stopped, thinking a minute, "I can have troops brought in from Algeron." She nodded, "I know what cities they'll hit. We can get quads and borgs there. They've never faced legion forces before now, which means they won't have faced them then. Hey Simy", she said in a questioning voice.

"Here", he replied.

"Can you go over the recordings and figure out where they came from?"

"Working on it now, I should have an answer in a few minutes."

"We can get some borgs on the hull equipped with missiles, that should help", she continued.

"Evacuation, even in three days, will be hard."

"Well I'll have the troop transports, we'll stuff them full. I'll put out a call for every available ship too. Children first, then pregnant women, then young women, young men and finally the elderly. We'll get out all we can. I just wish to hell the quads could get in the station fighting but they aren't equipped for space, neither are the T3's." She stopped, still formulating her defense plans.

OOC: Sorry for late reply, in the middle of exams right now. Not much time for NS. Only two weeks left, though.

IC:
Khonsari had now been discharged from the care of the medical personnel, and had gone with Jann and the avatar to collect Sophie from where Andie had left her.

They were now back with the rest of the Rangers, who, under the orders of Sgts. Crowe and Sharpe were helping the medical personnel as best they could. Jann's original group were still separate, and were meeting Sophie, now firmly atop Kane's shoulders, and continually ducking the low parts of the ceiling.

"I think she likes you, Nik," put forward Reid. "She hasn't come down since she found out who you are."

"Mister Kane's my hero," called out Sophie in response. "He saved me from the nasty things."

"Well, some of these people helped a bit, Sophie. Jann, Kate and Eve. Those two orange critters you like so much." He pointed to the Matrai in turn as he said their names. The Douran were out of sight somewhere.

"Achavurra and Rivlassi?" she asked, mutilating one Douran name and putting the other together.

"Yes, Sophie. Dex and Riv. And then Andie helped as well." He paused, thinking about something. "Jann, do I get that medal for all this? I mean first the ship, then the pirates here, and now I have to carry her everywhere. And I was wounded four times."

The group of Indoans all laughed. Kane was forever trying to tease a medal out of his superiors as recognition of his actions, regardless of what they actually were.

"Well, I'll see what I can do. The CO wants to talk to me, he's on his way over now. So I'll put in a good word for you," the pilot assured Kane.

"Ell-tee, I think that Colonel may be looking for you too, the one we were fighting alongside. I can see her over there and she seems to be looking for someone," Jace told him.

****

At the request of the Crew Commander, the Faded Fortunes had issued an autorecall order to the shuttle Salequin. The shuttle was powering up its engines as the Mind opened a comm link with the station.

{The shuttle Salequin requests permission to take off, with subsequent return within five minutes.}

The Mind fully realised that Simeon may be confused as to why the corvette was requesting clearance for the shuttle, and not the pilot of the shuttle, but that was the way Indoan systems worked. The ship Minds had full control over any small Indoan ship, and probably other small ships as well if they used their effectors, so it was bringing the shuttle back empty to ferry the Colonel in charge of the corvette's crew across to the station.

"Granted", Simeon said, sounding tired, "just don't hit anything, there's alot of debris floating around out there." He rerouted some of the cleanup crews in the area and continued monitoring everything else.

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

"Ah", Samantha said, "here you are. I've been looking for you. General Quester-Benn has arrived and requested your presence." Samantha had changed by now. She wasn't in her formal dress uniform but she did switch to something a bit more becoming than combat fatigues. The skirt was regulation length and the shirt was neatly pressed and creased. The kepi was tucked under her arm and she filled out the daily uniform nicely. "If you would follow me, please."

"General you're thinking like a ground pounder." Cam said mildly, and no insult intended.

"This is going to be a space battle - on both sides. And Simeon if you can't get this station emptied of noncombatants in twenty four hours you need another job, and don't get pissed at me. I'm not talking about a pack all you can evac, I'm talking leaving with nothing - not even what you can carry."

Get mad at me later her attitude said as she continued

"Simeon can you bring me up a hologram of the system hit and where they came out - and if you don't have that data yet, just put up some markers as pretend."

She went on to calmly explain what she meant, having Simeon wrap each exit point in globes comprised of tiny red dots "This way no matter which direction they go on exit - they hit mines. Lots of mines - the unused ones will have to be recovered, save money and of course clear the space of a potential hazzard."

"Now as far as this base. Simeon, please put up a hologram showing where they came from, where they were hiding."

Once he did she had him 'draw' a 'wall' of mines - layered like a wall of building bricks, multiple deep as well, across their path.

"Some may be able to evade, but I don't think more than than one or two. And those that do get through will be very badly damaged. Fighters should be able to take them."

Her voice carried the weight of personal experience.

Simeon did as she asked. He didn't have the information for the planetary strike but he could extropalate safe entry points based on gravitational variances and solar activity. The station he estimated the safest point where they could hide then move in and a straight line access. Then put up the wall of mines.

"As for the evacuation, well, I'm sorry, whatever you may think it's impossible to get them all out. There were over 15,000 people on this station and even packing the ships available at the time, including spacesuited in non-air holds I could evacuate 8 to 10 thousand if they took nothing at all. There's just one problem. If you can go back in time but not to a point where you are, and I understand the mechanics involved, then I can't go back, because I would already be here, nor can anyone else who was on this station at the time. So how can I know to get everyone off?"

"I'll handle that", Micaya replied, "I'll just give you a direct order."

"On what grounds?"

"Are you going to question me if I say it's hard to explain, just do it?" She asked.

"Umm, no", Simeon replied.

"Damn well better not. That leaves two problems. Where do we get the mines and where do we get the fighters? Unless you can take a ship back in time?" she asked Cam.

"Tanaran fleet yards at Mandlebar. Eight mine layers currently assigned there, with full load outs - participating in Fleet training exercise...I don't remember the name they assigned to the exercise..with the part of the Bat-Ron Fifteen... begins two days from now."

"We jump back in time and bring them here. Fleet Admiral Mirrelle will be glad for a live fire exercise that helps some one out rather than just expending ordinance. Your government can honestly deny any involvement."

"Eight mine layers, three l.a.c. carriers, nine command heavy cruisers, fifty four assorted cruisers and destroyers, and if I remember correctly, twenty seven McKivity class Ships of the Wall."

"Alright", Micaya answered, "how do we do this?" She reached down to her right leg, which opened and a holder slid out. She removed the heavy blaster from the holder and checked the power cartridge, it read full. Etched along the barrel was 'Here's my idea of diplomacy'.

"Foster, could you and Helva jump us to the university?"

Cam looked over at Foster, uncertain what expression she'd find on his face. He'd been very quiet during the discussion

"Then the university can put us all aboard the other ship they were completeing and we jump back in time, and from there go talk with Mirrelle. I doubt my mother will say no."

"Helva."

"Yes?", she replied as she stood in the hold looking at Way.

"Helva?" he asked, a bit more concerned.

She cut in her ships comm, "Yes?"

"There you are, dear, could you give us a lift to the university?"

"Of course, I'll just need to know which one."

"No, I mean the university that's on it's way here."

"Oh, yes, I'll need the coordinates."

"They'll be provided, we're on our way."

"preparing now."

"Way? I need to prepare to jump to the university. She ran back to one of the rooms and lay down on the bed then left the avatar and prepared herself for launch.

Forrister took Cam's arm gently and smiled as he began to lead the way to Helva with Micaya following them.

"Uh, my Colonel wants to see me. I know your general outranks him, but he is my CO, and your general has no authority over me," Jann told her. He was still wearing his dark blue battlesuit, minus helmet, with his carbine slung over his shoulder.

He thought quickly. "Alright, but where? That way, the Colonel can head over when he gets here."

After getting the answer, and passing it to Reid, along with the order to bring the Colonel over when he arrived, he turned back to Samantha.

"Alright, Sir. Lead the way." He followed her away through the station.

****

The Condor shuttle exited the docking bay, executed a tight course reverse and blasted over the top of the station in the direction of the Faded Fortunes. Within a minute it was sitting in the hangar bay and waiting for Colonel Atar Har'khon, Crew Commander for the corvette.

Since the synthetic Mind was in overall command of the vessel, the ranking officer in the crew was relegated to just being in charge of the crew, the system present on all the Explorer vessels, but not the main fleet, which had joint command between the Mind and ranking officer.

Sixty seconds later, the Salequin was heading back to the docking bay on the station, carrying its single passenger. It angled directly for the docking bay, without further communication to the station, since it had already been told of the return.

"Foster, we aren't going without a representative from the Indoans. They are directly involved in we being here and they've sacrificed as well. And while Way Farer did not get as much of a chance to interact with them as he did Helva, he approved of them....and if you all are going to be among the first to get the technology, so should they."

Cam's tone while gentle was adamant. The University was dedicated to sharing with other mature, responsible sentients. And if any one was qualified to judge, it was Way Farer.

Micaya shook her head as Forrister say "No, no, no, no, no. We don't want the technology. I should say it's up to the president and whoever is in charge of your mediators as to the exchanges for the tech. We can't accept any information on the technology."

"As for the Indoan's", Micaya said, "I would expect them to come along. The Colonel is getting them now."

"General?"

"Micaya, go."

"I've found them, where should we meet you? Their CO will be joining you as soon as they get here from the Fortunes."

"I'm heading to Helva, meet us there."

"Affirmative. Out."

Samantha grabbed Jann's arm as they headed into the station. "Other way. Back to Helva. Most likely your CO will show up before they will, they'll be coming into south dock anyway." She headed back the way she came and into the docking area. There she waited for the Indoans CO and her own.

OOC: I'm going to be unavailable until Wednesday, since I've got more exams. After that I'll be off until Tuesday, then back properly. In the meantime, could we slow down a bit so I don't fall too far behind?

IC:
The shuttle docked with the station again, and shut down, still without further communication. The single occupant walked down the access ramp and left the docking bay.

Colonel Har'khon was a small man, barely reaching five foot seven, but his presence was a commanding one. He was dressed in the standard black naval duty uniform, with no cap on his head. He was wearing a small black filter mask over his nose and mouth, which his hand went to, but then fell away from again.

He marched into the outer area, spotted the cluster of navy blue battlesuits, and headed over. He was slightly surprised to see that one of the personnel had what appeared to be a child on their shoulders. Another figure caught sight of the approaching figure. The child was hurriedly removed from Kane's shoulders as they turned to face the officer.

"Atten-shun, officer on deck," called out Sgt. Crowe. The nineteen Rangers, Riesco and the two Douran snapped to attention and saluted their commanding officer, which Har'khon returned.

"At ease, people," he told them. "Where's Lieutenant Ferrante? I need to see him."

Reid stepped forward. "Sir, he's gone to meet with a Central Worlds general, and he ordered me to take you there to find him."

"Very well, corporal. Oh, Private Khonsari, I'm glad to hear you're okay, and I'm sorry about Senkov. I've already issued the recall notice for the regiment. Dismissed." The Rangers turned back to their conversations, as Col. Har'khon indicated for Reid to lead away.

She had recieved the change of location from Jann and led the colonel towards the docking bay where Helva was docked.
"Sir, the air's pretty good, I doubt you need the mask," she told him as they moved.

"Maybe." The colonel reached up and removed the filter mask, took a few experimental breaths, found that he wasn't coughing, and placed the mask in his pocket.
***

They entered the docking bay where Jann was waiting, and the pilot immediately snapped to attention and saluted crisply as he saw the colonel. Har'khon returned the salute easily, and told the pilot to stand at ease.
"I understand you've had quite an exciting time, Lieutenant."

"Yes sir, you could say that. Not exactly what we were expecting when we came here. We were asked if we could help, so we did," agreed Jann.

"Well, you can give me your full report later. From what I know already, you did a good job, Jann. You should be very proud. You performed well under fire and led your team through a number of highly dangerous situations," Har'khon told him.

"Thank you, sir. It was mostly down to training and equipment."

"Don't be so damned modest. You've not trained for infantry ops since you did basic. Neither have Riesco, Achevarria or Lassai. And you were underequipped. No, it was down to your leadership and the abilities of the team. Is this the officer you were fighting alongside?"

"Yes sir. Colonel... I don't believe I actually know your name, sir." The pilot found himself at a loss, since if he had ever been told the name of the Central Worlds colonel, he'd now forgotten it.

"Klantin", she replied. She nodded toward Har'khon. "I would like to say on the record that your people acted with distinction. I would recommend each for a medal for thier actions, especially those who were wounded, as they acted above a beyond the call of duty. They had no need to assist on foriegn ground. I understand that may not carry much weight, but I would like it on record none the less. I'll take you to Helva, the General is enroute as we speak."

Samantha turned and headed toward the large central worlds ship at the end of the bay, her arm dressed in a field dressing still as she hadn't had time to get it properly taken care of. She reached the ramp and stopped, looking upward and right, toward the front of the ship rather than at the nearest camera, "Helva? Permission to come aboard."

"Granted, Colonel", came the beautiful, musical voice.

The Colonel walked up the ramp and through the passageways, oddly devoid of any personel. She stopped once she entered, did a smart right face and saluted, oddly enough, to a titanium column.

"The General wanted us to wait here", she explained to the column.

"She's on her way now, she should be here in a minute", came the lovely voice from the cabin speakers, "Why don't all of you have seat, or go into the galley for something to eat if your hungry."

OOC: I said slow down, not stop completely. Or is it just not possible to do this bit without me involved?

IC:
The Indoan Colonel nodded.
"Duly noted, Colonel Klantin. I'll keep your statements in mind." Suddenly, he stopped and frowned. "Kane's in your team, isn't he, Lieutenant?"

The pilot suddenly grinned. "Yes sir, he is."

"Damn. Now that he's got endorsement from a high-ranking officer, as well as the evidence I'm sure will be present in your report, it looks like he'll finally get his medal. And not just any medal either. Probably at least the Infantry Cross." Like all the crew of the Faded Fortunes, Har'khon was aware of Kane's hunger for a medal of some sort, and now had to face to realisation that he couldn't avoid it anymore. Kane was going to receive a medal, whether the colonel liked it or not.

Once they were aboard Helva, the Indoans just waited. Neither was hungry, but the pilot collapsed into a seat, exhausted by the challenges of the day. The senior officer just looked around at the interior of the Central Worlds ship. He had been told by the Mind that the ship was not an AI, but an actual living being, which he supposed made for some subtle differences, but he couldn't immediately see any.

The colonel was also wondering what exactly the general wanted to talk to them about, since he'd already picked up the impression that it was more than just a 'thank-you for your help' meeting. Why would they need the Indoan Armed Forces represented?

Micaya, Foster and Cam arrived at Helva's ramp.

"Permission to board", Micaya asked.

"Please come in General. Cam? Way is in the hold, you might want to check on him."

Micaya looked at Cam, "We can await you in the main cabin. I'll go over what I know of your intent and you can fill the Indoan's commanding officer in on the rest when your done. I should be able to keep him intelligently busy for that long. If not then Frost can."

Cam quickly made her way down to Helva's hold. She had guessed that Way would go catatonic rather than violent. How ever she was very surprized that the Avatar had not been the one to come up with the time jump idea.

"Okay Way stop feeling sorry for yourself and help me figure out the coordinate of the University. We have a time jump to make and asap!"

It took a few minutes for the string of security over ride codes and what Cam had said to penetrate, but when they did Way came to himself instantly.

"Good, about time you stopped feeling sorry for yourself." [i]Cam teased lightly as she hugged him, then with him at her side headed back up to the main cabin.

Micaya and Foster headed to the main cabin where Colonel Klantin snapped a sharp salute as she entered.

"At you were", Micaya told her and turned to politely salute the titanium column before turning to the Indoan Colonel.

"I'm Micaya Quester-Benn", she said, forgetting her rank as she was in dress uniform with about two dozen medals and five comets on her collar, "I'm sure you're wondering what I asked to speak with you about. How would you like a chance to get back your dead soldier?"

The tired pilot stood as General Quester-Benn entered, but neither he nor Colonel Har'khon saluted. The regulations were very clear on that; no Indoan personnel would ever be obligated to follow orders from a member of another military force.

Jann's eyes ran over the decorations and insignia on the general's uniform, wondering how many of them had actually been earned. He knew perfectly well that many staff officers were awarded decorations just so they had ribbons to display so they wouldn't feel left out. It happened, even in the Indoan Armed Forces, but somehow he didn't think that was the case here.

Har'khon was about to introduce himself when the general's words hit him. He glanced at the pilot, who, from the expression on his face, was thinking the same thing.

"Sorry, what? Senkov's dead, we don't allow cloning, and I've already issued the notice." There was a trace of anger in Har'khon's voice. "Nothing's going to bring him back, and that was a particularly callous thing to say."

Jann's face had become a hard mask. He hadn't known Tony Senkov brilliantly well, but he had been in command when the Ranger had died, and, like all good soldiers, he felt some responsibility for it. For this person to so casually suggest that they could bring him back was stretching the boundaries of common decency. General or not, if they didn't explain themselves fast, Jann was going to say something he would probably regret.

"I think what the general meant to say was how would you like it if you never lost him at all" Cam said quietly as she stepped into the main room and gave Helva's column a brief nod.

"Or any of those you lost in combat here." Cam added

Way headed over to the column, silently contacting Helva and apologising for his actions earlier *I'm a dunderhead, and I should have thought of it*

"Hello Camlokewen", Helva said in her musical voice.

Micaya nodded toward Cam as she entered. "This is Camlokewen, senior scout for the universal university. She can take over the briefing on the particulars of the plan. I'll go over the military briefing once she's done. I think she'll be much better in this area than just a ground pounder like me."

Foster snorted at the JUST a ground pounder part but said nothing more as he and Micaya turned to Cam.

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

Helva opened her com to Way. "It's okay. I won't say that I understand, I could never understand what you're going through, but I'm here for you."

"First off please understand that I am violating large numbers of laws, regulations and various oaths. However what I am not violating are my ethics. And over five hundred civilizations, governmental polities, and such consider my ethics sound enough to allow me to pass life or death sentences on various matters." That was said without a trace of pride, just a flat matter of factness

"Also please understand that I don't understand half of the physics, engineering and math behind it. That matters little. What matters is that the Universal University has taken temporal travel from the experimental to the usable. I arrived here just hours after Faded Fortunes did, but for me and WayFarer it was four day plus a little after we left the the site of the Shadow incursion."

She looked at the Indoans with laughter in her eyes. "So how would you like to get in on the action?"

The two Indoan officers were silent for several seconds, trying to work out what was going on. Jann was the first to attempt to speak.

"You're talking about fucking with time, aren't you?" he asked bluntly.

The senior Indoan frowned at the concept, typical prejudices kicking in.

"The Indoans are up for a lot of things, but that's one line we'll never cross. It's far to easy to completely fuck things up if you mess with time. I understand how tempting it must be to think you can stop all this from happening, but you should just let it be. Don't fuck with time," declared Har'khon.

Both wished that the recent events had not happened, but they both knew better than to try and alter history. Their main worry here was that it would go ahead anyway, without their approval, and that they would just forget what they had done here.

"What happens to us if you do try it? Do we just forget what really happened, or do we have two sets of memories for the same period?" asked Jann.

"Well", Helva said, her voice coming from the cabin speakers. "Each moment in time branches into several temporal realities. In this one we won with the losses we have, in another we might have lost, another a draw, another a victory with different losses and so forth. What's being proposed is to go back and create another temporal reality. This one will continue but a new one will be forged. Your other selves in other temporal realities have no knowledge of what happens in this one. Only sensitives, who are often confused by what's going on around them, can sense other realities. They're confused because they sense other realities and confuse with this one. But in general you know only the reality in which you exist. At least .... that's one theory.

Another is that time can't be changed. An attempt to do so would result in a quasi-reality loop where you continue to repeat the same things. This is because you create a temporal enigma by attempting to alter the time line and the time line attempts to correct itself, in essence. For instance .... we go back and change it for the better. Since we change it so that we don't need to go back we don't send anyone back. If we don't send anyone back then we can't be sure it follows the more favorable path and, therefore, we continue along the current path, in which we send someone back. It changes but then we don't send someone, etcetera.

So it's difficult to anticipate the consequences or all the collateral alterations that might occur as a result, if any."

Micaya looked at Helva's column for a long moment before she looked over at her intelligence officer and asked Forrister, "What in HELL did she just say?"

"We could screw the pooch on this one", he replied.

"We can do that on any of them", she said and looked at Colonel Har'khon, "I intend to go with or without you. If we had only lost legion members, then so be it. It greives me but we're here to offer our lives. But those bastards nuked an entire city with over two hundred thousand innocent civilians. If I can take that back, I will."

"Helva is correct in her first set of theoriers" Way spoke up

"Time branches. For those of us that go back and create a new branch we will remember, because we are/were there in both the original and variant branch. Those that don't come along will not remember what happened to them, because for them the divergence will be their reality. The past four days will be what we, going into the past create."

"Understand that Cam is going to get into terrible trouble over this, it is not something she offers lightly. The University will agree to this because they trust Cam and I enough to have given us the technology, to let us use it."

"I understand", Micaya replied, "and I appreciate the sacrifice. I can't really know how much of a sacrifice it is, but I'm glad there are still those who are willing to make it."

Forrister stepped forward and hugged Cam. 'Thank you', he whispered to her, 'this chance to save so many lives is greatly appreciated.'

"So I was right. We'd just forget what happened here?" pressed Jann. He wanted to be sure on that point, becuase if they did, a lot would change.

Har'khon was silent, thinking it over. The idea went against all of the principles instilled in him by what he had learned in his forty-one years of life, but he could see why the Central Worlds people wanted to change it.

"Jann's right. This is a very bad idea," he said. "However, since it doesn't seem to matter what we think, why are we even here?" A minor point in what had just been said suddenly popped up.
"Wait, you just said that if we go with you, we remember what happened here. But there's a problem there too. We can't exactly bring all seventy-two crew members along, can we? And what happens to those who died? Do they remember what happened? If Senkov isn't dead, he deserves a medal, but why bother if he doesn't know what it's for?"

Har'khon had six dead personnel and three dead synthetics from the whole fight, and planned to give about half the crew some form of decoration even though most hadn't actually done anything.

"You see, this kind of thing is precisely why you shouldn't fuck with time. It completely screws everything up. Unless the Fortunes can come back in time too, my own fucking CO won't know what happened here. We'll need an officially documented statement from you to confirm our story, otherwise there's no way High Command will allow us to award medals." The senior Indoan stopped and sighed.
"I don't see that we have a lot of choice in the matter, so we're coming along. How many of us can come?"

"Yes all who come back will remember, and the ship the University is/was finishing up can take both Helva and Fortune in it's hanger. It's a big ship." Way said

"And from the experimental jumps...those who died will remember getting hurt badly to the point going into a deep coma...and as far as 'documented statement', the University would be happy I am sure to send qualified scholars to confirm the jump, with physical evidence of your valiant deeds, and to give your people the technology. You have what they would consider a qualified, worthy civilization, one with strong enough moral and ethical standards not to abuse the technology, but to use it wisely."

"That is the report that I and my shipself made to the University concerning you. You are a stable civilization, life affirming and mature. You cooperated with and trusted strangers, you put innocents before yourselves and you gave your lives to protect those not of your own."

Micaya listened to the exchange and then stepped forward. "All I ask you to do is nothing more than you already have. Defend this station. But this time it'll be easier. Simeon anticipates a loss of 80% of the pirates. Barring any that run you would face only 20% of the force they faced this last time. From what I know of the fight here that should be a cakewalk for your people. I intend to intercept General Booley and comandeer him and his people to lead them in a fight for the planets defense. Because of the unexpected attack and since it's further from the rim than any attack before they didn't have concise information on where they jumped in. We'll mine where we can and fight what's left on the ground. Simeon recorded exactly where they came in. The mines will be set accordingly."

(I'm going on vacation from 7/2 to 7/10 and won't be able to post again till the 11th)

To Way's thought's Simeon was being far to conservative. He knew that Fleet Admiral Mirrelle would not let any of the pirates get on board the base, or bomb the planets. She wouldn't come to fight, the fierce Xa would come and annihilate.

"Actually" Way interjected firmly "Simeon is being too conservative. The forces we intend to bring with us will, putting it bluntly, wipe the Kolnar attackers completely. I know that Fleet Admiral Mirrelle will not allow them to board this station. We are asking you along because you deserve to be here, deserve to remember. Not to risk your selves again."

He smiled again "And I have low and underhanded reasons. I want you all to meet the University. Friendship between our civilizations can only benefit all of us...and it will get me a really big shipself.."

Colonel Har'khon sighed. "After all this is through, no-one will know what we did. Ain't that always the way." He paused for several seconds. "Alright. Count us in, we're coming along for the ride. And we don't have to do anything, right?"

The decision made, the colonel relaxed slightly. The pilot was still trying to work out what would happen, but not getting very far. In addition to being completely exhausted, he was thoroughly confused by the thought of time travel, and exactly what effects it would have.

"Just so you know, while we are authorised to accept gifts of new technology, the nature of this particular tech means that chances are it'll get locked in a basement and forgotten about. Time is not something we want to fiddle with, but we'll take it. We may find alternate uses for some of it," Har'khon informed them.

The Indoans were a responsible and advanced civilisation, but one that knew what their limitations were and what should really be left alone. They would study the technology very carefully and initiate huge research programs before they would even consider actually using it, and probably even then, as Har'khon had said, just lock it in a basement and forget about it. If they did use it, it would only be because it was absolutely necessary.

"Past battles are forgotten because they're a reminder of the terrible side of human nature", Micaya muttered, in an unusual display of philosophy. "But we, as soldiers, still have to draw the line and hold it. That's why we're here."

She turned to Helva's column, "Helva? Will you be accompanying us?"

"Yes", came the musical voice from the cabin speakers. "I would be honored."

Micaya nodded, "It's decided then. We're ready."

"Helva, I need a FTL broad cast on this.." Way took the conversation 'internal' so not to bother the others as last minute details were worked out. The bradcast would be recieved and replied to, giving them the Universities current location. The coordinates could be passed on to Fortunes, and off they'd go.

"Yes we need both Helva and the Faded Fortunes - and crew - to come to the University" Cam nodded. "Then we'll take both ship aboard the one they just finished at the University, jump backwards, go to Mandlebar, get the Admiral and fleet and come here, keep the Kolnar from being themselves so to speak....all roughly four days in the past. Which we will remember but no one not with us will...I think."

Helva transmitted the messages and responses then did a self diagnostic. All systems checked out fine and she prepared to move away from the dock.

Micaya looked at Cam after her statement and grinned. "So that's a definite maybe. I've had to move out with far less."

Forrister simply put his arm around Cam. He knew she was sacrificing more than any of them would ever know, and he appreciated all she was doing. His gesture was a simple one of support.

"Lieutenant, get on the horn to the Fortunes, explain what's going on, and get it to issue a general recall of all personnel on the station. I want that ship ready to go ASAP," ordered Har'khon.

Jann nodded and activated his neural thread.
~ Jann to Fortunes, he sent.

~ I heard it all, Lieutenant. I've been monitoring you through your PHUDs. I'm recalling all personnel on the station now. Should I leave the shuttle for you and Colonel Har'khon? the Mind sent back.

~ Hold on, the pilot instructed it. "Sir, will we be requiring the Salequin to return to the Fortunes?"

The Colonel shook his head. "No, we'll stay aboard... Helva, wasn't it?.. until we link up with this University, then return to the Fortunes then."

Before the pilot could relay that to the Mind, it was talking to him.
~ I heard that too, Lieutenant. I'm bringing the shuttle back now. Until you rejoin me. [Break]

"Helva, yes", came Helva's musical voice from the cabin speakers. "Your welcome of course, and I'm honored to have you."

"Forrister?"

"Yes?"

"All systems are green, we're ready to depart as soon as Fortunes has her...umm... his, crew back on board", came Helva's announcement, somewhat embarrassedly.

Forrister smiled, "Alright, I'll go climb in." He turned to Cam, "Would you like to take Co-pilot? Not that Helva really needs either but so you can moniter." He looked over at Jann, "Jump seat is open if you want to take it. We're all in this together."

Jann grinned.
"Okay, let's see how this ship works." He followed Foster, Or was it Forrister? he wondered, forward and allowed himself to be shown where to go.

"Oh, Helva. Although they're technically neither, the Minds prefer the feminine article. So it would be her crew," the pilot corrected the shell-person.

****

The Assegai transport, carrying all the Indoan personnel previously on the station, including the body of Private Anthony Senkov, coasted towards the corvette and moved gracefully into the hangar bay.

The Condor shuttle Salequin, currently unmanned and under the control of the Faded Fortunes, followed the battlefield transport into the hangar as the latter settled to the hangar deck and shut down its engines.

By the time the shuttle did the same, the passengers on the transport were disembarking. The body of Private Senkov was carried to the medical bay by Jace and Tyler, where all the Indoan dead were lying.

The Mind flashed a message to Helva.
{Ready to move. Awaiting transfer of coordinates and 'Go' signal. Will update you as to our trip time when distance is known.}

Way looked at the coordinates that had come back to Helva and grinned. The University had chosen it's favored 'wait spot' when it had recieved the last tansmission from Way Farer. He mentioned this to Helva with a smile, and thanked her once again for putting up with him.

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

"Thanks for the offer Foster, I'll gladly sit copilot." Cam replied with a smile and followed Foster to the bridge.

The stations were very much the same as any other vessel, except that Forrister made no move to pilot the vessel. Lights blinked and buttons flashed as Helva prepared the ship and sent the message to fortunes for her to prepare her jump. Co-ordinates and her own estimated time of arrival were sent along with any instructions she received. Once everything was done she contacted Simeon.

"Ready for departure."

Simeon took control and guided her out of the bay and a safe distance from the station. From there Helva took over, gracefully moving through the debris with a degree of control that no soft shell could manage. Once through she announced that she was ready for her dive into singularity if everyone else was ready.

The Faded Fortunes received the destination coordinates and swiftly computed the journey time. Having done so, it communicated the result to Helva.

{Faded Fortunes journey time calculated at nine minutes, thirty-nine seconds Indoan time. Awaiting 'Go' signal.}

Then, the Mind checked that all systems required for the jump were fully operational, that all personnel, minus Ferrante and Har'khon, were safely aboard, and that all craft were secure within the hangar bay.

The corvette was actually facing in virtually the opposite direction to that where the university was located, but the wormhole would render that a trivial issue, since when bending space it really didn't matter where you were facing.

****

Despite what Forrister thought, the crew stations on Helva were very much different from those found in Indoan craft and had Jann looking around with interest from his position in the jumpseat, behind and between the two pilot stations.

On all Indoan craft, displays were by means of multi-function displays with touch-sensitive controls. There were no flashing lights on Indoan craft unless something was seriously wrong. The average crew position had the flight controls, and four displays and that was about it. On the Mind-controlled warships, there were even fewer visible controls, since the crew were only meant to be a back-up to the Mind in case something went wrong.

Therefore, to see this kind of control system was an entirely new experience for the pilot, who had flown many different types of craft. He watched closely, hoping to see the 'pilot' at work, but to his disappointment, no-one did anything. Maybe it wasn't that different from an Indoan ship after all.

Forrister looked over the controls idley. The controls were a redundent system in the even that something happened to the shell person. It was a horrible idea since that would mean they were locked in darkness, the most feared thing that could happen to a shell person or that they were dead. The systems were something that existed that no brawn ever wanted to have to use.

"Confirmed fortunes, thank you. You should be arriving only seconds before us." She then sent the co-ordinates of her arrival to make sure that fortunes wouldn't be close by and then gave the go signal.

The emergence point was close in to a old, barely splutering along red dwarf. Unineteresting, any planets it may have once had gone many millions of years ago when the red dwarf, not so small at that time exapnded outward in a minor nova. It ws a dark place, hidden deep past the Eagle Nebula, made even more private by the energies unleashed in that stellar nursery.

Hail and response brought a warm welcome from the University. That 'lumpy baked potato' of a ship, some 80 miles wide by nearly 130 miles long by roughly 60 miles thick. A lumpy chunk of explanet it was and the living was on the inside, save were domes dotted the surface, and the engines poked their drive ends into the cold of space. 'Running' lights lit up the experior like a festival, and the shields that protected the numerous docking bays went permiable to allow Helva and Fortunes to enter.

*Greetings this is Mother Mayhem, senior AI for the University. Please be welcome. If you need tractor assistance or pilot over ride, please feel free to ask.. Each bay is equiped with docking tracors to hold you free of contact if your ship is not landing capable" Many ships build in space were not designed to take gravity, and thus docking tractors to hold them as if they were in the weightlessness of space

Helva had dove into the singularity and rode the whirlwind down into it. She balanced and coasted along constantly changing equations that defined the collapsing walls of the vortex.

To those not familiar with singularity travel it could be quite disturbing. Micaya never had gotten used to it and clutched the arms of the chair where she sat next to the Indoan Colonel. Next to her was a shelf with braces. The triangle brace, wall and shelf elongated to a needle-shape with one thin eye, stretched out into an open eye as big as the wall then squeezed into a rotating pinpoint of light with absolute blackness at its center before opening again into the original triangle.

The colonels hands became pincers, then changed into hairy clawed hands and finally into tentacles before returning to normal. Jann's teeth changed to granite, then to something that felt like squishy, rotting vegetables and then into needles before finally returning to normal.

Such was the way of singularity travel as probably and possible clashed with the brainships mathematical equations to find the path from one point to another. Distance meant nothing. A close point could take hours, a distant point seconds, all depending on the singularity point.

Space seemed to explode as Helva cleared the even horizon of the singularity and picked up the universities hail.

"This is Helva, thank you for your welcome. I can handle my own landing, thank you. I have Way on board, but then I guess you know that since this is the past for you, rather than the present."

She then opened a private channel to the A.I. of the university. "I would like to thank you for the avatar. I still need some work with it ... her ... umm, me ... but it is much appreciated."

She expertly followed the landing instructions and set down in the docking bay and then opened the ships comm. "Thank you for flying Helva spaceways. Be sure to pick up all luggage at the baggage claim area", she stated and then giggled. She had already moved all luggage to the main cabin, except for Forristers and Cams. She was going to move Cams but wasn't sure if she might be coming back aboard. "I'm going to shut down all but redundant systems for now."

"Good idea", Forrister said, "take some rest, you've earned it."

Rest was not what she had in mind. After switching on the subsystems she entered the avatar form and made her way to the main cabin. Micaya had only just risen, complaining about the singularity jumps and Forrister was grinning after having entered the main cabin. When she stepped in Forrister looked at her, "Who the hell are you?" he asked, as Micaya's right leg opened and she grabbed the arc pistol from the holder that slid out.

*Yes, I am talking with him now thank you* The ancient AI replied *and you are most welcome for the avatar. Our greatest ideal is freedom, and if such grants you greater freedom, we are ever glad to help* Mother Mayhem replied cheerfully over the commo link

*************************************
"Helva, I think you forgot to tell some one" Way moved between Helva and the others, while Micaya found a golden furred hand gently but adamantly pressing the muzzle of the gun down. "Or haven't you told any one?"

"I completely forgot in all the excitement", came Helva's voice from the avatar.

The quizical look on Forrister's face would be funny to those who weren't confused, "Helva?"

"Yes", she said, as Micaya returned her pistol the her leg, "I'm sorry. Remember our discussion before? This is why. I hope you can still like and appreciate me."

Forrister was silent a moment, though his mouth was working, then finally, "Like and appreciate? My dear, that will never change", he said smiling.

Micaya, having returned her arc pistol to her cybernetic leg, folded her arms, "Well, hell, how do I get one of THOSE bodies? This original, what's left of it, isn't half as nice looking as that one."

"I don't know that it's possible", Helva replied, "it was given to me to allow me more freedom. I can never thank the university enough, though if Forrister will join me, I could serve them as my next contract." She figured it would be good for both of them. She would serve someone she liked and respected and whos values were much like her own as well as allowing Forrister more time with Cam.

"I'm willing", he replied, "though we should get through this mission first."

"The Valthusians do a full clone grown from your own cells, but you would have to be able to accept an Rntechly Matrix transfer and most can not under go such a procedure. You also have to apply and state your reasons. The Valthusians are most ethical and will not grow a body that would potentially house a soul without sound reason."

"Or, you could have a avatar body made and undergo the Entechly procedure, but their standards are less stringent for that, and again person has to be able to accept the procedure." Way explained, hesitated a bit and continued

"I have worked with several recepients of the Entechly Matrix transfer, and have never noted any difference between before and after. In some cases I did know the transfer had taken place, but not in others."

He shrugged "I believe that I have a soul, and based on that I do believe that they are able to transfer that which makes us *us*, namely a soul"

Cam broke in "However time is rolling and we shouldn't waste it. Way what does the University say about the *Big Ship*?"

"Ten hours to get me and a back up AI settled in, the Faded Fortunes and Helva in hangers aboard, certain legal ramifications taken care of, and then we're off. Crew is already aboard and settleing into quarters. Captain Hexx will have the bridge, I will have Mission Control" Way replied

Cam nodded. "Good. Ladies and gentlemen, if you would care to come with me we'll get you settled aboard "Five Minutes to Midnight" as I understand they've taken to calling it. There is also a brief time to have an over view of the University should you care to."

Micaya gave a curt nod and proceeded toward the ramp. She nodded to Helva's column as she headed toward the corridor to the center of the ship.

"Good luck General", Helva said out of habit, forgetting that she was following them, then blushed slightly at her error.

Forrister laughed good naturedly and took Cam's arm, moving along with the others toward the ramp.

Helva watched Forrister's actions and took Way's arm, following them out.

The Faded Fortunes engaged the wormhole actuator and ripped a hole in space-time, a flash of blue light preceeding it. The whirling maw was the gateway to a tunnel, its sides flecked with flowing blue-white patterns. The black corvette just cruised straight into the open wormhole on normal power.

As the Indoan ship disappeared from the space around Vega Base, the wormhole crashed back in on itself, the unnatural light dissipating, and space returned to normal. The occupants of the vessel felt no different than they normally did, well, there was a slight sense of motion that the artificial gravity systems failed to damp out, from the violent twisting and rolling that was the result of following the wormhole's path.

Exactly nine minutes and thirty-nine seconds later, as the Mind had told Helva, the corvette burst back into real space amidst a large flash of the same blue-white light. Again, the mouth of the wormhole collapsed back in on itself and sealed the rift.

The Mind hadn't yet signalled a reply to the huge converted planetoid that was the Tanaran University when Helva reappeared in her own way two hundred kilometres off the starboard side.

{Mother Mayhem, this is the INV Faded Fortunes. Request PTA*. We will not require assistance in docking, but we will require the use of anti-contact systems.}

The corvette followed the directions to an appropriate docking bay, activating the powerful AG repulsion systems, used for preventing premature contact when docking with the huge space-borne shipyards where it had been constructed, as it entered the bay. These remained powered up until the Mind felt the tractor beams hold the corvette in place. As those powered down, another system adjusted. The corvette's own exterior AG fields were activated to nullify the gravity within the bay. The Tanarans were right, this ship didn't like being in a strong gravity field, but there was more to it than just avoiding contact, so the corvette had to neutralise the gravity.

Then there was the problem of how to get any crew on or off while they were docked. As had been already stated, the corvette was an independent warship, not designed to dock with another vessel. Personnel were usually transfered by means of the shuttles or landers.

~ Well, the Mind thought, I'll deal with that when it becomes necessary.

****

"I don't care what anyone says, that's the last time I ever travel this way," grumbled Jann, as he tested all his limbs to make sure they still worked. "No offence or anything, but our way is a lot more comfortable."

The two Indoans followed the others off the ship. As they left the ship, Jann saw Helva's avatar and realised that it was her from the conversation between the others. Having never been near the Central Worlds ship before, and being unfamiliar with their culture, he thought nothing of her having an avatar. Avatars were common in the Indoan Alliance, although they usually had unnatural colouring to their skin to distinguish them from organic Matrai.

"Well, thanks for the ride, Helva, but I think I'll have to pass on the return journey," he said politely.

* - PTA = Permission To Approach

"I wish I had the luxury to choose", Micaya replied to Jann's comment.

"I apologise", Helva said, "but it's the system we have to work with. You see Central was settled by another system, and not voluntarily. System malfunctions on the colony ships forced them to land before they reached thier destination. The area of central worlds is limited in many resources, that's why our main cabin panels and any other non-essential panels are gold. It's heavy but there's alot of it. Wood is very precious in central.

Singularity came about only a few hundred years ago, in fact I had a part in it's discovery. It's the Beta Corviki technique. Maximum usage of minimal energy. Lower consumption of materials and less wear. We need to maximize everything we have.

The Queen of Dragonsreach has recently agreed to provide us with what she calls iron wood. It looks and grows like trees but has the consistency of steel. She's agreed to outfit the existing brain ships with it for free and sell more to Central. I can't wait, I hear it looks beautiful."

Jann was slightly surprised by Helva's comments about resources. The Indoan ships were constructed entirely of composites, synthetics and other artificially produced materials, made using a technique which involved rearranging the subatomic particles to create the right material.

"That sounds like an unusual material," he mused, "But then again, I'd imagine some of the stuff our ships are made of would seem pretty strange to you. Don't ask about any of it, 'cause I haven't got a clue. And it might be secret anyway."

He was silent for a few seconds, then glanced around again.
"So, what happens now? We're here, but I know that we're not even started on what you were planning earlier. Any of you travelled through time before? I've got a nasty feeling it'll be even more unpleasant than singularity travel."

The pilot yawned hugely. He had been awake for nearly thirty-five hours straight now, and in combat on two separate occasions, which was both stressful and exhausting, and was understandably tired. He would be asleep now, but he didn't want to miss any of the excitement. He was sure that his Rangers on the Faded Fortunes would be similarly awake.

"Well", Helva replied, "I can't wait to have something as lovely as wood gracing my shipself." A part of her subconscious that transferred to her controls for her avatar made her clasp her hands and squel in delight at the idea. A strange reaction to those to whom such things are common.

"As for what's next, I would like that tour of the university. We have time until departure, why not enjoy it?"

'I can think of other ways to enjoy it', Forrister mumbled as he glanced at Cam.

Micaya slapped him on the back, "At least you have a date, I never have. Too damn busy."

"Too damn busy, too damn stubborn, too damn aggresive, too damn...", Forrister began listing until Micaya stopped him.

"Alright, enough, I do have good quilities you know."

"Yeah?", he asked, "What?"

Micaya was silent a moment, "Don't we have a tour to go on?"

It's only wood, thought Jann tiredly, Wood with wierd properties, sure, but still wood. Why's she so pleased with it? Half my parents' house is made from wood.

"A tour, huh? Well, that sounds great, but, with your permission sir, I think I'd better get back to the Fortunes and grab some shut-eye," the pilot declared, looking to the Colonel.

Har'khon nodded his permission, and Jann smiled. "Great, now I just have to find the Fortunes. Any volunteers to show me the way, or do I attempt to find it myself?"

Har'khon was as interested as the pilot in the tour, and since he was a lot less tired, he was in a position to take it.

Neither Indoan was really listening to the friendly banter between the others, their brains realising it wasn't relevant and ignoring it.

OOC: Just so you know, if this is still running, I'm going on holiday for two weeks today. Can we continue this when I get back?

(OOC - This is still going, we were just waiting on Tanara to post an appropriatly long intro to the university. Waiting two weeks will give time to work on that post, so that's great. Have a good time.)

"HEY", came a voice from Helva's ship body. The figure coming across the bay, as the others talked, was immedietly recognized by all the central personal at least.

"JOAT?", replied Forrister, "Wha...?"

Helva accessed her memory banks and came up blank. How Joat got on or where she stayed was beyond her. In fact she didn't appear until she was off the ramp, and she literally appeared.

Micaya turned toward Helva, "What is she doing here?"

"I'm afraid that I wasn't aware that she was even onboard", Helva told her befuddled.

"Joat", Forrister said stepping forward, "you sold that design to Central, you weren't supposed to use it", he told her as she came up to them and knowing exactly how she got onboard.

"Hey", Joat replied, cocking her hip and raising a finger to point at him, "I kept my word. I couldn't use the design, that doesn't mean I couldn't design another personal cloak."

"You used it to get onboard", Forrister accused.

"Well, duh. It wouldn't be called stowing away otherwise and you guys wouldn't have let me aboard."

"Your fardling right we wouldn't", Forrister almost yelled.

"There you go", Joat said and walked past him.

Forrister turned, watching her, completely confused by the last exchange. "Did I just lose that argument?"

"Besides", Joat said, trying to divert attention, "Way owes me something." She walked up to him, rubbing the back of her neck as though the muscles bothered her. "You made a promise", she told him cryptically, knowing she couldn't be more specific in front of the others.

The apparent appearance of another person was of no particular surprise to either of the Indoans, having seen Rangers use optic cloaks. But the news that the person had evaded all of Helva's sensors, as well as being visually invisible, caught both their attentions.

Still, Jann had other things on his mind.
"Hey," he called out. "Is anyone gonna tell me where the Fortunes is, or not? I saw the size of this thing as we came in, I'll get lost if I try and find it myself."

Without waiting for a reply, he activated his neural link and contacted the Fortunes Mind.

~ Jann to Fortunes, he sent.

~ Yes, Lieutenant? the Mind replied.

~ Can you steal a schematic of this monster and guide me back to you? You can work out where I am from my link, right? he asked it.

~ Correct. Wait for one second, please. The Mind was already accessing the University's network and looking for a schematic. When it found one, it would compare the co-ordinates of its own location and that of Jann Ferrante with those of the University itself, work out where they both were, and guide the Indoan in from there.

Colonel Har'khon was more interested in the cloak that the woman had apparently just used. Indoan personal cloaks required the user to wear a lightweight full body suit, and only hid them from visual, and in some cases infra-red, viewers.

"Excuse me, how did you do that?" he asked, "Hiding from all of the ship's sensors. That's quite an acheivement, especially if your ship's sensors are as good as ours, and I'm assuming they are."

(OOC - I'm going to bug Tanara about a reply since she had to go and get a job on us and ruin everything. ;) I think she'd provide an escort for Jann and I want to see what Way is going to do. In the meantime WELCOME BACK, and thanks for posting so quickly.)

OOC: My apologies for being so slow.

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

The Faded Fortunes found herself comfortably ensconced in a spacious bay.

"My apologies Lieutenant Ferrante, for being so slow to repsond."

*And to you too Faded Fortunes* One of the junior Ai, named Dalia spoke/contacted both of the Indoans.

"If aportation with a destination with in your shipself is permitted, I can have Lieutenant Ferrante there in micro seconds. If such is not allowed I can have a pod shuttle to your current location, and then to your's Faded Fortunes in a very short time frame."

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

Way just smiled as he watched the others react to JOAT's presence. He had no problem with her being here. She would be a interesting student, if he could get her enrolled, and he always kept his word

Cam used the distraction to slip away, and once out of sight, arrage for an aport to Medical

Joat looked at the Colonel and cocked her head. "I don't reveal secrets, it's not wise." She then stepped away with Way for her promised upgrade while Jann was taken to his ship.

Forrister sighed and shook his head, "Well there goes trouble", he said, nodding toward Joat. "Ghu help us that she got unleashed upon these unsuspecting people."

Micaya grinned and nodded, "Yeah, she's a handful alright. What frighten's me is what she might learn here."

Forrister gave an exagerated shudder and said, "I don't even want to think about that. At least maybe she'll stay here while we get this done with."

"Don't hold your breath", Micaya mumbled, "And if she want's to go, we can't stop her. On the other hand she's a better hacker than you are and is experienced enough to be a help.

Forrister nodded, "That she is. I just wish she listened a bit more."

OOC: CW read my post please - Cam's not there.

"Aporta-whatnow?" asked Jann. "This wouldn't be like Displacement, would it? How safe is it?"

~ Fortunes, how far is it between us? he sent.

~ Too far to walk, Lieutenant, the Mind responded, having found a schematic. Take up one of their offers.

~ Great. Well, I suppose I've already submitted to someone else's travel methods once today, might as well do it again. [Break]

"Well, if it's safe, and the Fortunes okays it, I'll risk your aport-thing. I'll try anything once, even if I'll never do it again," he said tiredly.

The Mind of the Faded Fortunes considered the options, then sent a message to the AI.
{Please don't make this a regular thing, but you can send him here: [Locator Co-ordinates Attached]}

"Lieutenant Ferrante, it is not one hundred percent safe, nothing is, but in the last five hundred million seven hundred thousand and eighty one there have been no injuries, much less fatalaties, and the one that mars the safety record is a young just out of molt Queeee'nT became nauseated upon aportation."

Dalia replied gently while acknowledging the coordinate form the Fanded Fortune's Mind *Thank you for the coordinates, and no it will not be come standard procedure with out your express permission, 'in writing' so to speak, or unless there is a termination of life functions level emergency.*

With a faint whoose of displaced air the Indoan pilot vanished to reappear several microseconds later at the coordinates given by the Mind

What the Mind and the Indoan sensors will detect is that micro seconds before Jann arrived at the coordinates - there was a quick but thorough sensor scan and then low level, three dimentional force field sprang up in a rectangle about the coordinates- any one trying to enter that area would have "bounced" off it- then Jann was aported in, and the forcefield vanished. If the Indoans are interested the University will share the information / technology with them. They would love to exchange knowledge with the Indoan civilization & culture.

The pilot stumbled slightly due to the disorientation caused by the sudden shift in location as he reappeared. He shook his head slightly to clear it and looked around.

A number of the corvette's personnel were staring at him as though he was a ghost. He was standing in the corvette's main crew lounge, surrounded by off-duty personnel.

"Well, that was interesting. I can live with that happening again. Certainly more comfortable than that singularity transit," he said, mainly to himself. A thought occured to him as he began walking towards the exit. "Fortunes, is that what a Displacement is like?" he asked the Mind out loud.

The Mind reviewed the feed from Ferrante's PHUD and neural thread in milliseconds before responding. "Not exactly, Lieutenant, but the two have similarities. Would you recommend it as a method of travel?"

"I don't see why not. If it's as safe as their AI suggested, then I see no problems. That's far safer than our current Displacers," Jann replied.

Indoan Displacers were only used to transport sentient entities if absolutely necessary, basically if they were in imminent danger of death, because the devices had a failure rate of approximately one in every seven million Displacements. As such, the devices were only used to move cargo, and only non-valuable cargo at that.

"So you suggest I ask the Tanarans about acquiring the technology from them? That requires the express permission of both the Chief of Naval Command and the Minister for External Affairs. Are you sure about this, Lieutenant?"

"It can't hurt to ask, right? Might as well try," answered Jann confidently.

The Mind performed the electronic equivalent of a sigh and began composing a message to High Command, outlining its proposal. It was fully aware that even if it was allowed to ask for the technology, the government might deny the request based on what the Tanarans wanted in return.

In the meantime, it communicated with the AI again.
{Thank you for doing that. My officer tells me that the transfer was an interesting way to travel. Certainly it seems to be a far more reliable technology than our own similar system.}

(OOC - Sorry Tanara, I changed the post. I completely missed Cam's name somehow and thought that Way was taking Joat to medical. You should be able to respond to them now as should Free Eagles.)

Joat stopped a moment and looked back at the Colonel. "I'll tell ya this. Think of how those sensors work. Ain't so hard from there. Power, not that was the problem, but the pirates tipped me to that." She winked and looked back toward Way. "Kay, I'm ready."

Forrister looked around and noticed that Cam was missing. He sighed and turned to head back toward Helva.

"Where are you going Frost?", Micaya asked him.

"Back to Helva", he replied and looked at Helva, "That is, her ship."

"The ship IS me Forrister. This is a way of interracting with others and even helping my Brawns."

Forrister nodded but headed back toward the ship, his thoughts his own. As he walked away Micaya eyed him. She knew something was up, she had worked with him to long not to notice. For now she kept quiet, she'd corner him later for a talk. He'd tell her, she knew that, but he needed time first.

The Indoan Colonel thought back to what the Fortunes' Mind had told him about the attack. A look of confusion crept across his face.

"Jamming? You jam the sensor arrays?" he asked Joat incredulously.

Until today, he hadn't been aware that it was even possible to jam the sensors used by Indoan ships. The ships were fitted with so many different and powerful sensor types it was virtually impossible to jam the entire set without alerting the ship to the fact you were jamming them.

He then started to say something to Helva and Forrister, but decided against it, since their situation wasn't quite the same as an Indoan Mind and its avatars, since the avatars were their own being for most of the time, the Mind just took control of the body when it needed to.

Joat turned, cocked her hip and put her fists on her hips, looking at him like he was the stupidest man in the universe. "JAM them? What good would that do? It would set off every alarm in the system. You let them flow, like they should. You just let them ... flow around you. That way they work, but they don't see you. You're good, they're saying everything is okay and BAM! Your invisible. Now the naked eye", she said, moving closer and getting into her topic, "THAT was the trick. But how does the eye function? Like a sensor. Except that a sensor sends out something that comes back whereas the eye relies on ambient light. So you bend the light around you, no return to the eye and poofa, your invis", she said smiling, not yet realizing that she had given away her secret.

{Thank you for doing that. My officer tells me that the transfer was an interesting way to travel. Certainly it seems to be a far more reliable technology than our own similar system.}

*Youy are most welcome. It was developed by the Asha'gahi, a very advanced race, from the Hydrat nebula. It relies on very sensitive sensors and is not reliable over interstellar distances, but on a planet, or from a planet to something in reasonable orbit, it is very safe and actually energy effecient. The data on it is open source so we do not ask any thing in return of it. We are always happy for anything offered in exchange, but it is not mandatory.*

Dalia replied, happy herself to interact with a new civilization.

Way requested an escort for Joat, as she spoke with the Indoan Colonel.

"Joat, here is Looan, he's an assistant with the section you'll be working with." He nodded to the small bear like being the arrived in response to his request.

"Pleased to meet you Joat" His fur was the color of honey and his eyes a bright green. Broad stubby hands and feet were tipped with long supple fingers, and his smile was wide and friendly. "We can aport or take a glide flitter, so you can see a bit of the UU. Which would you prefer?"

ay watched Foster go out of the corner of his optics, then in a few quick strides caught up to him before Foster could enter Helva. "Foster, Cam will be joining us in a bit. She had to get some things taken care of at medical, and didn't want to hold the rest of us up. She should have said something to you, but I think she was rather preoccupied"

"Pleased to meet you Joat" His fur was the color of honey and his eyes a bright green. Broad stubby hands and feet were tipped with long supple fingers, and his smile was wide and friendly. "We can aport or take a glide flitter, so you can see a bit of the UU. Which would you prefer?"

Joat looked at the bear and giggled as she thought of Tia's bright blue teddy bear and pictured it greeting her.

"Sorry", she mumbled, "I'd rather use the flitter than have my atoms scattered over hell's half acre, thanks. Besides, I would love the tour." She followed the teddy, 'Looan' she corrected herself, eager to see what the university had to offer. That and she wanted to see what she could get into.

ay watched Foster go out of the corner of his optics, then in a few quick strides caught up to him before Foster could enter Helva. "Foster, Cam will be joining us in a bit. She had to get some things taken care of at medical, and didn't want to hold the rest of us up. She should have said something to you, but I think she was rather preoccupied"

"Of course she was", he replied as he turned to Way, "and she doesn't particularly have to tell me anything if she doesn't want. You should see to the others, thier congregating around like a cadet review." He turned and headed up Helva's ramp and followed the passageways to the main cabin and sat on the couch.

Helva followed his progress through the ship, even as she stood waiting with the others. It was easy enough to keep track of the two as she got more and more used to the body. She had, after all, monitored external and internal systems as well as Foster's eye implants and contact button for some time. Besides, every brawn she had ever known had the contact buttons so she was used to it. The eye implants are recent, allowing the shell person a secondary monitoring as well as allowing the brawn to look in the infrared and telescoping sight.
Helva monitored and vitals and detected slight changes indicative of a depressive state. She wished he had the ability to adjust his nutrient flow as she could, but knew that softshells didn't have that ability.

Colonel Har'khon thought back to the Mind's report again. That's true. The sensors weren't actually jammed, they were blocked by supposedly normal interference, he remembered, But there must have been some jamming involved, otherwise only a few of the sensors would have been affected. His thoughts moved on to what Joat had just told him. Now, she seemed to suggest that the light was bent around her. I know that to do that requires a very strong gravity field, and a gravity field of that strength will show up on sensors. Visual sensors are passive, same as the gravometric sensors. But... Ah, I give up.

He looked around to quiz Joat some more about the techniques, but saw her vanishing around a corner. Damn!

"Excuse me, but did any of you understand what she said? As far as my limited knowledge goes, what she implied isn't possible," he asked the others present.

****

{Not come across that name before, and I don't even know where that nebula is. If we do know it, it will be under a different name.} the Mind sent to Dalia.
{I can see how useful that kind of technology would be, we have teams continually working on how to make our Displacers safer, their ultimate goal being to get it safe enough to transport people. Unfortunately, they are a very long way from doing so.}

An alert flashed up, signifying the arrival of a highly encrypted communication from High Command.

[Stuttered-tight-point, M32, tra. @d2.3869.7.17.074826]
x: Indoan Naval Command
o: INV Faded Fortunes
{The prospect of a reliable Displacer-type system obviously appeals to the Minister, and the CNC evidently agrees. I am to inform you that you may inquire into the acquisition of this technology, within reasonable boundaries. You are required to inform Command of any deal before confirming it with the Tanarans.}

~ Hmm. I didn’t expect it to be that easy, thought the Mind. Well, now that I’ve got permission, I might as well get on with it.

The Mind turned its attention back to the communications link with the Tanaran AI.

{Would it be possible to discuss acquiring the technology for this Aportation? I have been instructed by High Command to do so.}

It left the transmission at that, waiting to see what the response would be before divulging anything more. The message from Command had been worded to suggest that it was of only mild interest, but the Mind knew otherwise. To have been granted permission so quickly and without much fuss could only mean that someone was very interested in acquiring the technology. The message terminology was almost, but not quite, as close to saying ‘Acquire at any cost’ as the paranoid Indoan government could come.

"Excuse me, but did any of you understand what she said? As far as my limited knowledge goes, what she implied isn't possible," he asked the others present.

"The only one who might know out of my people is Frost, unless", and Micaya turned to Helva, "you know what she's talking about?"

Helva thought for a moment then shook her head. "It's not impossible, but highly unlikely in such a small device. I'm afraid I don't have an answer, but if what Simon says is true then Joat has always beaten the odds."

Micaya nodded, "Yeah ... she's beaten terrible odds in her lifetime, most of them before she was twelve."

Helva nodded and Micaya turned to the Colonel, "You'll have to ask her or Frost I suppose, sorry.

{Would it be possible to discuss acquiring the technology for this Aportation? I have been instructed by High Command to do so.}

*Fortunes, what format would you like the data in? It is, as I said, open source, so there is no charge for it. If an exchange of students could be arranged that would be very welcome, but the technology is given freely* Dalia replied to the Mind.

Way looked after Foster for a moment then shrugged and returned to the group

"If you will come with me a glide flitter is waiting, it's one of the best ways to see the University."

He settled the group in a clear bubble dome topped vehicle that floated a foot or so off the ground. Each individual seat was plushly padded and could swivvel a full 360 degrees. Faster than a walk but not by much it began moving under Way's control, as he began doing a credible job as a tour guide.

Helva listened intently as Way guided them through the university. Micaya seemed disinterested, at least to those who didn't know her well. Forrister would have seen through her guise of seeming uninterest had he been with them. As they continued, Helva kept an eye on Forrister, who seemed to be sitting in the main lounge doing nothing, something very out of character for him.

Joat, in the meantime, looked around as Looan showed her toward medical. She noted any place that seemed it might be of interest but kept going, as she wanted the update to her neuro link at the base of her neck. She'd make sure they wouldn't damage the brain connection, of course. Not that she didn't trust them, particularly, just that she had learned not to trust anyone. At least no one biological anyway.

The Faded Fortunes had actually missed the significance of the words 'Open Source' the first time they were mentioned, and when they registered on the second time, it couldn't help thinking along the lines of 'That was easy'.

{We request schematic and construction designs and a working example to study if possible. Anything needed to build them. Please elaborate on 'exchange of students', what exactly is meant by this?}

Open-sourced data meant they could get the technology without offering anything in return, but the Mind felt that they should do, in a show of good faith. It was hardly fair to just take things without offering something in return. However, they had to agree on something acceptable to the Indoan Government first.

****

Har'khon frowned as the glide flitter moved through the University, the slow speed confusing him slightly. He remembered the flitter being offered to Jann to transport him back to the Faded Fortunes, but at this rate it would have taken hours, based on what the Mind had said of the distance between them. He assumed that it must be able to go faster, but was just coasting to allow them a better view.

He was only half listening to the commentary from Way, but he was finding it fairly interesting. He just prefered to put his attention to his thoughts and noting what could be seen.