NationStates Jolt Archive

When the Kolnari burst through the walls, organised chaos erupted around the Rangers, who jumped instantly into action. Shock grenades flew towards both sets of targets, then the Rangers were in pairs, back to back as half of them fired in one direction and the rest fired in other. Along with the punishing firepower of the Central borgs, which the Rangers had taken to calling ‘Titans’, they fought furiously against the foe, determined to take their targets down before they could get through into the engine rooms.
****

Crysta stood, and took Ariel’s arm, guiding her around the bed occupied by Turquine to that of Lauralin.

“The wider world is frequently not a pleasant place to be,” she agreed thoughtfully, “But what can you do? Ignore it and hope it returns the favour? No, greed and curiosity mean that that can never be. However, we could have quite happily remained in isolation, for we remained vigilant, taking notice of what went on around us, but avoiding contact. None came close to finding us in eight hundred years, and in our location that could quite easily have continued.” She paused, contemplating the situation. “I would not say it was the right thing to do, but it would have worked for us. But eventually we decided to make contact, feeling that it might be better in the long run.”

The shock grenades went off and the two Kolnari who had come through first died almost instantly. The last fought a desperate struggle, though refused to surrender. Finally in a last act of personal, albeit foolish, pretension he charged the Indoan/Central line with knife and rifle. He never got close enough to use the knife. Unlike the rest of the Kolnari he fell, having been in a headlong rush at the line. His falling, though probably lost on most, was a strange final testament to the end of the bitter struggle on the planet below, in space and on the boarded ships.

****

Ariel reached out, lightly touching Laura until she found her head and her thick, long red hair. She then sat, slowly running her fingers through the strong willed Queen's flaming locks. The result was almost instant as the powerful woman became silent and curled, fetal like, into as small a ball as the bed would allow.

Ariel then nodded, "Yes, I think contact is better. For one it removes some of the veneer of mystery and in that some of the dread of the unknown. But I cannot get my people to follow. My hold on my position at home is tenuous at best, being a combination of powerful family and position and thier own fear of me."

****

Micaya turned over command of the ground forces to General Booley and called for a shuttle to take her to the Victorious. She had heard about the fighting going on and wanted to see how things had fared and lend support to her sister if needed.

Forister had offered to accompany her but she shook her head. So he returned to Helva to keep her company and to rest and eat.

Nancia contacted the mind and requested permission to leave the planet and dock to await the Queen's return. She would take her, and her father if he wished, back to the planet. As Central Worlds liason and assistant to the Queen on their behalf it was her duty. But more than that, it was an honor to work with her and pleasure for the sharp mind and brilliant conversations they shared.

Time stood still for a moment after the Kolnari fell to the deck, the Rangers unsure whether they had gotten all of the targets that had presented themselves. It was ended by Jones making a report over the comm.
“Three targets down, sir,” he told Perez.

“Good work, Captain. That’s all targets down. All Rangers, stand down,” replied Perez. Across the vessel, the Rangers disarmed and shouldered their rifles, deactivated their camouflage and stood up from their cover. Their task now was to treat their wounded, and bear the dead back to the transports sitting in the hangar.

“What’s our status, sir?” asked one Ranger, and all those who heard knew he meant only one thing. There was a delay, as Perez took reports from each of the senior officers.
“Thirteen dead, seven wounded,” he announced solemnly. There was silence on the comm net as the Rangers mourned for their fallen comrades. Perez knew that they had been relatively lucky, and the Central personnel had come off much worse.
****

Crysta was silent as she watched Ariel quiet the sleeping Queen, mildly amused at how the strong-willed woman responded like an infant to the touch.

“People must each find their own path through life, for right or wrong, and it is not for us to interfere, lest we regret it,” she said quietly, quoting an ancient Toderan philosopher. “I always assumed that only applied to individuals, but perhaps it has a greater meaning. Have you thought about why your people hide away?” she asked.

Crysta knew that Ariel had almost certainly thought about the subject before, but the avatar was after the deeper meaning. If the reason for the isolation was known, perhaps someone could show them why the isolation was unnecessary.
****

As events settled down on the planet, transports began lifting some of the Indoan units back to the freighters which had brought them here, leaving only a token force left to keep watch with the natives, along with the unit assigned to assist with sentry duty.

In orbit, transports began returning from the boarded Central vessels now that the invaders had been eliminated, and fighters returned to their carrier vessels to allow the pilots to rest. The warships took up formation around the freighters and began their repairs, teams of drones working to restore the vessels to their undamaged state. It wasn’t a task they could finish; the corvettes that had been in the battle would each need spells in the shipyards to fully return them to active capability.

{If you like,} sent the Forgaies back to Nancia, {You can’t dock though, so they would have to be transferred by shuttle, in which case, is there much point? A shuttle or another transport can take them down when they are ready. Both are resting now, incidentally, so it might be a while before they are ready to return to the planet.}

Central losses among all the ships numbered at almost a hundred. The Pride of Albion was still working through the wounded, getting through the most serious and working down to the less serious injuries. Doctor Kenny opened a channel to the mind, looking exhausted but not yet ready to stop until he was sure that the major trauma cases were taken care of.

"I'm sorry to call, and appreciate all the assistance your people gave us. I hate having to ask for anything more but I fear I it's necessary. Our facilities are beginning to overflow and I was wondering if you might be able to take the less wounded of your people so that we might be able to focus more on the ones who need the major medical assistance?"

****

"That saying has several applications. Or several levels. Yes, it does apply to the individual, but it also applies to society as a whole. But before society can apply it it has to have a foothold in the hearts of most, because if it doesn't, then like a house without a firm foundation, the principle won't stand.

"As for why my people hide, yes, I know. It's part of our history. Before we learned to hone the skills we were gifted with we were used for terrible purposes. There are still those who would seek to enslave us and use us for thier own ends. When first I went forth into the world I thought the isolation policy was good. But then I discovered something. People like the King and his daughter. Not just that they themselves are good, but that they are like a focal point. Around them people will flock and try to emulate them. They are more than just leaders, they are teachers, each in thier own way, even if they don't realize it. People follow thier example, I think, because they prove that you can be good and still lead a happy and fruitful life, without having to take it from others. And they stand firm in thier beliefs, willing to sacrifice everything for what they hold true. The Queen especially", she said, glancing down toward where her hand sifted slowly through her hair. "Did you know that if a vampire dies thier soul is utterly and irrovocably destroyed? No promise of paradise, no promise of rebirth, no lingering spirit. Yet she still fights, and because of that many will join her cause."

Ariel stopped for a moment and then continued, "My people are alone. No one follows, no one looks up to them, no one to follow thier teachings or thier ways of life or living. So what good is that wisdom and knowledge if you cannot share it?"

****

"Oh", Nancia sent back, sounding a bit dejected, "well, I'm glad they're finally resting. They needed it. And at least they're okay."

****

Suddenly, from out of nowhere in particular, or no particular thought, Samantha said, "The station. I can still run the station, all I have to do have whatever modifications done that need to be made. I mean, I'm sure Central and your people will be coming through. There's too much now to simply go away and leave each other alone isn't there? Highport has some people who are familiar with technology and more can be trained. I can still be of use there."

{I understand. We’re already dealing with the minor casualties on our side, as well as some of the more serious ones, so if you can just stabilise the ones we send to you, we’ll take them back and finish the job. I’ll detail a flight of Assegais to pick up those able to move,} sent the Whisperer back to the medic.

A few minutes after the transmission, the flight of four Assegai transports left one of the freighters and headed towards the hospital ship, already set up for the transport of casualties, and with a pair of medics on board each of the craft to render any attention that was needed during the transfers.
****

“You say that none look to your people for leadership or wisdom,” began the avatar, choosing her words carefully, “But have you ever given them reason to? Perhaps the reason that others do not look to you for these things is because you have hidden yourselves away. They do not know what you can do any more. Perhaps all they can remember is what your people did when they were enslaved, and they believe that those things were done of your own free will, the real memories blurred by the passage of time. People do not respect others without a reason, to achieve this you have to give them reason to respect you. Make your knowledge and wisdom known to others, and they will respect you for it.”
****

“What you say is true, but there is much wrong with that station,” replied Tyr quickly, the Mind directing his thoughts, “Not least that it is still torn between dimensions, and organic minds suffer delusions and insanity after prolonged exposure. It would be easier to start again from scratch, and build something smaller and more suited to the purpose, as well as more up to date. And from what we know, the people of Highport are distrustful of that technology, as it caused the war that nearly destroyed them all, so they would probably rather leave it be.”

Kenny nodded, "Thank you", he replied. He contacted his medical staff and gave them instructions. The first to be moved would be those who they could patch up. Easier injuries that could be dealt with that were waiting. Next would come the surgical patients who were stable enough to move. Once those were taken care of he would see what they wanted to do with the injured who couldn't be moved. Of course he would be more than happy to take care of them, but then where were they to be sent once they recovered in a few days to a few weeks? Well, that was for later, for now he was getting space as he shipped off the Central Worlds people who could be moved to thier various ships and now the Indoans as well. They would ship the natives to the city of Highport. Once done the Albion would remain in the system until the rest of the natives were sufficiently recovered.

****

Ariel nodded. "You speak truth. This has been my argument to the elders but they will not listen. They see only what was, not what is. And they are completely blind to the future and to what could happen if we do not present ourselves", she replied and shook her head.

****

Samantha had all but forgotten about this in her excitement and her face fell at the reminder. "Yes, that's true. Something must be able to be done with them. I feel terrible leaving my children in that state. They deserve to have peace."

The Minds had also thought on the subject of the seriously wounded, and they had come up with a solution. A fifth Assegai transport went to and from each of the corvettes in the fleet, then it visited the two frigates in turn. As it left the Whisperer, the frigate’s Mind sent another message to the Pride of Albion.

{Concerning the seriously wounded; we have a solution. If you can stabilise them so there’s no immediate chance of them worsening, we can take them from there. A double dose of nanites and an AG cushion for the journey across will see to it that they are not troubled.}
****

“If there is anything we can do to help you with that, please, don’t hesitate to ask,” offered Crysta, “Although it would probably fall to us avatars to do it, as the organics might feel uneasy and, particularly with what you can do, that might not help the situation.”

She walked around the bed and over to the table where Sergeant Murray lay sleeping, checked the readings on the small screen in the edge of the table and hooked up the second sachet of blood to the IV line.
****

“We can speak to the natives, I’m sure that they can help put them to rest,” suggested Tyr, “And there is another point against using that station. Organics are great believers in luck, as indeed are we, and with that having happened on board the station, they may see it as being bad luck, in which case nothing will get them on board.”

The avatar was wondering whether any form of station would be needed, as the traffic control and navigation could be handled from a ground station with a few drones in orbit, so the only benefit would be to use it as an interchange between the natives and visitors, to avoid having an excess of stellar vessels intruding on a world that did not truly have them yet.

{Concerning the seriously wounded; we have a solution. If you can stabilise them so there’s no immediate chance of them worsening, we can take them from there. A double dose of nanites and an AG cushion for the journey across will see to it that they are not troubled.}

"We'll let Doctor Kennet know as soon as he's out of the next surgery, you just missed him."

****

"The offer is appreciated but I doubt that I could convince my people to even see you. Half a century serving the King and I haven't gotten them to see even him, even though his reputation is known and respected by them already." As Crysta rose to check on Murray Ariel said, "He's okay. He's in a restful sleep at the moment."

****

Samantha looked toward the station, the place that had been her home for so long. Was it that she wanted to help? Or just wanted something familiar in a time that has suddenly changed everything she had once known?

"Well .... I suppose I overstep myself anyway. After all, for all intent and purposes, Sam and I are as alien to them as you are."

The fifth Assegai transport had most of the medics from the Ranger units posted on board the warships, armed with as many paired sets of medical nanites as they could carry. The naval medics were still on board the warships, ready to treat those that the transports brought across from the Central hospital ship, supplemented by the remaining Ranger medics and the avatars, who took their medical training straight from the Mind’s databanks.
****

Crysta laughed softly when Ariel gave her Murray’s condition before she could view the screen. “Must be useful, being able to tell things like that without any form of instrumentation. Your people must make pretty good medics too.” Having seen to Murray, she turned her mind back to their conversation.

“Well, perhaps we could insist on seeing them, to thank them for the contribution of their species, without which we could not have triumphed,” suggested Crysta, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’m not averse to spinning a few tales, and you can’t read me, so your people would never know. Of course, that would mean that only avatars could meet with them, but if it helps, then so be it.”
****

“Perhaps, but that does not lessen the basic point behind the idea. Some form of station here could well be a useful link between the natives and the stellar-faring groups with which they are friendly,” replied Tyr, “I sincerely doubt they would place you in charge though. That’s not anything against you, you know, but a Central shell or one of our own Minds would be the preferred choice, I think.”

It would be three hours before Doctor Kennet finished with the surgery. The Indoan in question had suffered from a pellet gun shot. Once he came out he was given the information and nodded as he sterilized his hands. "Tell them that's fine and assign Marlik", he said, "Next room?"

"Seven. Central worlds soldier, severed leg and crushed pelvis. Bleeding stopped."

"The leg?"

"Destroyed Doctor."

"Okay", and he headed into seven after a quick gulp of cold coffee.

****

Ariel at first was going to refuse. She didn't want credit for anything. To many had payed the ultimate price for this victory. But then it struck her that if it could draw her people out it might be easier to fight wars in the future. Fewer losses because of her peoples power.

"There are few medics, actually. Psychic surgery is the primary need. Most physical injuries cause death. Even ones that seem minor to your people or humans. You would actually speak with them?"

****

Samantha nodded. "I suppose I could act better as a liason to Sam. He won't give up his position in the complex. But people may prefer dealing with someone who looks like them rather than a disembodied voice."

Crysta looked at Ariel with a fire in her eyes, though she knew the woman could not see it.

“I would,” she said determinedly, “You saved the lives of many Indoans today, not least Sergeant Murray, and for that we owe you a debt of gratitude. I do believe that your part was vital to the success, without your ability to disrupt the enemy command system, many more would have died, and things may have been very different.”

The avatar was setting up the plan in her mind as she spoke, with input from her parent Mind. They were already deciding who would go if the plan went through.
****

“If that is what you want to do, I’m sure you can do it,” Tyr told her, “but I thought you wanted to study the archives and our languages.” He left a long pause before he spoke again, “You’re wondering if you’ve made the right choice, aren’t you? You want to stay here with what you know, because you don’t want to leave everything you know behind, am I right?” he asked her gently.

Ariel nodded. "I'll make the arrangements. They will want to refuse, but they can't. It will still be difficult, but I'll get the meeting arranged. But I have to warn you, they are a stubborn people."

****

Samantha took a moment to answer. She did want to study and learn and yet so much had changed just on her own planet. She sighed and bowed her head, "I think I'm afraid", she said in a weak voice, "and I don't like it."

Crysta gave a grunt of laughter, “So are we, Princess, but that doesn’t mean we can’t admit when we’re wrong. I think three avatars would do; myself, the one from the Faded Fortunes, as she met you first, and one from the Whisperer, since it is the flagship.” Her voice lowered as she mulled over the rest, “Two Rangers for security, I know we won’t need them but it’s protocol, and perhaps an officer that wasn’t too highly involved, so they don’t know we’re exaggerating. Hmm, I wonder if SK-4s might be better than Rangers, they might give us away. No, they’ll get suspicious if there’s no-one they can read.”
****

“It’s natural to be afraid, and with what you have seen and these changes, you have every right to be,” responded Tyr soothingly. “I assure you, nothing will harm you and the Central people will make sure that nothing bad happens here. You can return here whenever a vessel is headed out here if you wish. Or you can stay here, and whenever a vessel comes out here, it can bring you material to study. It won’t be as comprehensive as actually being at the great libraries, but it is an option if you want it.”

The avatar reached out and took one of her hands, clasping it reassuringly in his own to calm the other. He hoped that she would remain with them, but knew that it was her choice; he couldn’t force it either way.

"I'll arrange it once they've awakened", she said, nodding at the King and Queen. "They will wish to meet on neutral ground for the first meeting. They will not allow into the Republic, nor will they allow me to arrange it in Highport, as it is the city of the dispute over myself. I believe that I can arrange in Dragonsreach, if that would be satisfactory. It would be much more to thier liking and therefore increase the chance of success in this endeavor."

****

Samantha took a long time to think about it, for an artificial intelligence. 7.6 seconds elapsed as she considered everything and reevaluated it just to be sure.

"There was a book once, from long ago", she said. "It was called stranger in a strange land. I think I would prefer this. Because otherwise I would be a stranger in a familiar land. And I think that would be heartbreaking."

“That is all acceptable,” agreed Crysta, “It doesn’t really matter where the meeting is held to us. Anything you can think of to help would also be useful. It gives us time to choose the specific personnel and brief them. That reminds me; we’ll need a fight crew as well, that shouldn’t be too hard. They would have seen when the aliens lost cohesion, so they’ll easily believe what we tell them. I assume that you, the King and his daughter won’t be present, unless you have some method of shielding yourselves from mental interrogation.”
****

“Don’t worry, we’ll look after you,” Tyr told her, and put a comforting arm around her shoulders. “You can still decide to come back whenever you wish, but I think I understand your choice. To go back would be to compare reality to the idealised version you hold in your memory, and to find that it does not can be, as you aptly put it, heartbreaking.”

Ariel nodded. "I can block them and I trained the Queen myself. She'll be able to withstand thier probes, if not I can help to bolster her. The King will need to be absent, but that wouldn't be unusual. His Kingdom tends to handle the defense of both Highport and Dragonsreach and she tends to handle any negotiations for both. They serve the needs they're suited for and understand the strengths and weaknesses of each other."

****

Samantha smiled and didn't move. The touch was oddly comforting. It was something she would have to research. "I think that one day I should like to visit here again. Besides, Sam is here. I know we'd like to catch up on things. He and I spoke often back when the humans held the world. But I know that I shall like being away and studying. So if I say otherwise, just ignore it, it's just a moment of doubt."

“Very well,” acknowledged Crysta. She moved and sat on one of the unoccupied beds, talking with the Mind via the datalink as she did so. “We will be ready when you are. I hope we can accomplish something to help you and your people.”

She told the Forgaies to confer with the other Minds and pick suitable personnel for the flight crew, the Ranger security troops and brief them, to reach a decision on whether or not an officer should accompany them and, if yes, choose an appropriate officer, then brief them all.
****

“It is dangerous to make a statement like that, for you might find that it backfires on you, if you suddenly come across a real reason to do so, but I understand what you mean,” replied Tyr with a smile, “You should be able to remain in contact with your companion while you are away. I assume he is able to make rapid interstellar communication. If not, we can probably fit him up with a small long range comm unit. No reason for you to be completely cut off from those you know while you are away.”

Ariel nodded and simply sat, her mind running over everything she would need to do. First would have to come the burials, and in that she would be cheated. Marcus would never be recovered. The only one of her own people to stand by her. The only once to believe in her when all others lost faith. She simply sat, a hand running through the Queen's hair to keep her quiet and resting.

****

"We never had the ability to reach beyond our own system. At least not with communication. Vessels yes. And Sam's surface to space transmitter had been damaged beyond repair long ago. He's been using a relay, either from you or from the Central Worlds group", Samantha replied.

****

Those that could be transferred were handed over to the Indoan's or Central World's accordingly. The work that had been done was would save thier lives and allow them to continue with thier occupations.

"Umm ... Indoan command. This is Kenny", came Doctor Uhua-Sorg. Most of those that we can transfer have, or are, on their way back. Those that can't we'll see to until they can be released. There are some others, however. Those who had loss of limbs or vital organs. What would you like us to do with them? We have the capability of doing cybernetic replacements if you like. But I didn't want to presume anything."