Warborg - Star Panther (19 page)

. . .

Martin awoke to Prowler’s gentle but insistent head butts under his chin. He blinked a couple times and smiled into Prowler’s big yellow eyes. “Ok little fella, what’s up?” He noted he had been asleep for three hours. “Damn.” Martin muttered with a stretch. A display was flashing on a side console. Martin winked at Prowler and turned to study what he wanted to show him. His mouth slowly fell open. He looked at Prowler. “Will this work?” Prowler blinked a couple times then jumped to the co-pilot’s seat and started his leisurely grooming. Martin scrolled the display up and down studying what Prowler had come up with. The math was beyond him, but the concept he understood. The FTL field wasn’t stealth by any means, but in one direction the shape of the field would trap the echo to the interceptor’s pulse. Mathematically at least, the Panther’s FTL would be invisible to a single interceptor and have very little signature to ships in that direction.
It wasn’t that big a deal,
Martin thought,
just nobody ever needed one before.
“Well, let’s do it.”

Charlie’s Place was a bustling country western bar when Martin appeared in the entrance. The din dropped noticeably at his jerky motion, then fell quiet as he moved into the room toward a table where Briton, Reese and a couple cyborgs he didn’t recognize were sitting. It was like watching a bad copy of a video with his stuttering motion and noticeable intermittent fades, his image was laced with interference lines.

“Well, look what the cat drug in.” Reese rumbled with a smile, the smile faded. “We all thought you was dead.”

“Damn near was.” Martin’s quiet voice was tinged with digital static. “I’m alive and well, but hell and gone from nowhere, as you can see.”

“Martin?” Maria asked, unsure of herself as she walked over. She started to reach for him.

“No gal.” Martin held up his hands in front of him. “Prowler’s barely managing to get enough data through for me to be there at all.” Tears started to well up in her eyes and it all he could do to keep from reaching out. “I’m ok, sweetie. Just a long way from home.” He gave her a sad smile.

She stopped and looked at him for a moment, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled an apology at the group for making a scene.

“It’s ok gal, I’ll be in better range in a few hours and come see you then.” He smiled at her sad face. “That be ok?”

She nodded in muted silence trying to smile through her pinched face. When he winked at her she had to turn and walk away feeling another tide of tears coming. Her shoulders shook slightly from her silent sobs as she left.

Reese studied the somber faces around him then gave Martin a soft smile. “The Koth may not be able to nail your hide to the wall, but she might if you keep messin’ round with her heart.”

Briton grew serious. “The Koth hit the Merced System six hours ago.”

Martin nodded. “I know, I talked to their Commander just before I contacted you. An Admiral Silverberg . . . seemed like a good sort. He wanted to thank me personally for the warning. Apparently the initial attack was pretty gory for both sides, now it’s just heavy sporadic battles as they feel each other out, more probing for intelligence than actual fighting. I guess my estimate was pretty damn close about the size of the attack fleet.” He glanced at the two other cyborgs at the table. “Mind if I steal Commander Briton and Reese for a while?”

They smiled and shrugged with mumbled, non-committal responses.

“Your office Sir, I’ll connect via vidphone . . . Prowler’s getting pissy about the hardlink interface.” He finished with a laugh.

. . .

              Martin’s image was on a large display on the wall in Briton’s office. Briton was behind his desk, with Reese slouched in a chair in front of it. Admiral Chinn and a Commander from Intelligence that Martin recognized were looking on from vidphones. Some of the sensor data from Martin’s encounter with the subspace interceptors was running on a display next to Martin’s.

“These can’t be new technology . . . there’s just way too many of them.” The intelligence officer observed.

“That’s just what I was thinking while we were dodging them.” Martin muttered with a tight smile then laughed outright. “Especially the part about there being too many of them.”

“I just don’t understand the Koth mentality,” Chinn sighed. “These things change everything.”

Briton’s face pinched. “I agree, these mixed in with the probes and the killer ships, not to mention just the flat Koth numerical superiority, could drive us out of space in a matter of weeks.”

Martin studied the others. “I don’t think we were supposed to see the interceptors yet.”

He was answered by a collective, “What?”

“The Koth have been feeding us new technology for years.” Martin heaved a sigh. “Haven’t you noticed every time we start to make headway they throw something new at us.”

“I’d agree with you ‘cept for one thing,” Reese drawled. “We ain’t exactly found a way to beat their killer ships yet.”

“No Reese,” Briton leaned back in his chair, his face frowning in thought. “I think the gunfighters will cancel the threat of the killer ships, we just haven’t gotten a chance to test them yet in combat.”

“So . . . the interceptors were next on the agenda.” Chinn raised her eyebrows. “That would tend to validate Martin’s line of thought.”

“But why would they risk having them exposed by going after Martin with them.” Briton shook his head with a confused grimace.

“Oh, that’s an easy one,” the intelligence officer replied with a sly smile. “They never dreamed he would survive long enough to get a warning message out, let alone escape.”

“I hear that,” Reese scratched the top of head as he pondered. “But to my way of thinkin’ . . . why would they take the risk at all, over one pesky little ship way out in the middle of nowhere.”

“And that my friends,” the intelligence officer stated with a smile, “may be the most important question we face. They didn’t just use their interceptors; they had hundreds of ships out there searching. For one insignificant warship . . . I don’t think so.”

“They wanted you dead and gone.” Reese mumbled. “That’s a fact.”

“And were willing to do whatever it took to get it done.” Chinn continued, she felt a chill when she looked at Martin.

The room fell silent. “Just a single ship, way out in the middle of nowhere.” The intelligence officer muttered softly. “Why would you try so hard to knock out a sh . . . a spy ship?” He bolted upright in his chair. “A spy ship! Major they knew you were spying!”

“Well, sure, I guess.” Martin shrugged. “So what’s the point. They only attacked after I spilled the beans about the Merced attack.”

“So that ain’t what they was worried about,” Reese’s eyebrows knitted together. “No, they was worryin’ something else.”

“Something more important than the Merced attack?” Chinn sighed, her eyes beamed concern.

“An assault on Earth?” Martin’s eyes glazed in horror.

After several seconds of chilly silence Admiral Chinn shook her head. “No, I can’t believe that. Earth’s prime defenses will make Merced look like a sandbox fight, and they know it. The Koth won’t go for Earth until Merced has fallen. Their fleet would be trapped between two major human forces. It’s a consideration, but not for the moment.”

“But what could be of more importance to us than information about the Merced attack?” Briton asked the group in general.

Reese was lost in thought for a moment. “Who said it had to be important to us?”

Who said it had to be important to us?
The question slashed through Martin’s thoughts.
WHO SAID IT HAD TO BE IMPORTANT TO US!!
The question turned into a screaming command that gnawed into his brain. He realized the others were staring at him.

“Martin, are you all right.” Chinn asked, her face a mask of concern.

He nodded. “Reese’s right,” Martin fairly panted. “They think I saw something, something that concerns them more than us.”

The intelligence officer squinted his eyes. “Think Major, what could you have seen.” He leaned back a little. “Major, I’ve been here before. It’s probably something little that you just brushed aside.” He gave a reassuring nod to Martin. “Just relax and think.” He pursed his lips wishing he could help the struggling pilot. “It probably was something you didn’t really care much about or couldn’t understand.” He nodded encouragement at Martin. “Just let your thoughts flow son. It’ll come in it’s own ti . . .”

The mystery ship, you fucking idiot.
The thought slammed into Martin, sending ice water down his back. “The goddamned mystery ship,” Martin howled.

Everyone’s eyes were riveted on Martin and the office crackled in crystalline silence.

“We were deep in the drones when we saw the Koth intercept, and presumably destroy a ship. The ship had no known FTL signature correlation.” Martin explained as he skimmed through the sensor data to the far away fight. “God, in all the bullshit about the interceptors I forgot about this.” The short, decisive battle showed on the second display. He let it loop through several times then froze the display on the unknown FTL signature.

The others were silent for several seconds before the intelligence officer spoke. “Major, send that signature to me. I want to put it in the system for enhancement and assessment.”

Martin nodded and did as he was asked.

“Well now, ain’t this interesting.” Reese rumbled. “So the Koth got themselves another little fracas goin’ on.”

“Thank you, Major.” The intelligence Commander smiled. “It’s in the system at the highest priority.” He settled into his seat and studied the others. “I have a thought. What if that drone barrier isn’t there to keep us in . . .”

“But rather to keep them out?” Briton finished the question.

“Or simply to keep them away from us.” Reese raised his eyebrows with the obvious question; Why?

“A possible ally?” Admiral Chinn queried with a tilt of her head.

“A Koth civil war?” Briton replied with a smile.

“Way too many questions, folks.” Reese chuckled. “And danged few answers.”

Martin’s face was screwed up in concentration. “Something really bothers me about this,” he sighed as the other turned their attention on him. “I think we all suspect the Koth could have swatted us, the human race, like flies and gone about their business. Why haven’t they?”

“Preoccupied with these others.” Chinn ventured.

“No, there’s something else goin’ on here folks.” Reese stated softly.

“I concur with Major Reese.” Briton nodded. “There’s always been something a little strange about our war with the Koth. More like they’re teasing rather than actually fighting us, like a bully tormenting a much weaker victim.”

“Maybe,” Admiral Chinn sputtered feeling her hackles rise a little at the thought. “But this victim’s been getting in some pretty nasty shots lately.”

The Commander from intelligence interrupted the conversation. “I’ve just gotten back the preliminary analysis of the mystery field.” He smiled. “The analysis suggests a small scout class vessel.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. “The analysis also gives a ninety percent probability that the FTL signature was NOT Koth. People, as of now the knowledge of this curve is eyes only, it doesn’t exist to you outside this office.” He let that information sink in for a second. “Major Morgan, you may have just given us the single most important piece of intelligence we have ever had. Thank you.”

The others smiled at Martin’s embarrassed silence.

Martin slouched in a recliner in the yacht’s main lounge smiling as Maria and Prowler played on the couch. She’d scratch the leather seat and Prowler would pounce on her hand in mock viciousness until she rolled him over and scratched his stomach. After a few seconds of that he’d jump up, stroll to the opposite end of the couch radiating an ‘I guess I showed her attitude’ and start grooming. Maria would wait a few seconds and start scratching the seat again. Prowler’s eyes would slowly get bigger until he couldn’t stand it anymore and pounce again.
My fierce jungle cat.
Martin smiled at the thought, trying to make it coexist with the memories of the hard bitten AI he really was.

Someone signaled for admittance. “Come on in.” Martin laughed without looking up, expecting Reese.

“Why aren’t you fucking dead?”

“Alysis,” Martin laughed in recognition before he even looked up. “There ain’t been a Koth born yet that could take me out.”

“Yeah right,” she laughed. “I keep forgetting.” She softened and smiled down on Prowler. “Thanks for keeping my man alive, Sweetie.” She looked over at Maria. “Captain Alysis Hayes.”

Maria gave her a cool stare for a second before answering. “Specialist Maria Schiller.”

“Captain is it?” Martin gave her a wide smile. “Congratulations.”

“Ahhh hell, they’ll promote anybody that survives out here more than a month,” Alysis laughed. “You know that.”

“I hear your new tincan’s a real kick in the butt.” Martin winked.

“It’ll do the job.” She grew serious for a second. “Son-of-a-bitch really packs a punch . . . but the recycle time sucks.” Then laughed, “If they survive the first shot I don’t think I’d want to fuck with them anyway.”

“I think I just better go.” Maria stated icily, glaring at Alysis then Martin.

“Oh cool your jets,” Alysis groused. “I’m not interested in stealing your man.”

The statement was met with a ‘Do I look that stupid?’, stare from Maria.

Alysis’s face hardened, “Honey, you’re much more my type than he is.” Everything froze on the yacht lounge. “I can’t believe I just said that.” Alysis sighed, closing her eyes.

“Nether can I.” Martin’s voice was cold.

“Oh boy, me and my big mouth,” Alysis grimaced. “Time out, everybody take five. Maria, sit down please.” She asked softly. “Please.” She nodded at the couch. Maria sat. A little of Alysis’s brassiness returned. “Ok, what I’m going to show you guys doesn’t leave this room or I’ll force a second level on you and kick your ass.”

Alysis’s form shifted to a nondescript middle aged man. “I was born Alex Hayes.” He said in a pleasant quiet voice. “And for forty some odd years that’s who I was. Then a few years ago a Koth missile barrage turned the Federation heavy cruiser Ulysses into a derelict . . . and a simple records clerk into a warborg.”

“But why Alysis?” Martin sputtered in confusion.

Alex turned a little red, then he gave them the relaxed smile of someone relieved of a great burden. “Do you realize what a dream being a cyborg is to a transsexual or a cross dresser,” He blurted.

Martin and Maria just stared for a moment trying to grasp what they were being told. Maria recovered first.

“I guess I just never really thought about it.” Maria sputtered.

“I guess I just don’t understand why it would be such a big deal to be a cyborg.” Martin shook his head in mystery.

“Well,” Alex started, then laughed. “Because I can go from being just plain old Alex . . . to Wonder Woman.” His form shifted back to Alysis, but she was complete with a Wonder Woman costume. She waved her cape with a flourish.

Martin and Maria sat in stunned silence for a moment, then Maria sputtered, “Oh . . . my . . .gawd” in amusement as Martin doubled over in laughter.

“Alysis, Alex, oh whatever.” Martin laughed trying to regain his composure.

“Alysis, please.” Alysis requested pointedly, then continued softly. “That’s all I’m known as, except to a very few friends.” Her offer wasn’t missed by the other two.

“Alysis it is,” Maria smiled. “Nice to meet you, Alysis.”

“Here, here.” Martin chuckled.

“Thank you,” Alysis replied quietly as she shifted back into uniform.

“But I just gotta’ know.” Martin grinned at Alysis. “When your Alysis are you really a he or a she?”

“I’m more woman than you’ll ever know.” Alysis winked at Martin. “The ultimate disguise.”

“Is that possible?” Maria asked looking Alysis up and down.

Alysis turned more serious. “Why of course it is. We all have the same brain, it’s just wired into our bodies slightly different for men and women.” She got a sly look. “I have a piece of bootleg software that allows you to exchange feelings with your partner while you’re doing the dirty deed. Interested?”

“Bootleg software?” Martin asked.

Alysis gave her two companions a toothy smile. “Now I know Martin hasn’t been around for long, but how long have you been in a bucket?” She asked Maria.

“A couple years,” Maria replied guardedly.

“And you haven’t tried any nefarious bootleg programming?” Alysis’s eyes glittered.

“Well no, I’ve heard of it,” she answered awkwardly. “But I haven’t used any of it.”

“Is it safe?” Martin’s curiosity was piqued.

“Quite frankly a lot of it isn’t.” Alysis nodded. “In fact some of it can really mess you up . . . permanently. But this is a good one . . . it should be, it cost enough.” She finished with a laugh then grew more serious. “This one’s been around for quite awhile, I’ve never heard of anybody having a problem with using it or exiting out of it.”

“So I would feel what she should be feeling, and she’d feel what I’m supposed to be feeling.” Martin mused. “Very interesting.”

“Sounds perverted to me,” Maria muttered, but there was a twinkle in her eye. Her head snapped up. “Oh dang, they just called me on to duty an hour early. Hey I gotta go.” She contemplated Alysis for a few seconds, and smiled.” Hey Alysis, let’s hit Cyberville tomorrow or the next day.”

“Sounds good, Maria.” Alysis nodded, then added. ”God, I am so sorry . . .”

Maria gave Martin a peck on the lips and vanished.

Alysis looked at Martin. “You’re a lucky man my friend.”

“I know,” was all Martin could think to say.

“Sorry about upsetting you guys,” Alysis said quietly. “I really should watch my mouth sometimes.”

“Oh, I think it worked out ok.” Martin smiled with a shrug.

“Here take this.” Alysis dropped a memory chip in Martin’s hand. “Somehow I don’t think she really thought the program sounded all that perverted.” She smiled at Martin. “Sorry, I have to run too.”

Martin nodded. “Drop back by when you get a chance.”

Alysis replied with a quick nod and vanished.

“Now that was interesting.” Martin commented to Prowler.

. . .

Swain ambled into his laboratory glancing at the displays of his patients with practiced expertise. Something caught his eye and he stopped in front of Martin’s display. It was the first time he had a chance to run some diagnostics on Martin’s prototype container. A tag had been placed on an unauthorized program.

“Bootleg software, damn kids.” He muttered as he traced the program. He located the program he ran the code through a database of known unauthorized code. “Probably wanted to give his beer some kick,” Swain sighed shaking his head. The database came up with a match for the software. It was labeled as a tolerated exception.
At least it’s a good quality bootleg.
He thought as he started to read the explanation of the program. His eyes bulged. “Oh my!” His head rocked back and he howled with laughter until tears rolled from his eyes.
That’s more information than I ever wanted to know.
He thought as he frantically tapped the delete key.