20 Minutes later, 20:30 Apus Minor, Warehouse District
John was walking down an empty street. He had passed through the invisible line separating the warehouse district from the residential one. It was a pretty standard and typical design, not unlike what is found in human colonies. The similarities were striking.
Perhaps humanity was doing something right. John was smiling when he thought that. If these figurative giants of science did it so long ago, then their doing it made sense. There was a transitionary area, not unlike the one found at the central portion of the colony, separating the residential buildings from the industrial ones. They, like humans, likely wouldn’t want to live directly next door to any kind of industry.
As he casually walked through, and completely annihilated a barricade, he began to chuckle quietly to himself. The amount of chatter in the scientist’s private channels was declining, which was a sign that the number of scientists had decreased. Also, too many were assembled at one singular location for any to be missing. His alertness level rose significantly, was this when they were going to try something?
“Evening folks,” John said as he approached them, “The clock is ticking, seventy-five minutes and closing. Y’all find anything interesting?”
Kenneth rolled his eyes at John, “Yes we have, but we need more time.”
“Can’t make more for you lot, unfortunately,” John shrugged, “That fusion reactor is running on damn near bingo fuel. When it has no more juice the outer walls of the colony will lose atomic cohesion. Then the mountain is going to come down crashing atop us.”
“That is unacceptable,” Gavin said, “Go do your military things and…”
John looked around, “Where’s your chief of security? You look like you are down several people.”
“Alas, unexpected injuries have occurred. The state of decay in this place is unexpectedly high,” Dr. Hamelin said, “Mateo opted to assist the four injured to return to the surface and wait for us at the shuttle.”
“Smart plan. I found some cool garden tools in the residential area. Too bad everything turned to dust that I touched.”
“Why did we experience visions?” Lina walked up to John and stared at his helmet.
“It was a latent psychic imprint in a home I was exploring. Damn potent one I might add,” John said as he looked down at the diminutive scientist before looking away from her ugly face, “Psychics can imprint upon places or objects if the stars align, and do certain things to make it stick. It’s hard to explain really. But the family that last lived in that home wanted to leave something behind.”
“What did you see?” Dr. Hamelin asked, “All we got was portions of an image.”
“Portions that don’t add up to the sum total either,” Kenneth spat out, “Nothing makes sense from what we can tell.”
“The family was dying a slow and agonizing death. They were amongst the last to yet live here. They opted for communal suicide instead of trying to prolong their suffering. Before they did, they wanted to share a portion of their story,” John said solemnly.
“It was a burst of images. You got all of that from an imprint?” Gavin could hardly believe his ears.
“Psychic Imprints share information in a way that is not dependent on linear progression. Ideally, you’d be able to experience the same imprint multiple times to get a clearer image. Humans have not evolved to the point to do that safely with the Predecessor’s imprints.”
“And you know this how?” Dr. Hamelin asked.
“That’s classified. Now then, I’d recommend taking a peek at the residential area before we head back to the surface,” John said as he walked around the scientists.
He knelt down and looked at a tote filled with relics still in good shape. John was careful not to damage it, but he was surprised by the number of items they had found. Ultimately, it was a bag of knick-knacks. John stood and turned to face the scientists.
“So, are y’all going to keep on tiptoeing around how your guests are Alliance citizens unlawfully in Confederate space? Or how you sent the two remaining pirates to attack me?” John grinned as his speakers boomed his questions, “And how all of you are complicit in violating emigration orders?”
Gavin’s face became flushed and turned a bright shade of pink. Lina’s demeanor changed suddenly and now looked like she was guilty of something. Kenneth wore the look of one deeply insulted by the accusations. Dr. Hamelin was the only one unphased by the accusations.
“Lieutenant, you’ve no idea what we’ve uncovered. Nothing else matters. We must investigate this place.”
“With our enemies?” John raised an eyebrow inside his helmet, “That makes all of you traitors. Funny how that cool data feed of yours is interrupted too. It’s so weird how random shit like that happened.”
Kenneth pulled out his tablet. The color of his face drained away when he looked at the status of the connection. His eyes bulged at the revelation.
“We stopped transmitting ten minutes ago,” Kenneth shook as he spoke, “Everything is all there, it’s just caching everything.”
“How?” Gavin asked slowly.
John drew his pistol and aimed it at Gavin, “The better question to ask is ‘How do I survive this situation?’”
Lina grinned as she tapped on a data slate. Eve displayed warnings in his HUD immediately. Whatever scheme the scientists had come up with was being enacted. His suit’s locomotors and joints were seized, he was nothing more than a threatening statue.
To the scientists that are. The scrap code that they had come up with was easily rectified and partitioned into an unused sector. It would be deleted once there was no further need for such deception. Eve ensured that they look like they were played perfectly.
John decided to play the part of a useful idiot, “WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE?”
“Exactly what was needed,” Dr. Hamelin spat out, “Do you have any idea how difficult it was to accomplish this without your kind’s intervention?”
“My kind?” John angrily replied.
“The military, you glorified ape,” Kenneth said, “The military destroys or corrupts every scientific breakthrough we’ve had for the last two centuries.”
“And yet you are apparently cool with accepting help from military scientists from the other side,” John grinned as he saw Gavin’s reaction, “Oh don’t try to cover that up. You are one of the lead research and development scientists working for the Alliance Military. Sure, it’s through a company that employs you as a long-term civilian contractor, but you work for the military. Don’t suppose you left that little tidbit out to my traitorous countrymen?”
“Is that true?” Kenneth looked angrily at Dr. Hamelin, “Is he working for the military?”
“I was not…” Dr. Hamelin was interrupted.
“Oh, please doctor,” John boomed through his external speakers, “You’ve known from the start. The money to fund this shitshow had to come from somewhere. You decided to eschew money from our, and technically your, military and take it from an illegal source. The Alliance military. Great job on ensuring the military doesn’t co-op your discovery you fucking cretin.”
Dr. Hamelin turned to face John and puffed his chest out confidently, “It was a necessary evil. The likelihood that any of the discoveries we’ve made will be readily implemented was low. Therefore, there won’t be an arms race which could result in our side losing. If anything, it may level the playing field.”
“I know about you. So, the rumors are true. You really were an intelligence operative,” Gavin said as he walked nearer to John, “Yes, yes, it is true. I work for the Alliance military. And we did fund about eighty percent of this mission. Unfortunately for you, you’ll be the only one left behind. Accidents happen in relic sights at an alarming rate. ‘Tis a shame your end came in such an undignified manner.”
“If I get out of this, I am going to kill each and every one of you,” John said as he ground his teeth together.
“My boy, we’ve seen to that. Your end is here. Once we verify the status of the fusion reactor, we will either extend the mission here or leave at the last possible moment,” Dr. Hamelin grinned as he tapped John’s breastplate, “You will remain here.”
Stolen story; please report.
Laughter boomed from the giant suit of power armor. Uncontrollable laughter was the only thing that could be heard. The suit stood there motionless though, which made the laughter more uncomfortable to hear. All of the scientists felt a pit in their stomachs. For good reason, they didn’t have a clue how much John had pulled the wool over their eyes.
3 Days Previously. 07:25 CNS Waukesha—Captain’s Ready Room
John was sitting at his desk reviewing crew rosters. He was merely looking busy for the sake of looking busy. The rosters were already locked in, and everyone was jiving with their fellow crew during their shifts. The ship was running about as optimally as one could get.
In truth, this was just an act to make his guest feel more uncomfortable. Mateo, the scientist’s chief security officer, was asked suddenly to speak to John while he was eating breakfast. That’s not an entirely unrealistic request, but one that caught him off guard. Especially given the subterfuge that was ongoing with the scientists.
To say Mateo felt guilty and anxious would be an understatement. Unlike John, who held his emotions in check most of the time, Mateo exuded no confidence. In fact, it was painfully obvious to John that he looked and felt guilty. It was finally time to offer absolution to the man.
“Uhm, why did you call me here?” Mateo couldn’t handle the silence anymore.
John continued looking busy. He didn’t even look at Mateo much less indicate he had heard him. The so-called work continued.
Mateo looked around the room uncomfortably. The seat no longer felt welcoming or comfortable. Did it ever feel welcoming? The room was squeezing in on him. It was safe to say he no longer wanted to be there. But it wasn’t readily apparent if he could leave at will, though he thought that was not a likely option at this point.
John finally spoke a moment before Mateo lost his mind, “You’ve read my file. I know that you have because I ensured you received a partially unredacted one,” John swung his chair a bit to the right and stared at Mateo’s soul, “Partially redacted, the key word here is partially. I am a great many things Mr. Ortega, but I am not tolerant of lies or deception. Especially when that is directed at the military. And even more so when it’s directed at me, in fact, I find it plain insulting when it’s done as half-assed as your employers are doing.”
“Look, I don’t know what to say here,” Mateo was almost pleading, “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
John nodded, “I agree with you. I actually think you’ve not done anything wrong. But I do know that the security team that you brought on board isn’t security for the scientists. No one goes to college for eight years to get a PH.D. in security or decides to give up academia for a run-of-mill gun-for-hire job.”
“They were playing the role of guards but are scientists. I’m the…”
“The only one that isn’t a doctor,” John interrupted Mateo, “Let’s run with the assumption I know everything already. You really are in dire need of a confessional.”
“Lord knows that’s the truth, but the last time I check you aren’t a Catholic priest. What are you offering me?”
A belly laugh erupted from John, “That is so true. What we offer you is going to depend on what you have to share.”
“No, no that’s not how this works,” Mateo shook his head and leaned forward in his chair, and tapped John’s desk with his finger, “No, I get a deal first. Then I spill my guts.”
“That’s a highly dubious position of bargaining you’ve got there,” John grinned, “I know everything already though. Why do I need to cut a deal with you?”
“You don’t know everything. I found out several things recently that have made my stomach turn,” Mateo stared at John, “And I have hard data, messages, and communique stored that dirties my compatriots up mightily.”
“And yet you're clean as a newborn baby?”
Mateo shook his head, “I’m not entirely innocent. What they did with this other crew, I had no idea of. I spoke out when I could but…”
John looked down at his second screen. Dwayne was shaking his head at John. Clearly, he was annoyed that John did exactly as he said and managed to maneuver Mateo into the precise position he said he would. Despite the agent’s annoyance and John’s confidence and abilities, he nodded to John.
“What deal do you want?”
“Immunity, a ride to an inner core colony, and cash to get me back on my feet.”
“Ballsy. Very ballsy, but tell you what, I’ll give you one of those three,” John leaned forward and grinned, “Though only one option will be usable by you.”
Mateo sighed. He looked around the room nervously. The poor security agent thought he could negotiate something in a position of power. He should have known better, Lieutenant Lief was playing him. No, he was playing all of them. It was as if he knew everything that was going on before they had acted.
A moment later Mateo sighed and spoke, “Ok, I’ll take immunity. Here’s everything I’ve got.”
Mateo held up a data slate. He set it down on John’s desk. A grin formed on John’s face. He looked more arrogant than he did before.
“Much appreciated, but to be brutally honest with you I had already copied that data slate of yours when you walked in this room,” John’s face took on a devilish look, “Naval Intelligence appreciates the new intel. Looks like I didn’t need you after all, but it’s very appreciated that you are willing to turn on your soon-to-be former employers.”
Mateo looked scared. John couldn’t help but grin. Dwayne was shaking his head like he had lost a bet.
“Now now, I’ve given you my word. Don’t make a mess out of yourself. We have a deal,” John gave Mateo an impish grin, “Now let’s get to it, oh, and make sure they don’t know you squealed to us.”
20:45 Apus Minor, Warehouse District
The scientists were arguing with one another. There were three distinct groups. John thought the third group that had both Alliance and Confederate scientists in it was an odd pairing. It was no surprise that Gavin’s and Dr. Hamelin’s cliques were dominating the conversation.
“The fusion core just surged,” Eve said, “The time remaining is likely overestimated by at least thirty-five minutes.”
John grinned, “Basically it’s time to stop being a statue and get the fuck out of here.”
“Yes,” Eve’s response was simple and to the point, “That would be ideal.”
John started, but then suddenly stopped undoing Eve’s locomotor locks. The scientists began talking once again. If the enemy is about to incriminate them, don’t interrupt them. He still had time to gather more intel to bury this group.
Gavin was pointing at John as he spoke, “How do we know he isn’t transmitting anything? Both of our feeds mysteriously died at the same time.”
“We’ve already scanned the available wavelengths. There is nothing that has left of this facility,” Lina said.
“Did you scan the military frequencies?” one of the Alliance scientists said, “They don’t use the normal civilian band.”
Gavin’s eyes grew wide as he stared back at the statue formally known as John Lief. He grabbed Dr. Hamelin’s coat and shook the man. Rage was all that he could feel.
“HE’S BEEN BLOCKING OUR TRANSMISSIONS AND SENDING HIS OWN YOU DAMNED FOOL!” spittle flew everywhere as Gavin raged out.
Dr. Hamelin firmly removed Gavin’s hands from his coat and shook his head, “That is not…”
“That is confirmed…” Lina’s confident voice trailed off, “Nothing we’ve sent has made it back to the surface beside the notices we sent to the shuttle crew. Everything has been rerouted to somewhere else. There’s a military pulse every five minutes, but like ours, it’s outgoing only.”
Gavin reached into his coat and grabbed a small metallic device. He turned angrily to face John. John could see pure hatred radiating from those eyes. It was hard not to be proud that he could push a rational man this far.
“Check and mate,” John said with a hearty chuckle.
“I am going to end you!” Gavin shouted.
As soon as Gavin had made his threat John’s suit was in action. The fusion reactors immediately powered up followed by the boosters on his backfiring. The distance between the two closed at a horrifically quick pace. Much too quickly for Gavin to realize the danger that he was in. Much less react.
All of the scientists, whether Confederate or Alliance, stood there in slack-jawed terror. They watched as Gavin took a backhanded punch. The sound that they heard would forever be etched into the rest of their short-lived lives. The human body shouldn’t make a sound like that. Every organ in Gavin’s chest cavity was lacerated or pierced by bone fragments.
The massive among of trauma suffered thankfully caused the righteous asshole to pass before he landed on the ground. He flew some twenty feet backward and landed with an equally sickening sound. Then the suit of armor turned menacingly at the rest of the scientists. When John spoke, it brought them out of their stupor.
“Scurry off into the ruins. Continue with your research. Do what it is you do best,” John snarled the words, “You should have listened to your chief of security. He understood the risks.”
Dr. Hamelin had fallen to his knees. His world came crashing down around him. How had this happened? He was smarter than this barbarian in power armor. There was no way he could be outmaneuvered. The doctor could feel the ground shake lightly when he looked up that very same power armor was looming over him.
“What… What… What are you going to do to us?”
John picked the man up roughly. For a moment he thought he’d squeeze the man’s head. He looked over at the residential district and then sighed. It was bad enough that he had killed two people in this place. No more needed to die by his hands, and any more bloodshed because of his actions would further disrespect the race that once called this place home.
“Nothing. I’m no longer your judge. That’s someone else’s responsibility,” John let go of the doctor.
Dr. Hamelin stumbled backward and was caught by Kenneth and Line. The trio of leaders watched as John turned around quickly and began walking down the main road. It was clear that his mission was over.
“You’re just leaving? Just like that?” Kenneth shouted.
“Yup. I’m done in here,” John didn’t look back as he walked out.
“What’s going to happen to us?” Lina’s question had a surprising amount of venom attached to it.
John paused but didn’t look back, “Arrested and tried. I can’t imagine anything other than a life sentence. Probably a few years of hard labor. The death sentence is in place for several of you.”
“No no no, this cannot be happening. Everything was going so well,” Dr. Hamelin stared at the ground and wept.
“Nothing you’ve uncovered here will remain with you or your companies. The military is confiscating everything. I’d imagine the majority of people will end up with convictions of some sort,” John continued walking, “Leave with me and face your punishment head on or stay here and keep on doing your research. It matters not. I’m leaving now.”
With that, John stopped responding. There was nothing more that needed to be said. This could have been among the most interesting and rewarding scientific explorations possible. Instead, it was corrupted. The scientists wanted it all for themselves and didn’t care what actions they took to get there. John’s brutal nature, a reflection of humanity in general, is shown as well.
It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that there hadn’t been a murder in this colony in over a hundred thousand years. All it took was for a human expedition to this alien colony to change that. What it really took was for John to be present. That feeling didn’t set well with him, it was done in self-defense, though he was never in any real danger from anyone.
Now was the time to leave. Reflection could happen in the future. Dying here wouldn’t do anyone any good. The mission had to be completed and those that needed to be brought to justice could. All he needed to do was pick up a couple of things he hid away, and he could begin the trek out of the bowels of this mountain.