Dr. Levine Lopez is said to be the smartest human being alive, possessing at twenty five more formal education than anyone else on the ship. Her hobbies are also S.T.E.M.-related, with heavy experience in computer programming, programmable logic, and some dabbling in chemistry. There hasn’t been a problem yet she couldn’t solve given enough time, and enough time for her is typically not long at all.
And, she hates it. A lot of pressure comes with that reputation. When she was just one of Mr. Right’s employees, everything she worked on would be checked ten times, tested five, and monitored in practice. Now, she all-too-regularly makes decisions and implements actions that hold humanity’s fate in the balance. And, most of them are during crises and make or break moments. As such, people celebrate her as a war hero, a super hero, and a genius.
She liked her quiet lab. She LIKED being the youngest in the room –no one thought she knew anything since she was younger than them-. And, she liked the apathy of being alone.
She wouldn’t trade Rex for anything, of course. His friendship is the biggest reason she’s made it this far. He DOESN’T remind her that the fate of everyone is on her shoulders. He’s always right beside her, doing what he can to hold some of the weight.
So, while today isn’t a crisis, she nevertheless checks her right side to make sure he’s still there. He’s standing patiently, inspecting a Grodrrn autoinjector containing some kind of antivenom or antitoxin that supposedly works like a chelating agent to bind with harmful molecules and deposit them as plaque in the patient’s blood vessels. The Grodrrn shocktrooper explaining it is making idle talk with Hancock, and the shocktroopers are allowed to discuss a list of equipment known to have been seized by the humans, which is almost everything. It’s a sign of good faith that the Grodrrns, at least those on Khla’s battleship, are not enemies of the humans.
The autoinjector looks more like the Grodrrn sidearm than a human autoinjector. Lopez already knows that it uses some kind of ionic osmosis to create an electrical path for the serum through the skin and into the blood stream without a needle to break, nor risk of an embolism, or air bubble in the blood stream. Hancock asks a few questions, passing the time and respectfully engaging with their Grodrrn escort.
“So, why plaque? Wouldn’t it be better to send it to the body’s waste system?”
The Grodrrn replies, “Plaque eez foster. Saffer. Liss leekly to trovol.”
“Wouldn’t it clog your arteries over time, though?”
The trooper nods, replying, “Eez bittor thon deeing painfool deeth immidly. Ond, con be treated oftor.”
Hancock nods in agreement. He asks, “No way to make it less painful? A shock seems… overkill.”
The Grodrrn scoffs, retorting, “No sooch theeng. Ond, ozz sid. Steel bittor thon deeth immidly.”
Hancock chuckles, replying, “Fair point.” He hands the injector back, noticing Lopez watching him. He says, “Hey! What’s up?”
She squeaks and returns to her task, replying, “Nothing! I just… checking…”
Hancock chuckles.
She doesn’t understand how he can be so calm and casual. They are in a mid-deck space, almost as far away from the shuttle as possible, in a room being held together by fabric currently, and on the Grodrrn battleship of Baskylla Jardzen Khla. He’s armed, but only with his hybrid rifle, which isn’t much better, presumably, at defeating the Grodrrns than the powder-fired assault rifles they started with. He’s told her stories of Earth when he was fighting to escape, not to mention how much punishment Dzor took, surviving even after falling off of the upper deck of the massive Grodrrn hangar. They aren’t the only humans on the ship, as evidenced by the grinding, hammering, welding, and all kinds of other powered work going on to restore the ship. The Grodrrns are working as well, but the Providence is vastly quicker. And, even though the Grodrrns still outnumber humans on the ship, Rex is chatting like this shocktrooper is just another human.
Levi isn’t upset, of course. Quite the contrary. She’s thankful for his calmness, because it’s comforting her, too. He has an excellent sense for danger, and even the roughest looking Grodrrns simply give the humans a wide berth. Apparently, Khla gave strict orders, and his second in command, Mrff, cracked a skull with a single elbow when someone questioned it. After that, most of them simply avoid the humans if they can.
Levi checks the connection of the plug to her laptop, uploading the next layer of firmware to the navigation controls of Khla’s battleship. She wrote a program over the last week of repairs that will automatically reset the safety lock the moment the ship attempts to jump. She’s warned every Grodrrn that asks her anything that they CANNOT apply throttles, as the engines will no longer be disabled during the FTL travel. Khla insisted that’s acceptable, but she’s still nervous. The Grodrrns are used to it. Hundreds of years so. She also recommended a manual switch to disable throttles, but it’s not something she can implement, as the thing she is disabling is a bypass, and the only link the falight, throttle control, and engines all have in common. Throttle control itself could be turned off, but again, no switching or relay exists to do so. If the ship is powered on, its throttle control is on. No exception.
She, of course, installed her update on the Polonia and the Andromeda first. Assuming it works, which there’s no way to be certain without the Zarakyssn’s interdiction technology, they can escape as a whole if either ship can jump. But, Captain Long asked that the truce be as cordial as possible, and requested Lopez install the firmware on Khla’s battleship. To Lopez’s additional surprise, she wasn’t tasked with clandestine deeds while she does it. She wasn’t asked to try to steal more data nor install sabotage programs or viruses. Her biggest fear was being asked to serve a double cross, and that she’d get caught. Instead, she’s simply serving as possibly the most advanced technical support representative in history.
Heavy footfalls approach, which is nothing unique on a Grodrrn ship. They all stomp around heavily due to their weight, even in gravity lower than Earth’s. But, human boots come to a stop with the Grodrrn footsteps. Lopez looks, checking the connection of her laptop idly. Baskylla Jardzen Khla and Captain Long have approached, and Long asks, “Doctor, is there any reason we won’t be able to jump?”
Lopez’s blood runs cold, but Long adds, “No crisis yet! Sorry. Just moving the fleet again. With the captured War Queen, we’re being strongly advised to stay on the move.”
Lopez relaxes a little, replying in what she feels is her normal voice, but others claim is ‘low talking’, “Jumping is okay, as long as it’s not this ship. I have maybe twenty more minutes.” She doesn’t like talking around big groups, or with certain people present. She especially doesn’t like talking around the Grodrrns, which distresses her that they hear her just fine. Khla replies in his ‘normal’ tone, which is quite intimidating, “Eez no consurn oov fiddbock or dotta corroopshin, hoomin Sceeunteest Lopiz? {Is no concern of feedback or data corruption, human Scientist Lopez?}”
She squeaks nervously, shaking her head. Hancock swoops to her rescue, explaining calmly, “Forgive me, Baskylla Yarjen, since you asked her, but feedback isn’t a concern because she’s connected in through navigation, which is isolated via control circuits and transformers and some other stuff she knows that I don’t from the jump drive’s… uh… bubble-maker thing. And, your systems are mostly hardened against EMP, especially this deep inside the ship. Worst case, she loses connection and has to start over, but she has a full backup of the old AND her new firmware, so she can restore any programming in the off chance it’s lost.” Lopez’s eyes water happily, so very thankful that Hancock pays more attention than he lets on. He claims he’s just a dumb grunt, but it’s never been less true. She nods in agreement.
Khla says calmly, “I see. Eef no reesk, I hovv no objickshins, hoomin Copton Long. You may joomp whin riddy.”
Long replies calmly, “Thank you. I’ll radio over to have them commence jump. It’ll be about four hours.”
“F-Four hours?” squeaks Lopez.
Khla nods, once more, hearing her with ease. He replies, “Yuss. Seengul hour put ooss across sohlar seestim. Boot, thott plass ooss een mooch smaller occupied spass. Sherrynn spass, speceeficollih. They… how hoomins deescribb? Scropped?”
“Scrappy?” asks Long. “They’re tough fighters?”
He nods. “Yuss. Scroppee. Seemeelar to hoomins. Verr oggreesseeve, though.”
Long asks politely what everyone is thinking, “You haven’t considered conquering them?”
Khla shakes his head. “Too closs to Zarak spass. Too far from Fievegal. Known due to londeen dureen Zarak war.”
Long nods. “So, four hours it is.”
“You’re staying onboard, Captain?” asks Hancock curiously.
She nods again, “I am. Have every jump so far. I have crew and fleet members on this ship who aren’t as comfortable with our current arrangements. And, I’m inspecting the conditions Miss Laurel is living in. I will be checking in to make sure everything’s okay.
Lopez doesn’t like knowing she’s about to be trapped on the Grodrrn battleship for four hours, but she does find comfort in exactly why Long is staying. The Captain trusts the truce she’s primarily spearheaded, and she’s willing to risk herself to prove it. Not that many have any doubts about the risks she’s taken to protect the fleet, but her presence is strong, commanding respect from the mighty and boisterous Grodrrns. Plus, Lopez will have Hancock, so she can find a nice secluded spot on the shuttle and wait out the jump.
Only a few minutes after Khla and Long leave, the lights flicker ever so briefly. Lopez looks back at her screen, checking the physical connection of her laptop. However, the loading graphic stops, and an error appears. The young scientist whimpers in frustration.
Hancock is there instantly, kneeling next to her to ask, “Everything okay?”
She pouts softly, “I lost connection…”
The shocktrooper growls his toothy, Grodrrn chuckle in amusement, but says nothing. Hancock says warmly, “Ah, at least we have four hours, am I right?”
She pouts as she lightly glares at him. He takes a seat, asking more sincerely, “So, what’s the damage? You have to start from scratch-scrath, or just this upload?”
She looks at her screen. After checking a few points in the logic, she answers, “Just this upload.”
Hancock smiles and replies, “Ah, not so bad. Should be fine to restart, right?”
She nods, restarting the upload. She murmurs, “You didn’t have to stop your conversation…”
Hancock replies warmly, “Of course I did. I need to know if I’m gonna have to fight our way outta here. I can take this big guy, probably, but we’d wanna sneak the rest of the way.” He gestures with his thumb at the shocktrooper accompanying them.
Lopez whimpers, trying to shrink behind her laptop, especially when the Grodrrn, who is probably almost three times Hancock’s weight or more, taunts, “Hoomin try. I peek teeth weeth bones.”
The young woman whimpers, “Reeeexxx…”
Both he and the Grodrrn chuckle, and Hancock says, “Relax, Doc. Please? Golgurk, here, is good people.”
“You barely know each other…”
“Maybe. But, he likes martial arts, carves figurines for his, uh, son back home,” The Grodrrn inserts, “Myzh.” “Right, thank you. Myzh. AND, he thinks what we’re doing for Helmdraaff Craw is pretty cool, if risky –which seems to be the consensus-.”
The shocktrooper confirms, “New Saurmynnyka weethott war would be eedeal. Boot, Fievegal may not see so plain.”
Lopez nods uneasily. She doesn’t understand how Hancock can be so casual about it, but as before, his calmness keeps her calm.
And then the Grodrrn asks THE question. “Eez Sceeunteest Lopiz your matt, hoomin Hancock?”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Hancock doesn’t tease, even though Lopez’s face turns pink and she whimpers. How can they be so direct? She hasn’t thought about that. Has he? Did he put the trooper up to it?
Hancock replies politely, “Nah. She could do better. I’d be lucky to be in her harem.”
Lopez tenses. Her heart begins to race even faster. Does he really think that?
The shocktrooper looks directly at her, and she realizes they can hear almost anything. She whimpers ever so quietly, terrified of what’s about to come next.
In a surprise move, though, the shocktrooper completely redirects, saying, “We hear tales oov hoomin brovvery ogginst Zjeekha. Stronge, geevin hoomin seeze so smoll. Many Grodurns hovv retreat een fass oov Zjeekha.”
Hancock chuckles, replying, “I’ve only heard stories so far too, and the debrief report. I don’t blame you guys. But, we don’t exactly have the luxury of running. Not once enemies are on our ships. From what I hear, though, Yarjen Jor really gave that thing hell.”
“Zarakyssns weak on own. Boot, Zjeekha eez near eenveenstrooctull. Bittor tuu keep ott ronj ond borroj.”
“No arguments here.”
Lopez finally simmers down, which she wishes would have been faster. It’s for the best. She considers Kenzie a friend, and it isn’t worth risking Hancock’s friendship for anything more. She must become content. After all, she still is the person he spends the most time with.
The Grodrrn then asks, “Why hoomins call Copton Long ‘Supernova’ now?”
Hancock and Lopez both glance at each other. They know the reason, and it’s one of the few things that makes the seemingly unbreakable Captain blush. Hancock explains, “The maneuver she led is being called the ‘Supernova Blitz’.” Lopez grumbles, “It’s not a supernova…”
Hancock scoffs, continuing, “We call a fast, hard attack like that a blitz. They’re extremely risky, but extremely rewarding. And, I’m guessing ‘Supernova’ because of the bright glow of ionization.”
The Grodrrn repies, “Oonluss tronslasshin eez bad, otmospherr eeoneezation hozz notheeng to do weeth supernova.”
Lopez adds dryly, “Thank you…”
Hancock explains, “True, but ‘Supernova Blitz’ sounds way cooler than ‘Atmospheric Ionization Blitz’.”
“Stratosphere Blitz, just off the top of my head…” says Lopez sarcastically. The shocktrooper chuckles, and Hancock replies to her, “Hey, I didn’t come up with it. ‘Supernova Blitz’ is sticking, and good luck getting Marines to change.”
“Hoomin Copton Long leek name ‘Supernova’?” asks Golgrrk.
Hancock replies instantly, “Yes. Yes, she does.”
“NO,” growls Lopez. “It embarrasses her.”
Hancock refutes, “It’s Captain Long. She doesn’t get embarrassed. She burns the paint off of ships and beats fifty to two odds. Supernova-style.”
“Rex,” urges Lopez. Still, he continues, “She brings a knife to a gun fight, throws the knife down, burns ‘em all, and then carries everyone to safety.”
“Reeex…” Still, she’s unheard. “Ain’t nobody that can’t stop Supernova, and she’ll…”
A woman clears her throat, and Hancock halts. The unmistakeable voice asks, “May I speak, Ensign Hancock?”
He whirls, saluting, and he says, “Of course, Captain. Apologies.”
She smirks, saluting him and saying, “At ease.” The auburn-haired Captain looks at Lopez and says, “Doctor, I was thinking. Do you understand the jump technology well enough to intentionally weaponize it? It was pretty clever of you during the battle.”
Lopez squeaks, “H-Who told you it was my idea?” Even Hancock knows she wanted to remain anonymous.
Long smiles, “Well, Craw wasn’t here when it happened to the Honolulu, and only two humans boarded his ship. No offense, Ensign, but the technical know-how matched another.”
Hancock says loudly like he’s back in boot camp, “None taken, Captain. I wanted to send them dubstep CDs.”
She scoffs, remarking dryly, “Not a bad alternative.” She then says to Lopez, “I’m hoping for something directed and potentially standalone, but uses the same principles as the jump drive.”
Lopez checks her laptop's connection again. She murmurs, “I’m… still learning it… but I guess… I dunno… Maybe something to make a tunnel instead of a bubble? But… there could be repercussions. That tunnel could travel on its own –briefly-. Anything captured inside could be sent with it, and then lose the bubble travelling at above lightspeed. Matter isn’t supposed to travel above lightspeed, but anything hit by even a particle… um… o-or it could cause some sort of backlash of forces… not to mention EMP effects…”
Long replies, “Even if you could simply write a program to generate just the bubble and then dissipate it, we could work with that. If you say ‘no’, then the answer’s no. I’ll be content with that.”
Lopez shrinks behind her laptop as much as possible. She replies, “My answer isn’t ‘no’, yet, Captain. B-But I don’t want to say ‘yes’ until we know the technology better.”
Long nods, satisfied. “All I ask. I can’t make it happen, but if you can, it could be a powerful tool to defend ourselves with.”
Lopez nods. “I’ll give it thought, Captain.”
“Thank you.” She then looks at Hancock, still standing by fairly rigidly. She says dryly, “I think the Polonia needs a new coat of paint, Ensign. Don’t make me volunteer you.”
“Understood, Captain!”
She smirks, adding as she winks at Lopez, “Otherwise, I’m flattered. Carry on.” She walks away again, and Hancock relaxes. Lopez says dryly, “I tried to warn you.”
He replies playfully, “I regret nothing.”
The shocktrooper remarks, “Hoomins very stronj.”
Hancock replies, “And, proud of it.” Lopez can’t help but smile.
Maybe she can see in the Grodrrns what the others see.
***
Oblivion.
That word is echoing somewhere in the darkness. Different voices seem to be saying it. Not all of the whispers are the word oblivion, but it is the most distinct.
Oblivion.
Is it their fate? Is it some kind of warning? The word jabs painfully, but it doesn’t instill fear.
What did you see?
Everything.
Flashes keep hitting him. It’s painful, but there is nothing to be done. There is nothing to move or to say. There is simply a pain. And, the voices.
It feels like you’ve only just begun. You have. And, you haven’t. You can always step off of the road. The question is; what is more painful? Falling for eternity, or walking for eternity? Hint. It doesn’t matter.
He wants to scream at whoever is talking, but the voice sounds familiar. They know far more than they’re letting on, and they’re taunting him with mystery.
The question isn’t necessarily what mystery, though. The question is; who is he? Everything is starting to feel surreal, like a dream. And, it’s not just now. Even during the battle reality was starting to feel hazy.
That isn’t reality leaving you. It’s reality returning to you. Welcome to yet another step on the road of madness.
Who are you!?
This time, he was able to subconsciously cry out, to form a thought. And somehow, he knows the other heard him.
I am but a heartbroken old fool, cast into a hell of his own fabrication made worse by his attempts to change it. But, I can teach you an irony. Would you like to hear it?
What? No. Why am I here? How do I wake up?
You will find no escape if you stay or go. This irony, similarly, will find you now or later.
Fine. What is it?
There is ONLY one being that truly doesn’t have a choice. Good luck…
The voice fades, and his eyes finally open.
He finds himself in the medical bay. But, it’s not his ship’s medical bay. It’s… newer, more modern, even futuristic. He also can’t feel the ship rocking. Maybe they’re in port? How did he fall out in the first place?
He looks to his right and finds a strange capsule on a stand next to him. The first thought that jumps out at him is that it’s a missile hazard, being not-properly tied down.
But, all at once, it floods back to him. He’s on the former starliner Andromeda, and this capsule contains an embryo-carrying egg of an alien species, with looped recordings of his voice reading childrens books, talking, and looped music.
He’s not one hundred percent certain what is going on with himself, but he’s glad he remembered who he is in this current place. Whatever is going on, for now, he is Lieutenant Carmine Kane, and that is the focus of his attention.
He carefully sits up, gently touching the pod. He says softly, “Hey there, little one. Doing okay?”
The embryo squirms lightly. Even though it’s technically the same age as Spaceman Long’s, minus maybe a day or so, this embryo fell far behind due to a secret Long inadvertently discovered and seems to be proving accurate. In theory, the tiny life to be has everything she needs inside her little egg, except one thing. What Kane tested by playing recordings for her when he couldn’t be present is that the Cave Queen’s species needs mental stimulation to help them develop. For a sentient species to be precocial at hatching, there had to be more than just nutrients and temperature. And, even if her tiny movement was or wasn’t a response to him just now, she’s doing better than she was.
His current concern is whether or not the yolk sustaining her will last, given how delayed her development is. But, the scientists didn’t waste the unfortunately deceased eggs; they studied them. They know the basic makeup of the eggs shares similarities with many eggs of Earth, and one of the hypotheses of keeping this one alive if need be are to attempt yolk injection if she needs longer than Spaceman Long’s. The other option is to prematurely hatch her and attempt premature birth treatments. Both of those options carry irreversible risks, and it’ll come down to Kane to decide, since he won’t allow any other, save the Queen.
Right now, though, he needs to figure out how long he was out. He sits up fully, searching around his bed for his chart. He may or may not know how to read it, but he should at least be able to find dates. He remembers the fleet was tracking the Earth date still, clinging to some of the basic holidays and such for helping everyone get by. Ironically enough, it’s the fleet’s December twenty fifth; Christmas day. And, it’s been about eight days that he’s been in medical. His body is weak and sore, and the rings on his gauntlet only barely turn. He says softly to the pod, “Merry Christmas, Princess.”
That phrase alone flashes a powerful memory across his mind, causing him to have to halt. He MUST find a way to coexist with his past –whatever it was- so he can function in this present. And, given what he just felt, he has a suspicion of how he ended up unconscious. He can’t remember what, exactly, was happening at the end of the battle, and maybe that’s for the best right now. Without being able to remember more than the tidbits he has now, he has no context for why it hurts him so.
He takes a deep breath and relaxes. He’s alright for now, and it’s time to catch up to what’s going on. Given that he’s safe in medical, he feels it’s a safe assumption that the battle was definitely won. He sits on the edge of his bed, easing to his feet so he can get dressed.
Once ready, Kane carries the incubator pod with him. He checks out with the medical staff, who are undermanned, but express concern that he’s up and about. Still, they can’t stop him because they have far too many others to worry about.
Kane makes his way to the bridge. Most likely, it’s where he’ll get answers.
On his way, fellow spacers salute him proudly, “Lieutenant.” “Lieutenant Kane.” “Ac-Cap.” They treat him like a celebrity, even though he was just one small piece of the puzzle. He could do without it, but he politely thanks them and keeps going.
Lots of work is being done throughout the ship, and the glimpses he takes of the fleet suggest the same. But, most peculiar, is the full Grodrrn battleship receiving repairs in the Providence dock. He knows Khla’s battleship helped them win, but this suggests some level of alliance or truce he wasn’t expecting.
Captian Dodge is on the bridge, his head bandaged, but otherwise okay. He smiles, remarking as Kane salutes, “Well well, look who’s finally up, ol’ Ac-Cap Stranger himself.”
Kane chuckles, replying politely, “Captain. Glad you’re doing well.”
Dodge scoffs, replying, “Well and ashamed. I’m gettin' relieved next week.”
“What!?” asks Kane in surprise, but Dodge puts his hand up. “My choice, Lieutenant. I cracked. You did the right thing and saved our fleet. And… me.”
Kane’s recalling it, but he puts it out of his mind. He suspects it’s linked to his past. He replies, “I did my job, Captain. I let no one carry any burden alone.”
Dodge sighs, murmuring softly, “Far more than the job description of a Lieutenant.” He perks up saying, “So, I’m promoting you. From this day forward, you’re Lieutenant Commander Kane. Already told the others. Who knows, might not be too long before you’re in your proper seat to begin with.”
Kane scoffs, “I’m not the best Captain material, Captain. I’m too ready to sacrifice myself. Captain Long saved the fleet. I just helped.”
Dodge chuckles, “A person who takes command when no one else wants it is the Captain we need. True, Angelica fits that statement, too, but you took command of this ship when it needed someone most. That will never be forgotten.”
Dodge then rolls a pen in his fingers, adding, “Speaking of Long, she asked I send you to the Polonia when you were up and about. Apparently, a Zarak Queen turned itself over? She, the, uh… Squid Queen, and Yarjen Jor interrogated the roach, but Angelica’s hoping you can divine the roach’s motive, or ask the right questions or something. We’ve been jumping every day because of that thing.”
“I’ll report right away, Captain.”
“Don’t tell Supernova this when you see her, but the rest of us Captains have voted, and you have a say too, if you object, since you were an Acting Captain. Long’s getting promoted –er, elected, I guess- to Admiral. She’ll get final say on all matters. Same as now, basically, but official. Not sure who will be next, but Supernova is a no-brainer.”
“Supernova?” asks Kane.
Dodge smirks, “Your maneuver is now known as ‘the Supernova Blitz’, and everyone –Marines particularly- started calling Angelica ‘Supernova’. She loves it.”
Kane chuckles, replying, “I’ll keep it in mind, Captain. Thank you. And, I agree. Captain Long is a good choice to lead the fleet.”
Dodge nods, “It’ll probably get announced next week or so. Probably after Khla’s ship leaves.”
“Be kinda lonely without any of the Grodrrns over there.”
Dodge chuckles, “Don’t count on that. Officially, Jor, Craw, and a handful of others are staying prisoner. Unofficially, my sources tell me Jor volunteered to stay, followed by the others.”
Kane looks at him, surprised. Dodge nods, “Yep. So, we got the Cave Queen and her little ones, if any hatch, Grodrrns, and a Zarak Queen. What could go wrong?”
The new Lieutenant Commander replies distantly, “Nothing worse than anything else so far.”
“Fair…”
Kane then excuses himself, carrying his embryo with him. He says softly to her, “Strange times indeed, huh?” He makes his way to a shuttle to take him to the Polonia.
***