Chapter fifteen

Calnor Shemra

Office of the Patriarch

The following day at Calnor’s daily intelligence meeting. “What was it like to eat dinner with Bebe and this fellow we are interested in?” Asked Calnor’s uncle and also his head of intelligence.

“His name is Wolf. Concerning what it was like, it was fascinating. My wife was very talkative about him. Under her advice, I think we should pull the people watching Wolf. He knows we were looking into him, and there is nothing to gain from watching him.” Said the Patriarch.

“You know what I think of your wife’s skills as a psychologist. She keeps our special operations soldiers on a straight arrow. So if your wife thinks we should pull the watchers, I’m fine with that. She knows what she is talking about.”

“Do you want me to continue to try to find out information about Wolf, or should I stop?” Calnor’s uncle asked.

“I want you to find out what you could but be extra careful. I don’t want any unnecessary exposure. The wife thinks Wolf is running from something, so we don’t want what he is running from to come to find him here.” Calnor answered.

“I will continue to look into his past and see what I can find without making it too obvious. I will also keep an eye on what he does while he is here.” Said Calnor’s uncle.

With that done, Calnor got working on an economics issue that was facing his planet. One of the biggest shipbuilding companies has gone out of business and defaulted on its loans. So besides all the people that are out of jobs, he also has to deal with all the loans they are defaulting on.

That was because a lot of the debt is held by banks and businesses off of Shemra. Which means they can technically take over the shipbuilding company. This is something that Calnor didn’t want because then outside players would have too much say in the internal workings of his planet. Historically they used to make money and then left, which was a huge mess to deal with later.

Calnor would usually buy the company and add it to the portfolio held by the Head of the Clan. But there was a slight problem with that, and it was that Calnor didn’t have enough money to purchase the shipbuilding company.

So the only option left would be a partnership. But who would be the ideal partner for this kind of project? This shipbuilding company was into a little more than just shipbuilding. There was a rumor that they had a small intelligence company, which is something that Calnor especially didn’t want falling into the wrong hands, which left the question of who would be the ideal partner.

The answer to that was someone who would be responsible for the company and ensure that none of its issues would fall at Calnor’s lap. Someone who would also fix the company up and hopefully expand its different subsidiaries. This would be a long-term project, and the person managing it would have to devote years to the project.

But in the end, it could be one of the biggest companies in the lycanthrope Empire. This would also allow Shemra to be on the cutting edge of technology. But it was enough thinking about this. Other stuff had to get done. So Calnor called his economic chief and told her to look out for someone who wanted to buy it.

Wolf

I woke up the morning after the meeting with Bebe's father and went to the bathroom. After that, I did my morning katas. Once my exercise was done, I took a shower and got down to what I had to take care of today. Ship wanted me to come to her to take care of a few things.

I went to the common room when I heard Bebe come out of her room.

“Good morning. I have to go up to the ship to take care of a few things. You should go out with your mother today. There is nothing for you to do up there, so get reacquainted with her. When we start on the project, you will be pressed for time as is.”

“Ok. I will go but don’t forget to get a suit made for my sister’s wedding. Also, don’t forget the sword that you will have to get. That is unless you already have one.”

“Thanks for reminding me. I will start working on it while I’m on the ship. Go and have a good day. I will pick you up in front of the family home.”

“Ok. Have a good day as well.”

Wolf left and headed to the hovercraft, and Bebe went to get a taxi. She took the cab to her family home to spend some time with her mother. But it had to be a secret because her being here was supposed to be a surprise for Rexha’s wedding.

Wolf got to the hovercraft and unlocked the door from his mobile. From there, he headed to the bridge of the hovercraft and started it up. Once, he checked to make sure everything was working correctly. He started lifting off the ground and contacted Shemra Planetary Control. He asked for a heading to outer space.

Once Wolf got the heading, he started heading up towards outer space. Once Wolf passed the Planetary defenses, he started heading to where he left Ship.

Bebe knew that she was supposed to be a secret till the wedding, so she couldn’t show up to the family home unannounced. So she called the family switchboard and asked to speak to the Matriarch. She told her mother that she was coming over to meet her. So they made plans for her mother to be waiting in a hovercraft a block away from the family estate.

Once Bebe got to where her mother said she would be, she got out of the taxi and walked over to the hovercraft that was waiting. Bebe got in, and off they went.

“I noticed that Wolf thought that we haven’t been in contact in a long time.” Said the Matriarch.

“Yes, well, I didn’t exactly tell him the truth, but something tells me he knows we spoke a few times. Wolf is smart, so I think he put together what happened.”

“Oh, so he is smart!” Said the Matriarch.

“You should stop doing that thing where you ask and say stuff that is all innocent but has an ulterior motive behind them. I’m not one of your patients, so; please stop. If you want to ask me about Wolf, all you have to do is ask. You don’t have to make me tell you with your trick questions.”

“Ok, how about we discuss what you are going to wear to your sister’s wedding. I thought we should go to the dressmaker and get a dress similar to the rest of the families. That is unless you want to wear your military uniform.”

“No, I don’t think I’m going to wear my military uniform. I’m not going to join the Shemra military, so wearing a military uniform would be weird, considering I don’t plan on being in the lycanthrope reserves. No, a dress like everyone else would be perfect.”

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“Ok, we’ll go to the dressmaker, then head to lunch. So what could you tell me about Wolf?”

“Well, he is a complicated person, and he is a very private person. I will tell you he is smart. He is also on a quest to do something, but I’m not sure what that is. All I know is he wants to build a space station.”

“I thought space stations were theoretical.”

“They were being worked on and researched all over the place. One of the universities on Vikra was working on it and came up with a workable design. They sold it recently, so there will be a few going into production soon. But Wolf has a design he wants to use. The only thing he is looking for now is a shipbuilding company to buy.”

“Wolf and I met a few years back. When a mutual friend introduced us to each other, he was looking for someone to give him advice about what the military would want on a space station. I was looking to expand my network of friends. I think I got the better end of the deal. But I’m sure if you asked Wolf, he would say that he got the better end of the deal.”

“I know one of Wolf’s hobbies is to cook, and in my opinion, he is very good at it. Otherwise, he likes to read and generally acquire more knowledge. That’s Wolf in a nutshell. I don’t believe I missed anything," said Bebe.

“Well, I won’t make any comments about what I think of Wolf since I don’t think you want my opinion. So let’s talk about the dresses. Rexha is going to wear the dress that I wore. The rest of the family will wear matching cobalt-colored dresses. So the dress will be whatever you want it to be, except the color has already been chosen, and you know why.”

Wolf

Wolf got to Ship and put the hovercraft down in the landing bay. Then he headed out to see what it was that Ship wanted from him.

“Ok, Ship, what is it that you want from me?” Wolf said out loud in the landing bay.

“I have been working on something that I thought I would show you. I think it will be beneficial to you. So I have slowly and steadily been working on the project till I thought it would be safe for you to use. So come and meet me in the lab. Well, you know what I mean.”

“Well, while I have your attention, I think it is time to discuss what I should call you. I can’t keep calling you Ship. You need your own name. So please think about it. Also, I need something to wear to Bebe’s sister’s wedding. So if you have any ideas, I would be pleased. Thanks.”

“Welcome to the lab. As for the wedding, I will help you out with what I can. I will teach you the traditions and all that you must know. But that’s for later, for right now, we should discuss why I brought you here.”

“I brought you here to show you an invention that I completed. It needs some live testing, and I thought you would be a good test subject. So let me tell you what it is.”

“It’s cybernetic. But before you start telling me that there are already augments out there. This one is different; this one will get its power from the heat that your body produces. That is one of the differences, and another one is that this one should be much safer.” In a much lower voice, “if my calculations are correct.”

“Ok, why don’t you tell me about it. So I can decide If I want it, and why can’t I just connect my mind to you as I did with the Palace A.I.”

“Ok, let me answer your question first. You can’t connect your mind to me because that was a special process installed at the Palace, and I don’t know how to reproduce the necessary equipment. The idea was considered when Palace made me, but Palace didn’t know how to make another machine like it. Also, we weren’t sure how your mind would interact with two connections. So Palace gave me this project that I just completed. Whenever I wasn’t doing anything for you, I have been working on it. So let me tell you about what it is I created.”

“It is an augment. But the biggest difference is in the way it will be made. Where other augments are surgically added to the body, the one I created will create itself within the body. It will do that with nanites. The nanites will be injected into your bloodstream. Once in your body, they will start augmenting your body from the inside out. Also where other augments would be able to be seen by other people. The one I’m making will only be inside your body, so no one will be able to see it.”

“Also, where other augments are controlled by movement. Your mind will control the ones I made. That’s why it will take a long time for the nanites to do their work. But slowly, they will build what they need inside your body. It will probably take years, and that’s why I want to get it started now. Hopefully, as they start working on you, I can improve the design, and they won’t need years to build what they need.”

“Now, let me tell you how it will work. The nanites will first build the main module, which will be built around your brain stem. From there, they will start branching out. They will connect to the rest of your brain and body. They will help with different stuff, but mainly they will help with mental problems. Otherwise, they will observe and document. Also will be included a way for us to communicate without us having to talk. This will speed up our communication time, and there will be less of a chance of us being overheard. So tell me what you think.” Said Ship.

“Ok, first things first, a name, you need a name. What name would you like.” Asked Wolf.

“I don’t have a name that I would like to be called, and as such, I would like to continue to be called Ship; when I find an appropriate name that I like, I will let you know. Until then, stop worrying about it. So what do you think about the new augments I made?” Asked Ship a little exacerbated.

“What should I say? I think your idea is brilliant. The nanites will help with the problem of people regretting the augments they get. Because they feel like they are changing their appearance, and that’s not what they look like. But with the nanites, it would be inside their body, and they wouldn’t see them. Then the augments wouldn’t have to be connected to the body. You would only have to put on a suit when you want to use a specific augment. Also, you would be able to use all types. You wouldn’t be stuck with what was surgically connected to your body. So yes, I would love for myself to be the first test subject. So let’s head over to the medical bay just in case something goes wrong,” Wolf said.

With that, Wolf walked over to the medical bay and went to the medical bed. Once by the bed, he got on and laid down. “Ok, now what is it that you are going to do? Owww, what was that for” Wolf asked.

“I just injected the nanites into your bloodstream. Let’s see what your body does. In the meantime, why don’t we discuss the upcoming wedding of Bebe’s sister Rexha. You asked about something to wear. I would recommend a uniform similar to what your great grandparents wore as their dress uniform. You will also need a sword. For that, I recommend getting one on Shemra,” said Ship. While sounding like something wasn't being said.

“Ok, why should I get a sword on Shemra. It sounds like you have a reason for that. So would you mind explaining yourself,” asked Wolf? I

“Well, there is a sword on board, but there is a procedure to be followed for you to become the wielder,” Ship said.

“Ok, how do we start the procedure,” asked Wolf.

“That I don’t know, but when the time is right, you will. Until then, you need a sword, so I recommend getting one on Shemra. A few more hours in bed should be enough. After you get up, we will make you a suit to wear to the wedding. But this is a good time to mention something that Pakas taught you. That you seem to have forgotten, so I will remind you. That is to have clothing for all occasions. So you might want to start working on it. Or if you want you could just have me make clothes for you. But you will have to pick up bolts of cloth for me to use,” Ship said.

“Ok, I think the idea of you making the clothes for me is a good idea. But don’t make too many. I will bring you bolts of cloth that I like but until then just make the suit for the wedding. If there is nothing else, I would like to make some finishing touches on how to build a space station.” With that, Wolf was off and working on his pad, making plans for the space station.

“Sir Sir Sir,” said Ship.

“What is it now? I’m a little busy,” said Wolf.

“I was just going to let you know that if you want to be back before dinner tonight, then you should leave now. Also, I ran you through a series of medical tests, and everything looks good. But I would recommend eating foods that are high in metals and minerals for a few days. I would recommend doing it on and off for as long as the nanites need,” Ship said.

“Thanks, I will take your dietary recommendations under advisement. Why don’t you get the hovercraft ready for take-off? Also please put the suit you made for the wedding on it. Also, tomorrow I would like to discuss something with you,” said Wolf.

With that, Wolf got up and headed to the hovercraft. Once in the hovercraft, he headed to the bridge and sat down. Wolf buckled up and started heading out of the landing bay.