Anyway, this final part wraps things up and completes the arc of the main character with a little quasi-twist I think folks here might appreciate. Perhaps if people post some suggestions I could write a short
Thanks again for all the feedback.Part 13
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Skie leaned back against the gunner’s position on the assault chopper, the name being somewhat of an artifact since the design had long since had its rotating airfoils swapped out for gravity drives and reaction thrusters. The NeoGryphon’s black scaled avian forearms and talons were crossed in front of a light blue metallic belly hide with embedded holographic feather patterning. The day was bright and sunny, one of those two or three that occurred each season where not a single cloud to be seen from horizon to horizon. Despite the gorgeous weather a sense of unease permeated the soldiers and security officers facing off on both sides of the well tended ball field. Skie’s raptor eyes scanned across the hands and faces of those that surrounded the two SLIRT craft that had set down to pick up the missing crew of the Sleeping Giant, on the lookout for any hint of trouble or trickery while also occasionally glancing back to make sure that the door gunners on the Hinds kept their weapons pointed in a safe direction.
“You need to relax Skie, you look all tense,” said Serena as she walked up behind him, gently stroking the synthetic plumage that covered the Gryph’s folded wings. “These people are nice so don’t go looking for a fight. By the way, what did I tell you about wearing your Sunday best on missions?”
“Well if these people are as friendly as you claim wouldn’t it be more diplomatic to wear my real body than one of the combat spares,” Skie zinged back, sticking out his tongue. “Besides, once my new hide gets its first scar then I don’t have to worry about it any more.”
“Well I guess that's one way to look at it,” said Serena, cocking an eyebrow.
Serena had tried to follow her own advice on relaxation using an armour pattern that bared her arms and portions of her back. She watched as Lars along with the Captain and two members of Skie’s security team manhandled a pair of cybernetic bodies across the field from where they had been delivered by one of the Welcome Center’s transporter carts. Upon reaching the open door to the troop compartment Lars and the Captain swung the body they were carrying back and forth a few times before heaving it inside with a thud.
“Hey watch it you two!” Serena yelled out. “That’s my shell, not a sack of potatoes!” She turned back to Skie. “Dumbasses.”
Fiona’s stern gaze ensured that the two soldiers carrying her old body did a better job placing it onto the floor of the assault helo as Serena walked back to talk with her.
“So were you renting that or did you actually buy it?”
Fiona sighed. “Bought, and because its a custom order I can’t just go and return it.”
“I assume that sigh means you’re going to be getting a new job in “research” upon our return?”
Fiona nodded glumly. “That about sums it up. Not sure when or if I’ll ever be able to load into the link again and because additional extraction cycles would un-correct the congenital defeats I don’t think it will be a good idea to “commute” as I believe you refer to the practice.”
“Well I admire your sense of duty to your people to stay as you are instead of looking for a way to just go back to the way you were,” Serena pointed out.
“Are you kidding? I’m a unique life form with exceptional abilities and a pretty sweet physical appearance,” Fiona said as she stretched out her arms and turned in place. “I would never be able to live with myself if I just threw it away because it happens to be made of gibs and not bits. The whole reason I left the link in the first place was due to my desire to seek out new life forms and new civilizations and now I can cover the first one by just looking in the mirror. Who knows, maybe after I level up some of my abilities I could get a job with you at SLIRT and make it two for two.”
“I’m honored that you would consider working for my organization Fiona, but trust me you’re going to have so many elite groups knocking at your door you’ll have to fend them off with a stick. You don’t owe me anything and I wouldn’t feel at all offended if you decided to sell out and accept a position with Justice League or Shield.”
“So just because I might like the option to make a few extra credits having my exploits recut into motion pictures, interactive holos and VR games that makes me a sellout?” Fiona chuckled.
“Yes! Yes it does!” Serena responded emphatically.
“Hey not my fault your society allowed big media companies to become defense contractors.”
“Don’t get me started,” Serena grumbled. “Anyway, I’m sure once your quantum signature stabilizes and Fluffy becomes the new normal you’ll be able to get your mind moved around just like any any other bio and go rejoin your friends in the Link playing World of Warcraft or whatever it is you kids do these days.”
“Ok first of all I’m like five times older than you and second in the Link you don’t just play WoW, you live WoW. You know the slogan for the sleeper servers…”just as good as being born there.”
“What did I just say about getting me started!”
“Excuse me Colonel,” said one of the crew chiefs.”We’ve got everything loaded and we’re ready to go.”
“Thank you Sergeant. Fiona, you’re going to be in the second ship with Lupa. The rest of us will cram into the first. It will be a tight fit, but its probably better than having you ride on the outside unless you’ve managed to find a way to go without air.”
“Ha ha no...unless,” Fiona pondered.
“Hey Skie,” Serena called over, “I have a few loose ends to tie up before we take off. If I don’t come back avenge my death.”
“Will do Colonel,” Skie said back over his shoulder as he gave Bea a boost up to see into the cockpit of the ship. “Take you time. I’m showing your friend a slightly different perspective on piloting.”
Serena walked across the field to where Lomez stood, projecting his distinct displeasure as strongly as possible.
“Hey, do you mind if we take a little walk? There are a couple things I’d like to discuss with you...in private,” Serena asked hoping to avoid any sort of passive aggression on the part of Lomez.
“Oh? Did you think up some killer argument that is guaranteed to change my mind?” he shot back mockingly.
“Come on, just walk with me. I’m not here to convince you of anything.”
Lomez nodded and the two set off towards one of the many gardens that surrounded the Welcome Center providing both Newcomers and staff alike a place to relax and focus themselves. As soon as they were out of earshot and safely ensconced by tall flowering shrubs Serena began to speak.
“When I arrived you gave me a little speech and said that you weren’t trying to have a debate, just explain to me how things are. Well now its my turn. First of all these are for you.”
Serena reached into her bag and brought forth a pair of “brick phone” type com units..
“Here’s the deal,” she continued. “If you catch any of our people up in your little net and they express a desire to leave you give me a call and we’ll send someone by to fetch them. On the other hand if there’s anyone from outside the network that giving you a hard time...threatening to blow your cover or summon some big bad friends, well in that case you can call us too and we’ll take them off your hands. Hell, if you get one of our people and they want to stay you should still call just so Search and Rescue doesn’t come knocking.”
"If I call that much people will think we're going out," Lomez muttered as he took the communications devices, not pleased with having to do so, but realizing he didn’t have any other alternative. “Alright, but what do I get out of this? For all I know you’re just going to keep showing up on a regular basis with bigger and bigger ships and make us do what you want.”
Serena handed Lomez a memory card. “On that are details of a jamming technology that can block interdimensional gateways and, to a lesser degree, communications. There are also briefings on a wide variety of potential threats that might start showing up in the Network. Now listen to me, if you try to use this thinking its a way to go back on the first part of the deal I will personally get on a sleeper ship and fly on out at .9c to kick you ass. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal,” glared Lomez, albeit surprised that Serena would provide him with such technology, assuming it worked.
“We’re going to check in from time to time so keep at least one of the units charged and not in a storage vault. The reason I am giving you two so that if we don’t hear from you, you can’t claim that that “it broke”.”
“A wise precaution.”
Serena was silent for a moment, taking in the peace and quiet of the garden before sitting down.
“As for the rest of my end of the bargain I wanted to let you in on something first. I know the real reason you’re terrified about people finding this place. Yes yes you’re trying to ensure the long term survival of Sanctuary and you need to be self sufficient, but the actual cause of your paranoia is because you have something people want and it’s not just premium dope or fine handicrafts.”
“Go on,” said Lomez.
“The network represents the greatest cache of advanced precursor tech that the Federation has ever encountered and here you sit collecting said technology from millions of newcomers as they have filtered in over the years. Your long term storage facilities would represent an irresistible treasure for any group able to get their hands on them. Moreover it appears that you have some ability to tap into and manipulate if not the entire than a large portion of the portal network. A capability assumed to be impossible by many of our best research teams. So yeah, I guess it’s not paranoia when everyone and their grandmother would be out to get you,” Serena reasoned.
“Those are logical observations, but we recycle the technology to keep sanctuary running and the methods to bring people here were set in place ages ago,” Lomez parried with a slight smile.
Serena smiled back. “You don’t need to say any more, but I would be willing to bet that there are sizable stockpiles of all sorts of tech sitting around for that time they might be needed. After all the precursor stuff is bound to run down sooner or later and you’re restocking process isn’t exactly reliable enough for just in time delivery. Listen, we could go back and forth on this all day, but if you’re wondering why I haven’t called in a fleet of moving vans to haul away all of the “potential” treasure it is because as much as I dislike being trapped here I am not about just to do and take from you what is yours. Using my discretion as a Federation diplomat I will put in my official report that all the most powerful technology you collect is either recycled for planetary defense or broken down for raw materials and that we were brought here as the result of a long dormant booby trap placed by Sanctuary agents centuries ago. How does that sound to you.”
“A most generous compromise, although I still have no reason to trust you or your friends,” Lomez pointed out.
“Then don’t trust me. Go and use more of the tech you have stockpiled to improve your defences. Your reliance on passive barriers to keep people away won’t stand up in the face of a determined adversary with sizable resources at their disposal. That being said and for all its worth, you have my word that I will do all in my power to keep Sanctuary exactly what you want it to be. Outside the terms of our agreement if you do not want our help we’ll leave you alone and if you do we can come to a new understanding.”
“Considering the circumstances that is acceptable. Do you wish to shake on it?” said Lomez, offering his hand.
“Sure, but I have also drawn up a more formal agreement,” Serena responded as she took Lomez’s hand in her own and shook. “Like I said I have official negotiating powers so what we agree to carries some force behind it. It’s not perfect, but it should stop the Federation showing up with a battle fleet on the whim of some lower level commander. Sanctuary will be marked as a restricted zone and the details appropriately classified. Hopefully it will go into a drawer and be forgotten amongst the thousands of similar cases.”
Lomez stood up from the bench. “Myself and many others in the administration nevertheless feel uneasy about the possibility of your battlefleet scenario.”
“Well, maybe that’s just the sort of thing you need to spice things up around here. Get the population to work towards a common goal.”
“It’s a shame that the only thing you see as the answer to stagnation is conflict,” Lomez sighed.
“Don’t blame me, blame evolution.”
Lomez laughed as they made their way out of the garden. “I guess I can’t argue with you there. Alright just show me where to sign and then you can get out of here.”
“There’s one more thing. Marrin and the others like her might be better with some revised psychological treatment. I included a report regarding that on the data card and I hope you can make sure that it gets to the right people. Also, if any of them wish to leave Sanctuary I trust they will be covered by our agreement.”
Lomez exhaled then nodded. “Alright, I think I can arrange that, but most of them have settled in pretty well. Still it is not our goal to brainwash people so if they wish to revise their treatments and then decide to leave I will contact you."
A the two walked over to the hood of a transport vehicle to rather unceremoniously draft a hard copy of the agreement and apply their various signatures Serena noticed that Val had come to watch the proceedings covered in a light blanket and drinking a hot cup of tea.
"Comrade."
"Colonel," Val stared at Serena over her mug.
"I'd offer you a lift, but I somehow doubt you'd be interested in trading Sanctuary for a Federation internment camp."
"I figured that myself, but I'm going to need help after what happened recently and I have my doubts that the standard of care in the unity would be able to match what I can get here," Val lamented.
Serena smirked. "The old Unity suddenly not looking quite so good in hindsight?"
"Why don't we just say that I am a bit more open to having my assumptions challenged, while at the same time still looking to challenge the assumptions of others. If this so called Sanctuary fails to live up to its ideals, well then perhaps I can be an agent for change," Val said, before taking another sip.
"As long as that change doesn't involve forcibly uploading people to VR you won't have any objection from me," responded Serena, holding out her hand to the Unity Mission Leader.
"Well as you aren't trying to exploit sentient individuals perhaps I can try a softer approach," Val replied taking Serena's hand. "I was informed that in the heat of an emotional breakdown I may used rather harsh labels to describe you. How about I amend that to say that in our dealings I have found you to be an honorable opponent."
"Likewise," said Serena before saluting her opposite.
Val returned the salute and went back to her beverage as Serena went back to Lomez to put the finishing touches on the agreement. It was nearly noon before Serena shook hands with Lomez for the last time and walked back across the field to where the extraction force still waited for her.
"All packed up and ready to go Colonel," Skie announced as Serena approached. "It took a few tries to get the door closed on the other gunship even after stowing the door gun in the tail section, but we're green to go wheels up."
"Make it so Skie. I'm going to see if I can get a seat that's not in someone's lap."
Upon hearing this Bea, who had migrated into the pilot's seat, slid the ill-fitting helmet over her head and began to carry out the pre-flight procedures, her multi-threaded mind suddenly given focus by the need to do several things at once.
"Um Miss? You can't touch that. Please…Miss?!" the Chief Warrant Officer said in a panic as Bea started the engines. "Lieutenant!" he yelled out, his voice cracking as he looked desperately at Skie.
Skie let out a piercing avian chuckle. "Cut her some slack Chief. It's the first time she's ever piloted a craft from the cockpit using, you know, controls."
"But sir she's not authorized to fly…"
"Your wings are sewn on Chief, hers are real," Skie snapped in a tone that was meant to end all debate, stretching his own wings out slightly for emphasis. "She's a better pilot on her worst day than you are on your best. Now close it up and man the gunner's station."
As the engines roared to life and the living metal gryphon made his way back to squeeze into the troop compartment there was a brief instant before the doors closed where the answer to a question caused half the occupants to smile and the other half to grab onto the nearest solid object. The engine exhausts rotated to direct the reaction force downwards as energy flowed into the anti-grav coils to lift the two hulking assault transport into the air. The Welcome Center and the lush green biome of Sanctuary fell away below as the two flew off into space. Even though Serena had seen the sight of a blue-green Earthlike planet set against the black of the void thousands of times before, there something made this one time much more special.
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The great wolf yawned as she was roused by the sun streaming through the open blinds of the apartment. Next to her in bed the commander of the Synthetic Lifeform Intelligence and Response Team was sitting upright tapping away at her tablet. A quick glance at the nearby clock revealed the time to be 08:45.
//"Don't you have to go to work?" Lupa asked incredulously, her big yellow eyes silently accusing Serena.
"I'm the boss so I can come in when I want and don't give me that look, I could say the same about you."
//"I'm on sabbatical.
"Doesn't that imply you're doing some sort of independent research or writing a book?"
//"Since the events of my last expedition that really hasn't come up," said Lupa moving her head to lie on Serena's lap. //"So, who are you talking to?"
"I'm talking to Fiona who apparently just started at her new position at the Max Fineman Institute for Virtual Genetics. She said that we can come visit her whenever we want."
Lupa let out a soft whine. //"She would have made a great archeology student."
"She'll make a better one now that she has super powers."
//"People with superpowers do more exciting things than dust off ancient artifacts."
"Remember when you deactivated that doomsday machine on Durban IV? Never think your work doesn't matter."
Serena gave Lupa a big hug and then put down her tablet and slid off the bed to get dressed.
"Anyway you're right. I should probably get into the office. Somewhere there is a crisis in progress."
Lupa grumbled before jumping down off the bed and shaking herself out to put her fur in some semblance of order. //"I should go in as well. With Lars graduating I need go interview new graduate students and also check on the repairs being made to the Sleeping Giant."
"That reminds me. Where are the Captain and Bea staying since their "mobile home" is in undergoing heavy renovations?"
//"University got them good terms on a house in Shelton and outfitted the entire property with holo projectors."
"Ooo, ritzy!"
//"That's not all. That AI core Bea snagged in the tech vault can support three times as many consciousness threads as her old one. She's been driving Tom cracy testing it out. Last week they were having a romantic dinner together at home and the police got called out on a noise complaint because Bea spawned 20 instances of herself and turned it into a sorority party.
"Ha!"
//"Rumor has it they're getting offers from both military and civilian operators alike and that's why the University has been so generous with repairs and housing. Heard they even approved Bea's request for a physical avatar that can go on away missions. Still, its going to be tough to hold on to them once the contract expires."
"More power to them," Serena smiled. "Bea deserves to achieve her dream of becoming a fleet warship. Even if you have to have your work vehicle downgraded it's always a huge plus to have several million tons of metal that can ride to your rescue as a personal friend. Speaking of rescue, are you getting any more shit about those weapons systems?"
//"No and thanks for helping to get the Giant registered as a Q-Ship. Didn’t even think that was possible in this day and age.”
"Well it’s mostly a matter if getting the right information into the right database, but remember you officially owe SLIRT five favors so don't go turning your communications array off," said Serena as she got dressed.
Lupa smirked, padding into the bathroom to change shape. //"Don't worry, I know the commander and she's pretty chill."
Waiting for Lupa to finish up, Serena stood in the middle of her living room stretching out her body which was now chronically sore from PT and various other intense physical activities. Suddenly her personal com rang prompting couch cushions and discarded clothing to fly into the air as the Colonel frantically searched out its location.
"Colonel Hanford speaking," Serena panted as she finally located the phone.
"Ah, hello Colonel."
Serena nearly dropped the phone when she heard the voice on the other end of the phone.
"So is this actually your personal number or your office at work," the voice asked.
"L-Lomez? I certainly hope this isn’t my office else I’d be in violation of the dress code. I wasn't expecting to hear from you which is probably why I didn’t see any problem in giving you this number."
"Oh, well my sincerest apologies for the interruption, but I just wanted to ask if you were going to show up for your group therapy session in about an hour. You've missed several and I felt I should call and see if everything is alright."
Serena was silent for a moment while she considered her response.
"You know Lomez that was my fault. I had some personal matters come up and I should have called before missing the sessions. Thanks for reminding me, I'll be right over."
"Splendid! Oh, you should know that Marrin underwent a revised neurological treatment and joined your group so make sure you’re on the lookout for her."
"Will do Lomez, thanks for calling."
"My pleasure Colonel."
Serena pocketed her phone and signed as Lupa stepped back into the room wearing a bathrobe.
"What was that about? Someone else show up on Sanctuary?"
Serena gave a small smile as she started down at her fingers. "Nah, I just sort of spaced on my group therapy sessions with everything that's been going on. I'll probably just put in a half day at work."
"It's good that you're taking these things seriously," Lupa replied.
Serena grabbed her access token and walked over to the door of the closet-sized safe that was provided for all officers in her capacity. Swiping the token she proceeded to key in a long string of hexadecimal digits until the light turned green. Pulling down the handle with a satisfying clunk, Serena swung open the door and rummaged around for her personal interdimensional portal generator.
"Don't open the portal in the apartment. The last time you did the discharge…"
"..Fried all your electronics. Yeah yeah, that happened 20 years ago, you don't have to keep reminding me." Serena shook her head as she rooted around for the carrying case. "Jeez, we sound like an old married couple."
"Who says we're not," said Lupa with a predatory grin.
Serena rolled her eyes as she found the portable portal generator and stood up to face her naked android shell.
"Sorry sexy, it looks like you're going to be on the bench for a few more months," Serena smirked before moving in to whisper into her ear, "but don't worry, I'll make it up to you."
Delivering a firm smack to her shell's ass Serena turned and stepped out of the vault. Slowly the large metal door swung shut, plunging all inside into darkness.
THE END
