Altered Worlds: In the Beginning; Crucible

By Michael Sanders

Takes place on the Planet Dunamis, a Planet on the edge of space. The Planet is in the middle of a war in which there is no clear winner. In this atmosphere an unlikely band of heroes is starting to do things that may shift the balance of power. Will they succeed? Only time will tell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543932928

Book preview

honor.

Introduction

Period twenty of the Great Blowout Dunarin:

To control goods and services, your organization has to do what is necessary. This is a primary factor. If you lose control, than anarchy ensues and bad things start to happen. We decide what goes where, to whom and when

–Chancellor Ariana Grey.

The Trade Commission is the controlling force among the Worlds. They can decide what prices will be and who gets preference. They can also limit the quantity. Due to the Trade Commission’s lack of compassion, they unwittingly caused a revolt against themselves, and have caused untold death and damage to the Citizens of Dunamis.

They have become the government, the military, the police and the bank. This has continued at an alarming rate, with no interference from anyone. Their laws have governed this small system for cycles, ever since The Great Blowout Dunarin, twenty periods ago.

No one really knows how or what caused the great blowout that divided the main World into the four pieces that it is now. There have always been rumors of course, conspiracy theorists, whispers, etc. No one is alive from that time to confirm, or deny, what has been discussed. At least no one is alive that we know about.

There are some journals left from the time before the Great Blowout. Most are very hard to find and when they turn up they seem incomplete. It is almost as if key facts and information have been removed on purpose, in order to hide the truth.

The planetoids have evolved independently, but the Trade Commission only allows so much freedom, before they crack down. Much as they try however, the planetoids have remained independent. This succeeds because each planetoid has specific functions that allow the whole to function. Because of this the Trade Commission allows this freedom within limits.

So as you think about that, it makes sense to see just how much power the Trade Commission has over the planetoids. Slowly, over orbits, smaller, un-sanctioned Trade and Transport companies have started to form and evolve. This of course does not sit well with the Trade Commission. This is especially apparent when these independent companies started charging for their services.

Now here is where it gets tricky. You see: at first the Trade Commission wasn’t very happy. They were starting to lose money and started to eliminate these individuals, which came to the light much later on. It was learned that the Commission would set up fake deliveries that seemed legit. They would specifically hire individuals from these Independent companies for these commissions. One by one some of the un-sanctioned Transporters started to disappear.

The Trade Commission said that it was due to pirates taking control of the tubes and no one argued with that assessment if they valued their freedom. Sure there were gangs and pirates, but they did not seem to be dangerous or active until the Independents started forming. This could have simply been coincidental, after all, there was a lot of competition to acquire transport contracts and corporate espionage was not uncommon. However the frequency started to arouse suspicion and people started to take notice and question these events.

This went on for several orbits. Finally three orbits later, The Trade Commission was indicated in one of the more gruesome deaths. This death was of a Transporter, who was found to secretly be the current Chancellor’s Son. She never approved of what the Trade Commission was doing and his Mother did not seem to care about his opinion. Her son’s death devastated the Chancellor who always turned a blind eye to what was really going on. Finally, she realized what was really going on and started investigating The Trade Commission. What she found out was so sobering, that she decided to go public about the deaths and their other tactics. She talked about all of the things the Commission used, to keep their power. Once she went public, she resigned her position. Realizing she was ‘marked for death’, she went into hiding.

It was later learned that she had died from mysterious circumstances. Most people believed that the Commission had something to do with it and slowly but surely, a Resistance started to form. Finally in the new Dunarin of Crucible, war was declared on the Trade Commission. A new Resistance Formed and once they had built sufficient strength, they started to attack Commission targets and caused millions of credits worth of damage to these facilities. Becoming energized by these victories, they became bolder and started attacking military targets. Finally, the Trade Commission had enough of the resistance and decided to crush it once and for all.

What followed was the bloodiest battle in history. In the first orbit of the Crucible Dunarin, tens of thousands of lives were lost on both sides and the Trade Commission almost crumbled. The Commission made a last stand and successfully destroyed the remaining rebels at great cost. This would have been the end of it except a strange and mysterious new leader came to power in the Resistance. With the help of this new Resistance leader, they started gaining ground, and the Commission started losing again. This leader could predict what the Commission was planning, and destroyed their plans before they got started. In the end, both sides retreated to lick their wounds. This time in our history is known as the Crucible Dunarin and was one of our last great wars.

It is in this environment where our story begins.

Chapter One

In The Beginning: Crucible

Rotation one, Varn one, Section one, Orbit three of the Crucible Dunarin:

Somewhere in the middle of the largest city, somewhere in the Warrens, Stands an abandoned warehouse. It is along a rarely traveled and overgrown roadway, which once served as a main highway to the warehouse district. In the early phases of the Resistance, it was one of the first facilities to be hit by rebel forces. It was totally destroyed and abandoned for 20 orbits. When the Rebels needed a new headquarters they rebuilt the facility with defense in mind. There are hidden cameras everywhere and 2 centara thick walls comprising the main structure. The walls are scan proof and can survive a direct attack for a while, not forever. They maintain the look of abandonment, to throw off any direct observation. Guards patrol, unseen and hidden from plain view. There are monitoring units everywhere along its perimeter, which helps to keep it secure. As of yet, this facility has never been compromised, mostly because no one knows about it except a chosen few. It has been designed with the eventuality that it will be destroyed. As to this situation, it has a self-destruct device, which once started, cannot be stopped. There is an unusual amount of patrols around the area on this Rotation and comings and goings are being very closely monitored.

All is in readiness sir. The target has been covered and the backup plan is in order. Are we sure that he will show? He will show. I know him better than he knows himself. Don’t you worry about it. The curfew should go into effect in approximately 20 meridians and we must be in position before then. How many Commission troops? There are perhaps two squads of soldiers. They are trying to remain hidden, so a larger force is not present. I can handle them sir. The speaker steps out of the shadows and stands before another man. This man, known as Seer, is dressed in Black robes with a cowl that covers the face and when he sees who it is, pulls back the cowl. What is revealed is a surprisingly young man with piercing blue eyes and a goatee. His hair is light brown and his eyes reveal, that the man inside is wise beyond his orbits. A scar runs down his left cheek. How it got there he does not talk about. The man speaking is dressed in all black as well. He is dressed in a tunic that allows great freedom of movement. In his hand he holds a black mask that he had just removed. A brace of knives crosses the front of the Tunic from the left shoulder to the right hip. He has black hair and brown eyes that have seen much death. Blackthorne presumes too much, says another man on the other side of the room. I presume that what my skills have determined is correct, what is your excuse? Gentleman, says Seer, Blackthorne has his ways, and you have yours Robert. The man, he is addressing, is approximately 7.6 centara tall and heavily muscled, with shocks of Grey hair in Brown and a full beard. His body bears scars from many battles and his gray eyes look tired.

If you will excuse me, I have somewhere I need to be said Blackthorne, glancing at Seer. In a flash he was gone, leaving Seer alone with the big man. I do not trust him. I know Seer responded. Taken aback from this Robert cleared his throat and continued: Are you sure this target can be trusted? We do not even know him. I have learned much about him in your absence. You should come to headquarters more often, instead of staying in the field all the time. Someone has to keep our troops in line and the Trade Commission off balance Robert replied smugly. As you wish, Seer replied. At any rate are you ready? I will protect our target from any surprises that we may come across. Then we should get moving. In the next 20 meridians the formerly busy warehouse was abandoned and by the time the cleanup crew was finished it was like no one had been in the warehouse for 20 orbits.

Well this rotation was just another rotation at the office, or at least that is how it started. After I finished my coffee. I turned on the holocom to check out the latest news feeds, which is what I usually do.

During the news there was a breaking story about the Trade Commission. They had been indicted on the pre-meditated murder of a young aspiring trade pilot by the name of Michael Virgo. The media painted an interesting picture about this individual. Apparently, he was like a Robin Hood that would help corporations by getting their goods to where they were needed. He was very successful. Finally the Trade Commission was able to get a lead on his location. Once they knew where he was at it was a simple matter to start tracking him. Finally they found a way to surprise him. He was on a particularly delicate mission when they ambushed him. This prompted the Trade Commission to do a cleanup of the cities, and so a curfew had gone into effect 10 meridians ago. The crackdown, the gunfire, the breaking down of doors and the explosions of the anti-personal rockets, were now being felt. I had to hold tightly on my cup of coffee. I put it down so I could switch on the news. That turned out to be a big mistake as the vibrations knocked it off the table.

The news continued and it was determined that the accident occurred as a result of a sabotaged Magnetic Engine Drive Seal. Because of this and a new growth of accidental deaths, the Armistice was over between the Resistance and the Trade Commission. The new Chancellor, Elana Greek, upon being newly elected, wanted to prove that she could quash the Resistance, so she had stepped up operations to bring them to an end. This worried me, because now, I was one of the few Transporters left. The Resistance started stepping up as well, because everyone knew that if the Drive seals did not pass at least 5000 tests, they would never be allowed on ships. The evidence proved that the Trade Commission was guilty. The Trade Commission was trying to build up their power again. This is what caused the second Great War to start in the first place.

I am recounting this tale as accurately as I can, given the circumstances. The war was now in full force and would only lead to more deaths. The Chancellor did not seem to care. As a result, more and more people are trying to join the Resistance. With people abandoning their homes and stores, looting has become commonplace again and gangs have now taken over less patrolled areas of the cities. The Trade Commission had now cut off all access to the supply tunnels and stopped the flow of needed goods, to other parts of the system. They thought this would stop the general populace from revolting again, due to lack of food and other necessities. This time around though, most people simply hid themselves from everyone and moved their families to safer environments. The Trade Commission than decided to raise the cost of goods, which they did allow through, just to prove that they could.

Unfortunately they forgot about one thing. The ‘Independent Transporters’: There were fewer in number than in any time in their history, but they were still here and they were needed now more than ever. This is where my story begins.

Being a transporter in this war torn World is definitely a dangerous venture. Death is an every rotation occurrence and many transporters are not skilled enough to make the grade, as this war zone becomes more chaotic. That is why there are so few now. My job is not a glamorous one. The risks are great, but the credits and adventure more than make up for it.

I am one of the few survivors and with good reason. I have never failed a commission, at least not yet. There are new transporters every section and every section there are more deaths. Both transporters and resistance forces alike, have become involved in what would be termed a Bloodbath. Transport through the tubes is impossible now, due to the Trade Commissions Stranglehold. I am not worried. I transport outside the tubes, but the danger is just as real. Some of the Commission’s security forces fly unmarked ships and try to make you believe they are transporters too. They use non-Trade transponders to hide their true nature and would surround and attack lone ships. If they are not present, there are always pirates. Knowing who is and who isn’t a danger, is the key to survival.

The first rule of transporting goods in a war: Never give your real destination and coordinates to anyone.

The second rule: Never accept your credits in person, only use an un-tracked credit account.

My name is Datano Torrent, but I am mostly called D. I have been in this business for a long time and at one time, even served in the Trade Military. The experience that I gained there has helped me to live as long as I have. This also gives me insight into their tactics and thought patterns. I left with the high rank of Combat Lieutenant, so I am very well trained. I know the ins and outs of the military and still have many good contacts there, which have helped me in the past. Communication with my prospective clients has now become very hard due to the Trade Commission cracking down on communication arrays. They now monitor all frequencies they are aware of. The only way to communicate is through non-tagged arrays that function on different frequencies, which they do not monitor. These frequencies are kept highly secret, so the commission will not find out about them.

On this new phase, one of my secure arrays interrupted my thoughts with its insistent red flashing glow. This meant that I was in great danger, so I answered it with great nervousness. On the other end, one of my military contacts warned me. I was informed that they found out about me and that they are starting to search this immediate area. As if in response, I started hearing the gunfire and searching, getting ever closer to my house. Hitting the red button that erased all my records, except those in my personal COM, I quickly gathered my belongings.

The lower districts were hit first. The poor were always hit first. As I made my way out of the area, I kept grabbing civilians, pulling them into the shadows and out of harm’s way. They did not ask for this purging and I felt bad for them. I now knew, that they were looking for me and several times, I almost was caught. I had this strange feeling that I was not alone and in the meridians to follow, my instinct was proven right. Occasionally I heard Trade Commission voices getting closer to my location and every time, there was silence after that. As I was going through the winding narrow streets, this kept happening. One time my curiosity got the best of me and I looked around the corner only to find a dead Trade commission soldier. In one of those times, I heard a brief voice in distress, only to be greeted with silence. I worked my way ever faster, as I did not know what the hell was going on. I had to double back once because my daughter had dropped her dolly. It was at this time that I saw a mortar round destroy my house. All those orbits of memories and good times evaporated in the white-hot explosion, which took out my house and the surrounding buildings. Right than I swore to myself, that they would pay.

Right now my overwhelming goal was to get my daughter to safety. I called her E for short. Her real name is unimportant right now. Suffice it to say, I would give my life for hers given the choice. As we were running she asked: Daddy, what is happening as she sobs into my stomach. I tell her; well what can you tell a child so young. Was it a stupid bureaucrat that had lost his mind? Instead I tell her: Don’t worry love, we will be fine as I cover her with my body to protect her from falling debris. She than asks, Daddy, where is mommy, is she okay? Are we going to see her? Please daddy, can we go see her? I tell her that her mother is okay and that we would see her soon. You see I was married once, to a very beautiful woman. This was a woman of science and my soul mate. Unfortunately, our marriage fell apart while I was serving in the military. I was on assignment and was gone for a very long time. She could not wait for me anymore.

I started remembering all of the wars, this World had in the past. I mean; what civilization has not had war at some time in their history? I was involved in quite a few before I realized, I had been fighting on the wrong side. In the end, the two of us split up, but we still raised E together. This little girl had been the greatest joy in our lives. My Ex’s name is Cree and she works for Neo-Dynamic. I will try to find her. Speaking of Cree, she is ringing my COM now.

I answer to a hysterical woman, screaming at me and asking if E is okay. I tell her that she is fine and she says Oh thank you, Thank you, I couldn’t get across town to get her as she sobbed. She keeps on saying she’s sorry. I tell her it’s okay and that I would meet up with her as soon as I could.

At this point my goal was to get to the spaceport. I had to get my ship up and out of here. Unfortunately, we were very far away, but for some reason we were not being followed. Finally, I had arrived at the spaceport safely and called Cree. I let her know that I had arrived and she informed me that she was already there. I hurried to meet her.

At the spaceport, in a locked up observation room, three men gathered and conversed about their mission.

All resistance has been neutralized and the Target has arrived safely. It was time for the next part of the plan. Are you ready Robert, Seer inquired. I have emptied the gallery and will have a clear view of the entire concourse. Excellent job Blackthorne, I need you to get back to the ship and prepare it for takeoff. Must I he inquired? It is necessary. Cree, are you sure he will be willing to help us asked Seer? Cree (looking nervously at someone who seemed to look right through her) said that he would but that she had to be there or he might run to protect their daughter. Let us proceed than, and they left the observation room.

Robert put together his baby. She had been with him for a long time and she was deadly accurate up to 5000 centara. He then settled himself into position and trained his weapon on the concourse.

Datano, holding his daughter tightly, was moving carefully through the spaceport. He noticed that all of the launch bays had heavy Trade Commission presence and he wondered if he would be able to get to his ship. As he was walking, the Commission guards would approach him and then turn away as they got closer, not paying him any attention. This he found very disturbing, because as they approached, they would suddenly get a blank look in their eyes and start talking about any subject under the sun, after which they would turn and go the other way. Datano started getting very suspicious and started clutching his daughter with one hand and his weapon with another. This must have occurred for about 20 meridians, as he worked his way toward his docking space. Finally, as he reached the main concourse he saw Cree and she was talking to a young man. Datano was very jealous that she would bring her boyfriend with her. At least that’s who he thought it was. E asked: Daddy, who is that? I do not know baby, we will find out. The two of them seemed to know each other very well and as he approached, a man dressed all in black was hurrying away from the area, heading toward the outer docks.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a patrol of Trade Soldiers rounded the corner. They looked at Datano, conferred with each other, than rapidly approached Datano. They ordered him to stop, or they would shoot. Datano threw his daughter behind a metal cubicle and drew his weapon. Before he could shoot, he heard what sounded like an air sound, such as you would hear from a silencer and in rapid succession red mushrooms appeared in the area where their hearts would be and the soldiers instantly crumbled to the floor dead. Shots were than heard in the concourse and the sound of breaking glass. A backup patrol was shooting, somewhere into the air, at one of the observation booths. In mirins they were also dead on the floor. Then there was silence, as everyone ran away from the concourse to avoid injury. When it was all over, Datano found that he was alone on the concourse with the young man and his Ex, Cree. Cree had hit the floor, but this young man just stood there unperturbed. He was not bothered at all, by what was going on. He then helped Cree stand up. E, who could not stand it no longer came out of hiding and ran to her Mother, to my surprise. After hugging and kissing for a full meridian, they turned and looked my way. Approaching cautiously, putting my weapon away (I did not want to endanger E), I approached them with my hand still on the handle of my weapon. I than focused my attention on this young man and felt as if he had opened me up, and learned all of my secrets. It was in his stare. He motioned for me to move my hand off of my weapon and glanced upward. Looking up I saw the glint on the barrel of a powerful gun and broken glass everywhere. It appeared that the observation booth was shattered by all of the gunfire.

He gets nervous if someone appears to be threatening me. I mean you no harm Datano. I just want to talk about your future with you. We have much to discuss. With a glance from Cree, I realized he was serious and slowly took my hand away from my weapon. I saw the stranger in the observation booth relax, but he kept observing me to make sure.

Realizing my family was in danger, orbits of training took over and I quickly assessed what my options were. Quickly looking around, I notice one of the dead soldiers was lying, not more than 3 centara away from Cree and E. In that split mirin, a plan formed in my mind. I had to move fast, before they realized what my game was. Before I even had the plan formulated, I went into action. Timing it perfectly to apply the most force without harming Cree or E, I leaped directly at them. In that instant I shoved them towards the first big piece of metal debris that I could see and yelled at Cree to duck. After I shoved them, I went into a roll, timing my hands so that they could grab the dead soldier’s gun. Coming out of the roll, many orbits of practice allowed me to cock and load the gun in mid flip and I came up training the weapon on this strange man. Listen, I do not know who you people are, but if you value the life of your friend here, you will drop your weapons and stand down! Suddenly there was silence and I heard not one but many, many weapons, being lowered. Apparently, this person standing before me was very important to them. I had struck a nerve. Next thing I knew Cree grabbed me from behind, pulling me down. Luckily for her I did not pull the trigger, or she may have been accidentally shot. She screamed at me: Are you nuts, they are on our side. E was petrified and all she could do was whimper. Now look what you done as she tried hard to console E. Please put down the weapon, trust me, no harm will come to us. Please, I am begging you to put it down she said on the verge of tears. I did not know what to say. At this point I realized, that my gun was not trained on this person. They could have killed me easily, thanks to Cree’s foolishness. She than helped me up and I followed her slowly into another room, where she started explaining what was going on. In this conversation I realized that the person I was aiming my weapon at, was known as Seer and that he, was the leader of the Resistance. Apparently they had been watching me for sections, protecting me from harm. They had been doing this unseen and here I thought I was just plain lucky in recent rotations. They had a plan for me, utilizing my unique skills. With the crackdown that the Trade Commission had initialized, they had to find a way to get me to safety, so that they could give me the commission. This plan had been in the works for many sections and this rotation, was the rotation in which it was put into motion. The Trade Commission somehow got wind of it and planned to stop this meeting from ever happening. The first part was to get me out of the house because the Trade Commission now knew where I lived. They contacted my friend in the military, who was one of their sympathizers. Once they got me out of the house, they had to keep my daughter and me safe, until I could get here. Cree than apologized for the secrecy, but no one could know, including myself. Since there was a leak somewhere in the organization, that even Seer cannot find. Why me Datano asked? I am just a man trying to make a living for our daughter and you. You are more than that and you know it, she stated. Just talk to him, he will explain everything. You do not seem to have given me much choice. After Cree explained what she could, I felt it was time to get to the bottom of this ‘plan’ and decided to approach Seer.

So, Seer is it. I know you need to explain what is going on, but being in the military and knowing how the Trade Commission thinks, I can tell you that it is not safe here. You may think it is, but it is not. If you know as much about me as I think you do, than you know that I have an asteroid base that is not on any star charts. There are certain advantages to being the Trade Commission’s Head Cartographer. Cree had a look of surprise in her face when she heard about the Asteroid. At any rate we need to get out of here, right now. I think you have a point, Seer said. We should not take your ship, because they now know who you are and they will be watching your ship. My ship is just this way. With that Seer led everyone to a rarely used spaceport dock. When they arrived at the port, the doors to the bay were closed and the controls destroyed. The ship looked truly ancient. It also looked like it would not make it out of the spaceport. I could see where it was cobbled together, with this and that, from other ships. There was only one person that I knew of, who could have put a ship together in this way. Cree looked at me and she smiled. It’s not much, but she will fly. Everyone scrambled aboard and prepared for takeoff. Once the engines came online, the ship vibrated badly and it seemed like it would shake apart. With my confidence shaken, the only reason I did not leave the ship right then and there, was because Cree built it and the Commission troops would not be far behind. Her reputation was legendary and I knew that we would be safe. As if in answer to my question, the ship quieted down to a whisper and other systems came on line. When I read the gauges, I could not believe how powerful this ship really was. Just as we took off, the Trade Commission troops broke through the doors and opened fire on the ship. It was at this time that I was surprised again. Shields, this thing had real Shields. This was a new technology, I had never seen before. The rounds they were firing were sure to hit the ship, but they bounced off of what appeared to be an energy barrier. It was strange to see rounds stopped, centas before they hit the hull of the ship. Looking over at Cree, I could see that she was beaming from ear to ear. She was proud of her work and it showed. I wish she looked at me again, like she looked at Seer’s ship. Once we cleared the space dock and were well on our way, the ship cloaked. The crew worked all of the controls, oblivious to Seer and party. I still could not believe what this ship could do. Cree asked: Do you like it? I could not help but say yes, as she was leading me to quarters on the ship. The room I was given was sparsely furnished, but comfortable. A phase later, with assistance from myself, I had directed them to my private asteroid. It was in the middle of an asteroid belt that circled the center of our little Solar system. Once we had arrived and docked, everyone physically relaxed. You will be safe here, this is after all, uncharted space, at least that is what the Trade Commission believes, I told them.

Elana Greek was staring out of the window that overlooked Talisman, the largest city in the Northern Region of Dunamis. She was wondering what new challenges would come. Being in office for only three orbits, she had a lot to prove. It was now orbit 3 of the Crucible Dunarin, and the Resistance was gaining strength, in response to The Trade Commission renewing their attacks. It seemed to be growing unchecked. Elana was bound and determined to crush this Resistance, once and for all, after what had happened to her son. In the first few sections of her term, She realized that the Rebels seemed to know every move that the Trade Commission made. There was a traitor in the Trade Commission and Elana had yet to root him, or her out. That was the only explanation. There was no other way that they would know when her next attack was. She had to discover this traitor, or her renewed campaign against the Rebels would fail. She returned to her desk, had a sip of coffee and started pouring over all of the reports of Rebel activity. On the last rotation, they made a bold move against her forces. What started, as a simple mission to capture a known criminal Transporter became a nightmare? Because of their new leader, she had been losing a lot of battles lately. The truth of the matter was that the Resistance was gaining ground. The capture of this criminal known as Datano Torrent, would have broken the remaining transporters. If the plan had only worked, the Trade Commission would have regained much control of the Tube System and would have forced the Resistance to retreat. Without the supplies that were getting through, they would have been easier to defeat. The capture of this criminal, would have gained the Commission access to their secret routes. Now that this mission had failed, she was starting to wonder if she would be able to defeat them at all. Her revelry was interrupted by a breeze, which suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She ducked behind her desk and came up with her weapon, only to find a tall man in her office. He wore black robes and a gold pendant, denoting his high office. The High Master looked at Elana and said: I see that you still have your instincts. Why are you bothering me here, I have things to do said Elana? You mean your pitiful war against the Rebels He smirked? We need to root this trash out and bring the Trade Commission back to its former glory, replied Elana. Though I appreciate your enthusiasm, I have things well in hand, unlike you the High Master said. How dare you insult me in this way Elana said as she closed the distance between her and the High Master. Control yourself, remember, we put you in this position and can take you out just as quickly said the High Master. Elana stood down with a stare of pure hatred, directed at this man. At any rate, as I said earlier, if you would have listened, I have matters well in hand. You must have patience he replied, unaffected by the stare. What exactly do you plan to do Elana demanded? What I plan is none of your concern. Suffice it to say, that everything will happen in a certain way and pretty soon. Your so called Resistance will cease to exist. Why can’t you tell me how you are going to do it? asked Elana, the stare now gone? The Masters of the Machine have resources, you can only dream of and with them we can accomplish much. You are not authorized for this information and I would suggest you leave it at that the High Master said. By the way, what makes you so determined to crush them anyway? You are almost fanatical in your need to do this. I do this because it was the Resistance that killed my son, she said. I see," he said. Well I would suggest that you keep yourself under better control.

A few meridians later an Apprentice came in and conferred with the High Master. His rank was apparent by the Copper Pendant that he was wearing. With the exception of the pendant, he wore black robes just like the High Master. The agent is in position Your Eminence. Everything has gone as you had predicted. The Apprentice conferred with the High Master for a few more meridians and then left the office. Before he left he said; You see my dear Elana, I have things well in hand. You would do well to remember that the High Master said. Before he left he turned around and said:

"Now Elana; We Wait!!!

Chapter Two

A Restless Night

Rotation three, Varn one, Section one, Orbit three of the Crucible Dunarin:

Approaching my base, I was struck by how lonely it is out here. With my newfound friends (At least I hoped so) we approach the hidden dock. It was clever to have a holograph making the docking area look like a normal part of the asteroid. As we approached, we were suddenly scanned. This was a feeling that I knew very well. After all, this was my real home. Once we were scanned, I felt a tingle, as my implant started glowing for less than a mirin. No one seemed to notice except Blackthorne. He was a strange one. He seemed the most perceptive. This may be because of his profession. What that was, I did not know, but knew he was the one I had to keep an eye on. He may be the most dangerous, with the exception of Seer. No one else seemed to notice the brief glow and I liked it that way. Seer may know, but his expression was and always seemed to be, unreadable. He had the ultimate poker face and I could not read him at all and I consider myself good at reading people. As far as the implant was concerned, I have had it for most of my life. Where it came from I have never been able to figure out. I have always had it, so it is part of me like a hand or a foot. I learned at an early age how to control it. I found that it allowed me to interface with electronic devices to a degree. I lost both of my parents at a young age and so I really do not know anything about myself. I do realize however, that I am more than an average Dunamin. To what extent that is, I have still to figure out. Before I could dwell on it any further, we are at the docking bay.

After we arrived at the docking bay, we approached the main entrance to my complex. As we approach the door a familiar blue glow surrounded my newfound companions and I Welcome back Datano, how was your latest mission, an electronic, but sexy woman’s voice asked?

I see that you have Elizabeth with you on this rotation and my goodness, is that Cree with you?

What is this, you have some new guests with you on this rotation as well, do you like the flowers?

Yes, the daisies look beautiful this rotation. I refer to the planter boxes surrounding the entrance with a gesture from my hand. They are not real, but they spruce the entrance up a bit.

This is a necessary precaution, in case I am held against my will. I would say that there are a few weeds in the yard this rotation, if I was in trouble. In this case Olivia would use lock down protocols to protect me. She would then attempt to neutralize the enemies.

Once this was established, she informed me that we had picked up a tail and that she had been jamming this ship since she detected it.

Datano, what would you like me to do about this situation?

She remained silent and waited for my input.

Seeing that my daughter was still standing there, I asked Olivia if E had any homework. As if sensing my concern, she said She is two chapters behind in her studies.

Sweetheart could you go upstairs for a few meridians, while we are getting everything powered up I said.

Being only ten orbits old, she did not question what I said and as the entryway opened up, she skipped happily upstairs. Olivia was lighting her way as she skipped. Once she had done that, I focused on the problem at hand. I have always tried to keep her shielded, from the unsavory aspects of my life. I wanted her to grow up as normal as possible. After that, I showed my new found companions to a very large room in the center of my complex. As we were walking through the complex, rooms and hallways were lit as we went. Presently we approached a large set of double doors, which slid open with a whooshing sound. When everyone had entered the room, the doors closed with the same sound and suddenly, the control room started lighting up. Nonchalantly I said: Brew coffee. There was a sound, somewhere in this large room and the smell of coffee started wafting through the area, followed by Olivia’s voice saying Coffee Brewed. I started getting ready for our un-invited guest. Defense Grid activates. Targeting system up. Please identify the target.

As I said each command, Screens lit up in various parts of the room and red lights started flashing as Olivia prepared for defense mode.

Once this was done, Olivia’s voice came through: Identity, Trade Commission Ship, Battleship Class, What Options please?

I said: Download logs; Logs Complete.

I said Show Offensive Options; Options up on screen one

As if in response another screen popped up with choices and a control panel rotated from the wall.

I said Thank you Olivia, please standby.

Turning to Seer I remarked (as my hand touched various buttons) Slow and painful, Quick and Painless, or instantaneous"?

We must eliminate this threat before our location is compromised he said, cool and calculating.

Instantaneous than’. Olivia activates ‘obliteration sequence one’, Activating, and neutralizing".

When the command was activated, a beam struck the ship broadside A field of charged particles surrounded the Trade battleship. These particles started charging up and the ship’s hull started glowing. When it was almost blinding, the nearby asteroids surrounding the battleship were instantly attracted to the ship. They hit with such force, that the ship was crushed like an eggshell. Once this blow was struck, the station went black. Five meridians later, the power returned.

It takes a great deal of power to use that weapon, I said.

Cree looked shocked and remarked: So, you finally used the ‘Porcupine’ device

She continued: It took me many orbits to develop it, why did it take you so long to fit it to this station?

It was still experimental and I never had to use it, I said.

You must realize that my cannons cannot take out a full battleship, I said. It had to be used.

I am glad it worked, otherwise it could have been very messy, Cree said.

Everyone had a good laugh at that. The laugh was interrupted when E came down asking why all the lights went out in our house.

It’s alright baby, the generators have not been used in a while and we had to fix them real quick. Everything is working now, are you hungry?

Elizabeth said she wasn’t. She was just tired and decided to go to bed.

After all the excitement, everyone realized that they were also tired and wanted to retire for the rotation. I showed everyone to quarters. Once everyone was settled in, I went upstairs to read a bedtime story to E. Once I came upstairs, she was in