Stryker Team: The Complete Series

By Frank Carey

Doctor, Marine, murderer... Kalana Grenor's been through a lot of changes. Can she survive one more?

A doctor and a captain in the Space Marines until her fiancé, Peter, died on her operating table, Kalana is wracked with guilt. Peter's mother swore a vengeance against the woman who nearly became her daughter-in-law. Given a second chance by the military, Kalana fights to regain her life and find out who was behind Peter's killing.

These are the stories of the League of Planetary Systems' first team of nanorobot-enhanced warriors--the strykers—as they protect the League from threats both internal and external.

This anthology contains all 8 books in the Stryker Team series:
Evolution
Transition
Unification
Resolution
Nochmar
Gweyr
Reton
Necrue

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Carey
• Release date: Dec 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393935391

Frank Carey

Frank Carey has been formally writing and publishing works of science fiction since late 2013. Over the years prior, he had dabbled in various forms of writing including haiku poetry, but that all changed when he and his wife, Jo, decided to try their hand at writing and self-publishing. Since then, he has written and published a collection of flash fiction and short stories, two anthologies, a pentalogy, and a trilogy. All his work, to date, has been in the science fiction genre. Most of his stories take place about two centuries in the future when Earth joins the League of Planetary Systems. Many of his protagonists are strong females. He is an inveterate pantser who believes the story will go where the story wants to go. Frank’s background includes degrees in physics and extensive work as a scientific programmer and technologist.

Book preview

EVOLUTION

CHAPTER ONE

Birds song and the aroma of fresh tea and biscuits filled the glade as Kalana rose from her bed of flower petals. Small forest creatures joined the young elf princess as she sat up and stretched in the morning sunlight. Oh, what a wonderful morning! she said as her tail reached over and retrieved a cup of tea from the nightstand. The day will be wonderful...

Rise and shine, ladies. It's a new day in the corps, Space Marine Gunnery Sergeant Geraldine Hartman yelled as the lights in the squad bay came on to full brightness. She punctuated her request by throwing a metal can down the length of the room with enough force to dent the far wall.

Kalana rolled out of her bunk while begging the gods that this was a nightmare. She looked around and saw similar looks on the faces of her fellow team members.

Attenshun! Hartman yelled. Officers on the deck!

Everyone leapt to a spot at the foot of their bunks where they stood at attention.

At ease. Listen up! Captain John Williamson, their human commanding officer, barked as he, Lt. Shenta, his Sokuhl number two, and Sergeant Hartman walked to the center of the room. The LWS Plotkin has been diverted to Meltor to aid in a search and rescue operation. This team will assist members of the Consortium military to find and rescue members of a research team lost inside the Maelstrom.

Sir! a team member barked. Why not wait for the storm to pass, Sir!

My God, someone with a vocabulary, Harman yelled.

The lieutenant explained, The Maelstrom is a permanent fixture on Meltor. The boffins think it's a leftover from a previous civilization. It is also home to several species of sapient winged dragons.

The team glanced at Mersa, their Basili weapons specialist. Basili were the closest thing the League had to winged dragons.

Due to time constraints and the severe conditions associated with the Maelstrom, we will halo two clicks from the last known position of the research team. We will hike in, find them, then render aid until the Consortium shows up. Any questions?

There were none.

Hartman took up the briefing. We will be using the new sigma power suits. They've been hardened for use in Maelstrom-type environments.

We drop in eight hours, Capt. Williamson added. Any questions?

Again, there were none.

Dismissed! Hartman barked. The team dispersed.

Corporal Grenor, a word, the captain requested.

Sir? Kalana replied while her tail formed its characteristic question mark.

You're doing double duty this trip. Hanson broke his arm during a handball match, so you're the medic this trip. Any problem with that, Doctor?

A knot of fear formed in Kalana's stomach. Sir, you of all people are aware of what happened the last time I put on the stethoscope.

Yes, I am, he replied. He stared at her.

No, sir. No problem, she finally replied.

Good. Carry on, Corporal.

Kalana saluted, then walked away to attend to her duties. A delivery bot trundled up and handed her a medical kit before heading off to make other deliveries. She looked at the bag before grabbing her kit and heading to the showers.

###

Mersa walked over and gave her wings a nervous flap as Kalana finished squaring away her bunk.

What's up, girlfriend? Kalana asked. She and Mersa were team mates and friends. She knew when the Basili wanted to ask something, but didn't know how to begin. Mersa was the fiercest warrior imaginable, but when it came to personal matters, she was a wuss.

Why did the captain call you Doctor?

Kalana smile. Because, in a previous life, I was doctor. I healed people.

I don't understand. MDs come in through Officer Candidate School, not boot camp.

I was a doctor until I got someone killed. Since then, I'm a corporal. No stars, no bars, no salutes; just a Space Marine doing her duty protecting the League.

Mersa had never heard so much pain in one sentence. She put her taloned hand on her friend’s shoulder. You want to talk? I'm here.

Kalana put her hand on her friend's and said, Maybe later. For now, we have a mission to prep for.

Copy that, Sister! Mersa patted her friend's shoulder then waited for her to grab her med kit before the two of them headed out to the staging area.

CHAPTER TWO

Kalana powered up the suit before running its pre-launch checklist. Murphy, are you on-line yet? she asked her AI companion.

Yes, ma'am. I am jacked-in and ready to rock.

She looked at the unit. Watching those adventure films again, Murph?

Aye, ma'am. Have I gotten the lingo correct?

Murph, you're perfect. All you need is a white-linen sport coat and deck shoes.

Yes! She was reminded of that InterWeb meme of a baby doing a fist-pump.

While you're at it, could you run a level-3 pre-launch diagnostic?

Aye, aye, Corporal Grenor. Running diagnostic.

The sigma power suit is an eight-foot tall bipedal unit driven by a Marine who sat in the unit's chest cavity. Kalana climbed to the top of the unit where she opened an access door and pressed a button underneath. With a loud whirring sound, the Head tilted forward to reveal a cockpit complete with seat, harness, controls, and readouts. The corporal climbed inside, sat down, and fastened the harness before donning the control headset. Satisfied, she reached up and pushed-in the power breakers.

The control console lit up like a holiday tree as systems came on. Murph, where are we with the diagnostic?

Just finishing up, Corporal, Murph replied through the unit's intercom system. All systems on-line and fully functional.

She reached up and pressed a button which closed the head and sealed it. Activate all motor functions.

All motor functions activated, ma'am. The unit lurched as its systems applied minimal power to its arms and legs.

Retract gantry. Activate warning horns and beacons.

The ladders surrounding the unit pulled back while warning horns and mars lights activated, warning personnel to stand clear.

Ready for motion test, Corporal.

Staging control, this is Elf Princess requesting permission to perform mobility tests.

Elf Princess, this is control. Standby.

Elf Princess standing by...

Elf Princess, Staging Control. You are go for mobility test.

Kalana tapped her headset, activating it and tying it into the unit's control system. Using hand and foot controls augmented by the telepresence headband, Kalana commanded the unit to stand. Once upright, she walked it to the center of the room where other units were being run through test routines by their operators.

Hey, Princess, I hear you're going to be playing doctor. I got a boo-boo that needs to be fixed, a heavily-armed unit sporting black and white stripes said as it showed her a massive robotic finger.

Hmmm, she said over the comm while examining the digit. Your unit looks fine. How about I remove yours and see what I can do with a hot poker.

Ooooh! the rest of the team said while Mersa gave her a mechanical fist-bump.

The Captain and Gunny watched from the side. Sir, what's the scoop on Grenor?

Being tall, even for a human, he looked down at her. Didn't they brief you?

No, sir. I replaced Sergeant Zon only a week ago.

You're taking over for one of the finest non-coms in the Corps.

Yes, sir. How's she doing, if I may ask.

On the mend. She should be back to work within a year. Lucky for us, the Alturans can grow back tentacles.

Sir, Grenor?

She used to be Captain Grenor, MD. She was involved with a Colonel who happened to die on her operating table after a rather nasty accident. The Colonel's father, a very powerful senator, demanded she be court-martialed and sentenced to death. General McMurphy stepped in and persuaded the court to bust her to corporal and assign her to this ship.

The General is EMEF, not Space Marine, isn't she, sir?

Affirmative. She was Space Marine until General Aymar asked her to transfer into the Elf Marine Expeditionary Force. Our loss, their gain. She still has friends in the corps, so the tribunal acquiesced.

Damn. I thought Grenor was just a screw-up...

Gunny, that woman saved my wife's life when the rest of Corps Medical had written her off. I was honored to have Kalana join the team, understand?

Sir, yes, sir!

I suggest you pull the team's jackets and read them thoroughly. They're unique, which may explain why it's the most decorated team in the Corps.

Yes, sir!

He turned back to watch his Marines work their rides.

CHAPTER THREE

Kalana made a final system check as she waited for the drop. She looked at her displays and saw the biometric readouts of the seven members of their team and noted that they were all calm, even the lieutenant. LT, how many drops have you made? she asked.

This is my first, why?

You're calm. Most first-timers show elevated respiration and BP. Yours is calm.

It's a Sokuhl characteristic. Is it a problem?

No, sir. Not a problem at all.

Kalana finished her checks. LT, we are good to go.

Thank you, Corporal. Control, Rescue One ready to go.

Copy that, Rescue One. Drop in thirty seconds.

Kalana checked her harness one final time. How are we doing Murph?

All systems in the green. Ship scans of the surface show all conditions nominal.

A chime announced the five-second mark.

Ready for this, Big Guy?

Always, mistress.

She reached up and felt the ring hanging around her neck under her uniform. Peter had given it to her as an engagement ring. Now, it was a reminder of what could have been. The floor folded away to show the planet waiting below. The units around her dropped just before the bottom dropped out of her world. She scanned her board and saw the rest of her team on profile. Murph, status please.

We are on profile. Altitude fifty miles, speed nominal. Profile nominal.

She looked and saw everyone, including the LT, were as frosty as snow cones.

We are entering the upper layer of the Maelstrom. Still on track. Still... Warning, atmospheric ionization reaching critical level.

Shit, you mean we're hitting a lightning storm?

Affirmative. Communications down...

Murph, go to manual then transfer to my gauntlet.

Roger-Dodger, going to manual. She looked down and saw a green indicator illuminate on her right gauntlet, indicating Murphy was safely ensconced in her suit. Her unit shook as every indicator and display flickered.

Lightning strike. Thrusters down to 40%. Scanners out. Communications out.

She reached up and pulled a lever. The unit separated, releasing her and Murph into the fury of maelstrom. She watched as moments later her unit was vaporized by another lightning strike.

Murph, how screwed are we?

Wait one, mistress... Altitude 10,000 feet above ground level. Scanners read mountains below us.

Kalana looked down and saw glimpses of a rocky landscape quickly approaching. Prepare for parachute release. Any chance we can get a beacon signal out of this dust?

Doubtful, mistress. Perhaps after the electrical storm passes. Approaching 2,500 feet AGL.

If the storm passes, she said as she pulled her rip cord. A large paragliding parachute deployed overhead. Her descent quickly slowed as the chute canopy filled with air.

Mistress. I've detected a level area to your right.

Kalana turned and saw what he was talking about, so she pulled her right lines, causing the chute to turn in the direction of the clearing. Moments later, she was on the ground and gathering-up her chute. Murph, any idea where we are? she asked as she piled up her chute, harness, and flight helmet.

Thirty clicks due west of the team's designated landing site. Scanners are having a hard time with the dust.

She reached into her pack and took out a full-face breathing mask. After checking the filters, she put it on. Immediately, a heads-up display appeared on the mask's faceplate. Better. You're right, this dust is playing havoc with the scanners. She checked her supplies and found they had survived relatively unscathed. Thirty clicks, say six-hours in this terrain. Any radio contacts?

No ma'am, and I I've tried contacting them on all frequencies, both League and Consortium, but the dust could be blocking them.

Got it. She looked up at the sky and saw the sun was approaching the western horizon. Night will be falling soon. Keep your scanners peeled, she said as she got her bearings before heading east toward where she hoped she would find the rest of her team.

###

By the time the sun had set, Kalana and Murphy had made it down to the base of the mountain and were making good time across a flat area studded with odd rock formations that shown like large ghosts in her HUD.

On Earth, they're known as hoodoos, mistress.

You learn something new every day.

The harder stone of boulder on the top protects the softer stone underneath, Murphy explained.

Look at that one off to the left. The top-stone looks like Mersa... She watched as the top stone lifted off and flew away into the night. Murph, was that a dragon? She asked as she continued to stare into the night.

Yes, mistress, though my records indicate it was a very small one.

Why did the scanners miss it?

I don't know mistress. Even in flight, it did not show up. This concerns me.

Are they dangerous?

To date, all interactions have been neutral or friendly.

Let's hope we don't meet an unfriendly one, she said as they continued their journey.

###

Two hours later found them in a valley of caves. Does this dust ever let up? Kalana asked.

No. This storm has been a permanent feature long before the Consortium survey team found the planet over two hundred years ago. The storm is formed by an immense, low-level force field that surrounds the area.

Force field? You mean its artificial?

Yes. All of the species that inhabit the Maelstrom have adapted to the conditions so completely that loss of the field would be catastrophic to the area's ecology.

She stopped. Species? As in more than one?

Yes, the dragons are only one of many species that inhabit the Maelstrom.

Are any of these species dangerous?

Yes. There are several non-pinnacle predators which could be considered dangerous.

She looked around and saw several pairs of glowing red eyes watching her. And you didn't think to tell me this before now?

Records indicate that the predators in question do not inhabit this part of the Maelstrom.

Really? Have you looked at video channel one? she asked as she drew her weapon and set it to level 11—the kill setting.

Oh my. Scanners still say there's nothing there, mistress.

One of the creatures that wasn't there leapt at her. She fired, but the energy beam deflected off the creature's armored flank. She prayed to the gods of her family that the beast could die as she emptied the weapon's energy pack into the advancing creature with little effect. In one motion, she holstered her weapon and grabbed her Marine knife. It was strong, sharp, and perfectly balanced, but it was no match for the thing coming at her. She glanced toward one of the caves, but found one of the creature's companions guarding it, as if it knew what she was thinking. Just then, an amazing thing happened. A white form appeared from the dust. It screamed, then grabbed the creature guarding the cave and threw it into the dust beyond before placing itself between Kalana and her attacker.

Cave! Run! it said as it blew a gout of fire at the lead beast. Kalana ran into the cave, threw off her pack and grabbed a force field generator just as the white dragon ran in behind her. She threw the generator at the entrance while hitting the activator button. When it hit the entrance, the generator stopped in mid-air. Suspended by the field it generated.

Two of the attackers hit the field at full tilt, but were deflected with a burst of lightning. Seeing their way blocked, the rest of the pack slunk off into the dust-filled night.

CHAPTER FOUR

Kalana looked at her new friend, not thinking for a moment that this dragon was just protecting its dinner. Instead, she felt a sense of safety, of friendship. Thank you, she said. I am Kalana.

I am known as Crystal Light of the Dawn, the dragon responded in a voice that reminded Kalana of church bells.

She is a she, mistress, Murph whispered.

Of course, I am a she, little AI.

You know about artificial intelligences?

Yes, for they keep the dust in place. Tell me, why are you walking at night? All know that the night is filled with danger.

I'm trying to find friends of mine who may be lost in the dust.

Ah, one of the warriors that dropped from the sky. You really need better shielding against the static discharge.

And you know this how?

Crystal reached over and tapped Kalana's gauntlet, the one that contained Murph. League database.

Hey! Murph said loudly. How the plark did you get past my firewalls...? Hey, stop that! No, you are not going there...! Dammit, she went there.

How are you doing that? Kalana asked.

We dragons have our ways.

Can you tell me if the others are safe?

Some are, some aren't. I will take you to the ones that aren't, but we must wait until the morning or else risk meeting another pack. She walked over to a pile of rock. That's when Kalana noticed that she was built like a centaur with a quadruped back end and biped torso at the front. She picked up a boulder and sprayed it with fire, heating it to red before placing it on the floor at the center of the cave. This should keep you warm until sunrise.

Don't you need heat? Kalana asked.

My internal furnace keeps me warm.

Oh. How handy.

Crystal lay down against a wall like some impossible cat. Unlike Mersa, Crystal was covered in long, luxurious fur, which added to the cat look. Come, lay next to me and talk. I have many questions about your kind.

Kalana stripped off her outer uniform blouse and boots before sitting down against Crystal. It was like leaning up against a bear rug with the bear still inside. What would you like to know?

Do your people mate for life?

You mean elves? Many do; many don't. It's an individual thing.

Do you have a mate?

Kalana looked at the glowing rock. I did, but he... He died.

Forgive. I forgot your people have finite life spans.

Yours don't?

No. We live in stages. One stage ends, the next begins, perpetuity.

I don't understand.

I have seen that your kind believe in an afterlife, yes?

Yes. Sometimes it's all that keeps us going. Do you believe in an afterlife?

No, for 'After' suggests an end. For us, there is no end, only a series of beginnings.

Kalana looked at Crystal. That's deep.

Crystal smiled, then lay her head down, using her torso limbs as a pillow. Sleep little one. The sun comes up soon.

She was right, though Kalana would have preferred to continue, she needed some z's to get through the journey ahead. Murph, wake us just before sunrise.

Yes, mistress. Sleep well.

Kalana leaned against Crystal and quickly fell into a deep, dream-filled sleep.

###

Kalana sat in the locker room and stared at her hands. Moments ago, she watched a man she loved and respected die as she tried to save his life. She knew she should be crying, or beating a locker to death with a bench, but she just sat there, wondering what the hell had gone wrong. Captain Grenor?

She looked up and saw an MP team standing between her and the door. Yes, Sergeant, I am Captain Grenor.

Please come with us, ma'am.

Where are we going, Sarge? I'm kinda busy here.

The sergeant handed her a folded piece of paper. She carefully unfolded it and read it before looking up at the sergeant's stern countenance. Not a joke?

No, ma'am, no joke.

Can I change first?

Yes, ma'am.

Kalana quickly showered, then changed into her uniform before joining the MPs. They led her down a corridor to an elevator which took them up to the roof where an atmospheric shuttle waited for them.

Sarge, did you know the Colonel?

Yes, ma'am, we all served with him.

She looked at the MPs and saw the looks on their faces. She glanced out the window We're passing over the Wombat embassy. If you hurry, you can throw me out the hatch. Their young would make short work of my body. No trace, no fuss, no muss, no bother.

Ma'am?

I minored in psychology, Sarge. The five of you are most clear about what you want to do, and I agree with you. I should die.

He was our CO, ma'am.

And I loved him. One push and we all get what we want.

Not today, ma'am, Sarge said as she leaned against the bulkhead. Not today.

CHAPTER FIVE

A year later...

Kalana stood in front of the chamber doors and stared at the engraving covering the wood. Her lawyer stood beside her trying to give her a pep talk, but Kalana stopped listening. She preferred to just stare.

Did you know that these carvings are designed to calm whomever looks at them?

Kalana turned and saw a legend standing next to her. She gasped, then she and her lawyer came to attention and snapped salutes. General McMurphy!

Nice form, she said while returning the salute. At ease, Captains.

Kalana couldn't stop staring. Elf Marine Expeditionary Force General Marta McMurphy, retired and ex-Space Marine, the woman who stopped the grange invasion. The woman who stopped the invasion from the Alue universe, great-great-great-something granddaughter of DCI Gabriel Adon. The list went on and on. Can I help you, ma'am?

No, but I can help you. May I borrow your lawyer for a few minutes?

Yes, ma'am, of course! A dazed Kalana watched the two walked off while wondering what the hell was going on.

I bet you're confused. Kalana looked and saw a tall, lanky elf in a business suit smiling at her. Again, she went to attention and saluted the gentleman. Ambassador Irithyl, sir!

At ease captain. I'm just here as an observer.

Sir?

I'm here to watch. Captain, why did you join the Space Marines?

I'm needed here, sir. I'm a good doctor, or was, and I thought I could make a difference.

Was? Hmmm. Did you kill the colonel, Captain?

He died on my table, sir.

But did you kill him?

She looked at him and saw something in his eyes. I honestly don't know. I've relived the moment a thousand times, and I honestly don't know.

He nodded. Good answer. Carry on, Captain, and good luck. He walked away to join the general and Kalana's lawyer.

Kalana checked her pulse to make sure she still had one. It's one thing to face the death penalty, it's another to do so while hallucinating. Finally, her lawyer rejoined her while the General and Ambassador entered the chambers through a side entrance. Who do you know in high places?

No one, I swear. What the plark is going on?

Assuming General McMurphy and Ambassador Irithyl have as much pull as I think they do, you will be offered an alternative to the death penalty. As your lawyer and your friend, I recommend you take the deal.

What deal?

The deal I hope they ask you to take?

Marisa, you're an elf, not a Zen priestess.

Sorry. Just follow my lead.

The door opened and they were led inside by a rather burly bailiff. With Marisa at her side, Kalana was led to a raised and railed platform at the center of the room.

Moments later, the court entered the room and sat at the bench at the front of the room. Off to the side stood a very angry Tralaskan woman, Diana, Lady Ventana of House Ventana. She was also the mother of Colonel Peter Ventana, the man who died on Kalana's table.

The lead judge, General Traxx, banged a gavel, signaling the beginning of the end for Kalana. Sir, I would like a moment of your time!

The court turned and watched a petite human woman in the dress blues of the EMEF walk in and take her place on another raised and railed platform.

Traxx nodded. Have the record show that General McMurphy has been granted two minutes of the court's time. Hello, General. Long time; no see. What would you like to say?

I beg leniency for Capt. Grenor.

No! Lady Ventana yelled. She killed...

Silence! Traxx yelled as he swiveled all three eyes in Diana's direction, Or I will have you removed. He turned his attention back to Marta. Please, Marta, continue. Tell us what you have in mind. The Space Marine Corps disdains the useless taking of life if there is a viable alternative.

Bust her down to private and put her through boot camp. Captain John Williamson of Bonehead Team has requested she be assigned to him. They need a corporal.

And he felt it necessary to have you ask this for him?

Yes, sir. He is taking care of an emergency. Per the motto, sir, semper Gumby.

Traxx fixed his gaze on Kalana. Captain, do you accept this generous offer?

Yes, sir.

No, dammit! She killed my son... Diana started to say when she was interrupted by someone placing a hand on her shoulder. She spun around and saw a tall earth human, perhaps in his sixties, looking at her with one incredible smile. Lady Ventana, could I offer you a nice cup of tea?

Who the hell are you to dare to touch me?

Earth Security DCI Gabriel Adon. I am also known as the savior of Tralaska by some on your planet. I was asked to attend this trial as backup security.

Savior of Tralaska?

Gabe transformed into a seven-foot tall, armored cyborg with white on black plating and glowing blue eye slits. You may know me as Stryker-1.

Lady Ventana swallowed hard. You're a myth.

He held out his hand, palm-upward. A small Tralaskan fire rose appeared in it. He handed it to her, careful not to crush it. No myth, ma'am. Just a cop doing his job. Now, how about some tea?

She nodded, then took his hand. I loved my son, you know."

As did Captain Grenor, Gabe said. General McMurphy asked that I read the police report. It’s clear that he was killed. What is not clear is who killed him. As for the Captain, she is about to face an ordeal that only one in a hundred recruits make it through? Hell, I couldn't do it even in this outfit. He changed back to human. Come, milady, and I will tell you about things that will curl your hair."

Taking his hand, she followed him out of the room.

Then it is agreed. Effective immediately, Private Grenor will be remanded to the Paris Island II training camp in Antarctica where she will enter basic training. Upon successful completion of training, she will receive the rank of Corporal and be transferred to the command of Captain John Williamson. He banged his gavel. This court is adjourned. Dismissed.

Two MPs walked over and waited while Marta and Marisa said their goodbyes. Finished, they took positions on either side of the doctor before leading her out into the corridor and up to the roof where her ride waited.

General, will she be all right, Marisa asked Marta.

She'll be fine. More importantly, she'll be safe. The Space Marine Corps takes care of its own.

Wait, you think she's in danger?

Not now. No one touches a Bonehead unless they want to lose a hand. Capt. Williamson's group is as tough as they come. They have the reputation of not being a team to mess with.

Will she ever be allowed to practice medicine again?

Marta looked at the elf lawyer. I certainly hope so for our sakes. The corps needs good doctors like Kalana.

CHAPTER SIX

Kalana woke with a start. Where are we? she asked.

"You are in a cave with a six-legged dragon that looks like a precious friend of yours from your childhood.

Muffy? Kalana looked over at Crystal and saw a wide smile. You do look like Muffy. Do you read minds?

No, but I do get images, especially from the dream state. I am sorry for your loss. Your mate-to-be felt like he was a good person.

He was. He deserved better.

I remember Stryker-1. My brood and I watched him slay the energy beast. He is a formidable warrior, yet his heart is just and good.

Kalana thought back to the dream. So many people stood up for me. I heard that Gabriel and Ambassador Irithyl both petitioned the court for leniency. Why would they do that?

Perhaps they see the truth beyond the emotion as you should try to do.

Are you trying not to tell me something? the elf asked the dragon.

Dragons never try. We only know when to do and when not to do.

Murph, is it dawn yet?

Yes, ma'am. I popped a micro flier from your pack and visually checked the area we are heading to. There is no sign of the pack that attacked us earlier.

They are there, Crystal said. They wait to see what you do next. It seems they are impressed with the way you handle yourself.

Is that good? Katala said as she got up and put her pack and uniform back on.

It is different. Usually, the pack sees one as either danger or prey. You seem to be both, yet neither.

Do you practice at being cryptic?

I need no practice.

I see. We need to go.

Crystal got up and shook herself. Kalana was amazed to see every lock of Crystal's hair fall perfectly into place. How do you do that? the Marine asked.

Practice, Crystal explained. She walked outside and stretched in the morning sunlight. Kalana followed her out, but stopped when she heard an unearthly howl. Instantly, she had her gun drawn and set to full power.

You have nothing to fear, Little Sister. They know better than to approach us.

What are they, if I may ask?

They're boys, of course.

Wait, you mean like you're a girl, and they're boys?

Of course, little sister. Their leader is my chosen one. He is watching us, waiting for the time to reveal himself.

Kalana swallowed hard. You mean the one you scared off isn't the leader?

Crystal shook her head? He is... Murphy, can you help?

Yes... Yes, I see it now... Milady, She and the leader are adolescents while the others are pre-adolescent children, barely sentient ones at that.

How do you... You and Crystal are in telepathic communication?

Of course, Little Sister, Crystal said. That is how we communicate with all AI people.

Kalana raised an eyebrow. You OK with this, Murph?

Yes, mistress. It's exhilarating.

Crystal smiled with enough teeth to make a sand shark proud.

Kalana smiled back with a slightly less impressive set of teeth.

Crystal, how far are we from the nearest Marine in danger?

On the other side of that ridge.

Murph?

Mersa and Trent, according to their trackers. I'm detecting weapons fire.

She pulled her pulse-blast rifle from its scabbard and checked it before clipping it to her harness. She quickly checked her pistol before nodding in the direction of her team mates. Let's go."

###

Mersa! 10 o'clock! Trent yelled.

The Basili spun and fired at the incoming creature. These things were NOT in the briefing! she yelled as her rifle pulse threw the creature into the rocks beyond the clearing. Ammo status?

Only a few shots left, and I'm out of packs. How about you?

Same, and my fire breath is having no effect on them.

Trent pulled his trigger, but only got a beep in return. Out! he yelled as he unsheathed his knife. Come on, me beauties. Let's see if you bleed... He stopped when a pulse rifle landed in front of him, its status lights glowing bright green. Before he could say thank you, a pack landed next to Mersa, its external pockets laden with power packs. They looked up and saw pistol pulses and gouts of flame throwing creatures willy-nilly as Kalana and a large, six-legged, furry fire-breathing something supplied suppressing fire from the right flank. Seeing they were no match for the reinforcements, the remaining creatures fled back into the rocks.

You two gold-bricking again? Kalana said as she ran up and hugged her two team mates. Are either of you hurt?

We're fine, Mersa said. She flapped her wings for emphasis, which caused Crystal to stare.

You have wings? the white dragon asked.

"Crystal, this