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Book 3: Chapter 108: Emergence and Leave

Book 3: Chapter 108: Emergence and Leave

USD: 37 Days after arrival at Fort Glisson

Location: Nu Crateris, A3123Y Platform, CIC

Amy sat in her chair inside the new, smaller, heavily reinforced CIC in the center of the spire. Abbey and Wyles and a dozen MilTech technicians whom she had slowly began to trust were also seated at various consoles. Wyles had taken the role of tactical officer, and while the techs were almost redundant with Abbeys abilities she had given them what jobs were available, that would reduce the overhead on combat processing.

Prepare for transit in 10 seconds, Abbey announced.

The entire crew of the station was suited up in skin suits, hard and soft. Even Abbey hadnt complained at having to put on her helmet, Amy noticed. A digital countdown appeared on the CICs large wall-sized main screen.

Amy tapped her chairs armrest as they transitioned. There was no physical sensation of exiting the jump space, only the status screens and Abbeys acknowledgement of successful entry into Nu Crateris.

Passive sensors are open wide, scanning and correlating new data. The d-fields tuning has been adjusted 5.6% for the next jump transit to improve exit energy dissipation. Im afraid our exit might have been more noisy than normal, Im sorry. Abbey said.

Thats alright Abbey. Nothing detected nearby? Amy asked.

Nothing within weapon range. Im processing the incoming data now by distance bands. Nothing within 100km. Nothing within 500km Abbey said, her voice becoming more robotic before she trailed off completely, lost inside her head.

Amy turned to her screen and watched as the navigational map began to populate with icons, confirming that the planets were where they should be as well as updating smaller objects. The techs at the consoles relaxed as they realized the danger of being jumped on exit was looking less and less. Wyles ordered the rest of the crew that had been waiting at damage control points and other safe areas on the station to stand down from the highest alert level to the more moderate yellow alert.

A blue icon appeared on Amys display, and the main screen flipped to a rendition of the system nav, highlighting the blip as SR01. A red blip appeared ahead of it, and yellow vector lines came into focus, displaying their direction and trajectory.

There they are. Amy said. As she was considering what to do, four more red blips appeared, and they were on an intercept course for SR01 and the fleeing frigate.

Abbey? Amy asked, concern appearing on her face.

My drive plume analysis indicates SR01 is chasing the same frigate that fled 92 Pegasi. There are also four drive plumes of tentatively classed frigate/destroyers on a intercept course. I have a 70% confidence that they are more Corpo vessels. This is increasing as more data becomes available.

Amy knew SR01 was well built, and the Corpos were all likely heavily damaged, but four on one was an enormous risk. One that Yalof seemed to be taking.

Abbey spoke up as Amy considered the situation. Should we order SR01 to retreat and rendezvous with us? Depending on the status of the hostile ships, there might be serious risk to SR01.

Amys first thought was yes, that would surely be better. Risking losing their destroyer was not a great idea when they could chase the fleet with the station and destroyer and likely win with overwhelming firepower with little risk.

But

If the destroyer was destroyed, it would sweep a nasty problem under the rug for them. One that Wyles and the MilTech employees, even Whitely didnt know about.

When she didnt answer, Wyles frowned, then looked to Amy. I would suggest having it retreat. From what Im seeing, the risk isnt acceptable when we can regroup and then consider engaging with both units.

Abbeys mouth opened in surprise. Im picking up NAI signals from Dedia! Um... ahh

Amys eyes widened. A very long ago conversation where the GAI Nameless had commented on their CEO as being an Avatar as well as Whitelys suspicions she was the Empress child came to mind. We have three Ais, Alex had said.

Three Ais, or three NAIs, Amy repeated in her mind.

Is it Alex? Amy asked.

Abbey shook her head. Its H32, the defense NAI made for Dedia IV. We cant communicate yet because of the time lag. Ive sent a request for a laser comm. Ive picked up large amounts of activity in orbit near the space elevator. It looks like orbital infrastructure is rapidly being constructed from planetary surface resources.

Wyles pointed to the red dots. What about SR01? I think thats more pressing right now.

Amy sighed and nodded. Abbey direct SR01 to retreat to our position.

What was the Captain even thinking? Did you put a total idiot in charge? Wyles said.

Ahahaha Its controlled by a GAI. Amy lied.

I put that on your datapad. I wanted to get back at you for your harassment of Rachel. Alex said.

Tia froze and looked at her, her eyebrow twitching slightly, the only allowance of expression the girl let slip. There was an awkward silence, then Tia moved past her, stopping shoulder to shoulder.

Well, I wasnt the one who got it. Tia said, before leaving the shower room.

Alex let out a breath, then went to wash her face.

Hills had forbidden all of them from eating at the mess, and theyd all been forced to eat nothing but MREs as well. Worse, hed somehow got them the worst possible choices: Chicken a la King and Veggie Omelet.

Each person only got one MRE, and they were terrible and small at the same time, leaving Alex hungry. Time for afternoon assembly was in a few minutes and as Alex joined the other recruits gathering, Instructor Riley found her.

Myers! Get over here! Riley shouted.

Alex obeyed the order, a slightly perplexed expression on her face.

Congratulations, your leave has been approved. Stay right there.

It wasnt long before everyone was at the assembly. Alex felt conspicuous as she got a few questioning glances, but Riley enlightened them all soon enough.

Listen up, Recruits. Myers here has a sick sister. Shes been granted a days leave to go visit her. We are all going to wish her sister a swift recovery. FRONT LEANING REST! Instructor Riley shouted.

Alex started to obey, but got stopped immediately. Not you, Myers. Youre to watch.

Riley turned back to the assembled recruits, who had all moved to the pushup position. You will all call out at the top and bottom of the repetition, MYERS! SISTER! GET! WELL! you will all move in unison. If you are out of tune, you will all keep moving until you get it right! Do you understand?

YES, DRILL SERGANT! came the reply.

Move ho! Instructor Riley shouted.

MYERS!

SISTER!

GET!

WELL!

The chorus continued as everyone went up and down in unison.

Alexs eye twitched as she watched, a roil of emotions she couldnt sort out filling her chest.

A short time later, Alex stepped into the admin building. She felt a bit of confusion as she realized they had told her she only had one day. By her counting, she needed at least three!

Drill Sergeant Fabien was waiting for her, as well as a man she didnt know who was wearing a skinsuit.

Recruit, this is Second Lieutenant Richardson. He will fly you to MIL-1A. Fabien said.

Yes, Drill Sergeant!

Alex Starlight Myers? Richardson asked, looking at her as if he was comparing her face to a memory.

Alex nodded. Yessir, thats me.

He offered her his hand, and she shook it.

Ill be flying you up and back down. Richardson said.

Thank you. Alex said doing her best to restrain her boiling excitement. She was going to get to see Elis!