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I spent a little extra time at the hub watching the interaction of The People after Terse bade me a very stilted, formal, and perfunctory farewell. He walked away like a man on Death Row headed for the executioner. Almost immediately, a group of four Persuaders formed around him in an obvious security phalanx.
I felt the desire to be in the company of my own kind. I sought out those I had known, even if they were assimilants. I needed to assuage my fear and sorrow at what I considered the needless death of a friend.
Jovi, Sumi, and Mica were available and eager to see me. We met in a serene, manicured glade with low stone benches along the perimeter. When I inquired about Tracy, Mica turned to face me.
“She regrets not being able to get away in order to see you. She seemed genuinely torn between visiting with you and finishing the current class she is teaching. Her version of planet symbiosis has enraptured many of the Minsan people. They are all eager to learn of the many ways they might more fully coexist with their planet and nature.”
Jovi smiled abruptly and joined the conversation. “She says to tell you that it is actually she who is the student. They teach her more each day about coexistence within the natural biosphere.”
Although that sounded just like something Tracy would say, I felt like there was still another reason she didn’t want to see me yet. I decided it was best to leave it alone. After I had recounted the episode with Terse, Sumiko was first to respond.
“Captain, I assure you, involuntary deletion simply isn’t done. We have access to a vast database of knowledge and history, and there is zero evidence to support your claim.” Mica and Jovi both nodded their agreement.
I pressed the issue, wishing to ensure I was really speaking to my three former crew members and not just some erudite simulacrum. “What did you give me just before we launched on our maiden voyage?” I asked.
“I presented you with a ceremonial Wakizashi, which you managed to cut yourself with while learning to unsheathe it in action,” she replied smiling.
“Who did you tell me was the alpha personality in your household as a child?” I asked Mica.
She laughed aloud. “That would have been my mother. Dad was such a timid soul; I often wondered what mom saw in him. But they were deeply in love.”
“What did you once tell me was the holiest day in the Roman Catholic Church?” I asked Jovi.
“I’m sorry, Joacim, but I no longer have any memories regarding my previous religion,” she admitted. “You explained onboard our ship how and why you believe that happened.”
It was apparent right away these were indeed my former shipmates. “Excellent, you’re all three the real deal or I’m in serious trouble,” I concluded by way of introduction to the reason for our meeting. “So, how much access do you have to this system? Can you search the activities of Central Service, or is that classified?”
“I’m doing so now, Captain,” Mica responded. She had a dream-like expression on her countenance, as if she were having a vision or experiencing mind-altering drugs. Abruptly, her eyes focused and she jerked her gaze to her two partners. They wore similar expressions of consternation.
Jovi was first to snap out of their shocked state. “We’ve just been informed, or directed is more like it, to avoid any further conversations with you in this line of exploration,” she stated. And just like that, my old Jovi was back. “This is bull squat,” she exclaimed.
“Nirvana, my left butt cheek,” Mica added.
“Careful,” I cautioned. “If they truly can delete you, we don’t want to give Central Service any reason to believe it should be considered.”
A soft tread fall could be heard from my right and I turned to see Terse approaching. My joy was evident as I jumped to my feet and rushed to embrace him. His response was stiff, as if I had violated some unspoken social more.
“Captain Bontrager, so good to see you,” he stated, extending his hand in formal greeting. I shook it perfunctorily, uncertain what to make of his reticence.
“Will you be accompanying me back to the resettlement compound?” I asked hesitantly.
“No, I’m afraid I have many duties here to which I must attend, as well as there being insufficient sustenance available for me at your remote location,” Terse stated bluntly, almost dismissively, I thought. “Perhaps some time in the future I might visit, once you have settled into your new dwellings?”
“Well, I know you were looking forward to another ride in the flyer,” I quipped. “You really enjoyed the first one.”
Puzzlement exploded across his face. “I am afraid you are mistaken. I have no knowledge of that which you speak, Captain. What is a flyer, and of what purpose? I assure you, I have never been in any of your vessels. Perhaps you have me confused with someone else?”
Sumi had heard enough. “Terse, you were the first Minsan to ever set foot on our spacecraft, and have been onboard it numerous times,” she stated flatly. “You’ve also been to our resettlement compound, as I distinctly recall sensing some of your distress at having the God conversation with the Captain.” She had finished with an uptick of her voice, almost demanding an explanation.
Terse’s eyes ran out of focus before rolling backward in his head. Had the four of us not leapt to his sides simultaneously, he would have fallen as if pole-axed. As we laid him gently on the ground, a commotion occurred on the other side of the glade. Four Persuaders were making a beeline for us and their intent was clear.
“We’re out of here,” Sumi shouted, making her decision on loyalty in an instant. All three surrounded me as I ran back to the flyer.
“There is now a general alert for the four of us,” Mica panted as we ran. “Central Service has informed the populace that we just attacked Terse without provocation. We are to be detained without harm.”
As we neared the flyer four more Persuaders moved on a tangential course to intercept us. It was clear we would reach it within moments of them. Additionally, a small mob of citizens had surrounded the aircraft. “Are you prepared and capable of attacking your fellow citizens?” I asked without breaking stride.
Mica stumbled but caught herself, keeping up. “I just had to fight off an almost irresistible urge to grab you, Captain,” she informed me. I glanced at Sumi, my Ninja warrior, and caught her almost imperceptible nod. She, too, was fighting the urge.
Jovi surged around me and waded into the crowd without slowing. People fell back from her onslaught and the flyer door was open when I stopped next to her a moment later.
“They’ve never experienced violence, sir,” Jovi exclaimed between breaths. Her face was flushed and there was a sharp, almost fierce, anticipation in her visage.
“Clutch point,” I called, spinning to face them. “We have three seconds before the Persuaders arrive for you to decide. Staying or going?”
Spinning, Sumi sprinted directly at the nearest approaching drones, there hulking bodies redolent with menace. “Go!” she screamed, as she launched herself into a double Dragon Stamp aimed at each of the lead guard’s chests.
Brute strength and frontal assault were apparently the only programming the drones had. Sumiko’s surprise assault caught them totally unprepared. She might have only weighed 95 pounds but she kicked like a dynamo. Each of her outthrust feet contacted the drones at mid-chest, upending them. She pounced on the other two while they hesitating in shocked, waiting for orders.
The crowd had reformed but maintained a respectable distance. Sumi might have rejoined us if not for the appearance of the four Persuaders we had outrun thus far. She was ten meters away while the drones were at five and closing rapidly. “Go!” she screamed again and the three of us clambered inside, securing the door.
As I powered up the engine, one of the drones raised an odd-looking device and pointed it at us while still running forward. With no sound or visible emanation, the flyer suddenly began to power down. The drones had run right passed Sumi, obviously intent on stopping us first. Only now she was intent on stopping them.
Her spritely form appeared on the back of the trailing Persuader. Her feet were planted on its shoulder blades as it fell forward, as if she was riding it. Launching herself while using her forward momentum, she aimed for the drone holding the device; or more specifically, the device itself. Her left foot caught the side of it and knocked it from the drone’s grasp.
Immediately, the flyer powered back up and I didn’t hesitate. Sumi’s sacrifice would not be wasted. As we lifted I saw her tearing into all four Persuaders as the other four approached. She was a highly-skilled and versatile warrior but with their bulk and numbers, the conclusion was foregone.
“Bontrager base, this is Bontrager actual. Do you copy?” I called as we lifted at maximum acceleration from the hub.
“Bontrager actual, we read you,” came the immediate reply. “We have visitors in the compound and aren’t sure what to make of it.” I recognized Bea’s voice.
“Lockdown, I repeat, lockdown,” I commanded. “Do no harm unless assaulted, and please don’t kill anyone unless it is unavoidable,” I concluded. I knew there would be questions, but I also knew there would be immediate action.
“These people are unaccustomed to acts of violence,” Jovi chimed in on the headset from one of the rear seats. “Simply telling them in strong, commanding terms to do something ought to work unless they’re Persuaders,” she finished.
“What is the nature of the visitor’s purpose?” I asked Bea.
“They’re here to discuss...God...with you, Captain.” Bea’s discomfort and uncertainty were palpable over the frequency. I did my best to assuage her.
“Ask them to wait in the common area but secure all exits. Post armed guards. Do not, I repeat, do not fire on them or anyone else unless your lives are in immediate danger. Is that clear?” I insisted fervently.
“Loud and clear, Captain,” I heard Seamus over the radio. “These four don’t appear to be any threat and they certainly aren’t Persuaders. They’re more like little old ladies.” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Very well then, serve them tea and scones until I arrive,” I said, smiling back. “Bea, compound security is your charge until I get there. Seamus, everything else is your decision.” I knew Bea wouldn’t care for that at all, but she understood better than most.
“Captain, what is the nature of the current threat?” Seamus asked.
Before I could respond, Mica spoke up. “Seamus, be ready for anything. We were assaulted by Persuaders in the commons. They were intent on assimilating the Captain. We managed to escape, but they’ve taken Sumiko.”