The Black

Clint rubbed his eyes… and reached for his mug, only for him to find it empty. “Fuck… Elena, start the pot again, dark roast.” Clint grumbled, starting the coffee through the smart home system. He wasn’t sure what day it was, not even sure the week. He rose from the position he had fallen asleep in, checking his watch. 0352…. He stumbled twice as he slowly worked his way to the bathroom door. The motion activation triggered, and he swore again as the obnoxiously bright light flickered on overhead.

Finishing up, he lumbered to the kitchen, scooping the pot of coffee out of its base triggering the auto pause feature in the brewing process. ‘The rest of the pot will taste like shit… but I need the kick’ he thought as he poured the half-done coffee into his cup. He knew that this diluted the rest of the pot. He didn’t care.

It had been a rough few days. Clint had just officially started working for LEAP. Unofficially, he had been burning processing power trying to brute force some logic into the strange information in front of him. He had first noticed it two weeks after his brother went missing. He was on duty at the time in Houston stations OTC (orbital traffic control). He watched as the sensor grid keeping watch over Pandora received a massive burst of abnormal energy before failing completely, triggering a shutdown that played hell with the rest of his day. Two days later he reviewed the sensor logs… he found a discrepancy. The energy burst had only impacted a narrow bracket of arrays. these arrays neatly lined up with the emergency quantum beacon “light-house” , and the course that his brother had disappeared on. Clint had smuggled in a personal USB Q into the sensors server banks on break and pulled everything on the incident; including all the raw data that did the overloading in the first place.

Over a month later and he had gotten nowhere. On top of that, he had gotten caught, by his adoptive mother no less. The good news was that he now had access to the quantum computing core at LEAP headquarters… the bad news was, he had to leave Houston Station. He stretched…now he had to produce results. Clint wasn’t averse to hard work, but promising results without knowing if results are possible…. that was something else….

His computer chirped. It was the LEAP Quantum Super Computer on Ceres. He opened the portal to remote in, browsing through his inbox. No other new messages appeared, and Clint opened and decompressed the file. Bandwidth was precious to deep space facilities after all.

He was scanning the first sections when his eyes flew wide as he recognized what he was looking at. “Jesus Christ… it’s an algorithm…”

Clint shot-gunned the rest of his coffee ignoring its biting heat and quickly went to refill his cup. No sleep tonight, and possibly tomorrow. There was a reason that Clint had not been transferred to Ceres with the Admiral. She had not wanted prying eyes easily seeing what he was researching.

Clint first opened his E-mail, and sent a message to his adoptive mother and commanding officer in the obscure language She had taught him to stop casual prying ears.

It was a simple message:

“chan eil sinn nar n-aonar (We are not alone).”

——————————————————————

“Heave her home boys..

Let her go boys..

swing her head ‘round into the weather…

Heave her home boys..

let her go boys!

Sailing homeward to Mingalay..”

Mac finished leading in another round of drinks and song. He had been translating some of earth’s ancient sailing songs on the fly most of the night to moderate success.

Most of the rest of the party goers had left. And Lyrian was laying on the beach beside him with her head on his lap. The Boys who were left finally started to get up.

“Get your bride home safe, my boy.” said an older voids-man as they parted with clasped arms and newly learned ‘man hugs’. “You’re welcome ‘round the table any time”.

Mac had stopped drinking hours ago and had just been enjoying being around ‘old salts’ again. “Will do, it’s been an honor.” with that he started stroking Lyrians hair gently rousing her

“Hey love, let’s go home.” he whispered to her as she stretched, looking groggily around. “Oh boy, you’re still drunk...” he chuckled. “And I don’t know how to fly the car.”

“Hmm… auto piluuut. Has.. autopiiiluut. Home.. s’ved” was all she got out. Mac scooped her up and headed for the main hall door. Martin was crashed out on the floor next to a slightly pudgy female. Tristen was nowhere to be found. Neither was Brayton. Doc Icario was slowly dancing with his wife. He was humming a tune in time to their steps, as the band had long gone.

Mac poured Lyri into the back seat of the air-car then sat down in the combination drivers/pilot’s seat. He found the MFD and found the saved coordinates for home. The car hummed to life as he activated the autopilot and the car eased into the air and made for their lodge.

Lyri poked her head up between the seats momentarily, nodding at whatever made her think he had done it right. The curled back up on the back seat. A few ‘minutes’ later, the car set itself down on the Landing platform of their house. Mac gently coaxed Lyri into his arms once more, opening the door and creeping up the stairs. He got her to bed then just flopped down and curled up to her little spoon and played big spoon.

They slept until the next afternoon.

——————————————————————

Pain….. but this kind of pain was an old friend… Mac groaned and rolled away from the window, covering his head with a pillow. He heard a whimper from next to him as Lyri stirred as well.

“I’m dying, Signus is murdering me…” she whimpered softly into her pillow.

“Lets get you fixed up..” Mac whispered, as she winced at the sound. Mac trundled over after digging around in his seabag for a med scanner. He waved it over a couple of different items before finding one safe for Lyri.

“Start with this, then come down for breakfast” he said, still just above a whisper, as he broke an Aspirin in half and gave Lyri one piece and a little water. Mac himself took another 500mg of the stuff and stumbled down to the kitchen. Luckily, they had requested the Kitchen get fully stocked before They arrived, So Mac picked out one of Lyri’s favorite fruits, one Delmar Tuber, and a few strips of the type of cloned meat that he had found came the closest to bacon. Grabbing a pan, he started with the meat. The thin strips cooked quickly, and he left their renderings in the pan as he set them aside to cool. He stirred in the sliced tuber and covered it to let it cook while he sliced up the fruit. It wouldn’t quite be hash browns, but it would have to do until he could have a shredder made.

“You know, that’s supposed to be my job.” came a mumble from across the counter behind him. Lyrian was semi functional again, the Aspirin beginning to take its effect.

Mac poured her a glass of water and handed it to her, “You’re a bit worse off than I am. I’m used to Hangovers. Drink this, it will help.” She made a face as he poured a quarter of a packet of energy/electrolyte mix into the water and stirred it in. After her escapade of licking the packet early in their relationship, Mac had taken one of the packets to Doc Icario to make sure it was safe. It was close enough as long as she didn’t have too much caffeine, so a partial packet it was.

“Ugh, you know I hate this stuff..” she said, taking the glass from him.

“I do, but it’s got electrolytes safe for you. It will help with the headache. Bottoms up.” He responded as he poured the rest into his own glass and stirred it in. Then Mac clinked it to her’s, “Slàinte” then he downed his own drink. Lyri looked at him in confusion before chugging her own glass with a cringe.

“That wasn’t English.” she said, setting the glass on the counter and snagging a piece of fruit.

“No, it’s Scots Gaelic. My Aunt was American by marriage, but Highland Scot by Blood. She taught us some of the old ways.” Mac explained.

“Teach me?” She asked.

“I guess but let’s get your English up to speed first. It will be more useful to you.” Mac said as he uncovered the pan and stirred the tuber. He re-covered it so that they could simmer a bit longer.

“What’s a ‘Scot’” Lyri asked after being poured more water. She leaned a hip up against the countertop and watched Mac finish up the food. It was afternoon, so breakfast for dinner was in order.

“Remember all those places I talked about when you were teaching me Delmar? Well, Humans don’t have just one language. We have several hundred. My Aunt Gwen was born and raised in Scottland. As was her brother who moved to America, My mom’s Grandfather.” Mac explained, finally pulling the ad hock ‘hash browns’ off the heating element and making up a pair of plates. Extra meat for him, extra fruit, and Tuber for Lyrian.

“Don’t your people take the family name of the male?” she asked, taking the plate as they both headed for the table.

“They do. However, I took my mother’s maiden name when they separated. I was mad at my dad. I only learned later that he had pushed us away on purpose. He had gotten a warning from the Terran Navy that his facility could be attacked.” he said sadly.

Breakfast done, Lyrian Shoo’d mac into the shower. She insisted on cleaning up. Mac cranked on the steaming misting shower and stepped in and let It soak him to the bone. The bombardment slowly washing the last of his hangover away as he began to reach for his soa…”

He was interrupted by a pair of familiar arms around his waist…

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Maruk was nervous. He was on official business this evening, but he disliked being this far out on the outskirts near Dusk. He stepped out of the Tram and started along the walkway to the newly constructed Lodge. Predator attacks were rare, but not unheard of this far away from Tribal Civilization; and Maruk’s head swiveled nervously from side to side as he made his way to the front door. He was about to touch the Chime when the door swung open and a Shorter Pink skinned Being opened it, “What Can I do for ya.” he asked in almost perfect Delmar. He was shirtless with a towel wrapped around his waist. He had no Natural Markings on him. His skin was pale pink, not the Auburn and Silver of the Delmar. He had no mane, but a growing Mop of short, damp brown hair on his head. His icy blue eyes were piercing, as if sizing him up. But his face had a friendly set to it.

“Uh.. Hi.. Um… Maruk.. my name is Maruk, I’m here on behalf of Clan Head Darclemus. M.. May I come in?

“Mac, he’s a Courier for the Helyon Tribal leader. I recognize the uniform.” A female voice called from inside. This pale skinned being nodded.

“Come in, take a seat in the living room. You will have to beg our pardon a moment, we just finished up a shower. He turned to the side, and Maruk was treated to a cavernous ground floor living area with a gorgeous female wrapped modestly in a towel waving him in from a set of stairs.

“Take a seat, we will be down in a moment” She chimed and vanished into one of the upstairs rooms. This Mac bounded up the stairs, skipping several in each stride ‘what the fuck is he’ Maruk thought as he vanished in the same door. About a minute later they both emerge fully dressed. The female was in a Delmar Traditional Poncho, a black top and pants. The man was in an almost headache inducing brightly patterned shirt covered in plant designs he had not seen before.

“My apologies, Mr Maruk.” The man nodded and extended one hand as Maruk stood.

Maruk looked at the hand, then extended his own awkwardly before this Mac took it in his vice of a hand and shook it firmly once. “I am here to request a Mr….” he looked at his wrist com’s screen “Mackenzie Grarzia to join Clan Head Darclemus at the Hall. He wishes to meet with you.

“Ah, I was wondering when this would happen.” Mac stood, “Just me, or is Lyrian invited as well.”

“You were all I was instructed to return with,” Maruk responded, somewhat apologetically.

“I guess it can’t be helped. Babe? I guess, figure out what you want to show me next for when I get back?” he pulled the female into an embrace and put his lips on the top of her head. It was a foreign but affectionate mannerism.

“Take your time, Love. Great Uncle Darclemus tends to be Thorough. I won’t expect you back until late. Take the Car.” Lyrian stood to shake Maruk’s hand, “A pleasure” she said as the three then walked to the door.

“I’ll leave the car for you. Im curious about this Tram system” Mac remarked, failing to see Maruk deflate slightly.

“This way then Mr Grarzia.” Maruk stated as they left the house and headed up the hanging path toward the tram station. It was going to be a substantial walk to get there.

“Oh no... Mr Grarzia is my father-in-law. My friends call me Mac. I think it will do.” Mac chuckled as they rounded the corner. They were in sight of the tram station now and Maruk began to relax a little.

“Mac then. We are almost to the station thank the voi….” Maruk froze as he heard a piercing shriek from their left and above them. A looming creature roughly half again bigger than a Delmar swooped into view bearing all of its teeth. It was a Gri’Kra. It was one of the larger predators of the planet and generally considered Delmar’s Apex. Most had learned to fear the Delmar civilized area’s, but this was not in the civilized area… It was a short furred beast with large skin flaps between its 6 legs that could be stretched out into a gliding wing. Its eyes were set close together and it was missing a ‘nose’. Its mouth had two venom injecting fangs surrounded by serrated teeth that were constantly being cycled out by new ones growing in. This was a beast purpose built to kill and eat anything on the planet. Maruk prepared for the end as the Giant fanged Beast opened its Maw to claim its vic….

Maruk was flung aside as this ‘Mac’ body checked him out of the way, drawing a strange device from under that infernally bright shirt and pointing it at the looming Death beast.. The device spoke; Releasing a piercing, shrieking bark. This was followed by a loud CRACK of something breaking the sound barrier These two sounds blended into one terrible noise; stunning Maruk partially as his ears began to ring. The device repeated this noise 5 times in rapid succession as Mac took a strange stance, both hands on the weapon, arms outstretched and slightly bent, legs shoulder width apart and slightly bent at the knees.

The beast was within 15meters when its head, just above its upper jaw, exploded into bits of bone and brains, two more holes appeared in the Beast’s upper torso with one hole appearing in its flying membrane and then the middle arm of the opposite wing was severed. The bone just above the elbow joined evaporating into an auburn Mist of bone and blood. Mac Jumped to the side, grabbing the Dazed Courier and dragging him bodily into the Tram Station. The Gri’Kra slammed into the elevated walkway, wedged between two safety rails, oozing its life’s blood onto the plating.

“Well... that happened...” Maruk’s head snapped over to the absurdly calm voice beside him. Mac was calmly pulling a rectangular piece out of the bottom of this weapon of his; pocketing it as he withdrew another one from under his shirt on the other side from where he had produced this device. He snapped the new rectangle into the bottom of this weapon and raised it again to point at the dead Gri’Kra. A shiver ran down Maruk’s spine as this Man calmly stalked up to the dead apex’s body and then kicked it in the face slightly. It was almost as if he was daring it to come back to life.

“Yup, it’s dead” Mac stated before turning around. Maruk took a step back in shock when a predator’s triumphant expression flashed across this beings visage. It lingered just a moment before all of it disappeared and a more pleasant expression replaced the Predator.

“What the ‘Fuck’ was that!” Maruk practically squawked.

Mac only shrugged, “You tell me, never seen one before”, still perfectly calm.

“Not the Gri’Kra, That!” Maruk pointed at the device still in Mac’s hands, pointed down by his feet.

“Oh, this. It’s called a Gauss Pistol. I believe you would recognize it more as a ‘kinetic’.” Mac responded. “My people really like their kinetics.” he shrugged again.

Maruk just stared at him, unable to say anything as Mac just slid the smallest Kinetics weapon, he had ever seen, back under his shirt. It snapped into a black contraption in his waistband obviously designed to hold it but keep it ready for instant use.

Mac straightened his shirt over the weapon just as the Tram arrived. They boarded the tram and departed for the main hall in silence.

——————————————————————

Darclemus looked up as the office door chimed. “Come!” He called as one of his security personnel opened the door. A rather exhausted and distraught Maruk entered followed by an utterly calm, if exceedingly loudly dressed, Mackenzie. He caught an amused smirk as the man noticed the elder Delmar looking him over.

“Ah, Mr Mackenzie Grarzia I presume.” Darclemus offered, standing to greet the two men. He paused as he noticed the frantic look on Maruk’s face. He was about to ask what was wrong when Mackenzie spoke, “I believe this should make everyone feel better.” He offered. Mackenzie moved his hand painstakingly slowly. It slipped to his side and withdrew from his waistband a strange-looking item that looked like a very small laser or energy weapon. The room became very still as the security guards stiffened and began to reach for their own weapons. A shake from the head of states head froze them as Mackenzie nodded his thanks. Pulling a strange rectangular piece out of where he was holding it, then sliding the perpendicular top backward toward himself with a click. The moving part locked back and a small cylinder of coppery color with a black and silver tip snapped onto the air before being caught and pocketed by Mackenzie.

He turned to one of the security guards and flipped this weapon around to hand it to him grip first followed by the strange rectangle, “we had an incident on the way here. A beast of some kind attacked us, a Gri’kra Maruk called it. Maruk knows I am armed because of this. If you leave it as I have given it to you, it is harmless and completely inert.” He finished the explanation and finished handing it to the guards with a nod.

“Thank you, take a seat Mr Grarzia” Darclemus stated with practiced calm, “let us begin.”

“Please call me Mac, as I would like to consider you a friend.” Mackenzie settled into the chair across from the aging Delmar.

“Very well, Mac. I have spoken to Captain Silu, and read Commander Folmuri’s report. I was given the recommendation to speak to you for myself.” Darclemus settled into his seat “I wish to hear your perspective, from the beginning please”

‘This is going to be a long night’ Mac thought as he began as instructed.

—————————————————————-

It was two hours to midnight when Mackenzie finished.

“Well, Mac. I appreciate your thoroughness” The elder head of state offered.

“Admittedly, I was forewarned by Lyrian. M’Lord” Mac had chuckled when he had to ask what to call Darclemus but continued to use the honorific out of respect.

“Ah, well I fear I must ask some question. Please know that I do not ask lightly or intend any offense.” the tribal leader said carefully.

“I have been a military man my entire adult life, sir. I know a debriefing when I see one.” Mac responded stoically.

“Very well, I need to know your honest opinion about … Humanity, I believe you call yourselves. How big of a threat are they to my people first, the Galaxy second.“ Darclemus asked leaning forward to put his elbows on his desk. He was studying this Mackenzie. He was an Apex predator. He had said as much, but Mackenzie had surprised the head of state by explaining that his species was one of many species of beings considered equal to that status on his homeworld. Humans simply made it to sapience whereas the others did not.

“That…. Depends…“ Macs tone had gone deadly serious, “When, not if, they reach the Unity’s boarder; they will be incredibly dangerous to anyone they view as a threat to their species… Make no mistake M’Lord, if they are blindsided in such a way that humans die, or worse, are tortured and dissected; Humanity will wage a very human style war… we have a term for it.. Total War. It is brutal, and it is complete. You have seen my gun camera footage as I explained some of what my ship is capable of. Know this. Concord is among the smallest and least effective warships in humanities arsenal in terms of direct combat. Her strength comes in her ability to go unseen, to strike with Blackness of the void her cloak and herself as the dagger. Frankly, that should terrify you.”

“And yet you would request our aid in reaching them… telling them we, and the Unity exists… Delmar has no love for the Unity… but I do not want the blood of Trillions on my hands” Darclemus stated sternly.

“I understand. However, I believe the death toll will be greater if I, with your help, do not act. I do not know all of the details, but I have been told a little about the conflict between Delmar and the GU. I know you have been looking for a way to strengthen your hand. I suspect…” Mac paused suddenly… glancing around the room before sitting back in silence.

Darclemus narrowed his gaze; then finallly spoke, not to Mackenzie, but to his detail, “leave us.” he ordered. Dangerous tones warned against protest. The security detail froze for a moment, then filed out silently.

The door closed and Darclemus activated the anti-eavesdropping system in his office. He turned back to Mac and nodded. “You were saying?” His warning was clear.

“I believe you wish to break from your conquerors.” Mac said simply.