The Uplift Protocol: In the Beginning

Jupiter nudged him with a mental grin. He chittered in shock. Ascended! This was indeed a treat, even most Forger ships never allowed such VI to leave their home systems. Most feared what a Void Walker would do with such a sentient. The black-suited man motioned to Ritark. His voice was an ancient waterfall in his head.

This ship is one of a kind. Like the captain. Safeguard both well.

He gave the Litari a poke with his walking cane. Ritark resumed watching the feed.

Yes, he would protect them.

Family was more than blood.

Zero-G Training Sector

Phobos (Mars)

March 10th, 2095

Lorain grunted as the surface of the moon absorbed their landing. Everyone else was arrayed behind her. In a semi-circle. Corporal Mattling muttered a soft curse as one of his boots sunk in too deep. Jonas gave a small tug and released the young man from his predicament. That old saying came back to her, “We fight as one.” She made a sweeping motion, her coms crackled with some static before clarity returned, “Alright. Let’s get this done. Squad Alpha and Bravo, take the west side. Charlie and Delta, you are with me.” Jonas shot off one final salute before he joined Bravo. She sent him a private message:

//Good hunting. Watch their six. You know that’s what she would do too.//

His reply was simple: A giant picture of Old Glory waving in the wind.

The various rock formations before her sent a thrill up her spine. Within that pitted landscape was their final test. The Terran Alliance found this a good testbed. Over the years they had installed various training complexes. Some only a few rooms. One: to give the trainee an appreciation for the dangers of space. Two: The challenge of building obstacles on such a tiny piece of “real estate.” Phobos, at best, was 15 miles of paradoxical terrain. To Lorain’s point of view it provided something valuable: Expect the Unexpected.

She came to a stop by a particularly deep ridge. Ghostly lights flickered in the void. The corporal came over to her, “Ma’am! Gunny has a signal. Shall we proceed?” She nodded curtly. All 16 TA members activated their boosters. Leapfrogging to the facility etched into the side of a Phobian crater. Lorain kept her gaze locked onto those tiny flames. She never did like looking down.

*****

Whitehouse waved me through the training facility. The “pirates” were arrayed around various rooms. Some were professional soldiers. While others were civilians. To mimic different skill levels. It gave me a greater appreciation for the training my father went through. As the Banner, most things weren’t a physical threat, but everyone here dealt with that every day. I felt a burst of pride. I may be a demi but these people were the real deal. They went into the fire even without any extra power than the protection tech offered. I could only hope to be as brave. Whitehouse tapped my helmet with his gloved knuckles.

“Alright! As the NASA bird, you get to be the bait. Even though Earth doesn’t have too many pirates to deal with, it's still something they would do. Use anything and anyone as a hostage. In this case,” He pointed to the squat man to my left, “Our Barbosa here wants med-tek. Food, whatever he can sell on the black market.”

One man even interjected with, “Plus even most Demis aren’t space worthy. Not in and of themselves. The Star-Spangled Banner, Adam Lazer, or Sir Avalon can't be everywhere all the time. Check HeroNet, of those already mentioned only 10 other demis can operate in space. That we know of.”

Whitehouse smiled. It was a tense one. “Correct! So it's up to us to be the main police force for our Space sectors. It's not like there is some Dweller out there we can call upon for aid.” Mr. Apple appeared next to me. He was wolfing down some popcorn. Giving me a side wink. I pondered for a moment: Why did I go through that Dweller Gate orbiting Mars? It used to be called Demios. That headline caused a ruckus for about 2 years. Scientists going crazy unearthing the former moon. I shook my head, running a quick check on all my suit’s environmental feeds. Whitehouse brought a hoverchair around. He bound me to it with some simulated explosives.

“All right you grunts,” he thundered, “Get ready! Incoming!”

*****

Lorain signaled for everyone to halt. She could sense short bursts of electrical signals from the other side of the enclosure in front of them. Not coms but the pulses from their spinal cords. All that extra work with Eliza’s injury had some interesting power bleed-off. She motioned her 2nd over. The gunny was also a supervisor of sorts. Mostly to keep the younger officers in line from doing something too outrageous. Even in these times, some thought it would be fun to test fate. He saluted, “Orders ma’am?”

“Position everyone for a breach. Bravo will create a hole over there.”

She indicated the far right side of the complex.

“While we will hit the left side. If I was the enemy, I’d have someone on the main door and whatever control point corridors are within. Depending on experience, they’d have some target in mind, so stay alert everyone.”

Once in position, the EODs rigged the entry points, being careful with the timers. One even suggested placing some on the main doorway. Lanis agreed. Best to have a distraction.

*****

I had my thermal visor down so the others didn’t see my eyes change. Even though I was here as my civilian role I still wanted to make sure people didn’t get hurt. Granted, all the ammo was non-lethal but that didn’t mean mistakes couldn’t happen. I scanned all the rooms. The group of “pirates” numbered as 12. Verus Lorain’s 16 or so. They couldn’t see the stealth camoed instructors or Adam Lazer hovering above. Even the explosives charges weren’t fully functional. They would still do the job though. This prefab complex wasn’t very sturdy. Three separate charges went off. The main door took out the two watchmen. Their suits glowed red as incapacitated/killed. Mine was highlighted yellow, which stood for injured, was mimicking a leg wound. Frantic yelling over the pirate coms went silent as a Terran Corporal hurled an EMP grenade into the main corridor. The Gunny snarled and brought the youth to task. In some cases, it would be advisable not to do what he did.

At least without a proper level of surveillance. For instance, if that EMP had gone off near enough to the explosives. No more room. No more pirates and no more anyone. Unless you had a demi that was quick enough with shields or constructs. Like Amazing Grace or Emerald K-9.

I keyed into Eddies' feed: He and his group were in a pitched battle with a converged freighter. Except, in that case, it wasn’t pirates but contaminated citizens trying to contain an outbreak. With their “engine” going critical. Doc would have been perfect for that but I could see why they’d change things up for the test. Adam was circling in both areas. Making sure the “zombies” weren’t getting roughed up too much. In the age of Demis and premiere technology, some gaming fantasies were very obtainable. Much to the Legions’ dismay. I knew the feeling. Undead anything was never fun. Plus it could get very messy. Even Arthon shuddered at the possibilities of Zombies. Magical or otherwise.

Barbosa came over and held an EMP pistol to my head.

I took a gander at the explosives set up around me. The pressure plate wasn’t under my seat or my posterior but rather, connected to the doorway behind me, haphazardly covered with some fake shielding.

Time to plan a touchdown pass to the Alliance.

*****

Cpl. Mattling bit back a curse as the Gunny shot him a warning glance. Lt. Lanis fed more commands into her pickup. All the pirates were either incapacitated or “dead.” All but 2. She motioned for the Gunny to take point. She ordered the Corporal to guard the main accessway. While two others filed past him. What made her so special? Sure she had decent tactical scores but this was pure luck on her part. What kind of Medical Corp Officer went into direct combat anyway? He rolled his eyes and stood guard. It's not like this was a test of true danger anyway. He was doubly glad the thermal visor hid his reactions. He was just here to earn basic spacers pay while going to college.

The other members of Alpha Squad had various levels of doubt on their faces as they looked at him. Yes, this was a test but they took it very seriously. Those who didn’t usually end up dead when reality hit the fan.

*****

I could tell by her aura that Lorain was seriously ticked off by the Corporal’s attitude. I sympathized. Even if one joined the T.A. to fund higher learning, if you ended up in space, anything could happen. Not everyone had the luxury I did. So while incognito I made sure to triple check everyone and everything on my ship. A captain always took care of her crew. Barbosa let out a menacing growl that would have made Cooper proud, “Not so fast. I got me an insurance policy.” He dug the firearm into my helmet as far as it could go. “Got a nice little bird all set for final departure.”

Lorain’s tone was flat and cool, “I see that. Under the articles of the Terran Alliance, you are hereby under arrest. I will give you only one option. Surrender.” While she was talking, the Gunny made a show of reaching for his belt. Barbosa saw this and snarled, “I'll DO IT! See these explosives! I don’t give a crap. I can pilot that hunk of junk NASA sent this Captain in.” He said my title with a smirk in his voice.

I sent a message to Whitehouse:

//Am I able to act in all this, the suit is simulating a leg injury.//

//PW to EM: Sure, nothing in the manual saying you can’t do anything. //

I used my NASA credentials to open a link to the Gunny and Lorain.

//Advisory: We here at NASA appreciate the concern. Caution, stormy weather ahead. Excessive force winds expected at 18 hundred hours. Please bring proper protective gear.//

I added the entry as a general weather alert. Barbosa gave me a confused glance. “What are you doing little birdy!?” I discreetly pointed my hands downward then towards my stomach, bending over slightly, groaning. Holding my leg like it was broken.

Alpha Squad was taken aback.

Lorain’s mind glow suddenly burst with a sense of astonishment. I could feel her excitement growing by the second. That’s it doc.

*****

Lorain kept staring at the message. So this NASA person knew the channel was open? She narrowed her eyes in thought. 18 hundred hrs. What was important…the position! Her gaze went to the doorway behind Barbosa and his hostage. She ordered her suit’s scanners to sweep the area. There! It was faint but a signal was coming from the door panel. The hostage moved, pointing downward. Digging their gloves into their stomach. She opened a channel to the Gunny. “Confirm Weather advisory.” He gave two clicks. Readying himself to fire at a moment’s notice.

Barbosa never understood quite what happened. One moment the Terran soldiers were at his mercy, the next, the NASA bird made a quick swinging motion, bringing her hand up to lock his elbow in place. The pistol fired up into the ceiling. The gunny tagged him full of “ammo”. His screens went red. Lorain pulled out her jamming device. It was in the shape of a golf ball. Hurling it into the door panel. A voice boomed over the speaker, it was General Whitehouse, “Well done, mission successful. Please gather in the main hanger bay. Follow the birdy!”

Lorain’s eyes went wide as she saw the NASA scout raise their outer faceplate. “Nice one Doc! Looks like Olsten and his team did well too.” Eliza ambled over to give them both a friendly clasp on the arm. Her suit's stimulated injury hampering her initial progress. Gunny stated, “Weather Advisor huh? That’s a new one for the training books.” He went over to Barbosa. Held out his hand, “Let’s go get some well-deserved R&R. These kids wear me out.”

Eliza opened a private channel to Lanis, “You caught on pretty quick too!”

She was thankful that her visor hid her face replying, “I just know how your brain works.”

Barbosa hummed to himself then nodded, “Indeed. They must have had open coms for this run. Smart. Then again, considering who her dad is, she has a legacy to uphold.” The senior non-com fired off a question, “So who are you birdy?”

“Capt. Eliza Murphy! NASA Jumpstart Program.”

Gunny’s reaction was instant, “That Murphy huh? Served with him in Operation Carter.”

Eliza had that familiar grin. “Yup! What until you see that ship. It’s a doozy!”

While that was tempting he replied, “Maybe later ma’am. I don’t have clearance for it.”

Lorain rolled her shoulders, feeling the tension leave her muscles, tethering herself to Eliza. One couldn’t be too careful in Zero-G. For her part, NASA’s newest Captain just gave her friend a thumbs up.

Barbosa deactivated the rest of the training course. Eliza was marching in place. Trying to get feeling back in her leg. Lorain knew better but Eliza insisted on it. To make it seem like she was just another person in the crowd. She mastered her features into cool professionalism. He motioned to the other doorway, leading outside, where Mattling waited.

Across the Terran Alliance Network: //Nicely done. Please report to 2nd testing area for debriefing. Lt. Lanis and Lt. Olsten, report to General Whitehouse. You are being issued new orders!//

Lorain shot Eliza a questioning glance. She responded with a slight wink. “Let's go gather up Olsten. This is gonna be great!”

NASA Hanger Delta

Phobos (Mars)

March 10th, 2095

Whitehouse gazed up at the Jupiter Rising with a sense of wonder. “Now that’s a ship. Eliza Murphy, you are one of the luckiest kids alive.” She nodded in agreement. “Yup.” She turned as Eddie and Lorain, duffles on their backs, pulling grav carts with their TA gear approached. Jonas let out an excited whoop. “We are Captain Cosmos!” Murphy corrected him, the exhilaration was infectious, “We are even better! This is the first FTL capable ship! You, Lt. Lanis, and General Whitehouse are official members of the crew now.” Even the old warhorse was taken aback. “Who added that bit in? Not that I’m not interested!” Eliza opened the letter from the desk of NASA’s director.

//Welcome Captain Murphy. As one of the First FTL pilots within the Jumpstart program, you are authorized to choose anyone you wish for your crew, provided they met certain background checks. As of today, General Patrick Whitehouse US Army, Lt. Lorain Lanis of the T.A. Medical Corp and Lt. Jonas Olsten, of the T.A. Reporter Corp are hereby authorized to join your crew. Recommendations as follows://

“If you want, ill forward it to your data relay.”

Whitehouse was a kid at Christmas. “Look how sleek she is. Bet she can turn on a dime!”

The docking ramp lowered with nary a sound. Eliza threw an arm over Lorain’s shoulders. “Let me show you all around. It has everything. Even Cooper!” The german shepherd in question barked out a greeting as they entered the main walkway. Eddie gave him bear hug. “WHOS A GOOD BOY! YOU ARE!”

He was the best boy.

Lorain saw the sheer joy in Eliza’s every move. Good. Anything that kept that light going was good enough for Lanis. Eliza gazed down at Lorain, “Just think, what we could find without using the Dweller Gates!”

*****

Lorain ran a hand along my cheek. Her eyes unfocused as she scanned me with her powers. After a moment she responded, “Well let's take it one step at a time. How about linking with New Horizons at Alpha Centauri first.” After a momentary pause, “You're right doc. Let’s see what things look like with a known benchmark. Still! We are explorers of a new age! That alone is worth the price of admission!” I noticed her green eyes darken with worry. I picked her up, walking down the corridor with her locked in a similar but not as tight bear hug. Cooper was taking everything in stride, especially when he saw the signs indicating the Galley was just ahead, his barks gaining in volume. Lorain sighed and rested her forehead on my chest. She muttered, “What would you do without bacon huh?”

I cocked my head to the left. “Hey now! Bacon is important but friends are even better.” I squeezed her, making sure to spin around for good measure, noticing this brightened her mood tremendously. Over the PA system, Jupiter announced: <>

“See? It's one heck of a ship. She’s all mine.” I said, turning a bit sheepish at the end. Lorain was looking at me rather oddly. Fighting with something. Finally, she blurted out, “Well I have some shore leave coming up, let's go out to a holovid, maybe take a stroll along the boardwalk. I want to feel the earth beneath me for a bit.” I lifted her higher, so our noses were almost touching, proclaiming, “That sounds great! The fair should be back in town by then too. I vote for corndogs!” She ran her hand through my hair for a moment, giving it a ruffle, replying, “Good! Doctor’s orders!”

Project Osiris

New Ashbury (Texas)

May 16th, 2095

Lorain guided the Star-Spangled Banner through the proper checkpoints. The demi was floating in the air, anchored to Lanis’ arm. The tech on her head rendered her blind in every sense. J’ino had an arm wrapped about Eliza. The Typherian was apprehensive. Not because of her daughter’s presence but what the overall mission needed. Thomas cleared them through the final point, motioning for Lanis to bring the Banner forward.

“I know. She doesn’t have clearance but we need her skills for this operation. We have detected a rogue element within the asteroid belt and need you all to investigate. Well, you, the Banner, and Captain Lanis. You will need her translating ability for this.” He brought up the holo displays. The pictures were haphazard at first. As the General connected more pieces into the feed, Lorain felt her throat tighten, the warped linework of Keeper sigils were etched into the rocky surface.

“Lovely. I'll go get some thermal detonators.” J’ino shuddered, “I wish we could. Unfortunately, we have to figure out what that particular blip is.” Captain Herbert-Lanis walked through the holo display, handing her daughter a data packet, “Enter this into Jupiter’s library, the ship will know what to do, as for us…” She gave her daughter a gentle squeeze on the forearm, “We have to suit up.”

*****

The world around me was white. I could feel people guiding me of course but that wasn’t the problem. Having empathic abilities meant I could detect things 24/7. A comforting background noise. This situation? More blind than a bat. No sense of sight, smell, sound, mental, or otherwise. Dead air. Even Mr. Apple wasn’t in here. I felt a familiar tapping on my arm. In code. Even the ivory ring mom gave me was inert. Nothing to do but talk to me, myself and I.

Almost there. Sorry space cadet.

I tried to reply but my mouth wouldn’t budge. I shrugged. The tapping continued.

On the plus side, your mother will be joining you on Jupiter Rising, in left-hand mode.

I tapped back.

You better be giving her hazard pay Marshmellow Man.

I knew this was dad because he gripped the bottom of my boots and spun me in circles. Just like when I was a kid.

*****

J’ino giggled as Thomas went full dad mode with their daughter. “What did she say?” They were heading away from the facility, the grav-train carrying them to an offsite hanger bay where the Jupiter was parked. They wouldn’t be able to uncover Eliza until they set foot upon the ship. Thomas quirked an eyebrow, “Our daughter thinks I should pay you better.” Actual physical currency wasn’t needed in the Ascendancy but many civilizations still used it. J’ino thought she paid herself quite well. With a drop of humor, “Well that settles it. If my space cadet thinks I am getting underpaid, how will you ever make up that wage gap dear husband?”

Thomas brought Eliza to a halt, still maintaining contact, and gave his wife a very significant look, “I think I know of a few ways.” His tone sent a thrill through J’ino. It had been a while hadn’t it? Since they were all so busy. She reached out and cupped his face, “I expect quite the down payment then.”

Even though Eliza was still completely and utterly unaware she gave both of them a thumbs up.

J’ino buried her head in her husband’s chest. Breathless wheezing laughter caused Thomas to grin. Finally, she stated, “I know she doesn’t know what we are talking about but why the thumbs up?”

*****

Dad was acting weird. More tapping.

Just give us a thumbs up. It will make mom happy.

I exaggerated my movements. Hammed it to 11. That always gave mom an extra boost when she needed it. She pulled on my hand. The fingers were slimmer. Turned my palm over. Wrote: You and your father are dorks. My dorks though. So that makes me Queen Dork. I nodded. Using my other index finger, I formed a heart in the air with plasma, the effect lasting a few moments. Mom pulled me over to her. I think she had us all in some sort of mama bear huglock. That’s us.

Typical Texan family.

Asteroid Belt

Jupiter Rising (Sol System)

May 16th, 2095

While the rest of the Golden Redeemers suited up, Captain Herbert-Lanis was at the helm, Jupiter on semi autopilot mode as we drifted closer to the unmanned target site. Everyone was here as extra security but for this mission, it would be me, doc, and her mother. Just like the old scout teams on Captain Cosmos. Mom and someone else was cloaked in the room with me. I had noticed it earlier but Mr. Apple had cautioned me with a finger to his lips.

All in due time.

The story of my life.

“Hey Captain, so anything you need me to keep my eyes peeled for?”

Without raising her head, “At this point? Anything that gets on your radar in terms of nose bleeds factor. I hope it won’t be that severe but you never know. The rest of your team will remain here to act as a cover story. A joint TA/NASA and Legion Op. Made it appear to be another titanium deposit. Along with some platinum. With you along to burn it out.”

Made sense. Most demis were often recruited into hazard zones to harvest rarer materials. “Well if there is any of that here, I'll be sure to mine it out, helps keep the R&D guys happy. Plus we’d get a finder’s fee.” A small vibration ran throughout the vessel. Most wouldn’t perceive it but all my senses were stretched out to the max in response to the magic white room.

Mary exited, making a pitstop at the armory, motioning for her daughter to join us.

“Let’s get to work then.”

Mr. Apple shoved some sort of picture in front of my face. It was shifting. The black ink running everywhere. It formed into an oval face, two dark orbs staring out into the infinite, its small slit of a nose flaring briefly.

Got it. Definite Void Walker influence.

Chronos isn’t here but this place feels wrong. Tread softly.

*****

Doctor Impossible kept glancing back at the Jupiter. She wished she could have brought all the explosives known to man from its weapon’s locker. Her mother had axed that idea. The Osiris Head Researcher had taken point. Honing in on the remnants of Keeper tech buried within this asteroid. Lorian’s cheeks flushed with guilt. With her mother’s help, she had been able to key in on the sensory output within Eliza’s mind that allowed her to ferret out Keeper influenced technology. It wasn’t as pinpoint as Murphy herself but it gave Project Osiris an invaluable tool. They also had to be within 40 feet to hear the locator go off. To Lorain it was rather ironic they gave it a low droning bing sound. Just like in those deep-space horror vids Olsten adored. She always found herself watching between her fingers when people made stupid choices in those old movies. Her heart thudded rapidly.

Star was right above them, keeping an elevated overwatch, just in case. The target area filled her vision. A rather sparse looking rock. A cave formation was 1 mile ahead. Based on their information, it was a few hundred feet wide but not very deep.

Captain Lanis stopped at the entrance. Lorain brought her sidearm out, keeping it aimed at the ground but ready to engage at a moment's notice. The Banner landed next to them. Her hands moved, asking: Want me to take point?

*****

Mary nodded. Her gloved fingers holding her scanner, its blips trilling even faster now, which made me examine it closer. I felt a twinge of pressure behind my eyes. Ahhh, right. It was coated against my type of fun. So I just floated through the opening. Testing the area by inhaling whatever was around. I put my hands on the wall, burning through it until I hit paydirt. Well, platinum that is. I cooled it with some ice breath and notified Jupiter.

//Whatever useful stuff I find, I'll leave at the entrance, get the grav-loader if you have to.//

//Acknowledged. My current estimation places that chunk of Platinum enough to provide a coating for 5 more ((Classified.))//

We moved deeper into the abyss. Mary was focused. Like a master diver. Lorain was attempting the same but the stillness was getting to her. I floated back, checking on their readouts, making sure to exaggerate my movements. Oxygen tanks were good for another 3 days at this rate. A burst of cold ripped through my bones. I knelt, digging my fingers into the dust, my hands finding something solid. I scanned it with my sight. It was a human skull. I excavated it. The outer bone was in near perfect condition. Doc and her mother stopped. The Captain’s voice crackled over the coms, <> I didn’t argue. Just holding the thing made my flesh break out in goosebumps.

Once I sealed it away another tug appeared at the edge of my vision. I pointed, <> There was movement. A faint shimmer in the dark. Doc gripped my hand, had I been normal she might have even broken it with the added pressure from her suit. I could hear her heart rate rising.

<> I peered through the rocky surface, cutting through the walls with my extrasensory abilities. No other heat signatures. More bones though. So many. Lining every wall here. In this back half of the cave network. A mass grave. Not all humans, not all from Earth, familiar shapes. I should know this. I should connect!

I winced as lightning exploded behind my temples. I brought Mary and Lorain in close, so they could hear me, don’t ask me how I can talk in a vacuum, even Mr. Apple won’t give me a straight answer. Every breath was wrenched from me like a man pulling nails from a floorboard. “I should remember. Can’t. Dead, walls filled with the dead. Humans, others, familiar.” I gripped my head as more pain brought me to my knees. Mary was sending something out.

A landscape of white filled my vision. The pain receded instantly.

There was a gap in my memory.

One of many.

I brought my hands up. Feeling the blocker on my head.

After this was over I would be having a few choice questions for him.

Main Entry Ramp

Jupiter Rising (Sol System)

May 16th, 2095

J’ino ran, her booted feet propelling her through the dark. It took her moments to reach the others. Space was like a second home for her. So the lack of gravity never bothered her. Doc and her mother stood by, the elder Lanis expecting such a response. Lorain appeared especially distressed.

>>What is here? Why is that on her head again?<<

Lorain sent a message through the ring:

//Whatever memory alteration procedure you have doesn’t work completely. Eliza still has empath imprints of things she’s done. She said there’s a mass grave here, in every wall, not all of them are Earth-based either.//

J’ino linked to Horus.

>>Get over here now.<<

In one blink he was beside J’ino.

((Be forewarned, I cannot use Forger level tech here. It would alert the enemy.))

>>That’s fine, just record in passive mode, Mary!<<

The Captain nodded. Using her sensors to sweep the cavern. What came back horrified all. Not only was this a grave, but each bone was also placed in a wicked sort of logic. It mirrored the allowed pathways of the Dweller Gate orbiting Mars.

Mary used her demi power on it, examining the patterns from multiple angles. There was a message here. She relayed it to J’ino:

//By all records, we find these samples to be lacking to serve Unity, we must find the true source of Earth’s magic. Samples 1-4,606 were utter failures. None could bear the weight of the Project. By cross-examining failed genotypes we have found a way to birth a new avenue of approach. The Director suggests finding a viable sample within the local population.//

J’ino’s stomach twisted at this.

>>Mary, can you estimate the date of these bones?<<

Lorain stepped forward, <>

They could see the Typherian shudder at that. Even though her suit.

Captain Lanis shot out a priority alert to Project Osiris. This place would need to be properly monitored. She removed the skull from its place in her pack. By now the readout was finished. She meticulously reburied it. <>

As the Jupiter rose into the void, Horus locked away another set of files, praying for the day that Convergence would come. Some of those bones had been Forger as well. Within the piloting sphere, Ritark’s golden eyes locked on to the vids, he had felt it too. His memory flashed back to the day that Eliza had hid him. He was certain this was the fate she had saved him from. Whatever this project was that the void walkers were cooking up would be no good for anyone. He hissed sliently, curling up into the tiniest ball he could imagine. They would need him on the ship. As he was. Not within the encounter suit of Area 51.

He only hoped that Earth would be Uplifted in time to serve the rest of the Wall.

Main Galley

Jupiter Rising (Sol System)

May 18th, 2095

I finished off my apple pie as mom strode into the dining area. She made a beeline for me. “Mom! Dad relay any updates yet?” He had been handpicked to supervise something “hush hush” on Mars. Like any good military family, we just rolled with it. She sat down next to me in the booth. Her eyes were underlined with blemishes. “Long hours at the office?” She nodded briefly. I draped an arm around her. She leaned in to give me a peck on the cheek. “You behaving yourself Space Cadet?” The odd note in her voice caused me to eye her with some confusion, “What do ya mean by that? I’ve been careful around magic! We all have. The Puzzler figured out a good way to stop some demis, some spellwork needs voice and motions. What’s this really about?”

Mom used my arm as a pillow. Ever so often gazing up at me. Her emotions were locked behind some sort of barrier. That was new! A small part of me understood why. It was hard to have privacy with an empath around. Still, it hurt.

*****

Jennifer stared up into her daughter’s trusting gray eyes and her heart constricted. Most of Area 51 carried on as normal. Sul’Sandra and Thomas? They knew the full report. She had scrambled back onto the ship, still cloaked from everyone once inside, raced to the head. Dry heaving until her whole body hurt. The Keepers had wanted her children. How she wished she could have purged that whole asteroid from existence. At least her son, Rulers grant him peace, hadn’t lived to be a part of their plans. She gave Eliza’s arm one more pat. “Let’s go home.”

Her daughter gave her another half hug. “Ok ma, you gotta promise me something though!” She leaned in. “What’s that?”

“Throw a vote into the hat for Mr. Coffee Bardaxian. On an Earth name. He’s feeling left out!” She thought for a moment, the Beauceron guardian of A51, always leading. Throwing himself into harms way if need be.

“How about Glaive?”

Eliza grew quiet.

She nodded solemnly. “Makes sense. A glaive to cut through anything that threatens.”

The doorway whooshed open. Lorain came up to the booth, “We have NASA’s thanks. That platinum will come in handy. We got quite the finder’s fee. Should we celebrate?” Eliza raised her index finger, “I vote for Marches. I think you both earned it. Let’s rope in your mom as well Doc, you all look like you could use the fresh air.”

Lorain heaved a sigh, “Only us 4?”

Murphy laughed,

“Of course. Although I think I'll bring some takeout home for the rest.”

The Citidel, Cradle of Life

Illarium(Mars)

Highmaker stored the F.R.A.Ms report away. The Markav AI waited as Taleer reviewed the material as well.

<>

Taleer could feel the other’s confusion.

As an AI, advanced as he was, he still took a moment to reflect on the old soldier's question. <>

In response, Taleer brought up the pattern recorded within the cavern. The old bones of so many souls. “We have to find out who smuggled Ishtar and Chronos past the barrier in the first place. Whoever did it erased the data from Horus. Someone who knew the inner workings of Forger tech. That leaves a small list. Typherian, Forger or….”

Highmaker could see the worry displayed on Taleer’s face. Even if it was only in the cyberscape of the AI’s mind. “Or who sir?”

“The Outcast. The Hidden House.”

Urraden.

The Children of Chains.