Returned to Life, Interlude

[jeriendhal]

He strode quickly down the ship's corridor, toe claws clicking at a pace not quite a run, that would be an indication of weakness and panic, but swift enough that lesser servitors saw the wisdom of removing themselves from his path. When he reached the power room, he paused before the sealed door before pressing the annunciator and announcing himself.

Yes, General Gisko?

“I must report an incident, Lord Gene Mage.”

Enter. The door unsealed and slid open and he strode inside. He dropped to one knee before his God and bowed his head. “I fear I must report a security breach, my Lord.”

“Yet another Gal Sapiens ship entering the system, General?” Lord Gene Mage asked. Surrounding them was a large circular power cell that made up the walls of the chamber, holding the surviving proto-Ferin. Through the transparent armoured glass walls they floated in stasis, unbreathing, tubes piercing their small bodies, ready to once again power the great ship.

“No Lord, though I have doubled patrols on the outer perimeter of the debris plane. If Lt. Freeman and his cousin are here, then I regard it as highly probable that the Vulpine, Brushtail, is in the system as well.”

“Logical,” the Gene Mage said, “what then concerns you?”

“The two guards I had assigned to the depot brig were found dead less than ten minutes ago, and the door to the primary holding cell had been breached from within. Their necks were snapped, and it seems that the cell's door had been forced open. I can only assume that the prisoners succeeded in re-activating the cybernetically enhanced Vulpine that we had captured earlier. They are currently on the loose.” He dipped his head lower. “Once again I have failed you, Lord.”

“Rise and be at ease General, you are not completely at fault. I should have put a greater priority on disconnecting the biological remnants of the cyber Vulpine from his frame. The would have ensured that he would not have had access to his system's capabilities. Are you able to track the signal from Rachael Namatjira's implant?”

Gisko stood, but kept his head bowed. “No, Lord. My assumption is that his frame contains an ECM field generator that can be extended to block her signal.”

“Again, a logical conclusion given the circumstances. One can only marvel at the wasteful expense the Gal Sapien Alliance paid to equip a single damaged foot soldier with such extraordinary abilities.”

“Indeed, my Lord.”

“What are you doing to apprehend them?”

“The depot is on red alert. I have set roaming patrols throughout the facility, and have double the guards on the depot's power, communications and small arms storage.”

“Excellent. Ready full squads to be assigned to each of the access corridors to this ship as well.”

Gisko raised his head to look at his god more closely. “You believe they will attempt to board her? Would it not be more logical to attempt to steal a smaller ship and escape the system?”

“No,” the Gene Mage said. “I have no doubts they will enter the hanger bay to make the attempt, but once they see this ship they will have to board her.” He stepped to one side, revealing the last Ferin that had been placed into the power cell. The Ferin boy known as Terinu floated in the tank with his flawed cousins, unconscious and helpless. “They will both attempt to rescue the boy and destroy this vessel. They will have no choice, once they recognize it.”

“I don't understand, my Lord. That is, rescuing their comrade is sensible, given his importance, but surely they will not waste time attempting to destroy this ship.”

The Gene Mage smiled. “I should have had you study Human history more closely during your adolescent training, General. This ship is part of that history, as much as their beloved Three Children are. They will be compelled to destroy it, as much as I am compelled to return my Ferin to their former glory. Trust me, and you will see.”

“Always, my Lord.”

Comments

[wolfstormdancer.livejournal.com]

Joy.... Bliss...

To make a comment by Gunny....

"Awww damnitall why did that monster have to be here. I can't buy a break on this FUBAR OP. And I know they are waiting for us... I JUST KNOW IT! (Insert long string of invective here)."

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Well, he did manage to kill to armed Galapados with his bare hands. That has to cheer him up just a little bit. :)