USD: 1 Day Since Comm Failure
Location: Nu Crateris, Outer System, Hades Orbit, A3123Y Mobile Base, Recreation Deck Five
Lavigne leaned back in his chair, the dimly lit recreation deck enveloping him and the others with the low hum of environntal machinery. Across the floor, a few other mbers of the Grazzys crew were off duty, taking advantage of whatever free entertainnt caught their fancy. The scent of sweat and synthetic tobacco smoke mingled with the faint aroma of their drinks and the fabric of the ga table.
Lavignes gaze passed over the three n seated around the table with him, each engrossed in the card ga as Morrison shuffled the cards for the third ti.
Daniel nursed his drink, taking a slow sip, causing the ice cubes to clink softly against the glass. He and Morrison had chosen one of the whiskeys the station carried. From what Lavigne understood, the man had spent an entire day working with the stations NAI, developing a proper distillation process for the drink that t his satisfaction.
Lavigne had chosen a cheap wine for himself, rather than accept the stronger beverage.
Morrison, a gruff but reliable man, had assud a critical role for Lavigne as the senior-most NCO of the Grazzys surviving crew. Without him, Lavigne was sure no one would have made it off the ship alive during the Battle for Dedia IV.
As the cards flashed between the NCOs fingers, a sly grin spread across his face. Logan took a gulp of his orange juice, his eyes sparkling with excitent as Morrison began to slide each player their cards.
So, whos ready to lose this round? The words hung in the air, a playful challenge that made the others chuckle.
You got lucky earlier, kid, Morrison warned as he set the deck down.
Lavigne played with the edges of his cards, not looking at them right away.
Being rescued by a mber of an intelligent alien speciesthat also happened to be a NAI Avatarhadnt been on his list of expectations when they had crash-landed in their escape pod on Dedias surface.
If they had been arrested or killed by the colonists, or even devoured by the planets notorious wildlife, those would have t his definition of the most probable outcos. He didnt think the admiralty would believe him at his court-martial when he relayed what had happened.
Glancing at his cards, he suppressed a grin as Two Aces and three Kings looked back at him. His heart raced with anticipation as he tried to maintain a poker face. He tossed in his standard call as he declined to swap any cards out.
No one took any cards as the play went around the table, and then Logan raised as the first round of betting began. Daniel raised again without hesitation.
The table had been loose with bets since they began. Credits didnt hold much value when A31 provided everyone onboard with a regular 50,000 credit stipend, regardless of status. It essentially paid for all living expenses and was more than any of the Solarians had ever earned in the navy, including him as an officer.
It was perhaps not that strange of a system to them. The concept of a universal basic inco that took care of a persons basic needs was ensured by the Solarian governnt, but this went far beyond that.
Still, a bit of unease poked at Lavigne. A full house was a good hand, but it wasnt the best. He bit his lower lip and stole a glance at the others as he called.
Morrison chuckled and then pushed his pile of chits into the center. All-in.
Lavigne shared a look with the others, before the three of them all called. The pot was just too tempting.
Well, I guess thats the end of ga night. Shall we see how things settle out? Daniel said as he leaned back in his chair.
Lavigne flipped his cards on the table, revealing his full house: AAKKK. He couldnt help but smile as he reached out to take the pot.
Daniels hand forestalled him. Not so fast.
Daniel displayed his four of a kind: QQQQ. Lavignes eyes widened, and he groaned in defeat.
Daniel winked at him and reached out to take the pile, but Logan, who had remained quiet, interjected. Wait. He spread out his cards revealing a straight flush, Hearts Jack-High. Logans mouth curved into a smug smile.
WHAT?! Daniel shouted, while Morrison burst into laughter, his whole body shaking. Lavigne couldnt help but join in, chuckling at the turn of events.
This ans I win again, right? He reached for the pile of chits, but Morrisons hand ca down on them, halting Logans attempt.
Not so fast, boy-o, Morrison warned.
With a confident grin, the NCO revealed his cardsa Royal Flush.
Logan sank back into his seat, confusion etched on his face. Daniel groaned, clearly frustrated, while Lavigne crossed his arms and glared at Morrison.
Ignoring the improbability of these hands all appearing at once, there are five queens showing here, Morrison!
Morrison burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the chaos.
Suddenly, a hologram of Abbey materialized on the table. Sorry to interrupt your ga, she said, her voice steady, but Ill be resetting your credits to their original values since cheating seems to have occurred. Also, there is a serious matter that requires all of you to co to the bridge at once.
Suddenly, the table fell silent, and Lavigne blinked in surprise at the preadolescent NAIs command.
Abbeys gaze lingered on Lavigne for a mont before finishing. That includes Lieutenant Lavigne and Sergeant Morrison.
The girls image winked out as quickly as it had appeared, but Lavigne was left with a knot of confusion in his stomach. What serious matter would the NAI need to discuss with them? Morrison usually kept a tight leash on the crew and they had been relatively well-behaved. There hadnt been a single disciplinary action taken since they had settled in on A3123Y.
They were in a comfortable situation, one that the admiralty probably wouldnt appreciate hearing about.
As they erged from the recreation deck, the cool scent of recycled air filled Lavignes senses. As they headed down the concourses main path toward the center of the station, he couldnt help but notice multiple groups of humanoid combat bots patrolling the corridors. Their precisely coordinated movents heightened his sense of unease.
As they passed by an open auditorium, he caught sight of an entire platoon of the drones standing at attention, their guntal gray forms ard with combat gear and assault rifles. The sight sent a chill down his spine, reminding him of so of the holovids hed seen at ho.
Collapse War-era holovids often dramatized the battles of the ti period, depicting NAI-commanded combat drones fighting each other in massive engagents that ravaged entire planets, reducing once-thriving cities and populations to ash and rubble. They always reminded viewers that it was the rise in power of NAI Solaria and her sisters that had ultimately put an end to the devastating wars, ushering in an era of uneasy peace.
A troubling thought crossed Lavignes mindhe and his crew were now helping a rogue group with their own NAIs. If they developed into a terrible threat that could plunge civilization back into a new Collapse era
He quickly dismissed the idea. There was no way that could happen. At worst, the major NAIs would co to put Starlight Revolution under control and simply turn the system into a properly monitored and legal core system with its new NAI in charge.
Even if the population would be considered tiny, he didnt see why Dedia and the systems on the frontier couldnt beco a popular new core world given so years of immigration and developnt.
As they reached the command deck, Lavigne glanced at the others, whod been mostly silent along the way. Anyone have an idea what this is about? he asked, trying to gauge their thoughts.
Daniel shrugged, his face a mixture of curiosity and concern. No clue, but it must be important if shes calling us over to command.
Logan nodded. Normally, she can take care of anything on her own. She mostly just asks for advice or ideas now.
They found Abbey waiting for them inside as the door to the CIC slid open. She stood in front of the primary command console, clad in a custom-made power armor suit, helt tucked under one arm. Lavigne couldnt help but find it bizarre that a fully functional, Federation-Era quality power armor suit had been designed for soone whod outgrow it in a year or two.
Abbey turned to them with a frown on her face. Thank you all for coming, she began, her usual cheerful voice flat and emotionless. Lavigne noted her tense posture and the way she gripped her helt, indicating how serious the situation might be.
It has been over 24 hours since I lost contact with the expedition team. Unfortunately, due to ongoing communication issues, information is sparse, and I dont know exactly what happened, Abbey said.
Lavigne furrowed his brow, concerned. What have you been able to find out?
Reports suggest that the organic contingent of the expedition, including the Rexxor units, had been experiencing hallucinations and possible psychotic breaks.
Morrison raised an eyebrow. What could cause sothing like that?
Abbey hesitated before answering, It could be EMF or so kind of biological exposure Before we lost connection, Heeler was investigating, but he had no answer.
Weve constantly had issues with low-band and high-band transmissions, especially when the tunnel points misaligned and the transceivers drifted apart. Still, we shouldnt be having so much difficulty, especially with lower frequency communications.
The young NAI frowned and looked at the display that was flashing red. An unhappy icon showing a broken line had the label Connection Failure written in white underneath it.
Despite the expedition teams efforts, we didnt manage to open a transit path through the D-field. The Heavens Fire had been repaired and reinforced for an exodus flight if evacuation beca necessary, but now that we are out of communications
Logan spoke up, his voice shaking with concern. What about my sister? How is she? Do you know?
Abbey smiled slightly, but it was a weak reassurance. Shes been experiencing symptoms, but at a lower degree than so of the other MilTech personnel.
Daniel frowned and moved to look at the screens and read them himself. I knew there were issues, but not how serious they had beco. Whats being done to mount a rescue effort?
Abbey seed to perk up, raising her hand excitedly. Yes! A recovery vessel is being prepared. Ive designed one that should be more capable than even the Heavens Fire at traversing the D-field, with its own very powerful field generator for its size! I have also activated the auxiliary combat drone plant and begun to load the ship with an expeditionary force to mount a rescue effort!
Lavigne raised an eyebrow. You expect hostile action?
Abbey frowned. I dont know. The team had so injuries due to a firing incident where the forward team thought they ca under attack by unknowns. I think its a good idea to send a full-strength detachnt.
Morrison shared a look with Lavigne before asking, What do you consider full strength, then?
Abbey raised another hand. A ten thousand unit combat group should fit inside the rescue ship! Im calling it SR Hot Rescue!
Logan facepald, Didnt we talk about getting help before naming things?
Abbey tilted her head. But I like this na.
Lavigne coughed, regaining their attention. I understand the need to send a rescue ship for the expedition, but why did you call and Morrison?
Abbey smiled. I want you and your crew to man the ship. Almost all our human crew went with the Expedition
Morrison frowned. If you are sending more people, how can you guarantee that they wont have the sa issues?
Abbey nodded enthusiastically. I already prepared all of that! Every biological mber of the crew being sent will receive their own custom-made power armor suit! Each one is fully equipped with its own I-Field generator, which should prevent any electromagnetic infiltration, as well as a full NBC environntal suite with easy-swap packs!
You cant be serious, Lavigne blurted out. Were prisoners of war. You cant give us power armor, weapons, and a FedTech-styled warship to do a mission in!
Abbey tilted her head the other way. Why not? If you go help the expeditionary team, I will let you keep the ship and power armor. Ill even promise to make sure you can go ho without interference by Starlight Revolution!
Lavigne ran his hand through his hair, unable to control the incredulity filling him. You were not supposed to aid your captor; doing so was treason. But but you also had a duty to attempt escape as long as it wouldnt cause undue harm and suffering to your n.
The chance to return to Solarian space and report back to command was a duty that couldnt be understated.
To do so with all the intelligence they had gathered just by being present, with equipnt and a ship that showed the possible capabilities of the enemy? It would help those in charge make inford decisions and might even save the lives of countless other service mbers before they plunged into sothing they werent prepared to handle.
But if the admiralty and the naval board disagreed, it would be a brief walk to the execution chamber for treason when they made it back. If they made it back. The mission the SR NAI proposed to them was very much one that could place him and his crew in peril. Just for that alone threatened to tilt the calculation against agreeing to help.
Abbey turned her attention to Daniel. You and Logan will be in charge of the combat drone teams. The ship can be left to the Solarian crew. The new tunnel that will place you in the sa zone as the expedition will be ready by tomorrow!
Lavigne looked at Morrison, who shrugged. The lieutenants bar on his collar and officer stripes on his jacket cuffs had never felt so burdenso before.
What it ca down to was could he trust the young girl in front of him to keep her word about letting them go?
In the end, she had trusted his word that the crew wouldnt try to escape in return for being treated as guests and not prisoners.
Despite their incredible differences, Lavigne felt he could trust the Starlight Revolution mbers he had t to keep their promises.
And from what hed seen and learned, they werent bad people, either.
Even if their existence was breaking a half dozen interstellar laws.
He let out a deep breath. Alright. Well help. Sitting here idle playing cards while people need rescuing goes against the grain.
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