RM3-chap06:Sister Calling-edited

Everything really did feel larger than life to Roy. There he was on Summit-Peak, a world known to spacefaring societies even before the formation of the First Galactic Council, being in the company of the most revered and beloved Immortal of the Union, a living legend only a handful of people ever met in person.

To top it all off, he was wearing an old pre-Union of the Eternal Warrior.

The place was buzzing with activity. There were sentient beings he could identify and there were many more he could not. Dressed or decorated in what considered to be the finest in their respective societies.

Two beings were waiting for them at the end of the landing ramp, one was a Stellaris. Ever since Roy had met Alejandro on Belle Station, he had learned to differentiate between the Stellaris and the Sentmacs known as the X101 of Factory. The other was a Klack, this member of that insectoid species was easily identified, while he was sure pretty much everyone in the Union knew about these Antlike sentients, he, of course, knew K’Tkik, who without question could be found in Ma Swanson’s boathouse at around this time playing Eggs & Grubbs with Trond Iveland, perhaps this frankly quite scary larger than life situation made him think about the carefree time of his not so distant time growing up on Green Hell. Seeing the Klack he wondered if he made the right decision. Sure he promised Sam to become a Marine, but what other marine recruit in all Union history had ever been in a situation like this?

Back then when he saved the life of the Wurgus and met the patriarch, he was even greener than now and agreed to participate in whatever this was. He should have never agreed to this, but back then he was even greener than now, not that he had gained all that much more wisdom and experience since then. Both, the Klack and the Stellaris wore their versions of fancy civilian attire. The two of course first welcomed Stahl. The Stellaris was first to address Roy after he had acknowledged the Admiral. “You must be Roy Masters. The All Patriarch has asked if you were to attend.” “I am Sir. “

“I am Hidalgo Morris and this is P’Tykt. I am the Consul general of the Union and my friend P’Tykt was sent by the Assembly as Delegate. We would love to have you at the Union compound, but the Summit is about to start in less than three hours.” “Sir, can you help me understand as to what I have to do?” The Stellaris spread his arms. “We're not exactly certain, Roy.  The Wurgus society has not shared many details of their society with Non-Wurgus.”

“I think we will find out very soon.” The Klack said pointing towards the large Wurgus ship. An open hover disc, clearly of Non-Union design approached. On it a good dozen of the truly alien Wurgus. It was only the second time, Roy saw Wurgus, the first time over a year ago.  As he saw them approach, he realized just how much had happened since.

All of them appeared to be about two meters tall, there was no significant height difference between them, and just as last time he was reminded of a fresh plugged and butchered chicken sitting on top of their thin necks, complete with drumstick legs and fleshy little wings on the side. The eyes had the appearance of peeled onion bulbs stuck into the sides of the eerie-looking head. That the being in the middle was of greater importance, was evident in the more elaborate decorated robe-like garment made of shimmering purple fabric. The thing silently hovered closer and touched the ground moments later.

With a slight bow the Stellaris acknowledged them and said. “Great honor is extended with your presence, your Majesty.” To Roy, they looked all alike and he could not tell if the one he had talked to before was among them. “Honor is a complicated concept, Union delegate. I am Patriarch Sensitu of the Morlga Wurgus. My word and rule are absolute in many, yet I strive to be worthy of honors extended to me. The Wurgus patriarch rotated his eyes towards Roy. “It pleases me indeed you have come, Masters. Have you changed your view on Wurgus?”

Roy sighed openly. “I have not changed my view on Wurgus, but frankly I don’t know enough about your kind to form a real opinion one way or the other. I still think your kind paid more than any other to defeat the Y’All. It all happened long before my time and in the case of you scarifying your sun. I think that happened even before there was a Union.” There was no emotional response Roy could recognize or understand. The Stellaris, however, was not too sure about this and he said. “Should we not proceed inside and prepare for the summit? Why discuss such things out here?” The Wurgus responded. “Many have come to this place to discuss, lie, and perhaps encourage us to sway us in one way or another. I did not come to hear them. I came to speak to you, Masters now continue.”

Roy there and then to do exactly what the Immortal Admiral recommended and speak his mind as he saw it. “Your Majesty, I am a nobody. I come from an unimportant world and try to live up to the expectations of the one person I admire most by becoming a Marine. I came because I gave my word, but frankly, I don’t know what I am doing here? This is too big and too important for me to screw things up. I don’t understand what I am supposed to say or do, or why you wanted me to be here.” “You have reservations of Wurgus joining that Union?”

He gave the alien a hard look. “Yes, frankly I do. It was your kind giving Sun-bombs to the Kermac, twice at least.” The Stellaris openly gasped and said. “I am sure this young man did not mean to put it that way, your Majesty. Maybe we should show the young man to the Union compound, while we proceed?” Stahl crossed his arms. “Neither Roy nor I came here because we chose to be here. In my opinion, he raised a valid question.” The Klack was next to speak. “This is why the Assembly wanted you to be here, Eternal Warrior. “

The Wurgus swiveled his bulbous eyes. “This is why I wanted this young human to be here. He speaks without falsehood or hidden agendas. I explained this to Colonel Cara, we have no use for diplomats.”

To Roy, the Wurgus said. “Had you not asked this question, I would have abandoned this summit. We also know of you, Admiral Stahl, you are synonymous with honor and integrity far beyond the realm of the Union.” The Wurgus leader motioned towards one of his companions. “This is Patriarch Mursitun, he will answer your question. He is our historian”

The Wurgus pointed out bowed and spoke. “When we sold Wurgus stellar destructor devices to the Kermac, we knew little about the Union. As you know, we sacrificed our home system to defeat a Y’All invasion. When these monsters returned to our star spiral, the Kermac approached us. The Kermac asked us for Stellar Destructors to repeat this sacrifice on several of their systems to defeat the Y’All again. We agreed and provided the Destructors for this purpose. The Kermac deceived us. We have not done business with the Kermac since.” Stahl made a clouded face. “That means these Paperfaces now have Sun Bomb technology on their own.” Roy again disregarded his feeling of inferiority among these important people. “When Alejandro and I discovered the bombs, they used Wurgus displays and language. Would they not adapt this tech to their language and controls?” “Not necessarily, Son. These Kermac bastards are nothing if deceptive and perhaps wanted to frame the Wurgus in case their scheme is discovered, as it was by the way.”

--“”—

Geha gathered her mind to unleash a bolt of intense heat when another Saresii in similar garb appeared out of thin air and thundered. “How dare you find judgment against an Elder of our society without summoning of the Council?” To Geha the same Saresii said. “I am Alameda and I ask you to hold your ability. Alegar conveyed you here for sanctuary and it is granted.” One of the masked cat priests objected. “Most revered Master Alameda, the Black Cats have warned us of this betrayal and it was confirmed by Alegar bringing a wanted Non-Saresii to our gates.”

Before the masked Cat could speak another word, a visible bolt of bluish energies engulfed the robed priestess and pushed her with apparent force over the ledge of the bridge. The masked Saresii screamed and vanished. Alameda said with rage in his voice. “What traitorous insanity is this?”

Alegar came to his feet. “This is for you to investigate, Master Alameda. This woman, Geha, is under my protection. Until this sanctuary is indeed a sanctuary, I will be her guardian.” The Saresii named Master Alameda said to Geha. “You have a formidable and unusual control over Psions, come back once you feel safe and I will hone your skills.” Geha felt confused and angry, but she sensed that this Saresii was much more than it appeared. “Who are you?” “They call me Master Alameda, what is happening right here at the gates of our sanctuary is very disturbing and it is I who will do the cleansing.” Alegar reached out for her hand. “Let Alameda do what must be done until then let us disappear.”

--“”—

The last time Ranger Salomon met Martha was at a formal dinner, and just a few days before the Masters had left Green Hell. Much has happened since then; the Masters were reported lost in a Pirate attack; the Maxwell System and Green Hell had been attacked by Kermac and war had been declared. Several months later, the Masters returned, first Paul and then his wife Martha. Paul did not stay but requested his belongings to be shipped to Ribenna Colony.

Martha returned a few weeks later, unlike her husband she decided to stay. She even purchased the old Science outpost, the one that served as a home for the Masters before. Now, neither Salomon nor anyone he knew was really sorry about Paul Masters's decision. The ranger knew no one who really missed that prick and by the nature of his job, he pretty much knew everyone here on Green Hell. Oh yes, a prick he was for certain. He never shared a pint with the other scientists at Gillian's Pup or anyone else for that matter. Ant Hill and the entire small colony on Green Hell existed because of the Bio-Research Institute of course and there always was a little gap in terms of social interaction between the scientist and everyone else, but it became less and less defined, especially between those who decided to stay for life.

To the Ranger, and most of the locals there were only two kinds of people. Those who love this crazy green ball, populated with the most lethal non-sentient lifeforms so far encountered by Union science and those who hated this place. He was born here, and so was his father and his son Bob. He considered himself to be a true Greenie and he, like all those who proudly proclaimed to be natives of this world were fiercely protective of this world. Most of the scientists however just came for an assignment, a particular research project. To them, this planet never became home and not a small number of them applied for an early as possible transfer and left as fast as they could.

A small, but slowly growing group of these scientists, however, changed their opinion and extended their assignments until retirement and then decided to stay. Most prominent perhaps, the decision of Dr. Harrow, the chief scientist, and administrator of the Institute. His decision, openly proclaimed only about six months ago surprised quite a few, but not Aaron Salomon. He was almost certain of this ever since Ivan started to frequent the pub and insisting that they called him Ivan.

However, Aaron would have never in a million years suspected Martha to be one of those. True, Roy her son, and a good friend of Bob was the quintessential Greenie. No one else could roam the deadliest jungles in the known universe with such ease. Not even Bob or any of the other kids that were able to leave Ant Hill, wearing only the most basic of protection.

But Bob was gone, his son upon completion of the Basic school decided to serve his 22 months of Union service not with a law enforcement agency and then follow his father’s example and join the Ranger service, but Bob signed up with the Union Fleet and everyone knew this was never for just 22 months. Bob just recently sent him a Com from basic training enthusiastically speaking about his decision to enlist for a twelve-year stint and his hopes to become a weapon specialist. Aaron was a little disappointed, but at the same time very proud of his son.

Not that there would have been a Ranger position on Green Hell, even if Bob would have chosen to become a Ranger. Only a week ago, headquarters informed him, that the Ranger office for the Maxwell system was closed by the end of the year. While Green Hell did not grow very much, Harper’s Junction had grown enough for a Union Police precinct. The small local police department on Harper’s was closing as well. This development was not a real surprise either, as he expected this ever since the aftermath of the Kermac attack. For whatever reason, this event seemed to have woken the sleepy little system at the outward fringes of the Old Neighborhood. Even Maximus, Insignificant, and Desolate were now developed. The asteroid belt between Maximus and Insignificant was now surveyed by at least three mining corporations.

Since he was technically the Ranger for the entire Maxwell system, he had to respond to several incidents already. As much as the Union was advanced, refined, and a very lawful society, Mining operations always drew the most rugged and uncut individuals. Conflicts between miners and mine companies were not uncommon. Before the Kermac incident, no one paid attention to Maxwell, now it was realized that there was a dense asteroid belt with roids full of metals and valuable minerals and not far from the ever-hungry smelters of Union industry. Sure Green Hell was known before, but for the most part, no one even knew where it was.

It was simply too much work for a single Ranger. It was not like they simply forgot about him. Headquarters gave him a choice to either accept a new assignment somewhere else or take the class to make him a Union Police officer. He opted for the second choice and by the end of the year, he was to change uniforms. This way he could stay on Green Hell. Much of what a Ranger did was similar to the duties of a Union Police officer, but it was not the same.

A Union Ranger was commissioned sworn peace officer and were Union law enforcement officers with broad authority to enforce Union local laws within the territory of the United Stars of the Galaxies and they were the primary police agency in the border areas and fringe areas of the Union.

Rangers often acted as mail service, messengers, counselors, agricultural experts, veterinarians, exterminators, justice of the peace, med-experts, and much more such as Small Claims Court and Arbitrator Services: Rangers often are called to settle disputes or act as Judges in all kinds of disputes. All this allowed for a less by the book approach and gave him the ability to make decisions based on the situation rather than the strict guidelines of the law.

Now, he was between to chairs so to speak. While he was technically still the Ranger, he was soon to be a Union Police officer and of all times it had to occur now, his very first homicide case. While he had the experience of several cases of manslaughter, all of them occurred at Harper’s Junction none of them were considered murder ones. The culprit always known and his job simplified by taking statements, writing crime scene reports, and delivering his findings in court.

Almost the entire population of Green Hell was located inside Ant-Hill the only town on this planet had a population of sixty thousand. Sure it was technically big enough for a local police force and certainly big enough for murder and other crime, but until now there was no need for a police force, and ever since Ant-Hill was established no murder had ever been committed. The victim was a certain Dr. Erine and a member of the Science Council’s project planning department. That man has just arrived the other day and according to Dr. Harrow was here specifically for Martha Masters.

Aaron opened his PDD and swiped through his case notes. Erine, Matthew, MD Neurologist. Native to Venus, Sol system. According to his CITI data, he was born 4855 or seventy-seven years ago. The man spent his last twenty years at Science Central and was more engaged in the administrative and political aspects of Science Central than doing actual research or medical practice. The Ranger was able to speak to the doctor’s direct supervisor, a completely hairless Blue from the Andromeda galaxy. She was surprised to hear about Dr. Erine’s demise and what made the case even more mysterious was her surprise to hear that it happened on Green Hell. The Blue scientist assumed that the Venusian was trying to staff a new project, she was not yet informed about.

That the doctor was murdered, there was no doubt. Someone managed to place a cylinder with Buzz-Saws in the man’s hotel room. Hotel security was not very strict in terms of personal protection. Crime simply didn’t exist. Aaron knew most people never bothered to lock their dwellings or engage hometronics in any sort of security protocols. However, this being Ant-Hill there were biosensors virtually everywhere. When Dr. Erine opened the special cylinder, a bio-contamination alert was raised. Fast enough to seal the hotel room. Not fast enough to be of any help to the doomed off-world scientist.

Aaron did not want to come to any premature conclusion as to the motive, nor did he have concrete evidence but the specimen cylinder was official Institute and part of a batch of cylinders requested by Dr. Masters. His assistant announced the arrival of Dr. Masters and he immediately asked her into his office. He remembered the woman just as she looked now, except her hair was substantially shorter, coifed in a distinctly feminine style. Like almost everyone else, she too was wearing a Bio Seal suit. However, not in the standard green and yellow pattern of the Institute. Neither did she display any of the usual patches that identified the local scientists. Her Bio Seal suit featured two red vertical panels on each side and a broad white center. He immediately noticed the H&K Rak Gun on her hip. The Martha he remembered was never seen armed. Her face was open and showed an expression of curiosity. ”Good Eight Hour, Ranger Solomon, I am here as you requested. May I ask why?”

“Good morning and thanks for coming indeed.” “You made this quite official, Ranger and it was not an optional request either. Adding the Citizen Duty Request to your summon is quite unusual.”

“Well then, Dr. Masters let me come to the reason why I called you. I am investigating the murder of Dr. Erine. As I understand he came specifically to see you.” “I never heard of him, and he was certainly not announced to me. If he came to see me, no one send me a Com regarding it.” “As it may be, Dr. Masters, he was murdered just last night. Someone introduced a nest of Buzz-Saws in his hotel room.” She still had a curious expression on her face. “What nonsense is this, Green Hell life forms are not permitted within the city. The specimen labs are kept physically separate from city grounds for that reason.”

“The Buzz Saws were introduced into his room in an official specimen stasis tube. A tube that was part of an equipment request issued by you, Dr. Masters.” She made a dismissive gesture. “I have not requested any lab equipment since my return.” “That is true, the request was dated from before you decided to mix it up with pirates. However, we also secured your DNA on the cylinder.”

Martha no longer looked curious but now anger was clouding her features. “What are you implying, Ranger Solomon?” “An official from Science Central arrives on Green Hell stating that he is here to see you. The very same night he is murdered with a local lifeform introduced into his guest room from a cylinder that was requested by you and has your DNA on it. Each fact on its own should explain my interest, but both facts are enough to make you the prime suspect, Dr. Masters.” She gasped. “A suspect, me? I never heard of the man and I wasn’t anywhere near Ant Hill for the last three days or so.” “Institute flyers are fast, Dr. Masters and unfortunately we do not keep track of Institute traffic either, you guys use a separate decon-lock. You are all by yourself, so I must question you and assume you are not providing me with all the information.”

“I am offended by this unprofessional conduct, Ranger Solomon. You are assuming and concluding on these erroneous assumptions. I have done my civic duty by heeding your summon and listening to your accusations. Now I am leaving.” “I am still Ranger and thus have the authority to place you under temporary arrest until we can take you to Harper’s Junction and have you interrogated while under a Poly Analyzer.” “You do what? Ranger, I am a Union Citizen and I demand you spell out the reasons for my arrest. My Com is recording.” “You are the only suspect.”

“Ranger, this situation is clearly beyond your usual scope and expertise. Why not call Union Police? If this is a murder investigation involving an Off Planet Union citizen, it is clearly their jurisdiction.” “This system will receive a precinct by the end of this year, Dr. Masters and it is I who will change services to become a Union Police Officer. I consider this my first case. “ “For the sake of your wife and Bob, I am telling you this. I was with Sam Brown on his farm and was there all night. Not only will he confirm, but Charles was there as well. Easily able to provide you with time-stamped recordings.” Aaron sank back in his chair. “You’ve been with Mr. Brown?” “Call him.”

The ranger already seeing himself as a successful homicide detective, able to wrap up such a case with ease, knew full well that this would provide the woman with an alibi. He, of course, knew of Charles, as it was the only Cerberus robot on the planet. The testimony of a robot was as good as evidence could get. He smiled a crooked grin and said. “I apologize, Dr. Masters. Please have Charles transmit its evidence. “

--“”—

Still angry and somewhat confused Martha left the Ranger’s office and more or less ran right into Sam Brown as she left the cities admin building. For some strange reason, the visit with the ranger had affected her more than she realized. Ever since she had been captured and sold into slavery, she had lost much of her unquestioning outlook on all things and she could not help to think that someone was trying to frame her for a crime she knew nothing about.

Seeing the mountain of a man, tall with the dark skin and the whitest teeth possible moving towards her, while other men instantly made way. She instantly felt safe. There was nothing in this Universe that could overcome Sam Brown, of that she was certain. “Sam, I am so glad you are here.” After he had listened to her, he said. “I was almost certain of this development, kiddo. The whole story smelled like a frame job from the start.” “But why and who?”

“I don’t think it’s pirates or Freespace slavers Martha, I know you were on the run with two others. Your friend Geha escaping from some kind of holding facility and this sudden frame job makes me think these events are connected.” She instantly knew he was right, but who would go through all this for an escaped Dai Princess? His hand rested on her shoulder. “I think we better leave Green Hell and find your friend Geha. Once you and she are together, we seek the advice of another friend of mine.” “I hope we can trust your friend.” “No worries on that account, he is integrity personified.”

--“”—

The creature had no name when it was created. It was identified by a code number. However, when it regained consciousness, immobilized by heavy steel cables it found the strangest thing, companions. Two living beings that called her Sister and despite everything. Despite her nearly uncontrollable rage and hatred towards all that lived, these two trusted her, fought for, and with her.

The memories of these two kept flashing in her mind as the machine had completely absorbed the bodies of Dr. Ruhtkamph and that of a lab technician, who was the first to arrive at the secret bio lab the very next morning. Her original programming and purpose were never revealed to her. Somewhere inside her the echoes and memories of those she had absorbed mingled into a constant nightmare of whispering voices and images that made no sense to her yet often caused unbearable emotional pain. Sister could not tell if any of these memories were hers. She could not tell if there was only one being at the beginning. A true core to which she could retreat.  She saw the wife of Dr. Ruthkamph and felt attracted to her and then the last remnants of this scientist remembered the pain of death and the certain despair never able to return to her drove stinging pain into her mind. The machine had given her the appearance of the lab technician and it had given Sister enough of her latest victims' genetic code for a little implant to work. Some of her memory called it a CITI and with it, she was able to activate the elevator and escape the lab complex.

Her genetic programmed knowledge told her that this CITI would not work for long. The more her own DNA came to the foreground and the more the brainwave patterns of her latest victim degraded the less reliable became this Union ID device. Soon unable to match her at all, the CITI would become useless to her and a tool for those who would soon be on the hunt for her. Sister entered the residence of the Lab assistant, and without difficulties killed and absorbed the lab assistant’s life partner giving her a new CITI.

Not knowing her purpose, unable to even consider self-destruction she decided to find Geha or Martha. Preferably both. Out of the swirl of memories, there was one that was stronger than the others and did not fade away, it was the memory of their shared ordeal. Sister wanted to kill Martha, remembered clearly holding the weak human down. Ready to sink her strong and razor-sharp teeth deep into the flesh of the human, all her existence and design compelling her to kill were overruled by something new and something she could not explain. Yet it was not unlike the fading emotions of her last victims for each other. Sister felt just as strong towards the bronze-skinned female named Geha.

Her friends would know what to do and perhaps reunited with them she would be able to realize her true purpose. The memory of her latest victim pointed to a device that was able to find her friends.

Just moments ago she had absorbed the body matter of the lab assistants companion and with her voice and CITI, she activated the GalNet terminal. “I want to speak to Martha.” “System active, unable to comprehend com request. No individual named Martha stored in the call list. Please be more specific.” Sister tried to remember, what she knew. She was almost certain Geha would not be part of this Com system. Sister was certain, this was for Unions only. “Martha of Phantas. She is a biology scientist.” “System conducting GalNet search.”

An insubstantial field of light established itself and the faces of several female scientists were shown, all with the name Martha. It took almost 2 minutes when she realized that the system was displaying everyone named Martha ever born on Phantas with a biology science background. But before she was able to refine the search parameter, the face of a young woman that looked very familiar was among the faces displayed now. “System, the image of Martha Masters appears to match what I am searching for. Can she be contacted?” “Masters Martha, Ph.D. biology. Native to Phantas, now a resident of Green Hell, person is listed as GalNet customer.” “Make contact.”