Nova (4 page)

“What do we know about the exchange?” Major Naxos inquired,
tongue flicking into the air between short, sharp teeth.

“It is to take place on the Quorum world of Voss in thirteen
days at the club Revenant. K’llan Z’arr is to meet a third party to coordinate
the
actual
exchange place and locale. The contact is an Irdoi
information broker and fence by the name of Odass."

“Suggestions?” Captain Serros queried.

“I believe the best tactic is to stop the exchange
before
the buyers actually get within eyesight of the Arcatech.”

“Ha! I’m down with a little club recon.” Commander Perez commented
with a grin.

“I’m sure, Marcus, but then who would watch my back if
you’re busy watching every woman in the club?” Captain Serros remarked, teasing
her friend.

“Hey? When have I
not
have your back?”

“Well, there
was
that time on Sigil in the Green
Sector when you were occupied… acquainting yourself with two of the staff while
I was busy fighting four Braxiens in a temper over my drinking habits.”

“As I recall, before the fight started, you’d been
occupied
as well.” Marcus Perez shot back.

“As amusing as memory lane is, can we get back to planning
our Operation?” Lieutenant Commander Adeline interjected, her Old–Terran
English accent snapping her consonants even more precisely than usual.

“You’re just jealous,
Pirotécnica
.” Commander Perez commented,
brown eyes twinkling and tone daring her to refute him.

“What? That’s utterly… that’s ridiculous.” Adeline half–stuttered,
earth–toned skin turning a faintly pink color.

“Okay, children, lets refocus.” Captain Serros stated. It
was a struggle to smother the laughter she all but choked on at the verbal
interplay, but somehow, she managed. If barely.

“Captain, you and I should handle the meet on our own; the
rest of the Squad would only tip Lieutenant Z’arr off.” Hadarr proclaimed, her
tone clearly critical of the informality of the strategy session.

“That’s not the way we do things in Nova, Major.” Commander
Perez declared.

“It is the way
Quorum Shields Operatives
‘do it,’
Commander.” The Vosaia rejoined.

Before her Executive Officer could respond, Captain Serros stated,
“Major Hadarr and I will go into the club and the rest of the team will be in
positions less than half a click away.”

“Here is the floor plan for Revenant, and the surrounding six–block
radius.” Lieutenant Commander Adeline announced, pulling up the layout with
some deft finger swipes on the HUD. Avara knew her friend and third in command was
deliberately helping to smooth over any ruffled feathers regarding style disagreements
between the team and the more reserved Major Hadarr, and the Captain
appreciated her efforts.

“Inside could be a potential nightmare. Four levels, eleven
separate dance floors, six bars, several lounge spaces, a seventy–five person
staff and on a typical night, four hundred or more patrons.” Diana Adeline
continued.

“Okay, we need surveillance in the club, all points. Dane?” Serros
queried the Squad’s tech–master and the ship’s Communication’s Officer,
Lieutenant Rygel.

“On it, Captain.” Rygel replied, already working with Lieutenant
Commander Adeline.

“We have twelve days at QGST until we make Voss. I want a
preliminary Op laid out tomorrow by eight–hundred. Dismissed.”| Captain Serros calmly
watched her crew file out of the Strategy Room, all accept for Major Goyan Hadarr.

“Captain, may I have a word?” The Vosaia Shield Operative
asked, tone cool.

“Of course, Major Hadarr.” Captain Serros replied, motioning
to the chair next to her.

“I have some… concerns about the mission lay–out.”

“Can you be specific?” Serros asked, her pose at ease with
right leg crossed over left and fingertips touching as she leaned back into her
chair.

Studying her counterpart for this mission, Captain Avara Serros
thought that there was something about her that was…
distant
would be
the best descriptor. Stretching her Arca enhanced empathic senses, all Serros
could read was a wall that surrounded Hadarr’s mind and heart. It was a barrier
that defied any entry, with Avara’s efforts as productive as rainwater sliding
down glass.

Given her slightly pulsed reactions during the mission brief,
Serros wasn’t surprised when Hadarr opened with, “I am unused to working in
such an encouraged, collective style, let alone a collaborative team. I am
concerned that all of the input and excessive… personal commentary, will
distract from the operation.”

“Mm. I’ve found over the years such open collaboration to be
a definite benefit. My Squad is solid.” Avara responded.

“Your team may have skills, certainly their records are
impressive, but you and they seem casual and casual, Captain Serros, equates to
sloppy. Either way, Quorum Shields typically work alone.”

“Different styles.” Serros rejoined, unruffled by the older Shield
Operative’s criticism.

“I am just surprised. It is a potential weakness.
Eventually, it will be exploited.” Major Hadarr stated, tone containing a
sliver of earnest belief, one of the first real emotions to slip by those
opaque psychic and cognitive barriers of hers.

“I’ve found that the strengths of having a squad of loyal
specialists outweigh any potential weakness.” Avara answered, and, keeping
Jamie Sweetwater’s concerns in mind, offered an engaging smile that from
experience, she knew usually produced positive results.

As she was submitted to Hadarr’s intense scrutiny, Captain Serros
had the distinct impression that the Vosaia was analyzing her for any potential
flaw or advantage, almost like a hunter sizing up prey. The Captain couldn’t
quite capture the angle as to why, except for a sense that Major Hadarr was
uncomfortable working closely with others and was concerned about achieving
their mission objectives.

After several quiet moments, the other Shield remarked, “I
still think it would be better if you and I handled this mission alone.”

“Your concerns about the club are valid.” Serros
acknowledged with a nod. “Yet Nova will still be available for support.”

“Per the Quorum, you are the lead on this, Captain Serros, so
your way it is. As long as we achieve results; Lieutenant Z’arr
cannot
be allowed to succeed. Treason by a Vosaia is not tolerated.” There was a
dangerous undertone in the Vosaia Major’s voice that Serros had no difficulty at
all reading.

“Yes, treason cannot be tolerated, but our mission is to
bring Lieutenant K’llan Z’arr in alive. We need to know why she turned and who
her contacts are; there could be more. Plus, we need to know how she was able
to infiltrate the government–tied military division of ApexArcatech.”

Surprisingly, Goyan Hadarr laughed, though Serros could read
no real humor in the sound. “How? Surely you know about the…
advantages
we
Vosaia possess to understand what others want and thus, to persuade them that our
wishes are their own.”

“Yes, I’m aware of certain biological talents. But, I’m also
certain that preventative high–security measures would have been in place.” Captain
Serros responded, voice one of perfect equanimity in the face of Major Hadarr’s
probing.

“Hmm. Do you
really
understand?” Major Hadarr questioned,
leaning forward towards the Captain, her turquoise eyes strangely bright. “Do
you know why Lieutenant Z’arr’s mother is so respected by the totality of
Vosaia society and the reason she was granted a seat on the Consulate?”

“Ry’anlyar Z’arr was the Doctor whose research led to the
creation of Vitani Serum.” Serros promptly replied.

“Yes, Vitani Serum. Do you know what that serum meant for my
people?”

The Captain paused for a second, scanning her internal pneumonic
databanks. “In order to survive, Vosaia must Feed on the psychic and cognitive life–energy
of other sentients. If not carefully managed, this reality can easily lead to either
exploitation or even the death of those being Fed upon. Vitani Serum provided a
way for the Vosaia to gain the sustenance they require to survive without
having to Feed on other sentients. As the Vosaia and the Karukai were
originally the same race, the Karukai have the same needs but culturally, had and
have no interest in substituting Feeding for Serum.”

“Accurate, if very basic and certainly not politically
correct to say to a Vosaia, Captain Serros.” Goyan Hadarr answered, though her
voice held no rancor. “Feeding doesn’t just represent required sustenance to
survive, although that is absolutely true. Given the right circumstances, Feeding
is an almost overwhelming, powerful draw for the Vosaia or Karukai alike, and when
overindulged in, it is
very
hard moderate. That draw is reciprocal
between the one Feeding and the one Fed upon.”

Hadarr’s voice dropped to a lower register, surprisingly rich
with an emotion Serros couldn’t quite name as she added, “These strings of
discussion signify only one portion of how the Vosaia and Karukai evolutionary
schema manifests and what it represents, for we Vosaia and the Karukai also
possess certain abilities to support our evolution. Abilities that by design,
attract others to be Fed upon.”

Shifting forward in emphasis, Hadarr continued “Most
applicable as to how Lieutenant Z’arr would have been able to infiltrate a
secure R&D Lab, is that as a general talent, Vosaia can exude potent
pheromones that make her irresistible to most. Secondly, just as any person possessing
an Arca Synergy Enhancement, Vosaia can sense another’s emotions. These two
gifts combined together provide an avenue for very real and strong influence
upon others.”

Steepling her fingers together like a Professor who’d just
finished a lecture to a particularly slow–learning student, Major Hadarr concluded,
“The pertinence of these abilities should be fairly obvious when you consider
the ramifications.”

“Z’arr didn’t necessarily need contacts to steal the
research, just her natural gifts.” Captain Serros answered.

“Exactly.”

“I thought using those abilities on
non–consenting
parties is outlawed by Vosaia law?” The Captain asked, brow furrowed in thought.

“Yes. But that does not mean it doesn’t happen, only that we
Vosaia try to keep it at an absolute minimum and contained with harsh measures.
We also keep it quiet when it does occur. The rules can be bent if the reasons
are believed to be just.” Hadarr remarked. “And, if Z’arr is willing to commit
treason, the improper use of her abilities would mean little.”

Avara Serros peered thoughtfully at the holo image of their
target for a moment, then commented, “Something still doesn’t quite add up. It
is a priority to make sure Lieutenant Z’arr is captured and brought in for
interrogation.”

“We will try, Captain Serros, but our
first
priority
is to stop the exchange, our second, to stop the traitor.” The Major avowed, no
movement in her tone.

“Then let’s not make escape an option.” Serros responded
evenly.

Goyan Hadarr looked speculatively at the
Excalibur’s
Captain
for a moment, then remarked, “It will be interesting to work with you, Captain.
See the legend in action, so to speak.”

“Likewise, Major.”

CHAPTER 3

Despite the size of the club, Revenant was filled to
capacity. The press of bodies, the smell and sight of a multitude of different
species and genders, the sound of blaring base–heavy music and swarm of voices was
utterly enveloping, as if you had stepped into another world that was nothing
less than a sensory kaleidoscope.

“Relax… you have to look like you actually
want
to be
here.”

Following the advice, Captain Serros took a deep breath,
trying to drown out the almost overwhelming cacophony of the club.

 
Arca Enhancements are not always a benefit
, she
thought wryly.

With focus, Serros was able to dampen her enhanced senses
and tone down the swelling humanoid and synthetic noise. Even after all of
these years, small moments like this still occurred, flashes when her Arca enhanced
abilities caught her by surprise or seemed to be almost too much to bear.

“Better.” Major Goyan Hadarr commented, a knowing look in
her eyes. Considering her own Arca Enhancements, Avara figured the Vosaia Operative
really did know and understand.

 “Shall we?” Captain Serros asked with a thrust of her chin pointing
further into the club.

“Yes.” Hadarr put her arm through Serros’s, a deliberate
smile of effusive, free–going joy suffusing her features as she fell into the
role the two had agreed upon. They wore no armor or visible weapons to give
them away, though each had a hand pistol and Micro–Assembler hilts hidden on
their persons. Serros wore a midnight blue synth jacket and black synth pants
as well as a short sleeved, pale blue shirt. Hadarr had chosen tight–fitting, all
dark gray synth to blend in with the assorted club–goers.

Both were careful to scan the crowd closely yet covertly as
they moved through the sea of people. Captain Serros spotted a black furred
Gorath in a group of Humans that looked startlingly like her squadmate Ca’rrakk,
though he was shorter and the feline–like eyes were a burnished gold instead of
brilliant green. A group of brightly colored, male Braxiens with elongated heads
surmounted by center head–ridges and short spikes on the sides of their skulls,
reluctantly made room for the two at one of the first level bars, allowing them
bartender access.

A female Zirgesh with pale, milky–brown chitinous plates and
six arms quickly nodded to them while mixing three drinks simultaneously. Her
six small, blood–red eyes reflected the gyrating lights of the club weirdly,
almost like light through ruby–colored glass. “What can I get for you ladies?”
She asked, using the standard galactic language of Vanni.