Probe Predators (12 page)

Trip rotated his chair and looked at Cole with an expression that was frightening, “No, that isn’t me.”

Cole stared into Trip’s eyes without blinking, “Then which of the two is you?”

Trip turned his head back to the two images and suddenly remembered wanting to break the Baron’s neck. He felt the urge again and knew he would have enjoyed doing it. He looked at Cole and said, “Who is that?”

Dee said, “It’s you; the real you.” Trip turned the chair slightly and looked at Dee. She said, “It’s Drey.”

Trip’s expression was emotionless. He stared at Dee as millions of pieces of data flowed through his subconscious. He was close to losing himself when he heard, “She’s right.”

He whipped the chair around and saw Andrew standing between him and the images. “What do you mean?”

“You and Dee are the products of genetic experiments that have never been tried before.” Trip just stared at Andrew saying nothing. “Drey’s brain was mapped and electronically imprinted on an electron plate before he died. He laughed at the scientists that were doing it saying there would never be another like him. He was right, and wrong. Dee’s brain was mapped on her deathbed when the doctors managed to distract Drey long enough to get it done. Both of their abilities were deemed important to preserve to defend the Union. It was only recently that our scientists developed the tools necessary to imprint those patterns into a fetus.”

“So my parents didn’t die when I was a baby.”

“I was one of those chosen to provide the male part of your fetus. I am Angela’s older brother and a direct descendant of the Four Heroes.”

Trip’s expression changed slightly, “Why are you telling me this now, my lifelong friend?”

Andrew smiled, “Your brain was genetically patterned with Drey Montgomery’s genetic profile.” Andrew paused, “You don’t have his memories…but you do possess his mind and emotional makeup. The reason the Queen wanted to keep you and Dee apart was that one of the overriding emotions in Drey’s life was his love for his wife. He lost interest in living when she died before him.”

“Then why did Marilyn select Dee to be the next Caretaker?”

“We both felt you were due some happiness in your life. What we saw happening caused us both too much pain to express adequately with words. We knew what you had inside and it was going to waste.”

Trip stared at Andrew and said, “Why did the Queen say I was a danger to the Union?”

Dee said behind him, “Could you go back to that second image?”

Trip whipped the chair around and said, “NEVER!!”

“So what’s the difference between the two?” Trip thought furiously and couldn’t grasp what was just eluding his conscious mind. Dee sighed, “You didn’t start to come alive until the Union was faced with an adversary. You didn’t really feel an attraction to me until that coming conflict drew more of you out of your subconscious. What happens if the Union wins this coming war and peace returns for two thousand more years?”

Cole said, “If there isn’t a war for you to fight, you’ll manufacture one. You’ll plunge the Union into a string of wars that will keep you entertained until you eventually die. However, if this happens, the Union will be molded into your image and it will become another aggressive civilization looking for a fight.”

Trip stared at them and saw Andi’s fear on her face. He thought about what they said and then said, “My name is Drey.”

Dee smiled, “I know.”

“And I will not satisfy my urges with the lives of others.” He looked at Dee and smiled, “Why didn’t the original Drey go out and pick a fight?” Dee’s brow furrowed and she turned her head slightly showing her confusion. Drey smiled and even his eyes smiled with him, “He would have had to leave something behind that he loved more than a good war.”

Dee’s tears started and she slowly shook her head, “What was that?”

“He, and I, would have had to leave you behind. No war would ever make up for that loss.”

Dee rushed over and threw herself into Drey’s arms. He held her close and said, “I do hope you won’t hold it against me if I take the current crisis seriously.”

Dee looked back with her tears falling and laughed, “You big idiot; I love you so much.”

Andrew smiled and shook his head, “Do you require anything else, Sire?”

Drey looked at him and for the first time in years, didn’t shake his head, “Thank you, Andrew. I love you.”

“No Sire, thank you.”

Cole looked at Andi and saw her expression. Her tears were falling as well and he smiled. He didn’t need to say anything; she saw his heart on his face. She came over and sat down in his lap and put her head on his shoulder. The four of them remained like that for a long time.

• • •

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Drey.”

“I understand what you meant and you do not need to worry about the Union’s future.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“The first one never went out. You need to think about why he didn’t and you’ll have your answer.”

The display went dark and Angela was shocked by Drey’s comment. It took her three hours but she finally came to the right answer. She shook her head and Moe said, “What’s wrong?”

“I forced needless suffering on him by keeping Dee away.”

“You’re leaving out one important thing.”

“What is that?”

“It was the impending attack from M87 that released him enough to be open to his feelings. Your timing was perfect; it might have failed if you tried earlier.”

Angela thought about it and smiled, “Moe, you always find a way to brighten my day.”

“That’s what I’m here for, Your Majesty.”

“I am worried about one thing?”

“What is that?”

“The original Drey had Ian to balance his aggressiveness; who is going to balance this new edition?”

“The answer lies closer than you think.”

“Moe, you might as well tell me; I have no idea who you have in mind.”

“You’ve not chosen anyone to take command of our forces. If Drey weren’t in the picture, who would be the likely candidate?”

“I’m still not seeing where you’re going with this.”

“Where will possible trouble arise if nothing changes?”

Angela thought about the comment and suddenly saw it, “You are a freaking genius.”

“You’re making me blush.”

“How did you come up with this?”

“You should take your own advice and review the recording of the meeting as well.”

“Perhaps you’re right; is that where you saw it?”

“Ding, ding, ding, you win a prize for guessing correctly.”

Angela laughed and pulled up the video of the meeting. She fast forwarded to the particular interaction she wanted and leaned back. She watched and shook her head, “Moe, you never cease to amaze me.”

“Thank ya; thank ya very much.”

Angela laughed out loud and lifted her communicator.

• • •

The First Councilor looked at Admiral Kragon and shook his head, “How do you feel about this defense of M87?”

“I think they are way over their head this time.”

“How so?”

“Not only is a Family fleet going to show up but apparently another civilization that makes a meal out of the Family. This is going to be a war to end all wars.”

“How do you feel about the Union calling all the shots?”

Kragon tilted his head left and then back vertical, “I can’t fault any decision they’ve made so far.”

“Do you think we have any control over what’s being decided?”

The door to the First’s office opened and his assistant looked in, “I hate to interrupt you but the Queen of the Union is asking to communicate with you.”

The First nodded and activated his wall speaker, “Good day, Your Majesty; my Admiral and I were just discussing what’s going on in M87.”

“Good, I’m glad he’s present.”

“Why is that?”

“I was hoping you would assign him to our combined forces as one of the two overall commanders.” Kragon showed his immediate shock.

The First held up his hand telling him to be silent and said, “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“During the last war in M87, Ian and Drey Montgomery were in overall command of our forces. I think for this coming fight, your Admiral should be one of the two commanding our efforts.”

“Who would be the other commander?”

“Drey Montgomery.” The First and Kragon were silenced by the Queen’s comment. Angela watched them on her display and sighed, “You know him as Trip Montgomery.”

Kragon leaned forward, “From everything I’ve seen about him in the past, he was not the same person during our conference.”

“Trip is the product of a genetic experiment. Drey Montgomery’s brain pattern was put inside Trip’s brain when he was a fetus. It has just recently started emerging and he has now accepted the name Drey.”

Kragon stared at Angela and said, “You want me to balance his aggressive behaviors?”

“I believe you are the only one that could.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you’re not one of us; Drey knows he is the highest ranked Genetic on Euclid. He wouldn’t respect any one here.”

“He’d respect you.”

“I will not be out on the front lines during this conflict; I’ll be here trying to keep the Union focused on what has to be done and making sure the First Councilor agrees with our recommendations. I need you to work with Drey and direct our efforts.” Angela looked at the First, “You are a partner in this effort and, honestly, one of your officers should be leading our efforts along with one of my officers. I think that would make coordination of our two civilizations work much more smoothly.”

The First looked at Kragon, “She’s right and, if I had to choose someone to do this, you would be the one selected. Do you have someone to take your place directing our fleets?”

“Sire, I don’t know if I’m up to doing this.”

Angela said, “You worry that you’d be at a disadvantage because you’d be working with a High Genetic?” Kragon turned, looked at the display, and nodded. “One of the most decorated Admirals in the last war was Kregan. He held his own with the best of us. You should also remember that Argel was just as smart as her husband in developing our advanced weapons. You have worked and advanced to a very high position in your society; I have little doubt you’ll perform admirably. Add the fact that you’re a different species, which adds a certain mystery and mystique to your persona; I think you’ll hold your own with any of us.”

“What does Drey say about this?”

“I haven’t told him yet; however, no major decision will be made without both of you agreeing to it.”

“That might pose a problem.”

“I have little doubt that the two of you will work it out in a timely fashion.”

“Admiral, I will order you to do this if I must.”

Kragon looked at the First, “No, Sire; that won’t be necessary; I’ll do what I must.”

Kragon looked at Angela, “Our crews are already made up of both species. This shouldn’t be a surprise for them.”

“No, I imagine they’ll welcome the new structure. I’ll have Drey contact you as soon as I let him know he’s going to command our forces.”

Kragon leaned back, “You mean he doesn’t know?”

“No, I needed you to balance him before I gave him the position. I trust you’ll do what has to be done.”

“I’ll do what I believe is right.”

“That’s all I could ask for, Admiral. Thank you for serving our citizens.” Kragon nodded and the display went dark.

J
inx exited his Needle and entered the huge hall of the space station above San Raphael. The combined fleet maneuvers had been going on for five days and he was ready for a break. Thousands of pilots were moving into the hall toward the shuttles to fly down to their quarters on the planet. He was fortunate that he had won the competition and was allowed to dock first. He wouldn’t be delayed getting dirtside.

“Hey, you lucky troll!”

Jinx turned and saw Rags moving up behind him, “You won as well; it takes one to know one.”

The tall Kilper hit Jinx on the back and said, “Congratulations, you deserve it.”

“Thanks, Rags; I hear it wasn’t even a contest in your squadron.”

Rags waved a hand in the air and shook his head, “You and I are not being challenged. I hope they send us against each other next round.”

Jinx smiled, “Be careful what you ask for.”

“We need to be challenged if we’re going to get better, Jinx.”

Jinx sighed, “I know. Let’s talk to the Commodore before we go back out.”

Rags smiled and moved quickly down the hall. Jinx didn’t even try to keep up with the tall Kilper. He had to take three steps to every one of his. He entered the first shuttle and saw Rags already seated and talking on his communicator. Jinx took a chair and activated his personal communicator. He smiled as a beautiful blonde appeared on the display, “Hi Katy; I just docked and I should be fine for tonight.”

Katy frowned, “I’m so sorry Jinx; I should have called you earlier; I’ve had something come up and won’t be able to make it tonight; will you give me a rain check?”

Jinx tried to hide his disappointment but just couldn’t pull it off, “Of course.”

“I’ve got to run; I’ll see you in the cafeteria in the morning.”

Jinx nodded and the wrist communicator went dark. He’d be looking forward all week to going out with Katy. He sighed and leaned back in his seat; there was no reason to rush now. Rags saw his expression and came over and took the chair next to him before someone took it, “You look like you just ate a toad.”

“Katy can’t meet me tonight.”

Rags shook his head, “Are the two of you getting serious? You’ve been seeing her for a while, haven’t you?”

“Yeah; about three months.”

“I look forward to meeting her; hey why don’t you go out with me tonight? Captain Conquest, a pilot in my wing, told me about a restaurant on the Westside that has the best food on the planet. It’s a little late to make a reservation but if we hurry, we might beat the crowd and get a seat.”

“Captain Conquest?”

Rags shook his head, “He goes through women faster than a carnivore through a hen house. However, several of my fellow pilots agreed with his recommendation; how about it?”