Tiva Boon: Royal Guardian (44 page)

The last physically trying altercation she remembered was on Uucor, in the kitchen of Harai and Major Raku with the men who wished to deliver her to the bounty hunters. Though her muscles were sore, she knew constant training was necessary on this ship. It was more than merely using an advanced weapon from a distance, and whatever they were going to find with the salvagers was not friendly or easily matched. The scout ship proved as much during the fight. The
Tolox
lost three cannons and suffered heavy damage to its shielding. The aliens were sly adversaries with technology and abilities beyond what the Union had.

Captain Maar called a meeting with the senior staff in the morning. It allowed her enough time to stay in the infirmary for a few hours before returning to her room to rest. She had no choice. If she didn’t rest, she would not function the next day.

Admittedly, the fighting made her feel something she hadn’t felt in a long time; alive. It was not the harming or injuring of people, but the challenge. Sparring with friends was not the same. She missed the fear and rush of energy she had experienced. Her entire life had been a fight; she was accustomed to the power of it all, but did not want it to linger for much longer. Her time on the
Tolox
made her value time with others, relaxing, learning new things, and exploring more aspects of life.

She continued changing, growing. Since leaving Abennelp, her entire life had evolved. She knew culinary skills and gardening thanks to Harai, she flew spacecrafts and knew what elements made up a nebula. Would her father be proud? Would he understand? She wasn’t sure she did, the path before her was still unclear, but Aliri said she’d find a purpose. Tiva hoped that her friend’s intuition was right.

After changing into her sleep clothing, she checked the status of her messages. Both had reached their destinations. Her stomach tightened. Taking in a deep breath, she calmed herself and sat on the bed. A prayer to her family and king followed a word of love to the spirits for protecting her. It was a small offering. If she were home, she’d shroud Shial’s statue with flowers. Here, however, her words had to suffice. Lying back, she closed her eyes trying to clear her mind. There was a soft knock on her door just a moment later.

“Ms. Boon, it is Hill.”

She deactivated the lock and the doors opened. Glancing up she met his eyes. “Sir.”

“I wanted to thank you for what you did.”

“Just my duty, Mr. Hill.”

“You are very quick. I saw the way you moved,” he said, as his gaze lowered then moved off to the side. “Anyway, thank you.”

“You are welcome, sir.” Tiva dipped her head trying to shield her markings.

“There should be a manual for those purple bits, then you wouldn’t have to hide them.”

“They are tied to my emotions...others here do not always say what is on their minds, sir. Some things must remain within.”

“I suppose you’re right, Ms. Boon. Good evening.” He smiled obliquely and turned down the corridor. He glanced back then rounded the corner.

Tiva returned to her bed, curled her legs up, and rested her head on her knees. She tried to clear her head; it was cluttered worse than before. She wanted to call Gigs, but knew the diagnostic was still running.

Slowly she breathed in and out, calming her body and emptying her mind. The thoughts floated away and her eyes grew heavy. The tired took her, thankfully, into a dreamless sleep.

The crew of the
Tolox
sat in the meeting room waiting for the captain to talk. Tension was elevated, though everyone felt secure enough to allow the secondary teams to handle the ship while they discussed the situation. Tiva stood by the doorway, the vantage point allowed her to see the entire room.

Since waking in the middle of the night, she had studied the data retrieved from the scout ship, and read about the teleporting ability. Interesting topics indeed, however as she delved into the scout ship’s records, she realized the aliens possessed a natural ability to teleport. They collectively used it to teleport their vessel while simultaneously using the wormhole device. Union records of this species were limited, so the information Hill recovered proved very helpful. The captain paced the length of the room before turning to the crew.

“We have two more days to find these salvagers before we have to return to Xatlo space. A civil war is resting on the edge of a trade agreement, and the Union has called for all Vexillum negotiators and ships in the area for support. I explained our status and they granted us some time. I don’t want to leave without finding out who these insects are, so I want you all working around the clock to get this done.”

Tiva joined the group in a united nod, but kept her eyes on the captain. He paced a bit more, then finally took his seat.

“Does anyone have anything to report?” Maar said.

“I do, sir.” Emerala grinned. “I’ve just finished research on the scout ship. I confirmed they were using a device to create wormholes. The datachip didn’t have any ship schematics, so I have no idea how they do it, but they did have instructions for creating a self-contained teleporting amplification device—the one they used to board us. I can get a working prototype, if you want.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Hill said.

“What do we need it fer?” Jimmi asked.

Raife chuckled. “It’ll give us a tactical advantage over our enemies if we can move from one spot to another at the blink of an eye just like them.”

“Agreed,” the captain said. “Get to work on it Teer, have Caedm help you.”

“Yes, sir,” she said.

“Anything else?” Maar said.

“Sir, if I may,” Aliri said. “If everyone can keep an eye on their displays, I noticed my console in the science lab acting a bit slow and Gigs said it was due to her diagnostic taking so long. I’m keeping a log just to be safe. It’s been a while since we’ve been upgraded, if I can get us a nice report going, maybe we’ll be refitted next time we get back to Ovvella.”

“Good, good,” Hill said with a grin. “I like the way you think, Aliri.”

She laughed. “Thanks.”

“All right if there isn’t anything else, let’s get to work.”

Tiva waited for everyone to leave the room. The captain stayed behind, so she acknowledged him then exited to the command center. Taking her post, she checked on Ranndom, getting his status and once satisfied, reviewed ship reports. Two days was not long enough to accomplish much in situations such as these. She knew all too well the pressure of getting things done, but this feat would be complicated and difficult. Tiva poured herself into her duties for the remainder of the day. She helped Emerala and Aliri with scans and readings. Raife asked her to take flight controls for a couple of hours when engineering asked for his help, and Hill ordered her and the security team to break up an altercation in the mess hall.

When Tiva’s shift ended, she was exhausted. She had spent over eighteen hours on duty, and Maar ordered her to get some rest. Unwilling to argue the point, she immediately fell asleep when her head hit the pillow.

“Ms. Boon, report to the command center.” Hill's voice blared through her room.

She leapt up from her bed, half-asleep and reached for her wrist-comm. “Yes, sir. I will be there momentarily.” She put the device on, rubbed her eyes, and staggered into the lavatory to ready. The display on her wall confirmed she had only been sleeping for three hours; however, it would have to suffice.

She splashed cold water on her face and changed into a clean uniform before heading out. People were rushing back and forth in the corridor as she made her way. Once inside the lift, she called for Gigs.

“Hiya, Boony, what’s up?” her voice said.

“What is our status?”

“Emerala and Raife think they found the salvage ship.”

“I see. Can you contact Ranndom and Hemko and get them started on patrols?”

“Sure, no problem.”

Tiva entered and took her post. Most of the normal crew was present with the exception of Aliri and Hill. Reports from all around the ship came in as people prepared for another fight. Tiva filtered through and sent the information where needed while simultaneously initializing fields around the ship.

Gigs popped next to her. “I called your team. They are getting into position around the ship.”

“Thank you.”

“Welcome.”

“Status,” Captain Maar said, stiffening in his chair.

“We’re gaining on them, sir. Another few minutes and I’ll have them in range,” Raife said.

“Weapons are hot, Cap’n,” B’abot said.

“I have all sensors ready, sir. I’ve set up the station to send all readings to the appropriate sectors. Nothing on communications at the moment.” Emerala fast tapping on her console echoed.

“Security teams are patrolling the ship. We are ready.”

“Gigs, contact Hill and make sure he’s working on that dampening field.” Captain Maar began reading his display. “And inform all sections to arm themselves.”

“Okie, sir,” Gigs said and vanished from sight.

Tiva watched the main displayer as the
Tolox
raced through space. Her reports indicated the science teams were working on a field to deflect the teleporting aliens. No one knew if the salvage ship was from the same group of aliens as the scout, but the captain was obviously taking no chances. It was a good strategy in her mind, however she wished she had a larger force for security, and would make mention of it when the time was right.

Aliri and Hill arrived as the
Tolox
came into range of the vessel. The crew worked quickly gathering data and preparing the ship for whatever was to come next. Tiva sensed the anticipation from the others, but kept her concentration on her task.

“We are in communications range, sir,” Emerala said. “And I have a visual of the ship on our extended sensors.”

The captain nodded. “Put it on the main displayer and contact them using the standard greeting.”

The screen flickered and a ship appeared. The design was similar to the scout, only it was larger and seemed more powerful. Some of the same weapons decorated the hull, which would be helpful, as they had fought a similar ship previously. Several long minutes passed. Sweeps of the ship and area continued to beep and whirl as the computer logged them. Gigs reappeared and moved toward the captain.

“Did you inform the crew to arm themselves?” he said.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because I didn’t feel like it.”

The entire room went silent and all heads turned to the hologram. Tiva and Emerala exchanged a confused look as Gigs started laughing.

“I don’t find this funny, Gigabyte, do as I ordered.”

“Nah, I really don’t feel like it.”

Aliri gasped and poun
ded on her console. “I’m locked out.”

“So am I,” B’abot said.

“Gigs what are you doing?” Hill said with shock on his face.

“What I was told,” she said.

“Captain, Gigs’ program has been corrupted, she has a virus,” Emerala said. “I’m trying to pinpoint…Damn it! She locked me out.”

Maar slammed on his chair console and rose from his seat. “Take her offline!”

Everyone worked furiously. Tiva glanced around to see everyone having the same bad luck getting information. Suddenly, the ship dropped speed and came to a halt.

“Sir, I’ve lost flight controls. We’ve stopped.” Raife kicked the underside of his console.

“That’s not going to help,” Gigs said. “I control the
Tolox
now.”

“Why?” Hill said.

“I dunno, feels right.”

“What do you plan on doing now that you have control?”

All the panels lit up. Reports from every sector on the ship poured in. Tiva’s team contacted her via the wrist-com, and she quietly informed them of the situation, ordering them to head to the command center. She turned her attention to the AI when the entire ship jolted fiercely.

Tiva crashed into her console then fell back. Gasping for breath, she cradled her arm and moved toward Emerala to help her up.

“Thanks,” she said weakly.

“Weapons n’ shields are down!” B’abot said.

“Tactical alert!” Hill said as he pulled himself up from the floor and grabbed his wrist-com. “All crew, tactical alert, arm yourselves.”

Several aliens appeared in the command center. They weren’t exactly like the others from the scout ship, but they looked similar. Tiva was ready for them this time. She leaped over her station and attached her Timbur before she landed. Aliri, Emerala, and Raife fired on the intruders. Tiva slashed the nearest one across the chest and kicked him off to the side as she spun around, pulled her gun, and fired on another.

An alien popped behind her and prodded her with an electrical spike; she cried out in pain and dropped to her knees.

“Tiva!” Aliri said and shot the attacker before he struck again. He slumped over and twitched uncontrollably.
Tiva nodded her thanks, forced herself up, and continued to fight through the crowd of aliens that constantly filled the area. Bolts of laser fire illuminated the room, blistering the stagnant air. Striking down alien after alien, Tiva noticed the fallen ones begin to disappear.

Gigs stood in the midst of the chaos watching with a smile on her face. B’abot, Hill, and Maar continued fighting. Tiva ran toward Aliri seeing her on the floor.

“Are you injured?”

“Yes, but I’ll be fine. We have to get her offline,” she said.

“Not gonna happen,” Gigs said, floating next to them.

“Gigs, your friends are dying and getting hurt, you are allowing these aliens to take control of your ship. Do you not realize what is happening?” Tiva grunted and spit the metallic blood from her lip.

“I’m only doing what my program is telling me to do.”

“Think!” Tiva said. “We are your crew, help us.”

“I can’t, sorry.” She smirked and vanished.

We have to do something, Tiva.
Aliri’s voice entered her mind.

She has control over everything, what can we do?
Tiva said and ducked as another alien swung a spike at her head. She pushed Aliri back, and jumped up into the air to kick him in the shoulder. He fell back revealing another one behind him. Tiva spun mid air and clipped the side of his head with her other foot. When he hit the ground, she stabbed the first in the gut with her Timbur and shot the second in the chest.

We have to disconnect her matrix from the rest of the ship without her knowing. Get her attention, keep her busy, and I will head down to the main computer core.

Tiva paused and exchanged looks with Emerala and Hill, both obviously knew she and Aliri were communicating, and Hill approved with a slight bob of his head.

Tell me how I can help.
Emerala’s muted voice filled her mind.

Surprised, Tiva furrowed her brow and glanced over at her as Aliri exited the command center. Emerala shrugged slightly and motioned to the console.

We must keep Gigs occupied.

The majority of the aliens were unconscious or dead, taking in the sight, she pushed aside the encroaching feelings that stung in the back of her mind. Hill stood near the captain, taking down the last of the intruders. Raife and B’abot were already at their stations attempting to gain some sort of control. Tiva moved toward the operations console and opened the access hatch. Emerala pulled out components and wiring, she hoped it was enough to get the AI’s attention
.

Emerala
practically destroyed her console. Gigs reappeared. Her coloring was off, and she flickered erratically as she moved.

“What are you doing?” the hologram said.

“Trying to get operations back online,” Emerala said.

“It won’t do ya any good. I’m in control.”

“Gigabyte, I am ordering you to relinquish control of this ship back to my crew!” Captain Maar demanded.

“Sorry, no can do. And you can stop messing with my insides, it’s not going to work.” Her projection fluctuated again and she stomped toward the console. “Don’t make me hit you with a power surge, you might not survive.”

“Gigs, you will be taken off line one way or another, you’re infected, you aren’t yourself,” Hill said.

“Captain, the ship is firing at us again,” B’abot said.

The crew braced themselves as the ship rocked, Gigs laughed and when everything went silent, Tiva turned to see the hologram’s eyes widen in horror.