Warborg - Star Panther (8 page)

^Oh my stars.^ Dottie gasped as they phased into real space.

^Yeah, that’s about as ugly as I’ve seen in a long time.^ Brian commented. ^I see six or seven manned fighters against a dozen or so Koth lights and five strikes around the outside.^

^And a whole bunch of dead ships all over, this has been going for awhile.^ Reese grumbled.

^Well this just got more interesting, six more Koth lights just showed up.^ Martin observed.

^Damn I hate to break anybody off to go after those strikes, but we can’t leave ‘em alone,^ Brian muttered.

“TINMEN!” A female voice yelled over the normal comm channel.

“I told you before lady, that’s Mister Tinman to you.” Reese rumbled.

Leena?
Martin had a thought. ^Brian, I have an idea about those strikes. I know these pilots, they really don’t just want to break off and run.^

Brian shrugged. ^Ok, it’s your nickel and we’re listening.^

“Listen up all you manned fighters, the four of us are going to come blowing right into the middle of your little party. Would you do us the honor of dancing with those damned sharp shooting Koth Strike fighters on your way out?” Martin asked.

“Oh, it’d be a privilege to show those vultures a dance step or two.” One of the manned squad leaders replied with a nasty laugh.

“Then here we come, ready or not.” Martin smiled in anticipation. ^Formation, Brian?^

^Oh I think I’m gonna like this, let’s square up, Jester, and make ‘em roll in the aisles.^ Brian hissed through the artificial adrenalin glaze.

It was a new strategy and the Koth didn’t catch on quick enough. Normally the warborgs would split up with one or two chasing the strike fighters and the manned ships would retreat. This time the four warborgs piled in holding a square formation a few hundred meters apart and the manned ships streaked out of the combat zone, jumping the strike fighters from a direction they were totally unprepared for.

. . .

Leena watched the warborgs roll into the combat zone.
Ok they wanted us to make these strike fighters go away.
She spotted the closest Koth Strike Fighter.
So you’re outta here.
She rolled her ship and flipped an end over around a Koth light fighter, they both fired out of habit, each with more pressing business at hand. She missed, unfortunately the Koth didn’t.
God dammit.
She thought as a thruster failed.
Not now, shit!
She cleared the combat zone still headed for the strike fighter. She slew the ship around knowing the Koth now had the advantage over her crippled ship. The Koth fired and she rolled sacrificing the already damaged side. She pulled up to return fire but the Koth had folded and flipped under her. She desperately tried to roll again, knowing it was futile. Another manned fighter slashed around a wrecked ship and hit the Koth on the far side before it could finish the job on her ship. The Koth fighter spun away, losing pieces as it disappeared into the void.

“Hi Leena. How’s tricks”

“Jeeter, man am I glad to see you.” She laughed in relief.

Jeeter maneuvered his ship around her’s. ”Hmmm, you don’t look so good.”

“She still flies,” Leena snickered, “kinda.” She hesitated. “Was that who I think it was?”

“Damn, sure sounded like Martin.” Jeeter mused. “Hey anything’s possible.” He sobered, “Mac bought it, took a missile right in the cockpit. Poor kid, second time out and blamo, this really sucks sometimes.”

“Sometimes?” Leena realized she didn’t even know what the kid looked like. “Any sign of the Major?”

“Last I saw him he was drifting clear, his ship was really chewed up, but I think he was ok.” Jeeter gazed in the direction where he saw their squad leader’s ship. “So you really think one of the Tinmen is Martin?”

“I heard through the grapevine he was in the program, but that was a while back.” Leena paused. “If he is, it shouldn’t be too hard to pick him out.”

“True, he was one crazy son of a bitch, but man could he fly.” Jeeter chuckled at the memories.

They drifted away from the combat zone, watching for stragglers and keeping look out for any late comers.

The warborgs had only been engaged for a few seconds, but both pilots were amazed at the havoc they had already raised. They soon noticed differences in the warborg’s skills and styles. One was reasonably proficient. Not doing all that much damage, but was keeping his ship intact and chipping away at anything that crossed his path. Two others seemed to fight as a pair and were chewing up a lot of ships in a tag team sort of one two punch combination. The fourth was death and destruction personified.

“That’s Martin.” Leena stated in a quiet, awed voice. “I’d recognize that last move anywhere.” She watched as the ship gracefully belly rolled right over the top of a Koth to evade another foe and then dumped a single missile into its center section as he tumbled away. “He makes it look too easy, I guess he always did.”

“Yeah, but this is obscene. It’s like watching a prima ballerina dancing among drunken slobs . . . with a machete in each hand.” Jeeter’s head snapped around. “Damn, the other single tinman just lost a thruster.”

They watched in silent admiration as the damaged warborg didn’t even seem to notice his handicap and just kept plugging along as if nothing had happened. Still just chipping away. Slowly the battle died off.

“You know Jeeter, the one we think is Martin may be the nastiest one, but my hat goes off to Pokey.” She smiled. “I counted, he messed up four ships. He didn’t blow the crap out of them like the twosome or slice’em and dice‘em like Martin. He just made sure they were done for the day and moved on.”

              . . .

^Well now that was interesting.^ Brian sucked in a deep breath and blew it out shaking off the adrenalin. ^Congratulations Martin, that was a real nice change in strategy.^

^Yep, I think those manned fighters must of had a bone to pick with those strikes.^ Reese’s chuckle rumbled through the hard link. ^Just treated them down right un-neighborly.^

^Yo Reese, I think you lost something.^ Martin laughed.

^Yep, dang thing must’a fallen off back there somewhere.^

^Guys, I’ve got trouble.^ Dottie sounded a little rattled. ^I think my main energy conduits were hit.^

Brian drifted around her ship. ^Yeah, there it is, two holes. Let’s get you home Dottie and let them take care of it. Your FTL online?^

^Yes, it’s on back-up, but shows green on all operational diagnostics.^ Dottie was calming down but still didn’t sound happy.

Martin studied the two remaining manned fighters sitting on the other side of the combat zone. ^You three head on back, I’ll wait for the recovery ships with those two manned fighters.^

^Aw hell, I’ll wait too. I ain’t got nothin’ better to do,^ Reese’s gravelly voice sighed.

Brian shrugged. ^Suit yourselves, we’ll see you back at the head shed.^

A few seconds later Brian and Dottie phased out.

^Friends of yours?^ Reese asked.

^Very well could be Reese, let’s go find out.^ Martin moved off with Reese close behind.

“Leena, Jeeter, damn it is you two.” Martin greeted his old squad members.

“See Jeeter, I told you it was Martin.” She laughed. “God, it’s good to hear your voice. We heard you had entered the program, then nothing. You could have contacted us, you know. We were worried sick.”

“I know, I’m sorry. Where’s the Major?” Martin asked, a little afraid of the answer.

“Oh hell, he’s floating around out there somewhere in a blown up ship filing his nails or something.” Leena sputtered, “as usual.” She hesitated. “Who’s your friend?”

“Oh I’m sorry, Captains Leena Tinkman and Mark Jeeter meet Major Steve Reese, my wingman.”

“Sir.” Jeeter responded automatically.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” Reese rumbled.

“You, Mister Tinman indeed.” Leena laughed. “It’s really nice to meet you, Sir.”

“Why, what’d I do?” Reese chuckled.

“Just saved my butt about a hundred times is all.” She paused. “I just wanted to say thanks to all of you from all of us.”

“It’s our yeob, mein.” Martin quipped with a thick accent, mimicking an ancient comedy routine.

“Major Reese, can’t you get him adjusted or something.” Leena asked, her voice dripping with innocence.

Reese laughed; he liked this gal. “Ma’am, just call me Reese, and I’ve tried everything short of hot wiring him to the base main engines, it just don’t seem to make no difference.”

“Humpf, I know when I’m not appreciated. Jeeter, lets go see if we can find Old Major Thunderbutt in his broken ship.” They moved off.

“He’d kick
your
butt if he heard you call him that.” Jeeter challenged.

“Ha, I don’t have a butt.” Martin chittered.

“Just a minor detail.” Jeeter countered.

“Besides, he’s heard me call him a lot worse than that.”

“Hmmm, true, very true.” Jeeter conceded.

The Reese and Leena listened to the bickering as the ships wandered off. “Ma’am, was he always like this?” Reese asked with a slight laugh.

“Call me Leena, and yes, in fact he used to be worse.”

              . . .

“Hello” Reese answered the vidphone wondering who’d be calling him, especially at this time of the evening. He was taken aback by a black haired pixie with an exquisitely chiseled angular face. “May I help you?”

“Hi Mister Tinman, it’s me, Leena.” She studied the weathered face with the massive mustache and steady grey eyes. She felt her gut twitch and gave him a shy smile.

“Leena, what a pleasant surprise.” Reese contemplated the tiny, fine featured beauty gazing at him from the vidphone.
I’m too old for this shit.
She smiled wider and her huge brown eyes sparkled. He brain locked for an instant and a lopsided grin rolled across his face.
Hold that thought.

Martin slumped in a lounge chair aboard his virtual yacht contemplating the battle, it was just a blur of spinning, diving ships.
Back when I was a regular pilot I could remember all the details of a fight, now it’s just flashes. Way too much, way too fast.
He sighed then brightened.
It was nice to see Leena and Jeeter again. Never did find the Major, but Jeeter was sure he saw him drifting out of the fight. That son of a bitch must have a hundred lives.
He signaled Maria for a hard link.

^Hi Martin.^ She faded in, but seemed distracted.

^Hi gal, this a bad time?^

^Yeah, some moron just dumped half a cargo hold full of crap when he left a docking bay with an open hatch. I got shit everywhere.^ She didn’t really sound all that upset but was obviously busy.

^Well, I won’t keep you then, just come on by when you get a chance.^

^You bet, oh man get back in here. Hey, I gotta go. I’ll be by.^ She winked and faded out.

Martin smiled, she was a good kid.

The vidphone buzzed.

“Hello, Morgan here.” He responded without thought.

“Martin Morgan?” The unknown man inquired politely.

Martin turned his full attention on the figure. “That’s me, what can I do for you?”

“Sir, I have a delivery from Virtual Companions Limited.”

“I didn’t order anything, are you sure you have the right Martin Morgan?”

“Ah, I think so sir. There is a delivery note, it says; This is a yacht warming gift.” The man looked a little puzzled over that one.

“Oh really, well that sounds right.” Martin smiled at the figure. “Any idea who it’s from?”

“Sorry, no sir. But there is a vid-card attached.” He replied, obviously checking a screen beside him.

“Ok, I’ll accept it, Thank you.”

“Very good Sir, thank you and enjoy your virtual companion.”

The figure disappeared and was replaced by a simple touch screen verifying that he would accept delivery. He poked the yes button, and started laughing.
This is too much, using a touch screen system in a virtual reality where nothing actually exists. Who boy, I may be ready for a pillow room before this is over. A virtual pillow room?
He laughed at his own paradox. He pressed his palm against the screen as directed for authorization.

The first thing that came up was the vid-card. Maria, the rest of Jester Squadron and Doc in a vid screen, were all waving and wishing him luck. It was just a fifteen second vid-card, he saved it. The next screen asked for a download location and gave him several options; they had his Brayco location listed so he sent it there. The next screen was some technical and warranty information. The only thing that caught his eye was that the companion was a level seven artificial intelligence.
The guys paid a few credits for this.
And lastly it told him how to establish a name for his new companion. But it never said what the companion was.
I’m just glad Doc was involved or they probably would have gotten me a miniature hippopotamus or something equally preposterous.
Martin almost jumped out of his virtual shorts when something bumped his calf. He glanced down and sucked in his breath. A gray tiger stripe Manx cat gazed up at him with its huge yellow eyes. Martin started to say something then shut up, as the cat head butted him again. He knelt down and scratched the cats ears, marveling at the realness of the soft warm fur, content purring seemed to fill the control deck. He stopped scratching and studied the virtual cat trying to come up with a name. It wandered off and started prowling around the deck sniffing everything, it looked up and studied the stars outside the port. Martin softly snapped his fingers several times then held out a finger to the cat. It wandered over and sniffed the finger. He gently grabbed its head and looked it in the eyes. “Prowler . . . Prowler . . . Prowler” The third time he said the name the cat blinked and answered with a soft meow. He let the cat go and it resumed its wandering. “Here Prowler, come here fella.” The cat looked over its shoulder, considered him for a second and went on about its business.
Like naming a cat means a damned thing.
He laughed, realizing he would have been disappointed if it had come immediately.

He stretched and scratched his head, trying to think of something to do.
A shower, I haven’t had a shower since . . . God, I don’t know how long.
He wandered back to the master cabin and considered the massive shower stall. With a shrug he peeled off his clothes and stepped in. It was marvelous, the warm water flowed through his hair massaging his scalp and running down his back. He just stood there sighing in contentment.

“Martin.” Maria’s voice preceded her. She looked into the steamy room.

“Hi Maria. Just a minute. Man! I haven’t had a shower in so long.” He started to shake the water out of his hair and turned to shut it off. A cold blast of air caught him unprepared. “Whoa, damn.” He turned back just in time to see her step into the stall. “Ahh, damn girl.” He stammered trying not to stare at the vision that had joined him.

“Well, move over.” She laughed.

He slid aside and she stood under the spray, head thrown back, letting the water run through her hair just as he had done. He stared down at her in frustration; it had been a long time since he had shared his bed.
And it’s been, been . . . lord knows how long since I made love to a woman as beautiful as her, if ever. I wonder if I slit my wrists in a virtual world if it’d kill me?
Maria looked at him and smiled.

“Martin,” Maria smiled, looking up into the staid eyes, echoing a sadness of a tormented soul, “there’s one more little thing I need to show you. Hold up your hand.”

With a defeated sadness, he did as she asked and watched as she put her hand inside his. It was strange to see their hands mingled together and feeling nothing.

“Concentrate on my hand Martin.” She frowned a little, and chewed her bottom lip. She studied the earnest face in front of her for a second then smiled. She made the right decision.

Martin did as she asked, not questioning, just accepting. It started as the old familiar tingle and rolled into an almost painful burning. He watched as she slowly pulled her hand back and gritted his teeth at the eeriness of the sensation. She stopped when all that was touching were the fingertips. The tingling wavered for a second. A look of fear, almost panic gripped her. She bit the tip of her tongue and her face showed a constrained horror. Then there was a jolt like static electricity that made him flinch. Before he realized what happened she slid her fingers between his and had a death grip on his still relaxed hand. Her eyes were smashed shut as she threw back her head in a silent scream, the tendons in her neck looked like a bundle of cords, every muscle in her body was rigid. She let go of his hand, threw her arms around his ribs crushing herself to him until he could hardly breathe and buried her face in his chest. Martin stood paralyzed, his mind rebelling against the impossible. Slowly he wrapped one arm around her smooth quivering shoulders and the other around her waist to her hip. He looked down and nuzzled the wet hair on top of her head. Through his own delirium he heard her whisper, thank you, several times then listened to her soft sobbing. He started to shake and thanked God that the shower hid his tears. A minute later she relaxed her hold and settled into heavy regular breathing. Martin eased her head back and looked into her eyes. “Damn girl, you ok.” He whispered, studying her face. Her fingernails were still lightly stroking his back making it hard for him to think straight.

“Oh yeah,” She was totally relaxed and snuggled a little closer. “I’m just fine now.”

“Any more surprises?” He grinned. “I damn near didn’t live through this one.” He unconsciously arched his back and gritted his teeth as her nails softly raked down his back. Sensations he thought were forever lost roiled through his gut. He closed his eyes and sucked air through his gritted teeth. His head rolled back and he blew out the breath. Slowly he looked back down into her eyes and heaved a lung busting sigh, he hugged her a little tighter.

Maria gazed up at the face floating above her as she bathed in a sea of ecstasy. The passion and longing in Martin’s face burned through to her marrow. “Just one more.” She reached up, grabbed him around the neck and pulled him down for his first kiss in a new life. And she was determined to make it a good one.

Martin fought to control his passion, afraid he might hurt this wonderful creature. They separated, and Martin smiled then started to laugh.

Maria raised her eyebrows. “What?”

He grinned until his face hurt. “Somewhere out there, there’s a computer just’a smokin’.” He bounced his eyebrows with a devilish toothy grin.

She failed at stifling a giggle. “Oh, shut up.” She bit his ear for emphasis.

He picked her up and strode back into the Master’s Chamber where he gently tossed her on the immense bed. “Now I’ll take my revenge for not warning me what you were doing and scaring the living piss outta me.”

She looked up with an evil grin. “Give it your best shot, . . . lover boy.” She ended in a nasty, challenging tone.

His response died in his throat as she started crab walking away on the padded expanse, blowing kisses at him. He jumped on the bed and crawled after her, snapping his teeth.

              . . .

“Thank you.” Martin brushed back her hair and kissed her on the forehead. “I thought this part of my life was gone forever.” He hesitated. “And having you around was one of the most painful, frustrating things . . .” He sighed.

Maria looked up at his eyes as she lay curled with her head resting on his chest listening to the slow steady heartbeat, her hand absently stroking his side. She closed her eyes and softly smiled.
Martin, you don’t realize what a deep compliment that is.
“So’kay.” She snuggled into a more comfortable position.

Martin frowned for a moment. “Maria, there’s something I have to ask. You looked really scared during the linking, or whatever it’s called, and when it finally formed you were thanking somebody.” He finished with a pensive look.

Maria sighed and pulled a little closer. “Occasionally one of us can’t achieve a level two link,” she shuddered involuntarily, “and our link started to fail.” Her eyes had a haunted look. “For a moment I had to face a reality where we could never touch.” She finished in a whisper.

“Oh.” Martin pulled her in a little tighter as he considered living in a world where you knew you were one of the few who would always be alone. He knew he wouldn’t survive.

Something made the bed bounce and Martin looked down into a pair of deep yellow eyes. “Hey Maria, meet Prowler. And thank you, he’s beautiful.”

She giggled when Prowler sniffed her feet, his virtual whiskers tickled.

              . . .

Doctor Swain wandered into his lab, his eyes sweeping the consoles with practiced precision. He stopped in front of the console monitoring Martin’s container, something had changed. He sat in a swivel chair, tapped some keys and frowned for a second before smiling as data scrolled down the screen. He stopped near the bottom.

ATTEMPTING LEVEL II SENSORY SYNCHRONIZATION

WARNING!!!

SYSTEM NEURAL PATH ERROR, ABORTING SYNCHRONIZATION

ATTEMPTING REMAP BLOCKS 34BF THRU 3F6F

REMAP CORRELATION VERIFIED 98.3% - ACCEPTABLE

RESETTING BLOCKS 3XXX

RESET COMPLETE - NO ERROR

ATTEMPTING LEVEL II SENSORY SYNCHRONIZATION

LEVEL II SENSORY SYNCHRONIZATION INITIALIZATION COMPLETE

ATTEMPTING SENSORY LEVEL II LOCK

SENSORY LEVEL II LOCK SUCCESSFUL, NOMINAL +3 SIGNAL GAIN

Swain spun himself it the chair, laughing waving his fists in the air. “Congratulations Martin, welcome to the cyborg world.” He stopped to tap a few more keys and the console asked for verification to terminate monitoring on Martin’s container. “You lucky bastard.” He laughed and slapped the key.