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The Fire of Gabriel
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Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#61 - 2012-02-26 16:07:12 UTC
Coz I Luv You


"Fleet Command, we have something here."
"Roger, I have your position, but nothing else in the surveillance."
"Strange, the thing is not to miss, really. A ring structure, the size of a small space station, about thirty kilometers in diameter. We have only optical detection. Active scans provide no echo."
"Stay at a distance, we come to you."
"Roger."

"Fleet Command, elements loosen from the ring structure . Look like surfaces, curved diamonds, like the mirror shards of a Christmas tree ball. Seem to be self-sufficient, four hundred to six hundred meters in diameter, a few meters wide. They group around the ring. The ring changes his position. "
"We are with you in two minutes ."
"Fleet Command! The ring occupies a position between us and the sun. He moves with cruiser speed. My God, I have never seen that from an object of this size before! The elements arrange on the outside. There are thousands of them! They - focus on the exit point of the fleet. In the center of the ring is something. The scanners show an energy field similar to a jump gate, the neutron radiation increases rapidly at this point. A source is not detectable, repeat: The ring is not the energy source of the elements. They enable - "

***

"What means this, the fleet is gone! Are you crazy? Fifty ships, just gone like that?"
"Yes, Special Commissioner Veen. Simply away. And five thousand soldiers. Simply away."
"Wrecks? Energy signatures? Communication? Something?"
"Nothing, Commissioner. The target is gone, and it seems to have taken our fleet with it."
Sebard Veen was walking up and down, his hands clasped behind his back. Then he made a decision.
"Make sure that the Amarrian fleet remains in constant motion. Scan the fleets of the other three factions at shorter intervals than previously. No information to the other."
"But the thing preys on us!"
"Exactly. We have lost a part, and so are at a disadvantage compared to the others. Maybe this weapon will equal it, maybe it even gives us an advantage."
"Commissioner?"
"Yes?"
"In one of the ships was a Black Ops Squadron. If the opponent can start using the equipment, he might be able to leave the system. We do not know the options available to the weapon."
Sebard scratched his head.
"You're right. Let all our bridge ships within ten light years stop operation. The others will copy that probably. I will think about how to proceed further, and will let you know in due time. Dismiss."
Then he was alone in the room.

***

Ryek woke up. It was dark, and it was quiet. None of the familiar sounds could be heard. No hum of generators. No hissing of the life support systems. His eyes adjusted slowly to the non-existence of absolute blackness. He saw the outline of a window which was tilted open. Thus he was not in space. It smelled the forest, at least a recollection of a long-gone life said this to him. When was the last time he had been planetside? He did not know. Then he remembered the steady breathing, which he had at first taken for his own. His body feeling came back slowly. Forced transfer of consciousness? But he felt really not bad enough for that. His memory was better. He had had a blaster in hand, and had planned to shoot someone in the back. A young woman, her name again? Why did he want to kill her? And then everything had become very black and very cold. Ryek dealt again with the here and now. Where did that breathing come from ? It had to be very close. Now he could feel the body next to him. Female, clearly. A narrow and strong hand pulled his body to the other. He resisted the reflex to strike and to free himself. If she had wanted to kill him, that would have been done already.
"At last! I thought that you never wake up," mumbled a sleepy voice.
"Tedeya!"
His whisper was like a scream.
"Yes, me. Now do not make so much noise. Who did you expect? Nama and Yolane are otherwise occupied."
Tedeya chuckled. It sounded very pleasant. And very seductive.
"What's that? "
"I wanted to be with you when you wake up. The others are for almost a day on their feet, only you have slipped out. I have a few questions I wanted not to put to the others."
Ryek freed a little from her embrace.
"Had not had time until tomorrow?"
"Are you always so slow to understand?"
Ryek pondered his options. If he wanted not to risk a serious injury, he had to play for better or worse. He dodged the question.
"What do you want to know so urgently?"
"How it is with a new body. You already did that several times. On the planets the people to whom I belong now are called space zombies. "
Ryek winced.
"But I feel anything but cold and dead, rather the opposite. I heard that there are adjustment problems. But I have not felt so well for a long time."
She snuggled up against him.
"This is the crystal. With it, the data set has increased dramatically. The transfer is therefore easier, as more complete. "
"Ryek, are there restrictions?"
"No, Ted. The clones are created from living material. It is not the revival of a corpse with a different consciousness, what would be theoretically possible, but is prohibited. Even if the raw materials are dead bodies, they were, technically speaking, recycled. The material is transferred into the genetic structure of the primary body. Like a whole body organ donor."
"I understand. Although I feel the old scars, but they are memories. "
"Yes. This body is completely vir- "
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#62 - 2012-02-26 16:08:13 UTC  |  Edited by: Ryek Darkener
...


Ryek bit his tongue. Why was the room not lit bright red?
"Unused."
Tedeya had pressed her face into the pillow.
"Ted? Are you okay? "
She gasped.
"No! I'm choking with laughter! "
She pressed her head back into the pillow.
"May I ask what's so funny?"
"Tedeya calmed down a bit.
"Ryek?"
"Here."
"Are you blind?"
"It's dark here."
Tedeyas head disappeared back into the pillow. She started to try again.
"Are you not interested? Or aligned differently? "
"Oh, that. Ouch!"
He rubbed his ribs.
"Yes, that!"
Then he felt her tears on the skin. He replied the hug and kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Ted. I like you too. Very much. "
"But?"
"But it is somewhat surprising to me. I must think about some other things, because otherwise perhaps things may happen we will both regret very much. Please give me some time. "
"Do you mean that you're not a man for one night? Would that not be my text?"
Defiantly.
Now Ryek had to laugh quietly .
"Yes, it is. Ted, I want you not to hurt from a side of which you can not have thought. If you're serious, then you have to be satisfied for now with it. "
"You are a coward, Ryek!"
"And you're just wrong. In general, what's on? Report, Cadet!"
She sniffed.
"I do not know, Sir. We seem to have arrived on the planet where the artifact was found. "
"So not at the station where I had ordered the clones to be transported out."
"Obviously Mr. Smith had other plans."
"I'll kill him!"
"Then you have to queue."
"How is Yolane?"
"Hard to say. She is in a body she wanted not so. Derek is probably just with her and they perform the same meaningless conversation as we do. "
"Her Vitoc addiction?"
"Could be largely eliminated. She has withdrawal symptoms, but nothing life-threatening. "
Ryek breathed.
"Hey? What is this? Do you want to pinch mother from Derek?"
Now it was Ryek to laugh . He pulled the upset Tedeya closer.
"Now do not be jealous. You both look very well, don't you? "
She grumbled something unintelligible.
"No. Yolane is Derek's problem. Ouch! "
After a while he had managed, with difficulties, to hold Tedeya so that she could not damage him even more.
"How did it work with the deprivation?"
Tedeya stopped struggling. Ryek was glad. Longer he had not persevered.
"By DNA comparison with me. Mr. Smith has built a filter, as he read Yolanes DNA data, and deleted parts. One of the greatest crimes against humanity in the Empire, to change mind, and DNA content, this way. "
"I know. But it worked, right?"
"Yes, technically it worked. But Yolane is anything but pleased. She herself has enough knowledge on this subject to understand what happened there. "
"The decision whether you are a human being is always a personal one."
"Nama has also said so."
"And she's right. How does she cope with it? And Romar?"
"For a purebred Amarr she takes the situation very relaxed. I think she is happy of having gotten rid of her old sinful hull. I think she was ashamed to love Romar in the old body. Romar, well, he's thrilled. Especially from Nama. "
The thought of who would not be Ryek kept wisely for himself.
"Tedeya?"
"Yes, Ryek?"
"Be a good girl now, and turn your back back to me. And keep your hands with you. Or leave the room. "
"Are you sure?"
"Anything but this. But I want not take chances, okay?"
"Okay."
They were then back to back.
"Ryek?"
"Yes?"
"You owe me something. So easy you do not escape me. "
"Can we postpone the issue until we know whether and how we survived this job?"
"I'll think about it."
"Thank you, Ted."
"Not for that."
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#63 - 2012-02-27 16:54:52 UTC
Shoes!


The next morning Mr. Smith came up and joined them.
"Where are we here?" asked Ryek.
"As you have already guessed, in the system in which the artifact was found."
"And why? We have the crystal no longer. Could not be taken away in the transfer."
"Are you sure?"
Mr. Smith now had everyone's attention.
"Did you bring it?" Romar said.
"No. It is destroyed. I barely escaped, through an unstable wormhole. The solar system in which you were attacked had to be evacuated."
"Why?"
"Nama has triggered the self-destruction of the crystal. It was clear to me that we would never be able to come here with that part."
"And why has the affected system been evacuated?"
"The crystal has produced an area of physical instability, which is beyond our control. It has removed the solar system out of the reach of our technology, for years or decades. Imagine that had happened in Amarr."
Nama was pale.
"This small part?"
"Yes. It has pulverized the planet where the battle took place. And the space-time structure in this area."
"And why did you want to have the crystal here?"
"Firstly, because the damage here for the Empire would have been the lowest. And secondly, because this crystal is related to the still flying weapon in a way that we do not know. I thought the crystal could be used as a ticket. "
"And now its gone."
Derek looked questioningly at Mr. Smith.
"Is then your job as well a complete failure?"
"I hope not. The weapon has been reactivated. And, it looks like it had brought down a small Amarr fleet, including a Titan, with one shot."
"But it's here. Where is the problem?"
"The problem is that the weapon is so big, that it would not be able to leave via a gate. Now here are thousands of ships of all factions, with Titans, and also with bridge generators. I have no idea what the weapon is capable of. Maybe it can board the ships with the help of robots. Perhaps the original team is here somewhere, waiting to be activated."
"Say it, Mr. Smith. We are the team."
Everyone looked at Nama.
"How you have guessed it?" asked Mr. Smith.
"That was easy. You have moved us here. In new bodies. The transfer occurred with the help of the crystal . The clone transfer technology is based on the Jovian technology, and as far as I know, each clone records the ID of the last sending agency. You now have a team here, which was sent with a technique that is presumed pre-Jove. So I guess, and it will also be proven by us, that the weapon stationed here will assume that we are the team. Right? "
Mr. Smith nodded.
"Yes. It is so. And I underestimated you, Nama."
"So it was your goal from the start, to have us here in bodies which were manufactured according to your specifications?"
Derek held Yolane so that she could not get up.
"Yes, Yolane. However, I had hoped to retain your original bodies, so that you had the choice to return."
"How generous."
"Yolane, I've told you all clearly what I do and what I can. I said that you can expect no more than to get away with your bare lives. So far I've kept my part."
"Ha!"
"Do not forget: You can always be transferred to another clone, if you do not like this here."
"Yolane," objected Ryek.
"This is actually a very generous offer."
"I see that different!"
"Would you yourself feel better in a jar in Azedi? Connected to devices to which you can you not resist? Dammed to perform the function intended for you, like a module in a ship?"
Yolane gasped.
"If you now say that they are not allowed to do that, then a disaster happens. With you as a victim."
"Yo-"
"What?"
"You're right, Ryek. Unfortunately. What's next, Mr. Smith?"
"On this planet there is only CONCORD personnel. It is such a thing as a neutral zone in a war zone."
He smiled grimly.
"The other factions have been thrown out here. The remaining people are CONCORD loyal. Hopefully. You have a day or two to look around here and to relax a little, and to develop an idea of how we do it, how we find the weapon and how we can go on board. All without the others to notice it. And then you have to quickly figure out what is necessary to disable the weapon permanently, better to destroy. There are here a quarter of a million people in the system. Their life is in your hands. "
"You would not be on board? You're Jove?"
"No, Romar. I'm not 'marked', and a clone transfer is not for me. In addition, the crystal is gone. Even if I could it would not work."
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#64 - 2012-02-27 16:56:18 UTC
...


He put some smart cards on the table.
"Here are the details about the planet, its history and culture, as far as ascertainable, and a map of the city where we are. We had restored the public transport system in part. And here are many things very well preserved or stored. When you were last on a planet? I give you a free day today."
He grinned.
"Make it a stroll, go shopping, visit a restaurant. Everything is included. We will discreetly shadow you."
"Everywhere?"
"Within certain limits, yes. You have all the implants, with which we can find you at any time. With the exception of the location feature you can turn off everything if want it. Ryek and Derek will explain how to deal with it. Those of you who have already had implants got a reasonable substitute. The others may consider, but there is no duty to do so. "
"So you accompany us up to the bedroom?"
Mr. Smith did not change his expression.
"Yes, of course, Nama. But it is your decision whether you want to send from there all the medical data."
"Like in the zoo."
"Nama. Ryek has already said. We are not here on vacation. The alternative is, as Ryek put it so aptly, the jar with you inside."
He put a couple of colorful prints on the table.
"Perhaps that would be something for you? The local clothing industry was excellent, we have adopted some procedures at the present time, and grant licenses to the factions."
The eyes of the three women began to shine. A certain greed appeared in them. And three men groaned softly.
Derek brought it to the point.
"Shoes! Mr. Smith, what we have done that you punish us so hard?"
Mr. Smith turned and silently left the room. His shoulders shook.
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#65 - 2012-02-28 18:35:57 UTC
Dressed to Kill


After a long, and, mainly for men, busy day, they had agreed that the men looked around after a gun shop and a restaurant, while the ladies were allowed to pursue their hunter-gatherers passions in the department stores. Although even a few thousand years out of service, the culture of the planet had already been used to space flights, so that a number of objects of daily life had been packed in containers which would have survived a stay in space. The researchers had used these in recent years, and created a simulation of life at that time, with themselfes as participants . This had led to a better understanding, but why the weapon had destroyed all human life here remained in the dark. Especially the Amarr scientists believed in a divine judgment, as in the biblical Sodom and Ghomorra, but could not prove conclusively what sin had been the cause of this final punishment. Murder of an envoy of the pre-Jove, who had perhaps held themselves as gods? For this they had needed to know more about the living Jove, but they were, as usual, very cautious with information and had their own problems to keep their race alive.
After a few hours Yolane, Nama and Tedeya appeared in the largest department store in order to complete their achievements with missing small parts. Yolane was sitting in the canteen, which was fully automated and running, with a glass of juice, Nama andTedeya were still roaming.

Tedeya came and sat down at Yolanes table .
"Yolane, can you help me along?"
Yolane looked at Tedeya in surprise.
"Where?"
"With Ryek. He is so reserved. All my attempts to get him around have failed. I'm sure he is interested, but he ducks out. Says he must think about it."
She forced a smile.
"So far I've never seen anything like it. Normally the guys queue to get a date with me."
"****!" Yolane thought.
"Maybe he's actually important reasons. Which he will not tell you?"
"I know the age difference, he could be my father. But in seventy-five years he is no longer almost twice as old as me."
Jolane put her hands to her face
"Ted: The problem is - He is your father."
Tedeya stared at her mother in horror.
"You're kidding? My father was a Gallente, and Ryek is Caldari as one can be!"
"He is ... No, he is not ... Damn, how can I explain?" said Yolane to herself, loud and desperate.
"Try it!"
Yolane breathed in deeply, and slowly to come to rest.
"He is, and he is not. He is your spiritual father, in a very literal sense."
Tedeya looked at her mother as if she suspected that she would now become completely crazy.
"Your father is Joret Tsen."
Tedeya nodded.

"I know that myself and I can remember him. So what is this then?"
"He died, after our separation, on a distant planet in a medical facility. In a brain scanner for clone transfers, under strange circumstances. It is absolutely certain that Jorets body had no clone. CONCORD had turned the whole universe upside down and found nothing ."
"Yes. That you said to me even then."
"And now I have to probably partially correct myself at least."
She did not understand.
"Am I or am I not his daughter then?"
"No. Ryek is genetically related to you as much as he is to me. With other words - Ryek is not your biological father. A genetic test would show no paternity."
Tedeya was relieved, but only for the moment until her mother went on.
"The body of your father is dead, but somehow Joret managed to get an other clone. With Ryeks body. This is so illegal that no one would even admit that it is possible. And I'm sure that almost everyone who is trying that will kick the bucket. The least damage that appears to is a multiple personality disorder and paranoia. You remember when you've brought him back? In the first experiment thrown to and fro? Joret is not alone in this body. But somehow they have come to terms. "
Tedeya thought for a while.
"And you? Do you love him still?"
Yolane felt a hot wave rising in her face.
"No. It might sound a bit technical, but love is a predominantly bioelectric process. Feelings, all around, all chemistry."
She grinned.
"Well, not everything. I want to make it short - Joret and I were a pair of convenience, and it was very nice, as long as it lasted, and even beyond, my daughter. But Joret is finally dead for me, his body exists no more. Ryek is a combination of Jorets conscious and -, " she paused, "something else. For me he is not more than a good friend. The combination of body and mind that I love is Derek. And for me there is no doubt about that. "
Tedeya nodded.
"Now I understand why Ryek is so reserved. Soulmates. He was there when I was made."
She giggled.
"And he does not know how to handle that."
Yolane made "Pffft!", and did not know if she should laugh or cry now.
"What the heck! Half the universe is on the hunt for us, and I fall in love with my father!"
Tedeyas face lit up.
"But not really. It is not my father. Not really! What the hell. We will all die here. Should we not have some fun before?"
Yolane stood up. Her shoulders straightened.
"Tedeya?"
This was not a question but a command.
"Yes, Mam?"
Yolane licked her lips.
"I've read in a very old book. What 'dressed to kill' means. We will show our three lords of creation now what is meant by that. And then we rock the universe."
Tedeya stood up and threw her head back.
"Yes Mam!"
"And now we are looking for Nama. Resistance is futile. By the way: I have seen somewhere a pair of shoes for the three of us with high heels which should be banned ..."
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#66 - 2012-02-28 18:36:38 UTC
...


Romar, Derek and Ryek sat in the cafe and let the lightof the yellow sun shine on them. The restaurant was in operation, although not well attended. A warm breeze brought smells of the nearby forest. More than three thousand years old! Something like that was almost no longer to find in the whole Empire. If this world once released, then many would pay a fortune to live here. The research team had in recent years forced nature again out of the city, at least from the streets and squares. Amazingly, many buildings had held so long. The former inhabitants had been champions, when it came to the greening of land, and they had understood, in particular, to ensure that the green part remained in the space provided.
"Why have they all been killed?" Romar said aloud.
"I do not know. Maybe the aliens have arrived on Wednesday, and Wednesday was just their genocide day."
"It sounds implausible, Derek. And why the crystal was then found on the planet's surface, in this city? Did the newcomers shop shortly before they massacred all? Not to mention, the stations on the other planets and moons were destroyed without any exception. The carrier of the crystal had been killed by the inhabitants, and this was the revenge? "
"Maybe they wanted to pay them nothing, just like us?"
Ryek turned to the service.
"What does it all?"
"Mr. Smith has already paid. For your team is all-inclusive."
"Well, that's nice to hear. Then the same again. The coffee is really good."
"Yes. And it is from here. We have grown it right the first when we arrived here."
"These people understand what is important in life," Ryek turned to the other.
They both nodded in agreement.
"After all, for us a nice last meal would be appropriate, right? I have evaluated the chip. There is a nice restaurant. Not to believe, but despite the departure of the factions one must reserve. Shall we?"
"Romar, you slowly grow up," Derek teased. Romar mumbled something unintelligible.
"Romar, seriously. Ryek and me are jealous of you, but if you say that then you have two bullet holes in the back, right?"
"I'm sure it will -"
Derek opened his mouth to keep talking, but no sound escaped his lips. Romar turned and looked in his direction.
"Holy ****!"
Now Ryeks interest arose. He turned and looked and for the next moment looked mentally frantically for a way out. There was none.
"I think," he noted with a husky voice, "We must do something for our appearance, so that the three ladies take us with them."
"Oh yeah!" was the echo of Derek and Romar.
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#67 - 2012-02-29 16:24:36 UTC
Last Meal


"Yes, we should do this more often. And CONCORD pays the expenses."
Everyone laughed at Yolanes remark.
She became serious and looked around.
"Has anyone of you an idea how to proceed? Once the weapon is located, Mr. Smith will drop us there, and then?"
"I do not think that Mr. Smith can bring us," said Ryek.
"Why?"
"Access only for 'marked people', that's we, in the best case. A paranoid security gadget, that thinks like me, will let no one else enter in order to prevent boarding. We must do it all alone. And if we get out of there alive? I do not know. "
"Let us plan one step at a time," objected Tedeya.
"I see it like this:
First - how do we find the weapon?
Second - how do we come in?
Third - how do we put the weapon out of action?
Fourth - how do we come out alive from the weapon?
Fifth - how we come out alive from the system?
Finding the weapon is not our business. It is more likely that the weapon will find us at some point. When it has finished the hunt for the factions fleets successfully, at latest. So far the fleets were faster, but at some point there is a pattern, and then are lost. "
"So we have to be found by the weapon. As quickly as possible. But how?" asked Nama.
"Let that be our care."
The voice came from the front door. Three men in riot gear, obviously Caldari, stood there with heavy weapons ready. Also at the other two outlets armed men were posted. Ten soldiers in total.
"You come with us now. Dead or alive."
"On this Mr. Smith it is no longer possible to rely," muttered Ryek.
"Stand up slowly. And then hands over the head."
All stood up slowly. Ryek watched over to Tedeya. She closed her eyes briefly as a sign of assent, and looked over to Nama. She nodded slightly. Romar and Derek turned so that they conceived the other groups.
Then Nama said with the full force of her voice
"Look down."
Everyone looked down reflexively, except the team. Nama jumped on Yolane and dragged her to the ground, and Ryek threw a weapon to Tedeya that could be recognized first when she fired. Romar and Derek sat the group of four out of action with aimed shots , and were slightly slower than Ryek and Tedeya who completed three opponents each. Then they stood back to back, waiting whether reinforcements would attack. From the street the fire of heavy weapons was heard.
Mr. Smith rushed in, looked around briefly, and then grabbed one of the wounded soldiers lying on the ground. He picked him up with one hand, and pressed him against the wall. The soldier laughed.
"Give up as long as you have time. We are with a fleet in orbit. If we are not back in five minutes, you will have a planetary bombardment."
Mr. Smith dropped the soldier. He showed the object which he had held in his other hand. No weapon, but a communicator.
"No problem," he said.
"Everyone here in the system has heard this now . You should reconsider your options."
The soldier nodded, defeated, and reached for his communicator.
A glare filled the sky, all were forced to close the eyes. The celestial fireworks lasted a while, Mr. Smith was counting.
"Twenty. Was your unit?"
"Yes. No. No!"
Mr. Smith waved his colleagues to carry away the attackers.
Namas pad activated.
"Yes?"
"I captured six authorized persons. Are you in danger?"
The voice had a mechanical tone, and an accent that was no longer in use for ages. Nama opened her mouth in surprise and looked questioningly at Ryek. He shook his head.
"No. Everything is under control."
"You are coming on board."
This was not a request.
"But -"
"You are coming on board. The coordinates have been transmitted to your device. If you have not left the planet in twelve hours, without support, I have to assume you're captured, and take action. You know the directive."
The connection closed.
"Come with me," said Mr. Smith. "I will bring you to the ship."
"One and two are done with this," commented Tedeya.
"Please?"
"Excuse me Mr. Smith. We had started considering how we could get the job done. Can tick off two of the five points now."
"Mr. Smith?"
"Yes Ryek?"
"Inform all the present fleets. With personal courier. If the commanders are smart, they will place themselves under your command. Then wait for further information and try till then to stay alive. And check all systems. It looks like the weapon has gained access to the data systems, at least to the communication devices. "
"Aye."
"Wait outside please. We come in five minutes."
Mr. Smith nodded and left the room.
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#68 - 2012-02-29 16:25:44 UTC
...


Tedeya came over and hugged Ryek.
"Ted -"
"I talked to Yolane," she whispered. "If you call me daughter now I shoot a hole right through your stomach, you coward. Got it?"
"Crap. I could have had it so well."
"Tough luck, Caldari."
Ryek surrendered and returned the hug.
"Hey, and we?"
Ryek cleared his throat and loosened reluctantly from Tedeya.
"We will all die. What else? The song we can sing by heart now. Nama, why has that thing just now contacted you?"
Nama was embarrassed.
"I have run the technical details of our clone transfers on the pad by a test program. The crystal-signatures. Of us all. Mr. Smith gave me the data. I wanted to compare the similarities, but not here on the computers. "
"You're just as paranoid as Ryek."
"Yes, Romar. Possibly. The weapon has broken the communication. And where it finds all the 'owners'?"
Nama showed on her pad.
"Good work. You blew us a wonderful evening."
"But Yolane, but I just -"
"Our lives were saved. Thanks to Nama."
"And now?" she asked.
"Mr. Smith brings us to a transportation opportunity to the weapon. Mr. Smith?"
"Yes, Ryek?"
"How big is your choice of vessels?"
"What you want, Ryek?"
"I think that firepower is not what we need. Do they have an interdiction ship in the offer, an Onyx?"
"Why that?"
"I've got an idea. If it works, then it's not bad for us all."
"Yes."
"I give you the fitting in the next minutes. Can we?"
"Whenever you want."
"Mr. Smith?"
"Yes?"
"You get us out of there?"
"How much time will I have for this?"
"Fifteen seconds. Maximum."
"You trust me too much."
"Transfer of consciousness is not an option. At least not right away. In the event that we will rescued, keep ready the transfer device and clone replacement, I assume severe burns and radiation sickness."
"Remember your implants."
"What implants?" Yolane scolded. But she already knew.
"Which I now unlock for you. If you should die, then you will do it without pain."
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#69 - 2012-03-01 16:55:24 UTC
Fireworks


The 'Onyx' cruiser flew to the weapon, disguised.
"Are you sure that will work, Ryek?"
"No, Mr. Smith. But this is the best idea that we have at the moment, and we're running out of time. We will enter the weapon and try to disable it. I'm assuming that we will not be successful. Maybe we can confuse the computer system for a while. Then you come in, and the fleet here. I will start the ECM fireworks near the weapon, and prevent the transfer of energy, wherever it comes from. This gives fleets time to align and come here. Then you have, as long as it goes, to help us with energy, shield and armor, until the weapon has cracked the Onyx, and the fleets hopefully the weapon. We will make ourselves comfortable the pod , and we hope that it survives the explosion. I do not think we can warp away, you have to collect the pod before we are grilled. "
"All right. I will be in a fast boat in the vicinity, and will instruct the fleets accordingly. It is quite amazing. Here more firepower has gathered as it has ever in the history of New Eden, in one spot, and it seems not enough to bring a single ship of the enemy even in danger."
"Yes. Like the Jove had beaten the Amarr."
"I see the parallels. But this weapon will not want enforce peace. It is the logic of this machine to burn everything unclean. If it leaves this system, then we can prepare ourselves for a life on the run."
"Why has that actually not already happened?"
"Because it is more effective so . This weapon has time to infinite. We who have come here have supplied the weapon with all the information it needs to find us. And with technology of flights through the interstellar space without flying decades to get out of here. You would not believe how happy I am that the crystal is no longer."
"However, I believe it. We have reached destination, will soon become visible and go on board. Wish us luck."
"That alone will not suffice."

***
Ahead of them loomed the huge bulk of the weapon. A ring, nearly thirty kilometers in diameter, covered with independent elements nestled like scales to the structure of the ring. In the middle of the side facing the gate opened, a hangar large enough to contain a super-battleship.
"Strange," said Tedeya.
"The lock is actually far too big for this object. Will the computer impress us?"
"I do not know," said Yolane.
"I feel a presence, like that of the crystal," remarked Nama.
"Will we find more crystals?"
"No, Ryek, I do not believe that. The structure is much less complex, and still bigger. It is distributed over the weapon, but is not available everywhere. I do not understand."
The gate had closed, and a tractor beam transported the ship into a docking bay.
"This is all looks somehow unfinished," said Derek.
He pointed to the environment, as far as was visible on the view screens.
"A grid which describes the structure. There is also enormously much data traffic. High performance, but short distances."
"After all, what is behind the gate looks massive enough, right?" Ryek said.
The Onyx sat on a frame with adaptive supports, and was securely anchored without active energy fields.
Ryek spoke.
"Right luxurious. We can use the lower airlock. No weapons. Nama, are you ready?"
Nama nodded and put her pad on the captain's seat. The team went to the bottom lock and got out.
"Hey, bring me to your leader," whispered Romar.
"Very funny, Romar. Really. Hopefully, they have somebody with your sense of humor."
On the ground appeared a line, like painted.
"Seems to have worked," Romar said tersely.
They followed the line. After a few minutes walk they stopped at a massive door.
"Your ID please."
They looked at each other helplessly.
"Identification?" Ryek asked aloud.
"Identify yourself."
"I thought you have already identified us."
"I have identified you as entitled. Your names are not known to me."
You can also lie in the telling the truth. Ryek looked around.
"My name: Ryek Darkener."
He signaled the others to do likewise.
"My name: Yolane Gerad."
"My name: Tedeya Gerad."
"My name: Nama."
"My name: Romar Gerad."
"My name is Derek Odean."
A few seconds passed. Then the voice spoke again.
"Identification Truth index completed. Ninety percent for Nama, please enter your full name."
Nama burst into tears.
"No. Never," she whispered.
"Nama. Please."
"Never. Never! NEVER!"
Romar pressed the sobbing Nama firmly to himself.
"Then the trip is probably over."
"Identification completed, Nama Never."
Romar had to hold Nama, to prevent her falling to the ground. She started to giggle untenable.
"Now stay on the carpet," warned Derek.
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#70 - 2012-03-01 16:56:48 UTC  |  Edited by: Ryek Darkener
...



"We have no blue pills with us if someone snaps here."
"Ryek Darkener. Truth Index sixty-five percent. Explain that."
Yolane looked at Ryek aghast, and Tedeya looked earnestly in a different direction. Ryek swallowed.
"The index is correct. Reason is a multiple personality disorder whose cause is of technical nature. Beyond repair."
A minute went by .
"Scan completed. Your information has been confirmed."
Ryek breathed.
"Once again officially confirmed that I'm crazy. Thank you."
"No worries."
The armored door opened. Beyond it was a control room.
"How shall we address you?" asked Ryek.
"My name is Gabriel."
"Gabriel? An old Terranian name. One of the archangels. He who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire."
"That's my job, Yolane."
Nama moved her lips silently.
"Yes, I just wanted to say," whispered Romar.
Ryek tried to take the initiative.
"Gabriel, you've noticed that we are entitled, but not those with whom you have come here. What happened? And how was the planet -," he hesitated, "cleaned?"
"There was a first contact between the searcher and the planet's population."
"There was only one searcher?"
"Of course. There is always one searcher. Why should more life than necessary be wasted for a dangerous mission?"
"Go ahead."
"The residents trapped the seeker. They ignored the demand to bring him back undamaged. They tried to influence the seeker, to deliver myself. They attacked. The directive when to come into contact with potentially dangerous civilizations has no exceptions. If you are weaker, then flee. If you're stronger, wipe out the enemy. "
"How?"
"Bombardment with neutron radiation."
Ryek saw the pale faces of the other. He also felt as if he'd decided to throw up, even though the massacre was over more than three thousand years. With a heavy voice he asked.
"Where does the energy come from? An object of your size can not produce that."
"That's right, Ryek. The inner ring contains a mechanism that can be connected to a correspondingly strong source of energy."
"A neutron star?"
"Yes. My builders went there via a worm hole, and had installed a distributor. My systems have access to that distribution."
"This brings me to the next question. Where are your builders? They have not reported over three thousand years."
"I have no information in my data about them. It would be too dangerous to let this information come into the hands of others."
"Your logic is conclusive. And what now?"
"New indignity came into the system. We collected all the necessary data. The ability and resources to jump into other systems has been made available. Once the task here is fulfilled, I will leave to continue it in the area that is called New Eden."
"Gabriel, your masters have not reported for ages. Can it not be that your job has become obsolete?"
"Only the Masters have the right to assign me a new task."
Tedeya pulled the plug from the data connection and nodded.
"I expect that we, the beneficiaries, are not worthy to survive?"
"That's correct."
"Then we want to fight and die together with our people."
"Granted. Leave the ship."
The reinforced door opened, and the team left the room, towards the Onyx.
"No further discussion, Ryek?"
"No, Yolane. The program can not be changed. We will cast off immediately."
"And how do you see our chances to win this?"
"The winner is who goes first across the finish line, right?"

The Onyx launched the drive and broke away from the bracket. Flying under its own power, it reached the outer gate. To stop a moment later the middle of the gate and disappear.
"Showtime!" Mr. Smith said into the microphone.
The combined fleets aligned to the specified coordinates.
"One more time. All power to the shields of the Onyx, to keep it as long as possible. Attack on the adjacent structures, when detectable by the scanner. You will be able to lock on as long as the ECM and the interdiction sphere are active, then shoot on sight. Ignore the component ships until the central structure is destroyed."
"And if that does not work?"
"Then be glad not to have to witness the death of your people."

The hangar doors had closed far enough to crash the cloaking field of onyx. The ship activated the interdiction sphere and ECM.
"Mr. Smith? Here Derek. How far are you?"
"Aligned and on the road. Your status?"
"The weapon will have locked us very soon. More than one direct hit we do not withstand without assistance."

The component ships had resolved from the torus and focused the Onyx.
"This looks not good," said Romar.
Ryek activated the overload of the systems.
"Now it's getting wild," he said laconically.
The concentrated energy of the component vessels erupted and munched in seconds through the shield and the greater part of the armor. The torus lost its structure, only a skeleton of cables remained.
"How did you know?" Yolane asked. Ryek smiled easily.
"The radio traffic when the weapon was discovered for the first time. '... Moves like a cruiser ...'. Even for the angels physics rules."


***

The space broke apart and spit out thousands of ships that immediately moved into a firing position. The first energy transfer took place.

***
"Overload limit is reached," stated Derek.
"In a minute, the ship is dead"
"I think we do not have that much time," said Romar.
The component ships struck a second time with devastating force, and the Onyx burst like a soap-bubble. In the main structure of the weapon a long crack was generated by the doomsday weapons of the Titans.
The rescue vessel, the pod, broke from the fiery wreckage and drove away from the battlefield.
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#71 - 2012-03-01 16:57:56 UTC
...


"What the hell?"
An Anathema reconnaissance frigate decloaked in front of the pod and swallowed it in its cargo space, to leave the battlefield a moment later with ludicrously velocity.
"Can you locate and track the ship?" said Mr. Smith.
"Negative. Only visual detection. Now it goes into warp. Mr. Smith, the computer analysis says that a ship with such parameters is not known in the Empire."
"I take care of it later."
"Mr. Smith?"
"I take care of it later! And now fly to the specified coordinates, then open the outer gate for the rescue team, and fast!"
"But there is a component ship!"
"Run your commands!"
The central structure of the weapon got down in a spectacular fireball. The fleet now took the component ships under fire, easy targets, which drove aimlessly in space, and obviously did self-destruction, when not hit before. The ship towards Mr. Smith had let steer broke up, and the remains were blown off in seconds by the solar wind. This left six people bracketed together.
"What are you waiting for? Rescue the people! And then get us out of here!"
The rescue team was working well. Each flew to one of the space suits, grabbed it and the colleagues inside the ship pulled them back, while the ship already aligned to warp. At the moment when the lock closed, the warp drive activated . The last thing they saw was an Anathema, which emerged a moment later at the place where their ship had been seconds before.
"This point goes to me, Sebard," Mr. Smith commented the action.
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#72 - 2012-03-02 16:42:33 UTC
Fly Safe


"So here we are. In a solar system at the end of the known universe, each with a fleet large enough to be itself a reason for war."
Mr. Smith looked at the group that had gathered in the conference room of the battleship. There were the commanders of the four factions, the Amarr leadership represented by a deputy, as Sebard Veen had fled from the system. Mr. Smith had summed up the operation, from the discovery of the artefact up to the destruction of the weapon, and underlaid the presentation with pictures and documents.
"What will you report to your governments?"
The Gallente fleet commander raised his hand.
"That we have, together, with the support of and leadership of CONCORD, destroyed a threat that has endangered the life of the world we know."
"That will be the official part. For the media. And for the records."
Then he looked at Mr. Smith, and others followed his gaze.
"Mr. Smith. How and where do the Jove stand in this thing?"
Mr. Smith waited a few seconds before he answered.
"The Jove. Represented by me. As a member of CONCORD. I want to express it that way: In the Jovian society there are two basically contradictory tendencies. There are those who think that the Jove should take their rightful place at the head of the human race again. With all the consequences that would have for the other four factions."
An indignant murmur ran through the room.
"The others believe that, in the long-term, and with long-term I mean hundreds if not thousands of years, there will be a race where the Jove will be able to merge in, and that this way is the one and only to defeat the Jovian disease. With this part of my race you usually have contact and survive. People like me. "
The threat was unmistakable.
"All Jove will do everything we can to protect our race. No exception. The discovery of the artifact in this system has done a crucial test to our society . The political leadership has decided that we stay out, until it is clear how it proceeds. "
"That does not sound very brave," was the Caldari Commander to hear.
"Commander. If we are brave, because we think we have to defend ourselves, then worlds burn."
He let the information sink into the heads of the other, and went on.
"My job was to implement the decision of my government, and to ensure that from the two artifacts, the crystal and the weapon, no longer poses a danger. Without preferring any of the other four factions. With the help of a team from all factions, and using the combined fleets, it was possible to eliminate this danger. Our losses have been kept within bounds. A solar system that has been evacuated in time, some members of criminal organizations, several thousand teams of spaceships, in the main Amarr. From the artifacts is nothing left. There's no reason that your fleets would have to be here."
The others nodded, almost as if under duress.
"CONCORD will begin exploring the system again, and release it probably in a few years for settlement. Just like the surrounding systems. CONCORD will take sovereignty in these systems, and distribute the settlement between the groups and corps. I think this is in the interest of all. Do you have any questions? "
"Yes. What has happened to your team?" the Amarr wanted to know.
Mr. Smith smiled smugly.
"As it is a secret operation, I do not know what you're talking about. CONCORD will inform the governments in an adequate manner. I thank you for your attention and wish you a safe journey home. Fly safe!"
Ryek Darkener
Bluestar Enterprises
The Craftsmen
#73 - 2012-03-02 16:43:29 UTC
...


***


Ryek Tedeya and stood at the door to Ryeks quarter.
"And?"
"And what? I am shy. You have not noticed yet ?"
"Ryek, there will soon be a large bloodstain in front of your door!"
Ryek looked at the light pattern of the lock one more time, identified himself with the pad and thumb print of the left hand. It just beeped, then the door opened.
"You have not wanted it otherwise. I will hear no complaints afterwards."
They entered, the door closed, and the room lights came on.
Sebard sat on the couch, and he had a heavy hand laser which now pointed towards them.
He stood up. His face was contorted with hatred. The Amarrian mask was barely recognizable.
"You have no idea what you have done. I could have dominated this galaxy, only with my will. I could have made you all rich and powerful. NOBODY! NO ONE had resisted! Do you understand that? NOBODY!"
Ryek looked at Tedeya.
"We have a coffee before we die?"
"Very well."
She walked towards the vending machines, away from Sebard.
"Black, no sugar please."
Tedeya pressed the button. The machine gave a low whistle of itself, a grinder was heard. And the clatter of a very heavy can. It fell through the output shaft, struck with a full 'KLONK' on the ground and laid still.
"What are you doing?"
Ryek grinned at him wolfish.
"Coffee Break. And when we're done then you're done."
He touched a sensor on his pad.
"One famous last word before you go?"
Sebard pointed his gun at Ryek.
Next to the vending machine Mr. Smith appeared . Sebard shot at Mr. Smith at the same time as he was visible, but the beam was absorbed by Mr. Smith's body armor. Mr. Smiths arms broke through Sebards shield and threw him against the opposite wall. He took a step forward, then he dissolved.
Ryek and Tedeya saw in disbelief and amazement to Mr. Smith, then to the place where Sebard just had been. Mr. Smith operated a little on his right wrist. He lifted the 'soda can'.
"Pretty strong stuff."
"Yes, Mr. Smith. Without that I do not get out of bed in the morning."
Mr. Smith threw the smart bomb to Tedeya, which she could hold only with some effort.
"Wow! Interesting part you have Ryek. Custom-made?"
"Yes. I have to admit. How did you know it, Mr. Smith?"
"My company is building these machines. Only the label comes from Amarr."
"Why are you here?" Tedeya asked.
"I just wanted to avoid a huge mess," Mr Smith said ambiguously.
"I see. In fact, I do not see anything."
Tedeya looked at Ryek and Mr. Smith, then she also understood.
"You were never here. Right?"
"Right. Internal affairs of Jove. Very internal. Better you look after them by yourself. Not your thing."
He walked towards the door to the hangar.
"Fly safe, Ted and Ryek. It was an honor to have worked with you all."
"The door opened, and Mr. Smith disappeared.
Tedeya raised her voice.
"Admit it, you wanted to get rid of me. The machine only has capacity for the transfer of one person. Of which is closest. Me. Am I really that embarrassing for you?"
Ryek looked at Tedeya quizzically.
"Yes?"
"Will I get my coffee now or not?"

(EOF)