1.5.1

A Mission Divulged

Astrid’s tour seemed a rush, but as the others arrived for the meeting, one at a time, some with data pads or ongoing projects, it became clear how grounded the ship seemed in efficiency.

The crew rarely demonstrated a need to speak, as each entered and joined the others. Materials exchanged hands without a word, and what words did pass rode on subdued tones.

Despite their wild static auras, they still somehow fell in seamless synch together.

Romo and Anders discussed armor options under their breath while Dell poured over an electronic tablet. Rue leaned against one of the walls, a foot propped back against the steel as she picked at her blunt nails.

But when Captain London arrived, with Karth at his side, all backs straightened, and the team moved in unison to the sleek table at the center of the room.

Astrid mimicked as best she could.

“I’d like to formally welcome Astrid Hale to the table,” the captain commenced. “I know this will be a transition, for Hale especially, but I’m afraid we can only spare a few days for adjustment before we need to be in the field.”

He turned his attention to her directly.

“Hale, the Keeper informs me the Channelers are well-exercised. Doctor Ishioka determined you fit for duty physically, but you’ll need to familiarize yourself with our protocols as quickly as possible. Tomorrow morning, Agent Romo will begin your training.”

Astrid hadn’t expected to face such a thing so soon, but their tight schedule allowed little time to waffle.

“Yes, sir.”

She chanced a glance to Rue, to let her know she caught the woman’s earlier criticism, but the blonde showed no acknowledgement.

“You’ll meet with Romo in the morning, and Anderson in the afternoon. In the evenings, I want you to develop your own personal regimen to further expand your energy skills. It will be your first assignment to discover what that entails.

“Keeper Alethea says you’ve been taught to suppress your abilities. As the first Channeler to utilize your power instead, I understand this will be quite a challenge for you.”

“To what aim, sir?” Astrid questioned.

“Offense. Defense. Utility. If your power can drain weapon systems, disable computerized security, or be formed into unique attacks, it would give us undeniable edge.”

“My people have never been weaponized. That’s why the Sanctuaries exist, so that we don’t explore what you describe.”

“Useless…” Rue muttered.

Astrid swallowed as the captain did not contradict the claim.

“I do not mean to say it’s impossible,” she amended. “But I am not practiced in such a thing. None of us are.”

“That is why we must move quickly,” the captain countered. “Doctor Ishioka theorizes that your talent, like any skill, can be developed. With consistent effort, you could become capable of things you never suspected. There is only one way to find out.”

“Perhaps it would help me to focus on what would be most useful to you. If only I knew what it was you needed me to do.”

“Indeed. Anderson?”

With a nod to Anders, the lieutenant recovered a thick case stashed at the base of the table and set it upon its steel surface. He worked the latches while London continued.

“A month ago, one of our patrols intercepted a shipment we were never meant to find. In a ship flagged as a known smuggler vessel, behind a false wall, we found a cache of these.”

The metal lid thunked on the table to reveal, nestled amongst soft foam, a shining rifle encased in grey and white.

Its fine edges caught the light, and an emblem of three interlocked cogs emblazoned in matte lay in contrast to the otherwise shiny finish over the rest of the device.

“It’s an energy weapon,” the technician, Dell, explained what, to Astrid, was not immediately apparent. “Ballistic weapons are still the instrument of law. Energy weapons of this type are strictly illegal. But the cache discovered had nearly two dozen, just like this.”

“At those numbers, it stands to reason that someone is either outfitting a new raider gang, or a private army,” the captain clarified. “As our colonies grow more stable, they also entertain the idea of independence, and our superiors fear secession.”

“This weapon type is outlawed because they have a tendency to disrupt nearby electronics when used,” Anders added. He backed away from the contraband. “Comm systems, any weapon guided by a computer. As you can imagine, on a ship or station they could be quite dangerous.”

“Much like yourself,” Tenya posed playfully to the Channeler.

“We’re hoping you can help us track them down.” The captain set his hands on the desk. “Not just the manufacturer, but the buyer. Whoever has a use for these is ordering them in either blatant disregard for these qualities, or because of them.

“And not to put too fine a point on it, but this type of weapon would be incredibly threatening to your kind. You could survive a ballistic bullet under Ishioka’s care. But if a Channeler were to be hit with something like this…” he waved his hand over the case, “I can only imagine its effect would be absolute.”

“Can you disable it?” Dell asked.

Astrid felt the weight of all eyes on her.

“I would need it powered on to find out. To feel it.”

The captain nodded in silent assent, and Romo stepped forward to retrieve the weapon from its cradle. He held it expertly, with its snout aimed safely to the wall and away from his companions.

Astrid padded around the table to his side.

“Okay,” she breathed, “I’ll try.”

Romo adjusted his grip a brief second and reached toward the rear of the barrel to a textured knob. A dexterous flick of his fingers turned the control, and the device tool purred in delight to be awoken.

Astrid shivered and ignored how closely the others watched her.

Her hand traced down the sleek design as she followed the spine of the weapon securely under Romo’s care.

Her fingers stopped over the strongest pulse of power, and she marveled at the fine thrum radiating from within.

“It’s running on the tiniest trace amounts of fusion energy,” she described as the feeling traversed her senses. “Not gas, or fuel. It could run for years without repair if properly cared for.”

“But can you disable it?” Dell repeated.

“I think so.”

Astrid reached for her crystal, the necessary vessel to channel the energy into something benign.

She focused on the force that drew her in and rode the pull to its core. When she felt the heart of the power’s source she tugged.

The energy, clean and bright, was richer than anything she channeled in the past. The pulse matched her own heartbeat, as if the power itself coursed through her own nervous system. When it began to pass through her, she almost swayed at the wave. But her pendant lay ready, and the more it rushed her, the more eagerly she directed it into the crystal.

A bright glow lit the room from the necklace in her grip. More and more energy flowed in a stream without end, and she questioned if she’d underestimated the depth of the rifle’s well.

She warily broadened the current, and the pale blue light grew garish. Anders and Dell, on either side of them, retreated from the brilliance. But the Captain drew closer, fascinated.

The crystal vibrated gently between her fingers. The tiny capacitor fixed to its base warmed, but thankfully, after a few more moments, the flow began to ebb, the weapon drained, and the crystal dulled back to normal.

“Finished.” Astrid relinquished a sigh of relief and the others joined her. “It’s as good as a paperweight now.”

“Okay, that was cool.” Tenya grinned.

Astrid’s head felt a little lighter, but she steadied herself and returned to her original position on the other side of the table. The captain granted her the subtlest of nods.

“I trust, with enough practice, you could do so more efficiently?”

“In theory. I assume you want me to find out for sure?”

“Yes. We’ll get you the resources to play with.”

Romo returned the rifle to its container, and Anders replaced the lid and engaged the latches to snap it shut.

“On to more delicate matters,” the captain redirected after the rifle was properly tucked away. “You must all understand that the military cannot be seen having a hand in this investigation. At least for now. There are law enforcement divisions for this sort of thing. But if what we uncover is an act based in secession, it could divide the Service.

“We cannot expose ourselves by taking any formal action on behalf of Earth. This is now officially a covert operation. You cannot discuss our objectives, or our methods, with anyone outside this crew. Avoid sharing details with others of the Aldebaran unless absolutely necessary, and none with those outside.”

A chorus of “yes sir” illustrated everyone agreed.

“We’ve been granted sanction by local authorities to stay grounded, here, until we are ready to leave. It’s as safe a place as any, and we are unlikely to cross paths with others while our new crewmate adapts.

“We’ll leave in four days. I encourage patience while Hale adjusts to life here. Anyone with suggestions to aid in our mission, either to track these weapons, or to help Hale integrate, may submit proposals to me.”

When no one responded or posed any questions, Captain London concluded with a quick, “Dismissed.”

“Except Hale, please.”