"They are withdrawing." cried Relik as he watched the advance of several hundred star-fighters stall on his screen, their weapons locks blinked out one by one, slowly at first but gathering pace until 7's computers detected no hostile intent.
"Status?" signalled Maulik down to Hold 32, Balak began to reply but Go'an crushed his connection and formed a direct link.
"You can congratulate me now Master Maulik." he laughed.
"So you made the final step up then." he replied.
"If you wish to put it that way, then yes, I am now in a position to lead a united people against the Reapers."
"I'm happy for you." replied Maulik with insincerity clear in his thoughts.
Chancellor Go'an grinned, "You are lucky that I respect you..."
"Or you would rip my feeble mind to pieces... you already told me."
Go'an chuckled again, "Friends in high places are good to have Master Maulik, and you can consider me as such, you have a strong mind, and a stronger will, I respect those qualities."
"I'm honoured." replied Maulik this time attempting a degree of sincerity to mask his distaste, "So what are your plans now... Chancellor?"
"Why to go home and pick up the pieces of course." smiled Go'an, "To comfort my people in their hour of need. I no longer require your services today, so within the next few hours you will be free to resume your course."
"And your people?" he questioned Balak.
"A battle cruiser is due to drop out of FTL shortly." he replied, "We have our lift home."
"Then my part in this is truly finished?" his question echoes against a wall of silence.
"Hey, come clean with me, I'm done... right?"
"Not quite I'm afraid," grinned Go'an, "There is just one more small task that I would like you to perform."
***
"You should feel truly honoured that I selected you."
"Yeah, now that's something that puzzles me." replied Maulik to Go'an's statement as they sat in his ready room, "How did I happen to get that lucky?"
"I am beginning to find your attitude a little tiresome." admitted the new Chancellor, "I do not wish to inflate your already high opinion of yourself, but you have abilities above the accepted norm for your race."
"Nice of you to notice," Maulik joked, "But can't we just get to the point, my meters running, lots of food to harvest, hungry stomachs to fill back home."
"You will have plenty of time to complete your precious harvest." rebuked Go'an with a flash of temper that he quickly subdued. "The job I have for you will not take more than three days and you can accomplish that task as the harvest is in progress."
"What have you got to say on this subject Colonel?"
Balak glanced up, "It will guarantee the scouts licence you have been applying for, I have that confirmation on the highest authority."
Maulik nodded, now it was getting interesting. He was actually quite open to Go'an's job, he just didn't want the Watu to know his willingness.
"So what is it I have to do?"
Go'an smiled as he probed deeper into the mind and discovered the excitement lurking in the deepest darkest corner. "You will act as an emissary for a new federation that is forming, you will carry a message and my offer of friendship to a race of beings beyond Terrillian knowledge, you will make first contact on behalf of your people."
"Not first contact for yours though." he guessed producing a grin as the Watu bared his teeth.
"No, we have had contact before."
"And am I right when I guess that contact didn't go so well?"
"You see things that remain hidden for most of your race," smiled Go'an, "Our history is filled with conflict, that is why I want you to negotiate a truce, and a summit conference."
"I'm not trained as a negotiator," complained Maulik, "Surely there are more suitable candidates than me?"
"More suitable diplomats... yes," conceded Go'an, "But they do not have your mental strength, you alone have the capacity to receive my instructions from such range."
"Hey thanks," laughed Maulik, "I'm only useful as the mouth of Go'an... now that does elevate my feelings of self worth."
"You joke, but this is a mission that may be critical to the survival of our worlds, both of our worlds, now the only question is Master Maulik, do you comply with my request willingly, or do you have to be encouraged?" Go'an leaned across the table and stared at Maulik's impassive expression, his yellow eyes flaring, "The choice is yours."
A wide smile spread exposing teeth, Maulik noticed for the first time the fine serration that ran down each edge, teeth designed by evolution for shearing flesh, the Watu were carnivores and obviously not above taking a bite from living and running meat.
"I can see inside you Master Maulik, so stop being difficult and just admit the prospect excites you. He is more than willing." Go'an turned to the Colonel, "Time for me to leave, I have a people to console, I will leave you to introduce "Scout" Maulik to his new ship. Do not worry Maulik, we have a connection now, you will never be alone again, please remember that, if you need my guidance just call me... I assure you I will hear."
Chapter 4
At first Go'an had filled Maulik with feelings of trepidation, it had been a disconcerting feeling to know the Watu Chancellor could access his mind at will but two months into the voyage and not having been mentally violated, (to the best of his knowledge) he began to relax. His time was filled with ships duties, which were few, automated systems took most of the work leaving him free time to explore the potential of his new ship, an advanced scout ship that sat proudly in Hold 32.
To Maulik's discerning eye it was beautiful, the lines were in perfect proportion, in the empty void of space aerodynamics were unnecessary, without atmosphere to hinder or create drag and friction a square box was all that was required for FTL travel, yet style oozed from the sleek lines. In Terrillian society it was not a custom to name inanimate objects, ships were numbered not named. But his Watu scout ship bore a designation, Kressa, a predatory animal on Watuma, famed for its speed and agility during the hunt. A name he somehow found fitting and couldn't wait for the first scheduled halt for diagnostics and maintenance. "Only two weeks." He smiled as he ran his fingers along the glossy hull, as smooth as glass and black as deep space, "Just two more weeks and I can find out just how fast and agile a Kressa truly is."
Often he had slipped into the twin seat cockpit and settled into the pilots seat. His first experience had been unnerving as the seat had become molten and wrapped around his body moulding itself to his contours before regaining integrity and creating a comfortable cocoon.
"Impressive." he had thought.
"Thank you Scout Maulik." Kressa had replied making him jump.
"You are programmed to respond?" he questioned cautiously wondering if he was part of a prank set up by the more mischievous members of his crew, after two months in space boredom was starting to set in, now was the time to be prepared for the practical jokers.
"I have a learning processor." replied the Kressa, "I respond and learn Scout Maulik."
"OK," he grinned, "Your first lesson Kressa, drop the Scout, just call me Maulik."
"Confirmed Maulik." came the reply.
"Now Kressa, tell me exactly what you're capable of?"
"Would you like me to upload my tech manuals again... Maulik?" replied the ship.
Maulik burst out laughing, "I've got a talking ship with attitude... Kressa, we're going to get along just fine."
Flipping quickly through the schematics and statistics for Kressa Maulik realised how wrong he had been in his confident assumption that the Watu were technologically backward, "They are far ahead of us," he conceded reluctantly, "But why are their drones so antiquated and easy to shoot down?" the answer struck him suddenly.
"Misinformation... of course." he grinned, "Everyone one overlooks the Watu because we believe they are primitive, they pose no threat so we just ignore them."
"That's actually very clever."
"I'm hap
py you think so." Go'an entered his mind unexpectedly, forcibly, the sensation uncomfortable, and Maulik grasped the edge of his console to steady himself as his head spun and sight blurred.
"Hey... Chancellor, a little advance warning in future please," he signalled back as his vision began to clear, "It's rude to just break in like that."
"Acknowledged," replied the Watu, "In future I will get my secretary to make an appointment."
Maulik ignored the sarcasm and continued, "What can I do for you Chancellor?"
"Nothing at the moment, just think of this as a friendly courtesy call and a gentle reminder that our link is still strong."
"Oh it's strong," he agreed, "Are there any more surprises lurking in the Kressa ship I should know about before I try a test flight?"
Go'an chuckled, "don't concern yourself, the Kressa has been programmed to take your frailties into account, you will come to no harm."
"Very reassuring." replied Maulik but found himself alone, Go'an had gone.
***
"Computer," he asked as he placed his fingers on the glowing console, "Search data banks for all information on the Diurians?"
"Searching." The information lists streaked inside his membranes as the central computer referenced and cross referenced producing a total of three files.
"Computer, is that all?" he queried.
"Search complete." flashed on his screen.
"Folk law and rumours." he sighed as he read the only information available to him about the warrior race he was due to meet in a few short months, "It would have been good to know a little bit about these guys." then he had a thought, "Hey Go'an, you asleep?" he called out testing the promise made.
"What can I do for you?" came an instant reply.
"So not asleep," he grinned, "Can you transfer any data you've got on the Diurians, I fancy a little light bedtime reading and our library isn't that good."
"Kressa has all of the information you need, just ask her."
"Her?" Maulik replied with a laugh, "Giving the ship a designation I can almost understand, but assigning a gender... that's just crazy."
"But of course she has a gender, she is female, can you not differentiate between the sexes?"
"Of course I can, but that is just a machine."
Go'an chuckled, "Go and interface with her Maulik, Kressa will contact me when your link is established."
Shaking his head Maulik hopped onto the grav-lift and descended. He could play Go'an's game for a while, "A female ship." he laughed as he entered Hold 32 and strode up the ramp into the deceptively spacious interior of Kressa.
"OK lady, lets talk." he laughed as he lowered himself into the molten seat and waited a second for it to mould, "If you are female it would explain the attitude." he grinned.
"What attitude are you referring to Maulik?" questioned the ship.
"Forget it." he laughed, "Just a little joke... so how do I interface with you?"
"Place your finger on the blue pad to establish the link."
As Maulik touched the softly glowing pad he felt a surge of nervous energy and emotion with an almost feral quality, he sensed aggression, not aimed at him but pent up like a coiled spring waiting to explode.
"Kressa?" he asked cautiously.
"Yes Maulik, I can hear you, and feel you." The voice almost purred and definitely had a feminine quality, "What is it that you wish to know?"
"What are you?"
"I am Kressa."
"I know that is your designation, but what are you Kressa?"
"I am a hybrid," she replied, "Part mechanical, part organic."
"How is that even possible?" Maulik asked in wonder. He didn't doubt her words, he only marvelled at the technology, "Do you Eat? Breathe? Sleep? Feel?"
"So many questions Maulik." she replied, "I do not eat in the traditional sense, but I process compounds into a fuel that is used to maintain my organic systems, so in a way, yes I eat, we share the atmosphere within my outer skin, so yes I breathe. I have no need for sleep but I do relax my mind when I regenerate. You ask if I feel? That is a very vague question Maulik... Are you asking about the physical sensation or the emotional sensation?"
"Both I guess." answered Maulik as he questioned his sanity, was he really talking to, and listening to a machine?
"I feel no pain, but I do register damage sustained, so no is the answer to the first part of your question."
"And emotionally?" he shook his head, this couldn't be real!
"I sense that you doubt me Maulik." she stated, "I must be a very new experience for such a primitive being as yourself, but I can assure you that I am very real, and very alive... and yes I experience emotions, do you want to know what emotions I feel Maulik?"
Maulik sensed her passion and regretted his earlier doubts.
"I feel loneliness and frustration, yes Maulik, frustration, I was bred for speed, to hunt, to kill my prey, but I find myself locked inside this shell, and this shell is locked inside this ship of yours, and I am lonely Maulik, I am alone, for two months I have had only myself and my thoughts for company."
"I didn't know." he stammered, "If I had known you would not have been alone, I would have talked to you, just as we are now."
"Good, you have finally linked." laughed Go'an as he cut into their conversation, "She is quite a feat of engineering for a Level 7 species isn't she." he chuckled.
"Do you ever tire of making that point, yes, I admit, the Watu are more advanced than us, but you have a lot to learn about compassion, why didn't you tell me Kressa was alive? She is distressed and I could have prevented that if I had known sooner."
"That is your fault," snapped Go'an, "If you had taken the time to read the tech sheets you would have been fully aware of her status and needs."
A feeling of guilt enveloped Maulik as he admitted he had been putting off the study until a later date, "I'm sorry Kressa, he is correct, I should have read your data sheets, can you forgive me?" He sensed a warmth and the strange purring again.
"I think we will work well together," she sighed, "Yes I forgive you Maulik."
"Very touching," added Go'an with a hint of condescension in his voice, "Kressa, display all data on the Diurians for Scout Maulik. Maybe now he appreciates the need to study his mission more thoroughly." And with that last word he severed the connection.
"I really am sorry Kressa... I mean that you have been all alone down here."
"Can you teach me what you know about the Diurians, in a few months we will be meeting them together, it's important we both understand what we are going to face."
"Do you want visual or verbal data." she asked.
"I think verbal will be good." he smiled, "That is if you don't mind reading to me." the soft purring returned and she began to speak.
***
Over the following days Maulik spent most of his time with Kressa, they talked for hours as he learned her moods. His greatest surprise was to find that the ship was deeply emotional.
"Before we linked properly, why didn't you tell me about yourself... I mean your needs and solitude?" He asked one late afternoon.
"My programming did not permit such contact," she admitted, "Although I am partly organic, and as you now know have feelings, until the link was established safety protocols were in place that prevented me from responding beyond simple replies."
"The organic part of you?" he struggled to find the right words to phrase his question, "How much of you is organic, which parts of you? I'm sure I didn't ask that right, but I'm curious."
"My brain Maulik, my brain is all that is required for this ship."
"This ship," she paused, "Me... I exist without my natural body, this ship has become my body... and my prison." she tailed off quietly.
"I feel for you." he replied with honesty, he had been reading up on Kressa's specs, "But if it isn't a difficult subject...?"
Kressa anticipated his question, "My brain was transplanted when I was a cub, my old body died, my new mechanical
body keeps me alive."
"I did read about that, but what I don't understand... is why?"
Kressa chuckled, "Take me outside this ship and you will begin to understand. My mind is faster than any computer, my instincts are sharper than any Watu, or Terrillian," she giggled, "I am a wild and savage creature."
"You should not label yourself as savage," he rebuked her, "You are sensitive."
"Programming." she replied, "While I am at rest and perceive no threat my mind is controlled, I am docile and polite... but send me into action and the protocols are lifted, my true nature emerges... Maulik, I am savage and violent and fearless, and I will warn you now, if we run into danger you will not be able to control me... so don't even try, just rely on me to keep us both safe while I destroy our enemy."
"That sounds reassuring and also a little frightening," he laughed, "Do you have any picture of your natural form?"
The image that was flashed into his mind was both beautiful and awe inspiring. Kressa in her natural state was clearly a predator, her body was lithe and feline, elegant and built for speed with long graceful legs and supple tail for balance. She reminded him of L4 life forms that he had harvested, and the though gave him pause, she was identical to a species that he had witnessed stalking and running down L3 prey, that creature had been a pale blue that blended with its surrounding perfectly, Kressa was vivid red with vertical brown and gold bars that tapered as they travelled down her slender legs.
"You are beautiful." he grinned and felt her deep purring.
"Thank you Maulik, I was once."
"And you still are," he chuckled, "The body you have now is very different, but it is also beautiful. Just three more days." he reassured her, "And then we will take a look outside... and you can show me just how fast and agile you are."
***
"It's called scheduled maintenance for a reason." laughed Relik as his Master considered dropping out of FTL early.
"Yeah, I know." sighed Maulik as he fought the desire to take his new found friend out into open space. He had begun to consider Kressa as a friend, she interacted with him with awareness and a consciousness. She was alive, and despite being mainly mechanical he couldn't remove the image of the sleek red feline with razor claws and teeth, she was a living breathing being, not hardware, and he had the right to develop a friendship with her, despite the looks of dismay he caught from his bridge crew.
"You don't know her the way I do," he had tried to explain to Relik, "She is alive, she is emotional, funny and serious at the same time... oh why am I explaining it to you?" he sighed as he caught the glimmer of pity in the back of his friends mind.