December 1998 Story

[South Medical Center, I13 on First Landing Underground Level]

Kare watches silently over the still Human body that was once Zane. The past events sweep over her in a flash. Her alerting the other team members by chronocom. T'Klkk ordering Urugg to talk Kare through a failed resuscitation. The mad race to the medical center, all to end in what was unavoidable to begin with.

"I'm sorry," mutters the Vrusk physician to all six team members. "There's nothing you could have done."

The silence gives way to Urugg's heaving respiration. He drops his head back and lowers his jaw as if to let out the most heartfelt Yazirian war cry.

But the cry refuses to surface.

His eyes closed, Urugg lowers his head and leaves without a word.

There follows a long, respectful moment of silence.

"We're not through this yet," says Tork at last. "Thousands of innocent people are still trapped in Syte's makeshift prisons."

"Self-T'Klkk shall assist you in the liberation," offers the female Vrusk. "The trapped masses shall be prone to panic and disorientation. We must organize to ensure they are safely returned to their homes. Then we shall set up a centralized station for reporting missing persons."

Tork nods politely. "The police station in the government building would probably work best. We'll need to restock on supplies before we begin, so we'd better hurry."

Syzygy continues to stare at his fallen comrade with a dazed expression. Yet he manages to follow the conversation in the back of his mind. "Kare, Taanik and I need to find a way of shutting down the rest of those robots, in case any more are running around on old orders from Dakka."

"Agreed," says Taanik. "Enough damage has been done today."

[Mel's Bar, Recreation Area, M9 on Underground Level, Two Days Later]

The mood is calm as the six team members share in some long overdue ale and relaxation around a small plastic table in Mel's almost empty pub.

"The funeral services went well today," says T'Klkk solemnly. "Thank you, Teammate-Urugg, for organizing the ceremony and contacting Zane's family back on New Pale."

"They'll be shipping his body home today," says Urugg between mouthfuls of blue foam from his oversized mug. "After this, I'm going to speak to a few people--and make damn sure Streel pays us what we've got coming!"

T'Klkk nods with her antennae. "Likewise, the monument you crafted at the Whisper's crash site, Teammate-Tork, and the plaque you prepared, Teammate-Kare, were both most appropriate, and shall do honor to Teammate-Zane's memory for centuries to come. Today's ceremony provided Self-T'Klkk with a much needed feeling of closure."

Tork overturns another shot glass he has emptied. "One loose end still bothers me. Kare, Urugg and I spent the entire night searching the wreckage of the Spire for Dakka Syte's body. Even with Kare's technical gadgetry and Urugg's environmental scanners, we couldn't find any trace of Human presence--living or dead."

Syzygy twists his mandibles. "How accurate could your readings be with so many metric tons of wreckage to sift through?"

"Not very," admits Kare. "It would take months to know for sure if the bastard's still in there."

"I don't know," interjects Taanik. "I was there when the Spire collapsed, and I don't see how he could have escaped--especially with the fall he took."

Tork lets out a low growl. "I'd still like to know for sure."

There is suddenly a long silence, as if all six of the team members are hit with the same thought.

Tork is first to say it out loud. "So, now that it's all over, what's going to happen with the team?"

"Self-T'Klkk was considering the same issue," says T'Klkk. "Self most strongly encourages that the team stay together. . .circumstances permitting."

Urugg signals the server-bot for another round of drinks and turns back to the table. "I've been thinking of staying here and doing consultant work. Metrosphere needs an environmentalist for its restoration efforts, and I imagine a lot of the residents could benefit from some psycho-social counseling as well. Plus there's the issue of Cimmy. I haven't been able to find her family, and until I do, I was figuring I could offer her shelter in my own home."

"I was looking towards staying as well," says Tork. "Metrosphere's as good a place as any to call home. I at least want to stick around until First Landing is restored. Who knows? I may even look into becoming a permanent resident."

"This all feels so strange to me," says Syzygy. The heavy ale appears to have loosened his mandibles, making him express feelings he would ordinarily never make public. "Everywhere I've been, I've always been the reject of society, someone nobody in their right mind would want to be associated with. This is the first time I've ever felt like I belonged, like I was wanted. I'm not used to these kinds of feelings, but. . .I could give it a try."

"You're staying then!" says Tork with a warm smile and a firm pat on the back.

"What about you, Kare?" asks Urugg.

"I hadn't thought about it," she admits. "The Streel Corporation and I don't have the best history. I guess we'll just have to see what happens."

Taanik sets down ids frothy glass. "Well, I for one figure we've already put a lot of effort into making this a nice place to live. We might as well benefit from it. Put me down as staying!"

T'Klkk raises both hands, her evenly spaced fingers spread to show her resolve. "Then it is settled. If this is where the team stays, Self-T'Klkk stays as well."

Urugg consults his chronocom. "Look at the time! I've got a dinner appointment with Captain Ap-Harrow." He pauses for a moment to look over his five comrades. "This was. . .good. Let's do this again sometime."

Tork gets up from his chair. "Well, what do you say the rest of us catch a trivid film?"

"Teammate-Syzygy and Self shall not be able to attend," says T'Klkk. "We have other arrangements."

"We do?" says Syzygy in honest confusion.

T'Klkk cooly explains. "Observing your hesitance to approach me and request an outing of a personal nature, Self-T'Klkk took the liberty of making the arrangements for you."

T'Klkk sticks her arm out for Syzygy to take.

"Heh heh heh," laughs Tork as he watches the Vrusk couple leave. "I love a story with a happy ending!"

[Kare's Apartment O15 on Underground Level, Later That Evening]

Kare examines the computer terminal before her. With a little more finger dancing on the keyboard, she conjures a progress bar on the screen.

"You hear me, Blackjack?" she says into the computer microphone.

"Loud and clear," replies a deep voice through the terminal's speakers.

"I've patched in remotely through one of the city's subspace radios. You should be receiving an encoded stream as we speak."

The voice chuckles. "What have you brought me this time, love?"

"Oh, schematics, passwords, corporate strategies. . .this place is loaded!"

"Beautiful! Are you going to need a ride out of there?"

"I think I can sit cool for--"

"Ahem!" This third voice comes from behind Kare, causing her to jump just the slightest bit.

"Uh. . .Syzygy. I didn't see you come in." She turns quickly to her computer. "I'll have to get back to you." With this she blackens the screen.

Syzygy looks over Kare's apartment, which seems to be littered with pieces of the armor used by the Lost Point men. A Human male is snoring heavily on a nearby ergonomic couch.

There is a long pause before Syzygy speaks. "I see I'm interrupting something."

"Oh. . .no. Nothing special."

"Where'd you get this armor?"

"I didn't take it, if that's what you mean. I'm just borrowing it for a while."

"I assume it belongs to that man over there." Syzygy nods toward the couch.

"He won't miss it for now. When he wakes up, all he'll remember is that he had a really good time--if you know what I mean."

"I'm afraid I might." Syzygy sighs. "Look, this is none of my business. I'll come back--"

"No." Kare's fingers curl around the Vrusk's chitonous forearm. "While you're here, you know, I'd really be interested in seeing that hacking program you got from the Whisper."

Syzygy's antennae bend very low. "Right, so you can make yourself a copy without my knowledge and give me back the original."

Kare slowly releases her hold on the Vrusk and returns to her computer. The screen lights up with a dozen holograms of various Vrusk women. "I wouldn't be against making a fair trade."

The glowing holograms glimmer upon Syzygy's compound eyes like pixie dust. It's been a long haul, considers the Vrusk. A little relaxation is long overdue.

"You're right," admits Syzygy. "Maybe we could make a trade."

[Taanik's Apartment, I15 on Underground Level]

Taanik's door chime sounds, sending the Dralasite to greet ids visitors.

The door whisks open, revealing two visitors--one Vrusk, one Dralasite.

"Hello, Taanik," says the Dralasite.

Taanik's eyespots expand with slow amazement. "P--Paaglo?"

"It's been a long time, Taanik."

The two ameboids meld together into a heart felt embrace.

"Who is it, Taanik?" asks Urugg from within the apartment.

"Urugg, this is Paaglo, the sibling of my parent. Paaglo took me in when. . .my parent vanished."

Paaglo's pseudopod stretches about Taanik's shoulders with a vote of reassurance.

The Vrusk visitor reaches out a hand to Urugg. "And I'm Paaglo's partner, Kro'khan Zek'et."

Urugg raises a hairy eybrow. "Zek'et. Any relation to--"

"Maxim is my uncle," explains Kro'khan with a polite nod.

"We came as soon as we heard what happened," says Paaglo. "Although it seems you all have handled the situation quite hansomely."

"Thank you," replies Urugg. "Kro'khan, would you mind helping me speak with your uncle? Metrosphere is in a vulnerable state of disrepair. What we need now is a proven leader to stand up and rebuild this outpost from its ashes."

Kro'khan bows his head in agreement. "Knowing my uncle, I don't see how he can refuse."