Book 4: Chapter 161: Sitrep Establishment, Meltisar

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Book 4: Chapter 161: Sitrep Establishment, Meltisar

USD: 1 day after awakening.

Location: Nu Crateris, Outer System, Gas Giant High Orbit, A3123Y

Amy spent an hour under the hot shower, allowing the water to cascade over her skin in a soothing rhythm. It felt comforting, but as she stepped out and dried off with a towel, something felt off. She turned to look at her body in the wall-length mirror. At first glance, everything appeared normal. Perfect, even.

That was the problem; it was too perfect. Her scar from her appendix removal had vanished. The spot on her side where shed been burned by a coolant pipe was no longer marred with scar tissue. Turning around to view her back in the mirror opposite, she noticed that even her bumblebee tattoo above her left shoulder was missing.

Her shape seemed flawless, but the unmistakable signs that this wasnt truly her body were evident. Or was it? Abbey had recreated it using Amys DNA from an untainted sample taken long before she had ever dived into Hades. As she examined herself further, her HUD overlay provided a reticule that bounced between whatever she focused on, as if searching for more information.

Suddenly, an itch flared on her shoulder, and Amys eyes widened as the bumblebee tattoo reappeared on her skin nanites creating a perfect rendition from her memory. Panic set in briefly as she grabbed clean clothes and hurriedly got dressed before leaving the bathroom.

Amys quarters looked just as she had left them, littered with Abbeys belongings scattered about carelessly. She sighed and instinctively began cleaning up the mess.

A ping sounded in Amys left ear, and suddenly an overlay on her vision forced her to grip onto the sofa for support as dizziness washed over her. Abbeys worried face appeared much too close for comfort until the young NAI scooted back.

Amy! Are you alright? My sensors picked up a rapid spike in your adrenaline umm, twice!

Whats this? Amy asked weakly.Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

Virtual comm? Uhh Oh! OH! Im sorry. I didnt mean to bombard you with that!

The feed abruptly cut off, and the main holovid screen in the living room flickered on, displaying Abbey standing there looking apologetic. Sorry! Sorry! I didnt realize how disorienting that would be for you.

Amy took a deep breath and moved to sit down on the couch, her stomach churning as if shed plummeted from a great height. It wasnt pleasant.

Its a standard way that Heeler and I communicate or when I talk through video comms. You should be able to do it too, but your neural pathways need to adjustespecially when umm. Your MainComputer is still adjusting! It seems it is in distress as well.

Amy felt a tightness in her chest, as if she was being squeezed. So, its having a hard time too? At least were in misery together.

Abbey frowned and scratched her head. Are you sure you want to be alone? I can run over.

I just actually Amy hesitated before admitting, Yes, please come by. Id like that.

Abbey nodded, and the signal cut off. Almost instantly, the door to the quarters opened, and Abbey rushed in. Amy raised an eyebrow in surprise. You were waiting outside?

Without answering, Abbey jumped onto the couch and embraced her tightly. I forgot my lunch The young NAI burrowed into Amys side and snuggled up against her. Im sorry if you arent happy, but it was the only thing I could do.

Amy looked down at Abbey and gently stroked her hair. I Ill get used to it. Its better than being dead anyway I just feel really strange.

Suddenly, Abbey sat up with wide-eyed excitement.

Amy blinked in confusion. What?

I know whats wrong! You need cake! Abbey leaped off the couch and dashed over to the fridge, pulling out a half-eaten chilled chocolate fudge cake. I will share!

Suppressing laughter, Amy replied softly, Okay. Chocolate does sound good.

As the evening progressed, they enjoyed holovids, hugs, and food that eventually lead to a sleepover.

The next morning, Amy woke up with Abbey snuggled beside herarms wrapped around her middle. It wasnt their first sleepover together; however, it was indeed the first time Amy had ever heard Abbey snoring.

A sudden fear gripped her heart as she thought about A31 potentially flying through space without anyone watching their course. Momentary panic washed over her, but she quickly pushed the worry aside, deciding to focus on the present moment with her dear friend.

Her HUD opened and highlighted Abbey before a box appeared with text displaying a different username: A3123Y.

All systems nominal, no new status notices to report, AM33-Y, the message read.

Amys heart leapt as she processed the information. Even if Abbey was asleep, her MainComputer was awake. Amy wondered if it was the same for her. Her MainComputer had never spoken to her or communicated in any noticeable way, but she suddenly desperately wanted it to.

Text overlaid itself in the middle of her vision.

|This unit listens. |

We believe theyre some type of bio-weapon that infected the battlemoon to destroy the race that controlled it, Daniel explained.

A bioweapon like the Rexxor? Amy inquired, her brow furrowing.

Heeler growled with a touch of indignation. We are bred for war. These Hive-things are bred to repurpose and exterminate organic life.

The room fell silent as the implications sank in.

Amy frowned and rubbed her forehead, feeling overwhelmed. At worst, we could abandon the system?

Daniel shook his head solemnly. We cant know if they wont evolve FTL travel or repurpose it from what theyve seen. They did mangle Heavens Fire, and weve seen them repurpose our designs with organic versions of their own.

Heelers growls softened somewhat. The humans of the Dedia Nest would be easy to move, but relocating the nest itself would require massive effort. And my Queen wouldnt wish to abandon our world either.

Amy blinked; she had forgotten Szizsielia. I guess she wouldnt want to give up the Rexxors home world.

Ahh about that, Logan interjected quietly. We found Rexxor remains inside Hades.

A sense of overwhelm flooded Amy, and she leaned back in her seat. Im so out of the loop on everything now.

Heelers tone was gentler now. I believe the Rexxor were delivered to Dedia by the race that operated this battlemoon. At some point, it was contaminated by these Hive creatures, and they were forced to entomb themselves inside the D-field.

But why use a decaying orbit if it wouldnt deal with the Hive? Amy asked, her curiosity piqued.

The others exchanged glances before Daniel spoke. We dont know. It might have been done by the ones who invaded with the hive in the first place.

Amys eyes widened in realization. Like a burning candle wick? A delayed release? But why?

Logan sighed, his voice tinged with frustration. We just dont have as many answers as questions, still.

Abbey cleared her throat, drawing the groups attention. We have other matters besides the Hive to address as well. The Corpos attempted another raid on the Solarian Squadron.

Amy glanced around the room and realized that the Solarians were gone. Did Lavigne and the others leave?

Abbey nodded, her expression somber. Lavigne took the Hot Rescue and joined the Solarian Squadron, but communication with him and his crew has been cut off since then.

Daniel grunted, his voice filled with disdain. They probably threw them in the brig.

Abbey frowned at Daniel, then turned back to Amy. The Solarian task force is led by Captain Larret, who commands the SNS Feruna battlecruiser. She has six escort cruisers and a dozen destroyers under her command. As Amy raised her hand, the main screen displayed an overview of the Solarian Squadron Composition.

The Corporate Systems task force is commanded by Commodore Harris, Abbey continued. She has four battleships and a dozen escort cruisers. She paused for emphasis before adding, Harris has been very vocal about our assistance to the Solarians.

Amy looked between images of both fleets on the monitors. Weve been helping them?

Daniel spoke up, his tone matter-of-fact. Weve been providing supplies to both sides.

Confusion washed over Amys face as she blinked in disbelief. But why?

Heeler growled angrily, causing a crackling sound to erupt through the meeting room speakers before slapping something unseen in frustration. Grr! Yes! Why? These interlopers should have been wiped away; they have violated our space for too long!

Abbey regarded Heeler with a stern frown as he quieted down, his tentacles settling into place once more. Amy noticed their interaction and realized they were privately communicating.

Clearing her throat, Abbey addressed Amy. Weve been unsure of how to proceed with them. Two votes favor wiping them out, and two votes support maintaining the status quo for now. Now that youre awake, as a manager, you have a vote too.

Making her the tiebreaker. Amy swallowed as the implications set in. She frowned as she contemplated the situation. What about Ackman Station? The Corpos have control of 92 Pegasi, right?

Daniel nodded in confirmation. In exchange for supplies and fuel, the Corpos have been relaying messages between us and Portmaster Whitely. As far as we can tell, theyve left Ackman Station alone, and they havent discovered the antimatter collectors near the sun.

Can we trust their mail service? Amy asked cautiously.

Abbey reassured her with a nod. I can mostly confirm that the messages havent been tampered with. Theyd need a PSI present to pull off such a deception.

Amy exhaled slowly, processing the information. The room was tense as everyone awaited her decision. The soft hum of electronics and muted glow of displays cast an ambient atmosphere over the meeting.

Alright, she said at last, determination etched on her face. I need to know more before making any final decisions on what we do but I think its crucial that we retake 92 Pegasi.