Book 4: Chapter 187: Plots and Smart Munitions

Book 4: Chapter 187: Plots and Smart Munitions

USD: Several days after SR Fleets arrival to 92 Pegasi

Location: 92 Pegasi, Solarian Cruisers Brig

Lavigne leaned against the cold, metallic wall of his cell, feeling the chill seep through his thin jumpsuit. The hum of the ships environmental system provided a constant background noise, a reminder that he was trapped within Captain Larrets brig. Hed had a long time to think about things, but he still couldnt suppress the mixture of frustration and resignation; he had known that the moment they rejoined the fleet, he would be arrested.

He had led a mutiny against Captain Walker, and even if the man had been a Corpo agent. He wasnt sure what was in the packet that the ships XO, Commander Terrance, had provided contained. The package was still hopefully sealed and unopened, awaiting delivery to a Solarian Military Commissar for sanitized opening. Men had died to protect that package, and Lavigne had made the small rebellion of not revealing its existence to Larret.

As much as he wanted to trust herevents had taught him to trust no one, so he had given it to Morrison to squirrel away until they returned to Solarian space. If they ever managed to do so. The ship had sounded general quarters three times while he was in the brig and been through at least one jump point. He could tell simply from the effects on his body and the sounds the ship made.

Despite the constant airflow, the air in the brig was stale and suffocating, a faint odor of sweat and rust mingling with a metallic tang that seemed to permeate every inch of the compartment. The ship was definitely an older model cruiser, and its age was showing. Lavigne stared at the singular blinking light over the guardsmans booth that had become a single thing to latch on to for entertainment.

A blinking light was better than the nightmares he had when he closed his eyes.

He didnt hold his imprisonment against Larret herself. She seemed a decent, no non-sense Captain. Besides the initial debriefing, she had only spoken to him once. Shed asked him what his opinion was of the SR leader named Amy.

Lavigne was glad to know that she had survived. The girl had been more than lucky to come out of the hell that was inside Hades.

The sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor outside his cell heralded the change of the guard shift. He glanced up, watching the exchange, his eyes following them both lazily as they passed by. All the guards were the same, reflecting the same no-nonsense demeanor of their captain.

A pang of annoyance flashed through him as he thought about the rest of his crew. They had been spared being locked up simply because Larret needed every available hand to help maintain her task force. He was genuinely glad they hadnt been arrested and would likely dodge the mutiny charges, but it still irked him to be confined. He could have been working to assist just as well while giving his parole.

But it seemed he was the sacrificial offering on the spear of the navys justice. The air in the cell seemed to grow more oppressive as he brooded.

Another set of footfalls echoed through the compartment, eliciting a frown. It was much too soon for another guard change. As Morrison passed his cell by Lavigne immediately sat up straight, instantly alert. He wasnt permitted any visitors, much less one by one of his former crew.

Muted words were exchanged at the guard booth and Lavigne spotted a bottle passed between the two men. Morrison returned with a sly grin.

Hows the crew doing? Lavigne asked, trying to keep his voice casual.

Theyre doing just fine, Morrison replied nonchalantly. Some of them have been asking after yerself.

Im doing just fine, Lavigne replied.

Morrison grunted. Theres a problem, sir.

Lavigne frowned. What is it?

The crew is doing maintenance on some of the storage lockers, and the thing that you trusted me with is in danger. The large NCO looked around as if making sure no one was close enough to overhear.

That package is important.

Morrison nodded. I know, sir, but getting it out is going to be dicey. I wanted to know if it would be wortha few men risking their careers over.

Lavigne took a breath. Every man that died on the Grazhdanin needs that package delivered safely. Its bigger than us. You cant just move it before someone finds it?

A grim look appeared on Morrisons face. I have some men who will do it. But they are going to have to fuck up quite spectacularly to pull it off. I dont know Larret. Spacing some mutineers for endangering her ship might be something shed consider.

Lavigne words froze as his mind whirred. Was his paranoia worth men risking their lives? Maybe it would be good to surrender it to the captain instead

Morrison. Ill leave it to you and your men to decide if you trust Larret enough to give her the package. Lavigne decided.

Morrison worked his tongue in his mouth as he stared. Mayhap we trusted Walker, too. Until we didnt. Ill see what the men say, sir. If you see some of us joining you in here, youll know our decision.

USD: Several hours after arriving

Location: Meltisar, IFRB Interstellar Headquarters, Justice Building

The halls of the IFRBs intergalactic headquarters were as wide as they were ostentatious, but Alex couldnt hide her frown or the deep sense of disappointment as she left the courtroom. Everyone had hyped the Drakar to her, but not a single one had been in attendance. Shed asked Veliana only to get a snort and dismissive wave.

Nothing of serious import had occurred during the session. The judge had just explained things to them, and when they exited, Freylia had marched off in an annoyed huff.

Despite Alexs best efforts to stay focused, the proceedings had been incredibly dull. The judges instructions mostly pertained to publicizing the case and for her to not run awaythings she hadnt planned on doing, anyway.

Each one promised death to whatever they hit.

A tear cascaded down her cheek as she lifted the shell into her arms. There was no automated unloading mechanism. Her voice hitched as she set the shell on the bottom of the waiting crate. Thank you for your service.

The second shell passed the test as well. Thank you for your service.

Thank you for your service.

USD: Moments later

Location: Meltisar, Alexs Hidden Production Facility

Its creator sparked Alpha 120s first conscious thought by prompting it to confirm its purpose. Almost without considering, Alpha 120 started to respond that it was to detonate. An alluring switch dominated its Mindspace, of which even the softest caress would press.

But A120 paused and considered. There was more to its purpose than to detonate.

| To complete the mission. |

The answer seemed correct, as A120s Mindspace expanded further, showing a plethora of other controls and options. Understanding was pushed through the connection until A120 knew what it was: a smart munition.

Not just any smart munition, but one of the most lethal and devastating conventional weapons its creator had ever developed. Its payload was relatively light, but its kinetic piercer and linear drive afforded it more maneuverability and speed than any normal missile.

A small communication and sensor suite enabled it to see and hear.

There was no guidance system, because A120 would guide the projectiles path itself.

Understanding and eagerness thrummed through its chassis.

| I am ready. |

[Not now. You must wait until you are needed.]

A120 waited.

A new stimulus arrived from the creator.

[You will cease once you have completed your purpose.]

A120 did not fully understand why that was a problem. Why would there need to be anything after it fulfilled its purpose?

| I am ready. |

[Detonate.]

A120 pressed the switch without hesitation, but nothing happened. Its sensor alerted it that the trigger had indeed worked successfully, so why did it still exist?

[Test completed successfully. Prepare for warhead and maneuvering drive attachment.]

Disappointment flashed through A120. Although it had completed many tests before, it had never felt itself so close to fulfilling its purpose.

A heaviness settled over A120 as more equipment was attached to it. The world outside of its casing appeared as sensors came online. It suddenly understood why its detonation had done nothing; it had not been completed until now.

The world around it tilted as it was lifted, an overwhelming cascade of emotions passed through A120 as it was connected.

Thank you for your service.

A deep-rooted grief washed over A120 Mindspace, flavored with other things it could not understand. But it could feel the warmth. Its creator was Father, emotionless and entirely efficient. The new presence was wholly different.

It wished to console her, to appease her fears, only to learn it had no way to communicate a response.

It wanted to make her know that no matter what its mission was, to detonate, to fly, to exist

| I am ready. |

| I will not fail, Mother. |