They had done well for themselves. They were somewhat backwards on technology, but we quickly enhanced their technological development.
We kept our origins a sacred secret, lest what happen on Earth, happen again.
The Immortals procreated like any normal society, and all of us had clones to transfer too when or if it was required. We built our new society, and we led them to greatness. But the haunting question remained.
What does one do with forever?
The hatch chimed. Aaron flicked off the handheld and instructed the computer to unlock it.
Max stepped through. He was holding his medical scanner.
Why does he have his scanner?
Aaron narrowed his eyes. “Another check? Anyone would believe I’ve contracted a rare contagion that poses imminent danger to the ship.”
Max barely smiled with a half nod. Unusual creases below his eyes betrayed an underlying tension. Max was a twenty-fifth century Mr. Rogers, despite his front to appear otherwise.
“What’s with you, Max? Don’t try that old ‘you don’t like being on space ships’ line with me. Because you know I know better.”
Aaron knew Max’s true fear was never wanting to give up the adventure once it began, but knowing he had to.
They all had to one day.
Their will would long outlive their body’s ability for duty. That’s the main reason Max was so angry with him when he snatched him off Midea Prime and dragged him on the Border Worlds mission. He’d finally left starship duty behind and Aaron roped him back in.
Max waved him off with a hand. “I’m still a bit out of it. The past few months weren’t easy. I’m still catching up on sleep. Let me check you over.”
Max ran the scanner around Aaron’s temples. Aaron thought it strange he didn’t check the rest of him. He shrugged it off.
“Should I retrieve a bio-suit now to protect the rest of the crew from this contagion?”
Again Max half smiled. “It’s a joke from where you are, put yourself in my shoes caring for you daily these past months.” Max checked the instrument. “Everything reads fine.”
“I am eternally grateful, Max. You know I am. But it’s like you expect something to change.”
“Aaron, you suffered horrific damage to your brain . . . I just want to ensure everything’s fully right with it. Remember the treatment was experimental.”
“Are you saying I’m going to croak soon? Or suddenly die in six months? Has my life span shortened? Will I go insane? Will I begin to lose cognitive functions or some other horrible side effect?”
Max laughed. Finally starting to come out his shell.
“Nothing like that,” he said. “Not even close. I just want to be sure everything is fully . . . repaired and that no residual effects remain which might cause any of those complications you mentioned. By closely monitoring you, I can detect any warning signs early before anything worse develops. It’s all preventative.” Max grew thoughtful. “You should really still be back at HQ in our hospital ward.”
“Honestly, Max, I’ve never felt better. I’m this close to recommending everyone take a shot from a pulse rifle. You get to perfect your treatment, and we wake up feeling more alive than we’ve ever felt. Besides, if my hands and feet fall off you can give me some hardware like Lee.”
“You think bionics are plug and play? Been reading too much old fiction. I’m sure people hundreds of years ago thought we’d just have spare body parts lying around. The body doesn’t work that way. Ninety-five percent of bionics are rejected. Only major breakthroughs recently by yours truly have lowered the rejection rate.”
Aaron changed the subject. “What are the rest doing?”
“Lee and Flaps are with the marines in the cargo bay. They’re playing with all those new toys you brought aboard. Scramble thingies and pulse guns, jump packs, body armor. Most of it the marines brought with them.” He paused as if remembering something. “Oh, Flaps is working on the ships plaque. He says it’s tradition.”
“I see . . . like one happy family then.”
“Quite.”
“And Garrett and his?”
“Garrett hasn’t been seen since he began crawling all over the engines and reactors. If the thing wasn’t shielded, I’m certain he would have disassembled it by now. He was one of the engineers on this new fancy ship of yours. Yet, you would think he’s now seeing it for the first time.”
“Well I imagine it’s like a loving wife. Just because you’ve known her for years, doesn’t mean you love her any less, does it?”
Max threw his head back and laughed. “Even if I didn’t know you, it would be obvious to a stranger you’ve never been married.” He chuckled again and composed himself. “I suppose you’re going to tell me Phoenix is now your wife.”
“Let’s just say I’ve proposed. I’m waiting on her answer. We’ve had one wild date so far.”
“And how, or when, will you know the answer?”
“When she brings me safely back in to port.”
Max winked. “In to port, eh?”
Finally, the doctor unwound and his belly laugh filled the quarters. All was well with the universe.
He’d made Doctor Max Tanner laugh again.
Chapter 14 – Resist
“I still maintain your simple minds could never comprehend our goals” – Ben James
Ben James was creepy. He was also a mystery. And his being here now, deepened that mystery.
He had wide staring black eyes, and a fixed evil half-grin. His dark hair was slicked back. Everything about the man reminded Avery of a snake.
The deadly venomous kind.
“How fitting that Aaron Rayne’s loyal servant is here. You look confused.”
Avery smirked. “Your little conspiracy is a fading memory. We and the Baridian Empire have grown closer than we ever thought possible.”
“Yes an unfortunate outcome. No matter—that was but one battle lost in a war.”
War?
“What war?” Avery asked.
“I still maintain your simple minds could never comprehend our goals. One positive is you and yours still believe it was all about you. About forcing a war between the two largest human enclaves. You are narrow-minded people. You think small—always did.”
“You talk as though you’re not one of us.”
Ben James looked deeply disturbed, as though he was truly offended. His snake eyes narrowed.
“We are not. Your ancestors changed all of that.” He paused. “No Avery, our goals are far more sinister than your cultured brain can imagine.
“I will only admit however, that like an animal can outsmart a hunter from time to time, you did surprise us. That damn ship of yours. First, your undetected arrival at the Border Worlds, your continued presence, and then turning the tide of the battle at Atlas Prime. And your captain . . . Aaron Rayne. There are quite a few of my associates who’d like to see him vanish. Others want to make him suffer for our setback. Those are the crazies, the ones you should really be afraid of Avery.
“You’re alive, and your crew is alive because we wish something from you. As long as you give it, you will live. Your futures are short, anyhow. But we will return you to the other side of the wormhole.”
Avery said nothing.
“Not even curious what we want? I’ll tell you.”
“The other ship . . . Phoenix you call it. Built with a smattering of exotic materials. We’ve seen the same in your vessel in orbit, which we intend to reverse engineer. It might take years but it will be done.”
The evil half-grin returned. “The technology isn’t important. What drives it is. The exotic matter and refinement used to power your new technologies, boost your sub-light drives to unparalleled and unmatched acceleration . . . and your missiles.”