“Yeah, insane cult of fanatics from Radiance, right?” said Test.
The director nodded. “Captain Vaughan was a US marine that participated in destroying the Hashmedai command ship, in her report she claimed that a member of the cult was working with the Hashmedai commander who was in charge of the invasion.”
“Of course, our intelligence operations have been limited to the Solar system,” said the agent. “So, we haven’t been able to learn a lot about Hashmedai working with the Celestial Order, or if it’s even true to start with. But what we do know is that the HLF is growing in strength. And that two people recently recruited to join the crew of the Carl Sagan happened to be living in Red Zones.” The hologram changed into ID portraits of Dr. Travis Pierce and Jasmine Rivera, two persons of interests in EISS. The agent continued. “If the Celestial Order has Hashmedai members that were part of the invasion, then there’s a good chance some of those members might also be part of either the HLF or the Hashmedai community living on Earth.”
Test closely examined the hologram and the biography of the two newly recruited crew members. If EISS theory was correct, then the Carl Sagan could be hand-delivering deadly cultists into the Sirius system, only to meet up with a ship that may be under the influence of Celestial Order members, bad news to the colonists. Even if they were wrong, the Carl Sagan may be carrying personnel who might have HLF links though nothing was 100 percent confirmed, after all living in a Red Zone didn’t make you a terrorist per se. But, if one were to be affiliated with them, then they would have come from those regions, no questions asked. HLF members were primary concerned with defending Hashmedai communities worldwide. Green Zones such as Geneva were devoid of Hashmedai.
“I see where you’re going with this,” Test said as he looked away from the holograms.
“And that’s where you come in, I need you on that ship,” the director said to him. “If you’re up to the task.”
3 CHEVALLIER
ESV Wilfrid Laurier, Captain’s mess
Earth orbit, Sol system
March 5, 2033, 18:02 SST (Sol Standard Time)
Mathilda Chevallier sat at a circular dinner table located in the captain’s mess. She became lost in thought as she looked out the window and took in the majestic sight of Earth in the background and multiple ships in orbit around it. Some ships were human-built, the rest were alien; part of the Radiance fleet that stood watch over Earth, protecting it from future imperial attacks while the young human fleet grew stronger in numbers.
The Wilfrid Laurier was one of six warships built to serve in the growing UNE navy. Using technology provided by Radiance and reverse engineered from downed Hashmedai ships, the UNE quickly adapted the technology from the two sources while enhancing it with human ingenuity. Rotating habitat rings located at the rear of the ship generated artificial gravity, and housed crew quarters, and the mess hall amongst other things. The rest of the ship was subject to the weightlessness of space, while the bridge had gravity, generated by a Radiance psionic with their psychic powers.
Mathilda barely touched her meal of savory pork chops with roasted fennel. Her mother and Captain of the Wilfrid Laurier, Agatha Chevallier, sat with her alongside the XO Commander Martin Xavier. Mathilda had green eyes, short auburn hair, dyed of course, as her mother’s hair was black and slowly fading into grey. Xavier’s hair and beard were in the process of making the grey transition as well. Agatha and Xavier spent most of the evening talking as per usual; they meshed well together given their backgrounds.
Xavier was a young officer in the Royal Navy during the war, while Agatha was an officer in France’s navy. Both fought the Hashmedai the best they could, given the limitations they were faced with at the time, and then fought for survival when their ships sank. Today the two were among the most talked-about, high ranking officers in the UNE navy, navy personnel from the old world that made the transition to space. A shining example of lucrative career opportunities that awaited those who enlisted.
“That was a mighty fine meal,” Xavier said after wiping his mouth clean with a towel.
“I was lucky to personally know the Chef prior to being assigned this position,” Agatha said then turned to face her daughter. “Mathilda what do you think?”
Mathilda looked down at her half-eaten pork chop. She quickly bit into it and projected the fake sense that she enjoyed it. In reality of course it had long gone cold, and it was the source of her misery. Dining with her mother and XO wasn’t part of her agenda; drinking and partying were.
“It’s OK,” Mathilda said.
“Hopefully you will be able to feast on meals this good in Sirius,” said Agatha.
Xavier looked out the same window that held Mathilda’s attention not long ago. He cocked his index finger toward the Carl Sagan as it appeared over the horizon. “That’s it over there, right?”
Agatha and Xavier got up from their seats and stood in front of the window to stare at the newest exploration ship. It looked different to the warships: two habitat rings, a smaller bridge, fewer weapon ports, and no nuclear missile launchers or fighter bays. It was a design Mathilda didn’t agree with. Should a ship like that come across the empire in deep space, they were finished. She often wondered how a ship would defend itself with only forward rail guns and two plasma missile launchers.
“That’s it, fresh out of dock,” Agatha said.
Mathilda remained sitting at the table in front of her half-eaten meal, uninterested in looking at the Carl Sagan. She had viewed enough of its designs with her data pad. “Guess I should get my things,” Mathilda said.
“We still got time before the launch,” Xavier said to her.
“Xavier’s right, and knowing the fleet, its launch will be delayed for another day,” said Agatha.
Mathilda stood up and slowly headed for the exit. “Is that what you know or is it wishful thinking?” she added.
“You’re my only child, the longer they delay this, the longer I’ll be able to see you.”
She stood before the sliding doors, grinned, then faced her mother. “I’ll be back one day.”
“In what? Thirty-five years minimum? Do you really think I’ll be around by then?”
“People are living longer lives thanks to Radiance medical tech.”
“Only by a margin, and should the empire return to finish what they started—”
The intercom beeped as a bridge officer announced. “Captain Chevallier to the bridge.”
Agatha sighed. “Oh, what is it now,” she said, then addressed her XO. “Xavier?”
“I’ll handle it, ma’am.” Xavier stepped away from the window and exited the captain’s mess. He stopped briefly and spun around facing Mathilda and offered a handshake. “By the way Mathilda, congratulations on the promotion, Master Chief Petty Officer.”
Mathilda looked back and saw her mother had remained at the window, looking off into space, as Xavier left. She figured her mother would be doing a lot alone once Mathilda departed for Sirius and goes to sleep for seventeen years. She joined her at the window. Two pairs of stunning green eyes gazed at the star filled void.
“I didn’t want you to go at first, truth be told,” Agatha said in French. “But our family line is going strong here on Earth all things considered. But out and beyond? It’s nonexistent.”
“I have no plans on having kids,” Mathilda replied in French.
“I said the same thing when I met your father. With that said, make sure your children take your name.”