Part 2

Alana relaxed for a few moments as the computer in the background happily completed its assigned task. Her eyes wandered to the rigid form of the corporal who basically was her bodyguard. Arkan’s brief synopsis of her life had given Alana an insight into the RADICAL programme and with it, a little more understanding than she had. Up until then her knowledge had been similar to a small star swallowed up in a black hole. Although the project had been in the world’s eyes for three decades the actual details were sketchy to the general public. It was a pity really because that’s how the prejudice and the resentment started... maybe that’s what some fractions wanted , who knew.“Arkan, may I ask you a question about the major?”Arkan turned to face the woman who was seated in what appeared to be an uncomfortable position. Surely her legs must be aching; she knew hers would be and she had superior muscle toning. “Go ahead.”Alana gazed wide-eyed at the soldier, am I actually gossiping with a RADICAL? Wait till I tell them that back at base, if anyone believes me that is. They probably would say I’m hallucinating or something along those lines. “Do you think the major has a social life?”

A surprised expression crossed the corporal’s face before she replied. “Yes, I’m sure she does. We are not robots Professor no matter what your kind think.”

Alana felt embarrassed as she switched her gaze from the blank features of the soldier to the computer and elapsed time. “I’m sorry Arkan, I didn’t mean it that way. I guess…what I was wondering was if she was involved…romantically that is...” Alana trailed off. What am I doing? What if the major finds out Iam asking these types of questions about her personal life. She would probably pummel me into tomorrow and that isn’t what I want at all quite the opposite in fact . Why it mattered so much to her she didn’t know.”

“The military personnel in the programme do not have romantic attachments Professor. Few live long enough to enjoy the pleasure the relationship might offer.”

The simple explanation made Alana gasp, how unfair was that!

Before she could ask anymore the computer began its final reboot sequence and announced it was about to restart. Crawling back into the opening in the corridor Alana watched the final process holding her breath as the computer reopened for business…thank god for small mercies!

~ ~ ~

Willard entered the engine room immediately noticing the light in the chief engineer’s office. As he approached, Tranter looked up and gave him a questioning look although no words passed between them, only eye contact.

“What do you want Willard?” Lake barked at the man gruffly.

“I have a message from the captain, there may be a problem.”

Rolling his eyes, Lake shook his head in annoyance, “What now…nope don’t tell me that advanced crock-pot you call a computer won’t reboot...always knew it wasn’t a patch on the astral series.”

“No Chief, we have an object moving towards us faster than we can out- manoeuvre it if we had the capability. The captain would appreciate the major’s input.”

“You say what?” Lake shot out of the office so he could manually open the portal cover that allowed him a view of the vastness of space.

Tranter had listened to the brief explanation from the technician prior to his arrival, her mind already working on who or what it could be. Telepathy might not be her strong point; Willard had a superior ability in that field. Fortunately for them, it could prove decisive if her dark thoughts turned to fruition.

“God-damn the captain is right and by the looks of her hindquarters I’d say she’s an Anvil series.” The chief loudly bellowed as Tranter walked up silently behind him placing a hand on his shoulder to move him out of the way to view the intruder first hand.

Turning to Willard, they locked gazes again and the technician left in a hurry without speaking.

“Hey what’s with Willard, he left here like a bat out of hell. Does he know something we don’t?” He stared at the ramrod back of the soldier who hadn’t turned to face him or appear to have heard his question.

Swivelling suddenly, Tranter faced Lake . A small smile tugged at her lips, at least he thought it was a smile, could have been a sneer though. “ Lake , I need you to do something for me.”

“Sure, name it.” In the prior minutes while pouring over the schematics Lake had changed his opinion of the major who had been deadly serious about her suspicions. Her knowledge of Myrtle was almost as comprehensive as his was. The nickname he gave the vessel hadn't made any impression except for a brief puzzled frown. Still, she knew his baby and that was good enough for him.

“I need you to consider where, if you were a stowaway on this ship, you would hide without detection. When you have options I’ll assign Arkan to you and perhaps you’d like to find whoever has invaded the …Myrtle.” Tranter’s words were clipped and precise playing along with his sentimentality regarding the ship. Normals appeared to be nourished remarkably, when it happened .

Puffing out his chest like an impressive cockerel Lake smiled; darn tooting he was all for a piece of adventure and no one knew Myrtle like he did. “I’ll do that with great pleasure Major. What are you going to do?”

“I have intruders to repel Lake , call me when you are ready.”

Tranter left the chief engineer as quickly as she had appeared earlier. She seemed to him a kind of an elusive phantom; probably exactly what was required right now. As he peered at the plans pulsing on the screen in his office, the main computer announced it was fully functioning, all systems green.

~ ~ ~

General Horatio T. McAndrew, waiting for their answer to his proposal, pierced all the people at the conference table with a questioning gaze. From where he sat, there were no dissenters...just as well really, because he’d already taken the appropriate action. Glancing down at his gold band watch, a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary gift from his wife, the deed was already in action.

“Do I have your approval?”

One of the two men in suits, as opposed to the mass of uniforms, stood up and cleared his throat ready to speak. “I’m speaking for us all General McAndrew. We accept that this is the only way and approve you taking over Anvil Four and the weapons aboard until we can arrange a more appropriate government.”

A tight smile followed the answer as the general stood up and faced the ten bodies around the table, “You won’t regret this and to give you peace of mind the task is already underway. I expect to hear from my people in …oh I’d say an hour, to inform me they have control. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to retrieve a member of one of my units from Anvil Four before the final phase. Wouldn’t do to have too many outside this room know what we are doing would it?”

Several nods of heads and a murmur of agreement followed his comments as they filed out of the room, speaking in hushed nervous tones with each other as they departed.

The general looked at the plan of action strewn over the conference table as he gathered up the sensitive data. Soon now, very soon, he would hold all the aces in the pack and it wouldn’t be any new government in charge, no sir, HE WOULD!

~ ~ ~

Jim Fever and Sam sat together looking more like conspirators than the people who had been having a secret meeting in his office above them. What they heard had shocked and disturbed them to the core.

Gulping quickly, Sam switched his attention to the director of operations, “Did he really imply he’s taking over Anvil Four? I thought that there were special defence grids and weapons onboard to prevent that type of action taking place.”

Jim Fever flicked a stray hair out of his eyes as he too considered with incredulity the situation. Sam was right there was a laser defence net that stopped any object even an earth craft from being within a mile of the Station. No one but the World Governing Assembly had the authority to override the prime directive of the computer onboard. That failsafe had been programmed into the ship when it left Earth. “There is Sam, but if someone in the Assembly has been compromised the codes could have been stolen.”

Sam reflected on that for a few moments then shook his wavy hair like a shaggy dog. “Nope not possible, each member of the assembly has their own unique code and all have to be entered into the computer in a pre-sequenced order or it doesn’t work. No way can everyone be compromised in the Assembly...didn’t you hear what he said? They wanted to overthrow the current government.”

“I heard Sam, I heard. What I’m concerned about at this moment is Al...we need to get her out of there now! Can you try contacting her again? She needs to be back at base within the next hour I’d say or she might never get back…alive.” Jim Fever paced the room and felt that someone was watching him with evil intent. His eyes naturally strayed up to the glass front of his office and a cold granite gaze caught his briefly. Did the general know that they knew, no way, he couldn’t have known about Sam’s spy-bot, he couldn’t.

Sam agreed and hoped that this attempt would be successful as all the others having failed. “The computer should be online by now I’m sure we will contact her this time.”

Jim Fever made the most unusual decision of his life as he picked up his jacket and walked towards the airlift to his office. “I’ll return soon Sam. Tell Al whatever it takes to have her back here...even if you have to make something up...like I’m dead or something.”

“Where are you going Director?” Sam switched his attention to the man about to leave the room; the tone of his voice had an unusual aspect to it.

Flicking the young man a brief reassuring smile he spoke,” into the Ogre’s den Sam. Fetch Al back safe for me, I’ll return soon.”

Before Sam could warn him to be careful, the airlift had taken the director out of sight.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Sam concentrated on the task ahead to bring the professor home…

~ ~ ~

“Captain Erille, any idea of who is the commander of Anvil Two?” Tranter stared coldly at the looming spacecraft that was now able to send a party onboard if that was its mission.

For a few moments, Sorrel Erille pondered that question. How she had forgotten amazed her, after all the guy would have killed her given the opportunity when he knew he hadn’t gained the coveted post of Anvil Four. It was after all, the most prestigious and important vessel of the Anvil space stations. “Punch, that is Captain Cransky, I believe he’s one of yours.”

Denise Tranter assimilated the information, however wasn’t familiar with the soldier. He must be from another continental base. “I don’t know him; do you know why he would be here at this position and at this time? Rather convenient wouldn’t you say especially with the computer down.”

“Are you implying that I informed him of our problems?”

Tranter’s glacial eyes captured the captain’s, “I never imply Captain. If it wasn’t you then who could it be?”

Erille wanted to scream at the cold bitch that appeared to think that she was embroiled in some kind of sabotage of her own vessel. How far from the truth could someone be? “If you concentrate on finding out whose responsible for the death of your subordinate perhaps we might have the answer.”

Tranter’s gaze shifted as she watched Anvil Two maneuver. manoeuvre. “What do you make of that position?”

Stephens swivelled in his chair to face his captain and the major, his eyes disturbed and shocked at the current situation. “Captain if you don’t mind my interrupting…”

“Go ahead Stephens.” Erille switched her concentration to the navigator.

“They’ve managed to traverse the security laser net when the computer was down but we now have all functions at green. Shouldn’t we contact them it’s a dangerous position to be in?”

Erille felt embarrassed and ashamed of herself. She didn’t need her second to advise her of her job, although at this time apparently she did. Her focus had been taken up by the major who had antagonised her. “Open the secure channel Stephens; let’s hear what Cransky has to say for himself, video and audio please.”

The navigator attempted to communicate with their sister vessel, as Tranter located an internal communication port. Quickly she contacted Arkan with a swift revision of the corporal’s orders. Her new task was to accompany the professor to the bridge and then report to Lake ...there was a special task for her when she saw the chief engineer.

“This is Captain Sorrel Erille of Anvil Four, why have you breached our security net Anvil Two?” Her voice was filled with authoritarian outrage. Interestingly enough, something Major Tranter approved of immediately. It wouldn’t do to let the enemy see you were in shock.

Static filled the room as the channel, opened to full capacity, crackled ominously silent of words.

“Answer me Cransky, what the hell are you doing in my space?”

Still no reply, another nail in the coffin for whoever was onboard Anvil Two if they wanted to make anyone think this was merely a navigational error.

Erille turned to the soldier who was silently waiting for a response. “Do you want to try? After all, he is one of yours.” Her sarcastic rejoinder amused Tranter for a split second before she answered unequivocally.

“No.”

The single negative word response astounded Erille who stood up from her chair. “No? What kind of answer is that for god’s sake?”

“The only one worthy of this situation. If you activate the net what happens to Anvil Two?”

The precise intonation left Erille in no doubt that the major saw Anvil Two as the enemy. Couldn’t it be? It was part of the Civil World Defence Fleet, albeit it was not carrying any of the weapons of mass destruction, they had those, or at least the vast majority. One and Three had the older weapons of the last century, not as destructive but nasty nonetheless. Two was the communication and security grid safeguard, effectively the router in space for the other three space stations.

“I asked you a simple question Captain Erille or was that never an option firing on your own people?”

The door opened onto the bridge as Erille licked her dry lips before answering. Her eyes took in the arrival of a stranger, though one the major obviously knew. Therefore, by simple deduction it must be the replacement for the murdered private. Thank goodness, her mind was still functioning, although to the major she was making a fool of herself and she had to wonder why. She’d been trained for enemy intervention just not this exact scenario.

“If it was any vessel but Two, I’d say we had the capability to obliterate them.”

Alana Cameron heard the tail end of what appeared to be a critical situation as her eyes scanned in amazement at the deck of the space ship. It was her first trip in space, anywhere really outside her base of operations as normally her life was stuck behind a desk, without her artificial legs. Then her eyes locked on the viewing panel showing the vastness of space. Though it wasn’t that vast for there was a damn space ship close to them. Is that normal? Her gaze shifted immediately to Major Tranter, hoping to hear something less aggressive than obliterating someone or something. Listening intently to the reply, she placed a hand over her mouth to prevent an audible gasp at the next words.

“I think we should obliterate them before they try anything untoward to this vessel.” The clipped words appeared to echo around the enclosed bridge.

“Not so easy Major, Two is…was our safeguard. She can eliminate any threat to herself and any of the other Anvil Stations, by entering a special pass code from Earth.”

“I thought you might say that. Okay we need to gain time any suggestions...it is your vessel Captain after all?” As Anvil Two was here in this part of space taking up an aggressive stance, in Tranter’s mind at least, there was no doubting they also had a pass-code from Earth. The next question was who had leaked the pass-code and why. Though taking over Anvil Four was a safe bet in gaining superiority over the Earth and that opened up a whole kettle of fish. If they took over command of Earth she was technically bound to serve the new leader, an interesting situation.

“ Lake , he could destabilize the hatches to prevent entry…that is unless they can do what you did and arrive unannounced?” Erille replied sarcastically pondering other avenues to prevent invasion of her ship. It had been bad enough when Tranter and his people appeared. Although she had to admit, the technology that brought them to the station was a marvellous prospect for the future…in the right hands.

Alana entered the conversation at that moment. “No, no they can’t at least I’m not aware that anyone else has the technology.”

Erille turned to the woman who jumped into the conversation before the major was able to answer. That was some risk taking if the few hours she’d already spent in the major’s company was anything to go by. The soldier wouldn’t like that one little bit.

“Are you sure Professor?” Denise Tranter found that being usurped by the professor had stung a little. However, she had been the prime candidate to field that particular question therefore, she allowed her pride to accept the situation for the time being.

Alana shifted her gaze away from the space station in close proximity to them and returned the major’s measured gaze. “I’m sure, or as sure as I can be. However, let’s face it the military always has several agendas so who’s to know. Perhaps when I was sleeping they copied everything I’ve done and gave it away to the highest bidder.”

Sorrel smiled a feisty character in sheep’s clothing it would appear. She didn’t sound like a RADICAL and if she wasn’t how the hell had they hooked up together? It was like chalk and cheese. “I take it you’re not military?”

“Sorry Captain, no, I’m Professor Cameron, Alana Cameron, and the TEMPEST programme is my project.”

“Tempest?”

All eyes appeared to be levelled at Al as she spoke quickly, “Yeah, it was my father’s pet name for the project, and it stuck with me. The military have their own name for the work, Equinox. And then, there are the people at the base who call it ….”

“We haven’t time for small talk, Professor I want you to return to base and inform the general personally of our predicament.” Holding up her hand as Alana tried to interrupt, “I don’t trust the transmissions from here, we haven’t found the person who killed Stark and until we do we have to assume everything is compromised.”

Disappointed, although understanding the direction she was being told to take Alana nodded her head. “Anything else?”

For a brief moment, her eyes caught Tranter’s and she was certain there was something…an indecipherable message being sent to her. Fat chance of the soldier ever actually saying what it was though.

“Yes, will you take this to Sergeant Lewis at RADICAL base and only him mind you, no one else, that’s paramount! He’ll know what to do.” Tranter slipped a disc out of her pocket and handed it to Alana.

“Okay, anything else?” A part of Alana wanted Tranter to say come back although she knew that was only wishful thinking. What else could she do to help anyway? She wasn’t a soldier and right now, that’s what was needed if the strained atmosphere inside this craft was anything to go by.

Denise gazed at the woman. It was odd really, she felt an attachment to the professor that she had only ever felt with her own people and not that many of those. You could count on one hand the number of people she was comfortable enough with to let her steel guard down. A part of her actually found the professor quite…different. She felt at ease when the woman was nearby even though she did say some strange things. “Nothing more professor .”

Alana bent her head fractionally as her hair covered her face, thankfully preventing anyone from seeing her disappointment. Except she hadn’t been quick enough for Captain Erille had noted the raised awareness between the major and the professor… Hmm maybe something was going on with those two, that would be a first for a military RAD, and especially that one, by all accounts Tranter was the mold they made the rest from.

“I’ll return to the coordinates for transfer.”

Tranter gave the professor a slow smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes but who cared it was close enough, “I’ll escort you to the coordinates Professor. Captain, have Lake make the changes you described earlier and anything else that might help. Will you also have Doctor Fulton meet me in the galley?”

Without another word or before Erille could utter one the two women had departed. Why on earth did she need Mack Fulton in the Galley?

~ ~ ~

Walking silently down what appeared to Alana the longest corridor she had ever circumnavigated in her life, a sense of rightness assailed her as she walked side by side with the major. It was true she wasn’t prone to flights of fancy, however right at this moment she suspected she was in a dreamscape and didn’t want to wake up any time soon. They neared the point of initial entry, which was a coordinate that would be easy for Sam to reconnect with to bring her home. Alana wondered if she dare spend her last few seconds with the major making small talk… nah won’t work. The soldier didn’t appear to understand her version of teasing or a joke, but still she didn’t want to leave like this. In a way, for her at least, it would leave a part of her life unresolved. She felt that once she was back on earth and became embroiled in the project again that this would be the last she would see of the major. A real big part of her didn’t want that to happen.

“Major, it is good that I changed a few things on that disc you gave me or we would have been in big trouble now,” the lightness of her tone indicating that it wasn’t a big deal.

The regimented precise steps the soldier beside her stopped immediately as a strong restraining grip attached to her arm prevented her from moving any further. “What did you say Professor?”

Startled at the abrupt action, Al stared innocently at the major whose expression was a mix of blandness and interest - if those two could ever be expressed on the same face.

“I tweaked the software; it hadn’t been set up correctly. If I’d loaded it without those checks I insisted on doing the security network and pretty much all of the major operations of the space station, wouldn’t have operated. I figured that an error had been made and …”

Alana stopped in mid-conversation as she saw an understanding gleam penetrate the usually cold grey orbs. Although they remained focused on her they were a million miles away or as good as.

“This changes everything,” Tranter muttered. That was another first as the soldier was, without doubt, one of the clearest speakers she had ever come across.

“I don’t understand, Major, have I make a mistake in changing the data?” PerturbedAlana, with a wideeyed expression, waited for clarification.

Tranter’s eyes softened a little, not much it was fair to say. However, to her it was like the sun shining through on a frosty day immediately warming your body through. She felt exactly that way and more so when Tranter genuinely smiled at her. “You made the right choice Professor, I’m glad you arrived to help. I have a change of plans for you...do not and I repeat do not tell the general anything other than you did what you had to do and left. He’ll want all the details, but I’m sure you can evade those. I want you to make contact with Sergeant Lewis immediately he’ll know what to do.”

Al blinked rapidly and knew what was wanted of her. She would relish not involving the general in any of the information. However, she wondered if that would be was wise under these circumstances. “I don’t mean to question you Major, is that wise in this situation...I mean...to ignore the general? He can send you help, we can do it through…”

A finger was pressed firmly to her lips to prevent any more words being spoken, “Trust me Professor Cameron, I know what I’m doing. Sergeant Lewis will need your help and it could be dangerous...even a matter of life or death, will you help him?”

A split second later she retorted, “Do you trust Lewis with your life?”

“I do and with yours too. He won’t fail you or me unless he’s dead. Give him the disc and this message, the wolf is rogue.”

“The wolf is rogue? Are you certain he’ll understand that?”

Major Tranter gave Alana a brief smile, “Yes he will. I need to go I can hear movement outside, good luck Professor.”

Unthinking, she placed a hand on the major’s arm. It was a gesture she wished she hadn’t done when she saw the flint in the grey eyes regarding her closely. “I wish you luck too Major… and maybe when you return you can explain this all to me…over dinner perhaps.”

Tranter would have normally swatted the small hand from her person, however, the tie she felt to this woman dictated otherwise. This damn space must be doing weird things to my senses. “If I return you can count on it.”

Without waiting to hear a response, Alana was left alone. The last words the major spoke to her made her uneasy as she punched the communicator and waited for her signal to be answered. A welcome sense of relief overwhelmed her as Sam answered the call.

“Sam, transport me home, it’s urgent.”

Sam’s next words puzzled her. However, she would find out what was going shortly, as the disorientation of the process overtook her and she felt herself in the dark void of nothingness with Sam’s words buzzing in her head... “I’ll second that, it’s all hell here Professor.”

~ ~ ~

Chief Lake had been impressed with the major, and not much impressed him these days. Whatever else was said about the Radical programme, he was glad they, at least, had a couple of that type aboard the vessel. His eyes fleetingly moved to Corporal Arkan who had spoken more to him in the last few minutes than she had since they had embarked on the mission six months before. Damn strange breed, but what else can you expect from a test tube and a few drops from a syringe.

“Have you secured the hatch Arkan?”

“Yes, where next?”

He glanced at the schematics of the vessel. He knew them by heart but at this juncture, it was better to have a blueprint as well as his memory...especially if something happened to him. “We have choices, the galley, captain’s room and the medical centre.”

Arkan slipped down the ladder with ease as she faced the engineer. “Captain’s quarters next it’s the closest to this position. Can the Doc help...he could take care of the medical area.”

Lake shifted his gaze from the diagram in his hand to the woman. She was right on the button with this one. “Can’t see why not. I’ll send Shibanion to help him.”

“Which means engineering will be left unmanned is that wise?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that Arkan, I have that covered.” He pressed the internal communicator and Lake advised Shibanion of his new task. He also told the technician to input the prime code into the engine room.

Arkan listened intently, waiting for him to complete his instructions before speaking. “What is the prime code Lake ?”

Lake grinned, allowing his craggy face to adopt a more pleasing expression as they arrived at the Captain’s quarters. “Shibanion and I have a private code for the engineering area, if we have to leave it unmanned. It would take the cleverest computer hacker in the universe to figure it out so...everything is secure in that area. Now, let’s get on with our shoring up because I want to find the son-of-a-bitch who’s a stowaway on my Myrtle.”

Arkan gave the man a thorough searching with her piercing eyes before she followed him. Let’s hope nothing happens to Lake or Shibanion or we won’t have a clue on how to disengage the code. Has the chief thought of that instance? ~ ~ ~

Jim Fever didn’t knock on his door as he would normally when someone else was using his office. This was no time for politeness or protocol, the man inside…no strike that...the whole damn crowd who had been in the office moments earlier were all crazy! The general stared at him with a cynical annoyed expression. It was clear that General McAndrew was verging on a megalomaniac and someone had to stop him. At that moment, the only person who was in any position to try was himself.

“I haven’t finished with your office yet Fever, what do you want?”

Jim traded glance for glance with the general until the man’s eyes seemed to burn into his sockets bringing a vicious stinging sensation. Shifting them to his conference table and the papers strew over them he spoke clearly, “The computer is back online. I’m expecting Cameron and your officer back shortly; I thought you’d want to know.”

For a second, and it was only that, Fever thought the general looked disconcerted. “Has Major Tranter confirmed the status?”

“No not yet, Alana knows her computers I don’t foresee a problem.”

McAndrew moved towards the director of the project and for a split second looked as guilty as sin. That could only mean there was more crap flying than even he’d anticipated from the conversation he and Sam heard. “Anything else?”

Jim’s Adams apple moved convulsively swallowing was proving to be difficult. He knew what he had come there to do and it certainly wasn't small talk. “I know what you’re doing General and if you don’t call it off I’ll have no option but to report you to the Council.”

General McAndrew stared hard at the man who had confronted him. Now what exactly does this weak livered civilian think he knows? Dammit all. Unless...I have a spy in the camp and that's highly unlikely. “Please Director Fever, I’m all ears. Exactly what do you think I’m doing that requires your intervention?”

“I heard your conversation with the others and know you have something nefarious planned for Anvil Four!”

The general moved his head fractionally cracking his knuckles as he indicated for Jim to take a seat. “I see. Would it be of any use to you to know why I’m taking the action I am? How foolish of me...no it wouldn’t would it? You suddenly have found scruples, right Fever? That's strange really, since you’ve usurped Cameron for years and prevented her from taking the top post here. Does she know that?”

Jim Fever turned a bright red as he heard the accusation. It was true…in a way, but Al never wanted the promotion. She was a hands on kind of girl and there was no way would she have left the project to others in order to satisfy a government accountant’s questions. Perhaps he’d been underhand in the beginning and maybe he hadn’t supported her when he should have... From this moment on, all that is going to change…drastically. “Professor Cameron has never made it a secret that she despised being a boot licker to the military. I’m sure you are aware of that with your dealings with her. Whatever you think I’ve done General is peanuts to what you are planning.”

A cynical expression crossed the general’s features as he watched the man take the proffered seat opposite him. Just how stupid could the general populous be if, Fever, thought to be one of their more proficient minds, was the sum of their brain power. Even that bitch Cameron would have, he suspected, thought seriously before confronting a person in his position with the type of information Fever thought he possessed. Ah, even intelligent people can be duped by their foolish naivety.

Sitting down in Fever’s chair, he gave the director a hard stare. H was perspiring profusely brought on no doubt by nerves and fear. That was the precise reason he preferred to have his soldiers all from the RADICAL programme. At least they never gave way to the emotional maelstrom that so-called normal human beings wallowed in. They were the perfect army to be the spearhead of his campaign and no one, not even his compatriots, knew the real deal. “Perhaps they haven’t informed you yet, but the project is going to be under the wing of a new general shortly. Did you know that Fever?”

Nervously he glanced at his hands rather than at the too friendly military officer sitting in his chair. Something wasn’t holding up and he didn’t know what, have I played my hand too quickly perhaps. “No, usually we are the last to be informed, who’s the unlucky sucker?”

He raised his eyebrows a fraction. Under normal circumstances he would have stood on Fever like a bug for the remark, but at that moment he would let the man say what he wanted; after all it really didn’t matter. By now, things would be far too advanced to rectify from Earth. How satisfying it was going to be to see all the sunken sallow faces cow towing to him, especially that bastard Louis. He might be the chief of staff, but he didn’t have the balls to be a real soldier. The fact that she had surpassed him and placed that weak kneed ass wiper Randolph in his place had to be gross negligence. Randolph had no idea what the project was about and the Radicals would gobble her up and spit her out before breaking a sweat.

“Lieutenant General Sheryl Randolph, I doubt you’ve heard…”

Fever grinned at the name and jumped in before the general had completed his sentence. “Why that’s wonderful! I’ve heard marvellous reports about her, she’s new blood I believe General.”

A ruddy colour traced McAndrew’s complexion as he stood up. An angry expression vied for dominance as he puffed out his cheeks trying to remain calm. Who the hell does this man think he is, what does he know about the military? Finally schooling his features to the bland mask he normally wore, he responded coldly, “Yes, she’s new to this area.”

“Al...I mean Professor Cameron, might be more amenable with a woman at the helm. You know what these feminist types are like.” Fever smiled, forgetting for a moment why he was actually there; it was great news if it was true. Randolph was approachable and committed to whatever area she was assigned. Although the military aspect was paramount with her, other non-military personnel said they were treated with the same respect; a total reverse from this general.

“Professor Cameron is a feminist? I really hadn’t envisaged her as the bra burning type.” A speculative expression replaced the angry one he had worn previously.

“Perhaps that was a little to harsh of an expression, she may respond a little better to a woman’s influence. You know what the female kind is like; they react to the gentle approach from time to time. However, that’s not why we are here is it General. Are you going to call off your hit against Anvil Four?”

A low chuckle escaped the general. Predictable, of course very predictable is the shift in conversation. How easily these people forget the important agenda. So smothered in their own little worlds anything mentioned that changes what they know puts them off-guard no matter the importance. This was why it is going to be so easy to dissolve the threat this man might have been had he been savvy enough to direct his pleas to the World Council. Instead, the idiot came to me the perpetrator of the action.

“In one word Fever, no!”

Jim Fever blinked rapidly. The general looked so confident and relaxed seeming not to take his knowledge seriously. “Don’t you believe me?” disbelief paramount in his tone.

General McAndrew gave the man a sardonic smile; the kind he gave to defeated and ineffectual opponents. He shrugged his shoulders and rested his hands on his hips in a smooth movement that Fever missed totally. “Of course I believe you Fever; you think you know what’s going on however you know nothing. If you did, do you think I’d allow you to speak freely. Perhaps there’s a bug in this office…ah I see there is by your expression, how inconvenient. Did anyone else listen to my private conversation with my colleagues?”

Fever hung his head a sure sign to the general that the man had something else to hide. Ah, so there had been another or perhaps others in possession of my plans. He would have to deal with that shortly right now it was of no consequence because it was too late...way too late. Moving with a speed that astonished Fever, the general stood by his side. He attempted to rise out of the chair but the large heavy hand of the soldier’s rested on his shoulder preventing him from moving.

“You won’t get away with this action general, I’ll make sure others know about it.” Jim’s eyes were filled with anger and fear as he defiantly stared up at the man who was supposed to be a defender of their world. Now, he had dramatically changed his spots to take up the mantle of terrorist in an attempt to take over the world’s arsenal.

“A great pity you have to see it that way Director Fever.” Without a blink of an eye, the general reached for his sidearm and shot the man in the forehead, his brains splattering fluidly onto the floor behind him. The sound had been silenced evoking no more than a muffled echo in the room. Thank god for the new style handguns . They were as effective as the old except they could be, with a flick of a few buttons on the electronic hand piece, turned into a silenced weapon with minimal splatter. Bending slightly to reposition the man who had slumped forward he propped him up; he looked to the casual observer as if he was working at the conference table.

“Just as well Fever, you would have hated to be demoted when I place my own team at the head of this project. I will have at my fingertips the world’s weapons of mass destruction, a RADICAL army and this new technology that can place my people anywhere at the press of a button. Who could possibly stop me now?”

Walking over to the window, he gazed down at the boy working over a piece of equipment. If he had been listening to the conversation with Fever there were no visible signs. Hmm, maybe there is activity and Major Tranter is about to return. He would make his final call and check it out for himself.

~ ~ ~

Cransky sat atop the viewing podium carefully scrutinizing his surroundings before he gave the no going back command to board Anvil Four. He hadn’t heard from Ponsonby either way and as far as he was concerned, his orders stood. He was to take Four with as much force as was necessary until he had total impenetrable power over the craft. There would be no mercy...all crew affiliated with Anvil Four were to be killed immediately regardless of any white flag entreaty they might muster. That was the general’s order.

“Commander we have power sparks appearing in the net, do you want me to eliminate the threat?”

Captain Cransky considered that matter with even more care. The computer virus had either been neutralised or it had never been transferred. Either way that didn’t matter they had all the power now and he was more than happy to take advantage of the situation. “Go ahead, initiate shutdown of Four’s main computer.”

“Yes Commander.” Punching in the sequence to activate the shutdown of Four’s computer system the process indicated a fifteen minute window before complete power loss. “Fifteen minutes and counting Commander.”

Nodding his head, Cransky accepted the information while turning his gaze to the beauty that was within his grasp. The general had promised him overall command of the Anvil Stations if he agreed to help and he wasn’t one to turn down an offer like that...no RADICAL could, it was, in his mind, the ultimate accolade . Major Tranter might be the golden girl of the programme as far as the other soldiers were concerned, but that brought with it no power at all. He had the faith of the general himself and one day he was going to have a rank far superior to Tranter. Then let’s see who the pride of the programme is!

He pressed the internal communication device, “Five minutes and counting, all personnel take their positions, initiating operation RETREVAL.”

~ ~ ~

Denise Tranter walked decisively towards the galley where she expected to see Doctor Fulton waiting for her. She found him there along with Chef Reagon.

“Good, we haven’t much time. Doctor are you familiar with the airborne virus Sirafaz?”

Mack Fulton stared in surprise at the question. Sure, he’d heard of the virus it had been used extensively in Africa by bastards who wanted to pillage the lesser able countries without bloodshed. It had caused a big outcry twenty years before and now it was banned like everything else that could wield massive disruption.“Sure who hasn’t, why?”

Tranter pursed her lips slightly before answering, “I take it you have some aboard the station?”

“Yes, however that doesn’t answer my question why?” puzzled his eyes shifting from the major to the chef who was standing casually against the counter with amusement filling his expression. If he had been a betting man, he would have laid odds that Reagon had been the guy who killed the soldier earlier but his DNA hadn’t matched any of the evidence.

Tranter gave him a cool glance.“Excellent, I need you to locate and load it into the air-system.”

Completely forgetting that she hadn’t answered his question at least not directly Fulton glared at her. “You can’t do that it will paralyse everyone aboard even you!”

Slowly smiling a smile that didn’t equate to any joke or amusement, Tranter nodded her head. “Yes it will, now do as I say. How long will it take, you have less than five minutes I’d calculate.”

Mack Fulton didn’t believe his eyes, had the major run this one by the captain? “Does Erille know what you are planning?”

“No, if you don’t go about your duty Doctor I’ll have to do it for you and believe me I’d have no compunction in choosing a weapon that can do far more damage and not blink an eyelid.” Tranter turned to the chef who was smirking at the doctor’s discomfort. “You help him, every second is valuable.”

Mack, shaking his head, walked over to the exit glanced at the major once more. “I’m not sure how much I can load into the system in five minutes it’s going to take me time to locate the virus.”

“Do what you can…oh and you might warn the captain to have everyone issued with a ventilation mask, we can’t have our crew under the influence can we.” Tranter watched the doctor leave with a protesting chef tagging along. At least she knew what the cook was up to. It unwise at this mement to have anyone unaccounted for. Checking the elapsed time she hoped that the professor hadn’t taken a side trip. Now, more than ever, she needed backup she trusted.

~ ~ ~

Alana arrived back at the exact coordinates she had left several hours previously. Her goal now was to find the Lewis person the major wanted her to give that strange message to. As she looked up, Doctor Patricia Forsyth quickly came forward to check her vital signs.

“We missed you Al, how was the trip?” her cheerful question was buoyant in vast contrast to Sam’s mood when she had spoken briefly with him. Whatever Sam was worried about certainly hadn’t filtered to this area.

Smiling at her friend and colleague Al waved away the help to remove the wrist equipment. “No leave it Pat, I need to go someplace else, now.”

Unsure what was going on, Patricia gave the professor a puzzled frown. She hadn’t been informed that Al was going back again so soon. “I haven’t had any instruction…”

“No you haven’t Pat, I need a com-link to Sam…a private one.”

Pat was unable to decipher what was going on and thought maybe Al was having a strange reaction to the process. It hadn’t happened before but who was to say what happened; they’d never attempted a space transport before. Flicking a hand towards the console in the far corner of the room, Pat indicated that Al could talk with Sam there.

“Thanks Pat, you’ll understand soon enough but right now I haven’t time to explain.” Walking over to the console she punched in the direct access number to Sam.

“Control, have we a problem, where’s the professor?”

“I’m here Sam, look I need you to reload my data into the machine and locate the major’s base of operations. I need you to put me inside the RADICAL mess room.”

“What the hell do you want to do that for Professor? Wait up until you know what’s going on at this end...when you know what we know you won’t want to do that, trust me.” Sam’s voice raised an octave as he pleaded with her forgetting protocol as he cursed.

Alana smiled slightly. It was true, she didn’t know what they did, however it couldn’t be worse than what was happening out in the darkness of space. “Perhaps not Sam, but right now I haven’t time to argue or find out. Will you please do as I ask? Where’s Director Fever?” Al had half expected him to be at the console chastising her for what she had done; it would be just like him. Their friendship was a strange one in many ways. He was all the things she wasn’t and he was welcome to some of the traits, but he was as committed to the project as she was. He used underhand techniques that he thought she wasn’t aware of but she was; there was always someone out there ready to gossip at the drop of a hat. The major had indicated that what she was asking was dangerous and she had considered that knowledge only briefly when she’d opted to go in Sam’s place. Now, Stark was dead and it hadn’t been an accident so whatever happened to her could be deadly. Fortunately, Fever could replace her easily with his knowledge and her work and that of her parents would continue.

“The director is with the general in his office want me to call him?”

“No! Under no circumstances are you to relate any of this to the general! And, that means the director too if he can’t be trusted.”

Sam sighed heavily, too much shit was bouncing around at the moment it was making his head spin. “Okay what if he asks?”

“Tell him you brought me back, I was tired and went to take a nap.”

Snorting at the remark the young man laughed. “You think he’ll believe that?”

“No, stall him anyway you can Sam, I know you’ll do your best.”

Alana grinned as she rested her forehead on her arm for a moment. Her legs were killing her; crouched in that corridor was finally taking its toll on her. She rarely had her legs on for that long and couldn’t remember a time when she had in several years. Oh well, Soon she would pass the message on, find out what Sam’s problem was and then relieve herself, for a time, of the need to use the legs .

“I have the coordinates Professor are you sure you want me to do this?”

Alana gave the console a rueful glance as she stood there. “Absolutely.”

“Patricia do we have a RADICAL soldier called Sergeant Lewis in our DNA banks?”

“I’ll have the data base checking as I prep you.” She was then told to go ahead with the process dispensing with the prepping as it would only delay matters and they didn’t have that luxury. She shook her head, mystified by the order. “Al, this isn’t like you.” Pat reminded the woman who looked like she was about to do battle with the devil. The expression on her friend's face was clearly filled with immense concentration and determination.

Al smiled. “I know Pat, but what the hell. We all have to break away sometime and this must be my rebellious time. Contact me when you know about Lewis, it’s important.”

“You got it, good luck Al. Beginning process, Sam you can initiate as of now.”

Doctor Pat Forsyth and Sam Ramsey watched their respective screens as Professor Alana Cameron disappeared once more into the abyss of her project.

~ ~ ~

Captain Sorrel Erille stared at Anvil Two that was encroaching their area of space, knowing she couldn’t do a damn thing. All she could hope for was that the RADICAL who had boarded her vessel wasn’t part of the team since it looked increasingly like they were hostile. However, her gut told her that Major Tranter wasn’t part of the traitorous movement that had obviously formed on Earth since they’d been gone. Nevertheless, even gut feelings were wrong and the major hadn't seen fit to consult with her about any of the actions she was taking. Mack had duly reported that she wanted to use Sirafaz. It was not a virus of her choice although on reflection, it was a damn good call if it played out how the major obviously wanted it to. Scrutinising the airlocks via the computer terminal she was surprised to see that not all had been disabled. Hadn’t Lake and Arkan completed that task? She pressed the com to contact her chief engineer, “Harry are you almost done?”

“We are done Captain. We closed up the last one a couple of minutes ago and are heading to the area where the major thinks the saboteur might be hiding.”

Pursing her lips she digested the information. “Where is that exactly Harry?”

“Docking bay three, there are several places the son-of-a-bitch could hide without detection, why?”

“I think you might be heading to the right area but wrong direction. Check out the airlock at the end of the corridor of bay two, you might find a fugitive hiding around there.”

A curse or perhaps several caused Erille to raise her eyebrows fractionally as the engineer decided to turn the air blue wherever he was located. “We’ll take that bastard down, let’s go Arkan.”

“Captain the main computer is beginning to shut down again what shall we do?” Stephens asked.

“On its own?”

“Yes, Captain, the instruction is from Anvil Two.”

“I see. There’s nothing more you can do. Keep a close eye on things here Stephens...if anything changes keep me informed. I’m going to find Tranter.”

Erille stood up and left the command post. What use was she there anyway? The computers were shutting down, traitors were about to invade her ship and all she was doing was sitting there crossing her fingers that all would be right… well it isn’t. If I don’t play a part in this fiasco then I can't expect much more from my personnel. I might be a civilian but there's no way I'm a coward. She knew when she took the post that it could entail a life threatening situation and right now it looked like that was the case. The question is, am I up for it? I won't let that imbecile, Punch Cransky, take my command without a fight anyway!

~ ~ ~

Sergeant David Lewis scraped back his chair glancing at the roster for tomorrow. He was satisfied that all personnel had been allocated sufficient duty time along with those not already posted to various missions. Glancing out onto the yard he smiled as he saw some of his privates practising their basketball techniques. Keeping fit was something that came easily to them, a genetic enhancement they were proud of having.

A commotion in the corridor outside his office had him striding purposefully forward pulling back the door with such a force it almost unhinged itself. “What’s the matter Private?”

“Sergeant, this woman was loitering in the mess hall...said she had a message for you.” The young private barely out of his test tube roughly pushed the interloper forward. Her disheveled appearance and angry flashing eyes told the Sergeant that the young privates zealous capture hadn’t been taken well at all.

Pulling at his chin in consideration he was amazed when the woman angrily spoke up. “I don’t have time for this are you Sergeant Lewis?”

Lewis straightened up to his six feet five and peered at her curiously. Most would have been intimidated or even frightened when he entered the scene. His size alone sent a measure of fear in many and that was before he used his many acquired combat talents on them.

“Yes I am Ma’am, how can I help you?” Tranter was going to fume when she found out about this. Her pride was that no one, especially uninvited guests, entered the barracks without an invitation or accompanied by one of their own. Taking in the woman’s appearance she certainly wasn’t in the RAD programme; too sickly looking and she was limping too. Is that our doing or a problem she already had? Sending a message to the private telepathically, he asked if he had injured the woman. His response was adamant that he had done no such thing.

“I have a message from Major Tranter, its important.”

“A message you say, why doesn’t the major send it personally?” Lewis was concerned, however his skeptism was buried under the surface. Where had that lousy bastard send Tranter this time? I knew that there was more to that damned mission than met the eye.

Alana stared pointedly at the young private who stood waiting for instructions with his hand on her arm like a vice refusing to budge. “Okay Private, I’ll take it from here, good work, I’ll mention it to the major on her return.”

The young private bristled with pride when the sergeant mentioned the major. Is it my major he's referring to? Al wondered colouring slightly as she realised she had taken ownership of the major in her mind, “Yes Sergeant, thank you Sergeant.”

Lewis noted the strangers interest when he spoke of the major to the private; especially her heightened colour, hmm should be an interesting conversation. “Please enter. This is my office no one will disturb us.”

Alana rushed inside gazing around furtively. “I haven’t much time and I think the major has less. She asked me to give you this.” She reached inside her pocket, pulled out the disc that the Major Tranter had given her and placed it in the soldier’s outstretched hand.

Lewis surveyed the disc and in seconds knew it was authentic. Just who is this woman, he thought as he directed a cool stare her way, “Anything else?”

“She told me to tell you as quickly as possible what was happening.” Alana summarised the situation, amazed when the blank expression of the man remained that way. Doesn't he have any emotions. “Her final request was that I tell you, the wolf is rogue , she was particular on that point.”

Lewis did change his expression slightly as she spoke the simple message. He walked over to his desk and dialed a number speaking gruffly but decisively into the instrument, “The wolf is rogue. ”

“I’m grateful for your help Ma’am, now how do I find the major?”

Alana hadn’t received any information from Pat so she could only surmise he wasn’t on the programme list. “Unless you’ve had your DNA stored in the project’s data base there isn’t anything you can do for the major. At the moment she’s on her own in space.”

“How quickly can DNA be stored?”

“It isn’t that easy. You have to be vetted and triple checked, for any anomalies that could kill you.”

“I’ll take the risk. How long?”

“A matter of minutes without the protocol, however I’m checking that you aren’t already there.”

“I take it this project that has the major floating in space is capable of sending more than one individual?”

“Of course it can but…” Alana knew she was wasting time in arguing with the man. He was right, there wasn’t time for anything other than go for it...hadn’t she pretty much said the same thing to Pat earlier. “Forget it, let me have all the DNA that you want to send out and I’ll personally see to it.”

Lewis smiled briefly.“Okay, it will be transferred via our database as soon as I contact our medical staff. Was the major okay when you left her?”

Alana smiled warmly back. “She certainly was when I last saw her; anyway she owes me dinner when this is all over.” The flippant remark brought a speculative glance her way. “I figure she owes me after all this.”

“When, all this, as you call it, is over there will be more than Major Tranter owing you something Ma’am. You can trust me on that one.”

“By the way, my name is Alana Cameron and I’m the lead scientist on the project that put the major in space. Oh, and Sergeant, dinner with the major will be all the thanks I require.”

Lewis moved a hand over his face; he wanted to laugh at the quiet comment. Ah, so the major could wow the Normals too, way to go Tranter. “Right, let’s get this show on the road shall we?”

“I’m with you there Sergeant.” Alana’s mind fully focused on what she needed to do next.

~ ~ ~

Tranter focused her mind on one thing and one thing only, the defence of the station. The personnel inside were obstacles that she could really do without. But, in this instance, the bodies working inside the craft actually had guts and brains and she hoped it was enough to impede the intruders until backup came their way. Although, she had to consider that the message never arrived in Lewis’ possession thereby making her literally on her own with this merry band of civilians.

The wolf is rogue!

The sentence invaded her thoughts as the situation became crystal clear. General McAndrew probably had designs on this scenario for years and particularly if any of the politicians decreed a line he didn’t approve of. Retiring him had been the crossover point. Not many knew of this development but Lewis had his contacts and the base gossip labyrinth so nothing was secret for long. The most interesting factor had been that nothing had been leaked of this particular plot. Probably why Cransky was given that particular post. Maybe he had the usual brainwashing sessions altered in some way, because otherwise he wouldn’t be doing what he was doing. None of their kind would; it wasn’t part of their programming.

It must have irked the general to have one of his own surpassed by a Normal who was not of military rank but a mere cargo civilian operator. Bet that’s when the general sowed the seed of his plan to Cransky. He probably offered him a massive promotion and other perks that are not normally associated with my kind. The biggest puzzle to her was why did he sent me here? There had never been any question of her loyalty to her unit or the World Council. She had been the ultimate dedicated soldier willing to died for her profession - and she had. She did not believe that others had seen her as a threat either.

She glanced at her chronometer and noted that time was ticking by fast...way too fast. Her ears picked up the droning sound of the main computer initiating another unplanned shutdown. That bastard Cransky appeared to hold all the cards. They maybe had one or perhaps two wild cards in the deck that had been handed down to them. Who knew, it might just be their edge. Then there was the other ace up their sleeve in one very able Professor Cameron. If she could do her magic and send a detachment to the station in time things might go in their favour; at least the bastards might get a run for their money. Pressing the internal intercom she asked to speak with the captain.

Just as the message was relayed to her that the captain wasn’t on the bridge Tranter heard a cough behind her. Swiftly turning she saw the captain standing there.

“Captain, I’m surprised you left the bridge at this time.”

Erille gave the woman a nod of her head. “So am I, but there’s not much more I can do from up there. The computer is under Anvil Two’s control and I thought I’d be more useful out here turning back the horde.”

A thoughtful expression crossed the major’s features for a split second.“I’m on my way to the armoury. The doctor has the virus and is ready to place it into the ventilation system on my…your command.”

Erille acknowledged the information. They both knew that Tranter was controlling the situation, it was after all her forte. She was merely a cargo captain and at this stage in the process it was well out of her league. “You know who’s behind this don’t you?”

“Yes.”

The clipped affirmation surprised her as she expected a cryptic evasion to her question. It was refreshing though disturbing. What does it mean when a RADICAL gives you a straight answer? Guess I'll find out soon enough. “Thanks for not lying to me. Can we win out with the odds we have?”

Tranter considered the question strategically. It wasn’t one she usually asked herself because as far as she was concerned there was only one situation in her mind and that was to win; losing didn’t figure in the planning. “At the moment the situation is critical and doubtful. However, if the professor is able to deliver my message to my unit and use her process to extract them here…we will have the odds shifting.”

Erille smiled slowly as the computer advised that the shutdown would be complete in five minutes. “I guess I’ll have to hope that she did. We need to reach the armoury before the doors close automatically in that area.”

“I agree.” Both women didn’t walk down the corridor they sprinted as hard as they could knowing that every second was precious. The time for talking had passed and all that was left was action.

~ ~ ~

“Sam, have you seen Fever yet?” Alana asked as she consulted with Pat on the DNA samples that had streamed over to them as fast as she had traveled back to the project base. Her one hope was that Jim was keeping the general occupied. As far as she was concerned the longer the better so she didn’t have to answer any obscure questions from either of them.

“No, thought he might have been back by now, but he’s still sitting up there.”

Exhaling at the answer, it relaxed her slightly as she ran down the files in the medical area before the soldiers arrived. “Good. Look Sam I know I haven’t told you all the details but soon very soon I will. Is that okay with you?”

Sam Ramsey shook his tousled head with a cynical look on his face before answering. “Sure Professor. I have things to tell you too...we’ll exchange notes over a coffee break.”

Alana heard the cynical rejoinder and couldn’t blame him. She was probably in his eyes totally out of control not to mention off her head too. But right now, other factors were more important…saving the world for one.

“Sounds like a plan to me Sam. Now I need you to initiate a transfer from the co-ordinates I spoke of. It’s never been done before and as with everything Sam, there’s always a first time.”

Sam smiled wryly as he punched the sequence in to his computer console. He hoped she knew what she was doing; this had never been done before, tricky business all round. “Green light Professor.”

Within minutes the room filled with the bodies of ten soldiers, including Sergeant Lewis who had been the first to transfer.

“Are you ready sergeant?” Alana asked the tall soldier with a slight smile.

He gazed at her with a twinkle in the eye, do RADICALS do that? Obviously they did or was it her wishful thinking again. “Yes we are Professor that was sure a strange way to travel.”

“I wish you luck sergeant and when you…” her voice trailed off. What did she want to say anyway, she was wasting valuable time.

A slight turn of the head and a beaming smile was her answer as the man inclined his head with a knowing expression in his eyes. Then the process swept him and the other soldiers into the abyss of space and hopefully landing them whole on Anvil Four.

A crackle of silence greeted her as she waited for confirmation that the soldiers had indeed arrived safely…

“Professor, Lewis here. All present and correct, we’ll be in touch, out.” Alana heard the clipped precise response. The static built up again and she was unable to counter it with any words of support before the connection went dead.

Standing up from the console she had worked at feverishly since arriving back at the base, she stretched her arms over her head. She felt tension and the spasm of pain that the artificial limbs were causing to her lower body. Oh well, at least she could go back to her post and wait there. That would allow her the luxury of dispensing the limbs into their usual hiding place inside the special compartment of her desk. She glanced around and felt that leaving now would be a cop out. She felt that she could help further, but how was the question.

“No way,” Pat voiced as she peered at her exceptionally talented friend.

Puzzled, Alana stared at her friend. “What do you mean Pat?”

Placing a hand on her arm, she shook her head at the smaller stature woman. “Last time I saw that expression you went to that RADICAL base. You’ve done everything asked of you Alana, let the professionals handle it now.”

For a few moments Alana pondered her friend’s advice. Sure she could do that, exactly that and no one would think any less of her except…herself. “I need to go back Pat. I think I can be of more help there.”

“That’s ridiculous Alana! You’re of more help here, what if they need extraction quickly?”

“Sam, with your help and Jim’s, can pull that off. The hardest part was getting them there in one piece. I have a feeling there’s more I need to do and it isn’t here, it’s up there with them in the thick of things.” Her voice held a conviction Pat hadn’t heard before; not even when she talked passionately about the Tempest Project which was her life’s work.

“What about your legs? I know they must be killing you by now. Want me to give you a pain reliever?”

A smile covered her face as she realised that Pat was going to allow her to do her own thing, even if she didn’t quite agree. She was showing genuine support and who could want more from a friend. “Thanks Pat, please they are giving me jip, I really must use them more often.”

Seconds later Pat had injected Alana with a mild pain killer, as she reprocessed her own DNA for another trip to space. A part of her couldn’t believe that within the space of hours her project…no, her families project, was being used in exactly the way her parents would have wanted even with the military involvement. Her personal military were the good guys and she figured that would be okay. Now her only thoughts were to be in the thick of it...she needed to be there. A reaction in her stomach told her as much and right then she wasn’t going to ignore it regardless of the consequences.

After a few words of caution and disbelief from Sam, she was again transmitted into the darkness of the free fall of her transition into space. Her last thought before the blackness touched was, will the major approve of my return. She fervently hoped so.

~ ~ ~

“Sir, General McAndrew on the line,” Cransky’s communications officer clipped out professionally.

“I’ll take that in my briefing room,” he barked harshly. He strode away from the platform, the captive view of Anvil Four, now being invaded by his troops, disappeared as he closed the door silently behind him. He flicked on his private console, “Cransky here General.”

“Have you completed your mission?” The barked question, to Cransky anyway, was the normal tone of the man. He didn’t appear to have any other volume or pitch to his vocabulary.

“Sir, I estimate that we will have total control of the Anvil station within ten minutes.”

General H. T. McAndrew drew a deep breath as he stared at the corpse of Jim Fever before stroking the stubble forming on his lower jaw. He needed to attend to that soon, as he was particular about a clean shaven face in his army. “What’s taking so long Cransky? Aren’t you up for the job? If it were Tranter she’d have the station heading to the new coordinates by now.”

The mention of Tranter’s name had Cransky turning red in anger. He had a dislike that bordered on psychological hatred for his fellow officer, especially when the general used her as his yardstick. He wasn’t going to let Tranter interfere with his goals and his future or have her as a constant thorn in his side. “The computer virus apparently hasn’t been activated and our man onboard hasn’t confirmed the situation either. I’ve therefore initiated shutdown from Anvil Two and ordered my men to blow the holds!”

“Cransky, I want Anvil Four in your possession when I call you back in fifteen minutes. If that hasn’t been accomplished I’ll relieve you of command and you know what that means.” McAndrew stared hard at the man on the screen. If only Tranter hadn’t been so damn perfect or worse yet, loyal to the brainwashing they imposed on the RADICALS. She would have been the one he’d sent on this mission. Oh well, Cransky is dispensable as is all their kind. Beside, I have another waiting in the wings who would do anything I ordered ; a side line to the brainwashing that he had personally controlled. For every hundred soldiers they brainwashed, the procedural way, he selected ten for his programme…namely, they would respond to his command only, overriding any other direction. It was fortuitous under these circumstances because right now he needed to get that rotting carcass of a scientist out of this office without detection.

“Yes General, is that all?” Cransky saw the general’s attention span leave him and chose that opportunity to end the link in an attempt to speed up the process on his end.

“Yes, stop wasting time talking to me and get on with your mission…McAndrew out.”

Cransky glared at the monitor as it became the dull blue empty console then punched the communication button rapidly. “I want the men to enter the station now!”

“But sir, we haven’t completed shutdown they might be compromised.”

“Do as I say Sharman or I’ll have to relieve you of your duties.”

“Yes Sir.”

Cransky returned to his position at the command centre and watched as the first docking door explosion lit the darkness of space.

~ ~ ~

Tranter, with Erille gasping for breath behind her, reached the armoury before the first of the internal doors slid closed behind them.

Surveying the armoury, Tranter’s eyes assessed the potential, as the woman in the room with her continued to take control of her laboured breathing. Ah, what it is to be superior! And, they thought they were, how sad. With a satisfied smile on her lips that went unnoticed by the captain, Tranter moved carefully over each storage area. She wanted to memorise every weapon at their disposal, even if the likelihood was that she might never get to use them…all!

“Major…do you need my help?” Erille finally sucked in a deep breath as her measured voice finally returned to her. Aware that, no matter what anyone else said about the RADICALS, she sure couldn’t fault their damn fitness. The woman isn’t even perspiring for god’s sake.

Tranter swung her attention to the older woman who now looked better than she had when they first entered the room. Thankfully, first aid hadn’t been required. Giving mouth to mouth wasn’t one of her favourite skills. She much preferred the artificial equipment in the medical kits that covered that aspect.

“Have you or your people had weapons training?”

“Basic stuff on my part. …hmm I don’t recall anyone other than Arkan, of course, being deft with any special armoury training.”

Tranter digested this information. She suspected that Chief Lake probably had military training at some stage. He had that glint in the eye when she talked to him. He wanted to kick her butt but knew all about the chain of command…at least her version of it anyway. The others, she assumed if the captain was correct, had no prior training other than whatever basic was. “Exactly what comprises basic Captain?”

Erille scratched the back of her neck sheepishly before she replied embarrassedly. “Well, for me, it’s the self defence stuff… martial arts that kind of thing.”

For a second Tranter wanted to laugh before raising her eyes to look directly at the woman. “No firearms?”

“It wasn’t deemed necessary by the Council. After all, who was going to steal…okay I take your point. My dad taught me how to shoot rabbits when I was a kid will that help?”

“Only if you were a good shot…were you?”

“For your information, yes I was!” Erille was affronted at the cynical question.

“Okay, you can use a pulse rifle and we’ll take along as many small arms as we can for the others.” Tranter herself mused over which weapon to choose. On a vessel like this, there was the choice of a lifetime. Or, should she say, the world’s lifetime. It made her wonder about mankind when she looked over their arsenal of mass destructive weapons.

“What about you? I can’t see you with a small weapon. You already have one don’t you?”

Tranter’s glacial expression didn’t change. It was too important now not to lose focus of the end game and this chatter wasn’t getting them anywhere. She abruptly grabbed a couple of the laser-stormers, which had been quite the weapon in their day. No one would suspect them to arrive on the horizon.

Erille’s eyes bulged at the choice of the firepower the major was going to use. In their day, laser-stormers had been the most lethal thing on the planet. It could track a target within a hundred meters and each round could be programmed to the particular DNA of its victim. Bottom line…if you were targeted you didn’t stand a chance. The downside was that they could be used as a standard weapon with devastating results at short range. If placed in the hand of someone inexperienced the chances were they would blow a hole in the ship and they would all die. Clearing her voice, she spoke to the major who was selecting her weapons and the ammunition. “You are trained in the use of that weapon I take it Major because…”

Hearing the uncomfortable note in the captain’s voice Tranter spun around once more and directed a steady confident almost cocky glance in her direction. “There isn’t a weapon produced from any era that I haven’t mastered, does that answer your question?”

The tone of the voice brooked no further conversation on the matter as far as the major was concerned. Erille bit her lip for a few moments as she contemplated the answer. What exactly does master mean to the major? It was a question she wanted to pose but decided against asking. After all, what choice do we have? If I’m going to die, it might as well be in defence of Anvil Four.

“Let’s go Captain we haven’t any time left it’s now or never.” Grasping as many armaments as possible, both women opened the armoury door manually and headed in the direction of the mess room. That is where everyone was ordered to meet after their tasks had been completed.

~ ~ ~

Shibanion arrived at the medical centre glancing around seeing no evidence of anyone in the vicinity. Where is the Doc…isn’t he supposed to be here? Further investigation saw that the docking holds had been secured although the activity above them grew louder as the seconds slipped by. Ensuring, for one final time, that no one was there he decided to venture back to engineering; it was, in his opinion, the safest place. It would take a bomb to raid his and the chief’s area since they had designed the system outside of Anvils’ normal computer programming. It was the chief’s little idiosyncrasy of a severe dislike of systems he wasn’t familiar with. The new computer which had been put onboard Anvil Four only days before they left Earth had been a slap in the face to the chief engineer who knew nothing of the change. Every last nut and bolt on Myrtle, as he called the station, had a place in Lake ’s memory except for the computer.

Stepping outside into the corridor, he was alerted to a shadow that fled down the hall. What the hell was that? Pressing the internal communication console on his arm, he called for Lake and received no reply. The chief must be in stealth mode looking for the saboteur, he thought before another consideration crossed his mind. What if what I just saw was that person?

Pressing his com button again, he hailed the control centre before being patched into Navigator Stephens console.

“Shibanion, what’s the problem?”

“Is the captain there Stephens?”

“No, she’s with the major, want me to patch you through?”

There was silence for a few moments then the shadow that had caught his attention flickered again at the end of the corridor. It looks like a person…at least it might be…what if? “I think I might be chasing shadows Stephens, I’m outside the medical centre…I’ll contact you again shortly. Shibanion out.”

Stephens tried to call the technician back but the com was dead. Quickly he activated the communicator rapping his tense fingers on the shinning panel in front of him while he waited. Nervously he watched as the activity outside escalated.

Shibanion raced to the end of the corridor and drew in a deep breath as he turned the corner and was amazed by what he saw there…

~ ~ ~

Arkan was poised ready to shoot at whatever might be hiding in the place that Lake had predicted was the only place that could decently house a human being who would have to be small in stature. “Are you going to open it or not?”

Lake glared at the soldier, there was something different about Arkan. She didn’t fit the mould of what he considered one of her kind; poles apart from Tranter who was what he would call the elite of her class. “Yes I am, have patience Arkan I don’t want you to blow my head off if you miss the target.”

“And you think that’s a possibility? No way, even if a head as big as yours only gave me a centimetre of target.”

Arkan’s quick retort made the chief smile slightly. Harry Lake released the fastenings on the panel that his gut told him was where the stowaway was waiting. As he did so he sprung back allowing Arkan a clean shot…she didn’t need it there wasn’t anyone there.

“Damn, my gut is rarely wrong,” the chief engineer said as he released a hidden breath and shook his head at the empty space.

Peering inside closer, Arkan glimpsed something and bent down to pick it up. “Take a look at this Chief. I think your gut is right on the mark. To the best of my knowledge they don’t slip the odd emergency ration pack in the walls…or do they?” She handed the packet to the man who then looked it over seriously.

Lake sniffed the contents with Arkan giving him a strange look as he did so. “Is that necessary?”

The man grinned at the disdainful glances he was being given by the soldier. With a snort, rather than a laugh, he informed her that the packet was less than an hour old.

“How the hell did you draw that conclusion?”

Knowing it would aggravate her, he tapped the side of his nose he winked at her.

“I’m not the major you can’t rile me that way Chief I’m nothing like her…”

“Nothing like whom,” the clipped voice of the major interrupted their conversation.

Lake glanced down to his feet while Arkan saluted the officer with a guilty look on her face.

Gulping slightly, Arkan pointed to the pouch that had held food. “ Chief Lake thinks it’s been opened in the last hour Major.”

Tranter was decked out like an armoury with the two laser rifles on her back and several other weapons stowed in her jacket and trousers pockets; a walking arsenal one could say. Captain Erille looking less gung-ho though she certainly wasn’t far behind with her cache of weapons in every possible storage place in her uniform.

“Obviously they moved on, we can’t waste any more time on that now. Do you have your masks? Doctor Fulton is ready to infiltrate the air purifying system with the virus.”

Both nodded their heads. “If you don’t mind Major, I would like to find the bastard that came onboard illegally.”

Tranter gave Lake a long serious look before answering him. “You’ll have your day with that person Chief Lake count on it. Right now, I need you to take a weapon and be ready. From what I can hear on the hull, they will penetrate the station shortly. We must defend engineering, the command centre and…”

“Why the command centre it’s useless to us now. Shouldn’t we get Stephens out of there so he can help us take on the invaders?” Captain Erille asked, unsure what the major now had in mind. Sure defend engineering and the collection of stored weapons, but the command centre…it just doesn’t make sense to me.

“Yes, we need to defend the command centre, the medical area and the armoury. The rest they can have if they get that far.” The major disliked being interrupted but allowed the question only because it was Erille’s command. Otherwise, she might have blown that person away for questioning her judgment.

Arkan walked towards the major. “I’ll take one of those laser rifles Major.” Tranter gave a nod of her head; she had anticipated as much. It was a glimmer in what at this moment looked bleak, even allowing for the virus interaction.

Lake requested two high impact handguns. He’d used them a long time ago when he was doing his army service. Now, with the likes of Arkan and the major around, it was now no longer a prerequisite. Pity, he thought. It did a fellow good to defend his country, even if it had always been a peaceful existence.

“Right, we’re heading back to the Mess hall until the doctor has completed his transfer of the virus. When he does, there are two bodies to each vector. Captain, alert Stephens, he needs to be ready for this.”

“You got it.” Before she could advise the navigator, he contacted her with a brief explanation on Shibanion.

“Stephens use the security code to lock out all intruders to command and control and meet us in the mess stat!”

Tranter had listened to the short exchange, this changed things drastically.

“Okay you go to the Mess as planned. When you get there Captain, advise the doctor to do his best work.” The major turned to walk in the opposite direction, unaware that all eyes were on her back. Or was she? She swivelled around quickly and gave them a quizzical expression. “To save any more time I’m going to find Shibanion. Arkan don’t even say it.”

The corporal had been willing to go in the major’s place; she was more important than a foot soldier. “I’d be the correct choice Major,” the woman replied adamantly.

Tranter pulled the younger woman to one side waving the others off. “The position Stephens mentioned was in close vicinity to where I left the professor. There might be a remote chance that she’s been able to contact my sergeant. If she did, I need to be the one he sees not you…there would be little room for prisoners if he felt that you were a threat Arkan. The only one he can trust right now is me…I have to be the one to go.”

Arkan felt that the major wasn’t telling her everything. However, it sounded plausible and she wasn’t about to become a causality to the wrong side. She wanted her piece of the action if it came down to the wire. “I understand. Have you any special instructions for me Major?”

Tranter hadn’t ever committed sentimentality into her repertoire, although right now in these circumstances she felt a few seconds of such an emotion. It must be that damn travel into space again…the techies had better have answers for me when I get back. “When was the last time you updated your bio-disc?”

“Two days ago.” Arkan was puzzled by the question, what did that matter now.

“Do you have it with you?”

“Yes Major, of course, we are taught from birth never to be without it.”

“Give it to me Arkan. I’ll have it sent back to Earth. If all goes to hell in a flying saucer you will at least come to with no knowledge of this event at all.” Tranter held out her hand for the disc as Arkan placed the object there without question.

“Thank you Major.” The younger soldier felt both elated at the request and saddened by it too. A catch twenty-two situation in many ways; she would survive if she died and never know of any of this. To many, that would have been a wonderful aspect but it made her feel that the major didn’t have one hundred percent confidence in the mission. No one wanted to go into battle with that thought at the back of their minds, especially if you had to convince a normal human being that all was going to go well. They didn’t have the luxury of a data disc to bring them back.

“On your way Arkan and keep up those spirits. By the way, my data disc is staying here on the station with me until all this is over.” Tranter left with those words echoing around Arkan.

Well the sly dog was the Corporal’s upbeat thought.

The major then set off running down the corridor in the opposite direction to her. She followed suit sure she would catch up with them before they hit the Mess.

~ ~ ~

Sam eyed the viewing position above him and then glanced down at the time again. Fever should have been finished with the general surely by now. Diverting his gaze back to the office above, he glanced away quickly as the general looked down at him. Damn my luck!

Sam refused to glance upwards again as he didn’t want to stare straight into the gaze of the general. He did wonder where Director Fever was and speculated that perhaps he was being forced to stay up there against his will. Maybe the general hadn’t liked what he had to say and with the way director’s mind was heading it was highly possible.

His communications console bleeped indicating he had a message from Doctor Forsyth. “Yes Doctor?”

“Have you heard from Al…ah, Professor Cameron?” Her voice held slight agitation as she asked the question.

“No, are we expecting her to contact us? She didn’t say anything…I didn’t know she intended to go back there, are you worried Doctor? I can call Director Fever if you wish?”

“No! No Sam leave it for the moment, I’m sure she’s fine.” The voice held apprehension and coming from a doctor that didn’t bode well.

Sam looked up at the glass window overlooking this part of the operation. The general had no way of knowing what was going on unless he came down here and as long as the director was doing his job, he wouldn’t. “You sound unsure about something Doctor, maybe I can help?”

Patricia Forsyth shook her head at his genuine offer of help. If only it was as simple as that. “I’ll call you if I need you Sam, thank you. Hasn’t Jim finished with the general yet?”

“Apparently not, I guess they are still discussing the mission. Incidentally, all life signs are good at my end Doctor. I call this an excellent day for the project regardless of what’s going on around it. Wouldn’t you?”

The pride that flowed from the young man’s voice brought a reluctant smile to the doctor’s face. Her thoughts turned to the person who had risked everything to have the project reach this moment. Al should now be out celebrating what must surely amount to a Nobel accolade in the future. Instead she was doing…god knows what out there in space. “When the professor gets back Sam, I’m sure we all will be having a long overdue celebration; we deserve it!”

“I have to go Doctor; the internal comm is buzzing me from upstairs. It must be the director wanting to know what’s happening.” The communication ended with brief goodbyes as Sam connected to the incoming message.

“Ramsey, has Major Tranter arrived back yet?” the general’s voice startled Sam. He felt sure that Director Fever would have been the one to contact him. Why is the general asking me directly? It wasn’t like him to override the chain of command especially with his solid military background.

“No General, nor has Professor Cameron.” Though the general hadn’t asked, he didn’t want her forgotten in all that was currently happening. Of course, it could be that it was their imagination and nothing out of the ordinary was happening except their experiment.

For a few seconds there was silence before the general responded. “Ah yes, Cameron…no matter. Contact the major and have her return NOW, if she doesn’t want to obey extract her immediately.”

Sam didn’t know what was going on but all he could think of was that the professor had sent more soldiers aboard the station and the general hadn’t been party to that decision. How was he going to fend this order off?

“Sir, I’m afraid I can’t extract the subjects, only the professor or Director Fever can do that. I’m sure if you ask…” He was cut short as the communication went dead and Sam glanced upwards towards the director’s office. The general was talking with another soldier who saluted him after a few short sentences and went out of view. At this moment, all Sam knew was that things didn’t look good. It was not good at all for any of them. Where is Director Fever?

~ ~ ~

Sergeant Lewis cracked his knuckles releasing his shoulders slightly to ward of any tensing in the muscles from the transfer. Remarkably, there wasn’t any after effects, amazing.

Staring at the figures of his combat unit, he inclined his head to confirm all personnel were in perfect health. All answered telepathically that they were. Lewis then probed the area with his equipment and was satisfied they were the only ones in the corridor. The monitor also picked up a virus in the air as Lewis quickly exchanged the thought with the others. Their ventilation masks on their body-armour automatically activated.

Using only the telepathic transfer of orders, Lewis quickly split the soldiers into groups of three. They were to position themselves in the designated locations until he received further orders.

The three groups split to take their positions. Lewis, with the remaining soldier, checked the schematics of the station before heading for the command centre. He hoped that his telepathic probe to find the Major worked. If there was one chink in the Major’s armour it was her low telepathy rating. Technology in that particular area had been experimental when her original DNA had been stored. The new RADICALS were injected directly with the enhancement into the original cell. Unfortunately, no matter how many times the major was resurrected she still wouldn’t possess the superior power that was available today. Technology being technology, meant things moved along and even his telepathy link was outdated. Though you couldn’t exactly call it a flaw in the major’s personal armoury she made up for it a thousand fold in most every other area.

Moving towards the corridor leading towards the command area they heard blasting outside the Station. Craig incoming watch your head. Lewis relayed to the soldier at his side as they quickly moved to the right of the corridor with weapons drawn to greet the intruder. They didn’t have to wait long as four military people dropped through the forced hatch into their clutches. The intruders were disorientated for a few seconds giving Lewis and Craig all the time they needed to stun them into unconsciousness. As they progressed towards their destination, Lewis received several reports of skirmishes as his troops battled towards their targets. He smiled several times as he considered that the unexpected wasn’t going to be the prerogative of the outsiders only.

Reaching the command centre Lewis requested access and wasn’t surprised when he received no response. At least the bastards hadn’t reached this level yet; there was no breach of the door. Sending out a telepathic probe to contact the major he grinned when he received a reply, which changed to one of mild surprise as an unusual voice in his head answered his probe.

I’m Command Technician Willard. I’m in the mess hall with the rest of the crew of Anvil Four. The major initiated the Sirafaz virus into the air system to eliminate as many of our new friends as possible.

Lewis knew that there were a couple of RAD’s onboard, though he hadn’t had enough time to assimilate who they were. Could this be a trap? He then considered that it would be the major’s way to use such a vile virus to give her extra time. Perhaps this Willard person was telling the truth…only way to find out. We’ll be with you in… assessing the distance, seventy-seconds, where is the major?

Willard answered immediately acknowledging the time phase. She’s locating a stray officer from the crew.

Where?

She went towards the medical hub, opposite direction to the mess.

Several seconds elapsed as Lewis contacted the other teams who were closer than he was to the medical area. He progressed towards the mess area.

Ellerson, Greaves, Boyd leave your present assignment and meet at these coordinates. Major Tranter should be there.

Enthusiastically each soldier from the three teams accepted the change to their task. Anything for the major was the general gallop of thoughts that were transmitted to Lewis. He expected nothing less from members of the platoon. The major was their hero though they weren’t supposed to have those kinds of feelings. Pride in a fellow wasn’t the sole prerogative of a normal nor was hero worship.

Patch me into the major when you make contact, Lewis out.

Turning to Private Craig who was walking step for step with him, he conveyed, when we get through with these interlopers Craig we might be heroes too! They both were grinning as they closed in on the mess hall, which was now just around the bend.

Craig didn’t answer as he aimed his weapon at the door of the mess room. Lewis activated the door switch and watched with weapon at the ready as it slid silently open….

~ ~ ~

Tranter felt like she was in some kind of drug-induced state as she leaned against the wall of the corridor; her equilibrium totally out of kilter. She had been travelling down the corridor at breakneck speed on her way towards the coordinates she had been given by the navigator. Her mask was in place to protect her from the inhalation of the air born virus that was introduced into the filtration system minutes before. Then her senses went into overload and her brain refused to understand the action as she keeled backwards and landed on her butt in the empty sterile looking corridor. If the enemy had been in that particular place at that time, she wouldn’t have stood a chance. It had taken all her energy resources to crawl up the wall and land herself upright. Attempting, with difficulty to focus, she slumped to the ground again. She held her head, which seemed to her like it was spinning out of control. What the hell is happening to me?

Feeling a terrible rumbling in her belly she didn’t know what to hold onto - her head or her stomach. Then she did something alien to her by dragging off the protective mask seconds before she retched onto the stainless steel floor. Her mind tried to focus on what was happening to her and the dangerous nature this particular situation represented. Now her mind was fixated on the horrible looking solution on the floor. Her brain was analysing the contents of her stomach in the weird surreal world she was trapped in at that moment.

“Major are you ill? How can I help you?”

A familiar voice that she felt she could trust echoed in her head. She didn’t know who it was as her glazed eyes attempted to reconnect to the real world. Her normal training, instilled at birth, refused to allow her to admit she was in trouble. A dainty hand leapt out in front of her and gently touched her face. At first, she flinched at the touch but then tried to ignore what her body was trying to tell her…she needed help big time.

“I’m fine!” The semi-authoritative voice seemed to echo around the corridor. She finally raised her eyes and peered up at the person who offered her aid. She closed her eyes and opened them again wondering if this was her imagination for she was sure she saw the professor. But, it can’t be...can it? “Professor Cameron?”

A tinkle of nervous relieved laughter answered her, “Yes Major, now how about I take you to the medical centre onboard for a blood a sample and send it off to the project lab. It could be something to do with the experiment; you don’t exactly look one hundred percent fit to me. When did this begin? Did you feel like this when you first arrived? How are you…?”

“Enough! I’m fine Professor. You should be the one to worry you haven’t a mask for the virus, here take mine…” The feebly offered equipment was denounced immediately.

“Then you wouldn’t have a mask either. If it was that lethal in here surely you would have succumbed to its threat by now.”

“I’m expendable Professor you aren’t, you must know that.” Tranter slowly groped for leverage on the wall. At any other time, she would have been mortified that anyone had seen a weakness in her personal shell, except maybe for Lewis. Right now, she felt that the woman whom she’d met only recently was becoming as much a friend as Lewis. Perhaps even more so although it could be the intrusive feeling she had that was making her act this way.

“All I know only is that you aren’t yourself and right now you need me, let’s go.” Alana gripped the soldier’s arm with as much power as she could. She was barely able to drag the woman away from the wall to fully support her. “Where’s the doctor?”

Disorientated at the sudden movement, Tranter felt the sickness invading her system again. “I feel sick again.”

Alana looked at the pale complexion of the woman she held close. She had been right to return for something had told her to do it and here she was regardless of the threat to her own safety. The virus the major mentioned might be a serious threat but at the moment it just didn't matter. “Okay, we’ll take it easy and if you need to be sick go ahead. There are so many other issues going on now that I’m sure no one will worry or take notice.”

“I do…” With that, Major Tranter best known for her fortitude through most everything ignominiously retched once more. A puzzled and even more worried professor was at her side.

Alana watched helplessly as the soldier threw up whatever was left in her system. In a strange way it was good to know that a RADICAL wasn’t immune to normal reactions like the rest of the world. However, right now she would have preferred to be in the presence of the iron clad invincible warrior she had come to think of the major. This was not exactly the time for her to become… normal, with all the ailments that went with it. After what seemed like eons, Tranter appeared to become her old self except for the pale cheeks. Her legs had progressed from the jelly feeling like stage to a more solid stance. Alana wasn’t sure if she should continue with the physical help deciding at the last minute what the hell.

Glancing at the arm that held hers securely, Tranter wanted desperately to shake away the gentle touch. However, for the first time in her life she actually needed help and it had arrived from an unusual quarter; not one of her own. What the hell was happening to her, was it the beginning of the end, had she reached the final curtain? No one knew for sure how old RAD’s lived. She was, after all, the first viable experiment and who knew how many times the DNA disks could be regenerated. At this moment, failing at the final hurdle wasn’t in her sights. If she was going to die and stay dead she was taking that bastard McAndrew with her there would be no bargaining there.

“I can walk perfectly well without help Professor…thank you for your concern I appreciate it.” The clipped words held embarrassment for her predicament. She was not as harsh as she would have been because she didn't want to hurt the feelings of the woman who had aided her.

Alana glanced quickly as her hand dropped away from the strong muscled arm of the soldier. As she did, she saw the heavy artillery the woman carried. Maybe her feeling sick isn’t a surprise; all that added weight on her body must be colossal. So much for breaking down barriers.

“Did you contact Sergeant Lewis?”

Sighing heavily, Alana progressed down the otherwise empty corridor with the major. The sound of mini-explosives on the hull of the station made her look up at the ceiling every few footsteps. “I did more than that Major, he’s onboard with several of your people.”

Although Tranter felt like shit, she managed a tight smile that creased her lips for a few seconds at the smug words, “Excellent, where did he enter the station?”

“The same place I did. Obviously you must have just missed each other as I was only minutes behind him.” Alana was astounded that the two hadn’t seen each other although it occurred to her that the station was large and who knew what might have been going on when the soldiers arrived.

Tranter's glacial eyes, the inky blue virtually black in the dimmed lighting, gave the corridor a sweep. Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary with no evidence that the enemy had infiltrated the area. As they turned a corner, her eyes landed immediately on the cluster of bodies lying on the floor. Ah, so Lewis has been active. Now her smile genuinely lit up the depth of her eyes as the blackness glowed into indigo for a few brief moments. The catch of breath from the woman at her side forced the soldier to glance back to the professor. “They are incapacitated Professor, trust me.”

Alana returned the gaze with one of her own, complete with the innocent implicit trust she had in the major. “I do.”

The simple words brought Tranter away from the doubts of a few moments ago to the reason she was here at this time. Why she had been created and it was as simple as the trust that had been placed in her by this woman. She was here to protect the normal's on Earth and that was exactly what she would do or die in the process. A loud explosion came from behind them followed by the heavy footfall of what could only be soldiers from the invading force. Without further thought, Tranter grasped hold of the professor’s hand and virtually swept her off her feet. Then she pushed her own mask over the professor’s face ignoring the feeble attempt to dislodge it. Her hope was that until they found the doctor for help, the virus might be delayed in their bloodstreams if they shared the mask. She pulled the shocked woman down the corridor past the crumpled bodies of the alien soldiers and towards the next corridor. She fervently hoped that not only would her stomach behave but also that the professor could run as well as she apparently did everything else in her life thus far.

Conclusion--->