Who Can You Trust?
Peter landed the ship outside Xandar's capital in an abandoned industrial zone. Dey walked a few kilometres and used public transportation to get back to headquarters. When he entered the main hall, it seemed that he was going to be in business right away. Nova Prime was having a discussion with the two Centurions he distrusted. He saw two red diamonds rotating above their heads. He was right! These guys were infected.
Casually, he approached the group. He saw the two officers half from behind; they were facing Nova Prime and talking in turns. While he closed in on the group, Nova Prime saw him and gave him a quick glance. Dey greeted friendly and looked again at her, then at the two officers. But something was not right.
Now he was less than ten paces away and studied the two rotating diamonds, trying not to look suspicious. One of them marked Centurion Yon. Suddenly it hit him: the other diamond wasn't pointing to the second Centurion, but to Nova Prime! Nova Prime was infected! This dreadful discovery made him stumble. He caught his pace again and tried to keep approaching as nonchalantly as possible, while he feverishly worked out an alternative line of conversation. The plan was to confide in Nova Prime to remove the two officers. This was no longer possible. He had to come up with some trivial talk, get the hell out and rethink.
The officers finished talking. The Centurions went their way and Nova Prime looked at Dey with friendly eyes. "Denarian, how are you doing?" she asked.
Dey put on his best poker face and said, "Given the circumstances, I'm doing fine." He figured it would be best to mix part of the truth with some white lies. "I've set up a few meetings with our good friends, the Guardians. They followed a lead, but came up empty," he lied.
"The lead your little expert gave you?"
"Yes. He was quite self-confident; the Guardians didn't find any missing persons at the coordinates he provided, however."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I appreciate your initiative. If you get more concrete clues, please fill me in."
"I'll let you know first," the Denarian pretended. Then he went to his office to make it seem he had a normal working day. But at times, he almost panicked as the gravity of the situation sunk in. The centre of the Nova Corps was infected! How was it possible that the Nova Force, a phenomenal power to which Nova officers and Corpsmen had access, was not able to handle such a major security breach?
After an hour of what looked like ordinary deskwork, he went to his superior and made up a story so he could leave to meet with the Guardians again - in secret. He didn't want to involve any colleagues at the time being. Apart from the two high ranking officers, he hadn't detected any more infected. But Nova Prime was a force to recon with. Revealing information to the wrong person could lead to events spiralling out of control. He needed to discuss the current state of affairs with the little group of people he could rely on.
He used a Nova Corps Starblaster to get on his way without raising suspicion. He parked it at the outskirts of the city. Then he used the public transport again and made sure he wasn't followed. He walked towards the Milano for the last kilometres.
Rocket let him in. Peter joined them as they went down to discuss the situation. "Have you been able to solve the problem?" he asked.
Dey said straightforwardly, "It's much worse than I suspected. Nova Prime is infected."
This message caused a shock. Except for a few frustrated interjections, no one knew how to answer. This was a major setback and there was no obvious way to solve it. What can you do if the head of a major police force with superpowers has been corrupted?
After a while, Peter tried to force a decision, "We're going to get Gamora back, no matter what it takes. We can't rely on the Nova Corps any more."
"We may have a problem there, Pete," Rocket said. "She currently is ... err ... held in a Galaxy in the Virgo cluster. It would take us ten days to get there. The Guardians are down to four persons. We can't use the trick Sam and I played before. This time we really need ta bring in heavy artillery."
Peter agreed, "Then we have to find an army of some sorts."
"I'm really sorry guys," Dey responded. "Meanwhile, I have to think what to do about our internal problems and to tell you the truth, I have no clue. We can't let this continue. We have no idea who is pulling the strings behind the curtain. Who knows how big this is? Getting Nova Prime back is a first priority as far as I'm concerned." He looked at Sam and asked, "You managed to heal Drax. Can you do the same for Nova Prime?"
Sam didn't answer directly. It seemed to be a big question. Then he replied, "It's not going to be as straightforward as healing Drax. There are complications."
"What complications," Dey asked with concern.
Sam pondered, moving his eyes to the right and the left, thinking about what to say. Finally, he explained, "Firstly, Nova Prime is not someone you can just hold down, sedate and treat. I suggest we work out a ruse for getting her treatment. She needs to be unconscious for a while."
"We'll figure something out."
"Secondly, I or my teammates from the Tangerine can't do that ourselves."
"Why is that?"
"Basically ... it's an alternate reality thing."
"How do you mean?"
"I didn't tell this yet, because there was no need to. But we, the Tangerine team, come from afar. We are guests in this universe, so to speak."
Peter asked, "Do you come from an alternate universe?"
Sam answered, "Basically, yes. The Tangerine is an independent micro-universe."
"Then what is the problem?" Peter wanted to know.
"We can't interfere too much. As I told, we have ethical rules. Besides that, there are physical restrictions. Things like making a trip to an alternate universe or doing time travel can end up in a big mess if you don't stick to certain rules. In our case, the rule is: we can't make big changes like saving entire planets or blowing up stars. I have to check it out with my crew, but dealing with a major force like Nova Prime is probably beyond our reach."
"That sucks," Peter said.
"Actually, it's a good thing. You don't want some extra-universal force to come in and blow up stars and stuff. Not that we ever would consider doing something like that of course." Then he looked up and said, "But it doesn't mean we can't do anything. It just means that somebody else has to do it. I can assist in the process."
"What would you suggest?" Dey wanted to know.
"If you can confide in one of your medics, I can show him the procedure. It shouldn't be too hard; as far as I know, the proceeding is compatible with Nova med-tech."
"That sounds like a plan to me," Rhomann Dey responded. "I may just know the person to do it." He looked at Peter, "What if we try this first? If we can free Nova Prime, I expect her to give green light for the deployment of a frigate and a full crew to go over there. Then we have a fighting chance at least. A frigate can take us there in one day."
Rocket brought up, "I agree. The Guardians are a stand-alone army, don't get me wrong. But a ten day journey doesn't give us a useable response time. Who knows where they beam themselves to next? A frigate we can follow in slipstream, which gets us there in one day as well."
This sounded like 12 percent of a plan, at least.
Dey asked, "Sam, would you come with me? I know a person we can trust. I want you to teach her what you know about the virus."
"OK."
Peter concluded, "Let's assume that healing Nova Prime will be a success. We need to plan further steps. Rocket?"
"Sure! I'm already on it."
While Rhomann Dey and Sam walked towards the exit, Rocket casually asked Sam, "Can you guys blow up stars?"
"It's not so hard. Some civilisations in this universe can do it too."
"Wanna show me how to do that?"
Sam laughed. "Are you serious?"
"Ya probably can't do that, right, 'coz of all yer stinkin' rules."
"You catch up quickly. Besides, why would you want to blow up a star?"
"Ya know, fer the firework." He chuckled. "Or if ya really need ta destroy a bad guy."
Sam smiled. "I never know if you're joking, whether you have anger issues or if you're serious about stuff like this."
"I don't have anger issues!" Rocket protested with annoyance in his voice. "What ever made ya think that? I'm a demolition expert, ya dope!
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry if I offended you; I meant to be teasing."
"Are you two finished?" Denarian Dey asked impatiently. "We have important business."
"Sure, sure," Sam said and he followed the officer to get to his ship.
The cat and the officer took a ride in the public transportation system. They got out close to the location of Dey's parked craft. While they were walking towards it, Sam asked, "Can you tell me more about this medic?"
"It's the head of our medical department. Her name is Tama Zun. She's Rigellian."
"How big is your medical division?"
"About thirty people. Minus one abductee."
"Are they all reliable?"
"Tama I can literally trust with my life. But she knows her staff better than I do, so we'll need to trust her judgement about who to let in on the scheme. I presume that's what you worry about."
"Indeed. I have an idea. We need to cure Nova Prime and we need to inoculate the entire Corps. Would that be their formal task?"
"Yes, we are the highest authority on Xandar. Medical services run through our own department."
"If we can trigger a quarantine emergency, we can get them their shots without raising suspicion."
"That may work. We had a similar situation ten years ago."
"Was she involved?"
"Yes. She was a staff member then. She later became head of the department."
"We need to create a fake epidemic. Problem is, for a medic that may be an ethically doubtful operation. Do you think you can order her to do something like that?"
"No, they outrank everyone on medical decisions. But I think I may convince her."
"I suggest we both go to meet with her and have a talk about these kinds of contingencies."
"Yes, and we should do it as soon as possible. But we can't do it in the open."
"What do you propose?"
"Let me see if I can get her to come with us. We can meet at my place."
The Starblaster arrived at Nova headquarters. Dey said, "Stay in the craft. The less they see us together, the better".
The Denarian walked through the building, took the elevator and arrived at the medical department on the highest floor, right under the emergency flight deck. At the reception, he asked for Tama and said it was urgent.
Tama, Rigellian, yellow skin colour and oversized head, came to the desk after ten minutes.
"Are you busy?" Dey asked.
"Always," the Rigellian answered.
"Can you spare a few minutes? I have an urgent matter."
"Sure."
They went into her office. The Nova officer came right to the point, "I met an expert who has information about an impending pandemic and I have reasons to believe him. I need you to see him right away. Can you reschedule?"
"How serious is it?"
"Highest threat level."
"Why didn't you invite him here?"
"The information is very sensitive. If it gets out, we have a global panic. I don't even trust the security of this office. That's why I want to take you and him to my place and discuss the matter."
"That's highly unusual."
"Trust me, once you know the details, you will understand why I want to take this precaution."
"Who is this expert?"
"I can't tell you here without putting him in harm's way. But believe me, he's legit. I've been working with him for a week now and his information checks out."
"Is he a medical expert?"
"Yes, he is."
"OK, I'll reschedule and take a few hours off. This better be as serious as you tell me."
"If I ever need you to trust me, this is the time."
Tama walked to her secretary's office and gave instructions. After that, Dey and Tama ran speedily towards the Starblaster.
"The expert came with me in the ship. It's going to be a bit tight, but it's a short ride. Luckily he isn't that big."
Tama was surprised to see a little black cat in the cockpit. He almost had to sit on her lap for all to fit into the cabin. Dey took off and parked close to the apartment where he lived. His wife was surprised to see the mixed company enter, but knew her husband well enough to not ask questions. Instead, she led them to a guest room and offered them beverages.
"So you're the medical expert," Tama asked with a surprised, but non-judgemental tone.
"My name is Sam, I'm a medic like you. We have an urgent situation," he said and looked at Rhomann Dey.
The Denarian continued. He summarised the matter of the missing officers, a case Tama was familiar with of course, and told they had a link.
"I thought this is about a pandemic."
"It's actually worse," Dey said. "We found a viral agent that can change people's brains to make them obedient to an organisation that is unknown to us. We have strong evidence that the missing officers have been infected."
Tama looked alarmed. She was sceptical about the information, but understood how dangerous this would be if it were true. She didn't show her emotions though, but processed the information as professionally as she could. She wasn't head of the medical department for nothing. "OK, give me all the data you have about this virus. We'll go back to the office to issue containment protocols."
The Denarian hesitated and glanced at Sam. Then he told, "This is not like any epidemic you've ever seen. We have even more disturbing news. You may not even believe what I'm going to tell you. I'd like to ask you to look at the evidence before you dismiss it, OK?"
Tama looked at him with a puzzled look on her big face. The situation became more and more unusual. "Will you just tell me what is going on? I've seen a lot of crazy things during my career. Trust me, whatever it is, I can handle it."
"Nova Prime has been infected," Dey said bluntly.
That took her aback for a moment. "That's impossible. Her bio-filters ..."
"I know how it sounds. I found out today. I don't know how it happened, but the evidence is compelling."
"How do you know?"
Sam took the word, "Where I come from, we have pretty advanced tech. I created a device that can detect the infection. I have data about the virus. You can verify the active mechanism. I don't know how the bio-filters were bypassed either, but Nova Prime matches as positive."
Tama said, "Rhomann, if I didn't know you for as long as I do, I wouldn't even consider taking this seriously. I'm not convinced yet either; for all I know, you may have a brain infection yourself and you're trying to pull me into some scheme here."
"Look, Tama, you know about the missing officers. How long since the first disappeared? Three weeks? The count is now on thirty. Why haven't we launched an action yet to retrieve them?"
"Because we don't know where they are?"
"But we do. Sam, can you show the footage?"
Sam activated a hologram, showing the events that occurred in the cube building on Indezon just before the construction exploded. Tama could see a number of her colleagues - some of them she knew well - pass through a teleport, grab Skrull soldiers and disappear with them into the device again.
"This can be fake."
"It's not fake. Sam was there with the Guardians. Gamora, one of their teammates, has been abducted. If you don't believe me, the Guardians can confirm these findings."
Sam continued, "Here, in one of the upper cubes, is a bioreactor. It collects reverse viruses that sample DNA. They use it to select a victim. Then they create a DNA specific brain-altering virus and release it near the person they want to turn."
"Who are 'they'?"
Sam answered, "We don't know. What we have seen is groups of Kree, Skrulls and Nova officers who work together."
"That's bizarre."
"They all have been infected. Drax, one of the Guardians was afflicted too. We managed to save him and I was able to reverse the damaged caused by the infection. Before he was cured, he responded like he was in psychosis: he believed he had to be on a special 'mission' and distrusted his old friends."
"Are you saying that this is a custom-made psychosis?"
"Exactly. The virus reprograms the hippocampus and part of the brain stem. It's able to transmit very specific illusions to the carrier."
Tama was baffled and had a hard time to process this. It sounded solid enough to not be dismissed as paranoid confabulation. She didn't know the cat, but she had always known Dey to be a rational guy who wouldn't just fall for a story without checking evidence.
The Denarian added, "I knew, before I even met Sam and the Guardians, that there was a problem high up in our ranks. I suspected two Centurions to mess with the rescue plans. The point is, we have the locations of the missing officers. We have valid trails. But they delayed actions time and again. Then I found out that not two Centurions, but Centurion Yon and Nova Prime are being manipulated. The other high-ranking officers are misled."
"OK, let's say this all adds up. What do you propose we do?"
"We need to get Nova Prime back."
Tama looked at Dey in disbelief. She raised her hands and tapped her forehead with both, exclaiming, "What kind of predicament do you want to pull me in here? Even if you're right, and I don't say I buy the story yet, that's close to impossible."
"Tama, look at us. Here we are, me, you and an alien who we didn't know until a week ago. Sitting in a room in my place. You're one of the few people I can fully trust. I know this doesn't look much like a full scale rescue operation. This is the best I can come up with. And the Guardians. They are working on a part of the plan as we speak; even if they are one pair of hands short."
"What can we do?" Tama said desperately, "I have some powers, but I'm no match for Nova Prime."
"First things first: you need to look at the evidence we have and decide if you want to be in on this or not. Sam and I have a plan that may work but we can't pull it off without you."
"I have to think about this. Just give me the evidence. I'll take the rest of the day off."
Sam said, "Here you have a data sheet. But be careful! Don't show this to anyone. If they find out what we know, our lives are at risk."
