Disclaimer: I do not own Vandread or DeathStalker.
Vandread belongs to Studio Gonzo.
DeathStalker belongs to Simon R Green.
Vanstalker: Part 1)
"Where the hell did he come from?"
BC the subcommander of the Nirvanda stared down at the man lying on the sick bay table. He was tall, although not
as tall as Duero and lacked the doctor's waist length hair. His own hair was cut short, the back and sides of his
head were little more than fuzz with only a fringe above his forehead. His body was also thicker than the doctor's
slender frame, with thick well defined muscles on his torso, arms and thighs. His body, naked when it first
appeared, was now covered by a hospital sheet.Duero the now acknowledged doctor of the Nirvanda was consulting his medical instruments to determine the health of his new patient and also to try and find any clue as to where he may have come from.
Also in the room were Bart and Hibiki who had been intrigued by the new male presence on the ship, Dita who was never far from Hibiki's side.
Magno the ships captain, Meia the leader of the Dread squadrons, and Parfait who was desperately trying to think of a logical explanation for the completely illogical situation they found themselves in.
"I, I don't know sub commander. We've only just begun to analyse the data we gathered while the pexis was pulsing."
Magno smiled over at the engineer "Just give me your best guess for now Parfait"
"Well the only similar readings we have ever had were when the Pexis transported us away from the Mejere system during the Torpedo attack. But this is different"
"Different, how?"
"The energy used was on a completely different scale and there was no wormhole, no rip in space and time to indicate where he came from."
"Meaning"
Parfait sighed "Meaning the only explanation I can think of is that he was somehow transported here from somewhere outside space and time" Parfait bent over as she said this as though apologising for the absurdity of the comment she had just made.
But the others only turned around to stare once again at the person who had so suddenly joined them.
"From outside space and time, murmured Magno throughtfully.
"So he's an Alien!" Dita exclaimed as she bounced forward to take a closer look at the newcomer.
The gathered crew blinked in surprise at this comment from the irrepressible alien obsessed redhead. BC opened her mouth to retort then stopped and looked thoughtful.
"What do you think doctor, is he an Alien?"
Duero looked up from instruments." As far as I can determine subcommander he is completely human".
"What about your examination, have you found out anything unusual".
Duero turned back to his instruments. "The subject appears to be in his mid twenties, his body is in perfect physical condition and I have been unable to find any deviations from the norm."
"So nothing unusual then"
"On the contrary that in itself is unusual"
The assembled crew turned to stare at Duero in puzzlement.
The doctor sighed before turning to his instruments to explain.
"If you look at the physical records of any other member of the crew there are always a number of small deviations from the base. Old injuries incurred during their lives, impacts from past diseases, dental records, even the environment in which we live leaves an impact on the human body. For example Hibiki and I have skins that have been tanned from living under the sun of Tarak. This newcomer has nothing. No indication of where he may have come from. Its as if he were a fully grown new born"
The crew once again collectively turned to stare at their guest.
"So what does that mean? The plexis gave birth to him?"
Everyone turned to stare at Dita. Under the focused scrutiny the irrepressible redhead seemed to wilt a little. Attention was soon diverted however as a low groan came from the object of their curiosity.
Almost as one the crew turned around. The stranger was still lying flat on the hospital bed, but now held one of his arms to his head. A further groan followed.
Duero immediately got up and started to move towards the stranger but Magno held up her hand, indicating that he and the other crew should stay back. She and BC moved forward to stand over their guest.
"Well so how are you feeling?"
At Magno's question the stranger ceased to hold his head. Instead the hand came up to shield his eyes from the light and his head turned to stare at Magnos face. Magno stared down at the brown eyes that stared up at her. The stare was level and impassive. There was no trace of fear, anxiety or even curiosity in that gaze.
Over a lifetime of experience Magno had grown very good at reading peoples gazes.
She remembered how she had read the anger that just covered the fear in Hibikis gaze when they first met. Usually she could tell a lot about a person by the way they looked at her. But these eyes gave away nothing. She was about to repeat her question when suddenly the stranger spoke.
"Fine thank you."
The voice was low and soft, but it was also well spoken. Magno had been worried that Dita might be correct and they might be dealing with a fully grown newborn who would have to learn how to communicate for the first time. But this did not appear to be the case.
"So do you have a name?"
The stranger's eyes narrowed slightly as if concentrating on something, then the response came back quicker than the first time.
"Tamorasp".
"Tamorasp," Magno tested the sound of the unfamiliar name.
"So Tamorasp, do you mind telling me how you got here and what you are doing here?"
"Where is here?" This time the response came faster, but the question was still phrased evenly and respectfully. Odd, there was none of the anxiety or curiosity that Magno would have expected of a man waking up in a strange place, or a woman for that matter.
"You're are in the sick bay of the Nirvanda my ship"
"Ship? What kind of ship?" Again the question was respectfully phrased with no clues as to how the new arrival was thinking. Mango decided to change tack to try and get a little more information from their new arrival.
"What kinds of ships are you familiar with?"
"Well the origin of the word relates to vessels which travel on the surface of water or underneath it for that matter. But it's generally used to describe any kind of fully contained vessel that travels over, sea, land air or… space." The pause at then end seemed significant as if he had come to some kind of conclusion as he spoke the words.
Mango could practically feel the curiosity of the crew behind her but se raised a hand to quieten them. Meanwhile her mind was working frantically. All children of both Tarak and Mejere were raised with the knowledge that the only ships that existed were spaceships. Tarak had no large bodies of water, neither did the largely space based habitats of Mejere, only the first generation of both worlds could have been aware of the origin of the word, or of its old meaning.
"Pardon me" Magno jerked herself out of her reverie. This was the first time Tamorasp had initiated a conversation.
"Could I ask your name?" Once again Magno was surprised, the polite and courteous way Tamorasp was behaving was completely at odds with the behaviour of their current guests from Tarak the first time she had met them.
"Magno Vivian, captain of this ship, and you still haven't answered my question."
"Captain". Tamorasp responded straitening slightly his tone becoming even more respectful. Interesting thought Magno he has an automatic respect for authority and he dosen't even question the fact that a woman, and one of my age would be the captain of a ship.
"Yes, I'm sorry, but I don't have any further answers to give you. I don't really know where here is. As for how I got here, I have no idea."
"What about who you are or where you came from?"
Tamorasp's gaze turned from Magno to stare at the ceiling above her. His eyes darted as if he was thinking rapidly and for the first time there was an expression of slight confusion or frustration on his face. "I'm sorry, I don't remember anything else"
"You don't remember!!" This shout came from Meia who was starting to lose patience with the whole affair.
Tamorasp's eyes jerked from the ceiling and he sat up slightly to stare for the first time at the other occupants of the room.
He spent a moment or two staring and Magno thought that she could see brief flickers of surprise cross his face as he inspected some of the crew, but these were always quickly suppressed.
"No I'm sorry I don't."
"You expect us to believe that you have no idea who you are, where you came from or how you got here?"
"No I know that my name is Tamorasp. Apart from that I'm sorry but I don't remember anything else."
Meia appeared to be about to respond with another retort when a gesture from Magno quietened her.
"What is the last thing you remember Tamorasp?"
He saw quietly for a second staring at nothing as if he was trying to deal with a complicated problem in his mind.
"Darkness, then light". The simplicity of the words would have made anyone scoff. Except from the tone in which they were said. There was a deep meaning attached to those words, concepts that the human mind could barely perceive expressed only in the most flawed way through the only medium available. Somehow it was enough to quieten further questions from the crew even from Meia.
After a time Duero spoke. "Captain I, think that should be all for now, the patient needs to rest after… well after whatever he has been through."
"Yes I agree, we'll leave him in your care for the moment Duero, but have him sent up to the meeting room as soon as you are finished.
"Right, that means everyone except medical personnel please clear the sick bay."
The rest of the crew filed out. BC, Meia and Parfait turning to follow Magno, Bart back to his quarters, and Hibiki desperately anywhere else as he was followed by a familiar call of "Mr Aliennn!"
Location: Meeting room behind the bridge.
"So what did you all think of our new arrival" Asked Magno
Seated with her around the table were the heads of the other sections. BC, Meia, Parfet and Gascogne.
"I don't trust him. How can he expect us to believe he has no idea how he got here or where he came from! Even for a man that's stupid. As for the way he was behaving that oh so respectful tone, he's just trying to get you to believe him captain." Meia voice was more animated than her usual cool tone. She knew that she wasn't behaving professionally but she couldn't help it. Something about the new arrival was affecting her. She didn't know what it was but she didn't like it.
Magno was faintly surprised by the heat in Meia's usually emotionless voice, but it wasn't unexpected. The crew had had to put up with a lot in the last couple of weeks. After being transported far from home, encountering a previously unknown enemy and having to get used to the concept of sharing the ship with three of their lifelong enemies. The arrival of a fourth under such unexplained circumstances was likely to set tempers flaring.
"What did you make of him Captain?" Asked BC disturbing Magno's train of thought.
"Well he was certainly odd. And I don't just mean the way in which he arrived. All the time he was looking at me very little of his reactions showed on his face. That means that he's either very skilled at hiding his reactions or he's calmest individual I've ever met. As for his behaviour, well his manners are definitely an improvement on the others, except perhaps for Duero."
"So what are we going to do with him?"
" Well as to that I'think we'll determine that after our next meeting, speaking of which."
"Captain, we have the new arrival here to see you" spoke a voice through the ships intercom."
" Ahhh, good timing, bring him in."
The doors to the briefing room opened and their new arrival walked in escorted by two members of the Nirvada's security detail.
The four senior members of the crew seated at the table turned to stare.
Although the had not yet been time to search all of the areas of the ship Durno had found a stash of men's clothing o one of the levels that had previously been part of the Ikazuchi. Tamorasp was now dressed it a tight fitting set of Kahki overalls and a pair of black work boots.
As he entered he looked at each of the rooms occupants giving them each a brief nod of greeting in turn before settling on Magno.
"Captain" he a said politely, "you wanted to see me?"
"Yes young man, sit down"
Tamorasp selected a chair directly in front of Magno's own and settled into it. He sat straight, his arms flat on the table in front of him.
He stared straight at Magno at polite attention.
"Well, well now what are we going to do with you?"
Tamorasp made no reply
"What no answer?"
"I apologise captain, I assumed that you were making a rhetorical question"
Magno started slightly, as the others tensed slightly at what they assumed was an insult. "Well I was not young man, so tell me what are we to do with you?"
"Whatever you feel it is in your power to do." Again that maddeningly calm tone from their new arrival. His voice sounded almost disinterested.
"Well perhaps you could tell me what you expect me to do with you then."
"Put me to work, keep me imprisoned, or try to kill me." Everyone in the room tensed further at those words. The entire sentence had been spoken in that familiar calm tone, but the final words had contained just the hint of a challenge as if he felt they could try but were uncertain to succeed.
"Again would you mind explaining that statement?"
Tamorasp nodded to Magno.
"Certainly, a ship is like a self contained world, which depends on everyone inside it to continue. Those that do not serve a purpose are at best a drain on resources, at worst a liability. Therefore if I am to remain on this ship I must serve a purpose.
As for my second option I have arrived here without warning from an unknown place. That unknown factor makes me a potential risk, as captain you have a duty to preserve the welfare of your crew, which you may see as best being done by keeping me confined until such time as you can release me, or the third option if you feel I represent too much of a risk you can try and kill me."
Magno was shocked. She could not fault his logic, but that was all it was, logic. Cold hard and unfeeling. There did not appear to be any trace or expectation of human reasoning or emotion behind that statement.
"You always say try, but you sit there guarded and unarmed on our ship. You seem very sure of yourself."
Tamorasp stared her directly in the eyes and grinned tightly showing his teeth.
"When one dances, the outcome is always unwritten." The words were oddly formal, as if he was quoting something. Magno was about to ask him about that except that as soon as the words were out of his mouth his expression changed. A look of confusion passed over his face as if he was wondering what he had just said.
Magno could feel the tension in the room. Tamorasp was still sitting there slightly confused. But the two guards, Meia BC and Gascone were all tensed and ready to act, Parfait was looking worried.
"Alright then we'll take option one"
Everyone in the room turned to look at her in surprise.
"Since you are now effectively a passenger on this ship, we will expect you to work for your passage. When we reach our destination you will be free to go."
Tamorasp was now staring at her intently. "When will you reach your home system?"
"We do not know. An accident transported us to this part of the galaxy, we are not certain of how long it will take to get back to our home system, possibly several months."
"There are no closer populated systems where you could drop me?"
" We don't know, this is uncharted space for us, but if we do find other Human settlements out here, you will be free to leave if you choose."
"Thank you." Tamorasp nodded his head graciously at her offer.
" Do you have any other questions?"
Tamorasp stared at her for several seconds before replying. Magno found the stare unnerving; it felt like he was trying to look inside her. Over a long life very few people had ever stared at her like that.
"What kind of ship is this?"
"What do you mean?"
"There appear to be too many people here for a freighter, but too few for a colony ship, and this ship does not appear to be a military vessel"
"What do you mean does not appear to be a military vessel! What do you claim to know about it?" Meia suddenly burst out angrily. She had been gradually growing more and more infuriated as the exchange. The male had started out respectfully but then those smug you can try to kill me comments had show he was just like that hot headed boy and that cowardly helmsman. A typical male.
She was about to give him a piece of her mind when he turned to her suddenly and replied, as if her question had been the most ordinary thing in the world.
"The environment on this ship, the décor, the way you all dress it all suggests a comfortable living environment. On the walk here I noticed very few internal bulkheads, no signs of additional power plants and very few guards. Warships are very rarely pleasant. They are usually purely functional and require multiple internal bulkheads and power sources in order to take damage and yet continue fighting. Finally there is always a sense of purpose and tension on warship, that feeling is missing here. Here there is anxiety, worry, and a little fear."
As soon as he stared at her Meia had been trapped by those eyes. They stared at her directly and frankly, completely open, completely sincere. She did not doubt that this male believed in what he was saying, but where did he get that knowledge from?
But then the moment passed and Tamorasp looked away, but now there was an expression on his face. Confusion and a little fear. How did I know that? I feel the truth in the words I just spoke but where does that knowledge come from. Why does it feel so familiar, and why does that familiarity fill me with excitement. And Terror.
"You have no Idea where that just came from do you" Magno looked at him with a speculative look on her face.
"No I don't." He felt compelled to add more.
"The words feel right but I have no idea where they come from."
"Well young man it appears that some of your memories may be returning. Don't worry I am sure it will come in time.
Meia, BC and gascone looked about to press him further but Magno silenced them.
"And we will give you the time for them to return." She said significantly, the other three subsided under her gaze, unwilling to question their captain before a stranger.
"Now to answer your question, this is a Pirate ship, we are pirates."
Magno noticed the sudden tension in Tamorsaps posture, the alertness.
"Will that be a problem for you?"
Tamorasp looked at her significantly for a few seconds before responding.
"No, but I will not help you rob or hurt other people."
"But you are willing to work on the ship and help us salvage?"
"Yes and help defend the ship if we are attacked."
"Whether we are willing to let you do that remains to be seen. Now any further questions?"
Tamorasp sat quietly for a moment as if nervous.
"So far almost everyone I have seen on this ship have been Women, why is that?"
"This is a female ship. The three males you saw earlier are captives from the Tarak Empire. We captured them when we seized this ship. They have agreed to help serve as member of the crew until we return to our home system"
"Where are you from?"
"The women's world of Mejere."
"So everyone from Tarak is male and everyone from Mejere is female? And your two worlds are at war?"
'Yes, you seem surprised by this."
"I don't know for some reason that just seems strange."
Magno stared at the man for a moment. He was clearly confused as if the situation puzzled him, but he could not apparently say why. She shook herself and continued
Now as you have no memory of what you do and do not know I will arrange for you to work shifts in the various areas of the ship so that we can determine where best to put you. In the meantime you can return to the men's quarters.
"Thank you captain". Taking this for the dismissal it was he stood up and nodded to Magno and the others present before once again following the guards out of the room.
Magno did not have to wait long for the explosion.
Meia: "Captain how can you let that man speak to you like that."
BC: "Captain I must protest this action, the man is an unknown and possibly dangerous."
Gascogne: "Boss are you sure about this?"
Magno: "Enough. I haven't gone senile just yet. I know that this appears a little strange but we have already taken in the other three men as part of our crew, so what's one more?
Secondly, you are right this man is an unknown, we do not know who he is or what he is capable of. So rather that leave him alone and unwatched we will put him where he can be observed and we can learn more about his capabilities.
BC take the guards off him when he starts work, but keep them within call. If anything happens I want them to be able to be there in an instant.
Gasgone, set up a roster, I want to put him to work in the register, engineering, maintenance and refuse during this week."
The section heads sat back and nodded. They still didn't necessarily like the plan but they saw its merits.
"One last thing, give him an opportunity to show what he can do. Try him out on everything except the security and Dread operations."
Magno saw the unspoken question on their faces.
"Consider something, you were all there when we first met this man. You saw how he acted then. Did any of you notice how he acted just now?"
Parfait nodded her head "He seemed more alert, more aware and more knowledgeable than when he first woke up."
"Exactly, however he got here the experience seems to have affected his memory. Just as obviously parts of that memory are now starting to return.
I am not a great believer in coincidence. I am certain that man is here for a reason, and that means that we may need him for something. We had better find out what he can do before that happens."
……………………………………………………
In the men's quarters Hibiki and Duero were not paying attention to Bart rant.
Despite the relatively small amount of time they had spent together since the ship became stranded in this section of space both the third class citizen and the doctor had become very familiar with one of the attributes of the scion of the Garsus family. The was when Bart started talking there was nothing short of the threat of physical violence (which Hibiki had needed to be physically restrained by Durero from attempting) that would stop him. So like the inhabitants of Tarak when one of the great dust storms swept through, they had simply adapted a way of passing the time until the wind blew itself out.
Dureo was busy studying the few books he had been able to find on female medicine and anatomy. The Tarak military academy where he had learned his trade had never even considered the possibility that a male doctor would find himself in a position of treating female patients. Female captives would find themselves in the hands of a rather different department. One which Duero had no interest in. But the books he was studying did interest him greatly and he was shocked at the differences that he read, but even more surprised by the similarities.
Hibiki meanwhile was deeply engrossed in a manual on the operation and maintenance of Vanguards. He had found the manual while searching through one of the maintenance sections of the former Ikazuchi. Dita had finally been called away by Jura for Dread practise and Hibiki was enjoying the respite, the dull drone of Bart now having faded into the background. His attention was suddenly diverted as he noticed two that two of the female guards had returned with their new arrival in tow.
"And further more I take this new mans arrival to be absolute proof that our lord the all powerful Grand Pa has not forsaken us and that we will……" Barts rant finally trailed off as he realised that the new arrival had reappeared.
Tamorasp turned to the guards and nodded to them cordially before making his way into the cell and taking a place on the vacant bunk.
The two female guards stared at him suspiciously for a moment before shrugging and turning away. They did not trust the new arrival, but their orders had been only to return him to his cell.
Once he had seated himself Tamorasp turned at nodded to Duero who had now put down the book he was reading. "Doctor, good to see you again, I'm sorry but I haven't had a chance to meet our other cellmates."
Bart immediately put himself forward and struck a pose "I am Bart Garsus, heir of the proud Garsus family and ranking office aboard!" Tamorasp stared at the youth for a minute seemingly impassive. Inside he was engaged in a titanic struggle to control his features. This kid, he obviously believed in everything he said and he was just as obviously completely clueless. Nevertheless appearances had to be maintained and you never knew his impression could be mistaken, unlikely as that presently seemed.
Impassively he held out his hand.
"Tamorasp, pleased to meet you Bart Garsus."
Bart seemed a little confused by the offer of the hand. On Tarak that was a greeting reserved between equals and this newcomers status had not yet been determined. Then he seemed to rally and returned the handshake with a forced smile on his face.
The shake was brief and limp, Tamorasp's estimation of Bart, not to high to begin with dropped several rungs lower.
"Now that the formalities are over tell us the plan."
Tamorasp stared at Bart nonplussed.
"I'm sorry?"
"Oh there's no further need to continue the act my friend. It was a very clever tactic to pretend that you had lost your memory to convince the Women to keep you on board. Now what is the plan to retake the ship? I am ready to assist you, a Garsus is always prepared to do his duty for the empire and Lord Grandpa."
Tamorasp stared at Bart for a few moments and despite his best efforts a trace of the incredulity he was feeling appeared on his face. Surely this man could not be as clueless as he was pretending to be, there was no way that a military officer could possibly…Tamorasp started at Bart an the others again and for the first time he realised that they were young, very young. Damn me but they cannot be more than 18 years old, and the youngest looks considerably less. What the hell kind of society sends their kids out to fight wars.
"I think I need to correct a misconception of yours Bart but I'm afraid that you are mistaken."
Bart who had been about to burst into another patriotic speech paused and looked confused
"What..what do you mean?"
"I am not necessarily on your side. I don't know where I am from, but I am fairly certain that it is not from Tarak. And I have no interest in helping you take control of this ship."
Bart by now was staring goggle eyed at the new arrival, his cherished day dreams of the past few hours now completely shattered
"But.. But then who are you and why are you here?"
Tamorasp leaned back on the bench and stretched linking his arms behind his head.
" As for who I am that's something that I would like to know myself, as to why I am here I have no idea, but at least for the moment I am a passenger on this ship and I intend to act like one."
This comment shocked Bart into silence, which prompted Duero who had been listening to the conversation interject.
"Then Tamorasp.."
"Tam"
"I'm sorry" Duero said caught unaware by the interruption.
"Call me Tam. Tamorasp is the full version of my name, it's rarely used except for formal occasions. Besides Tam is easier to say."
"Alright then Tam, can I ask you then what you do intend to do since you are on this ship with us?
Tamorasp (hence forth Tam) sat up and turned around.
"The Captain has offered me passage on this ship until we reach another inhabited system. Until that time I'm going to work for my passage.'
"Work how?"
"Whatever tasks they set me"
"You are just going to take orders from the women!" Bart had by this time recovered from his shock.
Tam turned back to stare at him and raised an eyebrow in query.
"This ship appears to be fully in the control of the women. Whom else then should I take orders from?"
"From me you should respect me as an officer in the Tarak Empire and assist me in retaking this ship as is your duty."
Tam looked down and snorted before looking up with a faint expression of amusement on his face.
" Again I believe that you are operating under a misconception Mr Garsus.
One I am not a member of your empire, thus I owe it no loyalty or obligation.
Two your war with the women is no concern of mine.
Three there is no way that I am going to take orders from snot faced cadet barely out of the academy."
Bart flushed and stepped back a look of embarrassment on his face. From his reaction Tam knew that he had hit home. It was the only explanation that fitted.
"So you are not going to fight." The final person in the cell had finally made a contribution to the discussion. Tam turned to look at him. He was even younger than the others, olive skinned and brown eyed. He wore a pair of baggy pants and a bright orange and black top. He stared back at Tam with a fierce look in his eyes.
"I don't think we have been introduced/"
The young man flushed and then looked at Tam again. "Hibiki Tokai, don't bother offering your hand I'm only a third class citizen."
Hibiki turned away again, then looked back in surprise as Tam extended his hand.
"I have no idea what that means, nor do I care. I don't not remember much, but I do remember that it's a common courtesy to offer your hand to a man the first time you meet."
Hibiki looked at Tam suspiciously for a moment unsure if this was a trick. But Tams hand remained extended, unwavering. Finally Hibiki reached back and returned the shake.
The grim was firm and honest. Tam smiled inside as he thought to himself. There is steel in this one, despite his age, but it remains to be seen if there is enough to make a blade.
"To answer your question Hibiki I told the Captain that I would be willing to help defend this ship if it was attacked. But a smart warrior chooses his fights, and I have no reason to fight the women, they are not my enemy."
"So how are you going to help fight the cubes?"
"Who are the cubes?"
Over the next several hours Tam managed to get the entire story out of his cell mates.
The launching of the Ikazuchi. Hibiki's attempt to steal the Vanguard. The attack by the pirates, the strange explosion that had brought them here and fused the ships. And finally the mysterious cubes that had started attacking them.
Despite the initial attempts of Duero and Bart to be circumspect, in time using carefully phrased questions Tam was able to get everything out of them. It wasn't hard really. Deep down they were all young men that had been thrown into a situation that they were having trouble dealing with and they were eager to talk about what they had gone through.
Later that night while the others were asleep Tam lay thinking. Part of his mind wanted to gibber in panic at what he had learned. But this part was ruthlessly suppressed with a discipline that was second nature too him. He was grateful for that discipline even though he had no idea where it came from. Now as he lay awake he sorted his thoughts and what he had heard into logical patterns as he had been taught.
This time he remembered something of his teacher. He had recalled it earlier before his second meeting with Magno but had been reluctant to mention it. He was doubly so now that Hibiki had described the cubes. He had remembered standing in a vast chamber filled with strange machines. The machines had followed shapes and patterns that spoke of pure functionality, with none of the ascetics that marked human machines. Before him stood a robot. It was roughly human shaped, made out of glittering blue steel. Its face was a featureless ovoid. But strangely he had felt a sense of camaraderie, of friendship. The robot had been trying to teach him about logical thinking, how it could be used to solve any problem. He remembered arguing with the
Robot, although he could not remember what about. Now the scene brought a question to his mind. Am I somehow linked with these cubes? Do I know them or even worse, am I one of them.
Pushing the thought out of his mind he focused on what he did know.
He had no idea where he was. He was on board a ship travelling to an unknown star system through unknown space. There was an unknown enemy of unknown strength out there and it was apparently hostile.
The ship was predominantly full of women most of whom were in their teens, who seemed to have only the barest of military knowledge. The only men on the ship was an apparently competent doctor, a spoiled rich boy who served as the helmsman, and an angry young tech thrust into the role of a warrior who's only apparent tactic was to charge at the enemy screaming. Then there was the ships power source, this plexis and the ability of Hibiki's vanguard to link with Ditas dread. He was still unclear about those.
But in summary, he was lost, far from anywhere and surrounded by potential enemies, both outside the ship and on it. Basically he was screwed.
Anyway you looked at it was an impossible situation.
So why, he thought as he smiled before turning to sleep, do I somehow feel right at home?
End of Chapter 1.
Preview Chapter 2.
Barnet is given the job of assigning the new arrival a task in refuse.
She picks the dirtiest job possible.
How will our new arrival bear up?
Authors comments: This chapter may have seemed a little slow, but I wanted to set the scene before progressing further. As for Tamorasp losing his memory, I know its hardly and original plot device but if I had thrown a fully powered DeathStalker into the story it would have been far too boring, the Harvesters would never have stood a chance. This first chapter takes place somewhere between episodes 3 and 4 of the first stage. I intend to follow the story line fairly closely but I will be making changes here and there.
DarkBlade
Vandread belongs to Studio Gonzo.
DeathStalker belongs to Simon R Green.
Vanstalker: Part 1)
"Where the hell did he come from?"
BC the subcommander of the Nirvanda stared down at the man lying on the sick bay table. He was tall, although not
as tall as Duero and lacked the doctor's waist length hair. His own hair was cut short, the back and sides of his
head were little more than fuzz with only a fringe above his forehead. His body was also thicker than the doctor's
slender frame, with thick well defined muscles on his torso, arms and thighs. His body, naked when it first
appeared, was now covered by a hospital sheet.Duero the now acknowledged doctor of the Nirvanda was consulting his medical instruments to determine the health of his new patient and also to try and find any clue as to where he may have come from.
Also in the room were Bart and Hibiki who had been intrigued by the new male presence on the ship, Dita who was never far from Hibiki's side.
Magno the ships captain, Meia the leader of the Dread squadrons, and Parfait who was desperately trying to think of a logical explanation for the completely illogical situation they found themselves in.
"I, I don't know sub commander. We've only just begun to analyse the data we gathered while the pexis was pulsing."
Magno smiled over at the engineer "Just give me your best guess for now Parfait"
"Well the only similar readings we have ever had were when the Pexis transported us away from the Mejere system during the Torpedo attack. But this is different"
"Different, how?"
"The energy used was on a completely different scale and there was no wormhole, no rip in space and time to indicate where he came from."
"Meaning"
Parfait sighed "Meaning the only explanation I can think of is that he was somehow transported here from somewhere outside space and time" Parfait bent over as she said this as though apologising for the absurdity of the comment she had just made.
But the others only turned around to stare once again at the person who had so suddenly joined them.
"From outside space and time, murmured Magno throughtfully.
"So he's an Alien!" Dita exclaimed as she bounced forward to take a closer look at the newcomer.
The gathered crew blinked in surprise at this comment from the irrepressible alien obsessed redhead. BC opened her mouth to retort then stopped and looked thoughtful.
"What do you think doctor, is he an Alien?"
Duero looked up from instruments." As far as I can determine subcommander he is completely human".
"What about your examination, have you found out anything unusual".
Duero turned back to his instruments. "The subject appears to be in his mid twenties, his body is in perfect physical condition and I have been unable to find any deviations from the norm."
"So nothing unusual then"
"On the contrary that in itself is unusual"
The assembled crew turned to stare at Duero in puzzlement.
The doctor sighed before turning to his instruments to explain.
"If you look at the physical records of any other member of the crew there are always a number of small deviations from the base. Old injuries incurred during their lives, impacts from past diseases, dental records, even the environment in which we live leaves an impact on the human body. For example Hibiki and I have skins that have been tanned from living under the sun of Tarak. This newcomer has nothing. No indication of where he may have come from. Its as if he were a fully grown new born"
The crew once again collectively turned to stare at their guest.
"So what does that mean? The plexis gave birth to him?"
Everyone turned to stare at Dita. Under the focused scrutiny the irrepressible redhead seemed to wilt a little. Attention was soon diverted however as a low groan came from the object of their curiosity.
Almost as one the crew turned around. The stranger was still lying flat on the hospital bed, but now held one of his arms to his head. A further groan followed.
Duero immediately got up and started to move towards the stranger but Magno held up her hand, indicating that he and the other crew should stay back. She and BC moved forward to stand over their guest.
"Well so how are you feeling?"
At Magno's question the stranger ceased to hold his head. Instead the hand came up to shield his eyes from the light and his head turned to stare at Magnos face. Magno stared down at the brown eyes that stared up at her. The stare was level and impassive. There was no trace of fear, anxiety or even curiosity in that gaze.
Over a lifetime of experience Magno had grown very good at reading peoples gazes.
She remembered how she had read the anger that just covered the fear in Hibikis gaze when they first met. Usually she could tell a lot about a person by the way they looked at her. But these eyes gave away nothing. She was about to repeat her question when suddenly the stranger spoke.
"Fine thank you."
The voice was low and soft, but it was also well spoken. Magno had been worried that Dita might be correct and they might be dealing with a fully grown newborn who would have to learn how to communicate for the first time. But this did not appear to be the case.
"So do you have a name?"
The stranger's eyes narrowed slightly as if concentrating on something, then the response came back quicker than the first time.
"Tamorasp".
"Tamorasp," Magno tested the sound of the unfamiliar name.
"So Tamorasp, do you mind telling me how you got here and what you are doing here?"
"Where is here?" This time the response came faster, but the question was still phrased evenly and respectfully. Odd, there was none of the anxiety or curiosity that Magno would have expected of a man waking up in a strange place, or a woman for that matter.
"You're are in the sick bay of the Nirvanda my ship"
"Ship? What kind of ship?" Again the question was respectfully phrased with no clues as to how the new arrival was thinking. Mango decided to change tack to try and get a little more information from their new arrival.
"What kinds of ships are you familiar with?"
"Well the origin of the word relates to vessels which travel on the surface of water or underneath it for that matter. But it's generally used to describe any kind of fully contained vessel that travels over, sea, land air or… space." The pause at then end seemed significant as if he had come to some kind of conclusion as he spoke the words.
Mango could practically feel the curiosity of the crew behind her but se raised a hand to quieten them. Meanwhile her mind was working frantically. All children of both Tarak and Mejere were raised with the knowledge that the only ships that existed were spaceships. Tarak had no large bodies of water, neither did the largely space based habitats of Mejere, only the first generation of both worlds could have been aware of the origin of the word, or of its old meaning.
"Pardon me" Magno jerked herself out of her reverie. This was the first time Tamorasp had initiated a conversation.
"Could I ask your name?" Once again Magno was surprised, the polite and courteous way Tamorasp was behaving was completely at odds with the behaviour of their current guests from Tarak the first time she had met them.
"Magno Vivian, captain of this ship, and you still haven't answered my question."
"Captain". Tamorasp responded straitening slightly his tone becoming even more respectful. Interesting thought Magno he has an automatic respect for authority and he dosen't even question the fact that a woman, and one of my age would be the captain of a ship.
"Yes, I'm sorry, but I don't have any further answers to give you. I don't really know where here is. As for how I got here, I have no idea."
"What about who you are or where you came from?"
Tamorasp's gaze turned from Magno to stare at the ceiling above her. His eyes darted as if he was thinking rapidly and for the first time there was an expression of slight confusion or frustration on his face. "I'm sorry, I don't remember anything else"
"You don't remember!!" This shout came from Meia who was starting to lose patience with the whole affair.
Tamorasp's eyes jerked from the ceiling and he sat up slightly to stare for the first time at the other occupants of the room.
He spent a moment or two staring and Magno thought that she could see brief flickers of surprise cross his face as he inspected some of the crew, but these were always quickly suppressed.
"No I'm sorry I don't."
"You expect us to believe that you have no idea who you are, where you came from or how you got here?"
"No I know that my name is Tamorasp. Apart from that I'm sorry but I don't remember anything else."
Meia appeared to be about to respond with another retort when a gesture from Magno quietened her.
"What is the last thing you remember Tamorasp?"
He saw quietly for a second staring at nothing as if he was trying to deal with a complicated problem in his mind.
"Darkness, then light". The simplicity of the words would have made anyone scoff. Except from the tone in which they were said. There was a deep meaning attached to those words, concepts that the human mind could barely perceive expressed only in the most flawed way through the only medium available. Somehow it was enough to quieten further questions from the crew even from Meia.
After a time Duero spoke. "Captain I, think that should be all for now, the patient needs to rest after… well after whatever he has been through."
"Yes I agree, we'll leave him in your care for the moment Duero, but have him sent up to the meeting room as soon as you are finished.
"Right, that means everyone except medical personnel please clear the sick bay."
The rest of the crew filed out. BC, Meia and Parfait turning to follow Magno, Bart back to his quarters, and Hibiki desperately anywhere else as he was followed by a familiar call of "Mr Aliennn!"
Location: Meeting room behind the bridge.
"So what did you all think of our new arrival" Asked Magno
Seated with her around the table were the heads of the other sections. BC, Meia, Parfet and Gascogne.
"I don't trust him. How can he expect us to believe he has no idea how he got here or where he came from! Even for a man that's stupid. As for the way he was behaving that oh so respectful tone, he's just trying to get you to believe him captain." Meia voice was more animated than her usual cool tone. She knew that she wasn't behaving professionally but she couldn't help it. Something about the new arrival was affecting her. She didn't know what it was but she didn't like it.
Magno was faintly surprised by the heat in Meia's usually emotionless voice, but it wasn't unexpected. The crew had had to put up with a lot in the last couple of weeks. After being transported far from home, encountering a previously unknown enemy and having to get used to the concept of sharing the ship with three of their lifelong enemies. The arrival of a fourth under such unexplained circumstances was likely to set tempers flaring.
"What did you make of him Captain?" Asked BC disturbing Magno's train of thought.
"Well he was certainly odd. And I don't just mean the way in which he arrived. All the time he was looking at me very little of his reactions showed on his face. That means that he's either very skilled at hiding his reactions or he's calmest individual I've ever met. As for his behaviour, well his manners are definitely an improvement on the others, except perhaps for Duero."
"So what are we going to do with him?"
" Well as to that I'think we'll determine that after our next meeting, speaking of which."
"Captain, we have the new arrival here to see you" spoke a voice through the ships intercom."
" Ahhh, good timing, bring him in."
The doors to the briefing room opened and their new arrival walked in escorted by two members of the Nirvada's security detail.
The four senior members of the crew seated at the table turned to stare.
Although the had not yet been time to search all of the areas of the ship Durno had found a stash of men's clothing o one of the levels that had previously been part of the Ikazuchi. Tamorasp was now dressed it a tight fitting set of Kahki overalls and a pair of black work boots.
As he entered he looked at each of the rooms occupants giving them each a brief nod of greeting in turn before settling on Magno.
"Captain" he a said politely, "you wanted to see me?"
"Yes young man, sit down"
Tamorasp selected a chair directly in front of Magno's own and settled into it. He sat straight, his arms flat on the table in front of him.
He stared straight at Magno at polite attention.
"Well, well now what are we going to do with you?"
Tamorasp made no reply
"What no answer?"
"I apologise captain, I assumed that you were making a rhetorical question"
Magno started slightly, as the others tensed slightly at what they assumed was an insult. "Well I was not young man, so tell me what are we to do with you?"
"Whatever you feel it is in your power to do." Again that maddeningly calm tone from their new arrival. His voice sounded almost disinterested.
"Well perhaps you could tell me what you expect me to do with you then."
"Put me to work, keep me imprisoned, or try to kill me." Everyone in the room tensed further at those words. The entire sentence had been spoken in that familiar calm tone, but the final words had contained just the hint of a challenge as if he felt they could try but were uncertain to succeed.
"Again would you mind explaining that statement?"
Tamorasp nodded to Magno.
"Certainly, a ship is like a self contained world, which depends on everyone inside it to continue. Those that do not serve a purpose are at best a drain on resources, at worst a liability. Therefore if I am to remain on this ship I must serve a purpose.
As for my second option I have arrived here without warning from an unknown place. That unknown factor makes me a potential risk, as captain you have a duty to preserve the welfare of your crew, which you may see as best being done by keeping me confined until such time as you can release me, or the third option if you feel I represent too much of a risk you can try and kill me."
Magno was shocked. She could not fault his logic, but that was all it was, logic. Cold hard and unfeeling. There did not appear to be any trace or expectation of human reasoning or emotion behind that statement.
"You always say try, but you sit there guarded and unarmed on our ship. You seem very sure of yourself."
Tamorasp stared her directly in the eyes and grinned tightly showing his teeth.
"When one dances, the outcome is always unwritten." The words were oddly formal, as if he was quoting something. Magno was about to ask him about that except that as soon as the words were out of his mouth his expression changed. A look of confusion passed over his face as if he was wondering what he had just said.
Magno could feel the tension in the room. Tamorasp was still sitting there slightly confused. But the two guards, Meia BC and Gascone were all tensed and ready to act, Parfait was looking worried.
"Alright then we'll take option one"
Everyone in the room turned to look at her in surprise.
"Since you are now effectively a passenger on this ship, we will expect you to work for your passage. When we reach our destination you will be free to go."
Tamorasp was now staring at her intently. "When will you reach your home system?"
"We do not know. An accident transported us to this part of the galaxy, we are not certain of how long it will take to get back to our home system, possibly several months."
"There are no closer populated systems where you could drop me?"
" We don't know, this is uncharted space for us, but if we do find other Human settlements out here, you will be free to leave if you choose."
"Thank you." Tamorasp nodded his head graciously at her offer.
" Do you have any other questions?"
Tamorasp stared at her for several seconds before replying. Magno found the stare unnerving; it felt like he was trying to look inside her. Over a long life very few people had ever stared at her like that.
"What kind of ship is this?"
"What do you mean?"
"There appear to be too many people here for a freighter, but too few for a colony ship, and this ship does not appear to be a military vessel"
"What do you mean does not appear to be a military vessel! What do you claim to know about it?" Meia suddenly burst out angrily. She had been gradually growing more and more infuriated as the exchange. The male had started out respectfully but then those smug you can try to kill me comments had show he was just like that hot headed boy and that cowardly helmsman. A typical male.
She was about to give him a piece of her mind when he turned to her suddenly and replied, as if her question had been the most ordinary thing in the world.
"The environment on this ship, the décor, the way you all dress it all suggests a comfortable living environment. On the walk here I noticed very few internal bulkheads, no signs of additional power plants and very few guards. Warships are very rarely pleasant. They are usually purely functional and require multiple internal bulkheads and power sources in order to take damage and yet continue fighting. Finally there is always a sense of purpose and tension on warship, that feeling is missing here. Here there is anxiety, worry, and a little fear."
As soon as he stared at her Meia had been trapped by those eyes. They stared at her directly and frankly, completely open, completely sincere. She did not doubt that this male believed in what he was saying, but where did he get that knowledge from?
But then the moment passed and Tamorasp looked away, but now there was an expression on his face. Confusion and a little fear. How did I know that? I feel the truth in the words I just spoke but where does that knowledge come from. Why does it feel so familiar, and why does that familiarity fill me with excitement. And Terror.
"You have no Idea where that just came from do you" Magno looked at him with a speculative look on her face.
"No I don't." He felt compelled to add more.
"The words feel right but I have no idea where they come from."
"Well young man it appears that some of your memories may be returning. Don't worry I am sure it will come in time.
Meia, BC and gascone looked about to press him further but Magno silenced them.
"And we will give you the time for them to return." She said significantly, the other three subsided under her gaze, unwilling to question their captain before a stranger.
"Now to answer your question, this is a Pirate ship, we are pirates."
Magno noticed the sudden tension in Tamorsaps posture, the alertness.
"Will that be a problem for you?"
Tamorasp looked at her significantly for a few seconds before responding.
"No, but I will not help you rob or hurt other people."
"But you are willing to work on the ship and help us salvage?"
"Yes and help defend the ship if we are attacked."
"Whether we are willing to let you do that remains to be seen. Now any further questions?"
Tamorasp sat quietly for a moment as if nervous.
"So far almost everyone I have seen on this ship have been Women, why is that?"
"This is a female ship. The three males you saw earlier are captives from the Tarak Empire. We captured them when we seized this ship. They have agreed to help serve as member of the crew until we return to our home system"
"Where are you from?"
"The women's world of Mejere."
"So everyone from Tarak is male and everyone from Mejere is female? And your two worlds are at war?"
'Yes, you seem surprised by this."
"I don't know for some reason that just seems strange."
Magno stared at the man for a moment. He was clearly confused as if the situation puzzled him, but he could not apparently say why. She shook herself and continued
Now as you have no memory of what you do and do not know I will arrange for you to work shifts in the various areas of the ship so that we can determine where best to put you. In the meantime you can return to the men's quarters.
"Thank you captain". Taking this for the dismissal it was he stood up and nodded to Magno and the others present before once again following the guards out of the room.
Magno did not have to wait long for the explosion.
Meia: "Captain how can you let that man speak to you like that."
BC: "Captain I must protest this action, the man is an unknown and possibly dangerous."
Gascogne: "Boss are you sure about this?"
Magno: "Enough. I haven't gone senile just yet. I know that this appears a little strange but we have already taken in the other three men as part of our crew, so what's one more?
Secondly, you are right this man is an unknown, we do not know who he is or what he is capable of. So rather that leave him alone and unwatched we will put him where he can be observed and we can learn more about his capabilities.
BC take the guards off him when he starts work, but keep them within call. If anything happens I want them to be able to be there in an instant.
Gasgone, set up a roster, I want to put him to work in the register, engineering, maintenance and refuse during this week."
The section heads sat back and nodded. They still didn't necessarily like the plan but they saw its merits.
"One last thing, give him an opportunity to show what he can do. Try him out on everything except the security and Dread operations."
Magno saw the unspoken question on their faces.
"Consider something, you were all there when we first met this man. You saw how he acted then. Did any of you notice how he acted just now?"
Parfait nodded her head "He seemed more alert, more aware and more knowledgeable than when he first woke up."
"Exactly, however he got here the experience seems to have affected his memory. Just as obviously parts of that memory are now starting to return.
I am not a great believer in coincidence. I am certain that man is here for a reason, and that means that we may need him for something. We had better find out what he can do before that happens."
……………………………………………………
In the men's quarters Hibiki and Duero were not paying attention to Bart rant.
Despite the relatively small amount of time they had spent together since the ship became stranded in this section of space both the third class citizen and the doctor had become very familiar with one of the attributes of the scion of the Garsus family. The was when Bart started talking there was nothing short of the threat of physical violence (which Hibiki had needed to be physically restrained by Durero from attempting) that would stop him. So like the inhabitants of Tarak when one of the great dust storms swept through, they had simply adapted a way of passing the time until the wind blew itself out.
Dureo was busy studying the few books he had been able to find on female medicine and anatomy. The Tarak military academy where he had learned his trade had never even considered the possibility that a male doctor would find himself in a position of treating female patients. Female captives would find themselves in the hands of a rather different department. One which Duero had no interest in. But the books he was studying did interest him greatly and he was shocked at the differences that he read, but even more surprised by the similarities.
Hibiki meanwhile was deeply engrossed in a manual on the operation and maintenance of Vanguards. He had found the manual while searching through one of the maintenance sections of the former Ikazuchi. Dita had finally been called away by Jura for Dread practise and Hibiki was enjoying the respite, the dull drone of Bart now having faded into the background. His attention was suddenly diverted as he noticed two that two of the female guards had returned with their new arrival in tow.
"And further more I take this new mans arrival to be absolute proof that our lord the all powerful Grand Pa has not forsaken us and that we will……" Barts rant finally trailed off as he realised that the new arrival had reappeared.
Tamorasp turned to the guards and nodded to them cordially before making his way into the cell and taking a place on the vacant bunk.
The two female guards stared at him suspiciously for a moment before shrugging and turning away. They did not trust the new arrival, but their orders had been only to return him to his cell.
Once he had seated himself Tamorasp turned at nodded to Duero who had now put down the book he was reading. "Doctor, good to see you again, I'm sorry but I haven't had a chance to meet our other cellmates."
Bart immediately put himself forward and struck a pose "I am Bart Garsus, heir of the proud Garsus family and ranking office aboard!" Tamorasp stared at the youth for a minute seemingly impassive. Inside he was engaged in a titanic struggle to control his features. This kid, he obviously believed in everything he said and he was just as obviously completely clueless. Nevertheless appearances had to be maintained and you never knew his impression could be mistaken, unlikely as that presently seemed.
Impassively he held out his hand.
"Tamorasp, pleased to meet you Bart Garsus."
Bart seemed a little confused by the offer of the hand. On Tarak that was a greeting reserved between equals and this newcomers status had not yet been determined. Then he seemed to rally and returned the handshake with a forced smile on his face.
The shake was brief and limp, Tamorasp's estimation of Bart, not to high to begin with dropped several rungs lower.
"Now that the formalities are over tell us the plan."
Tamorasp stared at Bart nonplussed.
"I'm sorry?"
"Oh there's no further need to continue the act my friend. It was a very clever tactic to pretend that you had lost your memory to convince the Women to keep you on board. Now what is the plan to retake the ship? I am ready to assist you, a Garsus is always prepared to do his duty for the empire and Lord Grandpa."
Tamorasp stared at Bart for a few moments and despite his best efforts a trace of the incredulity he was feeling appeared on his face. Surely this man could not be as clueless as he was pretending to be, there was no way that a military officer could possibly…Tamorasp started at Bart an the others again and for the first time he realised that they were young, very young. Damn me but they cannot be more than 18 years old, and the youngest looks considerably less. What the hell kind of society sends their kids out to fight wars.
"I think I need to correct a misconception of yours Bart but I'm afraid that you are mistaken."
Bart who had been about to burst into another patriotic speech paused and looked confused
"What..what do you mean?"
"I am not necessarily on your side. I don't know where I am from, but I am fairly certain that it is not from Tarak. And I have no interest in helping you take control of this ship."
Bart by now was staring goggle eyed at the new arrival, his cherished day dreams of the past few hours now completely shattered
"But.. But then who are you and why are you here?"
Tamorasp leaned back on the bench and stretched linking his arms behind his head.
" As for who I am that's something that I would like to know myself, as to why I am here I have no idea, but at least for the moment I am a passenger on this ship and I intend to act like one."
This comment shocked Bart into silence, which prompted Duero who had been listening to the conversation interject.
"Then Tamorasp.."
"Tam"
"I'm sorry" Duero said caught unaware by the interruption.
"Call me Tam. Tamorasp is the full version of my name, it's rarely used except for formal occasions. Besides Tam is easier to say."
"Alright then Tam, can I ask you then what you do intend to do since you are on this ship with us?
Tamorasp (hence forth Tam) sat up and turned around.
"The Captain has offered me passage on this ship until we reach another inhabited system. Until that time I'm going to work for my passage.'
"Work how?"
"Whatever tasks they set me"
"You are just going to take orders from the women!" Bart had by this time recovered from his shock.
Tam turned back to stare at him and raised an eyebrow in query.
"This ship appears to be fully in the control of the women. Whom else then should I take orders from?"
"From me you should respect me as an officer in the Tarak Empire and assist me in retaking this ship as is your duty."
Tam looked down and snorted before looking up with a faint expression of amusement on his face.
" Again I believe that you are operating under a misconception Mr Garsus.
One I am not a member of your empire, thus I owe it no loyalty or obligation.
Two your war with the women is no concern of mine.
Three there is no way that I am going to take orders from snot faced cadet barely out of the academy."
Bart flushed and stepped back a look of embarrassment on his face. From his reaction Tam knew that he had hit home. It was the only explanation that fitted.
"So you are not going to fight." The final person in the cell had finally made a contribution to the discussion. Tam turned to look at him. He was even younger than the others, olive skinned and brown eyed. He wore a pair of baggy pants and a bright orange and black top. He stared back at Tam with a fierce look in his eyes.
"I don't think we have been introduced/"
The young man flushed and then looked at Tam again. "Hibiki Tokai, don't bother offering your hand I'm only a third class citizen."
Hibiki turned away again, then looked back in surprise as Tam extended his hand.
"I have no idea what that means, nor do I care. I don't not remember much, but I do remember that it's a common courtesy to offer your hand to a man the first time you meet."
Hibiki looked at Tam suspiciously for a moment unsure if this was a trick. But Tams hand remained extended, unwavering. Finally Hibiki reached back and returned the shake.
The grim was firm and honest. Tam smiled inside as he thought to himself. There is steel in this one, despite his age, but it remains to be seen if there is enough to make a blade.
"To answer your question Hibiki I told the Captain that I would be willing to help defend this ship if it was attacked. But a smart warrior chooses his fights, and I have no reason to fight the women, they are not my enemy."
"So how are you going to help fight the cubes?"
"Who are the cubes?"
Over the next several hours Tam managed to get the entire story out of his cell mates.
The launching of the Ikazuchi. Hibiki's attempt to steal the Vanguard. The attack by the pirates, the strange explosion that had brought them here and fused the ships. And finally the mysterious cubes that had started attacking them.
Despite the initial attempts of Duero and Bart to be circumspect, in time using carefully phrased questions Tam was able to get everything out of them. It wasn't hard really. Deep down they were all young men that had been thrown into a situation that they were having trouble dealing with and they were eager to talk about what they had gone through.
Later that night while the others were asleep Tam lay thinking. Part of his mind wanted to gibber in panic at what he had learned. But this part was ruthlessly suppressed with a discipline that was second nature too him. He was grateful for that discipline even though he had no idea where it came from. Now as he lay awake he sorted his thoughts and what he had heard into logical patterns as he had been taught.
This time he remembered something of his teacher. He had recalled it earlier before his second meeting with Magno but had been reluctant to mention it. He was doubly so now that Hibiki had described the cubes. He had remembered standing in a vast chamber filled with strange machines. The machines had followed shapes and patterns that spoke of pure functionality, with none of the ascetics that marked human machines. Before him stood a robot. It was roughly human shaped, made out of glittering blue steel. Its face was a featureless ovoid. But strangely he had felt a sense of camaraderie, of friendship. The robot had been trying to teach him about logical thinking, how it could be used to solve any problem. He remembered arguing with the
Robot, although he could not remember what about. Now the scene brought a question to his mind. Am I somehow linked with these cubes? Do I know them or even worse, am I one of them.
Pushing the thought out of his mind he focused on what he did know.
He had no idea where he was. He was on board a ship travelling to an unknown star system through unknown space. There was an unknown enemy of unknown strength out there and it was apparently hostile.
The ship was predominantly full of women most of whom were in their teens, who seemed to have only the barest of military knowledge. The only men on the ship was an apparently competent doctor, a spoiled rich boy who served as the helmsman, and an angry young tech thrust into the role of a warrior who's only apparent tactic was to charge at the enemy screaming. Then there was the ships power source, this plexis and the ability of Hibiki's vanguard to link with Ditas dread. He was still unclear about those.
But in summary, he was lost, far from anywhere and surrounded by potential enemies, both outside the ship and on it. Basically he was screwed.
Anyway you looked at it was an impossible situation.
So why, he thought as he smiled before turning to sleep, do I somehow feel right at home?
End of Chapter 1.
Preview Chapter 2.
Barnet is given the job of assigning the new arrival a task in refuse.
She picks the dirtiest job possible.
How will our new arrival bear up?
Authors comments: This chapter may have seemed a little slow, but I wanted to set the scene before progressing further. As for Tamorasp losing his memory, I know its hardly and original plot device but if I had thrown a fully powered DeathStalker into the story it would have been far too boring, the Harvesters would never have stood a chance. This first chapter takes place somewhere between episodes 3 and 4 of the first stage. I intend to follow the story line fairly closely but I will be making changes here and there.
DarkBlade