Full Metal Panic!

Chapter Three

Seeker

By Steve Edward

Wednesday, 1000 hours, Artic Test Facility

Lieutenant Kaname Chidori faced a nightmare from her past. She had been inside such a pod before and the memories were not pleasant. The subject still inside had locked eyes with her screaming wordlessly as Sergeant Olina Pederson paired with Ensign Aryl began working to extract her from the pod.

"If the wrong codes are utilized, she gets a lethal mixture" said Pederson as the portable computer began breaking the electronic security barriers. A visibly concerned Sergeant Major Mao spoke "What about the bio-hazard system? Will it trigger again?" Ensign Aryl furiously typing at a nearby terminal replied "Not if I can help it Melissa." Sergeant Major Wu spoke "Lieutenant Chidori, try to calm her down if possible. Can you do a merging without direct contact?"

Sergeant Sagara spoke "Kaname it is worth a try." Lieutenant Chidori slowly approached the pod, then kneeling next to the young girl inside focused directly into her eyes then wordlessly connected "Hello, I am Kaname, please don't be afraid. We are here to help."

Aryl stopped typing and seeking out Kaname found her and the young girl and joined the merging, "Do not fear. Relax and close your eyes." Souska kneeling behind Kaname felt her going limp, and catching her; held her in his arms. Weber standing at the rear of the pod spoke "Looks like a three-way to me." Melissa having seen Aryl stop typing replied "Watch Aryl, if she topples over she is going your direction."

Sergeant Pederson spoke "One more level. Weber anything back there interesting?" Kurz looking at three large vials connected to an intravenous feeding tube leading to within the pod replied "Yes. I see three vials, connected to an IV tube, why?" Olina replied, "Behind thick glass?" Kurz replied "Yes. Very thick, no way to pry it open."

Pederson replied "Mao, Wu the security system has a trap door and can go either way."

Melissa spoke "Kurz, single round on Olina's command to the base of those vials. Wu, you and me will yank that pod open, when he fires."

Sergeant Olina Pederson spoke, "On three please. Beginning with the last barrier, one, two, three…"

Wednesday, 1100 hours, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2

Lieutenant Alice Wren was Samuel Eliot Morison and the submarine was Lieutenant Alice Wren. Astern 500 meters, racing along at 60 knots after the Morison and Wren was the Tuatha de Danaan and Captain Teletha Testarossa and like Lieutenant Wren she had become the Tuatha de Danaan and Tuatha de Danaan was Captain Teletha Testarossa. Two women, two machines merged as one.

"Next turn on the "Red Line" is called "Cannon Ball" Alice. Current heading is 290 degrees. It will be a left shallow turn to new heading of 270 degrees," said Commander Ward as he studied the tactical screen. Captain Simms spoke "Last time that me and Drake were here, there was a weapons launch platform on heading 285 degrees at a depth of 900 meters. Homing torpedoes was the load out. Stand-by to fire Wild-Weasel, tube five on that heading while in turn, on my mark."

Though a dangerous and somewhat unorthodox method, Captain Simms by launching a Wild Weasel, which was a specialized torpedo designed to decoy homing torpedoes it would lure even the most discriminating undersea weapons platform to launch. The Tuatha de Danaan's part in this dangerous game would be to fire a counter-torpedo into the weapons platform if it was still active. He called it simply policing the area of unwanted cold war toys.

"Thirty seconds, stand-by," said Captain Simms. "Mark!" as he stabbed the execute button, Wren rolled to port, firing on the ordered heading as she continued to 270 degrees. "Firing counter-torpedo," said Tessa; her pleasant and calm voice reporting after the fact.

Commander Mardukas on the Tuatha de Danaan spoke "Direct hit. Weapons platform destroyed, Madam Captain." Commander Ward observing the tactical board spoke "Straight shot from here. Still it will be nearly six hours till we can get close enough to talk to the combat teams, Andrew what about the rest of the "Red Line"?"

Captain Simms getting out of the command chair replied "Too darn close to Mother Russia to be playing around with them. Besides someone might be maintaining the ones close in to the old ballistic base and they might take a dim view of us dismantling the rest of them. Stand down to condition two, standing orders are fire only if fired upon. Alice, stand-by to return control to the main helm, then join me in the wardroom after you change." Alice Wren's voice replied "I look forward to lunch, Captain."

Entering the wardroom dinning area, Captain Andrew Simms was greeted by those just departing and taking his seat, the Chief Engineer Major Azura Roux entered behind Lieutenant Alice Wren and they joined him at the table.

Placing their orders, the officers relaxed. Captain Simms spoke "Azura? Have you been able to catch up on your sleep?"

Major Roux replied "I am well rested for now Andrew. If I may ask how long will we be maintaining the current ordered speed?" Captain Simms looked briefly towards the ship's chronometer then spoke "For now Major, at least six hours. Since Commander Strong alerted us to the fact that the barrier at the test facility was down, Captain Testarossa is making it a priority to get as close as possible to recover the combat teams and then bug out."

"Bug out Captain?" said Major Roux. Andrew nodded, the said "It is on Mother Russia's rear door step so to speak and the less time we are here the better. It will be only a matter of time before the Russian's send another military recon and observation unit to investigate what happened and to recover anything they can before the facility is dismantled. I suspect we will not be able to do much of that when we get there."

Lieutenant Wren spoke, "Major Roux? If I may ask, how long have you known Ensign Aryl?" Azura spoke, "Please Alice, call me Azura. But as to how long I have known Ensign Aryl, it has been nearly a year and a half. We first met, when the Mithril Recovery team that I was assigned to retrieved her from the Sudan coast."

Andrew having started on his salad paused then said "From a freighter that went aground?" Azura nodded then replied "Yes, Andrew the very same one you were ordered to sink, but did not. My involvement in her recovery was on recently declassified as you know."

Andrew replied "After her recovery, you began working with her closely. Because of her match up with Arbalest II, and of course your knowledge of the Lambda Driver systems I can assume Aryl was involved in some form of testing?"

Azura spoke "Yes. Non-invasive of course, and Aryl received "Whispered" training to enable her to merge with the control systems. The original Arbalest, now piloted by Sergeant Souska Sagara, its control systems by mere happenstance matches his brainwaves. Our goal was to develop an updated version of Arbalest, which could be piloted by anyone. However we had reached a summit where we could not continue which lead to her being assigned to Melida Island and eventually to the Samuel Eliot Morison."

"For training in the TAROS control system which is the basis for the control systems of the Lambda Driver," said Captain Simms. Lieutenant Wren recalling what happened during Aryl's initial test replied "So I can assume you are aware Azura what happened during that training?" Azura replied "I read of the recommended modifications, but I was not fully informed of the testing results involving Aryl. Was there a problem?" Andrew eyeing his baked chicken with onions replied "You should query Wren, Captain Testarossa and Lieutenant Kaname Chidori about certain things that happened. Believe me, when you have three "Whispered" hunting for you it can be a problem." Azura seeing Wren blushing replied "I guess we should talk privately about this later Alice?" Lieutenant Wren nodded "Yes, very much privately."

Wednesday, 1300 hours, Artic Test Facility

Lieutenant Kaname Chidori moved aside the hair that fallen across the young girls face. She was resting for now, outside of the destroyed examination pod that had once held her. The radio chatter from the remainder of the team as they carried out exploration of the test facility was the only back ground to an otherwise silent infirmary.

Ensign Aryl entered followed by Sergeant Olina Pederson who tucked a data cartridge into her satchel which she set down at the foot of the bed the spoke, "Mao and Weber have taken care of the Lambda Driver. It will be impossible for anyone to operate again anytime soon, since we have the control crystal with us."

"Any imperfections?" asked Sergeant Sagara as he turned away from the window. Ensign Aryl replied "Virtually flawless, and it is of a size that I have only seen once before. It could easily power four Lambda Drivers the size of Arbalest's system."

Lieutenant Chidori spoke "Sergeant Pederson. Have you been able to determine what went wrong here?"

Pederson sitting in a chair next to Kaname said "According to the logs, the test event began on Sunday at 0200 hours, at a time forecasted for a solar flare event. Apparently the scientists were going to use the event to enhance the output of the Lambda Driver by utilizing the excited magnetic fields of the earth. However, the test subject went into sensory overload trying to regulate the output and the surges within the Lambda Driver.

The young girl sought to protect herself, at least that is what I can interpret from the logs so hence the appearance of the barrier.

There is an extensive amount of data pertaining to their attempts to have her shut the system down, but she ignored the requests and apparently took control of the main computer system and then someone triggered a cyanide gas release inside the pod room which then apparently triggered a bio-hazard alarm resulting in the entire station being subject to a lock down. Who ever did the actual release is not known, but the young girl was protected by the pods built-in life support system. It was not until that cleaning-bot showed up to do its chore did the system finally get shut down."

"Any idea what drugs they may have been trying to use against her Sergeant Pederson," asked Ensign Aryl who had come to a stop at the foot of the young girls' bed. Olina glanced at a closed transport case then spoke "Not really sure, but likely some concoctions to remove any sort of voluntary responses. The blood samples we took will help. All the vials we found listed code numbers and no names."

Sergeant Graham Jaunay standing watch near the open hanger entrance almost missed the UAV as it passed above the facility, but the slight buzz from its single propeller had given it away. Keying his radio, Graham called Sergeant Major Wu then spoke "Robot eye just went by. It's not a Mithril unit." Sergeant Major Wu replied "If it returns do not shoot it, just keep an eye on it." Clicking in acknowledgement, Sergeant Jaunay settled back into his concealed position and looked south for any signs of movement.

Wednesday, 1500 hours, Melida Island Mithril Western Pacific Combat Support Base

"Com-Sat-Three has been maneuvered into position, Commander Strong," stated the voice from the intercom. Commander Lewis Strong looking at the situation board spoke "Very well. Let's try to raise the combat teams and both submarines. Boost the signal if you have to."

It was Lieutenant Commander Andrei Kalinin who answered onboard the Tuatha de Danaan, "Excellent work for those who put in the extra efforts. What is the situation, Commander Strong?"

Lewis turned towards the small camera mounted on his computer monitor then spoke "You and the Morison are the only ones we have been able to raise so far. It appears that local conditions at the test facility are still blocking the signals, however we have learned that the Russians are preparing to send in ground forces within the next six hours."

Kalinin rubbed his chin in thought then spoke "TDD-1 and TDD-2 will be at the test site within three hours or less. Has Madam Chairperson made any further recommendations?"

Lewis replied "In the last message, she indicated that if nothing else can be done, that the suspected "Whispered" controller is to be removed. The installation is to be left intact, with discretion towards at completely disabling the Lambda Driver so it can not be restarted."

About to reply, Lieutenant Commander Kalinin was interrupted by a static filled transmission "Urzu-2 to Tango-Delta-One or Tango-Delta-Two or Mike-One, how copy over?"

Kalinin replied "This is Tango-Delta-One. Urzu-Two, report your status."

Wu could see the excited reaction of Mao that those listening in could not. Mao pumping her fist in jubilation spoke "Facility is secure; we have had one overflight by an unmanned UAV, nationality unknown. One package in custody, condition critical but stable and one jewel unblemished, mounting destroyed with no surrounding damage. System is fully down."

Kalinin spoke "Urzu-Two, prepare for rapid extraction by 1700 hours. Take all records that are of interest, remainder of facility to be left intact. Pickup point is East-Sixty-Three. Acknowledge over."

Mao repeated the orders, and then turned to Wu "Well you heard him. Let's get ready to move. We got two hours to get to the pickup point. Better get the girl ready."

Wu replied "We will have to use Alfa-Two for the transport; I'll get Aryl to power the unit up."

Ensign Aryl, settled into her pilot seat and began systems checks; while below her Sergeant Souska Sagara and Sergeant Graham Jaunay prepared the litter carrying the unconscious "Whispered" who had been carefully sedated for the ride in Arbalest-Two.

"Ok Aryl. The litter is ready to be lifted," spoke Wu.

Powering up the arms, Aryl gently lifted the litter that had been placed in the "hands" of her Arbalest. Along for the ride was both Sergeants, balanced on the balls of their feet they lifted the litter and walking along the arms till they reached the open cockpit, each man stepped into the cramped cockpit; setting it onto the open jump seat where each secured it into position using both the safety belts and extra straps on the litter. Stepping clear, both Sagara and Jaunay waved to Aryl as she lowered them back to the permafrost.

Lieutenant Kaname Chidori already onboard Souska's Arbalest pulled the parka closer as the chilled wind blew into the open cockpit. Though not fully understanding what the displays around her meant, she had already understood what one did mean when the alarm notification began to sound, "Uh guys? Something is coming and coming fast."

Mao hearing the report replied "Thank you Lieutenant. Urzu-Six go active and decoy."

Sergeant Kurz Weber Urzu-Six replied "Roger that. Moving now" and executing a series of pre-planned maneuvers Urzu-Six set out across the frozen and scarred tundra and the contact a manned surveillance aircraft, setoff in pursuit of its quarry Urzu-Six which was oddly flashing a bright light directly at it.

Wednesday, 1600 hours, Artic Circle, Position 63.5 Longitude 81.45 Latitude

There was little time wasted, Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1 and Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2 both conducting a forced surface, slammed thru a thin shield of ice of a recently closed blue water point. Though the Artic landscape appeared once solid piece of ice, it was not. There were both thick and thin areas that at times opened and closed dependant on natural and man made factors that affected the delicate ecology of the Artic. Captain Testarossa does not want to utilize explosives to break the ice, so the combined efforts of two submarines weighing nearly 45,000 tons a piece did the job.

All told in the flight group speeding towards the rendezvous were ten Sikorsky S-92 Model J Super Hawks Heavy-Lifts, three UH 60 Model M Sikorsky's with ground support personnel and the crown jewel of air support and front line fighter aircraft the F-35 B Strike Fighter, twelve in all being led by Major Pedro Gonzalez of the Mithril 7th Air Group taking six of his own and six from the Tuatha de Danaan 6th Air Group.

Captain Simms gave a sigh of relief as the Tuatha de Danaan faded from view then as the voice of Commander Richard Mardukas spoke "Confirmed. ECS is operational." No longer "naked", both submarines were relatively safe from visual acquisition, which left Simms and Mardukas with subsurface detection to contend with. Petty Officer Cal Larkin the lead sonarman on the Morison had lowered the towed array sonar array as had his counter-part some 1000 meters distant and they were monitoring the immediate surroundings. If anything out of the ordinary was detected, it had already been decided that Samuel Eliot Morison would submerge, investigate and if necessary be the diversion and the Tuatha de Danaan would recover all the aircraft in the mission.

"Urzu-Six to Urzu-Two, they are busy chasing the ball. How is your progress?"

Sergeant Major Melissa Mao, Urzu-Two replied "Get moving towards East-Sixty-Three. Air support is 15 minutes out." Weber having activated his ECS stepped carefully out of the shallow gully and moved off as directed, leaving the surveillance aircraft which was Russian buzzing a glowing ball of light as it still tumbled across the tundra.

Paired with Urzu-7, Ensign Aryl in Alfa-Two hurried towards the pickup point which was well east of the test facility that now lay abandoned. Sergeant Sagara spoke "Alfa-Two, you will be first. Ensure the medical information and samples that you have are quickly passed to the medical teams. Please activate the pickup beacon in three minutes."

The first UH-60 approaching the pickup point deactivated its ECS after scanning the terrain and followed by the remaining UH-60's the ground crews dressed in camouflaged artic gear disembarked and scrambled across the permafrost towards the Arbalests and the M9's sprinting towards them.

Major Gonzalez call sign Seven-One spoke "Ok ladies and gents by the numbers as planned. Six, your team stay high. Seven-Two and Three break and cover Urzu Six. Seven-Four, Five and Six, south you go and lay the decoys then activate. Reminder to all fire only if fired upon, weapons not free till that issue arises." Receiving acknowledgments to his orders, Major Gonzalez twisting into a tight left turn followed after Seven-Four, Five and Six to cover their mission.

The general studied the video briefly then reviewing his orders made a decision. Picking up the handset he keyed the transmitter "All units to hold current positions. No further advance authorized. All weapons to safe positions, that is all."

"General! That is outrageous, they are on our soil, and have violated our sovereignty not to mention entered a highly classified facility, I demand that you prevent their departure," said the livid scientist.

The general rose to his feet and walked across the command center to where the scientist was standing then spoke "You denied that there was anything taking place except for artic study to those in Moscow, now here you freely admit to me in front of witnesses that there was something taking place. Many have died because of your lies and deceit. Guards! Remove him immediately!"

Ignoring the cursing behind him, as the scientist was dragged away the general returned to his seat and reaching into the desk drawer withdrew a bottle which an aide opened and poured for him, the general sampling the drink swallowed sending the burning sensation to the pit of his stomach as he patiently waited for the mercenary force to leave his native soil.

Major Azura Roux spoke before she climbed the remainder of the ladder "Permission to enter topside?" The voice of Captain Andrew Simms gave his approval and added "I hope you brought something warm to drink Major?"

With expert ease, holding the beverage carrier above her head, Major Roux felt the carrier being lifted from her hands as a pair of hands gripped her wrists pulling her through the hatch to the sail. Captain Simms having helped her spoke "Watch the deck we got some ice forming despite the deicers."

Stepping carefully, Azura joined with Captain Simms looking in the direction of where the retrieval aircraft would be returning from. Azura taking note of the still magnetic compass said "So the magnetic fields have stabilized?" Andrew glancing at the compass replied "Rather quickly too. The 7th Air Group reports the Russian ground teams have halted and that their cover aircraft did an about face and sped south. No indications of even being scanned by simple search systems. In your opinion, is that normal Major?"

"It appears that two hands have become one," said the major as Commander Ward calling the sail announced the approach of Alfa-Two, "Alfa-Two with Sierra-One is five minutes out. Deck recovery stand-by. Medical teams to stand-by."

Roux spoke "The "Whispered" controller? Aryl has the test subject?" Andrew raising his binoculars replied "It was confirmed by Lieutenant Commander Kalinin. Major Roux, what did you mean by two hands becoming one?"

Azura replied "Like many governments, one hand does not know what another may be doing, however when events transpire to bring unwanted attention the hand in the dark emerges to control the situation and to prevent unwanted escalation. It is apparent the public hand has enforced its will against such unwanted attention. In this particular situation it appears they are willing to sacrifice the brief intrusion to prevent the possibility of ridicule by the world." Andrew mused over that description and spoke "And sometimes there are those that become scapegoats, to save public face."

Major Roux seeing a green flare materialize from thin air replied "Yes that may be true Captain, but those scapegoats are sometimes rewarded for the difficult decisions that they have had to make." Andrew keying his headset nodded at her comment then said "Deactivate ECS. Sierra-One on approach."

Wednesday, 1900 hours, Samuel Eliot Morison TDD-2 and Tuatha de Danaan TDD-1

Doctor George Albert entered the shielded infirmary compartment and turned towards the video camera briefly then approached the bed "Patient is female, Asiatic descent, estimated age is 12 years. Overall condition is stable. Treatments have begun for use of neural inhibitor drugs. Subject currently restrained for her own safety, because of involuntary reflexes of her limbs. There is no indication of prior implant use, subject is still in unconscious state and should remain so for at least twenty-four hours."

Captain Teletha Testarossa spoke "Thank you for your efforts Doctor. Please continue treatment as you see fit. Have you had an opportunity to analyze her blood samples?"

Captain Simms muted the sound and turned away from the monitor to face Sergeant Major Guan-yin Wu and her team standing before him in his cabin "I've read your report and it has been forwarded to Captain Testarossa for her to review. Well done to all of you, and that is including you, Aryl. Sergeant Pederson? About that last security point on that pod. Was it a trigger?"

Sergeant Pederson spoke "Yes it was Captain. It did release the couplings holding the cover in place, but it too triggered the injector at the rear. Urzu-Six, Sergeant Kurz Weber destroyed it with a single shot, preventing it from mixing the chemicals in the vials and injecting the test subject."

Glancing at the silenced figure of Doctor Albert as he continued to brief Captain Testarossa, Andrew spoke "Well I guess Doctor Albert owes his patient's life to Weber."

Rising from his desk, Captain Simms dismissed Wu and her team along with Ensign Aryl then about to exit his cabin behind Aryl, his intercom chirped "Chief Engineer to Captain Simms. Are you available sir?" Andrew turning and walking back to his desk replied "Yes I am Major." Azura replied "Can you come to Engineering Lab One. You will want to see what I have discovered." Replying that he was on his way, Andrew turned off the intercom and turning towards the passageway he found Aryl standing in his doorway.

"Captain. The control crystal for that Lambda Driver is of one I have seen before. Azura is wary of it and so should you." Aryl turning away walked towards her nearby quarters, before Andrew could give a reply.

Major Azura Roux waited as Captain Simms passed through the air lock, separating the main lab from the specialized containment lab in which she stood. Sensing that Captain Simms was beside her in the near darkness she spoke "The beauty of the crystal surpasses that of even diamonds." To Andrew the hexagonal shape of the driver crystal seems obscenely large, but what caught his eyes was the light from within pulsing at times, dancing both within and along its multifaceted axis.

"Major can you turn off the light show" asked Captain Simms circling the containment chamber while remaining focused on the crystal. Azura replied, "I have not directed any external lighting onto the crystal. What you see Andrew, is the life force within."

Captain Simms looking across to Azura in puzzlement spoke "Life force? Surely you jest?"

Major Roux closed her eyes briefly then shook her head "No Captain. I do not jest. There is a life force within. When properly "mated" if you will with a biological host the crystal will emit energy. Unlike the crystals used within Arbalest, which are mere fragments of what was once the large crystal before you; the crystal holds an entity, one that is intelligent." Andrew replied "You are wary of it as Aryl said."

Azura nodded, "I suppose when Aryl remains close to someone she can sense certain things that person just as she does you, Captain. But yes I am wary of it. This is only the second crystal of its size, shape and clarity found and of course one that is inhabited by an alien life form."

Returning to Azura's side, Captain Simms spoke "So this is only the second one? Where was the first found?" Azura replied "Seventeen years and six months ago to be precise in the Kuril Islands. It was the starting point of where Mithril believes the creation of the "Whispered" took place."

Andrew did some quick mental calculations, then spoke "With the exception of Aryl and our mystery "Whispered" in sickbay; we have three young women within that age bracket. Teletha, Kaname and Alice, they are all 17 years of age and birthdates within three months of each other."

Azura smiled "I see that you love birthdays, Captain," as the crystal seemed to brighten briefly at the increased emotions of the two officers. Andrew not missing the crystal's behavior spoke "Force of habit, Major. Any explanation how the "Whispered" became the way they are today? I mean from what I know of Captain Testarossa's background she did not "awaken" until she was about six years old. Alice Wren same thing and we can only assume or theorize why Kaname Chidori "awakens" till rather late relatively speaking."

Azura replied "I am not a medical officer but an engineer, so we can only assume that it is based on how and where they were living at the time they were exposed to whatever caused them to become what they are. I can tell you this Captain, which about the time Aryl was "awakened"; it occurred during the initial test phase of the crystal before us by the Russians, nearly two years earlier, which places her in an area of Africa where shattered remnants of these crystals have been found."

Andrew gazing at the crystal replied "So the Russians mistakenly assumed that they found the mother-of-all-rocks, knowing that the much smaller pieces were when properly "mated" and or excited by a biological host produced incredible power outputs which this crystal does seemingly too well, but instead it is likely a "transmitter" or "key" that activates "Whispered" hosts that for all practical purposes to serve the needs of the life form or life forms in the crystals?"

Azura replied "That is one theory, Andrew. One that may prove true," as Andrew pondering her comments looked towards the crystal asking a question he knew that the crystal could not or would not answer. "Just how many have been awakened and where?"

Andrew spoke "Major. I want that crystal sealed within the highest containment transport container that can hold it and I want the shielding reinforced. I've seen enough of the light show, and frankly I have to agree with Aryl. I am really wary of that crystal. I want that thing cut off from anyway of making contact with any "Whispered" or human and I would like you to provide all data in your possession concerning the Lambda Driver Crystals. Is that understood?" Azura replied "Fully Captain."

Sergeant Major Melissa Mao stood ram rod straight, her eyes focused on the bulkhead behind Captain Teletha Testarossa as she spoke "Madam Captain, It was me who decided to transfer the control crystal to the Samuel Eliot Morison. The decision was based on information from Ensign Aryl who stated that the chief engineer, Major Azura Roux is a specialist in the Lambda Driver crystals."

Teletha replied "I had initially thought that the crystal you had recovered was merely a 15 centimeter size piece. It was not until I read your report that I realized just how large it is. At any point during your handling of the crystal, did you feel any discomfort or notice anything unusual Sergeant Major?"

Melissa spoke "Negative Madam Captain. I felt fine the entire time. I did wear protective gear while handling the crystal, but I noticed that it seemed to be pulsing with soft light, but I thought it was from our surroundings."

Teletha closed her eyes then spoke, "That will be all Sergeant Major. You are dismissed."

Thursday, 0700 hours, Melida Island Mithril Western Pacific Combat Support Base

Commander Lewis Strong spoke "Andrew? Are you serious? Going behind Tessa's back? That is a serious breach of protocol." Captain Andrew Simms appearing from his cabin replied "I don't think I have a choice, besides I done it before when I have felt the need to. I have to speak with the Chairperson and Council, as it will be they who have some answers to questions that I have."

Commander Strong, grudgingly replied "Very well. I'll make the request. By the way can you clear it for Charlotte and Raymond to speak with Drake? Both are on Melida now and Charlotte is a bit concerned about her husband." Captain Simms smiled "I have no problem with that request. After signoff, go ahead and contact us as you normally would. I am sure Drake will appreciate seeing both, Simms out."

Commander Drake Ward still in communication with his wife Charlotte and Raymond turned to greet Captain Andrew Simms as he entered the bridge at 0800 hours. Waving to Charlotte and Raymond as he took his command chair, Andrew accepted a PDA from Lieutenant Wren then said "Our mystery guest condition is improving. Have you been to see her lieutenant?"

"Not since her initial arrival sir," said Alice as Andrew reading through the morning reports and signing off on items needing his attention replied "Make sure you and Aryl are available when Doc Albert is ready to bring her out of sedation." Returning the PDA to Lieutenant Wren who acknowledged his orders, Andrew turned his attention to the tactical board as Commander Ward signed off with his wife.

Drake addressing Captain Simms spoke "One hour to the Bering Straight. Day orders from Tuatha de Danaan indicate submerged transit this time around. Transit speed is 35 knots till exit then increase to 45 knots with 10,000 meter spacing throughout the evolution."

Andrew replied "Well, she is keeping it simple. I will hold the department head briefing at a later time then. Commander Ward you stand relieved. Get some rest." Commander Drake Ward about to turn and leave replied in a whisper "With all due respect, Andrew just how much sleep did you get last night?" Captain Simms glancing at Drake replied in a whisper "As much as I needed. That will be all Commander." Drake then saluted and left the bridge.

Commander Drake Ward entered the wardroom where the Chief Mess Specialist stood waiting with his breakfast order already in place on the table. Taking his seat, Drake accepted the offer of coffee and while it was being poured the Chief Engineer, Major Azura Roux followed by the Chief Medical Officer, Doctor George Albert entered the wardroom and took their seats.

The mess specialist offering coffee to the new arrivals poured the respective officers their coffee then left the wardroom closing the door to the galley to give them privacy.

Commander Ward spoke, "Good morning doctor. How is the patient?"

Doctor Albert blowing the hot coffee to cool it slightly took a sip then said "As best as can be expected. The bastards put her through an emotional wringer when they had her in that pod contraption, and they had the audacity to call themselves doctors and scientists! They got what they deserved, ten times over."

Drake sat back slightly; it was unusual to have Doctor Albert expressing such displeasure openly and to even mention his own view of suitable punishment. Drake replied "Then I take it, she was tortured?" The doctor replied "How would you feel Commander, if someone exposing you to something that you did not understand over a period of time would resort to drugs to force you to loose any semblance of dignity and control of your thought processes. When you did well or correctly, you were or are rewarded with either a reduction of the pain or your pleasure centers of your brain were stimulated. But if you did badly, you are rewarded with pain or other means, like sudden increases to areas of your brain that may bring terror or other fears? Not what I would call a civilized experiment."

Major Roux spoke "Connected as she was with the crystal, it would in turn translate those fears and pleasures into various amounts of power output Commander. They were attempting to extract all the available power held within the crystal, but it seems that the doctors and scientists underestimated the true power within that crystal and through the "Whispered" they paid for that mistake with their lives."

Drake spoke "Major Roux? Does this have anything to do with Andrew being up all night?" Azura replied "Likely it does Commander Ward. I provided a significant amount of information on the Lambda Driver crystals and the control crystal background to Captain Simms at his personal request."

Doctor Albert hearing that said "Well now I know why he kept buzzing me all morning with odd questions. It appears Major Roux; you have raised Captain Simms' inquisitive nature to an all time high. Drake for what's it worth, you may want to keep a low profile and try to ignore anything that Andrew might be doing, he is delving into things that I can not fully explain or even understand myself."

Drake spoke "Major? Is there any chance to see that crystal for myself?" as Major Roux setting her fork down replied "Only if Captain Simms gives his permission to do so. He has directed that the crystal be sealed in a high level shielded transport container and that it was to be placed in isolation. He does not want the crew exposed to any unnecessary danger."

Accepting her comment, Commander Ward finishing his breakfast departed for his cabin pondering the implications of the orders that Major Roux was following. If Andrew was concerned about the crystal so much as to have it placed in an ejectable pod in the engineering lab, then just what had the Russians been playing with in the first place?