CHAPTER 4

Planet Sonja, Code LV-117

Location: Ark of Rebirth

The Spire

Father McKay gazed out through the bullet proof glass that surrounded his massive office, high atop the Spire; his gaze intently focus on the city below. The Inner Sanctum fanned out before him; a tapestry of ruined and worn buildings jutting out from the confines of the newly constructed ones. Tiny looking people walked along the sidewalks, carefully avoiding the patrolling guards. Cars slowly made their way down the streets, stopping for traffic lights. Only a few holographic projection screens could be seen from his location.

I'm going to have to fix that. McKay thought, taking a long drag from a cigar he held in his grasp.

Immersed in taking pride in his accomplishments, McKay's thoughts slid towards Griswold, the man with whom McKay had helped get the Ark's structural diagrams approved nearly fifteen years ago. If only Griswold hadn't been so naïve he might be alive today. Foolish bastard had made his way into the Temple a few years back and presented himself to Mother. He couldn't have possibly thought he'd come back out alive, could he? Oh well; the video feed of him being ripped apart was rather fun to watch.

McKay smiled, took another puff of his cigar, then looked up at the stars shining down upon his city. They twinkled with every brilliance of real stars, projections from an elaborate, cleverly-created screen meant to avoid the sense of enclosure. For McKay, they were the closest feeling he had to being back on earth.

He turned away and made his way to a desk, one arm behind his back, the other playing with the cigar. Pulling the leather chair out, he took a seat; making sure not to crease his perfectly white suit.

The table was made of stainless-steel and polished to perfection. He personally admired the way light reflected from it. Reaching across his desk for a button to bring up his holographic computer, he paused to the familiar ring of his elevator coming to a stop. He smiled.

McKay watched the elevator doors open in the only part of his office not covered in some form of glass. Standing just inside was a tall, well-built black man, his head shaven in standard military fashion, arms tucked neatly behind his back. A few days of stubble was evident on his chin, but was hardly unattractive. He was wearing the white military dress code particular to the Ark; his chest adorned with metals.

"Rainer," McKay said, standing from his chair to greet the newcomer. "So glad you could make it."

They met halfway and shook hands. "It's an honor to meet you once again, Father. I hope I've served you well."

"Rainer, you're one of my finest Knights, the honor is all mine. Please sit."

Rainer made his way to the chair and managed a glance out the windows at the city below. He had never been to the top of the Spire. "The view is beautiful from up here."

The Spire was the second largest structure inside the Ark; the only larger building was the Tower. That particular building was responsible for incoming and outgoing ships and the additional size was necessary for the massive freighters. McKay enjoyed boasting about his Spire, however, whenever he possibly could. "Thank you. You know we're located right in the middle of the entire Ark, right where the golden cross meet outside on the dome? Interesting, isn't it?"

…

Rainer nodded. He liked Father, but at times he came off a little eccentric. McKay was an older man, maybe in his mid 50's, brown hair with white streaks here and there. He'd aged well for a man of his age and experience, still looking rather attractive.

Rainer had already seated himself when McKay pulled up a holographic displayed from tiny lights hidden somewhere within the desk. It created a small, light-blue 3D image of a little commercial space frigate set in the backdrop of a ruined city. It looked as though it had crash landed, half-covered in debris.

"How was guard duty?" McKay asked almost cheerfully as he took his seat.

"What? Oh." Rainer was far more interested in the holographic image than talking about guard duty, but didn't want to offend Father. He answered as respectfully as possible. "It went well. We took in two more hopefuls. The one we sent to the Temple as you'd requested, the other is still being questioned before being allowed inside the Inner Sanctum.

"Good, good. What you and your Knights are doing is imperative to the Ark and her Mother. Your work does not go unnoticed."

"Thank you." Rainer said.

What followed was a few seconds of awkward silence. McKay finally said something when he took notice to Rainer's stare at the image. "Oh, yes, I'm sorry. The image, you're probably wondering about it."

Wondering about it? Rainer was more than wondering about it. It was why he'd come up here in the first place. Visits such as this were rare and often met with really good or really bad news. He hoped McKay wasn't upset about how he'd handled the situation at the west gate.

McKay cleared his throat. "A commercial freighter carrying some very important cargo crash landed a little over thirty miles northwest of here at the old city of Aden. I want you to recover all the surviving members of the ship and return them safely to the Ark. It's imperative that they come back alive. Especially the women."

"What about the cargo?"

McKay didn't understand. "What cargo?"

Rainer tried to say it more clearly this time. "You said there was cargo on board the ship along with the people. What cargo?"

"Oh, yes," McKay said. "I'm sorry. The humans are the cargo."

"I understand. Are they perceived to be any threat? How many men will I need?"

"That, I'm afraid, is up to you." McKay flipped off the image with the touch of a button. "But I can promise that Mother will reward you greatly. Think of it as a test."

"How will I know who is a survivor from the crash?"

"Intel has showed that there hasn't been a human life-form in that area for more than three months. Anyone you find will be a survivor."

"I understand, Father."

"Listen, Rainer," McKay leaned across the desk and spoke just above a whisper. "I know your men are well trained, some of the best money can buy, but don't underestimate these people. Bring them to me alive."

"I understand."

McKay leaned back in his chair, smiling. "Yes, I know you do."