'Nothing but a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won' – Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, quoted after the battle of Waterloo, 1815.
Victory?
Twenty minutes later
"Almost… there..." Alley was groaned in effort as she poured power into the massive form that still draped the upper hull of the Galaxian. She wore an odd looking Viper proportioned bright purple deep sea diving suit, but it worked, so no one was about to comment on its appearance. "Don't you die on me, Aken! Don't you dare die on me! I am not explaining to your mom and dad, or Chris, why you came here and did this against all of our wishes!"
Coward. Came a tiny mental voice from the Kraken and Alley sputtered a half hysterical laugh at Aken's weak joke, but then focused on her work again. If Aken was awake, everyone was sure they could save her. Until she had woken, no one had been certain.
"Yes, I am." Alley admitted as she worked. "You need to get rid of what you ate. I am trying to induce vomiting. Can you expel it?"
No. The other replied as she heaved a little. Trying. It hurts, Alley.
Then don't eat the nuclear weapon next time! Came from Athena and several people laughed, even though it wasn't really funny. If you absolutely have to do something so insane again, break it but don't swallow. Be glad Alley is here or you would have to pass it instead. Heaven only knows what that material would do to your insides for that long!
Ouch. Came from Aken and she convulsed as Alley did something else. I… Alley! Oh! Oh! OH!
Containment! Alley called out and the rest of the team present were ready when the Kraken's beak opened and a spew of very nasty stuff flew out. They had the container sealed against her face even before the pile of Kraken vomit came flying out and landed in the lead lined bag. But it kept coming!
"How big is her stomach?" The leader of the fleet radiation specialists asked aloud as they switched bags. He could talk and make himself understood underwater. The Gill Man was totally professional, just worried despite this very odd situation. "We don't have a lot of these bags. We have never needed them."
We are making more, just in case. Alley reassured him. Aken, when was the last time you ate?
When Chris did. I had a full bowl of Mom's stew. Aken said weakly as her stomach jerked, her beak opened and more ick flew. I am sorry. Impossibly, her voice was even more tiny.
"It is not your fault." The Gill Man said with a snort. "We have to get the materials out before they make you any more sick. I don't think that vomiting is a voluntary reflex in Kraken. Is it?" He asked Alley.
No. I started it, but now, it will go as long as there is stuff to come out. Alley said sadly as she rubbed Aken's head between her eyes. Easy, Aken. Easy. Don't fight it. Just let it come. In almost all organisms, engineered or otherwise, digestion is supposed to be one way and seamless. Good thing she is a vegetarian. Everyone winced at the idea of the other.
I am sorry! Aken begged as she vomited again and filled another bag.
"Stop apologizing and focus on the Matron! Not on what your stomach is doing!" The Gill Man said with a growl that was half exasperated and half amused. Alley looked at him, still rubbing and he chuckled. "She is different, but the basic mechanics are the same. I never knew how much of a mess young were until I had some of my own."
Bit of an eye opener, yes? Alley agreed, amused and the Gill Man laughed.
"Oh, yes! She is bigger than mine, but not even close to as nasty." The other snorted as Aken made a noise of disbelief. "Yeah, even with the radiation, there is only one of you. My mate and I have had five so far. They like synchronizing." More than one person gagged at the thought of multiple kids barfing at once.
Oh. Alley made a disgusted noise as Aken heaved again. I was lucky in that. Mine are older and most are trained but yeah. The upchucks were a surprise. That and the diapers.
"'Diapers'?" The Gill Man asked. Of course, he wouldn't know, living underwater and all. He then spoke quickly as Alley made a face that was clear even through her diving suit mask. "No! Whatever diapers are, I do not want to know!" That got a laugh from everyone! Aken was relaxing even as her stomach continued to rebel.
Wise. This… This is really embarrassing. Aken sobbed as she heaved again and the Gill Man paused. Then he too laid a hand on Aken's head.
"You saved our lives, girl. Maybe the lives of everything on this planet, aquatic and not." The scaled being said softly but firmly as he alternated with Alley in stroking the massive being's head. "No one will say a thing. Dealing with embarrassment is part of being an adult. We understand. You are okay. You are going to be okay. Let us take care of you."
I am scared. Aken's mental tone held fear, not just for herself but for everyone. Mom, Dad and Alley accept me, but how many others will?
"Who cares?" The Gill Man snorted as one of Aken's eyes turned to stare at him. She stared even as she barfed again and the crew changed bags again. "You know what you are and just from talking to you? You are not a monster."
I feel like it sometimes. Aken's voice was small again.
"Me too." The Gill Man replied and Aken's eye got wider somehow. "I deal with invisible, sometimes unstoppable things that make people sick. Just the thought of using my knowledge as a weapon made me even more sick, but we were desperate so they made me a researcher developing such weapons as the one you ate."
You didn't make any, did you? Aken asked, worry rising.
"No." The Gill Man reassured her. "We had other uses for the materials and the weapons were deemed too dangerous in this environment despite our desperation."
Good! Alley and Aken chorused. Alley chuckled and rubbed Aken's head again. Aken, as soon as you expel it all, you need to shift your shape. Then I will take you to my home. The people there are very accepting of anyone with differences and know about you. You will have to sleep through a lot of what we do to heal the damage the radiation has done, but we will make you better.
Mom and Dad need me. Aken begged. I can't leave! You know what will happen!
It is okay, Aken. Alley reassured the distraught female as everyone else looked confused. They understand. They have always understood.
I didn't mean to, Alley! I swear I didn't mean to! Aken was crying hard now and everyone else looked wary, but Alley just laid her hand on Aken's skull and gave a tiny sob of her own as Aken heaved up more and then her heaves were dry. Her stomach was empty.
I know. It was not your fault, Aken. Alley was so kind, so gentle. None of what happened is your fault. They know that. I know that. You know that. You just don't want to forgive the machine and believe me, I understand. I can never forgive Vahlen for her part in killing Mark. Several people gasped as one of Aken's tentacles swept around Alley, but it did nothing more and Alley's free hand came down to stroke the tentacle as Aken cried. I know it was a mistake and not even at her orders. I know it wasn't planned. I know in my heart that all I am doing is hurting myself with my bone deep hate of her, but I cannot forgive her.
They were nice to me! Aken begged and she wasn't heaving at all now. They didn't deserve that!
I know, honey. I know. Alley replied, still sad but so gentle. Time to sleep, Aken. I will take care of you.
Will I see them again? Aken pleaded as Alley's power seeped through her and her eyes slowly shut.
That, I don't know. Alley replied with blunt honesty. But you are not alone. Now or ever.
I hope Chris is okay. Aken's voice was tiny now as she lost consciousness. Don't let him...go back…
Then she was silent and her form shifted under Alley's hand. Suddenly a small human female lay there in the water and several people cried out, but Alley waved them to silence as she gathered the limp form up and started for the hatch. She paused the Gill Man laid a hand on Aken's arm and then looked at Alley, sorrow written large on his scaled face. Alley nodded and he retracted his hand. Without a word, the team started cleaning up the bags in preparation for disposing of them. The fleet had ways of doing that cleaning and efficiently. Such wouldn't be quick with so much residue, but it would be safer than just leaving it to float around. Alley carried Aken to the main hatch of the ship, entered and waited for the airlock to cycle. Aken wouldn't be harmed by such a minute shift, but Alley was an air breather.
When the hatch opened, Athena was there to help Alley with the limp human form. They worked together to carry her to a stretcher that had been placed over some benches and laid her on it gently. Only then did Alley undo her helmet. She didn't really need it to survive underwater even at such extreme depths with her powers. That said? She hadn't wanted to flaunt her Molecular Control powers in front of the fleet personnel.
"Radiation burns on both esophagus and stomach. Just like you thought." Athena said as Alley focused on her. "She will need time."
"Yeah." Alley was noncommittal and Athena pressed.
"Alley, I can do it." Athena laid her hand on Aken's still arm. Alley shook her head and Athena shook hers. "Alley." They had an audience now. The Lobsterman Star was nearby, as always. He was still delegated to protect Athena. Syndrome stood next to where Annette lay on another stretcher, Feedback hovering between the two psis. "It is my choice and the best one."
"Athena, you go in there, you are not coming out." Alley said quietly, not wanting to disturb Annette's sleep. Aken would be out for a while.
"Not anytime soon, anyway." Athena agreed.
"Probably not ever." Alley retorted as her power flared, seeping into Aken's still form. "You know what it does. I know Kim told you."
"I know what it does to Earth organisms, yes." Athena was calm as Alley worked. "I am not an Earth organism. I am new. I will confuse it."
"Confusing an artificial intelligence is not a good thing." Alley complained. "Believe me, I know." Did she ever! It had taken years to untangle the mess that she had inherited as a home base. Three different, competing programs in an artificial intelligence running an undersea habitat and fortress had been a hell of a mess. She paused as Athena laid a hand on her arm. She looked at the earnest face with the huge black eyes and scowled. "Athena…"
"It is okay, Alley. I can do it." Athena was assured now. "Let me do it. Let me help the clone of Alice at the very least."
"I just got you, sister!" Alley protested. "I don't want to lose you now."
"You won't lose me. I am only a thought away." Athena smiled at Alley's frown. "Look, I was a medic before. The war is over, but my people cannot trust me."
"They won't trust me either!" Alley tried again.
"I am not as powerful and scary as you." Athena was calm, still with her hand on Alley's arm. "Also… You didn't betray them."
"You didn't do it by choice." Poallo's voice heralded the captain entering the bay. He looked upset and everyone paused to eye him. "Glorne didn't make it." At that, everyone slumped. Love him or hate him, the commander had been a good leader, but Poallo wasn't done. "Most of his chosen successors died as well."
Alley and Athena both bowed their heads along with Poallo and Star. The fleet had taken grievous losses against the Templars. Three quarters of their ships had been destroyed and the rest had all taken damage. It had been simple age that had doomed most of them. The fleet ships had been built for a war over fifty years before and been left to sit on the ocean floor after that war ended. The Templar vessels had been built for modern times and had simply outclassed most of the fleet vessels. The fleet had upgraded all of their ships in the course of their war, but the hulls made of plastic just hadn't stood up well to modern weaponry designed to defeat Advent metal hulls. They had known that going in and none had hesitated.
"This was a victory." Athena said very softly. "Why does it taste so bad?"
"War is hell." Syndrome said very softly and everyone looked at him. When he spoke again, it was in an odd, solemn, sad tone. "'It is good that war is so terrible, else we come to love it too much.' That is a quote from a man named Robert E. Lee during a civil war in my country long ago. By all accounts, he was good man who was forced to choose between his family and his country during that war. He chose his family and his side lose. He was vilified by many on the winning side, but he never retaliated. He just wanted the fighting to end. Sadly, it never did. Not until the Elders came and put an end to humans warring among themselves. Many of us fear that now that the Elders and Advent are no longer a threat, that humans will take up arms against each other again."
"History paints a bleak picture of human nature, yes." Alley agreed. "But there is hope, Syndrome. We will not forget that sacrifices that humans made to be free." She, Athena, Star and Poallo all nodded. "The Deep Dwellers never forgot the ones who enslaved them. My nest will never forget what the Elders did to us and we will leave a legacy of real history, not whitewashed propaganda."
"I know." Syndrome smiled at the Viper. "But I still worry."
"We have another problem." If anything, Poallo was even more worried. "The only representatives who are left are Aural who is with the children who evacuated and Tarlab whose ship was 'late' to the fight." At that, everyone stilled and Poallo nodded. "They killed a few raiders but those ships were disabled when you disabled the fleeing ship. They are claiming victory and leadership."
"And?" Alley inquired when he did not continue.
"And… They are demanding all of the enemy ships as spoils of war, Athena Icass as a monster…" Poallo paused and seemed extremely uncomfortable now. "They also demand the Kraken's 'corpse' and you."
"To vivisect Aken like Geist did Alice?" Annette was awake and tried to get up, but Feedback held her down easily. "Putian de merde!"
"Lie down!" The XCOM medic commanded. "You are in no shape to fight anyone right now, Annette. Let Alley handle it." Annette growled at the medic, but then relaxed.
"Anything else?" Alley asked, almost off hand. Poallo looked incredibly nervous as Alley did not react.
"Yes. Glorne gave a fleet wide directive not to anger you again, so…" Poallo actually smiled at Alley who smiled back at him, but still focused on Aken. "Tarlab has ordered the fleet to surround the Galaxian, but apparently, his ship is having trouble communicating with them and none of the rest of the fleet have moved. His ship is moving to dock with this one and he didn't bother to ask permission." That was to Syndrome and Annette. "Does that mean to you what it would mean to me? Boarding a craft of another country without permission to take command by force?" In other words, piracy. All the others nodded.
"I assume he expects your team to disable the ship." Alley said slowly and Poallo nodded. "And…?"
"And none of us are that stupid, Matron Alley." Boomer's voice heralded the Tasoth and Ghit appearing in the hatch behind Poallo. Neither were armed!
"All systems are set to your voice commands, Sir." Ghit said to Syndrome who inclined his head as the Gill Man moved to stand by Poallo. " He cannot take control from you. Hell, 'I' can't now. Captain? Orders?"
"Stand down." Poallo said firmly and his team relaxed. "I will not initiate civil war in the fleet no matter how much that rabid idiot wants such." Alley and Syndrome both nodded approval and he heaved a human sigh. "So, what do we do?"
"If I remember correctly, he was never a very popular leader. It was just that no one else wanted the job." Athena said into the silence that fell. "Most of what I have heard about him is negative."
"You were focused on your work and trying to get past your grief." Poallo replied. "We knew he was ambitious but this? No. If he provokes a fight with XCOM or Matron Alley, none of the rest of us are not going to get involved! it will be a very short fight."
"It doesn't need to come to a fight." Athena said with a frown that slowly turned into a smile. Alley tensed, but Athena shook her head. "I know your feelings, sister and I think for them, but this, I can do." Now, everyone was tense, but Athena shook her head again. "Let me handle this, Alley. He may think he is in control, but he has no idea what is actually going on."
"He will demand you take him to T'Leth, then he will have you executed." Star protested. Then the Lobsterman paused and gasped. "OH!"
"Yeah." Athena smiled wide as everyone gasped in unison. "He wants T'Leth? Let's give it to him."
"He won't like it." Ghit said and then he laughed hard. "But I do! You will need us." He said as Poallo looked at the Gill Man and Tasoth, both of whom looked resolute.
"Where I go now, you cannot follow. Not even Star." Athena was sad but firm. "Captain, I beg permission to leave the ship. I have other duties that call me."
"You are not under my command now, Athena Icass." Poallo said softly, pained almost. "Matron Alley?" Alley was shaking her head, but in resignation.
"Let me do this, Alley. Maybe I can make things better?" The hybrid smiled at Alley who slumped, but then nodded. "And no matter what, I will be in touch."
"You better be!" Alley all but spat that. "I mean, you are leaving me the hard job. Explaining this to Chris!"
"You know we love you, Matron." Athena smiled wide as Alley groaned.