Chapter 11
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Paq Wendell shook his head. “That information was classified before it reached my desk. The only word I have had is that the two of you left your portal space and the link was shut down. Whatever was on those video feeds had better be important.”
“Gonath and Barrington Station were both under attack, Captain. We believe their entire populations were being carried away.”
Before I could continue any further, two men in dark gray uniforms were standing beside us. “Captain Wendell, anything Mr. Beutcher just mentioned to you is now classified information. You would do well to forget whatever it is you just heard. If any attempt is made to spread that information further, whether it be through a ‘how was your day’ conversation with your wife or in discussion with your chief, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. Do you understand what I am saying here, Captain?”
The captain nodded as he looked back at me with confusion in his eyes. “I understand. We were just discussing—”
One of the uniformed officers held up his hand. “No further discussion, Mr. Wendell. The penalty for any transgression on this matter will be swift and severe. You would do well now to return to your desk and to your other daily matters.”
The captain nodded, slowly turned, and walked away.
I looked at the officers as Joni stepped up beside me. “Miss Salton, Mr. Beutcher, I'm Major Carter, and this is Mr. Barnett. Please come with us.”
We were herded into a conference room for a debrief. As we sat the major set a holo-display device on the table in front of us, powering it up. The man simply named Mr. Barnett stood silently by the closed door.
The major said, “Let me start by saying we are aware of the two incursions you witnessed. We are as shocked about them as you are. As I'm sure you are aware, this type of raid has happened before out in the outer sectors, but never in Alpha. I want to assure you we have formulated a response, and action is being taken as we speak. I am not at liberty to discuss the matter with you any further than that.”
I looked at the major and then over at the silent man by the door. “I can guess we're not to discuss what we have seen with anyone, at any time, under the risk of severe penalty, as you just told the captain?”
The major replied, “You're correct, Mr. Beutcher. For the next week, the two of you will be confined to your ship while we figure this situation out. You do understand that no word of these raids can reach the public. The panic that would ensue would throw this sector, and most of the Salton sectors, into complete chaos. The people need to feel they are secure for our civil societies to function properly.”
I raised my hand. “Perhaps if the Saltons were not taxing so heavily and confiscating resources, the people would not so easily be thrown into the chaos you speak of. They would willingly rally in support of the government.”
The major pursed his lips for several seconds. “There is much you do not have vital information on, Mr. Beutcher. Sometimes actions that otherwise look suspicious or unfair have reasons behind them that you are unaware of. Regardless of your concerns, your silence is required under threat of the severest of penalties should you break that silence. Miss Salton, that goes for you as well.”
Joni laughed. “You don’t have to worry about me, Major. I don’t have anyone other than Mr. Beutcher here that I would discuss anything with. I… we, will keep our silence.”
I gestured toward the door. “I am curious, Major. The two of you wear the same uniform, and yet only you have a rank. That seems odd to me.”
The major replied, “I'm sorry, Mr. Beutcher. I'm not at liberty to discuss anything with you other than to emphasize your need to be silent and that you will be confined to the Daunte for the time being.”
The major stood and held his hand out toward the door. “If you would care to return to your ship, Mr. Beutcher, Miss Salton, we will be on our way. Either I or Mr. Barnett will be in contact with you once any decision concerning your confinement has been made. Until that time arrives, your silence is required.”
Our week in isolation was excruciating. Our coffee supply was running low with no way to replenish it. The captain had not been seen nor heard from. A single man in one of the dark gray uniforms remained standing at the Bay-17 door. As day seven turned into eight, Major Carter walked halfway up the ramp-way, stopping just before a growling Raptor.
Joni said, “It’s OK, Major. Come on up. He won’t harm you.”
Raptor’s expression quickly changed from one of hostility to one of light concern. The major took the last few steps slowly before stopping beside the muscular dog. Raptor leaned hard against the major to let his continued presence and concern be known.
The major replied, “Miss Salton, Mr. Beutcher. After much deliberation, the organization I work for has decided to offer each of you a position. We would like you to be our representatives with the Security Inspection Corps. You will be our eyes and ears in the Alpha sector and will report directly to us on incidents such as with the happenings of last week. There is no pay associated with these positions. And should you decline this offer, the fact that an offer was made or that our organization exists remains classified information with the same penalty for unauthorized dissemination as before.”
I said, “You make it sound so appealing, major. I would ask only one question before offering an answer.”
The major nodded. “Fair enough. What is your question, Mr. Beutcher?”
I looked over at Joni and then back. “Is this organization sanctioned by and under the authority of the Salton family?”
The major again nodded. “It is. I can go no further in description of the organization or of its mission without an acceptance of this offer from both of you. Before you answer, I would also like to add that once you have accepted, there is no going back. Members of this organization may only leave under a narrow set of circumstances. Death and severe disability are among those reasons. If such a case as this were to occur while you were under a direct mission for the organization, your direct family members would be cared for through a fund set up by the Salton family.”
I turned to look at Joni. “I think I already know your answer. You would be in favor of the adventure that joining such an organization would offer.”
Joni smiled and nodded.
I turned back to the major. “Miss Salton is interested, and I am as well. Our motivations may be different, but I believe they are equally valid reasons. Seeing the events taking place here in our sector has me disturbed. I feel it is my civic duty to help to restore lawful order in any way I can. If that's the goal of the Saltons, then I accept as well. If this is an effort to further tighten the grip on the freedoms of the people of this sector, I would like you to know up front that I will not be a willing participant.”
The major reached out his hand with a smile. “I can assure you, Mr. Beutcher, your wishes and those of the Salton family are closely aligned. The two of you will be given instruction through your chief to attend a one-week-long security symposium on SS9. You will be taken through orientation during that time, with the final day being a study day. The study materials will be provided to you and sent back to your chief, validating the external reasons that you were selected to attend. In other words, your cover.”
I asked, “Will we be attending in the Daunte?”
The major shook his head. “You'll be traveling through a direct portal to SS9. Your travel data will indicate you transferred through the eighteen normal hops to get there, but you will be going directly using the organization’s systems.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Does the organization have a moniker?”
The major nodded. “You'll receive communications through the Zed Corporation, although you are never to repeat that name. If asked, you will deny all knowledge of its existence. This will all be explained to you during your orientation. Now, I must be going. I would advise you enjoy the few free moments you have with the world as
you understand it. That world is about to change. If you have family, call them. If you have friends, say goodbye, as you will likely be too busy to interact with them going forward. And remember, you can give no indication of what you're involved in.”
Joni nodded. “Well, that should be easy. I’m intrigued, but still confused as to what this is all about. I was going to call my father and question him on what we saw out at Gonath and Barrington. Is that information still classified?”
The major slowly closed and opened his eyes as he nodded. “I’m afraid it is. You are both intelligent people; use discretion when talking to others and you should be fine. Keep in mind, though, once I walk down this ramp, you will be under surveillance by the organization from that moment on. Expect your orders to come within the next twenty-four hours. Best of luck to you both in your new journeys.”
The major reached down and rubbed Raptor on the head before turning to proceed back down the stairs. As he walked across the deck, he was chatting away on his comm. The man in the gray uniform standing guard at the bay door opened it. The major walked through to never be seen by us again.
Joni said, “Well, that was kind of bizarre, but I have to say I am almost excited by the prospect of being in the know about what's going on out there.”
I shook my head. “If you think they're going to tell us much more than the bare minimum, you're mistaken. We'll know only what they deem necessary for us to be able to gather the information they desire. Get ready to receive and enact orders that come in without reason.”
Joni tilted her head as she looked back at her holo-display. “You sure seem to know a lot about what’s coming our way.”
I pulled up a list showing our dwindling coffee store. “I’ve had experience over the years dealing with organizations like what we just joined. They operate on a need-to-know basis and expect orders to be carried out as instructed. I cannot fathom this organization operating any differently. Their secrecy is what allows them to exist and have effect. Should the media catch wind of any such organization, they would no longer be able to operate. Hence, the need-to-know level of information they will provide to you.”
“Hmm. I guess if you've never been in that situation, it doesn’t make much sense to you. What you just explained—I guess I can see the reasoning behind it. There is one thing I think we should do before we go any further.”
I offered a half smile in return. “What’s that?”
Joni stood and walked to the galley. “We should have a cup of coffee—you know, something to get the juices flowing, something to power us through the rest of the day. I’ll be calling my father afterward, so I'll need the boost beforehand.”
I laughed. “OK, a cup sounds like a reasonable first step. We'll need to acquire more, though, if we are going to save the New Alliance.”
Joni returned with a full cup of the Orientus for me. “Hmm, save the New Alliance. I kind of like the sound of that.”
“It may be more true than you know, so be careful what you wish for.”
I spent several hours on the comm with my wife and children as Joni called her father. He was a secret board member of the Zed Corporation and was partially behind our recruitment and fast acceptance. He promised to give us a more detailed and private briefing after our orientation was complete. I looked forward to knowing a little of what we might be in for.
The following day, orders came through for us to proceed to SS9. We would be carrying nothing with us but the clothes on our backs. I wondered what would become of Raptor as we approached the gate to the portal complex. To my surprise, we were waved immediately through while the remaining travelers waited in line for their security checks. Traveling between portal stations had become a time-consuming event, while it had previously been a simple walk through to the other side.
As we moved forward with the crowd toward the first portal, a gentleman in a dark gray suit stepped in front of us. “If you would please come with me.”
We followed. A door was opened by another gray-suited individual. We entered and proceeded down a long hall. An elevator door opened, and we were soon twelve floors below the main portal gates area. After a trek down another long hall, we were taken into a room with a ramp that went up into midair and ended.
Our escort said, “Please wait here. A portal will open at the end of the ramp. Please proceed through to the other side when it does. Have a nice day.”
As the door closed behind us, a hum and crackle could be heard as a portal to SS9 was established.
I held out my hand. “I believe you Humans say ‘ladies first’?”
Joni smiled as she offered a modest curtsy. “Why thank you, kind Sir. Raptor, you heard the man, let’s go.”
As we stepped through to the other side, the portal room was busy with sixteen other ramps in use. I took note of two Gandons, a Mulati, almost a dozen Humans, a Fantonian, and four Igari. A gray suit was soon standing in front of us.
I said, “Igari? What are they doing here? I thought they were part of our problem.”
The man in the gray suit replied, “I am not at liberty to answer questions, sir. Please proceed to the check-in desk at the end of the hall for your registration. You will be fully briefed when your orientation begins.”
Joni was the first to be registered. Hair, saliva, and blood samples were taken, as well as deep biometric scans. Every bit of physical information that could identify Joni as herself was captured. As the tech proceeded to attempt to draw my blood, his facial expression turned to one of confusion as the needle being used would not penetrate my tough skin.
I laughed as I raised my shirt. “Here, try under my arm.”
I winced as the sample was taken. The underarm of a Grunta was a sensitive and vulnerable spot that we did not like to reveal. If we were involved in a fight, it was the one area we had to protect most. With the right pressure or a hard blow, a Grunta could become disoriented for several minutes. A major nerve bundle ran near the skin’s surface. It was a Grunta weakness that was forbidden to be talked about.
We were next hustled through a sonic shower and changing rooms where our old clothes were destroyed and our new gray training suits were put on. The fit was good and the material comfortable.
When I stepped back out into the hallway, Joni was waiting. “Wow. You look sharp. Gray is your color.”
I looked at my hand and then at the sleeve of my suit. “I don’t know; some might say it's a little too much gray, but Gruntas are not known for their fashion, so I'll have to take your word for it.”
Our next stop was a classroom setting. After several minutes of new recruits filing in, an instructor entered. Gernell Wofford was a stout Human woman with a constant scowl on her face.
Gernell said, “OK, listen up. Your lives as you knew them are over. You're going to learn things today that may be contrary to what you believe. It's important that you accept what you hear as the truth, as it's equally as important that you have faith and trust in the organization. Look around the room at the others around you. These people will be your new family for the next month.”
One of the recruits raised his hand. “I thought this was only for a week?”
Gernell shook her head. “This class is the first. It was decided that a more extensive training regimen was required to ready agents for their first missions in the field. The situation out there is constantly in flux, and we have to roll with those changes if we want to be effective. If you're wondering about your covers back home, don’t. The lengthened stay will all be handled for you. Now, how many of you are from Alpha sector?”
As I looked around, the entire class raised their hands.
Gernell continued, “Exactly. You're all here from Alpha, and you'll be returning to Alpha. Each of you was selected for the organization for your unique job skills. Whether that be transport pilot, portal gate operator, or food inspector, all your talents are vital needs. If we're to accomplish the mission before us, we need you to provide us with timely information
and possible actions. Anyone who's here that thinks this is going to be fun and exciting, I will tell you now that you're sorely mistaken.
“This is serious business, and our performance will mean the difference between freedom and life, or captivity or death. There are forces at work against the New Alliance that could not have come at a worse time. I am sure you have all heard the rumors surrounding the closing down of the Andromeda galaxy gateway? The rumors I have heard are that the Dullex family is in a trade squabble with the Saltons. Other rumors say that it is just an effort to further restrict the movement of previously free citizens.
“I am here to tell you that it is neither of those two, or any of the other rumors you may have heard. Here is the shocker. The Alliance is under attack! That’s right. Outside forces, forces that thus far are superior to our own, have invaded.”
The room rustled with quiet comments as some of the participants muttered to themselves or their partners.
Gernell held up her hand. “There will be time for discussion later. For now, I need you to listen. The Andromeda galaxy is under attack from an external force.”