Sarah Logins Story

[Miixxu]

Chapter 07: A little knowledge.

One end of the room was lit up like day, the other was clouded in shadow. Sarah stood in front of a large screen which was playing the guncam recording of her encounter as she explained all she could and answered any questions that were asked. Scientists and high ranking officers of the ship sat before her taking notes on a large conference table.

Every once in awhile Salina would pop in and add an extra detail that Sarah had overlooked mentioning or had forgotten since the battle. It helped to have told Salina everything she could since unlike the AI, she didn't have a perfect memory. They had picked up Salina at Gammu as planned and were now well along their present course towards the Omicron Minor system.

Finally she had answered the last question asked and went back to her seat next to Susanna exhausted. Commander Thompson, who sat at the right of the head seat stood up and the lights went on. He looked worried, like something he didn't believe was real had walked up to him and punched him in the face. Many others in the room shared a very similar expression. After clearing his throat the commander began to issue orders to various people in the room.

...and Miss Login, you and Dr. White need to come with me. I'm sure you have questions Miss, and after all you've done to bring us this information, the least we can do is inform you of its importance. The scientists will tell you that things can't be confirmed yet, but to hell with that. Every one of us except you knows what that recording shows.

Sarah nodded her head towards the commander and then thought better, Yes sir. she said trying to be brave but sounding like a mouse to her own ears. Susanna reached over and took her hand and squeezed it, offering support and reassurance that she had friends amongst so many strangers.

The commander snapped to attention and everyone else except Sarah did likewise. Sarah watched as they all held out their arms straight. Commander Thompson then said in a stern voice, For Humanity, and the rest replied, The Order fights. Everyone lowered their arms and began filing out of the room.

Susanna sat back down as the commander talked with some of his officers at the far side of the room. Every once in awhile glancing over at Sarah. She was beginning to get uneasy about it so she turned her back to them and examined the room more closely. The walls had screens all around the room. Some, which had a frame around them, were displaying images of men and women all wearing the same uniform that Sarah herself now wore. As she watched the images began to shift and someone else was in their place.

Who are all they, Sarah asked Susanna.

They are the fallen. Men and Women who were killed by the enemy. When this room isn't being used for a conference the table is lowered into the floor and people can come in here to be reminded why they are fighting. Reservations can be made to display a certain person at a certain time if you have lost a loved one. It was my fathers idea and has since been copied by other ships.

Sarah stood and walked over to one of the frames. She watched it for awhile, half expecting to see someone she recognized. Susanna came up behind her and stood in silence. A tear rolled down Sarah's cheek as she realized many of the people were not much older than herself. So many lost fighting a war many didn't even know was being fought.

A lot of friends, a lot of loved ones, Susanna said as she stepped before the monitor and put her hand up against it. Don't get me wrong, they've all died protecting the rest of us from very real threats. It's just, some hurt more than others.

High Command liked your father's idea so much they've adopted it in their offices on Toledo, Commander Thompson informed, having sneaked up behind them. Now come, its time to answer some questions.

Commander Thompson led them out the door and through some corridors. Inside was a simple desk and some chairs. Sarah was reminded that he was only acting CO of the vessel and not its Captain. Sarah sat in one of the chairs facing the desk as Susanna and Commander Thompson conversed quietly in the doorway for a few seconds before taking their own seats.

Dr. White here tells me that she has left it to me to explain who we are and what we do. We are the Order. Our primary objective is the safety of humanity, both from other species and from its self. Despite what many people think, the Slomon K'Hara are real. They still remain in Sirius and its been our mission to hunt them down and destroy them. It has been difficult as they can be a parasite, infesting humans with their own will and controlling their actions.

Infested humans are referred to as The Wild. They operate mostly in Southern Sirius, though there have been reports of people being infested in Kusari lately. It is our belief that you ran into a Wild task force during your patrol. All of the ships we have so far identified in your video are registered as 'missing in action' or 'killed in action' by the Rheinwehr, Commander Thompson told Sarah.

So Rheinland's claims of innocence in my attack are in fact true, Sarah said aloud to no one in particular. I'm sorry sir, what are the Slomon K'Hara? I have heard them mentioned a few times but I don't recognize the name.

They are what you would call the Nomads. They are very old and we know little of their orgins, what we do know have only been glimpses, transmissions if you will, sent to us telepathically by Nomads themselves. They were created as an experiment by another race called the Daam-K'Vosh, for what purpose, no one knows. We do however know that they are true natives to the Sirius sector, Susanna interjected as Sarah gave her a bit of a shocked look. What? My specialty is xenobiology. The Slomon K'Hara are one of only two alien races we know about.

Right now, Sarah, you are at a crossroad in your life. We would like to offer you a position in The Order, your record from IMG shows us that you are a more than competent pilot. However you are still free to leave us, though I must inform you that you will be hard pressed to find any legitimate work out there now with the stories being spread so far. Are there any questions you have that would help you make your decision?

No sir, I think I have all the information I can absorb right now. I need a little time to think about it all though. So many things have happened in the last few days and I have only once been able to sleep. My mind is at the point of pure exhaustion and if I push it too much further I'm afraid it will rebel and try crawling out an ear. Would it be possible to sleep on it and give you my answer in a couple days? I am fairly sure I will accept your offer but I want some time to think about it and be able to ask any questions I may think of.

You may have 2 days Miss Login. Any longer would be putting the organization at risk should you decide to leave us. You will be limited to the residential and recreational wings of the ship until you decide to join us. Should you decide to leave than we will allow you to access the Hanger where your Nyx is being kept on the day of your departure. I know these conditions may seem like we are imprisoning you, but much of this ship is classified, Commander Thompson replied.

Sir, I request a 2 day duty exemption so I may escort Miss Login around the parts of the ship she has access too. I can answer any questions that she has and also tell her some more of our history. There's also Salina who can fill her in on whatever she needs to know in order to make her decision.

Granted, I think that's a very good idea, answered Commander Thompson. I'm sure she will think of questions as she has time to think further about things.

Sir, I do have one question. Has there been any word of the Admiral? Sarah asked.

I'm sorry, we contacted the Corsairs on Crete while we were moored at Gammu and they have had no contact with him as yet, the commander explained. Its possible he landed at their Tripoli Shipyard and not yet sent word to Crete. It would be safest not to let Das Wilde know about an Order Admiral in the same system as them without at least an armada.

Understood sir. I was just curious.

I think you two should get some rest. Salina wants to talk to you later when you wake up, right now she is still busy integrating with the ships mainframe. Its good she doesn't have another AI to contend with for control.

With that the commander stood up from behind his desk and escorted the two ladies out the door. Susanna then took the lead and led the way to the crew quarters. As a visiting scientist, Susanna was assigned her own guest quarters. An extra bed was rolled into the room by some ensigns for Sarah. When the ensigns left Sarah fell into the bed with exhaustion. There was so much to digest and try to make sense of.

Susanna crawled into her own bed and flipped a switch next to her bed. The room was plunged into darkness. It was cool and other than a distant reverberation that Sarah could feel more than hear, utterly quiet. The silence was broken though as Susanna began to sob softly. Sarah got up and like before, laid down next to the weeping woman and held her as the tears began to flow out of her eyes.

Sarah too felt like crying, things were overwhelming and she finally had the time think. Her own eyes began to water and she tried to fight back the tears. One very stubborn tear trickled out her eye and down her cheek. It was to be the first of many that night as she finally let her exhaustion and worry, fear and anger out as they both cried themselves to sleep.

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<span style="color:#CC0000">Sarah Login's Story =||= Salina's Bio =||= Nina Ramera's Bio
Manic Mistress Mixxies Bio
</span>