Cesar slowed the CSV as he looked at the hull of the cruiser. He pointed to a spot.
Jose. Mire eso.
From the back seat in the CSV Jose grunted, I see it Cesar.
We need more hull panels, Cesar grumbled. I didnt realize they had done that much damage.
Jose made another note into his data pad. Well lets head back. I think the list is long enough for today.
Heh, yeah. We barely have enough credits to cover what we are doing now. Cesar powered up the thrusters and headed to the docking port of the shipyard.
Cesar tossed his flight suit into the locker and sighed, This is going to take longer than I though.
Jose nodded and the two began to walk down the hallway. Also Night told me the dock master on Rochester is complaining about rogues fast docking.
Ay dios mio! How many times do I have to tell him to charge them extra when they do that?
He said he tried but they are a rough lot.
A rough lot! I told you we should have gotten someone with some cojones to run the docks.
Alright well maybe we can move him to inventory.
Just get him out of there. Put Night in charge of the docking until we find a replacement.
Jose nodded, There are also some issues with the smelter
Cesar turned and glared at Jose. When I joined the Congress and took the Governors seat on Rochester I put you in charge of the smelter.
Right. Nevermind. Jose put his hand on Cesars shoulder. I know you have a lot on your plate. I will take care of it.
Gracias mi amigo. I Cesar stopped talking as they turned the corner.
What the f*** are you doing here?
Jose stepped in front of Cesar and cut him off, Carmen good to see you.
The woman smiled at them both. Good to see you too Jose. Cesar we need to talk.
Cesars eyes narrowed and he glanced at Jose. Fine, Jose take care of that thing. We are headed to Rochester.
With that Cesar turned and headed back to the docking bay.
Ratchet finished downloading the software and turned to the other robot. Statement: Try now.
Zzt.heLLO!
Ratchet turned back to the console and adjusted some of the code. Command: Again.
ZztHello Ratchet.
Statement: That is better but the voice modulator is still malfunctioning.
ZztBut I sound like a human right?
Statement: Yes you do.
ZztGood. Once the voice modulator is fixed. Hey look it seems to beZzt. Oh well.
Ratchet analyzed the code further. Annoyed statement: This may take a while.
Well I am ready to begin. Zztwhere is my ship.
Statement: In the docking bay. I will try to fix the code. I am tired of talking like this.
ZztI will gather the parts you need on my way back brother.
Ratchet nodded.
The other bot walked towards the door which opened to reveal Cesar and Carmen.
The woman looked at the two robots, You building robots now Cesar?
The Junker frowned and walked past the first bot and over to Ratchet.
RT-526 what are you doing?
Ratchet produced a heavily synthesized voice, Analyzing the docking data. Rogue fast docking has become an issue.
Ok well carry on.
Ratchet turned back to the console.
Cesar leaned against the workbench, So why are you here?
Carmen looked at the robot then spoke, Originally the order was interested in the alien vessel and its technology. Once we realized something had left the ship we became interested in Ratchet and his capabilities. Unfortunately both of them are gone.
So
So now I am here to observe Diego.
Cesar stood up straight, What do you want with Diego?
What do you think? He has been infested with Nomads. We want to study him to see how the process works.
In all the time the Order has been studying the Nomads you have never observed this?
There have been others but this one may be different.
How so? Cesar asked.
I am not sure just yet. But I aim to find out.
And if I say
Carmen cut him off, You will not say no. You are interested in curing your cousin and so are we. We have the finances you do not. You can move easily around liberty space. And Ratchet can go places humans cannot.
Ratchet? Cesar asked looking confused. Ratchet is dead.
Carmen smiled, Cesar really, drop the charade. We are the Order.
Ratchet turned around, Query: What do you want of me?
Carmen smiled, Very good Ratchet. I thought the one that left was you. You look so alike. Did you build him?
Statement: Yes.
And you transferred the spark to him?
Ratchet turned to Cesar who looked surprised. Might as well tell her Ratchet.
Statement: I transferred some of mine to him.
Incredible. Carmen said.
About Diego? Cesar asked.
Of course. She handed a data pad to Cesar. These are some of the things you will need to gather.
Cesar and Ratchet examined the list.
Is the Tiburon still around, Carmen asked.
Yes. Why?
It was a good ship. And I need a place to stay.
Cesar frowned, Nightengale has it at the moment. Its going to be a Congressional ship. I dont want it involved in anything shady.
Oh yes the Congress. How cute. Carmen walked over to Cesar, Dont worry I wont tarnish your congress Governor. She touched his face lightly, But I still need somewhere to sleep. Is your bed available?
Cesar stepped back and looked her up and down. He chuckled. I see why Diego was fooled by you.
Carmen smiled.
Cesar turned and pointed Its the cot over there in the corner.
The Junker headed to the door and turned back to Carmen, Sorry there is not enough room for two. Ratchet I will be in communications, yell if you need me.
Statement: Will do.
And normally the pretty ones are dumb. Carmen mumbled. She turned to Ratchet and eyed him up. So tell me about the other bot.
Nightengale turned and saw Diego sit straight upright in his bed. She rushed to get on her bio suit but he had already fallen backwards into another restless sleep. She watched the bio readouts.
His heart rate was elevated as were his levels of adrenaline. What was he dreaming about?
Time passes
*we are one do not fight*
*you and the light*
IamDiego.
*one*
No.
Mercedes watched her nephew toss in a fitful sleep. In her hands she held rosary beads and a crucifix. A crucifix that in times long gone had been used to ward off demons. But these demons did not care about God.
Time passes
*to fight us is to fight yourself*
*we are becoming one*
Iwillfight.
*then fight to survive*
Yes.
*survive and grow stronger*
*then they must die*
No
Jose watched the bio readouts for any change. Nightengale had told him what to watch for. Slightly elevated heart rate but nothing unusual. He sighed. What the he** was a Nomad and why did it infest Diego?
*it is time*
No.
*you are getting weaker*
*death is not the objective*
*you must not die*
I will not kill them
*it is inevitable*
No!
Time passes
*look at us*
Cesar watched as his cousin thrashed around in the bed, only the restraints held him. Suddenly Diego began to glow; a faint blue aura surrounded his body just as Dr. Elderbow said it would. He turned to Nightengale and she hit the switch for the cryofreeze.
*we are one*
Thats what I was told. Nightengale responded as she looked down at Cesar. My sources say he has a patient there, another Junker. It seems like this Hyung came into contact with the nomads.
Cesar stood up from his desk and paced back and forth across the room. So is this doctor some expert on nomads?
Nightengale shrugged. I dont know, but I am sure he knows more than I do.
Dont sell yourself short Night you saved his life.
Nightengale sighed. Did I? Or did I make it worse?
You stopped the infection didnt you? Thats a start.
I guess but I had to freeze him to do it.
Cesar frowned, Cryofreeze technology is as old as the sleeper ships. Its tried and true dont worry.
But what if
Enough of that. So where do we find this guy?
Last report I received was that the Doctor was at the medical facility on Rochester.
Alright well have the crew load Diego on the ship, full bio suits for everyone. I dont want any slip ups.
Ok are we taking the cruiser?
Yeah. Cesar responded. Its the only ship secure enough to transport him. Beside we need to see if the repairs went well. Get everyone ready Night.
Nightengale nodded and walked out.
Cesar sat back down at his desk and fiddled with the comms. He punched in a password and waited for the secure light to come on. Ratchet you there?
After several minutes a series of 1's and O's appeared. The computer converted them and a synthesized response came back, I am here.
How is it going?
It is going well. I have disabled the other robot and I am beginning alterations now.
Alright well be safe and dont get caught.
Do not worry; they do not suspect a thing. Ratchet out.
Cesar stood and headed to the docking bay, he hoped Ratchet would be alright.
Location Rochester- New York
Im sorry Governor but Doctor Dahn has left for Manhattan.
Cesar frowned at the nurse. And his patient?
Um, we dont have any records of a patient named Hyung.
Really? Thats interesting.
The nurse glanced around then whispered. I cant be certain but I think someone erased his files.
She stepped back and said loudly. Sorry sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?
No. Thanks for the assistance.
Cesar and Nightengale headed out to the docking bay.
Why would someone erase the files? Nightengale asked.
Im not sure. But there is more to this than meets the eye. We need to find this Doctor Dahn and see if he can help us.
Ok I will tell the crew to get ready.
No we cant take the cruiser to close to Manhattan; something of that size will not be welcome. Im surprised the navy didnt stop us on the way in to New York."
Well it barely looks like a cruiser, Nightengale said with a slight smile. Looks more like a floating debris field.
Heh, well she was built to guard Rochester. Im just glad the Hessians sold her to us for such a good price. Lets take the Tiburon, the order upgraded her communication systems. We should be able to send the coded messages to Ratchet without a problem.
Wont the LPI be upset about a Rogue ship that close to New York?
Heh they wont see her.
Huh?
There is a blind spot near Manhattan, Carmen told me about it.
Nightengale frowned. Speak of the devil.
Carmen sauntered into the docking bay and stood in front of the two. Are we ready to leave?
Your coming? Night asked barely concealing her disdain.
She glanced at Nightengale, Yes. We are financing this.
Financing? Night asked.
Ahem yeah Night they have given us some money.
You mean the cruiser
No that was my money. Ratchets ship however was all them.
Nightengale sighed Ok what about Diego?
He will have to stay on the cruiser until we find out whats going on. I dont want to bring him on Rochester just yet.