A Missing Trust
(927 total words in this text)
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RazorsKiss leaned on a doorframe, watching the Xr20's unloaded from his tow.
The techs strained against the load, as each monitor/processor combo weighed in excess of 100 pounds - partially due to their armor, and partially due to their high-powered receiver arrays.
After finally muscling them into the new control center adjoining the lab, the techs went to work connecting and unpacking the network system for integration into the squad flux tracking system and communication arrays. Dr. Castillo only spared a scowl for him, as he fumed over the test results he got back earlier. He hated to have been involved in that process, but something bigger than "clone tests" was behind this problem. Sucks to be in charge sometimes.
The bank of monitors blinked into life, and the triple processors whirred into activity as the preparations ended. Razor sat at the center console, with his two techs "borrowed" from GBS operated the flanking screens.
"Entering Command authorization Delta Omega Ceta Alpha Nine Four Seven Seven Zero. RazorsKiss, Fleet Command, requesting tie-in to main system Delta."
"We copy Commander - Authorization is confirmed. Patching you in... now." Came the reply from the duty officer.
"Roger that Lieutenant. Thank you." Razor replied. "Test scheme Delta Vee Oh Nine, commencing."
"Copy, Commander. Delta Oh Vee Nine is responding within acceptable limits. Video, audio, targeting data, telemetry, graviton emissions, and infrared outputs are all green."
"Roger that Lieutenant. Give me video feed on channel Four Oh Six, please."
"Confirmed, sir, stand by.... Got it."
"Copy, receiving."
Razor took the headset off the stand next to the monitor. "Heya Sniper. You copy?"
"Roger that Raz. We online already?"
"Copy that Snipe. What you got in sector right now?"
"Just a couple of Mants. What you need?"
"I need you to take the first out for a video test, then we'll work on graviton data on the second. Textbook pass the first run. On the second.. surprise me." A laugh filtered through the comm.
"I can handle that. Beginning run."
"Control, switching to manual input."
"Roger Commander, I'll be standing by."
The screen coalesced into a clear image of a c6, bearing down fast. The nova balls grew smaller as they converged on the manta's trajectory. The manta suddenly exploded in a flash of light, while it's partner's lasers repeatedly darted out at the New Dawn Intensity. Razor switched over to graviton data. A field awash in the ripples generated both by the Jumpgates, and the movements of the Intensity. The Conflux fighter, as usual, emitted almost the *reverse* of a graviton field - seeming to swallow up the emissions like some sort of black hole. He never got used to the sight.
The field of view veered sharply as the Intensity swung into it's vector. The manta's field got larger until it filled the viewsreen, then disappeared as Sniper passed. Another lurch, and the view blurred from acceleration. A flashfire, most likely. Before the manta got a chance to turn and fire, Sniper was virtually on top of it. Nova blazing, the Manta disintegrated in a wash of energy, briefly overloading the sensor. "Was that surprising enough?" Came the tinny voice.
Razor laughed. "Yes, Sniper, you get a cookie."
"Oh goodie. Came the snide reply.
"Thanks Snipe."
"No problem boss. See you when I get back."
"Seeya then."
Dr. Q'son, leaning on the back of the rightmost chair, stood up as Razor swiveled his chair. "Well, Doc? Work for you? Should have the full spectrum of data you need. You won't need to leave your lab again." "No, I shouldn't, should I. Is that selfish of me? You all paid so much for this equipment!" A pensive Dr. Q'Son replied. "Besides, if I never leave, all of you "protectors" will be out of a job!" Everyone in the room laughed appreciatively. "Doc, it's not safe out there right now. Even now some Octavians, even some Octavian pilots have designs on a "reward" for information given out by Versalus. Not to mention this mysterious group that's been after you for months, now. I'd rather be out of a job then for us to needlessly subject you to danger we can prevent. We already agreed. You don't need to leave for anywhere right now. It's just not safe." Razor looked worriedly at the Doctor. She sighed, nodding. "Yes, yes, I know. I just.... I don't know. I'll get claustrophobic after a while." Razor frowned sympathetically. "Hopefully all of this madness will be behind us soon. You'll be out of danger one day soon. But until then, we have to keep you where whoever it is, can't get you."
Dr. Castillo looked over at the group thoughtfully, shook his head, and walked away. As he walked away, he thought to himself. He really IS paranoid. He probably faked the results so I wouldn't use her DNA for some Conflux recombination experiment. Noone trusts anyone, anymore, do they. I hate this job. At least I still have my work....
He rounded the corner. Out of sight, out of mind. |
