6200 - Book 1 - Beginnings - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 -

The Malkenet Nebula race known as the Cicada are a highly unknown quantity; no fossil records even slightly match this species.

From what I’ve heard from a few of the Malkenet Scientists that I’ve been allowed to speak with the Cicada were actually wholly created by the Black Council to act as terror troops and are highly aggressive and vicious. Only the religion that the Oracles created seem to keep them in check.

The wings of the Cicada are usable and can propel them at great speeds and the additional talon arms are able to pierce most light and some medium armors.

Dr. Stanislaw Medloe - Professor of Galactic & Xeno-History Cambridge College

In His Book - A History of the Milky Way Galaxy and its Inhabitants - Vol. XIX 5928

Silverfield Republic - Olander Sector - Olander System - Olander III

Republican Government Building - Republic Mineralogical Trade Offices

March 13th, 6200 C.E. - 11:09 CST

Silverfield Republic Minster for Mineralogical Trade Morgenstein sat behind his desk and shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry to you go Jeff, but why in the world would you want to move your family to Tantalan controlled space?” He asked perplexed.

Jeff Gamaoran sat in the desk across from his boss as he answered. “The Tantalans have offered me a new job and also offers new chances, plus they need bureaucrats of their own that can interact with other human beings normally. They aren’t the best at politics and could use help integrating themselves into the galactic community,” Gamaoran explained.

“Well I’m sorry to see you go Jeff,” Morgenstein said standing up and shaking Gamaoran’s hand.

“Well hopefully we’ll be able to communicate soon enough Bob,” Gamaoran said returning the handshake and leaving the room.

Center of the Milky Way Galaxy - Hyperspace Terminus

Coronet Wormhole Gate Entrance to Caruthers World

Privately Registered Vessel - Forlorn Hope

March 13th, 6200 C.E. - 11:09 CST

Barr ran his mono-film clad hand down the arm of his command chair and sighed it had taken a lot of argument with the others to get them to wear the duty suits. He’d had to bribe Joe, threaten Jon, tell Aehgr that the suit was even whiter than his normal white ones and had better anti-bacterial protection. Ernie and Jason had been the only ones who hadn’t argued, he’d also had new Skinsuits made for the entire crew of the same design.

“Gate Control is contacting us Captain,” Ernie said.

“Put it up on the main Holo,” Barr ordered.

“Privately Registered Vessel Forlorn Hope this Coronet to Caruthers World Gate Control; you’re current queue number is thirty seven,” the Gate Controller told Barr.

“Thank you Gate Control, information acknowledged and receipted,” Barr answered and then tapped a few buttons on his chair arm.

“Good flying Forlorn Hope,” Gate Control said and signed off.

“Mr. Rite the helm is yours, please follow course and heading sent by Gate Control,” Barr ordered.

“Aye, Sir,” Jason said his hands flying over the controls of his console adjusting, course, vector, and speed settings.

“Now, I could use a sandwich, anyone else?” Barr asked.

“Sure, how about a beer as well,” Jon said at the weapons console. “I think we’ll wait on that till after we’re in hyperspace,” Barr said chuckling. “Sesely would you be able to please serve lunch to the crew now?” Barr asked over the intercom.

“Certainly Captain I’ll bring some sandwiches and beverages to the bridge right away,” Sesely told him.

“Actually feed the rest of the crew first if you would,” Barr told her.

“Right away Captain,” Sesely said and signed off.

“Okay food soon,” Barr told the other members of the bridge crew.

“Yeah food,” Joe muttered.

It took over nine hours for them to finally reach the worm hole gate to Caruthers World and when they were finally through it and traveling through hyperspace everyone broke from the bridge and got some sleep, it would take a day to reach the Caruthers World side of the gate.

Twenty-four hours later found everyone once again on the bridge and popping out into normal space. The automated fund counter on the bridge rolled down showing that 250 galactic standard credits had been subtracted from the ship’s account.

“Caruthers System Gate Control this is Forlorn Hope now downloading passports and flight path information, we’ll be docking with Alpha Ring once we reach Caruthers World,” Ernie informed the gate control system.

“Roger that Forlorn Hope, your flight path has been filed with Alpha Ring AstroNav,” Gate Control informed them.

“Thank you Gate Control,” Ernie answered.

“You’re friend is expecting us right?” Barr asked Jason.

“Yeah, yeah, I mailed him again from the Coronet,” Jason grumped.

“What’s the matter I thought you said this guy would have a lucrative job for us?” Joe asked.

“Yeah, it’s just Wyndsor and I never really got along all that well,” Jason muttered.

“What, so you don’t trust him?” Jon asked.

“No I just don’t like him, and if he’s contacting me like this it means that it’s probably going to be shitty, nasty, dangerous, and probably get us all killed in a horrible, painful, and gruesome manner,” Jason said.

“Nnnggghhh,” Barr said at the description.

“And we’re going to take this job from this guy because?” Jon asked blinking.

“Well he usually does have a pretty wide discretionary budget,” Jason informed them.

“Money, money, money,” Joe said gleefully in a mutter; dollar signs dancing in his eyes.

“Did you say something?” Ernie asked.

“This is all going to end in some sort of mess,” Aehgr whined. “I just know it,” he said wringing his hands.

“You know it would have been nice if you had told us this before,” Barr growled rubbing his temples tiredly at the revelation.

“Er, uh, nobody really asked me,” Jason said sheepishly.

“No… Body… Asked… You…,” Jon grated out each word as if they were each a single sentence and then stood up from his crash chair and started moving towards the ship’s pilot.

“Eh, heh-heh,” Jason said. “Uh, did you need something Jon?” Jason asked moving out of his chair and away from his fellow crew member.

“No I’m just going to beat the ever living crap out of you,” Jon told him.

“Eh, I’ll see you guys later,” Jason said running out of the bridge with Jon in hot pursuit.

“Uhm, okay, what just happened,” Ernie asked.

Barr sighed and rubbed at his temples again at the extra pressure that was forming there. “Relief of a building pressure,” Barr stood up from his chair and headed for his cabin.

When Jason finally returned to the bridge he had a black eye and a bloody nose but he had given just as good back leaving Jon with a broken nose.

Barr had also returned to the bridge shortly before them and just shook his head at their appearances and ordered them to make sure that they used Nanno-injectors before they left the ship at Caruthers World Alpha ring.

Once docked at the Alpha Ring Barr, Jon, Joe, Aehgr, Ernie, and Jason changed into civilian clothes and rode the main Orbital Elevator to Caruthers City Spaceport.

Taking a cab to the Fleet Headquarters at the Caruthers City Spaceport they were given directions at the gate to the OFI headquarters building.

“Jason Rite and company to see Commander Wyndsor Conroy,” Jason said talking to the receptionist outside of Conroy’s office.

“Certainly Sir, hold just one minute while I talk to Commander Conroy,” the secretary told them and punched a button on her comm unit. “Sir there is a Jason Rite and company to see you,” the secretary said into the comm unit.

“Send them in Chief Fallwell,” Conroy said over the comm unit.

“Certainly Sir,” Fallwell answered releasing the button and then standing up.

“This way gentlemen,” she told them leading the group over to a door in the wall behind the desk and opening it up and ushering them through it into the office beyond.

The office that they entered was a square box with a single wall made of armored glass and the other three walls were painted a dull tan color which someone had attempted to spruce up with diplomas, commendations, and a few pictures and water colors, on one wall was a row of bookcases groaning under the weight of Jane’s volumes and various report binders.

“Jason, how’s it going?” Wyndsor Conroy asked standing up and vigorously shaking his old classmate’s hand.

“Fine, what about you Wyndsor,” Jason answered.

“I’d like to say never better,” Wyndsor told him sourly. “But I’d be lying,” Conroy said gesturing the six of them to chairs in front of his desk.

“What exactly were you needing Wyndsor?” Jason asked.

“I need someone to head into the Tantalus Hive Mind and check something out for us,” Conroy explained.

“Wait, what’s the Tantalus Hive Mind?” Jon asked.

Wyndsor proceeded to explain the new Star Nation and what had been going on since the disappearance of the original Galactic Coalition Council.

Barr let out a low whistle. “Looks like a lot has been going on over the last fourteen months or so,” he said in surprise.

“You could say that,” Wyndsor said dryly.

“What exactly do you want us to do in the Tantalus Hive Mind?” Jason asked suspiciously.

“I need someone to go there as ore carriers and do some investigating. The Prime Minister’s ship has gone missing and we believe he was assimilated by the Hive Mind,” Wyndsor explained. “I need you to confirm this so that a special election can be held,” he finished.

“And if we do find the Prime Minister there?” Jon asked.

“You are not to attempt a rescue in anyway shape or form,” Conroy told him coldly. “Even if you could rescue him and get out of hive space there is no way to undo what the Hive Mind has been doing to its victims,” the Commander explained.

“I’m just curious about something?” Joe asked.

“What is that?” Wyndsor asked.

“How much are we getting paid,” Joe asked.

“We’ll be filling your cargo hold with palladium as your reason for being there, the profits from the sale of that palladium are completely yours,” Wyndsor told him.

“What if we’re caught?” Barr asked.

“We disavow all knowledge of you and your mission,” Conroy told them.

“That’s just so kind of you,” Jon said dryly.

Conroy just smiled at them.

“So you said we could keep all the profits from the Palladium,” Joe said dollar signs dancing in his eyes.

Barr sighed and shook his head. “We’ll take the job,” he said quickly before Aehgr and Ernie could chime in as well.

“You’ll take the job?” Conroy asked startled and nearly slid out of his desk chair in surprise.

“You know you might want to actually wear a normal uniform when on base and you wouldn‘t almost fall out of your chair,” Jason told him dryly since the Fleet Commander was only wearing a mono-film duty suit in the blue and black of Fleet. He currently had the gloves retracted and was wearing knee high polished black combat boots.

“If you would have been paying attention for once you would have noticed that all the Fleet personnel in this building are only wearing duty suits,” Wyndsor told him dryly.

“Now that you mention I had noticed that or at least the female personnel anyway,” Jason said with a lecherous grin.

“You would,” Barr muttered.

“What does it matter,” Joe interjected. “Let’s get that ore loaded and be on our way,” he said practically rubbing his hands together greedily.

“It doesn’t but I’m curious as well,” Barr said.

Wyndsor sighed. “New uniform regulations stipulate that unless in the field or in a combat command all personnel will wear a mono-film duty suit and even those wearing normal uniforms must at all times wear a mono-film duty suit underneath their regular uniform,” Wyndsor explained.

“Okay, once again I don’t care,” Joe said. “Just tell us what we need to do,” he muttered.

“Alright, alright, patience gentlemen,” Wyndsor said picking up his E-PADD and tapping on the screen with a light stylus a few times and the lights in the room dimmed appreciably.

A three dimensional holographic projection sprung to life over a Holo-tank in one corner and Wyndsor led them over to it and they all looked at the solid projection of a planet floating over the tank.

“Alright gentlemen this is ACW-001 also known as Assimilated Crèche World 001,” Wyndsor started to say.

“Not every imaginative with their names are they,” Jon interrupted.

“They are an almost computer like driven hive mind, so numbers and tags are always going to be on the rather boring an unimaginative side for them,” Wyndsor explained with an annoyed tone of voice.

“Go on,” Jason said glaring at Jon.

“As I was saying this is ACW-001 formerly New Bavaria the former Neo-Prussian Empire capitol world and now the capitol world of the Tantalus Hive Mind,” Wyndsor explained and then tapped at one of the Holo-Tank’s controls and the view changed of a system wide shot. “Currently the Hive Mind only controls the Bavaria System but our intelligence shows that it is planning to start moving on former Neo-Prussian and Independent System League Worlds shortly once they have refitted enough former Neo-Prussian vessels to allow them to move and land an appreciable number of TMU-6/13 series units to those systems,” he said punching another key and showing a male and female in metallic green Nanno-sheaths their bug eyed visions lenses glowing a light green.”

“What does TMU stand for?” Barr asked.

“Tantalus Military Unit,” Wyndsor told the group and the designation appeared over the floating images and various wire lines extruded from sections of the body explaining how the Tantalus Nanno-Virus had upgraded the assimilated’s bodies for this particular type of unit.

“You said you want us to locate the Prime Minister if at all possible?” Jason asked.

“Yes and any other crew members you can easily locate since the Joint Chiefs and the Security Cabinet were also aboard that vessel,” Wyndsor told him. “We need to confirm who was actually aboard the vessel when they were assimilated that way we know what information the Hive Mind has access to and what security codes we need to change,” he explained.

“How will we be able to know if a particular unit is the Prime Minister or not?” Jon asked.

“We think that we’ve cracked the Hive Mind’s assimilation coding system,” Wyndsor said and tapped another key and letters replaced the rotating Tantalan Units. “The Tantalans use a simple enough code, basically it’ll be a three to four letter designation telling what type of unit it is, and then it will be followed by either a six which means female or thirteen meaning male, followed by three sets of numbers separated by hyphens,” Conroy explained first highlighting the TMU of the designation then the number six. “The first set of numbers is the combined numerical total of the first name’s letters followed by the combined total of the middle name and then the combine total of the last name,” Wyndsor explained highlighting each block in turn.

“Where exactly are we supposed to find him anyway?” Jon asked.

“Here,” Wyndsor answered tapping a few buttons as they watched the characters were replaced by an image of ACW-001 again that rapidly zoomed in on a city on the equator that had gleaming towers of bronze colored metal and blue glass and then finally settled on a cubicle building that appeared to be five kilometers on a side.

“What the hell is that, it’s huge?” Joe asked.

“That is the main assimilation Crèche for City 001-1 all of the unused drones are stored here and the planet only has an active population of one billion Units at any one time,” Wyndsor explained.

“How many Units are stored there?” Barr asked.

“Several billion; the facility also goes down several kilometers into the surface of the planet,” Wyndsor explained and then clicked another button and a squared off object with the forward half of a Tantalan on the front of it appeared.

“This is a portable Assimilation Crèche; it is how unused Units are stored and then transported,” Wyndsor zoomed into the bottom of the boxy structure to show a holographic readout. “On the bottom edge of the crèche is a holographic display showing the unit’s designation,” he explained.

“Are you sure that he’ll be in the Assimilation crèche?” Jason asked. “What if he’s out wandering around in the main population?” He added.

“Our information shows that the Hive Mind is very strict about the number of Units that are allowed to be active at any one time and since he is one of the most recently assimilated units he’ll probably not be considered for activity until a new planet is found to be colonized,” Wyndsor explained.

“And just how are we supposed to know the Prime Minister and his crew’s assimilation numbers?” Joe asked.

“Well if you can’t do simple math we’ll provide you with a list of names and assimilation numbers,” Wyndsor replied dryly.

“What kind of defenses are we looking at inside and outside the assimilation crèche center?” Jason asked.

“Outside you’ll have large roving patrols of Military Units as well as pairs of Sentry Units outside each entrance point,” Wyndsor brought up another image of a floating figure this one’s body ended in a sharp point as if the feet and legs had been melded together it was lacking any arms as well and had huge almost normal looking eyes.

“How are they armed?” Someone asked.

“Military Units are armed with copies of the M99 while the Sentries have built in laser eye beams and the ability to launch masses of nannites from their bodies to try and assimilate any intruders,” he answered. “As for inside there are no guards or automated security systems whatsoever,” Wyndsor told them.

“No interior security whatsoever,” Barr repeated with astonishment.

“None, they really don’t need it either, think about it who would be crazy enough to sneak inside this type of facility,” Wyndsor said with a shrug.

“Apparently us,” Barr said dryly.

“We are also going to need footage of the interior and if you can get footage of how they assimilate others that would be good as well,” Wyndsor told them.

“Anything else you might want to tell us?” Jason asked knowing that Wyndsor was leaving something out.

“Well the Tantalans do have children units now as well,” Wyndsor told them waiting for the outburst.

“What the hell, how have they been allowed to assimilate children?” Jason shouted.

“Why the fuck hasn’t the Theban Government or any government done anything to stop this?” Barr shouted himself.

“They need to be wiped out, period, fucking dot,” Jon yelled.

“Kids are so messy but they shouldn’t be assimilated,” Aehgr said.

“Calm down, calm down,” Wyndsor said making a calming motion with both hands. “Those kids are actually better off as they are now, the ones that they have are actually those children taken over by the Quisling Virus and then re-assimilated by the Tantalans,” Wyndsor explained.

“Something still needs to be done,” Barr growled.

“Unfortunately the Tantalus Hive Mind is now a sovereign Star Nation and those are there children,” Wyndsor told them.

“That doesn’t matter they are nothing but puppets to this Hive Mind,” Jason grated out.

“Actually our Ambassador has sent us footage of the Tantalus Children,” Wyndsor said and tapped another button bringing up a new hologram.

The hologram showed several children covered from head to toe in metallic white Nanno-sheaths and each had a different colored stripe running from just under the arm pit to the edge of the sole. From their size they appeared to be different ages and they were playing in a street with several dogs who were yapping playfully, the only thing that broke scene was the absolute silence from the Tantalan children who were acting like any other child.

“That is so creepy,” Joe said.

“That it is,” Wyndsor agreed turning off the Holo-Tank.

“So how soon can we have the Palladium loaded?” Jason asked.

“It’ll take about eight hours to get it loaded and we’ll get the credentials made up for you and your crews,” Wyndsor told them. “As an added bonus I’ve pushed through a Coalition Firearms Permit application for all your crew members. So other than for a few star nations such as the Neo-Prussian Empire and the Hagerman Empire you’ll be able to go as heavily armed as you want, just don’t over do it,” Wyndsor told them with a smirk.

“Gee he must be thinking of you and Ernie,” Barr said dryly to Jon.

“Whatever, I don’t carry too many guns, plus I’ve seen all the stuff you carry,” Samuel grunted.

“Yeah but it’s not so much the amount of firepower you carry but the way you use it,” Barr said.

“If you gentlemen are ready I’ll get you’re paper work finished,” Wyndsor said and handed each of the team members and E-PADD. “I’ve sent your AI documents for the rest of your crew,” Wyndsor told them.

“Okay, everyone fill out your forms and let’s get this done and over with,” Barr ordered and the six of them scattered around the office to fill out the E-PADDs with light stylus.

Wyndsor watched as the six of them filled out the documents and was hoping that they would be able to get the information he needed and return with it.

Castellan League Space

Castellan System - Yushima Limit

March 14th, 6200 C.E. - 02:00 CST

Hood sat on the bridge of his massive black Titan sized automated vessel sipping tea from a delicate cup the saucer balanced on one arm of his command chair as he watched the hundreds of green beads that indicated the Gnosis vessels that had just burst pass the Yushima limit like maggots from an infected wound.

He watched on his light speed sensors as the Gnosis vessels made micro jumps further into the system where the red beads of hundreds if not thousands of vessels toiled throughout the system on their day to day transits from planet to planet, planet to moon, and planet to asteroid belt and back again.

Hood was just finishing his fourth cup of tea when the green beads of the Gnosis vessels appeared amongst those of the Castellan Leagues. At first the light beads didn’t change from their patterns but as the green beads increased over the red ones slowly at first and then more rapidly most of the ships scattered like sheep before a pack of wolves but some turned and moved towards the green beads of the Gnosis.

“How interesting, it looks like the last of the Progenitors may have a bit of back bone after all, although there level of technology is barely on par with that of the Theban Cluster and their allies,” Hood pursed his lips in the darkness.

“How the mighty have fallen,” Hood chuckled as a servo mechanism refilled his tea cup again and put a platter of cookies and cakes on a small table.

He watched in the darkness of his hood as the red beads were devoured by the green ones and the Gnosis increased their numbers a hundred fold.

Castellan League Space

Castellan System - Castella IV

March 14th, 6200 C.E. - 02:15 CST

Vaspel led his force of several hundred Gnosis Bio-Ships in short bounds from the systems Yushima Limit into the outer orbital reaches of the Castellan League Capitol World of Castella IV.

The naval units that actually protected the planet were light in comparison to what most Star Nations would have; this was mainly due to the fact that somehow the ancestors of the Castellan’s were able to find themselves a rather secluded spot in the Galaxy that wasn’t inhabited by other sentient species.

Of course Vaspel and the other Gnosis cared naught for that as they fired on both military and civilian shipping in orbit around the planet with their infectious bio missiles.

Castellan League Space

Castellan System - Castella IV

Castellan League Naval Vessel - Khartoth

March 14th, 6200 C.E. - 02:20 CST

It had been a long day and League Navy Lt. Sandaria Mourtinier was just starting to dry her hair from the shower she had just taken when alarm klaxons started blaring through out the small frigate that was part of the Capitol Worlds defensive fleet.

Seconds after hearing the Klaxon Lt. Kinslayer the tactical officer came over the intercom, “Warning we have unknown vessels approaching and opening fire, all personnel to their duty stations, this is not a drill, I repeat all personnel to their duty stations this is not a drill.”

Sandaria dashed naked to the locker that held her Skinsuit and pulled it and the helmet out; she hurried to pull on the suit wincing as the plumbing connections pinched for a second, the helmet ended up locked onto the top of the environmental pack within easy reach of her hands. Her suit on she ran from the cabin and tried to make it to her duty station on the bridge.

Racing down the corridor she felt the ship shake from repeated blows but was surprised when she didn’t hear explosions or the blare of hull breach sirens, what she didn’t realize was that the goal of the Gnosis wasn’t to destroy ships but to infect them and turn them into even more Gnosis.

Reaching a cross corridor that intersected with the bridge and the CIC she skidded to a halt to watch as the battle plate of the corridor flexed and bulged taken on a sweaty organic/metallic sheen, metal corridors were replaced by sickly organic flesh with writhing metal conduits and molecular circuitry running through it.

Sandaria stood stunned not knowing or understanding what was going on around her as the floor beneath her suit’s heals also took on the same sickly sheen, she didn’t see any other members of the crew in the corridor with her either and the doors to the bridge and CIC had been replaced by organic sphincters.

Slowing her breathing she hurried to the sphincter that had replaced the bridge door and it dilated open as she approached what she saw inside the room horrified her, the walls, floor, and ceiling had taken on the same organic look as the corridors and the consoles had done the same, the bridge crew now sat silently in their crash chairs their arms melded with flesh and molecular circuitry to their consoles.

Flexible metallic/organic umbilicus ran from the surface of the consoles and connected by metallic collars to their eyes, nostrils, mouth, and ears and as she looked more closely she saw more umbilicus flowing from between their legs and connecting to the consoles their uniforms and Skinsuits that they had been wearing now totally gone as silver traceries appeared where veins, arteries, and capillaries had been and strange lights glowed and flickered under their skin.

Vomiting on the floor rather loudly and spectacularly Sandaria supported her body against one of the consoles with one hand but instantly snatched it away feeling even through her Skinsuit the mushy organic feel of it. Standing up straight again the Lt. headed for the door thinking she may just be able to escape in a shuttle if she hurries.

Before she can leave through the sphincter door Sandaria feels a painful jab at the small of her back and looks over her shoulder to see a wrist thick organic/metallic umbilical has attached itself to the base of her spine and she realizes she can no longer move as unseen nonnumeric wires invade her motor systems taking them over.

Further horrified she watched as several more umbilical extrude from around her and start tearing at the material of her Skinsuit leaving her stark naked and silver traceries start to replace the blue/purple of healthy veins and arteries, clumps of hair fall from her head and to the organic decking and are immediately absorbed.

Unable to move or scream Sandaria feels the hardened edges of sockets raise around her ears, eyes, nostrils, mouth and even in her lower regions and then umbilical shoot from the wall latching onto those collars and the last thing Castellan League Naval Lt. Sandaria Mourtinier sees is the web of Nanno-metric wires that shoot down the umbilical and impale her eyes to connect with her optic nerves.

The back of her skull bulged as a organic Nanno-computer was created to act as a permanent control function was created at the base of her brain stem and 4th Dimensional machine code started scrolling through the brain of the new component.

Along one wall of the former bridge a human shaped depression formed and the umbilical moved the new component to it and a wet sucking sound could be heard as it was slotted into its niche.

Throughout the Khartoum and other infected military and civilian vessels of the Castellan League humans became nothing more than components for the newly born Gnosis vessels, the final step of the transformation was completed with the evacuation of all atmosphere from the bio-ships.

Castellan League Space

Castellan System - Yushima Limit

March 14th, 6200 C.E. - 13:33 CST

“The Gnosis commander Vaspel reports that all orbital facilities and ships in the system have been turned, they now control the orbitals of Castellan IV,” one of the mechanized servos on the bridge informed Hood in a mechanical creaky voice.

“Good,” Hood said taking a sip of tea and munching on a cookie before asking his question. “Any timeline on when they’ll move on the planet itself?” he asked the servo.

“Vaspel is just now sending us that information, and states that they’ll begin bio-missile bombardment of the planet’s cities in six hours as they gather in the newly made Gnosis,” the Servo told him.

“Excellent,” Hood said munching another cookie. “Set a course of Castellan IV I want to watch this,” Hood ordered.

The servo didn’t answer and punched in course corrections for a least time intercept for Castellan IV and the Black Moor moved out of its holding position near the system’s Yushima limit.

Even as fast as the Progenitor built Gnosis vessels were the Black Moor was by far even faster than them and even with it’s massive twenty-five kilometer long bulk it could do what no other vessel in the Milky Way galaxy could and travel at 0.95c or ninety-five percent of light speed.

Hood was once again sipping tea and eating cookies when the Black Moor reached orbit over Castella IV. “Launch the probes I want close up view of what happens,” Hood ordered the servo mechanism at the control panel.

“Yes sir,” it replied and launched a spread of over two dozen drone probes into the planets atmosphere as the Gnosis vessels surrounded the planet and started belching out infectious missiles that were targeted for the planets cities.

The probes followed the missiles down through the atmosphere and watched as they impacted the first city bursting open and spreading organic/metallic Nannos all over the place. The nannites infected the city’s mechanical and computer systems umbilical bursting forth from buildings to snatch people from the streets and in the homes making them components of the techno-organic sprawl that was covering the city.

On the bridge of the Black Moor Hood watched with rapt attention chuckling quietly at a particular scene of interest as people ran screaming through the streets of various cities only to be caught and trapped by the Gnosis umbilical that were turning the city into a ground based station for the Gnosis.

It took almost three weeks for the last human bio-sign to disappear from the surface of the planet and by that time any fleets that had been sent by other systems to investigate had been infected as well.

“Sir, the entire system has been infested with the Gnosis virus,” the servo mechanism informed the hooded figure.

“Good, very good,” Hood said sipping tea. Hood finished his last cup of tea and lips could just barely be seen to curve into a small smile at the successful completion of phase one of his operation.

Theban Cluster - Caruthers Sector - Caruthers World - Caruthers City

Theban Cluster Fleet Department of Shipyard Logistics

Ore Loading Dock 325J Privately Owned Vessel Forlorn Hope

March 15th, 6200 C.E. - 17:00 CST

Barr stood staring at the loading crane as it and cringed as the operator banged the container against the side of the ship before adjusting and sliding it through the side cargo hatch.

“Something wrong Mr. Robards?” A female Fleet Officer wearing Lt. Commander tabs and a DOSL patch on one shoulder of her duty suit asked walking up.

“Oh nothing is wrong, nothing at all Commander Osborne,” Barr answered his stance of one arm pushed violently against a pillar with his other hand clenched into a fist and a vein throbbing on his forehead gave lie to the answer however.

“I apologize for any mishandling that occurs, Fleetman Cosain is usually pretty good with a crane but this whole operation has been so rushed that everyone is under quite a bit of stress,” Lt. Commander Caroline Osborne explained clutching her E-PADD to her chest and biting at her lip.

Barr sighed. “It’s alright Commander, the Forlorn and I have just been through a lot of things,” he told her turning towards her with a small smile. “I didn’t mean to snap at you Commander Osborne,” Barr said apologizing.

“Not a problem Captain Robards,” the light brown haired woman told him with a small smile.

“Call me Barr,” he told her with an impish grin.

“Barr it is then and you can call me Caroline,” she said pulling the E-PADD away from her chest and looking at it then checking something off with a light stylus. “Well that would be the last container of palladium,” she told him.

“Good, I don’t think the ship could take anymore dings like that last one,” Barr said with a chuckle.

“Well Barr I’ll be seeing you in about three hours when your ship is ready to leave the spaceport,” Osborne told him.

“Uh, why is that?” He asked surprised.

“Didn’t Conroy tell you I’m going with you, I have some documents to give to Ambassador Tellman?” She asked him as she realized he hadn’t been informed.

“No he didn’t tell me that,” Barr said between gritted teeth.

“I apologize for the lack of communication,” she said pulling the E-PADD back up to cover her chest.

“Wouldn’t a Theban Cluster Fleet officer along for the ride kind of blow our cover?” Barr asked.

“I’m going in mufti with a false passport as part of your crew,” she told him. “That is if it’s alright with you?” She quickly asked.

“No it won’t be a problem, but we’ll have to get you the proper duty suits and Skinsuit,” Barr told her.

“Don’t worry; the logistics shop has already made those and I’ll be ready to go when the ship leaves the port,” she informed him.

Forty five minutes before the ship was due to leave Osborne showed up in a Skinsuit identical to the crews and took up a position at one of the bridge’s consoles. Barr had to admit that her body looked even better in the literally skin tight environmental suit than it had in the formfitting duty suit she had been wearing and found himself staring at her ass as it swayed past him to the console she had chosen.

“We ready to go then Barr?” Jason asked from his own console that had been configured for flight and navigation control.

“Er, what?” Barr said focusing on Jason finally as Osborne locked her crash frame into place.

“I said are we ready to go?” Jason asked a second time.

“Yeah, Ernie go ahead and contact space port control and ask them if we are cleared to leave,” Barr ordered.

“Roger,” Ernie said and started talking into his earbud’s mike and contacting spaceport control. “Spaceport control says we are clear to go and is sending vectors now,” Ernie informed them.

“Yup, they’re coming up on my screen now,” Jason said as his hands flew across the holographic keys inputting the data sent to him by Caruthers Space Port Control. “And away we go,” he said with a flourish and tapped one last button. Everyone felt the ship vibrate as its counter gravity system kicked in and the automated flight systems carried them into low orbit where the thrusters then kicked in to take them into space where the vibrations ceased as the reaction less drive system came online.

It took nearly four days to reach the systems wormhole gate another day found them in the wormhole gate terminus, rather than pause at the Coronet they went directly to the gate that would take them to the closest gate to the former Bavaria System and was now labeled ACS-001 and nine more days found them in the Assimilated Crèche System 001 heart of the Tantalus Hive Mind.

Tantalus Hive Mind - ACS-001 - ACW-001

Assimilated Space Dock - Cargo Off-Loading Dock

Privately Owned Vessel Forlorn Hope

March 29th, 6200 C.E. - 10:00 CST

After ten days of travel to the Tantalus Hive Mind capitol system the crew found itself on edge and Barr ordered the women members of the crew save Lt. Commander Osborne to stay on the ship to cut down on the number of chances of any one getting assimilated.

In Hive Mind space a person could get themselves assimilated just for missing the trash can and accidentally littering.

The women weren’t too happy about it but they understood the inherent dangers in their current location.

Barr triple-checked his E-PADD to make sure that everything was correctly filled out. Barr and Lt. Commander Osborne led the way down the airlock gantry followed by the others.

The seven of them were met at the base of the gantry by a Technician Unit and two Military Units.

“Captain Barr Robards,” the Technician Unit said more as a statement than a question.

“Yes,” Barr replied.

“We need to check your crew identification, see your shipping documents, and do a ship inspection,” the Technician Unit informed him.

“Certainly is there anything particular that the crew and I need to do?” Barr asked.

“You need to assemble your crew in the mess hall during the inspection,” the Technician Unit informed him.

“I’ll assembly them immediately in the mess hall,” Barr said handing his E-PADD to the Technician Unit and heading back up the gantry with the others following.

Fifteen minutes later all thirteen members of the crew were assembled in the mess hall where the Technician Unit or at least one that looked like it took DNA samples and looked over their identification. Several other Technician Units were inspecting the ship and another batch with Labor Units had been dispatched to the cargo hold to start unloading the containers of palladium.

“All of your papers are in order and your DNA does not match any known criminal database,” the Technician Unit informed the crew who almost as one let out a low breath.

“How many of your crew will be leaving the ship?” Another one of the Technician Units asked.

“Just seven,” and Barr named off those members of the crew that would be going with him to the surface of the planet.

Tantalus Hive Mind - ACS-001 - ACW-001

Imperial City - Theban Cluster Consulate

March 29th, 6200 C.E. - 16:00 CST

It had taken nearly six hours to finish with the cargo off-loading and to get the documents and payment records completed. Barr while starting to feel impatient was willing to wait as long as took. He really didn’t want to end up as an assimilated window washer or something.

The thought passed through his mind as he started through his reflection at the gleaming azure and bronze city that lay below the stalk of the space docks orbital elevator.

“Centi-Cred for your thought,” Jason said.

“Probably not even worth that,” Barr answered with a small smile. He was just about to say something else when he heard a young girl’s voice.

“Daddy it’s so pretty,” little four year old Brittaney Gamaoran said to her father.

“That it is my little one,” Jefferey Gamaoran told his four year old daughter affectionately.

“Well its okay looking,” Allison Gamaoran hedged with a true pre-teens deflating technique.

“Allison’s being mean again daddy,” Brittaney said pouting and crossing her arms angrily.

“Allison please leave your sister alone,” Delilah Gamaoran admonished her older daughter.

“I didn’t do anything to the runt,” Allison grumped.

“You keep teasing her and she starts crying again, you’ll be grounded for a week,” Jefferey admonished.

“Alright, alright, I’ll leave the twerp alone,” Allison said grumpily.

“So nice of you to be civil to your sister,” Delilah said dryly.

“Whatever,” the older girl said rolling her eyes and looking back out the window.

“What kind of crazy person brings their kids on vacation to this place,” Jason whispered to Barr.

Shrugging his shoulders in the duty suit Barr didn’t reply and looked out the window himself watching as the orbital elevator car slid into the station at the bottom of the space dock’s stalk.

“Okay guys we have to be at the Consulate in half an hour,” Caroline Osborne told the group as she lead them off the elevator and to a taxi stand outside the station.

As they walked through the elevator station they saw all sorts of Tantalan Units from Nobility to Technician but their biggest shock occurred when they left the terminal and get a view of some of the Units on the streets and sidewalks of the Imperial City.

“What the hell is that?” Jon burst out pointing a finger at a Tantalan Unit crossing the street.

“Don’t stare and point you look like a bumpkin and it’s rude,” Jason admonished.

“That still doesn’t tell me what that is supposed to be,” Jon insisted.

Behind them Caroline sighed. “That gentlemen is a Tantalus Breeder Unit,” Caroline told them as the group stared at the metallic red Nanno-sheathed Unit. But it wasn’t the almost fire engine red color that they were staring at but the Unit’s distended belly as it finished crossing the street.

“It’s, it’s pregnant,” Joe stuttered.

“Yes, the Tantalans actually have live births now to increase their numbers,” Caroline explained and then nodded her head further up the street. “And there are some Tantalan Child Units,” she said pointing out the metallic white child size Tantalans as they played with a dog, however the children were totally silent as they did so, and each of them had a different colored stripe running from their armpit to the soles of their feet.

“I know that Wyndsor told us they had assimilated children but I didn’t think they’d be quite so blatant about showing them off,” Barr said feeling as if someone had punched him in the stomach.

“Yeah it’s quite a shock the first time,” Caroline told him.

Around the two the others made comments and grumblings of anger.

“Kinda creepy,” Jason stated what the others were thinking.

A taxi air van was sitting at the stand its engine idling and a tan colored Labor Unit was sitting patiently behind the wheel waiting for passengers.

The seven of them crammed themselves into the van with much grumbling and feelings of unease after seeing the pregnant Tantalan Unit and the assimilated children. “Theban Cluster Consulate,” Caroline told the Unit behind the wheel after buckling in and swiping her fake Identi-Chip through the payment scanner.

The air van lifted off the landing skirt and sedately rose into the air and then merged with the moderate amount of traffic that was pacing through the air lanes over the city.

“Wow this is rather sedate traffic for such a populous city,” Jon commented as they breezed across the sky on the van’s counter gravity system.

“Most of the Tantalan Units walk to their destinations. The traffic you see is mostly cargo and passenger vehicles such as the taxi we are in and only Tantalan drivers are allowed to use the air lanes; non Tantalans are restricted to ground based traffic only,” Caroline explained right before they touched down at the landing skirt in front of the Theban Cluster Consulate.

The seven of them piled out of the van and Caroline walked them up to the guard post before the battle plate steel gate that blocked the over five meter tall stone coated ceramo-steel walls which were studded with broken glass and concertina wire strung along its top.

“Lt. Commander Osborne,” she told the Marine Sentry who took the offered ID and then checked the rest of the party’s identification.

“You and you’re party are cleared to enter ma’am,” the sentry told her then muttered something into an earbud mike a few seconds later the huge door rolled upwards to admit them.

“Pretty impressive,” Jon said looking around at the dragons teeth and ceramo-crete blocks that turned the driveway into a maze keeping any vehicles from having a straight shot at the front of the consulate.

The building was simple white brick and stood ten stories high anti-aircraft particle beam cannons could be seen at each corner of the building’s roof and a pair of hyper velocity missile launchers sat in the front yard awaiting targeting information if a hostile air vehicle came within range of the grounds.

“Awfully heavy armament for such a small consulate,” Barr commented.

“Well when you are in unknown territory such as the Tantalus Hive Mind it’s best to be prepared for the worst. Frankly I’d rather serve at a consulate in the Neo-Prussian Empire at least there you would know they are hostile,” Caroline said quietly as they walked up the driveway.

They were vetted once again by a pair of Theban Cluster Fleet Marine Corps sentries at the front doors and then passed into the foyer and beyond that a soaring lobby that was open to all ten stories allowing a view of the huge stained glass dome that shown a variegation of colors over the marble floor of the lobby.

Caroline led them across the lobby to a reception desk that had a female marine in dress uniform sitting behind it.

“What can I do for you sirs, ma’am?” the marine asked eyeing the group in their white duty suits, and looking as if she were determining who was the largest threat to be taken out first.

“Forlorn Hope Shipping Company here to see Ambassador Tellman,” Caroline told the marine and handed over the group’s Identi-Chips.

“You’re cleared through already Ma’am,” the Marine said after placing each of the chips in her ID scanner and then handed each of them an ID card with their picture and information on it that also had a magnetic seal on the back of it. “Place these on the left side of your chest and wear them at all times while on the grounds, you are cleared for yellow level areas only, all areas are marked with a stripe along the wall,” the Marine explained to them calmly.

The group put the ID cards on the front of their duty suits as ordered.

“The ambassador is currently on the third floor room 315, please follow the guide light,” the Marine ordered and a yellow holographic light popped into existence above the reception desk. “Have a nice day folks,” the Marine told them as they turned to follow the light.

It took only a few minutes to reach the door to room 315 and the holographic light popped like a soap bubble as they reached their destination. Caroline knocked on the door and was answered by a voice ordering them to enter.

“Lt. Commander Caroline Osborne reporting as ordered Sir,” she belted out and saluted the Ambassador smartly.

“No need for that Commander,” Tellman said with a small smile. “Everyone please have a seat,” he said gesturing to the seating area in the wood paneled parlor that they found themselves in.

“Ambassador Tellman this is Captain Robards and his crew from the Forlorn Hope,” Caroline said waving her hand at the six men that had followed her into the room. “They are the ones that Lt. Commander Conroy told you about,” she explained and started the introductions.

“Kind of a pessimistic name for a ship isn’t it Captain,” Tellman asked shaking Barr’s hand.

“The best ones usually are, and sometimes it takes a Forlorn one to have a Hope of even working,” Barr said smiling faintly.

“Good attitude, from your file I see you were in the Theban Cluster Fleet Marine Corps,” Tellman said.

“Yes Ambassador, I spent several years in SOCOM working under Lt. Colonel Masters,” Barr told him.

“That’s good to know because to pull off this little gig you’ll need some of that special training,” Tellman said with a sour expression on his face.

“Is it true that the Tantalans have assimilated the Prime Minister?” Jason asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Tellman answered his frown deepening. “One of our ships spotted “Fleet 1 being brought into dock awhile ago to be refitted,” the ambassador explained.

“Damn and the Theban Cluster is just going to let them get away with it?” Jon asked in surprise.

“Legally there is nothing we can do,” the Ambassador explained. “The Coalition’s agreements specifically state that any vessel found in Tantalus space without prior authorization is considered a trespasser and fair game for assimilation,” Tellman told them.

“That is freaking stupid,” Joe grunted.

“It may be Mr. Hiker but it’s what the politicians hashed out with the Tantalans and in some ways it works perfectly, the amount of piracy in this sector of space has dropped dramatically over the last year,” Tellman explained.

“I bet the Pirate Guild isn’t too happy about that one,” Jason commented.

“No they aren’t and neither are the Hagerman and Gaul Empires although for some reason Neo-Prussian based piracy doesn’t seem to have dropped any,” Tellman said thoughtfully.

“Yeah but what about the poor bastards who were using this sector as a way point between hyperspace transits to refuel their particle bunkers, or your own Prime Minister,” Joe retorted.

“I feel sorry for those who have been assimilated for nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But there is nothing I or any other Coalition member can do to stop it, the members can’t even vote to change the law for another 125 years,” Tellman said with a dyspeptic look on his face.

“Who the hell came up with that brilliant Idea?” Jon asked.

“It was part of the Coalition Creation Mandate,” Osborne informed them.

Barr just shook his head. “While all of this is informative enough, we need more data before we try to break into this Crèche facility that Commander Conroy was telling us about,” Barr said.

“Certainly, we’ve learned a few more things about the building’s floor plans, and the fact that they have no security whatsoever guarding the roof tops,” Tellman said pulling a miniature E-PADD from his pocket and tapped the screen with a light stylus. The lights in the room dimmed and for a second time they were looking at a floor plan of the Assimilation Crèche Facility.

After hashing things out it was decided that the team would use grav-gliders and launch from one of the Consulate’s shuttles as it passed over the city on its way into orbit to the space dock above. After landing on the Crèche they would make their way inside and see if they could find the Prime Minister and the members of the Security Council and JCS.

Tantalus Hive Mind - ACS-001 - ACW-001

Imperial City - 2 Kilometers Over The Assimilation Crèche

March 30th, 6200 C.E. - 02:00 CST

The team was clad in their Nanno-sheaths again this time they were set to a dark blue and gray to match the night time sky camo pattern that covered the grav-gliders.

One by one the six of them dropped from the shuttle as it paused in its upward spiraling flight to enter orbit.

Once out of the shuttle the gliders burst open spreading six meter delta wings to either side their small counter-gravity units shut off for the time being as they spiraled and gyred like hunting birds down through the air towards the top of the Assimilation Crèche.

Barr was the first one to set down and he expertly retracted the wings and rolled across the roof top to come to a stop without injury and Joe and Jon mimicked him. Jason and Ernie coming in for a landing with the wings still spread and using their legs and feet to slow their forward movement then folding the wings. Aehgr as only Aehgr could do smacked into an environmental unit; thankfully between the Nanno-sheath and the Nanno-rubber protective coating of the environmental unit the noise was minimal but everyone still froze for nearly five minutes before they let out relieved breaths.

“Dammit Aehgr would you quit fucking up,” Joe hissed. “Another misstep like that and we won’t get shot, we won’t get thrown into jail for life, we get fucking assimilated,” Joe growled getting right in Aehgr’s face, his spit dripping down the smaller man’s face.

“I’m sorry,” Aehgr said shrugging.

“You better fucking be,” Joe growled shoving the smaller man.

“That’s enough Joe,” Barr said putting his face an inch from Joe’s and ordering him quietly. “Aehgr doesn’t do things on purpose and he tries his best, now get your fucking head in the game or we are going to be assimilated and turned into street cleaners for the Tantalus Hive Mind,” Barr said lowly but with menace dripping from every word.

Barr gave everyone a good fifteen minutes to get their heads back in the game, Joe was venting to Jon, Ernie was trying to cheer Aehgr up and Barr chewed on a cigar stub till it was a masticated mess while Jason stood nearby.

“Alright rally in,” Barr ordered quietly making a twirling motion over his head and the others crowded around him. “Alright here’s the plan, we’re splitting into three two man teams. Ernie and Aehgr will concentrate on the storage Crèche levels and try to locate the Prime Minister. Joe you and John check these levels here,” Barr said indicating the levels on his E-PADD. “The ambassador believes this is one of the immigrant assimilation centers, meanwhile Jason and I will check these floors which also may hold assimilation centers,” Barr finished giving out the assignments.

“Any questions,” Barr’s question was answered by head shakes and mumbled nos. “Good, you’ve got your assignments, no shooting unless absolutely necessary, this is a recon and information gathering mission, we get in, we get out, we get away clean,” Barr said.

Quiet agreement rang out around the circle.

The men split into their three teams and wormed their way into various environmental air systems to get to their targeted areas.

Tantalus Hive Mind - ACS-001 - ACW-001

Imperial City - Assimilation Crèche - Lowest Sub-Floor

March 30th, 6200 C.E. - 02:30 CST

Ernie and Aehgr were actually the first to reach their destination even though it was located on the lower most floors and over half a kilometer down. With the judicious use of tripping and falling Aehgr slid into Ernie knocking him down the air shaft and the two of them rolled and tumbled all the way down to the lower most floor. Thankfully their Nanno-sheaths kept them from receiving anything more major than a few bruises.

“Wow that was fun,” Ernie said letting out a quiet whoop, his face flushed from the ride and adrenaline.

“Oy, I think I broke my cocik, and maybe my toe metatarsals or it could be my medulla oblongata,” Aehgr whined. “Oh just look at this I’m all dirty,” Aehgr whined looking down at his Nanno-sheath that was currently colored a subdued matte gray.

“Aehgr we just tumbled through one of the most advanced environmental systems I’ve ever seen, if there is a single speck of dust in it I’d be surprised,” Ernie told the man grinning.

“I still need to clean it,” Aehgr said and shut the Nanno-sheath off for a second and then turned it back on.

Needless to say Ernie got more than an eye full and wondered how any one could have such pale, hairy, freckled skin.

“Wow, didn’t know anyone could be that pale and that hairy at the same time,” Ernie mumbled to himself.

“Did you say something,” Aehgr asked loudly.

“Ssshhh, as much as I enjoy a party as any other person I really don’t want to have a welcome to the Hive Mind party right now,” Ernie told the man shushing him. “Although it might be kind of cool to have those neat glowing eyes,” he added.

Aehgr stared at him for a second and then the two hunkered down over a huge grate that they had just landed on. Looking below them the two could see a large walkway big enough for a pair of air buses to pass one another with enough room left over for pedestrians. They could also see hundreds of racked portable assimilation crèches stored in the room.

“Well looks like we found the storage levels,” Ernie said brightly. “Here take these and tie them around the grate on that side and then to that stanchion over there,” Ernie told Aehgr handing him two lengths of high tensile rope from his pack.

While Aehgr had done that Ernie tied another rope on his side of the grate and looped it around another stanchion loosely enough that it would allow them to lower that side of the grate without it swinging down violently and clanging against something.

Once both those tasks were done Ernie pulled a portable seal nullifier from a pocket on his equipment belt and used it to deactivate the magnetic seal holding the grate in place against the environmental duct. While he worked he hummed various John Phillip Sousa March songs under his breath while Aehgr twitched and fussed nearby.

“Okay Aehgr help me lower this grate as quietly as possible,” Ernie said and with Aehgr’s help they were able to quickly lower the grate and leave it hanging open above the walkway.

“Okay now quickly down the rope Aehgr,” Ernie ordered and lowered another length of high tensile climbing rope down through the open grate.

The two of them reached the walkway and stood staring in surprise at the massive ranks of portable assimilation crèches that ranked along the walls. Billions of units of all types and colors sat at rest in their storage crèches. However none of the Units’ eyes glowed with activity but the silent stares were still creepier than either man could stand. Hurrying along the length of the catwalk they checked the numbers as fast as they could and after nearly two hours of searching found the string of numbers they were looking for.

The golden Nanno-sheathed figure was in a storage crèche just like all the others the only thing marking it as different being the string of numbers at the bottom of the case.

Ernie checked his E-PADD and confirmed it. “TIU-13-48-19-95, this is the Prime Minister alright,” Ernie said quietly and for once sadly as he ran a hand down the golden skin of the Imperial Unit.

“Oy we’ve done our job let’s get out of this creepy factory of creepiness,” Aehgr whined rubbing his Nanno-sheath clad hands together.

“Alright well all the different colors are very pretty though,” Ernie said and the two of them shimmied up the rope and resealed the grate. Exiting through the environmental ducting they made their way back to the roof to meet the other crew members and found themselves to be the first to arrive.

Thankfully Aehgr didn’t cause any more problems on the way back out of the facility.

Tantalus Hive Mind - ACS-001 - ACW-001

Imperial City - Assimilation Crèche

Immigration Assimilation Chamber 232

March 30th, 6200 C.E. - 02:30 CST

Barr and Jason had also taken the route of the environmental ducts and had made their way to one of the numerous assimilation chambers that peppered the above ground floors. The two of them were now hunkered down watching a metallic orange Technician Unit as it stood unmoving behind a console full of electronic equipment across from what looked like a set of bio-scanner arches.

Tantalus Hive Mind - ACS-001 - ACW-001

Imperial City - Assimilation Crèche

Immigration Assimilation Chamber 232 and 233 Ante-Chamber

March 30th, 6200 C.E. - 02:35 CST

The Gamaorans finally reached the last check point in the huge copper and azure cube that sat in the middle of the Tantalan City. They had already been separated from the other immigrants that had accompanied them into the building and were now greeted by a pair of metallic orange Technician Units.

“Greetings Gamaoran Family we must first separate you into two groups and do a full bio-scan and decontamination process,” one of the Technician Units ordered.

“Not a problem,” Jefferey said giving his two daughters a reassuring smile as the parents followed one of the Technician Units through a door and the two girls twelve and four followed the second one through the other door in the room.

Tantalus Hive Mind - ACS-001 - ACW-001

Imperial City - Assimilation Crèche

Immigration Assimilation Chamber 232

March 30th, 6200 C.E. - 02:35 CST

Barr and Jason watched as another metallic orange Technician Unit entered the room followed by a man and woman and the Unit motioned for the couple to stand between the poles of the bio-scanners.

“Please strip of all clothing and place articles in the cubicles next to the scanners,” the first Technician Unit ordered the man and woman.

The two mercenaries watched silently as the two adults complied and were soon naked between the scanners.

“She’s not bad on the eyes,” Jason muttered to Barr who just rolled his eyes.

The first Technician Unit they had seen standing behind the console started pressing hard holography keys on the panel and a scanner beam started over the adults.

As the scanner beam reached just above their brows the two placed their hands behind their backs and cupped their buttocks in their hands.

“What are they doing,” Jason mumbled.

Barr just shook his head in response.

Below in the chamber Jefferey and Delilah felt strange as they moved their arms behind their backs.

Barr and Jason watched as the two Technician Units stood in the room dispassionately and the two adults in the scanner beams started extruding a creamy peach colored Nanno-sheath from their pores. It had a metallic sheen and once it had covered their bodies metallic gray nannites extruded over the lips and other orifices of the two forming perfectly round O-Rings.

Barr and Jason watched in disgust as two thinking human beings were turned into living sex toys. What they didn’t know was that those Pleasure Drones would be used to infect future owners and clients with the same Nanno-virus thus continuing the chain of assimilation.

The Siren Units felt a wave of pleasure as their transformation was completed and they were fully connected to the hive minds and their eye lenses glowed a pale peach color.

Above the room the two continued to watch and listen as the Technician Units spoke to one another.

“Final assimilation of TSAU-13-80-44-70 and TSAU-6-51-47-70 is now complete. Awaiting orders for assignment,” the Unit behind the console said.

The technician that had entered with the two humans turned to the one behind the console and spoke. “TSAU-13-80-44-70 is to be sent to Elysium Fields Shop on Infiltrated Future Crèche World 927 and TSAU-6-51-47-70 is to be sent to Tantalus Pleasure Palace 8909 on Infiltrated Future Crèche World 10,338,” the first Unit ordered.

Wordlessly the Unit behind the panel pressed more buttons and two squared off Portable Assimilation Crèches were lowered from recesses in the ceiling by large crane arms.

Even from their angle the two mercenaries could see that the front of the cases had a humanoid torso outline and watched as without a word the two Siren Units stepped back in unison and the fronts of the crèches split apart. The Units then stepped backwards into the crèches and came to a halt the halves closed and a seal inflated around them with a holographic display coming to life at the bottom of the cases with their designations.

The Siren Units would soon be on their way to human populated worlds as Pleasure Drones and would continue the chain of assimilations.

Barr and Jason had caught the whole thing on Moly-Chip and the two of them cautiously made their way out of the ducts and back to the roof where they found Aehgr and Ernie waiting for them. Both were looking around as if spooked.

“What’s up your guy’s butts?” Barr growled causing the two men to jump nearly a foot off the roof.

“Jeeze don’t do that,” Aehgr wheezed bending over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath.

“This is what’s got us spooked,” Ernie said playing back their little trip through the Portable Assimilation Crèche storage facility.

Jason let out a low whistle. “There must be billions of them stored in there,” he whispered.

“Exactly,” Ernie said.

“Did you find the Prime Minister, Security Council, and JCS?” Barr asked quietly.

“Yeah,” Ernie replied and played back the footage of Aehgr pointing at several Units of various colors and then at the holographic designation code labeled at the bottom of each crèche.

“Any sign of Joe and Jon?” Barr asked.

The other two men shook their heads in the negative.

Tantalus Hive Mind - ACS-001 - ACW-001

Imperial City - Assimilation Crèche

Immigration Assimilation Chamber 233

March 30th, 6200 C.E. - 02:35 CST

Joe and Jon unknown to them as well as Barr and Jason had gotten turned around and were in an environmental duct just one room over and watched as two young girls entered the room.

Twelve year old Allison Ariel Gamaoran and four year old Brittaney Melody Gamaoran were herded into the room below the two men by a metallic orange Technician Unit and another one stood behind a hard holography console.

“Stand between the scanner poles and hold absolutely still,” the Technician Unit that had entered the room with them ordered.

Once the two girls had complied the Unit gave them more directions. “Extend your arms out to your sides at shoulder height and spread your legs slightly. Please close your eyes as the scanner beam may cause damage to your retinas,” it ordered.

“Okay,” Allison said to the drone and gave her little sister a reassuring smile.

The two girls complied with the orders and felt the scanner beam run down their bodies but with their eyes closed they didn’t see as the two panels of metallic white Nanno-sheath descended from the ceiling stretched between rods in front of and behind them.

Allison was standing absolutely still hoping that that scanning would be done soon as her arms were getting tired.

The two girls didn’t even realize what was happening until they felt the two panels of Nanno-sheath cover them and start to eat through their clothes and adhere to their skin.

Allison tried to open her mouth to scream but the warm nannites invaded that as well and made there way to her brain stem and created the Quantum Flux Transceiver that would link her to the hive mind and soon all she thought about was the child like happiness that was being pulsed into her brain by the Hive Mind.

Joe and Jon saw that when the panels retracted from the girl’s two figures that they were now sealed in metallic white Nanno-sheaths the only details discernable were their phosphorescently glowing lens like eyes and the bump of their noses.

Jon let out a growl and started to reach for one of his guns but Joe grabbed his hand before it could reach it.

“What the hell are you doing?” He asked quietly.

“They can’t be allowed to assimilate children,” Jon said in anger.

“You try and stop them and the only thing that will happen is us being assimilated along with those poor kids,” Joe told him increasing the pressure on his friend’s wrist.

Jon let out a grunt of pain and stopped trying to go for a weapon. “It’s not right,” he said in disgust.

“No it’s not. But we need to keep an eye on the bigger picture here,” Joe told him and both turned back to the view below them.

“Prepare Unit markings for future caste selection,” the first technician unit that had led the children into the room ordered the other one behind the console.

“Preparing Unit markings; marking unit TCU[B]-6-82-45-70,” the Unit behind the console said pushing keys and a red metallic stripe swelled from the white metallic Nanno-sheath of the Unit from the armpit to the bottom of the foot and widened to twelve inches on each side.

The Technician Unit behind the console pressed more buttons. “Preparing Unit markings; marking Unit TCU[T]-6-98-75-70,” a four inch orange metallic stripe swelled from the armpit to the bottom of the foot on the smaller figure.

“Prepare Units for transportation,” the first Technician Unit ordered.

“Preparing Units for transportation,” the second orange figure replied and pressed a series of buttons.

Joe and Jon watched as two containers lowered from the ceiling and the two new Tantalan Units backed into the cases.

“TCU[B]-6-82-45-70 will be transported to Assimilated Crèche World 948,” the technician said.

“TCU[T]-6-98-75-70 will be transported to Assimilated Crèche World 2975,” the technician said again.

After the portable assimilation crèches disappeared into the ceiling the two team mates clambered back up the environmental duct and met the other team members waiting for them.

“What’s wrong,” Jason asked seeing the look on Jon’s face.

“It can wait till we get back to the consulate,” Joe said as he shrugged back into his grav-glider.

The rest of the team put their grav-gliders back on and then engaged the counter gravity units to carry them up into the night sky and then once high enough they extended the wings and glided all the way back to the Theban Cluster Consulate reaching it just as the sun peeked over the horizon.