Resolution (4 page)

"You sound like you've made your decision. What about our retirement?" Chloe asked, smiling.

"Not really, I'm just thinking through some of the issues that will face us. Besides, this time, I will be asking you, and not assuming. However, that raises the question of what to do about Mary?"

Mark turned to look at someone out of the pickup range of the holocamera. "Corporal Richter?"

"Yes Majesty?" was heard.

"Please go to the medical annex here and find Doctor St. Andre. If she isn't deeply involved in anything at the moment, please ask her to come here as quickly as possible," Mark said. "Tell her I'm talking to John and Chloe and there is something very important they need to speak to her about."

"At once Majesty!" the off-screen guard replied and could be heard to run out of the office.

"John, we wouldn't let you assume this time, since this one is about all of us," Alice said. Beside her, Carl nodded agreement. "There are only four of us left. We're family."

"We'll follow your lead on this, John. But I agree with Alice that this is a decision we all make. It hadn't really hit me until we said good-bye to Will, but Alice is right; you four are all I have left in this world. I only wish, Mark could join us," Carl added.

"I appreciate that, Carl, more than I can ever tell you. However, at least for the time being, I must stay where I am and lead our people out of this mess. Perhaps once everything gets back to normal I'll just tell them I quit," Mark replied.

"Be sure to warn us when you're going to do that. We'll make sure to have the ship right outside so you can make good on your escape!" Alice replied.

"Don't forget to ask Gloria about all of this, Mark. It's not just us we have to think of anymore," Chloe said.

"Oh, I will. She's going to have to understand what's happening with her friends anyway. I'll be sure to tell her everything. My worry is how we are going to tell the people. I just came from a press conference explaining your absence in this war so far. They still idolize you, I was even accused of covering up your deaths in order to preserve morale!" Mark explained.

John shrugged. "What's to worry about? We'll simply tell them the truth when the time comes."

––––––––

T
he group of friends chatted with each other discussing the pros and cons of the decision while they waited for Mary to arrive, or for the messenger to return to tell them she couldn't. Over all, the group of friends seemed to be in favor of accepting, but they wanted Mary's input before making the final choice.

An out of breath Mary arrived shortly with the messenger that Mark had sent. Both John and Chloe smiled when she entered the holographic pick-up range.

"Hi Sweetheart! It's good to see you're doing well!" Chloe said.

"I'd be doing a lot better if you guys would get back here! When are you coming home?" Mary asked.

"Not for a while yet, I'm afraid," John said, and filled her in on the offer that had been extended to them by the Prometheans.

When John finished, Mary was very thoughtful. "Will this decision keep us from being together?"

"I don't think so Mary, at least, not any more than we would be apart now. However, it will mean a great deal of change for you," John replied. "The Prometheans mentioned your work, and hinted that they would be willing to assist you in refining it, or at least helping you with it. So I would imagine you will be asked to take a similar oath to our own about not sharing their technology. We would still need medical personnel to attend us, and I would hope that would be you."

"They know of my work?" Mary asked. "How? I'm not even published yet."

"They've admitted to watching us for a very long time, Mary. I got the impression that we don't have any secrets that they don't know about," Mark answered. "Considering who they are and the level of technology they have, I doubt we could hide anything from them. The other side of that coin is that no one else does either. Which would be a very good thing for the Guardians to be able to do."

"Do you support this then, Mark?" Mary asked. "I do, but I've tried to make it clear to John and the others that my opinion should have no bearing on their decision. No sane leader ever wants war. I feel that, at this time, this is the best option for stopping the current war and preventing further loss of life. I also hope that this works the way the Prometheans are hoping and it will also prevent future wars from breaking out."

"Mary, since you are part of our family now, we wanted your opinion before we made a decision here," Alice explained. "Do you have any questions you want to ask? What is your instinct telling you about this?"

When Alice said she was part of their family, Mary's eyes lit up and she smiled warmly at Alice. "Thank you, Alice. The only question I have is what all of you think of it. For me, it sounds like a once in a billion year opportunity." She paused. "The people have always seen the Temporal Guard as their protectors. You have always worked to make life better, keep things fair and just for all, but above all, you are enforcers of the peace. This opportunity the Prometheans are offering you sounds like a logical evolution of your ethos and abilities. I think you should accept it, even if it did mean we could never see each other again. The mission is far more important than our personal considerations, really. We need this whether or not we know it, or would even agree to it."

Mark nodded. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

Mary looked at him. "They're going to need you too, Guardian."

"I can't join them and still lead our country, Mary. This is a bad time to resign my crown," Mark replied.

Mary laughed. "You honestly believe there will be a good time? Mark, how do you think the freaking Parliament has been keeping you here? They've been using your own ethics against you. 'Marcus has created a kingdom that no one loves, but everyone likes.' I've heard that so many times it's like a damn mantra for your rule. Find someone with your same resolve and values, train them, and then give them the damn crown. Don't ask anyone, simply tell them this is the way it's going to be - just like you did when the government was forming."

Mark looked at her with a smirk on his face. "You've been hanging around John too much!"

"Okay boys and girls, last chance to back out," John said. "It has to be unanimous. Join or not? Alice?"

"Join."

"Carl?" John said looking at him.

Carl nodded. "Join."

John turned to Chloe. Before he could speak she nodded. "Join."

Finally, John looked back to Mary. "Mary?"

"Join. You have to." Mary replied.

"It's 'we' Mary. You'll be joining too, because of us. It's an all of nothing deal," John explained.

The young woman nodded understanding with tears in her eyes. "Join."

"Decision reached," John said and stood and bowed to Mark. "Your Majesty, we Guardians will return your nation's property and any personnel that wish to return as soon as we are able. In the interim, I must ask that we be allowed to continue to use it."

Mark also stood, the pride in his friends clear on his face. "Guardian Aster, consider the ship yours as part of our nation's support in your efforts. I hope she serves you as well as she served you in the past. We will inform you when there are upgrades available for it. As for the personnel, we trust that you will watch over and care for them until they return."

John nodded. "That is our duty, after all. Will you in turn watch over Guardian Doctor Aster for us until we are able to retriever her from your care?"

Mark nodded. "We will. With both of your permission, I will update the official census information as to your marital status."

"Uhm, Your Majesty, about that..." Carl began and looked at Alice.

She grinned and nodded. "Yes, I'll marry you. It took you long enough to ask!"

Mark chuckled. "I'll make the necessary changes. Congratulations, my friends!"

John looked a Chloe, who nodded and they both approached Mary.

Seeing the looks in their eyes, Mary nodded. "Yes! I accept."

John nodded. "We'll have a ceremony when we return. I really hate to rush things, but there are people dying as we speak." 

It was Mark's turn to nod. "Yes they are. I'll leave you now. Guardian Aster, would you please impart a message to Malthis on our behalf?"

"I would be honored, Majesty," John replied.

"If it would please him, I would like to speak to him more. Perhaps, as a person, I can assist you to some degree until I can locate and train a replacement," Mark stood and bowed to his friends. "Guard us all well, my friends, and return safely."

After returning his bow, John looked back to Mary. "I will speak to Malthis about your official position with us, and how we should handle it. In the meantime, select people you know you can trust to bring with you. It may be that we will still have our base on Bethel's Anvil. However, for now, we don't know anything for certain."

Mary nodded. "Take care of each other, and I'll be waiting for your next call. I love you!"

Before either John of Chloe could reply, the holograms faded and the connection was broken. "Tami, could you call Malthis for us?"

"Yes Sir, You know, if you keep changing titles, I'm going to give up and just call you John!" The pilot replied.

"From now on, you probably should. I will be only the first among equals here," John countered.

"Am I old enough to sign up?" Wanda asked.

"I don't think age will have as much to do with our selection process as ethics and other stuff will," Chloe said. "Although giving your hobby, I think you might be a good addition to the team."

––––––––

"Y
ou have come to a decision?" Malthis asked as he re-appeared on the bridge.

"We have Malthis, however, not all of those aboard have been asked. For those of us present, with the exception of our pilot..." John began, but Tami interrupted him.

"Including the pilot!"

"Excuse me, including our pilot have accepted your offer. Do you wish for me to speak to the remainder of the crew as well?" John asked.

"That is a matter for you to decide, you will be the over-all commander of the Guardians," Malthis replied. "If that is your wish, I would ask that you do so at your earliest opportunity. There is much to be done, and little time. The Tammerain are preparing an offensive that will have devastating results. We must act to prevent this."

"If it is that urgent, then would the six of us be sufficient to deal with this situation?" John asked.

"We believe that two of you should be sufficient, for what we had in mind. Do you wish to deal with the situation first?" Malthis asked.

"To be honest, I would like to end the war first, but I do not know if there is time for that," John replied.

"The race you have called the Grays installed a device in the living computer that is over-riding her control of her own systems. If you were to disable this device, and return control to Selnia we believe that would stop the war, as well as prevent the atrocity that is about to occur," Malthis replied calmly. "We will provide you with transportation, and the tools you will need. You only need agree; the rest will be provided."

John nodded. "Carl, Alice, call the rest of the kids together, and talk to them. Let them know what's happened and try to answer their questions. If he agrees, perhaps Malthis or one of his brethren would be willing to assist you. Be sure to let them know that this is a choice only they can make for themselves, much like we did."

"Understood John. We'll handle it." Carl asked. "Malthis, can we call on you or is there another willing to assist us?"

"I will be with, 'John', if he will permit me to address him as such. Assisting him with his mission. There is another to assist you. You may call her Georgia. Simply use your enhancements to call on her," Malthis instructed.

"Thank you, we will. Tami, can you ask everyone to assemble in the mess, again? Wanda, if you would remain here and keep Tami company?"

"Of course, Commander," Wanda replied.

Carl shook his head. "It's just Carl. We're equals now, and you're doing me a favor."

Wanda blushed. "Okay Carl." She shook her head. "Man, is that going to take some getting used to."

When Carl asked Wanda to stay on the Bridge, John turned back to Malthis. "Chloe is our resident computer expert, I'd like to take her with me."

Malthis bowed. "In our quest for knowledge, one of the things we discovered was teleportation. However, it can only be used at relatively short range when there is only one transfer point involved. We will also need to modify your existing controller slightly in order for you to perform your duties. This modification will include a new type of meta-armor. Think of this as an upgraded version of the existing option you already have. With this, there is no need for any other armor.

"Included in the modification will be a small data storage device into this we will give you the knowledge needed for you to disable the controlling device, and perhaps assist Selnia in regaining control of her facility. We have told her you are coming, and she is expecting you."

Before him on the bridge, two rifle - looking weapons and two holstered side arms appeared. "Although we do not anticipate the need for weapons, having but not using is preferable to needing and not having. These operate as weapons you are used to but will be far more destructive. If you need to use them, please be careful.

"The modifications will take place here, inside the habitat. We will teleport you here, perform the modifications, then using site to site personnel transit points, send you to a safe place inside Selnia. Is this acceptable, and are you ready?" Malthis asked.

Both John and Chloe picked up the weapons and put the side-arm holsters on. Both checked their weapons to make sure they were either powered down or in a 'safe' mode. Chloe nodded to John. John turned to Tami.

"Tami, when we get back, please remind me to make sure there is always someone available to monitor missions of this type, and provide tactical support if needed. For now, you and Wanda will have to handle it if you would."