The Alpha Choice (73 page)

‘Absolutely, Darl will feel a sense of moral outrage, but that will pass when he realises it is the only way to avert a firestorm.’

‘No such thing has ever happened on board a warship, the rest of the crew
will
ask questions.’

‘Unless we provide them with the answers first. Every member of this crew knows why we are here. We will simply announce that in our search for rebels, we got too close and our witnesses were murdered,’ Garnoth exuded an air of serenity.
 

‘Very well. The pilot still has four guards outside his quarters, I will proceed there first.’

‘And the other evidence?’ asked Garnoth.

‘I will ensure none of the monitors record my actions. The results of the tests will be voided,’ the Avatar paused slightly, before adding, ‘there will be additional deaths where some of the eighteen are in the company of others. I will seek to minimise this, but…’

‘No matter,’ replied Garnoth, ‘you had better be on your way.’

Ω

Gorn collapsed on his bed. Everything had gone to plan, in a moment he would check on the reactions of Darl and Garnoth, but for now he needed just a moment or two to relax…

Ω

As Kirion stepped between the teleport posts, confident in the knowledge that no one on the bridge suspected anything, he felt a certain liberation in his decision not to go straight to Darl, but rather to the young officer and put his mind at rest. The commander would expect an immediate report,
he’ll find out soon enough, and when he asks why I chose not to inform him immediately, I might even tell him the truth: because your needs aren’t always paramount,
but no sooner had he formed the thought than his shoulders dropped, he would tell Darl no such thing, most likely he would say, ‘
I assumed, wrongly, that in the absence of a direct report, you would conclude that everything was in order, I apologise.’
 

He materialised in the corridor leading to Genir’s quarters, and was surprised to see Garnoth approaching from the opposite end of the corridor,
why would he want to see Genir,
he thought. The shock troops outside the pilot’s quarters looked from one to the other of the recent arrivals, but otherwise remained relaxed.

Ω

The Avatar found the predicament it faced interesting, but only that. Its orders were clear, and whilst Kirion was meant to survive, Garnoth had made it clear that consequential, unintended casualties were an acceptable risk, accordingly, the eradication of Kirion was now inevitable. It had already ensured there would be no record of what was to transpire in the corridor. It sized up the risks in less than the time it took for a human heart to beat. Kirion was not armed, and so it would eradicate the guards before running down the Executive Officer. The six bodies would be hidden in the pilot’s quarters. It would ensure the door would remain closed before it re-established visual surveillance of the corridor, and moved on to remove the remaining obstacles to secrecy.

Ω

Gorn woke with a start,
how long have I been asleep?
He hurried over to his console and at the same time discovered two things, both of which worried him: Darl and Garnoth were alone, so whatever they discussed with Kirion and the Avatar, respectively, was consigned to archive, and he did not have time to discover what that was. Secondly, he could not find either the XO, or the Avatar, anywhere on the ship!

Ω

The Avatar was within half a dozen paces of the nearest armed guard. Within three-seconds it would make its move, and less than a second after that, all four guards would be neutralised.

Ω

Gorn formed a single voiceless command,
stop whatever it is you are doing, now!

Ω

Kirion was stopped dead in his tracks by the bizarre sight of Garnoth becoming absolutely still. He was only a few steps from the guards, but appeared to be lost for words. The guards themselves seemed equally bemused.

Ω

Where are you, and what were you about to do?
Gorn asked the Avatar. By the time the explanation was given, Kirion had continued on his way and was, by now part of the small group standing outside Genir’s quarters.
Explain that you have been sent to accompany Genir to your master as he would like to discuss what happened during the battle.

When Kirion heard the explanation his response was immediate. ‘I’m sorry but that won’t be possible. Any requests must be made through the commander.’

Gorn answered, through Garnoth's machine double. ‘You will forgive my master for wishing to obtain information by direct means, when it is evident your commander has withheld critical intelligence concerning this incident.’

‘This,’ replied the XO, ‘is neither the time nor the place for such a discussion. I’ll relay your master’s concerns to the commander. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have my duty to perform,’ and with that he nodded to the guards who opened the door to Genir’s quarters. Once the door slid shut behind Kirion, the Avatar moved away, as instructed by Gorn. ‘Return to Garnoth and explain what happened.’
 

Silently, unquestioningly, the Avatar followed its orders.

Ω

‘What do you mean, they are still alive?’ Garnoth was less than pleased.

‘You were quite explicit, Garnoth. The Executive Officer was to be left alone. Once he arrived on the scene, I was forced to improvise.’

‘So I can expect a visit from that fool Darl. That is the last thing I need now. What of the original plan? Is it still possible?’

‘It is possible, however, the original numbers are no longer valid. I have monitored communications within the ship, and the number has now increased to forty-five. By the time I have carried out your instructions, it will have increased further, to approximately seventy-eight. I must caution you that to eradicate that many would likely result in repercussions from the crew, not even Darl could curtail. We must also consider that with such numbers, I cannot eliminate the possibility of one or two escaping the cull. If such a thing were to happen, they would come to realise the deaths were a result of the victims’ new found knowledge, and we would be unable to control the information cascade that would follow.’

Gorn had embellished the numbers, knowing Garnoth had no means, independent of the Avatar, to check the accuracy of the data. He had also made sure the machine was incapable of carrying out such an order again.

‘Very well, I cannot pretend that I am happy, but l suppose I had better make myself comfortable before I hear from our idiot commander.’

Ω

Darl made no attempt to contain his amusement. ‘So the old spider tried to get one over on us. That’ll teach him. It’s just as well you didn’t stop to tell me about the bridge crew, otherwise he’d have got his fangs into the pilot.’

‘What do you intend doing about it?’ Kirion asked.

‘Absolutely nothing! Let him wonder. While I doubt he’ll worry what
I
think, even a little discomfort would be something. We can but hope!’

As Kirion walked from the teleport in the corridor leading to his quarters, he stretched his arms and felt the joints crack, it had been a long day and he was looking forward to the rest.

Ω

He was woken by the announcement of an incoming message. The message was simple. ‘Sir, I might have found something, but would like you to run over the data before we speak to the commander. It’s highly sensitive, what do you suggest?’

Gorn could see the XO, get out of bed and walk over to his console. The older man did not register, by any movement, that he had read Gorn's message. Then, a reply arrived. ‘Due to the sensitive nature of the information, it would not be wise to discuss it over the ship’s systems, in the event they have been compromised. Meet me at my quarters, I have a secure console where we can analyse your findings.’

Within minutes Gorn was walking towards Kirion’s quarters, and thinking through his plan. Garnoth’s latest actions meant he could not wait to implement the final part of his plan. He had done sufficient work to enable a smart person, and Kirion was smart, to figure out where the trail led. All Gorn's findings would suggest he had just come across the data since they were hurled across the galaxy. It would then be for Kirion to find the link to the Avatar, and ultimately Garnoth. The XO would take the glory and Gorn would fade into the background.

Garnoth would proclaim his innocence, but the young science officer had factored that into his plan. The spymaster would be found guilty and there would be nothing traceable to Gorn.

He entered Kirion’s quarters, and found his superior officer still at his console. A tired Kirion motioned Gorn over. ‘Let’s see what you’ve uncovered.’

Once he had displayed the information, Gorn stood up to allow Kirion to analyse it.

Thirty minutes later, a wide awake XO shook his head. ‘Young man, you’ve done well. I’ve extrapolated your data and it leads us to Garnoth, through his Avatar,’ Kirion did not share his thoughts that a reasonable person, in possession of this new found knowledge, might re-evaluate the reason given by the Avatar for its visit to Genir’s quarters.

He sat back, and looked up at the young science officer. ‘This explains why he had to be on the ship. The commander was convinced he had no legitimate reason to be here. It seems he was right after all,’ he looked again at the data and shook his head. ‘It was brilliantly hidden, how did you find it?’

This was the question Gorn was anticipating. ‘I was simply checking the cause of the blackout before we encountered the Custodians, I know it was short-lived, but it didn’t make any sense, and that’s where I found an unusual signature, it was faint but unmistakeable.’

‘Show me?’

Gorn moved towards the console.

Kirion looked at the new data. ‘I’m impressed, and have no doubt you would have found the link to the Avatar in time.’

Inwardly Gorn smiled, Kirion had taken the bait.

‘What do you suggest we do, sir?’

‘Do? We go straight to the commander, of course!’

Ω

As the XO and young science officer walked down the corridor from Kirion’s quarters, engrossed in what they had discovered, it was hardly surprising that they were oblivious to Trang stepping out of a doorway they had just passed. The two men were exactly where they were meant to be, about sixty paces ahead and deeply embroiled in conversation, with no reason to look behind. She was careful to maintain the distance between them.

So far, everything was going according to plan, and while she was reluctant to do what was required, her orders were firm, he had to die, there was no other way. She had ensured it would look like an accident, and no one would ever be the wiser.

Once it was over she would slip back into obscurity.

Kirion was speaking to Gorn. ‘With the evidence you’ve uncovered, we need to act immediately.’ Knowing the Avatar could tap into the ship’s surveillance network, anything more specific could be dangerous, but to be sure, Kirion kept his face from ever vigilant lenses. ‘What we’ve found could have precipitated the destruction of our entire race, and with no way of knowing what else is planned, we can’t delay.’ At that precise moment, Garnoth was planning nothing. There was no danger of the Avatar reporting anything, or Garnoth being precipitated into dangerous action, but it helped Gorn’s agenda if Kirion believed the risks were imminent.

Gorn said nothing, nodding his agreement in deference to the older man.

They were approaching twin teleports, one of which was about to be used by a crew member. Neither man recognised the woman about to teleport, but whoever it was, there was an unspoken understanding that no one should hear of this news, before the commander. Kirion fell into silence.
 

The teleports were now clear, and Trang was closing in.

As the two men were about to take their places in the teleport stations, Trang called out. ‘Gorn, stop!’

The words had the desired effect, the sound of her voice froze him in his tracks. He thought quickly,
whatever she wants, I can’t let her sidetrack me.
He turned to confront the intruder. ‘What’s the problem Trang?’

‘If you enter that teleport, you’ll die!’

Gorn looked at the machine. Despite telling himself she was talking nonsense, he instinctively stepped back. The young woman looked from Gorn to Kirion, and kept her eyes on the older man as she said. ‘You’ve rigged the teleport to vaporise, the moment Gorn uses it.’

Kirion looked momentarily stunned by the suggestion. Recovering, he barked a laugh. ‘Are you insane?’

Trang said nothing.

The accused man calmed, becoming more relaxed as he said. ‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. We were on our way to see the commander on urgent business. I can’t tell you what it’s about, but believe me when I say, it’s critical we see Commander Darl, immediately. I can’t imagine where you’ve got this absurd idea from, but I suggest we talk about it when we have diffused the current situation.’

Trang, continuing to look at the XO, still said nothing.

The silence precipitated another response from Kirion. ‘Just how would I know Gorn was going to use this particular teleport? Anyone could use it…someone just has! Are you suggesting I want to kill anyone who uses it? Why didn’t that crew member die?’ He smiled and Gorn, who until now had been looking at the young woman, now glanced at Kirion, not liking what he saw in the man’s face.
 

Trang replied. ‘Once the teleport was clear, you activated the malfunction with the remote device you have in your right hand.’
 

Gorn looked at the other man’s right hand and saw it clench. It was his time to speak. ‘Kirion, let us see what’s in your hand?’

The XO’s face now took on the look of a man in a panic. He backed towards the remaining teleport.

Trang spoke. ‘Kirion, you mustn’t use the teleport,’ but her superior just smiled as he stepped between the posts, and began to say. ‘Interfering…’

There was a flash, Gorn instinctively threw himself at Trang knocking her to the ground, where he kept his body between her and the heat from the destroyed machine. Within seconds, the heat had dissipated and they both looked up. Other than shapeless, twisted metal and a scorch mark on the floor where Kirion had been standing, there was nothing.