1.31.2

Warrior

(Epilogue)

The success of Captain London and his Task Force brokered a path to a complicated and uncertain future.

They celebrated their victory privately, but outwardly, the impending conflict evaded acknowledgement.

Upon the Aldebaran’s return to Earth, Rahna and Walker remained under military custody, where they provided details as to their organization’s plans thus far.

They both eventually recovered from their injuries, and submitted to numerous interrogations. But they insisted that, now that they were no longer in command, the enduring members of the Static Opposition would likely take matters into their own hands. And with fewer moral restrictions.

They also explained that the medical and scientific data needed to pursue their original strategy had been only partially compiled. They’d yet to produce a stable sample of either a cure, an inhibitor, or the means for fetal detection. Or so they claimed.

They said all work would have been destroyed, along with the personnel privy to its development, at the Tetris base. If any remained, it resided in the information salvaged from the mainframe before detonation.

For their long list of heinous crimes in this unprecedented time, it seems no one could decide what to do with the pair. They were charged with counts that, under normal circumstances, would see them imprisoned for life, at the very least. And yet they were deemed wards too high-risk for a civilian prison.

Rather than find an institution to house a rogue Channeler among Static peers, or give up the insights Walker provided, the Earthen government agreed they were to be interred under military guard instead. At least, for the foreseeable future, until more permanent solutions could be arranged for Rahna.

The Aldebaran crew rebuked the move to anyone who would listen. Even Astrid feared what latitudes might be granted if the military regarded the pair as assets, even as prisoners.

Rahna and Walker denied having any knowledge of what future tactics the S.O. might employ, though they promised to help theorize if any new information came to light. Astrid came to suspect they sought to extend their usefulness only to remain close to one another. And out of the hands of those that wished reprisal for their escape, when so many others died.

The threat of shuttling Walker off to a Static civilian prison kept them cooperative.

Upon the crew's return, Rue, too, faced judgement. She met her courts martial with London and Tenya in attendance. Astrid heard Rue submitted to a sentencing, but further news on the case ceased altogether in subsequent weeks.

Tenya, however, still wrestled with the betrayal.

The data stolen from the base became a topic of harsh debate. Names, dates, and proclaimed supporters made evident a much grander network than originally suspected. It proved a harrowing catalogue of the evils carried out, and those involved. It was the exact kind of evidence Captain London said they needed.

But, in a total upset, all was denied by London’s superiors.

Some believed him, and made their support known. But the highest brass proposed such a fringe group would likely derange themselves with false claims to validate their radical cause. It was asserted that while the foremost branch of the organization was "dead", this single catalogue of information could only provide doubts and shadows where there need not be any.

Captain London fought the dismissal all the way to the upper echelons of Command. Until even the Admiralty Board rejected the data alone as proof. They deemed its contents the delusions of the criminally insane. Especially the list of allies in position of power across the colonies. The documented travesties, they suggested were massacres made by others, eagerly claimed by an organization desperate for repute and regard. Some suggested it circumstantial evidence at best, while others refuted its authenticity altogether.

And disturbingly, with the names of high-ranking Service members among the files, not even Rahna and Walker would cop to its legitimacy while they remained in military custody.

London tread carefully. Astrid assumed he, like many of her teammates, presumed that S.O. sympathizers, hidden in the Service, meticulously orchestrated the stonewalling of the information, and an ensuing hush campaign.

A clearer indication of Opposition allegiances in the military came much later. When, after the drive was taken in for analysis, it went missing entirely in a matter of days.

Aside from Rahna, Walker, and Rue, the only S.O. associates to formally face persecution were the Tetrians. A plot to overthrow the Governorship of Tetris could not to be ignored, and a dispatch anti-gang forces were sent to aid Governor Dara in reclaiming her streets from the mercenaries.

It was doubtful, Astrid was later informed, that the Governor, or her delegates, understood the part London and his team played in the discovery. Captain London lobbied to present Astrid to Dara, to open a dialogue for an alliance with the Channelers.

That request was also rejected.

Astrid’s first journey to Earth was mired, not in exploration, but instead suspicion, as she was subjected to a series of interrogations, and placed under constant guard while the Admiralty debated what to do with her.

Dutifully, Captain London reported himself to address his unauthorized recruitment of a person considered Property of the State, and for the aftermath that followed. He spent days and nights in meetings, defending himself and his actions.

Astrid was not privy to how these talks went. Neither was she allowed to appear at Commander Kendall’s formal funeral service. But at least she had the peace of mind that Karth returned home to his family.

After twelve long weeks of anxiety-ridden review, Astrid stood in a tailored charcoal grey uniform, bereft of rank and adornment. And she was presented to those that would pass judgement on her status.

Her hair pulled back neatly, posture straight, she steeled herself before the Admiralty Board and awaited the words she’d both anticipated and dreaded since leaving Sanctuary Endra months prior.

Captain London championed his Channeler from her side, under the scrutiny of five elite Statics, enthroned from a mezzanine in the Earthen Military Service HQ.

“This is dangerous proposition you make, Captain,” one of the Admirals contended. “This act is one of uncontainable momentum. It will have great consequences.”

“As do most turning points in history,” Captain London insisted. “Astrid Hale has proven herself the perfect candidate for a prototype Specialist. I’m not asking that you open a division now. I only ask that you allow it for consideration. Let her serve. Allow her the chance to prove her quality and value.

“She has been an excellent example of integrity and restraint. And I believe my mission would have surely failed without her aid.”

“And what will her involvement mean for the rest of our men? Or for those Channelers still restricted to the Sanctuaries?” another countered. “This ‘Static Opposition’, though a rogue faction, represents one of many reactions to this invitation, should we extend it. Would this not only enflame contentions?”

“We have always been protectors and defenders,” Captain London argued. “Hale has demonstrated the capacity to do both. She is a civilian that wishes to enlist. And she has already proven herself more than capable of upholding our mission statements.”

“Would it not be our responsibility to meet any hostility if this arrangement incites violence? You are not only asking us to commit to this act, but to commit to defending it if, and when, it draws criticism.”

“Might I remind the Board we have committed to harsher and more drastic measures in the past for lesser reward?”

One of the older gentlemen glowered in disapproval. “If we back this move, we strengthen the remnants of the Static Opposition. There will be repercussions for supporting this bastardization of our soldiers!”

A third Admiral cut in, “She is not a soldier!”

Captain London raised his voice ever so slightly.

“She should be! And it is because of the Static Opposition that now is the time for this move. We must meet this growing dissent with a display of unity! We must provide an example of a better alternative. For Channelers to become a part of our society, it starts here! We would be stronger, better equipped, more empowered, with Channeler operatives!”

A dark-haired woman perched at the end spoke to her fellows. “If the Channelers can serve such a benefit to our ranks, we would be remiss to ignore such a resource. Imagine the applications!”

“You cannot ask our soldiers to risk their lives to prove it!” one of the Admirals rebuked. “Especially when there is no pressing need. This is not a life-or-death situation. This is unnecessary controversy for the sake of being controversial! I will not agree to submit our men to this experiment!”

“And if they volunteered themselves?” Captain London asked.

“I will serve with her, Admirals!”

Astrid dared not turn to the quad of people behind her. But she felt them. Those whose white noise buzzed uniquely identifiable to her. A feeling she missed whenever parted.

She humbled to hear Tenya’s warm voice vouch in such an emphatic proclamation. With all the fervor required to disrupt decorum and speak out of turn.

The admiral in question frowned at the intrusion.

But another, intrigued by the outburst, raised a brow and addressed those that gathered behind the captain and his Channeler.

“Do you agree, Agent Romo?”

“I will serve with her, Admiral.”

“Davis?”

“Without reservation, Sirs. Astrid Hale was wounded because she refused to leave me behind. I would be honored to continue to serve with her.”

Astrid’s eyes stung. She kept her gaze firm ahead. If she looked to them, even for a moment, her composure may well crack.

“And you, Lieutenant-Commander Reeves?”

“I stand with Astrid Hale, Admirals.”

Anders, freshly promoted for his fine leadership following Karth's passing, spoke with pride in his voice. His words echoed off the walls.

The five members of the Board looked to one another. Silent arbitrations passed, subtle nods and shakes, but eventually, a majority reached a decision:

“Though it is correct that you cannot ask us to subject just any of our soldiers to such a gamble,” the admiral at center concluded, “if your own team is so insistent upon giving Miss Hale a chance, then we must put our trust in our men, as always.

“Under the condition that she works only with your crew, Captain, and that she must disclose her nature to all fellow crewmates in the future, she is hereby granted temporary, contractual, Specialist status under the Earthen Military Service.

“We will arrange for registration. And private training, for the mutual safety of those involved. She will also subject herself to debriefings from the Board periodically to allow us supervision over her development.

“In a year, should she prove as much an asset as you claim, we may revisit your proposal for a new Military Division.”

The foreman paused to sigh.

“I wish you luck, Specialist Hale. If Captain London is correct, the shape of our collective society may well rest with you.”

Astrid, stunned, felt the world hold its breath while reality and her wildest dreams clashed into one.

The only verdict she needed passed.

Not all the Admirals seemed in agreement. Some grumbled, others gave the Channeler a long, thoughtful look before they exited.

But behind her, the energies of Captain London, of Anders, and Tenya, Romo, and Dell, swelled with her own.

She closed her eyes to bask in their jubilant and familiar white noise.

She was free. Officially. Legally. And more than that… one of them.

Against Astrid’s chest, over an impassioned heart, a pale blue light sprang to life.

[END, Vol I]