Unity

Chapter 32

The device was handed off to the strongest of the group, and we ran to the nearest exit. I could feel my ears popping as the pressure dropped. Even worse was the amount of effort it took to breathe. It was a short sprint to the exit, but my lungs felt like I had been running a marathon. We reached the exit just as the hatch started to close. I shoved marines though as quickly as possible. I dove through at the last moment. I started to stand, but realized my foot was stuck. Fearing it had been caught in the door, I turned around and looked to take stock of the damage. The very front of my boot had been caught. Luckily, I could feel my toes were still intact. I pulled to try and get the boot out, but it was held fast. Not wanting to waste any more time, I loosened the laces and pulled my foot free. I turned and took stock. "Everyone alright?" I asked.

"Just another walk in the park, right Admiral," said the big marine who was still holding the device.

"I need an escort," I said. "That device we found is the key to getting our ship back. Any volunteers?"

The sergeant who had been with me since I left the bridge stepped up and said, "Our only request is that we get to help take down those stupid enough to mess with the Unity." I couldn't help but smile.

"Request granted," I replied. "Let's move out, I want my ship back." We fell into an easy gait as we made our way to Dr. Thompson's lab. "Where do you want it?" I asked once we stepped inside.

Dr. Thompson froze in his tracks. "What is that?" He asked.

"It had better be the command module you sent me to retrieve," I shot back. I was not in the mood to play his games right now. "The bay was depressurized while we attempted to retrieve it."

"Put it in isolation with Sarah for the moment. That should buy us some time." He said after a moment. "You are not going to like what I'm about to tell you." He stopped talking, and I just stared at him, expectantly. "This is the command module. Unfortunately, these are not normal nanites that have taken over the ship. These are a weaponized variant that the Tuleeriri were hoping to deploy against the Zrynt."

"What are you trying to say?" I asked.

"I have no way to interface with the device," he said gravely. "The nanites are designed to spread undetected, and then strike. There is no way to stop them."

A heavy silence hung in the air. After a moment, a voice came from inside the isolation chamber. I recognized the voice as Sarah's. "I may be of some assistance."

Dr. Thompson and I made our way into the small enclosure. "What do you know of the situation?" I asked.

"What I have overheard, and the information this sphere keeps trying to send out," she answered.

"Can you interact with the device?" I asked hopefully.

"Indeed, I can" she answered. "I should be able to take control of the device and repair the damage that has been done, but in order to do so, you must disable the field that keeps me bound to this chamber."

What she said caught me off guard. I still hadn't decided whether I believed her story or not, let alone trusted her, and if she truly did serve the Zrynt, she would have complete control of the ship. The damage that would do would be unimaginable, but on the other hand, she might be the only one who could save the ship. Sarah's voice interrupted my train of thought. "Captain, you have minutes to decide. The nanites are trying to re-establish communication with the device. If they are unable to, then they will ensure that the ship is destroyed."

I knew I had no choice but to trust her, as hard as the idea was to stomach. I looked her in the eyes and said, "I want my ship back. Do it."

"When I tell you, drop the field that keeps us isolated," she instructed. We stood there in silence for several tense minutes. Each passing second brought us closer to our deaths. Finally, she gave the command. After another minute of silence, Sarah spoke up. "I have taken control and the repair process has commenced, but it will take time to fully fix the damage caused by the attack."

"Get main systems back online and give us access, then we'll worry about the rest," I ordered. I turned to leave. As I stepped out of the enclosure, I turned to Dr. Thompson and said, "After power has been restored, I want communications next. I have an idea of how to get the traitor who tried to kill us. I'll be on the bridge planning our next move." I then left the lab. I turned to address the marines. "Sergeant, in all the mayhem, I have yet to get your name."

"Sergeant Collins sir," said the marine.

"Sergeant Collins," I said, "I have a new assignment for you. I want you to find us a ride back to Narrisal. What we are about to do is going to be extremely high risk, so nobody is to know of our departure. Make sure it is equipped to board another vessel, as well as approach undetected." I turned to the rest of the marines. "You said you wanted to catch the coward that didn't have the guts to take us head on. Is that still the case?"

"Yes Sir!" they yelled at once.

"Good," I said with a smile. "Gear up, we're going to pay him a visit."