The Enemy of my Enemy

March 25 - Zenobia

I tried.

English, Latin, Aramaic ... all the key words I could think of. I needed more information before I could crack the code and open Ardra's locked files.

I was dwelling in the frustration of the moment when the call came.

"Major. It is Major isn't it?"

"Ms. Zhangsun," I replied, "How can I help you?"

"I owe you an hour," she began.

I corrected her, "I believe it was a day."

"You have a good memory," she conceded, "Choose your day."

I smiled, "I have a proposal ... something that might serve both our interests."

"Yes? What do you propose?"

"Our common interests are threatened..."

"Which common interests would those be?"

I elaborated. "No doubt you would like Blue Sun to thrive. I feel the same way about the Alliance. I do believe that we are threatened from the same source."

"And that source would be...?" she prompted.

"Ardra."

There was silence on the line.

"Is that so?" she replied finally.

"I am in the process of, shall we say, gathering and interpreting information about the Project."

"What do you propose?" She returned to her question.

"Simply that we work together on this, when appropriate."

"I won't see any harm come to Lily," she insisted.

"Agreed."

"You know, don't you?" she asked.

"The AI? Yes. I tried to warn her ...through Krenshar."

"Tried to warn who?"

"Lily."

"He never told her anything of that I'm sure," she stated.

"She was missing at the time." I replied.

"She is talking more often about Ardra and what Ardra wants..."

"That would be useful to know," I said truthfully, "Did she mention 'Chaos Controlled'?"

That was the name of one of Ardra's files.

"She's also spending more time with the warbots," continued Ms. Zhangsun, "And a new one has appeared. Its almost as if machines are gathering, and its increased since AuroraBlue has... come to fruition."

"Do you have your mother's gift?" I asked.

"I think you know the answer to that already," she replied "And you know therefore that it is possible it is present, genetically speaking, in the organic 'spawn' of Lily. I have seen her. She is perfect."

I gathered up Ardra's files as we spoke. Organic spawn.

"Don't harm the boy." she added, "Cody. I sense you are thinking about him even now."

"He's on my to do list, yes," I admitted. An outstanding warrant. If I had a nickel...

"The cub thinks of him as her papa," she continued, "He is not expendable. He does not know his own value."

The Cub. Did Lily have a second child? Interesting.

"I did promise you I would remove his chip," I said. She deserved to know this at least. "And in all honesty I had the hospital ready. I was delayed in orbit and refused to have it removed in the sick bay."

My concern had been causing brain damage to Winterwolf by having the cerebral implant removed without the proper scans. Ironically, he finally had it removed himself by a dentist in a mining colony.

"I must go," said Ms. Zhangsun suddenly, "There is a delivery of new..materials...and I must sign for them personally."

"Of course, we will talk further."

"So you free me from my obligation," she asked, "in exchange for another discussion of this nature and potential cooperation?

For potential cooperation? I thought.

I clarified my position, "If we agree to work together, I will release you from your day....the danger is great enough." Neither of us may survive this after all.

"We will talk further," she agreed.

Then she offered some information by way of a casual observation, "It is... interesting.. that only machines or hybrids have actually visually 'seen' Ardra."

"That is interesting," I remarked as if we were discussing the price of corn.

"Yes," she said and listed names, "Emma's surrogate, Six.......Gallagher Diesel.....and Lily."

I considered this information. "You think there is a reason?"

"Who can tell?"

I gave her some information in return. "Your competitors, Umbrella Corporation, are connected. I have a visit planned to their offices."

"When?" she asked.

I breathed out, "I am planning to go there soon, once I deal with some issues in the Core."

"Stay in touch."

"Likewise," I replied, "if you hear of anything."

"I will," she agreed.

-----

With the conversation concluded, I paused to listen to my instincts. Make the trip tonight.

I ordered my ship readied and made a second call on my way to the airlock.

"Hello Dex."

"Howdy, Major. How can I help you?"

I got to the point. "Did you say you had some trade experience in the Uncontrolled Sectors?"

"That I do," he answered, "Specifically the Chios Sector."

"I am heading out to the NIV station..."

Dex coughed away from the comm. "Any particular reason?"

"...in part following the lead on those missing refugees."

"Ah," he remarked, "That would be the first place I'd look, but don't expect to find them there."

"I will be meeting some one who might know something. I do not expect her to cooperate."

"And, who might that be?" he asked, "Or, is the source nameless?"

"This is no source," I explained, "It is the woman from Umbrella that I mentioned. Mercedes Celestalis."

"Ah-hah. Well, since you will not be in Alliance space... you can do pretty much whatever you feel is necessary to gain her cooperation. Folks tend to look the other way."

"Any other advice?" I asked.

"Avoid the CMC... and don't go down to Halo C."

Halo C. I remembered Halo C.

"Yes... I've done the reconn already... thank you."

I changed the subject.

"How is Brooke?" I asked.

"She is well. We had a bit of engine trouble last night, which upset her some, but our new mechanic straightened it right out."

"Good," I replied, "We will talk when I get back."

"Roger that, Major."

"Siamendes out."