Interregnum

November 29 - Zenobia. Restricted Zone.

"Then shall the realm of Albion
Come to great confusion" - Shakespeare

"Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents,
and everyone is writing a book." - Cicero

-----

There was a quietness to the station.

This region was now under a full lockdown. All to ensure the safe transportation of the bones of a man dead for over two thousand years.

-----

The year was 337.

It was the end of the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. A time of violent transition. Constantine had been the ruler that established Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire, and in so doing changed the course of history. Upon his death, his three sons killed many other members of his family in an effort to consolidate power.

St. Zenobius was born that year. Raised by pagan parents, he came to the church early in life. His career advanced and he rose to become the first bishop of Florence. He was also credited with the miracle of raising children from the dead.

["The Last Miracle and Death of St. Zenobius" Sandro Botticelli]

When I reflect on this last point, I can't help but think of Audrey Aurotharius.

It is from the father of St. Zenobius that the Girolami family of Florence would claim descent tracing their heritage through him to Queen Zenobia of Palmyra. The ruling families of our planetary government have maintained this tradition, bringing it with them from Earth-That-Was, only now instead of pedigree books and family trees they use DNA analysis.

His bones therefore serve as both a national treasure and the genetic marker used to substantiate any claim to power.

-----

During the war, the UAP placed the bones of St. Zenobius in secure holding. At that time, we used the opportunity to substitute the relics with a copy used to substantiate the claim of a leader inclined to support the wartime policies of the Alliance.

Over a year ago, the Alliance lost control of the authentic remains. Soon after, Ardra Aurotharius placed them on the black market.

We found her ship and my team confiscated the authentic remains in March this past year.

Which brings us to the present...

Towards the end of November, Lord __________, the current head of state of the Government of Zenobia, walked away from the seat of power. If someone in his immediate circle is aware of his plans, they haven't made it public yet.

It is not unheard of for a ruler to disguise himself in the dress of the common man and walk among his subjects. And it is all very good if we are talking an evening out at the tavern, or a stroll through the barracks, but if the absence is prolonged who is to know if that ruler will return? Perhaps he grows to enjoy the taste of life away from the court. Perhaps he meets with an untimely end.

So while we wait to see if he will return, the machinery of succession engages.

And I am left with the bones of St. Zenobius, this time to ready them for transportation to the capital city, where a committee of scientists, appointed by the Senate, will conduct the DNA testing of the relics and begin the screening of candidates.

-----

But here is the twist.

No longer do we have the fog of war behind which to make another substitution of the relics in order to ensure the protection of Alliance interests. Without another substitution, we are left with using the authentic remains in order to verify candidates for the highest office in the land.

Further, if Lord __________ were to return, he would likely fail the genetic testing necessary to verify his identity, belonging as he does to the line established by the UAP during the war.

This makes a shift in government inevitable.

Does that really mean that by placing the relics on the black market, Ardra had set into motion the events that will restore the traditional leadership of Zenobia?

She did mention that she had an employer in the matter of the stolen relics...

I have a sick, dizzy feeling that I am standing on a giant chessboard, only now getting a hint of the size of the game.

Leviathan

March 23

"Nature (the art whereby God hath made and governs the world) is by the art of man, as in many other things, so in this also imitated, that it can make an artificial animal. For seeing life is but a motion of limbs, the beginning whereof is in some principal part within, why may we not say that all automata (engines that move themselves by springs and wheels as doth a watch) have an artificial life? For what is the heart, but a spring; and the nerves, but so many strings; and the joints, but so many wheels, giving motion to the whole body, such as was intended by the Artificer?" - Thomas Hobbes, 1651

-----

There was a message waiting from a trusted source: Major, just heard something odd on Hale's Moon. Was chatting with Lily a bit. She said something about Ardra and skin. Then she said "hands is paws and skin is skin, those who alter the flesh will pay." Made me a little unsettled. Thought you may want to know.

It was unsettling.

It made me wonder what the long term consequence might be to Lily the longer she carried the Ardra AI within her. On the other hand, her apparent unstable nature might give her the resilience she needed to survive the ordeal.

Still, it was unsettling.

And given where we were about to go, it was also ironic.

-----

March 23 - Splintered Rock

Evening was falling over Splintered Rock. The sky was clear. And while the temperature was slowly dropping, the oppressive heat of the day stored in the stones and the tarmac would last well into the night.

Spacecraft of different shapes and sizes squatted about the landing pad. A small group of residents gathered at one end near the control tower. The sound of their laughter drifted across to where I waited.

I was dressed in the battle armour of the Zenobian Division. It was designed for operations in harsh, airless environments. My face was obscured by my breather mask. My hair hidden beneath my helmet.

Trooper Macarthur approached and saluted smartly. "Ma'am."

"Trooper," I acknowledged and returned the salute. "This way..."

I lead the way to our transport. Dubbed the "Shark" for its rounded bow, it had seats for a small squad and plenty of room for cargo. Good for a search and seizure operation. Dual ramps made it ideal for rapid disembarking.

We entered our vehicle and began a final systems check.

I checked the monitor. "Co-ordinates 128, 10, 4055," I called out.

"Way up there, Ma'am." responded the trooper.

Macarthur had worked with me before. He was my team's medic and our electronics man. Good in a fire fight. Enthusiastic. Bright.

The third member of our team arrived.

"Trooper Outlander reporting for duty, Major," he boarded the craft and reported in.

"Thank you Trooper..." I acknowledged.

Outlander was new to my squad, but I had no doubt though that he would perform well under pressure. His record was impeccable. He carried the weapon of a sharpshooter.

Team assembled and craft ready I gave the briefing.

"This one is pretty simple.." I began.

"That's how they usually start out, Ma'am," remarked Trooper Outlander.

Trooper Macarthur agreed with a nod.

I continued unabated, "Insertion, find the systems, locate an item that belongs to the Zenobian people, retrieve and pull out."

"Rules of engagement, Major?" asked Outlander.

"Respond to any fire, but don't initiate." Standard practice in my unit.

"Yes, Ma'am," he acknowledged.

We were ready. "Let's roll," I said.

The Shark lifted off the landing pad and raced out over the desert as we began our ascent. The distance was far and the journey took time. We travelled in silence.

In due course, we arrived at the Heighliner mooring. Its size was no less impressive than the first time I saw it.

"Above us," I indicated as I steered our ship under the monstrous craft.

"Above us," echoed Macarthur. "Holy...." He pointed upwards.

Trooper Outlander nodded wordlessly.

As we approached amidships, the underbelly of the Heighliner rotated open to admit us. We disappeared inside the vast interior. For all intents and purposes, we were swallowed by the beast.

I piloted our craft deep into the first and lowest chamber we came to. I have seen smaller hangers.

As we flew, the light from the markings on the Heighliner walls flooded our cabin giving everything an eerie green luminosity.

I gently set our ship down near the wall far from the rotating sections on the tube.

"Orders, Major?" asked Outlander as we disembarked.

"Let's find command."

Trooper Macarthur responded with a nod.

We spread out and began a sweep of the area.

-----

"Walls are smooth," reported Macarthur.

"No hatches or gangways at all, Major," stated Trooper Outlander.

"Okay," I replied, "we will use jet packs."

"There's something above, Ma'am," Trooper Macarthur indicated, "Cylindrical."

I recognized it from the Splintered Rock security feed. In any other setting it would be considered huge.

"That's the shuttle."

-----

Using personal propulsion equipment, we arrived one by one on the next level upwards. Something was interfering with our communication.

"Say again?" I asked over the static.

"Upper deck has equipment, some kind of large figure," repeated Trooper Outlander.

Far off in the distance, I could see what he was referring to. It was the figure of a large man. Black streaked with green. Hands on hips.

"Be cautious," I warned.

"Humanoid shape, some sort of statue maybe," said Outlander, "Investigating."

Meanwhile Macarthur explored the equipment that sat close to the shuttle. A hexagon shaped control panel with a central shaft.

"Major," he called, "there's a container with Umbrella mark on it."

I joined him at the crate sitting close to the control panel.

"Is this what you were looking for ma'am?"

It was the right size.

"It is marked..." I began.

Holographic text floated about the box: Special Delivery for Major Pepper Siamendes...

"We were expected it seems," I mused.

"Yes," remarked the trooper, "But by whom?"

I knew. By Ardra, of course. And why was she using an Umbrella Corporation shipping container?


-----

The men were talking amongst themselves when I joined them before the large figure. It was some sort of replicant I was sure. It must have been 12 to 15 meters tall.

Trooper Macarthur turned to me, "Is this Ardra?"

"No," I replied, "it serves Ardra."

"Okay," answered Macarthur.

The giant spoke.

"Assistbot Mark 2," it said.

"Hello," responded Macarthur a bit suddenly.

Outlander backed up a bit.

"Yes," Macarthur gathered himself "What is your designation?"

"My designation is Assistbot Mark 2," replied the giant.

"Is this place some kind of funhouse?" asked Outlander.

"This is a Guild Heighliner," replied the Assistbot Mark 2, "Do you have your cargo ready for pickup?"

"May we use AM2 to call you?" asked Macarthur.

"I will record that designation and respond to it," responded the giant.

Trooper Macarthur looked over at me for any orders.

I answered the Assistbot's question. "We will retrieve it now."

"Major Pepper Siamendes, UAP SIU?" asked Assistbot Mark 2.

I had read the old fairy tales. The ones with the knights and the princesses, the dragons and the trolls. When a twelve meter giant calls your name, you do not say 'Yes'.

So I ignored his question and asked, "Where is Aurotharius?"

"Please specify which Aurotharius," it requested politely.

"Let's start with Ardra," I said.

Assistbot Mark 2 replied, "Adra Aurotharius is offworld at the moment in the Extropian Sectors."

"And Wylder Aurotharius?" I asked.

"Wylder Aurotharius' whereabouts are unknown. We have a standing order to compensate for any information leading to his location."

"And Arudra Aurotharius?" I probed.

"There are a few Arudra Drones deployed currently," it explained, "New Zion and Hale's Moon."

I nodded and looked at the troopers.

Before either of them could comment, Assistbot Mark 2 spoke, "These are simple inquiries that can be answers by Assistbot Mark 1. Follow me please."

The giant moved.

We all moved well away from the large drone to keep from being stepped on. It lead us back to the console.

"Make your inquiries here," instructed AM2.

"Hello?" I asked but received no reply. I pressed a button. A navigation screen appeared. Another switch and a stasis tube arose beside the console,

"Cryostasis unit ..." I identified it.

Macarthur picked up on this immediately, "AM2, what is the Cryostasis unit for?"

"For wounded or infected organics."

"Infected?" he asked.

Suddenly a red beam of light focused on me. I looked up to discover the source of the beam, a floating green head.

"I am being scanned it seems," I remarked.

"That doesn't sound good," answered Macarthur.

The giant addressed the floating head. "We have a delivery pending for Major Pepper Siamendes, UAP SIU."

The head responded immediately,"The United Alliance of Planets is the official government of the 34 Tauri System. A parliamentary system based on the planet Londinium .... Major Pepper Siamendes, a United Alliance of Planets (UAP) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) Officer."

I began with my own inquiry.

"Ardra," I said plainly.

"Ardra Aurotharius," replied Assistbot Mark 1, "is a Second Stage Guild Navigator, reported to have agented for Blue Sun and for Umbrella."

That could explain the shipping crate.

"Wylder," I said.

Assistbot Mark 1 responded helpfully, "Wylder Aurotharius is the founder of Project Aurotharius. Seeking the singularity. Closed the project after the death of his daughter."

"Project Aurotharius," I said.

There was silence.

"Who was his daughter?" asked Trooper Macarthur.

"Audrey," I answered.

Assistbot Mark 1 picked up on the name and responded, "Audrey Aurotharius is the deceased daughter of Wylder Aurotharius."

The Trooper nodded, "How did she die?"

The giant filled in the details, "Audrey Aurotharius is deceased, since 2505."

Assistbot Mark 1 spoke, "Someone just activated something."

"Was that one of you?" I called, my hand instinctively drifting to my sidearm.

Assistbot Mark 2 continued uninterrupted, "Complications from treatment for Leukemia and Amyloidosis at the Angels of Mercy Medical Research Center."

Trooper Macarthur looked around to make sure he wasn't leaning or touching anything.

Assistbot Mark 1 responded to the trooper's movements. "That was very funny."

I considered the giant's information. The Angels of Mercy? That was a weapons development facility...

"On Zenobia?" I asked.

Assistbot Mark 1 repeated itself, "Someone just activated something."

"Zenobia," I restated.

Assistbot Mark 1 began, "Albion is a civilized planet in the Core of the 34 Tauri System. Zenobia is the name of the ruling family and the planet is often called Zenobia. It has an inhabited moon named Avalon."

"Albion," echoed AM2.

I understood the process now. "When we say something close to a key word it acknowledges activation," I explained. "Keep probing ...I will look at the box."

A quick examination showed no easy means of opening the container. This confirmed my fears.

"It is code worded." I sighed.

I returned to Assistbot Mark 1 hoping to prompt some clue.

"Zenobius," I said.

Nothing.

"Relics?" suggested Macarthur.

"Relics," I agreed.

No reply.

AM2 was still talking about Audrey, "I do not have information regarding her medical records. They are sealed by request of the United Alliance of Planets."

"Artifacts," Macarthur made an attempt.

I returned to the chest and examined it closely. In the background AM2 was still explaining the mysteries of the Heighliner.

"The beam is a mere proximity sensor recording your presence near the console for security purposes."

There. I found it. A small inscription around the lid of the container. It read: Ardra memento mori.

It was my first message to Ardra when I made contact months ago. A reminder to her that one day she would die. A challenge, if you will, of her transhumanist views.

Her reply at that time was the name of a jellyfish that could revert to an earlier stage of development after reaching maturity and therefore might in fact be biologically immortal. Fortunately other creatures find them quite tasty which is why we are not up to our necks in jellyfish.

Ardra was making me eat my words by repeating her own. It was part of our dance it seemed.

"Turritopsis nutricula," I said and the container opened.

"We have a spectator." It was Trooper Outlander's voice.

I turned quickly to look. Far down the chamber was the figure of a man. He did not approach us. He was wearing a pressure suit. A passenger? A worker? A spy?

"I have a clear shot if you give the word," the trooper reported.

"Do not initiate fire," I ordered.

"Roger that, Major," he replied.

I turned back to the box.

Macarthur joined me while Outlander continued to sweep the perimeter and keep an eye on our guest.

I manipulated the inner lid and the ornate casket rose from within the shipping container.


Macarthur looked the object over carefully then looks at me.

"Is that from Earth that was?" he asked.

"This is it." The bones of St. Zenobius. The ruling family of my planet claimed to be direct descendants of this saint and through him to Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, the warrior queen who would defy the might of Rome. As these relics were used for DNA verification of political claims, their value was immeasurable.

Macarthur looked the object over to get a possible idea of how heavy it is.

"Careful it is old..." I cautioned.

Macarthur nodded then carefully tried to lift it to figure it's weight.

"Best to have two for the lift," he judged.

"It is a marble casket, about 800 kg," warned the giant.

"800kg?" cried Outlander.

"Heavy!" added Macarthur.

I stopped to think. "We can use grapplers. We need to get this to the ship..."

"Can we dock the shuttle up here nearby?" Macarthur suggested.

"Good idea," I acknowledged.

I stopped and looked at the giant.

Macarthur and I were thinking along the same line. "Can we ask AM2 to assist us with the moving of the object"? he asked.

"AM2 can you please carefully... lift this?" I requested.

"Please stand by," it replied politely.

"I'll call up the ship," I said and using the panel on my wrist summoned the craft by autopilot.

Trooper Macarthur nodded keeping watch on the bot.


-----

While the relics were being transferred into the craft, I busied myself at the computer.

Our mysterious spectator had since departed. Assistbot Mark 2 stood by quietly.

Macarthur approached. "We set to extract?" he asked.

"Just downloading files," I explained.

"I have extra data discs if you need them."

"Thank you Trooper."

Macarthur reached into one of his hip pockets and handed me two.

I worked rapidly, extracting a total of five sealed files from the database. This would give me some bedtime reading.

"Okay... let us depart. We have what we came for."

"Yes, Ma'am," both men replied.

My team boarded our transport. I moved to follow then. Almost as an afterthought, I turned and faced the giant replicant.

"Thank you AM2," I said.

It replied, "Thank you for using the Spacing Navigators Guild for your shipping needs."

-----

"Are we strapped in?" I called as the engines of our transport powered up.

"Roger that, Major. Good to go," reported Outlander.

"We're a go." echoed Macarthur.

The Shark glided along towards the rotating sections of the Heighliner

Our mission was a success.

We had our prize.

What would be the consequence?

-----

"May those who curse days..."

"...curse that day..."

"...those who are ready to rouse Leviathan." Job 3:8

Insurance

Sept. 24 - Zenobia

Under my orders, I had the forged casket of St. Zenobius placed in the Parliamentary Auditorium of the public space station over Zenobia. Only now it is a replica designed for ceremonial functions. The existence of two caskets is now official.

If the test results from Bihar's Department of Antiquities should surface suggesting a "forgery", well then they obviously tested the replica by mistake. For all that anyone knows, the original is safely aboard the Antares in deep space.

I suspect that Ardra is keeping the original casket as insurance. There has been no whisper of it since the first samples were leaked onto the black market. Should anyone truly back her into a corner, she can turn around and use the casket as leverage to force assistance from either the Zenobian military or the trade faction.

I had a chat with the Colonel, to review the forensics from the clone body and to discuss aspects of the case.

-----

"Do we have an idea who made the clone from the forensics?" I asked.

"We know whose work it was based on, but not who actually made it," said the Colonel. "Mini Zebes provides the equipment. Mindo provided the know how. This is information we received from the forensics."

"Lily said Mindo like labs," I remarked.

"The Alliance has been stealing Mindo's research for years, but Mindo may or may not have made the clone. We are leaning towards no, but we are not sure."

I nodded.

The Colonel continued, "We think whoever made the clone is who is extorting Ardra into service. We are digging up new information on a group of transhumanists. They believe that some fusion of human and machine will be a transcendant experience 'Beyond Human'."

I was familiar with some of the concepts of transhumanism. I thought that Krenshar, the sentient replicant, might be considered post-human by that philosophy, and perhaps even idolized by its followers. It's always good to keep an eye on potential messiahs.

"We think that Ardra fell in with them after her burn notice. And now has buyer's remorse."

"Buyer's remorse?" I asked.

The Colonel continued, "She attempted a metamorphosis and was displeased with the results."

"Yes," I could imagine.

"A combination of narcotics, dna splicing and cybernetics...Her DNA is severely deviated from the human norm....degenerating chromosomal damage."

-----

Ardra.

I will have to track her down and do something no one quite expects.

I'm going to offer her a job.

Zenobia Northern Provinces

"The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones." Shakespeare

["St. Zenobius Performs a Miracle" Domenico Veneziano]

St. Zenobius was the first bishop of Florence, a city on Earth-That-Was. He was credited with a number of miracles including that of raising of a child from the dead. Legend has it that he was descended from Queen Zenobia of Palmyra, after whom our planet was named.

The ruling families of Zenobia stake their claim to power through genetic heritage traced back to St Zenobius. His relics, therefore, are more than a matter of global pride. Genetic testing of claimants against these remains is used to substantiate any given claim.

At the beginning of the last war, the relics of St. Zenobius were taken into protective custody by the Alliance Command. This provided an opportunity for a substitution of remains to substantiate the claim of what is now the current line. The current line had strong ties to the military leadership of that time. The authentic relics themselves remained in hands of Alliance Command both as a safeguard and as leverage with the new ruling family.

Recently however, control was lost of the original relics. Soon after, remains were offered up for sale on the black market. Samples of these relics have been observed in circulation to stimulate interest among potential buyers.

After the relics appeared on the black market, our security cameras revealed Zeno Baxton, Manager of Estates and Mirra Zanzibar, Bihar Sanctuary Department of Antiquities, conducting a scan of the remains within the chapel dedicated to this saint. These test results likely indicate that the publicly displayed reliquary is a copy. Estate Management has not shared these results with our department.

It was shortly after this incident that this file was added to my portfolio.

My immediate objective became containment. Under my supervision, the remains from the chapel were taken into Alliance custody. They were transported away from the Zenobian homeworld to a secure location. The sudden appearance of two caskets would be cause for concern among the population and give opportunity to troublesome elements. With a recent attack by forces unknown of one of our research facilities, a suitable story concerning protection of planetary treasures was released to the public.

My current objective is to find and secure the original relics. In the interest of political stability, at this time it will be our official position that the remains offered on the black market are forgeries.

Meanwhile, Estate Management is no doubt conducting its own attempt at retrieval with likely involvement of the Trade Association. The Trade Association has rarely been sympathetic to the aims and methods of Alliance Military. We will keep an eye to monitoring their progress during the course of our own investigation.

It is critical that control be re-established on the stolen relics by Alliance Command. If someone should come forward with a claim to leadership based on any recovered remains, it would likely mean civil war.

Order and security must be preserved. Lives depend upon it.