The Tales of the Silver Wind Pt. 02

"Thanks, that's better, it's quite difficult to coordinate a call that's 90 light years away while you're going ten times the speed of light," Sebastian said.

"It's simple really," Gil said offhandedly, looking away as Sebastian entered the exact subspace channel. He knew Lulu would want him to remember the frequency. Gil knew his Captain. Lulu was the type of woman to exploit every avenue she could. He wasn't about to do that to Sebastian. It was because of him he was still living - thanks to the artificial heart and the other cybernetics that were keeping him alive. Gil didn't know how he did it, nor was he going to ask.

"Well, it might be simple for you, half your brain is a computer," Sebastian said teasingly squeezing his shoulder, "As soon as you see the connection link up put it on screen." Nodding that he understood Gil didn't need to see the screen. His cybernetic brain could instinctively find it the onscreen button.

As the screen powered on Elizabeth was met with a face she knew all too well. She had read the reports of his missions. She had daydreamed of the exploits that were written about him. Never in her wildest dreams would she ever be faced with the Hero of Prizma VII.

"Sir! It's an honor to speak with you, Captain-major!" Elizabeth saluted as her old military habits kicking in.

"Umm..." Sebastian scratched his cheek as he heard the faint chuckles from behind him, sighing low returning her salute he knew she wouldn't drop hers until then. "I'm not a soldier anymore you do know that yes?"

"Forgive me sir, I just never thought I'd ever met the Captain-major," Elizabeth said trying to contain her excitement.

"Do I know you?" Sebastian asked tilting his head to the side.

"Where are my manners?" Elizabeth said blushing, "I was once known as Lieutenant Commander Marshall, and everyone here at least those they were alive before the fall knows of the Hero of Prizma VII."

"That was a long time ago Commander," Sebastian shyly feeling his crew mates eyes on him.

"Not for us Captain-major, while we never formally meet before I have read all the mission reports of your regiment," Elizabeth said squaring her shoulders. "It fills my heart with pride to be talking with the one of the Imperialist. My scientists have told me we can help you, if you help us."

"Us? Just how many are there at that outpost?" Sebastian asked intrigued that there was a haven were his people had survived since the fall of their home world.

"I won't divulge that over an unsecured channel. I hope you understand Captain. We don't know who might be listening," Elizabeth nodding to Norbert who sat off screen. "We have sent you a coded message containing our coordinates, I have also added a patch for your nanites that should help until you reach us. Think of it as a sign of good faith. I do hope we can work together," Elizabeth said before cutting off the transmission.

Sebastian knew why she cut their conversation short. It was an old military trick to keep their broadcast as secret as they could. Knowing that part of space they probably weren't in the position to fend off raiders. No telling who had receivers to pick up Venus Oculari transmissions; and there were still the Polorians to worry about. It was the reason for the ship armaments he asked Pantra for. He knew the Candary weapons were a match for their's. However, it was the shield generator that might pose a problem for them. He might have to salvage a plasma coil generator from one of the old warships they were passing by.

"Captain, I think we need to go treasure hunting," Sebastian said after Gil nodded that they had received the data package.

"Oh, I suppose you have some place in mind?" Lulu asked her interest pegged. She knew Sebastian wasn't one to suggest such things. "Gil, transfer the data package to the medical bay. We can't have Sebastian dying on us when we're seeking our fortune," Lulu said smiling warmly, at Sebastian as she rose from her seat, "Come walk with me Sebastian and tell me about this prize you think we should seek," she said her auburn hair bounced along her shoulders as she nodded to the door. "Nathan, make the preparations while we sort out Sebastian."

"Aye, Aye, Captain."

"So, the Hero of Prizma VII, she called you," Akasha said in awe as she pressed her body against his, "How did you come by that name?"

"That's a very long story Akasha," Sebastian said sighing inwardly. He knew he did nothing special, at least not to his mind. He was just doing what he was trained to do. To kill. To fight. To win at any cost.

"Please, Sebastian we have time don't we?" Lulu said taking hold of his left arm resting it in the cleavage of her breasts, "It will take a while to de crypt the data file won't it? Then Amanda has to set up the equipment to upload it. Plus the time it will take for your nanites to accommodate the new software won't it?" Lulu asked sharing a glance with Akasha as they sandwiched Sebastian between them.

"After the Polorains sent their missiles into the hearts of fifty solar systems. Thinking they had wiped out most of the Venus Oculari military forces in the quadrant. They thought to invade the Prizma system. While they didn't destroy our bases, they did, however, kill trillions of people that inhabited those worlds. So thinking there was a vacuum, thinking to take over the linchpin that would give them a straight shoot to Rykus. It wasn't until they had invaded Prizma VII my regiment was called in to repeal the Polorains," Sebastian said as they round the corner to the medical bay, "Our warships ran cover as our drop ships entered the atmosphere. In the our ranks we were trained to repeal from one hundred and fifty meters. Our armor had micro thrusters built into them to soften our landing.

"A thousand of my troopers rained down from the sky," Sebastian said as the medical doors rolled open, "So while the regular forces had the front occupied. Our orders were to kill the head of the snake. Yet that snake was heavily fortified entrenched in its space cruiser."

"Are we having story time?" Amanda asked spinning around in her chair.

"Yes, Sebastian is regaling us with how he became known as the Hero of Prizma VII," Akasha purred her hand stoking Sebastian's hair.

"Oh, a real bonafide hero," Amanda cooed. "So what brings the three of you to my humble corner of the ship?"

"We, I mean Sebastian here, received word from his people just a few minutes ago. They sent a data file containing a patch for our engineer's nanites. Who told us it should stop the degradation until we reach them," Lulu said her hand softly rubbing Sebastian's pectoral muscle.

"Oh, then please do your magic, while I fetch my equipment," Amanda said offering her seat to Sebastian.

"Continue your story Sebastian," Akasha said draping herself across her shoulders. Her nose traced along his neck. Inhaling the scent of her mate. Her lips ran along his jaw as she watch his fingers moved over the console. "You were saying something about a space cruiser."

"The Brass didn't tell us there were two battalions guarding the ship. So I took twenty and sent the rest to deal with the battalions, while we snuck in through a side port. There we spread out silently taking down every Polorian we came across, working our way up to the bridge. The things we saw, the things they did to their prisoners. We might have killed our enemies. We never tortured their citizens of the worlds we took. I'm not proud of what I did to that man. However, at the time I thought it a fitting punishment to the suffering he had inflicted," Sebastian said as he waited for the data file to decompiled.

"What did you do to him?" Akasha asked her cheek brushed against his enjoying hearing how he stalked his prey.

"If you know what you're doing. there is a way to use the plasma pistol to melt a persons skin off without killing them out right. So limb by limb I made him watch as his body melted away," Sebastian said coldly.

"Oh, such men aren't fit to live," Akasha cooed into his ear as her tongue ran along his ear lobe, "He got what he deserved."

"I know," Sebastian said. His eyes ran down the line of code that was sent. If what he read in those zeros and ones were true then most if not all his nanites functions would be restored. However, it was still only a band-aid masking the real problem. Even with the patch it only prolonged the inevitable.

"Now this might not be what you're use to Sebastian," Amanda said rolling in the old creaking cart. She had been tinkering with her old data terminal that she used to monitor Gil's cybernetics. "This old beauty might not be all nice and shiny as Venus Oculari technology, but she'll get the job done," Amanda said patting the top of the monitor, "Now why don't you hop onto the examination bed, and we'll get those little buggers back in their place."

"Is that how they came to call you hero?" Lulu asked as she watched Sebastian climbing onto the medical bed.

"Somewhat," Sebastian said vaguely.

"Now," Amanda said transferring the file to the terminal, "Where is your data port?" she asked holding the transfer plug in her hand. Biting her lip as Sebastian took of his shirt.

"Here," Sebastian said holding out his hand. Running his other hand down his chest as he opened the subprogram within the data module. That stored the space beacon along with the mini replicator for his nanites.

"Sebastian, just what is that? Amanda asked mystified at the six small holes that marred his chest.

"Nano tubes, they are a secondary means of data transfer should the normal means be unavailable," Sebastian said in a matter-of-fact manner.

"May I touch it?" Amanda tamped down her glee at his nodded. With her curiosity satisfied she watched as Sebastian inserted the data plug. "Now I don't know how long this will take so bear with me," Amanda said tapping away on the keyboard making sure the connection was good before sending over the data package. Instantly, her and the others worry filled the room as Sebastian's vitals dropped rapidly. Pushing her way between Akasha and Lulu. As she was about to unhook the plug from his chest. Sebastian's hand shot out grabbing her by the wrist.

"It's... alright... normal..." Sebastian's voice was but a whisper as he scanned down the incoming data. Closing his right eye lid so he could see the screen better. Watching as the status bar went from five percent to ten. Yet always keeping an eye on his heart rate and oxygen saturation. He knew how dangerous it was for him shutting down most of his systems. He had only seen such a procedure done once in the triage tent on Enrok's moon, and they had swarms of doctors and technicians on hand. He, however, was going to handle this on his own. His eye darted to and fro as he scanned through the files that had been uploaded. Running scans for harmful software, no matter if they were his people. Sebastian had learned never to be trustful of strangers bearing gifts. When he was sure they were safe only then did he install the new programs. Once fully installed he ran diagnostics, then more diagnostics. Then restarting those parts of his system they had implanted in his body. However, once the transfer was complete he stared nervously at the system update. Sebastian knew it would require a whole system restart. Anything could go wrong with his malfunctioning nanites. Yet without it all the new patches would be wasted. "Amanda... do you... have epinephrine... here?" Sebastian asked through heaves.

"Yes, of course, I do."

"Good, get it should... my heart not start... in the next... five minutes use it," Sebastian said starting the update process. Akasha and Lulu caught Sebastian's limp body in their arms as he fell forward. Sebastian drew in a large breath as his system rebooted after three minutes. His eye lids fluttered as the operation system ran through its start up sequence. His eye running down the screen as the all green flashed next to his subsystems.

"Sebastian, how do you feel?" Amanda asked flashing a light into his eyes watching his pupils dilate. Checking his vitals herself not relaying on the embedded sensors that lined the bed.

"Quite," Sebastian said looking down at his hand flexing it a few times. He hadn't felt so energetic since he first stepped out of the tube, "Well actually."

"You don't mind if I run my own test do you?" Amanda asked knowing how her patients loved to lie to her - her crew mates more so when it came to their health.

"Sure, do what you need to," Sebastian nodded as Amanda unhooked the data plug.

"Now that your health scare is out of the way. Tell me what is this treasure you want us to find?" Lulu asked as she glanced over to Akasha. Seeing how she squirmed wanting to pounce on Sebastian.

"A Venus Oculari battleship plasma coil generator," Sebastian said plainly.

"Why?" Lulu asked keeping her mirth hidden. She knew such tech would fetch a very hefty sum.

"Because the Polorian weapons would cut through this ship with ease without it," Sebastian said looking over at Lulu.

"Oh, and do tell where are we to find one of these battleships?"

"Four hundred kilometers off the starboard bow, Captain," Sebastian said with a smirk. Lulu's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she walked over to the intercom. With the armaments he had asked for and now shields. She knew her little ship would be the scourge of the sector.

"Gil, set course for the Venus Oculari battleship off our starboard bow," Lulu ordered.

"Aye, Captain."

"There! See that pull us along side that air lock Gil," Sebastian said tapping the spot on the screen.

"Sebastian? Do I need to worry about critters on that thing?" Nathan asked as his automatic laser rifle cycled on.

"No, the hull appears to be intact. We aren't known for sabotaging our own ships. However, it doesn't hurt to be prepared for the unexpected," Sebastian said switching his plasma pistol to kill mode.

"Well, then I can't wait to explore it," Adriana said clapping her hands gleefully as they walked down the corridor to the airlock.

"This isn't a field trip Adriana," Lulu said sternly, "However, I'll get Sebastian to download the computer core for you," she said as Adriana pouted.

"The medical bay should be intact," Sebastian said offhandedly, "You might some of our nice and shinny medical gizmos," he said teasing Amanda.

"You sure, you wouldn't mind if I took the whole medical bay?" Amanda asked as Gil slowed the ship. Using the momentum to ease them into the air lock.

"Nope, better off here then floating in space going to waste," Sebastian over the sound of the locking docks falling into place.

"Air lock secured Captain. I'm reading no hull breaches just stale air, and no life signs," Gil said over the intercom.

"Understood Gil, do keep an eye out while we are over there," Lulu said as Sebastian opened the air lock. All but Sebastian covered their noses as the stale air with the lingering scent of death flooded into the Silver Wild. However, that didn't mean Sebastian's eyes weren't looking for anything out of the ordinary. The ship was too intact to be caught in an ambush. He knew from the make of it. It was built after his forcible discharge. Which could only mean one thing - androids. He could care less that they turned on their human counterparts. Yet even after the years of drift he knew some could still be active. Stealing the power cores from others like them. Yet the question remained why they had not flown the ship themselves? He needed to find a data terminal and quick before they went any further.

"Lulu, Nathan guard the door. Adriana you might want to stay here, you too Amanda," Sebastian said as his pistol slid out of his holster. "Akasha, you're with me."

"Sebastian, wait Gil just cleared this place. I demand you tell me what's going on?" Lulu growled.

"He found no life signs because androids aren't alive Captain," Sebastian said his eyes falling on the terminal point just by the airlock. While it wasn't what he was looking for, yet he could bypass it to hack into the mainframe.

"Then we'll close the air lock and have Gil move off until we're ready," Lulu said handing out four oxygen mask. "Amanda, Adriana he's right you two should stay here if what he says is true. Tell Gil to be ready when I radio for him."

"Understood," Amanda said pulling a squirming Adriana back. Closing the airlock when they all had dawned their masks.

Watching as he worked over the terminal. Lulu was perplexed as Sebastian inserted his fingers into a gel like substance. Then quicker then she could follow his hand flew down to his weapon. Lulu didn't even hear the thing approach before she saw the plasma ball flew from the tip of his weapon. The android fell in a heap on the gravity plating. A green goo eating away at the huge hole in it's chest.

"Lead on Sebastian," Lulu said not willing to let Sebastian and Akasha to be alone for any amount of time on that treasure trove. Trying not to let on that she was frightened that she couldn't hear it's approach.

"Obliviously, they know we are here, so no getting lost, alright," Sebastian said peaking around the corner. "No, telling how many are left that are functional and I don't plan on staying here to find out."

"Agreed," Lulu said nodding, "We'll get what we came for, and maybe something extra?" she asked hoping he got the hint.

"Right extra," Sebastian said creeping down the hall. "That ten prevent extra is still in play right?"

"Sure, if there is anything worth to sell in this derelict," Lulu said unnerved by his lopsided grin.

"Then we might want to stop in here," Sebastian said stopping in front of reinforced door. Lulu tried to read the sign, yet it was written in Nephelian. She wished she had taken the time to learn it. Yet she had Adriana for that before Sebastian's past came to light.

"Sebastian?" Akasha asked stepping beside him as Sebastian tried to enter his security code, yet it appeared they had locked out his code. "What are we doing here? I thought we were getting a plasma coil?"

"We are pirates yes?" Sebastian asked with a mischievous smile.

"Yes, of course, we are but that doesn't explain anything," Akasha said sweetly placing her hand on his arm.

"Well, we are, we're just making a pit stop first," Sebastian said wedging the face plate of the off with his knife, bypassing the security lockout, squinting at the sparks as the door opened slightly.

"So what's in there that's so important for a pit stop?" Lulu asked eager to be on the move with the androids on the prowl.

"Well, you wanted my gun, I thought I could help with that," Sebastian said smirking at her gaping mouth. He grunted as he pushed the doors open. Without the main power, even with his enhanced strength, it was a strenuous task. "Welcome to the armory," Sebastian said bowing as he gestured them in. Akasha watched as Sebastian moved around the room opening crates then quickly shoving off onto the floor. "Ah, here we are," Sebastian said opening his third crate. "These aren't as powerful as mine, given how my pistol has a plasma inventor installed in it. But these are far more powerful then those laser pistols," Sebastian said handing out what looked like a strip down version of his own pistol. "It looks like you'll get ten shots on kill mode and twenty on stun before the battery needs to recycled," he said studying the one in his hand before placing back into the crate. "Lulu, grab that hover cart," Sebastian said pointing towards the far wall.

"What about rifles, Sebastian?" Nathan asked when had seen his he so wanted to fire it off, yet he assumed it had the same safety mechanism installed. Nathan watched as Sebastian eye the crates that lined the medal shelves.