Duron Ardiniero did not like it when his subordinates kept secrets from him. It was clear to him now that something was going on with the intelligence team and Vanz Kerrigan was responsible. Duron was on his way to Kerrigan’s suite when Kerrigan came down the hall with Anyantha following behind.
“Mr. Kerrigan I need to have a word with you,” demanded Duron.
“Walk and talk commander,” said Kerrigan, “I have a very full schedule today.”
Kerrigan seemed to be in a very good mood. No one had seen him this enthusiastic since before Zai revealed his self.
“The intelligence team has not been giving me regular reports for several days now,” said Duron, “When I ask them why they avoid the question. From what I can gather they are no longer working on decoding the Spectral Horde signals. They are working on some other project for you. Would you like to explain yourself Kerrigan? How do you justify allocating resources vital to our mission for your personal use?”
“I will justify that in a matter of minutes,” said Kerrigan with a smile, “just follow me.”
“Where are we going Kerrigan?”
“We are going to say hello to our alien friend.”
Zai, last of the Raath was in the viewing room at the back of the ship above the off limits engine room. From here you could see The Daedlus’ wings.
“How are you today Zai?” asked Kerrigan as he came in.
“What do you want Kerrigan?” said Zai without looking away from the stars.
“I want to offer you the chance to surrender,” said Kerrigan.
This piqued Zai’s interest and he turned to face Kerrigan.
“And why would I do that?” asked Zai, “Why would I surrender anything to you?”
“What the hell is going on Kerrigan?” said Duron.
“I am doing what I do best,” said Kerrigan.
“From what I have seen what you do best is manipulate and control,” said Zai.
“Damn right,” said Kerrigan with a slight sneer.
“Whatever your plan is Kerrigan it will fail,” said Zai, “that is a promise.”
Duron stepped in, “Stop this. Zai listen to me. Whatever Kerrigan is up to I did not know about it. You can not hold his actions against all of us.”
“Of course I can,” said Zai, “it would not be the first time that many had to pay the price for the actions of the few.”
“I have had enough of this,” said Kerrigan, “Its time Anya.”
Anyantha raised her com watch to her lips and said, “It is time.”
Evan Evaide heard the message and so did Suchin Markjon and the plan went into effect.
As far as Duron could tell nothing was happening. Then the device on Zai’s right arm began beeping. Zai flipped it open and looked.
“What have you done?” said Zai.
“We have locked you out of all the ship’s systems,” said Kerrigan smiling with glee, “When you authorized the razor weapon system we monitored the signal between you and the ship. It took weeks of work. We have rewritten the ship’s programming so that it no longer grants you access. This ship is ours now.”
Zai typed away at the device for moment then said, “Indeed this is remarkable work. Ms. Markjon is far more gifted than anyone realized. She was able to decode and analyze the Deadlus’ operating system and now has rewritten key parts of it. I am now completely cut off. This is most impressive.”
“So now you have choice,” said Kerrigan, “you can either work with us Zai or you can stay out of our way.”
Duron did not like the way Kerrigan had pulled this off but if he could get them total control of the ship he was not going to argue with it.
“I am not without options Mr. Kerrigan,” said Zai.
Zai began typing away at the arm device. A moment later Evan was on the com watch saying, “Anya something is wrong. Suchin says the new system is being hacked into. She says she can’t stop it.”
All of the glee disappeared from Kerrigan’s face.
“Thirty seconds,” said Suchin, “It took us weeks. To get into the system. To learn how it worked. Then to rewrite it. It took us weeks to do all that. It took him thirty seconds. He hacked into our system and replaced it all in thirty seconds. That should not be possible. But I just saw it happen. He really is a monster.”
Even after he had taken back control Zai kept on working on his arm device. When he was done he looked up and said, “How are you feeling Mr. Kerrigan? Are you feeling dizzy? Are you having any trouble breathing?”
Kerrigan was feeling a little light headed and the air did feel a bit thin. He stumbled. Then he saw Duron and Anyantha were also feeling it. Duron went to the communication panel and said, “Command and Control report.”
“Commander it looks like the atmospheric control systems are shutting down where you are,” they answered, “We are losing air on that part of the ship but there is no sign of a hull breach.”
Frantically Duron shouted, “Please Zai you can’t do this.”
“You keep saying that,” replied Zai, “but the truth is I can do this. Do not take this sort of action against me again Mr. Kerrigan unless you are prepared to deal with the consequences.”
Zai pressed a few buttons on his arm device. Soon command and control reported that atmosphere levels were returning to normal. Everyone was able to breathe again.
“This is not over Zai,” said Kerrigan.
“That is enough Kerrigan,” said Duron.
“No, it is not enough,” Kerrigan shouted, “I will not submit to this thing. We will not be judged by you. Do you hear me? We will never stop fighting back.”
“Perhaps a further demonstration is in order,” said Zai.
He began typing away again. The lights went out. Then they came back on. Command and control reported that systems were going offline them coming back on all over the ship. Then they felt the ship shake.
“What the fuck was that?” said Kerrigan.
Through the viewing room windows they all saw a Spectral Horde battle cruiser incoming.
“No,” said Zai as he worked on his device to restore all the ships systems.
“What have you done?” shouted Kerrigan.
“What is the status of our defenses?” said Duron.
“We have incoming Spectral Horde pods,” they reported, “the defense field is still down. There are three battle cruisers surrounding us.”
“You bastard,” said Kerrigan, “You’ve killed us all.”
“No, no, no,” said Zai as he kept working.
The Spectral Horde battle cruiser opened fire. The blast was headed right for the viewing room. Anyantha screamed and covered her head. Kerrigan and Duron turned away from the flash and ducked. Zai did not move. He looked on as the blast of energy illuminated the area.
Nothing happened. They were still alive. Command and control reported the defense field came back online just in time.
“But we have a problem sir,” they said, “three horde pods attached to the hull before the field went up. We have been boarded.”
“Fucking Christ,” said Kerrigan who then pointed a finger as Zai and said, “This is your fault.”
“Kerrigan I suggest you get to the safe room in your suite,” said Duron.
“That is at the other end of the ship.”
“Then stay here.”
Duron took a portable communicator out of the wall and left the viewing room. Zai followed him.
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