Chapter 8: Epilogue       It is a little known fact that Eltorian physiology simply cannot handle terran alcohol. Or at least, it is a little known fact to most terrans. A beverage containing the volatile liquid would have a potent and often sickening effect on any Eltorian who was brave enough to actually drink. For said reason most Eltorians avoided alcoholic beverages, preferring instead something from their native system. They called it Shluzak. Terrans simply called it disgusting. This was mainly because it was a thick, viscous liquid with a consistency not unlike terran molasses. It was also a bright looking green and the best vintages were known to have lumps of some sort floating around in it. For most terrans this was enough to dissuade a sampling. But for those brave enough to try it, it was found that Shluzak reacted in terrans in a manner not all that dissimilar to alcohol in Eltorians.       Being from mixed heritage, Tasha had assumed at the age of 16 that she might be immune to the effects of Shluzak. Relying on that assumption she had gotten into her grandfather's supply...with disastrous results. She found out that day she was ever so sensitive to its ill effects. She spent the next three days with her head hovering over a toilet, sometimes vomiting, sometimes wishing she could. And just when her stomach had finally decided to forgive her, Tasha's parents decided it was time for her punishment. As if what she had been through wasn't punishment enough. Needless to say, Tasha had learned and important lesson that day.       Today was another such day in Tasha's life. Though she was fairly certain she wouldn't be facing the wrath of her parents in deep space, her stomach had serious objections to the punishment it went through the previous night. She had spent the better part of the morning throwing up in her quarters. It seemed that just as her human side rejected Shluzak, her Eltorian side rejected alcohol. In truth, she probably should have known better. With the exception of James, no one in the family could tolerate the stuff. And as much as she would like to believe otherwise she was the product of her parents. A quick person-to-person communique guaranteed that Maya would be covering for her until noon. But as the mid-day hour creeped near, Tasha wondered if she could somehow talk Maya into extending that deadline. Deciding that it would be a waste of breath to try, Tasha forced her weakened body out of bed and into the refresher station. A long hot shower made her feel more fresh on the outside but did nothing for her jellylike innards. She thought about having some breakfast but the idea was quickly rejected. Chances were that anything she managed to get down into her stomach would only see open air a few minutes later. If she was going to heave later on, better that it be a dry one.       As Tasha slowly pulled on her jacket she rolled her tongue around her mouth. She still had a horrible taste in there and she couldn't figure out how to get rid of it. It was sort of metallic, like she had been drinking malted battery acid. Not that she had ever drank malted battery acid - at least not that she knew of. Given the array of concoctions the jumptroopers kept handing her last night anything was possible. Placing a hand on her stomach she muttered to herself, "Just calm down for a few hours, that's all I ask." * * *       While e-frame maintenance was not a specialty of Maya's, she had learned a thing or two rooming with a exotech at the academy. All e-frame pilots had to know how to do at least some basic maintenance. A side benefit of rooming with Tasha was that Maya had learned enough to substitute as an exotech in a pinch. Based on the communique she had received this morning, today qualified as a pinch. Though a few members of the squad had noticed Tasha's absence, no one had questioned it - at least not yet.       "Need a hand?" Maya had been standing on the floor of Able Squad's hanger. Her hands were busy manipulating the complex innards of Logan's fighter from a ventral access hatch. She brought her head, which had been looking up into the hatch, forward to see the pleasant face of Alex Camden.       "Shouldn't you be resting?" asked Maya.       "No. I'm fine. They're now letting me get around with just a brace and a cane."       Maya noted the solid black cane in his right hand. He planted it in front of him to counter balance the step he was taking with his injured left leg.       "What are you working on?"       Returning her gaze back to the access panel Maya answered, "Nothing very complex, just low level maintenance. I'm about done."       "Oh." said Camden sounding not too disappointed. "Where's Tasha?" he asked.       "Excuse me?" stated Maya with a raise of the eyebrow. "You mean Lt. Sterling, right?"       "I think so, yeah. I wanted to ask her how those modifications worked out."       Maya sealed the hatch. "What modifications?"       "To her fighter, we sat down together last night and went over a whole bunch of things she could try."       "Really?" replied Maya. In the back of her mind she remembered running into Tasha and she did seem unusually happy.       "Something wrong?" asked Camden.       "No. Nothing." she replied with a wave of her hand. "Its just not like Tasha to...nevermind."       Camden seemed confused, and with anyone else that would require some sort of explanation. But Camden always looked confused so Maya didn't see the point in even trying to explain. She just removed a datapad from her pocket and looked for what needed to be done next. Camden, in the meantime, had found something else to hold his attention and wandered away.       This was not the last interruption Maya would face. The next incident would be courtesy of one Angela Merck.       "This ain't your job." stated Merck.       Maya looked up from her datapad. "What?"       Merck took a few steps forward, perhaps for emphasis. "This ain't your job."       "Isn't." replied Maya.       "Scuse me?"       "Isn't. Ain't is not proper grammar."       Merck rolled her eyes. "I didn't come here for a grammar lesson."       "Pity." returned Maya as she strolled past. "You could certainly use it."       Merck back peddled to maintenance eye contact. "Don't dodge the issue."       "I'm not dodging anything, though you might consider trying it."       "Wha-ufh!" replied Merck as backed right into someone. Angered at looking silly, Merck turned on the living roadblock. "Hey, watch where you're going, huh?" That's when she realized who she was talking to, and it showed on her face as it gained a very sour expression.       "I will if you will, Angie."       "Don't call me that!" steamed Merck as she thrust a finger into Tasha's chest. To Merck's surprise, Tasha seemed to recoil slightly from it.       "Why not? It's your name, right?"       "Hate to interrupt." stated Maya as she interposed herself between them. "But this is your schedule for the day. The checked stuff is done. The unchecked is to be done. Bye!" She shoved the datapad into Tasha's hands and walked away, not wanting any part of the conversation to come. Tasha turned the datapad right side up and started looking it over as Merck continued to complain.       "This can be considered dereliction of duty."       "So can sabotaging the computer system on your own fighter. What's your point?" Tasha placed a firm hand on Merck's left shoulder and eased her to the side as she stepped past her.       "Tasha!"       Tasha's face brightened slightly as she saw the form of Alex Camden hobbling toward her.       "Hey Alex." Tasha halted to converse with him. She placed a hand over her stomach and gave it a squeeze. Her face contorted slightly, indicating she didn't like what was going on down there.       "Are you okay?" asked Alex.       "Just something I had last night." replied Tasha. "What can I do for you?"       Alex snapped to life. It was rare people purposefully gave him the conversatorial floor, and he wanted to take full advantage. "I wanted-"       "Hey, Camden!" barked Merck as she stepped up to Alex's right shoulder. "You know who this is?" she asked, gesturing to Tasha.       "Yes." answered Camden. He looked confused, but at least this time it was understandable to all those present.       "Oh, so you know this is the one they got to replace you?"       "Replace me?" asked Camden.       "Yup." replied Merck.       "Cause of her, you got no spot in the squad any more." Tasha stared at Camden, not sure what to say. It was sort of true, or it might someday be true.       "So?" asked Camden.       Merck did a double take. "What do you mean, 'So'? She stole your job!"       "No she didn't. I got hurt and the fleet assigned a replacement. It happens."       "Yeah, but thanks to her you may not have a job here by the time you recover. Doesn't that make you mad!?"       Camden laughed, which sort of shocked Merck because she never saw him do it before. "That's funny! I'm an technical specialist, there will always be work in the fleet for me. How do think all that equipment on all those different stations, colonies, and ships keep running?" He turned from her and hobbled away laughing. Apparently he was too amused with the thought to continue the conversation. Despite the fire raging in her gut, Tasha managed a smile. It was the last straw.       "All right ya amazon, come on!" Merck dropped into a fighting stance, her fists at the ready.       "You can't be serious."       Although the thought of popping Merck one right there was satisfying, her stomach definitely did not feel up to it. If anything, getting into a tussle would only result in Tasha puking on her. Besides officers shouldn't beat up their subordinates, no matter how insubordinate they may happen to be.       "Is there a problem here?"       Merck seemed to ease up a bit as the hulking form of Arsis approached. Maya was with him. The rest of the squad wasn't too far behind.       "Ask Merck, she's the one who is all excitable." replied Tasha.       "Is something wrong, Trooper."       "Not once I kick the snot out of this Venutian trash with the bad dye job."       "Bad dye job?" quoted Tasha. Her stomach suddenly kicked into high gear, threatening to lurch right up and out of her throat. Tasha fell to one knee, her hands flat on the deckplates as her dropped datapad slid away from her.       "Tash? You okay?" asked a suddenly concerned Maya.       "Oh you ain't faking no illness to get out of this. On your feet bimbo!" bellowed Merck.       "Not good." gasped Tasha. "Not good at all."       "You got that right." answered Merck as she began to circle.       "Is she all right?" asked Camden.       Maya caught his arm as he tried to walk past. "No Alex, get over to the security console and prepare to erect a high grade force field." Surprisingly, Camden didn't ask why, he just did what he was told.       "What is happening?" asked Arsis.       "I'm not sure. But she might be having an episode." answered Maya.       "A what?" asked Merck, who had stopped circling. "You telling me she's unbalanced in the head?"       "Not that kind of episode." stated Maya as she backed away.       "What the hell are yo..." Merck tailed off. Her attention diverted by the sound of metal being twisted or bent, she couldn't tell which or where it was coming from. She looked down, noting the position of Tasha's hands. Her fingers were actually digging into the metal, to the point that the plating was like paper in her hands. "What the hell?"       Tasha had never felt anything like this before. Something was building inside of her. She could feel it. And if she didn't get Merck away right now, it could very well kill her.       "Get b-back!" stammered Tasha.       Merck didn't say anything, she seemed transfixed by what Tasha was doing.       "I said," began Tasha, "GET BACK!!"       She whipped her left arm outward into an arc, backhanding Merck across the stomach. The impact of her blow sent Merck flying backward into the waiting arms of Arsis. Maya stared into the now glowing eyes of Tasha and knew immediately what needed to be done. "Alex, the force field!" The emitters in the ceiling sprung to life, creating a sphere of green translucent energy around Tasha. Unable to contain it any longer, Tasha let go.       There was a blinding flash of energy followed by an enormous shockwave that traveled the length of the ship. Maya found herself propelled backwards. When her eyes finally adjusted to the new light level she made out the form of Arsis just getting to his feet. Merck was on one knee behind him. Camden was at the security station. He was trying to get up, but couldn't find his cane. Maya bolted to him. The force field held but just barely. Its normal green color was replaced with pure white, indicating the field was very close to its limit. From within the field the wails of Tasha Sterling could be heard. But there was too much energy being released to see her. Maya grabbed Camden by the arm and hoisted him up.       "You've got to reinforce the field."       Camden seemed a little shaky as he replied, "What about Tasha?"       "We can't worry about that now, if that field gives out we're all dead!"       Camden nodded his understanding. Maya helped him over to the security console and steadied him while he worked. "The field is at its limit! It's going to collapse!"       "Can you do anything?" asked Maya.       "I sure hope so!" replied Camden. It was not the answer Maya was hoping for. His hands flew over the keyboard. "I'm going to try to tap into the main power grid and shunt power from there." He worked feverishly though deliberately. "Got it!" The emitters suddenly increased their output, turning the pure white force field back into a more stable green. "I just hope the emitters can handle the load!"       "What do you mean?" Maya had just started to calm down when he made that little announcement.       "They weren't designed for this kind of containment."       "Oh great." mumbled Maya.       "You need to talk to her, Lieutenant."       Maya had been so preoccupied she failed to notice Arsis come up behind her.       "Me? Why?"       "You are her friend, she will listen to your voice. Calm her down, get her to control it." explained Arsis.       "How?" asked Maya.       "You know her best. That is for you to decide. Go!"       Maya edged her way out to the edge of the force field. Tasha was still screaming inside it. "Tasha! Tasha can you hear me!" There was no apparent response. "Tasha, if you can hear me you have to calm down! You have to get it under control! If you don't, you'll kill us all!"       "I-I can't stop it!!!!" came the almost ghostly reply.       "Yes, you can! You can do anything! You always have been able to! Just concentrate! You can do it!"       The security station beeped, prompting Camden to look it over. "The field is reaching its limit again, and I don't have any other systems I can tap into."       The field was starting to turn white again. Maya backed away. "Come on Tash! I need you to try!" A bolt of energy pierced the field and shot through the deck a few feet to Maya's right. From behind her she heard Camden announce, "Its going to collapse!"       "Everyone out now!" ordered Arsis.       Merck helped Camden to the exit as Arsis went for Maya. "We have to leave!" he said as he grabbed hold of her arm.       "Wait!"       "There is no more time!" With his size and strength, pulling Maya away was not very difficult for Arsis, even though she was resisting.       "No! No, I can't leave her!"       Arsis wrapped his free arm around her waist and lifted her from the ground. "I am sorry, but we have no more time." He broke into a run for the door but only got three steps before stopping. The hanger went silent. There was only the faint hum of a completely stable force field. Arsis stood still a moment, not sure if it was really over.       "Put me down!" insisted Maya.       "Apologies, Lieutenant." He released her gently. Camden, having recovered his cane, hobbled back into the hanger with Merck in tow. "What happened?"       "I am not sure." replied Arsis.       Maya ran over to the security station and quickly disengaged the force field. As the shield dropped, a mass of steam and smoke rose from the deckplates. Though protected by the force field, the plates had been badly melted. "Tasha!" screamed Maya as she plunged into the fog in search of her friend. Arsis cautiously followed. "Tasha?" Maya made out her form lying on the deckplates. She didn't try to move her. She felt for a pulse and was very relieved to find one. She turned her head to yell over her shoulder, "Someone get a med-tech in here now!" * * *       There is nothing quite like flying. The sensation of being free in almost every sense of the word. There are no limits save those you impose on yourself. Flying in an atmosphere was often described this way. And while it was true for the most part, people like Kyle thought it was nothing compared to flying in space. Just you and your machine against the harsh irradiated vacuum. There is no up. There is no down. No left. No right. No wrong.       You never forget the first time you go into space. The majesty of your homeworld - or any world seen from afar - it was something you could never forget. And if you were lucky, you could feel that way more than once. For Kyle every time he went into space was like that. The freedom, the awe, for him it played itself out every time. And he never tired of it.       A playful hit in the shoulder jogged Kyle from his reverie. "You ready to fly?" asked the man next to him. It was a pointless question. He was always ready to fly.       "You know it."       "Then let's go."       Kyle stood up, sealing his flight suit as he did so. He reached into his locker and grabbed his flight helmet, tucking it under his arm. It was time to fly, time to really live.       The walk to the hanger was a short one. The scheduled flight was a simple patrol. Nothing elaborate or even all that exciting, but it didn't matter to Kyle. It was an excuse to do what he did best and to get away from the station for a bit. He climbed up the boarding latter and into his VF-11. He began the preflight check, starting up all primary systems. Fastening his helmet in place, he closed canopy and contacted the central control. "Control, this is Alpha 3. Ready for departure." The response was immediate. "Roger Alpha 3, you are cleared for dust off."       "Understood control."       The flight crew quickly scattered as the alarm sounding atmospheric evac began blaring. The air was sucked out of the hanger just as the outer doors opened. Kyle brought his engines up to 1/4 thrust, providing a gentle liftoff from the hanger and into space. Clear of the hanger, he brought the engines up to half thrust. "Alpha 3 is mobile." Punching up his flight path, he began the wide circuit that constituted his patrol zone. He was just starting to enjoy himself when his comm clicked to life.       "Alpha 7 to Alpha 3. Come in."       The voice seemed a bit edgy which immediately drew Kyle's attention from the spectacle of deep space. "Alpha 3 here, go ahead."       "I've got an unidentified contact in my patrol zone. It appears to be vectoring on DS Alpha. I have no response."       A couple of thoughts ran through Kyle's head at that moment. Smugglers. A cruise liner with a bad comm array. Both seemed reasonable. "Any idea what it is, Alpha 7?"       "Negative."       There was a long pause. The voice came back sounding stunned. "I've - I've never seen anything like it! I'm going in for a closer look. Change course to back me up."       "Roger that." Kyle brought his fighter around, vectoring on Alpha 7's position. He increased thrust to 75%. "Alpha 7, this Alpha 3. Anything to report?" Another pause followed. "Its huge! And its design is like nothing I've seen before! I'm going to back away in case this thing is hostile. Stand by." As Kyle waited for the next transmission, he scanned the starline ahead of him. He could make out where he was heading. The target seemed quite small but then again he was still rather far away. He checked his sensors. Though they clearly showed some sort of disturbance he couldn't get anything solid out of it. The visual imaging couldn't seem to lock it in either. That particularly was odd because the object was clearly in range. A small but bright flash near the object caught his attention. "Alpha 7, this is Alpha 3. Did you catch that flash? Any idea what it was?" He waited patiently for Alpha 7 to respond. There was none. "Alpha 7? Alpha 7, please respond." Another minute passed with no response. Kyle increased his forward thrust, determined to find out what was going on.       As he neared the object, he got his first good look at it. Alpha 7 was indeed right, it was huge. Bigger than the station even. An alarm blared from his console. Something was coming at him. He jerked back on his stick, sending the fighter into a roll. He wiped his head around to see what it was. To his surprise it wasn't a projectile of some sort but rather it looked like wreckage - from a ship - very similar to his own.       "Alpha base, this is Alpha 3. We have an emergency. Repeat, we have an emergency!" The base's reply was garbled and somewhat difficult to understand.       "Th-- is Alph- --se, go ah--d Alpha 3."       "Scramble the base! We have a hostile contact on its way! Alpha 7 has already been destroyed! Request backup immediately!" The response was incomprehensible, too much interference. Kyle frantically worked at the comm panel, trying for a better signal. Twisting a knob, he was surprised it came off in his hand. "What the?" That's when he noticed a number of his systems were starting to go down. "Warning, structural integrity has been compromised." stated the computer. "What's happening!?" asked a panicked Kyle. His fighter, which he had flown since getting out of the academy, was coming apart around him and he had no idea why. And suddenly, in that crucial moment, Kyle's fascination with space - his awe of its vastness and spectacle - turned to pure, unbridled fear.       "SOMEONE HELP ME!!!!" End Part 1       And so the first part of 'The Probe' draws to a close. It took a great deal of time to write, mostly because I don't have as much free time as I used to. But hey, who does? I hope you enjoyed reading. If you have the time feel free to email your thoughts. Comments are always welcome, provided they are in good taste. -J.P. (7/5/01)