Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Chapter 3: Home Coming

   Karen could not believe what she was seeing, according to the files on
her computer, David had checked out last night along with his roommate. 
The file gave very little information on the conditions of his checking
out; just that he voluntarily left the hospital.  But why would he leave
like that, without saying good-bye?  She was sure there was a connection
between them.  She felt her eyes begin to tear up.  "Girl, you are better
than that, letting your self get all emotional over a patient, and a man at
that." Karen heard Julia mutter behind her.

   "But......" Karen stammered

   "No buts girl, he is gone and you are just going to have to get used to
that." Julia said her left hand resting on her hip while her right pointed
in Karen's direction to emphasize what she was saying.  "Its like I have
told you so many times before, Men are pigs and they will break your heart
every time.  The only thing a man is good for is a little fun and a quick
goodbye."

   "What was that, Nurse Jimenez?" The on duty doctor asked as he passed
the nurse's station.

   "Nothing, Doctor." Julia replied her face reddening.  As the doctor
passed them, Julia quickly stuck her tongue out and then turned back to her
station.

   Karen chuckled at Julia's antics and resumed her perusal of the files
and notes from the previous shift.  "I still can not believe he just left
like that, though.  Something is just not right about it."

   "Excuse me, Nurse?" A very soft feminine voice inquired of Karen.

   Karen looked up and saw a young blond haired woman looking at her from
across the counter.  The woman was quite attractive with golden blond hair
that curled into ringlets around her shoulders and deep dark blue eyes. 
"May I help you Miss?" Karen asked

   As the woman began to answer her question, Julia looked up from her
station and let out a low barely audible whistle of appreciation.  The
young woman glanced in Julia's direction and tried to hide a slight smile.
Julia again began to turn red and returned her attention to her station;
quite surprised the woman had heard her exclamation.  The woman looked at
Karen again.  "Yes, I would like to inquire if you are the Nurse that was
attending to David Jenkins?"

   Karen's breath caught in her throat at the mention of David's name. 
"Yes, Nurse Jimenez and I were both responsible for Mr.  Jenkins.  Is there
something we can help you with?"

   "No, thank you.  I just needed to make sure." The woman replied as she
looked around the area and started to fumble with something in her purse.

   Karen started to back away from her station, her fingers fumbling for
the panic alarm.  "Julia!"

   As Julia started to turn towards Karen, hearing the panic in Karen's
voice, the young woman brought a small gun out from her purse and aimed it
at Karen.  A sudden flash of light emitted from the gun, and both Karen and
Julia collapsed to the floor.  The young woman quickly rounded the nurse's
station and pulled Julia's limp form on top of Karen.  Then she dropped a
small metallic device on the two unconscious women and with a flash they
were gone.  She looked around the room, and with a smile, slid the gun back
into her bag.  She started walking out of the ward towards the hospital
exit, whistling as she walked.  ...

   David slowly came to, his eyes quickly adjusting to the subtle light of
the chamber.  He was astonished on how much he now knew.  Every rule,
regulation and protocol ever set down by the Kreg'ar and later by the Fleet
Mainframes.  He did not understand all of them nor the reasoning behind
most, but he knew them all.  He also understood his role as
Commander-in-Chief.  He understood what he had to do to take command of the
fleet and establish the Earth Defense Force.  There would have to be
changes of course, as most of the protocols and the rank structure the
Kreg'ar and the Main Frames used would be too alien for humans to accept.
He now knew how to do it all though.

   Slowly the light in the compartment began to grow brighter.  As it did
so David also realized he no longer felt claustrophobic in the small room.
It was probably a side effect of his better understanding of the purpose of
the Training Chamber and how to use it.  As he thought this the door of the
Training Chamber slid silently slid open to revel his bedroom beyond. 
David was a little surprised he did not see the Interface Unit waiting for
him as he awoke.  He climbed out of the chamber and stretched his tired
muscles.  He felt refreshed and awake.  "Mainframe, where is the Remote
Interface Unit Mark II?" David inquired.

   "That unit is currently on assignment on the planet below.  Do you wish
me to recall it?"

   "No that is fine, thank you." David replied as he headed towards the
back wall of the room.  As he approached the wall a hidden door slid open
revealing a closet full of black and red uniforms.  David took one off its
hanging device and laid it on the bed.  He quickly took off his hospital
gown and removed his undergarments.  Looking around the room he went over
to one of the end tables and a small drawer slid open revealing several
pairs of clean underwear and socks.  David put on his new uniform
carefully, admiring each piece in its form, function and comfort.  He
walked across the room to a small section of the wall behind the Training
Chamber as it slid out and rotated to reveal a mirror.  David had never
worn a military uniform before, but from what he had heard from others whom
had they tended to be made for functionality or appearance, never for
comfort.  David was quite surprised by how good the uniform he now wore
looked and how comfortable it felt.  It matched the uniform worn by the
holographic representation of the main frame; however the collar epaulets
were considerably more complex.  He looked at them and smiled, this too
would have to change.  These strange shapes would take too much getting
used to for human tastes.

   David exited his bedroom and walked to the bathing area.  As he
approached the wall it too slid open and flipped around revealing a cubicle
with an assortment of electronic devices and a mirror.  He looked down at
the devices and frowned, not sure how to use any of them.  "Definitely
something I will have to address the next time I use the Training Chamber."
He stated to himself.  "Oh well its not like the Kreg'ar have any grooming
regulations like the Earth military does." He thought as he walked out of
the bathing room and headed for the door to his quarters.

   As he approached the door he herd a quiet chime and a screen lit up
beside the door revealing Spaz standing outside the room wearing a uniform
very similar to his.  David smiled and continued towards the door, which
opened up as he walked up to it and out into the hall "Have a good rest?"
David asked a grinning Spaz.

   "Yes Commander a very good nap.  I have to say these folks have a lot of
rules and regulations.  I am not sure I am going to be able to keep it all
straight." Spaz replied with an even bigger grin as he came into step to
David's right.

   "That's ok, I have a feeling a lot of these rules won't ever apply to us
and we can probably get rid of them, I think I am going to have to hire
someone with a better understanding of laws and how they mesh and
intertwine to go over them and see what we can do away with." David stated
as they walked down the hall to the lift.

   As David was talking to Spaz he noticed that there were no epaulets on
Spaz's collar.  "You have no rank insignia?"

   "I think that's because officially I have no rank in this military,
right now I am just a member of your staff and an advisor."

   "Ah ok, I guess that makes sense."

   The two entered the lift as its doors opened and David stated their
destination.  They stood in silence as the lift churned along its track. 
Once the doors opened they exited onto the bridge of the ship, and both
again marveled at the scene before them.  Looking at your planet from a
high orbit on a two-story view screen was quite impressive, no matter how
often you see it.  "Mainframe, what is the ETA of the Interface Unit?"
David asked.  "I wish to get this ceremony started soon."

   "Commander the Remote Interface Unit has completed its assignment and is
on its way back to the ship, ETA five minutes." The voice of the ship's
Mainframe droned.

   "Why so long, is not the ship's beaming technology instantaneous?"

   "Sir, power levels are quite low at this time, so the Interface Unit
chose to use a Querithon to go down to the planet and carry out its
mission. Beaming has been restricted to mission critical uses, or with
command authorization, neither of which applied with the Remote Interface
Unit Mark two's current assignment."

   "We definitely have to do something about her name." Spaz stated with a
chuckle.  "It is way more than a mouthful."

   David looked at Spaz and smiled.  "Yeah, I'll give it some thought. 
Mainframe what is a Querithon?"

   "A Querithon is a small one man craft with stealth and invisibility
functionality.  It also has a small cargo area and its own personal beaming
technology.  However the beaming devise has a very short range and must
have an external sensor in order to lock onto any object other than its
pilot."

   "Ah ok, and what is the nature of the Interface Unit's current
assignment?" David asked as he sat at one of the stations along the side of
the holographic 3D map.

   Spaz started to take a seat at the station next to David but stopped and
stared at David in shock as the Mainframe Replied.  "I am sorry Commander
that is currently beyond your clearance level or command authorization.  I
am unable to answer your inquiry."

   "Beyond his clearance level and command authorization!" Spaz sputtered
as he came to his feet.  "He is your Commander-in-Chief.  Nothing is beyond
his Clearance level!"

   "That is not true Mr.  Walker, Commander Jenkins has not assumed command
of this vessel or the fleet and at this time he is the acting
Commander-in-Chief.  Until he assumes command he has no clearance level
beyond anything directly involving the fight with the Morgalons or his
recovery from the planet."

   David shook his head and laid a hand on Spaz's shoulder, "let it go for
now.  Like I said, I need someone who can interpret all this better than we
can.  Have a seat and wait for the Remote Interface Unit.  Once it gets
back we will do this Assumption of Command Ceremony and we will start
getting stuff done." ...

   The Remote Interface Unit navigated the Querithon through the thick
cloud cover.  The sensors clearly displayed the craft that it was pursuing,
the craft was an older model of the Querithon, with less effective cloaking
technology that was easily picked up on the newer sensor array of the
Remote Interface Units craft.  The two ships streaked through the sky
invisible to the surveillance systems of the area.  The Interface Unit
banked its Querithon to angle the ship so that it was visually hidden from
the other craft in the sun.  As the two vessels broke from the cloud cover
it could see they had left the mainland and were headed out to sea, it
could also get a clear visual of the other craft.  It was an older model
Querithon much larger than the current model.  The model had not been
actively used in the Kreg'ar military forces for about fifty years; it also
appeared to have suffered quite a bit of battle damage recently.  Its rear
laser turret was sheared off and there were quite a few pieces of armor
plating missing from the left wing exposing its internal workings to the
air.  The interface Unit engaged its visual cloaking system and sharply
descended its craft to come directly behind the other.  Switching the
sensor array to scan the inside of the craft, The Unit was able to detect
three life forms, one in the cockpit and two faint readings coming from the
cargo area.  All three life forms detected as both human and Kreg'ar. 
"Intriguing."

   It engaged the autopilot and set it to match the heading and velocity of
the other craft.  They had to be heading to a base or vessel somewhere and
the Remote Interface Unit needed to complete its mission before they got
there.  It stood up from the flight controls and headed to a small door at
the rear of the cockpit.  The door slid open revealing a small empty cargo
area.  The unit grabbed two palm sized sensory devices as it approached a
control pad on the rear wall.  Narrowing the sensor readings into the cargo
area of the other craft, the Remote Interface Unit was able to locate a
clear spot and activated the transport interface, with a flash of light the
unit disappeared from the cargo area.

   As the interface unit appeared in the cargo area of the other craft, it
acted quickly, knowing the sensor alarms had already notified the pilot of
this craft that it had arrived on board the vessel.  The unit activated and
tossed the two sensory devices onto the two Stasis chambers that took up
most of the cargo compartment of the ship, as each device hit a stasis bed,
it stuck fast to the bed and began sending a signal to the home craft. 
With a flash the two beds vanished.  The door to the cockpit slid open just
as the unit engaged its own personal transport device.  There was enough
time for the person coming out of the cockpit and the unit to see each
other and the unit to wave at the new comer before it too vanished.

   The unit arrived in its cargo area and quickly headed to the cockpit. 
Hopping into the pilot seat it quickly banked the craft away form the other
vessel.  While setting a course for the main ship the Interface Unit
engaged the transport scrambler and then began to analyze the mission data.
The last thought that went through the units mind as they headed out of the
atmosphere, as it recalled the pilot of the other craft was.  "My God, that
was me!"

   ...

   David was pacing the bridge when the signal from the Interface Unit came
in, "Mainframe this is the Remote Interface Unit Mark II, mission is
complete but there were difficulties.  Engage defensive protocols and
scramble all Kreg'ar teleporters and sensory frequencies until further
notice."

   David stopped pacing and looked over at Spaz.  Spaz sat in his chair his
face going pale.  "Remote Interface Unit, this is Commander Jenkins what is
going on and why are you engaging the defensive protocols.  Have you
detected another Morgalon presence?"

   "Commander, it can't be Morgalons, the Remote Interface Unit would not
be scrambling Kreg'ar sensors and teleporters if it was Morgalons." Spaz
Stated as he stood up and headed for one of the consoles by the main
tactical display.

   "Commander Jenkins please refrain from communication with the Remote
Interface Unit at this time, Mission parameters are still in effect.  Mr.
Walker please step away from the tactical console, you do not have the
necessary clearance at this time." The Mainframes voice echoed from the
bridge speakers.  "Remote Interface Unit, uncleared personnel are present,
I am going to internal speakers."

   David and Spaz took their previous seats and waited impatiently for word
from the Mainframe or the Remote Interface Unit.  After fifteen minutes the
voice of the Mainframe came across the bridge speakers once again. 
"Commander Jenkins the Remote Interface Unit's mission is complete and the
unit is on its way to the bridge, please prepare yourself for the
assumption of command ceremony."

   David and Spaz stood up as the lift doors opened revealing the Remote
Interface Unit Mark II.  It was dressed in a similar uniform as David,
except like Spaz it had no epaulets on its collar, and it was wearing a
knee length skirt instead of trousers.  David also noticed the cut of the
uniform enhanced the Remote Interface Units feminine features.  "You look
very nice, It is definitely different from the other outfits I have seen
you in." David said, as Spaz whistled softly.

   "Thank you sir.  The Kreg'ar were a feline species, most of their
clothing was designed to enhance their grace and to revel in their baser
instincts." The unit replied with a smile as it approached David.

   The holographic image used to represent the ship's Mainframe appeared on
the deck between David and the Remote Interface Unit.  As it appeared it
began to speak.  "We are gathered here today to initiate the assumption of
command of David Jenkins as the Commander-in-Chief of the Earth Defense
Force and of three Kreg'ar vessels that will be the start of the Earth
Defense Fleet."

   e "Wait a second." David interrupted.  "Three ships?"

   "Yes sir." Replied the Mainframe.  "The other two vessels, a Kreg'ar
Battleship and a Kreg'ar Star Cruiser are in orbit of Mars awaiting orders
and crew."

   "Wow, this is definitely getting more and more interesting by the
minute." Spaz stated as he stood behind David.  "Just exactly how many crew
members does it take to run all these ships?"

   "It differs based on the sip, Mr.  Walker but at this time that
information is...." the Mainframe started.

   "Classified above my clearance, I got it lets get on with the ceremony
then." Spaz interrupted.

   David gave Spaz a crooked grin and turned back to the Mainframes
hologram, as he did so the Mainframe once again began to speak.  "We are
gathered here today to initiate the assumption of command of David Jenkins
as the Commander-in-Chief of the Earth Defense Force and of three Kreg'ar
vessels that will be the start of the Earth Defense Fleet.  Who here can
speak for David Jenkins as to his qualifications to assume command of the
Fleet?"

   "I can." The Remote Interface Unit stated "I am Remote Interface Unit
Mark II currently of the Earth Defense Force and Mission Commander.  David
Jenkins has been found to have strong command instincts, has Kreg'ar
heritage and is the direct descendent of the senior most ranking Kreg'ar to
be assigned to this sector."

   The Mainframe turned towards the Remote Interface Unit.  "Are you
prepared to relinquish your status as Mission Commander and swear loyalty
to David Jenkins as Commander-in-Chief of the Earth Defense Force?"

   "I am." The Unit stated standing up straighter as it did so.

   "Who from earth swears for David Jenkins?"

   "I do." State Spaz with a grin "I am a former member of the United
States Air Force, currently medically retired.  I speak for the people of
Earth in favor of David Jenkins."

   The Mainframe turned to Spaz.  "Are you prepared to relinquish all prior
loyalties to all nations or organizations of the planet Earth and swear
loyalty to David Jenkins as your Commander -in-Chief of the Earth Defense
Force?"

   "I AM!" Spaz stated.

   The Mainframe turned towards David.  "David Jenkins, are you prepared to
accept the loyalty of the Kreg'ar and Earth representatives and assume
command of the Earth Defense Forces?"

   "I am."

   "Then I herby proclaim that as of 3117:19:36 Galactic standard time
David Jenkins of the Planet Earth is now Commander-in-Chief of the Earth
Defense Force.  Sir please name your vessels."

   David looked from the Remote Interface Unit to the Mainframe.  "I herby
designate this ship the Earth Defense Vessel Lanvy, after the last of the
Kreg'ar scientists who created the fleets and programmed the AI's contained
within.  The Battleship I designate the Earth Defense Vessel Riu, and the
Cruiser I Designate the Earth Defense Vessel Excalibur."

   "Designations recorded, Welcome aboard the EDV Lanvy Commander Jenkins
what are your orders." The Lanvy replied as it stared at David.

   David looked at Spaz and winked.  "My orders?  Hmmmm, well Lanvy how
familiar are you with earth military structure?"

   "Quite familiar sir, I have downloaded as much data as I could collect
from the sources I discovered on the internet.  Much of it was
contradictory and illogical, but I was able to filter it and eliminate the
irrelevant and incorrect."

   "Good, I have some questions I need answered before I can proceed.  What
are the capabilities of this vessel?  How many passengers and crew can it
carry, what is its armament, how much military hardware does it contain and
what types?"

   The Remote Interface Unit stepped up to David as it replied.  "Allow me
to answer that question sir.  At full power and capacity the Lanvy can
house ten thousand passengers and crew for one year.  At its current power
levels however it currently can only support a complement of approximately
three hundred and fifty personnel.  Many of the ships systems are shut down
and most decks are offline.  The Lanvy traveled for many years without any
crew and most of its current systems are in need of maintenance."

   David turned towards the Remote Interface Unit with a surprised look on
his face.  "Why are the energy reserves so low, what does this vessel run
on?" He asked.

   "The Lanvy runs on Hyper Fusion energy cells which are recharged using
matter to energy conversion, with solar power as a backup.  Unfortunately
most of the Hyper Fusion chambers have gone offline and the solar cells are
in need of maintenance."

   "That is not good, so what about armaments and hardware?"

   "The Lanvy Has forty rail batteries, fifteen torpedo bays and sixty
laser arrays, it was one of the most heavily armed vessels in the old
Kreg'ar fleet.  It has full Phasonic Shielding and Anti-Kinetic Armor
Plating.  The Lanvy carries three hundred long range Querithon class
Stealth Fighters, two hundred Felderon Class Heavy Fighters, One hundred
Felderon Class Heavy Bombers, eleven hundred Quill Class Short Range
Fighters, sixty shuttle craft, four hundred Mercer Ion Power Armor Suits,
and arms and armament for two thousand infantry personnel."

   David starred at The Remote Interface Unit in shock as she read off the
capabilities of the Lanvy.  "Wow that is a lot.  Where do I begin?"

   Spaz lifted his hand to get David's attention.  "David, if I may?  From
what the R I U has said it sounds to me like you have the makings of an
Army, Space Force, Navy and Marine core in this ship alone."

   David turned towards Spaz.  "How do you mean?"

   "Well sir, The ship and its crew would definitely be best run in the
naval style, it is after all a ship and that's what the navy has always
excelled at.  Your fighters however should be under a Space Force or
basically a version of the Air Force.  I know the Navy has their own
fighters, but once again fighters is what the Air or Space Force excel at,
Your Power Armor forces sound to me like Space Marines and the Infantry has
always been the Army's purview.

   "You make a good case there.  Ok Lanvy did the Kreg'ar have the U.S.'s
equivalent of a Navy, Air Force, Army and Marines?"

   "As you know it Sir, no the Kreg'ar had one military force that handled
all military requirements.  However, after analyzing the information
available on the U.S.  Military and based on what Mr.  Walker has
suggested. I can derive a matrix for the running of this vessel and its
crews, as well as the Riu and the Excalibur."

   "Very well, Lanvy my first order is for you to establish this matrix for
the establishment of an Army, Navy, Space Force and Marine Core under the
Earth Defense Force for my review and approval.  My second order is to
herby commission Chris Walker AKA Spaz as General Walker Commander of the
Earth Space Force."

   Spaz turned towards David in shock "Wow David, I mean Sir; I really did
not expect this and it is really not necessary I am a fighter jockey and
command really is not my thing." He stated holding his hands up in a
gesture of submission.

   "Not a problem Spaz, but right now someone needs to command it and you
are my only other recruit right now.  So congratulations General." David
said with a grin as he extended his right hand to Spaz.

   Spaz smiled and shook his head slightly as he gripped David's hand in a
tight handshake finished with a crisp salute.  "Thank you sir."

   David did his best to return Spaz's salute, but failed horribly.  Spaz
broke into a laugh as David dropped his salute "We will have to work on
that I think sir." Spaz replied slapping David on the back.

   David turned to the Remote Interface Unit "Ok now that we have all that
taken care of, everyone here now should have proper clearance, tell me
about this mission that you were on."

   "Sir, the mission started as a first contact and observation mission,
similar to my mission with you.  However it did not go as planned and it
turned into a search and rescue mission."

   "Search and rescue?  What happened?"

   "Sir, I was sent to watch and make first contact with the nurse who was
your primary care nurse while you were in the hospital..."

   David turned from Spaz and came up to the Remote Interface Unit. 
"KAREN!!  What have you done to Karen!!?"

   The Remote Interface Unit backed away from David with a look of
surprise. "She is fine sir; I did nothing to harm her.  I was sent to
contact her and negotiate her possible recruitment.  It was discovered
while observing you that Nurse Dale had Kreg'ar DNA, barely noticeable
amounts of it.  No Nano-Bots were detected in the blood stream.  It was
determined that since she had already made a connection with you, that she
would make a good candidate for recruitment.  However when I got to the
hospital someone had beaten me to her."

   David began to get agitated and began to pace around the room.  Spaz
came up to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.  "Sir; one of the
requirements of command is containing your emotions while listening to
reports.  If you let your emotions get the better of you, you will miss
something in the report and not be thinking clearly when you make your
decisions."

   David looked at Spaz and smiled slightly while taking a deep breath. 
"Thank you." He stated as he looked towards the Remote Interface Unit. 
"Please continue with your report."

   The Remote Interface Unit mouthed a thank you to Spaz and then continued
with its report.  "Once I discovered that Nurse Dale was missing, I
immediately started an investigation as to what happened.  I discovered
that she and the other nurse who took care of you both vanished that
morning during their shifts.  The police and government agents had begun a
search for both of them and for you and General Walker.  The government is
convinced that you had something to do with the disappearances on the night
of the Morgalon attack, and the disappearances of General Walker and of the
two nurses."

   "Great now I am a wanted fugitive." David exclaimed throwing his arms
into the air.  He began once again to pace the rooms.  "Please continue."

   "I immediately headed for the Querithon and tied into the Lanvy's
sensors and began a search for any other vessels.  It did not take long for
the Lanvy to find it heading for the California coast.  It was an older
model Querithon and was battle damaged.  I easily caught up to the vessel
and retrieved the nurses.  The strangest thing though was the pilot, she
was me."

   David stopped pacing and turned to look at the Remote Interface Unit. 
"What do you mean she was you?" He asked.

   "That's the only way I can explain it sir, I ran the mission over in my
head and checked the scanning logs from the Querithon the entire trip back,
all the evidence reports that she was me.  The scans show that her DNA and
mine are identical.  The kidnaper was another Remote Interface Unit Mark
II."

   David looked towards the Lanvy's hologram.  "How could this be?"

   "Sir; the Remote Interface Unit Mark II is a standard design for
infiltration missions on Earth."

   Spaz quickly turned from David to The Lanvy.  "Wait a second, how often
do you guys come to Earth?" He asked as he turned toward David.  "I thought
you said we were a remote planet far from the Kreg'ar planets?"

   "As far as I knew, I was lead to believe that visits to Earth were a
rarity?" David replied looking at the Remote Interface Unit.  It simply
shrugged and turned towards the Lanvy.

   "It is standard protocol for the Kreg'ar to create interface models for
any planet that they visit.  As far as our records show the Kreg'ar visited
Earth three times.  The first was during a time that your legends call the
reign of Camelot, the second was at the start of what you know as the
Renaissance, the third was during your grandfather's visit to search for
the Morgalons."

   David looked a little shocked and taken back by what he had just heard.
"Are you trying to tell me the Kreg'ar is responsible for the legends of
King Arthur and the starting of the Renaissance?  You have got to be
kidding me right?" David asked.

   "Sir I do not have any knowledge of what the Kreg'ar visitors were
responsible for other than the logs from the Kreg'ar home worlds.  These
logs show no evidence of tampering or manipulating of human culture. 
However upon further investigating of the legends of King Arthur it may
have been so, the Kreg'ar commander of that expedition was named Merlinus,
supposedly according to his logs that I have access to Merlinus and his
second in command and mate Morgaine had an argument about what the nature
of their true mission was on earth at the time.  However not much of
Merlinus's logs were recovered from the failed expedition and neither
Merlinus nor Morgaine survived.  The few crewmembers that survived the
mission, never set foot on earth, they had been left behind on the scout
vessel for observational purposes.  Also this vessel does not contain any
records of those mission logs beyond what I have old you, nor any logs or
data on the mission during your Renaissance era." The Lanvy replied.

   Spaz shook his head as he whistled an exclamation of surprise about what
he had just learned.  "So, how many of these standard Remote Interface Mark
II forms are there?" Spaz asked as he came up beside David and rested his
left hand on David's right shoulder in a gesture of support.

   "There is only one model for the Mark II.  The Mark II is a standard
infiltration and contact drone.  There is also the Mark III and Mark IV. 
The Mark III is a combat model used for our combat drones and the Mark IV
is a seek and destroy drone." The Lanvy replied.  "If more than one unit of
the same model is required then random variations in the genetic code of
the host body are introduced to create variations in the matrix.  This
ensures that the resulting units are unique and can be distinguished from
each other."

   David shook his head and began to rub his temples as he walked over to
the Lanvy's command chair and sat down.  Looking up to the Lanvy's hologram
he sighed and asked "So can your scanners detect these units?"

   "Yes sir, if you wish I can began a comprehensive scan of the planet..."

   "Yes I wish, if these units are kidnapping people I need to know where
they are.  They might be a threat to this operation or the planet.  They
obviously have an interest in me if they kidnapped the nurses who were
taking care of me."

   The Remote Interface Unit walked over to stand in front of David.  "Sir
they may not have been singling you out.  I detected very slight traces of
Kreg'ar DNA in both of the nurses; they may simply have been abducted for
the very reason that I was going to see Nurse Dale, because of their DNA."

   David looked over at the unit and frowned.  "They may have, but we do
not know for sure, I want facts not conjecture!  Find me these units!"

   "As you command sir." The Remote Interface Unit replied as it walked
away from David towards the tactical display.

   "Not You, I want the Lanvy to do this, I still have more questions for
you and am still in need of your assistance." David stated his voice hard
and cold.

   The Remote Interface Unit stopped what it was doing and with its back
towards David asked without any hint of emotion.  "I will endeavor to serve
you sir.  What is it that you wish of me?"

   David did not notice the change in the Remote Interface's demeanor; his
thoughts were on other things.  He looked at the view screen to the
spacescape in front of him and the planet below.  A Lot of stuff had just
happened and he needed to think before he made his next decision.  He
needed more information; he definitely needed more help than his friend
Spaz, an android and a ships mainframe could provide.  The fact that Karen
and her friend had been kidnapped and that he was now a wanted fugitive by
his own government had slammed home the seriousness of the whole situation.
Slowly David raised from the command chair and walked towards the view
screen.  "Where are you and what do you want from us?" He asked the planet
below.  "Are you a threat to the people of Earth or are you like the Lanvy
searching for help against a common enemy?  Lanvy how long will the
comprehensive scan take?"

   "Several hours sir, I will start on it immediately, unfortunately it
will require most of my resources and I will not be able to maintain the
hologram."

   "Is this a standard issue or simply a result of the power and
maintenance issues?" David asked turning around and placing his hands
behind his back.

   This issue is due to the current power reserves sir, should I be at full
capacity all interfaces could be maintained simultaneously and
indefinitely." The Lanvy replied.

   "Very well, make it so.  Remote Interface Unit, where are Nurse Dale and
her companion at this time?" David asked his voice still cold.

   "Currently all individuals of interest are in Stasis Room One awaiting
your decision on their final disposition.  At this time there are four
individuals in the stasis chambers, Nurse Dale, her companion Nurse
Jimenez, and a Dr.  and Nurse from the hospital who were survivors from the
Morgalon attack on the hospital."

   "Wait, you mean to tell me you have kidnapped other people from the
hospital!?" David yelled.

   "It was unavoidable sir, they were witnesses to the confrontation with
the Morgalon and at the time we were unsure as to the extent of influence
the Morgalon had on them before we had arrived.  It has since been
determined that there is no Morgalon influence on them but the Dr.  does
have some of your Nano-Bots in his system.  After that was determined,
other things had precedence especially, since both of them were already
reported as missing and presumed killed in the explosion by the
authorities. Your local government would have placed you and them under
scrutiny if suddenly they both reappeared with no injuries or memory of
what happened.  Scrutiny neither you nor we could afford at this time." The
Remote interface replied.  "Shall I take you to Stasis Chamber One sir?"

   David approached the Remote Interface Unit, attempting to bring his
temper back under control and looked at it closely.  "I am sorry, I should
not have yelled at you.  Yes take me to the Stasis Chamber."

   "No apology is required sir; I performed my duties to the best of my
ability.  If you find error in my actions I should be told so that I do not
commit that error again." The unit responded.  "It will be difficult to get
you to the Stasis Chamber, as several decks between here and there are
either shut down for power conservation or contaminated due to system
malfunctions.  We will be required to proceed to the Querithon hanger and
acquire transport nodes."

   Spaz walked up beside David and asked with concern "But if there is no
way to directly walk to the Stasis Chamber how did you get there and how
did those in the chambers get there safely?"

   "I have not been to the Stasis Chambers.  To attempt to go there
directly would cause this body irreparable harm.  The combat drones that
acquired the Dr.  and the Nurse during the Morgalon attack had them
transported directly to the Stasis Chambers and placed them in stasis, the
other two were already in stasis so I simply had to beam them to the Stasis
Chamber where the drones present would place them into a cell."

   "Ok well, I guess that explains it." Spaz replied with a grin as he
clapped his hands together.  "Well then let's go take a look at these
fighters."

   The Remote Interface Unit turned to Spaz "Follow me please General." it
stated with a smile as they headed towards to lift.

   David and Spaz fell in behind it; there was an air of expectation about
them as the lift doors closed.  A few minutes later the doors slid open
again to reveal a dark corridor.  Several of the lights were out and the
few that were working flickered occasionally.  A trail of small footprints
could be seen in the dust that covered the floor.  Spaz looked at the
corridor with shock.  "When you said this place was in need of maintenance
I did not think it was this bad."

   "General, this is one of the better areas.  As I said before, many
sections of the ship are currently uninhabitable and are only able to be
accessed by drones." The Remote Interface Unit replied as it led them from
the lift and down the dark corridor.

   The trio approached the first door on the left side of the hall and the
unit turned to face David and Spaz.  Sir's this is the first Querithon
fighter bay of three; each bay holds one hundred Querithon fighter craft.
Once the doors open, please follow me to the first fighter as quickly as
you can.  The force fields in the bays have a tendency to shut down after a
while and if we are caught outside a craft when they do we will not live
long.

   David and Spaz both swallowed audibly and nodded to the unit.  "Lanvy,
please initialize the force field for Querithon bay one." It said as it
turned again to the door.

   A crackling distorted voice filled the air "Unable to comply with
request.  Force Field for Querithon Bay one offline power levels are too
low to maintain stable fields.  Recommend... CRACKLE...SCREEEEE..."

   The three quickly covered their ears as the corridor was filled with an
ear-piercing screech and then went silent.  The Remote Interface Unit
picked itself from the defensive crouch that it had gone into and quickly
headed further down the corridor.  As it came to another doorway on right
side of the hallway it stopped and began tapping on a control panel to the
left of the doors.  "The force field is still active in this bay, but the
power levels are dangerously low.  As I said once we are in we need to make
it quick.  Do not stop and stare.  Follow me to the first craft."

   The doors to the bay slid open with a hiss and David stumbled forward as
his breath was sucked out of his lungs.  It was hard to breath, the air in
the bay was very thin and his equilibrium was thrown off as his ears
suddenly popped.  Spaz and the unit also appeared to be having difficulty,
but the Remote Interface Unit quickly recovered and grabbed David and Spaz
by their arms to drag them towards one of the craft.

   David got a good look at the fighter as they stumbled toward it.  It was
a long sleek black craft with long curved wings.  In his mind it looked
like a cross between a stealth bomber and a manta ray.  They approached an
elevator under the craft and quickly stumbled in.  The unit pressed her
hand against a pad next to the opening and the lift quickly slid up into
the craft.

   Just as quickly as it started, David found he could breathe once again.
He instinctively started to yawn and to roll his lower jaw in an attempt to
get his ears to pop once more as the air pressure quickly equalized with
earth norm.  Suddenly the entire craft shook and David was thrown to the
floor.  He landed hard on his right arm with an audible crack.  Pain shot
up his arm and he almost blacked out.  After a few seconds the stars
cleared from his vision and he rolled onto his back.  He screamed, as his
right arm was again flooded with pain.  His vision began to darken as he
saw the Remote Interface Unit and Spaz crouching over him.  The last thing
he thought as blackness overcame his vision was.  "Not again." ...

   David's eyes fluttered open and then quickly closed against the bright
light and piercing pain in his arm.  Someone had bound and splinted it.  He
heard voices talking quietly near him.  With a grown he tried to lift
himself up on his left arm.  "What the hell happened?" he asked as he felt
small gentle hands grab his left arm and assist him up.

   "Sir, the force field gave out in Querithon Bay 2 just as we arrived in
the fighter.  You were thrown to the ground by the sudden decompression of
the bay.  While General Walker was giving you first aid I checked with the
Lanvy." The unit answered as it helped David from the floor of the Craft.

   "We lost ten fighters when the force field dropped.  Three of them broke
free of their moorings and were blown out into the atmosphere.  The other
seven were severely damaged but are still in their moorings.  The seven
damaged fighters may be salvaged but not with our current crew.  The three
that were blown into the atmosphere had to be self-destructed least they
fall to the planet and cause harm."

   David winced as he stood up and looked at the makeshift splint on his
arm.  "Fuck this hurts." He cursed as he looked at Spaz.  "Thanks Spaz." He
turned and looked towards the Remote Interface Unit.  "What now."

   "We need to use the ships teleporters to transport the three of us to
the Stasis Chamber.  Please take this." It stated as it handed him a small
grey egg-like object from a small chamber near the entrance elevator. 
"This will allow the craft to detect you and teleport you from the craft to
the Chamber and back." It grabbed five more of the objects, tossing one to
Spaz, The unit walked over to the main controls and typed in some commands.
With a flash the three disappeared from the fighter and appeared in a large
gray room.

   The room was massive, the walls covered with three foot oval doors
extending in either direction as far as David could see.  David looked up
and saw more of the small doors extending up a good fifty feet.  Grated
metal walkways lined the walls along the doors at each level.  Small metal
stairs connected each level to the next.  "How many people can this room
hold?" David asked with a whistle.

   "One thousand people can be contained in each chamber.  There are ten
chambers exactly like this.  The Stasis Rooms are the last defense of the
passengers and crew against catastrophe.  Each chamber has its own
independent power source, guidance system, defensive shielding, kinetic
plating and maintenance drones.  Should something happen to the ship that
could endanger the crew, the Lanvy will immediately teleport them to this
chamber where they will load into the stasis tubes to await rescue.  Should
the ship be destroyed, in theory, the Stasis Chambers will survive and
immediately travel away from the source of the ships destruction.  The
guidance system will then attempt to locate the closest friendly planet and
travel there.

   Spaz let out a whistle of appreciation as he looked around.  "So this is
a giant escape pod for the passengers and crew.  Wow, this is awesome."

   "Yes, that is the theory of how it should work, but it has never been
tested.  This system was created after the Kreg'ar were destroyed.  There
is also a backup copy of the ships mainframe in every chamber as well to
ensure the logs and information on what destroyed the ship would be
preserved as well."

   "Very interesting idea." David commented.  "Where are our four friends
being held?"

   "That information I do not have sir.  We will have to wait for one of
the chamber's drones to arrive." The Interface Unit responded looking
around the chamber.

   As they continued to look around the room, a small winged device
descended from above.  It looked similar to the Querithon except it was
only about three feet wide and a foot high.  It looked at the trio and then
started to speak in Kreg'ar.  "Good day how may I be of service my lords
and lady?"

   The Remote Interface Unit approached the Drone "I am a Remote Interface
Unit Mark II.  My companions are David Jenkins Commander-in-Chief of the
Earth Defense Forces and Commander of this craft, and General Chris Walker,
Commander of our Querithon fleets.  Four Humans were brought to this room
for storage, in which pods do they reside?"

   "Ah yes the humans.  The first two that were brought here by the combat
drones are in pods 101 and 102, The other two were already in stasis and
since their pods were not from this Chamber they were left where they
arrived until dissemination could be sorted out." The Drone replied.

   David looked from the Remote Interface Unit and the Drone "Take us to
them."

   "As you command sir, they are right this way." It chirped as it turned
around and floated down the chamber.
   David, Spaz and the Remote Interface Unit followed closely behind.