\u201cBy the Ones, that Sprite\u2019s like a virus we can\u2019t get rid of!\u201d wailed Rellmeer as she, Arsha, Slamfal, and Rokalla discussed the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to recommend an arrest warrant be published,\u201d declared Rokalla. \u201cShe\u2019s a terrorist threat to all the Realms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAgreed,\u201d replied Rellmeer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI must say, Oak was a bit reckless having you guys go THROUGH the funnels,\u201d chuckled Slamfal. \u201cI take it the survey was botched?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJansha never ran it,\u201d explained Arsha. \u201cShe only gave us the illusion that it was running. Maybe next time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s your heading?\u201d asked Rokalla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRealmbase 273,\u201d reported Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Glasna Kingdom base,\u201d recalled Slamfal. \u201cDimorea\u2019s gonna like the visit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wish it was a social call,\u201d sighed Arsha, \u201cbut I have a few duties to perform. First, Commander Oak\u2019s taking a Realmgate back to the Rooka Forest from there. I have a retirement walk ready for him. Second, we\u2019re picking up Commander Welmeva and her family there. Why there and not her home of Crelima City, I don\u2019t know. Third, I need to bring Dr. Ganshar to the holding cells in the Glasna Kingdom\u2019s base so she can await trial for mistreatment of a sentient being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnderstood,\u201d replied Rokalla. \u201cSend Oak my best wishes, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d promised Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd could you make sure Dimorea\u2019s law enforcement organizations are up to date on Dr. Borg?\u201d requested Slamfal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill do,\u201d confirmed Arsha. \u201cArsha out.\u201d The call ended and Arsha sighed. This was going to be odd to explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe you,\u201d answered Dimorea when she heard the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou do?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy do you think the Arties\u2019 Committee had been hounding Ganshar?\u201d remarked Dimorea. \u201cShe was foolish enough to tell me what was going on onboard your ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, you don\u2019t mind holding her until her trial?\u201d inquired Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot at all,\u201d answered Dimorea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen there\u2019s another question,\u201d remarked Arsha. \u201cWhen is this Denstra supposed to come here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDenstra?\u201d repeated Dimorea. \u201cDenstra Welmeva? Why ask after her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOak is retiring and he\u2019s named her as his replacement,\u201d explained Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh,\u201d realized Dimorea. \u201cShe may have a bit of a bouncy personality, but she IS an excellent commander.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ve had one bad thing about her and one good so far,\u201d mused Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho said anything bad about her?\u201d asked Dimorea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRokalla said she takes risks and has a tendency to be high-strung,\u201d replied Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI see,\u201d rumbled Dimorea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe had them!\u201d grumbled Tormo as the Scorpion<\/em> returned to their base in the Over-realm. Dr. Borg arched an eyebrow and turned her eyes towards him. \u201cWE HAD THEM!\u201d he repeated. \u201cThe virus took control of the ship! It locked out helm control! How did they survive?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey altered the turn\u2019s arc somehow by increasing power to the engines,\u201d guessed Jansha. \u201cStill, this IS tactical information for our coming plan. We learn more from failures, not successes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSpoken like a true scientist,\u201d praised Dr. Borg as she stroked Jansha\u2019s head lovingly as one would do to a child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe virus WILL work!\u201d insisted Tormo. \u201cWe must try a different version of it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTheir anti-virus software will have been updated for viruses of that vein,\u201d replied Dr. Borg. \u201cNo, we will try something else to bring the Endeavor<\/em> down. For now, we have other Council Members to recruit before making our Golems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis may be a stupid question, but am I on this council?\u201d asked Jansha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course, you are, my dearest,\u201d assured Dr. Borg. \u201cYou command our armed forces as Tormo commands the finances. I head the scientific divisions. We just need propaganda, religion, and law enforcement. Of course, some blending through the fields will be needed. One cannot remain purely in one field; I can tell you. Through us, the Realms will finally unite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oak was touring the Endeavor<\/em> as it waited for Denstra. This was going to be the last time he\u2019d see that particular bulkhead, that specific door, or that specified access panel. As he approached the Main Conference room, Bashoon approached him. \u201cSir,\u201d she called, \u201cyou\u2019re invited to the Officer\u2019s Dining Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLead the way,\u201d replied Oak. He followed Bashoon to the Officer\u2019s Dining Hall and entered to see his Captain and fellow Senior Staff throwing a small party. A banner reading \u201cGood Luck, Oak\u201d was hung across the ceiling. \u201cI guess slipping out quietly is out of the question,\u201d he chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2018Fraid so,\u201d replied Arsha. Bashoon left as Arsha called for a toast. \u201cOak Mosstrunk, you have had a long, illustrious career within Realmfleet. You have earned your retirement, but did you ever consider what you were doing to me?!\u201d She had a bit of a grin, indicating she was trying to elicit a laugh. A couple of people, even Oak, did so. \u201cI mean, it\u2019s all well and good for you, but what about MY needs, hm? While you\u2019re off taking care of your child, I\u2019ll be training your replacement! A few of you know her! She\u2019s been called bouncy and a risk-taker, she\u2019s most certainly going to take my place on away missions!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat IS the rule, Captain,\u201d called Elmar. \u201cRealmfleet code: Section 5, Paragraph 3 clearly states…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cElmar,\u201d interrupted Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Yes, Captain,\u201d answered Elmar, understanding what Arsha meant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow, Oak, there\u2019s still time to reconsider,\u201d urged Arsha playfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve made my decision,\u201d affirmed Oak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery well,\u201d sighed Arsha. She then raised her glass. \u201cOak Mosstrunk, you have served Realmfleet and went above and beyond the call of duty numerous times. I wish you clear skies and a star to navigate by as you live your life. Good Luck, Oak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood Luck, Oak,\u201d repeated the rest of the Senior Staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you, all of you,\u201d answered Oak. \u201cI am truly blessed to have stood alongside such trusted members of Realmfleet. May your careers be as fruitful as mine was.\u201d The audience applauded and the party began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…One day,\u201d mused Bashoon as she heard the Senior Staff engaged in Oak\u2019s celebration. She had no assignments at that point in time, so she headed off to her Dad\u2019s restaurant. She found her table and Mrs. Barmek found her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomething I can get for you?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust a Realmgate bacon burger,\u201d replied Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Something wrong?\u201d inquired Mrs. Barmek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, Mama,\u201d assured Bashoon. \u201cIt\u2019s just…I don\u2019t have much of an appetite after what Dr. Ganshar did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, a let-down from your hero,\u201d realized Mrs. Barmek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s it,\u201d mumbled Bashoon. \u201cI just…I looked up to her as my hero in robotics, believing she would create a new form of life with full rights, yet she intended to make a slave race like the various Splitter factions do with their golems! Is it wrong that I feel angry and betrayed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot wrong at all,\u201d assured Mrs. Barmek. \u201cI felt the same way when my father, my hero in financing, was discovered to have concealed Splitter funds from us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo you know how betrayed I feel at discovering that my hero had feet of clay,\u201d sighed Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWould a Dwelga chocolate milkshake help?\u201d offered Mrs. Barmek. \u201cOn the house?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Yeah, it would,\u201d answered Bashoon, \u201cbut I need to talk to Thengo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe you should talk to her now,\u201d suggested Mrs. Barmek. \u201cI can have your order sent to wherever you two are talking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s with the Senior Staff, celebrating Oak\u2019s retirement,\u201d mumbled Bashoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s always willing to help people get through situations, no matter the situation she\u2019s in,\u201d assured Mrs. Barmek. \u201cCall her and talk to her. I\u2019ll get your order ready and sent to you.\u201d She headed off to the kitchen while Bashoon sat at the table, contemplating her mother\u2019s advice. She then took out her communicator and made a call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCounsellor Lortora,\u201d she called, \u201care you available?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy, Bashoon!\u201d cheered Thengo\u2019s voice. \u201cAlways! What can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI need your help to sort through something,\u201d answered Bashoon. \u201cCan I meet you in your quarters? My mother is going to be bringing my meal over while we talk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh dear, a private matter, then?\u201d asked Thengo. \u201cI\u2019ll be right over. I\u2019ll bring some food as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you, Counsellor,\u201d bid Bashoon. \u201cEnsign Barmek, out.\u201d She ended the call and headed off to Thengo\u2019s quarters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cBy the Ones, that Sprite\u2019s like a virus we can\u2019t get rid of!\u201d wailed Rellmeer as she, Arsha, Slamfal, and Rokalla discussed the situation. \u201cI\u2019m going to recommend an arrest warrant be published,\u201d declared Rokalla. \u201cShe\u2019s a terrorist threat to all the Realms.\u201d \u201cAgreed,\u201d replied Rellmeer. \u201cI must say, Oak was a bit reckless having […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1489,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,95],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-2078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-2-the-rise-of-living-metal","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2078"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2079,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078\/revisions\/2079"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1489"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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