Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 41: Sword

VROOM!

The Speeder Bike roared to life as he started it. He was still in the garage, but it was still far too loud. He would have to fix the noise output. If he wants it to be fast as a scout vehicle he should also reduce the sound output. It would become a moot point if everyone could hear him.

He would fix that later, he increased the speed to see if there would be any problems at higher speeds. It got louder the faster it went on the hover treadmill he had fashioned for it. The material it was 'driving' on was also heating up.

A few minutes later the speed stayed at a constant speed and Steel deactivated it. Watching as immediately stopping the safety features had it slowing down quickly and at a steady rate. It would still crash if it hit something but now if the driver was knocked off or anything else it would slow down. He should also cap the speed for any additional models.

"It works magnificently, I will say it is far faster than any of my hover vehicles my people made. The energy efficiency device you created is far better than I expected. I am confused by the need for these safety measures however." Solisa pointed out as the speeder bike came to a stop.

"It is because vehicles require certain things in order to be considered roadworthy. I am designing a whole new form of movement so it is only right I set the standard for safety with these devices." Steel explained as he began tweaking a hologram of the speeder bike.

He altered the electric engine opting for a stronger casing and more airflow so the device would not overheat. Speed and silence should be more optimal for the standard model. Which means he also needs to alter the hover devices.

"You have someone incoming." Solisa interrupted his thoughts, "Sergeant Tani is bringing something that just arrived at the station." Solisa warned him. free𝑤ebnovel.com

Steel quickly turned off the holographic projector as he walked over to welcome her. The door opened as he walked forward. "Sergeant Tani, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Well it is the duty of the squad leader to hand out rewards for hard work. Especially when it comes from higher up on the food chain. You are being returned this weapon instead of some other reward for many of your feats." Sergeant Tani announced as she walked up and placed a long case on a table.

"Squad leader? So it is official." Steel remarked as he opened the case, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"It is. Cornwall is training a whole new squad. Corporal Hand and Feathertail are joining him. We will be getting three new privates. The same thing is happening with the other squads as well. So in a few days time we will be doing training." Tani explained before nodding to the container, "What is it?"

"It is the sword I took from the bird alien. Apparently they made a sheath for it. They took it because it is virtually indestructible and really sharp. They wanted to study the composition of the blade, but if they gave it up so easily I am guessing they either made no progress, or completed their study." Steel answered as he pulled out the blade. The sheath was made to be attached to the back of infantry armor.

"Nice, do you know how to use swords?" Tani asked as she recognized the blade.

"Nope, I am going to need training." Steel answered.

"Lieutenant Kalil is trained in the use of swords. It is an old family tradition of his." Tani answered with a shrug.

Steel chuckled, "getting a bit comfortable with your boyfriend?"

Tani blushed in embarrassment, "shut up. Do you want me to ask him or not?"

"Please do Sergeant Tani." Steel laughed, "I am just having some fun at your expense. Do you want anything else or was that it?"

"Yes actually, we are going to start daily patrols. Two people from each squad go down to the lower level and patrol the more dangerous levels. Armed with their sidearm and a stun rifle, nonlethal weaponry only. Tomorrow is the first day it is going on, you will be going down with Corporal Wise. The Major decided it personally since…"

"I am from the slums." Steel answered for Tani, getting a nod in response. "Understood when I go down tomorrow I will get a feel for what is going on. Keep in mind that if the slums are unpatrolled, drugs and guns will be out in the open."

"So… what? We will just have to take them away until they stop holding them in the open." Tani responded confidently.

"Not a good idea." Steel shook his head, "that will just upset the already delicate balance that exists in the slums. Not to mention the gangs will strike back in retaliation."

"So you are saying we should patrol the slums. But not take action if there are guns or drugs in the open?" Tani asked, "then what would we be doing down there?"

"We can still stop drugs if it is a moral crime that involves children you can interfere. As well as rape or any murders you see. But make sure you have your helmet recording indicators on. It will make them far more wary." Steel explained. He then started typing out a list.

"How do you know they won't get mad if we interfere in those ways?" Tani asked.

"If they do, then it is war." Steel shrugged, "we can only stay so much out of the way. Once we make our standard known they will either yield or push back. If they push back we will have to be brutal in our response, so we should be prepared to have a ship take some prisoners out of the system."

"So we should be diplomatic until they start a fight?" Tani asked with a frown.

"Ehhh… less diplomatic and more acting like we are the new gang on the block. Peace and Police Officers are not able to use tactics like this. But we can because of our heavier firepower and willingness to kill." Steel explained as he brought the sword over to another table.

"Okay I will tell the Major but I am not sure-"

"Do not worry too much Sergeant," Solisa had enough of the conversation. Interrupted with her Otter form swimming into existence. "Similar tactics have been done in the past by your military when the base was located near slums. There are records of it in your systems."

Tani was more shocked then insulted as she processed the existence of the AI, "What? Why do you have an AI in your garage? I know you are given a lot of freedom but even that is a bit much."

"Oh please, I am far above your major's pay grade. Besides I was not permitted to stay here, I chose to stay here. You may call me Solisa." Solisa answered arrogantly. Before swimming over to look at the sword that Steel set down. "This blade is from one of the people who originally programmed me."

"Do you mean the Victorium?" Tani angrily stated.

"Ha! No, I mean the precursors to even the human's arrival in this galaxy. The closest name your empire calls them is the Requiem. They built that ship you were trying to retrieve on Waterswan-2." Solisa answered as she swam around the woman.

"You mean… you are over eight thousand years old?" Tani asked in surprise. "Wait, I thought the Victorium made that blade."

"Around ten thousand, and no, the Victorium lacks the technological advancements to make something like this. It was even new when the Requiem were driven to extinction. In fact it was only located on one Research site that was abandoned and wiped from systems in order to hide it. I do, however, know the approximate location." Solisa answered with confidence, more than willing to offer up teases of information.

"Wait, you mean you might know where the Victorium are based?" Tani asked in surprise.

"Yes, but I am not going to tell you any of that. You have to figure it out on your own. Steel already knows the rules. He also knows or suspects several things. But there is no concrete evidence, so he won't say anything." Solisa answered as she circled around kicking up holographic water before it disappeared.

Tani growled and looked at Cadet Steel. But he just shook his head in response. "Fine, I will pass your information up to the Major-"

"Already done. Hey Sergeant, I have a question?" Solisa interrupted her.

"Ha… what?" Now Tani was just feeling exhausted.

"Can I assist your squad by running communications and support. In intra-novels and comics the badasses always have someone doing that stuff for them." Solisa asked.

"Hmm… no. You are not part of the military officially, otherwise Major Mendez would know about you." Tani answered, getting a frowning Otter in response. She then popped out of existence. Tani looked surprised then looked at Cadet Steel.

"She is probably looking into joining the military in such a way she does not have to disclose much information. If you wanted to keep her out you should have just outright refused her." Steel chuckled in response.