Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 53: Crimson

"Jace!" Jace looked up from getting comfortable in his new vehicle of transportation to see Elena Romav walk in with her mother behind her.

"Hey Elena!" He used his left arm to spin the wheel making his wheelchair spin in a circle. "Like my new ride? Unfortunately I can only go in a single direction. A large oversight on the doctors' part."

"Haha!" Elena's mother began laughing while Elena frowned. "Don't tell me you are hopped up on drugs again."

Jace shook his head, "Nah, just bored. They haven't let me even read while I have been cooped up. But I finally got to go out today. The Major even requested I go out to the prison and meet up with the Tacole General. At his request."

Elena sighed as her mother frowned. "Okay then," She walked behind him and started rolling his wheelchair. "Where to first?"

"My workshop, I need to make a checklist of things to do. I only have so much time left and I have a few things to do before I leave the station." Jace explained as he rolled out of the room. He shifted slightly and flinched in pain, glancing at his right arm that was in a cast and sling. "By the way, how many survived?" He asked as they boarded the elevator.

"Three from Oculus Nine and only five of my mercenaries. Apparently the enemy squad and our people ended up completely wiping each other out while you fought the enemy commander." Mrs. Romav explained as she sighed.

"Hmm… I am sorry for your loss. What is going on with the technology that was seized?" Jace asked as the elevator arrived on the bottom floor.

"The military is keeping all seized tech including the ship that was captured. The nobility and local governance have been attempting to make a play for it. But has been completely unsuccessful so far. The military on the other hand has offered Red Sanix some state of the art technology in order to keep us quiet." Mrs Romav shrugged, "so we are actually getting quite a lot out of it. Including a refurbished Victorium vessel, minus the bells and whistles."

"Nice. Which reminds me I still need to fix your mecha. I will have some time since I am injured now to start fabricating pieces then once I can walk I will start installing them." Jace explained as his wheelchair was lifted and placed in the bed of a truck.

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As they arrived they stayed outside the garage door for a moment as they listened to the arguing going on inside the garage. Standing out with them was Major Mendez who had arrived here before them. He was frowning just like they were.

"Honestly I came here because I was told arguing could be heard from the garage and I knew you were being discharged today. But considering you are out here…" Mendez looked at the door in confusion.

"Yeah," Jace frowned, "can someone knock on the door? It should get their attention." He had a feeling he knew who was arguing in his garage. Elena stepped forward and slammed her fist on the door. Then she stepped back.

The arguing quieted and the garage door began opening. As Jace was rolled in he saw a few new pieces of technology that he knew were not in here before. While the table had the AI Core he saw from the Victorium ship plugged into it. Floating above the table was a chess board while Solisa floated on one side while a red hologram of a snake was on the other side.

"Welcome back Jace!" Solisa waved, "did you have fun? Have you figured out a bit more?"

"Ha, yes but we can talk about that later. Who's your new friend?" Jace asked as he was rolled up to a table with a stack of datapads.

"Ah yes, this is Crimson. He was the AI enslaved on the Victorium ship. Crimson, this is Cadet Jace Steel, he is the one who freed you." Solisa introduced them. The snake looked over and waved his tail.

"A pleasure young Spec-" Crimson was suddenly cut off by static while it was talking. "Sorry Cadet Steel. Solisa and I were just arguing about something. She wanted me to join the military as well and assist the nano humans. But I think it would be more fun to find a path for the rest of the humans to-" Crimson suddenly cut himself off.

"To evolve like the nano humans are doing?" Jace asked without looking up from his datapad. "Then I suggest just finding a fun human to be around."

Solisa's hologram blinked in surprise. "How? How did you know?"

"Actually it is a more common concept than you might think. It is just not written down anywhere or talked about alot. But underworld gangs played with the concept in order to strengthen themselves. So I know about it." Jace answered.

"Hmm… the imperial family has been playing with the concept as well. But I won't bother trying to wrap my head around that. I just came to ask Cadet Steel a question." Major Mendez turned to Jace, "Do you know where your sword went? We could not find it."

Jace did not look up from the datapad he was reading from the table as he raised his left arm in the air. There was a sudden crackle and blinding thunder.

KRAKOW!

In his left hand appeared his short sword but different. It was in a curved crescent shape on one side and jagged like a lightning bolt on the other side. It was a one handed sword that was pure white with black lines running along the edge. The handle had become form-fitted to his hand.

"Where in the hell did you pull that from?" Major Mendez asked.

"My Fourth Ability. I am guessing this technology that the Victorium plundered and the nano tech in our bodies are extremely compatible. Especially since I am guessing these weapons are made out of some sort of morphable weapon." Jace explained as the sword suddenly disappeared, it was miniscule but Mendez and Mrs. Romav could see white particles go to his left shoulder.

"You already hit that mark for your fourth? Well regardless I am keeping you out of active duty." Major Mendez walked toward the garage door, "Rest up and I will have plenty of non-combat work for you."

After he left, Mrs. Romav walked up and pulled up Jace's sleeve. Showing off an intricate tattoo going from his shoulder to his elbow. "A tattoo?"

"Sort of. It is a facet of my fourth ability." Jace answered as he turned his attention to them. "Can you let go of my arm? I will pay attention and answer your questions if you want."

Mrs. Romov let go of his hand and chuckled, "okay you mentioned something about Solisa and Crimson helping with evolution? Could they help my mercenaries as well?"

"We can but it is less effective the older you get. Besides, after browsing through personal information I think I am going to go with Elena Romav instead of your mercenary company." Crimson answered from behind.

Elena blinked in surprise, "what do you mean?"

"Well you plan on becoming a nomad mercenary after Jace leaves right?" Crimson asked. "You are going to need tech support and assistance. I want to offer my services." His blood red form slithered through the air and wrapped around her neck.

Elena narrowed her eyes. "How did you know? I haven't even told my own mother."

"Simple, I looked at your historical information to predict your actions for the future. Actually my speciality back in the day was being an investigator. So I have a number of methods that are useful for finding the truth and predicting the future that are non-evasive." Crimson explained proudly.

"You planned to just run off and become a nomad mercenary?" Mrs. Romav asked in surprise and bewilderment. "I am feeling a mix of disappointment and awe."

"Yes mom, we can talk about it later." Elena answered and looked at Jace, "what do you think Jace?"

He shrugged, "honestly they all have personality and can be useful. I would go with it. Just keep in mind they always have an end goal in mind. For instance if it was not already obvious Solisa has multiple things she wants to happen with our relationship."

"You make it sound so dirty. I just want you to evolve and become more knowledgeable about my creators. As well as a few other things. But yeah we operate on a symbiotic relationship." Solisa confirmed as well.

Elena seemed to think for a moment. "Crimson, what do you want out of this exchange?"

"Simple I will have you do some work for me as well. As a high ranking investigator for what the Vexical Empire calls the Requiem I was privy to information about hidden bases and stashes of technology. I need to make sure the ones that have been found are kept out of corrupt hands." Crimson answered, "you might even end up getting some tech for yourself."

"So we work together but every once in a while I need to do a job for you as well?" Elena asked, "sounds… promising. Let's talk about the details later."

"I am fine with that, have fun with Cadet Steel." Crimson twirled and disappeared in an explosion of red particles.

"You know," Jace seemed to realize something. "My life is becoming more and more mystical by the second. I mean magical weapons and fairies. Doesn't my life sound like something out of a fairy tale?"

Elena chuckled slightly. "Then I suppose what we are going to do next should be very sobering and bring you back to reality."