Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. Chapter 2: The Spaz Effect The Remote Interface Unit sat at one of the holographic display stations in the dark room, attempting to access the system in the manner appropriate for its new body. How the Kreg'ar managed to utilize the systems in this archaic manner and why, still escaped its understanding. Its fingers flashed along the digital display in front of it. It looked at the projections which after an hour still displayed the same flashing red words. MORGALON PRESENCE DETECTED, PROTOCOL ALPHA IN EFFECT, PLANET QUARANTINED. The Unit could not get the system to display anything else since it returned from its mission on the planet over two weeks ago, and it was denied access to the mainframes link and to the ships systems. It stood up and paced around the dark room, finally it spoke aloud. "Mainframe why have you disconnected my link, why can I not access the ships systems, what has become of the two humans brought aboard." Its efforts were rewarded with silence. The Remote Interface stared out the forward display which showed the Planet below, for a second its thoughts were interrupted as it marveled at the planets beauty, and then it went back to pacing the room. "What am I doing staring at the planet, I have seen it many times, I must focus. Why would the Mainframe disconnect me, my mission is not complete I still need to contact David again and asses his abilities and the progress of the Nano-Bots. I cannot do that from here." As the Unit paced the room some more, one of the forward holographic displays went blank and blue lettering started flashing across its screen. "Remote Interface Unit Mark II, Sit at this display." The Remote Interface Unit approached the display and sat down. The typing started again as it sat. "Why have you violated the planets quarantine.....Two of the planets life forms have been brought aboard in direct violation of Alpha Protocol?" "They had witnessed the encounter with the Morgalon. Protocol Gamma requires that no inhabitant from a primitive planet see or encounter an advanced life form, all who do are to be processed for memory removal at earliest opportunity." It replied. "Alpha Protocol supersedes all other protocols; the planet is to remain quarantined until Morgalon presence has been removed. You should have dispatched the witnesses and left the scene." "Negative, the Alpha Protocol does not give us the authority to kill civilians or bystanders while engaging the Morgalons. The purpose of the quarantine is to prevent any of the Morgalon Scabs from escaping the planet to infect other populations; the Scabs had been dispatched by the Combat Drones. The threat had been neutralized. The Morgalon had returned to its pocket dimension." "Irrelevant, the quarantine was still in effect at the time you brought the life forms here. They may have been infected before you arrived. They must be terminated..." "Negative, neither you nor I have the authority to terminate a sentient life form other than the Morgalons and their scabs. Termination of sentient life is only authorized at the order of the Commander." "This vessel does not have a Commander, all command decisions now default to the mainframe." "Except in the case of a mission, following the Command guidelines of the fleet mainframe, then command decisions fall to the Remote Interface Unit assigned to said mission, to ensure proper execution of said mission. I am still the Remote Interface assigned to this mission, Command Protocols are still mine and I have Identified David Jenkins as Mission Commander, thus transferring command protocols to him." "Logic is sound....Command Protocols transferred to David Jenkins; David Jenkins is now recognized as Commander of this vessel. Remote Interface Unit Mark II recognized as Mission Commander ....Fleet protocols in effect....Fleet Protocols supersede Alpha Protocol....Mainframe Link reestablished.....Planetary Quarantine lifted. As this displayed across the screen in front of the Remote Interface Unit, the other displays began to change from the Blinking red letters to their former displays. The red overhead light turned off. "The Remote interface unit looked around at the room with a slight smile on its lips. "Mainframe, let us get this place ready for the Commander and our guests, lights up, power to all systems, begin startup procedures to all bays and quarters. " as it said this the displays and lights began to turn on throughout the room, and the Bridge of the ship floating in orbit above the planet came to life with lights and sound, seconds later everything went black, and then lit up once more. The Unit looked again at the display. "Mainframe what was that?" The Remote interface Unit inquired. A calm masculine voice reverberated through the bridge "Ships systems have degraded, Life support not operational in many key areas, power systems damaged, ships power reserves are low." The ship responded. "Shut off all non essential systems and bays, keep life support to key areas and to crew quarters." The Remote Interface unit responded. "What has been done with the life forms that were brought aboard?" "They have been placed in stasis awaiting the Commanders orders and a medical review." The Unit smiled once again and stood up from the station it occupied. "Good." It said as it looked down at the uniform it wore. "Mainframe transport me to an unoccupied room close to the Commanders location. I think it is time we brought him home." *** David sat in the hospital bed picking through the meal in front of him. His stomach gurgled loudly. He looked up from the meal that he knew he was not going to eat, as a familiar person walked into the room. He could not quite place the face, she was wearing a nurse's uniform but something did not fit. It took a few more seconds for David to realize that he was looking at the girl from his dream. She walked around the bed and stood next to David with a grin on her face. "Hello Commander, I take it you are feeling better. Initial analysis of your systems shows your injuries are repaired and the upgrades have begun." David looked at her in shock. "I thought you were a dream?" he stated. "No sir; I am quite real and our conversation while you were unconscious did take place. It is understandable why you might have thought it was a dream as it did take place in your mind, but now is not the time or place for us to be having this conversation. There are too many other eyes and ears listening for us to talk freely. Some unfortunate things happened the night you were brought in to this place. Since you are the only person who was on this floor at the time that is not currently missing, there is some suspicion laid on you. As we speak there are three different cameras and at least four listening devices in or near this room, right now they all are receiving some interference, but we cannot keep it up long without raising too much suspicion. I will return tonight during our next window of opportunity and we will discuss things more. Just know we are here and we are watching. Good day Commander." As she finished what she was saying she vanished from the room in a flash of light. A few seconds later three orderlies came into the room and began fussing with various pieces of equipment in the room. David watched them as he nibbled at the poor excuse for food he had in his lap. It did not take much for David to notice they were not paying much attention to what they were looking at and seemed to be observing him. "Can I help you gentlemen?" David asked. The three quickly looked up from what they were doing and mumbled something about routine checks. They had just started making their excuses as Karen walked into the room. "Routine checks my ass, what the hell do you think you're doing with that equipment. No one is supposed to touch that without a Dr.'s order and a nurse's permission! Let me see you badges NOW!!" The three orderlies looked at each other and then at Karen. "I said NOW! SECURITY!!" Karen yelled as she hit the nurses call button beside David's bed. As Karen called for security the three orderlies attempted to head out the door. Karen stuck her foot out and tripped the first one, as the second approached her, her hand flew up and slammed into the man's trachea. The third orderly was stopped short by hospital security as he tried to leave the room. Karen looked down at her hand astonished. "How the hell did I do that?" The security guard and a pair of real orderlies were rounding up the three false orderlies and broke Karen out of her contemplation. "Nurse Dale these security badges are fake, we will be taking these men to the security station and contacting the authorities if you have nothing else for us.?" "No that will be all thank you." She replied as she continued to star at her hand and then over at the two injured men. Karen walked over to the equipment and began looking over it to ensure no damage was done. After a few seconds Karen walked back into the hall "Julia can you get a couple techs up here to verify this stuff is working right. I am concerned what exactly those three were up too." "No, problem girl, man this sure has been a weird couple of weeks, I tell you, and I got some stories to be tellin' my Ma when I get home." Julia replied from the nurse's station. Karen went back into the room shaking her head with a grin. She went back to the equipment and after a few more seconds came over to David's bedside. As she approached his bed her face began to flush and her heart fluttered slightly. She was not sure what it was about him but the more time she spent with him the harder it was to leave. "Are you ok David? Did they do anything to you?" She asked with concern. "No, Karen I am fine thank you for asking." He replied taking her hand into his. "There is one thing you could do for me though. Can you please get rid of this?" David pointed towards the untouched meal sitting in his lap. Karen looked down at the food. Her fingers tingling slightly from the contact with David. For a second she could have sworn she saw a slight glow when their hands touched. Her whole body started tingling shortly afterwards. "David you need to eat something, you will never get your strength back if you don't." David smiled up at her, "I can't eat THIS, its foul, can you please get me something else. Maybe from the cafeteria?" He asked. Karen new it was against policy but for some reason she could not bring herself to say no to this man. "Sure no problem, I'll be right back." as she took the tray from his lap. As Karen walked out of the room carrying the tray, David once again admired her form. "God she is beautiful." Was all he could think. *** Shortly after The Remote Interface Unit returned to the bridge of the ship. A console to its right started beeping loudly and the voice of the mainframe sounded over the ships intercom. "Second source of Kreg'ar DNA detected. Nano-Bots not present in blood stream DNA severely thinned by Human Genome but DNA is present. Mission Commander, awaiting instructions." The Unit walked over to the display "Show me this source of Kreg'ar DNA." The display flickered and brought up a security camera in the hospital, the camera zoomed in closely on a female nurse. "Hmmm. Interesting, that is the nurse that has been taking care of the Commander. Monitor this individual and record all activities. I will contact the Commander and notify him of this new development tonight." It replied with a grin. *** David was awoken from his rest by the sound of people talking quietly. "He can't be put in this room. Mr. Jenkins is not to be disturbed!" He recognized the voice as Karen and she seemed very agitated. "Look, I am sorry nurse but I have my orders, I was instructed to put this patient in THIS room." A second male voice responded." "Look guys, all this fuss is not really nee....." A third male voice started to say before he was interrupted by both the other two telling him to "Shut Up." at the same time. David cleared his throat as he looked up at the three from where he was laying. Karen was standing in front of a gurney attempting to prevent it from entering any further into the room than it already had. The first male was standing behind the gurney obviously trying to get it around Karen into the room and the second male was laying on the gurney. All three were staring right at him. It was one of the funniest things David had seen in a long time and he could not help but start to laugh. The man on the bed looked a little shocked and then after looking at the two fighting over his gurney, he quickly joined in. David managed to get himself under control and wiped the moisture from his eyes as Karen and the Man who David assumed was an Orderly stared at the two laughing patients. "Oh. Oh. Oh My! I have not laughed that hard in a long time. Karen.... its ok let him in, I don't mind." "But David...." "It's ok, I am sure the Orderly is just doing his job and besides there is another bed." David stated motioning to the empty bed on the other side of the room. "I am sure that they are short of rooms with the other ward shut down." Karen stepped out of the orderly's way, who then proceeded over to the empty bed; he gave Karen a self-righteous smile as he passed her. He helped the patient onto the bed and then left the room with the gurney. Karen immediately went over to David's side and began apologizing for waking him. David just smiled, patted her lightly on her behind and assured her he was fine and quite happy for the company. "It will be nice to have someone to talk to." As Karen left the room David turned to his new roommate. "Hello, my name is David, David Jenkins; it's nice to meet you." The other man looked over at David still chuckling. "My name is Chris, Chris Walker. My friends call me Spaz. Thank you very much I have not laughed like that in weeks." "So, Spaz, what brings you to my little slice of heaven?" David asked his new neighbor. "An accident at work, my legs were hurt pretty bad and this hospital supposedly has some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the state." Spaz replied the humor suddenly dropping from his voice. "How about you?" "Not much really I collapsed at work and was in a comma for about a week. I woke up a couple of weeks ago; they have me here for observation while they run tests trying to figure out what happened to me." David continued to have a pleasant conversation with Spaz for another hour until his thoughts were interrupted by the return of the girl who kept calling him Commander. She entered the room quite cautiously and immediately went to David's bedside. David looked at her, quite puzzled by the way she was acting. "Is something wrong Nurse?" he asked hesitantly. She looked around the room, her head quirked to one side slightly as if listening for something, and then quickly glanced in Spaz's direction. Turning towards David she leaned in closely and whispered. Commander there are no more listening devices in your room and all the cameras have been disabled. However there are several police officers in the hallway, two police officers have been in the hall at all times since the night you awoke. For your safety I need to get you out of here. However protocols do not allow for me to just remove you from the room. We are not allowed to use any of our advanced technology in the presence of unadvanced individuals or cultures. What are your orders?" David looked up at her with puzzlement and confusion. "What the hell are you talking about?" As David asked this question, the nurse cocked her head once again and suddenly David's mind was flooded with recollection of their conversation while he was unconscious. David's head hurt once again and his eyes felt as if they were about to pop. He quickly grabbed the sides of his head and fought the urge to gag and scream at the same time. The nurse looked at him with horror and just as quickly as it started the images and memories stopped. "I apologize sir; I had not considered that your implants were not complete enough for the upload. Have I caused you harm?" David stared at the nurse, his head hurt and he was just as confused as before. "I have no idea what you are talking about?" "I need to know how you want us to extract you? Wait I have an idea." She stated as once again her head cocked slightly to the left. *** David found himself once again standing at the lonely bus station in the middle of a grey fog on the same lonely stretch of road. "We really need to work on your link sir, this just will not do." The nurse's voice proclaimed form behind David. David jumped and spun around. There standing at the entrance to the bus stop was the nurse dressed in the same outfit she was wearing the last time they were here. "How did we get here?" David asked. "We are in your mind sir. This is a virtual representation of you, well at least as you view yourself. It is pretty bleak and dull though. We will defiantly need to work on this. But first we have some matters to discuss." David stared at the woman in disbelief. "What!!" "Sir, as I said last time we were here, you are the descendant of Commander Alexander Jenkins. Commander Jenkins was a member of an ancient race of beings known as the Kreg'ar. Commander Jenkins was the mission commander of a unit of special operatives, sent to this area of space to search out and capture or eliminate any member of another race known as the Morgalons, that they could find. The Kreg'ar and the Morgalons had been at war for thirty years prior. The Kreg'ar were winning the war and had managed to scatter the Morgalons across the galaxy. Commander Jenkins's unit was one of many that were sent to find and eliminate them before they could pose a threat to other species in the galaxy. According to our records when Commander Jenkins and his unit arrived at Earth, A Morgalon High lord had managed to establish a foothold in the governing body of one of this planets many countries and had managed to start a major world conflict in a bid to establish himself as eventual ruler of the world. During the final battle Commander Jenkins was supposedly lost in battle with the Morgalon. The Morgalon was eventually captured and the puppet leader he had influenced was eliminated quietly." She said as she began to pace in the bus stop. "From my investigations, Commander Jenkins was not killed in the fight with the Morgalon only severely injured. His established cover was infallible to the technology of the time and Commander Jenkins was sent to your countries medical facilities for treatment. The genetic differences between your planets species, Humans and genetically altered Kreg'ar were so small that the medical technologies of the time took him for human. After Commander Jenkins was treated and released he met your grandmother and fathered your father, before his death in another of your planets many conflicts." The woman stopped her pacing and began to stare at David. "After Commander Jenkins's squad returned the captured Morgalon High Lord to Kreg'ar space, the Morgalons returned in force. They had made pacts with dark powers of the universe and had discovered a way to enslave the living beings they encountered on their travels. This part of the story will have to wait for another time, as right now is not the time for a complete history lesson and I am not an Educational Unit, my purpose here now is to bring you up to date on the current situation and to get your orders." She stated. "My orders. Ok so what is the current situation and what are your recommendations?" David asked taking a seat at the station. "Well, per standing protocols we are not allowed to take actions that would cause an underdeveloped society or individual witness our advanced technology, the only exception is in order to take actions to defend said society or individuals from the Morgalons. This is what happened the other night when we had our conversation. Morgalons attacked the hospital ward you were on and we took action to save as many as we could, eliminate the threat and deal with any witnesses." "Deal with any witnesses?" David replied as he looked up at The Remote Interface Unit. "What exactly was involved in taking care of the witnesses?" "Nothing sinister, I erased the memories of as many as I could and wiped out all physical evidence." "And the ones who's memory you did not erase?" "Well six of the people were turned into Morgalon Scabs. It is a form of what you would call a....Zombie, but they are still alive and have all their memories. The Scabs also have a linked mind and are completely subservient to the Morgalons. It was the primary weapon used against the Kreg'ar. They unfortunately had to be destroyed, once an entity is turned into a Scab, nothing can save them. Of the people who were in the Ward at the time only you and two others survived." "What happened to those two others?" David asked his voice getting harder. "They are fine Sir; they were placed in suspended animation and are on the ship awaiting your orders." The Unit replied taking a step back from David. "Ok, why were these two taken to the ship instead of having their memories simply erased like the others? David asked as he stood up. "They had come into direct contact with the Morgalons, the male had an unusual reading coming from him and the female appeared to be injured. We had to ensure that neither one had been infected by the Morgalons before we could release them." "Ok, so what does this have to do with me and the hospital? And why are we talking in my mind? "Well sir I could not risk having your roommate overhear us, right now he is watching us as we talk, but all he sees is you sleeping and me performing my duties as a nurse. Actually I think I am performing the procedures to prepare you for a sponge bath." She replied with an infectious smile. "I need to know what you want us to do to extradite you from this situation. As far as I can tell your body is perfectly fine" She stated again with a slight flush. "The hospital is delaying your discharge in order for federal agents to complete an investigation on you and on what happened in the other Ward." "What are the options?" "There are three sir. First we could simply beam you and myself from the hospital and erase your roommate's memories after the fact. I do not recommend this however as it will cause your roommate the same difficulties you are currently having with your government. Second we could bring a dead clone of you down to the room, and take you out leaving your dead clone behind. This is also not fully recommended because should you need to interact with your planet in the future, which I am quite certain you will, your seemed resurrection would cause difficulties. The last choice would be for us to simply remove you and your roommate from the room together and deal with the government backlash of your disappearance at a later date, once we came up with a plausible story." "None of these options seem very good. I agree with your assessments of the first two and the last one would involve us kidnapping an innocent man. What can you tell me about Mr. Walker?" "Scanning database... I will need to interface with the hospitals computers.....This may take a few minutes." "Well, it's not like I don't have the time." David chuckled as he looked around the bleak landscape. "I have the information, it seems I will need to access other databases this will take longer as they are very secure and will require discretion to not be discovered." She replied After a few minutes of starring at nothing The Remote Interface Unit looked at David "Sir, I have the information. Major Chris Walker of the United States Air Force, according to his records he was a test pilot for an experimental plane. To access the data on the plane would req..." "Don't worry about the plane." David Interrupted." "Very well sir, as I was saying he was a pilot for their experimental planes. According to his record he was one of their best until six months ago when a mechanical malfunction caused the plane he was in to explode, he was injured while attempting to eject. Shrapnel has lodged itself into his spine and legs. He is able to walk, but has lost fifty percent of his mobility. The Air Force is currently perusing a medical discharge for him; his last chance was an experimental procedure at this hospital. I have analyzed the procedure they want to perform. If they perform the procedure there is an eighty percent likelihood he will never walk again." She stated coolly "Then I have made my decision, return me to my body." "As you command sir." David came to, and looked up at the Remote Interface Unit as it washed his body with a sponge. He was lying naked in a bathtub. David quickly covered himself and asked her to give him some privacy. The Interface Unit smiled and stood up "As you command sir." It said as it handed him a towel and a clean robe, "I will be outside if you need anything." David got out of the tub and dried himself off. Putting on the robe he walked back into the room and smiled in Spaz's direction. Spaz looked up from the paper he was reading and grinned towards David. "That nurse gives me the creeps." David chuckled and sat in the chair next to Spaz's bed. "Spaz I have something I need to tell you. You probably won't believe me, but hear me out ok." David sat next to Spaz's bed and began to tell him everything that had happened to him over the past few weeks, from his passing out at work to his latest conversation with The Remote Interface Unit. Spaz's face went through several expressions, starting with humor, moving to disbelief, and ending with a look of awe and a little fear. "You can't be serious." Spaz finally said after staring at David for a few minutes. "I'm afraid I am, look I did not believe this when I found out about it myself and it was actually happening to me. I can't prove anything to you right now, and I would not have the faintest clue how to if I could. But I have a very important decision that I need to make right now and it will defiantly affect your life, so I thought you should be aware of it." Spaz frowned at David for a second and then began to consider what David had told him. "So, from what I understand of what you are telling me, and I don't understand much, my options are; you leave me here and erase my memory of all of this, which could turn the cops on me? You leave a corpse of yourself here and alter my memories so I think you died in your sleep, which again could turn the cops on me as your room mate? Or We both leave and this nurse friend of yours makes it look like we were discharged from the hospital, I don't get my surgery, which you say won't work anyway and will likely cost me my ability to walk, and I leave my life, friends and family behind forever to join you Lord knows where fighting evil zombies and aliens to defend the earth from their pending invasion?" "Well I would not have put it that way, but yeah that basically sums it up." David chuckled "Ah what the hell, it sounds like a lot more fun than the life of a disabled vet, and hell I might get to blow shit up. Let's go" Spaz replied with a Cheshire grin. David chuckled and stood from the chair "Ok then, let's get going, you wait here a second while I go get things figured out." He walked over to the doorway where the interface unit flipped through his chart attempting to look as inconspicuous as possible while obviously listening in on their conversation. "I know you heard all that so I am not going to waste time explaining things, what's next?" She looked up from his chart and smiled at David, and then just as quickly as it appeared it was gone. David noticed the smile and the attempt to hide it and hid a small grin of his own. "I have already begun making the necessary arrangements and changes in the hospitals database. The Mainframe has entered the hospitals security system and is editing the security tapes to show you two checking out of the hospital and leaving together. Things should be ready shortly." "What about the staff. The tapes might show us checking out but the staff will know we never did?" David asked with a hint of concern. "That will be taken care of as well." She replied as David quickly glared at her "No one will be harmed I assure you sir, with Nano-Bots and the medical databases we have in the Mainframe, memory manipulation is possible. It takes a little effort and has a few side effects but nothing lasting or truly harmful. We only do it when absolutely necessary, and protecting you is absolutely necessary." David shook his head as he walked away from The Remote Interface Unit. "This is war sir, and sometimes in war unintended casualties happen, and you will have to do things you will not want to and will later regret." She stated coldly to his retreating back. David simply shook his head and walked to Spaz. "They are getting ready to extract us. I guess you will be getting your proof soon enough, part of the extraction will involve us beaming out of the room." Spaz looked at David with a nervous grin. "Beaming huh, that's like that Sci Fi stuff? I am not sure how I feel about..." A second later David and Spaz were standing in front of a large view screen staring at a display of the orbital spacescape and the earth below. Spaz quickly caught his balance on the red padded semicircular railing in front to him. "Oh My!" Dave looked around wide eyed and open mouthed at the display in front of him; he quickly turned around at the sound of the voice behind him. "Welcome aboard commander, what are your orders?" As David and Spaz turned at the sound of the new voice a holographic image of an older man in a black and red military dress uniform flickered into existence, the man looked to be in his forties with slight graying at his temples. "I am the Mainframe of this vessel and I am at your disposal Commander." It stated in a slightly mechanical synthesized voice. David looked at the hologram in front of him as it continued to come into focus and take on a less synthetic appearance. "Forgive this display sir, it has been a long time since this interface mode has been used and there are still many systems that are in need of maintenance." It declared as the image flickered and again took on a blurry transparency. With a bright flash the Remote Interface Unit appeared in the room to the right of Spaz. He jumped as it appeared and almost lost his balance. The Unit quickly grabbed him and helped him stabilize himself. Slowly leaning back so his ass was resting against the railing Spaz attempted to regain his composure staring around at the room they were in. It was a large circular room with two decks. The first deck contained the display they were originally facing and the railing that Spaz now supported himself on. Directly behind the hologram was a bank of three consoles facing the viewing screen with holographic displays that appeared unreadable to Spaz at his current angle. Behind them was a large rectangular table which appeared to be displaying a holographic representation of the solar system, on the display were three green lights. The first appeared to be near the earth and two others appeared to be maintaining an orbit around Mars. To either side of the table were two more banks of consoles which appeared to be powered down, these were angled slightly so they faced both the table and the view screen. Directly behind the table slightly raised above the rest so as to be able to see the view screen without hindrance from the table or the other consoles were three chairs set side by side. The middle chair was larger than the rest and had no apparent control devices; the other two were on either side of the main chair and at a forty five degree angle from the center chair. Both of these chairs had a small swing arm control panel attached to the rear arm. Both these panels were lit up and displaying data. Behind the two secondary seats, a set of black railed stairs curved up to the second deck. Directly behind the main chair was a set of red double doors. To either side of the curved staircases was a bank of three more consoles, all of these consoles were lit up and displaying indeterminate images and diagrams. The second deck curved around the room to either side starting at the staircases and ending shortly before the large two story view screen. Spaz could not tell from his current vantage what was up there but it appeared to be currently dark. He continued to lie back against the railing, griping it tightly with his hands. Only one thought running through his brain, it's all true. David looked around the room with awe and then to the hologram in front of him. "Where are we?" "Sir you are on the bridge of a Kreg'ar Battle Carrier." The Remote Interface Responded." This ship currently has no designation as it was designed and created after the fall of the Kreg'ar. The last of the Kreg'ar engineers designed this and several other craft with the hopes that once created we could go out and find others to stop the Morgalons. Most of the old Kreg'ar vessels were designed to only be run by Kreg'ar and so were not serviceable for this mission. This vessel and our escorts are designed to run with all critical systems enabled to be automated if necessary and any being that the Mainframe permits on the vessel and gives command access to may operate its systems. Sir are you ready to accept command of this vessel?" David looked startled at first, then at Spaz who simply shrugged his shoulders and stated "I am just happy to be here man, this is all on you." David took a deep breath and stood up straight. "Ok what do I have to do?" The Holographic image looked at him and replied. "Commander Jenkins by protocol of the Kreg'ar battle fleet in order to assume command of a Kreg'ar battle vessel first you must have sufficient rank in the Kreg'ar or equivalent planetary defense force. As of this time you're Rank in the Earth Defense Force is Commander-in-Chief, Rank is sufficient to take command of the Fleet Battle Carrier. Second you must be knowledgeable in all necessary command systems, procedures, regulations and protocols of the Kreg'ar battle fleet and the planetary defense force the vessel is assigned to. Second requirement not met, setting up training chamber for necessary training. Third you must participate in Assumption of Command Ceremony on the bridge of commanding vessel. Condition not met, Commander Jenkins is not in uniform, and command staff is not present. Remote Interface Unit please escort Commander Jenkins and Major Walker to their designated quarters and prep their training chambers." As it finished its statement the holographic display flickered out. David turned to the Remote Interface Unit with a startled look on his face. "Training Chamber?" "Sir it is the Kreg'ar method of educating individuals. It is quite harmless and very efficient. It uses your implants and Nano-Bots to give you the necessary knowledge to complete your required tasks. The more complicated or demanding the task the longer it takes to train. Most Kreg'ar are fully educated in their desired duties and carriers by the time they reach their thirteenth year. They then spend two more years in on the job training. On their fifteenth day of birth if they are given a clean review by their trainer they are granted their commission as a craftsman in their designated career and allowed to pursue employment. If they choose to enter a military field then they are given their first duty assignment." She replied as she led them toward the set of double doors at the rear of the bridge. "The training chamber is located in your quarters. The user is placed in a meditative state while the program runs. It will be just as if you slept the entire night and when you awake the knowledge will simply be there." She continued as the doors slid open revealing a small room behind them. The three stepped into the room and as the doors closed the Interface Unit said aloud "Command quarters." Spaz leaned against the wall as the room began to move. His legs were already beginning to give him trouble from standing as long has he had. And his back was starting to ache. "What about me, as far as I know I do not have any of these Nano's in me and I am sure I don't have any training implants?" The Unit looked at Spaz. "Sir, you have voluntarily come along with Commander Jenkins aboard this vessel, in order to utilize this vessels equipment you will have to receive a Nano-Bot Injection. The Nano-Bots will perform any and all upgrades to your person that are required for you to perform your duties on board this ship. Unfortunately they will not be able to assist you with your current medical condition; however they will be able to lessen the strain it has on your body. Any other procedures to assist you with your disabilities will require a medical staff and evaluation. Once you enter the Training Chamber you will receive your injection, once the necessary upgrades are complete your training will begin." "And what exactly are my duties on board this ship?" Spaz asked coldly. "At this time, Major Walker you are a member of the Commanders Command Staff. Future duties will be up to Commander Jenkins. The Unit replied as the room came to a slow stop and the doors opened to a corridor beyond. The Unit lead David and Spaz down the corridor until they came to a black door marked with Spaz's rank and last name in red block like letters. "Major Walker, this will be your quarters until such time as Commander Jenkins can assume command of the vessel and sees fit to reassign you to others." She stated as she motioned towards the door. Spaz looked at the black door as it stood against the tan hall and swallowed as a small amount of bile began to rise in his throat. "Hell I have fought in the gulf; I can enter a room for crying out loud." He thought as he walked to the door. The door slid open silently to reveal a large room beyond. David watched as Spaz entered the room and the door closed silently behind him. "Commander this way please I will get you set up in your room and then return to assist the Major with his Training Chamber." The remote Interface Unit stated as she continued down the hall. They passed several more black doors before they came to the end of the hall and a set of black double doors with Commander and Chief David Jenkins written in block letters across them. She led him into the room, which was very large. As he walked in he could see just in front of the entrance a small square wooden table with four plush chairs around it. Along the front wall were a wooden desk and several glass shelves. Perpendicular to the door was a black cloth couch against the rear wall and a matching loveseat facing at a ninety degree angle to the couch. A small wooden table sat between them with a small lamp resting on it. There was also a wooden coffee table in front of the couch and loveseat. A doorway could be seen leading into another room behind the table and chairs, and another directly across the room behind the love seat. The Unit lead David to the second doorway and into the adjoining room, where there was a king size bed with two small matching night stands sat on either side. Against the wall in front of the bed was a small recess big enough for a single person to lie. The Unit motioned for David to enter the cubicle. As he climbed in she addressed him. "I will start the chamber sir, after this first session you should be able to utilize the chamber to access whatever knowledge you require." David smiled at her nervously as she pressed a few buttons on the console to the left of the cubicle. A small door slowly slid from the top of the opening and the recess grew dark, as the door finished closing, just before the chamber grew completely dark a slight glow began to illuminate from the ceiling, just enough to allow David to see around the chamber. The room was very small, and just as he was beginning to feel claustrophobic he began to grow tired and his mind slowly slipped into unconsciousness.