Wren looked in shock at the two visions she was seeing. She was on her ship and she was on Ceti-5 staring at all the masters. At first she could only see, as all of them were surprised and gasping at her.
It was a few moments later that she started to hear them. Not only could she hear them, she could also see them clearer.
"So, they have developed Phasic weapons. This is an unexpected development," Flugret said. "Though slightly effective against us, there are a great many counter measures."
A startled Wren could only stare for a few moments at her masters. "I thought that this type of communication was impossible, especially at this distance," Wren said.
"In almost all instances, that is true, though with the use of Phasic weapons? Many of the laws of the universe can be twisted, almost redefined. It is somewhat like your trans-warp," here the first master paused at the shocked look on Wren's face. "Yes little one, we know of it, so, like the trans-warp it opens a short path, though for thoughts or projections."
Wren's face was screwed up in concentration a moment, then understanding crossed her features. "If that is true, then I assume that it doesn't last that long?"
The first master shook his head, "it is actually dependent upon the amount of energy that your ship, shielding and you yourself, absorbed. Apparently, you received quite a bit as strong as this is."
Wren could only shake her head. This could be useful if she could actually do more. A small smile came to her lips as she concentrated, then reached out to Flugret. To her and the other masters there, surprise came to their faces when her hand actually appeared. Wren smiled more as she removed whatever it was that Flugret was holding.
With a turn, Flugret asked the first Master, "how is this possible? Physical manifestation has always been impossible."
The first Master was deep in thought, then reached his hands toward Wren's visage. A nod of his head had them all waiting for a possible explanation.
"We all knew that she would differ from us greatly. It appears that she has a further reaching ability. I am assuming that the phasic energy has unlocked an ability within her." Turning back toward Wren, he said, "I suggest that you not use this often, 'til you are used to using the extra energy that this does."
Wren was nodding, suddenly feeling weak, her legs shaking. "Master Wren," Trigon said as she started to sink toward the deck. Luckily, Trigon had several soft items to catch her.
"She should be fine." The first Master said as the vision of Wren and the ship started to fade.
Wren could barely move as she tried to nod her head, clutching the tool that she'd taken from Flugret's hand.
The first master turned to the others, "she has more control than she did when she left. The parts of ourselves that are in her, have suggested merging with her. I think that this would be very bad. It would dilute greatly that which makes her unique. Plus, I am afraid that she would no longer be able to help us."
There were several gasps as many of the masters said, "We hope that you were able to dissuade our parts with her."
The first Master nodded as he spoke, "I believe that I was able to convey just why that would be a bad decision. Bad not only for her but all of us." Here the first Master turned to Flugret, "all of the counter-measures are in place? Are active? I have felt for some time that the Empress's state of mind has been deteriorating."
A shocked Flugret slowly nodded. The first Master was far more highly sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of other races. "First Master, do you believe that she thinks she can take our planet?"
Several gasps escaped the other Master's lips, "I have felt some of this, though never thought that she would act upon it," the second Master said.
"I believe we have sufficient counter-measures that we won't have to use the full spectrum." Here the First Master turned to Flugret, "monitor their progress. It never hurts to watch. This new Empire is quite powerful, has advanced far faster than most in the past, and they warrant caution."
Flugret nodded as he turned back to the controls, flipping several more switches. Half the control board lit up. A small smile came to his lips, the human Empire was about to find out about taking hasty actions against the masters.
On board the lead ship, Empress Esmeralda was smiling at the results that she was getting from her lead scientist. The Phasic missiles that her son had used against her husband's demon spawn were a lucky break.
She had hoped that the man could produce them faster, then again she needed him. It was good that he was as safe as he was. Strange she thought the man wasn't afraid of her at all, no matter how much she threatened.
Strolling back on the bridge she said, "open a channel to my lead scientist."
"Channel open Empress," the shaking crewman said.
"I was hoping for a progress report, though, I know you are trying not to destroy yourself, the lab or the surrounding area," Esmeralda said.
The face of an older man appeared in a hologram, "you know me so well. We have produced a million so far. I am sure that you wish for more. They should arrive within the hour."
A sigh escaped Esmeralda's lips, "if only all my subjects were as you are. So damn good at anticipating my wishes. A million should do for now. We only have a hundred thousand ships here, it will have to suffice."
The older man bowed, "we are continuing to make them, no sense in not having more to back up the first batch."
Esmeralda nodded, "good hopefully we can rid the universe of these repugnant masters. The Empire has had to cower before them for far too long."
The connection was shut down as Esmeralda smiled. If this worked as she hoped it would, today would shine. It would see the end of Ceti-5 and its occupants. With more luck, her son would end the demon spawn, little bitch of her husband's. With those things done, she could finally rule as she saw fit with no one to interfere.
Ah! She could also have that dull useless husband of hers killed. Not the best man she'd ever seen, though the bastard could plan in advance. Somehow he'd seen much of what she had planned to do, setting safeguards in place she was still trying to break.
A flash of light from a hyper-space arriving ship drew her attention. That would be the first of the ships carrying the Phasic missiles. The end was near. Esmeralda felt her heart quicken at the thought of the coming destruction.
A very broad smile graced her features while she watched the first ship unloading all its cargo onto the lead ship. Less than a few hours to go she thought excitedly, ah, a perfect universe without those on Ceti-5!
Hmmm, she thought, it might be good to boast to that prick of a son of hers. Escaping the bridge, she made her way to her quarters.
Once everything was set, she called, "Thomas! I need a report."
A moment later, the irritated holo-gram of her son appeared. "What in the hell are you bothering me about now! I am improving my shields and weapons before I meet that little bitch again," Thomas snarled.
"I was going to let you know, I am going to use a hell of a lot of your Phasic missiles against Ceti-5," Esmeralda said.
Thomas was about to make another snide remark when he stopped. Then he started to chuckle, then laugh 'til he was leaning against a panel hardly able to stand laughing so hard.
"What the hell do you find so damn funny!?" Esmeralda shouted.
Thomas suddenly stopped looking directly into his mother's eyes. "The master of Ceti-5 have been there for well over ten centuries. Don't you think they have seen weapons like this before? That, they aren't well prepared? I suggest that you not be anywhere near the planet when you fire off the missiles."
"WHAT!? You really think that they have a defense against this?" Esmeralda asked.
"Think? No, I am more than sure that they do. As I said, they have been there a long time, they have seen a great deal. I have never been wrong about things like this, you may be a pain in the ass, YOU are family." Thomas spit out.
Esmeralda thought about the many times he'd warned her. True, as he said, he'd never really been wrong when it involved military tactics or weapons.
She decided as she turned back toward Thomas's visage, "alright I will maintain a great distance from the planet. Any idea what measures they have against the missiles?"
Thomas was deep in thought, then shook his head, "no, not really though, I can assure you. From what I have seen in the past? It will be highly effective and deadly. Tell you what, IF you survive? Send me a video of your failure." Here Thomas started to laugh again.
This in turn made Esmeralda's temper start to flare up. "I should kill you when I see you again. You disrespect me and the Empire for..."
"Ha!" Thomas said, cutting her off. "If it wasn't for me, you'd be nothing, have nothing! Remember who put you where you are, helped you stay there! Call me when it is over one way or the other." As suddenly as he was there, he was gone as fast.
Esmeralda had to sit there for almost an hour to get her temper to subside. She'd been certain that had she left, well over half the ship would have been dead.
Finally calm, she thought about what her son had said. Sadly, she had to acknowledge Thomas was mostly correct. The many manipulations that he'd done, had her with the power now. She also had to start remembering that, unlike almost everyone else, he wasn't afraid of her.
Her attention was diverted as, several flashes of ships exiting hyper-space appeared. Soon, she thought, she was hoping that Thomas was wrong about the missiles. She then sighed, Thomas was seldom wrong, damnit! Here she thought it would be a perfect way to end the masters. Now she might lose most of the ships here.
A stray thought crossed her mind as she sat there. Her smile grew as she thought about what Thomas had said. If she lost most of the ships here? It would save her having to execute many of the bastards that she was pissed at. Damn, it was going to start out being a good day after all!
It was several hours before Wren's eyes slowly opened. As she tried to sit up, her head started to pound unmercifully.
A voice that she could barely recognize spoke, causing the pain in her head to increase. "Master Wren, you shouldn't expend that much energy again. According to the Masters, you are too new to this to expend that far."
Wren could only grimace, then smirk as she softly spoke, "yeah, I kind of got that." Once again, Wren's body was starting to fail her as she started to feel weak again. "I don't think I am that recovered yet." Wren, uncerimoniously crumpled back to the thick layer of of soft blankets on the deck.
Wren tried to open her eyes wider though the light was trying to slice through her brain and eyes. As hard as she could, she asked, "not to sound an ass but, who, what and where are the hell are you?"
"Oh dear, I am your advanced, brain-cell infused Artificial Intelligence computer. Well, for lack of a better de***********ion. There are an undisclosed number of brain cells connected to the logic circuits. Basically, I am an A.I. With a human brain, without a body I am far faster and more efficient than an advanced computer core," Trigon answered.
Wren could only nod slightly, the throbbing had abated, though it wasn't completely gone. "So just whose brain cells do you have?" A curious Wren asked.
"I am afraid that I am not allowed to tell you that," Trigon said.
"What!?" Wren shouted, then winced as her raised voice seemed to slice through her head. "Why the hell are you not allowed?" Wren said in a far softer voice.
"It was orders issued from my primary operator. I can not disobey them no matter what is said," Trigon said.
"Who is your primary operator, I think I'll have a few harsh words with them." A slightly furious Wren said.
"Oh dear, dear, why you, are my primary operator. As you explained to me, you had a more than sufficient reason to order this. Also, in ta case like this, I can not tell you unless you provide the proper pass codes," Trigon said.
"Wren could only slowly shake her head, then a stray thought came to her mind. Ah! that was why, Trigon was far too advanced to be allowed in almost any other's hands.
"Alright Trigon, it is obvious that when I expended as much as I did, I blank part of my mind. I am going to need you to do a scan of all the lobes of my brain. I barely have enough information to operate the ship," Wren said.
"I am sorry Master Wren, even access to the Med bay is restricted, until such time as I received the first pass code. I was left instructions to say, remember who you are," Trigon said.
Thinking a moment, Wren said, "Ophelia?" There was a click as a door in front of her opened.
"The bio-bed awaits you, master Wren. I will await the rest of the pass code after you are finished," Trigon said.
Wren laid on the bio-bed as the scanner started to pass back and forth over her head. Turning slightly, Wren watched as the readings were displayed before her on a small screen.
Strange Wren thought, most of the memory of who I am seems to be blocked. I look at this and I can understand almost all of the information displayed. Hmmmmm, apparently over fifty percent of her memory was covered and blocked. An obvious defense mechanism, to protect her mind. It also appeared that she was far smarter than she thought.
Even as she was looking over the readings she felt a sharp slicing pain in her head. Falling to the floor, she withered a few minutes as Trigon tried to help her not injure herself. Arising, she slowly wiped her eyes, looking around. Looking at the readings again, she slightly nodded.
"Trigon? What am I looking at?" Wren asked.
"They are your brain readings. After you lost consciousness, I took them thinking you would want to see," Trigon said. " The second set was a few minutes ago after you awoke, then gave me the first half of the basic code. I still need the second half to allow you more control."
Wren nodded as she sighed, she hadn't said her full name in a long time. "Full basic pass code, Wren Ophelia Tenagram."
There was a pause, thenTrigon answered, "full basic access granted. With the exception of computer control, manual weapons and level four and higher files. A primary access pass code will be needed for those."
Wren nodded, " For the moment that's all I will require. Well, Franklin," Wren said.
There was another pause, then Trigon said, "the first of the four primary codes is accepted. Ship's control transferred to Primary operator."
"Good we need to find that traitor of my step-brother. I am positive that he is hunting us, probably trying to copy our shields. He probably thinks the next time we meet, he'll have an advantage, fat chance," Wren smirked.
From what we have seen you are most correct. A voice said from within her.
Startled a moment, she nodded, "I had almost forgotten that all of you were there. Was it all of you that helped me regain all of my memory?"
Alas, we haven't been able to help you regain everything. As you thought, this was a defense to save your mind. Of the fifty percent you lost, we'd say you have recovered thirty percent. You have most of what you need though, the third and fourth pass codes are not there.
Wren was searching her mind as she started to nod, the masters were right. There was a great deal missing in her memories. The worst, though, was the fact that she had no memory of her real mother. This had her gasping in disbelief. Her real mother was her most precious memory along with...
A sudden alarm brought Wren out of her thoughts. "What have you got, Trigon?" Wren asked as the view screen came to life.
"It appears that a small fleet of heavily armed ships have slipped out of hyper-space. I am picking up several communications, apparently they are coming to take us."
"Evasive action," Wren said, then frowned when nothing happened. "Shit! Andrew, Trigon! The pass code is Andrew," Wren shouted.
"Second Primary pass code accepted. Now initiating evasive action and counter measures," Trigon said as the ship accelerated. "It is good to have most of you back, Master Wren. The pursuing ships are falling back, they are unable to maintain our speed."
Wren nodded, locked deep in thought and grief, Franklin Andrew was her father. The grief was brief as she remembered what the first Master had said. He felt that her father was alive? How? She had been there when his ship had exploded. Was it possible that the race that had destroyed his ship had a matter transfer? She didnt know though, if he was still alive she'd destroy the galaxy to get him back.
Do you really think that is rational... the voices in her started to say.
"YES! I will find and destroy the final three races, eradicating them like the parasites that they are. I advise you let your remaining selves know that nothing will stop me. After the death of three billion souls on earth, they will more than pay," Wren shouted out in anger.
Wren was shocked a moment later when she felt the pieces of the Masters withdraw within her. She knew they were more peace-loving ,though she didn't think they were that sensitive.
"I am sorry, Masters, this has weighed heavy on me for over ten years. I made a promise to my father that I would find and eradicate the last three races. After what they did, I believe that they more than deserve the death that is coming for them," Wren said.
Still withdrawn, she heard the first Master, we understood all of this. It is just that the level of anger you expressed is far more powerful than you think. This is another thing we will need to work on.
Wren could only shake her head as she thought of her brother. Just as suddenly, she could actually see where he was. Stepping to the console, she started to type in commands at a rapid speed.
"Instructions understood, entering hyper-space," The A.I. Trigon said. "At present I am not detecting the other ship. All scanners are active, now extended to their maximum distance. At present speed, we shoud reach the coordinates within five hours."
"I..." Wren hesitated, the third code had finally broken free. This one was going to be very hard to say.
"Yes, Master Wren?" Trigon asked.
"I remember, you have my brain cells, my father's also. The third I am unsure of. Now I know why you are as stubborn as you are," Wren said.
"I am glad that you have remembered," Trigon said.
"Oh, the third pass code," Wren said after she took a deep shuddering breath. "Ophelia Angellete Tenagram."
This time there was a very long pause, then Trigon spoke softly, "tertiary pass code accepted. Really Wren," her father's voice came from the speakers. "You should change that, as much pain as it causes you."
"No, it is perfect. No one knows hers nor your full name. I will get over it. It will just take time," Wren replied.
It was five hours later when the ship slipped out of hyper-space. More than a few alarms were going off as only ten thousand miles in front of the ship was her brother's ship.