Chapter 4“Sir, we’ve located what seems to be a wreck of an unidentified airplane.”
“Description?”
“Black, no markings, no bodies or remains thereof. It’s in pieces, sir. Looks like it’s engines failed and it plowed through the forest to smash into a big tree.”
Unseen by the soldier, the officer frowned. He knew very well what craft this was…who this craft was.
“All right soldier. Send a cleanup team and make sure the pick up every piece of that plane. Don’t miss one screw or bolt.”
“Yes sir.” The soldier replied. He was curious why McCain wanted every piece of this craft, but he simply followed orders.
Back in the base, McCain sighed softly and arranged to empty a hangar. Then he turned, heading out of the command center, and headed to the quarters of one Lori Jackrabbit.
* * *“… but I’m telling you, he’s the only one that can make me feel that I mean a lot to him…the world even. “
Julie smiled. “Ah, as long as you’re happy, Lori. I’m not into that yet. This…” she waved her paws, encompassing the whole room “…is everything to me. This career I am building up means a lot to me.”
Lori smiled and looked at her friend, a slim, well trained, but good looking girl, with pale blue fur. “ I understand Julie…but should you ever get interested in someone…feel free to ask me.”
Julie smiled and hugged her friend. “I will Lori, I will…”
Just as Lori was about to say something, her communicator came alive. “Lt. Jackrabbit, report to your quarters asap.”
“On my way.” Lori replied. “Whatever it is, it shouldn’t take long. We’ll talk when I’ll get back.”
“Okay.” Julie said as Lori nodded and left, heading for her quarters.
* * *“Your Highness?”
“You don’t have to call me that, Sis. You know it.” Eva turned her attention away from the book she was reading to the white bunny standing nearby quietly.
The bunny nodded calmly and smiled for a moment. “There’s an incoming transmission…on a secure channel.”
Eva put a tag in the book and closed it. She wondered who could be contacting her on the secure channel…her mother perhaps? Eva sat before the terminal and pressed the receive button, making sure Sister stayed out of the terminal’s camera range.
A face, which features were hidden in a shadow, appeared.
“Greetings, Eva of Carrotus.” A calm voice said.
Eva felt there was something very wrong with this person. She didn’t let it show on her face and replied calmly. “How can I help you?”
A chuckle… “Yes, you can help me…” The person leaned closer, his feature visible now.
A black and grey face, with yellow feline eyes, yet with ears the size of a mouse, rounded yet pointed like a cat’s.
Eva nearly gasped, never having seen this kind of species before. She didn’t, however, need any knowledge to recognize that grin on the creature’s face…a grin of superiority…of insanity.
“I, Lori Iago of the Imadii…” He began. “am here to…” his grin widened before he said his final words. “…take over Carrotus.”
Eva sat there, stunned for a moment, the regained he composure and looked the man in the eyes. “I’m afraid that is something I cannot allow.”
“Oh, but you have no choice, and I have the firepower to make sure you cooperate, one way or another.”
Eva opened a second connection and dialed to the CMF headquarters.
“How can I help you, Your Highness?” The general responded.
“Check if there is an unidentified fleet of spacecraft in this system. We seem to have intruders.”
“Yes, You Highness.” The general said and looked away from the screen.
Eva switched back to Iago.
“Done checking? I think you realize now that I have the power, and will use it if needed, to take over your planet.”
“But why do you want to do this?” Eva asked, feeling this is going to be a long night.
Lord Iago’s grin faded slightly. “Let me tell you a story…” He began.
Sister perked her ears, listening…
* * *“WHAT?” Lori almost screamed it out in surprise, her hands squeezing the chair’s armrests.
“I’m afraid that’s what happened. Something made him crash. We are still trying to figure out what.” The officer said.
Lori looked down at her knees and blinked, her arms squeezing the armrests.
“We have salvaged all of him…including this.” He took out a transparent bag and put it on the table.
Lori looked up and looked at the bag, seeing a black piece of what appeared to be armor of some sort.
“It’s some kind of armor, which we salvaged, which isn’t part of…” His voice trailed off, not knowing how to say it.
Lori nodded and took the bag, looking at it’s contents closer.
“It’s very light.” She said.
The man nodded. “And strong, we believe it’s not from Carrotus.”
Lori put the bag back on the table and lowered her gaze to her knees again.
The gray rabbit looked at the young woman, his thick moustache twitching as he frowned, worried.
After a few minutes of silence, the officer’s communicator beeped. He answered it. “Yes?”
“Sir, there is a priority 1 situation going on, report to Ops immediately.”
“On my way.” He said, getting up. He looked at Lori.
“Miss Jackrabbit.” He began. Lori looked up at him. “Hangar 22.” He said and left, carrying the bag with him.
Lori got up moments later and ran to Hangar 22…
* * *Sister walked through the castle corridors, carrying a tray of simple, but filling snacks and a glass of carrot juice. She left Eva to get these. She and that Iago were talking for hours now, negotiating. Eva was a good diplomat and could talk her way, yet this Iago could be one of those that won’t let you win.
Her thoughts went to the woman she saw at the coronation of Jazz. Immediately, she began to sort through the heat signatures she knew, analyzing it at an amazing speed, her cybernetic brain allowing this.
She suddenly stopped as she recognized the special heat signatures only shape shifters have…
By the maker…she is a shape shifter…Quickly, she narrowed the list of shape shifters she knew, matching it with the information she possessed about the Imadii, which brought her to one conclusion that alarmed her greatly.
She broke into a run, moving quickly to tell the disturbing news to Eva.
* * *“Sir?”
“Yes?” Lord Iago answered, turning to face Ma’Kir.
“I have been meaning to ask you something. Something of importance…for me.”
Iago looked at the young man. “What is it?”
“Well, a while ago, there was this woman training here…I’m sure you know whom I refer to.”
Iago looked at Ma’Kir, not liking where this was going. “Hmm…go on.”
“She moved a while ago. I found out that she was to be a covert operative…I was curious if you know more.” Ma’Kir continue, ignoring Iago’s look.
Iago studied the young man’s words. “I assure you…If I knew where she was right now, I would tell you. You are right, she is a covert operative, and to keep it all safe, even I don’t know where she is.”
Ma’Kir nodded after a moment. “I understand.” He turned and left.
Iago sighed softly. He lied of course, not really caring if Ma’Kir believed him or not.
He wants discipline from his people, and as long as this war is going on, he will not let any of his crew slack…especially by allowing some mushy relationships.
“It would only soften the boy up…” Iago softly said to himself. “…and I don’t want that to happen.” He finished, absently clenching his hand into a fist.