Cenerea, 3rd planet from the star Letria. Regalius, The Homeland, Central Region,

The Capitol City, Chancellor Santum's Office,

Forty-Four Cenerean Years Ago

"Gil!"

"Connor, how long has it been?" The pilot embraced his brother-in-law.

"Too long, buddy. Too long," Chancellor Santum said wearing a very large toothy smile. "Come in! Have a seat. You want something to drink? I got some of your favorite."

"Oh, yeah, light me up," Gil replied. "Man, this is almost like old times back at the compound, you know? Except you have this huge office and all now. I never see you over there at the mansion, anymore."

"Yeah, this little place keeps me running. But, you are right; I really have missed us hanging out."

"So, how do you like your big-time job since your election to Chancellor? I know you are keeping my Aunt Clarissa happy. She tells me about all of the wonderful things you have planned for the Confederation and also the Clan." Gil said, accepting a drink from Connor.

"It's going really well, except for those fucking Sub troublemakers." The Chancellor said taking a drink. The ice cube rang against the crystal glass as he emptied the contents into his mouth.

"I don't know why you worry about those people. They can't hurt us," the Lieutenant said.

"That's what you think. The Lavidians are arming them now. If we do not watch it, they'll start blowing up buildings and killing people by the thousands. You've seen the information monitors."

"I suppose you are right. So, why does the most powerful man in the Confederation need to talk to some half-assed Arcturan pilot on loan to the CRMDAC?" The young man laughed and took a sip from his drink.

"Stop with your self-depricating bullshit, Gil." Connor grinned. "We both know your royal ass should be running the 8th."

"You offerin' me the job, bro?"

"Not quite. I am offering you something even better. Marriage to what will soon be the most powerful woman in the Confederation."

Gil nearly choked on his drink. He wiped his lips with his sleeve and coughed. "Dude, I am not marrying that psychotic sister of mine, that's sick."

"No, fool. I mean that really hot Research and Development scientist that is building all of those new weapons systems. That one."

"You better watch saying shit like that. Mother will shut you and Aunt Clarissa out of the Clan."

"I am not worried about your mother. I have bent her over that four post bed enough..."

"Damn, Connor. Got it. Don't need to hear about it." Gil closed his eyes and shook his head.

The Chancellor laughed. "I can't help it if I am her favorite."

"Whatever. The scientist you are talking about, you mean Wendy Powell? The one with daddy issues?"

"So, you've heard of her?" Connor inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Who hasn't, but why me?"

The Chancellor sat on the edge of his desk and set the empty glass down on its glossy surface. He put his left hand in his lap and the right one he waved around carelessly. "I need someone I can trust to keep an eye on her. Someone who can keep me informed about what is really going on in her little circle. I have to make sure she is someone to be trusted, unlike her fucked up father, Gene. That guy is something else."

"How do you even know she'll like me?"

"Right now, Gil, she would like anything with a dick. I imagine her right hand gets more action than most guys get in their entire lifetime." Connor laughed. "One look in your green eyes and she'll drop those panties quicker than you can say artificial intelligence."

"That's fucked up. Alright, so, are you going to be my wingman?"

"Nope, not directly. You are going in solo. That big chested wacko, General Browne has already made you some documents to bring with you. I am going to throw a little dinner party at the Arcturan mansion in her honor to butter her up...I'll probably have to fuck your mom to do it, though. Anyways, I'll invite the media and make sure they get a good ol' dose of you and her together. Then, I will give her Gene's department and rank. That was his plan after all. At least the son of a bitch knew when to admit he was a failure. Oh, well."

"What's in it for me?" Gil inquired.

Connor grinned. "Don't worry. You'll be getting plenty of attention once she sees you in your white uniform. But, I tell you what, I'll sweeten the pot. I'll even let you take my transport."

"Whatever you say, boss...wait? Did you say I could take your transport?" Gil asked with a large smile forming on his face. "I do love that machine."

"Tell you what. Just keep it."

"Seriously?"

The Chancellor shrugged. "I can't drive the thing anymore because of security issues, you understand, and I know you will appreciate it."

"Wow, thanks, bro!"

"Oh, and take General Pha' Li's VTOL to go get the scientist from the field. He won't need it for a while. I have him working all of those Regional Defense Forces for their buy-in of the Homeland. By the way, Wendy Powell's a bit of an adrenaline junky. That bird will really get her panties wet."

"Roger that."

"You make this work out and I'll tell you straight, buddy, you will be sitting pretty!" Connor said with a smile.

...

Cenerea, 3rd planet from the star Letria. Regalius, The Homeland,

Central Region, The Capitol City,

114 Darvon Street, Current Day

"Have a seat. Let me read it to you, okay?"

"Alright." Wendy sat down on a work stool and leaned her head against Geneticus. She dried her eyes with the back of her hand and sniffed.

Jay selected another folder. "So, this file says Gil. Are you sure you want...?"

"Yes, read it!" the woman said sharply.

"Okay, it's a non-redacted report. CRMDAC 8th Squadron Report of Major Accident. Location. Southeastern Sub-Region location 850:10 by 269:09. It was not an aircraft to aircraft incident, blah, blah, blah..." Jay said under his breath scanning over the document. "Ummm, let me see. Uh, okay. Here we are. Lt. Mitchell's aircraft, one FLD220 Lawless fightercraft showed erratic behavior on radar at approximately 0934 hours. The craft appeared to struggle for several minutes eventually veering off course at 0940..."

"This is well documented, Jay. What does this report say as the reason for the accident?" Geneticus asked impatiently.

"Sorry, this is all new to me, Geneticus."

"I apologize, but I need to know for myself."

"Okay, G, I understand. Alright, toward the bottom of the report it says the pilot attempted to eject at 0938 but the craft's safety system never engaged," Jay raised an eyebrow. "Geneticus?"

"Yes?"

"According to this report, the black box information is shown as corrupted, however, it looks as if someone may have tampered with it. In the folder along with this report, there are two sets of data. One file says, Black Box Hacked and there's another labeled Black Box Original."

"Interesting. Select the original file. Evidently, I was given the other by the CRMDAC at the time."

"Okay." Jay clicked on the data's container and opened it. "There is a video file in here."

Wendy sat up. "A what?"

"Yeah, a video file from the last moments of the crash. I don't know if you should watch it..."

"Jay! Don't you tell me what I should do! Let me fucking see it." Wendy said angrily as she shot from her chair, striding up to the terminal. She smacked the desktop surface to start the video and buried her attention into the screen.

...

Cenerea, 3rd planet from the star Letria. Regalius,

Southwestern Sub-Region

Forty-Two Cenerean Years Ago

0935 Hours. "Shit!" Gil shouted beneath his oxygen mask, attempting to maintain control of the '220 fighter. Every buzzer and light in the aircraft screeched and blazed. It was the stuff of a pilot's worst nightmares. The machine shuddered as its engines flared intermittently. The man did not have to have his instrumentation working to know he was going down and in short order. He let go of the center stick with one of his hands. The yoke bucked wildly without both fists keeping it somewhat steady. He searched blindly with his fingers as the cockpit rocked violently.

"Got it!" Gil pulled the escape lever on the side of his seat. Nothing. "No, this is not happening!" He yanked again, even harder. Again, nothing.

"Confederation Central Command, are you there? Triple C, anyone?" Only static for a reply. "Fuck me!" Gil remembered his personal comm unit. "Maybe? It's worth a shot," he thought. The metal of the Lawless was beginning to creak and pop. With his free hand, he fished the device from his coverall's breast pocket. A large jolt ran through the craft nearly dislodging the unit from his fingers. With one hand, he somehow managed to set the device to satellite transceiver mode. As he began to dial, the device rang. It was his sister.

"Hello, brother," said a static-laced voice on the other end. One Gil could still clearly make out even over the noise.

"I need help, sister. My fighter it..."

"What? Is it going down? Awww, I know and it's so sad, brother. In fact, I am watching you on your cockpit's visual array right now. It's the only thing that is working in that ol' bird. I do really have to give it to you, because you've been trying really, really hard to keep that fighter up in the air. Take my advice... you should just give up and face the inevitable. Look, for what it's worth, this is nothing personal. However, it was something that had to be done. You have to realize I couldn't let you take the Motherhood from me. We all know that once you married that Powell slut, you would be the next in line for the Arcturan throne. Imagine that, the first King Arcturis in a thousand years. Dreadful."

Gil could almost see his sadistic younger sister rolling her eyes. "You little bitch. I don't fucking care about that goddamned throne. Not anymore. I don't give a shit what Connor wants to do, either. Wendy is all I care about now! When I get back I wanted..."

Flames erupted inside the cabin as the oxygen system's tank ruptured, filling the small space with fire and heat. Gil screamed as the fighter exploded.

The time was 0940.

...

Jay noticed Wendy beginning to fall backwards. He grabbed her and slowly eased her limp body to the ground. "Gertie!" he called.

"Yes, Jay? Examining..."

"Is she okay?"

"Wendy will be fine. She only fainted. Loosen her top and keep her head elevated. She might be a little nauseous when she wakes."

"Thanks, Gert."

Geneticus' deep voice rumbled through the room. "I don't like this, Jay. I am not sure this is good for the Creator. She has already been through so much."

"I don't think it is up to us to decide, my friend. It seems there have been enough secrets in her life."

"Very well, Jay. I understand." The A.I. paused, "It looks as if Wendy is coming to."

Jay brushed the red hair from his wife's face and smiled. "Hey there," he said softly. "Don't try to sit up just yet. Just lay here for a sec, okay?"

"Okay." Wendy said shakily. "So, the current Mother Arcturis had Gil killed? She was afraid of him taking the Motherhood from her. What is wrong with those people?"

"I don't know. But, I almost married one of them."

"Well?"

"Funny. This is different."

"Jay?" The voice of Geneticus echoed through the lab.

"What is it, G?"

"I really hope I have been wrong, as sad as this makes me, to know this was how Harold and I parted ways. Me accusing my friend of something he was potentially not involved in. He did tell me I didn't know everything. I suppose he was right up to this point. However, I still think Harold was involved in some way"

"I agree."

"I need to get up," Wendy said and attempted to stand, interrupting the conversation.

"Alright, I got you. Hey, Wendy, how about we look at this info a little later, okay?" Jay helped his wife rise to her feet.

"Fine, but I am going through all of that with you. Both of you. Got me?" Wendy said emphatically, pointing a finger at the A.I. and Jay. "Don't you hide anything!"

"How about we take a ride up to Spawn Point II and forget about everything for a bit?"

"Alright, I could use a break and Josh likes it up there," Wendy replied.

Geneticus wished it could join them as well.