There was a spy on board. Jeira scanned the minds of the nearest crew, searching for clues. They were restless but their public minds seemed unaware of the infiltration. Jeira would need to keep an eye on the situation. Her heart sank at the thought of continually searching their thoughts. She was tired and this was not going to help.
The new uniform looked great. Jeira smiled as se confidently strode through the automatic doors into the bridge, she knew she looked good. The admiring glances of the male officers felt like intense laser pinpricks on her back as she moved gracefully to take her place. Her smile slipped as she contemplated the new mission, but returned again as she mentally kicked herself for even a moment's self-doubting.
She reached out with her mind, noting the ship's complement, mentally checking their positions against a memorised ship's plan. There were still two empty stations and to save the Captain asking the computer she quietly moved closer to her.
"There are two stations free Ma'am."
Captain Bartek pulled a face in response. "That would be the twins."
Jeira looked at the older woman, too professional to ask why the acerbic tone but knowing from the colour of the other woman's aura the frustration she felt against them.
"Do you want me to...?"
"If you would." The Captain moved towards the door which slid open smoothly as she neared. "By the way, welcome to the Armageddon, you should do well on this ship." With that she stepped smartly through and the bridge visibly relaxed.
Jeira roamed her mind out while flicking her hands efficiently over the plasti-screen in front of her. The files of the twins popped into view as two miniature 3D holograms at the same time as she located them with her mind.
The two images were displayed side by side alongside their service record, their profiles turning 360 degrees in continual rotation. As the Information Officer she was surprised at the similarity between them. The records were almost duplicates. Although, as she looked closer she could see that Maroo was a centimeter shorter than his twin.
She scanned down the text. They had been in service together for ten years, both attended the training academy on the same day and both were given posts as councillors at the same time. Jeira's brow furrowed slightly as she read their abilities with concern. They were empaths on their own, but together they could read minds. That would explain their service record. The empire would not want to waste such a resource by splitting up THAT ability.
From their locators, the twins were in the bar again. Well known for their propensity for drink, their record also showed several infractions of drinking while on duty. Jeira grimaced. She understood why - drink was the only thing which could deaden psychic abilities, albeit only for a short time. She still didn't approve.
Jeira stood up and smoothed the creases from her tunic. You could say what you liked about the Empire, but they did produce the best ships. As she walked through the main titanium clad corridor, the stark walls were punctuated by control panels on the left side while on the right was the unblemished view of the stars. Her breath caught as she saw the beautiful blues of the nebula in the distance beyond the majestic twin moons of Carello. Even though she knew the Plasti-glass wall was reinforced with an impenetrable force-field she never quite dared to go too close to it.
Shrugging she carried on, her feet creating a clicking sound on the smooth bare metal floor. Entering the lounge, the twins were easy to find. This was the only room where the designers had let their abilities reign free. A triangular shape, the tip of the room had the same plasti-glass wall that enabled a view of the stars from the corridor. Tables were arranged to take full advantage of the view while the bar was to her left. Propping up the bar, they were where she expected them to be. They didn't sense her presence but the lack of it made them look up bleary-eyed.
She smiled disarmingly at them, noting their rumpled green uniforms - the regulation haircut just beyond what was considered proper. She sighed - not her problem.
"You are needed on the bridge. We have just arrived at the planet."
Maroo, always the speaker, turned his face slowly toward her. His eyes peered as though she were a great distance away. "You know, it's strange we can't sense you. We've tried, but you are a black hole. Why would that be?"
Jeira coughed. "Have you thought maybe because... you drink too much?"
Tritaea laughed sarcastically, "We don't drink enough."
"No matter, the Captain needs you on the bridge - a half hour ago. Sober up and be ready or you face another fortnight in the brig, understand?" They nodded in unison.
Carello was beautiful, Jeira stopped to admire the planet on her way back. She could see the blue oceans clearly from where she stood. It was paradise. With its sparkling oceans, its temperate weather system and the fact it was underpopulated for its size, it was amazing the Empire hadn't found it before now. She only allowed herself a moment before moving on.
The twins were already seated at the front next to the vid screen by the time she arrived. They must have taken the secondary corridor which ran through the port side of the ship.
"What do the scans say?" Maroo asked.
"Nothing, that's why you are here," Jeira heard the Captain reply.
"Sure, right."
The twins stopped speaking and turned towards each other, casting their minds out towards the planet. They moved as one, merging into a single mind seeking out life. They began by making broad sweeps of the planet. They revelled in the freedom of the merge. What they usually thought of as a curse now allowed them to experience freedom few in the Empire could feel. Psychics were few and far between and the twins were secure in the knowledge that although they weren't unique, they were rare enough to be privileged.
Four hours later they returned to their respective bodies, tired but satisfied, they had done their best. They reported no advanced life. The Captain breathed a sigh of disappointment. This could have made her career. Staring at the vid screen in front of her the Captain looked at the desolate planet. She had been so sure, the intel had to be right but the evidence was right in front of her eyes. She thought maybe with the twins? ...but no, the rumours of a psychic planet were wrong. At least at this location.
"OK, pilot set a course for home, the intel was obviously wrong."
Jeira took a step back, exhausted from following the twins. Still, there was one more thing to do. She stepped quietly into the corridor and moved towards the shuttle bay. Stopping at the nearest control panel, she erased all mention of herself in the computer and logs. As the shuttle left the bay she cast her mind back and erased all knowledge of herself from the crew.
As the guardian of Carello, it was her job to protect it from the Empire. A world of peaceful psychics they would not be able to last long against the Empire's militia. Still, for now, they were safe. The Armageddon would report a hostile environment and no life on Carello.
Looking at her reflection against the receding view of the Armageddon disappearing in the viewplate, Jeira let her illusion drop. The young face began to hollow out, become leaner. Her dark hair turned grey and gentle wrinkles snaked across her face becoming deeper until an elderly woman's face looked back. How long could she keep this up before having to choose a successor?
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Edit: I forgot to put the copyright info in! First post mistake
© 2017, Ceri Clark
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