Transition: Stryker Team, #2

CHAPTER ONE

Captain Kalana Grenor stood staring out the window while wondering where to begin. On her desk sat an invitation from Lady Diana Ventana, head of the Ventana Family, one of the most powerful families in the League. She now had unfettered access to a vast storehouse of data, data which could help her find her fiancé’s killer. The problem was she had no idea what to do with it. A knock at her door interrupted her train of thought.

Enter!

The door opened and a Basili woman walked in and came to attention while saluting. Private Mersa reporting as ordered, ma'am!

Kalana returned the salute. At ease. Yeah, about that rank. I've been authorized to promote you to the rank of Sergeant. Congratulations.

Mersa flapped her wings, a sign of nervousness. Thank you, Captain.

You and Trent did spectacularly on Meltor, and I need you both on this mission to find Colonel Ventana's murderer. Due to the nature of this mission, I can't order you to help. All I can do is ask.

I'm in. What do you need me to do?

The door opened, and an Alue walked in to join the two women. He stood at attention and saluted. Ma'am, is she in?

Yes, Sergeant Trent, she's in.

Trent smiled at the Basili. We are so going to do this.

Do what, ma'am, if I may ask?

It has come to my attention, Mersa, that you are a top-tier computer whiz and hacker. Is this true? Kalana asked.

More nervous flaps. Yes, ma'am. Who told you?

Kalana glanced at the Alue, Rank hath its privileges, Mersa. How are you with pattern recognition and big data analysis?

It's my specialty. How big a data set are we talking about?

The Ventana Family database. Here are the access codes, Kalana said while handing over the invite.

You want all data pertaining to Colonel Ventana?

Yes. You have Trent at your disposal. I hear he's pretty good at digging around in computer systems.

Mersa smiled. Yes, ma'am. When do we start?

I have a shuttle waiting for us at dock 12. It leaves for Tralaska in two hours. Get your gear and meet me there.

Yes, ma'am, the two Space Marines said in unison.

Dismissed. And thank you both.

They saluted, then turned on their heels and headed to the squad bay to gather their gear, leaving Kalana to return to her musings.

Captain. You have an incoming message, Murphy, her AI announced from his Office somewhere in her skull. It is DCI Adon.

Thanks, Murph. Put him through.

A holographic image of an older human appeared above her desk. Kalana! How's it going?

She smiled. Gabriel always made her smile. Swimmingly. I leave for Tralaska in a couple hours. What's up?

I heard you're here on Ventos Prime Station One, and I thought you'd like to have a drink with an old friend, but since you're leaving...

I've got time. Where are you?

The Twisted Tail down on the Promenade Deck.

Great. Be there in ten. Kalana out. Murphy, route my calls to my mobile, if you please.

Aye, aye, Captain. It will be good to see Gabriel again.

Yes, it will be good. She turned out her desk light, then headed to the door.

###

Kalana walked into the bar and found Gabe seated at a far table. With him were two Space Marine privates who were of a species she was not familiar with. The two Marines stood at attention and saluted when she walked up while Gabe stood and smiled. She returned the salutes. At ease, Marines, she said before hugging Gabe. Hey, you.

Back at you, Girl Friend. Kalana, I would like you to meet Space Marine Private Nana Tor and Space Marine Private Marcus Wen. Nana and Marcus, this is Captain Kalana Grenor.

Hero of Meltor, Nana said as she flapped her wings.

I read your paper on cephalopod amputation treatment, Marcus added. That's when Kalana noticed that both Marines had characteristics of humans, elves, Basili, and several other species she would swear could not cross-breed.

Can I ask you two a personal question?

Here it comes, Gabe said as he took a drink from his tea.

Of course, Captain, Nana said.

Ask us anything, Marcus finished.

What are you?

Genetically Engineered Life Forms, ma'am, they said in unison.

Compliments of Dr. Zoe Muntz, Gabe explained.

The four took a seat and, after Kalana ordered a drink, Gabe explained further. "After her 'Death' at Destiny, Zoe spent years trying to perfect her cyborg strykers. Records searches show that