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Fathom's Phantoms Ch 35, The Next Jen-eration

Although Jennifer liked to think of herself as skilled at processing and acclimating to change she was also a realist and that meant she understood when she was out of her element; with all of the emergencies, surprises, and unexpected events that had transpired in only a handful of hours she was beginning to doubt that she'd be able to keep up. The fact that a handgun was aimed at her and her companions didn't help.

They were only one hallway over from her suite when they encountered the Snow Leopard. The man was dressed in military grade combat armor; he had a firearm in one paw and a knife in the other. Considering the uncertain times that might have not normally been suspect... if not for the fact that he was had the gun at the ready, staring them down... that, and the dead body laying in the hallway. The Feline's attention was on Major McIlvoy; considering the Stallion was the only real combatant in the group it was very sound thinking.

Even with the constant one-two punch of continual reassessment, she still had the wherewithal take what action she could. While the Leopard was focused on the Horse Jen activated the transmission mode on her PCD and took a step forward. She didn't know if there was anyone close enough to hear what she hoped would be a logical discussion, but she hoped it might make a difference. "Listen... I don't know who you are, but I can tell you're an LHI Designer Domestic model... nobody else has to die. Please... just... put down the gun."

The Snow Leopard's gaze went immediately to her and he lowered the weapon and addressed her directly with the faintest hint of an eastern European accent. "Ms. Thustenburger. You and your DDs are in danger. I am here to--"

Major McIlvoy cut the introduction short by body checking the man into the wall. The two scuffled for just a moment but the Horse's surprise attack won him the edge, and he managed to disarm the feline and form him to the ground with a hoof on his back. "An' stay doen."

The pinned combatant struggled, but only so he could look up toward Jennifer, "I am supposed to tell you, 'The North Star is at the end of the Little Bear's tail.'."

It was a phrase that she knew well; it was a code that she and her mother had used ever since she was ten. Considering the situation she was hesitant to trust it but it was such a non-sequitor that it seemed nearly impossible for him to have correctly addressed her. The Overseer looked to the Stallion. "You can let him up... he's alright... I think."

Dr. Makowi knelt down beside the corpse in the hall. "Tell that to this man."

The Snow Leopard stood up, helped by Major McIlvoy and made no attempt to retrieve his gun. Instead he motioned to the body. "Ms. Thurstenburger... THAT MDU was ordered to enact Regulation Three."

Although everyone else in the group was confused by the simple declaration Jennifer knew exactly what the Gen meant. "Oh my god... WHY?!?"

The feline's steel grey eyes never left hers. "Your father."

The announcement made no sense... for all of five seconds-- after that it all clicked into place. "When DRC bought LHI out he said he'd rather burn the labs then let them get their hands on the manufacturing license... mother said he was just being melodramatic..."

The Snow Leopard made to step toward her but Major McIlvoy interposed himself. The feline spoke around the Horse. "Your father has an extraction team coming for you... your mother placed me on the station in case Regulation Three was enacted."

Surresh smiled. "It pays to have powerful parents."

Jennifer let the statement go by without a return comment. She instead turned back to speak with the Captain... only to find her missing. "Captain? Captain Nida?"

A voice spoke up from everyone's PCD and she recognized it right away as ALVIN. "I am afraid the Captain has already moved on to an adjacent hallway."

Dr. Makowi immediately took note of the program's presence. "ALVIN?"

"Hello again, Surresh."

The Tiger glanced to his PCD. "Where did the Captain go? We were on our way to Overseer Thurstenburger's quarters to--"

The Stallion interrupted him, motioning to the Snow Leopard as he addressed Alvin. "Do yeh have any information on this man?"

Jennifer was surprised at just how much information the program DID have. "Military Designer Unit of the Designer Domestics line.... specifically the Dmitri Vanestov model, although a modified version-- the genetic coding calls for a much larger frontal lobe than the standard MDU-DV units, which suggests that this--"

Surresh raised an eyebrow. "The frontal lobe directs decision making, social development, psychologi--"

ALVIN was just as quick to interrupt the Tiger. "He was made to be more-- pardon the terminology-- user-friendly."

The Snow Leopard, Dmitri by name apparently, interjected. "Ms. Thurstenburger... there are still two more MDUs on board the station, and it is not safe."

Jennifer found something slightly odd about that suggestion. "I wouldn't be part of the Regulation Three initiative... why would I be in danger?"

Dr. Makowi stepped over to join the Overseer, albeit, behind the Stallion. "Perhaps you might enlighten me as to the meaning of Regulation Three?"

ALVIN did so for her. "All Designer Domestics on Sigma-Echo are marked to be decommissioned... permanently."

Dmitri was very quick to object. "Theodocious and Carol were exceptions to Regulation Three as they originated prior to its adoption... all MDUs were ordered to retrieve Ms. Thurstenburger along with those two companions and deliver them to the VAC rescue team."

Surresh smirked. "Although I am sad to say it, that assault team was already wiped out."

The Snow Leopard leveled his gaze at the Tiger. "It was a team separate from yours, Dr. Makowi. I still have yet to hear from them."

Jennifer took control over the conversation the moment she realized something. "I'm not about to let the rest of my team get slaughtered. They're not just employees; they're my friends."

Dmitri nodded and held out his paw; Major McIlvoy returned his gun to him. "Which is why your mother had me sent here... she specifically stated in her orders that I am to protect you and your employees because otherwise you would 'do something foolish'."

Although she felt a moment of frustration followed by a strong amount of embarrassment she had to admit that her mother knew her well. "Have you seen them? I lost contact with my suite and I haven't heard from anyone for over--"

The Snow Leopard held up a paw. "Ms. Thurstenburger, first I wish to let you know that there have been casualties-- please remain calm while I explain."

Jennifer never really figured out why people suggested the victims of loss suggest tell them to stay calm but she was pretty certain that it never worked. In her case her managerial attitude took over and she fought to keep her analytical mind reigning over her emotional one. "I would like a report please."

Dmitri nodded. "Yes, ma'am... Theodocious, Carol, Henry, Oswald, and Kenneth are awaiting your return. They are the entirety of your remaining work force."

Although the announcement was listed in suitable business/military format stating remaining assets the cold precision hurt more than she expected. Jennifer tried to wrap her brain around the fact that almost all of her employees... her friends... her FAMILY... were gone.

A gentle paw pressed down against her shoulder. Major McIlvoy spoke softly. "Come on, Lass... let's get yeh to 'em."

It was certainly not a suitable chain-of-command way to address the Overseer but at that moment Jennifer really couldn't think of a way to scold the Stallion. Nodding mutely she let Dmitri lead her back to her suite, followed by the rest of the group. The Snow Leopard continued speaking, explaining that his designation was Steel and that there were five MDUs assigned to Sigma Echo by her father; he had already found and dispatched Teal, Perse, and Rust... Bice and Gilt were still lurking around.

She didn't know why she wanted to ask, but she felt she had to. "And... these five MDUs... they killed all of my friends?"

Dmitri shook his head. "No, Miss Thurstenbuger... many died fighting off the VAC's initial raid on Sigma-Echo; they were looking to extract you if they could but failed. Marcus was the first Geneticon targeted under Regulation Three. Teal killed Marcus and that was when I stepped in to prevent further deaths by eliminating him. Perse ambushed us in your suite as I was briefing your staff... after that I had to take a more active role, and that is when I encountered Rust... the MDU you found me with in the hall."

Jennifer nodded numbly. "Go back to sweeping for threats, Steel... I think Major McIlvoy should be able to protect us in case anything gets past you. No more casualties please."

The Snow Leopard nodded. "I understand, Ms. Thurstenburger."

The young woman fought hard to keep her emotions in check; she had a feeling that Dmitri could not, in fact, TRULY understand... in fact, no one did. When the door to her suite opened and she came face to face with Theodocious, however, she realized that, in actuality, yes... there WAS one person who could. She went immediately into his arms so they could share tears before words... and there were plenty of tears to share.

* * * * *

A number of things had gone through Theodocious' mind when he saw Jennifer standing out in the hall,but the one that stuck in it the most--- was completely ejected out of his ear when she ran up and threw her arms around him. He didn't really know how to respond at first. The surprise of her familiar gesture in front of so many strangers gave him a hint of unease but that quickly passed the moments his arms mimicked the gesture; having her there made everything alright.

He didn't pay much attention to everyone else that had come with her-- they certainly weren't as important. They found their way in through the open door regardless and it was only when Theo remembered everything Jen hadn't heard about that the moment passed. He scarcely dared to whisper "I'm sorry I couldn't keep everyone alive."

Jennifer slowly drew back but left her hands on his shoulders. "It's not your fault, Theo. You can't control everything no matter how organized and efficient you are."

The Wolf nodded, slowly looking away. He turned but she kept one hand on one of his shoulders and moved to embrace him from behind; it was the closest they'd been in what felt like an eternity. Sighing, he reached up a paw to rest on the back of her hand. "We lost Trudy and Xavier too... we're being... ah... hunted."

Jennifer slowly disengaged and moved to walk beside him as they joined everyone else in the living room. "Dmitri already briefed us... Regulation 3. I know."

Theo said nothing with regard to that; he should have known Jen was on top of it... she always managed to keep up. He decided a report on everyone else would be best. "Carol is doing well... she's helping me keep everything together. Henry is off in the back working on clearing space and making a panic room of some kind... and taking care of Oswald."

The Human looked to him at that. "What's wrong with Ozzy?"

The Wolf let out a breath. "After Trudy and Xavier died Ozzy had a breakdown. I'm not really sure what it was but--"

Henry trotted his way out of the hallway leading to the bedrooms, wiping his paws off on a rag. "He's catatonic. I'm thinking he'll be taking some sick days, boss."

Theo overlooked the interruption but only because he finally took note of the other guests that had joined Jennifer; they were both looking at him. "And... I see we have guests. Are these men bridge officers?"

The Wolf took a moment to look at the two others when he was met with silence. With Jennifer had come a smooth-furred Bengal Tiger and a large Draft Horse; neither particularly looked like command personnel but Theo decided to keep it polite and respectful... just in case.

Jen shook her head, "No... not exactly."

The Tiger stood and extended a paw speaking in what sounded like a faint Bengali accent. "Doctor Surresh Makowi. A pleasure to meet you, Theodocious. You know, I studied LHI's Designer Domestic program for quite some time when I was doing University work."

Theo raised his ears at that. "You studied biology and genetics?"

Dr. Makowi chuckled, "No, my fine fellow... I taught Advanced Cognitive Construction."

Henry crossed his arms and huffed. "Huh... a brain mechanic."

The Tiger smiled. "Not so much as one who appreciates a finely crafted mechanism... after all, much of our modern understanding of artificial thought owes itself to LHI and, in fact it has gone to great lengths to prove that there is little measurable difference between that and original thought."

The Draft Horse standing beside Dr. Makowi gave him a light elbow addressing the Tiger in a thick Irish accent. "We daen't have much time, Makowi."

The Doctor nodded, rubbing his arm where the Horse's elbow had made contact. "What my associate means to say, Theo is that we are on something of a time schedule and who we are is less important to us than who YOU are."

The Horse snorted. "T'th' point: where were yeh on Farlight an' how'd ye get out?"

Theo paused at length, trying to figure out what the large man meant. The only Farlight he knew about was an exploratory outpost several systems away. "I'm afraid I don't understand. Do you mean the Farlight Outpost?"

Dr. Makowi forestalled the Stallion's response by stepping in front of him. "Allow me to try a different tact. Theodocious, what can you tell me about Yggdrasil?"

The Wolf's dream came immediately back to him. "What about Yggdrasil?"

Something about some subconscious gesture he gave off must have caught the Stallion's attention because he took a step forward. "The Ygddrasil Project... yeh know it?"

Theo had no idea why he was being interrogated because that's what it felt like. "The Yggdrassil is the World Tree in Norse mythology... other than that, no."

Jennifer rested a hand on his paw. "You can't think of anything else?"

The Wolf shook his head, focused suddenly more on her hand than either of the guests. "No. Nothing other than a dream I had the other day..."

Dr. Makowi smirked, motioning to the Wolf. "And there we have it."

Carol emerged from the kitchen with a serving tray of tea and began calmly distributing the drinks. As an assistant to Jen the Doe was always good about being timely and courteous without giving too much thought to anything being discussed... but Theo didn't miss the fact that her ears were focused intently on the conversation.

Henry, however, was not so pragmatic about hospitality. "I can't believe you're serving tea at a time like this."

The Doe did not give an inch. "We have guests and it's my job, Henry... just because you don't have to move garbage doesn't mean that the rest of us don't like our assigned duties."

Theo held up a paw, silencing them both; ever since the group was weaned off of HID tempers were a little higher then normal and he had to keep a tight reign on things. When they both went back to their own tasks Theo returned his attention to Jen. "Kenneth is out looking for an update on events."

Dmitri's scowl was obvious even without Theo looking directly at him and his gruff tone said it all. "I told you to make sure everyone stayed here."

Henry interposed himself between Wolf and the Snow Leopard. "Well to start, we don't take orders from you and second, we need to know what's going on. We can't do our jobs without info."

Dmitri didn't back down. "I am here to protect you but I cannot do that if you do not listen... and all you--"

The argument came to an end in a single moment when Jen clearly announced. "I'm enacting Priority One."

Theo had heard of Priority One but it came about after he'd been born. He watched in surprise as all of the Designer Domestics in the suite looked her way like an obedient room full of students. The Wolf knew enough about the imbedded suggestion in the newer DD models but to see it put into effect was a little frightening.

The fact that Jen didn't believe in the commands only indicated that the situation was that much more dire. Dr. Makowi explained it the best. "Everyone's life is in grave danger. More of the men and women aboard this station will die than survive and, sadly we do not have much time to provide much more insight into the matter."

Jennifer sat down at the table and all of Jen's Gens joined her; Theo did so as well. The Wolf looked around the room. "Okay... so what's going on?"

A voice spoke up suddenly. "Surresh... although I realize dramatic moments are often considered prime material for observation I do regret that I must interrupt."

The Tiger's gaze went from Jennifer to his PCD. "Go ahead, ALVIN."

"Captain Nida Jorn is no longer on the station."

Theo had no idea where she could have gone... but he knew that was probably not good news.