"The Targ Totality" - Part 9
The two Targ turn at stare at Gustav. Even though their expressions are concealed by their encounter suits, they manage to convey an air of utter bewilderment.
"What are you talking about?" one of them demands at last, "We're in the middle of a very delicate experiment, here. The slightest disturbance could -"
S'Ondra has seen enough. This 'subtlety' thing has gone on long enough, in her opinion. With a shout of glee, she leaps through the open door and levels her heat lance at the two aliens. A blast of super-heated energy flashes from the tip of the lance, causing one of the computer consoles to explode in a shower of white sparks.
"Careful, Princess!" Fury strides into the room, helmet still doffed to expose his chiselled good looks. "We need the information in those computers!"
Finally reacting to the attack, one of the Targ lunges toward a large red button on the console behind him. Fury immediately snaps off a shot, but the alien moves too quickly, slapping the button with the flat of his hand. Klaxons begin to wail.
"Looks like you need some practice handling your pistol, Captain."
"You want to handle it for me, Princess?"
The green tube at the far side of the room explodes in a shower of heavy glass shards. Roaring and bellowing, the imprisoned creature bursts out. Massive talons tear the metal wall like it was aluminium foil, and the beast charges out of sight, leaving only a ragged hole in the bulkhead as sign of its passing.
"What vas zat thing?"
"Who cares, Doc? It's the Targ's problem, now!"
Outside the room, Archie pulls a panel from the wall and plugs directly into the exposed circuitry within.
"Accessing security systems." He intones, and suddenly the blare of klaxons fades, "Alarm re-routed to main power plant on deck fourteen. Disabling all further alarms in this section."
The two unarmed Targ scientists are quickly overpowered.
"Talk!" S'Ondra jabs one of them in the stomach with the butt of her heat lance, "Tell us about the space mould!"
"What do you want to know?" the Targ shrugs his shoulders in confusion, "It's a molecular protein with multiple state DNA -"
"Fascinating." Gustav interrupts, "Zat would require very sophisticated genetic engineering. How did you overcome ze problem of polymal-state infusion?"
"Save the science fair talk for later, Doc." Fury isn't interested in any kind of genetic engineering except the kind that couples do in private. "We need everything they know about the antidote."
Gustav reluctantly nods his agreement.
"Archie!" he calls, "Ve need you to access ze computer consoles here and copy all ze information on ze protoplasm zat is used to destroy the mould."
"Very well, Doctor." Archie enters the laboratory, fastidiously closing the door behind him. "I shall require a few minutes."
"Get details of their fleet while you're at it." Fury directs, "And check their logs for any further updates. And make sure no-one is coming here. And maybe you should set off another alarm somewhere in the ship. That'll keep them busy."
Archie pauses,
"Is there anything else, Captain?"
"No, that should do it." Sensing sarcasm is not Fury's strongest skill.
As Archie begins to access the computers, the others turn their attention to the remains of the green tube.
"What was that thing?" S'Ondra demands.
"A Shintrak." One of the Targ replies, "It's native to planet EK27-B."
"What did you want it for?"
The Targ glance at each other, but remain silent.
"The lady asked a question." Fury none too subtly puts his hand on his atomic pistol.
"We are working on a behaviour modification device." One of the scientists reluctantly explains, "Something to allow us to control the creature."
"How did you plan to do zis?"
"A creature's reactions are controlled by the impulses to and from their nerve cortex. We were working on a device that would allow us to transmit those impulses. We were just about to install it when you burst in. You've ruined an important experiment, and the creature will almost certainly be destroyed."
"It's probably better off destroyed than with you in its head." S'Ondra observes.
"I have the information on the protoplasm." Archie reports, "I have also located data on the Targ fleet. I will display it on the main screen."
A large monitor comes alive, and reams of text begins to scroll upward.
"Is there a concise version, Archie?" Fury waves his hand at the screen, "Numbers of vessels by class, that sort of thing?"
The scroll of data stops. Then the screen clears, and new text appears. Fury mutters a curse,
"Over seventy vessels of this class? How big is the Totality?"
"More than large enough to destroy you, alien!" The scientist rejoins.
"This is my solar system." Fury reminds the Targ, "You're the alien, here."
"Captain, a ship-wide alert has been raised." Archie is still plugged into the computer console, "Targ forces have discovered the Pathfinder."
