The Gift

     LR => JA/EG-S by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Snowaters was laying across her command chair, idly running one hand down a furless leg when the communications system beeped. Sitting up she reached over and switched on the transceiver, wondering who would bother to call. After all lately the Star Diamond had been about as busy as a train station in high summer, something the poor half-hermit snow leopard-cum-human was unaccustomed too.

Rachelle Lockland's pleasant, if somewhat apprehensive face filled the screen. Sitting up and pulling her loose dress down to a more modest position she addressed the image.

"Yes Ms. Lockland, to what do I owe the pleasant surprise of your call?" she asked, puzzled. As far as she knew the two had never truly met.

"I understand that your ship has, capabilities. Capabilities that might be for hire?" the human stated.

"Ah" Snowy thought. "Business. At least this I can understand". Standing she approached the screen. From Rachelle's reaction she knew the looming effect was what she wanted. "Perhaps. It depends upon what you want and how much time it will take". She paused, remembering that the Hilbert Hotel starship Klipper was a day away. She would have to factor that in as well.

"Can we meet?" Rachelle asked, looking around. "I don't want Jack knowing about this."

Her interest peaked the Star Diamonds Captain/Owner nodded. "I can be there in twenty three hours. I'll send a shuttle over since our Class A transporter still isn't in safe working condition."

Rachelle smiled in relief. "Tomorrow then. I'll look forward to seeing you."

Snowy cut the line keying the intercom. "'Lith, what do you think?" she asked.

 <I 'Think' I shall feel better if we can find out why your mind-link no longer works> the Diamonds resident alien lifeform intoned. <As for the lady in question. She may have access to ACME MulitVersal's financial resources. Short of killing someone, we should be able to strike a deal>

Rubbing her eyes Snowaters nodded in agreement. "Ok. Take us to the Klipper and keep it quiet. I have no desire to set foot on that craft again." Rubbing her hands across her all too smooth human body she shuddered, "The last time was one time too many for me."

Rachelle marveled at the ancient craft. It was unbelievable something so old remained space worthy. Still, Kage had promised that it was in better shape than outward appearances belied, so she would just have to trust him. Following the intriguing brown light she entered a small conference room, finding a small oriental woman sat behind a table reading several papers.

“Ok Kalith" she said as the tall blond entered her office. "Start the project now. I'll want three variables as fast as they can be created." Shoving her papers into a small folder she stood and held out one hand. "Good morning Ms. Lockland. What was it you wanted to talk about."

Rachelle was shocked. Tthis woman couldn't be over five feet tall, probably smaller. Kage had said the woman Snowaters was short, and had become even shorter during her accidental transformation. But she hadn't expected this. Sitting carefully she tried to relax.

"I understand you use cloning technology to remain alive so long" she said, taking a breath to steady herself.

"Among other, less exotic means yes" Snowy confirmed. "Is it a clone you want?"

Rachelle managed a tiny smile. "Not of myself" she stuttered, it was embarrassing talking like this. Steading herself she continued. "Jack uses them too but he only has three left. He started with ten." She paused, catching her breath. "He's tried every furry scientist he can and none have been able to help. I heard about your abilities from Kagemusha and thought I would ask you about it."

Snowaters smiled in return. "The Shadow Warrior remembers me? I'm delighted. I did so try to affect him. I thought that I had failed."

She stood, handing several papers to Rachelle. "Jack is a rather unusual lifeform, he's not just genetically evolved. Of course the project is intriguing, but I would need a genetic sample first." She pointed at the papers. "My contract. I warn you it will be expensive and I cannot at this moment guarantee that anything will come of it. Cloning is a very delicate technology where our lifeforms are involved, although I hear that with humans its rather simple."

Rachelle looked at the papers, then handed Snowaters a small plastic bag. "All I was able to obtain were hair samples, will that do?"

Taking the bag Snowy glanced at the contents. "Probably if there are roots here. If you will be so kind as to wait here I'll run some tests. It shouldn't take over an hour and will allow you to study the contract." She smiled at the pretty human, "There is no charge for the test, only the actual project." Stepping through the hatch she left Rachelle alone.

Over an hour later Snowaters stood reading the reports. "Kalith, this is going to be awful rough" she half whispered. "These test show obvious changes to the original stock but their just patched in, no real rhyme or reason."

<That would explain the medical records I have obtained from the Klippers systems> the alien replied, <Apparently there has been a great deal of surgery. I imagine Jack has painful days when the weather changes>.

Snowaters looked at the intercom. "How did you get into the Klippers records? I thought you said that ships computer system was sentient."

<True> it answered. <Yet Tani Icedance and I have, an understanding>.

Groaning, the tiny woman shook her head. "Are you getting interested in that netrunner".

<Only as a friend> came the answer a bit too quickly. <Only as a friend>.

Tearing off a printout Snowy turned to leave, "That's what I said about the Clancy girls" she muttered, looking at the double ring on one finge. , "And now look at me." Sighing, she returned to her meeting room and the waiting Rachelle Lockland.

Rachelle stood as the other woman entered, several pages of printout in one hand. "I've read your contract" she said, her voice somewhat apprehensive. "Your services are awful expensive. I'm not sure I can afford them."

Snowaters waved one hand, standing on the opposite side of the table. "That's not the major problem Miss Lockland. I'm very easy with payments, when I happen to like the people involved. Besides you can have hundreds of years to repay. She barely kept from laughing at the humans shocked expression, letting the moment pass. "Our most important problem is Jack. Your samples were enough but the genetic material is a patchwork of fixes and edits. Apparently he's been through a great deal of surgery to give him his present form."

Rachelle's heart sank. ‘She can't do it either’ she thought. ‘At least she's honest about it.’

Spreading several sheets of the report for Rachelle to read Snowy continued. "We can make changes to the original genetic materials, smooth out the patches, make minor improvements to his quality of life. But unless I remap his entire genetic structure each clone will require extensive surgery." She looked at the human, "I'm not going to lie to you, its going to be tight. I may not be successful." She paused, taking in a deep breath, "And even if I only charge you costs, its going to be so expensive."

Rachelle slumped in her chair, expenses weren't the problem. "What are your chances?" she asked.

Sitting slowly the oriental woman handed Rachelle the last sheet of paper. "As you can see a fifty three percent probability of success. That's a forty seven percent chance of failure Rachelle and we're talking about months of research, even if ACME gives me access to their records. Maybe a year before I can give you a final answer. As for the costs, they are on the other side of the printout."

Turning over the paper Rachelle's eyes widened momentarily. "Can I have a few hours to think about this?" she whispered.

Standing again Snowy started out of the room, "Certainly, I'll be on the bridge. Call on the intercom when your ready." She stepped to the hatch, glancing back at the blond woman. "Don't worry Rachelle" she giggled a moment. "If you are only a few credits short I won't sell your contract to Space Slavers".

Rachelle looked at the odds tables, time schedules and cost factors for each step and closed her eyes.

Snowaters watched the ships shuttle slowly slip back into the Diamonds bay, tapping her chairs intercom switch as the bay door sealed. "Take us to this realities Earth Kalith. We can finally get the transporter repaired and lay in spare parts while the genetics program runs. When its finished we'll shift to Jack's reality and contact ACME MultiVersal."

<DNA Mapping is a little over half complete. There are some rather unique connections. His DNA is reversed in some sections. Still nothing that the systems cannot repeat. What about the surgery?>

Snowaters groaned. "It's going to be rough. Some of what was done was touch and go. I'll start studying as soon as I get some sleep, but I don't think its beyond my capabilities. What about the woman's DNA sample".

<Slated for testing as soon as Jack Hilaris mapping is complete. It amazes me. That most sentients forget they shead hairs all the time. What are your plans for her structure?>

The tiny woman stretched, running her feet along the worn carpet. "Remind me to have all the carpeting redone as well, and send the Clancy a message where we will be will you?" Standing she twisted her back, feeling several joints pop back into place. "Rachelle and Jack are non-viable naturally, lets just say I'm going to try to change that. On Jacks end of the genetic rope, then see what happens in the future."

<Transmitting, Course laid in. Travel time three weeks and a few hours> the alien answered. <An interesting experiment. I still can't see how the young lady will afford our services. Not when the lowest figure you quoted was in the eight digit range.>

Snowaters tapped the chairs arm. "First, I find the project interesting, much more than the male pattern baldness cure we ran last year for the Tubariellans. Second, I'm quietly deducting the value of Rachelle's sample, the cost of both mapping her and matching the two. Thirdly, look at the records of those two, how long before they get married?"

<There is no indication that the two are more than very close friends> Kalith answered. <Still, without running the figures I won't take your bet. You win all to often>.

Laughing Snowy again held up her hand, two silvery rings on one finger. "Not always Kalith" she half whispered, "I've lost several bets to you before you know, and one important one very recently."

<Good Morning Captain> Kalith intoned. <All systems active. Jump equation complete. Ready when you are.>

Snowaters groaned, covering her eyes with both hands as she dug deeper into her blankets. She had over indulged the night before and her head was killing her. "Little quieter next time" she mumbled, crawling out of bed and feeling her way to the fresher. "The dead don't like being woken you know".

Kalith ignored her complaints. It had seen this before, abet not quite as bad as this in a long time. Still it knew that after a few hours she could be sociable again.

<Stand by for reality shift, invoking standard cloak>

The woman screamed as reality shifted around her, falling to her knees. "I'm going to break you up into beach sand you stupid... oh my head" she groaned.

<Now entering Jacks reality. Assuming orbit four hundred miles above surface>

Moments later the sound of rushing water rolled through the ship. Snowaters grumbling changing to a chattering scream as the ice cold liquid covered her skin. "I almost wish there was an easier way" she cursed, "But I hate anti-tox, it leaves my mouth tasting like a skunk attack for days".

Kalith noted the massive electromagnetic scans normal of a combat happy civilization, carefully adjusting the ships screens to absorb the more powerful ones, knowing the weaker transmissions would see a ghost, if they managed to return an echo from this altitude in the first place.

<Sunrise was two hours ago at the target. Do you desire to wait?>

Struggling on jeans a size too small Snowy grimaced in pain. "No, lets get it over with, the embryos are at stage one. I need to implant them tomorrow if at all possible."

She stood, swaying as the pants redistributed her weight. "At least this body is going to be useful down there" she grumbled as she picked up a small camera and purse. "How are the repairs to our Class A holding up?"

Kalith scanned the errant machine, making slight adjustments as it did so. <I'm not happy with the system even after the complete overhaul. It should hold for now but I strongly suggest complete replacement>.

"Ok then. Flush the Update banks and start reloading programs. I'm not happy at losing a year or more memories if I die down there. How long will reset take?"

<Flushing now, twelve hours unless we need the engines. Then I will have to start from scratch after they shut down again.>

Turning toward the transporter room Snowaters began her mission. It bothered her that the massive engines of the Diamond interfered with reloads, but she had to admit the tradeoff in power to weight was worth the occasional difficulty. Stepping into the chamber, she gritted her teeth. "Ok, send me" she managed through grinding teeth.

As Kalith dropped the lower shields for transport something entered. Before even its lightning reflexes could react Snowaters was in transit, the 'something' had filled just vacated memory banks and there was an explosion in the transporter chamber.

<Why me> the ball thought as it aborted the reload process, locking access from the affected memory banks. <What did I ever do to deserve this>

Snowaters found herself standing in front of a massive building, an ornate sign welcoming her to ACME's Corporate headquarters standing a few feet to one side. Tapping her wristwatch-cum-transceiver she looked around as she talked. "What happened? That felt worse than the Texas Rattler".

<A-1 Transporter is dead. D*E*A*D> Kalith replied. <I seriously doubt a third of the circuits are recoverable. Also. We now have something in the memory bank. I have not had time to do a search and access. It appears standardized. I am preparing CYBERSNAKE for launch. You are on your on until it arrives. About thirty minutes.>

She acknowledged, shutting off the little device. There was nothing she could do until transport arrived and it would find a nice cloud to hide in until she needed it. Walking forward she pushed open the heavy glass doors then approached the human receptionist.

"Good morning" the receptionist cheerfully called. “Welcome to ACME. How may I help you?"

Snowaters grimaced at the too chipper voice. Even after the ice cold shower she still felt ragged around the edges. Putting on her best face she smiled back instead of screaming at the poor woman. "I would like to see Mr. Jake Hilaris please" she answered. "It's about his brother Jack, and one Rachelle Lockland."

The other woman nodded, quickly speaking into an intercom.

'Android' Snowaters decided. 'Has to be, no living sentient can be that cheerful this early in the morning.'

Aboard the Star Diamond Kalith worked frantically. The ancient battle launch warmed up, quickly dropping away from its mothership as its own engines caught fire. It would be spotted seconds after it left the Diamonds screens but unlike the Diamond it could easily defend itself from anything the primitive civilization below could throw at it. In the meantime Kalith began sending feelers into the now invaded memory banks, catching threads of coherent thought, flashes of images.

<Who is this> it queried.

{Standby, accessing file} came a mechanical reply.

<Oh Runge> thought the alien. <And Snowys down there unprotected>

{Filename JUDYTH, MARIE. Compressing Datafiles. Please stand-by}

The name struck a cord somewhere in Kaliths recent memory. Monitoring the affected systems it started searching.

{SYSTEM QUERY, File HIR9T73E22.KLR corrupted, request replacement}.

Quickly checking the requested filename, a history text, Kalith transferred the file. Suddenly something clicked and it realized what, or who, had invaded the ships systems. Quietly it opened a channel to ACME MultiVersal. It seriously needed help and the only help available was Jake Hilaris. The pencil pusher.