FYRESTORM

by Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Alpha's blithe mention of its theft left Snowaters speechless, a cold wave running from her toes to the top of her head. Fighting to maintain her composure she excused herself, wandering slowly to an open space. Lifting her radio she spoke;

"Kalith, status" she asked.

<Nominal.> came the answer.

Quickly she passed on Alpha's statement, hoping against hope.

<Confirm. All active systems compromised. Inactive storage secure.>

Shaking she asked, and quickly received a list of what had been stolen. Shaking her head again she looked up into the brilliant yellow star, "'Lith, Four Star Green Star" she intoned, her voice suddenly hollow.

<Confirm. Three Niner Tango.>

Taking a deep breath she looked back, "Godey's Lady's Book" she answered, "'Lith, evacuate them first." Turning she walked back to the group.

Minutes later the groups pleasant conversation was broken by a shuttles whine, turning they spotted it landing only a few dozen meters away.

"What's up?" Casey asked, stepping towards the ship.

"We've been here almost five hours" Snowy answered, stretching. "Thought you like a meal and some sleep, 'Liths got lunch ready on the Diamond." She started towards the small ship.

Shrugging his shoulders Terry followed, motioning to the rest. "Guess if she went to the trouble.." They followed.

It was a matter of minutes for everyone to get seated, the engines whined as they powered up. Suddenly Snowaters stood, stepping to the hatch. "Be back in a moment" she yelled, jumping from the hatch. "Gotta tell Alpha something."

Before anyone could move the hatch locked shut, the shuttle rose from its landing place and headed towards Star Diamond.

Snowaters walked quickly to the waiting bubble. "You know why I'm here" she stated, turning to watch the departing ship.

"No, I'm afraid I don't" Alpha replied.

"You stole from me, not only that but data I'm sworn to protect with my life" she half growled. Pulling out her radio she almost ripped it open. "Report."

"A thief I can understand, but a callous braggart of a thief I can't" she hissed, stepping closer to the alien AI.

"There is no technology data not already know within your data" Alpha answered, floating back a few meters. "I apologize for the theft, please understand it was a misunderstanding."

Snowaters tapped her hip with the abused radio, "Maybe, maybe not. Mimi told me you have the technology to detonate stars, but it takes specially built ships that are miles long. Your about to experience a higher degree of sophistication." Lifting her hand she triggered a stud, "Kalith. Firestorm."

<Confirm. Initiating sequence.>

"Explain" Alpha requested, almost a tremor of fear within its voice.

"What you stole tells how to detonate stars, that you already know. But.." she paused, looking back up into the stars blinding light, "but the Diamond is going to do it, and the Diamond is no miles long specialized machine."

"sprglk" Alpha managed, from no-where a screen slid up, showing a view of the sun and Snowys ship. "I'll blow your ship to atoms first" Alpha threatened.

"Its too late for that, the sequence has started" she answered, tossing her now useless radio to the ground. "But you can stop it" she offered.

"How?"

"Simple, prove you've destroyed the data you stole, then we'll bargain" she answered. "If we make a bargain, and I believe your telling the truth, I'll give you todays shutdown sequence."

Alpha stared at the screen, huge flares began drifting across the suns surface. "Hah" it barked, "At least your ship and friends didn't survive, a flare just vaporized your ship."

"Maybe, maybe not" Snowaters answered, still staring at the sun. "Do we talk, or shall we enjoy the sunlight together?"

Alpha hesitated, computing the chances she was lying, then it realized what she had just done to herself and made its decision. Moments later a half square mile of landscape lifted into the air, metal fragments reflected the suns light a moment before falling back into the earth.

"There, every databank that even touched your data has been vaporized, can we deal?"

Snowaters felt the sudden quake caused by the explosion and smiled. "Why not?"

Hours later the Diamonds sleek shuttle returned, disgorging several excited people before it even touched down. Aries was the first to reach Snowaters, grabbing her by the shoulders and jerking her around.

"Are you that crazy?" she screamed into Snowys face. "Lith told us what you were doing, are you crazy?"

Snowaters gently lifted her hands to grasp Aries, then she smiled and pulled the other closer. "Yes, I'm that crazy" she answered, holding the trembling mouse against her.

In seconds the others had gathered around, Terry taking the point. "Would you please explain just why you tried to vaporize yourself?" he demanded.

Still hugging the now crying Aries tightly against her, as well as Kela, Snowaters turned her head down. "Its a matter of Honor, and you either understand or you don't" she answered, lightly kissing Kela's hand, "Alpha and I have settled everything, Krystal's body is paid for, as is docking for you and all your bloodline for longer than I've been alive. Alpha agreed that, although the ability to blow a star to dust is well known here, letting out how to do it with such a small ship simply cannot be allowed."

Aries looked hard into Snowaters eyes, and gasped. "Your blind" she squeaked.

"Well, it happens" Snowy answered, "I wanted to watch you as long as I could." She giggled, "I'll be fine in a couple of days, my internal helpers you know." Lowering her head her lips found Aries.

Mimi laughed, grabbing Casey and Terry. "Human or cat, that one never changes" she laughed, letting her tension out.