It was no secret that the primary bug language had already been thoroughly analyzed. These guys had interrogated the queens to some extent and had obtained at least some information. But some in the intelligence services thought the bugs may have more than one “level” of communication. Bugs, after all, were not at all like humans.
I know Mr. T was sorry about what he would end up calling ... the ruse. The information on the pad would not be helpful at all. He would have to answer for that. But not today.
The general met us outside. He and Mr. T spoke briefly, very quietly. It was clear their mutual level of trust had grown considerably. Mr. T had already told the general at least some aspects of our abilities. The general knew we had a means to quantum teleport. And he probably was aware of a good deal more. Mr. T doesn’t keep things from us, his team, not exactly. There is just so much going on all of the time lately. As Mr. T says, we hardly know if we’re coming or going.
I sidled up to hear the conversation. Mr. T was a little hesitant. “General, I know some of what’s going on at the Moon base. But I don’t know the location of the base other than it is on the far side of the Moon. We will need to get eyes on the actual base, determine the exact location. It is well hidden, mostly underground.”
The general had no expression at all. Complete deadpan. He had this sarcastic tone. “Are you sure that’s ALL you need?”
Mr. T threw his hands in the air. “Please, general. There are a lot of people up there. And the bugs have nothing good planned for those people, or us. We can’t allow the portal gate to open.”
The general smiled. It was as though Mr. T needed to pass a test and had made it through. “It will take about a week. As it turns out we already have an expeditionary force tasked to destroy the enemy fleet. And we have a brand-new, one-of-a-kind ship attached to that attack force. That ship can move very fast and will be taking a look at the Moon base and snapping a few pictures. We’ll run some scans. We’ll be in touch.”
Mr. T was relieved. “Thanks general.”
Then the general said ever so earnestly. “Don’t mention it. Seriously. Don’t mention it. To anyone.”
Mr. T nodded. “Yes general.”
The general looked at each of us, right in the eye. “Thank you Shockwave.”
He meant it too. We had a whole week of what would hopefully be light duty. We needed the rest.
***
ALL IN THE FAMILY
September 10th. Mr. T had a real estate broker friend on the lookout for a nice office building to house Shockwave. He surprised us this morning with a tour of the facility. The space is large but Mr. T says we will grow into it. We each have our own office. There are two conference rooms. One is huge. There is a nice lounging area and a full kitchen. It’s all furnished, well appointed. There are even two small apartments. One for the twins. Another for Para and me. And Muncle. He seems more and more distant these days. I hope he’s okay.
***
+ BEGIN TIMELINE DROP.
NOTE: This conversation took place soon after we moved into our new office complex and apartment. Muncle is a little shy. It’s hard to get him into the spotlight. Para and Muncle gave their permissions to Drop this into the Journal.
Source: Solcom Special Investigation Case 15-17962.
Subject: Muncle, former non-human operative of Shockwave Special Operations Unit.
* EVENT RECORDING. SHOCKWAVE OFFICE COMPLEX LOUNGE <adaptive interpretation software running.>
BEGIN.
<Lounge Auto Recording On. 01:00 hours.>
* 01:20 hours. Muncle has entered the lounge. <Identity is confirmed.>
<Rustling of pages. Magazine.>
* 01:30 hours. Para has entered the lounge. <Identity is confirmed.>
* Para: “Hey Muncle, how are you?”
* Muncle: “Hi Para. I’m well. You look well too.”
* Para: “Thanks. Yeah, I’m doing good. Hey Muncle. I don’t want to pry, but you seem a little down lately. Care to talk about it? I have a good listening ear.”
* Muncle: “I’m fine Para. No need to worry.”
* Para: “No, Muncle. Seriously, you should talk about it. You will feel better. You do trust me, don’t you?”
* Muncle: <Slight elevation of heart rate.> “Of course I trust you Para. I just don’t think I can explain.”
* Para: <Sincere tonality.> “I’ll listen very carefully.”
* Muncle: <Hesitation.> “I’m all alone Para. Not like alone, alone. But I’m unique. One-of-a-kind.
* Para: “You’re special Muncle.”
* Muncle: “And I’m not stupid Para. Look. We’ve been to the zoo, you and I. Of course, I had to go with you or another human. If I went alone what would happen? I’ll tell you what would happen. The zoo police would grab me and try to figure out from which cage I had escaped. I’m alone. Other than how I look; I have nothing in common with my kind. I’m not even comfortable with my own kind. Monkeys are stupid. I don’t want to go back to being like that.”
* Para: “Muncle! Monkeys are not stupid! They are quite intelligent.”
* Muncle: “Yeah, compared to a toad or something. But no monkey is going to write a moving Symphony in D Major. Or write a quantum computer algorithm.”
* Para: “Well, to be fair, most humans aren’t going to do that either. Maybe Communal can help in some way. They could hybridize a nanite colony cerebral cortex weave, or something, for another monkey.”
* Muncle: “No. My situation was brought about by variables that might be reproduced one-time-in-a-quadrillion. Any direct attempt would
