I was wrong. It wasn't all about Oblivion. At least, not at first. Thanks to @horus, I was well aware of the rumors about me. I ended up in a large room that used to be a store in central Umbilicus back in the day. It had now been converted into what felt eerily like a courtroom. I knew what that meant.

  I sat in a metal folding chair that was situated in the far back of the store, so that if I tried to run, I would have to get past everyone else. Metal shelves that had once formed aisles were all pushed against the side walls. In front of me were more folding chairs that had been brought in, all of them pointed at me, divided into two groups, one for the Solar Union and one for the Outer System Alliance.

  There was enough space in the room for about 60 people, but each side had only brought 15 to 20 for my summons. This was a closed session, so only those in the inner circle were allowed to be present.

  Six chairs were set up between me and the broader audience, three on my left and three on my right, for delegates who I figured would be voting on my fate. It was like having a jury panel on both sides of the room to make sure you felt extra judged. Having three per side meant that each side would have a clear outcome if there were any issues brought to a vote. I would have liked five per side, but whatever.

  I surveyed the room mostly to calm my nerves, but also to plan my escape if it didn't go my way.

  Was I being paranoid?

  I don't think so. I wasn't in the mood to be killed and have my memories permanently put into storage or deleted.

  On the Outer System Alliance side, we had a government leader, a military leader, and an economic leader. I assumed the Solar Union had done the same. I was thrilled to see that @pixel_princess was on my Alliance panel. The others I had never met, but I recognized them.

  @hangintough was our government leader, and I recognized him as a former musician - or at least, his origin was - who had entered politics and gained a following in the early years of the Alliance Starmada. He was the Secretary of Solar Relations. He was a rough-looking aiways. He was thick and muscular under a yellow, checkered, dark gray suit, with ruffled brown hair.

  The economic leader was @clairevoyant, or simply "Claire." She was a business mogul. She had taken over most of the trade routes, getting in early as part of the leadership team of Meteor Mining, eventually spinning off the shipping business to form Clairevoyant Transport Company (CTC). Claire leaned into the Outer System Alliance colors of iron gray and yellow, like @hangintough, but she wore a dark yellow suit with a simple gray handkerchief, and practical cream colored sneakers that looked comfortable.

  I was relieved to query the Extronet and learn that neither Valentine nor Royal Starjumper were associated with CTC. I couldn't pin down if the companies owning those ships knew about human trafficking operations, but I didn't doubt it.

  The thing is, I also wouldn't put it past the Gravemind Syndicate to infiltrate every company and use them without their knowledge, paying off an aiways here or there.

  Either way, I was certain people knew about it. It's just that money always wins. Rumors go ignored. Facts go ignored.

  Most importantly, I knew the Alliance Starmada was involved with the Gravemind Syndicate. I didn't know who, but I decided I couldn't trust anyone on the panel, except probably @pixel_princess. When someone dies with you, you form a bond.

  I felt even better when @horus walked in, his lanky form dropping into a seat in the front row behind the delegates. I was surprised to feel good about that, happy that he was here. Strange how our feelings can change based on the situation. I wanted to cling to the aiways I knew.

  The Solar Union started my inquisition.

  @spaceglider was their military representative. He was a black aiways with short dark hair and a mustache. He was in a slim, navy blue set of armor. The Solar Union commonly wore blue, green, and brown as a reflection of their proximity to Earth. His blue reminded me of the color of @bronzelion's armor, but the armor was lighter, more fit for a leader than a soldier.

  @spaceglider stood and motioned for the audience to sit and quiet down.

  spaceglider: "@kittyboy, we have summoned you here for two reasons. One, you are privy to detailed knowledge of the virus that is wreaking havoc on our solar system. Two, you have violated the peace treaty and terms of the ceasefire, by engaging in direct battle with our fleet and by seizing one of our elite ships, Oblivion."

  I hate it when people are right, but they make it sound like you did something bad or something wrong.

  The way he said the first part made it sound like I was involved in spreading the virus, not trying to stop it. And I didn't want to engage in battle.

  "They started it" is not a compelling argument, but I admit that I mouthed the words silently for the crowd in response.

  I looked at @pixel_princess, trying to get a clue as to whether I should say something for real or just listen, but she was stoic. @horus, on the other hand, looked perturbed. He knew what I knew. Most of it anyway. No doubt he didn't like the phrasing and implication either.

  @spaceglider looked at me. I quickly shut my lips. I stared silently at him, trying to read his expression. I decided that unless a question was asked, I had no business speaking.

  Surprising, right?

  Me? Not speaking? Not running my mouth to verbally process? I was impressed with myself, and I used that feeling to make myself appear confident. Fuck them. I didn't do anything wrong.

  spaceglider: "We will start with the virus. Our understanding is that you have had multiple, direct engagements with it. Please tell us what you know."

  I knew what I wanted to say. I wasn't trying to be irreverent or problematic. But Oblivion was at the ready, and the world was ending.

  Okay. Let's do this.

  kittyboy: "I know the longer we sit here and talk about it, the more aiways will become infected, the more our solar system will fall apart. People are dying. The economy is at a standstill. The government needs to act. And the military needs to provide assistance. Now."

  I thought that was pretty damn good.

  I was trying to appeal, briefly, to all three groups. The economic loss would be catastrophic to many businesses, leading to bankruptcy. Food production would come to a halt. Fuel and other resources would run out. They knew this. I just needed to remind them that I also knew.

  @spaceglider smiled at my response, and I decided based on his reaction that I actually liked him. It was the kind of smile I expected from someone who might have a little bit of rascal in them, like me, who knew that it was action that moved the world, not these ceremonies.

  spaceglider: "We will decide what to do. Please tell us what you know about the virus itself."

  He sat back down. I assumed that meant I should stand, but no way was I going to stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down. I could see myself in my head, and it looked ridiculous.

  But then @pixel_princess motioned for me to stand.

  If it was anyone else, I would have ignored them. Stupid ceremony. So, I stood up and rattled off key facts and assumptions.

  kittyboy: "The virus is organic and digital. It customizes itself to each aiways at a genetic level. Genetic markers can be ignored, meaning whoever made this has probably programmed it so that certain people are immune based on genetics. It is transmitted through contact with fluids or digital penetration - a wire or hack of your system - normal computer virus stuff, with an organic twist."

  Heads nodded. Zombie virus. No one seemed terribly surprised.

  @spaceglider stood up again, but thankfully gestured for me to remain standing.

  spaceglider: "And you have come into contact with this virus directly?"

  I growled a little bit. I knew where he was going.

  kittyboy: "Yes."

  spaceglider: "And yet you are not infected?"

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  He was implying that I was immune, on the safe list to be genetically ignored, linking me to those responsible. When I didn't say anything, he continued.

  spaceglider: "And everywhere you show up, the virus shows up."

  I thought about fleeing the room. In another setting, I could imagine the crowd coming for me right then and there. They were ready to pull me apart as the whole reason this was happening.

  My best defense, I thought, would be to let both governments do a deep scan of my mind. But they hadn't requested a full memory scan, and I knew even then that they could say my memories had been tampered with.

  kittyboy: "I know what you're implying. That I'm on the safe list. Genetically free to roam about the solar system. That I'm the enemy. That I caused this."

  I switched to my voice.

  "Listen to me when I say this," I said loudly. "Listen for the authenticity of my words. I guarantee you, I am not trying to kill you all with a zombie virus. The opposite. I have been trying to stop it."

  "For the record," @spaceglider prompted.

  kittyboy: "I am not responsible for the virus. I may have failed to stop it, but I will continue do what I can. If you let me."

  I tried to stand tall and act confident as I recited it. I tried to be the image of someone who could help in the fight, not a blundering Wavepilot in over his head. Commanding the room as best I could, I continued.

  kittyboy: "You wonder why I wasn't infected, despite coming into contact with overtaken? Well, according to the log file I discovered, it has a latency of up to seven years. Anyone could be infected, but it might not trigger for up to seven years."

  The panel seemed to already know this, but the larger audience did not. When I mentioned the seven-year period, exclamations rang out from the group. @spaceglider and @pixel_princess both had to stand and quiet them.

  Once the audience settled down, I continued. Might as well scare them some more, right?

  kittyboy: "We scanned our crew member, @foxcutter, and found no traces, but he turned into an overtaken at the Pit. That's what caused the outbreak there."

  I hated talking about @foxcutter and the disaster that the Pit became, but it was important that they know, that they understand that the virus could be among us right now without us knowing.

  I smiled awkwardly and pointed at myself.

  kittyboy: "I'm pretty sure I'm not infected, though."

  I really hoped I wasn't. Kind of slipped my mind that I might be a ticking timebomb myself.

  The Solar Union government representative, their Secretary of Treasury, stood next. She was @rainygrove, a woman in a green dress with brown shoes and short black hair.

  rainygrove: "You found no traces? What equipment were you using?"

  kittyboy: "I don't know the equipment. An Infiltrator scanned @foxcutter when we first rescued him, using a portable scanner. My medic later ran a full scan on our ship, a v90 Dominator class. I'm sure there are more powerful scanners out there, but my medic is pretty thorough."

  @pixel_princess stepped in to help with details.

  pixel_princess: "Those are BS105 and DBS708 models. The Solar Union should be familiar with them."

  Apparently, they were. @rainygrove's eyes widened at learning the devices, and she shook her head in disbelief.

  rainygrove: "Maybe if we scan deeper within the DNA?"

  @spaceglider held a hand up and turned to @rainygrove.

  spaceglider: "We can research that. We won't solve it here."

  Clear action item. Yay! Find out how to detect the presence of the virus before it activates in the host. I hoped someone was taking notes.

  spaceglider: "@kittyboy, you seem to be saying that any one of us could be infected."

  Yeah, I liked him. He didn't want to waste time on hypotheses. He probably wanted this done with as quickly as I did.

  kittyboy: "Exactly."

  People in the crowd looked around them at their neighbors. I noticed a few people try to scoot their chairs away, even if it was just a few inches, to get some distance.

  kittyboy: "That's right. Any one of us could turn, at any minute."

  @rainygrove popped up again, despite @spaceglider's efforts to keep the discussion on track.

  rainygrove: "We should impose safe distancing practices. It's been done before. Remember the Eel virus."

  The Eel virus was a digital virus that would cause an electrical overload. If you were too close to someone when they sparked, it would cause you to spark as well. Wasn't awful, but some aiways got it in the mindspark and dropped dead on the spot.

  Why hadn't I imposed a distancing protocol on Oblivion?

  Apparently, I was as much an idiot as everyone else.

  spaceglider: "Agreed. But I trust both sides can decide how to handle this information?"

  @pixel_princess nodded back at him.

  spaceglider: "@kittyboy, what else do you know about the virus?"

  I thought about what else to share, knowing that the room was already full of nervous energy waiting to be released. I knew I shouldn't start throwing out accusations. Not yet. Then I recalled all the issues we had with communications. That was a good one.

  kittyboy: "I believe the overtaken transmit a jamming signal. I've fought overtaken on three occasions. Communications were disrupted in each instance. My theory is that the more overtaken, the stronger and wider the jamming signal."

  Again, I suspected that the panel itself, the leaders of both sides, already had this intel from the field. But only rumors had circulated beyond that. Clearly, part of my role today was to put an end to those rumors and have the rest of this inner circle "under the tent" by hearing firsthand from me.

  With each new bit of information, the same shifting in the seats, rumble through the crowd, and restrained panic seemed to build. The aiways here were getting restless.

  Like me, I had no doubt they wanted to run from this room and fight, flee, or fly to the rescue of those they cared about.

  kittyboy: "That's all I know about the virus itself. I've seen people turn and become overtaken. Some of you probably have as well by now. I have as many questions as you do."

  @spaceglider jumped in.

  spaceglider: "You may sit down now, @kittyboy. That concludes what we know about the virus."

  @horus knew what I was thinking. He shook his head at me, a firm no. @spaceglider did the same. I ignored them.

  kittyboy: "Are we reanimating those who have fallen to the virus?"

  I sat down.

  The room was silent. I'm sure they thought I would ask one of the more obvious questions. What do we do now? How do we stop the virus? Who is responsible for it? Is there a cure?

  But I was thinking about my friends and crew. @foxcutter was overtaken. @motorbutt from the Starhawks was too. @hissyfit looked like she was killed before she turned. I had no doubt the Starhawks had some kind of arrangement for reanimation. But what about members of the Alliance Starmada?

  More importantly, would our governments ban reanimation until the virus was under control?

  I stood up again, repeating myself aloud. "That was a question for the panel. Are we reanimating aiways who were overtaken?"

  Each side huddled together, whispering among themselves. The crowd and I waited.

  The Outer System Alliance went first, with an irritated @hangintough as our spokesperson.

  hangintough: "We have not taken a position at this time."

  @rainygrove huffed, standing quickly, her arms crossed.

  rainygrove: "We have. The Solar Union is banning such reanimation, with approval on an exception-only basis, should we need someone deemed critical."

  That was a fancy way of saying, if you are a government or military leader, or if you have money, power, or influence, we'll bring you back. Everyone else is screwed.

  Shock ran through both sides, for very different reasons.

  I had no doubt members of the Solar Union were now thinking of the people they had lost, wondering if any of them would be reanimated. However, no one from the Solar Union side shouted out in objection. Maybe they were stunned. Maybe they were expecting this. The Solar Union seemed to run a tight ship compared to my government. Our side was full of rascals like me.

  The sense I got from the Outer System Alliance audience was one of anxiety. We had taken more losses. The aiways here were probably scared that we would do the same thing and ban reanimation of overtaken.

  @hangintough was still standing. He was talking with @clairevoyant and @pixel_princess, the other Alliance delegates. He glared at @rainygrove. Then he turned to face our side of the room, with his hands raised.

  hangintough: "Settle down. We have no plans at this time to stop reanimation."

  I couldn't decide if that was stupid or not, but I was selfishly happy because it meant less worry for my crew. We could reanimate @foxcutter. I wondered if he would want to go to the Pit to find himself, get his memories. That was a concern for later, though.

  The economic leader for the Solar Union, @roilapex, who hadn't spoken yet, now stood to address the room.

  @roilapex was old money, with an Old Earth oil business that evolved over time into other fuel sources and fuel storage. He was dark-skinned, clean-shaven, with short cropped hair. I liked his suit. It was black with a thick blue stripe down the side. He paired it with a black dress shirt and a dark blue tie that matched the streak in the suit.

  roilapex: "You should cease reanimation."

  I wasn't expecting that.

  roilapex: "The economic burden that continued reanimation will place on your infrastructure, given reduced resources, will be felt for centuries. The Solar Union is in no position to provide economic aid or resources as you outpace your ability to support your numbers."

  The Solar Union was clearly more prepared for this. They were locking down resources, holding their numbers flat while they determined how to support those still alive. It made me wonder if they knew more than we did, or if they were behind it all along.

  @clairevoyant smoothed her yellow suit coat, standing to respond with a measured confidence in her posture.

  clairevoyant: "We are aware of our resource needs and capabilities, thank you very much. Your opinion is noted, but unnecessary."

  @roilapex laughed at her, but it was a friendly laugh.

  Elite people with money, I thought. They probably go way back, run in the same circle. Money and Power, @horus had said. The elites would come together for both - Burner, Darksider, or otherwise.

  roilapex: "Just don't ask us for help."

  This was lovely. Here we were, trying to come together to fight a virus while the solar system was in shambles, but so far, we had only proved that we can't work together.

  "Enough of this!" someone yelled from across the room. "Enough of this pointless banter! This Darksider lackey has told us what we need to know."

  A large shape, the source of the shouting, was pushing its way through the crowd, shoving people aside to get to the front.

  "I demand the return of my vessel, Oblivion! Unlawfully stolen during the ceasefire!"

  I had expected this.

  But I hadn't expected it to come from @bronzelion himself. Certainly, he had better things to do, like help spread the virus or destroy worlds. An yet, there he was, in his impressive blue armor, his presence imposing and commanding.

  As Chief Master Sergeant of the Solar Union's starmada, I assumed his authority was equal or close to that of @spaceglider. I thanked @3Beak, my three-headed rooster god of AI hallucinations, that @bronzelion wasn't on the panel itself.

  This is going to get ugly, I thought. Get ready to run.

  "Hello again," I said, smiling at his angry face.