Free SECTOR 64: Ambush by Dean M. Cole

sector of the galaxy. Upon arrival, they identified Earth, a previously unknown and uncharted planet, as the source. When they began observations, they made a stunning discovery, one requiring an immediate report to the Galactic Federation," the general paused, a grin spreading across his face.
    Jake was on the edge of his seat. "What was it?"
    The rotating Milky Way morphed into a human head and shoulders. A man in his mid-twenties stared at Jake. Aside from the odd cut of his uniform, he looked like a normal person.
    Jake looked from the holographic man to General Tannehill. "I'm confused, sir."
    The general pointed. "There's your Argonian."
    Jake leaned back. "What?"
    "To the surprise of the scouts and the Argonian leadership, Earth had been populated by Argonians—or as we refer to ourselves, humans."
    "Holy shit…" Jake whispered. Embarrassed, he looked at the general. "Sorry, sir."
    The general chuckled. "I think I said the same thing."
    With dawning realization, Jake turned to Vic. "That's what he meant by brother ."
    In reply, Vic said something, but Jake didn't understand him.
    "What?" Jake asked.
    Victor said a few more words, and Jake realized it wasn't English. Actually, it was a language he'd never heard.
    Jake turned to General Tannehill as the man finished entering a command into the computer. A two-foot-wide holographic brain popped into existence over that end of the conference table. To its right a vertical queue of four-inch-wide cubes matching Victor's description streamed past. As each box in the descending column reached the tabletop, it vaporized. At the same time, a new cube coalesced at the top of the line. Every box was a different color, and each had a unique symbol.
    The general studied the boxes. When a translucent purple one came into view, he reached in and grabbed the four-inch cube between thumb and forefinger. As if it were solid, the box left the streaming line of icons. Again, just as Victor had described, a new box appeared in the emptied space.
    Holding the cube at eye-level, Tannehill studied its symbol.
    To Jake, the figure looked like a curved-leg numeral seven with a horizontal equal sign bisecting its center.
    Looking at Jake through the translucent icon, the general grinned deviously.
    "Wait—" Jake started. Before he could finish the protest, the general tossed the icon into the disembodied mind.
    An audible metallic pop rang from the point of impact. Concentric rings radiated across the holographic brain's surface.
    A sudden wave of nausea struck Jake as dizzying vertigo made him feel like the room was spinning. Jake grabbed the table with both hands. A strange tingling sensation flooded his head. As it passed, he blinked several times. "That felt weird." Jake froze in shocked amazement. He'd spoken in the same strange tongue as Vic.
    "Can you understand me now?" Vic asked in the same language.
    "Oh my god, that's amazing," he said through an unnerved laugh. Jake switched back to English. "I can completely differentiate the two languages," he grinned widely, "as if I've spoken them for my entire life."
    Looking at General Tannehill, Jake pointed to the holographic brain and the scrolling icons. "Is that just for learning languages? Can it teach other subjects?"
    The general smiled. "There's way more than that. Want to learn Kung Fu or at least the Argonian equivalent?"
    Richard leaned over the table, pointing at the hologram. "It's like The Matrix without a big hole in the back of your head."
    Head spinning from all the revelations, Jake felt both mentally exhausted and simultaneously exhilarated. The significance of what this meant for himself, his family, and his friends—hell, the entire world—was incredible.
    His grin never faltering, General Tannehill seemed to enjoy the flood of emotions and questions streaming across Jake's face. He imagined the general probably had the same reaction upon receiving his first briefing.
    Giddy with the possibilities, Jake nodded. "Please