Free OMEGA Conscript by Stephen Arseneault Page A

front of me at all. The level of this technology just continues to amaze me."
    A Talisan scientist tapped Garrett on the shoulder. "Sir, we have a container of the bio-gel you requested ready. Our mechanical team supplied the pump container and hose attachments built to the desired specifications."
    Garrett smiled. "Excellent! How much of the gel do we have in the container?"
    The scientist replied, "The container holds three litres of the gel. We have another twenty litres at the ready. If desired, we can produce another fifty litres daily."
    I held up my hand. "Whoa. That won't be necessary. Could you construct a holding container for the twenty litres you have that will keep the gel in good standing for, let's say, a couple years?"
    The scientist looked at the gel container and replied, "We could provide a cryo-unit that would accomplish that task. It would require constant power."
    Garrett nodded. "Please have that put together for us as soon as possible. And I have a further question: how long will the gel keep in its current state?"
    The Talisan thought for a moment. "I would place its efficacy at no more than two to three weeks at room temperature. Less time as temperature rises. The gel contains living bacteria that will overgrow and contaminate the gel the longer it remains unfiltered. It contains a growth regulator that requires refreshment."
    Garrett looked directly at the comm. "Go, when you get back, we have the gel ready for a test."
    Go replied, "I just hit ten kilometers and the sensor data all looks good. I'm going up to twenty before heading for low orbit."
    I directed my response at Go: "Twenty is good. If anything even looks remotely suspicious, come back. We don't have to accomplish this today."
    The video feed from Go's comm was looking down at the former capitol of Effica. "Garrett, have that gel ready when I get back. I'm in need of a break from this suit, if you know what I mean."
    "I'm on my way over there right now. We'll be waiting for you when you get back. And I just want to add that I'm a bit jealous of you testing that suit. From what I've seen and what you've said, that has to be a fantastic feeling, flying around like that. I’m sure we all dream of flying at some point in our lives, and you are now living it."
    Two minutes later Go responded. "Two hundred kilometers! And the view from up here is spectacular! Limits all look good. I'm reading about minus two hundred for temperature, as I expected. I still have a hard time believing that with as thin as this suit is, I can't feel the outside temp. It defies physics as we know it."
    Garrett arrived on a helocycle as Go began his descent. The bio-gel pump container was set on the floor of the room as Go deactivated the sodium skin of his Human battle-suit.
    Before I had a chance to speak, Go removed the helmet and dropped the suit down around his ankles. "Excuse me for a few minutes please, I have business to take care of. And when I get back I wouldn't mind having some lunch. All this buzzing around has me hungry."
    Several minutes later Go reentered the room.
    I pointed toward the suit. "Put on the suit and you won't need to eat. You will get all your nutrients from the bio-gel."
    Go walked over, disrobed, and stepped back into the suit.
    Garrett smirked. "I would have taken him for being a bit more modest."
    Go replied, "Hey, we all have the same parts. At least us Humans do. I'm not competing with either of you two for anything, so why do I care?"
    The suit was soon over his shoulders and the helmet snapped in place. The hoses to the bio-gel pump container were attached. Garrett began pulling the pump lever up and down.
    Go screeched, "Wow! That is cold! You couldn't warm it up some first?"
    I replied, "The Talisans indicated it was temperature sensitive."
    Garrett mused: "You not man enough for a little cold?"
    Go looked back with a scowl. "It has nothing to do with being man enough. The temperature of that stuff can't be much above