by P F Walsh
Dr. Jess’m-Tak was doing that very thing as they talked. He had convinced the rest of the group to continue with general exploration while he went through the hospital’s records. Mel decided to stay with him and was lounging on a very comfortable chair in what appeared to be a waiting room just outside of an urgent patient intake area. He propped the doors open so he could keep the Doctor in his sight.
The Doctor was bent over a screen scrolling through the last recorded treatments. He had instructed Central to convert the records to Shrep, the language and print of Hhearn. Allister had finished downloading all the language conversion sets he had to Central. It took a few minutes and information began appearing. He was frowning deeply as he read the patient records of the last several patients, one of them a medical para medic. He read for two hours. He sat back, and closed his eyes for a while ruminating on all the information. Then he got up quickly and called out,
“Mel, we have to find the Lab.” And then, “Central, which way to the Lab?”
They were directed down the hall to another wing and entered the Lab. The Doctor went right to a Lab screen and called up the testing on the last few patients. All the information was there, sharp resolution photos of the blood and toxic cells. There was even a vid of its progression over a time lapse basis. He could watch as the rogue cells broke down the blood cells of the patient and consumed it.
“This is similar to an extrinsic hemolytic anemia.” He thought. “But what’s causing it?”
He asked the system to bring up the first reported case. He jotted down the date symbols and then asked Central,
“On this patient record being displayed, what events occurred outside of ordinary city operations, within one annual of this date?” Central displayed a long list on the screen.
“Central, can you print this list onto a sheet I can take with me?” He asked. Immediately a machine on the other side of the room began running. The Doctor walked over to it and retrieved the long sheet of plastic-like material that had all the screen information on it. He went over to a table and began going down the list one at a time. He started at the top of the list, from one annual before, and moved slowly down toward the date of the first patient. Stopping from time to time, to ask Central to enlarge information on a logged item. Hours later, he came across another one.
‘Ship S-5 returned with its exploration crew.’
“Central, provide me with the full report on Ship S-5’s expedition please.”
The printer began running again. The Doctor went over and retrieved the report. There were several pages. Most were inane, and the usual searches for minerals, unusual solar systems, gas giant sources for fuel. Then he came to one about discovery of a life supporting planet with a suitable atmosphere. They had landed and explored. After several solars of exploring, one crew member was attacked and bitten by an alien animal. The animal was killed immediately, and the carcass stored for dissection and study. The exploration was terminated, and the ship returned safely.
The next few pages described the results of the autopsy. It was determined that the animal was a blood eater rather than a flesh eater and lived preying on the other larger, more lethargic animals for a blood source. The Doctor went back to the patient records looking for that exploration crew member. The medical record showed no observable effects from the bite which had healed. His record was last updated by Central. He was the last resident to die.
The Doctor considered all this information and then asked,
“Central, what did the medical staff do with the remains of the autopsy on the alien creature?”
“The record shows those remains were sent to the vats for recovery of protein, amino acids, and other useable elements for the nourishment synthesizers.” It reported.
“Central, how many physicians were on staff here?” He asked.
“Only one retired physician was based here. He died among the first residents. All the rest of the staff was para medics or medical technicians. The planet was quarantined under my embedded protocols.” It answered.
Dr. Tak could imagine the medical panic over inadequate medical skill, and the intractable Central system. He gathered up his printouts, collected Mel, and left the hospital heading for the vats with specimen collection containers. On the way, he sent a message to Allister to send down some more food supplies, and to tell Sean not to use the local synthesizers for any reason whatsoever. Allister acknowledged immediately.
Sean sat in Central’s cold room listening to a general wrap up of the last significant interval with live residents more than a hundred years ago. It was a depressing story, and confirmed his reluctance to consume local synthesized food. He turned to the Sisters, who were unaffected by the cold, and mentally sent to them,
“Does this system speak true? Is there any deceit?” He asked.
“The system speaks truth, but has not mentioned the ships.” They chimed.
“The ships?” He asked them.
“Yes, they are the voices we hear. Central can tell us how to get to them.”
Sean considered asking, but it was getting late and he did not want to start another foray into more unknown. It was time to bring the team together for evening meal and exchange information. No signals could penetrate down into the Central’s core, so there had been no updates from Allister or the team. Time to leave. They headed back to the lodging building.
Maejel Tripperty, Cultural Attaché of the IRO Interplanetary Resource Office from Earth, was in her Hhearn office in the Council building, preparing to go to midday meal at the ‘Top of The World’ Restaurant. This was Earth’s first fully owned business on Hhearn and was located on the top floor of the Council Building. Successfully getting a reservation for any time of day was a chore and she was making sure she showed up on time to meet some Councilors’ Mates. The restaurant was maxed-out from the day it opened.
As she turned to leave her office a huge figure filled the doorway. It was a Zakarian Plezzo Warrior in his full skins and weapons. He stood there for a minute and asked,
“Are you Maejel?” He pronounced her name poorly but she understood him since she was already wearing her translator to go to lunch.
“Yes, that is I.” She answered firmly, unafraid of this huge warrior that stood before her.
“You have made a challenge and I have been sent to meet it!” He said gruffly.
“Challenge, from me? What are you talking about?” She demanded, becoming irritated at an absurd claim when she needed to leave.
“You were at the Hhearn Museum looking at historical Zakarian swords on display and disparaged them!” He said forcefully as though this was a major insult, which to the Zakarians, it was.
Then, she remembered standing in front of the display case and remarking aloud,
“I’ll bet these would not hold up against a Samurai sword.”
She recalled she was standing alongside another viewer, one of the Councilors who was not pleased that Sean had won membership. He must have heard her and passed her remark along to cause discord.
“Do you have a name?” She asked.
“I am called Kiz-bel the Younger” Maejel picked up on that immediately.
“I am older and therefore an Elder, do you not listen to the Elders?”
She demanded. Before he could answer, she followed with,
“When you enter the weapon maker’s shop, do you challenge him to a death match because he offers a sword better than the one you carry?” She spit out. The Zakarian was taken aback that this petite little human from Earth would stand free before him, unafraid. He stammered,
“That is not the issue!” He replied.
“Then you prefer to stand before me armed with a sword that may not be supreme, though it may have killed? You may be poorly dressed for this.” she said. He was incredulous and confused.
“You are young and honor your father’s blood, but even he would have you choose a better sword if you could, would he not?” She asked. She did not give him a ch
ance to reply and continued.
“Look, my warrior friend, I have to honor my previous commitments for this day. I will play the weapon maker for you, and present to you a sword that will draw tears from your eyes if you could not have one. Then, you will know the thrill of owning a sword made with the fires of Hell. Return here, this time, one half Lunar from today, and it will be here, sent here from the finest sword makers in the galaxy. And then, we will see you well dressed.”
She walked around him to go to her appointment. She got on the riser and as she looked back while the door closed, the Zakarian was standing there, trying to figure out what just happened. Once the door closed, she began to shake but steadied herself before she got to the top. She had just been challenged by a Zakarian Warrior and was still alive!
“I’ll definitely have to work on this as soon as I get back to the office.” She thought.
As she left the riser there were three building security officers rushing to use the riser.
“We got a report that there was a Zakarian Warrior in the building, did you see him?” They asked as they held the riser door from closing.
“Oh him? Yes, a nice chap, I sent him on his way.” She said and caught sight of her lady friends she was meeting, and waved as she walked toward them.
Sean, Doris, and the Sisters came back to the lodging building where they had cubicles for rest and a nourishment hall. They walked through the lobby into the nourishment hall and Sean was surprised to see Nasht-Mer setting up dinner on a large table. The rest of their team was already there, ready to eat.
“What are you doing down here?” Sean asked.
“Word was sent up for some more food supplies and I thought all of you could use a nice hot pasta dinner that Allister had the synthesizers make, instead of camping food. I even brought a couple of bottles of wine and fresh baked bread.” She said as she arranged the hot serving bowls.
Looking at the food being set out, Sean forgot about any concerns he had about her being there. She could go back up at any time on the shuttle. He found a chair and waited for the pasta bowl to be passed.
Dinner was enjoyed by all, and little was left including the wine. The Doctor described what he had found on his inspection of the hospital and the last patients to be treated there. They were all glad no one had eaten anything from the local synthesizers. The Doctor had taken samples from the vats and he would analyze them in the morning to confirm his suspicions. When dinner was done, Nasht-Mer gathered up the serving bowls and dishes in a carrying case and after a quick hug and cheek kiss with Sean, went outside to get transport back to the shuttle.
“Central, please provide a transport to my shuttle.” She spoke out loud. A transport car could be seen coming to her location almost immediately. It pulled up and she got in with her carrying case. As the door closed, the voice of Central spoke,
“You are the woman of the Master?” He asked,
“Yes, Captain Flynn is my Mate.” She replied.
“What is your name? It asked.
“I am Nasht-Mer Duchess of Mer.” She replied. Central spoke again,
“You are the first noble female to land in our city since the others died, I have a standing request to bring you to our Queen. She has a gift for you. Would you like to see our Queen before you return to your shuttle?” It asked. She paused for just a moment and said,
“Yes, I would be honored.” The transport car moved away from the lodging building smoothly and traveled for several blocks. It stopped in front of a small ornate building. The door of the transport opened and she got out leaving her carrying case on one of the seats. She walked over to the huge front doors of the building and they opened to permit entry. Lighting was dim when she entered a small foyer, but she could see the stone walls were covered with a text she could not read. There were two more inner, ornate doors. As she approached, these opened, and revealed a circular room, all in marble-like stone and surrounded by columns holding up a painted domed ceiling. In the center was a large glass case that was just finishing rising up into sight. It was several Earth feet long, four feet wide, and five feet high. It had risen from a raised dais with a few steps up to approach.
As she got nearer, the glass case slowly lit up and she could see a figure lying there dressed in golden robes, a small crown, and a large necklace full of multicolored jewels that seemed to glow. The case was filled with clear liquid. This was the deceased Queen of the founding civilization that owned this outpost. She was magnificent. Nasht-Mer stood there for several minutes looking at the serene, but patrician face, that lay before her and wondered what kind of woman she was.
Suddenly, and quietly, the liquid in the case began to drain rapidly until it was all gone. Central spoke,
“It is time now to fulfill the last order this Queen had given us before she died. It is to honor you.” It said.
“Honor me? What are you talking about? She could not have known me from more than a hundred annuals ago.” Nasht-Mer exclaimed as two large drones came through a panel in the wall. They attached themselves at each end of the very thick stone lid, and proceeded to slowly lift it to a few feet above the case walls. Another service drone came in. This one had glove-like covers on its grippers. It moved alongside the case and reached in to slowly remove the necklace from the Queen. It withdrew it, and a coiled whip from the case. The other drones replaced the heavy stone cover. Once that was set down, a small hiss could be heard as the preservation liquid refilled in the case. Central spoke,
“The last words of instructions our Queen said were,
“Give this necklace and the whip of justice to the first noble woman who has enough courage to come to this outpost. They will protect her and have many powers. Tell her to use them well.”
“And thus, we have completed her last command.” Central said.
While Nasht-Mer had been watching the lid being replaced, and listening to Central, the drone had dried the necklace and the whip, and had gently slipped it around Nasht-Mer’s neck with a click as the catch slipped home. The drone handed her the whip. The necklace was, at first heavy, but then became light as a feather, followed by a small prick under its Clasp as it drew a drop of blood.
“Ouch!” She said, “What was that?” She also felt the whip slightly move in her hand.
“That is the Necklace of JihnBaar, it has been worn by very powerful noble women for ages. It has sampled your blood, and is now bonded to serve only you for life. It will protect you and yours on demand. It has always been transferred with the whip. That is all I know.” Said Central.
“The royal command and transfer ceremony are complete. The proceedings have been written to the record for all time. Your name will now be engraved on the great plinth in Mook’n Square on Trether, right above Queen Mithren’s. That stone base supports the Column of Honors.” Central added.
The light in the case began to dim, and it slowly sank back into the floor of the stone dais. Nasht-Mer, overcome by either extraordinary honor, or shock at receiving a dead Queen’s necklace, turned quickly and left the building. The doors all closed behind her as the Queen resumed her long rest. Nasht-Mer used the transport vehicle to return to the shuttle and once there, was brought back to the Discovery. She went to meet with Allister immediately. He examined the necklace and said,
“It has the most disarming source of power that seems unlimited. I have never known anything like it, and cannot surmise its extent of power, but it seems to be intrinsic. Were there any instructions on what it does, or how to use it?” He asked.
“No, only that it would protect me, and mine.” She replied.
“It certainly is impressive, and I suspect, hideously valuable.” Said Allister.
“Any ideas on the whip?” She asked.
“Once again, I can see no use other than what a whip is for, that would generally be compliance or punishment, but they both seem to have a shared energy. It is probable that anyone struck with the whip by your hand is likely to regret it.” He said. N
asht-Mer was looking at the necklace in the mirror when she heard in her mind,
“That necklace is very, very old. It has only been worn by the honorable and just, it is now well placed. You have nothing to fear wearing it, little could harm you then.” She turned and could see Mother Primitia standing there.
“The Necklace has so much energy and power. It drew me here to see what could have so much.” She said as she turned and glided away to her cabin. Nasht-Mer had received the gift of silent communication from Mother Primitia when she slipped into the group being gifted for legal and court support months ago.
Doctor Jess’m was watching a screen in the Lab that was connected to the election microscope. He could see the cells from the sample he had collected all moving around in the drop of distilled water he had loosed them in. Mel came over,
“Are you looking at what killed all those people?” He asked.
“Yes, I am looking at some very unusual cells.”
“Anything I can do to help?” He asked.
“Actually yes, how about a drop of blood?”
“One drop?” He questioned.
“Yes, that’s all we’ll need. I am certain this stuff is what killed everyone, but I want to see it in action.” Said the Doctor.
He opened a few drawers and came up with sterile needle. He pricked Mel’s fingertip, squeezed out a drop and let it fall into the sample dish. He put it back under the microscope and watched the screen.
The effect was scary. All the alien cells rushed to the blood cells and ate them becoming gorged, but there were so many, the drop of blood did not last long. Then some of the cells that had fed first began to subdivide to make more cells.
“That’s it then.” He said to himself.
“Central, this is Doctor Tak, all the vats are contaminated with an alien cell that killed all the inhabitants here. The cells are still alive, and ready to kill anyone who eats from the synthesizers. You must purge all the vats immediately and incinerate every drop. Then sanitize the vats and the feeder systems, including the synthesizers at least twice. After you refill the vats with your backup stores, I will test again in a few days to be sure we got it all.” Doctor Tak ordered.
