by Dennis Young
“The Bridge?” Ch’virrorh’s question was a quiet and careful one.
“Minimal damage, no injuries.” Westermann showed a hint of a smile. “She’s fine, Abol. My guess is by now, Commander Hamilton has released the prime Bridge crew and Thevoss is in Sickbay for her routine checkup. Dr. Kamisori will take good care of her.”
Ch’virrorh led the captain to his small office space. They sat in quiet for moments as Ch’virrorh mused the words. “I am… sorry to have caused such issue on board, Captain. We did not know of her… condition until we left Fleet Base Twelve.”
“Never be sorry for the miracle of life, my friend. Once we return to Base, you can both be reassigned for the duration.”
Ch’virrorh looked away. “It is a sentence of the universe, that we should be weak in our ability to carry on our people. Somewhere long ago in our past, someone of the Arnec caused great harm, and now we see… what is the human word… karma?”
Westermann slowly shook his head. “There is no weakness in the Arneci. You face this crisis with dignity and purpose. And any child born of your people is one child more to carry on. Peace, Abol, and strength to you and your bondmates. Earth Alliance will find a way. The Arnec will survive and grow stronger of this.”
Ch’virrorh nodded at the last. “Very well. As you say, stronger. Therefore, we will redouble our repair efforts and have all systems optimal within six hours, Captain.”
“Good. In the meantime, turn your orders over to the assistant chief and seek your mate. Take time together until your next duty shift.”
“Aye, sir. My gratitude.”
They rose and exited the office, Ch’virrorh calling for Lieutenant Marcus, as Westermann headed for the corridor and the lift once more.
* * *
The station sensed them even then. Nearly a light-year away, it knew they were approaching, likely intent upon the planet and unaware of the station’s presence yet. Therefore, it kept its recently-awoken sensors trained and only watched. It did not use active sensing. It did not send messages to its place of origin, nor did it prepare defenses. It only waited, intrigued by the unique design of the approaching object. Was it an automaton, or did it have true intelligence of its own? Was it crewed or only machine? Or possibly part of both, as had been found more than once in its creator’s investigations. For now, it didn’t matter. It knew the vessel approached, and reasoned as it did so, the station would become apparent to whatever processes guided it. Only then would the station decide how best to react.
* * *
Westermann found his way to quarters after checking once again with Sickbay. Dr. Kamisori had been a bit more cordial, confirming only three serious cases after treatments had been completed. She actually smiled as Westermann gave her an official “well done”. Or was it only because he was leaving Sickbay again?
With the XO on the Bridge, he could afford a sorely-needed four hours under a sleep-set. He lay down, affixed the head gear, and punched in the timer. In thirty seconds, he was in deep REM sleep.
Four and a half hours later, Westermann sat at his desk with coffee, and drank slowly as he mulled events of the last twenty-four standard hours. The discovery of the dwarf pulsar star, the approach, the flares, the storm. Then the unlikely and far-too-coincidental appearance of the Qoearc. The attack, with Agincourt taking damage and casualties; then running for their lives, blinded by the storm, no defenses, no sensors, the Bridge crew holding down their fears like the true professionals they were.
He shook his head and cursed his own poor judgment, then punched the intercom button. “Bridge, Captain. Commander Xiaoli, Commander Sh'zaoqoq, set up a meeting for…” he glanced at the chronometer. “1600 in the main briefing room. All department heads and seconds to attend. I need a full analysis on the events at the star, the attack, ship’s condition, and our alternatives at this point. Also, everything you have on this planet we’re headed for. Draw whatever resources you need from IT and Intel.” He snapped off the switch, leaned back in his chair and blew a heavy breath. He poured another cup and drank again.
Text appeared on his PADD. Do you have a few minutes? XO
Lori. Sure, come on down, he typed.
I’m on the Bridge. There in ten.
Westermann sighed. Now I’m gonna get a talkin’ to.
* * *
Hamilton left the Sciences Lieutenant in command as she took leave, headed for Westermann’s quarters. All systems were operating nominally, space was clear ahead, and Tactical still showed no sign the Qoearc were pursuing Agincourt. And she trusted the Bridge crew, even the second shift. But now, she was due for a break as well, and sorely needed to talk the captain out of his funk. On that, she took her leave, intent on at least a change of uniform before speaking to the captain.
Battle Stations and Qoearc play hell with personal hygiene, she thought as she entered her quarters. If I stink of burned electronics, maybe he won’t notice the sweat. She smirked as she changed into standard off-duty garb, brushed her hair quickly, and headed out the door.
* * *
“Commander, I’m detecting sensing from the planet.” The second shift Tactical Officer ran a quick diagnostic on her Tactical panel, rechecked the readings, and turned to Lieutenant Harman in the command seat.
Harman moved quickly to her Science station and peered into the viewer. “The planet appears to be strong Earth-type. A bit larger than Terra, earlier development, atmosphere in flux… no signs of RF activity.”
“Agreed, but still…” Fingers clicked across the Tac Panel. “The board is green. Something on or very close to the planet is watching us. Strictly passive, and the energy output is barely detectable.”
“In orbit?” asked the navigator, Ensign Tooley.
“Possible.” Harman sharpened the resolution. “Still too far away to tell. Interesting, however. Log the event and include in your points for the briefing. Set an alarm for any change in observational status.” She turned to the Tactical board. “And inform the captain, if you please.”
* * *
The door chimed as Westermann was pouring his third cup of coffee. “Come in.”
Hamilton entered, off-duty fatigues clean and crisp, her long dark hair loose about her shoulders. “Captain.”
“Have a seat, Lori. Coffee? Tea? Something stronger?”
“Tea, please.” Hamilton took the chair opposite Westermann and waited as he drew from the server. They drank in silence for a few moments.
“You don’t ask for a private consultation unless something’s wrong. “Westermann blew gently across his cup.
“Concern for the captain. Let’s talk about what has happened.” Hamilton set down her tea. “A new star, a flare, and the damnedest coincidence of running across the Qoearc I’ve ever seen.”
Westermann considered. “You think they might have followed us?”
“Or were attracted to the star as well. Dwarf pulsars are pretty much an unproven theory, and to run across one is astronomical odds, no pun intended.”
Quiet set upon the room for moments. “A trap? Some sort of construct? Lie in wait for unassuming ships? That could be a lot of downtime.”
“We found three small ships and a larger one, possibly a cruiser, once sensors were back on line, all still at the star.”
Westermann thought again. “Following us?”
Hamilton shook her head. “No, and that sort of blows my theory out of the water. They appear to be more damaged than we were.”
“Cheap Qoearc shielding.” Westermann grinned at his jest. “What else?”
Hamilton paused before answering. “Captain, you can’t beat yourself up for decisions made. Nothing you did was wrong.”
“Maybe not wrong, but certainly unwise.”
Hamilton drank again. “Sometimes decisions don’t take into account the perverseness of the universe. There was no way to predict the flare… or storm… or Qoearc.”
“Trouble comes in threes, says the old adage.”
“Yes, sir. And so do decisions based on the best available information. Everything you did was by the Book.”
Westermann shook his head. “And that’s the problem, Lori. I should have seen beyond the Book. I should not have ordered us closer to the star, should not have stayed when the flare hit, and certainly should have anticipated Qoearc. We’re less than five light years into unclaimed space. You and I both know how the Qoearc love to provoke engagements.”
“Keeps us on our toes, right?” Hamilton smiled and refilled her cup, then drank again. “Let it go, Captain. The ship is secure, the crew is safe, and we’re on the way to a previously unknown planet. The silver lining shows through the darkest clouds sometimes.”
“Damned optimist.” Westermann lifted his cup to her. “Alright, I’ve been chastised, and I appreciate your concern. Thank you. What else? Odds on more perverseness?”
The intercom buzzed. Westermann raised an eyebrow. Hamilton simply laughed.
* * *
The briefing room filled slowly as department heads and their seconds entered, taking seats where possible, or standing at the walls around the room. Xiaoli and Sh’zaoqoq stood at the screen which showed a schematic of the system they were approaching, with a target circle around the fifth planet.
Westermann entered and took his chair at the table head, nodded to his science officer. The room quieted.
“This briefing is to update Agincourt’s status, review events, and discuss options upcoming.” Xiaoli’s voice was smooth and professional. Westermann nodded to himself, having hand-picked her nearly two years before as a member of his crew.
“As known, the star was discovered during routine patrol in a little-traveled sector. Investigation showed it to be a dwarf pulsar, thought until now to be theoretically impossible. The star is much smaller than Sol but more massive, and has a highly energetic magnetic field.”
“Damage to the ship caused by this star?” asked Hamilton as she entered, a moment late.
“Serious to our sensors and environmental systems, Commander. Some issues with hyperlight power that are currently being corrected, and non-life-threatening injuries to twenty-two crew members. Sensors are at ninety percent, EMP shields at sixty-five, and environmental is now stable. Hull damage was negligible from the storm, but the Qoearc attack caused two minor breaches, which have since been repaired.”
“What about the Qoearc?” asked Westermann, passing a glance to Hamilton.
Sh’zaoqoq changed the screen to a grainy picture of the pulsar and surrounding area. “Three scouts and one larger ship, all currently dead in space. Our sensors now suggest they have heavy damage to systems and propulsion. Our neutrino wake is dissipating and will be undetectable in six hours. It is doubtful they will be an any shape by then to follow.”
“Might they have been tracking us before the… accident?” Skip Butler asked, standing at one side.
Sh’zaoqoq stood straighter. “If so, I deserve a reprimand for not seeing them.”
“Belay that, Commander,” said Westermann softly. “We don’t know they were chasing us, and it could well have been a coincidence. The pulsar might have attracted their attention just like it did ours. No fault in this matter is being considered.”
Hamilton gave Westermann a quick smile, then turned her attention back to the screen.
“Commander Xiaoli, what about this planet we’re headed for?” Westermann watched the screen change once more, this time to a rather normal-looking blue sphere.
“Earth-like. The atmosphere shows no sign of industrial wastes, no RF signals, and high oxygen content in the air. The two largest continents are covered in vegetation and all mountain ranges appear to be very young.”
“New Earth,” said the helmswoman Maddani softly. “Beautiful.”
“So, uninhabited, correct?” asked Westermann.
“Correct, Captain, as far as intelligence above basic animal life. However, we are detecting scans from the planet’s area.”
“In orbit,” said Sh’zaoqoq, bringing up a new picture on the screen. “A small station, or very large satellite. There are no detectable life signs, very low power indicators, and whatever is watching us is attempting to stay unnoticed. Our tactical sensors register only a taste of indication.”
“Taste, Commander?” Skip Butler smiled as he asked the question.
“Touch,” Sh’zaoqoq replied, after a moment’s pause.
Westermann waited for the low chuckle around the room to die down. “So we’re being watched, as we’re watching them. But you said no life signs, so likely a satellite of some sort, gathering information of the planet.” He paused a beat. “Human? Qoearc? Or something else?”
“The latter, most likely, Captain. Configuration matches no known human or Qoearc design.”
“If crewed,” said Hamilton, moving closer to stand behind Westermann, “approximate number?”
Sh’zaoqoq contemplated the question. “Perhaps fifty or sixty, assuming mass and size that of our typical norms.”
“Science station, therefore,” said Xiaoli. “Too small for a military outpost or something permanent. Perhaps left running for later return.”
“How long ago?” asked Westermann, the explorer in him becoming more curious by the minute.
“No answers yet, Captain. However, Commander Xiaoli and I both recommend careful approach.”
Westermann nodded. “Agreed. But approach we shall. Earthfleet’s mission is exploration, and this is two discoveries, not one; a new planet and possibly a new species.” He looked around the room, noting anxiousness beginning to show in many faces. “Let’s get to it”.
* * *
The station continued its observations. Now that the object was closer, it could detect signs of life within, though like nothing it had seen before. The vessel, for that is now what it appeared to be, was larger than any previously recorded, propelled by titanic forces driving it through the “other space”, away from the material universe, and capable of speeds unheard of. If the crew of the vessel knew how much information the station was collecting, they likely would have been concerned.
The station was fascinated. How to learn more of these seemingly magic abilities. It brought more power online, reconfigured sensors, hid probing frequencies in the general background radiation of the system’s star. Whatever it could learn must be done before the vessel arrived.
Still, however, the station only waited. Even though the vessel approached quickly, it showed no sign of malevolence. No changes in energy output, such as weapons would indicate. Only minimal sensing detected. That would likely change as it drew closer. As for weapons, the station quickly determined, based on the energy output of the vessel, its own defenses would be ineffective in a battle. Therefore, it made adjustments for protection, should it become necessary, and prepared to launch a buoy with findings to its creator’s location before the vessel got too much closer.
In the meantime, it only tracked, recorded, and analyzed. And wondered. How would this species react to the station itself? Would they attempt to strip its knowledge, claim the planet below as its own, then destroy the station? Would they occupy the station and attempt to hold it from those who built it? And what of this strange time difference it noted, as the vessel neared?
These were logical questions. Therefore, the station began to prepare logical responses… just in case.
Two
Standard Orbit
“Duty Log, Captain Noah Westermann, 030217.10. We’re about to enter the system of the planet around which is orbiting a very mysterious space station. Tactical, Sciences, and Engineering are all spending hours analyzing our scans as systems normalize and we draw closer. And the station itself is watching us very covertly. It will be interesting to see if it’s crewed and simply shielded, or an autonomous construct. Regardless, we’ll know soon… and hope the Qoearc haven’t followed to interrupt our investigation.”
* * *
EAS Agincourt…
Agincourt dropped
from hyperlight twelve hours from the star’s singularity border. Hyperlight travel was not possible inside that boundary, as the curvature of space was far too severe. Experiments with unmanned probes, during the early days of hyperlight travel, had proven so; ships entering the stars’ sphere of gravitational influence, while in hyperlight, simply disappeared, never to be seen again. Many theories had been postulated; the probes entered a wormhole, emerging in another dimension or place and time; the probes stayed in the energetic hyperlight state and never could return, due to gravitational limitations and forces keeping them there; or the probes simply were destroyed. Regardless, accidents had happened on more than one occasion. And Noah Westermann had no intention of being the most recent.
“Secure from hyperlight, Ms. Maddani, put us in a polar orbit. Mister Butler, give the Conn a program that will allow us to map the entire planet in minimum time.” Westermann turned to the Science console. “Status on the station?”
Xiaoli stepped from her chair to the captain’s side, PADD in hand. “Scans have increased but still passive only. There appears to be no shielding preventing our sensors from penetrating the station’s hull, and it is similar to our duranium in composition. The interior is divided into many chambers and rooms. I have a general schematic if you would care to see it.”
Westermann nodded. “On screen two.” Agincourt, as all newer ships, was equipped with two programmable viewing screens. The left one lit, showing a three- dimensional representation of the station. Levels and floors showed in various colors, with a legend to one side.
“Here and here, observation posts,” said Xiaoli, laser pointer in hand. “This level appears to be a science lab, this one the computer core. Two levels below are quarters, and from what we can see, the inhabitants were smaller in stature than typical human norm. Approximately one and one-half meters tall, certainly no more.”
