by Dennis Young
Somura held her reply for a moment before answering. She caught Haversen’s slight shake of his head before she replied. “True, Commander, and we’ll continue to search for more information as we may.” Her voice was cool as Ndashimye’s.
“This is day four,” said Haversen. “I want everyone back on board twelve hours before the planet crosses into the I-Zone.”
Somura nodded. “Yes, sir. But I surely wish we had more time.”
“We’re working on that, Commander, trying to contact the Jen’riss. We’ve offered to share our scientific data with them if they will agree to letting us continue our investigations while the planet is in the I-Zone. We’ve promised we’ll have everyone off before it crosses into Jen’riss Space.”
“How much time would that give us, sir?” asked Haley.
“About another thirty to forty-five days, Doctor, depending on what gravitational anomalies the planet might encounter.”
“You mean what planets in the Jen’riss influence it might be on a path to, correct, sir?” asked Reid.
“Exactly, Lieutenant. And I don’t have to tell you what they might do if they consider the planet a threat.”
Again, silence set about the E-lab crowd.
“Very well, sir, we’ll continue our work and at midday of day six, we’ll pack up.”
“Keep your security line open, find out what you can, but understand, the safety of ship and crew is paramount. No argument.”
“Yes, sir. We understand. Thank you for your support. It’s been the chance of a lifetime for all of us.”
Haversen nodded. “Bellerophon out.”
The screen went dark. Somura turned to the group.
“Who are these people?” asked Martinez. “The Jen’riss, I mean?”
Haley scoffed. “Didn’t you see the captain’s briefing he sent out?”
Somura glanced at Reid, who only shook his head. “They’re aliens,” she began. “The second found, and they’re not friendly.”
“Well, that’s obvious,” retorted Martinez. He quieted at Somura’s look.
“They’re a collective, a hive mind, highly intelligent, and very aggressive. Their society is caste-driven, like many Terrestrial insects. They’re as territorial as anything you can imagine. Many of our xeno-culturalists are amazed they’ve made this far without destroying themselves, like we almost did. Their lack of individuality seems to stave off any in-species aggression.”
Somura paused, reflective, then took a breath and continued. “It took over ten years for Earth Alliance linguists to learn how to communicate effectively with them. As individuals, they’re completely mute and unresponsive. They require a minimum of about a dozen to communicate with us.”
“When the Earth Alliance first encountered them,” Reid interjected, “there were several scuffles. In space.” He looked each of the scientists in the eye. “Space battles rarely leave survivors.”
“We’ve had this truce and I-Zone for what, fifty years?” Somura looked to Reid, who nodded. “And the last thing we want is a fight. It’s likely, however, that with the rogue passing into their space, they’ll claim we were… I don’t know, doing something against the I-Zone Treaty, and look for a reason to attack.
Hayley and Martinez traded glances. The others were silent.
“Can we… talk to them? Tell them—”
Reid cut Martinez off. “What, that we mean no harm? They don’t care. And Bellerophon is a prize they can hardly ignore.”
Somura gave them all a glance. “Nothing has changed. We’re still under a deadline. Let’s get cleaned up and take six hours rest.”
“Back on the chain gang tomorrow,” joked O’Malley.
Haley grinned tightly, as did the others.
All but Reid.
* * *
The fifth day was much as the previous ones had been, with the party scrambling to take images and 3-V impressions of everything, investigating rooms or chambers they might have missed, and scouting the area for other hidden treasures. No one slept and they barely rested. Somura ordered six hours off-time each ship’s day, but found it difficult to enforce, especially for herself. They had no time, and knew regardless whether Bellerophon was successful contacting the Jen’riss, it was doubtful they would be allowed to remain.
“They may say yes, then hold us hostage,” said Reid to Somura, when they had a private moment away from the others.
“I’ve considered that, Lieutenant. I would almost accept it if they’d let us continue our research.”
“Surely you don’t mean that, Commander.”
Somura shook her head after a moment of silence. “No, I suppose I don’t. But it would be tempting, none the less.”
Reid looked to three of the party talking quietly in a corner of the main chamber, then drew closer to Somura. “We’re missing something. As Commander Ndashimye said, nothing we’ve discovered or surmised about this makes sense. How the artifacts got here, who put them here, how they’ve remained undisturbed for who knows how long. Someone has maintained this site for ages, Commander, and we’re all so giddy, we’re just not stopping to think about it.”
“We don’t have time to think about it, Lieutenant. We have less than two days remaining, and all we can do at this point is collect data and follow the protocols Doctors Haley and Martinez have established. That and watch out for the creatures we’ve seen so little of.”
Reid’s voice dropped to a whisper. “That’s another thing. Why haven’t we seen them? Our scans showed them pretty much all over this city except for this one spot, which is why we set down here. This has to be a sign of intelligence.”
Somura shook her head. “You’re suggesting the creatures put the artifacts here and are maintaining the site? Then avoided it because we’re here?” She paused in thought. “I can’t believe it, but I don’t know who else it might be.”
“Occam’s Razor, Commander.”
Somura huffed a breath. “We don’t have time to test the theory and I doubt whoever set this site up is going to knock on the door, so to speak.”
She looked to the knot of scientists and motioned them to join her. “Doctors, how would we prove something that is nearly impossible to prove? How much actual data and evidence is really necessary to establish a theory?”
Haley looked to Cooper, the forensics intern who had spent the past days combing over organic samples and possible fossils they had found, then replied. “Of course, the more supportive information, the better. I have several digs and James has analyzed what he can with our limited equipment.”
Cooper nodded. “Even with Bellerophon’s resources, we’ve found no match or even a distant cousin to our findings. Lieutenant Reid is likely right; this planet came from well outside Earth Alliance space.” He shrugged. “If you have a hypothesis or even a wild guess, let’s hear it.”
Reid looked to Somura who grinned. “Your funeral, Lieutenant.”
Reid stood a bit straighter. “I think the creatures we saw on the scans are not only the ones who set up and maintain this site, they’re the ones who set the planet adrift and created this world technology.”
The scientists looked to each other once more, mouths nearly agape. At last, Haley spoke. “I would say that is the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard… but I don’t have anything to disprove it. Yet.”
“How do we prove such a claim?” asked Martinez. “How to disprove it?” He looked to Cooper. “Have you extracted anything useable from the samples you have?”
Cooper nodded slowly. “Bits, and perhaps a near-complete string of proteins in a couple of instances. But I have nothing to compare it to.”
“That’s another thing, Commander,” said Reid. “We’ve seen virtually no wild animals in this area, but the farther we venture, the more we see. Someone is definitely keeping them away from us.”
“The creatures we’ve seen in the scans simply don’t have the intelligence to build what is on this world!” exclaimed Cooper.
“Could they have been trained? Or possibly genetically conditioned to maintain the site?” Haley thought for moments as no one spoke. “James, remember the fossil I found the first day, the one with the ruined device overlaying it?” The biologist nodded. “What if that device wasn’t a later layer, but actually contemporary to the creature’s fossil? I assumed, since the device was atop the creature’s limb, it was later. What if the creature simply dropped it?”
Somura held a hand for pause. “Doctors, we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. We have less than a full day to do everything necessary. You tell me, what’s more important? Gathering more data, or looking for proof of Lieutenant Reid’s… theory?”
“If we can find evidence in support of the theory, it ties everything together,” replied Cooper.
Somura nodded. “So we need a live subject for a DNA test, right?”
The scientists all grinned at once.
“How many guards does it take to hold down a mad xeno?” Reid grinned as well, and at the last, so did Somura.
* * *
Captain Haversen ordered Reid back to Bellerophon at the beginning of the next duty shift. Somura countered she needed him for data correlation, but the captain overrode her, explaining the tactical situation was growing more tense.
“The third Jen’riss ship has returned and all three have taken station on their edge of the I-Zone. Something’s up, and I need my head of Navigation onboard.”
Somura signed and nodded at the viewscreen. “Yes, sir, I understand. Should we pack up early?”
“I’ll know more in about two hours, Commander. In the meantime, work quickly as you can and gather whatever you think is most important. Fleet Base Eight replied and they have nothing to send as support, so we’re on our own.”
“Sir, we had a meeting where some pretty… unique ideas were put forth. Can we hold a vid-conference soon with the XO and biology staff?”
“After our tactical briefing, yes, but right now, I need Reid back on board Bellerophon. I’m sending a shuttle to pick him up. Have him ready in one hour.”
“Yes, sir. And we’ll double our efforts here.”
“Good. Bellerophon out.”
* * *
Once again, the briefing room was crowded, all department heads present except Somura herself, with Sciences covered by Ndashimye and Somura’s second, Lieutenant Turner. Nav, Comm, Helm, Engineering, Security, Intel, Ship’s Services, and of course, Tactical were all accounted for and alert.
“Commander Vikihrov will give you the latest,” said Haversen from the head of the table. “This briefing is strictly confidential. No one is to discuss it over shipboard communications and only as needed face to face. We can’t take a chance the Jen’riss know what plans we may be making or what our strategies are.” He nodded to Vikihrov standing at the wall viewscreen.
“Two hours ago, a third Jen’riss heavy escort ship took station two million kilometers to galactic east of the two we currently are monitoring.” She pointed to the graphic on the screen. “This is classic Jen’riss tactics, using two ships to herd a target into the third. This indicates possible military movement as the planet nears the I-Zone.” Karina’s clipped Russian accent put the room at attention.
“We have approximately thirty-six shipboard hours before we reach the I-Zone, which we cannot enter on Earthfleet orders. To do so would be considered an act of war by the other party. Bellerophon is outnumbered and outgunned. Therefore, we must devise a plan of escape.” Karina looked to Lieutenant Shaw.
“Continued efforts to contact the Jen’riss have been unsuccessful.” Shaw gestured to an audio chart on the screen. “We’ve cracked three of their codes and tapped into the internal comm system. At this point, everything supports Commander Vikihrov’s supposition. The Jen’riss are preparing to attack. Whether us or the planet, we’re not certain.”
“Why would they attack the planet, Lieutenant?” asked Ndashimye. “Bellerophon would certainly be a prize. A new ship, which they will test in combat, and capture if possible. If not, they would destroy us.”
“Correct, Commander,” said Shaw after a pause. “I was only stating possibilities.”
“Bellerophon is their target,” said Vikihrov. “And they must either capture us or destroy us with no survivors to tell the tale. The Jen’riss are notoriously efficient in this.”
“Tactics, Commander?” asked Haversen.
“Yes, sir. Their cloud-system weapon has limited range, which is why they herd the target into the third ship. They catch the target between them, leaving little hope of escape. And with our phase coil issue unresolved,” she looked to Simmons, “the decided speed advantage we normally have is nullified. We can’t outrun them at 80c.”
“Cloud weapon?” Turner of Sciences sat beside Shaw and leaned forward. “Can you elaborate, Commander?”
Vikihrov nodded. “The weapon discharge is composed of tiny individual components. Technically, they are classified as ‘non-self-replicating, molecualr-size, electro-mechanical, EMP devices’.”
The room was dead silent for a moment.
“We call then ‘nanomites’ for short, Lieutenant,” said Haversen. He nodded Vikihrov to continue.
“The nanomites attack any material they come in contact with, and depending on the composition of the material, will literally eat through it in time, usually a few seconds. Earthfleet has altered outer hull construction on newer ships, but those built before contact with the Jen’riss are particularly at risk.”
“Which is one reason Addison is headed back to base for a refit,” said Haversen. “That’s not for discussion beyond this meeting, by the way.”
“But they have to go sublight to fire the weapon, correct?” asked Turner.
“Correct, but if the weapon discharge contacts a hyperlight bubble, it will cause substantial damage to shipboard systems. Not to mention knock the ship sublight.” Vikihrov glanced to Haversen for an instant. “Basically, they can precipitate us into real space with a lucky shot.”
Turner blew a breath as he and Shaw exchanged nervous glances.
“Recommendations?” asked Haversen.
“Evasive action, Captain, at our maximum speed. The third Jen’riss ship will try to stay ahead of us, but if we can outmaneuver it, we may have a chance.”
“And that’s where Nav and Helm come in,” replied Haversen, looking at Reid and Richards. “We need a flexible navigation plan we can implement at the start of our run that can be adjusted in accordance with the third Jen’riss ship’s movements. We know what the others will do; they’ll chase us down as quickly and closely as possible, firing all the way. The key is outwitting that third ship.”
His eyes found Reid again. “Mr. Reid, I want the fastest course back toward Fleet Base Eight, but stay away from any monitoring buoys or stations. Take us deeper into Earth Alliance space when you get the chance.”
He turned to Shaw. “Lieutenant, prepare a record of this briefing, everything the landing team has, and be ready at a moment’s notice to squirt it off to Fleet. Dig out your standard warnings to send to the Jen’riss once they cross into the I-Zone, and be sure it’s all in our ship’s log.”
“Aye, sir,” breathed Shaw, looking pale.
Voices droned around the table for several moments as Vikihrov sat, her gaze locked with Haversen’s.
“XO, anything to add? You’ve studied Jen’riss extensively.”
Ndashimye sat a bit straighter. “The encounter between Addisson and the Jen’riss ship nearly two standard years ago has given us a good example of their capabilities and tactics. As said by Commander Vikihrov, we are at a decided disadvantage.”
“Others?” Haversen looked around the table at the anxious faces. “Very well. Return to your posts and prepare for a fast getaway once the away party is back on board. We’ve made all the gestures to the Jen’riss we can. It’s time to consider our options and do what’s necessary to get out of this alive. Dismissed.”
The crew slowly exite
d, speaking among themselves.
“XO, prepare auxiliary control and see to Sciences after that.” Haversen pulled Simmons aside as Ndashimye nodded and left the briefing room. “Stony, stay for a minute. I have a couple of things we need to discuss.”
Haversen poured coffee for himself and Simmons, and they sat quietly drinking for a few minutes.
“What do we have, Chief?”
Simmons stared into his cup, then took a tentative sip. “Not much, Captain. But I’d sure hate to lose this ship on her first mission. The problem is, the coils won’t take the stress for better than 100c and that won’t outrun the Jen’riss. It might be enough to evade the third ship, but that’ll cost us time getting away from the other two.”
“Tell me how this sounds.” Haversen refilled their cups, then sat once more. “What if you put everything we have into one sustained burst and ran the coils to their maximum temp before shutting down.”
Simmons shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, sir, it’s still not enough. We’d maybe get a bit ahead of the trailing ships, but still, how do we get past the third one?”
“I’m not talking about going to 100c. I’m asking for 200c. Could we do it.?”
Simmons shook his head emphatically. “Sir, it would melt the coils into a puddle. We’d be sittin’ ducks in, I don’t know, two, maybe three minutes.”
“So you could do it for a short burst?”
Simmons stared away, thinking. “If we exceed the coil temp by more than a couple hundred degrees C, it would probably cause a full shutdown of the primary core. That, or just blow us to Kingdom Come.”
“How long could we sustain 200c, putting every bit of power we have into the engines?”
“I’d have to run it through the calculations, sir, but it wouldn’t be long. Like I said, a couple of minutes, maybe, before the coils either melt or the core blows up.”
Haversen grinned. “You’re making this difficult.”
