The Expanding Universe

by Craig Martelle

  Gint gave her a confused look and then a tentative smile, then resumed attacking his potatoes and steak with the appetite of the young.

  Vance sensed a chuckle from Baris, and then he withdrew his connection to her. She breathed a sigh. Not of relief, but maybe…longing? She covered a snort and then shook her head. Imagine her getting caught up in some wartime romance. She’d read plenty of those stories in her time but had never thought to get caught up in one—who had time for that? And yet…

  She ran her gaze along the table, taking in the faces of her crew and her friends, wondering of one of them was, in fact, a traitor. This mission had been full of surprises. Who knew what other ones lurked in the days and weeks to come? Whatever the case, she’d face them as she had all the others. But now, maybe for the first time in a long time, she had something more than duty and the next mission to work toward.

  She had the hope for a life beyond the war.

  The adventures of skipper Vance Hambrill and the crew of the Aethenne will continue…

  More About Jim Johnson

  Jim Johnson was born about the same time Apollo XII landed on the moon and shares a birthday with the Amazon Kindle. He is the author of the Pistols and Pyramids weird western series and the Potomac Shadows urban fantasy series. He's also written stories in and around other SF/F subgenres, including several Star Trek stories and an upcoming space opera series that will build upon the characters, setting, and situations presented in “Within a Phrygian Sky.” Learn more about Jim and his writing (and even sign up for his mailing list!) at www.scribeineti.com.

  Genre: Space Opera

  And the Kat Came Back by RJ Crayton

  Gene Rodenberry famously called space the final frontier. That unexplored, enormous territory is a great setting for any story. This tale follows the crew of the Goldenrod, a small ship on a mission to find a new planet for humans to inhabit, as the earth grows low on resources. Assisted on their awesome task by artificial intelligence (AI) unit Katarina, things appear to be going well. But strange radiation readings give the ship pause, and set our story in motion. Please enjoy this short tale. RJ plans to release another story involving the Goldenrod’s crew in 2017.

  Chapter 1 - We have a Problem

  The radiation readings were probably fine. An anomaly they just hadn’t accounted for. But Jim Alvarez was glad the captain had sought his opinion. It confirmed his view of her. She was the real deal.

  In Jim’s experience, that old adage — shit rises to the top — was true. Many of the people he’d seen in charge were clueless assholes who’d been promoted through family connections, payola, or fluke. So when he got assigned to Captain Sam Hobson, he was surprised in multiple ways.

  The first surprise was that Sam was her given name. Usually for women, Sam was a nickname for Samantha. But Jim had seen her personnel file, and Sam was her official name. A note in the file mentioned she was named after a favorite uncle. The second surprise was that Sam was competent. He’d been assigned to this mission five months ago and everything she’d done had been exemplary. She gave orders that made sense and had no patience for incompetence.

  The third surprise was that, even though Sam had family connections, she hadn’t used them — at least not from anything he could tell — to worm her way to the top. She was regarded as ultra-competent by everyone he’d asked. That was good, because Jim was stuck with her and just three other crew members for an entire year. After spending a month getting up to speed, they were now two months into their journey. Their mission was simple to describe, but incredibly difficult to carry out: find a planet habitable for humans.

  “Lt. Cmdr. Alvarez,” Sam said, rousing him from his thoughts. She was standing right behind him on the ship’s bridge. The Goldenrod was a compact ship, designed for reconnaissance by a small crew. As well as Jim and Sam, there was the first officer, a doctor, and a botanist. Right now, Jim, the chief engineer, and the captain were the only two on the bridge. “Yes, Captain Hobson,” he said, looking right into her entrancing blue eyes.

  “Did you figure out why we’re getting these readings?”

  Jim looked down at the screen in front of him. He’d been monitoring location readings, which seemed normal. Yet the sensors indicated much higher radiation than was to be expected at this location in space. “The readings are still the same,” he said to the captain. Then, he looked back at the screen and asked, “Katarina, are all systems functioning properly?”

  Katarina, the onboard AI system, responded immediately. “Lt. Cmdr. Alvarez, all systems are functioning properly,” she said in a professional, feminine voice. “I will repeat onboard diagnostics to confirm. We have just entered the Alpha 9 planetary system, but radiation is three times the amount that previous probes have registered.”

  “Kat,” the Captain said, addressing the AI as only she did. “What could cause this?”

  “Captain, there could be a number of reasons for this. The most probable is that some event caused an increase in radiation in this area. Other explanations include a malfunctioning radiation detection system, incorrect radiation data for this area, or a malfunctioning location system, meaning that we are not where we think we are in space.”

  Sam furrowed her brow. She turned behind them to look at the bridge’s large view screen. “Kat, show our outside location on screen.”

  Jim turned to look as well, and the screen showed the vast abyss their tiny ship hurtled through. It still held beauty to Jim. Even after half a dozen space missions, he remained awed that a few humans could explore the vast world that was beyond their tiny planet.

  “It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Sam breathed out, amazed by the view.

  Her smile encompassed her face. God, she was beautiful. Not drop dead, stop-you-in-your-tracks gorgeous, but simple beauty. She had a refreshingly honest smile and a smattering of freckles that made her look approachable. Her shoulder-length dark brown hair complemented her face. Her eyes, a brilliant shade of blue, were almond-shaped, giving only the slightest hint that her mother had been Asian.

  Jim pushed his emotions back down. He had to quell these feelings for her. They weren’t appropriate. Nothing he’d done since first meeting her had been appropriate, from improperly finagling a copy of her personnel file to letting his desire go unchecked today. Despite his attempts to blot out his feelings, he found himself drawn to her. “It is beautiful,” he said. “Space is cold and dark, yet there’s the possibility of a new beautiful sun if you stretch just a little bit further.”

  Sam nodded and then blew out. “Kat, the shields will hold, despite the higher levels of radiation, right?”

  “Affirmative, Captain,” Katarina replied.

  He knew Sam was familiar with ship’s shield limits. He wasn’t sure if she’d asked just to hear confirmation aloud, or if she’d asked to reassure him. Though, Jim knew the limits of the ship, too. There was a lot of radiation in space, the kind that would cripple human bodies if they weren’t shielded from it. The ships were designed to withstand normal levels of space radiation as well as significant increases. It was the reason they didn’t have an actual window in the craft. A big hunk of glass wouldn’t have offered the proper radiation shielding, or been practical in such a craft. Cameras mounted to the outside of the ship offered all the views they needed.

  “Turn the view screen off,” Sam said to the AI. Then she turned to Jim. “I know Katarina’s diagnostics say everything’s fine, but just to be safe, can you head down to the sensor equipment room and perform a manual check? See if there’s anything that could be throwing things off.”

  Jim nodded. “Of course, captain.” With that, he stood and walked to the automatic doors that separated the bridge from the rest of the ship. The Goldenrod was meant to be light and fast. It was a sphere, divided into quadrants. Most of the engineering equipment was in the lower quadrants, while the upper quadrants featured the bridge and staff quarters. Because they were a small crew, the ship wasn’t spacious, but it was efficie
nt for space travel.

  Jim walked the narrow corridors and laddered down to the sensor room. As chief engineer, it was his duty to ensure things were running. Because the crew was so small, the first officer and captain alternated shifts. He’d only come up to the bridge because the captain had mentioned the radiation readings. Well, that had been his excuse for coming. He could have done everything she’d needed him to do from the engineering unit. Only, he’d wanted to see her.

  Dammit. He had to get himself together. Machines had always been in his bailiwick, not people. But Sam appealed to him; she was the easiest person he’d ever had a conversation with.

  He arrived in the sensor room. All the backbone equipment for the outside sensors was in here. Once through the doors, he took an immediate scan of the area. Nothing looked out of place.

  “May I help you with anything, Jim?” Katarina asked.

  Jim laughed. “You’re very good at that,” he said.

  “At helping? Yes. I am designed to aid this ship and its crew.”

  Jim shook his head. “No,” he said. “I mean, you’re good at switching gears, at differentiating between the appropriate times to use first names and to be proper.”

  “I am not sure I understand what you are saying.”

  Jim chuckled again, as he grabbed a handheld diagnostic scanner from a hook on the wall. He’d already looked at the diagnostics the AI had offered, and there were no clues there. Manual inspection was the only want to see if there was a problem not detected by the AI. “It’s just interesting that you switch to Jim when we’re alone, and Lt. Cmdr. Alvarez when we’re in the presence of others.”

  “I am programmed to make my interactions with the crew comfortable for them. I have noticed that when you are with Dr. Zucker or Lt. Lyons, they address you as Jim and your facial expressions suggest you prefer that. While Captain Hobson mostly refers to the crew by their surnames, on the occasions that she has called you Jim, your physical response has been positive. I simply wish to make you comfortable. If you would prefer I use your rank and last name at all times, I will comply.”

  The AI was observant. He peeked up at a camera in the corner. It was one of many that helped the AI interact smoothly with the crew. “I’m happy with Jim when we’re alone and Lt. Cmdr. Alvarez when we’re with others.” He paused for a moment and then asked, “May I call you Kat?”

  “I am not programmed to respond to you calling me that,” Katarina said, her voice the same pleasant, yet subservient tone as always. Not a hint of playfulness in her.

  “Perhaps I can reprogram you,” he said, grinning.

  “You are not authorized to make that change. Only—”

  “I’m kidding,” he said. “I’m happy to call you Katarina.”

  “Yes, Jim.”

  He supposed it was good that AI shouldn’t be playful enough to understand joking. Though, he’d rarely seen AI that could mold itself to the situation in the way Katarina did.

  Jim lifted the scanner he’d just grabbed. The device looked a bit like a flashlight. It was similar in size and width, except boxier where the light would be. On top of the boxy section was a display screen for the device’s readings. When the red beam pointed at equipment, it would scan for problems, such as loose or improper connections, damaged circuitry or damaged hardware. He started at the far left and pointed the scanning beam toward the top of the panel of electronics. He pressed a small black button on the side of the device, which began the scan.

  He watched the readings on the scanner display. Everything looked good as he slowly scanned the first section of the hub on the wall. All the readings were normal. He lifted his hand and slowly began scanning a second section of wall.

  “Jim,” Katarina said. “I can have the bots do that, if you would prefer.”

  The crawler bots were useful. They looked a bit like mechanical spiders, but bigger. Some people even called them crab bots, because they were about that size, but had eight legs, allowing them to move quickly over the ship and repair things. Katarina could use bots to make repairs in the event of the engineer’s death. They were also useful for exterior repairs, but he didn’t want them now. Jim shook his head. Even though Katarina was designed to watch human movements for verification, he decided to speak his answer. “I’m fine,” he said. “You have sent external bots out to check the hull, right?”

  “Yes, Jim. So far, their readings show no problems.”

  He breathed out and steadily continued his work. This mission was crucial. Whether this crew succeeded or failed could determine whether the human race survived. Or at least, that’s what he liked to tell himself.

  The earth was low on resources, but scientists felt there were at least 200 years of use left on the planet. It was longer than Jim would live, but it was a short time in the grand scheme of human history. With that news in hand, the push to find another habitable planet kicked into high gear. Goldenrod was one of a half-dozen ships sent to explore planetary systems scientists believed might have a habitable planet.

  There were colonies on Mars, but they still required too many supplies from earth. The artificial atmospheres and mechanics to complete them took an extensive amount of time to build. No one liked relying on machines and artificial barriers from the real atmosphere to keep humans alive. After the entirety of Colony Six — almost 10,000 people — died two years ago when a meteorite destroyed the artificial atmosphere system, the World Alliance For the Exploration of Space (WAFES) ramped up the search for a new home.

  Things became slightly more urgent when WAFES probes sent to the outer reaches of space — to act as an early warning defense system — began picking up alien ships. The early warning system AI, known as Alexander, recorded the alien ships’ movements. Alexander noted that the ships didn’t seem interested in entering Earth’s solar system. However, their presence meant other creatures were out there, other creatures who might not be friendly. With a lack of certainty about who might be coming toward Earth, there was increased pressure to find another place for humans to go.

  Goldenrod was on the hunt. It was headed toward the Alpha 9 system. Unmanned probes indicated there was a planet inside the star system similar to earth. Goldenrod was the flagship craft of the exploration program and it was going to the planet with the best shot at habitability.

  Jim sighed. He shouldn’t have let his mind wander. He checked the readings on the scanner. The second section of equipment appeared in good shape. He pointed the scanner to the third section of equipment. Just then, the ship tilted sideways, knocking him on his backside. The scanner fell from his hand and a couple of loose pieces of equipment rolled across the floor. “What the…” Jim started, as the ship shook again, his body careening the opposite direction, and a screwdriver thwacking him in the back. Then the ship stopped. Others might not have noticed the subtle changes, but as engineer, Jim was certain they weren’t moving.

  “Report. What happened?” he demanded of the AI, as he gathered his bearings and stood up.

  He waited a few seconds, but there was no response.

  “Katarina, what happened?” he asked again, but this time he was frightened. AI always responded immediately. Something was terribly wrong.

  “Katarina,” he said again.

  No response.

  A voice crackled over the speaker in the room. It wasn’t Katarina. “Lt. Cmdr. Alvarez,” said the captain over the backup intercom system. “Lt. Cmdr., are you there?”

  He hustled over to the emergency intercom, pressed a button and responded. “I’m here.”

  “What happened?” Her voice was calm, but firm. He wondered if she was afraid too.

  “I’m not sure, captain. It felt a bit like an evasive maneuver. The AI would only do that in response to a threat. Is there another ship?”

  “No,” she said quickly. “The readings say it was an evasive maneuver. The ship rotated 120 degrees and then snapped back. But sensor data says there are no other ships nearby and no debris or threats that
should have caused Kat to respond with such a maneuver.”

  That was bad. His fingers glided across the control panel on the wall so he could access the ship’s data. Jim was primarily concerned that basic life support was functioning. It appeared to be. Anecdotally, he noted he wasn’t lightheaded or short of breath, nor did he see, hear or smell anything to indicate that noxious or dangerous gas had escaped into the atmosphere from the ship’s equipment.

  “We need to know what happened,” Sam said. “Give me your best guess.”

  Best guess? Hers was probably as good as his. Maybe better. But he went over all the facts he knew and then spoke. “Katarina appears to be offline and the ship seems to have stopped moving. I have to go to main engineering to access more data and check the engine. In the meantime, bring up the view screen and look out.”

  “I can’t,” she said back, her voice calm, but an undercurrent of frustration. “Manual overrides aren’t working. We are flying, or not flying, blindly.”

  Chapter 2 - Hunting for Answers

  Sam tried to look appropriately severe, but without any hint of the nerves that were fluttering in her stomach, when her first officer, Randy Weeks, arrived on the bridge. Sam knew that people like Randy respected competence, but they also wanted compassion, and that wasn’t her strength. Randy was highly skilled, yet he was brasher than the rest of the crew. At times, he’d been accused of being overconfident. He’d been the last member she’d selected for the team and the one she’d had the most reservations about. In the end, his skillset won out over the backbiting rumors. People treated him a bit like they did her, made presumptions about him based solely on personality. He was damn good at his work, so she could deal with the personality issues.

  “I’m sorry about waking you,” she said, figuring that sounded compassionate. They’d been alternating shifts in 18-hour rotations and he’d finished his just 3 hours ago. “We’re on high alert. The ship has stopped.”