Discovery

by Paul Rix

  However, he hadn't factored in Grace who was in the lab, looking at a research paper on the computer screen. This was all that he needed. He looked at his own computer and was relieved to see that there were no messages waiting for him. "What can I do for you?" he snapped.

  Startled, her head jerked up to look at him. "I was just checking on the specifications for the Sabatier Reactor for Rashid. He says he can improve the efficiency," she replied nervously. "Perhaps you can help?"

  "Not now, Grace. I've got far more important things to work on. Can't this wait?" Redmayne looked at his watch, anxious to get away.

  "The captain was happy for me to do the research. Maybe I can help you instead, if you like."

  That was the last thing he wanted. "No, it's okay. Carry on, but touch nothing of mine. I have some expensive equipment here." Before Grace could reply, he picked up the few items he needed and headed to his quarters for the communicator.

  Frustrated that he had wasted too much time, he hurried from his quarters without a second glance knowing he wouldn't be returning.

  Redmayne avoided anyone else in the corridor and reached the airlock just as the device in the biodome activated.

  The device he had left contained two volatile chemicals that had been kept in separate vials. At that moment, the vials snapped, combining the chemicals causing an instant thermal, chemical reaction. The heat was so intense that the device exploded, ripping through some cabling in the fuse box. Although the explosion was small and contained, its effects were dramatic.

  Power was immediately cut to the biodome. The lights went out and all the equipment stopped, leaving the Kings in an ominous pitch-black silence.

  "What's happened?" said Nicola, a trace of panic in her voice.

  "Some sort of power failure," replied Harry, sounding calm. "Just stay where you are. The emergency supply should kick in almost immediately."

  Harry wasn't to know that the emergency supply had also been damaged by the explosion. Acrid smoke was now pouring from the fuse box, setting off an alarm and causing the fire seal to close off the biodome from the rest of the base.

  Captain Winter was in the control room when the alarms sounded, informing him that there was an emergency in the facility. The computer schematic in front of him showed that the issue was in the biodome, but he was unable to raise the Kings.

  Over the internal Comms system, he ordered, "Emergency in the biodome. All hands meet me there."

  This was exactly the outcome Redmayne wanted. He slipped into his spacesuit at the airlock and exited the base. Within a minute he was on a speeder making his way toward Aquarius and thrilled that his plan was working out so well.

  Chapter 56

  It wasn't working out so well for the Kings. To Harry's surprise and dismay, they were still in darkness over a minute after the power had failed. He knew that something was seriously wrong.

  Nicola had been silent, waiting for the lights to come back on but was freaking out. "I can smell smoke!" she suddenly screamed out.

  Harry could smell it too and he fought hard to control the panic that was rising inside him. A fire would be catastrophic and potentially life-threatening. "Nikki, talk to me. I'll come to you and follow the sound of your voice. You need to stay calm. I'm sure Captain Winter is on his way with help."

  "Harry, I'm scared. I don't want to die. We could suffocate in here if there's a fire. Where are you?"

  Harry touched her arm, making her jump. "I'm right next to you. We're not going to die. There are enough emergency procedures in place to keep us safe."

  The sounds of the door being opened suddenly broke the silence before Captain Winter's voice rang out. "Harry? Nicola? Are you in here?"

  "Yes, captain. We're at the rear of the biodome but we can't see anything. There's smoke, so there may be a fire."

  "Okay, stay there. We'll come and get you." Two beams of light shone across the room, eerily silhouetting the plants and equipment. The captain and Doctor Betts hurried through the biodome, flashlights in hand. "It looks like there was a short circuit in your fuse box," Captain Winter said. "It must have taken out the backup as well. That's where the smoke is coming from but there's no risk of fire. I'm sure the chief will soon have it fixed."

  "Thanks, sir. We were worried there for a few minutes. It's no fun being trapped in complete darkness. I hope we can get power on quickly for the sake of the plants."

  "I suggest you take a break until then. Megan, would you care to take them for a drink in the galley?"

  "Just what the doctor ordered," she replied.

  ***

  Winter escorted Megan and the Kings out of the biodome, stopping next to the charred fuse box. The chief had the door open and was examining the insides. "There's extensive damage. Much of the cabling and trunking has been destroyed. We'll need a replacement box as well as to swap out some of the power cables."

  "That's no small job. How long is it likely to take?"

  "The rest of the day. But there's something else. There are clear signs of a chemical reaction and fragments that don't belong in that box. It looks as if it is deliberate."

  Winter stood up and took in a deep breath. "It was sabotage? I can't believe anyone would do that. Or why!"

  "I can't answer that. I'll send Rashid for the replacement parts while I carry out a few more tests to confirm my suspicions."

  "Get it done. I have to report this immediately. Ground Control need to know."

  Chapter 57

  Georgia's time with Commander Anders in the MEV was not helping her change her perception of him. If anything, it was confirming her view that there was something strange about the man. As soon as she had entered the cabin to set off from the base, he had been nervous and fidgety.

  She had spent much of the past few months with Captain Winter and Jim. Both of them were strong, resolute men. Capable leaders and charismatic. Anders was almost entirely the opposite. To be fair, he was an excellent organizer and had ensured Alpha Base was built early. But he hadn't convinced her that he was a leader. He tried too hard to be liked and, for her, that was a fundamental flaw. However, she knew she was stuck with him for the foreseeable future on Mars.

  As the MEV sped from the cave into sunlight, she started a conversation, hoping that he may open up to her. "Commander, how are you settling into life on Mars? Is it what you expected?"

  Anders continued to look out of the front canopy at the landscape as he spoke. "It's exactly as I imagined. Barren and inhospitable. But I was prepared for every eventuality. I think it's important to be able to quickly adapt to your surroundings."

  Georgia was intrigued by his statement. "In training, they always taught us to be ready for the unexpected. But then, no one had ever landed on Mars. The only information was what the various landers provided. We've done very well since we arrived."

  "I wasn't referring just to the environment, Georgia. We also have to adapt to the circumstances and even the people around us. I thought you would know that, especially after what you've endured in recent days. You're a perfect example of someone able to adapt and survive."

  His comment stung Georgia. It was personal and unexpected. "So, according to your logic, everyone needs to adapt or die? Do you begrudge the fact that I survived cancer?"

  "Of course not. I simply believe some people find it difficult to deal with whatever is thrown at them. That doesn't mean they're less capable than you or I. But it may make it harder for them and affect others around them."

  It was clear to Georgia that Anders had someone in mind, but he wasn't going to name that person. She was sure he was talking about the captain though. She had seen how Anders had butted heads with him several times in team meetings. Especially lately. She changed the subject as the MEV continued to speed across the Martian surface.

  "You said that you wanted to evaluate my construction robots. What tasks did you have in mind for them? I can program them to do many tasks, although they're designed mainly to build the main struc
ture at the entrance to the base. I wasn't aware of any other urgent activities for them."

  There was a long pause and Georgia was thinking he had not heard her. He wasn't the easiest person to have a conversation with. She was about to repeat her question when he finally replied. "I want to advance the construction. But before I make the recommendation, I thought it would be a useful exercise to unpack and inspect them. Because we'll have to unpack the jetcopter to access your robots, it may be worth assembling that at the same time."

  That prospect raised Georgia's suspicions. What was Anders really up to? She wasn't aware of any valid reason to use the jetcopter now. There was enough work to establish the base before venturing further afield. The drones were sufficient to cover a large area around the base should the scientists wish to carry out any research. The only reason to use the jetcopter was to fly up over the edge of the crater. And, as far as she knew, there were no intentions to do that within the next three months.

  Unless you wanted to go Sentinel spotting. Anders wasn't the type to make such a radical decision on his own though. Or to go against the orders sent from Earth. Something else was going on here that she was unaware of.

  She decided to not push the matter for the time being and instead let it play out. She was sure she would discover the truth soon enough. The rest of the journey to Aquarius continued in silence with neither of them wanting to do or say anything that may arouse the other's suspicions.

  Chapter 58

  As they ascended the side of Aquarius in the cradle, Georgia stared into the distance back toward the base. It appeared so far away from here, with several of the ships acting almost as markers between her and what was now home. She was still trying to work out what Anders was really up to and why he had brought her with him. The whole situation was making her uncomfortable.

  In the distance she noticed a small plume of dust rising above the landscape. She recognized it as the distinctive sign of someone driving a speeder quickly across the landscape. Whoever was riding the speeder was heading in their direction and she estimated would arrive within the next ten to fifteen minutes.

  "Are you expecting anyone else to assist us?" she asked, pointing at the dust cloud.

  Anders was evasive. "No one in particular. But they may be after urgent parts on one of the other cargo ships."

  His answer didn't convince Georgia. She could tell that Anders was lying, and she knew she had to get back to Alpha Base. But how?

  Once inside the cargo hold, she waited for her opportunity. All she needed was to distract Anders and she could make her way back to the MEV and find out what the hell was really going on. Once the lights were switched on, she could see how full they had packed Aquarius. She had not been inside this ship since it had been sealed on Earth and had forgotten how much equipment had been loaded.

  Her three construction robots, together with various building attachments and spare parts were located on the first level. They were humanoid, standing six feet tall, although their legs and arms could extend for greater reach They resulted from many years of research into robotics. For the construction phase of the mission, where much of the work would be performed on the Martian surface, the robots were a safer option than the crew. There was the constant danger of damage to spacesuits from sharp building materials and tools that could quickly kill an astronaut or render them unconscious. Robots were sturdier with replaceable components. They could also operate at night when it was too cold for the astronauts.

  Georgia had been closely involved with their development for five years. One of her main roles on the mission was to maintain the robots, ensuring they completed their primary tasks. They would then be re-purposed to perform other potentially hazardous jobs.

  Because the robots were connected to the ship's power supply for the journey to Mars, Georgia was confident they would be fully charged and ready to go at her command.

  However, Anders wasn't immediately interested in testing out the robots. His eyes were firmly focused on the jetcopter. Because of its size, it was on the main level of the hold but, contrary to what Anders had said, was not causing an obstruction.

  "I'd like to get the jetcopter out now," he said. "It will be easier to test on the ground. Georgia, can you give me a hand with the winch mechanism?"

  "I thought we were here for the construction robots. I'd like to take a look at them and make sure they survived the landing. That is what we're here for after all."

  "Of course it is. But the jetcopter is going to take longer to offload. I want it done first." Anders' tone suddenly changed as he exerted his authority.

  He didn't faze Georgia. "You know, I've been thinking about the urgency to unpack the jetcopter. The captain has never mentioned using it since we landed. I know its main purpose is to allow us to travel up to the plateau. And there's something else bothering me."

  "Pyke, we don't have time for this. Just follow my orders."

  "Not once have you asked me any questions about the Sentinels or my time with them. I know you want to, but you've avoided the subject. Why is that?"

  "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "You don't want the construction robots at all. You plan to seek the Sentinels and you need me to help you. I'm not prepared to do that." Georgia defiantly made her way back to the cradle, intent on heading back to the MEV.

  Anders quickly stepped in front of her, grabbing her arm tightly. He was six inches taller than her and used his bulk to prevent her from moving forward. "Wait! You don't know what you're talking about."

  Georgia looked him squarely in the eyes. "Let go of me now, commander. I'm going back to Alpha to talk about this with Captain Winter. Your behavior is out of order. Let me through."

  Reflexively, Anders released his grip. "Okay, just hear me out. You're right. The plan is to take the jetcopter up over the ridge. Tom wants to contact the Sentinels. To ensure that it is safe for us here but also to take our first steps in communicating with an advanced alien species. He's the one on his way here now."

  "Are you mad? The captain would never sanction this. And the Sentinels don't want to make contact. They made it clear that their role is purely as passive observers. They'll avoid any interaction with us."

  "That's your opinion. We could miss out on an amazing opportunity for mankind. The captain is playing it safe, listening to politicians who have no idea what it is like out here. You can be part of the brave new world, Georgia. You're young and intelligent. Surely you can see how cooperation would help Earth and solve many of the problems that people are facing. Even save lives."

  "I don't know what Tom has been saying to you. But you're making a huge number of assumptions. Do you really believe the public is ready for this news? And are you prepared to force the Sentinels to do something that is against their beliefs? How would that make us look in front of the many other alien civilizations out there in the universe? How do you know that all of them are friendly? You need to consider your actions carefully. It can't just be your decision or Tom's."

  "I have thought about this a lot, Georgia. More than you know. I trust Tom to not screw this up. We'll be cautious. And if the Sentinels aren't prepared to talk with us, then we'll leave it. I'm trying to keep the crew safe. I want to show how it should be done."

  "I'm not sure this is the right way. Let's go back to Alpha and talk this through sensibly."

  "The time for talking is over. If we don't do this now, then someone else will. Why do you think the Russians or Chinese haven't landed yet? I'm sure they're making their own plans to make contact. Do you want either of those nations to have direct access to alien tech? Can you imagine what they'll do with it?"

  They hadn't noticed that Redmayne had made his way up in the cradle. He was now silhouetted against the door of the hold, with the tall brown cliff behind him.

  "Georgia, I see that you don't agree with our plan," he said in a mocking tone.

  She turned angrily to face him. "This sounds like your doing. The
commander doesn't have the balls do this on his own."

  "You're wrong. Lars has very progressive views on this subject. He wants to benefit mankind as much as I do. I'm surprised you're not more supportive."

  "I agree with the concept. What I object to is the reckless way it's being implemented by the pair of you. You know that you'll both be court-martialed for this. The captain won't accept insubordination."

  "We'll see," said Redmayne. "But we're wasting time. Commander we need to get the jetcopter set up while we still have time."

  Georgia didn't like where this was going. "Can I go now? I won't help you."

  "Oh, but you will. You're the key that will give us access to the Sentinels. You'll be coming with us." Redmayne pulled a six-inch knife from the bag he was holding, its metal blade glinting in the beam from one of the overhead lights. "Somewhat primitive but it could puncture your suit if you don't co-operate."

  Anders wasn't prepared for this latest development. "What are you doing, Tom? You don't have my permission to commit any violence. We're doing this to save lives, not threaten the crew. Put the knife away."

  "It's okay, Lars. No one will get hurt. I know what I'm doing. Georgia, I am truly disappointed that you don't share the same opinion as I do. Afterwards, you'll see that I am right."

  Georgia took a pace toward Redmayne. "I doubt that very much. And I really don't like being threatened."

  "I thought it was the only way to grab your attention. Now, I really am sorry, but we are going to have to detain you. It's in your best interests to prevent you from doing something you'll regret."

  Redmayne bent down and pulled on the access panel at his feet. The small door in the floor swung open, revealing a series of steps that led down to the engineering section of the ship. There was little space down there, but it provided access to the rocket engines in case of any problems.