Carter
“I’m waiting for her in the hotel lobby, sir, then we’ll be on our way.”
Carter thanked the driver and cut the link. Esther Tyrone wasn’t kidding about getting together for one-on-one conversations, having scheduled several meetings together, some here, some in California. He found that assertiveness invigorating, and attractive.
When she arrived at his Manhattan office, he noticed how much taller she stood in person. Wearing a dark blue jacket and skirt, white blouse, and a TSA pin, she carried a thin briefcase. He’d always liked and respected her. It couldn’t be easy leading both Space Ops and the SETI divisions in a bureaucratic quagmire like the TSA, but she handled the job smoothly. Perhaps she may be interested in joining Titanius one day, but for now, he needed her at the Academy.
“Welcome to New York, Esther!” They shook hands, and the warmth and strength of her grip struck him. “I trust your flight was uneventful and your hotel’s in order?”
“Yes, on both counts.” She inspected the office and was immediately drawn to the large window overlooking the East River. “It must be hard to get work done with that view.”
“Sometimes, I admit. When we took over the building, this view sold it for me. It’s very relaxing.” He sidled up beside her and caught the scent of perfume. Pointing across the river, he outlined a labyrinth of non-descript low-rise dwellings in the distance. “See those structures? That’s where I grew up.” Esther nodded slowly but said nothing. “Come on, I’d like you to meet my team.”
He escorted her around the floor of executive suites, introducing Ed Mitchell, who joined them on the tour, and numerous others until an anxious look crept over her face.
“I’ll never remember everyone,” she said, smiling. “And, if you don’t mind, Clayton, I’d like to get to work.”
“By all means. Forgive me, this isn’t a social visit, and I’m sure you’ve got a thousand things on your plate. Please join me in my boardroom.” He guided her down the thick-carpeted hall back to his office. A small, but comfortable boardroom opened off his sitting area, and he followed her in. Mitchell skulked behind him and closed the door.
Esther chose a chair on the far side of the polished table. Carter sat across from her, and Ed took up a place in between. She stared intently at his colleague with fiery grey eyes, then turned to him. “Clayton, I thought these meetings would be just you and me. No bootlicks.”
Carter bellowed with laughter and slammed his broad palm on the table, rattling a collection of glasses. Ed Mitchell smiled wanly and, without saying a word, left the room.
“I don’t mean to be rude, Clayton, but if these negotiating meetings are going to work, you and I have to speak openly and freely, without interference from underlings. Yes?”
A tear of laughter fell from his eye. “Forgive me again, Esther, it’s just that no one has ever referred to Ed as a bootlick before, even though he is fine one.” He smiled and leaned back. “Okay, I support that. Let’s talk and see where things go, just you and me.” Carter looked around the room. “Would you like anything before we begin? Coffee?”
“Sorry, I’m drowning in caffeine this morning. Even with those lag pills, my body refuses to adjust to the different time zone quickly. It’s still six in the morning my time.”
They made small talk for a few more minutes before getting down to business. Esther pulled an agenda from her attaché along with a worn, leather notebook. Carter’s assistant knocked and entered with his file folder and a jug of water.
For the next two hours, they went over the formal activities of both organizations. Esther provided updates on the TSA’s long-term strategic plan, which he found fascinating because of the emphasis placed on exploration of the solar system—with no substantive craft, he noticed—and he presented his own vision of mineral exploration and exploitation for the benefit of all humans. As he wrapped up the discussion with a series of images on the boardroom’s screen showing the Lunar Geophysical Lab, the new build on Mars, and a graphic illustrating various mining runs to the Kuiper belt and beyond, Esther leaned forward, eyes widening as he talked about the need for resource extraction to pave the way for humans living and working in space.
“I don’t have to be in this business, Esther. I’ve got sufficient funds now to do whatever I please.”
“So why bother, then?”
His passion bubbled up and he, too, leaned across the table. “Because I am called. Not in any kind of antiquated god-inspired, biblical way, mind you. I’m not a believer. No, I feel a duty and responsibility—an obligation—to help all humankind achieve great things.”
“In space, you mean?”
“Not just in space . . . on Earth too. Think about it,” he grinned. “Our wealth throughout history has always depended on digging stuff out of the ground. That’s what I do, but it’s not an end in itself. I’ve helped build educational institutions around the world, funded hospitals, supported the arts. I’m sure you know all about that.”
Esther nodded.
“And now, with ongoing expansion into space, Titanius is at the forefront of building new colonies, planetary satellites, and state-of-the-art ships. All of this,” he waved at the images scrolling across the wall screen, “is only to serve one purpose: to improve the lives of all people everywhere.”
His words hung in the air. Esther watched the pictures for a moment, then whispered, “Clayton, I’m not sure how much the TSA can offer. You’re familiar with the research we’re doing in analytical methods, new propulsion systems, composite materials. But what you’re talking about is already well beyond our capability.”
Carter felt her hesitation, a reluctance on Esther’s part to continue with the possible partnership. The next move would be critical.
“Well, I respectfully disagree. Look, we could join ranks with any number of research-based companies and, indeed, several firms work with us right now on piece-meal projects. But the TSA—and you specifically—can offer so much more. We need your expertise, and the Academy’s location on the west coast is of vital strategic importance as well.” He leaned back in the chair. “With your penchant for innovation and experience in deep-space exploration, we would equally benefit from this partnership.”
“Seems to me,” she said with a coy smile, “that you’re holding something back.”
His gaze narrowed. Am I really that transparent? “Esther, tell me more about the Ross 128 vessel. Are you holding something back, too?”
“Clayton, there’s nothing there.”
“Cut the bullshit. I’ve been upfront with you all along. Something happened five years ago, something big. Congressional troops don’t just show up one night, guns blazing and taking down a century’s old tower for no reason.”
Her face tightened, and she exhaled deeply. He’d heard about that night when soldiers had to shoot their escape from the TSA’s lab. The destruction of the Mount Sutro Tower and subspace transmitter must have involved her, and Ed suspected a cover up. Esther struck a defiant pose with arms crossed in front of her.
“Whatever you’ve heard, I guarantee there is no alien vessel. There was an incident at the TSA, true, but aliens were not behind it.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Then we have nothing more to discuss.”
Dr. Tyrone gathered her notebook and papers and stuffed them into her attaché. She pushed the chair back and stood. “I’m disappointed, but to be frank, not surprised. Now, I’ve got some other meetings I need to prepare for, so thank you for the hospitality.” Carter protested but as she opened the boardroom door, she turned and said, “I’ll see myself out. Good day, Mr. Carter.”
During the rest of the afternoon, Carter busied himself with the technical reports on the Echo’s new engines, and video-linked with the vessel’s captain, John Powell, at Titanius’s northern flight pad in Nova Scotia to discuss the timing around an interplanetary test run. There had been significant interest in the Echo for several months. His engineer
s had developed powerful thrusters, and news of the latest orbital runs spread across the world overnight. This tech would significantly reduce travel times and solidify Titanius as the leader in space exploration. Imagine what he could accomplish with the TSA on side.
At 8:30 that evening, he called Esther’s hotel and relaxed when the front desk put him through.
“May I see you again before you return to California?”
“It’ll have to be tonight. My flight leaves first thing in the morning.”
“Great! Be there soon.”
He picked up a bottle of French wine and a bouquet at the gift shop around the corner from Titanius headquarters and took a hovercab to the hotel.
Esther opened the door to her suite and invited him in. She still wore her day clothes, although she’d undone the top buttons on her blouse, and Carter couldn’t miss the pile of papers, notebooks, and tablet on the small work table. She studied him, waiting for him to speak.
“Look, Esther, I’m sorry about what happened today. I was out of line and should have known better.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“So, I come bearing a peace offering . . . a small gift that I hope you’ll accept along with my apologies.” He handed her the bottle of wine and the bouquet.
Esther smiled and invited him to sit down on the sofa. She inspected the bottle—a fine Merlot—put it on the coffee table, went into the kitchenette and returned with two glasses and a corkscrew.
After sampling the wine, Esther leaned back in a chair across from him and said, “The truth is, I don’t know yet how far to trust you, Clayton. But I believe we can work well together, as partners, so I’ll go out on a limb here.” She sipped her drink. Carter’s tall frame didn’t fit the small sofa, and he struggled to find a comfortable position while Esther searched for her words.
“Understand,” she said, “this must stay here, in this room. No sharing with Ed Mitchell or anyone else. If you do, I’ll deny it all and that’ll be the end of our discussions.”
“Okay.”
“There’s no easy way to say this so here goes. We contacted an alien vessel from Ross 128 six years ago. It was a disaster for many reasons, poorly managed, a real cock-up. Anyway, long and short of it is, the readings we took just before the tower came down suggested—and I choose that word carefully—it was headed to Earth.”
“Unbelievable . . .”
“Yes, well, there’s more.” She savored the wine on her lips before swallowing. Carter noticed the dark circles under her eyes, the strain of jet lag and too much work taking its toll. Still, she was somewhat attractive for an older woman.
“What is it, Esther?”
“That ship, or whatever it is, or was . . . well, all our readings showed that it was traveling faster than the speed of light.”
Carter put his glass on the coffee table and scratched his head. “Hang on. The Ross 128 star system is, what, about 11 light years from us?”
“More or less.”
“How much faster was it going?”
“Impossible to tell without proper analysis, but the Spacer veteran with us figured it could arrive in weeks or months.”
Carter gulped, struggling to suppress a smile. “Where is it now?”
Esther grinned. “No idea. There’s been nothing detected, no sightings, not a thing. For all we know, if the ship in fact was real, it could be anywhere in the galaxy.”
He leaned back, nodding. A thousand ideas raced through his mind, not the least of which was: how can I find it first?
“Why are you telling me this now, Esther? You could have said something earlier.”
She shrugged. “Call me paranoid, but maybe the boardroom is built to record all your meetings.” His gaze dropped to the table. “I can’t be talking about such things in an unknown space.” After pausing a moment, she continued. “This room is clean, by the way. I swept it.”
Carter drained his glass and stood up. “Thank you, Esther. I appreciate your confidence and I swear I won’t repeat a word of this to anyone. I’m glad I could see you tonight, but you need sleep and I’ve got a big day tomorrow with one of my ships.”
She walked him to the door and thought others do this all the time without fear or consequence. Then, pivoting, she looked up and whispered, “Clayton, stay the night.”
ELEVEN
Kate
Transferring the new data from the alien ship site to the external memory tube took a little longer than Kate anticipated, but it was a necessary step. She knew the techs at Titanius headquarters were more than capable of tapping into the lunar lab’s database and servers, and the last thing she wanted was to cause more panic. This way, if anyone on Earth needed to see what she and Mary had been doing, they’d have to travel physically to the lab. That would not happen. The cost of a special trip was far too high, and the nearest transport, Aristobulus, had disappeared from the area. She’d have one more day, maybe two at the most, before all hell broke loose and Stan and Dana and whoever else back home would read her the riot act.
But that’s all the time she needed.
This morning, with almost half of Luna in sunlight now, they agreed that Kate would set up the new test equipment and communicate with the alien ship to see if anyone or anything was inside it. Mary assured her she could monitor the lab environment, and would stay behind to analyze the data as she received it. They’d save a lot of time doing it this way, and it would give her a chance to be on her own for a while, something her introverted self needed, and this was her opportunity.
She flew Mary’s LunaScoota since it already had the equipment strapped in its cargo bay. She added new gear to it: a bio-detector to map and analyze the interior organics of the vessel, and a series of remote cameras she planned to leave there in case whatever creatures were in it went for another walk on the surface. Most importantly, she wanted to communicate with it, and if this was the Ross 128 spacecraft Jim detected back in 2085, then what better way to announce herself than with the same 1-1-8 tap code and see where that would lead.
“I’ll remain in contact with you, Mary, when I’m out there.”
“Got it.” Mary’s voice crackled over Kate’s helmet speaker.
The one hour, ten-minute flight out to the ship site was uneventful. Kate didn’t hammer the throttle since the effort required there wouldn’t take a full day, and she spent the trip thinking more about the consequences of her impending actions. The Spacer community—what remained of it after the second American civil war—was close-knit, yet mysterious. No one really wanted to talk about what they’d done, so other than helping each other cope from time to time with the professional and medical after-effects, there was nothing connecting them except that they were recruited identically: brainwashed and trained the same way, and sent out to perform dangerous tasks in toxic environments. But, once Titanius relieved her of her duties on Luna—and they would—she’d have to find somewhere safe to live for a while, and that’s where the strength of the network came through. On several occasions, Kate sheltered fellow Spacers who needed to go to ground. When she left Jim after the Mount Sutro explosion, she crashed at a colleague’s apartment in Oakland for two weeks before she landed her own, quiet place.
Their earlier trails out to the site guided her like a zipline, weaving through the impact zone and over volcanic cones and outcrops. When she arrived at her destination, everything appeared normal. The tracks of the previous GPR surveys remained along with other evidence of their work. No surprise since it could take thousands of years to erase a footprint on Luna. She eased the scooter toward the outcrop where Mary had seen the second set of steps. She needed to see them herself, first-hand.
The odd shapes were still there.
She radioed to the lab. “Are you picking this up?”
After a moment, Mary came on. “Got it. Your body-cam is working fine. Are those the alien foot prints I’m looking at?”
Kate eased the scooter to a stop and nestled its nacelles onto
the dusty surface. “Yep, that’s them. I’ve seen no others here.” She pulled equipment out of the cargo bay. “But there’s no doubt. These are real, and they don’t belong to us. They remind me of poking sticks in deep snow.”
A trio of cameras around the area was the first thing Kate established, all focusing in on the suggested location of the alien vessel. She and Mary tested them out beforehand to ensure everything was working and being recorded at the lab. Then, she brought the bio-detector unit out, slung it over her back, and bounded toward the grey shadow zone. When she arrived, she dropped the instrument on the surface.
“Before I set this up, I’ll try your tap code with these creatures, okay?”
“Sure thing.”
Kate checked her internal position locator and determined where the front edge of the ship’s hull should be, based on what she knew about ship design. Then, she fell to her knees and brushed the moon dust away, digging deeper and deeper by scooping material out with her hand. This is the most inefficient way of doing it, she thought, but also hoped it was the least aggressive. If there were aliens inside with technology that could bring them this far, then they undoubtedly had the ability to destroy her if they saw her as a threat.
Still, after scraping and scooping for close to an hour and not finding any sign of the ship’s hull, she returned to the scooter and retrieved the portable excavator from the sled. This tool balanced on her shoulder like a rocket launcher and moved considerable amounts of material in a quarter of the time it would take to do it by hand.
“Are you scanning in the infrared range?” Kate asked as she readied the tool.
“I’ve got it on continuous scan across all spectra . . . nothing strange yet. I still have the ship’s shadow appearing. It might be about one or two meters below the surface where you are now.
“Roger that.”
Kate hoisted the excavator up to her shoulder and targeted the hull’s edge again. On Earth, this pig weighed in at over 200 kilograms, but in Luna’s low-gravity environment, it was like picking up a bag of fertilizer for her garden.
Echoes In The Grey Page 8
