The Dark Ship

by Phillip P. Peterson

  “Maybe it wasn’t carrying a weapon,” Owl speculated.

  “Maybe some of the ship’s builders are still on board,” Joanne suggested.

  “Yeah, right” Castle’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. “You reckon they’ve been hanging around for millions of years?”

  “Maybe they’re descendants of some of the builders who didn’t leave the ship for whatever reason. They could have degenerated over thousands of generations.”

  A crackling sound announced the presence of the computer. The conversation came to an abrupt end and Jeff found himself, illogically, looking up at the ceiling.

  “Hello,” said the voice. “I hope you are well?”

  Jeff and the others looked at the major.

  He took a deep breath. “Today we found a way to the other side of the gate.”

  “Indeed?” Jeff blinked. Had he detected a hint of sarcasm in the computer’s voice? No, he must have been mistaken.

  “Through an air vent that we discovered by accident,” the major continued. “And on the other side, one of our men was killed.”

  The computer did not answer.

  “By a creature that seems to emit light. Does that sound familiar?”

  “No,” the voice answered immediately. “As I said, I have no access to that part of the ship. It is completely cut off from my systems.”

  “You are not aware of any living beings on board your ship?”

  “No, my sensors have not observed anything of that kind. At least not in the areas over which I have control.”

  “How many areas are under your control?” Irons asked. The major couldn’t suppress the cross undertone in his voice.

  “About thirty percent of the volume of the ship.”

  Jeff caught his breath.

  Thirty percent?

  Irons raised his eyebrows. “That’s not very much,” he said dryly. “And are these areas evenly distributed throughout the ship?”

  “No, I still control the core area and a few sectors in the outer shell, including the one in which you now reside.”

  “When did you lose the area that is on the other side of the gate?”

  “About twenty million years ago.”

  “And was there a reason?”

  What was the major getting at?

  “A malfunction in the redundant node.”

  “And it couldn’t be repaired?”

  “No. Automatic repair of the area already failed on a previous occasion.”

  “Couldn’t you use a repair mechanism from one of the other areas?”

  “No. The different areas are designed for maximum autonomy.”

  “Why?”

  “That is the way the ship’s designers built it.”

  Irons sighed. If he had been hoping for a particular answer, he obviously hadn’t got it.

  “Where are your systems?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, yours. The onboard computer.”

  “Oh.” The computer sounded almost amused. “The neural network is decentralized, but the nodal point is in the core area.”

  “What … and where … is the core area?”

  “It is an area with a diameter of sixty miles in the center of the ship. It is where the control systems are located.”

  “I presume it used to be the crew’s headquarters?”

  “That is correct.”

  “And we are located in … in …”

  “The outer shell,” Jeff helped out.

  “Yes, the outer shell,” Irons repeated.

  “That is correct.”

  “What is the outer shell?”

  “The outer shell is a twelve-mile-thick area containing technical and mechanical systems, and storerooms.”

  “Are there other subsections of the ship?”

  “Between the outer shell and the core is a middle layer.”

  “And what does that contain?”

  “That area was the habitat of the former builders during their journey. There are many large cavitys with artificial atmospheres that simulate the conditions of their home planet.”

  cavitys? So far they had assumed the ship looked the same everywhere—in other words, corridors and empty rooms. Or was it referring to the empty rooms?

  The major must have had the same thought. “You did not tell us anything about this before.”

  “I did not think it was important. Besides, those areas are not accessible.”

  “As I said, we found a way to the next layer.”

  “Yes, you said that.”

  “Would it bother you if we had another look around there?”

  The computer paused for an unusually long time. Jeff lifted his head again.

  “No, but I would not recommend it.”

  “Why not?”

  “I do not control that area and therefore I could not protect you.”

  “Protect us?” the major asked. “What do you need to protect us from?”

  Another long pause. “From possible dangers.”

  “What kind of dangers?” the major probed.

  “Unfortunately, I cannot say because I do not control the area,” the computer voice sounded a little offended but the major did not let up.

  “But if you mention danger, you must have something in mind.”

  There was another long pause.

  “I would like to inform you that today we made another hyperjump and are therefore a little nearer to your destination.”

  That was good news, of course, but Jeff was sure the computer was deliberately avoiding the issue they wanted to discuss.

  The major must have been thinking the same. “I’m glad. But I would like to ask again about the danger you mentioned. You said that—”

  “I’m sorry, I have to interrupt you. I have noticed a malfunction that I need to attend to immediately.”

  Once again, the crackling sound that seemed to emanate from invisible speakers filled the room.

  “What a pile of crap …” Mac whispered.

  “I have to admit, I’m worried,” Irons said quietly.

  13.

  “We’ve made it to the other side. Any other instructions?” It was hard to hear Joanne’s voice through all the static. Jeff wasn’t sure why the reception was worse today than yesterday.

  He reached for the handheld, but Irons was quicker. “Please take another look at Fields. Maybe you’ll notice something else that wasn’t visible on the photos.”

  “Shouldn’t we recover the body and bring it back to HQ?” Joanne asked.

  The major shook his head. “That would be pointless. We don’t have anywhere to bury him. Lay him straight and cover his body, and feel free to read out the ‘Prayer for the Fallen Soldier’ which you’ll find in the manual on the handheld.” He sighed. “Then explore the surrounding area as we discussed. Don’t take any unnecessary risks. If you encounter one of the creatures, take cover and call for reinforcements, is that clear?”

  “Understood, Sir!”

  “Don’t go too far from the gate. Maximum two thousand feet, got that?”

  “Yes, Sir!”

  “And report back regularly. Good luck, over and out.”

  Irons leaned back in his chair. He and Jeff were alone. They had spent the whole day going over and over the options, but Irons felt they had to keep exploring. If they wanted to find out anything about the builders of this ship, they had to go to the other side of the gate. They’d increased every reconnaissance squad to four crew members, who were not to separate on any account. Jeff hoped it was a big enough group. What if they really did encounter one of those aliens again?

  “Let’s hope for the best,” the major murmured.

  Jeff gave his superior a sidelong glance. Irons had been in a strange mood all morning. He seemed distracted and absent-minded. There was nothing of the usual determination in his voice. He had even toyed out loud with the idea of cancelling today’s recon. Fields’ death must have hit him hard. And yet over the years, Irons mu
st have lost many men and women in combat.

  “Everything OK, Sir?” Jeff asked hesitantly. It was the first time he had asked his superior how he felt.

  Irons turned to look at him and smiled weakly. “I’m fine, Captain.” He was clearly lying through his teeth, and it sounded more like a polite request to stop asking dumb questions.

  Jeff nodded and fixed his gaze on the handheld on the table in front of him.

  Castle entered the room. His black hair stuck out in all directions. He had taken over the last night watch; Jeff hadn’t expected to see him up and about yet. Shorty, who had taken the first night shift, was still asleep.

  “Any news?” the WSO asked, as he shuffled over to the kitchen counter. He opened one of the cupboards and took out the can of instant coffee powder.

  “They made it to the other side and have started looking around,” Jeff said.

  “I don’t like this,” Castle said.

  Jeff focused on the handheld again, as if it would enable him to communicate by telepathy with his shipmates deeper down in the ship. The waiting was unbearable. What if they suddenly lost contact? Their four shipmates might already be dead, and they would never know what happened.

  “Do you think there’s a chance one of those light aliens might turn up here?” Castle asked. He had joined them at the table with a cup of coffee.

  “That’s precisely why you took over the watch tonight, Lieutenant Castle,” Irons replied dryly.

  “I get that we need to be careful. But do you really think one of those creatures would turn up here?”

  “We don’t even know if they’re animals,” Jeff said, picturing the glowing creature to himself.

  “Maybe they’re just animals without any kind of advanced technology. There were animals that glowed in the dark back on Earth, too. Maybe they’re six-feet-tall hybrids—half vampire, half firefly.”

  “We have no idea what we’re dealing with,” Irons said. “At the end of the day, it’s all just speculation.”

  “Hopefully they don’t bump into any of those things down there,” Castle murmured.

  “I hope they do!” Irons reported. “We need to find out what we’re dealing with here.”

  “There are four of them. They should be able to take care of themselves,” Jeff added. But he didn’t feel too confident.

  “Not if they meet a whole herd.”

  “Enough of your conjecturing,” Irons interrupted him sharply.

  “But if—” Castle began, but fell silent as a noise came from the handheld.

  Jeff hit the talk button. “We didn’t understand you, Joanne. Please repeat.”

  It took a moment before they heard her voice again, this time more clearly. “We’re about nine hundred feet from the gate, in a side passage going off from the big tunnel. We’re in a room that looks like it used to be some kind of technical facility. There’s lots of equipment on one side of the room. Looks a bit like a small cinema or a lecture room. We’ve decided to take a closer look.

  Jeff glanced at Irons. He nodded.

  “OK, do that. Have you noticed anything else?”

  “No. Owl thought he heard a scream somewhere down the big corridor, but the rest of us didn’t hear or see anything.”

  “All right, but be careful.”

  “Of course. Over.”

  And so the unbearable waiting continued. Tomorrow it was Jeff’s turn to go to the other side of the gate. His hope of finding some evidence of the alien culture had given way to fear and panic. Fear of the area beyond the gate. And to think that a few days ago, he’d been scared just exploring the empty corridors near their base!

  “How many days have we been on this ship?” Castle asked. He could have easily checked on his handheld, but he probably wanted to make conversation.

  Jeff was also desperate for any distraction. “Twenty-one days.”

  “That means another twenty-six weeks to Sigma-7,” Castle said. He groaned. “I don’t know how I’m going to last.”

  “You don’t have much choice, Lieutenant,” Irons joined the conversation.

  “In the beginning I found it kind of oppressive—all these dark corridors and everything. But now I’m actually frightened.”

  Jeff nodded. He felt the same.

  “We’re all going to die here,” Castle whispered suddenly.

  Jeff and Irons swung round at the same time to look at him. The usually intrepid WSO was sitting at the table, coffee cup in hand, staring straight through them. His head was swaying slightly, as if he were in a trance.

  “What makes you say that?” Irons asked sharply.

  Castle’s gaze came back into focus and he looked at Irons and then Jeff. His face was completely devoid of emotion. Finally he shrugged. “Just a feeling,” he answered.

  The major took a deep breath. “Lieutenant Castle. I don’t want to hear you say anything like that again, do you understand?”

  A few seconds passed, then Castle nodded slowly.

  “Pull yourself together,” Irons said. “You’re an officer in the Imperial space fleet. Behave accordingly.”

  “Yes, sir,” Castle said quietly, then took a sip of his coffee as if nothing had happened.

  Irons shook his head and turned away from Castle. He sighed deeply. Jeff and his superior sat side by side in silence, staring at the handheld.

  It took quite a while before Joanne checked in again.

  “Rutherford here.” Jeff started out of his gloomy reverie and almost knocked the device off the table in his eagerness to grab it.

  “Speak,” he ordered curtly, and wiped his sweaty hands on his trousers before leaning forward again.

  “We’ve found something,” she said. Her excitement was clearly audible even through the rustling noise.

  Irons was suddenly fully alert. Castle pushed back his chair with a loud scraping sound and rushed over to the command table.

  “What have you found?” Jeff asked.

  “It really is a projection room. We played around with the switches, and suddenly there was a three-dimensional hologram in the middle of the room!”

  Irons grabbed the handheld from Jeff. “Irons here. Nice and slowly, Lieutenant Rutherford. We’re having trouble hearing you. What kind of hologram was it?”

  “A map, Sir.”

  “What kind of map? Of the ship?”

  “No, stars. It’s a star chart. A blue dot in the center probably shows the position of the ship and the surrounding stars. You can change the scale and zoom in and out.”

  Jeff and Irons exchanged brief glances. Now maybe they would find out if they were safely en route back home.

  “And where are we? Are we where we’re supposed to be?” Irons asked.

  “That’s hard to say. I need to take pictures and compare them with the data on my handheld. I can do that once I’m back at HQ.”

  Irons nodded. “All right, Lieutenant. Take all the time you need in the map room.”

  “Shall we continue exploring after that?”

  Irons hesitated a moment. “No. Knowing our position is more important. Once you have everything you need, come straight back to HQ. And don’t play around with the switches too much. I don’t want something to be set in motion that we might regret later. Tomorrow I’ll go look at the room myself.”

  “Understood, Sir. Over.”

  Irons leaned back in his chair and whistled.

  “A map room,” Castle said. “Crazy that the projection still works after such a long time.”

  “What do you think, Sir?” Jeff asked.

  “I don’t know. I would have thought a room like that would be in the center of the ship near the command center,” he replied, scratching his head.

  “Maybe the aliens constructed the ship with decentralized controls. I mean, so that you can control the ship from any area. Or it isn’t a map room in the traditional sense, but some kind of scientific facility. An astronomy center. Or some kind of planetarium for the crew.”

  Irons nodd
ed. “All just wild guesses. The important thing is, we have a chance to find out where we actually are.”

  “Why didn’t the computer tell us any of this?” Jeff wondered out loud. “It said the whole ship was the same and consisted of nothing but corridors. It could have at least mentioned that there were other beings on board, even if it didn’t know exactly what was in the other areas.”

  “Maybe it didn’t expect us to go so far from our base and find the gate,” Castle said.

  “Shall we ask it about the map room?” Jeff asked.

  “It depends on what Rutherford finds out about our position,” Irons answered and stood up. “I’m going to lie down for a while. I’m exhausted. Make sure they head back soon.”

  14.

  Jeff swung round when he heard a knock at the door. But Mac was quicker and raced to the door, tore it open, and stormed out into the corridor. He looked in every direction, then shrugged and pushed the kitchen cart with their dinner into the room. “I’d love to know how that computer does it,” Mac said, parking the cart next to the big dining table.

  Jeff guessed it was robots. Why do they disappear so quickly, as if they had something to hide? Jeff stole a glance at his superior, who was sitting at the table next to him. Irons looked awful. His cheeks were sunken, his eyes glazed. Something must have happened to him in the last few hours.

  “I don’t get it,” Shorty said, grabbing his plate and lifting the lid off the pot. “Even if they have robots that bring us the food, we ought to be able to see them.”

  “Maybe they beam the food to our door,” Green suggested.

  “Tomorrow evening I’m going to hang around the corridor and see what happens,” Shorty said.

  “Watch out, you might end up in the pot!” Mac laughed.

  There was a bang. It was Joanne thumping her fist on the command table. In front of her were two handhelds, a piece a paper and a pen, which now rolled across the table. “Can’t you jack-asses keep your mouths shut for just one minute? I need to concentrate if I’m going to convert the coordinates accurately.”

  “Can’t you automate it?” Irons asked. He was sitting in front of his empty plate and showed no sign of wanting to eat anything.