by T J Bryan
Arast thought a moment. "Could it be inhabited? Or perhaps armed."
"Armed I don't know, but inhabited no. Its too cold. Perhaps minus 200 C at the most. Its' been sitting here for almost 200 years and it is as cold as a witches ..."
Arast cut Eldjárn off before he could continue. "Take us in closer to that partial ring. Tell Big Boy to exercise caution, but I want a full survey of that section."
"Aye aye, Sir."
Arast looked at Silvi and Silvi nodded her head.
Twenty five minutes later Big Boy closed in on the ring section.
Con was leaning forward toward the plasticene window trying to get a better view.
"Con," Kata said. "Leaning out the window is not going to help. Just wait a bit. I can see a blown entry port, in fact there are more than three. And they are all open. Looks like decompression blew them out. Oh, and there is an open docking port."
"Head for the docking port Kata. Lets take a peek inside."
Big Boy slowly crept forward and then into the docking port. Only now did they realize the sheer size of the ring section.
"Must be 400 meters in diameter," commented Con still leaning forward toward the windows. "Awfully dark, can you hit the lights?"
Kata hit the light switch but the forward lights on Big Boy were never intended to illuminate the cavernous enclosure that was the ring section.
Con thought a moment, "Kata, I'm going out to take a look."
Kata replied, "Let's clear that with the Captain." Kata keyed open her comms and Arast told them to go forward with the inspection but to exercise caution.
A few minutes later Con Tattinger crawled into the tiny hatch of Big Boy and exited into the drifting section. Immediately he was plunged into darkness and as he called up the 'dark' setting of the military grade vac suit the hold or passageway of the section flashed into visibility.
"Wow," said Con. "So much stuff in here. But it's all jumbled up. I think the Commodore needs to see this stuff."
"Like what Con," asked Kata.
"I'm not an expert but some of those big ones are tractor trucks. I can see three but there are more further away. Oh, and I think I see some plasma welders, but I cannot really tell. But there is some tech here and some equipment we might be able to use."
Silvi who had been listening to the comms broke in on the description. "Con, this is the Commodore. Can you see the energy tell-tales on those tractor trucks. Do they have any residual power?"
Con moved closer his gravity boots sticky on the deck of the station section. "Well I don't see any lights. No green or red or yellow."
Silvi continued, "Con, take vids. Vids of everything. But don't overstay your welcome. I want you back here in four hours. You have been out long enough."
Silvi motioned to Captain Arast and they retired to the captains quarters for discussion.
As Captain Arast sat behind her tiny desk Silvi reached for the jump seat on the bulkhead and pulled it down. Sitting Silvi rubbed her eyes for a moment.
"What do you think Anna?"
"Clearly there are things here of interest and possibly of utility either in building Holgata Station of just useful to the OCN. We won't really know without a full survey. The ring debris seems stable and its rotation only slight. I think we can bring Ragnarök in very close and dispatch a full survey crew. Further if any of that tech is useable we can transfer it into the SAR hold here on Ragnarök."
Silvi thought a moment. "I don't have a lot of hope we will find much of use, but I may very well be wrong. If we can get one of those tractor trucks working that would help a lot in the Holgata build."
Arast continued, "So we are agreed then. A full survey?"
"Yes, and we start the moment we dock."
Two days later they had their answer and the station section had proven a gold mine, not so much of tech, but of simple functioning manufacturing hardware.
Silvi read the list of equipment that might prove useful to the OCN and it included eight working tractor trucks, sixteen auto fabricators designed for freighter manufacture, dozens of remotely programmable plasma welding droids, and a variety of smaller manufacturing tools and jigs.
Silvi looked up from her list. "Captain Arast we almost have enough here to start building small ships. Not enough for freighters I'm afraid, but enough to build revenue cutters, or in-system runabouts. We can also use the fabricators on the moon's surface to build bulkheads and plating then lift it to the station using one of the tractor trucks. This is going to be very useful."
"Agreed," said Arast. "Since the work on Holgata Station cannot begin for six months I suggest we transfer as much of this equipment as possible into the flight deck of Ragnarök and transfer it back to the Commonwealth for refurb and evaluation."
Silvi replied, "We should provide Wu Station with one of those tractor trucks assuming we can get it powered up. Seems its' capacitors are solid but they need a charge. A couple of those auto-fabs might prove valuable to Wu as well. But some of the equipment is scuffed up and needs careful examination and perhaps some minor repair before we can use it in production. That work is best performed at the Habitat."
Arast leaned back on her small chair. The past two days had been furious and exhausting. "Well time to get started with the transfer."
"Yes," replied Silvi. "I can wait to see the look on Abel's face." Silvi smiled.
The transfer of the equipment from the destroyed station at Lol took more than a week and the runabout Big Boy had the opportunity to search other components of the destroyed station. Some additional manufacturing equipment was found useable but by the time they finished any useable element of the old ship works was onboard Ragnarök.
Ragnarök then departed for the second moon of Wu named Pol. Unlike Lol there was only metal flakes, frozen gasses, and ejecta from the moon's surface. Who ever had attacked the Pol station had also bombarded the moon itself. Captain Arast speculated that the moon must have had a workshop, mine, or habitat in support of the ship yards and that the attackers had destroyed that as well. The third moon named Dol proved even more wrecked than Pol. Whatever had once been at Dol was simply eradicated and only dust remained.
The entire survey and recovery work on the moons of Wu had taken three weeks and Ragnarök returned to Wu station. Six days later Brynhildr with Captain Thoranson arrived from its patrol out to Bizon and back. The voyage had been uneventful.
Silvi was about to dispatch Brynhildr to home on her squadrons rotation schedule when Captain Smilot arrived back at Wu Station from Jamon with the Wu Ascending liner. Silvi had decided to delay Brynhildr's departure until after she had met with Captain Smilot and to review dispatches sent to her from the Admiral.
Silvi entered Wu Station shortly after Captain Smilot had docked. Silvi was greeted by Amat Nolindo a member of the Wu Council and accompanied to the Council Chambers above the weapons bay of the monitor section of the station. Amat offered Silvi coffee or tea and Silvi chose a rare tea from New Carthago. As Nolindo prepared the tea Captain Smilot entered. She was smiling and gave Silvi a strong hug.
"So good to see you Silvi," Smilot said.
Silvi knew the feeling was genuine. Nolindo set the tea service on the conference table in the old Station Masters Quarters and the three sat down for a long discussion. Smilot began by describing her return trip to Wu which had for the most part been uneventful, but she had only begun when a young woman entered in haste and handed Smilot a note. Silvi could see both surprise and concern on Smilots face as she read and then reread the note.
Smilot looked up at Silvi. "The Theans have arrived and they wish to talk trade."
Chapter Seventy Three
Wu Station - Dock 4 - Year 3247. February 18 ET: 19:34
The Thean ship had entered Wu space 22 hours earlier and had hailed Wu and indicated their intentions to discuss trade. This was their second visit to Wu and as Silvi and Smilot waited for their ship to dock Silvi could see that Smilot was clearly nervous.
As they walked to the dock Silvi asked, "What can you tell me about the Theans Captain?"
Smilot thought for a long moment. "It is difficult to describe them. When they arrive you will see what I mean, but perhaps a few descriptors are in order. First their physical appearance will be a surprise, perhaps disturbing. I will let you be the judge of that. Second they are very quick in their thinking, especially in mathematics, but rather clumsy physically. Theans seem to be without humor and clearly have no moral code that we might recognize. I am unsure if they even know of the ideals of right and wrong. And lastly I hate to use this word, and old word, but one that fits the Theans perfectly; they are racists. Perhaps specists is a better description."
"I understand that they have genetically engineered themselves in the pursuit of human perfection. Is that true?"
Smilot frowned. "Well they were pursuing something genetically but I would hardly call it perfection. Grotesque is a better description. But I'll let you decide, after all a wise man once said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
After a moment Smilot continued. "Now don't be surprised, but they prefer nudity, and seem to take satisfaction from displaying their perfect bodies; however, I know you will find their bodies far from perfect. They will appear very young, but they are actually quite old. How old we don't know, but we do no they can no longer reproduce sexually. They simply took genetic engineering one step too far. Actually dozens of steps too far."
Silvi was about to ask another question when the cycle telltale above the passenger hatch chimed and turned from yellow to green. The Theans had arrived.
As the hatch opened onto the cool, but not cold deck of Wu Station, four Theans, two male and two female stepped onto the dock. They were entirely nude and Silvi almost gasped at the distorted shape of their bodies. Somehow genetic perfection had gone very wrong. The males were overly masculine with a prominent large nose and great cheekbones, large wide jaw and strong abnormal protruding chin. Their skin color was that of someone who worked under a hot sun. Their musculature especially in their arms and legs was ridiculously extreme. They were beardless and their bodies smooth and devoid of hair. Their shoulders were too wide and their hips extremely small, but the most disturbing element was their genitalia which were far larger than normal. Silvi who was no prude thought that such an appendage would be painful to any woman.
The women were short, exactly half the size of the men, and while their shoulders were narrow their breasts were simply enormous for their bodies. Their skin was paper white and they too lacked hair. The face was unnerving in that the eyes were large but very close together, and the nose, but an small bump in the face above bilious lips that extended 4 or 5 centimetres beyond their teeth. The waist was thin but the hips overly pronounced and very large, as were their fleshy rounded buttocks. Their torso's were too short for their long legs, their feet tiny,. Silvi thought they might well fall over. The overall effect was one of unbalance and a top heavy appearance.
Further, as Silvi looked closely they were disturbingly symmetrical. Symmetry seemed an element of perfection to the Theans, but to Silvi and others it was simply too perfect. Then Silvi noticed that both couples were nearly identical.
The Theans stepped forward and bowed slightly. Silvi, uncertain of how to greet the Theans stepped forward to offer her hand. The Theans only looked down at her hand. Their faces expressionless as the male on the left began to talk.
"You may call me Matchless, and this is Defectless, Faultless, and Superb. We wish to discuss trade. And you may be?"
Smilot replied. "I am Captain Smilot of the Wu Council. To my side is Commodore Silvi Karrlson of the Obsidian Commonwealth Navy ship Ragnarök. On behalf of our Station may I welcome you in your discussion of trade."
Matchless showed no emotion or reaction to the introduction. "We have little time, let us discuss trade."
"Of course. Please follow me to our conference chambers." Smilot half turned and indicated the passage way leading to a small conference room just off the dock.
Silvi watched in astonishment as the women walked to the conference room excessively swaying their hips. At first she thought it might be an affectation or cultural artefact, but then she realized that the bone structures of the females dictated that they walk in that manner. As the male passed Silvi became aware of a powerful male scent. A scent that in small amounts might well to pleasing to Silvi, but in its' overpowering presence she found it nauseous.
Upon entering the conference room Smilot offered the Theans chairs, but they declined preferring to stand. Silvi and Smilot stood as well.
Defectless began to speak. "We offer you fusion engines of all kinds and in all forms. We are the brokers for a distant manufacturing system, and if you will allow us we will transmit to your station a comprehensive description of all the engines we have available for trade."
Every few moments the Theans moved a bit and seemed to strike a pose of some sort. Silvi at first found the poses funny and then upon reflection she found them disturbing.
Moments later Amat Nolindo entered with two inter-tabs and handed them to Smilot and Silvi. Silvi thumbed the inter-tab open and found what was a catalogue of fusion engines. The index indicated more than 90 different types all varying in output and size. Her eyes immediately fell to one small engine who's form factor would fit into a 'K' size missile. Silvi became very interested in trade with the Theans even if their genetic improvements sickened her.
Defectless began speaking. "We have little time. Please review what we have on offer. In exchange our requirements for payment are small. Our supplier prefers quality over quantity. You will notice that each engine type has a price. That is indicated by the red letters above each description. The largest and most powerful of the fusion systems has a price of 320 coins. The smallest only 4 coins. We offer 3000 coins worth of product in exchange for the following supplies. There can be no deviation as to the payment. None. There will of course be a small commission as a reward for our work.
Seconds later the inter-tab chimed and a new list appeared. Silvi read the list of required supplies in payment. The quantity was quite small, but Silvi simply had no way of determining the quality or value. Silvi looked to Smilot who shook her head as she read the short list.
Defectless continued as he struck yet another pose. "We shall return in 36 of your hours to conclude an agreement and settle the terms of exchange."
As they turned to leave Silvi interrupted. "And your commission? What is it that you want?"
Without pause Defectless said, "Your genes. All we require is your genes."
The four then turned and left the conference room and returned to their ship.
Silvi and Smilot sat down. Silvi turned to Smilot. "Now that comment about beauty being in the eye of the beholder; well, ever heard of gross astigmatism and presbyopia or the inability to focus?"
Smilot responded. "I told you they were shocking. The bodies were disturbing enough but all that posing. It must be some form of non-verbal communication. And the way the women walked."
Silvi turned her attention to the inter-tab list of products on offer and the required payment.
"I wonder if they have a sample of this engine type 34B; the tiny one?" asked Silvi.
Smilot replied, "I'll have Amat send them a message and ask."
"Now as for payment. Captain Smilot do you understand what they are asking for. This list makes little sense to me. All I see is wine, meat, and cheese."
Smilot laughed. "Well, it is not just ordinary foodstuff. All of these items are found on only on one system which is small and untouched by the Great War."
Silvi replied, "What system?"
"Hypsistos. It is a planet that has large, very large farms, some of which produce what was called in the old days 'gourmet' foods and wine. But look at this list. The vintages called out are specific as to a farm and a date, but the quantities are small. Look at this, they require 200 litres of Areni Wine from the 3232 vintage and from the
estate of Quintus Dias. And here, 400 litres of Voskehat from 3238. The list goes on and on. Oh, this cheese. Lozere cheese and only fifty kilos of the stuff. And here they want 500 kilos of Wagu Beef from the estate of Marcus Didius Falco. Let me see." Smilot paused a moment to review the entire list. "There is only enough food here to feed a small village and very well at that. Well, a rather well soused village I must say."
"I agree," said Silvi. "I kind of learned about how much food people need to stay alive in the last year and when I look at this list and ignore the wine, I'd say that is enough food for fifty folks for probably a year or two. Unless they are gluttons."
"I wonder who they are representing," asked Smilot.
"That's a good question, but what bothers me is their commission."
Smilot looked closely at Silvi. "You mean the genetic material they demand?"
"Yes," replied Silvi thoughtfully. "I am on shaky moral ground here, but it seems a questionable request. I'm going to have to think about this."
Smilot thought a moment. "Well you have 36, no 35, hours to think about it."
By morning a small fusion engine was delivered to the dock and Silvi rushed down to examine the unit. She knew little about fusion engines so she had her maintenance specialist Lydia Bowman examine the unit.
"Looks about right to me." Said Lydia. "Of course we will have to test it but the output specifications will meet our missile requirements and the size is correct. If I didn't know better Id say this is a copy of what we already have on the 'K's. But I'll have to check."
The next day the Theans arrived and as they entered the conference room began once again to strike poses. Silvi decided to take a chance.
"We would like to agree to your terms, but we must obtain the goods you require in exchange and that will take some time. We would like to more fully examine the sample engine you have provided and to do so we must return to our home system for tests and evaluation."
