by T J Bryan
"Have it," Nomi said in her small voice. "Narlanda." Nomi sat at the astrogation station and provided pilot Siggy Ivar with a plot.
Farn spoke. "Mr. Ivar, I believe Nomi has a plot for you."
Siggy Ivar nodded and moments later his fingers raced across the keyboard as Nomi forwarded the coordinates to his pilots station. When the plot was complete, Nomi stood and walked swiftly out of the station and back to her instruments deep within the hold of New Hildr.
Moments later they entered the masked tunnel to the home of the Encyclopaedia Gallectica at Narlanda. The trip through the tunnel was the longest in Farn's recent memory and took almost 90 days. The time was spent studying the EG about Narlanda and its' history, as well as the history of its' neighbours which were few. Study was punctuated by endless combat and ship emergency drills. During this time Farn got to know John Beckley rather well and she found him funny and fascinating. Farn had never been an avid student, but rather inclined to action. John was the opposite and he was thoughtful, slow to act, and extremely well educated. He was also cute thought Farn.
Farn had read in the Encyclopaedia Gallectica about Narlanda and with the help of John Beckley had some understanding of the system. It's history however remained much of a mystery, either because the EG was so dense in its' presentation of Narlanda history or because much of that history was masked within the mountains of detail.
Narlanda was a nondescript system Farn understood. A single white dwarf with two small planets, one far too cold for habitation, and the other an uninviting sandy desert with a thin atmosphere. The latter planet also called Narlanda had been once in its ancient galactic past struck by a huge planetary objet which had left a crater which scarred Narlanda on perhaps a tenth of its' face. The iron core of the planet had shifted somewhat and its' rotation was off center. The thin atmosphere of the planet had been made even thinner by the impact, but deep down within the crater of Narlanda the atmosphere was suitable for humans. And it was here that the Encyclopaedia Gallectica had taken up home before the human diaspora and even before the founding of the Empire of Sol.
In galactic commerce Narlanda was a nothing. She had no exports and her only import was the wandering minstrels, monks, and seers called journal keepers. However, Narlanda had one unusual feature. She had an elevator from her simple landing station high in orbit to the small town at the center of the ancient crater. Such elevators were not common given the wobbles of many planets and the conflicts of conquest often found high above. But within the peaceful confines of Narlanda the elevator had stood for over four thousand years. Narlanda was unimportant, uninteresting, and unprotected. It was simply a star too distant and too undeveloped to be of interest to anyone. Except for those who sought knowledge, in which case Narlanda was the center of the universe.
Farn called for a full systems scan as she launched probes and a mailbox just inside the entry portal. She had decided as usual to hang back and remain at a distance from the planet until she was certain she was alone. Several days lapsed as the scans became complete. New Hildr was alone.
"Hail the planet, Mr. Ivar," called out Farn. John Beckley had joined her on the bridge as they attempted to contact Narlanda. Farn listened intently as her pilot Siggy Ivar attempted to raise either the small orbital station or the village below. There was no response. Farn decided to take the ship into low orbit and perform a more detailed scan of the village at the bottom of the crater and its' surroundings.
New Hildr had made six low orbital passes over Narlanda and the highly detailed scans revealed that the village was occupied and surrounded by small lakes and vegetation. Gravity was light at 0.76 of Sol Gravity (SG) and the temperature was mild although high in the northern hemisphere, some 2,000 kilometres away from the village a massive sand storm railed against the surface of the planet. Heat signatures revealed humans walking about from the many small buildings that formed the village and one rather large building complex seemed to have a much higher energy signature that the others.
John Beckley commented, "They will need power to edit and update the EG. I don't know what kind of power source, but if they are working on the EG as they did before the Great War they will need power."
Farn looked at Beckley and his handlebar moustache. She had found herself wondering if it tickled. And would it tickle her if she kissed him. But there was no time for idle thoughts. Narlanda lay below and clearly the enterprise was functioning. No damage was visible and the elevator station, which was so fragile, was a good indication that the Great War, or any conflict for that matter had passed Narlanda by.
"Any response to the hail Mr.Ivar?" Farn asked.
"None," replied Siggy. "Either they can't hear us or they are ignoring our hail. If I were to speculate given what I can see on the surface they damn well can hear us. I detect a wide variety of emission signatures that indicate sophisticated telecommunications installations. Yea, I am sure they hear us."
Farn thought for a moment. "Mr. Ivar please make for the station and the elevator. Give me a full scan and prepare to dock."
Farn sat in her captains chair as Nomi entered the bridge. Nomi was looking a bit less dishevelled than usual and she seemed most interested in Siggy's scan data from Narlanda. After reading the results intently she returned to her astrogation station and simply sat very still watching the vid screen as the planet passed by below. Farn had rarely seen Nomi sit still but apparently on the approach to Narlanda she was very quiet.
The small orbital station appeared in the distance on the vid screen as a tiny spec, but as Siggy manoeuvred the ship the spec grew larger until it revealed an odd sight. The station had docking stations for perhaps four ships at most and its' central hub, where most stations maintained habitations, was simply a skeletal construction of steel beams and lattice work surrounding several old but functioning fusion engines.
"Can we dock on that thing?" Asked Farn.
"Yea," replied Siggy. "There are several docking stations and two will support a Greayson design like ours. Do you want me to take us in?"
"Affirmative Mr. Ivar. Take us in. And Mr. Motts on weapons, I want you on your toes."
Molly Motts replied, "Aye aye, Sir."
Docking had proven uneventful and Farn thought long and hard about Abel's admonition that captain's do not leave the ship. But in this case she felt that there was no apparent danger in Narlanda and that direct contact would well be worth the risk.
"Mr. Beckley and Mr. Kelso, suit up. We are going to visit the surface, that is unless someone greets us at the station."
Farn could see that John Beckley, the librarian, could barely contain his excitement. Sandra Kelso, her environmental specialist, on the other hand was calm although Farn knew that off ship excursions were rare for her crew.
Farn, John, and Sandra climbed down the ladder to the main deck and walked the 40 meter distance to the main hatch. As Sandra activated the seals of the hatch with that of the station the telltales above the hatch turned to safe green. Sandra looked at Farn and Farn nodded. Sandra hit the hatch actuator and the hatch opened to reveal a brightly lit and warm docking station. The station was empty and no one was present to greet the boarding party.
Sandra led the way followed by Farn and John Beckley. The dock was to Farn's critical eye well maintained but certainly very old.
"What's that?" asked Sandra pointing to a section of bulkhead that seemed to be punctuated by small bumps in a regular pattern.
"Bolts," replied John. "I read about those. Those are bolts to hold this section together. They used them before plasma welders. This station must be really old. Like ancient."
Farn looked about in the bright clean space. Two passageways led from the dock, one toward the center and one to the left. On the deck was a bright green line with arrows pointing toward the central hub.
"Well, It looks like we follow the green line," commented Farn. A short walk took them to the elevator station. Farn examined the simple control levers carefully. There we
re two levers each about a meter in length and made of what appeared to Farn as brass. The handles were shinny from years of use and grasping by many hands. One lever was embossed with the word 'down' and the other with the word 'up'. The entire effect of the elevator station was, and Farn found herself searching for a proper word; 'antique.' Normally something this old would scream caution and beware of 'old man entropy' but the entire system seemed well maintained and functional. They built things to last in the past Farn realized.
Farn looked through a narrow window and could see that the elevator cabin was in the 'up' position and that the telltale above the hatch to the cabin was green.
"Well, I guess it's time to visit the editors," said Farn as she opened the door to the cabin and entered. Sandra and John followed. Sandra placed her hand on a 'down' internal lever and looked to Farn. Farn nodded and Sandra threw the lever forward and the cabin lurched and then began a slow descent to the surface.
Travel to the surface took well over an hour and Farn spent that time looking out the window at the crater lands below. The first half hour of descent did not allow a good understanding of the community, but as they went lower Farn could see that the small lakes were surrounded by vegetation, often in rows and files, that to Farn meant food production from small farms. Lower still Farn could see paths between the lakes, farms, and houses. Against one side of the crater walls stood a large cluster of buildings at least a hundred meters high and perhaps 400 meters long. There were six of the large buildings that Farn could see.
John Beckley spoke, "That big building over there, that's the editors complex. Those small houses and farms must be where they live. Just standing here I have counted about 40 people walking about directly below us. I'd guess the population here is under a thousand. Not a lot, but enough to manage the EG."
Moments later the elevator cabin lurched again and the door opened allowing a fresh breeze blow onto Farn's face. Planet smell she thought. An odd musty odour combined with the smell of water that on this planet was not offensive. Farn looked out the door of the elevator cabin and onto a small landing station. The landing station rose perhaps 40 meters above the surface of the ground. Farn stepped out onto the platform and began to descend a metal stairway toward the surface. No one had come to greet them but Farn could see several people tilling the soil or simply lying on the grass enjoying the sun. Farn wondered if she should be offended by the lack of greeting, but decided it was not her place to pass judgement. This was after all their planet and Farn was a stranger.
At the bottom of the staircase several well worn cobble stone paths diverged in several directions. A small signpost caught Farn's attention. She walked closer and read 'To Athenaeum.'
Farn turned to Beckley, "What's an Athenaeum?"
Beckley laughed. "It's our destination."
John led the way up the path and toward the large buildings in the distance. Farn followed at a slow pace in order to take in the surroundings. The path was tree lined with flower beds along the side. Farn had never seen trees such as these on Narlanda and they almost took her breath away. The trees were more like a roof over the path, or an awning to provide shade to any passersby.
They were only half the distance to the Athenaeum when Farn saw a elderly man and a young woman coming down the path toward them. The young woman was of average height, with deep black hair, and wearing a white long sleeved shirt and loose blue pants. The man, Farn realized as he came closer, was quite old and his stride was slowed by age. His hair was ivory white and he was dressed similar to the young woman. The elderly man leaned against his companion for stability and stopped walking while Farn approached. Farn stopped only a few meters before the elderly man.
He spoke, "Ah, Farn Mayer. What has kept you so long?"
Chapter Seventy Five
Jamon System - Old Mining Dock - Ragnarök - Year 3247.May 22 ET: 19:34
May Wong, the former ambassador of the Diana system to Hypsistos had accompanied Silvi and her crew on the long patrol voyage home to Jamon. Ragnarök had waited several weeks at Wu Station until relieved by another SAR as picket, and then patrolled the knot lines to Carm, Bizon, and on to Sargon. Apart from a short visit to the agricultural colony on Bizon to reassess their production the trip had been uneventful and even boring. From Sargon, which was quiet, they entered the portal to Tarn which led back to Wu. The entire trip had taken more than a month as they launched probes, performed Nomi's exacting measurements, and set up 'mailboxes' for future voyages. After a week at Wu they set out for home.
During this time Silvi and crew got to know May Wong quite well. Initially May seemed removed and quiet, but as the patrol voyage went into its' second and third week she seemed more comfortable with both Silvi and her crew. By the time they reached Jamon May was practically a member of the crew.
The Chairman and Abel met Silvi and May Wong at the dock. Activity at the dock had been intense during the month as more ships and crews passed certification and began extensive training both within the Jamon System and on short training hops to Girots and home. Silvi found the changes astonishing as Abel revealed that the OCN now had 23 SARS, and the two Destructors New Hildr and New Kára in its' complement. And the Crusher, soon to be the OCN fleets largest warship, was only a few months away from recommissioning. The OCN now had almost 1,100 members as its' station side support groups grew at a rapid pace.
After exchanging pleasantries with the Chairman, May Wong was escorted by the Chairman to the newly built State Visitors Quarters at the Collegium for the duration of her stay in the Commonwealth.
Silvi and Abel set out for his office at the Annex and upon entering both Helen and Emmitt joined them to review Silvi's dispatches and the critical offer of trade by the Theans.
"Those Theans... a rather odd sounding lot," said Abel as he stood at the coffee urn pouring four mugs of the steaming brew. "Very odd."
"Indeed," responded Helen. "Emmitt, when are your people going to look at that small engine. The one Silvi brought back?"
Emmitt looked at his inter-tab. "They should have started by now. The engine was taken to the ME Department for evaluation, but from what I saw in Lydia Bowman's excellent report, they look exactly like the engines on the 'K's. Lydia thinks they are copies in fact."
"Copies?" asked Abel.
Emmitt responded, "Well there are some differences it seems. From what I can tell they are probably fabrication differences rather than specification mods. If the power curves and emissions test out then we will know they are copies. From where the copies originate is the next question."
Abel sipped his coffee and looked intently at Silvi. Silvi was changing he realized. The weight of command and the critical importance of their mission was changing her. Her brother, Lennie Karrlson, who was now the intended pilot for the new Crusher, was much the same. Although Lennie had grown up and become a responsible and highly skilled pilot, Lennie was still the fun loving, competitive, and rather brash young man Abel had met on the Public Dock two years ago. Silvi on the other hand had changed in a different way. Silvi was more reserved, more thoughtful, and less prone to speaking her opinion. She seemed aloof and distant to Abel, but she was still quick to smile and laugh. But something had changed and was continuing to change in her personality. She is a very good captain Able thought and in a few years will make an excellent Admiral of the Fleet. As much as Able wanted to be out among the stars he was resigned to 'flying' a desk at the Annex. The future of the OCN lay very much in Silvi's hands.
Abel continued. "I have read your reports on the proposed trade deal with the Theans and if the engines prove viable we will have to take a good look at their proposal. Their commission is what bothers me. I simply do not know how we could comply. It's not really the 'genes' that bothers me but the request for two cadavers. Fresh cadavers."
Helen spoke, "I agree Abel. But let me go a bit further. I am bothered by the 'genes' thing. In fact I am very concerned with providing our genome to a culture and society that
has clearly gone off the rails. Given Silvi's description I am uncertain if the Theans are even human at this point. Well not being human is a bit too far, but clearly they have diverged from homo sapiens."
Emmitt who had been leaning back in his chair, his eyes closed, intently listening, straightened up. He looked for a moment at Silvi and then at Helen. "Helen, in about two years time we will be out of munitions. Now I share your concerns, but we really need to be realists about this. What is a few genes compared to the survival of the Commonwealth and our new allies at Wu, New Carthago, and now Bizon. Clearly out there in The Dark there is chaos and death. If in the name of some poorly defined moral concern with our genes we abandon our allies and retreat to Jamon, there is no guarantee that The Dark will not follow. We have already disturbed our region of space and if Wu falls whoever gains her will quickly learn of us. We must be realists. We need munitions."
Helen simply shook her head.
Silvi spoke, "Much of this is speculation. We are not even sure the commodities of food and wine needed in the exchange are available on Hypsistos. The systems seems plagued with civil wars and the list of required items is very specific. For all we know the estate of Quintus Dias, and its' highly prized vines, and its' ancient cellars has been reduced to ashes by civil war. As for the genetic material and the cadavers I suggest we hold our moral judgement in abeyance while we determine if we can even deal with Hypsistos."
Helen was clearly annoyed. "Silvi, your only building momentum for a deal regardless of its overall moral component. If you put the availability of the foodstuffs at Hypsistos up front, and we discover that they are available, then the momentum of the deal will simply overwhelm any moral or ethical consideration. Yes. we need munitions. We need to protect our allies. We need to protect our Commonwealth. But at what price?"
