The other Kthpok around the table twisted their long necks so they could look over at the Fleet Admiral making it obvious who was to be the spokesman. At a gesture from the Kthpok leader P’Mar picked up an electronic pad from the table. He already knew what he was going to report but the feel of metal and plastic gave him a needed sense of security. “Computer records show that this is the third planetary system surveyed since we left Fairen,” the officer announced. “The first two systems had no planets suitable for Kthpok life although there were several rich in resources. It’s in the current system that two planets have been found which are in the Life Belt. The fourth planet out from the sun has the proper climate while the fifth planet out is a bit cold.” He gestured to the other Kthpok in the room. “Our scientists, after reviewing the data obtained by the computer, have compared these planets to Fairen and Aris from our own system. Although the outer planet is not quite as cold as Aris and has a full atmosphere. Indications are that we could live on either planet. This system fits all of our parameters exactly with one exception: Evidence of an advanced native race has been found.”
S’Cinf arched his neck and dipped his head forward. Extending a talon on his right hand he scratched a spot next to an eye which had developed an itch. “That is unfortunate,” he said when he was finished scratching. “However, I seem to remember giving orders to leave any system which had evidence of an intelligent, advanced species. Was that order ignored?” The Run Point glared at the admiral. “Or have we discovered that being suspended for extended periods causes hallucinations and I just dreamed giving those instructions?”
“No Run Point,” replied P’Mar giving a definite shake of his tail. “There was no hallucination. You did give those orders and the programmers did encode instructions for the computer that complied with your instructions.”
“I see,” mused S’Cinf, “then explain why we aren’t orbiting a planet that fits our parameters.”
In reply to the Run Points question the admiral gestured with a tail at a technician on a perch in the middle of the table. “This is S’Tap,” P’Mar introduced. “He’s the chief programmer for this vessel’s computer which, as you know, controlled the fleet during the flight and he can explain what’s happened.”
The indicated Kthpok, not used to briefing senior officers and government officials let alone the ruler of all Kthpok, stiffened. The Run Point noted that this Kthpok’s scales were a shade lighter than the others in the room and its marking were distinctive. He wondered where this Kthpok came from.
After S’Cinf gave a bob of permission to speak the programmer took a deep breath to recover his composure then began his report. “Yes, Run Point, you’ve outlined very well the procedure the main computer was following,” he said. “According to the logs, after the threat had been detected a new target system was selected by the computer, the formation shifted and a count down for departure started. However, before initiating the stellar drives and departing for the next star system, a final check of the drives themselves, the power systems, and their related systems are performed as a matter of routine.” He gave a nervous twitch of his tail. “That diagnostic is or was a fail safe. But it’s good we set it up that way. It was during the diagnostic that a problem was discovered in the drive system of the Colony ship, Deliberate.
“If the drives had been activated as planned the Deliberate would have exploded, killing all on board. It’s been calculated that an explosion of that magnitude would have also destroyed the other colony ships, the dreadnoughts, and severely damaged the remaining vessels of the fleet. When the danger became apparent the computer halted the countdown and powered down the drives.”
“What about the automatics?” asked the Kthpok leader. “Couldn’t they have repaired the fault?”
A negative shake came from S’Tap’s tail. “The diagnostics indicate the fault is something which could require a shipyard to correct. At the least Kthpok intervention was required.”
S’Cinf turned his attention to the engineer. “Well?” he asked. “Can we fix it without help?”
The engineer, S’Lent, dipped his head in submissive apology before replying. “I’m sorry, your Eminence. It’s impossible to tell at this time. We have to locate and evaluate the problem first.”
“Are there any other vessels that have the same problem” the Kthpok leader asked.
S’Lent shook his head. “All the other ships show clear,” he replied. “Of course, we won’t know for sure unless a detailed inspection is performed. However, indications are the rest of the fleet could depart without danger.”
The Run Point thought for a moment then gave an impatient flip of his tail. “So it appears our options are to sacrifice the Deliberate with all it carries or find a way to make repairs with the resources at hand then leave,” S’Cinf summarized.
The admiral bobbed his head in agreement. “There is a third possibility, Run Point,” he commented. “We take the planets here.”
S’Cinf bobbed his head to acknowledge the admiral’s statement while still looking at the engineer. “Abandoning the Deliberate is unacceptable,” he announced. “I will not lose that many people. Or the equipment carried on that vessel,” he said, “which means at the least we’re here until repairs are made.”
Then his eyes took on a predatory gleam as he turned to the admiral. “Tell me just how advanced the natives are. Are they really a threat?”
“They may be, your Eminence,” P’Mar replied and gestured to the scientists perched on the other side of the table from the computer programmer and engineer. “B’Rig and R’Min have evaluated the data developed by the computer. For that reason they have a better feel for the natives.”
“We have examined the results of the scans, your Eminence” B’Rig broke in without receiving permission from S’Cinf.
“They are quite extensive, sir,” added R’Min with an emphatic bob of his head.
“I’m sure the computer was very meticulous in its scan routines,” said S’Cinf working to keep a tight rein on his frustration. “So what does this extensive data show?”
“At the present what we have,” said R’Min, “is the electronic transmissions produced by this civilization. We’ve received both audio and visual transmissions, which are comparable to a level of technology less capable than ours. The video gives us an idea of what they look like. They’re more hideous than the humans with all those legs and antennae. And the shells… It’ll take some preparation and mental adjustments if we’re expected to interact with them.”
A warning snort from the Run Point brought the Kthpok back to the issue in question. R’Min cleared this throat then continued. “Because we’re limited to those transmissions we cannot confirm if the natives have a military force. We’ve detected vessels moving between planets but if they’re military…” His tail gave a shrug of ignorance. “At this distance we’re unable to differentiate freighters from warships.”
The other scientist broke in. “However, to guarantee our safety, we’ve assumed there is such a force. With that assumption, coupled with the experience of our own civilization and the observed technology of the natives an extrapolation of their strength is possible.”
“Another assumption is required,” added R’Min. “We must assume that the natives have used their most advanced technology for their military.” B’Rig nodded agreement as his companion continued. “With that in mind we’ve determined that we hold a slight technological edge.”
“Even though they may not be as advanced as we are, our limited numbers and damaged condition make our position very precarious,” said P’Mar. “There’s also the problem of our missile inventories being virtually non-existent. We only have what the colony ships carry.” He gave a concerned bob of his head. “If the natives attack we’d hurt any force they send against us but we’d lose. Despite the best we could do they’d obliterate us within hours.”
There was silence in the Conference Room while the Run Point mulled over the options
his subordinates had presented him. After a few moments he spoke. “There’s not enough information to make a proper decision. To get it I want more engineers revived. They’re to go out and visually inspect the drives on all ships.” He paused for another moment then continued. “We’d better start with the Deliberate to see where and what the problem is. Once they’ve determined there’s a problem and what it is the engineers can examine the other vessels for similar faults.
“I want to know if we can leave. And if we can’t, I want to know if the problem can be fixed using our own resources. I want as much information as possible.”
After the Run Point received assurances that S’Lent understood what was to be accomplished he turned back to the admiral. “In case the initial indications are confirmed and we can’t leave this system I want options on how to proceed.”
S’Cinf arched his neck then stretched his head over the table towards P’Mar. “We have two main objectives: First, we’re to safeguard the Kthpok race. Since, the Colony ships contain most of our personnel and equipment their safety must be guaranteed. Our second objective is to discover and take a planet our people can live on. If we’re to survive we have to have a new nest. It may be that we can eliminate the creatures of this system and take their planets for our own. But that might not be possible. I need options.”
The admiral nodded his understanding and bared his teeth in a snarl. “I’ll have several possibilities ready by the time the engineers complete their inspections of the drives.”
N’Brask settled back on his haunches, using his tail to keep his balance. He arched his neck up and back then dropped his head lower. Once he was in position, the panel in front of him was removed and set aside. Dropping his head even further, N’Brask peered at the circuit boards contained in the small exposed area of the drive console of engineering. He gave a hiss of disgust. “I don’t see anything,” he said and placed a probe in the proper port. “Probe inserted,” N’Brask announced, “begin diagnostics.”
Standing off to one side and a little behind his companion, U’Stan, made an entry on a keypad. “Connection made, diagnostics beginning,” he reported and consulted a readout. “The data’s coming in now. Estimated time to completion is ten minutes.”
N’Brask swung his head back around to look at U’Stan. “I still think this task should be done by property not us,” he said continuing an argument that had begun light-years away and thousands of years ago. “There are better things we could be doing.”
“You know the Run Points directive,” U’Stan replied as he continued to watch his equipment. “He hates humans - with good reason. He didn’t want property involved with the Colony ships so there aren’t any onboard. He intended the new planet to be all Kthpok.”
“That’s insane! Property has its uses.”
“You’d better not let the Run Point hear you think he’s insane. He might not like that. The fact that we’re an endangered species now might not be enough to prevent your untimely death if he should find out what you’ve said. Besides I’d think you’d show a little gratitude for that policy. If it weren’t for the Run Point deciding to go Kthpok-only with these ships we’d’ve been left behind on Fairen to be turned into radioactive dust. You heard what the humans did to the planet. There’s no one left alive.”
N’Brask gave another snort. “I still thin…”
“Wait,” interrupted U’Stan, “There’s something wrong!” He paused for a moment then made a few more entries on his device. A moment later he keened in surprise.
“What?” asked N’Brask, “what’s the problem?”
U’Stan gave a nervous twitch of his tail and looked up from his device. “I hope you’ve kept up on your E-suit procedures,” he said, “because this indicates there’s a problem in the power transfer system between the reactors and stellar drive.” He gave a shrug. “Or it could be that the lining of the exhaust tubes has worn thin or it’s in the ignition area. Either way if the drives are activated we explode.”
N’Brask’s scales turned a shade lighter so his marking stood out in sharp contrast. “So that’s why we’re doing this,” he mused.
His companion bobbed his head. “That’s why we’re going to check everything; including the actual reaction chambers. We need to find out if there’s really a problem. And if there is what can be done about it.”
Half a day later an airlock hatch in the hull of the Deliberate slid open to allow two suited figures to emerge. Once clear of the lock the two figures used maneuvering jets to move down the length of the hull to the exhaust port of the stellar drive and disappeared inside.
“Speaking of drives,” radioed N’Brask as he shone his suit light down the dark tunnel, “I hope the Kthpok in the Center room don’t decide to test the drives while we’re in here. If they do we’re ash.”
A snort was heard over the suit radio. “They won’t,” replied U’Stan. “You keep forgetting why we’re here. The computers tell us that if the drives are activated, even for a test, the entire ship explodes. And that would take out the rest of the fleet. Short of a command to self-destruct the computer won’t allow anything like that to happen.”
“Since it’s that dangerous why aren’t we isolated from the rest of the fleet?” N’Brask wondered. “That seems the reasonable thing to do.”
“Who knows,” replied U’Stan suppressing a shrug of his tail. Careless movements in weightless conditions had dangerous consequences. “Maybe they have. I’ve learned not to worry about things outside my pay grade. Life’s easier that way. What I’m worrying about right now is finding out if the drive can be fixed.”
At that point a voice came over their helmet speakers cutting through the engineer’s conversation. “Enough talking! You’re out there to conduct an inspection.”
Both Kthpok acknowledged the implied orders and worked in silence for the next few minutes. Progressing deeper into the ship the two engineers continued to use their instruments to study the drives lining. They’d already checked the electronics inside the vessel before leaving the interior. Everything they’d examined checked out.
The closer to the reaction chamber they got without finding anything the more frustrated N’Brask became. “There’s nothing wrong here!” he exclaimed, forgetting that the Center room was listening in. “The problem’s got to be in that first panel we examined. It’s just giving us a false reading!”
“We’ve checked those circuits a couple of times,” U’Stan reminded. “You even pulled the boards for a visual inspection, remember?”
“So why haven’t we found anything?” wondered N’Brask.
“Because we haven’t looked in the right place.”
N’Brask snorted at the comment and continued down the drive chamber. When they reached the reaction chamber the engineers split up so their inspection could go faster.
U’Stan’s light traced around the portion of the chamber he was inspecting then stopped. He jetted over and ran a scanner over the actual ignition area. “Hey N’Brask!” he called to his companion. “Come look at this! I think I’ve found what our diagnostics have been warning us about.”
“What you’re telling me,” said S’Cinf, “is that we have no alternative but to enter this system to seek assistance.” He swiveled his head on his long neck to look at S’Lent who’d presented the report. They were back in the conference room to evaluate what the engineers had found on the Deliberate. S’Lent bobbed his head in confirmation.
“It is possible for most of the fleet to proceed to the next promising system,” commented S’Tap who was perched next to the engineer and had heard the report.
“The fleet can leave,” agreed the Kthpok Point, “but at the expense of abandoning the Deliberate. And when we get to the next system we have no guarantee we’ll find a habitable planet there which meets our requirements. There’s also the possibility that other ships will develop the same fault once we’re there. And without any assistance we’d really be stranded.” He gave a negative sh
ake of his tail. “That doesn’t sound like a very attractive option to me. We stay!”
The programmer dipped his head in submission and settled back onto his perch. S’Cinf gave a slight snort at the gesture then turned to the admiral. “You’ve heard my decision, admiral,” he said. “Do you have anything to add? Any arguments?”
“No, Run Point,” P’Mar said.
“Since we’re here to stay what plans do you have to secure this system?”
“There aren’t many options available to us, your Eminence,” the admiral replied. “As I mentioned a couple of days ago we don’t have the weight in ships of the line for a fight. Just the two dreadnoughts and the Colony ships are in that class. Of course, the last thing we want to do is put the colony ships in a combat situation. Besides that our other vessels aren’t in any condition for combat. About a third of our missile tubes and laser mounts are out of commission.” He shook his head. “Our armor is shattered and thin; hull integrity is marginal. Inviting combat at this time would be committing racial suicide.”
“So what do we do?”
“We use guile,” said P’Mar.
“What?” That exclamation came from B’Rig. Both Kthpok leaders glared at the scientist who’d spoken out of turn. Realizing he’d intruded where he wasn’t wanted the Kthpok dipped his head and muttered apologies.
“We don’t have enough information to prepare extensive battle plans at the present,” continued the admiral after the scientist had settled. “There’s the possibility the natives of this system may prove useful though. If their tech base is sufficiently advanced they can help us repair our ships and weapons as well as manufacture missiles to fill our caches.”
“Why’d they do that?” asked S’Tap without thinking. “We’re competitors.”
P’Mar bared his fangs. “If we’re right and we have the tech edge this’d give them a boost up.”
Betrayal Page 2
