The Dying Light
Page 14
“And the added angular momentum would have carried much of the tower into a higher orbit, where it appears to have been cut into fragments. These fragments served as windmill-style devices designed to keep interlopers away. The cable is very thin and hard to detect; the end of each spinning segment was moving fast enough to cut a ship in two.”
“And that’s what happened to the outriggers,” Haid said.
“So it appears,” said B’shan. “We subsequently cleaned out the upper orbits of the windmills before you arrived, but there wasn’t much we could do about the gas-guns. We balked at destroying the derelicts entirely, for fear of destroying evidence, but didn’t want to risk our observers by sending them in to deactivate the traps one by one,”
Hearing that, Roche thought of Mavalhin: he would have been grateful to be relieved of that duty, she was sure. Although cowardice wasn’t exactly his style, neither was bravery.
“We detected several transmissions from that region shortly after we arrived,” she said. “Did your observers detect them also?”
B’shan waved a hand and the screen filled with Sol command hieroglyphics. “They appear to be in some sort of code. We’ve had no luck cracking it, though.”
“We also picked up another one from a different source, this time in plain text via tightbeam.”
B’shan nodded. “The source of that transmission is in the vicinity of the Kukumat-Murukan double planet. We believe it to be either a decoy or an entirely innocent message not meant for our ears.”
She raised an eyebrow. “A decoy? Why?”
“Because there have been no attacks since the destruction of Emptage City shortly before the closing of the solar envelope surrounding this system. It is tempting to assume that the person responsible has escaped.”
“So why are you hiding out here?” said Haid.
“Cautionary measures,” said Rufo softly. “It would be foolish to assume that we are safe until we have proof.”
Roche leaned forward, addressing B’shan. “You said it might be an innocent message. From whom?”
“Other survivors, like us, who are also trying to avoid detection. Until we are able to leave this system, we are all denied the option of escape; better to wait until rescue arrives than to advertise our presence.”
“What other survivors?” Roche pressed. “The base on Mok was supposed to be empty.”
B’shan shrugged. ‘The source of the transmission has only been approximately pinned down. It is ‘near’ Mok in the sense that it is within an area several million kilometers across containing the double planet. It may have come from a lone outrigger drifting past, on its way elsewhere.”
Roche granted him that. “And what about the Gauntlet? You must have seen it arrive.”
B’shan glanced at Rufo. “The quark breeders entered the system twenty-one days ago.”
“Do you know who brought them?”
“If we did, then we might at least know who to expect when rescue arrives,” said Rufo.
“They entered the system from deep space,” explained B’shan, “and aerobraked in the sun’s atmosphere. Aro Spaceport was under attack at that point, so by the time we knew they were present they were already in position. From that point, the process was rapid: within twenty hours, the Gauntlet was activated and the system enclosed.”
Rufo looked up, and spoke softly: “We assumed it to be you, at first—that you were a vanguard for a much larger recovery operation.”
Roche nodded, uncomfortably aware of the unspoken questions behind his words: Who sent you? How much longer do we have to wait? Will we be rescued at all?
She could say nothing to allay his fears, but she had to say something. “Perhaps between the two of us we can build a more conclusive picture of what’s going on here.”
“I hope so,” said Rufo, with a slight smile. “Anything you can add would be appreciated.”
“You’ve been very open with your own data,” said Roche. “I guess it’s time I returned the favor.”
Before she could begin, however, the Box spoke up:
She frowned.
Conscious of Rufo and the two Kesh waiting for her to continue, she raised a hand. “One second,” she said, then, to the Box:
said the Box.
Roche nodded to herself.
I CAN’T, Haid sent back. I ONLY HAVE A TEXT LINK, REMEMBER?
SO WHO’S GOING TO DO THE TALKING?
She returned to the opulent brightness of Rufo’s office. He and the two Kesh officers were watching her expectantly, B’shan still standing while Shak’ni watched her with ill-concealed suspicion. Roche wondered belatedly if the latter could read minds—then discarded the thought. If Maii couldn’t use her epsense abilities in Palasian System, no reave could.
“I apologize for that,” she said aloud.
“Talking to your crew?” Rufo asked.
“That’s correct. Something arose that required my attention.”
“Nothing too serious, I trust?”
“Crossing the Gauntlet appears to have been more stressful than I realized. We’ve discovered fractures on our anchor drive housing that will require maintenance before we leave. We can repair the damage ourselves, of course, but it would be much easier—and quicker—if we had access to a dry dock.”
“Our facilities here are fully equipped,” Rufo said. “You are welcome to use them.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose—”
“Think nothing of it,” the scientist interjected. “I am happy to offer whatever services I can, free of charge. In return, when your drive is repaired you might consider taking some of my crew with you when you leave Palasian System.”
“When the time comes, we’ll take as many as we can.” Roche smiled inwardly; he had risen to the bait with very little prompting on her part. “I suggest, then, that Ameidio and I view your facilities to determine if they’re suitable. My information officer can fill you in on our discove
ries so far, and evaluate them in the light of what you’ve shown us. That would not only save time but would also ensure that the most appropriate talents at our disposal are put to the task.”
“That makes sense.” Rufo beamed at her. “But please, do not put yourself down. It takes great skill to command a vessel of war for the Commonwealth of Empires.”
She returned his smile, although his flattery felt forced, and opened the connection to the Box.
“There is a request for a direct line coming from your vessel, Commander Roche,” said B’shan. “I presume this will be your information officer?”
“Yes. Her name is Lieutenant Gold. Will the line be secure?”
“Naturally. No one outside of this room will be aware of what is said within it.”
“Good.” She stood. Haid did likewise, moving stiffly through the restraining field. “If you’ll arrange someone to show us the way, we’ll get on with our work.”
“Gered will be your guide,” Rufo said, joining B’shan at the central desk. “But one other thing, before you leave. You have not mentioned whether you have a reave in your crew. Can I assume then that you haven’t?”
Roche hesitated, unsure where he was heading. “Not necessarily,” she said.
“Well, if you have, then you’d be aware of the epsense-dampening field that has enveloped this system. We’ve encountered it ourselves, and are close to neutralizing it. Two of my three reaves have regained at least a measure of their normal abilities.” Rufo smiled. “So if you do have any on your ship, I’d be happy to assist you in any way I can.”
“Thank you.” Even if what he said was true, Roche would need a lot more convincing of his motives before she let Maii into his clutches. “I’ll certainly take it into consideration.”
The doors to the office opened and Disisto led Roche and Haid through. Glancing back, Roche saw the main tank flicker to life, revealing the face of a white-haired woman in COE uniform, with the usual blue-black interior of a COE ship behind her.
“Greetings, Professor Rufo,” was all she heard the woman in the tank say before the door closed on the meeting.
* * *
Galine Four’s dry docks were situated inside the spherical framework that formed the exterior of the station. A circular hold laced with retractable mesh allowed access to the dock from the outside; massive gantries and many-limbed cranes lined the dock itself like the limbs of a giant anemone.
The Ana Vereine’s scutter wasn’t visible from the pressurized observation platform Disisto took them to, but a couple of other ships were, one of them a small courier vessel that had suffered slight damage along its flanks. Roche studied it with casual interest while she accessed the specifications of the dry dock via her palm-link. Her other hand rested lightly on the butt of the side arm Rufo’s guards had returned to her after she left the station’s sanctum sanctorum.
Haid stood not far away, discussing the finer aspects of navigation with Disisto. Synnett watched coolly from the entrance to the observation deck.
The letters of the courier vessel’s ID code suddenly fell into place. Although the complete sequence was impossible to make out, she could at least tell that it had once belonged to COE Intelligence.
Roche filed the information for future reference.
The Box sent a map of the station with black spots marked, which Roche studied for a moment. A small black spot lay almost directly between her and the main docking bay. She turned back to Haid and Disisto, keeping the map in one corner of her eye.
“Hey, Disisto,” she said. “I need to get to the scutter.”
“Is anything wrong?” asked Disisto. His concern seemed genuine.
“No, I just need some specifications from the maintenance AI. I can probably find my own way, if you want to stay here and talk.”
Disisto’s expression relaxed into a smile. “I think we’d better stick together, Commander. That’d be safest for all of us.”
“As you wish.”
She headed for the exit at a brisk pace. Behind her, Haid cursed under his breath; his artificial limbs were getting the better of him, it seemed.
HOW’S THAT? he sent.
Synnett fell back to help Haid while Disisto—his long legs equal to Roche’s—did his best to keep up with her.
“You’re in a hurry,” he said as they turned into a broad access corridor lined with branching portals every ten meters. Technicians moved aside as they approached.
“Restless,” she replied. “I’ve been stuck on the ship for too long.”
“The raider? It doesn’t look that cramped.”
“It isn’t really, I guess. It just feels like it at times. The walls close in, the roof starts to cave, the air begins to stink. There are moments when I’d do anything to be somewhere else, just for an hour.”
“Which is why you came here to meet Rufo, I suppose.” He glanced sideways at her. “I was wondering about that. It seemed odd for an officer to relinquish command so readily—especially given the circumstances.”
“Just because I’m not on the ship doesn’t mean I’m no longer in charge,” she retorted.
“You have a good relationship with your crew, then. They obviously know where they stand.”
If Disisto was trying to unsettle her by implying her crew couldn’t be trusted, then he was hitting uncomfortably close to home.
“I trust them,” she said steadily, not wanting him to see her ruffled by the comment. “That’s all anyone can ask.”
He nodded. “A big crew on a raider, then?”
“Moderately.”
“Haid won’t tell me where he fits in, exactly. My guess is weapons systems or security. Is he tight-lipped, or won’t you let him talk?”
She shook her head. “You’re full of questions, Disisto.”
“It’s part of my job.”
“Is Rufo making you ask them?”
“Not exactly.” He pulled a slight moue. “I report to Field Officer Shak’ni.”
“Really?” That surprised her: both his answer and his candor. “I thought he was just a guest.”
“You’re full of questions too, Commander,” he said, grinning. “Under different circumstances I’d be happy to tell you everything, but as it is...”
He let the sentence hang. Roche didn’t mind. She had reached the turnoff for the black spot.
“Let’s go this way, shall we?” She quickly ducked down the corridor before he had chance to object.
“Hey, wait!” Disisto hurried after her, surprised by the sudden turn. “You can’t—”
“Why not?” she shot back. “It’s quicker.”
“How could you possibly know that?” He grabbed at her shoulder, but she dodged aside.
“I have a good sense of direction,” she lied. “You said it wouldn’t take long for me to get my bearings, didn’t you?”
He stopped in his tracks. “Okay,” he called after her. “Okay, we’ll go this way. But can we at least wait for the others to catch up?”
She slowed, watching him over her shoulder as she did so. He seemed to mean it. When she came to a halt, she put her hands on her hips and looked around.
They were standing in a corridor no different from any other in the outer levels of the station. There was no indication of any sinister activity: no strange noises, smells, or sights.
DON’T, Haid sent. YOU’RE PUSHING YOUR LUCK AS IT IS.
She turned, saw Haid and Synnett at the end of the corridor. She folded her arms and waited for them to catch up. Disisto stood next to her, a distant look in his eyes suggesting he was communicating with someone via his implants.
IT ISN’T DISISTO WE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT.
Movement to her left caught her attention. Turning back to the room containing the terminal, Roche realized it was occupied. As she watched, a large figure moved slowly into view, obviously heading for the desk. Although clad from boots to gloves in a dark-colored uniform made of some exotic leather, it was clear from the woman’s exposed scalp that she was a Kesh. In one hand she carried a steaming goblet of something that smelled very much like vukh.