“Aye, sir.”
A short time later, the Captain's Yacht Theseus emerged from Atlantis' belly docking bay. The Theseus banked away from the Atlantis and quickly vanished into hyperspace. The Theseus emerged from the ether in orbit of Simmal. Flying for Alya Station, the Theseus docked and Bowen took a robo-taxi to the Galactic Institute of Science. Entering the Institute, he approached the smiling female Kumarrin seated at the reception desk.
“May I help you, Captain?” the Kumarrin asked brightly.
“I'm looking for Doctor Bowen.”
“He's giving a lecture,” the receptionist said, “you'll find him in Lecture Hall Three...that way.” She pointed toward a door far down the length of the building's atrium.
“Thank you, ma'am.”
The lecture hall was one of those places that were part auditorium and part classroom. A small group of scientific minds was clustered at the front of the room looking at a man who was, for all intents and purposes, an older version of Captain Bowen. Doctor Bowen's hair was gray, yet he was in excellent shape. He was conservatively dressed in a button down shirt and slacks. He stood at a podium lecturing, though it was obvious that the scientists were only barely tolerating him. Seeing that his father was speaking, Bowen made his way to a desk near the front, but off to the side, so his father could focus on his intended audience.
“...And so Black Claw's disappearance was never explained,” Doctor Bowen said, “the only clue to his disappearance was the word 'demons' scrawled in blood on the wreckage of his ship. Thus that is why the formation was once called Black Claw‘s Folly. Now on October 31, 1875, Earth Standard Calendar, an expedition of scientists, led by the Shrive Thinker scientist Doctor Otmar Kordam, departed from Alya Station to scout and study Black Claw's Folly. The purpose was to learn of the formation's origins and purpose and see if it could be colonized and put into operation. The expedition reached Black Claw's Folly and began work. Over the course of six months, Earth Standard Time Scale, the Kordam Party maintained contact with their colleagues on Alya station. Then suddenly all contact with the Kordam Party was lost. A rescue expedition was immediately launched. Upon reaching the formation, the Kordam ship was found, a destroyed wreck and their equipment was either destroyed or just plain missing. No trace of the Kordam Party was ever found. The only clue was Doctor Kordam's journal, which began normally enough, listing daily activities and finds, but eventually degraded into a horrible tale of being hunted by unseen creatures and disappearances of the team, and eventually Doctor Kordam was left alone. His final entry reads only 'they are coming for me...'. To date there has been no explanation as to the whereabouts of the Kordam Party, nor any indication of their ultimate fate. There has been much speculation and even a few horror movies about the subject. Black Claw's Folly was subsequently renamed the Kordam Formation. The Kordam Formation was quarantined by Elnore Prime and has remained so for the last 289 years. For centuries, the Kordam Formation has been considered as a place of terrible evil. I propose mounting an expedition to investigate the disappearances of Black Claw and the Kordam Party. If we can determine the reason why they disappeared, then perhaps we could see about preventing it.”
A gruff Elnore scientist stood. He was slender and quite elderly, though the only indication of his age was his silver hair. “I think we've heard enough,” he said, “we cannot risk a ship or important scientists on a mad expedition to a site known to be a hazard to life and limb.”
“But we could determine why it's such a threat,” Dr. Bowen exclaimed, “and if we figure that out, we might be able to put a stop to it. Director Vesper can't you...”
“I'm sorry, Doctor Bowen,” Director Vesper interrupted, “there will be no expedition.”
The cluster of scientists got up and filtered out of the lecture hall, obviously muttering about the speaker as they left. Doctor Bowen stood at the podium watching them go. He looked defeated. Captain Bowen got up and approached his father. Doctor Bowen looked at his son and tried to smile.
“Mitchel, what brings you here?”
“My ship's on assignment,” Bowen said, “and I think it's right up your alley. I'd like you to join me for the mission.”
“I'm sorry, son,” Dr. Bowen sighed. “I've got to get going to Zeta Reticuli. I'm going to the Ageron Combine. I might be able to get their science ministry to...”
“We're going to the Kordam Formation, Ed,” Bowen interrupted abruptly.
Doctor Bowen stared at his son in shock for several minutes before he could speak. “What?” He asked in confusion, “why?”
“Aldebaran was recently attacked by the Hellkin,” Bowen grumbled angrily. “We traced their armada back to the Kordam Formation. My battle group is going there to figure out why the Hellkin came from there, and what kinds of facilities, if any, they have there. I want you along because you're the foremost authority on the Kordam Formation. Are you interested?”
“Of course,” Dr. Bowen suddenly got a really cheerful look on his face, “considering it's probably the only way I'm going to be able to study the Kordam Formation.”
“Well let's get going, Dad.”
Together, father and son left the lecture hall. Outside the Galactic Science Institute, Bowen hailed a cab. Presently, a robo-taxi approached. Bowen and his father got in the vehicle and were taken to where the Theseus was docked. Upon stepping out of the robo-taxi, Dr. Bowen pestered his son.
“Shouldn't we go by my hotel room? I need my belongings.”
“No need. I've already had your things delivered to the Theseus. They're aboard right now.”
“You just did that on your own authority,” Dr. Bowen growled, “how could you have been so certain that I was going to join you?”
“Because I knew how much you've wanted to go to the Kordam Formation to study it,” Bowen grinned. “I knew you'd jump at the chance.”
“Fair enough, but wouldn't it be dangerous? I mean you mentioned the Hellkin.”
“If they are there, we'll deal with them. At present, we don't know what to expect. Now we need to get aboard.”
“Certainly, son.”
They boarded the Theseus. Bowen got into the pilot's seat in the cockpit and put on a headset comlink, and Ed sat down beside him at the co-pilot's seat. After casting about for a few moments, Dr. Bowen found a headset comlink and put it on. As Bowen started up the ship's engines, he keyed his radio.
“Alya Space Central,” Bowen spoke into his radio pickup. “This is the Starship Theseus, requesting clearance to depart.”
“Roger, Theseus,” replied a male voice from Bowen's headset speaker, “state your intended destination.”
“Rendezvous with the Atlantis, our precise destination is classified.”
“Understood, Theseus. You are clear to depart.”
“Thank you, Space Central,” Bowen replied respectfully.
“You're welcome, Theseus, and we hope you visit Alya Station again.”
“I'm sure I will.”
Bowen lifted off and left Alya Station. Flying into orbit, he flew the required safe distance from Alya Station and engaged his hyperdrive. In the cockpit, Dr. Bowen watched the dazzling flash of energy of the hyperjump. He felt the momentary freeze that felt like hours. Then he saw the energy clear and the massive form of the Atlantis loomed ahead of him. Beyond the Atlantis, Dr. Bowen saw a strange sight. It was a group of fifteen planets clustered together in a rough sphere formation, and all connected by what could only be called massive tubes. A super-giant star could be seen in the distance.
“There it is,” Dr. Bowen spoke in awe, “it's impressive.”
“It's also considered to be a place of terrible evil, Dad,” Bowen grumbled. “I'm not exactly happy about coming here.”
“Well, hopefully we'll determine what precisely that evil is,” Dr. Bowen was too damned cheerful.
“Yeah, hopefully,” Captain Bowen shrugged. “Alpha-One, Theseus on approach.”
“Roger, Theseus,” said an air traffic cont
roller from Bowen's headset speaker, “Approach ventral docking bay.”
“Roger, Alpha-One.”
Doctor Bowen looked up through the view port as the Theseus flew along the underside of the Atlantis. He stared at the ship's vast white and blue-gray underside hull.
“Starship Theseus to Alpha-One. We were on final approach, request permission to dock.”
“Roger, Theseus,” the air traffic controller's female voice replied. “Permission granted to dock in Number Three Docking Cradle, Yacht Bay.”
“Roger, Wilco, Alpha-One,” Bowen replied into his radio pickup.
As the Theseus flew along underneath the Atlantis, a large hatch, set into the hull amidships, opened and swung downward like a mouth yawning open. The Theseus flew just past it, and then slowed to a stop. Bowen looked at his displays, as his destination was not visible through his view ports. He deftly worked his flight stick. The Theseus moved upward, using maneuvering jets. After a moment, she stopped her upward movement. Then her maneuvering jets moved her backward toward the yawning docking bay behind her. Inside the bay, three docking cradles could be seen. Two other identical Captain's Yachts were held in the other docking cradles, but the docking cradle on the right side was empty. As the Theseus backed toward the bay, the empty docking cradle opened, the sides rotated away from each other and folded up like hands curling their fingers against the palms. Tractor beams locked onto the Theseus. While the tractor beams began pulling her inside, the Theseus' four engine bars darkened as her engines were shut down in preparation for docking.
The senior Bowen gazed out the port side view port. He could see another captain's yacht coming into view. The name painted on her was Perseus. After a few moments, all motion outside the view port stopped. The cradle closed around her, locking her into place. On the Theseus' top hull, a panel opened and a fuel/power umbilical arm, with hoses and cables, plugged into ports inside it. Then a docking tube extended from the ceiling of the bay. A door opened on the back of the Theseus as the tube connected to the docking collar inside. Outside the Yacht Bay, the exterior door rotated up and shut like a mouth closing around a tasty morsel.
Inside the Yacht Bay, small automated work bees began buzzing around the Theseus, going over her with blue fan-shaped scanner beams. In the cockpit, Bowen took his headset off and stood up. He looked at his father.
“Come on, Dad,” Bowen said, “let's get your stuff to your stateroom.”
Bowen guided his father out of the cockpit. After collecting Dr. Bowen's luggage, Bowen stepped out of the hatch into the Yacht Bay Boarding Area. He reached down into the hatch, and pulled up his father’s luggage, two suitcases and an equipment case. He stood aside as Ed climbed out of the hatch.
“What's this area?”
“The Yacht Bay Boarding Area,” Bowen shrugged, “not much to look at, but this is a military vessel.”
“Vessel?” Dr. Bowen scoffed. “She looks more like gigantic space station.”
“We like to think so,” Bowen gestured at a nearby door. “This way.”
Bowen guided the senior Bowen out of the boarding area. Stepping out into the corridor, they were met by Glitter.
“How's your father, Lieutenant?” Bowen smiled.
“Still a bundle of raw nerves, Captain,” Glitter said. “Mom sat him down in her quarters to talk things out.”
“Her parents getting a divorce or something?” Dr. Bowen asked, curious.
“You remember Commander Dockweiler?”
“Yeah,” Dr. Bowen nodded, “he's that crazy fighter pilot who replaced your girlfriend after she went KIA.”
“His wife was killed in the recent battle at Aurora Colony.”
“Wow,” Dr. Bowen chirruped, knowing he had jumped to the wrong conclusion, “that's...that's bad. But the lieutenant said her mom was talking things out with her dad.”
“Sir,” Glitter spoke with elaborate patience, “I am the product of a one night stand. My mother and father only recently got married because of a complicated situation involving spousal deaths and Elnore laws governing the disposition of children that are not of adult age.”
“In other words,” Bowen nodded, “her mother and father both lost a spouse but still have kids that aren't grown yet.”
“My step-father died leaving my mom still pregnant,” Glitter explained, “and my true father has two teenage daughters.”
“And since her mom is an Elnore,” Bowen added, “by their law, her mother became her dad's wife when his wife died.”
“Weird,” the older Bowen frowned thoughtfully, “but then many of our customs would seem strange to the Elnore, I suppose.”
“Lieutenant,” Bowen glared at Glitter, “now that the issue of your father's wife dying has been dealt with, explain why you ignored a priority recall. Your squadron was two pilots short. Circe being grounded was bad enough, but your not showing up was worse.”
“It wasn't my fault, sir,” Glitter barked defensively. “The Fleet restricted travel to Aldebaran. Mom and I couldn't get a shuttle until my grandmother started threatening the military.”
“Impressive,” Dr. Bowen said. “I've never known the Fleet to cave to an irate grandmother.”
“You don't know how influential my grandmother is,” Glitter smirked, “she's the matriarch of a very prominent family on Elnore Prime.”
“Well,” Bowen frowned, “we'll skip the court martial this time.”
“Thank you, sir,” Glitter spoke dryly, “by the way; the Wizards would appreciate it if you would join us in our rec room.”
“Whatever for?”
“Circe's finally sharing that drink with her squadron, seeing as she's been grounded.”
“Grounded,” Dr. Bowen was confused again, what an odd ship this was that they would celebrate such an occasion. “What for?”
“Circe's a Kumarrin,” Bowen explained quietly to his father.
“Oh,” Dr. Bowen exclaimed, “that thing about their population crashing. I see. So she's been grounded so she can have children.”
“That about sums it up, sir,” Glitter nodded.
“In any case, Lieutenant. I'll be there. Just let me get my father settled in guest accommodations.”
“Understood, sir,” Glitter rendered Bowen a quick salute.
“This way, Dad,” Bowen gestured down the corridor.
“Lead the way, son.”
They headed down the corridor. Glitter watched them for a moment, and then headed off in a different direction.
Chapter Three
Doctor Bowen looked around in amazement as his son led him into a huge VIP guest stateroom. The common room was furnished with a couch and chairs around a holographic entertainment system set into the floor. In an alcove in the corner of the room stood a small four place dining table and chairs.
“Where'd you put me, son?” Dr. Bowen asked politely.
“VIP Quarters. Usually reserved for flag officers and diplomats.”
“You could have just put me in a regular stateroom.”
“Oh no,” Bowen protested. “Only the best for my father.”
“You never spoiled me when you were growing up,” Dr. Bowen groused.
“That's because I was a dumb fleet brat.” Bowen joked.
“True.”
“In here, you have your bedroom,” Bowen led his father through the alcove into the bedroom.
The bedroom was like Bowen's bedroom, in that it had an office sectioned off by a half wall. Doctor Bowen looked around and saw that he had a dresser and a closet for storing his belongings. He could also clearly see the bathroom through a nearby translucent door. He dropped his equipment case on the floor near the office desk.
“This is your bedroom, you've got an office area with a computer terminal that grants you access to the ship's computer network. We have an extensive database of entertainment programs, including: video files, music and games. We also have a wide variety of other entertainment facilities on board. Feel free to make use of them.�
�
“Looks great, son.”
“Well, Dad,” Bowen said, “I'll leave you to get comfortable.”
“Hey,” Dr. Bowen smiled. “You free for dinner?”
“Sure, I'll come get you at sixteen hundred. We'll have dinner in the Ward Room.”
“Okay,” Dr. Bowen nodded.
“In the meantime,” Bowen added, “you might want to contact our resident Hellkin expert, Dr. Parker. Maybe you two could compare notes.”
“Probably should,” Dr. Bowen agreed.
With that, Bowen left the room. Doctor Bowen looked around his quarters, lost for a moment. Then he started unpacking his things and putting them away.
The Wizards were gathered in their squadron recreation room. Circe stood amongst all of them. She was at one of the tables. Her bottle of Javix sat on the table with a collection of glasses. She looked a trifle sad. She smiled when the door opened and Bowen and Glitter came in. Without a word, she popped the bottle open and started pouring. The liquid was a bright orange color. As she filled glasses, Argathreft took them and passed them around. Pretty soon they all had a glass. Circe was the last to take one. Turning to her squadron mates, her eyes got moist.
“Well guys,” she sounded like she wanted to cry, “it's been fun. I had two years with you, and now I'm moving on.”
“What will you be doing, Circe?” asked Ensign Reika ‘Kitsune’ Hayase, a petite Japanese woman that recently reported aboard as her replacement.
“I'm the new Port Side LSO,” Circe sighed, “so I'm still working with you guys, just not flying.”
“That's too bad,” said Kadji. “I'm gonna miss your rapier wit out in the thick of dog fights.”
“Well, Kadji,” Circe joked, “you'll just have to get your fix of my rapier wit when I kick your ass in the simulator, because I'm going to be in charge of running your training sims.”
“Many of you don't know the full reason Lieutenant N'Gek has been grounded,” Bowen grumbled, “her people are suffering a bad population crash. As a result of this, she's been grounded and moved to a non-combat position so she is free to procreate.”
The Atlantis Chronicles- The Kordam Party Page 5
