The Armourer glanced down as Steamsetter came up towards him with his arm outstretched. His smiled broadened and he reached out. Then he was gone.
CHAPTER 72: COMPARATIVE STUDIES
‘Gravity has been altered. The fields are strong close to each fragment but they do not extend as they should. They are limited, sharply delineated, almost contained. I do not understand the force that is doing this.’
Ah! thought Elsewise. That is the key! He was trying to model what the Grey could sense. His attempts, regardless of how complicated he made the interaction of forces and matter, had not been successful. In all of those, the material in the Rim eventually coalesced, yet all around them was the evidence that this had not happened, that it might never happen. A formula. I need a formula that approximates this limitation. He reviewed the observations he had made on their previous incursions. Work empirically, he directed, for this one factor. He did not have the time to use this approach for his whole study. He was trying to do in minutes what their opposition had done over a decade. They had recorded effects over years and approximated cause. But he had a great advantage. He had Trahern.
‘There is a conflict there. That is what I can perceive. At times, gravity breaks free and spreads out. These instances are not of long duration.’ The Grey’s quiet voice continued. Elsewise had asked him to describe what he sensed and any understanding that he reached. ‘An effect of the dead zone, maybe?’ offered the Grey.
‘How do you see the dead zone?’ asked Elsewise.
‘About the same as on our screens. It doesn’t register, that is how I know it is there.’ Trahern went silent.
The effect of the dead zone could be studied, Elsewise exulted. Changes over distance noted, alteration from interaction with known forces of varying strengths used to gain an understanding. The Rim could be the best place for this. If only we had time.
‘It does not follow our laws where it impinges, not even out at the furthest edge,’ said Trahern.
There. Done. The study is over. He wondered how much time the opposition had wasted on it. Probably years. Possibly they had not reached a conclusion yet.
His mind arrived at a formula for the gravitational effect, or limitation thereof, and he ran his model for the fragments and fields in the zone around them. Again the material of the Rim coalesced, but over a time period orders of magnitude greater than in his previous calculations. Success! Of a sort. The gravitational limitation was the main factor but there would be others. A model for the whole of the Rim was beyond him, probably beyond the abilities of AI. This realisation staggered him. AI had always been at the apex of his consideration. Yet here was something greater. Purpose. He sensed purpose in the arrangement around him. The Passages were hidden, almost blocked, locked between the dead zone and the crush of planetary debris in a balanced dynamic system. The calculations and understanding required to set this up were incredible, let alone the power to actually accomplish the feat. Trahern’s voice saved him from considering the implications.
‘This side is still the same,’ said the Grey. ‘The small fragment will hit shortly. The large one follows. How do you see it?’
Elsewise rushed to calculate a model. This was the purpose of their flight, after all, to check on developments subsequent to Gati’s interference. Limited to the fragments and fields in the immediate vicinity of the fragment they warred upon, his approximations held and he achieved the same result as Trahern. ‘The model agrees.’
Trahern wasted no time, swooping away as he said, ‘Let’s check the other side. There is an avenue developing behind us that will take us around without having to leave and re-enter the Rim.’
Elsewise had become used to the extremes of flight that the Grey employed in the Rim. Or perhaps his new concern hung so heavy as to damp other fears. He thought while they twisted and dived.
‘Scholar, what is it here that troubles you? Your face grows longer every time we come up,’ asked Trahern.
It was said with such ease and sounded so like Nata that he replied without thinking, without his usual consideration that is. Trahern was, after all, the main subject in his current study. ‘I discern a purpose and a power that transcends our conception, so great that to acknowledge it moves into the domain of faith.’
‘The hand of God,’ the Grey said simply.
‘Yes. It could be put that way.’’ I could be talking to Nata, Elsewise thought with surprise. ‘Do you see the wonder of the Rim?’
The Grey laughed, a deep full laugh. Elsewise had not heard Trahern laugh, nor was he aware of any such occurrence having been reported by others during the time of his stay on Base. This is like a discussion with my friend on the roof of Base. The next words made it even more so.
‘I have seen the universe from the outside and am aware of its wonders. From a single photon to the immensity of a galaxy. I revere the hand that made those.’ He lifted one arm from the controls to gesture to the area around them. ‘This artifice of the Rim is closer to us than to that hand.’ The craft slowed. ‘It sits within our sphere, so its purpose, and its creator, may become a concern of ours in time. Our present concern is the battle below us.’
‘Our’ means the Guard at Base, Elsewise knew. Directed to his task, he took readouts off the screens and calculated again. The Grey beat him, but only by seconds.
‘It has changed!’ said Trahern. ‘The large fragment will not stabilise. It will be knocked back.’
Elsewise followed the progress of the interacting fragments in his mind, projecting them forward in time. On their last inspection, Trahern had described the play of the bodies. The second fragment would hit at a large angle, almost a glancing blow, the drag of contact rotating and slowing it, leaving it, for a time, static, linked to the piece they warred upon. A Passage would lie open and protected behind the angle formed by the two bodies. No longer! Gati and the Rangers’ contribution had resulted in new trajectories for several very small fragments on this side, one of which would strike and reverse the motion of the rotating fragment before the point of stasis was reached. Instead of stopping near perpendicular, the fragment would come back down. The large fragments would be almost parallel when they collided again. The whole of the surface would be affected. The Passage would be blocked. The battle for the Rim was over.
They accelerated away. ‘We have to let them know,’ said Trahern. ‘They can pull back. There is no need for combat.’
Time. There is no time, thought Elsewise. Then his mind raced on. What a waste. All the death on the Rim has been unnecessary.
‘Suit up, Scholar. There isn’t time to dock with the transport. I’ll pop you out when we clear the Rim. The Rangers will pick you up.’
‘There is no need. I can accompany you,’ said Elsewise.
‘Best if you stay out here. This has been an accident. Next time we will need to know how to do it.’
Elsewise understood the Grey’s thoughts. This conflict is over. The next one is now more important. Regardless if it does not arise to challenge the Guard for a millennium. The knowledge has to be passed on. Trahern was also acknowledging the strong possibility that the craft would not return from the surface.
‘Nata can help you with it. He is more of a master than he lets on,’ added Trahern.
Nata. It would be a pleasure to work with his small friend on such a study. The brief taste of joy this idea delivered was soured by the thought of Trahern proceeding on his own. Alone again, possibly to his death. The Guard can not keep asking this from him.
‘I would accompany you,’ said Elsewise. ‘We share this task and I would not have you go alone.’
The Grey laughed again. This time low and warm. ‘I won’t be alone. You are never alone in the Guard. Anyway, Gati will come. I could not stop him if I wished. He is my cadreman, and his Bethane is down there.’ Trahern turned around fully in his seat to meet Elsewise’s eyes. ‘Thanks for the offer though, Scholar.’
The Grey swung back to the controls and Elsewise rose to
struggle into the suit. He found it difficult to put on and uncomfortable regardless of the personal modifications. How can they fight in these, live in them for days? He gazed at Trahern’s back. Or longer … so much longer. Elsewise almost decided to stay. Trahern was too special to end in some collision on the rocky masses below. The powers that prepared this unique man surely would not allow that. The Scholar sighed. These powers he understood. They did not intervene. No magical hand. This was the force that shaped life as he knew it. AI had only copied it. A million million possibilities could be tried. The possibility that was Trahern need not be successful.
Trahern waved him to the lock, busy transmitting as they approached the edge of the Rim. The comm was on in Elsewise’s suit and he heard all the Grey’s words, including those spoken as he was flushed out into the dark.
‘Thorsen. Bring the transport in and have it pick up the Scholar. Gati, get down here on my tail.’ Trahern paused for their affirmatives then continued. ‘The changes you made to the Rim have had consequences. The second fragment, the large one, will come back down after the collision. It will flatten the surface our people are on and block the Passage. Gati and I are going back in to advise our ground units. Thorsen, call up all the transports from Base. You will have to take our people off quickly, as soon after the collision as possible. The skies should open up as the second fragment lifts to rotate back. The Scholar will advise. Any questions?’
‘There is no one in the western low now. How will you communicate?’ asked the Ranger.
‘There was a comm cable running from the low to Tollen’s Fort. If we get close enough to that we can break in and send.’
‘That’s a long shot, Grey. They may have pulled it up and if they haven’t you are going to have to be right on top of it to transmit.’
‘They need to know now. It’s worth the risk.’
Thorsen’s silence told what he thought of the risk. Finally he said, ‘If you see Oulte before us, give him our regards.’
Elsewise managed one final look at the Rim and the two silver shapes diving into the turmoil before a cable caught him and pulled him unceremoniously backward to the transport hatch.
CHAPTER 73: THE SUCCESSOR
I wonder how Gati is? He should be safe out there. It does not get dangerous for them until after the collision. He is a better pilot than he thinks. He will be all right. Bethane fretted. But he is with Trahern. They will attempt terrible things. I should be there to help them … but I won’t be. He better be heartbroken.
A sharp nudge, actually a push, brought her attention back to her own plight. The Amazons were quiet behind her, except for Seli who had propelled her forward and followed that up now with a sharp flick of her head. In front of them, the marines milled about, uncertain. Scouts wandered around both groups checking the ground and the sky. Steamsetter stood silent in the midst of it all like a tree with its branches blown off.
They had found the enemy’s tracks, a roadway of sorts, but not what they had expected. The way was broad and broken, unformed. Carriers and men had passed but not in the numbers expected, according to the scouts. Uncertainty grew to doubt. Sharp words had passed between the squad leaders and the scouts, then amongst the rest of the group.
This is no good. Bethane let herself go forward. Someone has to lead. No problem with my own people, but the marines might not accept my command. On ship, she would command. On the ground, maybe not. ‘Know before you try’ had been part of La Mar’s advice on leadership. Trying to take over might only cause more argument, with the marines wound up as they were. No good. But something has to be done. The loss of the Armourer has unsettled us all. If only he had set out a chain of command.
Now she knew where her steps were taking her. I need Steamsetter. Through him they might accept my lead.
‘Backtrack and go for their supply, maybe to the Passage with the Amazons,’ said Tane.
‘But we’re supposed to bottle them up. That’s this way, behind them,’ argued another squadleader.
‘This isn’t the main force. The scouts tell us that … too small.’
‘How the hell do they know that? Who knows what the enemy had back here? Who knows what they were doing? Maybe the Armourer was wrong.’
That’s it. That’s what no one wants to accept. ‘Steamsetter,’ Bethane called loudly to get everyone’s attention. ‘What were the Armourer’s directions?’
The big man shook his head as if he was waking up. Maybe he was. He hadn’t said a word since they had pulled him out of the pass by his ankles.
Come on Steamsetter. We need you.
‘The Amazons make for the Passage and the marines close the end of the valley.’ Steamsetter’s deep voice carried over the din of the wind.
‘Whatever these tracks are, they will lead back to the enemy’s Passage,’ Bethane stated. ‘The way for the Amazons is clear. What we need to know is which direction the marines should travel.’ Her appeal to Steamsetter was aimed at easing the marines along to a decision. To be honest, she would have liked their back-up on the way to the Passage, but that had not been the Armourer’s intent. She appreciated his tactics. Two groups provided greater flexibility. No one really knew what the enemy had back here. She would have the marines broaden their scout, then engage wherever they could do the most damage.
Steamsetter’s reaction surprised her. ‘Okay. Let’s go through it again.’ He waved everyone in around him and squatted to draw in the dirt. Gauntlets off, he shaped forms in the sand. Bethane’s impatience died as she saw the bull’s-eye and the northwest trending valley on its southern side appear. Her concentration cut out the noise around her.
Steamsetter hesitated then formed the north as a mirror to the south. It was what the Armourer had shown them on the model before they had set out, way back in the western low. The scouts murmured appreciatively. ‘That’s it. That’s good.’
He trailed his fingers up the valley that ran northwest from the Western Low. ‘This is the way we came, all of us. Here is Tollen’s Fort.’ He broke the curving ridges at the bottom of the bull’s-eye with his fingers, tossing small chips of rock aside. ‘These are the gaps at the southern end of the bull’s-eye. Captain Chalkley holds there.’ Steamsetter lifted his head and looked up beyond his audience. ‘Maybe he has already made his run back. The sky would be low there now.’
His head went back to the ground. ‘We came away east, to this high cut, then north.’ His hand guided them along the side then lifted to return to the bottom of the bull’s-eye. ‘Mike’s lot went this way. Back into the long valley and then northwest up into this narrow low.’
Bethane spared a glance for those around her. He has them mesmerised. Her eyes dropped to follow his fingers. Me too.
‘They hold here where this long north south valley comes in. Maybe they penetrated to a better position but here is where they must stay.’ His large hand swung up to the top of his sculpture. With his fingers he poked a line of dots across his work. ‘We don’t know what this ground is really like. Our scouts never got this far north.’ He settled back on his haunches.
Keep going, urged Bethane in her mind. It is making sense so far.
‘Aahh,’ he said, more to himself than them. ‘The next step is the enemy’s movements.’ He leaned forward to draw again. ‘The enemy moved here into the centre of the bull’s-eye. We saw them. Chalkley made contact before we left.’ He dragged a finger down from his dotted line, lifting a narrow pointed piece of rock out of the way.
Shiny and sharp. Like an arrowhead, Bethane noticed. Like the one in black on Gati’s breast pocket, the Grey insignia. Oh Gati!
‘The Armourer is right so far. So he says that the main enemy force comes around up here.’ The point of the rock went in on the high northwest side of the bull’s-eye. ‘Down this valley to meet Mancine.’ The rock slid down the narrow furrow. ‘They make a road as they go. A good road, to carry men and machines. They are already fighting.’ He stopped to scrutinise the whole display. ‘Think.
There is more to see here.’
He sounds like the Armourer now. Even that gives comfort.
Steamsetter lifted his hands, clenching them to leave one finger out on each. ‘Two paths. The enemy has two paths. They must join.’ He tilted the hand that held the rock, opened it and looked at the rock curiously. There was blood on his palm. It had cut him. He studied it then sighed.
No, stay with us Steamsetter.
He leaned forward and ran the rock like a dagger fast across the top of the model. Like a disembowelling stroke. ‘There is their road!’ He dragged his other hand through the sand across the northeast side of the bull’s-eye to join the slash, and then stabbed a finger into this new grove. ‘This is where we are! The path we are on here is the route into the centre. These tracks are from the force that met Chalkley.’
Steamsetter stood and everyone else rose after him. Standing, they were that much closer to the sky. The roar of the wind and the rumble of the ground returned as if a bubble had burst. And with the noise, came her doubts.
Tane voiced them. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes,’ Steamsetter smiled. ‘Here is your road.’ He held up the rock and turned it in his fingers. ‘This is slag. Melted rock. From the surface of their roadway, caught up in the track of a carrier.’ He looked beyond the suited men to the scouts. ‘Roli, Collin. Look for more pieces in the tracks.’ Still smiling, he turned to Bethane. ‘Commander. Who is your best in a suit?’
‘I am,’ she answered.
‘After you,’ he qualified.
‘Sian.’
‘Which … um?’ he stopped as Sian stepped forward, close.
She moves well in a suit, thought Bethane. Reminds me of La Mar for some reason.
‘Can you fly on rockets between that ground to the north and the sky.’ Steamsetter pointed past them to broken ground and low rolling ridges.
‘Yes.’
The Return of the Grey Page 41
