Tracking the Trailblazer (Colony Ship Trailblazer Book 1)

by John Thornton

  The white machine rolled around just bit. “I believe I may be coming to understand what has happened. If you have been the victims of a rampant intelligence system, please let me know. We are here to help you, and I am thankful you did not die in your abortive and unsafe attempt at space travel. In many ways, it is remarkable you did not die, being in a restricted space way. There are many dangers there of death, or serious injury. Using that vehicle was an ill-planned, and poorly-executed endeavor, but again, if you were under duress from a rampant system, or are being used by tants, I am here to assist you.”

  Janae forced herself to calm down, but it was difficult. “I just want to get something from inside,” Janae relied.

  The white machine, as well as one of the red ones, blocked her way.

  Ken had pulled a length of chain away from one of the blue machines, and was stepping back toward Janae. He spun the chain around. “Let us back inside our scout ship. Right now!”

  “I understand you are afraid, and in a new and overwhelming situation. However, violence is uncalled for, and cannot be tolerated. I am trying to help you,” Doctor Alpha 7 stated. “I understand your passion to save your friends. You said these people in Dome 17 are in grave danger. I want to help alleviate that situation, if I can. Nonetheless, if you continue to threaten me, I will allow the security automacubes to use methods to restrain you.”

  “Automacubes?” Janae asked. “Is that what you and these other machines are called?”

  “Yes. I see now how primitive your understanding of technology really is,” Doctor Alpha 7 said. “Right now, when you drop the chain, we can continue to have a nice chat about what you have done. If you have been victimized, I might be able to help you. Please carefully consider your next actions.”

  “Ken? Janae? Do not fight with those machines,” Kimberly called out, and they heard it through the implants. “These automacubes are in control of the situation, and I can still communicate with you. I believe fighting them will lead to a disaster.”

  Ken dropped the chain, “I am not threatening. Sorry it looked that way. Just, please stop working on my scout ship, and listen to what we need. Please?”

  “Well done in dropping the chain. You made a wise and correct choice. Bravo,” Doctor Alpha 7 stated. “As to this vehicle, it is unregistered, uncertified, and of unproven design. The vehicle is property of the Trailblazer, even if it was produced illegally by a rampant system, or was designed by tants. It is now under the authority of Ida Habitat’s Benefactor,” Doctor Alpha 7 replied. “It will be secured to the docking clamps so that it does not come lose when next the hanger is utilized. Doing that is for everyone’s protection.”

  “May I just get some equipment and show you? It will prove all I have claimed,” Ken said smoothly. “It is a storage device and will prove our claims, and answer all your questions. It is right inside.”

  Two of the red machines rolled up next to Ken, their weapons barrels were no longer turned away. The white machine was still impeding his access to the hatchway. Its voice replied, “While we are securing this vehicle, this door will not be allowed to close.” Its manipulation arm expended upward and latched into the hatch’s track. “You may get the device you wish to show me. If it can provide information, I will be very happy to learn from it.”

  Ken reached into the storage compartment, and found several data sticks and a data stick reader. He could not quite reach the weapons Willie had made, and he was unsure how escalating the conflict would help him anyway. He was certain that when he ran the log records for this Doctor Alpha 7 machine—as shown on the data sticks—it would clarify the situation. Ken turned back around, inserted the finger-sized data stick, and pressed the button in the reader. Nothing happened.

  “I see the device you are holding. It is not in our records,” the white machine stated. “What does it do?”

  “It is an information retrieval, storage, and display system. I will insert another data stick,” Ken replied. “I have never seen a data stick fail before, but all machines can have problems, right?”

  “That is correct. All machines can have problems. That is why each design is rigorously tested and scrutinized prior to being logged into the records,” Doctor Alpha 7 stated. “Like this unauthorized vehicle, for example, it too is not in our records, and therefore is not a proven design that is safe for human usage.”

  Ken inserted another data stick into the reader. Again, nothing happened.

  “Ken? What is wrong?” Janae asked. “Perhaps the reader is faulty? I have not heard of that, either, but it could happen.”

  Kimberly spoke gently to both Ken and Janae, “I have scanned the two data sticks you used, as well as the reader. They are not functional, but I cannot explain their failure. The other data sticks are in the same state. Again, I strongly suggest you do not admit I am present in the scout. I will assist you as possible, but I conjecture a near certainty that these automacubes will perceive me as what Doctor Alpha 7 is calling ‘a rampant system’ and that will hinder our mission. We need to make contact with humans and explain this all.”

  “It seems our machines are broken,” Ken said, and set the data sticks down. “I have other equipment which might help explain about us.” He reached back into the scout and grabbed the pistol made by Willie. He moved it out, so that he could access the teleportation equipment. His back was to the hanger, and he set the pistol off to the side at the edge of the hatchway.

  “Weapon!” the red automacubes called on in ragged unison. Their voices were guttural and extremely mechanical.

  Ken turned around, and even though his hands were away from the pistol, wires shot from two of the red automacubes. The wires struck into his RAM suit on one side, and his uncovered left hand on the other.

  “Yuuugh!” Ken convulsed and collapsed to the floor.

  Janae rushed toward Ken, who was sitting up on his elbows. She knelt down and grabbed him. “Ken, what happened?”

  “He was moving an illegal and unapproved weapon,” Doctor Alpha 7 informed them. “That activity was too dangerous. Please remain seated with your backs against this unregistered vehicle. The security automacubes will be searching this vehicle, and removing dangerous items.”

  “We have two pistols…” Ken sputtered in his speech. “They are for self-protection, and it was in the holster… Why did you hurt me?”

  “Pardon the pain. You were struck with the minimum amount of energy to suppress the situation. Those weapons, like this vehicle, and everything else found inside it, will be confiscated and examined. Items that are safe for your use, might be returned to you.”

  “We need to set up a machine to help our friends. I can explain it to you,” Janae said. “Just take the time to listen.”

  “I have listened. You were unable to explain your habitat of origin. You arrived here through a restricted space way, in an unregistered, unsafe vehicle. You are in possession of at least three kinds of technology which does not conform to safety standards, is not approved, nor is it even registered. Please remain where you are while the security automacube searches the vehicle,” Doctor Alpha 7 ordered.

  One of the red machines stood right next to where Janae and Ken sat. Janae put her hands on Ken’s shoulder, leaned into him, and whispered, “This is not going as expected. Should we get consultation?” She hoped he would understand to whom she was referring.

  Ken shook his head no, and looked at the white automacube. “We mean no harm, and I apologize if moving that weapon was some kind of trigger or threat to you. Forgive me. Is there a human I may speak with about all this?”

  “Your apology is noted. The situation was neutralized. You suffered no permanent harm. You will now understand and know for the future reference not to brandish illegal weapons. I do not blame you for your obvious ignorance, but you are responsible for your actions. I again ask that you allow me to take genetic samples from you. If you agree, each of you should extend one of your hands, so I may take the sample.”


  Ken and Janae remained where they were, and did not comply. Janae was unsure if cooperation would help, but did not see a way to actively resist, so she kept her hands on Ken’s shoulder. He had his right hand on his left arm, and kept them where they were. Janae glanced around to see what was happening.

  One of the red automacubes—apparently the red ones were the security models—used its six drive wheels in concert with its manipulation arm to scale up to the hatch and then roll inside. It was a tight fit, but the automacube could retract parts of its arm, wheels, and carriage to make itself small enough. Items were passed from it, to another red machine, and then laid out on the deck of the hanger. All of their gear, equipment, and the teleportation receiving pad components were unloaded, and set in orderly rows. The two pistols, which Janae had called revengers, were stowed inside the back compartment of one of the red machines.

  The medical kits, the com-links, and the fusion packs were of special interest. As they were set down, blue machines rolled over and began to examine them carefully, tediously, and methodically.

  Kimberly spoke to Janae and Ken separately through their implants. “The security automacube did not displace anything vital in the scout. I will continue to monitor what happens with you. Right now, I strongly advise you to continue to keep my presence a secret. The engineering automacubes—for that is how the blue ones refer to themselves—are attaching more invasive probes and monitors. I believe I can erect barriers and remain undetected. If you reveal my presence, I believe we will significantly lose options on how to proceed. I wish I could offer more help. I am pondering what to do next.”

  The voice of the white machine, Doctor Alpha 7 resounded out, “At this point, I will not force compliance with my reasonable request for samples of your genetic materials. You do not show obvious or overt signs of tant influence, but further investigations are warranted. You will now be escorted to an isolation room for further assessment and testing.”

  “May I speak to a human? Or are their no people here?” Janae asked. She nearly asked for a definition of a tant, but she was afraid the machines would hear that as further evidence of her stupidity and ignorance.

  “The Benefactor is being briefed on your situation. I have relayed your request to speak with a human person. My orders are to proceed with the plan.”

  “The plan?” Ken asked.

  By that time, all the equipment was out, and various parts were being loaded onto two yellow automacubes which had rolled in. Those yellow machines had large compartments inside their boxy shape, and nearly all the supplies fit in those machines.

  “Yes, the plan will continue. Please rise and follow me,” Doctor Alpha 7 ordered. “The security units will escort our move to the isolation room.”

  “I would like to keep the supplies and gear with us,” Ken said. “Our food supplies and water are in there. We have rations for days, but we really need to build the mechanism to help our friends. If I can just explain this to that Benefactor person, I am certain we can rectify this confusion, and come to a satisfyingly cooperative agreement.”

  “It is understandable that you are concerned with your food. You will be provided with nutritious food and clean water However, the items in the unregistered vehicle will not remain in your possession. That would be unsafe. None of the items you brought with you are registered. None are in the records. None have passed minimum product safety testing. Now, proceed with me to isolation.”

  Janae and Ken stood up, Janae helping Ken as he staggered a bit from what the red machine had done to him. They walked along and followed the white machine. Two of the red machines were on each side. The blue ones and the yellow ones were rolling away, along with all the teleportation equipment and most everything else from Dome 17. Janae saw that as all her hopes for revenge and justice rolling away as well.

  10

  Isolation Near a Tree City

  The hanger was left behind as Ken and Janae followed the white machine, flanked by the red ones. The halls were neat and clean, with proper illumination. Ken asked several questions, but the white machine kept giving the same answer.

  “You are being placed into isolation,” Doctor Alpha 7 replied.

  Each door along the way was shut and appeared sealed. No other people were seen. After several twists and turns, they came to a place where the hallway spread into more of a foyer. There they encountered the first open door.

  “This is the isolation condominium. Proceed inside,” Doctor Alpha 7 stated.

  Ken and Janae stepped in, and the door slid shut behind them. All the automacubes were left in the hallway. Janae tried the door, but it would not open. It had a manual handle, which only turned a portion of what she though was the proper amount. The locked door reminded her of what Jubal had done, and she burned with anger.

  The room was spacious with chairs, couch, and table. Thresholds led to two separate bedrooms, a shared lavatory, and another room of unknown function—it had a long countertop with a recessed depression with a pipe and levers hanging over it. Walking up to the deep bowl, Ken turned a handle. He let out a yelp of surprise as crystal-clear, cold, water gushed out of a faucet. He quickly turned it off, and put his RAM sleeves down into the spilled water. His suit absorbed most of it, but some had flowed down the small drain he had failed to notice at the bottom of the bowl.

  “Did you see all that water?” Ken’s smile was wide, and his eyes twinkled. “This is a water sink. So much water! I hope that I did not just waste our drinking supply. There should be instructions.”

  Opening a door set in the wall, Janae just stared at what was inside.

  “Janae? There was an abundant flow of water here! It just poured right out,” he frowned. “I think I just wasted about half a day’s water rations. I wonder what the regeneration time is for recycling all that?” Ken’s eyes were still on the sink, but he noted Janae’s lack of response. Sensing something, he turned and saw her staring into some kind of cabinet as she held the door open. “What did you find?”

  Janae just kept staring, mesmerized by something. Stepping over to her, Ken peered around the door. “Is that real?” he asked in a hushed voice.

  Janae reached out and touched something on one of the shelves. “Yes, I think it is.”

  Ken’s eyes grew wide as Janae pulled back a roundish red and yellow object. Its colors were sort of mixed together, and it had a small stick poking up from one end. “I can smell it.”

  “It is cool to the touch, and has a smooth surface, but can it be what I think it is?” Janae asked.

  Ken looked away from the object in Janae’s hand and saw a bowl filled with similar objects on the top shelf of the cabinet. Cool, moist air washed over his face. He took but a moment and saw a myriad of other things in the cabinet, but his eyes were drawn back to the single object in Janae’s hand.

  “Ken? Janae?” Kimberly the AI’s voice interrupted their thoughts, separately through their implants. Both of them jolted from the unexpected message. “I am now alone in the hanger. The engineering automacubes have departed. I do not understand what you are saying. Please provide context, unless that would reveal my presence.”

  “Is this real?” Ken pointed at the object in Janae’s hand, ignoring what Kimberly had reported.

  Janae brought it up to her mouth, and ever so gently kissed the side of the object. “I can taste something. It must be real. I am not sure how to proceed.”

  Ken leaned over and sniffed at the object. Like he thought, it smelled sweet, wet, and unfamiliar all at the same time.

  “Hey, there are others. This one is mine,” Janae chided.

  “The machine did say things would be provided,” Ken affirmed. He reached into the cabinet and grabbed a similar object from the bowl. It fit nicely in his palm, and this one too had a small stick on the top, but as he looked there was a dimple in the bottom with an irregular sort of star-shaped pattern to it. Then, without further discussion or warning, Ken put the object to his mouth and bit into it.
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br />   “Crunchy,” he mumbled as he chewed, “and very wet.” He licked his lips as he tried to contain the small bite. As he looked down at the object, he saw that the red and yellow exterior was just a thin layer at the surface. Beneath it was a nearly white—only slightly yellow—interior. “It is a real fruit of some kind.” He swallowed. “Such a strong taste, it makes my mouth zing with sensation.”

  Janae took a bite as well, and as her teeth slipped past the skin, she felt the wash of juices flowing onto her tongue. It was a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Flavors careened all around her mouth as the bite was chewed into a mush which she swirled around with her tongue. “Amazing,” she said, and then had to bring her other hand up to stop from having juice run down her chin. “So much water!”

  “I do not recall what these are called,” Ken said as he munched on another bite. “Very different from a ration bar.”

  “Ken? Janae? Are you consuming something?” Kimberly asked. “I can hear you chewing on something. Is it safe? What are you doing?”