The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1)

by Adrian Fulcher

  James felt relieved.

  ‘When can I see her?’ he asked impatiently.

  ‘Come back in three days; she should be in the rest ward by then,’ the doctor replied.

  ‘Three days!’ James repeated.

  He felt deflated and disappointed by the doctor’s reply.

  ‘Sir, there’s nothing to worry about,’ the doctor said. ‘She’ll be fine, I assure you, but Lieutenant Besic needs time to heal in the seatosipo.’

  ‘Come on, James,’ Gulino said, placing his right hand on James’ shoulder. ‘There’s nothing to see here now. Londuo will be in the seatosipo most of the time. Milonri wants to talk to you.’

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The door to the Lon room closed silently behind James and Gulino. James looked down the long narrow room. In the centre of the room were fifteen elliptical Kimlo holographic tables, each with ten chairs neatly positioned around it. Slowly rotating above the first five tables were holographic images of an assortment of weapons. Milonri was sitting at the furthest table, his back to them, and there were two women and a man sitting to the left of him. James could just hear them talking. Milonri looked around and gestured for James and Gulino to come over.

  As they walked past the tables, James glanced at the images of the weapons. There was a Terman rifle, pistols and a large round plasma launch tube. Milonri said a few more words before the others stood up and walked out the far door. Then he turned to James and said,

  ‘Is Londuo all right?’

  James smiled and nodded.

  ‘Yes, I think so. The doctor said she’ll be in a thing called a seatosipo for about three days.’

  He glanced behind Milonri down at the table. There were a cup with a steaming green liquid and a holographic note pad. In the centre of the table were three sealed vials, each with an orange gas inside.

  ‘Both of you, well done,’ Milonri said. ‘The mission was a success.’

  He gestured for them to sit.

  ‘All the Treitan ships have been recalled to Dagnamk. Moulo and Earth are safe for the moment. The Treitans have other more important issues now their main base has been destroyed. There’s never been so much inter-stellar communications between their command ships. Isistia said one of their ships actually withdrew from Ghuno. This is the first time that they’ve ever retreated,’ he continued but seemed distracted. ‘The data from the Treitan command centre is unbelievable. We always thought that they only wanted the water, but the parasites; the thought of that… What do the Treitan call it? Dem-I-Lar—’

  ‘It’s Dem-Fi-Larvay, sir,’ Gulino said.

  ‘Thanks, Gulino. The thought of those creatures living on our planet; growing, feeding, producing young; it makes my stomach turn, but now we can strike back hard. We’re already converting two destroyers. They’re going to attack Qintaino and Tetrol tomorrow.’

  ‘How can they be killed?’ James enquired.

  ‘Astoflorinic gas,’ Milonri replied. ‘Poison the air. It attacks the creatures’ nervous systems. It’s harmless to all other life forms.’

  ‘Astoflorinic gas?’ James repeated.

  Milonri picked up one of the vials from the table and held it out to James.

  James took it. Inside was a misty orange gas.

  ‘I forget you’re not from Qintaino,’ Milonri said. ‘I’m not thinking straight. It’s a harmless gas to us. Our lasers use it as an amplification gas inside the main generation chamber.’

  He paused.

  ‘We always wondered why they preferred the less powerful Telecan lasers to ours. After all, they stole all our other technology.’

  He paused again.

  ‘We’ve converted one of the plasma tubes on each of the Atenopila and Yemolopila. Five torpedoes detonated in the atmosphere will be enough.’

  James held the vial out towards Milonri.

  ‘Keep it,’ Milonri said.

  James placed the vial in his pocket.

  ‘Did we lose any more ships in the operation?’ he asked.

  ‘The Rellopila is still missing,’ Milonri said.

  His head dropped slightly.

  James looked at Gulino, sensing that something was wrong.

  ‘Perhaps we should leave, sir?’ Gulino said.

  ‘No, I’m fine,’ Milonri replied, saddened. ‘I’m sorry, James.’

  He paused once more.

  ‘My son… my son was the captain of the Thardopila. He sacrificed his ship to save the Lonori.’

  ‘Oh. I didn’t know. I’m very sorry,’ James said.

  ‘He was your age. The youngest captain in the fleet,’ Milonri said and sighed. ‘He fulfilled the calling of his soul… How bad is the damage to your ship?’ Milonri asked, looking at James.

  ‘It’s not good, I’m afraid. Kalrea can repair the port event horizon drives in three days, but the starboard drives have been completely destroyed. They can’t be repaired.’

  ‘Damn! We have enough problems getting parts for the other ships. The Aurora event horizon drives have much larger Hognor accelerator coils than standard Qintaino ships and the plasma injectors are paired.’

  ‘It gets worse. We only have one reactor left,’ James added.

  Milonri looked down at his holographic notepad.

  ‘We must repair the Aurora.’

  He pressed some of the symbols on its keypad. A holographic image of the wrecked Pulsora illuminated just above the notepad.

  ‘If Kalrea had all the parts she required, how long would it take to get the Aurora operational?’ Milonri asked.

  Kalrea? James thought.

  She answered.

  ‘If we had new drives and all the manpower we needed, the ship could be flying in five days,’ James replied. ‘To repair the rear plasma tubes we’ll need at least fifteen days. We could also use another reactor. But—’

  ‘Right,’ Milonri said suddenly. ‘The Pulsora is back on Brinoli. Salvage what you can. I want the Aurora operational.’

  James felt uncomfortable.

  ‘We can’t!’

  ‘I’m sorry, but stripping the Pulsora, is the only solution.’

  ‘What about Sarhao?’ James asked.

  ‘Anything else you or Kalrea need to get the Aurora operational again, just ask Gulino. He can get hold of almost anything,’ Milonri said, as he quickly got up. ‘I’m needed in operations.’

  He picked up the notepad and left.

  ‘James, if you don’t need me anymore, they could use my expertise to assist in repairing the Lonori’s turret control sensors,’ Gulino said.

  ‘Yes, of course,’ James said, distracted.

  Gulino opened the door.

  ‘Gulino,’ James said, turning. ‘Thanks for saving us, back on Ghuno.’

  ‘My pleasure, sir,’ Gulino replied, and the door closed.

  Kalrea? James thought. What will happen to Sarhao?

  Once we take what parts we require to repair the Aurora there won’t be much left of the Pulsora. Sarhao will no longer have a purpose.

  James could sense sadness in her voice.

  Can’t he be transferred to another ship, James thought in hope.

  We were both specifically designed for the Aurora and Pulsora. I’m sorry, James, but there’s no other ship capable of interfacing with us, Kalrea said.

  But they may never build another ship like these.

  James felt responsible.

  He may never be needed again.

  We were created by Qinants, Kalrea said. You said yourself, that, I’m just a computer.

  I know, but that was before I got to know you. I was wrong, James thought. I think that you are no different from me, really. You’ve a consciousness. You’re able to feel sadness and happiness. You seem to know what love and hate are.

  He paused.

  And you know that I love both you and Londuo.

  Yes, Kalrea replied.

  Well, I would hate to lose either of you. Please promise me you’ll not end up like Sarhao; it would break
my heart.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The fleet was now nearing the Wilarn system and James was impatiently waiting outside the convalescence ward of the hospital, onboard the Lonori, where Londuo had been moved that morning. Other members of the crew were gathering. The doors to the ward opened and everyone funnelled through.

  The convalescence ward was a large circular room which was full a small seatras, most of which had their lids raised. James entered and looked anxiously around while other members of the crew walked over to visit their injured colleagues. Over the far side of the room he noticed Londuo laying still, her head propped up by some large pillows. He walked quietly over to her.

  James glanced at the man in the next seatra. He was the fighter pilot James had seen being rushed into the hospital, but his hands and legs were now healed.

  Londuo’s eyes opened slowly. She squinted and tried to focus.

  ‘James,’ she said, with a smile. ‘Is that you, James?’

  James leaned down and kissed her.

  ‘Hi,’ he replied, before pulling a chair out of its storage compartment in the adjacent wall.

  ‘I thought I’d never see you again,’ Londuo said.

  ‘How do you feel?’ he asked affectionately.

  ‘Oh, like the morning after a serious hangover,’ Londuo said, managing a slight smile. ‘I have hissing in my ears; I can hardly see anything and it hurts whenever I move. Apart from that I feel great!’

  She seems to be in good spirits, James thought.

  He felt a great relief, like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

  ‘Is it my ears, or can I hear distant drives?’ Londuo asked.

  ‘You’re on the Lonori. We’ve just entered our star system, so we’ll soon be back to Brinoli,’ James said.

  ‘Did we make it?’ Londuo enquired.

  ‘Yes,’ James replied, smiling. ‘You and Kalrea destroyed the base. They haven’t attacked Moulo or Earth.’

  Londuo held out her hand. James gripped it lightly and looked into her eyes.

  ‘I didn’t think I was going to make it,’ Londuo said. ‘When I pressed the ejection button the fighter was banking sharply. I remember hitting something, which must have been the ground; then, I think I woke up for a moment, but everything was black. I thought I was dead.’

  James was puzzled. Black?

  ‘Oh yes, of course. We landed over the top of your cockpit, Londuo. You must have been looking up at the belly of the Aurora.’

  Londuo smiled.

  ‘I should have guessed. I knew you’d come for me,’ she said.

  James felt her grip his hand.

  ‘How long was I in the seatosipo? The doctor wouldn’t tell me.’

  ‘Just over six days,’ James replied.

  Londuo appeared to be astounded.

  ‘It must have been serious.’

  ‘The main thing is you’re all right now. Londuo, I never want anything to happen to you again.’

  James retrieved a small black bracelet from his pocket.

  ‘I’ve had Kalrea make this for you.’

  ‘What is it?’ Londuo asked, as she tried to focus on it.

  James handed it to her.

  ‘It’s a bracelet. If you’re in any trouble, press the blue button and I’ll be there,’ he said.

  She held it up close to her face.

  ‘I’m afraid I can only see a black blur at the moment,’ she said, squinting to try and see it. ‘It must be very beautiful. Thank you, James.’

  Londuo twisted as she tried to place the bracelet on a table alongside the seatra.

  ‘Ah!’ she cried out in pain.

  She closed her eyes; then, laid back and took a deep breath.

  ‘Londuo, are you all right?’ James was worried. He looked quickly around for a nurse.

  Londuo placed her hand on his.

  ‘I’m fine. Really!’ she said, in some discomfort. ‘It only hurts when I try and move.’

  James still looked concerned.

  ‘James, I’m fine,’ she repeated. ‘Would you put the bracelet on that table for me, please?’ she said, pointing clumsily to her left.

  James placed it on a table next to her bed, where he noticed a red data cartridge. He picked it up.

  ‘What’s that?’ Londuo asked.

  ‘It’s a diary,’ he replied.

  ‘Oh, that must be mine,’ Londuo said. ‘I always try to have it with me. The last few days are going to make really interesting reading.’

  James looked at the data cartridge more closely. Along its edge he read, ‘PERSONAL DIARY LONDUO BESIC.’ One of the corners was missing, and there were melted circles, very similar to the red data cartridge Kalrea was trying to decipher.

  ‘This could be it! The diary from the future.’

  ‘What are you talking about, James?’ Londuo questioned.

  ‘It’s complicated,’ James replied. ‘Look, I need this diary.’

  ‘What do you mean, you need my diary? It’s very personal, James. I’m not going to just let you read it!’

  ‘You don’t understand. Kalrea needs the encryption keys from it.’

  ‘James, you’re not making any sense, and you’re definitely not reading my diary,’ she said with a forceful tone and serious looking face.

  ‘But I don’t want to read your diary. I just need the encryption keys from it.’

  Londuo shook her head in disbelief.

  ‘Do you want to change places? I think you need the seatra more than me.’

  James could see Londuo was getting more stressed and was concerned he could make her condition worse if he continued to insist, so decided to wait until she was better.

  ‘Never mind! We can talk about it again when you’ve recovered. How long before you’re up and about again?’

  ‘The doctor said I should be out of the seatra tomorrow, but it may be another two days before they discharge me.’

  ‘That’s great!’ James said.

  ‘They’ll move me to a hospital on Brinoli tomorrow, when we arrive home,’ Londuo commented.

  James was puzzled.

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘I’ve been in here a few times,’ she said cheerfully. ‘Actually, I have been here so many times that I think they reserve a seatra for me.’

  James smiled anxiously.

  ‘I’m not going to ask how many times.’

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ve lost count,’ she replied, with a large grin on her face. ‘Tell me, how did we get away from Dagnamk?’

  James went on to tell Londuo what happened, until suddenly a soft bell sounded in the ward. Visitors started to leave.

  ‘I assume that sound means visiting time’s over?’ James said.

  Londuo nodded.

  James felt her grip his hand tightly when he was about to get up.

  ‘Don’t go!’ Londuo said sadly.

  ‘I’ll see you in the morning… when you’ve been moved down to Brinoli.’

  But James sat down again.

  ‘I want you to stay with me,’ Londuo said.

  ‘I wish I could. You need to rest, Londuo.’

  He was suddenly aware of someone approaching.

  ‘Sorry, sir, but visiting time’s over. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave now,’ the nurse said.

  James rose from his chair. He felt sadness, tempered with a feeling of being lost as to what to do. He had to leave, but Londuo wanted him to stay.

  ‘I’ll see you in the morning, I promise,’ he said. ‘Love you.’

  Londuo raised her hand.

  ‘Love you too.’

  He waved back.

  As James walked down the corridor an announcement was made over the Lonori’s address system.

  “ALL PERSONNEL REPORT TO STATIONS. FINAL APPROACH TO BRINOLI.”

  The telementor on James’ wrist, flashed.

  Incoming communication from Milonri, Kalrea informed James.

  Put him through, James thought.r />
  ‘James,’ Milonri’s voice came from the telementor. ‘Are you alone?’

  James looked at other members of the crew walking by.

  ‘No, Milonri,’ James said. ‘Hold on one moment.’

  Switch to mute, please Kalrea, he thought. You can say what you want now, Milonri. No one can hear us.

  Good, Milonri’s voice said in James’ head. We’ve prepared a landing site for you. It’s a secret location away from the main base. The assault ship Kinfin will assist you. Captain Uloim will be in contact shortly.

  He paused.

  Are you planning to stay with your ship during the repairs?

  I’d rather be at the base. James thought. I wouldn’t be of much use to the engineers anyway. Kalrea will tell them what to do.

  I guessed as much. A transport will take you to the base. Quarters near the base convalescence ward have been prepared for you. I’ll get a map sent over, Milonri said.

  Thanks! James thought, pleasantly surprised.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Shuttles and transports rushed from the surface of Brinoli to meet the approaching ships.

  From the monitor onboard the Aurora, James watched the cranes within the Lonori’s docking bay swing around to grip the front and back of the Aurora. He felt the ship shuddered momentarily, and then he heard the distant drone of hydraulics, as the Aurora was manoeuvred out of the Lonori to where the assault ship Kinfin was waiting.

  ‘We’re been hailed by the Kinfin,’ Kalrea said over the Aurora’s address system.

  ‘Captain Brasdoi, it’s an honour to meet you. I’m Captain Uloim,’ her voice also sounded over the address system.

  ‘Captain,’ James replied, in acknowledgement.

  Kalrea quickly informed James of the status of the repairs to the ship, while he was making a fuss of Kira, who was curled up on the seat next to the console.

  ‘Captain Uloim, we have one drive operational at five percent power, but our thrusters are still malfunctioning. They’re not reliable,’ James said. ‘Can you assist us?’

  ‘We can use grapples to carry your ship,’ Captain Uloim replied. ‘We’ve already moved the Pulsora down to the surface, but the Kinfin didn’t have very much power in reserve. The Aurora looks less damaged and could weigh a great deal more,’ she said. ‘Please open your cargo bay doors, so we can secure the grapples.’