Shen Ark: Departure

by John Hindmarsh

  The shuttle slowed to almost a dead stop. “We can hover here for hours, if needed, undetected. Our altitude is five thousand feet.” She tilted the nose down to give a view of the target. “It looks as though they moved some vehicles; there are lots of empty spaces. I can see ten fighters on the strip—see?” She pointed, and Freddie nodded.

  “Yes, just outside their hangar,” he confirmed. “They’re showing as hot on the screen, so they’re probably ready to take off.”

  “Well, our instructions are to make this an object lesson,” commented Ser Glen. “I’ll fly across the airstrip at speed—our slipstream should destroy most of them. I’ll accelerate to Mach 10 and overfly their aircraft at an altitude of twenty feet. The manoeuvre might give the pilots an opportunity to escape. I’m more interested in wrecking their facilities than in killing pilots. Let’s go.”

  She punched in her manoeuvre details and the shuttle dropped. Freddie grabbed onto his armrests with a death-like grip as the shuttle accelerated almost straight down. The pilot and navigator were both relaxed. The manoeuvre was a display of sheer brute force. The shuttle reached its programmed altitude and flew across the runway and along the row of fighter jets. Freddie noted the airspeed indicator was just on Mach ten. He watched the video screens displaying views astern and observed the complete destruction of the fighters. Aircraft tumbled and flipped, breaking wings and tail planes. Smoke and flames poured from the wrecks. After the shuttle had covered a mile, Ser Glen pulled it up into a vertical climb, all the while maintaining a constant speed. She then turned the craft and headed back to hover above the Special Forces base.

  “There you are,” Ser Glen commented, pointing at the aircraft now on fire. “Weaponless destruction. Now let’s finish up quickly and get out of here. Ser Rom, I’ll hold here at ten thousand feet. I suggest a B31 on the area there.” She marked the target screen as she commented to Freddie. “A B31’s a bunker buster. Our intelligence tells us this is the location of their munitions dump. We’ll also take out their missile batteries—they have five, see—and their radar unit. We’ll use standard A22s on those. Engineer, keep watching the monitors. You’ll see better, the displays cut through the smoke.”

  Ser Rom took only seconds to enter the attack details into her targeting system. The pilot again put the shuttle into a nose down position and then both the pilot and navigator sat back and watched. Freddie thought he saw the trails of the smaller missiles and certainly saw the exploding missile batteries.

  “Has the—er—B31, the bunker buster—hit yet?”

  “Oh yes,” replied Ser Rom. “It burrows in first. It should be just about—there, see?”

  It seemed to Freddie the entire depot, buildings and all, lifted up into the sky, accompanied by vehicles and other debris. This was followed by clouds of smoke, deep black and tinged red, deep red, as explosions ripped through munitions and fuel and flames took hold.

  “Anything left?” asked the pilot.

  “I think that’s all we can do. Let’s go home,” said Ser Rom.

  It was a sobering experience for Freddie. “I can see why Shen technology shouldn’t be sold to our nations,” he commented to Ser Glen. “Without any effort, you just wiped out a military base. The Eastern Bloc had no real defence, couldn’t see us, and couldn’t detect us; and even if they could, they had no weapons to stop us.”

  Ser Glen nodded. “We tried to tell them, years ago—sixty years ago—that they should leave us alone. We wanted only to take refuge here, to retire, if you like. For years it’s been almost peaceful. Now, when we’re considering the sale of our technology to Rats, who’ll take it away from Earth, the Eastern Bloc, perhaps some English, perhaps others—want to steal what is ours, to take it by force.”

  “Today, you have indicated that the Shen can follow up their words with force. You need to be even more alert, I think, because the Eastern Bloc will want to hit back,” mused Freddie.

  “We thought about that. However, we decided that if we sat and did nothing, they still would attack us. I think you have a saying—damned if you do and damned if you don’t?”

  “Yes. I agree. Will the Shen escalate their reactions if they do hit back?”

  “I think we’ll invite Eastern Bloc leaders to witness a demonstration of such power which will result in them hoping we’re never angered again. We can use weapons on Shen Ark to chip at the moon, perhaps. Or drop a lance—simply a directed steel shaft—from orbit, the impact of which would destroy most of the vital portions of Eastern Bloc infrastructure. I’m sure Ser Glide will consult with you and Sam 32nd first, before we take any further action.”

  ~~~

  Freddie’s immediate task when he returned was to prepare a report for Sam 32nd, detailing recent events and his evaluation of the shuttle and its weapons. In a way this was a side issue, because he was more interested in the starship and its technology and construction, although the shuttle demonstration was a good start. He finished his report and handed it to Violet 50 for transmission to London.

  Freddie later joined Ser Glide and other Shen in the meeting room. “Ser Glide, this has been an eventful introduction to Shen technology.”

  “Indeed. One conclusion of ours is that we need to accelerate our planning. You must learn our Shen language. We design and build very efficient implants for language translation and for communication. This is standard, well-proven Shen technology. A language implant will make your task so much easier. It requires simple surgery—local, no major pain.”

  “It would work for humans?” asked Freddie.

  “We believe so. We’ve no evidence, of course, we haven’t had an opportunity until now, to use one of our language chips on a human. Our implant designer and programmer—Ser Akad—believes he can re-program the chip for you. Well, he has already written the new program. I think he wants to prove his work. He has been studying human brain research for more than twenty years and is quite excited at this opportunity. Then we’ll need to do the same for Rats.”

  “What are the risks for me? For humans?”

  “Very little. The implant’s sterile. It is powered by body warmth and has an indefinite life. It can be removed as easily as it can be inserted. It influences lexical semantic processes in the brain—that is, it helps your brain to match concepts and meanings. You still need to work, to apply yourself to build up your base of Shen language fundamentals. However, the implant and its program will result in faster, more comprehensive language abilities. Also, if you wanted to learn other human languages, or in future, alien languages other than Shen—all will be supported.”

  “This will be absolutely safe? Shen guaranteed?”

  “Yes, indeed. Engineer, Shen would not promote a process which would endanger you. The program either will or will not work. We can remove the implant at your request.”

  “Very well. Let’s do this as soon as you can arrange it, because I agree, it’ll make my life easier if I can accelerate learning Shen.”

  “Good. I’ll arrange your implant surgery for this evening, before you retire. Ser Akad will be pleased. Then, tomorrow, you can start language training with Ser Dene. I think Ser Jan has scheduled him for six hours each day for a total of one week, of intensive Shen language training. She assumed you would agree to the implant. Also, Ser Nish and his team will spend one hour a day with you, to help you with Shen engineering and technology terms. Hopefully, as you increase your knowledge, you’ll begin to speak Shen with our technical team. You can use your spare time to study, or as you wish. For example, we can arrange additional language training, perhaps conversational Shen.”

  “By the end of the week I should be able to recommend whether the human members of my team will also have the implant when they arrive next week. What about Rats?” asked Freddie.

  “Ser Akad is positive it will work for Rats as well, with minor program modifications. He thinks Rat brain structures have been changing, as part of their evolutionary changes, and confirmed his impressions with Dr. Kr
owe, the leading human expert on Rat evolution. The doctor’s latest research results indicate increasing similarities between Rat and human brain structures. He’s been very absorbed in exploring the how and why of these changes. We’re all very intrigued by his research.”

  “I’d like the Rats to participate in the implant program. I’m sure I’ll find Rat volunteers.”

  “Engineer, I’ll volunteer now,” offered Violet 50. “If it works, it will help us over the next few years as we work with Shen and Shen technology.”

  “And I, also,” offered Aspic 5. “As your communications team, it will be critical for both of us to accelerate our learning. Able 3 and Zen 33 will also volunteer, I am sure. We all want to be the first Rats who can speak Shen.”

  Ser Glide said, “Ser Akad will be pleased. He’s been almost over-excited at the possibilities.”

  ***

  Chapter 19

  After treating a region on the back of Freddie’s lower skull with a local anaesthetic, Ser Akad applied the implant injector. To Freddie’s relief, the operation was painless. The implant itself was very small and Ser Akad explained that once the implant was activated, it would extrude small organic fibres designed to link with his nervous system; the processes would complete in the first ten hours following the surgery. Freddie hoped the entire process was as harmless as the Shen experts indicated. Ser Akad had activated the implant and seemed pleased with the results.

  He explained, “At last I’m able to work on a new program, one for humans. I’ve studied the human brain for years. Thank you for agreeing to a full scan. While it wasn’t necessary for the implant process, your scan will form part of my records, part of my research. And to have an opportunity to program for Rats as well—I’ll take their scans tomorrow, and in the evening I’ll insert their implants. Thank you, Engineer.” He bowed as Freddie left the small surgery.

  Ser Glide, Ser Jan and Freddie’s small Rat team were waiting in the reception area outside the surgery.

  “Successful?” queried Zen 33.

  ‘Painless,” confirmed Freddie. “Your turn tomorrow evening.”

  “Thank you, Engineer,” murmured the Rat. “How can I guard you against yourself?”

  “You cannot. Just trust me.”

  “It appears I must. At least, if you have any adverse reactions, we can defer our implants. Sam 32nd will kill me if you do have any bad results, though.”

  “That is why I didn’t tell him beforehand. As Ser Glide and Ser Jan mentioned, we have a lot of work in front of us. Anything we can do to reduce the time and effort is worthwhile.”

  “Yes, I agree. Although I’ll be interested in hearing how you feel tomorrow.”

  Freddie did not mention he had more than a passing interest in the same information. The surgical insertion had been painless, Ser Akad had been very careful, and Freddie had felt nothing when the implant program was activated. He was therefore hopeful there would be no discernible negative reactions.

  He had a very relaxing night’s sleep, waking refreshed and ready to start his day’s activities. He showered and, as he was drying his hair, flinched as he belatedly remembered the implant. He rubbed the back of his head. He could feel the very small bump of the implant and nothing else; there was no pain from the incision and no obvious impact from the implant itself. He hurried to meet up with his team for breakfast.

  The four Rats looked at Freddie inquiringly as he sat at the table.

  “What?” he demanded.

  “Do you have any pain?”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “Do you notice anything different?”

  “Should we do it?”

  Freddie managed to sort out the almost simultaneous jumble of questions. “No. No. No. Yes.” His team laughed and Freddie continued. “Seriously, I experienced no aftereffects, no pain, no nothing. So, at this stage: yes, you also should be an implant victim.”

  “Thanks, Engineer,” said Violet 50. “I did volunteer, so it’s good to know there are no apparent aftereffects. Although we don’t know what it is doing to your brain.”

  There followed some good-mannered teasing back and forth on topics such as who did or did not have a brain, their ability to feel pain and similar points of light discussion.

  As Freddie finished his breakfast, he prompted his team. “Now let’s get ready for our first language lesson. Yes, you all need to attend, you’ll get your implants tonight, and it won’t make much difference this early in the programme if you spend a day learning, without the implant, according to Ser Dene.”

  By the end of the week, Freddie and his team were all exhausted. They were becoming more and more proficient with their use of Shen spoken language, and were reading Shen script at a capable level. Ser Dene claimed they needed to understand only seven hundred Shen words and basic grammar to be able to share a general Shen discussion. Of course, a technical discussion required them to understand a far larger number of more complex technical terms, and they were adding those words and concepts each day. The team had spent every spare moment working through basic Shen vocabulary and related grammar, and already were able to hold meaningful conversations with interested Shen.

  Freddie was elated. “I think we’re making excellent progress, and it seems almost too easy, sometimes, to translate between English and Shen.”

  Ser Dene said, “Yes, your progress is very good—exceptional, I would say. All of you. We don’t expect you to become as eloquent as native speakers, of course. However, you’ll soon be able to understand even complex Shen discussions—and of course, participate fluently. As you absorb Shen language concepts, the implant is working with your semantic processes, accelerating their ability to match concepts in one language with concepts in the other. And this will progress rapidly because you’re building a common lexicon which then is readily available to your speech centre. Ser Akad’s very pleased to see this working so effectively.”

  “Violet 50, can you add details in the daily report to Sam 32nd?” requested Freddie. “He’ll be annoyed, I suppose. But at least he wasn’t worried about the implants.”

  “Um—we included details each day,” confessed Able 3. “His Highness said it’s my duty, as your guard, to report everything. And he was most concerned when he first received details. And relaxed when it was obvious there were no ill effects. Now he wants all humans and Rats on the Star team to get implants and language training as soon as possible. Sorry, boss, it was a direct order.”

  “I understand. I’m glad he didn’t tear strips off me.”

  “It was close.”

  Freddie’s additional team members arrived on schedule the following Monday, ready to undergo the implant operation and commence Shen language training. They had been briefed before departing England and knew the implants were necessary and very effective. While his new team members were studying Shen language, Freddie joined with Ser Glide and Ser Nish to commence his review of Shen inventory and the related technical glossary. At first the technical Shen words and terms confused him; then, like a door slowly opening, concepts, structures and technical purposes clarified in his mind.

  “Sers, this is far more”—he tapped the monitor in front of him—“than His Highness was expecting. Shen Ark is a complete habitat, and your equipment inventory’s very extensive. The technology’s far beyond what humans have even thought about. I’m not sure Sam 32nd has budgeted for such an inventory.”

  “Habitat? Yes, we consider it so, which is why we named it Shen Ark. Actually it is Shen Ark 5; we built a total of ten, just as large. It is a habitat, as you identified. Necessarily so, because crew and passengers—inhabitants, if you like—must survive for years, decades or more, depending on the voyage. We didn’t produce our starships for individuals, they were for our race, for our species. The cost? For you, for Rats, we have a special price.” Ser Glide smiled.

  Ser Nish spoke up, “Engineer, your challenge—your personal challenge—is to take the bubble warp drive concepts you postulated in
your thesis and make them real. If you can build and install your drives on Shen Ark, it will transit space many times faster than the speed of light, while currently it has a maximum speed just under that—about 0.95c. Very slow for star travel.”

  “Shen are all very envious. Some of our people wish to travel with you; they want to help build your drive and experience such speeds. Only the younger ones, though. The older Shen are happy here, they don’t want to travel anymore,” Ser Glide added.

  “Ser Glide, Shen will be welcome to journey with us.” Freddie did not realize he had reached a decision, he was subconsciously already including himself in the intended voyage of Shen Ark. “And I’ve already started to think through the issues we’ll encounter when we start to build the bubble warp drive.”

  “Good, good. We’ve lots of equipment to help you. There are ten very large fusion power generators, they can produce two gigawatt each. That’s not counting the power systems used for the sub-light drives. In addition, we have fifty industrial-pattern-based replicators and numerous 3D printers, which can produce anything from a watch component to a fifty ton beam, as long as you have raw material. Also, we’ve lots of raw material on board Shen Ark. There are twenty or more bulk organic replicators which produce food if needed, although replicator coffee tastes awful; we’ve tried many times to match earth coffee, but without success. Far more difficult than building bubble warp drives. Thousands, possibly tens of thousands of smaller, domestic size organic replicators. We’ve never tried to count them. Many, many, other items.”

  The small group buried themselves in technical details, surfacing only for meals or for the occasional Shen coffee—which Freddie agreed was not the same as earth coffee. By the end of the second week, Freddie was beginning to understand the sheer immensity of the starship and the range and volume of its contents. Understanding Shen technology was an entirely separate matter—he had more work to do.

  By the end of the week he was ready to brief the new team members who had completed their week of language training. He assembled his complete team of six Rats and two humans on Saturday morning after breakfast. He now had two guards, two communications experts, two contract legal specialists, and two aerospace engineers to help him with initial Shen discussions. His people, he thought with a small glow of pride, were a key component of the Star Team. If they did not reach an agreement on the contract and the technical details, the Star Team would be in limbo.