The Colony Ship Vanguard: The entire eight book series in one bundle

by John Thornton

  “That was…” Paul could not express how impressed he was by what he witnessed. “Was that a bird and wings?”

  “That flying animal caught a fish!” Gretchen exclaimed.

  “I keep forgetting how immature your experiences are, even though you are old enough to be my parents,” Brinley said causally. “Come on, you can come back and watch the eagles another time. Maybe we could even catch some salmon ourselves, I will show you how to do that and cook them.”

  “Which was the eagle and which the salmon? Do you eat both?” Paul asked.

  “Oh dear,” Brinley replied. “Right now we need to hike to a friend’s cabin. Kaye lives in the Canyon, and she is sympathetic to Free Rangers and our trading. I have not seen her in several years, I hope she is still around here. I need to find where Larissa is and Kaye will probably know. She also needs to be told what happened to the others, for there will be no traders coming in this habitat for a long while. She will be able to get the word out to the people here who depend on our services.”

  Brinley led them down and away from the rocky places. The walking was fairly easy, even though the ground was somewhat uneven and on a slope. As they got closer to the flow of water, they were able to follow that.

  “We will need to go upstream and then take one of the brooks which leads to the part of the Canyon where Kaye lives.” Brinley walked with purpose, while Paul and Gretchen were overcome repeatedly by the gorgeous sights around them. The rocky bluffs were even more irregular as they progressed upstream, some of the bluffs were not all rock, but were various kinds of hard packed soils and rocks mixed together. There were spaces between these promontories where trees were growing, or grasses were lining small narrow areas. There was a maze of those winding valleys, some with small flows of water, and some without. Occasionally, a creature of some kind darted away, or disappeared under a bush, or flapped its wings to fly away. None of them looked the same as the others, but to Paul and Gretchen’s unfamiliar eyes, they were all the same thing: wondrous.

  “Where does all the water go?” Gretchen asked as they crossed a small stream by stepping on rocks that were located a convenient distance apart, and seemed designed for just such a walk.

  “The river flows down from the highlands, where the forest is. That was where you were last time. Lake Orsk is up there and that is the source of the river’s water. Well, except for the rain or snow which comes on a regular schedule. The water flows down to collect in the Canyon. It leaves the habitat back by where we came in, and is recycled through the underground system and comes back up as a spring in Lake Orsk or is distributed by the rains and snows.”

  “Orsk?” Paul stroked his short bearded chin. “Was that where Constable Larissa had us prisoners?”

  “Yes. The town of Orsk is on the banks of Lake Orsk. The lake was frozen over when you were here. That is at the other end of the Wilds. The town of Miass is on the ridge of the Canyon, by the cataract. I am hoping Kaye will know where Larissa was last seen. I must confront her as soon as possible,” Brinley stated. Every time she mentioned Larissa a dark shadow crossed over her face and her normally cherry smile was replaced by a stern look of determination.

  Tiffany came on the private channel to only Paul and Gretchen, “Brinley’s agenda is not a rational one. I do not believe following her is in your best interests. This habitat offer a good place to make a domicile for yourselves.”

  “Brinley?” Gretchen asked. “We have come here with you to help you, but what can we do? What can Tiffany do?”

  “Like I said, we find Kaye. She tells us where we can find Larissa. I confront her. That is the plan. No need for the AI to do anything,” Brinley replied. “We will not talk about it anymore.”

  Paul and Gretchen were uncertain what to say to their friend. They each had doubts and reservations about the coming action, but no real alternative.

  “This is the gulley we need,” Brinley led them up a narrow passage which did not look much different from any of the myriad of other places to walk between the bluffs. This one was a bit wider than most, and the stream of water was a little larger. Nowhere near as large as what Brinley called the river. “The head of this gulley leads up to a highlands trial. Kaye’s home is not quite that far away.”

  “How far up is the highlands?” Gretchen asked.

  “In elevation, from the deepest part of the Canyon, maybe three hundred meters to the highland. To journey to the highlands, well, it depends on what route you take through the Canyon. Most of the highland is fairly flat compared to the Canyon. I see Kaye’s place up ahead.” Brinley pointed to a small structure which looked to be covered in some kind of vegetation. It was square with a door and two windows.

  As they approached, they saw the ropy vines which enclosed the house. Underneath the vines was permalloy, but it was only noticeable up close. A well tended garden, encircled the house.

  “Kaye?” Brinley called. “Kaye? Are you here?”

  “Roll up your sleeves?” a woman’s voice came from a hidden spot. “I can see all three of you, and have you in my sights.”

  “Kaye, this is Brinley. I have come to see if you want to do some trading.”

  “I knew a Brinley some time back. You may be her. The other two, I know not. Roll up your sleeves. If I have to say it again, there will only be two of you to do so,” the woman replied.

  Paul rolled up his sleeves and lifted his hands. “I have nothing to hide. Take a look!”

  Gretchen followed as did Brinley.

  All three were standing there with the hands in the air, and their forearms exposed. No tattoos on any of them.

  “Kaye? Do you believe me now?” Brinley yelled toward where she though the woman was hiding.

  The door to the house opened, and the woman stepped out. “Yes, I believe you. Mostly because I remember a skinny girl coming here with Tennard. You look like you have grown up.”

  “Yes, I have grown,” Brinley replied with a warm smile.

  The woman’s face broke into a smile as well. She was on the short side with a wide stance and long gray hair. Her ruddy complexion and rounded nose suited her, and she had a dignified manner.

  “How? What? You in the house?” Paul asked in real surprise. “I heard your voice outside here. How?”

  “Ask me no secrets and I tell you no lies,” Kaye responded. “Brinley, you come to trade, but I see something else. I can see on your face, it is not commodities you are offering or seeking. These are not good times for the Free Rangers.”

  “So you know of the massacre?” Brinley stated, with only a hint of a question.

  “I have heard rumors of automacubes going out of the Wilds. I have heard rumors of trade being cut off. I have heard rumors of people disappearing in the night. But what massacre?” Kaye looked troubled. “Come inside. One never knows who all is watching, even out here in the Canyon.”

  They entered Kaye’s house. It was cozy and comfortable, for a single person, but was crowded for four. There were two rooms, the front had a table and chairs, a cooking area with sink, and a bed in the corner. Powered illumination was present as well as an oven, refrigeration unit, and several monitor displays. A toileting and bathing room was at the rear of the house.

  “Which AI are you conversing with?” Kaye asked as she turned to Paul. “Do not deny it, I recognized the signals when you were some distance from here.”

  “Tiffany is the artificial intelligence,” Paul stammered in surprise.

  “How did you recognize the signals?” Gretchen asked.

  “Ask me no secrets and I tell you no lies,” Kaye stated with a grin.

  “Tiffany? How were our communications detected?” Paul asked.

  There was no response.

  “You will not be able to converse with the AI in here. Your Tiffany can chat with her other companion.” Kaye said as she turned to Brinley. “Now why are you here? What is really going on?” She sat in one of the chairs, but did not invite the others to sit.

&nbs
p; “Other companion?” Gretchen wondered aloud.

  Kaye did not reply, but instead nodded to Brinley.

  Brinley began speaking and reviewed all that she knew of the massacre at the safe zone, and of Tennard’s and Sigmond’s escape. She did not relate any of the history of Gretchen or Paul.

  Kaye pondered what was said for a few moments. Her eyes were half lidded as she considered and thought. “It is a distressing story. But you have left out personal information. Brinley, I see you were once a Roe. You are not now. I know of no other who has had that experience. What was being a Roe like?”

  Brinley looked at Kaye and saw there was no malice, or doubt, or condemnation in her look. “I was healed. These two know how. I do not remember being a Roe.”

  Kaye studied the three of them. Then she said, “You speak truth, although I do not understand how it can be. Such power will change everything.” Kaye gazed over Paul and Gretchen and then turned back to Brinley. “What do you recall from being a Roe?’

  “As I said, I do not recall anything,” Brinley said. She was very uncomfortable with the question.

  “Oh but you will recall, in time,” Kaye replied. “Your dreams will tell you what it was like to be alive and dead at the same time. You will remember and you will know, but again I ask, why are you here?”

  “I want to know where Larissa is so I can confront her,” Brinley stated.

  “And these two, what of them? And what about their weirdly named AI, Tiffany. Why are they here?” Kaye asked. “They are not Free Rangers, nor are they from the Wilds. I might think they were from another habitat, but their arms bear no marks at all. There is something more to them. They are too foreign. Too different. Different technology. And the power to cure the Outbreak. Are they re-animates?”

  “Re-animates?” Brinley asked. “No. Besides, the Roe got all the sleepers ages ago.”

  “Indeed, that was the CPO’s official story, but I know it is not true,” Kaye replied. “There are still those on this voyage in torpor, who sleep safe and sound. Like the bear who hibernates, those people slumber away. You just need to know where to look.”

  Brinley looked a bit startled, but then resumed her own agenda, “They came to help me. I need to confront Larissa.”

  “Do you seek to kill her, or do you seek justice?” Kaye asked. “They may not be the same.”

  Brinley opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Kaye continued.

  “I know Constable Larissa was busy with a project. I also know she kept most of the details of that project away from Governor Muravyev. Our good governor has eyes and ears in various places and was not pleased about her project. Especially its secrecy. He summoned her to Miass. If my information is correct, and it usually is, Constable Larissa arrived two days ago and is currently still in Miass. How long she remains there is uncertain. The townsfolk are not happy. They feel the stress between our Governor and Constable. Governor Muravyev needs Constable Larissa to maintain order and keep the quarantine, but he also has is pride. He enjoys the worship of those in Miass. I am honestly not sure which drives him more in this matter. Constable Larissa is one of the few people I truly fear. She has no boundaries, and an ambition which is boundless as well.” Kaye snorted and then laughed a bit. “That is the help I can offer to you.”

  “So we go now to Miass. What is the best route to take?” Brinley asked.

  “Your best route would be to retreat and retrace your entrance here,” Kaye stated flatly. “To progress onward is a fool’s errand.”

  “Then call me a fool,” Brinley barked back. “I am going.”

  “You are a fool: a brave fool, a noble fool, perhaps even a just fool, but a fool you remain,” Kaye replied. “Nonetheless, you make take the poitevin, if they will let you. They know the way to Miass better than most people, and you can turn them loose there and they will wander back to me.”

  Brinley looked mollified, and replied, “Thank you.”

  Kaye stood and shook her head, “You best thank me now, for I doubt I will see you again. Follow me.”

  Kaye led them out the door and around the house. Beyond the garden, there was another gully which cut across behind a hillock of red, brown, and tan rocks.

  “Poi, poi, poi!” Kaye called.

  From around a bend in the gulley some animals came happily trotting in answer to her call. They were the same kind of four legged animals which Paul and Gretchen had seen harnessed to the sled when the habitat had been frozen. The half dozen or so animals circled around the people. They had long shaggy brown fur, very long and upright, tapered ears, and inquisitive eyes peering out from under the long strands of fur. Several of these had a tan colored patch of fur around their mouths at the end of their long faces. One had a buff colored patch of fur around its left eye. That one was first to reach Kaye and rubbed its head against her. She patted it between its ears and stroked down its face. The animal rubbed its head against her again and let out an expression of air which made its lips tremble with an odd sound.

  “Yes, you like old Kaye, I know you do,” she told the donkey. “Will you take these three fools to Miass?”

  The animals looked over at Brinley, Paul, and Gretchen, then back to Kaye. The one with the buff colored patch around the eye walked over to Gretchen and stood next to her. The top of its head was a bit shorter than Gretchen Another animal walked over toward Brinley and stood next to her. A third looked long and hard at Paul and then walked over and stood next to him. The other animals kicked up their heels and galloped away.

  “I guess fools will have guides as well. I would not have taken you, but I bow to the wisdom of nature and her creatures,” Kaye turned to depart.

  “How do we go with these beasts?” Paul asked.

  The poitevin next to him stomped its foot, and narrowly missed Paul’s own foot. He jumped back. The animal looked at him and seemed to have a sense of frolic in its eyes.

  “Ask, Brinley, or that strange AI of yours. I release Tiffany to speak to you now,” Kaye waved her hand and walked away.

  Tiffany’s voice came on over the area audio of the communication links. “Paul and Gretchen? I lost contact with you. Are you safe? I cannot assess the cause of the communication interruption.”

  “Yes, Tiffany, we are safe,” Gretchen replied. “I am not sure why we could not contact you either.”

  The poitevin next to Paul stomped its hairy black foot again, and made Paul jump. “Stop that!” He cried as he dodged the hoof.

  Brinley grabbed onto the base of the poitevin’s neck and skillfully swung her leg up and over the donkey’s back. She was seated on the animal. “I have not ridden for a while, but they will take us to Miass. Jump on.”

  The poitevin next to Paul shook its head up and down. Paul looked worried and a bit fearful.

  Gretchen grabbed onto the long hair of the donkey near her and it quickly pulled away.

  “Do not pull the mane!” Brinley corrected. “Just swing up and on. You can loosely hold onto the hair after you are on.”

  “Thanks for telling me now,” Gretchen said and reached out to mount the animal.

  Paul just took a leap and landed on his donkey’s back. The animal turned its head around and nipped a bit at his leg, but did not buck or shake.

  “They bite?” Paul asked.

  Tiffany the said, “This activity is highly suspect. I advise not pursuing this course of action.”

  “I am going to confront Larissa,” Brinley said and tapped the donkey’s sides with her heels. The animal started to walk away and up the gulley. Brinley rode easily.

  Without any coaxing the poitevin Paul had mounted followed after Brinley rapidly. “It appears we are going with Brinley!” The animal’s motions were more bouncy than Paul expected, but he squeezed with his legs and held on. He wished for inertia inhibitors, but did his best to adjust to the cadence of the animal he was riding.

  Finally Gretchen was also able to get on her animal, her legs dangling down on the side of it. T
hat animal brayed once, and then it too followed the others.

  12 Into the palace

  Miass was a town perched on the edge of the Canyon. The roughly one hundred buildings, with one exception, were uniformly consistent in size and shape and made from gray colored permalloy. However, the largest building was made from a different material and towered over the other structures. It gleamed in a pinkish red color that the sky tube’s illumination made look even more rosy. That building was the home of Governor Muravyev and was the headquarters for E Habitat’s government.