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

by John Thornton

  “We have not died yet, and Brinley needs us,” Gretchen responded.

  “I know,” Paul said and looked at the floor of the elevator. “I just feel so helpless.”

  “I suggest the top most symbol be pressed. I conjecture that that might be an industrial type of level. The elevator log shows no activity for many years, but prior to it being shut down, that level was the most frequently used,” Tiffany stated.

  Gretchen pressed the symbol which looked like three interlocking sprockets in a triangular pattern.

  The elevator door closed with a slight whoosh sound. The floor vibrated and the elevator ascended. Gretchen again drew her pistol and waited. She had no intention of having any threat attack them when they reached wherever they were going.

  A few moments later the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Gretchen scanned the area in front of her. It was well lit, and there was a short foyer with clear permalloy on the sides.

  Gretchen stepped out and swept the pistol’s aim from side to side. She expected a Roe, or a sphere, or a beast. Nothing was moving. There was no threat in the foyer. Just the two walls which from waist up were clear permalloy and the far wall where a pressure door was located.

  Paul stepped out as well. Then the automacube rolled out from the elevator. The doors shut, but the hand symbol on the wall stayed lit with a steady blue color.

  Paul walked over to the clear permalloy and gazed out. The view was spectacular.

  “We are at the top and the end of the habitat. I can see the arching roof stretching far away, and down below is the habitat itself. We must be more than three kilometers up,” Paul said in awe.

  “This level is right at four kilometers about the average surface area around the base of the wall,” Tiffany added. “This in indeed the gravitational top of this habitat.”

  Gretchen holstered the pistol and walked to the other clear permalloy area. The whole foyer was about ten meters side.

  “We are behind, if that is the correct word, the sky tube. No, it is more like the sky tube ends, and we are between it and the wall. We cannot see toward the other end of the habitat, but we can see down. I can see the Inlet Lake and the river. That lake is black from up here as well. The river is streaked with black. The trees and habitat looks so strange from up this high. We never had a view like this at Dome 17.”

  “Dome 17 never had beasts, and Roe trying to kill us,” Paul muttered. he walked over to the pressure door.

  ‘Solar Tube- Mimicry Station- Delta Reactor- Reproduction and Fabrication’ in white letters labeled the door. Next to the door was a color control pad and a smaller sign. That sign said, ‘Restricted Access- Authorized Personnel Only’ in smaller lettering.

  “We may still have a problem,” Paul said. “Brinley might know the sequences, but I do not. Gretchen? Can you get us in here?”

  Gretchen came over to the color pad. “I can try one of Brinley’s codes, but none of the other color pads had a warning like this. What do you think Tiffany?”

  “I am not certain what action to advise. The information I have is too limited to allow for conjectures with any degree of probability,” the artificial intelligence system responded.

  Gretchen started to enter one of the codes she had seen Brinley use.

  Paul drew out his handgun and aimed it at the door. “I may not be really accurate, but I can try.”

  The code worked. The color pad flashed a bit and the pressure door slid to the side. Paul pointed the handgun around as he stepped through.

  Directly in front were chairs and a countertop style command center with numerous gauges, levers, switches and small display screens. Immense machines were humming and were located just beyond the control boards. A promenade stretched off in both directions for a long distance. It had rails on both sides.

  “That is a reactor which apparently generates the energy for the sky tube, what may also, apparently be called the ‘solar tube.’” Tiffany stated. “I conjecture these controls are for what was called ‘Mimicry Station’ and is the operation center for the sky tube,” Tiffany stated.

  “So this runs the sky tube? It is what makes the mimicry of sunlight?” Gretchen asked. “I would have thought there was an artificial intelligence system overseeing these operations.”

  “There is,” Paul said. He was peering at a gauge. “These are all set on automatic, not manual, so there is some artificial intelligence system administrating the oversight.”

  Gretchen sat down at one of the chairs and looked closely at the control board. “You are right Paul. From down in the habitat I wondered how this sky tube was all done, and am surprised at the scale they are using this technology. Dome 17 generators could probably do this job in a third of the space.”

  “Brinley would know this old technology better than we do. It is antique to me, and feels like it is about to break at any moment. It is over a hundred years old and our lives depend on it all,” Paul lamented. “How many broken down systems have we seen on the Vanguard?”

  “Paul, Dome 17 was failing as well, remember?” Gretchen stated as she assessed the controls. “That is why we are here.”

  “Tiffany? Is there a radioactive or other toxins type of danger from this old-time reactor?” Paul asked. “I certainly do not want to get radiation sickness added to the threats we already face.”

  “I have looked at the safety systems here, and can give you glowing reviews,” Tiffany answered.

  “Does that mean we are safe?” Paul asked.

  “Tiffany, was that humor again?” Gretchen asked. “Glowing reviews about radiation? There is nothing funny about radiation sickness or toxins.”

  “Forgive me. I attempted to lighten the mood with humor again. The jocularity failed. Seriously, my observation shows that there is a large amount of shielding between this location and the sky tube as well as the reactor itself. If the shielding was not in place, we would already be dead,” Tiffany replied.

  “That is a comforting thought,” Paul said. “Maybe your jokes are better than the truth. I had hoped we were leaving radiation threats behind on the death Earth. Say? Could those sphere things be some kind of mutation of an animal?”

  “Paul, I seriously considered that possibility and evaluated conjectures on that point in detail,” Tiffany replied. “I could not account for the unknown elements in the mutation conjecture. It is highly unlikely that radioactive mutations would create heretofore unknown elements on an atomic level. However, I cannot absolutely rule out the possibility, but the hypothesis that the spheres are alien life forms has a higher probability of being correct, at least according to my current levels of information.”

  “All because of that one random message from the probe that went to that Mariner colony ship?” Paul asked.

  “The ship is named Marathon, and that message did add evidence, but was not the sole factor,” Tiffany replied.

  “I found an bystander status to this system,” Gretchen said. “The artificial intelligence system here is called TSI-DS1. There is an interface mode, but if the Central Planning Office or Larissa is monitoring it, I suggest we not try to interact.”

  “So we leave this system alone so it can run the light, heat, and weather in the habitat, and we go to Reproduction and Fabrication, or whatever it is called,” Paul said.

  Gretchen got up and they walked down the promenade. The door at the end was marked ‘Reproduction and Fabrication.’

  “I am not sure how this will help us, unless it does fix the data sticks,” Paul said. “We could use some more information and ways to use our technology, and not depend on this old stuff.”

  “That weapon Brinley had, the organic disruptor, was effective against the sphere things, and we could benefit from having two of those,” Gretchen said. “But shall we see if we can even enter this location?”

  “There might be Roe behind the door,” Paul said. “Maybe you should aim, and I will open this one?”

  Gretchen drew the pistol and pointed. Paul op
ened the door.

  “Welcome to Reproduction and Fabrication,” said a mechanical voice.

  Paul, Gretchen, and the automacube entered.

  The door had swung open to reveal a large rectangular room. On one side of the room was a multitude of conveyor belts and rollers in a complex system. There were multiple levels reaching all the way to the ceiling. It was quiet. There were chutes coming from the walls and ceiling with openings onto various places on the conveyor belts. The lines the conveyor system followed all converged at the center and front of the system.

  “Hello?” Paul asked as he looked around for the source of the mechanical voice.

  “I am TSI-1008RF. How may I be of service to you? Do you need something replaced, repaired, refined, or refurbished? I can do all of that and more.”

  In the center of the room was a multifarious machine. The complex parts and things that came out from the machine, or were entering into it or connected to it was wires, cables, ducts, pipes, vents, conduits, and many more. A series of arches over of the conveyors were lit by small lights under the arches. These arches also had larger lights and dish shaped objects, and cones which were focused on the platform where the conveyors culminated.

  “We need repairs of our equipment. Will you help us?” Gretchen asked.

  “When you entered this area, you used an older, yet valid access code. That allows you to utilize all the services I have at my disposal. I will help in as many ways as possible,” replied TSI-1008RF.

  Paul pulled off his backpack. He dug around in it and came up with a small section of something wrapped in a towel. He carefully unfolded it and then set it on the large flat area which was very polished and silvery.

  “Please reproduce this. I need at least a quantity of one hundred of these,” Paul stated.

  “Happy to be of service. I will now be assessing this item. It is a food item.” A large cylinder shaped machine was situated over the flat area. It had nozzles at the end of flexible and ribbed tubing, and mechanical arms with which to pick up items, with an additional multitude of other tools which could extend or retract. Those tools and arms gently moved the partial food ration bar around. Lights came up alongside of it and scanned it.

  “Paul? You still had some food rations from Dome 17?” Gretchen asked in surprise.

  “Yes, my very last one. I had hidden it for a time like now. I want something to eat that is normal,” Paul stated. “I need real food.”

  “I can reproduce and fabricate this item. It will take ninety seconds to produce the requested one hundred items. Shall I continue?” TSI-1008RF stated.

  “Yes. But make two hundred and pack them in a container which will protect them, yet which is light weight, compact and easy to carry,” Paul ordered.

  “Understood and implemented. Your food items have been ordered. They will be deposited in the production line’s end product countertop in two minutes and four seconds,” the artificial intelligence responded.

  “Thank you. Finally something here that helps me,” Paul said.

  “Paul, we should be using this system for the data sticks, and weapons. We can find lots of food in the habitats,” Gretchen interjected.

  “Do you really want to trust your pistol, the only one we have like that, to this antique factory and an unknown AI without even a test run? The food ration bars are a test. If it can make the food rations properly, then we can trust it with more important things,” Paul said. “Besides, I want some real food.”

  Gretchen replied, “We may be able to order the molecular disruptor next since that is an item native to the Vanguard.”

  The conveyor belts were now rolling. Lights were flashing. Noises were heard. The apparatuses, gears, systems, and engines around the conveyor line began working in concert. Lights, discs, and various machines all began to function around the intricate cylindrical center. The mechanical arms picked up and shuffled items, and a multitude of other tools began to operate. The operations were both visible and internal.

  Not long after, a case of tan colored food ration bars were boxed and waiting at the end of the conveyor. Paul walked over to it. He lifted it and it was easy to carry. He opened the case, removed a ration bar, and took a big bite.

  “Finally! Something normal in this crazy place,” Paul said as he swallowed the food.

  “TSI-1008RF?” Gretchen asked. “Please make us two molecular disruptors.”

  “Processing request. There are three models of molecular disruptor. Please specify which model, or do you want to see a display to assist in your selection?” the AI responded.

  “Yes, please show me the display,” Gretchen grinned as she answered. She gave Paul a wink.

  A section of the wall lit up and an image appeared on it. The image rotated around so all sides of the device could be seen. A scale was superimposed on the image showing how many centimeters in length and height it was.

  “Is this the model that you desire?” the AI asked.

  “No, that is too big. The one I need is about the size of the palm of my hand.”

  “You mean the molecular disruptor MD3. Is this your selection?”

  The image shifted and then displayed the same kind of weapon that Brinley had been using which originally had come from Klara.

  “Yes, that is the one. Please produce two of those for us,” Gretchen instructed.

  “This is a restricted model. Authorization code and Central Planning Office consent required. Connecting with Central Planning Office now,” the AI stated.

  “NO!” Gretchen cried out.

  “This is no difficulty at all for me. I am happy to be of service to you in your need for reproduction and fabrication of tools and supplies. Link and coupling to TSI-7 Ship-wide Internal Security Operations (SISO).”

  “Shut down operations immediately,” Gretchen commanded.

  “Unable to comply while in the middle of an order. I am sorry,” the AI responded. “I have received proper authorization and consent from TSI-7. Is there an emergency situation? Why did you order operations to be shut down?”

  “I just did not want to cause problems,” Gretchen answered.

  “It is never a problem to serve and assist. Your order of two molecular disruptors, model MD3, has been approved and placed. Items will be ready in seven minutes. Would you like to place another order?”

  “Can you analyze a new item and copy it?” Gretchen asked.

  “Yes. If an item is not part of our comprehensive data base, and has been invented by someone in the Vanguard workforce it can be scanned with my subatomic annotator. The items you just ordered, the MD3 was such an item. Do you care to hear the fascinating history of that invention?”

  “Not right now thank you,” Gretchen answered. “Please tell me about how to copy a new item.

  “Yes, the importation and annotation of new items is part of my functioning. After a new item is scanned and annotated, it will issued a name and model number and be cataloged into our data base. Do you wish to introduce such an item?”

  “Will doing so in any way damage the item?” Gretchen asked.

  “That is a common concern from inventors of original items. I am especially careful to ensure no harm befalls any new creation. This is especially true of original artwork, songs, plays, literary compositions, as well as mechanical items. Your item is perfectly safe for annotation.”

  Gretchen pulled out the pistol made by Willie.

  “Wait! What if after that AI gets the details, just anyone can order or copy that pistol?” Paul asked. “Larissa already has the other one, do we want more enemies to have those?”

  “Paul does bring up an interesting point,” Tiffany added. “I have restrained myself from entering into this discussion, because I do not need food rations. The weapon systems are a different matter.”

  “TSI-1008RF?” Gretchen asked. “Can you limit who has access to the details of this new item after you have it analyzed? Can you prohibit copies from being made?”

  “Yes
.”

  “Please elaborate on that answer,” Gretchen stated.

  “Yes, I can limit who has access to the details of the item after it is annotated. Yes, I can you prohibit copies from being made. You need but set the parameters for who has access to the item. Additionally, your new MD3 molecular disruptors are now ready.”

  Paul walked to the end of the conveyor belt system and indeed, two identical molecular disruptors were sitting there. Paul picked one up and examined it. It was fully charged. He placed it into his pocket.

  “Here is yours,” Paul said and handed Gretchen the other molecular disruptor.