“Phoenix thing?” Paul said in disgust. “Why did you do that to me?”
“This unit needed you and the captive Jellie. You were also instrumental in assisting this unit to understand the potential of teleportation. Therefore, you two were the first humans to be teleported by this system. You have now served as test subjects for proving the potential of teleportation,” Phoenix Dominie stated. “This unit heard your despair about bodily wastes. There is a lavatory just outside this room. You may proceed there.”
The blue automacubes pulled to the side and Paul stepped through. Gretchen followed. Two of the automacubes grabbed onto the sides of the containment canister. They pulled the spears out and used their own manipulation arms on it instead. A third automacube scrapped samples off the spearheads and then moved them away from the teleportation receiving pad and sprayed them with acidic foam. They sizzled a bit as they were cleansed.
“What will become of that alien?” Paul asked, but then hurried away as he clutched his abdomen.
“This unit has a medical automacube coming to the lavatory to do a complete assessment. Physiologically you are 99.99972% the same as before entering the teleportation sending unit. That is more successful than the conjectured margin of reconstitution error. Test of teleportation was a success,” Phoenix Dominie stated. “Psychological adjustment, emotional response, and psyche trauma is harder to quantify, yet appears to be within acceptable limits.”
Gretchen was uncertain what to say. She felt strange and a bit disoriented, but nothing was seriously wrong. “So what will become of the captured Jellie?”
“This unit has taken it for analysis. The compound used on the spearheads is also being analyzed, but has been neutralized.”
Paul stepped back in and looked a bit better. The white automacube was with him. “This medical unit says I am unharmed, but I do not feel unharmed.”
“Please proceed to the command bridge. Your companions Brinley and Captain Larissa are just arriving there now,” Phoenix Dominie stated. “They too are unharmed. Much needs to be done and time is short, the Vanguard must be defended.”
“Is that the real Brinley or some fake?” Paul asked. He then paused for a moment and said with a start, “Captain Larissa?”
“This unit apologizes for impersonating your companion Brinley. Yes, the person you meet on the bridge will be the genuine Brinley. Yes, Captain Larissa will be there as well. All Vanguard systems are now under her operational control.”
Paul looked uncomfortable. “Even you?”
“Affirmative. This unit is in service to the Vanguard,” Phoenix Dominie replied.
Paul glanced back at the teleportation receiving pad and noted that all their gear had arrived as well. He walked over and began collecting those items.
The medical automacube finished its examination of Gretchen.
“Please proceed to the bridge. You can converse with Brinley and Captain Larissa there. We must make our plans for defending the Vanguard. Time is of the essence.”
Gretchen and Paul walked through the short hall and past a double set of security doors which were standing open.
The first thing Paul saw was the three bodies that were piled against the one wall. He looked closely and by their positioning he knew something was very strange. Paul realized they were not humans, but deactivated androids. They looked much like the ones he had seen in the workshop when he had first encountered androids. They all had the same blank, somewhat submissive expression on their symmetrical faces.
“Paulie!” Brinley squealed in honest delight. “Gretchen! The systems told us you would be here. This is wonderful.”
“Our way of getting here was not wonderful. The systems told you that, or did Phoenix Dominie?” Paul asked. He did grin in response to Brinley’s huge smile.
They exchanged hugs, and looked around the bridge.
“The ship is operating smoothly,” Brinley said with pride in her voice. “Phoenix Dominie has been fully cooperative, even though it has that unusual name. It brought you here and has started analysis of the captive alien. We eliminated the Central Planning Office and have all systems in repair mode.”
The room was not overly large, but was packed with a vast amount of items. The command bridge was horseshoe shaped, a phrase that Paul now used in his mind, although it had never been an idiom he ever used in Dome 17. At the center of the horseshoe was a clear permalloy set of walls. beyond those was a three dimensional model of the Vanguard. The model was roughly five meters long and about two and a half meters wide. The six cylinders which made up the biological habitats were positioned about the needle ship. Three toward the bow and three toward the stern. It looked so realistic Paul at first thought it was a visual feed from an exterior source. However, upon closer inspection, he could see parts were labeled with words and numbers which hovered ghostlike over the model. Those words and numbers were frequently updating and posting the latest readings.
Scattered over the hull of the scale model Vanguard were about a dozen oblong things which were glowing purplish blue colors.
The outer arc of the room was divided into displays above an expanse of gauges, dials, readouts, testers, and various other manual monitoring equipment. The displays were all active and showing a stream of information on them. There was a countertop, at chair height which followed the contour of the wall all the way around. The chairs had rollers on them so an operator could easily glide from one position to another.
Larissa was seated at the front of the horseshoe looking up at the display monitor before her.
“Paul and Gretchen, welcome. It was very fortunate you could capture a Jellie for our study. Well done!” Larissa looked at them and her blue eyes were not as icy as previously. “The new lattice is running calculations on the Jellie as we speak.” Larissa took a long drink for a mug of steaming liquid which she then sat on the counter.
Brinley sat down in the seat next to her.
Paul was looking back at the model. “Is that simulation model done in real time?”
“Someone on the lattice, please answer Paul’s question,” Larissa commanded.
“There is a twenty five nanosecond delay from observation to simulation,” a voice said. The voice came from the model itself.
“Thank you,” Larissa replied. “Now to the damage reports. Continue with the status of the habitats.”
Gretchen and Paul both pulled up chairs and sat down.
“This is amazing,” Paul said as he looked at the functional screens and the interacting displays, and the feedback gauges. “Everything is working. Finally something on the Vanguard that is technologically functional.”
“Not everything, Paulie. The primary lattice system has been restored, but there are gaps and breaks and some of the primary AIs are severely damaged,” Brinley related. She was still smiling hugely. “Still, your point is well taken. These systems are working well.”
“Unlike the CPO,” Larissa commented. “They have been terminated.”
“Are all the androids like that?” Gretchen asked and gestured to the pile.
“Yes. They were more an outreach of TSI-19 than they were independently operating systems. Without the constant encouragement from TSI-19, they failed,” Brinley said. “We basically turned them all off.”
“I am in command now,” Larissa stated without being haughty. “But I need to complete this damage assessment.”
“Sorry,” Gretchen replied.
“Continue damage report,” Larissa ordered. “Please use the common nomenclature.” She turned around and walked over to the three dimensional model of the Vanguard
One cylinder of the ship expanded upward and took over the view. An artificial intelligence voice spoke, “In summation, quarantine has been violated in all of the habitats. A Habitat: Oasis is essentially lost to the Jellies. Jellie activity high. 94% of the entire the habitat is filled with water…”
“Where did all that water originate?” Paul interrupted.
; “From other habitats,” Larissa snapped. “Continue.”
“There are no readings of active human life inside Oasis. Human remnant population is estimated at less than 500, all in the decks and corridors outside the biological habitat. Of those, 206 are from refugees from the biological habitat, while the remaining numbers are not tagged or marked.”
Small dots were seen hovering in the decks, corridors, and perimeter sections of the model of A Habitat. With each description made by the AI, the model shifted and altered to illustrate the related facts.
“So they could be Roe?” Paul asked.
“Yes, that is true. Now Paul, please remain quiet. What other humans are in there as sleepers?” Larissa asked.
The model shifted. Layers of decking were pealed to fade away and reveal other internal places. “According to TSI-200A in Suspended Animation Repository 46. There are 1538 occupants now abiding in that facility and another 3376 in Oasis in other repositories. Total suspended animation population in A Habitat: Oasis is 4914. That number has been declining regularly since the flooding took place.”
“Flooding?” Paul asked.
“Yes, the Jellies are diverting water from the other habitats and channeling it into Oasis. They are using the transport tube system to move the water. It is a grave threat,” Larissa said and turned to glare at Paul. “I need to keep focused, so no more interruptions.” Turning back to the model she commanded, “Lattice, please show the channels where the flooded water flows.”
The habitat model shrank and the full Vanguard was there again. Dark blue lines were superimposed over the model with arrows showing the direction of the water flow.
“Paul, are you satisfied now?” Larissa asked.
Paul just sulked.
“The level of detail on that model is amazing,” Gretchen observed.
“That is because the systems are operating fairly effectively together,” Brinley stated. Again she was smiling as she looked at the fine interaction of the machines.
“Now continue with damage report, skip to the next habitat.”
“Yes, Captain Larissa.” The model shifted to focus on a different habitat. “The assessment of B Habitat: Heartland shows it is currently functional with minimal problems. Low level to non-existent Jellie activity. The current population….”
“Please continue to the next habitat. I will address the Governor and Constable of Heartland after we finish here,” Larissa said.
“Yes, Captain Larissa. C Habitat: Woods is in 23% homeostasis and unstable. The majority of the water from the Woods has been diverted to Oasis. Current water level in the Woods in 9%. Tagged and marked human population is 179 and in decline, estimated remnant population outside of the habitat is 700. Biosystem is under severe stress. Flora and fauna are dying and conjectures show downward spiral likely. Jellie presence moderately active in the Woods. Faunal count is….”
“I will continues to send supplies to Lyudmila and appoint her their new Governor. Please have Reproduction and Fabrication contact her directly to see what supplies she needs. High priority,” Larissa ordered. “Continue with damage report.”
The model shifted again.
“Yes, Captain Larissa. D Habitat: Safari is at 82% functional homeostasis and has 69% of its water supply. Water is no longer being diverted. The Jellie threat there has been halted. Human population is down to 112. Remnant population is estimated at 300. Biosystem stable and recovering.”
“Good, continue.”
“Yes, Captain Larissa. E Habitat: Wilds is at 88% functional homeostasis with stable biosystem. Water levels at 84% with no water draining away. Human population is at 1231, remnant population is estimated at 450. Jellie activity is a low levels.”
“Constable Brock and Governor Konstantin are supportive and will maintain that habitat well. Grant them the supplies and help we can offer,” Larissa commanded. “Next habitat please.”
“Yes Captain Larissa. F Habitat: Steppes also known as Pampas, also known as Prairie, is functioning at 47%. Water levels are at 67% with continual slow drainage away. Biosystems in flux. Human population level is at 1986 and in decline. Moderate Jellie activity detected. Indications of ongoing combat and warfare happening.”
“I will try to talk to their Constable and Governor later. Thank you for the damage report. Continuous full scan of all habitats and report any deviation. Now please give me an accurate assessment of our capabilities to repel the Jellies,” Larissa ordered. She turned away from the model and sat down again in the chair.
The display screen shifted.
Tiffany’s voice came from the display. “Defense Against Malignant Anomalies report has been complied…”
“Tiffany!” Paul interrupted.
Gretchen and Brinley also called out, “Tiffany? You survived?”
“…which shows the best conjectures on defensive action. The…” Tiffany ignored Paul and Gretchen.
“Larissa! Let us talk to Tiffany!” Paul demanded.
“Please halt report,” Larissa turned to Paul. “This is the first I have heard that voice in here.” She turned to the display. “Identify who is making this report.”
“Report is compiled by the Defense Against Malignant Anomalies,” Tiffany answered.
“Tiffany? Please respond. This is Paul!”
There was no response.
“Larissa that is Tiffany. The AI which came from Earth with us. How can we speak to her?” Gretchen asked.
“AI making report, please respond. Are you Tiffany?” Larissa inquired.
“The Defense Against Malignant Anomalies is an acculturation of multiple systems. Tiffany was one of those systems,” the voice that sounded like Tiffany replied.
Brinley said to him, “Paul, I will begin looking for where Tiffany’s physical ALP is located. The ship’s system can find that for me, it will then just be a matter of separating out the ALP from that part of the lattice. There will be no resistance this time. Soon Tiffany will be safe. I will work to find out how to restore her.”
“I have my doubts,” Paul muttered and ignored yet again another look of scorn by Larissa.
“Does the Captain wish to review the two proposed defensive action scenarios?” Tiffany asked.
“Yes, what action can we take to effectively defend the Vanguard,” Larissa said. She looked sternly at Paul indicating he not interrupt.
“There are two equally effective potential plans, but with different methodology. Scenario one: The Artemis of Safari has developed a contact weapon which allows degeneration of Jellie technology. It is made from a combination of Taraxacum, Notobasis, Giant Hogweed, Heracleum Mantegazzianum Buttercup, Skunk Cabbage, Hemlock, Aconitum, and vinegar. Analysis of this substance shows it is noxious to Jellie technology. Dome 17 technology has a proven weapon’s system, the L-ROD, which is effective against Jellie technology with lethal results. Plan is to arm and equip automacubes with this Artemis substance for use as contact weapon and dispatch them to attack Jellies which are inside the Vanguard. Modified external action by automacubes is also factored in. Humans will be armed with Dome 17 L-RODs and also attack Jellies within the Vanguard. Human soldiers will need Dome 17 immunity to the Outbreak to maximize their effectiveness. Time frame, for building, arming, and deployment of automacubes and the immunization and training of human soldiers, is eighteen months. Campaign duration sixty-three years. Conjecture shows 85% probability of success with this plan.”
“Sixty three years? What is the second plan?” Larissa asked.
“Scenario two: Immediate jettisoning of A Habitat: Oasis with overload and subsequent detonation of A Habitat’s solar mimicry system. This action will result in the immediate destruction of the between 70-80% of the Jellie threat. Follow up operational campaign using existing shuttles as guided missiles with conventional explosives will last a duration of one year. Conjecture shows 85% probability of success with this plan,” Tiffany reported.
“Blow up part of the ship?” Paul asked incredulously.
“That is crazy!”
Larissa stared at the display. “How many humans would die in scenario two?”
“Unable to give an exact figure. Estimates are that less than 6,500 humans, both active and in suspended animation would be killed in initial jettisoning and destruction of Oasis,” Tiffany responded.
“If we do scenario one, how many human will be killed by Jellies while we build, train and arm for those eighteen months?” Larissa asked.
“With reestablishment of the lattice, proper shifting of resources, and immunization against the Outbreak, the death rate by enemy action will slow down significantly. I conjecture than in the eighteen month preparation period, there will be less than 500 humans killed by Jellie action. Additionally estimates are that between 1000 and 1500 more humans would die in the following sixty-three years.”
The Colony Ship Vanguard: The entire eight book series in one bundle Page 167
