“Can we get some of those?” Brett asks out of the blue as he points to Joe’s unit.
Joe’s eyebrows raise up in surprise as he replies cautiously, “Well, that would be up to Cindy to decide.”
Cindy purses her lips as she debates what to do. Finally, she responds, “Sure, why not.”
Brett’s eyes widen excitedly as he exclaims, “Harthos be!” He quickly continues, “Thank you. Now, let me show you our ship, Artemis Two.”
Their guide, Brett, proudly leads the group from compartment to compartment. Along the way, they meet many of the ship’s crew, and discover several fascinating similarities, and differences, between the Terran and Artemis Two. Unlike the Terran, this ship’s hydroponics bays utilize soilless technology. Cindy is impressed, and almost wishes she had brought Emma over so that she could see the system.
Another surprise is the small reclamation facility. A room, barely large enough for them all to stand in, has a simple looking chute against the wall. Joe’s jaw drops when he identifies the same tool that exists in the bodysuits, partway down the chute. The device is clearly being used to absorb any and all waste material. Gazing at the side of the unit, Joe can see where it is connected to the power grid.
The tour continues, taking them past a bank of Gamin Power Units. Joe feels a twinge of jealously at the power surplus they must have. He glances at Cindy, but says nothing. The group arrives at the ship’s single main drive. The engine and controls are identical to the Terran’s, but not sealed behind any doorway.
Joe closes his eyes for a moment and tries to visualize the internal decks. He frowns in confusion and asks, “Brett, I have a question. Your ship has a Gamin command section, a single engine, plus the elevators you customized, but it’s unlike any Gamin ship I have ever seen. Did you build this ship yourselves?”
Brett nods with pride and replies, “A few years ago, there was a massive battle over our planet between two alien races.” He frowns as he realizes that he should start at the beginning. He takes a deep breath, and then explains in greater detail, “Actually, it all started a few years before that. A race of ugly green skinned aliens showed up. They demanded raw materials, and insisted we continue to stockpile more. They left, then the next year, their fleet came back, picked up the supplies we had collected, and then they left again. But, the next time they came, another spaceship was waiting for them. We never saw who they were, but that one ship had lots of space-fighters, and chased the ugly aliens away.”
Cindy turns her head to Joe and quietly comments, “Atlans!” She then looks back at Brett and tells him, “You got lucky.”
Brett tilts his head in confusion, and then replies with a smile, “Yes. We were slaves to the green skins, and the others drove them off.”
Joe’s eyebrows raise as he mumbles to no one in particular, “Well, that’s one way to look at it, I suppose.”
Brett glances from Cindy to Joe in confusion, and feels as though he is missing something. He asks curiously, “You like the green skins?”
Joe gulps, he had not expected Brett to hear him.
It is Cindy’s turn to take a deep breath before she explains, “We were also visited by the Gamin, Regent Voknor to be precise, and…” She stops talking when Brett’s group all turns and stares at her with extremely wide eyes.
“You know that one!” Brett exclaims a little fearfully as he takes a few steps backward.
Cindy chooses her words carefully, and then slowly continues, “Regent Voknor is the leader of a clan. The Gamin have many. He came to our world, and our people had to supply the Gamin a variety of resources. After his fleet left, we found a spaceship. It wasn’t finished, but we were able to complete its construction. Since then Regent Voknor has actually helped us. We’re not allies or anything, but if it were not for his assistance, we wouldn’t be here today.”
“You don’t look like them.” Brett says, stating the obvious. He then asks, “So why would they help you?”
“I believe that Regent Voknor’s decisions were based on our actions,” Cindy replies, slightly baffled by the way Brett posed the question.
Brett replies with a wide grin, “Well, the others, whoever they were, helped us, and we can see that you folks are alright.” He is clearly pleased with the way things turned out for his people.
Cindy purses her lips, and although she wants to reply, she remains quiet. It suddenly dawns on her, Brett only invited us on board because we look like them. She glances around apprehensively. What began as an amazing thrill, is fast becoming a nervous experience for all of them.
Tensions are relieved when Brett says, “Come and look at our command module.”
Cindy smiles, glances briefly at Peter, and then replies, “That would be great.”
The group silently walks along. Both ships’ crews ponder over the others as they stride purposefully along. Neither side feels threatened, but, what began as delight, has turned into mild uneasiness.
The Command Center is similar in size to the Terran’s, but with a few obvious differences. The single command chair which rests upon a centrally located raised dais is an expected sight. The layout of the workstations is different though, there are six in all, of which two are manned. These are in front of the command chair, with two more against each side wall. The main viewer looks identical to the Terran’s, and currently displays a few distance specks of light.
Robert glances around the bridge and comments, “You have a fine ship. What’s its crew? Two hundred?”
“Three hundred, plus our command staff,” Brett replies proudly.
Joe motions to one of the consoles in front of the command chair and asks, “May I?”
Tom turns his head to Brett and stares at him for a moment, but he says nothing. Peter notices Tom’s quick reaction and ponders, Security?
Brett seems to ignore Tom and replies happily, “Sure.”
Joe walks over to the console, and while Dave and Larry watch with curiosity, he examines it intently. The pair are impressed with how fast Joe taps on icons and brings up information on the display. Joe reviews the ship’s many systems and is impressed.
Tom moves to where he can see what Joe is doing, and observes intently. Peter approaches Tom and, without blocking his view, strikes up a conversation. The two men have a lot more in common than either expected, and within a few minutes Tom relaxes. The pair quickly form a special rapport with each other. Both men have led secret lives, and now enjoy a special status on a spacecraft far from any old enemies.
Cindy and Brett discuss their respective missions, where they are from, and what they plan to do next. Both of them chat freely. Cindy speaks of their experiences on the Oglan world, the dangers of the Effen Raiders, and of their plan to strip a Gamin derelict. Brett talks about his mission to find habitable planets for colonization. He goes on to invite Cindy and her crew to visit Pythos anytime they are in the neighborhood.
Robert does his best to follow all the conversations at once, while Robyn, who feels left out, decides to watch Joe. As she walks over to the group she notices once more how short the aliens are, even shorter than her.
Joe interrupts all of them when he exclaims loudly, “Wow. You guys did a fantastic job of putting this ship together!” He glances around and says, “Sorry. But they really did. I bet this ship could do factor seven without any issues.”
Brett frowns and asks curiously, “Factor seven?”
“Yeah. The Gamin controls go all the way to eight, but with only one engine you are limited, even though your power-to-weight ratio is amazing.”
Brett puts his hands together, then as he opens them says, “If we go too fast, the floor shakes.”
Joe grins and replies, “Same with us mate.”
Peter interjects questioningly, “What about where the sections are joined together? Don’t they buckle?”
Brett waves his hands, motioning around him, and says, “We haven’t had to fix anything, yet.”
Joe nods his head, and with
admiration states, “Well, you guys really know how to build them!”
Brett does not know how to take the complement, and humbly replies, “We just got a piece from here, and a piece from there, and put ‘em together.”
“How did you join the sections together?” Joe asks with deepening curiosity. While he waits for an answer, he becomes more excited. If we could figure this out, then perhaps, we can resolve our problems with the Liberty program.
Brett glances around as if he does not know the answer and says, “We have builder suits from the green skins.”
Joe turns to Cindy and say excitedly, “Gamin bodysuits!”
“Makes sense,” Cindy replies.
“But that is not what is impressive about this ship.” Joe adds with mounting excitement. He explains, “The only computers in use are in the various Gamin systems.”
Cindy frowns, “No interface system?”
“Nope, No GUS. Instead this ship has dozens upon dozens of Gamin consoles spread throughout its various sections.”
Brett steps closer to Joe and asks, “What is, GUS?”
Joe stares at Brett blankly for a moment and then says, “We use an independent computer system in addition to consoles like these.” He waves his hands to indicate the Gamin consoles on the bridge.
Brett stares at Joe and asks, “Why?”
Joe takes a deep breath and then explains, “When we found the Terran, it only had consoles on the bridge, one in life support, and those in the engine rooms. It was also missing power, and did not have enough gravity plating installed to launch. We had to add our own power plants, along with a bunch of booster rockets, to get her off the ground.”
Brett stares at Joe as if he did not understand a word he said, and replies, “Artemis Two was assembled in space. There is still so much debris around our planet, it forms a ring.”
Joe feels a sudden chill run up and down his spine. He turns to Cindy as a thought crosses his mind. GUS doesn’t control anything anymore, not since we added the Gamin Power Units. I wonder what would happen if we disconnected it from the bridge consoles?
Cindy casts her gaze around the bridge and then says, “Joe, I don't see a navicon unit.”
Joe slaps a hand to his thigh and says, “That’s why this ship doesn’t show up on the Gamin fleet lists!”
Brett waves his hands around and asks, “What’s a Navicon?”
Joe walks from console to console and then responds, “It’s a special console that allows you to locate other Gamin ships, but more importantly, it provides accurate navigational data.”
Brett turns to Joe and says, “You make it sound as if this ship is missing so much stuff, it shouldn’t be able to fly.”
Joe quickly stammers, “No, not at all. I am impressed that you have been able to figure out the Gamin technology so well.”
Brett smiles, as he says, “We had so much junk floating around, it was pretty easy to put this ship together.”
The group relaxes, and begins to share more information about each other’s home worlds. Robert records as many notes as he can about Pythos, and its people. He is most perplexed by the very human sounding names that the others have until it dawns on him that these are translated names. The more he listens to the short aliens, the more he likes them.
“Harthos be!” Brett exclaims in surprise.
Robert glances from Cindy to Brett in confusion. He completely missed what was said prior to Brett’s comment.
Dave stares at Cindy and says, “We had no idea there were that many spaceships flying around.”
Cindy nods and replies, “We were as shocked as you when we found out.” She then adds, “Not only are there thousands of Gamin ships, there are Effen Raiders, and Atlan carriers to watch out for. Plus, who knows what else.”
They talk for hours about many things, until finally Cindy realizes that they must head back. She smiles and then says, “If we find ourselves near Pythos, we will drop in to visit.”
Brett makes an odd gesture and replies, “I hope we are home when you do.”
The group walks back to the shuttle bay where the Terran’s crew get back onboard their shuttle. Once inside, Cindy locates two translators, copies made my George, and gives them to Brett.
Brett stares at them for a moment, and then realizing what they are says enthusiastically, “Thank You.”
“Our pleasure.” Cindy replies, genuinely happy to be able to give them something that will assist in their travels.
Once the ramp lowers them into space, Robyn flies them back toward the Terran.
Joe looks at Cindy and says, “You know, we never did give them the implants.”
“That’s okay.” Cindy replies, “I am not sure if they really wanted them, or if they thought the idea was a good one.”
Once back on the bridge, Cindy takes one more look at Brett’s ship, and then says, “John, resume our course for the derelict.”
“Yes ma’am.” John replies happily as he swings the Terran around, and away from the other spacecraft.
Location:
Hawking
New Earth
General Walker stands next to Barbara in an open field, one that is a long way from the city of Hawking. With them is a handful of soldiers, along with a dozen scientists. Before the entire assemblage rests the small alien craft on a makeshift concrete pad.
Barbara glances around at the vast open plain, and with concern asks, “You don’t think it’s going to blow up, do you?”
“Not at all,” Walker replies while shaking his head. “but, at the same time, we have no idea what’s inside, and I would hate to release... something,” he finally adds while shrugging his shoulders.
One of the scientists puts on a biohazard suit, then walks clumsily to the craft. He leans underneath, finds the lever, and pulls on it. The hatchway into the craft opens with a grating sound, accompanied by a hiss that makes everyone step back. The suit-wearing scientist freezes in fear as his imagination runs wild.
Walker gulps when he notices a small gas cloud escaping the shuttle. The cloud lasts mere seconds, and quickly dissipates. A couple of the scientists frantically take air samples, while others continue to record the day’s events. While they wait for the preliminary results, the man beneath the alien craft stands up and sticks his head inside. With the aid of a powerful flashlight, he quickly gives the interior a cursory examination. Turning completely around, he is relieved to find nothing lurking inside. He steps away and gives a thumbs-up. He lifts his arms and allows other suit wearing scientists to sample the surface of his suit.
After what feels like an eternity to Barbara and Walker, one of the scientists walks over, and with a smile, reports. “Good news. The vapor cloud was simply dust build up, and nothing to worry about.” He turns to gaze back at the alien craft, and then adds, “It’s safe to go inside without protective gear.”
Walker stares at the craft dubiously. Dust from where? He takes a deep breath and says, “Well then, I had better go and take a look.” He walks to craft, and with the aid of small step stool, he enters the open hatch. Powerful lights are handed to him, which he arrays so as to see as much of the interior as he can. He studies the back of a single large chair, the main feature in the small area, for a moment, before shifting his attention. He nods in appreciation as he identifies what could only be a sleeping area, a possible shower, and plenty of storage space. The walls on either side of the chair seem to have control panels built into them. Alien writings are sketched here and there. They are clearly not Gamin, and look alarming similar enough to Russian to give him the chills.
“How is it in there?” Calls out a scientist whose head peeks into the craft.
“Amazing,” Walker replies as he takes a few steps toward the back of the chair. “Oh crap!” he says in surprise when the chair turns around to face him. He reels backward in alarm at what he sees.
The scientist who is watching almost wets himself at the disturbing sight. He crawls out from under the craft,
staggers away on shaky legs, and then faints.
Barbara calls out in alarm, “What is it?”
Walker stares transfixed at the dead alien. Its skin has long since turned to dust as have its bodily organs. What does remain is its long canine teeth, which are clearly visible in its slightly elongated skull. Walker flinches as his mind is drawn to stories of Dracula. He gazes at the creature’s skeletal hands, his face twitches when he counts its six fingers, further adding to his discomfort. The alien’s clothing is in tatters. The remnants of its shirt and pants only partially cover the exposed white bones. Walker leans closer and discerns what appear to be two distinctive patches still attached to the creature’s shirt. He frowns as he wonders if they are military insignia, or something else.
Exiting the craft, Walker finally responds, “An alien body.” He stares at the craft and takes a long time pondering the best course of action.
All the while, Barbara paces back and forth, waiting not so patiently. Finally, she demands, “Well?”
Walker takes a deep breath, then says, “I want the body examined and the ship studied carefully before anyone starts touching anything. If we can, I want to learn as much as is possible of the alien language before proceeding.”
Rubbing her chin, Barbara responds, “The Liberty’s mainframe is still functional, so that will help.”
Walker nods, then adds, “The alien’s shirt looks to me to be some sort of uniform, but I can’t tell if its military based or not.”
“Did you find any weapons?” Barbara asks.
“I didn’t see any, but then I didn’t touch anything either.” Walker scratches his head and says, “I hope the ship has logs we can access. That would go a long way toward answering our questions.”
Nodding in agreement, she tells her small team, “Set up a facility here for the study of the corpse. I want every test imaginable run on the body.” She gazes at the craft, then says, “Take pictures of everything, and get language experts involved.”
Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles) Page 125
