by Chris Burton
Lieutenant Obeya Temsouri entered the room for a scheduled CAG debriefing.
“Good morning Lieutenant. What is our jump ship status?”
Hoskins still maintained a formal relationship with Obeya while in public. He knew the crew were aware of their ‘relationship’, and to display open signs of affection or favoritism could lead to negative feelings against both him and Obeya. They had a very different relationship in private.
“Good morning, sir. All Rapiers and Sabres returned with no losses. We had minor damage to two Rapier 3’s, and one of their pilots has been taken to the medical center with suspected head trauma.”
“Were you able to make any additional observations on the AUSWAS ship?”
“Yes. Curiously, the majority of the non-military craft seem to be heading to the AUSWAS ship. Not sure why.”
“Yes, it is a bit weird. The number of onlookers is incredible. Why are there so many? We are a long way from home.”
“I am not sure, sir. We are monitoring all movements and I will continue to observe.“
“Excellent, Lieutenant. Thank you. You are dismissed.”
Obeya left the ready room and Hoskins returned to his observations. There was certainly something strange about the AUSWAS ship, which made Hoskins all the more curious because he was entrusted with the ‘protection’ of the AUSWAS vessel. There was no communication whatsoever with the vessel, which annoyed Hoskins. It wouldn’t take much to acknowledge the assistance his crew provided.
Ironically, Professor Nigel Winterburn was just thinking the same thing. It was high time that he introduced himself to the crew of the Halo 7.
“Commander Hoskins. My name is Professor Nigel Winterburn and I am leading the AUSWAS protest into Nexus’ and Alpha’s attempt to open the two wormholes and thus trigger a cataclysmic disaster.”
“Thank you for the introduction Professor, although there was really no need. I am already well versed in AUSWAS the Collective and its goals. Thank you also for making contact. We will be able to better serve each other’s needs since we have established a relationship.”
Hoskins annoyed Winterburn, but this exchange of views served its purpose. “What are your needs, Commander? My understanding is you were tasked with protecting us. Is that not correct?”
“To an extent, yes. More specifically we are here to keep an eye on you and to make sure your actions don’t create a dangerous situation. Moreover, as participants in this project, Alpha looks to protect its own interests.”
“What could we possibly do to put your project in jeopardy? We are one small unarmed ship.”
“Professor, our scans reveal your vessel is more than adequately armed and protected. Furthermore, you have collected a large number of hangers-on. Presumably these are members of your ‘Collective’. Is this to be a human shield?”
Winterburn laughed. “Commander, our ship is well protected and armed because we are in a dangerous region of space. The ‘hangers-on’, as you put it, are, I presume, supporters of our cause, which has been widely publicized. They are here to witness the events as they unfold. Now, the main reason for establishing contact. We are about to move our ship to the region of space which lies between the two wormholes. You will have to decide with your conscience, and after consultation with your superiors, how you must act in response. I will close this conversation on that note. No doubt we will speak again soon.”
With that, Winterburn closed the comm link and immediately gave the order for the AUSWAS vessel to move towards the two wormholes.
Winterburn waited for this moment for a long time. A very long time. He knew this event would happen. He manufactured it. Now was his time and the true meaning for the Collective’s existence was about to reveal itself. After fifty years of meticulous planning, they were ready. The Collective participants were gathering and soon they would all ‘collectively’ play their part.
* * * *
Carla also had waited for this moment for some time. After two weeks of travel she entered the Tri-Star system and joined the other members of the Collective. Her journey was uncomfortable, and she spent most of the time wondering what she was doing.
Two days before she was due to return to the Academy from her parent’s home in Australia, Carla first felt someone summoning her. To begin with, it was just a feeling, but over the next 24 hours, it grew into an almost unstoppable force compelling her to seek out the Collective. She knew it was Winterburn and that he applied his special ‘powers’ to make her feel that nothing else was important. She felt as she had when first in his presence: powerless and absolutely enthralled, almost breathless in her eager anticipation to be with him once more.
She felt compelled to head for the nearest space port. There she joined others who boarded a charted space cruiser bound for Titan. Two days later, she boarded a shuttle, which carried her and five other people to join the Collective in the Tri-Star system. She didn’t try to understand; her thoughts were only for Winterburn, and that she must be with him.
She allowed herself to make contact with Jake, the Academy and her parents, but this was merely a means to an end. She divulged the minimum, and blamed her enforced absence on the need to seek out her sister once again. Over the following days, once she was on board the shuttle, the force guiding her waned. She could allow herself to be distracted by other issues. She contacted Jake again and explained she was okay, but most specifically that he should not follow her. She didn’t know why. She wanted Jake with her but her instincts said that this was not about Jake. He would be putting his life in grave danger should he join her. Yet somehow she knew Jake would come. She knew he would not let Winterburn take her.
By the time the shuttle reached the Tri-Star system, the force Winterburn held over Carla and the others diminished. They began to question why they were here. Their questions remained unanswered. The shuttle pilots were instructed to deliver their passengers, come what may, and under no circumstances should they be persuaded to return them to Earth. The pilots were also under Winterburn’s influence and his control over them had not diminished. Carla was trapped; she needed Jake more than ever.
* * * *
Dr. Cameron and his team were pleased. The first wormhole began to open, some thirty seconds after the sonic pulse equipment completed its initial cycle. The view was spectacular. At first a small circular void opened from within the gaseous membrane that had stood silent for an eternity. It was composed of a plasma/iron composite, which began to swirl, forming circular patterns in the darkness.
As the wormhole opened it formed a vortex, spiraling into a void of nothingness. Then, once it achieved its desired density, it spread. The void grew, and the membrane thickened.
Finally, the wormhole was open once more. A gateway to another region of space became reality, and the first major step towards the creation of the blue wormhole was taken.
Winterburn stood alone watching the spectacle. He, too, waited for this moment for a long time. His secret, the one he held alone for so many years, was about to be unveiled. The truth behind his beliefs, the reason for the Collective’s existence and the justification for his long ‘battle’ against those who tried to open the wormholes. Soon, the truth would be out. Winterburn couldn’t help but raise an uncharacteristic smile. His time was coming.
* * * *
Cameron was satisfied that a complete and fully functioning wormhole stood in front of him. He gave the order for the despatch of the research vessel and two Alpha support vessels to commence preparations for their entry into the wormhole. In the meantime, his team collated information and prepared for the second phase of the operation: the opening of the second wormhole.
The second hole would be substantially larger than the first. Its spread, even in its shrunken dormant stage, was over five thousand kilometers in diameter. It was huge; the sheer size of it presented the team with very different challenges.
For a start, there was a substantial risk to nearby planetary objects. The pull from
the wormhole would be considerable because the mass had probably grown substantially in size since it had last opened. Although there were no planets as such in the perceived danger zone, there were several small planetoids and a small asteroid belt, a busy section of space. In real estate terms, the region was priceless. It had two wormholes, three interconnecting but distinct planetary systems, and a plethora of other features, including gas clouds, ice belts and non-classified moons and orbiting satellites. The risk to many of these bodies was insignificant, but their value was real enough, and, as a commercial organization, the Nexus chiefs made it clear they wanted the region kept largely intact as a result of the ‘experiment’.
The Nexus fleet and the supporting craft were checked at a safe distance from the wormhole. This was a large headache to Cameron because of the swollen numbers of unauthorized private craft who amassed over the last few weeks.
Then there was the Betanica Sect. They showed an increased level of activity. It seemed likely they would again take steps to try to prevent the holes from being opened.
Cameron was ready for all of these eventualities. He was well-prepared and was not about to let a few minor issues stand in the way of what was likely the greatest deep space discovery in the last 100 years. His main concern was the AUSWAS ship. She positioned herself slap-bang in the middle of where they expected the blue wormhole to materialize. The Halo 7 and a large number of the private craft also joined the AUSWAS ship in the area. This wasn’t good. On the one hand, they might well be at risk from the pull of the second wormhole; on the other, if the blue wormhole opened, they could be pulled directly into it, or ripped apart by the contrasting forces of both the wormholes and the blue wormhole. It was time for Commander Hoskins and his team to deliver. Cameron opened a comm link directly to Hoskins who responded immediately.
“Commander, the AUSWAS ship and the other vessels and your ship must move away from the site of the new wormhole and the prospective blue wormhole. This must be achieved before we can commence work on the second hole.”
“I will do my best, but I doubt the commander of the AUSWAS ship will be in the mood to move. I will try light offensive tactics, but I may have to try something a bit more hazardous.”
“Do what you must, Commander. I am working to tight schedules here. If they won’t move, I will proceed with them still in the danger zone.”
Jonathan Hoskins didn’t like this imposition. He knew gentle persuasion would have no effect whatsoever and the only way he was going to move the AUSWAS ship away from the danger zone was by physical force. Alpha protocol was clear in such situations. He must follow the process before he could take effective action.
Hoskins tried to open a comm link with Winterburn, but was rejected. He ordered two Rapier 3’s to launch, and despatched an Eagle with two of his officers in the guise of ‘negotiators’. The Eagle tried to dock to allow the negotiators to board with a view to opening discussions. Winterburn was having none of it and withdrew his coupling clamps to prevent docking from taking place. Hoskins asked his negotiators to move to a safe distance, and again tried a comm link.
It was obvious Winterburn had no intention of either talking or moving. Hoskins covered all the peaceful means available to him and was left with two choices. He could physically move the AUSWAS ship, by clamping and pulling the ship out of the danger zone, or he could use the military option. The AUSWAS ship was smaller than the Halo 7, but was still powerful. Her enhanced drive systems could easily withstand any dragging pressure the Halo 7 could inflict. This then left just one option. Hoskins asked the lead Rapier pilot to fire two warning shots across the bow of the AUSWAS ship.
“Commander of AUSWAS research vessel. I am the lead Rapier pilot and have just fired two warning shots at your vessel. Your ship and its crew are in danger and need to leave this area immediately. Alpha has designated this area as a military zone. We will target your drive systems unless you leave the restricted zone immediately.”
Winterburn’s response to the Rapier pilot’s broadcast message was instant. The AUSWAS vessel fired two single laser cannon bursts at the lead Rapier’s communication port. This was an act of aggression and left Hoskins with little option, but to respond in kind.
Winterburn, though, had other ideas. “Commander Hoskins. You will have to destroy this ship to move us. I am prepared to use all of the weapons at our disposal to defend our position. Please recall your jump ships or we will destroy them.”
Hoskins knew he was beaten. He would not engage in a full scale battle with Winterburn, even though he knew that the Halo 7 would be victorious. With the comm link left open, he responded.
“Very well, Professor Winterburn. The experiment will commence with your ship inside the danger zone. We cannot guarantee your protection. It is highly likely your ship will be destroyed. We will seek to remove the other vessels in the area.”
Hoskins closed the link, and moved to concentrate his efforts on the smaller vessels which had joined the AUSWAS ship in the danger zone. Once again, his efforts proved futile. There were too many of them and it was far too dangerous to engage in a one-to-one with each of the smaller vessels, even if he engaged all of his jump ship capability.
Hoskins must admit defeat. He opened a comm link to the Botanic and urged Cameron to delay the experiment while he consulted with Admiral Shenke as to how best deal with the problem. Cameron didn’t agree. He would proceed with or without the removal of the Winterburn and his Collective. His ships were ready, and they were about to engage the sonic pulse equipment once again. Hoskins gave the order for the Halo 7 to move to safe distance and he recalled the Rapiers.
Winterburn is a fool, he thought. He was about to die for a cause which would was futile. The second wormhole was about to be opened.
* * * *
Cameron was having other problems. The Betanica Sect vessels engaged, and moved to surround the Nexus vessels to prevent the experiment from taking place. Admiral Shenke dispatched a squadron of Rapiers, who engaged with the Sects’ black interceptors. A fierce battle took place, with the Sect pilots holding their own.
Shenke ordered the despatch of a further squadron of Rapiers and a half-squadron of Sabres. This gave Alpha a numerical advantage, and they engaged in a dogfight with the Sect interceptors over a small area between Shenke’s fleet and the wormholes. The sheer number of jump ships in such a confined area was beginning to tell, and eventually the Sect vessels were forced to disengage. Shenke ordered two of his cruisers to plug the gap to protect the Nexus vessels on their vulnerable side. There was no room for the Sect to engage the Nexus ships. The experiment could continue.
Cameron ordered the experiment to commence within a few minutes of the Shenke’s latest intervention. Once again the sonic pulse equipment engaged and within a few moments the huge second wormhole opened.
* * * *
Winterburn smiled again. The sequence of events was inevitable. The second wormhole would soon be fully open and the blue wormhole would start to materialize. Everything he had done over the last fifty years led to this moment. The huge deception he orchestrated was about to be revealed.
Chapter Forty-Eight
The Real Winterburn
Fifty two years ago, Winterburn arrived on Titan.
His task was simple. He was engaged to bring about the opening of the blue wormhole to allow his people to enter this new galaxy and feed. He travelled through a fissure between the two wormholes in the Tri-Star system. The fissure was big enough for a small ship to pass through, but inadequate for the deployment of a mass Kryl invasion. The fissure had always been there, but was undetected because of its size.
Winterburn‘s appearance was his first problem. The Kryl were human-like in stature, but there complexion was a pallid grey. The only characteristic features in his hairless face were his deep, penetrating eyes, which were deep scarlet. He quickly moved to disguise his lack of facial distinction by injecting pigment cells into his face and body. He used steroids and huma
n DNA enhancers to replicate a human’s more distinct facial features.
The only aspect of his origins he couldn’t disguise were his eyes. He tried various lenses but found them ineffective. He injected pigmentation directly into his cornea but this was only partially successful. His eyes then would be his calling card. Since he could not disguise them, he would use them to help his cause.
Winterburn quickly established himself on Titan, first as a Cargo Pilot and then, as he made money, as an entrepreneur. He soon amassed a considerable amount of capital through the deployment of a fleet of his own ships, dealing in mining transportation. He developed his persona around a charismatic philanthropist who quickly became popular and engrossed in the more elitist sections of Titan society. He manufactured a ‘conscience’ encompassing many of the larger ecological issues, and then began to speak publicly on various related concerns before involving himself with the Betanica Sect and their beliefs.
This was all part of the plan. He established himself as a leader with a conscience. Despite his strange looks and the color of his eyes, he was accepted and on course to deliver his objective.
After ten years on Titan, Winterburn opened a division of one of his companies on Earth. The company quickly established itself as a leading deep space transportation company. It was then Winterburn established Nexus. He funded and incorporated the company with a board of directors, with his holding company—rather than himself—as the controlling interest. Within two months of its incorporation, the holding company sold its equity in the business and Winterburn acquired a fifty-one percent stake in the company via a separate holding company not legally required to divulge its investors. Over the next ten years, with little intervention from Winterburn, Nexus grew into its niche area of deep space exploration.
