"And you know about this how?" asked Spaski. "Never mind, I don't really want to know."
"You wound me, Chief," said Bobrik. "I'm the one that disabled the security. Some of my mates, the married ones, didn't want anyone to know they were 'sampling the wares,' so to speak."
Spaski shook his head. "Okay let's go."
The trio waited until Bobrik had frozen the camera covering the corridor before quickly making their way over to a disreputable-looking hovel called the "Pink Lady" and slipping through the front door. Upon seeing Eva's security uniform, the proprietor was instantly on the defensive, fearing the three of them were there to bust him or something. He relaxed, but only barely, when he saw Bobrik.
"Take it easy, Hussein, it's not what you think. We just need a place to hide out for a while."
"Anything you want, Vasily," said the visibly relieved owner. He gave them the keychip to a room near the rear entrance where they could make a discrete getaway if need be. The proprietor waved off their attempts to pay him.
"I owe you many times over, my friend. Take the room with my blessing."
The room was tiny, with only a bed, a couple of chairs and a bathroom. There was also a battered video receiver which the three conspirators switched on to monitor the newscasts for any report they were wanted. After about three hours, Spaski left to get some take-out Polish food from the restaurant around the corner and brought it back to the hotel. Only Bobrik had finished more than a few bites of breakfast earlier.
Finally, after nearly eight hours had passed, during which they kept an eye on the newsfeed and each of them took a turn in the bed in an effort to get a little sleep, Spaski announced, "It's time for me to get over to the Iron Maiden. You two might as well wait here until I come back for you. If I'm gone for more than an hour, I suggest you move on."
Chapter 31. Manifest Cargo.
SPS Lenin, Deep Space, Star system X97610, October 8, 2676.
A knot of nervous, keyed-up humans were gathered next to the undocumented shipping container in Lenin's hold while Salix, reaching in from outside of the container, tentatively probed the closest of the cells containing one of the sleeping Custodians. After about a minute, she withdrew her tentacle and glided backwards away from the container doors. The cell she'd been examining and the creature inside remained quiescent.
"You may close the container, Sergeant," she said. At a nod from Zlotnik, two of his marines closed and latched the doors.
"What did you find out?" asked Kozloff.
"The transparent material making up the chambers is not completely impervious, and it was possible for me to sense enough through it to get some information. These creatures are indeed in a state of suspended animation and will remain so until the control systems on their individual containers are activated."
"So they will remain asleep unless we intervene?" asked Kozloff.
"That would appear to be the case, though I still advise extreme caution."
"What else did you find out?"
"I was not able to learn anything more by examining the containers even though the creatures inside are still alive. It looks as though they will remain in their present state for the time being. In the meantime, it is best to maintain a heavy guard. Fortunately, your more powerful weapons should be sufficient to neutralize them if any should somehow awaken."
"So they are secure for the time being," said Kozloff. "Now what do we do."
"I suggest we continue with our first contact meeting and we include members of your crew, Captain Kozloff," said Salix. "We are to be allies with all of humanity, not just one faction of it. To that end, we welcome the participation of the Soviets."
"I am humbled by these wishes," said Kozloff. "After we fired on your ship, I thought..."
"We now know the attack was due to criminal activity on the part of one of your officers," said Salix. "Fortunately, no one on either side was killed or injured. We must put these events behind us and get on with the business at hand. Though I must admit it is difficult to absorb the fact that on the same day we gained an ally, we also came face-to-face with a new and formidable enemy."
"How about we go back to Capri," said Ariane.
"An excellent suggestion, Lieutenant," said Kozloff. "Your meeting facilities are first-rate. Your ship would also be the most neutral location, under the present circumstances. Ensign Nuriyev and I will participate on behalf of the Union of Soviet Democratic Planets."
"We welcome your participation, Captain," said Ariane. "We don't have a lot of time to waste. These Custodians seem to be getting bolder by the day. We need to figure out a way to mobilize both of our governments as quickly as we can to meet the threat."
"If I may make a suggestion?" said Salix.
"By all means," said Gertrude.
"It might be best for all involved if both of you docked your ships to ours. That way we can interact without the distraction of shuttles and airlocks."
"If you're sure you don't mind?" said Kozloff.
"Not at all," replied Salix.
"If you'll excuse me." said Kozloff, as he headed up to the bridge. Within twenty minutes, Lenin was carefully approaching the Hordean craft. Capri had turned around and was already nestled up against Helianthus and in the process being reconnected when Lenin pulled up alongside the huge craft on the opposite side of the same spoke connecting to Capri. There the Soviet ship was embraced by Hordean docking tendrils before being drawn in close and connected by means of an organic access tube.
Ariane, Kozloff, Nuriyev and Salix, who had all been waiting in Lenin's airlock, boarded the Hordean ship through the live temporary docking tube and traversed a small portion of Helianthus before heading through another living tube connecting to Capri. On the short route through the Hordean ship, the two Soviets marveled at the construction and strange organization of the utterly alien craft.
"It looks like the inside of a giant seedpod," said Nuriyev.
As the brain trust was getting settled in Capri's meeting room, Malus brought Cliff Barnard onto the Hordean ship for a short tour. While negotiating the living docking tube, both of them transitioned over to weightlessness. Inside Helianthus, Cliff grasped the railing running along the corridor wall and gazed around in open-mouthed wonder. Unlike the dull, dark green color of the ship's exterior, the inside was rendered in a veritable kaleidoscope of various, vibrant shades of green. Cliff's dark green coverall didn't look the least bit out of place. Diffuse illumination, displaying the distinct yellow tinge of the G-class stars favored by humanity lit up the interior. Apparently the Hordea preferred the same kind of stars.
"Obviously, there is insufficient time for me to show you the entire ship," said Malus. "However, one of the areas you would be most interested in is right nearby. At the end of this spoke is one of our reaction modules. We can be there in just a few minutes."
Cliff, still gazing around in wonder, nodded his head numbly. "Whatever you want to show me will be fine. Just don't be leavin' me alone in here."
Malus grasped the rail and used the now familiar Hordean spin technique to head down a section of corridor that became ever narrower as they traversed it. Cliff followed his alien friend hand over hand using the same rail. Along the way, the Hordean stopped several times to point out some of the features of the ship.
A series of structural hoops about two meters apart ringed the hollow tube of the corridor, receding into the distance in either direction. The hoops, in turn, were connected to each other by an intricate latticework of triangulated struts and meandering veins within the walls of the tube. Nearly invisible seams in the corridor walls marked the border between members of the sessile individuals incorporated into the ship. Cliff shook his head in wonder; most of what he was seeing was alive!
After proceeding down the corridor for perhaps another fifty meters, they came to the terminal end of the spoke. As the two of them approached what appeared to be a solid wall, an opening irised out. Cliff followed his guide through the portal and
into a large spherical chamber, its single, continuous internal wall crisscrossed with veins and railings like those lining the corridor.
Emerging from the inside surface of the sphere at a point directly opposite the entry, Cliff could see what looked like the upper third of a Hordean individual, recognizable by the eyes in the light colored band and the green tassel. On closer inspection, he was shocked to discover that rather than occupying a depression in the surface of the sphere, this individual was embedded in the wall from the level of its tentacle ring on down! The tentacles themselves increased in diameter as they got further from the body before merging with the material of the sphere and disappearing into it. To Cliff they looked much like the anchoring roots of a tree.
They used the railings to approach the individual more closely.
"This is one of our sessiles," said Malus after they came to a stop about two meters away from the immobile Hordean. "She was incorporated into the ship while we were growing it."
"Can she talk?"
"Of course, she is as intelligent as I am." Remembering Humans preferred to use names, he added, "You may address her as 'drive module seven.'"
Cliff had no idea what to say. Finally he managed to stumble out, "It's a real pleasure to meet you...Seven."
The response, through Malus' translator, was slow and deliberate, "You are one of the Humans we have heard so much about? I am told you are an intelligent mammal?"
"Yes, I am."
"How very strange, but many strange things have happened of late. It is a pleasure for me to meet you as well."
"So you're a living drive module?"
"There is another kind?"
"Well...yes. My ship has three reaction drives, and none of 'em have ever been alive. They're machines, and we have to build 'em."
"How interesting."
"Indeed," said Malus. "I have seen these drives myself, and while they are not as powerful as you and your sisters, we may learn things from these Humans that will allow us to make you even stronger and more efficient."
"Greater efficiencies are always welcome."
"Can I ask you a question?" said Cliff.
"Of course," replied Seven.
"How can you stand the heat put out by a reaction drive?"
"I required large quantities of heat-resistant minerals during my development. By the time my reaction coil was formed, that part of me was no longer living."
Cliff shook his head. "I guess we've got a lot to learn about each other."
"I would welcome further interaction with you."
Cliff and Malus stayed for another ten minutes or so, during which Cliff politely asked a few more questions, before the two of them headed out into the corridor and made their way back to the organic docking tube linking Capri to Helianthus.
Cliff's head was spinning from information overload as the two of them headed back to the engineering section of the freighter. Immediately after they arrived, Cliff said, "Malus? I've got some questions..."
Chapter 32. New Partners.
Capri, Deep Space, Star system X97610, October 8, 2676.
"So we are being considered for citizenship in this Grand Amalgamation of Galactic Civilizations?" said Kozloff, after the Federation people had, to the best of their abilities, explained the complex situation confronting the Humans and the Hordea to the Soviets.
Gertrude, by virtue of being the Amalgamated Representative of the expedition, had been chosen to preside over the meeting. "That's right," she said.
"And you are one of three Representatives while Zack and Ariane are two of three Guardians?"
"Correct again, Captain. The third Guardian is none other than your old colleague, Sergei Popov."
Kozloff acknowledged the revelation with a surprised look, "Sergei was selected to be one of the Guardians?"
"The Deimos AI did a remarkably good job of gathering a comprehensive cross-section of humanity, Captain," replied Gertrude. "Having personally interacted with Captain Popov, I can say without reservation he is an excellent choice. You should also know Salix is one of the Hordean Representatives and Quercia is one of their Guardians."
"We had no idea how important this meeting was," said Kozloff. "I thank you for inviting us to be a part of it. What have you covered so far?"
"Our first task was for our two species to make contact with each other to prove we're capable of forming a relationship with a different intelligent race," explained Gertrude.
"Thanks to the Custodians and my political officer," said Kozloff, "that process started out rather badly. By the way, Salix, I wonder if you could help me interrogate my political officer. Your abilities might make that task go a little easier."
"By all means, Captain. We can do so as soon as we have an opportunity."
"Your political officer almost accomplished exactly what the Custodians wanted," said Gertrude. "However, we must put that unfortunate event behind us and move on. The other big task we're faced with is finding a way to get the different factions of the Human race to stop fighting amongst themselves."
"That will be difficult," said Kozloff.
"I agree," said Gertrude. "But we have to figure out something. Humanity is no longer alone in the galaxy, and it's becoming more and more apparent both the Federation and the Soviet governments have been infiltrated by a powerful and ruthless enemy." She paused in thought for a moment. "To tell you the truth, I can't help but believe our meeting Lenin out here was a blessing in disguise. Having Sergei and yourself on our side is a very good start, but a full endorsement of our mission by the Soviet bloc would go far to unite all of humanity." She paused again and added, "Though I admit we haven't approached the Federation authorities as yet either."
"We'll help in any way we can," said Kozloff. "What do you suggest we do next?"
"The Hordea have expressed a wish to come back to human space with us to learn more of our culture before bringing us to any of their planets. Due to the actions of your political officer, I can't say I blame them."
"I'll do everything in my power to make up for that deplorable mistake," said Kozloff. "Before we depart, I need to inform you we have another problem. My deranged political officer with his all-out pursuit tactic has left our ship with no reaction fluid reserves. We must get Lenin back to human space by the most direct route possible. As things stand now, we will need to operate at absolutely the highest efficiency to make it back to the Central Planets. Even then, we may not have enough reaction mass."
"We also will not have full function of our ship until repairs have been made," said Salix. "We can operate our sublight and hyperdrive systems, but our reaction engines and power systems sustained severe enough damage that they can provide only limited function."
"The Sol system is several jumps closer to here than the Central Planets," said Gertrude.
"The Sol system?" asked Kozloff. "That's one of the most dangerous systems in all of Human space."
"Not any more, Captain," replied Gertrude. "Right now it's probably one of the safer ones. Our three ships can travel together, and we can arrange to refuel your ship there. That will also give us a chance to meet with the other human Representatives and Guardians to decide our next course of action. Our friends Won Ling-tsu and Sergei Popov should be back from their surveillance mission by then."
"We will be happy to journey with you," said Salix.
"Then it's decided," said Kozloff. "We depart for the Sol system immediately."
"A moment please, Captain," said Salix. "We should like to spend more time with your science officer. We could learn much from each other during the several of your days it will take to get to this Sol system. Would it be possible for her to remain on board Capri along with some of us?"
Kozloff thought the proposal over for a long moment before replying, "That sounds like an excellent idea." He looked at Gertrude, "Is that a possibility?"
"Absolutely," replied Gertrude. "We have plenty of space. Though she might find the accommodations to be somewha
t different than her current ones."
On Lenin, the ensign was housed, along with another female officer, in a cramped suite so small there was barely room to turn around in it. On Capri she would be all by herself in a spacious and very richly-appointed cabin, complete with its own sanitary and ultrasonic shower facilities.
"Thank you, sir," said Nuriyev. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I assure you I'll do my best."
"I expect no less," said Kozloff. He turned back to Gertrude. "How soon can we depart?"
"As soon as your people can be ready."
"Do you need anything, Ensign?"
"Just my spacesuit and my duffel," said Nuriyev, "It's mostly packed already. I could fetch them and be back here in just a few minutes."
"Let's get moving," said Kozloff. "I'll have one of Zlotnik's men bring over your spacesuit."
Over the next half hour, Kozloff went back to Lenin's bridge to prepare for departure while Nuriyev excitedly retrieved some things from her quarters and transferred over to Capri.
With preparations complete, the three ships disconnected and boosted towards the chain of hyperlink zones leading back to the Sol system and human space.
Shortly after the ships began to boost towards the hyperlink, word came from Lenin's brig that Pavlovich had also found a way to take his own life.
Chapter 33. On the Lam.
New Belgrade Orbital Station, October 8, 2676.
Spaski left the Pink Lady and headed around the corner onto the lane leading to the Iron Maiden. He took a quick look up and down the street for security people and, not seeing any, made his way inside. A visual scan of the bar revealed neither Sergei nor his friend had arrived yet. He also observed, with some relief, that none of his drinking pals were there either. That didn't surprise him, as they usually gathered on Friday, still several days away, but one never knew.
The Archeon Codex: Guardians of the Galactic Sentinel Book 2 Page 17
