"So things are pretty bad back there?" asked Arnold.
"There are racketeers roaming the docks and collecting exorbitant fees on every load of cargo coming in or going out. No one knows where the credits go, but a lot of Soviet Navy ship commanders and other government officials seem to be involved. We have good reason to believe all this activity is directly connected to Custodian infiltration."
"I can add to that," said Jakob. "My business takes me to most of the planets in the Soviet zone. I don't know anything about these Custodians, but from what I've seen myself and what I'm hearing from other small-time operators like me, the racketeering and abuse are just as bad on the other orbital stations as they are is on New Belgrade. Might be even worse on some of them."
Spaski spoke up, "In addition to racketeering, there are suddenly a lot of new Navy people showing up, while the older, more experienced personnel, like Chief Kryslov and myself are being reassigned. Many of the best computer technicians are also disappearing. We're pretty sure Bobrik here, was about to suffer the same fate. After we rescued him from the brig, he got us the video we just showed you from the political offices."
"How do we know that this very same thing isn't happening on Federation planets and facilities as well?" asked the Professor. "And everyone but a few corrupted individuals are just as unaware as the Soviets are?"
"We don't know, Dr. MacPherson," said Sergei, "but I fear the worst. It seems the loss of my ship and crew was not totally in vain. Thanks to Engineer Lysenko, who gave his life to destroy the Custodians, we were able to survive the infiltration on Murmansk. Without his sacrifice, we probably wouldn't have been able to activate Sentinel Pyramid. Instead, we'd all be dead and invasion would be continuing uncontested."
Kozloff, who had been silent up till now said, "We had a similar situation on Lenin, Sergei, only we were able to contain it in time." Kozloff nodded in the direction of Ariane, "Thanks to our contact with Capri."
"You found Custodians on Lenin?" asked Sergei.
"How about we get everyone up to speed on our part of the mission," said Ariane. "It'll all make more sense if we share what we've found with Sergei and the rest of you."
Arnold nodded, "This is probably a good time for your report anyway. Go ahead."
"We followed the route Symantia gave us and got to the uncharted star system where our first contact meeting was supposed to take place, without incident," said Ariane. "Then things started to get out of hand."
She went on to describe the first contact meeting between the two races, and how the Hordea had been somewhat gun-shy about rendezvousing with Capri because of an earlier attack on them by Lenin while they were in transit to the system where the meeting was to take place. She described their initial interactions with the Hordea and how three of their new allies had been on board when Lenin came streaking through the hyperlink point to launch another attack.
Sergei looked at his old friend Kozloff. "You were going to attack them?"
"Not me personally," replied Kozloff, shaking his head in firm denial. "I was locked in the brig at the time because I refused to attack the Hordean ship during our first encounter. The political officer relieved me of duty and put my first officer in charge."
"How did you get Lenin to break off attack?" asked Sergei.
"At the last minute," said Ariane, "it dawned on us a Custodian was probably pulling the strings on Lenin through the political officer. We showed the video from Murmansk to Lenin's bridge personnel and they immediately broke off the attack. Right after that, they started asking the political officer some very pointed questions."
"So Lenin was infested with the same foul creatures?" asked Sergei.
"Yes," replied Kozloff, "and our political officer was collaborating with them."
"And you managed to keep them from taking control of your ship?"
"Actually, it was even better than that. Thanks to the warning we got from Capri, we were able to capture six of them. We have them onboard and under heavy guard right now."
"You have six Custodians?" asked Sergei.
"Yes," said Kozloff. "The one who had been colluding with Pavlovich was wounded while trying to avoid capture. It died in our brig before we had a chance to interrogate it, not that we had any idea how to go about it. We think its wounds were severe enough to be fatal, although it may have had some way to commit suicide. The other five are in the rear cargo hold in a shipping container."
"And you just left them there?" asked Sergei. "Is that wise?"
"They are in individual chambers and appear to be under some kind of suspended animation."
"So you're absolutely sure is no danger?" said Sergei.
"As sure as we can be. The container is under heavy guard and my men have orders to shoot to kill if anything tries to come out of it. Besides, we confiscated all of their weapons."
"We'll need to study them," said Sergei, "find their weaknesses."
"Perhaps we could be of assistance?" offered Salix. "We have spent some very productive time discussing our respective sciences with Ensign Tatiana Nuriyev, science officer for Lenin. If one of us were to assist her, I am confident we could learn much about these creatures. Do not forget. Our people have as much at stake in this as yours do."
"No one is going to wake up any of the sleepin' ones 'til we know exactly what we're doin'," said Holger, who had been absorbing the proceedings in silence until now. "In fact, maybe we should just space the lot of them, container and all. Send them on a one-way trip into the sun."
"Tempting, Father," said Gertrude, "but one of the keys to defeating these creatures will be to learn as much about them as we can."
"You're absolutely right, Trudy," said Arnold. "We need to get on that right away. Captain Kozloff? Would you take the lead on these investigations?"
"I'll do what I can."
"Salix?"
"I recommend we send Betula, one of our scientists. He is currently onboard Helianthus and has been waiting for an opportunity to interact with humans. He could transfer over on your shuttle before you return to Lenin."
"His participation would be most welcome," said Kozloff, "we're going to need all the help we can get."
"We'll expect periodic reports," said Arnold.
"And be damned careful," added Holger.
"One more thing," said Zack, "and this is serious. The Custodian on Lenin not only knew about our first contact meeting, it knew where the meeting was supposed to take place. No one besides us and Symantia were supposed to know about it." He paused, his face grim. "I think you see what I'm leading up to."
There was a short silence before MacPherson spoke up. "It means that someone in the Amalgamation must be passing information to the Custodians!"
"We came to the same conclusion," said Zack. "Question is, what do we do about it?"
"Probably not a lot we can do for right now," said Arnold. "But it definitely complicates things. We'll have to probe Symantia for information as soon as we see her again. Maybe she'll know what to do."
"I just thought everyone ought to know," said Zack.
"Thank you, Zack," said Arnold.
With another subject more or less tabled for the time being, Arnold shifted gears. "We, on the other hand, have some good news. Our translation team has scored a major breakthrough."
"A breakthrough?" said Ariane.
"Yes, we deciphered much of the other two sides of the pyramid, and we're pretty sure we know what the next activation sequence is. We were waiting until we got everyone together again before making the attempt."
"Excellent," said Sergei.
"There's more," said Arnold. "We're also pretty sure there is another artifact."
"Something as important as the Sentinel Key itself?" asked Ariane.
"Maybe? Probably? We won't know for sure until we locate it."
"Where is it?" asked Zack.
"We don't know that either," said MacPherson. "Our hope is the location will be revealed to us when we initiate the a
ctivation sequence we've been working on."
"What are we waiting for?" said Gertrude. "Let's get to it!"
Meanwhile, about ten minutes out from the moon, Regional Sentinel Guardian Symantia L'Proxa's scoutship approaches Deimos.
Chapter 41. Activation Two.
Deimos, Sentinel Pyramid Chamber, October 13, 2676.
Everyone left the common room and threaded their way through the Teaching and Learning room back into the Sentinel Pyramid chamber. Once there, they all spread out, encircling the glowing construct from a meter or so away.
"This translation turned out to be a real challenge," said MacPherson. "We were pretty well stuck until Kathy had a brainstorm. She suggested the text wrapped around the pyramid from the second to the third facet. While we were pursuing that lead, Arnold discovered some symbols had been split in two, with half of the symbol on facet two and the other half on facet three. Using a combination of the two techniques, we think we have successfully identified the next set of activation sequences. As Arnold said, we held off on trying to activate it because we wanted to wait until all of the Representatives and Guardians were present."
"And now that the time has come," said Arnold, "I'll read off the activation symbols while you do the honors, Harold."
"I think everybody should move back a bit," said MacPherson. "We don't know what's going to happen if this activation should prove to be successful."
Everyone took a couple of steps back and stopped. The taller members of the party, like Holger, Gertrude, Spaski and Kryslov could feel the backs of their heads brushing the hemispherical wall of the chamber.
Arnold began calling out the activation symbols.
"Facet two, fourth row, first symbol..." MacPherson touched the corresponding symbol. "Facet three, fourth row, second symbol..."
Arnold and the professor continued for two more symbols until only one remained. "Facet three, row eight, first symbol." MacPherson touched the symbol and stepped back.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then each of the activation sequence symbols and the outline of the pyramid changed color from the original green to a translucent red. After that, as everyone looked on, frozen in astonishment, the entire pyramid lifted up about five centimeters above the floor and rotated counterclockwise before settling back down. What the group had been calling "facet two" was now facing the entrance to the Teaching and Learning chamber from the position where facet one had previously been.
After the initial drama was over, nothing else happened. The pyramid remained quiet. Everyone in the chamber was looking around at everyone else, wondering what was supposed to come next.
Zack broke the spell, "Last time we activated the device, we gained entrance to the Teaching and Learning chamber and there were things we had to do at the consoles. We need to see if there's something going on in there!"
MacPherson nodded his head. "Excellent suggestion, my boy, lead on!"
Zack turned to his left, away from where he had been standing next to the now reoriented pyramid, and strode over to the short passage leading into the next chamber. At the end of the passage, the force screen guarding the door into the Teaching and Learning chamber had also turned from its normal green to the same translucent red as the symbols and edges of the pyramid. Zack stepped through the curtain, and the others followed.
In the center of the chamber, the Teaching and Learning consoles were all brightly lit up, this time with the outlines of the monitors and keyboards in the same translucent red as the pyramid and the force curtain had become.
"Okay, I got us this far," said Zack. "Now what?"
"All three of the teaching and learning stations are activated," said MacPherson. "It's almost like an open invitation."
"So who takes the positions?" asked Kathryn.
"I think the answer is obvious," replied Arnold. "It almost has to be the three Representatives. I'm really glad we waited to do this until everyone was here."
After a bit more discussion, the group decided Arnold had to be right. He, Won and Gertrude each took a seat at one of the consoles. As soon as the last of them had settled in, narrow beams flashed out from the three sides of the central spire and shined on each of their faces. Unlike the green beams from the initial activation, these beams were red. Upon being struck, the three Representatives stiffened and sat bolt upright at their stations, staring with glazed eyes at the central spire while the beams flickered on their upturned faces.
Kathryn whispered to Ariane, "How long do you think this will last?"
Ariane whispered back, "I don't know. Last time, the sessions took about five minutes, but I have no idea if this will be the same or not. Things are different this time, the beams are a different color, for one thing. All we can do is watch."
So watch they did. To everyone's relief, the beams abruptly shut down about five minutes later, releasing the Representatives from their frozen, trance-like states. Along with the beams shutting down, the outlines of the consoles and the force screen over the door abruptly reverted to the customary green. As though some invisible force had been holding them up, every one of the Representatives slumped forward and remained hunched over at their respective consoles for the next ten seconds or so before beginning their return to normal. Gertrude was first to recover. She slowly straightened up, blinked her eyes and stretched while looking around the chamber. A few seconds later, Won and Arnold did the same."
"That was interesting," said Gertrude, slowly rotating her head from side to side.
"What did you see," asked Ariane?
"Quite a lot," replied Gertrude.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Zack.
"Sorry...there was just so much...I'm still trying to process it all."
"It started off with the visions," said Arnold. "Several versions of them, good and bad, only there was a lot more detail."
Gertrude and Won nodded in agreement.
"And ended up with the vision of the transparent box," Arnold continued. "It looks like there's a book or a...codex of some kind inside."
"A codex?" asked MacPherson.
"Yes. There were markings of some kind on the cover, symbols and such, but the image wasn't that distinct, and it's already fading from my mind."
"Was there anything else?"
"I saw a diagram of the galaxy," said Won. "There were red circles around many of the stars. One of them was Sol, only the circle wasn't a solid line, it was pulsating." He paused and added, "I have no idea what it means though."
"Deimos?" said Arnold. "You showed us these visions. Have you got any help for us?"
"I regret that I cannot not assist you regarding this matter. However, Regional Guardian Symantia L'Proxa has just returned. Perhaps she can answer your questions."
Chapter 42. History Lesson.
Deimos Common Room, October 13, 2676.
The three Representatives, all of them still somewhat dazed from their contact with the Teaching and Learning consoles, led the rest of the group back to the common room. They'd been discussing their experience with the others for no more than a few minutes before Symantia L'Proxa joined them. The instant she entered the chamber, the Representatives surrounded her and proceeded to bombard her with questions.
After about fifteen seconds, during which Symantia was given no opportunity to do anything but listen patiently, she called for order. "Please, everyone, this isn't going to work." Somewhat chastened, the three Representatives backed off immediately. "That's better," she said. "Gertrude? Why don't you go first?"
"Thank you, Symantia," said Gertrude. "Why are the visions becoming more detailed and more frightening? Is it because we're failing?"
"I don't think so," replied Symantia. "It's more a reflection of the fact that you're getting closer to your goal."
Won went next, describing the galactic map he had seen, and ended with, "Why was the red circle around our star pulsating?"
"It is a response to signals being emitted by the Sentinel device here on Deimos."
"For the purpose of...?"
"Before I tell you, I need to give you some background information."
"My apologies," interrupted Arnold, "in the excitement of the moment, I neglected to introduce you to Salix, Queria and our new Soviet allies."
"Do not concern yourself. As Regional Guardian for the Quadrant, I have met with all of the Hordean Representatives and Guardians. We are already well acquainted."
"Sorry, I should have known that," said Arnold. He then took a few minutes to introduce the newly arrived humans, Kozloff, Nuriyev, Luken, Spaski, Kryslov and Babkin followed by a brief explanation of how they came to be here on Deimos. Afterwards he said, "Please continue, Symantia."
"This may be quite a lot for you to assimilate," said the little Lycan. "Don't be afraid to ask questions if something is unclear." Everyone nodded agreement, and she continued, "Deimos was converted from an asteroid into the construct it is now using knowledge gained from the study of ruins scattered throughout the galaxy. Ruins that were the legacy of a very ancient race we call the Archeons. The star systems with the red circles around them contain planets or moons where some of these ruins have been found."
"Ruins like the Egyptian and Mayan civilizations of Old Earth?" asked Gertrude, who in addition to her other interests, was a student of Old Earth history.
"Much like those, but these 'ancients' predate even the oldest of the civilizations in the Amalgamation by at least fifty thousand of your years. Their technology, as old as it is, still surpasses that of even the most advanced of the current civilizations. In fact, the entire Sentinel network was actually constructed based on Archeon instructions."
"If the technology is so advanced, how were you able to do anything with it?" asked Ariane.
"We have only dipped beneath the surface of an incredibly vast ocean of knowledge," replied Symantia. "Scientists from the Avean race were the first of us to make any progress on the puzzle by translating some of the writings left behind. That was a tremendous breakthrough, but it was almost as though those writings were left deliberately where they would be found, and in a form that was relatively easy to decipher."
The Archeon Codex: Guardians of the Galactic Sentinel Book 2 Page 21
