Redemption Protocol (Contact)

by Mike Freeman

  She felt so upset by this that spontaneously, from nowhere, she started to cry.

  96.

  Havoc exited the pyramid entrance field ahead of the others. They emerged behind him and fanned out. Scattered around the entrance were the three inhabitable cabins and six equipment containers that comprised their camp. Spaced along the pyramid walls on either side of their base were five missile batteries – three planetary and two solar. Havoc had already verified their configuration – a saboteur could do a lot with a ship killer.

  He could clearly see the incoming Gathering shuttles with their clear infrared signature. A marker superimposed on his vision tracked their progress. He entered their primary control cabin and retracted his visor.

  Novosa turned to greet him.

  “Good job in there.”

  “Thanks. What have we got?”

  Novosa gestured at a colored area of the map screen that occupied part of the wall.

  “Two Gathering shuttles. I've told them to land on the far side of the wall. I've designated an area. They grumbled but they're doing it. I've reminded them of our system agreement and their wider exploration treaty obligations.”

  Novosa said the last expression by rote as if it were meaningless. Havoc grunted his agreement with her sentiments. He turned to Stephanie as she entered the lock and retracted her visor. She walked forward and studied the screens and the map.

  “You ok?”

  Stephanie barely acknowledged him as she took it in.

  “Yes.”

  Havoc was still trying to pinpoint what he'd done wrong. Stephanie looked at Novosa as she pointed at the screen.

  “Is that where you've put the Gathering?”

  “Yes.”

  Havoc touched Stephanie’s arm.

  “What’s––”

  Stephanie pulled her arm away. Havoc’s brow furrowed. They stared at each other. Stephanie pulled her hand through her hair and looked apologetic.

  “God, John, I'm sorry. I feel really brittle. There's a lot going on, I guess.”

  He frowned.

  Stephanie put her hand on his suited forearm.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Novosa looked at Stephanie sympathetically.

  “An alien system, sabotage and murder. Running out of air in the shuttle must have been pretty bad...”

  Stephanie nodded as she gave Novosa a grateful look.

  “Not my normal day at the office by a long shot. And we have all this contamination to think about. I'm sorry. Maybe I need to have a walk. Clear my head.”

  Havoc nodded.

  They were all silent for a moment.

  Novosa brightened.

  “Jafari thinks he can make some progress on the relay transmitters we found on board. He's sure there are two distinct types. He thinks there's a chance he can use the environmental information on shipnet to track one back to the saboteur. Nothing definite though.”

  Havoc nodded. Could be true, could be typical counter-intelligence bullshit.

  Stephanie smiled.

  “That’s great news. I'm going to have that walk I think. Get out for a while. There's just so little space here, it feels claustrophobic. I'll head out after the Gathering visit. I'll clear it with Abbott first.”

  Havoc looked on with concern as Stephanie sealed her visor and entered the lock.

  Novosa raised her eyebrows at Havoc.

  Havoc’s felt unsure. He could hear the uncertainty in his voice.

  “She's ok. She's never been on an exploration mission.”

  “She's beautiful,” Novosa said.

  Havoc nodded.

  “And fierce,” Novosa said.

  Havoc nodded again, with feeling.

  Novosa smiled.

  “She's a tigress.”

  Havoc laughed.

  “How are you, Novosa?”

  She nodded but made a face at the same time.

  “I'm worried about Bob. Something didn't sound right. He was calling me every couple of hours. Then he goes quiet for five hours. When he called back he sounded like a different man. I'm worried about him.”

  “You want me to talk to him?”

  She smiled.

  “Please.”

  He nodded.

  “No problem.”

  Novosa stared at a screen that relayed a platform feed of the horizon. She sighed.

  “I'm worried, Havoc. Twice I've come to my senses in here without knowing what I've been doing. It's like little slices of my life have been cut out and taken away. I've always been sharp. I don't know how to handle not being able to trust my own mind.”

  Havoc nodded. There were no easy answers.

  “You know about battle though, don't you Novosa? This is battle and we'll have losses, collectively and personally. Don't think of wasting away. Thinking of fighting on, as best as you can, for as long as you can.”

  Novosa nodded.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Havoc. If anything ever felt like a one way ticket...”

  He nodded.

  They both turned as the screen showed two large Gathering shuttles swooping down in a tightening spiral. The two shuttles powered down amongst billowing clouds of exhaust gas.

  Novosa blew out her cheeks.

  “The bastards have blown out three of our outer markers. You think they'll come straight over?”

  He studied the screen.

  “Yeah.”

  Novosa stared at him with a sudden intensity.

  “I really want to make it through this one, Havoc.”

  97.

  Havoc stood with the Alliance team, braced against the buffeting wind, spaced out in a line like gunslingers in front of their encampment.

  Two static defense stations tracked the approaching convoy of elongated Gathering vehicles like snakes observing a trail of mice. Novosa's platforms circled overhead. Huge quantities of battlespace information were exchanged on both sides as one party converged on the other.

  The five vehicles pulled to a halt and the Gathering team spilled out. Five men waddled toward them, looking almost as wide as they were tall. Havoc was amused, as always, by the massive size of the Gathering leaders' suits. It was a status thing as well as an armor thing. The low gravity would assist them somewhat, though the suits would be doing all the work.

  The Gathering had a million ways to belittle women and as soon as they saw Stephanie they shuffled sideways to diminish her role. The Gathering leader, in a black suit with gold trim, spread his arms as he introduced himself on an open channel.

  “I am Arzbad-Framander Zuelth, Sword of the One True God, Province leader of Geltezf, Elect of the Council of Twelve, System Overlord, Battlefield Commander, Chosen of the Arteshtaran-Salar, Rasnan of the Families of Great Faith, Sage of Istandar and Nominated Ambassador of the Gathering of the Truly Faithful in this place, on this day, at this time.”

  Havoc thought that a nation's insecurity could often be judged by the titles they bestowed on their leaders and the length of their national anthem. The Gathering's national anthem, he recalled, lasted a full twelve minutes. He surveyed the sixteen Gathering soldiers in the last three vehicles. He knew from prior experience that they deserved his full respect. Hidden somewhere else would be the Nmr Qátl, the Gathering’s tiger assassins, seriously capable adversaries who were all competing for the opportunity to dispatch more infidels to hell.

  Abbott stepped forward.

  Abbott might not know much about negotiating with aliens yet, but he'd been dealing with the Gathering for his entire diplomatic career. He introduced himself and his Chief Adviser Stephanie Calthorpe at great length, extolling titles on himself and particularly on Stephanie that Havoc had never heard of and he was quite sure in most cases, Stephanie hadn't either.

  “Welcome to this planet, which we have not as yet named,” Abbott concluded.

  Zuelth bowed his head.

  “Are you aware of our prophesies, Ambassador Abbott?”

  Straight down to business, Havoc
thought. No time for chit chat when there were heretics to burn.

  Abbott appeared blissfully unaware.

  “What specifically did you have in mind, Arzbad-Framander Zuelth?”

  Zuelth pointed at the colossal structure towering over them.

  “It is clear that this pyramid is the Tomb of Ceodur'ham, the Fra of Behausster, the last and greatest Prophet of Halambra, in whose corporeal form the Redeemer will rise to save his people. As such, you will respect our right to enter immediately.”

  Abbott smiled politely.

  “With due respect, esteemed Arzbad-Framander Zuelth, that is not at all clear. I ask you respect our agreement and give us the forty eight hours to which we are entitled. After that time we will happily negotiate to ascertain if there is a basis on which we might share access. In the meantime, should indications arise that this is the Tomb of Ceodur'ham we will, of course, inform you immediately.”

  “Have you found any sign of the Redeemer inside?”

  “None.”

  “You have found nothing?”

  “We have found nothing worthy of bringing to your attention.”

  “We would explore the pyramid with you, Ambassador.”

  Abbott looked regretful.

  “That is not possible. Please stay on the plain outside the wall as per our agreement. We will continue our exploration and decide whether the Alliance will stake a claim to this place.”

  “You are aware that our prophesy says the infidel will try to prevent the Righteous from freeing the Redeemer, Ambassador? Though they are doomed to fail.”

  “I do not believe that applies here, Arzbad-Framander Zuelth. I remind you that we are asking for only two days. I know the great people of the Gathering of the Truly Faithful, having waited thousands upon thousands of years for their Redeemer, have the patience and strength of character to wait but two days to further their search.”

  “I would––”

  Abbott took a step back.

  “If you would excuse us, Arzbad-Framander Zuelth, we are happy to extend all courtesy to you, our visitors, but we must proceed with our exploration so we can resume these talks in a timely fashion.”

  Or put another way, Havoc thought, get lost.

  Zuelth gathered himself up to his full height.

  “Before I leave, let me extend an invitation to any of your crew who follow the One True God. We shall shortly consecrate a place of worship. In such a holy place, so far from our Origin Planet, we would be honored to receive any believers who wish to join us in the worship of our magnificent Lord. I would also demand, of course, that no unbelievers cross the sanctified circle.”

  “Thank you, Arzbad-Framander Zuelth, your offer is most generous and I shall convey it to our crew.”

  Zuelth bowed his head and Abbott mirrored the gesture in return.

  With a sweeping wave of his imaginary cloak, Zuelth and his entourage waddled back to their vehicles, mounted up and departed.

  “You think they'll give us forty eight hours?” Charles said.

  “Not a chance,” Havoc and Abbott said, simultaneously.

  98.

  Havoc watched Jafari disappear round the corner of the pyramid.

  The Gathering had set up a base on the opposite side of the pyramid by the western entrance – a minor breach of their agreement and part of the diplomatic tug-o-war that would be part of everyday life from now on.

  Jafari was going, with Abbott's consent, to pray with the Gathering. Jafari had explained that since he could be dying of tettraxigyiom contamination, he'd be grateful for a final chance to worship with his fellow adherents. Denying a dying man his faith was a step too far for Abbott and he’d acquiesced.

  'His followers save Him from the infidel who trap Him in His tomb,' Jafari had said, with perhaps a soupçon more glee than Havoc thought appropriate. Havoc had increasing suspicions about Jafari and Jafari's desire to pray with the Gathering pretty much clinched them.

  Yamamoto spoke from the Intrepid as she pinged a surface location south of the pyramid.

  “The United Systems and People’s Republic are dropping south of you, Havoc. They’re making diplomatic overtures to advance to the pyramid. I’ve referred them to Abbott. They’re ramping up activity.”

  Havoc could already detect the uptick in the electronic warfare environment.

  “Got it, Yamamoto, thanks.”

  Yamamoto pinged another location far to the south of Plash.

  “And we have three ORC ships approaching your position, Tyburn. A lifter and two fighters. They aren't coming in directly; they look to be aiming off to a site less than ten kilometers away from the shaft. Here.”

  Havoc reviewed the position that the Orion Republics’ Confederation vessels were aiming for. He frowned.

  “Is there anything at that location?”

  “Not that I can see,” Yamamoto said.

  “Are they fighters or shuttles?”

  “Definitely two fighters, the signature is clear.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Alright, Yamamoto, we have it,” Tyburn said.

  Havoc wondered about the implications of the ORC disposition.

  “Should we get Abbott to talk to the ORC?”

  “We've got this, Havoc.”

  “Here to help.”

  “No kiss is a bad kiss, Havoc...”

  Havoc smiled.

  “Unless it's unwanted.”

  “Right.”

  “All ok down there, Tyburn?”

  “We're good. You?”

  “Good. How is Stone getting on with the reactors?”

  “Look, Havoc, I'd love to chat all day but I have to go. And fine.”

  Tyburn cut the connection. Havoc thought about his chat with Novosa and contacted Stone.

  “Hey Stone, how you doing?”

  Stone's voice was nasal and slurred.

  “Yeah, fine.”

  Stone sounded uncharacteristically flat. Novosa was right, something was wrong.

  “You been drinking?”

  “Only water.”

  “Still got my Tregler Five?”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “Ekker took it off me.”

  “Are you alright?”

  “Mostly, yeah.”

  “You had a little trouble?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How's the position, you all set?”

  “We've already lifted two out; the third is on its way up.”

  “So they were there?”

  “All fourteen of them.”

  “You going to test them?”

  “I'd love to. Best to set up a test harness in orbit though.”

  Havoc considered this.

  “So why don't you lift the first three out and test one in orbit? Now the shaft is rigged there's no point in you being there, is there?”

  “I guess not.”

  “You've got the lifter there?”

  “Yeah. I could just auto-lift out of here.”

  “You got your suit on?”

  “I have now.”

  “Keep it on.”

  A little bit of Stone’s banter returned.

  “Is that a die with your boots on thing?”

  Havoc smiled. Stone was cheering up as he started to think about getting out of there and away from Ekker.

  “Actually it's a ‘you're less likely to die with your boots on’ thing.”

  “Ok. I gotta go. Tyburn is calling me to the crane.”

  “Just remember the famous fish philosophy.”

  “What that’s?”

  “You never get in trouble if you just keep your mouth shut.”

  Stone groaned.

  ~ ~ ~

  Tyburn and Ekker stood in the command cabin listening to Stone complete his conversation with Havoc.

  Tyburn’s lip curled derisively.

  “Just like those ORC morons to broadcast their presence to the entire galaxy.”

  “Well you were right, Stone bleated t
o Havoc.”

  “You're a fucking idiot.”

  Ekker parted his hands, shrugging.

  “I just lost it.”

  Tyburn stared at Ekker. Ekker looked increasingly uncomfortable. He spread his hands.

  “I’m sorry. Havoc doesn't suspect. He's just trying to get Stone out of here.”

  “We want Havoc down here, but not yet.”

  “We could gut Stone’s comstrip.”

  Tyburn nodded.

  “Probably the fastest way to get Havoc down here. It’s too early though. We’d still be here.”

  “Would that be such a problem?”

  Tyburn frowned as he turned the situation over in his mind.

  “You have no idea.”

  99.

  Novosa made her way outside the pyramid’s perimeter wall to replace the outer markers knocked out by the Gathering. She could replace them remotely by flying them in, of course, but it felt pretty liberating to go for a walk. She needed to think.

  Novosa thought she'd changed, that she'd been changing for a while now. She couldn't deny it any more – she needed to act. It was ironic that, now she was dosed with tettraxigyiom, her decision might be too late.

  She loved the military life and she loved men. Not just for sex or flirting or a fling, but men and their approach to things. You knew where you stood with guys as long as you weren't trying to pin them down emotionally. And when you didn't try to pin them down emotionally, they usually tried to pin you down instead. She smiled. Guys were simple and predictable. She'd enrolled as a system combatant and eventually moved on to blades. She wasn't soft or squeamish. She'd seen what her boys had done up close. And if the enemy ever got their hands on a blade runner, well... don’t get caught alive, simple as that.

  She'd always been scathing of girls who wanted to find a man and settle down. She'd known for a fact that she would never become that person. She was too much of a free spirit, too independent. She'd traveled around countless systems, been stationed in so many places, seen so many fantastic things. But in the last few years there had been a gap, just a tiny gap at first, more a feeling. Something missing that had never been missing before. And the tiny gap had grown. Everything had started to feel a little empty. And despite her earlier protestations and the hearts she'd broken swearing that she'd never settle down, she'd started to think about kids. Or, rather, she had a feeling about kids. She wanted to have some.