George smiles as he realizes that the task will fall upon him and Patrick.
“What metals shall we give them?” George asks curiously.
Cindy stares at George, considering his question.
“You know, they are working with copper, iron, and steel. That should be good enough.”
George nods in understanding. “We should be able to keep a few of the exotic elements for ourselves, without too much difficulty.”
Cindy leans back in her chair. Finally a break. She leans forward again as she recalls one last thing.
“The Oglan’s have offered our crew their hospitality, shore leave in other words. Any Thoughts?”
With no one else answering, Peter stands up. He puts a hand to his chin, he is deep in thought. Glancing at each of his colleagues he shares his deliberations.
“The offer is very generous, perhaps too generous. I suggest we get our food and water, trade the metals, and move on.”
Emma stands, folds her arms across her chest, then reluctantly adds her thoughts.
“We have no way of thoroughly testing any of the food items they offer us. We only have rudimentary testing equipment, thus eating anything foreign carries with it an inherent risk.” She pauses then adds a positive note. “We can purify the water though.”
With the prospect of new food supplies dwindling, the mood swings from one of elation, to that of reservation. Cindy meets Peter’s stare and holds it, while she considers everything. Though she felt no hostility from the Oglans, the events of the voyage have enhanced her already cautious nature. Cindy paces the bridge, deep in thought. Finally she speaks up, her decision has been made.
“I have to agree. Something is not right.”
She continues to chat about the Oglans, sharing her observations and opinions. Her instincts tell her there is a lot more to these Oglans than they have shared. Once the discussion winds down, the bridge crew withdraws to their respective tasks. They will collect water, but not take any food.
George heads down to the main hangar deck where he busily crafts a water collection bucket, one that can be hooked to the rear of the shuttle. Patrick works hard on some last minute repairs to the water tanks, then routes pipe work to the hangar. Emma, with Henry’s help, plans a regiment to sterilize the tanks, then refill them.
Andrew and Joe pour over the volumes of data the Gamin systems give them while they orbit this world. Joe taps away on his console, then reviews data that feeds through GUS to his laptop. This goes on for a awhile, until he turns to John and surprises him with a request.
“Can we change our orbit path to,” he pauses while reviewing both his laptop and his console, “this heading.” His finger points at series of coordinates.
Andrew watches as his friend gets on one of his missions, and smiles. John nods then obliges Joe’s request, simply because he no reason not to.
The Terran turns and begins to track over the planet on its new heading. Joe suddenly jumps up in excitement.
“Got it!” He explains suddenly. Looking around at the blank faces he feels a little sheepish.
“I know why they want metals. There is an underground complex, not far from the ruined city. It has a power source, faint, but it’s there.”
Andrew grin widens. Joe is good, very good. His curiosity roused, he asks,
“OK mate, so what has that got to do with them wanting metals?”
“Well, seven thousand years is over one hundred generations to these people. Their lore is quite specific, and has been handed down, father to son, all this time. Well I bet that, long ago, they needed metals to keep everything going. But now, that need is out of context. They are pursuing a lost cause, and don’t know it.”
Cindy’s eyes narrow as she gets an idea.
“Joe, John, want to explore that complex?”
Joe checks his terminal again before replying.
“Let’s get our water first, the entrance is pretty close to another large settlement.”
Cindy stares out at the view of the planet, and smiles. There had to be something, didn’t there?
While John flies the shuttle to and from the planet collecting water, George and Patrick begin the arduous task of absorbing the construction dock. By the end of the first day, John has only transported a small amount of water. Henry and Emma begin the arduous sterilizing process. Unwanted water is simply jettisoned into space via a temporary pipe that hangs down the ramp, and out through the navigational shield.
Every tank of water that is brought up is filtered, then boiled. The steam is condensed, then filtered again before finally being put to use. The process is wasteful and time consuming, but meets Emma’s stringent requirements.
Down on the planet, George and Patrick stand side by side in their Gamin body suits. Craning their necks upward, the ancient construction dock looks very foreboding indeed. Massive trees grow around the base, while vines entwine themselves up each of the spires. Mosses of various colors grow almost everywhere. Patrick scrapes away a thick layer of mold with his boot and whistles.
“Wow, the dock’s base looks like it’s intact!”
George stares at the cleared spot in amazement. He removes a pile of mold from the edge and is actually relieved to see signs of erosion. Instead of having crisp edges, they are rounded and pitted. He turns to Patrick, his voice subdued.
“This construction dock has survived eons, and here we are today, about to carve into it.”
Patrick gazes around one more time.
“It’s a shame. But, better to get something out of this, rather than leave it.”
George nods in agreement, uses the suit to craft the absorption tool, and begins. Patrick does the same, but within five minutes stops, then stares at George.
“How do these things work?”, he asks holding up his arm. “I mean this thing is slicing away at the plating as though it were Swiss cheese. You can take a sledgehammer to this stuff and barely scratch it.”
George stops as well, then stares blankly at Patrick.
“I don’t know,” he says automatically, then frowns. “Actually. I do know,” he says slowly. “The tip here, has a molecular accelerator, when the atoms get excited, they are disassembled into their base particles. When there is a reaction that produces energy, the suits are able to charge up their built-in capacitor. Sometimes the process requires more energy that it creates.”
Patrick stares dumfounded at George as he rambles on.
“The creation process involves assembling the required item at the molecular level, simply by reversing the process. Small objects can be crafted very quickly, while larger objects require care and time.”
Patrick’s jaw hangs open in shock. Simply!
“You’re a lot smarter that those folks give you credit for. What did you major in?”
George looks at Patrick quizzically, then answers.
“Major in? Like college? I graduated high school then went to work in my uncles furniture store.”
Patrick frowns in surprise. He is truly awed by George.
“So you just learned all this, ‘stuff’, on your own?”
George shrugs his shoulders, perplexed himself, then stares at the mammoth undertaking before them.
“We had better get cracking, or we will never get done.”
Patrick gets back to the task of absorbing the ancient dock, his thoughts dwell on George for quite a while. George also gets to work, his mind racing on. How do I know all this stuff?
It takes six days for John to complete the undertaking of filling the Terran’s water tanks with clean, filtered water. During this entire time, George and Patrick have converted a mere portion of the ancient dock. Stockpiles of rare metals lay in the hangar bay of the Terran, the rest has been transported to the Oglans.
Jux is very happy with the mounds of copper, iron, lead, and steal ingots before him. Their individual size allows them to be easily smelted or transported. He waves his arms over the many piles scattered throughout the village.
“Thank you, sky people. This is more than two season’s salvage, and will help.”
With the trade being completed, and the locals happy, the crew offers their farewells, then leaves. Once onboard the Terran, the bridge crew chats for a while, wondering why the villagers want the metals in the first place. They have smelting furnaces, and yet no industry. The few metal tools, plows, and other basic items, do not account for the volume of metals being processed. This suggests that this village trades with others, and seems the most plausible explanation. Feeling that the conversation is going nowhere, Cindy redirects their attention.
“I think it’s time to investigate the underground complex that Joe discovered.”
The bridge crew heartily agrees. Cindy chooses the individuals for the mission, then heads to the shuttle. She, of course, selects herself to go.
John and Cindy occupy the front seats of the shuttle, while George and Joe sit in the rear with Radclyf and Hayato. Andrew is on the Terran’s bridge, staring at his console, momentarily lost in thought. How many more times will I lose to that guy? I mean c’mon. I can’t lose rock, paper, scissors, every time? Can I? He asks himself. He sighs then gets back to the task of monitoring the shuttles progress.
Coming in low, and from behind the city, John hopes to land unnoticed by the nearby community. After the quick and efficient landing, Radclyf bounds down the ramp, even as it lowers, his weapon ready. He has no reason to be tense, but none the less he is very alert. Hayato leaps down the ramp behind Radclyf, taking up a defensive posture near a moss covered stone wall. George clomps down the ramp next, his suit fully charged for the excursion. He stares at the wall simply mesmerized, three holes stare back at him. They are pitted and worn with age, but unmistakable. Joe and Cindy walk down the ramp next, leaving John in the pilot seat. Joe carries a number of objects, including George’s ornament, which in reality is a replica of a Gamin hand. The claws fit easily into the holes. The ground vibrates as the door reluctantly slides back from them, then off to the side. A whiff of ancient air wafts out from the dark passageway before them. Hayato remains outside, as the rest of the group enters the unknown. Radclyf takes the lead, with George close behind. Flash lights reveal stonework as far as the eye can see. John references his laptop, then quietly comments.
“A little way ahead there should be a stairwell leading down.”
Radclyf nods silently, then walks on ahead. The stairwell is where it was expected to be, and does indeed, lead downward. The group follows the stairwell. It takes them thirty minutes before they finally they get to the bottom. Before them is the only exit thus far, beyond this opening, another corridor looms ahead. A further fifteen minutes of walking rewards them all with an unexpected surprise. A massive cavern is before them. Radclyf steps into the room, he is suddenly bathed in a soft light. The rooms ancient lighting system still functions, though not properly. Many spots are still dark, it seems that even Gamin technology has its limits. Fully alert, Radclyf scans the area, the last few months have made him much more wary than ever before. He no longer takes anything at its face value. After a full two minutes, he finally motions for the others to follow.
George enters the room and strides toward a distant console. Joe follows, his excitement and curiosity overcoming any fears. Cindy hangs back and gazes around the massive room. The cavern appears to be dome shaped, the walls forming a circle. The center of the room houses a massive object that looks like a solid black brick. An ancient Gamin power unit, and it still functions!
George has made it to the alien console, and without delay, he connects his suit to it. Data scrolls up and down his visor, while all Joe can do is patiently wait. Just as Joe begins to pace, George disconnects , then steps back. He is saddened by what he has learned, and with a solemn voice he calls out.
“We should leave, there is nothing here for us.”
Cindy picks up an uneasiness in George’s tone, she does not like it.
“Let’s move people.” She states firmly.
The group makes their way up the stairwell. Radclyf is concerned that the natives will be there waiting, entrapping them. Joe is afraid that the doorway will be shut, while Cindy begins to question the wisdom of the trip at all. Hayato is a little disturbed as the group rushes past him. They give furtive glances at the dark passage behind them. The group’s actions are so off putting, he almost expects something to come jumping out of darkness. The flight back to the Terran is a long and quiet one, as everyone wonders what scared them. John picks up the uneasy vibes, but remains silent during the return trip.
Once they are all assembled on the bridge, Cindy drops down into her chair. She feels very drained.
“John, get us away from this planet.”
George arrives on the bridge last, he is not wearing his body suit. He licks his dry lips, his discovery a sad and disturbing one.
“The Gamin that came here were the worst kind. They took advantage of these peaceful people. They did not give the Oglan body suits, instead, they enslaved millions around the world. That place was where large numbers of bodies were cremated. That central power unit was purpose built to hide the deaths from the other inhabitants.” George feels a tear fall down his cheek.
“Those people were worked until they could no longer do their assigned tasks, then killed. The planet once stripped of everything, became useless to them. I do not know who did this, but I am certain it was not Regent Voknor, nor any of his predecessors.”
Cindy frowns. He is lying about not knowing. He is a bad liar.
“Ghosts?” She says instead.
Joe looks up sharply, and interjects.
“I don’t believe in ghosts, but that room definitely gave me the creeps.”
Radclyf sits by, his eyes glazed over as his mind tries to process the disturbing sensation he felt.
Cindy suddenly stands up, her eyes wide.
“We left the doorway open!”
Radclyf stands as well, but quickly regains his composure.
“Good, maybe their spirits will find peace.”
He gazes around the bridge, then leaves. Joe looks at George curiously. What else did you learn from that console?
John confers with Andrew over their flight path, then relays some uplifting news.
“We have a straight flight path opportunity ahead of us.”
Cindy picks up the remote unit for the Kord power cell, then turns it on.
“Punch it.” She says blandly.
John taps the main drive symbol then smiles as he increases their speed.
“Factor seven, and holding steady, ma’am.”
Cindy retires to bed, exhausted. She sleeps fitfully, her dreams filled with images of the peaceful Oglan civilization being enslaved. Their large oval eyes, thin frames, and peaceful nature, adding her to disquiet.
George also sleeps fitfully, the early suits were not as safe as his. Thousands of Oglans died testing various prototypes. Finally, the Regent gave up in disgust. George’s dreams are filled with images of Oglan cities being decimated from space as the fleet departs. The Oglan’s final reward for their peaceful subservience.
Chapter Eight - Journey’s End
The days pass, so does the bridge crew’s unease. The Kord power cell continues to work, providing them with an abundance of energy. The ship’s lights are brighter, there are no vibrations throughout, and the cascade of colors impacting the shields are spectacular.
Peter is the only one that is still feeling out of sorts. He spends a lot of time on his own. Emma finds him brooding in the mess hall, and sits with him. Before she can say anything, he blurts out accusingly.
“Why didn’t we bring some of that Oglan produce aboard? There had to be something on their world that was safe, and nutritious.”
Emma is surprised at his rudeness, and replies sheepishly.
“I thought you knew? We have no way of testing anything, to see if it’s safe to eat.”
Peter scowls, his demeanor turning ever mo
re sour.
“Surely you have equipment for that? You were doing those planetary surveys.”
Emma sighs deeply and shakes her head slowly.
“Yes, we did!” She says getting annoyed now, she then adds condescendingly, “between the raiders and everything else that has happened, all the gear is either missing, or damaged.”
Peter puts a hand to his throbbing head. Emma’s attitude shifts to one of concern now.
“What’s wrong?” She frowns deeply. This is not at all like him, he is always so controlled.
Peter closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, then opens them again. Looking straight at Emma, he gives her a brief smile.
“I must apologize. I ran out of tobacco last week. Then it was the coffee, and yesterday the tea. All we have is water that tastes like nothingness.”
Emma grins at him, which just makes him scowl all the more. She grabs his hand.
“Come with me.”
He follows her reluctantly, his headache preventing him from thinking clearly. Arriving at the medical area, Peter stops, then folds his arms. He states indignantly.
“I do not need a doctor. I need my pipe and a cup of tea!”
She tilts her head, her expanding grin merely vexing him all the more. She walks into the room where Henry is standing, watching them. Emma motions for Peter to come in, he stays still. She turns to face Henry.
“He is out of pipe tobacco and tea, and is getting too grumpy to be around.”
Peter still with his arms folded, glares at the two of them.
Henry walks to a cabinet, takes out a silvery package, then tosses it to Peter. He catches it easily, then stares at Henry, stunned.
“What’s in here?” he asks, his curiosity mounting.
Peter nods in his direction, then grins.
“That my friend, is a sealed package of emergency supplies. The contents are safe. I have a few left, for medicinal purposes only, you understand.”
Peter opens the package and is flabbergasted at what he finds. A canister of tobacco, his brand, along with a dozen or more pouches of his favorite tea. Henry grins broadly as he looks up at the ceiling innocently.
Discovery (Terran Chronicles) Page 29
