NEBULAR Collection 1 - The Triton Base: Episodes 1 - 5

by Thomas Rabenstein

»Wait, Lai Pi!« Davis warned, but the specialist was careful, using an instrument, not touching the wall.

  »These energy streaks are of unknown potential and flow toward the ‘injured’ wall, transforming into this dark matter. This is a self-repairing mechanism!« Lai Pi shouted. »Look! The tunnel is closing again!«

  Davis was startled.

  »Move out! Forward!« he commanded. »That changes everything. We have to move faster than planned. If the tunnel closes again before we deposit the bombs, we’ll go up with them!«

  They pushed forward.

  Gonzales in distress

  Anna Gonzales watched the radar screen carefully while the surveillance radar scanned the space sector. In the background, the Hawk’s engines hummed in standby mode.

  She thought she detected a change in the Globuster signals’ transmission rate. The staccato, narrow frequency band signals were repeating at a far higher rate than when they arrived.

  The specialist decided that the rate increase must be some type of alarm. She activated the away team’s comm-channel, but instead of the standard call signals, only background noise issued from the receiver.

  »Commander, can you hear me? Major Davis? Anybody!« Anna Gonzales called with gnawing fear. There was no answer. The radio reception had been disrupted.

  Possible that the cave attenuates the signals more than we anticipated, she thought.

  Second and third tries were still unsuccessful.

  She remained calm. The commander and Major Davis must have noticed the signal’s absence as well.

  A short beep, shrill in the silence, alerted her and she turned her head toward the radar screen. Her hands trembled as she saw a bright target approaching the center of the screen.

  Gonzales tried to regain self-control while adrenaline pumped through her veins.

  She quickly made some queries to the computer and waited for the response.

  Unidentified object, responded the computer. Controlled flight path … decelerating – not a meteorite. Metallic surface with high absorption properties. ETA over Quaoar: 4 Minutes!

  »Oh no! Por favor,« Gonzales whispered, »the Globuster ship! It’s coming back!«

  She hit the red emergency pre-launch button and tried again desperately to contact the team.

  »Answer me! The Globuster is back. It’s here!« she yelled into the microphone.

  No answer.

  Gonzales thought feverishly.

  I’m responsible for the scout ship, but also for covering the team’s back! If I just lift off as ordered, the team would be unwarned and unprotected!

  The specialist was torn for a second, then:

  »¡Bien! Okay,« she whispered.

  She desperately looked around the cabin. Since Earth had experienced decades of peace, no one had seen any reason to rearm even the Hawks …

  Yes! There!

  Determined to find some way of discouraging the approaching object, she quickly broke the safety seal on the high-energy laser and booted the fire control subprogram.

  You might not be a meteorite, but I can still burn your ass with this laser! she thought.

  After three minutes, the computer reported the laser ready for action while the instruments showed optimum power available. Simultaneously, the radar target appeared in the center of the scope, and the Globustership erupted into view above the nearby chain of hills.

  »¡Dios mio!« Gonzales breathed. »No way that could be a Human ship!«

  The intruder wasn’t very big, even in relation to the Hawks – it was twenty meters in diameter at the most. The lens-shaped hull sprouted a cluster of antenna-like superstructures. Despite its small size, the craft was still threatening and repelling for reasons she couldn’t explain. It was simply … alien.

  Slowly, the strange craft approached her location. Its pilot didn’t seem concerned about maintaining protective cover. The rigid, black outer skin, apparently the same material as the planetoid’s propulsion diffusers, seemed to absorb every particle and wave of light.

  He feels superior and is just a bit too confident, Gonzales thought.

  The Globuster must have detected both Hawks. Although they had landed in a shallow crater, the Hawks had no camouflage or energy shield protection. The residual engine heat was easy to detect.

  Gonzales’ pulse was so intense she felt it even in her hair roots. She was committed to action now, but what should she do – take off or wait for the inevitable?

  Suddenly, the decision was made for her, as a bright blue ball of energy flew from the Globustership and smacked the center of the hull of the other Hawk.

  Gonzales held her breath and covered her eyes in expectation of a bright explosion. Nothing like that happened. As the commando uncovered her eyes, she saw the stricken Hawk begin to flash. Energy danced over the craft’s hull and then discharged into the ground. The outlines of the Hawk became blurred as the small spaceship began to melt. After a few seconds, only a shapeless lump of metal remained.

  Gonzales yelled and slammed her helmet shut. Although not certain if the ground team could even hear her, she tried again to make contact.

  »We’re under attack! One Hawk destroyed! Will attempt to escape as ordered!«

  She slammed her fist on the automatic emergency start button. Her Hawk shot into space. Anna almost lost consciousness despite the pilot seat’s inertia compensators.

  She didn’t need radar. The enemy floated directly in her path about three-hundred meters away. As she struggled to stabilize the Hawk, the aggressive little ship moved into the dead center of the laser crosshair! Gonzales didn’t waste a second. Her right index finger pulled the laser’s trigger. Instantaneously, a salvo of laser beams hit the Globuster’s ship. The pulsed beams weren’t visible in the vacuum of space, but the effects definitely were; the Globustership was engulfed in an aura of blue flames.

  Gonzales cheered, triumphantly.

  »Eat this, Cabron!«

  The overload detector came online and disconnected the laser from the energy supply after, with cramped hands, she had continuously fired for one minute.

  The blue aura around the Globustership immediately disappeared; Gonzales could clearly see the hull of the strange ship still intact.

  »¡Sangron!« Anna shouted angrily and pulled the Hawk up, out of the direct line-of-sight of the alien ship.

  The alien had apparently shrugged off laser fire that would have melted iron meteorites.

  »No effect, repeat, my laser fire has no effect! I don’t know if you can hear me, but I’m pulling out – cannot fight the Globustership!«

  The Hawk’s engines pulsed again and the ship accelerated quickly.

  Not a second too soon … for a blue ball raced toward her former position.

  Gonzales yelled incoherently, hitting the emergency acceleration control. The Hawk pulled away from Quaoar at maximum speed, causing Gonzales to black out under the sustained G-forces. Minutes later, the engine automatically decelerated as the onboard computer took control. The Globuster hesitated, undecided whether it should pursue Anna’s Hawk or investigate the intruders on Quaoar. Then the strange spaceship slowly landed.

  World News Reports: Year 2090, excerpts

  The research outposts on the moons of the outer planets are undergoing dramatic expansion. Triton Base’s development is almost finished. The largest radio telescope in history is being built on Triton; it consists of an antenna array of thousands of mirror-like receptors. This array was designed to assist the invigorated SETI Project to search for extraterrestrial signals.

  On Earth, the people have learned to adapt to extreme climatic conditions. Where they can, people still live on the planet’s surface. Massive industrial installations have completely relocated into orbit. More metropolitan centers have urbanized the ocean floors.

  The Solar Union has grown strong, people live in peace, working and playing while trying to help the wounded Earth repair herself.

  Emissions are strictly forbidden worldwide. Wa
ste products are disposed of using special containers that are fired directly into the sun.

  Fossil fuels still exist in very limited supply but are no longer used. Advances in technology have produced fusion power cells, the energy to power all vehicles: air, water, land and space.

  A new planet-wide weather observation and prediction network now increases the probability of being able to warn the world’s population of severe weather or environmental conditions.

  The worldwide medical assistance system has reached a new level of proficiency in providing the best possible treatment. Most diseases are no longer considered a threat. A viral infection is merely an inconvenience and no longer a problem.

  A dense network of protected submarine and surface roads connects a transportation system between the new ocean floor settlements with settlements on land. Shuttle services buzz between orbital ports and planetary landing fields. Once only a dream, a journey to the Moon has become available to every citizen of the Solar Union.

  Humanity seems to have narrowly escaped the self-destruction it once inadvertently pursued. Everyone now seems to be focusing their attention on the exploration of the Solar System. Deeply anchored in the principles of the Solar Union and encompassing all its diverse cultures, Humanity is aware that it will only survive by acting in harmony with Nature.

  Organic technology

  Two tractors stood in the center of the bubble-like Globuster chamber, or Globustercave, as Davis called it.

  Robert Necolett moved immediately to inspect the detonators and synchronize the bombs. Davis assisted by walking him through his checklist. Ivanova and Lai Pi analyzed the cave walls, covered with a fine network of indicator lights that were detectable only with infrared filters. This also held true for observing the lighting or energy paths that flowed along the walls, following the path toward the exit.

  Banoma Tanomo secured the entrance to the Globustercave with his heavy automatic weapon.

  Ivanova glanced impatiently at Davis and Necolett.

  »How much longer? We need to get out of here. This place scares the shit out of me!«

  Davis continued setting the built-in electronic detonators, in case the remote-controlled initiator failed.

  »Almost done, Commander. Go ahead and use the time to take a good look around. When we’re through here, there’ll be nothing left.«

  Ivanova watched Lai Pi taking pictures and measurements, documenting as much as possible.

  »A unique system … absolutely nothing in common with our architecture … completely alien technology,« the specialist mumbled.

  »Day was right,« answered the commander. »We’d never be able to understand or even operate this technology. Blowing it all to Hell is our only option!«

  Davis looked up briefly.

  »I’m more concerned about Triton Base! If this explosion isn’t strong enough to throw Quaoar off course, Triton is history. I’m not even sure any emergency evacuation measures will be sufficient.«

  Necolett replied skeptically, »Planting these bombs will have the deadliest effect, but it’s still questionable if it’s going to throw Quaoar off course.«

  »This is all we have, Necolett,« Davis answered.

  »It could be,« answered Lai Pi, seeming barely aware that anyone else was listening, »these small indicators are junctions and intersections of a vast network … a system similar to our neuronal computers. This network covers all the walls and the ceiling, all the way up the tunnel.«

  Ivanova looked briefly at Tanomo, still keeping an eye on the tunnel, then spoke to the technician.

  »Lai, you really think that all this is an alien computer?«

  »It’s an organic system,« Pi said, still in his self-absorbed tone so Ivanova couldn’t tell if he was answering her or just talking to himself. »That explains the self-healing measures we saw when we broke through … first they melt a cave into the rock. Then they dope it with some kind of germ and the computer system just grows and spreads across the cave’s walls and ceilings,« he muttered.

  »Doped it with some sort of bug?«

  »Infected it … with a programmed virus,« Pi clarified. »The term ‘doping’ is borrowed from the field of semiconductor manufacturing where silicon or germanium was manipulated – doped – with impurities to make transistors.«

  Ivanova looked around doubtfully.

  »The basic material covers every nook and cranny. There are no terminals, no interfaces, no monitors, nothing that remotely resembles anything close to our technology except for those little lights. I’m finding your theory compelling, Lai, I really am. Especially considering the energy field covering the exit.«

  Lai nodded, his attention now focused fully on his commander.

  »It seems we’ve got a holistic system here. The lights could even be a form of bio-luminescence, like lichen or deep marine life. The system is one vast, powerful computer, providing illumination, as well as protection for the installation. If we’re right, the ramifications are almost incomprehensible. An organic-technological symbiotic creation …«

  »… an organic technology, whose structure routes energy paths through microscopic junctions and intersections, creating a centralized control like this one,« the commander finished for him. »Life-sustaining systems are also integrated so the walls provide the chlorine atmosphere, but how does the Globuster control the system? Did you find any terminals or computer interfaces in the cave?«

  Once again Lai walked slowly along the walls.

  »Nothing, nada, absolutely zilch.«

  He stopped in front of the pedestal.

  »Major, was this where you found the creature the first time?«

  Davis briefly looked up from his work.

  »Yes, the Globuster seemed to have been in a sort of suspended state. It came to life slowly.«

  Lai moved around the strange pedestal many times while taking readings.

  »This pedestal isn’t just standing in this alcove for nothing. It has to be some kind of command console. Maybe the alien didn’t need controls to operate the installation. You said it yourself, Sir, the Globuster seemed to project its thoughts. What if this pedestal provides a direct mental link to the entire complex?«

  Ivanova glanced around with a worried look. What her specialist suggested was creeping her out – completely.

  »You mean the Globuster controlled this installation with just its brain waves?«

  »Anything seems possible around here,« answered Lai resolutely.

  »Watch it! Something is happening out there!«

  Tanomo’s warning sounded throughout the cave.

  With a few steps, the commander stood beside the Maasai. She looked deep into the tunnel.

  »These wall lights are getting brighter! What does that mean?« Ivanova demanded.

  Tanomo couldn’t explain it. He shrugged and said quickly, »A few seconds ago a flash of light went through the tunnel. It seemed to come from outside.«

  A cold shiver went down Ivanova’s back.

  »From the outside … from the surface?«

  With lightning reflexes, the commander drew her comm-unit and thumbed it. She tried to contact the Hawk.

  »Specialist Gonzales, what’s going on out there?«

  Instead of an answer, she heard the loud staccato of Globuster signals.

  Ivanova changed the comm-channel and cut off the annoying sound.

  »Gentlemen, I think we’re in deep shit! How far along are you with the bombs?«

  »We still need a few minutes, if we want to make sure everything works,« Davis tensely answered.

  »Gonzales isn’t answering my call and the Globuster signal is superimposed on our frequency. The flow of energy in the tunnel has dramatically increased. I’m under the impression that we have a visitor!«

  Startled, Davis leaped up and picked up a small instrument.

  »If it comes down here, our plan is shot! I’ll have to manually detonate the bomb!«

  »No, you don’t, Major Dav
is! Get that stupid idea out of your head!«

  You really do want to be a martyr, don’t you? Ivanova thought.

  »Tanomo, you’re coming with me to the surface! Let’s see what’s happening up there. If you don’t hear from us in the next 10 minutes, then you decide what to do, Major.«

  The commander and the specialist hurried through the tunnel.

  Not written off yet

  Donald Day wasn’t ready to leave Triton Base. He held watch inside the command central with a few scientists and the emergency crew.

  »Anything visible, Monlai?« he asked the chief astronomer.

  »No photometric data, Commander. The bombs haven’t exploded; the flight path of the planetoid is unchanged.«

  The base’s telescopes could already make out Quaoar. When the bombs exploded, observers would see flashes of light.

  »Are there any problems with the evacuation?« asked the commander.

  »No, Sir, no difficulties, but ship capacities are running short. The Ryan, the private ships, including all available Hawks, are full. We need the Shenzhou!« answered another staff officer.

  »Commander Ivanova will bring her ship back, you can depend on it. If the team ran into trouble, the Shenzhou is set to return immediately.«

  »Shenzhou on comm, Commander!« sounded from the radio center.

  »Encode communication and transfer it to the large screen!«

  The Shenzhou's first officer appeared on the screen.

  »Igor Petrow, second-in-command, Union cruiser Shenzhou,« he began.

  »Stow the formalities, Commander. What’s your situation?«

  It was obvious that Petrow was struggling with his self-control.

  »Our long-range radar has detected a Globustership that landed on Quaoar a few minutes ago! The crew is requesting permission to assist Commander Ivanova.«

  Day gave him a hard look.

  »Petrow, you know her orders. You are to return to Triton Base and help with the emergency evacuation. If the Globuster has returned, then our team has only a slim chance of success.«

  The first officer hesitated.

  »Petrow, did you understand my orders?«