by Tori Harris
Near the center of the room, as imposing as ever in one of his new uniforms, but with a wild, savage look in his enormous, golden eyes, stood Crown Prince Rugali Naftur.
Chapter 5
TFS Navajo, Sol System
(Combat Information Center - 2.18x105 km from Earth)
Amid brilliant flashes of grayish-white light, the ten ships composing Admiral Patterson’s task force arrived after another record-setting return trip from the Herrera Mining facility, well over five hundred light years from Earth.
“Please advise the Op Center we will be retasking all of the ships currently assigned to the Home Fleet,” Admiral Patterson ordered without taking his eyes off the situation display hovering above the CIC’s holo table. “I’d like the Cossack and Shoshone to take up geosynchronous positions to provide coverage of the Yucca Mountain facility. Ushant will stand off and provide continuous combat air patrols over the site. All other TFC combatants in the area will form up with the flagship and prepare for possible combat operations. Specific deployment orders to follow shortly. Set and maintain General Quarters for combat operations, Condition 1 for all Fleet ships within one light year of Earth until further notice.”
“Aye, sir, transmitting now,” Lieutenant Katy Fletcher replied from her nearby Communications console.
“Admiral,” the senior on-duty tactical officer called from a bank of bulkhead-mounted view screens nearby. “I think you should take a look at this, sir.”
“What do you see, Commander?” Patterson replied wearily, retrieving his coffee mug before making his way aft towards the dimly lit heart of the Navajo’s CIC.
“The Op Center’s AI has been working with all of the data collected by TFS Fugitive for several hours now, long enough to get a solid ID on the Pelaran Envoy’s ship each time it transitions within five hundred light years of one of our comm arrays. With the latest beacon deployments you can see here at Legara, Graca, and the Herrera Mining Facility, we’ve dramatically extended our Argus coverage in that general direction.”
As the young officer spoke, the AI-driven view screen followed their conversation, highlighting the location of each beacon, the center of the new array, as well as the location where the Envoy had rendezvoused with TFS Fugitive.
“Right, yes, I understand,” Patterson said, peering over his glasses with a look intended to give fair warning that a fatigued mind tended to also be an impatient one. “So what is it you want me to see?”
“At first, we only had an approximate direction and distance of travel for Tahiri’s ship, but with this new data …”
Here, the tactical officer paused to allow the view screen to illustrate his point. In response, the scale of the display immediately increased to show the approximate detection range of the comm array, then added a series of lines to indicate the Envoy ship’s travels since parting company with Captain Prescott.
“So, if I’m reading this correctly, shortly after Fugitive returned to Earth, the Pelaran ship returned to Legara? Why would it have done that?”
“We’re not sure, sir, but it wasn’t there for very long … less than five minutes, in fact. What really got our attention, though, was when the Op Center’s AI noted that the ship’s hyperdrive signature changed when it departed Legara — back to exactly the same signature we saw when it rendezvoused with TFS Fugitive.”
Patterson stared at the screen for a long moment, arms crossed with his right fist resting thoughtfully under his nose. “I think I see where you’re going with this,” he finally said, “but I’ve got a lot on my mind at the moment, son. What, specifically, are you trying to show me here?”
“We’ve seen two distinct hyperdrive signatures from Tahiri’s ship, Admiral. When first encountered by Captain Prescott aboard the Fugitive, it had apparently performed its transition in tandem with the Krayleck Guardian.”
“When you say, ‘in tandem,’ you’re referring to the fact that the two ships transitioned together, correct?”
“Yes, sir. A single transition event, but with two ships. Our best guess is that Tahiri’s ship has substantially longer range than one of their Guardians, so he’s extending his hyperdrive field to encompass both ships.”
“Okay, I think I’m with you now. Tahiri transitioned with the Krayleck Guardian in tow before his meeting with Fugitive, then sent it back home under its own power. After that, his ship executed a number of single-ship transitions that eventually took him back to Legara. But when he left Legara, the Argus data indicates that he was not alone. Does that sound about right?”
“Exactly right, sir.”
“Alright, so … based on the similar transition signatures, you’re thinking Tahiri went back to Legara to pick up their Guardian again.”
“Absolutely, sir. It’s the only explanation that matches our observations.”
“Hmm,” Patterson said, squeezing his eyes closed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. “Yes, I guess I’d have to call that a little odd, but not necessarily indicative of a problem for us just yet. Where is he now?”
“He just transitioned out of Argus range.”
“Out of range? Okay, what am I missing, Commander,” Paterson sighed. “If he’s a thousand or so light years from here and heading in the opposite direction, why should we be concerned?”
“It may be nothing, Admiral, but his departure vector from Legara is in the direction of another star system the Wek believe to be associated with the Pelaran Alliance.”
“Oh … I see. Have we gathered enough data to gauge his ship’s performance?”
“His transition signatures definitely have some unusual characteristics. I wouldn’t call what he’s using a C-Drive, exactly, but the results are similar. We’ve been seeing two-hundred-light-year jumps followed by twenty-minute dwell times — presumably to recharge for the next transition.”
“So if we were to assume a worst-case scenario, wherein Tahiri is out there picking up some help before heading back here to save us from the clutches of our little Grey visitors …”
“He could be back here in a couple of hours, sir … possibly escorted by two or more Guardian spacecraft.”
“Alright, Commander, make arrangements to ensure we are notified immediately when Tahiri’s ship comes into Argus range again, and then you’re with me. In case your hunch turns out to be right, the next thing I need you to do is help me figure out what we’re going to do when those ships arrive.”
“Aye, sir,” the younger officer replied, his face taking on such a classic “deer in the headlights” expression that Patterson couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
“Fletcher!” the admiral bellowed as he spun on his heels and headed off in the comm officer’s general direction.
“Yes, Admiral!” came the typically cheerful, albeit somewhat distant reply.
As he made his way back to the CIC’s command section, Patterson worked to collect his thoughts and focus his mind, forcing the rapidly growing list of items demanding his immediate attention into some semblance of order.
“I need to speak with Admiral Sexton at his earliest convenience,” he said loudly as he rounded the last row of workstations and caught Lieutenant Fletcher’s eye. “Tell him we have reason to believe ‘Thing One’ and ‘Thing Two’ down there may have attracted some unwanted attention after all.”
“Aye, sir, right away,” she answered, knowing exactly what the admiral was referring to, while at the same time having no clue where his latest obscure reference had originated.
Earth, TFC Yucca Mountain Shipyard Facility
(Aboard the Grey ship Ethereal)
“Admiral Naftur, are you alright, sir?” Prescott asked, removing his helmet and placing it on the floor before slowly approaching with an outstretched hand. Having already identified the species with which he was communicating, his suit’s AI seamlessly redirected its translation services to both his backup earpiece as well a small electrostatic speaker concealed within its chest panel.
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br /> The Wek officer crouched into a natural defensive position, instinctively lowering his center of gravity in preparation to either deflect an attack or launch one of his own. From the center of his massive chest came the same low, menacing growl they had heard from the hallway. The sound was remarkably loud in the enclosed space, immediately causing Prescott to wonder whether removing his helmet might have been a mistake.
“It’s me, sir, Captain Tom Prescott. I have absolutely no idea how you got here, but I promise you we’ll get to the bottom of what’s happened. Commander Reynolds is here with me, and, if you are unhurt, we would like to take you off this ship.”
“Captain Prescott? That is simply not possible,” Naftur snarled, baring the teeth on one side of his mouth in a manner none of the Humans present had ever seen from a member of the Wek species. “This is surely some sort of trick.”
“No, sir, I assure you it is not. Please, I’d like to have Doctor Chen take a quick look at you. If she says you’re okay to travel, we’ll get you out of here.”
“Out of here, you say? And precisely where have these cowardly creatures taken me?”
“You’re back on Terra, sir, at the Yucca Mountain Shipyard Facility. If you will recall, this is where we first landed when you were aboard Ingenuity after the Battle of Gliese 667. Shortly thereafter, we shuttled you over to TFC Headquarters with a couple of our Marines wearing EVA suits similar to the one I’m wearing now. Do you remember?”
Naftur seemed to relax slightly, and Prescott noticed that although he was still wearing the same fierce expression, one of his bushy eyebrows had arched ever so slightly at his reference to the first battle in which both Humans and Wek had participated.
“I do remember. And I trust you likewise remember the manner in which you welcomed me aboard your new ship after I attended that meeting?”
“Yes, sir, but it wasn’t much of a welcome, I’m afraid. You were brought aboard the Theseus via one of our Marine combat shuttles — unconscious and near death from a plasma rifle bolt to the chest. If it weren’t for Doctor Chen here,” as he spoke, Prescott gestured for his medical officer to enter the room without taking his eyes off the Wek admiral, “you would have been a goner for sure.”
Seconds later, Jiao Chen stepped gingerly into the room, slowly removing her helmet as she did so. “It was a team effort, but Doctor Turlaka and I did some top-notch work in there,” she said, pointing at his chest with a disarming smile on her face. “It’s good to see you again, Admiral Naftur, or would it be more appropriate to address you as Prince Naftur these days?”
“Aah, my dear Doctor, you may call me Admiral, Prince, Rugali, or anything else you like,” Naftur sighed, once again releasing a deep, booming sound from his chest, apparently now signifying a release of pent up-tension. “I will admit to feeling some confusion as to how I have come to be among all of you once again, but I do feel reasonably assured that you are who you say you are. I do not believe these pitiable creatures would have any way of knowing the information you just shared,” he concluded, one side of his mouth curling briefly into a snarl once more as he scowled in Rick’s direction.
“I’m glad to hear it, Admiral,” Chen said, removing another medical device from the front of her suit as she slowly approached. “I just want to take a couple of quick passes with this scanner to ensure you are not in any immediate danger. The shipyard has a well-equipped infirmary, so I’ll need you to stop by for a more thorough once-over as soon as we get you off this ship.”
“Of course, Doctor. Forgive me, friends, for my behavior, but I have been quite disoriented since arriving on this … you said we are aboard a ship of some type?”
“You are indeed,” Prescott replied. “It arrived here and made an unauthorized landing inside our Yucca Mountain Facility just as we were finishing our mission near Legara.”
“Legara?” Naftur asked in an astonished tone. “As I feared, much has transpired since the Gresav departed for the Herrera Mining Facility.”
“Yes, it has, Admiral, and we will make sure you receive a full briefing to bring you up to speed on everything that has taken place since your departure from Graca. For now, just know that both the Herrera Facility and its Wek crew are safe. The Krayleck Fleet has been significantly degraded as a fighting force and no longer poses an immediate threat to any Sajeth Collective planets or outposts. And the first elements of the Wek Unified Fleet arrived on schedule at Herrera to relieve Admiral Patterson’s task force. The bottom line is that friendly forces are now firmly in control of that region of space.”
“Well … I,” Naftur began, struggling to process everything he had just heard.
“Easy, Admiral,” Doctor Chen soothed while shooting a disapproving look in Prescott’s direction. “You’re going to be fine, but you’re a bit dehydrated and your body is showing a number of signs of the stress you have been subjected to today. Now, I’m okay with the two of you having a discussion, but only if you can do so without getting yourself all worked up. If not, you would probably be better off if I gave you something to help you rest for a while. I’m pretty sure I can carry you out of here myself in this suit I’m wearing.”
“You probably could at that,” Naftur said, accepting her offered water bottle as a hint of his usual smile returned to the corners of his mouth. “I understand and will, of course, comply with your instructions.”
“Can you briefly tell me what you remember about how you came to be here?” Prescott asked.
“Very little, I fear. We were still the better part of three weeks out of Herrera, so my various administrative duties had been occupying the majority of my time. Unfortunately, that often means I am confined to my quarters unless I make a point of visiting the bridge or getting some exercise. Yesterday evening … I believe … I had just retired for the night when it felt as if I were having a particularly vivid dream. I remember being aware that the Gresav had transitioned out of hyperspace, and I could not think of any reason why she would have done so. I realized I should be on the bridge, but when I tried to stand, I found that I could not. The only thing I remember beyond that point was the impression of a bright light, but I am unsure if that was before or after I found myself here.”
“You guys have really got to stop doing this kind of thing,” Reynolds said, still standing beside Rick in the hallway. “And please put … whatever that thing is away,” she added, nodding at the weapon still held in his outstretched hand.
“Ah, yes, of course,” Rick said, pocketing the device once again. “I apologize for the inconvenience and any distress this experience has caused you, Admiral. I assure you that the matter transference techniques we use are perfectly safe. Any residual effects you may be experiencing will subside within a few hours.”
“Matter transference?” Logan asked, incredulous. “You mean you … beamed him aboard your ship? Oh, come on. That can’t actually be a real thing … can it?”
“It can, and it is, Commander. Granted, we wouldn’t refer to it in that manner, but, interestingly enough, terms like the one you just used nearly always originate in science fiction, so they tend to be specific to each civilization.”
“As fascinating as that is, I’m not sure I’m buying into the notion that it’s ‘perfectly safe’ based on the symptoms I’m seeing,” Doctor Chen replied — Rick’s new revelation having prompted her to resume her examination. “If I didn’t know better, I’d probably diagnose him as suffering from a severe hangover.”
“Exactly, and that’s typical for a first-timer,” Rick chuckled, immediately earning him a withering scowl from the doctor. “Sorry, I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but this kind of thing is so routine for us that we don’t really give it much of a thought. The reason subjects feel a little, as you said, ‘hungover’ the first time is because the system sifts through all of the data representing every cell in their bodies and looks for obvious … abnormalities.”
“I’ll probably regret asking, but such as?”
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��Well, it won’t eliminate significant diseases like cancer — although there are medical tools that take advantage of similar technology — but it does a pretty good job of eliminating pathogens that obviously shouldn’t be present in the subject’s system. I’m not a doctor, so that’s about as technical an explanation as I can offer, but I do know it’s the system-wide cleansing effect that’s usually to blame for the symptoms you’re seeing. You get used to it after you’ve done it a few times. If we were to … beam, as you say, the Admiral to a different location every day for a week —”
“You will not,” Naftur growled.
“Right, of course. I’m just saying that if we did, you would see fewer side effects each time.”
“Captain,” Reynolds chimed in, “it occurs to me that there are a whole bunch of very angry Wek warships out there frantically looking for their Crown Prince.”
“Humph,” Naftur grunted, “they, unfortunately, do not have access to your communications network at their present location. And rather than spend the time required to establish an uplink to our own long-range comm network, I suspect they will simply head for the nearest Sajeth Collective planet, which is undoubtedly still Damara.”
“Alright, I’m sure most of our Admiralty staff has been following our progress. Admiral Sexton, are you still online?”
After a momentary delay, a familiar female voice replied over each EVA suit’s comm system — their onboard AIs allowing her voice to be heard and understood by everyone in the immediate area. “He’s unavailable at the moment, Captain, but this is Admiral White. Admiral Naftur, as you know, the Terran task force on station at Damara is preparing to depart, so I’m sure we can come up with some means of contacting your ships. In the meantime, let’s get you over to the infirmary as quickly as possible.”
“Thank you, Admiral White. As to the Gresav and her task force, I would prefer not to delay their journey to Herrera unnecessarily,” Naftur replied, suddenly sounding fatigued.
