“The council is concern that dispatching any of the cruisers beyond our system will alert the Screen,” explained Nueista. “For now, they continue to rely on freighters until the construction bureau has built a sufficient number of ships to defend our homeworld.”
She pulled out a small triangular device and activated it. A small holographic screen popped up. “We have been looking over the data you sent on your communications with the Quix. It is impressive you managed to improve the transmission links to encompass visual data.”
“The visual link has helped facilitate our relations with the Quix,” explained Julie. She remembered when she and John got their first look at Equiforna. He looked like an oversized slug with arms and hands. They estimated he was at least seven feet tall. What was striking was he had no face. Apparently the Quix could see and hear through tiny sensory receptors in their skin, which was covered in a thick liquid membrane. John joked that if a Quix ever came on board they should hide the salt.
“But you have not been able to increase the amount of data in the transmission?” asked Nueista.
“No,” replied John. “We’ve had our people working ‘round the clock on the problem, but so far haven’t come up with anything.”
Julie noticed that Calbo had been silent, scrutinizing the data on the holographic screen. “You look puzzled by something.”
“I feel I am at an impasse,” said Calbo. “There is something about the nebula, something I cannot identify.”
“Sometimes when I’m having a problem it helps to talk it out,” advised Julie.
“I have looked at the data on all transmissions between your vessel and the Quix,” Calbo said as he pointed at the data summarization on the screen. “I find it unusual that the data parameters are consistent. Both sides can only send a specific amount of data in each transmission.”
“What’s so strange about that?” asked John.
“The nebula consists of ionized gases that are constantly shifting and changing,” said Calbo. “Therefore, more or less data should go through in any transmission. Such consistency we are seeing here is highly unusual.”
“My colleague does make a valid observation,” said Nueista. “However, we have not come up with a probable explanation as to why this phenomena is occurring.”
“What about speculation?” asked John.
Calbo looked perplexed. “You mean guessing? We are scientists. Our integrity would forbid us from making statements unsupported by facts.”
“But you could offer an opinion based on the given information,” said Julie. “You wouldn’t be guessing, just offering a possible scenario based on the data we currently have and your scientific knowledge.”
The Onixins still looked confused. “On our world,” said Calbo. “We draw conclusions based on the logical path of experiments. Each conclusion is strengthened on the results of successive experiments. Therefore, any conclusion drawn would be based on proven results that have been repeated.”
“But your instinct is telling you something’s wrong here,” said John. “You looked at the data and assumed something is going on based upon your experience as scientists. On our world, some of our most amazing breakthroughs happened by accident and guessing.”
“My apologies,” said Calbo. “But it is difficult to offer an opinion.”
“Don’t’ be sorry,” said John. “You might be on the right track.”
“If the humans are not offended, what would it hurt to render an…opinion,” said Nueista.
“Very well,” said Calbo. “But I cannot be specific. Based on the almost exact nature of each transmission as it passes through the nebula, it is possible that the similarities are a result of some artificial force.”
“You mean something unnatural about the nebula?” asked Julie.
“I would offer that something within the nebula is influencing its behavior,” said Calbo. “An unknown influence that has yet to be identified.”
“That sounds like a reasonable theory,” said John.
“You are pleased with my opinion?” asked Calbo.
“It fits what’s been going on in this part of space,” said John.
Julie wasn’t following his train of thought. “You want to clue us in?”
“I know it’s a stretch, but just listen,” said John. “We know the Screen has interfered with humans, Onixins, and Senfos. They’ve also terrorized ships of other races traveling through this region. Based on their hostile actions against everyone, if they knew of the Quix, they’d exhibit the same hostile actions towards them.”
“I see the reasoning behind your course of thought,” said Nueista. “If an artificial force is at work here, it may have been created by the Screen.”
“Artificial would imply some sort of mechanical involvement,” said Julie. “But we haven’t found any sort of probe, satellite, or ship belonging to them here.”
“The composition of the nebula makes scanning the interior impossible with our sensors and yours,” said Calbo. “But your plasma weapons have proven effective against the Screen. If we introduced plasma into the nebula, it may create a reaction and reveal the source of the artificial influence.”
John was excited at the prospect. They were speculating, but somehow he felt they were on the right track. “If we load up some of our probes with plasma, we can initiate controlled explosions at the perimeter. Come on.”
They stood up in unison and left the café just as Mario was bringing their food. “Hey, where you going?”
“Sorry, Mario,” said Julie. “Duty calls.”
“I’m charging you for this,” said Mario.
Over the next few hours the Onixin scientists worked with the humans and Aldarians, fitting several probes with plasma containers. They came up with a plan on where to launch them towards the nebula. The Quix were contacted and advised of the plan, which they fully supported. They had a sizable fleet of starships that were trapped within the nebula and the prospect of finally emerging into open space excited them. They provided all the information they had about the nebula to the crew.
It was almost midnight by the time they were ready to launch the probes. John wasn’t tired at all. He was anxious to uncover something that would connect the Screen to the nebula’s unique characteristics.
Chris Anne had learned of the team’s late night work and arrived with a tray of drinks for everyone.
“If I was a doctor I would tell all of you to get some sleep and start fresh in the morning,” he said as he placed the tray on the operations desk. He handed two glasses to the Onixin scientists. “A lot of your people who visited PHOENIX seemed to love pineapple juice. I hope you’ll like it.”
“Yes, yes,” said Nueista. “It was highly recommended by several of our associates.”
“Oooo, you read my mind,” said Alex’sis as she looked in the other cups and saw coffee.
“I figure if you ain’t going to sleep, might as well get some caffeine,” said Chris.
Once everyone had a moment to enjoy their beverages, John got them back to work. “Alright, let’s load the probes.”
“Fifteen probes are in the launch tubes and ready to go,” reported Alex’sis.
“Commander, ensure launch pattern Alpha N1 is programmed into each probe,” said Calbo.
“Already done,” said Alex’sis. “But it’s Lieutenant Brandus. She’s the commander,” pointing to Julie.
“Oh, my apologies,” Calbo said to Julie. “I am still having trouble with your officer designations.”
“Not a problem,” assured Julie. “Captain, I recommend we raise shields as a precaution.”
“Good idea,” said John. “Private Michaels, contact the Quix.”
A few moments later the image of Equiforna and the lead Quix military officer, R’nixnifira, appeared over the operations table.
“We’re about to launch our probes towards the nebula,” said John.
“Our science teams on Forn are ready,” said Equiforna, referring
to their homeworld.
“I have two of our vessels located furthest from Forn manned,” reported R’nixnifira. “However, they will be unable to initiate any evasive action if a catastrophe occurs.”
“Understood,” said John. “Hopefully, this will go smoothly. Lieutenant Brandus, launch the probes.”
Alex’sis initiated the launch sequence and the probes shot out of PHOENIX towards the nebula, heading on their pre-programmed flight paths.
“All probes successfully launched,” said Alex’sis. “They’re all proceeding on course.”
Everyone waited anxiously as the probes reached the perimeter of the nebula. Suddenly, the operations table beeped wildly.
“The probes exploded before we had a chance to initiate the destruct sequence,” said Julie.
“What caused them to explode?” asked John. No one immediately replied as they reviewed the sensor data.
“Captain,” said R’nixnifira. “The sensors on our end report the presence of an energy field. The detection was brief, but we have confirmed it is there.”
“He is correct,” said Calbo. “In a micro instant, the sensors picked up the presence of an energy field. Captain, we will need to impact more probes but I believe the energy signature conforms to the Screen.”
They were right, something was going on here and it had to do with the Screen.
“The hostile alien race you have told us about,” said Equiforna.
“If it’s an energy field, something has to be generating it,” said Alex’sis.
“Could we locate the source of the energy field?” asked John. “There’s gotta be a satellite or ship that’s feeding it.”
“If we discharged enough plasma over a wide area, we should be able to locate the source of the energy field,” said Nueista. “But I recommend using your vessel’s plasma missiles. Their energy yield is higher and would maximize the explosions.”
“Alexis ‘sis, load up a full complement of missiles,” said John.
“Got it,” said Alex’sis.
“I would advise that we detonate an area of one hundred thousand of your measured kilometers,” said Calbo. “R’nixnifira, have your military stations recalibrate to detect Screen energy signatures. We are sending you the data we have.”
“Affirmative,” replied R’nixnifira.
After Calbo sent her the dispersal pattern, Alex’sis wasted no time and fired the missiles. Minutes later, they impacted the energy field.
“There,” said Calbo, highlighting the coordinates. “The concentration of Screen energy is highest there.”
“I’m still not picking up any object,” reported Julie.
“Calibrate sensors to pick up metallic compound common to Screen vessels,” suggested Nueista. “Let us assume they use the same metal composition for all their space faring objects.”
“Our sensors are picking up a satellite object at those coordinates,” reported R’nixnifira. “The data is consistent with Screen metallurgical composition. There appears to be no shield or other apparent defensive systems protecting the satellite.”
“Then we can destroy it and bring down the field,” said John.
“You cannot destroy it,” said R’nixnifira. “The satellite is on our side of the field. We will have to destroy it, but all of our vessels are too far from it to launch an attack.”
“Is there an alternative?” asked Julie.
“We have enough information here to convince our queen to authorize the restoration of our ship engines,” said R’nixnifira. “But it will take some time to get the first set of vessels operational again and relocated towards the satellite to destroy it.”
“Captain,” said Nueista. “It is likely there are multiple satellites powering the energy field. We should map their locations for the Quix to better coordinate their efforts in removing them.”
“R’nixnifira, how long will it take you to reactivate your fleet?” asked John.
“Based on your measurement of time, and I may be off,” said the Quix military officer. “It will take approximately eighty-four of your measured days to reactivate a quarter of our ships.”
It was far longer than John hoped for. “Contact your queen and inform her of our progress. We’ll continue locating the remaining satellites and we’ll begin exploring the surrounding space to verify that the Screen have no monitoring stations nearby. We’ll reconvene in six of your dartnas.” That translated to one day.
The Quix nodded and their holographic images disappeared over the operations table.
“Julie, have our fighters and pile-drivers begin reconnaissance of the local space,” ordered John. He then looked over at Calbo and Nueista. “We should contact your homeworld and notify the council of our findings.”
Calbo spoke up. “Seat Meri has been assigned as the liaison to the science bureau. We will contact Ugunomar and apprise him of our status.”
John nodded. This finding just reinforced what they already knew about the Screen.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
With the help of the Onixin and Quix scientists, PHOENIX located all seventeen Screen satellites hidden inside the nebula. John contacted the Onixin and Senfo homeworlds alerting them of recent events at the nebula as the Quix military commander, or cadri, R’nixnifira presented the findings to the Quix queen. Surprisingly, the queen chose to speak on behalf of her people at the meeting, which was unheard of in Quix society. There were layers of bureaucrats and servants authorized to speak on her behalf, as she was so revered that no one could speak directly to her. To have an audience directly with the queen was a rare privilege.
John, Julie, Drix, Thresha, and the Onixin scientists were assembled in the board room. When the transmission from Forn came through, they were greeted with a display of the queen and R’nixnifira standing beside her. She was almost double the size of him, and quite an imposing figure.
“My queen,” said John. “We are honored by the gift of your presence.” R’nixnifira had coached John on protocols relating to conversing with the queen. One point was that she had no formal name. Any female who was selected as queen lost her name as it represented the casting away of her past life. Everyone simply referred to her as ‘my queen.’
“Your queen is grateful for the rare privilege of seeing such strange looking creatures for the first time,” she said in the typical Quix shrill voice as her body vibrated. “My protector has told me of all that you have done for us. You have managed to achieve what my stewards could not and have given us a chance to explore the stars.”
“Thank you, my queen,” said John. “But our success could not have been made without the assistance of our allies, the Onixins.” John motioned to Calbo and Nueista.
“The collaboration between the humans, Onixins, and Quix is what allowed us to identify the means by which you have been contained,” said Nueista. “Each of us contributed our expertise to uncover the mystery.”
“My predecessor had fond memories of the brief contact the Quix shared with the Onixins,” the queen said. “It is my intention to renew the relationship she started. It is also the intention of the Quix to join your effort in locating those responsible for trapping us.”
The queen pointed to someone off screen. “Let it be recorded on this dartna that John Roberts, captain of the human vessel designated PHOENIX, served in the cause of the Quix. His bravery reflects the strength expected of the protectorate.” She looked back at John. “Therefore, you and your crew have earned the right to be treated as a member of the protectorate. Any request by you will be answered as if you were one of our own. What we possess is now yours. Your mission to find the Screen has now become ours.”
John was certain that this was the queen’s way of offering an alliance. “Words cannot express our gratitude for your offering. Thank you, my queen.”
“My offer extends to the Onixins as well,” said the queen. “As already stated, it was the combined efforts of all parties that revealed the Screen treachery.”
; “We will communicate your generous offer to the Onixin council, my queen,” said Calbo.
“It is regrettable that none of your fellow protectorate can join you in your journey at this time,” said the queen. She wasn’t the only one. What John learned about Quix military ships was that they were large and very powerful.
“Although we must leave, both my ship and the Onixins will remain in contact with the protectorate,” said John. “We’ll also apprise the Senfo about you and, when they’re ready, I’ll have them make contact with you.”
“We will provide you our technological specs for transmission analyzation,” said R’nixnifira. “You have mentioned the difficulty you have encountered decrypting the computer of the Screen fighter you possess. This may aid in your efforts.”
“We appreciate it,” said John.
“A decree will be sent to you and the protectorate announcing our unification,” said the queen. “And when we have extinguished the threat of the Quix, we will meet again on the sands of Forn. Safe travels.”
“My queen,” said John as the transmission ended.
“That went very well,” said Julie.
“An alliance with the Quix is good,” said Drix. “Unfortunately, there is little benefit so long as they remain trapped in the nebula.”
“It is still a win for both our peoples,” said Nueista. “Once the Quix and Senfo can fully participate in our alliance, we will be formidable against the Screen.”
“What is the status of the Senfo?” asked Calbo.
“They are diligently working to wake their people,” replied Thresha, who had been designated as the ship’s liaison to the Senfo. “I have communicated our progress with them. Their leader, Danuo, has expressed interest in aiding us in our search for the Screen. But it will be some time before they can send any ships out from their system.”
“We should try contacting the Ni again,” suggested Julie. “Maybe they’d be willing to join us when we tell them about our progress.”
“It’s worth a try,” said John who, despite the Ni’s xenophophic nature, hadn’t given up on them yet. “In the meantime, we’ll head out of here. I don’t want our presence to lure the Screen back here while the Quix are destroying the energy net.” John looked at the Onixins. “We’ve contacted your homeworld and they’ve dispatched a ship to pick you up. Your efforts here have pleased them so much that they’re sending one of the newly built cruisers to pick you up.”
Phoenix In Chaos (Exodus) Page 21
