The Anzu: Alec

by Mary S. Sheppard

  He was certain Tania had read his aura, or auralized him, and now she would know that he told the truth. The problem was that maybe he or another human might have done something without even being aware of what they had done. He sighed and headed to the officer’s lounge for a drink.

  Chapter 10 – Internment, day two

  “We just need to fix this,” said Cate.

  Cate had come out of hiding that morning and had met Alec in his room.

  “When I went to the bar before, I was usually with Jamez and the others and was able avoid some of those people,” she said, “but I can’t stay in my cabin forever.”

  “Yeah, we haven’t left Alumina 2 yet, and you know it is 8 more days after that.”

  “I can’t stare at four walls for that long.”

  “And this way we can work together to find why the life liquid has gone bad.”

  “You think we can figure it out?”

  “I’m going to try like crazy.”

  “Okay, that is a better way to go crazy.”

  When they arrived at the lounge, George immediately attacked, “We have been thinking that it has to be something you did. The rest of us have never been close to the life liquid, much less touched it.”

  It was just the second day of their internment, so he shouldn’t let George grate on him. He was not the authority on being right.

  “Cate and I have not touched it,” said Alec evenly.

  “But you swam in it,” said George.

  “Yes,” said Alec reminding George of the decontamination process they underwent each time. George knew this, but somehow he had conveniently forgotten the process. “If it were that simple, don’t you think they would have found the problem already?”

  “Also, why would the other ships have the same problem if it was something we did wrong?” asked Cate.

  Alec thought of walking away, but there weren’t too many places he could go. It was a bad situation. Everyone had been so busy working, from day to day they had not had time for quibbling, but now they had nothing to do.

  Alec looked around the lounge noticing all the drinks being served. Josh was the only one who was busy now as the bartender and it wasn’t even noon.

  “Maybe we have affected the life liquid with the air we exhale,” said Evan. “Maybe we should have worn masks. We put out carbon dioxide and maybe that hurt the life liquid.”

  Evan was his friend and he worked in the Food Sector as a food programmer and tester. Basically the converters did the cooking and processing, but the converter had to know how the food was supposed to look and taste so someone had to program it and that was Evan’s job.

  “They already thought about that Evan, and it is one of the first things they tested,” said Alec. He thought about asking which of the foods would use more of the life liquid, but then he didn’t. It wasn’t like you could ask one group and not another to cut down on food, could you?

  Food for the humans was one of the more complicated on board and Evan could not do it alone, although he had tried. He had admitted to Alec that he had gained weight in the last months on board trying to achieve that goal.

  “Of course gaining weight out here, is not as bad as on Earth,” Evan told him one night.

  They would share a drink at the bar regularly.

  “With less gravity to pull you down, your bones don’t feel it as much,” said Evan.

  “Yeah, but don’t love your job too much,” Alec remembered warning him, “you might have to return to Earth at some point and then you will pay the consequences.”

  “I guess you’re right. I will try to delegate some of the testing to the others,” said Evan.

  There were three other humans working with him, but Alec suspected Evan had the best taste buds among the group and that was why he was lead.

  Each species had their own food service with the Zandu’s food being the simplest since they preferred a synthetically flavored shake that came in different colors. They only drank the shake once a day and it was usually presented in a long, thin, frosty vessel.

  The Shaper’s food was simple as well consisting of hi-energy pellets, which they ingested twice a day. They did not spend much time on their meals and rarely stopped what they were doing to eat. It was like food on the go.

  The Thesbes ate as lightly as their figures suggested, and their diet consisted mostly of nuts and seeds, in small quantities, about five times a day. Some of the humans on board joked that it was kind of like bird food.

  Finally the Lolas ate pretty much everything, as long as it was icy cold. He had seen X and Z eat human food as well as some of the seeds and grains of the Shapers. They liked to sit down to eat their two large meals and usually napped briefly afterwards.

  “It’s not in the air, and it’s not in the decontamination of the suits,” said Alec. “What has changed?”

  “Everything changes all the time,” said George. “Having humans on board a year ago was a big change for the Anzu.”

  “But the problem started three months ago,” said Alec.

  “Humans were already on board then,” said Evan.

  “Most, but not all. Remember, three months ago we picked up seven people,” said George. “Maybe one of them brought something on board.”

  There were glances all around. With twenty-five people everyone knew who the seven were. In fact, in Alec’s opinion, they all knew too much about everyone.

  “We are not any different than you,” said a guy who had come on board three months ago. His name was Ralph.

  “That is your opinion,” said George. “Actually, one of the newest people was very close to the life liquid.” He stared at Cate.

  “George, the procedures for swimming in the life liquid were the same for her as they have been for me,” pointed out Alec. “And remember I have been changing the filter for much longer than three months.”

  “Well maybe it took a while to build up,” said Ralph. “Maybe it has been going on since humans first arrived.”

  Alec sighed. Ralph could be right or maybe he was trying to take blame off the seven new people, but something in his gut told him that wasn’t true. Of course, the gut was never good evidence.

  “I heard it is a fungus in the conduit,” said Jennifer.

  “I heard that as well. What was it?” asked Evan. “Does anyone know?”

  “It is similar to the chocolate spot,” said Cate.

  “Really? That doesn’t sound bad,” said Jennifer.

  “The name is deceiving,” said Alec. “It usually occurs in plants and the only cure is to cut off the affected leaves.”

  “How are you going to that with conduits?” asked Jennifer.

  “I have no idea,” said Alec.

  “Walk with me Alec,” said Chief later that morning.

  Alec was glad to leave the area of internment. They had started to rehash the same conversation and he hated the lack of action. Even the blaming of one group or another was getting old.

  As they walked, he noticed Chief was wearing a simple attachment on one of his arms. It was usually what he used when having a meeting. “Any news about the life liquid, sir?” asked Alec.

  “No. I was just informing the captain that things have reached a critical point. Remember the spot Cate found on that conduit, the first spot? Well, Z went back to that area and the fungus has spread.”

  Alec suspected that might happen.

  “We have managed to block the affected conduits, but I think that it will only slow down the infection. We need to cut the pieces off to achieve a lasting cure, and that will take a major rework of the space ship’s internal sections.”

  “That could be complicated, sir,” said Alec.

  “I know. The captain has put in the request, but so have the other three affected ships. Doing such considerable work will strain the resources on Gliese 65.”

  “Sir, you wouldn’t go back to Zolog, to work on the space ships?”

  “No, we would not want to take anything
that might be contaminated back home. In any case, Gliese 65 is closer. There is something else that is worrying me,” said Chief. “We are going to run out of food.”

  “Before we get to Earth?” asked Alec.

  “At the current rate of consumption, we will reach Earth, but not Gliese 65. Even after dropping off the twenty-five of you, we will run out of life liquid. We are considering putting some of the crew in stasis. Most of the species on board can easily endure months in deep sleep, and it shouldn’t take that long to fix this problem.”

  “Sir, I have seen Lolas eat human food, so you could replenish their food supplies when we get to Earth.”

  “Yes, we plan to do that. Even the Shapers are looking into Earth alternatives they might able to eat. I believe they have requested Evan’s help.”

  Lucky Evan, thought Alec, he would have something to do and feel useful again.

  “We are also in the process of converting one of the hangers to be used to store the food we bring on board,” Chief sighed. “Everything is so much more complicated without the life liquid and now we are being delayed by the scientists who want to spend more time on Alumina 2.”

  They started walking back to the former officer’s quarters or current internment center.

  “I meant to ask you sir, why did the Zandus construct the conduits for the life liquid like they did?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your race built this ship, but you cannot maintain or fix the life liquid system.”

  He was quiet for a moment. “You noticed.”

  Alec didn’t know what that meant. “Sir?”

  “We modified some of the systems from the original specs after we invited other species on board the Anzu.”

  A thought suddenly occurred to Alec. “Sir, you mean you modified systems to give us work?”

  “Not so much as to give you work, but it is important everyone has meaningful work. The modifications also gave us more space which we used to increase the number of sleeping quarters.”

  “And why did you include all of us in the first place sir? It seems you could do these missions without all the different species.”

  “Yes we could, but some Zandus have a major failing and this is a way to correct that.”

  Alec was curious, but wondered how to ask Chief.

  “Do you want to know what our failing is?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “There are many among us that think we are superior to all of you.”

  “You are technologically more advanced than the rest of us, sir.”

  “Yes, but that does not make us superior. Every time we work with others, we are constantly amazed and learn from all of you, no matter where you’re from.”

  That was extremely candid of him, thought Alec. He didn’t think humans would admit so easily to any flaws.

  “Every time we learn it helps to dispel any superior ideas some might have. The exercise has proved invaluable countless times.”

  “Except for this time sir, when humans ruined the life liquid.”

  “I still believe humans are not to blame for this, but many on the ship do, so it is partially for your safety to keep you contained in that area.

  “Sir, I been thinking, is the progression of the fungus the same, or is it getting faster? Maybe we can figure out the exact time it started and then determine what caused it.”

  “I am not sure. I will check on that and let you know,” said Chief. “Thank you Alec.”

  “Thank you sir for … ,” Alec paused. There were many things to thank him for. For confiding in him, and for taking him out of his prison, but he didn’t want to sound needy. He wished he could take back the preposition, but it hung out there for a moment, before he said good-bye.

  Later that day, he received a message from Chief. The rate of growth of the fungus was steady and they had pinpointed the beginning of it to three months ago.

  Good, thought Alec. Now they could work on finding the source of the fungus. Someone or something had introduced it three months ago. He stopped by Cate’s room. “Come with me, I’m going to the lounge. I just found out the fungus was introduced exactly three months ago.”

  She hesitated.

  Things were different with Cate, thought Alec. He didn’t think he had a chance with her when he first met her and now he knew she was not his type, but they had been friends and he could use her help. “Cate, I know there are people there you don’t like, but if we find how the fungus was introduced, we can fix it and then we can stay.”

  “You’re right, Alec,” she nodded. “I can do this.” She got up and followed him into the lounge.

  Alec noticed the liquor was still flowing freely. Chief had told him that soon it would be rationed and Alec wanted to ask questions while everyone was still in good mood.

  Alec had wondered why it was not rationed already, but Chief explained they had been hopeful that that would not be necessary, seeing how much humans enjoyed liquor.

  “Hello, everyone,” said Alec loudly.

  Some of the people turned to him, but some ignored him.

  “They have found that the fungus was introduced exactly three months ago,” said Alec.

  “Wait, are you sure, or are you trying to cover your swimming ass?” asked Ralph.

  “I am not blaming anyone,” said Alec, “but the good news is we have the exact moment this started so it might have been something that came on board with you.”

  “We were screened carefully before coming on,” said Ralph moving towards him.

  “Yes, of course,” said Alec. “It might be something that is not obvious. We just need to figure what changed three months ago.”

  “Frankly, I think this is progress,” said George. “Now we know exactly which humans are responsible for this.”

  Ralph got in front of George. “You want to repeat what you said?”

  “George, just shut up, you’re not helping,” said Alec. “Come on, Ralph we can figure this out.”

  “Who died and made you king?” asked George.

  “Fine,” said Alec. “Who wants to figure this out so we can fix the problem and stay on this ship, or who wants to listen to what George has to say.”

  “I suggest we vote on it,” said Ralph. “Raise you hands for Alec.”

  Most of the people sided with Alec.

  “Okay, I am willing to listen to any suggestions. Even crazy ones,” said Alec.

  “Maybe the screening process changed and something got through,” said Cate. “Do any of you work in Security?”

  Four people said they did, but none had seen any changes to the screening process.

  “Maybe one of you brought something board?” asked Alec.

  “You know personal items are limited, but just to make you happy, give me that,” said Ralph as he grabbed a monitor. “Here, are all the belongings I brought with me.”

  The list of his personal items didn’t even fill the screen, observed Alec.

  Cate studied it over his shoulder. “I don’t see anything here.”

  “Go on,” said Ralph to the woman next to him. “Send him the list of what you brought on board.”

  She did and soon after Alec received the lists of the others.

  Alec realized that he and these people had one thing in common, few personal items. When the aliens had suggested few items, he had not had any problem with that, he didn’t have many cherished items, but now he saw that the others were similar to him.

  Suddenly an announcement was made over the intercom system. All liquor would be rationed to three alcoholic drinks per day starting immediately.

  “What is this? We are basically trapped with nothing to do and now we can’t have a drink?” asked George. “What the hell. The next thing they will be cutting is the food.”

  “I rather they cut the food than the liquor,” said Ralph.

  “They will have to cut the food as well,” said Alec. “More conduits have been infected and as the life liquid is depleted
, they have to ensure there will be enough for everyone.”

  “Are we going to make it back to Earth?” Jennifer looked nervous.

  “I think we will,” said Alec noticing the concern on everyone. This would make them cooperate fully and he took advantage of it.

  It was late that evening when Tania came to the lounge. “Hello Alec, can we talk?”

  Several people looked at them.

  “Yeah, let’s go to my cabin,” he went to his quarters and closed the door transparent. “So what bring you back? Are you going to auralize me again?”

  “No. I had to do that, you understand?”

  “Yeah, I get it. So are you convinced I am telling the truth?”

  “I suspected that, but we know that many humans do not tell the truth.”

  “Yeah, it’s not a well-kept secret of our species.”

  She made a weird noise and said, “That’s funny.”

  It must have been her laugh. His translator should have translated it as a laugh, but it hadn’t. He would have to fix that, thought Alec.

  “Anyway, the team went down, a Lola touched the crystal, and nothing happened.”

  “I can’t explain that,” said Alec. “Maybe I saw something that didn’t happen. Maybe it didn’t move and it was a trick of the light?”

  “No, I don’t think so. You said the crystal was one centimeter by three?”

  “Yes.”

  “Now it is three by five.”

  “It grew?”

  “Yes and it is in slightly a different location from your initial measurements. We checked.”

  “Wow.”

  “We would like you to go down and do exactly what you did before.”

  “Sure.”

  “I like you Alec. Some might not want to help if they were being held in…” her voice faded.

  “Don’t worry Tania, I understand why you have us confined to one area on the ship. On the other hand, aren’t we running out of food? Shouldn’t we be leaving Alumina 2 by now?”

  “Yes, so the sooner we find out what is going down there and resolve this, the better. Get some sleep and I’ll call you at 0500.”

  Chapter 11 – Alumina 2, again

  Hours later they were on their way back to Alumina 2. Few had gotten much sleep, but the captain had warned the scientists that they would be leaving in the next five hours and the scientists were anxious to use every minute they had. Many more crystalline structures had been found circling the hill with the black rocks.