Impressed with her ingenuity, Ricci said, “You have the time. What else do you need?”
“Avery and Brodie’s assistance,” she answered, in a perfectly flat tone, though with the tiniest bit of smirk.
Ricci, acknowledged the quip with a nod, then said, “What else do you need, that I can actually arrange for you?”
Ramsey looked at Kaplita. “Could you get me all of Brodie’s notes on the original data transmission?”
“Of course, sir.” With a swipe across his console, Kaplita announced, “Here they are.”
While Carla worked diligently at her task, occasionally conferring with Kaplita about several points of her plan, Ricci, covertly impatient, did his best to appear serene. At last Ramsey announced, “It’s ready. What, exactly, do you want the message to say, Captain?”
“Good question.” After a moment he said, “VICI, record the following. This is Captain Matteo Ricci of the Uniterrae Defense Corps. We have made contact with the ship Aurora and have news about the crew’s well-being. We also have questions about their origins, which we believe you can answer. We’d like to discuss these matters with you – in person, if possible.”
The message was sent and a few minutes later Evans reported receiving a transmission. Ricci instructed her to put it on the main view screen and was informed that it was an audible-only file. “Let’s hear it, Lieutenant.”
The transmission turned out to be a robotic voice, instructing, “Provide proof of your claims. Include the means by which you located Jileesa.”
Ricci considered the message for a few seconds before saying, “So, they’re shy – and not all that friendly.”
Lieutenant Bayer asked, “Why are they more concerned with how we found them than why we’re here? Kind of a suspicious, and possibly hostile, question, isn’t it?”
“Not necessarily hostile,” Ricci said. “I suppose if one expends an enormous amount of effort into remaining unnoticed, which the Lignatians apparently do, you’d want to know where those efforts failed.” He scratched the back of his head while murmuring, “Proof of our claims….” Finally he looked at Evans ordering, “Put this together and send it to them: the holo-vid from our initial meeting with the crew of the Aurora, Uniterrae’s handshake package for first alien contact situations – Sasaki has that, and…Commander Ramsey can deliver a summary of how we located their planet.” He said to Carla, “You can provide that, correct?” When she answered in the affirmative, Evans got to work and within fifteen minutes she’d sent all the materials to Jileesa.
Ricci waited another fifteen minutes for some slight acknowledgment of the data packet. When silence was all that was forthcoming, he advised his bridge crew to turn over their stations to beta shift. “I’m sure the Lignatians need time to look those data over—”
Evans interrupted him to announce the receipt of another message. At Ricci’s command, she played it for the entire bridge. “Your proof is acceptable. You will be granted admittance.”
“Admittance to what?” Jacoway wondered.
“I have no idea, Commander,” Ricci said. “Stand by.”
“Captain,” Kaplita said. “I’m detecting a change in the integrity of the asteroid field….” His hands skated over his console and he shook his head in puzzlement. “It appears that the field is…collapsing?”
“Put it on-screen and magnify, Kaplita.”
The bridge crew watched in awe as the field cracked open like an egg, revealing a hazy blue core underneath.
“What the hell is going on here?” Ricci asked.
While studying his data screen, Kaplita said, “I believe what we’re seeing now is the actual planet Jileesa…which was previously completely covered by some sort of outer shell of asteroids.”
“An outer shell that they can open and close at will?!” Bayer blurted out.
“It sure looks that way,” Jacoway responded.
“Okay, here we go. Jileesa is in reality a methane planet,” Kaplita reported. “The atmosphere is composed mostly of nitrogen, with some thirty-percent methane. Average temperature around…negative one-hundred. Definitely not safe for human life. Approximately two-hundred-thousand alien life-signs and….” His voice grew slow with disbelief as he finished, “And several thousand human life-signs.”
“How is that possible?” Ramsey asked.
Ricci said, “Let’s find out. Jacoway, take us down into a close orbit around the planet.”
Evans again reported an incoming transmission, which would allow for two-way communication. The same robotic voice rang out across the bridge. “Your audience has been granted. Send no more than four human representatives to the planet surface.”
“How will this audience be arranged?” Ricci asked. “We can’t survive on your planet.”
“Directions to access the human containment area will be forthcoming. End transmission.”
The captain exchanged a dubious look with Ramsey. “Human containment area? Doesn’t that sound inviting?” he quipped.
“Sounds neither inviting nor benign, sir,” Bayer said.
“Don’t worry, Bayer, you’ll be one of the four human representatives.”
***
A short while later, Jacoway was piloting the L2 shuttle towards the coordinates given to them by the Lignatians. As they got closer, he reported, “I’m detecting an area with a human-inhabitable environment. How it’s being sustained, I’m not certain.” After checking his data output screen, Tal said, “Oh, it’s behind a plasma barrier. Not sure how we’re going to breach that without losing all power, though —”
From the seat next to him, Ricci advised, “Proceed to the destination and we’ll see if—”
As he made sense of the new data he was receiving, Jacoway exclaimed, “There’s a bubble opening up!”
“A bubble?” Kaplita asked.
“That’s the best way I can describe what I’m seeing here. The read-out indicates an extreme thinning of the plasma barrier…if I’m right, it will serve as a virtual air-lock.” Upon getting the go-ahead from Ricci, Jacoway piloted the shuttle into the region he’d detected. The air-lock worked precisely as Tal had anticipated and he was able to enter the warm, oxygenated environment and land at the precise coordinates the Lignatians had specified.
When the landing party emerged from the shuttle, they found themselves next to a large dock overlooking a calm blue sea. “What is that odd smell?” Bayer asked. “It’s not really unpleasant but…it sure doesn’t smell like a beach.” Tal concurred with her assessment, noting an almost astringent quality to the air.
After scanning the general vicinity, Kaplita announced, “It’s coming from the sea – it’s not actually water, it’s…something artificial.”
“Everything on this side is artificial,” said a mechanical voice. They all whipped around to find the source of that proclamation. A few feet from them stood a short, featureless humanoid figure, imbued with a soft blue glow. “We did not think it necessary to produce an actual body of salt water to surround the human environment.” The figure advanced towards them, asking, “Which of you is Captain Matteo Ricci?”
Ricci stepped forward and proceeded to introduce himself, along with the rest of the landing party. When he was finished, the stranger volunteered, “This is the interactive module for Vipin Drawde Jelk Nelay. I am the Lignatian overseeing Experiment Alktata, encompassing the human society, some of whom you encountered on the moon Tolu.”
There was a definite air of challenge in Ricci’s response. “The human society you created from our people on the Valiant.”
“Yes. Your questions will be addressed presently but we are nearing the end of our regular dormancy period. At close of dormancy your audience with our governing body will begin. We will provide an area for you to rest and ingest food while you wait. I suggest you take advantage of these opportunities.”
Tal wondered what the Lignatian would do if Ricci refused its “suggestions” but didn’t find out since the captain agree
d, asking how they were to reach the human environment.
“There is a boat which will convey you.” The figure pointed at something which looked to Jacoway like an enormous fiberglass soup bowl. With varying degrees of reluctance, the humans climbed into the “boat” and perched on the benches that formed the inside rim. As soon as they were all seated, it began moving, with the blue figure standing in their midst.
His pilot instincts on high-alert, Jacoway surveyed the boat for possible control mechanisms. Meanwhile, Ricci asked their host, “How should we address you?”
“My main-designation is Drawde,” the figure replied. “You may call me Vipin Drawde or simply Drawde.”
“Thank you, Vipin Drawde. Why did you find it necessary to create an artificial sea around the human environment?”
“From our study of the Valiant logs, it seemed to us that most humans lived on land masses surrounded by water. Is this not accurate?”
“More or less,” Ricci admitted. “So, your people were indeed on the Valiant?”
“Our probes were. You will learn more during your audience,” Drawde announced, letting them know the subject was, at present, closed.
Their landing area turned out to be another artificial beach on which stood a boxy building decked out in various shades of beige. It was bordered on two sides by plants, which had Tal itching to investigate them and see if they were real. In truth, he found the entire environment unnerving, though he wasn’t sure what it was specifically that was so disquieting. One glance at Bayer and Kaplita told him that they were likely feeling the same.
“Where are the other humans?” Ricci asked.
“This is the Lignatian-Human contact zone. The general human environment is separate. Is there a specific reason you wish to meet with them?”
Jacoway wondered about the term “contact zone” but the captain simply responded, “Humans are naturally curious…and social beings.” He received no specific reply.
Drawde led them into the building and showed them a lounge area, once again decorated in beige tones relieved by the occasional splash of soft gold. Though it had an overwhelmingly sterile appearance there were a few padded benches that looked at least comfortable if not particularly inviting. Drawde pointed to a table. “There is water and food. Partake if you have need.”
Tal examined the contents of the table. The food provided was unrecognizable, looking like thick slices of gray bologna on dark red rounds of hard tack. He watched Kaplita surreptitiously scan the offerings and waited until Mars nodded before helping himself to the water.
Jacoway almost dropped the glass when, from behind him, Drawde asked, “Is the food unsatisfactory? Other offerings are available.”
Processing the information that the interactive module made absolutely no sound when it moved, Tal stammered out, “It’s good! I’m just…not hungry.”
The figured swiveled around, surveying the entire group, before saying, “Is this present environment not acceptable? I am detecting elevated levels of adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine in all of you.”
No one said anything for a stunned second; finally, Bayer demanded, “How are you reading our hormone levels? Why are you reading our hormone levels!?”
“Reading human physiology is one of the functions of this communication module. The function exists to monitor human health.”
Ricci stepped in to say, “The environment is acceptable. It’s normal for humans to experience some stress in…unfamiliar surroundings – and situations. Can you tell us how long until this audience with your governing body begins?”
“Seventy-four minutes as it would have been calculated on your former planet.”
Her arms crossed in front of her, Bayer snapped, “Our planet still exists.”
“But is no longer inhabitable,” Drawde alleged. “This was the understanding of the humans on the Valiant; that is what drove them out in search of a new world.”
“Not precisely,” Jacoway volunteered. “Things were certainly looking bleak hundreds of years ago when the Valiant was launched but great strides have been made since then. Certain Earth societies – the people of my fiancée, for instance – are healing the Earth through their life-style. Others are actively reversing the damage through technological means.”
Drawde gave a non-committal response and then offered to leave the humans alone until it came time for the meeting to begin – an offer which Ricci readily accepted. When the figure had zipped off, Jacoway turned to find Ricci staring at him, head cocked. “Is there something you need from me, Captain?”
“Your fiancée?” One hand on his hip, Ricci asked, “Did I miss an announcement?”
While Tal was desperately trying to remember if he’d accidentally used the term for Naiche which previously had lived only in his head, Kaplita blurted out, “I want to recheck that artificial ocean. Give me a hand, Evelyn.” Rather than asking how that was a job for two people, Bayer wordlessly trotted after him.
“Umm…no, sir, you didn’t miss an announcement.” He moved closer to Ricci before continuing, “It’s just, you see, Naiche and I talked about getting married someday and ever since then…that’s how I think of her. I’m sorry if this comes as a surprise—”
Clasping him on the arm, Ricci said, “No, the apology is mine. I knew about that discussion but I also knew there was…an unresolved problem. When you said ‘fiancée’ so confidently, I hoped that meant you two had found some sort of solution.”
Sighing with relief, Jacoway answered, “Not yet, but I’ve been giving it some thought since we’ve been apart.” Tal drew himself up to his full height, assuming an air of certainty. “If living in Chiricahua territory is the only way Naiche and I can be together, then I guess that’s what we’ll do.”
“Glad to hear it.” Ricci rubbed his hands together and in an obvious move to change the subject, he pointed at the table, saying, “So, the food is…?”
“Apparently technically edible, Captain.”
“Just like this building is technically a human suitable environment.” He surveyed the room. “Though I can’t quite figure out why I’m finding this perfectly pleasant place….”
Tal offered up a favored phrase of Decker’s. “Seven kinds of creepy?”
“Exactly.” Ricci nodded at the door. “Could you let Kaplita and Bayer know it’s safe to come back in?”
“Yes, sir.” Jacoway headed off, stopping in the doorway to ask, “And then what?”
Arms akimbo, Ricci answered, “And then we wait. To finally meet the Lignatians.”
Chapter 11
More than True
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." GK Chesterton, as quoted in Coraline by Neil Gaiman
It was the second day in a row that Decker had allowed Finnegan to do the daily check of the deserted L3 shuttle by herself. Since Kennedy had been released from Med-bay, Decker was spending a lot of her time assisting in his recovery by doing something called “sparring” with him. To Moira it looked like they were beating each other up with sticks, but the doctor seemed to approve and it had spurred Naiche to bestow this responsibility on her, so Moira approved, too. Decker even let Finnegan take Kayatennae with her, though she got the distinct impression that the dog thought Moira was accompanying him.
Finnegan quickly finished the check of the shuttle and logged it in the system like Naiche had taught her; she was heading towards the exit hatch when Kay rushed ahead of her and started barking. She was retreating back into the shuttle, planning to use the comm to contact Decker, when a flash of movement in some shrubbery caught her eye. After studying the spot for a moment, she concluded that there was definitely a face peering out of that bush – a Featay face.
“Hello,” Moira called. “Is there something you need?” When there was no reply, she walked towards the bushes. “I won’t hurt you, come on out.”
The figure slowly stood up; Finnegan was
surprised to see a Featay arrayed in shiny, machine-made clothing. She stared for a second and realized there were two Featay gaping back at her. Moira asked, “Why are you so far from your village?”
“Maykah is our dwelling place.” One of them pointed off in the distance towards where the domed city was presumably located. “There it is obscured.”
“You’re Maykure!”
“It is so. What are you?” Before Moira could answer, they blurted out a series of rapid-fire questions. “Is ship belong to you? Is ship come from away far?” And lastly, pointing at Kay, “Why we know your speakings and not your fellow?”
Moira introduced herself, allowed them to do the same, and then explained that she was human and Kayatennae was a dog, which led to additional questions about his species, which she couldn’t answer. After struggling for a few minutes, she said, “Dogs don’t talk. I don’t know why but they simply don’t.” Feeling like it was her turn to ask some questions she said, “What are you doing here? I thought the Maykure never left the city – that’s what the Featay told us.”
The one who’d introduced themself as Bingaul said, “You faced down Featay! How you claim your escape?”
The other Maykure, named Lootan, asked, “You suffer attack as food?”
“Don’t be silly. Of course, they didn’t want me as food. That’s all a myth of your people.” Finnegan suspected these two Maykure were rather young and sought to enlighten them to truths their elders didn’t know. She explained how mistaken the Maykure prejudices against the Featay were and how much help they’d given to the humans.
Lootan replied, “I hold no trust on this.”
With a dismissive toss of her head and an exaggerated sigh, Moira said, “Why would I lie?” Bingaul and Lootan stared at each other, both seeming to want the other to respond. Since there was no answer forthcoming, Moira said, “I have to be getting back and I suppose you should be getting home, too. Won’t you be missed?”
The Risks of Dead Reckoning Page 12
