The Colony Ship Conestoga : The Complete Series: All Eight Books

by John Thornton

  “Jerome and Cammarry? Forgive my interruption,” Sandie the AI said through the area audio speaker on the com-links. “I have a priority message from Captain Eris. I am linking it though now.”

  Twin beams of light shown out from the com-links, illuminating the interior of Alizon’s home as they built up two separate images. They were each three-dimensional, but fairly clear and crisp.

  “…and that is that. It does not matter what you demand, sir. I will not leave the needle ship just to satisfy your whim,” Captain Eris was saying, but her voice was stressed and tightly controlled.

  “Young woman,” the other displayed image said. Jerome recognized him as Colonel Harrison, but he was new to both Cammarry and Alizon. “I think you fail to see the military implications of this incident. Gamma’s destruction requires you to come to Zeta and conference with me, in person. Now. We cannot trust these transmission channels, no matter how many reassurances you give me. I have essential intelligence reports about the Pinheads, and their operations.”

  “And you sir, fail to understand that I am working for the best of the entire Colony Ship Conestoga, and you are under my jurisdiction. To use the language you chose earlier, you are my subordinate, it is not the other way around.” Eris was as stern as Colonel Harrison, and perhaps a bit more so. She glanced to the side. “I see Sandie has made the connections I told you about. Jerome, are you receiving this?”

  “Yes, Captain Eris,” Jerome said gently.

  “Captain Eris?” Cammarry choked out the words, but then felt Alizon’s calming hand on her shoulder. That helped her more than she would have expected. She considered the other person, and his grey haired crewcut, intense deep brown eyes, and obvious military-style, khaki colored uniform. She quickly added, “I am here too. I do not know this other man.”

  “I have no time for introductions,” Colonel Harrison stated rudely. “Now is the time for action, and it must be in person. Bring a shuttle down, and my systems will guide you to Zeta.”

  “I repeat; I will not personally come to Zeta. I have already explained my reasons to you, repeatedly,” Eris stated. “By your own admission, you lack shuttles, and you have no global surveillance capacities. It was only because Gamma disintegrated, over the limited places in the airspace above you that you can observe, that you even knew of this disaster.”

  “The Pinheads tried to drop that habitat on our heads,” Colonel Harrison snapped back. His face was surly, but he continued. “I insist that you come here. Our plans are too important to be shared over insecure lines.”

  Eris paused and prayed. She was deeply frustrated and that showed on her face, yet she modulated her voice to be civil. “Colonel Harrison, I have made connections here with two shuttle pilots. You met Jerome before, and with us now is Cammarry. You will make time for these introductions. You can make your proposal to them, and see what they think.”

  “More of your subordinates?” Colonel Harrison’s words were not as politely intoned as were those spoken by Eris. “Well, so be it. I am only receiving audio, and I do not trust these transmissions. My proposal is that your Captain come to Zeta and personally discuss my plan to solve the Pinhead, what you call Crock, situation. Since she refuses to come here, will either or both of you come to Zeta? I will then personally fill you in on how we can end this conflict. The Pinheads can and will be defeated.”

  Sandie spoke to Jerome and Cammarry privately. “I have hidden your images because of the look of your location. I have doubts that Colonel Harrison would take you seriously if he knew you were located in a saraj. He already has many issues with Captain Eris.”

  “Sure, I will go,” Cammarry volunteered.

  Jerome’s eyes nearly popped out of his head in surprise. His mouth hung open, and no words came out.

  Alizon was more refined, but just as surprised. “I have not known you long, but this is an astonishment to me. May I ask why you want to leave?”

  Cammarry reached over and patted Alizon’s hand. “You have been so sweet to me, but I am an adventurer. I can easily pilot a shuttle.”

  Jerome found his voice, “I am willing to go as well. But first we should run the tests on the gravity sink hole.”

  Colonel Harrison’s face was stone hard, lacking any expression of emotion. “Delays are not advisable. Coming to Zeta is of uttermost importance.”

  “Sandie, since I am going, I will need gear and equipment. Jerome can come along as my co-pilot, if he wants to. What gear will you allow me to have? Anything truly useful? No, let me address our leader. Captain Eris? What am I allowed to take with me? Tools, supplies, weapons?”

  “I will accompany you, beautiful woman,” Alizon added.

  “What kind of discipline do you have up there, Eris?” Colonel Harrison demanded. “I can hear and see you, Captain, but your subordinates are just babbling voices in my ears. Who was that last man, the complementary one? Is he another pilot? You claim to be short on pilots, yet here you have presented two, and some other man in the background. What is happening? I still prefer for you to come directly, not your underlings.”

  The display of Eris showed her maintaining her composure. “Colonel Harrison, you respect security and confidentiality. This system is only providing you audio for good reasons. Must you question everything I do?” She stared straight ahead, and it was obvious she was making eye contact with Colonel Harrison through the links she had established.

  Colonel Harrison broke eye contact first. “When can your people come? As you know, my dear captain, time is of the essence.”

  “I will send you word when my people decide,” Eris stated. “End transmission.”

  The display showing Colonel Harrison shut down while he was trying to respond. His words were clipped off.

  Eris visibly relaxed. “I can see all three of you, forgive me the stress of this conversation. Sandie prevented Colonel Harrison from seeing…”

  Cammarry interrupted. “Sandie said as much. What gear am I allowed to take when I go to see this man in Zeta? Shall I just whittle a fusion pack from some spare wood, or weave a Willie Blaster from grasses and vines?”

  Eris looked off screen at something. “Sandie review this situation. I have other matters to attend to. Siva has found something in the engines which demands my attention.” Before anyone could say anything, the image of Eris disappeared.

  Sandie spoke, “The automacube SA-381 is with you now, so there is no need for weapons. Both your medical kits are still charged, and will have more than sufficient power for the journey to the hanger bay. Prior to departure, you can quickly set up the monitoring and investigation devices around that gravity sink hole. I can monitor their findings remotely. I will have a two fusion packs sent to Swanson 6101, as well as a set of basic tools. Jerome is carrying some food ration bars, but I will also include an additional supply of ration bars, and water containers. They will be there in the hanger bay when you arrive.”

  “How generous,” Cammarry said. “No weapons, and just simple tools a child could use.”

  “Bitterness imprisons life, and following the road of bitterness leads to even greater disappointment,” Jerome countered.

  Alizon stepped in front of Cammarry. His lips were a thin line. “Each person travels his or her own road. No one knows that path so well. Passive, yet hostile, commentary is an act of aggression. I suggest you refrain from more of those types of violence.”

  Jerome held up his hands. “I was reciting a famous quote I had read. I apologize. It was not intended as verbal violence.”

  “Alizon, Jerome’s life story is often sprinkled with phrases and idioms, and nuggets of wisdom.” Her sarcasm was thick. “Get used to it, if you are traveling with me. I must admit, I really have not missed it over these past months.” She stood up and walked out of the small house. “So Sandie how do we get to Swanson 6101 from here?”

  Jerome came fumbling out of the saraj with his arms filled with the equipment which had been in his satchel. He nearly stumbled over
the threshold. “Cammarry, we need to set up the instruments.”

  “So set them up already.” Cammarry gave a dismissive sweep of her arm.

  Alizon stood next to her, and lightly rested his hand on her shoulder. “If we are leaving, I will turn Haddie out. She will not wander far, but needs room to run should wolves or other predators approach. Or, I will wait here now, if that is your preference.”

  Cammarry patted his hand. “Set Haddie free. Someone needs freedom to roam.”

  Alizon then walked around the opposite side of the saraj.

  Jerome climbed the three steps and headed toward the field with the gravity sink hole. The red automacube had made a neat circular path in the soft dirt all the way around the phenomena. It was still rolling as Jerome approached.

  “I was set to guard this circular area. There is nothing to report,” SA-381 stated in its very mechanical voice. “I have been instructed to lead you to a new destination when you are ready. Inform me when you are ready.”

  “A small group of determined people, fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history. Sometimes the journey teaches you a lot about the destination,” Jerome stated as he set down the instruments. Unpacked, they were just bulky, rather than heavy.

  “I am a security automacube. Therefore, I would not know of such things,” SA-381 stated. It stopped rolling around as Jerome set the instruments up around the circle it had packed into the ground. The instruments were about twenty centimeters tall, and far thicker than a data stick. As he set each of the six instruments into the ground, all equal distance around the circumference, a white light flashed on each one’s top. As he set the final one, the lights on the top of all the instruments flashed rapidly and then turned blue color. The blue glowed steadily.

  Sandie then stated, “Well done Jerome. I am picking up reading and information from this scanning network now in place around the gravity sink hole. The instruments will also serve as a warning system for habitat animals. I have the network set it to make a squawking noise if it detects any movement approaching it. Insect life may be harmed, as the warning will not sound for beings with a mass less than thirty grams.”

  “That should be helpful. If the Crocks approach, will they be able to harm these instruments, or tap into your capabilities in any way?”

  “Jerome, our understanding of the technological sophistication of the Crocks is extremely limited,” Sandie replied on the private com-link. “Should there be one of their metal vehicles in Alpha, and there is no evidence that anything like that is actually in Alpha, it could easily crush these instruments. I will be monitoring these instruments, and watch for anything which approaches. As to tapping into my capabilities, I conjecture that is a very low possibility, but not impossible. We just do not know the Crock’s technical savvy or abilities.”

  Jerome walked away and SA-381 followed him.

  “Did you set up your little test-kit?” Cammarry said mockingly. “Bunsen burners, magnifying lenses, and Tesla coils?”

  “Cammarry, you are the one who notified us it was here. Then, I came all…” Jerome halted an angry retort which he really did not want to spew out. “I am sorry. Shall we leave now?”

  “So is that red automacube our guide? Oh how the wages of war will change things. Alliances switch, enemies become buddies, and teammates become strangers.” Cammarry stood next to Alizon who had just walked back from setting Haddie loose. He had a rucksack over his shoulder.

  “Those lights may warn Haddie, my ox, to stay away from here. That is a good thing,” Alizon said.

  “An auditory alarm will also sound should an animal or person approach it,” Jerome said. “I think we are ready to depart.”

  “Follow me to the transport tube system. From there we will proceed to your destination,” SA-381 stated.

  Alizon studied the machine as it turned in place, the left three drive wheels spinning one direction, while the right set spun the opposite direction. “My, oh my, the machines I have encountered since meeting this beautiful woman.”

  “Hush now, Alizon. Let us walk in quiet as we proceed.” Cammarry was thinking about the last time she had ridden on a transport with Jerome. He had been her loyal partner then, and been injured in the crash landing. She remembered her deep feelings, anxieties, and worries for him then. As she looked at him now, none of those feelings were there. In their place as an emptiness as heavy as a gravity sink hole.

  The automacube rolled ahead, following exactly the route it had taken when it arrived. Jerome followed it, with Cammarry and Alizon walking side-by-side behind him.

  As they walked, each considered his or her own thoughts, but spoke very little. The times passed as they stepped along. When the automacube reached the ramp door, Jerome expected SB Sherman to speak, and had been dreading the possible responses Cammarry might make. However, there were no verbal utterances from the ramp door. It just opened with a slight mechanical hum from the huge pistons.

  “I have been past this location numerous times, and did not know that marvel was there. These mechanical wonders continue to astonish,” Alizon stated.

  “I could not have recognized it either, from the outside,” Jerome said cordially. “This was all new to me when I came this way.”

  “Stop trying to ingratiate yourself. Go and curry favor from the roustabouts. You are good at that,” Cammarry snapped at Jerome. “Right, dad?”

  Jerome turned away from Cammarry. When he looked back, only Alizon was watching at him. He eyed Alizon but was unable to read what was on the man’s mind. Their gazes met, but Jerome was unclear what emotions were there. Cammarry had already descended the ramp. Alizon turned and followed, with Jerome coming last. Once down the ramp, the door closed behind them.

  Alizon walked up to the huge window and peered out. “From the edge of the cliff, the view is different. I never suspected this place was here.”

  “It is impressive,” Jerome added.

  Cammarry sulked away.

  “Jerome? Cammarry? I had the items which you need sent to this location, rather than to Swanson 6101. I wanted you to have them sooner, rather than later,” Sandie informed them. “They are waiting on the gravity conduit pedestal.”

  Cammarry perked up and walked over to the corner where there was another satchel resting just above the opening to the conduit. This one was a yellow color. She looked inside and then roughly dumped it all out on the cushioned pad atop the gravity conduit. She found two fusion packs, two tool kits, two stacks of food ration bars, and three empty water containers. She quickly opened the tool kits and discovered hand tools, and a molecular torch in each one.

  “Well, I guess I can be trusted with some power tools now. Still no weapons, but the molecular torch is much more versatile than a vibration saw.” Cammarry took half of the supplies, and two water containers, and placed them back into the yellow satchel. “Now, where do I fill this with water? And what kind of place is this?”

  Sandie the AI replied, “There is a lavatory behind the door which is opening. This is the Distal Weather Monitor. It is the control pivot for meteorological effects between the two sections of Alpha. You can each fill your water containers in the lavatory. The other sections, the control room, and places beyond that are restricted.”

  A door in the side wall, which previously was hidden slid open.

  Cammarry walked into the lavatory. Jerome gathered up the equipment and reshuffled his gear into his blue satchel. He waited until Cammarry had exited to enter.

  “Alizon, here is a water supply for you,” Cammarry handed a container to him.

  “Thank you. Remarkable things are here.” Alizon looked back out the window again, but then turned to Cammarry. “None of these marvels compares to you, beautiful woman. I am here to assist you.” He packed the water away.

  Jerome emerged from the lavatory and the door slid shut behind him. He turned around and tried to find where the door had sealed into the wall, but the seam was so tight and
small it was nearly invisible.

  “It often seems the nature of the Conestoga is to be abstract, hidden in plain sight, or nowhere at all. But perhaps it was not always so?” Jerome muttered more to himself than anyone else.

  The red automacube placed its manipulation arm up and inserted the tip into the access port. The portal hatch for the transport opened.

  Alizon gasped, as a different voice came from the vehicle which was revealed.

  SB Vamzdis reported, “This vehicle is now programmed for passage to Swanson 6101. That section of the tube system is only marginally operational. Please secure yourselves. We shall depart when you are seated and restrained.”

  “Alizon, come in and sit down. I will show you how to use the restraints. I would hate to see you get thrown around the vehicle in some crash landing. No one wants you to get broken bones.”

  Jerome flinched. His face grimaced as he again remembered the rough ride he had endured, but even more painful was the sting of Cammarry’s words.