Jaunts of the Mantis

by Jim Henderson

  As they took off Elsbeth worked with Mantis to relook at the logs from the comm relay. As they were leaving orbit Elsbeth said, “I think I found something” and had Mantis play a short message.

  It was a fairly frantic female voice that said, “Jaylan, this is Lu. I hope you’re OK. I’ve been up here for a few days now, but no signs of a ship. I’m going to go out to the gas giant. I should have hope of seeing a ship there. If I find someone, I’ll try to come get you. Take care of yourself.”

  Elsbeth explained, “This was from 3 days after she left the outpost, but judging by the comms damage we saw, I doubt he ever got it. So, he thought he was abandoned and alone, except for little critters tearing up the outpost.”

  Ximon said, “Good find. Of course, that means we need to take another look at the gas giant before jumping out.”

  Elsbeth, “Yeah, I figured that.”

  They got out to Cybex Beta 5 and started a moderately fast searching orbit. In a few hours they detected a shuttle in slow orbit.

  Ximon, “Shuttle, this is the KSS Mantis on an investigation mission to Cybex Beta 3. Please state your mission here.”

  There was a fast response, “Oh god, Mantis, thank god you’re here. Help me. I’m Humaira Lu from the outpost on Cybex 3. I need help.”

  Ximon, “Roger, Lu. We’ll dock in a few minutes.”

  They docked with the shuttle and found Humaira Lu. She wasn’t in the best of shape. The shuttle had plenty of power, but Lu had basically no food left, was running short on water, and was taxing the air filtration system. She was also a bit frantic from her experiences and then feeling alone for weeks.

  Raiza prepared her a good meal and then they set her up in a room.

  Elsbeth asked Ximon, “Why didn’t we or that freighter see her before?”

  Ximon, “A gas giant is a big place and we were getting gas, not searching. Plus, the orbit she was in wasn’t where most skimmers would be nor where she could best be seen. Had we got lucky before we might have found her, but no such luck. Also, I’m betting that if we look, her scanners might not be working well.”

  Elsbeth grinned sardonically, “Well, you know me, I rarely get lucky.” Then continued, “I was just about to check out the shuttle. I’ll see if that’s right about the scanners.”

  Elsbeth found that, though the shuttle was generally in good shape, a couple of the small sensor antennas were damaged and Lu hadn’t been able to adjust the system to compensate.

  Elsbeth, “Ximon, it looks like those critters got at the shuttle too before she took off. There wasn’t much they could easily get off there, but they tried with those antennas and messed them up in the process.”

  Ximon, “Did it look like stuff is working well enough for the shuttle to do an automated landing?”

  Elsbeth, “Should be if it’s an easy one.”

  Ximon had Mantis coordinate with the shuttle and set the shuttle to land on the smallest of Cybex Beta 5’s moons. He also set an auto-response message on it to say, “This is KSF Shuttle Beta 3 Outpost.”

  He explained, “If anyone finds it, hopefully that’ll keep them from stealing it or scavenging it for parts.”

  Then he announced to the ship, “Prepare for jump. Next stop Moda.”

  The jump was uneventful. Lu and Jaylan were both relieved to find that the other was OK, though Lu was clearly leery of him. Jaylan was quiet for most of the trip. He was fine most of the time, but had some manic moments, some where he ceaselessly wept, and some where he yelled angrily at being detained. Iday spent a fair amount of time with him, working to calm him down and clarify details of his story.

  Ximon, Elsbeth, and Iday worked together to assemble the entire mission report This included logs audio and video logs, as well as statements from Jaylan and Lu, etc. It also included Ximon’s ‘conversation’ with the Krichin watcher. After a couple days Mantis had been able to decipher that the Krichin were speaking a language and break out a few words from the watcher’s speech – peace, sorrow, supplies, sorrow, sorrow …

  The complete report was huge, but the executive summary wasn’t too bad.

  As soon as they came out of jump in the Moda system, Ximon sent the report to the KSF Station and informed them that the KSS Mantis, would be arriving in approximately 18 hours and that they needed to turn over Jaylan and Lu, the body, and the supplies they were carrying. He also informed them Mantis would be in port for approximately 48 hours thereafter in case they had any questions. This led to a series of radio conversations and Moda Base was ready to receive them.

  As they approached the station at Moda 3, Ximon gathered everyone in the galley, “We’ll be docking at Moda Scout Station in 30 minutes. We’ll be met by the station commander. Jaylan/Lu, we’ll turn you and Al-Mufti over to them. I’m sure they’ll have questions for you and will probably want to do a medical work up. Crew, we’ll plan to be at Moda for approximately 72 hours. They may want to interview each of us. So, you can have a couple day shore leave, but you need to stay in contact” with this he looked meaningfully at Elsbeth “… so they can get with us if they need to.”

  Elsbeth just rolled her eyes at that.

  “In any case, we’ll probably need an hour or two before we can run off. And I’d like everyone to send me a message with their general plan. And I’d like everyone to check in 2 hours before our planned launch time. I’ll update you if the launch time changes.”

  Elsbeth noted, “I’ve sent you a list of a few things I’d like to buy while we’re here if I can find them.”

  They landed at the designated bay and shut Mantis down. Ximon, Elsbeth, Iday, and Raiza accompanied by Jaylan and Lu, headed down the ramp.

  As they came down the ramp, a group of 8-9 Scout personnel came up, including a gurney, a forklift, and a wheeled cart.

  The leader wearing a KSF dress coat shook everyone’s hand, “Welcome, I’m Commander Codoc, welcome to Moda Station. We’re anxious to help these folks and the additional detail related to the outpost. Your report already went out by Comm Boat.”

  Then he pointed to folks as he detailed them, “Dr. Jacobs and her folks would like to take Specialist Lu back for a medical exam as well as claim the remains of Al-Mufti. Sergeants Lombard and Heyns here will take Specialist Zaitsev in for some questioning and medical evaluation. Our logistics crew will get that cargo. And I’d like to briefly chat with you.”

  Ximon said, “Of course sir. Iday, if you’d hand off Jaylan there to Security; Elsbeth, please help the logistics crew get the cargo out and hand over the physical artifacts from the outpost; and Raiza, please take the Dr and her team to Al-Mufti’s body. Everyone, please get digital receipts.”

  Everyone then scattered, leaving Ximon and CDR Codec. Codec had Ximon give him a brief summary of the overall mission, a general assessment of Lu and Zaitsev, and his thoughts on the Krichin and dealing with them. Ximon generally repeated what he had in the report but made sure to applaud Lu and to stress Zaitsev’s mental state. As far as the Krichin, he suggested a specialized translate, contact, and trade team be sent out.

  Ximon concluded, “I don’t think they intentionally killed Dowling nor recognized that they were doing harm in the stuff they took. I think they’re aggressive scavengers who got scared when Mufti and Dowling came near their home. Consider them like any relatively primitive race, but they clearly had an interest in metal and technological things. What will happen to Lu and Zaitsev?”

  Codec said, “Hard to be sure with the ‘wheels of justice’ and all that. But Lu will probably go through some medical and psych eval. If she’s fine, she’ll probably be given some extra pay, a few weeks off, and a new posting. Zaitsev too will get some medical eval, but heavy on the psych. Then, we’ll probably try him, though whether the outcome is a penal colony or a mental institution (or both) is hard to say.”

  Then he added, “Good work here Sabo, you cleared up a mystery, saved 2 of 4 scouts, got us info on a potential contact, and put the shuttle where we can have it picked up.
If you choose to file your invoice while here, I’ll try to expedite it. I’ve got your info from the report, but I’ll probably need each of you to come in the security folks briefly and give a legal statement re Zaitsev. I’ll have them arrange something with each of you. I think I have what I need, but I’ll contact you and take you to lunch if I need more.”

  Ximon said, “Thanks, commander. Happy to help.”

  By that time, the doc’s team had claimed the body and left with Lu in a wheelchair (despite her protests), the Security folks had taken Jaylan in for questioning, and the logistics team was making good headway on the cargo.

  Ximon sent a message to the crew, “I show 1740. Unless we must change it, launch time will be 1800 in 3 days. Please send me your general plans and plan for a formal interview with Security. Have fun …. But not TOO much fun.”

  Then he told Iday, “You can head out whenever you like. If you don’t stay here, I’ll see you in a few days.”

  Iday said, “I already have an interview scheduled with Security. I may be here intermittently but need to spend some time at my church.”

  Ximon, “Very well, Godspeed, I guess.”

  Iday smiled at that and went in to get his bag.

  Ximon went over and told Elsbeth, “You’re free to go as soon as we ‘button her up.’ I approved that parts request. You’ll hear from Security if you haven’t. If I don’t see you, have fun.”

  Elsbeth laughed in reply, “You know me – I’m the master of fun. But I’ll be here at least some, fixing a few things.”

  Ximon nodded, went in the ship, and found Raiza. He told her, “Raiza, I know you don’t need it, but I’d like you to accompany me out to dinner and for a little shopping. Let’s leave in 20 minutes. Please wear something nice.”

  “Ximon, that sounds wonderful. I’ll look forward to it and wear something appropriate that you like.”

  Ximon then took a quick shower and put on some decent clothes. Raiza was awaiting him in the galley in 15 minutes, with her hair done nicely and wearing a short black dress, stockings, and stiletto heels.

  Ximon, “You look lovely, Raiza.”

  “As do you Ximon. Thank you.”

  Then he took her arm and they headed for town – the shops about ½ km away. They found a restaurant that sounded good to Ximon and had a nice dinner. Raiza primarily made conversation but ‘ate’ a little bit of Ximon’s meal. Raiza didn’t digest anything, but studies had shown that having companion bots participate in the act of eating made others, such as Ximon, more comfortable.

  They then hit a few clothing stores and Ximon had Raiza try on several outfits and bought her some, including some lingerie. Then they just walked the main drag, quietly enjoying one another’s company.

  Except for a Security interview the next day, the time in port was quite relaxing. He took Raiza out a few times and they saw a few Vids and a few nearby sites.

  Elsbeth was in and out, fixed a few things, and was never visibly drunk when Ximon saw her. Ximon only saw Iday briefly a couple days later. He was clearly busy with ‘his work.’

  Ximon filed his invoice for the mission and was again excited to be paid well and quickly. Again, he got more than the mission specifically offered for rescue, legal assistance, and for salvaging the shuttle. He also looked at other jobs, but didn’t sign up for any.

  He was set up and ready to go a few hours before the planned launch time and messaged the team, “Raiza will have a dinner ready 1 hour before launch time if you choose to join us.”

  Elsbeth replied, “I’ll be there approximately 30 minutes before launch. Don’t eat everything.” Iday showed up a couple hours early, ate and was ready go.

  They took off without incident and were on their way to jump. Since they had official business at the Scout Station, the KSF had fueled up Mantis so they didn’t need to skim. They reached the jump point and jumped without incident … or so it seemed …”

  Jaunt 3: Mis-Jump

  They spent the jump in relaxation and/or boredom. Ximon took some refresher classes on navigation procedures, spent time with Raiza, and generally checked on Mantis. Among other things, he taught Raiza some more rudiments of shooting. She’d never be a good shot because her brain just wasn’t engineered for that, but she could hold the gun properly, discharge shots consistently at a nearby target, and reload. You never knew when that might come in handy.

  The rest of the crew got along well. There were no arguments and Elsbeth was never too visibly drunk and didn’t complain of nightmares. Iday was his quiet, studious self.

  … and then all hell broke loose.

  Mantis came out of jump suddenly and with a jarring lurch almost 2 hours earlier than planned. Ximon was knocked off his feet at the sudden and unexpected change in momentum. He got up yelling as he sprinted to the bridge, “Mantis, what the hell? Iday, to the bridge and PRAY! Elsbeth, what the holy hell?”

  As he ran, Mantis said, “Captain, I’m checking our stellar position, but initial indications suggest that we have not exited jump at the intended destination. There are no immediate navigational dangers.”

  Ximon dove into his seat and started scanning the area.

  Ximon yelled at Iday as he sat down, “Navigational Fixes, now!”

  They were relatively clear space, with a planet at about 15M km and a Red Dwarf star at 150M km. So they were a fair ways out in whatever system they were in.

  Ximon started longer range scans and said, “OK, Iday, where are we?”

  Iday somewhat sheepishly said, “Well we’re definitely NOT in the intended system, I’m still working on the final fix.”

  Ximon, “Mantis, what do you show?”

  Mantis said, “I concur that we’re not in the Chater system. My 2-star fix indicates a 95% probability of the Cruna Sigma system. Verifying 3-star fix now.”

  Iday interjected, “I’m showing Cruna so far as well. Still working.”

  Ximon took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. Then he said, “Elsbeth, what’s going on down there?”

  “Ximon, I’m checking. I’ll let you know when I find something.”

  Mantis then said, “Captain, my 3-star fix confirms Cruna Sigma with 98% probability.”

  Iday just nodded

  Ximon said, “OK, then Mantis, tell us about the Cruna Sigma system.”

  Mantis read off the details. The Cruna Sigma System is 48.7 light years from the intended Chater system and approximately 30.6 light years coreward of Tixaya. Cruna Sigma is a Red Dwarf star. The system contains 4 planets and 8 dwarf planets. It contains no known permanent human settlements.”

  Ximon, “… and the planets? How bad are we screwed?”

  Mantis said, “Captain, I do not understand the reference to screwed. Does this refer to sexual activity or mechanical construction?”

  Ximon, “Just tell me about the planets.”

  Mantis reported, “Sigma 1 is a dense planet. 0.2 AU, 4500 km diameter, no moons frequently afflicted by flares in the solar corona. Sigma 2 is larger, rocky planet with an iron core and a trace atmosphere, 0.4 AU, 9000 km diameter, 2 moons. Sigma 3 is larger planet, rocky core, and a moderately dense, toxic atmosphere, 0.9A AU, 11000 km diameter, 1 moon. Sigma 4 is a pseudo-gas giant planet, 5.0 AU, 39000 km diameter, 9 moons. Would you like to hear about the dwarf planets as well?”

  “No thanks.”

  Ximon, “So what are we looking at?”

  Iday chimed in, “We’re approximately 1 AU from the star, between Sigma 3 and 4.”

  Mantis added, “With our jump range, we can get to the Zulea system, which is on a jump 10 range route to Tixaya and has a permanent station.”

  Mantis said, “Approximately 15 Mkm from Sigma 3 and 600 Mkm from Sigma 4.”

  Ximon said, “While our play would be to try to skim at Sigma 4, we’re going to go do a quick survey of Sigma 3. We’re now officially looking for paying work and KSF might pay us for that.”

  Ximon said, “Iday, take us to Sigma 3 and into orbit” then h
e headed to Engineering. En route he told Mantis, “Alert me of any nav or piloting issues.”

  In Engineering Elsbeth was running back and forth between a console and an open magnetic coil array. She yelled, “I’m still not sure Ximon. Stay out of the way.”

  Ximon sat calmly down and watched.

  In a couple minutes, as we ran back and forth, Elsbeth said exasperated, “It looks like we had a failure in one of the field alignment coils, but I’m trying to verify, figure out which one, AND why the heck it happened. The fields have been very stable until now. I’ll let you know when I know.”

  Ximon just sat quietly for 10 minutes or so.

  Elsbeth added, “Yes, definitely a failure in field alignment coil. Looks like number 4, but I’m testing all of them. Really, Ximon, this could take hours until I can give you a definitive answer.”

  Ximon said, “Ok, just one question. The maneuvering engines show fine on the boards. Is there any reason we can’t use them?

  Elsbeth said, “Damn, I hope not. It may be days before we can jump.”

  Ximon said, “Good, I was a bit afraid of that delay.”

  Elsbeth, “It won’t do us a bit of good to try to jump soon, mis-jump again, and break the jump drive in the process. Don’t even think about jumping until I tell you.”

  Ximon, “I wouldn’t dream of it. Good luck.”

  He left Engineering and headed to his room. On the way, he told Iday, “Give her 0.8G, what’s our ETA to Sigma 3?”

  Iday replied in a few seconds, “Roger, ETA about 5 hours.”

  “Roger. Hold her steady and alert me if you see anything on scans.”

  When he passed through the galley, he grabbed Razia’s hand and led her to their room. He definitely needed some quick stress relief.

  In 45 minutes, he was back on the bridge and swapped seats with Iday.

  Ximon said, “So, Iday, like I said we’re doing these scans in hopes we earn something from it. Aside from that, it gives Elsbeth a little more time to check everything and, if need be, fix something. As you probably know, if you mis-jump, you don’t want to be too quick to jump again or the problem could get worse.”