Doona Trilogy Omnibus

by neetha Napew

  “Show them in.” Conversation around the ready room table halted as the bosun stood to one side to allow the two men to enter.

  Grace Castleton would have known Reeve anywhere as Todd’s father.

  Both men were rangy and taller than average with big shoulders and long arms, and both had the cap of smooth black hair cut straight across the forehead over decidedly stubborn features. Ken’s hair was somewhat thinner, and there was more grey in it than in Todd’s. There were lines graven by time in his fair-skinned face, but he exuded the same boyish enthusiasm that his son did. With a new adventure arising, years fell away.

  He might have been the same youthful Jack-of-all-trades who had landed on Doona with a handful of tyro colonists more than thirty years ago.

  “Hello, friends! Speaker Hrrto, Admiral Barnstable,’ Ken said, coming over to clasp hands and bow respectfully to the Hrrubans. He pounded companionably on his son’s shoulder.

  Ken slid into the empty seat beside Hrrestan.

  “Well, anything happen while Kiachif and I were on our way up?” He looked around the table which bore the remains of a recent light meal.

  “He’s filled me in on the discussion. We’re still going to make the contact?”

  “We’ll have to, Dad, they’re not making any move,’ Todd said.

  “Captain, could we have a rerun of the tapes for my father?”

  “I was about to suggest that, she replied and toggled the board for the replay.

  Watching the tape with keen eyes, Ken whistled softly as he read the telemetry codes around the image of the ship.

  “So we know very little about our friends over there?” Ken heard the soft snort but couldn’t tell who had issued it. “Not friends?”

  “That has yet to be established,’ Barnstable said in a neutral voice.

  “By me,’ Ken said with a grin.

  “By us, Dad,’ and Todd indicated the other volunteers of the first contact group.

  “Can it be established if they’re oxygen-breathers?” Ken asked.

  “We’d need to know how to dress for our meeting.

  “Can’t even establish that, Dad,’ Todd replied.

  “Just like you to volunteer for a blind mission,’ Ken said in a tone of mock disgust.

  “Begging the captain’s pardon,’ Commander Greene said, watching the codes change on the main viewscreen.

  “There’s data coming through right now.”

  “Put it up, Mr Greene,’ said Captain Castleton.

  “More data?” Todd asked, startled even as he scanned the new readings.

  “Where did you get it?”

  “From a robot probe,’ Greene said.

  “What?” Todd demanded, sitting angrily upright. “Who authorized the launch?” He stared accusingly at Greene.

  “I did,’ Barnstable replied, his face reddening at Todd’s imperious tone. “For the safety of all of us, including our Hrruban allies, I felt it was vital we obtain more information.”

  “Admiral,’ Todd said in a restrained tone, “I specifically requested that there be no more probes, drones or even scans until we were ready to proceed with the first contact.” Banistable narrowed his eyes to glare at Todd.

  “Until proven otherwise, this is a Spacedep matter, young man. I am acting in the interest of safety for all the sentient beings on this ship. I don’t need your permission to proceed.”

  “This is Doonan space,’ Todd said. It made him furious that this bureaucrat would take a unilateral action that could endanger the whole mission. Hrrestan, who hated the high-handedness of Spacedep, would back him up.

  “We must not show distrust,’ Hrriss agreed.

  “We do not know if those aboard that vessel arrre worthy of trust,’ Hrrto reminded him sharply.

  “Nor do we know they are not, Speaker,’ Hrrestan said with equal asperity.

  “In any case,’ Castleton said, raising her voice to put an end to the argument, “the probe only transmitted readings for a short time.

  They stopped the moment the ship took the probe aboard Todd struggled to control his vexation. “It probably stopped sending readings because they disabled it, thinking it might be a bomb.

  “If they have not now discovered its benign,’ and Greene drawled the adjective, staring at Todd, “purpose, then they’re by no means as sophisticated a species as you like to think them.” Greene was rather pleased with that shot at the officious Doonarralan. He felt malicious glee at Todd’s surprise.

  Todd knew he’d been outmanoeuvred there, but a soft touch on the back of his arm came as a quiet warning from Ken not to pursue the point. His father, better than anyone else in the galaxy, knew how hard it was to control the infamous Reeve temper, and how much damage it could do when let loose. Normally, Todd was in control, but the combination of Spacedep’s xenophobia, and the unknown potential orbiting his beloved home planet was enough to put him at his worst.

  He reminded himself that he was one step away from a great adventure, equal to that when his father spotted the first Hrrubans near the earliest settlement over thirty years ago. These narrow-minded people could not, did not understand the sheer joy of reaching out to another race, joining the far, cold reaches of the galaxy together in friendship. He had to be on that ship first, no matter what. It was a longing as strong as love. He glanced back and nodded at Ken to show he was under control.

  “Let’s see what the probe did transmit,’ Castleton said, settling down once more behind the table Greene pulled open the hatch over one of the inset consoles. He punched in a code. The view changed to a much closer image of the great ship, which steadily filled more and more of the screen. An overlay of white characters sprang up, constantly changing as the readings altered.

  “We deployed a Mark 24-M probe with advanced sensors,’ Greene calmly announced. “As you can see from the metallurgical report, the alien defence shields are very strong. Most of the inner core of the ship resonates as a power plant. It’s well insulated, with main conduits running down the pith of that central pillar. There are power fluctuations that build up from half a megawatt to over five gigawatts.

  My estimate is that the strangers are prepared to attack with some sort of electrical weapon.”

  “So far your assumption about their intentions is speculation,’ Ken said. “The ship masses heavy. What’s in it?” Greene pointed to the relevant data. “Mostly water.”

  “Water?

  You mean H2O? What kind of beings are there inside?”

  “Big. Look at the readings. There’s one weighing 230 kilos.”

  “Individuals?” Ken asked, amazed. Greene nodded.

  Jilamey whistled. “They’re as big as Mamma Snakes.”

  “That’d explain the power requirements, if you follow me,’ Kiachif said.

  “Maintaining mass gravity for massive beasties.”

  “Or for quick power-ups on the weapons systems,’ Greene added.

  Todd shook his head in vehement denial.

  On the screen, a circular opening appeared in the side of the ship, gleaming silver against the blackness.

  The little probe’s eye moved into it, giving an impression of a vast entry area and a quick view of some kind of computer console, and then the screen went blank.

  “That’s all there is. As you can see, once it entered the ship, it stopped sending,’ Greene said. “There is no visual of the inhabitants.” Barnstable rewound the report and started it from the beginning.

  Stroking his chin, he studied the screen closely.

  “Wonder what they’re using all that water for? Ballast?

  Weapon storage?”

  “Nonssenssse!” said Hrrestan, hissing his sibilants. “This is all speculation. In any case, it isn’t a destroyer of any kind. There’s no armament to speak of aboard.

  No rrradiation pazzerns which to me would indicate dangerrrous or powerrrful orrrdnance.” Castleton scratched her cheek thoughtfully.

  “I’m just as glad they haven’t ret
urned our compliment. After all, the Hamilton’s considered a peaceful ship but we have small lasers and missiles. I wonder if they’ve scanned us telemetrically.”

  “We prrrove we arre peaceful by ze composition of our landing prrrty,’ Hrriss said.

  “All I hope is they don’t think the probe was some kind of threat,’ Todd said, grimly.

  “Wish I knew what sort of survival equipment we need,’ Ken said thoughtfully.

  “May I suggest,’ Ali Kiachif spoke up helpfully, “the fullest rig and gear the Hamilton has to offer?” Capturing the small unit proved to be no trouble at all, for which the technician was pleased. Like all Gringg, he hated to expend unnecessary effort on any task. The captain, a magnificent female of their species, entered the cargo bay accompanied by her small son, a curious lad of eight Revolutions, and the chief engineer, a female of many Revolutions and much experience.

  The three of them sat down in a semicircle on the floor near the console. The technician retrieved the little device, hoisting it lightly in one arm. He set it down on the floor and settled opposite the captain.

  “I have decontaminated it, but you will be pleased to know that I found no dangerous organic substances on it or within. It makes a noise,’ the technician pointed out, indicating the subspace receiver on his console. “I believe it to be a message of some sort.”

  “How kind!’ the Gringg captain declared. “Ghollarrgh, I am so relieved to find that these people did not attack us upon sight. Home world will be pleased. We must try to answer it, an unprovoking message. They must see us as being completely peaceful. Match the frequency, and we will attempt to translate. Grrala, you,’ she turned to the engineer, “should try to construct a similar device so that we may send them our compliments in return.”

  “In time, Captain,’ the engineer yawned, “in good time.

  Now, may we see how this little toy works?” Eager to please, the technician began to display the workings of the ship-sent device.

  Aboard the Hamilton, the shuttle was being made ready to depart.

  Todd and Ken were fitted out with tough transparent pressure suits. An attempt was made to find one which would accommodate Hrriss’s tail, but nothing could be adapted in the short time allowed.

  In the end, Hrriss offered simply to stuff it down one pant leg and be done with the problem.

  “I’m satisfied,’ Todd said, fastening the last seal on his suit.

  “The three of us should be able to handle any situation that comes up or get out fast if it looks chancy.”

  “I want some personnel from Spacedep to accompany you,’ Admiral Barnstable insisted. “This is still a matter under my jurisdiction, whether or not I go along with your interpretation. I’ve got a couple of volunteers out of Castleton’s crew, one from xeno and one from medical.

  And I’m sending my assistant to be my eyes and ears.

  Commander Greene.” Todd suppressed his reaction to that unwelcome news.

  The last thing he needed was the inclusion of a xenophobic Spacedep regular, but he conceded with as good a grace as he could manage. “All right. Have them suit up and meet us in the launch bay.”

  “Hrruba must also send an observer,’ said Second Speaker, after a quick conference with Mllaba.

  “We’ve already got a Hrruban in the party,’ Barnstable said, glowering at Second.

  “I am willing to go,’ Mllaba announced. “I intend to go,’ she added.

  Todd caught HIriss’s gesture of ears-back, and shook his head.

  “Six is more than enough for a first contact team,’ he said, carefully. “More could be considered hostile. In fact, six might be considered too many.

  “Will you not trust me, Speaker?” Hrriss asked softly in High Hrruban, seeking to smooth things out before 1t became an argument that put an end to the mission. “I will uphold Hrruban honour Hrrto studied the younger male, who gazed at him earnestly. He grunted. “It is not a matter of trust, Hrriss.

  I did but think to give you the support of another among all these Hayumans.

  “One of them is my brother,’ Hrriss said, “as well you know.” Hrrto, forgetting his argument with the Hayuman Admiral, dropped his jaw in a smile. “I have known this for many years, young Hrriss. Very well, a Hrruban and a half Hrruban. I simply did not wish Hrruba to be disadvantaged.”

  “None shall see it that way. They shall believe that only one Hrruban - and a half - is needed to balance out any number of Hayumans,’ Hrriss said innocently. Behind Second Speaker, he could see Todd and Ken grinning at his quip. They were the only ones who understood the brief conversation.

  “I believe it may be so,’ Second Speaker replied at last. He retired, with Mllaba and Hrrestan, to the reception room beyond the blast doors. Ken gave them a thumbs-up.

  “I’d like to go,’ Jilamey spoke up unexpectedly. “As an independent observer. On behalf of Earth.

  Just how much High Hrruban did Jilamey Landreau understand, Todd wondered.

  Barustable glared at Jilamey. Although the young man’s uncle was no longer head of Spacedep, the name Landreau was a prestigious one on the Hayuman home world.

  Barnstable looked for a moment as if he was about to say no, until he took a closer look at the obstinate expression on the younger man S face. Jilamey himself was not without influence on the Amalgamated Worlds Council. If the Admiral refused him permission, there could be endless small road-blocks for funding in the future, and unfavourable reports in the press about his administration. If he agreed, it might conceivably work out to Spacedep’s advantage. In spite of his flamboyant wardrobe and occasionally foolish mien, Jilamey was known for his shrewd and observant mind.

  “You’re on your own, Mr Landreau,’ Barnstable said at last. “Bear in mind that you’re vulnerable while on alien ground, and we cannot adequately protect you. But I’ll allow it.

  “Great! I’m ever so pleased you see it my way,’ Jilamey said, patting the Admiral companionably on the back. It was cheek and Todd knew it, but Barnstable suffered it expressionlessly. “Now, where can I get a suit?”

  “You guys act like you have nothing to lose,’ the xeno technician said as he suited up in the landing bay, listening to Todd, Ken, Hriiss and Jilamey all eagerly speculating on what they might find aboard the alien ship.

  Like all men raised on Earth, Commander Frill had a soft voice, that was currently afflicted with a quaver of fear. His quiet manner of speaking prompted the creation of his nickname, Frail, which he was not. Frill was tall, a bare centimetre shorter than Todd Reeve, with thick, solid arms and a burly chest. He was an All-Spacedep champion wrestler. Neither he nor the medic assigned to the mission seemed to share the sense of exhilaration the Doonarralans felt.

  “Wrong, friend,’ Ken said. “I have everything to gain!” He grinned with unaffected delight in the challenge he was about to face.

  “My batting average’s pretty good in first contact, you know.

  Lighten up. You’re making history.

  And it could be fun!”

  “Fun, he says,’ the medic said, checking his gear. Ensign Lauder had been volunteered by his section chief, an honour he clearly would have foregone if he could have thought up a valid pretext. Lauder, a slender, brownskinned man with narrow shoulders, was to run scans, with permission, on who or whatever they met. The rebreather unit on his back was cycling at twice normal speed. He was very young.

  “Hey, easy does it,’ Ken said, laying a kindly hand on the medic’s shoulder. “If you want to back out now, no blame’ll be attached.”

  “No, sir!” the medic said, gulping. “I’m no coward.

  With an effort, he brought himself under control. His respiration slowed, and his face went from flushed ochre to a more normal tawny shade.

  “No one said you were, son. Ken smiled.

  “If there are no more delays?” Greene asked with a touch of rhetorical sarcasm.

  Todd nodded as if the question had been serious and put his clear plastic helmet on
his head. Grommets around the neck bolted to the bubble with a final sounding snap.

  “We arrre waiting for you,’ Hrriss said. His pupils had narrowed to thin slits, and his ears lay slightly back to avoid contact with the headgear.

  “Let’s go,’ Todd said.

  The shuttle left the lock and dipped slightly below the edge of the bay before the engines engaged fully. Todd felt insignificant as they left the big ship behind them.

  Frill, who was flying the craft, nudged the controls to pilot a wide-angle route towards the stranger, approaching with the sun at their back to get the best view.

  The leviathan lay before them, huge and black. Todd admired the shape, wondering what sort of naval architects had designed it and why this shape had been chosen.

  Hn iss’s eyes glittered in the lights from the console.

  He must be wondering the same things, Todd decided.

  What purpose was served by the irregular bulges along the length of the central core? Ali Kiachif had speculated that the ship had substantial artificial gravity, undoubtedly to help maintain the muscle tone of the massive inhabitants that Commander Greene’s probe had revealed. As they drew nearer, he was flatly amazed at the incredible size of it. Beside it, they were a pin-point, a dust mote.

  Behind him, Commander Frill let out a low moan, quickly reprimanded by a shake of the head from Greene.

  Todd recognized a thrill of terror underneath his enthusiasm and anticipation. Was this how his father had felt thirty-four years before, when he got his first glimpse of a non-human sentient life-form? What if, after all his proud and confident words, the creatures inside this gigantic ship were unfriendly? And what if the “visitors’ mistook the purpose of the shuttle and shot at it now it was getting so close? What if they refused to allow the Doonarralan ship aboard? Well, that only meant his assumptions had been wrong. But he hated to think that Admiral Barnstable and Captain Hrrrv could be right.

  As they got closer, more detail became apparent to their unaugmented vision. The surface of the stranger was not actually black, but a matte charcoal colour that probably repelled certain wavelengths of radiation or light. Spotlights dotted the hull here and there, mostly marking out the place where antennae arrays or access hatches lay.