by Gary Weston
Leaving Lee with her equipment, Jacobs and Clifton opened the main hatch and stepped outside, the suits protecting them from the acidic fog. They could only make out vague shapes of the landscape through the mist. Far in the distance to the south the storm discharged its power and the lightning flashed .
'This looks like the damaged exhaust,' said Clifton.
'It could have been a lot worse,' said Jacobs, running a gloved hand over the buckled exhaust. 'We should be able to repair it enough for our trip out of here. We're dead meat if we can't.'
Clifton said, 'We have limited spares. As long as the antenna hasn't been compromised. Everything else is pretty indestructible. I'll get the tool kit. Don't go wandering off.'
'I'll try to resist the temptation.'
Clifton entered the shuttle. 'Any luck, Anne?'
'For once, yes. We're about thirty miles from a terraformer. Due south. I'm detecting a feint signal from it.'
'Excellent work. I'll let Jay Jay know when I take the tools out.'
'I'll tell him myself. I've been cramped up in this can too long.'
Lee went out and was followed a minute later by Clifton who set the tool case down on the ground by the damaged exhaust.
Jacobs said, 'Anne's told me the good news.'
Clifton opened the case and selected a large screwdriver to take the exhaust cover off. 'With this amount of cloud cover it's hardly surprising the terraformer is only letting out a weak signal.'
Lee said, 'We have a couple of charged up power-packs. One will be enough to get the terraformer operational again. Once the shuttle is working we can find the others and change their power-packs, charging spent ones as we go.'
'That could take a while repairing this,' said Clifton, examining the plasma drive exhaust. 'Fortunately, the main working parts appear unscathed. But the magnetic nozzle which creates the directed plasma flow has been bent. I need to take it off and try to beat it back into shape, otherwise we'll not be able to control our direction.'
'We'll all help,' said Jacobs.
'Too many cooks spoil the broth, Jay Jay. It's basically a painstaking one man job, that man being me.'
'How long to fix it?' Lee asked.
Jacobs said, 'At least a full day.'
'In that case, I can make myself useful and locate the terraformer. With the new power-pack I should be able to get it working. Damn! I can even use it to ride back here on.'
Jacobs said, 'Not on your own, Anne. Sam. If Anne and I set off together now, will you be ok here?'
'Of course I will. I'll work better on my own, anyway. But I have to question the wisdom of you two trying to find your way in these conditions.'
'About thirty miles you reckon?'
Lee said, 'Give or take a mile. Ten hours could do it.'
'And what do you do about food and water?' Clifton reminded them. 'Can't eat with your helmets on.'
'Anne. If the terraformers did a partial job of it before closing down, could there be enough breathable air to take off our helmets for a few minutes?'
'Not sure. The oxygen level was always good here, considering the lack of plant matter. Not good enough to live permanently outside without helmets, but that's what the terraformers were supposed to do. Create all the green stuff to up the oxygen level. But the dense clouds will have a high sulphur content and that could kill us. Now we're on the ground away from the worse of the storm I might get a reading to find out.'
As Lee entered the shuttle, Clifton said, 'Captain. Wouldn't it make more sense to wait until the shuttle is repaired then we can find the terraformers with it?'
'That did cross my mind. But we may have only one chance of getting off this planet with the shuttle. I'd rather spare her just for that. The terraformers each have manual overrides and can carry four people each in pressurised environments. They are also all-terrain vehicles capable of up to forty-five miles per hour top speed. We can drive it and get back here in twelve hours.'
Clifton considered that. 'Putting it that way, I suppose...Ah! Anne.'
'It could be worse, I suppose. I'd say we could remove our helmets for a maximum of ten minutes every few hours. Enough for the odd sip of water until we can get in the terraformer.'
Jacobs said, 'Good enough for me. Other ablutions the suits will take care of. We'll take the minimum amount of equipment and water with us and drive back here.'
Fifteen minutes later, the three had wished each other good luck and Clifton watched apprehensively as Jacobs and Lee vanished like ghosts into the swirling yellow mist.
Chapter 18
The mountain Base was at the very limit of the range of the stingers range. Loretti, Staples and Willis reduced cruising speed to conserve fuel, but they still had one eye each on the fuel gauges. It was going to be close. The Base loomed large, hewn out of the bottom of the small mountain, practically impervious to anything but direct missile attacks on the huge steel doors. Red lights on the stingers controls flashed their alarms as the fuel petered out. They had no choice but to land and they were within a half-hour march of their destination.
'Will they know we've arrived?' Loretti asked, taking the lead.
Staples said, 'An alarm should have gone off before we landed. But there are only four to run everything, instead of the specified eighty plus.'
'Any idea why Major Gunther wants to see you?' asked Willis.
'No more than you,' said Loretti. 'I should have ignored him.'
'He is a major, captain,' said Staples. 'Not a good idea to go around ignoring superior officers. Bad for careers.'
'I could make an exception as far as Gunther is concerned. Can't you two keep up?'
The small steel door inset into the huge main doors opened as they approached. Otto Gunther stood alone.
'I am so relieved to see you, Captain Loretti.'
'Nice to see you too,' said Staples.
'Sorry, lieutenant. Pleased to see you again. You too, Sergeant Willis.'
Willis said, 'Is that right, sir? Pleased enough to tell us what the hell this is all about? We did risk our lives to bring Captain Loretti here.'
'True. And I owe you an explanation. All of you. Follow me.' Gunther opened the small door but paused to look around at the surrounding terrain. 'Sorry I didn't come get you in a vehicle, but I couldn't be sure we aren't being watched. Come inside.'
They walked across the cavernous interior towards Gunther's secure office but a woman was walking towards them. She looked puzzled to see Staples and Willis with a strange captain.
'Major Gunther. Not making much progress on the new unit.'
Avoiding explanations, Gunther said, 'I'm sure you are doing the best you can, lieutenant Caswell. Carry on.'
'But...'
'Carry on. I'll join you as soon as I can.'
'Yes, sir.'
As Caswell walked back to the laboratory workshops, Gunther led them into his office. Willis and Staples gasped when their major hugged and kissed Loretti.
'Beats exchanging salutes, I guess,' said Willis.
'My apologies. Willis. Staples. Allow me to introduce Bridget. My daughter.'
'No need to sound proud of it,' said Loretti with a scowl.
Gunther chuckled. 'But I am proud of you and always will be.'
'I was an accident,' snapped Loretti. 'God. What mother saw in you, I'll never know.'
A pained expression passed over Gunther's face. 'I'm sure she'd wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment.'
Staples said, 'You chose your mother's name?'
'At least she was around for a couple of years, unlike my...biological father here.'
'Until she put you into military school,' said Gunther. 'In her book that passed for love and devotion.'
Loretti said, 'I survived. But what's your excuse for having nothing to do with me these past twenty three years?'
'Your mother threatened to have me shot if I went anywhere near you. And you know her well enough to take that seriously.'
There followed a
heavy silent moment, broken finally by Staples. 'From what Lieutenant Caswell said, nothing much happening on the unit?'
'Thankfully, no,' said Gunther.
'Thankfully?' said Staples. 'I don't get it.'
'Thankfully, yes.'
Loretti said, 'This unit. What is it?'
Gunther opened a small refrigerator in the corner of his office, took out four precious beers and handed them out. 'A very important part of the communications equipment for the mission. The Goliath and the terraformers. Without it, we can't reach either.'
'How can it be good not to be able to communicate with them?' Staples said, sipping the beer. 'Isn't that what the Base is all about?'
'Yeah,' said Willis. 'All us technicians were driving ourselves nuts trying to fix something you didn't want fixed.'
'Again, I'm truly sorry.'
Loretti said, 'Why are you so sure the unit will never work?'
Gunther smiled and said, 'Because, Bridget, I've been sabotaging things to make certain it won't work.'
Chapter 19
'This is where you're needed,' said Polowski.
'It's my idea, Dale,' said Joe Friar. 'Besides. I need you here running the Goliath.'
'Oh, goodie. Do I become captain if you don't make it back?'
Friar grabbed hold of the shuttle's airlock lever, ready to seal himself inside. 'I should have come up with this sooner. I can be in orbit ready to help if I'm needed.'
'Pure genius. They get into trouble for whatever reason, but you on your own expect to land, rescue them, then get back here in one piece.'
'Sounds like a plan to me, Dale. Now be a sweetheart and open the hanger door when I'm ready.'
From the control room, Polowski counted Friar down. 'On five.' The floor clamps holding the shuttle to the hanger floor snapped open. 'Four.' Landing and take-off thrusters started, lifting the shuttle one yard into the air. 'Three.' One of the hanger doors hissed open, the sound of the electric motors cutting out the instant the vacuum of deep space became one with the airlock. 'Two. And one.' Plasma drives kicked in and the shuttle blasted away on course for Spero.
'I suppose he does have a point,' muttered Friar to himself forgetting Polowski could still hear him.
'You got that right, sweetheart,' said Polowski. 'We have reasonable radio signals from you at the moment. Enjoy them while they last.'
'I wouldn't miss your dulcet tones for anything. By the way. If I don't make it back, will you feed my fish?'
'Fish? You don't have a fish.'
Friar laughed. 'So get me a damn fish. I'll see you in a few days. Don't go promoting yourself prematurely.'
Polowski watched the screen as the second shuttle became a a pinpoint of light in the blackness of space to be lost amidst the myriad of stars.
'Damn fool, Friar. Good luck.'
Friar's voice crackled 'Still getting you loud and clear, Dale. Later.'
Chapter 20
'Stop complaining, Jay Jay. You insisted on coming with me.'
Jacobs pulled his right foot free of the thick clinging mud. 'I wasn't complaining. Well, maybe a little bit. All I said was, is this damn mud over every damn inch of the damn planet.'
'Strictly speaking, damn wasn't the word you used.'
'I thought I'd said it under my breath. Talking of which, I'm taking my helmet off for a sip of water.'
Lee said, 'Ok. Three minutes maximum and I will be counting.'
Both removed their helmets and sniffed the air. Jacobs face contorted as the sulphurous fog hit the back of his throat.
'Do we breathe it or chew it?'
'Again with the complaining. Drink up and get your helmet back on.'
Jacobs did as he was told. 'Who made you my mother?'
'Helmet on. Now.'
The helmets were locked in position.
'Now that's what I call air,' said Jacobs. 'Are you sure we're heading in the right direction?'
'Absolutely,' said Lee, pointing in the thick fog. 'This way. Maybe. I think.'
'You are winding me up, right?'
Lee laughed. 'A girl has to have some fun. This is taking longer than I thought. We need to pick up the pace.'
'Tell that to the mud.'
Between them they carried the black carbon-fibre case hoping they weren't about to walk into a ravine. They could only see their feet half the time.
'Spero has a long way to go before we can call it home,' said Jacobs, making conversation.
Lee knew it could often be an uphill struggle keeping the reluctant captain and leader positively focussed. 'Once we have the terraformers up and running and the air clears of sulphur, a year and a half, two tops before we can bring the Goliath here. As long as we know for sure it's happening we won't go stir crazy. Anyway, for at least half our time we'll be asleep in the pods.'
'So it's just a matter of time.'
'Exactly. We all have our jobs to do to keep us occupied. You included.'
Jacobs stopped walking, forcing Lee to do the same. 'I never wanted the job. I'm a scientist who just happens to be in the military and my rank is due to my science degrees. I never thought for one minute I'd end up with this job once the Goliath and the terraformers were ready. As far as I was concerned, apart from overseeing it all back on Earth, my part was done. I fully expected somebody more suitable would be sent off to see this side of things got done. Somebody like you, Anne.'
'Me? There's plenty who outrank me on the Goliath. Both academically and militarily.'
Jacobs said, 'Sorry. I didn't mean you specifically.'
'Oh gee, thanks.'
'What I meant was, somebody with field experience. You have led others on dangerous missions, right?'
Lee nodded. 'You must have read my records, so you know I saw action. Even killed my share of the enemy. But I also majored in science and I was excited by the project. But you know what really excited me?'
'Go on.'
'You. More specifically your passion. You are a true visionary who could see what we all saw, that Earth was screwed. But you could see a get out of jail card for the human race. Once we realised Spero was within our grasp, it was you who convinced the politicians it was a viable option.'
'It took a year of peddling that option to anyone who would listen. The war stopped, then started all over again. Finally, I was listened to. Simply because even the politicians came to the same conclusion. This was our only option to save our species.'
Lee said, 'And that's what I'm talking about. I'd never have that sort of commitment or stamina. It's one thing to have a concentrated military objective; go in, do the deed, out again. Having the sheer bloody determination to fight for a dream when all around you were saying it can't be done, that takes somebody very special. I'm honoured to be led by you as are all the others. You're the one for the job.'
'I...I don't know what to say.'
'I do. Start walking.'
Jacobs laughed then saluted with his free hand. 'Yes, mum.'
Chapter 21
'I think I need something stronger than beer,' said Willis.
'Tough. Beer is all I have and that's in short supply, so make it last,' replied Gunther. 'I suppose you would like an explanation why I did what I did?'
'This should be good,' said Loretti.
'Trust me. It will be. A few months ago, everything was...normal. If normal applies to a world on a course to destruction and a huge ship taking our last hope to a far off planet. Here. On the Base. This was my oasis away from the madness. An oasis shared with dozens of like-minded people. We all worked hundreds of unpaid hours because we believed in what we were doing. I could ask them to do anything and they'd do it willingly.'
'Like you said, we believed in what we are doing,' said Staples. 'I think I still do.'
Gunther smiled and said, 'Good. So do I.'
'See?' said Loretti, tossing her empty beer can at the waste basket and scoring a point. 'And you wonder why I never bothered with him? Mum was right. He's best forgotten about.'
'Hey,' snapped Staples. 'I like your father. I respect him, too. He ran a tight outfit here but he was the most supportive officer I ever served. I say we hear him out.'
'Me too,' said Willis. 'Ok, Major. Carry on.'
'Thank you. As I was saying. It was all systems go until fairly recently. Ten years I've been in overall command of the Base. Not really much scientific training, but I've enough common sense to understand plenty of stuff. More importantly, I know people. General Loretti knew that. There was a need for somebody like me to run this place. She also wanted me out of her hair with the war going on. Anyway, I took to the job and loved it. Best bunch of people I ever worked with. That's here and those on the Goliath. Then recently, I accidentally came across a top secret communication. It was supposed to have been deleted, but enough of it remained for me to get something from it.'
Loretti said, 'Oh, crap. You're going to come out with some conspiracy theory. You are, aren't you.'
Gunther nodded. 'The biggest. Unbelievably bad timing with the Goliath on the last lag of its journey so I couldn't do much about it. The essence of it all was that something was discovered on the Spero itself.'
'Bullshit,' said Loretti. 'It's just a partially frozen world. A snowball in space.'
'Until a couple of months ago, I thought that, too,' agreed Gunther. 'Until I found the half deleted message. I dug a lot deeper, putting the clues together. Even then I refused to believe it. I kept digging anyway and finally I knew it was true. Life existed on Spero.'
'Microbes,' said Staples. 'That's all that could possibly be there. Released by the terraformers as they melted the icecaps.'
Willis said, 'Are you talking about intelligent life? Shit. I'm still wondering if that exists here on Earth.'
'I try to keep an open mind on that one,' said Gunther. 'But yes. At least some of their radio signals were picked up when we were looking at Spero awhile ago. I'm pretty certain microbes don't have radios.'
'How old were the signals?' Staples wanted to know.
'Hard to say,' said Gunther. 'I'm no expert, but radio waves behave differently in space than here on Earth. Out in space radio waves can travel better in the vacuum than in our atmosphere. They also shoot off in all directions. They keep on going almost indefinitely until they're impeded. The signals picked up started off outside of Spero's atmosphere as it was at the time, so the signals kept on going. Could be from hundreds or even thousands of years ago, or just months ago.'
