Phoenix Among The Stars (Exodus)

by Robert Stadnik

  “I never met them,” said John. “That’s the disadvantage of commanding a ship with such a large crew; you don’t have the chance to get to know everyone.”

  The door chime rang.

  “Come in,” said John. The door opened and Julie and Chief Sandoval walked in.

  “Captain,” said Julie. “We have some new information that you need to hear.” John could tell by her voice that the news wasn’t good. “Chief.”

  “We’re done an analysis of the air samples taken from the lab,” said the chief. “They confirm the compound used to initiate the explosion – nitridix.”

  Although he wasn’t a chemist, John had a general familiarity with known chemical compounds to know that nitridix was one of the most highly explosive compounds in existence. Even a minor bump or shake would cause it to violently explode. A small amount was all that was needed to destroy a room.

  “What were the chemists doing with nitridix?” asked John.

  “That’s the problem,” said Sandoval. “According to the assignment logs and interviews with the survivors, no one was conducting any research or experiments that warranted the use of the stuff.”

  “Because of the danger involved, it’s not typically stored,” said Myers. “I’m assuming someone created the compound using a molecular generator.”

  “Each station is fed by lines that all connect the generators to a central storage chamber,” said Sandoval. “We isolated the one where the explosion started. As you know, anyone using a generator has to input their user ID to activate the device.” The chief gave the captain a DAT with a report. “We pulled the data chip from the generator and extracted the data.”

  “Aw, hell!” said John as he read the report.

  “What is it?” asked Myers.

  “The data shows that the ID used to create the nitridix belongs to Zeven,” said John.

  “The Aldarian working in the lab,” added Julie.

  “There’s more,” said Sandoval. “The data shows the nitridix was created at a highly excited rate, at a level to guarantee an explosion. The data also shows the generator was set to force the nitridix back into the feed line, which caused it to spill into the other lines.”

  “With the nitridix in all the lines, it maximized the explosion throughout the lab,” said Julie. “Nothing was spared.”

  “Captain, the investigation is still ongoing,” said Sandoval. “But we may be looking at a sabotage situation.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Within twenty-four hours, rumor had spread that Zeven was the primary suspect in the sabotage of the lab explosion. The investigation was still going but people were beginning to say the explosion was a result of deliberate sabotage by an Aldarian. As distasteful as it was to John that such a despicable rumor was going around, he wasn’t surprised. He suspected this would happen.

  Chief Sandoval was preparing to interview Zeven this morning, and John intended to be there. He informed Thresha of the interview and requested her presence. An hour before the meeting he received an updated report of the investigation and was disheartened to see that forensics concluded that the molecular generator was purposely rigged to create the nitridix and flow it back into the feed lines.

  John forwarded a copy of the report to Julie and Thresha before heading down to security. En route, Chris called him and said a lot of civilians were upset at that an Aldarian might have caused the deaths of two humans, and some were even talking about taking matters into their own hands. John made a ship-wide announcement stating the investigation was ongoing and no conclusions had been drawn, which seemed to diffuse the situation.

  Thresha and Sandoval were in the chief’s office when the captain arrived. The chief clearly didn’t look please that Thresha was there.

  “Thank you for coming,” said John.

  “Captain,” said Thresha who was upset. “The idea that one of my people would commit such an act is inconceivable.”

  “I’m sorry, Thresha,” said John, maintaining a calm voice. “But no one is accusing him of anything. The investigation is merely following where the evidence is pointing. This interview will give Zeven the opportunity to recount his recollection of events and offer any additional information he may have forgotten from his initial interview.”

  “Will you be conducting the interview?” asked Thresha.

  “I will be conducting the interview,” said Sandoval. “The captain can be present in the room if he wants.”

  “There’s no need for me to be there,” said John. “I’ll stay with Thresha and watch from the security monitor.”

  “Zeven is already in the interview room,” said Sandoval. “If you have no objections, we should get started.”

  Thresha gave John a worried look. He took her hand and squeezed it gently. “It’ll be ok, I promise.”

  John and Thresha stayed in Sandoval’s office, watching the interview from the wall monitor. One of Sandoval’s security officers, Greg Davers, was with them; a precaution for Sandoval in case Thresha reacted to the interview. Of course the chief didn’t express his concern to the captain, who assumed the security officer’s presence was standard protocol.

  The trio watched as Sandoval paced around the room for a few minutes. Zeven sat calmly in the chair and watched the chief. The Aldarian showed no hint of nervousness.

  “You know why you’re here?” asked Sandoval.

  “I was told you needed to conduct a follow up interview about the explosion,” said Zeven.

  “We’ve received some new information from our forensics team,” said Sandoval.

  “Forensics?” Zeven was unfamiliar with the word.

  “Physical investigations team,” explained Sandoval. “They’ve concluded the explosion came from the lab’s molecular lab generator and it was purposely modified to generate an explosion.”

  “Why would someone do such a thing?” asked Zeven. His tone seemed to be more of curiosity rather than worry.

  “That’s a good question, because the data chip shows your ID was used to initiate the explosion.”

  Zeven seemed genuinely hurt by the accusation. “That cannot be, Chief Sandoval. There is no reason for me, or any of the lab scientists, to commit such an act.”

  “That’s why we’re here, to figure out why it was done. Right now the evidence shows you as the perpetrator.”

  “Chief Sandoval, I can assure you this is not so.”

  “Then walk me through it,” said the chief. “Let’s go through your entire activity in the lab prior to the explosion.”

  Zeven went through, in detail, his entire movement and activity that day. John was impressed how he did not deviate from the details of his first interview.

  “It’s a shame we can’t read his mind,” said security officer Davers. “No offense, Thresha.”

  “I understand the need for the truth,” said Thresha.

  John nodded as something clicked in his head. Maybe there was a way to get to the truth. “Thresha, can I ask you some questions about your people’s telepathic abilities?”

  “Of course.”

  As the interrogation continued in security, Jeremy and Larry were in Smitty’s Bar, socializing with the other patrons. They, like everyone, were talking about the lab explosion. Although not everyone believed the Aldarian caused the explosion on purpose, many were suspicious about the alien.

  “You have got to be kidding me,” said Larry as he glanced over at the bar entrance. Silence descended on the bar as four Aldarians entered. Everyone looked at them, but the silence went away seconds later as most people went back to talking with friends and coworkers.

  Jeremy watched in anger as the Aldarians took a seat at a booth. Franklin went over and took their orders, which angered the miner. As Franklin was filling up four glasses behind the bar, Jeremy reacted.

  “I can’t believe you’re letting them stay, given that one of their own killed two of our people.”

  “You don’t know that,” said Franklin.

&
nbsp; “Oh yes I do,” said Jeremy.

  “Funny, I thought the captain’s announcement clearly said the investigation was still going,” said Franklin.

  “The captain already believes they’re innocent,” said Jeremy as he looked at the Aldarians. He was incensed seeing them act as if nothing was wrong. Well, he wasn’t going to sit by and let them have a good time.

  “Don’t do anything stupid,” said Franklin as he watched Jeremy get off his bar stool and approach them.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be here,” said Jeremy to the aliens. They all could sense his intense anger.

  “Is there something we can do to reduce your emotional state?” asked one of the Aldarians.

  “Stop reading my fucking mind!” said Jeremy in an angry outburst. He was ready to lay into them with a tirade, but never had the chance. He was interrupted by someone tapping hard on his shoulder. He turned around to see Chris Anne standing behind him.

  “I think you need to go somewhere else and leave these people alone,” said Chris. Despite the outfit, makeup, and wig, everyone could tell the singer meant business.

  “Go away, dollhouse,” said Jeremy. “This doesn’t concern you.”

  “The welfare of the entire crew is my business.”

  Jeremy wasn’t about to back down to Chris. “I’m not leaving until I’m through with these people.”

  “I don’t think so,” said Chris.

  “What are you going to do, stop me?”

  Chris got right into Jeremy’s face, which caught the miner off-guard. “You’re damn right! You wanna see what this princess can do? By all means, try something. By time I’m through with you, medical won’t be able to put you back together.” Chris’ long fingernails didn’t prevent him from clenching his hands into fist. “What’s it going to be? You going to leave, or do you want to tussle, sweetie?”

  Jeremy took a small step back, and he seemed to back down from Chris’ challenge. But all of the sudden, his fist came flying at Chris’ face, but it never landed. The singer leaned right and the approaching blow missed him. Without missing a beat, he slammed his leg against Jeremy’s legs and swept him off his feet. The miner fell to the ground on his stomach as the bar patrons watched in shock.

  Jeremy tried to get up but was forced back down by Chris’ foot slamming into his back. Jeremy was helpless to move as he winced in pain by the high heel shoe digging into his spine.

  “Are you done or do I need to continue the lesson?” asked Chris. After what they just witnessed, no one in the bar doubted that Chris could hurt Jeremy even more.

  “I’m done,” sputtered Jeremy.

  “What’s that? I didn’t hear you,” said Chris.

  “I’m done,” said Jeremy, almost pleading. He felt Chris’ foot come off his back and the miner flipped on his back to see everyone staring at him. Chris was standing over him with his arms crossed.

  “I assume you’ll quietly leave here and avoid the need for me to call security,” said Chris.

  Jeremy got on his feet and look around, his pride wounded by being bested by a drag performer. No one came to his aid. Even Larry stayed in his seat, coddling his beer. Jeremy looked once more at Chris.

  “This isn’t over,” hissed Jeremy.

  “Don’t make promises you clearly can’t keep,” said Chris.

  Jeremy quickly exited Smitty’s. Once he was gone, the bar erupted into applause for Chris.

  “Oh stop,” said Chris smiling. “You’re making this girl blush.”

  The next morning the civilian representatives were gathered in the board room, the meeting requested by the captain. They only had to wait a few minutes before John arrived, followed by two civilians and a security officer.

  John took his seat at the head of the table. He got himself comfortable, leaning back and looking at the appointed leaders.

  “The explosion was sabotage.” His blunt statement caused a stir with the audience.

  “So the Aldarian did sabotage the lab,” said one of the civilians.

  “It’s easy to assume that a calamity on this ship must be the actions of an alien,” said John. “No one wants to accept that a person, who devoted themselves to the EXODUS Project, could commit such an atrocious act.”

  “You’re saying a human caused the explosion?” asked another civilian, which John acknowledged by nodding his head. “Why would any one of us choose to sabotage our mission?”

  “That’s a good question,” said John. “I don’t know.”

  “What evidence do you have the Aldarian is innocent?” said another civilian.

  “Mr. Meadows.” One of the individuals who came in with John stepped forward. “Jeffery Meadows is one of the ship’s computer technicians, specializing in scanners and sensor equipment. Mr. Meadows…”

  “I consulted with medical and they told me the Aldarians emit a unique pheromone. It’s virtually undetectable by human senses. I analyzed a sample of the pheromone and found it was easily picked up by our internal scanners. With some modifications to the sensors I can track the physical movement of any Aldarian on board the PHOENIX without relying on pips.

  “The video surveillance system was disabled in the lab the day of the explosion, so I had to rely on the sensor data that was recorded in the lab,” said Meadows. “Applying biometric data of the Aldarian pheromone to the reconfigured sensors, I was able to track Zeven’s activity in the lab that day. Computer, run sensor data file Meadows Chem Lab Four.”

  “Accessing,” said the computer. A few moments later the board room monitor lit up behind John. A diagram of the lab appeared, and a red dot with the name Zeven over it could be seen moving around.

  “The red dot represents Zeven’s movements the day of the lab explosion,” explained Meadows.

  “What about the humans working in the lab?” asked a civilian representative.

  “The sensors were too badly degraded to reconstruct our people’s movements,” said Meadows. “The sensors could only be reconstructed based upon Zeven’s pheromone emissions. But, in a moment, you’ll see we don’t need to know where any of the humans were located. Computer, advance to time index 0757.”

  The sensor replay sped up and froze at the requested time frame. In addition to the red dot a bright blue dot was displayed on the far corner of the screen.

  “This is the exact moment when Zeven’s molecular generator was activated and programmed to manufacture the nitridix,” said Meadows. “As you can see, Zeven wasn’t anywhere near his station when the generator was activated.”

  “Which means,” said John. “Someone used Zeven’s ID to create the nitridix and set off the explosion and make it look like it was done by the Aldarian.”

  “I can’t believe one of our own people would do such a thing,” said a female civilian representative.

  “I agree,” said John. “It’s difficult to imagine.”

  “What about Drix?” asked another representative.

  “He was with the AI team on deck thirty-seven the entire time,” said John. “But there’s one more piece that supports the lab sensors. I asked some more questions about how the Aldarians’ telepathic abilities work. Come to find out their minds are like recorders. Anything they see and experience is transposed as-is to their synaptic network. They don’t have the ability to alter their memories. After medical did some testing to confirm this, Zeven agreed to telepathically link himself with two people, security officer Davers and Mr. Bauer behind me. Both reported the same thing, Zeven never created the nitridix at his station.”

  Both individuals nodded their head in agreement with the captain’s statement. The civilian representatives began talking amongst themselves with this new information. John let them chat with one another for as long as they needed.

  “What would be the motive for any of our people to sabotage the ship?” said a representative. “All of us devoted our lives to the EXOUDS Project.”

  “I don’t know,” said John. “But it appears t
hat someone is having a difficulty adjusting to the aliens on board. We do have a couple of promising leads that may lead us to the perpetrator. Hopefully, we’ll uncover who did this before they try something else.” In truth, the investigation yielded nothing as to who may have exploded the lab, but John wanted the civilian representatives to spread the word that the investigation was still on-going. At the very least, John was hoping that whoever sabotaged the lab would cease any further attempts.

  “In the meantime,” said John. “We’ll be instituting some additional security measures to minimize this from happening again.”

  “What sort of measures?” asked a representative.

  “I can’t go into that, but I can assure you no one will notice the new measures,” said John. “I won’t allow the saboteur to alter our lives on this ship.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  “I’m very impressed with how you’ve configured the sensors,” said Alex’sis.

  “Your compliment is appreciated, Alex’sis Lieutenant,” said Drix, who was standing next to her at the operations table on the command deck. He was showing her some tricks he learned to do with modifying sensor palettes during his time alone in space. Alex’sis was impressed by the Cresorian’s wealth of knowledge. He could easily teach a few things to TERRA Academy instructors.

  Suddenly, as they were working, the lights and all the computer terminals went out. Julie, who was talking with Kevin at his navigation station, looked up. Everyone could hear power draining from all the command deck stations.

  “Lieutenant,” said Julie in an alarmed tone.

  “I don’t know, commander,” said Alex’sis, her usual calm and stoic demeanor rattled by the unexpected power loss. “I’ve got no readings on anything from the ops table.”

  “Same here, commander,” said Bret from his station. “All communications systems are out.”

  “Check the other terminals,” ordered Julie as she looked at Kevin’s terminal. Like the others, it was dark. “Can’t you get anything?”

  “The terminals have redundant power cells in case main power goes offline,” said Kevin. “But they should have kicked in by now.”