Robert adds to his notes while the rest of the bridge crew waits.
Cindy turns her attention to Joe and asks, “Anything else?”
“Oh yes,” Joe says with a smile. “The derelict has two Gamin shuttles, and a dozen ground vehicles in its hangar deck.”
“Good.” Cindy replies with a smile. She then adds, “If any of that equipment is still serviceable, bring it over here.”
Joe replies, “No worries.” He checks his notes once again then says, “The derelict has numerous computer consoles which we should be able to salvage as well.”
Cindy stands up, and with a widening smile, says, “It looks like things are finally going our way. Let’s get this done people.”
George smiles as well, walks up to Joe, and slaps him on the back. “I can help you with the consoles, and when I find Patrick, I will ask him to assist with the weapons removal.”
John finds the smiles infectious, and grins as he says, “I will check out the equipment.”
Peter’s voice fills the bridge as he turns his attention to Cindy. “The area designated for the Gamin survivors is ready. Just give the order and we can bring them here.”
Cindy purses her lips before she slowly replies, “Tell Waazh that we will be ready to transport his clan in a few days.”
Peter nods as he replies, “As you wish.”
The group continues to discuss the finer details of each salvage process before they retire for the night.
Joe wakes to George’s excited voice coming through his room’s speakers. “Wake up sleepy head. I am with Suzanne in the computer room. We’re hooking up one of the derelict’s consoles to GUS.”
Joe jumps out of bed and hurriedly gets dressed. Minutes later, he is running down the corridors towards GUS. He rushes into the room, and comes to a sliding stop in front of Suzanne.
George steps from his bodysuit and says, “The console was easier to remove than I expected, so I brought it here for you guys to check out.”
Joe’s jaw drops as he notices the console looks almost the same as those on the Terran.
Suzanne stares at it excitedly, and says, “We should run every test imaginable on it.”
Both men understand her enthusiasm, and assist her. Using the Gamin systems is one thing, being able to test one without fear of damaging a crucial component aboard the Terran, is another completely.
They use GUS to test the console’s storage capacity, and stare in surprise when GUS returns an error. The same thing happens when they attempt to determine the unit’s calculations per second. These are a few of the simple tests that Joe has waited for a long time to perform. The three of them perform test upon test, as they disassemble the console.
Suzanne frowns as she states, “We have no idea how they work, and yet rely on them completely.”
Joe replies, “It’s okay. Think about it, we left Jux in the same position. The Oglans have no means of replicating the computers we left them. They do not even have the technology to replace any components. But they can still use them, just as we can use the consoles on this ship.”
“I had hoped to find some answers, at least to our basic questions.” Suzanne replies, a little defeated.
Joe shakes his head, and with a smile replies, “You’re disappointed because you haven’t figured out the console in one day. Well, I have been studying this technology for a couple of years now, and I still have no idea how they work.”
She frowns as she reads her notes out loud, “Not only can I not get a computational speed, I can’t even identify where the processor is, or where the memory is.”
“Ah,” Joe replies, “Well, I have some of those answers. The console has carbon based memory strands imprinted on what we would consider a main board. But as for the CPU, I too have been unable to locate one.”
George adds what he knows. “One side of the unit is the touch screen, while the other is the imprinted board. The rest of the console’s space is used as storage, or left empty.”
Suzanne turns to George and asks, “Why can’t you make these?”
George points his thumb over his shoulder at his suit as he replies “The suits can craft objects from thought, but only if the desired item is in the attached module’s database, or is a simple thing.”
Joe sighs, “Yeah, and we have yet to find a module that has any complex schematics. Everything we have found to date only allows for the construction of basic components. I had hoped that the derelict would have modules that we had not seen before, but so far we’re out of luck.”
George recalls how easily he crafted the interface units and shares his thoughts, slowly, “I was able to create the interface units, but I don’t recall them being in any database. I just thought about what was needed, and the suit crafted the item.”
Joe shakes his head and responds, “Don’t read too much into it mate. I bet that interfacing with other computers is a standard feature.”
Suzanne tilts her head as she considers Joe’s words, and then says, “That makes sense, I guess.”
The three of them continue to strip the console down, and spend a lot of time scrutinizing what appears to be the unit’s circuit board.
Meanwhile, in the derelict’s hangar bay, Patrick stands in his bodysuit, staring at the Japanese team’s handiwork. The extracted weapon system rests before him on the floor of the corridor. He runs his gaze up and down the weapon, which is easily twice his height, and appraises it.
Disconnecting the weapon from the power grid was a relatively easy task, compared to removing it from the hull. The weapon has a medieval looking cannon mounted on a huge ball, which allows it to swivel. The base of the ball has a single flexible cable, which was connected to the ship’s power grid. The entire unit was mounted on three rails, which allowed it to slide into a firing position, or be retracted inside the ship, protected by an armored casing.
Patrick contacts Peter and says, “The Japanese team has successfully removed one of the smaller kinetic weapons.”
“Excellent work, that was quick.” Peter replies, genuinely surprised by Patrick’s progress.
“Well, the hard task of accessing the area and then sealing it from the atmosphere had already been done. All I had to do was assist with the actual removal from its housing.” Patrick replies matter-of-factly.
“Do you think we can get them all?” Peter asks curiously.
“The smaller kinetic weapons, yes, and even many of the energy based weapons. But I doubt we will be able to get the large one in the ship’s nose section.”
“How are the other teams progressing?”
“The Japanese and American teams will have five more weapons ready for transport in a couple of days. The Russians are attempting to remove the ship’s sub-light engines, but they are finding the task more difficult than they thought. The German team is scouring the ship for anything of value, while the British team is focusing on removing the shield generators.” Patrick considers detailing the hundreds of small objects, and items of clothing, that lay scattered across the derelict’s hangar deck, but he decides against it.
Peter listens keenly then says, “We’re making great progress.”
“Yes we are,” Patrick replies enthusiastically.
Peter’s thoughts return to another matter, the Gamin survivors. It does not take him long to rally the bridge crew.
Refugees
Peter stands before Cindy and paces in exasperation as he restates, “We can’t wait any longer. Waazh is clearly becoming agitated with our delays, and if we ever expect him or his people to trust us we must act now.” He had expected a short discussion but, instead, the meeting has turned into a lengthy debate.
Cindy sighs, and then asks John. “What is the status of the shuttles?”
We now have eleven fully charged and functional shuttles on board.” John replies proudly.
“What about the area where we plan to house them?” Cindy asks, hoping to find any excuse to delay bringing the Gamin survivors on boar
d.
Peter slowly shakes his head as he responds, “You know the area is ready.”
George steps from his suit and adds his thoughts, “We are housing them on level three, where the military engineers stored much of their equipment. They are away from the outer levels and the weapons we have in place.”
Joe nods his head as he adds excitedly, “There is no access from their area to the front of the ship either. To top that off, their most forward section is the hatchery, and even that area is well back from the weapons in the nose.”
Cindy stares back as she shares her fears. “I am concerned about having the Gamin on board while we continue our salvage operations.”
Peter’s tone softens, “We agreed some time ago that having them here, where we can keep an eye on them, is preferable to leaving them in the cavern.”
She slowly nods her head in agreement, then taps her chair’s console and says, “Waazh, please respond.”
A few moments pass before the Gamin replies, “My clan is waiting, as have we been for some time. Why do you not come?”
Cindy gazes around as she cringes at his bluntness. She replies, “It’s complicated. But, I am pleased to say that we are now able to collect all of you. We have made provision for you on our ship, and will be able to take you to your people soon.”
“That will be a day of rejoicing.” Waazh replies, his voice devoid of emotion.
“I will be coming with the first shuttle. We will finally get to meet in person.” Cindy informs him.
“When will that be? I only hear the words, and nothing more.” Waazh states bluntly.
“Right now.” Cindy replies forcefully as she stands. She turns to Peter and says, “I want you to stay here. John, you’re with me. Let’s go.”
The pair discusses what they think will happen as they walk to the hangar deck. Entering the survey shuttle, John takes the pilot seat, while Cindy sits in the chair next to him. Both of them feel a surge of adrenaline as they take off and head to the submerged cavern where the Gamin survivors are.
John plunges the shuttle into the water, then takes them down into the ocean’s depths. He finds the underwater passageway easily, and without hesitation, takes them inside. Lifting the shuttle out of the water, he activates its lights, illuminating the area. They stare at the dozens of Gamin, all dressed in rags, milling around.
John turns to Cindy, and with a tinge of doubt says, “Are you sure about this?”
“No,” Cindy replies, then adds, “but I think this is best for all parties.”
John swings the shuttle around, lands on one of the many rocky outcroppings, then opens the shuttle’s ramp. The shuttle immediately fills with stale air, Gamin air at that, along with a strong musky odor that is unfamiliar to both of them.
Cindy activates the shuttle’s speakers and, with a confidence she does not feel, states, “Waazh, I would meet you now.” She meets John’s eyes, nods to him, then leaves her seat.
Stepping down the ramp, Cindy’s nostrils are assaulted by the full force of the stagnant alien air, along with the thick musky odor she noticed earlier. She lifts her head and, following George’s advice, says, “I am Cindy, leader of my people, and I will meet with Waazh, the leader of your clan.”
None of the Gamin move; they all stare, transfixed by Cindy.
Cindy had been told by George that this may happen, and adds, “We owe Regent Voknor our lives, and are here to repay that kindness.”
One of the Gamin steps forward and replies, “I am Waazh, leader of my clan. I will speak with you.”
The Gamin strides purposefully toward Cindy and stops an arm’s length from her. He stares down at her and sniffs the air, he is easily a head taller than John, their tallest crew member. His musky odor almost overpowers her, but she manages to resist the urge to rub her nose. She meets the gaze of the alien’s yellow eyes with the same steadfastness she used when she was the director of the research facility in Germany.
A moment passes, then Waazh’s voice fills the silence, “You honor me.”
Cindy keeps her gaze firm as she replies, “As you honor me.”
Waazh glances at the shuttle, and says, “The shuttle is small, and we are many.”
Cindy replies, “I invite you and one other, to my ship, that you may inspect the area we have prepared for you.”
Waazh immediately turns to face the growing crowd of curious onlookers and points to one of them. The selected Gamin walks toward Cindy, then stops before her next to his kin. The pungent odor that emanates from the aliens increases in intensity.
“My second.” Waazh states as he shifts his attention back to Cindy.
Cindy ponders the many scenarios that George had presented to her, then says, “My pilot is ready. Let’s go.”
The Gamin follow Cindy up the ramp, and sit in the seats behind her and John. The seats are a little too small for the aliens, adding to their appearance as giants. As the shuttle departs the cave and makes its way back to the Terran, Cindy breathes an inward sigh of relief. She had doubted George’s advice on the Gamin’s sense of honor, especially his firm belief that she stand alone, and without weapons, before them.
As the shuttle approaches the Terran, Waazh points to the derelict and says, “Prime Zorkna’s vessel.”
Cindy feels a chill run up her spine as a new thought comes to mind. We never did find any bodies, so where did they go? “We never found him.” She says with growing alarm.
Waazh glances to his subordinate and says, “Give us the means, and we will.”
Cindy turns in her chair, and stares at Waazh as she considers the request. After a moment, she responds, “My people will assist you.”
John lands the shuttle inside the Terran’s hangar deck, and even before he powers the shuttle down, he opens the ramp. Either the Gamin air, or the body odor from the aliens, is causing his throat to itch. The second he shut the shuttle’s ramp, he had expected the stale air to be replaced. Instead, because the environmental systems were built to Gamin specifications, they simply filtered and recirculated the existing air.
The Gamin step from the shuttle and begin to cough as they breathe in air, which to them, is foreign. They take a few tentative steps, the slightly lower gravity another surprising element to them, then stop.
Cindy steps down the ramp, turns to Waazh and states, “Now you see why it took us some time to prepare an area for your people.”
Waazh blinks and shields his eyes in the bright lights as he replies, “We are indeed quite different.”
Cindy stares at the Gamin, who are attempting to protect their eyes while still struggling to breathe the air, then loudly orders, “Reduce lighting by fifty percent.”
Joe, who sits in his chair on the bridge, hears the instruction, and immediately lowers the intensity of the lights. He smiles as his cameras show the Gamin recovering.
The hangar deck is devoid of all crew members, as per Cindy’s instructions, as are all the corridors that lead to the section prepared for the Gamin.
Cindy is pleased to see Waazh and his companion adjusting to their new surroundings. She turns, and as she walks away, requests, “Follow me please.”
The two Gamin follow Cindy, gazing around as they do. Both of them notice the crouched figures far above, but neither is concerned. They have the exact same precautions in place in the cavern, and had expected nothing less. John follows behind the group, and wrinkles his nose at the smell that trails behind the aliens.
Cindy takes the most direct route, and arrives at their destination a few moments later. Waazh stares at the dead end with mounting apprehension, but remains quiet.
Cindy places her hand on a small wall panel as she explains. “Though we are able to breathe each other’s air, it was decided to dedicate a portion of our ship to your specific needs. Hence these airlocks.”
A thick panel slides to one side, revealing a small room. Cindy strides inside, as do Waazh, his silent companion, and John.
Cindy points to a
nother wall panel and says, “Placing your hand on this panel will close the outer door, adjust the environment, and then open the inner door.”
John smiles at the simplicity of George’s design. The panels closest to each door dictate which atmosphere, Gamin or Human, is to be used. But more importantly, this does not allow for both doors to be open at once. However, this feature can be overridden from the bridge if the need were to arise.
Waazh places his three fingered hand on the panel, and waits. He sniffs at the Gamin air cautiously, then says with distrust, “This is not what we breathe.”
Cindy shrugs her shoulders and says, “This is standard Gamin air, what you have been breathing in your cavern is stale. How have you been getting fresh air?”
Waazh takes a few deep breaths, then says, “I will show you, when we return for my people.”
“Okay,” Cindy replies with little enthusiasm. Her excitement of seeing the cavern is overshadowed by the knowledge that she will have to breathe the foul air.
Once the doorway opens fully, they can all see the area ahead. A central room, much like the mess hall, has a half dozen corridors radiating from it. Each of these is lined with large rooms. George and Joe worked long and hard to ensure the area could easily house two hundred Gamin, plus have an area converted into a hatchery. The hatchery itself has its own set of environmental controls, which can also be overridden by the bridge consoles.
Waazh wanders around, examining the area, and says, “You would keep us separate from your kind?”
Cindy replies honestly, “It would be best for both of our peoples, to prevent misunderstandings.”
“Will my people be free to roam this ship?” Waazh enquires as he gazes around, scrutinizing the area.
“As your clan’s representative, you will have full access to my ship, under escort, that is. As for your people, no. They will remain here until we can meet with more of your kind.”
Waazh stops his wanderings and turns his attention to Cindy. His gaze bores into hers, then after a few tense moments, he replies, “We would have done the same, if you came to us. Trust is a thing earned, not given.”
Alliance (Terran Chronicles Book 4) Page 25
