by C H Gideon
“No!” Asya said. “Your drill is to not shoot anything. Let’s see how that goes.”
Jiya turned to her screen. “Takal, you might want to take a look at this,” she said, pointing to her results. “According to the scans, the ship is partly alive! The skeleton is made up of common metals, with some alloys I don’t recognize, and it appears to be covered by silicon-based musculature. Xonera said the ship was injured, and she wasn’t kidding. Look at these areas.”
“Those appear to be burn wounds, much like one of us would get if we were hit by a laser,” Takal marveled. “Doc Reynolds should look at this as well. The makeup of this ship is actually quite similar to your android body, Reynolds, although yours is carbon-based, and this is silicon. But the similarities are remarkable! I hope I have the opportunity to study this creature.”
“Keep in mind the captain referred to this ship as ‘she,’” Maddox said. “She also said the ship told her it could get home alone. That implies some level of sentience. Neither the captain nor the ship might appreciate you asking to poke and prod her.”
Jiya glanced at Tactical, expecting a crude reference to alien probing, but the AI personality was silent. She wondered if he was exercising restraint or just brooding.
Chapter Three
The Reynolds followed Threfol into Our System.
“No shit,” Comm said. “That’s what they call it. At least, that’s what the translator came up with. It’s not in our databases, so we don’t have any designation. The locals call themselves ‘People.’ We can use the phonetic name if you prefer.” A string of teeth-rattling sounds emitted from Comm’s position.
Jiya tried to emulate the sound. “Let’s go with the translations,” she said, rubbing her jaw. “I don’t need a headache every time we talk about them.”
“The captain of the Threfol is hailing,” Comm said.
The screen lit up. Xonera appeared on her bridge. Although clear of smoke, it was dimly lit and barely visible. The pedestal near the captain sported several bandages. “No stop station, land planet,” Xonera said.
“Oops, I think I cranked the interpreter back too far,” Comm said. “Hold one, please. There.”
“I have informed the defense station that you will accompany us to the planet,” Xonera continued, oblivious to Comm’s adjustments. “Threfol is injured and requires medical assistance. We’ll land in the hospital field on the smaller continent. We have triage at that location as well, if Reynolds would like to check in.”
The crew exchanged confused glances. “She’s referring to the ship,” Maddox said when understanding finally dawned. “She doesn’t mean you, Reynolds.”
The AI nodded. “Thanks, Xonera, but my ship doesn’t require medical attention. It’s inanimate.”
Onscreen, Xonera cocked her head in a human-looking gesture. “Takal told me your ship is an extension of yourself. I understood that to mean you and the ship are one, but that is not your nature?”
Reynolds glanced at Takal. The older man shrugged. “We were discussing the physiology of their equipment during the journey.”
Reynolds turned back to the screen. “I am the ship, and it is me. I am sentient, but I am not a biological construct like your ship. Or rather, this body is, but while it holds my intelligence, it is not who I am.”
He stopped. Based on what Takal had told him when they’d fought the cultists over Muultar, that was not strictly true. The whole of what makes you you and separate from the other personalities aboard the ship is plugged into that body. If the scientist was right, this body was him.
“It’s complicated,” he continued. “But the important thing is, we have no need of your doctors. Is there somewhere nearby we can land?”
“Yes, of course.” Xonera touched the pedestal at her station. “Threfol will send the coordinates to your location.
“I have the coordinates,” Ria said. “Shall I land the ship?”
“Take us down, Ensign,” Reynolds replied.
“Oxygen, nitrogen atmosphere. Breathable for the meatbags,” XO reported.
They followed Xonera to the fourth planet in the system. Cities stretched across much of the larger continent, but the Trefol circled down to the smaller landmass. Here, thick swaths of greenish-blue forest covered much of the southern part, while deserts baked in the north. As they descended, they approached a wide gray-black area cleared from the surrounding trees. Lighter-colored lumps resolved into numerous ships scattered across the open space.
The Reynolds landed. Leaving Asya in command while maintenance ran a complete diagnostic suite, Reynolds took Jiya, Maddox, Takal, Geroux, Ka’nak, and San Roche down to the field. The dark surface gave under their feet, solid enough for stable walking but providing a soft cushion. Several other ships were parked nearby, their crews moving in and around them. Clear tubing pumped silvery fluid into each of the ships. The external surfaces pulsed gently in a smooth, steady rhythm.
Those look like IVs, Doc Reynolds, the AI’s medical personality said through the crew’s integrated comm system. I guess it makes sense if their craft are partially animate.
Is it medical in nature, or merely sustenance? Takal muttered, staring at the nearest ship as he walked across the tarmac. He tripped, and Jiya grabbed his arm to steady him.
That looks like their field headquarters over there, Jiya said, pointing at a building on the nearer side of the field. Maybe someone in there would be willing to answer your questions.
I wish I could go with you, Doc Reynolds said.
Keep this line open, Doc, Takal said, and it will be almost like being there.
The rest of us don’t want to hear about blood and guts, Jiya said. So keep that conversation private, will you?
I like to hear about blood and guts, Ka’nak said. The huge Melowi warrior cracked his knuckles and his neck. I enjoy seeing them, too, especially if I am the one who spilled them.
Ew, Geroux said, stepping closer to Jiya and grabbing her hand. I’m with Jiya on this one. I like to keep my blood and guts inside where they belong.
Peace, people, Maddox said. We don’t know what taboos this culture may have. Let’s keep the medical discussion to a minimum until we find out. For all we know, talking about a space craft’s blood may be tantamount to insulting someone’s mother.
Listen to the general, Reynolds said. Takal, take San Roche and have a chat with the airfield personnel. Keep Doc in the loop, and see what you can learn. The rest of us will meet with Xonera. She promised to introduce us to the premier. San Roche. He turned to the Telluride. Keep Takal out of trouble.
Takal drew himself up. I am not a child.
Uncle. Geroux put a hand on the old inventor’s arm. San Roche is here to protect you, not babysit you. Think of him as a combination guard and assistant.
The old man looked mollified. Fine. Reynolds, don’t forget that list of materials I need.
Reynolds patted his chest as if he had a hard copy list in his breast pocket. I’ll get them all, Takal.
Takal and San Roche angled toward the building, while the rest of the crew continued to the Threfol.
The other ship had landed nearby, and dozens of People swarmed over it. Three of the IV lines had been attached at different locations. A crew of People pushed a huge vat of gray goo up to the ship and slathered it on the burns using long-handled brushes.
“Look!” Geroux whispered as they got closer. “That vat doesn’t have wheels, it has legs.” The enormous cylindrical bucket sat on thousands of tiny legs, each the diameter of a human’s wrist. As the People worked, the legs crawled along, keeping the bucket within easy reach of the brushes. When some of the slimy-looking gunk slid down the side of the vat, the legs nearest the spill scooped it up from under the device.
“Are those legs eating that goo?” Jiya asked, appalled.
“I think I should have stayed with Takal,” Ka’nak said in a strangled voice. “Blood and guts would be better than this.”
Reynolds looked dismaye
d. “Mind your manners, or I’ll send you back to the ship.”
One of the People handed a brush to a co-worker and strode across the springy ground. Another of the aliens joined her, pacing gracefully toward the crew on their four long, feline legs. They stopped in front of Reynolds and bowed.
“It is an honor to meet you in body,” Xonera said, raising her head. “Trefol sends her gratitude again for your care of us. This is the daughter of the ship, Taneral. I cannot leave Trefol alone, but Taneral will take you into the city to meet the premier. She will guide you during your stay with us.” She stretched out a hand to the alien with her, drawing her forward.
This being had the same cat-like body and humanoid torso as Xonera. While the captain sported a dark crew cut and dark fur on her body, Taneral had golden hair that stood out in a thick ruff. The tips were blue and matched the color of her paws. Her flat face had a fine layer of golden hair, as well. When she smiled, large pointed teeth glinted.
“It is my pleasure to attend to your needs,” Taneral said. “If you’ll come this way, I will transport you to the premier’s abode.”
The crew said their farewells to Xonera and followed the other alien to a large vehicle. Like the vat they’d seen earlier, this conveyance was supported by thousands of tiny legs. It was a large, ovoid, with rails around the edges and an open space to climb through. The crew followed Taneral onto the vehicle.
She looked them over carefully. “You only have two legs, so this might be a bit unstable for you. Hold on tight.”
They grabbed the rail surrounding the vehicle. It was crowded, and Jiya’s leg was pressed against the side of the vehicle. It was warm, and pulsed slowly like the ships on the airfield. “I think this transport is alive,” she whispered to Geroux.
The younger female nodded. “I wonder if all their technology is, or only the vehicles? I’m not sure why we have to hold on, though. Those legs don’t move very fast.”
The ovoid craft slid forward, the motion smooth and almost undetectable at first. As they rode, the speed increased until it moved faster than a human could run. Under their feet, the floor seemed to bunch like muscles tensing. The craft suddenly lunged into the air. An engine at the rear ignited, and the vehicle shot into the sky.
The crew gasped. Taneral blinked in surprise. “Do your transports not behave so?”
Jiya laughed shakily. “This is completely new to us.”
“That’s an understatement,” Geroux muttered. She peered over the stern of the craft. “I wonder what powers it? Takal will be sorry he missed this.”
They sailed away from the airfield, soaring just above the blue-green treetops. After crossing a thick stretch of forest, they entered a stream of air traffic. Hundreds of small craft crossed the airspace in an orderly grid. Some popped up from the trees for a short distance, only to dive back down again. Others zigzagged through the crowd and shot off across the ocean or back toward the airfield.
“Our capital city, Dantera, is here on the Grentoo continent. The rest of Grentoo is reserved for raising live mech,” Taneral said. “Most of our population lives on Serpenti or the smaller islands.’
“Live mech?” Reynolds asked. “Is that what you call your hybrid machines?”
Taneral blinked a few times, then nodded. “If by ‘hybrid,’ you refer to the mix of living and inanimate material, then yes. It is the only way we make machinery. Your ship, without biological components, is a novelty to us. I believe the premier may want to send scientists to study it if you will permit.”
“Perhaps we can work out a trade,” Reynolds said. “We might need help acquiring the materials to repair our ship. If your people are willing to assist us, we could provide information about some of our tech.”
Taneral bowed. “Such an exchange must be negotiated with People more exalted than I. The premier will decide. Hold on—we descend.”
The craft slowed, then dove through the trees. Beneath the thick canopy, narrow lanes stretched away in both directions, flanked by low buildings. The craft flattened out just above ground level and skimmed along one of the lanes. People leapt out of the way as the craft approached, but none of them seemed upset by nearly being run over.
They stopped in front of a wide building. Thick brown fur covered the building and the walls pulsed slowly, giving off a faint warmth. The craft dropped to its tiny legs and scuttled close to the front door. The crew stepped down onto the cushy paving.
“I like this carpet,” Jiya joked. “I wonder if it comes in red?”
“This is the residence of the premier,” Taneral said, waving a hand at the building behind her. “Captain Xonera has arranged for an audience. Please, follow me.”
Jiya and Geroux followed the alien up the steps to the residence, with Maddox, Ka’nak, and Reynolds bringing up the rear. As they climbed, the building rippled, as if a chill had passed through it. The top half of the huge white doors lifted, and the bottom half slid into the floor.
“I feel like I’m walking into a monster’s mouth,” Geroux whispered to Jiya.
The first officer put her hand on her sidearm, a shiver running through her body. “I think you’re not far off, there.”
Inside the building, the crew was asked to disarm. “It’s not that we don’t trust you,” said the guard who took their weapons.
But we don’t trust you, Jiya muttered through the crew’s private comm system.
Reynolds gave her a look. “We understand completely,” he said. Over the comm, he added, Their weapons are no match for our armor.
Yeah, but what about their teeth? Geroux asked. I didn’t like the looks of that door, and those guards’ teeth aren’t much smaller.
We’ve done this before, Jiya said. She glanced at Ka’nak, who had not spoken since they had climbed on the transport at the airfield. “You okay, Ka’nak?”
The Melowi’s face was pale and sweaty. He took a deep breath and shook his head. “I think I should have stayed behind with Takal.”
After they’d checked their weapons, they walked down a long, low hallway. At the end, the doors slid open in a more conventional way.
I think those entry doors were made to look like a mouth specifically to intimidate visitors, Maddox remarked.
Well, it worked, Jiya replied, grinning at Ka’nak. The big warrior strode along, head on a swivel, eyes constantly roving. His shoulders were tense, and his hands open and slightly away from his sides.
They entered a long room with large windows on both sides and a high ceiling. Blue-green light filtered in from the sunlit groves surrounding the building. Dozens of People prowled around the room, forming groups, splitting, and reforming. At the far end, a short dais held a large couch where one of the aliens reclined. This creature was much larger than the others in the room, with thicker facial hair and a uniform covered with shiny beads and glinting disks.
Taneral led them to the dais and bowed. “Premier, this is Reynolds and the crew of the SD Reynolds. Their heroic actions freed Threfol and her crew from pillage, plundering, and death at the hands of Terubine raiders.”
I thought Comm was going to rein in the drama on the translator? Jiya said on the private channel.
He did, Geroux replied. I think Taneral is going so far over the top she’s slid down the other side, but it is an accurate translation of the words.
The alien nodded. The metallic disks on his uniform jingled when he moved. “Welcome, Reynolds and crew. I am Walthorn, Premier of Serifity, Defender of the Pride, Head of the Realm, Supreme Leader of the Tribe. Welcome.” He yawned as he finished the introduction, as if reciting his titles wearied him.
Or maybe that’s a sign of aggression in this species, Geroux said to the crew over the comm.
One of the People behind the premier leaned forward and spoke into his ear. Walthorn continued, “In gracious thanks for the assistance rendered to Threfol and her crew, I grant you whatever you desire from our Tribe. My assistants Krenthel and Bonnerel will ensure that you receive all th
at you require.” He gestured two more aliens forward. “I offer you my deepest gratitude and wish you safe journeys.”
The premier waved a hand. The couch raised a few centimeters above the dais, and thousands of tiny legs shuffled it away through an open door at the back of the room.
Reynolds stared after the premier. That was the oddest negotiation I have ever participated in.
Not much of a negotiation, Maddox replied, practically rubbing his hands in glee. They gave us the farm.
If the farm is alive, I don’t want it, Ka’nak muttered through the internal comm.
Krenthel and Bonnerel stepped down off the dais. “Xonera is the premier’s daughter,” Bonnerel said. “He offers his kingdom in return for her safety.”
“Rest assured, we won’t take the kingdom,” Reynolds said. “We do request assistance in finding certain raw materials we need to repair our ship.”
Bonnerel bowed. “If you give your list to Taneral, we will locate what you need. Is there anything you require immediately? Food? Shelter?”
“We prefer to stay on our ship,” Reynolds said. “After our long journey, there are some minor repairs and checks we must complete. We are in a hurry to return to our own kingdom, but perhaps we can see more of your planet while the supplies are being gathered.”
Krenthel bowed. They seemed to take turns bowing and talking. “It will be our pleasure to provide you with anything you require. Taneral is available to guide you anywhere you wish to go.” The two bowed again and backed away.
Taneral stepped forward and gestured to the other end of the room. “The attendants have laid out refreshments for you. Please partake, then I will show you around our humble planet.”
“We look forward to enjoying the wonders of your planet and her People,” Reynolds said.
Taneral bowed and backed away in an uncanny imitation of Krenthel and Bonnerel.
That did seem way too easy, Maddox started.
Chapter Four
As they stepped out the front door, a blast of heat washed over them. Ka’nak glared over his shoulder. “That building is breathing down my neck.”
