She expected a quick response from Tony, but her friend was deep in thought about what he had learned so far.
Following Ansari’s summons, the rest of the ISSC scientists, specialists, and military personnel would be gathering in the Mess Module for the all-hands meeting.
After leaving Central, the Stationmaster waited only a second in the node room—the elevator-sized chamber that connected modules together—before passing through a hatch on the right that led into another module. “Each node room has a diagram, so you can tell where you are.”
“Or we could leave a trail of breadcrumbs floating behind us,” Dyl quipped.
“Crumbs can be dangerous in microgravity,” Ansari said, “especially if you inhale them. We have good filtration systems, but they can’t handle everything that gets into the air.”
The Star Challengers crowded after her into the node room and then passed through a long laboratory module that contained sealed glove-boxes, spherical experiment chambers, and numerous canisters and squeeze bottles of labeled chemicals, which were held in place behind webbing on shelves. Computer screens dotted the walls at several testing stations.
Ansari spoke like a hurried tour guide. “This is the Chemistry and Materials Science lab, or CMS, where our materials specialists grow crystals and microfibers.” She cast a glance over her shoulder as they kept drifting along. “Originally, it was designed only for research and industrial applications, but now we’re also trying to find innovative ways of defending ourselves against the alien threat. That’s our highest priority—for the whole world.”
“Anything good in the works?” JJ asked. “A prototype of some kind?”
Ansari reached the far side of the CMS module, grabbed the hatch frame that led into the next node room. “Our problem right now is that we have almost no information about the aliens. We don’t know anything about their physiology, their biochemistry, what sort of air they breathe, what kind of planet they come from. More important for Earth’s defense, we don’t know their science, weapons, ships, basic technology—although we hope to gather some good intel on their base when the Recon-1 probe gets there tomorrow. If only we had some hints … but for now we’re still in the dark.”
“They call themselves the Kylarn,” King said, then responded to JJ’s surprised look, “It can’t hurt to give them some basic information.”
“Where did you learn that?” Ansari asked.
“We … can’t say,” JJ answered.
Looking flustered, the Stationmaster passed through the connecting chamber and led them upward into another module, guiding them at a rapid clip. They went through a well-lit greenhouse and a moist-smelling Bio-sciences Module, then dropped down through another node room into Hab Module 2, where some of the station crew had their living quarters.
Song-Ye seemed queasy. “Now I know how Newton feels when he runs around in his hamster tunnels.”
“The Mess Module’s just up ahead.”
“You have a whole module that’s just a dining hall?” Tony asked.
“Not exactly. MESS is an acronym for Multiple Essential Station Services. The Mess Module is a combination of dining hall, recreation room, community area, and meeting room. We usually refer to it as the Mess. The members of the satellite team are eating there now. The Sat team has mostly finished prepping the Eye in the Sky satellite for launch.” Ansari smiled as they floated into the Mess. “And your fellow team member is also there.”
“Our team member?” JJ asked.
Before the Stationmaster could answer, JJ saw five crewmembers. Four had finished eating hot prepackaged meals and were placing the leftover components and scraps into recycler cabinets. Stationmaster Ansari greeted them. “This is our Sat team: civilians Lifchez and Kimbrell”—she pointed to two men in yellow jumpsuits—“and the military half of the team, Major Rodgers and Lieutenant Kontis.” The man and woman in darker jumpsuits nodded hello.
As her friends floated in around her, JJ’s attention was immediately drawn to the fifth person, a girl close to her own age, who looked out of place among the Sat team members. She had high cheekbones, hazel eyes with a fringe of long lashes, a light dusting of freckles across her fair skin, and pixie-cut auburn hair. She was dressed in blue like the Star Challengers.
The other girl’s eyes locked on them like targeting lasers on a video game. “Stationmaster Ansari suggested we might be expecting visitors,” the stranger said.
JJ was taken aback to see another teenager there on the station. Song-Ye and Dyl stared, while King said quietly, “Now this is interesting.”
Tony had already experienced an avalanche of surprises. “Who’s that?” He looked at JJ. “You didn’t tell me there was anybody else.”
Stationmaster Ansari turned to the Star Challengers. “Cadet Mira arrived two days ago and has been assisting us extensively ever since. She was quite surprised when I explained to her how four of you helped us at Moonbase Magellan. You’re all part of the same team?”
“I assume so,” the other girl answered quickly. “I was also unaware of other … team members.”
“Are you a Star Challenger, too?” Dyl blurted.
“Star Challengers? Is that what you call yourselves?” Mira raised her eyebrows and looked at Ansari. “As I told you, Stationmaster, our work is highly classified and compartmentalized. We must be from separate parts of our … project.”
“Hmm, I assumed you had all met before,” Ansari said.
“Maybe we need a few minutes to get to know each other,” JJ said. “Is there someplace we could talk before the meeting starts?”
Stationmaster Ansari said, “Perhaps that would be best. I need to make some preliminary notes on my datapad, and the other crewmembers will take a while to get here. Hab 2 is adjacent to the Mess—Cadet Mira, would you please show our friends?”
Without commenting, the strange girl led the way.
***
Eight
The moment they were alone in the hab module, JJ turned to the other girl, asking excitedly, “Where are you from? How did you get here?”
The girl’s hazel eyes darted from side to side, as if she were worried someone might be listening. Her voice held an edge of challenge as she dodged the question. “Where are you from?”
King spoke up. “I’d suggest that we all sit down and relax, but there’s not much point in sitting when you’re weightless.” He pushed lightly against the nearest wall and glided toward Mira, holding out his hand. “So for now, I guess we should all just give each other some background.”
Mira reached out dubiously and took his hand. King shook vigorously, which set them both moving, their whole bodies bobbing up and down like two people on an invisible seesaw. King released his grip, and the girl went one direction while he drifted in the other. “Sorry—I’m still not used to weightlessness!”
Everyone laughed, breaking the ice slightly. “The Stationmaster introduced you kind of fast,” JJ said. “We didn’t get your whole name.”
The girl’s eyes narrowed. “Mira—just Mira. That is already more than you need to know.” She sounded wary. “You’re aware of what’s at stake.”
JJ sighed. She couldn’t tell if Mira was being difficult or merely cautious.
“How did you get here?” Song-Ye asked.
Mira ran her tongue along the inside of her lips to moisten them. “Most likely, just the same way you came.”
Song-Ye said, “That’s not an answer.”
“The fact that you need to ask tells me that I shouldn’t answer.”
Tony spoke up. “Don’t you think Mr. Zota would have told us if he’d sent somebody else here?”
“I don’t know anyone named Zota,” Mira said.
“Then I’m pretty sure you didn’t get here the same way we did,” JJ said pointedly. “We’re asking who your commander is.”
Mira’s eyes did not meet hers. “No one commands me. I do have a guide, however: Mentor Toowun.”
The Star Chall
engers exchanged curious glances. Dyl said, “So Commander Zota’s not the only one?”
“But there can’t be others like Commander Zota!” King whispered.
JJ thought the same thing, but if Zota had managed to escape into the past, why not others? Like Mentor Toowun. Zota’s mission was to help the younger generation prepare for and prevent a terrible future. Did it make sense that the whole human race would need to trust its fate to just four or five Star Challengers, no matter how dedicated they were?
“Well, with such a big problem, shouldn’t we be glad for all the help we can get?” Tony asked.
King nodded. “Saving the world’s a big job.”
“Where’s your mentor from?” Dyl asked, “Or should I ask when?”
Mira’s expression didn’t change. “Those are both excellent questions.”
“The plot thickens,” Dyl murmured, looking intrigued by the girl.
“Which Challenger Center did you come through?” Song-Ye’s voice held a hint of resentment.
Mira gave her a sharp look. “Again, your lack of knowledge indicates that I shouldn’t answer. That information is on a need-to-know basis.”
King gave a low whistle. “You’re tough. Remind me to stay on your good side.”
For an instant, JJ thought she saw Mira’s lips curl upward ever so slightly, then the moment was gone. JJ had a million questions, but Zota had warned them not to reveal too much about themselves and their mission. Mira seemed to have similar instructions. The Star Challengers did not belong here in the future, and now was not the time to ask for too many details. Their questions had already told Mira quite a bit.
“But aren’t we allies?” King went on. “Don’t we have the same goal?”
Mira gazed around at them. “Is your purpose to change situations so that billions of humans won’t need to die in the future?”
All of them nodded except Tony. “Billions? Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?”
JJ winced. “I wish it were, but she’s right. That’s why we’re here, too.”
Mira focused on Tony. “How is it that your team knows this, but you don’t?”
Tony ran a hand through his hair. “I’m new. I kind of joined this mission at the last minute.”
The girl arched an eyebrow at him. “Last minute? Convenient.”
“Not really. I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on.” Tony shook his head in disbelief. “What on Earth could kill billions of people?”
“Nothing on Earth,” Mira said. “It was the Kylarn. I was not there when it happened, of course, but I know the stories. I’ve heard terrible descriptions that no one should have to hear, much less experience.” Now her flat voice turned urgent. “Someone must have told you the stories—that part can’t be a secret. It will happen not long from this time period.
“When the Kylarn come to take over Earth, humans will fight them with anger, frenzy, and fear—but not with intelligence. Millions and millions will be slaughtered by Kylarn laser shredders—like a mesh of hot wires that cut people to ribbons. Humans will try to retaliate, and the war will go on and on, while millions more die painful deaths—not just from the shredders, but from disease and starvation, until nearly two billion humans are dead.” Mira’s voice shook with emotion, and JJ thought she saw a shimmer of tears in the girl’s eyes. For a second JJ wondered what would happen to tears in microgravity, then she pushed the thought from her head.
The other girl continued. “It’s so stupid! They’ll all die for nothing. They accomplish nothing.” She breathed deeply, calming herself. “But none of it has happened yet, so there’s still a chance. I want to save as many of those lives as possible. I can’t tell you much more than that.”
“We’re keeping things on the down-low, too,” King said.
“But let’s try to help each other out when we can, okay?” JJ said.
Mira agreed. Before they could discuss anything further, Stationmaster Ansari called for them. The all-hands meeting was about to start.
***
Nine
Crewmembers entered from four separate hatches in the module, pulling themselves hand-over-hand, bumping against the wall plates with their socks, moving as comfortably in the weightlessness as fish swimming about in a school.
When all of the ISSC crew was gathered in the Mess, Ansari made introductions. The Star Challengers had briefly met the Eye in the Sky satellite team, and now Ansari properly introduced the rest of the crew. “Dr. Harlan Kloor, our science officer, has earned more PhDs than any other person on Earth. He became so insufferable that there was no choice but to send him into orbit,” she said with a rare teasing smile. “Actually, we’re quite fortunate to have his expertise on board. And this is Security Chief Suri Napali.”
“We’ve met,” the woman acknowledged. “I am here to keep the station safe, but I doubt we’ll see personal combat aboard.”
Stationmaster Ansari continued around the circle. “Communications specialist Anton Pi and our astronomer Dr. Trina d’Almeida. The other two I believe you know?”
JJ and her friends were happy to see a familiar pair: Captain Bronsky, the Russian pilot who had flown the supply ship Halley to the moonbase during their previous adventure, and Dr. Cynthia Romero, the physician and biologist from Moonbase Magellan, who had worked closely with Song-Ye.
Most of the crew was baffled as to how five more teens had simply arrived at the International Space Station Complex without a ship. Mira looked pleased that her own presence no longer seemed as surprising.
JJ touched a fingertip to a bolted-down table to keep herself balanced and steady, since even small movements could send her drifting off in slow motion in uncontrollable directions. To her it seemed strange that the members of the ISSC crew were perfectly at ease sitting in all different orientations, some grasping handholds on the “ceiling” and facing downward, others on the “floor” looking up, still others facing inward from the walls. No matter which direction they faced, the center of the room was the focal point, where Ansari and the Star Challengers were.
Ansari called the meeting to order. “Obviously, we have plenty of questions, but let’s keep discussion to a single track instead often.”
“We all want to talk about the same thing, anyway,” Bronsky said.
Dr. d’Almeida, the astronomer, shook her head. “It’s simply not possible for six people to appear like rabbits out of a hat.”
The science officer, Dr. Kloor, hung down from the top of the room. “It can’t be impossible, since they’re right in front of us. I’m eager to hear the explanation.”
“If there was a shortcut to get up here to orbit, someone should have warned me,” said Napali. “As Security Chief, I need to know if there’s a back door I need to be guarding.”
King sounded flustered. “I wish we had a scientific answer for you. But we’re here—that’s all we know.”
“You really expect us to believe that you don’t understand how you got to the ISSC?” said Lieutenant Kontis. She had generous lips, wide eyes, and glossy brown hair that she kept tightly secured in a regulation bun. Her question ended with an embarrassing burp, and she quickly covered her mouth.
“I can ride in a car without understanding how an internal combustion engine works,” Dyl pointed out.
Kloor smirked. “Internal combustion engine? How quaint.”
Ansari called for order again. “However they got here, these young people have joined us on the station, and I’m inclined to believe they can help us. They’ve proven themselves before.”
“Excuse me, Stationmaster,” said Pi, a muscular and cheery-looking man who reminded JJ of a young Jackie Chan. “I have practical concerns. We certainly have room on the station, and our solar-power arrays can provide enough power for additional crew, but our supplies will be strained by six extra people breathing the oxygen, drinking the water, and eating the food.”
“I’ll give up my rations if they taste anything like the meal we just ate.�
�� Major Rodgers, the Sat team payload specialist, wiped his mouth with an expression of distaste. “That was awful.”
“We all seem to have lost our appetites,” said Lifchez, a civilian scientist on the Sat team.
“That’s why I couldn’t eat,” Mira said. “We’re all tense, and we have important work to do. Suspicions and arguments only reduce the probability of success. We have to launch the Eye in the Sky satellite.”
Dr. Romero added her support. “We just received a shipment of food supplies, so we’ll do fine for now. Remember, I’ve seen first-hand what these young people can do. They’ll earn their keep.” She turned to look at Song-Ye, who had worked with her in the moonbase medical center. “How long will your group be here this time?”
The Korean girl shrugged with one shoulder. “Long enough to help.”
Kimbrell, a civilian engineer who sat beside Lieutenant Kontis, muttered, “You kids don’t know very much then, do you? Didn’t you get a mission briefing?”
Stiff and formal, Mira crossed her arms over her chest. “I know you would all like to have explanations, but it’s classified. We have our orders. This is a vital part of the mission, specifically relevant to Earth’s response to the Kylarn. We are not authorized to say anything.”
JJ didn’t like the answer, but she was forced to agree. “Mira’s right. We’re not supposed to say much. It could”—she searched for the right words—“adversely impact the mission.”
JJ was surprised when Major Rodgers nodded. “If we’re not cleared for the information, then we don’t have a need to know. That’s for Earth scientists to decide.”
“Besides, we all know who the real enemy is.” Bronsky spoke up, defending the cadets. “It is as plain as the ears on your head. I was there when the aliens destroyed Moonbase Magellan—I barely survived myself. Stationmaster Ansari and Dr. Romero barely survived. These cadets were a great help. I say we must trust them.”
Space Station Crisis Page 5
