Galactic Startup

by Brian Whiting

  “Wilma, Brandon – find anything interesting out there?”

  Wilma activated the display screen.

  “These are photos of items we collected and brought back to the Destiny. These two are of interest. An image appeared of what seemed to be a large sea shell. Instead of a hollow interior, there were wires extruding from the main aperture.

  “We believe there is a power source inside, but we do not understand its purpose.”

  Wilma clicked to the next object, which looked like a thin, three-foot cone.

  “This also has a power source, and a barrel at the thin end for about half its length. The bottom end has a larger hole like those seen on Dark Star. Again, purpose is unknown.”

  Wlima quickly flashed through several further images.

  Alex looked over to Gloria and waited for her report.

  “The sample from inside a damaged wall revealed biological elements. There are millions of dead cells suspended in a non-organic material. It exhibits tremendous resistance to freezing temperatures, but under moderate heat, the compound degrades and melts away. The material is nonconductive, similar to some hardened plastics.

  “The sample from the living pool was fully biological. I am still scanning to determine if it has any harmful properties for humans. It’s too early to say much else. In the meantime, please consider our lab and the living pool off-limits.”

  “Todd.”

  “The ship’s hull is composed of a brittle alloy that is extremely lightweight, lighter than aircraft aluminum. It’s a poor conductor of heat and electricity. A pistol would easily penetrate, but a collision with a large truck might not even make a dent. It somehow distributes kinetic energy. The interior is made from a form of ceramic, responsible for most of the ship’s structural integrity.”

  “Industrial ceramics. No wonder it survived the crash.”

  Alex peered towards Renee.

  “There’s a ton of material here. I am still thinking about how best to present the facts to the world when we return. Some of the information here is going to be very hard to digest.”

  “I understand. If I’m honest, I’m not thinking about now, I’m thinking about decades from now.” Alex stood up, and moved to the front of the room.

  “I’ll admit, when we started this thing, we had no idea where it was going or what to expect. Since then, I have come to understand the enormity of what we’ve discovered and the solemn responsibility that comes with it. I decided we were not going to conform to the standards of our failing and corrupt world. We can and must advance a better society. Now it seems that time is not on our side. Hostiles we have never heard of could arrive at our door at any moment. The world will need to adapt if it is to survive, and we are uniquely positioned to direct its adaptation. We cannot afford to let the power-hungry and greedy dictate our future any longer. We can give humanity a new purpose.”

  He scanned the room, eyes connecting with each member of the team.

  “Many of you still have ties to other organizations. They are about to become irrelevant. From now on, UEF will require one hundred percent commitment from everyone. I do not say this lightly. We are about to shatter the foundations of our world. The UEF is going to rebuild and defend it. That may not be what you signed up for, but it’s the direction our adventure is taking us.”

  Alex looked at those peering back at him from around the conference table.

  “I would understand if you wanted to back out now. I am going to find a way to defend the Earth, and the Theans too if I can manage that. But ultimately, I want us to continue exploring. Can you imagine what else is out there, waiting for us to find it?”

  “Wow,” said Zeek, simply.

  “In this endeavor, you will have my assistance,” came a familiar voice from the overhead speaker.

  Alex smiled.

  “I thought you might be listening, Kalibri. Do you have authority to negotiate on behalf of your people?”

  “No,” the digiform admitted. “However, I have determined that assisting you to resist the Zorn is an optimal course in my primary function.”

  “And what is your primary function?” Mason scowled.

  “The protection of Thean society.”

  “We welcome your assistance. This will mark the first cooperation between the people of Earth and the wider universe.” Several listening in the room were so tense and riveted they had forgotten to breathe. “Can you be moved from your ship to another, or are you stuck on Titan?”

  “In time, perhaps.”

  “Given our state of technological development, how would you suggest we proceed? I am counting on you to expedite our progress substantially.”

  “First, you should focus on your manufacturing base, if you wish to compete in the galactic arena. Your governmental system is far too fractured to be of any use, I agree it must be bypassed initially. Systemic change will follow technological development, as it does on all observed worlds,” said the disembodied intelligence. After a brief pause, it continued.

  “I have uploaded design specifications for an automated manufacturing machine to your database. It can create a yet more advanced machine, that Theans call a fabricator. It will not require many fabricators to drastically increase your planet’s manufacturing output.”

  “Todd. I want you to work with Kalibri to design a new ship. It needs to be much bigger, with its own power source, and it needs to be armed, specifically against the Zorn.

  “W… wow. I would be happy to, like a wet dream come true.”

  “Kalibri, are there any weapons you carry that we can fit onto the Destiny using our current power supply?” Alex asked.

  “I do have one system that could be repurposed as such. A decoupler, for separating docked ships. The decoupler could be used as a short-range weapon against smaller Zorn craft and Earth-based hostiles. Based on your current power supply, it could be operational for twenty point three seconds before you ran out of power. There are personal weapons in the armory that could be modified for use by humans, though they will take time to modify. It might be easier to repair the fabricator. Then I can simply manufacture weapons suited to your biology.”

  “Earth-based hostiles?” Alex, Zeek and Mason all leaned forward onto the table.

  “There is a seventy-three percent chance that human agents will attempt to bring down the Destiny and eliminate the revolutionary leader,” said Kalibri. Several people in the room shifted in their seat.

  “Why do you think-” Mason began, before the digiform cut him off.

  “Your plans will disrupt the flow of power on your planet. Your planet has a history of resisting new power. It is likely that schemes to end or control the United Earth Fleet are already in motion.”

  “It makes sense,” said Jack. Even Mason nodded.

  Chapter 12

  The Reveal

  The team finished up on Titan and began the return voyage. Alex mostly kept to his room, while the other crew often found time to theorize about what he was planning. Towards the end of the journey, Gloria walked into the dining room and saw Todd, Mac, Jorge, Mason and Amanda sitting at a table together and decided to join them.

  “…then he decided to join the Army,” Jorge had just finished saying.

  “What are you guys talking about?” Gloria asked, walking in.

  “Alex,” Amanda looked up at the new arrival, while Jorge continued.

  “I didn’t want to go, so he went alone. I was in college thinking that was the last time I was going to see him. Timmy and Zeek were with me.”

  “Huh,” said Gloria.

  “Something must have happened to him, because a year later he was back at college with us.”

  “Do you know what happened?” Mac asked.

  “He doesn’t talk about it. I did hear he received a less than honorable discharge. It had something to do with a deployment overseas. That’s all I know.”

  Mason sat back. “That accounts for the leadership qualities,” he mused.

>   “The guy is something else,” agreed Wilma. “The ambition on him. I don’t know whether to bow down or run away.”

  “Strange thing is, I’ve never really seen this side of him before. Dropped out of college with the rest of us. Our project became an obsession.” Jorge finished his hot chocolate. “He’s really a hot or cold kind of guy. He’s either acting common and mundane, even lazy, or he’s really amped about something, pushing to the end. Even while we built the ship, he puttered around assisting us wherever he could, and handled some of the logistics, but he’s no engineer. If you watch the news you might think he built the ship and explores space all by himself. He can be arrogant, I’m sure you can tell.” His tone had darkened as he finished speaking. Cindy nodded her head in agreement.

  “You think he can do all the stuff he’s talking about?” Gloria asked.

  “He can be a douche. But yeah, I think he can.”

  ***

  There was a knock on his cabin door.

  “Come in,” said Alex. He sat up as Amanda entered. “Can I get-”

  “Listen, I just want to talk.”

  Alex froze. He opened his mouth, but Amanda cut him off, taking a seat at the table.

  “I’ve been in a lot of relationships and they all turn out the same. First date is always nice, by the third dates there’s mutual lusting and after a month of two someone throws the love word out there. Then six months later when people get relaxed and comfortable with things people start to learn the darker things about each other and the relationship falls apart.”

  “Wha-“ Alex was interrupted again.

  “I am really over it. The whole routine. Things are crazy enough around here as it is. Don’t get ideas, space boy, but I want your dark secrets. Now, upfront. I just need to know.”

  Alex didn’t move a muscle. His face was motionless, a picture of pure shock. He felt like his very soul was frozen as well.

  “How-“

  “Okay, listen, before you tell me you don’t have any secrets and that you’re the perfect guy who has never done anything wrong, I’m gonna stop you there and call manure, all over that pretty face of yours. Since this is my idea, I’ll go first. Make it a little easier for you.”

  Alex closed his mouth and waited, succumbing to the next segment of her monolog.

  “I was born with Huntington’s disease.”

  Alex squinted. “I’m not familiar…”

  Amanda shifted in her seat. “Its an inherited disease that attacks the brain, usually in their forties. My cognitive abilities will degrade over time and I’ll eventually become institutionalized. Your turn”

  Alex was speechless. He stared at her expectant expression and gulped.

  “I’ve only been in a couple of relationships. But I tend to focus more on myself then I do on my partners.”

  Amanda rotated her head, but didn’t look away from Alex. “What else?”

  “Uh…” The seconds passed in silence. “I don’t have any bad habits that I keep hidden. I am not sure what to say.”

  “Everyone has something they regret. Something they wish they could change about themselves.”

  “How about you? So you have a disease. That doesn’t speak to your personality, or any “dark” behavior.”

  “True, I do have an issue. When something bothers me, or lingers on my mind for too long I come out in force to get to the bottom of it. I won’t let go – maybe you’ve noticed. Most guys can’t handle my direct scalpel cutting approach to relationship issues.” She smirked.

  Alex looked around the room, pretending there was an array of new, interesting items to inspect.

  Amanda leaned back in her seat, familiar with his expression, and waited for it to run its course. She appeared not to mind at all as several minutes went by in complete silence. When Alex made eye contact with her again, she leaned forward, ready to hear what he was about to say.

  “I do have a regret. But I am not ready to share it with you. I don’t think it affects my personality, or supposed dark issues I may have. Although I was recently told that I’m arrogant and self-centered, so who knows. As far as your issues are concerned, I appreciate the heads up.”

  It was Amanda’s turn to hesitate.

  “That’s it? You appreciate the heads up.” She stood up and walked around her chair, a hand on her chin. Alex coughed.

  “I’m not sure what you’re looking for at this point. You haven’t scared me away, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

  “Huh…” Amanda walked the room in a circle. Once, twice.

  Alex frowned in confusion. “W-“

  “Okay look, that was pitiful, Alex, but it was something. Let me know if you need any help with galactic conquest or whatever your up to in here.”

  Alex stared as Amanda walked out of the cabin and shut the door.

  ***

  The Destiny returned to the hanger just before daybreak. But it wasn’t the sun that came over the Florida horizon.

  “Flight is steady. On course.”

  The two men in the cockpit were reading lines from a printout. They were reciting information for the benefit of the cockpit recorder they knew would be scrutinized later. One of them flipped a red switch in their hand. A warning light began beeping in the cockpit.

  “Engine two fire. Pull extinguishers.”

  “Pulling!”

  “Shutting down engine two.” A few seconds passed.

  “Fire is not extinguished!”

  Suddenly the engine exploded. Parts flew in all directions. Some punctured the body of the aircraft.

  “Breach alarm!” the pilot shouted.

  The pilot made sure the plane was on a direct course for their target.

  “I can’t keep her steady. She’s pulling right!”

  The pilot allowed the plane to pull right slightly.

  “Sixteen thousand feet and falling.”

  “Max thrust on the second engine. Bring us to the nearest airport and declare an emergency.”

  “Losing pressure on the second engine. We are losing thrust.” The pilot was relieved, that was the tricky part of the assignment. To weaken the line just enough for failure at max thrust, but not enough to affect it during normal flight. The pilot confirmed the plane was on course to its target.

  “Passing five thousand feet, still losing pressure. I’ve got minimal control. We need to jump now or we die.”

  “What if it lands in a neighborhood?” The co-pilot asked keeping to the script.

  “It looks clear up ahead, heading towards a field. We are good.”

  “Okay. Lets go.”

  The pilots were already strapped into the parachutes that had been supplied. They jumped from the back loading ramp. When they pulled the chute cords, nothing happened. It occurred to the lead pilot that this must of been part of the plan all along. He cursed himself for not having foreseen it. They both were killed instantly when they hit the ground.

  The plane continued its locked in course.

  The UEF front gate security guard noticed the fire in the sky first. It was getting bigger. It wasn’t the sun, aircraft lights were twinkling, and flames swirling behind the plane.

  The gate guard left the guard house at a sprint.

  The cargo plane made contact with the ground about twenty meters away from the hangar building. Its right wing disintegrated as it collapsed into the ground. The majority of the plane mase direct contact with the hangar itself. In the explosion, nearly the entire facility was destroyed.

  Those camped out near the front gate looked on in horror.

  ***

  “Hello. As many of you know, some time ago me and my friends figured out a way to get into space using this.”

  Drake smiled at the image on his huge flat screen. The video showed Alex holding up a nine volt battery. He was one of billions around the planet who had tuned in to Global News that evening for a special broadcast that had been advertised since the previous day.

  To make matters worse, the UE
F compound in Florida had been demolished earlier that day by a cargo plane whose engines had mysteriously failed. It was clearly no accident, but no one had claimed responsibility. Up until this moment, the world assumed the Destiny and the entire crew had been inside at the time. Drake was confident his son was fine. He was more concerned about whether the powers that be would allow this three-hour broadcast to proceed.

  “It’s fair to say that the years since then have been something of a rollercoaster,” the image of Alex was saying. “The majority was spent hiding from government agents. Finally, our true exploration could begin. We have already achieved spectacular things. On Mars, we discovered the very first alien life, the so-called worm. Unfortunately, the government refused to let us share this wondrous discovery with the public, stealing it before our research could really get underway. The same thing played out on Titan, the breathtaking moon of Saturn. We found a slime of sorts, but it was taken before we could determine if it was life or simply a compound.”

  Alex’s ongoing narration was accompanied by images of the things he described.

  “On our third mission, we discovered something that will change the world. Once again, we were immediately targeted on our return to Earth. You will be glad to know that the flagrant and murderous attempt on our lives failed. We have relocated to a base in international waters, and, eventually, we hope to move our operations off-world entirely.”

  Drake smiled again as he leaned back into his plush sofa. This was going to be interesting.

  “I now have the responsibility of showing you what happened on our latest mission. To be sure there are no misconceptions, we have decided to show you in raw video everything we discovered. The full footage of the last few weeks is currently being uploaded to the site. You can peruse it at your leisure.”

  The broadcast proceeded to show an edited, but exhaustive summary of the events leading up to the discovery and alliance with Kalibri. Drake’s mouth fell increasingly wide open. At one point, he noticed the image flicker. He didn’t know that this was the moment when Global New’s backup generator had cut in to keep the broadcast running. The local grid had mysteriously suffered a blackout.