by Ken Lozito
In preparation for facing the Vemus, they’d removed critical infrastructure components, such as 3D printers and stockpiles of both raw and refined materials, in addition to essentials like food and water. Not everything could be moved, and the sacrifice by the soldiers and colonists who’d stayed behind was not easily quantifiable, but New Haven had been rebuilt in a short time span.
Connor gazed at the New Haven skyline. Unlike Sierra, which had more of a metropolitan skyline, New Haven was a sprawling city whose buildings were more widespread. There were few high-rise structures, but there was more of an architectural flair to the buildings, denoting the fact that they’d been built for beauty as much as necessity. The result was many colorful rooftops resembling an artist’s palette that complemented the New Earth countryside.
New Haven was known for its picturesque views of the western foothills that led to a mountainous region, but it was the massive freshwater lake near the city that appealed to the colonists. Calling it a lake was a stretch due to the fact that its surface area was over two hundred thousand square kilometers. The body of water was more akin to that of an inland sea than a lake, even a Great Lake at that. Connor had never spent a lot of time in the city other than to do an evaluation of how best to defend it from invasion, but the people who lived there had a great affinity for living by large bodies of water. There were even quite a few sailors who raced all sizes of sailing ships as a sort of throwback to a much less technological time.
Connor spotted New Haven’s Harbor District as they flew toward the mayor’s offices away from the coast. Carl Flint set the troop carrier down at the designated landing area, and they all left the ship.
Rollins cleared his throat. “Is this an ‘all hands’ kind of meeting, or can we explore a bit?”
Connor gave Rollins a wry grin. “Longing for a walk on the beach?”
“Depends who I get to walk with.”
Connor nodded. “That’s fine. Diaz and Lockwood, you’re with me. This will likely take a few hours. Flint, see about getting us some supplies. Rollins and Sims, you guys get to relax on the beach.”
The two men glanced at each other for a moment.
“Seriously,” Connor continued. “I want you to go to a few of the local hangouts and see if you can learn anything useful, particularly anything NEIIS related.”
“So not really relaxing. We’re doing reconnaissance,” Sims said.
“If you’d rather come to the meeting and be stuck in an office all day, that’s fine with me.”
Rollins shook his head quickly. “I’d rather dance with a ryklar. Have fun.”
Rollins and Sims left them, and Flint said he would keep an eye on them.
“Excuse me, Mr. Gates,” Lockwood said.
“You can use my first name, you know.”
Lockwood’s mouth opened, making a very good impression of a fish out of water, and he shook his head. “If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d rather not. I’m also not sure how much use I’ll be at this meeting. I’d rather do some further analysis of the data you retrieved.”
“If you come with me, you’ll get to do both. I want the data close by, and I don’t want to take any chances by leaving you alone on the troop carrier.”
Lockwood frowned. “Do you think someone would—”
Connor shook his head. “No, but I don’t want to take any chances. That data is too important, and it’s evidence. If you learn something while we’re inside, it could be useful. Plus, another pair of ears listening in isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
“Yes, sir.”
Diaz shrugged and bobbed his head. “You’re one of the lucky ones. Come on, let’s go.”
The mayor’s office was only a short ten-minute walk from the landing area. Various species of New Earth trees lined the main thoroughfare leading up to the mayor’s office. The air was a bit more humid than Connor was used to but not oppressively so. A wide stone staircase led to their destination, and a group of Field Ops agents met them at the top.
A brown-haired woman with tanned skin, freckles, and a friendly face smiled in greeting. “Mayor Gates, I’m Faith Bowers, Director of Field Operations here at New Haven. Ms. Larson asked me to come meet you.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Director Bowers,” Connor said and introduced Diaz and Lockwood.
“We were rather surprised to hear of your impromptu visit,” Director Bowers said as she led them inside the building.
“I’m sorry about that. It was spur of the moment, but it’s important,” Connor replied.
Connor couldn’t pin it down in his mind, but he felt that something was off about Faith Bowers. She seemed friendly enough, but at the same time, she was a bit standoffish. No, not that. She was rigid, as if she were anticipating some sort of attack.
He followed her through the building and noticed that two more Field Ops agents brought up the rear. The people who worked there hardly paid Connor any mind as they walked to and fro, going about their own business.
Connor spotted a familiar face walking toward him. The young man was tall, easily taller than Connor. He had short, straw-colored hair, and his eyes widened when he recognized Connor.
“Lars Mallory,” Connor said with a smile, crossing the corridor toward the young man. He glanced back over his shoulder and looked at Director Bowers. “I’ll be along in a few minutes.”
The Director of Field Ops considered this for a moment and then continued on. Diaz and Lockwood followed her. One of the Field Ops agents stayed a short distance out of earshot from Connor.
Lars extended his hand and Connor shook it. “I didn’t expect to see you in New Haven. I thought you stayed relatively close to home these days.”
“Ordinarily yes, but here I am,” Connor replied, glancing at the security agent for a moment before continuing. “I heard you have a new job these days. You’re no longer with Field Operations.”
Lars nodded. “I’m with the Colonial Intelligence Bureau now, working directly for Meredith Cain.”
“They’re supposed to help coordinate information between the CDF, Field Ops, and civilian groups. Seems like a good fit for you, given how long you’ve been with Field Ops.”
Lars smiled, and for a moment Connor was reminded of a much younger man who wasn’t so seasoned by colonial living. Lars had stayed in Field Ops, working with his father to help prepare the colony against the threat of invasion. Connor had never been sure whether that decision was more Franklin Mallory’s or his son’s.
“It was a few years, to be sure, but I eventually took my cue from Sean and had to do something else,” Lars said.
“I’m sure Franklin is very proud of you no matter what you do. Listen, I have to go now, but will you be around later? I’d love to catch up.”
“I'm sorry. I have to leave right away. I’m actually on my way back to Sierra, but it was really good to see you, Connor.”
Lars left him, and Connor continued onward, giving the Field Ops agent a nod as he walked down the corridor. Connor let out a slight grin as he remembered the first time he’d met Lars, along with Noah and Sean, on his first shuttle trip from the Ark to New Earth. He’d thought they were misfits, brimming with excitement and eager to explore their new home, but all of them had grown up to be remarkable men.
Connor’s thoughts shifted to Tobias for a moment, and a dull pang twisted in his chest. Sean had watched his father die after the battle in Sierra, and Connor thought about his own son’s final moments before he died fighting the Vemus. He vowed inwardly—as he’d done countless times before—to be a better father to his unborn daughter than he’d been to his deceased son.
Sean Quinn was on deployment in command of the CDF heavy cruiser Vigilant. Connor made a mental note to send Sean a message, just to check in. Sean had been at his side for almost his entire career in the CDF, and he missed the young man. In many ways, Connor looked at Sean Quinn as the son he’d never gotten to raise.
He blew out a breath and brought his mind to th
e task at hand. The secretary sitting outside the mayor’s office smiled and gestured for him to go through the door.
The mayor’s office was a large room with a broad wooden desk. Sunlight came in through the windows behind the desk, which showed a panoramic if distant view of the harbor. Several plush couches and chairs were placed near a decorative fireplace. Diaz and Lockwood were seated on one of the couches.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I ran into an old friend on the way here. Lars Mallory,” Connor said.
Mayor Larson had a pageboy haircut that reached the dark skin of her chin. Her brown eyes narrowed in thought for a moment. “Franklin Mallory’s son. I didn’t know he was here,” she said and glanced at Faith Bowers.
“He said he was working for the Colonial Intelligence Bureau,” Connor said.
“I’ll find out why he was here,” Faith said and looked away from them.
Mayor Larson looked at Connor. “Mr. Gates, my schedule is somewhat packed, but I’ve managed to squeeze you in, even though I have no idea what this meeting is about. What can I do for you?”
Connor used his implants to activate the suppressor, which would block out anyone who could be listening in remotely. “I have a very serious matter to discuss with you.” He went on to tell them about the evidence of spying they’d found in Sanctuary’s computer systems, as well as in a few key locations in Sierra. Mayor Larson listened but remained impassive while Connor spoke. He used a holoprojector to show a sample of the evidence he’d gathered. Once he was finished, he waited for Mayor Larson to say something.
Larson glanced at Bowers for a moment and then shook her head. “Things were much simpler when we were just a colony.” She sighed. “I’m not sure what you expect from me. What is it that you’re asking for?”
“I was hoping you’d allow me and my team to search for any kind of tampering in your own systems here at New Haven.”
Larson’s eyes flashed angrily. “That is absolutely out of the question. The troubles you’re facing at Sanctuary are not here, and I don’t want you to bring them here.”
Connor frowned. “Aren’t you the least bit curious to see if it’s happening here?”
“I have nothing to hide, and neither does my staff.”
“That’s not the point. The point is that someone is spying on us. And not just people like you and me; it’s also private citizens, which is wrong.”
Larson regarded him for a moment. “Indeed, and you learned this by doing what, exactly?”
Connor leaned back in his chair. She didn’t trust him. “I know what to look for.”
Larson leaned forward. “That’s exactly my point. You’ve given someone a reason to be interested in what you’re doing. You’ve been at the heart of most of the conflicts that affect the colony. Your actions have lasting effects on all of us, especially on those of us who just want to live here in peace. You’ve come to me with these accusations and evidence, but the implications of what you’re doing will promote unrest in the colony when we should be focused on moving forward. I’m well aware of the political climate in Sierra.”
Connor gathered his thoughts for a few moments. “The reason I came here was to make you aware of the issue. If you won’t allow me to look into it for you, then I urge you to look into it for yourself. I realize this isn’t easy, and it could make a great many people uncomfortable, but that’s how we effect change. It’s our responsibility as elected leaders.”
Connor watched as Larson shared a look with Bowers. “I have no doubt that you could do a very thorough job of analyzing our systems for signs of intrusion. However, this is something I won’t be authorizing. Would you be prepared to share those tools with us?”
“Of course.”
“What about your investigations into NEIIS bunkers?”
Connor frowned. He hadn’t anticipated the conversation going in this direction. “I’m not sure what you’re asking.”
Larson glanced toward the door. “Please send him in.”
The mayor’s secretary opened the door, and an older man walked through. He had gunmetal gray hair and tan skin. He wore light-colored field clothing of the type normally used by people who spent a great deal of time away from cities.
“This is Gordon Summers. He’s in charge of several archaeological dig sites that are NEIIS-related and can better explain what he needs,” Larson said.
Gordon walked over and sat down in an empty chair. “Thank you,” he said, his deep baritone voice distinct. He gave Connor and the others a friendly nod. “I’m quite familiar with your work, Mr. Gates. And I’ve had occasion to confer with Dr. Bishop. The quick and dirty version of this is that we’ve found a NEIIS site that represents a significant find.” Gordon paused and glanced at Larson. “A find that could greatly increase our understanding of the NEIIS.”
“Are there stasis pods?” Connor asked.
“That’s not important,” Larson said.
Gordon gave her a patient look and then turned back to Connor. “Yes, there are. We haven’t touched them, but we’ve ensured that they remained powered so there’s no further loss of NEIIS life. What I’d like from you is the tech that you used to translate the NEIIS interface.”
“The translator is freely available—”
“We’ve tried what’s available, but this is something different,” Gordon said.
“I can take a look at it if you like,” Connor offered.
“That is absolutely out of the question,” Larson said harshly. “The last thing we want is for you to be involved in events relating to the NEIIS. Especially those with stasis pods.”
Connor drew in a deep breath. He needed to be patient, but after nearly six months he was getting tired of dealing with the opinions of people who hadn’t been directly involved in the events for which he was being judged.
Mayor Larson held up her hand. “There’s no need to explain what happened. I’ve seen the reports.”
“Yeah, but you weren’t there,” Diaz said, speaking up for the first time in the meeting.
“It’s not as simple as handing over a translator, as no doubt your lead archaeologist has already told you,” Connor said, preferring not to get into a debate about what had occurred months ago.
“Things are rarely simple when it comes to the NEIIS, but I cannot authorize your presence at a NEIIS site,” Larson said.
“What do you mean you can’t authorize me?”
Larson looked as if she’d swallowed something bitter. “I promised the ONI that if we were to make any NEIIS-related finds, I wouldn’t involve you. In return for our cooperation, we were given certain concessions and support for future endeavors crucial to this city.”
“You can’t be serious,” Diaz said. “You wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for Connor.”
“I’m sorry, but this is how it is.”
Gordon Summers grimaced. “Come on, Jean, we’ve really hit a roadblock here.”
Larson’s brows pulled together tightly, and Connor almost thought he saw a hint of regret. “Will that be all, Mr. Gates?”
Connor stood up. “I don’t know what else is going on here, specifically what deal you’ve made with the ONI, but I do urge you to check your own systems for signs of tampering. One city shouldn’t be beholden to another. Help can be a two-way street, but if you’re unwilling to work with me, then I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
Mayor Larson stood up. “That’s unfortunate, but I cannot be drawn into a conflict between you and those in Sierra.”
“And that’s your prerogative, but you can only stay on the sidelines for so long. I appreciate your time, Mayor. I’ll show myself out,” Connor said.
Gordon looked as if he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself and glared at the mayor.
Connor walked out of the office, Diaz and Lockwood following. How had that meeting gone to crap so fast? The colony had been divided over the events that occurred at the NEIIS military bunker, but there seemed to be a general consensus fr
om a large portion of the colony that Connor had crossed the line despite the evidence and testimonies of the people who’d been there. The NEIIS they’d encountered hadn’t been interested in peaceful coexistence; in fact, they hadn’t seemed interested in communicating at all. Yet the general consensus was that Connor was to blame, as if he had somehow invited conflict. He’d thought that with time such opinions would fade, but evidently much more time needed to pass in order for those attitudes to change. Coming here had been a waste of time. He wondered if he’d have any better luck with the mayor of Delphi—Franklin Mallory was there and would at least consider what Connor was saying before dismissing it outright.
“You can’t win them all,” Diaz said.
“I guess not, but that was almost uncivil.”
Lockwood looked as if he was about to speak.
“What do you think?” Connor asked him.
“I think she just needs time to consider what you said. I think a good-faith gesture like giving them the tools to examine their own systems would help. Nothing to lose by that and a great deal to gain in the long run.”
Connor regarded the young man for a moment and then nodded. Hopefully, he was right, but right now he was just frustrated. He glanced back down the long corridor to the mayor’s offices and grinned. “I guess we’re not the only ones hiding certain NEIIS-related discoveries.”
Diaz’s eyebrows rose. “You think that’s what this is about?”
“Makes sense. I wonder what they found.”
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to go poking around here. Not if you want Larson’s help in the future.”
“Probably not,” Connor said in agreement.
“So what happens now?” Lockwood asked.
“We’ll head back to the ship. I want some time to see if there’s anything in our database that indicates NEIIS bunkers located near here. I didn’t think there were,” Connor said.
He’d give Larson a few hours to reconsider. Perhaps someone from the mayor’s office would contact them, but he wasn’t going to wait much longer than that.
