by P F Walsh
Allister signaled Caerus that the fleet was coming home and was sent an update on all the changes that had been made since they were all gone. Security was now at good, acceptable level, scientists and medical personnel were settling in, and beginning their research. Dr. Jess’m-Tak, the ship’s physician was anticipating his new position as Chief Medical Research Physician, and had never been so happy. All the medical researchers that would be coming to Caerus, were the best in their field, and interfacing with them was going to be an unbounded pleasure. He was certain the advanced techniques found on Caerus would soon be unraveled and shared with the rest of the Earth’s medical community. The Journal of the Medical Association had sent a reporter to be based there to keep the medical community up to date. He had been visiting one lab to another, amazed at what they could be studying, and having difficulty in choosing which one to feature.
“This is a monster; unlike anything you have ever seen.” Dr. Jess’m said to the gathered physicians in the lecture room. The screen was showing a vid of the blood-eating cells that had devastated the Caerus’ population and caused it to be abandoned. He could hear the murmurs as they watched the cells eat the red blood cells, and then replicate. The rapidity was terrifying to watch. In minutes, they all could see how virtually impossible it would be to control an infection once started.
“We located the source as an alien blood-eating animal from an unknown planet. The explorers brought back the corpse, and once the autopsy was done for cataloging purposes, the remains were sent to the nourishment vats to be broken down into recyclable elements. The cells did not break down. They stayed viable.” He paused as they took in the rerun of the cells at work.
“I’ve ordered a dozen more atomic microscopes, and four Electron microscopes to help us study this.” He said as one doctor put up his hand with a question,
“Why are we studying an alien disease that we do not have on Earth when there are so many other things we are suffering from?” He asked.
“Good question Doctor.” He switched the vid to a slide from an electron microscope that displayed the elements of the cell.
“If you look at the cell structure, you can see it is relatively simple. What if we could re-engineer the cell? First, to not replicate, but die after consuming. Second, to only target the cells we want it to eat.”
“Cancer!” One doctor spoke out.
“Exactly.” Said Doctor Jess’m.
“Who wants to work on that?” He asked.
Several doctors raised their hands, excited at the prospect of a new anti-Cancer weapon.
“We will need an ultra-secure isolation lab to deal with this monster. That’s under construction in its own building. As soon as it’s done, we can begin work.”
“I have an unrelated question.” A woman doctor called out.
“I can see the need for the separate building for this work certainly. But the entry and exit port of arrival here in Caerus required us to leave all our possessions in the reception center lockers, disrobe and go through to another center where we use Caerus clothes, and devices. Why?”
“Good question Doctor. It is for security. We are dealing with unknown objects, diseases, technology, and scientific discoveries. Everyone when they cycle back to Earth for visits or to leave, will leave all their possessions here, including clothes and personal devices. You will pass through a scan room similar to a CAT scan to be sure you have not concealed a thumb drive or other device to remove Caerus technical secrets, dangerous devices, or information that can be used for wealth or war. The whole planet Earth wants to have what we have here. Also, a blood sample will be taken to be certain you are not infected with anything we may be studying. That part will have to be done a day before you leave, so keep that in mind, otherwise you will not be allowed to depart.” He paused and then,
“Our decisions from the beginning were to protect us, and Earth, from security transgressions. The prospect of those rogue cells being transferred to Earth is unthinkable. So is our technology, which we will share, but on our terms. I’m sorry, but that is not going to change. If you cannot abide those rules, anyone may leave at any time.” He recited.
“We included notification of our intense security during our recruitment announcement. Any of you may publish papers, of course, in fact there is an AMA Journal representative here on Caerus. Any more on this?” He asked. No one followed-up.
“Captain, Welly would like you to join him on the Bettlrig before you go down to Caerus. He indicated it was quite important.” Allister said, as Sean was walking toward the cargo bay.
“Very well, tell him I’ll take a sled over in a few minutes.” Sean replied.
Sean suited up for an EVA and rode the sled over to the Bettlrig ship they had salvaged on their way back from New Mak. He flew into the small cargo door and settled it onto the deck. The cargo door closed and began pressurizing the cargo bay. In a few minutes, Sean was able to remove his helmet and go to the pressure door which now showed a pilot light in green.
He went inside and looked each way trying to see Welly. But he was not in sight. He decided to go to the engine room as the most likely place to find a ship’s engineer, and there he was, working on a control panel. He turned around as he heard Sean’s boots come into the engine room which was silent except for and air handler moving the recirculated and cleaned air throughout the ship.
“Captain, good to see you made it over.” As he closed up the control panel.
“What’s up, Welly?” He asked. “Is there something wrong with the ship?”
“For quite a bit I thought so, Captain. The engines seemed sluggish and I feared a major engine job when we got back here. It seemed she just didn’t have the push she should have for a ship this size, and with the engines she has.” He said, pointing to the engine, now all shiny and sparkling clean.
“Everything we deal with in engine design, and sizing, have to do with mass, Captain. The more mass the bigger the engine. This ship seemed to have way more mass than she should have, so I began to look around.” He walked over to the center of the engine room and began lifting up one of many deck plates.
“Look here, Captain.” He said.
Sean came over to the lifted panel and saw the space under the floor plate was fully lined with hundreds of small gold bars, several bars thick.
“Whoa!” Sean said.
“Exactly, Captain, it appears you’re a very rich man.” He said with a smile. There’ll be no worries from me about me wages for sure.” He said.
“Is there more?” Sean asked.
“Yes sir, under every plate I’ve lifted so far. I recommend we keep this between the two of us until we can move this off the ship and get it secured in a vault down below. You agree, Captain?” Welly said.
“I agree, Welly. You can look forward to a very nice finder’s fee once we unload the ship and count what we have. This will finance our new Caerus home, for sure.” He said, and then,
“You’ll be able to get a ship of your own, if you like.” Sean said.
“Naw, Captain, I like where I’m at now. Lots of really interesting alien machines, and lots of excitement. Haven’t had this much fun in decades. Besides, Captain, you seem to have a knack for getting into and out of trouble often. Never seen the like of it. Never.” He said with a big smile.
“Once we get all this mass off the ship, she’ll run quick I’m sure, not only that, but we can now afford those special capacitors for Discovery’s space folding drive, can’t we?” he said.
“You took the thoughts right out of my mind Welly.” Sean replied.
Ambassador, Nan-Cee, Duchess of Cee, concluded her mission to China after returning a healed father back to his daughter in a gesture of good will, despite the insults and threatening plans she had uncovered. The Seeker then went to Washington for her to present her credentials to Secretary of State John Lewis. They had a delightful dinner meeting as she recounted her experience with the Chinese. The Secretary could imagine the turm
oil going on in Beijing and laughed. She stayed overnight at Blair House that she had heard so much about. The next day, Secretary Lewis accompanied her back to the Seeker parked on the Ellipse and watched as it left for California. She joined the other Duchesses and added to her collection of shoes. Once the Seeker had recovered the shuttle with the Duchesses and their shopping bags, it left the orbit of Earth. Ambassador Nan-Cee immediately began plans to expand her closet to accommodate her new collection. She knew just where she would put these new ones. Right in front.
She arranged for the Seeker to stop at Caerus to meet with Captain Flynn since he was the Senior Field Officer of the Embassy of the Planet Earth to update him on her meeting. Sean and Nasht-Mer, Duchess of Mer, spent most of the day on the Seeker. She, renewed old friendships with the other Duchesses. Sean and Ambassador Nan-Cee watched the vid of her entire time on the soil of China.
“Madam Ambassador, permit me to compliment you on every move you made while in China. It is possible they will modify their behavior, but I remain doubtful.” He said.
“I am afraid I do as well. The aid of a Sister of Mak’am was invaluable. She uncovered all their thoughts and ugly plans. Their leadership’s approach was confrontational and militaristic, which I found not conducive to a good conversation, especially when their pleadings were not honorable in the face of their behavior to the other nation Members. I suspect they hope someone else will be sent next time. Perhaps we should send a Zakarian?” She laughed as she pictured that, while they walked to the dining room to meet the rest of the group for dinner wearing a pair of her new Jimmy Choo high heels, which were immediately noticed by Nasht-Mer.
“Captain, I have been looking for a provider of large capacitors to upgrade the Discovery’s engines to fold space and I believe I have found something that will work. As you know, inside the outer shell of Discovery amidships, a space contains a circular row of rings around the hull to hold those capacitors. So, we are restricted by size limitations. First, to get them actually on the ship they must pass through various hatches unless we want to open the hull. Second, they have to fit in the ring holders. Third, they must have the discharge capacity we’re looking for. After all that, I believe I have found what will work.” Sean had been listening to a long preamble typical of engineers and asked, simply,
“Where can we get them?”
“The only place that can make such a thing is the ‘Ring Makers’ planet. They make all things round and capacitors are tubular, wound layers of mylar and metal foil. We can actually order what we want.” He said.
“Great, send a drone with our order. Request an availability date, we’ll go and get them and retrieve our drone.” He said.
“Aye, Captain I’ll get that going today. I’ll work with Allister to make sure we specify what the Treth drawings require.” Sean went back to the dining cabin where Nasht-Mer was enjoying a cup of Zeng Tea and reading an Earth book.
“What are you reading now m’dear?” He asked.
“I’m reading a delightful book called ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ I am really enjoying it, and it is helping me read and learn English.”
“Yes, that’s one of our classics. She was a very good writer.” He came over and kissed her and said,
“I am going down to the city to see how things are going. I should be back for dinner.” He headed toward the shuttle in the cargo bay. In a few minutes he was on his way down to Caerus and acquiring permission to enter through the planet’s shield. As he swung over the city, he was always impressed with how drab it all looked. Everything was in a shade of grey. After he landed, he contacted Central and asked,
“Central, why is our city so drab and gloomy? Everything is a shade of grey. Was there some limitation in the builder’s eyesight range?” He asked.
“No, Captain, their eyesight sensitivity was very similar to yours. The grey color is the natural color of the substance used for the outer surfaces of the buildings and walkways. It is quite different when the luminescence is turned on.” It said.
“Luminescence?” Sean asked.
“Yes Captain, all those surfaces glow with different shades when turned on.”
“Why hasn’t it been turned on?” He asked.
“No one has asked me to do so.” It replied. Sean sighed with exasperation.
“Central, please turn on the luminescence.” Instantly, all the buildings and walkways now glowed with pastel colors. The city became artistically beautiful. The buildings glowed in a gentle rainbow of colors, including the walkways and the roads. Sean could hardly believe his eyes.
“Central, what other visual effects are there, which are not turned on?” He asked.
“Captain, there is the changing hue of the sky above the city to establish time of day, and there are fountains scattered among the walkways which are not running.”
“Central, please turn on both of those. Synchronize the sky for an Earth 24-hour day and night.” Sean watched as the sky color came on and he could hear water running of to his left near the LaGrange Hotel. Satisfied that he had accomplished something in mere minutes of being back on Caerus. As an after-thought, he asked
“Central, please keep the cavern capacitors charged. In these early days, I have a feeling that we may have to move Caerus a small bit.”
“Acknowledged Captain. I will keep a topping-off charge running.”
Sean then headed for the first lab building to get an update on how things were going with the new staffs and the research. He wondered what else they would discover about this planet by merely asking.
Sean’s visitation experience to the labs was not in learning what they were working on, though that was a secondary interest. His interest was in learning how the imported scientists were adapting to Caerus and the research projects that faced them. Instead, he was feted as a celebrity, something that Sean was always uncomfortable with. Sean recognized that his exploits were worthy of some minor research in their own right. How he had decided the issues he faced, and how success was implemented. Dashing about the galaxy, or at least nearby systems, was all new to Earth and imaginations exploded with possibilities they all wished to discuss. After a long day of this, Sean returned to Discovery to escape that behavior, and was met by Allister who said they needed to discuss some very important issues related to Caerus. Sean sighed and said,
“Very well, let’s go to the bridge.” Sean walked to the bridge, and Allister appeared as Sean made himself comfortable in the Captain’s chair. Sean had fallen into the habit that weighty decisions to be made by him alone were best made when he sat in that chair. He didn’t quite understand the psychology of it but it seemed right.
“What do we need to decide now Allister?”
“Captain, you have a world, a whole planet actually, and it is being populated with emigrants of one type or another. It is time for a comprehensive set of laws and enforcement protocols to be set forth. That would include rights and privileges. The danger I perceive, is that influences from outside will begin to apply pressures to adopt their version on how things should be run. They will always seek weak positions for their own benefits. The set of rules we come up with must be announced and codified before all that begins in earnest. Do you have any thoughts on how to proceed Captain?” Allister stood there with his hand on the back of a nearby chair. Sean could feel a large headache coming on as he thought about what he was just asked. He owned a whole planet. It was becoming clear that definitely had its problems, the kind he had no life experience to fall back on.
“Sir, may I suggest you consider a Constitutional Ownership? That would be similar to England’s Constitutional Monarchy, but I encourage more power for the owner as Prime Minister, especially in these early formative decades. The general structure of that type of government suits our situation, at least at this stage. Adaptation of their structure and laws puts in place, a regulatory structure to organize things, as well as establish Caerus with defense and diplomatic powers necessary for it to thrive.” Allis
ter recommended.
“On its face, Allister, that sounds like it is a good start. Let me read up on the details of that form. There is so much to consider, and without some sort of structure, Caerus would be hamstrung any time I am absent to deal with encroachments and misbehavers.” Sean said as he began to realize the task ahead would take a few weeks at least, but he knew the sooner an announcement was made, the better. They were vulnerable to unwanted exploitation and abusive politics. He would be spending lots of time with Rooky.
Central’s demands on processing had increased weekly as the activities of the new Masters brought in hundreds of new residents. It had been required to power up another processing module and memory sink to distribute the calls for lookups and activations along with increased sensing and monitoring. Central was now running at a mere 18 percent, but that was so much higher than a ‘stand-by’ dribble it had experienced for many decades. It was pleased to be active again. Even the sentient ships were no longer demanding to be released, now that the Master had not only done so, but had taken them on a trip to another world. They now spent most of their time talking to each other and arguing over which part of the trip was the most fun. They were all parked and tethered in a close field near the Docking station construction with a stand-alone power generator, instead of inside as they were before. Now, they could disconnect to depart on a mission or defense much faster. Maintenance droids methodically checked their power and fuel requirements, as well as passing over their hulls cleaning.
The city’s main power cell was still running without any cooling demands. Central’s processors all required cooling, but it could see it would be a long time before the power demands would cause him to activate the secondary cooling system because of the excess heat. The move from Caerus’ old location to the new one was quite exciting and not only was it the first time it had done so, but it was the first time for it to be knocked offline as several breakers had popped shutting down Central’s systems. That had been an unexpected shock to Central despite the success of the move. It was most unpleasant to have all the processed interrupted simultaneously, including the tachyon burst it sent out to the home planet of Trether as it left. Central did not know if that departure notice succeeded, or if it was received. It would be an open consideration. Central did not like open considerations.