Silver Search

by Rock Whitehouse

  There was a long silence before Ben spoke again. "The moons, Lieutenant, the moons."

  "No! Surely Antares would have mapped them?" Joanne's voice showed a combination of surprise and concern.

  Marco went back to his station and retrieved the detailed surveillance images on the moons from Antares' first visit. There wasn't much. The moons had all been mapped but at a relatively low resolution. It just hadn't been a priority.

  Ann's surprise was clear in her voice. "Oh my God."

  "I could not agree more, Lieutenant," Ben said quietly.

  "What now?" Joanne asked.

  Ben turned to Marco. "OK, so they're almost all tidally locked, right? Same face always towards Big Blue, just like at home."

  "Yes, so?"

  "So, would that not be a perfect platform for an observation post? Sort of, a Sigma Sphere on the ground?"

  "I suppose, but really, even a moon that rotates would probably do."

  Ben shook his head, still looking at the data. "No, if I were planting one, I would not want blind spots that could be exploited."

  "OK, so, big moon, or small?" Joanne asked.

  "Big. Easier to conceal something that size on a large surface," Ann responded after a moment. "A Sigma Sphere on the surface would stick out on some of these smaller bodies. On Little Gray or one of the other larger ones, they might be able to hide it somehow."

  "So, start with Little Gray?" Marco asked.

  "Yes. And hope to God they haven't seen us already."

  "But, let's not tip our hand," Joanne said. "We'll go into a high orbit, say, half-way up, same plane as the moons but counter-direction? "

  "Makes sense to me, Captain," Ben answered.

  They made one last pass over Big Blue, checking that the evening cooking fires were where they belonged. Reassured by their presence, Intrepid moved into a high orbit and began studying the moons in detail.

  Intrepid

  Big Blue

  Saturday, November 26, 2078, 1935 UTC

  "What the hell is that?" Ben heard one of the Surveillance techs say. He walked over as the tech put the image on the display.

  "Spectrum matches," said the other tech on duty.

  "So, it's enemy?"

  "By the book, Mr. Price, yes, it is."

  Tucked near the tall outside wall of a crater, nearly dead-center in the face of Little Gray, there was a dome. There were dark spots on top, presumably windows or viewing ports.

  "There ain't no natural domes like that. Craters can be really, really, round, like to a few percent, but domes? Domes just ain't natural."

  "Especially domes with windows?"

  "Gotta admit, it looks pretty suspicious."

  Joanne joined them.

  "OK, gentlemen, what now?" she asked.

  "We keep looking," Gonzales said firmly. "Yes, we found this one. That doesn't mean there aren't others."

  Ben nodded. "Yes, I agree. We should finish examining Little Gray and then all the others."

  "And then?"

  "Well, Captain, I'd love to just smoke the bastards, but we really should ask FleetIntel what they think."

  "They'll tell you to leave it in place," Ann said, having arrived about halfway through the conversation. "Basic counter-intelligence: leave the enemy's asset in place until we can either exploit it or we really have to kill it."

  "Yes, I agree," Ben commented.

  Ann went on. "If we kill it now, we both tell them we know it's there and we give them a chance to replace it with something better that we won't find."

  Joanne nodded her agreement. "OK, let's wait until we've completed the survey, then we'll send a quick message home. Do we think the enemy is copying our SLIP messages like we are theirs?"

  Ben answered, "Not enough data to say either way. They know we have SLIP, for sure, but beyond that, no proof. Harris has always insisted that we assume they are, but, in truth, we don't know."

  "OK, that's how we'll play it."

  "We still need to finish mapping Little Gray, then do the others."

  "Yes, Marco, I agree. We check everywhere. When we're done, I'll signal FleetIntel and see what they say."

  Ben had been on duty for twenty hours, so he headed for his cabin for some rest, but not before a short stop in the Weapons Maintenance office.

  Joanne returned to the command position and spent a couple hours watching the Surveillance team work their process on the little moon. She briefed XO Bass when he came on for the midnight Conn shift, then retired to her duty cabin. It had been a long and eventful day.

  Intrepid

  Big Blue

  Sunday, November 27, 2078, 0630 UTC

  After they completed the survey of Little Gray, Joanne decided that they would proceed with the deployment of the Sentinel. She wanted it in place and working as soon as possible. Once that was set, they would finish surveying the other moons and then visit the Seekers to let them know how to contact their new friends.

  Putting the Sentinel out was like a day at an amusement park for Ann. She'd read the final procedure that Ben and Natalie had devised, of course, but to watch it in person was a treat for her. She buried her head in the Sentinel to connect the RTG as Ben talked her through the procedure, with Natalie looking on from the other side. This was what Ann had wanted to do all along. She rode out with Natalie in the shuttle to deploy it, and had a chance to watch it orient itself and begin its lonely, monotonous, invaluable work.

  As they got out of the shuttle back in the hangar, Ann gave Natalie a massive hug.

  "That was GREAT!" she exclaimed.

  Natalie smiled and returned Ann's embrace. "Well, it was your idea, after all!"

  After the half-day excursion to install the Sentinel, they returned to mapping, and it took them another day to survey the rest of the moons in detail. They now knew that there were no other facilities on Little Gray or any of the other small bodies that orbited Big Blue. Joanne sent a message to FleetIntel, asking what to do with the dome they had seen.

  "I also requested instructions on where they want us to go from here," she reported to the wardroom. "But, with a full rifle platoon aboard, I have to think they'll order us back home. I can't keep them cooped up forever."

  December 2078

  ISC Fleet HQ Office of the Commander in Chief

  Ft. Eustis, VA

  Thursday, December 1, 2078, 0930 EST

  New Admiral Kieran Barker met with Fiona Collins in Plans and together they created a new search plan to satisfy CINC's requirements. This plan used a less randomized and much more efficient routing. It deliberately included stops at Kapteyn, Inor, and Tranquility II to give the crews relief from the monotony of transits. The training and education plan that Joanne Henderson had started months before was useful, but one could only study and exercise so much before boredom naturally began to creep in.

  Ron Harris's staff provided the locations of all known enemy observation posts, the so-called 'Sigma Spheres,' and they would be paying special attention to those. They needed a more precise definition of their orbits so they could be easily found later.

  By late November Aurora had already deployed four more Sentinels, and FleetIntel expected all eight to be released by mid-January. Harris argued strongly that any offensive should be delayed until all of the new Sentinels were operational, and Cobra had completed its mission to Alpha Mensae. Both had the potential to change their understanding of the enemy, their location and behaviors, and their weaknesses. But Cobra would likely not return until late February or early March. CINC wanted an attack before that, and further discussions had not moved him from that opinion. If Barker really wanted to wait, he'd have to push CINC much harder than he had so far.

  Barker made his initial report to CINC on December 1st as ordered. His staff was now complete. Harry Hess had agreed to join him as his Chief of Staff, Operations Officer, and de facto deputy. As long as they didn't ask Harry to put on a star, he'd go. Not happily, as he loved Yorktown like a mistress, but he'
d go.

  The same could not be said for several ship commanders Barker tried to recruit. Terri Michael, in particular, expressed her support for him but would not come unless ordered by CINC. Mark Rhodes said something similar, something about prying Chaffee from his 'cold dead hands.' They all wanted to stay with their ships, and Kieran, who had been ordered by CINC to take the southern theater post, respected that.

  On the other hand, Elias Peña agreed to come over from FleetIntel, which, along with Evans' new assignment commanding Cobra, seriously depleted Ron Harris' senior staff. He didn't care, he said; he had great people, and they'd manage just fine. CINC could find him some new blood whenever he had the time, according to Ron. Elias was glad to get off Earth, away from his personal distractions. He'd have arm-wrestled any other candidate for a chance to get on the front lines.

  Fleet Logistics sent Commander Ed Mendez, the Chief of Staff, to handle supply for Barker. They expected to have significant requirements, and Mendez would know how to make it happen. The ship that ISC had promised was undergoing the needed modifications and would be ready after the first of the year. Mendez and Barker talked at length about how best to use that asset, and how to integrate it with Barker's flagship. They decided to put Mendez in command of Ceres, and keep Barker's flagship and it together.

  "What I want to do, sir," he told CINC, "along with the flag vessel, is to keep one or two frigates in convoy with Ceres. They can hang out with us for a few days, a week, whatever, and then back to search or attack."

  "So, you're both protecting Ceres and giving them a small break?"

  "Exactly, sir."

  "Good, I like it. What are your thoughts on a flagship? You really need to decide, Kieran, so we can get them in place."

  "Well, Yorktown and Dunkirk are out right off, sir; too deep a connection with Harry and me."

  "OK, then, cruiser, destroyer, or frigate?"

  "Destroyer, I think. It can handle the additional staff I'll be bringing. Four additional Intel, then Hess and his three staff, my three assistants."

  "Right, that would get seriously tight on a frigate. So, who?"

  "Well, sir, might I ask your opinion? What's available?"

  "This is a major priority for the Fleet, Kieran. You can have whatever you want. But if you're asking what's immediate and not inconvenient..." Davenport continued while he pulled up his status display. "Antares and Intrepid have both been modified to carry more Marines. Let's skip those." The display populated with the current position and condition of every ship in the Fleet. "OK, so, Yankee is here, she's brand new and getting a new Captain, Jim George. Aquarius happens to be in orbit, but she's expected to leave, uh, tomorrow for the search."

  He paused as he read the display.

  "Mir is due back day after tomorrow, then a quick turnaround — three days then back out."

  "Ceres won't be ready until January, and the search is going already forward..."

  CINC set down his glasses and looked across his desk. "What are you thinking, Kieran?"

  "Smith is a young shit, you know, all smart-ass and guts."

  CINC nodded and smiled, crossing his arms. "Remind you of yourself?"

  Barker grinned slightly and looked out the window at the blowing snow. "He can be a real pain the ass, just like his friend Powell. But, he's not one to quit, and he ran that intel op on the wreck about as well as it could be run. Dicey thing, that, and they got what we needed."

  CINC leaned forward on his desk. "Well, Powell is going on the first trip on Cobra. I need to get them back before she leaves."

  "Well, then, sir, I'd like Columbia, if I can."

  "Columbia it is, then. When do you want them back here?"

  Barker smiled as the snow outside the window gave him an idea. "Oh, let's get them back for Christmas. It will be a small gift before they get the really bad news about being the flagship."

  CINC sent the message to Columbia but did not hold back the 'bad' part. Dan Smith should know what was up, and be able to prepare his crew for what was now ahead of them.

  Intrepid

  Big Blue

  Thursday, December 1, 2078, 1800 UTC

  The message back showed that Fleet clearly agreed with Joanne.

  PRIORITY 207811282200UTC

  TO: INTREPID

  FROM: CINCFLEET

  FLEETINTEL INSTRUCTIONS ARE TO LEAVE LITTLE GRAY FACILITY IN PLACE.

  IT WILL BE DESTROYED WHEN TACTICALLY NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE.

  LEAVE RADIO WITH EAAGHER THEN RTB EARTH YOUR EARLIEST

  CONVENIENCE TO DISEMBARK MARINES.

  END

  Joanne read the message to her officers before dinner on Friday.

  "What's the time on the surface right now?" Joanne asked.

  "Sunrise on Sol 93 where the survivors are was three hours ago, ma'am," Marco Gonzales said.

  "If you want to go today, we need to get on it," Ben said.

  "Where is Little Gray with respect to the Seekers' position?"

  "Uh...one second, ma'am," Gonzales checked his tablet. "Little Gray set about three hours ago."

  "So, we have, say, twenty-one hours before it rises again?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "OK, Lieutenant Covington, get us in a position over the Seekers. Ben, you'll lead the discussion with Eaagher. Natalie, you'll fly this mission."

  Joanne turned to her left. "Ann, are you interested in going to the surface?"

  Her excitement at this invitation was obvious in her voice. "Yes, ma'am. I can help explain the radio procedure to Eaagher."

  "The Sentinel is up?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "OK, the three of you get down there and get back. I get all creepy knowing the enemy might be watching."

  Big Blue

  Seeker Beach

  Friday, December 2, 2078, 0100 UTC

  The arrival of the Intrepid shuttle, well ahead of the normal fishing time, was a surprise. The few Seekers on the beach moved away as it landed. As the three humans walked to the place Antares had described, body-cams running, the child they knew had to be Ullnii came out.

  She called "Callol! Yames! Grag!" as she looked from face to face. Finally, she stopped, her disappointment at seeing no familiar faces obvious.

  Ben, remembering his instructions, waved his right hand 'No,' said "Eaagher," and touched his forehead. It all seemed very awkward and overly complex, but the little girl waved her left hand and went back into the brush at the edge of the low forest.

  "Oh my God, the eyes!" Ann said quietly after Ullnii left.

  Natalie agreed. "Yes, amazing."

  Eaagher returned a few minutes later with two of his guards, carrying the word signs Greg Cordero had left with him. Greg had also left a Fleet tablet with the translation application. Eaagher handed it over to Ben.

  "Eaagher," the Seeker said and touched his forehead.

  "Ben."

  Eaagher lifted his left hand. "Benh."

  Ben typed on the tablet, then pointed to the handheld radio in Ann's hand.

  "You may contact Friends this device."

  Eaagher pulled the 'happy' sign and pointed to it. Ben smiled and lifted his left hand.

  Ann came forward and said, "Ann," as she touched her forehead.

  Seekers didn't smile the way humans do, but Eaagher was pleased with the respect this female had shown him, introducing herself properly. Their oohmann friends were learning, and this seemed to confirm his hope that they were 'good.' He tilted his head to the left and responded, "Eaagher."

  Ann was able to show Eaagher how to use the radio with the liberal use of the 'Yes' and 'No' signs, along with 'On' and 'Off.' Eaagher understood quickly what was being asked of him. The Seekers once had radio, Ann knew, so this was not an idea that was foreign to them. Natalie watched all this from a small distance, her earpiece on the ship's tactical frequency. Ann had Eaagher speak into the radio, and Communications Officer Jesse Woodward confirmed that it worked by answering Eaagher's message with his name. Again
, he inclined his head and made the laughing gesture, accompanied by a mid-range rumble in his throat.

  "Is he laughing?" Natalie asked.

  "I think so," Ben answered, "But Cordero didn't mention a sound, just the gesture." Ben touched the 'happy' sign and touched his forehead.

  Yes.

  Ben typed, "Friends home far. Message to Friends must travel one and one-half sun."

  Eaagher wrote his response and touched his forehead.

  Suns Friends future come?

  Ben turned to Ann. "I think he's asking how long for us to come if he sends us a message."

  "Well, it's twenty-two-plus days, so, twelve Sols?"

  "OK." Ben typed "twelve suns" and put it in front of Eaagher.

  Hard faces kill many 14 suns.

  Ben looked at the message and then showed it to Ann and Natalie.

  "That's the hard truth, Ben," Ann answered.

  Joanne and her Bridge crew were casually watching the body-cam feed from the surface, listening as Ben did his best Greg Cordero impression, when the Surveillance console lit up with alarms. Marco Gonzales jumped in response and ran back to his position.

  "Captain, we have multiple IR transients. I read them as four enemy ships arriving."

  "Four?" Joanne exclaimed. "Jesse, get Ben on the line and tell him to wrap it up."

  Ben waved his left hand in response to Eaagher's comment, then turned suddenly, holding his ear.

  To Eaagher's eyes, all three humans turned suddenly away as if stricken in pain. He saw how they held their ears, and he knew from the first visit that they had devices that let them hear their leader. Whatever had just happened must be bad, and might be dangerous. He called Ullnii to his side. There was a rapid conversation between them, and they frequently looked back at Ullnii and him.

  Joanne put on her headset. "Ben! We have company. Four Type I's just arrived."

  "We best get the hell out of here, Captain. We can't let them see a shuttle here."

  "Agreed."

  "We can't just come back — we'd be leading them right to you."