by Dennis Young
“Crew complement?”
“One hundred ten, sir. Even for so small a crew, the station is very compact. We estimate the total volume to be no more than three thousand cubic meters.”
“People would get very friendly,” quipped Butler from the Nav station.
Westermann showed a wan smile. “Continue, Commander.”
“The planet as noted previously is extremely early Earth-like. No higher lifeforms, very young in development, perhaps three billion years, no more. Vegetation covers nearly two-thirds of the planet and is dense. Mountains are all young, seas show light salinity throughout. Currents are strong around the two major continents, lesser around three smaller. There is a single moon, about two thousand kilometers in diameter, which accounts for the tides and currents.”
“Shore leave,” said Butler, turning to Westermann. “When can we debark, Captain?” He showed a grin.
Westermann chuckled. “You can stay at the Nav station, Lieutenant, and make sure we maintain stable orbit. Very well, Commander, return to your station. Tactical, report on the Qoearc, if you have one.”
Sh'zaoqoq swiveled in her chair. “We were not followed, and I have no further information regarding the Qoearc’ status or location, sir.”
Lori Hamilton stepped onto the Bridge as the Tactical Officer gave her report. “Check this system thoroughly. We don’t want any surprises.”
Sh’zaoqoq looked to Westermann, who nodded. “Proceed. Give me a report as soon as you’ve completed your scan.” The captain glanced to Hamilton, now standing at his side. “Good morning.” He noted the coffee cup in her hands. “Have you made your rounds?”
“Just finished in Engineering, heading for Sickbay in a minute. Hyperlight power is up to ninety percent, environmental stable, accumulators are fully charged. We have weapons in case we need them.” She motioned to the planet. “Beautiful. Unspoiled. Where are we, exactly?”
Butler turned in his chair. “Free space, Commander. We’re about five light years outside Earth Alliance exploration, three light years from the closest Qoearc outpost, and a couple of light years from a Stiz colony.”
“Stiz?” Westermann shot a glance to his navigator. “Why didn’t you inform me of this earlier? Stiz are known hostiles to Earthfleet.”
Butler opened his mouth, but no words emerged. At last he managed to speak. “I… had not filed my daily report yet, sir, but was going to include it. I’ll do so now.” He turned back to his console, chagrined.
Westermann held his temper but looked sternly to Hamilton. She nodded. “Understood. We’ll take care of it.”
“Captain, I have new information regarding the station.” Xiaoli spoke from the Science console, continuing as Westermann nodded to her. “Scans have increased. I’m also detecting some previously unnoticed time-signatures. All very… fascinating.”
“Elaborate, please.”
Xiaoli once again watched the displays on her screens scrolling quickly by. “Difficult to explain or analyze. Please allow me a bit of time.”
“Do you need additional resources?” asked Hamilton.
“Tactical sensors would be helpful, yes.” Xiaoli looked to Sh’zaoqoq who quickly ran her hands over the controls.
“Patched in now, Commander.”
Xiaoli continued her scan as the Bridge grew quiet, waiting. At last she turned to Westermann. “Captain, I have no explanation for what I’m seeing. There are strong indications of time flowing in a different manner aboard the station, but I cannot confirm without…”
“Without what, Commander?” asked Hamilton, trading glances with the captain.
“Request permission to assemble a landing party and board the station to investigate. This is unprecedented, sir.”
Westermann shook his head. “Denied… for the moment. Continue your analysis and prepare a report before the end of your duty shift. Commander Hamilton will assist, and you can set up a team in the astrolab for further study.”
Hamilton motioned to the lift. “Commander, come with me. We’ll work together on this.”
They took their exit through the doors quickly. Westermann gave a look to Tactical, then the Nav station. “Lieutenant Butler, assist Commander Sh’zaoqoq and get me all the information you have on the Stiz whereabouts. I need it now.”
* * *
The vessel was here! It had appeared in normal space beyond the star’s gravitational pull, to within ninety-nine point nine nine percent. Surely this meant the “other space” propulsion would not operate within a gravity well. Or perhaps gravity acted adversely on the vessel if it attempted to do so. It might even cause its destruction. The station filed the information for further study.
The vessel assumed orbit about the planet, crossing the poles, obviously to map the planet’s surface. Therefore, the crew was interested in the planet, for resources or colonization or simply out of curiosity, the station could not know at this point. More questions to seek answers to later.
It took the opportunity to study the vessel more closely. The hull was similar in construction to the station’s own, but denser and thicker. Instrumentation was everywhere, not in antennae or pods as on the station, but in well-protected and concealed areas in strategic locations around the hull. Except for the large semi-disc, deep in a well-like enclosure in the underneath part of the ship. And somewhat vulnerable. Again, the station made note and filed the information.
But so much room! And occupied by less than five hundred life-forms. They were larger than the creators by about thirty percent. They moved more slowly, almost lethargically, compared to those who had crewed the station. The time-signatures were… strange. The station came to a decision; increase scanning power. A chance, surely, but the crew of the vessel would certainly be aware by now the station was watching them as they observed it. Even if they did appear to be moving in time differently.
Was this done purposely? Did the vessel’s crew have power over the flow of time?
As did the station’s creators?
* * *
Abol Ch'virrorh took time in Engineering to review Agincourt’s repairs with his Tec-Staff and confirm everything was “ship-shape”, as Captain Westermann liked to say. Once complete, and following twelve standard hours of duty and crawling through the power core after cooldown, he found his way to quarters, hoping for a real shower of hot water, some meditation, and sleep, for the first time in nearly a full day. What he found, as his bondmates would say, was welcome as challorn, an Arneci sweet-smelling flower.
Thevoss stood at the shower room entrance, draped in a heavy robe. She glowed. Her eyes, those near-black orbs of depth, shone as onyx. She smirked. “Cleanse yourself, as you stink of grease and sweat. I will not have you in my bed otherwise.”
Abol drew closer, laid his forehead to hers, and lightly touched her face. They stayed that way for moments, no words necessary, hands entwined at their sides, eyes closed, sharing breath between them.
Abol drew back slowly. “You are well? I cannot keep my mind from you, and worry every hour. Now we face danger and unknown.”
Thevoss studied him closely. “I am hardly the first female Arnec to carry a child. My mind says I know the way of this.” She showed a smile again.
“Our bondmates on the Base have been advised, yes? You know we will be reassigned once we return. It may mean the end of our shipboard careers. Arnec ministers may require our repatriation.”
“We may be slowed in our careers, but not stopped. With a child, would Fleet Base Twelve be such an unwelcome thing? Do you wish to chase our child through the phase coils and down the catwalks?” Thevoss grinned.
Abol didn’t return her smile. “We should think carefully about this. Arnec would be the best place for us until the birth. Safety first, yes?”
“The best minds on Arnec and of Earth Alliance seek a solution for this. There is no shame in how the universe proceeds, and this is not retribution. Abol, I worry of your preoccupation on this matter. I am well. I am alive. I am h
appy.”
He closed his eyes, as if in solemn agreement. “Your words are heard and honored. You state your position eloquently as always you do. You carry our child as part of the Arneci future. Your will is mine.”
They touched foreheads softly once again and held each other. “I will clean myself as asked.” He glanced to the shower room. “Would you join me?”
“I have showered and must return to duty soon. However…” Thevoss grinned. “That does not mean I cannot assist as you need.”
* * *
The intercom on Westermann’s command seat buzzed. “Bridge.”
“Xiaoli, Captain. We have information regarding the station for your review.”
“Bring it to my ready room.” Westermann closed the switch and rose. “Ms. Maddani, you have the Conn. Commander Sh'zaoqoq, finalize your report regarding the Stiz and bring it to my ready room as soon as possible.” He disappeared through the doors before anyone could respond.
Xiaoli and Hamilton arrived minutes later. The XO activated the wall screen after a nod from Westermann. “Captain, we have made some astounding observations. The time-flow aboard the station appears to be backward from our own.”
Westermann exchanged glances with Hamilton, then spoke. “Explain, please. I’m not sure I follow.”
Xiaoli brought a schematic up on the screen. “In our universe, time flows as a constant in one direction; that of entropy increasing. We have found ‘pockets’ of time moving in different ways, and those are in Earthfleet and Alliance records. There are theories, some postulated by the Terran Science Academy, that time has a ‘polarity’, such as a magnet possesses. And under certain circumstances, the polarity may be reversed, either by artificial means or natural causes.”
“What sort of artificial means would be required to do so, Commander?” asked Westermann, shaking his head.
Hamilton spoke before Xiaoli could continue. “We’re not certain of the mechanism, but our studies show something very odd is happening on the station. Whether this is truly a reverse flow of time or some sort of screen or masking for security, it comes down to this; the station exists only in part in our universe.”
“What would happen if we boarded the station to study this phenomenon?”
Xiaoli shook her head. “Unknown, Captain. Our scans are disrupted by the reverse time-flow as we apply more power. We postulate possible harm to life such as ours, not to mention unknown effects upon the station itself.”
The door hail sounded. “Come in,” said Westermann, and Sh'zaoqoq and Butler entered quietly. “Commander, repeat your findings, please.”
As Xiaoli explained, Westermann once more met Hamilton’s eyes. She nodded knowingly. “We’ll find out what’s going on,” she said softly.
Xiaoli completed her review, then turned again to the captain. “Further information, sir. The station continues to scan us, but we have blocked most of the sensors. Still, we’re certain there is a very sophisticated AI operating the station. At least equivalent to Base intelligence and perhaps more. It seems to be adapting to our attempts to keep our secrets.”
“Secrets only because we don’t know what this station will do,” added Hamilton. “We are learning much of it as well, and in my opinion, Captain, this discovery is as important as the planet itself.”
“What of the planet?” asked Butler. “As good as it looks?”
“A fair question,” replied Xiaoli. “The oceans are filled with life, some quite developed. No significant land life beyond small mammal-like creatures and massive vegetation as noted previously. The air is clean, water plentiful, and environment stable and typically Earth-like. A wealth of resources and certainly a potential colony planet.”
The room was quiet for moments as Westermann considered all the implications of the station, the planet, and the possibility of known adversaries in the neighborhood.
“Commander Sh'zaoqoq, your report, please.”
The Arneci woman motioned to Butler, who showed a nervous grin. “If I may, sir.” He pointed to the screen and Westermann nodded. The picture changed to a schematic of the star’s vicinity. “There is a known Stiz outpost about two and one-half light years from here. It’s in free space, but knowing the Stiz, anywhere they are, they consider their territory.
“The closest Qoearc world is nearly ten light years away, but there are a couple of small border stations on rocks with a very long orbit around neighboring stars. The Qoearc move these from time to time, to keep our outposts in view. We also know they’ve had more than one run-in with the Stiz.”
Westermann nodded, traded glances with his Tactical Officer, then looked back to Butler. “Recommendations regarding the Stiz?”
Butler shrugged. “Keep an eye out for their ships. Likely they patrol systems close by. This one wouldn’t be any use to them, and unless there is a planet closer to the star with higher temps and a more suitable environment for their kind, I don’t see any reason they would bother us.”
“Except that we are here,” said Sh’zaoqoq. “Tactics require a consideration of what an enemy can do, not necessarily what they might do. Threat estimates regarding Stiz encounters are quite high, Lieutenant.”
Westermann nearly grinned, then looked once more to Xiaoli. “What about counteracting this time-flow issue if we decide to board the station? And how would we communicate with a landing party?”
She considered for a moment. “I can’t be certain, but a physical object from our universe entering into one that is possibly anchored in another universe may be difficult, but not impossible. Perhaps we might find a way to minimize the time-flow or neutralize it in a localized area.”
“Such as an environmental suit?” asked Hamilton. “Can such a device be small enough to carry in a backpack or pouch?”
“Unknown, Commander. However, we’ll do some testing and find out.”
Westermann nodded. “Do so. Requisition whatever resources you need.” He looked to Butler. “The Lieutenant will assist you as well. And prepare a list for a possible visit to the station.”
“What of the planet, Captain?” asked Hamilton.
“One thing at a time, Commander. If this station is in a reverse time-flow, it might disappear at any moment. If it has secrets beneficial to the Alliance or Earthfleet, we may want to learn those.”
“The station is the property of others, Captain,” said Hamilton carefully. “Beings we know nothing of and who may return at any moment.”
“Agreed, and by going aboard the station, we can learn about them as well. Get some answers on this time-flow issue and let me know what you can do to neutralize it, or possibly mask us from it. We have an opportunity. Let’s not waste it.”
* * *
Westermann was in the officers’ mess when text appeared on his PADD again.
We need to talk. XO
I can’t get away from that woman, he thought, and typed a reply. I’m in the mess. Come on down and have a cup of coffee.
Hamilton appeared moments later as the captain placed his utensils in the recycler. He drew two cups and set them on the table.
“Here to read me the riot act again?” Westermann smiled.
“No sir. Only a word or two of caution.” Hamilton drank slowly, then continued. “This has echoes of what happened at the pulsar system.”
“You mean because I’m considering sending a party to a station we know little about, but may hold magic we can’t even comprehend?”
Hamilton sighed. “Something like that, yes.”
Westermann waited for more, but the XO was silent. “Do you know why you’ll never be captain, Commander? You lack curiosity of the unknown and your natural caution gets in the way sometimes.”
“On the contrary, sir, I have enormous curiosity about the universe and all that’s in it.”
Westermann nodded. “You have the scientific curiosity, yes, and you do it well. You bring out the best in others who have that same type of curiosity, such as Xiaoli. But you’re afraid to step
outside your front door when the time comes to do so.”
Hamilton looked away, a frown on her face. At last she turned to Westermann again. “I’m sorry to hear you say that, sir. I thought you brought me on board because you approved of my performance.”
“I do, most assuredly. You have a wonderful way with the crew I don’t have, that your former CO didn’t appreciate. If I hadn’t asked for you, you might have ended up behind a desk, and I didn’t want to see that. You have too much to offer to a crew… and a captain who sorely needs your talents.”
She sipped, the showed a wan smile. “You do lack a bit of, shall we say, personality, with others from time to time, sir. But only from time to time.”
He nodded. “Okay, now that that’s out of the way, what’s the real issue? Give me solid reasons for not sending a team.”
“I won’t try to dissuade you, sir. Rather, let me lead the team. That way my natural caution, as you call it, can control the exuberance the landing party is sure to feel. I don’t disagree this is something we must investigate, but at the same time, while salvage laws might generally apply, this is a functioning artifact, an AI the likes of which we’ve never encountered, and we don’t want to make it mad. We have yet to determine if it even has any weapon systems, and there are certainly none we’ve detected. But the builders of this remarkable station can’t have left it undefended.”
Westermann considered as he poured more coffee for them both. “Very well, and good points, too. Who’s on the team?”
Hamilton bought up her PADD. “Xiaoli, Butler for experience. He’s got a good mind, but very young still. I’d like to take Chief Abol for engineering issues. Arneci are great at spotting things we humans miss. Two S-Techs, preferably with exo-biology training, an E-Tech for Abol, and a couple of security guards, just in case. And me.”
“Sounds good. What about Commander Sh'zaoqoq?”
Hamilton nodded after a moment. “For tactical considerations, you mean? Look for weapons or defensive systems?”
“That… and to keep her calm while her bondmate is off-ship. You know she’s carrying a child, right?”