Free Trader Complete Omnibus

by Craig Martelle

  Micah looked at him, eyes focused. “What did Holly have to say?”

  “He wasn’t able to access all the systems, only some of the standard maintenance systems. He found a lot that bothered him, but he’s working to regulate those systems. The Androids hadn’t been doing what they said they were doing, so Holly is taking care of it now. Nearly every system on this ship is automated, but held in delicate balance.” She nodded toward the entrance hatch. She’d keep talking while they moved.

  “There seems to be a major disconnect between here and the aft core section. The tube where we took the pod from Deck 8? Somewhere in the middle of that area is something that needs repairing. For Holly to control the ship, we need to repair the damage.” Braden looked skeptical. “All that means for us is we need to find and activate a Maintenance Bot. We can link it to Holly and he can tell it what to do.”

  “Yeah. I didn’t see me fixing Old Tech. I may like it more than I should, but I’m not the one to be tearing into it. I’m glad Holly recognizes my limitations.” Braden shook his head, sending his braid flying around in front of him. Micah’s braids floated around her head as well. Hair and zero-g did not mix well.

  “Let’s go back to the Aviary for a break. I’d like to stand on solid ground. And I need to take a leak. After seeing what happened when I puked, there’s no way I’m doing anything else like that up here.”

  Micah threw her head back to laugh, but got a mouthful of braids instead. She sputtered and spit out her own hair. “I’ll let you in on a secret. There’s a drawer in one of those desks that you really don’t want to open.”

  31 – A Break, A Plan

  They squeezed themselves into the elevator and sent it down to Deck 2. When it arrived, they staggered out like drunks. Both the Hawkoids attempted to fly and fell on the ground.

  ‘I feel funny,’ was all Pik would commit to. Their bodies felt unnaturally heavy. G-War made it two steps out of the elevator door before collapsing into a crouch. The noise of the Aviary seemed less than before, but still loud compared to the silence of the Command Deck.

  ‘Holly, what the hell is going on?’ Micah asked. Braden still wasn’t talking to the hologram. She updated the hologram on their return to the Aviary.

  ‘It’ll pass quickly. When returning to gravity from zero-g, your bodies have to re-learn how to function. The more you walk, the better off you’ll be.’ Micah reduced the window.

  “Holly says walk around. It’ll pass quickly. Your bodies know what to do.” Braden struggled to walk, then jog, then run. He was back to old form in a few heartbeats. The others watched, then mimicked his movements. Skirill and Zyena bounced around and tried using their wings. Skirill tried too hard as he flew quickly into the air and promptly bounced off a tree. He recovered as he dropped, gliding past the other companions. Zyena’s first attempt was smoother and together they soared.

  The companions drank deeply from their flasks. G-War wanted something to eat and soon went after a ground squirrel. Pik was hungry, too. He’d need help with his meal. Braden pulled his bow and two arrows, then put the rest of his gear down. Micah settled for finding seclusion to relieve herself while Pik stayed on guard. Aadi floated serenely, unaffected by gravity or the lack of it.

  Everyone heard the ‘cat make its kill. Birds scattered at his scream, and Braden felt the ‘cat’s gratification. ‘You won’t need to hunt,’ he informed Braden. ‘Pik, join me and let’s feast!’

  When the ‘cat and the Lizard Man returned, Pik carried a creature as big as a wild boar. No wonder G-War was impressed with his kill.

  “What is that thing? Looks like a cross between a boar and a ground hog.” Braden reluctantly opened his neural implant.

  ‘Capybara,’ Holly answered after looking at it. ‘They serve a number of functions. They are a rodent, but also a reasonable food source. They don’t destroy the fragile ecosystem as wild hogs would. They taste like pork, if that’s what you’re looking for.’

  “Bullseye.” Braden and Micah readied a fire to cook their meal. They cut off strips of meat from the sections that G-War and Pik had left behind. The ‘cat knew they would be moving shortly, so he didn’t overeat.

  While their meal was cooking, Micah sliced off strips of meat for Aadi and tossed some into the air for both Skirill and Zyena. They demonstrated their flying prowess by making acrobatic catches. Braden stopped throwing the meat into the air as he didn’t want to be responsible for hurting one of them. He wanted everyone to rest before they attempted to enter the Bridge.

  As they dined on freshly cooked capybara, which tasted like pork mixed with fish, they opened their neural implants.

  ‘Holly, what can we expect on the Bridge?’ Braden asked.

  ‘The Bridge is rather large, similar in configuration to the New Command Center, but bigger with wide aisles holding aids to movement, handholds and such. When you exit the elevator and access corridor, it will seem like you are inside a half-sphere. The entire front of the Command Center will look clear. You’ll see space, Cygnus VII, and the moon. The moon will appear larger than you are used to.’

  It would only take the companions a few heartbeats to become accustomed to the Bridge. What Braden wanted to know was who ran the Bridge. What would they do if there were humans there or Androids? How could they convince them that aligning the ship for a matter transfer with Cygnus VI was in their best interest?

  ‘Humans or Androids? I can’t answer that. The Golden Warrior can determine before you enter whether any humans are present. I suspect you’ll at least find Androids. Will they be like the ones from the Maintenance and Service space? I don’t know. As you’ve made me understand, you may have to kill them if they won’t follow Micah’s orders as the President. I only ask that if you do start shooting, aim high, try to avoid hitting any of the equipment. Everything on the Bridge serves a purpose.’

  ‘And we’ll try, but I won’t guarantee anything. I can’t shake on this deal, Holly,’ Braden said and closed the window. They needed to secure the Bridge crew’s cooperation, or at least get them out of the way so Braden and Micah could do what Holly needed to align the ship.

  After eating, they rested, napping and relaxing while G-War watched over them. Braden and Micah opened their neural implant so they could talk with Bronwyn and the children. The Hawkoids finally settled down and slept harder than everyone else.

  When the companions finally roused and were ready to go, the Hawkoids wouldn’t respond. Braden worried, despite G-War’s assurances. G-War ended up climbing the tree and shaking them awake. They almost fell off the branch in alarm.

  Micah shook her head. Weren’t birds supposed to sleep lightly, able to fly away instantly if there was a threat? The Hawkoids were different. Once they shook and ruffled their feathers, they glided gracefully to join the companions. The others waited while G-War backed down the tree’s massive trunk. When he finally made it to the ground, he gave a narrow-eyed look to Skirill and Zyena. There was no honeymoon period for the ‘cat.

  Not knowing if they would return to the Aviary, they kept all their gear with them. It would have been nice to travel lightly to the Bridge, but they couldn’t be sure they’d come back this way.

  They piled into the elevator and told it Bridge. It raced upward.

  When the door opened, they were treated to more zero-g. Being ready for it this time, they deftly grabbed the handholds and pulled themselves up the corridor. This one was at least triple the length of the access to the Maintenance and Service space.

  The Hawkoids tried to fly ahead but Braden stopped them. “We don’t know how they’ll respond, depending on who ‘they’ are. They first person they need to see is Micah. After that, she can introduce the rest of us. Patience, my friends. By the way, hold out your leg.” The last he said to Zyena. He took one of the extra command bracelets and cinched it up tightly between her claw and the feathers of her lower leg. “Just in case we get separated, you’ll be able to open doors and move through the ship, although i
t may not be enough to fool a Security Unit. If you’re with Skirill, you shouldn’t have any problems either way.”

  Zyena accepted the gift graciously. Skirill watched proudly and nuzzled her, which caused both of them to go spinning into opposite bulkheads. He was happy the humans readily accepted her as one of the companions.

  They all laughed at the Hawkoid antics. There’s serious business up ahead, but for the moment, let the companions enjoy each other’s company, Braden thought. Braden and Micah pulled themselves forward slowly, checking their blasters and settings in case they had to fight. Micah loosened her sword and Braden checked his shortsword and bow, although he conceded there was no way he could shoot his bow while floating.

  At the end of the access corridor, Braden and Micah looked through the small window. The space was as Holly described--large and open, with the stars, moon, and Vii showing out the window that made up the front of the sphere.

  There was activity, but not much. People occupied one station out of every ten. There was the central platform, just like in the New Command Center, but this was a cage, centered perfectly within the half-sphere. The seats were mere frames, where someone sitting could look anywhere to see one of the crew at other workstations, which could be above or below them. The user could spin the chair as needed to face any direction.

  “What do you think, G?” Braden asked.

  The ‘cat clung to Braden’s pack. He slowly moved to the side of Braden’s head, keeping three claws embedded in something soft at all times.

  ‘There are humans. Three of them.’ G-War said, while craning his neck to see which three and point them out. Micah looked through the top of the window, gripping a handhold with one hand, while keeping her hair under control with the other. She was counting the total number on the Bridge.

  “I see eleven total. That means eight Androids, plus the three humans.”

  ‘In the command chair in the middle. To the right near the front window, and in the back, by the hatch here.’ G-War let go of the pack and Braden guided him to Aadi, where he embedded his claws in the soft armor surrounding the Tortoid’s shell.

  “Well, Master President, are you ready?”

  She answered by waving her bracelet in front of the access panel. The hatch slid open and the music started playing.

  32 – The Bridge

  Braden and Micah used their bodies to block the view down the corridor as they pulled themselves in and closed the hatch. Braden kept himself in front of the window as Micah pulled herself directly toward the human in the command chair. The human closest to the hatch looked on in shock. Everyone froze in place.

  “I know, it’s been a while since the last presidential visit. What? Seven-hundred years? But we just reestablished contact from the planet which is where I live. Tell me, who’s in charge here?”

  No one moved. It was eerily reminiscent of their first encounter with Androids.

  ‘G, are you sure these three are human? They seem different. Like, really different,’ Braden said over the mindlink.

  Micah continued pulling herself forward. “You. You look like you’re in charge. What’s your name?” She pointed at the woman in the command chair.

  “Why, I’m Captain Treecia Atwood. Who are you?”

  “I’m Micah, President of Cygnus VII. We simply call it Vii now.”

  “But, look how young you are.” Micah raised her eyebrows as she pulled herself upright before the command area. “You look like security or maybe military. I don’t know. I’ve only seen pictures. You live on the planet? How did you get here?”

  “Me? The planet can be a dangerous place, although it seems that this ship is every bit as dangerous.” Micah pulled her shirt collar aside to show the scars on the back of her neck. “No matter who you are, you have to be ready and willing to fight. That being said, it’s nice on the planet. No floating around. It’s our home and it’s where my children are. I look forward to going back, but first we have a couple things we need to do. We have to align the ship for a matter transfer from Cygnus VI. There are twenty-three survivors we need to rescue.”

  Captain Atwood looked around at each of the ten other faces, giving them all equal time. Finally one of the Androids spoke up.

  “I don’t believe we’ll do that.” The Captain and the Android locked eyes for a stare down. The machine would eventually win, but the Captain seemed to hold the superior position. They glared until Micah couldn’t take it anymore.

  “I don’t see why not. What else are you doing?” Micah asked.

  “The ship is in a delicate position between the gravitation pull of the moon and the planet. By changing our alignment, we risk a catastrophic de-orbit. There are millions of lives that are counting on us to not do that,” the Android said in a monotone.

  “I suggest that you are good at your jobs and won’t let the catastrophe happen. We must realign the ship, because we must save the people on Cygnus VI. This decision is out of all of our hands.” Micah appealed to the greater good in the humans at least. She couldn’t grasp why the Androids wouldn’t follow orders. They were machines, after all.

  “I can’t let you change the attitude direction of this ship. You will rest now and come back tomorrow to receive final disapproval of your request. I will escort you to your quarters, Master President.” As the Android started to move, Micah pulled her blaster and leveled it at the machine’s chest.

  “You will do no such thing,” Micah said coldly. “And I think you misunderstand me. It wasn’t a request to be disapproved. It was an order to be followed.” The other Androids released themselves from the straps holding them within the chairs of their consoles. Braden waved his bracelet at the access panel and the hatch opened. The companions entered, slowly moving to positions around the sphere.

  “Why are those creatures in here?” the Android demanded, looking at the Captain, who had no idea what to do. “Get rid of them. Security!”

  ‘Holly, how do we keep the Android from activating the Security Bots?’ Braden asked in a panic. Micah looked like she was ready to shoot the intransigent Android.

  ‘Say, Presidential Security Override Alpha Omega Seven. Stand down,’ Holly advised. Braden passed that to Micah over their mindlink.

  “I issue Presidential Security Override Alpha Omega Seven. Stand down. Security Bots will not fire on any humans or anyone wearing a Command bracelet,” Micah said forcefully. They couldn’t win a fight with Security Bots.

  The red lights against the bulkhead at the back of the Bridge stopped flashing. The Android looked back and forth between Micah and the security systems embedded in the bulkhead.

  “Security! Activate! Security, destroy the intruders!” the Android said in louder and louder monotones. Micah kept her blaster leveled at the troublemaker. She risked a look at Braden. He appeared calm as he kept his blaster aimed at a different Android. She noted that he had his arm wedged through a handhold and a leg against a console.

  “Who are your humans?” Micah wanted to get their cooperation. She didn’t want to fight this group. There was too much risk of destroying something important.

  “By the hatch is Ben Amin watching over life support and up front, Diego Garza is our pilot.” Ben and Diego both nodded as Braden made eye contact. Micah didn’t take her eyes from the Android’s threatening posture.

  “Pilot. What does that mean, Diego?” Micah followed up without moving.

  “I’m responsible for flying the ship.”

  “That means you can align it for a matter transfer from Cygnus VI. And then you can realign it with Vii. And the whole time you can keep it from falling out of the sky, right?”

  “I’ve actually never flown the ship. I watch the numbers to make sure everything stays within accepted parameters.” Diego sounded less confident with each word.

  “You’re responsible for flying the ship, but you’ve never actually flown it. But you do know how to fly it? You’ve just never had the chance because metal-head here won’t let you. Do
es that sound right?” Micah was baiting the Android. She wanted to kill him, but didn’t want the entire bridge crew to rebel. She wasn’t subtle about it and the crew looked worried.

  She tried a different tack. She holstered her blaster and held her hands up for all to see. “Here’s what you are going to do, Diego. You are going to talk us all through how you would align the ship and what could go wrong, then how you can counter it. You’re not alone in this. Everyone here will help. Then, we’ll have Holly run the numbers to make sure everything is correct. We don’t do anything until we’re sure. How’s that sound?”

  The Androids remained motionless and expressionless. Diego was already calculating, running through the flight in his mind. The Captain looked at Micah approvingly. The third human, Ben, looked afraid.

  “So what do you think?” Micah pulled herself close to the Android. She was too close; Braden had no line of fire. The Android was attached to the decking somehow, while Micah floated free. One had leverage; one didn’t. Micah was in danger and Braden couldn’t do anything about it. So he launched himself across the sphere to get behind the Android.

  “I think we can escort you to your rooms and work out the problem, letting logic and risk analysis carry decisive weight in the final decision.” The Android remained stoic, giving nothing away. It turned as Braden floated past heading toward the front window. Micah watched as he flew by.

  “Curious,” the Android said to no one in particular.

  Braden crashed into the front window, sliding along it until he found a handhold. He discovered that it wasn’t a window at all, but a massive screen display, integrated seamlessly to make it look like a window. He thought of this while he flailed, trying to get himself back under control. When he looked toward Micah, the Android had given her space and she was headed toward the Captain.