by Paul Rix
"Thank you both. Keep me informed on your progress. Success in these tasks is essential to keep a firm grip on power."
Chapter 5
Garrett sat transfixed by the image on Raptor's view screen. The recognizable object was something he had never expected to come across. It was a Project Exodus Ark, affectionately and ironically known as a 'PEA'; one of the human lifeboats that had transported one million humans from Earth in search of a new life. Except that this one's arrival was over two thousand years later than planned.
That was a much larger shock. "Is it a message? Surely no one can be alive on that wreck."
Garrett remembered fusion reactors powered the PEAs. It was incredible that electricity was still being generated from somewhere within the gigantic vehicle. Especially when something must have gone catastrophically wrong with the ship's propulsion and navigation systems.
"Do you detect any other arks?"
"How about other ships in the vicinity?"
"And no other ships heading in this direction?"
So no one else was aware of the ark, although surely it was only a matter of time before a passing vessel noticed an object as large as the ark. With no protocols to follow, Garrett was unsure what his next step should be. The sensible thing would be to ignore it. Pretend he'd never encountered the ark and continue on his way. Someone else would find it in time and it would be their problem.
Yet this was also an opportunity to get close to an ancient ship, actually made on Earth. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch history. To touch artifacts manufactured hundreds of generations ago. Maybe breathe the same air that humans had breathed on Earth.
As soon as Federation authorities discovered the PEA, they would prevent anyone from getting close. Unless they were an archaeologist or forensic historian. Its discovery would rouse the public's interest like nothing else.
With nowhere particular to be, Garrett knew he could spare a few hours to examine the ship close up. No one need ever know he was there. What harm could he do?
"Move in to five kilometers from that ship and hold station."
As Raptor drew closer to the derelict ark, the brutal effects of centuries of travel through interstellar space became increasingly apparent. Ugly dark scars ran along the length of the vessel. On closer inspection, these scars appeared to have resulted from glancing blows from meteoroid strikes. There was the occasional deep gouge in the outer hull as well as several large holes, at least four meters in diameter. The whole length of one side of the vessel was scorched almost black, probably from a close encounter with a star. He had never seen a spaceship that looked so battered and beaten.
The ark's slow cartwheeling motion around its center axis was majestic. Garrett figured that during its journey, the navigational thrusters must have either failed or run out of fuel to keep it steady. Perhaps this was the cause of the ark reaching its destination thousands of years late. The gyroscopes would have been the first to fail. When the thrusters couldn't resolve the issue, the computers must have shut down the main engines. The navigational computers wouldn't have been able to maintain a lock on the star fields used to plot the ark's location in the galaxy.
However, despite the system failures and longevity of the journey, something was still operational and emitting a weak signal. He couldn't imagine how the ship could have survived all the visible damage it had experienced during its long and dangerous voyage.
Five minutes later, Raptor's computer received an encrypted package from the Federation's quantum network. Garrett instructed the computer to display the information on the primary screen. A three-dimensional image of an ark appeared, together with various data points and information about the ship. This was the accumulation of all historical files on PEAs and, going by the file size, there was an immense amount of knowledge.
"Where is the access port?"
He was rewarded with the image zooming in on a small location roughly halfway along the length of the ark. It appeared to be a round hatch approximately three meters in diameter, behind which was presumably an airlock. It wasn't a design he was familiar with and he instinctively knew it would not be compatible with Raptor's airlock. Shit!
"Is there another way to access the PEA?"
The screen froze for several seconds before presenting another image, this time of what looked like a large, hinged door, about thirty meters across. Far too large for a simple airlock. "Give me schematics on that section."
The image on the screen altered to provide a cutaway view of that section of the ark. It revealed a hangar with a single small landing craft whose purpose was to transport colonists to the surface of a new planet they would call home. The landing craft was docked to an internal airlock, connecting it to the ark. There was no way Garrett could enter via that route.
There had to be another way.
"Show me any emergency escape hatches."
"How can they have designed such a death trap?" he said in frustration.
"Go back to the airlock. Are there any access codes in the data files?"
"There's no one to stop me. While the exterior is interesting, I'm sure there's far more to see inside the ship."
"On what grounds?"
"Thanks for your concerns. Just give me the access code."
He raised one eyebrow at the surprisingly simple access code. A small push-button panel to the side of the hatch was all that stood between him and the airlock.
It crossed his mind he should leave this to the experts. An intact ark was of immense historical importance. There was no telling the wealth of information that could be inside the vessel. He didn't have the skills or knowledge to locate that information, let alone decipher it. He could just as easily destroy the data without realizing it. Yet, he wasn't going to pass up on such a unique experience as to step inside a two-thousand-year-old time capsule. Of the one hundred and eighty arks that were still missing, how many more would turn up like this?
"Where are the designations for this ark? I want a name."
Garrett continued to study the view screen as Raptor slowly traveled the length of the ark. Thirty seconds later, he spotted the faint outline of the ark's name, although a thick layer of dust and scratches covered the letters. Once the computer had enhanced the image, he could read Britannic. The name sounded familiar. He was certain he had read about this particular ark when he was at school, but couldn't recall the details.
"Access the files on the PEA known as Britannic."
As soon as he began reading the information that scrolled across the screen, he remembered how he knew the name. This was the final ark that had left Earth under Project Exodus. It had carried the last one thousand people selected to be colonists.
The last ship to escape Earth. That settled any lingering doubts. He had to take a look. Britannic had
enormous historical and emotional significance. It was a mystical name, as no one had ever discovered what happened to it. Over two thousand years earlier, the surviving Earth population had looked up at the sky to say farewell to loved ones, knowing they would never meet again. For those left behind, it must have been an uncertain and frightening future they faced. He felt a connection across the years as he guessed how they must have felt.
"Land Raptor close to the airlock. I'm going to suit up."
Chapter 6
Frederick was fidgeting with the rubies on an ornamental sword as Delta strode nonchalantly into the president's private garden. "You're late," he said, irritably. She always did this to him, and he was convinced she did it on purpose. That he was unable to hide his impatience made it all the more frustrating. If only he could learn which buttons of hers to push.
Delta shrugged and smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry, little brother. You know how long it can take to select an elite squad for an important mission. Or maybe you don't. I hope there are no hard feelings."
Frederick's knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword. "I've learned to accept that you are mother's favorite, even if I'm the better tactician. You know it was my research that detailed how we could use the arc reactors. Somehow you neglected to mention that aspect. You couldn't have done this without me."
Delta sat down next to Frederick, putting her hand reassuringly on his. "And I appreciate that. But we both know how we must play this game. There are bigger and more important stakes to consider. Mother's position is growing weaker. Her paranoia is crippling her ability to decide. It's only a matter of time before she has to relinquish power to one of us."
"That doesn't take away from the fact that Mother has made me feel second best for the past twenty-eight years. You have absolutely no idea what that is like." Frederick stopped and took a deep breath. He had lost count of how many times he'd had this conversation with his sister. It had gotten him nowhere. But while he resented his sister for the benefits bestowed upon her, it wasn't her fault. That rested solely with their mother.
"You know you sound pathetic when you speak like that? We need to stay strong together. What benefit would there be of telling Mother to treat us as equals when she thinks she already does? Let's get through to the end of her reign and then we can rule the Federation together."
"With you as president?"
"I'm waiting for you to give me a better alternative."
Frederick shuffled his feet in the gravel and went silent. There was no way Delta would willingly step aside and allow him the presidency. He could fight her for the position, but he suspected the outcome wouldn't be in his favor. There had been long sleepless nights when he had contemplated removing the obstacle in his way. He'd lost count of the times he had imagined the methods of killing his sister. But Delta was his only companion, despite their disagreements. She understood his needs and accepted his tantrums. Life would be unbearably lonely without her. He changed the subject.
"Who have you selected for the mission?"
"Seven of my personal guards. I trust them completely to carry out their orders efficiently and discreetly. Even sacrifice themselves, if I decide it is required. The ark's brief existence in the Stellar Cluster must remain a secret."
"I assume you've included Commander Stone."
Delta scowled at him. "You have an issue with that selection?"
"You know I do. He's far too familiar with you. It's sickening. He has personal feelings for you and is not afraid to hide that fact. He's nothing more than a commoner. So why do you allow him to spend more time with you than any reasonable person would think normal? Is there something going on I should know about?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Her reply was too quick and both of them knew it. "And if there were, it's no concern of yours."
"It is my concern if you're keeping secrets from me that could jeopardize the grand plan that you pretend to hold dear to your heart. Do you think the Federation would readily accept a president who has a relationship with their chief security officer?"
"No more than they would accept a relationship between a president and her twin brother. Which is why denial and discretion are my two watchwords. You would be wise to practice the same precautions, brother."
"You still haven't answered my question."
Delta turned to smile sympathetically at her brother, caressing his cheek with the back of her hand. "Why are you like this every time I go away? Possessiveness isn't one of your better characteristics."
Frederick leaned in closer to kiss her until she put her hand firmly on his chest. "No one can see us here," he protested.
"You know the rules. We cannot allow ourselves to be compromised. I promise you that I permit no one in my bed."
Frederick slowly pulled. "Take someone other than Commander Stone. For me."
"I can't do that, Freddie. Stone is the group leader and is the most capable soldier I have. He's invaluable in tight situations. If he has any feelings for me, then he'll make doubly sure I'm safe."
"What's going to be risky about this mission? You're going to demolish a derelict relic from Earth's miserable history. Do you expect to encounter any opposition from ghosts?"
"Of course not. That's not the point. Trust me, brother, I know what I'm doing. Can you say the same with your actions?"
"My actions are as pure as yours. I would simply like the opportunity once in a while to show that I am as capable as you. And not feel sidelined."
Delta's hearty laughter only made him more irritable. "Dearest, brother, you will never be as capable as me of leadership. You have other skills though that are just as important in their own way. Think of our relationship as symbiotic rather than competitive. You'll feel more at peace if you do."
"I'll bear that in mind," he said, with no genuine conviction. "You had better be on your way. Every minute draws the ark further into the Stellar Cluster and increases the chance of detection. I would wish you luck, but I don't think you need it."
Delta clapped him hard on the shoulder. "I have all the luck I need with you as my brother. Look after my back while I'm away. And make sure Mother stays out of trouble."
She turned with a flourish before leaving the garden. Frederick waited for her to give him one last wave, but she walked out of sight around a corner, leaving him with a hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach.
He didn't want to spend the rest of his life at Delta's beck and call. He knew he was destined for more. It was unfortunate he was part of a family dominated by women. Delta had instigated the incestuous relationship. Initially, he thought it was because she genuinely loved him, but recently he had wondered if it was no more than an effective controlling mechanism.
He had become addicted to her touch. Or maybe it was simply the knowledge that what they were doing was wrong that kept him going back for more. Either way, he cursed himself for being so weak. All he could do was hope that he would one day find an inner resolve to discover his true path.
Chapter 7
Scorpion was Delta's private vessel. It was the most technologically advanced in the president's space force, with a propulsion system that offered six percent more thrust than standard ships of its class. Scorpion could outmaneuver other ships and weapons fire thanks to an integrated quantum navigational and tactical interface. And, if the ship took a direct hit, the hull's polymorphic carbon coating could dissipate the energy across the entire exterior surface, minimizing any damage.
Scorpion's slick black shape and contoured lines made it appear as if the ship had been carved and polished from a single block of ebony. Any casual observer would know the ship was unique and it was infamous across the Stellar Cluster, with many people silently aggrieved at the entitlement the president allowed her eldest child.
Delta smiled as she strutted across the voluminous hangar near the presidential palace toward her pride and joy. She'd heard the rumors of discontent at her good fortune, and she could not have cared less. W
henever she flew in Scorpion, she felt an enhanced level of elation she rarely felt in the rest of her life. The interior opulence befitted her exalted status, not only as the president's daughter but also as her mother's favored child. Frederick's own spaceship didn't compare to Scorpion, a fact she often took pleasure in.
She hesitated in surprise as she spotted her mother walking down the ramp to exit the ship. This was most unexpected, especially to see the president without her personal guard.
"Mother. What a pleasant surprise," she grinned, trying to guess the reason for this visit.
President D’Angelo returned the smile, a genuine one reserved for her family. "I thought I'd come and see you off. And I've not been down to see your ship. She's a fine vessel. I can understand now why it cost so much."
Delta walked up to her mother, leaning down to kiss her tenderly on both cheeks. "You really didn't need to do this. But I'm glad you did."
"The mission you're about to embark on is critical to our future presidential ambitions. This is the least I can do."
"Aren't you concerned someone will see you and become suspicious?"
"On the contrary. I've declared that I'm proud to see my daughter taking an active interest in military training exercises. The opposition is objecting, of course. Their advocates complain that you are overstepping your responsibilities. Better for them to quarrel among themselves around a well-constructed lie than for them to know the truth."
Delta recognized this as one of her mother's favorite tricks; tying her opponents in knots so that they can't differentiate fact from fiction. The president was a master at that game. Delta hoped she could be half as devious when she took her rightful position as president.
And that day was coming closer. While her mother's mind was sharp, her aging body was beginning to betray her. Delta had it on very good authority from two of her spies at court that the president was critically ill. Her artificial heart and liver were deteriorating and could not be replaced because of excessive scar tissue from previous transplants. No one was supposed to know, and Delta certainly would not share the knowledge, not even with Frederick.