“Emergence in nine minutes.”
“What are the chances we will run into Admiral Jymind’s rogue fighters in the next system?”
“You know what they say, Corb. The third time is the charm.”
In time for the emergence into normal space, Corb and Janish had joined Ragnar, Nick, NT, and Landry’s avatar on the bridge. Cassandra and Lucinda were gently snoring in their respective cabins.
“That is negative thinking, Nick. Why would Admiral Jymind send his fighters to ambush us?”
Nick was primed for Corb’s question.
“I dunno, because he did it twice before? Maybe because he doesn’t know we replaced the Xjaal Council and he now reports to Fleet Admiral Jexond? Maybe he simply wants to pick a fight.”
Corb cut off the defeatist discussion.
“Enough, Nick. We are all nervous. Until Landry figures out how to have our shields up when we emerge, we have to be ready for an attack every time we emerge into normal space.”
Nick shrugged and, using his console, keyed the correct sequence while speaking.
“About that, Landry. Is there anything in those data pods about stronger shields? Maybe something about more powerful plasma cannons? Maybe, just maybe, there is a way to have full shields on emergence and not two seconds after we enter normal space?
“Nick, we are indexing the data as quickly as possible. The Xjaal did not expect to retrieve the data from the pods, or if they did, the index to the volumes was lost when we destroyed the Gateway building.”
Nick shrugged again and retorted, “Here we go.”
The crew had grown accustomed to the queasiness resulting from the time displacement entering and exiting the dark matter realm. The queasiness from the slipstream and the hyper-tunnels passed quickly. The two times they had used the star-portal, several of the crew were glad for the barf bags Landry had insisted the crew stock on the bridge.
The blue-green hue of the dark matter tunnel faded, replaced on the monitors with a bright star field. The queasiness was hardly noticed. The Ajawlil fighters, in their normal diamond formation, triggered red threat indicators on several consoles. Unsurprisingly, red threat indicators were immediately noticed by the crew. Fighters positioned thirty thousand kilometers from the hyper-tunnel exit were at point-blank distance in space.
Without thinking, everyone on the bridge pulled their safety harnesses tight.
Figuring the Jaguar needed to move quickly, Nick chose the second of the three evasive maneuver icons preprogrammed for each emergence. The second emergency maneuver was the most dramatic. The chosen maneuver thrust the Jaguar into a corkscrew movement in three dimensions, the theory being an erratic target was harder to lock on and hit.
The gravity emitters were good but not good enough. Lucinda and Cassandra were thrown from their sweet dreams and onto the deck, the waif-like Cassandra skidding across the room to the opposite wall.
Ragnar reported the good news.
“Shields are up. Landry, give me a fire solution.”
NT reported the bad news.
“We took hits. Five. No. We took seven hits. Checking … five glanced, the lasers were weak. Two went through the port stub wing. Damn. They hit the same air duct and power conduit as before. They must be trying to disable the ship.”
“That is correct, NT. They are trying to capture the Enlightened One alive.”
“Landry, I have seen what he can do when pissed off. They will regret it if he decides to be taken prisoner.”
Corb looked at NT, and both nodded with a wry smile. Lucinda and Cassandra rushed onto the bridge in their pajamas. Lucinda wore a soft pink cotton two-piece with long sleeves and pants, Cassandra a floral design on boy shorts and a half-top. Eyes wide, NT and Nick twirled from gawking back to their consoles.
Lucinda checked the monitors while she pulled on her safety harness.
“Ragnar, you have weapons free.”
“Weapons free, aye.”
Five underpowered older Ajawlil strike fighters were no match for the power of the Jaguar. Landry’s fire solution, ad hoc adjustments, and Ragnar’s slight fire control and attitude adjustments dispatched the ambush fighters in under seventy seconds. Lucinda unbuckled and stood up.
“Good work. NT, Janish, let’s get the exterior repairs completed before we start clearing the debris field. I’m going back to bed.”
Cassandra unbuckled, kissed Ragnar on the forehead, and headed back to her cabin and dreamland. Nick summarized the life of the Jenny’s crew.
Summarized the life of the Enlightened One and his Coterie.
“Weeks of boredom punctuated by seconds of intense terror. Our place is here. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Time to Entry: 14:21:18.
Chapter Two
ᛍᚼᛆᛕᛐᚱ ᛐwᚮ
“Keep your friends close
and your enemies closer.”
famous proverb
“Landry, please maintain a geosynchronous orbital position while we are on the surface.”
“Confirmed, station keeping over the main complex. Lucinda, you should be aware, the K’an planetary traffic control magistrate balked at our stationary orbital position. When they learned the Enlightened One was aboard the Jaguar, they made an exception. Our position has disrupted the most active flight path to and from the surface.”
Sixteen days from the last jump point and the encounter with the Ajawlil fighters, the Coterie had assembled on the Jaguar’s bridge, overnight bags in hand. Nervous anticipation permeated the crew. Real air. Real gravity. Real food. Real sun. It all awaited them on K’an. They wanted to get off the Jaguar and put their feet on a real world. Not on the planet proper, but the floor of the massive main complex that served as the K’an capital city. It wasn’t Earth, but it was close. Lucinda continued her duties to confirm the ship and crew were ready to disembark.
“Landry, how did the magistrate learn Corb was on the Jaguar?”
Nick responded.
“Lucinda, I may have helped. Landry requested I contact Tarunik and seek his advice. We were being redirected to an orbital parking profile on the other side of the planet. Tarunik heard my concern and thanked me without comment. A few minutes later, the traffic control magistrate authorized our current orbital position.”
“That makes sense. Thanks, Nick. The Ch’en barely tolerate their own artificial intelligence constructs. Landry can’t contact the Ch’en directly, so he got you to do his dirty work. It is no matter. We got what we needed.”
“Lucinda, do you want me to maintain a monitor for the crew while on the surface?”
“Landry, why would constant monitoring of the crew be necessary?”
“Crew monitoring is not necessary. However, an additional level of security would not be intrusive.”
“Landry, you are being obtuse. Why do you want to maintain a monitoring profile of the crew while on K’an? What are you not saying?”
“Lucinda, there are many aspects of the guidance provided by Tarunik, and the information provided by Tarmenik, which are … incomplete.”
“Landry, it is unlike you to hesitate while speaking. Is this a learned trait and why are you attempting to emphasize the gaps in the information provided by the Ch’en? Have you lost your trust in the Tarunik, Tarmenik, and the Ch’en?”
“Trust, Lucinda, is earned. We know Tarunik manipulated Corb and the Coterie, probably at the direction of Tarmenik. Subsequent to receiving their direction and guidance, we learned it is unlikely they have been completely truthful and forthright. Consequently, until we have a complete understanding of their intent, precautions are prudent.”
Anxious to get off the Jaguar, Nick barked. “Bloody ‘ell. Who cares if Landry keeps an eye on us? We stay in groups. We keep Corb and Janish close. If we have to bug out, I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.”
NT immediately understood the Aliens movie reference. “We are not nuking anyone. Hicks. We do not ha
ve any nukes. No, we won’t blast them with the plasma cannon, either. But Landry is right, we need to get some answers. Being cautious is a good idea. I vote for constant monitoring and enhanced security measures for everyone. Especially Dickless here.”
Nick jumped on the Ghostbusters reference. “Sweet! If anything goes wrong, we cut off the power grid and … kaboom!”
Lucinda tried to get control back. “What? Is this true? Are you planning an attack if something goes wrong?”
NT stayed in character, pointing at Nick while he responded. “Yes, it’s true. This man has no dick.”
Over the boy’s tittering, Lucinda resumed the leadership role. “It is not a debate. We increase our safety protocols. No one wanders off alone. No one meets with the Ch’en or the other humans alone. Move in pairs or groups. Landry will monitor our locations at all times.
“Landry, you are ordered to access the K’an grid for the purpose of monitoring the crew while on the surface of K’an. Monitoring only, no research or further unauthorized access. Do you understand?”
“Confirmed, K’an grid access for crew monitoring.”
“Good. Are we ready?”
She scanned the crew’s faces. Only Michelle was not emitting a glow of nervous energy and excitement.
The eight members of the Coterie stepped into the prearranged sequence for the teleportation to the K’an terrestrial accommodations. Lucinda, Janish, and Corb made up the Triad. Lucinda’s enhanced abilities, the Summitate abilities, were growing. However, only Corb and Janish were capable of self-teleportation. The process required one trip by Janish and three trips by Corb. Michelle and Lucinda gripped their duffels tighter and with their free hands grabbed one of Corb’s elbows.
Nick grabbed Janish’s elbow.
Janish nodded to Corb and the five members of the Coterie left the Jaguar’s bridge. Appearing in the lobby of their accommodations, everything appeared normal. When Lucinda, Michelle, and Nick released their grips and stepped away, Corb nodded to Janish before he reappeared in the Jaguar’s bridge.
Landry’s avatar watched the process in silence. Ragnar and Cassandra stepped forward, each grabbing one of Corb’s elbows. Corb nodded a moment before the trio reappeared in the lobby on the planet.
Corb did not acknowledge the event. He unassumingly repeated the process and brought NT to the lobby. The couples paired off and headed toward their assigned accommodations.
Ragnar Olaf Jensen and Cassandra “Cass” Rene Brady, PhD, Mesoamerica Cultures. Respectively, the ship’s first officer/weapons officer, and the Coterie’s cultural liaison. Ragnar is as deadly as Cass is wicked smart.
Nicolas “Nick” Bertrand Davies and Janish Anika Roa, the Jaguar’s pilots and navigation officers. Both are wizards with computers and data forensics. Landry’s flight plans had never been wrong. Nevertheless, Lucinda mandated Nick and Janish check the flight plans and safeguard the Jaguar to ensure it was not about to fly through a star.
Lucinda Louise Raitt and Nathan Tiberius “NT” Brooks. Lucinda was the Jaguar’s captain. NT was a freelance journalist who was co-opted into working with the counter-terrorism team that became the Coterie and later morphed into the Jaguar’s crew. NT’s role on the Jaguar was chief maintenance officer. He was also the Coterie’s historian. NT’s primary maintenance role is to ensure the navigation shields were fully functional. Working with Landry, NT took his maintenance role seriously.
Without navigation shielding, no starship would survive five minutes when traveling FTL. At twenty percent sub-lightspeed, hitting something as small as a grain of sand would punch a hole through the Jaguar like a hobo on a ham sandwich. If the navigation shields failed at FTL speeds, the kinetic energy of striking a sand pebble would obliterate the Jaguar.
Corb Levi Johnson and Michelle Raye Wilbon. Lucinda was the ship’s captain, but Corb was the Coterie’s leader. Michelle Raye Wilbon was more than Corb’s partner and the ship’s cook. She was Corb’s muse and an oracle.
Corb was known to the galaxy as the Enlightened One. Hundreds of legends and tales of lore from across the galactic expanse foretold the coming of an emancipator. Corb was regarded as the person prophesied by the legends. After the Coterie successfully prevented the extinction of the Xjaal and Ajawlil clone races, the galactic perception of Corb being the Enlightened One of legend was no longer doubted. Challenged, yes. Doubted, no.
After freshening up and changing out of their Jaguar cobalt blue jumpsuits, the Coterie reassembled in the lobby of their hotel-like accommodations. They ate a fine meal, with limited chatter, before heading over to a meeting with the Ch’en leader Tarunik and the geneticist Doctor Tarmenik. Everyone understood the importance of the upcoming meeting. The Coterie’s destiny would hinge on its outcome.
The High Council Chamber — K’an
“Doctor Tarmenik, you are not providing all the information available. You are withholding selected data points. I am forced to assume you are conducting a passive subterfuge. I am becoming annoyed with your …”
The translation devices worked well in translating native Ch’en and English. The Ch’en had been interacting with humans for millennia. Corb, Michelle, and the Ch’en used their nanobots for translation, and the other humans used the devices.
Tarunik, the Ch’en leader, interrupted Corb. “Enlightened One, we all enjoy the harmony. Tarmenik is widely known to be intelligent and trustworthy. Your tone and assertions are contrary to the harmony.”
Corb nodded in understanding to Tarunik before resuming his questioning.
“Doctor Tarmenik, you are aware we have obtained the data pods from the Xjaal. You are also aware we have reestablished the Xjaal clone production facilities. We reformed and assumed control over the Xjaal Governing Council. You are aware the Ajawlil warriors are fealty-bound to me.
“Therefore, Tarmenik, I possess the ability to obtain the information we desire. It will require more time, but you are not needed for me, for us, to assess the information we possess. We will acquire the missing data and respond appropriately.
“However, I will consider a positive intention should you decide to be truthful and forthcoming. I ask you again, who were the Overlords?”
Tarmenik looked, unblinkingly, at Corb, hesitant to answer.
Michelle, obviously perturbed by Tarmenik, snapped a question, breaking the silent tension.
“You do not know, do you? You have never known who the Overlords were, or their origin. You expect Corb to ascertain the answers regarding the Overlords’ history and origins. That is what this is all about.
“You spent centuries contriving this elaborate subterfuge with the singular goal of determining the origins of the truth. It is fraud to state you have acquired the knowledge of the Overlords’ origins and history.”
Tarmenik broke his impassive stance to interrupt Michelle. “No, Miss Wilbon, I never stated I possessed the knowledge you seek. Everyone, including your crew, assumed I possessed the knowledge. My failing is I did nothing to dissuade the incorrect assumption.”
“Lies of omission are lies, Doctor Tarmenik.”
“Yes, Miss Wilbon, they are lies. However, acts of omission, lies, designed to protect the harmony are common and acceptable.”
Corb’s ire popped forth. He had heard enough. “No, lies are never acceptable. In the short term, lies will maintain the harmony. Over time, lies will erode the harmony and sow discord. Doctor Tarmenik, I am asking again, for the last time. I will not repeat my question and I will not accept an evasive answer.
“Doctor Tarmenik, do you possess information that documents the origins and history of the Overlords?”
“Enlightened One, I spent centuries compiling information. You have access to all the materials I collected. There is no further data regarding the Overlords.”
The Coterie exhibited exceptional discipline and quiet reserve. No one shuffled in surprise, grunted in disgust, or rolled their eyes in disbelief. Corb’s calm influence, his calm mind, had infiltrated thei
r collective psyche. Equally willing to fight and kill when needed, the Coterie was easily capable of exhibiting composed harmony and serenity in difficult situations. Gradually, Corb rotated his eyes from Tarmenik to Tarunik.
“Tarunik, when our supplies are replenished, we will depart K’an. It is our goal to strike a bargain with Jexnell for repairs to the Jaguar. After we visit Plentari, we will return to Earth and continue the search for our history.
“Is there anything we can do for you, for the Ch’en, before we depart?”
“Enlightened One, your presence is more than sufficient for the Ch’en. We strive to serve and know that you will return with the history we have sought for centuries.”
Tarunik focused on Doctor Tarmenik before closing his comments. He continued speaking to Corb, but it was obvious his unblinking eyes were glaring at Doctor Tarmenik.
“Enlightened One, we will ask the Ch’en people for any information they may possess. Legends and lore often contain nuggets of truth. I will confirm you receive all the information the Ch’en possess regarding the Overlords.”
Doctor Tarmenik sat quiet and still. Leader Tarunik rotated back to Corb, nodded, stood, and uncharacteristically teleported from the meeting room.
Doctor Tarmenik sluggishly stood, nodded, bowed, halted, and spoke sympathetically to Corb before turning on his heel and walking from the meeting room. “Enlightened One, you yet fail to understand the power you possess. Earth has a saying that fits our current relationship. You are a diamond in the rough. I will be the pumice that will permit the diamond that is you to shine.
“You have all of the data I was able to collect. If additional information becomes available, I will transmit to you it immediately.
“Know this, Enlightened One, answers can vary based on the form of the question.”
Chapter Three
ᛍᚼᛅᛕᛏᚱ ᛐᚼᚱ
“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.”
BairnGefa- The Akashic Expedition Page 2