by L. V. Lane
I LEFT EVA’S opulent quarters and returned to the drab reality of the ship, sending an immediate communication through to Eric to meet me en route to the operations room.
The gray corridors were functional and offered nothing in the way of base aesthetics. The ship and its contents were designed for easy dismantlement. Once the colony was established, the ship would be broken up a piece at a time and shipped via transport to the planet. There, it would be reused to form future living space or broken down into raw material.
Eva’s suite was one of a few modules intended to be shipped planet side whole—a reflection of her lofty status. I might have argued about the indulgence, but I’d become aware over the course of our many conversations why predictives were so highly sought.
She was fallible though, and she felt things so very deeply that it was hard not to wonder that they might cloud her judgement at times. My judgement was not similarly impaired. But like Eva, I was prepared to trust Riley for now.
Eva was often laconic when demanding information. She could be terse when predicting too, but she could also be surprisingly expressive on occasion, as she had been today. The disturbing insights were both intellectually beautiful and terrifying. Riley aside, the surety with which she made those other predictions left me troubled.
As I exited the accommodation section, Eric joined me. “She had nothing bad to say about the drone launch.”
“Great!” Eric beamed.
I cast him a sideways glance as we turned the corner and hit the laboratory section.
“That’s good, right?” Eric said, his grin fading.
Two white-garbed medics approached. I waited until they were out of hearing before I said softly. “She thinks the ship’s been infiltrated.”
“Thinks or predicts?” Eric demanded.
“Predicts.”
Eric swore. We passed another group of future colonists who shot a questioning look at Eric as he continued with his fuming tirade. “What sort of infiltration are we talking about?”
“We used tech for the screening. I wasn’t part of the process. That was handled by our sponsors. It was state of the art technology. I’ve no idea how it could fail.”
“They trusted this to technology? Fuck me. How stupid are they?”
I sighed.
“The Federation?” he asked.
“It’s possible,” I said. “Although there are plenty of less dramatic possibilities. There was a war and people were desperate to get away. I don’t think it matters who. The more important question is why, and what will they do now.”
“This whole operation is at risk,” Eric said. “More at risk than it already was with an occupied planet and unknown tech. We never got the communication from the sponsors. We’re isolated here… Then there’s the next ship due in a year.”
“Let’s focus on one problem at a time,” I said. We entered the elevator to find it full of people. I ordered them out. They did so with mutters.
“Which problem do you propose we deal with first then?” Eric said the moment the door closed. “The terraformed planet or the silent army waiting to slit our throats in the night?”
“We’re still talking about a small percent,” I said. “Not the whole ship.”
“You gonna send the drone?” Eric asked, catching me by surprise.
“Yes, we still need to go ahead. We’re forewarned about dissension. I’ll need to have her interview everyone on the ship.”
“Everyone?” Eric scoffed. “There are 10,000 people on this ship. I’m not having her exposed to some deviant on a mission to screw up everyone’s lives.”
“In case you missed the who-is-in-command communication, it’s not your call.”
“It won’t work,” he continued. “You know it. There are 10,000 colonists on this ship—she can’t interview them all. How could you let this happen?”
“Me?” I cut him a glare. “Are you going through some sort of personality regression?”
“I trusted you to take care of my sister. You sold this to me.”
The elevator door opened, but I snapped out the override command. It closed again on the confused people waiting to enter. “She’s a predictive,” I said. “Planetary governments swooned when she opened her mouth. She doesn’t need a fucking babysitter.” I shook my head. “She would crush you with a look just for suggesting it. And I wasn’t part of the screening process. You’re being a dick… which, admittedly, isn’t unusual.”
“It’s too many people and she won’t cope. You really want to burn her out at this point? Or worse, make her a target? Whoever it is will get wind of what we’re doing. She could be a target now.”
The part about her becoming a target settled uncomfortably. Eva had spent her life surrounded by an armada of guards. It had felt like overkill within the contained colony community, but perhaps not. “I’ll put Jax on her.”
“Not Mr. Magnificent,” Eric said. “No way.”
I grinned. I still couldn’t work out what it was about Jaxton Holt that wound Eric up. If anyone should be pissed at Jax, it should be me given he was, by all accounts, sleeping with Eva again. I couldn’t even work out how things had gone from a possibility to a train wreck between me and Eva. But they had, so no point in wallowing in pity.
Jax was arguably the best Marine in our military division. Despite Jax harboring an amiable disposition and never once biting, Eric continued to bait him. “You said you were worried. Now I’m worried. Can you think of anyone better?”
“Fine.” Eric gestured at the elevator door. “Also, we can’t stay in here.”
I cancelled the elevator override, and it opened to reveal the startled faces of those still waiting to enter. “Where’s Riley?”
“In the operations room last I saw,” Eric replied as we pushed through the cluster of waiting people.
“Good. We’ll call the rest of her team in. A final check before we send the drone down to the planet.”
We continued along the gray, featureless corridor in silence before entering the operations room where we found Riley deep in thought. A data stream was flashing by on the right of the wall viewer, while a neuro-specification filled the left-hand side. It looked complex enough to make me shudder for entirely personal reasons. Technology was never going to be my thing.
She knows too much about technology, I acknowledged. If Eva didn’t obviously trust her, I’d be blasting Riley into deep space. I almost wished Eva had lied to me about her predictions regarding Riley. Still, there had been a delay before Eva answered—she had thought about lying, and I didn’t know what to make of that. “Riley, I need a summarized update on the planet,” I said as the door closed behind me and Eric.
“I was examining the city,” she said. Her eyes drifted to Eric and a slight color entered her cheeks before she turned back to the wall view. “Well, as much as can be determined from here. The drone is ready.”
“Let’s arrange the launch once we’re done here,” I said. “I want to start by investigating the land furthest from the city. If this is successful, we can consider doing a separate sweep of the city next. What have you found so far?”
The Technologist tapped to bring up an orbital view of the city. “There are no people on the planet, be they Federation or Aterran, none at all. The monitoring appears to be environmental, intended to study the planet. Perhaps to assess the terraforming process. This is fringe, real fringe, and nothing like the fringe we thought we found before and that we warred so brutally over. This is not set up with defense in mind. Whoever terraformed this planet saw no threat in the form we present. I also doubt this is the only planet they, whoever they may be, have terraformed. It has an established air to it. No one would leave an experiment unattended unless they had done it before.”
“Yes, that’s a good point. That does imply they will return.”
“For certain, no one creates this—” she gestured at the city on the viewer, “without reason.”
“Someone? Not sentient machines then?”
“The technology is unparalleled, but it is not independent, nor did it arrive here by itself. The terraforming is impressive. I’ve never seen this level of biodiversity or complexity. There are still adjustments occurring. It has been stable for thousands of years, though. It’s hard to say what might trigger its creators’ return.”
Yes, Eva had admitted the city and its creators were unknown to her and so their actions would remain unpredictable.
“There are other issues at play here, Riley.” I watched the Technologist as I spoke.
Tired eyes turned to regard me. “I’m no fool, Commander. I understand my position here is tenuous.” She smiled and that too was weary. “It’s a far better position than the one I had before.”
Eric swiped a hand down his face like he was uncomfortable with the turn in conversation. He had been a prisoner with Riley. You learned a lot about a person when you shared a prison cell. “Should I call the team in?” Eric asked, thumbing in the direction of the door.
“Yes, call them in,” I said. “It’s time to launch the drone.”
CHAPTER TEN
Definition: Predictive truth, A Proven fact.
Eva
THE DISCORD ON the ship continued to plague my mind, and after my troubling conversation with Landon, I needed some time with Riley. The Technologist had a calming influence on me, and I needed that right now because my control was sliding from my grasp.
Maybe seeing her would trigger the missing prediction and abolish Landon’s insinuations of Riley as a threat. Predictions were derived subconsciously, though, and any attempt to manipulate or force them was more likely to stifle than help.
The dark undercurrents rose regardless of my desire for peace, and left a residual sensation of walls closing in on me and of being trapped.
It was a familiar experience, and I fluctuated wildly between mind numbing fear and fury.
Why had none of these troubles been apparent before we left? I had worked with many of the colonists at various times during the preparations for departure. How had I missed it? I was angry with myself, with the crew, and with the foolish sponsors who had not screened properly. It was an irrational anger that found shifting points of focus, and that, too, was part of the pattern.
The situation was different now, I realized. We were isolated, and this provided a very different environment. Barely were we out of stasis and the cracks were starting to show.
My room felt suffocating. I needed air, real air. My eyes could not depart from the swirling blue and white planet displayed on my wall viewer that offered foreboding instead of a welcome.
Riley wasn’t responding to my message requests, which meant the Technologist was busy. Given Landon’s determination to send the first drone down, this was hardly surprising. Still, I should have had an override ability, no matter what was going on.
I began to pace my room, aware I was missing a vital clue or piece of information. That missing knowledge frightened me, perhaps more than the terrifying body of knowledge I’d accumulated thus far.
It’s a tiny minority, I told myself. The Commander hadn’t lost his usual calm edge on hearing about the dissension within the ship. He’d been surprised but not catatonic with fear. That had to be a good sign.
Only there was more, I knew it, and I brought my pacing to an abrupt halt at the door. I needed to go out there, yet I was caught incapacitated by fear. I’d made a decision to leave Aterra, the Federation, and the war behind. This was my home now, and these were the people I’d chosen to live with and to benefit with my predictions. I was of no value to them if I did not serve them. I am of no value to anyone if I hide away.
Landon had instructed me not to leave my room without contacting Jax… which was awkward given how much time I’d spent with Jax in the lead up to our departure. I couldn’t even say what madness had led to me sleeping with him again. There were times when I needed to block out the world and all the conflicted feelings predicting invoked and Jax was just there.
I wasn’t proud of what I’d done, but I was stupidly unsure about myself and Landon.
Regrets. I had more than an average share of them.
Resolved to the course of action, and ignoring direct orders not to leave without Jax, I opened the door and headed in search of the one person I trusted to bring stability back. Riley.
When I arrived at the main operations room, I found it locked to me, much to my frustration. I headed instead for the research center where I found Lai amid a crowd. The room occupants were riveted to the viewer where the delayed feed from the drone descending to the planet was being displayed. Lai smiled, seeing me enter before returning her attention to the screen.
I hung at the edges of the room, thoroughly irritated that I couldn’t speak to Riley or Lai. I was a spare part here, without use or purpose while this historic event took place. I contemplated returning to the operations room and pounding on the door. A pointless exercise given it was soundproof, but I thought it might be satisfying all the same.
“Big day, huh?” Cathy, one of the technical experts, joined me at the edge. She was a tall, handsome woman, and beside her, I felt disproportionately petite. When she nudged her head at a couple of chairs, I reluctantly sat. “I can’t do much but get in the way until it lands,” Cathy said. “They called the important people into the operations room. But at least they allowed us to watch the feed from here.”
I blinked, mumbling a suitable response as my brows drew together. Cathy wasn’t happy, but it was a simple disgruntlement and carried no serious undertones. “That Riley is a shady character. You two seem close. I assume the Commander has you watching her for predictions?”
“She’s… no,” I stammered.
“I can’t say I blame him,” Cathy continued. “Makes me uneasy knowing we have a Federation deserter in our midst.” She sent a swift glance my way. “It must worry you too, I mean, who knows when she might reveal her dirty Federation plans.” Her lips curled. “Being exposed to someone like that can’t be a pleasant experience.”
Trigger.
I tried to speak, but my mind blanked and no words would come out. A small cheer rose from the cluster of people around the viewer as the drone broke through into the atmosphere. “That’s my cue.” Cathy rose with a grimace. “Still, Riley’s not the only worry, what with so many system faults on C-deck… And those dumb engineering techs freezing our asses off after that glitch.” Her laugh was low and devoid of humor. “This ship is as screwed up as the planet.”
Trigger.
Predictive truth: the ship was broken, Cathy was merely stating a fact.
She stalked off toward the viewer, leaving me alone with a maelstrom of swirling thoughts and impressions. Cathy’s anger at Riley is localized. Cathy herself was not the threat.
Trigger.
Grief welled up, gripping me in its destructive embrace, closing my throat, trapping the air in my lungs.
“Too perfect! It’s too perfect,” I mumbled.
I tried to stand, but a sense of malaise was skittering under my skin, sapping the strength from my legs.
I collapsed to my hands and knees.
“Eva! Eva, what is it?” Lai’s panicky cry penetrated the ringing in my ears.
“Too perfect,” I mumbled as my vision started to blur. Riley should have been available. If I could see Riley, I knew I would understand.
“Eva, please, you’re not making any sense!” Lai’s panicky voice barely registered.
“Get Riley now!” I began shaking, great bone-wracking shudders that nearly shook me apart as I clutched desperately at Lai.
“Call for Eric, see if he knows where Riley is… and call medical.” Lai’s voice became distant, lost under the ringing.
There were people clustered around me. Closing in like spiders on a helpless fly. I tried to ward them away, but my movements lacked coordination. “Too perfect.” The blackness enclosed me just as the door burst open and more spiders came rushing in.
; CHAPTER ELEVEN
Landon
A CHEER ROSE in the operations room as the drone dropped its protective outer shell and skimmed the treetops in a graceful arc.
Eric, Riley, and I stood on the periphery while the rest of the team clustered around the viewer.
“I think we can call that a success,” Riley said. She was smiling. It was the first time I had seen her smile for anything other than Eva.
I would be smiling too, were it not for my earlier conversation with Eva. I cut a glance toward Eric to find him wearing a grim expression.
“Well, it wasn’t shot down,” Eric muttered, drawing a frown and a blush from Riley.
“Good work everyone,” I called out for the benefit of the room. The beaming faces of those present turned my way before they returned to the viewer with a jabber of excited conversation.
“A city sweep next?” Riley asked.
“Yes, start the preparations. I realize this launch is of more interest to the scientists than you, but if we can get a drone over the city, it will give you something to work with.”
“We’re moving fast here.” Eric gestured toward the viewer.
“Our resident climatologist, Lai, was talking about waiting in orbit for another three standard years while she assesses a full rotation. I understand the climate is extreme, but if it’s feasible, I want a reconnaissance team on the ground, and the sooner the better.”
“Yes, they start to get comfortable sitting in orbit.” Eric grinned. “And then you’re in for a world of whining when you try to move them on.”
“The whining is the least of our concerns,” I said dryly.
Eric suddenly winced and pressed his fingers to his communicator bud. “Calm down! I can’t understand a damn thing you’re saying.” His brows drew together before his eyes met mine. “I’m on my way.”
“It’s Eva, she’s—you know.” Eric ran toward the door.
Prediction. I found myself the subject of Riley’s concerned gaze. The other occupants had noticed something was amiss and their expressions were varied. Some of them had witnessed this before. Some of them were confused.