Minerva's Soul (The Harry Irons Trilogy)

by Thomas Stone

  “That’s pretty far out, Harry. The universe operates under established rules of physics. The kitzloc may be extraordinary creatures but they’re still flesh and bone.”

  “Rules of physics? What do we, as a species, really know about our interactions with the universe? We’ve just scratched the surface of understanding. We don’t even understand exactly how Minerva’s faster than light drive works. That’s a misnomer even. According to everything we know, we can’t travel faster than light. Somehow we’re bending space, or whatever you want to call it, and then we just take a step. Voila, we’re there.” As if distracted, Harry turned his head slightly.

  In a moment, Fagen and Bobbi came over the top of the dune behind Kathleen.

  “What are you two doing?” Fagen asked. He flopped on the sand beside Kathleen, the weight of the robot causing it to slide several meters down the slope before coming to rest. Bobbi appeared and likewise sat beside Harry.

  “Contemplating the universe,” replied Harry.

  “Ah, the prime fascination of a true space traveler.”

  Bobbi was the first to hear a low sound in the distance. She called the others’ attention to it.

  “What is that?” Kathleen asked. No one answered.

  The sound rose in volume as whatever it was came closer. The ground began to tremble and, in alarm, all four simulcons got to their feet.

  The crest of the dune across from them began to break. Rivulets of sand started to run down the incline as something massive climbed over the top. It suddenly stopped but the sound it made was now a roar. Lights switched on, illuminating the four robots and exposing them against the backdrop of the sandy hill.

  A door opened and someone jumped from the vehicle. The sound of Jennings’ voice reached them. “Well, we made it. Better late than never, I guess.”

  Chapter 4

  They moved the trucks into a wide area surrounded by three dunes, arranging a camp of sorts with Minerva hovering two meters above ground between the vehicles. Soon after, as Jennings and his men watched, the simulcons were cleaned, inspected, and loaded back into the truck, which Bobbi announced would thereafter be called Minerva-Too. It was midnight before anyone had time for a meal. They shared hot ready-to-eat packages from Minerva’s stores with Jennings’ group and, in turn, Jennings shared fresh fruit from the fields surrounding Jennings Bank. Afterwards, Jennings and Fagen inspected a map in the cab of Jennings’ truck.

  “We need to head northeast tomorrow. Stay low between the dunes and keep an eye on all scanners. Report anything unusual. I want drones in the air as often as possible. We stop immediately at any sign of activity.”

  “How far northeast?”

  Jennings shook his head. “I’m not going to tell you that.”

  “Why not?”

  “So you won’t consider taking off on your own.”

  “And how do I know you’re not leading me on a wild goose chase? Look, tell me the coordinates you’ve got in mind for the destination and I’ll have Minerva do an aerial survey of the area.”

  “Nope. No can do. When we get close enough, I’ll let you know.”

  Fagen gritted his teeth but said nothing. “What about proximity fences and watch rotation?”

  “No need for fences tonight. My men will keep watch. We’re still a long way off. But tomorrow night will be different. Now, I suggest you get a few hours sleep before we begin moving again.”

  As soon as Fagen returned to his truck, he instructed Minerva to monitor the proximity sensors and keep an especially close eye on Jennings and his men.

  *

  In the small hours of the morning, Kathleen returned to Minerva-Too and went directly to the shower compartment where she took her time undressing and then washing under a pleasant stream of hot water. Minerva reminded her three times not to use too much.

  “We carry our own water and it is limited until we come across a fresh reservoir.”

  “Okay, I heard you.” She completed rinsing and turned off the stream, then stepped from the shower. Drying herself quickly, she pulled on fresh underclothes and went into the dressing area where she passed a mirror. Pausing, she studied her image. Over 40, she was still a beautiful woman. In earlier times, she’d kept her blonde hair long, but an active life had finally convinced her to cut it down to a more manageable length. Now it was so short as to be little more than a man’s haircut. She leaned closer to the mirror and noted that the creeping lines at the corners of her eyes looked very much as they had the day before. Perhaps when they returned to Earth she could have something done about it or maybe Minerva could manage a little cosmetic surgery.

  She stepped away from the mirror and inspected her body. In that respect, she hadn’t aged a bit. She’d always maintained an athletic physique, a prerequisite for a Corporation Survey Mission Commander and she was fully capable of physically competing with men.

  With a sigh, she began combing her cropped hair. She stopped when the tears unexpectedly came. It had been months since she and Harry had been intimate and although she had tried to become interested in other men, none had been able to take his place. With tears flowing freely, she sat on the bench and put her face in both hands.

  The outer door opened and Harry’s voice came through, “Done with the shower?”

  When she said nothing, he entered and saw she’d been crying.

  “Are you all right?”

  She nodded her head in confirmation. “Does Fagen know you’re here? He won’t like it.”

  Harry shrugged. “I’ll get back to Minerva before he knows it. You don’t look all right.”

  She looked at him with tear-streaked cheeks. Harry sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. “What is it, sweetheart?”

  Tears began welling in her eyes again as she turned to him. Suddenly, she put both arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I miss you,” she admitted.

  In response, Harry held her, one hand smoothing her wet blond hair. “I’m right here.”

  “No, I mean I miss how it used to be. I miss you so much.”

  “It’s all going to be all right, you’ll see.”

  “How can anything be all right again? Too much has happened.”

  “Maybe not enough has happened.”

  “What do you m-…”

  Harry interrupted her, “Remember our first shower together?”

  Kathleen nodded and the memory made her smile. “Yes. You were shy.”

  “Only at first, if I remember correctly.” Harry released her and stepped to the door where he flicked on the lock. He turned back. “You know, speaking of showers, I’ve got a spot on my back I can’t reach.” He held out a hand and she took it, allowing him to pull her to her feet. “Do you think you could help me with that?”

  “Spaceman got an itch?”

  “Um-huh.” He pulled her into the shower and the water automatically started to flow.

  As they fell into one another’s arms, Minerva reminded them of the water restrictions.

  “Shut up, Minerva,” Harry said flatly.

  *

  In the morning, prior to the trucks moving out, Fagen ordered Minerva to leave the surface of Mirabel and establish a geosynchronous orbit 240 kilometers overhead. Jennings said nothing, but the disappointment over Minerva’s departure was evident by his expression. Harry argued again with Fagen about remaining with the ground team but Fagen was adamant: Harry was to remain with Minerva and Blane. After saying good-bye to Harry, Blane, Tringl, and Arai, Kathleen joined Fagen and Bobbi in Minerva-Too. When Minerva began to silently lift away, a calmer Kathleen watched as the craft grew smaller in the sky.

  Jennings and his men traveled together in their vehicle while Fagen and his group traveled in Minerva-Too. The two vehicles maintained a short distance from one another and traveled on the same course, one following the other. Over time and distance, the desert changed. They passed out of the dunes onto a flat, rocky plateau that stretched into the distance. The new surface allowe
d them to nearly double their speed and Jennings reported they were making good time. There was no sign of wildlife; indeed, Fagen found it difficult to imagine anything capable of surviving in such a hostile place.

  From above, Minerva kept track of their progress. She ran continuous scans over the territory in front of the small convoy until finally she reported on what appeared to be a deserted settlement situated in their path.

  “Way out here?” Fagen asked no one in particular. He opened a short wave channel to Jennings and relayed the information.

  “That’s Boomtown. We’ll take a break when we get there,” said Jennings over the radio. No other details were passed.

  “I’m not sure about this Jennings guy,” said Bobbi. “He’s got his own agenda.”

  “It’s not so different from ours,” replied Fagen.

  Kathleen flared. “Oh, he wants to help Harry, does he?”

  Fagen shook his head. “No, he doesn’t care anything about helping Harry, but he does understand the value of what we’re looking for.” Fagen took his eyes from the passing desert wasteland and looked at Kathleen. “We need his help. We need the numbers he and his men provide.”

  “I don’t see why. Harry and I got in and out…”

  “And look what happened to Harry. You’re lucky you weren’t infected as well.”

  Kathleen fell into silence and neither spoke until the decaying buildings of Boomtown came into view. As they neared the settlement, it became obvious no one had occupied the settlement for a long time. The buildings, both pre-fab and wooden, were generally in poor repair; wind blew through broken windows and open doors while some had collapsed altogether, forming heaps of debris beside more formidable structures.

  Minerva’s truck pulled up outside what appeared to be the one structure still standing in decent shape. A dangling sign swaying in the slight breeze announced their arrival at Mickey’s Tavern, A Genuine Irish Pub. Fagen and Bobbi were already out of the truck by the time Jennings came rumbling in and parked behind Minerva-Too. Located at the center of town, Mickey’s looked as though it had been a thriving business. Mostly constructed from pre-fab materials, it was large enough to accommodate a crowd with added rooms in the rear for gambling and prostitution. Probably used as city hall and courthouse too, Fagen thought.

  Jennings and the two Ellis’s climbed down from their truck and walked over to Fagen, dust rising from their footsteps. Each carried a weapon. Griswold remained behind and ignored Fagen as he inspected the exterior of Jennings’ vehicle. Ellis nodded at Fagen and stepped up on Mickey’s porch to peek through a broken window. The younger Ellis split off after waving to Fagen and Bobbi and then went to his father’s side before the two disappeared around the corner of the building.

  Jennings spoke into his headset mic, “Check things out. Stay alert. We’re in their territory now.” He looked at the position of the sun in the sky. “Still plenty of daylight, so we’re probably fine.” Jennings motioned toward the dangling sign. “Leave it to you, Edward, to come to a strange place and find your way straight to the center of town.”

  Fagen made no reply, but Ellis nodded and entered the front door. Jennings stepped onto the porch and took a long look around.

  Through his headset, Fagen asked Minerva what her scans revealed.

  “Nothing,” Minerva answered flatly. “No motion. No hotspots. There is a water source sixty meters to the south, most likely a well.”

  Griswold completed his inspection of the vehicle and sauntered over to Kathleen eyeing her like a butcher would a cut of meat before turning his attention to Jennings. Jennings motioned to them all from the open door of Mickey’s Pub. “Come on in, it’s clear.”

  As they entered, Jennings said, “Well, I suppose you’re curious about this place. For a while, years ago, people came here to mine the salt flats but it was such a long, dangerous trip out and back, a permanent camp was established. It was a real going concern too, for a time anyways. This place here was built by Mickey Calahan, he owned the salt operation and claimed the land where others mined gypsum, so they paid him for the rights to mine. He owned this place and liked the nightlife so much he ran it personally from behind the bar.”

  Jennings pointed at long, thick planks lying on the floor and the remains of broken sawhorses.

  “He established himself as the final arbiter in local disputes and his place doubled as the courthouse.” Jennings turned and grinned at Fagen. “Can you imagine that?”

  Fagen shrugged.

  Jennings continued as Bobbi and Kathleen looked about the premises. “Kitzloc drove ‘em all out finally. Griswold worked out here for a bit and after things went to hell, he led hunting expeditions. Never saw a damn thing except the occasional survivor, if you can call ‘em that. Sooner or later, after they’re infected, they go completely off. They’ll kill themselves or you, doesn’t matter to them. People started leaving. Pretty soon, there weren’t enough to man the operation.”

  “What happened to Calahan?”

  “Oh, he went crazy.”

  “Kitzloc?”

  “Naw. Crazy over losing all his money.”

  “How long since you’ve been here?”

  “Years. This is too far out for a quick trip and, like I said, it’s what we consider kitzloc territory. Nobody comes out here unless they’re well-armed and outfitted properly. The fact is, there’s no good reason to be here.” He looked Fagen dead in the eye. “Maybe that makes us crazy.”

  Kathleen came back into the main room. “There’s nothing here.”

  “Aye lassie, nothing but the obvious: these old buildings in the middle of nowhere and nothing else. That’s why it’s a good place to stop. From a distance, the trucks look like more buildings. When we leave this place, there’s flat, open land for over a hundred and sixty kilometers until we reach the dunes again. It’s going to take luck to get there without being seen. From here on out, we’re in stealth mode.”

  Ellis and his son appeared at the front door. “There’s water in the well. We should top our tanks.”

  “See to it,” said Jennings and the two left. “We’ll stay the night here. Kitzloc are mostly active at night so keep a close watch. Smell anything odd, like flowers or honey, don’t take the time to figure it out, just stay inside and seal up your truck.”

  “That’s a load of crap,” Fagen murmured to Bobbi. “If we get sensor confirmation, we’re activating the simulcons and going after them.”

  “You got something to add?” asked Jennings, none too politely.

  “No,” said Fagen, “I was just telling Bobbi we need to top off our water tanks as well.”

  *

  Evening fell without incident with temperatures dropping quickly after sunset. The two groups coordinated with each other to set up perimeter sensors encircling the two vehicles. By the time they were done, everyone was chilled and ready to retreat to the warmth of their vehicles. Jennings, however, insisted that the teams watch the rest of Ellis’s videos, so they all ended up crowded together inside the lounge within Minerva-Too.

  All had seats except for Griswold who stood behind everyone and near the door. Harry, still confined to Minerva in stationary orbit, had his holographic image displayed at the gathering. He stood on the opposite side of the room.

  As the series of short video segments began, the senior Ellis acted as narrator. The first scene displayed a desert backdrop of rolling, gravelly ground. There was no sound accompanying the video. The camera was situated at ground level and aimed at a point far in the distance. As the audience watched, Ellis explained that he and his son had set up automated observation posts at a ranch bordering the desert. The inhabitants of the ranch had issued reports of their cattle acting “funny,” so he and his son had gone there and surreptitiously set up their equipment. The pay-off for their efforts was now being played out on the screen in front of the group.

  “We didn’t know what to expect,” Ellis said, “but we did know we wanted to remain as far away as po
ssible to avoid detection, which meant we had to go dressed in full camouflage and set up observation posts on high ground where we had a good view of the herds. So that’s what we did. Then we waited. We did four hour shifts for nearly three days straight without seeing anything.”

  The camera shot zoomed in on a herd of cattle. They milled about nipping and pulling at what grass was available.

  “Why would the owner put his herd in such a place?” asked Bobbi. “There’s not much to graze on.”

  “The owner, Herb Danforth, didn’t put his cattle there. It’s on the edge of the desert and you’re right, there’s next to nothing for them to eat. The herd went there of their own accord walking through more than one field of full grass to get there. Crazy, huh?”

  The camera view suddenly zoomed past the herd to what looked to be a group of boulders at the top of a low rise.

  “Those rocks were five hundred yards beyond the herd and keep in mind we were set up almost three kilometers away. If there had been any wind that day, there’s no way we could have kept the camera steady enough to catch this.”

  All eyes were on the rock formations when one of them moved. The picture was a little out of focus and heat waves distorted the image, yet unmistakably one of the rocks began to move. It stopped for a moment then moved again. The camera image focused better and it looked as though something protruded from the sides of the rock in question, something that moved of its own accord like appendages of sorts.

  “Don’t know what that is,” said Ellis.

  “Arms. Maybe a meter and a half long, maybe longer,” said Kathleen. “These creatures are fair-sized.”

  The object suddenly dropped from view and the video ended.