“Then re-start from the original, unaltered code, from our last refit. That’s recent enough that we won’t have any compatibility problems. If we do that, and isolate everything, we get a clean system and can execute an escape burn.”
“We’re going to be extremely tight on time, I’ll warn you now,” Quinn said.
“Why?” Grant asked. “Yeager Station was back online within five minutes.”
“Alamo’s mainframe is far more complicated, and twenty-five years older. Not to mention that we’ve never done this before, not even during refits. Uploaded patches, taken some systems off-line, but you’re talking about…,” he shook his head, then continued, “I’m not sure we can do it. Even if we can, my guess is forty hours total.”
“That’s an hour too long, Jack.”
“We'll find a way to shorten it, somehow.” He looked at Orlova, and asked, “Are you sure about this?”
“If anyone on the bridge can think of anything else, any other option, now is the time.”
“I don’t see any other way,” Nelyubov said.
“Me either,” Grant added.
Looking around, as though looking for a straw to clutch, Quinn said, “I guess I don’t, either. We’d better get started right away. I’ll need all hands on duty for this one, including the bridge crew.”
“Not a problem,” Orlova said. “None of these controls work anyway. We’ll have the middies on watch just in case something happens, with standing orders to blast us out of orbit if they get a chance.”
“I hope they do,” Quinn said. “I really hope they do.”
Chapter 13
“What the hell is that?” Vaughan yelled, looking up at the sky. A bright beam of light had briefly erupted from Alamo, and the once-stationary ship was on the move, slowly beginning to drift across the sky as if it were a ship that had lost its anchor. “They’re moving out!”
Shaking his head, Cooper replied, “Probably just changing orbit. They only burned the main engine for a minute. Maybe they’re investigating something on the far side of the planet.” He pulled out his communicator, glancing at it again, but there was no sign that it was picking up any signal strength. “I wouldn’t worry.”
“That’s our ride home,” Martinez said.
“And it will take us home when the time comes. We’ve got bigger problems right now.” He glanced at his watch, and said, “Dawn in less than an hour, and by then the first of the Neander should be waking up. I want all weapons charged and ready.”
“You’re authorizing deadly force now?” Max asked.
“No, Corporal, I’m not. Nevertheless we are outnumbered something like twenty to one, and we might have to demonstrate our firepower.”
Looking down the pass, Blaine said, “They’ll be coming up for us before long. By now a company of the Territorial Guard will be massed at the outpost, getting ready to come after us.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Cooper said, “but I’m not much more scared of those single-action rifles of yours than I am of the stone axes the Neander are using. One shot from a plasma carbine will win any battle. I just don’t want to use them unless absolutely necessary.” He glanced at the power readout, frowning. The new weapons were a lot lighter than the older, bulky models, but they had a far reduced ammunition capacity. Forty shots was all they could manage.
“Lieutenant,” Max said to Blaine, “I think it’s a little late to worry about the Territorial Guard. We’re both guilty of mutiny, and they’ll shoot us if they catch us.”
“No court martial?” Cooper asked.
“From the Territorial Guard? A quick firing squad is the nearest thing we’ll get to due process. I suppose we could try and surrender to one of the other outposts, but in the long-run, I doubt we’d be any better off.” Blaine shook his head, and said, “Can you get in touch with your people up in orbit?”
“We still haven’t re-established communications.”
“And for all you know they are pulling out.”
“Relax, Lieutenant,” Vaughan said. “You’ll live longer.”
Cooper looked over the mounds of unconscious Neander, a low rumble coming from them, near-synchronized snoring. The gas they had deployed would have no lasting effect, other than giving them a good night’s sleep, the tranq darts using the same basic chemical mix. He looked over them, trying to identify the leaders, to remember the ones who had attempted to rally their comrades during the battle.
“Something happening at the bottom of the pass,” Martinez said.
“I told you,” Blaine said.
Walking over to his sentry, he looked down the hill, where a collection of Neander were busily assembling a barricade, others digging foxholes and trenches, as though they were preparing for a siege.
“I don’t think you need to worry, Blaine,” Cooper said. “Looks like they’re more interested with keeping us out than launching an attack. Most of the workers aren’t wearing uniforms, though.”
“Labor levy from the farms,” Max said. “They’ll have sent their people around to gather every able-bodied Neander for ten miles.”
“They can do that?” Vaughan asked.
“Of course,” the Neander replied. “Repayment for the benefits of culture and technology that they have been provided.” Cooper couldn’t be sure, but he thought for a second there was a trace of sarcasm in his voice. “You’re right, though. Maybe they’re worried that we’ve joined forces with the Neander.”
“Have we?” asked Martinez. “I mean, isn’t that what we’re doing?”
“Belay that, Private. Whatever you think of the Thulian government,” Cooper said, “and believe me, I think a lot, our job is to mediate a peace, not to pick sides. There may be things we don’t know.”
“I know chattel labor when I see it, sir.”
Cooper had no response to that. At heart, he agreed with his trooper. Everything about this situation was abhorrent to him, and he’d felt a sense of relief when he had broken with the government forces last night, even if it did leave he and his men in a precarious position.
“Once they wake up, what do you want to do, sir?” Vaughan asked.
“Negotiate with them, Corporal.”
“No, sir, I mean tactically. I was going to suggest that I double over to the nearest pass and find out what is happening there. Corporal Hunt’s fire team is only six miles away. I can be there and back in three hours.”
“Or be shot in an hour and a half. I’m not sending anyone out by themselves, Corporal, not until we know more precisely what the situation is.”
“Sir,” Martinez said. “I think one of them is waking up.”
Nodding, Cooper hefted his weapon in his hands, gesturing for the others to keep him covered, and stepped forward to the groaning Neander, one that he had identified as a leader. He’d been one of the last to fall, and had gone down urging his men to return to the fight.
“Wake up,” Cooper said.
Looking up through half-open eyes, the Neander replied, “I am dead, and heaven speaks the language of my enemies.”
“I don’t speak your language, I’m afraid. And we were using weapons designed to knock you out, not to kill.”
“The better to serve in your slave labor camps. I will die first, thank you.”
Max shook his head, and said, “You see?”
“The Triplanetary Confederation has no such camps. You are a prisoner, and only temporarily at that. We’re here to help.”
Glancing around at the battlefield, the Neander replied, “You have a strange way of showing it. What did you say you were?”
“I am Ensign Gabriel Cooper, commanding the Espatier Platoon of the Triplanetary Battlecruiser Alamo.”
“Impressive. What does it mean?”
“We’re not from this world, but are….”
“Another s
tarship, probably the enemies of the aliens who landed here four moons ago,” he replied nodding. “Suddenly I understand. We aren’t allying with them, either.”
“You aren’t?” Blaine asked. “Our information…”
Pushing himself to his feet, the Neander said, “Three of the tribes elected to place their destiny in their hands, ours did not. I am Wolpis, War-Leader of the Grey Ridge Tribe.”
“Then…”
“We attacked out of desperation. There is no more food, our crops have failed for the last time.” He looked at Blaine, and said, “You should know that. It was your agents that did it, spreading their foul death on our soil. Not that it has not been coming for years. Every year the harvest gets smaller and smaller, but this time it was gone. Our food reserves are exhausted. Seizing food and farmland was the last hope we had left.”
“You could have asked for help.”
“We did,” he replied. “Your Secretary Mason made it quite clear that we would only be permitted to send our children down to your paradise, to be taught that their ancestors were evil beings, and that they should be grateful for the scraps they were given. We would sooner die than do that.”
“Or kill,” Max interrupted.
“No-one needs to die,” Cooper said. “How many in your tribe?”
“A dozen-hundreds. Fewer than once they were. Likely they have scattered to the four winds. I fear that many of them will never return.”
“Alamo could provide emergency rations for that many,” Vaughan said. “Once we get into contact with them, it would only take a half-dozen shuttle loads to bring it down.”
“Is this another trick?” Wolpis asked, as another Neander began to rouse himself. “What share of our souls would you ask for this boon?”
“We’d probably expect that you would stop trying to kill us,” Cooper said, sotto voce, “but aside from that all we would ask is that you consider a peaceful settlement with the humans of the crater.”
Shaking his head, he replied, “It is a trick. It must be.”
The other figure looked up, and asked, “Wolpis? What is happening?”
“This is Kladjos, Lore-Keeper of our tribe,” Wolpis said to Cooper. “And I do not know what is happening. Speak American for the sake of our friends.”
“They attacked us,” Kladjos said.
“Strange,” Max said. “I could say exactly the same.”
“Only before you could attack us,” Cooper replied. Lowering his weapon, he said, “My commander wishes to see peace on this planet, and an end to the servitude of your people. It’s as simple as that.”
“Why?” Wolpis asked. “I do not understand.”
With a thin smile, Cooper said, “Thirty years ago, our people were in a not dissimilar condition to yours, laboring for overlords and tyrants. After a long struggle, we overthrew them and freed ourselves. How could we refuse to help those suffering under the same burden.”
“The answer to a prayer,” Kladjos said. “If it is true.”
“That is the greatest question,” Wolpis replied. “Provide me with this food, allow me to distribute it to our people, and I will agree to your terms.”
“Once we get back in contact with Alamo, I will,” Cooper said,
Shaking his head, Kladjos said, “That does not solve the problem, only postpone it. Our children’s cries of hunger might be stilled for a few days, a few weeks, but there is not enough food on this planet, and too many people. Our home is rejecting us.”
“How much do you know of your past?” Cooper asked.
“That our world was settled, long ago, from a far star called Earth, and that it was given to us to protect and treasure for all time,” Kladjos said. “We have failed it.”
Shaking his head, he replied, “You never had a chance, not without a technological civilization. This world was altered, terraformed, as we call it, but the process was never completed.”
“Could it be? Have you that ability?”
“It is not impossible,” Cooper replied. “There are many worlds where you might live, though, others where you can breathe the air and drink the water, or more advanced worlds, huge domes.”
“Move our whole tribe, our whole culture, to another world?” Wolpis said.
Frowning, Kladjos said, “I do not like the idea. I might consider it if we would remain as one tribe, one people, though my preference would be to stay here.”
All around, the Neander were beginning to wake up, grunts and groans as they slowly scrambled to their feet. Kladjos walked around, looking at each of them, while Wolpis remained standing opposite Cooper.
“Can we come to terms?” Cooper asked. “At least for the present.”
“Ask your friends down below.”
Glancing down the hill, he replied, “I’m afraid I’m not on speaking terms with them at the moment.”
“To put it mildly,” Blaine said.
“They wanted you massacred,” Vaughan said, bluntly. “We certainly weren’t going to do it, and we weren’t going to sit back and watch it happen to you, either.”
“We only took you on to prevent you attacking innocent people down in the crater,” Cooper added.
“Innocent?”
“Of course they are,” Cooper said. “Most of the people down there want nothing more than to watch their children grow up, eat well and have a roof over their heads. Just like your people.”
“He’s right,” Kladjos said. “I’d have that Mason impaled, and Hammond as well, but I won’t blame the people for the actions of their tyrants.”
“How are our people?”
“Nothing serious. A few broken bones, grazes.”
“Martinez,” Cooper ordered, “break out the medikit and see to them. Show Kladjos what you are doing.”
Frowning, Wolpis said, “Very well, you shall have your truce. At least for the present. I will be happier when my people are fed.” He glanced around, and started barking orders. Four of his people nodded, and started to walk off in different directions. “I am sending scouts to find the rest of the tribe and bring them back here.”
“Good. Now, I’d like to know more about the situation down here, about the rest of the tribes.”
“Sir!” Max yelled. “Dust, from the west. Looks like a jeep.”
“From the west?” Cooper asked. “One of the other forts must have sent someone. I guess Corporal Hunt decided not to wait.”
Peering through binoculars, Vaughan shook his head, and said, “You aren’t going to believe this, sir.”
“Try me.”
“Sub-Lieutenant Bradley in the passenger seat…”
“Barbara?”
Wolpis frowned, then nodded, and said, “Your mate.”
“And a not-man in the driving seat.”
“Tactical deployment!” Cooper yelled. “Wolpis, get your people into cover. Vaughan, you and Watkins on point, tell me when you get good shots lined up on the not-men. Do not fire unless I tell you. Martinez, stay with the wounded.”
“I take it these are not your friends either,” Wolpis replied, as he urged his people back, finding whatever cover they could.
“You might say that.”
The jeep bounced forward as the Espatiers took their positions, lined up to protect the Neander. Vaughan tossed his binoculars to Cooper, who peered through them at the incoming vehicle. His wife didn’t seem to be under any duress, no sign of any weapons, no sign of any hostility at all.
“Hold fire for the present,” he said. “There’s something very strange about all of this.”
With a squeal, the jeep stopped, and Bradley jumped out of it, leaving the not-man behind. Cooper cautiously rose to his feet, keeping his weapon pointed at the jeep.
“Stand down, Gabe,” she said. “He’s on our side, at least for the moment. Their ship is wrecked as well.”<
br />
His eyes widening, Cooper said, “What do you mean? Is something wrong with Alamo?”
“You don’t know?” she shook her head, and swore, “Damn it. Communications are still out. Alamo’s been having escalating systems problems. We think she tried to break out of orbit and failed. I came down a few hours ago…”
“I heard the shuttle.”
“And linked up with Salazar. Gabe, those Territorial Guards, they aren’t human.”
“What?” Wolpis asked.
“It is true,” the not-man said. “They are some sort of sophisticated android, controlled by a master computer, located somewhere in the crater. Your Sub-Lieutenant Salazar has gone to try and located it, and ordered us to find you.”
“Barbara, is there any chance this could be some sort of trick?”
“Harper examined the damn thing herself. It’s genuine.”
“What does he want me to do?”
“Mobilize the platoon and get ready for an assault.”
Wolpis leaned back, a loud guffaw erupting from his mouth, and said, “So our attack is merely postponed, after all!”
Shaking his head, Cooper replied, “What about the Captain?”
“Missing. I guess you’ve got command authority while we’re on the ground.”
Taking a deep breath, he turned to the not-man, and said, “How much fuel have you got in that thing?”
“Enough.”
“Then you and Corporal Vaughan are to go to each of the passes and find a way to get the platoon back together. You’ll need to be careful. I’ll set up an operations base right here and try and put some sort of a strike team together.”
“We’re going down there?” Blaine asked. “They’re my people.”
“If you can persuade them to stand aside and let us go to the capital, I’ll be happy enough with that outcome,” Cooper said. “Otherwise, we’re going to war.”
He turned back to the pass, looking at the defenses being put into position again. The diplomacy was over. The battle would soon begin.
Chapter 14
Battlecruiser Alamo: Cage of Gold Page 11