by Terry Mixon
She put her helmet back on and used her armor’s scanners to peer into their surroundings. It detected no power sources other than her companions.
The scouts avoided the gullies and stuck to the high ground. The others scrambled up the incline and peered down into the depths of the water worn tracks as they advanced.
Being somewhat contrarian, Kelsey went to the largest of the gullies and peered into the dim interior. At the height of the day, the sun would light everything, but now that it was the evening, the shadows were long in its sand-covered bottom.
“Lieutenant Reese? Since your people have a high ground covered, do you mind if I take a look inside the gully?”
“If you see anything unusual, I want you to turn around and get the hell out of there. No dawdling.”
“Yes, sir.”
Talbot motioned for two of his men to lead the way in and waited until they were almost out of sight before indicating Kelsey could follow. He followed on her heels.
The loose ground made the footing somewhat treacherous, so Kelsey had to devote more attention to her balance. In spite of the circumstances, she was enjoying the experience. She’d forgotten how much she enjoyed being out in nature. Even dry, dusty nature. Of course, she usually didn’t go hiking in combat armor, surrounded by armed men, and worried about people shooting at her.
Her enhanced vision made it easier to see clearly in the dim light. The implants also boosted her eye for detail. So when she spotted an irregularity in the sand off to the side, she stopped. “Hold up.”
Kelsey knelt down and gave the area her full attention. Even with the wind blown sand everywhere, this looked too regular to be natural. For the most part, she knew nature abhorred straight lines. Whatever this was, it didn’t seem like it belonged.
“What do you see?” Talbot asked.
“It seems crazy, but I think this might be a footprint.”
The rock wall in front of her disappeared as though it had never been there, revealing a gaping black opening. She was so startled that her feet slid out from under her when she tried to surge upright and she fell forward into the darkness.
Chapter Twenty-Two
After half an hour of sorting through the commands received by the shipyard, Jared decided that he’d made a mistake. The instructions from the AI in command of the solar system were so general as to be useless. Build this number of ships, have them done by this time, and statuses on their progress going back down. Also requests for new personnel to man those ships.
He made his way over to where the scientists were still manually examining the computer system. “We’ve been here a while, gentlemen. Perhaps it’s time we returned to Courageous. Well, perhaps only me. I’m not sure I’m adding much to this expedition.”
Owlet looked up from the console he was working at. “Actually Captain, I think I found something that might change your assessment. How would you like to capture a completely functional shipyard?”
Jared raised an eyebrow. “You have my full attention, Mister Owlet.”
“I’m still looking over the data, but I think I found a security flaw. Not in the programming, but in the rules of engagement. This shipyard had an automated defense system. That system determined what was hostile and what wasn’t. The rules of engagement seem pretty straightforward and comprehensive until you look at the exceptions.”
He tapped the screen in front of him. “They must’ve had some friendly fire incidents in the past, because it says right here that any ship with an appropriate transponder is friendly.”
“Are you telling me it’s a simple as salvaging a transponder and just flying over to the other shipyard? That’s stupid. The other shipyard has to know we’ve overrun the system. It’s going to ignore that instruction.”
“Not if it has these rules of engagement. There is no room for discretion. It’s like the difference between the words shall and may. According to this, any ship with the correct transponder shall be considered friendly. The other computer won’t be able to fire on us. It also couldn’t fire on the other shipyard or the orbital we destroyed. That probably explains why the operational shipyard hasn’t fired on us yet. This shipyard is between it and Courageous.”
Jared peered over his shoulder at the text on the screen. It wasn’t computer code, but it was completely unfamiliar. Fleet didn’t use automated defenses like that. They required a human being to be in control of deadly force.
He waved Sergeant Coulter over to join them and explained the situation. “If we were able to take the pinnace over there, what type of resistance could we expect?”
“Based on the number of corpses we found, several hundred Pale Ones. In tight quarters like this, that could get hairy. Particularly if they’re armed with advanced weapons.”
“If we don’t take that shipyard over, we have to take it out. That probably won’t be difficult, but the positives of gaining an advanced construction facility might be worth the risk. Yes, the Pale Ones build crappy ships, but I’ll wager that facility could build something better with the right instructions. Mister Owlet, what do you think?”
The scientist manipulated his screen. “I’m not seeing anything in the system that would indicate they have more advanced plans available for use. That said, this system has the potential to build modern warships once we create the instructions. And if we find advanced plans later, it could probably do them, too. Apparently, there is an unmanned mining station in the asteroid belt to get the raw materials and mold them into basic equipment.”
“One more thing to check before we leave the system. I don’t suppose this thing has deck plans for the other shipyard, does it?”
Owlet shook his head. “No, it doesn’t. Still, how many layouts for shipyards do you think the Pale Ones are using? The other one is about the same size as this one, so it probably has the same layout. Why would they waste the effort building something different? They only build two kinds of ship.”
Sergeant Coulter looked unconvinced. “Counting on the enemy doing exactly what you’d like is bad policy. We have to plan for the enemy doing something inconvenient. That means different plans and different rules of engagement. The computers on this station were down after the fusion weapon knocked them out. That’s not true on the other station. Hell, even if it is true, that damn computer on the planet could change its instructions just before we dock. It’s too dangerous.”
Jared considered their options. The marine noncom was right. They had to be sure before they tried a direct attack. “What if we put transponders into some of our probes and sent them across? Or better yet, some of our missile warheads. If they’re shot down, no real loss. If they make it all the way across, we could attach them to critical points on that thing’s hull and detonate them if we detect anything funny.”
When neither man objected, Jared made the decision to move ahead with the plan. “Send word back to Courageous. I want to use our old pinnaces with full troop loads and enough missile warheads to disable the defenses on that other shipyard. While they’re gathering them, fan out and find where the transponders are stored. If nothing else, see if you can strip them off the wrecks of ships under construction. If possible, I’d like to get this under way in an hour. Make it happen.”
The men set about their tasks and Jared went back to searching the computer systems. If they were going to board the other ship, he wanted to know how he could best assist them.
He’d be useless in a fight, but he might be able to control the shipyard hardware. Sealing a particular corridor, venting the atmosphere, or even shutting down power to lifts could make a difference. But only if he was there.
And if they could reach the computer center, he could shut the whole thing down. Well, he and Owlet together could.
The extra troops and weapon systems arrived about fifty minutes after he gave the order. By then, they’d located the transponders in one of the parts bays. The engineers were easily able to add them to the warhead avionics. Right at the hour mark, the
y declared them ready.
Without a ship’s launchers, the warheads couldn’t move very fast at all. The micro drives included in the warhead packages were for last-minute course adjustments, not speed. Of course, under these circumstances, that was a positive. The other shipyard would consider anything going as fast as a missile hostile, no matter what its transponder said.
One of the pinnaces took the warheads back out after they’d been modified and released them. They maneuvered around the bulk of the captured shipyard and began accelerating slowly towards the hostile one. Jared waited for the other station to fire as the warheads crept closer, but it didn’t. The warheads made it all the way to the station and pushed themselves up against the critical sections.
Once they were in place, the only way to destroy them was to come out and do it by hand. He doubted the Pale Ones were capable of extravehicular activities. They’d keep an eye out for any small craft leaving the other shipyard, though.
That only left one major obstacle to carrying out his plan. Convincing his first officer not to throw a screaming hissy fit when he found out that Jared was going along for the ride.
Jared returned to the pinnace he’d arrived on and made his way to the flight deck. The pilot and copilot left at his order and he locked the hatch behind him. He sat down at the flight engineer’s station and opened a channel to Courageous.
Charlie Graves appeared on the console screen. “Captain, I’m glad you called. I was just about to give you a call of my own. I’ve got some serious concerns about your plans that I wanted to go over with you.”
“I figured you might. Why don’t you step into my office, and take this call on a scramble channel?”
His executive officer’s eyebrows rose. “Yes, sir. Just give me a second to get things set up.” The screen went blank.
A minute later, he reappeared and from the background. Jared could tell the XO was in the office just off the bridge. “There we are. This channel is secure and I’ve locked the hatch behind me. What’s so important that we can’t share it over an open channel?”
“The kids hate it when mom and dad fight. I’m going on the assault.” He held up his hand at Graves’s frown. “Hear me out. I’m about to let you in on some very classified information. Something that I should’ve shared with you yesterday.” He took a deep breath. “I have a Fleet officer’s implants.”
His friend stared at him blankly for a moment and then slapped his hand on the desk. “Dammit, Jared! Have you lost your mind? You had absolutely no business doing something that dangerous. You’re the commanding officer of this ship. You have a responsibility not to do crazy shit. What the hell were you thinking?”
He knew his friend was right to be angry, but he still couldn’t help smiling inside at his reaction. He was careful, however, not to let that smile reach his face. “And if I’d suggested it, you’d have fought against it tooth and nail, right? You’d recite regulation after regulation that should prevent me from doing it.”
“And I’d have been absolutely right! If it were me, you’d do exactly the same thing. What if you’d died? What if you’d gone nuts? Hell, you still might.”
“We both know that millions of Fleet officers had that procedure done over the course of the Empire’s life. It’s as safe as walking across the street.”
“Right. A grav bus would probably hit you. Why, Jared? Tell me why.”
“Because I’m the Captain,” he said simply. “Zia and Lieutenant Reese were both making noises about wanting to have the procedure done. If anyone was going to go through that by choice, it was going to be me first. Now that I’ve done it, if we ever find any spare parts, all my other officers can feel confident that the procedure is safe.”
“And why didn’t you tell me this morning? Why are you telling me in private?”
Jared explained his reasons for being concerned about public dissemination. “Perhaps I’m being overly paranoid, but until I know these people on our ship a bit better, I’d rather keep my cards close to my vest.”
“And you just expect me to let you waltz over to a hostile station and get involved in a firefight? You’re not a marine, Jared. You shouldn’t be leading a boarding action.”
“Oh, I have every intention of being at the back of the line going on board that station. If I can do what I need to do without ever leaving the pinnace, I’ll do it. In any case, though, I’m going. We need that shipyard.”
Graves sighed. “Why do I even try arguing with you about these things? I should know by now that it’s a losing fight.” He pointed his finger at Jared. “I won’t raise a stink about this, but only on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“Send me out on some of these harrowing adventures. It’s getting really old being stuck back here while you’re having all the fun.”
Jared grinned. “I swear I’m not trying to hog all the fun stuff. I promise you this, you’ll be taking lead on a mission in the near future. Take good care of the ship until I get back.” He broke the connection.
He opened a channel to Coulter. “Let’s get moving. Coordinate with the pilots.”
Jared expected to see missile systems targeting them as they came into line of sight with the other shipyard and was pleased when none did. They closed with the shipyard over what felt like hours to him, but was only a couple of minutes. His pinnace docked with a soft thump.
The marines rushed into the docking area as soon as the locks opened. They began firing immediately, so there were Pale Ones waiting for them. The marines advanced slowly and took control of the docking area. When everything there was secure, Coulter gave the go ahead for Jared to come out.
Things went well enough as they advanced into the shipyard. It was indeed the same layout as the first, so he knew exactly where he needed to go. He opened a channel to the marine in charge of his detail. “We’re going to the right at the next corridor. The stairs are on the right. We’ll go up three decks and then straight in to the computer center.”
“Aye, sir.”
He’d just made it into the stairwell when all hell broke loose. A tremendous explosion threw him off his feet and he heard the combat channels go berserk.
“Armed Pale Ones!” Coulter screamed. “They’ve slipped in behind us! All teams watch your sixes. Captain, stay put until—”
Another explosion and a sound like a mad robot animal ripping apart a wall almost deafened Jared. Coulter was off the air and Jared was on his own. Kelsey would never let him hear the end of it. If he survived.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kelsey sprawled on the cold stone floor, but she leapt back to her feet before the echoes of her fall stopped bouncing off the walls. She had her pistol in her hand, scanning for targets without consciously remembering having drawn it.
There was no one there. Only a roughly square chamber half a dozen meters on a side with what looked like an airlock directly in front of her. Two recessed weapons clusters on the ceiling at the far corners of the room pointed directly at her.
She half expected the door behind her to slam shut, but it remained reassuringly open. Talbot was at her side in an instant, his rifle raised to cover any threats.
The thick hatch in front of them cycled open and a middle-aged man stepped out with his hands raised. His tan clothes were of an unfamiliar cut.
“We mean you no harm,” he said in an odd accent. “Please, accept our sincerest apologies for the unexpected welcome, but we couldn’t take a chance that a stray transmission from you might alert our mutual enemy.”
She keyed her communicator. “Lieutenant? We have a situation here.”
There was no response.
Talbot half-turned toward her. “I’m not getting through to anybody outside. Until we know what’s going on, I want you to back up slowly. Wait outside.”
The block on transmissions must not be in effect inside this chamber, since she heard Talbot just fine. “If he wanted us dead, we’d be dead. See the weapons pods? If he wanted to
capture us, he could’ve closed the door behind us. I’m staying.”
She could almost see Talbot scowling. “You’re the most vexing human being I’ve ever met. This could still be a trap. It could be some kind of Pale Ones trick.”
“I’m pretty certain you don’t believe that. Make sure the Lieutenant knows we have a situation.”
Kelsey made a show of re-holstering her pistol. She raised her hands a couple of inches to emphasize her peaceful intent. It took her a moment to figure out how to turn on the external speakers on her suit. “You certainly have a way of getting our attention. My friend is feeling a little jumpy. I have to admit that I’m feeling somewhat unsettled myself. Why don’t we de-escalate the situation by pointing those weapons somewhere else?”
“Of course. My name is Juan da Silva. Welcome to Erorsi. If your friend would like to step outside and tell his commander what’s going on, I promise that no harm will come to you.”
She smiled. He’d be able to see her since she hadn’t bothered to turn off the projection of her face. “I understand your caution. Senior Sergeant Talbot, please summon the Lieutenant and bring him up to speed. I’ll stay right here until you return.”
The marine hesitated a moment, but backed out of the chamber slowly without any further argument. No doubt she’d be hearing about it later.
“I’m going to take off my helmet.” At his nod, she broke the seal on her helmet and lifted it off her head. She brushed her blonde locks back reflexively.
“My name is Kelsey Bandar. I must say that finding you here is a great surprise to me. We didn’t think the Pale Ones had left anyone on this planet.”
The corner of the man’s mouth quirked up. “I suppose that’s as good a name for them as any. To the best of my knowledge, the people in this facility are the only free humans on this planet. The planetary leadership constructed this place to ride out the invasion. Our ancestors hoped to coordinate a defense against any incursion by the rebels. Unfortunately, the defense was unsuccessful. Obviously.”