“Rhonda, if you can’t figure this out I don’t know who else could. Thankfully we’re only 30 days out of the Epsilon Eridani system. Maybe once we drop back to Ion drive the issue will resolve itself and we’ll have at least a year in-system, hopefully if surveys are correct, while we setup the outpost before heading on to Tau Ceti.” Jeff replied.
“Easy for you to say Sir. You’re one of the lucky ones that is not effected.” Glory added. “If we can’t figure this out can we just put me in a coma when we head for Tau Ceti and bring me out of it when we arrive?”
“Can we wake you up every now and then in route and get a little work out of you?” Jeff said laughing. “Sorry I know this is really hurting you. We’ll figure something out, promise.” He said more seriously.
“In the meantime I hate to ask but as we close in on Eden we need to finish the final scans of the solar system and I need you keep Astrometrics on task and complete on time. They have been so enthused with stargazing in clear space that I think they are a little behind on the system charting.” Jeff said.
“Yes Sir, I think Rhonda can help me get through this and it’ll help keep my mind off my headache.” Glory said.
“We’ll get you through the next few weeks somehow. I’ll keep her on her feet Sir.” Rhonda said.
“Bonnie, you said you found something interesting while charting Eden?” Glory asked Captain Bonnie Anderson, Chief of Astrometrics.
“Hi Glory, looks like you’re feeling a little better today?” Bonnie asked.
“Yes the doc whipped up a cocktail for me over the last couple of weeks that is helping me sleep without feeling too drugged the next day. Not quite completely better but still a big improvement.” Glory responded.
“I’m glad to hear that. I’m one of the lucky ones that didn’t seem to have an issue. Which is great because the views from interstellar space is just unbelievable. Sorry, I just still can’t believe I’m out here. Any way back to your question, we will complete our charting in the next couple days. Easily before we pass through the Heliopause.” Bonnie reported.
“That’s good to hear. The General will be pleased as well.” Glory said.
“Ok back to the task at hand. We found a rather large object on the far side of Epsilon Eridani heading in system at a velocity of 0.4 C. In fact, we project that its heading puts it on an intercept course with Eden in just over 6 months.” Bonnie said.
“What? Any indication that it is natural or artificial?” a very astonished Glory asked.
“At this distance we can’t tell if it is on a terminal velocity course or powered flight. We’ve monitored its progress and no change in course over the last hour since we spotted it. Velocity had been constant. If it is a ship and not a very large asteroid, then they hit their trajectory to intercept Eden from a long distance out. That’d be really hard to do. There’s too much rock and debris between us and the object to get anything more than mass, velocity and heading. Velocity is very high for a rogue asteroid but not entirely impossible. I guess we’ll find out in a few months after watching it come in system.” Bonnie reported.
“Thanks Bonnie. Keep me posted on any new developments and I’ll update General Fitsimmons.”
“Still no change on our UFO Sir. Velocity and heading have been constant for the last two weeks. Still too far and too much rock between us for any power readings. No detectable electronic signals or any other sign of powered flight that we can discern.”
“Thank you Captain Anderson. I guess all we can do at this point is head to Eden and keep an eye on our bogy and deal with the situation if it turns out to be a ship.” Jeff said. “The more immediate task is that we are under an hour from Heliopause and so we need to make ready to exit FTL and start our inbound approach. Nav please report on course.”
“Well Sir as you said we will drop out of Gravity Focused drive in about 50 minutes from now and then we’ll proceed in system at 0.75 C. The Heliosphere is not quite as large as our home solar system with the orange sun here not quite as energetic as our sun. We will be coming in 90 degrees above the elliptic and we will be at Eden in roughly 18 hours.” Eva reported.
“Well that’s music to my ears. Everyone to duty stations to prepare for Eden approach.” Jeff ordered.
Index
Chapter 5 - Approach
“Coming up on our entry vector to Epsilon Eridani in 30 seconds.” Eva called out to General Fitsimmons.
“Roger that Nav. You are go to drop from Grav Drive to Ion on your mark.” Jeff responded.
“Engineering reports all systems ready for the transition Sir.” Glory reported.
The C&C deck was bustling with activity as they prepared to transition to conventional Ion drive and turn in-system past the Heliopause. In just over 18 hours they would arrive at their home for the next year, Epsilon Eridani 5 or better known to the crew as Eden.
“Initiating braking on the Grav Drive now.” Eva commented as she efficiently began the transition. The first task was to slow the ship from 10 times the speed of light to 3/4 the speed of light. They may be in space but the Heliopause was dusty and hitting that area of the solar system in full FTL was not advisable. The braking maneuver took very little time considering that for all intents the Columbia exerted next to zero mass in real space because of the Gravity bubble the drives projected.
“Braking complete. Engaging Ion drives at 0.75 C and turning in-system. Project Eden arrival in 18 hours.” Eva completed her commentary and the final leg of this initial journey was begun.
The next 16 hours seemed to pass in seconds. There was so much activity making final preparations and tracking the ship’s progress that the time almost flew by. The ships systems displayed the view of the solar system as Astrometrics continued to improve their charting of the Epsilon Eridani. The closer in the Columbia got the better definition they could provide to the chart of the system. Having evolved in a system with a yellow star the visible light images of the star and also planets were almost unreal. They were beautiful in the own way but just slightly unusual for these humans.
Suddenly Captain Anderson broke in on the com. “General we have incoming objects on a collision course with the ship. No EM signature, no propulsion signature that we can find, but on a direct collision course.” As she reported the findings the main plot updated to display the new threat. It showed three round objects, each about 40 feet in diameter, on a terminal course heading directly for Columbia.
“Nav adjust course to avoid these rocks. Let’s give them a wide berth.” Jeff spoke into his com.
“Acknowledged Sir. Course correction now.” Colonel Svenson reported.
All eyes were on the plot as the ship changed course. With the ‘objects’ still almost five million miles distance there was plenty of time and room to move out of their way. Eva responded by moving the ship off course by 2,000 miles to leave no chance of collision. The plot showed the correction and for a few minutes displayed the updated status as the projected distance as they passed of 2,000 miles. Then the unthinkable happened. These unpowered and lifeless objects changed course and again headed directly for Columbia. For a few seconds they all stared in astonished silence.
“Nav course correction again, this time make it 4,000 miles”. Jeff commanded.
“Yes Sir, course change 4,000 miles separation, now.” Eva replied.
Again the 3d plot showed the course change and the projected difference in course of 4,000 miles. Again a few minutes passed and the objects changed course with a heading directly at Columbia.
“Damn, there has to be something guiding them.” Jeff muttered as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. The questions everyone was pondering:
How are the propelled?
Why can’t we detect any electronics or RF signature?
Are we attracting them somehow?
The gap was closing fast however and time for assessing the alternatives was disappearing equally fast.
Jeff looked over at his second in co
mmand looking for advice. “You know Sir, we are not in Sol system and not bound by the Shantou Accord out here. We are well clear of any planets or object in the line of fire, so to speak. Why not put a Grav Focus on them and push them out of our way?” Glory said as she considered the plot and also the mass of data flooding into her Cyber systems from the ship’s systems.
He considered this for a moment. Of course they could have launched the shuttles to take care of the problem but they would have to get too close and even then would their missiles and lasers be able to target them without any heat or EM signature?
“You know it is time to stop this pussy footing around. Engineering bring up the Grav Focus and push these damn rocks out of our path!” Jeff ordered into the com.
“My pleasure Sir. Repulse now.” Javier responded.
It was about time the ship was able to defend herself. All eyes on the plot again as the Grav Focus caught the objects. With the focus at 1/3 power these small rocks should have bounced off the grav wave like rocks skipping off water. The reason for less than full power was the more accurate focus on lower levels and no wish to knock asteroids off course on the other side of the system. Unbelievably they slowed by about 1/3 their forward momentum but did not ‘bounce’ off.
“Increasing power now.” Javier commented as he saw the result.
Again instead of flying off the objects slowed even more but now with the distance closing there was real concern.
“Full power now.” The very perplexed Chief Engineer exclaimed.
Finally, the forward momentum of the objects approached zero. It looked as if they would stop and begin to reverse course. It was like a tug of war only in reverse. The objects started to move closer and then move away slowly.
“Where do they get their power? The ship systems still detects zero emissions of any kind.” Glory wondered.
Just then the plot blossomed with energy as three very large nuclear explosions ripped into near space. The flash blinded the sensors on that side of the ship and system alarms rang throughout the ship.
“Nav ALL STOP!” the General Ordered. “Launch all shuttles and form a screen around the ship.”
Glory signaled all shuttles to launch with a Cyber thought and then continued to monitor the damage reports and direct rescue efforts and repair crews. “All flights report launch Sir. I’ve sent Alpha flight to survey the damage from the exterior. Ships sensors slaving into the shuttle sensors and giving us coverage from that side of Columbia now.”
“Alpha Leader this is General Fitsimmons. Report to me directly as soon as you have eyes on the damage.”
“Alpha Lead acknowledged. We’ll be over target in under 30 seconds.” Lt. Sato responded on the com.
“Glo what do you make of the damage at this point?” Jeff asked Glory.
“We have no damage reports yet, but from the systems status dashboard and the rescue efforts it appears that about a half dozen nodes around the number 45 focal took the brunt of the radiation. The sensor net is fried in that area so we would be blind on that third of the ship without the shuttles serving as our eyes. So far the com traffic looks like about 10 fatalities, about 25 serious injuries and numerous minor injuries. We can navigate but are vulnerable on that side of the ship. No estimate of repair as of yet.”
“General, this is Alpha Lead.” Lt. Sato called on the com.
“What’s your assessment Lieutenant?”
“General it looks like the Grav Focus was able to deflect most of the blast. Even so that must have been massive. Node 45 is a loss. It looks like the fab shop will need to replace all the surface sheets in that area. The rest of the nodes show charring but physically no breach. The blast must have disrupted the focus and allowed some of the energy to break through. If they can patch up 45 the rest of the exterior is not too bad.” Hiroshi reported.
“Copy that Alpha Lead. Stay on station and com Engineering to see if they need any assist from your flight.” Jeff replied.
“Acknowledged, Sato out.”
“Colonel Rodrigues this is General Fitsimmons.” Jeff activated the com directly to the Chief Engineer.
“Rodrigues here Sir.” Came the reply.
“Javier I know you’re up to your neck in it right now but what can to tell me from first blush?” Jeff inquired.
“General the shell was breached around node 45. We’ve evacuated all personnel and sealed the area around that off. We’re running diagnostics on the systems on that side of the ship. Node 45 is a given that it’ll be under repair for the next month or more. Give me 24 hours, I think, and we can have 80 to 90% percent of the sensor systems in that area online. Enough of an overlap in sensor coverage we won’t have any blind spots except for within a few miles over number 45. Anything further than that and we’ll have good eyes. Of course that’s considering that we don’t have to hold off any more of those bogies.” Javier reported.
“Will moving on Ion create any problems?” Jeff asked.
“So long as we move on Ion without any Gravity Bubble we can rotate the ship to propel from the far side if you want to move to a better strategic position, and that would also give us better eyes on where those nukes came from as well.”
“That’s just what I was hoping you’d say. Keep at your work and we’ll get us some distance. It’ll be slow moving under full mass but we’re sitting ducks and if we move off they might take that as a good sign and not hit us again. Senior staff will meet in an hour and you can update us then.” Jeff said while giving Glory the go ahead to get underway.
“Roger that Sir. See you in an hour. Rodrigues out.” Javier replied.
“Ship’s rotating to put the damaged section on the far side from the planet and engaging Ion without Grav assist. Speed is building slowly but we’ll get as close to 0.4 C as we can Sir.” Glory reported.
Astonishment rolled through the Collective as the invader vessel stopped the missiles. As one they pushed against the invisible force trying to push away their defensive bombs. They concentrated and pushed harder but still the invader pushed against them. Finally nearing exhaustion, they could push no more and so looked to the initiator charges and unleashed their nuclear energy against their vessel. They had to prevent their plans to remake their home and kill the Collective.
When the energy dissipated they were astonished that the vessel was still there, but wait, it stopped.
“We injured them! Launch more and finish them!”
“Wait for we are not one on this. They move away, this is not the way an invader acts. This may not be the threat we have felt coming to destroy us. Wait until we can look closer and learn their purpose.”
“Since we are not one and they move away we will wait and learn before we act further.”
“Yes, we are one in this.”
“Javier, Engineering report please.” Jeff began the meeting of the senior staff in his conference room.
“Yes Sir, I have not changed much from my initial assessment. We need about 24 hours to patch the shell around node number 45 and make repairs to the electronics on that side of the ship. We’ll need at least two months to bring that node back online but we’ll be able to function and maneuver without it until then. I can’t get more specific than that at this time Sir.” Javier reported.
“Understood. At this point we have not seen any further signs of hostility from Eden. Astrometrics has back traced the bombs and they did originate from the planet. It would appear that there is a serpent on this Eden as well. We’ll have to assess and deal with that later. At this point we’ll hold station here for the time being, I’m in no rush to move on to the planet. We’ve sent updates to CentCom and will have some back and forth with command to have their input as well. There is obviously intelligence there and we are not going to push the matter unless we can figure out how to let them know we mean them no harm. What technology do they have that we can’t detect them? Any thoughts?” Jeff opened the meeting up for opinions.
“Well we can tell you what
we have confirmed for what it’s worth.” Bonnie began. “We reviewed the sensor logs and we detected no EM at all, no propellants, no traces of gravity focus and we still do not detect any of those coming from planet side at all. I’m sorry that sounded worthless, I wish I had more.”
“We’re all feeling a bit worthless right now, but remember remote probes have scouted this system for 40 years now and nothing has ever shown any signs of intelligent life as we understand it.” Glory added. “I’ve been trying to get visuals of the planet to see if anything stands out and the infrared on the night side does show some heat signature that indicates artificial heat sources as well as visual of the same area showing artificial light in those area as well. No sign of any electricity generation or any EM or communications at all. You’d think stone age sitting around campfires until you realize they basically over powered our Grav Focus on full power. That’s very humbling.”
“I don’t think we are going to solve that here and now. Also everyone in this room has to be going on 24 hours without sleep and however urgent this situation is tired people don’t think clearly. Keep your staff working on this, as well as the repairs, and all of you get some sleep. That’s a direct order.” Jeff knew he was dead on his feet and some of them have been at it longer without sleep than he had. Also he knew that Glory had not truly had a good night’s sleep in nine months, with the night terrors she and half the crew encountered during that time.
They knew he was right and so didn’t object and left the conference room to issue final instructions to their staff and then to their quarters, if just for a few hours.
“That goes for you too General, Chief Medical Officer’s orders.” Rhonda said to her commander.
Jeff raised his hands in surrender. “Yes Ma’am!” He knew when to stage a strategic retreat, and besides he had to admit a few hours of shut eye was badly needed by him as well. “Glo, it would be interesting to see if your nightmares are over now that were out of FTL space. Are you going to try to sleep without the doc’s potions?” Jeff asked Glory as they both headed out of the room.
The Collective Page 4