by Gini Koch
“Everyone’s a critic.”
“This seems incredibly fast for someone to be firing at us,” Chuckie said. “We literally just appeared. Even the fastest computer reactions would take longer than this.”
Realized I hadn’t asked a question that I should have back when we first got dragged into this trip. “You know, for a ship as advanced as this one, why don’t we have cloaking?”
“We do,” Brian said. He hit some buttons. “And I’ve engaged it. It’s top-of-the-line, too. We hide our heat signature, ambient noise, and an array of other things I know you don’t want me to list. The only time they’ll see us is if they accidentally hit us.”
“Better late than never. Just sayin’. So, will the rockets miss us now?”
“Yes, because I think they’re not actually firing at us,” Walker said. “I’m tracking the trajectory and I’m pretty sure they’re firing at the blue planet, but the rockets are being sent over, versus through, the asteroid belt.”
“Meaning, cloaked or not, we’re still in the way,” Tim said. “Let’s get out of the way. Unless we can’t move for some reason.”
“No, we have full power,” Brian said, as the ship took a sharp right turn and I remembered there was a harness with my name on it. “We just needed to be sure we weren’t going to slam into one of the many dwarf planets, moons, or stray asteroids.”
“Is that the excuse for the cloaking, too, Bri?”
“No. We haven’t needed it until now, and I haven’t been active, really, until now.”
“Those sound like my kind of excuses, so I’ll buy them.” Got to said harness and got strapped in just in time, before we had to zoom upward. “Guys, seriously, I want Lilith to disengage. If we take a hit, the ship has shields but she doesn’t.”
“Agreed,” Jeff said. “Tim?”
“I agree as well.”
Felt Lilith retract. She sparkled near me. “Thank you. That was . . . taxing. The blue planet is not returning fire.”
“Anything else you can tell us? I mean, if you’re allowed to.”
“I am not actually a part of what you call the Superconsciousness Society. I’m more of a . . . let me find the term that you’ll understand . . . got it. Free agent. I’m a free agent.”
“I’m gonna take a mo to enjoy this fact. I’m sure the joy will be gone soon, but for now, yahoo!”
“The system is at war,” Lilith shared. “The red planet feels that those on the blue planet have wronged them in some terrible way. The reasons for this are lost to time, but the belief is still there.”
“Just like any good religion,” Chuckie said.
“Yes.” Lilith paused, presumably because we’d moved to safety and were able to watch the rocket land.
“Those look like mushroom clouds,” Tito said.
“Fantastic. We only have one Moon Suit.” Me and you, together again? I asked Lilith in my mind.
Yes, regardless of what plans get made.
“They might not be nuclear,” Chuckie said. “They came from far enough away that the impact alone could create what we just saw.”
“Nice of Ixtha to mention a solar system war,” Reader said, sarcasm knob at eight and rising.
“Well, she did tell me she was looking for the Warrior Queen. I guess we should have taken that leap.”
“Possibly before we took this one,” Brian said.
“Bri, seriously, stop being a Donald Downer. We’re here now, we’re going to handle things.” Somehow. “Jerry, are you getting any kind of chatter?”
“None. And considering that one planet is attacking the other, there should be some.”
“Maybe we’re not on the right channel,” Joe suggested.
“I’m scanning the entire solar space,” Jerry replied. “There is zero chatter. You can feel free to try to do better.”
“I would, but that’s Kitty’s job,” Joe said. “And I wouldn’t want to overstep.”
“The blue planet has no external communications,” Lilith said. “They’ve been destroyed. The red planet knows we’re here—they did see us before we cloaked—and have gone to silent running.”
“Or playing possum,” I suggested.
“Possibly more than you realize,” Lilith replied. “The blue planet has no clear idea why the red planet hates them. That world is filled with fear. The red world is filled with rage. There are other emotions, but those are the predominant ones.”
“Jeff . . .”
“I have my blocks up, baby, stop worrying. Not my first war zone. And the other empaths on board have their blocks up, too, kids included. I’ve had the kids keeping their blocks up since we got things sort of under control at the start of this adventure.”
“No more projectiles are being fired,” Randy said. “Chip and I are both scanning and I see nothing leaving either planet.”
“Correct,” Walker said. “So, no idea if we should hail and make ourselves officially known, or try to sneak down to one of the many choices.”
My music changed to “Round and Round” by Aerosmith. Considered what Algar was trying to tell me. “Maybe we should cruise the system first. Just in case.”
“Good idea,” Grentix said. “There could be life on the dwarf planets and moons.”
“There is not,” Lilith said in a way that made me pretty sure she knew why there was no life, too. “But we should indeed look.”
We did the fast cruise around thing that would have made the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts green with envy.
“This system is strange,” Brian said as we completed our first circle around and were starting our second. “The dwarf planets are scattered far from the sun, and you’d think at least some of them would be closer to it. And it makes no sense that they’d still have moons—you’d think the moons would get pulled into the red planet’s gravity.”
“This system was traveling through the galaxy,” Chuckie said. “The planets are huge, the sun huger. Maybe its gravitational pull stole the dwarfs from other systems.”
“We need to take a closer look at the smaller objects,” Walker said, voice tight. “Because I don’t think we’re seeing what we think we’re seeing.”
We flew closer and Walker and Randy did whatever they did in order to put objects onto our viewing screen and magnify them.
“You know, I realize that most celestial objects aren’t truly round like a ball or a marble, like the pictures in textbooks,” Tito said slowly, “but these don’t look like moons so much as . . .”
“Shrapnel,” Wruck said. “These aren’t dwarf planets or moons. They’re debris.”
“Correct,” Lilith said. “This system used to have more planets, none of which were dwarf planets, and no moons. The asteroid belt consists of the remains of the smaller planets in the system. The debris outside of the red planet’s orbit is from the larger planets.”
“Nice of you to share,” Jeff said, keeping his sarcasm knob only at around three.
“Despite how it seems to you, accessing entire planets to find information takes time,” Lilith replied. “And you all determined this without me anyway. I’m along to help, not do it all for you.”
“We did,” Jeff admitted. “And you’re right.”
“It’s as if a billion souls cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced,” Tim said.
“I feel something terrible has happened.” Hey, Ixtha kind of considered me Obi-Wan; this dialogue was fitting.
“Let’s not head for that small moon, then,” Reader added.
“Is now the time, you guys?” Brian asked.
“It’s always the time, Bri. And that’s no moon.”
“Enough with the Star Wars jokes,” Chuckie said mildly. “We need to focus.”
“Can we determine how long ago this was done?” Kreaving asked.
“Within
the last hundred years,” Lilith replied. “At least as far as I can discern.”
My music changed to “Get the Girl! Kill the Baddies!” by Pop Will Eat Itself. “I think we need to get down there. Probably to both planets.” Since I had to figure the girl was on the blue one and the baddies were on the red one. Knew where I was headed, therefore.
“How?” Brian asked. “We don’t know if we can land safely on either planet, or if the red one will try to blast us out of space should we decloak or if they can see through our cloaking somehow. We don’t know if we can take off, either.”
“So, we stay in orbit and take a shuttle down. We did that on Nazez.”
“Nazez wasn’t being shot at by the neighboring planet,” Reader pointed out. “Nor was it doing the shooting. Not that I’m saying that the shuttle idea is out. But it’s not the same situation.”
“True enough. And we’re going to have to take two shuttles—one team going to the blue planet to find Ixtha, the other going to red one to find whoever’s in charge and get them to stop.”
“Are you sure we should go for the blue planet?” Joe asked. “Maybe we want to side with the aggressor in this case.”
“So as to not be blown up,” Randy added.
“We want to side with Ixtha. At least, I think we do.”
“Why do you think Ixtha’s on the blue planet?” Hughes asked.
“I guess because it looks more like Earth. And I don’t think that she’d have been asking for the Warrior Queen if she was on the side with all the weapons.”
“At the risk of getting told to shut up, I don’t think we want to drag a warring system back into the galaxy,” Mossy said. “It’s not like we need anyone else fighting.”
My music changed to “Red Red Sun” by INXS. “I think their sun is old, isn’t it? That means it’s going to go supernova or something in the near future, universe-wise. And that means, warring or not, they’re all going to die if we leave them here.”
“The galaxy needs what supernovas create, too,” Kreaving said. “It’s how star factories are formed.”
“You mean nebulas?”
Grentix nodded. “Yes. If we can get this system back so that when the star explodes it doesn’t affect other systems, it would be a good thing for the galaxy.”
Everyone other than Lilith and the Real Naked Apes heaved a resigned sigh. We sounded like a giant tire deflating. “Kitty doesn’t need to say it,” Reader said. “We have to do this thing, because the Superconsciousness Society expects us to.”
“Orbiting the planet or hiding out near the biggest piece of a former planet and away teams using shuttles it is,” Tim said. “Can’t wait to see who volunteers.”
CHAPTER 95
I COULD HAVE JUST USED the Z’porrah power cube to get us down and then over, only I had no idea what spot to aim for, and without a destination in mind, you could end up nowhere or in the middle of a wall or worse. Plus, once down, we all needed to be able to escape, and that wasn’t going to work with just one cube because everyone would have to be touching me and we were going to have to split up. It was use shuttles or give up and leave.
We didn’t have to hide the ship, though we still kept it cloaked, because Lilith could determine that if we were up high enough, the red planet’s projectiles couldn’t aim accurately to reach us, because we were so much smaller than the targets they were used to hitting. That wasn’t going to be the case for the shuttles, though they did have cloaking of a sort, but they were maneuverable enough that the assumption was we could avoid missiles fairly easily.
Because we were going to be in two teams, the ship was hovering above the asteroid belt and as near to the middle of the distance between the planets as possible. Their orbits weren’t that far off from each other—they weren’t aligned with the sun or each other, but they were close enough that one shuttle wouldn’t have to go that much farther than the other.
Once we got out of range of the red planet and the majority of the asteroids, Tim insisted that the flyboys and Brian remain at the controls and, under the circumstances, no one argued. Tim pointedly put Hughes in charge, not Brian, who was smart enough not to complain about this. “I wouldn’t leave you guys here, you know,” Brian said, sounding kind of hurt.
Patted his shoulder. “We know, but you’ve seen the least amount of action with us. We’re considering this a war zone, and that means you keep military at the controls.”
Brian somewhat appeased, shields were verified as set to full and staying that way, then Mossy trotted off to get Hacker International so they could all do what they could to ensure that the shuttles would also be shielded, more from fear of stray asteroid hits than the weapons.
Mother verified that we could survive on both planets. The blue one was definitely Earthlike and she expected no issues. The red one also had a breathable atmosphere. “It should be a colder planet, based on where it is, but it’s quite hot,” Mother said, sounding as worried as an AI could within the programming limitations. “For those from desert climates, you should be fine. Others should prepare to feel very hot if you have to go there.”
“Meaning the A-Cs should be going to the red planet,” Jeff said, clearly anticipating the next discussions to come.
“Um . . . no. You don’t get to own the heat, my big man. Some of us are from Hell’s Orientation Area, thank you very much. But thanks for the lead-in for the determination of who’s going where.”
Because we were going to be in two teams, Jeff and I had to first have the fight about whether or not we were going together or separately.
Finally won on the idea of separately by explaining that those who had the most experience working together needed to stay together, meaning I was going with White and Jeff was going with Christopher. Plus, king on one team, queen on the other seemed wise. Jeff only gave in because Lilith said she was going to be with me.
This part of the plan grudgingly agreed to, then had to have the fight for who was going to red and blue. Won that one by Chuckie pointing out that the person with the best record against the baddies was me, not Jeff.
With my husband hugely unhappy but resigned to merely muttering about how his uncle was constantly rating higher in his wife’s esteem, how sidelining the guy who used to run the entire Field to the presumed safe planet was the rest of us being petty, how his closest friends weren’t being supportive, and how he knew his wife needed his backup more than she ever wanted to admit, we then divvied up the rest of those who were conscripted to go, ensuring that we had those with hyperspeed on both teams.
Through all of this, the Cosmic Thing playlist was on constant repeat. Algar wanted me to know something, but I just wasn’t getting it. However, I liked all the songs, so that was good.
Two teams of twelve finally settled—which was double what the Star Trek gang took along, because that was us, always doing it up big—meant it was time get the other members of the Away Team who weren’t on the command deck, so we headed to the Observation Lounge. While we were explaining what we were doing and who was going where and why those who weren’t named were going nowhere, my children in particular, I gave the kids hugs, starting with Charlie and Wasim and ending with Jamie.
“Be careful, Mommy,” Jamie said seriously. “Daddy won’t be with you and you won’t be with him.” She looked worried.
“I will be sweetie. Daddy and I are always careful. And we can get to each other fast.” Well, I could get to Jeff fast via the power cube or with Lilith’s help, and that counted, right?
She shook her head. “That’s not what I mean.” She lowered her voice. “I think he’s crazy.”
“Who, Daddy?”
“No. The Sheep Man. I think he’s mean and crazy and he won’t like you, Mommy.”
Didn’t have time for the full deciphering of whatever my little girl was talking about. Gave her another hug. “I’ll handle him, Jamie-K
at, don’t you worry.”
Hugged Lizzie again as I stood up. “Try to make sure no one’s telling Jamie weird stories,” I said quietly. “I think she’s believing them. Especially whatever about some sheep dude.”
“No one’s been doing that,” Lizzie said softly, sounding confused. “We’ve totes been looking at the planets and Wasim has been talking about why red suns are old. No one’s mentioned sheep.”
“Huh. Well, okay. I guess.” Wondered just what had scared Jamie and why a sheep was now the focal point. Something Mother of the Year was going to have to figure out in my copious spare time.
Adam pulled me aside. “Is there a reason you’re sidelining me, Kitty? I’m a former athlete and a former Army Ranger, and you’re letting Kristie go.”
“Kristie’s a cyborg, you’re a regular human dude, impressive Army experience I didn’t know about or not. I’m not taking Mister Gadhavi, either, or Tito, and, trust me, those men can handle themselves in a fight. I’m not taking the princesses who, let’s be honest, can probably take on an entire planet by themselves. I want people up here who can come in and save us if we need it. If I take all my tough guys, who’s left?”
He brightened up. “Should I have us ready, just in case?”
“Sure, why not?” Hey, that none of us had thought of this was just Adam showing he was an important member of the team. “I want you, Tito, Mister Gadhavi, Naveed, Rahmi, Rhee, Jeremy, Jennifer, Mister Joel Oliver, and Hammy all primed and ready. You’ll all want to have body armor and weapons. Don’t get into them now, but be standing ready to get equipped fast. Maybe we come back and you’ll have just waited around. But, based on experience, we’re going to need you, somewhere along the line.”
“Who do you want leading that team? I’m willing, but I’m also the least experienced.”
“See, this is why I like you. You’re always willing and you check your ego at the door. You’re in charge. You had the idea, you have the background, and the princesses have a lot more respect for any man who’s been in the military.” Sure, it had taken me years of work with them, but they had learned to respect some men. “Let me know if anyone gives you any trouble about this, and rely on Tito if the princesses get uppity.”