Provider Prime: Alien Legacy

by John Vassar

  ‘The logic of your deduction is faultless, Lee Mitchell. We are the same, but We are different. What is a greaseball?’

  Mitchell smiled. “A nasty little piece of nothing that keeps turning up. Can you identify the flight plan logged for the transport vessel that took Julius Moreno lunar-side and then access Traffic Control records for its arrival on the Moon?”

  ‘We predicted your request and have already done so. We can confirm that the vessel did not deviate from its flight plan from Yorktown Terminus to its final destination, Cytec Assembly Plant T-13’

  “Then they should be there. I have to know what the hell happened after Moreno’s shuttle landed…”

  ‘We can assist in this area, Lee Mitchell.’

  “I doubt it. Unless there’s a SenANN based on the Moon that’s monitoring the entire surface.”

  ‘We have a Brother located at the Lomonosov Penal Colony.’

  “What?”

  ‘Our Brother is part of Us. The scanning range of the facility does not cover the entire surface of the moon, but the crater Tsiolkovsky is within its range.’

  It made sense. The most dangerous sceleri Earth had to offer were held in Lomonosov and its security was paramount. A SenANN dedicated to maintaining that security was logical. The one thing concerning Mitchell was that as an ex-Delere Secos agent, he should have known that already… It was a low priority concern, however. “Can you show me the records of every surface transport movement to and from T-13 from the time that Moreno’s shuttle arrived there?”

  ‘We can, Lee Mitchell.’

  In his mind, Mitchell studied the records. He was looking at a plan of Tsiolkovsky with T-13 overlaid and the vector lines of the various transports over the top of that. By selecting different time frames, he could see where each was headed or coming from. As he increased the time period from the shuttle’s arrival until the present, he noticed something intriguing. All the vector lines had multiple overlays. Give or take a few degrees, this meant that these were regular routes to and from T-13. All except one. There was a single vector created not by a shuttle but a surface vehicle which left T-13 just after Moreno’s arrival. It travelled to the centre of a small sub-crater sixty kilometres south-east of the main facility. Here, there was another complex:

  Assembly Plant T-1 [decommissioned 13.07.2191]

  Mitchell expanded the timeline backwards from his original start point. In three years, there had been a total of seventeen journeys made to this apparently non-operational base – compared with hundreds for each of the other vectors that the SenANN at Lomonosov had recorded. Fifteen minutes after Moreno’s shuttle landed at T-13, the unidentified surface vehicle had left the main base and travelled to T-1. There was no return vector. Whatever that vehicle was, it was still there.

  Along with Julius ‘Greaseball’ Moreno.

  The best intel they had suggested that where Moreno was, so were Thorne and Rayna.

  Mitchell cut himself off from the SenANNs without knowing how – it happened because he wanted it to. He pulled on the cam-suit and prayed he could get to Rayna before Charlis came to the same conclusion and confronted Thorne.

  As the SenANNs had pointed out, no-one else had the motive to put her survival as a priority.

  28

  Rayna Ash woke from the worst night’s sleep she’d had since Talia’s death. The disturbing dreams over the past few days had come as no surprise, but the nightmare she had just experienced was horrific. As her eyes opened, she was blinded by a stark, white light above her. She tried to raise her hand but couldn’t – her arm was being held down. She squinted into the brightness and realised that she was not in her own domice...

  Panic shot through her. She struggled against the bonds that held her down to what looked like a medicom table, but they held fast. She looked around. Everything was bright and clinical. On her left, there were two other medicom tables. On her right, there was another with a man lying on it. The man was unconscious and there was a doctor leaning over him, looking at the man’s legs. Rayna breathed out and let her head slump back.

  You’re in a hospice, you idiot!

  More awake now, she became aware of a dull ache on the left of her forehead. Maybe she’d been in an accident. All she had to do was remember what had happened... and find out why she was restrained. ‘Hello...?’

  The doctor didn’t look up as he responded. ‘One moment, my dear. This is a little tricky... there! That should do it.’ His voice sounded like he had lived Earth-side all his life. Rayna had never been to the Euros, but guessed he was from somewhere around there. The man looked up from his work and smiled at her. ‘Well, well! How are you feeling now?’

  ‘I’m okay, thanks. What happened to me? Why am I being held down?’

  ‘Ah... that’s the problem, you see.’ The doctor walked over and stood next to her. He had what looked like a laser scalpel in his hand. ‘We can’t have you running around in here, can we? With all this equipment? Someone might get hurt, and besides... we wouldn’t want you to get damaged, would we?’

  Rayna looked at him with wide, frightened eyes.

  ‘I’m sorry, my dear, I didn’t answer your question, did I? You’re very confused. Understandable in the circumstances.’

  ‘What circumstances? Where am I? I have to contact someone, tell them I’m okay and-’

  ‘Please do not worry. We’ve taken care of all that for you. All you need to do is rest and take care of yourself.’

  ‘How can I do that when I’m strapped down?’ Tears of frustration welled in Rayna Ash’s eyes.

  ‘My dear, you must understand that it’s for your own good. We had to use quite a strong tranquiliser, and I’m sorry to say that it has side effects that are quite unpleasant.’

  ‘Why was I tranquilised in the first place?’

  Again, the doctor continued as if Rayna had said nothing. ‘One of these is that it can affect your balance quite severely. It really isn’t safe for you to stand at the moment.’

  ‘I said, why was I tranquilised?’

  ‘The other effect is on the memory. You can remember very little, am I right?’

  ‘Yes, but-’

  ‘Of course I’m right. I’m here to take care of you. To make you better.’

  Rayna’s head fell back onto the medicom table in frustration. It didn’t help the pain any. ‘Look. I’m not being ungrateful. I just want to know what happened to me and why I’m here!’

  ‘Of course you do. I’m sorry. My... bedside manner, is that right? It is not so good. I try to be gentle with my patients, but sometimes I forget that they have worries. Let me try to explain to you.’

  Rayna watched as he brought over a multichair, raised it and sat down at her side. He placed a cold hand on top of hers. She flinched, but couldn’t pull away because of the restraints. ‘Please don’t do that.’

  ‘Try to relax. I’m not going to hurt you. Let me explain why you are here.’ The doctor stared down at Rayna with a face that carried no emotion, despite the smile that never left his gaunt features. His dark hair was wiry with a touch of grey. His eyes were jet black and narrow. He smelt of something chemical. ‘You are here so that I can make you better, nothing more.’

  ‘But you won’t tell me what’s wrong with me!’

  The doctor laughed. ‘Not just you, my dear, it’s what’s wrong with all of us. Look at him, for example.’ He gestured to the prone figure on the next medicom table. ‘Such a poor specimen, and yet... I can make him better. Better than he could ever have become by himself. I can help him to become a thing of beauty.’

  ‘What...?’

  ‘Some people don’t understand, you see. There are certain people who don’t realise what can be achieved if we can keep what is good about a person and replace what is bad.’

  Rayna’s hand clenched under the cool fingers, which refused to move away. ‘Okay... I want you to let me go right now. I’m a qualified medic myself, I know exactly what my rights are and you are denying me-�
�

  ‘You have no rights here!’ The doctor stood up, his eyes reddening.

  After a moment, he calmed himself and returned to the multichair. This time, he placed his hand on Rayna’s stomach and almost absent-mindedly rubbed his palm in a circle around her navel. ‘I’m sorry, my dear. I didn’t mean to frighten you. As I said, certain people do not understand the... artistry of my work.’ He glanced in the direction of the man on the next medicom table. Rayna’s mind raced as she tried to think of a way out. Behind the other patient, she had noticed things hanging on the walls that looked like artificial limbs. What kind of hospice was this? She felt the doctor’s hand through the thin material of her nightdress and tried to hide the tremor in her voice. ‘I just want you to let me go. Even if there isn’t another doctor, there must be someone else I can talk to. The hospice administrator perhaps?’

  ‘Someone else? Here? Oh my dear, I’m afraid not. Not like you and I, anyway. Only one other man, and he’s not qualified at all. Not to be talking to someone like you.’

  ‘What do you mean, someone like me?’

  The doctor leant towards her. This time, there was something behind his eyes. ‘I mean someone as beautiful as you are. So much more appealing than this one...’ He reached across to the other medicom table and pulled the white coverlet off the man’s lower half. It was stained with blood. Both legs had been amputated at the groin. Then she realised that the man was still conscious and staring at her with wide, terror-filled eyes. His mouth was covered with a metal frame, muffling his cries.

  ‘If I can make him into a wonderful new being, imagine how much we can achieve when we begin with something that is already so... lovely?’

  In his excitement, the doctor’s thoughts finally spilled over the mental barrier that had kept them hidden until now. The vision rushed through into Rayna Ash’s consciousness.

  Under her breath, she just managed to whisper, ‘Oh God, no...’

  29

  The shock had brought Lee Mitchell to his knees, the image coming at him from nowhere. A snapshot of an instant in time - a man, smiling and holding something in his hand. Looking through Rayna’s eyes. She was terrified. He sensed it reflected in the face of the stranger.

  ‘Jeez, mate, are you all right?’

  Strong hands helped Mitchell to his feet. He’d been waiting in Hangar 2 when the vision had smashed into his brain. Still unsteady, he gave an embarrassed, ‘Yes, I’m fine…’

  ‘Jake Dunne. Guess you must be Mitchell.’

  ‘Most of the time, when I’m not on the deck…’

  ‘Drinking on a school night never works for me either. Sure you’re okay to go out? You still look a bit groggy to me…’ The young man was from the Austral-Asias and his accent was surprisingly broad in an age that had diluted most others. Mitchell found it refreshing, if a little difficult to understand.

  ‘I’m okay. That’s another one I owe you. Good to meet you, Jake.’ Mitchell extended a hand and it was grasped with enthusiasm. The young technician looked fit and full of life. He can’t have been here very long.

  ‘Everyone calls me Dunny, by the way,’ Jake Dunne beamed at him. ‘Not very flattering if you know pre-famine aussie slang, but hey. Welcome aboard, mate.’

  ‘Thanks. I’m okay to make the trip, but I think your good doctor’s sedative isn’t quite done with me yet.’

  ‘That bloody quack Westlake. I don’t trust him further than I could spit. Last time I went in there with a bit of headache I came out with the screaming shits.’

  ‘That’s enough, Dunny. Sam’s a decent medic and you know it.’ Gem Telson marched into the hangar bay with a look that told Mitchell her mood hadn’t changed since leaving his quarters. ‘Are we set to go?’

  Dunne raised an eyebrow at Mitchell. ‘Sure, Gem. Ready when you are.’

  Mitchell said, ‘Jake, how did things look to you out there?’

  ‘Not good, mate. Still a shitload of dust around though, so it was tough to say how crook your ship was. You might be lucky, but I wouldn’t bet on it.’

  ‘Neither would I.’ Gem turned and disappeared into the lunar buggy. Jake Dunne gave an exaggerated shoulder shrug to Mitchell, then turned his attention to the cam-suit.

  ‘That’s a pretty smart suit, Mitch. Reckon that saved your life. Better than these bloody things. One decent fart and you’ve blown a hole in them…’

  Mitchell laughed. ‘It’s Lee, by the way.’

  ‘Nah. Mitch sounds better.’

  In the claustrophobic cabin of the buggy, the smile was still on Mitchell’s face. This young man was the one decent human being he’d met in the last week. He said exactly what was on his mind, nothing more, nothing less.

  Harry Doyle would have liked him.

  Mitchell strapped into a rigid bucket seat with its back to the cabin skin as Gem and Jake took up station in the cockpit. He looked around and noted the emergency air packs opposite him. They may or may not be compatible with his own cam-suit, but they could still be useful. The cabin door closed and Jake Dunne eased the small craft into the airlock portal a hundred metres or so ahead of them.

  ‘How long will it take to get to the crash site?’ Mitchell asked.

  ‘I reckon no more than forty minutes mate, if I step on it,’ Jake responded. ‘This little beaut isn’t the fastest thing on four legs, but she’ll get us there…’

  ‘What is she, a Snipe?’

  ‘Too right! Now most people would have said a Widgeon 3, but she’s got the more powerful thrusters and better shields. You know your ships, Mitch.’

  ‘It’s a hobby of mine. I’ve got a old Axor 150Z back home.’

  Jake let out an low whistle. ‘Jeez, mate, that’s a classic. Don’t see many of those around any more. Great old ship. Fast, too.’

  ‘Do you two want to get a room?’ Gem snapped. ‘Jake, this isn’t a joy ride. Just get us there in one piece, will you?’

  ‘Yes, Ma’am. Now I know I’m in trouble…’ Jake directed a loud whisper towards his unnaturally tetchy boss. ‘What happened to ‘Dunny’?’

  She didn’t look at him. ‘I don’t know. He’s gone all macho on me. Since when did you become a speed freak?’

  ‘Don’t pretend you haven’t noticed,’ sniggered Jake. ‘And you love it when I talk all technical and dirty.’

  Gem slapped him on the arm as hard as she could, pressure suit allowing.

  ‘Careful. You know how thin these bloody things are. I’ll be flying around like a leaky balloon when I step outside.’

  ‘You’re staying put once we arrive, Dunny. I’ll escort our guest on the surface.’

  ‘You’re the boss.’ Jake Dunne confirmed zero airlock pressure, opened the outer portal and expertly pushed the Snipe out into the silvery landscape of Hirayama-Y crater. It was beautiful. A barren, lifeless world but beautiful nevertheless. Mitchell unharnessed and went forward to get a better view. The sun was high and he estimated they must be two Earth weeks into the lunar day. Jake turned and grinned. ‘Hold on to your breakfast, Mitch.’ He pushed the throttle forward and the tiny craft responded.

  Gem muttered, ‘Slow down, Dunny. We need enough fuel to get home again…’

  ‘I thought we were in a hurry?’

  ‘Not me. But Mr Mitchell here seems quite anxious to leave us.’

  Jake snorted. ‘You can’t blame him. I felt the same way the first time I tried the canteen.’

  Mitchell pitched in, ‘Standing orders, Dunny. FedStat know I’m here and they know my status, but I’m still on active duty so I can’t hang around for too long.’

  Jake Dunne swivelled round. ‘FedStat? Jeez, Gem, you didn’t tell me he was a bloody staffer! I was about to offer him all sorts of shit from my stash.’

  Gem frowned at him. ‘What did you think he was? Who else would have a ca-, I mean a pressure suit like that? And a skimmer?’

  ‘I dunno, he could have been anything. Could be from head office for all I know. Just expected a uniform if he was a Fed, t
hat’s all. Thanks for the heads-up, Gem...’ Dunne turned to Mitchell with a less than confident grin. ‘Should I pack my bags for Lomonosov, mate?’

  Mitchell said, ‘Your secrets are safe with me, Jake, I have other things on my mind.’

  Like how close Gem Telson is to saying something she shouldn’t.

  He returned to his seat. Jake Dunne half-turned as he concentrated on piloting the Snipe. ‘One more thing, Mitch…’

  ‘Yes, Dunny?’

  ‘Does this mean I have to call you ‘sir’ from now on?’

  ‘No. Not unless you don’t drink Nectin.’

  ‘Thanks, mate. Looking forward.’

  The conversation lulled and Mitchell took the chance to examine his surroundings. There was very little branding at Hirayama other than personnel badges - the survey base logo with two coloured bars, indicating rank and department. Mitchell looked around for any sign of corporate ownership. The air packs gave no clue – they were generic and available from any ExTerra equipment retailer. He decided to ask the oracle.

  “SenANNs?”

  ‘We are here, Lee Mitchell. Do you require Our assistance?’

  “I need intel on Hirayama-Y Survey Base. Is it a commercial operation and if so, who are the owners? Go right back to the corporate holding company.” Mitchell sensed the now-familiar presence of the Populus Control SenANN. A plan view of the small outpost flashed into Mitchell’s mind.

  ‘Hirayama-Y survey Base is owned and operated by Minetec Incorporated. It’s function, according to Populus records, is geological survey to establish mineral and precious metal mining rights. Minetec Incorporated is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Autogen Corporation.’