NEBULAR Collection 2 - The Expedition: NEBULAR Episodes 6 - 11

by Thomas Rabenstein

  »Okay then, no problem. We need to find a different way,« she said with forced cheerfulness.

  Paafnas sat down beside her.

  »You’re very worried about your companions, aren’t you?«

  It was surprising how well Paafnas had adapted to the Human psyche. Maya nodded.

  »We’ve only run into Fosset once, and we haven’t heard a thing about McCord and Sati.«

  »I don’t want to sound hard, but I think they are no longer alive,« Paafnas replied sadly. »It’s almost certain that they were tortured and left in the dunes for dead. It’s lethal out there; dehydration is the least of the problems. A couple of days have passed since we met your friend Fosset. Anything could’ve happened in the meantime.«

  Maya Ivanova rubbed her hand on her face. Paafnas wasn’t exaggerating. She recalled her first time in the dunes: she’d only survived by luck and the help of other beings. She had not been allowed to wash since that day and still wore the same filthy clothing. The hygienic conditions inside the cell were catastrophic – ordered by Knockmerg to break her down. She only thought about one thing – escape! She wasn’t concerned about her own life as long as information about the tachyon portal inside Neptune’s atmosphere got back to the Solar Union. This backdoor into the Solar System could prove disastrous for Humanity. Warning them was vital!

  »There’s one thing I can’t get out of my head, Paaf. It won’t let me go.«

  Paafnas’ wide mouth twitched and changed to a grin as he heard Maya creating a nickname by shortening his name to Paaf – he seemed to like it!

  »This desert world seems to be the center of a network, connected to several portals, one inside your home system as well. Everybody arriving here, willingly or by accident, is imprisoned and maltreated.«

  Paafnas lay back on his bedding and seemed to relax, listening to her.

  »That is correct. My people and I just wanted to conduct some research at the portal but were pulled into the force field instead.«

  Maya knew exactly what he was talking about because it had happened to her in the same way.

  »But why? Why not just kill the new arrivals? If it were just to prevent an accidental discovery from getting out, the Treugolans could make it much easier on themselves. What’s the purpose of this prison camp and this planet? What does this Lord want with all these people, his minions are torturing? Who is this Lord anyway? Does any of this make sense to you?«

  Paafnas didn’t have an answers either. He only looked at the floor.

  »Are you still sticking to your story that the Lord looked Human?« she asked in a muted voice, changing the subject.

  Paafnas pulled his arms closer to his body, indicating that he didn’t really like to talk about the subject.

  »I’m not so sure anymore, it was too far away. He had two arms and legs like us, but you can find those features among many galactic species. It doesn’t mean much.«

  »What can you tell me about the crystal dust? Why do the prisoners have to sift it out of the dunes? Is that the only reason they’re kept alive? What does the Lord need the dust for?«

  Paafnas couldn’t answer those questions either.

  »They say that the Treugolans deliver the dust to the Lord. Rumor has it that it is some sort of a life-elixir. I don’t know what the crystals’ real purpose is.«

  Maya also lay down and tried to ignore the biting stench in the room, which had become worse during the last couple of days.

  »Whatever … there’s only one way we can find out.«

  Paafnas took a deep breath; he probably already knew what Maya wanted to say next.

  »We have to get to this Lord. If he’s really that interested in me he’ll show up sooner or later. Maybe we’ll have a chance to talk to him.«

  Paafnas paled. His skin pigments seemed to react to his emotions.

  »Don’t depend on it, Maya. The Treugolans won’t allow it, they’d kill us first. Please, be very cautious with whatever you plan to do.«

  He’s afraid and I have to admit it – so am I!

  Triton Base

  Two men in ocher-colored Solar Fleet uniforms walked swiftly toward the private quarters of the new Triton Base commander, returning the salutes of subordinates haphazardly as if in a great hurry. The new commander had just come in on an express courier ship. Arriving at the half opened door to the commander’s quarters, the two men briefly nodded at each other while one activated the buzzer.

  »Come in, Gentlemen, the door is open!« a feminine, but firm, voice sounded from the cabin. Petrow gave a faint smile – he knew that voice!

  The door opened fully and allowed a view into the room. A petite-looking woman was standing in the middle of the room dressed in a kimono-sari-like wrap. She was obviously of Asian descent. Her black hair was arranged in a tower-like fashion, complementing her almond eyes and well made up face. Her eyes addressed the two men openly. The greeting was short but friendly.

  »Hello Igor, how are you? Long time no see – since our last encounter on Earth.«

  The newly appointed commander of the Blue Moon nodded respectfully in lieu of a military salute.

  »It’s good to see you here on Triton, Commander Nok.«

  She replied with a brief but perfect Asian smile and looked inquiringly at Petrow’s companion.

  »May I introduce,« he made a quick quarter turn to the left and raised his right hand, indicating the second man, »my first officer, Anatoli Nemov.«

  »Are all Blue Moon members from Siberia?« she asked amused.

  Petrow shook his head as he answered, »Uh … not all of them, Commander. As you might already know, the entire Pentagon crew was transferred to the Blue Moon; Maya Ivanova had assembled many of the Moscow Fleet Academy on her ship.«

  »That explains it,« Nok Daralamai replied and asked the two men to step closer. »I’ve just arrived here on Triton, excuse the mess. Sorry, I can’t offer you anything to break the ice. Donald Day extends his greetings from Fleet HQ. I’m up to speed about my new post and I’ve read your dossiers thoroughly. I will assume command later today. Tell me Petrow, what’s so important that it can’t wait a couple of hours? «

  Petrow cleared his throat and signaled Nemov. The first officer pulled a holographic memory chip from his pocket and loaded it into the room’s display unit.

  »With your permission, Ma'am?«

  Nok Daralamai nodded. Moments later, a small holo formed in the middle of the room, showing a strange looking object.

  »What’s that, Petrow?« she asked with interest.

  »These are relief pictures of an object deep in Neptune’s atmosphere. We’ve adapted Fosset’s methods and deployed sonar bombs to obtain these pictures.«

  »I certainly knew about the object, but never saw any pictures so far. So, this is that chunk of ice on which we lost our crew and Fosset,« she quickly extrapolated, »a preventable tragedy, don’t you think?«

  »With all due respect, Ma'am, I won’t comment on that, but whatever this is, it’s not a chunk of methane ice! Nemov?«

  Petrow’s first officer stepped up to participate in the presentation.

  »Ma'am, we processed the data from thirty sonar bombs with the Blue Moon’s neuronal computer. We haven’t been able to obtain any data directly from the object’s surface, which is suspicious in itself – there’s no logical reason why not. Indirect correlations and measurements, though, allowed us to produce these pictures. Our scientists on the Blue Moon have examined the data and decided that it must be artificial. The near-perfect round structure and semi-spherical top resembles a cheese skin. Methane ice couldn’t be this smooth.«

  Nok Daralamai smiled at Nemov’s comparison.

  »Continue, Nemov.«

  »The object is too smooth, but that’s not all: we can’t explain how it holds its position in the atmosphere. So far we only know its shape, not its makeup or density; but if it were ice it would already have crashed to the surface.«

  Nok Daralamai looked at the holo f
or a while.

  »Well, McCord’s said that it is an atmospheric phenomenon. Are you calling him a liar, Nemov?«

  Petrow and Nemov exchanged quick glances.

  »That’s the only conclusion, Ma'am,« the Blue Moon commander replied. »McCord wasn’t telling us everything – he was hiding certain facts. He’s been acting strange since he returned. Judging by his behavior, and considering other reports, I have to conclude …«

  »… I know, I know,« Nok Daralamai interrupted. »He closed down his mining operations in the Neptune System, dismantled his robotic machinery, and canceled the colonization projects on Neptune’s moons and other government contracts. He coughed up the penalties without gagging. The heir to the Fosset Empire has made an about face. He appears to be concentrating on other endeavors and priorities.«

  »Other priorities? McCord’s acting really oddly, don’t you think, Ma'am?« Petrow’s voice grew harder. »I’m asking myself why a member of Fosset’s esoteric inner circle would suddenly question everything his best friend had done over the years! Most of these changes are related to activities at the outer edges of the Solar System and around Neptune.«

  Nok Daralamai slowly walked around the holo display before she addressed Petrow again.

  »So what are you thinking it’s really about?«

  »Nemov and I agree that the object is the key to all our questions. We think it’s an enemy installation, maybe occupied and operated by the Globs. If that’s true, Maya Ivanova and the others could still be alive. We should attempt a second advance into the atmosphere.«

  »Petrow, please! McCord was given all kinds of tests during his interview. There wasn’t even a hint that he was under the influence of drugs or other mind-altering substances, or anything else that could be influencing his decisions. He told us the truth as he knew it – minor inaccuracies can be traced to his condition – he went through a lot, remember.«

  »Commander, with all due respect, I don’t believe that. Something is not right with him, and I’m certain he lied to us. Request permission to use a modified Hawk to verify McCord’s story.«

  Nok Daralamai’s face became suddenly tough.

  »Request denied! Do you have a death wish, Petrow? I’ve already lost an excellent commander in Ivanova. I’m not willing to sacrifice another to sentimentality and wild theories. My command over Triton Base will not be shadowed by the death of another Union Fleet officer. Feel free to observe and study the object from orbit, but another death flight will not occur under my command. Is that understood?«

  Petrow frowned; he had expected more support from the new commander. His disappointment didn’t escape her.

  »Don’t forget our situation, Petrow,« she tried to calm the waves, »I need you to remain level headed. The Globs are still in the Kuiper Belt. The danger has not yet passed!«

  »Those beasts are no longer a threat since they fell into stasis after the Stinger’s destruction!« Petrow replied defiantly.

  »We don’t know that for sure!« she replied sternly. »Maybe you’re right, but there’s a good chance that the Globs are getting ready for us again at this moment. Sedna will be in a favorable position to Neptune in a couple of weeks. You know that we suspect a Globuster base there. We want to take a closer look then.«

  »What are we going to do about McCord? Do we just let him be?«

  Nok Daralamai’s answer was uncompromising.

  »We have nothing against him, other than your accusations. What he did with Fosset’s empire after he took it over is none of our business. I hope I make myself clear.«

  Petrow stiffened. He was thinking about Maya Ivanova. He was convinced that she was still alive and needed his help.

  »Request permission to return to the Blue Moon, Ma'am!«

  »Granted!« she acknowledged sharply. »Stand by for my orders on a moment’s notice. Dismissed!«

  Petrow and Nemov saluted a bit too stiffly, turned and left the room.

  As soon as she was alone again, Daralamai activated her secure personal comm-unit, establishing a link to a relay station. All she saw on the screen was the station ID symbol. She left a message, knowing that it would take some time until it reached the recipient.

  »Petrow is a loose gun,« she dictated, »I can’t rule out any self-concocted actions by him and his crew. I need to keep him in check to prevent him from interfering with our plans.

  »I will keep the Blue Moon under observation; we proceed as discussed. Daralamai out!«

  McCord

  He awoke in a dimly lit, strange looking room. The walls were not of stone or rock but of shimmering metal, covered with a glittery substance.

  Crystal dust!

  The light refractions and cascading colors from the crystals gave the room an eerie look. Now, as feeling returned to his limbs, McCord realized that he was hovering about a meter above the ground with arms and legs spread out. His wrists and ankles were shackled but he was held in place by a greenish fluorescent energy field. The position was tortuous, and McCord groaned in pain. He gathered his wits and looked around. He saw large kidney-shaped tables with pear-shaped glass cylinders filled with an unknown boiling liquid.

  Between those cylinders he could make out cubic devices like nothing he’d ever seen. Some of the cubes were connected directly to the tubes. It looked like an alchemist’s shop out of the Middle Ages. The modern equipment surrounding the tables said otherwise.

  Where am I? What is this? A laboratory?

  Then he saw the naked, lifeless body, half covered with a transparent foil, inside a bathtub-like container.

  A muted scream of horror left McCord’s lips.

  »Sati!«

  McCord briefly closed his eyes, opened them again, but it was still there – not a nightmare, but brutal reality!

  Sati was definitely dead. His face was pale and bloodless. His eyes stared toward the ceiling and were torn open with fear and horror.

  What did those eyes see before he died?

  »Damnit, Sati, what happened to you?« he whispered in shock, trying to regain his self-control. There was time for grieving later – he was in a desperate fix himself. He fell silent at a movement in the corners of his eyes. He held his breath until his ears were popping. Terrified, he watched as a strange phenomenon slowly crossed his field of vision. Fosset’s bodyguard bit his lower lip and didn’t dare to breathe.

  There was somebody else in the room, and he was able to disguise himself almost perfectly. McCord assumed that the stranger’s body was engulfed in an unknown energy field. It seemed to McCord’s tired eyes like rising hot air over a hot summer street. Everything in his direct line of sight was skewed.

  A disguise field!

  »I can see you!« he yelled into the room, not taking his eyes from the energy field. He then concentrated so hard on the stranger that he ignored everything else around him.

  Suddenly, he felt a stinging prick – he screamed in pain. A long, fine needle had penetrated his left side and began extracting his blood, transporting it by means of flexible and transparent tubing into one of the cube-devices on the table.

  McCord tried to free himself from the shackles, but to no avail. He couldn’t move his arms and feet.

  He was totally at the stranger’s mercy, while he endured the procedure in excruciating pain. The field had stopped right before him. McCord had the feeling that the stranger was observing the procedure to see McCord’s reactions.

  Then McCord felt another sharp prick, this time in his right arm, where a shorter needle pierced his veins and again connected him to one of the mysterious devices on the table. Everything moved with a ghostly, automatic precision.

  Moments later, McCord was horrified as his blood returned to his body, but it had changed color! The red blood had changed to a purple-violet.

  As soon as the changed blood entered his blood system, he felt a burning sensation spreading over his entire body. McCord felt close to losing his mind. He didn’t understand what was happening to him, and
he was too weak now to fight the shackles any longer.

  He surrendered to the inevitable.

  »It all depends on the dosage and preparation,« he suddenly heard a voice in plain English. The stranger had spoken to him.

  »Who are you? Why are you doing this to me? Why don’t you show yourself?« McCord screamed.

  »Not to mention the correct selection of the living material, because only a fraction is suitable for this procedure.«

  McCord noticed a fine, prickling sensation along his spinal cord, replacing the burning feeling. He didn’t even stop to wonder why the stranger was able to speak English fluently.

  »Soon you’ll slip into a coma and die – to be reborn as a new being. Don’t fight it; that would simply prolong the process!«

  McCord’s breathing came harder; his heart began to ache and beat erratically.

  It pumped the modified blood through his body.

  »An important part of this procedure is to find a method which does not destroy your cells, but allows the substance to collect in your brain and replicate your brain cells. The crystalline DNA needs to infiltrate your neurons completely before it’ll be able to reconstruct your brain and copy parts of it as needed.«

  McCord thought he must have heard wrong. He could only see the room through a milky veil, but he couldn’t tell if it was caused by his tearing eyes or the fading sensory input to his brain.

  »What are you doing to me – who are you?« he just whispered.

  The stranger seemed inclined to reply to McCord’s questions for the first time. »I am the Lord of this world. My name is Morgotradon.«

  The scintillating field came closer.

  »You don’t know it yet, but you will experience a great happiness following the replication shock,you’ll see the world with totally different eyes. I am rescuing you from your senseless former life.«

  »I don’t want that!« McCord begged through the pain. »I don’t want to die!«

  »You don’t understand the situation yet, Human, not yet!«

  McCord only heard fragments of what the stranger had to say. He didn’t believe a word of it and began to prepare himself for death. Already an ice-cold feeling was slowly expanding throughout his body. He had lost his feeling in his arms and legs.