Orpheus shakes his head in disbelief. He leans down next to the Captain, and asks, “Do you know how to stop the power drain?”
The Captain looks in shock, asking, “Power drain, what have you done?”
Orpheus, now getting even more annoyed grabs the Captain by his uniform’s collar, and stands him up showing him the surface of the Planet. He speaks with all due seriousness in his voice, saying, “Listen you brainwashed idiot, in less than four hours this ship will be without power, and you and your crew will be trapped on the Planet’s surface, and that means no life support, and no shields. My people and I will probably be long gone by then, but I don’t want all these people to die on this ship, so let me ask you again, and this time I’ll say it slowly. Do you know how to shut down the power drain program or not?”
The Captain shocked, stammers his response, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and if I did I wouldn’t help you.”
Milo, who is studying the readings from the control systems, looks up reporting, “The Captain looks to be telling the truth. This program was activated by the remote after we took off. My best guess would say it’s designed to prevent any type of mutiny.”
Orpheus’s rage begins to build up quickly as he asks, “Can you shut it down?”
Milo lets out a deep breath, answering, “No. It appears to have been hardwired into most of the ship's major systems. There is no way to shut it down.”
Habon, equally annoyed, speaks while he works on the communication system, saying, “Actually, I think we can shut it down, but it will be very risky.”
Orpheus, finally getting a glimpse of hope smirks, saying, “What do we have to lose, go for it.”
Habon grumbles, saying, “Well before you jump on board, and say let’s do this, you may not like the part where we will need to get as much altitude as we can and then shut down all the ship's systems, and then when we're free falling at the speed of sound, we do a Cold Fusion reboot. And we need to do all that just before we crash and die on the planet’s surface.”
Orpheus is stunned at what Habon has said, states, “Damn it Habon, I was loving your idea before you told me what it was.”
Milo frowns, saying, “Habon is right, it’s the only way. If we don’t try it, then these people will all die anyways.”
Dora confused, asks, “Wait one second, why do we have to climb to the highest elevation we can reach?”
Habon grimaces, replying, “The only chance we have to start the engines fast enough is for the ship to be moving at such a high velocity that the engines can use that momentum to spin the outer induction coils. If we were to try to reboot the engines on the planet surface the wet, freezing atmosphere would easily freeze those very same coils and then the civilians would all freeze to death.”
Orpheus groans, saying, “Stop talking about it, and just do it Habon.”
Habon looks over at Dora and Milo, stating, “I think it would be best if Dora and Milo went down to help Kern, while you Jasmin and myself work up here.”
Orpheus looks to Dora, and says, “Let’s get moving people, if we’re going to do something stupid let’s do it quickly.”
Dora grabs Milo, and both shift down to the engine room, while the Captain still in bonds asks, “If you have shift cloaks you could easily shift back to the city, why are you doing this?”
Orpheus shakes his head, saying, “Because we're trying to keep you paranoid idiots alive.”
Habon pushes the ship to its highest orbit, close to the planet’s upper mesosphere almost forty miles above the ice layer. He turns to Orpheus and says, “We will have less than eight minutes to restart the engines before our velocity will be too great to pull out from.”
Orpheus sighs heavily, as he shakes his head, saying, “Go for it.”
Habon hits the switch, shutting down the ship's main computer systems. This causes the engines and shields to shut down as well as life support. The ship rapidly descends, as Habon begins the reboot. The ship's computers begin to restart as the systems initiate going through their data checks.
Habon studies the data, reporting, “Commander, you’ll need to navigate the ship at a forty-five-degree pitch to allow the induction coils to begin to free spin.”
Orpheus leans into the controls and maneuvers the Tof vessel into a forty-five-degree angle. The ship screams through the upper atmosphere at an ever-increasing velocity. Finally, the computer systems start to reactivate systems, starting with life support and basic systems. Habon continues looking over the data and says, “We need to engage the engines in the next two minutes or we’re all dead.”
Jasmin calls down to engineering, yelling, “Now would be a good time to have our engines!”
Kern, who has strapped himself into the main engineering seat, yells back, “I’m working on it!” Kern focuses his attention on the matter anti matter infusion, as he preps the engines to restart, doing this in a controlled procedure is extremely dangerous, but doing it while free falling in an out of control ship is well past dangerous.
Milo is hanging on to the railing, as Dora stands next to him, both watch as Kern maintains his attention and complete focus on the infusion mixture.
Dora, trying to help, studies the engineering monitor, watching the infusion mix ratios as well as the time remaining and states in all do haste, “Brother, we need to start the engines now!”
Kern, frustrated, activates the engines and infuses the matter, anti-matter energy, hoping that it’s enough.
Back on the Bridge, Orpheus sees the engines powering up. The monitor shows twenty-five percent power right away as Orpheus begins to feel the ship's controls responding once again. However, the ship is still moving too fast.
Orpheus looks over to Habon while he struggles to pull the ship out of its dive, asking, “Well?”
Habon uncertain replies, “It’s going to be real close Commander.”
Orpheus pulls back on the control with all his might, as the planet’s surface grows ever so close. Finally, with less than a half mile until they hit the surface, the ship begins to stabilize, as Orpheus lets out a sigh of relief. He looks over to Habon and says, “Get us out of here and let’s go home.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
ONATOF
One hundred thirty years have now passed since the creation of the Paladonian society, as many of the original survivors have long since passed on. Reginald White has retired from council lead as the mantle of council lead was transferred to his wife Rachel Cooley White.
The seven moons have been at an uneasy peace over the last decade, but the Tofs more so than the Rookes maintain a diplomatic challenge. The people have been for over a century flooded with brainwashing and subliminal messages, causing the general populace to be untrusting of all outsiders. This has been a challenge to everyone.
Four years ago, a Valen freighter was damaged by micro-meteors near the main planet Paladonia. The crew sent out a distress call, but no ships were close enough to render aid before the ship would fall into the massive gas giant’s gravity field, no ships except a Tof transport, which refused to help. The crew of the Valens ship was able to escape, but several people were seriously hurt, and the ship was destroyed.
This incident, combined with many other similar incidents has now forced Caleb to become actively involved. Regrettably, the good that he may do here will have far-reaching consequences in the timeline that will mar his own future happiness.
The Tof moon, as it is now called was originally called Onatof, it was changed by its settlers as a way to distance themselves from their misplaced belief of being the outcasts, and as a way to insult Caleb, who had named the world after a dear friend who died to save them all.
In the Northern Province, far away from the main bustling cities and political hornet’s nest of the Tof government is a small fishing village called Von, which when translated from ancient Germanic means hope. Today the village of Von gains a new member to their populace, and he will be noticed.
At th
e edge of the wharf, a teenage boy notices the water line has gone up a few inches more than previously recorded at high tide, as he tries to understand why this is happened he notices a small boat with an elderly man fishing out in the shallows. He looks out for several minutes studying the man, as he was raised like every other Tof child to be untrusting on newcomers.
The boy’s name is Eldred. He slowly walks away from the shore and goes to the Harbormaster, asking, “Who is the stranger out in the boat?”
The Harbormaster, annoyed at Eldred’s endless questions, says, “He is none of your business Eldred. Now get along with yourself, and bother me no more, I have work to do.”
Eldred, aggravated at being spoken down too storms off, looking out once more at the shallows, but now notices that the man’s boat is now gone. He becomes even more suspicious. He cautiously walks over to the pier, looking everywhere, but he still cannot see the boat, or the man anywhere.
Suddenly, a voice speaks from behind the boy, asking, “Looking for something son?”
Eldred turns, fully expecting to see one of the harbormasters men, but is shocked to see the Old man whom he was looking for is now standing behind him. Eldred frightened, quickly runs away, yelling.
The Old man confused scratches his head, as he picks up his box of fish and walks over to the village-approved purchaser, who is watching the Old man carefully, the Old man asks, “That boy Ok?”
The man stares at the Old man suspiciously for a moment, then grunts, unconcerned at the Old man’s questions. He instead looks over his fish, saying, “I’ll give you thirty pence for the whole lot.”
The Old man head rears back in surprise as he complains, saying, and “I would get twice that in my last village.”
The purchaser grumbles and says, “I’ll go as high as forty-five, but not a pence more.”
The Old man smirks, as reaches down to pick up his fish and looks up at the purchaser, saying, “I’m sorry to have wasted your time, I’ll just take my fish and go.”
The purchasing agent huffs, saying aloud, “Fine Old man, I’ll give you fifty-five pence, and if you don’t take that I’ll make sure no one else in any of the other villages will buy from you in this province.”
The Old man smirks, and says, “Well, I don’t want that to happen, so I have a better idea, how about I give you all my fish for free.”
The purchaser confused, looks at the Old man, and asks, “What's your game Old man?”
The Old man smiles peacefully, and states, “I’m new to area having lost my wife to illness a year ago, so I decided to move away and start anew. My hope is to find new friends and begin a new life. I can think of no one person whom I should more befriend than the man in charge of purchasing all the fish on this wharf.”
The Purchaser snorts, saying, “I don’t trust newcomers any more than the rest of these people. You’ll need a lot more fish than this to garner my trust Old man.”
The Old man still smiles, saying, “Very well then, keep the fish I’ll be back tomorrow.”
For several days, the Old man returns, leaving a pile of fish with the purchaser but never asking for payment. He is often seen helping other fishermen in the village, and yet he never asks for payment. His random disappearances and appearances make many uneasy, as some believe he is a government spy sent to make sure the populace is remaining loyal, while others think he is just an eccentric Old man with more money the brains, which also makes him a target to some.
Finally, after two weeks the Old man appears at the purchaser’s office with a load of fish once more, he places it before him and says, “Hello sir, I’m afraid I cannot afford to give you any more free fish. I’m sorry, but if your friendship is one that can only be purchased, I’m afraid I can’t find enough fish.”
The purchaser laughs aloud, saying, “My name is Boreo Old man, and I was curious to see just how far you would go before reaching your limit.”
Boreo reaches into his pocket and pulls out a large billfold of cash, giving the Old man several hundred pence, asking, “Well, my friend what may I ask is your name?”
The Old man still smiling, says, “Well, everyone’s been calling me Old man since I got here, I’m kinda use to being called Old man, if that's Ok.”
Boreo laughs, saying, “Fine, Old man it is then.”
For several more weeks, the Old man slowly wins over the village people’s trust, as the people of the village begin to look to him for guidance and help. The Villagers often search for him at the docks, to hear him speak of friendship, trust, and understanding. The old and young alike are all mesmerized by his teachings, including the young boy Eldred. Ultimately, though, his reputation reaches the regional province security offices. Several investigators are then sent to gather preliminary information on this Old man, to see if his actions represent a threat.
After weeks of investigation the agents return with large amounts of information on this Old man, of which most was useless, but one important piece of information that was noted was that the Old man has never been seen on the mainland for more than a few hours, and often disappeared from all signs of detection. This report mingled with the civil unrest he could be causing has many in the provincial offices worried.
A month later, a squad of well-trained investigators, along with a full platoon of soldiers arrives at the village. They are led by Colonel Hines of the Tof internal security force. He leads his men to the wharf and approaches Boreo, slapping his hand down on the table before him, asking, “Citizen, I’m here looking for a fisherman that goes by the name Old man. I’m sure you know of him, and you will tell me where I can find him?”
Boreo is obviously terrified, as he looks out at the armed men all around him, he cautiously answers, “He comes in at dusk every day with a crate of fish. If you wait here, I’m sure you will see him soon.”
Colonel Hines smirks, saying, “For your sake purchaser, let’s hope he doesn’t keep me waiting too long.”
Eldred, the young boy who is nearby hears the Colonel and rushes off to the docks where he grabs a small boat and takes off in search of the Old man. After nearly a half-an-hour Eldred sees nothing, as he begins yelling out into the sea, “Old man!”
With no response, he continues on his search persistently, searching the horizon, looking all about for the Old man. After an hour of relentless searching, dusk quickly approaches as Eldred begins to dread that he may have missed his opportunity to warn the Old man. He lowers his head despondent, yielding any hope he has to warn the Old man of the armed men waiting for him. Surprisingly though, when he turns around to head back, he sees the Old man moving to the docks ahead of him. Shocked at this he turns his boat around and heads to warn the Old man at near full speed. Within a few minutes, he overtakes the Old man’s boat, yelling, “Stop! The police are waiting for you!”
The Old man smiles at Eldred, stating, “I know they are son, but if I don’t go they may hurt Boreo.”
Eldred, clearly confused, asks, “How do you know this?”
The Old man winks, saying, “Hurry along now, and tell the police I’m coming.”
Eldred concerned, states, “They will arrest you, and take you away.”
The Old man shakes his head, as he smirks, saying, “They will try. Now hurry Eldred, tell them I’m coming.”
Eldred overly confused does what he is told. He races back to the docks and up the gangway to Boreo’s office, stating, “The Old man is coming.”
Hines has a devilish smile, as he points to his men, saying, “Prepare the area just in case he ends up being some special infiltrator from the Bentonians.”
The Security officers quickly clear the area and prepare for the Old man’s arrival. Boreo, concerned as to why the Old man has drawn so much attention, asks, “Why so much distress for an Old fisherman?”
Hines disgusted turns to Boreo, stating, “I’d be more concerned to your own well-being Purchaser. You have been consorting with a spy, and you will be lucky to lose only everything you own, b
ut if I had my way you’d spend the rest of your life in prison.”
Boreo shakes in fear as he listens to Hines threats. A moment later, he hears a voice come over Hines holocom, asking, “The Old man has docked, and is approaching your location. Shall we take him now?”
Hines smiles, stating, “Let him enter, and then surround the building. I will speak with him first.”
The Old man spots several of the clumsy guards trying to hide, uncaring, he walks past them all and directly into Boreo’s office, carrying his fish. He smiles as he sees the Colonel next to Boreo and notices Boreo’s terrified face. The Old man undaunted continues smiling, saying, “Well now, who is this fine young officer, is this a relative of yours Boreo?
Hines, unamused at the Old man’s prattling looks directly at him, saying, “You will come with me to the Regional province command for questioning.”
The Old man continues smiling, and acting as if he can’t hear Hines correctly, asking, “You’re looking for Regional fish? Well, I guess all my fish is from around here, so I hope its Regional fish. However, there was this one fish that looked suspicious. It had beady fish eyes, so I didn’t trust it so I tossed it back. You know, now that I think of it that could have been one of those non regional fish.”
Hines agitated, yells a little louder, “No you old decrepit buffoon, you’re coming with us to Regional command, now!”
The Old man continues acting, as if he doesn’t understand what Hines is saying, he reaches into his crate of fish pulling out one of the larger fish, shoving directly into Hines face and, stating, “See it’s a good fish, no beady eyes on this fella.”
Hines is now becoming very annoyed yells, “I don’t want your lousy stinking fish!”
The Old man does his best to hide his smirk, saying, “You don’t want this fish? Well, I have a more here.” The Old man flips the crate upside down, as all his fish hit the floor, scattering everywhere, as the slime from so many fish scatters all across the floor. However, an added element now covers the floor, unseen by all but the Old man, an invisible energy field now envelopes the floor.
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 5 Paladonians Page 8