Expeditions of the Mantis

by Jim Henderson

  Ze then stated, “Captain, we greatly appreciate your assistance. We are fully functional here and will soon prepare probes for the atmospheres of both Zanerus Trey and the gas giant. At some point I will dispatch ASOR-D to the surface of Zanerus Trey to conduct studies on the ground. We will further study any ways to attempt communication with those creatures.”

  Ximon said, “That all sounds very efficient. But how will you transport ASOR-D to the surface? You have no shuttle.”

  “Correct, captain. However, we do have a landing pod that should protect ASOR-D sufficiently to get through Zanerus Trey’s atmosphere and land safely on the surface.”

  “But you won’t be able to recover him.”

  “No, we won’t. Ze will continue his duties there.”

  “I see. I would like to take some pictures of you and your team for the record. Would you please gather over here?”

  They did and Ximon took a series of staged photos. They already had miscellaneous footage from helmet cams, ship cameras, etc.

  “Well, Alzroid. You’ve done great work. If you have no further need of our assistance, we’ll leave now. Please send us an update before we jump out and we’ll relay your first set of data back and report the efficiency of your station.”

  “Thank you, captain. You may trust that we’ll be at work so that whenever you, or other KSF vessel, return, we will have voluminous data for them.”

  “Not sure when a follow-up is plan, but these missions clearly show the Republic is looking in this direction.”

  He shook Alzroid’s hand, “Good luck, Alzroid.” Then he shook hands with all the ASORs, waved good bye and took off.

  When they got back to the ship, Elsbeth said, “They’re good people for a bunch of robots. I hope things go well for them. But, Ximon, don’t ever get any ideas about ‘dispatching me to a planet’ and leaving me there – I won’t go and might shove you in the pod instead.”

  Ximon, “Well, don’t tempt me and we won’t have to find out.”

  They took off and got a transmission from Alzroid just before they jumped with an initial set of data. Then they came and went in Irmarsa-1 without incident and headed on to Alfozar.

  Jaunt Six: Recovery

  They came out of jump at Alfozar without incident as well, right where they wanted to be and with no proximity alarms. They hit the gas giant, refueled, and jumped to Irapce and then to Rarob-6 for the last assignment on their list – trying to recover remnants of a KSF survey craft lost there months ago. The KSF had also suggested they make some friendly contacts if they have a chance.

  Once they entered the Rarob-6 system and verified their location, Ximon again reviewed the available system information and their mission profile. Rarob-6 had 7 major planetary bodies and approximately a dozen distant dwarf planets. The only remotely habitable planet was the second one, Rarob-62. Other than that, Rarob-66 was a small gas giant and the rest were either baked or frozen rocks.

  Rarob-62:

  Diameter: 11,000 km

  Distance from sun: 0.62 AU

  Atmosphere: Thin breathable

  Gravity: 0.89 G

  Temperature Range: -40 to 40 C

  Magnetic Field: Moderate

  Lifeforms: Moderately populated

  Moons: 1

  Their mission profile stated that the KSS-1440-E was an ARC vessel that had NOT been activated. It had done a partial survey of the Rarob-6 system, with the last report coming from Rarob-62. That report was from 5 months ago and had been relayed back to the KSF by a passing trader who received KSS-1440-E’s transmissions. 1440 was presumed lost with all hands, but the KSF hadn’t been able to send anyone to investigate until now.

  Ximon asked Mantis, “Do we have any more information on Rarob-62?”

  “Not much, I’m afraid. There’s no record of them achieving space travel.”

  Ximon, “OK, I guess we’ll do this the old-fashioned way and scout it out, but we’ll refuel first.”

  As he directed Mantis toward the gas giant, he added, “Mantis, please scan for any and all transmissions in system or from the planet.”

  “Yes, captain. I will let you know if I detect anything, though if they don’t have space travel, we won’t detect anything until we’re quite close to the planet.”

  “Understood.” Then Ximon informed the crew, “We’re refueling first and then we’ll be doing scans of Rarob-62.”

  They didn’t detect any signals enroute to the gas giant and refueled. Then they headed for Rarob-62.

  As they approached the planet, Mantis announced, “I have detected no transmissions so far, nor any space traffic nor artificial satellites of any kind.”

  Ximon called Elsbeth, “Elsbeth, would you join me on the bridge.”

  Elsbeth, “Are you going to break the ship?”

  “No, not planning to.”

  “Ok, then. On my way.”

  Ximon also asked Raiza to join them.

  Both Elsbeth and Raiza arrived at the same time, with Elsbeth dragging Peter along.

  Elsbeth plopped down in the co-pilot seat and Raiza sat behind Ximon in the Sensor Operator position. Peter stood behind Elsbeth with his hands on her shoulders.

  They stared at the planet for a few minutes. It was a reasonably nice-looking planet – a mixture of green and brown with some sizable oceans or seas.

  Elsbeth, “So, nice planet. What’s the plan?”

  “We’re going to start a regular scan pattern of the planet and watch for energy signatures and radio transmissions. This may take a while. We’ve also got at least some potential coordinates for the downed scout, so we’ll watch those carefully.”

  “OK, what do you need me to do?”

  “At present, just check the air raft, we may need that. Also, please check a few weapons, we may need them. Other than that, I just wanted to let you know the plan.”

  “OK, we’ll check that out. Give us a yell if you need us to do something else. Otherwise, I’ll be doing coil density tests on the maneuver drive and/or making mad passionate love to this guy.”

  Ximon rolled his eyes, “OK, just don’t confuse Peter and the maneuver drive.”

  Elsbeth, “Ximon, that could never happen – I know my way around both QUITE thoroughly.”

  “I’m sure you do. We’ll let you know what’s next.”

  Then, Elsbeth got up and led Peter out by the hand.

  Ximon then directed Mantis, “I’m starting an orbital scan pattern. Please gather and analyze any transmission patterns. Also watch for energy signatures. I’ll do some basic mapping scans and do a standard imagery sweep.”

  He then added, “Raiza, you’ll see the imagery on your screen. Please, let me know if you see anything out of the ordinary that I might miss.”

  “Yes, Ximon.”

  After about 45 minutes, Mantis started to compose pattern maps of radio transmissions and energy emissions.”

  “Captain, energy patterns are fairly scattered, but concentrated in places. This would suggest some proliferation of electrical power of some sort and the presence of some cities. Radio transmissions are present, but not heavy. I’m gathering signals and analyzing. I’ve detected at least 2 languages thus far, but they are not known to me.”

  “OK, please stay on it. My imagery also suggests some cities of moderate size and the planetary map is building.”

  Raiza chimed in, “I detect nothing beyond what the two of you have noted.”

  They continued orbiting for a few hours, varying latitude and circling the globe. The energy dispersal became clearer as they covered some areas in the planet’s night. Some areas were moderately well lit, while other areas were effectively black.

  Ximon noted, “It doesn’t appear that electricity is uniformly distributed. I’m seeing nearly complete darkness is some city areas of moderate size.”

  Mantis reported, “Captain, I’ve detected a total of what I believe to be 9 distinct languages or dialects, though 2 predominate. They seem to correspond with areas of
greatest energy concentration.”

  “Can you interpret the transmissions?”

  “Thus far, I believe I’m able to interpret a substantial percentage of language A and a lesser degree of language B. I will continue working to interpret these and others I detect. A fair amount of the traffic appears to be nautical or air traffic management, though I have also detected some transmissions of music.”

  “Music? Put that on speaker if there’s some in the area.”

  Raiza asked, “Ximon, do you expect to gather information from their music?”

  “No, dear, but it might give me some ‘feel’ for them.”

  “If you say so.”

  Mantis piped the music in. It sounded cluttered at first, but Ximon could soon pick out some interesting melodies and some unique instruments. Not bad though he wasn’t likely to add it to his list of favorites.

  Ximon noted, “As you may have guessed, there’s some air and nautical transportation. I’m detecting some fairly large sea vessels, as well as some large lighter-than-air craft. I haven’t noted any heavier-than-air aircraft thus far.”

  “Yes, captain. By triangulating the main transmission sources and the pattern of air and sea movements, I believe I have identified candidates for the 6 largest cities. Would you like to initiate contact?”

  “Yes, please lay in a course toward the nearest of the large cities.”

  “Yes, captain. There is a good candidate at approximately 500 km, heading 213.3.”

  Ximon, “Sounds good. Heading that way. Please, let me know when the language from there becomes common in radio transmissions.”

  “Yes, Captain. That is language B. I am able to interpret somewhat more of it now.”

  Ximon then asked Raiza to put together several small boxes of trinkets and trade goods that they might use for trade or gifts.

  Ximon took Mantis back up to 5,000 meters so they’d be less obvious and continued collecting imagery as they went.

  After a few hundred kilometers, Mantis noted, “Captain, some of the local chatter may refer to us. It appears to reference a ‘strange, high air ship’ and directs whoever they were communicating with to watch us.”

  At about 100 km from the city, Mantis said that language B was predominant, so they were presumably in, or near, their ‘borders.’ She identified one station, Mandinga, as apparently directing air traffic and they observed some airships at long range – very large blimp or dirigible-type vessels.

  Ximon signaled Mandinga, translated by Mantis, “Mandinga Station, greetings, this is the Kremniy Republic Scout Ship Mantis. We are visiting your planet and would like to exchange greetings with some of your leaders.”

  There was some rapid, seemingly surprised chatter on the channel, but after a few minutes Mandinga said something that Mantis interpreted and smoothed to, “Greetings Mantis. Where are you from?”

  Ximon, “Mandinga, we are from the Kremniy Republic, in space.”

  Mandinga, “Mantis. We see understanding. You //unintelligible// visit us from space. What is your purpose?”

  Ximon, “We seek only to speak in friendly peace.”

  Mandinga, “As you say. If you wish to speak in peace, land ship at //garble// 154.32 63.42. We meet //garble// you there 4 hours.”

  Ximon, “Mandinga. Understood. We will land in peace.”

  Ximon laid in the course and slowly descended to those coordinates. As they did so, they could see more of this countryside. It definitely had more towns or cities and appeared to have some clear roads. They also saw some sizable ships in the waters off the coast, a mix of sail and some kind of burning petrochemical propulsion, and a few more airships.

  Ximon, “Please transfer translation capability to Raiza so she can translate for us and update as you get more.”

  Mantis, “Of course, captain. However, if you’d like, I’d be happy to come with you.”

  Ximon, “Thanks, but I think your telepresence bot might freak them out.”

  Mantis, “Understood.”

  The area they were directed to was a desolate flat on the tip of a peninsula. They weren’t exactly being brought into city center, but the city was visible in the distance. Mantis landed and they waited.

  As they waited, two airships approached and circled the area. This was the best view they’d had of the airships thus far. One of the two was roughly 200 feet long, predominantly gray, with some red decoration. The other was closer to 300 feet long and greyish-white.

  Ximon, “Mantis, please compare the specifications of those airships with other lighter-than-air craft in your libraries.”

  “Yes, Captain, correlating now.”

  After a few minutes Mantis added, “Captain, from the visual data available, it appears that the craft are quite different. The first craft appears to have a rigid internal structure of some kind and has 4 external engine assemblies. The second craft does not appear to have an internal structure and has 2 large, external engine assemblies. No weapons are in clear evidence on either vessel, though a structure on the second craft is similar to primitive rocket launchers seen on some airships used for warfare on other planets.”

  “Rockets? Do you think they’d pose a threat?”

  “Not a significant one, if any. At this technological level, they would probably lack guidance and any warhead would probably be unlikely to harm us.”

  Shortly before the 4-hour mark, a small powered ship pulled up at a nearby dock and was met by some crude land vehicles. Several people piled into these and they proceeded toward Mantis. These came to a stop on a smooth, prepared piece of ground about 200 meters from Mantis.

  Elsbeth said, “… and what’s the plan if they start shooting at us?”

  Ximon, “From what we can detect, they’re technology level appears to be early Industrial Age. They likely have few weapons that could hit or damage Mantis.”

  Elsbeth, “Probably, but they can damage our little bodies if we go out there. Also, we’re almost certainly not the first ship to come here, so there’s always a chance they have some more advanced imported technology – surface-to-air missiles or some such.”

  Ximon, “It’s possible, but I think we’re going to have to take the chance.”

  Elsbeth, “Great.”

  As the locals prepared the area where they had stopped, Ximon and the crew came down Mantis’ ramp. They all worse basic body armor and sides arms. Before they departed, Ximon trained the auto-cannon on the nearest airship so he could easily tell Mantis to destroy it, if necessary. Now THAT would likely make for a huge distraction.

  As they approached the designated piece of ground, the natives set up a couple folding tables and chairs for almost everyone. They also put some kind of food and drink on the tables. There were 4 natives sitting at the tables and 6 standing behind. The ones at the table wore heavily embroidered jackets of a silky material. Two standing behind appeared to be servers, in identical uniforms of plain, silky maroon. The other 4 standing behind were obviously guards. They wore identical outfits with blue coats, black pants, and odd, cylindrical hats. Plus, each carried a primitive looking rifle.

  The natives at the table rose as Ximon and crew approached. They then inclined their heads in unison. The natives were slightly shorter and broader than humans, with a reddish caste to their skin. All of the males sported elaborate beards, mustaches, or sideburns. The women did not but seemed to have heavier ‘peach fuzz’ than most human women allow.

  When Ximon and the crew stopped, the natives made introductions. A male with very elaborate mustachios introduced himself as Representative Khemdu. The woman to his right was Lawgiver Khemdo. The other man was Arup Kadgudia, some kind of trade representative, and the other woman was Prema Pujari, some kind of ambassador.

  Ximon made introductions as well. “I am LCDR Ximon Sabo of the Kremniy Scout Force and captain of the Mantis. This is my chief engineer Elsbeth Petra, our ship’s medical officer and my wife Raiza Sabo, and our logistician Peter.” They then tried to place themselves
so they were aligned across from similar power players on the other side.

  Then the natives and the crew sat. Representative Khemdu pointed at the food and drink, “We have Karwali, Petia, and Nanda //garble//. Eat.”

  The drink looked like wine or fruit juice and the food appeared to be fruit or vegetables. Ximon and the crew all took a drink and a little food, unsure of what it actually was. The natives all took some as well.

  Before they ate, Khemdu said, “Greetings in peace to friends. May the blessings of the Old Ones be upon you all.”

  Ximon, “Thank you. And upon you.”

  Then Khemdu began in earnest, “Now, friends, what brings you to //garble// land?”

  Ximon, “We have been asked to explore this area and to establish friendly contact where we can. As we explored the planet, it appeared that you were one of the largest and most advanced cities, so we came to you first.”

  “Ah, it is wisely done. There is no better place to go.”

  Ximon, “It would seem so.”

  Khemdu, “But what //garble// agreement or trade are //garble// make?”

  Unfortunately, there were more terms in this conversation that Mantis couldn’t identify as they hadn’t come up in radio traffic. That worried Ximon a bit as he didn’t want to cause offense by misunderstanding and, while he knew what he was trying to say, he wasn’t sure what message they received.”

  Ximon, “We are primarily trailblazers, identifying the most promising places for those that follow us and establishing good will.”

  Ximon handed Khemdu a very basic tablet that only contained a roughly translated version of the Kremniy Republic friendship message.

  Ximon, “This is a message from our leaders that you may review at your leisure.”

  Khemdu, “So, you bring no trade goods or gifts?”

  Ximon, “We did bring some, but weren’t sure whether this was the appropriate time.”

  “Of course, it is the appropriate time.”

  Ximon, “My apologies.” Then to Peter, “Please got retrieve box 3.”