Interstellar Starpilots

by F Stephan

  “Madam, I’m honored to meet you. To what honor do we . . .”

  She made a small gesture. “I won’t stay long. I wanted to congratulate both of you. You saved our shuttle and its passengers. You have the council’s thanks, and mine as well.”

  “We saved our own lives as well, didn’t we?” Emily’s voice was strained. There were dressings on her neck and hands. How bruised is she?

  “True enough. But you did more than just save your life, didn’t you?” Even smiled. “Before we officially thank you, I have two requests.” She paused and they both nodded, waiting. “First, what happened on the elevator will remain secret.”

  “It was fairly obvious, wasn’t it?” Brian felt feisty, resenting her authority.

  “Yes, there was an incident on the star elevator. That is public knowledge. You helped save the day. That’s public also.” They both nodded. Her voice was a deep soprano, rich and unctuous, trapping them in its modulation.

  “And Taz?”

  “Sadly, he’s dead. I’ve already talked with his wife and children. We’ll hold a public remembrance later today, in the custom of Lik’al’am. His family came from there.” She wasn’t dispassionate, thought Brian. More like she had lost so many people she simply didn’t weep anymore. “Now, what do you suppose I would like to keep hidden?” She looked intently at Brian, challenging him to answer.

  He gulped and thought his way through what had happened. “The comm unit was rigged. And the pilot’s goggles contained attack nanites. Weird ones. This wasn’t an incident. It was the act of a terrorist.”

  Even nodded. “There is something else. You should say it aloud, Brian.” Her eyes glinted. She’s old. So old. She’s seen so many things.

  “The attack nanite presented themselves as a red mist, the same as the ones that attacked me on the roof of the academy.”

  “Yes. You were the target, Brian. I don’t know why, but it might be related to what happened last year on Fizhert. You’ve got a powerful enemy.” Even paused and they all stayed silent for a long moment. Emily was staring at Brian so hard he blushed.

  “Is it safe to come back to the academy? What are you doing about those attacks?”

  “Yes.” Even was clearly sure of herself. “We will keep a close eye on you. And on Emily as well.” You promised this before and it didn’t stop. “We are running multiple investigations at this time. Whoever targeted you will be back hiding in the shadows for a while.” So, this attacker is known? “We also believe he’s currently off-planet somewhere. It’d be too dangerous to stay down here in the gravity well.”

  This struck Brian. “Madam. Some weeks ago, in the academy, I saw a satellite dish extended out of one of the building and then brought back inside, with just time enough to send a message.” That got her attention and he spent a few minutes describing when and where he had seen what he’d seen. At last, the attaché rose and moved to leave the room.

  “Madam?” Emily called to her when she reached the door.

  “Yes?”

  “You mentioned a second request.” Emily squared her jaws.

  “You’ve already guessed, haven’t you, young lady? Care to tell me what it is?”

  She nodded. “I saw the inlands while the shuttle dropped. I’m probably the only one who was connected. I know why no one can travel to the coastal cities.” Even waited, motioning for her to go on. Brian had seen nothing before the crash and listened in fascination. “Something happened on the continents. Maybe when the Ancients fell, someone played with genetics or nanoengineering. Maybe a production plant failed, and it contaminated every settlement. And maybe, unable to control it, someone dropped fusion bombs to vitrify the problems. But it didn’t succeed. It just contained it.”

  Brian asked, “You think that someone was trying to solve the issue related to the fall of the Ancients?”

  Even nodded, and Emily continued. “Beasts survived, evolved, and adapted to the heavy presence of nanites. Maybe someone else fortified the archipelagoes and barred the harbors. But, they didn’t have enough people and their population dwindled until the islands were rediscovered. Madam, we can’t guess what happened ten millennia ago. Guessing would just weaken the Federation and show what shape Alkath truly is in.”

  “Really? Tell me, young lady, what shape we’re in?” Even’s tone was not sarcastic, more like a probe. There was more at play here than Brian could see.

  “From space, all three continents had a high albedo, glaring back at me.” Emily was feeling her way through the argument. “So, the same events happened everywhere. In this case, you can only inhabit the periphery, close to the sea. And the coast cannot use advanced energies. It would attract whatever survived in those deserts. Those creatures must be few and restricted to those areas or no one would have survived on the coast. Yet, they live in a kind of preindustrial world. Alkath’s population cannot be more than half a billion.”

  “We’re slightly above that now, actually,” commented Even dispassionately.

  “Even here, you restrict all radiation. Not because of your ecological control but because strong energy sources would attract and sustain the beasts.” Emily’s words were final.

  “You’re right. And I’m asking you to keep this quiet for now.” Even’s voice was deadly serious.

  Brian blurted out, “It’ll get out, Madam, sooner than you think.”

  “Yes, it will. And maybe, at that time, we will know more about those Ancient times and be able to clean the mainland. I just ask for time, nothing more. In the meantime, we’re enforcing strict regulations everywhere. The Origin doesn’t want to release this information yet because we’d ask for more research to fight the situation. Until then, we work on improving lives in the coastal cities.”

  “I’d like to know more about how you do it.” Emily remained cautious.

  “You’ll be cleared to access relevant information. We could authorize you to go there, although you’d have to follow our security measures.”

  “I’d attract the creatures from inland?”

  Even nodded, her face closed. “I’ll ask you to keep silent about this until you make up your own mind on what we do.”

  Both agreed, if reluctantly.

  “I’ve got to leave you now. Again, my thanks, young pilots!” She bowed low and left them in a swift motion. Emily took Brian’s hand in her own and closed her eyes, quickly falling asleep. Some of the bond they had shared still lingered. He could feel her at peace, a rare feeling for her. He didn’t move by a digit until she woke up again, much later. All that time, Taz’s face remained in front of him, looking at him. I’ve crossed fire with you and I broke free of it with your help. I’ll remember you.

  Loupiac

  Alkath, 2141 AD, January

  Master Loupiac felt drained from walking up and down the corridors of the academy. Even with his exoskeleton, he hadn’t moved that much in years. Luckily, he was now resting at home on his couch.

  “Yes, Madam. I’ll look into it.” He closed the 3-D and turned toward the inspector close to him. “Please relay to task leader Shaz'al'kop that Attaché Even thinks there’s a satellite dish being used for communications on an outbuilding. She wants it.”

  The police officer bowed and spoke quickly into his communicator. A new search party would quickly be assembled. Loupiac sighed deeply.

  “Master?” inquired his assistant.

  “We’ve already found two boxes of poisonous nanites. Now, there’s communication gear. Whoever is the source planned this for a long time and used a lot of resources in these attempts. More than we’ve seen in the last century.”

  “So, the target is very important?”

  Loupiac looked at him intently. “A young, untested, even if promising, pilot? Why would such an effort be expended for such a minor target? Revenge for Fizhert?”

  “Or it’s a diversion tactic and we haven’t seen the real attack yet?”

  “Yes. I fear the worst is yet to come.” He felt it deep inside and
he dreaded what would arrive. A coughing fit reminded him of his age and his fatigue. Loupiac, you’re pushing yourself too far.

  The youngster turned the idea in his head while pouring water for Loupiac. “Is that why you want to capture the pilot from Ullem? The cook we caught knew nothing.” The inspector continued his reasoning. The taskmaster had appointed him to stay close to Loupiac for a reason that was now evident. You do think things through, young one.

  “Yes. It’s going to embarrass the Federation and his family. But he‘s the only link we’ve got to the heart of this conspiracy.”

  “Son of the Prophet?”

  “He carried a seal of that sect. We thought they were extinct. They haven’t acted in a century. And now this? We need to catch this guy.”

  Illoma

  Alkath, 2141 AD, January

  Two days later, police forces were barely visible anymore, but their presence could still be felt. They had set up discreet surveillance around the harbor and at the entrance of the academy. Beyond that, a welcome committee interrogated all newcomers. They were all very polite and smiled a lot, yet pilots were usually so protected, it felt odd to be under constant scrutiny.

  Illoma chafed without instant access to her friends at the academy. So she was glad when Sonter appeared back from his trip around the archipelago and was let through by the inspectors. She had found an unobstructed viewpoint on a terrace and invited him to watch the entrance to the compound with her. It felt good to be with him and he seemed to enjoy her presence as well.

  They observed every arrival, commenting on crews and pilots.

  Late in the day, Alvam came back, a single passenger on a fishing boat. Sonter glared at him. “Mister Core World supremacy.”

  “You really hate him. What happened?” Before he could answer, two burly officers took the Ullemite back to the harbor. “What?” Illoma was baffled.

  “Alvam’s refusing to follow them. Look how upset he is!” Sonter was tracking his every move and couldn’t believe it. “He’s resisting?”

  She activated her nanites and caught a few sentences. “It should have been mine.” “He stole it.” “He isn’t a Son of the Prophet.”

  She looked at Sonter. “Know anything about this?”

  “It’s a rumor. It has been circulating among pilots for a while; my dad told me about it. A Grand Master, the inheritor of the Prophet, promises ample rewards to the Sons who serve him. That would surely appeal to that asshole.”

  “Why didn’t I ever hear about it?”

  Sonter flashed her a true smile. “Probably because the Master, whoever he is, doesn’t want mind readers in his entourage. Makes sense, doesn’t it?” She began to turn red, but he raised his hand in a gesture of peace. “At least, one of our friends will be safer now. Don’t tell him he wanted his ship.” Illoma gasped, her lips forming a silent o. “I’m sure they’ll reopen communications today.”

  “He’s dropped down?” she exclaimed, seeing Alvam fall unconscious.

  “They’ve stunned him. This is bad, Illoma.” His body began to blur, losing its shape, before her eyes.

  “Loose nanites. He isn’t in control anymore.” She turned to run, deep instincts guiding her, but Sonter caught her in his arms. The two security officers had jumped away, boosted by their own nanites, and a third had launched a grenade from the boat. A detonation followed.

  Sonter turned his head to her. “Antinanite grenade. Nothing will grow on this patch of land for the next thousand years.” She stayed huddled against him. They both stayed up on the terrace to watch the sunset, going over the strange events again and again, forgetting everything else.

  Heikert

  Alkath, 2141 AD, February

  “Your visit is long overdue, my pupil.” Master Loupiac was lying in his bed, resting after his exertion.

  “Barely three days have elapsed since I arrived on this planet. I came fast, I’d say.” Heikert smiled thinly. He had had an awfully long debriefing with the Federation officials after his flight to the inland and an even longer rest. He had come straight afterward, first to Nellym’s grave, on a remote cove in the island, and then to his former master.

  “You know what I mean,” snapped the old man. “Cowering in fear on Adheek doesn’t become you. Nellym would be mad at you for this.”

  “Well, she can’t say anything about it now,” replied the academy master sadly.

  “So, that’s why you didn’t come. You didn’t want to hear what I have to say. Did you see young Brian?”

  “Before coming. He seemed well enough, given what he has been through. What do you think of him?”

  “He’s got the potential to become one of our few explorers. Like Nellym or Callouli. A rare potential, I’d say. If he survives to reach it.” Loupiac lost himself in thought and Heikert decided to let him rest for a few minutes before continuing.

  “Any more news on your investigation? Will he be safe?”

  “Safe, I think so. At least for now. But there are very strange things occurring. I don’t know why he’s such a target and the council is considering sending a team to investigate him.”

  “Plus, the action on Lelet. All our efforts in one direction?”

  Loupiac shuddered. “Cold on my old frame. Yes. I’m worried this is only a diversion. But I don’t know from where?” He pushed the teapot toward Heikert. A foreign power has attacked us four times within two years. The Origin is active on all fronts, preaching sedition. Several planets have faced political unrest in the last months. What’s the last act?

  Brian

  Alkath, 2141 AD, February

  A day later, Brian sat brooding on the return trip to the academy. He didn’t want to go back to all the suffering he had lived through in the past few months. He didn’t want his gray pilot uniform. He had to go, he knew, but he hated it now. Worse even, Master Heikert had delivered news from Firstrat Bolgor. She had confirmed that only special spare parts would allow his ship to be repaired. No way I’m ever going to be able to obtain this kind of clearance from the council.

  He felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned. Emily towered above him, her hair floating in the wind. She had let her hair grow longer than usual, shoulder length, and he felt she looked less serious this way. He liked it.

  “So serious and so sad, my friend. It’s my role to be the serious one, not yours. Come, we have a welcoming committee on the wharf. Let’s meet them.” He shot her a dubious glance and she pointed to the wharf. Loupiac had come down to greet them. He rose to meet his mentor and saw that mistress Roul'al'Namer had accompanied him. She pushed him gently forward. “Go. I’ll carry your bag.”

  “I’ll be quick . . .”

  She put her finger on his lips and shushed him. “Take your time. Enjoy.”

  He quickly jumped and moved up the path, bowing to the schoolmistress.

  “Welcome back, Pilot.”

  “Mistress, Master.” Brian bowed to both teachers. The mistress was in her formal uniform, looking strict and severe. Master Loupiac had an exoskeleton to help him move and was dressed casually, in stark contrast. Even with the rigid metal structure around him, he looked frail and worn out.

  “What happened to you shouldn’t have occurred. Ever. Our apologies. Thanks to you, we’ve found and implemented defensive measures to prevent it from now on.”

  “Thank you, Mistress. Won’t do me much good, but I was glad to help.” His sarcasm was barely veiled.

  “Brian, we’re rediscovering Ancient technologies every day. This is also part of the life of Federation personnel. But, we’ve failed to protect you, and this is a grave breach of the agreement that sustains this school.”

  “So, what? We’re here as fodder for the Federation’s experiment, aren’t we?” He didn’t like his own voice, echoing the Origin’s ads, but he couldn’t hide how he felt.

  “No, that isn’t true. Our school’s mandate is to protect and nurture. And whatever you think, we try our best. Again, what happened to you is unacceptabl
e.” She extended a small data pack to him. “If you wish, you can permanently return with full pilot rights to your planet. You don’t need to endure this anymore.” Brian let out a sigh of relief while hungrily grabbing his ticket back home.

  “Naturally, we’d be glad if you stayed with us. You don’t even have to choose now and can activate this option whenever you want. You’ve also been invited to a council session in a week, where the council will reaffirm this offer to you and your ambassador.”

  He nodded. It wouldn’t change the lonely days behind him, but Earth needed him to make the best of any situation.

  The mistress continued. “We’ve tracked the nanites to a member of the support staff, a cook, and to a student named Alvam Lel’Trom, from Ullem. You know him. It seems that he has joined an extremist faction on Ullem, the Sons of the Prophet. This was recent enough that we didn’t find out in our regular monitoring. Again, our apologies.”

  Brian thought for a moment. There were a thousand questions pressing in his mind. Then Loupiac caught his eyes and mouthed silently: “Don’t.” This wasn’t the place to ask those questions. The most important question was how Alvam had been able to procure such specialized nanites when there were no factories on the planet and little knowledge of how to make them. And if he could be attacked here, the same could happen on Earth, with even less support. Obeying the silent request, he bowed again. “My thanks, Mistress, for your understanding.”

  Loupiac winked at him. “A few friends of yours have prepared a welcome party for you. You should join them.”

  Brian was astonished. “A few friends?”

  Loupiac pointed to a spot over the cliff next to the entrance of the academy. On top of the ridge, overlooking the harbor, a large tent had been set up. Pressed around it, Brian could see familiar faces. Shanak, Illoma, Poulem, his crew, and many others. Emily had joined them and held a glass high in a toast, smiling mischievously. All the others raised their glasses high in a silent toast and suddenly cheered, calling his name aloud.