The Japanese team has also been busy. Dozens of heavy duty cables snake from the Terran’s power grid, and extend along the top of each walkway. These cables supply power for the internal and external lighting, the fans which supply the oxygen, and the portable laser cutters which the removal teams plan to use.
An unexpected delay is the construction of the tunnel which leads into the derelict’s hangar. With the derelict’s power apparently having failed completely, Cindy calls a meeting to discuss their options. She gazes at her command crew and smiles with pride. John, Joe, Peter, and Emma, occupy their usual seats in front of her. Radclyf and Hayato stand off to the left, while Robert sits to the right with George and Patrick. The group has been discussing the issue of the derelict’s failed power for some time.
George shakes his head once more and bluntly repeats, “We can’t connect the two ship’s power grids. We just do not have enough information to do so safely.”
Joe nods in agreement, and as he looks around, says, “The derelict is much larger, and has greater power requirements than this ship. We have no idea what would happen even if we were to connect the two ships. We also don’t know what has caused that ship’s power to fail since we were last here.”
Peter stands and walks to the forward view. He stares at the bleak landscape and surprises them all when he changes the topic, “I think we should scout the immediate area, and explore the ancient cities while we’re here.”
“That’s a great idea!” Cindy replies with a widening smile, enjoying the change in the conversion’s direction.
George grins as well, and then says, “We have been going about this the wrong way.” He shrugs his shoulders and says, “We run the tunnel up the derelict’s ramp, as was originally planned, and I seal up the sides. It should only take me a day or so, if that.”
Joe turns to look at George in stunned disbelief. After a few seconds, he says, “Do you have any idea how large an area that is?”
“Yes actually, I do!” George replies with a spirited glint in his eyes.
Cindy casts her gaze around the group once more, and then issues her instructions. “George, make it happen. John, Joe, Emma, you three are with me! We’re going exploring. The rest of you, hold down the fort.”
Emma looks down and mumbles, “I wish Peter could come with us.”
Cindy catches her quiet words and responds softly, “Emma, now that we have landed, I need him here, to keep an eye on…” She glances at briefly Peter and then simply says, “Things.”
Emma looks up and sighs. She shakes her head slowly and smiles sheepishly at her selfishness. She and Peter share accommodations, and have an abundance of free time together. Many of the crew feels that the pair are mismatched, but not those who know them both.
As Cindy watches Peter, she frowns while a chilling thought develops. She surprises them all when she shares her concerns. “Peter, I want you to pay special attention to the Russian team. Those tanks of theirs were not just brought here to cut holes in that derelict. There is something else going on. Try to find out, will you?”
Peter turns and stares at Cindy intently before he replies, “Why is it that nobody trusts us?” He puts his hands behind his back in mock annoyance, winks mischievously, and then adds, “I will watch my comrades, closely.”
The bridge crew falls into a somber silence as they all consider the serious side of Cindy’s words. Peter’s attempt at levity has not worked. Instead, it has reminded them all of the political tensions that exist on Earth between many countries.
“The armor plating is thinner, “Joe blurts out as he recalls watching the Russians cutting through the derelict’s armor.
Cindy turns to Joe and asks slowly. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” Joe responds. His jaw drops as he considers the implications.
George shrugs his shoulders and says, “It simply means that as the Atlan weaponry became more powerful, the Gamin increased the amount of armor on their ships.”
“Yes, yes.” Joe states, and then frowns as he vocalizes his thoughts, “Oh my! Gamin technology is static.”
“Static?” Robert queries curiously as he glances up from his notes.
Joe looks at George as he continues, “The Gamin have not invented a damn thing over the last few thousand years. How can that be?”
Robert puts his hands together as his mind races. The concept of a static civilization is not what is bothering him. Some of Earth’s own cultures often did not advance technologically for thousands of years. However, war has always been a time of great inventiveness, especially with regard to technology, and the Gamin are at war.
George takes a deep breath, and is about to answer when he stops and frowns in confusion. After a few moments, he responds, “You know, you’re right. There is a lot more to this conflict than we know, that’s for sure.”
Cindy nods in agreement and says, “Which is why we need to strip that derelict of everything useful, and get the hell out of here.”
The room goes quiet as everyone ponders Cindy’s words along with the revelation about the Gamin technology.
Finally, Joe turns to George as he ventures a thought. “When did the Gamin become a space faring race?”
George considers everything he has read, and then replies, “Roughly six thousand years ago.”
Joe nods as he makes his point, “So that derelict could be one of their first ships?” He motions to the console they removed from the derelict during their last visit as he adds, “That navicon unit works perfectly with our systems.”
Robert shrugs his shoulders and says questioningly, “So?”
Joe replies in exasperation. “Every time we go back to Earth, we get a computer upgrade.” He looks around at the blank faces and says. “You know? Moore’s law!”
Robert stares blankly back and says with a chuckle, “Perhaps the Gamin don’t know who…”
Joe exclaims loudly, interrupting Robert when he says, “They replicate and duplicate technology! Everything about them screams copy, just look at their absorption process!”
George stares at Joe, and as a chill runs up his spine says, “You’re right. These suits require specific modules in order to craft technically advanced components, but they will craft basic items just by thinking about them.”
Joe lifts his eyebrows and says, “That is, if the schematics exist in the suits database, or in the power modules’ database.”
Cindy glances from Joe to George, and then stops their debate. “Boys, we can debate Gamin history all day long, or we can explore this planet while the removal teams get to work.”
Everyone in the room either nods in agreement, or shrugs their shoulders indifferently. The meeting breaks up with more questions being raised than answers given, once again. Cindy, John, Joe, and Emma, make their way to the survey shuttle. Radclyf and Hayato follow them to the hangar deck, where they plan to review the ships security with the surviving mercenary contractors. Robert waves to Peter as he leaves to hunt down the other reporters. He wants to figure out the best way of documenting the various salvage teams’ efforts.
Peter is alone on the bridge of the Terran, monitoring the Russian tank teams. He pensively sits in the command chair and watches with mounting concern as the three Russian tanks trundle toward the Terran on their wide tracks. With their task of carving holes into the derelict complete, the tanks are no longer needed by the engineers. As they clank their way past the Terran’s open ramp, Peter becomes alarmed. He gulps as he adjust the main viewer to follow one of them. The Terran’s external sensors efficiently transfer the data and provide a clear image of the tank as it slowly moves to the front of the Terran. It stops unexpectedly. The tanks powerful laser cannon begins to lift, until it points toward the grey skies. Peter frowns as he switches his view and watches the other two tanks take up positions to each side of the Terran. They also stop, and raise their laser cannons upward. He puts a hand to his chin and rubs the thin stubble that grows there. He ponders the c
learly defensive position they have taken for a moment. He is about to contact the Russian commander, when the very man he wants to speak to strides confidently onto the bridge.
The man represents the epitome of the Russian military. His dress uniform is impeccable while his jacket is adorned with numerous medals. The man stops, salutes, and then formally says. “Major Vikenty Pavlyukov reporting, as ordered.”
Peter lifts an eyebrow, and while motioning toward the image of one of the parked tanks, asks, “Why wasn’t I informed of your plans?”
The Major shakes his head as he replies, “Petrovich, it was a need to know mission, and now you know.” His growing disdain with Peter’s disheveled appearance begins to reflect in his voice.
Peter sighs and then says, “You do realize, that out here, we’re all on the same side?”
Major Vikenty nods as he replies, “All I know is that I was ordered to report to you, once I had completed my assignment.”
“To me?” Peter questions with a frown.
“Those were my orders, Comrade.” The Major responds neutrally. He shifts his attention upward, and stares directly ahead, over Peter’s position.
Peter considers his own casual appearance, and then smiles as he asks, “Why now?”
The Major stares blankly as he responds. “I agree. It makes no sense for me to be reporting to you at all, especially since you have no rank. But I was told you had special documents.”
Peter stares at the Major as he debates what to do. After a few quiet moments, Peter removes his Red Star from his inside his jacket. He opens it, showing the contents.
The Major blanches when he spots the emblem. His back stiffens as he immediately comes to attention. He quickly stammers, “I apologize. I had no idea…”
Peter waves dismissively at the Major as he says, “No need to apologize. But this is probably why you were told to report to me after fulfilling your deployment orders.”
Both men begin to relax as each understands the role they have played. They turn and quietly watch the bleak scenery that is displayed on the main viewer. A wind gust creates a dust devil which swirls across the landscape before them.
The Major turns to Peter and asks respectfully, “Your orders?”
Peter stares at the Major for a few moments and then replies. “This ship and this crew, means more to us as a people than most can imagine.” Peters eyes turn cold and dangerous as he adds, “Your orders are to protect both.”
The Major blinks in surprise. He had expected specific instructions, and not a generalized comment. He salutes crisply, and then says, “It will be done.”
Peter watches as the Major leaves the bridge. He spends a long time pondering his country’s motives. Instead of finding answers, he only succeeds in giving himself a headache.
Exploration
John squeezes the survey shuttle out through the gap between the larger passageway and the side of the Terran with confidence. Cindy occupies the seat on his right, with Joe and Emma taking up the rear seats. Emma rotates her chair around and forward, and like a small child, watches the scene outside with delight.
Joe turns to Emma, and with mild concern asks, “Aren’t you worried about the atmosphere damaging this craft?”
“Nah,” Emma replies absentmindedly as she stares outside.
Joe tilts his head back and forth before he repeats questioningly, “No?”
Emma sighs, and then explains. “The corrosive elements are something like five parts per hundred. So, yes, if you could breathe the atmosphere, it would hurt your lungs. Given enough exposure, it could perhaps damage soft rubber seals.”
John ignores their continuing banter as he flies the shuttle toward the nearest ancient city. Coming upon the desolation, he frowns as he takes them over the crumbled remains of what was once a huge city. He notices a particularly large pile of rubble and circles it out of curiosity. The city’s ruins stretch off into the distance. They could easily encompass all of New York, with room to spare.
Emma leans forward to look, and then swings her chair back and to the side, where she taps on her console. She reviews the data on her display, then says with surprise, “There is moss growing on the rubble below. The planet is indeed recovering from whatever calamity befell it.”
Cindy raises her eyebrows and says, “This calamity was the work of an Atlan attack.”
Joe sighs as he adds his thoughts, “It would seem that entire worlds are suffering at the hands of both the Atlan and the Gamin civilizations.”
Cindy nods her head as she says, “I am surprised by the fact that this world was attacked thousands of years ago, and is only now beginning to recover.”
Emma glances to Cindy and states, “Actually, it looks as if this planet has been on the road to recovery for a long time. At least when it comes to simple vegetation.”
Cindy nods again, accepting Emma’s statement as fact.
John takes them away from the city and follows what remains of the ancient monorail system. A vast tract of land seems to flow below them as they fly along. Emma begins to make notes, and speculates that this area was once utilized for agricultural purposes. The second city is smaller than the first, but equally devastated, as are the third and fourth.
The group’s initial excitement over exploring is fading, and is being replaced by a deep depression. John continues to fly across the barren landscape until they come to a murky ocean. Without a second’s hesitation, John takes them over the grey soupy waves.
Emma breaks the silence when she exclaims, “What the blazes are you?”
Cindy turns sharply to Emma and asks, “What have you found?”
Emma’s jaw drops as she replies, “I am reading a faint power signature from somewhere down there.” She points at the waters below with a shaky hand.
John turns to Emma and asks, “How safe is the water?”
“Huh?” Emma replies, and then suddenly understands what John plans to do. She reviews her data once more before responding, “It’s safe enough.”
John glances to Cindy, who simply nods, so he swings the shuttle around, and down. The craft plunges into the waves, leaving a trail of bubbles behind as it descends into the depths. John shuts down the thrusters, and switches to the gravity lift system to maneuver. The bubbles cease as they descend deeper and deeper into a pitch black underwater trench.
Joe swings to his console where he begins to collect his own data. With a gulp, he reports, “John, the outer hull is up to seven hundred atmospheres, and nearing its safety limits.”
John replies with a mixture of pride and surprise, “Not bad for a spacecraft!”
“Well, bad or not, this trench is deep, and we’re nowhere near the bottom.” Joe replies.
Emma squeals excitedly and says rapidly, “There is a huge cave in the side wall of the canyon!”
John stares at his console for a few moments before he notices it. He lifts his eyebrows, clearly impressed with Emma for noticing the cave entrance, and then heads toward it. Within minutes they are inside a wide underwater cavern, which slowly ascends.
Joe taps on his console, reviews the data, and then works faster. He stares at the information and then shakes his head in disbelief. “The hull is reading a mere fifty atmospheres, and yet at this depth, we should still be in the hundreds.”
Cindy turns to Joe and frowns, it is clear that something else is agitating the man. She finally demands, “What is it?”
Joe turns to her and blinks blankly before he replies, “The tunnel is not natural, and I think there is an atmosphere ahead.”
Emma’s jaw drops as she says, “That’s what’s wrong.”
“Wrong?” Cindy questions.
Seconds later, the craft breaks through the surface and bobs on the choppy waters created by them. The cavern is as dark as the watery depths. John activates the shuttle’s thrusters and external lights. He slowly swings them around as he examines the large cavern. Water drips from the shuttle as it hovers above the water.
They all stare in disbelief at the sight before them. Six emaciated Gamin are standing on a nearby metal platform, and they are staring right back at them. The group is wearing rags for clothing, and seems to be as equally stunned as the shuttle crew. They shield their eyes from the shuttle’s bright light.
Cindy puts a hand to her mouth and says, “Oh crap, is right!”
Emma makes a strange moaning sound as fear threatens to overcome her. Her hands shake as she confirms that the power source she detected earlier is close by. However, her anxiety prevents her from saying anything.
Joe stammers, “I wish George were here.”
John suddenly grins as he says, “Hey! They can’t see us!”
“That’s right!” Exclaims Joe with relief. “From outside all they can see is the shuttle’s dark paneling.”
Cindy heaves a huge sigh of relief and asks, “Can we communicate with them, in Gamin?”
Joe shrugs his shoulders and replies, “I don’t see why not. Let me check the translation matrix.”
Emma frowns in confusion, and then relaxes as she understands. Usually transmissions are in English, leaving the translation up to the receiving systems.
Cindy receives a thumbs-up from Joe, and then presses her external communications button. “We are friends of Regent Voknor, of the Gamin.”
The Gamin seem agitated, but do not move. A few minutes later three more Gamin exit from a dark corridor and step onto the platform. They talk quietly amongst themselves, and then one of them points to the shuttle.
A gravelly voice fills the shuttle’s speakers, “We do not know a Regent Voknor. Did Prime Zorkna send you? And what of Regent Gordok.”
Cindy turns to Joe with wide eyes and as she shakes her head questioningly, silently mouths, “Who?”
Initiation Series: Series One Compilation (Terran Chronicles) Page 127