Angry Ghosts

by F. Allen Farnham

  “After perforation of the hull, Team Spectre killed seventeen human crew members before halting their attack on the ship’s bridge. Here is the video from Gun Thompson’s helmet recorder.”

  O’Kai taps a key on his console, and a Holoscreen opens in the air over the table. Infrared video lends false color to the swirling smoke, and glowing blobs appear though the haze. Violent reports of weapons fire erupt, and the glowing blobs lurch back suddenly. Screams fill the room from the video as the view sweeps through the ship, more blobs blowing apart and dying horribly.

  For Thompson, Maiella, and Argo, it is a familiar scene that tears at them; but for Keller and his officers, it is an unexpected transport to the terror of the event. They cringe and gasp at the sounds of familiar voices groaning in agony. Gregor’s mouth falls open, quivering when he hears his wife’s screams and her rough grunts as the bullets rip through her chest. He shatters completely, turning away, burying himself in his hands and sobbing desperately.

  Argo feels his windpipe closing, but he does not understand why. The sensation distracts him from his at-attention pose, and he sneaks a peek at his teammates. Thompson is taking it hard and well, but Maiella is coming apart. He nudges Thompson to get his attention then nods at Maiella. Thompson looks to his right and sees her shaking, knees about to buckle. He shuffles over an inch to rub elbows with her. She snaps back and straightens up.

  In moments, the video ends, leaving a smothering silence. Even General O’Kai is affected, and he takes a deep breath before speaking.

  “Major Gun Thompson, it is clear you and your teammates suffered some severe problems during your deployment, yet you kept your team alive and returned with more than any operator team has ever provided. We never dared to believe there were others of our kind still in existence. It gives us critical hope that others may exist as well. However, the facts…are…clear. It gives me great displeasure to invoke our one law: ‘Anyone who harms, or allows to be harmed, a fellow human is a threat and must leave the cadre.’ Do you have anything to add?”

  Thompson looks at Gregor, broken in Sharon’s arms. She holds him as tight as she can, herself sobbing at reliving the deaths of close friends. Keller and Ortega are blank, pale, distant. Only the counselor seems to have endured the experience, albeit with great sadness.

  “Sir, no, sir!” Thompson answers.

  O’Kai sighs again. “Then unless our new friends have anything to add, I will pass judgment.”

  The counselor swivels in his chair to face Keller. He gently touches the captain’s arm with a questioning glance, and Keller straightens up out of his stupor. He looks into the counselor’s face and nods. Facing the general, the counselor leans forward.

  “In fact, there is, General. If I may?”

  “Proceed, Counselor.”

  The counselor thinks for a moment to make sure he has his case in order. When satisfied, he stands from his chair to address the council, careful to look all of them in the eye as he speaks.

  “When we received the first broadcasts that humanity was under attack, we were afraid, unsure of what was happening. But when we stopped receiving those broadcasts, we understood humanity had been annihilated, and we were terrified. In the last thousand years, we had only ourselves to rely upon, and we kept ourselves alive by leaving most of our people cryogenically suspended, rotating only the thinnest crews to keep the ship together and on course. Those rotating crews were small and also intimate. From ordinary crewmen, they became families...”

  The counselor notices many brows furrowing with lack of understanding.

  “Family? Okay, I see you don’t know the term. A “family” is a close-knit group of people living together who depend on each other heavily for survival. One could call your cadre a family...”

  The lights go on for the council members with several “ah’s!” and “yes, yes’s!” echoing their comprehension.

  “When Thompson, Argo, and Maiella came aboard our ship and took some of our family from us, it hurt us deeply. Those people were precious to us, and many of us hated your operators for their deaths.

  “The three people you see standing at attention before you were so aggressive, so swift in their assault, and so lethal that we were absolutely phobic of them, and we longed to be rid of them. We were convinced this new breed of human that had captured our entire vessel in seconds was going to end our lives, and everything we had done to survive was wasted. Not a good first impression…

  “One fact, however, was incontrovertible: they are human. Yes, you all are taller, stronger, faster, maybe even smarter than we are; but you're human nonetheless. It meant we were not the last, and the burden of perpetuating our kind was no longer entirely on our shoulders. There were other humans who had survived, and no matter what new form it took, our species would endure. Like you said, General, it allowed us hope that perhaps other pockets of humanity exist; and it eased the urgency we felt to free ourselves of this possible threat. In all of the time we spent traveling the stars, nothing ever changed for us. Now very real change was happening, and though we didn’t know for certain if it would be for better or worse, we embraced it.

  “During the long voyage here, we got to know Thompson, Argo, and Maiella well. What was immediately obvious was how ashamed they were over the deaths of our people. They were consumed by their guilt, even insisting they should be the ones to care for the bodies after the attack. They further explained how they had broken their only law and how it would mean their expulsion from the very family they lived to protect and provide for. We did not believe them at the time, though we can plainly see now that it’s true, and your commitment to protecting human life impresses us greatly. Specifically, it removes any concern we had over coming to harm at your hands.

  “It does raise another concern, however, that there is no compassion in your family when a mistake is made. From the video you just showed, there was no way to identify the glowing silhouettes as human. They could have been any bipedal species, and there were no words audible above the weapons fire and explosions…”

  The counselor pauses a moment to see how Gregor is doing, wondering if the lieutenant will resent how fervently he is pleading the operators’ case. Gregor’s sunken eyes look up at him; and though emotionally exhausted, he gives a slight nod, urging the counselor to continue.

  “Once Thompson reached the bridge, we see Captain Keller’s hand plainly resolved, and we hear his voice. That is the first evidence we have that indicates the people in the video were human. And that is precisely where the attack stopped. Add to that, their life support had failed several times, and irregular neural patterns were detected. They may not have had perfect perception, yet they performed precisely as they were trained. How can they be condemned for perfect performance?”

  O’Kai slumps slightly and reluctantly straightens.

  “That is all true, Counselor, and it pleases me you would try to spare these operators their lives. But the fact remains our one law was broken. That law is the principle upon which all of our motives are built. If I do not enforce that law, I jeopardize all under my authority. Should I make exception for these three, no matter the circumstances, it suggests I may make exception in the future; and that may cause some to be less careful with the lives of those around them. No. For the good of all, I must carry out their judgment.”

  The counselor thinks for a moment. “This is your zone of control. I understand you have the huge responsibility of looking after the entire cadre, and you must do what you feel is best…”

  The general nods gratefully and opens his mouth to speak. The counselor pre-empts him.

  “But aboard our ship, General, that is Captain Keller’s zone of control. What happens aboard his ship is his responsibility, and we would not want to think you would force your will on those outside of cadre law. To do so would be unacceptable, and we could not remain under those conditions.”

  O’Kai and his officers widen their eyes in shock. The council members murmur unc
omfortably among themselves, but O’Kai silences them with the palm of his hand. He stares hard into the counselor’s eyes, searching for any trace of insincerity or lack of conviction.

  “You would seriously consider leaving, abandoning the possibility of a stronger, joined community?”

  A lesser man would have long since withered under the general’s crushing gaze, but the counselor stands resolute.

  “Not just consider, General. We would do it. The freedom of self-determination is fundamental to our existence. We could not have it any other way.”

  O’Kai looks away in disgust, muttering, “The surpluses your lives must have permitted you…” He looks at Thompson, Maiella, and Argo, knowing what he believes needs to be done with them. Reading their expressions, he recognizes their discomfort. He can plainly see the operators agree with their judgment.

  For a moment, he considers telling them to make good on their threat and be gone, but he needs them. The generations of genetic inbreeding have only gotten worse, and despite the new technologies they’ve captured, there is nothing they have acquired which has helped them stay ahead of their copious genetic defects. Fewer and fewer people are incubated that have even the possibility of entering the Operator Corps. This ship full of colonists represents all the DNA they need to permanently breed out the weakened genes and restore vigor to a terribly infirmed population. And having reviewed Argo’s inventory of the colony ship, he knows how desperately his people need functioning food and water processors—ones that require much less maintenance than their ancient, faltering amino-protein synthesizers.

  He cannot afford to let the Colonists go, and as much as he dislikes it, the counselor is correct—a general of the cadre has no say in the happenings aboard Captain Keller’s ship. The corners of O’Kai’s mouth drop as he faces Keller.

  “Well, Captain, what would you have done with them?”

  Keller stands, a little off guard, and collects himself. “I would have them pardoned and readmitted into the cadre with full rank and privilege.”

  “Do you understand you are inviting the possibility of future accidents?”

  “I do,” Keller replies staunchly.

  O’Kai squints with disparaging astonishment. “You would put your entire crew at risk to spare these three?”

  “Yes, General. We would have it that way.”

  O’Kai shakes his head at Keller, showing his doubt about this man’s leadership and ability to care for his people.

  The general faces front and addresses the three on trial. “Major Gun Thompson, Lieutenant Brick Argo, Lieutenant Geek Maiella, this crime is expunged. Though I am pleased we will retain your skills and abilities, this sets a dangerous precedent. Let it be known, this exception will never be repeated.” Turning to the colonist’s table, he continues.

  “Captain Keller, I request you and your officers meet with us again in two hours. It is apparent we have different ways of doing things, and if we are to live together, we must have a common set of rules.

  “Team Spectre, you are dismissed for twenty-four hours’ rest and regeneration. After which, you will report to Major Ralla for technical updating and reassignment. Tribunal adjourned!”

  O’Kai, Shao-Lo, Munro, Chusan, and Ralla stand in unison, filing out in orderly fashion. Ralla lingers only to remove the accused’s restraints and follows the others out.

  Sharon and Ortega stand to join Keller and the counselor. There is a lingering aftermath from witnessing the video after so many months—wounds that were healing have been torn open again. Fighting through the melancholy, Keller rests his hand on the counselor’s shoulder approvingly.

  “Well done, Counselor. Well done.”

  “Eloquent as always,” Sharon adds.

  Gregor stands solemnly, still reeling from the experience, and makes his way toward the door. Keller calls after him.

  “Gregor, where are you going?”

  He stops and turns, looking not at his captain, but into the backs of Argo, Maiella, and Thompson.

  “I can’t be here right now.” He turns without ceremony, resuming his path.

  Keller lets him go and looks at the floor, understanding the man’s awful conflict.

  “It’s a real victory,” Ortega remarks, trying to lighten the mood. “Proves they won’t try to dominate us.”

  Keller nods in agreement. “Yeah, seems that way.”

  The counselor steps around the table, confused why Thompson, Argo, and Maiella are still standing in place. They have dropped their at-attention stance but have not moved, silently staring at the wall ahead of them.

  “Thompson! Argo... Maiella? What’s wrong?”

  “You placed our importance above the cadre,” Argo replies. “It's wrong.”

  Keller walks around the table to stand in front of them. “Aren’t you glad you can stay?”

  “We didn’t want to go,” Maiella explains, “but we felt it was necessary.”

  “You lost seventeen,” Thompson states. “We lost nothing. Our personal loss must equal or exceed your own to make matters right again.”

  Keller dismisses their guilt. “You three have carried your burden long enough, and you more than paid for it with your service aboard the Europa.”

  “We don’t understand why you would set aside that loss without demanding the same of us,” Argo says.

  The counselor smiles. “It’s a very human thing called forgiveness. We’ll teach you all about it.”

  Thompson smiles unconvincingly and nudges his teammates. They turn and stride out. Sharon and Ortega approach Keller, stating, “We’re going to go check on Gregor…see how he’s doing.”

  Keller nods his assent, and the two depart, leaving Keller and the counselor alone in the room. Keller walks to the table’s edge and sits on it, studying the bare walls. The unhappy aftermath troubles him.

  “I imagined this turning out better.”

  The counselor steps in front of his captain, lowering his head submissively. “Are you displeased with my performance?”

  “No! No,” Keller counters, “not at all. You were brilliant.”

  The counselor looks up in confusion. “Then what is it?”

  Keller shuffles his feet. “Maybe we should have left well enough alone.”

  “Pardon?”

  Keller looks off to the side then looks back. “We just met these people, and did you see how they left this meeting? They welcomed us openly, publicly, completely… Now they’re suspicious. We backed them into a corner.”

  “We had good cause.”

  “Good cause?” Keller guffaws. “Argo, Maiella, and Thompson didn’t even want to be saved! We should have asked them first… And dragging Gregor through that all over again… Jesus, I wish they hadn’t shown that video…” He balls his fist and brings it up to his mouth. “We’ve all lost friends, but Gregor…he just watched his wife’s murder.” His fist opens, and he grips his brow, squeezing tightly. “Everything was so hopeful…and we wrecked it.”

  The counselor thinks for a moment. “I disagree.”

  Keller raises his head suspiciously.

  “How different are our two cultures?” the counselor asks.

  Keller arches an eyebrow. “Like two sides of a coin. Why?”

  “With cultures as different as ours, conflict was inevitable. They may not like it, but the cadre is now fully aware we intend to keep our autonomy, and you’ve retained your authority. We set that boundary early, and that’ll save us a lot of conflicts down the road.”

  “And what about interfering in their system of justice? We deeply offended them; and we made Argo, Thompson, and Maiella outcasts in their own society!”

  “That’s an even simpler justification. If we hadn’t acted, they’d be dead.”

  “Yes, but at what cost?”

  “Cost is irrelevant, Captain. They’re alive, and that’s all that matters.”

  Keller nods, reluctantly admitting the counselor is right. He looks to the side again and speaks to the w
all ironically. “We were so afraid they were going to dominate us…tell us what to do. I guess we beat ’em to the punch.”

  The counselor looks at Keller strangely. “You think we forced ourselves on them?”

  “Didn’t we? We’re the only ones who wanted to save Thompson, Maiella, and Argo! We didn’t have any concern for what they wanted.”

  The counselor looks at the floor before replying, “Morality exists independently from human desires.”

  Keller looks back at him quizzically. “Huh?”

  “Captain, have I always agreed with you?”

  Keller laughs, “Certainly not!”

  “That’s right. There were times I barred your way from what you wanted to do because it was the right thing to do.”

  Keller gets the gist of it. “Go on.”

  “Just like when crewman Toro lost his mind, and after his attempted sabotage of the main reactor failed he tried to kill you. You had just beaten him to the ground, and when I walked in, Gregor was passing you a rifle. You were going to kill him.”

  Keller rubs his knuckles as if they still ache from the fight. “I remember. I was furious, and I wanted to make an example of him so it'd never happen again.”

  “I stood between you and Toro, and I refused to let you kill him. Everyone on the bridge was with you. It’s what you and they all wanted. But I ignored your orders.”

  Keller nods ruefully. “Turns out there was a gas leak at his engineering station, hardly noticeable; but it was building up in his system, and it caused a chemical imbalance… After treatment, he was so grateful we helped him, he became a new man. Hardest working, never quit or complained…then the fire… He was the only one who stayed to fight the flames…and he died for us.”

  “Toro was already working against the same desolation and loss of hope many of the crew were feeling. The fumes at his station for some reason made him fixate on that until all he could think about was ending it. In his own warped way, he believed he was helping us all by taking away the pain of a hopeless life. If you had killed Toro, someone else would have taken his station, and the same thing might have happened all over. And maybe no one would have stayed to fight that fire.”