“Cindy Klein of Germany is a lead geneticist who also happens to be in charge of a number of, shall we say, other projects. Anyway, I shall cut straight to the chase. There are combat teams from England and Japan headed to Perth as we speak. There is also representation from Russia and Germany. There is still a US presence in Perth, thus, we have all we need for the start of a multinational team already in place.”
A loud voice resonates through the room. “Military personnel from other countries already on the way here?” The man is shaking with anger. “What gives them the right? Arrest them, or send them back.”
Others echo the sentiment, but a few sit back and consider their words before speaking up. The talks continue on, until finally the Speaker calls the words all were expecting.
“Let's take it to a vote then. All for a multinational investigative team?” He counts the raised hands. “Those against?” Once again, numerous hands rise to the air. The vote will be very close.
The Speaker looks about the room. “Seventy-three against, and seventy-five for. The vote passes in favor of the multinational team.” The debate rages all day and long into the night, about the team’s composition and purpose.
The following morning finds the Prime Minister well rested, as he reads his short speech one more time. He is quite pleased with the results. Glancing up he notices an aide motioning that he is ready. With little ado, he steps up to the podium. Facing numerous cameras, and people alike, he begins.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with my greatest pleasure that I officially announce what we plan to do with the site of the alien spaceship. There will be a number of teams put together from various nations around the world. The spaceship, though on Australian soil, is to be considered a global resource. No one country shall own it, nor any technology obtained from it. All discoveries will be shared amongst the participant countries. The makeup and disposition of the teams involved is not for public review at this time. Once the site has been properly investigated, the nations involved shall determine the proper course of action from there.”
As he steps down, many reporters protest the lack of information and demand he answers their questions. Annoyed, he steps back to the array of microphones.
“I have no answers to give. We do not know what the condition of the ship is, or what we may find out there in the desert. Let the teams do their part, and we will find out in good time.”
He steps away again, this time annoyed with himself for being goaded into any response. Glancing at his watch he quickly leaves the room. He has many meetings to attend. Planning who would be on the first team was relatively easy. The follow up team, now that is taking some effort to coordinate.
Chapter Eleven - Finders Keepers.
Location:
Outback
Western Australia
It takes two days for the first team to arrive at the abandoned spacecraft. Being unsure of what to expect, the team is an interesting mix of civilian, military, and scientific personnel. Though various governments and interest groups wanted to run the investigation, it was finally decided that Cindy from Germany would lead this multinational team. Interestingly enough, it has been the Russians that have been a great advocate of this from the moment of the ship’s discovery.
An army truck speeds right up to the ramp while the other vehicles hang back. As the truck screeches to a halt, eight figures jump out the back, the truck then speeds safely away. Peter watches the progress of the two teams from his side mirrors. Getting to what he hopes is a safe distance, he swings the truck around, ready for a quick pick up if needed.
Radclyf gives Hayato a quick glance and nod as they approach the ramp. Sand has started to billow up the ramp, and gather around the many landing struts. With a single hand gesture from Radclyf, the two teams move as one. Hayato's team runs up the right side of the ramp, while Radclyf's team takes the left. Scanning the dim interior, the two teams move slowly and cautiously inside. Minutes pass, all that can be heard is the wind whipping across the sand. Inside the dark interior Radclyf’s and Hayato’s men start the long process of checking the ship from front to back. Powerful hand held lights repel the darkness, creating ominous shadows as the teams split up. Twenty agonizing minutes pass until those outside finally spot the two teams walking down the ramp, weapons relaxed. Cindy is quite relieved as she watches the men exit the ship.
“Well, we know why they did not take her.” Radclyf states quite blandly. “She is missing a lot of something inside. I don't know what, but it's clear this ship is not finished. There are huge gaping sections inside that have cables, wires, and God knows what just hanging, not connected to anything. There seems to be a bridge area that is complete, and the rear engines seem to also be complete, but, hell folks it's all guess work for me.”
Hayato waits for Radclyf to finish before adding his own observations.
“There are many areas where decking is unfinished resulting in holes right through the floor. It would seem that in some areas, entire decks are incomplete. There are definitely a lot of unfinished areas inside the ship. We also noticed wires and pipes not connecting to anything, just hanging down.”
Cindy looks at the ensemble of men and women before her. “Ok. Watch your step in there. The support team will be arriving in another day, let's find out what we can before they get here.”
With the all clear given, the scientists and civilians are allowed inside. George, still tired from his long flight wonders why he was invited, well conscripted, would be a better word. Joe and Andrew feel that their presence is purely political, that is until they are directed to find asymmetric charts, or any other relevant information from the ship’s computer systems. John looks about the ship with his powerful light as he heads to the bridge, his job to figure out how to fly the behemoth.
With a whistle that draws everyone's attention, George can see why he was invited. Resting inside a large open crate is a Gamin body suit. How they got one, he can only wonder, then he sees the three men standing proudly behind the suit. Russians, George smiles, that explains how they got a Gamin body suit.
Olaf calls out. “I think you’re better at this than me, these suits make me sick to my stomach.”
George looks at the Russians, then the suit in amazement. He can't help but think that their odds of figuring this ship out just jumped up quite a bit. With their limited knowledge of Gamin technology, a body suit, and the resources of the world at their disposal, the team gets started.
Cindy finally enters the unfinished spaceship, she looks about the huge cavern, considers her team, and smiles. She knows she has the best in the world for the task at hand. She calls out to all around, her voice echoes off distant walls.
“Folks, listen up, we must get this craft functional, do nothing to jeopardize your safety or the ship’s. I want all teams to look for sabotage, or self destruct devices, I can't believe the Gamin just left this ship as it is, without destroying it.”
George suits up, the very familiar sensation washes over him. Heading to an interface terminal he hesitates for a second, then connects. The rush of information would drive most people insane, or at least make then violently ill. But not George, he was one of a handful of people that have learned to use these body suits to their full potential. Information scrolls up and down his faceplate. It does not take him long to find what he needs.
“Ma'am, I know why the ship is intact. The internal power was never installed, thus the self destruct was unable to complete, it's still on standby awaiting a power source. If we hook up enough juice, she will blow. We will need to disable the self destruct from the computer’s main core first.”
By the end of the day’s investigation, it seems clear that the odds of getting this ship off the ground are slim to none. The missing hull plates and subsequent armor can be made, thanks to the acquisition of technical knowhow and the suit. However, the missing gravity plates cannot be constructed, thus, artificial gravity will be confined to existing decks. The main eng
ines are built and seem functional, except that the ship needs to be in space to test them. Another huge issue is that with so many external gravity plates missing from the underside, there are questions about the craft’s ability to lift off. These ships use some sort of polarized magnetic lift system that requires the entire underside to act as a conductor. Not having the ability to create the inner workings poses additional problems. As if teasing them, it would seem that the bridge area is complete, but without power, the various terminals are useless. The Gamin body suit can only power one terminal at a time. George is the only one who can operate the suit with enough finesse for even that to work, thus, progress is painfully slow.
Cindy looks at her report, adds a few more words, then sends it off to her superiors. With the main supply trucks still a day behind them, the team assembles for an evening meal. A very human like object rests in her hands, a time piece, according to George. It is powered by some form of advanced battery, and was found in one of the few rooms set up for accommodation by the Gamin workers. George has translated the symbols which show hours and days. If they are correct then the Gamin have a longer day, at twenty-six and a half hours. But a shorter year, of only two hundred ninety-five days. There is no year number, thus, they have no reference as to how long the Gamin society has been keeping records of time. As Cindy holds the time piece, she can't help but wonder how long the Gamin have been a space faring race.
The Russian View.
The evening meal consists of army ration packs downed with various non alcoholic drinks. George can’t help himself, but to sidle up to the three Russians and sit with them. With an unusual bluntness he asks them outright. “How did you guys get your hands on a Gamin body suit?”
“Olaf, can tell you, he was there from the beginning, go ahead Olaf,” ventures one of the seated Russians. Olaf stands up and stretches to his full height, then looks at his two comrades with his brown eyes. He flexes his muscular frame one more time before sitting back down, having decided what to say.
Cindy watches the overt display and mutters to herself. “Military men, always some posturing.” She still walks over to listen, however.
“I was in St Petersburg when it hit. This asteroid, a small speck in the sky, as it travelled down. We sent numerous nuclear missiles at it, but still it came. The impact was in the middle of St Petersburg, our missiles did not destroy it. The impact shattered windows a long way away. Buildings at, or near, ground zero just vanished. The Neva River was emptied of water, just like that. The area became a war zone in seconds. Tens of thousands died instantly, vast numbers of people were injured.”
Olaf starts to relax as he recalls the events since then. Others come over to listen to the story. Andrew grabs two chairs while Joe grabs a cooler filled with various cans of soda. They sit down and wait for Olaf to continue. John sets about lighting a fire for them to relax around. There isn't any wood about, until he spots the truck’s wooden tailgate. They have plenty of cardboard boxes, which are also consumed as Olaf's story unfolds.
“The small asteroid drove itself deeply into the ground, sending waves of debris in all directions. Once the dust settled, visible rings encircled the impact site. The entire port area was badly damaged, fortunately all ships had put to sea, but they would not be able to return, that was for sure.”
Having not witnessed these events, both Radclyf and Hayato bring chairs over to listen as well. Soon enough, the entire team is present, listening intently. Cindy looks about at the civilians, scientists, and military men from various nations all sharing a campfire. In all, six nations are represented here on this fine evening. She can't but help feel positive that they will make the unfinished spacecraft fly, as she looks over to it.
Olaf continues on, “well, as you know a massive spacecraft lands, much bigger than that one.” He points over behind them, to where Cindy is gazing. “It lands, and these little dozer-like vehicles proceed to collect debris, and build some buildings. Russia looks after its own, we found housing for the survivors, and did not rely on the aliens.”
“But how did you get the suit?” George is so curious he can’t help but ask, as Olaf pauses to take a drink. He puts his drink back down as he looks around the group of people, all transfixed on his telling of events.
“Ok, ok, George. I will get to that in good time. Soon enough, the Gamin leader demands resources be shipped and rather than fight, we do as demanded. These aliens want us to work for them. We do not let any civilians near the spacecraft. I was assigned with a few hundred military men, to assess the threat and learn how to use their technology.”
George can only smile inwardly as these were his very thoughts too, when the Gamin arrived. He also wanted so badly to learn if the cities were attacked on purpose.
“It became apparent that these body suits make most people sick. I am able to use a suit, but at great discomfort. Most of the men could not tolerate the suits at all. The rest could use them, but at the cost of having headaches and nausea.”
“Did you get more people to try?” Asks Joe, at yet another pause.
“Joe, let him tell his story mate.” Chastises Andrew politely.
Olaf is unperturbed as he continues on. “Yes, we tried over five hundred soldiers, but met with only limited success. We wanted to study a suit so badly, but the aliens of course would not just hand one over to us. So we had to come up with a plan.”
Everyone leans forward, as they want to hear how Olaf did it.
“It took some time to prepare, we had to be very careful, lest the Gamin suspect. The liaison assigned to us was a Gamin called Glarth, and he was tough. I personally witnessed him beating one of his own for hesitating when following an order, or something. I could not understand them unless they used some translation device.”
George is suddenly quite conscious of the small device still resting comfortably in his ear. He had completely forgotten about it. He looks at Olaf quizzically, who upon seeing the expression, pauses. He quickly shares his own experience. “The one I saw in New York was called Sharz. He seemed quite compassionate and caring especially when compared to this Glarth. He was the one that taught me how to use many of the suit’s functions.”
Olaf nods at George. “It's well known that you are the best suit operator, anyway we digress. This Glarth was meticulous beyond all reason. Perhaps he knew that we were all military and not civilians, in any case, none of us were ever allowed on board the spacecraft. The suits were always brought to us and we were always under escort. Eventually, we built rail lines and Glarth got his resources. While we were doing all this, we also cleared out some old tunnels underneath where we were working. We noticed that rail shipments were increasing in number. It looked like they were stockpiling, so we wasted no more time. The next day there were four of us in suits. We walked to the rail exchange and waited.”
Pausing to take another drink, he is almost enjoying the look on everyone's face as he keeps them in suspense. This time no one says anything, as they all wait patiently to find out how it was done.
“The explosion was deafening. The ground at our feet just vanished, and in an instant we were all falling. The four of us fell quite a ways, bouncing off the walls until we hit the bottom. Ahh, but the secondary explosion, that was even worse. I was safely away by that time. My three comrades gave their lives for this suit.”
George is not the only one with his mouth open, in shock. He looks about the campfire, as Olaf raises his drink to the air in some kind of salute.
“Well that Glarth, he had bits of suit, and body parts, and tons of debris to contend with. There were other casualties, as you would expect from a large underground gas line rupturing. I am not sure if that Glarth believed all the suits were destroyed, or not. I would have expected them to have some sort of homing beacon to track them.”
“No, there is no need.” George speaks quietly. “The suits are such a common object to them, besides without the right modules, they can't do much. Did you ever notice the connec
tors on them?”
George looks around, he is met by quizzical looks. Surely he is not the only one to have noticed the differences in the suits in all this time. “Training suits can only have one module affixed. Construction suits can have many different modules, but only two at any one time and all have five connection points. Weapons suits and modules all have seven points to connect with each other. The suit you have provided us with is a construction suit with one basic module installed, it can take another.”
Olaf gets up, and slaps George on the back in a friendly gesture. “I knew you were the best with these suits.”
George looks up at Olaf. “I thank you, and your friends for their sacrifice, I will do my best to honor them.” He, along with the rest of those present, feel a little odd. The Russians sacrificed their own to get a Gamin body suit and then hand it over for him to use. He looks over at the suit again as he begins to wonder what destiny holds in store for him now.
Cindy stands and stretches. “Olaf, a courageous act by your people, it will not go unnoticed, nor will it go unappreciated.”
George stands up and walks over to the suit. He blurts out his thoughts. “I saw suits with minor damage as well, but thought nothing of it, till now. Just look at the faceplate, it comes down pretty close to our faces.” He looks back at those around the fire. “The Gamin do not even wear these suits.”
Cindy walks over to George as she considers where he is going with this. “Go on George.” She says encouragingly.
With a pensive expression he continues. “Well consider the facts, they have plenty of suits and they cause most of us to be nauseas or get headaches. We are definitely not alone out there folks. There are other people too, the ones these suits were originally designed for.”
First Contact (Terran Chronicles) Page 23