With that, Jake surprisingly quit talking. Mirikami was getting better at instructing the AI on how to limit his frequent endless data streams.
Noreen and he looked at one another. Now they knew a bit about the place they were going, and where it was located from home. Neither knew what they could do with the information, but it felt comforting to have it anyway. It made them feel they had some measure of control back, even if it was illusory.
21. Landing on Koban
They were orbiting three hundred thirty miles above Koban nearly aligned with the equator Jake informed them. However, they still didn’t have landing coordinates.
Mirikami knew the two Krall were speaking ultrasonically without turning around to look. Even if he couldn’t hear their words, he could pick up the sounds made by their lips as they rasped slightly over the small dagger like teeth.
Mirikami had said as they entered orbit that he needed coordinates for Koban Prime to enter into his navigational computer for the landing. Parkoda told him he would point to where they should land on the screen. Then to descend until they could see the dome and land near that.
With difficulty, he convinced Parkoda that the Flight of Fancy couldn’t operate like an aerodynamic military or explorer ship. It was a fat shaped passenger ship, and never went to places that didn’t have traffic control and detailed landing coordinates.
Evidently, neither Krall knew the coordinates, assuming the ship could operate by seat-of-the-pants control, just as Krall ships did. When they asked the Clanship for the planetary coordinates of Koban Prime, a K’Tal gave them numbers that they didn’t know how to translate for the Humans. That was apparently the discussion going on now.
“Human ships land at Koban Prime before now,” a clearly agitated Parkoda informed them. “They had no numbers as you ask us to give. I will not lose my prize for you.” He growled. There was clearly a threat implied there.
“Parkoda, I think the ships your warriors captured before were smaller ships, designed for some atmospheric flight capability. They were not large passenger ships like this one. We need to enter more gently, and set straight down without much adjustment in our course. This ship does not fly like your shuttle, or the Clanship in air. However, I have a solution to the problem that will let us land safely.”
“Then do that and not waste my time,” he ordered.
“Sir, I need to have you show us where on the planet the compound is located. This will let us search for the buildings, and we can use our telescopes and radar to find exactly where it is. When we know that, we can calculate our own coordinates for landing. However, your orders were that we are not permitted to send out any radio signals or you will kill one in eight of our people. Radar is a kind of radio signal.”
The signal part was a valid issue, but Mirikami had been stalling a bit because he wanted to make sure they completed one full orbit, to give Jake a chance to see the planet in more detail.
“Telour will point for me. He has been with humans many times. I do not fly there myself.”
Oh, so that was the true root of the sore point, Mirikami realized. Parkoda had to admit that he didn’t know exactly where the compound was located, and needed his underling to help.
Telour strode swiftly to the main view screen; in that graceful motion bowed legs implied were impossible. “Make picture big here,” he demanded, back to using pidgin Standard. He pointed to a place they were now passing, but at mid-latitudes in what Jake had said was the northern hemisphere.
Noreen obliged, zooming the image where he had pointed.
“This not where compound is, but as we go around we see it pass here.” Mirikami had to admit, Telour was putting on a good show for Parkoda, pretending he couldn’t speak Standard better than his temporary boss could.
They continued along their orbit, and another coastline appeared at the eastern edge of the continent they were passing over.
“The land we look for is after the ocean passes,” Telour told them.
“Parkoda, do we have your permission to use our radar and laser altitude sensors to look for Koban Prime when we are close? The Clanship will know we are transmitting, I think.” He didn’t believe the following Clanship would fire on them with the raid leader aboard, but there were other Krall warships and raiders in orbit with them.
“I will tell Clanship, and they will tell other clans.” He tapped his com, and started talking. Mirikami wondered what range that little unit had. It wasn’t just a short-range device, since the left small view screen showed that the Clanship was several thousand miles in trail. Another Krall technological advantage he thought, in a thin package only two inches across.
They waited several minutes, as the deep blue of the ocean started to pass below them.
“You can use ship for scans,” Parkoda told them, “but no radio signal sent away from here.”
“Thank you. I’ll tell my crew to switch on the radar and laser altimeter systems.”
He picked up his rarely used small handset, and dialed a code that actually connected him with the AI. “Switch on all of our active ship scanners, but keep them directed at the planet. The specific area to search will be indicated shortly on the main screen by Telour, when he will point to the general location of Koban Prime, our landing area. We are looking for an enclosed compound, with a domed building inside. When we have a possible identification, I will ask that it be placed on the main screen for verification.”
Jake acknowledged only by transducer with “Yes Sir.”
A second coastline soon appeared, proving this sea wasn’t very wide either. Telour stood close to the screen waiting. There was a small coastal plain, then a low mountain range. Beyond that was a tan area that yielded to light green then the deeper blue green of forest or jungle they had previously seen on the other landmasses.
Telour touched the screen in an area where the tan, light green and darker blue green colors converged, near what appeared to be a river. “Look closer to this place.”
Mirikami had the handset still in his hand when the image zoomed in to the indicated area. Noreen had not done that, and he had not told Jake to do it, but obviously Jake used the video feed of the Bridge let him see where Telour had pointed. Neither Krall appeared to notice, but he didn’t want that to happen again.
“Fine, now just follow my instructions for the image zoom, to find what we are looking for. If the radar detects anything like buildings or walls let me know.”
He heard via the transducer, “Radar detects a circular thirty foot high wall near that spot, with a large building at the center. The wall ring is fifty two miles in diameter; the central building is circular and over three thousand feet in diameter, and at least five hundred feet high at the center.”
Into the handset, “Zoom the main screen in on that radar target please.”
The image flashed in to show a ring like structure with a squashed dome at the center, seen at a low angle from the southwest. The angle slowly shifted as they watched.
Parkoda wasn’t certain. “Other clan compounds look the same.”
Telour was sure. “A small river on one side, there is very dry land on south side; small mountains, grass, and jungle on north are all inside the wall. This is where we test humans, with many kind of places to hide. There are dead human ships near the dome. This is what the humans name Koban Prime. It was once home of a small clan.”
As the image improved with closing distance, a gray circular apron surrounded the dome, perhaps a mile wider than the structure. Even at this distance at least a half dozen crumpled or burned ships were visible. Passing well south they could see a Krall shuttle, identical to Parkoda’s, parked on the Dome’s east side.
“Is that where we need to land?” Mirikami asked. “We need to calculate the coordinates when we can still see the building.”
“That is Koban Prime,” affirmed Telour. “How soon can you land?”
Parkoda interrupted, “That is for my command, not yours translator!”<
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“I did not give your captive an order Parkoda; I asked only how soon he can land.” He sounded irritated, and apparently slipped and used better Standard than he had been displaying since Parkoda had arrived.
“Turn us to land now!” Parkoda ordered the Captain.
Shit! Mirikami thought. He wants us to land right now, to show he commands and not Telour. I’ll be caught in their pissing contest unless I’m careful.
“I am having the coordinates calculated now, Sir.” Speaking to the handset, he asked, “Do you have the landing coordinates?” Of course Jake did.
“Yes Sir,” the AI confirmed. “They are on the main screen at bottom right, and in the Navcomp as well.”
Still pretending to listen on the handset, “Perfect. Feed those numbers into the computer, and adjust our orbit immediately for the landing at Koban Prime on the next pass.”
All of that was said primarily for effect, except the part about changing their orbit immediately. The orbit change could have come later, but he wanted to demonstrate some sort of positive response to satisfy Parkoda’s order.
Fortunately, everyone below was on his or her acceleration couches until touchdown. Except for the Krall of course, who never seemed concerned about such things, and probably counted on their strength and reactions to adjust to any forces the weak little humans could tolerate.
The ship rotated about ten degrees and the main thrusters did a short burn, to adjust their track to pass directly over Koban Prime on the next orbit.
Turning to Parkoda, Mirikami stated, “Following your order Sir, we are shifting to land at Koban Prime as we complete this final orbit. We should be landing in…” he looked at the countdown Jake had placed in the bottom right of the main screen, “sixty three minutes of the human clock.” He pointed at the display, figuring that Parkoda probably wouldn’t understand it, but the changing seconds were visible.
“Good,” was his only response.
Noreen then made a ship wide broadcast, and placed the countdown on every monitor on the ship. Everyone below had been watching the image of the planet on nearby monitors since well before they had entered orbit.
The Stewards had worked out the order of evacuation and the routes to the cargo hold. The passengers knew whom they were to follow. The first ones to get up would use only the central lifts, at least until the last of the Krall had departed the ship. Those people would gather in the area at the bottom of the lifts, outside the hatches into the cargo hold bay, waiting for Parkoda’s shuttle to leave.
The cargo Hauler drivers would be in their machines, also waiting for the shuttle to leave and the ramp to finish extending to the tarmac. They would have the dubious ‘honor’ of reaching the surface of Koban before the others. They had also been given a secondary job to do, before hauling away the engine parts. It was passenger escort duty, with smooth pallets tied on their front lifting forks, to carry tired or injured people or equipment. Mister Walters had talked with each man and explained what the Captain wanted them to do.
The engine dismantling would start almost as soon as the ship settled on its six landing jacks. Nevertheless, nothing large would be falling out the bottom of the ship for the first twenty minutes or so, just bits and pieces such as nuts, bolts, connectors, and strut pieces.
The final orbit gave them the hoped for bonus of gathering more information on the planet. Jake was scanning and recording the view of as much of the planet as he could, using the radar and laser ranging systems, and external camera feeds. Again, this was of no practical use at the moment, but good to have.
With about thirty minutes to go, both Parkoda and Telour apparently received nearly simultaneous com calls. Telour was still standing close to the main screen and off to the right side. They saw his internal ears extend and he tapped the com button. His glance back at Parkoda caused Mirikami to turn his head that way as well. Parkoda too was receiving a com call.
The two human’s curiosity was short lived. Parkoda gave them the news. “I am called to meet with clan leaders at different compound. When we land, open door to let out my shuttle. I will fly there instead of to Clanship.
“The Clanship lands with us to watch and be sure you not start engines again. The warriors here will go there. If you disobey they will kill this ship.”
“I understand.” Mirikami answered. “My clan mates will leave the ship as fast as they can to go to the dome, but there are many of us, and it will take much time. You caught a large prize Parkoda.” Another ego stroke couldn’t hurt.
A glance towards Telour revealed the normal red-pitted glare from black orbs that they had grown accustomed to seeing from every Krall. No clue as to his feelings, either satisfaction or anger. However, a slight ripple of the lips almost resembled an imitation of a human smile. Never having seen one on a Krall, Mirikami couldn’t be sure.
Telour suddenly stood upright, extended his left hand towards Parkoda, talons extended in one of their salutes. He started towards the stairwell, but turned his eyes on the two humans as he passed. “I will see you in training soon.”
Next, he flashed over the railing and silently down the stairs. Mirikami wondered, don’t they ever go down them by the opening, or at a leisurely pace?
Parkoda had his own comment. “You must anger Telour. If he will see you in training you will be fighting him. It will not be swift.” He tossed his head and snorted.
These guys were a regular laugh riot, he thought.
“Is Telour also leaving the ship when we land?” Mirikami inquired. He was seeking confirmation that things were on track.
“Yes. I send him to take our machines to my shuttle, and tell warriors and translators wait there for me. He is also called to meeting of clans. He will see me get status, and does not like this.” He had another snort, promptly followed by bragging.
“My clan demands I lead a raid to human worlds. I proved able to bring back many humans for testing. We can be ready for war soon and on the Great Path.” He stiffened briefly, clearly pleased and proud of himself.
Mirikami asked Noreen to bring up the closest telescopic image they had taken of Koban Prime on the previous orbit. He wanted to look again at the landing apron.
The image showed three destroyed ships close together on the south side of the dome and three others clustered one quarter the way around to the west. The Krall shuttle was closer to the dome than the human ships, alone on the east side. The south entry showed a wide dark shadowed area under the dome roof, but he could not see what was in the recess.
He had a question, “Parkoda, how many entrances are there to the dome?”
His answer was prompt. “Domes are all made same. One hand of large entry places, and many hands of small doors.”
That meant four large entryways, and probably many smaller personnel sized doors. The human ships were clustered near the large openings, with the Krall shuttle at one by itself.
“Is there only one door where humans are allowed to enter, or will any door be open for us?”
“The large openings have a hand of small doors, and a hand of big doors to go inside. In the big doors we drive our machines to carry warriors, and to keep from the eyes of flying things that bite.”
That sounded like covered garage entrances with four big and four small doors inside them, with overhead protection from things that bite! However, he hadn’t really answered his question.
“Parkoda, can my clan mates get inside the dome from any of those large openings, or must they use only one?”
“Any of them, they are all the same.”
“Noreen, three of those entrances has disabled ships blocking us from landing very close to the dome. One is on the south side, closest to us in this picture, and I see a deep shadow of the recess. The other two appear to be east and west side openings, but we can’t see the north side in this image. Show me the first shot we had when Telour pointed it out and we zoomed from farther away.”
She brought that image up. It had less detail, bu
t the long-range view angle from the west revealed blotches that appeared to be least two damaged ships on the north side. Only the east side was clear of wrecks, and had only a single Krall shuttle parked close to the dome.
“Go back to the other image Noreen,” he asked.
Mirikami studied the image for a moment. “I think we can land closest to the dome on the east side, giving our people a shorter run for that opening, and possibly use that shuttle for a bit of cover along the way. What do to think?”
“If we can pick the spot we want, and all things being equal, the shorter distance seems safest to me, Sir.”
He pretended to call and talk on the handset again. “We need to minimize the distance our people have to travel to get inside the dome’s large openings, so we want to land on the east side of the dome where we can get closer. Do you understand?”
“Yes Sir” was Jake’s instant response. “Should I also rotate the ship so that the cargo ramp will be towards the dome entrance, to shorten that distance more?”
“Yes, that would be best.” He hadn’t thought to ask for that.
They were down to twenty minutes, and the reentry burn would start soon. The ship was longer than it was wide, four hundred fifty meters long and three hundred meters across. The rounded tail was broken only by the now open three main thruster ports. In the Jump Hole or using the reactionless drive, the ports would be closed.
The ship, computer controlled all the way, would enter atmosphere rear first, starting its braking from about three hundred miles high, thrust at maximum to slow its momentum, and then to make a moderate speed atmospheric entry that shifted to become near vertical at about thirty to forty miles, nearly over the target. Then ride the torch all the way down, slowing as it dropped.
There was not going to be a plasma streak across the sky, which less powerful ships produced when using atmospheric braking. However, a vertical drop sucked up a lot of fuel. That was why the Fancy most often docked at a station, transferring people and cargo for smaller shuttles to take to the surface.
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