Return to the Traveler

by Craig Martelle

  Braden and Micah unfocused as they brought up their screens. Jocelyn stood nearby, unsure of what to do. “Should I look, too?” she asked.

  Micah minimized her window and faced the governor. “Have you been practicing at all with the implant?”

  “It gave me such a headache the first day, I was afraid of it.”

  “We forgot all about you in everything else,” Micah apologized. She put her hand on the taller woman’s arm. “You shouldn’t get the headaches anymore. The knowledge of the universe is only a blink away. I’ll talk you through it. Look at the dot down and to the right of where you can see. Focus on it and blink.”

  “The screen like we saw in New Sanctuary is now blocking the vision from my right eye.” Jocelyn closed her right eye and tried to focus only through he left. She started to flail, reaching for something to hold onto. Micah grabbed her.

  “Relax. Look up and blink.”

  “It’s gone now.” Jocelyn’s breathing slowed.

  “Bring the screen back up. Think of yourself in your office and you have a desk full of reports. That’s all this is, and so much more.” Micah waited. The taller woman looked at her. “Go ahead. Once you get comfortable with how the system works, you’ll see it as the tool that it is, nothing more. A fantastic tool, to be sure, but just a tool.”

  Jocelyn looked at the wall as she unfocused and blinked. Her eye bounced around as she started to scroll through the screens. “Bring up the map that Holly shared. It gives a three-dimensional view of the ship, which is important as the flat version is misleading. You can whip through it as if you’re a Hawkoid, flying along.”

  “I have it. Yes. If I were a Hawkoid, this is how the world would appear to me.”

  Micah accessed her own implant while continuing to hold Jocelyn steady.

  “Five different areas with electrified humans?” Braden blurted.

  ‘Yes, Master Braden, but they’ve all been sealed. They were once human, but devolved. Since they are all in billeting near the rear core, I believe that the different groups probably came from a single source, moving before they succumbed to whatever caused their condition. They live the hermit lifestyle now. They won’t even know that they’ve been sealed in since they don’t leave. There is no sign that they have left their quarters for hundreds of years.’

  “They don’t know that anything exists beyond the small space they call home. How far can humans fall? Don’t answer that, Holly. I don’t want to know. The spaces are sealed, marked, and the Androids have moved on. Anything else?”

  “Nothing beyond that. There are no more rusty monsters, as you called it. There are no wild Wolfoids running rampant through the corridors.”

  “Only domesticated ones?” Braden asked with a smile.

  Holly laughed for Braden’s benefit. Sometimes he was more certain than others when Braden was joking.

  “All righty then!” Braden declared as he closed his neural implant. “I think we go to the Livestock Level, find something to barbecue, and get to it. I’m getting hungry.”

  ‘I support this plan,’ Bounder said.

  “I need you, G, Treetis, and Fea. If we find some wild boars, the kill is yours, if you wish. Don’t make me break out my blaster. It would be like killing a mosquito with an ax.”

  ‘Oh, please,’ G-War snarked. ‘What are we waiting for?’

  Braden led the way to the elevator that took them to the catwalk. A short walk later and they were ready to take the kilometer-long corridor to the Livestock Level. Jocelyn was lagging behind. “You may need to close the window. I personally find it impossible to walk and read.”

  Jocelyn blinked repeatedly as she refocused on the world around her.

  “Weird but good?” Micah asked.

  “Yes. So much to see. Too much to learn.”

  “Many lifetimes’ worth. Let’s go visit the core and see what there is to see. I’m hungry and that pork on the Livestock Level is to die for.”

  “Not literally,” Braden added, moving ahead and tapping his shoulder. Zyena jumped from the railing and landed softly, gripping Braden’s armor and harness tightly. Skirill stepped onto Micah’s shoulder, and she gave two thumbs up.

  Pik tapped the butt of his trident on the catwalk. Aadi swam next to him and took one end of the short rope that the Lizard Man carried.

  The Wolfoids responded by tapping their lightning spears. Braden waved his bracelet and the hatch opened. He jumped back a half-step and reached for his blaster.

  “They are on the grid,” Andy said calmly.

  “You were supposed to let me know!” Braden yelled. “Remember that no surprises part? Those will get someone killed, mainly me, when I have a heart attack!”

  “My apologies, Master Braden,” Holly said smoothly through the speaker beside the door. “I won’t let that happen again.”

  “Your efforts to keep me alive are going to be the death of me.” Two orange shapes flashed by, followed closely by a white fur. “Hey! Where’s your armor?”

  He turned to Micah. “Why do you always look at me?” she asked.

  “Because you’re nice to look at?” Braden tried.

  Micah raised one eyebrow.

  “’Cats! Far be it from me to want no harm to come to you. Fine!” He bulled his way past the Android in the corridor and followed the three Hillcats. The rest of the companions fell in behind him. Andy hurried to be next to Braden while Betafor stayed at the end of the group.

  “No surprises, Betafor,” Micah told the Android.

  “No surprises,” it repeated.

  When they reached the end of the corridor, Braden stopped and addressed the group. “For those of you who haven’t been here before, this is going to smell pretty bad. That goes away quickly, although you may want to cover your mouth and nose. It can be a bit shocking.”

  Braden activated the door and it slid aside. The methane smell wafted past him and into the corridor, as if pulled by an exhaust fan. He held his sleeve in front of his face as he walked through and into the bright sunshine of the Livestock Level. He moved along the catwalk toward the stairs down. He appraised the area.

  Bounder joined him at the railing. ‘It looks good,’ the Wolfoid said. ‘It feels good, too.’

  The Hawkoids launched into the air and glided over the grasses before flying higher into the sky.

  “I was worried that without the Wolfoids, the balance of life would change.”

  Three ‘cats bounced down the stairs and disappeared into the tall grass. The group watched them cut a line toward something in the far distance. Micah hurried past and down the stairs, with Strider close on her heels.

  ‘Hot,’ Pik said.

  “The creek runs over that way. Once we’re there, we can re-wet your suit,” Braden replied. “It’s not getting closer with us standing here.”

  “Are we still on the ship?” Jocelyn asked.

  Braden let the others pass so he could stand next to her. He pointed at the wall and the stairs climbing nearly a kilometer into the air, the central ramp, disguised as part of the deck and the curvature of the grazing land.

  “This is all in space?”

  “This is one of ten decks that are similar to this. Some are smaller, but we are in space. This is a massive ship.”

  “How many people can live here?”

  “Holly knows the answer. I think it was a hundred thousand, maybe a million. It was more than all the current population of Vii.”

  “If there were more...” Jocelyn started before catching herself. “The civil war killed that many.”

  “The civil war destroyed nearly all of humanity. The ancients had so much going for them, and that was what they chose to do. This is our chance, a way for us not to make the same mistakes.”

  “I see,” Jocelyn replied, eyes brightening as if a light had been turned on. “I see everything that you’ve been doing and why. I want to be here, the governor of a new colony with my daughter and as many like us as we can find. Come up here and be th
e next generation of ancients. We have so much to re-learn.” She gripped Braden’s arm as if pleading.

  “Relax, Jocelyn. I know it can be overwhelming, but what you want is exactly why we’re here. Reclaim space for humanity, become greater than what we are now. Maybe realize humanity’s full potential. Look out there!” Braden pointed at the others as they jogged across the grassland. “Our ancestors could build this ship, but they couldn’t live together. It’s on us to teach our kids to look at the sky, smile, and say, ‘we’re not afraid.’ We win together.”

  Jocelyn smiled back. “We’ll be hungry together if we don’t catch up.” She walked down the stairs, still not completely steady in the moving ship, before starting to run across the field. Braden passed her and accelerated, knowing that he would never catch the others. The ‘cats had their prey in sight.

  ***

  Braden leaned back and rubbed his stomach. The smoke from the fire drifted up and spiraled away.

  ‘I think that was the best boar hog I’ve ever tasted,’ Bounder said, his head between his paws as he lay on the ground. Strider was already asleep.

  Jocelyn was engrossed with the neural implant, staring into the distance and chewing slowly.

  The ‘cats had gone to the stream for a drink and sunning, even though there wasn’t any sun. Pik was in the stream, with his face barely out of the water. The Hawkoids perched in nearby tree. Barely more than a bush, Braden was surprised it held their weight.

  The two Androids stood to the side, unmoving, looking like statues.

  Braden sliced off another piece and started to chew.

  “I can’t eat another bite,” Micah said, eyes drifting slowly closed.

  A light blinked before Braden’s eye. ‘Holly, I wondered when you’d interrupt our tranquility.’ Braden thought about what he said. ‘I’m sorry, that wasn’t very kind. What’s up?’

  ‘I lost contact with two Androids about an hour ago. I sent two more and have lost contact with them, too.’

  Braden sat up straight. ‘What’s happening to the Androids?’

  ‘I don’t know. All digital access to that section has been cut off. I can’t look within. I suspect that rogue Androids have established a base. I’ve locked out the elevator and blocked off the section at each end. I thought you’d want to know this.’

  ‘This is what I expected we’d have more of. We’re on our way, Holly. Time to clean out the nest of vipers.’

  Braden stood and started kicking dirt over the fire. “Time to go people. We have some renegade Androids that require our attention.”

  “Huh?” Micah said sleepily.

  “Time to go!” Braden shouted.

  Bounder stood on wobbly legs. ‘Just don’t ask me to run.’

  G-War appeared. ‘It’s about time, but maybe we can make it a couple naps from now?’

  Braden huffed his displeasure. ‘Holly, is the section sealed? They aren’t going anywhere?’

  ‘Whoever they are, no. They aren’t going anywhere. According to the schematics, there are two ventilation shafts and one delivery portal besides the doors and the elevator. All six access points have been locked out.’

  ‘We will rest for a while, and then we’ll tackle this problem. Show me the map of where we need to go, and thank you, Holly.’ Braden looked at the image before his eye. He scanned backwards until he found where he was at the moment. The corridor was mid-level of Deck 8. They could take the elevator to the corridor below and access it from the Garden Deck’s catwalk.

  Braden faced the group. “Holly has sealed everything up. Let’s digest that fine meal provided by our furry and armor-less friends. After we’ve rested, we’ll take care of business.”

  ‘Can you imagine us trying to run?’ G-War asked.

  Fea laughed. Treetis flopped to the ground where he was.

  ‘I am happy that we are not going into the fight like this. I have eaten too much and have gone too long without sleep to be effective,’ Bounder replied.

  Jocelyn never acknowledged that she’d heard anything. Braden poked her arm. She jerked in surprise at his touch. “Get some sleep. There’s a fight coming, and I think we’re going to need you and your blaster.”

  “What? What did I miss? I tell you this thing is addictive.” She tapped the side of her head, looking confused, seeing the fire as if for the first time, even though she’d eaten, just like everyone else.

  “Shut it down and rest.”

  ‘Sleep well, Jocelyn,’ Treetis said over the mindlink. ‘I will keep you safe while you sleep in this strange place.’

  “I remember when G-War would talk to me like that,” Braden lamented.

  ‘I remember when G-War would talk to me,’ the ‘cat mimicked. ‘I thought I made you tougher than that. I should have gotten myself a better human.’

  “Hey! I’m a good human. How many times do I have to save your life, little man? ‘A bunch of times’ clearly isn’t the right answer.”

  ‘Don’t make me come over there,’ Fea said. Braden wasn’t sure who she was talking to. He wanted to believe that it wasn’t him.

  “Boys and their way of bonding,” Micah suggested, rolling onto her back and closing her eyes. Braden decided to follow his own advice. It was time to get some sleep. The smell of the cooked pork tantalized his senses one last time before he drifted off.

  The Fury

  “Lead on, Andy,” Braden told the Android. The lights on the deck had been shut down for four hours, so the companions slept through that and woke with the new day. Much refreshed, they ate just enough to settle their stomachs and prepare for the new day. Braden felt better and felt better about the others, too. Why rush headlong into a battle?

  The Androids started jogging toward the stairs, running side by side to carve a trail for the others to follow. Pik sounded squishy as he ran, having just pulled himself out of the creek after soaking through the night.

  Aadi bounced along behind the shambling Lizard Man. The Hawkoids made short work of the trip and would be landing shortly on the railing of the catwalk. The Wolfoids dropped to all fours to run faster through the grass, slapping their lightning spears on the ground as they accelerated. The ‘cats refused to be outdone and charged ahead. Jocelyn ran alongside Pik as he maintained a pace she was most comfortable with, although by the time they reached the stairs, she was nearly doubled over and gasping for air.

  “It’s easier to govern if you stay in shape,” Micah said.

  “Point taken, President.” Jocelyn laced her fingers behind her head to help her chest draw in more air. “I am not used to anything like that.”

  “Sorry. It’s how we get around up here.” Braden thought for a moment. “Andy, make sure there’s a hovercar waiting for us when we return.”

  The Android remained motionless for a moment. “Holly says no problem.”

  “There we go! We probably didn’t have to run, but we’re here now. Lead on, Andy. We have a corridor to clear.”

  ‘That’s the nice way of saying that we have Androids to kill?’ Micah asked. Braden nodded, close-mouthed. His hands rested easily on his blasters.

  They headed up the stairs and for the door that would lead them to the elevator. From there, they’d go up in two groups and reassemble where the apparent gravity was more, making them feel heavier. Then they’d set up to assault the corridor where Holly couldn’t see.

  The move was uneventful. The companions, twelve of them plus Andy and Betafor, waited at the door that would take them to the catwalk attached the aft wall of the garden deck. They would be four hundred meters above the garden where the Rabbits and the bees lived.

  “Don’t look down,” Braden cautioned. “Once we’re at the top, Micah and I and Bounder and Strider will open the door. It’s important to establish a position inside the corridor so we can see what’s going on. Andy and Betafor, you are coming with us. I can’t believe that Androids would fire on their own.”

  “Then you don’t know Androids. We will do as you request.
Our job is to serve,” Andy replied flatly.

  Holly’s voice came from the speaker by the door. “There are two Androids on the catwalk at the top of the next stairs. They have been watching the door to make sure it remained secure until your arrival.”

  “Thank you for the heads up, Holly.” Braden waved his bracelet and the door opened. The humidity of the Garden Deck made the air seem thick. The height didn’t help. Braden focused on the two Androids on the next landing up. He had both blasters out and walked slowly.

  Treetis and Jocelyn froze the second they stepped outside. Jocelyn couldn’t look anywhere but down. G-War and Fea worked their way to each side of the stricken ‘cat and forced him to move. Micah took Jocelyn by the arm and guided her away from the rail. “Stay next to the wall.”

  Jocelyn’s eyes shot wide as she saw someone fall. She gasped, until she realized it was only Skirill and Zyena flying in a circle.

  ‘The bees are coming,’ G warned.

  “Open that hatch,” Braden told one of the new Androids. Bounder and Strider leveled their spears.

  “Stay close and keep your head down,” Micah ordered Jocelyn. In one hand, Micah carried her sword, in the other, a blaster.

  “Dial to a mid-beam,” Braden called over his shoulder. Micah immediately thumbed the setting on her weapon. Braden checked his and waited as the Android cut the small weld holding the door closed. Pik shuffled up the steps, gripping his trident firmly in both hands.

  Aadi stayed closed to the wall as he swam upward. He found it harder and harder to move, until he stopped. The rotation of the deck kept him from catching up. He grabbed onto the railing with his beak-like mouth.

  “Are you okay?” Jocelyn asked, trying to get past her own fear.

  ‘I am not,’ Aadi replied. ‘As we approach what may be renegade Androids, I am reminded of my last trip to the ship. I must admit that I have an unnatural and unhealthy amount of fear holding me back.’

  “I’m with you, Master Aadi. I know the fear, too, but not from the Androids. I’ve never been this high above anything before, and my legs refuse to obey me.”