The captain was concentrating on his mission, his goal. He would let the Lord High Admiral deal with matters of grand strategy. He had to bring two alien Destroyers to the table. Those two super-ships could well turn the odds in humanity’s favor. Several years ago, just one Destroyer had devastated the fleets attempting to engage it. Maddox also knew the Destroyers had annihilated Swarm fleets in the past. Would the bugs remember the Destroyers?
First, I have to get them, Maddox told himself. That was far from a done deal.
Soft hands ran across his shoulders. Maddox turned, smiling at his wife. Meta had long blonde hair and beautiful features, with a voluptuous figure—
Maddox turned around more fully, putting his arms around her, pressing the naked Meta against him. He kissed her for a time.
“Say it,” she whispered. “Tell me again.”
“I love you,” he said.
Meta closed her eyes, snuggling up against him. “I love you, too,” she whispered.
For a time, they simply enjoyed one another.
Afterward, Meta said, “Are you still thinking about Shu?”
“I want to know who killed her,” Maddox said.
“You believe it was the entity in the null region.”
“I suspect the entity. Yet, I don’t see how it could have done it. Whoever set off the nuclear device made sure we couldn’t piece together the clues because the clues would no longer exist after the detonation.”
“The backup systems—”
“Yes,” Maddox said. “They’ve been wiped clean.”
“Someone with electronic skills must have done it.”
“You must be thinking the same thing as I am,” Maddox said. “This seems like something an adept Spacer could do.”
“Have you talked to Riker about this?” Meta asked.
Maddox shook his head. “I don’t see the connection.”
“Riker’s mind touched the entity. If the entity had a hand in Shu’s death…”
“Yes,” Maddox said. “That’s brilliant.” He kissed Meta on the forehead and rolled to his side of the bed.
Meta grabbed his shoulder and pulled hard, causing him to fall back. She pounced upon him, kissing him on the mouth.
“We’re married,” she said. “A peck on the forehead is no longer going to suffice. Do I make myself clear?”
Maddox grinned, pressing her against him one more time. He kissed her forcefully on the mouth. Then, he wriggled free and sat up on the edge of the bed. He hadn’t talked to Riker much since his sergeant’s departure from Earth.
Maddox frowned. In fact, he hadn’t talked to Riker at all since the sergeant had come aboard the starship. Was there a reason for that, one he didn’t fully understand?
Maddox stood, reaching for a shirt. He’d hated Shu’s mental interference during the voyage into the Deep Beyond. If that kind of thing was happening again…it was time to put an immediate end to it.
-11-
“Galyan,” Maddox said, as he walked down a ship corridor.
The holoimage appeared, floating beside him.
“Anything to report on Sergeant Riker?” the captain asked.
“He has not left his quarters since we left Earth orbit.”
“I already knew that. What’s he been doing in his room?”
“When he arrived, the sergeant began searching for bugs. It took him thirteen hours until he had found and deactivated the last one.”
“How many were in his quarters?”
“Seven,” Galyan said.
“You can no longer see into his quarters?”
“I have to become invisible and enter his quarters to do so.”
“Did the sergeant rest in any manner until he’d found and deactivated the last bug?”
“No, sir,” Galyan said.
“Did you invade his quarters after the seventh bug was destroyed?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What did you observe?”
“The sergeant no longer seemed as agitated, but I would not call him tranquil. He was at greater ease than before. He sat cross-legged and stared at a bulkhead for a long time.”
“Did you run experiments?”
“It is interesting that you should ask, sir. I did. I left and reappeared at oddly timed intervals. Each time, I found him studying a bulkhead. He seemed…troubled, but not as troubled as when the spy devices had been concentrated upon him.”
“What was your conclusion?”
“I have several,” Galyan said. “First, Sergeant Riker is acting differently than is his wont. There are facets of his old personality in play, but there is something else as well. Second, he does not like to be observed. Third, I am unsure if he can detect me when I am invisible. I have a suspicion that he senses me, although he is uncertain about my presence.”
“Can you scan anything foreign in him?”
“I have tried on several occasions. I did not detect anything.”
“What about testing his brainwave patterns?”
“I admit, sir, I did not think of that. Would you like me to conduct that type of test?”
“Yes.”
Galyan vanished.
Maddox continued his quick stride. He made it halfway to Riker’s quarters before Galyan reappeared.
“Sir,” the holoimage said. “I am detecting a slight variation in his brainwave patterns.”
“Have you detected these differences before in Riker?”
“Never,” Galyan said.
“Can you extrapolate from the odd brain patterns that a foreign entity is using Riker?”
“I cannot.”
“How do you account for the different brainwaves?”
“I cannot, sir.”
“Is Riker acting differently than usual?”
“Without a doubt, sir,” Galyan replied.
Maddox pursed his lips. Did the altered brainwaves indicate a change done to Riker, or did it indicate a foreign entity in Riker at the moment? It was a troubling question on several fronts.
“I want you present in the room when I talk to Riker.”
“Should I remain visible?”
Maddox shook his head.
“Should I speak up for any reason?”
“None,” Maddox said.
For a time, they moved down the corridor in silence.
“What are we really attempting to determine about Sergeant Riker, sir?”
A soft smile appeared on Maddox’s face, although he said no more as they moved toward the sergeant’s hatch.
-12-
Riker stood as Maddox entered his chamber. The sergeant seemed more subdued than usual, his leathery features somewhat withdrawn. He didn’t hold his shoulders back as he normally would have, but let them slump forward.
The sergeant had been sitting on a spot on the floor. He was wearing his regulation uniform. That did not include a weapon of any sort. The hatch had been locked on the outside. Riker was free of the insane asylum, but Maddox didn’t yet trust him enough to allow him free use of the ship.
“Mind if I come in, Sergeant?”
Riker made a bland gesture.
Maddox moved to a desk, turned a chair around and sat down, facing the sergeant.
After a moment’s hesitation, Riker stepped to a bulkhead, sliding down against it, using it as a backrest as he sat on the floor.
“Is Galyan in here?” Riker asked.
“Do you sense him?”
The sergeant did not reply.
“Was that an unworthy question?” Maddox asked.
Riker leaned the back of his head against the bulkhead. A shy grin slipped onto his face.
“I understand, sir, believe me, I do. You don’t trust me.”
“Would you if you were in my position?”
“I’m the one who warned you to leave me behind.”
“True,” Maddox said.
“So, why didn’t you?”
“Surely you understand—”
“Excuse me for interrupting,
” Riker said. “You said you needed me. You pitched your voice in such a way as to make me believe the indomitable Captain Maddox needed his faithful sergeant on the expedition.”
“Was I convincing?”
“At the time, sir. It was perfectly done.”
“Perhaps because I meant it,” Maddox said.
Riker shrugged.
“Have you lost heart?” the captain asked.
The sergeant sighed. “I’ve begun feeling it again. It’s a weight I don’t want. The idea of some entity using me—”
Riker shivered.
“You hate it?” Maddox asked.
For a moment, Riker’s eyes hardened. “Damn straight, I hate it.” The look vanished a moment later. “How do you fight something like that?”
“I aim to find out.”
Riker moved the back of his head off the bulkhead. “Sir…this one is bigger than you. This one is tougher than you.”
“A lot of them have been tougher.”
“You’re not going to find an easy solution this time. It fights dirty.”
“I plan to do the same, only better.”
“You’re too confident, sir. You should be quaking in your boots, terrified.”
“Who says I’m not?”
“You don’t look terrified.”
“Didn’t you just say I’m a good actor?” Maddox asked.
The old Riker grin appeared. “That I did, lad.” He sobered almost immediately. “Can I ask why you’re here?”
“I’ve hit a wall,” Maddox said. “I’ve tried every avenue I know to pierce the wall and see what’s on the other side. Everything has failed. You’re the last connection I know to what happened.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Shu 15 is dead.”
Riker stared at Maddox. Finally, the sergeant rubbed his chin. “Nuclear detonation?” he asked.
“Care to explain how you knew that?”
“I’m right about that?”
“Why act surprised?”
“It…” Riker licked his lips. “It was a guess. No. That’s not right. It was a feeling I had when you said her name. Now…” The sergeant frowned, rubbing his eyes. “I’m getting sleepy, sir.”
Maddox did not sit forward or give any outward sign of it, but he felt exhilarated. He had been right. There was a connection, and it had to do with the entity in the null region.
Maddox stood abruptly.
Riker’s head swayed. His eyelids were red with fatigue.
Maddox strode to the sergeant, leaned down and slapped him across the face.
“Hey!” Riker said, opening his eyes. “What’s that for?”
Maddox slapped him again. Each slap left a red mark on the sergeant’s cheek.
Riker scrambled to his feet. He swung at Maddox. The captain grabbed the wrist and held it in place.
Finally, Riker stopped applying pressure. When Maddox let go, the arm swung down. Riker didn’t sit. He nodded, though.
“The thing tried to drive me to sleep, didn’t it?” Riker asked.
“That was my guess,” Maddox said.
“Why has it stopped?”
“I believe its power is limited. I believe the more you fight it, the more you’ll exhaust it.”
“How would you know that?” Riker asked.
“By observing you these past days,” Maddox said.
“Is this really about Shu 15?”
“Partly,” Maddox said.
Riker nodded again. “Go ahead, sir. Let’s get started on whatever you’re planning.”
Maddox moved back to the chair, sitting once more. After a few moments, Riker stepped to his bed, sitting on the edge.
“Are you thinking about Shu 15?” Maddox asked.
“I’m trying not to.”
“Think about her.”
Riker nodded but soon raised his hands palm upward.
“She was small and fine-boned,” Maddox said. “She had a pretty face. I’ve always suspected that she had pretty eyes.”
“She always wore goggles,” Riker said.
“Shu 15 had two modifications. She could see electromagnetic impulses. She could…”
Maddox stopped speaking because he saw Riker’s glazed condition.
Trying to contain his excitement, Maddox asked in the same voice as before, “Can you see Shu 15 in your mind?”
“Yes,” Riker said in a dull voice.
“What is she doing?”
“Sitting in a chair looking at papers,” Riker said dully. “Star Watch had confined her in a deep abandoned gold mine. I sensed her, and she sensed me. I…I…found a way to her door. I could not open the door, but I passed the message to her. She was terrified after that. She fought the message. I think…”
Riker frowned. “I think the message strengthened her modifications. The message told her to wait for the right moment to escape.”
Riker looked up at the captain.
Maddox had the feeling that Riker was staring right through him.
“She was frightened. She didn’t want to comply. She hated the message. I think…I can only suspect that she felt you coming to her place of confinement. I believe she used her powers as never before. I believe she reached out to the fail-safe device embedded in the mine.”
“What device?”
Riker cocked his head. “A nuclear warhead,” he said softly. The sergeant’s forehead furrowed. “How can I know about that? How can I know any of this? I’m not a storyteller. I don’t usually make up—”
“Sergeant,” Maddox said.
Riker blinked several times. The frown departed. The glassiness left his eyes.
“I believe I understand,” Maddox said. “I suspected it might be true. I wanted to test the theory on you.”
Riker waited.
“The Spacer messenger you burned in Kauai went to Shu first,” Maddox said. “It’s possible he put some of the ego-fragment into her. The entity appears to have tried to cover its bets. If Shu sensed us coming—me coming—and she knew that she would put the ‘message’ into me…”
Maddox turned away. A feeling of sorrow he’d never felt before swept through him.
Riker chuckled softly.
Maddox turned to the sergeant in surprise.
“Ice cold Captain Maddox has feelings after all. I knew you had it in you, lad. I think you’re right. Shu 15 killed herself to save you.”
“No…” Maddox said.
“She must have loved you, sir.”
Maddox shook his head.
“This entity is making mistakes,” Riker said. “Maybe you have it right, sir. Maybe we can beat this thing. Yet…”
“Go on,” Maddox said.
“We’re defeating echoes of its power. When we face the real McCoy, I have a feeling it will be a new ballgame.”
“Ludendorff…” Maddox said. “Let’s hope the professor has some idea about what we’re facing.”
-13-
“I have no idea,” Ludendorff said 47 hours later. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Starship Victory was in the Alpha Centauri System, near Proxima Centauri.
Alpha Centauri was a multi-star system. Alpha Centauri A had a mass 1.1 and a luminosity 1.519 times that of the Sun. Alpha Centauri B was a smaller and cooler star. The double stars orbited a common point between them. A and B varied between a Pluto-Sun to Saturn-Sun orbit. Alpha Centauri C or Proxima Centauri was a red dwarf. It was gravitationally bound to the other two, but orbited 15,000 AUs from the others. That was approximately 500x Neptune’s orbit.
Professor Ludendorff was an older man with thick white hair, tanned skin and a thin gold chain around his neck. He and Maddox met in the starship’s main cafeteria. Doctor Dana Rich was in their quarters. She’d been subdued, hardly acknowledging the many salutations.
Keith had brought the two from the space habitat where they had been staying. Now, the starship headed for the next Laumer Point. They would travel as fast as t
hey could for the Beyond where they had passed through last time on their voyage to Sind II.
At the cafeteria table, Maddox stirred his coffee, having just added cream.
Ludendorff slurped his coffee, grinning as he did so. After finishing the cup, he lifted the pot from the table and poured himself more.
“Coffee is outlawed in the Alpha Centauri System,” the professor said. “Can you believe that?”
“That’s an outrage,” Maddox agreed.
“It’s not because they can’t grow any or import it. It’s a religious tenet for the entire star system. I had to keep a low profile while there. Otherwise, I would have contacted smugglers for some good Colombian beans.”
“Perhaps you don’t understand the seriousness of our voyage,” Maddox said.
“My boy, I’ve listened to every word you’ve spoken. I fully understand the significance of your story. Likely, I understand the situation better than you do. I’m sure I’ve already picked up several nuances that you missed.”
“I doubt that,” Maddox said.
“That’s your problem, Captain. You’re too arrogant, too cocksure. You’re going to have to temper that if you hope to succeed this voyage.”
Maddox sipped his coffee. “You’ve never heard of such an entity belonging to the Nameless Ones?”
“What did I say a moment ago?”
“What about a null region?”
“That I’ve heard about. But it’s only a legend.”
“Clearly, that is not the case. We were in one last voyage.”
“Describe the event. I’m curious if this is a real place or if you were merely dreaming.”
“The entity is real enough,” Maddox said. “We’ve seen its effects.”
“The reality of the entity might be reason enough for you to have imagined the null region,” Ludendorff said.
“We fought a Juggernaut after exiting the long Einstein-Rosen Bridge. Do you remember? The Juggernaut caught us with its tractor beam.”
“I remember the incident quite well,” Ludendorff said.
“The Juggernaut had not yet gripped us fully. We used the star drive to try to escape. The partial tractor beam kept us from leaving. I suspect we built up power all the while.”
The Lost Earth (Lost Starship Series Book 7) Page 5