The Epherium Chronicles: Crucible

by T. D. Wilson

  Two men moved out from the group and approached McGregor. The one on the right assumed a relaxed attention and saluted. McGregor was almost taken aback. The man bore a surprising resemblance to Captain Hood, if not a few years younger. McGregor returned the salute with a snap of his BDUs.

  “Commander Jonathan Hood,” the man said and offered McGregor his hand.

  McGregor shook it with a firm grip. “Major Arlen McGregor, 4th EDF Marine Expeditionary Combat Regiment. Nice to meet ya, Commander.”

  The second man was a heavyset, not quite bald man with a ruffled comb-over. By McGregor’s estimation, he seemed several years the senior of everyone in the crowd. The man moved next to Commander Hood and offered McGregor his hand, as well. “Dr. Caris Wilder, Major. I’m the colony’s lead researcher. Glad to meet you.” McGregor noticed the man’s palms were sweaty and he was nervous, but under the circumstances McGregor understood.

  McGregor smiled. “My men are going to be unloading supplies for ya in a few minutes.” Despite the friendly greeting, his instincts never let him lose his focus from the mission. He scanned the crowd of several hundred people who had come to welcome them. “We just need to do a routine check of the area first before any more personnel are allowed down to the surface.”

  “We understand,” Jonathan Hood replied. “Let Caris and I give you and your men the full tour. When you’re ready to unload, our people can help.”

  McGregor followed the two men into the main encampment and toward what he surmised to be the main operations building. He instructed his squads to fan out and conduct their sweeps. McGregor knew Hood wanted to get people down here as quickly as possible, but he was doing this by the numbers and nothing was going to happen until he gave his approval. With any luck, this would all be over in a few hours and he would contact the Armstrong to give Hood the news.

  Until then, McGregor guarded himself from giving details or any non-cleared information to the colonists. Hood had given him and the other command staff a short explanation about the Epherium experiments. The whole notion seemed awfully far-fetched, but he trusted Hood’s judgment. Until the higher-ups gave the go-ahead, Hood’s op-sec strategy would remain unchanged. McGregor and the captain had to be certain who they were dealing with—colonists or criminals.

  Chapter Two

  Magellan Colony Base Site

  Cygni 4

  Sunday, January 26

  Earth Year 2155

  Hood walked down the ramp of his shuttle in silent awe. Regardless of his many missions to Proxima over the years, this was the first world outside the home solar system he’d set foot upon, and it was glorious. The euphoria of the moment soon passed, and he glanced at what he guessed to be trees that encircled the landing zone. The trees’ branches were sheathed in a smooth bark and twisted in various angles away from the thicker trunks, but it was the leaves, grass and other plant life that drew Hood’s attention. Their deep brown color, coupled with a slightly reddish hue, was simply uncanny. The same colors permeated the soil and rocks that helped form the mountain behind the huge colony ship only a few hundred meters away. Could Mars have looked like this millions of years ago?

  The air felt thick compared to the normally monitored atmosphere on the Armstrong or the EDF stations, but Hood had no difficulty breathing. Instead, he felt invigorated.

  It had taken Major McGregor close to six hours to complete his sweep of the encampment and allow further landings, which put the hour now long into the afternoon. Many of the other shuttles had already landed and were in the unloading process when Hood’s shuttle touched down, so there weren’t crowds awaiting his arrival. However, one person was waiting for Hood as he stepped off the ramp—his uncle Jonathan.

  Elation surged in Hood’s chest and he felt his heart might burst free in excitement. It had been so long since the Magellan had left Earth. He doubted he would ever see this day. He smiled as he approached his uncle and before he could react, he was engulfed in a giant, welcoming bear hug. He collapsed his arms in the hug and tried to enjoy the moment. “Okay, Uncle Jon,” he moaned. “You’re going to break a rib.”

  Jonathan Hood released his nephew and put his hands on the younger man’s shoulders. “Good Lord, boy. Look at you!” Hood was almost the same height as his uncle, if not a few centimeters taller.

  “It’s good to see you too, Uncle. We have a lot to catching up to do.” Hood stared at his face and took it all in. Everything was the same as he remembered. His uncle’s dark hair, kind eyes and even his powerful grip hadn’t changed. He still couldn’t believe the aging process could be slowed for that long in the sleeper tubes, but here was living proof.

  Behind him, Hood heard a short, “Eh-hemm.”

  “Ah, yes.” Hood turned to his left. “I want to introduce my chief security officer, Lieutenant Maya Greywalker.”

  Maya walked forward in three graceful steps to stand beside Hood, dressed in her light gray security uniform. Her red hair was not tied back as was her norm aboard ship but instead hung loose, resting on her shoulders, and moved with the gentle breeze. Jonathan stepped up to meet her and, like many before, was captivated when her luminescent blue eyes met his.

  Maya was one of three remaining subjects from a genetics experiment conducted by her adopted father, Dr. Julian Greywalker, who’d sought to overcome a fatal nervous system condition called Altain’s Disease. An unfortunate explosion in Dr. Greywalker’s remote lab on Mars had destroyed the facility, killing him and most of his “children.”

  Dr. Greywalker’s experiment had provided Maya and the other children with enhanced abilities, but not every child possessed the same new gifts. She was blessed with enhanced strength and reflexes. Many of her senses were heightened, as well. All the children did have one similar trait—their bright blues eyes were an unmistakable marker, but many people found their unnatural appearance to be unsettling.

  “Pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant,” Jonathan greeted her with a shy smile. Maya’s gaze held him for a moment, but a quick blink broke his stare.

  “Likewise, Commander Hood.” Maya then turned and nodded to her captain.

  Jonathan slung his arm around his nephew’s shoulders and began walking toward the main encampment. “Let me show you around. After we’re done, I want to hear all about this big new ship of yours. From what I hear, it puts my ol’ lady here to shame.”

  * * *

  Hood spent the next two hours surveying the encampment and answering the myriad of questions from his uncle. His mannerisms and approach to understanding something new were the same. Hood was amazed how his uncle was able to adapt to the gap of the past twenty-five years. Not to mention the fact that James was no longer the young boy who used to follow him around.

  Each building of the encampment was dedicated to different research disciplines and also offered additional living spaces for the colonists who chose to stay outside the Magellan. At every stop, Hood’s uncle introduced him and Maya to those inside. The reception was warm in each case and always ended with a desire for news from home. Hood managed to deflect many of the inquiries and promised to update them all that evening, but his mind raced with concern. How deep was the level of information concerning home for the installed personalities of the colonists? Had the Epherium scientists thought that part through well enough, or would it all come down like a house of cards if the details didn’t match? Hood put on his best face at each introduction, and he could sense Maya had the same concerns.

  Jonathan led the group toward the Magellan, and Hood stopped to admire the huge vessel. Its sheer size almost rivaled the mountains that lay behind her and cast a shadow across the encampment, but she was a gentle giant. Her superstructure was by and large intact, minus a few pieces that had been removed to construct some of the buildings, but the Magellan was still as impressive as the first day he’d seen her. The travel across the light-years of space
had been kind, but Hood doubted she’d be put back together fast enough if the colonists needed to leave in a hurry. He added a mental note of it to his growing list of defense and evacuation contingencies.

  After the tour was over, Hood, Maya and his uncle joined Caris in the colony’s main operations building, just south of the Magellan’s main boarding ramp. The huge domed building was formed from four separate sections of one of the Magellan’s landing pylons that were fused together and supported by an enormous metal rod which jutted through the center of the dome’s ceiling. On the outside, eight thick metal cables were attached to the rod and spanned outward to large stakes placed deep in the ground for support.

  The colony’s primary mess hall was located in the large open area in the middle of the building and was already in the process of being set up for the evening meal. The Magellan had landed only a month ago, but Hood was amazed at their progress. Hood grabbed a hot cup of coffee and walked over to the large topographical map of the Magellan’s encampments posted on the eastern wall near the side entrance. He took a few sips of the rather strong brew and studied the map. The Cygni sun had begun to set on the horizon, and the coffee warmed him against the cooler temperature outside.

  Even after his first glance of the map, Hood could tell that the colonists had already accomplished so much in preparing a solid infrastructure. Knowing his uncle, he expected nothing less. Hood understood the challenges the colonists faced, and he wanted to revel with them. But there was also the Cilik’ti to consider. If they discovered the colony, Hood was certain they would attack. The thought of having to order the colonists to abandon it all was a bitter pill, but if the situation demanded it, he wouldn’t hesitate.

  Jonathan walked up beside his nephew. “How are your parents, Jimmy?”

  The question caught Hood off guard. He had avoided mentioning the family back home and wanted to wait for the right time to talk about it in private with his uncle. Grief swelled within him. He couldn’t look at his uncle now. It would only remind him of that day. Both of the men continued to stare at the map until Hood broke the silence and answered his uncle’s question. “Dad passed away two years ago.”

  Jonathan gave a solemn nod. “I figured as much. If he was alive, I imagine he’d have a message for me, and you would have passed it along when you landed.” Hood could hear the hushed anguish in his uncle’s voice. “How’d it happen?”

  Hood sipped his coffee and looked down at the base of the map. “Embolism. He was helping their neighbors paint their garage out back. The doctor said he was dead before he fell off the ladder.” Hood choked out a laugh as he remembered the old building. “That old garage had a lot of memories for us kids. We held cookouts, sleepovers and countless other events in that place. When the Jockeys decided to sell the house, the new owners considered tearing it down, but Dad convinced them to keep it.” His voiced cracked and he didn’t think he could hold it back any longer. Hood had shed many a tear over the loss of his father since that day, and new ones began to form in his eyes.

  Jonathan put an arm around his nephew’s shoulder, and his tone was supportive and encouraging. “I always pictured how I might pass on one day, and I’m not surprised to find your dad went doing something to help out a friend. He wouldn’t want it any other way.” Jonathan waited for his words to sink in to his nephew. “I take it your mother is still doing well?”

  Hood batted the tears away with a quick double blink. “Yes, she’s fine. Her sister moved in last summer, and the two of them are always on the go. I’ve tried to get her out to see me at a nearby station, but I could never find a free moment with them.”

  “Humph,” Jonathan snorted. “Your mom is too much like Gina. She’d never keep her foot on the ground for very long if you let her. I’m glad to see she’s active though.” Jonathan stepped between Hood and the map, met his eyes and smiled. “You and your dad are a lot alike, you know that? You’re both smart and always trying to come to save my butt when I’m trouble.”

  Hood laughed at his uncle’s attempt to cheer him up.

  Jonathan pointed to the cup of coffee in Hood’s hands. “That looks good. I think I’ll get me a cup. We can catch up on the family later.”

  Hood joined the others at one of the mess hall’s tables as Caris sat down next to Maya and introduced himself to her. “Lieutenant, it is a great pleasure to meet you. I’m not sure if you know, but I worked in a fellowship that tried to continue your father’s genetic research.” Maya regarded the older man as he spoke. “I was deeply saddened when I first read about the accident on Mars. Your father’s work inspired me to become a scientist. My group never produced results for a cure beyond the theoretical, but I’m happy that some semblance of his work lives on.”

  Hood glanced over as Maya and the colony’s chief researcher continued their conversation about Dr. Greywalker. Maya’s typical guarded demeanor seemed to relax. Seeing her take advantage of the comfortable atmosphere at the camp made him smile. His crew needed some downtime, and Maya was no exception. Hood let the two of them talk in private and turned to his uncle. “So, what was it like setting foot on this world? It had to be incredible. With the military, we’ve had several new exploration protocols, but I forgot to ask what special orders Epherium, or the Earth Exploration Forces, instructed you to follow before you left the ship.”

  Revelation crossed Jonathan’s face. “Speaking of that, James, I need to get the Magellan’s logs to your ship. I want to send them back to Earth as soon as we can, and your ship has far better communications gear. There’s a lot of data the Epherium techs need to review.”

  Hood wanted to review it too. If there was anything in the data related to the effects of the Embrace units, he had to know about it.

  Jonathan grabbed one of his people walking by, explained what he needed and the blond-haired woman ran off toward the offices. He sat back down and looked at his nephew. “Now, where was I? Oh, exploration protocols, right. Well, we had a ton, but you know these guys. They saw this planet like a hunter sees a buck in deer season.” Jonathan chuckled. “It took some tough talk, but I convinced everyone to stay in their environmental suits for the first three days until we could make sure that the planet wasn’t toxic. Once the helmets came off, everyone was running outside.” He pointed back to the Magellan. “After being cooped up in there for that long, I don’t blame them.”

  “Was there anything else you wish you could have brought with you on the trip?”

  Jonathan didn’t hesitate. “Horses. I would’ve brought some horses with us. They would do well in this type of country. I used to ride when I was younger. Before I started my studies at the academy, I thought about owning a few. I even considered starting up a boarding farm.”

  “Dad mentioned that you two used to ride a lot when you were younger. When things get moving on a convoy of ships out here, maybe we could put in a request.” The idea made Hood smile, and he felt confident that once a lifeline to the colony was established, others might want to bring different animals, as well. But he was getting ahead of himself. He needed to build defenses and make sure the other colonists’ personalities were intact before anyone would be able to come to this world.

  Hood glanced upward at the support structure for the domed building, then out the window toward the encampment. From his vantage point, he could see every building as the slope moved down from the mountain to the valley below. “It seems things here are progressing pretty well, but there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask. The Magellan personnel list had a complement of five thousand, plus the command crew. Our initial scans showed about two hundred fifty colonists unaccounted for. “What happened?”

  The commander of the Magellan paused at the question. His hands started to tremble and he set down his coffee mug before he spilled any of the steaming liquid. “I was wondering when you were going to get around to that.” He cleared his throat, scanned the room a
nd leaned closer to his nephew. “It’s something we don’t talk about much around here. Many of the researchers have been colleagues for years before they left, and mentioning it hits them kind of hard.” Jonathan sighed and seemed lost, not sure where to start. “After we achieved our final approach into the Cygni system, the Magellan’s computer awoke the command crew and the key research leaders for the colony. When two members of the research team failed to show at the muster station following the awakening process, Jillian and I got concerned and started a full system diagnostic.”

  A feeling of dread came over Hood. “Sleeper chamber failure?”

  “Yeah.” The memory seemed painful to bring back. Jonathan shook his head. “Somehow the chambers in two sections had lost power temporarily, and the backup systems failed. The logs weren’t clear about when it happened, but everyone who investigated it concluded that they didn’t suffer.” Jonathan closed his eyes hard. “It wasn’t a pleasant sight, James. The level of decomposition in those chambers...”

  Hood could tell from the painful grimace on Jonathan’s face that he didn’t want to continue. “That’s all right, Uncle Jon. No need to relive that. We all have experiences we’d like to forget—yours truly included.” Trying to get his uncle’s mind off the issue, Hood surveyed the room and changed the subject. “Where are Jillian and Gina?” A frown crept onto his face after finding no trace of the Magellan’s XO or his uncle’s girlfriend. “I was hoping they’d be here, since they weren’t with you when I touched down.”

  Hood’s uncle seemed to perk up at the mention of their names. “Well, if you must know, Gina and I were married last week.”

  “Congratulations!” Hood’s outburst drew the attention of Caris and Maya at the next table. The pair ended their conversation and rejoined Hood and his uncle.

  “Thanks, James,” his uncle said, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks. “I really wish Gina was here to meet you, but she convinced Jillian to go with her to a possible paleontological find. It was something one of our rover patrols found while exploring a canyon about one hundred and fifty clicks northwest of here.”