by Z Gottlieb
Brad snapped back, “Do not get between two males. He is a big boy and will let me know when it is disrespectful.”
Yancurve stepped back in shame. “Pilot, you are right in regards to Ferklopgresfk Nan Dowelstergak. And we will also not refer to your mate as ‘Major’. Forgive me.”
Interesting, Brad thought. “You are forgiven.” Turning back to Shinny,“I was initially nervous when Yeshawliq referred to you as major because I didn’t know where her loyalty lay. But during the questioning it became clear she recalibrated the sensors on the fly especially when I stated that our children’s names were Greedy, Stinky, Smelly, Yogurt, Shoelaces, and Tablecloth.”
Tyom interjected, “Stinky is a nice name. I may consider it for my third child.”
Brad looked at Tyom and groaned. It never occurred to him the Neslins deployed leaving their families and homes, and yet for some crazy reason they were looking at him to rescue Fernando. He suddenly felt an enormous sense of sadness. “Tyom, Stinky in my mother tongue would not be a respectable name. Our son is named after my mate’s father, a more respectable name. Once we are off the Kisskalu and safe, I would be honored to introduce the colony to my father.” When Tyom nodded that she understood, he continued, “I realize what I said was outrageous, but I’m betting Yeshawliq never allows that information to be recorded in the logs. Look at your tablets and you will see the messages she has been sending.”
Shinny read Yeshawliq’s messages on her log confirming everything Brad had just shared with them. “Brad, do you think they will send vehicles through the Pertutinn Transit?” Shinny asked, concerned about Earth’s future.
Brad shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m guessing it didn’t matter what I said. However, I believe from Nerunder’s reaction they will not transit any further than the dark hole. They are definitely obsessed with it.”
Yancurve read through the messages, shaking her head. “Why is the AI sending messages to our tablets instead of contacting us through an encrypted VPN channel to our chips?”
“At first I wasn’t sure we could trust her. While I trust her now, she is as much a prisoner as we are, and if the Aneplé discover her, they would have a direct link to our chips on a one-way encrypted VPN link. Yeshawliq is helping because she has asked us to rescue her also.” Brad watched the three Neslins look around for the AI that seemed to be controlling everything on the ship, including their current situation.
Yancurve asked, “How does this affect our plans? What is your plan for the AI?”
“I have already told her we would not be able to take her with us, but we would find a way to rescue her.” Brad raised his voice, “Yeshawliq, what is Nerunder doing at this moment?” A message appeared on their tablet:
Nerunder is playing Pacman in the trainer with her team trying to decode the secret message they believe you prepared to send back to the CIG Fleet.
A chuckle pulsed through the group as everyone looked at the message sent to them. Brad smiled; he wished he was there to watch the security team’s frustration. He looked at everyone standing watching him. “We need to get back to the colony. I promised Fernando a ride on the bicycle track.”
Chapter 30
Brad was impressed with Fernando’s skills on the bicycle. Not only did Fernando ride well, but also he kept up with Brad’s pace. Although this was their fourth ride together, this would be the first time they would meet with Shinny. Shinny had just finished her run and was standing against the side rail ahead of them, looking down into the Transportation Room. It was their cue to pull over next to her.
Brad and Fernando slowed down and stood next to her with the transfer vehicle below them toward the far right. Shinny surveyed Brad in the new head cover. “How is the head cover working for you?”
“The head covers have been great. They have definitely made it easier for me to maneuver, although decontamination has been harder,” he replied. Brad leaned into the rail looking at the vehicle without turning his head. It looked like an exact duplicate of an airplane from earth configured to carry sixty passengers, except the skin was transparent. He could see the fifteen rows of four seats configured for the Neslins, divided with a center passageway, and a convenience room in the back. The original design didn’t have a bathroom, but he programmed it on Yeshawliq’s recommendation. Looking at his friend, who stood on Shinny’s right and had a better view of the vehicle, he asked, “Fernando, what do you think?”
“It’s incredible. It’s amazing we didn’t think of using the platters for similar transportation.” Fernando leaned toward Shinny. “Do you have an estimated time for Zuonopy’s return?”
“Not precisely,” Shinny responded quietly. “Wesgwidy needs to make a decision because the interest in Connor’s Gambit keeps increasing. The Aneplé crew has been discussing returning to Aneplé through the dark hole, since our meeting with Nerunder. If they do that then no one leaves the ship, ever.” She whipped around, facing the bicycle track. “Brad, what in the universe got into you for saying what you did to Nerunder?”
“At least they’re leaving you alone,” Brad answered struggling to understand his wife’s moodiness.
“It was a pain, but I had everything under control,” Shinny snapped, glaring at Brad.
Fernando turned towards Shinny, “We have too many things to worry about. We need to focus on leaving. It’s apparent it didn’t matter what your mate said. Eventually, the Aneplé would have come to the same wrong-headed conclusion. As for Wesgwidy, I don’t know if she will ever make a final decision.” Fernando paused looking at both of the humans, “However, if what you are telling me about Yeshawliq’s willingness to help, perhaps the AI could spread false communications to reroute the security patrols to allow us to board the sickest individuals with rations. Frankly, we should start moving them onto the vehicle now while there isn’t a rush, since there is a convenience room.”
“Will there be a problem with Wesgwidy?” Shinny asked.
“There shouldn’t be a problem, since she has given us permission to move forward with the planning.” Fernando stared at the vehicle in wonder. “Never have I been this close to not only escaping, but also rescuing the whole colony. If there’s an issue with Wesgwidy, I’ll have a discussion with her. It will be difficult for her to oppose in the future, if we have most of the colony on the vehicle ready to leave.”
Brad pondered if Yeshawliq had been thinking about loading the colony in advance when she recommended programming the bathroom. He mused about implementing the plan under Wesgwidy’s nose and wondered if he would ever completely understand Fernando’s relationship with Wesgwidy. But if Fernando thought he could influence Mother on this, he wasn’t going to get between them. “Good. That leaves two final issues that need to be discussed.” Taking a deep breath, he explained, “My training scores show a twenty percent chance of failing. I don’t know if we will be able to get back to the trainer to increase the likelihood of success.”
“What’s the problem? I thought the controls were similar to the transport vehicles you are qualified to fly,” Fernando asked.
“Flying the vehicle isn’t the issue. The problem is that these vehicles were never meant to be operated in an area with hostile fire. The issue is balancing the available mass to create the extra shielding needed and minimizing the effect it would have on the ship’s velocity. Even if the vehicle is completely shielded it won’t be dense enough to protect the platter.”
“Are you proposing we cancel this?” Fernando asked them with a worried look on his face.
“No, I don’t think we should cancel. We have a plan to mitigate the issue. It increases the likelihood of success, but without Shinny and me getting back to the trainer, the first time we might implement it is when we do the fly off. I couldn’t continue without informing you of the risk.”
“I can’t make a decision without knowing more of the plan. I can’t imagine Wesgwidy ever accepting a twenty percent risk. I have no problem deciding to take the risk myself with
the two of you. But when there are others who are at risk, I need to have more specific information to make a decision on their behalf.” Fernando explained.
Brad was about to respond to Fernando’s question, but Shinny touched his arm. “Let me explain, since this is my idea and I will be executing it.” At Brad’s nod, she continued, “The vehicle’s first line of defense is to eject the platter. I have been able to reprogram the defense protocols, but there is still a requirement for a strong shield to maintain the platter’s integrity. I plan to scatter an advance weapons grade shielding around the platter’s formed structure. It will be stronger than what is on the Vipers and Defenders. The increased mass will probably affect the platter’s speed. However, the advanced weapons shield will increase the likelihood of our survival. But because of the need to balance the fuel with building the shield, there will be a limit on the area being shielded, leaving some areas unprotected. Those areas will be vulnerable to a direct hit. The plan is to accept the Aneplé’s weapons’ fire at the heavily shielded areas. Either I will relocate the shielding or Brad will maneuver the vehicle to ensure the weapons impact occurs on a shielded area, until we download a program to respond to the Aneplé’s weapon’s fire. I’m still working on the program, which should be ready by the time we leave.” Shinny demonstrated with her hands how it would work.
Fernando clasped his hands behind him. “What will happen if a weapon hits an unshielded part of the platform?”
“The weapon will destroy the platter’s atmosphere and the vehicle will eject the platter. It won’t be pretty,” explained Brad.
Fernando looked at the two of them. “The plan is straddling between brilliant and insane. But then again I haven’t come up with anything that would come as close to being successful as you have. I recommend we keep this to ourselves. If Wesgwidy hears the risks, she will stop the planning immediately. On the other hand, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am without taking a few risks. I’ll admit, I don’t feel comfortable with what you have told me, but I trust both of you.”
Brad almost responded with sarcasm to Fernando’s comment on taking risks, but held back. How risky was spending his days in isolation? But Fernando was the only one, outside of Shinny and the Kisskalu AI, fully supporting the plan. “Thank you for your trust. It makes this easier knowing we have your support.”
Fernando nodded. Across the transportation room, two of Nerunder’s security technicians stepped onto the track. “Looks like Nerunder found us. What’s the second issue?”
Brad watched the technicians standing idly, swiping through the screens on their tablets. “Yeshawliq, are you sending our escorts conversations from before and sensor data?” Brad looked at the message that just came in on his tablet:
Yes, I am sending them false information. You may speak freely.
Still swiping his tablet, “Shinny found one praser. She’s keeping it hidden until we leave. Yeshawliq plans to reroute the security patrols, but the real problem will be Nerunder and her team once they discover the colony empty and the high value targets have all left at once. The other problem I foresee is if we leave when the Zuonopy enters the nexus, the Transportation Room will be very busy. Shinny may be able to blend in, but my head cover will generate questions, as will a large number of Neslins in the Transportation Room when the alert signal goes off. It will definitely be viewed as a problem.”
“I see what you mean. I don’t think we would get away with stowing the three of us or even Wesgwidy on the transfer vehicle in advance. We might be able to get the princess on the vehicle and just point to a lumpy blanket when they require her presence,” Fernando responded. He stood quietly while he thought about a few other options. “Could Yeshawliq create diversions at different places on the Kisskalu to draw people away from the platform?”
“What do you suggest?” Brad asked.
“Could Yeshawliq create a series of explosions on the platforms located furthest away?”
Brad looked at the incoming message. It looked like Yeshawliq was upset.
I do not like the Aneplé; I am not willing to do anything to hurt the families who are already suffering.
“I don’t think she likes the idea.”
“I have the same message. What about loud explosive noises simulating explosions, flashing lights, and burning the hydroponic gardens with the damn plants to draw people away from our platform?” countered Fernando.
“I could do those things. The plants are making everyone sick. No one is caring for me. When will you come back for me?”
Brad wondered how one cared for an AI. “Yeshawliq, how much control do you have over the Kisskalu?”
It varies. I wasn’t brought onto this ship to control it, but there are times when I have limited control of the ship. I have been forgotten and I want to go home.
Brad turned to Shinny for advice but she shrugged, giving her “I have no idea what that means” look. That’s no help, he thought. “Yeshawliq, I will be honest. I don’t know how long it will take. If we thought we could take you with us now, we would. I promise, Shinny and I won’t forget you, and I won’t let CIG forget you either.”
“I won’t forget you either,” Fernando replied outloud.
Shinny, Brad and Fernando looked at their tablets.
Ferklopgresfk Nan Dowelstergak, thank you, it is your honor and reputation that gives me hope one day I will be rescued.
Brad read the message and thought about asking Fernando what the heck Yeshawliq meant, but decided not to mention it now and avoid another lesson on Neslin culture. There was just too much to do. Once they were off the Kisskalu, he would be more than happy to become Earth’s premier expert on Neslin affairs.
Nerunder’s personnel turned the corner and headed toward them.
“I can’t think of anything else to say. Do either of you have anything more to share with me?” Both Shinny and Fernando shook their heads. “I guess the rest period is over.”
Shinny took off at a quick jog away from them. Brad attempted to nervously comb his hair with fingers out of habit, forgetting about the head cover, and stopped when his fingers hit the plastic. Brad hoped Fernando didn’t think he was losing it. He looked at Fernando. “Let’s see if we can make the Aneplé security guards jump.” He mounted his bicycle and headed straight for the guards walking on the track toward them.
Chapter 31
Brad ran at full speed trying to keep up with the Neslins in front of him. Although the room was dark from Yeshawliq dimming the lights and the heavy layer of dark green pollen floating through the Transportation Room, he could still see the outlines of the people in front of him. He thought he was in relatively good shape especially after his rides with Fernando, but couldn’t remember the last time he ran this hard pumping at full speed with his arms and legs, his hair completely soaked from sweat inside his hood. Although his mask was filtering the dust, his sides still hurt from the lack of oxygen. He kept pushing himself hoping more adrenaline would kick in to help him keep up the pace. The Neslins were so damn tall he couldn’t tell how much further the vehicle was, he just knew he needed to keep up with them.
Ptzing, ptzing, ptzing. Son of a bitch, the Aneplé were shooting at them. What did they forget? Did they screw up on Yeshawliq’s distractions? At least they were hitting a shield. He looked up and around at the opalescent shimmer of a shield flicker deflecting the weapons fire. The firing continued and his curiosity got the better of him. He needed to know what the hell was happening behind him. Turning around was going to slow him down, but he wanted to get an idea of how far behind the Aneplé shooters were.
Slowing, he turned slightly and saw Shinny running closely behind him with an angry expression on her face. She had a weapon in her right hand and the shield behind her left shoulder, moving it to deflect the weapons fire. He looked back at Shinny but still could not understand what she was saying with the weapons fire increasing rapidly. He moved over to the right to let her catch up to him. She ran next to him and sl
apped his stomach. He gasped for breath as his abdomen radiated in pain from the impact of her slap. He wasn’t sure what was more surprising, Shinny hitting him again or how much it hurt. The pain made it difficult for him to focus on running and caused him to slow down, but he kept running with the pain continuing to affect him. He felt something on his back, driving him to push his legs faster. For him it was more of a distraction than a help, but he forced himself forward to avoid dealing with whatever was behind him.
“Brad, you don’t have anything for me. Take our friends and get the hell out of here,” Shinny yelled at him. She shoved him away from her and swung around, still holding her shield in place deflecting the projectiles from the prasers firing at them.
“Shinny!” Brad cried out as he felt a tugging and pulling of his shoulder.
“Johnson, Johnson, wake up. You are scaring the Little Mothers,” Fernando whispered into Brad’s ear, as he gently shook Brad’s shoulder.
Brad, surprised by the sudden interruption of his dream, popped his eyes open. Would that damn dream ever stop? Fernando loomed over him with a concerned expression. “Uh, what’s going on, Fernando?”
“Johnson, you seem to have many restless sleep periods. This has been the worst, with your frenzied kicking and calling out for your mate.”
Great, thought Brad, so close to leaving and they probably think I’m a nut case. Although this time he was weirded out by not only finally understanding what he had been dreaming for the past few months, but the realization it started even before he joined CIG. He still didn’t know what the dream was telling him he needed to do exactly or if he could do anything to change the outcome. He looked around the room and came to the realization that although he was among friends, the one thing he wasn’t going to do was to share the dream with anyone, especially this close to leaving.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to concern anyone. I think it’s just a case of homesickness.”