Last Stand

by Jeffrey M. Fortney

  The Phoenix was on course to the planet that was the last suspected location of Professor Caulder. This world was located within the sphere of the Proge territory. If the professor and his team were not there, the crew of the Phoenix would proceed to the next planet closer to the core of Proge territory.

  Thanks to the improved FTL drive system, the Phoenix and her crew reached their initial target within two months! As they entered the star system, they began broadcasting a wide frequency hail and identification message to Professor Caulder’s transport vessel. They continued to broadcast during the two hour approach to the Proge planet but with no results.

  The planet they were seeking was fourth from its blue star. More than 80% of the planet was covered by water while the remaining 20% was covered by one large continent and hundreds of smaller, surrounding islands. The atmosphere was composed of an oxygen/nitrogen mixture with the oxygen content just a little higher than that found on Earth. There was evidence of abundant plant and animal life on the land and in the oceans.

  As they neared the planet, Captain Bradley ordered a thorough scan of the planet and nearby space. The scans didn’t pick up signs of a ship, debris in orbit, or the presence of humans in space or on the planet. The scans did find the structures and infrastructure of a vast and ancient city-state that covered more than a quarter of the planet’s single continent. In one structure, an energy field was still in operation.

  Bradley looked over to Caulder at his bridge station. Caulder merely nodded in reply. It was the only clue they had at the moment and it matched the data they had deciphered from the elder Caulder’s e-mails. Ever security conscious, Bradley opted for caution.

  “Okay, put us in a high parking orbit above the energy source. We’ll monitor for any signs of aggression for the next twelve hours. While we’re up here, we’ll identify potential landing sites within hover car distance of the energy source. If no one takes a shot at us after twelve hours, we’ll land the Phoenix and make our way to the energy source,” Bradley said, outlining their course of action before leaning back in his chair to wait.

  The Phoenix pulled into a parking orbit approximately 24,000 miles above the planet’s surface and the location of the energy source. The crew remained on full alert, prepared for a possible attack from the surface but one never came. The ship’s sensors continued to scan the surface, mapping it in great detail.

  Bradley left Jarrod in command while he went off duty for a few hours. Jarrod split his time between monitoring the Phoenix’s status and examining sensor data of the planet below.

  Four hours later, Bradley returned to the bridge. Jarrod reported, “Captain, we’ve found evidence of a vessel’s planetary landing system burn patterns at two sites. Indications are that a ship landed at this site approximately 150 miles from the energy source. It then launched and landed at this second site here closer to the energy source. Since then, it has launched again and is no longer within scanning distance.”

  Bradley looked at the close-up scans then asked, “Either site large enough for us to land the Phoenix?”

  “Yes sir,” Maria Esteban-Smith answered. “The site furthest away from the energy source is large enough. We figure that they used a planetary shuttle to land. According to the records of Professor Caulder’s transport vessel, it was equipped with three such shuttles.”

  Captain Bradley paused for a moment to consider what he’d just heard. Then he looked over to his first officer. “Commander, any indications of threat or changes in that energy signature?”

  Jarrod shook his head and replied, “No, captain. All clear on the threat board. The energy signature has remained constant throughout all of our scans.”

  “Hmmm…” said Bradley. Ever a man of action, the captain hated delaying the inevitable any longer than would be prudent. “Very well. Bring the Phoenix’s PLS online and prepare for de-orbit burn. Notify the crew to prepare for planetary landing.”

  “Aye, sir!” Jarrod responded. He activated his headset microphone and the ship’s intercom system. “Engineering, bring the PLS online. All personnel, prepare for de-orbit burn and planetary landing.”

  “Engineering, aye!” came the response from Commander Huntington-Smythe.

  “Helm, aye!” answered Lieutenant Commander Esteban-Smith from across the bridge.

  “Security copies! Bulkheads secure, weapons systems hot and ready!” replied Lieutenant Commander Gary Petersen.

  The heads of the ship’s other sections responded as well. Within minutes, the Phoenix was ready to make planetfall. Captain Bradley checked the ship’s status on the primary monitor then spoke to his first officer. “Are we ready, commander?”

  Jarrod smiled. He felt that they were getting closer to finding his father. “Aye, sir! Phoenix is ready for planetary landing. Awaiting your order, sir!”

  Bradley nodded. “Let’s see how she handles in atmosphere and if her landing systems work, then! De-orbit burn!”

  “De-orbit burn, aye sir!” said Esteban-Smith. Her fingers flew across her console. She activated the ship’s intercom. “All hands, de-orbit burn in 5…4…3…3…1…now!” She pressed the activation button and the Phoenix’s thrusters came online. “Thrusters working nominally! Orbital altitude beginning to decrease. Two minutes to upper atmosphere!”

  “Very good! Thank you, commander. Ship’s status, Commander Caulder?” Bradley asked.

  “Sir, ship is secure. All systems are green. No threats on the board,” Jarrod Caulder responded. Bradley nodded, leaned back in his seat, and continued to watch the primary monitor. The bridge crew continued to call out the ships status and the ubiquitous litany of repeated commands as they were given.

  “Entering planet’s atmosphere,” Esteban-Smith reported. “Shields in landing mode and hull temperature is nominal. Ship is on ‘glide-path’ to primary landing zone. All systems in the green! Approaching ‘go/no go’ decision point!”

  “GO!” responded Bradley and Caulder simultaneously. The two officers shared a quick grin then turned their attention back to the primary monitor. The view from outside showed light clouds ahead with glimpses of an ocean below. A quick scan of the ship status board showed all was indeed in the green and functioning normally.

  Lieutenant Commander Maria Esteban-Smith suddenly let out a quick cheer. “Sir, Phoenix has completed de-orbit maneuver and has shifted to atmospheric flight mode. Shields are green. Thrusters and guidance are green. We are on course to LZ.”

  Bradley felt like letting out a cheer as well, but felt it would detract from his command presence. Instead, he merely said, “Well done. Let’s get to our LZ and set this ship down then!”

  “Aye, sir!” the members of the bridge crew responded as they went about their duties.

  Land appeared beneath the Phoenix. Esteban-Smith called out, “Transitioning to sub-sonic flight mode. Approaching LZ, 25 miles out. Bringing landing gear system online.” The sound of the massive landing gear extending from the ship’s underbelly could be heard throughout the Phoenix. With loud thumps, they reached full extension and locked in place.

  A moment passed and she spoke again. “LZ in sight. Transitioning to vertical flight mode. Landing gear extended and locked. All systems in the green!”

  The primary monitor showed an ancient but highly advanced city below the Phoenix, spreading out for hundreds of miles in every direction except up. The buildings were incredibly intact for their vast age, the streets were surprisingly clear of debris, dirt, and plant life. Bradley suddenly thought about another old television series his friend, James Rivers, had made him watch recently. It was a documentary series that showed what 21st Century Terran scientists thought might happen over time if humans suddenly vanished from the face of the Earth. He was surprised at the theories presented in the show about how quickly Humankind’s structures and infrastructures would break down and be reclaimed by the Earth. This planet must not have gotten the message! Mac Bradley thought to himself. The infrastructure appears intact…but ther
e are no people!

  Maria Esteban-Smith rotated the Phoenix slightly to orientate it to fit into the landing zone then instructed Phoenix’s flight computer to land the vessel. “We are 100 feet above ground level…75…50…25 feet! Contact lights on all four landing pads. Touchdown! Phoenix has landed, Captain!”

  “Great job, Maria! Smoothest landing I’ve ever seen…or felt! Quick status check for stay/no stay, everyone!” Bradley called out while a large smile played across his face.

  Each section head checked their instruments and reported back that the ship and crew were good to stay on the planet. Once everyone had reported in, Bradley leaned forward in his seat and said, “Okay, shut down PLS; keep emergency launch system hot in case we need to scoot out of here fast. Maintain a constant sensor sweep out to 350 miles. We want to see hostiles before they see us! Check all possible communications frequencies for possible hails. Run shipboard diagnostics on all systems. Engineering, conduct any necessary maintenance as long as it doesn’t violate the safety of the vessel or interfere with an emergency launch. Life sciences, run your scans of the local environment. Security, prep the two hover cars for deployment.”

  Bradley sat back once more and let his crew go about their business. Less than 30 minutes later, the ship was secure: all systems had been checked and were nominal; the external environment, while currently undergoing a wintery phase, was hospitable to humans; and the hover cars were ready to be deployed.

  “Captain,” Jarrod Caulder began, “we picked up a weak homing signal.”

  “From where?” Bradley asked.

  “It seems to originate at the energy source we picked up earlier, sir!” answered Caulder.

  “Any message?”

  “No, sir! Just a ping that repeats every 10 seconds. Obviously designed to get someone’s attention,” answered Caulder. Bradley could tell that Jarrod was eager to get onto the planet’s surface and locate the source of the signal. It might provide clues to Professor Caulder’s location.

  Bradley wanted to track down that signal as much as Caulder did, but he realized that it was late in the afternoon according to ship’s time and apparently very close to sunset local time. It would be more prudent to wait until dawn, let everyone get some rest, and start fresh in the morning.

  “Okay then,” said Bradley. “We’re going to sit here tonight. Planetside Yellow Alert, dorsal shield activated out to 50 yards from the hull of the ship. Everyone grab some chow and we’ll set the night watch. We’ll leave at dawn, taking both hover cars.” With that, he rose from his chair and signaled Jarrod to follow him from the bridge. “Maria, you have the conn until night shift crew relieves you.”

  “Aye, sir!” Maria answered. As Bradley and Caulder stepped into the elevator, she called out, “Captain off the bridge!” Then the elevator doors closed.

  Bradley looked at his first officer. “Jarrod, I know you’re eager to track down that homing beacon and see if it gives us any clues as to your father’s whereabouts. Hell, I’m eager, too! But let’s get some rest, let the crew get some rest, and tackle it first thing in the morning. Okay!”

  “Surprisingly enough, I agree, Mac! It has been a long day and I have to admit…I’m tired,” said Caulder sincerely. “And hungry!”

  Bradley grinned. “Then let’s head to the mess hall and grab a bite, my friend!”

  **********

  The night passed quietly for the crew of the Phoenix. Personnel rotated through monitor and guard duties allowing everyone to have an evening/nighttime meal and to get some sleep. By local dawn, the crew was awake and alert, ready to begin the next phase of their mission.

  Bradley invited his senior officers to have breakfast with him in the vessel’s small wardroom. During the meal, he outlined his plan for the day. A team of Space Marines would deploy in space armor and establish a perimeter around the Phoenix. Once that was accomplished, the two hover cars would be deployed from the scout’s cramped hangar bay.

  Bradley, Caulder, two scientists, and eight security personnel would fly the two hover cars to the site of the energy signature and beacon. While they conducted their investigation, Commander Huntington-Smythe would remain aboard the Phoenix. The vessel would remain on Planetside Yellow Alert with it shields extended out to 50 yards. Launch systems would remain active and ready for an emergency lift-off, if necessary.

  After breakfast, several of Phoenix’s Space Marine stepped out onto the planet’s surface and did a fast sweep out to the edge of the ship’s shields. They planted a series of automated security sensors around the perimeter then signaled the ship and gave the all clear. Bradley ordered a group of Engineering and Security personnel to begin deploying the two hover cars.

  The first hover car deployed perfectly but the second experienced some difficulties. First, its deployment arm failed to operate on the first attempt. Huntington-Smythe ran a quick diagnostic check on the deployment arm, reset its circuit breaker, then triggered the deployment sequence. This time, the arm began lowering the hover car as expected. When the car was roughly three feet above the ground, the front retention clamps opened and the front of the hover car dropped to the ground. The impact was sufficient to crumple a front cowling and bend a left front strut but otherwise the car seemed okay. The arm lowered the rear of the hover car to the ground correctly then released its hold on the vehicle.

  Huntington-Smythe and another engineer did a quick inspection of the second hover car and, finding no other apparent damage, declared it to be operational. By this time, Bradley, Caulder, and the other members of the exploration party were on the planet’s surface, ready to board their vehicles and depart. Each member of the team was armed; Captain Bradley had insisted upon that! The two scientists were equipped with stunner pistols, Bradley and Caulder with pulse beam pistols, and the eight security personnel with pulse beam pistols and rifles!

  Bradley took a moment to speak with Huntington-Smythe and review his standing orders then gave the signal for the team to board their vehicles. Bradley, one of the scientists, and four security team members got in the first hover car, while Caulder and the remaining members of the team climbed into the second one. The two vehicles rose slowly until they hovered 5 feet above the ground then slid quietly toward the edge of the ship’s shields. At Huntington-Smythe’s signal, the Phoenix’s shields were lowered momentarily to allow the two cars to pass then were raised once again.

  Once away from the Phoenix, the two hover cars rose up to 500 feet, spread out about 75 feet apart, and increased their speed. The Proge seemed to have preferred tall buildings with broad boulevards between them and the two hover cars had no difficulty navigating these wide avenues. Their onboard navigation computers were locked onto the beacon’s signal and the hover cars’ radar actively monitored the space around them.

  About 35 minutes later, Jarrod radioed Bradley. “Car Two to Car One! Mac, we’re coming up on the target. ETA approximately three minutes.”

  “Copy that,” Bradley replied.

  “Phoenix copies,” responded Huntington-Smythe. “Be careful!”

  “Yes, Mother!” Bradley answered. “Car Two, we’ll do a lap or two around the target building, scout out the location, and identify possible landing spots. Call out any problems or threats.”

  “Copy that, One!” Caulder replied.

  The two hover cars approached a large open space with a massive, silver-colored step pyramid rising in the center. The pyramid had to stand at least 2,000 feet above ground level at its top and had 20 distinct steps or levels. The two cars swung around the pyramid at a distance of 200 feet from the sides. Caulder double checked to ensure the hover cars were sending back video and scans of the massive structure. Finally, he contacted Phoenix by radio and asked, “Ian, are you receiving this?”

  Huntington-Smythe responded, “Indeed, we are, mate! What a monstrosity!”

  After two passes, Caulder signaled Bradley. “The beacon’s signal is strongest on the west side of the pyramid’s 11th level, about th
e middle of that side.”

  Bradley called back, “Roger that. The step appears to be wide enough for a hover car to land safely with a little extra space to spare. We’ll set down first just north of mid- point while you set down just south of us. Anything happens to us, you break off and head back to Phoenix!”

  “Will do!” replied Caulder and nodded to the security specialist who was flying the vehicle. Hover Car Two swung away from the pyramid then turned, decelerated, and went into a hover where the occupants could watch the first car’s approach and landing. Hover Car One approached the pyramid slowly, slightly above the 11th step. Its speed decreased and it sank slowly towards the wide step. Bradley, who was piloting that car, brought it into position just north of the center of the step then lowered it gently the last three feet. Contact!

  Bradley and his team disembarked from their hover car and stood between it and the pyramid wall. They looked along the wall for evidence of a door but couldn’t find one. Bradley and two security personnel went in one direction while Commander M’kntyr, the scientist, and the other security specialist went in the opposite direction. They walked along the step of the pyramid, examining the vertical wall for evidence of an opening. Reaching the far corner of that side of the pyramid, Bradley commed Caulder in Hover Car Two.

  “Jarrod, we have found neither hide nor hair of an entrance on this side of the pyramid. Are you sure it’s here?” he asked Caulder.

  Caulder responded, “The beacon signal is originating on this side at this level. An opening has to be there…somewhere!”

  A moment passed then Bradley replied to Caulder. “Okay, c’mon in! It seems safe enough. Park your car about 30 feet from Hover Car One. M’kntyr, you and your team return to the center of this step. We’ll meet you there soon!”

  “Roger your last,” Caulder responded.