Wings of Steele - Destination Unknown (Book 1)

by Burger, Jeffrey

  Maria snorted. "Somebody's been watching too many sci-fi movies..."

  "And yet here we are...” said Jack, shooting her the evil-eye. “You got a better explanation... Ms. I Know Everything 'cause I'm a Harvard graduate?"

  "Well, no, but..."

  "Hey, do you think he knows we're here?" interrupted Mike.

  "I don't know, ask him." Jack said flippantly, not wanting to be interrupted when he was poking fun at Maria.

  "Ok." Mike Warren proceeded to address the automaton controlling the platform and was startled, along with everyone else to receive an answer. It spoke in a low voice, remarkably clear and human, but in a tongue foreign to the group. Its photoreceptor glowed brightly in the dark and glanced at each person in turn, leaving no one out, as it conversed, using its single hand for expressive gestures. After a time it fell silent but remained animated, watching the riders and making an occasional short observation.

  Robot, platform, riders and cargo, glided smoothly and quietly through the seemingly endless darkness, the only constant noise being the rubberized tracks of the robot rolling against the floor. It was probably a good thing that the containers on which everyone sat were sealed, otherwise their overwhelming curiosity would have forced them to become impolitely nosy.

  They all seemed to notice, that wherever it was they were headed, it was getting lighter. Ahead could be seen giant columns and Jack wished the automaton spoke an intelligible language so they could find out where they were headed and if Fritz had been seen. Curiously, the unfamiliar surroundings, however alien, seemed too unreal - like a Hollywood movie set, to provoke any real feelings of fear.

  As they neared the columns, it became evident that they weren't really columns after all, but towering stacks of bins and containers. Their mechanical escort spoke, pointing at the aisles as if to explain their significance, oblivious to the fact that his riders hadn't the foggiest idea what he was saying.

  Brian whispered to Jack, "What is this thing, a reject from the tour guide factory?"

  Jack shushed his copilot. "We don't understand him, but he might understand us. So let's not upset him, shall we?"

  Nearing the entrance to the aisles, the robot slowed its platform to better navigate the narrow aisle clearance. It spoke to its riders, waving its arm expressively, which they finally understood to mean; all arms and legs inside. When they complied with this request, the satisfied automaton resumed its previous speed, slowing only at aisle intersections to check for traffic. The light was better here, and they could see the racks of containers, towering to the ceiling far above them. In the limited light, the aisles stretched almost as far as the eye could see, a truly impressive sight. Twice while passing an intersection, they caught a glimpse of other machines, down other aisles, going about their duties.

  Coming to another junction, the machine slowed, then turned right down a larger aisle, promptly spilling Maria and Mike Warren onto the floor. Motors whirring to a stop, the machine voiced an apology and waved the lost riders back aboard the platform. Picking their carbines up off the floor, Mike and Maria scrambled back aboard the transport.

  Squeaking its rubber treads on the floor, the mechanized driver resumed its task, accelerating smoothly to a speed faster than before, presumably to make up for lost time. In less than a minute, a large octagonal door loomed ahead. The automaton slowed the transport platform to a stop just short of the door. Next to them stood a control pod on a pedestal.

  "What now," whispered Paul.

  Jack shrugged, "Stay put, can't really do anything else, besides he's done alright for us so far."

  The robot reached out with its arm and fingered the keyboard on the control pod. With a loud hiss, the massive door split down the middle and slid open. A whoosh of sweet, fresh air, flooding through to greet them, solicited oohs and aahs from the riders.

  Passing slowly through the doorway, the transport and its riders entered a softly, but well-lit corridor.

  Mike Warren leaned forward, "Did you see those doors?" he said in a hushed voice.

  Jack adjusted the carbine resting in his lap, "Yeah they're pretty thick, probably like a fire door or something."

  Pappy rubbed his forehead, "Fire door? Man, I've seen smaller blast doors in missile silos."

  The smooth hallway floor was thoroughly streaked with rubber marks from the caterpillar treads of assorted automatons.

  "Think this is a service corridor?"

  Jack shook his head, "I don't know, Bri, the whole thing could look like this. We haven't seen anything but robots so far and not even many of them."

  "I don't know if I want to see anything else," said Maria reverently.

  The big door swished closed behind the group. A corridor stretched out on either side of them, but the automaton moved the transport platform straight across into a short hallway with another octagon at the end. This door hissed open automatically. The robot entered without hesitation and the door hissed shut behind them, enclosing them in a room barely large enough to fit the machine and its load. Jack had fully expected the door in front of them to open as well, but since it hadn't, they were trapped.

  The room was so small, there was no room to even get off the platform. "I don't have a good feeling about this..." said Brian, his voice uneasy.

  Jack didn't like it either, but wasn't about to show his concern. So sarcasm seemed the best answer. "And here we have the voice of the eternal optimist," he said with a wave of his hand.

  "Oh that’s just great, Jack," said Maria in a snit, "they have us in a potential trap and you're making jokes."

  "And now we have the calm voice of reason!" Ooh, I like that one, he thought with a smirk. "And just who might they be?"

  "Oooohhhh!" she growled, her fists clenched. Jack made mocking faces at her, fully enjoying the result of his antagonistic efforts. "STOP IT, STOP IT!" she screamed, "you're driving me crazy!"

  Pappy had more than he could take, "Both of you stop, or I'll shoot the two of you! Christ, don't you ever give it a rest? You two are worse than a couple of children! What the hell is wrong with you?"

  The normally under-control pilot, inhaled deeply and adjusted his composure before continuing. "Now, while you two were practicing your attempts at verbal homicide, you probably failed to notice we are actually on an elevator... going up I believe." He glanced at Brian who confirmed this with a nod. "So let's show some decorum, shall we? I don't want to be standing next to two raving lunatics if perchance, someone happens to greet us at the door."

  They sat quietly, if not a bit on edge, waiting for the lift to reach its destination. Progress was slow, presumably because it was a freight elevator and not built for speed. When the lift hummed to a stop at its appointed level, the five riders were united and ready to meet whatever fate had dealt them. Prepared for the worst, they crouched along the walls, facing the door at the front of the elevator, weapons ready for whomever might be on the other side. After a short pause that seemed extensive, the door hissed open automatically to reveal an empty corridor, the group released a collective sigh of relief.

  Shooing the people off its transport platform with a lone hand, their mechanical tour guide pointed the way down the corridor, explaining the desired route, and that he needed to leave them to complete his delivery. Jack nor his companions understood more than the fact that they were now on their own. Standing in the empty corridor, they said goodbye to the helpful automaton, who gave a hearty wave before the door whooshed shut, leaving them feeling lost and alone.

  This part of the ship looked much different, the corridors, thickly carpeted, looked warm and livable. Where walls met ceiling and floor, the surfaces curved rather than meeting at right angles. There were no sharp corners at intersecting corridors, walls were he
avily padded and they curved around. All doorways were still octagonal, but, were inset almost two feet and luxuriously padded. Colors were in pleasant shades of blue-gray and charcoal. Lighting was good but soft and easy on the eyes.

  "Well, this sure looks like it's set up for some kind of habitation, what do you think?" said Pappy shouldering his carbine casually.

  "Yep... and five-star accommodations by the looks of it," commented Jack, brushing his hair back one-handed. "Think it could be... maybe, a pleasure liner or something?"

  "I never thought I'd say this, but at this point, I wouldn't doubt anything," said Pappy shaking his head.

  Brian shrugged, "I stopped thinking an hour ago, I was getting a headache."

  They looked at Warren who threw up his free hand, "I'm just along for the ride," he said, smiling weakly. He hugged the carbine with crossed arms, "So, now what?"

  "Voices!" whispered Maria.

  "We hide!" whispered Jack motioning around the corner.

  They waited until the voices disappeared before peeking down the corridor, it was empty. "We'd better start moving, we're not accomplishing anything this way."

  "Exactly what are we trying to accomplish Jack?"

  “Well Ms. Arroyo, when I figure it out, I'll let you know. Let's go."

  They filed down the corridor, in the direction given them by the automaton. Hugging the walls, the explorers would shrink into doorways for cover whenever they heard voices near intersections. They had covered quite a distance, and so far their luck was holding out. They seemed to be on a level primarily made up of sleeping quarters and suites. The traffic the companions encountered was fairly light. They were all dying for a peek to see just exactly who or what was roaming the halls, but their need for secrecy was paramount and they dared not risk revealing themselves.

  "Ok, it's clear, let's go."

  The group exited the doorway in single file and raced across the intersecting walkway. Passing several more doorways, they came upon a rather wide but short corridor, richly appointed and decorated. Jack and Pappy ventured a quick look and found a huge door at the end, similar in size to the very first door they had passed through with the robot. The exception was, this one was lavished with intricate designs, gilded in what looked to be gold. They stood wide-eyed, staring at the extravagant show of wealth and design which seemed so inconsistent with what they had observed so far. Momentarily forgetting themselves, Mike, Brian and Maria, also crowded around to gawk at the intricate gold inlay.

  The door split down the middle and swooshed open without warning, catching the five gawkers off-guard. They stumbled and fell trying to clear the corner before being seen. "C'mon, c'mon, move it." Steele growled, dragging Maria by the arm and trying not to fall on her.

  Loud, intense, rhythmic music, poured through the open doorway, flooding the corridor. Revelers streamed into the hallway, singing and dancing, presumably returning to their rooms, drinks in hand. Their voices preceded them as their mass dispersed and filtered down different corridors, laughing and carousing.

  "Casino?" asked Pappy in hushed tones, as the five explorers huddled in the recessed doorway.

  "Could be. Sounds like a nightclub to me," whispered Jack. It was then he realized several partiers were headed down their corridor. "Shit, shit, shit!"

  "What do we do now, genius?" hissed Maria.

  Five people tried to force themselves into a corner of the entryway and become invisible, Brian played with the entry's keypad, "Maybe we can get in..." He had always been good with gadgets. "Be patient."

  "Patient..? Patient..? Are you nuts..? they're right on top of us, hurry the hell up!" Maria hissed again.

  "Don't rush me..." said Brian coolly, "these things take time." He'd removed the cover and was pursuing a trial and error/educated guess method, of finding the right circuit to open the door.

  The alien partiers were so close Jack could swear he smelled the air of alcohol, he switched off the safety on the carbine, not sure whether he would use it or not... "Anytime now would be nice Bri..."

  "Wwooooaaaaahhhhh..!"

  Jack, Pappy, Mike, Brian and Maria tumbled simultaneously backwards through the door as it slid open. Sliding closed automatically, it left them laying on top of one another in a semi-darkened room.

  "So, how's that for timing?" asked Brian, grinning to himself in the darkness.

  "Just fine..." Maria gasped, "now would you mind getting off of me?"

  "Sorry."

  "I hope this isn't their room..." said Jack, listening at the door on his hands and knees, " Hmmm... well, I guess we're Ok for now." Sitting with his back against the door, Jack stretched his legs to relax.

  "Were you really gonna' use that thing?" asked Maria, pointing to the M1 in Steele's lap.

  "I don't know..." said Jack winking at Paul Smiley, "it depends on how bug-eyed ugly and slimy they were." The two men laughed, primarily to irritate Maria... it worked. She sat quietly, sulking.

  "We could use some light," said Mike, standing. The room grew perceptibly lighter as he said it. "Wow, did you see that?" They verbally played with the lights, exploring their new discovery. The room was fairly sizable and well laid out. It had all the standard features one might expect of a fine hotel suite on earth, except the architecture was completely foreign in style. Every surface was either padded or curved, and no corners existed anywhere. Coupled with the shades of gray color scheme and no windows, the occupant got the feeling of inhabiting a plush cave. All in all, the effect was very pleasing and comfortable.

  "Paul, you ready to do some exploring?"

  "Sure Jack, what'cha got in mind?"

  "Well, maybe Brian can get the door to function on command..." Brian nodded, "and we can come and go at will, y'know, scope things out."

  "You want to look for your dog."

  "Yeah well, it did cross my mind, but I figure food is important and maybe we can figure out if the natives are friendly or not. In any case, it would be easiest in singles or pairs, because keeping five people from being seen is just too much."

  "It would also give some of us a chance to rest while others are out..." explained Maria.

  "Right, so it's settled then, Paul and I are going out for a bit, Bri'll rig the door console and you three can catch some shut-eye."

  Jack and Pappy decided to leave the carbines behind, feeling they might be a burden to stealth or a hasty retreat if needed. Jack hoped this would not prove to be a mistake.

  Brian removed the door's control pad from the interior wall, "Hold on, I'll have this open in a jiffy..." He worked with the circuitry, "Ahh, here's the little rascal..." the door swished open.

  The two security ops officers, standing on the other side of the door, were as surprised as the five people standing inside the suite to actually be face to face with someone. Jack moved out of reflex and instinct rather than conscious thought. Feinting to the right and dropping into a combat stance, Steele had drawn the 1911 before the two security people could comprehend the action.

  Pappy had no room to move in the doorway and so remained motionless, but Mike Warren had managed to bring the muzzle of his carbine to bear, past his Flight Leader's shoulder. He clicked off the safety and watched one of the ship's security officers shift her eyes to his.

  The officers were holding their own weapons but made no attempt to bring them up to action, which was the single reason they remained alive. Jack had thumbed off the safety on the 1911 as he drew and his icy stare told the security officer any hasty movement would mean her death.

  Time seemed to be frozen, and for a while, no one moved or spoke.

  This gave everyone a moment to take a breath and absorb what they were seeing. The two security ops officers, had seen humans befo
re and knew them to be, what they were; kind and compassionate, but cunning... and fiercely dangerous if challenged. Jack and his group, however, had never seen an outworlder and no amount of sci-fi movie-going could have prepared them for this stranger than fiction reality. Raulya and her companion Myomerr, also a female, were members of a bipedal feline race, from a world known as Ketarus III. Raulya, standing in front of Jack, was an inch short of six feet tall... and the taller of the two Ketarians. Other than their tails and ears, Raulya and Myomerr were very human-like in physical shape, especially since they no longer had full body fur like their ancestors.

  Raulya had a thick, golden mane of hair sweeping across her shoulders and down her back. Wild curls hung in her face and fell across her furless chest. Soft wisps of gold and chocolate striped fur stretched from her mane and dissipated at her cheekbones. Her yellow-green eyes gazed back at Jack intently while her little black nose twitched with curiosity. Raulya's tongue darted out to lick her dry lips, lips as human as Jack had ever kissed. Myomerr's mane and sparse fur, were charcoal gray with black stripes, her eyes a shiny platinum color. Both Myomerr and Raulya wore a smart light gray uniform made of a clingy material which showed off their sleek, muscular bodies.

  No one had moved for nearly half a minute, which can seem like an eternity when standing on the brink of death. Raulya could tell Jack's eyes were no longer seeing her as a target but seeing her as a living, breathing, feeling being. She would not foolishly take this as a weakness but rather a strength of character.

  The Ketarian slowly lowered her hand weapon, a small disruptor pistol, and let it drop to the floor. Myomerr, who had been watching out of the corner of her eye, did likewise, with reluctance, but trusted her partner's judgment. They were both relieved to see Jack's finger slide off the trigger of his firearm.

  Raulya took a deep breath and then spoke. Steele found the sound of her voice pleasing but, of course, didn't understand the tongue, as was the same with his companions. Raulya watched the humans exchange odd glances and realized they must not be wearing discs.