“Are you going to tell me my feelings are compromising my ability to command?” said John.
“That’s something a TERRA officer would say,” said Alex’sis. “I’ve had the fortune to work under your command. You’ve dispelled so many notions of what it means to be a ship commander. TERRA would say you’re allowing your feelings to blind you. I say you’re being true to yourself. You’re an enigma, captain. You’re true to your feelings and somehow are able to use them to command effectively.”
Alex’sis patted his arm. “I’m truly sorry about the Volux. But there are billions who are counting on us. Not just our people, but the other races who live in this part of space.”
“I tried telling myself that,” said John. “But every morning when I looked at myself in the mirror, all I can see are the innocent Volux who died. They didn’t have a say in their destiny. I wasn’t responsible for what happened to them, but why did I have to be a part of their downfall?”
“I wish I had an answer for that,” said a sympathetic Alex’sis. “But I don’t. But don’t let your guilt over this sidetrack you. There are a lot of people depending on you.”
John looked out the window and saw the sun beginning to peak over the horizon. “Looks like morning’s coming. It really is beautiful out there.” The Onixins had built a paradise on their world. John might not have been able to save the Volux, but he would do whatever he could to protect the Onixins.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
PHOENIX was in Plein’s orbit for the last couple of weeks. Relations with the Onixins were going well, so much so that John expected the other shoe to drop, but it didn’t. The Onixins who visited the ship were fascinated by human and Aldarian cultures, and the crew members who spent time on Plein were equally fascinated by their hosts and their world. By the end of the first week most of the shops on PHOENIX were selling items acquired through trade with the Onixins.
John maintained contact with the Onixin council on a daily basis. They were willing to assist PHOENIX in their efforts against the Screen, but as the council pointed out, they had no military space fleet. After the quadrin accident all research and development on starship construction was abandoned, leaving the Onixins with nothing more than aging freighters for their merchants to operate. The council did offer to allow some of their scientists and military people to relocate to PHOENIX to assist in looking for the Screen. As tempting as it was for John, he declined the offer. If the Screen learned some Onixins were on board, they might retaliate and attack Plein. The Onixin’s land based military would be helpless against an orbital bombardment.
In science lab four on PHOENIX, a team of Onixin and ship scientists were working together in analyzing the sensor data from the quadrin accident. Alex’sis had become the unofficial leader of the group, coordinating their efforts. She had spent a lot of time with Drix learning about Cresorian computer science and wanted to use the knowledge to try and uncover anything that might be buried in the data. For Drix, he was impressed how well Alex’sis was applying his teachings.
“You weren’t kidding when you said Onixin scanning technology wasn’t sophisticated,” said Alex’sis. Even before the enhancements Drix made to the sensors, they were far more advanced than Onixin sensor technology. It was amazing, considering the remarkable rate at which Onixins could construct buildings and vehicles on the planet.
“It is one of the reasons why Onixin freighters have succumbed to Screen attacks more frequently,” said Drix. “By the time they pick up a vessel it is too late to jump to safety.”
“Lieutenant Brandus,” said Borin, one of the quadrin scientists. “Your ship computer indicates the data is ninety percent scrubbed. We should be able to analyze it in a few minutes.”
“Bob and Malory are finishing sensor calibration,” said Alex’sis. “So we’ll be ready to scan the data immediately.”
“I want to thank you for all that you have done for us,” said Borin.
“If the Screen had anything to do with the accident, I want to expose it,” said Alex’sis. “They’ve done enough to try and keep my race from exploring space. I don’t want them doing that to your people.”
Borin nodded and returned to his station.
“Given that the Screen has interfered with humans and may have interfered with the Onixins, I am beginning to wonder if the Screen may be responsible for the plight of my people,” said Drix.
“Have you rechecked your ship’s database?” asked Alex’sis. Drix had said the history of his people were embedded in all Cresorian vessels.
“I did and there is no specific information regarding the catastrophe that befell the Cresorian homeworld. All I found was an entry that states the Cresorian will know their enemy when they look upon the face.”
“That’s pretty cryptic,” said Alex’sis. “Why wouldn’t whoever created the database simply say who the enemy is?”
“Legend says the database was created by the last Cresorians who remained on the homeworld,” said Drix. “As to why no specifics was included in the message, I do not know.”
“Lieutenant,” said Malory, one of the computer technicians. “We’re all set.”
“Ok everybody,” announced Alex’sis. “Take your places at your stations and let’s get started.”
The team got situated, with Drix remaining with Alex’sis at her station. Everyone began running the data through various sensor parameters, scrutinizing every second of data that was collected the day of the accident.
“There, right there,” pointed out Bob from his station. “I’m picking up a minute power spike in grid B-16 of the complex.”
“That could be from the rerouting of power in the energy grid network,” said Borin.
“Let’s verify that’s all it is,” said Alex’sis.
After twenty minutes of reviewing the data, Alex’sis heart jumped.
“It can’t be,” said the operations officer.
“It appears our suspicions have been proven correct,” said Drix.
“Malory…,” started Alex’sis, but he already anticipated what she would say.
“I’ve confirmed the data’s integrity,” said Malory. “It’s right.”
“We need to inform the captain and council,” said Alex’sis.
Later that afternoon, John was sitting in the board room with Julie and Ogo. Displayed on the wall monitor was the other four members of the Onixin council. They listened as Alex’sis, Drix, and Borin presented the results of their investigation.
“The power spike was very small, one that wasn’t picked up by the Onixin sensors,” explained Alex’sis. “We tracked the source from an airlock to the central quadrin core.”
“The anomaly did not travel along the same path of the facility energy network,” said Borin. “The rate of its path was inconsistent. We overlaid the schematics of the complex and found the power spike was traveling within the corridors.”
“Meaning?” asked John.
“Someone carried it through the complex,” clarified Drix.
“Is that even possible?” asked John to Ogo.
“Based on our security procedures, it is highly unlikely,” said Ogo. “However, as none of us were on the council at that time we can only go on the documentation.”
“We verified the number of life signs in the complex,” said Alex’sis. “The data’s too degraded to identify the specific species. But we checked the work records and found one more life sign was in the complex than what the records show. The data shows a life sign on top of the energy spike, reinforcing that it was carried in.”
“The anomaly was taken to the main quadrin core room, where the explosion started,” said Borin. “The explosion was initiated at the same time all of the energy network seals were opened. There was no way to contain the explosion at that point. Speaker, analysis of the residual quadrin shows the energy source was stable. Someone sabotaged our tests and made it look like the quadrin was volatile.”
“I’d like to blame the Screen,” said J
ohn. “But there’s no evidence they’re responsible.”
“Actually, there is,” said Alex’sis. “Computer, bring up orbital sensor probe Kresil Four.” A holographic image of Kresil and the surrounding space appeared over the table. “Right there, at grid A-13.”
“I don’t see anything,” said Julie.
“Me neither,” added John.
“I do,” said Ogo. “It is very faint, but I do see an outline.”
“Borin spotted it too,” said Alex’sis. “Apparently, Onixin eyesight is sharper than humans and Cresorian. Computer, highlight the object and identify.”
A white line encircled the object. John and Julie didn’t need to wait for the computer to identify it. The triangular shape was all they needed to know.
“Based on encountered vessels, object is consistent with a Screen fighter type craft,” stated the computer.
“We verified the data several times and sent our analysis to the science institute,” said Borin. “They are in agreement with our findings.”
“Our predecessors did nothing that would warrant such an aggressive act against our people,” said Guigrintitar.
“You had a potent energy source that you weren’t willing to trade,” said John. “The Screen couldn’t risk you creating a viable space fleet that could rival or surpass them.”
“All these cycles we thought it was our own fault that cause the disaster,” said Trintio. “We were fooled by treachery.”
“The council must convene a meeting with the regional representatives immediately,” said Ugunomar. “The people must know what was done to us.”
“Agreed,” said Ogo.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” asked Julie.
“Commander, it is because of your crew that the truth was revealed,” said Ogo. “I speak for the council when I say we will resume quadrin development. We will restart our production facilities on Kresil and begin preparations for the construction of starships.”
That was the answer John was hoping to hear. He handed Ogo a DAT. “The information on this contains the schematics of our sensor technology. It should help your freighters currently in service better elude the Screen when traveling through space.”
“There are no words that can express our gratitude,” said Vinvitti. “Whatever resources we have are yours.
“We appreciate the offer,” said John. “But PHOENIX will need to depart soon.”
“I was going to ask if you could assist us with reactivating the Kresil facility,” said Ogo.
“We would if we could,” said John. “But the longer we stay the greater the risk of the Screen becoming aware of our presence here. We can serve your people better by resuming our journey and finding new information about the Screen.”
“Any new information we gain we’ll pass onto you,” said Julie.
“I understand, captain,” said Ogo as he stood up. “You have made a friend of the Onixin people. I will have our procurement division contact you and deliver any supplies you may need. It is the least we can do for your help.”
John wanted take the opportunity to cement a formal alliance with the Onixins, but he couldn’t do it now. The Onixins had no military fleet and were vulnerable to attack if the Screen learned of such an alliance. And after what happened with the Volux, John knew he had to tread carefully.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Morning, doc,” said John as he entered the medical bay. Doctor Myers asked the captain to swing by on his way to the command deck this morning.
“Captain, do you mind if we take a walk?” asked Myers.
“Sure, you can walk with me to the command deck,” said John. The doctor didn’t say anything until they were out of medical.
“I finished conducting physicals on the entire crew using our enhanced medical scanners,” said Myers. “I found six more individuals with sneak implants.” Sneaks were nano-sized devices used to disguise a person’s true genetic makeup. Sneaks were widely used by descendents of holocaust survivors who wanted to serve in TERRA or live on Luna or Mars. By law, no one with genetic deformities was permitted to leave Earth in order to ensure they received the best medical care.
“There’s nothing in the ship’s database to indicate Admiral Johnson knew about this,” said John. “And I believe Kevin when he said he had no idea he had an implant.” Kevin Jacobson was the first person Myers found with an implant. The navigation officer was adamant that he never knew of the implant inside him.
“I’ve already apprised the other six about their implants,” said Myers. “I did tell them that I would be bringing this to you.”
“If it was even an option, I’d take them back to Earth,” said John. “Have you found any indication that any one of them requires extensive medical care?”
“No,” said Myers. “One does have diminished eye sight and another is prone to skin rashes, but nothing that prevents them from doing their duties.”
“Then as far as I’m concerned it’s a non-issue,” said John. “They’re stuck on this ship until we return home.”
“You said there’s no evidence Admiral Johnson knew of these people’s conditions,” said Myers. “But it’s difficult to imagine seven people with sneaks got past all of the security checks at the EXODUS Project.”
“Good point,” said John. “From everything I’ve read and heard about the admiral, he had a tight control on the project. It’s hard to fathom he’d let something like this happen. When we get back to Earth, we can ask him.”
“Have you talked about Kevin with Commander Olson?”
“No, and I won’t bring up the others to her either. This is a medical issue that’s to stay between the doctor and his patients. Treat them as you see fit.”
“Thank you, captain,” said Myers. He was impressed how the young captain was handling the situation. Despite his personal feelings, John thought about the issue carefully and came up with a solution that, although he may not agree with, made sense given the circumstances.
“Maybe you should do a study on these individuals,” said John. “See if their conditions have an impact on them living in space.”
“It would be the first such study,” said Myers, intrigued about being the first to conduct an analysis on the subject.
Up on the command deck, Kevin was monitoring the ship’s progression through its jump as Alex’sis was scanning the space they were passing through. At the communications station, Julie was playing matchmaker with Bret.
“She runs the market, I’m a comm. officer,” said Bret. “We have nothing to talk about.”
Julie wasn’t about to take no for an answer. “Opposites get along great. Look, Valerie keeps asking about you every time I go shopping there. Give it a shot; one date isn’t going to hurt.”
“I’ve never spoken to her,” said Bret.
“That’s because you have all your groceries delivered,” said Kevin, who was listening to their conversation.
Bret shot him a nasty look. “You’re not helping. Commander, going out with her would be like a blind date. I tried that once and it didn’t turn out well.”
“How about if we do a double-date?” offered Julie.
“Who do you have in mind? You and the captain?”
“Not in this lifetime,” replied Julie with a disgusted look on her face. They may be friends now, but Julie never considered John in any romantic aspect. “I’ll ask Professor Nimix from the oceanography department.” Julie and the professor had maintained a good friendship since their time together on the Aldarian homeworld and had gone out together several times.
“Alright, commander,” said Bret as his console beeped. “You set up the time and place and I’ll be there.”
“Good,” said Julie. “What do you have?”
Bret checked his console. “I’m picking up what appears to be a transmission.”
“I’ve got it on sensors,” said Alex’sis. “It’s coming from a nearby star system with six planetary bodies. The signal’s coming from the
orbit of the fifth planet.”
“I’m not picking up any audible words in the transmission,” reported Bret. “Just a lot of static.”
“Lieutenant Jacobson, exit jump and alter course to the fifth planet of the system,” ordered Julie as she joined Alex’sis at the operations table.
“I’m not picking up any Screen vessels or energy transmissions,” said Alex’sis.
“Keep your eyes out, just in case,” advised Julie.
PHOENIX entered the star system and was soon orbiting the fifth planet. It didn’t take long to identify the source of the transmission.
“It looks like a satellite,” said Bret as the image displayed over the table. The object was rectangular with two wings protruding from it.
“I’m not picking up any sort of weapons on it,” reported Alex’sis.
Kevin tracked the object’s path at his station. “The object’s within five thousand kilometers.”
“Fire thrusters and maintain distance from it,” ordered Julie.
“I’m picking up increased transmissions from the object,” said Alex’sis. “Some sort of polaron emission.”
“Raise shields,” ordered Julie. She wasn’t about to let an unknown object try to probe the ship.
“Shields not responding,” announced Alex’sis. All of the sudden the lights on all the stations began blinking on and off.
“Drix to command deck. We’re picking up a polaron field penetrating all computer systems. Recommend…pphhxxz…”
“Whatever it’s doing, it’s affecting all our systems,” said Kevin.
“Target the object and destroy it,” ordered Julie.
“Automatic targeting offline,” said Alex’sis. She quickly bypassed the computer and initiated manual control of one of the plasma weapons.
Suddenly, the ship rocked violently and people were knocked off their feet. “Ecerson to command deck. We’ve lost thruster control.”
Phoenix In Chaos (Exodus) Page 7