John made a hasty exit, but Chris was right on his tail.
“Captain, wait a minute!”
“Not now, Chris.”
“Admiral Johnson killed someone. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“I said not now.”
“The hell not now!” John’s behavior was puzzling. Chris didn’t understand why the captain wasn’t acting upset about the dead geologist.
John stopped and turned around. The look on his face gave him away.
“You know something,” said Chris. “Something about the admiral. That’s why you didn’t act surprised when the doctor said it was his DNA.”
“Chris, I don’t want to say anything that’ll change your opinion of the admiral.”
“It’s too late for that. You have to tell me.”
“It’s about my sister. Julie never told you how she died.”
“No, she said the decrypted files never said how she passed away.”
“Admiral Johnson killed her.”
The news struck Chris like a blow. “No, that can’t be.”
“It’s true,” said John. “He did it to ensure I would command PHOENIX. That’s why I wasn’t surprised back there.”
Chris leaned up against the wall. Admiral Johnson had such an influence on Chris, bringing him to the EXODUS Project and allowing the singer to escape his past.
“Your reaction is why I couldn’t tell you,” said John. “You and the crew admired the admiral as this great visionary. As mad as I was for what he did to me, I couldn’t tell anyone and have his reputation tarnished. I’d be taking something away from the crew.”
“You’re never going to let them know what he did to your sister?” asked Chris. John only nodded his head. “What about that woman lying back there?”
“Same with her,” said John. “The crew can’t learn about it. But once we complete our mission and get back to Earth, then I don’t give a damn who knows.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I can’t let him get away with what he did to my sister.”
“Meaning?” pressed Chris.
“I don’t know,” said a flustered John.
Chris looked at John. “Bullshit! I can see it in your eyes. You know exactly what you’re going to do to him.”
John turned away from his friend. “Ensure that the technicians keep their mouths shut.”
“Captain, there’s more to why the admiral killed the geologist and your sister,” said Chris, grabbing him by the shoulder.
“Don’t.” There was something sinister and haunting in John’s voice that made Chris release his grip. “When the time comes, you don’t want to get in my way.”
John walked away from the dumbfounded singer. There’s was more to this story, something about the admiral John wasn’t saying. But it was clear John wasn’t going to be forthright about what it could be.
A transport shuttle carried two teams of ten to the station, escorted by two pile-drivers. When the transport landed in the station’s hangar bay, Alex’sis’ team headed to the operations center and Drix took his team to sweep the station for survivors.
Alex’sis brought Doctor Myers on her team. If Malnygun was still on board and hurt, the doctor was reasonably confident he could treat the alien. The team took a lift directly to the top level. When the lift opened, the security officers exited first as Alex’sis and Myers stayed back.
“All clear, but we got a body over here,” announced Chief Davers.
Myers rushed out of the lift with Alex’sis right behind him. Lying face down was the station’s facilitator. Myers began scanning the alien, who’s once blue skin was now black.
“Shouldn’t we turn him on his back?” asked Alex’sis.
“There’s no need,” said Myers. “He’s dead.”
So Drix was right. As long as the station could support life Malnygun would stay on board. Alex’sis went over to the control area and activated the computers, looking for any information about the Screen attack.
“Was he killed by the Screen?” Davers asked Myers.
“He wasn’t killed by any energy weapon,” said Myers. “His body is riddled with multiple stab wounds.”
“How come there’s no blood?” asked one of the security officers.
“I’m showing the gelatinous liquid that functions for blood is still in his body,” said Myers. “It’s possible his species doesn’t bleed like humans when stabbed or cut.”
Alex’sis rejoined the pair. “The station’s computer has been completely wiped. Looks like the Screen didn’t want any record of their attack remaining behind.”
“Why would the Screen attack the station?” said Davers.
Alex’sis was equally stumped by the question. “I don’t know. According to the aliens we spoke with last time we were here, the Screen never attacked the station directly. Something’s changed with them.” She didn’t want to say it aloud, but Alex’sis wondered if it had to do with the PHOENIX. “Alex’sis to Drix, what’s your status?”
“We finished our search of the station, Alex’sis Lieutenant, and found no survivors. The memory cores of all computer terminals have been erased. It appears the station was evacuated in a hurry. There are a lot of trade goods that were left behind.”
“We found Malnygun and he’s dead,” said Alex’sis. “We’ll return to the shuttle with him.”
“Should we take any of the merchandise?” said Davers. “There may be something we could use.”
“No,” replied Alex’sis. “We won’t take advantage of the station’s misfortune.”
“I agree,” said Drix. “We will meet you back at the shuttle.”
“Drix,” said Myers. “Are you familiar with any rites regarding how Malnygun’s race treat their dead?”
“No, Myers Doctor. Any such information would have been in the station computer.”
Myers looked at the security detail. “See if you can find a sheet we can wrap our friend in.”
The teams returned to PHOENIX, but the fighter squadrons continued their patrols for any sign of the Screen. The senior staff gathered in the board room to update each other on the latest development on and off the ship.
“I’ll have to conduct a full autopsy to confirm Malnygun’s death,” said Myers, finishing up his report. “But the cause of death is probably a homicide.”
“I wonder if it’s standard procedure for the Screen to assault their victims with stabbing weapons rather than energy guns?” said Davers.
“Unlikely,” said Julie. “Their body armor have built in energy guns attached on the arms. That would lead one to conclude they prefer to use energy weapons.”
“I have a theory,” said Kevin.
“What is it?” asked John.
“By killing Malnygun the way they did, they’re trying to conceal who murdered him.”
“That makes sense,” said Myers. “Forensics did not find any evidence that the Screen was present in the operations center.”
“Right,” continued Kevin. “The station probably recorded the attack, but the Screen erased all the computers. All we have are residual emissions that Screen ships were in the area.”
“Which our scientists report there’s evidence the Screen tried to erase those trails,” added Julie.
“The Screen have never shown any interest in hiding their attacks,” said Thresha. “Why start now?”
“This behavior is contrary to Screen behavior,” said Drix
“And why not occupy the station?” added Alex’sis. “It’d make a great military installation.”
“We still don’t know what ultimately motivates the Screen to do what they do,” said John. “Drix, is there any way to recover the erased data from the station’s computers?”
“No, John Captain,” replied Drix. “The computers are designed to make erasing the memory cores extremely difficult. Once deleted, the data is permanently lost and the cores rendered unusable.”
“The Screen may not be able to use t
he station, but they made sure no one else can use it either,” said Myers.
“So what do we do?” asked Bret.
“There’s not much more we can do,” said John. “We’ll apprise the Onixin, Senfo, Quix, and Ni of what’s occurred here. The Onixins may want us to conduct long range scans of any of their freighters that may have been here during the attack. As for the station, we’ll leave it as is. If Malnygun’s race built it, they may come here to claim it with another facilitator.”
“That’s if Malnygun managed to send a signal to his homeworld,” said Alex’sis.
“We’ll remain here for the rest of the day and depart first thing in the morning,” said John. “With that said, there’s another matter I need to bring up.” John was glad Chris Anne wasn’t at the meeting to hear John make the announcement. “Two maintenance techs found a set of crew quarters sealed behind a bulkhead on deck eighteen. The ship’s schematics don’t show the quarters, just like deck seventy-six.”
“Another hidden area?” said Alex’sis. “Captain, I can’t explain…”
John held up his hand. “I’m not looking for a why. But at this point I’m having the same techs do a complete search of the ship from stem to stern for any more hidden areas.”
“Why hide a set of quarters?” said Bret.
“We found the body of a former EXODUS Project member inside,” said John. Everyone was shocked hearing the news. “A geologist named Gertrin Miner. Doctor Roth is conducting the autopsy to determine the cause of death.”
“I’ll assist her with that,” said Myers.
“No,” said John. “Due to the sensitive nature of the issue I’ve restricted the investigation to myself, Commander Olson, and Doctor Roth.”
“Captain,” said Myers. “I’m the chief medical officer and should be involved.”
“I understand,” said John. “But Doctor Roth was the senior doctor on board at the time. If you weren’t on the station you would have been called and be conducting the investigation. For now, I must keep the information restricted until we’ve obtained all the facts.”
Myers wanted to accept the captain’s explanation, but he couldn’t help but feel he was being punished for Nicole Roberts’ death. Myers never saw the captain in social engagements and they only spoke regarding ship business. Any friendship they had was gone now.
“If there’s nothing else, everyone’s dismissed except for Commander Olson,” said John. Once he and Julie were alone, he gave her the rest of the story.
“Roth concluded that the geologist was murdered, and the evidence points to Admiral Johnson as the killer.”
Julie couldn’t believe it. “My gosh! Now we’re finding out he was killing project members?”
John pulled up a list of names on the wall display. “She probably wasn’t the only one. Gertrin’s file shows she was reassigned to the ground station, but I checked the final head count of personnel that was done prior to the ship’s launch. Gertrin wasn’t recorded as being at ground station. I had the computer compare those personnel files listing people who were transferred to ground station to the last head count. Thirty-one individuals are shown missing from the count.”
Julie looked at the names, trying to find any commonality between them. “Scientists, technicians, engineers. I don’t see any pattern.”
“I talked with some of the other geologists who said Gertrin was close friends with grocery store owner Valerie. I spoke with Valerie who said Gertrin was unhappy and wanted to leave the EXODUS Project. Apparently, Gertrin spoke to Admiral Johnson and it was agreed she would work at the ground station for a couple of months before leaving the project. Valerie never heard from her again.”
“I always thought it seemed impossible when the admiral said no one ever left the EXODUS Project,” said Julie. “With thousands of people involved, it would only make sense that some of them changed their minds and wanted to leave the project.” Julie was upset they never questioned him. “We took his pitch hook, line, and sinker. How could we be so stupid?”
“He preyed on our desires,” said John. “The more I learn about what Admiral Johnson did, the more it taints this mission.”
“Keep in mind that what we do out here is our accomplishments,” Julie reminded John.
She was right. They couldn’t allow the admiral’s past actions to overshadow their mission. “Got it.”
“So are you going to tell the crew?” asked Julie.
“That their beloved mentor was a murderer? Chris figured it out and he didn’t take it very well. We can’t unload this on the crew. As long as we’re out here I can justify keeping quiet for the sake of the mission.”
“The thought of more hidden bodies is disturbing,” said Julie. “I hope this is the last of the ship’s secrets.”
“Me too, Julie,” said John. “Me too.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
PHOENIX was investigating the planets in a binary star system and conducting some mining operations. It had been a quiet few weeks, with no new sign of the Screen and no new alien races encountered. They kept in regular contact with the Onixins and Quix, who were working together on blending their technology despite the Quix still being stuck in their nebula. The Onixin merchant authority reported that one of their freighters was at the trading outpost around the time it was attacked, and PHOENIX was on the lookout for it. But so far it had not been located. As for the Ni? Despite John continuing to send them reports about the Screen the gaseous aliens continued to remain silent.
John was in his command chair, trying to steer clear of the staff in the pit. Several of them had come down with flu like symptoms and the captain was in no mood to get sick too. Doctor Myers reported that the illness would have to run its course, just like the flu.
“Captain,” said Alex’sis between sniffles. “Mining group A has completed their operations on the moon.”
“Acknowledged,” said John. “Lieutenant, go to your quarters and get some rest.”
“What happens if the Screen attacks?” said a defiant Alex’sis. “You need me.”
“In your condition the computer would do a better job of targeting weapons than you,” said John.
“Leave her alone,” said Julie as she coughed.
“You’re not helping by being here either,” said John. “You both should be in bed.”
“I’d rather focus my mind on work than lay miserable in bed,” replied Julie.
“Same here,” said Alex’sis.
“Captain,” said Bret. “We’re getting an incoming transmission. It’s from an Onixin cruiser.”
“Put it up,” said John. He spotted the communications officer rubbing his neck. “You’re not sick, are you?”
“No sir. I’m fine.” In reality, Bret was feeling achy, but he brushed it off as nothing.
Above the operations table displayed the holographic image of an Onixin dressed in a yellow uniform, indicating she was a military officer.
“This is Vori Hendestaun of the cruiser Claz.” Vori was the proper name of an Onixin ship commander.
“Vori Hendestaun, this is Captain Roberts of the PHOENIX.”
“Greetings, captain. It is an honor to speak with you for the first time.”
“Likewise, vori,” said John. “What can we do for you?”
“I am pleased to inform you that we are en route to your location with a cache of Quix ruialon beam weapons for your ship.” Ruialon was a differentially charged energy source that was highly potent as a weapon. It put the Onixins quadrin to shame in its destructive capability.
“Have the Quix emerged from their nebula?” asked John.
“No,” said Hendestaun. “But they have created a hole in the energy net and were able to fire out a container of their weapons. We have been able to modify the weapons to work with quadrin and we hope you may be able to adapt the weapons to your vessel’s plasma network.”
“I’ll notify our engineers of the shipment,” said John. “Will you be staying with us long?”
“No, captain. We are scheduled to reach your location in…” she checked her computer to convert Onixin time measurement to human time. “Six of your hours. But we must leave as soon as we deliver the shipment as we are still searching for our missing Onixin freighter.”
“We’ve been on the lookout for it as well, but haven’t found so much of an ion trail.”
“We have two cruisers looking for it,” said Hendestaun. “If the ship is intact, we will locate it.”
“Understood,” said John, grateful to hear other several ships were involved in the search. The Onixins had built their fleet up enough to send ships out of their star system on a regular basis. “We’ll prepare for your arrival.”
“There is one more thing, captain,” said Hendestaun. “One of our cruisers picked up a stray transmission in the sector of space they were patrolling. The transmission is encrypted; however, it matches your communications protocol. It was disguised to appear as normal background radiation.”
That sounded exactly like the setup they use to send their messages to Earth. Was it possible Billy and David were trying to send a message to them?
“Vori, it might be a message from our homeworld,” said John, trying to contain his excitement.
“There has been some degradation of the data packet,” said Hendestaun. “I will have it placed in one of our binus crystals to prevent further degradation and give it to you when we rendezvous.”
“Understood, vori, and thank you.”
“Of course, captain. Hendestaun out.”
“If it’s from Billy and David,” said Julie. “They took a huge risk sending a message out to us.”
“Maybe something’s going on back home they want us to know about,” speculated Kevin.
“Or maybe it’s from TERRA,” said Alex’sis.
“You really think the message could be from them?” said Bret.
“No,” replied Alex’sis as she coughed.
John smiled. Although possible, he doubted TERRA would be trying to communicate with them. What would they say? Demand that PHOENIX return to the solar system? No, the message had to be from his friends and John looked forward to hear what they had to say. A message from the solar system would lift the crew’s spirits.
Phoenix In Chaos (Exodus) Page 24