The Anzu: Alec

by Mary S. Sheppard

  “Good morning,” she said.

  “Morning Cate,” said Alec.

  “Cate, I was just talking with Alec and he thinks he has a solution,” said Chief. He told the group what Alec had suggested.

  “So you think you can pull me along?” asked Cate.

  “Yes, I am a strong swimmer. That way you can just relax the whole way there.”

  “I don’t have to be dead weight, you know. You won’t mind if I help a bit?”

  “Not at all. It will get us there and back faster.”

  “That is always good,” she said as she finished putting on the suit.

  He put on the suit and attached the harness. Once he stepped into the life liquid he attached the other end to Cate. Then he turned to swim. The harness dug into his shoulders, but he was not moving. He took a deep breath, kicked stronger and swung his arms out forcefully. They started to move. At first it was slowly and then she started to kick her legs. They finally started to move at a good pace.

  It had been harder than he had thought. Somehow the life liquid seemed heavier. “How are you doing?”

  “Fine,” she said. “I should be asking you.”

  “I’m fine. Don’t help too much. Conserve your energy,” said Alec. He could only speak in short sentences.

  “Don’t worry, this is easy.”

  “Four hundred,” he read as went by the marker.

  “Four hundred,” she said a few seconds later.

  Maybe he should have shortened the length of the harness, he thought, but in any case they were making good progress.

  He reached where the conduit narrowed and he stopped. He pulled the line towards him, bringing her along.

  “Cate, you should be able to keep the harness on,” he told her. “I can pull you back, if you need.”

  “Okay,” she said. “But it is about twenty meters away.”

  “I have extra,” he said as he unfurled the coil. She accepted his suggestion readily so he knew it was the right decision.

  “All right, that looks good,” she said as she headed into the narrow conduit.

  Alec was left with his thoughts and not much else. He closed his eyes. It was weird feeling to be in the total darkness, floating, or falling...

  “I have the sample,” said Cate, cutting into his daydreaming.

  It had not taken her long. “Do you want a pull?”

  “Yeah, sure,” she said.

  He started to pull, expecting more resistance; but the line pulled easily. She must have been swimming along. When she reached him they started back. His muscles were aching from the exertion and the coolness of the life liquid was starting to seep through the suit.

  “This is the way to travel,” she said.

  “Yeah I should charge you a fee,” he said.

  “Did you come up with this contraption?”

  “Yeah,” he grunted. He couldn’t swim and talk.

  “It reminds me of a hiking backpack. I remember the last time I went hiking; it was in the California Sierras. It was spring and luckily it was a year with lots of rain so the waterfalls were full.”

  He had hiked the Sierras quite often and he started to remember it as she told him what she had seen and where she had been.

  “Two hundred,” she said.

  Wow, thought Alec. Somehow he was closer than he had thought. He got a new burst of energy.

  Chief took the sample and told them to take the rest of the day off. He didn’t ask if they wanted to and frankly Alec felt it was a good idea.

  Cate walked with him towards the living quarters. “I hope the sample tells them what they need.”

  “Yeah, but you realize that we still have to investigate the other areas.” He was not looking forward to that. “I don’t know how you are able to go down every day. I’m pretty beat.”

  “I don’t think we have an option. We have to figure what is wrong soon, and in any case, women are supposed to be better swimmers,” she smiled. “They are more buoyant.”

  That made him laugh.

  “Actually I was considering not going today, but then you showed up with your idea.”

  “So I saved you from having to tell Chief something he might not like.”

  “He told me the other day that I have to express myself more clearly. He said that real courage is when you are honest with yourself.”

  “I like that,” he said as they arrived to his cabin. “Well this is where I get off.” He opened his door and she peeked around him.

  Her eyes took everything in. “Your cabin is much bigger and...”

  He didn’t hear the rest as his mind started to drift. She was nice and here they were, two humans alone with many possibilities.

  “Alec?”

  “Oh yeah, I’m sorry I …”

  “You look tired. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He wished her good night.

  It was crazy. There was no world where she would be interested in someone like him. She was friendly, and outgoing and she also was competitive and very focused. He was quiet, mostly an introvert and kind of happy with where and what he was.

  He lay down and his tired body started to relax, but his mind was racing. She was trainee and in any case she would not be here for long. How long, he wondered. Maybe she could request to stay longer.

  Chapter 7: The new planets

  The next day, the ship entered a solar system that had never been mapped before. Six planets circled the F type sun and an astounding four were in the habitable zone. The definition of ‘habitable’ was different from the human’s definition, which was Earth centric; it now included higher pressures, a wider range of temperatures and non-water solvents.

  Excitement was running high on the ship and reminded everyone of the ship’s primary mission.

  The captain had been on such missions before and knew to gather all the scientists and officers in a conference room to determine their needs before things got out of hand. The scientists had already started to place requests with the various departments and he didn’t want duplication of effort or fights for resources.

  The captain told them his decision; one team would be sent to each of the planets to investigate them concurrently. It was an unusual decision that would tax the ships resources but the scientists were so delighted they didn’t ask. As soon as the meeting finished, they went to form the teams and prepare the instruments that would be needed.

  Chief called his own meeting with the engineering team. He told them the result of the meeting. “So the captain has requested four teams, all working at the same time, to investigate the planets.”

  “Four teams? Isn’t that unusual?” asked Hazel.

  “It is,” said Chief not explaining further.

  Alec had his own theory. The captain was aware of the life liquid problem and maybe he was trying to investigate the planets quickly before it became impossible to do so.

  “As usual,” said Chief, “we will support each of those teams.”

  Alec was instantly alert. Three of his fellow engineers would be selected and that would leave one slot available.

  “X, you will accompany the team with the first mate, Z, you will be with the third mate and Jamez, you are with the principal scientist, Rhoda. That leaves one team to be supported,” said Chief.

  “I would like to go,” said Cate.

  Alec looked at her surprised. He didn’t think there was any question that he should be the one picked

  Chief turned to him. “Alec? Would you like to go as well?”

  “Of course, sir,” said Alec.

  “Well you are both qualified to accompany the second mate’s team, so you decide among yourselves. I’ll give you five minutes to let me know who is going.”

  They stepped out of Chief’s office. “I didn’t think you would want to go,” said Alec.

  “Why would I not want an opportunity to walk on a new planet?”

  “Okay, but I have been with this group longer than you.”

  �
�I should tell you something about me,” she said.

  He looked at her, and one thought raced through his head, but she had to be human. He had seen her in her underwear, or could there be another species that looked so similar? Was that it, or…

  “I’m not an engineering trainee,” she said.

  “What?” That had not been in any of his thoughts. “Then why are you … ”

  “Training in engineering? It is part of my overall training to be a third mate.”

  “Third mate?” A human third mate? That would be amazing.

  “Yes, I am going to be the first human to be a third mate, so they’re not making a big deal about this until I actually become one. I took the qualifying tests.”

  “Chief knows?”

  “Of course. Most of the Zandus know and so does Jamez. I have been training with CCN in the early morning. That is why I am sometimes late to Engineering.”

  CCN was Command, Communications and Navigation and now he understood why Chief had not reprimanded her for being late. “I didn’t know it was possible for humans to be officers.”

  “It has been over a year since humans were first included and now it is possible to have human officers. Going to down to a planet will help in my development,” she said.

  “Well, I think it would help in my development as well and once you become third mate, you will have plenty of chances to walk on other planets.”

  She glared at him.

  He was not going to give in so easily. In all the time he had been on board, they had visited three planets and he knew that X, Z or Jamez would go before he ever did.

  “Cate, Alec?” Chief called them from his office. “Come back inside.”

  “We have not decided,” said Alec.

  “Actually Jamez has decided for you,” said Chief. “He has convinced me that both of you should go. Cate, you will take his place and go with Rhoda and Alec will go with the second mate, Denabulus.”

  As Alec climbed into the shuttle, he looked at the team assembled. In Alec’s short experience, Zandus rarely stepped off the ship so none were accompanying the landing team. Shapers, like Denabulus, led most teams, although occasionally a Thesbes was in charge. The Thesbes that was coming with them, Tania, was a life scientist and there were also two Lolas, for security.

  It was too bad he had been assigned to this particular team. He knew how Denabulus felt about humans, but he wouldn’t let it get to him. Denabulus had already made it clear to Alec that he did not expect much from him.

  “And please try to not get in the way,” said Denabulus repeating himself. “I know humans are very excitable and this being your first time on a planet other than Earth you might do something stupid, but try to control yourself.”

  “I will try, sir,” said Alec dryly.

  Tania glanced at him with pity while the Lolas avoided looking at him altogether. Nothing was going to faze him, he was going to step on a new planet and it was hard not to be excited.

  “Two minutes to land,” said the pilot over the intercom.

  The shuttle was the shape of a two story Frisbee and the passengers sat in a circle facing each other on the lower floor while the pilot sat in the center, in the upper floor.

  “This planet has frequent dust storms, but we have timed our arrival between storm systems. Still, our time here is limited so we will have to collect data quickly,” said Denabulus. “Security I want you to go first, and Tania will follow closely. Alec, you can pick up the rear, just don’t …don’t do anything and make sure to keep up with the rest of us.”

  He actually sounded a bit worried about him, thought Alec.

  “The pilot will be leaving right away to not attract unwanted attention,” said Denabulus.

  Alec looked at the group and didn’t say anything. But he was sure the flying saucer would be less strange to any of the inhabitants of this world than seeing its occupants. This was assuming there were inhabitants and assuming they were conscious enough to recognize them. Life could come in many forms.

  Tania would know that answer right away. As most Thesbes, she was an expert in her field and she was already checking the many small monitors attached to her arms.

  The shuttle touched down with a slight bump and the two Lolas jumped up and went to the door. They opened it, deployed the ramp and headed down.

  Just like that; they were on a new planet.

  The others got up and Alec followed. As he reached the top of the ramp, he had to pause. It was unlike anything he had seen before.

  The air was pink and seemed to sparkle while the soil around the shuttle was a combination of bright green and orange.

  He took a breath of air and it seemed all right. Of course he had his breathing tube connected. The air pressure on this planet was similar to that of Earth’s so no space suit was required, but they were all wearing a light suit that would protect them from temperature differences and from radiation.

  In the distance he could see a huge wall of gray clouds heading their way. That had to be the dust storm.

  “Come on, Alec,” said Denabulus.

  Alec hurried down the ramp and as soon as he touched the ground, the ramp retracted. He walked towards the group as the shuttle took off.

  Everyone was busy. The Lolas were establishing a perimeter and then they would guard the area, Denabulus was taking measurements and updating the captain and other scientists on board the ship, and Tania was collecting samples.

  Earlier, she had told him that if she could not detect something living, she would collect soil and rock samples to see if they were suitable for life. These could give hints on whether something had lived there previously.

  Alec looked around, it was strange to put an engineer on each team, there wasn’t anything for him to do, but he wasn’t complaining.

  “Okay everyone, status,” said Denabulus.

  “Status, normal,” said one of the Lolas.

  “I need help,” said Tania. “I’m running out of time.”

  “Right, what do you need?” asked Denabulus.

  “I need two samples. One from those black rocks up there,” Tania pointed to a small hill with two strange looking stones on top, “and another from that rock outcropping.”

  “I will get the one on the hill,” said Denabulus taking a specimen case from Tania. “Alec, you go get the other sample.”

  Tania waved a specimen case at him and he took it and walked towards the outcropping. The orange rock face was composed of sedentary rock similar to ones back home.

  “Cut a good size piece,” said Tania.

  Something was strange, thought Alec. The rock types didn’t look right. He knew that these would be different from the ones found on Earth, but the sedimentary outcropping had a crystalline matrix embedded in it. Alec measured the position of the crystal with the intention of cutting the entire piece out. The crystal was shinny and smooth on the surface but it had bluish striations embedded within. It kind of looked like veins.

  He took a picture wondering if the crystal would feel rough. Suddenly he had a strong feeling to touch it. He reached out with his glove and nothing happened.

  The crystal glistened in the sun, touch me, it seemed to say.

  Don’t do it, warned a part of his mind. It would be all right said another part of his brain, Tania had not found anything living.

  He took the glove off and touched the shinny surface. The crystal seemed to undulate and then it moved.

  Alec was stunned. He wasn’t sure he was seeing right. It wasn’t much of a movement and it could have been a trick of the light especially with the clouds that were gathering with the impeding storm. He stared at the structure for a minute. Nothing.

  He looked around and saw that Denabulus was getting ready to take a piece of the black rocks on the hill. Those rocks looked very different from the ones next to him.

  “Alec, are you done?” asked Tania. “I need you to…”

  She didn’t finish as Denabulus let out a shout, �
��Ow, what was that!”

  Alec turned to see Denabulus backing away from the rocks that had started to glow as if charged with electricity. Denabulus did not get far. An electric bolt originated from the rocks and hit him. He lost his footing and came down hard.

  Immediately Alec and the two Lolas ran up the hill, but before they reached Denabulus the two Lolas stopped. They pointed their phasers at the rocks.

  Alec didn’t stop. Denabulus was still on the ground and all he could think was to get him out of there.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked.

  “I think I’m okay,” said Denabulus. “Help me up.”

  Alec helped him and they slowly went down the hill. There was a large black spot on the leg of the suit where the bolt had hit.

  Tania called the shuttle and they put some distance between themselves and the black rocks as they waited to be picked up.

  “What happened down there?” asked the captain.

  “When I tried to take a sample of one of the large, black rocks, the rock reflected the laser beam,” said Denabulus.

  “It could be a very hard material and basic geometry could account for that,” said the captain.

  “Yes, but then the rocks built up a charge on its own and hit me.” He pointed to his leg. “There was no basic geometry to account for that.”

  Luckily his leg had not sustained much damage, thought Alec.

  “Could the black rocks be a sort of security system; something left from an intelligent species designed to protect something?” asked the captain.

  “Then the question would be, what is the something?” asked Denabulus.

  “Tania, you did not show any life readings?”

  “No, sir. None. Not even after Denabulus was hit, but I don’t think our monitors were programmed for such different life.”

  “Sir, I don’t know about the black rocks, but I think some of those other rocks are alive,” said Alec. He explained about what he had seen. “I think I saw the crystal move.”

  “You think, but you are not certain?” asked the captain.

  “No, sir. I was waiting to see if it moved again when Denabulus was attacked.”

  “And you are sure he was attacked?”

  “I clearly saw an electric field form between the rocks and then the bolt was directed to Denabulus, sir. He was moving away at the time.”

  “A security system would do the same. This does not convince me that it is alive, but I think it is definitely worth another look,” said the captain. “I will send another team, I want a different perspective on this.”