by Jeff Sims
Kolvak recovered somewhat. The being wasn’t attacking them or acting aggressively. In fact, he was standing still. Kolvak said, “What?”
The human said, “There are 20 fighters stored in the elevator. There are 70 total fighters aboard the ship. Oh, and welcome to the Sunflower.”
Kolvak replied, “We are here to perform an engineering assessment and properly repair all of the systems.”
The human replied, “Welcome. We appreciate the help.” He grabbed his communication pad and said, “Computer, locate Colin O’Neal and have him report to the flight deck immediately.”
Colin gave the two Advranki engineers a full tour of the ship. He showed them the checkerboard floor, the manual ion cannon opening, the Hiriculan ion cannon, the different colored hull, the myriad of wires strung throughout the ship, the severed trunk line, and finally the Hiriculan power generator and what was left of engineering.
“Well, what do you think?” Colin O’Neal summarized.
Kolvak said, “I am shocked that you were able to repair the ship at all, let alone in deep space.”
Shole said, “Tell me again what happened when you wired the Hiriculan panels into engineering.”
Colin replied, “The Hiriculan replacement engineering panels ran the Hiriculan power generator perfectly. However, sometimes it acted a little flaky when we…” Colin noted the weird expression on the Kolvak’s face. Colin surmised that flaky wasn’t used that way in Alliance basic.
He started over, “Sometimes the Hiriculan panel gives erroneous or perhaps sub-optimal responses when we used it to try to control the other systems in the ship. After a while, we only used the Hiriculan panel to control the power generator and the Alliance panel to control every other system.”
Kolvak studied the manual and reviewed multiple diagnostic screens. He could read Hiriculan with some degree of proficiency. Eventually, he said, “I think your solution was the correct one. The systems aren’t as compatible as we thought.”
Shole asked, “Why not?”
Kolvak answered, “The Alliance computer processors have 4 states: yes, no, maybe, and probably. We can combine maybe and probably and get a 5th state called perhaps. The Hiriculan processors also have 4 states, but they use yes, no, maybe, and perhaps. They combine maybe and perhaps to ascertain probably.”
Shole continued, “So the system got confused when it was expecting probably and instead received perhaps.”
“Possibly,” Kolvak answered.
Colin said, “How do we fix it?”
Kolvak responded, “First, we will replace all of the Hiriculan panels with Alliance ones. Then, I will create a subroutine that can convert probably to perhaps when working on the power generator. We will make all of the changes tomorrow.”
Colin asked, “Will that work?”
Kolvak replied, “Potentially. However, it is plausible that it won’t. We will leave a Hiriculan panel in stores just in case.”
…………………
Kolvak and Shole were among a total of 5 Advranki engineers who were daring enough to step foot on the Sunflower over the course of the next 9 days. True to his word, Kolvak and his small team showed the humans how to properly fix each of the ship’s systems.
Colin made certain that any time an Advranki was aboard, s/he wasn’t surrounded by humans. The Advranki seemed to be able to handle seeing and talking to one human or perhaps two at most, but they became very nervous when they were in a crowd.
“There,” Shole announced, “The ion cannon power distribution sub-system has been calibrated and verified for proper functionality.”
Their work done for the day, Colin escorted them off of the ship. Colin waved goodbye to Shole and followed Kolvak to a class room a few paces inside the space station.
Colin laughed at the relative insanity of the situation. The humans were technically full members of the Alliance Navy, so the Advranki could no longer keep them trapped behind force fields. Therefore, they had been given free run of the entire space station. Unfortunately, the entire station, with the exception of 8 rooms in very close proximity to Sunflower’s berth, was currently closed for renovation.
Colin took a seat next Becky and waved to the other 3 engineers. Although the overwhelming majority of the station’s residents were avoiding the humans, the aforementioned 5 were training them on a wide variety of systems.
Most of the training focused on the fighters; specifically how to calibrate the power generators and how to maintain and repair most of the other systems. In addition, Kolvak was teaching them basic math.
Kolvak said, “Okay class, last time we left off with using the exponential function to predict mean time to failure given the variables of hours of continuous use, polonium levels, and deuterium concentration. Now, we are going to complete the equation by overlaying the lognormal function to get a combined function that can model the…”
……………….
The Vista exited hyperspace in between the two forts guarding the now (supposedly) defunct hyperspace lane between Conron and Earth. Crista exclaimed, “Another perfect jump; we are in the exact center of the lane and exactly where we are supposed to be.”
Victor said, “We are being hailed by traffic control. Computer, establish connection and display the passive scan on the monitor.”
The traffic control function for this quadrant of the Conron system was handled by one of the two forts guarding the Conron – Earth hyperspace lane. Victor watched the monitor as both forts made a rapid spin to face them.
He continued watching as the forts stabilized for a minute. Only one ion cannon was required to pulverize the ship, but now all 32 combined ion cannons were pointed directly at the Vista. Victor had been threatened by the asteroid in the past, but this time traffic control did not bother him.
…Connection established. Now uploading our transponder information. Complete. Traffic control is inquiring about our destination…
Victor set a course for the Conron Naval Supply and Depot at .06 light. He engaged the sub-light engines. He said, “Computer, communicate our course and speed to traffic control.”
…Complete. Now downloading the top news updates and communications. There are two news stories marked urgent. Also, you have an email from Amy Weisman marked urgent, a second marked more urgent, and a third marked super urgent. You also have an email from an Altian named Clowy marked ‘hair accessories’…
Victor found that extremely weird. In his lifetime, only a couple of news stories had been marked urgent. Now, there were two waiting for them. He said, “Computer, play the messages in the order they were received.”
…First message. Victor, Crista, enjoy your vacation. By the way, did you happen to see 16 of our employees disappear about the same time as you left...
Victor grimaced and stopped the playback.
Crista said, “That didn’t sound good.”
Victor nodded in agreement and said, “Next message.”
…Second message. We investigated the missing truck. I know that you went to the supercenter and bought enough supplies to feed and house 16 people for a month…
Victor grimaced and stopped the playback.
Crista said, “That didn’t sound good.”
Victor nodded in agreement and said, “Next message.”
…We found the cart in your office. It is amazing. Our scientists and engineers are trying to figure out how the electro lift and power generator work. These two inventions will revolutionize life on Earth. Do you have any drawings or manufacturing…
Victor grimaced and stopped the playback.
Crista said, “That didn’t sound good.”
Victor nodded in agreement and said, “Next message, the one from Clowy I believe.”
…They know that you know what you are not supposed to know. You need to not know it…
Victor grimaced. He didn’t need to stop the playback because the computer stopped talking. Victor clarified, “Computer, was that the entire messa
ge?”
…Yes…
Crista said, “That didn’t sound good.”
Victor said, “Computer, compose the following message to Amy Weisman.”
…Ready…
Victor: “Hello Amy Weisman, I received your three messages. I sent the 16 employees on a sabbatical to the jungles of France to learn how to milk cactuses.”
Crista said, “Isn’t it cacti in English?”
Victor replied, “I don’t feel like redoing it. Computer, send message.”
Victor intentionally neglected to mention the power generator or the electro lift in his response to Amy. He could rationalize what technology he had shared thus far, but he knew that there was a limit. And he knew that he was millimeters away from said limit. Intentionally sharing either of those technologies with the humans would be highly illegal.
Crista said, “What do you think that Clowy’s message meant?”
Victor: “It was clearly a warning. What do you know that you shouldn’t?”
Crista: “I don’t know. What do you know?”
Victor looked around the control room in a vain attempt to find something that he didn’t know that he knew. Eventually his eyes focused on Crista and her control collar. He said, “Crista, we just returned from Earth with a hold full of Humans.”
Crista: “Yes, and they certainly put the mattresses we bought to good use.”
Victor repeated, “From Earth. We just returned from a system whose hyperspace lane is supposedly corrupted.”
Crista responded, “We don’t know the route to Earth. It’s hidden in my collar. Lorano said that no one would ever be able to figure out how to use it except us.”
Victor: “Maybe something has changed on Solaria since we left.”
Crista replied, “Well, since we are never going back to Earth, we don’t need the chip anymore. Just have someone remove it when we reach Solaria.”
They next listened to the two urgent news reports; the first reporting that there are humans living in Conron and the second announcing that Senator Figur was assassinated during the Solarian Celebration.
Victor wondered whether either or both of the stories were somehow related to Clowy’s message. He decided to have the collar fixed as soon as possible.
………………….
Crista watched the humans in main hold and waited until one of them was within hearing range of the monitor. She quickly made the connection to it and said, “Human, please gather everyone else in front of the monitor. I have an announcement.”
She waited until they had collected and said, “We will arrive at our destination in approximately 10 minutes. Once there, we will dock with a space station and the main hold door will open. Please gather everything made on Earth with the exception of the truck and leave the hold in an orderly manner.”
She continued, “Turn right, walk 15 paces, and turn right again. You will see the hold of another ship. That ship is the Sunflower. They are expecting you.”
They landed at the station and Victor opened the main hold. Crista watched as the humans collected their gear and actually left in an orderly fashion. She saw that there were other humans waiting for them with electro carts. The moment the last item was removed from the hold they undocked and set a course for Solaria.
………………….
Kip Armstrong, Becky Matthews, and Jim Donovan and watched as the Vista docked and the first human exited. Kip performed a quick count and said, “16 people, just like we requested.”
Jim replied, “I can’t believe how easy it is for them to kidnap large groups of people. I still find it amazing that no one notices that we are missing.”
Becky let out a sigh of relief and smiled. She said, “There really is still a route to Earth. Those reporters had me scared for a while.” She swiped her hand through the air and said, “I shouldn’t have threatened to slap the reporter.”
Kip said as softly as possible, “Choke.”
Becky: “What?”
“Choke. You threatened to strangle one of them,” Kip corrected as he gracefully dodged Becky’s backhand.
The press conference had gone almost as planned. The galaxy at large now (somewhat) believed that humans were not going to eat them. However, no one was especially anxious to invite them to dinner and put this newfound knowledge to the test.
The trio met the new members on the loading platform of the station. They were 4 steps away from the turn that led the Sunflower’s flight deck. Jim intentionally chose this place to talk to them so that he could see their amazement when they rounded the corner and saw the rows of fighters sitting on the deck.
Jim said, “Welcome everyone; you can drop your items here for now. My name is Jim Donovan, I am the captain of the Alliance naval cruiser Sunflower. This is Kip Armstrong, a lead pilot, and Becky Matthews, an engineer. Please line up in a line and tell us your name, specialty, and background.”
Jim sighed. This was one of his first big speeches as captain and he managed to say ‘line up in a line’. He meant line up in single file. Oh well, he thought, the new recruits managed to line up in a single file line even without the clarification.
Each gave his or her name. Jim was surprised that there were 8 engineers and only 2 crew members. He had expected 4 and 6 respectively, but was happy with what he got. Beggars certainly couldn’t be choosers when one was stuck in a different galaxy.
The six pilots spoke next. John Appleby was first. Like every other member of this group, John worked at Victory Games during the day. He was allowed to use the pilot simulators at work for free and played every spare moment he could find. He was ranked number 24 in the world. Kip liked him immediately.
The next 5 pilots gave their names, work histories, and finally their pilot numbers. Jim couldn’t believe some of the ranking numbers that they gave – 199 didn’t seem awful, but 1963 and 3,044 seemed downright low.
Number 420, however, presented an interesting opportunity. Jim said, “I had a friend that died in combat a few weeks ago. His call sign was Blaze. I think that you are perfectly suited to carry on his legacy.”
Jim wasn’t surprised that Victor Tyrano basically tricked them into volunteering for service. However, Jim found it rather odd that Victor would raid his own company for recruits. The disappearance of 16 people from the same company and location certainly should be noticed by more than just the conspiracy theorists.
Further, the pilots were fairly low ranked nationally. Clearly though, they were the top ranked pilots that worked at Victory Games. Normally, the top candidates in the country were chosen. Jim couldn’t imagine why it changed this time.
Jim dismissed everyone. Kip took the 6 new pilots and introduced them to the rest of Alpha squadron. Jim watched as they rounded the corner, saw 10 rows of 4 fighters, and raced over to touch them. Jim smiled and remembered when he did the same thing. Funny, it seemed like much longer than a year ago.
Becky led the remaining people around the fighters and gave them a full tour of the ship. Jim ordered First squadron to transport their gear to their new accommodations. Jim thought it would be fun to have the cruiser a little full for a while. When they reached Waylon they would be hopelessly understaffed.
Jim watched as the main hold door of the Vista closed. He remembered when Victor had tricked him into walking in the very same hold last year and he met Lorano. Wait, the very same hold.
Jim had an epiphany. During the first recruitment, Lorano and Carank were on Earth and hiding in the Vista. During the second trip they made a rendezvous with a mystery ship and then proceeded to Earth on the Sunflower. Again Lorano and Carank were there to recruit the second batch of humans.
The third time though, Lorano and Carank were on Solaria. They couldn’t have gone to Earth. So, if it wasn’t them, who was it? Jim whispered to his communication pad, “Computer, who is piloting the mini-freighter Vista?”
…The Vista is owned by Victor and Crista Bullpeep. There are two Solarians aboard. However, I am unab
le to ascertain which one is currently flying the ship…
………………….
It hadn’t taken Shole long to find the answers she was seeking. Colin O’Neal had essentially answered all of her questions during the initial tour. She had thoroughly enjoyed Colin’s tale about how the ship was damaged and repaired.
She didn’t believe very much of it, but she had enjoyed it. However, one mystery was now obvious – the humans had certainly been on the Sunflower during the last mission. No other race would even consider repairing the ship; and certainly not in the method he described.
She, and Kolvak too for that matter, was impressed with the humans’ knowledge of their ship and their understanding of how basic systems operated. They were still lagging far behind on theory, but at least they could comprehend the basics.
She and Kolvak entered the hangar bay. Each of the last 10 days they had been greeted by a human almost immediately upon entry. This time they didn’t see anyone. They walked to the bridge and peeked in. It was empty as well. Shole asked the caribou in the main corridor where the humans were, but did not get a response.
They walked the rest of the way down the corridor and into engineering. Engineering was abandoned as well. Frustrated, Kolvak said, “Computer, locate Colin O’Neal.”
…He is in the entertainment room…
They found Colin sitting in the entertainment room along with 19 other humans. Kolvak recognized the 13 engineers from class. There were 7 others he had never seen before; including two males that were enormous. They were massive; huge even compared to other humans. One of the mammoth’s arms looked bigger than Shole’s waist.
Colin stood and waved them to two empty chairs nearest the exit. He said, “Hello, I thought you two weren’t coming today. Isn’t this your day off of work?”
Kolvak replied, “Yes, but we decided to review the secondary generator again.”
Colin absently replied, “I thought you already said that it couldn’t be repaired and that we would have to replace it.”
Kolvak said, “I did. But I decided I wanted to give myself a second opinion.”
Kolvak looked around again and noted that the humans weren’t working either. They were sitting in what he now understood to be a relaxed fashion and were watching the main monitor. He and Shole hesitantly sat in the empty chairs.