The Colony Ship Conestoga : The Complete Series: All Eight Books

by John Thornton

  “You may just call me Shadow. I am here for you.”

  “Can you connect me to any long range communication equipment?”

  “I am sorry, I cannot at this time, from this location. Why do you need that?” Shadow replied.

  “Well, I need to find a way to get a lock on the signal from Earth. We are marooned on the Conestoga, but our teleporter can save our people, if I can just find a way past that Cosmic Crinkle out in space,” Cammarry said. “I must find some way. The old man Danny said there might be other AIs, he calls them brains, down on the plant with the habitats. Is that true? Can those systems help me?”

  “Planet-fall. Planet-fall is very important,” Shadow stated. “So you need a way off the needle ship, right? A way so you are no longer marooned?”

  “I need to save Dome 17.” Cammarry typed in on the keyboard and spoke at the same time, “Where is engineering? What is the fastest route there? Where can I find a shuttle?”

  “Yes, get the information you need from here,” Shadow encouraged. “You are doing so well.”

  The display screen scrolled out a message, ‘Deck plans with marked route may now be transferred to your personal storage device.’

  “I do not have one!” Cammarry yelled and typed.

  The display scrolled, ‘This location can print out a copy of the suggested route. To print that route type yes.’

  “I think you should do that. There is no time to waste,” Shadow said quietly and firmly. “Print the route and we can then leave to complete your mission. I will help you save those people.”

  “Yes!” Cammarry said and typed the word on the keyboard.

  A sheet of paper emerged from the bottom of the display, and under the keyboard. It was written in standard and had clear markings and a step by step route to follow.

  “This is perfect,” Cammarry exclaimed.

  “Do not forget your backpack and power source,” Shadow said. “It is important to leave right away.”

  Cammarry shut off the fusion pack’s light and placed it into her backpack. In the dim light she could still see the route on the paper she had just received.

  “Time is essential. You must leave now. You need to rescue those people as soon as possible,” Shadow was insistent.

  Cammarry took off down the hallway, leaving the ESRC’s rear compartment open, the control board and display on, its door ajar, and the com-link she had shut down just sitting there on the shelf.

  5 separation

  “Jerome! Jerome! You must wake up,” Sandie called through the com-link.

  Jerome sluggishly opened his eyes. “Cammarry? What does Sandie want?”

  “Jerome, Cammarry is not with you. Please wake up. This is urgent,” Sandie the AI stated.

  Jerome rolled over on the old bed. It creaked as he reached out for where Cammarry usually was nestled up against him when they slept. “She is not here.” His eyes popped open with a startled look. “Where is she?”

  “The com-link she was using is at that ESRC where she had the injury. She shut it down ten minutes ago. I thought that was long enough to allow her the privacy she demanded. When I remotely reactivated it, she is not within visual or auditory range.”

  Jerome jumped out of the bed. The plants on the floor were squishy under his bare feet. She quickly dressed in the RAM clothing and placed his socks and footwear on. “Why did she shut down the com-link?”

  “She was very upset. She blames me for her injury, and I suppose she has reason. I did not see or interpret the potential threat that opening the back of the ESRC would be.”

  Jerome raced through the apartment and back out into the dimly lit hall. His backpack and belt with pouches slapped against him as he ran. Several goats rushed away and out through the open gate. They were frightened and bleated loudly as they raced away.

  “Cammarry?” Jerome called. “Cammarry?”

  There was no answer.

  “Sandie, maybe she just needed to use a toilet or get a drink or something,” Jerome said as he reached the ESRC. The door was open, and the com-link was there.

  “Cammarry?” Jerome yelled with all his might.

  The call echoed in the dim corridors.

  “I must find her. What did she find out from this control board?” Jerome reached into the ESRC. His eyes were watching for the threat from the arm which had injured Cammarry.

  The display screen shifted from the dark blue color to the yellow with black. The letters scrolled across ‘Unauthorized Access Forbidden’

  “Sandie? What does this console do?” Jerome asked.

  “I was able to see only a small portion of it with Cammarry. This system does not recognize you,” Sandie stated.

  Jerome pulled out the com-link’s cable and jacked it into an access port near the display. “Sandie find out what you can here.”

  “Assessing the nonphysicality,” Sandie stated.

  Jerome picked up Cammarry’s com-link and said to himself, “What have you done?”

  “I have assessed the nonphysicality here, as you requested,” Sandie replied. “This control board is secured by a primitive personal recognition system which looks for identification of the person using it. It is based on the person having an indwelling marker which the system looks for and then distinguishes from those without said marker. I was able to penetrate the security, however, when I did that, the log for this control board was unintentionally obliterated by my actions. I apologize. The system is far more insubstantial than I anticipated. All I could recover are the questions imputed by Cammarry. She asked this system: ‘Where is engineering?’ and ‘What is the fastest route there?’ and ‘Where can I find a shuttle?’ all within a very short time frame.”

  “So did she get a reply?”

  “That is what was obliterated when the security system crumbed. I conjecture she did receive a reply, but I cannot confirm that, nor can I tell you what that reply was,” Sandie said. “Again, I apologize for my actions. This ESRC and its antique and weakly constructed systems have stymied me into an error. I conjectured that the system was much more durable and well-tailored than it proved to be. In future interactions, I will remember the flimsiness of these old-fashioned systems.”

  “Well, she must have proceeded onward, but why without her com-link?” Jerome pondered out loud. “I wonder about her injury. Did that contribute to her rash actions?”

  “That is a possibility,” Sandie replied. “You both are under tremendous stress, and her traumatic injury would add physical pain to that condition.”

  Jerome began to run down the plant filled corridor, away from the ESRC.

  “Jerome? Are you pursuing Cammarry?” Sandie inquired.

  “Of course. She cannot be too far ahead. Cammarry! Cammarry!”

  The hallway divided into three sections. One had a set of stairs leading upward, another a set of stairs leading downward, and the third continued straight ahead. All three areas were gloomily and dimly lit, and the plants growing on the floors and steps all looked undisturbed. There were also two doors which were ajar just beyond the junction.

  “Jerome, I must remind you that you do not have any food supplies for an extended search. You can probably find water, but it may or may not be safe to drink. I can assist you in picking some of the plants, but that will not be as helpful of a food source as the local people can provide. You may proceed on the search, and I understand your urgency, however, I conjecture a higher chance of success if you can induce Khin to give you supplies and guide you.”

  “Cammarry does not have food either, how far will she go? She will just come right back. When she hears my voice, she will come back, right?” Jerome asked.

  “She may return. She has a food supply that was in that ESRC, I can reply the video recordings of her finding that food,” Sandie said.

  “She found food? Is it safe? Remember she is injured. And now lost?” Jerome rubbed his face with both hands. “Love does not know its extent until the hour of separation. Oh Cammar
ry! Cammarry!”

  He squatted down and looked at the floor, trying to find some evidence of her passage. He adjusted the fusion pack light and flooded the junction with brilliant illumination. He stepped on the plants, and then looked at them a second time to try to identify a footprint or some sign of compression. He could tell nothing.

  “Sandie, is there any way for you to tell which path she took? Down the stairs? Upstairs? Or what?” Jerome asked. “Air currents, smells, anything? She cannot just have disappeared.”

  “I have no way to tell where she went,” Sandie stated. “I am limited to the input from the com-link, and her com-link is not with her. As to tracking, I cannot perceive anything which would indicated the direction she traveled. I am sorry. I suggest you find Khin and garner his help.”

  “Cammarry!!” Jerome yelled with all his might. The name echoed off the walls and ceiling, but there was no reply.

  Jerome stood there for some moments just pondering what to do. He had never felt so alone in all his life. Unconsciously he was flexing his hands in exercise patterns.

  “So I find Khin,” Jerome said and turned back and marched quickly along the path he had come. “Some old song said that ‘the search is half the fun’ and right now I want to slap that song writer as hard as I can.”

  “I will assist you in finding Cammarry. She is a smart and able adventurer,” Sandie said in an effort to offer consolation. “The food she found did appear safe.”

  “Yes, and I am not sure I am as good as she is. I just do not understand why she was so upset,” Jerome said.

  He hustled his way back into the grand dining room. “Khin! Khin! I need you help!”

  Several older children ran off as Jerome continued to call out. Other people huddled into their tents and pulled the flaps down. Some adults hurried away carrying their infants.

  “Old One?” Jerome yelled. Then Jerome had an inspiration. “Cadet! Cadet Danuja! Report immediately! Cadet Danuja, your services are required!”

  “He said his post was a muster station,” Sandie reminded Jerome.

  “Yes, thanks!” Jerome took a deep breath and yelled with all his might. “Cadet Danuja go to the muster station now! Danny assume your post!”

  A few anxious minutes passed and the big room was strangely quiet. Then several young adults came hurrying in. Slung between them was the Old One, Cadet Danny. He had his arms bout the shoulders of the young people. They set him down in front of Jerome.

  “Reporting as ordered, commander, sir,” Danny said in a quivering voice. His legs were shaking, and his eyes were hazy. One young woman leaned up against him and steadied him as he stood there.

  “Good. You are needed,” Jerome said authoritatively.

  Jerome pointed at one of the young people. “I also need Khin. You will go and get him now!”

  “I am here wizard!” Khin called as he entered the large room from another hallway. “Your bellowing and screaming is frightening everything: men, women, babies, infants, children, goats, even the rats are running away.” Khin smirked a bit and his eyes twinkled with mirth.

  “This is not a time for frivolity,” Jerome sternly stated. “Cammarry left for engineering. You will be guiding me there. We will need food, water, and whatever other supplies you think will help us.”

  “Later we can gather those things…” Khin began with a chuckle.

  Jerome ran up and faced Khin. Jerome’s taller stature had him peering down on Khin. “We leave quickly. Cammarry was injured, and we are leaving as soon as possible to help her. You will come with me as a volunteer guide, or I will take what I need and leave, but I will not be happy at all.” Jerome patted the butt of his holstered weapon.

  “I will assist you, commander sir,” Danny said feebly. His old body was quaking in fear and anxiety. The young woman holding him up never raised her eyes to Jerome, but tightened her grip around the skinny waist of the old one. “I am not sure I can make it to engineering, but I can tell you how to get there, I think.”

  “I ask your forgiveness, wizard,” Khin said and bowed down on his knees. “I did not know the other one was suffering. May I accompany you on this quest? May I go and get the foods we need?”

  “They are already here,” Elsa said as she and several other adults walked up with pouches of dried goat meat, containers of mushrooms, and other things to eat. “Please take these and go. Your threat was not needed, and does not suit you.”

  Renata was also standing there offering a large bag. Some handles of tools could be seen sticking up from the bag. “If you need more people to come with you, I am willing.”

  “So am I,” Elsa said. “Our men are hiding now, because you have frightened them. They remember the old stories of killers and bad things, but I believe you to be a good man.”

  Jerome smiled a huge and happy grin. “Thank you all. I am sorry for my threat. That was foolish and rude of me. Sometimes only a fool makes a threat. Cooperation and compassion are mightier than the best weapons.”

  “But it is better to have both,” Danny mumbled. “I must play my music. The music will help me concentrate on where that engineering….” He stumbled back toward the piano.

  Jerome looked through the bag of tools. None were of any use to him, as his backpack, belt, and gear from Dome 17 was much better quality. He did take a small knife out of the bag. “This is just what I needed. Thank you so much. Khin, do you need anything more from these fine tools?”

  “I have all I need. I came ready,” Khin said and then chuckled. “Does your spirit-ghost Sandie need anything?”

  “No.” Jerome heard the music beginning. He walked back toward the piano. Khin followed him.

  The Old One, Danny, was sitting at the piano playing. This time the melody was haunting and in a minor key. It was not pleasant to hear, but was well played.

  “Jerome, I cannot identify that music,” Sandie said. “There is nothing like it in my database.”

  “Engineering is at the stern. Chickens are there now,” Danny said as he played. “There is a main causeway which leads there. The causeway is at the center of the needle ship, level 14. It runs the whole length of the ship. It did anyway, and has branches to all the habbie constituent joints. Those ways are useless now, just like the transport system, useless. Chicken people there now. The flight crew tried to block insurgents with demolitions.” Danny’s hands shook and he missed some notes. “Shuttles might be in hanger bays. Chicken people roosting by engineering. That is all I can say. If I was a young man I would take you there.” Danny placed his head down on the keys and that made a weird noise. He then wept.

  “Khin, does that help you?” Jerome asked. “We need to leave and find Cammarry.”

  “Sure, sure it does. I can lead you there,” Khin said with a grin.

  Jerome and Khin turned away from the elderly man slumped over the piano. Several people came up to him and were giving him aid and comfort. They helped him to his feet, one of the men saying, “Old One, we will get you to your bed now.”

  “Wait!” Danny said. He stood up erect and said to Jerome, “May you be as brave and courageous as the Heroic Thirteen: Bria Esther, Elizabeth Anne, Kyra Grace, Makayla Lynn, Ethan Clark, Jaylie Joy, Abby Marie, Kristian Julene, Jovan Jae, Anna Shane, Braedon Joseph, Calissa Mia, and Jacob Alan. May they forever be remembered and honored. May their spirits guide you and protect you.”

  “Thank you, Cadet Danuja,” Jerome said. He did not understand the reference to the Heroic Thirteen, but he could see on the old man’s face how important those names were. “I will strive to live up to them.”

  The people around applauded and hollered out good wishes and blessings. The children squealed with joy.

  Jerome and Khin departed. They went down the same way that Cammarry had left. As they passed the gate which Jerome had left open, Khin carefully shut it.

  “There will be havoc because the goats are loose. It is a good time for me to be on a journey. Chasing the goats is fun for children, but I pr
efer to eat them, rather than chase them,” Khin said.

  “Eat the children or the goats?” Jerome asked.

  Khin let out a belly laugh as they continued on. Passing the ESRC with its door still open, Khin spoke up. “Another wizard’s quest. This time with just one wizard, but chasing another. New places are uncovered, and new things are seen.” He laughed as he found his comment extremely amusing. “And I cannot forget your spirit-ghost who follows us. Why does Sandie not speak to Cammarry?”

  “Right now that cannot happen,” Jerome answered. He resisted explaining about the com-links.