“I am here Captain Eris. How may I help?” Sandie replied.
“Please link in and monitor what the lattice has discovered. I am still puzzled on how we can make stronger interfaces between the habitats which made planet-fall and us here in orbit. The Zalian atmosphere is far less than ideal for connections. No lattice can be reconstructed until those chasms can be effectively bridged.”
“I am working on that issue,” Sandie replied. “I have communications schematics from which I have built reliable modes of communication, such as in NS-99, and the ill-fated automacubes which were dispatched in Beta. However, these systems need to be installed on all locations to ensure signal quality.”
“Captain Eris,” SB Pinaka interrupted. “I have found a signal from Habitat Delta.”
“Play it on the display.”
“Sorry, but it is audio only, and is fragmentary,” SB Pinaka answered. “The signal has bounced off various layers in the atmosphere, and I am not even sure of its exact consistency or method of transmission.”
Sandie intervened. “Using the FTL messaging equipment on the scout ship, I have enhanced and refined that signal, as well as making an enriched visual observation of Delta. I warn you, the situation is not what we hoped to find.”
The display shifted and a much closer view on the planet’s surface came on. The bluish-gray color of the permalloy was not in the cylindrical shape Eris expected. There were three major chunks, all of which had jagged and torn edges. A scale grid came on and was superimposed over the landing site.
“Broken into three parts. A two kilometer distances between those closest sections, and a nearly five kilometer distance to the third?” Eris asked, but more as a rhetorical statement than a real question. “None of the biome could survive that. What is on the audio signal?”
“I am now playing Sandie’s enhanced version,” SB Pinaka replied.
“Attempt 18,197… Needle ship… flight crew… please answer.”
“Send a reply,” Eris commanded. “Use a myriad of styles to make contact.”
“Yes, Captain.”
SB Pinaka directed transmission equipment toward the wreckage of Delta. Parabolic dishes on the hull of the needle ship shifted, focused, and converged. Lasers sparked out a tight beam. Messages were modulated and sent forth. Electromagnetic waves covering a myriad of frequencies emanated from the needle ship, including antique radio signals.
A scratchy mechanical voice replied. “This is Delta. I received your transmission. This is SB Virginia Dare in Delta.”
Sandie interjected, “I have analyzed which signal method got through and relayed that SB Pinaka. Together we have cleaned up that connection. You will only have a few minutes to converse. We will be out of range after that.”
“SB Virginia Dare, this is Eris on the needle ship. Report your status.”
“Delta needs extraction. Repeat. Delta needs extraction.” SB Virginia Dare stated. The voice and signal were much more clear.
“How many for extraction?” Eris asked. She was amazed that anyone would be alive after what she had observed visually.
“They said you were still there,” SB Virginia Dare replied. “Delta needs extraction.”
“Who said?” Eris asked. “How many people are there? How many in suspended animation?”
“Delta needs extraction. We must leave now.”
Eris’ lips grew tight. Hearing the last sentence made her grow cold. It vividly brought to mind the message Eris had seen laid out on the ground, ‘YOU LEAVE NOW’ as she flew the shuttle away from the collapsing Beta. It was so much like the message Jerome and Cammarry said the native life on Zalia had communicated to then. Jerome was fixated on it, and Eris had to admit, she too was troubled by it all.
“Are you in danger? Is there conflict or fighting?”
“Delta needs extraction. Delta needs extraction. Delta needs ext….”
The signal cut off.
“Reconnect! I need to know that habitat’s condition.” Eris commanded.
Again, all types of communication equipment were focused on the geographical location of Delta. There was no response.
Eris tapped her fingers against her lips. She almost asked SB Pinaka for an analysis, but then said, “Sandie? What do you make of what we learned?”
“Visual observation shows severe damage. Audio interaction shows at least one system is still operational. Although that system spoke in plural making a conjecture of multiple systems surviving very likely,” Sande answered. “I am running conjectures on doing an extraction, but lack sufficient data for any meaningful results.”
“SB Pinaka? Do you and the lattice concur?” Eris asked.
A brief hesitation came before the reply. “Yes. We suggest making a shuttle trip to Delta to investigate. You have proven adept at rescuing synthetic brains, and our lattice could use additional members. The records show that Synthetic Brain Virginia Dare was designed as a secondary system in Delta to assist in shuttle flights and exterior repairs. SB Virginia Dare might be able to assist in docking procedures at Delta.”
“Shuttle flight? Yes, I think that is a good idea as well,” Eris stated. “Sandie? How long will it take until a teleportation sending and receiving pad, like the one you use between Alpha and the needle ship, can be built and brought here for me to take to Delta?”
“Alpha’s Reproduction and Fabrication can be immediately diverted to focus on that task. The construction and transport to your position will take an estimated sixteen hours,” Sandie replied. “However, I caution you, Jerome and Cammarry will almost certainly know this is being done, as the newly built unit will pass through the teleporter coming from Alpha. I am confident that, even while they are still in conflict, like they are in now, they will ask about this. I am unsure what their response will be upon learning of a plan to set up another teleportation system. Their emotional status is tentative, and potentially volatile. Additionally, I must remind you, the teleporter should only be used in an atmosphere which is compatible with the atmosphere on the needle ship. Gaseous transfer of Zalian atmosphere to the needle ship via teleportation would be devastating. From the observations of Delta, it is uncertain what atmospheric conditions you will find there. I conjecture a significant possibility that the Zalian atmosphere has encompassed the entire Delta habitat. Pockets of Earth-like atmosphere are possible, but unlikely. That is due to the loss of the interior biome where Earth-like atmosphere is created and recycled, as well as the decades which have passed since Delta’s hard crash landing. It is highly unlikely that a proper location for teleportation can be found.”
“Better to have it and not need it, than to need the teleporter and not have it. The next window for contacting Delta will be in, what… something like four hours?” Eris was calculating in her mind when the orbit would bring them into a proper position again.
SB Pinaka replied, “Three hours forty-seven minutes.”
“Work on a way to condense a message. Audio is too slow, and since the window is so limited, I want to get as much information out of SB Virginia Dare as possible,” Eris commanded. “Sandie, please assist in composing a high speed message. It looked like we will get three message attempts before the equipment is ready. I want to know everything about Delta that SB Virginia Dare can tell me before I go.”
“I will work on that,” Sandie answered. “May I suggest you utilize a new and improved spacesuit when you go? I can add that to the fabrication order and it will only add seventeen minutes to the time frame.”
Eris smiled. “Yes, please order four of those in the initial run. We will need a better supply, and NS-99 seats four. When I get my crews assembled, from reanimated people, that will be helpful. So I will go in a spacesuit, and extract anyone who might still be in suspended animation. The repositories may have survived, and we cannot know until I make an assessment. I will not leave someone to wake up to what I did,” Eris stated. “I can also assess the potential for rescuing and relocating some additional central
memory cores. It worked with SB Cotard, and I can do it again. Prepare NS-99 for launch. Sandie, please have the teleportation system and spacesuits fabricated. If they ask, and only if the ask, just tell Jerome and Sandie the basic facts. If they have a problem, they can talk to me about it. I must go to Delta.”
“I conjecture there is a chance they may wish to accompany you on the mission. They are trained adventurers,” Sandie stated. “There are good reasons to do that. They are each skilled pilots, and if additional shuttles are located, that would be an asset to the needle ship. They could each pilot a separate shuttle back. The shuttles are not readily manufactured in Reproduction and Fabrication.”
“Yes, more functional shuttles would be helpful, but calling them trained adventurers, my goodness, no. They may also seek to just blow everything up,” Eris said.
“There have been unfortunate events and inappropriate decisions made by Jerome and Cammarry,” Sandie conceded. “However, some of the circumstances have been beyond their control. Cammarry was influenced by the Shadow implant, and I am still running conjectures on that item. It is not in the Reproduction and Fabrication database, nor does the lattice you have constructed have any knowledge of it. Additionally, new information has come to my attention that mitigates some of what they have been undergoing.”
“Excuses do not excuse abuses.” Eris had her own ideas about the Shadow, as she had pondered it and prayed for guidance and illumination. She remained silent on that topic. Instead, she stated, “Cammarry destroyed many systems which I could have undoubtedly repurposed and refined back into proper operational parameters. We will never know what may have happened with Beta if Cammarry had not been so destructive. The more systems are linked into a lattice, the more accountability and feedback each one receives. Malfunctioning is one thing, deliberately destroying is another. Jerome had no excuses for his own actions, and neither of them are trustworthy.”
“I do understand your perspective,” Sandie replied. “My loyalty remains with helping Jerome and Cammarry be safe, but recently that too has come under unexpected pressures.”
Eris stood up and walked about a bit. She tapped her finger to her lips. “Piloting a shuttle back to us could be managed by a synthetic brain, perhaps that SB Virginia Dare. Cammarry whined about SB Joseph Crater in Alpha remotely piloting a shuttle. SB Virginia Dare is in a very similar role in Delta.” Eris prayed silently. Then she decided. “If they ask, and if they desire to come, I will consider allowing it. Piloting back some additional shuttles will give us cargo room for more cocoons, as well as more central memory cores. Be sure to seek out that information from SB Virginia Dare when you make contact.”
Sandie the AI replied, “I understand you concerns, and will gather as much information as possible.”
Four hours later, the second transmission exchange had taken place between the lattice, including Sandie, and the Habitat Delta system, SB Virginia Dare.
“Sandie, it does not make sense,” Eris stated. “That system, SB Virginia Dare, should have better access to the conditions of Delta, yet all we get back are repeated messages like: ‘Delta needs extraction’ and that nebulous statement, ‘Your inquiries have been submitted to those at the library’. Who is at what library? That interchange did not tell us if there are surviving humans, or other artificial intelligences, or synthetic brains. Are there shuttles there? Is there a functional hanger bay? We know little more than we did before.”
“I agree the responses are less than ideal,” Sandie replied. “I sense greater depth of knowledge and information from SB Virginia Dare; however, the mode of communication makes for limited probing of that resource.”
“SB Pinaka? What are your thoughts?” Eris asked.
“A physical mission in a shuttle will be the most likely way to adequately assess the remains of Delta,” SB Pinaka replied. “The term ‘library’ might apply to any of the seventy-two locations on the Conestoga which bore that word in part of their designations, although the eight in Delta are the most likely. We cannot know unless you go. The lattice is unanimous in that conclusion. However, we recommend you take a human who is not Jerome or Cammarry as a co-pilot and assistant.”
“Who else is there that is mechanically-minded and competent?” Eris asked rhetorically.
“Captain?” SB Pinaka asked. “The funicular vehicle has just arrived. A human without implanted identification is exiting the car.”
“Give me a visual look,” Eris said. “I am not expecting anyone.”
The display lit up and showed a woman with pale complexion and dark hair.
“It is Monika,” Eris exclaimed as the display’s perspective followed her. “Open all the doors to this place.” Eris darted over and out of Navigation and Astrogation. “Why did she come all this way here?”
Monika was just reaching for the bulkhead door as it slid open. Eris sprinted along and stopped right in front of her.
“Monika! It is fabulous to see you! Why are you here?”
“Hello Eris,” Monika gave her a hug. “It is good to get a happy reception. Sorry, this was a surprise. I sort of began wandering and when I saw the newly repaired funicular car portal, I used the green-white-green code you gave us. Seeing the universe from the funicular never fails to impress me. The starry sky is remarkable. Such an expanse! I rode until I came close to here. I hope you do not mind that I stopped by unannounced or uninvited.”
“Not at all, in fact, I have an amazing discovery! Actually a recovery. We have found Delta Habitat. It crashed, but some systems are still operational….” Eris jabbered eagerly and touched Monika’s arm and led her back to Navigation and Astrogation. She spoke about SB Virginia Dare and all that was known. Her golden eyes were twinkling and alive with excitement. After a few moments, she sensed Monika was not as enthused as she was. “Monika, I have been babbling on and on, but what about you?”
“I am tired, but it is thrilling to hear about Delta,” Monika replied. “You have done exceedingly well at the repair works on this needle ship. This ship is so much different than Beta.” After how Jerome and Cammarry had responded to her own personal news, she was hesitant to tell Eris. She wondered if she should have gone right to Jenna, but now she was here. Besides, Jenna was very busy with the refugee children, and Monika hated to burden her more. And Eris was excited about the visit. Monika tried to summon some zeal. “What happens next? Is Delta having those gravity sink hole spectacles? Did the Ferryman go there after leaving Beta?” Monika’s questions lacked vigor.
“I am planning a shuttle flight to Delta with a small teleportation system. Sandie is having it built and shipped here. I am not sure what Jerome and…” Eris halted when she saw Monika drop her eyes and look at the deck. “Monika, what is it?”
Without looking up, Monika just said simply, “I am pregnant.”
Eris grabbed her in a big hug. “That is so wonderful! No wonder you are tired. And you came out here to tell me, wow! That is great news!”
Monika did not look up.
“Not so great news?” Eris asked. She silently was praying. She reached out and touched the other woman’s cheek. “Do you want to tell me more? I know Beta had issues with multiple births from some environmental factors. Is that what is so worrying you? Are you safe? Healthy? How can I help?”
Monika’s eyes lifted and met Eris’ look. “Honestly, Beta’s troubles do bother me. Only in a small way. I am carrying healthy twin boys, so it will not be excessive multiple births, and there will never be a left-over child. Not from me. Not ever.”
“Excellent! But something more is bothering you. I can see it in your eyes.” Eris was thinking of her own parents and how they had died in the repository. A few tears were spilling down her cheeks as she saw, but did not understand, the pained look on Monika’s face.
“I used one of those Dome 17 medical kits to check everything. The babies and I are fine,” Monika replied. “It is just that…”
“I know about loss,” Eris said softly. “I l
ost everyone in Suspended Animation Repository 217K.” She could not quite talk about her parents by name, so she hurried on. “I lost everything in there. Even the artificial intelligences, Van Winkle, and Yankee Morgan. Everyone there died. In a way, I can relate to your loss of Beta. That was your home, and only a few made it out. I can work to restore the needle ship, and rebuild the Conestoga, but Beta is gone forever. I grieve with you.”
Monika nodded, acknowledging the loss, but then just quietly said, “Jerome is the father.”
“Jerome? Ewww, blech. I cannot imagine…” Eris replied with distain, but then caught herself.
Monika broke into a huge smile, and then began laughing. “I like your honesty, Eris. I really do. Bigelow would have had many more colorful expressions. In fact, there were times when Jerome was staying with us that Bigelow did warn me about getting involved. He used some rather crude but amusing ways of putting it.” Monika looked down and away. Then spoke quietly. “Perhaps I should have known better. Yes, Jerome is the father, the medical kit confirmed that.”
The Colony Ship Conestoga : The Complete Series: All Eight Books Page 155