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

by John Thornton

  The woman with Sandie’s voice turned and announced, “The Jellie ship has detonated a neutrino disruption charge. We are compensating now, and all systems will be functioning in a moment. No permanent damage.” The woman walked over to where Monika sat.

  “Are you, Sandie? Jerome’s Sandie? The AI? Just who or what are you? Sandie, is that you somehow? One of your simulations like Doctor Chamber, or Brink?” Monika was trembling now.

  “Yes, I am Sandie, and this obviously was not the proper way to do introduce you here.” Sandie’s image turned and said, “Captain Eris, the immediate crisis has been averted. The connections have been reworked, and we have linked into where we needed to make the compensated couplings, please shut down the shadowlands now.”

  “I agree,” Eris stated. “Again Monika, I apologize.”

  Monika felt flush. Her head spun, and a rosy rush flooded her cheeks. Then her eyes opened. She reached down to her left calf. There was a trickle of blood on her leg from a puncture wound. Fingering the torn spot in her pants, she admitted to herself that something real had happened.

  “Yes, Monika, I am here as the liaison to the Shadow Level Clearance,” Shadow stated. “Sandie is the administrator, and it was my responsibility for your involuntary implantation. This new combat station is essential to this last flight of the Conestoga, and into each command chair was built an emergency implantation device. We cannot risk losing connections between the flight crew.”

  Monika tapped her com-link. “Sandie, please confirm what just happened.”

  Sandie immediately responded. “The Jellie ship set off a…”

  “Not that! To me!” Monika nearly yelled, but kept her voice down at the last moment, thinking about her sons in the adjacent room.

  “You are now part of an alternative communication system,” Sandie stated briefly. “Discussion of that is limited, but yes, you saw my simulation a moment ago. For right now, I think it is more essential to consider what has happened externally. The Jellie ship…”

  “Never, under any circumstances, do anything to me like that again, ever!” Monika stated abruptly through tightly clenched lips. She slammed her fist down on the chair between her legs.

  “That was not Sandie’s decision. It was mine. My core programming is to insure continuity in the flight crew. In cases of emergency, I am granted unilateral, unrestricted by overseers, and independent decision making, regarding induction of new members,” Shadow stated, but only Monika heard.

  The fiercely hostile words Monika directed at Shadow made the system back off. Even Bigelow would have shuddered at the language and descriptions which were used by Monika in her condemnation of what had been done. Only the flickering into operation and the returned purple glow from the displays and monitors diverted her attention. She ended her rage with, “Violate me again, and I will have it ripped out. Even if I have to go to Cammarry and beg her to do it for me with some rusty fishing knife.”

  “Monika?” Jerome’s gentle voice spoke from the passageway. “Something has happened. How can I help? The boys are still asleep. What is wrong?”

  Before Monika could answer, Sandie interjected, “The Jellies have detonated a neutrino disruption charge. It overwhelmed our monitoring equipment for a few moments, but we are able to perceive externally again. Monika and I were just reviewing what has happened.”

  Recalling all Cammarry had gone through with Shadow, Monika held back from attempting to discuss what had happened to her. She ground her teeth together, and then wondered if Jerome would notice that. Her mind went to her leg where the implant had been placed. The drips of blood on her leg had dried, and she doubted they showed much on her pants. She blew out a long breath and spoke. “Yes, it was frightful for a moment, but we have gotten visuals back again. I am not sure why the Jellie’s did what they did. Some things are very hard to understand. Very tough to take in.” The last few words were spat out in intensity.

  Jerome walked over quickly and rubbed her neck. “That must have been some kind of fright to shake you up so much. You are usually an unflappable rock of emotional stability.”

  “Thank you.” She reached up and patted his hands as he caressed her neck. Leaning back into him felt good. “I just need to figure out why?”

  “Indeed, why would the Jellies discharge something like that?” Jerome said, misunderstand to what Monika was referring. Then his hands stopped moving. “Sandie? You said they detonated a neutrino disruption of some kind? What would that do to the scout ship’s FTL drive? Would that reflect some tachyons or quarkite emissions?”

  “Yes, it would,” Sandie answered. “The scout is on the far side from the detonation, and its FTL system has been inert since you made attachment to the ship, but yes, I believe you have unveiled the motives. Had the Jellie ship been in closer proximity to our location, and had the scout ship not been shielded by the bulk of the needle ship, and Alpha Habitat, the neutrino disruption’s after-wave would have caused the FTL drive to light up. To use an old phrase, that FTL would light up like a lighthouse on a dark night. That would have alerted the Jellie’s to our location.”

  “So, if they start a system-wide search,” Jerome said, “They could keep setting off discharges and watch for the reflections. They must have analyzed the robotic probe’s FTL and are looking for more of that technology. They must think we are here somewhere.”

  “That is a valid conjecture,” Sandie answered.

  “Then use that against them. Cut off the scout, then float it away from the Conestoga. Then if the Jellies do set off more charges, they cannot find us, but instead they will chase down some wreck we do not need anymore,” Monika said. “Like they did with the robotic probe.”

  Jerome looked at her. His pupils were wide, his breath coming hard, and his frown deep. “Sandie’s Atomic Level Processor is inside the scout.”

  “Can it be moved?” Monika asked. She shook her head a bit, flipping her hair around. “Relocate that Atomic Level Processor quickly, then sever the scout from the ship, and set it adrift. Use it as a bait to lure the Jellies away from us. Can you do that?”

  “Sandie?” Jerome asked. “I know Captain Eris has moved some central memory cores, and the Crocks did too, so it must be possible to transfer the physical location of your ALP. How much difficulty will that be, and is there a danger to you?”

  “Monika, you have made a great suggestion. The moving and reinstallation of my ALP is not too complex an undertaking. Moving my physical housing out of the scout would result in the FTL drive on the scout being very limited. I just tried to conjecture a method of activating the FTL drive remotely, but the best I can design is similar to the weapon systems which we are calling the FTL Punchers. The scout could be equipped with that type of remotely activated FTL drive, but there would not be any chance for occupants, as the scout would basically be altered into a minimally guided missile, which would have to follow a preprogrammed flightpath, not be a true piloted spacecraft any longer,” Sandie replied. “As to the risk to me, that is minimal. I can program and purpose an engineering automacube with a subroutine to removed and reinstall the ALP without my constant direction. For I would be in what you might say was a comatose, or anesthetized state while that took place. I suggest placing the ALP into a separate engineering or even a security automacube. That would allow the ALP a platform, and some mobility it currently lacks. The automacube can be fitted easily with the proper connections, links, and couplings, so that my functionality, upon my awakening, is not hindered to any large percentage. The disadvantages of severing the scout are that we would lose its scanners and its ability to perceive. That space technology equipment is superior to what is available in the Conestoga, but not actually essential to our last flight. The advantages we would gain are because the FTL that the Jellies are seeking would no longer reveal our location. Additionally, there…”

  Jerome interrupted Sandie, by saying, “The FTL Punchers can no longer be built, because the Jellies know how to search for that
technology, right?”

  “That is correct,” Sandie responded. “We are very fortunate that none of the FTL Punchers were as of yet fully assembled. Had they been, that neutrino disruption charge would have revealed our location almost immediately. The designs for those FTL Punchers lack virtually all the shielding which is on the scout.”

  “We would have lit up the blackness of space like the proverbial Christmas Tree. Some claim it is better to illuminate than merely to shine, but in our case, remaining in the darkness is essential. That is a contemplated truth, not just something to contemplate,” Jerome stated.

  Blowing out her frustration and anger in another long exhalation, Monika focused on the problem. “But we can use the scout one single time as an FTL weapon, or as a lure to draw the Jellies away? Make good use of that scout in its final moments.”

  “Yes, however, the ALP must be removed first, and the umbilicus then severed carefully and only from the inside. No work can take place outside on the exterior hull for fear of detection,” Sandie stated. “I am arranging to have the ALP moved, and the operation to separate the FTL scout commenced. The engineering automacubes are being set to the task as we speak.”

  “Wait! I did not agree to that,” Jerome interjected. “Are you making arbitrary decisions with my equipment?” Jerome was surprised at the emotional attachment he suddenly felt for the small FTL scout ship. He kept recalling his time in there with Cammarry, and how they had worked together back then. He rubbed his eyes, so Monika would not see the tears which were forming.

  “Captain Eris just authorized that project, and halted the FTL Puncher production. She also approved the redeployment of the resources which had been working on the FTL Punchers, to be placed into the building of the other weapon systems.”

  “So, we are ready when the Jellies try something else. I hope there are no other unexpected events, from anywhere else.” Monika’s voice had a very sharp edge to it.

  “Monika, what do you mean, ‘from anywhere else’?” Jerome asked.

  She again blew out her air and then looked toward the ceiling. “Those children are still missing, and there have been other predicaments which have happened. I need to go see my sons now. Please take over this station.” She got up and started to march off. She then stopped, and turned about and hugged Jerome. “Sorry.” Then she walked briskly to the next-door room and her twin sons.

  9 Regard your soldiers as your children

  Mariamne unlocked the door and slipped into the apartment where a fretting and anxious Dmitar and Claire were waiting. She was sweaty and moving stiffly.

  “Did the things go away?” Claire asked.

  “Oh, my sweet girl, those creatures are the worst I have ever seen them. But do not worry about your Auntie Mariamne, I am fine. I came back to make sure my precious lad and sweet girl were not alone for too long. You were not frightened, were you?”

  “Well, actually, I rather was,” Dmitar stated. He was looking out of the apartment and into the repository. Things looked the same, those few cocoons were still lit up, the exit door was sealed, and Mariamne’s gear was stacked where she had left it previously. Her exoskeleton was folded and recharging in its cubby. There were some drops of black pooling under her exoskeleton.

  “Oh, precious lad, do not watch for the creatures,” Mariamne said and shut the door. “I told you they cannot get in here, but I just wanted to make sure you were still safe and still here.”

  “Please, when can we go home?” Claire asked. “I miss my family.”

  “Of course, you do. I completely understand that, yes, I do. But with those creatures lurking around, I do not want to risk taking you back just yet. I was lucky to get back here myself.”

  Dmitar’s eyes began to water, but he tried hard to hold back the tears.

  “Oh, precious lad, do not cry for your Auntie Mariamne. I am fine now that I am with you again. No need to worry your precious head, not at all. No, no, no. Dry up those tears, for you know big lads do not cry. I know I was gone for hours and hours. Do you need to eat again?”

  “I was not worried about you,” Dmitar snapped out. “I want to go to my mother and brothers!”

  Mariamne grabbed him by his face and looked into his eyes. “I am keeping you safe from those creatures. You will maintain a civil tongue in your head, understand?”

  Dmitar nodded as his face was squeezed. A single tear ran down his cheek. He started to reach up to wipe it away, but Mariamne brushed his hand down and released his face. “I know you were only worried and anxious, and that is understandable. Getting taken by that creature was so terrible, you can be excused for some of your attitudes. But trust me, I will get you where you need to be, but at the proper time. Not before.” Mariamne was staring at Dmitar. “Good little lads do not make demands.”

  Claire’s large smoky-gray eyes took it all in. “Auntie? It has been a while, may we have something to eat, please?”

  Mariamne quit staring at Dmitar, and looked to Claire. The woman’s countenance changed and a plastic smile was back on her face. “Oh, yes. Of course you can, my sweet girl. I was just overwrought fighting off those creatures. The creatures are in a frenzy. They are certainly nasty, with claws, teeth, and all. Yes, I will get you another meal. Then, I will need to make some adjustment to my mates in their cocoons. You and they are all I have now. I will be right back with a hot, nutritious, and delicious meal. You just trust your Auntie Mariamne!”

  She left the room and locked the door.

  “Can we at least come out there with you?” Claire asked. But she was certain Mariamne had not hear her.

  Dmitar wrapped his arm around Claire, but they both were worried.

  After some time, Mariamne opened the door, and stepped through. She was carrying a tray of foods. Claire noted that on her light-brown utility suit, there were some dark stains on one side of it.

  “Now come and sit and eat,” Mariamne said. When she caught Claire’s gaze, she glanced down at the stains. “Oh dear, sweet girl. I am not injured. I should have cleaned myself up. Oh, dearest child, I understand. Seeing that creature’s blood on your Auntie Mariamne must be rather dreadful for you. I am not hurt, but that creature was. I taught it to never come around here again, yes I did.”

  “Then we can go home soon?” Dmitar asked.

  A cold look fell from Mariamne’s eyes. “I told you, at the proper time you will be taken, to the proper place. Good little lads do not become pests with so many demands.”

  “Sorry,” Dmitar said, as he looked away.

  Mariamne kept glaring, but set the food down. “I must check on my mates, and make some adjustments.” She then turned to Claire. “And I will clean myself up before I come back in here. I should have realized seeing that would frighten you. It is so good of you, my sweet girl, to get so worried about your old Auntie Mariamne.”

  Before the children could say more, the woman left, and again locked the door behind her. Dmitar and Claire both cried, but were not sure why. They did not touch the food.

  ***

  Meanwhile, not too far away, Khin pushed open the door which led out from the in-between place. His goggle-covered eyes reflected some of the brilliance which was revealed as the door opened. As he moved the door, it followed a double set of hinges, so it folded open, away, and downward, in an unusual manner. When it was all the way open, the door made a small pedestal about half way down the wall. Khin slipped his feet through the threshold, and stepped down onto that pedestal. He looked in all directions, but, as he expected, there was no monster to be seen.

  “This is so weird,” Vesna said as she aimed her revolver past Khin and looked through her own dark goggles at the place beyond the door.

  “This is the Hallway of Forever.” Khin giggled.

  Lights of various colors, of bright neon hues, shined from so many different places, it was hard to tell where they originated. It was impossible to determine the shape of the chamber beyond, because of a vast multitude of mirrored surfaces,
clear permalloy partitions, shimmering silver reflective surfaces, and angular lines seemingly cut into the floor. As Vesna looked in one direction, it did look like it went on forever, at least between the mirrored pillars. Looking up, she could see that the ceiling, some distance over her head, was dull black, as if the light could not bounce off of it. Looking down, she saw triangular shapes on the deck which were also that dull black color. Yet, the neon oranges, yellows, greens, reds, and blues, outlined so many other geometric shapes her mind was unsure if she was seeing triangles, or sliced apart squares, or just random straight lines which had fallen to crisscross over each other.

  Sandie’s voice came through on a private channel, in their separate ear pieces to both Vesna and Khin. “I must interrupt you. This is the Shah of Persia Energy Concentrator. It is not safe for you to be entering here.”