»Gee … I almost forgot about you,« Hassan realized and looked about for the oval-shaped computer. »Damnit … where are you hiding? I can’t see you! Where are you, you stupid egghead?«
»You can’t detect me because I am now an integral part of this ship!« replied the computer.
Hassan jumped, doubting his hearing.
»You’re what? Say again …«
»… I am now a part of this ship!« the computer replied unfazed. My new work is much more challenging and pleasing to me than merely analyzing data for you.«
Hassan grinned.
»I know; Duane reprogrammed you, right? That’s good.« Hassan kept looking around but still couldn’t find the mobile computer.
He sighed and began his checks.
»Well, since you’re part of this ship now, you can certainly tell me where the energy flow is coming from, right? Our previous data shows several energy flows entering and leaving the neuronal matrix. That’s what we were working on before I had that … accident, remember?« Hassan said, trying to coax more information from the computer..
»The energy is flowing to the ship’s systems via a tachyon diaphragm and organic energy conduits,« the computer told him.
Hassan grinned.
»Eureka! I knew it … a tachyon diaphragm!« he crowed.
»The ship is in the process of recharging its accumulators. This will be accomplished in a matter of minutes. Then it will be ready!« the computer advised. It almost seemed happy.
»I’m starting to wonder if you have all your rivets together,« Hassan grumbled, pulling himself deeper into the pilot seat. »Belay that nonsense, and let’s keep working, okay?«
Hassan had placed his head at the same position where the Globuster’s head would be. A semi-spherical indentation was located above his head, covered with what looked like a spider web. He scrutinized the web, which he interpreted as a neuronal interface.
»You should know better than anyone, Hassan Khalil … I do not have rivets, let alone screws on or inside my body. Such antiquated bonding elements are no longer used for computational devices,« the computer corrected him unnecessarily.
»That does it, smart-ass! When we’re done here I’m sending you to maintenance. You’re overdue for a re-calibration … and what do you mean, body, you egg-shaped tin can with a processor?«
»How do you define body, Hassan?« the computer retorted. »Do you mean your own unsightly mass of cells, bones and that hollow sphere on your shoulders that houses your brain?«
Hassan ignored the jibe and concentrated on his readouts. Suddenly, he yelled out surprised and set aside one of his probes.
»Explain this tachyon diaphragm to me. What is it exactly?« he inquired and waited impatiently for an answer.
»This tachyon diaphragm isn’t exactly what Humans would imagine it to be. It’s more like a conductive layer, embedded inside the outer skin, covering the hull and serving as an interface to a higher continuum. It extracts energy from tachyon space and routes it to the ship’s systems. I am able to feel that enormous energy now that I’m integrated into the ship.«
Hassan felt cold sweat break out. Despite himself he was beginning to believe what the computer was telling him. Suddenly, he was not so certain that it had a physical defect. Maybe it was infected by an extra-terrestrial computer virus.
»Computer, reboot and run your diagnostics!« he ordered.
»Unnecessary, and uncalled for,« the computer replied. »That would interrupt the tasks for which I was integrated into the ship.«
»Who … integrated you?« Hassan wanted to know. He was holding his breath now.
»Who do you think could have done it? The ship did!« the computer replied in an almost surprised tone. »I thought you would have figured that out by now.«
Hassan sighed, but did not relax.
This is not a joke. Duane couldn’t come up with this! What am I thinking? How can a computer make jokes?
He slipped carefully out of the pilot seat and moved toward the exit. He wanted to get out of this ship – fast! They could analyze this with remote probes..
»Your … uh, new tasks; what are they?« Hassan he asked, trying to keep the computer busy while he was pushing himself, feet forward, through the connection tunnel.
»You should not leave the pilot area!« the computer ignored Hassan’s question. »The ship is now ready to follow the call!«
»What call? What are you talking about?« Hassan rasped with an eerie feeling prickling over his scalp. He moved faster to get out of the tunnel. Suddenly, his feet met an obstacle – the exit was closed!
»What the fu …! Let me out of here! NOW!« he yelled angrily, and stomped harder against the hard material.
»Why did you come in here, if you want to leave so soon?« the computer asked.
Hassan gnashed his teeth in frustration.
»Just wait until I get you shut down … you tin bastard!«
Hassan decided that the pilot seat would be safer than inside the connection tunnel. He made his way back. As soon he’d regained the seat, a gel-like substance oozed from tiny pores out of the walls, surrounding the seat and covering him completely. The gel lifted his body by a couple of centimeters from the bed-like seat and suspended him.
His pulse was pounding! The substance restricted his body movements and left him no room to move.
Uhh, shit, I hope the ship’s not doing what I think it’s doing! Hassan thought in horror. But it was too late. Strong vibrations went through the ship.
»Repeating: the ship is ready!« the former analysis computer announced. »We are about to leave the space dock.«
Stand by
Nok Daralamai’s knit her brows as she read the reports in her hand. She stared at the holo-foils for a moment and threw them on the table. Lai Pi picked them up and scanned them quickly.
»Commander, we have to do something immediately!« pushed Pi.
Daralamai massaged her temples and tried to concentrate.
»We have a deadly disease on Mars, thanks to McCord, who mysteriously emitted a tachyon impulse when he died. The Blue Moon should have reached Sedna by now, but they’re maintaining radio silence … so we have no idea what’s happening there. Did I forget anything?«
Lai Pi waved the foils nervously.
»What about Vasina, Toiber and Paaf on Mars? With the government quarantine in effect, nobody can land or leave!« Pi breathed. »From what we’ve heard about the disease’s progress, the entire colony could be dead before we can move. I don’t understand the government … they’ve deployed combat ships all around Mars to enforce the quarantine. I don’t think that’s legal even under Martial Law.«
»And it’s the same at Uluru,« Nok added. »They’re sealed off from the outside world. I think the agitator has us right where he wants us. He knows we’re on to him and he’s manipulating the situation to his advantage.«
»Is that your own assessment, Commander, or do you have facts?« Pi wanted to know, but Nok only looked at him seriously. She didn’t want to answer Pi’s question – or was not allowed to.
»What are the agitator’s objectives … what do you think?« Pi asked shakily.
»Uluru is the most important research station in the Union and the Mars the largest colony.«
Nok didn’t have to explain further, Pi got her drift and nodded.
»There’s more disturbing news, Commander …«
»… I know, Lai,« she interrupted him. »The Tachyon Portal!«
Pi got up from his seat and paced the room.
»Since Arkroid reported the impulse, the portal has changed! We’re going to have to evacuate the Trox immediately.«
Nok hesitated for a moment then firmed her lips in agreement.
»I’ll give the order. Triton Fleet is standing by to begin the evacuation. Do our scientists know what’s going on?«
Pi shook his head.
»How can we tell them what’s up, when we don’t know ourselves? We don’t understan
d how tachyon energy fields work. The portal has begun displaying heavy discharges within its transport-field. The field is wavering and at times collapsing entirely. The Trox have asked for help … at least the energy flow at the portal doesn’t affect our technology!«
»We’ll have to move the Trox to Triton! There’s no place else,« Nok decided and sent the coded orders to her fleet. Lai Pi just looked at her.
»I’ve never liked to being caught off guard,« she told him with a tight smile. »I’ve had evacuation ships standing by, and prepared a section on the base to take in the Trox.«
Pi heaved a deep sigh of relief.
She’s ready for anything!
The Blue Moon’s radio silence is not good either,« Pi added cautiously. »Maybe they need our help?«
»Nobody could have foreseen this exact situation,« Nok remarked. »I must rely on Petrow’s wits. They’ll be back, safe and sound.«
»I wonder …,« Pi began asking, but he was interrupted by a priority call.
Nok looked startled as she activated the holo display.
The face of a space surveillance officer appeared on the screen.
»Commander, this is Lieutenant Jackal, on scanner post Protheus. We’ve just detected a ship signature, closing in fast on Neptune. It is not a Union ship!«
Nok exchanged a quick glance with Pi.
»Is it a Globuster ship, Lieutenant?« she inquired tensely.
The lieutenant quickly cleared his throat.
»Ma’am … ahem … size, speed and maneuverability are consistent with the system guardian ships. The course vector is directly and unmistakably toward Triton! The ship will arrive at Triton within 15 minutes. We urge taking defensive measures!«
Nok Daralamai didn’t waste time. Her fist slammed the Triton base alarm on her desk. She told Pi to follow her into the command central.
On their way she asked, »I thought the Globuster lenses were deactivated along with their pilots? How can one of those monsters wake up and suddenly show up near Triton?«
Lai Pi was uncertain..
»Well … so far it’s only been a theory that all the Globusters were deactivated.«
Nok stopped and ran her gaze over Pi.
»This is really pissing me off! How many of them are out there?« she erupted, then, »Sorry, Pi … may I call you Pi?«
Pi nodded.
»Sure, Nok … or is it Commander Daralamai?«
»Nok, Pi,« she replied with a smile. Pi’s quick reaction was not what she’d expected. »We don’t know why the system guards have isolated us like this. The Globusters, though, appear to know everything about us. That’s unacceptable!«
Pi decided not to answer and followed her into the command central. They found the pre-established alert procedures in full swing. The officer of the guards had opened the lockers and issued the weapons to the entire crew. Nok and Pi paused while the OIC made his report.
»Command central crew at positions and ready for action, Ma’am! Defense Condition III for Triton Base in force!«
»Thank you, Captain!« she acknowledged and walked over to her seat. Pi followed in silence..
»Have you identified the ship?« she inquired calmly.
»Scanner satellites have confirmed a Globuster ship!« reported a scanner officer. »Approaching fast. We’re unable to determine where it came from …«
»… and?«
»We detected the Globuster already inside our scanner ranges. It was a pop-up target. Since the Globusters have never employed disguise shields, we can assume that the ship had been deactivated and then re-activated a short while ago.«
»Unbelievable!« Pi remarked quickly before the scanner office could continue. »We’re probably dealing with an opponent who had previously attacked Triton Base before the Stinger was destroyed, and then deactivated itself when its guidance signals ceased.«
Nok looked at Pi, not understanding.
»What do you mean, Pi?«
Pi swept with his right hand over his shaved head.
»I’m not sure … but there were a lot of ships involved on the attack on Triton Base. When their signals ceased, many of them just drifted on their previous headings, some crashed on Triton or fell into Neptune’s atmosphere. This ship had most likely been drifting near here ever since.«
»Okay, if you’re right, when was the ship re-activated?«
Pi hesitated.
»I’d say it has something to do with the tachyon impulse from Mars. Look at the way it affected the Tachyon Portal. The Globuster technology must be keyed to that impulse.«
»Is that pure speculation, Pi?«
»Well, one of many,« Pi admitted. »But if I’m right, then it’s also probable that the Globuster onboard this ship is following his original attack orders.«
Nok’s fingernails dug into her seat’s arm supports.
»We brought one of those ships to Earth … and they’re studying inert Globusters at Uluru Station.«
Lai Pi went pale.
»Do you think that’s what the agitator wanted?« he rasped weakly.
Nok Daralamai nodded slowly.
»That was the only reason why he used McCord – as the initiator to re-activate the Globusters!« she said..
»Commander!« the scanner officer tried to catch her attention. »Scanner post on Protheus is reporting the Globuster’s arrival inside the Neptune system’s outer security perimeter!«
»It’s starting,« Nok whispered to Pi.
»Laser batteries! Stand by! Triton Hawks – launch! If that ship gets closer than 400,000 kilometers from the base, open fire!«
Thanks, Babe
Teun van Velzen could not move. No matter how much he wanted to, his body refused. The Globuster’s head swayed. Van Velzen knew what that meant, even with his thoughts moving like molasses.
He’s scanning me, sniffing for my aura!
He could feel his own heartbeat, thready and irregular. The beast’s bio-electric field was lethal to Humans. Naked fear twisted van Velzen’s face as he stared at the Globuster through the suddenly fragile-seeming safety glass. He heard a woman scream, shrill yet distant – like in a nightmare. His own senses, even his thoughts defied him: the Globuster’s influence sent his mind spinning into chaos. Bright pinwheels whirled in his eyes , and he heard spectral sounds. His sense of reality was disintegrating. Then he felt a tug, like someone was pulling him away – out of the Globuster’s influence. He was shoved roughly by his arms and legs, fell and hit his head on the floor but felt no pain.
Suddenly, loud noises assailed his consciousness, disturbing noises, slowly making themselves known in his brain – Explosions!
He heard people screaming around him, but the sound of their voices seemed skewed and strange. Van Velzen collapsed, breathing flatly. Then somebody was shaking him, slapping him in the face and massaging his chest.
Just let me sleep! I’m so tired …
A sharp pain burst suddenly in his chest, filling his entire body until he screamed aloud. That pumped oxygen into his lungs and he heard the rushing of blood in his ears.
»You’re still alive!« somebody shouted. »Don’t give up, hang in there!«
The words were clearer. He understood.
Then the pain again!
Van Velzen opened his eyes, calmer now, his blood pumping steadily. The shock was like being thrown into ice-cold water. He was lying on his back, looking into the eyes of a beautiful woman.
Lyla was kneeling on his chest, still holding the syringe she’d stabbed into his heart in her right hand. She pulled it out again with a deft wrench.
»You won’t die that easily, van Velzen!« she yelled at him angrily.
Van Velzen fought to regain his orientation and absorb the current situation.
»What … what happened?« he asked weakly.
Instead of an answer, he saw tears of joy and relief in Lyla’s eyes.
Teun recognized his surroundings. He was in one of the First Aid stations of his lab sector. Lyl
a had broken into the medicine cabinets to obtain the injection that had saved his life. She must have dragged him singlehandedly into the room.
He rubbed his eyes a couple of times.
»You saved my life … where‘s everybody?« he asked.
Lyla smiled softly and ran her right hand through his sweaty hair. She loved to do that.
»Teun, you were unconscious for over an hour. We … I thought I had lost you! The Globusters are loose in Uluru. They came out of stasis and two of them got out. There’re a lot of dead people in this sector. The rest fled to the lower levels. The soldiers are trying to contain them.. Your “Charley” is the only one who hasn’t escaped yet. He keeps running against the airlocks and I’m fairly sure it’s just a matter of time until he gets out too.«
Van Velzen tried to speak, but he was overcome by heavy coughing and wheezing. Lyla administered a stimulant to help him breathe easier.
»Don’t worry, reinforcements from the surface will be here any time now,« he said with a scratchy voice. »They’ll take care of the Globuster problem.«
Lyla looked around warily.
»No, Teun. We’re alone! Uluru is sealed by Admiral Hayes’ orders. There’s no connection to the outside world for us. All channels are cut off. We’re going to die … all of us!«
A heavy explosion rocked the First Aid station. Thick smoke billowed into the rooms and activated the fire suppression systems. Inert gases were released to suffocate the flames. Lyla grabbed up two oxygen masks with cylinders – one for her and one for Teun.
This is terrible!
Van Velzen tried to get to his feet.
Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out, replaced by the red illumination of the emergency lights.
»We’ve got to find the others!« Lyla shouted, shaking Teun by his shoulders. »We have no chance in Hell alone! The Globusters kill everyone they encounter.«
»How … how could it have happened?« Teun inquired. »Did our systems fail us that miserably?«
»Calm down,« she reminded him. »We’ll find out how it happened, but we need to get out of here first.«
Lyla helped Teun get on his feet; he staggered a little as he set one foot before the other.
NEBULAR Collection 3 - Morgotradon: Episodes 12 - 16 Page 24