A Faded Star

by Michael Freeport

  Halford Kri nodded and said, "Aye, sir. Mind if I take Miss Simmons along with me?"

  "You may if she thinks she is up to it."

  "Thank you, sir,” Kri looked over at Simmons questioningly.

  “I will be able to go if you can give me some time to change and get myself together,” Simmons said.

  Stokes nodded and said, “Very well. You may begin the salvage operation in four hours. That wreck isn't going anywhere. Get a bit of rest and take some time to prepare for the mission.”

  Stokes looked over at his executive officer. “Miss Hanlon, please inform the being on that ship that we are humans. Also, ask him what species he is.”

  “Aye, sir,” Hanlon said and began to work on the message.

  Chapter 3

  Theo Cobb sat at his desk looking over a list of preparatory activities in the former Karn Republic when his door chime sounded. He glanced at the video monitor and saw it was his immediate supervisor. He tapped the admittance key on his desk.

  Johnathan Stone, a tall man with jet black hair and soft, almost gray eyes strode in and sat at the desk opposite Theo. “Good morning. I'm here to give you a classified level nine briefing. Security check, please.”

  Theo stood, smoothing out his black uniform pants before opening the cabinet behind his chair. He turned, set the security sweep tool on his desk and activated it. Security checks were regularly conducted in all intelligence facilities, of course, but occasionally a briefing was considered so sensitive that a supplementary scan was completed. The device sat, considering the room for about thirty seconds before beeping the all clear signal.

  Johnathan nodded at Theo. “Very good, Agent. This one is really big, and your superiors have decided you're the man for the job. At zero-two-fifteen this morning, local time, the space navy ship Rampart detected an unidentified energy source from the proximity net and maneuvered to investigate. They discovered an alien spacecraft entering the system under its own power. The ship accepted contact with the Rampart, and after some translation issues, related that it was being pursued by another vessel, hostile to it. The Rampart attempted to intervene peacefully before being forced to destroy two ships that pursued the first into our system. Hostilities ended at zero-three-twenty-one this morning. One of the alien ships also sent something rather astonishing to us.” Stone pulled a laminated photograph from the briefing folder and showed it to Cobb.

  Cobb's eyebrows inched up fractionally, a strong reaction from his normally controlled expression. “Is that the origin tablet diagram?”

  “Yes and no. As we understand it, it may be a highly directional communication signal. The first alien ship also sent something similar to it towards the Rampart, but they didn't put two and two together until this second signal was sent. Both signals appear to have the same faster than light properties. They both appear capable of avoiding signal degradation and maintain coherence over exceptionally long ranges. Our initial analysis of the signal seems to indicate the signal may be capable of traversing as much as fifty light years without any meaningful loss of integrity.”

  Cobb paused while the information sunk in. The implications of a signal of this type were nothing short of astounding. “So this may be a way for our instant comms to be spread across more than one star system.” The instant comms popularly in use by the military and intelligence communities of the Lashmere people maintained communication between the planet and the four manned space outposts in the system. The instant comm system had a serious limitation; it was usable over only a few light hours depending upon the strength of the transmission source and the sensitivity of the receiving source.

  Stone nodded. “We believe so. There is more.” Cobb leaned forward in his chair slightly, his only indication of eagerness. Stone continued, “We have located a similar signal coming from somewhere beyond the Lashmere system. This particular signal matches the origin tablet diagram exactly in every detail.”

  “Why didn't we detect this signal before?”

  “The simplest answer is that we never considered the origin tablet and its diagram might be a communication signal. We always assumed it was simply the design of some ancient nation or planetary government. In addition, we have only recently acquired the ability to detect this kind of signal at all. The Rampart, the Naval Research Laboratory and our own intelligence communications and sensor array are the only systems we are aware of that can detect this signal at all.”

  Stone paused and looked through a data pad he had pulled from his jacket. “The Navy has yet to discover the existence of the signal. You can be assured they'll figure it out soon enough. Once they do, they will mount an expedition to find the source and discover whatever may be there. Analysis indicates the origin tablet is most likely a reference designed to lead us to some hidden information, technology or other advantageous item.”

  “I understand. What is my assignment?”

  “You are to report aboard the Rampart as a member of a two person scientific team that will explore the origin of this signal once the ship has returned to space dock and completed repairs. Status reports indicate the ship has suffered some damage and casualties during this morning's firefight with an estimated repair duration of four to six weeks. Your cover will be easy enough to maintain. You'll be assigned as a cultural and historical expert on the origin tablet. The background packet is on your private data node now. Standard mission protocols apply with the exception of higher authority. The presumption is that you will be unable to communicate and must act as an independent agent until communications can be reestablished. As such, your mission parameters are outlined, but actions must be taken under your own judgment. Do you have any questions?”

  “I do, sir. First, are we considering revealing what we know about the origin tablet? Second, how much cooperation am I authorized to extend to the expedition leader? Third and last, what level of control are we prepared to exercise over whatever we find at the source of this signal?”

  “I'll answer your second question first. You are authorized to use your discretion in providing information. Remember the classified information on the origin tablet is known only to a very few, and the fact you are already aware is one of the reasons you were selected for this mission. As to your third question, it's in your mission package, but this is far outside any of our standard mission profiles. You'll have to decide if a full blackout is needed. It will depend on what is found. I would err on the side of caution. Remember, the safety and sovereignty of our planet is of prime importance.”

  “I understand, sir. I will complete my mission.” Cobb could already feel his excitement building. Almost clinically, he examined the feeling as it flushed through his awareness without giving any outward indication.

  “Excellent. One last point. The tactical officer on the Rampart is a Karn. Watch him.”

  “Understood.”

  Stone stood and left the office without another word. Cobb opened the private data node on his computer. The mission briefing had been adapted from one of the standard templates used when the agent was expected to be unable to communicate regularly with the mission authority. Cobb was authorized any level of force needed to ensure the safety and security of the Lashmere system and its people.

  Cobb began the laborious and painstaking task of memorizing every operational detail for his mission. Without perfect recall and flawless understanding of the background material, he could be compromised and unable to compete his mission.

  Marli Simmons and Halford Kri approached the standby pinnace in the forward boat bay. Standing there was a squad of marines. The platoon leader stepped forward and saluted the pair.

  “Sir, Ma'am, Lieutenant Aves reporting. My platoon is ready for embarkation.”

  Kri saluted back. “Very well, Lieutenant. We will be departing in five minutes. Have your men take their stations aboard?”

  “Aye, sir!” the lieutenant said sharply and hustled his men aboard the pinnace.

  “Are you sure you are okay to
go, Marli?”

  Simmons grinned weakly and said, “Yeah. I got a bit of sleep, and the doc gave me something to help out. Besides, I'm in the navy. I'll just have to deal with it.” Her voice shook a bit as she spoke, “And we have Lieutenant Aves to go with us, so it can't all be bad, now, can it?”

  “Yeah, and if there's more of those crab things, I want him between them and me.”

  “You're smarter than you look.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Kri deadpanned. “Perhaps if you give me a cookie every time I get a question right...”

  Simmons smirked and said, “Let's go before Mister Aves pops a blood vessel.”

  The pair boarded the small boat and began the launch sequence. As the engines warmed up, Hanlon's face came up on the comm panel display. “Mister Kri, Miss Simmons. Where is Lieutenant Aves?”

  “He is in back coaching his team,” Kri said, his face fixed in a conspiratorial smirk.

  Hanlon's face took on a stern expression. “You'll appreciate his combat ability and that of his team if there are any live crabs on that derelict, mister. Get your head in the game and be ready for anything over there.”

  Kri nodded sharply at the reminder of how serious the situation was. “Yes, ma'am. I apologize.”

  Hanlon's face softened slightly, and the near constant twinkle reappeared in her eyes. “No apology needed, Hal. Just keep in mind where you're going. Also, the Bastion is jumping in in the next few minutes. I've downloaded the arrival point to your nav system. Make sure you don't stray into it on your way to the wreck.”

  “Yes, ma'am,” Kri said crisply.

  “One more thing. Watch your backs in there. We want some intel or possibly some tech. Just make sure you don't get killed getting it. It would be a terrible blow if anything happened to any of you.”

  Simmons broke into the conversation. “Thank you, ma'am. We'll be careful.” Kri nodded agreement.

  “Good luck and stay safe. Hanlon out.” The screen switched back to standby.

  Kri turned to Simmons. “Preflight complete.” She nodded and Kri tapped the boat bay intercom key. Pinnace one ready for launch.”

  “The boat bay chief's gravelly voice came back out of the speaker. “Bay is clear for launch. Space doors are opening.”

  The pinnace rose out of its docking cradle and slid smoothly through the open doors. Lieutenant Aves came into the cockpit and said, “My men are at full combat readiness. If I may suggest, there's sufficient combat armor for both of you. There could be more of those crab things... and especially if one of them decides to blow himself all over the bulkheads, combat armor will keep you alive a lot longer than those fancy uniforms you navy types wear.” The lieutenant kept a completely straight face, but laugh lines appeared around the corners of his mouth. He beckoned the two naval officers to the aft compartment.

  Kri looked at Simmons with raised eyebrows before saying, “Okay, I'll go first. You have flight ops.”

  Simmons nodded and turned back to the console. A few minutes later Kri, now outfitted in the Lashmere's latest power assisted combat armor returned and let Simmons get changed.

  Shortly after Simmons returned to the cockpit, the navigational array sent an alert. The Bastion was arriving at its jump in point. Kri cut thrust and turned the pinnace to look directly at the point where the ship would arrive. “Hey, Aves! Get up here.”

  The marine officer practically leapt through the hatch. “What is it, Lieutenant?”

  “Have you ever seen a ship arriving through a point to point jump ring?”

  “I haven't, sir.”

  “Then take a seat and watch carefully. The arrival phenomenon is beautiful.”

  The trio of officers sat and waited patiently until a point appeared and slowly expanded into a rainbow cascade of light. The light gradually coalesced into a toroidal band of blues, purples, and greens when in a flash of brilliant white light, the Bastion suddenly emerged from the center of the ring. As the flash faded, so did the ring, leaving just the warship hanging in space.

  Aves whistled softly. “You weren't kidding, Lieutenant. That was quite a show. Thanks for bringing me up.”

  Kri smiled amiably at the man. “You betcha, Lieutenant. Our ETA is ten minutes. We better start prepping docking maneuvers. I suggest you get your Marines ready to tear the shells off those nasty buggers if there are any left alive over there.

  Aves went from all smiles to deadly seriousness. “We'll be ready, sir. Just say the word.”

  Kri pivoted the pinnace back along their course. He began scanning the slowly rotating hulk of the crab ship not destroyed in battle.

  Simmons pointed at the canopy and said, “Look at the damage the main battery did. Cut straight through the entire ship. I wonder what these ships use for armor, if any.”

  “Whatever it is, it was plainly designed for some type of energy other than what we use for our weapons.” Kri paused and looked intently at the wrecked ship. “There. That looks like it may be an airlock.” He nudged the controls, and the pinnace crept towards the less damaged side of the ship before matching rotation. “Yeah, that definitely looks like a door of some sort. What do sensors say?”

  Simmons shot him a half accusatory glare from behind the face plate of her helmet before tapping out a scan sequence. “Well, it looks like a door. Perhaps we should dock with it.”

  Kri suppressed a grin and looked at Simmons sidelong. “Well, what a fine idea. What would I do without you?”

  “Oh, probably putter about, lost for hours, before finally going back without ever boarding the thing.”

  “Ah, yes. That's it.” Kri grinned then and then tapped the intercom. “Docking maneuver. One minute, marines. Be ready.”

  The intercom shouted, “Ready, sir!” back at him in Aves' voice.

  A few seconds later, the pinnace groaned and jolted to a stop. “Hard dock. Initiating air seal.” Kri tapped a control, causing the inflatable ring to adapt to the surface of the crab ship. Telltale lights winked from amber to green. “Positive seal. Prepare to move out.” Kri thrust himself out of the pilot seat, followed closely by Simmons.

  The Marines were crowded around the port airlock. Aves looked over at Kri and Simmons. “Ready to go!” The marines shouted an affirmative in response. “By twos. Lock open in three... two... one!” The inner door slid open in a hiss of equalizing air. The first two Marines pressed forward eagerly, searching for a handle, button or knob to open the hull door on the crab ship. After a few seconds, they moved back, looking about themselves sheepishly.

  One of the Marines looked back at Aves. “Sir, there does not appear to be a way to operate the door from this side.” Kri shared a wide grin with Simmons. They wisely kept silent, allowing the Marines to sort themselves out.

  Aves moved forward and looked the door over. “Corporal. Get me that pry bar.” The enlisted man handed the lieutenant a long metal bar with a large hook at one end. After several minutes of grunting and servo-whining effort. A crack appeared along the door. Three more marines joined in and slowly wrestled the door open. “Uh, lieutenants... you may want to look at this.”

  Kri and Simmons moved forward and gasped in shock. Pointing out of the door, directly into the tiny, fragile hull of the pinnace was what appeared to be a large energy weapon mounted on an articulated hard point. “Think we should disable it?” Simmons asked. “Or should we look for an actual air lock to go through?”

  Kri looked past the weapon into its storage bay. “You wanted a door. This is a door.” Simmons gave him a look that said she was fighting the urge to thump him on the head with something. He continued, “It looks like there's a maintenance hatch at the bottom of the weapon bay. If we can be sure it's disabled, this should make a reasonably good access point.”

  Two Marines carefully climbed down past the weapon followed closely by Simmons and Kri. After a few minutes of looking the connections over, Simmons pulled a plasma torch from her equipment kit and began methodically slicing through what appeared to be contr
ol junctions. She then went to work on the larger cables that were most likely power supplies for the weapon. She gave a thumbs up to Kri and Aves. “This thing isn't going to cause us any problems now. Let's see if we can get inside.”

  Aves crawled down and joined his two marines on the tiny maintenance landing. The entire area was completely packed with power armored humans, now. After a few seconds of fiddling with a bulkhead mounted panel, Aves managed to get the maintenance hatch to open. “By twos, marines. Go, go, go!”

  Kri and Simmons flattened themselves against the housing of the now useless gun while armored Marines clambered by. After a few tense seconds, Aves called up to them. “All clear, Lieutenants. Come down.”

  Kri and Simmons moved gingerly down along the side of the disabled energy cannon. The soles of the powered armor boots made metallic clunks against the deck as they reached the bottom of the weapon bay. Ducking through the maintenance hatch, Kri and Simmons surveyed the passageway they stood in. The lighting was harsh, yellow, and only directly illuminated about a quarter of the area in alternating pools of light and darkness.

  Aves brought up his hand scanner before showing Simmons the readout. “Looks like roughly equal energy readings in both directions.”

  Kri stepped to the bulkhead. Affixed to it was what could only be a sign of some sort. Metallic and with raised, regular formations. “Perhaps we should proceed this way.”

  Simmons looked at the sign and said, “Why?”

  “I think this might be an arrow.” Kri indicated a narrow, tapered shape.

  “Could be pointing the way to their brig just as easy as to their bridge,” Aves said.

  “Well, we aren't going to find out standing here. Any indications of life on your scanner?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Then let's get moving.”

  “Aye, sir.” Aves turned to his marine platoon. “Advance by twos. Maintain cover at all times.”

  The progress down the passageway was slow. There was no sign of life as they advanced. Without warning, gunfire erupted around them. “Into that doorway!” Aves shouted over the din. The group clustered into the small notch and began firing back for all they were worth. Aves rapped out orders in short, clipped tones and kept his sidearm firing so fast the barrel began to glow with heat. One of the marines shouted as he was knocked backward by a hit in the head. Fortunately, the armor plate on his helmet saved his life. The man scrambled back up after only a few seconds of disorientation and began firing once more. The bulkheads around them pinged and snicked with missed shots.