Heirs of the New Earth

by David Lee Summers

  "Junior says we're ready to go,” said Mary.

  "Sound the jump warning,” said Firebrandt. He grabbed one of the handles on the side of the wheel console. Roberts hovered back to the computer console. He lowered the hover chair to the deck. Magnetic clamps grabbed onto the grating and he reached over and helped Anne McClintlock who was having trouble with her seat straps.

  The captain looked around the deck, then swallowed hard. “Broadcast a countdown from ten throughout the ship,” said Firebrandt. He swallowed hard and his hand hovered over the button that would activate the Quinnium burst.

  Roberts touched a control on the hover chair. “10 ... 9 ... 8...” he began.

  Firebrandt felt sweat bead on his forehead.

  "7 ... 6 ... 5..."

  Juan Raton found himself grabbing the handles on either side of the gunner's rig.

  "4 ... 3 ... 2..."

  Mary Seaton saw a light on her engine console flicker red for a moment. She reached up to tap it, but it flickered back to green.

  "1,” said Roberts. Firebrandt pressed the jump button. Reality collapsed.

  Jumping into the fourth dimension played havoc with anybody's senses. Human beings are creatures of three dimensions and when they are transported into the dimension that runs parallel to time, the brain gets confused. For some, like Mary Seaton, it was as though the floor had just dropped out from beneath her, even though she could look down and see herself firmly strapped into her chair. For Anne McClintlock, the world went black but she could swear that she heard the smell of burning electronics. As the ship came out of jump, Juan Raton was holding the handles on either side of the gunners rig and screaming. He opened his eyes and got control of himself and took a few deep breaths. “Sorry,” he said, sheepishly.

  Firebrandt had collapsed to his knees. Roberts unclamped his hover chair and sped to his captain's side. The captain waved him off. “I'm all right,” he said. He looked over to Anne. “Turn on the viewer, let's see where we are.” Then he looked from Roberts to Mary. “Let's begin a system and hull check."

  Mary and Roberts nodded as the holographic viewer at the front of the deck came to life. The blue-green planet of Sufiro hung in the tank like a great globe surrounded by stars. Juan Raton gasped and Ellison Firebrandt felt a tear run down his cheek. “We made it,” he said.

  "We're adrift and tumbling slightly,” reported Anne, “but we're outside Sufiro's gravitational well and all life support systems seem to be functioning.” She reached over and typed in a command that Roberts had taught her. “Thrusters fired. We've stabilized our position,” she reported.

  "Junior says we've burned out a few engine relays,” said Mary, “but we have spares and we should be ready to jump again within the hour."

  Ellison Firebrandt looked around the battle deck and smiled broadly. “Well done, everyone.” He looked at Roberts who was hovering next to Juan near the deck's door. “Do your survey of the hull then report to me in my cabin,” he said to Roberts.

  Roberts and Juan turned and left the deck.

  Firebrandt stepped forward and looked at the image of Sufiro. He thought of Suki, his lover and mother of his daughter, whose ashes were scattered on the planet below. “I'll be back, I promise."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  FUGITIVES

  Simon Yermakov appeared to be standing between the Perseus and Orion arms of the Milky Way Galaxy within the holographic tank in the bow of the Sanson's command deck. Wavy blue lines indicated previously charted jump paths from one star system to another. Wavy green lines indicated how those paths would have changed assuming certain gravitational shifts at the center of the galaxy.

  Chief Engineer Mahuk strode onto the command deck and shook his head, bewildered. “What is all of that?"

  Simon stepped through the arm of galaxy to stand next to the hologram. He pointed to a yellow sphere in the Orion arm of the galaxy that represented the Sun. “That's where we jumped from.” Then he pointed to a red sphere in the outer most part of the Perseus arm. “This is where we are now.” He pointed to the end of a blue streamer a few inches to the left. “This is where we should have come out of jump according to the charts."

  Mahuk joined Simon in the tank and saw that a green streamer came very close to connecting the yellow and red spheres. “This must be close to the path we followed,” said Mahuk, knowingly.

  Simon smiled. “It is. I was able to use some of the mapping programs we have to model the way the jump points are moving as a result of the Cluster's interference at the center of the galaxy."

  "Can we use this to get back to Earth?” asked Mahuk.

  Simon stepped out of the holographic tank and put his hands on the pilot's console and looked down, not meeting the engineer's eyes. “The Cluster hasn't stopped adding stars to the black hole at the center of the galaxy. The jump points will keep changing until they stop or someone stops them. This projection is good for an hour or two at most.” He looked up at the chief engineer. “How are the engines doing?"

  Mahuk held out his hands. “The engines still lack the fine tuning for a mapping jump, but we can do a coarse jump again when you give the word."

  "Good,” said Simon, softly. “I think we need to get moving soon, or else we're going to be stranded here—out on the rim.” He stepped back toward the holographic display. “However, I don't think we should head back to Earth."

  "If not Earth, then where?” asked Mahuk.

  "We need to get back to Alpha Coma and let them know what we've learned so far.” Simon pointed to the chart. With another jump, I might be able to refine this model. I might be able to predict what's happening to the jump points—at least well enough that they can get a few ships to Earth."

  "Do you think that will do any good?” asked Mahuk, his brow knitted. “No one has ever been able to attack a Cluster ship and survive."

  Simon puffed out his cheeks, making him look more like a squirrel than before. “It's not our job to ask that question,” he said after a moment. “Our job's just to get the information back to Herbert Firebrandt on Alpha Coma."

  Mahuk stepped forward and put his hand on Simon's shoulder. “You're beginning to sound a lot like Captain Ellis.” The chief engineer chuckled when Simon looked mortally wounded. “Simon,” he said sincerely, “that's meant as a compliment. Keep this up and you'll end up in command of the ship."

  "Somehow, I don't think Ellis is going anywhere,” said Simon bitterly.

  "Maybe not,” said Mahuk, still cheerful. “Still there are plenty of ships in TransGalactic's fleet. You're working on a promotion, my friend.” With a cheering smile, Mahuk stepped to the rear of the command deck then turned around. “I'll prepare the engines for jump. You get things ready up here and give the word.” With that, he stepped into the elevator.

  Simon activated the intercom. “Natalie, break's over, I need you back on the command deck.” He turned and stepped into the holographic tank and pointed to a green ribbon that was near their position. The ribbon terminated near Alpha Coma Bereneces. “Computer,” he called. “Store this course in the navigational computer.” He then moved back to the pilot's console and charted a course to the new jump point for Alpha Coma.

  As Simon pushed at the holographic lever that applied forward thrust, Natalie stepped onto the command deck and took her seat at the communications station. “Natalie,” he said, “activate sensors, we're going to need to feel around for the exact position of the jump point. They're moving around a bit."

  She nodded and did as Simon asked. She brought up a display that hovered over her console that showed the ship and readings of gravitational density. She touched her hand to her forehead. “Simon, two Titan ships have just jumped into the area. They're ordering us to return with them to Titan."

  Without thinking about it, Simon increased the thrust to full and chewed on his lower lip. “Why are they trying to stop us?” asked Simon, aloud. “You'd think they'd want to see the Cluster stopped, too."

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p; "They're scared,” said Natalie.

  Simon looked around at her.

  "They're afraid we won't be able to stop the Cluster and things are going to be a lot worse,” she said dreamily. She pointed to her forehead. “I've been listening in to the Titan frequencies. There's been chatter.” She looked at another of her screens. “The Titans are pursuing us."

  Simon turned back to his own console. “We're approaching the jump point. Give me some direction.” He backed off the forward thrust.

  "Gravitational density increasing about twenty degrees to port,” said Natalie.

  Simon called up a holographic representation of a steering column. As he turned the ship, she called out, “Gravitation density now increasing fifteen degrees below us.” He pushed the column forward dropping the ship's nose. “I guess they've closed to firing range,” said Natalie.

  "Why's that?” asked Simon.

  "They've just launched two missiles."

  "Keep your eyes on the gravitational density and warn the crew that jump is imminent. I want everyone strapped in and ready to go."

  "Two degrees back to starboard,” said Natalie, then she sounded the first jump warning. As Simon turned the ship, her display started blinking green. “I think we're right on top of it.” She looked over at her other display. “The missiles are closing pretty fast."

  Simon shut down the forward thrust. “We're getting out of here.” He pushed the intercom button. “Mahuk! Jump now!"

  Used to the long, protracted mapping jumps as he was, Simon gasped when the indicators already showed that the jump was complete. He gaped at the display for a moment, then looked back at Natalie. “Did the missiles interfere with jump?"

  "No,” said Natalie. She changed the holographic display at the front of the command deck so it showed the blue-green world of Alpha Coma ahead of them. “We arrived right on target.” She pushed a button and several red dots appeared around the planet.

  "What are those?” asked Simon.

  "Military vessels,” said Natalie with a shudder. “I count thirty-two of them.” She turned and looked at Simon. “I hope none of them start shooting missiles at us."

  "As long as they're not Titan ships, I think we'll be okay,” he said, trying to sound reassuring, but afraid he heard something of a shudder in his own voice. “Call Herbert Firebrandt and let him know we're back. I want to talk to him."

  * * * *

  Roberts let himself into Ellison Firebrandt's cabin. He looked around and smiled. The room was paneled in wood except for a couple of lighted alcoves that were covered over with stained glass. A brass lantern swung gently back and forth on a chain. He pondered for a moment how long it had been since he'd seen the lantern swinging, instead of standing still. Firebrandt reclined in large, overstuffed chair, snoring.

  The first officer nudged his hover chair closer to the captain, as his smile melted into a worried frown. He thought about his own arthritis and looked at Firebrandt's white hair. With a look back at the door, he thought about the inexperienced crew and hoped that what they were doing was not simply the folly of two old men who'd grown bored of farming. He reached out and touched Firebrandt gently on the forearm.

  The captain startled awake and sat up. “What time is it?” he asked as he rubbed his eyes.

  "Ship's hull integrity is good, sir,” said Roberts, deliberately not answering the captain's question. “Junior Kimura reports that the EQ engines are ready for jump."

  Firebrandt looked at Roberts as though seeing him for the first time. Looking beyond his first officer, he saw the swinging lantern and nodded, as though his brain had finally caught up with what was happening. The captain reached over, took his pipe and tamped it full of tobacco and lit it. “Then we're ready to jump to Earth?” asked Firebrandt.

  Roberts shook his head. “There's a problem.” He hovered over to a chart table on the opposite side of Firebrandt's cabin. He brought up an image of the galaxy. “I've scanned for five jump points and none of them are where they should be."

  Firebrandt stood and joined Roberts by the chart. He blinked at the image of the galaxy and tried to recall long-unused navigation skills as he sucked on the pipe. Finally he removed the pipe from his mouth and slapped his forehead. “Of course. The Cluster is moving stars around at the center of the galaxy,” said the captain. “That's going to muck with all the jump points."

  Roberts nodded and he felt a burning sensation in the pit of his stomach. “I'm afraid we may have jumped into orbit for nothing."

  Firebrandt returned the pipe to his mouth and stared at the chart. He commanded it to show the positions of Earth and Sufiro, then walked around staring at it from several angles. Finally he looked at Roberts. “There are Clusters at the center of the galaxy and there are Clusters at Earth, right?"

  "Right,” said Roberts slowly, not sure that he followed how this fact helped them.

  "If the Clusters at the center of the galaxy are maintaining an open EQ channel to Earth, we can trace that and follow it right to Earth."

  Roberts shook his head, still not following. “That would only do us good if we were at the center of the galaxy."

  The captain smiled around the pipe stem. “Precisely. The black hole at the center of the galaxy is the single largest gravitational source. We can jump to that from anywhere."

  "You've got to be kidding,” said Roberts, sitting back in the seat of the hover chair. “No ship besides the Cluster has ever survived traveling to the center of the galaxy."

  "Why?” asked Firebrandt, stepping back toward his chair.

  "You know why as well as I do, sir,” said Roberts, turning to face the captain. “A ship that tried to jump to the galactic core would be ripped apart within minutes—not to mention the radiation surges we'd have to endure."

  The captain turned on his heel. “How many minutes would a ship have?"

  "I don't know,” said Roberts, thinking. “Maybe fifteen minutes. Twenty at the outside."

  "You'd have that long to find the jump point and trace it,” said Firebrandt.

  Roberts looked down and sighed. “I don't know, sir. That's asking a lot."

  Firebrandt stepped toward Roberts and knelt down beside him. “I know, but we've got to try. We've got to get to Earth to help Edmund."

  Roberts looked up, meeting Firebrandt's gaze. “Do we, sir? Or, is this just some attempt by an old man to regain lost glory?” He pointed to the door. “We have an inexperienced crew out there. There's a good chance we'll die in the center of the galaxy."

  The captain ripped the pipe from his mouth. “According to the message I got from Swan, if we do nothing we will be dead—everyone on Sufiro will be dead. Like it or not, the people on Sufiro have always looked to me as a leader. Sitting around on Sufiro and continuing with my comfortable life while hoping that someone, somewhere is going to save my ass from the bad guys is not leadership. If there's any chance that we can help stop the Cluster, we've got to do it.” The captain stood and replaced the pipe, then stepped over to a place where there was a nail in the wall. He pointed to the nail. Roberts remembered that was the place where the captain's privateer's license used to hang. “We may have been privateers, but when you signed aboard my vessel you took a vow to protect the Earth. Are you breaking that vow, Mr. Roberts?"

  Roberts swallowed hard. “Sir, I thought you once said that Earth abandoned you."

  The captain removed the pipe and looked down at his feet. A moment later, he looked back up at his first officer. “Yes, I did say that ... but I've come to realize that I can't abandon Earth. Abandoning the Earth will mean abandoning our people on Sufiro.” He stepped over and knelt down next to Roberts once again. “Now, can you make this jump happen, or can't you?"

  "I can try, sir,” said Roberts, firmly.

  "How long will it take to set up?” asked the captain.

  "Meet me on the battle deck in half an hour. We'll either be ready to go then, or I'll be able to give you a revised estimate,” said Roberts. He tu
rned his chair and floated from the cabin to the battle deck, a worried frown etched into his features. He knew the captain was right, but that didn't ease the feeling of taking a bunch of people who were barely trained into a situation for which they weren't really prepared. However, as he hovered into the command deck, he saw Juan Raton at the gunner's rig. Juan had been kidnapped from his home and taken to work in the mines in Tejo. Juan fought with Edmund Swan to get the New Granadans out of the Erdonium mines. Roberts hovered alongside Anne McClintlock—a computer specialist. Though her father was one of the founders of the New Granadan continent on Sufiro, her brother led the invasion that Edmund Swan along with Manuel and Juan Raton helped to fight off. The people currently aboard Legacy had been forged in battle, just as any crew before had been.

  Roberts detailed the captain's plan to Anne McClintlock. She nodded grimly and said, “It's a dangerous plan, but it just might work."

  He let out an unconscious sigh of relief and they began their calculations. They plotted several possible jump points, then looked at possible paths out of the galactic core. “If we jump here, I think we'll maximize our chances for finding the Cluster's EQ signal back to Earth.” Presuming the Cluster has a signal back to Earth, he thought, but didn't say.

  "I agree,” said Anne. She ran a calculation and pointed to a set of numbers that appeared on the display. “We need to jump from these coordinates."

  Roberts took his hover chair over to the wheel console, raised himself up so he could reach the controls and entered the coordinates. Meanwhile Anne set up the scanners to search for the Cluster's EQ transmission to Earth, trace it and enter the jump parameters into the computer.

  Half an hour later, Ellison Firebrandt strode onto the battle deck and looked around.

  "We're en route to our best-estimated jump point,” reported Roberts. “We'll be ready to jump in about two minutes."

  "Excellent,” said the captain with a smile. He looked back at Mary Seaton. “Start preparing the jump engines."