Chroniech!

by Doug Farren

  Stricklen quickly composed himself and replied, "Welcome to the Komodo Dragon. I am Captain Ken Stricklen. Please, you and your team make yourselves comfortable. My executive officer and security officer will be here shortly."

  While they waited, Stricklen glanced at the three representatives. As his gaze passed over each, his mind conjured up a brief description of the individual. Falnath: Rouldian female; top expert in the entire Alliance on continuum physics. Stricklen wondered what she was doing on this expedition.

  T'Lorn Depna: non-sexual Omel; expert in xeno-biology. The Omel were the medical magicians of the Alliance and were a very tall race. Their completely hairless bodies averaged over two meters in height. Their most distinguishing (and for most Humans, their most disturbing) feature was their nearly translucent skin.

  Travan McCallister: Human male; computer systems expert and electronics analyst. He bordered on the genius level in electronics. Ken's information had indicated that McCallister was strongly anti-military. He had apparently been arrested at one time for attempting to penetrate the Alliance military data-net. He had almost succeeded — something no other individual had ever managed to do.

  A few minutes later, Doug Scarboro and the security officer walked into the room together. After introducing them, Stricklen started the meeting. "I wanted to call this meeting in order to lay out some ground rules before any work is allowed to proceed on the alien ship. The Komodo Dragon's marine detachment will be providing security for the science team as they perform their work. I will expect the team to follow all orders given to them by the marines without question.”

  “On the other hand, the science team has complete control over all aspects of the research. This is to be a joint military - civilian operation and both groups must learn how to work together. Sector command has classified all information regarding the alien ship as level three secret. Everyone in this room is cleared to that level of security. My security officer, Commander Kovalesky, will explain what security measures have been put into place to protect this information."

  Commander Mikial Kovalesky was a powerfully built black man of Russian descent. He spoke in a deep, heavily accented voice. He remained very still as he spoke, only his head moved slightly to glance at each person in the room. "Information security will be maintained by control of communications. All transmissions must be routed through security to ensure that they have been properly encoded. The Hawking's computer has been ordered to prevent the release of any information concerning the derelict without proper Alliance approval.”

  "Physical security will be maintained by the Komodo Dragon's marine detachment. Your researchers are free to go wherever they desire as long as they are within sight of at least one marine guard. Anything removed from the alien ship will be under continuous guard until it has been returned. Are there any questions?"

  Stricklen had been watching McCallister as Kovalesky had talked. He appeared to be getting angry and upset at the security precautions that had been imposed. Stricklen was worried about a potential conflict before the research had even started. He decided to try to defuse McCallister's anger.

  "I'm not sure why the Alliance has classified this project," he said spreading his hands flat on the table. "I want you to know that the marines are here only to provide security. This project is your area of expertise and we will stay out of your way while you work. If there are any problems with this arrangement I want to personally know about it."

  Stricklen glanced at McCallister out of the corner of his eye and noticed that, although he was still unhappy, he appeared to have accepted the situation. Stricklen knew he would be trouble later on, but not right at the moment. Moving on he said, "I have assigned my executive officer, Commander Doug Scarboro, to coordinate any support which may be required of us. Doug?"

  Doug stood up and faced the group. "The Komodo Dragon will provide whatever support you need to complete your research. If you find that you need something, contact either myself or my alternate and we will see what we can do. We can provide things such as tools, computer time, shuttles, portable scanners, or whatever else you may need. If we don't have it, we will try to either make it or get it here if it is something that is badly needed."

  Doug returned to his seat and Stricklen stood up. "Before I allow your team to begin their work," he said. "I would like to know just what it is we have found. The Alliance would not send a small fleet just to protect an old relic. And, from what I've seen of the backgrounds of the scientists who have arrived on the Hawking, we have found something considerably more important than just an old cargo ship. Just what exactly is it that we have discovered?"

  "We don't know," Falnath replied. "We know as much about this ship as you do. The Alliance military requested a science vessel to be sent to this area. The S. W. Hawking was the closest ship that could be freed."

  "Why are you here," Stricklen directed his question toward Falnath.

  The Rouldian looked intently at Stricklen for a moment before answering. "There are certain interesting properties of the energy leaking from the ship. My research activities on Almaranus was at such a point where I decided it would be convenient to investigate this phenomenon myself."

  "Damned military thinks there's some sort of super-weapon on that ship," McCallister remarked. "They're going to want us to figure out how it ticks so they can use it."

  "I do not agree with your assessment of the reasoning behind our being requested to come here," said Depna. "If this ship is indeed as old as we believe it is, then we would be exploring the lifestyle and technology of a civilization that traveled among the stars before our various cultures had progressed much beyond the use of stone tools."

  "There is reason to believe that the object in the ship's cargo bay may be powered by a power source far more advanced than anything we are currently capable of building," Falnath added. "If so, then we could use the information gained from studying the object to advance our technology by a considerable degree."

  "The military knows something they aren't telling us," McCallister said. "Why else would they have classified it so fast?"

  "To be honest with you," replied Stricklen. "I initially classified the information when we first discovered the ship. I did so primarily because of its age. I don't know why the Alliance has decided to maintain this classification. I was shocked myself when the order to classify arrived. I intend on finding out the reasoning behind their decision. In the meantime, I have my orders."

  Stricklen stood up and slowly began to walk toward the exit. As he walked, he said, "You may begin your study of the alien artifact as soon as you are ready. A marine detachment will be there shortly. I would like a status report twice daily. Thank you all for coming."

  Stricklen waited until the scientists had departed before turning to his XO. "McCallister has a point you know. I'm beginning to wonder if he might be right."

  Scarboro looked at his captain with disbelief. "What? That the Alliance knows something they aren't sharing with the rest of us, or that bit about some kind of super-weapon? I find that a little hard to swallow."

  "Tell me, do you know who Falnath is?" Stricklen asked.

  "Other than having a close resemblance to a giant alligator, no — why?"

  "I would classify her appearance as more like that of a dragon. Her being here raises more questions than answers and gives some credence to McCallister's statement about the Alliance knowing more than they're letting on. Falnath just so happens to be the top expert in continuum physics. I once read that she can juggle equations in continuum calculus as easily as I can add two plus two. Some people think she understands the complete set of equations describing the underlying principle of the Kauffman stardrive as well as or better than Jay Kauffman himself did."

  Scarboro was thunderstruck. He knew that Jay Kauffman, the father of the Human stardrive, had, by himself, designed the first crude faster than light engine. From that simple beginning it had taken decades of work from hundreds of theorists an
d uncounted thousands of hours of super-computer time to develop the complex equations which describe how a modern stardrive works.

  In fact, a completely new branch of mathematics called continuum calculus had been created because the existing mathematical systems of the time were unworkable. No Human, other than perhaps Kauffman himself, had ever understood even a fraction of the equations. He had just been within a few meters of someone whom he would have to describe as a super-genius.

  "You're right," Doug said after a moment of reflection. "Why would they send her all the way out here to investigate a derelict ship unless they already knew what it might contain. It also explains the large amount of firepower they are sending our way. I'm worried now."

  "Me to Doug. To be honest with you, I think Falnath knows a lot more than she's want us to believe."

  "How's that?"

  "Somebody had to analyze the data we sent to Sector Command to determine what we may have found. I think Falnath just happened to be on Almaranus and they took advantage of her expertise and asked her opinion of what should be done. She probably took some of that data and plugged it into one of those ungodly equations she likes to play with and out popped a surprising answer. Now she's here, in person, to verify whatever it is that she thinks might be on that ship."

  "Whatever it is, I'm sure I probably won't like it. Care to join me for a quick drink captain?"

  Stricklen considered his schedule for a moment then replied, "I think I will pass. I want to go over and personally take a look at this alien machine. Would you like to go?"

  "I think I'll stay here," Doug replied turning toward the door. "I need to make sure I'm available in case the science team needs some assistance. I guess that drink can wait a while longer."

  Stricklen rode over to the derelict with a group of marines on one of the Dragon's small shuttles. An airlock had been installed and portions of the ship were being re-pressurized. Temporary lighting and heating had already been set up along the major passageways but the temperature was not yet warm enough for an unsuited person.

  An engineering team had gone over the ship's major systems and had determined that its artificial gravity generator could be repaired. The engineers thought it best not to attempt to restart any of the ancient fusion reactors so a power cable was being strung from the Dragon. A power converter was under construction. If all went well, the relic from the past would soon have an up and a down.

  Ken found his way to the cargo bay, slowly approached the open doorway, and stepped inside. It was even more spectacular in person. His attention was immediately drawn toward the sparkling ball of energy at one end of the chamber. It crackled slightly, sounding like the rustle of dry leaves on pavement. Threads of multicolored energy danced across its surface.

  Ken forced his eyes away from the hypnotic effects of the unknown device and took in the rest of the room. The various machines and devices all appeared to be functional and in pristine condition. He would never have guessed that this equipment had been in operation for the last 40,000 years. It was if he had walked into some sort of high tech Alliance laboratory.

  Stricklen slowly walked around the room trying to identify some of the alien equipment. He stopped at the control console and looked at the bewildering array of controls, indicators, lights, and buttons. Most of the controls consisted of touch sensitive computer interfaces, much like those found on his own ship. Although everything was labeled, the language was unknown and thus a complete mystery.

  He completed his slow tour then walked over and stood in front of the shifting ball of energy. His suit's external sensors did not even register the existence of the energy field and Ken wondered if something was wrong with the sensors.

  A large figure approached and stood next to him. He turned to see who it was and discovered Falnath standing next to him. "Fascinating, isn't it?" she asked through her suit radio.

  "Something must be wrong with my suit's sensors," Ken said turning his gaze back toward the shifting patterns of force. "This is obviously some sort of force field but it does not register on the sensors."

  "Your sensors are fine. The energy field is very tightly structured and radiates only a very tiny amount of leakage. The visual effects are all that exist. Your suit sensors are not sensitive enough to detect the tiny emissions."

  "What is it?" Ken asked. His arm involuntarily starting to move toward the surface of the sphere.

  Falnath quickly reached out and stopped him. "I would not attempt to touch it. We do not yet know what effect it might have on your suit. As soon as our equipment arrives we will begin our analysis."

  Falnath moved away to inspect the rest of the room leaving Stricklen to stare into the hypnotic patterns. Soon, several large pieces of scientific equipment arrived along with their attending scientists. As they busied themselves at setting up the equipment Ken reluctantly decided that it was time to return to the ship. Taking one long last look around the chamber he exited and returned to the Dragon.

  Ken's mind was full of unconnected thoughts on the ride back. The equipment he had just seen defied explanation. Forty thousand years old and still operating. Doing what? Built by who? And for what purpose? As soon as he could he called Doug and told him he was ready for that drink. Stricklen had a distinct feeling that they were over their heads on this one.

  4 - Peacekeeper

  Captain Stricklen woke to the sound of reveille. Ordering the lights to half intensity he crawled out of bed and made his way to the shower. Three seconds after stepping into the steaming spray he was awake and cursing under his breath. When he had gone to bed he had left orders to be notified when the fleet had arrived. That should have been at least two hours ago.

  Stricklen angrily spun the valve to turn off the shower then activated his wrist-com. "Bridge, what is the current status of the Mobius?"

  "We received a brief message about four hours ago saying that they were responding to a distress call from a heavy transport," the watch officer said. "We haven't heard anything from them since."

  "Why was I not informed!" Stricklen replied his voice echoing in the shower stall.

  "I… Ah… I did not see any reason to sir," stammered the young officer. "The Mobius did not indicate that they wanted our assistance and I felt our primary duty was to remain on-station to provide security for the alien ship."

  The man's logic was sound. Stricklen calmed himself, then said, "You were correct lieutenant. If the Mobius arrives before I get to the bridge, please contact me via com-link."

  Ken completed his morning routine without further interruption. After assuming control of the bridge he discovered that he had a message waiting for him from Doug. The scientists were going to present their first status report at 0900 and Scarboro wanted to know if this time was acceptable. Ken replied that it was.

  At 0733, the Mobius arrived. It took the fleet until 0840 to match velocities and to position themselves in a protective shell around the alien ship. In all, sub-fleet K140 consisted of three medium cruisers, five destroyers, and one very impressive Tholtaran master-dreadnought. Ken had heard descriptions of Tholtaran warships but had never before seen one. The size of a Tholtaran warship was legendary.

  The Mobius was roughly egg-shaped and had a maximum diameter of over twelve kilometers. Its surface bristled with weapon blisters. The Tholtarans had easily defeated Earth during the brief Human-Tholtaran war which had occurred shortly after Humans had journeyed into space. There were still some bitter feeling between the two races even though the war had ended over 50 years ago. Stricklen's own grandfather had been lost in that war.

  "Fleet Commander Trisk of the Mobius on com-three for you sir," said the communications watch.

  Stricklen put aside his feeling as best he could then made the connection. The leathery face of a Tholtaran appeared on his screen. "Fleet Commander Trisk, I am Captain Ken Stricklen. Were you successful in your rescue?"

  "No," the gravely voice replied. "We arrived too late. All that remained of t
he transport was wreckage. We have established a security shield around your position. Although technically you are under my command, I have been ordered to provide assistance to you in whatever way possible. Therefore, you are considered under my command only in-so-far as fleet operations are concerned. The research effort is to remain under your control. Do you require any assistance from us at this time?"

  It took a few moments for Stricklen to digest what Trisk had just said. Ken had expected to be relieved of responsibility for the research effort as soon as the Mobius had arrived. "No assistance is needed at this time," Stricklen replied. "The science team is about to present their first status report in my conference room. You are welcome to attend if you so desire."

  "I will send a representative," Trisk replied after a moments consultation with another officer. "Are the Mintaka survivors ready for transport?"

  The orders which Ken had received earlier had stated that a small courier ship would be taking the survivors back to Almaranus. As soon as the fleet had arrived Stricklen had sent word for them to get ready to leave. "They are ready. I will have them meet your shuttle at the docking port. I assume the courier is docked within your ship?"

  "Yes. It will leave as soon as the survivors are aboard. Mobius out." The connection snapped and the monitor went dark.

  Ken called the conference room and told the gathering crowd that he would be delayed a few minutes. He asked them to wait until he arrived before beginning. He then made his way to the docking port to await the arrival of the Tholtaran shuttle.

  The four survivors rescued from Mintaka were there when Stricklen arrived. He exchanged pleasantries with them while they waited. Ken was still amazed as to how well they had handled the loss of so many of their close friends and loved ones. The ship's psychologist had explained that these people were used to death. She did say, though, that the miner's would most likely have a strong emotional reaction once they reached their respective homeworlds or at least the world they called home.