As the two women descended into the tunnel behind a sled filled with supplies, Christa contacted Carmoody and arranged to meet her on the Rotunda level.
Carmoody was in the Rotunda when Christa and Madu arrived. Christa commandeered the elevator for a quick trip without supplies and they stepped inside.
Madu said, "Administrative level," in Dakistian, and the elevator replied with, "Yes, Director Ptellewqku."
When the instruction to close the doors was given, Christa and Carmoody braced themselves for the drop, but it never occurred. Instead, the doors at the back of the elevator opened.
Christa grinned as they stepped out. "When we visited your office last time, I didn't realize it was on the same level as the Rotunda. We came here from the Medical level and then returned there afterwards."
"It made sense to do it this way. Newly arriving people were automatically taken to the Housing level where they were met by someone who would escort them to their dormitories to await their sleep appointment."
"How did you select who would be put into stasis?"
"The selection process was a bit unfair, but we did what was best for our society. We established two age thresholds. Using the first, we invited the greatest minds below that point to join the sleepers. Many declined because they wanted to live out their remaining years with their families."
"That's understandable."
"Yes. After that, we used the second threshold, a much lower one, to select a cross section of society because once sterility was overcome, we would need people who could repopulate our world. It's depressing that our scientists were apparently never able to accomplish their task."
"I'm sure that once news of your survival surfaces, the scientists on dozens of world will begin working on a solution."
"I hope so, and that they have more success than my own people."
As they reached the area outside Madu's office, she said, "I just want to check something. I'll be right out." With that, she disappeared through the doorway.
As the door slid closed behind Madu, Christa turned towards Carmoody and said in a lowered voice, "Gracie, I told Madu you don’t speak any Nordakian or Dakistian. You told me you've been studying it, but I don't know how much you've picked up. I'd prefer that Madu think you don’t know any."
"Of course, Christa. May I ask why?"
"Madu compared herself to a politician yesterday. Someone once said that politicians never say what they mean and never mean what they say. If Madu believes you don't understand her words, she may speak more openly in front of you when others are awakened."
"You don’t trust her?"
"I don't really know her, so she hasn't won my trust yet. She observed that you were paying attention like you understood yesterday, so don't change that. It's okay to continue listening closely as if you're trying to understand, but if she asks you anything directly, play dumb— even if you understand all or even part of it."
"Okay, Christa."
Madu emerged from the office carrying a viewpad a few minutes later. "I accessed the computer to look up some information. I'd like to wake my assistant up later when we're in the Vault."
"We still haven't verified that it's safe to begin waking others."
"I feel wonderful and there've been no indications the awakening process is detrimental to anyone's health. Besides, it would be good to have a second individual for the medical people to monitor now that I've experienced no complications."
Christa hesitated for a moment, then said, "Okay, but I want the medical people to check you over one last time before we awaken anyone else to ensure that everything is still okay."
"That's fine," Madu said with a smile. "Follow me and I'll give you a tour of this level before we go down to the next."
The tour of the Administrative level took four hours because Christa insisted that she see every room in order to verify personally that no technology with restricted access could fall into the wrong hands. But all they found was ordinary and outdated computer hardware and office assets. Tracking software proved that her CT had visited every part of the level by creating a detailed floor plan as they went.
Before continuing their exploration, they visited the mess hall set up on the Housing level by the Marines. The layout was the same as the mess hall in Fort Carver, so the cooks hadn't had any trouble adapting, but they'd had to bring water from the other facility because there was no water available here as yet.
After lunch, the tour continued on the Recreation level. Owing to the numerous large open areas reserved for sports activities, the tour was completed in half the time of that required for the Administrative level. Four enormous swimming pools were available there, but, like everywhere else in the facility, there was no water. One section of the level contained the tens of thousands of vacuum canisters that Madu said contained the clothes of the sleepers.
Madu again received a clean bill of health from Doctor Johannes, who quipped, "You're the healthiest twenty thousand year old female I've ever examined."
Christa's translation brought a smile to Madu's face.
"Thank you, Doctor," Madu said. Then it's alright to begin awakening some of my people?"
When Christa translated, Doctor Johannes looked at Christa sharply. "I wouldn't go that far. Are you authorizing the awakenings, Commander?"
"I've told Madu that we'll awaken her assistant, subject to your approval. Having a familiar face nearby will make her feel more comfortable as we try to establish a schedule for further awakenings. I believe she harbors some concern that we don’t intend to awaken the others. I've explained that we're moving slowly due to health concerns for the awakened and because of logistics regarding food and shelter for so many."
"Provided we can continue to closely monitor both awakened individuals, I have no objections."
"How long do you anticipate you'll have to monitor the Dakistians?"
"I don't know. We're in uncharted territory here. I suppose that if no complications arise, thirty days should be adequate."
"Thank you, Doctor."
* * *
Chapter Fourteen
~ October 24th, 2285 ~
Chairman Arthur Strauss reached down and tapped the com button on his desk and the face of Councilman Ahil Fazid filled the wall monitor in his office.
"Yes, Ahil," Strauss said. "What is it?"
"Arthur, I've just received a message from Dakistee. Commander Carver's assistant exited the tunnel in an agitated manner and contacted someone. I've also received word that a Marine Emergency Medical team lifted off minutes later."
"And?"
"Don't you see? Carver must have opened the facility. I don’t know what happened, but something must have occurred down there. This presents us with a great opportunity to take the facility while they're distracted. I'm recommending that we launch the attack as soon as possible."
"You believe the two reports are linked?"
"I do."
"Very well. Send a message to our people there and have them commence the operation immediately."
"Yes, Arthur."
* * *
"I call this emergency session to order," Admiral Moore said in the Admiralty Board meeting hall. The other admirals were all in attendance, but only aides and senior clerks had been allowed to join them in the large chamber on this occasion.
"We've received a message from Lt. Commander Christa Carver that requires our immediate attention."
"Carver?" Admiral Hubera said loudly.
"Yes, Donald. Now please hold your comments until we view the message." Admiral Moore nodded to the clerk staffing the equipment console. A head and shoulders image of Christa appeared on the full wall monitor, and she began to speak.
When the message was over, the first to speak was Hubera.
"As soon as I heard her name, I knew she was about to hand us a major headache."
"Donald, you can hardly blame Commander Carver for a situation on Dakistee that began twenty thousand years ago," Adm
iral Platt said. "Be reasonable."
All Hubera did was mutter and grind his teeth.
"One hundred eighty thousand," Admiral Ahmed, the Space Command Quartermaster said. "I think we'd better prepare some food and clothing shipments immediately.
"Yes, Raihana," Admiral Moore said, "but right now I'm more concerned with the diplomatic situation. The Galactic Alliance, after an exhaustive investigation to guarantee that no sentient life existed on Dakistee, made numerous concessions to the archeological community. Now we find that we have given away land we had no right to give."
"It's not our fault they buried themselves several hundred meters below the surface of a planet we thought uninhabited," Admiral Hubera.
"No, not our fault, perhaps, but we'll have to deal with it nonetheless. I've requested an emergency session of the GA Council to apprise them of the situation, but while I wait for them to gather, I wanted to inform all of you of the message. As Raihana says, we'll have to send food and other supplies as quickly as possible."
"These people haven't been awakened yet," Admiral Bradlee said, "so there's no imminent need."
"Even though the speed of our new transports would allow me to send supplies in just a few days," Admiral Ahmed said, "it will still takes weeks to make arrangements and prepare the supplies for shipment. I must be ahead of the curve on this."
"Quite right, Raihana," Admiral Moore said. "By all means make your preparations so we'll be ready when the Council gives us the order to deliver the supplies, as I feel sure they will."
* * *
Madu stood at the operations console entering basic information until an image of her assistant appeared on the monitor. As the image stabilized, she pressed the contact point marked, 'Kudlaknee.' As when Madu was awakened, the viewer immediately changed to show a series of numbers as console gauges came to life, then a steadily increasing waveform filled the viewer. There was only silence for several minutes until a noise from above drew their attention. A stasis box was being carried along by a suspended robotic arm. Another arm accepted the delivered chamber and gently lowered it to the floor where an automated cart was waiting. As with Madu's awaking, the cart accepted the box and left for the Medical level with its precious cargo as soon as the box was securely positioned. The three women followed along.
In the medical center, Dr. Johannes and a handful of nurses watched as the box was delivered. The automated process performed as before, and there was nothing to do until the cover rolled down so the staff would have access to a man who appeared to be about twenty in human terms. Dr. Johannes immediately administered an inoculation.
Christa had expected a female, or perhaps a slightly built man, but the male before them was young, extremely handsome, and very muscular. It would seem that Madu had selected some eye candy for her office. However, perhaps Christa was jumping to an erroneous conclusion. The man might be a very competent secretary.
"That's her assistant?" Carmoody said to Christa in a voice just above a whisper.
Christa shrugged and said, "That's what she told us."
"I want one like that too."
Christa smiled and said, "Perhaps for your twenty-thousandth birthday, I'll get you one."
Carmoody barely managed to suppress a chortle.
Christa and Carmoody stayed in the Medical center until the young man was on his feet and introductions had been made. The two Space Command officers then headed up to the Marine mess hall to have dinner. Madu would spend another night in the Medical center where the staff could watch over her. Meals for her and her assistant would be provided from the small kitchen on that level.
"Do you think that's really her assistant?" Carmoody asked Christa as they ate dinner in the mess hall.
"I don't know. I suppose it doesn't really matter. I'm sure she felt alone and isolated, despite our best attempts to put her at ease. Whether he was her assistant or a lover, now she has someone she can talk to— and in whom she can confide."
"May I join you, ladies?" Lt. Uronson asked.
Neither of the women had been aware of his approach but both looked up at him now.
"Of course, Lieutenant," Christa said. "Please sit down."
"I heard you awakened another ancient sleeper," Uronson said matter-of-factly to Christa.
"Yes. Director Ptellewqku requested that I permit her assistant to join her."
Uronson just nodded.
"Have you completed the move, Lieutenant?" Christa asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Everything in Fort Carver that wasn't nailed or bolted down is now in this facility. We placed a large boulder atop the emergency exit into the sewer line and sealed the entrance door with the password."
"A boulder?"
"Yes. The exit tunnel door was already locked, but this makes it doubly protected. Of course, there's nothing left in there to steal, but this ensures that we won’t have to worry about squatters breaking in."
"Very good."
"Ma'am, I've received orders to send two fire teams and one sergeant to HQ for deployment to another site."
"What?"
"It seems there's a bit of trouble in one or more of the other dig sites and Central Command is rushing people in to safeguard the scientists and the artifacts they've recovered."
"But we only have one squad to begin with."
"Yes, ma'am. But I have my orders."
"How soon are they supposed to leave?"
"As we speak. Sergeant Flegetti is handling the deployment."
Christa jumped up from the table, and said, "Excuse me, I have to look into this. I'll see you both in the morning. Good night."
"Hell of a way to run an operation," Carmoody said to Uronson. "You'd think Central Command would at least have notified the outpost commander before ordering half her security force to another outpost."
Uronson just grimaced and began eating his dinner.
"Colonel, I need those people here," Christa said to the image of Lt. Colonel Diminjik, the current commanding officer of Dakistee's Marine Central Command, as it appeared on her shuttle's main viewscreen. "We only just managed to open this facility two days ago. I really need at least a platoon here, if not a full company."
"I'm sorry, Commander. There's serious trouble brewing at several warehouse sites and they're all screaming for more protection. We're also having problems in the larger towns with fights and thefts. By contrast, things are pretty quiet at your outpost so you can get by for a few days. I promise to send them back just as soon as I can."
"Very well, Colonel," Christa said with a grimace. She didn't have the authority to order him to send her people back.
After the connection was ended, Christa prepared for bed. She was looking forward to getting some much needed rest after a tiring day, but sleep wouldn't come. She had a bad feeling about the coming days. She knew Madu would continue to press for more awakenings and, with each awakened ancient, the situation would get more complicated.
She continued to toss and turn for several hours, until she finally drifted off with the thought that maybe she should request a return to Region Two. After all, she had completed the task she was sent here to accomplish. Perhaps it was time for the diplomats and bean-counting administrators to take over.
Christa awoke alert, if not totally refreshed, at her usual time and prepared for the new day. Before leaving to grab some breakfast in the Marine mess hall, she sent a message to Admiral Holt.
"Message to Admiral Brian Holt, Commanding Officer of Higgins SCB with a copy to Admiral Jenetta Carver, Commander of Space Command's Second Fleet and Military Governor of Region Two.
"Admiral, last evening half of my small security force was recalled to Central Command for redeployment to another location. I'm left with just half a squad to protect the facility. Perhaps that would have been adequate for the previous facility but not this one. When transmitting messages not directed to you, I've always included you on the copy list so you remain fully aware of the situation here. I've done my best to keep a
lid on information about our discovery, but something this big can't be contained for long. To date, I've fully toured three floors and a small portion of the Medical, Research & Library level. The Vault level is almost virgin ground. I've not found any technology that must be secured, but that could change quickly in the Research & Library areas, and even in the Vault. The stasis process is a technological breakthrough that must be explored, but it doesn't violate any GA laws with which I'm familiar. However, I fully expect at any time to be inundated with scientists from around the planet, all of whom will be anxious to meet the ancients and explore the facility.
"Admiral, I must have a larger security force. I understand that personnel are in short supply on this planet, but my need for at least a full squad must take priority.
"Thank you, sir.
"Christa Marie Carver , Lieutenant Commander, Loudescott Outpost 2 Commander, Dakistee, message complete."
Christa reviewed the message before transmitting it. She wanted it to sound like an urgent appeal, but not a cry of desperation. Satisfied that it was appropriate, she tapped the transmit key, then sighed silently and left for the underground facility.
"Good morning Gracie," Christa said to Carmoody as she placed her tray on the table and sat down across from her assistant. The mess hall, capable of seating about a hundred fifty, was deserted except for the one cook normally on permanent assignment to the Fort Carver outpost.
"Good morning." Carmoody waited until Christa was settled, then asked, "What's on the schedule for today?"
"I'm expecting an easy day. I need one. I want to survey the Research and Library areas first. If we have enough time, we'll examine the Vault in more detail."
"Great. Now that I know the Vault contains sleepers and not dead bodies, I'm sort of anxious to look around myself. I'm excited about the technology that will let someone sleep for twenty thousand years and then be awakened in prime physical condition. I never thought such a thing was possible. If their medical science was so advanced and sophisticated that they could accomplish that, is there any chance we can succeed with the sterility problem where they failed?"
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