Panther and Giraffe

by Gregory Anderson

  “There are sixty two worlds on the other side and for the most part all are peaceful. But that does not mean friendly, a few worlds would destroy you totally just for stepping in their territory. This is not likely but only worst case. More likely, because you really do not have any defense, they may just enslave your planet.” Zak continued, “Make no mistake, there are those on the other side that are aware of the gateway. And some are aware of what is on this side and those are, we believe, reasonable people.” Giraffe ended with a question. “You failed to disclose the existence of a EDF facility on Mars and this does bother me. So let me be clear, we will do what we can to protect this colony until such time as they can defend themselves. Of over a thousand men, women, and children this is all that is left. Let us work together to make this possible.” And then she stood and left the galley. After a considering moment Jalbahn said, “She is a formidable women and we have no desire to be on the bad side of her or any of you so yes, let us work together.” Hart concurred, “Well said, friend, well said.”

  Professor Hicks was thriving in space and it was much more than the lighter than earth gravity. The gravity he claimed was, “Wonderfully spongy and good for old bones.” Hicks was challenged more than than ever in his life and it made him feel young, look young and sharpened his mind. Giraffe knew that the exercise, which is required by all shipboard and a good steady diet had a lot to do with it. But Panther was what made the biggest difference. Hicks and Panther talked constantly and learned from each other as they solved problems.

  Hicks inquiring mind did get him asking questions from every one. He was not alone, it seemed the entire blended crew had created a synergy from the constant challenges shared together. Uhr called Marx a pest for all the questions and Dihr thought him a sweet boy. Hart was an equalizer always seeming to defuse tensions with his clever wit. Zak and Junes, well, had discovered that there was more between them than being a captain and second. The two had also become astute diplomats easing the way between the different groups.

  The board of Andsom was meeting. “Families, they are families and they have habitat, energy production, food growing, and clean drinking water!” Mike Hanson exclaimed, “They are really only lacking specific mining equipment to start working, incredible, all in under a month!” Mike looked over the board of Andsom corp. “Are we ready to join them?” This meeting was really a formality as they were committed the minute they signed the non-disclosure agreements. Ling and General Murphy had been very helpful in providing information and logistical aid to get the project started. Now it was time for a face to face live feed meeting. The communication device that was provided would now provide a almost instant feed from Mars. Of course they did make an attempt to try to reverse engineer the thing. The device verbally warned them that any further attempt would be met with device destruction and discontinuation of the project. Shortly after, a text came from professor Ling, “No-no!” And from General Murphy “Bad time to get stupid.” This provided a strong message as to how much their new partners valued privacy. They had all seen pictures and read the histories but now it was live. “Greetings to you all!” Chittered Berdle with a smile as he looked at them like they were right in front of him. There was a slight delay and then Mike replied, “ Greeting and welcome to you also.” He paused and looked around to see the expressions of those around him. “We are looking forward too joining you, ah, not all of us specifically but from our company, we plan to send the best possible families.” Berdle replied, “Very good, we welcome good hard working families, there is much to do and we have a problem with things getting in the way.” Mark had to ask, “What kind of things are getting in the way?” Berdle paused and looked around before saying, “They're all these diamonds laying around, millions of them, big too, not worth a thing I say!”

  This was a jaw dropper for the Andsom board, wealth beyond imagine just for the pickings, “You are kidding right?” exclaimed Mike. It was like Berdle was holding back a smile as he returned, “Yes yes kidding, yes,only fool believe diamonds lay around waiting to be scooped up, joke, ya.” Between the slight delay and the translator the board was shell shocked but that was Berdle's intention. He was a shrewd man. Another colonist joined in, a human and chided. “I'm Jack, don't let this old fool get to you.” Berdle slapped Jack on the back of the head, it was like watching a comedy routine. ”Seriously though we are looking forward to having some of you join us, we do like to have fun but also work hard. This planet is worth billions.” Berdle sobered, “Those of us who claim this planet will prosper for generations.” Mike replied,

  “On behalf of Andsom we welcome the challenge, and now we should get down to business.” They did get down to business and plans came down for equipment and more. The biggest issue was who would go? The colony sent a copy of the evaluation form that they had used as a basis for their own evaluation. Someone suggested that it would not work because of the difference.... and Berdle replied, “Kiss my big hairy backside human!” That got them back on track. Blind questionnaires would be sent to all Andsom employees for evaluation. Hundreds would be headed to the desert to begin construction. The activity in the desert of Eurasia, isolated as it was did not go unnoticed and so a great missed-truth began. Andsom corp told the truth, they were building containers for Mars. This was dismissed as a blatant lie, after all, no way containers that size could be lifted off earth. The most popular theory was that these were some sort of new extreme conditions habitats. They had to be far far away from everything in order to test them against who knows what. Andsom was a leading builder of habitats so that is the story that stuck. And just like all news, slowly died due to lack of interest. Just as the alien story had died after a fashion so did it's spin off 'destroy the Devils Gate'. And the truth of any of it was washed away as the new sports season got under way. What should have been a story was the revolutionary drilling and mining equipment that were being built or the fast and unusual construction techniques used on the containers.

  Marx was driving Uhr and Dihr crazy so Uhr gave him a project that was, “Not possible with our current state of technology but should take him weeks to figure that out.” It had been said on some planet by some one 'great invention comes from the most unusual places'. That is why Marx took Uhr a face value in that the project was doable, period. It would take weeks, before he figured it out, along with much help from the rest of the crew. He did not ask Uhr or Dihr. What the project accomplished was a bit frightening. To be able to take over another ships computer system and then control it remotely was thought impossible. But earth born have a different way of viewing problems that is not always consistent with logic. Giraffe said, “I hope we never have to use this but more, I hope no one else gets a hold of it. Although deploying this would still be difficult.”

  15

  The Mars colony were quickly running out of materials and would soon turn to entertainment for passing the time waiting for the colony from earth. The giant windows were complete and the inside environment was taking shape with soil being cultured from the red sands and green spaces were being established. On station three Jalbahn reported to the presidents the progress of the reactor rebuilding project and proposing a rotating presence out by the gray nebula, just in case. He also presented a strong argument for a new design of ship that would be smaller but faster. The presidents warmed to the idea of a new spaceship design that would be 'faster, more effective and cheaper.' This would give the world something to focus on as food production dropped for another straight year. In the desert two huge rectangular boxes were taking shape.

  Federated sent a second ship to the Cyrillium home world to negotiate the sale of the planet called Edahni. There could be no one to do this except Federated top boss Hallbrook himself. Hallbrook had been plagued by the whole Edahni mess for far to long. His incompetent captains were costing way to much. He had it all figured, Cyrillium wanted Edahni for themselves as soon as they found out about the Azurite. Federated was way to small to go head too head
with them. So like any good businessman, negotiating a cut of the profits seemed only fitting. His people had compiled information on captain Zak Johns and found that although he was Cyrillium he was no longer welcome. Reports said he was a rouge along with his misfit crew. It seemed that getting rid of him, as costly as it was, was a favor to the high council. The nebula had been a ruse to keep watch on Edahni and when Federated got in there face, they just left Federated to take care of the problem. Now he would turn things around.

  The high council was very hospitable, treating them like a world leader or ambassador. They had been wined and dined for a day and a half before getting down to business. The Cyrillium high council had a fairly hard policy to not intervene in other planets business. They also had a equally hard policy not to use money to problem solve. This they reasoned, was not interference with any world government as the group that had claimed it was gone and in truth Federated had not even made a claim for Edahni. Federated was not a government and they did not even claim a home planet, they were simply a space fairing security company.

  There was quite a bit of debate over Edahni though, no one of the Cyrillium worlds wanted it. None expressed any interest in it's resources and it had no value as a recreational planet. What Edahni could be is an outpost to guard the nebula gateway, that was all. The high council was sure of only one thing, secure the nebula gateway at any cost. Hallbrook of Federated sat alone in front of the Cyrillium high council. These were some of the most powerful people in the know worlds. He was comfortable when he asked for an outrageous sum of credits plus a sixty percent cut from the sale of Azurite mined out of Edahni. Federated would stand a ship in orbit to protect their interests. Council asked a few questions about the mining interests and offered half of the 'price' and offered a 20 percent cut from Azurite sale. Hallbrook shook his head in dismay and then countered by accepting the price but sticking to the sixty percent cut on Azurite sales. Council was unimpressed and put it to him, “The price we offered is final, the cut we will agree to is fifty percent on Azurite mined from Edahni, accept it or go.”

  Hallbrook was stoic as he pondered the offer looking at the face of each council member in turn before answering, “Very well, the planet is yours on those terms, let us put it in writing” Papers were produced almost instantly, already prepared with all but cost and percentage. They all signed and Hallbrook felt that he had just done the deal of the century. Hallbrook departed to celebrate while the council continued it's business til the end of the day.

  Hallbrook was Federated, and the organization was loosely run with promotions often won by stepping on the backs of others like captain Hank, whose last captain died in an 'accident'. Hanks had been on one of the ships that destroyed the Panther. He had held back video that clearly showed that the Panther had jumped into the gray nebula, twice. Hank realized the value of this information and held it close, waiting for a time to investigate further, his reasoning was sound, confirm and then control. As a new captain he had gained loyalty with the promise of great riches coming from the nebula. His navigator had the coordinates all figured out. Hank thought Hallbrook a fool but he would play the Federated game for the time being.

  Captain Jings had received a message from the nebula and the source beyond, Giraffe had sent some interesting information which he brought to the high council, “It seems Federated got in the way of getting our colony back but they have a new home, on the other side of the nebula.” he said. The councils observation was pointed “This Giraffe is certainly is surprising woman, to take this circumstance and turn it into positive step, putting earth humans together with others in an isolated setting is inspired.” Jings added, “I agree but more than just that, the isolated planet that they settled, although barely habitable is more mineral rich than any ever found. I leads me to wonder what other resources are in that system?” Council chair replied, “You have done fine work Jings, please ready your ship to accompany a small armada that will be be protecting our new planet, Edahni.” The end of the statement was said tongue in cheek as Cyrillium had no interest in the planet and certainly not to mine it either.

  Dihr was poking Marx in the gut with two stiff fingers. “Cut that out Dihr!” Marx exclaimed. “I am in good shape, I do not need more exercise.” They had been having this argument for the past two weeks and Marx had finally caved to increasing his mandatory exercise. Grax cope well to life in space with a wiry frame that took little to keep up. Some said that grax were weak creatures which was far from true. Grax have muscle density that made them faster and almost twice again stronger than the average earth human. This is something Marx found out the hard way one day when Uhr lost patience and shoved him up to a second story deck without a thought. He only wanted to go to a ladder but instead, his head bounced off the ceiling and he had to scramble for the railing on the way down.

  Marx was thriving under the guidance of the alien couple. Professor had lost another argument with Panther and she cut him off for a full day. He was not happy and went to bother Zak and Junes. Hart was looking at multiple screens and with a touch brought them up in a single holographic display of the sol system, then walking across the bridge brought up a holographic of the core, in scale the distance was incredible. Zak and Junes were silent when Hicks came in and looked, then said , “Best estimate using optimal jump navigation, it would take us twenty seven years to make it back.” Zak said, ”That is why the gateway is so amazing and valuable.” Then Hicks added, “Yes well, this is not the only one, there are at least seven more.”

  Giraffe was in her quarters but not asleep, this time, the buoy at the gray nebula had been triggered by something. “Panther confirm and verify.” “Mid sized and armed.” She replied to which Giraffe commanded. “Panther, jump bishop to knight repeat bishop to knight, now ship wide battle alert, attention crew battle stations look alive all crew to battle stations.” Now a horrible sound was piercing through the ship that no one could possibly sleep through. The alarm would only shut off when every one was at station fully suited with helmet on. Panther had personally selected the 'sound' which was truly effective for for grax, hegmon and human alike. The crew did not take long to get in place. They all could feel the effects of the jump but were able to shake it off quickly. In front of them was a Federated 'enforcer' which was a bit longer than the Panther and heavily armed. It was just sitting there. Zak said, “They just came through, no doubt unable to function so we should be able to destroy them before they even know what happened.” Giraffe did not reply immediately while Hart and Junes looked at her expectantly.

  “Zak and Junes armor up and prepare to board that ship, Marx get you device up here now, we are going to test it out. Panther I have the helm, Hart ready guns and monitor life signs.” With that Giraffe moved them in at top speed, she did not say anything and concentrated in moving in close. Junes and Zak were just grabbing stun guns when they realized that they were getting close, too close, but did not say a word. Marx cruised on to the bridge with a small device that had several spikes sticking out. Giraffe commanded,“Prepare to grapple on!!” As they looked on with disbelief the ship loomed impossibly close as she expertly synced and grabbed the Federated ship. “Don't just stand there, get to the fore airlock and move through it now, plant the device and get back before the rest of them wake up.” It really was a brilliant move as the ship could not shoot at them even if they were alert enough to do so. Zak and Junes were moving fast, Uhr had the docking tube in place by the time they got to the airlock. They moved through rapidly and crossed the short distance between the two quickly. Junes placed a probe on the Federated ships airlock control and it open in mere seconds, they saw no one on the other side. They were moving through the ship in no time heading for the bridge. On the way they passed several people that just looked at them with stupid looks, still in the clutches of space euphoria. The armor that Zak and Junes were wearing was not what you would normally find on a trader ship, at was state of the art Cyrillium.

  The armor
was gray, ultra thin and shimmering from built in electro shielding, almost like seeing ghosts. Getting closer to the bridge they encountered three big guys blocking their way and Junes did not hesitate in blasting each off them with a minimal charge that collapsed them on the spot. Then continuing on stepping right over them. Most of the bridge crew were still disoriented and trying to figure where things were when the two ghosts appeared. Two grax were in the middle of trying to get the captain pulled from his chair to get at command control.