Henry Gallant Saga 2: Lieutenant Henry Gallant

by H. Peter Alesso

  After returning to the central monitoring station near the accelerator construction site, Gallant began considering why and how an assassin might have once destroyed Aristotle. Given the structure of the passages and chambers he had seen, Aristotle was well shielded against a nuclear blast, or an electromagnetic pulse. However, a dark matter explosion would pass right through humans without noticeable harm, but might have a significant impact on the huge bank of silicon and germanium used in a computer’s brain—especially an ancient AI ten cubic kilometers in size.

  I need to pay another visit to Aristotle.

  CHAPTER 29

  ALERT

  DSP-16 continued orbiting the large methane-gas moon of the fifth planet in the Tau Ceti system. Programmed for stealth operations, the probe was able to penetrate close to the satellite and gather information about the outpost. It cataloged the Titan shipyards, power stations, industries, and population and sent a regular data dump to the Intrepid—all the while keeping them updated on the Titan destroyer’s refit. The infrastructure was mostly underground in hardened bunkers or camouflaged with overlaid emissions to mask information. They were deliberately keeping their satellites hidden, but their resources indicated a substantial population, a problem the Intrepid would eventually have to deal with. After each transmission, the data was processed by the Intrepid’s CIC.

  CIC decided the Titans’ were attracted to the gaseous outer planet to “terra-form,” or in this case, to “Gliese-form” the planet’s moon into livable habitants for their species. The moon supported the Titans’ methane-based life-form. In comparison to human respiration, they inhaled hydrogen instead of oxygen, their blood reacted with acetylene instead of glucose, and they exhaled methane instead of carbon dioxide.

  Four months after the Titans battle with the Intrepid, the probe discovered the destroyer was getting underway to conduct a shakedown cruise. CIC concluded the destroyer would soon be heading for Elysium.

  Gallant hurried along the passageway in Intrepid’s Operation compartment, stretching his legs and stiff back muscles. The stiffness was a product of prolonged sitting in his Hummingbird transporting men and material between Elysium and the ship.

  Before he reached the wardroom, he spent a minute fussing over his unsightly uniform, for which he anticipated being chewed out by Neumann. Standing at the door, he saw Neumann seated at the head of the table along with the remaining officers of the Intrepid—Mendel, Palmer, and Smith.

  Neumann nodded at Gallant and waited until he was seated at the foot of the table next to Mendel. Then he said, “The latest CIC assessment is ten to fourteen days—the destroyer will be here,” he tapped the table, “in ten to fourteen days.”

  Neumann said, “We won’t be leaving Elysium until we’ve defeated the Titans. So our priorities must remain first, fusion reactors, second, ship’s weapon systems and anti-ship missiles—and only after all other essential operational equipment is functional will we complete work on the FTL and its fuel.”

  There was general nodding in agreement from everyone around the table.

  “Palmer, what’s the status of the Operation Department’s readiness?” ordered Neumann.

  “Sir, all laser batteries are at ninety percent capacity or better. Four plasma batteries are fully operational and the remaining two will be ready within a week,” said Palmer, now the ship’s weapon officer after succeeding Lieutenant Stahl.

  As Palmer continued to list a number of general repairs to sensor and communication gear that was nearing completion, Gallant tapped a couple of virtual buttons on the table. A beverage dispenser delivered a cup of simulated coffee. He reached and took a sip of the steaming liquid. He continued holding it, enjoying the warmth in his hands against the ship’s dank reprocessed air.

  He looked into the faces of his fellow officers, trying to gauge their disposition. He could read the inner tension in Neumann, despite his calm exterior. Mendel, always a friend, was mentally tough and could be relied upon to remain stout in crisis. Palmer was smart and eager, as was Smith, but both lacked experience in their new duty assignments and Gallant knew the importance of experience in combat.

  While morale was good throughout the ship, the crew was woefully short-handed.

  Palmer concluded, “My team is constructing external missile launchers on the Intrepid’s hull. When Mr. Gallant delivers the anti-ship missiles from the fabrication plant, Chief Howard’s crew will attach the missiles and marry the nuclear tipped warheads.”

  Gallant had worked with GridScape on a design to develop the anti-ship missile. The guided missiles were planned for use against ships using a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing. Additionally, they used multi-radiation detection homing devices and external laser painting. They were capable of conducting autonomous targeting with onboard systems that independently acquired targets using Artificial Intelligence with disk memory, which had radiation-resistant semiconductor RAM and enhanced capability to make positive target identification. They were able to make precision attacks on moving ships in extremely hostile environmental conditions. The missiles were designed for advanced counter-countermeasures to effectively evade hostile active defense systems, including penetration aids, such as chaff and decoys to throw off anti-missile missiles.

  Gallant said, “The anti-ship missiles are nearing completion, but the fabrication of heavy metals for nuclear warheads will take several more days than estimated.”

  “Why?” Neumann asked irritably.

  “Considerable machining is necessary to meet the exacting specifications for the warheads. The parts for the machining are only now being manufactured because of the damage from the last cyber-attack.”

  “When will you deliver the missiles?” asked Neumann staring at Gallant.

  “The missiles will be completed in four days.”

  Satisfied with that answer, Neumann turned his attention to the Engineering Department.

  “Smith, what is the status of the ship’s engines?”

  Ensign Smith was the acting ship’s engineer while Gallant was functioning as liaison to Elysium. He said, “The FTL drive remains untested due to insufficient dark matter, but the sublight fusion reactors are fully tested and functioning nominally, thanks in large part to the herculean efforts of Mr. Gallant and Chief Howard over the past week.”

  “I didn’t ask for your editorial comments, Mister.”

  “Sorry, sir,” said Smith, red faced.

  Neumann said, “Gallant, since the Intrepid’s fusion reactors are functioning satisfactorily, you’re free to return to Elysium to supervise the completion of the anti-ship missiles and their warheads.”

  “Aye, aye, sir.”

  “Mendel, is your medical staff ready?” asked Neumann.

  “Yes, sir. I have both essential operating theatres functioning and I’ve trained my best med-tech to handle advanced surgery, should I be . . . unavailable,” said Mendel.

  Neumann nodded his approval. “Smith and Palmer, you’re to conduct readiness and combat training for your men. I want to see strong improvements in performance scores.”

  A chorus of aye ayes followed.

  “Are there any other questions?” asked Neumann.

  The officers remained quiet.

  “Very well gentlemen. You have your orders,” concluded Neumann.

  After four sleepless days, Gallant had the missiles ready for transport. Along with all of the Intrepid’s remaining crew working on Elysium, the missiles were hauled into orbit by the Hummingbird. The laborious process of constructing the necessary launch frames to carry these armed missiles on the outside of Intrepid was the last task in readying the armament.

  ***

  The next day began well as Chief Howard supervised the final assembly of the nuclear warheads and began the final in-place mating process to the anti-ship missiles. However, the latest radar report showed the Titan destroyer was a mere twelve hours away when the fusion reactor developed a radiation leak. Chief Howard eval
uated the problem and recommended shutting down the reactor for about eight to ten hours while a patch was applied.

  Neumann decided to follow the chief’s advice and shut down the reactor while workmen repaired the damaged area. It left the Intrepid in orbit over Elysium in a vulnerable state, but it couldn’t be helped.

  In the meantime, Gallant returned to the accelerator facility site in his flyer and waited for the final collection of dark matter. The accelerator had been producing exotic particles and confining them within a superconducting plasma containment bottle, one meter long. Several hours later, his efforts were interrupted when he received a signal from the Intrepid over the accelerator facility’s communication system.

  Neumann radioed from the Intrepid, “Gallant, a laser cannon located on Elysium is firing at the Intrepid.”

  “Laser fire?” an astonished Gallant asked.

  “It’s a high capacity cannon located in the jungle near the mines. It’s well camouflaged and is retracted into an underground shelter between shots. We’ve suffered several hits on our force shield.” His voice was strained.

  “Any large caliber weapon on this planet could only be a technology controlled by Aristotle—like the planetary force field. If Wolfe had a deal to control the shield, he might be directing the laser as well, but to what end, I can’t imagine,” said Gallant.

  “There’s no time to assess motives,” said Neumann.

  “What are your orders, sir?”

  “The Intrepid can’t survive in a cross fire between the Titans and planetary weapons coming from Elysium. I’m starting the fusion reactors to move Intrepid behind the shelter of the moon. I don’t care what it takes, you’ve got to locate and destroy that Elysium laser,” said Neumann.

  “Aye, aye, sir,” said Gallant. As the Intrepid’s last man on Elysium, he knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

  CHAPTER 30

  STOOGE

  For over twenty years, the inhabitants of Elysium had enjoyed a relaxed tranquil existence within their community of Hallo on the island of Kauai—an unspoiled island filled with the natural beauty of mountains, meadows, and waterfalls. A happy, rural people, they had gone about their business with a leisurely self-assurance of peace and security—now all that was about to change with astonishing swiftness. They were aware the approaching crisis snowballing toward them was about to unleash an avalanche of destruction and turmoil.

  Gallant was also aware of the dangers and was determined to meet them head on. His sense of urgency drove him to move as quickly as possible as he struggled to secure the precious dark matter he had collected from the accelerator. He loaded the last of the exotic material into a portable containment-field bottle one meter long. He shut the control valve and adjusted the superconductor strength to preserve the containment field. Intending to transport the FTL fuel to the Intrepid after he dealt with the laser cannon, he strapped the bottle onto the back of his flyer. But before he could leave, he was surprised to see Alaina running toward him.

  “You’re leaving now?” she asked, out of breath.

  Sensitive to the urgency of his mission, he said, “Time is short. The Intrepid is under fire from a laser somewhere in the jungle. I think our cyber-terrorist has struck again. I’m going to the ruins to confront Aristotle.”

  “You suspect Wolfe of conspiring with Aristotle to shoot at the Intrepid, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” said Gallant as he got on his flyer.

  “I’m coming with you. I can help,” she said.

  “Alaina, it’s dangerous. You should wait here.”

  “This is as much my fight as it is yours. I’m nominally a member of the Elysium Council when my grandfather is absent. I have a right and an obligation to challenge Wolfe’s authority and actions,” she said with her usual energetic zeal. “Besides have you ever known me to remain behind—waiting patiently?

  He ran through a gambit of emotions from exasperation to appreciation. “I’m never going to win with you, am I?”

  She flashed one of her dazzling smiles and hopped on the flyer behind him. Grabbing hold of his waist, she snuggled tight against him.

  “Not likely,” she said.

  ***

  As they flew over the earth at several hundred feet, Gallant and Alaina were buffeted by the cool night breeze. The clear panoramic sky exposed conglomerations of tiny specks of bright lights.

  Gallant was able to pick out the speck that was Intrepid. He wondered which pin-point dot was the Titan destroyer. Alaina’s tight grip around his waist caused him mixed emotions.

  Am I putting her in danger? he wondered, yet he appreciated having her insight and judgment.

  Flying with abandon at maximum speed, it was a short hop to the jungle ruins. When he set the flyer down, Gallant reluctantly left the containment bottle strapped to the satchel bag on his flyer.

  The moonlight offered enough visibility for them to see as they set off at a brisk pace.

  “Dragors,” said Alaina, pointing to fresh tracks alongside the trail of several large beasts.

  “Keep your eyes open,” said Gallant, hoping they could avoid running into the dangerous animals.

  They made their way through the ruins and into the tunnel entranceway without further incident. Traveling along the familiar smooth surfaces was a relief and they moved along the passageway into the underground machine. They came to the vaulted chamber they had visited before.

  To their surprise Wolfe was already there—his corpulent bulk standing in the center of the vacant chamber.

  “I demand to see Aristotle,” he exclaimed to a blank wall. “Aristotle, acknowledge me. I want to see you now. I demand it. You must stop shooting.”

  “You can curse machines as much as you like. They don’t care,” said Gallant.

  Gallant’s and Alaina’s improvident arrival startled Wolfe and he suspended his wrathful pose of fist shaking at nothingness.

  “What are you doing here?” escaped his lips once he had recovered his wits.

  “I’d ask you the same thing,” said Gallant.

  “I came to raise the planetary force field for protection against the Titans,” said Wolfe as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He paused and then said, “But when I reached the edge of the jungle I saw the flashes of laser fire going into space. It may be targeting your ship.”

  “It is,” said Gallant with eye narrowing.

  “Aristotle’s not responding to my pleas,” said Wolfe, shrugging in dismay. He frowned and continued, “You think I’m responsible for this attack—and for all the attacks on the miners, as well, don’t you?”

  Gallant said nothing.

  Wolfe’s large frame was heaving in exasperation. “I’m not. I'm satisfied with our treaty. My deals with you and Aristotle suit my purposes. Honestly.”

  Wolfe opened his arms wide and turning completely around, as if demonstrating he wasn’t hiding anything.

  Gallant raised his eye-brow and looked at Alaina.

  “Honestly?” mimicked Alaina in a disdainful tone. “Your choice of words is amusing.”

  She raised her hands above her head and asked, “Who else could it be? What reason would Aristotle have to attack the United Planets?”

  “I …, I don’t . . .,” sputtered Wolfe.

  Alaina’s face turned beet red as she continued. “You’ve been busy building your egomaniac empire with Aristotle instead of addressing the needs of Elysium’s people. I intend to stop you—and Aristotle—anyway I can.”

  Just as furious, Wolfe spat back, “How do you know what Aristotle wants? It’s a machine. No matter how many tests you give it—it thinks like a machine—you’ll never understand it.”

  Gallant interjected, “I know you have your own agenda, not necessarily good or bad, just yours. Unfortunately, there’s more at stake than your personal greed and aggrandizement. After all the lies you’ve told how can I believe you now?”

  “I can tell you about the origin of Aristotle,” said Wolfe.
<
br />   “I’ve already discovered the truth about the ancient AI’s origin.”

  “No! You only think you’ve discovered the truth. What you’ve discovered is that you don’t know the truth,” said Wolfe.

  “What do you mean?” asked Alaina.

  “Is it a lie to withhold information? No. It makes good sense to limit the amount of potentially dangerous information released to people of uncontrollable character. Aristotle claims to be a victim of an assassin, but you’ve only found the first layer of the onion. Dig deeper and you’ll learn there is likely a much more frightening truth,” said Wolfe.

  “Ah? So you’re a sleuth of the truth now? Well, good luck with that. I find detecting lies is never easy, but detecting the lies of an ancient AI is an intractable problem,” said Gallant.

  “Does this all feel right to you?” asked Wolfe.

  “What do you mean?” asked Gallant.

  “Something doesn’t feel right to me. It feels like there’s a hidden puppet master pulling strings somewhere deeper inside. I always assumed this was the main control chamber because it’s where I first met the Aristotle avatar. So I’ve only done a cursory exploration into other passages.”

  Puzzled about what to make of the exchange, Gallant stared at Wolfe for a moment.

  “You’re right about that. We don’t know what Aristotle’s motivations are, and we aren’t going to discover them in this empty vault. Let’s dig through the passageways below this room,” said Gallant.

  “Good idea. Good idea,” said Wolfe as if he had won some debate point. “There are many passages leading deeper underground. I explored only a few, and that was many years ago. The door behind you leads to the main tunnel passage. We can start there.”

  Alaina pushed against the door, which opened by sliding into the wall, revealing a wide corridor with numerous passageways branching off from a central hub.

  CHAPTER 31