by Max Dane
She sipped her drink, “And what about you, Julian? Our last time together was when we were searching for the colonists at Madras. How are you?”
Julian nodded and moved to the seat next to her. “Let’s see, after agreeing to come with you at Madras, on your advice, I jumped out of my shuttle in space, deep space. Then when we got home, I was incarcerated; my career was suddenly a disgrace. For a while, I didn’t think I was going to get out of there. And then I found myself relating my theories about the scourge with the Science Council Prime Director. Unbelievable. All because I listened to you back there.” Moving a little closer, he took another sip, “And now I’m headed right back to the most dangerous spot in the galaxy, in an untested ship.”
“The ship isn’t what you should be worried about.”
“No?”
“No,” she said setting her drink down. “Computer, lights off.”
She whispered, “I have some more advice for you.”
Several hours later, after a restless sleep, Finn returned to the bridge.
“Captain, the ship checks out. The diagnostics came back clear.”
“Thank you, Mr. Eton.” Finn realized how anxious he’d been waiting on the results, and relaxed a bit in his chair, “That’s some very good news.”
It meant the ship was sound. Nothing could have come through the jump, endured the kind of stresses involved and tested clean unless it was in perfect condition. It was a good sign and a good way to start the mission. “How long until the next jump?”
“A little over twenty minutes, we made excellent time getting here. We should be in hailing range of the blockade ships any time now.”
“Put them onscreen.”
Instantly, the view screens around the edge of the bridge came to life. The forward view was magnified several times searching for traces of the Fleet blockade that was still guarding the jump to the scourge-infested colony, New Dublin. Finn studied the screen, watching as tiny white specs in the distance quickly became the ships he was so familiar with: three battleships, three cruisers, and a destroyer that looked a lot like the Ajax. A quick jolt of sadness reminded him of the loss.
“Hail them, Lieutenant.”
Moments passed before their response came blasting through the ship’s comm. “This is Fleet Commander, Ben Hollister of the battleship, Shiva. By order of the Fleet High Command, traffic through the jump to New Dublin has been suspended. Please change your heading, now.”
The stern visage of the Fleet Commander filled the screen, the picture of a man expecting to be obeyed, practiced to perfection. And Finn couldn’t help smiling back.
“Hello, Ben, that’s an awfully big ship you have there. I remember when your only ship was your dad’s corvette. And if I remember correctly, you smashed it the night before graduation.”
“Captain Holt? What in the seven hells are you doing out here? And, if I remember correctly, it was you who was at the wheel at the time.”
“Yes, Ben, it’s me.” He said laughing, “Although, I don’t remember that part.”
“I’m sure.”
Roommates at the Fleet Academy, their last two years had been, eventful. He was Finn’s closest friend, and unfortunately, also the man who’d ordered the destruction of the Ajax.”
“Finn, it’s so good to see you. Come over, and we’ll catch up.”
“I wish I could, Ben. We’re on our way to the Cetus system, and we can’t stop just now.”
“I see; what the hell are you flying there anyway? You should have said something, Finn, I could have lent you one of our transports until they found something, bigger.” On the far side, Ben was grinning from ear-to-ear.
Finn leaned forward to the pilot, and under his breath said, “Mr. Keating, bring us up to the Shiva’s port side. Full stop when we arrive. And Mr. Keating, punch it.”
Keating marked the position, and levered the thrust, blasting the Athena forward towards the blockade.
“This is the Athena Rising, Ben, a new ship commissioned by the Fleet and the Science Council.”
“Well, it certainly seems quick enough. Those can’t be regular ion engines you’re sporting on that tin can.”
“That’s right, and she has some other surprises too; the Science Council has exchanged the propulsion, weapons, and sensory systems with newer hardware. And something called a Barrier Field.”
“That’s an impressive load-out, Finn. But why are you here? The scourge has taken everything behind this point.”
“We’ve been sent to learn more about the scourge, and hopefully find a way to stop it. Our mission directive is being transmitted now, Ben.”
Ben nodded, his expression somber, “Transmission received, Finn. You’re approved to go, but I don’t envy you. It’s ugly out there. And Finn, I’m sorry about the Ajax, I truly am. She was a fine ship, with an excellent captain and crew.”
“Thank you, Ben, I think we all still miss her. You followed orders. The Ajax was contaminated, and at risk for spreading the scourge to New Brazil. You did what had to be done.”
“When I see you again, I want you to stop for a while.”
“I will; I look forward to it, Ben. Safe travel, my friend.”
“And you, I hope you’re successful Finn. I really do. Hollister out.”
The screen changed to show the Athena was resting to the left of the big battleship, a tin can tied to a pie plate next to the sleek and aggressive battle-group leader. Finn didn’t care; he motioned forward to the pilot, “Take us on to the jump and alert the crew. It’s time.”
Keating nodded and pushed the ship past the blockade and onward to the jump. Eton opened the ship’s comm, “Attention please, we are approaching the jump to New Dublin. Cease any other activity and return to your station now. We jump in fifteen minutes and counting.”
Walking very quickly, Micha, followed closely by Julian, entered the bridge and took her station next to Finn.
“Hello, Commander, it’s very nice of you to join us.”
“Sorry about that, Captain, the ship’s diagnostic is green.”
“Yes, thank you, Commander.”
Alex entered as well, and sat down on the left side of Finn. “Have we jumped yet?”
“Not yet, Doctor, we were waiting for you.”
Alex grinned at him, “Well, I’m here now, Captain, so please proceed whenever you’re ready.”
Finn turned back to the science station, “Julian, our next jump will land us squarely in infested space. How is the barrier field, and are you ready?”
“The field is operational, and the start-up routine in the jump protocol worked perfectly in our last test. Additionally, the sensors are testing positive for the scanning modifications. I believe we’re ready, Captain.”
“Very well then, Mr. Keating, proceed when ready.”
Moments passed while the ship’s departments took up their stations, acknowledging the order and finishing the final preparations. Keating reached the final stage and moved the Athena into position. The singularity drive was revving up, preparing to distort the forces building around the jump point. “Your attention please, prepare to jump in three, two, one- ”
With a great flexing of space and time, the Athena was suddenly disgorged in the Sabik star system, once home to the colony of New Dublin, and the colonies that followed along the path they called ‘Orion’s Arm’. Finn thought they seemed more like graveyards now. Places empty and terrible in their silence, places fair-minded people and children refused to visit. It was the land of monsters.
He came to his senses amid an unusual silence on the bridge. Shaking his head, trying to clear the disorientation, he could see something blue on the screen. As the dizziness subsided, he began to realize what Eaton had put on the screen, a view of the colony, New Dublin. Only now, there was a translucent blue cloud encompassing the whole planet. It surrounded the whole world, and then seemed to drift off into space in a long wafting trail.
“Julian, is the barrier field in pl
ace?” said Finn.
“Yes, Captain, it activated upon our arrival and is functioning now.”
“And the sensors, Julian, are we seeing what I think, we’re seeing?”
“Yes, sir, that color is the effect of the onboard, sensor modifications.”
Julian stood up and leaned over his console. In a voice of reverence and tinged with fear, “That is the scourge.”
Finn walked around the pilot’s station and stood in front of the big screen. “It’s moved beyond the colony and engulfed the whole planet.” Finn felt sick. They were seeing the colony, long-past dead, more than destroyed, and now being picked clean. The cloud undulated sickeningly, constantly in motion. It was obscene. The relentless appetite they were witnessing was a testament to the thing’s utter destructiveness. Finn could believe the same scene was taking place on each world it murdered, acting out this planetary evisceration, even now.
Julian appeared shaken, “Yes, they seem to have found… additional resources.”
‘Additional resources.’
The words hung in the air.
Finn turned about and returned to his command chair, “Mr. Eton, what is our position and status?”
The man, clearly transfixed on the horror surrounding the planet, had a difficult time looking away from the screen.
“Mr. Eton!”
“Y-Yes, Captain, we’re holding position just inside the jump. New Dublin is just ahead, and the jump to the Cetus star system is about a day’s travel beyond. Also, the jump down Orion’s Arm, to New Rome is outside, and ten degrees above the system plane.”
“Mr. Eton, plot a course to the next jump, and take us around that cloud. There’s no reason to go through it, if we don’t have to.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Mr. Keating, I’ve seen enough. Return the view screen to our forward view, and get us out of here.”
Keating nodded, “Yes, Sir.”
Quickly, the Athena picked up speed and veered off towards the next jump, leaving the ravaged, dead world behind. When the ship moved on, the image on the screen returned to normal space; they collectively heaved a great sigh of relief. Commander Alwin pulled up the navigator’s path and double-checked the numbers. Even at top speed it would take another day; the jump point to Madras was all the way across the system from where they were now. Now all they could do is wait.
Several hours later, Julian sat down with Alex and Nath at a table in one of the research modules. He said, “One of the things I like about these labs is that they’re mobile in design. If we determine we need to study some particular characteristic, we can rearrange the configuration of these research modules to fit the need.”
“I had something similar,” said Nath, his accent thick with long consonants and oddly placed accents, “when we were facing the last wave of outbreaks, of the Nova Serena Pox. We did not have a large store of the vaccine and were forced to fabricate it from scratch. These same mobile labs allowed us to dedicate most of our research space to its production. Of course, that was in a colony-based facility, not on a ship. Your Science Council did a very fine job putting this together.”
Alex was studying the man’s accent. “Dr. Nath, your accent reminds me of a friend I once had in the Tolo’ Mon Province.”
“Ah, Alex, your knowledge betrays you,” said Nath, appearing to be suddenly agitated. “I am from the Tolo’ Nes Province in the south. Clearly you have knowledge of the T’leil home world, something quite rare these days.”
Emotionless and cool, Alex responded, “I traveled for years with merchants and traders. They followed the profits, not the lines drawn on either dissident or League, star charts.”
Very quickly, Alex raised his right hand as if to salute but then smoothly touched the front of his forehead with the pad of his ring finger, and then his chin with the tip of his index finger, finally resting his palm on his chest. Without hesitating, Nath responded with the same gesture. At that moment, he seemed to realize the lifelong gesture had betrayed some truth, and fell suddenly still. Alex watched as the man’s small pudgy hand fell instinctively to the front of his belt; the place where the Oot’ Bak knife would normally rest.
Alex tensed for violence, ‘He’s hiding something; he felt the urge to kill me. This man is dangerous.’
Julian set his notes down, oblivious to the exchange. “We have some time to kill before the jump to Madras, so I thought this would be an excellent time to talk about the investigation. I wanted to say that, while I am responsible for the success or failure of this mission, I want to include both of you in the days ahead. I believe each of you has a very unique perspective and could provide valuable insights to our research effort.”
Turning to Nath, he said, “Dr. Nath, I think your breakthrough in communicating with the nanotech organisms via transmission of the electromagnetic signature of various elements, is key to our victory.”
Relaxing again, Nath turned to Julian, “Thank you, Julian, I hope that we can find a way of exploiting this discovery.”
“Actually, I was hoping you would develop a means of broadcasting a benign signal over and through the whole ship, a sort of back-up to the barrier shield.”
Alex leaned forward, “Brilliant, Julian, if any of them get through the barrier field they will be tricked into believing we are a big cloud of hydrogen or something else that they’re not interested in.”
“And as a consequence,” said Nath finishing their thought, “they will leave us alone. Yes, a good plan. I will begin work right away, but I will need access to a workshop and supplies. And unfortunately, your captain has not lifted the ban on my level of access.”
“I will help you,” said Julian. “Just make a list of the necessary components, and I will have them brought to you.”
“And what about me?” said Alex.
“Alex, I was hoping you would continue your search for their point of origin. I can’t shake the feeling that the answer lies there. I think it’s imperative that we learn where they came from. I want you to ramp up your effort. We have more than enough staff and all the hardware of the Science Council here to help; use whatever resources you need.”
“Gentlemen,” said Nath, “I propose that we agree on what to call ‘them’. They are not truly nanotechnology, nor are they truly organisms. On my world we called them, ‘Nix Ma’.”
Julian looked puzzled, “Nix Ma? What does that mean?”
Alex responded before Nath, “It means ‘scourge’, not very different from the common vernacular of the League colonies. Another similarity, Dr. Nath?”
“Perhaps, yes, Doctor Stiles.”
Julian shook his head, “No. I don’t agree. I’m not convinced yet that what we have witnessed is a weapon.”
Nath leaned back shaking his head, “Not convinced? Not convinced, doctor; it has killed countless millions of your people and mine. Nix Ma fits, Doctor Yates; yes, I should think it fits very well.” He stood up and adjusted his jumpsuit. “I will begin construction of my list for you and wait for your supplies. I do not anticipate any problems.”
Nath left the room, leaving Alex with a bewildered colleague.
Julian called after him, “Thank you, Dr. Nath, I certainly appreciate your help.”
Turning back to the table he said, “Alex, did I say something inappropriate?”
“He looks tense; perhaps being this close to the Nix Ma, has made him uneasy.”
“I suppose.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it, Julian. The culture out on the fringe is different and difficult to read sometimes.”
Julian nodded, “Yes, I agree with that.”
Sounding very enthusiastic, Alex smiled and added, “I must say though that I share an interest in the task you gave him. When you receive his list of components, may I collect them for him? I would very much like to see how he’s going to do it.”
“Sure, I’ll forward it on to you when I get it. I hope it’s fairly quick, I would like to have the system in
place before we reach Madras.”
Alex nodded and got up to leave. “I suppose I should be going as well; thanks for letting me help, Julian.”
“Yes, of course. It’s good to have you, Alex.”
Julian watched him wander off down the line of research components.
He got up to return to his office and examine the video from New Dublin again. Maybe there was some clue there they were missing. Picking up his notes, he wondered if they would find Madras in the same condition.
“Captain, we’ve arrived.”
The day had passed too quickly, bringing them to the jump earlier than he might have wished for. Madras lay on the other side, the damned place where this all began. Here Finn lost the Ajax, and nearly his crew. Here were the ghosts of the colonists, and the crew of Dr. Layton’s ship. Now, poised before the jump, Finn found that he didn’t want to go. Alex touched his shoulder, sensing his silent reluctance, and nodded.
“Lieutenant, put me on the comm. Attention, crew of the Athena Rising, this is Captain Finn Holt. We have arrived at our destination, the jump to Madras. The last time we were here, we barely survived. We’ve returned, outfitted for survival and prepared to learn about our enemy. I believe the people of the colonies behind us deserve our very best, and we will not fail them. Keep cool and clear; every one of us must be careful. We can’t afford any mistakes in there. Captain out.”
Looking around the bridge crew, Finn said, “Is everyone ready?”
Silent, but assenting nods from the crew answered him.
“Mr. Keating, when you’re ready,” he gripped his chair with sweaty palms and turned back to the pilot, “Take us in.”