by D. J. Holmes
“Couldn’t I transfer over to the Kalassai ship. There’s bound to be something I can help with,” Seth said with a sigh.
Alvarez grinned at the teenager. “O’Malley’s reports indicate the Kalassai have nothing resembling our computer technologies. Unless you have an advanced degree in biology or genetics you’ve been hiding away, I doubt there’d be much for you to do over there either. Besides, didn’t Lieutenant Maguire give you an encryption problem to solve?”
Seth grimaced as he turned back to his command console, making Alvarez chuckle. He knew Seth thought decrypting information files was a boring, time-consuming job. But the lad needed the practice. And it kept him busy. That was probably why Maguire had given it to him. Alvarez had seen Seth pestering the Lieutenant a couple of hours ago.
“We’re five minutes out from the next system Dancer gave us,” the Sub Lieutenant at Intrepid’s sensor console reported.
“Thank you,” Jones responded from where he sat on Intrepid’s Captain’s chair. “How is our tow line holding up?”
“Everything is within normal parameters,” Maguire responded. “We should be good for jumping out of shift space.”
“How are things on Dancer’s end?”
“They’ve just reported in Captain, their repairs are holding up,” Intrepid’s COM officer answered.
Jones nodded. “Okay, jump us out of shift space as soon as we reach the system’s mass shadow. Have they sent us our next set of coordinates?”
The Sub Lieutenant who had just spoken shook her head. “No Captain, their latest COM message didn’t include any updated coordinates.”
Alvarez and Jones’s head spun towards each other at the same time. Over the last six weeks May-sic hadn’t shared the next system they were going to until they were about to exit shift space. Wherever they were going, Alvarez and Jones had surmised it was a very closely guarded secret. But now, if there were no new coordinates, that meant they might finally have arrived! “Send the crew to battle stations,” Jones snapped. “It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he added as he held Alvarez stare.
Alvarez nodded. “I’m not going to disagree with that.” Alveraz turned to watch Intrepid’s main holo projector. As soon as they jumped out of shift space it would show them what Intrepid’s sensors were detecting. He tried and failed to suppress a small grin. Emilie must be in this system. She has to be, he thought as his grin widened.
“Exiting shift space now,” Maguire reported a couple of minutes later.
Alvarez tightened his grip on his command chair as the jump out of shift space sent a small tremor through Intrepid. A new system appeared on the holo projector. Within seconds two objects orbiting the system’s fourth world caught his attention. Alvarez took a sharp breath. They were massive, far bigger than anything he had seen before. Just as Intrepid’s sensor officer zoomed in, alarms blared. The image immediately switched to show two Kalassai ships swooping in towards Intrepid.
“Energy spike coming from both those ships!” Maguire shouted. Everyone knew what that meant. They were about to open fire.
“Dancer is communicating with them,” Intrepid’s COM officer reported. “They’re asking them to stand down. Hold on. The two Kalassai ships are responding… They don’t sound happy. Not at all,” she added as she looked away from her console towards Jones. “It sounds like Dancer has committed some kind of forbidden act.” She turned back to her console. “May-sic is trying to explain herself.”
“Get ready to cut the tow line to Dancer,” Jones said to Maguire. “And make sure our shift drive is charged as quickly as possible. I don’t know how we’d fare if we have to fight these two ships, but I’d rather not stick around to find out if it comes to that.”
For a couple of very tense moments, everyone on Intrepid’s bridge watched as the two Kalassai ships maneuvered around Intrepid. The exploration cruiser’s COM officer gave everyone a running commentary on the discussions between May-sic and the two other Kalassai Captains. More than once, Alvarez’s eyebrows rose at the language used. But as May-sic relayed how Intrepid had fought off the Karacknid cruisers that had been chasing Dancer, the two Kalassai Captains’ tones softened.
“I think they are powering down their weapons,” Maguire reported. “Their energy levels are dropping off. Only by ten percent or so, but we may be in the clear.”
“One of the ship’s Captains is demanding that their ship take Dancer in tow,” Intrepid’s COM officer announced. “Even if they’re not going to attack us, I don’t think they want us in the system any longer than possible. May-sic is insisting we take Dancer on into the system though. Wait, I’ve got May-sic on a COM channel. She wants to speak to you Captain.”
“Captain Jones, I am sorry for the concern my comrades have no doubt caused you,” May-sic said several seconds later.
“There is no need to apologize,” Jones replied. “Your people were just doing their jobs. From what my COM officer tells me, it’s been an interesting welcome home for you too.”
“I told you, you would not be welcome here,” May-sic responded. “That sentiment has been extended to me for bringing you here. But they have accepted that I am vouching for you. Convincing them not to attack you is one thing, however. If we proceed from here, you will be at the whim of the Mothers of our two city ships in this system. Are you sure you want to proceed?”
Jones nodded. “We’ve come this far. You’re sure Emilie is here?”
May-sic’s tentacles swished in the affirmative. “I have confirmed it with the Captain of Stargazer. She is here. Though the Mothers decided that she would remain here for the rest of her life. I intend to communicate to them just how helpful you have been. How my people would all be dead but for you. We can only hope that will sway their thinking. Otherwise, they may make the same decision for you.”
“Well, that’s a risk we will have to take. I’m not turning back now,” Jones replied.
“Then we will proceed,” May-sic said. “You may set course for our two city ships. Stargazer will escort us there. I suggest you stand down from battle stations and power down your defensive weapons. It will only serve to make the other ships we have in system nervous.”
“We’ll do that,” Jones replied. “Thank you for speaking on our behalf.”
“We made a deal captain, I intend to keep my end of our bargain,” May-sic said. She swished her tentacles in a sign of respect before ending the COM channel.
“All right people, you heard her,” Jones said. “Captain Kansas is on one of those two massive ships, let’s be on our way. I’m sure she’ll be pleased to see us.”
As the image on the holo projector changed to show the two Kalassai city ships, Alvarez was amazed at them all over again. Now that Intrepid’s sensors had a couple of minutes to analyze them further, an accurate measurement of their length, height and volume was being presented beside them. Alvarez couldn’t help but shake his head. They were truly massive. Each one out massed Humanity’s entire war fleet. At least, the fleet we had, Alvarez thought. Ship construction would have been ramped up considerably over the last year, but even with that, just one of the two city ships would easily out mass everything that had been built in that time. And they’re probably home to millions, he realized. If they’re anything like Dancer. Everyone on Intrepid had been surprised to learn that Dancer wasn’t just a warship, but also May-sic and her crew’s home.
For the next two hours Alvarez watched in fascination as more and more sensor data came in on the two Kalassai city ships as Intrepid got closer to them. As a result, he was caught off-guard when ten Kalassai ships the same size as Dancer suddenly appeared from behind each city ship. Alarms blared as they charged their weapons. Before Jones or anyone else could act, they opened fire. Sixty missiles raced towards Intrepid. Automatically, the exploration cruiser’s point defenses opened fire, but with her gunners not at their battlestations and their capacitors not charged, they only fired three or four volleys each and then ran out of power. It t
ook the remaining sixteen missiles just six seconds to close with Intrepid. Cutting the tow line to Dancer, Jones attempted to throw the exploration cruiser into an evasive maneuver. Despite his best effort, all sixteen got close enough to explode. Together they released more than a hundred smaller munitions, at least a thousand of them struck Intrepid’s hull. Intrepid lost all power as her reactors were shut down and her emergency capacitors drained of all energy.
As darkness enveloped Intrepid’s bridge, no one spoke for a couple of seconds. Eventually Jones broke the silence. “I’m guessing we have no information for a damage report?”
“No Captain, nothing is coming through to us from our internal COMs systems,” Maguire replied.
“At least we have the marines’ COM units spread throughout the ship this time, get them activated and let’s find out what’s happening,” Jones ordered.
“These Mothers don’t seem to be happy with our appearance,” Alvarez said. “At least we are still here. They could have destroyed us.”
“And if they’ve just decided to keep us as prisoners here like they have Captain Kansas?” Jones asked, his voice strained. “How is that any different?”
A good question, Alvarez thought as Intrepid’s bridge officers tried to get their ship functioning again. With no direct responsibilities for Intrepid, Alvarez was left in the dark with only his thoughts to keep him company. He couldn’t decide if he was still excited or on the verge of being overcome with dismay. Emilie was almost within arm’s reach. And yet, if the Mothers wanted to, they could keep them separated for ever.
*
Kalassai city ship, 8th February 2483 AD (one week later).
Emilie cursed as she picked up the makeshift poker chips and threw them across the room to smash into the far wall. She had just beaten Walker in a protracted game for the first time in weeks. Yet it meant nothing. Rather than satisfaction, she only felt more frustration. “This will be the death of me!” she complained. “What’s the point? Why even bother trying?”
To Emilie’s surprise, Walker was on his feet in a flash. He moved towards her too quick for her to back away. In seconds he had grabbed her arms, lowering them to her side. His vice like grip on her wrists sent pain shooting up her arms. For a second fear shot through Emilie. When she saw the look of concern on Walker’s face it faded though. “You can’t talk like that,” he said forcefully, his face just inches from hers. “Our biggest enemy here isn’t the Kalassai, nor this godforsaken room, nor even time, it’s our own minds.” As he spoke, Walker let go of Emilie’s hands and tapped his forehead. “A chance may come for us to get out of here. It may come today, or it may come in ten years. Whenever it comes, we need to be ready. The only thing that will stop us doing that is our minds. We must stay focused.” He let Emilie go completely and took half a step back from her. “If you want to give up, then fine, you can do so. But remember why we are here. What we are fighting for. That’s worth our focus. We need to keep our minds on the Karacknids and our war with them.”
Emilie shook her head as she moved back from Walker. “You’re crazy. You’re really going to wait here day by day for ten years for a chance to escape? All so you might be able to get back to Earth and perhaps play some role in defeating the Karacknids? That’s crazy,” she said again as she shook her head.
Walker squared his shoulders. “I’ve seen the recordings of the nukes going off on Earth many times. I’m sure you have too. But I know for a fact that you saw it in real time. Are you telling me you are just going to forget about that and let it go?”
Emilie closed her eyes, as always, one of two things came to her mind. More often than not these days it was Alvarez, but thanks to Walker’s words, her memory of the Karacknid missiles punching through Earth’s atmosphere and sending mushroom clouds up into the sky replayed in her mind as if she was watching it for the first time. “No,” she said softly, “I’m not going to let it go.”
“What was that?” Walker demanded in what Emilie suspected was his drill instructor’s voice.
“No!” she said more loudly. “I won’t let it go.”
Walker nodded. “That’s more like it, Captain. That’s what I want to see. Mark my words, sooner or later we will get a chance and you need to be ready. I can’t do this without you.”
Movement to Emilie’s right made her and Walker jump back. A door had appeared in their apartment. As they watched it peeled back. What concerned them was that the door had appeared where no door had been before. Nearly two months ago, after meeting with the Mothers, they had been moved to one of the city ships. Once a week a Kalassai visited them to check up on them. Each time the Kalassai came through the same door. One that was on the other side of the apartment to the door that was now opening in front of them.
Even more concerning, as the door opened further, no transition chamber appeared to be on the other side. The goo that filled the Kalassai ships quickly flowed into their apartment. Emilie and Walker dove for their breathers. They had to fight against the current from the goo rushing into their apartment. Emilie got hers into her mouth just as the goo reached her chest. As always her face screwed up as the first few breaths of stale air assaulted her. When the goo covered her head, she used her arms and legs to turn herself back around to face the new door. She was just in time to see a Kalassai swish its tentacles as it pushed itself into the room. “Greetings Humans,” the Kalassai said as Emilie and Walker struggled to keep an upright posture as more goo flowed into the apartment. “My name is May-sic, the captain of the starship Dancer. Wal-sma sent me here to get you. I need you to come with me immediately.”
“Do the Mothers want to speak to us again?” Emilie asked, her concern at the sudden disturbance disappearing as a spark of hope welled up within her.
May-sic’s tentacles changed to a pattern of disappointment. “No, I am afraid they do not. They have made their mind up concerning you.”
Emilie’s eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. “Then what do you want with us?”
“There is little time to explain. You will have to trust me as you trusted Wal-sma. My ship was attacked by Karacknids and Intrepid saved us. Your ship is here in the system right now. But the Mothers impounded it. Wal-sma and Wayfarer are causing a distraction. If you want to get to your ship and escape, it’s now or never.”
Emilie turned from May-sic to Walker as her eyes widened. “Are you some kind of prophet? No matter,” she said as she gave herself a shake. If May-sic said there was no time, then there was no time. “All right,” she said as she turned back to the Kalassai. “I guess we have no choice but to trust you. What do we need to do?”
“We have to get to Intrepid as quickly as possible. I’m told your mate can move fast within our ships. You will have to let me carry you,” May-sic explained. Before she had even finished speaking, the Kalassai moved towards Emilie, her tentacles spread out as if they were about to envelop her.
Emilie instinctively pushed back with her arms in an effort to swim away. “What do you mean? What are you doing?”
“Trust me or you will never get out of here,” May-sic said, not slowing her approach.
Deciding that she had no other choice, Emilie gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. It was only the image of Alvarez conjured within her mind that stopped her from screeching as two of May-sic’s tentacles scooped her up. Emilie found herself pressed up against the Kalassai’s jellyfish like main body. It felt exactly like it looked; soft and squishy, and not in a nice way. “Follow me,” May-sic said to Walker. Moments later, Emilie felt pressure on her face as they began to swim fast through the goo. Opening her eyes, a very strange sight greeted her. May-sic was holding Emilie so that her head was level with May-sic’s. That meant that she could look forward and see where they were going. To her left and right Emilie could see three of May-sic’s tentacles vigorously swishing back and forth. They were moving far faster than Emilie had seen a Kalassai move before and it felt like she was barreling through the city ship as if she was on
a rollercoaster. May-sic zoomed down small corridors, banking left and right as she took corners at speeds Emilie thought would cause them to smash into the walls. Straining her neck to look behind her, Emilie could see that Walker was somehow keeping up with them.
“He must be an impressive specimen within your species,” May-sic said as she saw where Emilie was looking. “You chose a good mate.”
Emilie took a deep breath through her breather. She wasn’t going to argue with May-sic. “What is the plan?” she asked instead.
“Wal-sma and several other Captains are petitioning the Mothers,” May-sic explained. “They are demanding that they reconsider your offer. We know they will not accept, but Wal-sma intends to make a scene. Then she is going to take Wayfarer and threaten to go to the other city ships and bring your offer to them. The Mothers will not like that, they’ll try and stop her. That will give your ship the distraction it needs to escape. I’ve seen Intrepid in action, she is fast.”