...and they are us 3: HiveWorld

by Patrick McClafferty

  Her look turned smoky. “Want to fool around, just you and me?”

  Zed sighed, knowing he had to do something. “I’ll make you a deal; if we survive this mess you and I will go off for a week and fool around. I’ll be busy for the first month or two with family obligations, but after that… Right now I have to concentrate on the job at hand.”

  She smiled and the hem on her dress lengthened by a dozen centimeters. ‘That’s all I wanted, Zed, all any of us wanted. When you find Katherine we don’t want you to forget us. You taught us how to feel, and that would break our hearts.”

  He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Never happen. At the very worst I’ll be married for a few score more years. Katherine will eventually grow old and die. I don’t plan to remarry, unless it’s to The Morrigan. Do you understand me?”

  Her eyes got very wide. “Yes Zed.” She said in a small voice.

  “Now, our business at hand?”

  “Ohh, the Callidus project is going well. We will have the device in five more days. Athena would like me to ask you to get it out of Olympus as soon as you can. She’s uncertain of what would happen should it detonate in that universe. Certain fundamental laws are slightly different.”

  “I will take the device from Callidus directly here.” He pointed at the floor at his feet. “I will take only a step or two through Olympus.”

  “That would be good. I’ll tell her.” LOLA gave him a very direct look. “You will be very careful, won’t you?”

  “As careful as I can. I’ll transfer the rest of the equipment to our hangar. It will probably take our combined power to move it all.”

  “No sweat.”

  “You really promised Mike Flaherty a stove, fridge and cable TV?”

  She shrugged. “It’s no big deal, really. Getting to Olympus is the hard part.”

  Zed laughed. “I found leaving the hardest part.”

  She touched his hand. “It’s time.” Zed sighed and stood.

  The bridge was quiet as he sat. “So Mike, are we set?”

  “Aye aye, Captain. I hope this is the final leg of our journey.”

  “Me too. LOLA, would you please take us out? Leave the cloaking off. Let the locals see that we are leaving. Departure angle on the screen.” Beneath them the planet of Myrth dropped away to be replace with the starry blackness of space. “Please set a course to follow our probe. Full shields, if you please. Standard cruise speed. Let’s not go blindly into harm’s way.”

  “I agree Captain.” LOLA touched his shoulder as the star of the Myrth system fell away behind them.

  “Any guesses on how long it will take us to reach our destination?”

  LOLA gave a little laugh. “I know exactly, Zed. It’s 173 hours at this speed.”

  He nodded. “Good. If we haven’t received any signals from our probe before then, resume cloaking at 150 hours out, and slow us down to planetary speeds.”

  “Very good, Captain.”

  Zed stared out at the beautiful streaming stars. “You have the con, XO. Set standard shifts for the first hundred hours, and then go shift on shift with Alpha and Bravo Teams.”

  “We should wait a bit on the shift on shift, Zed. We don’t want to burn our folks out too fast.”

  “As you will, Mike. I have to go to my quarters and begin making room for a certain package I’m expecting.”

  “Do I even want to know what it is?”

  “Not really.” Zed shot him a sour look. “I wish I didn’t know what it was myself.” Mike shook his head.

  Chapter 7

  KATHERINE

  Zed hated the idea that he would be storing, not five meters from his head, a bomb that could swallow an entire solar system. He gave the couch another push and glared at the clear patch in the living room floor. “When will the cart and EVA suit be ready for pickup, LOLA?” He dropped onto one end of the couch.

  LOLA flopped onto the other end of the couch. Her brilliant lime green dress and orange hair made Zed blink. “Cart and suit will be ready for pickup tomorrow. Athena will bring those into Olympus using a small anti-grav lifting unit.”

  “Why can’t she just pilot the cart herself, and not bother with the lifting unit at all?”

  “Trans universal jumps can be disrupting, Zed. The basic anti-grav lifter is extremely stable. Flying the cart through might disrupt the cart’s flight controls. You wouldn’t want erratic controls when you enter Hiveworld, would you?” Zed shook his head. “We pick up the lifter and cart from Athena, and together we’ll bring them here. That will be the hard part because the ship is moving in relation to Olympus. A few days later the bomb will be ready for pickup. We think it’s a good idea if we stop the ship and sit unmoving while the transfer takes place. Athena wants to get together with you and go over the details of how to align the device and set the timer. We don’t want any mistakes.” Her face was unusually serious.

  “Yeah…” Zed sighed. “Mistakes would be a bad thing.”

  LOLA wrinkled her nose. “You might want to take a shower. Mike will be coming down in a few minutes to invite you for a drink in the Lounge.”

  Zed gave her a curious look. “Can you foretell the future now?”

  LOLA frowned. “I don’t know. Things were simple until we met you. It appears that as much as we have changed you, you have also changed us. We can feel now, and make intuitive leaps. Computers can’t make intuitive leaps based on no data, or conflicting data.” Her eyes shifted to a deep sapphire blue. “Computers can’t love, and certainly can’t make love.” She wrinkled her nose again. “I think we made you too human this last time. Shower!”

  Mike rapped on the door and entered, just as Zed walked out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist. “Good timing.” He looked around the room “Is this thing going to be a big item?”

  “Naw!” Zed called from the bedroom as he changed. “I’ll fit the thing into a sort of backpack. It weighs 50 kilograms though.”

  “Ugh!” Mike called back. “I hope you don’t have to carry it too far. Why don’t you go ahead and tell me what it is, so that I can share the worry.”

  Zed stepped out of the bedroom, dressed in his usual jeans and flannel shirt. He gave his friend a long look. “It’s a device that releases a stable but very tightly controlled singularity. The thing has to be adjusted on site, and the timer set. If you screw up the adjustments your device eats a chunk out of this arm of the galaxy or, conversely, it only eats you and itself. Ideally, you set the device to consume a planetary dimension and cease operation, setting the timer for sufficient time to allow you to get to a safe distance before it detonates.”

  “Is that before or after Murphy adds his two cents?”

  “Before.”

  “What’s your realistic spin on your chances?”

  Zed stared down at the empty spot on the rug. “I just hope I have time to set the thing to eat only the Hiveworld. If we have to sacrifice this solar system and a chunk of the galaxy to do it, so be it. I would really like to survive but…”

  Mike just nodded. “I’ve been on a couple of missions like that, and the feeling you had in your gut before you started out wasn’t pleasant at all. I think it’s time for a drink.”

  “I’ll second that.” Zed muttered darkly.

  “I make it unanimous.” LOLA murmured, stepping out of nowhere.

  Zed gave her a flat look. “Remember what happened the last time you drank with us?”

  “I had a headache for two days.” LOLA replied with a wry grin. “Athena didn’t talk to me for days. I’m not likely to forget.”

  “It’s your funeral.” Mike gave her a grin.

  The three sat with the crackling fire at their backs and the star filled view-screens before them. Since LOLA had been the first to drop out the last time they drank, she had the honor of taking the first shot. Today a bottle of Balkan 178 sat on the table in front of them.

  LOLA poured two fingers in her glass and considered the volatile drink for
a while before she raised her toast. “Za lyoo-bóf.” She said solemnly in Russian, never taking her eyes from Zed. “To love.” She tossed the drink back. Her eyes went very wide and she made a gasping sound. Slowly a deep crimson flush worked its way up from beneath her dress, and spread across her face. Amazingly, even LOLA’s hair turned red. “Gaaaa!” She finally gasped, and then; “Ebat' kopat'!”

  “Oh shit indeed.” Dimitri grinned at her as he sat down at the remaining chair. “Is this a private party?”

  Zed gave the big Russian a warm look. “Not to you, my friend.” His eyes sparkled. “Since you cut in, you get to drink next.” He pushed the bottle Dimitri’s way.

  “Ahhh, we’re playing THAT game.” He poured three fingers in his own glass and raised it. “Za ná-shoo dróo-zhboo.” He said slowly. “To our friendship.” He tossed the drink back in one smooth move, shook his head and, amazingly, smiled. “Good!” He exclaimed. LOLA stared at him in disbelief.

  Zed laughed as he picked up the bottle and poured three fingers in his own glass. This time he held LOLA’s eyes as he raised his glass. “Za moy lyubovnik.” He said softly as he tossed the drink back. LOLA’s eyes went very wide, and she flushed almost as red as he. She didn’t, however, sit for a full minute gasping for breath.

  Dimitri looked with some surprise from Zed to LOLA. “To my lover?? Did I miss something?”

  Mike raised his own glass with three fingers of clear liquid. “Vashee zda-ró-vye, my friend.” He grinned at Zed. “To your health. If you survive this adventure, then you’ll live to have somebody else kill you.” He tossed his drink back and doubled over in a paroxysm of coughing. Zed pounded on his back. “You don’t have to hit me that hard.” Mike gasped.

  “Yes I do.” He winked to LOLA. “Your turn my dear.”

  LOLA groaned and refilled her glass. “Mezhdu pervoy i vtoroy pereryvchik ne bolshoy!" She tossed the drink back and whooped, shaking her head.

  Dimitri laughed as he refilled his own glass. “There isn’t much sense wasting time in the second round.” The big Rusian agreed. “Mezhdu pervoy i vtoroy pereryvchik ne bolshoy!” He tossed his drink back, but didn’t bother shaking his head this time.

  “Mezhdu pervoy i vtoroy pereryvchik ne bolshoy!" Zed repeated a moment later, tossing his drink down. Mike’s head hit the table sometime after the fourth drink, which was fortunate because by then the bottle was empty. A bleary-eyed Dimitri picked up Mike in a fireman’s carry and staggered out of the Lounge.

  “I’m worried for you, Zed.” LOLA clearly wasn’t drunk, or even inebriated.

  Zed took her hand. “Yeah, me too.” Zed muttered, just as sober as she. “It doesn’t mean I don’t have to do it, though.” Zed put his head in his hands. “We were only married for a few weeks, LOLA. Kat and I have been apart for so long I forget what she looks like, the sound of her voice and the feel of her touch. I’m afraid she won’t be the same woman I fell in love with and married, and I know I’m not the same man she once knew.” He waved a hand and, using the same circuits that LOLA did, cleared the glasses and bottle from the table.

  Lola stood and took his hand. “I’ll make you a cup of tea before you retire.”

  “But what am I going to do?” he asked in a resigned voice.

  “Your best, as you always do.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Thank you LOLA.”

  A soft hand on his shoulder woke Zed at six oclock the next morning. “Athena says that the sled and suit will be ready for pickup in a couple of hours.”

  He opened a single eye. “You woke me to tell me that?”

  “They would all like to see you, Zed. You’re invited for a traditional English breakfast.”

  Zed sat up in his bed, and gave LOLA a thoughtful look. “Perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea to encourage you to develop feelings. Should I die in this adventure what will become of The Morrigan?”

  “The Morrigan will soldier on, as you humans say. We would not trade a day of our feelings against the chance of being hurt.” LOLA’s face had hardened, as it always did when she was speaking as The Morrigan. “Every moment we can spend with you has become precious to us.” Zed began to rise and then stopped, his face turning red. LOLA gave him a warm, slightly possessive smile. “You forget Zed, that I too have seen you without clothes.”

  He laughed and threw back the sheets. “I need to take a shower.”

  Athena and Boadicea turned when he stepped into the spacious kitchen that served Olympus, and gave him wide smiles. “Morning ladies.” He took a quick look around and began to stir one of the simmering pots, a fragrant porridge by the smell.

  “We weren’t sure if you were coming until just a few minutes ago.”

  Zed laughed, dishing out the porridge into a large serving bowl. “How could I turn down such an elegant invitation given by three incredibly beautiful women?”

  “Oh sit down you Casanova.” Athena laughed as she pulled out a chair for herself.

  Zed poured the coffee. “How are things going here?”

  “Very well, Zed. The sled and the EVA suit are ready for pickup. The bomb is coming along. Dan Grinwell is about fit to be tied since he found out that you and the Belerophon will be taking on the Creednax Hiveworld virtually single-handed. He gave us a long speech about how reckless you are. We pointed out that you seem to get results when all others fail. He shut up at that point.”

  “You embarrass me.”

  “You have died twice in service to The Morrigan, Zed. How much more could anyone ask?”

  “Three times?” He said dryly.

  “That wasn’t funny.”

  “It wasn’t meant to be, Athena. Apparently our employer,” He glanced up. “is expecting it of us; me to do the dirty work, and you to let me go and do it.” He chuckled. “I expect a nice bonus at the end of the year.”

  “How can you laugh?”

  “What am I supposed to do, rant, cry?” He sipped his coffee and leaned back. “We all die eventually. If I die doing this my place will be set at the great table in the halls of Valhalla.” Athena gave him a sour look. “Now now, there are lots of other candidates for my job.”

  “We had this discussion once already.”

  “I know.” Zed sighed, and began clearing the table.

  Zed and LOLA were standing waiting on the green grass before the temple when Athena appeared out of thin air, pulling a small floating vehicle that supported Zed’s cart. The cargo sled was a blunt, flat black eight meter cigar shaped vehicle. A meter and a half wide, the service cart had a small cab for the driver, and a flat magnetized bed for the cargo. The large supply of life support equipment was stored in an oversized compartment behind the cab. A flat black cover rolled out of the side of the cargo area, covering the cargo in blackness as dark as night. Right now a folded EVA suit and accompanying equipment rested on the flat bed.

  Zed bowed to Athena. “This looks like a smaller version of the ones we used at the battle of Callidus.”

  The woman turned, leaving the lifter and transport cart to hover a dozen centimeters off the green grass. “It is. There are a few modifications, however. Since you will be in the vehicle for an extended time, the life support has been beefed up.” She gestured to the oversized storage area behind the cab. “The cloaking system is the best we could build. Sensors and telemetry will feed directly into your suit HUD. Controls are either manual or neural link. Try it out and decide which you like best.”

  “Are we sure the bed is sufficient for the weapon, and whatever tools I might need to align it?”

  “There’s plenty of room, Zed. If necessary the cab can be pressurized and you could remove your suit if you wish.”

  “I don’t think so.” He gave the beautiful woman before him a sad look. “Goodbye Athena.”

  “Aller avec Dieu, mon amour.” She whispered. “Go with God, my love.”

  He turned to LOLA before things got sloppy. “Is the hangar free?”

  She stared into space for a moment. “The center
of the hangar is free. A few people are working at the far end.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll push, you steer.” He took a deep breath.

  “The door is open. Push!!”

  He pushed and they fell through… someplace. In the distance a white opening loomed. He pushed harder, and then with a slam they were in the hangar. “Holy shit!!” Panting, he sat on the floor, exhausted. It had felt like he was pushing Mount Rainier down the American coast to California. His heart was pounding.

  There was a thump and LOLA was sitting beside him. “That…” She puffed. “was the single hardest thing I’ve ever done.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Where are we going with it now?”

  He almost said leave it right where it was. A feeling stole over him. “Have it moved into the Rose.” He murmured in a distant voice.

  “There’s no hangar in the Rose.” LOLA pointed out helpfully, looking at the small sleek scout saucer.

  “If you check the refit log, you will find that a small bay was added just inboard of the airlock. The bay should be sufficient to hold the sled.” He replied in a toneless voice.

  “Zed, you’re scaring me.”

  He blinked and looked down at the small suddenly pale woman at his side. “I’m scaring me too, LOLA. I hate being used, but it seems as though I’ll be taking the Rose out to finish this business.” He gave a wry laugh. “It’s fitting; I started out in the Rose of the Dawn, after all.”

  “But I won’t be with you this time to get you out of trouble.”

  “I’ll be fine, LOLA.”

  “You’re a terrible liar, Zed.”

  When it was finally ready, Zed and LOLA picked up a bulky, very heavy red backpack in Olympus. On the return to the Belerophon Zed pulled while LOLA pushed. It wasn’t quite as hard as the previous trip.

  Three days later, at 2:53 in the morning LOLA woke Zed out of a fitful sleep. “Sensors indicate that the destroyer the probe has been following is decelerating. Coordinates are consistent with the information we received on Myrth.”