Phoenix Among The Stars (Exodus)

by Robert Stadnik

  “I’m sorry,” said Julie, recognizing the change in tone. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” She instinctively put her hand on the Cresorian’s furry arm. The warmth from his body felt good.

  “I have never met a species who displayed such a capacity for compassion,” said Drix. “I am happy that our ships crossed paths.” He took Julie’s hand and directed her arm around his so that they were interlocked. Julie looked at him surprised, not expecting him to perform such a intimate human action.

  Drix pointed to a couple across the way walking together with their arms interlocked. “Is it not something one does with a friend?”

  “Yes,” replied Julie as she and Drix continued their walk. “It is.” People around them stared at the pair, but she didn’t care. She was happy that she made a connection with Drix.

  The pair walked past Smitty’s, an English pub adjacent to the Stardust Café. Many of the patrons watched as Julie and Drix strolled by the establishment. Whispers increased at the unusual sight of the alien and executive officer together.

  “Will you look at that,” said Jeremy Hakins to his friend Larry Cleveland. Both miners made it a habit to stop at Smitty’s for a beer after work.

  “Wow,” said Larry, looking at Julie and Drix. “I guess we’re going to have to start getting used to that.”

  “I don’t like the idea of that thing walking around the ship,” said Jeremy.

  “I don’t think the captain would let him run loose unless he was absolutely sure it was safe,” said Larry.

  “Don’t forget, the captain is a novice when it comes to starship command and alien encounters,” said Jeremy.

  “Sounds like you don’t have much faith in our captain,” said Larry. “You don’t think Admiral Johnson made the right choice?”

  “I trust the admiral, and I give credit to Captain Roberts for getting us out of the solar system,” said Jeremy. “But he’s just a cadet. He’s going to need to gain a lot of experience to earn the respect that goes with the title of captain.”

  “Well, so far I think he’s doing fine. Besides, I’ve talked to a couple of people who have spoken with the alien. They all say he’s nice.”

  “Yeah, right,” said Jeremy sarcastically. “No way would I ever allow them to implant a micron in me.”

  “Doctor Myers says it’s harmless.”

  Jeremy looked at his friend with a shocked expression. “You didn’t let them implant one in you, did you?”

  “No, but I’m thinking about it. Doctor Myers showed me all the specs and explained the device’s operation to me. I didn’t understand a lot of what he said, but he was confident it was safe.”

  “Do me a favor,” said Jeremy. “Don’t rush into it. There’s no need for them to put a foreign object in your head so you can talk to a single alien. Just wait.”

  Jeremy’s suggestion made sense. “Ok, sure.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The PHOENIX spent the next two weeks jumping to various star systems. Although there were no encounters with any Screen vessels or other alien ships, the crew kept busy conducting scientific surveys of the systems they visited.

  Drix seemed to have integrated well with the crew. Over five hundred people had the micron implanted, allowing the Cresorian the opportunity to converse with more individuals. The fact that an alien was now living on PHOENIX had become a comfortable thought in people’s minds, and more of the crew wanted to spend time with Drix to learn about him.

  But there were still a lot of individuals who refused to have a micron implanted. John understood their fears, even though all the tests and numerous analyses showed the device was harmless. Even though their worries were baseless, John decided that micron implantation would remain an option and not a requirement.

  Drix did nothing to make John question the alien’s motives and the young captain saw no reason to distrust him, but he couldn’t ignore his military training. Drix remained restricted from critical areas, although John did allow him access to the command deck with a security escort. Although he had taken a step back from spending time with Drix to deal with ship operations, others had stepped in to provide company to the alien almost every night. For Drix, he was getting quite an education about humans.

  Except for some minor maintenance, the ship was operating smoothly. John worried when the ECON went down that it was an ominous sign of the ship’s dependability, but no other major system had failed.

  Having finished lunch in his quarters, John headed to the command deck. Alex’sis, Kevin, and Bret were working at their stations and John saw Julie and Drix at the hangar deck station. His two security escorts stood in the background near him as Julie showed him how the terminal operated. Drix was absorbing every word she uttered and was eager to become a contributing member of the ship.

  “Commander Olson,” said John as he descended into the pit. “What’s our status?”

  “Captain,” said Julie. “The ship is still in orbit of the planetoid. At last check all stations reported normal operations.”

  “Can we get underway?” asked John.

  “We have no auxiliary craft outside, but Virgo Squadron is getting ready to deploy for combat maneuvers,” said Alex’sis from the operations table.

  “Tell them to hold,” ordered John. “I want to jump to the next system. They can deploy and conduct their maneuvers there.”

  “I thought we would have another day to conduct surveys?” said Kevin, almost sounding like a child whose toy was taken away.

  “We’ve been here for two days,” said John. “I’ve been lenient about letting the science departments conduct their surveys, but we need to refocus our attention on our primary mission.” John realized Drix was present and wished he had phrased his sentence differently.

  “What is your primary mission?” Drix asked Julie.

  “I’ll explain later,” said Julie. They had agreed not to inform Drix of their mission to search for the Screen until they could learn more about their alien friend.

  “Can’t we stay until the end of the day?” asked Kevin.

  “We’re leaving now, lieutenant. I’ve made my position clear,” said John. He was polite but firm in his response.

  “Yes, sir,” said Kevin as he returned to his station to inform the science departments of the change in plans.

  “Captain to engineering,” said John.

  “Go ahead,” came the sound of Professor Donavin over the command deck speakers.

  “Prepare the engines for jump,” said John.

  “I was getting ready to conduct efficiency tests of the engines. I’ve spent hours preparing,” said Donavin.

  “You can conduct the tests at the next system,” said John. “I want engines ready in two minutes. Command deck out.” John was getting frustrated with the professor. Every request he made was like pulling teeth. The professor always had some reason why he couldn’t comply with an order.

  John walked over to the operations table and leaned on it. “I swear he’s going to drive me to drink.”

  “At least he’s following your orders,” said Alex’sis.

  “I hate having to be stern with him, but if I ease up he’s just going to try and take advantage.”

  “Then be stern with him,” said Alex’sis. “If he can’t learn to behave professionally then you’ll just have to continue to treat him like a child.”

  “Works for me,” said John. “But I don’t like it.”

  A section on the table beeped and Alex’sis checked the readings. “Engineering reports ready. Lieutenant Jacobson, plot a course to the next system.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Kevin. As he entered the coordinates, Julie and Drix joined John and Alex’sis at the operations table.

  “This is your first time up here for a jump, isn’t it?” said John to Drix.

  “Julie Commander has explained to me the process of your faster than light travel,” said Drix. “It is amazing that a jump sequence requires the involvement of very few people.”

>   “It only takes one person to jump your ship,” said Alex’sis.

  “Correct, Alex’sis Lieutenant. But my vessel is small compared to PHOENIX. The computational power necessary is enormous to jump this vessel, power I thought your feeble computer systems could not handle.”

  “Gee, thanks,” said Alex’sis, sounding insulted.

  “I think what Drix means is that his knowledge of computer functions surpasses ours,” said Julie.

  “Uh-huh,” replied Alex’sis. “Let’s not forget who showed up on our door step in a tin can,” referring to Drix’s ship.

  “Is tin can another term for ship?” asked Drix.

  “It is for your ship,” muttered Alex’sis in a low tone.

  “I could not hear you,” said Drix.

  “I said I can’t wait for this trip.”

  “Hyperdrive ready, captain,” said Kevin.

  “Thank you, lieutenant,” said John, cracking a slight grin at Alex’sis. “Initiate jump.”

  The PHOENIX accelerated out of the system. Drix was amazed how seamless the transition was to faster than light travel. Even with the superior computer systems on his ship, Drix experienced shudders and shakes each time his vessel jumped.

  “Remarkable,” said Drix. He looked at Alex’sis. “We have jumped, correct?”

  “Yes,” replied Alex’sis coldly.

  “You might be interested in this,” Julie said to Drix, drawing his attention to the readouts in front of her. As she distracted him, John leaned over to his operations officer.

  “He doesn’t mean to offend,” said John. “He’s just being honest. He’s not bad mouthing the PHOENIX.”

  “I’ll remember that when I accidently push him in the airlock and it accidently decompresses because of our inferior computers,” said Alex’sis.

  “Lieutenant…,” said John.

  “Sorry, sir. I would never do that, unless he really pisses me off.”

  “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” said John, winking at Alex’sis. He could pick up that her comment was harmless sarcasm.

  “Thank you, sir,” Alex’sis said. For the next fifteen minutes they kept themselves busy as the ship flew in open space.

  “We’re approaching Sigma Orion,” reported Kevin.

  “Bring us out of the jump,” said John. A low hum could be heard as the ship decelerated into the system. As they did an alarm went off.

  “Captain,” reported Alex’sis. “Something’s set off the proximity warning.”

  “What is it?” asked John.

  “Not sure,” said Alex’sis. “Sensors aren’t showing anything.”

  Suddenly, the sound of impacts on the hull could be heard.

  “We’ve been hit,” reported Julie. “I’m registering weapons fire.”

  “On viewer,” said John alarmed. The holographic display popped up over the operations table and they watched as a Screen fighter emerged from underneath the ship and flew away from the PHOENIX.

  “Where the hell did it come from?” said John.

  “We must have jumped right on top of it,” said Julie. “That’s probably why the sensors didn’t pick it up.”

  “It’s moving away at high speed,” said Kevin.

  “Is it transmitting anything?” asked John.

  “Negative,” reported Bret. “I’m picking up no transmissions from them.”

  “Good, then we have a chance,” said John. “Kevin, pursuit course. Alex’sis, bring the weapons online.”

  “Which ones? We have five different types.”

  “One that’ll damage but not obliterate the fighter,” said John.

  “Particle bursts.” Alex’sis initiated power transfer to the emitters.

  “What are you doing?” asked Drix.

  “Going after that ship,” replied John.

  “You can’t do that. It will mean certain death for all of us.” Drix’s statement got everyone’s attention.

  “Come again?” asked John.

  “Do you not know who they are?” said Drix. No one said anything to him. “Any space faring race knows to flee whenever one of those ships appears.”

  John looked at Drix to gauge his sincerity. The alien seemed forthright with his statement.

  “Twenty seconds until we come into weapons range,” reported Alex’sis.

  “Target their engines,” ordered John. “I want it disabled, not destroyed.”

  “Captain, we don’t know the location of the engine compartment on a Screen fighter,” said Alex’sis. “We can only approximate based on our own fighter designs.”

  “It’ll have to do,” said John.

  “According to its heading the ship is flying towards a dense asteroid field,” reported Julie.

  Drix gently grabbed John’s arm. “I beg of you, John Captain, to abandon this chase. Nothing good will come of it.”

  “Why? What do you know of them?” asked John.

  “No one knows anything about that species. All that is known is whenever one of their vessels appears, death follows. They are hostile and destroy any ship that crosses their path.”

  “The only death that will come is for that ship. It’s no match for the PHOENIX.”

  “How can you be certain of that?”

  “Because we fought several of their ships in our star system and defeated them.” John’s words left Drix speechless.

  “Coming into weapons range,” reported Alex’sis. “Target acquired.”

  “You said you have never encountered another species before me,” said Drix, but John ignored him.

  “I want a three shot burst,” said John. “Fire.”

  The PHOENIX fired at the Screen fighter. The fighter was hit once but managed to avoid the next two rounds. A colorful bluish trail emanated from its right wing where it was hit.

  “The fighter’s been hit,” reported Alex’sis. “I’m reading power fluctuations, but it’s still moving at the same rate of speed.”

  “Fire again,” ordered John. PHOENIX attacked again, but the Screen fighter managed to dodge all the shots. The fact that it was running from them instead of attacking led John to conclude that their victories in the solar system had been communicated to the entire Screen military.

  “The fighter is entering the asteroid field,” said Julie.

  “Captain,” said Kevin. “The field’s too dense for PHOENIX to enter and the compositions of the asteroids are blocking our sensors.”

  “We can’t let the fighter get away,” said Julie.

  “Agreed,” said John. This was their first encounter with the Screen since leaving the solar system and John was determined not to miss the opportunity to capture one. They needed to examine a Screen ship in detail and interrogate the fighter to learn what the Screen had against humanity. “Captain to Virgo Squadron. Scramble and deploy immediately for pursuit mission against enemy craft.”

  “Acknowledged,” said squad leader Martin Everold. Within thirty seconds, ten Interceptors that comprised the squadron had deployed from their launch tubes on the starboard side of the PHOENIX and headed towards the asteroid field.

  “Martin,” said John over the comm system. “Try to disable the ship if you can, but not at the risk of your team. If you have to destroy it, do so.”

  “Copy that, PHOENIX,” said Martin. “You hear that team? Capture if possible, destroy if necessary.”

  “Got it, sir,” replied one of combat pilots. This would be the squad’s second fight with the Screen except for Martin, who was recovering from his injuries in medical back during the PHOENIX’s final fight against the Screen in the solar system. He had reviewed all the video and telemetry data on the battle and felt he was as prepared as he was going to be engaging the Screen.

  “Entering asteroid field now,” Martin’s voice came over the command deck speakers. “All squad members activate Interceptor shields.”

  “Captain,” said Alex’sis. “I’m losing track of Virgo squadron. Sensors aren’t able to penetrate very deep into the
asteroid field.”

  “PHOENIX to Virgo Squadron,” said John. “We’re having trouble keeping a tab on you.”

  “PH…zzdfft…” John looked over to Bret who was trying to modify the communications dish.

  “The asteroid field is interfering with our signals,” said Bret. “I’m trying to reestablish.”

  “Virgo Squadron, do a twenty minute sweep then I want you out of there.” John looked at Julie. “Have the Aries group launch and deploy at the perimeter of the asteroid field. Send a couple of pile-drivers out for support.” Pile-drivers were heavily armored shuttles that could take quite a beating in a firefight. They were equipped with plasmatic warhead missiles that could cause significant damage on a target.

  Julie nodded as John returned his attention to Drix. “I think it’s time we both come clean about what we know of the Screen.”

  Martin picked up the captain’s last order to conduct a twenty minute search. The squad had to reduce their speed to account for their limited sensor readings. As they proceeded into the dense field, they had difficulty maintaining formation.

  “Sir,” said one of the squad members. “I only have a sensor range of a few hundred clicks.”

  “Stay alert people,” said Martin. Despite the danger, the view outside was spectacular. Asteroids big and small swirled around the area in a chaotic dance. Martin had experience navigating an asteroid field during training exercises in the asteroid belt in the solar system.

  He also knew that the longer they stayed out here the greater the risk of one of them being smashed by one of these flying rocks. At least the PHOENIX’s Interceptors were equipped with shields, which gave them a slight advantage. “We’ll cover more ground if we split up. Conduct a sweep for the next seventeen minutes then head back to Mother. Use visual observations rather than sensors to navigate.” Mother was their nickname for the PHOENIX.

  The Interceptors separated and headed out in various directions. Martin kept a straight course and flew deeper into the asteroid field.

  Back on PHOENIX, as they waited for word from Virgo Squadron, John and Julie were having a discussion with Drix about the Screen.

  “You said PHOENIX was the first human vessel to leave your star system,” said Drix.