Merkiaari Wars: 01 - Hard Duty

by Mark E. Cooper

  “Damage control to bridge. She’s sealed, Skipper, but I don’t know for how long,” O’Malley reported.

  Monroe’s eyes snapped up to Keith Hadden at the helm. “Execute!”

  “Executing.”

  ASN Invincible gathered herself and jumped into fold space as a dozen torpedoes raced through the wake caused by activation of a jump drive. The tiny computer brains were no longer able to find a target, and as a safety precaution, they detonated.

  * * *

  Aboard Chakra, Shan System

  “Target lost,” Tarjei said fiercely.

  Everyone was grinning and celebrating their victory, but Tei’Varyk stared at the empty display in puzzled silence. There was something just before the final explosion, he was sure of it.

  “Tarjei, look for debris,” he said quietly and caused a profound silence to descend on the command deck.

  “I hear. Scanning for debris, indications…” she said in stunned realisation. “Indications negative!”

  Hisses of shock and outrage sounded from all sides as they realised the alien had escaped. How was it possible? One moment it was fleeing, the next it was gone. The explosion had blinded Chakra’s eyes for a moment, but that was not enough time for the alien to escape.

  Tei’Varyk studied his now empty tactical display. “Jakinda, search pattern at last known coordinates.”

  “I hear,” Jakinda said and brought Chakra onto a new heading.

  Tei’Varyk turned his station to Jozka. “Contact Hoth, Hekja, and Neifon. Tell them what we have discovered and ask that they search with us.”

  “I hear,” Jozka said.

  He flexed his claws in frustration. There was nothing on Chakra’s display to say the alien had ever existed. Tei’Varyk flicked his ears in annoyance with himself and turned to Tarjei.

  “Replay last action.”

  “Time index?” Tarjei asked.

  “Just as the heavies fire their torpedoes.”

  “I hear.”

  Tarjei displayed the data frozen on the main viewer. Everyone, except Jozka who was busy talking to the commanders of the heavy fangs, turned to watch the screen.

  “Advance at twice speed… stop,” Tei’Varyk ordered when the scene reached the point he wanted. “Play at one half.”

  “I hear.” Tarjei turned a control on her panel.

  Tei’Varyk watched again as Chakra’s claws reached out to tear and rend the alien. He noted the tiny amount of damage he had inflicted, and his lips rippled back in worry and fear.

  “Slow to one tenth,” he said.

  “I hear.”

  The torpedoes approached at a crawl, and then it happened. Space itself shimmered and twisted. The alien ship seemed to glow blue for an instant before it twisted violently and disappeared. Tei’Varyk’s shock was complete, and so was that of his crew. The alien had not been hit by the torpedoes and destroyed, it had escaped somehow. The torpedoes lost lock as they watched and detonated as they were programmed to do in these cases. The screen flashed white as the violence of the explosion overloaded Chakra’s eyes, and then the star speckled black of space returned.

  “The alien escaped us,” Tei’Varyk said quietly. “Contact the elders, I must tell them what has happened.”

  “I hear,” Jozka said.

  “Reverse course back to where we first encountered the alien.”

  “I hear, Tei. Chakra turns to new heading, one-two-eight by zero-zero-two.”

  Why had the alien shown itself and then run? Was it possible there was more than one? It could be. They had been unable to find one, why not two or three or even more?

  “The elders await,” Jozka said.

  “I hear. Call Tei’Unwin to take my place here. I will speak to the elders in my chambers.”

  “I hear, Tei.” Jozka hunched over his consol.

  Tei’Varyk stood and left the command deck. He was tired after all the excitement of the pursuit. He had been sitting for far too long, but strangely his legs felt wobbly. Fright. No doubt he would start shedding later. His people always shed when stressed—it was part of being born Shan. Would they ever find a cure for it? His people had made so many advances in the time since the war, that one would scarcely recognise the way they lived these days. The war wasn’t all bad he supposed, though it was a shocking thought. If not for the war he would not be living in space, which he loved, commanding a ship that he also loved.

  “Where do aliens come from?” he mused as he made his way along the empty corridor. “Other planets orbiting other suns obviously.”

  That being true, how did they travel the vast distances from one sun to another? Faster than light travel had been theorised by the elders since time began. It was generally accepted as being impossible, but what if it wasn’t? The Murderers came from somewhere, and now these new aliens had also come. He had accepted that these aliens were not the Murderers of old. It became obvious as soon as he had a clear view of their ship. Maybe the blue light and the twisting was an FTL drive. But it was impossible… was it not?

  Tei’Varyk growled irritably. He entered his chambers and keyed the terminal alive. The screen lightened to show three very old and grey-streaked Shan.

  He bowed. “Honoured elders, I fear I have failed you.”

  “Nonsense, Tei’Varyk,” Kajetan said from her position in the centre. She was the speaker for the elders. “Chakra was the only ship to detect the alien intrusion. The only ship to find them again, and now you are the only one to have noticed this new data. We are pleased with you.”

  “I hear, Kajetan. Chakra is on route to the inner belt to discover what the alien ship found so interesting. I have theorised that there might be more than one ship.”

  “Evidence?” Kajetan demanded.

  “None eldest, except intuition. Chakra was unable to find the alien, yet he came out of hiding right before us knowing he would be discovered. This strange light and twisting may be a way to overcome the FTL restrictions we have long debated. If this is so, why did he wait to use it?”

  “Why?”

  “I believe he was luring us away from something he wanted to protect,” Tei’Varyk said guiltily.

  “Another ship?”

  “Perhaps, or an asteroid base.”

  Hisses of shock and anger told him what the elders thought of such an idea.

  “Chakra will hunt to find the answer,” Kajetan ordered. “Is there anything you require?”

  “Not at present, but I would advise you to hold Hoth, Hekja, and Neifon in readiness nearby. These alien ships are very fast.”

  “We hear. It will be as you ask. Good hunting.”

  Tei’Varyk bowed and the screen darkened.

  * * *

  12~The Next Step

  Aboard ASN Canada, Inner Belt, Shan System

  James pushed aside his empty plate and stirred his coffee. How quickly things change, he mused watching Brenda eating her breakfast. A few months ago such a simple thing as sharing a meal with her would have seemed impossible, but now nothing did. Brenda’s choice to move in with him was responsible for his new outlook on life, and he was so very thankful. He never wanted to be alone again.

  “What are you thinking?” Brenda said.

  “Hmmm?”

  “You were light years away, James. I asked what you were thinking about.”

  James smiled. “I was thinking how much I love you.”

  Brenda’s eye lit with pleasure. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “I love you too, James. I know I don’t say it very often, but I do. You know I do…” she frowned worriedly. “You do, don’t you?”

  He chuckled. “I know you do, but it’s nice to hear it now and then.”

  Brenda shrugged ruefully. “I never was very good at telling people how I feel.”

  “Me neither,” James agreed. “Maybe we can learn together.”

  Brenda nodded. “I can’t wait to show you off to my parents. They gave up on me and men a long time ago.”
r />   “I doubt that.”

  “It’s true. They used to be worse than Janice with all their hints about marriage and wanting grandchildren.” She shook her head gently. “When they find out about you…”

  “They’ll disown you?”

  Brenda grinned. “No, they’ll be the first Humans to reach orbit without mechanical aid!”

  James chuckled. “Can’t wait to see that.”

  Brenda finished buttering what the autochef insisted was a British crumpet. She knew better, as did he, but although it looked wrong, it actually tasted quite good. “What do you have planned for today?” she said and took a bite.

  He sipped his coffee and then leaned back in his seat. “I have an idea on how to help Bindar. The translation is taking longer than he hoped—we haven’t learned near enough phrases to attempt first contact.”

  “Hmmm, I know.” Brenda frowned. “Janice is worried about him. He hardly sleeps. She says we’re way behind schedule on the language side, and there’s no sign of Invincible.”

  That was a worry. Captain Colgan said Invincible had planned to sneak back in system once the dust settled, but she hadn’t yet. Invincible’s damage had been light, and chances were good that her crew was fine. James was worried for Trish, Swede, and the others, but Colgan was very sure. He said the probable reason for her non-appearance was that she had been ordered to stay out. James thought it more likely that Captain Monroe had seen the mess they were in, and had decided to stay out on her own. Whatever the reason for her extended absence, Canada and all aboard her were running out of time.

  Chakra had not given up when Invincible jumped out-system. If anything, the Shan captain was more determined to find them, not less. Hardly a day went by without Canada’s battle stations alarm sounding. The first time had been so unexpected, it almost stopped his heart. What followed was a mad scramble to seal his uniform all the while trying to watch Brenda as she fumbled with the unfamiliar connections. The first thing he did after Colgan announced their successful evasion was teach Brenda how to use her uniform and its connections properly. He accepted no arguments. Only when she had shown him that she could seal her uniform, and connect herself to life support, did he relax enough not to watch her all the time. He only watched her half the time now… well, three quarters… maybe.

  “How can you help him?” Brenda stood and dumped their plates into the autochef. The plates quickly disappeared to wherever dirty plates go aboard ship.

  “Hmmm?” James said still thinking about Invincible. He hoped Trish and the others were all right.

  “Bindar.”

  “I think I have a way around the speech problem. My historical studies have helped me there.”

  “That’s great,” Brenda said excitedly.

  “I hope so. I plan to talk with the Chief about it. If anyone can make it, or know someone who can, it’s him. What about you love?”

  Brenda grimaced. “I’m still stuck on this harmony thing. I know it’s important to them. They have so many sayings that link to harmony, but I can’t get a handle on it.”

  James nodded remembering his own speculations regarding the harmony question. They all had their pet theories, but none of them were convincing to his mind.

  “I hate to say this, Brenda, but I think you should move on. I agree it’s important, but you can’t afford to get bogged down with unanswerable questions.”

  “You’re right.” Brenda sighed. “I know you’re right, but it doesn’t make sense. The Shan talk of the Great Harmony, and the Twin Worlds of Harmony, or the Twin Worlds of the Race living in harmony, when in reality they fly around in multi-megatonne warships and train everyone to fight. How is that harmony? Who do they fight—anyone?”

  James shrugged. “I said I agree, but maybe the answer is more in my field. Maybe they did live in harmony in the past, and then something happened to change it. That might be the reason for the sayings you mentioned—they’re all that remain of an older civilisation.”

  Brenda sighed again. “I’ll move on, it’s the only thing to do.”

  He stood and kissed her. “I’m sorry, but I think you’re right.”

  They stepped out of their cabin and separated, Brenda to the briefing room, and James to find the Chief.

  Finding the Chief wasn’t hard as it turned out. James knew many of the crew by sight if not by name and prevailed on them for directions. He stepped into generator room four, and found a pair of legs sticking out of a consol with the Chief attached.

  “Chief?”

  “Yeah?” a muffled and distracted voice said from within the consol. “Whatdoyouwant?”

  “I need help.”

  “Don’t we all,” came Williams’ voice clearer now as he wriggled out of the tight space.

  James grasped the man by the ankles and pulled him the rest of the way out of the consol.

  “Thanks.”

  “The contact team needs a little help, Chief. We’re falling behind schedule because of all these alerts. Every time Chakra turns up, we have to stop work.”

  “Yeah? Sorry to hear that, but what do I know about aliens?” Williams said scratching his head. “I can build you an autochef that makes the best pizza this side of Earth if you want, or beef up your pulser so it can knock out a tank with one shot—course you only get one, it uses a lot of power you know? But aliens…” He shook his head. “Nah, don’t know any.”

  James coughed and smothered the laugh that threatened. “What I need is a device to convert our voices into the alien language, and the alien’s voices into ours.”

  Williams’ face brightened with interest. “A translator eh? Sounds interesting. I just might be able to help you there.”

  “Oh?” he said feeling his hopes rising. So easy?

  “Yeah, come with me.”

  James followed Chief Williams deep into the ship until they entered a cluttered workroom that Williams called his own.

  “See that?” Williams pointed to a piece of equipment with circuitry hanging out of it. It must have weighed as much if not more than James did and stood taller.

  “What is it?” he said circling the thing and looking it over.

  “That’s the voice recognition unit for the ship’s whole damn computer that is,” Williams said with a glare for the offending item.

  “Doesn’t the ship… you know… need it or anything?”

  “Nah.” Williams smirked. “It’s busted. The new one takes up a third the space this one does and costs ten times as much. I could probably fix her up for you.”

  James looked at the thing doubtfully. “Well thank you, Chief, but how will we carry it when we go aboard the Shan ship?”

  “Carry it? Carry it! You never said nothing about carrying it.”

  James smiled contritely. “Sorry, Chief. What I need is something portable that will do the job, like… I don’t know. Like a compad.” He pointed to the mini-computer in Williams’ top pocket.

  “A compad,” Williams said slowly. “Are you out of your mind? A compad! How the hell am I going to get all that junk in one of these?” he said kicking the recognition unit and waving the compad under James’ nose.

  James stepped back a little. “I don’t know, but the Captain said you were the best damn miracle worker in Fleet. He said if you couldn’t do it, no one could.”

  Actually, Colgan knew nothing of this, but he would as soon as James could run over and coach him… ah, tell him what he was supposed to have said about Williams.

  “He did?” Williams swelled, but then his shoulders slumped. “How the hell am I going to get all that crap in a compad?” He scratched his head in distraction. “Tight beam it? Nah, no bloody good around corners. What I need is a way to transmit without worrying about the damn leakage. The Alliance would make me a bloody saint if I figured that one out.”

  James nodded. Unsecured communications was one reason the Merkiaari had found the colonies so quickly. TBC (Tight Beam Communications) was secure, but the system was limited to ships
in close proximity—it was essentially a modulated laser pulse… like flashing lights at one another. Where tight beam was impractical, fold space drones were used to eliminate leakage. Given enough time their fold space drives had enough capacity to cross the Human sector of the galaxy. They were slower than using courier ships, but where speed was not an issue, drones were the best way to keep Alliance worlds in contact with each other. All that was beside the point here though. As Williams said, TBC was no good around corners and fold space had no place within the confines of a ship.

  Williams rummaged around in the junk pile. He grunted in satisfaction when he found a metre rule and turned back to measure the compad and recognition unit. He shook his head at what was revealed and double-checked his measurements.

  “Can’t be done… can it?” Williams muttered. “How about double thickness? Can’t see why not. Bloody civs can sow bigger pockets for them.”

  That sounded promising. James was sure he could sow if he had to. He watched Williams working and realised he had been forgotten.

  “I’ll leave you to it then, shall I? I could come back to check on you or—”

  “Where are you going?” Williams said and glared. “You can help me with this piece of crap for a start.”

  “Ermmm… I have no idea how to—”

  “Course not, you’re just a civ. Look, we have to fix this piece of junk and reinstall it. Only God knows what the skipper will say when I tell him about shutting the computer down.”

  James smiled sickly. Shutting the computer down while they were hiding from Chakra, was not a good idea. He had to see Colgan fast.

  “I don’t see how I can help you, Chief.”

  “How strong are you?” Williams said looking him up and down.

  “Well, I don’t know… why?”

  “Coz you can help me hump this piece of junk over here that’s why.”

  James helped him lift the recognition unit, and together they shuffled across the room.