by Don Viecelli
Then the Intruder decided to monitor communication signals between the inhabitants on Mars. It would be useful to see what happens when the humans start helping the aliens on the starship. He suspected this worse. When help arrives he will make another decision whether to let this human race on Mars live or die.
*****
Doug Martin returned to his office after the meeting with Haruto and began to organize a search for the Intruder Utor said had escaped from the starship and may have traveled to Mars. It seemed unlikely to Doug the Intruder would land on Mars when the better choice would be to head out of the solar system back to wherever the Intruder came from.
Doug checked with the Spaceport Manager to see if any unidentified spacecraft was recorded on radar approaching Mars to land anywhere on the planet. The Manager found no such record after reviewing all flights to or from Mars landing sites, which there were only four; one near each city on Mars.
Next Doug contacted the space satellite service, which was run out one of the UN government office buildings near the spaceport. Again the woman in charge of satellite maintenance and monitoring activities found no records of any spacecraft leaving the alien starship and landing anywhere on Mars in the past twenty-four hours.
Doug came to the conclusion after contacting several people that either the Intruder never landed on Mars or the spacecraft was equipped with stealth anti-detection technology. After hearing about the camouflage capabilities the Intruder used while on the starship, Doug wondered if they would be able to find the Intruder’s spacecraft at all.
Doug called it a day after checking in with Colonel Jackson to see what he was able to find out with his Peace Keeper force. So far nothing was found. Doug decided to go home for the night.
Janice was waiting for Doug to arrive home for the evening. She had dinner on the table as soon as Doug walked through the door. “I hope you’re hungry. We’re having trout for dinner tonight.”
“Where did you find trout?” Doug asked hanging his jacket on a hook by the door.
“A new fish farm just opened up outside of town. They’re actually using the same fresh water the city gets from the ice deposits in the Utopia Planitia region north of here. The first fish available for market is trout. I hope you like it pan fried.” Janice seemed excited as she took off her stove mitten from holding the hot skillet.
Doug smiled as he kissed Jan on the cheek before sitting down at the table. Jan was still learning how to cook real meals and not all of them ended well. “I love trout,” he said. “I was getting tired of salmon, so trout is good.” It does smell great, Doug thought as he put the napkin on his lap and waited for Jan to sit down at the table.
“And how was your day after we left the meeting at Haruto’s?” Jan continued cutting open her fried trout and removing the bones.
Doug chewed a piece of fish, slowly savoring the taste. He hadn’t had trout since they left Earth two years ago. “It was okay. I couldn’t find any sign of the Intruder we’re looking for landing his ship on Mars. But it’s early. We’ll keep looking until we find something.”
“Do you think he really came here instead of leaving the area?”
“I don’t know. I hope not. If he infects any of us with those nanomachines the aliens told us about, then we have a much bigger problem to be worried about.”
Jan paused from eating for a moment. “I spent the day studying up on nanotechnology. I haven’t really kept up with the science since leaving grad school back in Chicago. My interest has always been in microbiology, but nanites have real benefits in the medical field now. I just think it’s cruel these other Yoyka aliens are using the technology as a weapon to control people. We must prevent the nanomachines from infecting us at all costs.”
Doug nodded his head in agreement and they both decided not to discuss work again while they ate dinner. Since it was a Friday night, both of them were drinking wine for dinner. Normally, Doug would have a beer or two before dinner starting at the end of a work week, but he got home late today. Regardless of the time, they both decided to have another drink after dinner and relax while they watched a movie.
They were both in a good mood by the time the movie ended and Doug knew very well what Jan was up too. They had made a commitment to each other they wanted to start a family after two years of working on Mars, so they were well on their way to making that dream come true. Their baby wasn’t due for another eight months, but didn’t seem to diminish the love they had for each other. It only made it stronger.
After getting undressed and lying in bed kissing his beautiful wife, Doug looked into Jan’s deep blue eyes and knew having kids of their own would make their life together complete. More and more families on Mars were having children now and there would be plenty of other kids for their children to play and grow up with.
Doug and Jan made love until they could no longer stay awake in each other’s arms. For the first time in days, Doug fell into a deep and restful slumber that lasted the entire night.
Chapter 20
Starship Meeting
UN Deputy Secretary Haruto Nakamura was excited and a bit nervous as he sat in the shuttlecraft that was preparing to leave the Haffen City Spaceport and fly to the alien starship that was orbiting Mars. With Haruto were two technical staff members and Colonel Jackson with five Marines. This time the Marines only carried sidearms for protection. The purpose of the trip was to meet First Leader Utor and work out the details for repairing the starship in exchange for receiving valuable knowledge that would propel the human race into a spacefaring species with FTL hyperdrive capabilities.
The flight to the Solruku lasted less than 30 minutes. The pilot approached the landing bay without difficulty and was guided the rest of the way inside the hangar by the AI, Shonya. Shonya said First Leader Utor was waiting to meet the delegation on the Command Center Bridge. Haruto was pleasantly surprised to hear over the comlink an artificial intelligence entity sound so normal. Even the AI’s speech pattern matched the local accent of Mars, which was a mixture of English and European accents.
Everyone wore spacesuits and helmets for the short journey, mostly as a safety precaution. Once the shuttlecraft landed inside the hangar bay, Colonel Jackson turned to Haruto and said, “Mister Secretary, I will lead the way to the Command Center Bridge to meet Utor. Keep your faceplate closed until they tell us it’s safe to breathe the air.”
“They really can breathe the same air as us?” Haruto knew this was true from Colonel Jackson’s first report, but he needed assurance.
“Yes, but the air is low on oxygen; very thin like at high altitudes on Earth. You will adjust to it slowly, but let me know if your head feels dizzy. Then you should put your helmet back on for a few minutes.”
The pilot of the shuttlecraft was one of Colonel Jackson’s Marines. He and one other Marine would stay with the shuttlecraft until they returned.
Colonel Jackson led the way as they walked to the doorway that led to the elevators on Level 15 of the starship. “We’re on the middle level of the starship, Mister Secretary. These elevators will take us to the Command Center Bridge where Utor is waiting for us.”
Haruto and his two assistants, one man and one woman, were impressed with the size of the hallway and the way the whole area was lit by some sort of invisible lighting system that seemed to radiate out from the entire walls and ceiling material.
“How many levels are on this spaceship, Colonel?” Haruto asked as he followed behind Colonel Jackson until they reached the elevator.
“The elevator has thirty buttons, so I am guessing thirty levels or decks. Command Center Bridge is at the top of the spaceship on Level One. I know their FTL hyperdrive system is below us and fills two or three levels,” Jackson said. He didn’t mention the altercation with the Intruder he and his team encountered on Level 28 where the FTL drive system was located.
The ride up the elevator was quick. Utor and another female officer were waiting to greet them as soon as they stepped out
of the elevator. “Welcome to the Solruku, UN Deputy Secretary of Mars Haruto Nakamura,” Utor said through his translator device around his neck. This is my Second Leader, Seeto.” Seeto was a foot shorter than Utor and was a female Qumru officer with similar facial features, but with a lighter green skin color and smaller build.
“Please, call me Haruto. I am honored to meet you,” Secretary Haruto bowed slightly with his shoulders and head. “You met Colonel Jackson and his people before. I brought two technical assistants with me, Miss Karen Riles and Mister Carl Mentors. They will help me work out the details to repair your starship.”
“For your comfort, Haruto, I adjusted the air in this room so you can breathe without your helmets if you prefer,” Utor said waving one of his hands in the air.
Colonel Jackson checked his HUD display for oxygen levels, opened his faceplate first and then removed his helmet. “The air is fine, Mister Secretary. You may remove your helmets now,” referring to all of them.
“Please, let me show you our Command Center first before we meet privately.” Utor led the group further onto the Bridge that overlooked the rest of the Command Center on Level 2 of the starship. “This portion contains the Control Center where my officers operate the Solruku and monitor all flight systems.” There were large viewing screens on the walls and monitoring displays at several work stations occupied by other crewmembers. In the center of the Bridge was a small pedestal where 3D holographic images could be displayed showing space location, planet positions, flight paths or destination information.
Utor walked to the pedestal. “This is our 3D hologram projection system. I will show you how it works. Project the image of Mars.” The image of Mars floated above the table. “Zoom in on Haffen City and Spaceport.” The image zoomed in to show close detail of the city and spaceport, even the signs on the buildings and people walking on the streets could be seen through the glass dome covering the city. “This is the latest video images of your city and spaceport we just passed over. We record everything in real time and can replay the images on demand.”
Haruto looked at the images closely. He was impressed.
“Now, I would like to introduce our AI entity to you. Shonya, please appear.”
The AI appeared standing beside the pedestal. The AI was dressed in the same two-piece blue uniform as Utor. Shonya faced the humans. “I am pleased to meet you. Welcome to the Solruku.” Shonya spoke Mars English without using a translator device.
“Shonya is our operations and control systems expert. She monitors all starship operating systems, flight navigation duties and maintains and repairs the ship as needed. Shonya will provide a list of all the materials needed to repair our starship as quickly as possible.”
Utor indicated for Haruto and the others to follow him to the glass railing that overlooked the rest of the Command Center on Level 2 below them. The second level of the Command Center was twice as large as the top level. There were tall windows in the front part of the room and many more workstations spaced around the room. Evidence of damage from the explosion to the hull was still visible on the floor below them.
“This is where the explosion occurred that killed the original flight crew,” Utor said pointing to the area where everything that was not bolted to the floor was blown against the side wall. “The Intruder blew open a hole in the outer hull and the Command Center instantly decompressed sucking the atmosphere out into open space before the crew could save themselves. Afterwards, Shonya brought in maintenance robots to temporarily plug the hole and save the starship.
“As you know, we tried to find and capture the Intruder, but he fled in one of our spacecraft. We are still searching for him,” Utor said as he turned to walk back to the control room.
“We are all sorry for your loss, First Leader Utor,” Haruto said. “We will do everything we can to help you find this Intruder and bring him to justice.”
“I appreciate your help, Haruto. Please, follow me to a private room where we can discuss matters in more detail.”
Utor led the group to a doorway that opened into a large conference room big enough to seat twenty people. The table was clear glass and seemed to float off the floor with transparent legs. The chairs were black in color with high backs and padded seats that instantly conformed to their bodies as they sat down.
Utor took a seat and waited for everyone to sit. “Shonya prepared a list of materials we need to start the repairs on the hull.” A portion of the table lit up in front of each person showing a list of items written in English for them to review. Utor tapped on his image and the list appeared in front of him in his language so he could read it out loud. “The most important material we need is the first item on the list. The starship hull is made of a composite material similar to your spaceship technology using carbon nanotubes. We can modify your nanotubes to suit our purposes using 3D printing facilities aboard our starship. Your carbon nanotubes exhibit a tensile strength of 600 times the strength of steel. We add another more advanced composite material that allows our nanotubes to increase its tensile strength by a factor of 1000 times the strength of steel. This material processes the properties to heal itself against micro meteor strikes and other damage, prevents solar radiation from passing through the hull and is embedded with sensors to monitor its condition. I will be happy to give you the knowledge how to manufacture these special nanotubes in exchange for your help.
“Of course, we can also use common metals such as copper, cobalt, molybdenum, manganese, platinum and other ores if you have them available. We can help locate these metal ores in your asteroid belt if you wish.”
Haruto looked at the other people around the table and saw the same look of interest he knew he had on his face. He turned to Utor. “We will gladly supply any of the materials you need in exchange for this technology, Utor. It would greatly help our people build better spaceships and other things in the future.”
“As I mentioned earlier, Haruto, We will exchange advanced scientific and technical knowledge for your help in repairing our starship. Other items on the list will be necessary to perform our duties while we remain in orbit around your planet. Most of these are perishable items like food and water. I will make sure to send each of you a copy of this list before you leave. Now, I would like to know what you wish from us.”
Haruto was waiting patiently for this part of the negotiations. He started off with a request. “I would very much like to see your faster-than-light hyperdrive system before I leave. I would also like to see your cryostasis sleep chambers and get an explanation how they work. Perhaps you could share your technologies for each of these.”
“I will be happy to give you a tour of the rest of our starship. However, it will take much more time than you planned for your visit today. I will show you our FTL hyperdrive system and our sleep chambers as you request. These technologies are required for long distance space travel. I am willing to give your people this knowledge as well in exchange for your help in our war with the Yoyka. Your race will not be able to defeat them on your own.”
“I understand your offer and I will take this up with our UN government leaders on Earth who have the authority to make such a deal. I would like to know more about the passengers you have aboard this starship.”
Utor said, “The passengers we have on board are uploaded minds stored in our quantum computers. We can transfer our consciousness to a new body as needed. This technology has been in existence with our people for over a hundred years. Before this, we had to use cryostasis chambers to transport entire bodies on long distant space voyages. Now we only have to transport our minds and regenerate our bodies at our destination.”
“Aren’t these new bodies just in fact clones?” Haruto seemed somewhat skeptical.
“In one way, yes, but in another the body is an exact DNA replica of the previous body in the same shape, age and condition when the mind is first uploaded for storage. We do not make any changes to the body unless it is requested by the person who may
have a medical condition that can be repaired. We do make exceptions it the person is dying at a young age or has an illness that cannot be cured with current medical knowledge. We do not seek immortality, just a long productive lifespan.”
Colonel Jackson had a new question. “Why is this starship so large if you just transport minds and not bodies?”
Utor turned in his chair to face the colonel. “This starship is old. It was originally used for space exploration to other star systems. The original crewmembers had just returned to Qum when they learned of the invasion of the Yoyka and made plans to save as many of us as they could.”
“What happens to the bodies left back on your planet?” Haruto expected the worse.
“They are left in a mindless state. The Yoyka nanomachines cannot think for themselves; they can only control our actions and thoughts. The bodies left behind will eventually die from the inability to maintain their health,” Utor said with sadness in his voice.
A strange look came over Utor’s face. He tried to hide it, but Haruto noticed the change in his facial expression. “Are you all right?” Haruto expressed concerned.
Utor recovered quickly. “I am fine. I am ready to give you a tour of the starship. I will take you to see the FTL hyperdrive system now. Please give me a moment to notify my Second Officer.”
Utor left the room. Haruto looked at Colonel Jackson. “Something just happened to Utor. Did you see it?”
“No, I didn’t see anything. What did you notice?”
“Utor seemed to get a message from someone. Perhaps it’s just my imagination.”
Without notice, a bright light lit up the room and everyone froze in motion as if stunned by an electric shock. The door opened and Utor returned with two other crewmembers. They each held a hand injector device with a bluish colored liquid inside. Utor walked up to Haruto who sat immobile in his chair with his eyes closed and mouth open as if to speak. Utor pressed the tip of the device to his neck and injected the fluid with a push of a button on top. The fluid was filled with Yoyka nanomachines that passed directly through the skin without making a mark.