“Shao, how are you doing?”
“Not too well. I’m going to eat and climb back in bed.”
“That’s not a bad idea. Hot showers feel good too.”
“That’s next, when I have strength to stand up for more than a couple minutes.”
Elsbeth and Peter appeared. Elsbeth had a sizable bruise on her face where she had slammed hard into the ground. Silas had a chipped tooth. Ximon had got off lucky with just a fat lip.
Elsbeth grabbed some food and, between bites, said, “If I ever have to go through that again, it’ll be way, way, way too soon. That was hell.”
Ximon had to agree. “Yeah, that was some serious crap. How are you feeling?”
“Terrible, thanks for asking, but at least alive. I need a bit more rest and a few weeks to heal and I’ll be fine.”
“I hate to ask, but how’s the ship looking?”
“I’ve done some quick diagnostics and there are a lot of little things fried, but they ain’t getting fixed today. That’s for sure. I wouldn’t crawl around today for the love of men, money, or good alcohol.”
“Oh, so serious then.”
She smirked at that. “Did anyone else have the weirdest dreams ever?”
Ximon had to admit that his dreams had been very frequent, realistic, and bizarre. He had dreamed about Raiza, about the destruction of some fleet, and about an apocalyptic scene. “Yeah, pretty strange and, even awake, my memories seem ‘off’ somehow.”
Silas spoke up, “I certainly agree that resting is the order of the day, but I’d ask that y’all spend a little time perusing the summaries of the lost ships and pictures of the crew. I hope we see some of them soon. Is that what you think, Ximon?”
“Impossible to be sure with these things, but that’s what our discussions weeks back suggested. One way or another, I guess we’ll know in a few hours. Yeah, definitely, everyone please take a look at Silas’s data. I’d also ask that everyone be ready by that 24-hour mark. You can be asleep but be dressed in case we have to move fast. For myself, I plan to be dozing in my seat on the bridge. Until then, just rest.”
Raiza whispered in his ear, “Come, love, I think you need a massage.”
That sounded awfully good, but it turned out to be far better than he had expected. He lay naked on towels on their bed and she applied hot oil and kneaded every muscle. It was heavenly and he was soon asleep, though so tempted to do something else. He awoke very relaxed and feeling a bit better. Raiza sat nearby, apparently continuing diagnostics.
He took her hand and led her to the shower. There he soaked luxuriously in the hot water and she washed him all over. Ximon and Raiza soon headed back to their cabin for another little nap.
Then it was time to get serious because it was approaching 23 hours. Ximon got dressed, grabbed a snack, and headed for the bridge. Raiza came and sat on his lap until Shao came in, looking a bit better. Raiza took the co-pilot seat until Silas arrived a few minutes later. Then she kissed Ximon on the cheek and went to do something else. Elsbeth came in and sat in one of the jump seats behind the main crew positions.
She said, “Now what?”
Ximon shrugged. “All we can do is wait and see.”
Chapter Twelve: Ozu
They didn’t have long to wait because, almost precisely 24 hours after the Representative’s announcement, they came out of jump into what was, presumably, the Ozu System.
“Mantis confirm location. Shao, collisions and long-range scans.”
Ximon scanned himself and detected nothing nearby.
After a couple of minutes, Mantis displayed a map of several nearby star systems. “Captain, I am having trouble getting a precise location fix. With two stars as reference points I got the Ozu System. When I added a third star, I instead got the Oza System, several light years away. When I then went to five stars, I got a strange fix in an empty system adjacent to both. As I take additional readings, the values seem to fluctuate. I am quite certain my calculating ability is not impaired. This is quite odd and could represent that we are in a strange location or that some quantum effect is at work. I cannot hazard a guess as to which.”
Shao spoke up when Mantis stopped. “What I’ve got is a bit interesting as well. The light from the sun is somewhat diffuse and variable. Once I was able to adjust for background light and such, I detected large panels, perhaps 10,000 kilometers across circling the sun. They apparently form a belt around the sun.”
Ximon stared as if that would allow him to see. “Like a ring world?”
“Sort of, but it’s not continuous. I also detect only one planet in the entire system. It has two moderate-sized moons and two large structures slightly farther out. They are approximately the size of small moons but are rectangular and clearly artificial in origin.”
Mantis again spoke, “Captain, two things. First, I believe those panels may represent solar power collection that is then beamed to the planet or wherever needed. Second, I have received direction to head to coordinates on one of those two large structures.”
Shao added, “Ximon, I also note a dozen or more small fixed structures scattered about. These look like gun emplacements of some kind.”
Ximon shook his head. “Wow! Really makes you feel welcome. I’m heading for the coordinates now.”
As they approached the structure, they could see it was approximately 100 kilometers long and about a kilometer wide and tall. It appeared to be primarily made of hull plating material, but the ‘upper’ edge was clear and there were what appeared to be ‘dry docks’ along several portions of it. Most of this was empty, but they noted a couple of very large vessels there. One looked like a good-sized battleship of a strange design, while Ximon guessed the other big one was a large liner.
“Looks like we’re not the only people they ever nabbed.”
“I’d guess not. Okay, the coordinates are taking us in a large door on the end of that station. Everyone, get ready for … whatever.”
Ximon followed the coordinates precisely and landed Mantis gently on a flat deck that seemingly stretched for hundreds of kilometers. The vague outlines of ships dotted the deck into the distance. The ‘roof’ above them appeared open to space, though it had looked clearly defined as they approached.
“Welcome, Little Ones.” The voice of the Representative came through all the speakers.
A different version of the Representative appeared and strode powerfully toward the ship. It was now completely humanoid in shape, but almost three meters tall, naked, and silvery gray.
“Welcome to our humble home or, rather, our shed. Come, join us. We have some sights to see. Please, bring your entire crew. No need for suits, and weapons would, of course, just be silly.”
It then seemed to wait patiently as they all assembled and came down the ramp. When they reached the deck, they could see that it was made of a strange ceramic-metal hybrid. They also could see that the Representative was actually a very, very good hologram.
“You will now, please, follow.”
It strode to a nearby strip in the floor and stepped on. It moved seamlessly down the length of the deck. As they stepped on the strip, the Representative stepped to an adjacent moving strip going at higher speed. They all stepped over onto it, but it was not smooth. Ximon stumbled badly but caught himself. Elsbeth fell to one knee, but Peter quickly helped her recover.
The Representative turned about effortlessly and tittered. “Oh, and they’re clumsy too.”
They now moved at some speed past ship after ship. They saw several some recognizable designs, some that appeared ancient, and some like nothing they had ever seen before. Perhaps the strangest ‘ship’ was something about the size of Mantis, but which appeared to just be a framework of multiple elipses – it seemed to have no hull or floors. Another was shaped exactly like a large beetle and was painted in amazing emulation thereof.
“Oh, do you like our collection? We’ve assembled them from across several hundred light years and a few millennia.”<
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Ximon just nodded, while Elsbeth said under her breath, “How many died for this collection?”
The Representative turned, smiled benignly, and stared directly at her. “Come, Elsbeth, you don’t want more nightmares or cramps, do you?”
She shut her mouth tightly and just glared.
After a few moments it said, “Ah, here we are.” It stepped from one strip to another and then off, just as they came to the first of the ships they were seeking. All but the Twilight sat there in a clean, straight row. Most looked none-the-worse for wear, but the Arapahoe looked like its side had been staved in.
The Representative noted Silas staring keenly at the Arapahoe. “Oh, yes, that one was very poorly constructed and maintained … and the silly crew reacted foolishly. Some of the creatures on board were damaged too. They were also poorly constructed, but you know that, of course.”
They all stared intently. Here, indeed, were six of the ships they were looking for – the Trailblazer, Nyx, Arapahoe, Lost Pilgrim, Horus, and Algol.
Silas said, “Take note that they match the given data. Be prepared to attest to that.”
As usual, the Representative just laughed. “So, here’s all those little ships. But follow. We have more to see.”
As it stepped it started to transform. Now it was a small, hovering car shape a meter long with a small version of the Representative inside. Though that version was now only about 30 centimeters tall, its voice was just as rich. “Come, come. We mustn’t dally.”
It now flew over the strips that the crew had to get on. They again went past dozens of strange ships of every shape, size, and (Ximon assumed) government. They were all lined up for display but, other than the few ships they were seeking, there was no order or reason Ximon could see. There were ships that appeared ancient next to sleek, new ones; ships as small as fifty tons or so next to some around 2-3,000 tons; and familiar designs next to very bizarre ones.
The Representative soon stopped on a large square on the deck and motioned for them all to join him. Shao was last and as soon as she stepped on, the elevator began descending. It went down what Ximon estimated was 50 meters before stopping on a similar deck below them. Here, a seemingly endless line of creatures stretched before them. Many were humanoid and some anything but, with a huge variety of mammalian, insectoid, reptilian, and other species in view. Some Ximon saw were as small as a mouse, while others were as large as a whale. He assumed they were all unconscious. If any were dead, they were not decaying. All were also completely naked, and spun, with no apparent support, on multiple axes. Ximon stared at a very attractive humanoid female with blueish skin who rotated as if on a spit that was moving on the vertical. There was little evidence of gravitational effects on them. These creatures were clearly on display and one could see every angle of them.
After a few minutes moving down this line of creatures, the Representative again said, “And here are the creatures you were seeking.” It pointed to creatures, mostly humanoid, that spun in rows six across and two high. As per the crew’s records, there should have been 71 of them, but they could only see 67.
The Representative noted Ximon counting. “Alas, a few were too damaged to display. Again, they were poorly constructed.”
The crew wandered amongst them, trying to pick out ones they recognized and ensure they appeared real. Staring at men, women, and a few other creatures spinning before him completely naked, Ximon felt he was invading their privacy, but could not look away. He tried to focus on their faces and mentally compare them to the records Silas had provided.
The Representative gave them just a minute or two. “Well, now, we can’t attend you forever. Many, many more important things to do.”
It then clapped its little hands, though the sound reverberated like a large man clapping. “So, you wanted to take some. We, being generous, will allow you to do so. In fact, we are so benevolent that we will give you three choices.”
It held up fingers and counted on them as if the crew were too dull to count. “First, you could take all the ships and none of the creatures. The ships are all quite valuable as you account such things, and they might make you wealthy in your petty way. Second, you could take all of the creatures and none of the ships. That might be the ‘humane’ thing to do, though I’m sure many of them don’t really deserve such largesse. Third, you can take one ship and 34 creatures – a happy medium of sorts. Your choice.”
Ximon asked plaintively, “Representative, why can we not take them all?”
It smiled benevolently, “We did say, ‘some’ and you could hardly expect us to strip our collection bare. We did go to some pains to collect them.”
It waited a moment more. “Now, we cannot wait while you go through the painful, plodding exercise you laughingly call ‘thought.’ Just call our name when you have made up your little minds.”
It promptly disappeared.
Raiza spoke first. “I should note that there is no viable way to add 67 people to Mantis for anything but the briefest of flights.”
Ximon nodded. “Yeah, they couldn’t all strap in, we wouldn’t have food for long, and we’d probably kill each other.”
Silas likewise nodded. “I agree. That’s not an option but likewise we couldn’t just take the ships as we’d have no way to realistically fly them.”
Ximon thought for a moment. “If we could access control, we might be able to get some of them to slave off of Mantis’ control, but I don’t think that’s a great option.”
Shao touched Silas’s arm. “Clearly, we’ve got to take the people.”
Ximon said, “Silas, I think this may be largely your call as the prime contractor, so to speak.”
“Perhaps so. The company considers both people and ships of value. The ships are pretty big bucks, of course, but the legal threat of a bunch of families suing is a high price. So, we need to consider this carefully.”
Elsbeth said, “Another question – if you decide to take that third option, which of these people do you take? How do we, or you, choose?”
Silas just looked lost in thought.
Mantis chimed in helpfully. “There are any number of mechanisms that have been used, or proposed, for determining the relative value of different persons, both in survival situations and in legal ones. For instance, one might consider age relative to likely lifespan, social status, role on the ships they were on, citizenship — Republic or not, race or gender, DNA analysis, and many others.”
Silas said, “Yeah, thanks for the many options.”
“There are hundreds more. If you’d like, I could apply several of the methods that are seemingly most appropriate and give weighted lists. That too is, of course, another method – apply several methods and then consolidate the rankings. I’ll start working …”
Shao said naively, “Couldn’t we just quietly take the people and then go take some of the ships?”
Elsbeth snapped, “I don’t know about you but I ain’t going through that shit again. We’ll die or be torn to bits if we try that. You saw how that thing about bit my head off back there.”
As he often did, Ximon held up his hands in a calming gesture. “Arguing won’t help.”
Just then a meter-tall hologram of the head of the Representative appeared right in the middle of them. It chuckled, “Ah, ever the vaguely effective peacemaker. In our great benevolence, we have decided to provide another option. For any of your crew who willingly stay, you can take eight more creatures or one small ship.”
It then blinked out and almost immediately re-appeared. “Oh, and for inquiring minds, you don’t necessarily need to choose the creatures from among these. You could take some other creatures. Some are quite interesting and could provide invaluable for study. Others might consume you all for dinner. And, Ximon, we saw you eying that little blue beauty back there.”
It then disappeared again, grinning hugely as it faded. Ximon was reminded of an ancient reference to a Cheshire cat smiling, though he couldn’t say w
hy. It did not reappear.
Euclidia immediately spoke up, “Captain, I believe you should take advantage of the Representatives eight-for-one offer. By any logical measures, the lives of eight people are far more valuable than my existence. In particular, keep in mind that I was almost destroyed last year. The additional year of useful operation was exceedingly generous and unexpected.”
“We’re not going to just start leaving people to amuse these yahoos.”
But then Raiza spoke up, “Ximon, I must agree with Euclidia and expand upon his logic. I, too, could remain behind and free eight more people. That would be a worthy sacrifice.”
Ximon was shocked. “Not in a million years. I am not going to leave my dear wife to be an exhibit in some alien zoo!”
Peter added, “Perhaps, then, I could be the sacrifice … with Elsbeth’s permission, of course.”
Elsbeth looked like she had been stabbed. “What!? Hell no, honey, you’re coming with me. I paid good money for you and I’ve got no interest in sleeping alone. Ximon, you’re not thinking of ditching our crew, are you?”
“Of course not. That’s ridiculous.”
Silas cleared his throat. “Then what would y’all propose? The best option I can see is the one ship and the 34 people. That’s great for those 34, but probably means that the other 33 turn on spits here forever.”
Shao said, hopefully, “Perhaps someone could come back and negotiate for the others.”
Silas shook his head emphatically. “No, love, I think they’ve made it quite clear they will not welcome visitors or deals. We have to come up with the best solution ourselves.”
Mantis added helpfully, “Silas, I have applied five seemingly appropriate methods for prioritizing people and have averaged the sequencing. I have sent you those lists to aid your selection. I focused this sequencing only on the crewmembers we were sent to find but must note that the option of choosing some creatures of other, unknown, species could be incredibly valuable to the Republic and scientific research in general.”
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