Shadows

by Brian Whiting

  “I’m sending you our data on a recent encounter.” Before he had finished the sentence, Director Whamell was looking over the sensor logs.

  “I see, and there was no engagement, what seems to be your problem? Surely you know how to submit a report, Captain.”

  Captain Rosmussin curled the corner of his lip. “Of course, sir. You see, the ship escaped into binary FTL.”

  “Then it shouldn’t be a problem for you to do what must be done.”

  “Of course not, sir, except that their destination is off limits. I do not have authority to pursue.” Captain Rosmussin struggled to contain a grin.

  The old man straightened up. “I see, well. I will need to confer with no less than two others, please hold.”

  The display image froze on a screenshot of the director’s last facial expression. The captain peered at it briefly as he considered how unflattering it was. “Display off until reconnect,” he said. The display screen deactivated, and the glass wall returned to a one-way visible barrier. Those from outside his office could see only gray, like old snow, whereas he could see everything going on on the bridge clearly.

  “Computer.”

  A faint triple beep sounded in response.

  “When was the last recorded time we surveyed Earth?”

  “The last data logs show a long-range report completed in the year 219456.”

  “Fifteen years ago. Any idea why so long?” The Captain asked.

  “I assume much of the information is classified.” The computer responded.

  “Of course.”

  Suddenly the screen reactivated as Director Whamell appeared.

  The captain heard the ship hum just slightly, and he knew his ship went into FTL. No doubt under orders from the directorate.

  “Captain, it seems that I have no other choice but to order you to pursue that vessel and intercept before they contaminate the planet. But the directorate is split, so you are to pursue with binary FTL. In the unlikely scenario it’s an Earth ship, you are to report back here immediately. Otherwise you are free to engage. And Captain, I don’t think I have to remind you what is at stake.”

  “We will succeed or die trying.”

  “The directorate expects nothing less on this mission. We want priority alpha updates on this.”

  The captain nodded, and the display screen switched off.

  “The order is noted, I will instruct the bridge crew to upload with alpha updates,” the computer responded.

  “What is the ETA to Earth under binary travel?”

  “Nine days.”

  The captain leaned back hard in his chair. “Might as well get out and walk,” he mumbled to himself. He pulled up the extensive information on Earth, not having really studied it since the academy, and began reading.

  ***

  It was midday, and inside the UEF council’s meeting chamber the four members were in heavy debate. “The whole organization hinges on public support; if we lose the support we lose the organization, and the world will descend into chaos,” Grissom ended with a dark expression. “We must project strength in this time when the world feels none.”

  “Jackie’s broadcast put a spotlight on our backside, but she’s not wrong. We could do better with the orphans and in the handling of the refugees as a whole.”

  (The biggest problem is work. Not everyone has work to do, and people get restless.) The message, plastered on the screen, was from the mystery fifth member.

  “I think we need to revisit our decision not to expand the orbital shipyard. The expansion and shipbuilding efforts will add thousands of job, tens of thousands. We need to focus on shipbuilding if we want to have any hope in repelling future attacks. Since the UEF has been in inception, there has almost always been ships in dock getting repairs from damages received. This is a problem that is going to continue. We cannot ignore this reality.”

  “Yes, of course this is important, and we should be expanding. But our world is hanging on by a thread, people are starving. We need to focus on getting back on our feet a little bit better before we stake out in the universe, don’t you think? I mean, I don’t even have a majority of the medicines I used to prescribe. I think we need to focus on infrastructure,” Gloria stated.

  (I agree, people are getting ill and going hungry due to lack of medicine, and food. We need to focus on home.)

  “We need to focus on both, we need to have an aggressive planetary defense strategy and infrastructure buildup,” Cindy commented. “If the people need work, we have enough to go around.”

  (I know a man; he’s very intelligent, was wealthy and has excellent communication skills. He hasn’t worked a day in his life since he showed up at the UEF complex. He spends his time inside his vehicle, keeps to himself. He was a lawyer, and was one for twenty years. He told me he feels like he lost his identity and he doesn’t know who he is anymore.)

  The three members physically in the room all looked at each other; each could tell that the others all felt a certain unease. Cindy was the first to speak up. “We need to train everyone who, like that man, feels lost. Grissom, you and the UEF quickly built military infantry and officer program within a very short amount of time. We need those same skills to start skill-training the remaining population, and quickly.”

  “We don’t have the resources to start that kind of campaign.” Grissom said. The other members didn’t look convinced. “That would require more facilities that would rival the UEF complex itself. I’m not sure if you read these reports.” Grissom held up his datapad. “But there is a lack of raw materials in our very near future. “

  (We need Alex.)

  Grissom scoffed and leaned back in his chair.

  “What makes you say that?” Gloria asked the anonymous member.

  (He’s bold, maybe he’s not always right, but his vision sets the direction. He just thinks and it happens.)

  “He’s been lucky and he’s not here now, so I see no reason to continue on this topic,” Grissom grunted.

  “The Enterprise was expected yesterday, wasn’t it? I thought I read somewhere that it was. Where are they?” Gloria asked.

  “I’m sure they are fine. Let’s focus on the immediate concerns.” Grissom replied.

  “Well, next topic is… plumbing and water cycling.”

  ***

  Jorge stepped out of the land rover, wearing a hat with dark glasses. He was surrounded by four large men with assault rifles. He was arriving late to a very important meeting. He approached City Hall with a calm expectancy. The doors opened for him as he approached.

  “Sir, good to see you,” Drake said as he handed Jorge a paper file. Drake’s own men lined up against a nearby wall, waiting for the moment they would be called upon for some form of service.

  “Are they all here?” Jorge asked with genuine curiosity.

  “Yes, they are. They wait for your arrival in the chambers. It’s this way, sir.”

  Jorge waited no time and strode briskly down the long marbled hall toward the chamber doors. Several squads working for various representatives stood out in the hallway, all armed and all appearing as innocent as possible in their suit-like attire, most of them at least, though some looked like street thugs.

  Jorge walked through the chambers to a large square room, with a slightly raised podium in the center. All the attendees sat in high-backed chairs spread evenly around the room.

  “I thank you all for meeting me here. I know some of you have traveled far and risked much to be present, so I will not waste your time. Each of your countries has already received what was promised to you for your attendance. Now you will know why I asked you to be here.”

  Thanks to Drake, a visual presentation was loaded and ready to go. All Jorge had to do was click a button he hid in his hand to bring up the next slide.

  “As I’m sure you’re aware, I was integral to the Surprise project and the following Destiny project, innovating the most advanced propulsion drive that has ever existed on earth. I now wa
nt to bring you that technology.”

  The screen changed and showed four large flat platforms, each resting on two steel beams. Jorge clicked again and a video played. It showed all four platforms lifting off the ground silently as local construction crews all cheered jubilantly.

  Jorge stopped the video. “I have more in production and I am willing to give them to you.”

  “In exchange for what?” The speaker was a hairy fat man wearing a tropical shirt, with more hair bursting out from within his collar.

  “I am founding the Latin Alliance, and I ask you to join me and support your distant heritage.”

  A man wearing a sharp business suit holding a cigar streaming a line of smoke into the air stood and said, “You ask too much for a fancy plane.” He began to walk out of the chamber, but stopped when Jorge spoke.

  “Think about the consequences of your decision. They will have a lasting effect on your people for decades.”

  “I am not sure—should I take that as a threat, and from one so young?” The man blew smoke toward Jorge.

  “I am about to unite the Southern Hemisphere. Are you sure you want to be the only country that does not want to conduct business with the new world?”

  “There are plenty of countries who will do business with us. I need nothing from you.”

  “My first order will be to cease all trade with nonmember countries.”

  “Foolish boy!” the man in the business suit said, chuckling. Then he walked out of the room.

  Jorge turned to those still seated. “Anyone else want to condemn their country? Because I am about to turn us into a superpower, like the United States once was. Except this time there will be no corruption, there will be no squandering, no overindulgence or excess. We will be one with our people, and they will love and support us. Join me, and we will rise as our people never have before.”

  “I am curious,” the fat man began. “Once you rise up as a new superpower, what do you plan to do?”

  Jorge allowed a slow smile to form on his face.

  Chapter 16

  History Lesson

  “Coming out of FTL in three…two…one.” The bridge shook briefly.

  Alex sat quietly, waiting.

  “We are in a position just outside the orbit of Earth. We can dock at the shipyard in eight hours at casual acceleration.”

  “Do it, Fena.” Alex looked toward Lanora. “Send a message to the UEF of our arrival and our intention to dock at the shipyard for repairs.”

  Lanora happened to be looking at a sensor screen before she was to swipe it away for the communication display. When an unknown contact appeared, she double-tapped on it.

  The ship was bathed in red as the tone alarm sounded.

  “Sir, they followed us! Two thousand kilometers relative aft.”

  “Weapons!” Alex barked.

  “Sir, we only have one cruise missile and one working decoupler.”

  “Turn us into them, Fena, and alert UEF command about our new friend; send them our logs.”

  The Enterprise abruptly changed direction as Fena engaged a nose thruster to rotate the ship quickly. The ship crept in a slow spin until counterforce was applied.

  “Enemy ship is approaching.”

  “Cruise missile locked on, sir.”

  “I don’t know if we should do this,” Lanora said into her earpiece.

  “I concur, Captain. The chances of—” Symboli began.

  “I didn’t ask you.” Alex stared at the ship as it got bigger in the viewscreen. Ports along the hull began to open.

  “Don’t give them any more time, they already gave us their intentions in the other system. Fire already!”

  “Cruise missile away!”

  One missile from the forward tube screamed out, unburdened by the limitation of low G acceleration, the high propellant burn nearly exhausted its fuel after ten seconds, saving a bit for a final course correction if needed.

  The bridge crew watched with anticipation as the missile approached the nose of the enemy vessel. The moment the missile detonated, it was clear it had done no damage. A faint bluish shimmer rippled along the hull of the ship.

  “Shields!” Jack said. “They have shields.”

  “Yeah, no kidding…. Fena, get us out of here!” Alex yelled even as he struggled to overcome the strong sense of fear he felt from his crew. For a moment he thought he was controlling the bombarding feelings from others better now.

  “Where, sir?” Even as she said it, Fena realized the antigravity drive was no longer functional.

  “Fena, I don’t care, we ne—”

  “Communication request from the ship, sir! It’s in English,” the communication officer stated.

  “The anti-gravity drive is not functional, Captain,” Fena stated, almost too quietly.

  Alex looked around nervously. “Well, go ahead then. On speakers.”

  Instead of speakers, the face of a human appeared on the viewscreen, very pale, with the skull slightly elongated.

  “Greetings, Earth ship captain, my name is Rosmussin. I am captain of the Roanoke, and we have a lot to discuss. Please make yourself available and come aboard. You will be our guest, and I promise no harm will come to you or your companions. I am sending a shuttle to you now. Oh, and Captain, there’s no need for you to send your probes to our ship, our schematics can be made available to you.” The screen went black, with the words no signal on the screen.

  “They thought our missile was a probe!” Jack looked at Lanora with disbelief.

  “I have no doubt they knew it was a missile. They could just be posturing over our inferior technology,” Fena said from the pilot’s chair.

  “Are you thinking about going over there?” Jack asked.

  “I don’t see that I have much of a choice,” Alex said as he eagerly unbuckled his restraints.

  “Anyone else thinking about Captain Robau?” Lanora said, turning slowly toward Alex.

  No one responded, and some looked confused.

  “Oh, come on, I can’t be the only fan,” Lanora said.

  “I’m better-looking. Besides, I’m bringing Jack with me.” Alex stood and stretched out of his chair.

  “You are? He is!” Jack said as he began unbuckling his own restraints.

  Fena got out of her chair and hustled to meet the captain at the door. Then she whispered, “Captain, whatever you do over there, it needs to work. They have us completely immobilized.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean our drive is not working, even though our systems check out that our last remaining disk is functional. We have thrusters, but they are meant for maneuvering. I’m not sure how long it would take for us to reach Earth with those.”

  “Thank you, but I don’t believe we will be harmed.”

  “What makes you say that?” Lanora asked, now standing behind Fena.

  “You saw the captain. They are human… They are humans with advanced technology. Don’t you get it? I think it’s more likely we’re about to get a history lesson.” Alex cracked a smile as he strode off the bridge. “Lanora, you have the ship,” he called from the hallway.

  “What’s left of it,” Alex heard her mumble as Jack caught up to him.

  “You’re armed?” Alex asked. He couldn’t tell if Jack had a weapon on him.

  “Yeah, concealed. Nine rounds, so don’t expect us to shoot our way out,” Jack mumbled as the lights in the hallway shifted from red to yellow. Alex knew that the UEF priority crew would leave their assigned chairs and begin their assigned duties. All nonessential personnel would remain in their quarters.

  By the time Alex and Jack reached the hangar bay, the shuttle had already landed and the shuttle bay doors were closing. They kept their voices down as they waited for the bay to pressurize.

  “It’s armed, look at those dual open ports near the nose,” Jack commented.

  “Could be thrusters,” Alex said, glancing at Jack.

  “I don’t see any other thrusters, especial
ly near the rear where they would make sense.“

  “You could be right.”

  Jeremiah approached Alex and Jack from behind. “Need a pilot?”

  “I didn’t ask for one,” Alex said, but perhaps he had been a bit too abrupt; Jeremiah’s disappointment was palpable.

  “I know, I just wanted an excuse to see the shuttle.”

  “Actually,” Alex said, “do that, and then write a report about anything you note of value and submit it to the ship’s log.”

  Jack watched as the indicator lights turned green, meaning the bay was pressurized sufficiently. A barely noticeable gust of wind pushed on everyone’s back as the door opened and the trio stepped into the hangar bay. A number of armed security personnel filed in behind them.

  Alex was made uncomfortable by the fear he sensed coming from one of the security personnel who had just entered the vicinity, but he couldn’t tell who. The feeling was strong and chaotic. Alex was compelled to turn around and shout, “This ship has humans on it. I don’t anticipate them being a threat, make no threatening gestures.”

  As Alex felt the fear plummet in his area, he felt another odd sensation: the automatic desire to sigh as his tension released, yet he would have to take an extra step to breathe in, which threw him off.

  Alex looked intently at the smooth oval-shaped silver shuttle. A door quickly but silently lowered from what he believed was the back half of the shuttle, creating a ramp. Three people walked out from the back of the shuttle. One stood by at the lower ramp and appeared heavily geared up, but there were no obvious weapons on her person. The other two individuals appeared to be dressed in regal but casual uniforms, walking without fear right up to Alex and Jack. Meanwhile Jeremiah strolled slowly around the perimeter of the shuttle.

  The taller of the two had light gray eyes, and his skin appeared thick and firm. He had no visible hair anywhere on his body. “My name is Pak,” he said. “I am to escort you to our ship where our captain is expecting you, but first we request a sample of your blood. I will use this device. You will feel no pain.”

  Alex looked to Jack and felt his concern, but Jack said nothing. Alex shrugged his shoulders and said, “Sure.”