by E J Gilmour
‘It was a rock climbing and mountaineering hub,’ said Sara. ‘Apparently some of the natural structures are beautiful enough to draw tourists from nearby systems. The 0.75 gravity makes mountaineering activities safer. The owner of the moon had high hopes for his resort and his ship service centre, but it look like the aliens ended those dreams.’
They flew directly over the empty city. There were no more than a dozen large resort towers, and the vast majority of buildings were smaller residences which followed the shore of the lake. Most of the automated systems were still online, including street lights and robotic street cleaners. The two Merton Brother stars were setting across the lake, which created a bright pink and violet lightshow.
The main docking port was situated where the city met the craggy mountains. Sara guided the Out Drifter over the city and descended toward the dock, which consisted of about one hundred open concrete platforms of varying sizes. Each platform had large numbers painted in red. Sara gently landed on their designated platform.’
Michael slipped out of the co-pilot seat and headed for the cargo bay. Acacius was standing near the exit door and speaking with Ajax and Ethan. Cynthia was sitting beside Dog-Two. She had recovered enough to come out of deep sleep, but she was still exhausted from the ordeal on Zeno Par.
‘We’re going to stop here to replenish the reactor,’ said Michael. ‘It’ll take about an hour. Ethan, I need you to hack the refuelling system. This city has been abandoned.’
‘Why was it abandoned?’ asked Ethan.
‘They were expecting an alien invasion which hasn’t yet eventuated. We won’t be around long enough to see it arrive.’
‘Yeah, that’s what we thought on Zeno Par,’ said Ajax doubtfully.
‘It is a statistical improbability that the alien fleet would arrive in the one hour it would take us to replenish the reactor,’ said Ivan.
‘Statistical improbabilities don’t reflect well in my life experience,’ said Ajax.
‘Then your life must be exception to the law of probability,’ said Ivan in dry monotone.
‘It always has been,’ said Ajax with a hoarse laugh as he opened the exit door and stepped out onto the concrete platform.
The air was cold, and the last rays of light were streaming across the docks. About twenty metres away was a refuelling station, which was a large rectangular metal box with a control console and a robotic arm with an attached adjustable fuel pipe. The robotic arm could extend out in many directions and take the refuelling pipe to the ship.
Michael and Ethan followed Ajax over to the console. The GCTD had been removed from the controls. Ethan stepped forward with the quantum code breaker. He connected wirelessly to the console and within five seconds had broken the security code. Meanwhile Ajax walked over to the edge of the platform and stared out at the empty city and the large lake beyond. Michael and Acacius walked across to stand beside him.
‘Cap, this whole city is a dream for a salvage crew. There must be thousands of valuable components out there. We should take some time and see what we can find.’
‘We do not have time,’ said Acacius. ‘The End Machine is searching for us as we speak. The shadow is moving throughout the Outer Worlds. We cannot delay our mission.’
‘Hmmm, well, it’s a pity,’ said Ajax. ‘I hope money doesn’t become a problem for us in the future; because you’re looking at our one big chance to cash in.’
The robotic arm of the refuelling system extended out toward the Out Drifter and connected to the reactor’s fuel outlet, which was situated toward the back of the ship. Michael viewed the ship as the light of day faded away. The scorch marks and dents in the outer hull were much more numerous after the battle on Zeno Par. The ship was beginning to look like a flying wreck. Michael knew that other members of the Outer World Salvage Guild would laugh if they saw the Out Drifter, but he had never cared much about how things looked on the outside.
‘Beautiful, isn’t she?’ asked Ethan with a knowing grin. ‘It’s a miracle the outer hull wasn’t breached in the last battle.’
‘Armorstonian ships are as tough as they get,’ said Michael with a dash of pride in his voice.
‘Yes, they are tough, but not indestructible,’ said Ethan. ‘One day the Out Drifter is going to reach its maximum point of endurance. There are multiple ways the ship could meet its final end, and it won’t be pretty when that day comes, especially if we are in outer space.’
‘I prefer to maintain an optimistic attitude regarding the ship,’ said Michael under his breath.
Ethan shrugged his shoulders and lowered his eyes. ‘Captain, an optimistic attitude has nothing to do with it. It doesn’t matter what attitude you have; only repair work will keep the ship flying. These are mechanical issues, not psychological.’
Michael turned back toward Ajax and Acacius.
Cynthia and Dog-Two had come out of the ship and were approaching the edge of the platform. Night was falling over the city and a mist was descending on the town from the mountains.
‘It should be morning soon,’ said Cynthia. ‘I read on the computer that the nights only last three hours on Nod 33.’
‘We’ll be gone before sunrise,’ said Ajax in a gentler tone than he had previously taken with Cynthia. ‘I’m guessing we have about an hour before the reactor is replenished, which gives me some time to look for essentials. I’m going to check out some of the abandoned bars in the town. They may have left some bottles behind. You never know what you can find in a ghost city,’ he said, pointing toward a street that cut away from the docks in the direction of the city centre. He turned toward the dock elevator, which was across at the far side the platform.
‘Don’t be longer than an hour,’ said Michael.
‘Don’t worry, Cap. I won’t keep you waiting,’ he replied, stepping into the elevator.
Michael turned back to Acacius. He seemed to be in a trance as his eyes scanned the buildings and structures below.
‘There are other human beings here,’ he said in a low voice.
‘We should rescue them,’ said Cynthia.
‘No, they wouldn’t be stranded,’ said Michael. ‘This was a wealthy tourist location; they would only be here because they have chosen to stay.’
Acacius glanced momentarily at Michael. ‘There is much we need to talk about before you face the End Machine.’
‘I’m ready to talk when you are.’
‘The skills you possess have never been fully tested. I can lead you along the path, but only to a point. There are many things in life that must be learned through experience. We do not know if the Lore of the Ancients can defeat the End Machine. The End Machine can easily move between the four spacial dimensions as you and I can. To defeat the machine you must go further.’
‘Further?’ questioned Michael. He had never heard of any dimensions beyond the primary spacial dimensions.
‘Indeed, much further,’ replied Acacius grimly.
**
Ajax returned an hour later with a leather bag full of rare alcoholic beverages. He emptied his bag in the cargo bay and proceeded to examine each bottle.
‘Half of these I haven’t yet tasted. Look at this one, Ferocious Fire; this is worth at least two thousand credits! And look at this one, Gracious Garnet; this one makes your teeth glow,’ he remarked with a chuckle.
Within the hour the reactor was fully replenished. Ethan also managed to do some repair work on the outer hull. He had welded some metal sheets over areas where the armour and heat shields had almost been breached. The additional metal sheets didn’t match the darker underlying colour, and they made the ship look even more like a flying piece of scrap metal.
Sara powered up the reactor and lifted the ship off the platform. She scanned the console and checked all the indicators. Everything appeared to be running well. The Out Drifter ascended above the city and flew smoothly toward the upper atmosphere. With the reactor replenishment they could now travel vast distances without having to wor
ry about where to refuel.
Michael entered the control room and took the co-pilot’s seat.
‘I have set the course for Bodach Delta. We are fourteen days from arrival at full speed.’
Michael nodded as he looked down at the control console. ‘I did some research into the Tunnel Makers. They’re known for their brutality. We’ll have to be careful.’
‘Ethan is not someone who would lead us into a hornet’s nest. He must have some confidence in the plan,’ she said.
‘The Tunnel Makers have changed in the last few years. They’re developed into the most brutal and powerful smuggling outfit in the Outer Worlds. The smuggling trade is a tough business. The industry has been squeezed by the alien expansion; the factions are fighting over an ever shrinking market.’
‘I’m sure we will be fine, Captain. You have a tough crew, and I think we can handle smugglers.’
Michael nodded. ‘You’re probably right, Sara. I just prefer to know exactly what we are up against.’ He looked at the life support console. ‘That’s odd,’ he said, glancing at Sara.
‘What?’ she asked casually as she adjusted the reactor stability levels.
‘Why would the life support monitor be reading seven lifeforms?’
Her eyes darted across to the small digital readout. She stared intensely at the screen and looked puzzled.
‘That can’t be right. Let me complete a diagnostic before we jump to any conclusions,’ she said. ‘Computer, scan the life support software for any bugs or errors.’
SCANNING: ZERO ERRORS
‘Computer, how many lifeforms are on board the ship?’
SEVEN LIFEFORMS AND TWO SYNTHETIC ANDROIDS
‘Computer, do a scan of the entire ship for all registered and unregistered crew.’
MICHAEL (CAPTAIN); AJAX (SECURITY); CYNTHIA (UNASSIGNED CREW); ETHAN (MECHANICAL ENGINEER); SARA (PILOT); IVAN (SYNTHETIC ORGANISM); DOG-TWO (WEAPONISED SYNTHETIC ORGANISM); ACACIUS TRIFON (UNASSIGNED CREW); UNREGISTERED LIFEFORM.
‘Computer, what is the unregistered lifeform?’
HUMAN, MALE
‘Locate the unregistered lifeform.’
CARGO BAY AREA, SPECIFIC LOCATION UNKNOWN
‘Someone is hiding on our ship,’ she said in a low voice.
Michael stood up and drew his plasma pistol. He stepped out of the control room. Sara drew her pistol and followed Michael to the living room where Ajax, who had clearly had too much to drink, was arguing with Ivan about whether androids could ever be considered equal to human beings. Dog-Two was sitting beside the table and watching the argument, and Acacius was sitting cross-legged in the corner of the room and appeared to be in a deep trance. He opened his eyes as Michael walked into the room.
Michael interrupted. ‘I think we have a problem.’
‘Damn right we have a problem,’ yelled Ajax, his face crimson red. ‘Ivan thinks machines should be given human rights throughout the galaxy. Not on my watch! I won’t ever think of a robot as my equal, not now, never!’
Dog-Two snarled. Ajax’s lips curled into a vicious sneer. ‘Don’t yap at me you sad excuse for a dog! There is nothing more special about you than a food synthesizer or a washing machine!’
Dog-Two bared his razor sharp teeth and growled.
‘Silence!’ yelled Michael. ‘We have a real problem. The computer has identified an infiltrator. There’s someone on the ship.’
Ajax froze. ‘How could someone come aboard without us knowing?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know how, but they are hiding in the cargo bay. The life support monitor is reading an extra person.’
‘Where’s Cynthia?’ asked Ajax.
‘She’s with Ethan in the engine room,’ said Sara.
‘Then what are we waiting for,’ said Ajax. He quickly put down his bottle and reached for his rifle, which was propped up beside him. Ivan drew his pistol, and Dog-Two began to growl.
Michael led the way through the central corridor. The others followed closely behind. They reached the cargo bay and stopped to scan the area before stepping in, but they couldn’t see anyone. Ajax brushed by and walked over to where the sleeping pods were lined up against the wall.
He turned around and shook his head. ‘Nothing, Cap. There’s no one here.’
Cynthia and Ethan entered the cargo bay from the engine room door at the back.
‘What’s going on?’ asked Ethan.
Acacius stepped into the cargo bay from the corridor. He stood still for a moment, closed his eyes, and concentrated. ‘I perceive there is a stranger here. He is listening to us.’ Acacius turned to face the opposite wall. There was an area where the wall cladding looked stained and a little corroded. ‘Show yourself.’
The wall seemed to shimmer, and a second later the optical illusion dissipated. A short, bedraggled and skinny man with unkempt grey hair appeared out of nowhere. His face was deeply lined and unshaven. He was wearing a long synthetic cloak.
‘Nano-cloak!’ yelled Ajax as he pointed his rifle at the infiltrator.
The man fell to his knees and cowered against the wall. ‘Please don’t kill me. I...I mean you no harm. Please!’ His frightened blue eyes stared up at the crew. Michael had seen nano-cloaks before, but he had never seen one of such high quality. Nano-cloaks were made of a material consisting of millions of small luminous nano-bots which could produce light to mimic the surroundings and hide the wearer from sight.
‘Who are you and what do you want?’ asked Michael as put his pistol away. The stranger was unarmed and didn’t appear to be carrying any weapons.
‘My name is Gopher.’
‘You sure weaselled your way in here!’ said Ajax, who was still pointing his rifle at the stranger.
‘I didn’t expect you to discover my hiding place. I was planning to leave at the next stop. I’m a citizen of Nod 33. I was stranded on the planet after everyone left. I was left alone. Do you understand what it’s like to be completely alone and waiting for an alien invasion? There was no chance of survival. When I saw you land I decided to take the opportunity to escape.’
‘That makes no sense,’ said Sara. ‘Nod 33 was a billionaire’s retreat. They wouldn’t be short of any transport ships, and they wouldn’t leave a citizen unless they wanted you to be left behind. You could have asked for our help before sneaking aboard.’
‘I was stranded, and I was certain you would turn me away if I requested your help. I had to take a chance. Please understand; I’m a desperate man.’
‘We should help him,’ said Cynthia. ‘We can at least take him to the next stop.’
‘He’s lying,’ said Acacius.
Ajax’s eyes narrowed. He stepped forward and snarled down at Gopher. ‘Do you take us for fools?’ he asked, pointing his rifle directly at the infiltrator.
‘No,’ replied Gopher in a trembling voice as he shrank back even further.
‘Gopher, you should tell us the truth if you want our help,’ said Michael calmly.
‘Why give him a chance to explain himself, Cap? He’s already lied to us. Let’s put him in an escape pod and launch him at an alien occupied world.’
‘Please, no!’ whined Gopher, the blood draining from his face.
‘Why not?’ asked Ajax, his face as hard as concrete.
‘Okay! Okay,’ stammered Gopher. ‘I’ll tell you the truth. I’ll tell you everything.’ Ajax reached down and grabbed Gopher by the scruff of the neck and lifted him off the ground. ‘I am a professional thief. My speciality is precious gemstones,’ he whispered, gasping for air. ‘I was working on a major job on Nod 33, but everything fell apart and I found myself behind bars. I spent a month in prison; that’s why I was left behind on the moon. They don’t make extra space for thieves on billionaire ships. The prison guards were kind enough to open my cell and give me back my belongings before the last ship took off. I was stranded.’
‘We should definitely eject him,’ said Ajax, nodding resolutely. ‘I’m sorry, Gopher. We don’t have ext
ra space for thieves on our ship either.’ Ajax started to drag Gopher across the cargo bay to the escape pods, which were situated behind a removable panel on the opposite side of the room. Gopher struggled, but he was no match for Ajax’s brute strength.
‘Please, no, I told you the truth, please!’ pleaded Gopher.
‘Ajax, wait,’ said Michael.
‘He just admitted he’s a thief, Cap,’ said Ajax, raising an eyebrow.
‘That doesn’t mean he should die,’ said Cynthia.
Ajax lowered his eyes and nodded. ‘All right, I agree with you, but what are we going to do with him. We can’t keep him on board the Out Drifter. You can’t trust thieves; I know from experience.’
‘You have nothing to worry about; I only steal valuable gemstones, and I doubt you have any on your ship,’ said Gopher. ‘If you could be so kind to let me off at the next stop I will never bother you again. Please don’t send me to the aliens. You have no reason to send me to my death. I haven’t stolen anything from you.’
‘You tried to steal a ride,’ growled Ajax.
‘It’s not stealing,’ argued Gopher.
‘Yes it is,’ snapped Ajax. Gopher lowered his eyes.
Michael pondered the best course of action. He didn’t want to eject the man, even though he knew it was the regular way most crews dealt with uninvited guests, but at the same time he knew Ajax was right; thieves could not be trusted. In Michael’s opinion there was only one solution. ‘All right, we won’t eject you, but you have to stay in deep sleep for the whole trip. We’ll drop you off at our next destination.’
‘The whole trip?’ questioned Gopher.
‘You can choose either deep sleep or Ajax’s idea of launching you at an alien occupied world,’ said Michael.
‘Okay, fine. I’ll sleep for the entire trip. Do you mind if I ask where we are going?’
‘Bodach Delta,’ said Sara.
Gopher’s face became deathly pale and his eyes glazed over for a moment. ‘Bodach Delta! Why would you go there?’ he asked in a low and trembling voice.
‘Important business,’ said Michael. ‘Ajax, set up a sleeping pod for our guest, and lock his pod on the outside.’
‘Consider it done.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Michael awoke from deep sleep as the glass cover slid off his sleeping pod. Ivan was standing beside him. He felt the blood returning to his hands.