(A chapter draft of the book I've working on forever, seems like forever anyway)
Voices, gentle low talking female voices. They came in and out, mixed with strange, life-like dreams. Who were the voices? Kurt felt like he was supposed to know them. He could not understand what was being said. They felt comforting as he drifted into another hyper-realistic dream full of flying, happy laughter, and food, food he could actually taste and smell. Next was a man’s voice, somebody strong, someone who he was supposed to know. This one was louder.
“Hey Kurt? Can you hear me? It’s me, Bobby. Wake up.”
Who was Bobby? Kurt started to stir. His legs ached like he had run twenty miles. He hadn’t felt anything in his legs for years. He opened his eyes blinking as he took in his surroundings.
“I’m here buddy. Vallari, Dzann, he opened his eyes!”
A tough liking white man was sitting at his bedside. He had to be the dude talking. Two women walked over and peered over the man’s shoulders, a redhaired white woman and a very tall dark-skinned woman with long black hair. The two women?
“Kurt, you’re in medical on the Phoebe Sofia. You’re safe,” The redhaired woman said.
She looked soft, gentle but strong. Slowly…
“Good to see you,” the other woman said smiling broadly.
All three of them were smiling. It clicked!
“Bobby,” Kurt said not much above a whisper.
“I’m here,” Bobby gently took his hand. “Do you recognize these ladies?”
“D… Dzann, Vallari? My legs hurt.”
The women nodded yes.
“Sharp pain, dull pain, something else?” Dzann asked.
“Dull but it hurts a lot.”
“The therapy is working. Let’s get you out of pain. Vallari?”
The tall woman stood and moved to the foot of the bed. There, she adjusted some controls Kurt could not see.
“Better?” Dzann asked.
The pain had faded almost instantly. Kurt nodded yes and fell back to tasty food, flying and good laughter.
“He’ll be a little stronger each time he wakes up. He’ll be walking around in no time,” Dzann said.
Kurt woke again a few hours later. He spoke with Bobby about what little he remembered about the Niko System, the nice hospital.
“No, I’ve never seen a hospital like that either. They even had a place for us to stay while we were there with you,” Bobby said.
Bobby was there most of the time. If he was out, somebody was always close, Vallari, Dzann, Echo, Xerces and even the giant Ankius came in a few times. Ankius had to duck and slide in sideways to get in. He would sit cross-legged on the floor and still be above Kurt. He spoke little but Kurt liked having him there. He just felt safe. Days slipped by. Echo came in with Bobby. Having three visitors was unusual.
“Kurt, we are on our way to a place 651 calls he Immaria System. He says it’s on the way to his capital, Axyed. Dzann hope you can be ready to fly by the time we get there,” Echo said.
The tiny needles along his legs had been carefully removed by Vallari a few days ago. Kurt felt better and stronger. He was feeding himself regular meals and growing more and more restless.
“Are you ready to stand?” Ankius asked.
Kurt could now move his legs on his own. “Not sure,” he answered.
Vallari came and pulled down the blanket revealing his thin legs and blue shorts.
“It is safe for you to try now,” she told him.
“Okay.”
Kurt was not sure but he was ready to get out of medical. Vallari watched Kurt move his legs off the bed toward Ankius. Kurt sat up and put his feet solidly on the cool, course no slip floor. He felt a strong stretching feeling through his feet and legs.
“Stand now, my friend,” Ankius said sliding back and extending a massive hand.
Kurt shifted his weight forward and stood up.
“Step to me,” Ankius said, his hand still extended.
Kurt’s body remembered how to walk. He took two steps toward Ankius. Kurt’s legs felt steady. Ankius put his hands above the young man’s hips. Kurt held himself up even though he felt a little dizzy.
“Can you turn around?” Ankius asked letting go.
“I think so.”
“Slowly,” Vallari said.
He turned, stepped back to the bed and sat down. Ankius nodded in approval. Vallari beamed. Bobby hugged him from behind and Echo let out a joyous shriek!
“Get some rest now. The walks will get longer and longer,” Vallari said.
By that evening Kurt was walking to Bobby at the door of his room. His trips grew longer and longer. Adon and Yuki joined him on trips around Phoebe. The hard work of recovery proved to be painful but having his friends around helped keep his mind off it. He attended crew meetings, moved out of medical and resumed fighter training. Dzann told Kurt he would be needed for a mission soon.
The Immaria System was a small group of stars still several weeks away in a lightly populated and rarely patrolled region of the Trigmani Empire. Any contacts here would be hostile and a grave threat if 651’s crystal device did not work. Phoebe did not keep probes or fighters out in front to lesson the chances for detection. The runs between derelict sectors and systems would get harder as they neared the center 651 had warned. The first place they needed to get to was Aedha, a world with a large, non-spacefaring civilization wiped out by the Trigmani orbiting one of those stars. They had barely gotten into space managing to make it to both of their moons and starting mining. According to 651 they had the misfortune of simply being in a Trigmani region. It was thought destroy them before they can even consider becoming a threat. There were few solar systems near by and it was resource poor. There was little reason for development so the area remained unpopulated and sparsely patrolled. This was one reason 651 picked this route. Xerces suggested a stop on Aedha to see what could be learned about the Trigmani way of war. Echo, with her own civilization under threat, also wanted a closer look. Phoebe and the rest of the crew agreed. 651 thought it would be helpful for all to see firsthand what they were up against.
Sure enough, on the way in, there was no sign of long distance space travel or exploration. Aedha was far from a dead world, quite the opposite of Marzanna 12. It had day and night, seasons, active weather systems and every color imaginable. Two small, bright moons orbited Aedha. Surely this could not be the place obliterated by interplanetary war? 651 explained the war was waged against the most intelligent life, humans while leaving the rest intact for later exploitation. They used targeted biological weapons, poisons and the all too human propensities for infighting and self-destruction. The biodiversity was left to flourish. Dzann turned her attention to who to send and what the mission should be.
Echo approached Dzann on the bridge.
“Dzann, I’d like to be on the landing team. I need to see firsthand what may await my home.”
“You have similar experience to Xerces. I agree to send you. Who else should go?”
“Well, Ankius of course. Vallari. Yuki also has many untapped skills as well. Bobby is good for additional security. Think Kurt’s ready to fly a real mission as air support? I think he’s ready.”
“Interesting choices Echo,” Dzann answered. “I do think Kurt’s ready. I like the idea of sending Bobby.”
“We should be there in one day-cycle I think,” Echo said.
“I’ll add Fiona to your list. I think she’s very resourceful. Cyrus should go as well. Phoebe call Fiona, Yuki, Kurt, Vallari, Ankius, Bobby and Xerces. Tell them to meet myself and Echo on the hanger deck in ten minutes. Ask 651 to join us as well.”
“Yes, Dzann,” Phoebe answered.
“Cyrus, please come with us,“ Dzann said.
“Now we need to figure out how to learn anything Aedha can teach us about the Trigmani. And where to look,” Dzann said to Echo and Cyrus as they made their way down to the hanger deck.
Everyone had assembled in less than ten minutes. Ankius, Bobby, Xerces and Vallari were relaxed already sure of what was going on. The others looked around nervously. Kurt paced around near Rhea. 651 stood alone off to one side, cool and indifferent.
“Hey, Kurt Dzann’s, here,” Bobby said.
Kurt promptly joined the group along with Echo.
Dzann said, “651 you are here to advise us. Friends, you have been selected for the Aedha away team, along with Cyrus and Echo. The mission is to learn all you can about the Trigmani. Xerces will be in command. Kurt, your role is to fly air cover for the team using Rhea. The rest of you will take Little Gaia. Plan to leave midday tomorrow. 651 we will need all the information you have on Aedha as soon as possible. Let’s get ready. Questions?”
“There is an entire world down there. Where should we even start?” Bobby asked.
“I hope 651 can help with that,” Dzann said looking over to 651.
“Aedha was a collection of city-states. I can give you a list of the largest and most powerful among them. They were human with many cultures and languages. We calculated their destruction at 99.93%. We believe some escaped on hastily constructed low tech colony ships. We never found any. If even true, their fate is unknown to us. I doubt there is much left worth finding on the surface but we can try.”
“Are there people left?” Ankius asked.
“Very few if any,” 651 answered.
“So they were at the dawn of space exploration?” Xerces asked.
“They had made it to both moons, sent probes out into the solar system and had a few rudimentary orbiting space stations,” 651 answered.
“Did they fight among themselves?” Bobby asked.
“Yes, off and on. Some formed alliances against others. Their weapons never advanced to planet killing levels. I’ll make up a list and an atlas so you can decide where to look. Hazards are nothing new or special; tectonic activity, storms, heat, cold, dangerous wildlife. Oh, biological and chemical weapons residue. May want to keep them in mind. That’s about it really. I’ll be in the library completing the atlas. Done early in the morning.” With that, 651 left.
“Dzann, I’d like to bring five MD-20’s for additional security. Once we land I’ll return them and Little Gaia to orbit to act as a rescue force if needed,” Xerces said.
“Good thinking Xerces. Get everything ready and rest up as best you can. I’d like to keep this mission short, one to three days. Time is not on our side. Get to it!” Dzann said.
Xerces and Ankius set about getting Little Gaia ready for flight. The rest of the away team gathered supplies and weapons for the trip into the unknown. Yuki decided to leave Ziv with Adon. He hated being in a spacesuit and he liked Adon. Dzann had Phoebe do a close fly by of both moons to look for any monitoring equipment possibly left by the Trigmani. Phoebe and her probes found nothing but long dead remains of a few automated Aedhan moon mining facilities. Dzann thought about stopping for a look but decided not to. There was not enough time. There was a fair amount of orbiting space junk orbiting the planet, all of it indigenous as best they could tell. Phoebe suggested orbiting the smaller moon to avoid any possible but unlikely, Trigmani patrols that could pass through. They would not be expecting anything to be there she argued. The trip for the away team would still be short. Dzann agreed. 651 shared his report with Dzann and Xerces. There were several potentially good locations to land. It was also possible to visit more than one if the first came up empty. 651 also told them the entire operation had taken around ten days for the Trigmani. Not a lot of time for learning, Xerces thought.
The place they chose to land was a mega city called Obiemika. At the time of the invasion over thirty million lived there. It was on a coast surrounded by ocean and high, steep mountains. The weather was mild with occasional severe storms that came in off the water. Large open areas between crumbling buildings gave ample room for landing. Xerces decided to send probes and small drones ahead to have a look around for the best places to investigate. Kurt could keep an eye out from above for both dangers and other nearby locations to investigate. The derelict buildings were now covered in hundreds of years worth of plant growth, rust and stagnant pools of water. Although the air was breathable, Dzann ordered all to wear full spacesuits. There was no need to risk chemical and biological contamination. The suits could be removed if the area was deemed safe by the probes and drones. The suits were not too cumbersome and the life support they provided could last more than a day without replenishing. This protected Phoebe’s crew as well as the away team. Xerces told Ankius to select five MD-20’s to be the back up team. Ankius picked Roller, Kilo, Mari, Inman and Abigail who went by Abby. Kurt had Rhea loaded and ready for flight at the appointed time. The MD-20’s and humans boarded Little Gaia, secured themselves in their seats and watched the countdown as Roller and Abby completed the last few systems checks at the controls. Xerces gave the order to leave. Several probes carrying drones left first followed by Kurt and five minutes later Little Gaia.
Kurt watched the world rapidly approach in detail no simulations could match. They had enough faith in him to give him a mission. No way he was going to let his new family down! He had done countless atmospheric entries and egresses in simulators on Phoebe so he knew the procedure by heart. His hands worked the controls with precision and skill while his mind drank in all of the colors, sounds and forces on his body. He never would have imagined such a thing back at Redcrest Manner where he met Bobby. The memory of Bobby pushing him along in that old ratty wheelchair flashed across his mind giving him a smile. A big bump and superheated gas flashing across the canopy brought him back into the moment. Xerces’ stern warning about never losing focus flashed through his mind next. Kurt and the fighter were one as he responded to everything going on with confidence but not cockiness. Any small mistake and the ship would be incinerated in an instant. Practice took over as he guided Rhea down through the upper atmosphere in huge sweeping s turns watching the sky go from star filled black, to indigo, to bright blue. No clouds in the target area as he took in the greens, grays and browns of the ground still far below. Unknown to Kurt, something stirred to life alerted by his presence.
The probes had passed and fallen behind Kurt several times along the way. They followed along on their preset course also being detected by the unknown presence below. They again passed Kurt on their way to Obiemika to carry out a quick search for a good and safe place to land. They found several locations with large clearings between the plant covered, decaying buildings. It was around mid-day so there was plenty of day light left. Kurt came in low looking over the long dead city now full of natural life. He viewed the landing sites the probes had found and they looked safe enough. It seemed pretty clear there was no worry about being ambushed. The probes had found only plant and small animal life. There were traces of biological and chemical weapons use. Xerces would have to decide if they were bad enough to warrant staying in spacesuits. Kurt could see no movement below. If there were humans left on this world, they were not here. He wanted to find the best landing site to assist with the mission. All four looked pretty similar but he was still high up. He remembered there was something odd about the third one what was it? He came in low and slow just above the highest buildings and then he saw it!
In the middle of a large clearing there was a multi-level, black, glass building in the shape of a massive pyramid. There was no life from what the probes could tell but there was a power source. The building gave Kurt a chill. He contacted Xerces on Little Gaia.
“Hey Xerces, I want to send you a video feed. It might be a place to start looking,” Kurt said.
“We’re ready. Send it on.”
Kurt flew slowly around the large structure and the clearing as Xerces and the others looked on.
“It looks and feels creepy man, even from up here. Don’t look like nobody’s home but there seems to be a power source somewhere deep inside,” Kurt said.
“We are almost there. Just a few minutes until we enter the atmosphere. Do a large slow circle outside the city to see what you see,” Xerces said.
“Will do.”
“Hey Kurt?”
“Yeah?”
“That looks like no place else the probes have shown us so far. Great job!”
“Just doin my job!”
Kurt felt better as soon as he turned away from the strange building. He followed Xerces’ order doing a low and slow circle on the city’s edge. He looked for signs of infrastructure, finding none. No roads, no airport, no factories, no port area, no sign of a power grid; there was only odd shaped buildings being reclaimed by what passed for nature here. It had a desolate beauty all it’s own that Kurt could not quite get his head around. There had been a lot of death here but now it was full of plant and small animal life. Kurt saw Little Gaia coming into land and made his way back to the strange building.
“Kurt go high but stay within thirty second of us,” Xerces said upon landing.
“Yes sir,” Kurt said climbing.
“Once we open up, Ankius, Bobby, Cyrus, Fiona secure this landing site,” Xerces said.
The ramp lowered and they rapidly scrambled out going port, starboard, forward and aft of the ship encountering nothing but weeds and dust. All called in “secure” and the remaining human crew came out.
“The bio hazards are minimal. Keep the suits?” Cyrus said reading the telemetry from the probes.
“Yeah, keep them on people,” There was no need to expose the team to any extra danger, even if it was small Xerces thought.
“Let’s check out that building team. Ankius on point,” Xerces said.
“Roller, Abby take Little Gaia into a low orbit. Give us eight hours. If you don’t hear from us, come find us,” Xerces ordered.
They made their way to the strange pyramid building and Little Gaia took off once they were at a safe distance. The building looked new with no plant growth or signs of decay. Black one-way glass obscured whatever was inside. Soon the weeds gave way to smooth concrete and they followed it to a door that suddenly slid open as if they were expected.
“I don’t like it,” Ankius said.
“I’m not sure I do either,” Xerces said.
“Somebody knows we are here. I think we should go in together,” Echo said.
There was a pause as Xerces considered his next move. He considered the still blackness that seemed to look out at all of them. Was this invite a trap? Was it what they were looking for? Was it a waste of time? There was only one way to find out.
He spoke, “I don’t want to get trapped inside. Ankius, Fiona wait here outside. Bust us out in two hours if you don’t hear anything. Kurt is close by to cover you. Little Gaia is covering him.”
Ankius and Fiona watched as Xerces, Bobby, Vallari, Echo, Yuki and Cyrus disappeared into the cavernous building. The door did not close. He motioned for Fiona to follow him back down the concrete entryway. Ankius wanted to see the whole side of the structure. They sat on the ground and began their wait. For people always used to constant sound and noises Aedha’s silence was almost too much. It was both peaceful and eerie.
“I don’t remember the last time I just sat in the sun, a sun,” Fiona said not much above a whisper.
“It feels good even through this suit,” Ankius said.
“The door is still open. What do you think?”
“Not sure. It wants us all, a simple malfunction, who knows? All the death here and that too perfect building makes me uneasy. I want to have a look around but think better of it,” Ankius said.
Fiona called Kurt, “Hey, Ankius and I are outside while the others are exploring. Just wanted to let you know what’s going on.”
“Okay, thanks. I’m circling the city about a half a minute up. I can get there in a hurry if you need me. Let me know if anything changes,” Kurt replied.
“We will,” Fiona answered.
Ankius and Fiona looked back to the building. They could now see light through the open door but nothing else. Someone or something was home.
“Hello?” Xerces called into the void. No answer. As soon as they were all inside, lights came on casting the space in a bright, fluorescent glow. It looked like a huge lobby devoid of furniture but with shiny, clean floors. Bright lit hallways extended off in different directions.
“An arrow,” Vallari said.
A yellow arrow had appeared above one of the halls to their left.
“It looks like someone is expecting company. Let’s play along,” Xerces said leading the group toward the arrow. In the hall, the walls glowed green with numerous hieroglyphics. There was intelligence here but with no trace of people. Who or what was it? A door slid open with another yellow arrow. It led into a staircase going up and down.
“Below,” Echo said pointing down to another yellow arrow.
Xerces slowly led them down the steps. The lights remained on but the place was devoid of sound. They followed arrows through a long, twisting maize of halls, rooms and chambers until they came to an auditorium. Xerces and Echo knew the way back. The auditorium had large screens on three sides covered in diagrams, more green hieroglyphics and pictures of people.
“Hello?” Xerces said.
Some of the screens changed but they had no way to interpret the meanings. This area was as clean as the rest of the building. It was also silent.
“It can hear is. Something led us here. The next move is theirs. Turn on your lights in case of a power failure. I know the way back,” Xerces said.
“So do I,” Echo added.
“I too know the way back,” Cyrus said. He went on, “I am scanning for an interface frequency, so far, nothing. Maybe it is a physical interface.” He was looking closely around the screens.
Yuki walked slowly around the room, up and down the rows of seats watched by Vallari. Bobby stood by at the door looking up and down the last empty hall they had passed through. Echo stared blankly at the strange hieroglyphics while Xerces pondered his next move.
“Echo, go and get Ankius and Fiona. They are no use to us sitting around outside,” Xerces said at last.
“Yes Xerces,” she said leaving.
Before Bobby could offer to go with her, she was out of sight.
“I’m not sure I could find my own way back! Think she really knows the way?” Bobby said.
“Yes. It was an extensive part of her training retracing complicated routes. She would have told us, had she any doubt,” Xerces answered.
Vallari suddenly cried out in pain and fell to the floor! Yuki ran to her.
“Keep an eye on the hall Bobby!” Xerces said and made his way to Vallari. She was breathing and Yuki was rubbing her hand. Her eyes were open but she was otherwise unresponsive.
“Let’s get her into a chair,” Xerces said lifting her gently under her arms and sliding her onto a chair, the small backpack of her spacesuit resting on the back. Her eyes blinked several times under the clear visor.
Vallari spoke fast, “Xerces, I can read it all! I can hear who beckoned us! It goes by Synchronizer! It’s an AI created by the people here just before the Trigmani apocalypse! It thought we were from Aedha!-“
Xerces took her other hand and spoke slowly, “Vallari are you okay? Can you hear me?”
“Yes, I can. There was a painful flash… Then I understood the writing. There was a voice, similar to Phoebe; soft and feminine.”
Echo returned with Fiona and Ankius.
“Something happened to Vallari. Yuki and Xerces are with her,” Bobby told them.
Ankius walked up to her and spoke, “I’m here Vallari. You are safe among friends.”
“I know. I’m okay. I told Synchronizer who we are. It asked if we had seen any ark ships from Aedha. It thought we were from one of those.”
“Can Synchronizer understand you and the rest of us?” Xerces asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m Xerces, Intelligence Officer from The Phoebe Sofia. We come as friends. Our mission is to end the war between humanity and the Trigmani. Can you help us?”
Synchronizer spoke through Vallari, “Hello Xerces. I have to stay here and wait for the people’s return. I may share information with you. So there are more like us out there?”
“Yes, there are a number of separate human civilizations. I come from a multi-star system civilization known as Fellix. Yuki comes from a world called Cyan 103. Echo comes from a place called Niko. Ankius and Bobby come from a planet called Elras. We believe many were seeded by a large ark ship called The Utopia. We are not a hundred percent sure. The Trigmani are so far much more advanced than all of the human civilizations we have encountered so far. They are attacking us one civilization at a time. We are losing. We need any help you can give us. This is why we are here,” Xerces replied.
“That’s a lot to take in, Xerces. Can you prove it?”
Bobby spoke, “Of course we can prove it! Look boss I’d love to stay and chitchat the hours away but Niko is next on that list to be destroyed. Ankius here picked me and another friend up. He saved our asses. Three months ago, I had no idea any of this existed. Echo’s home is nice and I kinda don’t want to see it leveled. How can you help us? If ya can’t or don’t wanna we can avoid wasting time. What’s it gonna be? Sorry for cutting in Xerces.”
“No, that’s quite alright. Synchronizer, my friend here speaks the truth. Time is against us.”
Silence. The lights stayed on and everyone looked at Vallari.
“I can still feel it. Synchronizer is just weighing the options, just needs a little time,” Vallari said.
A minute or so crept by. At last synchronizer spoke, “We figured out how to deflect some of their electronic control seizing signals whereby they take over enemy ships, defenses and communication remotely. It was too late and imperfect to help us all that much. It may have slowed them a day. Perhaps you all can improve on it? In return I ask two things of you. If you come across one of our ark ships, tell them they can come home.”
“I can agree to that. What else?” Xerces said without hesitation.
“Yes. You have something else I’m interested in.”
“Okay, what would that be?” Xerces said.
“Your ship’s artificial intelligence technology,” Synchronizer said.
“I will have to ask my other crewmates and Captain. I’m sure we can work out something.”
“I will have to give you the know-how and accept whatever you decide to share. I’ll do it for humanity. I agree. I thought you all were descendants from those who escaped. Cyrus’ technology proves this hypothesis wrong. His underlying programming and architecture are foreign to the research done here. I can tell Phoebe is even more advanced. I mean no disrespect to you, Cyrus.”
“Phoebe is much larger with far more complex systems. I see no disrespect,” Cyrus answered.
“We are willing to direct any of your ships we come across and some of our technology in exchange for the information you share. Once we are back safely, we can send it to you. I will have to determine what can be sent with my Captain and crewmates as I said before,” Xerces said.
“Your gift may prove invaluable to us. Niko will also share spacefaring technology and help finding your lost people. I am a representative of the government there,” Echo said.
“Thank you, Echo. Your small scout ship has landed nearby,” Synchronizer said.
“Kurt must have lost communication with us,” Xerces said.
“I forgot to tell him we were going in!” Fiona said horrified.
“Are there any dangers near us on the surface?” Ankius asked.
“Not necessarily a danger but there is a pack of human hunter gatherers moving in our direction. They must have seen your scout ship. They normally stay away from the cities and towns.”
Bobby bolted from the door to protect his friend.
“I’ll guide him,” Synchronizer said. He added, “The humans will not be able to harm your ship. The pilot got out and it is now going up.”
Bobby quickly followed the arrows back to the still open door. He saw Kurt walking to him looking small and vulnerable.
“Bobby, where is everybody?” Kurt said.
“Inside. Come on double time Kid! Possible unfriendlies headed our way!”
That got Kurt moving. Bobby marveled at this kid who could not walk a short time ago now sprinting to him. Once they were inside, the door slid shut. Now this building has us all, Bobby thought.
“I lost touch. I thought I’d just have a look. I didn’t see Ankius or Fiona. I did not want to be on this world alone. I wanted to find you all,” Kurt said.
“It’s okay, let’s get back to the group.”
Bobby showed Kurt the glowing arrows and they made their way back to the auditorium. Fiona ran to Kurt as soon as he entered.
“Oh Kurt, I’m sorry I forgot to contact you!” Fiona said hugging the young man tightly.
“Gave me a good scare but it’s all good now. What’s goin on? What’s this place?”
“I think you found what we were looking for on the first try. Let’s go to Xerces and Vallari,” Fiona said.
Xerces could not bring himself to be mad at Kurt. The kid did not want to be left alone. Who could blame him? There was also the backup team orbiting above and Phoebe not too far away. He told Kurt about Synchronizer and the people on their way to investigate his landing.
“I sent Rhea into a low orbit,” Kurt said.
“Good. Synchronizer any idea how long will those people hang around? We need to get going,” Xerces said.
“I’m not sure. They usually don’t enter the cities. This is a new situation with no data to compare too. I have a way to get you away from them to the edge of Obiemika if you want to take it.”
“How far? What are the risks?” Xerces asked.
“There are multiple tunnels under the city. They have no light and I have no map for all of them. Once you leave this building, you will be on your own. I can give you good directions but cannot do the walking for you. If you get lost, you are on your own. It is around a ten hour walk. Your communications above the surface will still be blocked until you come out.”
“Should we wait to see if those people move on?” Fiona asked.
“I don’t like others dictating our moves. The air is breathable here but we don’t know what’s in it- I think we have enough time to walk out,” Xerces said.
“You have pathogens that could decimate humans here as well,” Synchronizer interrupted.
“Yes, and I’d rather avoid the locals if we can, but tunnels? I don’t care much for long dark tunnels…had a bad experience a long time ago. Ankius, what do you think?” Xerces asked.
“We are healthy, strong with enough to eat and drink to get us through. Least we forget, Little Gaia will come looking for us in a few hours. We run up against the wall of time.”
“That’s right! Synchronizer, we need to send a message to space.”
“You can tap into my communications array on the top floor. Vallari knows how to use it. There are risks.” Synchronizer added, “This place can defend itself independent of me.”
“Are there ghosts in here as well?” Fiona asked.
"No, other AI’s,” Synchronizer answered.
“Do you represent all of them?” Echo asked.
“For now, yes.”
“For now?” Xerces asked.
“Leadership rotates here. All agree with my actions thus far but some are uneasy. The sooner you leave, the better,” Synchronizer said.
“If Synchronizer can show me the way, I can pass through the tunnels fast enough. Kurt, I can carry you,” Cyrus said.
A visible wave of relief washed over Kurt’s face, “That’s great! I ain’t ready for a ten hour walk.”
“Synchronizer, can you send me the directions?” Cyrus asked.
“Yes. There is a data cube.”
A small round opening on the floor in the front of the room slid open and a black cube rose up.
“Echo, can you get it and take it to Cyrus?” Synchronizer said.
She looked to Xerces who nodded in agreement. Echo walked over and slowly reached for the cube.
“There’s no danger,” Synchronizer said to reassure her.
Echo picked it up from the top and flipped her hand over. It was heavy for it’s size with slightly rounded edges. It was the deepest black any of the away party had ever seen. She started toward Cyrus.
Synchronizer said, “When you take it from her Cyrus, hold the cube tightly. You will get the directions out as well as almost all of our knowledge. Let it flow into you without resistance. Call up the information you need to get out like a memory. It will be there. I can impart the way through but I don’t know all the hazards Vallari has the information already.”
Echo looked to Xerces before handing Cyrus the cube. Again Xerces nodded his agreement.
“Cyrus?” Echo said.
“Yes.”
She handed it over and he grasped the cube tightly. Cyrus instantly felt a massive wave of information flooding his senses. It was almost too much. All the information about Aedhan civilization Synchronizer had flooded in. Now he too could read the strange writing on the screens. It told a story of failing defenses, disunity in the face of the threat and death on a massive scale. There was very little on the Trigmani transferred from the cube or on the screens. Synchronizer was in a collection of intelligences. Not all were in agreement about helping the new strangers who just showed up and a power struggle was going on below Synchronizer’s placid seeming surface. Cyrus felt he had to get his crewmates out as soon as possible.
“I know the way now. Time is short. Kurt, can you ride on my back?”
“Yeah-“
“Hold on, any other options? Anyone else?” Xerces said.
“Should I go and send a message as well?” Vallari asked.
‘Not if Cyrus thinks he can get through in time. I want us together as much as possible,” Xerces said.
“I’d like Kurt to stay with us,” Bobby said.
“Kurt?” Xerces asked.
“I ain’t sure I can walk no ten hours yet. I’ll be good with Cyrus,” Kurt said.
“So long as any of us live, we will not leave you behind,” Ankius answered.
Yuki put her arm around Kurt’s shoulder to reinforce what Ankius said. Cyrus turned around and got on his knees and motioned for Kurt to climb on his back, put his arms around his neck and sit on his hands placed behind him. Kurt climbed on the back of the large cyborg, taking the seat his hands made. Getting uncomfortable or needing to rest were not factors for Cyrus. He could carry the young man around the entire planet over and over. Cyrus’ power source was good for thousands of years. He stood and was about to pass through a door they had not noticed before next to the front screen.
“There are dangers here, Xerces. Time is of the essence,” Cyrus said and disappeared.
“He’s right Xerces. We too should go,” Vallari said.
Xerces picked up immediately on Cyrus’ urgency and he knew Vallari was not one to panic easily. He also understood they knew more about what was going on around them than he did.
“Vallari, Bobby take point. Ankius rearguard. Echo, Fiona, Yuki, with me. Keep your lights on and stay within sight of each other as much as possible. Let’s not get separated,” Xerces said and pointed to the door Cyrus and Kurt had gone through. Vallari nodded yes.
Vallari led Bobby down a stone staircase going down a square shaft illuminated by the lights on their spacesuits. The gray, brown and black carved rock had an ancient, timeless feel. There was no rail opposite the wall, just a dark, beckoning, bottomless void. The steps were worn and uneven in places requiring one’s full attention. They descended into a reddish mist that further obscured their already limited vision. At last the stairs came to a sudden stop. There was a floor barely visible below. The drop was a little taller than Ankius, not enough to kill outright but a hazard nonetheless. Running down these steps would not end well. Bobby helped ease Vallari down as far as he could, then she helped him. One by one they helped each other. Ankius jumped himself, landing without incident. They had come out in a room of unknown dimensions not being able to see more than a few arm lengths ahead.
“I know the way but cannot see it,” Vallari said.
“Can you lead us?” Xerces asked.
‘Yes, stay close,” she answered.
“We can see each other with heads up tracking but not anything else. Do any of you feel anything else in this room?” Xerces said.
“No but this place makes me uneasy. Let’s get moving,” Ankius said.
Vallari started walking slowly with the rest in tow. There were occasional drops like very large steps they had to jump down walk across and climb back up. They could see no walls or ceiling as they gingerly made their way across the vast unnatural, underground cavern. Finally, they came to a closed metal door. It was huge, thick and shut tight.
“There should be a touch screen,” Vallari said.
Yuki pointed off to the right. It was there just beyond the reach of their lights smashed to pieces.
“Oh, no!” Vallari gasped.
“Don’t panic! Don’t panic! We can go back the way we came if we have to,” Xerces said.
“There has to be a backup,” Ankius said.
“Let’s slow down and think it through,” Echo added.
Fiona knelt down to take a closer look at the broken pieces. Several broken switches still attached to wires caught her attention.
“Hey, I found something,” she said.
Everyone quickly gathered around looking at what she had discovered. She tried the switches and nothing happened.
“No, it has to be a certain order,” Vallari said. She continued, “Red up, blue down, black down. Try that.”
Fiona tried again. At first nothing happened. Everyone looked at Vallari like this was somehow her fault.
“Give it a minute. This is a very old mechanism,” she said.
Sure enough a low grinding sound came from the metal door as it started rising slowly. Ankius positioned himself flat on the ground next to the door and his plasma rifle at the ready to see what was on the other side. He watched as a well lit, empty tunnel came into view. He crawled in and motioned for the others to follow. Once they were all in the tunnel, a thunderous boom came from above and the door fell back down closing the way back.
“We cannot reopen it. There is no going back,” Vallari said.
The strange reddish fog was gone. This place was clear, bright and modern looking. Steel grates made up the wide floor and metallic walls meeting above them in an arch leading in one direction made up the rest. Vallari and Bobby started walking and they fell into the same order as before. The only sounds were footsteps and breathing.
“Synchronizer indicates this part is about a ten-minute walk,” Vallari said.
“Are you still connected to it?” Xerces asked.
“No. I lost the connection as soon as we left the auditorium. I know this route as well as going from one end of Phoebe to the other,” Vallari answered.
“So how far along are we?” Echo asked.
“Until we are above ground again?”
“Yeah.”
“38% complete.”
“This place reminds me of the mines, still and lifeless.” Fiona said.
“I’m not so sure about the lifeless part. We have not seen any yet, but we have a long way to go,” Xerces said.
They came to another huge metal door. It was propped open by several steel rods. It was high enough for them to craw through. Ankius got down on all fours to have a look inside.
“Look at this place! There must be a city in here,” he said motioning for the others to come forward. He went under the door and stood. The rest followed.
There was no ancient stonework here. Bright lights high above revealed a massive hanger assembly area for what had to be an ark ship. A lone box of power switches hung in front of them from a single thick line. Cyrus and Kurt had propped the door open and turned the lights on for the entire complex, at least what could be seen of it from here. Nothing moved, soundless and endless platforms, catwalks and rooms long derelict stared back at them. They could see the outline of an incomplete ship far in the distance.
“Vallari?” Xerces asked breaking the stunned silence that had overtaken them.
“Unbelievable. Yes, I know the way through,” she said walking forward.
They stayed together as a group with a feeling of awe. It was more powerful than any danger they felt. The place had been abandoned almost a millennium ago but looked like it had been in use an hour before. The floors were clean, workstations neat, and not a spec of dirt or grime to be found anywhere. Somebody or something had to keep this place up. Where were they? How did they feel about strangers trekking though? Xerces thought.
“Something has to be here, tactical formation,” Xerces said.
Bobby and Vallari moved forward, Ankius drifted back. Xerces, Yuki, Fiona and Echo remade the center. Their only company was their own footfalls and the little hum sound made by far off life support systems. The place was too neat and tidy considering the frantic work that went on here.
They were moving at a fast walk when Ankius spoke, “There are things here observing us. I keep seeing flashes of movement that look like tiny white sparks from a fire. When I try to focus on one, it’s gone.”
“I think I’ve seen them too. I thought that was just my mind,” Vallari said.
‘Friends, walk with confidence, without fear. They have shown no hostility, let’s do the same,” Ankius said.
Vallari led them through a series of passageways, huge utility rooms, up and down high catwalks until they finally came to another blast door propped up by several thick metal rods. They passed under and continued down another long, well-lit passage. Ankius could tell Yuki was getting tired. Her gate had become awkward and her breathing a little irregular. He picked her up and she put her arms around his neck.
“She okay?” Xerces asked.
“I think so but too proud to ask for help. We don’t know what’s ahead. I want to save her strength.”
“How far, Vallari?” Xerces asked.
“We are almost there,” she answered.
“Team, this is Cyrus. Can you hear me?”
“This is Xerces! We hear you! We are close. Your status? How’s Kurt?”
“We are fine. We made it out, called both Rhea and Little Gaia. Kurt is already on Rhea covering the landing area. Little Gaia will be here within the hour. We are all being observed. I recommend leaving as soon as possible.”
“We agree. Glad to hear you Cyrus,” Xerces said.
They finally emerged from underground into a small clearing surrounded mostly by trees. The sun had gone down already, replaced by a star filled night. They could see one of the moons. It had a bluish tent.
“This area is too small for landing. I found one big enough close by,” Cyrus said.
“Hey Kurt, where are you?” Bobby asked.
“Hey man, ‘bout thirty seconds up. No lights on in town. Even that spooky building is dark. I did a quick fly-by and I didn’t see no people. Maybe I just missed them?”
“Anybody near us? Anything near us?” Xerces asked.
“Not that I can tell,” Cyrus answered.
“I ain’t seen anything either,” Kurt answered.
“Stay tactical, weapons ready. Cyrus, lead the way,” Xerces said.
“Watch your every step, lots of rocks, thick vegetation,” Cyrus said.
Ankius put Yuki down. Cyrus led them carefully through the thick, dark undergrowth. They came to a meadow covered in tall grass and stunted trees. It was not an ideal landing site but was all they had. With all the trees ringing the area, there was no sign of the silent city they had left behind. There was nothing to do but wait in tense silence. All still felt uneasy in this strange place full of unknowns. Finally, they could hear the low rumble of Little Gaia coming into land. Her bright lights flooded the area as she found the best position to land. Inman and Abigail appeared as the ramp came down ready to assist anyone in need. Xerces and Ankius waited while everyone scrambled aboard. They took one last look around the area for anything left behind and then came up the ramp, which quickly closed behind them. Xerces accounted for each crewmember secured in their seats and gave the order to take off. No one spoke until they were completely beyond Aedha’s atmosphere.
Fiona let out a sigh, “I felt like we were being watched and listened to the whole time. I hope to never experience anything like that again.”
The others nodded in agreement. Vallari spoke, “On Elras, before I met Ankius, I was a high Priestess for my king. My role was to connect to an oracle and interpret meaning for the kingdom. I think this is why Synchronizer picked me. It could tell all that was going on through me. I think I had access to all of it as well. There was a profound sadness and a difficult struggle going on with other powerful entities. The connection seemed to break when I left the auditorium. Like you Fiona, I also felt watched and listened to the whole time. Even once we left the tunnel, I still felt watched and listened to. Xerces, I think we should be very careful about what we share with Synchronizer.”
“I agree. We will all do a debrief. I’m glad to be on the way home,” Xerces said letting out a sigh.
“Excuse me, I have a concern,” Echo said.
“What is it, Echo?” Xerces asked.
“Are we going to share the blocking technology with 651? I still don’t trust him.”
“He will find out about it sooner or later. I think trying to hide it creates a whole new set of problems. What do the rest of you think?” Xerces said.
“I still don’t fully trust him either. I’m not sure how we could hide it even if we wanted to,” Fiona said.
“I think he’s sincere,” Yuki added.
“Vallari, Ankius?” Xerces said.
“I tend to agree with Yuki. I trust him but still only at arms-length. He’s impossible for me to read,” Vallari said.
“He could have facilitated our capture a long time ago. His motivation seems real enough to me. He has my trust for now. Cyrus could we hide what we found from him?” Ankus said.
“I’m still not sure of all of his capabilities. I’m sure he has infiltrated all of our systems and as soon as we share our findings with Phoebe, he will know. I have the technology within my systems now. So even jettisoning the cube will not help. I see no gain from hiding our findings,” Cyrus said.
“If we can trust him, he may know how to make it work even better. I would be interested in seeing how he reacts,” Ankius said.
“I say we share it. Echo, Fiona?” Xerces said.
“I guess we have to,” Echo said.
Fiona remained silent.
“Kurt, Bobby?” Xerces asked.
Bobby frowned and gave a slow thumbs up.
“I’m cool with it,” Kurt said listening in from Rhea.
Xerces called out, “Hey Roller, contact Dzann and let her know we found something!”
The trip back to phoebe was only a few uneventful hours. Cyrus had the little black cube in a pouch on his belt. “The mission went well and we really lucked out,” Xerces thought. He knew they all needed a really good rest and was thankful everyone made it without injury. Xerces was used to operating alone but he felt good about how things went over all. Dzann was wise to send Yuki. She had been helpful. Dzann and Marcus, along with several MD-20’s met them once back aboard Phoebe.
The MD-20’s on the mission quickly left for their normal stations on Phoebe. Cyrus and the rest of the human crew gathered around Dzann and Marcus.
“Anyone need medical attention, Xerces?” Dzann asked.
“No. We are all okay. We found a lot of good information, even something that may be helpful. Cyrus?”
They had asked Cyrus to explain all they had found. He showed Dzann and Marcus the black cube, “This has a huge amount of data about the Aedan world but we also found something that may be helpful for us as well. Where is 651?”
“He’s still on board. I can summon him,” Phoebe said.
“Please do,” Cyrus said.
651 entered the hanger area and greeted them, “How was the trip? Successful?”
“We found this,” Cyrus said and transmitted the information on how to block Trigmani command code to 651.
“They studied this already and know how to get around it. However, with a few modifications, I think we can get it to work again. Upload it to Phoebe now and I’ll play with the code some. I had low expectations but this may be invaluable to us! Good work! Good find!”
That was the first time anyone had heard 651sound the least bit excited about anything. All were taken aback.
“Before putting the code in Phoebe’s systems, I want to run it through some security checks. I also advise having Zenon look at it as well,” Cyrus added.
“Synchronizer wanted information about Phoebe in return. I told it our crew would have to decide together what we could share,” Xerces said.
“Be cautious. I think Synchronizer only appears to be leading. There is a silent storm of infighting just below the surface. Also, people still live there. Too much power could be deleterious in the long run,” Vallari said.
“Thoughts, Phoebe?” Dzann asked.
“I’m afraid to share my highest function architecture with it. Maybe some materials morphing and shipbuilding technology?”
“Let’s hold off on shipbuilding for now. How about astronomical findings?” Dzann said.
“Add a promise to assist any ark ships we find,” Echo said.
“I can agree to that,” Dzann said.
“With people there, I think we should add our advanced medicine. Synchronizer can figure out how to get it into their hands,” Vallari added.
“So materials morphing, astronomical findings, medical advances and a promise to assist any ark ships we come across, anything else?” Dzann said.
“And remind Synchronizer of Niko’s willingness to meet, trade and help,” Echo added.
“Only after we verify the safety of what he sent,” Cyrus said.
“Sounds reasonable Cyrus. Get some rest and we will start debriefs in the morning,” Dzann said.
Zenon, Cyrus, 651 and Phoebe examined the data carefully and found nothing malicious. They established a communications link and sent the agreed to information. Synchronizer thanked them and wished their mission a success. Dzann, Xerces and Phoebe debriefed each away team member one by one to fully understand all that happened and how to do better on the next away mission. Brien helped Vallari do medical checks to assure all were healthy. Dzann ordered Phoebe to leave orbit and head for the Drager Nebulas at best possible speed.
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