The Earthfleet Saga- Volume One Read online

  “Yes, sir. Hyperlight physics is a pain sometimes.”

  “Work the numbers, then bring it to the Bridge. Don’t trust the in-ship comm, they’ve probably tapped into it by now, regardless what Intel thinks.”

  “Give me an hour so I can get the techs to stop laughin’ when I tell them about this crazy stunt.”

  * * *

  Simmons arrived ninety minutes later. Haversen led him to the Ready Room, leaving Ndashimye at the con after she had overseen a full ship’s diagnostic and run evasive maneuvers simulations in auxiliary control. Haversen sat at his desk and motioned Simmons to a chair. The Chief Engineer paced as he talked rather than taking a seat.

  “Sir, the numbers are right on the edge. At maximum power, everything we’ve got, the phase coil temperature hits redline three minutes after we exceed 100c.”

  Haversen nodded. “That’s good. So we can get three minutes at 200c, which is twice as fast as the Jen’riss can go. What else.”

  Simmons sat at last and looked Haversen in the eye. “I don’t wanna see this ship go down without a fight. So let me keep enough power for, say, thirty seconds of PAKS and the torpedo launchers. Maybe we can take one or two of them with us.”

  Haversen nodded again. “I agree. We fight until we can’t anymore, then we run.”

  “Straight home to mama, as we say in Tennessee, sir.”

  “How long to set it up?”

  “I’ve got the techs working on it now. Say three hours.”

  Haversen raised an eyebrow. “So you think this is a good idea, right?”

  “Sir, it’s crazy, but what choice do we have?”

  Haversen considered for a quiet moment. “Keep the power levels down as you prepare. I don’t want the Jen’riss to have any hint of what we’re doing.” Thirty seconds of Particlebeam Accelerators and two spreads of twelve torpedoes each. Keep that in your pocket, Stony.”

  “Yes, sir. About what I had in mind.”

  They rose together and clasped hands. “It’s been an honor serving with you, Captain.”

  “You, too, Commander. And we aren’t dead yet. Let’s keep it that way.”

  Five

  Revelations

  “Duty Log, Captain William Haversen, 160803.8. Less than twenty-four standard hours are left before the planet enters the Interdiction Zone. Commander Somura’s team is finishing their data collection and packing up their gear. Tension is beginning to increase onboard, but Commander Ndashimye and the department heads are managing well.

  We know the Jen’riss will do something, it’s just a matter of what and when. At this point, they’re still quiet and keeping station on their side of the Interdiction Zone. Still, I’ve ordered the XO to begin running combat sims as necessary with both the main Bridge crew and auxiliary control.”

  * * *

  “Commander! We’ve got company!”

  Security ensign O’Malley’s shout cut through the chatter in the E-lab as the techs and scientists scrambled to complete packing their gear and specimens. Somura stood from strapping down collapsible tables and chairs and hurried to the airlock where the security guards had been keeping watch.

  Three of the creatures stood about ten meters from the hatch. Three more appeared, then three more. As the crew collected around the viewports, more than thirty of the animal-like inhabitants waited in a semicircle. Faint yips and barks could be heard through the E-lab’s audio sensors.

  James Cooper, the forensics expert, listened carefully, then shook his head. “Not enough to tell if these sounds are language or just noise.”

  “Commander, permission to go outside.” Cooper looked Somura in the eye, then Haley and Martinez stepped closer, as in support.

  “They obviously want something,” said Haley.

  “Yeah, they may want us for lunch,” grumbled O’Malley, but the scientists shook their heads in unison.

  “If so, they would have attacked us any time we were outside and vulnerable,” said Haley sharply. “There’s nothing to indicate hostility in their actions or stance.” She motioned to the port. “Empty hands, relaxed posture, no sign of aggression or movement toward the lab. They’re waiting, pure and simple. Commander, these creatures may be more intelligent than we thought.”

  “What the…” Cooper pushed past the security guards and nearly pressed his face against the port.

  Several creatures from behind the front line moved into sight, each one carrying the plates found in the hidden chambers. They laid them out neatly in a row, several to a stack, and fifteen across, then stepped back and waited with the others.

  “Trap,” said O’Malley.

  Cooper snorted. “Hardly. It’s an offering.”

  “Bellerophon to Commander Somura. Two hours to return. Please advise your status.” Shaw’s voice from the intercom cut through the chatter, startling several of the group.

  “Not now,” hissed Haley.

  Somura passed a hard look to the scientist as she pressed her wrist communicator. “Somura here. We’re in the process, Bellerophon, but… please put me through to the captain.”

  “We’ve got to stay,” whispered Cooper. “We’ve got to understand what this really is. If they want us to take the plates, we can’t refuse!”

  “Haversen here. What’s the problem, Commander?”

  “Sir, we’ve had a very unique… event take place just now. The creatures, about forty or fifty of them, are outside the lab.”

  “Are you in danger? Do you need additional security?” Haversen’s voice was calm, but Somura could feel his tension rising.

  “No, sir, just the opposite. They’ve brought the plates we discovered. Laid them out on the ground, like an offering, Doctor Cooper says. They’re just standing there, waiting for us to come out and pick them up, it appears.”

  “Under no circumstances is anyone to leave the lab, Commander.”

  “Yes, sir, but…” Somura’s voice trailed.

  Haley took Somura’s wrist and spoke into the comm. “Captain, this is Doctor Haley. We can’t pass this up. It’s a test, and these creatures are obviously a lot smarter than we thought. They’ve avoided us completely through this entire project, and now, on our leaving, they appear with the very discoveries we were going to leave behind. Please, Captain, try to understand the importance of this.”

  “Margaret, look outside.” Cooper motioned to the creatures, still waiting beyond the lab. One had stepped forward and bared an arm. As they watched, it drew a crude stone knife across the flesh. Dark blood dripped.

  “I don’t believe it.” Cooper shook his head.

  “Somura, what’s going on? XO, get a security squad to the flight deck on the double!”

  “Sir, nothing! That is…” Words failed Somura as she tried to comprehend what was happening.

  Cooper activated his wrist comm. “Captain, one of the creatures is apparently offering us a blood sample.”

  “Why would they do that?” The tension in Haversen’s voice continued to rise.

  “DNA, Captain, or whatever their analogy is. We can compare it to samples we’ve gleaned from bits of bone and hair we collected. We can trace the lineage of these creatures and find how they’re related to those who set this world adrift!”

  The comm was silent for moments, but ship’s system sounds emanated around Haversen’s command seat.

  “Sir,” said Somura formally, “request permission to attempt communication with the planet’s inhabitants. They’ve made the first move. They know we’re here and why. We’re not hiding anything from them at this point, nor are they exhibiting any aggressive manner. I’ll take full responsibility for those wanting to stay.”

  “Bull,” said Haley. “If I get killed and eaten here, it’s no one’s fault but mine!”

  Nervous laughter made its way around the lab.

  Again, Bellerophon was silent for a long time.

  “Sir?”

  Haversen let go a breath over the intercom. “Who is ready to return to the ship now?�
�

  Somura looked around the lab, meeting every pair of eyes. No one spoke. “We’re all staying, sir. We want to see this to the end.”

  “I have a security team ready in a shuttle.”

  “No thank you, sir. We’re fine. Give us…” Somura looked to Cooper, who held up four fingers. “Four hours, sir. We’ll report in then.”

  “That will eat into your safety margin, Commander.”

  “Yes, sir. We’ll take the risk.”

  A voice away from Haversen’s comm came over Somura’s wrist comp. “Let them have their day, Steven. They’ve earned it.”

  Haversen’s voice held a quiet chuckle. “Doctor Blakeney says I should let you all die a horrible death down there.”

  Somura smiled. “Yes, sir. I’m sure you will sing songs about our folly.”

  “Very, well, Commander. Four hours. If I don’t hear from you then, I’m sending in the cavalry.”

  “Thank you, sir. Somura out.”

  A cheer went up in the E-lab.

  * * *

  They scrambled into their E-suits, then waited as Somura gave orders in the airlock. “Doctor Haley with me, Ensign O’Malley and three security. Everyone else stays in the lab.”

  A groan rose and Somura held her hand. “We’re going out for initial contact, nothing else. Everyone will get their chance to go back outside and sweat bringing these plates into the lab and securing them for transport. That is, if we decide to take them.”

  “You can’t be serious, Commander,” said Cooper.

  “I am, Doctor,” replied Somura. “This team is my responsibility, regardless of what Dr. Haley said. We keep to protocols and do everything by the book, or no one leaves the lab. Understood?”

  “We understand,” said Haley quietly, after a pause. “And you’re right. We’re all just a bit… anxious.”

  “So am I, Doctor, but likely for different reasons. Alright, everyone else stays in the lab and secures the inner hatch.”

  They waited as the hatch closed and dogged, and the airlock vacated. Somura looked to O’Malley. “Sidearms on stun. Open the outer hatch, Ensign.”

  The hatch cycled, and O’Malley and Parker stepped out with weapons in hand. The creatures didn’t move from their semicircle, giving no ground but not advancing, either. They stood, hands empty, soft barks and whistles heard in their ranks.

  “Clear, Commander.”

  Somura ducked through the low hatchway and stood straight between the security men. Haley followed, then Ensign Pakash. The fourth stayed inside the airlock.

  “Leave the hatch open, Ensign,” said Somura softly. She took a step toward the creatures. “Stay a step or two behind me, O’Malley.” She held open hands before her and took another step. Again, the creatures didn’t move, but their vocalizations grew in volume. One at the center of the semicircle barked sharply, and the noises ceased.

  “Found your doppelganger,” quipped Haley, and Somura suppressed a grin in spite of herself.

  “Slow and easy,” said O’Malley, watching the line of creatures.

  They smelled of animal, through the suits’ olfactory sensors; not unpleasant, but not human or terrestrial in any way. Somura noted intelligence behind the bright, dark eyes, intelligence that hadn’t come through in the vids they’d captured.

  Yes, she thought, they’re much brighter than we imagined. Sometimes we deceive ourselves, and assume intelligence based on appearance. We do that even with our own.

  “I am Lieutenant Commander Aiko Somura of the Earth Alliance Starship EAS Bellerophon. We come in peace. We mean no harm.”

  “They can’t understand you, Commander,” whispered Haley. “But your tone of voice may carry emotional content they can feel or read.”

  Somura nodded. “Thank you.” She faced the center creature and spoke, this time less formally. “We seek only knowledge and to know how we may aid you.” She gestured to the plates arranged on the ground. “These are yours, and speak of your home world. We are… awed by the power and courage required to move this world.” She nearly gave a smile. “Well done.”

  The creature took two steps forward. The security guards stiffened, and Parker started to bring his weapon up.

  “No,” said Somura softly. “Let me do this. If they kill me, O’Malley, you’re in charge.”

  Somura stepped forward again, this time three paces. The creature did likewise. They now stood five meters apart. Somura took two more steps and the creature followed suit. Two more steps each, and they stood two meters apart.

  “Commander, that’s close enough,” said O’Malley quietly. “Please be careful.”

  Somura touched her chest. “Aiko Somura.” She extended her hand to the creature, palm open. It barked twice, a high, nasally sound, the second bark higher-pitched than the first, then extended its hand as well.

  Somura marveled. The fingers were stubby but double-knuckled, like human hands, ending in heavy nails or claws. The thumb was opposed, as humans.

  “Tool makers and users,” said Haley softly from behind.

  Somura gently touched the creature’s hand, then clasped it carefully. It felt small, fragile in her own, and her hands were not large by human standards. The creature closed its fingers around hers and gave a hideous, toothy grin. Somura bowed formally.

  Communication had begun.

  * * *

  In the end, understanding was basic and straight-forward. The head creature, “Bark-Bark”, as named by Cooper, who apparently had a horrid sense of humor, simply gestured to the plates, extended its arm to the lab, then looked to the sky with an all-encompassing gesture.

  “Take the plates, they are yours, return to your domain,” translated Cooper. He stood aside with Somura as the others carefully wrapped each plate individually in preparation for transfer to the ship.

  “This just makes … no sense.” Somura, fatigued emotionally and mentally more than physically, shook her head. “Still, we don’t have answers. Who put the plates here, why do these creatures guard them, and why would they allow us to take them?”

  “Commander, we’ve had only a few days. Surely these will give us all the answers we could hope for.”

  “And what do we do about the planet itself?” asked Haley.

  Martinez and Cooper shrugged.

  Somura sighed. “It’s not in our hands, Doctor. It never really was.”

  “Bellerophon to Commander Somura.” Shaw’s voice broke their reflectiveness.

  Somura nearly jumped at the comm signal. She punched the button on her wrist-comp. “Somura here. Yes, we’re at our four-hour limit, I know.”

  “Report, Commander,” came Haversen’s voice.

  “Situation nominal, Captain. We’ve established rudimentary communications and have been offered the plates. All of them. There are one hundred and ten in all. We’re in the process of preparing them for the trip back. They don’t mass much, about half a kilo each.”

  “What about the creatures themselves?”

  Somura put the comm on speaker. “Sir, I’ll defer to Doctors Haley and Cooper on that.” She motioned them to speak.

  “They’re intelligent, Captain,” began Haley, “possibly as bright as we are in an archaic way. Not technically bright, but street-smart, you could say.”

  “No aggressiveness shown toward us at all,” continued Cooper. “But this is only one situation and it’s entirely at their initiative. They’re in control and we dare not forget that.”

  “Are they aware of the Jen’riss, Commander?”

  “Sir, I have no way to communicate that to them, but they seem to understand we come from the sky, so to speak, and will return to it. They’re very willing to see us off with these… treasures.”

  Haversen was quiet for a time. “There’s nothing we can do to keep the planet from entering the I-Zone, and then Jen’riss space. I’ve spoken briefly with the XO and she advised me the methods used during the Eridani situation involves forces we have no time or manner to control.”


  “Yes, sir. We understand. It’s as though the original inhabitants hid the plates and prepared a story for the discoverers. As Doctor Cooper says, what else could they be?”

  “Their legacy,” said Haley softly.

  Again, the comm was quiet. At last, Haversen spoke again. “Very good, Commander. Complete your business and return to the ship on the double.”

  “Sir, we still have a couple of hours work here.”

  “Then finish up as quickly as possible and advise us when you’re ready. We have less than ten hours before the planet enters the I-Zone.”

  “Aye, sir. Thank you. Somura out.” She closed the contact. “Double your efforts, everyone. Ensign O’Malley, I’m going back outside with the doctors, so please come along. You, too, Mr. Parker.”

  They had kept their E-suits on but disconnected the breathers. Quickly they checked connections, filters, and regulators, then exited once again. Most of the creatures had left, but Bark-Bark and a dozen others were still there, sitting on their haunches in a circle, almost looking like a pack of dogs. Or wolves. They rose as Somura and her charges approached.

  She bowed formally and raised a small recorder before her lips. “We thank you for the gifts. We will treat them with all honor and respect. We hope to learn your story from them.”

  She paused before continuing. “Your world is entering a place that is… disputed, between our people and others, called Jen’riss. We do not think they will harm you or your world, but we offer this as a warning. If you can learn my words soon, perhaps you can prepare, should they come to your world as did we.”

  She swallowed, not knowing exactly what else to say. “Again, thank you. You are a noble and generous people. It is my hope we may meet again.”

  She bowed again, then handed the recorder to the creature. The small, furred hand closed around it carefully, then the creature bowed as well.

  Somura smiled, and nearly shed a tear.

  Six

  Hold Fast

  “Duty Log, Captain William Haversen, 160804.4. With the discovery the creatures on the rogue planet are intelligent, this mission has taken on a different mindset. No longer can we consider this a scientific finding, but first contact with a new species. Therefore, everything we know about the planet and its inhabitants has been sent directly to Fleet Base Eight as of two hours ago. And the landing party is soon to arrive back on Bellerophon, so things are getting even more tense as we prepare for whatever the Jen’riss might do.