The Mystery of Sol-Eros
Standing on the balcony of the temple Erin, High Priestess of the people on the planet Sol-Eros watches the sunrise. It had been ten sunrises since she sent the ambassador from the Abh Empire packing. “What a foolish and arrogant little man he was. I hope the next representatives of the Empire have a greater understanding of our laws and customs.” The opening of the door behind her took her attention from the sunrise and her impressions of the Abh Ambassador. “Priestess, the council awaits the time for discussion is near.” Li assistant to Erin stands there Erin doesn’t move. “Did you hear me? The time for discussion is near. Don’t keep the council waiting, please.” Erin comes to her senses she dons her day smock, then she and Li leave the temple. Outside it was a day like most had been lately, bright, breezy and warm. The radiation from the sun reflected off her day smock as she and Li headed for the council chamber.
The high council chamber was in the remnants of the ship that had brought them to this planet a little over a thousand years ago. As they entered the chamber grew quite. “You’re late Erin. You’ve kept us waiting. The temperature outside climbs.” Kim, head of the council and Li’s father continues. “It has been ten cycles of the sun since the arrogant one left here, we have yet to discuss how we will greet their next representatives. You Erin, daughter of the great leader Kyle first in line to the eternal leadership have not given this council your thoughts on how to accept the overtures from the next ones.” Erin walks past him and sits in a chair facing the group.
“I’ve come to a decision we will let them be the first to communicate, depending on their sincerity we can then decide if they come to the surface or stay in space.” Kim folds his arms and stares her in the face “Do we address them visually this time or use the standard vocal greeting?” Erin smiles, “Let’s see how we are greeted before we greet them that is my answer to the question.” Kim nods and sits across the room from Erin Li joins him. Erin looks to another person in the room, “Scholar of Science is there any change?” The woman stands and faces Erin, “This season will be the worst on record. Forty percent of those areas that were safe last year will not be this year. Our only hope is for outside intervention, we have exhausted our science, Priestess.” Erin sits back; decisions will have to be made this time. There is no getting around it. “If these Abh are all that we’ve been told of, then they should be able to help.” A moments fear grasps at her, then the cold realization settles in.
*********
The fragile government that Ramaj and Kenesh had formed was beginning to feel stresses from within the royal family. Twice plans had been made to find a successor to the throne and twice the candidates were killed before the contest ended. The present list of available candidates did not have any of the necessary skills learned, to ascend to the Jade throne. However the Grand Council was getting ready to put into motion a plan that would accelerate this learning curve over Ramaj’s objections.Debeusec entered the office where Ramaj stood. She sensed his entrance and spoke without turning towards him “Well my son, Dustain is almost here, the grand council is planning folly and Lafiel is off to Sol-Eros. This will prove to be a very interesting couple of months.” Debeusec stood their, silent, contemplating Ramaj’s words. It was a couple of minutes before he finally spoke. “Sol-Eros? Now why is Lafiel off to that place? What is her mission?” Ramaj turns to him, a look of surprise on her face. “Since when have you started caring about what that child does? If you want to know, you’re going to have to wait. We have business here that takes importance over what Lafiel does.”
Ramaj turns away from Debeusec. “You should go greet Dustain my son, make sure he’s comfortable and that Dr. Sasoum gives him a through physical. Report back to me when the doctor is finished.” Debeusec leaves the room Ramaj looks out into space, “I hope you’re well rested Lafiel. This mission will take all the skill and knowledge you have.” She turns and leaves the room. She heads for another showdown with the Grand Council.
*********
Sord Vorash cleared they settled into position at the orbital tower that led to the planet. While Ku unloaded the shuttle Seelnay arranged for it’s berthing. “You understand I want this ship kept ready for departure at a moments notice.” The stationmaster nods his head. “I understand ma’am I’ve gotten orders from Admiral Sobbash concerning the care of this ship while it’s here. I’ll do my very best.” Seelnay turns to leave and the stationmaster asks one last question. “How long are you planning on staying this time?” Walking away she tosses her hands in the air and says, “At a moments notice.” The stationmaster again nods and turns towards the ship. “It will need a check up and refueling, hopefully I’ll have a couple of days to do that in.” Turning back he watches as Seelnay and Ku board the shuttle to the surface and says aloud; “Kids, they never change, they always want everything, yesterday.” Opening his creunoc he calls the maintenance crew to the ship. The sooner they start the sooner she can depart ‘at a moments notice.’
Arriving on the surface they head for Ku’s house. Their luggage stacked on the walk Ku sweeps Seelnay off her feet and carries her through the front door. They stand in the living room embraced and kissing. It’s Seelnay who finally breaks the silence, “Are we going to leave our stuff outside dear?” Ku grins; they walk outside gather their things and take them inside. Ku closes the door and the quiet of the day continues.
*********
Sobbash snaps off the display, this has been the third call from Atosuryua today. She’s had enough. It’s time to become scarce. Her executive officer sits outside her office, a brilliant officer that Admiral Bebaus recommended to her before he left. Sobbash knowing her past gladly invited her into the staff. Now it was time to use her abilities again. “You know where I’ll be. I don’t want to be disturbed unless it’s important.” The executive officer nods, “I’ll keep her at bay; go relax Admiral you look as if you could use the change.” Sobbash smiles and leaves the office. It was a short walk to the farm. Entering the building she finds a familiar figure already at work. Donning coveralls she joins him. “Any news Sobbash?” She shakes her head. “Just Atosuryua’s continual complaining. I really wish the rebel warships aim had been a little better.” Samson stops turns and towards her. “You never been this upset before she must have really hit a spot this morning.”
Sobbash reaches for a bean plant, she’s ignoring Samson’s statement. Samson stops her hand and holds it. Through the glove he can feel the anger within her. She rises her gaze to his there is a fire in her eyes that he’s seen before. Leaning towards her he places a kiss upon those lips. They are like the rim of a cup filled with steaming hot coffee. She stands there he can feel the anger subside within her. She again reaches for a bean plant and takes it from the tray. She gently places it in the planting tray. He watches her continue to plant beans, diffusing her anger into a constructive effort. He’s very happy they have each other.
*********
“Captain we’ve established contact with the Ambassadors ship. Shall I notify Her Highness and Count Hyde?” Ekuryua sat scanning the space around them. They were in a lack luster chunk of an obscure system that had nothing going for it. “No I’ll go tell them, time to rendezvous?” the answer was three hours; Ekuryua left the bridge and headed for Jinto and Lafiel’s quarters. Approaching the door a conversation could be heard she pushed the door chime. “Yes who is it?” Lafiel’s voice sounded very annoyed. “It’s Noel we’ve made contact with the Ambassador’s ship.” Lafiel interrupted. “Are you alone?” Noel answered she was, the door suddenly opened and there stood Lafiel dressed, “Come in Noel I‘m not ready for the rest of the crew to see me like this well not yet.” She had the harem girl outfit on minus the top and bottom. The sheer fabric was covering all of her. Noel looked around the room, Jinto was sitting at a table files in his hand reading. “Well you think this will be acceptable on a planet that the residents don’t wear clothes on?” Noel stood staring, her mind usually accepted anything that those two had done in the past, but this was a little over the top, even for her thinking. “Are you comfortable wearing it Lafiel?” Noel leaned back against the closed door it afforded her the support she desperately needed at that moment.
Jinto finished his files, closed and put them on the table, looking at Lafiel he said; “You’ve become quite the exhibitionist lately. However I feel these are repressed feelings from your childhood. Some how I can see you running naked thought the royal living quarters.” She turned and glared at him, “You’re just jealous, you know I’m extremely attractive and you fear having half the planet swoon over me.” She smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Jinto I’m yours remember that will you.”
Noel, still a bit shaken by this display finally decided to add her asked for opinion. “Speaking as the person responsible for your safety I feel that outfit is a little too revealing. I don’t know what we will find at Sol-Eros but if it turns out you two go down there alone I have no way to guarantee your safety.” Noel smiles, “And just where were you going to hide your laser pistol Lafiel?” Lafiel frowns at her, “I see your point Noel consider it logged and noted.” Lafiel grabs her robe and puts it around her. “How long till we rendezvous?” Noel looks at her creunoc “Two point seven-five hours. Have you two made any sense out of the report?”
Jinto smiles, “Yes we have there is one thing that is consistent over the past three hundred years that the Abh have been observing this system.” Noel raises an eyebrow, “And?” Jinto continues. “The planets population, its never less than twenty two thousand four hundred and never more than twenty two thousand four hundred and fifty. They are located in one group, on the largest continent inhabiting its western shore, right here.” Jinto removes a map and points to a position on the western shore. “There has been no sign of movement or exploration of the planet since we have been observing it. Although they are living on one of the best parts of the planet as far as the climate goes, I’d still like to see the latest surveys, these we have are ten years old.”
Noel nods in agreement, “You’ll know soon, I’ll contact you when we’ve docked with his ship.” She turns to leave and says to Lafiel, “Exhibitionist? That’s a word I never though I’d hear used to describe you, Lafiel.” Not waiting for an answer she leaves their quarters. Still a bit shaken over the past half hour events, Noel returns to the bridge. Sitting in the command chair she regains her composure and it’s not a moment too soon. “Captain incoming communication its labeled Priority One and scrambled.” Noel stands, “I’ll take it in the ready room pipe it in there.” She walks across the bridge and enters the small room next to navigator’s station.
The display lamp is flashing she presses it, enters the code, and a familiar face greets her. “Captain you’ve failed to report to me twice, I asked for daily reports.” Spoors face filled the display it was plain to see she was somewhere secluded as well. “You told me to report if there were any changes, there have been none, when there are I will contact you.” She went to terminate the call but Spoor got the final word in. “You owe me Captain, remember that, granted you’ve almost paid your debit off, but for the moment, you still owe me. Spoor out!” The display darkens Ekuryua sits in the little room wondering if her deal with Spoor was really worth it. She had command of the ship and its almost unlimited use. The credits that resided in her account she earned every one of them. She shakes her head, rises out of the seat and returns to the command chair.
*********
“That woman I’ll.” Lafiel sat fuming. Noel had gotten to her again and this time it didn’t sink in till she was long gone. “Jinto what shall I do with her?” Jinto sat there looking at Lafiel even though she was wearing a robe the thought of how she greeted Noel was still in his mind. “To be truthful you’ve been a little less modest lately, not that it worries me, but others might not see the humor in what you’re doing.” Lafiel stood walked to the closet grabbed a uniform went into the bathroom and appeared two minutes later dressed for duty. “You’re right Jinto if I was to greet the ambassador dressed that way he might faint dead away and we do need more information from him now don’t we?” Jinto nods his head, “Lafiel it’s been one extreme or the other with you lately, you really need to find a middle ground and settle in. When we go planet side if you’re still bouncing off the walls, what kind of impression do you think we’ll leave?” Lafiel stared at him, “I am sending the impression that I’m goofy, scatter brained, is that what you’re trying to tell me Jinto?” Jinto nods, “Ever since that last ceremony you’ve been preoccupied with something and this missions suddenness, it seems to have left you confused, like there was something else on your mind, or.” He looks again at Lafiel. “Did you want a honeymoon or something along those lines?”
Lafiel smiles, “Yeah something like that.” She gazes at the wall then at the planet survey lying on the table. “Actually Jinto, this mission could be just the vacation we’ve been wanting.” Jinto stood shaking his head, “This mission has too much riding on it to turn it into a pleasure trip for the two of us. We do have a home were we can go to relax and be alone.” The expression on Lafiel’s face changes with Jinto’s words it becomes quite defiant. Jinto sees this and ventures on, “Hey Lafiel this is an adventure, a chance to make a change for the good. Do you really want to spoil it with selfish pleasures?” Lafiel now red faced is glaring at him, her eyes two black bottomless pits leading straight to Abh Hell, if Jinto so desired. “How dare you imply I would jeopardize this mission for my own pleasures.”
Lafiel’s anger is now raging. She raises a hand to Jinto he catches it and takes her across his lap. “My dear you’ve needed one of these for quite some time now.” Jinto firmly applies a hand to the middle of her backside. Lafiel yelps and tries to gain her freedom, but Jinto’s hold is resolute. “Jinto Lynn, you shall release me this instant, do you hear me!” Jinto tightens his grip, “Not until you understand what I’ve been saying Lafiel.” Lafiel relaxes and relents “Okay Jinto, your right business before pleasure. Its just that we’ve not been alone but my definition, for a long time and there are some things I’d like to express without interruption, the planet trip seemed the best way to be alone and.” She turns and looks Jinto in the face. The fire was gone from her eyes. “My bottom really hurts Jinto. I promise I’ll be good. Could you please release me?”
Jinto releases her, she gingerly stands before him a lone tear falls across her cheek. He stands and takes her in his arms, “Lafiel I wish I didn’t have to do that to you but sometimes your emotions override your common sense. I’m sorry.” She kisses him. “You’re right I still have to learn that I’m not sitting in a palace governing the Empire, trying to change ones destiny is very hard some times Jinto. I thank you for putting up with me.” Jinto smiles, “I love you Lafiel. I knew what I was getting into the moment I met you and I’ve not regretted one moment of it.” She pulls him towards her, “I love you too Jinto you think we could try a less painful reminder in the future? It’s going to be a while before I can sit. You really walloped me this time. It’s really smarting.” Jinto slid his hands to the top of her hips and started gently rubbing them. “Better?” She settled into his arms “Yeah, down a little lower and don’t stop.”
*********
“Captain were are ready to dock with the ambassadors ship.” Ekuryua sat scanning the area. “Dock with his ship and set up a soft seal with gangway. Notify me when it’s completed, I’ll then go get Ambassador Lynn and Her Highness.” The navigator acknowledges the order and the ships started the docking sequence. Twenty minutes later Ekuryua left the bridge heading for Jinto and Lafiel’s quarters. Arriving she pushed the chime. “Who is it?” Ekuryua announced that they had docked with the ambassador’s ship. “Wonderful Captain give us another five minutes and we’ll be with you.” The light went out and the sounds of two people hurriedly dressing could be heard. Ekuryua stood there smiling when the door opened, Jinto and Lafiel stood before her presentable, but visibly tired. “You two have been working too hard again.” She paused. “Or have you two been playing too hard again?” Lafiel looked at her and walked pass Ekuryua. She still had a bit of a limp; Ekuryua took notice and spoke. “Yep you’ve been playing too hard again.” Jinto sheepishly smiles and walks by to catch up with Lafiel he was also a bit unsteady in his pace. Ekuryua shuts the cabin door and follows them to the airlock. The only though she had was, “I really hope the rest of the trip is not like this. If it is we’ll never get anything done.”
*********
Ramaj stood in the royal meeting chamber; she was in the center waiting for the members to arrive. Unlike previous occasions several members would be here in person this time instead of video conferencing. It made no difference to Ramaj, living, standing before her or bits of electrons projected upon a screen. They still held the future of the Empire in their hands. A future she was going to play a major part in one way or the other. A hand gently laid upon her shoulder before she could turn a voice said, “Are you ready my daughter?” Standing fast Ramaj replies. “Yes I’m ready. Can you tell me your position on this issue, mother?” The hand raises off her shoulder and the voice replies, “I can not Ramaj. The fate of this issue lies with your ability to convince all of us that we are about to commit folly.” Ramaj nods her head. As always her mother, who ruled before, had stated the obvious. The answer brought Ramaj great comfort. “I’ll be going now my child. I’ll find you after this is done and we can talk more.” Ramaj nods and her mother leave.The members have gathered. Four families are represented in person the other four are on by video. The Eldest Abh rises off his seat and goes to address the gathered family members. “We are here today to examine the procedures used to ascend to the throne and adjust them as necessary.” Those would be the last words spoken on that subject.
The main display came to life, and the second ranking member of the family spoke, as a video of Dustain arriving at the Capital played. “What is he doing here? You had your orders Ramaj. Why is that man here?” Ramaj stood to speak as she did the melee began. The Elder of the family that Dustain genetically belongs to yells in shock, “He is alive but we were told.” He glared from his display to another family member. For the next twenty minutes accusation of a cover up, lies, threats of actions be taken against families by families flew around the room.
Ramaj stood there overwhelmed at first, and then she realized this was the folly her mother spoke of. A quick glance around the room brought her to her mother’s face. Her mother was showing a smile that Ramaj had seen on many of an occasion before. Returning her smile Ramaj acted, withdrawing her command rod from her belt she proceeded to bang the marble table before her loudly. “That is enough you will come to order! You will stop this bickering! You will let me speak. NOW!”
The room became quiet except for the second Eldest Abh he continued his unrelenting attack. Ramaj steps towards the display, staring at this one was doing her no good. She look at the display and said, “Computer mute this display.” The sound disappeared; the person on the other end was visibly angered. Ramaj stood stead fast in front of the display. “You have two choices sit there in silence or give me your word you’ll not have any more outburst and I’ll allow you to speak, the choice is yours.” Defiant the second eldest Abh shook his head. Ramaj stood back from the monitor and said, “If that’s your decision let it be known you decided that you words need not be heard on this issue.”
The rest of them were in shock, here Ramaj had just censured the second eldest member of the family. Only the one who sat upon the throne had such power. Seizing the moment Ramaj spoke, “That man as you called him is an Abh he has every right to be here, to receive medical treatment and introduction to his heritage.” A gasp went through the room. The Elder from Dustain’s genetic family spoke. “Ramaj do you think it’s wise to do this, to show him his past?”
Ramaj shook her head, “You misunderstand me elder he is Dustain, not Dusanyu. He has no past here; he does however have a future. He’ll never sit on the throne; he’ll never have the status of a royal. But he is Abh by birth, He deserves the rights and privileges everyone born Abh has.” The room rumbles Ramaj turns towards the muted display, the second Eldest Abh is still listening to her words. She addresses the display, “Last chance. You know what I’m about to say next. Do you wish to maintain your self imposed exile?” The second eldest Abh sat there arms folded still defiant.
Ramaj turns away. “Display document file nine sixty-one two thirty-four please.” The main display, displays a document as its being read the noise level in the room dramatically increases. Ramaj bangs her command rod against the tabletop again, and the room falls silent. “Everyone in this room recognizes this document, its style and author has been verified. These are the orders I received concerning Dustain. Since the ruling council did not sign on to these orders. I chose to ignore them. This is why Dustain still lives.” The display containing the second Eldest Abh goes blank.
Ramaj faces the gathered family members. “We came here originally, to accelerate the selection process, to try to find someone worthy to sit on the throne in record time. While we can accelerate the knowledge we cannot the experience. A person well schooled but not experienced would have carried out these orders. An Abh would have been killed for no just cause or reason. Do you really wish to have the Empire run in such a way?”
The Eldest Abh stood and spoke. “I suggest that this meeting end. Before we go though we’d like a copy of all the information you gather on Dustain and we do forbid you from showing him any sensitive information until such time as we have determined he no longer poses a threat to the Empire. Ramaj we will discuss your words among us, and you will have our decision before weeks end. I do think it was wise to form the caretaker government and I will stress to the other members that point. As for those orders I’m personally very happy you disobeyed them. Ramaj we will deal with the author in our own way. We are dismissed.”
Displays go blank and members of the royal family leave. Ramaj stands silent still clutching her command rod stunned by the sudden change in the events. A hand rests on her shoulder, and a voice addresses her. “When you were little you used to have the worst temper tantrums. You would bang your baton until you got the attention you wanted. I’m glad I didn’t silence that desire in you to get attention, it served you well today.”
Returning her rod to her side Ramaj turns towards her mother. “Thank you mother for letting me gain the wisdom I needed to rule and forgive me for not instilling it upon my children and grand children.” Her mother places her fingers across Ramaj lips. “Child you did well with all of them. One of them will become emperor one day just wait, as for my great-grand daughter is there any further word on her mission to Sol-Eros?”
Ramaj shook her head, “They should be meeting the ambassadors ship about now.” Ramaj’s mother nods. “Have you heard the rumors about her and Count Hyde?” Ramaj is confused. “Rumors mother, what rumors?” Her mother smiles, “Well they are rumors my dear, when I find them to be fact I’ll tell you about them.” Ramaj embraces her mother, “I know you will mother. I have to leave now duty calls.” They face each other, smile, and go their separate ways.
*********
Approaching the airlock Jinto and Lafiel turn to Ekuryua, “We’ll go over and get the information from him. When we return we’ll a have a conference and go over his findings.” Ekuryua nods in agreement. Jinto and Lafiel don helmets and enter the airlock. Although the two ships are docked and soft sealed there is always the chance of space debris puncturing the transfer tube so its pressure is set low, transversing it in a helmet is always recommended. Inside the ambassador’s ships airlock, the chamber pressurizes and the door opens. Standing before them is a very shaken ambassador. “Count Hyde. Am I ever glad to see you and Her Highness. Please come with me.” He turns and almost runs down the corridor. Jinto and Lafiel follow him. He enters a doorway, they follow, papers are strewn across the table and several display windows are open. Jinto recognizes one of them as the current system survey. “You failed to include this in your report.” Jinto said pointing at the display. The ambassador smiles, “I failed to send you a lot of information because you would glean the wrong information from it.” Confused Jinto confronts him. “You were taught better. Nowhere in anything that you sent, did you mention there was current data available. This violates the oath you took planet side. I could have you arrested right now for this violation of protocol.”
The ambassador went pale he cleared the seat at table and sat down, the gravity of his actions had just come home to face him. “I’ll gather the data and give it to you but before you return to Sol-Eros will you confer with me so I might add my impression.” Jinto was stunned for the second time in the last five minutes. “Why was he giving in so suddenly? What did he find in the survey that kept him from forwarding them along?”
Jinto needed answers now. “Wait one minute I said I could have you arrested. Not that I was going to have you arrested. Would you please explain what is so fascinating about this data. We’d really like to hear it from you.” Lafiel, who had been intently listening to the exchange, and who was as confused as Jinto was, continued. “Would you like something to drink or a moment to gather your thoughts?”
The ambassador sat staring at the current planet survey he uttered only one sentence. “I do believe they are all going to die.” He then gathered up the material and presented it to Jinto, his look became detached and sorrowful. “Study this well Count and before you leave do contact me. I’d like your impressions of the data.” He then escorted them back to the airlock. It was like he wanted them off the ship as soon as possible, for some reason Jinto sensed the urgency in his actions and followed along.
Once they were safely aboard the Attack Frigate, the ambassador’s ship detached and moved away from them. Ekuryua met them in the corridor that lead from the airlock. “That didn’t take very long. Did you get everything you wanted?” Jinto nods. “That was really a weird visit he gave us everything and then suddenly.” He looks to Lafiel she continues, “He threw us off the ship. I have never been so confused in all my life.”
Ekuryua was stunned. She went to speak and was interrupted by the communications officer. “Captain we are receiving a coded message from the ambassadors ship should I send it dow...” Alarms sound as the ship shakes violently the three of them are knocked off their feet. Bracing herself, Ekuryua shouts into her creunoc. “What just happened? Bridge status report.” The first officer’s voice is heard; “Captain, the ambassadors ship, it has imploded, there is nothing left.” Ekuryua pulled herself to her feet. “Bridge, are you certain it was an implosion?”
“Yes Captain I’ve seen one before. We are studying the scans now. But it looks like a sudden anti proton, anti matter implosion.” Ekuryua closes her creunoc the alarms have fallen silent. Jinto has helped Lafiel to her feet and the two of them have gathered the data that was tossed about the corridor. Ekuryua turns to them, “Another eight minutes aboard that ship and all of us would be dead now. Just what happened over there and what’s in the message he sent over?” The three of them stood there puzzled wondering just what had happened. They had a lot of questions and very few answers.
*********
“Erin you look troubled, is it the fact that the Abh have not contacted us, or is it something different?” Li inquired. Erin stood gazing out upon the village. In the noonday sun exposure was limited to only nine minutes per hour. Any more would cause illness. She so wanted to be out there enjoying this beautiful, but also potentially deadly day. “I have been reviewing my decision to send the Abh ambassador away. I still stand firm in my decision he was potentially more of an adversary, than this planet has become. I know in my heart that the Abh will be back and that they will be able to help us.” Li did not share her opinion. “Erin. You like your father before you, are too much of a dreamer. You must become more of a realist.” Erin interrupted her, “Like you are, a pragmatic doom and gloom seer? My father led us through several potential disasters. We have survived we will continue to survive.” Li turned sharply, her long black ponytail following her obediently. “Just because you are in line to lead doesn’t mean that you will lead. It has been a long time since your clan was challenged, maybe this should be the moment.” Li left the room her words followed her. Erin stood watching the village, the wind moving her shoulder length brown hair across her still ringing ears. Li had just stated the general consensus of the ruling council. If she couldn’t find a way out of the present situation, her best friend and assistant Li would probably challenge her.
*********
“Admiral we’ve cleared Sord Laitpanr. We are being hailed by the chief controller, should I send it to your quarters?” Kufadis patiently awaited Spoor’s answer it did not take very long. The door to the bridge lift opened and Spoor entered the deck. Proceeding to the command chair, she took her seat and said to Kufadis, “Put the controller on Kufadis.” The main display came to life and a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Admiral Spoor spoke, “Hi sis, mother and I are waiting for you on the station, how long till you dock with it?” Spoor glanced in Kufadis direction he said; “About ten hours at present speed Admiral.” She stood and addressed the display; “Twelve hours not a minute more. I’ll see you then.” The display darkens and Spoor returns to her seat. “Kufadis I want the best speed to the station, stay sub light but I want to be there with in six hours. Can we do that?” Kufadis worked the numbers it was possible, although navigation in such a crowded system at that speed would mean taking some risks and staying off the established routes. “It can be done but there are some risks involved.” Spoor smiles, “Then do it Kufadis, be careful, but do it.” The navigator had plotted the course and the Lashkau accelerated to ninety-two percent of light speed. Kufadis stood and walked over to Spoor. “Why all the rush? You told them twelve hours they seem to accept that, this isn’t going to be another one of your surprise visits is it?”
Spoor nods, “For the last thirty years all my younger sister has hoped is that I’d die in combat, so she could assume my position and title. Well I keep coming home. I have a feeling since she’s now involved our mother in this. She’s going to try again to usurp my position. I’ll not stand for this nonsense any longer. If I can show up unannounced then that gives me the upper hand, you do understand me don’t you Kufadis?”
Kufadis nods, “If you really want to surprise her then we should shield ourselves the last half of the trip, no one will know where we are.” Spoor places her arm on his shoulder. “You’ve turned out to be an exceptional Chief of Staff. It could be one of the reasons I care about you as I do.” Kufadis winks at her, “Same here Admiral let me see if I can nudge a little more speed out of this battleship.”
He walks away from her and resumes his position, after conferring with the navigator and chief engineer the Lashkau accelerates to ninety-six percent of light speed. “Admiral we’ll need to start deacceleration in four hours. We should arrive at the station thirty minutes after that. Our total time en route five hours eighteen minutes.” Spoor smiles and leans back in her chair. The Lashkau speeds through the system and towards the orbital station.
*********
The sudden change in course and speed awoke her. “Bridge what’s going on? Why the course change?” Risch answered her, “Captain you better come to engineering and bring them with you, we’ve got a problem.” Ekuryua rose dressed and banged on Jinto and Lafiel’s cabin door, luckily for her they had been studying the surveys for Sol-Eros. They were awake and dressed. Explaining Risch’s communication to them Jinto and Lafiel joined her in rushing down to the engineering department.“We’ve stabilized the field again but I’m not sure how much longer it will hold chief.” Ekuryua was entering the control room she picked you on that much of the conversation. “What field? What’s happening around here?” Risch motioned them to the anti-proton containment field generator display. “It started about ten minutes ago the field tried to collapse we’ve diverted power to it and it seems stable. I had navigation change course for the first normal space exit they could find. Luckily we are very close to Sord 933 it leads into a developed and explored sector, that way if we have to abandon this ship. I’d rather be in normal space close to civilization than in plane space.”
While Ekuryua is still taking this in, Jinto is observing the display with great interest. Lafiel asks the main question “What you mean is we could lose the ship, you’re not sure of what caused this or how to fix it completely?” Risch nods. “The only thing I can tell you is running the space time bubble generator is contributing to the problems we are having. I can’t tell you anything else till we’ve made normal space and I have taken it off line.”
Ekuryua rolls her creunoc to her lips. “Bridge how long till we exit Sord 933?” “Ten minutes Captain, where are you now?” “Engineering, bring the ship to alert, all non essential personal assemble in the docking bays just in case we need to leave here in a hurry, Ekuryua out. Risch I’ll be on the bridge.” She turns to Jinto and Lafiel. “Gather your data and research, one way or the other we are going to Sol-Eros even if we have to do it in a Cilique.” Jinto and Lafiel exit the room, Ekuryua turns to Risch, “If I were given the choice of either you or this ship, you know it’s you I choose, remember that Risch don’t do anything foolish.” She kisses him on the cheek and heads for the bridge. Risch turns and sees the look on his crew; “Don’t you take your eyes off those panels and what the Captain just did, she just did.”
The ship, that was quite when they came to engineering, was now a bustling beehive if activity. Off duty members of the crew prepared the Cilique’s for immediate departure. It was a struggle for Jinto and Lafiel to return to their cabin. Once inside Lafiel started gathering up most of her belongings, spying this Jinto spoke “What are you doing Lafiel? There’s not time for that now.” She turns and faces him, “These are my memories I’ll not leave them here, just where do you get off being this way their your memories too.”
Jinto who was putting the data from Sol-Eros into a shielded container says, ”Take those things that can’t be replaced Lafiel, the rest can be. Do you understand me Lafiel? There is not enough time to argue this.” She stood there for a moment then started taking only those things of great importance. A data container and two small bags is all that left their cabin.
Making their way to the cilique deck Lafiel said, “Now I understand how you felt when we left the Gosroth, you knew the ship probably would not survive, yet you left everything of value to you there.” Jinto places his arm around Lafiel “Not everything, I left with the one thing I couldn’t replace, you.” She places her arm around him. “Yeah I guess you did, but at that time did I really mean that much to you?” Jinto nods as they walk towards the door that leads to the deck.
Clearing the Sord and with the generator off line the anti-proton containment shielding stabilized. Leaving an engineering crew aboard, Ekuryua order the Cilique’s to launch and keep a safe distance from the ship. Aboard the lead cilique and the one closest to the attack frigate Ekuryua sat waiting. Risch still cautioned Ekuryua to keep the ships ready to evacuate. “Give us another hour to study what’s going on over here and be ready for an immediate departure, just in case something goes wrong.”
His words brought her little comfort, although there were several escape pods in the engineering section, their use would have to be balanced by keeping the ship stable enough for the rest of them to escape the area safely. A ship the size of this one imploding meant that an area of one-quarter light second of clearance would be necessary to insure survival of any craft in the area. The escape pods were capable of rapid acceleration, but it all depended on how soon the ship imploded after their launch.
Jinto and Lafiel sat aboard the third cilique. They were the furthest away from the ship. The view out the window was a lonely one. The ship sat there motionless and dark. Most of the power was being redirected to the containment generator. The only light visible were the position lights that blinked aft, forward, starboard and port on the ship. Minutes seemed like hours all they could do was watch and wait. Jinto decided that the time could be spent studying the planet survey from Sol-Eros he opened the container and an alarm sounded inside the cilique. “Jinto the containment shield is failing close that container.” Lafiel shouted. Closing the container brought the levels back to normal.
Lafiel opened a link to Risch. “Seems we’ve found the problem it’s something we got in the Sol-Eros data package Jinto opened the shielded container and our containment field started to collapse. Closing the container restored the field.” Lafiel awaited Risch’s reply. “Well that explains why we can’t find anything aboard the ship. You took it with you. I guess you’d better come back and let’s see what you have.” Lafiel slowly moved the cilique towards the ship. Upon docking Risch took the container and told them to return to their previous position.
“Look Jinto I can’t endanger any more people. We’ll examine the contents of this container and get back to you. Now get out of here.” Jinto nods and watches Risch take the container away. He knows there are facilities aboard the ship better equipped to analyze the contents. They were lucky that Lafiel figured out so quickly what happened. The reactor on a cilique is much closer and less shielded than the Attack Frigate’s is. A few more minutes and they would have been vaporized. They had positioned the cilique back to the same position as before. They sat watching the frigate and they both let out a sigh of relief.
*********
“Wow that was close.” Kufadis heard the navigator say and indeed it was. The asteroid had missed the Lashkau by only three hundred meters. Using the back route to the station had brought them through several asteroid fields this should be the last one. “Commander it’s time to deaccelerate should I notify the Admiral?” Kufadis said he’d notify the Admiral and for the deacceleration to begin.Sleeping her bunk Spoor awakes to the sudden change in the movement of the Lashkau. Looking at the time she dresses and heads for the bridge. The doors open and the station is on the main viewer, they have arrived ahead of schedule. “Very good Kufadis take us to the docking platform aft fifty-five.” Spoor takes her seat and opens a link to the station.
The stationmaster is very surprised; “Your Grace, you’re early. Should I make a system wide announcement?” Spoor intervenes, “You do and it’ll will be the last thing you do in this life. I’ll personally see to that myself. Now I’m heading for aft fifty-five, authorize the dock to accept this ships beacon and be a good fellow about it.” The stationmaster acknowledges the transmission he also seems a lot paler than he was at first.
Spoor closes the link and looks at Kufadis. “You think I was a little rough with him? Let me tell you something, he’s one of the few people that work for me that have come this close.” She holds her fingers just barely apart so a little light passes through them. “To taking a walk outside without a spacesuit. That fool would have alerted the three star systems I control if I had let him. We arrive unannounced this time. Well I hope we do.”
*********
“We found it Captain. We know what it is and we’ve isolated it. You can return to the ship.” Risch’s words rang through out all of the Cilique’s, most of them let out a cheer, all except the one Lafiel and Jinto piloted. They were full of curiosity more than relief. Docking with the ship, they met Ekuryua and headed to the engineering section. Their questions were about to be answered.Risch sat in front of a containment field. There was a container inside the field. In the container were three pages of the planets survey. New copies of the pages sat next to him, as Jinto enter the room he handed the copies to him and pointed to the field. “This is the problem, these sheets of paper contain an organic material, probably soil, which is highly charged with positive proton radiation. The half life seems to be about sixty hours and the pages have several different deposits in various stages of decay.” Risch turns to the monitor, “I know how the ambassadors ship imploded too.” He begins to play the last message from the ambassador. It shows the ambassador sitting at his desk in his quarters a lone plant is sitting on the desk with him, as he speaks he knocks the plant over. Righting the plant he brushes the excess soil into his hand turns and places it in the waste bin.
Risch freezes the video there, ”That plant, there is nothing in the records that indicate it came from anywhere in the Empire. So I’m assuming he got it on Sol-Eros. After he put the soil into the waste system it takes thirty-two seconds for the ship to implode.” Jinto nods, “There were smudges on the paper I brushed then off with a wet towel and sent it down the bowl then why didn’t we implode then?”
Risch shakes his head, “Two different systems, wet and dry waste. Wet waste goes through decontamination and reclamation. Dry waste goes straight to the reactor to be used as fuel. So you dump a hand full of protons into an anti-proton reactor the shields won’t hold it. In fact they probably contributed to the rapid destruction of the ship. They contained the implosion, instead of letting it explode. Although I’m guessing on that part, I’m not willing to do the experiment.” Ekuryua places her hand on his shoulder, “I’ll take your word on it engineer we’ve almost lost this ship once you need not try again.”
Risch smiles and continues, “If all the organic material on that planet is like the plants soil. Sol-Eros poses a deadly hazard to this ship and it’s crew. We will need to do a thorough survey when we arrive paying special attention to ambient and background radiation levels. If the people on that planet are contaminated like that, I guess I’d better see if there is a way to decontaminate them too.” Ekuryua nods, “Should we go back to plane space? It is the quickest way” Risch stares at the container then he looks at Ekuryua. ”Captain until I completely understand this substance or until it’s completely decayed let’s steer clear of plane space.”
Ekuryua links to the bridge. “Navigator, have you figured out a course to Sol-Eros?” The navigator responded there were two possible ways one of them back through the Sord and the other a transition through this system to a Sord much closer to Sol-Eros. “Plot and execute the transition through the system, estimated time to the Sord?” there is a pause. “About three days Captain shall we proceed then?” Ekuryua stares at her creunoc. “Yes get a move on up there!”
The ship suddenly accelerates and Ekuryua says, “Some days I don’t know about those people.” She closes the link and turns to leave. “Risch, good work, any changes let me know I’ll be in my quarters.” She leaves. Jinto looks to Lafiel, “You mind if I stay for a little bit this is pretty interesting stuff?” Lafiel gathers up their hurriedly packed belongings, “It’s okay Jinto. I’ll go unpack then I’ll grab a nap. Wake me when you get back.” Her words fall on already occupied ears Risch and Jinto are staring at the data being displayed by the containment field. Lafiel walks away from them, Jinto does notice and says, “Okay honey, I’ll wake you up when I get back.”
Risch looks at him, “HONEY? She’s not a bee or a sweet sticky fluid explain please?” Jinto smiles he pushes some information into his creunoc and shows Risch the reply. Honey: Informal. a person for whom one feels love or deep affection; sweetheart; darling. “So it’s not an Abh term, then it something else?” Then it finally hits him, “Ah, now I see, so it’s a romantic phrase. You know I’d like to try some of those on Noel, but I guess it would be a good thing if she understood what I’m saying?” Jinto nods, “Yeah there’s a book too. I’ll make you a copy.” They go back to watching the display output.
*********
Lafiel enters their quarters the place is a mess, “we did pack and leave in a hurry” she thought. Taking her time she put everything back in its place, she changed her clothes and settled in for the rest of the night. After an hour of light reading Lafiel turned down the lights and fell asleep. It was a light sleep at first then finally a deeper sleep came up one her. Thoughts of the day first flowed through her mind then deeper, more complex dreaming, then finally. “NO!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. The cabin echoed with her words. She sat up in bed covered with sweat and shaking. Adjusting the lights she noticed Jinto wasn’t there. Time? She wonders what time it was, focusing on the display on the desk it tells her she’s been asleep four and a half hours. Sleep was no longer an option. She disrobed took a shower, dressed casual and went looking for Jinto.
Stepping into engineering, she found him watching the display and saw Risch was dozing in a chair across from him. She slipped her arms around Jinto from behind, a little startled he spoke, “Hi Lafiel I guess I got involved in watching this and I’m sorry I forgot about you.” She kissed his cheek and pulled the chair that was to his right out and took a seat. “I had that dream again. It went a little further this time. I still don’t know if you die or not, but this time I woke up screaming and sweating its seems so real. I’m beginning to hate nightmares I really wish we could get to the bottom of this. Maybe after Sol-Eros we’ll go see Doctor Sasoum and see if she’s got any ideas.” Jinto still watching the display spoke, “You could call her and see if she had any.” A cold clammy hand touched him. Jinto turned Lafiel sat there pale and still shaking. “Okay Lafiel when we get done here we’ll go home and have the Doctor come out if she can.”
Lafiel relaxed she started watching the display along with Jinto. “I don’t see what’s so interesting Jinto the radiation is decaying at the rate you calculated earlier. Why don’t you come to bed with me? I don’t have nightmares when you’re near me.” Jinto shook his head. “Think about what you just said Lafiel. You’re correct the decay is constant but the ambassador’s ship was almost twelve days outbound from Sol-Eros. There shouldn’t have been any radiation, but there was some on board, enough to have radiated the soil” Jinto stops. He looks at Lafiel, “Wow what was I thinking I thought the soil was contaminated what if.”
Jinto removes an organic sample and places it in the scanner. Lafiel finally picks up on Jinto’s direction of thinking. “You think it’s the vegetation Jinto? But how and more confusing why would you want radiation producing vegetation?” Jinto turns to her, “What if they don’t know its radiation producing. What if their planet has suffered some catastrophic change that…” The ambassadors words come back to Jinto, ”Lafiel, remember the Ambassadors last words something about everyone dying he didn’t mean the ship he meant the planet.”
In the time he’s spoken to Lafiel there has been a reaction inside the scanner. The organic material, which he thought dead, is regenerating at a rapid rate. “Lafiel look at this will you, it’s growing without soil right before our eyes.” Indeed the sample, which had been only a few cells minutes ago, was taking the shape of the plant that resided in the ambassador’s quarters. “Quick Jinto, stop irradiating it before we have another reactor breach.”
Lafiel’s exclamation brought Risch awake. Seeing the mass growing and watching the levels of the anti-proton containment field fluctuate he spoke, “Jinto, you fool, never do unshielded experiments especially around the reactor!” He takes a containment canister and slides the sample into it. The levels returned to normal. “You mind telling me just what you were up to? Beside trying to destroy the ship!” Jinto proceeds to explain to Risch what had happened since he fell asleep. “I see so the soil was decaying as expected. Then when you subjected the organic material to the radiation of the scanner it started growing.” Lafiel added her comments, “For a moment it stopped growing when the scanner was shut off, then it suddenly took off again.”
Risch nods, “It found another source to tap into, take a look over here.” He points at the ships power usage display. “See this spike about three minutes ago, that’s when you shut off the scanner and now this one. It’s another power spike, notice it shows no discernable usage source, it just power being consumer like a plant would do planet side sitting in the sun. This plant doesn’t need visible light to grow it just needs a radiation source and I’ll bet if we move this experiment to a more controlled environment you’ll find it’s waste product is.”
Jinto nods, “Proton radiation. That makes sense then the reason.” Jinto stops, “Wait if it’s the waste product then why didn’t the ambassadors ship implode sooner and why did the paper start a reaction it’s all very strange?” Risch looks at the data again. “It is very strange, I guess we’ll have to grow us one of these plants and see what causes it to discharge protons.”
The beeping of his creunoc broke his concentration. “Yes Captain how can I help you?” “You mind telling me what’s going on down there? The ships readings have jumped around like we were being attacked! Everything shows stable now but.” Risch replies. “Sorry Captain there won’t be any further unauthorized experiments going on, I promise.” A moment’s silence is followed by, “See to it engineer. Captain out!”
He takes the container and heads for another part of the engineering section. “If you want to know what the cause is, then don’t sit there follow me you two.” Jinto and Lafiel sheepishly follow Risch down the corridor. He enters an isolated room and places the container in an isolation chamber that has an airlock to open space. “Here is where we explore the unknown. If the experiment goes wrong we eject it into space and at the speed we are going it won’t make any difference if it explodes the second it hit the space vacuum. We’ll be safely away. Now lets have a look at this plant of yours.”
Risch takes a soil container and places it in the isolation container, and then he places the canister containing the sample of organic material in the isolation chamber. Taking the remote hands he removes the organic material from the canister, places it on the soil, raises the isolation field and starts to irradiate it. With in a few minutes it has taken root and grown a couple of inches in height. Risch ceases the radiation and the plant grows dormant.
Scanning the plant, Risch is confused. He looks at Jinto; “The plant has absorbed and is keeping the radiation stored with in its structure, the soil is almost radiation free. Here take a look for yourself.” Jinto looks at the results, the plant is retaining its stored radiation. “So how did the soil become contaminated? What causes the plant to release its radiation into the soil?”
Jinto looks at the plant. “You know, it looks like the one the ambassador had, kind of sickly. I told him he should water it.” Risch looks at Jinto, “You’re joking. This plant doesn’t need anything besides radiation to survive in fact it could probably survive in, I wonder if it could survive in a vacuum?” Risch starts to lower the pressure in the chamber while Jinto watches the display for any changes.
Passing through one quarter atmosphere the plant starts to destabilize. Risch stops there and slowly returns the pressure to one atmosphere. “Seems it doesn’t like a vacuum. That might be one way to destroy it.” He looks at the plant again, it has reconstructed itself it shows no damage from it near death experience. “A hearty little monster you are, you’re going to be hard to kill off I see.” Jinto is still analyzing the data from the experiment. “We put it through all of that and it still didn’t shed any radiation into the soil, I don’t get it what does it take to make this plant err, um, ah! Discharge?”
Risch and Lafiel have the same thought at the same moment. They look at the plant and then to Jinto. “You don’t think it was the water?” Lafiel nods. “There is an easy way to find out all you have to do is raise the humidity in the chamber and monitor the soil.” Risch agrees. He takes the remote hands and places two probes into the soil. “Jinto there should be another graph on the right side of the display do you see it?” Jinto looks at the display, “Yes I do. Is that the soil spectrum analyzer?”
Risch nods. “You got it keep an eye on it as I raise the moister content, if anything changes let me know. Lafiel sit at the main console and be ready to eject the sample.” He opens a link to the bridge, “Captain were are about to try something that could be very interesting, if the containment alarms sound we might not hear them. So if they do, flash the main console down here.” Ekuryua acknowledged the transmission and added this comment, “Be Careful will you.” The link went silent.
Risch starts to increase the moister content of the air in the chamber at forty-five percent strange things start happening. A sudden rise in radiation and soil ph is detected. Lafiel notices that the plant is starting to destabilize. “The structure is coming apart it’s returning to the unstable matter we first found.” Risch stops at fifty five percent humidity the soil radiation stabilizes. “I wonder what if?” Risch starts to dry out the chamber. The soil ph and radiation content return to normal.
“So it was the water and if just raising the humidity causes that reaction just think what must happen if you apply water directly to it? I have one question for you two. Did it look like the plant when you were in the ambassador’s quarters? Had been transplanted? I‘m just wondering how the report got soil and organic matter on it?” Jinto and Lafiel thought, they couldn’t come up with a definitive answer. So the mystery of how the soil came to be on the report would be just that.
Continued in the next post
