Final frontier, p.27
Final Frontier, page 27
“That’s Earth,” Stoner said.
Ken turned to his officers sitting around the table—Stoner, Gross, Anderson, and Krishnik. “Not exactly, but the similarities are staggering. The system is made up of planets very much like our own.” He took his seat, swiveled back toward the screen, and, with the remote, began cycling through the images. First, the other seven planets of the system, all of which were identical to Earth’s own solar family. Then, the slide show moved into images of parks, rivers, oceans, mountains, forests. Ken assumed it was the surface of Oria, but they could very well have been images of Earth. “Same environments, same species living upon it…” Cue the images of animals—dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, squirrels, chipmunks, whales, dolphins, crows and other corvids, gulls, other familiar bird species, ants, ladybirds. Even species that had been hunted to extinction on Earth. Finally, city images came up, featuring Romanesque Revival architecture and Human inhabitants. Ken paused the slide show. “…and same dominant species.”
“That’s impossible!” Stoner declared at once.
“I agree, but there it is. According to the reports, the only differences are a few topographical features and their history. They’ve been enjoying nearly a thousand years of peace and prosperity. With each other as well as with their natural world.”
“I think it’s more likely the Ulysses crew is pulling a fast one on us,” Anderson said.
“The thought had crossed my mind, but Captain Rogers doesn’t strike me as the prankster type. We have the opportunity to see it for ourselves. The Ulysses is currently holding position at the planet in case we decide to join them. We can still return to the wormhole and try to return to our proper time and place—if that is what we want to do. I’m inclined to join up with the Ulysses and investigate the planet, but I welcome your thoughts on the matter.” For a moment, Ken was instantly reminded of a similar meeting nearly two months ago.
“Well, honestly, I was leaning toward joining the Ulysses anyway,” Anderson said.
“It wouldn’t hurt to investigate the planet, I suppose,” Gross said. “The wormhole isn’t going anywhere, is it?”
“It should be a simple matter to set course to pass near the wormhole,” Krishnik said. “Just as you did when investigating what you call Bermuda Sector.”
Ken thought he detected a hint of incrimination in the alien’s tone. He decided to ignore it and nodded his approval. “Very good. Stoner, for the record, are you for or against joining the Ulysses at Oria?”
Stoner shrugged. “Sure. What the hell. Let’s check out this impossible planet.”
“On another matter,” Anderson said, “I’m concerned about the warp engines and the reactor. We’ve been at warp for more than a month straight now, and they’re operating above their specifications.”
“Are Govkor’s modifications not holding?” Krishnik asked.
“They appear to be, for the moment. But the inspection that we never completed revealed several fractures. Qeebix repaired the ones we found, but there could be ones we don’t know about.”
“How long do you need to complete the inspection?” Ken asked.
“A couple of days for a thorough job—not counting time we’d need to make repairs if necessary. It could easily be the better part of a week.”
Ken mulled over the dilemma this issue raised. The warp drive was too important to risk it failing, which was bound to happen if they neglected it. But he also didn’t like the idea of just hanging in interstellar space for a week, vulnerable to more raiders and other potential hostiles. He couldn’t be sure if the Galadorians they encountered were alone, but he wasn’t interested in finding out and repeating the experience. They would be on their own this time.
“We are due to arrive in the Thorn home system in twenty-five days,” Stoner said. “Maybe they’ll give us a safe harbor.”
Ken nodded his agreement. Back to Anderson, “Keep your people on it. If you feel it won’t hold out that long, let me know.”
Earth Calendar: 25 May 2131 A.D.
Trinette de Seleaux sat back in her seat at navigation, letting out a heavy sigh, watching the streaks on the main viewscreen. Every night for the last two months, she had sat there, on the dimmed bridge, with Gregory and Hersh at their respective stations—communications and science. Their shift would begin with the routine checks to be sure they were on course and everything was functioning. Gregory would also run the checks on the weapons control station, just in case they should need those systems. Then, they would sit or pace about. Occasionally, they would be visited by one or two of their alien passengers. The majority of the time was spent trading questions like ‘if you could visit any time period on Earth, when and where would you visit?’, ‘what food do you miss the most on Earth?’, ‘what’s the strangest thing you expect to run into out here?’, or general trivia questions. However, after two months, they were running out of questions.
“I have one,” Gregory said. “If you could spend...let’s say, two hours with anyone in history—and language wasn’t an issue—who would you spend it with?”
“Didn’t we do that one?” Hersh asked.
“Well, let’s do it again. Maybe we’ll come up with someone different. Okay... I would choose—”
The navigation console blared for attention. Trinette sighed again, this time with relief, as she sat up and worked her controls. “We are approaching the coordinates. Gregory, alert the commander. Hersh, watch for approaching ships.”
The deck shuttered as Trinette returned them to normal space.
*
Ken entered the lounge and found Currdas, with her distinctive black fur with patches of gray, sitting at a table with the older Nelfi and Thorn children gathered around on the floor. Two more adults, one of either species, sat at a nearby table. They still wore the shirt-robes they were given aboard the Ulysses. All looked up at his entrance. “Ah, Currdas. Zheetii told me you would be here.”
“I am teaching the kits,” Currdas said.
“We are approaching your home system.” The ship-wide intercom whistled for attention, followed by the voice of the relief com-officer calling for him. Ken stepped up to the nearest intercom panel. “McClance here.”
“Commander, there are ships approaching from the nearby system,” de Seleaux said. “Possibly one of theirs.”
“I’m on my way with either Currdas or Zheetii. McClance out.” Ken switched off the intercom and turned to Currdas.
“Zheetii should be the one who communicates with the patrol ship. I will get everyone ready for the transfer.”
Ken nodded. “Very good.”
Ken made his way to the bridge, stopping by their quarters once again on the way to collect Zheetii. By the time they arrived, Stoner, Gross, Clark, and Krishnik were all present and at their respective stations. On the screen, a conical-shaped ship with four wings steadily drew closer. The two longest wings connected to the engine cluster in the rear while the two shorter connected to the rear of the ship’s forward third. “Status?”
“They are approaching with weapons charged,” Krishnik said.
“I fear that is now standard procedure when unidentified ships enter our system,” Zheetii said.
“You’re just in time,” Gross said. “They’re hailing.”
“Put them on,” Ken said as he stepped down to the command deck. Zheetii followed him.
On the screen, an alien bridge replaced the image of the approaching ship. “I am Commander Piiczhu of the Thorn Patrol Ship Frrjuun. Identify yourself and your intentions.” It was the Thorn in the center that spoke, through a translation implant, by the looks of it, with dark eyes and rounded ears atop a wedge-shaped head turned forward in alert. Around the alien commander, a combination of Thorn and Nelfi made up his crew. Ken resisted the urge to smile at the strange mix of cat and rodent faces.
“Lieutenant Commander McClance, Earth Alliance Ship Frontier.”
“McClance? Edward McClance?” The alien commander switched to English. “You ship different than I remember.”
Ken smirked and nodded. “Edward is my son. He’s still aboard the Ulysses. My ship and I recently arrived in this part of the galaxy. Long story.” Ken indicated the Thorn standing beside him. “This is Zheetii. She was among those of your peoples—Thorn and Nelfi—whom we’ve liberated from a Galadorian slave camp.”
The commander switched back to his native language. “The abducted? How many are there?”
“Thirty Thorn and Nelfi, including ten kits of varying ages,” Zheetii said. “We are preparing to transfer to your ship.”
Piiczhu’s ears seemed to twitch. “Kits? There were no kits on the ships that had been raided.”
A fidgeting Zheetii slowly bowed her head. “The Galadorians wanted breeding stock.”
Piiczhu reciprocated the gesture. “I am sorry. You all have my condolences for what you have endured.” The commander switched back to English. “Commander McClance, my appreciation for returning our people. I contact my government for instructions. Hold here.” Piiczhu signaled one of his officers, and the screen blinked back to the view of the alien ship.
Minutes passed. Ten. Twenty. Ken paced to his station. Zheetii leaned against the command chair. Finally, Gross spoke up. “They’re signaling.”
Ken pointed to the main viewscreen as he returned to stand with Zheetii in front of the command chair. Piiczhu and the Thorn bridge reappeared on the screen. “His Excellency Grand Duke ask you bring peoples to homeworld. We escort. Stand by for coordinates for warp jump.”
Once again, the screen blinked to show the Thorn ship, which had already begun turning. “We’ve got the coordinates,” Gross said.
“Send them to helm. Clark, match their course and speed.” Ken looked down at the Thorn, meeting her dark eyes. “You may join your people, Zheetii.”
“You have my appreciation as well, Commander,” Zheetii said. “And that of our peoples—Thorn and Nelfi alike.” With that, the diminutive alien turned and left the bridge.
Back on the screen, the Thorn ship’s engines flared, and it vanished from view. “Coordinates locked,” Clark said. “Engaging warp engines.”
Five hours later, they returned to normal space to a view of a blue-green world with shifting patches of white. Three additional ships joined them—two of them smaller versions of their first escort but with a wider body and a single pair of wings, the other a saucer that looked like it came right out of an old science fiction movie. They came about, forming an entourage that guided them into orbit.
“We’re receiving a set of planetary coordinates,” Gross said. “Piiczhu is signaling.”
“You bring peoples to coordinates we sent you. His Excellency Grand Duke wish to meet you personally, Commander, as well.”
“Acknowledged.”
Two hours later, Shuttle 3 launched with Ken at the helm and fifteen of their escapee passengers in the rear compartment. Shuttle 4 launched right behind him with Clark, Krishnik, and the other fifteen. “You’re clear to navigate, Lieutenant Commander,” Fredericks said over the com-link.
“TTFN.” Ken closed the link and banked the shuttle towards the planet, tilting until he was oriented with the horizon.
Another hour, and they were over the coordinates. Below them lay a maze of trenches in which the planet’s inhabitants went about their daily business. Pathways, patches of greenery, and a tram system lined the tops of the ridges while larger parks and towering trees filled intersections in the maze.
An alarm sounded, and Ken turned his attention to the console screen, now showing the area around his shuttle. Two additional contacts, besides Shuttle 4, took up positions on either side of them. He heard the roar of engines and, out his forward viewport, one of the new contacts came into view off his port. It was half the size of their shuttles. A Thorn aircraft, he concluded.
His com-board buzzed for attention. Ken opened the channel.
“Alien craft, this Captain Wiihu of the Thorn Royal Air Force. We to escort you to His Excellency’s personal landing platform. Follow, please.”
A minute later, the Thorn aircraft banked northward. Ken banked with them, and Clark followed in Shuttle 4. Five more minutes, and they set down on a circular platform. A path connected the platform to a large structure surrounded by greenery.
As Ken led his passengers out onto the platform, a Thorn approached from the stately building, standing a little over one meter tall and dressed in glossy red robes with gold trim. A matching headdress topped his head, curving around the ears, adding another sixty centimeters to his height. This must be the Grand Duke. Following in his wake, to the right, was a Nelfi who was about the same height and similarly dressed but without the trim or headdress. Behind them both were six more Thorns, these dressed in glossy blue outfits with white trim and each carrying a pike that was twice their height.
When he was sure all his passengers had disembarked, Ken gave the entourage his full attention. Feeling awkwardly like Dorothy in Munchkin Land, he knelt on one knee to their eyelevel.
“Commander McClance of the Earth Alliance Ship Frontier?” the lead Thorn asked. It was a child-like voice spoken with such authority that Ken had to fight to take it seriously. This was a world ruler, he must remember.
Ken coughed to clear his throat and to suppress his laughter. He bowed his head. “I am he.”
“I welcome to Thor. I am Jzulahii, Grand Duke of the Thorn Alliance. Beside me is Eurrp, lead representative of the Nelfi people.”
The Nelfi bowed. “We are grateful that you have brought our people home.”
“I only wish we could have brought them all,” Ken said.
Jzulahii held up a gloved hand with the tips of the thumb and fingers poking through, a straight, centimeter-long claw on each. “Do not be concerned. Our Space Command Center received a message just before your arrival. Yeprrs and those with her successfully commandeered a Galadorian ship. They are returning now.”
Ken smiled his relief. “I’m pleased to hear it.”
“To show our appreciation, we extend to you our hospitality.”
“On behalf of my crew, we accept. We could use a few days in orbit of your planet to perform needed maintenance and repairs on our ship.”
“Take as long as you need.”
III
Earth Calendar: 2 June 2131 A.D.
KEN SAT at his desk in the captain’s office, reviewing status reports on the computer terminal. They had just departed Thor after seven days of maintenance, basic repairs, and resupply. Anderson and her team had found seven more developing fractures in the conduits connecting the reactor to the nacelles, which they were able to repair with the assistance of Qeebix and Thorn engineers. Now, they were underway—embarking on a two-month journey to rejoin the Ulysses. The intercom whistled for attention, and Ken toggled the intercom switch. “McClance here.”
“We’ve got a response from the Ulysses, Commander,” Gross said. “It’s Commander Bailey.”
Ken sighed. Is Edward still not talking to him? “Put him through here.” A few seconds later, the call appeared on his monitor screen. He selected it, and the image of Bailey’s face came up. “Lieutenant Commander Bailey, Edward still isn’t speaking with me, I take it.”
“He’s actually not aboard right now. Edward’s been spending a lot of time on Oria lately. The scuttlebutt is he met...someone.”
Ken cocked his eyebrows. “Like a girl?”
“That’s my guess. Are you still going to rendezvous with us here?”
Ken nodded. “We delivered our passengers a week ago. Then, the Thorn provided us with a safe harbor for quick repairs and much-needed maintenance on our reactor. Our course now will take us by the wormhole that brought us here, to be sure it’s still even there and stable. Then, we’ll proceed to Oria. Have there been any developments we should be aware of?”
“All is still as peaceful as the past nine hundred years, according to the locals. Although...” Bailey’s face contorted as he appeared to debate himself over something.
“Yes?”
“Shortly after making contact, the High Council of Oria requested copies of our records regarding our journey and Earth’s history. Given the similarities between our peoples, we figured that was only natural, so we granted their request. And, with the Haydrins trying to expand their dominion, Captain Rogers thought it would be good for the Orian government to see what could be coming. The High Council didn’t see any harm in allowing the general public to have free access to the information. Now, there’s a growing movement calling for us infidels to leave before we corrupt their society.”
“I see.”
“For now, things are still relatively calm, but if you want to change your mind about joining us...”
“Our options are essentially the same as they were two months ago. And, personally, I’ve been looking forward to seeing Oria for myself.”
“Not to mention a face-to-face with Edward.”
Ken smiled and nodded his agreement. “Our ETA should be two months, give or take.”
“I’ll inform Rogers. Ulysses out.”
The screen blinked, and the communications screen replaced Bailey’s face. Ken reset his terminal, then sat staring at it. Edward with a girl. It was strange to picture. It was difficult to think of Edward as a thirty-one-year-old adult. Had their maiden voyage gone according to plan, they would have returned to Earth by now. He would have been coming home to Bristol to a six-months-pregnant Claudia and a five-year-old Edward. But now, he was going to meet up with an adult Edward on an Earth-like planet on the other side of the galaxy.
Earth Calendar: 26 July 2131 A.D.
Ellen forked a piece of meat into her mouth and chewed. It tasted like turkey marinated in a tangy sauce. The meat had been mixed with a couscous-like grain. Also on her plate were three bluish-green stalks that looked like asparagus. They had completely exhausted the food supplies they had launched with over four months (and twenty-six years) ago. Now, they were surviving on what the Thorn had generously given them.
