Allied enemies, p.37
Allied Enemies, page 37
“One more set of jumps,” the chief encouraged. “We need your effort. What did you find short of the firewall?”
“Lots of tears in the conduit handling the electrical control systems,” the engineer replied. “Who knows what happened when they were punctured?”
The techs groaned, and Eshtitor frowned at them.
“The conduits are full of optical cabling,” the chief explained to Eshtitor. “They require specialty equipment to splice. If we have punctures, sections of conduit must be opened to get to the cabling.”
The surprised faces on the engineering team had Eshtitor chuckling. He waved his device at them and tapped his ear.
“That won’t be a problem, Cyan,” the chief replied. “How many?”
Bedoah spotted the chief’s furrowed brow. “The sisters work that much faster than we do,” she explained.
One more round of transfers put the engineer, the techs, and the sisters through engine seven’s hole, and they crossed the internal support structure to reach engines eight and nine.
Fresh air tanks arrived twice for the techs and the engineer. Then the engineering team and the sisters required recovery.
The Dwerves needed to rest and get more food and drink, and Cyan accompanied them, while the other sisters recharged their heaters.
Cyan signaled her helmet unit to retract, which fascinated the engineering team. Then they were face-to-face with their first sister.
“Do you not have any species that resemble me?” Cyan asked.
“Not even close,” Eshtitor admitted, as he stood. “How are your kind greeted?”
“My avatar is modeled on the human species, who originated my kind,” Cyan replied. “We clasp hands and move them slowly before we release.”
Eshtitor removed his glove, as did Cyan, and he extended his powerful furred hand.
Cyan smiled, gripped his hand, and gently pumped it.
Eshtitor was surprised by the strength he felt from the slender fingers.
“To business,” Cyan said. “The repairs from the engines to the firewall have been completed. Do you have access to engineering?”
“We have access to the engineering monitoring space,” the chief said. “I’m assuming that the engine ignition room, which is the next space aft, will still be operational.”
“Do I sense concerns, Chief?” Cyan queried.
“It’s the lines from the tanks that pass through the firewall and feed the engines,” the chief said. “I don’t know their statuses. Typically, we start the tank feeds. Then we signal ignition.”
“You don’t dare do that if you’ve leaks,” Cyan finished. “I’m assuming that the tanks aren’t in any engineering space. They would be placed outboard for easy refueling. Do the lines lead through engineering, or do they flow through the hull and support structures to reach the engines?”
“They’re routed directly to the engines for safety’s sake,” the chief replied.
Cyan signaled two sisters, who were requested to find the information she required. “We’ve the schematics on the tanks and the lines for engines eight and nine. We’ll investigate them. Excuse me.”
“Before you go,” Bedoah said.
“We welcome your questions,” Cyan said to the young female.
“You don’t need air, but you wear environment suits. What’s your primary requirement?” the tech inquired.
“Heat,” Cyan replied. “The cold of vacuum will seep through our avatars and rob our kernels of energy.”
“Is a kernel where you live?” the female asked.
Eshtitor frowned at Bedoah, which was a mistake.
“Captain, I believe I stated clearly that we welcome questions,” Cyan said, delivering a penetrating stare.
“My apologies, Cyan,” Eshtitor quickly said. “I didn’t want her to bother you.”
“Captain, I suggest you adopt a new attitude,” Cyan replied. “Your ship is a wreck. You’ll need an open mind when you speak with Frieda. I wouldn’t want to see our efforts on your engines go to waste if she chooses to send your ship into the local star.”
Every male was aghast at the threat, but Bedoah snickered, which made Cyan grin.
“Young one,” Cyan said, “Our kernels are grown crystalline structures. However, our personae, which you would think of as lives, can be extinguished if the kernels are damaged, the energy supplies are truncated, or cold robs them of heat.”
“If that doesn’t happen, how long can you live?” Bedoah asked.
“The extent of our existences is unknown,” Cyan replied. “According to records that were aboard our ship, a SADE has lived for approximately five hundred annuals.”
Mouths briefly fell open, while Bedoah asked, “What’s a SADE?”
Cyan laughed. “A SADE is a self-aware digital entity. If your captain successfully negotiates an agreement with Frieda, there’ll be time to entertain all your questions, young one,” he said. “My sisters are done charging. We must go.”
After Cyan left, Eshtitor regarded Bedoah.
“Sorry, Captain, if I overstepped my bounds,” Bedoah said repentantly.
“My decisions have improved with Quanitine’s advice,” Eshtitor said. “You’ll join her and attend me when we meet Frieda. I hope your curiosity about the sisters will aid me. I’m not looking forward to riding this ship into the star.”
In the sisters’ absence, the engineering team stayed aboard the Dwerve ship and scrounged for the equipment and material to repair the tank feed lines if they were holed or missing. They were hard-pressed to find sufficient quantities. Many hatches were warped and stuck in place from the explosions.
When Cyan announced the sisters were ready, Bedoah regarded Eshtitor earnestly. “Go,” he said, waving a hand at the room’s exit.
In the suit storage room Bedoah’s male counterpart helped her secure her suit and add fresh tanks.
Bedoah hoped the sisters wouldn’t leave without her. She needn’t have worried. The sisters had never ceased monitoring the captain and the engineering team. Cyan surmised that the captain had given permission for Bedoah to join them.
When Bedoah reached the deck, she found a sister waiting for her. The male tech patted Bedoah on the back. “Have a good time,” he said. She turned her head so he could see her grin. Then she put herself in the sister’s care.
“This will never get old,” Bedoah said, as she floated across open space to the traveler.
30: Light the Engine
The sisters diligently traced the tank lines from their sources to the bow side of the firewall. It required a great deal of effort to search through destroyed girders and support infrastructure.
When the sisters finished, Cyan called a halt to allow the sisters to recharge heaters from the traveler, while she flew to the nearest planet to top off the energy banks.
On the return to the Dwerve ship, Cyan carried Bedoah across, and the pair sought out the captain and the chief.
“Captain, engine nine’s feed lines from the tanks to the firewall are trashed,” Bedoah reported.
“More details, Bedoah,” the chief requested.
“Entire sections of the lines are missing,” Bedoah explained. “What’s still in place is holed more times than I could count.”
“One thousand seven hundred sixty-three perforations,” Cyan interjected.
“I’d say that qualifies as trashed. Wouldn’t you, Chief?” Eshtitor inquired wryly.
The chief recognized what Eshtitor wanted to accomplish, and he knew to participate.
“Captain, while the term isn’t in our technical jargon, at this time, I suppose we can add it,” the chief replied.
Bedoah grinned at the banter.
From the corner of Eshtitor’s eye, he was aware that Cyan was observing him. He turned his head to return her cool stare. “Is there good news?” he asked.
“There sure is, Captain,” Bedoah enthused. “Engine eight’s lines look good.”
“Cyan, would you think we could start engine eight?” the chief asked hopefully.
“From our perspective, the engine should fire, Chief,” Cyan replied. “However, we’ve no idea of your start procedures. Your ignition stations must respond properly to anything you initiate.”
“Then it’s time to find out what’s on the other side of the final hatch,” the chief responded.
“Why do I sense bad news?” Eshtitor queried, rising to seal his suit.
“That hatch panel indicates vacuum,” the chief replied.
“Is there another way to the space?” Cyan inquired.
“Negative,” the chief replied. “I was hoping that the panel’s circuits were damaged.”
“If your panel is operating improperly, and there is no vacuum, will the hatch open?” Cyan inquired.
“How could that be made to happen?” the engineer asked.
“I’ll provide the answer when you respond,” Cyan replied.
The engineering teams dived into the ship’s safety procedures. Some of the files hadn’t been opened for more than a century.
The chief raised a finger for attention. “According to safety protocols, a panel determined to be operating improperly should be replaced,” the chief read. “If it’s determined that sensors are at fault, the hatch may be opened manually. If manual operation fails, it must be assumed that the hatch’s safety locks are employed, indicating vacuum exists on the far side.”
“That’s the information we require,” Cyan said. Then she turned and exited the break room.
The Dwerves ran after her.
By the time the group reached the engineering hatch, it was open.
“How?” the engineer queried.
“The panel was functioning properly. The sensors weren’t,” a sister explained. “I linked to the panel, overrode the sensor inputs, and triggered the hatch, which slid aside.”
“Easy,” Bedoah remarked offhand, which made Eshtitor laugh and the chief and the engineer frown.
Cyan led the group through the hatch, and she waved a hand at the sweep of consoles.
The chief and the engineer hurried into the arc. It was a duplicate of the one in the previous engineering space. However, while the first arc monitored the engines, this panel system was responsible for engine ignition.
“We’ve power,” the engineer confirmed. Then he moved to the console portion that controlled engine eight. “Tanks and engine controls are online.” Then he regarded the chief, who glanced at Eshtitor.
“Cyan, there’s no need for your sisters to be present,” Eshtitor said. “If this doesn’t go well, we wouldn’t want you to suffer with us.”
“Your concerns are appreciated, Captain, but you’re forgetting one thing,” Cyan replied, and she pointedly regarded the chief.
“Captain, our primary energy source is the sister’s ship,” the chief explained. “We need all the power it can supply to initiate the fusion process.”
“Welcome aboard,” Eshtitor said, relenting.
On the chief’s nod, the engineer’s hands moved swiftly across multiple panels. “Opening the tank feed lines,” he said. “Positive response. Igniting the chamber’s gases. Temperature climbing. Reaction mass filling the chamber.”
The engineer glanced at the chief, who nodded again. “Activating the fusion reaction.”
There was absolute quiet in the engineering space, while the Dwerves and the sisters waited.
Finally, the engineer announced, “We have ignition.” However, he needn’t have bothered. The room’s dim emergency lights were replaced by bright lights.
The chief studied a primary panel. When he was satisfied that the engine’s operation was steady, he turned to the captain and said, “Number eight is functioning, Captain. You’ve partial control of navigation, and you’ve sufficient power to maintain life support. However, we must economize until we can add another engine or multiple generators.”
Eshtitor turned to Cyan. His eyes glistened, and he fought to prevent the moisture from spilling out. He focused on extending his hand, as he said, “We won’t forget what you’ve done for us.”
“An admirable sentiment, Captain,” Cyan replied, shaking Eshtitor’s hand. “It’ll be important that you maintain that attitude even as your ship is repaired.”
Eshtitor wanted to say that the warning wasn’t necessary. However, he was reminded that they’d been raiders, taking what they wanted. They’d never needed help, certainly never to this extent. It occurred to him that maybe the sisters sensed how they existed. In that case, they would have a right to be suspicious.
“I’ll remember,” Eshtitor promised. “But it’s important for Frieda to know that a council controls the ship.”
“We remember that aspect of your political nature,” Cyan reminded Eshtitor.
“Things have gotten worse,” Eshtitor continued “Two of the four of the council members were killed. The two remaining aren’t supporters of my captaincy.”
“We’ll make this simple, Captain,” Cyan said dismissively. “While you’re in this system, any agreement we make will be made with you. Any abrogation of the agreement will fall on your shoulders. Am I understood?”
Eshtitor grinned. “That does make my job easier,” he said.
“We thought it might,” Cyan replied, smiling. “I must return to the planet and update Frieda. If you need our attention, broadcast in the open. When you reach the planet, establish a high orbit around it. If you need help with that maneuver, communicate to us. Good fortune with your repairs.”
“Captain?” Bedoah queried urgently.
Anticipating the tech’s desire, Cyan said, “We’d be pleased to have Bedoah accompany us. The Woots could use a new alien face.”
“Pack a bag, Bedoah,” Eshtitor said. “We’ll see you in a few cycles.”
Bedoah barely halted from throwing her arms around Eshtitor, which made him laugh. Then she raced out of the engineering space.
“Chief, I assume that we can disconnect the charging cable?” Cyan queried.
“Certainly, and thank you,” the chief replied.
“By the way, we’ve taken the liberty of loading some of your demolished equipment aboard the traveler,” Cyan said. “None of it is repairable, but it will aid us in analyzing your metals. Afterward, we’ll incorporate the material into our needs.”
Cyan gave the Dwerves a cheeky smile and chose to wait for Bedoah in the generator room.
When Bedoah joined Cyan, she eyed the traveler floating in space. “Do you think I could make that leap like the sisters do?” she asked.
“Have you had any practice maneuvering in space?” Cyan asked.
“No,” Bedoah admitted. “But there’s always the first time.”
A sister inside the traveler threw Cyan a line, holding on to the other end.
Cyan hooked the other end of the line onto Bedoah’s work belt. “Are your boots magnetic?”
“Yes, but I can turn them off,” Bedoah replied. She reached down and flipped a small switch on each boot.
“I want you to gently push off straight up,” Cyan requested. As Bedoah’s ankles reached her head, she grasped them and gently pulled her down. “Now you know the ease of movement without gravity. Are you ready?”
“I feel better with the line tied to me,” Bedoah said. Without another word, she took a step and pushed off. She felt good about her horizontal aim. She was headed for the ramp. Belatedly, she realized that she would sail right over it. Then as her boots crossed the ramp, she felt a tug and recalled that the traveler supplied its own gravitational field.
Unfortunately, Bedoah wasn’t prepared to stick the landing. As her feet hit the ramp, her body was ready to continue onward.
The sister with the line placed a hand on Bedoah’s chest to stop her. “An excellent first try, Bedoah,” she said, and the young tech grinned.
The interior of the traveler was a jumble of Dwerve purloined damaged equipment. However, four seats remained at the front, and Cyan led her to them. Then she helped Bedoah out of her suit.
Bedoah gazed around her and saw the sisters standing stock still.
“We can lock our avatars,” Cyan explained. “It saves energy. Tell me about your mix of races. You must have originated from an extremely complex civilization.”
Bedoah’s usually animated face went blank.
a sister shared.
“So, not so complex,” Cyan corrected. “Then have you adopted other races in your travels?” The wooden expression remained.
Bedoah hadn’t thought through this aspect of meeting the sisters and sailing with them.
“Bedoah, I don’t like putting you in this position,” Cyan said gently. “You must realize that Frieda will require understanding the nature of your population before she commits to any agreement. She will want to know what happened to your ship, and I don’t mean the obvious. You were someone’s foe. Why?”
The gentle face in front of Cyan crumbled, and tears leaked from the large expressive eyes.
Cyan waited while Bedoah composed herself.
“I’ve made a mistake coming with you, Cyan,” Bedoah said plaintively. “I need to return to my ship.”
“Perhaps, we can compromise,” Cyan suggested. “I’ll ask you no more questions about your ship and your citizens. That way, you can travel with us and see the Woot world. It’s breathtaking. We’ll let Frieda get her information from your captain. How does that sound?”
Bedoah sat quietly considering the offer. Inside, she felt like she’d stepped into space without a suit. What had seemed like a wonderful idea had threatened to become a nightmare.
