Aftereffect, p.12
Aftereffect, page 12
Organics don’t take well to breaking down and rebuilding their internal composition on the regular.
“We’ve arrived.” The Oshi settles into a full stop and I transition to the main scanner console–Oren’s post.
I set down my drink and begin to work. “Full surface scan. Search parameters, Zpectrite Machine.”
“Inconclusive.”
My eyes widen. “I’m sorry, what?”
The Oshi repeats itself. “Results inconclusive.”
He’s not down there. I take a swig of cola. “Readjust parameters. New criteria, Sol system.”
“Please narrow the search parameters. Leaving it as is may result in inaccurate readings.” I only need a general area. “Confirm. Also widen the scale for all signs of Menthiopod Remnants.” Better to be cautious.
“Scanning.”
I set down my drink as the console next to me detects an incoming signal. I recognize the signature instantly. “Shit.” I take a deep breath before establishing the link.
When I do I am met with a familiar face on the main screen. A Zpectrite in their dark matter form. “Lex, we’ve detected emissions from your Harkonnen Core. Are you en route back to Zairon?” Traven
I sigh. “I will be there once I retrieve Oren.”
“And Danica?”
I pause. “She’s… already on board.”
They nod. “So, you’ve confirmed the presence of Menths?”
“Not exactly. Though I am running a system-wide scan to confirm…” The screen blinks with the search results. “Fuck off.”
“Excuse me?”
I look to Traven. “Yes. I have just confirmed the presence of Menths.”
“How many?”
“The Oshi is registering about a dozen signatures system-wide.”
They do their best to suppress a wave of panic. “How large?”
“Colossus level.”
“You need to leave, now.”
I shake my head. “I will pick up Oren and then–”
“Lex.” They lean forward in his seat. “I strongly advise you to cut your losses. I’ll assemble the fleet for backup but if something happens in the interim we won’t get there in time.”
“I know, but I won’t leave him behind. Do I have permission to engage if necessary?” They know exactly what I am asking. “We lost Alto last month for trying something I suspect to be just as reckless as you are plotting.”
“Alto wasn’t a former Commander.”
They pause. “You’re willing to potentially split apart the system over one machine?”
I made a promise. “He’s my machine.”
Traven and I have had our differences in the past, but we do share several traits. Our relationship is one of necessity. They won’t say no because if I’m successful the collateral might be in their favour. “I see, then I wish you luck, and please be careful. We will get there as soon as we can. Keep communications open.”
“Thank you.”
They shrug. “Just make sure you make it home intact, and if you must go down–”
“I’ll make sure no Menth in this system escapes alive.”
“Spoken like a true Commander.”
I disconnect the signal and take a moment to process the scans. Damn it, Oren. One colossus-level ship is as large as a station and according to these scans, he’s in very close proximity to three of them. The firepower of those ships would be overwhelming even with the Oshi’s maneuverability.
I need to strategize.
Failure is most certainly not an option.
25
PROJECT SANCTUARY
MAJOR COOK ORDERED MOST OF HIS TROOPS TO VACATE THE ROOM, leaving the same number of soldiers as their small team. It appeared to level the playing field, but they still were at a disadvantage. Pickett felt she’d managed to convince Major Cook to share some of his information but knew there would be limitations unless she and the team did something drastic. According to customary international law, only members of the armed forces that are a party to a conflict can take part in hostilities. Knowing Major Cook as she once did, Pickett knew he wouldn’t stray from this even though the country doesn’t exactly exist anymore. She would need to leverage her knowledge of Lex if they were to gain access to any additional information.
“What was Thomson’s itinerary?” Pickett looks around, her eyes passing each person indiscriminately. “How long ago did you lose contact?”
Cook’s face turns sour, “Not that it's any of your concern. But the Lieutenant General was to arrive two days ago, all attempts to contact him since then have failed. His last known location was Fort Hood.”
Pickett’s eyes fall back to the pages in her hands, “And these are all the notes? It seems incomplete.”
The five of them stand together. Pickett in the front, Huang and Blackwell behind her, with Morrison and Zath behind, each facing a different direction around the room. Cook and a single soldier stand facing Pickett and the other three are spaced around the large empty area. No movement or words come from anyone.
“You do not have the clearance to see all of them. You should know that.” The Major cocks his head slightly, like he’s baffled by the thought.
“And you should know that unless you cooperate with me, you won't find Lex.” Her tone is strong and unwavering. “We can keep playing these games Cook, or you can tell me what I want to know so we can get Sanctuary off this rock.”
Silence fills the room as Pickett and the Major stare at each other.
“Fine.” Cook hisses, as he turns to the troop behind him. “Go get the rest of the notes.”
The man shouts, “Sir,” and vanishes behind a door. He returns a few moments later. The Major quickly grabs the stack of papers before turning back to Pickett and her group.
“Ms Pickett,” Cook looks down at the pages he’s holding, then back up at her, “How am I to know that you can actually find this Lex? I don’t believe it’s out of the question to assume you’d lie to further your own means.”
“I suppose not,” Pickett extends her hand, waiting to receive the notes, “But are you willing to risk it? Of the two of us, you’re the one with something to lose.”
“Did the Lieutenant General say anything to you about a core, when you last spoke?” The Major places the pages in Pickett’s hand.
She quickly grabs the pages before he can change his mind. “Not to my recollection, why?”
“While Lex is a common theme in Thomson’s notes, it seemed he was also interested in a core of some kind. But we have no idea what that may be.”
She scans the writings and discovers the Major is telling the truth. Only ever referred to as The Core, Thomson seemed convinced this was the key to saving the human race. It’s the final page that catches Pickett’s eye the most - a drawing of some type of machine, with what looks like a small shadow figure standing in front of it. The top of the paper just says core in all capitals. It looks large, almost like a nuclear reactor, but different in a way she can’t put her finger on.
“Did he say anything to you that stood out, when you spoke?” Cook scowls slightly,. “To be frank with you, I don’t understand how a man of that importance just disappears without anyone noticing.”
She plays their last conversation back in her head, while staring at the scribbles in her hands. The lines are sharp and deliberate, almost like he was drawing from memory and not speculation. The machine looks like it's almost glowing with the small shadow standing alone in front of it. Everything Thomson did had purpose. This little figure is important, that’s why it’s on the page.
“The Child.” Pickett finally raises her eyes from the page, “Lex is the child. She has the core.”
Major Cook’s ears perk to this, “Elaborate. Now.”
Pickett noticed locations or coordinates throughout the pages of notes Thomson sent to Cook. The Major explained that he looked into these places, and even sent a team to the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve along the coast of Lake Erie - though there was nothing there to speak of. After inquiring about the other locations, Pickett informs the Major that it would be in his best interest to gather and send a second team to that same location. Then await further instructions upon arrival. The Major reluctantly agrees when his attempt to pry any additional information out of her fails.
Not long after, the five of them head back out to the Jeep. Huang orders Morrison to grab one of the jerrycans, and fill up the tank before departure. Zath felt he had very little understanding despite hearing pretty much all of the conversation. He could still feel eyes on them, as they loaded up and drove away. He couldn’t help but wonder if that is what Huang was talking about when he said things were only going to get more difficult as they continued their journey. Zath had never felt his heart beating so fast as it was inside that building. He’d heard people say that holding a gun makes a person feel powerful. While he had enjoyed the idea of having his own assault rifle since the drop location, all the feelings of excitement and invincibility he’d had left when surrounded by trained soldiers and their own rifles.
Pickett lowers her phone once the hangar is no longer in sight, and looks back over her shoulder at the three sitting in the back. “I’m sure the three of you have questions, and I feel now is the time to be upfront with you.”
No one speaks, at least not right away.
“What is the goal of this mission?” Blackwell finally blurts out, though she looks unsure about the question.
“Project Sanctuary is a space vessel. Constructed out of various alien technology the military has come across over the years, its destination is Martian Base Alpha, the first Human settlement on Mars.”
“Close to Wayne National forest, there is a top secret underground launch station. Constructed for and with the intention of having the project completed in case of planetary emergencies.” Huang speaks loudly, “The project started shortly after World War Two, just before the beginning of the Cold War. The original idea was the moon, but when the space race started, the plan grew in scope.” He pauses as he drives over the scattered remnants of a building. “After the bombs were dropped on Japan, the government went into prevention mode, making contingency after contingency.”
The conversation continues, and Zath's mind buzzes a mile a minute, as he learns what going with Pickett now entails.
26
THE FAMILY REUNION
LICENSE #2166Z8 - OREN
[MEMORY BANK 42]
IF THERE IS ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED, IT IS HOW HUMANS ARE A SPECIES who take pride in their symbols. When I look back into examples of their history I see flags–tattered and waving. Symbols of pride for some and division for others. There are so many more unique things this planet has to offer but I doubt anyone has the perception to see them. I often think of the flowers; some are more resilient than others. A red cosmos for example would make an excellent symbol if people bothered to learn their story.
I take a moment to just observe. The console in front of me is reacting as it should and I didn’t detect any trackers after we took off. We might be all clear, but it would be foolish to let our guards down.
“So, I don’t want to be that kid in the back seat constantly asking ‘are we there yet’ but…” His name is Charles and if it weren’t for the fact he saved me I probably would have found an opportunity to leave him behind.
I sigh. “No, we are not there yet.”
He nods. “Cool cool. Just… uh… checking, I guess. Man, I could use a Jack and coke.”
The girl–Melisa–walks up to me. “How do you know how to fly this thing?”
The questions are becoming tiresome. “This isn’t the first Menth ship I’ve had to borrow.”
She pauses. “You say that like we’re going to give it back.”
I nod. “We will, one way or another.”
She smiles. “Does that make us pirates then? We could live on our own planet and do anything we want.”
“Because that has worked out so well for humans in the past. You strive for order and frown at chaos. I don’t think being a rogue factor is in anyone’s best interest.” The moment I finish this sentence I see just how intently Charles is staring at me. “Is something the matter?”
Koari slumps into his seat. “I thought space would be cooler, but it’s just a whole lot of nothing.”
Charles’ gaze shoots back to the boy. “What did you say?”
Koari instantly straightens himself up. “Mr. Charles?”
“Can you understand them?” Charles is looking at me now.
“Of course. Why is there something…” The realization is swift. “... of course there is.” I turn back to the console and begin searching for a schematic.
“What are you doing?”
I pause only when I find what I’m looking for. “Reviewing the build of this vessel. We’re out of range from the station.”
He nods. “That’s good right?”
I turn to face him. “It is, but this ship also doesn’t have a translation module.”
At their core Earth’s languages are simple. Regional variations include differences in tone, alphabet and structure, but knowing the root languages is enough for any module to process an algorithm.
I pause for a moment and then disengage my universal filter. Perhaps if I hear what they do then I can better understand their behaviour.
“Oren, qu’est-ce qui se passe? Je ne peux pas comprendre M. Charles.” Melisa pauses. I search back in my memory bank and retrieve the necessary file. “Vous ne parlez pas la même langue. Attends une minute. Je vais essayer–”
“Charles-san… my English is… not very good.” Koari is struggling to form words. “Can… can we… Japanese. Please.”
Charles sighs. “And suddenly this trip got a lot longer.”
I sigh and begin processing. I don’t know if this ship has enough spare components for me to fabricate a makeshift module. I put my head in my hands and turn back to the console. I most definitely do not want to become a translation hub for the three of them.
“Oren?” Melissa puts her hand on my arm.
I shake my head. “Je dois penser.”
She sighs. “Mais…”
I motion to her empty seat. “Assieds-toi. S’il te plait. Laisse-moi penser. Je vais essayer de trouver une solution.”
But I have to think. For my own sanity more than anyone else’s.
A small blip appears on the long range scanner and suddenly that has my full attention. Melisa takes her seat while Charles notices my newfound interest.
“What’s that?”
“I’m not sure.”
His voice grows more frantic. “Is that the way we’re heading or where we just came from?”
“I’m not sure.”
He pushes my arm. “You’re not sure? How are you not sure? I thought you were a super smart robot. Don’t you know everything?”
“Charles-san, please calm down.” Koari’s words catch Charles’ attention.
He then looks at me again. “How is he doing that? Why can I suddenly understand him again?”
I pause. “Something is in range.” Within seconds a ship blinks into place ahead of us causing all three of them to flinch. I recognize the ship almost instantly. “Lex.”
The Oshi lowers its main cargo doors and I adjust our course to land.
“What are you doing?” Charles almost has his face against the main viewer.
“This is the Oshi, my ship.”
Melisa leans forward. “How did it get here?”
I shrug. “I have no idea.”
The main engines cut to safe touchdown speed as I take manual control of the ship. My three passengers watch on intently as I initiate the landing protocol. This is the most quiet I’ve had this entire trip.
When we touch down I see Lex emerge from the main control room, descending the steps only as the cargo doors close behind us.
“Who’s that?”
I stand and open the outer hull doors. “Lex. Please don’t say anything that will irritate her.”
“She looks so young.” Melisa doesn’t stop staring.
No, she looks really mad.
I step down and waste no time in making my way to Lex. The expression on her face is one I have only seen a handful of times. She’s worried and the serious tone in her voice confirms this. Something has happened. It’s as if she is trying everything in her power to not lash out.
“Oren.”
I nod. “Lex, how did you find me?”
She ignores my question. “Prepare the core and lock down the exhibits. We’re returning to Zairon.”
My eyes widen. “We can’t do that just yet.”
She’s irritated. “This system is crawling with Menths and we do not have any backup coming for a while. Returning to Earth is not an…” She catches a glimpse of Charles and the kids exiting the ship. “...option.”
“Wow! Look at this place. It’s so big.” Koari reaches out to touch a polarized container housing an ornate sword.
“Don’t touch that. Don’t touch anything.” Lex’s voice booms. She then turns her attention back to me. “We are returning to Zairon. End of story.”
I pause. “You know they won’t survive the trip.”
She sighs. “Not my problem.”
“But it is my problem.”
She nods. “Then handle it. This is not open for discussion.”
“Where’s Danica? You said we all get an equal vote. There’s no way she isn’t taking my side.”
She clenches her fists and I know I’ve said something over a line I didn’t know existed. “Danica is… shut down.”
I take a moment to process her words. “How?”
She collects herself. “The humans.”
Both of us let the silence sit. Lex is a former commander and now I see that her mannerisms are her way of stopping herself from going back to Earth. It’s not that she can’t but that she doesn’t want to go back. There’s a story here and I think I have to wait to hear it properly. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that the three humans with me are innocent.
“They saved my life.” I instantly realize just how much of a low blow this is–attacking a Zpectrite’s honour.
