Condition Zero, page 21
part #6 of The Earth Saga Series
Soturi rubbed his chin. “Never seen anything like this.”
Taark looked over to the senior member of Alliance Diplomacy who was carefully looking at the images. “Sector Prefect?”
Dinalis shook his head. “I can’t help you.”
Taark looked at the tech. “And no one in the science department knows what this is?”
“No, Sir. We sent back some of the imagery to fleet HQ on Mella II and Mechcharga, but it will take some time to get a reply.”
“Where is the Epsilon?” Taark asked out loud.
There was no response. From anyone in the room. “Tapping the closest communicator on the table, Taark reached the bridge. “Ship Master Yakari.”
“Yakari here.”
“Get Master Doctor Prure from the Epsilon here as soon as possible.” Taark ordered, then cut the channel. “I might know someone who can direct us towards an answer.”
It took almost forty-five minutes for Master Doctor Prure, accompanied by Ship Master Ranix, to arrive in the conference room. The intervening time had been spent throwing theories into the ring. Nothing had been concluded, other than what was on the small, isolated island in the southern Indian ocean was alien.
“Master Doctor!” Taark boomed, rising to his feet. He hugged the old Portean physician, then signalled him to sit down at the table. Ranix was pointed to an empty seat, which he took without saying a word.
Prure looked around the table, then back to Taark. “So, Admiral. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Taark pointed at the images that were hovering above the table. “This.”
Prure smiled. “Have you asked me here to give you a history lesson?”
“What?” Taark asked.
“Where did you get these images?” Prure asked. “Is everyone now interested in ancient history about the Zarosians all of a sudden?”
“Do you know what this is?” Taark pressed.
“He does.” Lord Soturi said, a grim look on his face.
“It looks like Zarosian technology.” Prure replied. “What planet did you find it on?” He looked at the images. “This doesn’t look like Ranf 3.”
“Prure.” Taark placed his palms on the table. “Assume I know nothing about what you’re speaking. Start at the top.”
The smiled vanished from Prure’s face. “Where are these images from?”
“Earth.” John Robert answered.
Prure sat back in his chair. “If this is what I think it is, then it is Zarosian technology.” He looked around the room at several blank faces. “The Zarosian Empire was theorised to have existed aeons ago, and may have seeded hundreds of planets throughout the galaxy with the ingredients for intelligent life, which is why almost all the species of the Empire look vaguely similar.”
“And why would this device be located on Terra?” Dinalis asked.
“First, we would have to know the provenance of this structure, and most importantly, what it does.” Prure replied.
“How do you know so much about these Zarosians?” Taark asked.
“I was reading about them and the discovery of spaceship wreckage on Ranf 3 before the war started.” He replied. “I believe all the data was lost when Jarosis was destroyed.”
“How do we proceed?” Taark asked.
“Investigate.” Prure replied.
“I think that this is a problem for the Visitor Liaison Team.” John Robert said calmly. “I can have a team at the site in a few hours and have them assist in a joint Alliance-Human study of this structure.”
Taark looked at Soturi. “Your thoughts?”
“We need to proceed with caution.” The Jin-Mona answered. “We don’t know what we’re dealing with.”
“I concur.” Dinalis said. “Quarantine the island. Only then do you allow the science team in.”
Taark looked at the science tech. “I want the heads of all science departments here in one hour.” The tech nodded, then rushed out of the room. “Well, John Robert, I trust you’ll have the appropriate members from your team available for that meeting.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Taark looked at Prure. “I would appreciate it if you could attend as an advisor.”
“I’m afraid all my knowledge is limited in scope.” Prure replied. “But I will be here if you need me.”
“Thank you, my old friend.” Taark said, before turning his attention to the rest of the table. “Until we know what this is, and what we’re dealing with, Commodore Smid, I want you to use your remaining assets in the system to set up a standard patrol of the entire Sol system.” His eyes shifted to a member of the science team. “Report to the bridge and begin working through any probable outcomes from this development. Lord Soturi and Sector Prefect Dinalis, you will supervise all VLT activity and transfer back to the Planetary Command Ship. You will coordinate the investigation of this structure from there.”
“Understood.” Soturi replied.
“Good.”
94-Kerguelen Island
The shuttle was bucking had as it dropped down through the cloud cover over the cold dark waters of the southern Indian ocean. A local rainstorm had just ended, but there was still dense cloud over the entire area.
Doctor Gaius Stephenson was strapped in securely to his jump-seat at the end of a row of Tohil scientists and technicians. John Robert had over a dozen members already on the Seven, ready to deploy for this mission. In addition to the humans, Stephenson could see several Light Sentinels among the complement being sent down to the planet’s surface, with only one other biological, Master Doctor Prure.
For Stephenson, this mission was making him feel like he had come full circle. Long before Colonel Hunt had forced him out of the Post-Detection Task Group, Gaius Stephenson had enjoyed a sparkling career with SETI. Everything had changed when he had been in Delhi for a conference, and a strange cigarette smoking figure in a trench coat and leather boots had approached him. The character had at first discussed the idea of aliens, life on other worlds and how SETI and the PDTG would respond if contact were ever made. The man had even bought Gaius a few drinks and introduced him to some of his female friends.
That man turned out to be John Robert, the head of Tohil Technologies. A year later, Gaius was on his payroll, receiving all the perks that included, and feeding his new master every piece of information that came his way. John Robert had told him that his company was interested in investing in the future, and if aliens ever made contact, then they’d need an inside man to get them access all the way to the source. Gaius had done just that.
But it had all come at a cost. Once he had been outed, his credibility within the scientific community turned to shit overnight. He ran back into the waiting arms of Tohil, and since then, he had been the hound for John Robert, his go-to man for all things Alliance or Coalition. And now, dropping back down to Earth, he was where he was meant to have been the entire time, leading a human-alien survey team to a discovery of unlimited potential.
Colonel Hunt might have foiled him in Paraguay, but it was Colonel Hunt who was now on the sidelines. He had taken himself out of the show, and left John Robert, the man Joe hated, in his place to run things. That meant Gaius was closer to the action than he could have ever dreamed.
“Crossing five-thousand.” The pilot barked over the cabin speakers.
One of the Light Sentinels got up from its seat and walked over to Doctor Stephenson. “Sir, we will land five kilometres from the structure. When moving towards the structure, please follow all orders from my team.”
Stephenson studied the face of the machine. It had a long green line running down its front similar to that on the Sentinel Commander.
“In the event of an emergency, the shuttle will move in an extract the team and return to orbit.” The machine continued, before moving to the next member of the Tohil team to brief them.
“Side hatch opening.” The pilot said.
Stephenson pulled his knit cap down over his ears, and looked to his right and watched the hatch slide open, revealing a grey sky as far as the eye could see, and an almost black ocean below them. The wind whipped into the compartment, chilling his face, but he felt warm inside. This was the adventure he had signed up to SETI for all those years ago.
When the ship passed the fifty-metre threshold, dirt and snow were blown into the fridge air as the throttle continued to power away. Only at the twenty-metre mark was the engine cut, allowing the shuttle to drop slowly to the hard earth.
Stepping out of the ship, Stephenson’s boot touched Earth, wet and green. Looking around, he couldn’t help but notice how barren the island was. A single mountain dominated the western edge of the island, just north of where the shuttle had set down. Stephenson shivered and zipped up his coat all the way. The wind was steady from the east and was only a few degrees above freezing.
Looking southwards towards the ocean, and Antartica, Gaius could make out a large group of Antarctic fur seals resting on the beach. They stared back at the humans and robots that had just arrived from space. The air above the ocean was full of birds, and except for the recent visitors, everything looked as it should.
“Doctor.”
Stephenson turned around and found himself standing face to face with the robotic team leader.
“Yes?”
“Humans are detected near the unidentified object.” The robot reported.
Stephenson thought on it for a moment. “Send two units ahead and inform the people at the object to not touch or enter.”
“Done.”
“Good.” Stephenson said. “I must assume they are French scientists from the research station.” A smile came across his face. He was back in his element, among people whom he understood, scientists. No military types to spoil things. No TV cameras to capture this or that moment. He hadn’t felt a moment this pure since he had heard the news about the spaceship crash in Paraguay.
“Shall we make our way?” Master Doctor Prure asked, bundled up in a heavy coat.
Stephenson smiled at the alien. “Let us away.”
95-The Seven
“Keegan!” Colonel Hunt ran up behind his friend. “Are you leaving?”
Doctor Beck shook his head slightly. “Taking a little trip.”
“Albuquerque?” Joe asked.
Keegan nodded. “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Are you bringing any protection?” Joe asked, placing his hand on Keegan’s shoulder. “You don’t know what it’ll be like down there.”
Keegan tried to smile. “It’s fine.” Keegan took a step away from Joe. “I’ve got to go.” He started to turn. “Good luck with finding Rhea.” He finished his turn and continued on his way to one of the numerous hangar bays on the Seven.
“Good luck!”
Keegan raised his arm and waved it in acknowledgement. As a scientist, he didn’t like to believe in luck, but he was going down to Albuquerque with only limited information, and even if things went his way, he felt that a little bit of luck wouldn’t hurt.
Hangar Four was empty save for two humans and a giant robot when Keegan entered. He had been promised a strike-team, he just didn’t think it would be this small.
“Doctor Beck!” One of the men boomed. “Ken Tyler.” He pointed at the man standing next to him. “Tom and I will be escorting you down to the surface.”
Keegan kept walking towards the trio.
“And this is Sentinel Seven-Six-Bravo-Nine-Zero-Zero-Seven.” Ken looked at the ten-foot tall machine. “We just call him 76er, after the basketball team.”
“Nice to meet you.” Keegan said, shaking Ken and Tom’s hands. “Sorry, we weren’t properly introduced in Kansas. Do I get any fancy armour like that?” He asked, admiring the desert camouflage pattern that had been painted on the kit the men were wearing.
“No dice, Sir.” Tom replied. “You’re a non-combatant, and we don’t want people on the surface thinking you’re a shooter.”
“You’re expecting trouble?” Keegan asked.
“Maybe.” Ken replied. “Intel on the ABQ is light.” He paused, then leaned towards Keegan. “I’m from Santa Fe originally.” He jerked his gloved thumb towards Tom. “Austin.”
Keegan smiled. “I thought I heard a Texan in here.”
“Yes, Sir.” Tom replied.
“So, what’s the plan?” Keegan asked.
“You tell us.” Ken replied. “Major Tattersall said we were to assist you in extracting your kid from the surface. Appropriate levels of force required.”
“What does that mean?” Keegan asked, a little shocked.
“Well, Doc, if some asshole shoots at me, I’m going to shoot back.” Ken replied.
Keegan pointed at the single ship that was in the small hangar. “And we’re going down in that?”
“Yes.” 76er replied.
“It speaks!” Keegan said sarcastically.
“Yes.”
Ken turned around and looked at the Sentinel, then back to Keegan. “It’s a standard model. I requested a Commander unit, but no luck.”
“What is that thing, anyway?” Keegan asked, his eyes locked on the grey spacecraft that was parked twenty metres away.
“It’s a fast raider.” Tom answered. “Got seating for five plus the Bot, and enough weapons to handle any problem we’ll find on the surface.”
Keegan reached the ship and ran his hand along the hull. It was cold to his touch. Looking at the stubby little wings, he was surprised to see so many missiles, rockets and bombs and other weapons of destruction attached to ship.
“She might be small, but she packs a wallop.” Ken said. “You know where you want to go on the surface?”
Keegan nodded. “Home.”
“Sounds like a good place to start.” Tom said. “76er, let’s get moving.”
Keegan watched the giant robot move towards the front of the ship, open the cockpit, and climb in.
“We ride in the back, Doc.” Tom said, hitting an access switch on the side of the ship. The side panelling slid out of the way, revealing a small compartment with five seats in a row.
“Doctor, why don’t you climb in first.” Tom suggested. “Once you’re sat down, the seat will automatically provide restraints.”
Keegan looked inside the raider and could see the rear of 76er at the front of the ship. His seat was only half a metre behind the massive robot. Putting his hands on either side of the hatch, Keegan pulled himself up into the ship, making sure to keep his head low at all times. Moving past the rear seats, Keegan slid himself into the seat and watched as restraints went over his torso and legs.
Looking around his space, Keegan spotted several monitors that were for his viewing, along with what looked like a datapad that was bolted onto the ceiling of the ship.
“You set?” Tom asked, peering over his shoulder.
“Yep.” Keegan replied.
“Once we’re ready, 76er is going to take us down to the surface.” Tom explained. “We’re going to take it real slow when we reach ABQ.”
Keegan nodded.
“Things look mostly intact from sat images, but we don’t know what’s really going on on the surface.” Tom continued.
“I know.”
“Good.” Tom looked towards the front of the ship. “76er, contact the bridge and request clearance for launch and vectors to the surface.”
Keegan watched the machine that was in front of him. It hadn’t moved since it had sat down. Keegan suspected that the robot was probably linked with the ships control systems, and no physical movements were required.
Looking over his shoulder, Keegan watched as Ken handed Tom a series of weapons before climbing into the ship and closing the hatch behind him. Once the hatch was closed, the digital displays at Keegan’s seat came to life, brightening up his small area.
He might not have been a pilot, but Keegan quickly noted that one of the screens was showing information on the ships location, speed, heading and so-on. The other screen was showing an image from an external camera that was slowly panning around the empty hangar they were in. The large monitor that was bolted to the ceiling had a variety of data in several boxes. Keegan couldn’t read the Universal, but he assumed it was information on the ships fuel, weapons, and other critical systems.
A tap on Keegan’s shoulder produced a headset, which Keegan put on.
“Comms check.” Ken said.
“I hear you.” Keegan replied.
“All your monitors working?” Ken asked.
“Yes.”
“Good. Enjoy the show. We should be on the surface in less than an hour.”
Ken killed the channel, leaving Keegan alone with his own thoughts. He wished Ryan was with him, but she was dead, or at least still partially dead, and he had left her mind and conscious in his quarters on the Seven. There was no need to risk that device on this expedition to find his kid.
That raised the prospect of the conversation that Keegan was going to have when he found his child. What would he say about his mother? They hadn’t seen him in months, and Keegan was starting to worry about how his presence alone would be received. Shaking his head, he focused his mind on the task at hand.
Outside the raider, the air was sucked out of the hangar, prepping for the bay doors to open. Moments later the large doors that kept the vacuum of space out of the ship opened, and 76er released the mag-lock, allowing the raider drifted off the deck, and slowly orient its nose towards the exit, then zoom out once a pinch of thrust was applied.
Outside of the Seven, the raider increased its speed and moved off towards the planet its mother-ship had been hovering above. A small blue flame emanating from the rear of the ship as it raced towards Earth.
Scanning the screens that were to his front, Keegan noted how the system seemed so empty of ships. Perhaps the drama over Earth had come to an end, and finally, a period of peace would reign.
Trying to relax in his seat, Keegan stared at the external camera images that were slowly turning in 360 degrees, and only then did it dawn on him that he was once again, travelling in a tiny spacecraft back to Earth. He was experiencing something that so few had, and maybe now, with the war hopefully over, more citizens of Earth could experience the same euphoria he was.
