The Colony Ship Eschaton: The entire ten book series, page 14
The woman, Hazel the Rectora then added, “Do you agree that we are in the sincere covenant of confession?” She made stern eye contact with both Michael and Jamie and awaited their answers.
“Certainly,” Michael said. He did not really know what she was talking about, but he sensed that she needed an affirmative.
“Agreed,” said Jamie as well.
“Excellent!” Rectora Hazel replied. Her countenance lightened notably. “Now we can talk freely about anything. How may we help you?”
“Our things were stolen, and we need them back,” Jamie stated. “We were in the forest outside of Gath, and all our supplies and equipment were stolen in the night. Then later we entered Gath.” Jamie halted, wondering if telling about Gath would get them into trouble.
“Yes, there were bandits in Gath. And yes, Gath was cleansed. We did recover a large number of unusual items. We thought they were from the before times or maybe from the original OCMs,” Hazel relayed.
“So we can speak about Gath?” Jamie asked. “What happened to all those people, and why does no one speak of it?”
“There were bandits operating in Gath, and our Legionnaires cleansed the town. That means all the people were gathered and taken to the other world. Our ways teach us, ‘Be separated from the evil among you.’ Once evil ways becomes habitual, they must be purged from our midst,” Robert explained. “The animals and supplies from Gath are distributed to the needy as acts of mercy.”
“So you killed those people?” Michael asked.
“What? No, unless they refuse to go to the other worlds. We would not kill people, except to keep our world pure and clean.” Robert’s words were utterly serious.
Hazel then added, “When evil comes we must stand against it. Like these bandits who stole your food, they cannot go unopposed. When we captured the people at Gath they were taken to the other world. I do not believe any were killed.”
“That is correct,” Robert stated. “All went willingly when given the choice.”
“Is that not where you came from, the other world, before you came here?” Hazel asked.
“They stole more than our food. Okay, just slow down, and get back to what is important. Can we see what you recovered from these bandits?” Michael asked.
“First, this killing idea, it must be clarified. We do not just kill people here. Not unless they refuse to go, or it is in combat with bandits. Bandits might kill someone for their possessions, but we do not. People are exiled to the other world.” Robert was genuinely eager to make sure they understood that killing was a last resort. “What did you say about other things stolen?”
“Yes, our equipment and machines were stolen,” Michael replied. “Those are more important than food.”
“A machine more important…” Robert was perplexed. He was about to go on when Jamie interrupted.
“But the Legionnaires wear armor, carry swords and other weapons. What are they for?” Jamie butted in. Michael still was eager to find out about the supplies, but Jamie had diverted the conversation. “If killing is not embraced, why swords and armor?”
Robert turned his attention to Jamie. “Legionnaires wear the attire of Legionnaires. They have always done so. The swords and side arms are only if the unclean resist capture. Tragically, there are the bandits who would easily kill people, and we do guard against them. The weapons are also used against the hostile animals, but only as a last resort. There are gators which live in some of the ponds and streams; there is a wolf pack, and some puma that wonder the world. The predators seldom hurt people. There are also venomous snakes which may be a danger to people. But even with those, we mourn the death of animal predators greatly. Yes, we kill hare and chickens, pigs and cattle. They are food animals. We value people far greater than animals. We must; people are RCs.”
“It looks like there is much to discuss,” Hazel said. “Let us take the time to understand each other. You have lost something important, we want to help, but we also must stand against evil like the bandits.”
Michael sighed. He looked to Jamie and could see her impatience to locate their technology and complete the mission.
25 mirror mirror
“What is an RC? Or an OCM?” Jamie asked. “We have heard those terms before, but what do they mean?”
“Why, that is simple. You are an RC. And the OCMs are those who were Eschatoned away from the before times.” Robert looked perplexed, but his words were more condescending.
Jamie and Michael exchanged glances. Robert reminded them a bit of the fish woman Abigail. “Help me understand those names: RC and OCM. What do the letters mean?” Jamie asked again.
Hazel and Robert were stumped for a bit. They were deep in thought, when Hazel interjected. “From the history records, they must mean Original Crew Member and Replacement Crew. Our scholars are divided on that issue and it is only speculation. I believe the ancient documents spoke of those terms, and OCM and RC mean those things, but I will not force someone to believe as I do. So much was lost in the war with the Trusters.”
“So much is at stake when confronting evil,” Robert added. “Being firm in conviction, and devout in our…”
“Can we see what things you gathered from Gath?” Michael interrupted. He had no desire for more theological ramblings.
“Certainly. But a few questions of our own, first if we may?” Hazel said.
“Ask what you will,” Jamie answered. “Please know our mission is a matter of life and death.”
The Rector and Rectora exchanged worried glances.
Hazel then asked, “How did you come to this world from the other world? When we cleanse people to the other world, they do not come back. You obviously are not from our world, so how did you get here?”
“From which of the other worlds did you originate?” Robert asked. “Why have you come to our world?”
Jamie and Michael looked at each other. They both were wondering how much to share with these people. Michael nodded.
“We came in a ship, and then walked a long way to get here.” Michael said.
“This ship you speak of: Is it like the portals?” Hazel asked.
“Portals?” Michael did not understand.
“Hazel, I think these people, our new friends, need to be taken to those things we recovered in Gath. Neither of us seem to be understanding the other side. So let us follow the guide which teaches us help all who ask of you, and refuse them not,” Robert cut in. His tone was remarkable different now.
“Agreed,” Hazel answered. “Please follow us.”
Robert and Hazel led the way out of the room. Jamie and Michael followed. The Legionnaire guards stoically marched along, hands held at the ready near their weapons. They proceeded down a hallway. They then entered a large room with a wooden table in the center and benches along the walls. On the table were many items.
“Are these your things which were stolen? Here are the important items,” Robert pointed to the end of the table where dried meats, bags of grain and other food items were stacked.
“Indeed some of them are!” Michael was excited. He moved past the food and picked up a fusion pack. He carefully examined it, and it was still operational. “Excellent! This is our technology.”
Under a pile of rags was a second fusion pack. It, too, was fully functional. He handed that to Jamie, who joined him in searching the table for their lost equipment. They shuffled through stacks of primitively made clothing, leather skins and bags, as well as wooden and pottery items. Their equipment was randomly found in various places on the table. The backpacks were located, but smoothly carved wooden sticks had been stuffed into them.
Carefully empting out the backpacks, Jamie and Michael continued to hunt through the pile of things for their equipment. Chief among them were the controls and components for the teleportation receiving pad. Finally, all of the teleportation technology was recovered. The projectile weapons were missing. The tool kit was only partially complete, with about half of its individual tools lost. The medical kits were missing. The table was littered with many utensils, sticks, woven mats and other things clearly made in this habitat. Those were set to the side.
Looking at the stack of their recovered technological gadgets, they saw some had been partially disassembled. Using what tools they had found, Michael and Jamie began reassembling the parts and pieces which had been stripped apart.
“You may have any of these things which were yours,” Hazel stated. She recognized that Michael and Jamie were well versed with the equipment.
“Thank you,” Jamie replied. “Michael, there is enough to begin construction on the teleportation pad! But we will need their help.” She waved toward Robert and Hazel.
“How can we help you?” Hazel asked. “We want to help, and have returned your items, but you have not answered our questions. What world are you from?”
“Tell them the whole story,” Michael stated. “They have been gracious to give us our gear.”
“Let me explain,” Jamie said. “We told you we came from far away. We need to build a machine to bring our friends here. It is very important, for our friends are in danger. Our home is dying, and we need to find a safe place to live. Your world seems to be where they need to come. Will you help us build a way for our friends to come here?”
“It really is that simple. Our home is dying, and we want to rescue our friends by bringing them here,” Michael tried to put it into simplistic ideas.
“We have fine carpenters who can build whatever you need from the wood taken from the forests. We also have skilled stone masons and brick makers. What do you need built?” Robert offered.
“We cannot make the machine out of wood or stone. We must make it out of permalloy. Like these buildings are made from metal,” Michael said.
“Metal working is very hard. Few know how these places were made. The legends and ancient tales tell of how the OCMs shaped and made these buildings. We are not OCMs,” Robert stated flatly. “We do not make metal machines.”
“We do not have all of our tools, the molecular torches are missing.” Jamie looked over the table. “Our machine must have a grid, a platform, made from permalloy. It must be made from metal.”
“We do have one blacksmith who works with metal. He also has made some of our swords. Perhaps he can help you?” Hazel said after a long pause. Robert and Hazel exchanged a few whispers. Robert nodded; they both gestured and whispered some more. Hazel then got up and left the room quietly.
“I have asked Hazel to summon Josiah. He is proud of being a sword smith, since most of what he makes are simple metal tools. Tools which are righteous and honorable. Josiah has studied many of the ancient ways. He also repairs doors and other metal objects. He is one of the most Orthodox among us.”
“What are the Orthodox?” Jamie asked.
Again Robert seemed perplexed. “The Orthodox are the Orthodox. Let me tell you like I do to children. Forgive me if I sound patronizing. That is not my intent, it is just you both seem so…how shall I say it? So uninformed. The Orthodox began by fighting the Trusters long, long ago. The Orthodox study the old ways and seek to understand the before time things. Josiah once actually unlocked a metal cabinet!” Robert’s look on his face said what an accomplishment he thought that was.
“Maybe I should show you the portals while we wait for Hazel to return with Josiah?” Robert stretched out his arm to show the way. “Then you can tell me which of the other words you came from.”
Michael and Jamie had gathered their belongings into the back packs and were ready to go in only a matter of moments. Strapping them on, they felt far lighter than when they had carried them off the FTL scout ship.
“Please follow me,” Robert said.
They walked through the halls to another room which had a sentry posted at its door. The Legionnaire guards followed them. Going past the sentry, they entered the room. On the far wall were eight metal doors. The doors were spaced about six paces apart, all along the far side of the room. The area over the doors was dull metal, and the room had a very old feel about it. Michael and Jamie recognized it as of permalloy construction, and reminded them of the corridors near where they had docked the FTL scout.
“Here is where the people depart to the other worlds,” Robert said proudly. “We open one of the portals and place the people inside. Then when the portal is closed, the people are taken to the other world.”
“Where do they go?” Jamie asked. Michael had squatted down and removed his backpack. He was assessing the fusion pack and evaluating their inventory.
“I have told you, they go to the other worlds. Is that not where you came from?” Robert asked dubiously. “I have been patient in waiting for your answers. I have returned your own items. Yet, still you do not give me a straight answer about which world you came from, or how you came here, or more importantly, why you have come here.”
“We told you why. We must find a home for our people. They are in grave danger.” Looking at the doors in the wall, which were more like hatches, Jamie continued, “We came from another world, but no, we did not come like this. We came in a ship. Do people come back out of these doors?” She was wondering of this was the Eschaton’s version of an airlock or a hanger bay, but resisted asking Robert specifics using technical jargon.
“I assumed you two did come via the portals, but I am mistaken. Other than you two, I have not known of anyone who might have come from the other world. Or from any other worlds. The historical records say there are many other worlds,” Robert explained.
Michael examined the wall and the doors. They were ancient and not simple doors. Like Jamie, he too thought they were more like hatches in a spaceship. He brushed off layers of dust and dirt and uncovered many small openings, slots and buttons. He took a small cord from the fusion pack and inserted it into a slot near the first door. The cable fit nicely and linked the wall with the fusion pack. A large part of the wall lit up with various symbols and a graph.
“What is that?” Robert said as he stepped back. He was visibly shaken.
“I believe it was called a monitor, or a display screen, and it shows us what is happening in those other worlds,” Michael said. “If I am reading this correctly, this display shows nine major areas, what I think you would call worlds. They are various habitats. Eight habitats and one engineering or control section. Just a partial schematic of the ship. From the looks of this graph, only three of the habitats are still operating: one, five and eight. The engineering or control section also seems to be pressurized. Now this is interesting.” Michael looked closely at the graphics on the display. “This shows where we are located right now. The world we are in. It is labeled number one, and is called the Coastal Plains Habitat." Michael pointed to a place on the screen.
Robert looked very distressed. Jamie and Michael were too busy assessing the monitor to notice.
“This is green in color, and that seems to indicate that the habitat, what you call a world, is working. These are the other green areas: number five, Tropical, and number eight, Secondary Aquatic.” Michael pointed to a part of the chart that was lit with green and yellow lights. “Now these worlds, or habitats…” he pointed to several other sections on the graph, “…may have failed. They are marked in red lights. They may be open to space, or just detached from scanning, or are having some kind of malfunction, but it is unclear. Perhaps nothing living in Primary Aquatic, Savannah, Asiatic, Desert, or Mixed farming? I can only get general readings from here, as the artificial intelligence is not responding. There may not even be an artificial intelligence. This stuff is so old, I am not sure what is here. The schematics and diagrams show power systems, gravity manipulation fields, and life support systems, but many are reading from auxiliary or even tertiary systems.”
“Your words, make no sense! But you have illuminated this wall? How can this be?” Robert was overwhelmed.
“Michael, does this mean the Eschaton is not suitable for our people?” Jamie asked with a worried expression. “You know we cannot fail.”
“I think there is not really much choice, unless the missions to other colony ships have had better luck. We need to set up the teleportation pad and get a message back. Let Brink and the Committee decide after we report what we have found. We saw all the room around that water trench, and the biome is working. I think this can work, if we can get the teleportation receiving pad built and connect back to Earth.”
“Earth?” Robert said under his breath. “What is all this?”
Jamie was engrossed in the display and neither she nor Michael heard Robert.
“Open up that subsystem and expand the parameters,” Jamie suggested as she pointed to a spot on the display. “There is more stacked there now that the fusion power is flowing into this antique.”
“Yes, good idea.” Michael made some adjustments on the screen, and the graph switched suddenly. Now the wall was a deep grey color with just dim light showing the outlines of the monitor screen.
