The Colony Ship Eschaton: The entire ten book series, page 173
“I am sorry Jamie, but I have no explanation for the phenomena,” Roxanne replied. “I do not perceive things through human or biological processes. To my perceptions I do not see the grey as you describe it.”
“So what do you see when you look outside?” Jamie asked.
“I see mathematical formula being played out in reality. I am sorry if that is not the type of answer you desired. I have no better way of describing it. There seems to be a discrepancy between the human brain’s interpretation of this event and mine,” Roxanne answered. “Different intelligences perceive the experience of being outside of normal space in different manners.”
“I wish Brink could have seen this. He would know how to describe it,” Michael stated. “He designed our FTL and teleportation. I do miss him.”
“As do I, Michael,” Roxanne said. “Transition time will be twenty three hours, forty seven minutes.”
“Roxanne? Do you think Brink knows what we are doing?” Michael tried to bring the conversation back to Brink.
“Brink knew exactly what was happening while he was alive. At least as well as any other human mind can fathom it. Are you asking about the afterlife? Philosophical concepts? Or about eternity?” Roxanne inquired.
“I guess maybe I am. It is hard to think of Brink as just dead and gone,” Michael stated in a flat tone.
“Michael, Brink lives on in our minds and memories,” Jamie said. “That is a legacy.”
Michael thought for a long moment. He then said, “I remember Rectora Lydia reciting from memory something after Brink died. She said it came from an old time philosopher she admired. ‘It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad’.”
“That is attributed as a quote from Jack Lewis who is reported to have lived in the early to mid twentieth century,” Roxanne stated and a black and white antique photo of a man appeared on the display screen. “I researched his life after Rectora Lydia made that comment. Our history has only limited resources from that era before the Great Event. Too many of our records were lost. I could give you’re an overview of the spiritual views embraced by Rectora Lydia if you would like. She expounds the core values of love and service…”
“Where are we heading?” Jamie interrupted. She could not keep the awe, and a excitement out of her voice. “What do we know about the destination world? We will be the first humans to encounter it, but what do we know already? Why was it chosen?”
“Michael, do you want me to continue to attempt to answer your prior question, or shall I focus on the mission parameters?” Roxanne replied.
“Tell us where we are heading,” Michael said. He was staring out at the grey emptiness which was outside the clear permalloy.
“Very well. I do recommend speaking to Rectora Lydia about spiritual matters upon our return. We are heading for the star system known as Westerhuis 23. It was one of forty-one solar systems which were discovered by the astronomer Gretchen Westerhuis using the Third Generation Orbital Observatory Laboratory built by Asteroid Prospectors. TGOOL, as it was known was assembled…”
“Roxanne, skip that part and tell us about the world we will be visiting,” Jamie said. “How it was discovered is old news, what will we find there? What do we know so far?”
“Westerhuis 23 is a Sol Equivalent 102% system, or as stated in the antiquated terms a G-type main-sequence star system, Yellow Dwarf, or G dwarf star. Those terms are imprecise and are only used in historical records and as such were never applied to Westerhuis 23. Westerhuis 23 is a star that has 1.175 solar masses and surface temperature averaging 5973 on the Kelvin scale. Rough age of Westerhuis 23 is 4.487 billion years old. Like other Sol Equivalent stars it is using a nuclear fusion process of hydrogen to helium in its core,” Roxanne showed a graphic of the star system.
“Okay, so their sun is similar to the one for Earth. But we only saw that sun for a bit when we flew out of that tan death trap. Sure Earth’s sun is beautiful, but Earth is dead. So what are the planets like?” Jamie asked.
“Using Gretchen Westerhuis’ formula for planetary detection, there are four know planetary bodies. However, that planetary detection system has not been verified. This flight will be the first known human expedition to another solar system. I have made long range scans with the Jellie technology and cross linked it to our existing knowledge. As to the known planets, I will begin with the least desirable planets for colonization. W23 Alpha is the first planet. It is a rocky world, 2.27 times the diameter of Earth, with thick heavy atmosphere. Conjectures show very low possibility for colonization, or for indigenous life forms.”
“So we do not go there,” Jamie said rather flippantly.
“W23 Gamma is a gas giant. It is fifteen times the diameter of Earth. Spectrum analysis shows it will appear as bright red in color. Jellie technology has shown 27 probable moons, three of which have their own atmosphere. All show low probability for success at colonization, and again low probability for indigenous life.” Roxanne continued. “W23 Delta is a somewhat unique finding. It consists of twin gas giants, in a binary planetary system. Both gas giants are nearly equivalent in size to each other. The diameter of each is just under five Earth diameters. They are locked in a tight swirling orbit around each other and around their sun. Very low potential for colonization or for indigenous life.”
“So we do not go to any of those places either,” Jamie said. “So what is at W23 Beta?”
“W23 Beta was named Zion’s Gate by Jaxson Rhono. In his private records it was also called ‘The Cash Cow’ but that was a designation for the financial aspects of the suspended animation lottery more than it was about describing that world. Zion’s Gate has a diameter 1.9 times the size of Earth. Scans show it has no moons. Jellie technology confirms the presence of large amounts of surface water, and a stable atmosphere. Exact constituents of atmosphere are unknown, but conjectures show high probability of carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen, ratios unknown. Conjectures are that the average surface temperature is twenty-one degrees Celsius. This is the world targeted for colonization by the Eschaton. Based upon prior information and the new long range scanning done by the Jellie technology the conjectured probability of successful colonization is over sixty percent, and probability of indigenous life is fifty-seven percent. These figures are subject to change as new information is gathered and analyzed.”
A three dimensional display was projected in front of Michael and Jamie. It showed the Westerhuis 23 solar system.
“Michael, we will be the first people to ever visit this place!” Jamie exclaimed. “Just you and I and Roxanne.”
“Roxanne, the Marathoners had the war with the Jellies. Is there any way to know if Jellies are in the Westerhuis 23 system? They have superior FTL navigation and capacity,” Michael asked.
“The Marathoners technicians specifically programmed the Jellie scanning device to look for Jellie technology. However, from this range that aspect is inoperable. The first possible use with be in six hours and thirty one minutes. I will alert you when we come into range. May I suggest you sleep as much as possible on the journey there?”
“I doubt if I can, but maybe later,” Jamie stated. “Michael this is awesome!”
12 Tearing down the jellie ship
“Sergeant Kalju, are the soldiers back from that recovery detail in Media?” Major Gonzales asked.
“Yes, ma’am, they are in the room off the hanger having a meal,” Sergeant Kalju replied with a large grin. “The Antioch people sent over an entire bison already sliced and roasted to perfection. It smells really good, with grilled corn on the cob and salads.”
“Excellent. A common meal will help them after that kind recovery. Those people in Antioch have been helpful, and having real food is a treat,” Major Gonzales replied. She was leaning over his shoulder looking at the monitors which were part of a wall in the command module of the Jellie ship. Both were dressed in camouflaged combat uniforms, but without body armor. Each had a high energy weapon strapped to their thighs. The monitor bank was a jumble of Marathon technology and alien items. The fusion of them together had a desperate look.
“Yes, Ma’am. The last of them just returned from Medical Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy 12 where they added that body to the two bodies brought in by the mapping team,” the big soldier answered. “That Eschaton AI, Kurat is performing an autopsy.” He was carefully adjusting a lever as he spoke.
“MC 87?” Major Gonzales called for the military artificial intelligence system.
“Yes, Major. How may I assist?” The words came from a small Marathon device worn on the Major’s wrist. The words of MC 87 lacked any emotional tones or variation. The three MC artificial intelligence systems the Marathoners had remaining were all designed for combat efficiency and support work. So far, none of the Marathoner’s AIs memory cores had been taken off the Jellie ship.
“Have you reviewed the information on the deaths of Varbama and Pinnate?”
“Yes, ma’am,” MC 87 replied.
“And the death of this man named Willie?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Full combat evaluation and threat assessment,” Major Gonzales ordered.
“Except for the NDB blast on the civilian Willie, which did only minor tissue damage, all three bodies were dissevered by an unknown method. Those severing injuries with the subsequent massive blood loss was the cause of each death. Pinnate had evidence of in-field treatment of wounds, but Verbama and the one named Willie did not. That strongly suggests that Pinnate was first one injured. Wound analysis shows wounds are consistent between all three bodies, but are not due to any cause in our databank. Cellular damage like this has not been recorded before. Threat assessment: High danger of intentional infliction of injuries by unknown foe. High danger of further attacks against personnel. Weapon system used is of high threat. Delivery system is unknown. Foe is unknown.”
“This is not Jellie weapon’s damage?” Major Gonzales asked.
“Wounds are not from any known weapon system, terrestrial nor Jellie. Wounds cannot be accounted for by any other known means.”
Major Gonzales stood up. She rubbed the back of her neck. “Sergeant Kalju, is this boat secure from outside observation?”
“Yes, ma’am. No one looks, scans, or hears anything in here.”
“MC 87, do you concur?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the AI responded.
“I am not so sure, considering Captain Tamar’s abilities and record. Nonetheless, MC 87, you are not to share this information with the Eschaton or Dome 17 personnel or AIs until I give you authorization. Their AI, Kurat is running an autopsy. Perhaps they will uncover who caused this. It could be something they have dealt with previously. Until we hear directly from them you and our other two AIs are only to interface with the Eschaton’s or Dome 17’s AIs through the façade.”
“Yes, ma’am,” MC87 replied with its flat affect.
“Sergeant Kalju. Perhaps our assets can give us better information about this? Please join me for some brain storming.” Major Gonzales walked out of the Jellie command module. Sergeant Kalju followed. A different soldier slid into the chair vacated by the Sergeant and took up the monitoring.
The command module had been refashioned enough for serviceable use by the soldiers, but it was clearly still an alien design. Major Gonzales pushed her hand into a small circular opening and squeezed. A doorway of sorts opened. A soldier was standing ready with energy weapon in hand. He stepped back when recognizing the Major and Sergeant.
“Has this section been opened?” Major Gonzales asked.
“No, ma’am,” the soldier replied.
“You need to take a walk for a short while,” Major Gonzales commanded. “Stay within hearing range.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He departed.
Major Gonzales shut the door she had opened and then nodded. Sergeant Kalju unlocked a part of the wall and pulled back a film of material. Behind it was a tank of liquid containing two floating things. There was a second tank next to it with a number of smaller things floating in it. A Marathon display screen lit up between the tanks.
Major Gonzales activated a switch on a panel filled with buttons. A bright light shined into the tanks of fluid. Inside were creatures which glowed an odd bluish-purple color. Each had a dome shaped top with a stem that came down from the middle of it. At the pinnacle of the dome was a ball about the size of the Major’s fist. Underneath the dome were trailing tentacles wiggling around the central stem. From top to bottom the creature was a bit taller than Major Gonzales. It whipped the tentacles at the clear permalloy which enclosed it in its liquid cage. The second one hovered in the fluids behind the first.
Sergeant Kalju smacked the clear cage with his fist right where the tentacle was smacking.
“You Jellies are uglier every time I see you. I know you can hear me, and understand, so no antics this time. I am not in the mood,” Major Gonzales stated while she held her finger down on a button.
The display screen showed a flutter of colors and then some sounds were heard echoing through the liquid of both tanks. A moment later similar sounds came back, this time from the Jellie.
Words scrolled across the display screen. ‘Release us now! Release us now!”
The Major lifted her finger off the button and then commanded, “MC87 project an image of one of the dead soldiers.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The image of the mutilated body of Corporal Pinnate was displayed before the tank.
The Major pressed the button and spoke, “What does this kind of injury?”
The words were translated into watery sounds. A moment later the Jellie responded with similar watery sounds.
‘Happy to see one of you die. I would welcome whoever did that to my pool.’ The translation was displayed on the screen.
Major Gonzales pushed a different button and a few sprays of liquid nitrogen were released into the larger of the two tanks. The Jellies inside trembled and shook in pain. The sounds they emitted were louder than before and their tentacles flailed about.
‘Unable to translate’ read the display.
“Tell me what could do this kind of injury to my soldiers, or the next spray goes to the little ones,” Major Gonzales stated in cold certainty.
The translation process took place.
‘We do not know. We do not know. We do not know.’ The display screen read. The Jellies stopped thrashing about. ‘We hope for more of you to die this way. Your deaths please us very much. If you have a new enemy we welcome it.’
“I should kill a little one, but only after I personally remove each tentacle by freezing it off,” Major Gonzales said. “Remember you had twelve in your swarm when we took this ship from you.”
Again the translation process happened.
‘And your colony ship had 150,000 which were delicious,’ the Jellie responded. ‘Release us now!’
Major Gonzales hit the liquid nitrogen button again. A short spray hit the tank. “You will never see an ocean again. Nor will you ever see any other swarm or brood.”
The shaking of the adult Jellies continued for a moment. The little ones had swum to the far side of their tank.
Major Gonzales released the button and the Sergeant pulled the film over the tanks before the display could translate the latest threats and curses from the captured Jellies.
“Major? Do you believe them?” Sergeant Kalju asked.
“Jellies are wicked and evil, but they are not liars. I have never known one to deceive, only threaten and taunt. They are too proud for lies. They do not know what caused these deaths. There is a different enemy onboard the Eschaton,” Major Gonzales commented. “Come with me as we oversee the dismantling process.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They left the holding cell after securing the locked compartment and only then allowing the guard to come back. As far as the guard knew, he was protecting essential mechanical equipment. For only Sergeant Kalju, Major Gonzales and the combat AIs knew there were Jellie prisoners in custody.
They exited the Jellie ship and entered the hanger bay. The smell of delicious food was wafting over the whole area. The door to the side room was open and the soldiers inside could be heard talking and laughing while they ate. They were too far away to hear what was being said, but it looked like an enjoyable moment.
“We will get some food soon,” Major Gonzales stated. “I want to check out the disassembly team first.” They walked down to the far end of the ship where soldiers were working.
A team of soldier technicians, each wearing combat uniforms and side arms, were busy removing one of the generator pods which the alien ship used to travel in faster-than-light mode. The pod was about ten meters in diameter, roughly dome shaped, and about five meters high. The crews were just cutting through the Jellie ship’s hull around the first generator.
