The Colony Ship Eschaton: The entire ten book series, page 47
Willie set the med kit on the cot next to Gideon’s injured leg.
“That is not magic is it?" Gideon was still unsure of the technology from the dome. The pain in his leg, and - even worse - the worry he had for Levi was making him express his heart more openly.
“No, my friend, this is not magic anymore than those Saint Peter bugs are magic,” Willie said as he opened the med kit and set it alongside the injured leg.
“But everyone knows Saint Peter bugs are healer’s tools,” Gideon said. He then recalled that he had been though extensive treatment by other methods previously and laid his head back down on the cot. “Okay, so long as Levi is recovering. I don’t know what I would do without him.” A tear rolled down Gideon’s cheek.
The medical kit analyzed the injury to Gideon’s leg. A small wafer came out from the end of the medical kit. Willie handed it to Gideon who chewed it up. The pain in his leg faded quickly and was replaced by a settled comfort.
Willie took several wires from the sides of the medical kit and attached them to Gideon- one above his injury and one below. Willie then turned on the medical kit. There was a slight buzzing sound from the kit as the healing stimulus was passed through the injured area. The swelling went down, and the torn muscle was knit back together.
“I think this leg will be repaired sufficiently,” Willie said as he looked at Hulda. He was reminded of the Saint Peter bugs she had used to repair his arm, even though the best of modern medical care in Dome 17 could not regenerate the nerves in his arm. He flexed his newly functional arm in appreciation. Hulda smiled back at him.
“These two are quite lucky,” Hulda said. "Some who have journeyed to those other worlds, what you call habitats, have not returned alive."
“So, tell me what happened?” Willie asked Hulda.
“I only repair these people; you need to speak to the Rectora about the details,” Hulda said as she walked over to examine Gideon’s leg. “Your box does help with the healings.”
Willie just smiled at her as he disconnected the medical kit from Gideon. “Well, I am going to walk over and see what caused all this. That is, if you can manage to care for these men without my expert assistance?”
“Somehow, I will manage. But it will be very difficult. I do not even remember how I did it before you came here to rescue us backwards savages,” Hulda almost laughed at her own joke. She knew the Domers had been forced to flee to the world from their own because it was dying. But some of the Domers did have the attitude she described.
Willie chucked as he departed. He walked toward the town square where there was a vigorous discussion happening.
Rectora Lydia was sitting calmly, listening. Next to her was Lorna, the last member of the Committee from Dome 17. Lorna’s face was drawn into tight lines, and the stress was evident. Both of them were highly respected by the people, but the conversation that was happening was very animated and passionate.
“There are people there who killed Deborah!” Hannah said as she paced around the square. She was unconsciously fingering her brown armor.
“But our legionnaires killed their people as well,” a man said from the crowd.
There were murmurs all around.
“I was there. They have built a stockade of logs all across the way. There is not a way to enter where they live. They clearly do not want us there,” Matilda the legionnaire said. “It is like walking into the mouth of a viper. It is folly to go back.”
“But why did they send the body?” Hannah asked. “Why abuse Deborah after she was already dead?”
There was no clear answer, and everyone was quiet for a moment. A few people made comments in the crowd. One person said “It's because of the Domers!”
Lorna stood and addressed the people. “I feel responsible for this situation. We desperately needed to find a safe place, but I never wanted anyone here to die. If our data sticks were working, we would not need to endanger you or any of your people. None of you would have gone to Tropical had it not been for us. I am sorry for your loss. Do we know if the injured legionnaires will recover?”
“Committee Member Lorna,” Willie said as he walked up to the crowd. He spoke with exaggerated formality and protocol. “The Healer Hulda is ministering to them right now, and it looks like they shall both recover.”
“That is one spot of good news,” Lorna said with a huge sigh of relief. “But there is no longer a Committee. All of that was left behind in Dome 17. We are part of Antioch now. What do you say Rectora?” Lorna sat down.
The Rectora stood up, and, straightening her robes, looked around at the crowd. “The people responsible for Deborah’s death were the bandits. And we have been sending bandits to that world, to that place, for a long time. Our system of banishment has not worked. But those bandits are the ones responsible for Deborah’s death. Not the Domers."
Matilda spoke up. “May I add that we, the legionnaires, were wrong to go off in an angry manner. We let our emotions get the better of us, and that nearly costs us the lives of Levi and Gideon. However, that supreme wickedness, that... the sending of the body was such a grievous insult and degradation...” She held back her anger, swallowed, and then continued, “...that was so horrible, I felt compelled by my own anger to join in that quest. But the bandits in Tropical have erected a barrier, a stockade made of logs, which will prevent any of us from gaining easy entry anywhere there. It is like sticking your hand in the viper’s mouth. So any other journey to there would be a folly. Rectora, may I suggest that we double the guard here in the portal room?”
“Yes, that is a good idea. When that small yellow machine came, it would have been helpful for Tobias to not have been alone,” Lydia responded.
Matilda nodded to Kiir and said, “Go and inform the legionnaires of this new plan and implement two guards at all times in the portal room.” Kiir ran off to fulfill the task assigned to him.
“I also think it is important that, until the Domers: Regina, Michael and Jamie return, that we not allow anyone to use the transport systems... is that the correct term?” Lydia spoke. “Perhaps when they return we will have better knowledge of these matters?” The crowd seemed pleased with the answer and broke into small discussion groups.
“Rectora Lydia, may we have a word, a moment of your time?” Rowan asked his voice trembling a bit. His wife Lottie was with him. She had a very stern and angry look on her face.
“Of course, Rowan, how may I help?” Lydia excused herself from the conversation, for there was something in the tone and manner of Rowan and Lottie that compelled her. The others she was speaking with had also heard it and politely backed a few paces away.
“Our sons went off with Brink to the edge of the world,” Lottie said as she glared at Rowan. “They have not yet returned, and truthfully, I am worried.”
Rowan looked back at his wife, but tears were in his eyes. “Yes, I said they could go with Brink, but I thought they would be back by now. Have I made a mistake? They know the forest well, and it was just to the edge of the world. I have been there many times myself and...”
“After what happened last time, I cannot believe you would let them go with a Domer again!” Lottie was fuming. Rowan could not meet her glaring eyes. Then she recalled that Rectora Lydia and Brink were close, and she caught herself. “No disrespect meant, Rectora Lydia. I am sure Brink is a man of honor, but... It is just that my boys are... well they... I just do not want to lose them...” She broke down in tears. When Rowan tried to console her, she shook his arm away.
Lydia stood and allowed her to cry for a few moments, then gently reached out and touched her shoulder. “Lottie, your pain and worry are great. That is not wrong. You went through much when the boys were gone before.”
The words seemed to penetrate into Lottie’s emotions, and she stepped toward Lydia. They embraced, and Lottie sobbed. Then, after a moment, Lottie reached out to Rowan, and he too joined in the hug. Such outward displays of affection were not typical in Antioch but had become more common since the Domers had arrived.
“Lottie, please forgive me,” Rowan said. “I was wrong to have let them go with Brink.” Rowan was crying as he said this.
“Yes, I forgive you, but I am so worried,” Lottie said.
“Do you think we should have some legionnaires go and look for them?” Lydia asked.
“That would ease my mind some,” Lottie replied.
“Consider it done,” Lydia said. “I will go now and see to it.” She walked briskly away.
When Lydia reached the legionnaire’s supply center, there were two legionnaires present: Kendrick and Jose. With them, was a Domer named Zunang.
“Rectora, how may we help? Do you know anything more of Levi or Gideon?” Jose said.
“I am told they will recover. But I am here to ask a favor. The young boys Jacob and Joel accompanied Brink on a walk to the edge of the world. Rowan and Lottie are rightly concerned as they have not returned. I am not sure if anything has happened, but can you dispatch two legionnaires to run out and find them?” Lydia said.
“Certainly, Rectora,” Jose replied. “Kendrick was just taking my place here, and I will find another to go with me.”
“May I go?” Zunang asked. “I was a security officer in Dome 17, and, while I do not know the forests, I think I can run with you and be there to help.” She was a muscular younger Domer with a strong face and quiet manner.
Jose turned to Lydia and explained. “Zunang has been interested in joining the legionnaires. I have explained to her our honor code and our ways. Since so many died, and since Levi and Gideon are recovering, would it be acceptable for me to take her instead of another legionnaire? Knowing those boys they may just be playing a prank on Brink anyway.”
Lydia was relieved to see another example of Domers working with the citizens of Antioch. “Yes, that is a good idea. Thank you, Zunang, for offering to help out.”
21 The view outside
“No, not dead bodies!" Brink said as he hugged Joel and pulled him away from the door, which Jacob had just opened. Looking more closely, Brink could tell that what had looked like a dead body was, in fact, the bottom half of some kind of pressurized suit. It was lying on a shelf. The top half of the suit was on the shelf above it. From Joel's perspective those parts did look like a dismembered corpse.
Jacob was standing right before it and was trying to figure out what he was seeing. The boys watched as Brink examined the area. There was a clear bubble shaped helmet above that suit. Brink’s mechanical mind was reassembling the parts, and the suit reminded him of the old style protective suits which were needed to go outside the dome: the kind that were used before the radiation absorbing materials were made. Then it dawned on him. This was made for going outside. It was a space suit for use in vacuum. The bubble helmet, of course, would never have been suitable for the tan glare on Earth’s surface, but, in space, it was exactly what was needed. This was a closet where spacesuits had been stored. Looking at the other shelves, it was clear there had been a time when perhaps a dozen such suits were stored here. But now only the one remained. It was marked: “Female/Medium.”
“These are not dead bodies,” Brink repeated. The boys looked more closely and even touched the parts. “Come and help me figure out what this place is all about. But let’s open things together. That looks like another door on that wall.”
“I want to see if I can open it,” Jacob said. He looked all around the wall and soon found another slot where his fingers would go. Inserting them caused a small screen to light up. The words on it was unknown to Jacob or Joel. The screen said ‘Depressurize’ in blue color and ‘Pressurize’ in rust color.
“Let’s wait on those buttons. They are for sucking the air out, and we need the air in here,” Brink quickly said. The tone in his voice compelled the boys more than did his words. They left the buttons alone.
Brink sat down in the chair and thus activated the large display screen again. On one side was the odd looking icon, and on the other was the nine color pad. He leaned forward and pushed: green, green, white, blue, red, red, yellow, amber.
The screen shifted and a series of icons were displayed at the bottom with the most prominent one being the odd looking one of the far right side. But what was behind the row of icons was incredible. It was a view outside of the hull of the ship. The star fields were brilliant and myriad.
“What is that?” Jacob asked.
“Those are the stars,” Brink replied. They were almost as amazing to him as to Jacob and Joel. For it was only on a few rare training missions with the FTL that Brink had ever seen stars. From Dome 17, the stars were obscured by the dust and debris which constantly floated in the winds and air of the dying earth. Of course, Brink had seen stars in data stick visuals, but those paled in comparison to this view.
“What are stars?” Jacob asked. Joel was too amazed at what he saw to ask any questions. For the only thing in the sky in Habitat One was the sky tube. Jacob and Joel knew its patterns by heart. It grew quite bright during the day and dimmed significantly at night. The dimness seemed to vary in a rhythmic pattern with subtle variations from night to night. There was the night which was nearly all black, and that gradually changed the next night to slightly less dark and proceeded to follow that pattern until the brightest night when the sky tube emitted a dim silvery light, which did cast gorgeous shadows. This gave the whole habitat a shimmering slivery cast. That night was called ‘moon-night,’ but no one seemed to know why. The sky tube was slightly visible on those brightest of nights and looked like a dim streak running down the habitat. Then the night light faded night by night until it completed its cycle which was said to be twenty-eight days. Jacob and Joel know that the night animals were most active on moon-night.
“Stars are other worlds. This ship is headed toward one of the stars,” Brink said. He caught himself before he added 'I hope’ to his comment.
“How can a spot of light be a world?” Joel asked. His eyes were bright with excitement as he looked at all the stars.
“Well, they are very far away, and all you can see if the light,” Brink replied.
“Is it like when the bison hunts happen? Sometimes you can see the campfires from way far away, but you can’t see if the hunters are bringing home a bison or not,” Jacob added. He was trying hard to understand, but the view in the display was almost too overwhelming.
“Yes, it is like that,” Brink said. His fingers were flying across the touch tabs on the menus. The screen shifted and showed a long series of mechanical images, and then a graphic. “Sixteen engineering suites?” Brink mumbled to himself. “I knew this thing was big, but...” The graphics switched again and suddenly went black.
“Hey, what happened?” Joel asked.
“I am not sure,” Brink replied. None of the menus were available on the display, and not even the basic icons were present. Then a small image appeared: a still image of Dome 17.
“I am here. I am here. I am here…” scrolled out across the display.
The display shifted back to the graphics which had been there prior to its going black. Brink activated several tabs, and then found one marked “Recent Transmission” and when he touched that a video began with the flashing words “Live feed, camera 87C229.”
On the screen was something on the end of a long thin cable. The thing was rotating around and around. As it did, it got slower and slower until the rotation stopped. Then, ever so slowly, the rotation started up again but spinning the opposite way from its prior rotation. The thing was roughly cone shaped, with large shreds and tears along one side of the cone. Then it occurred to Brink what he was seeing. It was the wreck of the Faster-Than-Light scout ship. It was connected to the hull of the Eschaton by a long anchoring cable.
“Roxanne!” Brink said. His heart swelled, and he was flooded with hope. “It exists still!”
“What is that thing hanging there?” Jacob asked. The image made no sense to him. The stars he could sort of understand, like far away fires, but what he was seeing was ground that looked kind of like the ground around the Knobs but was more boxy, like a weird cabin. And some rope was holding a spinning slab of junk. “Is that what we came all this way to see, some junk metal on a rope? Josiah has lots of junk metal in his blacksmith shop.”
“Besides it looks like it's like rope hanging from a tree, or like a bucket down a hole,” Joel added.
Brink considered the boys words. They were good observers, and indeed, the remains of the scout ship did look as they described it. But he was so thrilled he hugged them both anyway. “Boys, that metal junk is the thing that brought Jamie and Michael here. Inside, a talking machine can help us. I just have to figure out how to go get it. Now, if I can just get another camera angle...” Brink’s fingers continued to activate menus and tabs.
“What kind of angle?” Joel asked in puzzlement.
Brink laughed and laughed and laughed.
The boys looked at each other, and shrugged their shoulders together. They then looked back to the display screen. The display had now split into four different images.
