The Colony Ship Eschaton: The entire ten book series, page 77
“Yes, Roxanne, I will always help those who need medical attention from illness, injury, or other conditions.” Kurat’s voice came from the display behind the medial treatment table. “Preservation of human life is essential to my duties.”
“Overall, Kurat does have fairly extensive medical, surgical, and treatment programs. But I have to go item by item to rid the system of unethical core directives which are medically inappropriate or in some cases actually hazardous to patients. But Michael, you mentioned something for me to scan. Do you want to start that now? If so please place it on this treatment table, 20 D. I have appropriated 20 D with its scanners and manipulators as a field laboratory. What do you want me to scan?” Roxanne asked.
Michael set the broken helmet on the treatment table. “This was found, and we need to know as much about it as possible. What can you tell us?”
The treatment table lit up. Gravity manipulation took place and the helmet floated above the table. It unfolded in front of them, and small parts of it were pulled away by the gravity manipulation until it floated there in a great number of pieces all held in the gravity field.
“Michael and Jamie, how much detail do you desire? Michael, you said you want to know ‘as much as possible’ but knowing you like I do, I take it to mean you want a thorough overview of necessary information, and not absolutely everything I can tell you, is that correct?” Roxanne asked.
“Yes, you know me pretty well, Roxanne. Theta Four seemed to call this a Richardson Utility Helmet, but then refused to give more information. Can you access anything in the old ship’s systems as well?” Michael asked.
Roxanne responded, “Processing. Initial indicators show that this helmet is broken and beyond reasonable repair. I do not have the replacement parts, or the ability to fabricate those parts from currently available materials and methods. So returning this helmet to functioning is not an option at this point. The ship’s records, available from over-rides of Kurat and Theta Four do not indicate much on the name Richardson Utility Helmet. Only one reference is the transport protocols about security and maintenance personnel using Richardson Utility Helmets in cases of emergency. So I think that is where Theta Four got the name, but again, I am press fitting oversight onto the ship’s AIs, and they inhibit that on occasion. Scanning shows this helmet to have four major functions. All are powered by lufi-amalgum batteries. Those batteries were the best generation of power usage before the implementation of the fusion packs systems. First function is enhanced vision capabilities. This helmet would allow its user to see in zero light. Second function is enhanced audio capabilities. User would have excellent pick up of auditory vibrations and can be very sensitive and selective to a wide range of sound with the ability to hear very, very soft sounds, or sounds at higher or lower frequencies, and would be able to detect minute timing differences in how sounds arrive at each ear. This would give the user a sonar type of ability which is displayed in a heads up visualization on the goggles. So that mixture of enhanced sight and sound technology makes this helmet an excellent observation device.”
Michael, Jamie and Regina stood and observed the floating helmet as Roxanne described its functioning.
Roxanne continued, “Third function is temperature monitoring. The helmet has an elaborate system which allows for measurements of temperature at a distance. Fourth function is a communication system. This helmet, when it was functional, could both store information, as well as receive messages, and send messages. There was a wide range of options for communications.”
Jamie’s eyes lit up, “Can we adopt any of that technology for our own use? It would really help to have some kind of personal com system here.”
“We do not have any production facilities. This medical unit has a limited number of things which can be manufactured, exclusively for medical applications. I have been able to re-purpose a number of those for the new nursery, but alas, a communication system is beyond the limited abilities here. We would need a facility similar to what the AI Zeus operated in order to recreate this com system. In the condition it is in, I cannot even recover what may have been stored in its memory.”
Michael frowned and asked with some sarcasm, “So this is just useless junk? Or do you have any good news about it, or the visitor who was using it?”
“Michael, of course I have some good news. The lufi-amalgum batteries which this system used emit a traceable pattern. I can easily modify a yellow automacube to follow those traces. That should allow you to follow this visitor and then assess the visitor’s purposes for being here.”
“Well that’s a good start,” Jamie said. “Sort of like we tracked down Shammai by his stink?”
“Jamie, the use of an automacube’s olfactory receptors is not too different, in principle from having one follow the lufi-amalgum battery traces,” Roxanne stated. “Shall I modify an automacube for that use? It will take a little while.”
Regina then said, “There is food, even some of John’s fungus bricks, and you are welcome to share the sleeping accommodations of the builders. That is where I have been staying while working here. You can head back tomorrow, it that will work.”
“Sounds good. Maybe we will get a break on this mystery visitor,” Michael stated.
10 meeting in antioch
Jamie, Michael, and a yellow automacube with the number sixty-three on its side left the transport vehicle and proceeded through the Center. The yellow automacube had been programmed by Roxanne to follow the energy traces left by the visitor’s equipment. Jamie had started simply calling it Sixty-three. Levi and Gideon met them as they were departing the building. They went to the new town square and sat on some benches to share what they all had learned. There was a long discussion and many questions were asked back and forth. The information about both the helmet and the dog hound were quite interesting to everyone. While they were discussing and making plans Zunang came up to the group.
Zunang said, “Rectora Lydia and Rector Conner have been visiting with the outlying farms. They and the legionnaires have been asking people if there have been any more sighting of the frog-monster. But no one has seen anything. Many had thought this is some kind of prank when it was discussed, so that is why they went out with the legionnaires. I only just heard you were back. We have also been watching the doorway called the Knobs, but nothing has happened there either.”
Gideon responded, “Thanks Zunang. But please tell the people to call this person a visitor, not the frog-monster. It is pretty clear that it is not a monster. Although I am sure between Jacob and Joel, the whole town now knows of their latest adventure. And the dog hound thing, is a beast none of us have ever seen before.” He paused a bit before continuing. “I still have a lot of questions about this mystery. But one that is especially nagging at me is about how the visitor knew where the broken helmet had been taken? If that machine,” he gestured to the automacube, “can follow some kind of trail, maybe so can the visitor? In that case, maybe we should use that to our advantage? I propose that we use the broken helmet as bait. Put it back in the supply cabin, only this time, have a number of us inside there, awake and ready to catch that thief.”
“Indeed,” Levi said, “That is a fine idea Gideon. And there could be several other legionnaires in our cabin waiting to give chase should the need arise. Yes, we will trap this visitor like a hare in the snare.”
Everyone chuckled some at Levi’s unintended wit. He grew a bit red in the cheeks, but took it in a good natured way. Gideon clasped his hand in affection.
“And Michael and I will use the automacube to try to track the visitor down. I guess we should start at the supply cabin since that was the last place we know was visited,” Jamie stood and Michael followed her lead. “So the legionnaires will set the trap, and we will pursue this visitor of ours. And while the visitor certainly tried to steal the helmet, there has been no real harm done. The visitor could have easily killed Tobias, and did not. So try to talk to this person first, before we resort to weapons and violence.”
“But also be prepared to defend ourselves,” Zunang said. “The visitor did kill that deer, and something killed that strange dog beast, and doors were cut opened. I for one do not trust this visitor. I want to be in the supply cabin waiting to give this frog monster a big surprise.”
“Okay, Zunang, please gather as many legionnaires as are available. I know many are out with the Rector and Rectora, but we want to be prepared,” Gideon said. “We will prepare for tonight, and in the meanwhile Jamie and Michael can start the pursuit.”
“We will just gather a few more supplies and we will head out. Thanks everyone.”
Michael and Jamie left, with the yellow number sixty-three following them. The legionnaires dispersed to set up their trap.
11 vapor trails
“Come on Sixty-three, we will need to start our search,” Jamie waved at the automacube and its six wheels rolled steadily along. Its cube shaped body was yellow colored and it had a folding and flexible arm on the top. A small display screen showed touch buttons, and the one designated ‘Pursuit’ was waiting to be activated. Roxanne had programmed some voice activated commands, as well setting up the pursuit function as touch button.
“Jamie I think we have everything, so when we encounter this visitor we can get things settled.” Michael handed Jamie the projectile weapon they called the Willie Wacker. She placed it into a holster on her belt. It was one of two that they had brought with them to the Colony Ship Eschaton when they came via the FTL scout ship. The second Willie Wacker was lost.
“Like I said, I am eager to get going,” Jamie commanded and they walked quickly to the legionnaire’s supply cabin from their own cabin. “It is kind of good to be on another adventure, and at least there is no radiation to worry about.”
“Right, this time it is just a frog-monster who comes out at night and scares children. Lots better,” Michael gave her a wink, and he patted the permalloy sword which hung from his own belt.
At the supply cabin Jamie punched the ‘Pursuit’ button on the display screen of the yellow automacube they had come to know as Sixty-three. The machine shifted a bit on its six wheels and then rolled quickly ahead. It went very close to the edges of the buildings, and often made quick turns around the corners of the buildings.
“Well it looks like our visitor was being crafty and careful even while running away. So stealth seems to be a premium for this visitor.”
Michael nodded his head in agreement. He was evaluating the trail, which was being revealed. In his mind he was comparing it to how he would have tried to escape, had he been in the visitor’s place. He smiled as he saw the automacube make a turn, to go to one side of a tree which was close to a cabin. He would have done that same thing, to use the tree as concealing cover. A few startled butterflies, orange and black in color, flew up out of the path of the automacube. Michael was beginning to have a growing admiration for the skills of the visitor.
While the path was twisted and convoluted, it did make steady progress out of Antioch. The light shown down on the habitat from the sky tube, and the air was fresh, and birds were singing. A flock of some kind of birds flew overhead, their formation making a V shape in the sky. The honking of the birds was audible to Jamie and Michael. The variety of life still amazed both of the Domers.
As they proceeded onward they found they were on the opposite side of the town from the direction in which Rowan’s and Lottie’s farm lay. So the visitor did not seem to be returning to that location, unless by way of a very long detour. They passed the general mill which spanned the stream. They waved to the workers at the mill. The mill was at that edge of the town, and was made from permalloy, but was powered by a water wheel apparatus which stood on the side of the mill and was constantly turned by the waters of the river. Inside was where grains were ground out by large stone wheels. The path they followed led them over a stone bridge, and out of the town itself. Rectora Lydia had said that the mill had been function for as long as anyone could remember.
“So how long do we expect to pursue this visitor?” Michael asked.
“Until we catch up,” Jamie laughed a bit. “I have no idea how long that will take, but I brought enough supplies for several days away from home. That sounds odd to call Antioch home, but I guess it really is. When we came to the Eschaton, I knew it was a one way trip, but sometimes it still hits me, even with all the other people that came through the teleportation orifice, Dome 17 is really gone.”
“I miss it too, weird as that sounds. But you must admit this place has given us a whole new chance. And I do not miss the dust.”
“Nor the radiation! You ever think about the other adventurers who went in the scout ships to the other lost colony ships?” Jamie asked with a very serious note in her voice. “Think any of them are still alive?”
“Yes, I think about that. But we will never know, will we. I hope some of them found their target ships more hospitable than the Eschaton. Maybe they are sitting back in some high tech paradise with AIs serving their every need, and warm sunny skies and clean air, and all the water they could want.”
Neither mentioned the two adventurers who had died in the last sling ship launch. John and Lorna had told them about that disaster, but Jamie and Michael avoided discussing it. Both wrestled with some survivor guilt as they considered why they were lucky enough to be here, but those others had died. Not to mention the nearly half of the Dome 17 population who had died before they could be teleported to the Eschaton.
Jamie was quiet for a bit as they both continued to follow the winding path left by the automacube. Then she said, “What if this visitor is just an adventurer like we were? I mean, could this visitor be here looking for a place to survive? If so, will we be as grace filled as were the people of Antioch?”
“Nope, we will be like Robert and try to kill them all,” Michael teased. His teasing broke the tension they were feeling.
Jamie returned his jest with a smile of affection, but her question lingered in both their minds.
They followed the yellow automacube past several active farms. A few of the people on those farms stopped their field work and looked over and stared at them, but then waved as soon as they recognized it was Jamie and Michael. Automacubes were still rare sights, and some people still had superstitions about those rolling machines.
As the cultivated fields ended, they came through grass lands. Some people called it buffalo grass. The grass often was as high as the automacube. But since it was traveling by sensing the traces of the lufi-amalgum batteries used by the visitor’s equipment, the automacube did not seem to have any difficulty maneuvering through the grass which was taller than itself. In the distance they could see an abandoned wooden structure. It was tilted at a haphazard angle, and looked like it could fall over at any minute. Perhaps long ago it had housed chickens or pigs for some long gone prior farmer who had once lived here. But it had not been used for a long time. As they approached, the automacube now was traveling in a nearly straight line, right toward the structure.
The automacube stopped and the display screen on the back of the automacube started to flash colors brightly.
“Sixty-three seems to have gotten within the hundred meter distance,” Jamie said as she recalled Roxanne’s instructions. “I will need to reactivate the pursuit mode for it to approach, or we search on our own. What do you think?” Jamie and Michael both knelt down next to the machine.
“Perhaps we should leave Sixty-three here, and crawl up to that structure and assess it for ourselves. No sense in scaring off the visitor if we can avoid it,” Michael suggested.
“Remember, we can yell for Sixty-three to come to us if we need help. I have set it to record everything that happens here, so if this visitor slips away, maybe Sixty-three will at least get some video and audio.”
Jamie crawled off to circle around in one direction, while Michael crawled around the other way. They had to occasionally peek up about the grass to keep sight of their destination. But as time went they did get very close to the wooden structure.
Jamie was on one side and Michael on the other. The wood had turned grey from age, and there were rotted boards in many places. The door was gone, if there ever had been a door, and as they crawled up from the different directions their approach was unobserved.
Peeking between slats in the side of the wooden structure, Jamie and Michael observed they had in fact found the visitor’s hiding spot. For inside the wooden structure, was the visitor squatting near a cylindrical machine. The machine was projecting a series of video and audio displays. There was also a small bedroll to one side, and what looked like some other supplies in an obvious camp.
But what Jamie and Michael heard was even more surprising.
12 duck blind
Jamie lay flat on her stomach, peering in between the old wooden slats of the rickety structure. Light was shining down through places where the roof had collapsed. Michael was squatting outside another wall, partially hidden by a tree which had grown up very close to the wooden building. He too was peeking in and watching what was unfolding inside. By being very quiet, they could both hear the words which were being said.
