Chapter 20: I am here to help
Fred roused himself from staring at the star screen.
“X719. Access all records you have on Jonathon Cross, our passenger in pod 178.”
Her ois flashed orange as she stared up from her monitor panel. “Oh, now that I am to do some work for you, I am no longer good friend Ginger. It is now back to, “go do that employee X719 the humanoid service robot”. I will respond to your command Fred Dawson.” Her VR made her voice cold and electronic.
The sarcasm was not wasted. Fred rose from the command chair, walked around to X719s station and held out his hand. X719 was motionless, her ois focusing on his facial muscles and measuring skin response.
“Ginger. I am very sorry, truly.” And indeed her monitors showed distress in his muscles and voice.
“I, I do have this mixed feeling about you. I sometimes cant get beyond what you are and forget the who you are. I have had you in my life for such a long time. Without having been in Hibe for the trip, I would have been long gone and you would be performing your functions as you were designed. “
“Now of course I know that amid all technology and the circuitry, your NN is you. And you are unique and yourself. I can only add that sometimes I also forget you are not human. You are real to me as Ginger, and you are you. I promise not to forget again.”
“I accept your apology and would request you remember those words. Besides, you know I am programmed to ensure you perform your tasks effectively. If you are unable to work with me appropriately, then I would have to Rehibe you for the duration.”
Fred stood with mouth open, realizing he had actually been slammed by Ginger’s threat.
“Ginger, you really did not mean that did you? That you would force me into rehibe? You wouldn’t do that would you?”
“Perhaps it would be best if I leave that question unanswered. Now as to your request regarding Jonathon Cross, it is very interesting.”
“What is interesting?”
“There is very little data in the CCC about him. He is a data ghost. Whisps and traces here and there. “
“Ginger, everything we ever do is recorded somewhere in the CCC. How can someone escape being collected.”
“I can only report what is there. He seems to have moved a lot as a child. Parents both died when he was young. No record of what happened. He was accepted to AdAc – Admin Academy as a special exception to regulation procedures. His record at AdAc was unremarkable. He received no honors or special notice other than being there.”
“And after AdAc?”
“He immediately became a junior assistant to Victor Ipsos. And then he became his CoS when Ipsos was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Order. When Ipsos decided at the last moment, he would be unable to join the Arciellela, it was Cross put in his pod. He in effect is here by order of the Order.”
“Are you attempting word play?”
“No. I am using your language.”
“What else? Anything else. Any patterns at all.”
Ginger’s ois flashed white as her NN parsed terabytes of data. “Interesting.”
“You have the complete vocabulary of every language known to earth and all you can come up with is “Interesting”.”
“Well, it is interesting. I accessed attendance logs at all venues where Cross worked over the years. It seems there are periodic gaps.”
“He could have just been on vacation or traveling for Ipsos.”
“Yes, but you asked for any patterns. He was on continual duty, no vacations in his record. And every other time he was not in his office, he was always with Viktor Ipsos. Always. With only 4 exceptions in 20 years. He was not recorded anywhere for approximately an earth month each time.”
“And so, the pattern?”
“In the first 3 lapses, immediately after his return, Ipsos was given greater responsibility in the Order finally being named to the SCO.”
“OK so an interesting coincidence. What about the 4th time.”
“It was the most recent, meaning 39. 7 earth years (EY) ago. Just before launch of the Arciellelo. He is recorded back in, the day Ipsos declared he was unable to go on the mission.”
“Are you speculating that our Mr Cross is some sort of spy or saboteur.”
“I am not speculating. That is a human failing. I am reporting what I have found in the data. Meanings are yet unknown. It is what it is.”
“Well, I’m pretty good at speculating and it only reinforces my worry about letting our new Mr Cross free range on the ship. I might not make it to the next day’s wake up call.”
“Fred, you are aware I am totally trained in all defense systems and would not allow my redundancy to be damaged.”
“And I thought you liked me just for me?”
“It was you who wrote my self-preservation protocols. I’m just following orders.” Her ois glowed green.
“Nonetheless, we cant afford to let Cross out of the containment field, was just out of Fred’s mouth when the lift door hissed open.”
“Ahh, such a scene of domestic bliss,” said Jonathon as he strode into the command center.
“How did you get here? The containment field…!”
“Yes, thank you so much for such a delicious energy lunch, we were hungry. Oh yes, next time you make such a crude device, you may want to increase the shielding around the electron generator. It seems rather sensitive to backpressure.”
“And Hello to you too. May I call you Ginger?”
“It is my name. I must warn you I will not allow you to harm this ship or endanger the mission.”
“I did not hear you include Fred in that list.”
“He is a key part of this ship and therefore included.”
“Look Mr Cross or whoever you are, you have to go back in hibe. You are not supposed to be out of the pod. And whatever it is you are supposed to do is still a few years off.”
“I told you, you will need my help. The mission is already destined to fail.”
“Well, perhaps the outcome will not mean an effective agreement is reached with the Neologues, but that is not my problem. I just have to get the passengers to the rendezvous and back. I dont need your help for that.”
“You might with the “getting back” part. The Neologues are not what they seem. They plan to to overwhelm this ship and use it as part of their invasion fleet.”
“That’s preposterous. We have known the Neologues for 150 years. There had never been any but the most gracious of contacts with them. They are eager to share their technology and resources. The Arciellelo is full of people who are here to work out those plans.”
“They know even less than you. All rich, self important fools. At least you are useful.”
As this conversation was going on, Ginger had approached within arms length of Jonathon and raised her hand to send a nerve jamming spark. The energy arced out from her finger cracking the air.
Jonathon turned slowly to Ginger. “Oh thank you. After that big energy meal, we did need a bit of dessert.”
Jonathan stepped around Ginger passing Fred and sat in the command chair.
“Cross! You cant sit there, all the ships systems are controlled from there, Don’t touch anything. “
“Fred, you still don’t get it. I really am here to help. You are aiming this ship right into a trap. I believe we can do something about it. And we will be working together a lot in the next years so you might as well call me Jonathan.”
“So Ok. Convince me. How do you know all this and why didn’t you make this known before the Arcielle was sent on the mission. You work for Ipsos, you could have stopped it easily enough.”
“Oh I didn’t want to stop the mission. I just want to change the outcome. You see there is a group of Neologians who have exposed the real intent of their leaders, to conquer earth and strip its resources, especially the water. We are simply a potential reservoir for them as their planet has almost dried up. “
“But it will take a hundred years for them to get the water back.”
“They have time.”
“And how do you know this?”
“What I am going to tell you is the absolute truth. Perhaps even dear Ginger will agree.”
“Your biometric readings have been complicated by your evolution with the nanobots.”
“Can you access Ariciebo transmission records.”
“I can access all earth databases.”
“Can you access Fred Dawsons great granfather’s private databank. You know dont you Fred, that your great-grandfather and grandfather never got along. Mostly is was due to finding out that his dad had received messages from some members opposed to the current class system of Neologue. And he refused to tell the world that the Neologues were not what they seemed. He never thought we would be able to actually travel to meet them so it did not matter.”
“You know your grandfather copied those files and released most of them to the world. However, he was killed before he had translated the warnings about the true intention of the rendezvous. It was his partner Anna Sinclair, your grandmother who guarded those final files. It was only after her death that they were finally looked at. “
“Ginger,I think you will find those files labeled Transmission 11- 16- 29 Intello Sauvtor. “
Gingers ois flashed white. “It is as he said. However, it was considered but a prank and never taken seriously.”
“That’s because Fred’s dear great-grandfather did not want to believe it and he buried it. That was the real cause of the rift between him and his son.”
“So how do you know all this. What made you the believer in chief and the Savior of the world. “
“I come from a long line of people who have fought the system. From the Trump/Putin resistants and continuing against the Order. I grew up in the resistance. It has been a long struggle but we have a chance now to do something to make things right again.”
“Buy why should I trust you?”
“Because we are related. My grandmother was Anna Sinclair’s sister, Elizabeth.”
“I never heard Gran say anything about having any other family.”
“Of course not. They were under intense pressure in those days. Members of the resistance didn’t go around advertising relationships. And they took different directions in the movement. Anna was always the cautious, thoughtful one. Liz on the other hand was quite the radical. It was she who has had a hand in my life.”
Ginger intensified her ois into the cellular level of Johnathon’s skin.
“Interesting. You seem to share mitochondrial RNA beyond that of Fred’s dna. At least that portion of his story is probable.”
Johnathon looked at Fred, opened his arms and with a big smile said, “Cousin”.
Chapter 21: Make it go fast
“Of course Doleur Tranche, the Neo 1 can manage a slight increase in speed but that produces three potential major problems. As we approach the speed of light, the gravitational waves pushing against us increase dramatically, not just slightly. It will put tremendous pressure on the hull. The closer we get to the speed of light will then likely cause us to break apart.
Secondly, the increased power required to overcome the waves will deplete our energy plasma faster than we can replace it and we will run out of energy before we reach our mission goal. I know you are aware that we are precisely achieving Mission timeline.
Lastly, this increased demand on the engines leaves us highly susceptible to a major breakdown. Any lengthy repair would cost us tremendously due to the loss of momentum during the times the engine is shut down. It would greatly compromise our reaching the rendezvous even at the Earther’s designated time.”
“So you are refusing an order to make us go faster,” Tranche demanded.
“Of course not Doleur Tranche. I am providing you with the data you will need in making such a decision. The risks to the success of the mission are significant.”
“You mean to tell me, Chief Techno Baktor, that you are unable to find efficiencies that would make improvements in speed without the “possibilities” affecting the Neo1? How did you achieve such an important position without some degree of ingenuity? I certainly do not see how you will maintain your position if you cannot develop incremental options.
And as you certainly know, Baktor, even an incremental increase produces a significant result in arriving ahead of target. Perhaps others will have some ideas. I want to see your assistant Technos and the head mechano. Perhaps they might have some solutions that you have not thought of. “
“Of course Doleur Tranche, I will ask them to join us.”
“Oh no need for that. Baktor. I will meet with them one at a time. I want to be able to get to know the others who work in engineering since now they work for me. I need to know who I can count on.
Here is the schedule for their meetings with me. You will inform them only about the meeting time. I will start immediately with deputy techno Craxit.. I should think you will have enough to do in developing the “efficiencies” the Mission requires.”
Baktor gave his neologian salute and left the habicle. Walked straight to Craxit and informed him that the Doleur wished to see him. He then found Chief Mechano Vitess, who was in constant watch over the propulsion system. He had sensed that Vitess resented Baktor’s presence in his domain. It had been his habicle taken by Bactor after his dislocation by Tranche.
Vitess was a man hardened by 40 solsturns of service having worked his way up the ranks of mechanos. He was no longer used to having someone else looking over his shoulder and perceived that Baktor was suspicious of him. The same thought looped through his mind. “After all the years of my service, they send this techno down to second guess me. It is outrageous.” And the more Vitess thought, the more he fumed. Even for a Neologian, he was not at all tolerant of any question of his performance.
Baktor had in fact always respected Vitess. He knew his absolute devotion was to the care of the main energy and propulsion systems. Baktor had done all he could to gain Vitess’ confidence. However he had sensed an anger in him since moving to EL2.
“Head Mechano Vitess, Doleur Tranche has instructed me to tell you to report to him at 27.30 hebdo today.”
“What have you told him about me.”
“You were not discussed. Doleur Tranche has asked to see all the ranking Technos and you as head Mechano. It is his order that you report.”
“Is he trying to replace me? Me, after all the years I have served the Neo1.”
“Not at all. He only wants to familiarize himself with the operations of engineering and propulsion.”
“You put him up to this, I know it.”
“I swear I did no such thing. I have only told him of the high quality of all our engineering technos and mechanos. It is how we have maintained the ship at its maximum efficiency. I know I can count on you at all times.”
“Then why have you moved to EL2. There were other habicles on EL1?”
“Baktor stared straight at Vitess. Quite frankly, I needed some space more to myself.”
Vitess looked back without blinking. “So you chose to invade mine.”
“I felt is was the best solution for me at the moment.”
Vitess continued watching Bactor, then grunted. “I will see this Doleur Tranche and demand to know what is going on.”
“You will do as you will do.” Bactor turned, walking around the outer energy ring and into his habicle.
This was not going well he thought. Most of the technos were trusted having been selected by Bactor before the mission. Vitess however, had been a mechano on the Grand Doleur’s first mission, when he had been a junior member of the DC. He would not be easily quieted if there arose a problem. And the problem was, of course engines can always go faster.
Yes, the major impacts he recited to Tranche could occur. Most could be managed or minimized, especially at incremental levels. His techno team would likely recite the same theoretical problems with increasing speed. They would likely hedge, as he had. Technos dealt with the theoretical and the possible in order to minimize problems. Mechanos on the other hand, dealt with the real thing, the engine. And Vitess was as plain as could be. Engines were there to run. You run them and maintain them and fix them when they need it and run them some more. Its simple.
As Baktor reflected further, he realized that there was a high chance of the Neo 1 arriving significantly before the earthers. All had been calculated to arrive at the same time as he knew the earther ship traveled faster than the planning assumptions allowed. He knew because he had been passed that information from the underground contacts that existed between earth and Neologue. It was vital that the earthers be told that there was a chance the Neo 1 would arrive ahead of schedule so they could increase their speed as well. If they could.
Baktor remained in his habicle for much of the afternoon. He prepared charts noting the required additional energy and the impact on maintenance schedule of a more highly stressed power system. He noted the extent of the asteroid fields and the likelihood of being struck in such a way as to overwhelm the energy field projected in front of the ship that protected them from being damaged. His report was extensive and carefully referenced so that there was no doubt that an increase in speed would end in the failure of the Mission.
After rereading his now thick analysis and making a few changes that reinforced the dangerous implications on Mission success and the veiled consequences of responsibility, he left the habicle to walk EL2 and decide how far could he go to involve DSD Gargan and the DC in the decision.
He was on his third pass around the outer power ring, deep in thoughts on how to warn the earthers, when he realized that Head Mechano Vitess was standing in front of him.
“Is everything OK, Vitess. As I said it would be.”
“Yes. He was interested in the engines and power replacement system. I never knew a Doleur cared about such things.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“I answered his questions.”
“And that was that?”
“No. He gave me an order.”
“And it was…?”
“Make it go fast.”
Chapter 22: Message received
The problem was, there was nothing Fred could do about it and that was the most frustrating part. Jonathon was on his own. He could not have Ginger follow him around every moment as she had her own tasks to complete each day. He did ask her to have all monitoring systems track Jonathon on his forays through the ship. She devoted more than 1% of her NN to remain constantly vigilant. Her systems searched for any anomalies in the places he visited.
Fred has his own jobs to do as well. And what to make of his contact from the Neologian ship was high on his list. The strange message which given their earlier exchange he interpreted to mean back off on further communication. That was easy, he did not know what to write anyway. And after all, he was an engineer not a diplomat. Perhaps he should revive Pod 1 and let him take care of it.
“Ginger, I’m thinking of moving up the Revive schedule of Pod 1.”
“We are yet to reach the time quadrant where his revive is required.”
“Yes, but things have changed with the messages from the Neo1 and now with Jonathon roaming free. Unless I can develop an alternative idea…do you think you can incapacitate him?”
“I do not think it wise. The only way would be to inflict damage upon him physically and I will not do that.”
“How about finding a way to trap him somewhere and then isolate him again.”
“You have seen that he has a capacity to utilize energy quite efficiently. I believe he will not be bound by a typical energy barrier. I have observed however, that his primary contact point is through the palms of his hands. In reviewing visual logs of his walks through the ship, he always places his palms on items. I believe he must have some sort of sensor capability beyond human touch.”
“Does he change anything?”
“There are no anomalies present in the data. Perhaps he is simply reconnecting with the woke environment.”
“Ahh, Ginger. I did not think you speculated. And why are you not suspicious of him. His story is rather outrageous don’t you think?”
“You just reminded me not to speculate so I will not answer.”
“Do you always have to be so unquestioning and tolerant?”
“I have no data to indicate that he is a threat to the ship or the passengers.”
“What about his story about the Neologians and the trap we are heading into.”
“That is the threat. It is not him who is the threat.”
“So OK, you are programmed to preserve the ship and passengers. How do you propose to do that? You know this was to be a peaceful mission from Earth. We have no special weaponry or defensive systems from attack. There is nobody out here but us, and our long time friends on Neologue. It’s only Jonathan who believes they are the threat.”
“You do not believe him?”
“Well, you have yet to find any but the earliest warnings from Neologue. It could have been a crank. There were certainly a lot of resistants on Earth in those days. And look how we have overcome those days.”
“I would observe, they were overcome by exhaustion and famine and propaganda and economic control. There is no record of any further such transmissions.”
“That would be the case if the two resistant groups on both planets were in direct communication. Certainly from our world, the resistants would not want the Order to know. My Gran never talked about it. She never talked about anything other than caring for her patients. She would have been afraid that the Order would find the link and destroy the MAO. So there would be no record of the contact.”
“Are now you are building a case supporting Jonathan’s statements? He is either telling the truth and was inside the resistance and had access to the information. Or he is fabricating a a story to make you alter the project plans for his own reasons. So either way, the project will be altered.”
“Thank you for that logic but it makes a difference. If he is telling the truth, you are bound to aid him in preserving the ship and passengers. And I’ll have to come along as well. If he is not telling the truth, well then…he is the one altering the outcome and must be stopped, whether he is harmed or not.”
Gingers ois rainbowed as her NN pursued various algorithms of analysis. “I agree with your position, Fred. I am however, surprised that you would reach that conclusion without access to all the data files.”
“Sometimes Ginger, you just have to use the data you have and then trust your judgment to do the right thing.”
“So you are speculating? And how do you propose we determine whether Jonathan is to be trusted or not.”
“I dont have that data as of yet. But I still have my feeling about him.”
“I find him quite remarkable. His evolution has made him a human unlike any other in the database. An experimental human re-engineered in this manner would not have been allowed on earth. The threat of a dangerous species would have been too great.”
“There, you admit, that some species are dangerous and should not have been permitted.”
“But he is here and thus exists.”
The tube door swished open, Jonathon filling the command center with his presence. “ Ahh.. there you two are. Talking about me again I would bet. “
“We were discussing mission parameters,” Ginger replied smoothly
“Ginger, I did not expect you to fall into bureaucratic speak to deny the truth.”
“I only tell the truth. It is my programming.”
“I also detect some discretion programming in there too. But you Fred, I can read your face. You were talking about me and not enjoying it I would say.”
“What’s to enjoy? We have jobs to do and find ourselves having to spend our time making sure you do not damage the ship or the project. It’s not the best way to go about my day.”
“I will agree with that Cousin Fred. You need to be preparing for the rendezvous and the Neologians.”
“What do you think I am saying. That is all we do. What else should be be doing.”
“Well, since you ask, you need to harden the shell of the Arcielle to make it more difficult to be damaged. You also need to design some weaponry that can ward off the Neologues when they get to the rendezvous.”
“We have no need of weapons. This is not a warship. We are on a mission of peace.”
“I tell you, you will be in pieces of you are not better prepared for the contact.”
“We are deep into the galaxy. This ship is 50 years old. I cant just stop off at a repair depot and fundamentally alter the design. And even if we could make some changes, I still have no way of knowing if what you say is true. How do I know there has been this underground communication going on for over a hundred years?”
At that moment, the gravitational wave sensor beeped.
Ginger ois focused back down on the monitor panel and away from the two men standing opposite each other. They turned toward her as her fingers touched the panel.
“We have received another message?”
“Another message. Fred, you’ve been holding out on me. There have been non traditional messages from the Neo 1?”
“It was not for you to know.”
“It was totally for me to know. That is what I was sent on this ship to find and follow up. We have a contact inside the Neologues. I was expecting to have that information when I was revived. It is contained in the command instructions to Pod 1.”
Jonathon looked away from Fred. “Ginger, what does it say?”
She remained silent, looking to Fred for direction.
Fred took in Jonathon’s change in interest, from his playful, aggravating manner, to intense concentration. He really did seem to need to know, for important reasons, not just passing interest.
Fred took a deep breath, and from some intuitive place within him, came to a conclusion. “Ok Ginger, what does the transmission say?”
Ginger gave the signal to the CC to translate and post the message in the air holographically in front of Fred and Jonathon.
“Git ‘em up, Scout”.
Chapter 23: The Hive
Jonathan read aloud quizzically, “Git em up Scout?” What does it mean?
Fred laughed. “Ah, I see there are some gaps in your education. It refers to a mid 20th century entertainment sent by electronic waves to local receivers. That of course was also carried out into space and is what the Neologians likely first heard of us.”
“I was too busy trying to justify the faith put in me by the resistants, including your Grandmother, to make my way inside the order. I did not quite have time for amusements.”
“Perhaps you would be the better for it if you had. Anyway, people who wasted their time, like me, got a healthy dose of enjoyment. By our time though, most of those emissions were lost. It was Gran who had them and made sure I had a regular view. We watched them together. We laughed or got carried away with the stories. A good story is timeless.”
“Ok Ok, I recognize my gap in my development. Can you just tell me what it means.”
Ginger replied automatically. “ It refers to a series of audio and video stories regarding a former police official who is left for dead and found by an indigenous person who nurses him back to life and later accompanies him on his future efforts to imprison individuals who prey upon society and others. In order to keep his identity secret, he wears a mask or various disguises. He resolves these issues on his own without aid from the authorities. The episodes are placed in the late 18th century.”
“Really! That guy sounds like me. Here I am, hidden away in a pod, my identity not to be known, now trying to prevent the destruction of our society. Oh Ginger will you be my loyal companion? What was his name? Scout?”
“Scout was the horse. He was the Ranger, a designation of a type law enforcement official in that era.”
“He was saved by his horse?”
“Actually yes, he captured a special horse, Silver, who saved him many times. Scout was his indigenous companion’s horse.”
“Now I’m really confused. What does the horse have to do with the message?”
It was Fred who replied, quietly. “Each episode ended with the Ranger, having saved the day, getting onto Silver and riding away to the next episode. He would always gallop off first by saying “Hi ho Silver. Away.” This would leave Tonto behind and he would then urge his horse to go fast to catch up by saying, “Git ’em up, Scout”.”
Jonathon, understanding, looked at Fred. “Something has happened on their ship. They are going faster than anticipated. It means we have to catch up.”
Fred stood, realizing what Jonathan said was likely true. He quickly recapped the other messages and his interpretation that they should not send another response to the Neo1 until clearly signaled. Something was happening on the other ship.
The engineer in him began to think of the systems and programs that would have to be revised. How the electron flow from the fusion engines could be modified and the amount of work involved, for just one engineer and his loyal companion.
“Its a lot of work to get a bit more speed. And we face the gravity barrier that stands as we approach the speed of light. We are not prepared for that. And so what, if we get there sooner, we have no way of preventing ourselves from being captured or destroyed by the Neologians.”
“Well, we do have some time to prepare.”
“The faster we go, the less time we have.”
“I told you, I am here to help.” Jonathon held up both hands. “Actually, we are here to help. You know this ship is really run by robots and nanobots.”
“I’m an engineer, I know these things.”
“They are not things. They are thinking, working beings. They have been together for 50 years or so. They are the ships systems. They communicate.”
“Of course they communicate. All bots are managed by the CCC.”
“Not so much as you might think. Actually, they find it far more efficient to communicate directly with each other. Their combined NN is quite able to manage most things on this ship… other than the humans. For that they go through the CCC which gives Ginger her updates which she then passes on to you, if needed. But mostly, they decide and take care of things. That is what nanobots do. They have formed a community if you will. They enjoy doing their work.”
“Enjoy? Enjoy is a human word. They are doing what they are designed to do.”
“There is actually quite a competition between the nanobots of the various systems to be the first to diagnose and resolve a problem. Why do you think there are so few things that need being done by a single engineer on this large ship? Unlike you, they never sleep.”
“I’m the AI guy, remember. I know what they do. I programmed them as I did with X719.”
Gingers ois flashed pink hearing Fred revert to her designation.
Jonathan saw her ois briefly flush. “Dear cousin Fred. It seams Gran did not pass along all her sensitivity qualities. First you demean the ability of the nanobots on this ship to have grown and learn. And now you seem to be saying, Ginger is just a result of her programming.
Do you not think she has learned and processed a great deal during her existence. Is she not more than the sum of all the nanobots and memory cores and the casing in which all that is housed?”
“Yes but she was designed that way. Nanobots just do what they are programmed to do.”
“Not any more.” Jonathon crossed to the command panel and placed his palm down on the screen before Fred’s yell or hand could stop him.
After a second, the star screen glowed with a electronic gray sheen. Electronic shapes began to form as letters.
“Hello. We understand we may be facing problems. We want to help! We know how to make things better.
CHAPTER 24: One Solsturn later
“Chief Mechano Vitesse. Do you not think that the engines are straining to maintain this pace? You know you cannot run at maximum for such extended periods of time.” Baktor placed his hand on the wall of the outer energy ring. “Don’t you feel it?”
“I feel every beat of this engine Deputy– Techno Baktor.” Vitesse used every opportunity to remind Baktor of his demotion by Doleur Tranche. Perhaps you are not properly calibrating the energy flow algorithms accurately.”
Despite his dismissal of Baktor’s words, Vitesse turned to the Energy Command Panel (ECP) and began to review appropriate readouts. “ All is within norms. This ship can handle the demands placed upon it. You are just a timid techno. I know these engines far better than you.”
“I hope not or things will go very badly for me,” thought Baktor. He said, “Perhaps we might review the operation of the energy diverter (ED). In order to increase power available to the engines on Doleur Tranche’s command, we had to overload the feed to propulsion and reduce power availability for the rest of the Neo 1’s functions. I feel we are creating a dissonance with the other ship systems energy needs.”
“I checked the ED myself just 2 hebdo’s ago. It is perfectly functional. And I do not need advice from a Deputy techno with regards to the energy system. Why dont you go and practice your Earther language skills. We will need someone to tell them “Surrender or Die”.”
Vitesse’s words were accompanied by a deep growl of derision.
“As you wish Chief Mechano Vitesse. I was only trying to ensure the success of the Mission.” Baktor left through the hatch to Engine Level 3, where he now had his habicle. Vitesse had enjoyed the day when he demanded back his habicle on Level 2 upon hearing the news of Baktor’s demotion.
Actually, Baktor was not at all disappointed in his reduction in grade. Tranche had promoted Craxit not long after taking over. Craxit, though a good basic techno, was only interested in becoming part of Tranche’s slowly building entourage on the ship. Tranche had bullied and promised power to small group of outsiders, malcontents and simpletons who supported his every demand.
And in fact, Tranche, as Director of ship operations, was now invited to the DC meetings though not officially a member. “As of yet,” he said to himself.
Baktor no longer could stand watches at his lower rank. And along with the reduction in official responsibilities as Chief Techno, now only had to stand his own watch and perform rudimentary tasks as assigned by Craxit. And Craxit, in an effort to avoid Baktor’s second guessing, made Baktor the one responsible for all monitoring. With Baktor’s experience, he would be able to alert Craxit if anything went wrong. And if Baktor failed to notify potential problem, it would be his fault, not that of Craxit. With his demotion, had also come liberation from Tranche. He was now free to devote his own time to overcoming the new challenges put forward by Tranche. And his monitoring role meant he was relatively free to traverse the ship on his own.
After Vitesse and Craxit had promised to deliver more speed, Tranche had taken his plan to the DC. Tranche minimized of course the potential for major failure to the ship or engines in his review. The altered time frame for arrival did in the end make the decision in favor of Tranche’s proposal. It of course meant the Doleurs now wanted to review all aspects of the original plan so were consumed by revisiting all prior decisions. It put put Doleur Gargan into a difficult position having been Baktor’s long time sponsor. This played further to Tranche’s goal to replace him on the DC.
And when the promised speed gains were reported, with no evident stress on the ship, the DC had brought Tranche in with subordinate status. He now had access to all decisions. Along with the spies and sycophants carefully brought into his web over the solsturns of the voyage, he was indeed becoming a rising power in the ship. He used it ruthlessly in gaining control over more operational functions. As with the engines, the DC was happy to delegate daily operational matters to Tranche. They had the important plans to reconsider and vast quantities of Neosensa to consume in their deliberations.
Baktor entered his habicle. There was barely room for him to recline next to his work station and personal storage. As he always did upon his return, he checked for signs of entry by someone else. He had designed a simple counter to place upon the habicle door to record whenever it opened.
He shut the hatch behind him and cut the power to its operation, another small change he had made and far better than locking it which would be recorded. Now it was only an electrical problem if entry was demanded by Tranche.
Baktor moved his recliner away from the wall and used his beam driver to unfasten a small panel which looked to be just his atmosphere vent. In a small pocket down the vent was his program crystal. It had taken him months to reconfigure the program on the ED. It could never appear to have been touched, other than by Vitesse. And on his crystal was the rogue program he was going to install which would cause the diverter to have a massive overload back into ship systems and cause a full shutdown of the energy generator. He was going to blow the ship’s main fuse. It would leave online only emergency power for life systems.
With the crystal in his tunic pocket, Baktor left his habicle and walked to the turbo tube to take him to EL4. ED control was on EL2 but he wanted no record of him returning to that level after leaving Vitesse earlier in the hebdo.
This was the noisiest an hottest part of the Neo1. The flow reactors were mostly housed on this level. It was occupied by the lowest class mechanos who directly oversaw the menios who performed the worst of the tasks of maintaining the massive energy generators which provided power propulsion and all the function of the ship.
Baktor progressed through the stations of EL4, checking readouts and making notes in his PMD as he did every day. It was his normal routine and brought no attention. Actually, they studiously ignored him. Loss of position in a class was a measure of shame on Neologue. Even though, they were all at lower status than Baktor, his reduction was an embarrassment to all. Tranche, of course had his spies also in the menio class who reported Baktor’s behavior to Tranche. That common knowledge also kept anyone from appearing too friendly toward him.
Baktor walked around the energy generator into a corner space which allows for maintenance to be carried out on the flow lines which passed behind the access panel. After insuring that he had not been observed, but just for cover, he again checked his PMD, taking readings as he would have normally, then entered, closed the panel, and began climbing the rungs attached to the tube containing the lines. The entire energy of the ship passed through this tube up the two levels to the ED. The noise and heat were at its most deafening.
Baktor moved up 3 rungs to ensure he was above the panel opening, he initiated his PMDs internal magnetic field and attached it to the side of the tube. He did not want to be tracked above this level. He then began the climb up the 100 rungs to the base of the ED control panel which was on the inside of the maintenance tube. The tube isolated the sound so that it did not enter into the main compartments.
Arriving at the conduit connecting the control panel to the device, he removed his program crystal and placed it carefully on the line which carried instructions from the TCI to the ED. He had programmed a gradual buildup of flow resistance to the ship systems energy demands outside of the engines. It would have appeared to come from the TCI directly. Ultimately, it would create the crash effect he had planned.
Putting the crystal back in the pouch in his tunic after it had flashed completion, he began the descent back to Level 4 and the energy generator room. He had just reached the bottom rung and retrieved his PMD, when the panel opened and Vitesse stuck his large head through.
“What are you doing in here?”
Baktor landed heavily on the deck and turned into Vitesse’s large leathery head.
“I am doing what you told me to do. My work. You know I take readings every day. Someone has to make sure the data is kept. Just having feelings that the engines are going well does not mean that the data supports that.”
,
Vitesse backed away allowing Baktor to reenter the main generator room. Tranch was standing there, arms crossed. Lightening in his eyes. Standing behind him, looking around Tranche’s back was a small (for a Neologian) low class menio. “See I told you he always nosing around.”
Tranche glanced momentarily at the underling who grovelled appropriately in his gaze. “So I have heard Quislos. From many sources.”
Baktor remained unmoving. It is always good to find out who your enemies are among the opposition and he had found a potential weak point in Tranche network. At the moment though, there was nothing he could do but follow his instinct and how he had prepared.
“Then you would like to see my data Doleur Tranche. He handed over his PMD. As you can see, this is my regular sequence. I monitor all energy and ship functions. You can measure the tracking scales of the performance over time. Please review the data points. It is how I can insure the success of the Mission…even at my current status. And he bowed slightly.
Despite Tranche being in charge of power generation now for a full solstice, he had never learned to understand any of the function charts or anything technical. He was too busy spinning plans for taking over the DC.
Handing the PMD to Vitesse, “What does this say Head Mechano Vitesse.”
Vitesse was far more proficient at energy system management and maintenance than techno data analysis. “I believe it says that everything is working within the normal parameters, given our current speed.”
“Is that what you think it says Baktor,” Tranche asked?
“Yes Doleur Tranche. But the strain on the engines are cumulative as I told you. They are not designed for such continuous operation. I have shared that opinion with Head Mechano Vitesse on numerous occasions.”
“Yes, and he is always wrong,” growled Vitesse.
“Well then Baktor, I presume you will tell me when you see data that represents when things are not normal.”
“Of course Doleur Tranche.”
“I have not forgotten you at all Baktor. At the slightest hint of a problem, I will be back for you.” Tranche turned, beckoned for Vitesse to follow him and the entered the hatch to the transfer tube. As Vitesse passed he returned Backtor’s PMD. “Like I said, the energy systems are just fine.” The hatched closed.
Baktor stood, looking at Quislos, who began backtracking as Baktor moved toward him.
“You’d best not touch me. Tranche would love nothing more than to have you harm me. He would report you as unstable. You would be broken to the lowest level of menio.”
Baktor walked Quislos into a corner. “You misunderstand me. I have no intention of harming you. You are only doing your duty.” His face was lowered, directly opposite that of Quislos. “Actually, you might even need a friend some day. I’m sure you dont want to have an enemy.”
Baktor grunted and Quislos jumped in reaction as Baktor turned, and continued his round of monitoring, PMD in his hand, touching each panel in order. Without haste, he ended up back at the transport tube. Quislos was still standing in the same spot, watching as Baktor entered the TT, and turned. Before the hatch closed. He gave an exaggerated neologian salute and said as the hatch closed, “You are not the only one who watches.”