Ally or Alien: A Sci-Fi Novel (8 page)

"If you ever need help, ping me," he said before stepping into the capsule of the tube transportation device.

eLoom’s eyes belonged to her asset now.

So this was eKazumi, she thought.

A doll-like model with female traits that reminded eLoom of an Earth-based race springing from the territory called Asia. eKazumi was the model's name, and she was rather tall for her thin build. A basic skintight tech suit wrapped her body, with sockets for exoframe and medium-armor upgrades. It would have been far more useful if the Exec had sent her a heavier model, but hey, she abided.

For now.

She looked her probationer asset into the azure eyes and tried to sync. 

"Are you going to follow my every step from now on?"

"That is my directive. But please, do not worry. Consider me your friendly neighborhood asset. I will help you and politely remind you in case you violate the protocols."

"Thank you very much for that."

Not really, but it was the Newtype thing to say.

eLoom shifted her thoughts as they both took the tube to her office.

With an exoframe, eKazumi might be able to carry heavy loads and maybe even help her out in the labs, doing all the mundane work that would distract eLoom from her biomorph analysis. 

eKazumi thought-asked,

"I would like to reside in my pod and study the background data of our guests from Earth. You can go offline and save your energies. I will ping you if I need you."

"Very well. I will stay within a five meter radius."

"You do not have to."

"But I do."

So much for negotiation.

eKazumi bowed, located her spot in the office and switched to the standby mode. Her body assumed fetal position and beeped out, at least on the surface. A probationer asset never shut down until they were severely damaged.

eLoom crawled into her recharger pod, dimmed the transparent hull by 50% and sent one last glance at her window-wall. Planet Mars glowed in its crimson-colored beauty, like an orb-shaped ruby.

Soon, eLoom would enter the majestic home again and continue her quest.

She searched the databases for recent biomorph entries and mind-read all the information the recon droids on the surface had gathered so far. Interesting info, but the most important bit was still absent: why was the biomorph here, and what did it want?

22

Distance to the alien: 21.3 million kilometers.

The AC civilian freighter type Pilgrim II roared its atomic engines while its two-men crew nested inside. Dr. Rao, with the help of Aida, the board AI, watched over Bellrock like a guardian angel, making sure the electronics, e.g. the generator and the air circulatory system, did their job. Bellrock appeared tense, even in his sleep. Dr. Rao smiled as he looked over the biometrics of his military partner. Bellrock, the lovechild of a SEAL soldier and a Siberian bear, now slumbering like a baby after the stun shot.

ZZzzz.

Of course no one could hear him snoring.

The only noise came from the nearby life support system, blinking its rainbow-colored LEDs while humming like a digital bee.

The artificial intelligence followed the coordinates programmed by NASA. The Pilgrim II treaded into the cosmic territory where the satellite reign of the Newtype began.

ETA: two weeks, four days, three hours, five and a half minutes and some squeezed-in seconds.

Soon...

23

During her uptime, eLoom spent the majority of her energies consuming the informations about the Earthlings. She was looking forward to meeting the scientist, but the soldier unit disturbed her. There was very little data on this human called Nobert Bellrock. Besides, his psychological profile showed a heightened sense of aggression, something which could be conflicting to the operation. With so many peaceful humans on Earth, why did the AC government send someone like him? His profile image was scary enough: a scar scratched the hawkish nose of a brutal grimace. The portrait frosted the enhanced blood in eLoom's articulatory system. 

But maybe that was a challenge worth solving. 

Yes, Bellrock was an opportunity to learn firsthand about the aggressive part of humanity. He would make a formidable test object like the biomorph on Mars.

Mostly splendid.

eLoom deepened her studies when a ping from the Exec reached her.

The expert team from Earth had arrived in the hangar membrane of the main bay. eLoom grinned, climbed out of her pod and entered the tube transport capsule embedded into the wall of her quarters. eKazumi online'd and bowed.

"I am looking forward to serve you."

eLoom shone.

"Glorious. Follow me to the hangar. Our ancestors await us."

24

Bellrock and Dr. Rao stepped out the Pilgrim II and entered the hangar hall with their EVAs still activated. The first difference to Earth-based architecture already became visible—the bay sported a curved design with organic features. A tube system was embedded into the walls, reminiscent of veins roaring through a body hull. Ground and walls melted into an elegant white. It looked like plastic but must have been something else, something more durable. A group of three Newtype awaited them—one third female, one third male, and the last one something in-between. Seriously, they all looked like asexual, bio-engineered models. The female unit in the center of the group stepped forward and stretched out her delicate hand. She looked like an Asian Barbie Doll with creamy membrane layers. Her light blue, skin-tight tech suit seemed to wrap her body like second skin.

"Welcome to the Ares Nexus. I greet you on behalf of the Exec. Let us work together in dealing with the biomorph. Let us overcome our past differences and step into the future, hand in hand, glancing at the horizon of hope and harmony."

That doesn't sound artificial at all, Bellrock thought. 

Even that male-ish Newtype to her right threw her a bewildered glance.

Looked like even some of the shells weren't convinced of their blabber. Still, Bellrock was the leader and the highest ranking officer of the two-men team. And with his sensitivity training from Earth, he reciprocated the friendly welcome. After all, he was representing the entire home planet.

"Well, thanks for letting us board your station. We're excited to work with your kind."

He grinned and shook their slick hands. The tall Newtype with the short-trimmed circuit pattern wrestled with his face when it was his turn. He eyed Bellrock's gloved hand with utter disgust and moaned.

"Is your suit germ-free?"

Bellrock couldn't tell whether the male was joking, so he took it as an off-beat remark.

"I actually carry a highly infectious auto-immune disease that eats through your CPU. Can you feel your neurons getting burned as we speak?"

The Newtype contorted his face.

Bellrock cracked up.

"Just kidding, man."

He patted the male's shoulder and watched as he cringed.

"A joke. It's what we tell on Earth to loosen up."

The other Newtype unleashed some strange sound effects that must have been their version of laughter. Sounded like a bunch of penguin kids getting mangled by subwoofer, but hey.

Bellrock wasn't judging.

The woman bowed.

"I have heard all about the human humor. It is a unique feature that delights me. By the way, you can call me eLoom. And you can turn off your helmets. We've changed the life support perimeters in the station to meet your demands."

Bellrock exchanged a confused glance with Dr. Rao. The scientist was the first to open his helmet, despite Bellrock's warning glance. The dark-skinned man breathed in the air and smiled.

"The oxygen tastes like bubblegum."

Bellrock flipped open his helmet and had to agree. But this kind of flavor tasted superior to the one found on the International Astroport.

"True."

eLoom waved them over with a service smile.

"Please follow us, guests from lovely Earth."

During the walk, Bellrock investigated the slick-organic interior design of the hangar bay. Few ships resided in here—mostly cruisers and freighters. Strange construction frames arched over them. Bots crawled along their grid and worked on the hulls and mechanical parts of the ships. Drones carried crates and hummed around the hangar. Lots of traffic, but well orchestrated. 

Symmetry in motion.

And now Dr. Rao chimed in. The guy's eyes bulged out as he marveled at the hangar tech and the walker units and drones transporting the cargo. The SoCal doc was probably flying high on cloud 9.

"By the way, that's some remarkable architecture. It looks like you have fully automated the entire process."

eLoom bowed.

"Oh thank you. We're using bio-mimicry for most of our technology. Nature gives us the blueprints and we take her ideas to the next level. So far, it is working splendidly."

She closed her eyes.

"May I lead you to your quarters? We have upgraded them to meet human needs."

This trip started to sound like a holiday resort, but Bellrock remembered the purpose of the operation.

"When are we boarding Mars?"

"In 0400 hours, 23 minutes and 16 seconds, according to Central Ares Time."

"Why wait that long?"

"We thought we'd give you a generous amount of downtime from your journey. After all, humans are more susceptible to long-term interplanetary travel than we are."

"Believe me, eLoom, I've seen more action and stress than you in your puppy years. I don't need to recover."

In the corner of his left eye, he saw Dr. Rao cringing. Was he already overstepping it? He just made a simple statement. But then again, these Newtype were so sensitive, you had to treat them like children with glass skin. Maybe turn it down a notch or two, at least for now, Bellrock said to himself.

He forced his lips into an upward position.

"Well, maybe some resting time is good. Helps us getting used to your ways. I'd love to check out our suite. What about you?"

Dr. Rao nodded with genuine interest.

"I'd love to see more of your impressive architecture. I'm truly honored to witness it with my own, organic eyes."

"Sublime," the Newtype woman called eLoom said and rotated her hands.

Like she was wiping invisible windshields. 

"Our droids will check your craft for damages. Our serfs will take care of your equipment. You do not need to move a thing."

Bellrock craned his neck and saw a Newtype with four arms and serf bots with caterpillar shapes approaching their Pilgrim ship. They built one of these wireframe arcs around the vessel and used it to reach every part of its exterior hull.

Interesting design choice, but he also wondered—were they going to plant some kind of bomb or tracking device?

He pushed the thought aside.

For now.

eLoom danced toward a long mechanical pipe that was embedded into the inner hulls of the hangar. The Newtype version of the Loop, Bellrock thought as he listened to her words.

"This is our renowned tube transportation system. It is connected to every spot in our ringstation and carries you at the speed of sound. Think of it as a person-based subway."

Not gonna lie, the tube system looked kind of cool. 

eLoom said,

"I have already updated your destination. It will take 0.7 seconds in total."

"Sounds good."

Bellrock stepped into the tube's capsule when the display shimmered in green. Reminded him of getting stuffed into a coffin. eLoom looked down at him and sent him the peace sign.

"Are you okay?"

"Do I have to do something?"

"No. Just stay calm and carry on. I'll see you on the other side."

Whooosh.

Some kind of invisible propulsion blew him through the pipe.

Whooosh.

Bellrock, the human rocket. 

Half a breath later, his capsule came to a soft still stand. He staggered out and failed to coordinate his feet. Bellrock's boots felt like watered sausages giving way.

Balance was a bitch.

eLoom appeared behind him and touched his arm.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's nothing."

Something inside of him shot up.

Bellrock tried to turn away but it was too late.

He vomited over eLoom's face...

25

How to alienate allies, the Bellrock way. 

And now Dr. Rao and the others arrived with eyes as wide as moons. They saw how Bellrock unleashed his vomit salad over the Newtype's head and chuckled.

And eLoom?

Just stood there while the puke pieces rivered down her perfect face.

To be honest, she looked neither pleased nor peeved, just indifferent.

When the urge stopped, Bellrock wiped the gobbets from his lips.

"I'm sorry," eLoom said.

Talking about an awkward moment.

Bellrock thought he misunderstood her.

"You're sorry? But I was the one puking all over you."

"Yes, I know, but that is because the tube system is adapted to us Newtype. We have never had an Earthling use it before, so it is my fault. I should have thought about it before you arrived."

"No worries," Bellrock said.

Still feeling a bit bad for the action. Dr. Rao looked a bit cranky too, but at least he wasn't letting any fluids out. Heck, the scientist was even smiling from ear to ear, the bastard.

eLoom remained on the same spot with half the vomit covering her face.

"Can I show you the quarters now?"

This started to look like some kind of comedy sketch.

"Don't you want to...clean your face or something?"

"You are right. That would be the appropriate reaction."

She told her female Newtype friend to wipe off the pieces. Opened the slide door in shutter-motion and offered a view inside the quarters. Bellrock whistled and he meant it. The chamber harbored an ergo-dynamic architecture in minimalist style. Chairs and crates were fixed into the structure itself, or so it seemed.

eLoom said,

"We have used older recharger pods as beds. Their hull is still working—let me show you how to dim them.