CassaStorm (9 page)

Byron smiled, encouraged by Ubarce’s attitude. “If I find the candidates lacking, I just might take you up on that offer. We need skilled pilots who are quick learners.”

“I’ll send you a list of my best right away.”

“Very good, Prefect Ubarce. I will notify you before I arrive tomorrow.”

“I’m just glad we’re fighting back, Commander Byron,” said Ubarce.

Ending the transmission, Byron pulled his computer tablet closer. Send me a list of pilots with your determination and I’ll train every one of them, he thought.

He touched his screen just as the lights flickered. The image on the monitor dimmed and scrambled. Puzzled, Byron glanced at his main computer. A light green static appeared, pulsating at a rapid pace. The lights flickered again before everything returned to normal.

Now what? Byron reached for the keyboard to contact his senior security officer.

Commander!

The senior science officer’s entreaty overrode all else.
Officer Mevine? What is going on? We just experienced a power drain.

Sir, every system on the alien craft just came online. Everything but the engines. We have full power now.

Byron rose to his feet.
Is it transmitting a signal?
he thought, alarm swelling in his chest.

Sir, it’s transmitting so many signals, we don’t even know where to begin.

Damn, we don’t need this right now, thought Byron. The last time the ship sent a transmission, an alien vessel almost destroyed Tgren.

Sir!
Security Officer Mard’s voice entered his head.
We have a situation on the alien ship.

Officer Mevine just notified me,
thought Byron, grabbing his tablet as he rounded the desk.
Officer Mard, you are to remove all but essential personnel from the alien ship at once. And recall the team drilling for letrellium. I want the area cleared.

Yes, sir!

Officer Mevine, get all essential personnel off the ship. Now!
  he added to deter any protest from his senior science officer.

Yes, sir. Evacuating now.

Slipping out of his office the moment the door slid aside, Byron ran down the hall. The pounding of his boots created a rhythmic noise, and he used the sound to beat back his fear. Where were those signals going? Were there multiple probes on their way to Tgren now? Or was the entire alien army about to descend upon them?

His computer pad announced the arrival of several messages. Byron did not slow his pace until he reached the main hangar. Signaling to the team preparing a shuttle, he glanced at his screen. The most urgent message originated from Prefect Enteller. Composing his thoughts, Byron answered.

“Commander Byron, we just experienced a brief drain in power all over the city,” said Enteller. “Are we under attack again?’

“Prefect Enteller, the drain originated from the alien ship. We are not under attack.”

“The alien ship? What caused it?”

“I’m on my way there now to find out, Prefect. I will contact you when I know more.”

Before the man could say another word, Byron ended the transmission. He reached the shuttle just as the engines roared to life. Officer Mard stood at attention, waiting outside the ship. Trotting up the ramp, Byron entered the cockpit and swung into the co-pilot’s seat.

“Welcome aboard, Commander,” said the pilot.

Byron offered Roesaw a brief nod as he reached for the harness. Secure in his seat, he glanced at the remaining messages. Judging from the other reports filing in, the event was limited to the area around the alien ship.

At least I’ve only one prefect to deal with today, he thought as the shuttle launched.

Please be careful.

Athee’s words were soft and unobtrusive. Her presence had lurked in silence, listening to the exchanges without interfering. She knew exactly what was happening.

I will
, he thought.

They landed at the flight strip near the main entrance of the alien ship. Men were already outside the cave entrance, equipment in hand. Several approached the shuttle while others raced into the squat buildings by the runway. Calculating the number of scientists present, Byron knew many more had yet to appear.

“Sir, two more shuttles are on their way,” Officer Mard said as Byron exited the craft.

“Get these men out of here then,” said Byron. “And empty the alien ship of all non-essential personnel. If not cleared through Officer Mevine, they are to leave at once.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ignoring the strong wind that blew through the wide canyon, whipping sand against his face, Byron took the stairs two at a time to the cave entrance. A group of scientists parted to let him pass, surprise echoing in their thoughts. He strode past them and into the wide tunnel.

Officer Mevine, your location?

Sir? You shouldn’t be here, Commander.

Neither should you. But since we’re both here, tell me your location.

I’m on my way to the central control room.

I’ll meet you there.

A few minutes later, Byron strode into the control center. After the soft glow of the cave lights and muted rings in the alien ship’s passageway, the brightness of the room blinded him. Shielding his eyes with his hand, Byron scanned the room. He’d visited the ancient alien ship thousands of times but couldn’t recall an occasion when every light glowed with such brilliance. Even the plasma ball in the center of the room pounded with energy. Across the room, computer screens flashed data at a rapid pace, creating a kaleidoscope of images. It was sensory overload.

Officer Mevine, report!
he thought, trying to locate the man.

“Commander,” said Mevine, appearing to his right. The science officer held up his personal tablet. “Sir, ninety-nine percent of the ship’s systems are online and functioning. Everything from life support to navigation. The ship is operating at peak performance.”

Byron didn’t bother looking at Mevine’s computer pad. “You said the engines weren’t online?”

“They weren’t,” the science officer said. “But we discovered that system is working; the engines just haven’t engaged. Everything else is operational!”

His tone wavered between alarm and excitement. Most of the systems on the alien ship had lain dormant for years, never divulging their secrets. Without knowing the reason why the ship had come to life though, Byron couldn’t indulge his science officer’s curiosity.

“On the chance the engines do fire up, you are to gather what information you can and get out of here,” he said. “How many men remain?”

“Six of us, sir. The other twenty-seven were ordered to leave.”

Byron relayed the headcount to Mard. “Any idea what caused this?” he asked.

“We’re trying to determine that right now.”

Following Mevine to one of the consoles, Byron noticed another science officer hunched over a large computer tablet. The dual screen displayed Cassan numbers and figures on the top and a pattern of changing images, similar to what the scrolled through the alien consoles, on the bottom. The officer was typing at a frantic pace.

“Our equipment flickered for a few moments and then everything on this ship roared to life,” said Mevine, glancing at his own computer pad. He tapped the screen several times, his brows pulled together.

“You said it was transmitting multiple signals?”

“Transmitting and receiving.”

“Receiving, Mevine?” said Byron, raising his voice in urgency.

The science officer looked up, his eyes wide. “Sir, I’m sorry. Yes, receiving from multiple locations. I have a man down there now trying to get a lock on the positions.”

Byron’s mind raced through the possibilities. One lone signal had gone out to the probe twenty years ago. Were multiple alien probes soon to approach Tgren, or the aliens themselves? Considering the first probe’s mission nearly ended with the destruction of all life on this planet, neither prospect sounded good.

“Officer Mevine, I want everyone off this ship as soon as possible,” said Byron. “Gather what data you can and process the information back at the base. I need answers, but I won’t risk a single person on this ship. If the doors lock or the engines fire up, you won’t have time to get out.”

Tugging at his jacket’s crease, the science officer nodded. Byron stepped away from the two men, giving them space. Leaning against a console, he checked his tablet for incoming messages.

“Sir, you should leave,” said Mevine, his voice cracking.

Byron didn’t bother to look up from his screen. “I’ll leave when you do, Officer Mevine.”

At the sound of scuffling boots, Byron glanced up. Mevine hovered in front of him. The man’s entire body shook, mirroring the nervous thoughts projecting from his mind.

“Sir, it’s not safe!”

“Then I suggest you hurry,” said Byron, a tight lid on his own nerves. Mevine was rattled enough.

The science officer stared at him, his mouth open. Snapping to action, Mevine whirled back to the main console. Byron heard him project a warning to all remaining personnel that they were to complete their tasks and evacuate.

Knew that would prod you into action, Byron thought, returning to his messages. Good, because I really don’t want to be trapped on this ship and shot into space.

I don’t want that either!

Still eavesdropping?
he thought, reviewing a transcript on his screen even as he responded to his mate.

Of course,
thought Athee
. I need my facts straight when I speak with Enteller.

Not yet. Let me return to the base first. He’s not pressing you for details, is he?

No. But I do hope you’ll be on your way soon.

Byron glanced at Mevine, engrossed in the information scrolling across the Cassan computer screen.

You know I’m not leaving without Mevine,
he thought, recalling the overeager young man of twenty years ago. After an explosion in this very room nearly took the scientist’s life, Byron refused to abandon him now.

Mevine didn’t take long to complete his task. The other scientists were already on a shuttle bound for the base when the three of them emerged from the cave. They hastened to the remaining shuttle, sliding into seats in the main compartment. Fastening his harness, Byron ordered the pilot to leave at once.

“Sir, you shouldn’t have waited,” Mevine said, still fumbling with his harness.
You’re too important.

As are you,
Byron thought, pressing his back against the seat. Mevine looked up, his mouth open, and Byron gave the man his most intimidating stare.

Commander Byron?
  thought Hurend.
Squadron Two is still on patrol over the city. The others are being refueled and are on standby.

Very good,
thought Byron. He reached out for the head of his security.
Officer Mard, report.

Sir, seismic vibrations have increased around the alien ship, but they are within parameters. We’ll continue to monitor. With the base on full alert, I have ordered extra security in Ktren. Officer Athee is coordinating with me on maintaining order within the city council.

Good. Unless they demand an explanation, I want to wait until we know more before releasing information to Prefect Enteller.

Understood, sir.

Byron had already contacted the Nacinta while waiting on the alien ship. Only one task remained. “Mevine, what can you tell me?”

The science officer looked up from his tablet. “Sir, it will take a while to analyze the data, but it appears the ship was transmitting to ten other locations.”

“Do you have a fix on those locations?”

“No, not yet.”

“We need those locations. We have to know what we’re up against this time,” said Byron. he didn’t want a repeat of the events of twenty years ago. “Any idea what caused the ship’s systems to come online?”

Mevine fidgeted in his seat. “No sir, I don’t. I was in the capsule control center when it happened.”

Byron peered at the other science officer. The man swallowed and clutched the large computer pad to his chest.

“Sir, I’d just arrived in the main control center.”

His arms wrapped even tighter around the computer. Byron stared at the device, his mind churning. “Describe your actions when you arrived,” he said.

“I’d spent the morning analyzing yesterday’s data,” the man said, this thin fingers strumming the computer. “When I arrived at the ship, I plugged my computer into the mainframe as usual. The systems came online a few minutes later.”

A jolt of realization emanated from Mevine, mirroring Byron’s assumptions. “What other information is on that computer?” the science officer said, grasping his harness as the shuttle banked.

“Well, it’s my personal computer, but other than that, just data from the alien ship.”

Byron glanced at Mevine. The science officer’s bony shoulders drooped and he nodded.

“Officer Mevine, find the connection,” said Byron. “And find the locations of those transmissions!”

Byron rubbed his forehead, pressing his fingers deep into the skin. Nothing seemed to relieve the pressure though. He gave up the effort, resigned to the fact his head would hurt for the remainder of the day. Considering the late hour, he wouldn’t endure the pain much longer. It was but a small consolation.

“Prefect Enteller, we are still analyzing the data. We’re confident the propulsion system will remain offline. Just keep your people away from the mountain. We’ll let you know if anything changes,” he said, hoping that would pacify the man who dominated on his computer screen.

“Commander, if that ship emerges, the shockwaves could level Ktren!’

Why couldn’t you remain in your despondency? Byron thought, annoyed with the man’s drastic shift of attitude. “We’ve run that scenario through simulation and while it would cause strong seismic vibrations, it wouldn’t destroy Ktren. My team will alert you if anything changes.”