A Faded Star (6 page)

 “I will be able to go if you can give me some time to
change and get myself together,” Simmons said.

 Stokes nodded and said, “Very well. You may begin the
salvage operation in four hours. That wreck isn't going anywhere. Get a bit of
rest and take some time to prepare for the mission.”

 Stokes looked over at his executive officer. “Miss
Hanlon, please inform the being on that ship that we are humans. Also, ask him
what species he is.”

 “Aye, sir,” Hanlon said and began to work on the
message.

 Theo Cobb sat at his desk looking over a list of
preparatory activities in the former Karn Republic when his door chime sounded.
He glanced at the video monitor and saw it was his immediate supervisor. He
tapped the admittance key on his desk.

 Johnathan Stone, a tall man with jet black hair and
soft, almost gray eyes strode in and sat at the desk opposite Theo. “Good
morning. I'm here to give you a classified level nine briefing. Security check,
please.”

 Theo stood, smoothing out his black uniform pants
before opening the cabinet behind his chair. He turned, set the security sweep
tool on his desk and activated it. Security checks were regularly conducted in
all intelligence facilities, of course, but occasionally a briefing was
considered so sensitive that a supplementary scan was completed. The device
sat, considering the room for about thirty seconds before beeping the all clear
signal.

 Johnathan nodded at Theo. “Very good, Agent. This one
is really big, and your superiors have decided you're the man for the job. At
zero-two-fifteen this morning, local time, the space navy ship Rampart detected
an unidentified energy source from the proximity net and maneuvered to
investigate. They discovered an alien spacecraft entering the system under its
own power. The ship accepted contact with the Rampart, and after some translation
issues, related that it was being pursued by another vessel, hostile to it. The
Rampart attempted to intervene peacefully before being forced to destroy two
ships that pursued the first into our system. Hostilities ended at
zero-three-twenty-one this morning. One of the alien ships also sent something
rather astonishing to us.” Stone pulled a laminated photograph from the
briefing folder and showed it to Cobb.

 Cobb's eyebrows inched up fractionally, a strong
reaction from his normally controlled expression. “Is that the origin tablet
diagram?”

 “Yes and no. As we understand it, it may be a highly
directional communication signal. The first alien ship also sent something
similar to it towards the Rampart, but they didn't put two and two together
until this second signal was sent. Both signals appear to have the same faster
than light properties. They both appear capable of avoiding signal degradation
and maintain coherence over exceptionally long ranges. Our initial analysis of
the signal seems to indicate the signal may be capable of traversing as much as
fifty light years without any meaningful loss of integrity.”

 Cobb paused while the information sunk in. The
implications of a signal of this type were nothing short of astounding. “So
this may be a way for our instant comms to be spread across more than one star
system.” The instant comms popularly in use by the military and intelligence
communities of the Lashmere people maintained communication between the planet
and the four manned space outposts in the system. The instant comm system had a
serious limitation; it was usable over only a few light hours depending upon
the strength of the transmission source and the sensitivity of the receiving
source.

 Stone nodded. “We believe so. There is more.” Cobb
leaned forward in his chair slightly, his only indication of eagerness. Stone
continued, “We have located a similar signal coming from somewhere beyond the
Lashmere system. This particular signal matches the origin tablet diagram
exactly in every detail.”

 “Why didn't we detect this signal before?”

 “The simplest answer is that we never considered the
origin tablet and its diagram might be a communication signal. We always
assumed it was simply the design of some ancient nation or planetary
government. In addition, we have only recently acquired the ability to detect
this kind of signal at all. The Rampart, the Naval Research Laboratory and our
own intelligence communications and sensor array are the only systems we are
aware of that can detect this signal at all.”

 Stone paused and looked through a data pad he had
pulled from his jacket. “The Navy has yet to discover the existence of the
signal. You can be assured they'll figure it out soon enough. Once they do,
they will mount an expedition to find the source and discover whatever may be
there. Analysis indicates the origin tablet is most likely a reference designed
to lead us to some hidden information, technology or other advantageous item.”

 “I understand. What is my assignment?”

 “You are to report aboard the Rampart as a member of a
two person scientific team that will explore the origin of this signal once the
ship has returned to space dock and completed repairs. Status reports indicate
the ship has suffered some damage and casualties during this morning's
firefight with an estimated repair duration of four to six weeks. Your cover
will be easy enough to maintain. You'll be assigned as a cultural and
historical expert on the origin tablet. The background packet is on your private
data node now. Standard mission protocols apply with the exception of higher
authority. The presumption is that you will be unable to communicate and must
act as an independent agent until communications can be reestablished. As such,
your mission parameters are outlined, but actions must be taken under your own
judgment. Do you have any questions?”

 “I do, sir. First, are we considering revealing what
we know about the origin tablet? Second, how much cooperation am I authorized
to extend to the expedition leader? Third and last, what level of control are
we prepared to exercise over whatever we find at the source of this signal?”

 “I'll answer your second question first. You are
authorized to use your discretion in providing information. Remember the classified
information on the origin tablet is known only to a very few, and the fact you
are already aware is one of the reasons you were selected for this mission. As
to your third question, it's in your mission package, but this is far outside
any of our standard mission profiles. You'll have to decide if a full blackout
is needed. It will depend on what is found. I would err on the side of caution.
Remember, the safety and sovereignty of our planet is of prime importance.”

 “I understand, sir. I will complete my mission.” Cobb
could already feel his excitement building. Almost clinically, he examined the
feeling as it flushed through his awareness without giving any outward
indication.

 “Excellent. One last point. The tactical officer on
the Rampart is a Karn. Watch him.”

 “Understood.”

 Stone stood and left the office without another word.
Cobb opened the private data node on his computer. The mission briefing had
been adapted from one of the standard templates used when the agent was
expected to be unable to communicate regularly with the mission authority. Cobb
was authorized any level of force needed to ensure the safety and security of
the Lashmere system and its people.

 Cobb began the laborious and painstaking task of
memorizing every operational detail for his mission. Without perfect recall and
flawless understanding of the background material, he could be compromised and
unable to compete his mission.

 Marli Simmons and Halford Kri approached the standby
pinnace in the forward boat bay. Standing there was a squad of marines. The
platoon leader stepped forward and saluted the pair.

 “Sir, Ma'am, Lieutenant Aves reporting. My platoon is
ready for embarkation.”

 Kri saluted back. “Very well, Lieutenant. We will be
departing in five minutes. Have your men take their stations aboard?”

 “Aye, sir!” the lieutenant said sharply and hustled
his men aboard the pinnace.

 “Are you sure you are okay to go, Marli?”

 Simmons grinned weakly and said, “Yeah. I got a bit of
sleep, and the doc gave me something to help out. Besides, I'm in the navy.
I'll just have to deal with it.” Her voice shook a bit as she spoke, “And we
have Lieutenant Aves to go with us, so it can't all be bad, now, can it?”

 “Yeah, and if there's more of those crab things, I
want him between them and me.”

 “You're smarter than you look.”

 “Gee, thanks,” Kri deadpanned. “Perhaps if you give me
a cookie every time I get a question right...”

 Simmons smirked and said, “Let's go before Mister Aves
pops a blood vessel.”

 The pair boarded the small boat and began the launch
sequence. As the engines warmed up, Hanlon's face came up on the comm panel
display. “Mister Kri, Miss Simmons. Where is Lieutenant Aves?”

 “He is in back coaching his team,” Kri said, his face
fixed in a conspiratorial smirk.

 Hanlon's face took on a stern expression. “You'll
appreciate his combat ability and that of his team if there are any live crabs
on that derelict, mister. Get your head in the game and be ready for anything
over there.”

 Kri nodded sharply at the reminder of how serious the
situation was. “Yes, ma'am. I apologize.”

 Hanlon's face softened slightly, and the near constant
twinkle reappeared in her eyes. “No apology needed, Hal. Just keep in mind
where you're going. Also, the Bastion is jumping in in the next few minutes.
I've downloaded the arrival point to your nav system. Make sure you don't stray
into it on your way to the wreck.”

 “Yes, ma'am,” Kri said crisply.

 “One more thing. Watch your backs in there. We want
some intel or possibly some tech. Just make sure you don't get killed getting
it. It would be a terrible blow if anything happened to any of you.”

 Simmons broke into the conversation. “Thank you,
ma'am. We'll be careful.” Kri nodded agreement.

 “Good luck and stay safe. Hanlon out.” The screen switched
back to standby.

 Kri turned to Simmons. “Preflight complete.” She
nodded and Kri tapped the boat bay intercom key. Pinnace one ready for launch.”

 “The boat bay chief's gravelly voice came back out of
the speaker. “Bay is clear for launch. Space doors are opening.”

 The pinnace rose out of its docking cradle and slid
smoothly through the open doors. Lieutenant Aves came into the cockpit and
said, “My men are at full combat readiness. If I may suggest, there's
sufficient combat armor for both of you. There could be more of those crab
things... and especially if one of them decides to blow himself all over the
bulkheads, combat armor will keep you alive a lot longer than those fancy
uniforms you navy types wear.” The lieutenant kept a completely straight face,
but laugh lines appeared around the corners of his mouth. He beckoned the two
naval officers to the aft compartment.

 Kri looked at Simmons with raised eyebrows before
saying, “Okay, I'll go first. You have flight ops.”

 Simmons nodded and turned back to the console. A few
minutes later Kri, now outfitted in the Lashmere's latest power assisted combat
armor returned and let Simmons get changed.

 Shortly after Simmons returned to the cockpit, the
navigational array sent an alert. The Bastion was arriving at its jump in
point. Kri cut thrust and turned the pinnace to look directly at the point
where the ship would arrive. “Hey, Aves! Get up here.”

 The marine officer practically leapt through the
hatch. “What is it, Lieutenant?”

 “Have you ever seen a ship arriving through a point to
point jump ring?”

 “I haven't, sir.”

 “Then take a seat and watch carefully. The arrival
phenomenon is beautiful.”

 The trio of officers sat and waited patiently until a
point appeared and slowly expanded into a rainbow cascade of light. The light
gradually coalesced into a toroidal band of blues, purples, and greens when in
a flash of brilliant white light, the Bastion suddenly emerged from the center
of the ring. As the flash faded, so did the ring, leaving just the warship
hanging in space.

 Aves whistled softly. “You weren't kidding,
Lieutenant. That was quite a show. Thanks for bringing me up.”

 Kri smiled amiably at the man. “You betcha,
Lieutenant. Our ETA is ten minutes. We better start prepping docking maneuvers.
I suggest you get your Marines ready to tear the shells off those nasty buggers
if there are any left alive over there.

 Aves went from all smiles to deadly seriousness.
“We'll be ready, sir. Just say the word.”

 Kri pivoted the pinnace back along their course. He
began scanning the slowly rotating hulk of the crab ship not destroyed in
battle.

 Simmons pointed at the canopy and said, “Look at the
damage the main battery did. Cut straight through the entire ship. I wonder
what these ships use for armor, if any.”

 “Whatever it is, it was plainly designed for some type
of energy other than what we use for our weapons.” Kri paused and looked
intently at the wrecked ship. “There. That looks like it may be an airlock.” He
nudged the controls, and the pinnace crept towards the less damaged side of the
ship before matching rotation. “Yeah, that definitely looks like a door of some
sort. What do sensors say?”

 Simmons shot him a half accusatory glare from behind
the face plate of her helmet before tapping out a scan sequence. “Well, it
looks like a door. Perhaps we should dock with it.”

 Kri suppressed a grin and looked at Simmons sidelong.
“Well, what a fine idea. What would I do without you?”

 “Oh, probably putter about, lost for hours, before
finally going back without ever boarding the thing.”

 “Ah, yes. That's it.” Kri grinned then and then tapped
the intercom. “Docking maneuver. One minute, marines. Be ready.”

 The intercom shouted, “Ready, sir!” back at him in
Aves' voice.

 A few seconds later, the pinnace groaned and jolted to
a stop. “Hard dock. Initiating air seal.” Kri tapped a control, causing the
inflatable ring to adapt to the surface of the crab ship. Telltale lights
winked from amber to green. “Positive seal. Prepare to move out.” Kri thrust
himself out of the pilot seat, followed closely by Simmons.