Henry Gallant Saga 2: Lieutenant Henry Gallant (25 page)

Mendel shook his head, “P.O. Warren is dead, along with two Elysium citizens. There are also four other citizens injured including Phil, here. The equipment we have here is inadequate to treat all of them. If you suspect more of these attacks, I need to bring a rejuvenation chamber planet-side.”

“I don’t know if there’ll be more attacks, but I can’t rule it out.”

“Who’s doing this, Henry?”

“They’re wireless cyber-attacks on our AI-equipped systems, causing equipment to malfunction and act erratically and dangerously. I’ve tried imposing security interfaces and monitoring, but whoever is behind this is using advanced technology and is a gifted programmer.”

“Titan saboteurs?”

“I’ve considered the possibility, but I don’t think so. It’s difficult for them to operate in an oxygen environment. We would’ve seen signs if they had infiltrated the area. ”

“Could it be the PUP group stirring up a revolt against Wolfe?”

“Another possibility, but where would they get the technology and expertise?”

“Professor Hepburn is an expert in cybernetics. He could be helping Alaina.”

Gallant didn’t like that prospect. “Hepburn might have the skill, but Hallo doesn’t have the technology. In any case, Alaina’s directing PUP, not Professor Hepburn, and he would have a tough time concealing his involvement, given all of our monitoring.”

“What about Wolfe and his son? They could be trying to suppress the population and demonstrate their need for more weapons.”

“All true, but again, they lack the expertise and technology to act alone. No. I think we’re left with the primary, and only real suspect—Aristotle. And I don’t know how to stop him,” said Gallant.

“I don’t understand how or why a machine supposedly destroyed a million years ago would be attacking us today,” commented Mendel.

Touching his forehead, Gallant said, “Aristotle must have an accomplice. It could be any of the others in a conspiracy with the ancient AI. Someone’s repairing Aristotle or using it or using a part of it. I don’t know how or why, but someone is trying to prevent us from repairing the Intrepid.”

“Have you discussed this with Neumann?” asked Mendel.

“I have, but you know him. He wants answers, not theories. He’d love to eventually blame all these failures on me, because his primary concern is how this will reflect on him when the
Intrepid
returns to Earth. In any case, I’ve taken my own special precaution to safeguard certain sensitive areas.”

After returning to the central monitoring station near the accelerator construction site, Gallant began considering why and how an assassin might have once destroyed Aristotle. Given the structure of the passages and chambers he had seen, Aristotle was well shielded against a nuclear blast, or an electromagnetic pulse. However, a dark matter explosion would pass right through humans without noticeable harm, but might have a significant impact on the huge bank of silicon and germanium used in a computer’s brain—especially an ancient AI ten cubic kilometers in size.

I need to pay another visit to Aristotle.

DSP-16 continued orbiting the large methane-gas moon of the fifth planet in the Tau Ceti system. Programmed for stealth operations, the probe was able to penetrate close to the satellite and gather information about the outpost. It cataloged the Titan shipyards, power stations, industries, and population and sent a regular data dump to the
Intrepid
—all the while keeping them updated on the Titan destroyer’s refit. The infrastructure was mostly underground in hardened bunkers or camouflaged with overlaid emissions to mask information. They were deliberately keeping their satellites hidden, but their resources indicated a substantial population, a problem the
Intrepid
would eventually have to deal with. After each transmission, the data was processed by the
Intrepid’s
CIC.

CIC decided the Titans’ were attracted to the gaseous outer planet to “terra-form,” or in this case, to “Gliese-form” the planet’s moon into livable habitants for their species. The moon supported the Titans’ methane-based life-form. In comparison to human respiration, they inhaled hydrogen instead of oxygen, their blood reacted with acetylene instead of glucose, and they exhaled methane instead of carbon dioxide.

Four months after the Titans battle with the
Intrepid
, the probe discovered the destroyer was getting underway to conduct a shakedown cruise. CIC concluded the destroyer would soon be heading for Elysium.

Gallant hurried along the passageway in
Intrepid’s
Operation compartment, stretching his legs and stiff back muscles. The stiffness was a product of prolonged sitting in his Hummingbird transporting men and material between Elysium and the ship.

Before he reached the wardroom, he spent a minute fussing over his unsightly uniform, for which he anticipated being chewed out by Neumann. Standing at the door, he saw Neumann seated at the head of the table along with the remaining officers of the
Intrepid
—Mendel, Palmer, and Smith.

Neumann nodded at Gallant and waited until he was seated at the foot of the table next to Mendel. Then he said, “The latest CIC assessment is ten to fourteen days—the destroyer will be here,” he tapped the table, “in ten to fourteen days.”

Neumann said, “We won’t be leaving Elysium until we’ve defeated the Titans. So our priorities must remain first, fusion reactors, second, ship’s weapon systems and anti-ship missiles—and only after all other essential operational equipment is functional will we complete work on the FTL and its fuel.”

There was general nodding in agreement from everyone around the table.

“Palmer, what’s the status of the Operation Department’s readiness?” ordered Neumann.

“Sir, all laser batteries are at ninety percent capacity or better. Four plasma batteries are fully operational and the remaining two will be ready within a week,” said Palmer, now the ship’s weapon officer after succeeding Lieutenant Stahl.

As Palmer continued to list a number of general repairs to sensor and communication gear that was nearing completion, Gallant tapped a couple of virtual buttons on the table. A beverage dispenser delivered a cup of simulated coffee. He reached and took a sip of the steaming liquid. He continued holding it, enjoying the warmth in his hands against the ship’s dank reprocessed air.

He looked into the faces of his fellow officers, trying to gauge their disposition. He could read the inner tension in Neumann, despite his calm exterior. Mendel, always a friend, was mentally tough and could be relied upon to remain stout in crisis. Palmer was smart and eager, as was Smith, but both lacked experience in their new duty assignments and Gallant knew the importance of experience in combat.

While morale was good throughout the ship, the crew was woefully short-handed.

Palmer concluded, “My team is constructing external missile launchers on the
Intrepid’s
hull. When Mr. Gallant delivers the anti-ship missiles from the fabrication plant, Chief Howard’s crew will attach the missiles and marry the nuclear tipped warheads.”

Gallant had worked with GridScape on a design to develop the anti-ship missile. The guided missiles were planned for use against ships using a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing. Additionally, they used multi-radiation detection homing devices and external laser painting. They were capable of conducting autonomous targeting with onboard systems that independently acquired targets using Artificial Intelligence with disk memory, which had radiation-resistant semiconductor RAM and enhanced capability to make positive target identification. They were able to make precision attacks on moving ships in extremely hostile environmental conditions. The missiles were designed for advanced counter-countermeasures to effectively evade hostile active defense systems, including penetration aids, such as chaff and decoys to throw off anti-missile missiles.

Gallant said, “The anti-ship missiles are nearing completion, but the fabrication of heavy metals for nuclear warheads will take several more days than estimated.”

“Why?” Neumann asked irritably.

“Considerable machining is necessary to meet the exacting specifications for the warheads. The parts for the machining are only now being manufactured because of the damage from the last cyber-attack.”

“When will you deliver the missiles?” asked Neumann staring at Gallant.

“The missiles will be completed in four days.”

Satisfied with that answer, Neumann turned his attention to the Engineering Department.

“Smith, what is the status of the ship’s engines?”

Ensign Smith was the acting ship’s engineer while Gallant was functioning as liaison to Elysium. He said, “The FTL drive remains untested due to insufficient dark matter, but the sublight fusion reactors are fully tested and functioning nominally, thanks in large part to the herculean efforts of Mr. Gallant and Chief Howard over the past week.”

“I didn’t ask for your editorial comments, Mister.”

“Sorry, sir,” said Smith, red faced.

Neumann said, “Gallant, since the
Intrepid’s
fusion reactors are functioning satisfactorily, you’re free to return to Elysium to supervise the completion of the anti-ship missiles and their warheads.”

“Aye, aye, sir.”

“Mendel, is your medical staff ready?” asked Neumann.

“Yes, sir. I have both essential operating theatres functioning and I’ve trained my best med-tech to handle advanced surgery, should I be . . . unavailable,” said Mendel.

Neumann nodded his approval. “Smith and Palmer, you’re to conduct readiness and combat training for your men. I want to see strong improvements in performance scores.”

A chorus of aye ayes followed.

“Are there any other questions?” asked Neumann.

The officers remained quiet.

“Very well gentlemen. You have your orders,” concluded Neumann.

After four sleepless days, Gallant had the missiles ready for transport. Along with all of the
Intrepid’s
remaining crew working on Elysium, the missiles were hauled into orbit by the Hummingbird. The laborious process of constructing the necessary launch frames to carry these armed missiles on the outside of
Intrepid
was the last task in readying the armament.

The next day began well as Chief Howard supervised the final assembly of the nuclear warheads and began the final in-place mating process to the anti-ship missiles. However, the latest radar report showed the Titan destroyer was a mere twelve hours away when the fusion reactor developed a radiation leak. Chief Howard evaluated the problem and recommended shutting down the reactor for about eight to ten hours while a patch was applied.

Neumann decided to follow the chief’s advice and shut down the reactor while workmen repaired the damaged area. It left the
Intrepid
in orbit over Elysium in a vulnerable state, but it couldn’t be helped.

In the meantime, Gallant returned to the accelerator facility site in his flyer and waited for the final collection of dark matter. The accelerator had been producing exotic particles and confining them within a superconducting plasma containment bottle, one meter long. Several hours later, his efforts were interrupted when he received a signal from the
Intrepid
over the accelerator facility’s communication system.

Neumann radioed from the
Intrepid,
“Gallant, a laser cannon located on Elysium is firing at the
Intrepid.”

“Laser fire?” an astonished Gallant asked.

“It’s a high capacity cannon located in the jungle near the mines. It’s well camouflaged and is retracted into an underground shelter between shots. We’ve suffered several hits on our force shield.” His voice was strained.

“Any large caliber weapon on this planet could only be a technology controlled by Aristotle—like the planetary force field. If Wolfe had a deal to control the shield, he might be directing the laser as well, but to what end, I can’t imagine,” said Gallant.

“There’s no time to assess motives,” said Neumann.

“What are your orders, sir?”

“The
Intrepid
can’t survive in a cross fire between the Titans and planetary weapons coming from Elysium. I’m starting the fusion reactors to move
Intrepid
behind the shelter of the moon. I don’t care what it takes, you’ve got to locate and destroy that Elysium laser,” said Neumann.

“Aye, aye, sir,” said Gallant. As the
Intrepid’s
last man on Elysium, he knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

For over twenty years, the inhabitants of Elysium had enjoyed a relaxed tranquil existence within their community of Hallo on the island of Kauai—an unspoiled island filled with the natural beauty of mountains, meadows, and waterfalls. A happy, rural people, they had gone about their business with a leisurely self-assurance of peace and security—now all that was about to change with astonishing swiftness. They were aware the approaching crisis snowballing toward them was about to unleash an avalanche of destruction and turmoil.

Gallant was also aware of the dangers and was determined to meet them head on. His sense of urgency drove him to move as quickly as possible as he struggled to secure the precious dark matter he had collected from the accelerator. He loaded the last of the exotic material into a portable containment-field bottle one meter long. He shut the control valve and adjusted the superconductor strength to preserve the containment field. Intending to transport the FTL fuel to the
Intrepid
after he dealt with the laser cannon, he strapped the bottle onto the back of his flyer. But before he could leave, he was surprised to see Alaina running toward him.

“You’re leaving now?” she asked, out of breath.

Sensitive to the urgency of his mission, he said, “Time is short. The
Intrepid
is under fire from a laser somewhere in the jungle. I think our cyber-terrorist has struck again. I’m going to the ruins to confront Aristotle.”

“You suspect Wolfe of conspiring with Aristotle to shoot at the
Intrepid,
don’t you?”