The Broken Cage (Solstice 31 Saga Book 2) (16 page)

Once the main entrance was known to be the only entry, it was easy for Poole to guard it, from the shadows. Rand put the Fly on mapping mode and set it loose inside the cavern. She also explored the cavern herself.

With the helmet on, the paths were very easy to follow. There were lots of ways that relied on dark shadows to hide them that were very easy to follow. There were several rooms in the walls of the cavern that had been carved out by modern methods. She had been inside enough moon and asteroid bases to recognize the handiwork of autonomous laser mining tools.

Most of their rooms were simple dorms or individual occupancy rooms. It was nothing fancy, but it could probably sleep an additional 100 miners, in reasonable comfort.

She picked a room for herself that was on the opposite side of the cavern from Tan’Vi in the cottage. It was also near the shelf where Poole had parked, to watch the main entrance. She stashed the weapons in a shop she discovered that contained several tool racks, but hardly any tools. Only a large anvil and a single, massive sledgehammer remained.

Upon closer examination, the paths were filled in and leveled with finely crushed gravel that Poole postulated was a byproduct of the mining. It would have saved the miners from having to carry it too far. The vast, level areas in the cavern represented thousands and thousands of cubic meters of mine detritus. All put to good use.

All of the columns, as well as the upper parts of the cavern, were mapped in high-definition. Three long, unused balconies were discovered in the mapping. They had no access from the main cavern and had corridors behind them that the Fly could only map so far before finding a tightly closed door.

The exploring kept Rand sane that winter. Rand had taken full responsibility for security in Salterkirk. Tan’Vi let her.

One of the early tasks she took on was the collection of firewood.

With the help of Poole, she located and collected 100 polewood trees. These were the most desired kind since they typically died at a certain age and stood drying until the roots rotted away. Long lengths of wood, the thickness of Rand’s thigh, were the result.

It only took four days to collect, what she later discovered to be, two years of wood. Poole brought the wood in, very quietly, in a single night.

That morning, Rand told them about the wood as they ate a lovely breakfast. It was very matter-of-fact. Tan’Vi looked at each other with not quite an eye roll, but close.

When they saw the great mound of logs piled next to the wood shelter, they stared, in silence.

Vi eventually broke the silence. She said, “What, you couldn't cut it up and split it?”

They all laughed. They laughed until they cried, leaning on each other’s shoulders. Vi was the first to sober and wipe her eyes. Rand sensed the questions coming, so she spoke first.

“As you probably already know, I had help. His name is Poole. Tan saw him once, when we first met. He’s afraid to meet you. He has been very happy these last few weeks and doesn't want to spoil it.”

Tan’Vi didn't expect that. It was obvious by their facial expressions.

“Why is he afraid?” Tannhauser asked.

“Because everyone is,” Rand replied.

“Because he killed those men. Not just you,” Vi said, flatly.

“Well, to be honest, I did kill most of them,” Rand said.

“Where is Poole? How could the two of you do all this in one night?” Vi asked, looking at the pile of logs, trying to imagine how one person could do this in one night.

“Poole. He is...He is not...a man,” Tannhauser said, hesitantly.

“No. Poole is not a man. But, he will never harm you. Ever.” Rand paused, as if waiting for a question that never came.

“Poole is my friend. He has saved my life. And, he has protected us all along the way. If you are brave, I will let you meet him.”

Rand had no idea how that was the perfect thing to say. She would come to know that honor and bravery were what they prized most in each other, and in her.

They were both nodding, before she finished talking.

Still looking at Tan’Vi, she said, without even raising her voice, “Poole, I would like to introduce you to trackers Vi and Tannhauser. My friends.”

Poole was only seven meters away. He was immobile, hidden within the boulders, before he rose silently and moved forward. A pair of small running lights glowed directly on the front of his body. It amused Rand that these were called the ‘Eye Lights’ on this model of the EM.

He came forward, slowly. He was a hulking, moving shadow. Rand turned her face from Poole to watch Tan’Vi as he advanced. Their hands subtly moved to their weapons, but they did not retreat. They did not even gasp.

Poole stopped and rested a black, articulated hand on Rand’s shoulder.
Nice touch,
she thought. When he spoke, his voice was soft and his diction was perfect.

“Hello Vi. Hello Tan. It's so very nice to finally meet you.”

There was a long pause.

Vi broke the tension. “Can I get you something to eat, Poole?”

AI~Poole managed a small laugh. Rand was impressed. “No thanks, Vi. I fend for myself very well.”

Tannhauser was slowly moving closer. He had been holding a lantern the whole time, he raised it now. “May I touch you, Poole?”

“Sure, if you like,” AI~Poole said.

Tannhauser touched Poole's forearm. The black, imperfect material was smooth under his fingers. Poole offered him his other ‘hand’. It had only three digits—a thumb and two symmetrical fingers. It was like they were touching each other. Rand had a moment of fear when Poole's fingertips gave Tannhauser a small, reassuring squeeze.

“Poole, you and I must have a chat.” Vi patted his leg, as if he was a large dog she was now assured was not going to bite. “I may have a few things for you to do.” She looked over at the pile of logs.

“But, for now, I have to pee.” Vi turned toward the midden house.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The Kuss Solution

“We would have all died, if Dr. Kuss had not stepped up. Between her and Barcus, it seemed like nothing was ever impossible.”

--
Solstice 31 Incident Investigation Testimony Transcript: Captain James Worthington, senior surviving member of the Ventura's command crew.

<<<>>>

Jimbo tired of reading reports, sensor data, and command regulations. He needed to do something, even if it meant going out into the lower gravity.

As he descended the stairs to the hangar floor, he heard animated voices. He took a left and proceeded around the aft end of the ship, where the ramp for the shuttle dock apron was now all the way down.

The team managed to drag the wreckage of the shuttle out of the
Memphis
, resting it about thirty meters in front of the ship in a pool of light. The main compartment of the ruined shuttle was torn open, exposing the six rows of passenger seats the shuttle contained. Several of those seats were removed and sat on the floor in the hangar. They were occupied.

Jim's proximity indicator within his HUD told him that a “Meeting in Progress” was available for him to join. He did so.

A large, fixed-position diagram appeared in his personal HUD directly behind Kuss, like a huge screen, as she pointed.

No one noticed his approach, as he quietly watched the meeting from the darkness between pools of light. He looked at the side of the shuttle wreckage where the damage was far less. Somehow, they managed to prop this side of the shuttle up and to manually lower the rough terrain skid to hold it. A single grav-foil had been detached from its articulation joints, but it was still cabled in.

Kuss said, “If we can create two outriggers like this, and this, we will not need to be able to articulate them. We put four large, fixed plates directly under center and these outriggers will keep all upright. We keep center of gravity low on this load. We tune balance, here and here.” She indicated spots on the diagram. “Easy. Run at two meters, aboveground only.” She rotated the design image, showing I-beams and plates, set up like a raft.

“And, we’ll tow this huge thing with the Hammerhead?” Hume asked.

“We will not have to,” Cook said, standing before the half-dozen salvaged seats in front of the diagram. “We will already have enough power packs aboard so that all we’ll need to do is mount a set of foils on the back, here and here. With variable power controls, we’ll get directional propulsion and even steering. Though, the steering will be like steering a large barge in a lake.”

Elkin stood, pointing. “If we put foils, here and here on the sides, it will help with the steering. Maybe a large one on the front, as well, for breaking. The control system will be simple. All software.”

Kuss drew these ideas on, using drag and drop, from a parts resource inventory list on the side of the screen.

“Put four of these seats on there as well. Because it's over 100 kilometers away,” Weston said.

“What do you think, Jimbo?” Hume was the only one to notice that he had approached.

The conversation stopped.

“I'd add an AI relay and interface on the power source module, here.” He circled the spot. “If you can pull one from the shuttle, or the EM, it could run on remote. Ben could dynamically balance the sled, if the ground gets really uneven. Then, in a pinch it could go unmanned,” Jim said.

Kuss perked up. “Then, we also could use maintenance hard suit outside on remote. Ben can drive suit, yes?”

“That will save hundreds of hours. Ben could keep it working 24/7 while we come back here,” Cook said.

“We could off-load the dish from sled!” Kuss called out. “Thought sled originally was be single use!”

“No more taxi!” Hume laughed.

Jimbo looked at the underside of the shuttle. “Are there any damaged grav-plates on the bottom of the
Memphis
?”

“Yes, sir. We have been replacing them as per the work schedule,” Ensign Weston said, with an apologetic tone.

“Since Hume will not have to be a taxi driver in the Hammerhead as often, she and I will take that task,” Jim said, as he reached up and touched the panels. “Ben will send you the initial plate tests.”

Jimbo rolled up his sleeves.

“Ensign Kuss, may I have a word?” Jim walked back toward the
Memphis
, and then under it, as Kuss caught up to him.

“Yes, sir?” Kuss said.

“You are supposed to be working with Dr. Bowen on the probe problem. Status reports show no progress, so far. How is it you are here working on this?” Jim asked.

“Permission to speak open?” Kuss requested, formally.

“Granted.”

“Bowen is lazy cow. Says she so smart. Bah. Whiner. No ideas. Cannot work for ten hour without nap. She know nothing outside sensor data analysis. No cross-training, no tech disciplines. Wishes all time for things we no have. Lazy. She sleep too much and whine about food all the time. Give me Ibenez and Weston for three days and have something.” Kuss was angry. “Perry and Wood very smart, but not for this.”

“You have them. Keep me informed,” Jim said.

“Now?” Kuss asked, simply.

“Yes. If you’re ready,” Jim said.

She turned immediately and yelled across the hangar. “Greg, Jack, come with me.” She jogged, in the lighter gravity, to the ramp and up into the dock, already talking with Ibenez and Weston, too fast for Jim to understand.

***

That next morning, Jimbo entered the galley on the
Memphis
for his morning tea and Kuss was already there with Ibenez.

“Captain, can you come to the hangar to show you something?” Kuss said, as soon as she saw him.

“Good morning, Kuss. Ibenez,” Jim said, as he placed his mug under the beverage dispenser. It poured his tea without him even asking.

“Good morning, sir. She means after you have breakfast,” Greg said.

“Yes, sir. And, good morning,” Kuss demurred.

Jimbo grabbed a meal bar and said, “Let's go.”

They walked down the ramp from the flight deck. Just at the bottom of the ramp, under a floodlight, Weston knelt beside a medical trauma kit that sat on top of a wheeled toolbox. It was full of power packs, circuit boards and devices that Jim didn't recognize. They stood in a wide circle of other devices that were cannibalized for their components and now in the case.

Weston saw them approach. “Morning, sir.” He handed a pad to Ibenez and walked ten meters away and turned on a device that sat atop a wheeled cart. “How is that?”

He then paused, pushed the cart closer and then, finally, past them at an angle.

“Excellent. How did you add thermal mapping?” Ibenez asked, looking at the pad and then into the case.

“As Dr. Shaw was emptying this case for me, I saw this medical scanning tool.” He picked up the remains of a device from the floor. “It's used for rapid crowd assessment, scanning for fever indicators. It has a broad spectrum, so it can be used in environments from tropical to arctic. In vacuum, as well.”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Bowen stormed up, looking at the circle of cannibalized equipment. “Look what you've done.” She picked up a full spectrum radiation emissions sensor and screamed at Kuss, “You've ruined it.” Bowen threw the remains of the device into the darkness.

“Did you have good sleep, Doctor?” Kuss asked, politely.

“You’re going to kill us all!” Bowen then saw Worthington, standing there sipping his cup of tea. “I will not be held responsible for this, Worthington.” She pointed a fat finger at his face.

“Doctor, on the first day we started, you gave me a list of data we needed to collect. I believe we have done this and more.” Ibenez handed the display pad to Kuss, who held it out for Bowen.

“I did NOT sign off on any of this! This is my equipment!” She snatched the pad from her hand and paged through the data the device had collected.

“If I need you to ‘sign off’ anything I bring you pen,” Kuss said.

Jimbo raised an eyebrow. Bowen had even gotten to Kuss.

As Bowen looked at the data, she said, “Why the fuck bother to do passive scans for metals, or chemicals, or temperature, infrared? Are you stupid? These are in orbit!” she yelled. “You have destroyed ALL my portable ionizing radiation sensors! The temporal photon emission collector! Do you have any idea how much all of this costs?”

“Doctor.” Worthington finally spoke up. “I am trying to figure out how best to use your skills on this team.” He sipped his tea and continued, calmly. “You have proven you’re incapable of leadership. You’re an obstructionist to getting things done here, even when you know how important it is. I’m not even confident in your skills to analyze the sensor data.”

Her face grew more, and more, red as Jim spoke. He expected her to scream, but she just turned and walked away.

They watched her go. Even the sled team stopped to watch.

“Jim, she is going to be more of a problem,”
AI~Ben said, in his head.

***

The sled was done way ahead of schedule. The found time was used to implement additional ideas that came up during its construction.

An additional full comms unit was included, in case the HUD comms went down or weren’t powerful enough. Emergency air and pressure suit repair systems were added. In the end, the sled had a total of seven of the salvaged seats. There were three on each side and one in the center back. The one in the center held the steering control and comms console.

The load was designed to be detached, on its pallet, and then the sled would rise, over and away from it. It was way overengineered, in the end. The new dish was easily delivered to the site.

Empty, the sled could move really fast, as it skimmed a few meters above the surface. Hume mapped a route, in high-definition. This route was as smooth and as straight as possible. The manual controls worked great, but AI~Ben usually drove the sled.

Bowen stayed out of the hangar after that last interaction with Jimbo. She spent three whole days on a memo to Worthington, stating why the proposed probe would never work. Jim ignored all thirty pages of it, except for two simple points.

“Is it true the probe will have to spin on a single axis as it's going through the gap, in a particular orientation aligned with the plane of the detection web?” Jim asked the team, as they stood over another failed grav-foil torpedo experiment.

“Yes, sir. It will basically barrel roll its way through the hole and do a 360° sweeping scan in every direction as it goes along. It will map the physical proximity and emissions from the nodes and the adjacent platform,” Ibenez said.

“We should see if Hamilton has had any luck with the AI module from the shuttle,” Muir said. “It would make a dynamic guidance system for whatever solution we devise.”

“Ben, when you find Hamilton, have her report to the hangar, please,” Jim said.

“Sharon Hamilton is currently off-line,” AI~Ben replied.

Jim turned to the group, standing around the pile of salvaged grav-foils, and said, “Does anyone know where Hamilton is right now? She's off-line.” They shook their heads. “Ben, is anyone else off-line?” Jim shared the comms with Hume and she looked up at the reply.

“Bowen, Wood, Edwards and Perry are off-line. Everyone not part of the command crew typically goes off-line while they’re sleeping.”

Hume added, “Perry and Edwards are in their racks. They generally check in with us just before they go in. We’re enforcing eighteen on and six rack alternating cycle until this is done. I haven't seen Hamilton today, now that you mention it.”

“What if we use Hammerhead with sensor package strapped in back seat?” Kuss asked, interrupting. “AI fly through hole on remote.”

“Hammerheads don't have remote capabilities. In fact, the controls are full manual. Not even servo controlled. It’s an anti-grav motorcycle, basically,” Hume said.

“Wait a sec,” Ibenez said, “You’ve been flying me around in that thing manually by using your balance?”

“What the hell did you think I was doing?” Hume asked. “It's a Hammerhead.”

“Jesus, Hume. You are nuts in that thing.” Ibenez laughed.

“Hold on.” Hume thought about the concept. Everyone silenced.

“I could do it,” Hume said.

“Do what?” Cook asked.

“Fly it,” she said, looking over at the Hammerhead, with the scanner package. “Myself. Through the hole.”

Kuss stood up, rapidly tapping the data pad. “It will take just over five days for Hammerhead to reach hole on foils. If not get nuked.”

“You will suffocate, freeze to death, or burn in the sun, die of thirst and then get nuked,” Cook said, while shaking his head.

Kuss looked Hume right in the face, and said, “Are you serious here?”

“We're probably dead anyway, if I don't. Besides, if I get through the hole, Adios losers. I'm flying the Hammerhead to the surface,” Hume said. Jim was the only one that knew her well enough to see that it was bravado.