Aurora Saga Books 1-3, page 27
‘DOCKING COMPLETE.’
‘A medical team’s already at the clamping station, James,’ Isistia replied. ‘Londuo is in safe hands,’ she said reassuringly.
*****
James climbed from the seatra. ‘Kalrea, have you been able to seal the hull?’
‘The pojin lift shafts are sealed and pressurized, but are inoperable,’ Kalrea replied.
‘Isistia, the Aurora’s lifts are damaged. I’ll need to show the medical team the way from the docking bay,’ James said.
Kira peered out from the seatra. She sniffed the air.
James moved to the lift door. It opened to reveal the bodies of six Treitans outside.
What’s that smell?
James covered his nose and mouth with his hand. The stench of rotting plants filled the air. When he entered the lift shaft, he could see more bodies strewn along it in the distance.
Kalrea, make sure Kira doesn’t follow me, please. It’s not very pleasant out here.
The lift door closed behind him.
Suddenly something gripped his leg. He felt an intense pain. The telementor turned white and a halo of light surrounded him. The bodies of the Treitans around him were instantly atomized. Around his leg were the remains of a thick mustard-colored Treitan tentacle. He squatted down to remove it. It was soft but very dry and started to crack when he unwound it; a sap-like liquid oozed out. He felt a shiver run down his spine. He tossed the tentacle away quickly and then vigorously rubbed his fingers against his trousers to remove any traces of the sap from them.
*****
Londuo was rushed, on a Metrol hover stretcher, to the hospital facility on board the Lonori. James accompanied her. They entered a small white waiting room where James had to stay, while medical staff moved Londuo quickly into an adjoining room. There was a large window looking into the hospital. He stared on, his hands pressed up against the glass.
Londuo, please be strong. James felt unease and concern. He wanted to be in there with her.
The hospital consisted of a huge semi-circular room and spaced around its curved wall were five large containers similar to the seatra. Three were closed and had blue lights above them; the other two were open and their bright interiors were visible beneath the lids. Doctors were frantically rushing around, attending ten other patients, who were all on identical padded tables. Black control panels and monitors were positioned on one side of the room and a large flat metallic arm extended out over each patient. There were many other empty tables scattered about the room.
James was so focused on Londuo that he jumped when the doors behind him slid apart. A fighter pilot was rushed through into the hospital. James peered at him in pity, because his hands and legs were badly burnt.
James gazed through the window once more. Londuo had now been placed on one of the tables and instruments were scanning her body. Her table was then moved and slid into one of the containers. The lid of the container slid shut, and one of the doctors glanced around at James.
James was suddenly aware that he wasn’t alone. He turned to see Gulino alongside him. They embraced each other.
‘Gulino! It’s good to see you again. How’s Frasin?’ James asked.
‘She’s fine,’ Gulino said, sounding somber. ‘She was one of the lucky ones that got picked up before the ships retreated.’
The doctor who had noticed James earlier strode out through the door.
‘You must be Captain Brasdoi,’ he said to James.
‘Yes,’ James replied.
‘Don’t look so worried,’ the doctor said calmly. ‘Lieutenant Besic will be all right. She was very lucky. If she had not been put in stasis on the Aurora, she would have been dead hours ago.’
James felt relieved.
‘When can I see her?’ he asked impatiently.
‘Come back in three days; she should be in the rest ward by then,’ the doctor replied.
‘Three days!’ James repeated.
He felt deflated and disappointed by the doctor’s reply.
‘Sir, there’s nothing to worry about,’ the doctor said. ‘She’ll be fine, I assure you, but Lieutenant Besic needs time to heal in the seatosipo.’
‘Come on, James,’ Gulino said, placing his right hand on James’ shoulder. ‘There’s nothing to see here now. Londuo will be in the seatosipo most of the time. Milonri wants to talk to you.’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The door to the Lon room closed silently behind James and Gulino.
In the center of the long narrow room were fifteen elliptical Kimlo holographic tables, each with ten chairs neatly positioned around them. Slowly rotating above the first five tables were holographic images of an assortment of weapons. Milonri was sitting at the furthest table, his back to them, and there were two women and a man sitting to the left of him.
Milonri glanced around and gestured for James and Gulino to come over.
As they made their way slowly past the tables, James studied the images of the weapons. There was a Terman rifle, pistols and a large round plasma launch tube. Milonri said a few more words before the others stood up and hurried out the far door. Then he turned to James and said,
‘Is Londuo all right?’
James smiled and nodded.
‘Yes, I think so. The doctor said she’ll be in a thing called a seatosipo for about three days.’
He glanced behind Milonri down at the table. There were a cup with a steaming green liquid and a holographic note pad. In the center of the table were three sealed vials, each with an orange gas inside.
‘Both of you, well done,’ Milonri said. ‘The mission was a success.’
He gestured for them to sit.
‘All the Treitan ships have been recalled to Dagnamk. Moulo and Earth are safe for the moment. The Treitans have other more important issues now their main base has been destroyed. There’s never been so much inter-stellar communications between their command ships. Isistia said one of their ships actually withdrew from Ghuno. This is the first time that they’ve ever retreated,’ he continued but seemed distracted. ‘The data from the Treitan command center is unbelievable. We always thought that they only wanted the water, but the parasites; the thought of that… What do the Treitan call it? Dem-I-Lar—’
‘It’s Dem-Fi-Larvay, Sir,’ Gulino said.
‘Thanks, Gulino. The thought of those creatures living on our planet; growing, feeding, producing young; it makes my stomach turn, but now we can strike back hard. We’re already converting two destroyers. They’re going to attack Qintaino and Tetrol tomorrow.’
‘How can they be killed?’ James enquired.
‘Astoflorinic gas,’ Milonri replied. ‘Poison the air. It attacks the creatures’ nervous systems. It’s harmless to all other life forms.’
‘Astoflorinic gas?’ James repeated.
Milonri picked up one of the vials from the table and held it out to James.
James took it. Inside was a misty orange gas.
‘I forget you’re not from Qintaino,’ Milonri said. ‘I’m not thinking straight. It’s a harmless gas to us. Our lasers use it as an amplification gas inside the main generation chamber.’
He paused.
‘We always wondered why they preferred the less powerful Telecan lasers to ours. After all, they stole all our other technology.’
He paused again.
‘We’ve converted one of the plasma tubes on each of the Atenopila and Yemolopila. Five torpedoes detonated in the atmosphere will be enough.’
James held the vial out towards Milonri.
‘Keep it,’ Milonri said.
James placed the vial in his pocket.
‘Did we lose any more ships in the operation?’ he asked.
‘The Rellopila is still missing,’ Milonri said.
His head dropped slightly.
James glanced at Gulino, sensing that something was wrong.
‘Perhaps we should leave, Sir?’ Gulino said.
‘No, I’m fine,’ Milonri replied, saddened. ‘I’m sorry, James.’
He paused once more.
‘My son… my son was the captain of the Thardopila. He sacrificed his ship to save the Lonori.’
‘Oh. I didn’t know. I’m very sorry,’ James said.
‘He was your age. The youngest captain in the fleet,’ Milonri said and sighed. ‘He fulfilled the calling of his soul… How badly damaged is your ship?’ Milonri asked.
‘It’s not good, I’m afraid. Kalrea can repair the port event horizon drives in three days, but the starboard drives have been completely destroyed. They can’t be repaired.’
‘Damn! We have enough problems getting parts for the other ships. The Aurora event horizon drives have much larger Hognor accelerator coils than standard Qintaino ships and the plasma injectors are paired.’
‘It gets worse. We only have one reactor left,’ James added.
Milonri peered down at his holographic notepad.
‘We must repair the Aurora.’
He pressed some of the symbols on its keypad. A holographic image of the wrecked Pulsora illuminated just above the notepad.
‘If Kalrea had all the parts she required, how long would it take to get the Aurora operational?’ Milonri asked.
Kalrea? James thought.
She answered.
‘If we had new drives and all the manpower we needed, the ship could be flying in five days,’ James replied. ‘To repair the rear plasma tubes we’ll need at least fifteen days. We could also use another reactor. But—’
‘Right,’ Milonri said suddenly. ‘The Pulsora is back on Brinoli. Salvage what you can. I want the Aurora operational.’
James felt uncomfortable.
‘We can’t!’
‘I’m sorry, but stripping the Pulsora, is the only solution.’
‘What about Sarhao?’ James asked.
‘Anything else you or Kalrea need to get the Aurora operational again, just ask Gulino. He can get hold of almost anything,’ Milonri said, as he quickly got up. ‘I’m needed in operations.’
He picked up the notepad and left.
‘James, if you don’t need me anymore, they could use my expertise to assist in repairing the Lonori’s turret control sensors,’ Gulino said.
‘Yes, of course,’ James said, distracted.
Gulino opened the door.
‘Gulino,’ James said, turning. ‘Thanks for saving us, back on Ghuno.’
‘My pleasure, Sir,’ Gulino replied, and the door closed.
Kalrea? James thought. What will happen to Sarhao?
Once we take what parts we require to repair the Aurora there won’t be much left of the Pulsora. Sarhao will no longer have a purpose.
James could sense sadness in her voice.
Can’t he be transferred to another ship, James thought in hope.
We were both specifically designed for the Aurora and Pulsora. I’m sorry, James, but there’s no other ship capable of interfacing with us, Kalrea said.
But they may never build another ship like these.
James felt responsible.
He may never be needed again.
We were created by Qinants, Kalrea said. You said yourself, that, I’m just a computer.
I know, but that was before I got to know you. I was wrong, James thought. I think that you are no different from me, really. You’ve a consciousness. You’re able to feel sadness and happiness. You seem to know what love and hate are.
He paused.
And you know that I love both you and Londuo.
Yes, Kalrea replied.
Well, I would hate to lose either of you. Please promise me you’ll not end up like Sarhao; it would break my heart.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The fleet was now nearing the Wilarn system and James was impatiently waiting outside the convalescence ward of the hospital, on board the Lonori, where Londuo had been moved that morning. Other members of the crew were gathering. The doors to the ward opened and everyone funneled through.
The convalescence ward was a large circular room which was full of small seatras, most of which had their lids raised. James entered and peered anxiously around, while other members of the crew went over to visit their injured colleagues. Over the far side of the room he noticed Londuo lying still, her head propped up by some large pillows. He made his way quietly over to her.
James glanced at the man in the next seatra. He was the fighter pilot James had seen being rushed into the hospital, but his hands and legs were now healed.
Londuo’s eyes opened slowly. She squinted and tried to focus.
‘James,’ she said, with a smile. ‘Is that you, James?’
James leaned down and kissed her.
‘Hi,’ he replied, before pulling a chair out of its storage compartment in the adjacent wall.
‘I thought I’d never see you again,’ Londuo said.
‘How do you feel?’ he asked affectionately.
‘Oh, like the morning after a serious hangover,’ Londuo said, managing a slight smile. ‘I have hissing in my ears; I can hardly see anything and it hurts whenever I move. Apart from that I feel great!’
She seems to be in good spirits, James thought.
He felt a great relief, like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
‘Is it my ears, or can I hear distant drives?’ Londuo asked.
‘You’re on the Lonori. We’ve just entered our star system, so we’ll soon be back to Brinoli,’ James said.
‘Did we make it?’ Londuo enquired.
‘Yes,’ James replied, smiling. ‘You and Kalrea destroyed the base. They haven’t attacked Moulo or Earth.’
Londuo held out her hand. James gripped it lightly and stared into her eyes.
‘I didn’t think I was going to make it,’ Londuo said. ‘When I pressed the ejection button the fighter was banking sharply. I remember hitting something, which must have been the ground; then, I think I woke up for a moment, but everything was black. I thought I was dead.’
James was puzzled. Black?
‘Oh yes, of course. We landed over the top of your cockpit, Londuo. You must have been looking up at the belly of the Aurora.’
Londuo smiled.
‘I should have guessed. I knew you’d come for me,’ she said.
James felt her grip his hand.
‘How long was I in the seatosipo? The doctor wouldn’t tell me.’
‘Just over six days,’ James replied.
Londuo appeared to be astounded.
‘It must have been serious.’
‘The main thing is you’re all right now. Londuo, I never want anything to happen to you again.’
James retrieved a small black bracelet from his pocket.
‘I’ve had Kalrea make this for you.’
‘What is it?’ Londuo asked, as she tried to focus on it.
James handed it to her.
‘It’s a bracelet. If you’re in any trouble, press the blue button and I’ll be there,’ he said.
She held it up close to her face.
‘I’m afraid I can only see a black blur at the moment,’ she said, squinting to try and see it. ‘It must be very beautiful. Thank you, James.’
Londuo twisted as she tried to place the bracelet on a table alongside the seatra.
‘Ah!’ she cried out in pain.
She closed her eyes; then, lay back and took a deep breath.
‘Londuo, are you all right?’ James was worried. He glanced quickly around for a nurse.
Londuo placed her hand on his.
‘I’m fine. Really!’ she said, in some discomfort. ‘It only hurts when I try and move.’
James still looked concerned.
‘James, I’m fine,’ she repeated. ‘Would you put the bracelet on that table for me, please?’ she said, pointing clumsily to her left.
James placed it on a table next to her bed, where he noticed a red data cartridge. He picked it up.
‘What’s that?’ Londuo asked.
‘It’s a diary,’ he replied.
‘Oh, that must be mine,’ Londuo said. ‘I always try to have it with me. The last few days are going to make really interesting reading.’
James examined the data cartridge more closely. Along its edge he read, ‘PERSONAL DIARY LONDUO BESIC.’ One of the corners was missing, and there were melted circles, very similar to the red data cartridge Kalrea was trying to decipher.
‘This could be it! The diary from the future.’
‘What are you talking about, James?’ Londuo questioned.
‘It’s complicated,’ James replied. ‘Look, I need this diary.’
‘What do you mean, you need my diary? It’s very personal, James. I’m not going to just let you read it!’
‘You don’t understand. Kalrea needs the encryption keys from it.’
‘James, you’re not making any sense, and you’re definitely not reading my diary,’ she said with a forceful tone and serious look on her face.
‘But I don’t want to read your diary. I just need the encryption keys from it.’
Londuo shook her head in disbelief.
‘Do you want to change places? I think you need the seatra more than me.’
James could see Londuo was getting more stressed and was concerned he could make her condition worse if he continued to insist, so decided to wait until she was better.
‘Never mind! We can talk about it again when you’ve recovered. How long before you’re up and about again?’
‘The doctor said I should be out of the seatra tomorrow, but it may be another two days before they discharge me.’
‘That’s great!’ James said.
‘They’ll move me to a hospital on Brinoli tomorrow, when we arrive home,’ Londuo commented.
James was puzzled.
‘How do you know?’
‘I’ve been in here a few times,’ she said cheerfully. ‘Actually, I have been here so many times that I think they reserve a seatra for me.’
James smiled anxiously.
‘I’m not going to ask how many times.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ve lost count,’ she replied, with a large grin on her face. ‘Tell me, how did we get away from Dagnamk?’
