The Blue Gem, page 17
Not-Joh began the preparations for the deceleration phase, which included testing the ship’s ion engines. Briefly, she operated the controls to simulate a full range of its power parameters. Nervous, she ordered the replacement of several components she suspected of marginal performance. When she could find no other item that needed attention, she knew they were ready.
“Start the ion drive. Minimum power until all systems are active.” It weighed heavily on Not-Joh. If anything went wrong, there would be no help here. She waited patiently while the computer examined the data from the ion drive units. Finally, the system reached operating equilibrium.
“All operating parameters are within normal ranges,” the computer reported.
Not-Joh flexed in the symbolic gesture of abasement to signify she accepted whatever fate the Spirit-of-the-Mother chose for her. They began to slow into an orbit around the third planet, the Blue-Gem, even as the Others grew closer.
Not-Joh drew a deep breath. “Use a low-energy deceleration program,” she said.
It would conserve fuel and present the lowest possible energy profile. Though they might give up some of their lead to the Others by approaching slowly this way, their deceleration would be difficult to see from the distance of either the asteroid ship or the Blue-Gem.
Not-Joh did not want to be seen by the Others.
Chapter Forty
It was only after I, Kot-Nih, visited the Blue-Gem in the Lin-Fed system—known as “Earth” by its native peoples—I learned the details of what happened during that fateful meeting. At that time, the Earth peoples had a concerted effort underway to prepare for visitors from outer space.
However, their preparations were not for we Hoo-Lii, but for different alien visitors—those whom we knew as the “Others” who called themselves the Qu’uda. Those preparations were the result of the Earth natives meeting the Qu’uda years before the Good-Child arrived. It was the time when the Qu’uda came from the Epsilon Eridani system in their interstellar craft, which they called the Egg-that-Flies.
As the Egg-that-Flies orbited the planet, a weapon from the time prior to the collapse of human civilization fired upon the ship and destroyed its fusion drive. A Qu’uda agent, Bilik Pudjata, descended to the surface of the planet and spent several years making a new propulsion tube to repair their ship.
I learned the Qu’uda had many opportunities to observe the natives during this time. They experienced violence first-hand when their last remaining shuttle, the Bird-that-Soars, was crippled by human guns. Without a means to return to the surface of the planet, they abandoned their agent Bilik and the females guarding a clutch of eggs and departed Earth.
The Defender of the Qu’uda expedition, Mata ChaLik BuMaru, vowed to prevent the warlike natives of Earth from keeping any Qu’uda technology that might lead to space travel. It was, they believed, their duty to prevent this. The Qu’uda began to build a new craft to return and remove all traces of technology.
The humans took in the abandoned Qu’uda agent and the females guarding the eggs and made them welcome. It was this way they learned of the threat from the Qu’uda in space. In the intervening years, the humans assimilated the alien technology and built defenses against the return of the Qu’uda.
During this time, the humans, or more particularly, a human faction known as the Clan, expanded and incorporated areas they called Ohio and Indiana and Pennsylvania into one territory. They established a university where both human and alien worked to disseminate Qu’uda technology. Once they mastered the construction of aneutronic fusion drive systems, they rehabilitated previously abandoned atmospheric fliers—aircraft—and fitted them with fusion-powered engines.
From the human records, I found the Clan established contact with military survivors at a US Navy base in Washington. This group used a powerful fusion drive unit to lift two modified submarine hulls—boats that swim under water—into orbit. They connected these hulls together and made them into a permanent space station in preparation for the Qu’uda’s return.
As time went by, the humans set up a system to watch for the approach of spacecraft. This space observatory used a telescope on the space station and relayed its images to the university to look for spacecraft. The clarity of the images and the number of points of light from the space telescope caused difficulties for their astronomers to identify objects approaching the planet.
I examined the records and learned they used computers to sort out objects approaching their planet from more distant objects. Apparently, the data processing took place in a university in the heart of the Clan—a place called Berea, in Ohio. Once they established a computer operated optical comparator, their task was simplified. Soon, they discovered many previously unidentified asteroids, none of which were heading toward Earth. Every day, the space telescope transmitted a set of images to the university’s astronomy department. Slowly, they built a set of electronic files on all the objects in the solar system. Even some of the distant bodies in the Kuiper and Oort belts became apparent as a fuzzy haze. The volume of data grew so they dedicated more resources to the area of astronomy—especially as the time drew near for the expected return of the Qu’uda.
The time came and went, but no spaceship appeared. This caused the astronomers to wonder if they had failed in their task to provide early warning. They even speculated the Qu’uda had left the system, rendering all their efforts for naught.
One of the Qu’uda abandoned on Earth pointed out the eggs—unborn offspring in fragile shell cases—had been left on the planet. That was a compelling reason for their return. It was apparent the genetic imperative was strong in all species.
Over time, the astronomers expanded the scope of their search to examine a larger volume of space. The staff of the observatory took turns checking out the many false alarms. It was a student who spotted an anomalous point of light and brought it to the head astronomer’s attention. Upon careful examination and review of the data, they concluded the distant object would come close to their planet. Its absence of a tail convinced them it wasn’t a comet. Their calculations showed it would arrive within one solar orbital revolution.
I had to read through many records for this period, for this discovery triggered much activity on the part of the humans. It is apparent they used this time to craft tools and weapons for their space station to greet the visitors. It was during this time the humans made another discovery—they spotted a second spaceship approaching their planet. So certain were they that the first object was the returning Qu’uda spacecraft, they believed the second object was some kind of comet or a long period asteroid.
The humans launched a space platform to make the initial contact with the Hoo-Lii ship … But I’m getting ahead of myself. This platform initially headed into an orbit near the moon before setting course toward the oncoming craft.
It was during this time the human astronomers finally realized the second approaching object was a threat to their planet. Their initial thought was it was an asteroid on a collision course with their planet. Whether natural or not, that would be a catastrophe. It would arrive about thirty planetary rotations after the first spacecraft.
The records show the human’s space station contained many fusion obscenities mounted on primitive chemical rockets which they planned to use to divert the course of the asteroid that was on a collision course with their planet.
The humans have an account of what happened, which can be found elsewhere.…
Chapter Forty-One
As the Good-Child continued to decelerate, Not-Joh switched the holo-view back and forth between the navigation parameters and the view of the asteroid ship of the Others. It remained on the same course and drew steadily closer toward the Blue-Gem.
Not-Joh feared it might be pursuing them but said nothing. If I show any sign of weakness, Har-Lih will assume leadership and that would be a disaster. I have my orders, both from the Council and those ones from Suh-Joh. I must fulfill my duty.
As the Good-Child closed upon the Blue-Gem, it had shed most of its velocity. “Ion drive will shut down in eight squared seconds.” The computer’s voice echoed through the ship, warning the crew to prepare for a change in gravity vectors.
Har-Lih pushed her way forward in the command center. The walls of the compact room were filled with displays and control panels. “When will the Others’ ship start its deceleration?” Icons flickered momentarily, several changing from the normal red to a warning yellow. The ventilation system sighed gently—the air carried aromas of many hives. Doors clanked shut.
Not-Joh waved a forelimb. “Ask it, for it knows the answer.” She referred to the computer.
Har-Lih twitched her breathing flaps. “Show me projections of possible orbits for the Others’ ship around the Blue-Gem.”
A series of trajectories appeared in the holo-image, each weaving a web around the Blue-Gem, each indicated a slightly different course. Slowly, the surface of the planet’s image became covered with trajectories until it was a shimmering mass of color.
Har-Lih pointed at the trajectories. “What does that mean?”
“The Others’ ship has many options when it orbits the Blue-Gem.” Not-Joh emitted a faint trace of the odor of frustration. “In other words, we don’t know.”
“When do you think the Others’ ship must start its deceleration?” Har-Lih said.
“I can only guess. Logically, low acceleration rates make for easier maneuvering, which would be soon. But with these creatures, who knows?” Not-Joh closed her eyes and exhaled.
“How will we know when it happens?” Har-Lih moved about the command center, looking at the controls. “How close will they get to us?” Her breathing flaps flicked nervously.
“As soon as we detect radiation from their drive, we’ll know. Even so, we’ll arrive at the Blue-Gem before them. We must use that time to survey the planet before we hide behind its satellite. We must ready our weapon, just in case,” Not-Joh’s breathing flaps flared. “May the Spirit-of-the-Mother give us air.” She invoked the traditional plea of all Hoo-Lii who traveled in the depths of space.
A tiny note sounded through the ship just before the ion drive shut down. Weightlessness followed. Systems changed automatically to operate in low gravity conditions. The living quarters of the Good-Child lurched gently as it began to spin up and induce rotational gravity.
Not-Joh ordered the forward scanning equipment activated. A new holo-image of the Blue-Gem appeared.
“Enhance image of all objects orbiting the Blue-Gem, use mass as the selection criterion. Plot a projection of their orbits,” Not-Joh said.
Rings of circular orbits quickly painted multiple bands around the image of the Blue-Gem. “Mass of orbiting items, sort by size,” she called. A table appeared in the holo-image and scrolled down. Most were small and showed no sign of life. “Show any orbiting debris emitting radiation.”
Two objects flickered in the holo-image, indicating pinpoint sources of emitted radiation. One appeared to be in orbit about the planet. The smaller of the two was far from the planet and seemed to be stationary.
Not-Joh breathed deeply. “Computer, show the course vector of this object.” She pointed to the smaller object in the holo-image.
A dotted green line extended toward the Good-Child.
“It’s coming toward us.” Not-Joh stared at it for a moment. “It must be a spaceship. Spirit-of-the-Mother, I fear the Others have found us.” She glanced at the ship’s status.
“Chosen-Male Warriors,” she said. “To your stations. Unknown body approaching. Do not fire until so ordered.”
Har-Lih glanced at the image. The second item too, emitted radiation. “What is that which glitters?” She indicated the something in orbit about the planet.
“Computer, enhance image of body emitting radiation. Provide analysis of radiation.” Not-Joh ordered. The image grew larger until it showed a fuzzy shape that had two parallel sections with a central connection. As they watched, its rotation became apparent. “Spirit-of-the-Mother, that’s a space station. Not only are the Others behind us, there are Others in front of us,” she said, her voice pitched high with fear.
Not-Joh watched the small object drift closer. It’s our velocity that makes us approach it, she thought. The image flickered slightly. Now, she wondered. What’s happening? She magnified the holo-image.
The indistinct image showed an irregular shape that gave the impression of having a small projection. Its spectral image revealed a mixture of aluminum and iron. A scale superimposed upon it indicated its size. Spirit-of-the-Mother, she thought. It’s too small to be a spacecraft with passengers. Not a spaceship, an object.
Something flared brightly on the object.
“What is that?” Har-Lih asked.
“Spectral analysis,” Not-Joh said.
“Low grade radiation, aneutronic fusion reaction of boron and hydrogen,” the computer said. “It is a propulsion system. The object has negative acceleration on the same vector as the Good-Child. Relative velocity decreasing.”
“So, it too, uses a fusion drive like the Others’ ship that follows us. It is on the same course as us and makes no attempt at concealment. They are telling us they know we’re here.” Not-Joh stared at the holo-image. She hesitated. “Calculate time until object matches velocity with the Good-Child,” she said. “Display countdown sequence.”
A time display appeared in the holo-image.
“Will we need to use our weapons?”
“Not unless we have to. Its relative velocity is almost the same as ours. That makes it an easy target.”
Something flashed in the holo-image.
“Object transmitting a low-power radio signal,” the computer’s softly impersonal voice said.
“Analyze the signal,” Not-Joh said. “Chosen-Male Warriors, charge your weapons.”
Lights dimmed momentarily as energy drained into the fast-discharge power cells of the Good-Child’s heavy weapons. They were one step closer to battle.
Squiggling lines of spectral analysis appeared in the holo-image. A row of data appeared.
Not-Joh pointed. “See, this is an analog signal with a variable set of frequency ranges.”
“Is it a weapon?”
“No.” Not-Joh examined the spectral characteristics carefully. “Perhaps,” she said. “It is an attempt to communicate with us.”
In all their preparations, no one had given much thought to contacting the Others.
“Put it on audio.”
A choppy sequence of unintelligible deep-toned sounds came from the speaker; followed by another sequence of even deeper sounds that was almost at the limit of Not-Joh’s hearing range.
“What is that?” Har-Lih asked.
Not-Joh exhaled deeply, breathing flaps fully flared. “That, I believe, is the voice of the Others.”
Har-Lih crouched lower, as if seeking to hide. “The Others. They have found us. Oh, Spirit-of-the-Mother, save this child …” she began a prayer.
“Shut-up,” Not-Joh said. Her breathing flaps shut noisily. “Shall I summon the priest for you?” she said. “Look, they start with words, not weapons. It seems, Mother willing, they seek an alternative to battle.”
She silently prayed she was right.
“They match velocities with us. That is not a fighting tactic. So, that gives me reason to believe they are not about to attack. An object slowing to our relative velocity is much easier to hit than one moving fast.”
She noted the display showed the Chosen-Male Warriors had brought the weapon up to full readiness. They were ready.
Chapter Forty-Two
At extreme magnification, the alien object had a lumpy, round shape. Several stick-like antennae protruded from its side. During the time it took for the planet to complete a rotation, the object repeated its transmission many times.
A vivid yellow line squirted across the other spectral lines hanging in the holo-image before them. Several lines of digits scrolled down explaining the nature of the disturbance.
“What is that?” asked Har-Lih.
“A pulse of electromagnetic energy.”
“They’re using a weapon?”
“It does not appear so.” Not-Joh hesitated, reading the data in the holo-image. “It may be trying to obtain our size and configuration. If so, it is a primitive technology.”
Long moments later, another yellow line—much fainter—appeared in the holo-image. More data appeared.
Not-Joh stared for a moment. “Distance to asteroid ship?” she asked.
The computer responded and gave the same distance as displayed in the holo-image.
“I think the burst of energy just reflected off the asteroid ship,” Not-Joh said.
“Is it preparing to fire at us?” Har-Lih asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“What should we do?”
“Wait,” said Not-Joh. “So far, it has not done anything to threaten us.” Other than approach us like a hunting maa-lii fly stalking an unsuspecting go-lik.
She shivered at the thought of being a go-lik in the mandibles of a ravenous maa-lii. And we get closer and closer to the space station that orbits the planet, as the asteroid ship approaches from behind. Are we in the jaws of a well-planned trap?
“Look.” Not-Joh pointed at a message that had just appeared in the holo-image. “There’s single-frequency light reflecting off that object.”
“Is it a weapon?” Har-Lih momentarily crouched lower.
“No. It’s at a very low energy level.”
“Then what is it?”
“It could be for communications.”
“With whom?”
“It might come from the space station orbiting the Blue-Gem. Let us watch and see what else they do.” Not-Joh turned toward a control panel and touched several keys, increasing power to the shielding. “Put ion engines on standby.”
