The Fathers, page 30
part #1 of Doragon Series
“Let’s go, Sienna. Double time.” He broke into a slow run. Swords and arrows stowed away on Sienna, maiden sleeping on her broad back. No dragon would attack, that was certain now. Other creatures would not attack either. He did not know why but he did not need to just now.
They crossed the bridge with hardly a groan from their passing, Sienna’s iron feet making clipping sounds. The little wagon sat there by itself, and if wagons could wonder about the universe, this one certainly would say in a deep old wood tone befitting a wagon of its age: is not the universe just full of surprises?
Chapter Forty-One
Space was big and mostly filled with things unseen. As far as modern technology of the 23rd century went, travel from one solar system to another took advantage of what was loosely termed as Q-Space but was not exactly accurate. Because of the nature of the quantum world, saying something would be at a particular place at a specific time was not an exact science. Leaving a star system required the departing ship to be free of most gravity sources. Moving, as was the proper term instead of traveling, to the destination required some time and a stop to recalculate and cool the engines. Actually arriving at the destination, no matter the computational powers of ship AI, required entering normal space reasonably far away from solid objects. As seemingly easy as that sounded to AIs and humankind, given the size of space that a solar system occupies, a great deal of matter and other assorted particles could interfere. Any move into the wrong spot could result in the death of the ship and contents, unfortunately not quickly.
Despite early nasty losses of life and materials, a way to harness quantum energy using exotic ores found in a handful of systems, such as Ragnar, finally let Earth loose in the galaxy. So, reaching star systems became reasonable. One by one, pioneers of space set out. When a star system was reached and had planets, especially habitable ones, a survey craft set about mapping every discernible object down to the composition. Not once did any expedition discover life aware of its surroundings.
Once completed, every system so far possessed at least one position where an arriving inter-solar ship, or ships, could arrive safely. Or at least inside of a twenty percent chance of failure. Large systems seemed to have more than two as a rule, giving the habitable planets an advantage of a hub of sorts. Ragnar had only one, making it a one-way entrance, very easy to blockade. Unless a ship wished risking moving into material or energy fields upon entering normal space, it entered the system at the proper coordinates or would die in a spectacular rainbow of energy.
“But, Kaz, mate. Even old Al knows ya can't just appear inside a system. We could be inside a planet or the Ragnar Star. We won’t live for long.” Allen was rubbing his head, further messing his already frazzled look. At least the booze blur had subsided.
Kazimir stared out the forward viewport as if he could see what came next. “I understand,” he said, voice dry and emotionless.
Allen waited for more reassurances. Kazimir stayed lost in the lightless blackness of Q-Space moving.
“Kaz, mate. Seriously.”
Kazimir sighed. “Allen, relax, please. I have taken the time to reorganize the ship’s AI. As I already said, we cannot get through the blockade. The Pirates will attempt to stop us and will succeed. Or the navy will stop and detain us. Leading us to captivity and eventually into the grasp of the energy chasing us. Appearing, as you call it, moving, must be inside the Ragnar system, yes, at coordinates I and the AI have calculated the safest. No, it will not be absolutely safe. Getting into a spaceship is never perfectly safe. Staying on the ground has much better odds.”
Several piercing beeps startled Allen. The ship’s AI chimed, “Two ship minutes to arrival. Local system time is plus two-point-five Standard. Please fasten all seat belts.”
“As if that will help,” Allen grumbled, getting back into the co-pilot’s chair.
“Faith,” Kazimir said as he sat down.
“In what, Kaz? God?”
“No, Allen. In right over wrong. In love over hate. In good over evil.” Kazimir looked with a blank Kazimir stare at Allen and added, “In me. As your worlds say, I am smarter than I look.”
Allen nervously laughed, the specter of another brush with death thumping his heart muscle hard. “You must be, er, as ugly as a—”
Allen did not finish. Suddenly they arrived in normal space. A big blueish planet staring right back at them.
After a time, Kazimir broke the silence. “It worked well, did it not, Allen?”
“Remind old Al never to lose faith in ya, ya ugly old man.” Kazimir gave Allen a pat on the shoulder with a genuine smile. He was getting better at the smiling thing.
“What's next, Kaz?”
“Follow me closely. Do not speak unless required to keep our charade.”
“What’s that?” interrupted Allen.
Kazimir sighed. “Charade. We will pretend we are research scientists from New Bernard. There is a research facility there where they investigate low energy bands of particles. It is quite obscure research that is worthless. All that matters is the cover works for the time we require. Leave the details to me. Your name is Professor John Lee Wash. Mine will be Dean Vincent Preston.”
“How is it, Kaz, you get to be the Dean? I know that’s the big-wig. No foolin’ Al on this, mate.”
Kazimir rubbed his eyes. “Because, Allen, I am smarter than you. I am smarter than the real men we are impersonating. We will need to look proper. I will speak physics if called upon. Plus, I took time to familiarize myself with the man’s work I am impersonating.”
The big blue planet grew in size, filling the viewports of the passenger cruiser. In half a rotation, the orbiting station came into view. The docking ports took hold of the ship’s navigation systems, guiding it into a docking bay. Kazimir took care of the little details. It was not until the two were on the oldest rusty planet-side shuttle headed to the surface that Allen spoke up.
“So. You’re smarter than everyone, mate. Good to know. Arrogant bald-headed old man.”
Kazimir’s hard eyes burned through Allen, then turned to soft black. “Was that the best you could reply with after so much time?”
Allen had to laugh. His grandmother always told him to laugh when in a tight spot; it helped get air into the brain.
Once on the surface of the blue planet, Allen learned that the entire planet was covered with thick never-ending forest and mostly gases other than oxygen for an atmosphere. Going outside to dig his feet into the brown dirt and enjoy the reddish sunshine was out of the question. Ragnar had settlements scattered around the surface, all dedicated to mining precious elements, especially godritium, the most essential mineral in all space, as far as humans cared. At least his branch of the humanity tree.
A planet-side shuttle took them directly to a landing dock inside the prime administration building. It was a small chalk white structure with high skinny towers. Allen learned quickly those towers were for deep shaft elevators that dropped six kilometers below the surface. Allen felt claustrophobia chewing on his backside.
The lead administrator met them at the tiny receiving port for the ancient shuttle. “Welcome, Dean and Professor. My name is Abbott Bastille. If you prefer, Doctor Bastille. Please accept our apologies for the sparse conditions of our facilities. We were delighted to hear of your surprise visit. How did you manage to bypass the blockade? I understand the rebels are not allowing any passage, even for the sake of science.”
Allen was glad he didn’t have to speak. He was pretty sure he couldn’t. The administrator and Kazimir talked, or rather plied for the alpha dog knowledge of who understood energy physics more.
Finally, Kazimir relinquished rather endure more of the silly man’s misunderstanding of pure energy and gravity. Everything the man said ended up with its “God’s mystery” with the occasional “Praise God.”
With a slight white flag bow, Kazimir said, “Given the current situation here in Ragnar, we wish to get about our business as soon as possible. We do not wish to inconvenience you or your staff, nor overstay our welcome with the locals.”
“Ah, yes,” the green robed, bald-headed man said. “I have taken the liberty of assigning a room with two sleepers for this night. I hope your sleep cycles are synchronized with Ragnar’s time clock. It can be quite bothersome adapting to the time drag this system has. Once you have rested, then in the morning, about six standard hours from now, we can descend the shaft. That will take two planet-side hours to reach the cavern.”
Kazimir frowned. “We wished to leave sooner, Abbott. Our pass with the rebels will not last long. Not to mention the Navy may take action.”
“Impossible, Dean. The caverns are accessible for short periods of time. It is very difficult to keep the spaces cooled, and as you are aware, hot humid air can damage the artifacts. The next opening is in seven standard hours. I thought you would know this.” The surprised look on the Abbott’s face did not go unnoticed by Kazimir.
“Forgive my old memory, Abbott. You are most correct. Our scheduling was slowed by unforeseen circumstances. We will be quite satisfied with the next cycle.”
The Abbott seemed happy with the response. A snap of his figures and aides appeared from the sides. Allen shuddered a shiver. The aides looked large and unhappy, reminding him of some sort of hunchbacked drones he saw in a holo show once. “Follow me, if you please, as I show you both to your quarters. Food and refreshments are available.
“By the way Dean, what sect do you represent? Your baldness and gorgeous coat speak of the old Roman Catholic orders. I am somewhat of a history buff of Old Earth religious groups.”
“Perhaps you refer to the Franciscan order. It is almost extinct. Personally, I like the coat. A good friend provided it for my trip to Ragnar. The hairless state is by genetics. No choice for me in the matter. I walk on my own path to seek the creator.”
The Abbott let out a fake chuckle. Allen so wanted to snicker but knew he dare not cause issues, for once. Instead he bit his lip, a little to hard.
The maze of corridors and closed doors seamed to betray the actual size of the facility. Muffled monotoned chanting floated in and out as the three, along with several other escorts, arrived at the accommodations.
“You have done well, Allen. Perhaps this mysterious life of intrigue is suited for you,” Kazimir said.
Allen choked a little. “Mate, it’s easy to keep quiet when one is scared stiff.”
“Agreed, Allen.” Kazimir finished scouting the room in every place, under everything, inside any place accessible.
“What are you doing, Kaz?”
“Looking for recording devices, Allen. Is that not obvious?”
Allen sensed the cold rush through the room. It felt as though someone opened the window. He decided to be quiet again.
After a long agonizing time, Kazimir came up with a small black round object the size of an Old Earth pea. He drew a glass of something that looked like water from the tiny bathroom, then dropped the pea in it.
Allen whispered, “Okay now?”
“Yes. Speak as you normally do. Just less if possible.”
Allen let loose a hundred questions.
Before long, Kazimir inserted a word. “But,” Kazimir said, as Allen wrapped his hands over his eyes, plopping down on the small chair between the two sleepers. “Didn’t ya mum tell ya never use the word ‘but’ to start a sentence, mate?”
“But, we cannot wait until morning. We must go before the cavern is opened again. The excuse of heat and dampness is not a worry. I could care even less if it rained molten fusion pellets. Nothing can affect what is down there.”
“But why?” Allen realized he did the same thing.
“Allen, you have performed well today. Unfortunately, the stout Abbott is not convinced as to our identities. He noted my dark coat and baldness as a sign. I gave the best neutral answer possible. However, if he has the ability to check with New Binary, we are doomed. If he had any connections with the rebels holding the entrance gate, then he will know we did not get passage. Too many ifs for my comfort, Allen.”
Allen stifled a nervous cough. He really wanted to laugh himself into a comma, right after a long bottle of something.
Kazimir continued, “The listening device no doubt is from the Abbott. Hastily planted here to gather evidence. We must go before the authorities discover my tampering with the system. I am good, but the tools here are blunted and backward.”
Allen stood, took off his coat, slipped off his blue boots, and lay on the sleeper. “Wake me when ya ready to go.” Allen had enough. Sleep needed him.
Simple dreams opened soft warm arms taking away worry and fears. Dreams of a playful smiling carefree daughter playing fish a diligent father near by always ready to save. Just in case the water was too deep, or a sneaky shark appeared from the unknowing depths of nightmares. The heart of a father never knows rest.
Chapter Forty-Two
Kazimir sat on his sleeper, quieted his mind, and reached his arms into memory. Only good memories were allowed.
At one local hour before the Abbott was to accompany them to the cavern, Kazimir woke Allen, who slept like a long dead man, drooling profusely down his beard, snoring worse than anything Kazimir heard in his long life. Allen sat straight up and rubbed his sticky eyes, hoping it was all a dream.
“Wasn’t a dream then,” Allen said.
“No, Allen. We must be quiet now. Please follow closely. Most of the facility is asleep or in some sort of prayer. Let us take advantage of the misguided reverence. They should pray to science. Get more answers that way.”
Allen pulled himself together. They left the small room to slink down the halls, finding the connection doors and tunnels to the lift shafts. Kazimir pulled the old-style cage closed. It rattled so loudly that Allen remembered how much he wished he visited the men's room first.
“How far, mate?”
“Six kilometers. There are different levels where equipment is kept and a few stations of little importance. The device that will lower us is slow for safety. I can hear your heart where I stand, Allen. Please calm yourself. When we finish this little adventure, I shall teach you how.”
Allen nodded. Trying to calm his breathing required his full attention.
It took the two hours to reach the bottom level. Allen was sure his insides were still on the surface. The smell was stagnating, muddy and damp. Water like slime the color of sea green tricked down the walls as they walked the tunnel towards orange lights. Kazimir had to duck at times from protruding rocks. Allen’s heart beat so hard he wondered if it would cause a collapse of the not-so-sturdy-looking supports holding up the wet gun metal black rock.
“The rock looks like something soft, but it’s cold and firm, Kaz. What kind is it, Mister know-it-all?”
“A form of graphite with a percentage of lead. Some radioactive metals. It is quite magnetic. I am sure in saying a serious energy repulsive cage surrounds the area. No signals in or out. In fact, common unprotected flesh is at risk of malformation of cells.”
Allen let out a moan. “Great,” he said, “I am being cooked in a microwave.”
After at least a kilometer’s walk down the narrow weaving half-lit tunnel, they arrived at the cavern.
There inside the center of an oval room, a room not much larger than the sleeping quarters they just came from, sat three objects on a stand of pure whitest rook. The white rock, a pillar of sorts, contrasted so deeply with the surrounding black rock that Allen’s eyes watered. The objects, the size of a large book without a cover or words, seemed to sit on the white pedestal yet did not.
Kazimir whispered the best he could with his deep voice. “Do not look into the black faces of them.” He pointed to the black objects.
Allen stared into the black faces. And saw nothing. It made him feel like throwing up. In fact, he did.
“Allen, please listen to me. I said do not stare into them. The total absence of color and light tends to upset the human mind.”
“No kidding.” Allen took another peek, and wretched again. His chest burned.
“It’s like they are holes, Kaz?” Allen whispered.
“Yes. You are in a way correct, Allen.”
“You have seen them before then?”
“Yes. I believe I have. Not the same ones I encountered. Yet they look identical.”
“Where did they come from Kaz?” Allen wondered about the story behind them.
Kazimir folded his arms into the long sleeves, a sign to Allen the man was going to go on and on. “We do not know Allen. No one seems to know. Or understand the purpose of these plates. We found information, data, regarding energy and space when the correct key was used. Our calculations told that the storage capacity surpassed anything imaginable. What was retrieved amounted to less than a millionth of a percent. With what was gathered gave us inter galactic travel, as you see with me here with you, insights into artificial intelligence, other matters of energy never considered came to light. Here we have the same in your galaxy, the meaning of which I do not know. I can speculate further Allen if you wish.”
Allen interrupted. “Perhaps at another time and place mate? Lets not get caught here ‘k?”
Kazimir looked at the plates, his face filled with wonder struggling to hide the fear, not of capture, fear of what was hidden in the blackness.
“You are correct. Your a good man Allen Monroe Duncanson. I am pleased our paths are joined. The unknown before a man is much warmed by company. An old proverb I once learned but never believed.”
Allen’s did not hear Kazimir. Allen was discovering bravery unknown to him. Slowly, his concrete feet arrived at the stand. A finger pointed slowly to the surface of one black object. He did his best to look with one corner of one eye.
“I can't feel the thing, Kaz. Is it real, mate?”
“We have to leave now, Allen Monroe Duncanson. Immediately.” Kazimir took Allen by the arm, nearly dragging the old man down the tunnel to the elevator.
