Solar Search

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3A male computer voice replaced the admiral's voice. "Welcome to Little Moon Human Outpost. It will take twenty minutes to create the interior environment to be the same as in this airlock. The air purity is twenty-four percent oxygen and eighty percent nitrogen warmed to twenty degrees Celsius to be comfortable for humans. Magnetic walkways with artificial gravity are provided. Once inside, please be careful not to jump more than thirty centimetres in the air, otherwise the gravity boots will not be able pull you back and you'll start to float. If this happens, just relax and you will slowly drop back because this moons five percent natural gravity.

You may remove your spacesuits now but do not proceed until the innermost airlock lights turn orange. Your spacesuits will be required if you use the outer airlock. Just talk naturally to me anytime you are on the base and use the word Ink when you wish to include me in any conversation and not just to each other. All facilities including food, water and sleeping quarters as well as extra clothing and bathroom facilities are aboard. Thank you."

Aboard! Tara wondered what this statement meant but decided to say nothing in the meantime. "Ink, thank you," she said instead.

"One request, could you please introduce your civilian companion. Senior Officer Vic Hartly is known but the other male companion needs to sign in and provide a reason for being here."

Tara nodded at Nolan who introduced himself and stated he was a civilian scientist attached to the Vanguard 6. He even gave a clearance code and was accepted by the computer after Tara vouched for him.

Tara and the men took off their bulky spacesuits and waited until the three orange lights on the inner airlock shone and a buzzer sounded. She opened the airlock and walked forward into a continuation of the corridor. After a few steps the sensation of walking uphill subsided and her movement became little different than on Vanguard or on Earth itself. One small difference was the faint soothing music that almost tickled her ears.

There was another door ahead, an ordinary sliding door that opened when she reached it. It slid open and she gasped at the view ahead.

They were in a chamber that seemed to disappear in every direction. Ahead was a massive spaceship sitting on equally large skids. The front resembled a hydroplane with a pointed nose and cockpit windows while the tail section was like an ancient rocket with four fins and exhaust tubes. It was the middle section that was completely different. Encircling the fuselage just behind the cockpit were two metallic circles that seemed to just sit there with no physical connection to the main body. Behind them was a gigantic sphere that looked like a horizontal flowerpot, coloured grey with rectangular patterns though it. Finally three larger metallic rings encircled the whole craft. These were linked together like massive wristbands. Again there appeared to be nothing physically linking these rings with the rest of the craft.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Vic gasped. "How do those exterior rings just stay there?"

"Magnetic forces," Nolan replied. "I have seen plans of a craft such as this but never realised one had been actually been built. It is an ancient concept using fusion drive to supplement the usual matter, anti-matter warp drives. In theory, these vessels can travel at speeds far faster than that used by humans or even hexapods or entities."

"Ancient concept?" Tara queried.

"Records of these craft were found in archaeological sites beneath the Sahara Desert and were believed to come from extraterrestrials who arrived on Earth millenniums ago. The plans were imbedded in fossilised rock that we believe were once glass or electronic devices."

"You are correct, Doctor Garzel," said Computer Ink. His voice a seemed to come inside Tara's ears from no particular direction but she could see that the others could also hear it. "It has been highly classified for thirty years now but details about how to construct this Yolk craft were found by archaeologists and this is the third such vessel built. It is called Yolk 3."

"So where are the other two?" Tara asked.

"Yolk I was a one third sized vessel that was remotely controlled and did not have any human crew. It was a test spaceship and performed exactly as the ancient texts predicted. We built a full sized Yolk 2 and we now have Yolk 3 that was brought here five years ago to use if the humans became threatened by extinction."

"Where is Yolk 2?" Vic asked.

"We do not know. A decade ago it disappeared beyond the edge of inhabited galaxies and never heard from again. Even emergency transmissions were silent. Our only guess is that it was destroyed in a black hole or similar celestial object. This is the reason why Yolk 3 has been hidden here on Little Moon."

"So why are we here?" Tara asked.

"Your orders are inside Yolk 3, Captain Fye. Information is classified and for your ears only. Once heard, you may, at your own discretion tell your subordinates and civilian passengers information they need to know."

"One small thing," Nolan interrupted. "Why was the name Yolk used?"

"The yolk is a growing embryo in a bird's egg. The yolk symbolises the continuation of the human species. This craft is designed to maintain human life until another world or worlds are found to re-establish the species."

"So we're the embryos?" Tara asked.

"No. You are the crew to fly the Yolk 3. With the entities now so powerful it was considered too risky to rely on computers to fly this vessel."

"So there are no embryos, then?" Nolan asked.

"The classified details will be provided to Captain Fye and will be passed onto you at her discretion."

"You are one important person," Vic sounded serious but genuine.

Tara stared at him. "I guess I am but it is worrying me."

"Why?" Vic asked. "With your rank and abilities you deserve the honour."

"Do I?" Tara asked. "I know of dozens of other military officers or civilians who are far more qualified than I am, to be given this responsibility." She turned to Nolan. "You are one, Nolan. Your knowledge of scientific matters far exceeds mine."

Nolan smiled slightly. "In some ways perhaps but in others…" He shrugged. "Let's say that like Vic I have every faith in your ability and thank our lucky stars we have you and not some pompous admiral to lead us."

"They'll still be around," Tara muttered.

"Somehow I don't think so," Nolan replied in almost a whisper. "Once out beyond the known galaxies I believe we will be on our own."

*

In many ways the interior of Yolk 3 was similar to the Vanguard spaceships. Probably the designers had incorporated known technology to speed up the final product. The flight deck was almost identical except for the engine monitors. There was still the usual hydrogen drive for sub-light speeds and the thrusters for landing and takeoffs were identical but the fission power matter anti-matter inductors actually seemed easier to understand that the technology they superseded. Armaments were also similar to that on the Vanguard Spaceships with the latest upgrades incorporated.

The living quarters were larger than on the Vanguards with single cabins or cabins of four bunks for up to eighty crew and passengers as well as numerous extra recreational spaces. In the internal hanger were three cruisers of the usual design compared with two in the Vanguards as well as a dozen smaller remote control drones.

The flight deck that was actually older than the newest one on Vanguard, made Tara realise Yolk 3 was actually five years old. The designers probably had higher priorities than this. For example, the replicators provided not only food but also clothing designed to any specifications.

There was easy access throughout the ship with, elevators and tubes for maintenance staff to move throughout the vessel. These were egg shaped and could hold three crew members plus equipment.

Tara and the others had many queries that were usually answered unless classified for Tar's ears only and there appeared to be an embargo on some information until the vessel was in operation. Also, as far as any of them could tell, there was no access to the outer rings and the cargo they were carrying remained a complete mystery.

Outside the Yolk 3 the rest of the interior cavern had little of importance. It had been hollowed out of natural rock. Beyond the landing pad the gravity paths soon stopped and overhead lighting was sparse. It actually looked incomplete with the rear wall appearing quite rudimentary.

"You are correct Tara," Ink had begun calling her by her first name without being asked, not that she minded. "Beyond this wall, there are no life support systems but the cave continues. Original plans to extend it to be able to hold other spaceships such as Vanguards were abandoned. When the present interspecies war began, all priorities shifted to getting the Yolk 3 in full operational condition."

"And is it?" Tara asked.

"The Yolk 3 is ninety-two percent efficient."

"But not a hundred percent?"

"The war has restricted final testing of new technology in war conditions."

"I see," Tara replied. "I will require a complete list of every piece of equipment in that eight percent and what could happen in any worse case scenario."

"The data will be provided within an hour." Ink appeared to hesitate for a moment. "There is an incoming message from 2nd Officer Lacy. Do you wish to receive it?"

"Yes," Tara replied and pressed a pad on her spiral communicator.

*

A worried looking Jade Lacy appeared on screen. "I know you wanted communication silence, Captain but this is an emergency. A hexapod spaceship has dropped out of warp drive and is heading towards us on impulse engines. Our monitors show that it knows we're here."

"And its estimated arrival time?"

"Three hours at their present speed."

This was serious. The hexapod spaceships were far more powerful than the Vanguard and their death rays could disintegrate them in an instant. The only protection was Little Moon itself for these rays could only travel in a straight line. The enemy also had electronic torpedoes that could change direction but these were slower and would take forty minutes to reach Vanguard.

"Have they fired torpedoes, Jade?" Tara asked.

"None recorded on our monitors. I'll forward the latest info."

Her face disappeared and a page of data showed. Tara projected it out to a large metre wide screen that hovered in front of her. Using her fingers on her spiral wrist ban she could now work directly with the Vanguard computer. She updated the enemy's arrival time until it was in range of the Vanguard or themselves and found that Jade's estimate was correct.

"This base is cloaked and not visible to any enemy," Ink's voice cut in. "However the spirovator will be visible and could also be destroyed along with Vanguard 6."

Tara glanced back at the data. It appeared they would have forty-two minutes until Little Moon's orbit would bring them into view of the enemy. She could ask Jade to move Vanguard so it remained behind the moon but that would leave them isolated. Also, this would only be a temporary solution for an enemy torpedo could search and destroy them within an hour. She switched back to Jade on her wrist ban but maintained the larger screen of data before her.

"This is a direct order 2nd Officer Lacy," she said. "I will explain later. You must cut communication with myself and evacuate Vanguard immediately through the Spirovator. The entire crew including yourself must leave. Use spacesuits only. No supporting equipment or gear is needed. Before leaving you will launch the escape pods towards Big Moon. These will be empty but will form a decoy. Understand?"

"At once, Captain."

Before the screens went blank Tara heard a siren ringing throughout Vanguard.

*

Jade's voice echoed throughout Vanguard 6 after the emergency siren stopped. "Code Blue. This is not a drill. Vanguard 6 is being evacuated. All personnel will put on their spacesuits and proceed to the spirovator station. I repeat, proceed to the spirovator, not the emergency escape pods. Underofficers will be responsible for crews assigned to them. Bubbles C through to J will be assembled and loaded. We have twenty minutes to have Vanguard 6 evacuated."

She turned to 3rd Officer Finn Kilmorton. "Get to the spirovator and link the bubbles in pods of eight. When the first eight are loaded send them off immediately. No luggage will be permitted. "

"Has the captain gone mad?" Finn retorted as he climbed into his spacesuit. "How can we survive down there?"

"We are under direct orders," Jade replied in an angry tone. "If you ever make another outburst like that, I'll relieve you of duties and have you charged for insubordination under emergency conditions."

Finn stared at her. "And if she's wrong?"

"Do it!" Jade screamed but calmed down a moment later "You know the chances of an escape pod surviving is practically nil. At least with the spirovator, some of us may survive."

"Sorry. I'll get down there."

He walked away and Jade went in the other direction. Everywhere, crewmembers were changing into spacesuits and heading towards emergency exits. It was orderly and followed the drills that had been practised regularly. The only difference was that everyone headed for the spirovator rather than the lower deck where the escape pods were.

She spoke to some crewmembers and helped a cadet corporal, a boy of only seventeen and one of four cadets from the space academy attached to Vanguard 6 for practical experience. He was having trouble zipping up his suit.

"Where are the other three students, Cadet McCarthy," she asked.

"I told them to get to the spirovator, Ma'am." He grinned sheepishly. "I think my spacesuit is a little tight on me."

She nodded, zipped up his suit, gave his wrist a squeeze and grinned at him. "How's that, Reece?"

Reece grinned. "Fine thanks, Ma'am," he whispered.

Moments later she arrived at the spirovator to find that Finn had everything going well. One pod of eight bubbles had already left and the second was ready to leave. Lines of crew in their spacesuits were all assembled and entering the remaining bubbles. It was orderly and everyone knew what to do.

She watched and glanced at the evacuation monitor. Everyone onboard was accounted for and orange lights flashed showing that everything was working without any electronic problems. Finn and herself were the only ones left on Vanguard 6.

"Thank you," she said into the intercom that could be heard in all the bubbles. "I think that was a record time and even better in that we didn't use the escape pods. The captain and 2nd Officer Hartly will meet you on the surface."

"The pods are clear of the Vanguard and heading towards Big Moon," Finn reported after they entered the last bubble and switched on the monitor. "We are still out of visual view from the enemy spaceship but they should be seeing the escape pods about now."

She watched as all except their own bubble had left before she sat down and caught Finn's eyes. "I'm sure Tara knows more than we do," she said. "Sorry I had to pull rank on you?"

He smiled. "I hope so for all our sakes," he whispered as he shut the door and the bubble accelerated forward.

*

Tara sat at the flight deck of Yolk 3 and stared at the screen. This was shaped like the inside of a hemisphere and projected a three dimensional view of Vanguard 6 before her. Other smaller two-dimensional screens showed the interior of the spaceship where the last bubble was just leaving while the second showed a view further out of Big Moon with Earth in the background,

"I see you're all away," she said. "Any problems?"

"None Captain," Jade replied. "All personnel are accounted for. Finn and myself are in the last bubble."

"Good. Seal and detach the spirovator from Vanguard. We have you sealed at this end."

Jade frowned but nodded. A moment later Tara saw the end of the spirovator swing out from the Vanguard like a piece of twisting rope. The bubble riders would have a rough journey but this emergency procedure was one of the built in fail-safe systems

"Captain," Vic who was sitting beside her said. "Look at Screen Three."

She switched her eyes and saw a saucer shaped silver object reflected in the light from Earth. Worse though, was a tiny slither of light that came from the spacecraft.

"Ink, report on the objects in Screen Three."

"The hexapod spaceship has launched a proton missile of unknown size. It has reached warp speed and will reach its target in three minutes."

Tara grimaced. "What target?" she asked.

"The escape pods that are on course towards Big Moon."

"So the decoy worked. We have that extra time to get the bubbles in the spirovator down," Finn whispered.

"Possibly. I never knew they had warp speed missiles, though. We'll have little time." She turned to study the main screen. The spirovator was now curled up like a snail's shell with their end attached just outside the airlock. It looked like a semi transparent plastic tube with the bubble pods showing as elongated black blobs inside.

"Update," the computer reported. "A second proton missile has been launched. Arrival time is three minutes and twenty seconds. Destination is Vanguard 6."

"Not the spirovator?" Tara gasped.

"Not directly but it could be damaged in any explosion."

"Increase the bubble speed to maximum," Tara ordered. She watched as the black pods slid through the spirovator. Readouts on all moving objects showed that it was going to be close. The missile would reach the escape pods mere seconds before the first bubble arrived on Little Moon. Any resulting explosion was probably too far away to affect the spirovator but the power of the explosion was unknown.

She could do no more than watch.

The main screen zoomed into the escape pods that were travelling in a diamond shaped pattern. A silver sphere that dropped out of warp drive materialised in the centre of this diamond, there was a flash of white and that was it! The area was empty. Not one escape pod remained, nor any debris or exploding gases. There was just empty space.

"If anyone was aboard …" Finn gasped.

But there was no time to respond for the main screen zoomed in to show Vanguard 6 floating in space with Little Moon behind. A satellite from further out was providing the view. On the extreme left, Tara could see the edge on the spirovator moving rapidly away. Another sphere materialised and the whole screen burst into white, shook and the screen blacked out. A second later it burst into light to show empty space. Like the escape pods, Vanguard 6 was gone!

"Shift view to spirovator," Tara ordered.

The scene blurred as it swung around. The spirovator was shaking like jelly but appeared to be intact for she counted the pods inside.

"Come on," she said to Vic and Nolan. We need to get back in our spacesuits and out there to receive the incoming bubbles. The first one should be here by now."

As they climbed into their spacesuits Nolan caught her eyes. "So you predicted the hexapod ruthlessness and saved the crew, Tara," he said with respect in his voice.

"That they'd try to kill those in the escape pods first before destroying Vanguard?"

Vic also looked at her. "And missed seeing the spirovator in the process."

"That was the idea," Tara whispered. "We still have to get our crew safely inside, though."

"Report," Ink announced. "The cloaking field around this base has been extended to surround the spirovator. No enemy sensors will detect them."

"But will that spaceship find us by observing any changed surface conditions?" Tara asked.

"Possibly. Do you require removal of the enemy vessel?"

"How?"

"Military Satellite 976 armed with laser beams is within range of the enemy vessel."

"So why hasn't our defence forces on Earth done that?" Vic asked.

"All communication to and from Earth has been compromised. The installations there are destroyed or under enemy occupation. As well, the entities have subjected the planet to an electronic blackout."

"Do it!" Tara ordered.

She watched with grim satisfaction as two red lines hit a zoomed in view of the saucer shaped spaceship. The contact point appeared to melt before there was an almost old-fashioned explosion of orange and yellow. Black smoke obliterated the view for a moment before it thinned to show spinning debris everywhere. As usual, being in the vacuum of space, there was no sound to accompany the display.

"Not as efficient as their method but still did the job," Vic whispered.

*