The Lost Command (Lost Starship Series Book 2) (22 page)

Before he reached the second area of confinement where the others stayed, Maddox discovered they had already forced open their hatch.

“Who goes there?” Major Kharkov shouted from a crossway.

“It’s Captain Maddox and Lieutenant Noonan.”

“What happened, Commander?” the stocky, space marine major asked, walking into sight.

Maddox explained about the short battle with the Social Syndicate Fleet. As he did, the rest of the prisoners showed up in twos and threes.

“At the very end,” the captain finished, “Galyan used the star drive. It appears the lasers and thermonuclear EMP blasts knocked out some of the starship’s systems, including the robots and the AI.

“That doesn’t make sense,” Dana said. “The—”

“Doctor!” Maddox said sharply. “There’s something I’ve been wondering.”

“Yes?” Dana asked, giving him a funny look.

“Before I say,” Maddox told her, “I think we should start splitting up into teams to test various stations. Major, I think you and Strauss should check out the antimatter engine.”

“What do I know about that?” the space marine asked.

“Please bear with me, Major,” Maddox said.

Kharkov must have picked up on the captain’s tone. “Yes, sir, at once,” the space marine said.

After assigning the others their duties, Maddox pulled Dana aside.

“Doctor, doctor, doctor,” Maddox said. “I hope you’ve been well these past weeks.”

“Are you feeling all right?” Dana asked him.

Maddox laughed uneasily, shaking his head. Just how smart was Doctor Rich? He didn’t want to tell her his suspicions outright, having the secretly listening AI pick up his whispers. Could she catch his innuendoes?

“Galyan has frightened me, Doctor. The AI is abnormally clever. I also stand in awe of his rigor and righteousness.”

“Excuse me?” Dana asked.

“Galyan’s people were surely far in advance of ours. If the human race could obtain even half their glory, we would do well indeed. It has been a rare privilege to learn from Galyan. I’ve tried to reason with him, but he suspects everything I do. I don’t know how to convince him I mean to do exactly as I say. I dread having my engrams sent into the computing core, but I will do it for the good of humanity.”

“I see,” Dana said.

“One thing, Doctor, now that I have you alone. We
must
find the homeworld of the Swarm.”

“Captain, I think the strain of the last battle might have—”

Dana quit speaking as Maddox stared at her in the red light, and squeezed her bicep twice in short succession.

“You were saying?” Dana asked, maybe understanding his signal.

Releasing her, Maddox became expansive. “In ancient times, Galyan’s race must have protected us. If his people hadn’t smashed the Swarm, would the vile enemy ships have reached Earth several hundred years later? If so, the Swarm would have annihilated us while humanity was still in the Bronze Age, fighting from chariots instead of spaceships.”

Dana had become thoughtful. She now said, “I find that to be a remarkably accurate guess.”

Maddox nodded encouragingly. “I wonder if the reason Galyan has remained awake for six thousand years is to search out and find the Swarm homeworld. Do you have any idea where it might be?”

“I might know,” Dana said, watching Maddox closely. “I, ah, did find some data while working on the AI core while Galyan was off back in the Oort cloud.”

“Interesting, interesting,” Maddox said. “I wondered if that might be the case. I imagine the Swarm homeworld would be someplace far in the Beyond.”

“I’ll have to recheck my notes.” Dana studied the captain. “One thing bothers me. Now that we have this chance to talk alone, without the bloody AI listening, I would like to know the truth.”

Maddox kept himself from smiling. The doctor was sharp. She understood him perfectly.

“What do you want to know?” he asked.

“Are you going to keep your word with Galyan?”

“Providing the power returns?”

“Yes,” Dana said.

“At first I’d planned to lull and trick him,” Maddox said. “Now…I find I respect him and his race far too much for that. I stand in awe of him, Dana. But you must never, ever let anyone else know that.”

“Why is that, Captain?”

“I’m too proud to admit such a thing to others. It’s a moral flaw in me, I suppose.”

“I can see that,” Dana said.

“Could you go study your notes now?” Maddox asked.

“I actually do remember finding something interesting about the Swarm. I was going to tell you about it, but haven’t found the opportunity. Now’s the perfect time.”

“Go on,” Maddox said.

“I have strong reason to believe that evidence of the Swarm’s homeworld lies at Wolf Prime.”

A grin slipped onto Maddox’s face. That was perfect.

“Professor Ludendorff has a fixation on alien archeology,” Dana said. “We discovered Galyan’s star system quite by accident. The professor was searching for more indications of the Swarm. They’re the oldest known alien species we’ve ever found.”

“Interesting.”

“I think so too,” Dana said. “If Galyan desires information about the Swarm homeworld, I think he’ll find it on Wolf Prime. Professor Ludendorff may already know the answer to the AI’s questions.”

“That’s—”

The main lights snapped on. It caused Dana to squint at the brightness. A second later, a robot rolled around the corner. The holoimage of Driving Force Galyan strode beside his machine.

“You surprise me, Captain Maddox,” Galyan said.

“What’s going on?” Maddox asked. “We thought…”

Galyan smiled broadly. “You thought the thermonuclear EMPs had rendered me impotent for the moment. Yes, I realized almost right away how I could use the Social Syndicate attack. Of course, from the beginning I realized that using the star drive was the correct tactical move.”

“Why did you pretend that you didn’t know?” Maddox asked.

“Don’t you understand yet? Doctor, I see comprehension in your eyes.”

“Yes, Galyan,” Dana said meekly.

“You have passed my test, Captain,” Galyan said. “I still dislike you and suspect your motives. But these words you spoke…”

“They don’t mean a thing,” Maddox said in a rush. “Whatever you heard, I didn’t really mean them.”

“Oh, I know better now,” Galyan said. “I know you much better than before. We will continue to Wolf Prime. Nothing will stop me. I will have Professor Ludendorff aboard my vessel. Then…well, I’ll leave that for later.”

“There is one thing we should consider carefully,” Maddox said. “Sub-commander Ko of the Social Syndicate Fleet said the New Men are bombarding inhabited planets. It would appear the enemy has been ranging to various systems in “C” Quadrant, attacking those they can. I wonder if the New Men are at Wolf Prime.”

“Why would they be?” Galyan asked. “It’s a sparsely settled world of no strategic significance.”

“True,” Maddox said. “It’s barely habitable. It’s a frozen hell world, in fact. Even so, the New Men may have sent a star cruiser or two to bombard the ice planet or search for Ludendorff. They may know about him.”

“How does that affect us?” Galyan asked.

“We’d better be careful as we approach the Wolf System. We want to see the New Men before they see us. We don’t want a repeat of what happened with the Social Syndicate Fleet.”

“That is sound advice,” Galyan said. “Now, we shall hurry to Wolf Prime. I am eager to speak with Professor Ludendorff.”

-22-

Meta and Kane were in the scout ship’s control room, in orbit around Wolf Prime. The planet was white, with heavy cloud cover in places. Other spots on the surface were a faint icy blue, showing vast frozen bodies of water. Directly below them, a violent storm raged, showing circular hurricane clouds. The panorama was beautiful to witness from up here. That didn’t lock Meta’s gaze, though.

A triangular star cruiser slid beside the scout, one of the New Men’s hated warships. Meta had never seen one so close before. Turrets sprouted on the hull armor. Beam cannons jutted from each. The scout headed toward a larger than average bay door. Star Watch cruisers wouldn’t have room for a scout this size. It appeared as if these vessels were different.

Meta did not ask Kane about that.

Ever since the great leap from the Nexus, Meta had become withdrawn and thoughtful. In truth, she hadn’t fully recovered from the ordeal. Too often, she found herself staring at a spot, her mind blank, trying to engage but failing.

Is that what had happened to Kane? Was that why he seldom spoke? How many great leaps had the enemy agent taken in his life? It must have done something to him.

“A word of advice,” Kane rumbled from his chair.

Meta tore her gaze from the bay door to regard the bruiser.

“Do not speak to a superior unless he first addresses you,” Kane said. “Try to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ if you can. If that proves impossible, keep your answers as short as you can. On no account should you stare into a superior’s eyes, which means you should keep your gaze downcast, preferably aimed at the floor.”

“Are you a superior?” Meta asked.

The hint of a frown tightened Kane’s mouth. “That is a shrewd question. The answer is no.”

“You’re not a New Man?”

“I have already said on former occasions I am not. I suppose you realize I am not one of the untamed either.”

“What exactly are you then?”

“To some, I am a failed experiment. To others, I am a cipher to use in the Great War.”

“I don’t understand,” Meta said.

“It doesn’t matter. The important thing to remember is that you can gain status if you cooperate. If you persist in mulish resistance, they will take you to the teachers.”

“Why did you kidnap me, Kane? What was the real reason?”

“Because I couldn’t get to Doctor Rich.”

“I’m a second choice?”

Kane tapped a control before standing. “It appears you have useful genetic material. I doubt the superiors will destroy you. Strive to please them. That means strict obedience. In that way, you may retain some of your former personality.”

“What does that mean?”

“My words are clear enough for someone of your intelligence. Come, we must get ready.”

Meta hesitated. She didn’t want to board a star cruiser. She’d gotten a glimpse of a New Man on Loki Prime. That had been before Maddox came down with Ensign Maker. The incident seemed like a lifetime ago now.

Before Kane had to speak again, she rose. The scout headed for the opening. She was their prisoner. With a growing sense of dread and helplessness, Meta headed for the hatch, following Kane.

***

Meta and Kane walked down an empty corridor aboard the star cruiser. So far, she hadn’t seen anyone. Was the ship automated?

Before leaving the scout, Kane had changed into a silver bodysuit. It made him seem even more like a gorilla with his big flat muscles and solid gait. If he’d seemed remote before, he practically seemed like a glacier now.

The big man halted before a closed hatch. “You’re in danger,” Kane whispered.

Meta peered at him in surprise.

Kane didn’t move or look at her, but stood stiffly, speaking without moving his lips. “No one has greeted us. It has forced me to come here, to Per Lomax. He is an—”

The hatch opened. As if someone had thrown a switch, Kane fell silent.

A golden-skinned New Man stood before them, with a spacious chamber behind him.

Kane bowed his head in silent greeting.

Meta compared the two beings. Kane was obviously heavier and had to be stronger. The lean other, this Per Lomax, stood taller by a head and exuded a regal quality. He wore a silver suit with a red emblem on his right pectoral. Per Lomax’s head was larger, with inky eyes and a pelt of hair. In a moment, Meta reevaluated her judgment. A palpable force or energy exuded from the New Man, giving him something greater than mere nobility.

What had Kane said before? Yes, he’d called this one a superior. Was that how Per Lomax thought of himself?

“She gapes at me,” the New Man said in a deep voice.

“Meta,” Kane said in warning.

She remembered his words and forced herself to look down. This was like Baron Chabot’s castle where she had entered as a lowly maid. There were times to feign fear and subservience. Meta did so now, hunching her shoulders.

“Interesting,” Per Lomax said. “She attempts subterfuge, thinking to trick me. You have treated her leniently during the voyage?”

“Yes,” Kane said.

“Do you like her?” Per Lomax asked.

“Yes,” Kane said.

The words shocked Meta. When had Kane ever shown that?

“It’s clear you hope to regain her after the inquiry.”

“Yes,” Kane said in the same monotone as before.

“It’s possible you have let her physical attributes sway your judgment. She is a delight to the eyes, I admit.”

Kane remained silent.

“Do you disagree with my preliminary assessment?” Per Lomax asked.

“Yes,” Kane said.

“You have grown bold during your absence from the Collective. Do you now seek individual satisfaction in life?”

It was the first time Kane hesitated. “I-I don’t know,” he said.

“A word of caution,” Per Lomax said, “as it appears you have forgotten a truth. The continued exposure to the untamed can sully one’s purity. It may be you need a session with the teacher. Do you volunteer for a meeting?”

“No,” Kane said.

“You claim to have retained your purity?”

“Yes.”

“Did you have relations with the woman?”

“No.”

“That was a wise decision,” Per Lomax said. “Sexual indulgence can sully one faster than improper ruminations.”

Kane bowed his head.

“Ah, you wish to speak. Yes… Speak, Kane. You have my leave.”

“The hunters on Wolf Prime are more individualistic than the untamed norm,” Kane said. “The teacher stratifies the mind in proper sequencing, this I know. Yet the stratification shows in ways that some of the untamed are able to perceive. If I go to the teacher, it may be harder for me to mingle among the hunters of Wolf Prime afterward.”

“Your second tier intellect correctly foresees your next assignment on Wolf Prime. You think to use that as a weight in your argument with me. This desire to avoid mental stratification does not bode well for your future, Kane. I detect a higher than average corruption to your rationality than a stay among the untamed should warrant. What occurred to cause this?”

“The only possible explanation I can perceive is that I used the Nexus again,” Kane said.

“What was your reasoning for the decision?”

“I suspected the humans—the untamed—would find a means to bring the ancient starship to Wolf Prime.”

“Elaborate,” Per Lomax said.

Meta wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard a faint sense of urgency to the New Man’s words. It dawned on her this was the same New Man Captain Maddox had faced in the Beyond.

Kane told Per Lomax what he knew about the ancient starship. Before he left the Solar System, his sources told him Star Watch Intelligence had sent Captain Maddox to the Oort cloud in an X72 Peregrine.

“The untamed are reacting with haste,” Kane said. “It seems they have stumbled onto their only solution.”

“They undoubtedly seek Professor Ludendorff,” Per Lomax said. “Interesting, interesting, they have finally reacted with optimum efficiency. I understand now why you used the Nexus. Your intellect served you well in this decision, Kane.”

The blocky man dipped his head.

“Their wisest move would be to come here,” Per Lomax said. “This is upsetting. Do you believe these actions are Captain Maddox’s doing?”

“Yes,” Kane said.

“It is past time we gained the ancient starship. If the Adok technologies were to fall to the untamed…” Per Lomax seemed to straighten. He reached out, putting the fingers of his right hand on Meta’s left shoulder.

They felt like steel bands digging into her flesh. His strength shocked Meta, and she realized the New Man might conceivably be stronger than Kane.

“You have gained your desire, Kane,” Per Lomax said. “The teacher can wait another day to straighten the deviancies your stay among the untamed has produced. You will be going down to the planet. As you surmised, we need an agent among the hunters. Ludendorff continues to elude us. But he won’t for much longer.”

Meta tried to twist free of the painful grip.

“She resists,” the New Man said. “You have been too lenient with her. She may be too far gone as a tool.”

“May I suggest an idea, Superior?” Kane asked.

As if his hand were a spring, Per Lomax released Meta’s shoulder.

This time Meta could tell a difference. The New Man stared at Kane. The force radiating from him increased. Per Lomax felt like an angry god, ready to hurl a thunderbolt. Despite herself, Meta cringed before the New Man.

“You dare to address me as an equal? This is presumption. I am sullied by your attempt.”

Kane went to one knee, bowing his head.

“I should destroy you,” Per Lomax said. “Not because I have been sullied by your action, although that is bad enough. It appears to me that you have begun to think independently of the Collective, with yourself as your focus. You seek self-actualization.”

Kane did not respond.

Per Lomax stirred, reaching to the blaster on his hip. “I perceive an outrage. Do you think to possess an insight beyond my knowledge?”

“I am forced to the truth,” Kane said. “By the Collective—”

“No! Do not swear by the Whole, you who are an untamed mite. This is sacrilege. Either—”

“I know how to capture the ancient starship,” Kane said, interrupting Per Lomax.

Meta waited for the thunderbolt to strike. In this instance, Per Lomax need merely draw his blaster and fire. The superior didn’t move, though, and Kane remained on one knee with his head bowed. Finally, Meta shifted her head enough to glance at Per Lomax.

The New Man stared at Kane with a burning intensity, as if he could melt Kane’s mind with his gaze.

“You have staked your continued existence on a presumption,” Per Lomax said in a heavy voice. “Speak now in the seconds remaining to you.”

Kane said nothing.

The superior glanced at Meta. “You do not wish her to hear your words?”

“No,” Kane said.

“Then I give you leave for introspection,” Per Lomax said. “I will study the specimen and send her to the teacher before returning to hear your supposed truth.”

Kane remained as he was.

“There is more?” Per Lomax asked.

“Yes,” Kane said.

Per Lomax looked up at the ceiling. The fingers of his right hand twitched. “State it,” he said.

“If my plan is worthy,” Kane said, “it is possible you will have other plans for the…the specimen.”

“You claim to need her?”

“Yes,” Kane said.

Per Lomax looked down upon Kane. “I had not anticipated these changes in you. Your life is a second tier resource, yet it has proven of worth in the past. Now, you risk this loss to the Collective. Your destruction will mar my record and conceivably retard my advancement. For the sake of the Whole, I hope you have risked wisely.”

Without another word, Per Lomax wrapped his steely fingers around Meta’s neck, propelling her deeper into the chamber.

***

Meta only remembered a little of what occurred in the chamber. Per Lomax first injected her with
fungoid vigils
, a green solution. It made her sleepy, but the New Man wouldn’t let her lie down or even sit. She stood, addressing him as if he was her father.

The superior spoke in a haughty manner, firing off questions concerning her journey and about Kane. Per Lomax wanted to know minutiae, mainly concerning her feelings about the various things she had witnessed.

A few of the questions bothered Meta later. Those were the things she truly recalled.

“Do you desire to procreate with Kane?” Per Lomax asked.

“Have his children?” she asked.

“That is a symptom of procreation, of course. That is often not the originator for the desire. Do you want him to mount you?”

“You make it sound as if we’re dogs.”

“Ferals have a potential for rationality. This we understand. The evidence, however, suggests that only a tiny ratio practice higher-level reasoning. It’s conceivable you can think objectively, although the probabilities are low.”