Escape 1: Escape From Aliens (18 page)

Bright Sparkle raised a color-coded arm. “I hail our Captain! And our Senior Crewman! They have saved us from forced labor!”

Sounds came from all the assembled people. The only sounds he recognized as cheers came from Bright Sparkle and Learned Escape, who seemed able to imitate most any sound with their shoulder speakers.

“Thank you!” Jane said loudly. “Now listen! Shortly I will send hover bots to each of you. Follow those bots to habitat rooms of your choice. Speak to them and our ship mind, whose name is Star Traveler, will answer any question. You may eat synthetic food at the Food Chamber, bath in the Water Pool Chamber and see green shrubs, small trees, flowers and other plants in the Greenery Chamber.” She paused as silvery hover bots came down from the ceiling and flew out to each Alien. “The gravity you feel now is what is normal for our world of Earth. However, in your habitat room, you can tell Star Traveler to adjust the gravity to what is normal for your species. And be assured, eventually we will visit the home star and home world of each of you, there to return you home!”

Lofty Flyer flared her brown tail. “Captain, what if I do not wish to return home? This star traveling is a wonder! I have no spouse or children on Tall Trees. I would love to stay aboard this spacecraft!”

Multiple calls came from other former captives, too many for quick translation. Jane waved to Lofty, then raised her own hand high. That movement brought about quiet from the gathered Aliens.

“People who I hope will be my friends, Bill and I occupy two function stations on the Command Bridge of this spaceship. With the help of the ship’s computer mind, we fought a space battle and escaped from the star system where Diligent planned to sell each of you. But we need more crewmembers. There are five more crew stations that still need to be managed by people. Or bioforms as we are called by Star Traveler.”

Loud barking came from the Cheelan named Purposeful Guide. “Me! Choose me for this labor!”

Jane again held her hand up high. Quiet eventually came. “I have listened to each of you. I have heard what work you each did on your own world. Hear my choices for crew assignments!” Bill wondered if he was imagining Alien versions of people straining forward. After all, some of the freed captives were ground-huggers with multiple legs. Jane looked his way, caught his nod of agreement, and faced back to the people they had freed. “As Captain of this vessel, I choose Time Marker of the Slinkeroo to serve at the Engines function post. Next, I choose Long Walker of the Zipziptoe to oversee our Collector Pods Chamber. The pods work outside this ship and do many tasks faster and safer than a bioform in a tube suit.” She paused, scanning the nearer people. “I choose Purposeful Guide to manage our Life Support function. He has the training to do well in that job. Next, I choose Bright Sparkle of the Megun to oversee our Fusion Plants. We have three of them that power all systems on this ship. She has done similar work on her own world.” Bill watched the body language of each person and species as Jane spoke. It was amazing how body language varied among the different kinds of people who stood or squatted on the side walkways. “Finally, I choose Lofty Flyer to serve as our Navigator whenever this ship is in normal space-time. Her people are born flyers. And she has piloted aircraft and spacecraft. The rest of you, know that I appreciate your willingness to help. If other ship functions need bioform help, I will contact you. Meanwhile, follow the hover bots to your new habitat quarters.”

Three of the assembled people followed their bots down to the other airlock door, through it and then into the hallway leading to the Engine chamber, though they would be led along the side hallway to the other side of the ship. Where food, water, greenery and rest awaited them. The five Aliens named by Jane looked her way.

“Star Traveler,” Jane called out, “I hereby designate Time Marker, Long Walker, Purposeful Guide, Bright Sparkle and Lofty Flyer as new crewmembers. They may enter the Command Bridge and all other ship chambers except for Weapons, the Mok and Doman cells, and the Transport ships.”

“Understood,” the AI said calmly. “New crewmembers are now added to this ship’s function registry.”

Jane waved to the five new crewmembers. Who, like the smart people they were, had not moved from their walkways. They awaited a command from their Captain. “Come join me and Bill. We are heading back to the Command Bridge. There’s a lot we need to show you before we arrive at the Ludeen system!”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

On the Command Bridge, Bill and Jane sat at their control stations in the minutes before the ship arrived at the Ludeen star system of HD 168443. Before him floated the multiple holos that served his Ship Weapons station. Between him and the holos was a silvery metal pillar topped with touch controls for the ship’s offensive weaponry. Behind him and to the right sat Jane in her captain’s seat. Elevated on the command pedestal, she overlooked them all. A ring of holos and control pillars surrounded her. What was new this time were the crewmembers who occupied five function stations to Bill’s right.

Next to him was Bright Sparkle, the human-like Megun woman whose naked skin rippled with colors. She had quickly learned the controls for the Fusion Power station. Like him she sat in a form-fitting metal seat that had risen up from the metal deck. Beyond her Time Marker rested on his belly on the metal bench that had risen from the floor. The Slinkeroo walking snake scanned the holos that depicted the Magfield and Stardrive engines that moved the
Blue Sky
through space and time. Next in line was the segmented worm shape of Long Walker, who also rested atop a bench. The Zipziptoe’s duty station was the Collector Pods, a dozen of which filled the chamber reserved for them. The pods were small teardrop-shaped devices that had manipulating arms for the recovery of devices, people and anything else someone wanted, whether in space or on a planet. Fourth in line was Purposeful Guide, the kangaroo-like Cheelan reptile whose red eyes were fixed on his own group of holos. Guide stood before his control pillar, his thick tail braced against the metal deck. The Cheelan preferred to stand rather than sit on a bench. Last was their Navigator, Lofty Flyer the flying squirrel whose constant movement of arms, legs, pug-nose, and brown eyes seemed normal for the species. She looked his way, her expression excited.

Once more Bill scanned the holos that ringed his station. On the left glowed the local system graphic, which now showed the orbital tracks of the five worlds in the Ludeen system. Ahead was the ship interior schematic which showed each weapons system, its location, its power levels and the firing angles possible for each weapon. Next to the ship schematic was a true space holo, which for the moment showed black nothingness. Once they entered normal space-time, stars would shine in it, along with the white dots of planets and the yellow glare of the system’s G5V star. To his right hovered a holo that showed Jane at her station. Dressed in a green jumpsuit, her Browning Hi-Power hanging from her belt, her gaze was fixed on her own group of holos. Noticing his look at her, she gave him an easy smile.

“Senior Crewman and Weapons Chief Bill MacCarthy, how are you today?”

“Captain, I’m fine.” Perhaps her upbeatness came from the quickness with which their five new crewmembers had seen, understood and then engaged with the function stations assigned to each of them. Or maybe it was due to eight hours of sleep and the pancakes, eggs sunny-side up and bacon strips breakfast that he had cooked for her using the synthesizer of the Food Chamber. “And as this ship’s only Chief Petty Officer, I can report our other passengers are doing equally well. Though our Winglo avians did label our Aelthorp folks as ‘pretend flyers’.”

Her smile turned serious as she looked away from him and scanned their new crewmembers. “Well, adjustments take time. I am pleased with our new crewmembers. And with our guests. They are fascinating, cooperative and peaceful.” She rechecked her ring of holos. They showed everything his did plus there were views of vital chambers like Engines, Transport, Fusion Plants, Fuel and Air Production. “Star Traveler, advise me before we enter normal space-time.”

“Instruction accepted,” the AI said, its tone calm and peaceful.

Bill reached down and touched the cool Pachmayr grip of his Federal Ordinance .45 semi-auto. Peaceful things had been, ever since they’d locked up the Mok cougar people. And while he and Jane had left their backpacks, with the taser and laser tube weapons in their private habitat rooms, still, he was surrounded by twelve people from seven different species. He was not about to let down his guard. “Captain, what do we know about this Ludeen system? Beyond the presence of five planets?”

The holo of Jane showed her looking his way. “Well, the
Blue Sky
will arrive just outside the orbit of planet five. Which lies 2.87 AU out from the local star. Planet four is Green Land, home world of the Ludeen. It lies within the liquid water ecozone at 1.5 AU. Planet three is a gas giant world located at 0.29 AU. Inward are the rocky worlds two and one, which lie at two-tenths and one-tenth AU from the star. Which makes planet one tidally locked. Like how our Moon always keeps one side facing Earth.”

“Thanks.” Bill checked the ship’s EMF sensors. They would tell him whenever any microwaves, lasers, radio or solid objects approached the
Blue Sky
. “Ship Weapons station is at full power with all weapons operational. Ship sensors are activated.”

“Captain,” called Star Traveler, “this vessel will exit Alcubierre space-time and re-enter normal space-time within three seconds.”

Shit
. That was not much of a warning.

“Really?” Jane sounded as if she too was unhappy with the short notice. “In the future, advise me of such an emergence at least five minutes before this ship re-enters normal space-time.”

“Understood,” the AI said in a tone that suggested surprise.

Bright stars flared before Bill as the true space holo went active. Five white dots appeared with the yellow star at the center. One of the dots was large and nearby.

A low hum sounded. “Ship has arrived safely,” Star Traveler said. “No moving neutrino sources. There is no other Collector ship in this system.

Bill blinked. “Star Traveler, what are the odds that we’d arrive in a system which is being visited by another Collector ship? Space is big.”

Jane’s holo showed her looking his way. She seemed irritated by his question that came during ship status reports. He gave her a shrug.

A low hum echoed through the room. “The odds are very good that we would encounter another Collector ship,” the AI said, its tone sounding smug. “In fact, just before this ship left your Sol system another Collector ship arrived just outside the orbit of your world Pluto. Low tech star systems are popular places to obtain captives. And there are 95 Collector ships roaming the Orion Arm.”

“Enough distraction,” Jane said impatiently. “Crewmembers, continue your status reports.”
 

Chittering came from the Navigation station. “Planet five lies directly ahead of us,” said Lofty Flyer. “Planet four is on our side of the star, but behind us by twenty degrees. At a distance of two AU. The system’s three other worlds are orbiting on the far side of the star.”

“Life Support is stable,” said Purposeful Guide in a series of sharp barks.

“Magfield ship engines are engaged,” hissed Time Marker.

To his right Bright Sparkles gave him a quick smile. “All three fusion power plants are operating at full power, with proper plasma containment,” she said, her bare skin flickering with a dozen color stripes that flowed, bunched, reformed and sometimes vanished.

A low moan sounded. “Collector Pods are ready for external dispatch,” said Zipziptoe as the segmented worm’s front leg-hands tapped on its control pedestal.

“Crew, thank you for those reports,” Jane said firmly. “Star Traveler, that planet ahead of us does not look like a normal gas giant. It’s beyond gigantic. What is it?”

A low hum echoed through the Command Bridge. “Your astronomers have classified it as a brown dwarf. A failed star. Its mass is 17.3 times the mass of your system’s Jupiter.”

“Amazing,” barked Purposeful Guide.

“Thank you,” Jane said. “Navigator Lofty Flyer, adjust this ship’s vector so we rendezvous with planet four, or Green Land.”

Chittering speech filled his ears before the buds translated. “Vector line adjustment made. We will pass well outside the moon system of the brown dwarf gas world. Speed is one-tenth lightspeed. Arrival at Green Land is expected within two hours, 43 minutes Earth time.”

Mentally Bill gave thanks for the simplicity of their task. The Ludeen home world was on their side of the system. No doubt other Earth-like worlds would lie opposite their arrival point, when they visited other stars. Like the home star of the two Winglo avians. Dismissing future worries he focused on the dotted green line that the system graphic holo now showed for their projected vector course. The vector would take them through this system’s asteroid belt. While he understood all such belts had vast distances between each asteroid, still, crossing a belt was not like crossing open space. He tapped the top of his control pedestal and aimed several ship sensor dishes at the spot where the ship would cross the belt.

“Bill?” called Jane. “My ship holo says you have changed some ship sensors. Why?”

He explained quickly. “If there is going to be a small asteroid along our vector path, I want to know in plenty of time to zap it with our gas lasers. Or our plasma batteries. At our speed, we can pass through that asteroid belt in the blink of an eye.”

“Good point.” Her holo showed her looking around the Command Bridge. “All stations, all crew, be alert to the unexpected. While the Ludeen do not have people-manned spacecraft, they do have satellites in orbit. And also ground-based lasers. According to our Ludeen guests. But their people may have done more than was known to Mellow of the Mountains and Happy of the Tree.”

Lofty Flyer flared her arms as if preparing to jump from one tree to another. “This Navigation station includes data feeds from the sensors activated by Weapons Chief Bill,” she chittered. “Be assured, I will fly this wondrous craft up and around any obstacle!”

In the holo to his right Jane sat back in her captain’s seat, laid her hands in her lap and stared at her own holos. “Crew, thank you for your reports. Your Captain can now relax.”

Bill smiled to himself. Jane’s words were meant for the five new crewmembers. He’d spent enough time with her to know she never relaxed when on duty, nor did she assume a peaceful future. From what she’d told him of her time at Peterson, monitoring the orbits of military and commercial satellites, always on the lookout for an anti-satellite vehicle, or a sudden deorbiting of a low Earth orbit vehicle, he knew she took her ship command job seriously. She acted as if lives depended on her actions. Which they did. Counting the two Mok and two Doman people still in their cells, there were eighteen lives at risk every moment this ship did anything in normal space-time.

♦   ♦   ♦

“Ship
Blue Sky
is within five orbital diameters of the world Green Land,” Lofty Flyer chittered calmly. “Ship speed has slowed to orbital escape velocity for the world below us.”

They’d passed through the asteroid belt without incident, though they’d passed within 300 miles of a city-sized asteroid. More importantly, Bill had not had to use any of the ship’s energy weapons. Jane had warned him their use might be detected by home world Ludeen. Which detection could make more risky their arrival above the green and blue world. Which seemed to be a near duplicate of Earth, thanks to the several oceans they saw by way of the ship’s electro-optical telescopes.

“Thank you, Navigator,” Jane said calmly. She changed the angle of her attention. “Crewmember Long Walker, are our two Ludeen guests safely aboard their two collector pods?”

“They are,” moaned the Zipziptoe worm. “Each is eager to return home.”

Jane gave a sharp nod. “Understood. Are the pods targeted for a remote landscape arrival? On the night side of the planet?”

“They are,” Long Walker said. “Ready to launch upon your order.”

“Navigator? Status?” called Jane.

“Ship is within one orbital diameter of the world Green Land,” chittered their brown-furred flying squirrel. “Ship vector has been adjusted to a high orbit well above the comlink satellites. No sign of any independent launch vehicle being active beyond low orbit.”

Jane gave a sigh. “Long Walker, launch the two collector pods with our guests.”

“Launching pods,” called the segmented worm who thought vacuum and stellar radiation were a minor bother.

Bill grimaced as he recalled how Diligent the giant cockroach had lied to the ship mind when it said the captives in the containment cells were ‘guests’ who had come aboard of their own free will. Now, he’d achieved his five main objectives upon learning of his captivity. He’d escaped, pursued the cockroach, captured him, captured his ship and now he and Jane were returning home the first captives.

The true space holo in front of him had moved from showing black space and colorful stars to depicting the green land and blue oceans of the world below. Inside, he ached. So much did it resemble Earth, resemble the world where he’d hiked, caught fish, slept outdoors, watched meteors streak across the night sky, and gotten drunk with his buddies at Jack’s Deep Six saloon.

“Pods have released our Ludeen guests,” moaned Long Walker. “They were not detected. They are returning to this ship.”

Bill fought the temptation to relax. He’d been tense ever sense arriving in the Ludeen system. Any star system had both the known and the unknown in it. They’d crossed local space safely, orbited the world of Green Land and had now released the first two captives back on their home world. The two Ludeen had said they would tell other Ludeen of their capture, survival, freeing by him and Jane, and their joy at meeting people from other worlds. He and Jane had nodded, said that was fine, but he doubted the two Ludeen would be believed by their authorities. The
Blue Sky
was invisible, thanks to its ability to wrap all EMF emissions around the ship’s hull. Plus, the ship did not emit a drive flare like a missile or rocket or Apollo-style spaceship. One of the few arguments he and Jane had was over whether to alert the planetary authorities of this and other systems to the existence of Collector ships. He’d warned against it, saying Collector ship detection was nigh impossible. She’d argued for the public alert. Now, all was quiet and peaceful aboard the
Blue Sky
. Departure for the Winglo system—