The Lost Patrol (24 page)

Maddox became thoughtful. A Swarm Imperium hadn’t seemed so awful before. Now, that they might have found the outer edge, might be close to the Swarm, in fact, a dread of the Swarm tightened the captain’s gut. With a mental effort, he pushed that aside. He must concentrate. He must use his wits.

“Why didn’t the Swarm colonize the star system?” Maddox asked.

“The reason is obvious,” Ludendorff said. “I’m surprised you have to ask. This must have been a hardy species full of fight. In that way, they were like the Adoks.”

“We know that Builders helped the Adoks prepare for the Swarm. Did Builders help this race?”

Ludendorff’s jaw dropped as he peered at Maddox in wonder. “That is a tantalizing question. I just thought of another. If a Builder didn’t help this race, it would seem this was more than just a one-system species.”

“How do you conclude that?”

“The Adoks had a Builder to aid them, yes? If this race did not have a Builder, it might have had more star systems as an industrial base. That would allow them the capacity to build a massive fleet. That would give the Swarm a reason for an extinction-level fight. Given that, maybe the other species still survives in a nearby star system.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you said this attack happened four hundred years ago.”

“That’s nothing when races fight an interstellar war at sub-light speeds,” Ludendorff said. “Such a conflict could take thousands of years. Ah, I see your confusion. The Swarm might have miscalculated. Don’t you see? One of their invasion fleets might have been annihilated before they finally destroyed this star system. That would naturally increase the duration of the conflict. Oh, there is so much to study out here. We must begin scanning the other star systems for technological signs at once.”

“How could that possibly matter to us now?” Maddox asked. “Unless we find
Victory
, none of us will ever travel to another star system again.”

“Your statement is imprecise. As long as we have food, air and energy, we can travel to another star. Have you looked out there? Many of the stars are nearer than one light-year.”

“Professor—”

The intercom crackled. “Sir,” Keith said. “You’d better come forward. I’ve found
Victory
, but she looks to be in a bad way. Even worse, enemy craft are accelerating toward her.”

-40-

Maddox studied the shuttle’s main screen.

Lieutenant Maker pinpointed Starship
Victory’s
position. It was on the outer edge of the system at a point farther than Pluto would have been from Earth. The ancient Adok vessel had been hidden behind a larger-than-average asteroid, but had finally drifted out from behind it.

“Have you hailed them?” Maddox asked.

“Yes, sir,” Keith said. “I did it the instant I spotted them. It’s going to take some time for our message to reach them, though.”

Maddox nodded absently. Because their messages could only travel at the speed of light, the message would take hours to reach the starship and then hours for the return message to come back. The image they saw of
Victory
was hours old.

“There are three enemy vessels heading for the starship,” Keith said.

Maddox read the specs on the alien ships. “Is that right?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Keith said. “They’re approximately destroyer-sized but have the mass of a cruiser or greater. Those are dense ships, sir. I don’t know why, but they must be almost completely made of solid metal. Where’s the room for the crew?”

Ludendorff floated up, studying the specs. “Very odd,” the professor muttered.

Maddox silently agreed. Instead of hollow spheres, the alien vessels were like cannonballs except for their teardrop shape. The alien ships accelerated, building up velocity as they headed for distant
Victory
.

“How long will it take the aliens to reach
Victory
?” Maddox asked.

“That depends on whether they accelerate all the way there or decelerate in order to board her,” Keith said. He studied his board “The soonest they can get there is thirty-six hours.”

“They possess a primitive drive,” Ludendorff said. “They’re certainly slower than Star Watch vessels.”

“A whole lot slower,” Keith agreed. “I wouldn’t have spotted our starship, but I calculated the aliens’ direction of travel and wondered what they were headed toward.”

“Could those so-called ships be mines?” Maddox asked.

“If they are,” Keith said, “they’re a lot different from the mines we’ve seen so far.”

“Those are not Swarm vessels,” Ludendorff declared. “I suspect those are the ships of the beings that battled the Swarm.”

Maddox sat back, thinking. “It seems to me you can only know that if you recognize the type of ship. Thrax Ti Ix used saucer-shaped vessels, which seemed most unSwarmlike.”

“Calm yourself, Captain,” Ludendorff said. “I do not recognize the ships. I have never been this far out before. Like you, the farthest I’ve been from Earth was the Dyson sphere. I am speaking from my long years as a Swarm archeologist. The configuration of those vessels and their density does not match any known Swarm design. That is not conclusive proof, mind you, but I am going with that in lieu of anything else.”

“Why is
Victory
inactive?” Maddox asked.

“The likeliest reason is some form of hyper-spatial shock,” Ludendorff said.

“We can’t let the aliens board
Victory
,” Keith said.

“What do you suggest we do?” the professor asked. “If we launch one of our drones, we might destroy one of their ships, although I don’t know if our drones have sufficient blast-power to take apart one of those dense vessels. If we attack them, we will have certainly created alien enemies. Gentlemen, we are stranded far from home with a limited supply of everything. We need friends more than enemies right now.”

“We need Starship
Victory
,” Keith said.

“Granted,” the professor said. “But what if we can’t help
Victory
in time?”

“Your logic escapes me,” Maddox said. “We will do everything in our power to save the starship. We have two long-range drones. Otherwise, we have a few anti-torpedoes and energy for our laser.” The captain addressed Keith. “Get ready to launch the drones.”

“You don’t even know if they’re enemies or not,” Ludendorff said.

“Anything threatening
Victory
is my enemy,” Maddox said. “Our starship is also the only way home. More importantly…the vessel holds my crew.”

“You were going to say something else, I believe, Captain,” Ludendorff said, studying him.

“Nevertheless,” Maddox said. He turned to Keith. “Launch the first drone.”

“Captain,” Ludendorff said. “You are premature in your estimation of the situation. Perhaps the aliens are humanitarians wishing to help our vessel. Let us try diplomacy first.”

“Can you speak the alien language?”

“I have no idea.”

“We will launch the drones in order to work them into position,” Maddox said. “Then, you may attempt your diplomacy.”

Ludendorff nodded. “You’re inflexible, I see. Very well, go ahead.”

“Meta,” Maddox said. He distrusted the professor when the man became this reasonable. And in this desperate situation, there was no margin for error.

Meta drew her stunner, aiming it at Ludendorff.

“Captain,” the Methuselah Man said. “This is quite unnecessary. We are in this situation together.”

“I applaud your intellect and resources,” Maddox told the professor. “I do not always approve of your high-handed actions, however. I hope you’ll excuse me if I practice some caution in this most precarious moment.”

“My boy, at the moment, I’m powerless to do anything against your wishes.”

Maddox smiled coldly. “You could self-destruct the drones as easily as the three of us could. We only have the two. Until the drones strike, I’m placing you in confinement.”

“That is rash,” Ludendorff said. “You know I have a long memory regarding these actions.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Maddox said. “If we survive this expedition, I hope you will adjust your schemes accordingly while aboard my ship. Meta.”

She waved her stunner at the hatch.

Ludendorff shrugged, floating for the exit.

“If he tries anything or even hesitates too much,” Maddox told Meta. “Stun him.”

She nodded, with her gaze fixed on the professor. The two of them exited the command cabin.

“Are you ready?” Maddox asked Keith.

“Yes, sir.”

“Launch when ready.”

Keith manipulated his board and finally tapped it.

The small craft shuddered. A drone drifted into view. Finally, the engine ignited, a long blue tail growing behind it. The drone sped for the nearest alien vessel, with the proximity device on maximum to avoid debris and asteroids. Five minutes later, Keith launched the second drone.

Maddox exhaled, and the two men exchanged glances.

“It’s our turn to accelerate,” Maddox said.

“I don’t think so,” a softly feminine voice said.

Maddox spun around. The Spacer was awake, aiming a tiny tube at him.

-41-

“This is embarrassing,” Maddox said. “I thought you were out.”

“I have been listening for some time,” Shu said.

Maddox studied her as she spoke. He couldn’t see her eyes, making his analysis more difficult but not impossible. She seemed sharp. If she had been dazed upon first waking, her feigning sleep had given her time to adjust.

“First,” she said, “we will destroy those drones.”

“I would like you to reconsider,” Maddox said.

“Do not delay, Captain. Destroy the drones or I will shoot the young lieutenant.”

“Me?” Keith asked. “I saved your life. Besides, I thought you liked me.”

“I do,” she said, smiling briefly. “But first I must fulfill my mission. I hope you will not hold that against me.”

“No…” Keith said, glancing at the captain. “I understand duty.”

“Thank you,” she said, giving him another smile, this one more potent than the first.

“But I can’t destroy the two drones unless the captain gives the word,” Keith said. “You’re delightfully beautiful, but I guess the sergeant had it right. I can’t let beauty sway me. That will only get me into trouble.”

“You are in serious trouble,” Shu said, “as I am about to kill you unless you do as I say.”

“Captain?” Keith asked. “What should I do?”

“Provost Marshal—” Maddox said.

“I am a Surveyor First Class,” Shu said, interrupting him.

“Surveyor, the alien ships are accelerating to
Victory
. The starship is our ticket home.”

“You are wrong, Captain. I dearly hope you’re not going to force my hand in this. I find your lieutenant unbearably attractive. I will mourn for a year or longer if I’m forced to kill him.”

“Don’t do it then,” Keith said.

“Duty first,” she said.

“What duty?” Maddox asked. “Did you destroy the Nexus on purpose?”

“No more tricks, Captain. Destroy the drones at once. I will not stand for any more delaying tactics.”

Maddox turned to a white-faced Keith. “Begin acceleration, Lieutenant. We have a long way to go, and we want to get there before the aliens reach
Victory
.”

Keith cleared his throat.

“Don’t worry about her weapon,” Maddox said. “It’s as inert as the majority of the Swarm mines.”

“You lie,” Shu said.

“Provost Marshal,” Maddox said. “Give me a little credit. I deactivated all your weapons while you were unconscious.”

The Spacer hesitated a moment longer. Then, still aiming the tube at Keith, she pressed a switch. Nothing happened.

“You just tried to murder me,” Keith said. “You’ve been lying to me.”

“You’re a stupid young animal,” Shu said coldly. “How could you imagine that I would willingly rut with you?”

Keith blushed crimson.

Maddox studiously avoided looking at the young lieutenant, giving him time to gather himself.

“Live and learn,” Keith finally muttered, trying to sound jocular. It didn’t work. He sounded hurt. Without a word, he turned toward his panel. “Hang on,” he muttered.

Maddox barely sat down in time, pressing a klaxon. As it began to blare, the shuttle started heavy acceleration.

Maddox turned on the intercom. “Meta, are you okay?”

“I am,” she answered over the intercom a moment later. “But I hit my forehead. How about giving us more warning next time?”

Maddox glanced at Keith.

With a few taps, Keith lowered the rate of acceleration. Then he stared at the screen as if absorbed with the stars.

Maddox faced Shu. “What is the nature of the race that controls those spaceships?”

“I have no idea,” the Spacer said sullenly.

“That is illogical. You must have some idea. Otherwise, why did you wish to destroy our drones to save them?”

Shu did not respond.

“Why did you choose this star system to travel to?”

Shu shrugged.

“You can do better than that,” Maddox said. “You deliberately took us here. I would like to know your reason.”

The Spacer didn’t shrug this time. She just sat motionlessly.

“You’re trapped on this side of the hyper-spatial tube just like we are,” Maddox said.

Shu regarded him. “Your vaunted starship is doomed. I…know this place from our legends. I can save your life, but you will have to do exactly as I say.”

Maddox exhaled. “The Visionary called me
di-far
. I am a man of decision. Do you suppose I will sit here while aliens attack my starship? Do you think I will let the woman with the answers sit comfortably with me as I watch my people die? If so, let me suggest another possibility. You will soon scream in agony. The old conventions do not inhibit me. You have set your will against mine. So be it. You will now begin to talk, or you will pay the price.”

“Your threats mean nothing to me.”

“Very well,” Maddox said. “To show you I am in earnest—” He shoved off his seat, reached her and grasped her right hand in a lock. She struggled to no avail.

“You tried to kill my pilot,” Maddox said, his face inches from hers. “That was heartless, particularly as he saved your life just before the Nexus exploded.”

“Do your worst,” she whispered.

Maddox grasped her pinky finger, and with a wrench, he broke it.

Shu sucked in her breath, turning white.

Maddox released her, floating back to his chair. The lieutenant stared at him wide-eyed and shocked at the brutality.

Shu moaned as she cradled her hand.

“I’m waiting,” Maddox said, sounding as inflexible as steel.

Shu stared at him. “You have no idea who I am. If you won’t listen to me—” She concentrated.

“Sir,” Keith shouted. “One of the drones just detonated.”

Maddox shifted on his seat as if to lunge at her again.

“Hold,” Shu said in a hoarse voice. “If you come at me, I will destroy the last drone. Then, I will self-destruct our power plant. You have maimed me! This is sacrilege.”

“Who are you?” Maddox asked.

“Shu 15.”

“What does that mean?”

“How can I explain it to a barbarian? You preen on your quickness, never realizing that you are dead of soul. How can you conceive of the greatness of my mission? Your starship is so precious to you. What a sick joke. It is a freakish Builder construct.”

“The Spacers are Builder in origin,” Maddox pointed out.

“Yes! Your Builder was a freak. That is what I mean by freakish. Look at what it did, unleashing the Methuselah Men on humanity. Those monsters could only create in their own image, the New Men indeed. The new barbarians leading humanity down a mechanical path of subjection.”

“What are you if not another curiosity?” Maddox asked.

Shu grinned starkly. “I am of the Noble House. I understand matters of the spirit. I use my mind instead of my muscles. I am going to help unleash a golden age on humanity and on the universe. Do you think I’m going to let someone like you stop me?”

“How can you go on if you self-destruct the power plant?” Maddox asked.

“How you strive and search for answers you cannot understand. Do you see this great wreck of a star system? It shows me that the legends and stellar maps are correct. I am nearing the wondrous prize that will elevate the Spacers a thousand years sooner than otherwise.”

“The Swarm destroyed this star system,” Maddox said. “That means the Swarm must be near.”

“Meaningless,” Shu said.

“Who are in those spaceships out there? Are they Spacers?”

A look of concentration came over Shu. At the same time, the hatch swung open and Meta floated through. She had a large bruise on her forehead. Shu half turned. Meta raised the stunner and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened.

“Fool,” Shu said.

Maddox’s hand blurred. He hurled his long-barreled gun, the weapon flying through the cabin. It struck Shu on the head, causing her to slump in her seat.

Meta looked up at him. “Why didn’t my stunner fire?”

“She must have shorted it,” Maddox said. “She used her Builder devices to cause a drone to self-destruct. She must have sent a shuttle signal to the drone.”

Meta collected the floating pistol.

Maddox jumped across the cabin. He opened a medikit and took out a hypo. Floating to Shu, he made ready to inject her.

“What are you doing?” Meta asked.

“We can’t let her wake up again,” he said. “I’m making sure she stays out.”

“If she’s that dangerous,” Meta said, “we should kill her.”

Maddox shook his head. “She knows things we need to learn. We need her. But we can’t afford to let her use her devices again.”

“Surgery?” Meta asked.

“If we can get to
Victory
,” Maddox said. “Until then, we have to keep her under.”

“What do you think she hopes to find out here?” Meta asked.

That was an interesting question. Maddox had an idea, but he wasn’t ready to say what it was just yet.

He gave Shu the injection, rubbing her arm afterward.

“He broke her little finger,” Keith said, with mingled disbelief and disappointment. “He just got up, grabbed her hand and broke the pinky. You’re ruthless—sir.”

Maddox said nothing.

“Even after what she said to me,” Keith said, “I never could have done what you did.”

“It was business,” Maddox said.

“I know,” Keith said. “I’m just saying, sir. I guess that’s part of what makes me me and you you.”

“I’m going to strap the Spacer onto a med unit,” Maddox said. “Afterward, we need to increase our acceleration. We have one drone to help us even the odds. Then, our shuttle must face two dense ships. If we hope to save
Victory
, we’re going to have to figure out a way to defeat those last two vessels.”

“That’s providing our drone can take out one of them,” Keith said.

“Yes,” Maddox said. “There is that.”