X-Calibur: The Trial (3 page)

“It would,” Caran Doc agreed. “Tell Miltren to request whatever he needs. Let me worry about the Round Table.”

*****

It took three jumps for the probe to get close enough to the hive ship to decipher the entire message. The sky was dark over Camelot, but Arthur and the others were eager to hear it as soon as it was available. As they hurried into the hangar atop the Tor, Gar-Wan was already there, waiting for them.

“What does it say?” Lance asked as he slowed his pace.

“We've been waiting for you to arrive,” Gar-Wan replied.

“Well, we're here,” Arthur said. “Play it.”

Merlin's image shimmered as he contacted the Ardent Dawn and requested they transmit the amplified signal. A hologram of Caran Doc appeared beside him just as the message began to play.

“Arthur,” it said, the voice clear and terrified. “Camelot has fallen. Mordred has taken control. His forces are unstoppable. Save us, please. You're our only hope.” As soon as it was finished it began again, a never ending loop of fear and desperation, tinged with a need for hope.

“That's all of it?” Arthur asked, just as confused as before, if not more so. “It still doesn't make any sense.”

“That's the entire message,” Caran Doc replied. “The probe is charging for another jump to take it closer to the hive ship, but my technicians are confident there's nothing else hidden in the signal.”

“But what does it mean?” Gwen asked. “Camelot is fine, and Mordred? The name sounds familiar.”

“You may recall, I told you of my half brother?” Merlin said.

“That's right!” Lance exclaimed. “Mordred. He was the one who Arthur killed at the Battle of Camelot?”

“The Battle of Camlann,” Merlin corrected. “But yes, that was where Mordred and Arthur had their final confrontation, with Arthur paying a mortal price for his victory.”

“I still don't understand,” Arthur said. “Why would the hive ship be sending a message about something that happened thousands of years ago? Arthur fought to free Camelot from Mordred's reign, and succeeded.”

“You did, my King,” Merlin said. Merlin's unwavering belief in the stories he'd told them was beginning to frustrate Arthur, knowing as he did that Merlin wasn't really the Merlin from the tales, but he couldn't say anything without shattering his entire identity.

“Yes,” Arthur said quietly, meeting Caran Doc's questioning gaze. “But still, why now?”

“The voice sounds Mori, not human,” Gar-Wan added. “If someone were trying to convince you this related to ancient Camelot, wouldn't they have used a human voice?”

“Play it again,” Arthur ordered, listening intently to every word and inflection. The Mori who was speaking sounded scared, terrified even, pleading with Arthur to save them. They played it three times, four, but each time was just as confusing as the last.

“I don't think we'll find any more answers this way,” Lance said as the message began to play for a fifth time.

“No, you're right,” Arthur agreed, pointing to Merlin to turn it off. “There's only one way we're going to find out what it means. We need to return to the hive.”

Chapter 2

The Hive

Earth Year 6239

“My King?” Merlin asked. “You can't be serious.”

“Hear him out,” Gar-Wan said. “We left a lot of good people behind on the hive ship; humans, Dorgans and Mori. If they're in danger, we owe it to them to consider it.”

“Exactly,” Arthur continued. “Whatever this message means, the only way we're going to get answers is to go and look for ourselves. If the people there need us, we should do what we can to help them.”

“I hate to say it,” Lance added, “but I agree with him. The code says we protect the weak and help the helpless. We filled the ships to capacity when we escaped, but we left so many people behind. If something's happened, we need to help if we can.”

“Gwen?” Arthur asked.

Gwen mulled it over, biting her lower lip as she thought. “I'm not so sure,” she said at last. “It's almost certainly a trap, and this could be just what they want.”

“Then let me go,” Caran Doc interrupted. “The Ardent Dawn will be able to offer assistance or defend itself against an attack by the hive ship.”

“No,” Arthur said. “We can't leave Earth vulnerable, and the Ardent Dawn is still our best defence against the Mori-Gran-Ra.”

“Then another from the fleet,” Caran Doc continued. “The Lambent Twilight perhaps?”

“Every Teleri vessel we take away from Earth leaves it vulnerable,” Arthur said. “Thank you, Caran Doc, I know you mean well, but Earth and the people here have to be our first priority.”

“Then what would you suggest?” Caran Doc asked.

“When we boarded the Lambent Twilight,” Arthur began, “we were able to fool the scanners into thinking we were someone else. Merlin, do you think we could do the same with the Vanguard?”

“I could make the hive ship believe it's one of the Mori-Gran-Ra's scout ships,” Merlin suggested. “It should be possible, but you'll still need to jump in close enough to the hive ship to investigate.”

“Maybe not,” Arthur replied. “Caran Doc, can the probe you sent make it all the way to the hive?”

“Yes,” Caran Doc said. “Do you intend to remain here until it arrives and completes a more detailed scan?”

“It's twenty-seven jumps to the hive,” Arthur said, “with eight hours in between. We can't afford to wait that long.”

“Then we'll need someone to interpret the readings from the probe,” Gwen said.

“I'll arrange for one of my officers to accompany-” Caran Doc began.

“We could ask Triltan?” Lance interrupted.

“No,” Caran Doc said forcefully. “I allowed her into harm's way before. Not again.” Lance deflated slightly but did his best to hide it.

“Thank you,” Arthur replied. “Whoever you send, we'll protect them.”

“I don't like this, Arthur,” Merlin said. “Why would they use that scoundrel Mordred's name? It gives me a bad feeling.”

“I don't know, ” Arthur agreed. “None of this makes any sense.”

“Then remain here, in Camelot until the probe completes its journey,” Merlin persisted.

“I can't,” Arthur said defiantly. “If they need us, we can't abandon them.”

“Wait, we agreed,” Gwen reminded them. “No more unilateral decisions. We should put it to a vote.”

“You're right,” Arthur said with a resigned smile. “Lance?”

“Yes,” Lance said. “I think we should go.”

“And I vote no,” Gwen said. “We should wait for the probe to scan the hive and decide then.”

“No,” Caran Doc said sternly.

“I have to vote yes,” Gar-Wan said. “If there's a chance we can help those we left behind, we have to try.”

“And you, Merlin?” Arthur asked when he remained silent.

“I'm but an advisor at this table,” Merlin said. “I don't believe I get a vote.”

“I say you do,” Arthur replied. “What do you think? Yes or no?”

Merlin appeared to think it over, looking at each of them in turn. Upon hearing Mordred's name he had been reminded of his time within the hive mainframe and the Mori security system who had pursued him. He recalled the fight they'd had, when the system almost had devoured him, but most of all he remembered the piercing blue eyes, so familiar, staring back at him from across the void.

If the security system had taken the name Mordred, what else had it taken? He wanted to say no, demand they stay on Earth where it was safe, but what if Mordred came anyway? Surely it was better to strike early than to allow him time to rebuild his forces?

“I fear for your safety,” Merlin said at last, “but I agree that someone must investigate this message. I can think of no one better qualified than you, my King.”

“Thank you, Merlin,” Arthur replied. “And I vote yes, so that's four to two in favour.”

“Wait,” Caran Doc interrupted. “What of Elders Minsc and Yamon? They should have their say?”

“This decision doesn't impact Camelot or the Followers,” Arthur remarked.

“It does if you don't return,” Caran Doc objected. “Please, Arthur, be reasonable.”

“The decision's been made,” Arthur said defiantly. “Lance, Gwen, I'll meet you on the Vanguard. Merlin, Gar-Wan, if I might have a minute alone with Caran Doc?”

The others nodded and left, leaving Arthur alone with the flickering hologram of Caran Doc. “I suppose this is where you tell me to be careful?” Caran Doc began once the room was empty, his face stern and steadfast. “Remind me that we're only here because you saved us and that you can just as easily rescind our welcome?”

“What? No!” Arthur replied, appalled at the idea. “I'd never, is that what you think?”

Caran Doc paused, embarrassed at what he'd said. “I'm sorry, Arthur,” he said. “I don't know what to think. We've been on Earth for two days and already we're at loggerheads.”

“I never said it'd be easy,” Arthur replied with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

“No, you didn't,” Caran Doc agreed.

“I appreciate your input,” Arthur continued. “You've been doing this for a lot longer than I have and I value what you can teach me. We're not always going to agree and that's okay. That's the whole point of this table, to give everyone a voice.”

Caran Doc nodded to himself. “I can see why these people follow you,” he said.

“Just as I can see why your people follow you,” Arthur replied. “You never need worry about your welcome. Earth is as much your home now as it is ours, and though we might fight from time to time, it'll always be in the best interests of the people who live here. All of them.”

“Then what did you wish to speak to me about in private?” Caran Doc asked, his tone once more friendly and relaxed.

“I wanted to ask if your technicians had made any more progress with Merlin's code,” Arthur replied.

“I see you haven't told the AI what they discovered?” Caran Doc asked.

“No,” Arthur told him. “It'd destroy him. It's just, when he mentioned Mordred from his past.”

“The past that isn't real?” Caran Doc added.

“Yes,” Arthur agreed reluctantly. “One more piece of the puzzle we're not seeing.”

“I'll check,” Caran Doc offered. “But last I heard, there wasn't any progress.”

“Thank you, Caran Doc,” Arthur said. “And if I might ask you one more thing?”

“Go on?” Caran Doc asked.

“Would you reconsider allowing Triltan to join us?” Arthur replied. “We work well together, and she was invaluable in the search for Silan Daltas. I assure you, she won't leave the Vanguard.”

“I'll think on it,” Caran Doc replied. “You'll have my answer within the hour.”

“I'll wait to hear from you before we depart,” Arthur said, turning towards the door as Caran Doc's hologram disappeared.

*****

As Arthur boarded the Vanguard, Gwen was making a show of checking the various readouts in the cockpit, trying to look busy. The ship was always kept ready to fly and there was nothing for her to be so focussed on, and Arthur felt her flinch when he rested his hand on her shoulder.

“Hey,” he said quietly. “How's it all looking?”

“Ready to go,” Gwen replied without turning to face him. “What did you want to speak to Caran Doc about?”

“I was just checking on the progress of the AI technicians,” Arthur said after checking Merlin wasn't around.

They remained in silence for a moment longer, Gwen fixing her gaze upon the small console in front of her. After being so comfortable with Arthur only an hour before she was annoyed with herself for struggling to be able to say what she wanted to. After a painful silence, she closed her eyes and blurted out, “Are you mad with me?”

“No, why?” Arthur asked, taking a step backwards. “I thought you were cross with me?”

Gwen turned to face him, looking up into his innocent blue eyes. “I disagreed with you,” she continued. “In the meeting. I'd understand if you didn't want me to come with you.”

Arthur laughed, making Gwen give him a stern look. “I've just had a similar conversation with Caran Doc,” he said, raising his hands in surrender when it looked as though Gwen was about to get angry. “I'm glad you disagreed with me. At least I know you won't just go along with me because we, well, you know, earlier.”

Gwen blushed at the memory. “Good,” she said at last, regaining her normal composure. “When it's just you and me, together, that's all I need to think about. When we're meeting with Merlin and the others, I need to be thinking about everyone.”

“Exactly,” Arthur replied. “Me too. Just because we don't always agree, it doesn't mean that I don't, well, you know what I'm try to say.”

“Do I?” Gwen asked suggestively. “What if I don't? Maybe you should just say it?”

Love was never something the slaves had thought about in the hive. Relations between slaves were strictly forbidden, and few of them lived more than a year or two unless working as a house slave for one of the important Mori. Arthur had been experiencing overwhelming feelings of affection and attraction towards Gwen, and missed her intensely even when they were only apart for a matter of minutes.

“You do know,” Arthur insisted, his cheeks flushing. “Please, Gwen.”

“Hmm?” Gwen persisted, smiling up at him.

“Okay,” Arthur whispered at last. “I
love
you. There, see? I love you. Happy now?”

“Very,” Gwen replied, her smile beaming as she pulled him down to kiss her. “I love you too.”

*****

Twenty minutes later, Triltan walked casually up the gangway to the Vanguard, a heavy bag in her left hand and a metallic box in her right. “Hello?” she called out as she reached the top. “It's me, Triltan?”

Arthur and Gwen stepped from the cockpit while Lance sprinted from his room, almost knocking her over as he charged towards the entrance to the ship. “You're here?” Lance said, smiling at her. “I thought, we didn't think-”

“Whatever Arthur said to my father changed his mind,” Triltan said.

“I told him how helpful you were in the search for Silan Daltas,” Arthur replied. “That's all.”

“Here, let me help,” Lance said, reaching forward and taking the bag from her. “The cabin is just like you left it, we haven't turned it back into a training room or anything.”

“Thank you,” Triltan replied. “Oh, and here.” She handed Arthur the metal box.

“What's in here?” Arthur asked.

“Some of Daltas' cooking,” Triltan said. “She checked with Miltren and it should be okay for you to eat. I couldn't face another long journey with just the food dispensers.”

Arthur and the others hadn't eaten anything that wasn't prepared by the food dispensers, the bland paste for the humans or gelatinous gloop for the Dorgans. It provided everything they needed nutritionally wise, but was as tasteless and unappetising as it sounded. The Mori had found a selection of grubs and insects to eat, but Arthur and the others had been reluctant to try them.

“Thanks,” Arthur said nervously. “I look forward to eating it later.”

“You won't regret it,” Triltan promised him.

Wile Arthur took the food into the galley, Lance carried Triltan's other bag and escorted her to her cabin. “I'm so glad your father allowed you to come,” he said, looking away from her as soon as the words left his lips. He was embarrassed that he'd been open with her but didn't understand why. Whenever he saw her, he felt his heart beat a little faster and his mood lifting. It was wonderful and terrifying in equal measure.

“Me too,” Triltan agreed. “I've read about the hive ship which attacked Teela all those years ago, but to see it for real? Remarkable!”

“Yes, for real,” Lance said, an annoyed tone creeping into his voice. His only experiences on the hive had been those of a slave; fear, hunger, desperation. Triltan seemed excited to be visiting somewhere that meant nothing to him but pain.

“I'm sorry,” Triltan stammered. “I didn't mean, not like that, but-”