This choice: It's an odd 'message', and they aren't responding. • Go Back...Chapter #4Messages and Portents. by: Gimlet   "OK." Muttered the Captain. "Brandt, what do you have on the message?"
"Well, it seems to be an alphanumeric sequence, very long, very fast data rate, pretty much at the limit of our systems. Most of it I haven't figured out yet, but it starts with this; '1.5.5.2.7.8.3.2 --- Alpha priority --- Awaiting primary or secondary syscom --- Current operations: Condition Green --- Request update --- Main link down --- syscom file corrupted --- Sequence still running --- Request update --- Current Sequence history to follow:' and then it degenerates into pure numbers, data files definitely but no headers. I currently have no way to begin to decript, or interpret them."
Lindhurst squinted, rubbing his chin for a second.
"Liliya, that sound like something a Comms officer would send?"
"Uh, doubtful sir, unless he was a computer geek."
"Yes, my thoughts as well. We could well be dealing with some sort of automated probe. Perhaps something from before the war. Not a happy thought." Again the captain drummed his fingers on the armrest, staring at the tiny dot as it flickered slightly. "Engine burn?" he said, looking at Timmins.
"Looks like it sir. I have confirmation, it's definitely a fusion rocket of some sort. It's making small corrections in flight now, range estimated at seven hundred kilometers. That's quite a co-incidence don't you think? Why would we come out right alongside it by chance?"
"Hmm, chance indeed. I think I need to have a word with Miss Abi, if she'll let me get a word in edgewise. I want to know what happened. ETA on that 'ship' Timmins?"
"At the rate it's making course corrections I think it's heading for a close approach, maybe coming to a halt about 5 kilometers away. It'll have finish maneouvering in about fifteen minutes sir."
"Very well." Lindhurst said, standing slowly, keeping a grip on the chair in the zero gravity. "Maintain contact, but don't respond to it yet. We don't know what it want's. I'll be in Physics Lab 1 if you need me. You have the Conn Brandt."
Timmins quietly glanced at Liliya, when she caught his eye he raised an eyebrow and made a slight nod to Brandt. Liliya rolled her eyes in response. Brandt was not neccessary the best liked crew member onboard.
******
"No," Captain Lindhurst said "I just want to know why it happened so we can be sure the next jump will not be a repeat!"
Professor Abi's eyes bored into the Captain's as she stood, arms crossed in front of her, standing her full six foot two inches, plus the two inches between her and the floor. Abi didn't have a lot of experience in free fall.
"Let me repeat myself... AGAIN!" she said, scowling. "The system worked perfectly. There is no problem, the drive will work. Is that concise enough for you?"
The Captain sighed.
"Abi, if it worked perfectly then why are we not at Proxima Centauri?"
"Hmph! How should I know, I didn't do the navigation calculations. Why don't you ask your navigator?"
Before he could say another word she had turned her back on him once more and pulled herself into her seat.
"Now if you don't mind I'm doing a complete diagnostic... AGAIN! Perhaps I could have some peace and quiet for it, Hmm?"
Lindhurst simmered slowly, but eventually got his temper under control. How long could he last before he blew up at her? What's more was that he dreaded the result if he did!
A forced smile lay plastered on the Captain's face for a moment, then he spun effortlessly around and kicked off, coasting out of the Lab, the door sliding shut behind him.
Now what? If he couldn't trust the wormhole drive how in hell would he ever get this rust bucket back home?
Stopping in a corridor he floated, hanging off a hand rail. He'd have to get something working soon or there'd be panic back home!
As far as he could see he had very few options. One seemed fairly harmless at least. With a nod he decided to go for it. What could the harm be?
*******
"Lieutenant Guzov, set the encoder to the alphanumeric code type in that message."
Captain Lindhurst made a perfect hand bounce from the ceiling and slid into his chair, braking himself on the armrests and strapping himself in.
"Coder ready sir." Liliya said "You say it, we'll record it. I take it you want to check it before sending?" The Captain nodded.
"Unknown vessel. This is the LSS Aspiration. We request information on your intentions, ship details, history and place of origin. In a show of good faith we will initiate with a similar list of information." and he nodded to Timmins. "At that point put in the public issue data file on the Asp, chart co-ords for the solar system, rough plot of our ride here as history, and state our intentions as explorers."
After a few minutes Timmins and the Captain ironed out a few wrinkles in the message.
"Ready sir." Timmins stated.
"Go ahead Chief, transmit it on all frequencies."
They waited for a response but soon it was obvious that none was forthcoming, at least not yet.
"Liliya, how soon till they finish braking?"
Lieutenant Guzov tapped at her control panel.
"In a little over two minutes sir by the look of it."
"Damn it, who or what is it, and what the hell do they want with us?"   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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