CassaStorm by Alex J Cavanaugh

Author:Alex J Cavanaugh [Cavanaugh, Alex J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781939844002
Google: 8I0TmgEACAAJ
Amazon: B00F2O9QMC
Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press, LLC
Published: 2013-09-16T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The halls were quiet this time of morning. Byron passed only one other person as he escorted his son to the lab. Despite a lack of sleep, he felt strangely alert.

He’d waited until he and Bassan were dressed before rousing Athee. She’d panicked when Byron explained the situation. Her reaction confirmed Byron’s initial decision to leave before she could dress and join them. Bassan was already uneasy and on edge. His mother’s presence would unnerve him further. Byron promised Athee he would update her before they left the lab.

Bassan walked beside him in silence. He’d acted so fearful and vulnerable last night after his waking nightmare. Aware of his son’s anxiety, Byron rested a hand on the boy’s shoulder. Bassan’s posture straightened and he appeared to draw strength from the contact.

They reached Mevine’s lab and Byron scanned the room. One man hunched over his computer in the far corner while another slept at his station. Guiding Bassan into the lab, he waited a moment before calling out for his senior science officer.

Officer Mevine!

A head appeared over a computer in the middle of the room. Sir! I’m sorry. I was just going over the data from Arell.

The science officer approached them, his gait uneven. Mevine paused next to a computer station, his hand grasping the edge of the desk. His curly mane bobbed as he steadied his body. Forcing himself to stand up straight, Mevine met Byron’s gaze. Dark circles resided underneath bloodshot eyes and Byron experienced a moment of regret. His senior science officer seemed poised to topple over at any moment.

“Officer Mevine, I can’t explain it,” said Byron, squeezing his son’s shoulder, “but I believe the response code is trapped in Bassan’s head.”

Mevine blinked, his body swaying. Mouth ajar, his gaze shifted from Bassan to Byron. “Sir, how is that possible?”

Byron shook his head. “I don’t know. But he’s had the same nightmare for over a week. And last night he experienced it while awake and immediately following the transmission from the probe. I believe he experienced it when the alien ship signaled the Torbeth as well.”

Rubbing his face, Mevine took a step closer. “Sir the initial signal from the probe is a complex code. The response code would consist of detailed information. Data, symbols...”

“Images?” Byron interjected, still clinging to his theory.

Mevine froze. Byron seized the opportunity.

“A complex string of images and symbols more intense than our brains could process?”

His words sent a shock of fear through Bassan. Shifting his hand to the boy’s neck, Byron pulled him closer. Muscles tense, he waited for Mevine to respond.

“Sir, can you show me?” said Mevine.

Yes, thought Byron, allowing the science officer access to the snippets he’d gathered from his son. Mevine’s eyes widened.

“Sir, if I could access the whole code…”

Offering a curt nod, Byron followed the science officer to his central computer. Mevine paused at the controls, his gaze on Bassan. Grasping his son under the arms, Byron lifted him onto the desk’s surface. Bassan adjusted his position and stared at his father in anticipation.

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