Axis Crossing by S. H. Jucha

Author:S. H. Jucha [Jucha, S. H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hannon Books, Inc.
Published: 2021-07-13T22:00:00+00:00

20: Here They Come

BETA TWO, MONART SYSTEM

X-ORE PLANET

Turmoil grew within the Beta Two domes. The alien ship, now known as the Dominance, mysteriously floated above the administration dome, as if supported by lines connected to the dark. That in itself was chilling.

The SADEs’ technological advancements encouraged division among the humans. To some, like Peter Doell, the director of operations, the SADEs represented an opportunity. Individuals like Doell thought only of the corporate gains and their rise within X-Ore.

Others, like Ricardo Broadus, the flight controller, and Harlyn Blackwell, head of research, weren’t convinced of the SADEs’ intentions.

Negotiations had lasted a month. Harlyn was pressured by the specialists to read between the lines of Miriamal’s messages. Unfortunately, the team only received the messages in text form.

Miriamal had swiftly discerned the dome leader’s predilections and reserved her comm calls for him.

Elisabeth Flaum, the dome facilities head, who sat in on the conversations, as did the other X-Ore senior personnel, routinely passed summaries to Harlyn.

“I think we’ve exhausted our routines,” Rachner Freiberg, the Pure Pour specialist, lamented.

“I’m afraid so,” Harlyn agreed.

“Which means what?” a timid woman from Transit One asked.

“That Miriamal knows we’ve been stalling,” Sherilyn, Rachner’s partner, replied.

“I think Miriamal has known that for a while,” Timor Talons remarked.

“And, according to the reported conversations, Doell has been nothing but encouraging,” Dan Skolnik remarked. “I’m surprised he hasn’t opened the shuttleport’s hatches for them. Oh, he can’t. We’re on an airless planet!”

“Not funny,” Erin, Dan’s partner, commented.

“I agree,” Dahlia Talons said. “With their advanced technology, they must have the means to easily surmount our planet’s conditions.”

“I think it’s worse than that,” Harlyn remarked. “I’ve been talking with Ricardo, the flight controller. Knut Kielpinski, our pilot, and Ricardo have had their heads together. They’re concerned about the shuttleport’s integrity.”

“Explain?” Sherilyn requested.

“Remember how Knut closely examined the traveler in the Dominance’s bay,” Harlyn replied. “Knut believes that the ship can receive signals from a SADE to respond.”

“Easy enough to do,” a specialist from Geneva commented. “What’s important about that?”

“I think Knut wonders how far the SADEs have taken that aspect of their technology,” Timor said. “In other words, could their shuttles be automated, programmed to follow a course, land, board passengers, and return to the mothership?”

“I’m not following,” the female partner of the Geneva specialist who spoke said.

“If the SADEs have developed their control processes to the extent that they can easily communicate with their devices, why can’t they do the same to ours?” Dahlia explained.

“You mean the SADEs, like Miriamal, could circumvent our security and open our hatches at will,” the woman replied.

“That’s exactly what Ricardo and Knut are warning,” Harlyn said.

“Does Doell know this?” Timor asked.

“Ricardo tried to tell him after Miriamal entreated Doell with the various things the SADEs could do to help us,” Harlyn replied, “but Doell isn’t listening to him. All he can see are the potential promotions, increased stipends, and greater bonuses.”

“Could you be wrong?” a man from Transit One asked. “I mean, you weren’t aboard the SADE ship for long.

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