“You are not aware of any living beings on board your ship?”
“No, my sensors have not observed anything of that kind. At least not in the areas over which I have control.”
“How many areas are under your control?” Irons asked. The major couldn’t suppress the cross undertone in his voice.
“About thirty percent of the volume of the ship.”
Jeff caught his breath.
Thirty percent?
Irons raised his eyebrows. “That’s not very much,” he said dryly. “And are these areas evenly distributed throughout the ship?”
“No, I still control the core area and a few sectors in the outer shell, including the one in which you now reside.”
“When did you lose the area that is on the other side of the gate?”
“About twenty million years ago.”
“And was there a reason?”
What was the major getting at?
“A malfunction in the redundant node.”
“And it couldn’t be repaired?”
“No. Automatic repair of the area already failed on a previous occasion.”
“Couldn’t you use a repair mechanism from one of the other areas?”
“No. The different areas are designed for maximum autonomy.”
“Why?”
“That is the way the ship’s designers built it.”
Irons sighed. If he had been hoping for a particular answer, he obviously hadn’t got it.
“Where are your systems?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, yours. The onboard computer.”
“Oh.” The computer sounded almost amused. “The neural network is decentralized, but the nodal point is in the core area.”
“What… and where… is the core area?”
“It is an area with a diameter of sixty miles in the center of the ship. It is where the control systems are located.”
“I presume it used to be the crew’s headquarters?”
“That is correct.”
“And we are located in… in…”
“The outer shell,” Jeff helped out.
“Yes, the outer shell,” Irons repeated.
“That is correct.”
“What is the outer shell?”
“The outer shell is a twelve-mile-thick area containing technical and mechanical systems, and storerooms.”
“Are there other subsections of the ship?”
“Between the outer shell and the core is a middle layer.”
“And what does that contain?”
“That area was the habitat of the former builders during their journey. There are many large cavitys with artificial atmospheres that simulate the conditions of their home planet.”
cavitys? So far they had assumed the ship looked the same everywhere—in other words, corridors and empty rooms. Or was it referring to the empty rooms?
The major must have had the same thought. “You did not tell us anything about this before.”
“I did not think it was important. Besides, those areas are not accessible.”
“As I said, we found a way to the next layer.”
“Yes, you said that.”
“Would it bother you if we had another look around there?”
The computer paused for an unusually long time. Jeff lifted his head again.
“No, but I would not recommend it.”
“Why not?”
“I do not control that area and therefore I could not protect you.”
“Protect us?” the major asked. “What do you need to protect us from?”
Another long pause. “From possible dangers.”
“What kind of dangers?” the major probed.
“Unfortunately, I cannot say because I do not control the area,” the computer voice sounded a little offended but the major did not let up.
“But if you mention danger, you must have something in mind.”
There was another long pause.
“I would like to inform you that today we made another hyperjump and are therefore a little nearer to your destination.”
That was good news, of course, but Jeff was sure the computer was deliberately avoiding the issue they wanted to discuss.
The major must have been thinking the same. “I’m glad. But I would like to ask again about the danger you mentioned. You said that—”
“I’m sorry, I have to interrupt you. I have noticed a malfunction that I need to attend to immediately.”
Once again, the crackling sound that seemed to emanate from invisible speakers filled the room.
“What a pile of crap…” Mac whispered.
“I have to admit, I’m worried,” Irons said quietly.
13.
“We’ve made it to the other side. Any other instructions?” It was hard to hear Joanne’s voice through all the static. Jeff wasn’t sure why the reception was worse today than yesterday.
He reached for the handheld, but Irons was quicker. “Please take another look at Fields. Maybe you’ll notice something else that wasn’t visible on the photos.”
“Shouldn’t we recover the body and bring it back to HQ?” Joanne asked.
The major shook his head. “That would be pointless. We don’t have anywhere to bury him. Lay him straight and cover his body, and feel free to read out the ‘Prayer for the Fallen Soldier’ which you’ll find in the manual on the handheld.” He sighed. “Then explore the surrounding area as we discussed. Don’t take any unnecessary risks. If you encounter one of the creatures, take cover and call for reinforcements, is that clear?”
“Understood, Sir!”
“Don’t go too far from the gate. Maximum two thousand feet, got that?”
“Yes, Sir!”
“And report back regularly. Good luck, over and out.”
Irons leaned back in his chair. He and Jeff were alone. They had spent the whole day going over and over the options, but Irons felt they had to keep exploring. If they wanted to find out anything about the builders of this ship, they had to go to the other side of the gate. They’d increased every reconnaissance squad to four crew members, who were not to separate on any account. Jeff hoped it was a big enough group. What if they really did encounter one of those aliens again?
“Let’s hope for the best,” the major murmured.
Jeff gave his superior a sidelong glance. Irons had been in a strange mood all morning. He seemed distracted and absent-minded. There was nothing of the usual determination in his voice. He had even toyed out loud with the idea of cancelling today’s recon. Fields’ death must have hit him hard. And yet over the years, Irons must have lost many men and women in combat.
“Everything OK, Sir?” Jeff asked hesitantly. It was the first time he had asked his superior how he felt.
Irons turned to look at him and smiled weakly. “I’m fine, Captain.” He was clearly lying through his teeth, and it sounded more like a polite request to stop asking dumb questions.
Jeff nodded and fixed his gaze on the handheld on the table in front of him.
Castle entered the room. His black hair stuck out in all directions. He had taken over the last night watch; Jeff hadn’t expected to see him up and about yet. Shorty, who had taken the first night shift, was still asleep.
“Any news?” the WSO asked, as he shuffled over to the kitchen counter. He opened one of the cupboards and took out the can of instant coffee powder.
“They made it to the other side and have started looking around,” Jeff said.
“I don’t like this,” Castle said.
Jeff focused on the handheld again, as if it would enable him to communicate by telepathy with his shipmates deeper down in the ship. The waiting was unbearable. What if they suddenly lost contact? Their four shipmates might already be dead, and they would never know what happened.
“Do you think there’s a chance one of those light aliens might turn up here?” Castle asked. He had joined them at the table with a cup of coffee.