The Lost Colony (Lost Starship Series Book 4) Page 28

  The minutes ticked away.

  “Shall I increase magnification, sir?” Valerie asked.

  “Please,” the captain said.

  Instead of the battleship and Dyson sphere background, the Leipzig magnified into sight with big laser cannons showing their orifices.

  “The hull armor looks clean,” Keith said.

  Maddox nodded in silent agreement.

  “I’m maneuvering the probe to a hangar entryway,” Valerie said.

  Several minutes later, as the lieutenant tapped quickly, the main battleship hatch began to open.

  “We know one thing,” Valerie said. “The Leipzig is still responding to code. That would indicate the main computer still works.”

  Maddox watched the probe maneuver into the lit hangar bay. It was smaller than Victory’s bay, but full of strikefighters.

  “Are any missing?” Maddox asked.

  “They appear to all be there, sir,” the lieutenant said, checking a manifest.

  Soon, the probe landed on the deck.

  “Detaching a crawler,” Valerie said.

  A vehicle much like the ancient Mars explorer dropped off the probe’s hull and began to rove across the battleship’s hangar bay. The lieutenant controlled it through radio signals, although it could make limited command decisions with its onboard computer.

  During the next half-hour, Maddox, Keith, Valerie and Galyan watched the probe crawl through the empty battleship. No one was aboard. However, the lieutenant was unable to find any evidence of combat or a struggle.

  “It appears as if they simply left the ship, sir,” Valerie said later.

  “Let’s get the ship’s log,” Maddox said.

  In time, the crawler reached the battleship’s bridge. It used a link-tube, connecting with the computer system.

  “Ready to transfer,” the lieutenant said.

  “I just had a thought,” Galyan said. “Transfer the data into a separate computer file here.”

  “What are you thinking?” Valerie asked.

  “Maybe a Builder virus infected the battleship’s computers. We do not want the virus to infect my systems.”

  “Good thinking, Galyan,” the lieutenant said. “Give me a few minutes to set this up.”

  Time passed slowly as the others waited.

  “Okay,” Valerie said. “I’ll begin the transfer.” She tapped her board, but nothing happened. She tried again with the same results.

  “Trouble?” the captain asked.

  “Either the crawler isn’t responding or something in the battleship’s computer is not responding.”

  The main screen suddenly wavered, shivered with fuzziness, and then Professor Ludendorff regarded them. At least, the humanoid shape appeared to be the Methuselah Man they had come to know.

  “Greetings,” the professor said. “I see you made it to the Dyson sphere.”

  “How did he cut into our comm stream?” Maddox demanded.

  Valerie manipulated her board, soon shaking her head. “This is from the battleship’s main computer, sir. We’re not in a direct comm-link with him.”

  “By now,” the professor said, “you must surely have begun to wonder about my intent. I can assure you that it is completely benign. Given Captain Maddox’s temperament, though, I doubt you will believe me. I suspect you destroyed the guardian ship. It was set to defeat any vessel but for yours. I urge you not to worry about the port admiral and his people. They are fine. Captain, I would like you to join me inside the Dyson sphere. There is something I must show you and you alone. Please come down at once. Time is fast running out for all of us. Until then,” the professor said. He bowed, smiled and disappeared from the screen.

  “This is interesting indeed,” Galyan said. “It appears the professor has been expecting us.”

  “Lieutenant,” Maddox said. “I want more information. Bring up the rest of the data in the Leipzig’s computer.”

  Valerie manipulated her board, trying harder and soon shaking her head. “I’m sorry, sir. I can’t download anything else. There’s a firewall in place I can’t breach.”

  “Galyan,” Maddox said. “Break down the firewall.”

  “At once, Captain,” the AI said.

  After several minutes, the holoimage stirred. “I cannot break the firewall, Captain. This is most disturbing. I will—”

  “Just a moment,” Maddox said, who had been thinking. “Maybe that’s the game. The professor wants Galyan to dig deeper. In some manner, Ludendorff will spring a computer trap, attempting a takeover. Galyan, exit the probe.”

  “It is done,” the holoimage said.

  “What do we do now?” Valerie asked. “It seems we’re stymied.”

  “Sir,” Keith said. “It’s the Dyson sphere. A door is opening on its surface. What do you think that means?”

  “Battle stations,” Maddox said. “Galyan, ready the disruptor cannon. Lieutenant, make sure the shield is fully charged. Mr. Maker, begin backing away. I want you to warn the others in the ship we might have to make some violent maneuvers.”

  “Aye-aye, sir,” Keith said.

  As the others went about their tasks, Maddox watched the giant hatch. It had to be ten times the size of Victory. Soon, a vast metal object with a huge orifice eased out of the opening. Was that like the Destroyer’s main weapon?

  “What is that?” Keith asked. “I don’t think it’s aiming at us.”

  “I do not detect any tracking systems fixed upon us,” Galyan said. “That would not preclude optical sighting, however. Will it launch missiles?”

  “Sir,” Valerie said. “There are more of those metal objects. They’ve appeared all over the surface of the sphere.”

  A bad feeling swept over Maddox. He leaned forward, rubbing the fingers of his right hand.

  The orifice near them glowed orange.

  “The shield is at full strength,” Valerie said.

  “I’m maneuvering behind the Leipzig, sir,” Keith said.

  As the orifice grew hotter orange, a blue line appeared. The blueness grew larger and brighter. The same happened elsewhere with the other squat cannons.

  “Exhaust,” Valerie said. “Those are exhaust tails.”

  “You’re kidding,” Keith said.

  Valerie tapped her board, studying the readings. “That’s an ion exhaust. The sphere isn’t firing at us. It’s…it’s moving.” She turned to look questioningly at Maddox.

  “Is the sphere a spaceship?” Keith asked.

  “That is entirely the wrong conclusion,” Galyan said. “I have been running calculations. The Dyson sphere’s physics suggests the answer.”

  “What’s that mean in English?” Keith asked.

  Galyan stared at the Scotsman.

  “Elaborate on your answer,” Maddox told the AI.

  “It is elementary and fundamental,” Galyan said. “Adok scientists had long projected such a construct as we’re now seeing. I have listened to the lieutenant suggest an inhabitable area 550 million times that of Earth. She has not taken into account some of the major problems concerning the sphere.”

  “If you’re so smart,” Valerie said, “why don’t you enlighten us?”

  “Gladly,” Galyan said. “The propulsion we are witnessing addresses one of the problems. The sphere or shell lacks a net gravitational interaction with its englobed star. Therefore, the shell drifts in relation to the interior object. Given enough time, the sphere will collide into the massive energy unit. These propulsion systems must be engaged in a corrective endeavor.”

  “That makes sense,” Valerie said. “I’m surprised I missed it.”

  “Notice the rotation of the sphere,” Galyan continued. “If it lacked rotation the inside of the shell would have zero artificial gravity. Everything in the interior surface would thus fall into the star. Given the rotation—the artificial gravity—the contents of the interior surface will pool around the equator. In your parlance, the sphere is acting like a Niven ring for habitation purposes.”
>
  “Why go to all that trouble to build a global shell then?” Keith asked.

  “Once more the answer is elementary,” Galyan said. “It is to collect the star’s energy output. I have made a simple calculation. Given a Sol-like star, that is 384.6 yottawatts of power.”

  “What?” Keith asked.

  “It is 33 trillion times more power than 12 terawatts,” Galyan said.

  “Oh, sure,” Keith said, rolling his eyes. “Now, I understand perfectly.”

  “Twelve terawatts was humanity’s power consumption in the year 1998,” Galyan said.

  “The sphere is amazing,” Maddox said, dryly. “But we’ll consider its grandeur later. I’m more interested in the professor’s prerecorded message and the whereabouts of Hayes and his people.”

  “Yes,” Valerie said. “I don’t trust Ludendorff, sir. I think that message was meant to lure us here so he could lure you yet again down onto the sphere.”

  “Either that,” Keith said, “or he gave the message under duress.”

  “I very much doubt that,” Valerie said.

  “I don’t doubt the possibility of duress,” Maddox said. “But I find no evidence for it. The professor is cunning. He could have slipped hidden references into the recording for us if someone had forced him to make it. I did not hear any hidden warnings.”

  “If you’re right,” Keith said, “I’d like to know why the professor went to such extreme lengths to lure us out here.”

  “Agreed,” Maddox said. “Let us consider this. The request began on Earth with the Shanghai androids and then the holoimage. It would appear the professor desperately desires my presence in the Dyson sphere. The extent of his efforts seems proportionally exaggerated.”

  “What?” Keith asked.

  “Galyan,” Maddox said, crisply, ignoring the ace. “You will begin to search the outer spheroid surface. Concentrate on the equatorial region. If the professor desires me down there, he must have a particular entrance in mind.”

  “You’re not really going to give yourself into his hands, are you?” Valerie asked.

  “Not as of yet,” Maddox said. “I appreciate my freedom too much. There is another consideration, however. If he has been this persistent, I doubt he will stop now. The more he tries, the more he reveals. I still need a few more revelations before I make my move.”

  “You’re matching wits against him,” Keith said. The ace grinned. “I like our chances, sir. This time, we’re going to beat him and take him back to Earth as a proper prisoner.”

  Maddox nodded absently, continuing to study the Star Watch ships floating nearby.

  “We’ll use the probe to explore each vessel,” Maddox said. “There is always the possibility the professor made a mistake somewhere. If so we must find it.”

  “He said it was in our interest that you go to the sphere,” Galyan said.

  “Ludendorff did indeed say that.”

  “You are in agreement with the lieutenant?” Galyan asked. “You do not trust the professor?”

  “No,” Maddox said, “not in the slightest.”

  -36-

  During the next few hours, Valerie guided the probe to each Star Watch vessel. She didn’t find any more clues. It would seem that Professor Ludendorff hadn’t made any mistakes.

  By the time she was done, the sphere’s engines had stopped glowing and had retreated so the giant hatches closed.

  Shortly thereafter, Captain Maddox reentered the bridge. He had taken a catnap.

  “Nothing new to report,” Valerie said.

  A comm beep sounded from her board just then. She glanced at Maddox before turning to it. A second later, she regarded the captain. “Sir, someone from the sphere is hailing us.”

  “Put him or her on the main screen,” Maddox said.

  “Yes, sir,” Valerie said, hesitantly tapping her board.

  Maddox, Valerie, Keith and Galyan all turned toward the main screen. A smiling Ludendorff appeared. He sat in a room with windows. Behind him were giant ferns. Far beyond the ferns shined the system’s englobed star.

  “Captain Maddox,” Ludendorff said, “how good to see you again.”

  “Yes,” Maddox said. “Galyan,” he said under his breath. “Is that the real Ludendorff?”

  “Analyzing,” the AI said.

  “I’m sure you’re wondering about all the cloak and dagger,” Ludendorff said. “I can assure it is for a good reason, a splendid reason, in fact.”

  “Excellent,” Maddox said. “If you would please enlighten us then…”

  “Oh, my boy, not by transmission,” Ludendorff said. “You’ll need to come onto the Dyson sphere first as my recording suggested. It’s also best if you come alone.”

  “Ah,” Maddox said.

  “Don’t you find the sphere amazing?” Ludendorff asked.

  “I do,” Maddox said. “Before we speak further, I should let you know that I’m not entering the sphere.”

  Ludendorff blinked several times as the smile slipped. Then, the smile appeared again in full force. “That’s a poor joke, Captain. Of course, you’re coming. You must. It…”

  “Yes?” Maddox asked.

  “It is required,” Ludendorff added.

  “You are addressing an android,” Galyan said quietly. “It is a very good replica of the professor, but I finally concentrated on the pupils. From time to time, I can see through to the circuitry working back there.”

  “Suppose I decline your offer?” Maddox asked the android.

  “Surely, you’re curious about the sphere,” the Ludendorff android said.

  “Quite curious,” Maddox said, “but not so much that I wish for my nonexistence.”

  “I do not understand the relation.”

  “It is elementary,” Maddox said. “By entering the sphere I could lose my life.”

  “No, Captain, I can assure you that is not the case, at least not immediately.” The android’s grin widened. “I know that didn’t sound right. It was not a threat. I merely mean that all organisms die in time.”

  “On the Dyson sphere,” Maddox said, “is that what you’re saying?”

  The android blinked repeatedly. “I must insist you come. But since you have declined to come alone, now I ask that your entire crew join me. You will all love it in the Dyson sphere.”

  “Quite possibly true,” Maddox said, diplomatically. “By the way, where are Port Admiral Hayes and his crews?”

  “Oh,” the android said, “do not worry about them.”

  “I am a Star Watch officer,” Maddox said. “It is my duty to worry about them. In fact, I am quite willing to take military action to free them. Perhaps it is time I turned Victory’s disruptor beam on the sphere.”

  “Captain, are you seriously threatening me?”

  “Who are you?” Maddox asked.

  “Why, I am Ludendorff. That was a strange question.”

  “That is a lie,” Maddox said. “You are not Ludendorff. You are an android made in his image.”

  The construct blinked more than before.

  “Worse,” Maddox said, “you’re an inferior android. Why is that?”

  “Captain, please, this is such a glorious moment. I have long anticipated it. You must come down and let me see you in the flesh. I have read such wonderful reports about you. But I cannot fathom the reason for your continued successes against your superior enemies. Those successes are quite marvelous and unusual. I wish to know the reasons behind them.”

  “I’m afraid—”

  “Captain,” Galyan said. “Powerful tractor beams have locked onto the starship. We are being pulled toward a vast opening.”

  “Magnify,” Maddox said.

  The Ludendorff android disappeared from the screen. In its place appeared a huge hatch ponderously opening on the outer surface of the sphere.

  “Can Victory fit through that hatch?” Maddox asked.

  “Affirmative,” Galyan said.

  “At the rate we’re being pulled, how lon
g until we reach the…” Maddox waved a hand. “The Dyson hangar bay?”

  Before Galyan could answer, Keith asked, “Do you want me to try to break free of the tractor beam, sir?”

  “That will not work,” Galyan said. “The force of the contest will destroy the ship.”

  “Let’s jump free then,” Keith said.

  Maddox considered the idea.

  “I’m afraid the decision has just been taken out of our hands,” Galyan said. “My special jump mechanisms have just gone offline. Something from the Dyson sphere is interfering with my systems.”

  “Is it a Builder virus?” Maddox asked.

  “Captain,” Galyan said. “I have detected an alien presence. It is attempting to take over my personality. The only way I can protect myself is to shut down completely. Do you swear to turn me back on when you’re able?”

  “You know I do, Galyan,” Maddox said.

  The holoimage glanced at each of them in turn. Then it appeared beside each of them, doing so in the blink of an eye. A ropy holo-arm reached out, attempting to touch each of them. Afterward, the holoimage wavered and disappeared.

  The screen came back on, with the Ludendorff android smiling benignly.

  “What just happened, Captain?” the android asked. “Why did the comm link separate?”

  Maddox moved to the command chair, sitting down. “You’re bringing my starship into a hangar bay. That means you have what you want. Why continue with his charade then? Show us who you really are and tell us what you want with us.”

  “I don’t want anything from your crew,” the android said. “It’s you alone who interests me, Captain.”

  “Why?”

  “You will find out soon enough once you reach my main chamber. I’m sure it will interest you. Even more, you will enlighten me. I am looking forward to the encounter.”

  “Star Watch needs me,” Maddox said, “and it needs Victory.”

  “Yes, both statements are true.”

  “Therefore, it is a crime to do this to us.”

  “No,” the android said, as if speaking to a child. “Star Watch cannot win in the end. They are overmatched. Thus, I am showing you a kindness. Perhaps it is kind to let them perish faster. I hate to see creatures suffer unnecessarily. With Victory helping Star Watch, it will only prolong the agony.”