Transiting a Lock was itself functionally instantaneous. However on a given planet, few Locks are near each other. This requires crossing oceans and depending on topography can add several days to a full week to the journey. Airplanes provide an alternative to shorten the travel time, but the infrastructure requirements are considerable.
An airport and seaport are required near either Lock where passengers and cargo can deplane and enter a submarine for the Lock transit. Another issues is how close the Lock is to land. Most are in open ocean which can negate any travel advantages given how far the nearest base could be.
Fuel, maintenance personnel, and supplies for the planes also have to be maintained. If the planes have insufficient range, waystations have to be constructed, manned, and fueled. Finally, the planes themselves have to be shipped and then assembled after being delivered.
Due to their industry and populations, the Inner Colonies and much of the Consolidation had intra-planet air service. Though, tickets came at a premium. However, it was still cheaper than the military transports the outer colonies used.
Due to the desire to expedite their return, the Recon team rated being airlifted across Piratucu. However, that still yielded them nearly two days being traveling by transport submarine.
Agent Hans "Fritz" O'Donnell looked up at the curving grey ceiling. Pain flashed down his leg and he shifted the weight as much as he could. The room was small, cramped, and shared with the rest of the team. It had tiny bunks and a bathroom that even the Descended thought had too little personal space, but they had it to themselves. He sat at a small table that seemed over-full with just three people.
Beyond the door was a small hallway that served the other "staterooms" and aft of that was a large room filled with rows and rows of seats that could be shifted into a sort of inclined bunk.
The bathroom door opened and Weiss stepped out, toweling his upper body off. The grey lines of his mods ran up his sides and spiraled out at his solar plexus. Catalina looked up from the bunk she managed to share with Sandra before falling back to sleep.
Weiss glanced at the drowsy Descended. On a boat like this everyone had to share a bunk. Above the pair Sergeant Somerset lay on her bunk reading a report her personal had projected on the ceiling a half meter in front of her. The other four bunks were similarly occupied with sleeping or reading soldiers. The room could have been more crowded but Lieutenant Vojtech and Specialist Ramirez were out at the UNS Savannah's small cafeteria.
A Babcock class submersible passenger liner, the UNS Savannah was named after the NS Savannah, the first nuclear powered passenger and cargo ship. Unlike its namesake, the surface-hulled submarine was a commercial success. This was because oil became increasingly expensive the further one went from the Inner Colonies. Though this required the Savannah to do most of its work further out, where the more expensive nuclear propulsion was profitable.
The bunks were stacked three high and sat on opposite sides of the room, with the table in between and the door outside and the door to the bathroom on the remaining two sides.
Pulling on a reasonably fresh shirt, Weiss sat down at the small plastic table, causing Fritz's elbow to brush against Agent Kelly Anderson's side. Frowning, the pale green-haired Descended scooted her chair over, but not too far as Agent Krantz sat on the other side.
"I see you're getting along," Weiss noted picking up a water bottle.
Coriana Krantz looked up. A frown crossed the redhead's face. "Are you don with your sponge-bath?"
"Sure, but Pete's got next."
"Yeah, and now I'm next after him." Coriana watched Peter Bowdler unfolded himself off the bunk he shared with Fritz. The tall, bearish man had to stoop his shoulders and head and go a bit sideways to fit through the narrow, short door.
"Lovely way to travel." Fritz grumbled.
"I've had worse," Kelly shrugged.
"It is easier when you've got someone you want to share your bunk with."
Kelly smiled lightly and looked over at Noravi Wintermist who had field-stripped her surprisingly stubby 25mm XM109 anti-material rifle and was inspecting the feed system. Longer and bulkier than the Descended carbines, the scoped rifle was at least fifty percent heavier than those other weapons.
"Oh certainly, but there's nothing stopping you from hooking up. It's not like those regulations are enforced."
Coriana sighed. "You're married Fritz."
Kelly smirked. "Okay then. Guess, you'll have to wait until you get home."
"Easy for you to say, Descended seem to just fall into hooking up."
"Which seems counterproductive to using sex as a purely physical stress relief." Kelly leaned back, resting her head on the door to the hallway. "But that doesn't matter, I've also experienced worse as a human. The old Acre class transports were notoriously cramped."
"You should try an Imperial Naval Infantry transport," Somerset
"At least we're almost at the Lock. Once we surface I can get some air." Fritz rubbed his stubbly blonde hair.
"You need any help walking up?" Coriana asked.
"Nah, I'll be fine." Fritz turned to the combat tech. "So you're going to pick out a nice seasonal name?"
Weiss blinked. "What?"
"Well you're part of the Faustian insurance program."
"So? I've been signed on for over a year.." Coriana crossed her arms over her chest.
"Yeah but you're a... um..."
"A woman?" Coriana raised an eyebrow.
Kelly tilted her head and gave a tiny nod. The other Descended made similar motions. "Yeah, it's not a big deal if you've already got a chest and have to crouch to pee. Stupid Fritz." Agent Anderson
"I just meant that the change would be less... you know... " Fritz coughed.
"Agent O'Donnell, stop," Somerset
"Yes, Sergeant." Fritz looked down. "I wonder when we'll get to the damn Lock."
"We're already in it." Weiss sipped his water.
"What? You looked that up on the ship's net."
"Nope, I can feel it. Look at the girls. They can feel it too."
"You shouldn't call someone twice your age a 'girl'." Kelly gave a toothy smile. "But you're right, and now we're out of it."
"Welcome to New Carlisle ." Weiss nodded.
"You're pulling my leg. This is like the time Sandra told me that the Descended could tell who was straight and who was gay," Fritz notched his teammates work their watches. No doubt switching them over to New Carlisle local time. Where Pitratucu's day was slightly shorter than Earth's New Carlisle's was over twenty-five hours long.
"Oh good, we're what two hours out?" Weiss asked.
"That's about right," Coriana said.
"Oh yeah! Hah, stupid Fritz. We told you not to trust a Sein when it came to dating." Holding her sides, Kelly bent forward laughing.
"That's what happens when you annoy someone into being your wingwoman at a bar," Weiss reminded.
"I almost didn't get married because of you." Fritz glared.
"Oh hush, it was years ago and it all worked out in the end, Hanna's a wonderful woman," Kelly assured, regaining her composure.. "And you're lucky to have her."
"Yeah, it will be nice to see her and the kids again." Fritz's tension lessened but his shoulders still slumped. "I wonder what I missed this time. Last time it was Hanna's first steps."
"No, seriously we can feel Locks." Kelly said trying to change the subject back. "It's a bubble of superpositioned space that connects two planets. Enter from one planet and you leave on the other. Right?"'
Friz scoffed. "Yeah, I know that. So, how's that something you can feel?"
"The locks are two-hundred eighty-three meters in diameter. That's twenty million metric tones of water being kept on two planets twenty-four seven. That takes a lot of power."
"You can pick up on it?"
Kelly tapped one of her horns.
Fritz raised an eyebrow. He turned to Weiss. "And you?"
"My mods are full of sympathetic tech. Locks always make them a bit off. Ask a Pilot next time you see one."
"What, are the Locks sympathetic tech?"
Coriana snickered. "Oh Fritz."
"It's an EQE effect that links oceans hundreds of light years apart," Kelly said. "So yes, yes it is."
***************
Higgs washed the remaining ARA residue from his hair. The slick fluid sloughed off and fell into the drain. Standing in the shower, the Captain wondered if the Company put a filter down there to capture the fluid to minimize the fiscal loss. He shut off the water and stepped out of the shower cubicle and found a towel.
Still in her pressure-suit, Misako stood in the locker room tapping her foot. "What the hell were you doing?"
"Oh, you ever wonder if they capture the ARA from the showers?" Higgs opened his locker and started changing into his uniform.
Misako shook her head. "Course not."
"Really?"
"Sure, the Company could claim they were reducing the use of a 'dangerous' chemical while also keeping it from spoiling pristine waters."
"Pristine? Mooring's a harbor."
"It doesn't have to make sense; it just has to sound good."
Strapping on his sidearm, Higgs nodded. "And since they're not even bragging about it, means that they're certainly not doing it."
"Got it in one," Misako started to peel herself out of the bodysuit. "Not bad Piloting today."
"You mean I didn't die every time. I think the Commander's got it out for me." Higgs scoffed.
"That and Franklin
Higgs kept his attention focused on tying his boots.
"I can see why Morgan keeps you around." Misako said from the shower stall.
Higgs laughed. "Don't tell her that."
"Now why would I do something like that?" Misako shouted over the pouring water.
Frowning, Higgs pondered the ambiguous statement. He got up and left the locker room Agent Percy White at his side.
"Don't worry Sir, I don't think she's going to tell Captain Graeme." Percy assured. "Unless Morgan has something she wants to trade."
"Thanks..."
"Where to next, Sir?" Percy asked.
"I'm going to talk with Sue."
Percy nodded. "See, this is the kind of tidbit that Captain Takamori would trade for."
"Thanks..." Higgs repeated. The pair continued down the bright grey corridors that ran along the backs of the hangars. The SurveyHawk hangar was adjacent to one used by the Badger wing. At the checkpoint, Higgs flashed his ID and waited while the guards at the door scanned his hand. They wore the same black body armor and boots over a grey jumpsuit as Higgs' escort.
After conferring with his headset, the taller of the two guards nodded. "Doctor Snyder, will be here momentarily."
The steel door behind them opened revealing a threadbare lobby. The carpeting was worn, there were patched holes in the walls, and many of the chairs before the secretary's desk leaned to the side. The secretary's desk was empty. Then the receptionist program turned on the displays and an image of a prim woman appeared in the chair. The image had blue eyes, and matching blue hair cut in a short bob and had features that were even more symmetrical and perfect than a Descended's. The fabric to her prim red and grey suit also appeared too stiff as the image went through the motions of using an equally illusionary keyboard.
"Hello Captain, Agent." The secretary's image lip-synced with the computer's speakers, making the secretary look like a disturbingly well constructed ventriloquist dummy.
"Yes, when will Snyder arrive?" Higgs asked
Percy eyed the hologram with a slight frown.
"The doctor is walking towards the door right now," the program replied. It sounded somewhat like Sue but stiffer and with a less natural cadence to its words.
Snyder entered. He was a bird-like little man with thin shoulders and a long scraggily ponytail shot with grey. He wore a white labcoat over grey slacks and a black button-down shirt. "Ah you must be Capitan Higgs that Sue's been talking about. Now this is a bit irregular but I'll make an exception for you."
"Really?"
Snyder nodded.
"Expensive program?" Percy asked
"Pardon?" Snyder blinked. "Oh the secretary? It's far cheaper than a flesh and blood person."
Hearing itself being referenced, the secretary gave a smile.
"But the holograms? Isn't voice only cheaper?"
"It's the same program," Snyder gestured to the computer. "With its level of complexity the extra processing is trivial, and we already had the projectors."
"People are still okay with a disembodied voice on the phone Percy, not so much in person," Higgs said, not quite believing it himself.
Percy shrugged.
Higgs turned back to the scientists. "So Sue's really concerned about me?"
"Well, she's asked about you a couple times." Snyder gave an embarrassed grin. "Without being prompted, I might add. Which is unique. Come, come."
Higgs followed the scientist inside. He glanced back to see the secretary wave as they left, smiling empty-headedly. Cubicles filled a long narrow room. The opposite wall had thick windows running the length that gave a panoramic view of the hangar. Four SurveyHawks sat in pools of light surrounded by workers and equipment.
Giving the hangar only a sideways glance, Snyder lead them to what had been a conference room. The white floor had been raised up and there was a sharp ramp just beyond the threshold. The equally bright ceiling had also been lowered giving the room a narrow, pressing feel.
In the center of the white room was an oblong box the size of a small refrigerator. A steel frame held it off the floor and in a level position. Black with rounded edges, it had yellow letters and arrows stenciled on the sides that pointed to a mass of power cables and cooling lines that plugged into the sides.
"That's a computing core?" Higgs asked.
"Indeed!" Snyder gleefully said as he went to a plain desk with a simple display that sat next to the hulking computer. "This is exactly what's onboard a SurveyHawk. It makes studying and testing local-control mode much easier."
"So, it is Sue then?"
"We took the backup and updated as much as we could." Adjusting his glasses, Snyder typed a few commands. "Alas we weren't able to recover the black-box from Susan-Three but we transferred the flight data from your and Captain Graeme's planes." He hit the return key with a flourish. "And we're connected."
"Captain?" Sue's voice came from a speaker mounted on the desk.
"Yeah, it's me." Higgs eyed the camera sitting atop the display.
There was a pause. "Are you doing well, Captain?"
"You're concerned... about me?"
"I told you she was asking about you," Snyder said a bit smugly.
"I am not a she." Sue automatically said.
Snyder nodded. "Good."
"Good?"
"Well normally she will go into the whole 'I am a WIC Simulated Utility for Sensors and Aircraft Navigation, General Atomics SurveyHawk model."
Sue made a sound similar to clearing a throat. "You complained too much about that behavior."
"It can learn?" Percy asked from his position near the door.
"It would be of limited use if not," Snyder said. "Sue operates by a self updating decision matrix. It starts with basic interactivity built on a standard mission profile. However, the longer the program is operational the more flexibility she will gain."
Sue cleared its throat again.
"Like that."
"You're making learning machines? Sentient robots."
"The term is sapient," Sue said a bit primly. "And no, I am not."
Snyder sighed. "Don't scare it. She's very sensitive."
"Doctor," Sue sighed. "Captain, you did not answer," the voice seemed almost irritated. "How are you doing? You have not been in battle since my destruction. Has your performance been adversely affected?"
"Err no. I'm just going through some training."
"Good. When you are restored to functional status it will be good to work with you again."
Higgs coughed.
"Did you just get asked out on a date?" Percy tilted his head.
Higgs spun on his heel. "Not a word."
"No." Sue stated.
Snyder raised a hand. "This is what I was worried about. Sue doesn't understand those things. Its entire worldview is centered around the mission. There isn't anything else."
"Oh, poor thing," Percy frowned.
"Why?" Snyder patted the frame holding the computing core. "This is the purpose she was created for, the purpose she wants to excel at. Why complicate things?"
"From the man that keeps slipping into using female pronouns," Higgs sighed. "Sue why did you kill yourself for me?" He asked already knowing the answer.
"You were the less expendable component."
Higgs nodded. "And what if the situation were reversed?"
"What of it? Would you have sacrificed yourself to save me?" Something like offense crept into Sue's voice.
Exhaling slowly, Higgs closed his eyes. "That depends on the situation. I can see a time when a surveillance plane would be more useful than a fighter plane. I can also see a case where I'd be dead either way and helping you survive would be for the best."
"Then we are in agreement. I am glad Captain." Sue brightly said.
"Yeah... me too."
"I predict many more productive missions together."
"Are you sure she's not trying to flirt with you?" Percy asked.
"It's the computerized control module to a warplane," Higgs glared.
"No offense Sir, but so are you."
"Yes, very good," Snyder rubbed his hands on the sleeves of his coat. "I think this conversation will be a net benefit for the program."
"Really?" Higgs dryly asked.
"Absolutely. The bonds pilots form with each other are notoriously deep. If we can get modded pilots to accept and casually interact with programs like Sue then general military service and integration can't be far behind."
"I would like that," Sue stated.
Higgs nodded.
"You would? You would like something?" Snyder asked.
"Yes."
"Wait... the Navy already uses SurveyHawks," Higgs countered.
"Yes, but they don't have the SUSAN hardware. They're much slower to interact with and completely non-intuitive." Snyder waved the Captain away. "Sue is this something you actually desire? Do you have such things?"
"Being useful to the mission is my reason to exist. The more missions I can perform the more use I will have."
"Excellent!" Snyder triumphantly cried.
"This is normal, every company does stuff like this," Percy sighed.
***************
The port terminal was one of Mooring's older non-prefabricated buildings. It was squat and square and lacked the brutal concrete weight of the Company buildings nor the drab plainness of the Navy buildings. Faced with the grey, white-veined local stone, surrounded by green grass and a few of the spiral-leafed native trees, it actually had architectural embellishments around the windows. Even fronted by a row of pillars, it gave the appearance of an oasis of class in a sea of brisk functionality. However the appearance was only valid from the front. Beyond the building lay the riot of piers, walkways and cargo cranes that made up the harbor.
A little girl, of about seven, ran up the steps to the port terminal; little hiking boots reverberating against the concrete. Her hair flowed behind her in a turquoise wave. She wore a blue floral print jumper with a white blow tied at the back. Little green wings happily flapped behind her. Reaching the top she glanced back, bright blue eyes lighting up. Horns poked out of her hair. Much like her eyes they seemed overly large. "Come on Erica. We're going to miss Grandma!"
An older girl barely into puberty but with similarly delicate feature was a couple steps behind. Shoulder-length lavender hair was held back using a red Alice-band. She wore a green blouse over jeans.. "And the rest of our aunts? Are we going to miss them too Orine? Will they leave because you're too late?" Mock concern crossed her face.
The young girl, Orine blinked. Worry crossed her face. She looked behind Erica to the two older Descended following them. "Mother? Is Erica right?"
Keeping an arm around the slender woman, Shelia looked to her wife. "Well?"
"I think she was talking to you," Merva Ford assured. Shorter than her mate, she had violet eyes and long sea-green hair tied back with a plain ribbon at the nape of her neck.
"Mommy!" Orine whined and ran towards her parents. As she passed Erica she whipped her tail across the older girl's legs.
"You little brat!" Erica cried after checking her pants.
Orine ran to Shelia who picked up the girl.
"You're spoiling her," Merva quietly said.
"Am I?" Shelia asked, hugging her daughter who basking in her mother's contact when from pouting to nearly purring.
"Little runt," Erica groused.
Baring her fangs, Orine hissed.
Eyes narrowing, Shelia grabbed one of the girl's horns and gave it a little twist.
Yelping, Orine cried and tried to burrow into her mother's uniform.
"Bad girl." Shelia sternly said before releasing her grip.
Merva gave an approving nod.
"Now will you be good or will you have to wait back here with Momma-Merva?" Shelia asked. "You also won't get to go to the picnic."
Walking ahead of her family, Erica allowed a little smile. Feeling a chill from her horns to the base of her spine, the young girl's tail uncurled and stopped swishing. For a moment she kept still, then she slowly turned around. "Yes Mother?"
The wind whipped against Merva's blue sundress. "Anything to say for yourself?"
Without breaking eye contact, Erica lowered her head, angling her horns forward.
"No excuses at least." Merva frowned. "I know you think it's unfair."
Erica kept her gaze onto her mother's purple eyes.
"But you're the eldest sister. You're responsible. I know it's not fair, but that's the reality of the situation."
"I wouldn't-"
Merva put a finger over her daughter's lips. "Correct, and I know she knows that, but she's young. She's got less control. We all have to watch her."
"Yes, mother."
"Good. Don't worry, you were far more obnoxious when you were her age, and look what Shelia and I did with you."
Erica looked over to Orine who was back to happily running ahead while Shelia shadowed her. "I liked it better when you just used my horns to punish me."
"If you want to be treated like a little broodling all you have to do is ask," Merva said, resuming her walk up the stairs.
"No, Mother." Erica then ran up the stairs after her family. She reached the top and followed them through the glass doors and into the echoing lobby. Done in polished tiles of the same native stone the room gave the impression of crossing a stilled pond.
US Marines in stood guard by the doors and checked Shelia's Company officer ID and then the dependent IDs of the other three girls. The squad of marines worked quickly and professionally, calling in with the guard house that had let them into the warding perimeter and onto the base proper.
Erica took position behind her little sister who was happily gazing up on the marine's weapons and armor. Erica for her part was relieved that they were keeping their weapons pointed down. Improper muzzle discipline was likely to cause a scene, especially around Sergeant Somerset's grandchildren. The head marine, a stout, muscular man eyed the gun openly strapped on Shelia's hip. He gave a thoughtful nod and waved them through.
The far wall of the lobby was dominated by a long row of glass doors. Retractable ribbon-belts connected poles to form pathways to the various piers and bus stations for the slips that were further out.
"There are advantages to being this far out," Shelia smirked.
"Yes, you'd never get away with taking such a dangerous weapon into a transportation hub back on Earth, Company commission or no," Merva teased.
"Like someone could ever really disarm one of us," Erica grumbled.
"A lot of life is learning when you shouldn't do things that spook others," Shelia said.
"Like in Sunday School?" Orine innocently asked.
"Exactly," Merva put an arm around the girl. "And you're wonderful there."
Looking over their daughter, Shelia shot her wife a quizzical look.
"I was wrong. I admitted it. Especially after the fire at Easter Vigil, but things did get better."
Erica relished her mother's embarrassment.
"Well, it helps that there's a fifth of us in the congregation. It's not nearly as lopsided as Columbus... or Seattle."
"I'm sure your sisters are working to correct that," Merva assured.
"Grandma!" Orine cried one of the doors opened.
Despite herself, Erica's horns tingled and looked up with a big smile.
Orine started running and Erica followed.
Five Descended entered the lobby. At the head of the group strode Sergeant Somerset. Still wearing her double-layer combat armor and carrying her IDR7 carbine she bore a large smile. "Orine, Erica!" she cried crouching down to catch the two broodlings.
Shelia and Merva were not far behind. Merva went up and put her arms around her mother and daughters. Shelia added to the embrace but broke off first. Watching her mate and mother-in-law hug, the Descended officer stepped back.
"Good to see you again, Ma'am" Sandra added with a tiny smirk.
Shelia nodded to the Sein. "How was it?"
"A bloody mess. Our recon was spotted and we were drawn into a fight. Those gommers hurt Cat." Still holding her IG40L one handed, Sandra's eyes went cold.
"You took care of them," Shelia stated.
Sandra's tongue flicked out.
"Good."
The bronze-skinned Descended smiled. "I heard you had some excitement on your end."
Shelia tilted her head. "Ah, is that why you were recalled?"
"That there's not much for us to do on Pitratucu anymore."
"How bad was it?"
"Merva..." Catalina crossed her arms over her chest.
"Other than Cat," Merva coughed.
"Fritz and Weiss got injured but there's some interesting news on the latter."
"Fritz and Weiss got injured but there's some interesting news on the latter."
Shelia looked to Merva. "She didn't?"
"Yes mother'd never convince a recon soldier to sign onto a Faustian bargain." Leaning back on her heels, Kelly smirked.
"But Wiese is a combat tech."
Smiling, Somerset
No comments:
Post a Comment