CHAPTER THIRTY

“I may have picked up a ship,” reported Tim at the operations table.

“Is it Onixin?” asked John.

“I can’t determine from this distance. I can’t even be sure it’s a ship.”

John looked at Korifluxinina. “Unarnu?”

“There appears to be some interference hampering our long range sensors but I cannot be sure,” reported the Quix science officer.

Julie looked back at the communications station. “Any replies to our calls?”

“Nothing so far,” replied Bret.

“Reduce our speed to factor one and put the shields up,” ordered John. The Onixin cruiser sent to locate the missing freighter stopped reporting its progress nearly a week ago. The Onixin military contacted PHOENIX and requested the starship investigate the disappearance of both vessels. John had no problem with the request, figuring PHOENIX’s superior weapons technology could protect them from danger. He was afraid what they would find.

“You believe the disappearance is tied to the Io?” Jacks asked John.

“I don’t want to jump to conclusions but my instincts are telling me it’s them.”

“No one has reported so much of a sighting of the Io,” Julie reminded him. Her statement did nothing to ease John’s worries.

“We are approaching the coordinates of the object,” reported Jufo.

“Exit jump and bring the ruialon weapons online,” ordered John.

“Exiting jump,” announced Jufo.

The ship exited its jump and John waited anxiously a few moments for the sensors to record the surrounding space.

“Picking up an object fifteen thousand kilometers from our location,” said Tim. “Hull design and composition conforms to an Onixin cruiser.”

“I can bring up a holographic image,” said Korifluxinina.

“Do it,” ordered John. An image of the cruiser appeared over the operations table.

“Hull marking confirm it’s the DEDIRIS ,” reported Tim, which was the cruiser dispatched to search for the missing Onixin freighter.

“Verify the ship’s transponder code,” ordered Julie.

“I can’t,” replied Tim. “I’m getting some strange energy readings from the ship. I can’t pick up any transponder frequency.”

John looked over to Korifluxinina, who was analyzing what the sensors were showing. “The energy readings appear similar to the ones on the planet where you left some of your crew. I cannot say if it is the source of why we cannot pick up a transponder reading.”

“Onixin transponder frequencies can only be disabled if the ship’s entire power network is destroyed,” noted Julie.

“Readings indicate the ship’s power network’s still intact,” said Tim. “In fact, I can’t pick up so much of a scratch on the ship. If it was disabled, it wasn’t done by conventional means.”

“Protocol dictates a team should be sent to investigate the cruiser,” said Jacks.

“No,” replied John emphatically. “I won’t send anyone over there unless we know what to expect.”

“There are no life signs being picked up,” reported Korifluxinina. “The unusual energy readings may be concealing them.”

John was suspicious. “Sounds like a trap.”

“We could send a couple of bots over on shuttles to investigate,” offered Julie. “Have Vish control them remotely.”

“We would need to get closer to the cruiser,” said Korifluxinina. “The energy emissions may interfere with any transmission link between Vish and the bots.”

“How close?” asked John.

“My calculations indicate within three hundred kilometers,” replied Korifluxinina.

That was way too close for John’s comfort but there didn’t seem to be any other choice. They needed some answers. “Load two bots on a shuttle and launch it towards the cruiser.”

As everyone began preparations, John looked at the image of the cruiser as it continued to float in space. He wasn’t optimistic about what they would find.

********

Unfortunately for John, his fears were well founded. A couple of hours later they were going over the footage recorded by the bots.

“The bots explored every section of the ship and didn’t find a single crew member,” reported Julie. “There wasn’t any evidence of an attack or anything indicating the crew was killed. It’s as if they simply vanished.”

“What about the ship’s logs?” asked Bret.

“The computer systems were erased of all information. Even the operating system was deleted.” Julie sped the footage up. “The bots found a single piece of equipment.” The video showed what looked like a piece of a component. Analysis indicates it had taken an impact from an energy weapon.

Julie looked at the senior staff. “The component didn’t match Onixin metallurgic structures but it did match the metallic alloy of the Jeffrey McCail computer module.”

“So the Io did attack the cruiser,” said Tim.

“It looks that way,” replied Julie.

“Is there any evidence of an Io ship leaving the area?” asked John. Julie shook her head. “What about the shuttle we left behind?” Again, she shook her head no.

“What of the freighter?” asked Jufo.

“We could not pick up a residual signature of any ship leaving the area,” reported Korifluxinina. “There is no sign of the freighter.”

“Bret, contact the Onixins and inform them of what we found,” requested John. “And also alert the Ni, Quix, and Senfo, as well as TERRA.”

“What about the cruiser?” asked Thresha.

“We’ll tow it back to the alliance station,” replied John. “We’ll remain at battle alert for the time being. Dismissed. Julie and Thresha, please remain behind.”

As soon as the others left, John spoke up. “We’re at a disadvantage not being able to track the Io. We don’t know what they’re planning or where they’re heading to.”

“I have to think they’re trying to get back to their homeworld,” speculated Julie. “Our scientists concluded the planet we found them on was not their original home. It didn’t have any signs that an advanced civilization ever resided there, except for the cave they apparently lived in.”

“None of the races we have encountered have indicated they have come across the Io,” added Thresha.

“There may be one way to get some answers,” said John. “Reactivating the Io module we have.”

Julie was surprised he was the one to offer up that idea. She considered it but chose not to recommend it, given John’s strong feelings about the Io. “You think that’s good idea?”

“No, but I don’t see any other option. Everyone’s in danger with the Io out there. We need to find out what’s motivating them. The module may have information about them that could help us.”

“Reactivating the module will be difficult for you,” reminded Thresha.

“I’m scared as hell,” confirmed John. “But we need answers.”

********

A few hours later, John arrived at medical. A computer tech had just finished evaluating the activation device Drix had put on the Io module. After the technician had informed the captain it was ready to be reactivated, John was left alone in the science lab. The module sat in the middle of a table and it looked ominous to John. He dreaded having to turn the thing back on. Memories of Jeff’s head in the cave seemed fresh in his mind. If there was any other way to avoid doing this, he’d take it. But he just didn’t see any other way to get answers on the Io’s motives.

John took a deep breath and activated the module. He watched as the lights flickered on it and it hum to life.

“Where am I?” came the distorted voice of the device. “My sensors indicate I’m in the medical section of the PHOENIX. I detect a single life sign in the room.”

“It’s just you and I,” muttered John. He hated having to interact with this thing.

“Hello, Captain Roberts. How goes your mission in finding the Screen?”

“I’m here to talk about the Io, not the Screen,” replied John as he tried to hide the fear in his voice.

“I’m grateful to hear that,” said the module. “Does that mean you have reconsidered the gift the Io can give you?”

“The Io left the planet we found them on,” explained John. “So far they’ve taken a group of humans and Onixins. I want to know where they’re going.”

“Your tone indicates you’re not happy. You wanted them to remain stranded on the planet. But the Io cannot be contained.”

The module’s statement caught John’s attention. “Someone purposely marooned them on that planet? Who?”

“I’d be happy to discuss the circumstances that led them to the planet at another time. However, you must be willing to accept their gift of enlightenment.”

“If you’re not going to tell me then I wasted my time,” said John as he approached to shut the module off.

“Wait! Although you’re not ready to hear the history of the Io, I will tell you where they’re going.”

John was suspicious. “Why? Why would you help me?”

“It serves no purpose keeping that information a secret,” replied the module. “And it’s not like you can stop them.”

“Watch me,” countered John.

“PHOENIX is an impressive starship, but even it can’t stop the Io,” said the module. “You’ll eventually learn what they’re capable of. Provide me a DAT and I will give you the coordinates of where they are heading.”

“Command deck to Captain Roberts,” said Chief Davers over John’s pip.

“Go ahead.”

“Sir, we’re having some problems with the Cresorians. Several of them are demanding to speak with you.”

“About what?”

“Something about their newly formed government ordering them back to their homeworld.”

John wasn’t aware of any such decree. He knew that the Cresorians had formed a new government on their homeworld, but nothing more.

“I’ll be right there. Roberts out.” John looked at the module. “I’ll deal with you later.” Without waiting for a reply, he switched it off and left. Unbeknownst to him, there was a nano listening device in the corner of the room underneath one of the computer stations. In her quarters, Betty had listened to John and the module’s conversation. She was so happy hearing her loved one’s voice again. She had much to plan for. Soon she, her son and Jeffrey would be reunited.

********

All sixty-three Cresorians were demanding to speak with John. To facilitate his time, he met with six of them in the board room. Apparently, their new government issued an order requiring all Cresorians to return to their homeworld to help rebuild and repopulate the planet. None of the Cresorians wanted to leave PHOENIX and requested asylum on the ship. John wasn’t inclined to force them to leave and assured them he would do what he could for them.

After contacting some people in his government and TERRA, John was back in his office speaking with Admiral Vespia about the situation.

“There’s a lot of information being thrown around,” explained Vespia. “Our government hasn’t formally assigned a diplomatic team to the Cresorians, so it took some time to figure out who’s in charge. I can confirm the Cresorian government has ordered all their people back to their world.”

“How insistent are they about it?” John asked.

“Very,” replied Vespia. “Their newly elected leader has made it clear that anyone who refuses the order will be forcibly returned.”

“They can’t be serious,” remarked John. “None of the Cresorians on PHOENIX want to leave. I doubt sixty-three of them will have much of an impact on rebuilding their planet.”

“Sounds like you’re defending them,” observed Vespia. “I know you’ve been having some problems keeping them in line on the ship.”

“I’ll admit they’ve been a handful for security at times, but that doesn’t mean I want to use it as an excuse to get rid of them. They want to stay on board. I’m not willing to put them off the ship unless they commit a serious infraction.”

“What if I order you to remove them?” asked Vespia.

“Are you really going to do that?” John was ready to tell her no but had to remind himself that he had to work with TERRA.

Vespia smiled. “No, I’m not. The fact is we have no formal diplomatic agreement with the Cresorians. We haven’t even recognized their new government yet.”

John smiled, knowing what the admiral was getting at. With no formal agreement, the Cresorian leadership couldn’t force TERRA to capitulate to their demands. “Thank you.”

“That will buy you some time,” advised Vespia, “Once we’ve normalized relations, and if they still insist on it, you may not have a choice in removing them from the PHOENIX.”

John hoped that would be awhile. “You mentioned they elected a leader. Who is it?”

“His name is Jevex,” replied Vespia.

John didn’t recognize the name and quickly checked the ship’s database. He was part of the Cresorian fleet that helped defend the solar system from the Screen. Nothing in the file indicated anything remarkable about him. John was curious how this individual managed to gain the Cresorian leadership.

“Maybe I’ll call him.” John never had a chance to meet with many Cresorians as he was whisked away to Luna shortly after the fight.

“I’m not opposed to that,” replied Vespia. “I’m sure he’ll grant an audience to you. I’d advised you to be careful in your dealings with him since we have little information about him. But you have the most experience with the Cresorians. You’ll know how to handle the situation.”

“Thank you,” said John.

Apparently, Vespia was wrong. John made repeated requests to speak with the Cresorian leader but all he got was the same answer: he was too busy handling affairs to speak with John. All the captain could do was leave messages saying he was deferring to his government regarding the order for all Cresorians to return home. So much for him being highly regarded with everyone.