CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

“It’s definitely a signal. Distorted, but there,” reported Bret. “The nebula is having an effect of our ability to pick it up.”

“Can we clean up the distortions if we get closer?” asked John from his command chair.

“Possibly,” as Bret reviewed the data on his console. “I’ll have to play with the sensors to see if I can make any improvements.”

“Private Mallison, bring us within fifteen thousand kilometers of the nebula’s perimeter,” ordered John. The PHOENIX arrived at the nebula yesterday and almost immediately the sensors picked up some faint transmissions coming from it. It was barely discernible and was almost dismissed by Bret and the scientists who reviewed the data. After careful analysis, they were certain a signal was being broadcasted from inside the nebula.

“Can you determine what the transmission contains?” asked Julie from the operations table.

“Not yet,” replied Bret. “I’ve tried using the Onixin’s communications setup they used during their expedition. So far, no luck. I can also confirm none of our regular signal protocols are penetrating the nebula.”

“Stubborn little nebula,” remarked John. This was certainly turning out to be quite the challenge.

“That’s a pretty accurate assessment,” said Kevin from his station. “I’ve confirmed what our scientists have already told us. The composition of the nebula’s ionized gases makes it impossible for PHOENIX to travel through it.”

“I wonder if whoever is on the other side has the same problem?” speculated Julie.

“We have to first confirm that someone is in there,” John reminded her.

“I think I can do that,” said Bret. “I put the transmission through one of Drix’s algorithm programs and it resequenced the transmission into something audible.”

“Play it,” ordered John. Bret activated the command deck speakers and played the transmission.

“This is Equiforna, external ambassador to the Quix.” The high shrill voice felt like a ripple through John’s skin. “If you are listening to this message, please respond on carrier line oniteen-six-zillion nifety.”

“Any idea how to interpret those numbers?” said Julie.

“Without knowing their basic foundation of math we’re pretty much screwed,” said John. “Has Drix encountered them?”

“I checked the computer and Drix never came across any race by that name,” replied Mallison. “The records from the Onixin expedition don’t have any reference to a Quix either.”

“Captain,” said Bret. “I analyzed the transmission and think I can reconfigure the communications dish to send a similar formatted transmission through the nebula.”

“Will it go through?” asked Kevin.

“No guarantees,” admitted Bret. “But it’s our best shot at the moment.”

“Do it,” ordered John.

“It may take a couple of hours to reconfigure the dish,” said Bret.

“When you get it set up, send a standard greeting,” said John. “And alert me the moment you hear anything.”

With nothing left to do but wait, John headed to his office to get some work done.

********

Hours passed and nothing developed. Bret was able to successfully set up the communications dish and send a transmission into the nebula but there was no response. Soon the day was over with nothing to show for.

With no reason to hang out on the command deck John, Julie, and Thresha went to dinner at Smitty’s.

“Captain, I wanted to ask you why you stopped coming to the coilquin,” inquired Thresha.

“I’ve just been busy,” explained John. “I only went there to get over what happened on the Io planet. I’m fine now.”

“You were able to attain a level of contentment each time you went,” said Thresha. “I feel you could continue to benefit from it.”

“She’s right,” added Julie. “I go four times a week and it’s done wonders for getting rid of my stress. You should reconsider.”

“Maybe, I’ll think about it,” said John. But he had no intention of going back to the coilquin. Ever since learning of his sister’s death, he felt he had lost faith in everything. Going to the coilquin would be a lie. He didn’t want to feel better. How could he? The one important thing in his life was gone. Even commanding this starship wasn’t filling the void. He couldn’t accept he would never see his sister again. There was so many things he wanted to tell her but that would never happen now.

“Professor Harthy has been bringing Betty Christen there for mediation as part of her treatment,” revealed Julie.

“She really needs it,” said John. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Doctor Myers enter Smitty’s with a group of his medical staff. The captain lost his appetite seeing one of the biggest reminders of Nicole’s death.

Thresha sensed John’s discomfort and saw his attention was on Myers. “Captain, are you ok?”

“I’m fine,” lied John. “I just remember there’s some things I need to do.”

“Like what?” asked Julie as John slid out of the booth.

“Don’t worry about it. Good night.” Julie and Thresha watched as he made a hasty exit from the pub.

“He has been this way around Doctor Myers for quite some time,” said Thresha.

Julie wasn’t surprised that Thresha connected John’s emotional discomfort to the doctor. “It’s that obvious.”

“His demeanor changes whenever the doctor enters a room or speaks. This is not the first time I have seen this happen. What happened between them?”

“I wish I could tell you but I can’t.” Julie wanted so desperately to confide in her friend. John was adamant no one else find out about what Admiral Johnson did to Nicole. Julie had to keep her promise to the captain and remain silent.

“I sense a great deal of sadness within you for the captain,” said Thresha. “If I can help in any way.”

“Thanks, but I’m fine. It’s the captain I’m worried about. To be honest, I don’t think there’s anything anyone can do. He tends to close himself off from others when he’s upset. All we can do is wait for him to come to one of us to talk.”

********

John went back to his quarters for the remainder of the evening. He reviewed the latest data transmission being put together for the people back in the solar system. He wondered how PHOENIX was being thought of back home. Were people in support of them? Or had TERRA successfully painted the crew as traitorous rogues?

Home, that concept seemed foreign to him now. Earth certainly didn’t feel like home anymore. He had nothing to go back to there. PHOENIX felt like home for awhile but now it seemed more like an empty hull. This ship was created by a man who destroyed John’s life, and the young captain hated that idea. He never felt like he fit in on Earth. Now he had that same feeling here. Was he destined to spend the rest of his life feeling isolated wherever he went. Nicole certainly understood him. John always felt comfortable around her.

“Command deck to Roberts,” came the voice of Bret through John’s pip.

“Go ahead.”

“Captain, we’ve established a connection with the Quix.”

That got his attention and the captain stood up. “You were able to talk to them?”

“Yes sir. I have Equiforna on the line. I’ve given him a brief intro about us and he’d like to speak with you.”

“Put him through,” John said anxiously. He heard the sounds of clicking and some static. “This is Captain John Roberts.” There was no immediate reply. Did they lose the signal?

“Captain Roberts, this is Ambassador Equiforna. Can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear.” Equiforna’s voice sounded the same to John like the voice on the transmission they picked up. “I’m a little surprised to hear from you. When there was no immediate reply to our hail…”

“I regret that I was not at my station,” explained Equiforna. “I was delegated by my leaders to be the liaison with other races; however, I relinquished my post onti ernas ago. None of us was expecting to receive a message from the outside.”

“I understand,” said John. “As Private Michaels has informed you, we’re out here exploring space. We were told about this nebula by a race we’ve had dealings with, the Onixins.”

“Yes,” said Equiforna. “We made rudimentary contact with the Onixins trazillion ernas ago. But after a few brief exchanges they ceased communicating with us.”

“Some matters back at their homeworld forced the Onixins to end their visit to your nebula.” John chose not disclose the matter was the Screen.

“Our royalty believed that additional contact with outsiders was unlikely,” said Equiforna. “I hope your arrival will spur interest in restarting research into leaving our home.”

“You can’t leave the nebula?”

“No, we discovered that our ships cannot make the transition into open space. The nature of the nebula has created a barrier that prevents our vessels from passing through.”

“We weren’t aware of that,” revealed John. “We do know that our ship cannot travel through the nebula.”

“That is unfortunate,” replied Equiforna. “A visit by outsiders to our world would be a remarkable occasion to celebrate.”

John was disappointed but wasn’t really to give up just yet. “I’m afraid for now, our contact will have to be limited to these transmissions.”

“I am impressed how you were able to remodulate your transmission to penetrate the nebula,” said Equiforna. “I believe with further collaborative research we could add an imaging component to the messages.”

“You mean see each other?” asked John.

“Yes, if that is permissible.”

The captain perked up. “Absolutely. We’d be happy to work with you to make that happen.”