“I invited Doctor Rose to come up to hear your statement,” Tyson said. “She believes a better understanding of the bigger picture regarding these aliens might be valuable to her work.”

  “Your work?” Joseph asked. “Genetic research, right?”

  “Primarily, yes. I’m especially interested in your feelings on why the alien object is dangerous. By all accounts, your Guardians killed whatever was inside it.”

  “We did?” Joseph asked, looking over at West.

  “As near as we can tell, Prime,” West replied.

  “You’d better be pretty damned certain. That thing nearly killed Morales and me.” He looked back at Rose. “I don’t know that much about alien life forms or really anything about biology, Doctor. But the thing inside that rock got inside my head. It was messing with my mind.”

  “Can you elaborate?” Rose asked.

  “It was just screaming at me at first. This awful noise. We probably got a recording of it when it came through the comms on the bridge. Right, Commander?”

  “We did,” Siraj confirmed.

  “It was just this terrible, paralyzing sound. I powercycled my space suit to shut down the speakers to get it out of my head. I think when it realized I was defeating that attack, that’s when it started talking to me.”

  “Talking to you?” Rose questioned. “What did it say?”

  “It read my mind,” Joseph said. “It pulled out a painful memory and reenacted it with the black goop. The membrane. It knew every detail, right down to the sound of my mother’s voice.”

  “How did that make you feel?”

  “Frightened at first. And then angry. I know what I did wrong. I don’t need to be reminded. It’s funny though, Doctor. It seemed like it was trying to get a rise out of me. To scare me. And when that didn’t work, that’s when it decided it was going to eat us.”

  “Eat you?”

  “The alien formed a mouth filled with massive teeth,” West said. “In the membrane on the wall. We got to it right before it got to Morales.”

  “How did you know which way to shoot?” Joseph asked.

  “We didn’t,” West replied. “We just fired in every direction and hoped we got lucky. We did.”

  “Nice.” Joseph put up his fist, and West bumped it with hers.

  “I’m interested in getting a sample of the membrane,” Rose said.

  “I bet you are,” Joseph replied. “Captain, going back in there is a bad idea. We thought it was inert, and you saw what happened. We confirmed there are no more squids inside. We should either blow the thing off the ship or just leave it the hell alone.”

  “Captain,” Rose said. “I appreciate Guardian Prime’s reservations. But this could be a one in a million opportunity to study a second alien life form. Like I told you earlier, being able to link the trife to a larger alien genome could be the evidence we need to prove there’s another entire intelligent race out there and that their arrival in our solar system wasn’t a freak accident. We only need a small sample to get a closer look at its genetic composition.”

  “I think we can already prove it wasn’t a freak accident,” Siraj said. “The object followed us away from Earth and maneuvered with us to land on the hull. It wanted to get on this ship. It wanted to attack us.”

  “That’s circumstantial,” Rose said. “What we need is definitive proof.”

  “What does it matter?” Joseph asked. “No offense, Doctor, but who cares? The trife came, we fought them, we lost. Now we’re out here, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let some reckless mad scientist put this ship at risk.”

  “I’m hardly reckless or mad,” Rose replied calmly. “I believe very strongly that examination of the object is valuable to the work the UN sent me out here to complete. It’s my mission, Prime.”

  “I have a mission too. And like it or not, it butts right up against yours. We can’t both get what we want.”

  “No, maybe we can’t,” Rose said, turning to Tyson. ”Captain, this is your ship. It’s your call. Just please keep in mind our earlier discussion about our limitations on time.”

  Tyson met her gaze, staring into her eyes a little too deeply before catching himself. This wasn’t the time or place to develop a crush on the mad scientist. “Both of your perspectives are valid. Guardian Prime is right to be concerned about the safety of the ship, as well as the safety of whoever might have to go back into the object to retrieve your sample. And you’re right to want to further your research and possibly change the outcome on Earth. This isn’t a decision I can make right now, regardless of your time constraints, Doctor Rose.”

  He shifted his gaze to each of the people in the room in turn. West was guarded and on edge, Joseph angry. He got the impression Siraj was on Joseph’s side and Okoye on Rose’s. The sides weren’t surprising. But could a doctor and a scientist possibly understand what it was like to be on the front lines of a war?

  “Doctor Okoye, if Guardian Prime is in acceptable health, he’s free for discharge. I want him in his barracks room and fast asleep inside the hour. Second, you too. The alien object hasn’t shown any signs of activity since we put the camera on it. I’m heading to berthing to get some rest myself. Doctor Rose, I’ll inform you of my decision by oh nine hundred hours.”

  “Captain,” Rose said, ready to argue.

  “Oh nine hundred hours,” he repeated. “It’s not negotiable.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  “Captain, what about Guardian Nori?” Okoye asked.

  He was only looking for three to four hours to give his mind a chance to process everything without his other senses getting in the way. Was that so hard?

  “Oh nine hundred hours,” he said a third time.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Nivita, you need to sleep too,” Tyson said.

  “Yes, sir,” Siraj agreed. “I’m headed for the first empty rack I can find.”

  “Excellent work out there, Guardians. You’re proving your worth in spades.”

  “Thank you, sir,” West replied. “Maybe you could put us in for a promotion.”

  Tyson smiled at the joke. “I’ll take it up with the captain. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, sir.”

  Tyson turned to leave, surprised when Rose followed him out the door.

  “Doctor Rose, I already told you—”

  “I know,” she replied, cutting him off. “I won’t mention that again. I just thought maybe we could help one another.”

  “And this has nothing to do with the alien object?”

  “No, Captain. I’ve been thinking about your request to use our comm laser.”

  “Did you change your mind?”

  “Yes and no. If we can solve our riddle, I might be able to attach something simple to the transmission, flagged for urgency.”

  “I would appreciate that, Doctor. Very much.” He stopped, turning to look her in the eye. “And there are no strings attached to this offer?”

  “No strings,” Rose replied. “We’re on the same side, Tyson.”

  “And we’re on a first name basis now, Victoria?”

  She smiled. “Why not?” She put her hand on his bicep. “Goodnight, Tyson.”

  “Goodnight.”

  She started walking ahead of him. She reached the exit to the control room and then looked back at him over her shoulder. “Of course, there are ways you could help accelerate our research, which will get your message sent sooner. Just keep that in mind.”

  Then she was through the door. By the time Tyson went through it, she was gone.

  34

  Cross

  Pioneer. Sickbay. 11.12.2052. 0500 hours.

  “Well, Guardian Prime,” Doctor Okoye said. “You heard the Captain. You are free to go.”

  “Thank you, Doctor,” Joseph replied. “And for your help getting my energy back up.”

  “That’s why I’m here.”

  Joseph threw off the blanket over his midsection and slid out of the bed at the same time West re-entered the room, clutching a fresh pair of black utilities and underwear.

  “These should fit you, Prime,” she said, tossing them at him. He caught them cleanly before dropping the stack onto the bed.

  “A little privacy?” he said.

  West smiled, turning and leaving the room. Okoye followed her out.

  Joseph pulled off the thin gown, grabbed each item of clothing in turn and quickly got dressed. He walked out of the room, finding Okoye and West chatting quietly at the other end of the passageway, near room six. They noticed him, with West offering an amused smirk as he approached.

  “You could have brought me some boots,” Joseph said, looking down at his bare feet, cool on the metal floor. “And socks.”

  “You’re a big boy, Prime,” West replied. “I figured you could handle that much.”

  He noticed a red LED on the wall next to the door to room six, indicating it was occupied. “Is that Morales or Nori?” he asked.

  “I walked Morales back to the barracks already,” West said. “You’re the slow one.”

  “That’s Guardian Nori’s room,” Okoye said.

  Joseph leaned over, peering in through the small window. Nori was in bed, an IV in his wrist. His eyes were open. He looked bored. “Can I go in?”

  Okoye glanced into the room. “He’s awake. I think he would be happy to see both of you.”

  Joseph opened the door and stepped in. Nori’s head didn’t move, but his eyes slid over, looking at him. A grin slowly spread across his face until it had taken over.

  “Sarge,” he said. “It’s good to see you.”

  Joseph approached the side of the bed, putting his hand on Nori’s shoulder and squeezing. “It’s damn good to see you, brother.” He used his free hand to bump fists with the other Guardian. “How are you feeling?”

  “I have a whopping headache,” Nori replied. “And Doc Okoye tells me my heart isn’t in the best shape. I asked for a synthetic, so I can get back with the team.” He paused, needing a moment to catch his breath. “We didn’t bring any. Can you believe that?”

  “The Marines back home need them,” Joseph replied. “We weren’t supposed to need them too.”

  “Copy that. Still, I owe you my life, Sarge.”

  “No. I owe you an apology. I should have taken that bastard out before he got to you.”

  “Give yourself a break,” Nori replied. “I was there. You did everything you could.” He looked over at West. “Didn’t he, Queen?”

  “Of course he did,” she replied. “He practically threw himself into space to save your skinny ass. And martyr that he is, now he needs to apologize.”

  “I’m not a martyr,” Joseph said.

  “Yeah, right. Sergeant Joe Cross. Excuse me. Guardian Prime Joe Cross. Never met a person he didn’t want to help.”

  “Why wouldn’t I want to help if someone is in trouble? That’s why I became a Marine.”

  “And a martyr.”

  Nori laughed, the effort turning into a cough a moment later as he struggled to catch his breath again. Joseph was about to call for Okoye, but Nori put a hand on his arm. “Just. Give me. A second.” He took a few more breaths before calming. “I’m just not used to these limitations yet. Anyway, if you need to apologize, I accept and forgive you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I hope I can get back to the Guardian module soon. I can still help out. I can work the CIC. Monitor the comms, that sort of thing.”

  Joseph nodded. “We could use that. Otherwise we’ll be stuck with Morales, and nobody wants him anywhere near the comms.”

  “Did he tell you the one about the Navy Captain yet?” West asked.

  “You mean he has a new one?”

  “Affirmative.”

  “Don’t let Grant hear him telling it. He’s stiff as a board.”

  “And tough as a nail,” Nori said. “What he did to Levi.” The comment sent the room into a tense silence. “Shit, Sarge. I shouldn’t have brought that up. Meds are making me stupid.”

  “You don’t need meds for that,” West said.

  The tension broke into laughter until Nori started coughing again. Joseph did go out to get Okoye this time, the Doctor hurrying into the room and quickly giving Nori a shot. It caused the Guardian to slump back against the bed, eyes sliding closed.

  “Sorry, Doc,” West said.

  Joseph turned to Okoye. “You recommend he doesn’t return to duty? I’m not a Doctor, and I want Nori back in the barracks more than anyone. But even I can tell he’s done.”

  “You don’t tell a man like Grant what to do,” Okoye replied. “You have to be more subtle about it. He’ll make the right decision after he reads my report.”

  “How do you know?”

  “The damage to his heart means more than just a shortness of breath. If you remember your training on the stasis pods, you’ll recall the stimulant gel is very cold. A shock like that would likely kill him.”

  “You mean he can’t go into stasis?” West asked.

  “That’s right.”

  Joseph shook his head. “I hope you’re right then, Doctor. Nori was willing to stay out here and fight, no questions asked. He’s a damn hero. He belongs in Metro with his family.”

  “I’m sure I’m right.”

  Joseph nodded, and then went past Okoye and out the door. West followed after him, and they headed back toward the barracks together.

  “Are you okay, Prime?” she asked once they were free of sickbay and out into the empty corridors.

  “What do you mean?” Joseph asked.

  “When you were talking to Captain Grant and that Doctor, what was her name?”

  “Rose.”

  “Victoria Rose...seems so plastic. Sounds like a stripper’s name. Anyway, you said the alien pulled up your worst memory. I don’t want to pry into that. I just want to make sure you’re alright.”

  Joseph glanced over at West, his mind visualizing the oily black version of his dying sister. “Yeah, I’m okay, Keesh. That thing was trying to use my past to get to me. I refused to let it.”

  “Well, if you need someone to talk to…”

  “You’re my soul sister, I know. I’m okay. I just can’t wait to get some shut-eye. I’ve never felt this wiped in my entire life.”

  “Copy that. I’m just dropping onto my mattress. I don’t care how bad I smell.”

  “You do smell pretty bad.”

  “Somebody had to keep an eye on you after pulling you out of that thing. You need better manners. I’m a fragrant flower.”

  “Stinkweed.”

  “Shut up.” She playfully backhanded him in the shoulder.

  “Think Pioneer can survive four hours without us?”

  West smiled and shook her head. “Not a chance.”

  35

  Grant

  Pioneer. Berthing. 11.12.2052. 0850 hours.

  Tyson’s comm badge beeped again, the shrill tone waking him from an uneasy sleep. His eyes opened, his heart racing slightly as he reached up and tapped the badge, shutting off the alarm he had set from the shared terminal only a few short hours earlier.

  He sat up in his rack at the top of a three bed bunk, swinging his legs over the side. He was still in his uniform minus the jacket, grateful for his wrinkle-free shirt and pants that allowed him to jump down from the rack, smooth himself out, and look like he had just cleaned and pressed the uni. He reached up, running his fingers through his hair to straighten it, and then turned and picked his jacket up from his corner of the bunk. Bending down for his shoes, he made eye contact with the sailor on the bottom rack. One of Wall’s workers. The sailor’s eyes widened when he saw who had been asleep on the rack over his.

  “Captain Grant, sir,” he said, starting to get up.

  “At ease, sailor,” Tyson said. “Or is it spacer now?” He smiled. “I have to sleep the same as you, and they didn’t give officers special quarters. We’re all equal here.”

  “Yes, sir. If you say so, sir,” the spacer replied. “Good morning, Captain.”

  “Good morning. What’s your name, son?”

  “Seaman, err… Spaceman Lin Chu, sir.”

  “Spaceman,” Tyson said. “I like that. Spaceman Chu, which way to the galley? I could really use a cup of coffee.”

  “Sir, head out that door.” Chu pointed. “Turn right. Second door on your left. But I can get it for you, if you’d like.”

  “You don’t need to do that. Spaceman.”

  “It’s no trouble, Captain.” Chu threw off the light blanket covering him and rose from the bed. Like Tyson, he had slept in his overalls. “How do you take it, sir?”

  “Black is fine. Thank you, Spaceman.”

  “Of course, Captain.”

  Chu went to get the coffee while Tyson pulled on his jacket. Berthing was composed of a series of ten long, narrow compartments along a single passageway. Each compartment held thirty bunks of three racks each, seventeen on one side and thirteen on the other, enough total beds for nine hundred people even though the active duty contingent at launch was closer to four hundred. There was a lot of extra space, enough that Tyson could have probably claimed one of the compartments all for himself. He had chosen this one because it was nearly full. He preferred to be with the other spacers. It reminded him of the days before he had earned his way to captain.

  There were less racks on one side of the room to provide space for a terminal workstation that was hooked into the ship’s mainframe. Spacers used it to check their specific orders and tasks for the day and to make any general announcements. Every member of the crew also had a mailbox and a piece of Pioneer’s available datastore. While most had no real cause to use either, Tyson did.

  He crossed to the terminal, acknowledging the spacers who said good morning or stood to attention when they saw him. He could sense their eyes on him when he waited behind one of the crew while she finished with the terminal. Of course he was amused when she completed her session, stood up and then turned to inform him she was done. Seeing him standing there, her face flushed and she snapped to form, stuttering an apology while the other spacers in the berthing, including Tyson, laughed at her misfortune. “No need for that in here, spaceman.”