“Prime out.”

  37

  Grant

  Pioneer. Forward Elevator. 11.12.2052. 0950 hours.

  “Captain Grant,” Chief Oslo said as the doors to the elevator opened. “Engineering Chief Oslo reporting, sir.”

  “At ease, Chief,” Tyson replied, joining the engineer in the cab. The doors slid closed and Tyson tapped the button to take them to Deck Thirty.

  “Thirty, sir?” Oslo asked.

  “We’re picking up Guardian Prime Cross,” Tyson explained. “I want him involved.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  The elevator descended quickly, stopping roughly when it reached their destination, causing Tyson to glance at Oslo.

  “I’ll have my crew take a look at that,” the engineer said in response. “Probably needs adjustment now that it’s been used a little.”

  The doors opened. Joseph was already there, dressed in black utilities and standing at firm attention. “Captain Grant, Guardian Prime Cross reporting, sir.”

  “At ease, Prime,” Tyson said. “Come on in.”

  Joseph stepped into the cab, moving to the left side and standing at parade rest. He nodded at Chief Oslo.

  “I don’t think you two have met in person yet,” Tyson said as the doors closed.

  “No, sir,” Joseph replied, extending his hand to the Chief. “Nice to finally meet you, Chief.”

  “Likewise, Prime.”

  They shook hands as Tyson reached toward the lift controls, tapping the pad to bring them up two levels to the research module. “Prime, I’m sure you’re wondering what all of this is about. I’ll explain everything after we meet with Doctor Rose.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Tyson glanced back at Joseph. The Guardian’s expression was firm, but he could see the hint of uncertainty behind it. “You’re probably wondering about my decision regarding Guardian Nori. Is that right?”

  “Yes, sir. I spoke to him last night. He’s not well.”

  “Doctor Okoye’s report said as much. You do understand, I’m loath to lose another Guardian, especially with everything that’s already happened.”

  “I understand, sir. So am I,” Joseph replied, though the slight change in his face told Tyson there was more to his thoughts. “I’ve been thinking about the role of the Guardians in general. If you have time, I’d like to discuss it with you.”

  “To argue for Nori’s integration into Metro?”

  “For starters, yes sir.”

  The lift stopped, the doors opening. Tyson didn’t disembark. He turned to fully face Joseph. He could see the restraint in his face. Joseph wanted to fight for his man, despite knowing he would never fully recover from his injuries.

  “I’ve already given Okoye instructions to prep Nori for integration,” Tyson said. “He’s going into Metro.”

  Joseph’s expression shifted between surprised, confused and relieved. “Sir, then why let me think you had decided to keep him in the program?”

  “I’m still learning about you. I wanted to see your reaction. You haven’t disappointed me yet.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Shall we?” Tyson led Joseph and Oslo off the elevator. “Do you know how to get to the research module from here, Prime?” he asked.

  “No, sir. I haven’t had the chance to begin learning all of the passageways yet. Though I believe Guardian Madani may be patrolling in the area.”

  “You have Guardians on patrol already?” Tyson asked.

  “Yes, sir. Second West organized it. We’re getting an idea of how much ship there is and how long it’ll take to patrol each section. We’ll be able to break that down into a schedule for the active Guardians by the time we’re ready to leave the system.”

  “Captain, if I may,” Oslo said.

  “Go ahead, Chief.”

  “Prime, your attention to detail is commendable. But there’s no need to manually patrol any part of Pioneer. You have access to the full range of internal sensors from your command station, including motion, heat and other life detection sensing. Plus access to the critical engineering systems. You’ll receive a direct warning if anything is failing. You also have access to nearly two dozen Dragonflies.”

  “Dragonflies?” Joseph asked.

  “Small drones. They can cover a large portion of the ship for you. They should be stowed in your module’s hold. Or maybe the armory. I don’t remember which.”

  “I see,” Joseph said. He looked at Tyson. “My apologies, Captain. I haven’t had much time to get acquainted with the full capabilities of our CIC, or the full complement of our equipment. Colonel Hale was supposed to be Prime. She and her officers had the bulk of the pre-launch training.”

  “There’s no need to apologize,” Tyson said. “I completely understand. I didn’t know about the Dragonflies either. This isn’t why I brought you and Chief Oslo together, but I’m glad I did. Chief, I want you to spend some time with the Guardians over the coming weeks. You seem to understand their systems better than they do.”

  Oslo smiled. “Of course, Captain. I should know a lot about them. I helped design some of them. Prime, I’ll get you fully up to speed by the time we pass Pluto.”

  “I’d appreciate that, Chief.”

  Tyson led them through the passageways, back around to the research module. He activated the security panel when they arrived, looking up into the camera without speaking.

  They waited nearly a minute before the door finally slid open. Pietro stood behind it. “Captain Grant,” he said. “Doctor Rose wasn’t expecting you to come all the way down to deliver the news.”

  “I didn’t have much choice,” Tyson replied. “We don’t have comms access to this module. I can’t reach her except in person.”

  Pietro didn’t respond to the statement. “Victoria asked me to escort you to her office.” His eyes passed to Oslo and Joseph. “Just you.”

  “Guardian Prime Cross comes with me,” Tyson said.

  “Victoria was very clear that—”

  “I don’t care what she’s clear about,” Tyson interrupted. “The Guardians are the ship’s security. They’re responsible for the safety and welfare of both the crew and the civilian population inside Metro and for your module as well. This is a matter of security, and I won’t entertain Doctor Rose’s position regarding the alien object without including their commander in the discussion.”

  Tyson’s tone cowed the scientist. “I don’t think Victoria can argue with that. This way.” He looked at Oslo. “You can wait in the control room.”

  “Sure,” Oslo said.

  He led Tyson and Joseph through the control room, back into the main lab. They were halfway across the space when Tyson sensed Joseph freeze behind him.

  “What the hell is this?” Joseph hissed.

  Tyson turned, noticing the Guardian taking in the presence of the trife. His face was stone, his eyes smoldering.

  “Prime,” Tyson said. “It’s none of our concern. Let’s go.”

  “Sir, I have to respectfully disagree. You just said I’m responsible for the safety of the ship. This is a huge concern.”

  “We’re conducting research on xenotrife genetics,” Pietro said. “With a goal of finding an extinction level solution to their infestation of Earth. We need live subjects to provide cultures. The module is designed to be self-contained. In the event of an emergency, we can lock the whole thing down. They’ll never get out.”

  “No?” Joseph said, thrusting a finger toward them. “Because they sure look like they’re trying pretty damn hard to do just that.”

  Tyson hadn’t looked at the trife enclosure. His head whipped toward it now. Rose had told him the aliens had spent the last four months locked in a reproductive cycle. They weren’t now. All four of them were upright and alert, practically shoving one another aside in an effort to claw at their transparent cage, apparently more desperate to kill Joseph than to make a new queen.

  And the transparency was beginning to crack.

  38

  Grant

  Pioneer. Research Module. 11.12.2052. 1000 hours.

  “What the hell?” Tyson whispered, eyes shifting between Joseph and the trife. It was as if the creatures knew the Guardian and had some kind of personal vendetta against him. They continued slamming their enclosure with their claws, trying to dig away at it, the first few defects appearing along the inner surface of the transparency.

  “Geez,” Pietro said. He tapped on his comm badge. “Doctor Rose, you need to come to the lab right away. You have to see this.”

  Tyson looked over at the scientist. “Are you crazy?” he said. “He needs a gun.”

  Joseph turned his head. “Captain, call in to the Guardian CIC. Hoffman can track your comm badge and direct Madani over. She should be close.” Then he scanned the room, looking for something to use as a weapon.

  Tyson tapped his comm badge. “Guardian CIC,” he said, the ship’s computer routing him.

  “This is Guardian Hoffman,” a woman’s voice said a moment later.

  “Hoffman, this is Captain Grant. I’m with Prime Cross. We need Madani at our location immediately.”

  “Captain Grant?” Hoffman said. “Y..yes, sir. Standby.”

  “Hurry, Guardian.”

  The trife were becoming even more agitated. The ones who couldn’t reach the front transparency started swiping at the sides, all of them attacking the enclosure at once, mouths open in muffled hisses and howls.

  “I’ve got your location, sir,” Hoffman said. “Madani is on her way, ETA twenty seconds.”

  “Thank you, Guardian,” Grant said. “Grant out.” He disconnected the comm, watching as Joseph went over to one of the cabinets on the wall, pushing aside a scientist to open them and look for something he could use to defend them.

  “What’s going on here?” Doctor Rose’s voice overpowered the room. Joseph froze. Tyson turned. She was coming toward him, clearly annoyed.

  “Victoria,” Pietro said. “Look at the trife.”

  Her eyes shifted from Tyson to the trife, her entire demeanor changing as they did. “What’s going on here?” she asked again, voice giddy. “How did this happen?”

  “They don’t like me,” Joseph said from his position near the bulkhead. Tyson could see the trife had changed their angle slightly, staying aligned with the Guardian.

  “That’s ridiculous,” Rose countered. “They aren’t designed to like or not like a specific person.”

  “Maybe you should tell them that, before they bust out of that cage.”

  The cracks in the transparency were spreading. Tyson couldn’t believe Rose didn’t seem worried about it.

  “Doctor,” one of the other scientists said. “There’s someone outside the module. They have a gun.”

  “Guardian Madani,” Tyson said. “Let her in.”

  “Do not let her in,” Rose snapped. “This is a UN module, Captain. You don’t call the shots here. I’m not having some half-cocked jarhead charging in here guns-a-blazing.”

  “Ma’am,” Joseph said. “In case you haven’t noticed, that enclosure isn’t going to hold them for much longer.”

  “I see the damage,” Rose replied. “It’s my problem to worry about. I’m more interested in why they’re so bothered by you.”

  “I don’t know, but they’re bothering me too. Can you please let Madani in?”

  “No,” Rose said. “Nobody goes in or out. Not yet.” She walked over to the enclosure, unafraid of the trife. She put her hand against it, near where one of the aliens was hitting the transparency. It didn’t seem to notice, shifting so it could see past her to Joseph. She turned to face him. “You’re one of the Guardians, right?”

  “Guardian Prime Cross, ma’am,” Joseph replied. “I recommend stepping away from there.”

  “You were inside the alien object.”

  “Yes, ma’am. The damn thing nearly killed me. Please step away.”

  “Victoria,” Tyson said. “That thing could give way any second. Let Guardian Madani in before those things get out and kill all of us.”

  “No,” she insisted. “The object has something to do with this. I’m sure of it.” She looked at Tyson. “You came down here to tell me I could have my sample, didn’t you?”

  “That doesn’t matter right now.”

  “It matters now more than ever. There’s something happening here I don’t understand. Something that could be important.”

  “All I see is a quad of trife that wants to rip me to ribbons,” Joseph said.

  “Doctor Rose!” Tyson snapped. “You’re putting the lives of all of your people in danger.”

  He looked around. The other scientists seemed as fascinated as she did, and wholly unconcerned about the activity of the trife. He had to be missing something.

  A slight snap sounded from the enclosure, the cracks in the transparency beginning to sink deeper through the thick material.

  “Prime Cross,” she said. “Come over here. I want to see what they do.”

  Joseph looked at Tyson, who nodded. He walked over to where Rose stood near the cage. The trife immediately became even more aggressive. One of them threw itself against the enclosure with a soft thud, trying to get at him.

  “Brilliant,” Rose said.

  “This is insane,” Joseph said. His eyes stayed locked on the trife, ready to defend himself and Rose if they managed to break out.

  “Doctor Canard, turn on the gas,” Rose said.

  “Yes, Doctor,” one of the other scientists replied. She tapped on her control pad and then a mist began pouring into the enclosure. The trife ignored it at first, but a few seconds later they began to slow down, losing their will to fight.

  They were slumped in the enclosure inside of a minute, completely motionless.

  “Are they dead?” Joseph asked.

  “Dormant,” Rose replied. “We filled the enclosure with frigid air. They don’t handle the cold well.”

  “Maybe we should have moved humankind to Antarctica.”

  “We’ve started a colony there. Available resources still limit the population.” Rose looked at Tyson. “Captain Grant, I think what we’ve witnessed here is a breakthrough of some kind. This Guardian interacted with the object outside, and now the trife are reacting to him in a way I’ve never seen before.”

  “It looked to me like the two things don’t care for each other very much,” Joseph said.

  “Which only adds to the questions,” Rose said. “Questions I need to answer. Captain, you’re going to collect a sample for me, aren’t you? We have to study this.”

  Tyson stared at her a moment. Was she dedicated or crazy? He wasn’t sure. If she were crazy, the rest of her team was equally insane. “I came down here intent on denying your request,” he said.

  “Captain, I—”

  He put up his hand to cut her off. “But, I was open to letting you argue your case. I want to help Earth as much as you do, but my responsibility is to this ship and the forty-thousand people on it. It’s become clear to me that you don’t care about the safety of the people under your direct report, never mind my safety or that of my crew. I won’t send my Guardians back into the object to recover a sample for you. In fact, my Chief Engineer has a plan to get that thing off our ship so we can continue our trek toward Avalon.”

  Doctor Rose was silent, her eyes narrowing, her face flushing. She was angry with his decision. So angry she was fighting to keep herself under control.

  “With all due respect, Captain,” she said, her voice on the edge of a tight growl. “Nobody in this room was ever in danger. Do you think we’re so stupid that we wouldn’t have contingencies in place in case the trife act up? We aren’t suicidal.”

  “That may be true,” Tyson replied. “It isn’t only about these trife, or what just happened. It’s about how you reacted. I tested Prime Cross on the way down here and he passed with flying colors. Your true colors showed me that you’re more concerned about Earth than Pioneer, and that isn’t something I’m willing to accept.”

  “I see,” Rose said, still barely managing to keep herself calm. “I was hoping we could help one another, Captain. For the good of all. This episode only proves how important that is, but I guess you’re too focused on the here and now to see it. If you don’t want us to be a part of your ship because of our desire to save the human race, and not just a single vessel, that’s fine. You weren’t supposed to know we were here in the first place, and I think it’s better if we both act like that remains the case. This incident proves the necessity of that.” She paused as if she wanted to say something different, something less composed. Then she offered an angry smile. “Now, get the bloody hell out of my lab and don’t come back. You aren’t welcome here anymore.”

  Tyson locked eyes with her. If she wanted to make that power play, so be it. “Very well. Prime, let’s go.”

  “Pietro, make sure they leave,” Rose said. “And don’t bother coming back around, no matter what happens out there. If you’re not interested in my mission, I don’t give two shits about yours.”

  “Doctor,” Tyson said in farewell. He led Joseph out of the lab, Pietro tailing behind him. They returned to the control room, where Oslo was hunched over the shoulder of one of the scientists, having watched the whole scene play out through one of the camera feeds.

  “That was ugly, sir,” he said, standing upright as Tyson approached.

  “The trife, or the Doctor?” Joseph asked.

  “Prime, stand down,” Tyson said.

  “Aye aye, sir.”

  They went to the door out of the module. Pietro opened it, revealing Madani behind it, rifle in hand, face red from shouting at the exterior camera.

  “Prime,” she said. “Are you okay?” She looked at Tyson. “Captain.”

  “We’re fine,” Tyson said. “Stand down, Guardian.”

  “Aye aye, sir.”

  “Prime,” Pietro said. “Can you tell my sister I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to have a meal together? I wish her the best.”

  “I will,” Joseph said. “I’m sorry your boss is such a hard case.”