Project U.L.F. (7 page)

Kate cautiously stepped out into the corridor, which stretched away almost as far as she could see. She couldn’t believe they had descended so far so fast. Again, the walls were of the same clinical whiteness, almost dazzlingly bright.

“So what are you doing here?” Alan’s curiosity had gotten the better of him.

“I’m here on a placement, from my university actually.”

“Oh, really? Where did you study?”

“Princeton. I did biology there.”

“I heard Princeton has the best biology course around.”

“They do, and I was the best in my year. That’s the reason I’m here. I basically won the placement. It’s like a school prize.”

After a few twists and turns they found themselves outside her door.

“You’ll need to identify yourself to the computer as the new occupant of the room. Place your hand on the imprint plate and follow the instructions.”

Above the imprint plate, which comprised a flat plate of glass in an alcove in the wall, was a small keypad and a speaker. Another voice stated, “Ident sequence initiated. State your name please.”

“Kate Frere.”

“Thank you. Checking records.”

Alan stood smiling, fatherly, next to her. “That’s just so the computer can recognize your voice when you’re in your quarters,” he confided to her.

The computer-generated voice came again. “Check complete. Frere, Kate S., arrived 1440 hours standard Earth time aboard shuttle Aurora. Ident accepted.”

With the conclusion of the message the door slid away from in front of them.

On the newly revealed wall opposite them there was a window through which they could see a panorama of countryside. The hills were a patchwork of greens, browns and yellows.

“Wow! What a beautiful view!” exclaimed Kate. Then she remembered that she must be at least a mile and a half under the surface of the moon, “But…?”

Alan stepped into the living quarters, explaining the anomaly. “The view is a computer-generated image. The boundaries of the image can be altered so you can have it fill the whole wall if you like, or you can simply make the frame smaller so you see a snippet of it.” Alan ordered the computer to make a number of modifications to illustrate his explanation. “Most people prefer having the image in the form of a window, the idea of being this far below ground makes them jittery for some reason and the window idea makes them feel better, makes it feel more like a home. You’ll find other windows in other rooms, but this is the only one that is adjustable. Anyway, dump your gear…” he said, indicating her rucksack, “…and take a look around. I’ll fix us some drinks.”

The living quarters were very much like a standard two-story apartment. Bedroom and bathroom upstairs, kitchen and living room downstairs. The upper floor had a third room, too small to be a second bedroom but too large to be a coat room.

“What’s this room for?” Kate called to Alan who was ascending the stairs with a glass in each hand.

“Which…? Oh, that one. Well you can use it for storage purposes if you like, but this is in fact a sensory stimulus room. It can be whatever you want…within reason,” he shot her a smirk. “For example, you remember the scene from the window downstairs?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Well, take a look at this. Computer, I’m on a balcony and I’m looking out over a field of poppies.” As Alan described the environment he professed to be in, the scene appeared around them. The floor became whitewashed wood before their eyes and a balustrade appeared in front of them. Noiseless fans around them mimicked the breeze that swayed the poppies and scents leached from ducts in the ceiling so that the scene was accompanied by the appropriate smell. Kate closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, moving forward to lean on the edge of the balcony.

“Uh-uh. Everything you see is purely a visual stimulus. None of this is real. The system is in each room purely for visitors’ entertainment. We have all the usual multimedia facilities you’d expect, but sometimes people like to get away from it all and create a place like this. Let’s face it, there are few places left on Earth like this now. Any real objects you want in this environment you have to bring in with you, a chair or drink for example.” He handed her one of the glasses. “The system does have its limitations, but it’s quite easy to lose yourself in here.”

“I bet.”

“Computer, end simulation.”

The image faded and Kate found herself in the plain, bland room again. It seemed duller than before, the evaporation of the brilliant colors playing tricks on her eyes.

Alan pointed to her glass, “Come on, drink that up and I’ll take you to see the base director.”

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The base director was an extremely busy man and although polite to her, had very little time for Kate. She’d expected as much, so she was not too offended by his abruptness. He at least knew who she was and the reasons for her arrival and he wished her luck with her trip. He told her that it would be an experience she would not forget.

With so many ships coming into and out of the moon base he was uncertain as to which craft to assign her to, so he decided to leave that decision up to Alan. Alan, after all, had more contact with the crews, and he could put her on a ship with personnel who would look after her. It was in all a very polite but very patronizing conversation.

They left the director’s office and proceeded to the landing bays. Alan accessed the mainframe from his office and called up the expedition craft schedule for the next week. There were four expedition craft listed. One arrival and three departures.

“Mmmmm.”

“What. What is it?” asked Kate

“Well, we’ve only got three outgoing craft over the space of the next five days. Give me a moment. I’ll check out these ship numbers for you and find out exactly what they are.” Alan typed in another clearance code. As he touched each ships number on the screen, a new set of details appeared. “The news isn’t good, I’m afraid.”

“What now?”

“There are only two CSETI craft going out and both of those have complete crew lists. It looks like you’ll be staying here with us for at least seven days, young lady.”

“What about the third?”

Alan sighed, “I’m afraid I can’t let you go on that expedition. I’m sorry”

“Why? What is it?”

“It’s a U.L.F. expedition.”

Kate frowned, not understanding.

“That’s animal acquisition to you.”

“But that’s exactly what I want! I’m a trained biologist! Come on, Alan, you’ve got to let me go.”

“I’m sorry Kate, but I just can’t authorize that. There are dangers involved. These guys are dealing with unknown and potentially harmful animals. It’s just too risky.”

“How do you know how risky it will be? Where exactly are they going, then?”

Alan didn’t know. He was about to tell her to stop pursuing this line of inquiry when she flashed him her smile again.

“
Please
,” she begged him.

“Okay, okay, I’ll check it out for you,” he said, putting up his hands in mock surrender. Returning his attention to the computer he accessed more details of the U.L.F. flight. “Interesting. You could be in luck. The expedition is going to Ionen Prime which, if I recall, is just within the Sirius sector and that’s been quite extensively explored. It must be a routine deployment for the acquisition of regular exhibits. I know the zoos still have trouble maintaining some species, so, when they run out, they just send out for more. I guess that’s where you come in.” He looked at Kate. “You find out what the little critters do to stay alive and then the people in the zoos will be able to keep them for longer. Right?”

“Sometimes,” Kate shrugged. “I guess.”

Alan returned his attention to the screen, accessing more details with deft finger strokes. He studied the new information, his brow furrowing. “That’s even more interesting. The expedition leader is Wyatt Dorren.”

“Who’s that?”

“A good friend of mine. He also happens to be in charge of the whole U.L.F. acquirement department at the IZP. Why is he going on this expedition? And why are there only six others in his crew?” He looked at Kate as if she might somehow know the answer to his questions. She could only shrug again in response.

“Maybe he’s just got a yearning to go out again,” she offered.

“Mmmmm,” Alan sounded doubtful. “Well, knowing what I know now, I don’t really see any problem with you joining this team. Wyatt will look after you, and it looks like a routine assignment.”

Kate leaned over and gave Alan a peck on the cheek. “Thanks,” she said, beaming.

Alan blushed despite his age. “Hey, you’re not on it yet. I’ll have to clear it through the proper channels.” Kate’s face fell. “I don’t foresee any problems, though,” he added. “Now go and get yourself unpacked and settled in. I’ll let you know tomorrow. If you want to go socializing, there’s a good bar and casino on minus fifty.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Can you remember where you’re going now?”

“Yeah. I’m sure I’ll find it.”

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Kate looked at Alan pleadingly as she left.

“I’ll do what I can,” he chuckled. “Now go away before you talk me into doing something else for you!”

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Kate awoke late the next day. The trip had tired her more than she had realized. She was eating breakfast when Alan called upon her. The computer informed her that he was waiting outside her door.

“Come in, Alan,” she said, the door sliding open in response to her call.

Alan stepped into her apartment. “Good morning, I trust you slept well.”

“Yes, thanks. I was so tired I was asleep almost as soon as I got into bed. Anyway, what’s the verdict?”

“You’re in! A trip to Ionen Prime poses no threat to your safety, provided you’re sensible, so I put you on the crew list this morning. You leave on Friday, the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes!” she cried. “Yes! Yes! Oh thank you, Alan,” she said, leaping out of her chair and hugging him, “I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, somewhat surprised at the extent of her reaction. “I’ve also arranged for you to take a look around the control domes, but that’s not until tomorrow.”

“Really?” she said in disbelief, her eyes wide. “Dad certainly picks his friends well. I’ll tell him how you looked after me while I was here.”

“Well, it’s nothing, really,” Alan said, trying to play down the whole thing. There was a brief silence before he changed the subject, “Come on, young lady, finish your breakfast and get yourself dressed, we’ve got to get you outfitted with gear for your trip. Oh, and how do you feel about cryosleep?”

“About what?”

“Cryosleep. Stasis.” He chuckled. “You don’t think we keep whole crews awake for the entirety of their trip, do you? It would cost us a fortune in in-flight catering.” He looked at her and could see she was rather shocked at the realization of what he was suggesting. “Never done it before, have you?”

“No.”

“It’s nothing to worry about, really,” he said, placing a hand on her arm, “Just a bit cold.” He winked at her and smiled and she laughed a nervous laugh.