Teardrops In The Night Sky (Steven Gordon series) (14 page)

‘Yes chief loud and clear.’

‘Would you like to take a guess at what we found?’

‘Put it on screen.’

Part of the view disappeared and a display appeared.  As Steven read the chemical symbols a slow smile began to spread across his face.  There were a few gasps from the scientists.

‘How much is there Chief?’

‘Within a radius of ten miles there is about half a ton of gold.  Fifty pounds of diamonds and about another twenty pounds of rare gemstones that we recognise and another five pounds that we don’t but are considered valuable on other planets.’

‘Can we grab it all?’

‘She says there’s no problem there and it won’t take long.’

Steven turned to Buzz, ‘it looks like you’re going to get paid after all.’

Buzz scratched his head, ‘how much is all that worth?’

‘Freedom,’ Steve stated simply.  It was causing quite a stir.  Steven went down into his quarters and asked the ship to do a quick scan of a hundred mile radius.  The results made him sit down.

She felt uncomfortable at his extended silence, ‘is everything all right?’

He half smiled, ‘oh yes, everything’s fine.  There's enough gold and
gemstones here to finance a space program for the next thousand years, and that’s only in a hundred mile radius.  If they even suspected the wealth here back on Earth, we would have been mining it years ago.’

‘They would have advanced the space program?’

‘And some.’

‘Will you tell them about it?’

‘I’m not sure yet.  If I do we will have a mad scramble for space with countries and private companies, laying claim to vast tracts of the asteroid belt.  Add to that they won’t be all that concerned about how they get it.  They could easily send an asteroid spinning out of control back towards Earth.’

‘The consequences could be disastrous.’

Steven mulled the problem over for a moment, ‘did you ever do any scans of the Moon for any minerals?’

‘I have a detailed map of the Moons mineral wealth.’

‘Are any of these minerals present?’

‘Most of them but they are buried a little deeper.  The asteroid belt is much more accessible and has a lot more of some of the rarer elements that I need.’

‘Are there any Gold deposits close to the surface of the Moon?’

‘Yes a few, but it is an element that I rarely need.’

‘Don’t worry about it; I want a detailed map of their location.  You see we’re going to lie about where we got it.’

‘A deception?’

‘That’s right and with the Moon being so close to the Earth it will probably cause a lot of interest and a lot of court cases.’

‘Why is that?’

‘There's been companies selling off plots of land on the Moon for years.  People have been snapping them up as curiosities, a bit of fun.  Showing their friends at dinner party’s photographs of their land on the Moon, it should cause quite a stir.’

‘And divert attention from the more dangerous asteroid belt.’

‘Exactly.’

Buzz was sitting in his seat on the bridge, he looked up as Steven approached, ‘Babes almost got everything she needs and is starting to mine the Gold.’

Steven frowned, more and more of the crew were beginning to call her that, ‘ok thanks Buzz, do you know where she’s putting it?’

‘Yeah I think so; she showed me where the room was anyway.’

‘Wanna go see?’

Buzz grinned, ‘let’s go.’

He followed Buzz back to an elevator that went up instead of down.  It reminded Steven of how little they really knew of the ship yet.  He shook his head in dismay; there just hadn’t been time to explore as much as he wanted.

They entered some kind of vault.  Along the back wall there were some kind of fonts with basins beneath them.  The whole wall was lined with them.  Into each flowed different types of minerals and everyone was continually filling and emptying except two.  One was half filled with
gemstones and the other was overflowing with Gold.

‘Holly shit!’ breathed Buzz.

Steven shook off his shock, ‘where is all the rest of it going?’

The ship answered him, ‘into the walls and floors that surround you.  I do have storage spaces that I can fill but I normally process the ore and just add it to the walls that surround you.  They are becoming quite thick now, but as I use the materials then the walls will thin out.  If I find enough materials then I can actually grow.’

Steven was stupefied, ‘that is ingenious.’

‘When I was first built I was only half the length that I am now, but as the families grew then so did I.’

‘My admiration for you and your people grows every second.’

‘You are my people now.  You are my heart.’

‘And proud to be so.’

‘I have seen pictures of this material you call gold in metal bars called ingots.  Is that how you would like it presented?’

‘Yes please.’

Buzz knelt down and swept up a double handful of the precious dust, ‘I think this should do for the first year.’

The friends laughed together.  Steven went over to where the gemstones well clunking into their basin.  The process fascinated him.

‘How do you do this?’

There was a moments pause, ‘the nearest I can find in human terms to describe what is happening is matter transformation.’

Buzz scowled thoughtfully, ‘I’ve heard of that somewhere.’

Steven explained, ‘like on Star Trek their transporters.’

Buzz nodded his understanding, ‘I got it.  So can you transport people to
o Babe?’

‘It has proved unwise to transport living matter.  So far nothing living has survived the process.’

Steven was even more curious, ‘why what happens?’

Everything is stopped in the process, ‘heart, blood flow to the brain, and it has proved impossible to restart.’

‘Couldn’t they overcome those problems?’

‘The taking of life was abhorrent to my builders, even simple life forms.  The experiments were never extended.’

Steven filed the information away for another day and lifted up a large crystalline rock, half the size of an ostrich egg.  Buzz knelt beside him, ‘is that what I think it is?’

‘I think so.’

She put them out of their misery, ‘that is what humans call a diamond.’

Buzz sniffed, ‘doesn’t look like a real one.’

Steven grinned and held it up, ‘can you cut this to resemble what we call a diamond?’

‘Yes of course, put it in the recess I have lit up.’

Steven did so and they stood back.  Within a few minutes the process was complete.  Neither men made a move to pick it up, they found themselves blinking as the light radiated of its cut surfaces.

She was a little con
fused, ‘is it displeasing?  I can change the cut if you wish.’

‘No!’  Both cried out simultaneously.

Steven gingerly took it in hand and held it up to the light, ‘my God it’s perfect.’

Buzz shook his head, ‘I don’t like it Stevie, men have been murdered for diamonds a fraction of that size, and it’s really going to piss the South Africans off.’

Steven caught the seriousness under his friends joke, ‘what the hell are we going to do with it Buzz, it must be beyond priceless.’

‘Seriously, toss it into deep space, nations have gone to war over less and who would you give it to?  You won’t be able to sell it.’

Steven nodded, ‘you're probably right old friend, maybe I should.’

‘Am I to believe they are of great value on Earth?’

Steven nodded, ‘of very great value.’

‘They are considered of value on other planets to
o.  That is a nice example but nowhere near as good as what translates as a fire diamond.’

Buzz frowned, ‘a what?’

‘A fire diamond.  They only exist in space and are much rarer.  There are many different types of diamond that are not catalogued on Earth.’

‘Have we got any here?’

‘I believe there are three good examples of space diamonds.  A rich deposit indeed.’

Steven had a question, ‘so they are rare?’

‘Yes, this asteroid belt is a rare find in itself.  Most locations like this are richly contested by many different planets.  They are a rich source of mineral wealth to those who posses them.  Its location must be kept a secret from other races if you are to protect it.’

‘I thought no one could get through?’

‘For such a vast source of wealth and with no home planet to guard it, they would find a way.’

Buzz grunted, ‘more trouble.’

Steven sighed, ‘one more thing to tell everybody.  In the mean time, what are we going to do about all of this?’

Buzz shrugged, ‘your move.’

Steven touched the edge of his bracelet, ‘Colonel Howe, could I have you and you’re most trusted man at my location immediately.’

‘On my way sir, how do I find you?’

‘Just follow the lights Colonel.’

He arrived with Beaver in tow within five minutes.  They were as awe struck as Buzz and he had been.  He let them take it in for a few minutes.  Howe handed the massive diamond to Beaver, who held it up to the light, ‘how much is this worth?’

Buzz grinned, ‘dime a dozen out here.’

Beaver grinned back, ‘I’ll have two dozen to take away please, do you take Visa?’

‘Of course sir, how would you like them wrapped?’

Howe growled, ‘can it you pair this is serious.  It will cause a riot if we dump this on the markets back on Earth.’

Steven agreed, ‘you’re right but we’re going to have to discuss what we’re going to do with it later.  Right now I need someone to shove these gemstones into that hole to be cut.’

The soldiers nodded, but it was Beaver who made a suggestion, ‘wasn’t Hammersmith’s father a
jeweller?’

Howe frowned, ‘yeah that’s right.  His family was so big he was squeezed out of the business.  It’s your lucky day captain, I have a man who knows more about this stuff than all your scientists on this ship put together.  He always maintained he was going to put away enough to start up on his own.’  

‘Sounds just like the man we need.’

Hammersmith’s eyes shone when he regarded the bounty before him, but not from greed Steven judged.

‘Do you know what to do with all this stuff?’  Steven asked.

A genuine smile lit up his face, ‘my family have been in the jewel trade for a thousand years sir, it’s in my blood.  What would you like done with it?’

Steven shrugged, ‘I have no idea.’

‘Then I suggest you leave me to it sir.  May I make use of some of the Gold?’

Steven made one of his instant decisions, ‘I’ll tell you what Hammersmith as of now this is your domain, if you want it.  Do with it what you will.’

‘Do I want it!  Y
ou have to be kidding sir, this is a dream come true.  May I ask sir, who does all this officially belong to?’

Steven shrugged, ‘all of us I suppose.  No one came on board this ship with any thought of how much they would make in a year, but now we have funds we
’re going to have to think about some kind of revenue for the crew.  Then of course we will need supplies.  We may also develop our own corporation and that will take funds too.’

Hammersmith nodded his und
erstanding, ‘leave it to me sir. I know my way around and will come up with something you can work with.’

‘Then we’ll leave you to it.  Common Colonel, let’s see what kind of punch this baby packs.’
  The three men with him were grinning at all the way back to the Bridge.

Chapter 25

‘
T
arget acquired, standing by to fire sir’ Howe reported.

‘Fire.’

A green light shot out from somewhere beneath them and hit a large asteroid they had towed out of the belt.

Beaver gave a delighted grunt, ‘green shit, most excellent.’  When the light disappeared there was a big hole in the asteroid, but no other damage.  Beaver now grunted his disapproval, ‘hey where’s the bang?’

Steven looked to Howe but he shrugged helplessly.  It was a bit of an anticlimax.  ‘Can’t we do better than that?’

Howe cleared his throat, ‘eh! That’s a nice hole Babe’s but can’t we blow it up or something.’

‘Do you want to plant explosives on it?’

‘No I want to hit it with this fancy green light of yours and blow it to smithereens.  Completely destroy it.’

There was a pause, ‘but this weapon is guaranteed to pierce any known defence shield.  Raked across the length off a vessel it will cut it in two.’

‘Yes very nice Babe, but neat holes aren’t really my thing.  Defence shields are like weapons, they can be improved and an intensive burst like that isn’t really energy efficient is it
?’

‘No but that is how it has always been.’

‘Well not any more Babe.  I have a vast experience of blowing things up.  Short sharp bursts can be far more devastating and use a lot less energy.  Now can we try that again in the manner I discussed with you earlier?’

‘Ok I’ll try.’

‘Good girl.’

Steven who was half hiding a smile behind his hand gave him a small nod.

‘Ok here we go again, target acquired, firing now.’

The green light appeared
again, but this time it was spat out in short bursts.  It reminded Steven of footage of tracer fire.  The green fire sprayed across the surface of the asteroid and it exploded in a dramatic fashion.  There were only small glowing pieces left to arc out into space.

There was a spontan
eous cheer amongst most of the bridge crew.  Howe rubbed his hands together, ‘all we need now is another three of those and we should be fine.’

The ship complained, ‘that is far too much fire power.’

Steven tried to calm her a little, ‘Colonel Howe is a soldier.  This is his job, you must learn to trust him.  Your builders weren’t a violent race, ours is.  Colonel Howe is the accumulation of thousands of years of armed conflict and is the best at what he does.  Is there any physical restraint to building more of these weapons, will there be any problems with power?’

‘No none.’  She sounded chastised and Steven felt a little upset at this, but he wasn’t going to back down.

‘Then please comply with Colonel Howe’s wishes.’

‘Yes my heart.  I only have enough of the right materials to build another one, will have to spend longer here.’

‘We are under no immediate threat it can wait.  Right now I want to go and rescue my mother and I will tolerate no farther delays.  Colonel Howe I want you and your men ready within the hour and with a plan.  Then I want everything rehearsed until it can be done without hesitation, liaise with both ships for up to date information.’

An hour later everyone who was to take part in the operation was gathered in a briefing room.  That included all of Howe’s men and the scientist that was going to initiate the docking procedures. 

He was on his feet explaining his part, in an aristocratic English accent ‘normally the docking procedures have to be initiated from both ships independently.  However the other ship has agreed on a link so that I can initiate both from here at the same time.  The link is a physical one almost like an umbilical cord.

This procedure will take a few minutes and will happen without anyone aboard the other ship being aware of it.  The same cannot be said of the docking procedure however.  It will make some noise and vibration alerting those on board that something unusual is happening.  The docking procedure itself will take between thirty seconds to a minute.  I have been assured that the airlocks will be open within that minute.’

The scientist sat down and Howe took his place, suitably impressed by the professionalism of the man, ‘thank you Doctor eh! I’m sorry I don’t know your name yet?’

‘
Doctor Howard, I was an officer in the Territorial Army, if you know what that is Colonel.  They put me through university.  So I know a little of the knowledge you require.’

Howe grinned, ‘yes I do know about the British Territorial’s
Doctor and thank you again that was exactly what we needed to know.’  The Doctor took the praise with a slight nod of the head.   

Howe went on.  H
e pressed a switch and an overview of the other ship appeared floating before him.  There was a collective gasp of awe.  He went on to give precise details of the assault.  Telling them where Sales was in relation to the other scientists. 

‘Remember,
Sales has freedom of movement over the whole ship bar the Bridge, it has been sealed off.  We will assault him from two sides, no matter where he is.  If he is in the engine room, team two will swing round to the other exit and once in position we will move in.  If he is in one of the corridors then the ship will seal all exits until we are in position at either end, then I will give the word and move in.

He is in a bad way but that doesn’t make him any less dangerous.  He has a weapon and has demonstrated a willingness to use it.  Captain would you wish to say anything at this time?’

Steven came off the wall where he had been leaning listening to the briefing, ‘yes I would.’  He stood beside Howe and turned to address the men.

‘By all standards Sales is clinically insane.  You are aware that his first act of treachery was to shoot my mother then steal all the food and water.  What you may not be aware of is that when he ran out of those supplies, he then tried to consume the dead man that was in the engine room with him.’

There was a gasp of surprise and a murmur of anger.  ‘Quiet,’ Beaver ordered.  The murmuring quickly stopped and Steven went on.

‘The ship was forced to dispose of his body quickly to prevent this happening.  He flew into a mad rage blaming the others on board for stealing his meat for themselves.  Since then he has made repeated attempts to force his way onto the bridge threatening to consume those trapped there.

‘You are to treat him like a mad dog. If he rolls over onto his stomach and begs forgiveness, do not relax your vigilance, not even for a second until he is firmly trussed.  If he shows any sign of aggression at all then you are to kill him on the spot.  I want no unnecessary risks taken nor one life here put in jeopardy.  Remember a wild animal is at its most vicious and cunning when cornered.  Does anyone have a problem with these orders?  If so speak up now.’

There was no dissention among the ranks.  They were orders that these men knew well and understood. 

He handed it back to Howe who carried on with the briefing. 

‘Weapons, we will be carrying our own weapons, the ones we brought with us from Earth.’  Now there was some murmuring.  He couldn’t help a grin, ‘I know you want to try out the new ones, but as yet they are unproven.  Babe suspects they might be capable of sustaining damage to the other ships engine room, so they are a definite no no.

The rounds from our own weapons however will be easily absorbed into the ships matrix with little chance of doing any harm.  We have flash bangs and tear gas grenades, but unfortunately we can’t use those either.  Again the ships aren’t sure if they might cause damage and as they have never came across teargas they have no idea if they can purge it from the air systems easily, so we will be going in cold. 

Rehearsals will start in ten minutes by the air lock. Remember one thing gentlemen when this guy sees you coming he’ll probably think you’re a hamburger on the hoof.  If he so much as twitches take him down hard.’

For the next few hours the crew had to put up with Howe’s men dashing through the bridge and corridors.  Steven was going through a list of things needed doing with Buzz and the ship.  Re-evaluating as they went the type of people they still needed and those they had.  There was also another thing to take into consideration, a captain and crew for the other ship.

Steven knew nothing would happen until the ship itself had picked a new captain.  They could go on board and carry out necessary maintenance, but that is all the ship itself would allow.  In the mean time, Steven thought it prudent to at least start a list of likely candidates for the crew. 

One of the scientists was a computer expert and he had begun to build a website.  Steven had decided to put application forms on it and hope that the right people would reply.  They would for the most part be able to cross match names with university databases.  That would cut away a lot of the deadwood.

Eventually Howe called a halt to the training and reported to Steven, ‘we’re as ready now as we’re ever going to be sir.’

‘Ok Colonel, you and your men have an hour to snatch something to eat and drink.  Be ready at the end of that hour.’

He turned to his waiting peo
ple, ‘disengage from mineral resupply.  Navigation plot a course for a rendezvous with the other ship.’

The pretty bl
ond flushed again, ‘yes sir, coordinates set.  ETA will be twenty minutes with interplanetary drive.’

‘Chief, prepare to engage interplanetary drive.’

‘Roger.’

‘Ok people, let’s go save some lives.  Helm engage.’

‘Yes sir.’

Twenty minutes later, Saturn in its full glory swam into view.  It was a breath taking sight.

Howe reported, ‘I have the other ship on sensors sir.’

Haley, the ships new navigator and helmsmen almost squealed, ‘I have a visual sir.’

‘Well done, we’ll leave this bit to the ship shall we?  Could you manoeuvre us until we are a few hundred meters from the other ship and approach from behind please.  I don’t want to alert anyone on board to our presence.  You have forty minutes Colonel.’

Thirty minutes later after having reviewed the situation, the Colonel and his men were waiting at the airlock ready to go.

‘We’re ready Captain.’

‘Ok Colonel, standby.’  Steven nodded to Howard who engaged the docking system.