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Distress Call

Chapter 2

“I’m telling you. Something is going on.” Dr. Murchison said to her husband, Senior Physician Conway “I’m sure you’ve not noticed it because you spend most of your time working with the e-ts, but I’m sure Naydrad knows what I’m talking about.”
“Yes. I do.” replied Charge Nurse Naydrad, a Kelgian who would be best described as looking like a giant but well proportioned, six-foot long silver furred caterpillar “And I will have many words with O’Mara and whoever or whatever else is involved in this mess. This is totally unprofessional.” Her words were strong and abrupt - even through the translation. There were many dominant spikes visible in the rippling of her fur that made her feelings clear even to her two Human companions in the conversation.
“What now” asked Dr. Conway.
“I’m holding three supposedly former Earth Human DBDG patients in one of my wards with nowhere to send them, and no authority to do so even if I did have a place. I have a fourth who is still a patient only because Dr. Prilicla has not completed the discharge papers. I have some strong words for him too, when I see him.” Because Kelgians had no voluntary control over the rippling of their fur, which was their means of emotional expression, tact, and even lying were beyond their abilities. They either said exactly what they thought, or they could choose to remain silent.
“Well, you will be seeing him soon. It was he who called me and asked that I bring both of you with me to meet him and Dr. O’Mara at Colonel Skempton’s office. Try not to make him shake too much. After all, he is the only Cinrusskan on the staff, and we all need our empathic friend to be healthy and happy. I’m sure there’s a reason for the delay.”
Murchison said “But, there is more. Word has been spreading among the DBDG staff. No one has been able to get an open line, or text connection to family or friends on Earth.” They were speaking while they climbed into their protective gear for their passage through the PVSJ Ward with its Chlorine based atmosphere. By Murchison’s estimate, after clearing this ward, they would still have at least another twenty minutes travel time, with another change for a water filled AMSL Ward before they’d reach the hospital administrator’s office.
***
Useless and Ender supervised as technicians installed additional furniture in Conference Room Six and refitted Conference Room Eight on Enterprise. The members of the Tracy family who chose to go with Enterprise were being split between the Prime Team in Six, and the Dragon Army in Eight. The work continued after the two Commanders were called to the Mission Briefing.
Useless, Ender and Bean sat near Captain Picard and Admiral Terrag. Members of the Tracy family filled in other seats at the table. Admiral Terrag began the briefing. “Two days ago, a civilian science ship reported seeing a fog bubble forming in the distance while holding position for scientists observing a comet pass through the ring system of Stradar Six. With most of our ships out there studying the fog bubble that is surrounding Federation space, the nearest available Starfleet ship was the science vessel Harrison Schmitt. By the time the Schmitt got there, the fog had dissipated and they saw the Dreadnaughts. The Schmitt has only limited defensive weapons, so they have been following the ships at a distance. The crew of the Schmitt believe they are heading for Earth. However. We believe they are heading for a target unknown to that science ship.” The admiral focused his attention on Ender and Bean as he continued “In the direct line between the I.F. Fleet’s current position and Earth lies the Formic Homeworld.”
Ender asked “How many ships are on the way to defend it?”
“That could make a difference? Only Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin. We have sent out a general call for assistance, but almost everybody else has their ships out studying that fog too. The Schmitt will join us in the battle, but they offer only limited military hardware.” He shook his head then added “Dammit! Our security measures worked against us. Information on the Formic Homeworld has been so compartmentalized that the flags were not run up on this until shortly before we broke up that celebration. It took that long for the threat to reach the attention of a knowing officer.”
Useless said “I had heard some things about a fog out in the distance, but I had not heard about it completely surrounding us. Is there any chance that the two fog events are related?”
Captain Picard said “Most likely, in my opinion. However. Our immediate concern is to protect the Formic Homeworld.”
“Agreed,” replied Useless “but I feel it would be prudent to do otherwise.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Well Captain. We have four teams out here. I’m sure the Dragon Army, as the Queen’s Champions, is going to want to focus on protecting the Formics.”
Bean said “We sure as hell are.” he quickly looked at the Captain and Admiral then said “Sorry, sir.”
“That’s all right - in this briefing. But, please don’t get into the habit.” Replied the Admiral, then he said “Please continue, Useless.”
“You said most of our ships are out there studying that distant fog. Has anyone been studying their reports in detail?”
“Detailed studies? No. In general comparison, everyone seems to be passing along the same information. Fragments of signals are being intercepted, but as far as I know, no complete messages have been pulled out of those fragments.”
“The Prime Team will work on that. Listen, sir. If these two fog events are related, and we don’t act as though they are, we could have many more International Fleet ships coming at us from all directions at once with no hope of mounting a credible defense.”
“He presents a sound possibility.” said Captain Picard.
“Yes, he does.’ said Admiral Terrag. “Bean is commanding the Dragon Army. Ender. You will serve as the bridge between the four teams. I know you want to play a bigger role in the Dragon Army for this, but I also know that we all want to protect the Queen and her children and I feel you can help us the most in that role. Got it?”
“Yes sir.”
“Useless. I will have copies of all reports on that fog sent to the Prime Team, and I well see to it that you are added to the distribution list for all future reports. Don’t be surprised if you see some extra words about me added on to a report from Captain Janeway. She has been calling for the Prime Team to be brought in on this for some time now.”
Admiral Terrag turned his attention to Jeff Tracy. “Mr Tracy. Were I to let you have the floor right now, I’m sure you would be protesting, and rightly so, that International Rescue is a peace-time operation. I asked you and your sons to be part of this briefing so that you would know what we are up against. We are hoping that us getting there with a show of force will be enough to make them turn around. However. There is a strong possibility that there will be a battle in space. Should that happen, we have every intent to search for any and all survivors after the battle concludes. As you know, Captain Kondeff and his Command Staff have been listening to this briefing. Please address your comments to them as well as to us while you give us your opinions on what you’ve heard so far, and your suggestions for that possible search and rescue operation.”
Jeff Tracy’s expression became a little less concerned as he began talking.
***
“Friend Naydrad,” began Dr Prilicla “Please try to contain your negative emotional radiation. I’ve been struggling enough with what I’ve been getting from friends O’Mara and Fletcher here as well as from the beings waiting for us in that office.” The empathic Cinrusskan Senior Physician displayed an unsteady attitude in his hovering next to Dr. O’Mara.
Dr. O’Mara, the hospital’s Chief Psychologist, said “Our orders were to go on in as soon as you three arrived.” He turned, opened the door, then led the way into the Administrator’s office.
Dr. Conway was surprised to see that Colonel Skempton was sitting in the only seat in front of the massive desk that was suitable to beings with the DBDG classification. He was even more surprised to see that the Colonel’s usual chair behind the desk was occupied by Sector Marshal Dermod. The rest of the furniture in the office had been designed to suit the physiological requirements of other member races in the Galactic Federation.
Marshal Dermod spoke first. “Dr. Prilicla, you may take a perch. I know we’ve been putting you through a lot of stress. You will soon learn the reason for that unavoidable increase in negative emotional radiation. The rest of you, please remain standing. We will leaving this office shortly to board my shuttle at the Administrative Airlock. Captain Fletcher, I hope you will forgive me for tinkering with your ship. Rhabwar has been moved and docked with Vespasian and my technicians are currently installing modified communications gear.”
Dr. Prilicla shook on his perch. O’Mara said “Captain Fletcher. I understand your outrage and I respect your ability to keep it under such tight verbal control. However. Your sudden flood of negative mental radiation is causing Dr. Prilicla some discomfort. Please try to control your feelings.”
Dr. Prilicla said “Thank you, friend O’Mara.” The Cinrusskan’s insectoid body gradually became more stable on the perch. He continued “Friend Fletcher. I do not know why friend Dermod has done this, but I now believe it is related to my being asked, on very short notice, to attend a conference on categorizing inter-species responses to stimuli. The slight lift in positive emotion I feel from friend Dermod suggests that I am correct. I assure you that I have no idea of what all this is about, but I can also assure you that I detect no signs of mean-spirited intentions from anyone in this room. Lets just listen to what friend Dermod has to say.” Dr. Prilicla was the only being on the hospital staff who could get away with addressing a sector marshal in such a casual manner. In short, he addressed everybody in that manner. As an empath, he found it discomforting to be around beings who were feeling negative emotions. Therefore, he was friendly to everyone. Even when he disagreed with someone, he’d present his thoughts with words selected to produce the least amount of negative response. Because of this, everybody liked him. Being the hospital’s only empath gave him an importance that permitted his superiors reason to accept his casual mode of address.
“Dr. Prilicla is correct.” said Sector Marshal Dermod “I will give you a demonstration of part of the reason for the equipment change, Captain Fletcher. This message was recorded as it was received - in one pass without repeats - on a ship that was about a day away from the fog. We have no idea how far the ship sending this signal was from its side of the fog.” He hit play on the portable unit sitting on the desk. The voice from the recording said “Starbase 5. This is USS Inverton approaching with three survivors from the cave-in on Randon 4. Two Vulcans in serious, but stable condition, and one Human on life-support in critical condition.” Dermod turned off the player.
“What are Vulcans?” asked Dr. Conway “And why didn’t they use the physiological classification codes?”
“That is a fair question, Doctor,” said Captain Fletcher “but you are missing the point. Apart from the words for which we don’t know the meaning, this message was clear and understood with one pass. I’d say that message was sent using equipment that is far beyond anything we’ve been using.” after a pause, he said “Please forgive me, Sector Marshal Dermod and Dr. Prilicla, for my moment of outrage.”
“That’s quite all right, friend Fletcher.”
“Yes.” Said Dermod “It was understandable under the circumstances. Now. Imagine no longer having to rely on setting off a nuclear bomb to call for emergency assistance. I can think of at least five cases where the Rhabwar could have provided a much less complicated rescue operation if the ship in distress could have sent such a clear message over the distances that were involved.”
Murchison asked “Do we know who has this technology? And, are they willing to trade with us?”
Dermod slowly surveyed the faces in the office before he replied “Apparently, Earth has this technology. And we may be getting an opportunity to ask them about it.” He surveyed the faces again then said “I see you are now as confused as we’ve been these last few days. Come. It is time to transfer to the Vespasian to give you the full briefing.”
***
Ender and Useless talked while they ate their evening meal in Ten-Forward. They had begun with a discussion of Jeff Tracy’s recommendations for the space-borne rescue efforts. After several minutes, Ender changed the subject “Useless. I want you to know that I understand why you said what you said in there. And I agree that it should be done or we could be setting ourselves up to be ambushed. However. I hope you can understand that my heart is on the Formic side of the problem. That is where I will be paying most of my attention. For now, provide me with general updates and call on me only when you have something you think I have to know. Okay?”
“That’s not exactly what the Admiral wants, but it’s not out of character for us. Okay.”
***
“So you see” said Sector Marshal Dermod in conclusion “This battle they are expecting implies that there will be casualties - that is if they are able to have it before we can take measures to prevent it. Not knowing exactly where they are, I fear they will have their battle before we can stop it. Casualties are why your ship was built, so having you with us will give us a stronger excuse to go in and ask them to let us help.”
“That makes sense, sir, but right now, my mind is still trying to comprehend the nature of this fog.”
“If you figure it out, Captain, be sure to let us know. We’ve all been trying to figure it out.” Dermod surveyed the faces in the room, then he continued “Trafalur has been probing this fog and it has been getting the best intercepts of the signals from this Star Fleet. The other group - the International Fleet - has been unusually quiet with only brief ship to ship communications of technical nature. The Star Fleet ship sending out the most noise is one called Enterprise. A lot of their output seems to be just noise as though their signals are scrambled, but Trafalur has been getting enough in the clear to understand their intent, and to get a rough idea of where they are. When we join them, our small fleet should be able to triangulate the intercepts and fix their position.”
***
To relax that evening, Ender read another book in that hospital series. After finishing the book, he was still not able to fall asleep. He put his uniform back on then went to the nearest holodeck. The deck was in use, but he recognized Useless’s identifier in the in use message. He entered the holodeck then saw Useless sitting on the floor watching a flight of three Deadly Shadow dragons flying in formation.
“Can’t sleep either?” Useless asked.
“Not a wink. What’s keeping you up?”
“It has to do with that fog bubble, and the report I’m presenting to the Captains in the morning.” He shook his head slightly then added “How can I convince them to accept something I can’t fully accept myself?”
“Would you like to try convincing me? Dry technical stuff usually puts me to sleep.” Ender grinned at Useless then said “I am serious. Try it on me.”
“Okay. Computer. End program then bring up Bubble State 1 - inside to out. Hold at step one then advance on my command.” The dragons were replaced with a view of deep space with about half of the interior of the bubble visible. Wodensfang flew to Robert’s shoulder. Useless continued “Something that was included in about eighty percent of the reports on the fog was mention of seeing visual suggestions of a ship in the fog while they were getting fragments of signals. We spent some time in Stellar Cartography this afternoon looking into that. We plotted all those sightings.” Useless raised his voice “Computer, run to step two.”
“I realize this is compressed, but still, it looks like they have a lot of ships. Have you identified any of them?”
“Not in the way you are asking, but we did figure out a way to identify different ships. What we found surprised us. There were only a handful of ships, and more than half of the sightings were the same ship.”
“So, someone is very curious and keeps poking ttheir nose in to have a look. That wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Computer. Run to step three with the focus on the ship we’ve identified as Ship One.”
When the step concluded, Ender said “Run that again, slower, so that I can follow the report time stamps.” Afterward, Ender stared at the bubble for about twenty seconds before saying “A ship would have to be traveling faster than warp ten to cover that much distance that quickly. I’m not an engineer, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that warp ten is, at best, theoretical and that anything faster is impossible.”
“That’s what the computer told us when we tried to calculate the speed. So we started looking for other explanations. This is what seems to be the nature of that bubble. Computer. Run to step four using a Galaxy Class Starship as the reference.”
The view changed to show a starship approaching the inner wall of the bubble. When the ship penetrated the wall, the wall of the bubble took on the nature of a void about she size of a solar system. When the ship left the wall, the bubble appeared to be only about the size of a large city.
Ender stared at the image of the bubble as he said “Who needs sleep when you can have your mind bent all out of shape.”
Useless ended the program then said “Come on. Lets go get what on Earth would be called a pre-dawn snack.”
As they walked, Ender said “I changed my mind, Useless. I will be spending some time with the Prime Team. Not half, not a quarter, but some.”
“Well.” said Captain Picard “You two are up early.”
Ender said “More like still up very late. Sir.”
“Oh?”
Useless said “I think you will understand when I present my briefing this morning.”
“That bad?”
Ender replied “Not in a military sense, but we did find it disturbing.”
***
Dr. Conway looked out the direct vision port. Stared in disbelief was more like it. He was no longer seeing the bubble. In his mind, he was running through variations of what breaking through that bubble might look like.
“Friend Conway. I understand your curiosity, but I don’t think you are aware that whatever you are doing within your mind is creating an emotional buzz that is flowing throughout this portion of the ship.” They were temporarily staying on Vespasian to take direct part in the planning discussions.
“I’m disturbing your rest period? I’m sorry my friend. It’s just that I can’t sleep. My mind keeps wandering back to this - this - to this whatever it is. I guess I’ll go get a snack, then I’ll find an observation port somewhere on the other side of the Vespasian and spend some time looking at a normal star field. That should let you get to sleep.”
“Thank you, friend Conway.” after a pause, Prilicla added “I think you do know, friend Conway, that were periodic sleep not a stronger requirement for my species than it is for DBDGs, I would be spending time here with you thinking about this. I find it hard to believe that Earth, its solar system, and, it seems, many other systems are within that space.”
“Yet, Sector Marshal Dermod believes it.”
“From your point of view, friend Conway. In truth, friend Dermod only seems to believe it. He accepts the theory because it fits the facts we have gathered so far. However. He does hold doubts, like us, that it is true.”
“And they say you can’t read minds.”
“I can’t. I was able to infer due to the strength of the emotional struggle friend Dermod has been displaying.”
“And you, my friend, are also still too easy to catch with sarcasm.” They each made their sound of laughter then Conway added “We’ll talk again after your sleep period. Some of what you were feeling from me may be from a change in the Sector Marshal’s plan that I’m developing and intend to propose.”
***
Captains Picard and Kondeff stood looking at the frozen view of the bubble in the holodeck. Admiral Terrag, Grimmel and Mazer were with them. Captain Kondeff said “I find it somewhat reassuring to hear that we do not have a couple hundred I.F. ships preparing to attack. Only somewhat because we really do not want any additional I.F. ships to deal with.”
“Sir,” replied Useless “I believe that whoever is out there, they are not International Fleet.” Useless glanced at Mazer briefly them added “Sir. I’m sure you have viewed the movie of Ender’s realm. In all the fragments we’ve captured so far, we have found nothing that matches what we can learn from that movie. Think about this. If those were I.F. messages, I’m sure Mazer and Ender would have recognized things and called them to our attention. Mazer. Does the International Fleet use a four letter code system for anything?”
“No Useless. Any information the International Fleet wants to protect is encrypted.”
Admiral Terrag asked “So, if they are not the International Fleet, who is out there? And what is their intent?”
“We are still trying to figure that out.”
***
“Doctor Conway,” Sector Marshal Dermod said with his attention placed fully on the Senior Physician “The First Contact Specialists have already considered what you propose and they dismissed it. For reasons beyond our current understanding, Earth has been taken over by a mindset that is quite different from what it had. In their radio messages, they are openly discussing their intent to go to war against an enemy they are calling the International Fleet. To their credit, they are not openly discussing specific plans, but the fact is that they are planning for a war. We know nothing about this International Fleet, and we do not know why these two knuckle-headed governments have decided to have a war. The specialists don’t like what they are seeing. They see a strong chance that if we go in asking to talk, both sides could take offense and tell us to mind their own damn business then attack us. So, they all believe that our best plan is to go in to stop them.”
Conway’s mind was racing for ideas. He suggested “What if we tested this belief?”
“You are a doctor. One of the better ones, according to what I’ve heard from Colonel Skempton and Major O’Mara,” Dr. O’Mara made an untranslatable sound that was true to his nature. Sector Marshal Dermod ignored the interruption “but you have very little military experience. Trust me. What you are suggesting has already been discounted. Testing by making ourselves their easy target is not acceptable.”
“That is not what I’m trying to suggest.”
Sector Marshal Dermod sat quietly staring at Dr. Conway for about thirty seconds, considering the options, before asking “What are you suggesting?”

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Distress Call

Chapter 2

“I’m telling you. Something is going on.” Dr. Murchison said to her husband, Senior Physician Conway “I’m sure you’ve not noticed it because you spend most of your time working with the e-ts, but I’m sure Naydrad knows what I’m talking about.”
“Yes. I do.” replied Charge Nurse Naydrad, a Kelgian who would be best described as looking like a giant but well proportioned, six-foot long silver furred caterpillar “And I will have many words with O’Mara and whoever or whatever else is involved in this mess. This is totally unprofessional.” Her words were strong and abrupt - even through the translation. There were many dominant spikes visible in the rippling of her fur that made her feelings clear even to her two Human companions in the conversation.
“What now” asked Dr. Conway.
“I’m holding three supposedly former Earth Human DBDG patients in one of my wards with nowhere to send them, and no authority to do so even if I did have a place. I have a fourth who is still a patient only because Dr. Prilicla has not completed the discharge papers. I have some strong words for him too, when I see him.” Because Kelgians had no voluntary control over the rippling of their fur, which was their means of emotional expression, tact, and even lying were beyond their abilities. They either said exactly what they thought, or they could choose to remain silent.
“Well, you will be seeing him soon. It was he who called me and asked that I bring both of you with me to meet him and Dr. O’Mara at Colonel Skempton’s office. Try not to make him shake too much. After all, he is the only Cinrusskan on the staff, and we all need our empathic friend to be healthy and happy. I’m sure there’s a reason for the delay.”
Murchison said “But, there is more. Word has been spreading among the DBDG staff. No one has been able to get an open line, or text connection to family or friends on Earth.” They were speaking while they climbed into their protective gear for their passage through the PVSJ Ward with its Chlorine based atmosphere. By Murchison’s estimate, after clearing this ward, they would still have at least another twenty minutes travel time, with another change for a water filled AMSL Ward before they’d reach the hospital administrator’s office.
***
Useless and Ender supervised as technicians installed additional furniture in Conference Room Six and refitted Conference Room Eight on Enterprise. The members of the Tracy family who chose to go with Enterprise were being split between the Prime Team in Six, and the Dragon Army in Eight. The work continued after the two Commanders were called to the Mission Briefing.
Useless, Ender and Bean sat near Captain Picard and Admiral Terrag. Members of the Tracy family filled in other seats at the table. Admiral Terrag began the briefing. “Two days ago, a civilian science ship reported seeing a fog bubble forming in the distance while holding position for scientists observing a comet pass through the ring system of Stradar Six. With most of our ships out there studying the fog bubble that is surrounding Federation space, the nearest available Starfleet ship was the science vessel Harrison Schmitt. By the time the Schmitt got there, the fog had dissipated and they saw the Dreadnaughts. The Schmitt has only limited defensive weapons, so they have been following the ships at a distance. The crew of the Schmitt believe they are heading for Earth. However. We believe they are heading for a target unknown to that science ship.” The admiral focused his attention on Ender and Bean as he continued “In the direct line between the I.F. Fleet’s current position and Earth lies the Formic Homeworld.”
Ender asked “How many ships are on the way to defend it?”
“That could make a difference? Only Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin. We have sent out a general call for assistance, but almost everybody else has their ships out studying that fog too. The Schmitt will join us in the battle, but they offer only limited military hardware.” He shook his head then added “Dammit! Our security measures worked against us. Information on the Formic Homeworld has been so compartmentalized that the flags were not run up on this until shortly before we broke up that celebration. It took that long for the threat to reach the attention of a knowing officer.”
Useless said “I had heard some things about a fog out in the distance, but I had not heard about it completely surrounding us. Is there any chance that the two fog events are related?”
Captain Picard said “Most likely, in my opinion. However. Our immediate concern is to protect the Formic Homeworld.”
“Agreed,” replied Useless “but I feel it would be prudent to do otherwise.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Well Captain. We have four teams out here. I’m sure the Dragon Army, as the Queen’s Champions, is going to want to focus on protecting the Formics.”
Bean said “We sure as hell are.” he quickly looked at the Captain and Admiral then said “Sorry, sir.”
“That’s all right - in this briefing. But, please don’t get into the habit.” Replied the Admiral, then he said “Please continue, Useless.”
“You said most of our ships are out there studying that distant fog. Has anyone been studying their reports in detail?”
“Detailed studies? No. In general comparison, everyone seems to be passing along the same information. Fragments of signals are being intercepted, but as far as I know, no complete messages have been pulled out of those fragments.”
“The Prime Team will work on that. Listen, sir. If these two fog events are related, and we don’t act as though they are, we could have many more International Fleet ships coming at us from all directions at once with no hope of mounting a credible defense.”
“He presents a sound possibility.” said Captain Picard.
“Yes, he does.’ said Admiral Terrag. “Bean is commanding the Dragon Army. Ender. You will serve as the bridge between the four teams. I know you want to play a bigger role in the Dragon Army for this, but I also know that we all want to protect the Queen and her children and I feel you can help us the most in that role. Got it?”
“Yes sir.”
“Useless. I will have copies of all reports on that fog sent to the Prime Team, and I well see to it that you are added to the distribution list for all future reports. Don’t be surprised if you see some extra words about me added on to a report from Captain Janeway. She has been calling for the Prime Team to be brought in on this for some time now.”
Admiral Terrag turned his attention to Jeff Tracy. “Mr Tracy. Were I to let you have the floor right now, I’m sure you would be protesting, and rightly so, that International Rescue is a peace-time operation. I asked you and your sons to be part of this briefing so that you would know what we are up against. We are hoping that us getting there with a show of force will be enough to make them turn around. However. There is a strong possibility that there will be a battle in space. Should that happen, we have every intent to search for any and all survivors after the battle concludes. As you know, Captain Kondeff and his Command Staff have been listening to this briefing. Please address your comments to them as well as to us while you give us your opinions on what you’ve heard so far, and your suggestions for that possible search and rescue operation.”
Jeff Tracy’s expression became a little less concerned as he began talking.
***
“Friend Naydrad,” began Dr Prilicla “Please try to contain your negative emotional radiation. I’ve been struggling enough with what I’ve been getting from friends O’Mara and Fletcher here as well as from the beings waiting for us in that office.” The empathic Cinrusskan Senior Physician displayed an unsteady attitude in his hovering next to Dr. O’Mara.
Dr. O’Mara, the hospital’s Chief Psychologist, said “Our orders were to go on in as soon as you three arrived.” He turned, opened the door, then led the way into the Administrator’s office.
Dr. Conway was surprised to see that Colonel Skempton was sitting in the only seat in front of the massive desk that was suitable to beings with the DBDG classification. He was even more surprised to see that the Colonel’s usual chair behind the desk was occupied by Sector Marshal Dermod. The rest of the furniture in the office had been designed to suit the physiological requirements of other member races in the Galactic Federation.
Marshal Dermod spoke first. “Dr. Prilicla, you may take a perch. I know we’ve been putting you through a lot of stress. You will soon learn the reason for that unavoidable increase in negative emotional radiation. The rest of you, please remain standing. We will leaving this office shortly to board my shuttle at the Administrative Airlock. Captain Fletcher, I hope you will forgive me for tinkering with your ship. Rhabwar has been moved and docked with Vespasian and my technicians are currently installing modified communications gear.”
Dr. Prilicla shook on his perch. O’Mara said “Captain Fletcher. I understand your outrage and I respect your ability to keep it under such tight verbal control. However. Your sudden flood of negative mental radiation is causing Dr. Prilicla some discomfort. Please try to control your feelings.”
Dr. Prilicla said “Thank you, friend O’Mara.” The Cinrusskan’s insectoid body gradually became more stable on the perch. He continued “Friend Fletcher. I do not know why friend Dermod has done this, but I now believe it is related to my being asked, on very short notice, to attend a conference on categorizing inter-species responses to stimuli. The slight lift in positive emotion I feel from friend Dermod suggests that I am correct. I assure you that I have no idea of what all this is about, but I can also assure you that I detect no signs of mean-spirited intentions from anyone in this room. Lets just listen to what friend Dermod has to say.” Dr. Prilicla was the only being on the hospital staff who could get away with addressing a sector marshal in such a casual manner. In short, he addressed everybody in that manner. As an empath, he found it discomforting to be around beings who were feeling negative emotions. Therefore, he was friendly to everyone. Even when he disagreed with someone, he’d present his thoughts with words selected to produce the least amount of negative response. Because of this, everybody liked him. Being the hospital’s only empath gave him an importance that permitted his superiors reason to accept his casual mode of address.
“Dr. Prilicla is correct.” said Sector Marshal Dermod “I will give you a demonstration of part of the reason for the equipment change, Captain Fletcher. This message was recorded as it was received - in one pass without repeats - on a ship that was about a day away from the fog. We have no idea how far the ship sending this signal was from its side of the fog.” He hit play on the portable unit sitting on the desk. The voice from the recording said “Starbase 5. This is USS Inverton approaching with three survivors from the cave-in on Randon 4. Two Vulcans in serious, but stable condition, and one Human on life-support in critical condition.” Dermod turned off the player.
“What are Vulcans?” asked Dr. Conway “And why didn’t they use the physiological classification codes?”
“That is a fair question, Doctor,” said Captain Fletcher “but you are missing the point. Apart from the words for which we don’t know the meaning, this message was clear and understood with one pass. I’d say that message was sent using equipment that is far beyond anything we’ve been using.” after a pause, he said “Please forgive me, Sector Marshal Dermod and Dr. Prilicla, for my moment of outrage.”
“That’s quite all right, friend Fletcher.”
“Yes.” Said Dermod “It was understandable under the circumstances. Now. Imagine no longer having to rely on setting off a nuclear bomb to call for emergency assistance. I can think of at least five cases where the Rhabwar could have provided a much less complicated rescue operation if the ship in distress could have sent such a clear message over the distances that were involved.”
Murchison asked “Do we know who has this technology? And, are they willing to trade with us?”
Dermod slowly surveyed the faces in the office before he replied “Apparently, Earth has this technology. And we may be getting an opportunity to ask them about it.” He surveyed the faces again then said “I see you are now as confused as we’ve been these last few days. Come. It is time to transfer to the Vespasian to give you the full briefing.”
***
Ender and Useless talked while they ate their evening meal in Ten-Forward. They had begun with a discussion of Jeff Tracy’s recommendations for the space-borne rescue efforts. After several minutes, Ender changed the subject “Useless. I want you to know that I understand why you said what you said in there. And I agree that it should be done or we could be setting ourselves up to be ambushed. However. I hope you can understand that my heart is on the Formic side of the problem. That is where I will be paying most of my attention. For now, provide me with general updates and call on me only when you have something you think I have to know. Okay?”
“That’s not exactly what the Admiral wants, but it’s not out of character for us. Okay.”
***
“So you see” said Sector Marshal Dermod in conclusion “This battle they are expecting implies that there will be casualties - that is if they are able to have it before we can take measures to prevent it. Not knowing exactly where they are, I fear they will have their battle before we can stop it. Casualties are why your ship was built, so having you with us will give us a stronger excuse to go in and ask them to let us help.”
“That makes sense, sir, but right now, my mind is still trying to comprehend the nature of this fog.”
“If you figure it out, Captain, be sure to let us know. We’ve all been trying to figure it out.” Dermod surveyed the faces in the room, then he continued “Trafalur has been probing this fog and it has been getting the best intercepts of the signals from this Star Fleet. The other group - the International Fleet - has been unusually quiet with only brief ship to ship communications of technical nature. The Star Fleet ship sending out the most noise is one called Enterprise. A lot of their output seems to be just noise as though their signals are scrambled, but Trafalur has been getting enough in the clear to understand their intent, and to get a rough idea of where they are. When we join them, our small fleet should be able to triangulate the intercepts and fix their position.”
***
To relax that evening, Ender read another book in that hospital series. After finishing the book, he was still not able to fall asleep. He put his uniform back on then went to the nearest holodeck. The deck was in use, but he recognized Useless’s identifier in the in use message. He entered the holodeck then saw Useless sitting on the floor watching a flight of three Deadly Shadow dragons flying in formation.
“Can’t sleep either?” Useless asked.
“Not a wink. What’s keeping you up?”
“It has to do with that fog bubble, and the report I’m presenting to the Captains in the morning.” He shook his head slightly then added “How can I convince them to accept something I can’t fully accept myself?”
“Would you like to try convincing me? Dry technical stuff usually puts me to sleep.” Ender grinned at Useless then said “I am serious. Try it on me.”
“Okay. Computer. End program then bring up Bubble State 1 - inside to out. Hold at step one then advance on my command.” The dragons were replaced with a view of deep space with about half of the interior of the bubble visible. Wodensfang flew to Robert’s shoulder. Useless continued “Something that was included in about eighty percent of the reports on the fog was mention of seeing visual suggestions of a ship in the fog while they were getting fragments of signals. We spent some time in Stellar Cartography this afternoon looking into that. We plotted all those sightings.” Useless raised his voice “Computer, run to step two.”
“I realize this is compressed, but still, it looks like they have a lot of ships. Have you identified any of them?”
“Not in the way you are asking, but we did figure out a way to identify different ships. What we found surprised us. There were only a handful of ships, and more than half of the sightings were the same ship.”
“So, someone is very curious and keeps poking ttheir nose in to have a look. That wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Computer. Run to step three with the focus on the ship we’ve identified as Ship One.”
When the step concluded, Ender said “Run that again, slower, so that I can follow the report time stamps.” Afterward, Ender stared at the bubble for about twenty seconds before saying “A ship would have to be traveling faster than warp ten to cover that much distance that quickly. I’m not an engineer, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that warp ten is, at best, theoretical and that anything faster is impossible.”
“That’s what the computer told us when we tried to calculate the speed. So we started looking for other explanations. This is what seems to be the nature of that bubble. Computer. Run to step four using a Galaxy Class Starship as the reference.”
The view changed to show a starship approaching the inner wall of the bubble. When the ship penetrated the wall, the wall of the bubble took on the nature of a void about she size of a solar system. When the ship left the wall, the bubble appeared to be only about the size of a large city.
Ender stared at the image of the bubble as he said “Who needs sleep when you can have your mind bent all out of shape.”
Useless ended the program then said “Come on. Lets go get what on Earth would be called a pre-dawn snack.”
As they walked, Ender said “I changed my mind, Useless. I will be spending some time with the Prime Team. Not half, not a quarter, but some.”
“Well.” said Captain Picard “You two are up early.”
Ender said “More like still up very late. Sir.”
“Oh?”
Useless said “I think you will understand when I present my briefing this morning.”
“That bad?”
Ender replied “Not in a military sense, but we did find it disturbing.”
***
Dr. Conway looked out the direct vision port. Stared in disbelief was more like it. He was no longer seeing the bubble. In his mind, he was running through variations of what breaking through that bubble might look like.
“Friend Conway. I understand your curiosity, but I don’t think you are aware that whatever you are doing within your mind is creating an emotional buzz that is flowing throughout this portion of the ship.” They were temporarily staying on Vespasian to take direct part in the planning discussions.
“I’m disturbing your rest period? I’m sorry my friend. It’s just that I can’t sleep. My mind keeps wandering back to this - this - to this whatever it is. I guess I’ll go get a snack, then I’ll find an observation port somewhere on the other side of the Vespasian and spend some time looking at a normal star field. That should let you get to sleep.”
“Thank you, friend Conway.” after a pause, Prilicla added “I think you do know, friend Conway, that were periodic sleep not a stronger requirement for my species than it is for DBDGs, I would be spending time here with you thinking about this. I find it hard to believe that Earth, its solar system, and, it seems, many other systems are within that space.”
“Yet, Sector Marshal Dermod believes it.”
“From your point of view, friend Conway. In truth, friend Dermod only seems to believe it. He accepts the theory because it fits the facts we have gathered so far. However. He does hold doubts, like us, that it is true.”
“And they say you can’t read minds.”
“I can’t. I was able to infer due to the strength of the emotional struggle friend Dermod has been displaying.”
“And you, my friend, are also still too easy to catch with sarcasm.” They each made their sound of laughter then Conway added “We’ll talk again after your sleep period. Some of what you were feeling from me may be from a change in the Sector Marshal’s plan that I’m developing and intend to propose.”
***
Captains Picard and Kondeff stood looking at the frozen view of the bubble in the holodeck. Admiral Terrag, Grimmel and Mazer were with them. Captain Kondeff said “I find it somewhat reassuring to hear that we do not have a couple hundred I.F. ships preparing to attack. Only somewhat because we really do not want any additional I.F. ships to deal with.”
“Sir,” replied Useless “I believe that whoever is out there, they are not International Fleet.” Useless glanced at Mazer briefly them added “Sir. I’m sure you have viewed the movie of Ender’s realm. In all the fragments we’ve captured so far, we have found nothing that matches what we can learn from that movie. Think about this. If those were I.F. messages, I’m sure Mazer and Ender would have recognized things and called them to our attention. Mazer. Does the International Fleet use a four letter code system for anything?”
“No Useless. Any information the International Fleet wants to protect is encrypted.”
Admiral Terrag asked “So, if they are not the International Fleet, who is out there? And what is their intent?”
“We are still trying to figure that out.”
***
“Doctor Conway,” Sector Marshal Dermod said with his attention placed fully on the Senior Physician “The First Contact Specialists have already considered what you propose and they dismissed it. For reasons beyond our current understanding, Earth has been taken over by a mindset that is quite different from what it had. In their radio messages, they are openly discussing their intent to go to war against an enemy they are calling the International Fleet. To their credit, they are not openly discussing specific plans, but the fact is that they are planning for a war. We know nothing about this International Fleet, and we do not know why these two knuckle-headed governments have decided to have a war. The specialists don’t like what they are seeing. They see a strong chance that if we go in asking to talk, both sides could take offense and tell us to mind their own damn business then attack us. So, they all believe that our best plan is to go in to stop them.”
Conway’s mind was racing for ideas. He suggested “What if we tested this belief?”
“You are a doctor. One of the better ones, according to what I’ve heard from Colonel Skempton and Major O’Mara,” Dr. O’Mara made an untranslatable sound that was true to his nature. Sector Marshal Dermod ignored the interruption “but you have very little military experience. Trust me. What you are suggesting has already been discounted. Testing by making ourselves their easy target is not acceptable.”
“That is not what I’m trying to suggest.”
Sector Marshal Dermod sat quietly staring at Dr. Conway for about thirty seconds, considering the options, before asking “What are you suggesting?”