Wizards in space chapter 7

  The hook up

  The space port was large and busy like any other central trading hub. Close to 3 hyper lane access points it was the perfect spot to facilitate transport through this section of space. Hovering above a small moon that was orbiting a pink gas giant the station was a large rotating elongated cylinder, with circular disks every 100 meters along its length. Docked on these disks were 100s of ships, most of them the elongated cigar shaped transports.

  “Space port has cleared us to land, disk 7, platform A, designated for small transport vessels.” The robotic voice of their ships AI announced.

  Dan sat in the pilots chair and waved his hand in the air to bring up the ships read out.

  “Spaceport AI requests navigation control.” Their ships AI continued.

  “Request granted.”. Dan responded

  Outlines of a navigational tunnel appeared on the holographic display guiding their ship through the traffic around the spaceport. It was almost as complicated as the path through the maze of asteroids that surrounded Fregly’s hideout. It was always impressive how a space port’a traffic control AI could coordinate so many ships entering and exiting as well as all the small craft doing the their daily work grind in around the hubs. The hanger disk they were moving towards grew larger in the view port until they could see the myriad of other small vessels through their cockpits transpara steel windows.

  Slowly the ports AI moved their ship through the vibrating blue shield that protected the hanger from the vacuum of space and above all the other ships and numerous alien species moving about below, until a large landing square began to flash a bright yellow. As the whine of their landing engines died down the spaceport’s AI spoke through their com.

  “Welcome to Florshion Space Port. Once you have offloaded please report to security ingress. All passengers entering the central hub should be prepared to present identification as well as manifests for all cargo that will be transported to or from your vessel. Please note that all illegal contraband will be seized along with the offending, captain, crew and the vessel used in transport. For a list of goods designated as contraband in this system please see the attached vid file. Enjoy your stay and may all your trades be profitable. “

  “What a pleasant AI.” Matt said and Dan chuckled.

  “Remember the one on Karos 4?”

  “yea.” Dan responded “scary.”

  “I have altered your logs.” Ada said

  The three of them were standing next to the ships exit port. Dan and Matt were in the labor work gear provided by the syndicate via Fregly and Ada was riding in her work bot. Numerous robots, droids as well as various alien species could be seen moving about the hanger through the doors small round glass window.

  “Your new logs indicate that we have just finished a run on the cargo ship, Fazi’s Sluece. It runs crystal from Glogune Minor. That’s a sand mining moon in the Goron cluster. You guys served on that ship for 5 years but recently got a better offer from a new hauler named Rushie’s Runner. You are taking the job for just this one run cause you have a month delay before your new ship arrives Matt you are an engineer and Dan a general laborer. Your back story is that you guys are brothers an come from a long line of haulers. The captain of your last hauler was a Conunite, a bi petal squid race, his name was Cephalor. Got it?” Ada asked

  Dan nodded.

  “Matt?” the robots head turned to look at the younger man.

  “Yea I got all of that. But what if someone asks us about, like details, favorite canteena or like what my favorite vacation spot on the planet was or something?” Matt asked

  “just look at them like they are insane and tell them that planet is the asshole of the system.” Ada chuckled before she said.

  “Don’t worry, I will be monitoring all communications. If the captain or crew of Rushie’s Runner asks any questions like that, I have detailed files of the system and crew. I will tell you what to say. You guys have been around you know most crews are from everywhere and many are running from slag they would rather no one know about anyway, so as long as they have good recommendations from previous haulers and do their jobs, captains usually don’t ask many questions. As far as security goes, they usually only asks probing questions like that if they suspect something nefarious. I have created impeccable credentials though so once we pass the scans we shouldn’t have any issues.” Ada replied.

  “That’s if Fregly’s super suits shielding works.” Matt said

  “They passed all the scans we ran at Fregly’s.” Ada assured him

  “Of course his scanners are not as good or thorough as a space ports security terminal.” She amended

  Ada’s droid body took a step back looking the two men over.

  “One more thing.” She said

  “Hey! What are you doing?” Dan said when her robotic arms produced some grease and began smearing it randomly on his suit.

  “You guys look entirely too clean.” She said

  The port was like many others they had been too. Metal walls filled with flashing advert vids andt the occasional navigational aid directing travelers to log in to the spaceport Idac system for information on facilities or transport locations. It was obvious by the holographic visors visible on whatever parts of the anatomy that counted as vision receptacles on the aliens they passed that most were already connected to the Idac systems.

  On the heads up display of the guys visors Ada was sending them a 3d holographic map of the space port. Yellow lines appeared along the walkway that lead past ships of various shapes and sizes. The hanger was big as well as busy. Ships were coming in overhead and the sound of landing engines would have been deafening if it wasn’t for the small audcom devices that were worn inside their ears. Various types of these devices were commonly worn by any species that relied on auditory membranes for hearing. They could adjust automatically to protect their ears in hyper decibel environments and like the holographic visors, connected to the Idac disks that worked as real time universal translators.

  The size and types of species were incredibly varied. Human mans were not uncommon so the guys didn’t receive a lot of looks but in this quadrant so far removed from humanities origins in Sol, humanity was certainly still in the minority.

  All weapons were universally banned from being carried within large spaceports like this and the penalties were the same as carrying contraband, so both of them let out a long sigh of relief as the robotic voice of the security bot announced that they were cleared to proceed through security ingress and into the spaceport. They Collected the case carrying their clothes as well as Matt’s specialized engineering tools, that all engineers are expected to carry. Matt set the case to hover so that it followed closely behind them as they made their way into the space port.

  “Captain Lukrid, Danes, pleasure to meet you.” Ada recognized The captain from across the bar and gave them a heads up display on their visors. The alien stretched his hand past Dan to shake Matt’s first.

  “Me too.” Matt responded taking the Captains furry maw into his outstretched hand. He looked into the red, beady, eyes of a furry wolf like alien.

  “So you boys are just on this one run until your new hauler arrives?” The captains voice was understandable but low and growl like.

  Matt nodded.

  “That’s a shame. We lost our engineer in a bar fight at the last small cluster port we refueled at.”

  “Sorry to hear that.” Matt responded

  “Yea, well, he was a kretus, their very hot headed species. He got into trouble at almost every port of call. I would of fired him but he was a hell of an engineer. Kept our old tub flying. Lucky for you though I guess. I wouldn’t have agreed to take you guys on for just one run if we didn’t need a engineer. You wouldn’t consider maybe dropping your contract with that new hauler and signing in with us?.”

  “Can’t do captain. Contracts already signed.” Matt responded

  The captain sighed before he continued. “Pitty. Good engineers are hard to come by and ain’t none of them come with their own work bot.” The captain said as he looked at Ada. She stood unmoving next to the table were they sat in the canteena.

  “Yea, she’s pretty sweet. Our dad built her. Very handy all around but especially as an engineers helper” Matt said

  The captain nodded.

  “well if you wanna change your mind, this run is paying out heavy for us so I could probably double what your new hauler is paying.”

  “Thank you captain, that would be a tempting offer but me and my brother won’t break a contract once signed. Our dad and his dad were all haulers and we were taught never to break contract once made. Wouldn’t do to earn that kind of reputation.”

  “I understand.” The captain sighed again.

  “if you don’t mind me asking what’s the destination of this run? Three days seems like a pretty short hall.” Dan spoke up for the first time. He was standing beside Matt who sat across from the captain on the only other stool available at the small table.

  “Its fine to ask. It’s unusual for a short run but it checks out. It’s a science vessel on a long haul to the outer rim. Too large to dock at the space port, we are to resupply them outside of normal space lanes. Should be a quick off load so they can be on their way.”

  “Outside of normal space lanes?” Matt asked

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  The captain barked a laugh.

  “Like I said unusual. Nothing nefarious. Was told it is a new chrono class starship. Spherical shaped, you know, they are like their own little planets. Once constructed they are forever on the move, exploring or what ever they do. Because of their size their gravity well can cause havoc with other ships so they travel separate lanes to avoid other ships and can only enter the largest hyper gates and only once no other traffic is about, ya see?.”

  “A ship that large would have to be extremely advanced.” Matt said

  “Oh yea. Should be a sight to see.” The captain said.

  “Well you boys ready to see the Runner?.”

  “Its not much, but it’s home.” The captain stated.

  They were standing in the disk like space bridge that connected from the spaceport to Rushie’s Runner. The captain was right, it wasn’t much to look at. It had to be several centuried old. Long and cigar shaped with a a scratched and pot marked dull gray colored hull. Lights glowed from view ling ports scattered periodically along its side.

  Once inside the ship the captain introduced them to the first mate and boson who split them up to take them to the different crew quarters and work areas they were assigned to. Dan was to share bunks with 5 other crew members on the starboard side of the ship near the large cargo containers. Matt however got his own cabin next to the engine room. Engineers privilege the first mate has told him. He had his own work desk that contained slots for his tools. Also there was plenty of room to stow the long travel case that contained the men’s clothing and his engineering equipment.

  “How are u guys settling in?” Ada’s voice sounded through the guys audcom devices.

  “So fantastic, I’ve been moving crap all day.” Dan complained.

  “Well that’s what general laborers do bro.” Like any best friend Matt was quick to rub some salt in the wound.

  “Yea thanks. Oh and also one of the FIVE roommates I have is a fat, toogle, who can’t stop snorting all night in his sleep. If wasn’t for the audcom I would have put a pillow over his snout last night.”. Dan continued bitching until Matt interrupted him

  “A toogle? They smell too right kinda like pig sweat right?” Matt continued.

  “And also have terrible gas. It’s a genetic issue.” Ada said

  “Frak u both. Well the crew makes him bathe three times a day. They can lift twice their weight and never get tired so I guess the captain is okay with the extra water consumption. As far as gas goes, he’s on a special diet for that, so I’m told.” Dan responded.

  “Well my private cabin is kinda cramped with our travel case stowed in it but otherwise it’s manageable.”

  They could literally hear Dan growl over the audcom.

  “Ive been having loads of fun with the engine it’s so old I think it was around when humanity first left earth.”

  “How is that fun?” Ada asked.

  “He means cause he can tinker with it.” Dan replied.

  “Yea. I mean actually the old engineer was amazing with the innovations he made just to keep the thing together. You can tell he was a perfectionists, his crew mates hated him.”

  “I bet.” Ada said

  “I’ve got some ideas for improvements I think the captain will like.”

  “The captain has me on galley duty at the moment but I will make my way down to engineering after I’m done. Maybe I can see some things that will help as well.”

  “That would be great Ada. Would love to bounce some ideas off of you.”

  “You can always come help me move some of this crap.” Dan said.

  “Well, that’s not part of my assigned duties currently Dan. Sorry.” Ada replied.

  “Yea I’m sure your all torn up about it.” Dan said angrily causing both Matt and Ada to chuckle.

  “Hey, maybe you two could get left behind at the wizards mountain. Or like take a long spacewalk on the hull or something. That could be fun.” Dan said

  “Dude it’s gonna be okay. It’s only three days.” Matt said

  “Yea and I hear toogles are amazing conversationalists. You guys will probably become best friends.” Ada quipped

  She and Matt both had a good chuckle when they heard Dan growl again.

  The three days passed quickly. Well for Matt and Ada at least. Then Ada interrupted their work with the announcement that they had arrived. Matt was invited to the bridge and had asked the first mate to allow his brother along so both he and Dan were present with Ada tagging along behind. With all the improvements in the ships engines they had made the Captain had assigned her full time to engineering.

  “ It’s huge.” One of the crew exclaimed.

  “Its a perfect sphere.” The first mate added

  “ A sphere?” Matt asked confused. Then he noticed movement beside him and turned to see Ada slowly shake her head. Everyone on the bridge was leaning over and staring up and out of the transpara steel windows that cover the front and top of the long bridge.

  “They can’t see it. I have been detecting a sub decimal vibration since before the we got visuals on the craft. I have reversed the frequency in both of your audcoms to block the effects.”. She said through their audcoms.

  “Captain I am receiving request from their AI to take over navigations.”

  “Let them know to go ahead.”

  The mountain grew larger taking up the entirety of their visuals. The ship was following its designated bath right towards the rocky base towards solid rock. They fell into the shadow of the mountain until all they could see was the rock that was laminated by the ships forward lights.

  “Oh slag.” Matt exclaimed

  “Captain u need to reverse engines before we impact on that rock face!” Dan hissed as he squeezed the back of the captains chair.

  “Rock face? What are you on about? We are going to dock with that spacewalk protruding from the sphere.” The captain turned his chair to look at up at Dan.

  “Five seconds to docking Captain.” The helmsmen said and the captain swiveled his chair to look back out the bow windows.

  The guys watched in horror as the ship made contact with the rock in front of them and stared in awe as the rock face began to envelope the nose of the ship as if it was a gel like substance.

  “Docked and secured.” The helmsman announced. He and the rest of the crew were looking at Dan and Matt.

  “I don’t allow drinking on my ship.” The captain stated looking at the two men.

  “I haven’t been drinking Captain. Sorry, I haven’t got much sleep. New cabin, new ship.” Dan said trying his best to make his voice sound calm

  “Me too.” Matt said.

  “Well, after we have unloaded, I suggest you two see the infirmary to see if the med bots can help.”

  “What the frak was that?” Matt whispered as the doors of the lift carrying them to the cargo hanger closed.”

  “Crazy.” Dan said

  “You guys are not losing it. I saw it too. It is probable that the signal I detected has altered what they see into a large spherical chronos type starship.” Ada reassured them

  She had shown them the schematics of the advanced ship, created as a science and exploration vessel. It was indeed a spherical vessel about the size of a small moon.

  “So that signal you picked up, that’s what’s messing with their brains?” Matt asked

  “Appears so. It’s a good bet that it will be all they remember if they remember anything at all.” Ada Responded.

  The large hanger doors slowly opened to a large empty space that was bathed in green light

  “You guys going to the canteena?” The first officer was standing next to them.

  “Canteena?” Matt asked looking at the large empty space

  The first officer looked at the men with the same quizzical look the captain had earlier.

  “ The bar??” he said.

  “There is a bar?” Matt asked

  “Yea the ships AI informed the captain that their crew would be offloading the cargo so we are free to enjoy their canteen. Supposedly they are well stocked and the food is good. The Captain has given the okay for any crew members that wants to go.”

  “uh yea. Sure.” Matt said.

  The first officer just shook his head and made his way to the crowd of crew members walking down the ramp.

  “Shall we?” Dan said

  “I guess.” Matt agreed

  They slowly made their way into the large empty space Ada’s metal feet clanking on the hanger ramp behind them. The Room was huge, completely empty and featureless. The far walls, floor and ceiling were smooth white featureless stone that glowed faintly with that weird green light.

  “How are we supposed to get in?” Matt asked as they stood in the middle of the room looking at the plain white walls? “There aren’t any doors.”

  “And no people “ Dan quietly responded

  As if in answer to Matt’s question, large green lights emerged through the white wall in the far distance and quickly crossed the room and up the ramp into the ships cargo hold. Each light seemed to melt onto the large steel containers before lifting them and moving them down the ramp, across the room before vanishing back through the same wall.

  “You guys look like you could use a drink?” both of the men startled at the Captains voice beside them.

  “Are you sure you guys are okay?” he asked concerned.

  “Yes sir.” Dan was the first to respond after he cleared his dry throat.

  The captain raised his eyebrows before turning to look at the green lights pushing the cargo out of ship.

  “Impressive equipment, looks brand new and expensive.”

  “Equipment sir?” Matt asked

  “Yea the fork lifts. Must be Ai controlled. They move perfectly. Well come on they don’t need our help.” The captain said as he turned to walk towards the rest of the crew who were walking across the room towards another blank wall in the distance.

  “Um. Yes sir. We will be right there. We just wanna, um watch the equipment unload.” Dan said

  “As you say they are definitely impressive.” Matt added

  “Yea well just don’t get in the way.” The captain turned to make his way down the ramp and towards the crew. Dan and Matt watched in astonishment as the crew walked straight through the wall as if nothing was there.

  “Damn.” Dan said

  “Yea.” Matt agreed

  “Well when u guys get your slag together enough to close your mouths, I would like your ideas on how we get in.” Ada said

  Dan shook his head as if to clear out the fog that had locked his brain in place. He watched the green lights move the containers across the room in silence .

  “I guess we could just walk in with the containers. Straight through the wall?” Matt asked. Rubbing his head.

  “If we can, if the wall will let us, it’s a probability that it’s programmed to not let in unauthorized personnel. I don’t see any kind of device or comp link I could plug into to access the ships AI. Besides who knows what those green balls would do if we tried to walk with them.”. Ada said as her robot head turned to look around the large empty space.

  “I have an idea.” Dan said

  Matt turned to look at him and then at the cargo containers.

  “Yea that could work.” Matt nodded scratching his chin.

  “what could work?” Ada asked

  “Its gonna be cramped in here.” Matt said, grunting as he pushed their hovering travel case into the container before starting to squeeze into spot above the boxes inside the containter.

  Looking down at the work bot standing just outside the cargo doors he asked “How is Ada supposed to get up here?”

  “looks like there is just enough room between the boxes and cargo doors. I will stand there and close the doors after you guys are up there.” She said

  It was dark with the container doors closed. They were silent, laying flat on their stomachs, squeezed in between the boxes and the metal ceiling just mere inches above them Matt first and Dan at his feet. Slowly the container began to move. It didn’t rattle or shake, the green lights were smooth, quick and precise

  “How do we know when it stops?” Matt asked

  “I think it should make a noise or some kind of vibration when they put the container d…” Dan started to respond

  The slight vibration and sound of metal on metal stopped him.

  “Us down.” He finished.

  “should I open the doors?” Ada asked

  ‘Wait just a minute. We were one of the last containers to be transported so where ever they took us should hopefully be empty.

  “ten minutes.” Matt said. Looking at the chrono on his holo visor. Dan waited another couple of minutes before saying.

  “Okay Ada. Go.”

  Slowly the doors swung open.

  “Uh oh.” Ada stated

  “What is it?” Dan asked

  “Guys were are really high up. Dan you need to be very careful when you climb off that box.”

  Slowly Dan slid his way off the box boots first. Just as his feet were about to touch the floor of the container his weight and the awkwardness of his position caused him to lose his ballance. Adas robot arm quickly swung out to catch him. Dan turned slowly before he leaned back into the box behind him.

  “thanks.” He said between heavy breaths.

  “Anytime.” Ada Responded.

  “Guys whats going on?” Matt asked from above them concern clear in his voice.

  “Well partner it looks like we are about 15 meters up in the air. Those green things stacked out container on the other containers.”

  “Slag. How do we get down?” Matt asked.

  “Your boots.” Ada said.

  “That’s right the jets.” Matt responded.

  “Is there a control on the suit somewhere?” Dan asked her.

  “no you just have to jump the suit’s computer will recognize that you are falling and activate the servos on your boots. The built in gyroscope will keep you upright.”

  “Slag. I was afraid you would say that.” Dan replied

  “Go ahead and jump while there are no personnel about. Who knows how long this place will stay empty until they come to empty the containers. I will stay and help Matt.” She continued.

  “Okay. Here it goes.” Dan said.

  With a deep breath he stepped off the edge, instantly he heard the click of the boot’s servos kicking in and the hiss of the jets. Slowly he floated down until his feet touched softly on the smooth floor beneath him.

  “you okay?” Ada asked through his audcom.

  “Yea send Matt down.” Dan said as he turned to look around the large room. Unlike the space they had been in before this actually looked like what a hanger or storage space should. Metalic floors and walls, the lights had white phosphorous glow coming from slots on the wall. Just regular technology. Dan started to wondered if the glow in the empty hanger somehow helped with the mental hallucinations the crew was experiencing? Above him he heard a hiss and turned to see Matt slowly descending, the light from the jets on his boots had a light blue glow.

  “How are you gonna get down from there Ada?” Matt asked through his audcom

  “I hope your not planning to jump, even if your legs could survive the landing, the whole mountain will here you land.” Dan said

  Then she jumped and from her metal feet the guys could see the blue flame of small jets. Slowly she descended until she gently landed next to the men.

  “Standard work bot my ass.” Matt said

  “Well I did make some modifications.” Ada said

  “Shall we?” Dan asked

  “where?” Matt asked

  “I scanned a Hall way down towards the end there.” Ada said pointing at the far end of the room.

  “let’s keep to the shadows along the far walls there.”

  “My sensors are monitoring the space, I should know before we get surprised by any visitors.”

  No surprises or visitors came. The guys were happy about that. The hallway was well illuminated. Metal floor to ceiling and no way to hide. The hallway ended at a solid metal door with no handles.

  “Ada?” Dan asked looking down at a small comp link node on the wall.

  “Give me a sec.” she said as she approached and pointed at the little node, a series of wires moved out of the tip of her finger and into the opening.

  “Oh wow. There is no security, or at least none that I recognize. There is an intelligence here, but…”

  “What is it?” Dan asked concerned by the catch in her voice.

  “Nothing. I’m in. Oh wow. Guys this place is huge. The design makes little practical sense.”

  “Can you open the door?” Dan asked.

  “yea we are kinda exposed here Ada.” Matt said

  “Oh yea. Of course. I have access to the neural net now. I will analyze the details as we move.”

  With a slight hiss the door slid up into the roof.

  “Oh my stars.” Matt exclaimed

  “What is this place?” Dan asked. His voice filled with wonder and awe.

  “I have no words.” Ada said