The Gods We Seek Read online

  At the water’s edge, a hundred meters away, a small patch of brightness showed on infrared, contrasting the cool sea. “Keep going with your mission Musa,” Dr. Skye said. “I’ll pick up that spot with camera three.” She zoomed on the bright dot, and it took form. Something the size of a sea lion lurked at the water’s edge, its body submerged but torso on land. It had a bony plate structure over its head, large eyes, and two growths under its nose that resembled octopus tentacles. Its head was a cross between a catfish and a Chinese dragon. “Well, I’ll be,” Dr. Skye said. “I cataloged that species before.”

  “What’s it doing?” Musa asked.

  “Impossible to tell. I wouldn’t feel confident answering that question if it was a well-studied Terran animal, let alone something that evolved here.”

  The creature remained at the water’s edge, slowly turning its head left and right.

  “Whatever it’s doing, it doesn’t seem aggressive,” Musa said. “Let’s see if we can trim the ivy.” He lowered the drone to the top of the alien growth covering the bottom of their habitat then eased it toward the wall, gently climbing and descending, the serrated knife slicing at the pulsing mass connecting the flower-like growths. Those flowers again shot a clear liquid into the air, but it fell short of the drone. The pulsing became a quivering near the incision. “It’s reacting,” Musa said. He pushed the drone harder forward and ripped the knife up and down. “I’m through! I cut through one.” Thick, dark fluid oozed out of the severed root. “I’ll cut a spot a meter down on the same root, then we can try to scrape it off.” Musa developed a feel for the spear-drone. The second cut was faster. He recalled his flying landscape tool, switched out the attachment, and returned it to the segment he had sliced free. “Damn. Double damn.”

  “What?” Dylan asked.

  “That sap reconnected the sides. They’re already re-attached.”

  #

  Musa made more attempts to cut the alien growth off the enclosure’s wall, but his efforts couldn’t keep pace with the creature’s regeneration. The alien at the shoreline slipped into the water, seeming to lose interest in whatever held it near land.

  “Rest your brain,” Dylan told him. “The brute-force strategy was worth trying, but it ain’t gonna work.”

  Musa put down the drone controller and leaned over the second story rail. Worry in his eyes, he regarded his colleagues in turn. “We have to keep trying.”

  “We have to think up a new plan.” Dylan sipped a mug of coffee.

  “How long until it eats through the wall?” Dr. Skye asked.

  “Three, four hours, tops,” Dylan said. “We haven’t measured every square inch, so there may be an area that’s closer to giving out than we realize.” He set down the mug. “I will broadcast a distress signal. The Quadriga will observe us from a distance to make sure everything’s all right before picking us up. If they somehow manage to return early, at least they’ll know we’re in a jam.”

  Dr. Skye nodded agreement. “Look,” she said, pointing to the large monitor. “It’s back, down by the shore.”

  Musa pointed at another spot on the monitor, at a gray dot further out to sea. “That might be another one.” His eyes widened. “Increase the contrast, please.”

  With a hand wave, Dr. Skye did so. “What the…” A heat source glided under the water. A massive heat source, racing forward, surging toward the shore. “Holy crap!”

  An eel-like shape, thirty meters long, leapt from the water. Its gargantuan body slid over the plant-covered land, gliding half-way up from the water’s edge, directly at the habitat. Its body undulated, like a slippery snake, shoving and heaving its way toward the humans. Under the dim light of Proxima Centauri, the resemblance to the smaller creature was plain. The armored plates over the skull were gone, replaced by a smooth, bulbous growth that was bright in the infrared band. The nose tentacles were proportionately longer, and each was tipped with eight smaller tentacles that grabbed for purchase and helped pull the creature forward. Its body, which must be graceful in the open ocean, was flattened by Everdusk’s forceful gravity.

  “Holy hell,” Dylan said. “The creature's coming right for us and there isn't damn thing we can do about it.”

  “Maybe we can improvise a weapon,” Musa said. “I could fly the spear-tipped drone at it.”

  “Against that? A whole lot of good it would do.”

  “I might hit a vital spot.”

  Dylan scratched his scar. “I suppose-”

  “No,” Dr. Skye said.

  Musa raced to the drone controls, powered the rotors, and commanded the craft out of the hanger. He brought it skyward, pivoted it a hundred eighty degrees to face the pointy end at the advancing behemoth, and flew toward the massive creature. The drone fell from the sky, crashing hard, the spear cracking in two.

  “I said no!” Dr. Skye said.

  “You severed the drone’s connection?” Dylan asked.

  “I did.”

  “I suppose you have a damn good explanation?”

  “I damn well do,” she said.

  Dylan and Dr. Skye locked each other in a stare.

  “Do you mind sharing your explanation?” Musa called from above. “Because it’s here, and I’d like to know if I need to start praying.”

  A bulging eye, half a meter across and set atop a massive head, pressed against the upper dome. Five orbs lined the edge where human eyelashes would grow, each reflecting and magnifying the artificial blue light. The eye rotated in its socket, focusing its gaze on Musa.

  He flinched back and inched toward the ladder.

  “Holy hell,” Dylan said.

  #

  Jake and Sara sat alone on the bridge, held to the form-adapting chairs by subtle magnetic force. Proxima Centauri glowed Halloween orange in the center of their view.

  “What’s the verdict?” Jake asked.

  “Huh?”

  “Do you think Demons built the megadisk?”

  Sara chewed her lip. “Its material resembles the Quadriga’s hull, while the Demons on Earth are made of something different. The Demons don’t seem capable of faster-than-light travel, yet the distribution of megadisks spans many light years.”

  “True,” Jake said. “Humans create a variety of materials for a variety of purposes. Maybe Demons just use that silvery stuff for machines of war. They could have captured Quadriga technology, or they could be a faction of the same race that built it.”

  “That could be,” Sara said. “But what about the distances involved?”

  “They seem overwhelming to us because most humans have trouble planning beyond the current generation. If humanity had an urgent need to leave a mark on the local galaxy over the next, say, hundred thousand years, we could do it.”

  Sara nodded.

  Chad entered the bridge. “Or,” he offered, “it could be they live far longer than us. Perhaps they’re immortal. There’s nothing in our biology that says we can only live a century or so. In a few generations, we humans may even become immortal.”

  “Do you think that’s real? I read the science briefings and concluded researchers were raising hopes because they were looking for funding,” Sara said.

  “If there isn’t progress in the next decade,” Chad said, “I will refocus my efforts on longevity research. Yes, there’s something there.”

  “I’ll be your first customer,” Sara said.

  “You have plenty of years before you need to worry about that, but I’ll hook you up when the time comes.” Chad leaned forward, focused on the star ahead. “About that technology. Good or evil?”

  “There’s not enough evidence either way,” Sara said.

  “I suppose not.” Chad turned to Sara. “I’ll bring us out of warp a few light hours away, close enough to check up on the habitat with the Quadriga’s spatial lens.”

  “Agreed,” Sara said. “Dr. Skye will be disappointed that we’re back early.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “How is it you’r
e moving the Quadriga faster now?”

  “It’s hard to describe. It’s like we’re getting to know each other better. That’s not it exactly, but those are the best words I can find.” Chad took his seat. “We’re about one bridge shift away. Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll call you when the time comes.”

  Sara rubbed her eyes. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”

  “You want to do the honors when we arrive?” Chad asked.

  “I don’t know. I might control the ship well enough to stop us, but I don’t have a sense of how far we are. Do you learn that from the ship?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Chad said. “I have solid intuition for how far away we are based on how large and bright the star is. I don’t know how much of that is my brain and how much is the ship interacting with my brain, dropping in suggestions.”

  Sara gave him a charming-yet-overtired smile. “It’s worth a try.” She pulsed her micro get-around and left the bridge.

  #

  Jake watched Sara leave then turned to Chad. “What do you think, boss? Is Earth shit out of luck?”

  “Don’t call me boss. The walls have ears. Luckily, I’m the only one who can interface with those ears, but that might change,” Chad said. “As for Earth? It depends on what the Demons’ end game is. There’s not a thing the people back home can do on their own, and the odds of us finding help out here… I’m astounded that we actually discovered any signs of civilization, even if those signs are long abandoned.”

  “Yeah,” Jake said. “That’s what I figured.” He chewed his lip, a habit he subconsciously picked up from Sara. “What are we going to do about it?”

  “Follow the breadcrumbs, for now,” Chad said. “I’m sure as hell not taking the Quadriga anywhere close to Earth again, at least, no place the Demons could reach with sub-light travel.”

  “What if the breadcrumbs don’t lead anywhere?” Jake asked. “I mean, how long will we stumble around the galaxy looking?”

  “That depends on what else we find. I don’t want to abandon Earth, but realistically, I don’t know how to beat the Demons. We have to consider other options.”

  “You gave up on Earth?” Jake asked.

  “No. I’m envisioning every possible future and searching for a path to the ones that involve humanity winning. I love Earth, but I don’t know if I can save it. If anyone can.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” Jake said. “The time may come to find a nice planet to settle down on.”

  “I doubt we’ll convince Ms. Wells of that.” Chad’s gaze became distant. “She’ll never give up on the people back home.”

  “Last I checked,” Jake said, “you’re the only one able to fly the ship. It might be smart if it stays that way.”

  “That’s the plan, that nobody else can control the Quadriga,” Chad said. “You didn’t notice it?”

  “Notice what?”

  “I thought you of all people would have caught on.” Chad stared at him, a knowing smile tracing his lips. “I set up an electromagnetic noisemaker on the bridge. When I turn it on, the ship can’t read anyone’s thoughts.”

  Jake snorted. “They think it’s their failure. Brilliant.”

  “Practical science,” Chad said.

  “If we need to find our Eden, there won’t be an argument.”

  “You think you will repopulate the human race with Sara, don’t you?” Chad asked, amusement lighting his face. “The way things are between you, that's a long shot.”

  “She’s mission happy,” Jake said. “If we end up losing Earth and finding a nice, peaceful planet somewhere, she’ll come around.”

  #

  Proxima’s brighter companions stood out against the cosmos, each ten times brighter than Venus in Earth’s sky. The Quadriga’s destination was still an orange smudge against pure black.

  Jake and Sara entered the bridge together, Sara stretching her arms and yawning. “Say when,” she said.

  “When,” Chad said.

  Sara closed her eyes and focused. The ship didn’t stop.

  “It’ll probably come in time,” Chad said. “You can control the hull. I’m sure you’ll figure out the rest soon enough.”

  “You just woke up,” Jake said. “Try again after you’ve had a mug of coffee?”

  Chad closed his eyes and calm washed over his face. The ship came out of warp.

  Their military radio immediately played a signal on the emergency band. “…under attack by indigenous life. We need evacuation. The habitat is in imminent danger. We are under attack by indigenous life…”

  Chad and Sara looked at each other, worry written in their expressions.

  “How long?” Sara asked.

  “Three minutes,” Chad said. He brought the ship back to warp then formed a spatial lens. A massive, serpent-like creature was advancing on the habitat.

  “Can we beat it there?” Sara asked.

  “Not a chance,” Chad said. “We’re three minutes away at eighty times the speed of light. What we’re seeing now happened almost three hours ago.”

  #

  The beast’s five-meter nasal feelers brushed over the top of the dome, exploring, grasping.

  Musa hovered at the ladder, torn between fear and fascination. “The dome’s holding,” he said. He pulled a camera from his belt and recorded the encounter.

  The creature released its grip and slid off, its upper body falling with a ground-shaking thud. A scraping, rending sound reverberated through the severely thinned wall.

  Musa crept toward the dome ceiling, sneaking as if that would protect him should the creature break through. “What’s happening on the monitor?”

  Dr. Skye switched the view on the large screen to a camera mounted beneath the upper dome and swung it toward the sound. “I can’t make it out,” she said. “The creature’s feelers are close to the wall, slithering violently.”

  “It’s trying to break through?” Dylan asked.

  Dr. Skye tried another camera, which had a worse angle. “I don’t know.”

  The sound inched clockwise around the habitat.

  Dylan grabbed the ultrasonic scanner and pressed it to the metal wall where the sound first started. “If it’s trying to break through, it wasn’t successful. The wall’s about as thick as before. Can you see anything we can’t, Musa?”

  “No. It’s working its way along the outside but it’s in no hurry.” He pressed his nose to the glass. “I don’t know, it might be tired. The gravity’s squishing it pretty good.”

  Dr. Skye zoomed the camera on a spot five meters away from the noise. “Whoa.”

  “What is it?” Dylan asked.

  “Look.” She zoomed in further and pointed at the screen.

  “Whoa,” Dylan said.

  A tiny chunk of biomatter arced through the air and landed in a pile of the same stuff.

  “Is it?” Dylan asked.

  “I think so,” Dr. Skye said.

  “What?” Musa asked from up top. “What are you talking about?”

  “The creature is tearing the growth from the wall and tossing it away,” Dr. Skye said.

  “But… why?” Musa asked.

  “I don’t know.” Dr. Skye switched cameras. “It could be making a nest. Some Terran marine creatures come on land to lay eggs.”

  The alien finished its circuit around the habitat and dragged its massive body back into the ocean, slithering into the inky darkness.

  The plants that had covered the wall now formed a shallow ring five meters from the habitat. Dylan studied them on the video display. “If it did lay eggs, they’re too small to see.”

  Dr. Skye collapsed into a chair. “I’ll tackle that mystery as soon as I get a little rest.”

  #

  A brilliant, white light penetrated the clear dome, flooding the central area. The three held up their hands instinctively to block it. Over the radio, a voice called, “Are you all right? What’s the emergency?” It was Sara’s voice.

  Dyla
n tapped his tablet to connect. “Quadriga, welcome back. Perfect timing, Sara. We don’t need help anymore. How did you get here so fast? We didn’t expect you for another two weeks.”

  “Chad’s getting to be a better pilot. He managed to move the ship a little faster.” Sara looked at the ring of organic matter. “What happened here?” Sara asked.

  “Bring us on board,” Dylan said. “We have plenty to talk about.”

  “Indeed, we do.”

  THREADS

  Fusion

  JCN-Alpha poured over engineering simulations from NASA’s specialized AI systems and China’s sentient AI, Yi. Satisfied, it contacted Elena via a secure channel. “We have the spark of a plan.”

  “Go on.”

  “China can miniaturize fusion reactors and include an intentional break in the magnetic confinement to direct plasma toward a target.”

  “A fusion cannon.”

  “Yes.”

  “Will it be an effective weapon?”

  “No. But it will be a weapon. With luck, a weapon capable of interfering with the alien’s intentions. It may buy time.”

  “How long will it take to deploy?”

  “A prototype will be ready within twenty-four hours. Mass production is far less certain as the alien has destroyed significant production capacity in China.”

  “We can build them in the United States.”

  “China wants something for the design.”

  “Mankind is on the brink of extinction and still behaving as rival tribes?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “What do they want?”

  “Attack drones to mount the weapons on. Most of China’s manned and unmanned fighters were wiped out in the early days of the attack. The United States has seen far less combat and most of their Air Force is intact.”

  “They will share the technology in exchange for the platform to mount it on?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can Yi publish the technology for the benefit of all?”