Chapter 19: Epsilon Theta System

A few days later, we all had updated calendars including scheduled time on the firing range.

I changed into my thermal suit and met with Saria outside the firing range.

“Hello, am I late?” I asked.

“No, you are on time, Sir!” she replied.

We entered the firing range. On the table lay several weapons.

“I wasn’t sure what weapon you preferred, so I thought we’d try several,” said Saria.

I nodded. She guided me to one end of the table.

“Don’t pick up a weapon until you are preparing to shoot. When you pick up a weapon, keep it pointed down range at all times. Keep your finger away from the trigger. When you finish shooting, make the weapon safe by turning off the power or removing the power pack,” said Saria.

I nodded.

“Always assume a weapon is hot. If I say cease fire or weapons down, make the weapon safe and place it on the table,” she added.

“Understood,” I replied.

“Let’s try this first one. This is a Lagaid weapon like the ones you used on Quard. Try it on the left target,” she said.

I picked up the weapon, aimed and fired. It blew a hole in the target.

“It’s effective at close to medium range. If you are on target, you’ll only need one shot,” said Saria.

I returned the weapon to the table. I remembered the recent skirmishes with the Lagaid on Quard. One shot took out a ground transport.

“And as you know, this weapon doesn’t have a stun setting,” she said.

“The Lagaid philosophy rarely includes taking prisoners,” I said.

She nodded.

“Be extra careful who you aim at with the Lagaid weapon. We don’t want friendly fire incidents,” she said.

“Agreed. But on away missions, I prefer not to kill, except in extreme circumstances,” I said.

“Next we have a Baglogi stun gun. It’s good for close range. Non-lethal, and it’s lower power requirements means you’ll get more shots from a power pack,” said Saria.

I picked up the stun gun, aimed and fired at the next target. It didn’t blow a hole in it, but the target registered a hit.

“Congratulations! You successfully stunned the target. With this weapon, it has a wide range of fire,” she said.

I put the stun gun down on the table.

“As long as it works, I don’t mind about pinpoint accuracy,” I replied.

“If your target is larger, you might need multiple shots to stun it. Be prepared to follow-up with a second or third shot,” said Saria.

“If the target is larger, I’d prefer not being there,” I said with a grin.

“Quite,” replied Saria.

We practiced with a few more weapons before our session finished. I learned several things. I hoped I wouldn’t need to use them.

Later, I visited the lido. Jem was in her favourite hammock.

“Commander, how are you today?” asked Jem.

“Fine, thank you. I had my first session in the firing range with Saria today,” I replied.

I pulled up a chair next to her.

“How did it go?” she asked.

“Not bad. I tried out several weapons,” I replied.

“No dinner plates?” she asked with a grin.

My experience aboard the passenger transport was now common knowledge, thanks to Laine and Saria.

“That was a onetime event. The Lagaid caught us unarmed and disturbed our breakfast. I had to improvise,” I said.

“You did a spectacular job. Laine showed me the security video,” she said.

“I got lucky. From now on, I will carry a stun gun whenever I leave Ship,” I said.

“Any more ideas on your future time travel?” asked Jem.

“Not yet. I don’t know why it happens/happened. When I do, it might be too late to change,” I replied.

“I don’t like it. There’s a problem coming, and we don’t know what to do about it,” said Jem.

“I don’t like it either,” I said.

“No use stressing yourself over it. Ship said your credentials are from a future version of you. Until your credentials match the ones in the message, it won’t happen yet,” said Jem.

“That’s an idea. Ship, please monitor my credentials. When they are close to the ones from the message, alert the Commodore and me,” I said.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

“Now, we have a possible early warning,” I said.

Jem smiled.

“That’s some consolation,” she said.

About three days later, our hyper drive went offline as we arrived at our next destination. Ship timed it so we emerged from hyperspace at the edge of the system.

“We are approaching the Epsilon Theta system. I am deploying probes to explore the system and report back,” said Ship.

“Thank you, Ship,” replied Jem.

Our tactical display slowly populated with data on the system. I could see the usual blue dots of our probes moving out as they explored. This system had a white dwarf star with several planets and an asteroid belt.

“Ship, any sign of other vessels in the system?” I asked.

“The system appears uninhabited, Commander,” replied Ship.

“This is my first visit to an uninhabited system,” said Saria.

“Our standard procedure is to wait here and use probes to figure out if there’s a reason to enter the system,” explained Jem.

“A wise precaution, Commodore,” replied Saria.

We waited while the probes scoured the system for anything of interest. It took a little over an hour.

“Attention, Commodore,” said Ship.

“Go ahead, Ship,” replied Jem.

“The fourth planet appears inhabitable, though void of any signs of life,” replied Ship.

“So, nothing of interest?” asked Jem.

“Energy signatures in the asteroid belt suggest energy crystals are present,” replied Ship.

“Ah! So something of interest to you,” said Jem.

“Confirmed,” said Ship.

“What are energy crystals?” asked Laine.

“We use them to build Baglogi power generators. They are fairly rare,” replied Jem.

“Oh,” replied Laine. “So when we find a source, we should stock up on them?” asked Laine.

“Yes. Ship, take us in to the asteroid belt. Prepare a probe with mining bots to harvest the energy crystals,” said Jem.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

Our sub-light engines kicked in, and we entered the system.

Jem turned to me.

“Brian, you take the first watch. I’ll be in the lido,” said Jem.

“Yes, Commodore,” I said.

Jem stood and left the main bridge. A moment later, Laine and Mina followed.

Saria came over to the sofa and sat beside me. She smiled at me and turned to watch the action on the tactical display.

Roughly an hour later, we approached the asteroid belt. It was between the orbits of the fourth and fifth planets.

“Ship, have you found the energy crystals?” I asked.

“The highest concentration of the energy signatures are directly ahead, Commander,” replied Ship.

The tactical display showed the view ahead, featuring several of the larger asteroids.

“Are you ready to find your energy crystals, Ship?” I asked.

“Confirmed. Deploying probe now,” replied Ship.

“When was the last time you located energy crystals?” I asked.

“The Yastri system had several. We used them to restore Quon and to build this vessel, Commander,” replied Ship.

“Can’t we manufacture our own energy crystals?” I asked.

“Negative, Commander,” replied Ship.

I watched the probe approach the nearest asteroid.

Shortly, I saw a source of light on the surface of the asteroid.

“Ship, is that light supposed to happen?” I asked.

“Negative, Commander,” replied Ship.

“Scan for life signs and other vessels. I want answers,” I said.

“Confirmed, scanning ... No life signs or other vessels detected,” replied Ship.

“Then what is it?” I asked.

“Unknown, Commander,” replied Ship.

I sighed.

“Summon the Commodore to the main bridge,” I ordered.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

About three minutes later, Jem and Laine arrived.

“Report,” said Jem.

“There is a light coming from the surface of the asteroid directly ahead. No life signs or other vessels. Ship can’t explain it,” I replied.

“Ship, is this light from the energy crystals?” asked Jem.

“Unknown, Commodore. But the light started when our probe approached,” replied Ship.

“Ship, direct your probe to move back. Perhaps it’s a proximity warning,” Said Jem.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

The probe moved back from the asteroid.

“Hey! The light has left the asteroid!” exclaimed Laine.

“It’s going after the probe,” I said.

The glowing light advanced on the probe. It suddenly accelerated until it contacted the probe. On the tactical display, the blue dot representing the probe winked out.

“Commodore, the probe stopped responding,” replied Ship.

The glowing light was now brighter. It left the probe and changed course towards our vessel.

“If the light is more agile than a probe, we can’t expect to outmaneuver it,” I said.

“Crap!” replied Jem. “Raise our shields. Get us away from here!”

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

Ship backed up slowly, and changed course. All the while, the glowing light was gaining on us.

“Attention, the entity breached our shields,” said Ship.

“Crap!” said Jem.

“Attention, the entity breached our outer hull,” said Ship.