CHAPTER ONE (EXCERPT)
The scream of the red alert cut rudely into
Jess's dreams, waking her instantly. She sprang
from her bunk and ordered the computer to shut off the alarm, then pulled on
her bodysuit and raced the short distance from her cabin to the flight deck.
She flung herself at the control panels. The flickering lights above the main
computer console and the figures on the visual output screen demandedimmediate attention.
Her fingers elicited no response when she
ran them rapidly over the tactile command pads. She looked up and addressed the
main computer panel. "Jaii, these readings are crazy. We're way off course
and nothing's working on manual, either. I thought I'd fixed the fault. What's
going on?"
The image before her wavered, the familiar
features distorted.
Emergency, the J.A.II series
computer intoned, with what sounded like a hint of panic. Serious
malfunction of auto navigation array, inertia dampers and control systems,
including shrouding device failure. Life support systems severely compromised.
All systems currently operating on emergency power. Auto-repair systems unable
to reverse degradation. Main drive calculated to reach critical mass in
fourteen minutes and nine seconds.
"What? Why didn't you wake me
earlier?"
Such action would have been pointless. You
could have done nothing further. I anticipated that the auto-repair systems
would keep the situation under control. When the position became unsustainable,
I transmitted an emergency beacon before waking you.
"What are the chances of the signal
being received?"
There is insufficient data to form an
accurate prediction.
"A guess would do."
The image darkened as if about to fail
completely, although a moment later it sputtered grudgingly back to life.
"Well, I can't see help reaching us
before the ship blows," Jess muttered, her voice grim.
She had only one course of action
available. She was heading in the direction of the emergency airlock and her escape
pod when the computer's voice made her stop and turn back to the flight deck
again.
It appears...the signal...has been
answered. My sensors indicate a large starship on our trajectory. Available
data shows that since it would have been outside the range of our sensors when
the beacon was transmitted, it must have attained previously unrecorded speeds
to reach us so quickly. We are currently being scanned.
Despite the distortion, combined with the
gravity of the situation, Jess had a fleeting sense of something akin to
amusement. The computer gave the impression of looking and sounding almost
envious as it recited the data relating to the other ship's size and speed. The
strange ship was obviously larger and more powerful than anything previously encountered—and phenomenally
fast.
"It would help if our scanners were
operational,"Jess said in frustration. Frantically she
activated another control, and the titanium shield covering the observation
panel slid back. "Well, at least something works." She gasped at the
sight of the starship speeding toward her craft. She took in the long, sleek
lines of the main hull with its lethal-looking weapons array. The nacelles on
each side gave the appearance of the backward sweeping wings of a gigantic bird
of prey. Its graceful double tailfins glowed, radiating a pulsing, golden
light.
Jess tore her gaze from the panel. Her
situation was too critical to muse over the aesthetics of the unknown vessel.
She had to leave her ship, and quickly.
Attention, the computer
commanded. Imperative you eject in the escape vehicle immediately. Repeat,
eject immediately. Life support systems are not sustainable. Drive mass will
reach critical in eleven minutes and thirty-seven seconds. All functions
deteriorating. I am no longer able...to...stabilise...
The
electronic voice slowed and then faded completely, the image dissipating as if
it had never existed. Jess swallowed, hard. For a long time the ship's computer
had been her only companion. It was almost like losing an old friend.
She had no time for such sentiments,
though. The emergency lighting flickered ominously. The instrument panels were
shorting out and gave off a pungent smell of burning. As she sped toward the
airlock, she fancied she heard a voice in her mind.
Listen closely. This is the starship
Destiny. You need have no fear of us. Your ship relayed a distress signal, but
the communication systems appear to be inoperative. This is the only way we
could reach you. Our sensors indicate your drive core is approaching critical
mass. You must eject from your ship at once. We will help you on board. You
don't have much time.
After a moment's hesitation, wondering if
she was imagining it, Jess felt compelled to obey the 'voice'
Leave your ship immediately and
proceed as follows —
..She stopped abruptly, and half
turned. "I need to get something from my cabin." ..
There is no time. Whatever you
have there will be destroyed anyway, as you will be, if you leave it any
longer.
Reluctantly Jess agreed. She reached the
airlock, boarded the escape pod and ejected from the ship. Guided by the
mysterious voice, she skilfully manoeuvred the capsule into a position adjacent
to the starship's hull. Was she heading into a trap? She had no alternative.
Her ship was about to self- destruct and the escape pod was not fast enough for
her to outrun the explosion.
The control panel in front of her flashed
wildly, a panorama of red telltales. Moments later it died as an unseen force
pulled the small vehicle inexorably
toward the Destiny.
There is no need for concern. You are in
the grip of our tractor beam. Cut the power to your engines and we will bring
you in.
Jess complied, and after a few moments the
module came to an abrupt halt. She realised she had passed through the outer
hull and was now in what was presumably the starship's main airlock. She ran a
quick sensor scan, which confirmed conditions on the ship were compatible with
human requirements. She raised the hatch with some caution, stepped from the
escape pod, and glanced around for signs of danger. ..
The 'voice' appeared to have left her. As
she approached the inner lock, it opened slowly and she found herself confronted
by a man with long, very blond hair, and a calm air of authority. He smiled
reassuringly, but she noted the weapon at his hip. Although his stance was not
threatening, she remained on her guard.
"I'm Jon Quinlan, commander of the
Destiny. You're among friends," he said, using the customary Common
Universal speech.
"Thank you," she said simply.
"I owe you my life."
"Are you all right?"
She nodded. "Yes...I'm fine. But all
my ship's control and navigation systems failed at the same time." She
hesitated. "There's no reason why that should have happened. There was a
slight navigation fault, but I'd rectified it and checked everything else
thoroughly a few hours ago. I don't understand, unless —"
She bit her lip and broke off abruptly. It
might be better not to mention the thought that only now occurred to her. He
and the rest of the crew—and on a ship this size, presumably there was a
crew—were strangers to her. Best keep her notions to herself until she was sure
she could trust them.