KEID: A Lost Civilization

Phoenix Starship Andromeda-Orbiting Vulcan

Phoenix Starship Andromeda—Orbiting Vulcan

“Vulcan seems to be very much like Arcan,” Jocara told Daphne.

“Or like Earth,” Daphne said back. “Except I don’t see any evidence of plant life.”

They sat on the Bridge looking at the holodisplay of Vulcan and the surrounding skies.

“It’s an Arcan-size planet—a bit smaller,” Jocara said.

“Yeah, much like Earth,” Daphne added. “Look,” she pointed, “four continents, oceans, and polar ice caps.”

“Can’t tell from here if there’s anything of interest down there or not,” Jocara said.

“We have a bunch of people examining every detail visible from orbit,” Daphne said. “Once they’re done, you and I will take my craft down to the surface and give it some personal attention.”

“You can just do that? Don’t you need permission?”

“We don’t do things that way, Jocara. First, as Chief Scientist, I set my schedule. But beyond that, I notify Thorpe when I will be away from the ship. If he needs me, he’ll let me know. We all have specific jobs to do, but only a few of us regularly leave the ship.”

“Sounds a bit like Amred, Kenred’s home country. My home, Ceffid, was more structured—still is, for that matter. Kenred and I are still getting used to your freewheeling ways.”

“We just received a preliminary atmosphere report,” Daphne said, pointing to a holoscreen, “…nitrogen, low oxygen, high CO2. Pressure is only a half bar.”

“We’re going to need pressure suits,” Jocara said. “I’ve never even been on our moon, Lodan. I’ve never set foot on any planet but Arcan. This will be exciting for me.” Her scales rippled blue.

“Drones first,” said Daphne. “I think they’re launching them now.”

The drones were invisible on the Bridge holoscreen.

“We launched about a thousand,” Daphne told Jocara. “That’s not very much for a planet, but they can hit the important points and confirm our orbital assessment of the atmosphere.”

Kenred entered the Bridge, sweeping his tail aside as he sat next to Jocara. “Are we going to the surface?” he asked Daphne.

“Do you feel up to piloting an M-Class starship yourselves?” Daphne asked, glancing at both of them.

Both their scales rippled blue.

“Without a doubt,” Jocara answered for them both.

“I want each of you to pilot a craft,” Daphne said. “eDaphne will accompany you, Jocara, in a matrix onboard your craft, and eBraxton will accompany you, Kenred. Are you both okay with this arrangement?”

“Are you kidding?” Jocara nuzzled her snout against Daphne’s cheek, her scales rippling bright lavender with joy. “This is wonderful!”

Kenred sat quietly, his eyes wide open, blinking slowly. Like Jocara, his scales rippled lavender.

“When do we leave?” he asked.

“We’ll stage tomorrow morning,” Daphne said. “I’ll meet you in the vehicle bay.”

Daphne and Thorpe sat on the Bridge, sharing coffee and watching the vast expanse of Vulcan on the holoscreen as it passed below Andromeda.

“I’ve assigned Jocara and Kenred each to a personal M-Class,” Daphne said. “As you pointed out, they’re our only genuine astronauts.” Her eyes twinkled. “They’re both excellent pilots, and they earned their chops in the Holy War on Arcan. eDaphne will ride with Jocara and eBraxton will ride with Kenred, but I anticipate no problems. These guys are as good as they get.”

“When are you staging?” Thorpe asked.

“Tomorrow morning. We’ll get the drone results and analyze them overnight. This will give the M-Class pilots definite destinations. If they find anything interesting, we’ll open a portal and send a team through. They’ll wear pressure suits, like what you wore on Mars, with Moxie Automated Breathing Units.”

“I have to believe,” Thorpe said, “that we have significantly improved the MABUs since my Mars days.”

“Matter of fact,” Daphne said. “Given sufficient power, which we supply through a small portal, if the atmosphere contains over ten percent carbon dioxide, our MABUs can supply oxygen indefinitely.”

“I think I need to get out more,” Thorpe said with a wry grin.