Accessing another set of controls, Hope verified that she had remote access to the medical systems incorporated into each of the team members’ space suits. They all reported as functional, including the overrides. That task completed, Hope turned from the console to observe the other members of the bridge crew.
The Navigator remained busy at the task assigned to him by the Captain. Occasionally, he emitted small noises that Hope was not certain that the others on the bridge could hear. She had no idea what the sounds indicated, and found them quite distracting. During her time with humans, she had learned that they often made such sounds for a variety of reasons. Often, they were used as a means to indicate that they were thinking or, more commonly, delaying while they considered a less candid response than the one in their thoughts. This was not an Aerian shortcoming.
“Captain,” the Science Lieutenant called out from her station. “I’m getting some new readings from the debris field.”
The Captain looked up with interest. “What do you have?”
“There was a small break in the interference,” the Science Lieutenant reported. “We’ve picked up another source of those organic components, and some additional metals.”
“Anything interesting?”
The Science Lieutenant shook her head. “It’s hard to tell,” she said. “We’re still too far away. But they look to be some unusually complex ores.”
“Why do say that?”
The Science Lieutenant looked uncomfortable. “Because if they’re not,” she finally said, “then the debris field contains manufactured alloys.”
- 7 -
Elizabeth’s surprise mirrored what she saw reflected on the Captain’s face. It took only a moment for the implications of Gho’s announcement to sink in.
There’s been other ships out here before.
“Can you tell what type?” Devereux asked.
Gho’s chagrin was clearly evident as she shook her head again. “Not yet,” she said. “At least not for certain.”
The Captain looked toward the Tactical station with concern. Lieutenant Hawkes met get her glance squarely. Neither said a word, but Elizabeth was certain that some kind of communication had passed between them. She felt a twinge of jealousy at being left out.
Devereux turned to look at the main bridge displays.
“It will be difficult to detect slipstream events within the field,” Hawkes said aloud.
“I know,” Devereux replied, just barely loud enough to be heard. “Let’s hope it’s too dangerous for them to transition there.”
“That might explain the alloys,” Elizabeth offered.
Devereux looked at her thoughtfully.
“Do you want me to consult with Engineering?” Hawkes asked.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to answer, but Devereux cut her off.
“No,” she turned to Elizabeth. “I want you to,” she said. “Have them provide us with their best guess as soon as possible.” Her eyes held firmly onto Elizabeth’s. “Have them do the work. Keep it internal. The Chief has enough to worry about at the moment.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Devereux looked away.
Elizabeth swallowed and headed for the main Science station to ask Gho to send the latest readings to her tablet.
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