War for the Iron Planet

Chapter 15: The Cylinder

The shuttle pulled into the Wingspan's main hangar with the star tree close behind. When the hangar door closed and atmosphere was pumped back into the hangar, a group of officers and mechanics walked in clapping and cheering, led by Admiral Jasken. The crowd slapped shoulders, shook hands, welcomed the twins into the fold and jeered at the captive Astralbian knight. Kaihla rushed in and gave Drixen a big hug, trying to be careful of his wounds. A hug, Raivyn noted, not a kiss. She was a little ashamed that she was keeping score on that front in a moment like this, but she was pleased to see the platonic interaction between the two nonetheless.

"Alright, alright," said Jasken. "This prisoner needs to be taken down to the brig. Once he's in a T-wave tight cell, take these restraints off him. Triflin and Kiflin, you'll follow me to the officer's wing. Shrump's cylinder is coming with me. Trikac will be taken to rest in the morgue until his final affairs are set in order. The rest of you... thank you for your service. Go rest. You've earned it."

The lofted heroes went off to find a comfortable place to lay down, and Jasken led the twins to the room they'd be staying in.

"You'll be staying in this room for the time being. Prisoners is an ugly word, but it's the honest one. Once we get you two debriefed and vetted, you'll be sent back to Kerucester on Griffonia. From there, you'll largely be free to start your own lives."

"We want to serve in the Griffon Republic Navy!" said Triflin. Kiflin nodded vigorous agreement. Jasken held back a smile and nodded seriously.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but I like the spirit. There will be a guard at your door. Yes, he's there to make sure you don't leave, but he's also there to make sure you're comfortable. If you need anything, talk to him. We'll try to get you processed as quickly as possible. And thank you both, for doing what you did. The bravery of your actions is not lost on me."

With that, Jasken left the twins and headed to his own office and quarters. He opened the door to find Officer Hunt, Professor Chim, and Grikchum. He gave them a curt smile that did not reach his eyes. Chim held out an open hand.

"She wanted to see the cylinder," said Hunt apologetically. "I told her you would be keeping it in your quarters."

Jasken looked at Chim's outstretched hand, then looked up into her eyes, maintaining a straight, if stern, face. She relented.

"Admiral, may I please see the cylinder?" she asked with perfunctory politeness. Jasken obliged.

The professor and her assistant huddled over the shiny black cylinder. It was about four inches in diameter and nearly a foot long, covered with Ancient Talpidarian lettering.

"As I thought!" said Chim, "It's a Talpadarian puzzle tube."

"The markings aren't the coordinates, then?" asked Jasken, his optimism fading.

"No," replied the professor. "Each line of letters going around the tube spins individually. The trick is to line up the correct letters vertically. This mark on the top of the tube indicates which column the password should be lined up on. Once the puzzle is solved, the button on the top is pressed, and the tube opens. The coordinates will be inside."

"Can you open it?" inquired Jasken. Chim shrugged, which felt ominous to the Admiral.

"The code is likely in a cipher, so even if we knew the password, we still may not know which letters stand for which," she said, pondering.

"Can you just try every possible combination?" asked Jasken.

"No. Not only are there seven lines of twelve letters, making for a dizzying two million, nine hundred and eighty-five thousand, nine hundred and eighty-four possible solutions, but there is also the problem that it is certainly trapped."