Canticle Blue

61. Mission

Music - Angelico by Bill Douglas

The new signal continued unabated for several weeks, and the Colony proposed a mission to find the source. It evidently originated somewhere outside of the solar system, but only a mere fraction of the distance to any of the nearest stars. Even so, it would probably take months to reach. Although the Hedra was the fastest Colony ship, it was docked with the Picarin for a total overhaul, and unavailable. It was also felt that the ship's forward docking assembly and thrust-frame could be mistaken for weapons.

The Crisopa was the next best vehicle. In order to assist the habitat ships, if additional lift were ever needed as they floated above Nantis, its sphere-and-main R-drives had been refitted. With the upgrade, the Crisopa was nearly as fast as the Hedra.

Maire Meid, Ip, and Cian were among the first volunteers for the mission, along with Havilan, Elyse, and Grahmen Ravi. Elyse tried to talk Annibet into going too, but got a big surprise from her instead.

She said, "I don't think I should go. I'm pregnant."

It was the last thing Elyse expected to hear. With no idea how to respond, and perhaps unconsciously wanting to add levity to the situation, she heard words come out of her mouth that she wished had stayed in: "Is it human?"

Annibet just stared at her through squinting eyes.

Elyse tried to stop laughing and make amends at the same time. "I'm trying to be sorry. Really! It's just that you do all those androidy things..."

Finally Annibet broke down too. "For a moment there you reminded me of your daughter. I'll tell you what; if it's not human, you can use it for an A.I. flower pot. I didn't really know how to tell you anyway. Can't you just feel terrible for the kid already, with me for a mom? It must be pre-stressing just to ride around inside of me."

Elyse was still laughing. "You might mean it, but you don't really mean it. Maire still thinks of you as more of a mom than an aunt; and she adores you. And, just think of all the Middi babysitters you'll have. Talk about imaginary friends..."

"I thought about that too. But the Middi like to play so much, they might not want to give the baby back."

"No, I think their software is better than that," Elyse teased.

When the last provisions and people were taken aboard the Crisopa, there were many emotional goodbyes. Even the Middi who were joining the mission bid personal farewells to those who would remain.

Although the colonists had grown somewhat used to the risks involved in living above Nantis, there was an element of the unknown on this mission that caused concern. They were confident that the signal was being sent intentionally. But, if the senders were friendly, why would they try to lure someone to a beacon, instead of coming for a visit themselves? On the other hand, they certainly had not tried to mimic the signal of the original beacon. Since they had modified it so obviously, perhaps their intentions were good.

Adding to their unease was the fact that the shuttles had not been intended for unescorted deep space voyages. The Castel, piloted by Pa'Keh and Estmere, would accompany the shuttle and would carry a cargo module full of extra food and supplies But if the Crisopa were somehow disabled at a distant location, it was doubtful that its human crew could survive a long trip back in the smaller ship, even at the highest tolerable G-forces.

As the two ships moved slowly away from the colony, they tested and retested every shipboard system, completing the tests with the bright, rhythmic flashes of all exterior lights as they accelerated. Stealth was no longer needed in their solar system. All too soon, even with sunlight highlighting the ships, they disappeared.