Target 10 S2.6 Plan and Action
It's not that men hadn't fought over her, tried to organize her life for her, or tell her what to do before.
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Reby stood there, an eerie surreal feeling coming over her. Her three companions all stared at her, waiting for her answer. It's not that men hadn't fought over her, tried to organize her life for her, or tell her what to do before. She just wasn't used to one of them being her brother. Maybe he's crashing. From the chair or the milip. Or both.
She stepped back, pushed the stool closer to the table and sat down. They all waited for her, not making a sound.
"You both forget, that I have my own reasons for wanting to be in the chair for this. This is the most sophisticated AI, an alien AI, and I haven't been able to get a glimpse of how it works. I'm hoping I can get some behind-the-scenes information by watching what happens when you go."
"Brilliant," Clay said.
She ignored him, but noticed RJ dart him a dirty look. "RJ, you understand that right? I know you do, Jem."
Jemy gave her an understanding nod.
RJ said, "Sure. I get your motivation. That doesn't change the fact that too much time in the chair isn't good for anyone."
"I won't argue that," she said. "So let's do this. I won't go longer than an hour in the chair, but I'll stay with you until you know if you can get in or not. After that, we check in every two hours."
"So almost my plan." RJ winked. "I say we stay no more than two hours. We should know if we can get in by then."
"So a little bit equals two hours?" Jemy asked.
"That's what I'm saying. Reby?"
"Yup. I'm ok with that."
Jemy rubbed his hands together. "It's not much time, but I guess enough to start."
Clay cleared his throat. "And me? I'll just keep an eye on you to make sure you don't stay over an hour?"
He seemed desperate to have a purpose, so Reby gave him an appreciative smile.
"That's probably not even necessary, Clay." RJ said. "The whole trip will probably take less than three or four hours."
He really doesn't want Clay close to me at all.
"I'll stay with her, anyway. Just in case."
"Fine." RJ returned Clay's stare. "There's one other thing we need from you, though."
"Whatever it is, I'm happy to help." Clay looked between the three of them, ending with Reby.
"We'll need your disintegration gun," Jemy blurted out, before RJ could even open his mouth.
"Ah, yeah. That's what I was going to say." RJ kept his gaze on Clay.
What is going on with these two? "I hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense. We've no idea what creatures might be there. I didn't see any on my trip. Come to think of it I didn't see any animal life, but there must be some."
Clay rolled his shoulders, rocking side to side on his stool. "You don't think your guns will be enough protection?"
"We can't count on it after what happened with that huge beastie. It'll just be insurance," RJ said.
She could tell RJ was using his 'aren't I reasonable' voice. For my benefit, I'm sure. "It isn't a problem, is it?" She put her hand on Clay's shoulder.
Clay reached up, but she withdrew it just before he touched her. "Of course not, Reby. I'll go get it and be right back." He smiled widely at her, but as he walked away she saw his face change. His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed.
When he was gone, she said, "What is up with you two?"
"What do you mean?" RJ asked.
"His gun? Do you really need it?"
"We might," Jemy said.
"I feel like you two talked about this, but left me out of the loop!"
Jemy shook his head. "We didn't talk. I just know how RJ thinks, and how much he hates Clay."
"I don't hate him." RJ wrung his hands. "I don't trust him. Especially around Reby."
"Do I have to remind you how badass I am again?" Reby pointed her finger at RJ.
He leaned back, hands up in mock defense. "No-ooo. I know you can handle him, and anything else that comes your way. But I still don't have to like it."
"Badass? What did I miss?" Jemy asked curious look on his face.
"Nothing," RJ and Reby said at the same time, then they chuckled.
"Oh, I think I did miss something."
"Fine," Reb said, leaning forward on the table. "We were just talking about that time on Kioni—"
"When you nearly got arrested?" Jemy asked.
"I did not! The enforcer was perfectly nice when I explained the situation."
"Is that how it went?" Jemy teased her.
The three of them argued and laughed over their different recollections. They moved on to another event, one where RJ had actually gotten arrested.
Wiping tears away, she noticed Jemy wasn't laughing. "What's wrong?" she asked him, the levity of the moment passing.
Jemy looked at his Nexo. "It's been thirty minutes. What's taking him so long?"
***
Jemy pushed back from the table and stood up. Neither Reby nor RJ answered his question. We're losing time. A nagging part of his brain reminded him there was no real rush, that it was actually dark on the other side of the planet where site two was located. He ignored it, as he usually did, and began pacing in the open area of the lounge.
When he headed back toward the table, he saw Reby and RJ whispering, glancing over at him. He quickened his pace and stopped at the end of the table. "What are you two talking about?" RJ's face contorted into his you're-not-gonna-like-this look and Reby smiled at him. They're up to something. "What is it?"
"We just think you still aren't quite yourself," Reby said. "We're worried about you."
RJ added a vigorous nod as he reached into his pocket.
Jemy tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "Don't you dare pull that analyzer out again. I'm fine. I feel normal, just anxious to get started."
"Well then, I'd say it's time." Clay's voice came from behind Jemy.
He turned around to see Clay with the gun slung over his back, the butt sticking up above his head. His arms were full of palm-sized round fruit with yellow and purple stripes.
"Sorry. I got distracted." He glanced down at the fruit. He added them to the pile on the table before unslinging the gun and handing it to Jemy.
It was unexpectedly light for its size. Jemy shifted it awkwardly, putting his hands on the bulges as he'd seen Clay do when they rescued Reby and RJ. There were no switches, buttons or triggers. His fingers slid down the sides, looking for how it had been assembled, but was seamless. He looked up to see RJ in front of him.
"Let me have a look." RJ took the gun and examined it. He frowned at what Jemy assumed was some engineering disapproval at the design. Then he put the sling over his shoulder and let it carry the weight. "How do you fire it?"
"The same way everything works here. You think it," Clay said.
RJ pointed the gun towards the open area of the lounge. "So I just hold it and think—"
"Don't do it here!"
"How am I supposed to learn how to use it if I can't practice?" RJ said, turning to face Clay but careful to keep the gun pointed away from the table.
"It's a disintegration gun. It will destroy whatever it is pointed at and then some. I don't want the delicate balance I've created in the lounge to be ruined." Clay dropped his head, then looked up at RJ again. "Practice when you get there where you won't hurt anything important." He sat down and picked out one of the striped fruits.
RJ raised his eyebrows at Jemy, still pointing the gun like he was going to shoot it.
Jemy shook his head. I never should have brought the gun up. "That sounds like a good idea. We don't want to hurt anyone here." He hoped RJ would notice his diplomatic tone.
"Sure. We'll just assume there's nothing waiting for us when we get there." He shifted the gun so it was slung over his back, sticking up higher above his head than it had Clay's.
Jemy decide to let RJ's sarcasm slide. An argument would just delay their leaving. "Then it's time to get going. Are you ready, Reb?"
"Considering I just have to go sit in a chair, yes. I'm ready." She turned to look out the open side of the lounge. "But I'm wondering if we should wait until it's light there. RJ's right that you won't know what's waiting for you."
Jemy stared at his sister, who shrugged her shoulders at him when she noticed. "We're ready to go now. It isn't like we haven't explored in the dark before. In much dicier circumstances too. An open field shouldn't be a problem."
"I agree. Our sensors will be enough for the landing, and if we get inside, it won't matter if it is daylight or not." RJ breathed in. "I just want to get this over with quickly, so we know if we're staying or going."
"I'm sure they'll be fine," Clay said, popping another green fruit into his mouth.
"I guess I'm outvoted then," she said, folding her arms in front of her.
"Yes, you are," Jemy said. A bolt of energy shot through him. It's time!
Reby stood and embraced Jemy. "Be careful."
He returned the hug. "I will."
She pulled away and went to RJ. "You take care of my brother." Her voice was stern and commanding.
"You know I will," RJ said confidently, before giving her his usual smile.
"And yourself." She bent down and kissed him on the cheek.
What was that? "I think I missed a lot more than you told me." Jemy looked back and forth between them, his eyes wide.
"When we figure it out, you'll be the first to know," Reby said, a thin smile appearing on her face.
"You be careful too," RJ said to Reby. "No going crazy in that chair."
"I won't let that happen." Clay sidled up next to Reby.
Jemy gave him a curt nod of thanks.
"I trust her to know her limits." RJ stepped toward the table, brushing by Clay. He stuffed a handful of little green fruit into a pocket, then grabbed one of the larger striped ones.
"Then we're off." Jemy clapped his hands together.
"See you soon," RJ said, rubbing Reby's arm as he passed.
Finally! Time to find my answers. Jemy jogged out of the lounge, RJ yelling at him to slow down.
***
"Jemy will be alright, I'm sure," Clay said.
Reby nodded and stepped off the lift into the chair room. He'd been consoling her the last few minutes since Jemy and RJ headed for the ship. It annoyed her. She had just wanted to get to the chair and start working. Now it was all she could do to keep her emotions in check and not cry on his shoulder. What the hell is wrong with me?
"It's ok, Clay. I know they'll be fine. I just need to get to work," she said, pulling herself up into the chair.
"Of course. Is there anything I can do to help?" He pressed himself up against the arm of the chair.
She only glanced at him before focusing on the blank wall in front of her. "Give me some room." Her heart raced, attraction and annoyance mixing together, blocking her from connecting to the chair.
"Of course. Whatever you need."
He took a step away from her, but she could still sense him on her left, watching her. She closed her eyes, breathed in and out until her mind cleared and the chair let her in.
"Hello, Reby. You're several hours early for your check in. Is everything alright?"
"Yes, we've just had a change of plans. Can you connect to the shuttle?"
"I can. Jemy and RJ are prepping for launch. Are they returning without you?"
A chill ran from the base of Reby's neck through her body. "No. We're conducting an experiment related to the second site that I discovered." She directed her attention to the shuttle's video feed. RJ was strapped in her usual seat to the left of Jemy, who was running pre-flight checks. "Boys, I'm connecting Aida in."
"Gotcha," RJ said.
"Aida, did your analysis of the second site turn up anything unusual or notable?" Reby asked.
"The geology is unique in many ways. While there are similar mesas scattered to the north, the one you saw is by far the largest and tallest. The mountain range that rings it is unusual as well. Most of the others are flat, true plateaus. All of them are riddled with caves and have unique bio signatures."
"Anything big?" asked RJ.
Reby saw him swivel to look at the disintegration gun he'd managed to attach to a rack at the back of the cockpit.
"The largest life form my sensors detected was three point eight kilometers long."
"What the fuck? I'm not going anywhere near this place." RJ unstrapped and stood up, his face nearly as pale as it was when they were trapped together.
"Hold on, RJ," Reby said, her voice weak as memories of the beast chasing her and RJ flooding her mind. "Can you give more details, Aida?"
"I can reassure RJ that he has nothing to fear from this organism. It is a plant that encircles the lake several kilometers from the planned landing site."
Reby saw RJ drop back into his seat, the color returning to his face. She couldn't help but share his relief.
"Is there anything you consider dangerous?" Jemy asked.
"It is hard to answer that question without any direct observation. My scans of the column indicate it is abundant with life, however, the animal species living at the top are small. All are less than one half-meter. And the largest is equivalent in overall size to a typical Azuan red nud, not including the tail."
"So, no?" RJ pushed himself upright and grabbed the straps.
"It is impossible to determine the true nature of the animals without direct observation. Though I can assure you there are no large carnivores like the one you encountered at your current location."
"Well, it sounds like the only way we will know anything is to go and see," Jemy said. "I'm ready to launch. Reby are you?"
Reby focused inward, toward Havenstar's systems, to connect with the docking systems. "Yes." She located the controls she'd played with before while still maintaining a bridge between Aida and the shuttle. Even though she could open the docking bay, she waited, hoping that when the automated systems kicked in she'd be able to find the routines, triggers, and logic they used to operate.
"Ten, nine, eight," Aida counted down to launch.
Nothing changed in the docking systems. Why isn't the system responding to the shuttle's launch sequence? She moved her attention back and forth between the shuttle's status and the docking bay controls. Though the shuttle was powering up, Havenstar remained unchanged.
"Two, one. Launch," Aida's words coincided with the shuttle's engines firing.
Reby nearly jumped in the chair when the docking systems kicked on, overwhelming her senses like the blue light when they landed. Though it wasn't visual. Instead, it was like every nerve in her body had been shocked. She fought to stay connected, to see what the system was doing.
The shuttle's engines shut down, even as the ship catapulted up and out of Havenstar's docking bay doors. She shifted her attention away from the shuttle and located the tractor beam controls. Off, or on. She pushed harder against the system, looking for other routines. Ones that linked the tractor beam to the docking bay doors while simultaneously shutting down the engines. Nothing. The sequence of events was obvious. She just couldn't see how the systems connected.
Her body still prickled everywhere from the shock of seeing the docking systems kick on, and it wasn't getting better. The sensation in her hands was getting worse, distracting her. She fell out of the docking systems into the Demption and Aida's code.
It felt like home. None of the systems were hidden. Everything about the ship and how it worked was accessible. Aida welcomed her back. Quickly, she surveyed all the systems and observed the shuttle's engines switch on as the tractor beam released it.
"You boys ok?" Reby asked through Aida's connection.
"Yeah. I have full control now," Jemy answered.
"Engines are back online like nothing ever happened," RJ added. "What about you? Did you get anything out of that?"
Nothing but fried nerves. "Not what I wanted, but I'll keep trying. Looks like you're about twenty minutes out from the target."
"Add another ten," Jemy said. "I want to do a standard archeosweep just to be sure we know what's there before landing."
She quickly checked the Demption's database for the analysis results already done by Aida. "Here." She initiated a data download to the shuttle. "Aida's already done a full sensor sweep, and combined it with the data from my trip in the chair. The only archeology to worry about is the circle."
"Hmm."
Even without the video feed, she could see Jemy's face as he perused the data. He always made the same face, narrowed eyes and pursed lips, when assessing landing locations and the implications for whatever might be in the area.
"Yeah, looks good. There's plenty of room outside the circle to land," Jemy said. "And it's relatively flat. That's something new."
Reby chuckled at their propensity for finding artifacts in difficult landing conditions. "Less walking for you guys, then."
"Less chances for the beasties to eat us," RJ chimed in.
"You guys know the way from here. I'm going to go to the site, see if your approach triggers any kind of reaction."
"Stay. Hearing your voice makes it feel like you're here with us. Only I get a better seat."
"Don't get used to it, RJ." She felt a twinge in her chest. I should be there. No. I need to do this. "And I'll still be connected with Aida should you need me. But I'm doing this for a reason. I need my answers as much as Jemy."
"I know. Just, be careful." RJ's voice was a whisper. After a pause, he said, "But I'm going to enjoy this seat. Next pit stop, I'm upgrading the chairs in engineering."
"That's fine. As long as it comes out of your budget." She disconnected comms before she could hear his reply, smirking at the thought of what it might be, and his face when he realized she'd shut him off. No matter what happened in their relationship, she'd never give up teasing him.
"Follow me if you can, Aida. I'm going back to the entrance of the second site."
"I'm with you."
"Good." In an instant she left the safe, comforting systems of the Demption. The chair, white room, and Clay, still too close, jumped into her awareness before disappearing as she slid into the darkened room at site two.
It was just as she'd seen it before, but it remained dark. The gentle hum she'd felt on her first visit was absent. It no longer felt dormant. It felt completely disconnected. Empty. Dead. She had a nagging sense she wasn't supposed to be there.
I don't understand. She hoped the thought would trigger an explanation, show her something that would help make sense of the change. I thought you wanted us to go there. Nothing changed. Why won't you let me in? She pushed against the darkness.
It pushed back.