Unintended Matter: Compositum Novels, #1

By John Traynor

Secrets and deception, bubbling just below the surface of an idyllic resort town. A secretive group conspiring to do harm. An ongoing assault to life, as we know it. No one was seeking answers, until an outsider arrived. A devastating crisis thrusts a group of new found friends into the midst of an cunningly arranged international incident.

A typical teen, living a normal life is thrust into a disastrous showdown. Lucas Logan is committed to discovering the answer to a perplexing, mysterious substance, before it can be used against the world.

While an enigmatic character, silently helps to advance a catastrophe planet-wide societal collapse, vows to annihilate anyone in his path.

Can an this insidious international calamity be adverted? Can they discover why a terrorist might try and cripple their local economy? In the course of an electrifying odyssey, can they save themselves from jeopardy, while derailing an innocence's wanton detention?

Download the book now, and you can find the answer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Traynor
• Release date: Dec 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519969194

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Sixty Years Earlier

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It seemed a routine delivery, special enough to required a Hyguin as captain, but staffed with a traditional android crew. It definitely would be materially profitable for the Captain. But at the cost of using years of his time. The outer planets took years to reach. It would be a one-way trip for the ship, too costly to consider bringing it back. The shipping cartel supplied the ship and its crew, they hired its Captain, and would shuttle only him back home.

Captain, we are in final approach from behind the planet's moon, his android first mate announced.

Do we have final permission to approach?

Yes Captain, we have clearance.

The androids didn't need his instruction, this was part of their basic programming. He did enjoy hearing the respect they used while addressing him. It was a bonus that he would carry home the crews training cartridge. Using it on his own crew, would help make up for being locked in this ship, for years.

He only had one duty, if something goes wrong, fix it. Only something that wasn't part of the basic android training would need his intervention. To this point of the mission, he had been wholly extraneous. Androids did their duty as well as any Hyguin, serving without complaint or pay. Unfortunately, if something unpredictable happened, they would often be slow to respond, frequently disastrously.

He had spent his time on board training the crew to his satisfaction. The androids would likely never make use of his training. They would be left in this backwater of a planetary system, re-purposed or reassigned to some mining scow.

Bring out the ugly-bot, I want to make sure he's ready to go, the Captain ordered.

He prefers to be call a Terran Android, or a Simulate, the First Mate responded.

The people of this planet don't even call themselves Terran, they're Human, and they're ugly. Have you seen the size of their noses? They're little more than snubs, even a newborn has a larger one.

Yes, Captain.

He found all too frequently the androids were annoying in their individual preferences.

Make sure all the systems are online. We're going in hot and quick. Let's make this drop clean and fast, I have places to go.

Years to get here, and still another to get home. In less time, than for him to eat dinner, this assignment would be completed.

Double check the coordinates, check with the base make sure nothing has changed.

They had practiced this, for months. He wanted no mistakes, the androids didn't mind. As he has been told, androids have no feeling, only Motivations.

Captain, Terran Simulant Android 67 reporting as ordered, the ugly-bot interrupted his thoughts.

Six—-you have your orders, are you clear on what you are to do after you reach the planet? asked the Captain.

Yes Captain, it's 67TS, Terran Simulant, Sir.

Simulants were the most easily offended of any androids. Their hybrid brains made them indispensable on off-world expeditions, but their personalities were often aggravating. This one also had the added pleasure of being abnormally homely.

We'll be making a transport, dump and go, both you, and your gear. You need to be prepared. I'll need the transport back, this is an immediate retrieval mission

Captain, my instruction are specific as to the handling of my equipment, requiring a secure landing, and an orderly disembarkation.

Are all humans prissy as you, or was your programming specially designed? Never mind, think Six. An orderly disembarkation, after site reconnaissance, landing, disembarkation, and followed by low orbit covert launch, or a simple drop and go. Understand, we are under strict time constraints. We need to make this happen. Now. It was a strict constraint, there was a shuttle home in three days, not another for months. If he missed this shuttle, he would be sitting in a moon base for months. He would not miss this shuttle. Not when he had the opportunity to be relaxing in suspended animation, enjoying a dream induce vacation. He would never be able to afford a vacation like this again, neither in time nor money. To him this was the most important part of his assignment, after his payment of course.

Do you understand your orders, Six? the Captain asked.

It's 67TS, yes Captain.

They were obedient, and well trained.

Captain there is a weather pattern forming, obstructing our landing pattern, His First Mate informed him, Base Central suggests that we go into a temporary holding pattern,

They suggest we go back into orbit? the Captain asked.

Yes, Captain.

One second, he turned to 67TS. Six you are dismissed.

He had no time for complications. He turn back, and said in his most commanding voice. What type of weather pattern is obstructing my drop off coordinates?

It is a local planetary rain pattern.

Rain? This planets is covered in water, it must rain all the time. I don't need to get out in the rain, you're not getting out in the rain, and 67TS doesn't mind rain. Let's get in, and get out. The less time we spend here, the less time something can go wrong.

Yes, Captain.

Let's do this like we practiced. Let me know the instant anything unexpected happens.

The ship lurched, the lights flickered, and a ear shattering roar reverberated throughout the ship.

Captain, we have had an unexpected event,

Thank you, First Mate. the Captain shook his head. Do you have any specifics?

It appears we were struck by lightning, as we entered within their atmosphere.

Lightning? This planet has lightning? the Captain asked, then switching back to his command voice, Why wasn't I informed.

It is an ordinary circumstance of the local weather, the standard planetary briefings was clear. Base Central did recommend we go around.

He hadn't seen a single planetary briefing this entire mission, this was the first time it mattered.

Give me a damage report, he said angrily. Not that the android cared if he was angry.

Power is below 50% but recovering. Should we go around now, Captain?

No!  No, going around. What level do we need to reach orbit.

To be within safety protocols, 65%.

Will we have that, after the drop.

No, we also lost one of the Compositum engines. It will be at least 24 hours before it goes back online.

Can we use the transport ship to boost our power to 65%.

Certainly, but we will need to land the ship if we are utilizing the transport in such a manner. We will need time for a full launch.

His alternative were narrowing, landing was unacceptable. It would take nearly as much time to land and recharge as it would be to drop the transport, recover it, and use the depleted transports charge. Suddenly a solution came to mind.

We'll use the Compositum engine. Convert it to some kind of parachute or something, we'll toss Six at the coordinate site.

Sir, that much Compositum would be costly. I do not believe the Cartel would agree to such a use.

Me either, that's why we're not going to ask. They're insured, they never notice a damage engine missing. After we make this delivery, all will be forgiven, just a cost of doing business.

Captain proper protocol would call for us to make the repairs at Base Central, and make delivery under more agreeable circumstances.

He could do what was in his best interest, or he could do what he knew was right. Making the repairs properly would guarantee he would miss the opportunity of making the next transport, but would increase the likelihood of a successful mission.

Rig the Compositum, he order. Make it a large sphere. We'll drop him, and let him bounce to safety.

I do not believe the Terran Simulant will agree with your plan.

Agreed, let's not tell him either. Just stuff him, and drop him. I want to be out of here before anyone on this planet has even the remotest chance of noticing us.

~~~

He was the only Terran Simulant on board, there had been other Simulants. They had been left on other planet systems earlier in the mission. This planet was already producing its only drone androids. He was the sole reason for the ship making this delivery. Soon, he too would begin his own mission. The chance to fulfill his own Motivations. No longer at the whim of an erratic Captain.

Not only was he given the equipment needed to complete his mission, but he was personally given a small amount of Compositum to facilitate its progress.

These humans had only begun to exploit the technologies, and understand the rewards they would receive from there further advancement. He personally would help to push forward the frontiers of their transportation systems. The sixty-six simulants already on the planet, had been hampered in completing their Motivations, because of the antiquated communication, and transport systems available on the planet. His Compositum communication units would be only the twentieth set on the planet. Other androids, and even simulates, would desirous to advance their operates using his systems. This would allowed them to update and transfer their data directly and immediately. He would be able to use their Motivations to enhance and promote his own Motivations, advancing the introduction of advanced transportation systems on the planet for the humans, and for the androids themselves.

When the planet was ready to be Converted, there would be hundreds of communication units, and thousands of Simulants. That would be decades in the future. This planet had begun its transformation, its Conversion would be completed, and his ultimate Motivation would be accomplished.

His prime Motivation was endangered, by the Hyguin Captain. At each stop the captain had landed, unloaded the simulants and drone androids, destined for each planetary system. He took on supplies, and more often than not, spent a few days on the planets surface.

With the Captain clearly completing the most important part of the mission. The Captain wanted to put him into an emergency transport, and drop him like some cargo, to the surface. This was unacceptable. With the ship now damaged, the Captain would be forced to land.

This Captain would not be allowed to put his mission, his Motivation, in jeopardy.

Unit 67TS, report to Cargo Bay One, was announced through his Compositum unit.

This was good, calling him to a cargo bay meant the plan to drop him by transport had been changed. Calling him to the transport bay would have meant he would be forced to refuse a direct order, from the ship's Captain. Called to the Cargo Bay meant only one thing, the Captain had been forced to come to his senses.

~~~

The Captain stood before the cargo bay himself. He knew the Simulant would me motivated to not follow his orders. Simulants could be stubborn. When they determined that the Motivation for their mission would be put in jeopardy, the would do whatever they could to fulfill this Motivation. If not handled correctly this would be costly in time, his time. Base Central Command would undoubtedly rule in the Simulates favor. He had decided, he would not let the Simulant's Motivations superseded his desires.

The Simulant acknowledged the Captain, and willingly entered the Cargo Bay. The Captain closed and sealed the door behind him. Outside the door the Captain announced over the intercom. Congratulation Six, you will be on the surface within minutes. You'll be free to commence your mission.

I am Unit 67TS, Captain. Are we in final approach for landing?

In a manner of speaking. You can see the large sphere structure in the bay. It contains all the cargo designated for your mission. We'll be dropping it onto the surface.

I do not understand, why isn't the cargo being delivered to the surface as instructed?

You will be. The sphere is designed to bounce a few times, then to settle onto the surface. You will be perfectly safe. You can then climb out, no worse for wear, and unload your cargo.

Captain, I protest. I will not be handled as disposable cargo. Furthermore, my undamaged equipment is indispensable to my mission.

Don't worry, the cargo delivered in this manner is rarely damaged. I've never seen an android dropped, in this way. But, I'm sure you will be fine.

Captain, I formally protest. I insist you take me to the surface, or I will report this incidence to the proper authorities.

You're an android. Being left in the outer boondocks of the settled galaxy. No one will care about you, or your report. If you don't survive, there will be no report. If you survive no one will care how I delivered my cargo. Either way, the cargo bay will be opened, when we are over the coordinates. You can either be in the sphere, or you may free fall. I'd suggest clambering aboard the sphere immediately. Whatever you choose, you will be delivered. Just remember, we are at a substantial altitude.

He walked away from the intercom, and said to his First Mate, who was waiting around the corner. Open Bay Door One, as soon as we have reached the delivery coordinates. Then head directly for Base Central.

Should we wait, and confirm a safe delivery?

That will not be necessary. Our mission will be concluded, the cargo delivered. Call me when we break orbit. I will be in my quarters, finishing my packing.

~~~

The Compositum sphere fell from the ship, striking the ground and bouncing twice before landing in a nearby pond. Inside the makeshift transport, 67TS felt the sudden deceleration as the sphere struck the earth.  As the transport bounced, the pack of of essential equipment he carried, hit him in the head, mildly injuring him.  He grabbed ahold of his pack, and watch as the other equipment, which was cinched against the inside wall, securely held in place.

After the transport made its final bounce, it returned to an upright state, and he prepared to disembark. The sphere continued a slight motion, turning and awkwardly rocking in place. As per protocol he waited for the ship to completely settle. This took more time than he had anticipated.

He opened the ships hatch, and attempted to step out of the transport, but stopped.  Outside was a world of water. He look outside and saw that the transport was stuck in some vegetation along a small body of water. He thought he could get himself to shore, but certainly would not be able to unload his cargo.  He considered hiking to his rendezvous location, and bring back help for the unloading. But didn't think he could reliable secure his precarious situation.

His ability to transform the Compositum was not nearly as strong, as even a weak Hyguin. His hybrid brain would allow him to do only uncomplicated things with it, like making simple shapes, or reverting the Compositum to its block state. The Hyguin's ability to transform Compositum was the foundation of a growing empire. On this planet, some Humans have shown a mediocre ability to transform Compositum, but not much stronger than Simulants like himself.

He reviewed his options, and decided to manually moving the transport was his best choice. He reduced the size of the transport as much as his abilities allowed. He stepped off the transport into the water, which reached to nearly his shoulders. Unfortunately, he also sunk into six inches of muck, on the bottom of the pond. He tried moving the transport towards shore, but its weight and his inability to move freely in the muck, precluded it. He eventually found that he could turn the transport towards the shore, and carry individual items off the transport.

He began noticing human activity in the area. Having removed whatever he could carry, he made the decision to abandon the remaining equipment, and the Compositum into the pond. He would return and recover it later.  He returned the Compositum to its natural block form, with the other equipment spilling out into the water, sinking into the muck.

On land, the equipment he retrieved was design for easy transport. He moved away from the pond, and the landing meadow, and into a wooded area. His destination require him to cross the meadow, but the humans in the area had clearly taken notice of his landing. He appeared human, but didn't have a reasonable explanation for being there, or for having the unusual equipment he carried.

He concealed his equipment in the woods, and watched as a party of human followed the path left by the bouncing transport towards the pond.  After circling the pond, the humans came upon the area where he had unloaded the transport. They had seen where he a tramped and crush the brush, at the edge of the pond.  After a short period of time, they went into the water and began discovering his cache of equipment.

This was bad. He would need to recover the equipment, especially the Compositum.  He knew the time to recover the equipment would delay him weeks, even putting him months behind schedule.

The Captain would regret his action. He would make sure of that.

ONE

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