The Khellen Trilogy

By John A. Kirk

The "trilogy version" of the three previously-released Khellen novels.

In this version, each of the original stories is incorporated as part of the "trilogy version"; Part 1 is The Khellen Gift, Part 2 The Zhin Mutations and Part 3 The Salacian Legacy. Each part contains some text modifications to better synchronise with the other parts and there are some updates to the illustrations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John A. Kirk
• Release date: Jun 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311507402

John A. Kirk

I'm an ethnic Scot, a British national, Canadian citizen and Australian resident who has also lived in the USA and the People's Republic of China. I started writing science fiction seven years before I retired from a 40-year career in IT; I've had 4 sci-fi books published in Australia which comprise a trilogy and a separate 4th book. The trilogy are The Khellen Gift (2003), The Zhin Mutations (2006) and The Salacian Legacy (2012). What I offer through Smashwords, are second editions which include updates to better synchronize the first two novels with the third, following my decision to complete the trilogy. I've recently uploaded a trilogy version which combines all three novels as parts 1, 2 and 3 of a single 600-page epic; that also contains some minor text revisions and updates to some of the illustrations. My 4th sci-fi novel was The Blue, Blue Hills of Xuhl, (a pun on the green, green grass of home) published in Australia in 2011; Xuhl was started after The Salacian Legacy, but was finished before. I've had a lifelong love of what I call real sci-fi since hearing the BBC radio series Journey Into Space way back circa 1953. In saying real sci-fi, I exclude superheroes, magic, witches, dragons, vampires, werewolves, zombies and dinosaurs; my 4 offerings to date have featured intelligent, technologically superior aliens rather than being horror stories though I loved movies like Alien, Aliens, Terminator, Terminator 2, Predator and War of the Worlds... and I understand the genetics associated with Jurassic Park and sequels makes a case for those to be regarded as sci-fi movies rather than just part of the horror genre. The biggest problem for sci-fi writers is how to travel anywhere in a reasonable time; we all must fabricate some way to achieve interstellar travel or else we're not leaving our own star system and the old stand-by is the wormhole; anything is possible inside those babies. Though they could theoretically exist, none have ever been identified; but then, a lot of things can exist mathematically that don't occur in Nature, such as negative quantities. But we need something, because the Milky Way is 100,000 light years across and black holes are NOT holes... cross that event horizon and you're not coming out the other end, you're impacting on the singularity at the centre of the gravitational field, end of story !! "Toni" is completely different, a love story set in Melbourne Australia of 1990, where I have lived for 12 years in total. ☺

Book preview

ISBN: 9781311507402

Title: The Khellen Trilogy

Author: John A. Kirk

Publisher: Smashwords, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

First Edition (eBook edition)

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2016 by John A. Kirk

Cover art by Island

Table of Contents

Chronology

Part 1 The Khellen Gift

Chapter 1 Ulysses

Chapter 2 Rayleen

Chapter 3 Planning

Chapter 4 Jhoona

Chapter 5 Rock Fall

Njeen

Chapter 6 First Contact

Chapter 7 Crusader Cram

Chapter 8 Epsilon Cygni-5

Chapter 9 The Khellen Gift

Chapter 10 Kidnap Attempt

Chapter 11 Terra

Chapter 12 Strategizing

The Milky Way

Chapter 13 Terra 2162

Chapter 14 Rheejn

Orion

Chapter 15 Planet Sagmar

Chapter 16 Shaarg-4

Chapter 17 Shaarg-4 Pyramids

Chapter 18 The Vortex

Part Two The Zhin Mutations

Chapter 19 Andromeda

The Brzeel System

Chapter 20 Brzeel Pyramids

Chapter 21 Zhin

Chapter 22 The Beacon Trap

Chapter 23 Baptism

Chapter 24 Mutants

Chapter 25 Brzeel-1-12-5

Chapter 26 Farewell to Andromeda

Chapter 27 M33

Chapter 28 Rescue Mission

Chapter 29 Salacians

Chapter 30 Salac-4

Chapter 31 Besieged

Chapter 32 Preparations

Chapter 33 Mike’s Sacrifice

Chapter 34 Return to Shaarg-4

Part 3 The Salacian Legacy

Chapter 35 Return

Chapter 36 Traggha

Pyramids of Traggha

Chapter 37 Reunion

Chapter 38 Epsilon Cygni-5

Chapter 39 Troy

Troy Base on ƐCygni-5

Chapter 40 Meetings with the Trojans

Chapter 41 Games People Play

Chapter 42 Angeline

Chapter 43 Confrontation

Chapter 44 The Starship Arrives

Chapter 45 Altair-4

Chapter 46 The Numen of Altair

Chapter 47 Wrap-Up

Chapter 48 Terrans

Chapter 49 Arrival at Terra

Rheejn

Chapter 50 The Salacian Legacy

Chapter 51 Departure

Chapter 52 Shaarg-4

Chapter 53 The Hives of Shaarg-4

Chapter 54 Zhin

Chapter 55 Medicals

Chapter 56 Final Farewell

Back Cover

Chronology

1877 A Khellen starship leaves Khellen in the Cygnus Arm of the galaxy.

1977 Khellens explore Traggha, encounter primitive Zhin and find 100,000-yr-old

pyramids built by an ancient race.

2077 The Khellens explore Khandor looking for more evidence of the ancient race

of pyramid builders.

2123 Terrans establish a colony on Altair-4.

2148 Terrans establish a colony at Epsilon Cygni-5.

The Khellen Gift: 2157 - 2230

2157 A Terran crew under Susan N’gami departs єCygni-5 to explore the Jhoonan

system and encounter the Khellens. Genetically-modified Terrans, James and

Elias join the Khellen crew while the Khellens give Humanity the gift of a

DNA-modification process to increase longevity.

2162 The Khellens return to Terra after exploring the Jhoonan system to find the

DNA process has been misapplied and there are now two genetically

different Human species and 106 million have died. Susan, in love with

Elias, joins the Khellens to continue on the trail of the Old Ones.

2230 At Shaarg-4 near the outer end of the Orion Arm they find more pyramids.

The Khellens manage to recreate the Old Ones’ negative-energy intergalactic

conduit and enter it bound for the Andromeda galaxy while half the crew

head back to Khellen in a fleet of cruisers with their acquired knowledge…

330-years in suspended-animation.

2293 The UN proceeds with phase 2 modification on єCygni-5.

2295 The єCygni-5 colonies declare independence from Terra.

The Zhin Mutations: 2364 - 2454

2364 The Khellens reach Andromeda and the Brzeel system and there find mutated

Zhin transplanted from Traggha. They find more pyramids on Brzeel-1.7.1

and enter another conduit which takes them to the M33 galaxy.

2406 Khellens arrive in M33 at the Salac system, original home of the Old Ones.

They find more mutated Zhin, realize the Old Ones have died out and decide

to return home but split forces; Akjnar and the starship to re-enter the Milky

Way near Khellen and intercept the cruiser fleet en route to Khellen. Susan,

commanding a cruiser with James and Elias aboard, to return via Andromeda

and Shaarg-4 to see how Humanity had evolved since 2162.

2454 Susan and her crew reach Andromeda, are attacked by Zhin mutants but

overcome them and enter the conduit back to the Milky Way and Shaarg-4.

2560 Sheena, Gavlan and the cruiser fleet reach Khellen.

The Salacian Legacy: 2564 – 2709

2564 The starship returns to the Milky Way near Khellen.

2598 Susan’s cruiser returns to the Milky Way at Shaarg-4 and begins a 67-year

suspended-animation trip to єCygni-5.

2633 The starship crew retrieves the Salacian beam generators and focusing dish

from Traggha and constructs a conduit-generator on board the ship and uses

it to cross the galaxy to reunite with Susan and her crew on the cruiser.

2665 The Khellen starship and cruiser are reunited at єCygni-5 and proceed to see

what has happened to Humanity. They first visit the єCygni-5 colony where

they find and engage with the Trojans, (phase-2 modified Humans) and learn

of their independence from the rest of Humanity.

Part 1

The Khellen Gift

2157 - 2230

Chapter 1 Ulysses

The crew awake from suspended animation; Ulysses arrives at Epsilon Cygni-5 and a mission is planned; Balfour’s lack of sociability is visible and Art Cram’s religious fervor.

The bright point of light continued to recede, almost visibly; in a few more hours it would be just another star, another speck in the void. He wondered for the thousandth time if there were any limits to the vastness, neither religion nor science had resolved that one yet. Science was struggling with multiverses, multi-dimensional and temporal theories while Religion claimed that, whatever Science came up with, it was all part of God’s plan. He glanced routinely, methodically but without hurry at the display of screens and gauges before him and his fingers stabbed at familiar buttons adding yet another paragraph of scientific data to the log.

Somehow the man felt at home with the infinite, afraid of it in some ways and yet one with it. He wanted to belong: constantly feeling out of tune with his own kind, his soul yearned for kinship with the vastness. As the ship continued on, he remembered his own sun and its captive planets: it could be almost three years before he saw again the one called Terra.

Balfour thought briefly of the woman there he’d been involved with: maybe the split she’d wanted was best for them both, but his affection had been genuine and the withdrawal pains were still bugging him after nine months. He had obviously been the more emotionally committed, since she had made a decision based on a mercenary evaluation of the relationship. But who would ever want to measure it in such terms; surely it wasn’t just about drifting along till you found something better? Didn’t emotional closeness mean anything anymore? Somehow his reasoning was failing to provide the reassurance he sought for himself. The first day out of ‘suspense’, as suspended animation was jokingly called, was always an emotional time.

The man scanned the electronic displays once more, paging thru screen after screen of data with the confidence of one who had spent most of his life working with computers. For ten minutes he played with some orbital models and then, sighing, glanced at his wrist console: it was almost midday meal time and the one period of the day when the whole crew assembled as a group. His unusual sensitivity made some of the others uncomfortable: it wasn’t telepathy, but some kind of awareness of thoughts and emotions: there were times it almost seemed he could read minds.

He reached the galley, headed for the food dispensers and began to press buttons selecting a meal consisting of a chicken-flavored protein/fiber complex, pulped broccoli and a potato-and-cheese paste: the machine whisked his choice to microwave and thence to him in the time it took him to select some cold fruit juice from an adjacent unit. Only then did he glance around the room to see which of the others had preceded him.

A hand waved welcome and Balfour moved to the big table and exchanged greetings with Swedish biochemist Kurt Jensen and his biologist colleague Rodriguez. Rayleen was a confident and extrovert American with a shade more warmth in her smile than mere politeness dictated. Sexual relationships amongst crew members were not unusual on space voyages when the crew were not in suspense providing companionship and therapeutic relief for emotional, psychological and physical needs and wants. He guessed the vivacious Rayleen made the most of her opportunities but, in spite of a stirring of interest, he didn’t think he could raise much enthusiasm for casual sex after the intensity of his feelings for Caroline. He came out of his reverie as Jensen spoke and he listened while the Swede rambled on pleasantly about some test sequence he’d been working on: something about a protein plasma that, when fortified with fiber and selected vitamins and minerals, could be used as a complete foodstuff: four hundred grams of the stuff a day would sustain life for months, Jensen asserted.

Rodriguez listened quietly: Balfour sensed the waves of curiosity and interest that emanated from her with himself as the object of her deliberations: he tried to ignore it but felt compelled to look up after a while and, when he did so, saw that she wore a small and slightly triumphant smile and then he knew that the projections had been deliberate and in the expectation that he would detect them; with a twinge of annoyance he realized he was being expertly teased.

The American was really striking with a strong healthy body which she kept in shape in the gym: she was a touch too heavy in both bust and hips to look like a typical athlete or body-builder but that hint of voluptuousness did nothing to detract from her appearance as a woman and, complemented by shoulder-length chestnut hair, jade-green eyes and full lips she looked stunning in her white coverall suit.

Jensen welcomed Kyung-Suk Kim, the Korean computer scientist who was Balfour’s colleague and who shared with him the responsibility for all shipboard systems including astro-navigation, life-support, power supply monitoring, various personnel and entertainment systems: James also voiced a greeting as she sat by him. Something of a traditionalist, she produced a pair of chopsticks from her bag and Balfour smiled as they zeroed in unerringly on morsels of food. He liked Kim and they had worked together now for over three years although there had been a gap immediately prior to the beginning of this venture.

They made a good team and he knew she thought so too: she’d turned down a major Terra-based project to take this assignment, liking space missions and being something of a loner like himself. They were colleagues at the time he and Caroline had split up: she had seen him bottle up the hurt by throwing himself into the work they had been doing then, driving himself through the tough implementation of the project.

Well, said the Korean, what can you tell us about Epsilon Cygni-5, Kurt.

It’s probably best I tell you nothing, teased the Swede, I’m not going to spoil it for you, but I’m anxious to get there myself: as you no doubt know, I spent nine months there about two years ago and I’ll be interested to see how the base has improved.

The tall graying professor smiled enthusiastically, chewing for a moment before continuing. I started the agricultural program back then and I understand that good results have been obtained this last year: maybe we won’t need my new protein complex if fresh produce is available.

Von Richter came in with Whitfield and O’Bannion. The Chief Engineer was a big florid man who had been in space nigh on twenty years: O’Bannion, bringing up the rear, annexed the seat next to Rodriguez, tossing a plyton zip-up jacket over the chair with a cheery greeting before following the others to the food dispensers. His sandy hair and twinkling eyes betrayed his Irish ancestry but he was a fourth-generation American: he was obviously overwhelmed by Rayleen’s charms which she knew and handled easily.

The latest arrivals joined the table with their food; Von Richter seated himself on Kim’s right opposite O’Bannion with Whitfield at his side: the telecoms technician made no verbal greeting but glanced around the table amiably before sitting down.

Skipper coming, Klaus? enquired Balfour of the big engineer but, even as he spoke, the galley door slid open and Susan N’gami entered with her Exec, Cyrus Nixon and Jamieson the physicist. N’gami was a rarity in the Service, a tall proud African of Zulu heritage with a magnificent air of authority about her that reflected her regal ancestry: her movements were smooth and unhurried as she sat at the head of the table flanked by Nixon and Jamieson.

I’ve planned the two shift groups, she said after taking a mouthful or two of food.

I’ll head up one team with Matt, Rayleen and Joel while Cyrus leads the second group with Klaus, Elias and Kurt, went on the Captain. James, I know you and Kim have to work pretty closely together on those course and orbital models so I think you can best overlap with your twelve hour shifts: meaning you’ll both be on duty for the last six hours of the A team’s period and the first six of B’s; of course you’ll be on call when needed, she said with a smile.

Goes with the job, Skipper, replied Balfour. We’re just slaves of the machines.

Most of the light conversation that followed was an exchange of information about Epsilon Cygni-5 and the base facilities. Jensen talked about the program he had been part of and Von Richter chipped in with some observations on base transportation systems, information he had gleaned from technical journals. Whitfield was the first to leave followed by Balfour.

James spent a quiet few hours in front of the computer working on his course models, reviewing known data about the Jhoonan system, before he called it a day and headed for the gym for a workout and steam.

Later, in his cabin, he undressed and donned the black cotton robe he favored; in the Chinese style, it had been a gift from Kim a year ago, it was light and cool. He lay on the wide bed and pressed buttons on the console, slotted in a cartridge and relaxed enjoying the music. In 10 minutes he was fast asleep.

The starship hurtled noiselessly through the starlit vastness of the galaxy on its pre-defined course: the product of the finest engineering and scientific skills of mankind it was almost a living thing with its outer shell studded with sensors, inner shell packed with circuitry and the whole controlled and coordinated by the most advanced computers that Man had devised.

* * *

Despite falling asleep quickly Balfour had a restless night, tossing fitfully and awakening early at 02:58. He lay there, supine, spending the time in contemplation: Man had come a long way since the first lunar landing in 1969 but the end of the road was a long way off yet.

Early unmanned probes had found Sol’s closest neighbors, Alpha Centauri and Sirius, to have no satellites but Epsilon Eridani had six fledglings in tow: those closest to the star were irradiated hells while the outermost planets were frozen and barren.

With the evolution of propulsion technology allowing near-light speed and the achievement of time/phase harmonics, manned interstellar flight had become a reality and a ten-month voyage was made to Altair only sixteen and a half light years distant.

Altair had planets and one was sufficiently hospitable with a breathable atmosphere (for up to six hours or so before gaseous components caused headaches and nausea) and 1.17 of Terran gravity: there was vegetation and bacteria and some simple marine life and, all in all, it was ideal for the manned outpost that had been established in 2123. Fomalhaut, 23 light years from Sol, had not been approached nor Vega, almost as close, although it was found to possess several planets; but there was no evidence of oxygen, water, useable vegetation or fossil fuels.

Man’s next sortie followed more improvements in propulsion technology and it was a quantum leap to Epsilon Cygni, 72 light years distant from home. It was there, Humans had set up another colony in 2148 and that colony was to be a jumping off point for the latest Human venture in 2157 that would see James Balfour and Ulysses bound for the binary system dominated by the yellow giant Jhoona: the system had eight planets according to astronomical observations.

He rose slowly, reaching for his wrist console, noting he had twenty minutes to be on station at 06:00 when the intercom buzzer sounded: he spoke his name in response.

Exec, said Nixon, conference in the briefing room at 11:20, James.

I’ll be there, said James briefly. He stood up and selected one of several light blue science officer’s uniforms from his closet and, after checking his messages, he left the cabin and headed forward hitching a ride on one of the cargo conveyors.

In the control room Balfour got a greeting from N’gami and a wave from Rodriguez: O’Bannion glanced round briefly but made no comment or gesture. Those three were most of the ‘A’ shift but it was the fourth, Jamieson, that he was looking for in response to the message that the physicist had left for him to review at his cabin console.

Where’s Matt? he asked the group.

Playing with your computer, said N’gami, teasing.

Balfour grinned at her and crossed the room for the adjoining computer centre in search of the physicist and quickly found his colleague staring intently at the image gyrating between the planes of the holographic projector ... it was obviously a model of the binary Jhoonan system that held Jamieson’s attention.

What ‘cha got Matt? asked James peering at the slowly rotating model; looks good, eh?

Jamieson stared for a while longer then, turning around he looked at Balfour with a thin smile and replied. Yes it looks pretty good. I’m speculating about the likelihood of a null point, a node of zero gravity between the two stars; it seems logical.

A Lagrangian backwater perhaps, murmured Balfour thoughtfully.

Where cosmic driftwood might be washed up, said Jensen with a smile: well, just a thought.

After Jamieson had gone, Balfour got to work on more astronomical scans until Kim came on duty and they continued together for five hours before calling a halt and heading for the briefing.

Entering the briefing room just about five minutes early, Balfour joined Jensen at the coffee pot: and looking around the room he saw Nixon in conversation with N’gami. Everyone else seemed to be there too except Jamieson, Von Richter and Whitfield. He poured coffee and took a sip.

Please take seats, said N’gami as she took one herself.

When we arrive at Epsilon Cygni-5, we will assume orbital status and those of us assembled here, except for Cyrus, will descend to the planet. You’ll get down later Cyrus, but there is a lot of servicing work on the ship to supervise and you’re needed here for the next week or so.

The Captain went on. The rest of you will meet mission planning personnel on the surface: there is much to be done reviewing mission objectives, course and fuel consumption calculations and a hundred other things. You will be busy reviewing those plans to the last detail. It is going to be an arduous next three weeks but this is a task vital to the success of the mission and I know you will all give it maximum effort. We’ll shuttle down at 10:00 tomorrow, so that gives you the rest of to-day to get organized: if there are any questions shoot. She paused and, getting none continued. In that case I’ll see you in the forward hangar deck around 09:30 for suiting-up.

* * *

The next day was an important one as the ship went through a carefully controlled dephase to normal time and .04 light velocity and a star began to appear noticeably brighter than the other visible bodies in the surrounding galaxy. Within hours, Ulysses was entering the Epsilon Cygni system still slowing as she swept past a cluster of asteroids. The ship’s computers plotted the motion of the outer fifth world and the vessel was soon locked into a precisely defined spiral intercept course that terminated in a planetary orbit.

In another hour, the Terran ship was docking with an orbiting ‘station’ consisting of the two Terran ships which had first reached Epsilon Cygni-5 and which were now joined to each other by connecting tubeways.

Ulysses slid closer under the extended arms atop Searcher and Valiant, arms bearing banks of solar cells which constantly faced the blazing visage of the alien sun. The ship inched slowly into contact with tubeways attached to the airlocks of the Valiant: moments later suited crewmen emerged from opened hatches in Ulysses’ starboard flank and began to maneuver the plastic and alloy tubeways into position with Ulysses’ own airlock doorframes, providing airtight corridors between the new arrival and the older, orbiting vessels.

N’gami assembled the landing party in the shuttle hangar bay and the Terrans donned spacesuits in accord with standard safety procedures and entered the craft for the descent to the planetary base. On-board computers locked on to the surface base beacon as the shuttle drifted slowly away from the mother ship spinning on its axis as it entered the planet’s atmosphere.

The craft plunged towards the base, the computer constantly re-matching trajectory to the radio-image of the landing pad during the descent, until finally the vessel hovered above the pad itself and settled onto the four big feet attached to huge hydraulic legs.

The violet blaze of sunrise lit the eastern sky. Epsilon Cygni was just beginning to peep above the far horizon, its radiance reflecting from two of the planets’ natural satellites, as the big-tracked bus lumbered across the pad. The telescopic ramp slid smoothly towards the side of the shuttle as the Terran party stood framed in the airlock doorway, their colored suits reflecting both rank and functional classification just as their regular uniforms did: the Terrans advanced down the ramp and took places inside the ATV and the doors hissed shut ... the ramp began to retract even as the bus reversed and spun on its tracks heading towards the buildings of Extension 3.

The base looked something like an octopus: a large central alloy and Plexiglas pyramid was connected to outer extension domes by long tubular passageways. Travel through the tunnels was by electrically-powered, compressed-air driven monorail cars.

On arrival at the main complex, the Ulysses crew went through the usual decontamination chambers where suits were removed and then checked through reception: there followed a short walk down a bright corridor decorated with recessed showcases that contained mineral samples or illuminated images of the planetary landscape. At the end of the corridor was a small platform where the landing party paused: in a few moments, a rush of air from the black aperture at the left signaled the arrival of the base transit car and they boarded for the short ride to the control tower.

Minutes later they disembarked, transferred to an express elevator and were soon rushing smoothly upwards. Passing the 20th level took the newcomers above the surface of the main base bubble but there was sixty meters more to reach the top of the observation/transmission tower. Shortly thereafter, they were received by Base Commander Nordquist in his stateroom where refreshments awaited. After formal introductions, Nordquist led them to the huge window panels on the east side and there they looked out over the extent of the base complex: Balfour stared in fascination at the shimmering orange and violet reflection from the metallic walls.

It’s something to see all right, said Nordquist as they all stared for a while and then, we’ll have an informal briefing and afterwards some of my admin staff will see you to quarters and supply base maps and other general information. Later, this evening, I’m holding a small banquet so that you can meet some of our key personnel, the Commander said with a smile.

An hour or so later, settled in to a small but comfortable cabin, James headed for the base pool and dived into the cool water.

He swam for an hour working his body and, in the repetitiveness of the physical action, relaxing his mind. Returning to the cabin tired but satisfied he ate a small meal, undressed, climbed onto the couch and went to sleep.

* * *

It was 18:23 when Balfour awoke: he switched off the alarm on his wrist console and arose, heading for the shower. Emerging clean and pink some five minutes later, he walked to the basin and selected the shaver from a wall recess; for a few moments he hesitated and then replaced the unit, selected a pliable tube from his cosmetics bag and unscrewed the plastic cap: he squeezed briefly until his palm was covered and then began to smear the thick green lather over his face: he still preferred to shave the old-fashioned way, for special occasions at any rate.

The astro-navigator was approaching the reception lounge some 40 minutes later, cursing himself for being a little late although he knew there would be a period of time for informal ’mixing’ before the meal began. He reached the door and presented his id chip (embedded under the skin between the eyes) to the security panel on the door frame and, receiving the double beep, passed on through into the banquet room.

Eight overhead lighting panels illuminated a scene of splendor: a deep, rich, burgundy carpet matched velour wall drapes that alternated with elegant wood paneling. There were several large paintings and strategically placed lamp brackets: oil burning in the lamps produced warm, flickering smokeless flames that gave a medieval glow to a 22nd century setting. An enormous oak dining table stood in the centre of the room and light from the ceiling panels reflected from gleaming white plastiware dishes and plates and silvery metallic utensils: soft, low music added a soothing quality to the elegance of the atmosphere.

Some twenty or so persons were talking, standing or reclining in a lounge area to the far right and James moved in that direction seeing Nordquist and N’gami move to greet him. The base Commander made a general introduction and identified one or two others including his aide and the base astronomer/physicist, Sikorski.

Food was brought in: bowls of fruit, raw and cooked vegetables and a variety of dishes primarily composed of textured vegetable protein simulating meats and fish ... Terrans rarely ate flesh in space though availability had a lot to do with that: dried TVP was much lighter and easier to store than frozen meat.

Places were taken in a random manner and James found himself seated next to Sikorski with Jensen on his left: Jeanette Frazier, former colleague of the Professor’s who had worked on the Epsilon Cygni agricultural program with him, was seated opposite the Swede while across from Balfour was Art Cram, one of the engineering staff.

There was something about Cram; James thought as he ate quietly listening to the buzz of conversation, he felt an unusual tension in the man that seemed to be reflected in the small tight gestures he was making as he talked.

There are many who see the evolution of species propounded by Darwin, even extra-terrestrial intervention as theorized by McKay-Kruger in the early 2000’s, as all part of a plan, Cram was saying.. I still believe God created Man in his own image or at least sowed the seed that would later evolve into Mankind, His children. Man is destined to rule the Universe, as his rightful inheritance from God. If you look at other life forms on Terra or in the Altair system, they are all primitive by comparison and have made only minor evolutionary gains since the dawn of time.

Some insect life such as bees, ants and termites have highly developed social activity patterns that show intelligence and distinct aptitude for some evolutionary improvement, interrupted Jensen but, anyway, I kind of like McKay-Kruger.

Social insect behavior is at the basic level of survival, feeding, reproduction: only humans are inspired and motivated by a conscious drive to seek knowledge, to understand the reality of Creation: to be re-united with the Creator. Cram went on. If McKay-Kruger had any validity outside of the bigger context of God’s plan, why would not benevolent aliens, inter-breeding with us eons ago have returned long before to see the results of their intervention?

You’re evaluating ‘a long time’ on the basis of human existence, chipped in Sikorski; besides it’s impossible to say why inter-breeding aliens might not have returned.

Don’t get him going, said Frazier, this is one of Art’s pet little aberrations; we’ve all been dragged into this discussion before, she continued with a laugh.

Cram smiled thinly and replied with an apologetic air. Jeanette is right, I forget myself, he declared. This is not an occasion for such serious matters. He turned to his plate and the conversation changed but Balfour felt the intensity in the man: held in check but burning inside, strong and unappeased.

The evening was pleasant and relaxed otherwise but James, who endured rather than enjoyed such gatherings, left as soon as he decently could, relishing the chance to be alone with his thoughts.

Sitting in the observation room of the main tower he stared silently out over the valley towards the not too distant hills noting the strange plants and tree-like growths. It was still bright with Epsilon Cygni-5 having a solar day that was just over seventy-three Terran hours.

So engrossed was he in his thoughts, so entranced by the strange beauty of the landscape that he was unaware of Kim’s presence behind him until she rested her hand on his shoulder.

I thought I’d find you here, she said somewhat sadly alone and far away as usual.

You knew where to find me because you’re just like me, replied James.

Not quite, said the Korean. I don’t find people as hard to tolerate as you do.

When people get in large groups they are compelled to impress each other with their status and importance: it overrides normal behavior. It irritates me at times, admitted James.

It’s an over-reaction, James: they’re good people. You always seem to see the worst in them.

Maybe I have become a little cynical over the years, said Balfour with a sigh; as a species we just spend so much time and energy pitting ourselves against each other. Competitive career ambition, emotional battles in personal relationships, athletic competition they all seem to bring out the best in us but at such a cost in stress and loss of closeness: there don’t seem to be any goals for Humankind above those of the individual.

Not true or we wouldn’t be here, she said softly. You know it’s an over-simplification and anyway, you couldn’t have come to this gloomy state from what was said at dinner."

You’re right, I’m just thrashing around to-night, he said with another sigh. But did you here Cram and his raving about God making Man in his own image? The man believes it too: I could feel it in him, fanatical. No doubt he’d shrug off 21st century efforts to control population, eliminate random conception and improve our DNA by saying God in his wisdom knew we’d get to it when we had the intelligence and skills.

I think that you think too much, said the Korean. They stared in silence for a few moments. It’s getting dark finally; I have some good jasmine tea in my room: let’s get some, sit on my balcony and look at the moons.

James turned to look at her. How did you smuggle that on board, he said with a smile.

I mailed it to myself care of the Base, she said slyly.

* * *

Two and a half weeks later, K0 class orange giant Epsilon Cygni rose above the horizon of its most remote fledgling: fingers of strange light spread across a landscape that was both eerie and yet hospitable to the creatures from another world who now lived there.

As the light diffused through the humid atmosphere of the fifth planet, so the members of the Terran expedition party began the final preparations for their departure.

Soon, amid a light cloud of dust, two shuttles took off to dock with Ulysses and Searcher. N’gami brought Ulysses’ shuttle alongside the hangar deck doors which were already sliding open to admit the craft and in moments the shuttle had touched down.

The hydraulic ramp retracted slowly inwards, towing the shuttle inside and the big outer doors closed: the extracted air returned with a roar. By the time the shuttle had been towed to its service pad the hatches had been opened, the ladder was out and the crew had emerged to stand on the ramp with helmets and backpacks removed.

Balfour and Whitfield boarded Searcher from the second shuttle to work on setting up the computer and communications hook-ups that would tie the two vessels to each other for the launch: afterwards, they would return to Ulysses leaving Searcher as a fully automatic and crewless cargo carrier for the rest of the trip.

The crew dispersed to begin two days of hectic activity and pre-flight preparation after which the ships were unhooked from each other and Valiant and maneuvered into position for departure: a half-kilometre distant from each other and fully half an orbit away from Valiant, the ships merged energy fields into a bond that held them like two lovers.

Faster than mortal minds, more accurate than biological circuitry, the computers of the two vessels coupled and linked and, like the union of male and female, they gave birth to an offspring: that child was a phased acceleration sequence compatible to both ships that would, synchronously effected, project them to near-light speed and into time/phase without tearing their electromagnetic embrace.

Balfour felt the acceleration, felt a giant hand seize both vessels and propel them away from the planet they had circled: his heart leapt as the ships catapulted forward.

Chapter 2 Rayleen

Rayleen gets the boys worked up; Balfour loses at cards; Ulysses and Searcher readied for a course correction.

The routine of life aboard a spaceship on a five-month inter-stellar voyage was nothing if not humdrum and, since this was a voyage into unexplored space, no one was in suspense.

Von Richter, with O’Bannion and Whitfield, spent the time checking out equipment for the surface expedition to come: this included portable generators, communications equipment, fuel and lubricants and the ATV’s. Rodriguez and Jensen, who doubled as medics with the aid of the computer diagnostic suite were responsible for checking medical supplies, food and other items such as sleeping bags, special clothing and personal stores. It also fell to them to undertake ongoing medical checks on the crew.

Balfour and Kim ran and reran a variety of computer flight simulations evaluating approaches to the Jhoonan system and, also, a number of orbital simulations based on their scanty knowledge of the planets. N’gami and Nixon checked and charged weapons and orchestrated all of the activities, logging status reports and updates to personnel files. Professor Jensen refined his new foodstuff and acted as chef occasionally, bringing surprise goodies to the table to brighten meal times if not the rest of the day.

Everyone aboard spent time on the computers for personal uses which ranged from games to keeping logs or diaries.

Jensen was writing a book on his work on protein complexes while Balfour and Kim kept a log of astronomical observations made using the radio telescopes.

Card games were popular with the Engineering group and Rodriguez managed to hold her own in the poker game: James sat in once in a while and was usually completely unpredictable but controlled enough to keep his losses low on the bad days. Each crew member had their own supply of music and video recordings for the private moments and tastes varied widely: Jensen’s affinity for his beloved Greig and Tchaikowsky contrasted with the late twentieth century stuff Balfour favored and the more modern preferences of O’Bannion, Rodriguez and Nixon.

Even so, the days dragged.

It was just another day and Balfour was on his off-duty twelve hours heading for the gym and his daily workout: he was slightly surprised to see Rodriguez and O’Bannion there since they rarely used the facilities at the same time as he, because of the shift arrangements. Joel was assisting, hovering over Rayleen as she performed bench presses: Balfour smiled as he watched her push the bar aloft breasts quivering, tummy taut and bare thighs tense ... O’Bannion was really giving himself a hard time.

James climbed aboard an exercise bike and, adjusting the tension, began his ten kilometre warm-up. By the time he was through, perspiration glistening on his features, the others had disappeared. He completed some sit-ups, did a few bench presses himself and a solid arm workout before moving on to the steam room. Entering, he stretched out naked on one of the benches and pushed a button raising the headrest to a more comfortable angle. He breathed in deeply and then exhaled: the warm steam was soothing bringing small beads of moisture to his skin as he closed his eyes.

Ten minutes later he stirred as the door opened and the other two entered, as naked as himself.

Hi, said O’Bannion somewhat stiffly moving towards the benches on the far side; a film of perspiration covered his chunky frame. Rodriguez stood over Balfour smiling down at him, looking him over without embarrassment.

Looks like you guys had a serious workout, replied Balfour. He thought but didn’t say that Rayleen was likely putting a strain on O’Bannion’s emotional being that was even more exhausting than his physical labor in the gym.

Poker game tonight? enquired Rayleen.

I’ll sit in for a while, said James.

Bring plenty of chips, called out O’Bannion from the far side, with a touch of malicious enthusiasm.

Rodriguez gave Balfour another smile and shook the water from her hair with a toss of her head that jiggled her bare breasts before moving away to lie down next to O’Bannion at the far wall.

Balfour smiled quietly to himself as he closed his eyes again, hearing the muted buzz of their conversation: this could be a rough trip for Joel O’Bannion he thought as he relaxed.

Awakening from a doze twenty minutes later, he was slightly relieved to find himself alone and he headed for the shower switching off the steam as he exited. The cold water brought a wonderful flush to his skin and he luxuriated in the glow of it for a few moments before he shut off the spray and shook the water from his head with a backward sweep of both hands that sent tiny rivers cascading down his shoulders and back.

Back in his cabin he put on a clean uniform and tossed the discarded one into the cleaning unit and then switched on the cabin console to play back his messages: there was just the one, from Kim. He called her back and they talked briefly about some tuning adjustments to the orbital model. He pressed a key erasing the message and switched off the unit: moving to the adjacent computer terminal, he signed on and engaged his peripheral holographic projector and accessed the model, watching the motion intently.

Three planets circled the white dwarf companion: they had roughly circular orbits but those bulged from true circle when the planets were closest to the yellow giant. Jhoona itself had only 5 satellites: three of them were close in and also had near-circular orbits while two gas-giant types, much further out, travelled elliptical paths which showed some irregularity when the dwarf’s gravitational pull was strongest. A ninth planet traversed a peculiar orbit, like a figure eight if it had been in a flat plane, but the motion was three dimensional and the planet circumnavigated both stars in its long orbital cycle.

With the aid of the computer the motions could be greatly accelerated and it was possible to simulate many thousand years of motion in only minutes. James began at a point some two-thirds through the million year model which ran for about thirty-six minutes in all. He had tried to introduce some smaller bodies into the model, something of the mass of medium-size asteroids, in an attempt to check out Jamieson’s theory about the zero-gravity node or null point. Later, he worked on it with Kim in the main lab, making some adjustments with her assistance and input.

Let’s get with Matt in the morning and clue him in on these adjustments, she said eventually as they pondered the latest modification. Are you going to sit in on the poker game tonight?

Just a couple of hours, he replied.

* * *

Rodriguez watched Von Richter deal the cards. She was accepted by the men, able to match their humor, at ease with her femininity and the effect it had on them. Von Richter was older than the others; in space over twenty years and seemingly married to his engines. He’d never made a pass at her but wasn’t above crude jokes which neither embarrassed her nor left her shy for a response.

Whitfield just stared and said nothing, she had no idea what his thoughts were but guessed he was totally asexual if anything. As for O’Bannion, well he wanted her and badly.

She had permitted his embrace in the steam room a few times, allowing his hands to cup her breasts, feeling his erection against her thighs: she hadn’t yet decided if she would allow him to mate with her. She smiled back at him as he winked across the table, he would be so eager.

Here you are James, sang out Von Richter recovering the two cards he’d dealt to begin again with the extra player.

Who’s lucky tonight, said Balfour sitting down and stacking plastic tokens.

Rayleen hasn’t decided yet, cut back the big engineer with a smile that brought a blown kiss from the woman and a barely-discernible flush to O’Bannion’s ruddy complexion.

Balfour was definitely of some interest Rodriguez thought to herself: he was much more mature than O’Bannion and he had that almost telepathic perception that had made the teasing so much fun on board Ulysses before they reached Epsilon Cygni. She’d heard a few rumors about the woman back on Terra and knew there was no one in his life right now: he might be susceptible if she played it right. Of course O’Bannion would be jealous but she’d worry about that when it happened and, besides, there shouldn’t be too much trouble soothing O’Bannion who she knew was more than slightly infatuated.

She leaned forward smiling to herself as she felt her nipples stiffen under the thin top, watching Von Richter finish dealing the second cards face up: O’Bannion had a five and she received a jack while Whitfield had a two, Balfour an ace and Von Richter gave himself a ten. Balfour, with his ace, led the betting and everyone was in for the third cards which were Q-7-9-4-6.

Still your ace, James, said Von Richter and Balfour tossed in chips; there were no drop-outs again and the next round was dealt, 3-7-K-10-8.

Two sevens with Rayleen and I fold, the Chief Engineer sighed flipping his cards over.

Me too, said Whitfield turning his hand face down and sipping some coffee.

I’m still in, said Balfour tossing more tokens to the centre of the table and O’Bannion also elected to keep going.

The final cards were a queen to O’Bannion, already with one queen and a five and three showing, a king to Rodriguez whose hand contained a jack and two sevens and a second four to Balfour giving him a pair to complement his ace and ten.

It’s looking interesting, commented the dealer. And then, to O’Bannion, well now Joel, two queens goes.

I’m raising twenty, said O’Bannion with a glance at Balfour.

I’m out, declared Rayleen.

I’ll see them Joel, said James covering the bet and O’Bannion flipped over his hole card to reveal another five giving him two pair.

I’m betting you don’t have that second ace, said O’Bannion.

You’re right, replied Balfour grinning, turning over a third four and taking the pot.

Von Richter hooted derisively, Whitfield nodded and even O’Bannion managed a smile as he cursed aloud.

Maybe it’s going to be your lucky night, James, said Rayleen resting her chin on her hands and giving him a wide-eyed smile.

You’ll get it back as usual, replied Balfour, ignoring the innuendo and the sexual waves Rodriguez was beaming at him, leaning back as O’Bannion took the deck and began to shuffle. He was prophetic. An hour-and-a-half later he was in the red and the brooding Whitfield was ahead as James rose to take his leave.

Deal me out people, he said as he gathered in his chips. I’m going to get some sleep.

Guess you weren’t lucky after all, James, said Rodriguez.

Guess not, replied James, grinning.

I think it’s going to be my night, declared O’Bannion winking at Rayleen who smiled back.

Well you deal them, Klaus, Whitfield said to the Chief as he moved his chair round to fill the gap left by Balfour. We can’t go too much longer anyway; I’ve got my log recordings to do.

Balfour headed for the crew quarters encountering no one and entered his cabin. He was glad to be alone somehow. Undressing, he lay down and put on some music; it was Borodin, In the Steppes of Central Asia and the melody tugged at his emotions as always.

* * *

It was several days later, days of boring and dull routine, when Cyrus Nixon was sharing coffee with the Captain in the Admin. Office: they had spent an hour discussing the preparations for the exploration of the Jhoonan system reviewing equipment reports, crew medical and psychological profiles and a dozen other, minor items when N’gami changed direction abruptly with a question.

Cyrus; is Rayleen becoming a problem perhaps? she asked.

Nixon smiled a little before he replied.

Maybe. I think that for a variety of reasons Von Richter, Whitfield and Jamieson are of no interest but she sure has her hooks into O’Bannion and both Balfour and Jensen are targets.

Jensen? queried N’gami in surprise.

Kurt is one of those ageless, virile Swedes, replied the Exec. He’s not beyond an interest in a younger woman. Balfour doesn’t seem to be vulnerable but I don’t know about the Professor and O’Bannion has shown signs of jealousy: he’d be the one to explode over the situation.

I have a hunch Rayleen would probably enjoy the fireworks.

Mmmm, I think you’re right. She does seem to be enjoying herself. He paused, searching for the right words. She’s even sent some cautious signals my way but, as close as I am to the Captain, she won’t risk more without obvious encouragement.

I don’t see it as a problem to the mission right now, but maybe I should have a word with James and Kurt. O’Bannion will be OK if he has no obvious rivals.

That might just take care of it, said Nixon doubtfully.

What about those course corrections, he went on, changing the subject. Will you send James and Elias to Searcher tomorrow?

Yes tomorrow around 14:00. They can stay overnight and locate the two portable generators and the pulse laser we didn’t find on Ulysses during the inventory.

Cyrus drained his cup and rose.

OK. I'll tell the boys and Von Richter about the course change plans and you can do your thing on the other issue. He smiled and added, I think I prefer my assignment.

* * *

Kurt Jensen studied his text without seeing it. Surely N’gami was wrong about Rodriguez. Of course she was flirtatious, but to suggest she found amusement in provoking the male crewmen was going too far. He could see why a child like O’Bannion would be infatuated and also why Rayleen would find his dog-at-the-heel presence tiresome ... that was why, no doubt, she enjoyed the times she spent with himself in intelligent conversation. He acknowledged he found her attractive but that was also natural: after all she was a beautiful woman and he had certainly not yet reached the age where he was unappreciative of that.

He was still thinking about it when Rayleen came in and walked over to stand behind him, peering over his shoulder at his notes: her voice, coming suddenly, sent shivers down his spine as her fragrance assailed his nostrils.

How are the tests going Kurt?

Jensen half turned and found his gaze locked on the firm mounds of her breasts and, quickly, tore his eyes up to her face where the full lips and jade eyes were equally captivating: it took him a few moments to collect himself before he could reply.

I think it’s complete now, Rayleen: all I need is a guinea pig and Balfour has volunteered to live on the product for a month when he returns from Searcher after the course changes are made.

Truly the woman was electric he thought amazed by the way her nearness had unnerved him so badly in just a few moments. He stood up, anything to break the spell, but she was in front of him the green eyes hypnotic. As he stood, transfixed, he saw her face closing: saw her lips parting. His eyes closed as she kissed him, her mouth clinging as she leaned against him and he felt the surprising heat of her body through their thin clothing.

Rodriguez stepped back, apparently unaware of her effect on him, her smile bright and friendly.

I thought you needed that, you look overworked, she said and, waving, walked to the door.

He had nodded as she left, unable to speak and now he sat down shakily. Had she really kissed him that way? What way? He couldn’t even be sure if there had been that hunger in her kiss or if he had imagined it: but he could feel his heart pounding and the tingle where her lips had clung.

* * *

James backed into the spacesuit inserting his left foot first then the right followed by the left arm and, finally, the right arm. Whitfield, who was already suited up, watched in stoical silence but offered no aid: crew always did this drill without assistance … a man never knew when he might just have to do this with no one there to help. Grunting aloud, Balfour fastened the rigid plastic collar and closed the seals with gloved fingers and tugged up the outer zipseal.

The broad waistband was next; it contained power packs and communications transmitter, and then the backpack life-support system: he snapped air-hose connections into protruding valves in the collar. The light front pack was next; over the head, its molded harness fitting snug on the front of the shoulders: it plugged into the waistband and drew power for the portable computer with the small screen that was angled up towards his face. He completed the connections, powered on and adjusted the suits climate control and then reached for his helmet, lowered it into place on the collar, and gave the required half-twist. As a last measure he pressed a button on the front-pack computer and a pre-loaded suit-check program was executed giving him, some four seconds later, the comforting double beep and flash of green.

Four minutes thirty-one, said Elias through the person-to-person radio: not bad James.

Balfour nodded, smiling. Let’s go.

The two