The Pegasus Transglide and other Stories

By Ted Knight

Do you like original SF stories with a unique twist?

Welcome to the SF Collection.

 

Morrison is helping four people to escaped from an alien prison light years from home. Is he knowledgeable enough to pilot a state of the art craft?

 

Ralph has a reputation of being slightly mad. He convinces his colleagues this is the case when he starts working weekends on a time machine!

 

Prisoner 79648 is given a cryptic message to deliver to the opposing forces. Can he get through Zone Z unscathed?

 

Max is living a dog's life on a hostile planet. Then his dreams come true; he calls her Silver.

 

Alice enjoys the Olde Worlde food and unparalleled luxury aboard the Transglide as she travels to Eta Carinae. But did she read the small print?

 

Zak of the Riley-Jones detective agencyis sent to investigate a Terminal Therapy Centre after a mysterious phone call claims Agnes Williams was unfairly treated.

 

Polinski is pleased to accept captaincy of the pretigious Salus. He believes he can ferry the many creatures on board to the planet Arcadia many light years away. But the best laid plans of mice and men often go amiss . . .

 

Fifteen stories with settings ranging from the luxury of the Pegasus Transglide to the dystopian war-ravaged world of Zone Z.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ted Knight
• Release date: Aug 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393949954

Ted Knight

About the Author Ted spent his first fourteen years in the rooms behind his dad's butcher's shop near Liverpool docks. He studied Industrial design at Trent, and after his PGCE taught in London comprehensives. He had a varied career working in laboratories, architect's and design offices. For many years, he taught design in London comprehensive before going on to lecture at a Midlands College. Before retirement, because of health problems, he took a job as a security guard, on a quiet industrial site. Ted first started writing during teaching vacations. He has written eight books to date and is currently working on his second collection of SF stories. Missing on the Mersey is the second novel, in the DS Einegan series.  

Book preview

Do you like original SF stories with a unique twist?  

Morrison is helping four people to escaped from an alien prison light years from home. Is he knowledgeable enough to pilot a state of the art craft?

Ralph has a reputation of being slightly mad. He convinces his colleagues this is the case when he starts working weekends on a time machine!

Prisoner 79648 is given a cryptic message to deliver to the opposing forces. Can he get through Zone Z  unscathed?

Max is living a dog’s life on a hostile planet. Then his dreams come true; he calls her Silver.

Alice enjoys the Olde Worlde food and unparalleled luxury aboard the Transglide as she travels to Eta Carinae. But did she read the small print?

Zak of the Riley-Jones detective agencyis sent to investigate a Terminal Therapy Centre after a mysterious phone call claims Agnes Williams was unfairly treated.

Polinski is pleased to accept captaincy of the pretigious Salus. He believes he can ferry the many creatures on board to the planet Arcadia many light years away. But the best laid plans of mice and men often go  amiss . . .

Fifteen tales ranging from the luxury of the Transglide to the dystopian war-ravaged world of Zone Z.

The Pegasus Transglide

AND OTHER STORIES

Ted Knight

Copyright © 2018 by tedknight.co.uk

Cover and internal design © Ted Knight

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems – except in the case of brief quotations in articles or reviews – without permission in writing from its publisher, tedknight.co.uk.

All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. I am not associated with any product or vendor in this book.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to Jim

Table of Contents

1  A Binary Choice  ................................11

2  The Pegasus Transglide ....................45

3  White Coats .......................................83

4  The Expulsion....................................101

5  The Land of Nod ..............................117

6  The Virtual Wormhole ....................145

7  Silver ..................................................177

8  Drone War .........................................197

9  Gift Therapy .......................................215

10  Zone Z ................................................233

11  The Terminal Therapy Centre .........249

12  Blue John ...........................................269

13  The Man with No Name ..................299

14  The Terrible Twins ............................323

15  Two and Two .....................................343

1  A Binary Choice

––––––––

Jacko wiped the sweat from his eyes. He could see Charlotte's lithe figure as she stumbled through the dry particles just a few paces in front. Ahead of her, he could see Morisson striding boldly. Beneath the low moaning sound of the wind, he could hear Danielle wheezing a few steps behind. The bronze sky was overcast with drifting clouds of dust and on the ground jagged rocks jutted from the grey sand, like yellow steeples.

Morisson raised his arm and stopped by an outcrop of material with the appearance of limestone. He was a slim athletic man with brown hair, a strong chin, and an intelligent face. He'd spotted a dark shadow and began to kick mounds of the pale sand away with his foot. The others began to help him and clouds of light dust rose high in the thin air obscuring visibility.

As I thought, it's the entrance to somewhere.

After clearing access space, he entered. The others followed him into the quiet cave.

We'll stop here for the night. By now, we may have lost the patrol they sent after us. It's early but we'll be safer laying low here. Jacko, gather some plant fronds and pass them in. We'll use them for bedding. Try to conceal the entrance with what you can find.

Jacko was a muscular man with a scarred face. He cursed under his breathe and went back out.

By now they were all fatigued. Charlotte felt scared:

Will we be safe in here? Don't the patrols use tracker-mobiles?

Morisson loved her Cockney accent, but right now he was feeling the pressure.

There's no fully 'safe' place in this situation. Relatively, we'll be safer, out of sight. This planet's air is thinly laced with methane. The trackers' olfactory sensors don't work as efficiently.

He knew he hadn't spoken the entire truth. He wanted to avoid any panic.

Jacko returned to the cave, clutching an armful of plant material and threw it on the ground:

There you go. I'm the one who does the work around here.

Morisson didn't take the bait.

We'll bed down here. I don't advise you to go too far into the cave. There'll be more worms away from the light.

Danielle a heavily built woman with  tattoos, her breath emerging in clouds, said:

I'm thirsty. I need a drink.

Morisson pointed:

There's frozen dihydrogen-monoxide stalactites hanging over there. If you hold them close, your body temperature will cause them to melt.

She snapped a few of the projections off the tunnel roof and began to lick one.

You're right. It's melting. Mm, that tastes good. Here try some.

She held some out to Jacko.

Great. Our thirst problem is solved, but what about something to eat?

Morisson gestured and beckoned for attention:

Hey guys, listen carefully. To stomach what I'm going to tell you now, you're going to need to think scientific. Food consists of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Forget candlelit dinners. We've been trekking through this inhospitable terrain and rations ran out days ago. What has this planet got in abundance?

Danielle wrinkled her nose and answered:

Ammonia-worms.

Right, worms. Some people call them ammonia-worms as they feed on ammonia-rich compounds. Scientifically speaking it’s a source of edible protein.

Danielle shouted:

Hey, wait a minute! You're not going to ask us to eat them, are you?

Yes, when we were down in the mines, I saw their food analysis. Like all of us, I was starving on the inadequate rations. When the Meganin guards weren't watching, I peaked at an online report on their food value. It said they contain a high proportion of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

I don't care. They'll taste like crap.

How do you know that? And if they do, you can melt some stalactites and swallow them like medicine.

Jacko spoke up:

Look, Danielle, who gives a dam what it tastes like as long as it keeps us alive! Before I got the army job, I can remember busting a gut for a hot dog back in the Bronx.

Charlotte interrupted:

This is not exactly the Bronx, is it? We're not talking about hot-dogs here! Before I taste my worms how do I ensure they're not a poisonous variety.

Hell, I ain't scared. Where are they? - growled Jacko.

Morisson spoke up:

Follow me and I'll show you how to harvest them.

He led them into a tunnel-like area and pointed to a microscopic hole in the rocky ground. He began to twist a sharp stone in the hole until it was enlarged. Then he blew gently on the hole. After a minute nothing appeared to have happened. Danielle asked:

What the hell are you doing?

Be patient, I'm hunting worms.

As he spoke a bright red head with two tiny black eyes emerged. Swiftly he grabbed it between his thumb and forefinger and pulled with all his strength.

Drat! That little bugger got away. You have to be so fast. They're slimy and difficult to grip.

He moved over to another hole saying:

You can't fish in the same hole twice!

Yer means yer can spook 'em like fish? asked Jacko.

Morisson was too focused on his next fishing-hole to answer. He exhaled and another tiny red head appeared. Like lightning, he grabbed it and yanked it outwards. Over a meter of red worm emerged. He killed it quickly by ramming his foot down on its head.

You need to kill them quickly by severing the head. Don't let go of one or it will move like greased lightning towards one of your orifices. Who wants a piece of this little wiggler?

He cut it into four sections and handed the pieces out. Danielle gingerly placed a piece of the slimy orange meat near her lips and spat.

It stinks. Aw, that's awful.

Try melting some stalactite and wash it down.  - suggested Morrison.

We've no crockery here on Vugradis. What can I use as a cup? - asked Charlotte.

Jacko offered his baseball cap:

Here try this. I've sweated into it so often, it won't leak much.

Charlotte winced:

Good Lord! What did we do to deserve this? A year in the worse Meganin mine on Vugradis and now worms to eat. Perhaps we should give ourselves up. The rations were bad, but this is obscene! The very thought of eating such food makes me feel sick.

Jacko laughed:

So you can't approach it as an unusual delicacy? Anyway, what happens if one of those things gets inside a person?

Morisson smiled:

It's better If I don't go into the details. They're powerful burrowers. They have to be to dig into the rocky ground. Once decapitated and dead, they're okay to eat.

But what if they surface whilst we're asleep? - asked Charlotte.

Morisson smiled again.

That's a legitimate fear. They don't surface very often.

Yer mean it’s jes blowin' brings 'em up out the ground? - asked Jacko.

Yes. During the night it’s likely only one or two will surface. Experts think a strong odour attracts them.

There was a laugh as eyes turned towards Danielle.

Shhh!- said Morisson.

The trackers have auditory as well as olfactory sensors.

My question is legitimate. How can we guard against them at night? - asked Charlotte.

Check the ground. Pick a spot with no wormholes. You might think there's no point anyone keeping guard in the dark, but the worm's heads are fluorescent due to the high phosphorus content of the dirt here. I suggest we take turns.

Charlotte was tense from the strain of being hunted like a wild animal. She flung her long hair about and yelled:

Look we have no plan. Where are we heading to? How can we ever get away from here? Frankly, I think we're setting ourselves up for summary execution by the Meganin.

Jacko continued:

I have to agree. What chance have we got of getting off this God-forsaken planet? I'll tell you – no chance. We've put our necks on the block, with this escape.

Morisson tried to calm them down.

Look stay positive. We've escaped from the prison camp. This is a big planet. We know nothing about life here outside of the mines. We could find friends or reach a different geographical zone. The food is unpleasant, I agree, but it can sustain us until we find better. Let's trust our luck and remember how fortunate we are to have escaped from that hell-hole!

Yeah, but it's out of the frying pan into the fire! - moaned Danielle.

We haven't got a clue where we're going. We're eating crap worse than what we left behind and we're all shit-scared of being captured again.

Morisson looked cross:

Danielle, what did I say about being positive? You're stoking fear. We have food that can keep us alive, and frankly, if you're honest, not long ago you all admitted death would be a deliverance. Down in those mines, you all jumped at the chance of an escape.

He pointed to the ground:

We need to look for worms.

They reluctantly set about fishing. After their supper of foul-tasting worms, they began to examine the ground for safe spots to sleep. Charlotte had managed to make a reasonable looking bed from plant fronds and was snuggling down when she yelled:

Not so fast cowboy! Keep your distance!

Jacko grinned sheepishly and moved away.

* * *

The following morning refreshed from dissolved stalactites and worms, Morisson crept out from the cave to scout the terrain and quietly called the others. The group looked towards him for leadership because of his master's in computer science and physics. He'd been with the International Organisation of Galactic Space Exploration (IOGSE) for ten years. However with no military or orienteering experience apart from days out in the Catskills, he felt out of his depth. Figuring the most sensible choice was to head away from the trackers last sighting he pointed:

We need to head that way.

After hours trudging they began to notice buildings in the distance.  Morisson raised his hand:

Sh, no talking from now on. Follow me and proceed with extreme caution.

They ascended onto a plain and entered the ruins of what appeared to be an old industrial area. The remains of walls and broken chimneys began to appear. Heartened by the thought they were getting somewhere they increased their pace.

By now the howling wind was laden with sand particles. Over the centuries the walls left standing had become eroded and smooth pieces of rubble lay strewn around. A few factories of stronger construction had remained intact. Morisson raised his hand and the group stopped.

There may have been radioactive contamination for many years in the past to cause this area to be deserted. More than likely the danger passed long ago and the owners moved on. We'll carry on walking and try to find shelter for the night before the light begins to fail. We need to leave ourselves time to fish for our supper.

Danielle began giggling:

Fishing! Is that what you call it?

Jacko shoved her.

Sh! Remember?

* * *

The group trudged on, raising clouds of dust and in the half-light of the ruins, they stumbled upon an  incongruous looking building. Unlike the dark nondescript ones all around, this one was a pale colour. Although covered in a layer of dust, a silvery metal structure gleamed below.

Wow. Look at this! - whispered Jacko.

Morisson touched his lips.

Come on let's do a recon' of the perimeter.

The group followed him moving stealthily. Thirty minutes later they still hadn't reached their starting point. Jacko whispered again:

Jesus, this is one hell of a building.

Morisson answered:

Right, it appears to be roughly a kilometre in length. I've heard nothing and I think it's deserted. Let's try and get in through this door.

He pushed a button concealed under an airtight flap. There was a high pitched whirring and the door slid aside. As they entered a type of vestibule, the door slid closed behind them. Another door lay ahead. Morisson lifted a similar flap and pressed the tiny black button beneath. The door slid back and they stood gazing into a cavernous interior.

At once, they all gasped. It was a startling sight: a gigantic spacecraft constructed of a silvery, iridescent material stood before them. Many things had impressed them: one was its sheer size; it extended almost the full length of the hanger. Another was its gleaming perfection. The craft was in the form of a hexagonal prism. At one end a blue glow was visible. The structure appeared to be hovering in the hanger space. It quivered with expectation, aware of the intruder. Now, only a command prompt was needed to set in motion its myriad of tessellated parts. They stood goggling, unaware they were sending brain waves to something inside the ship. At the heart of the ship, dwelt a mega supercomputer. It was programmed to act sympathetically towards life forms  wishing to interact and allow an expression of its power . . .

Jacko was the first to speak.

God almighty, never seen anything as perfect as that before.

Morisson, also impressed, answered:

We're at the mid-point of the fuselage. Let's walk around and continue the survey.

You mean like reconnoitre?

Danielle spoke up:

Look I'm tired and Charlotte probably too. Why don't we wait here for you?

Okay, but lie low, don't touch anything and stay here until we return.

Morisson led off and Jacko followed. They gazed fascinated at the ship above. The sides of the craft appeared to be seamless. As they continued walking they could make out protuberances here and there. Eventually, they reached what appeared to be the stern of the ship. Here inside the hexagonal section, six equilateral triangles could be seen, each enclosing an inscribed cylinder constructed of dull metal. Each cylinder was packed close with small diameter pipes alternating with solid rods.

Jacko asked:

Hey, you got a master's in computer science and physics, ain't you? What do you make of it? Is that the engine?

It appears to be the visible part of a sophisticated propulsion system. I'd need to look more closely. The blue glow coming from within indicates the presence of a nuclear power plant. Perhaps a radioactive leak developed. It explains why this place is deserted.

Must have occurred when they were about finished by the looks of it.

Yes. The question arises why would beings advanced enough to build this, experience something as basic as a radiation leak?

Maybe they were experimenting, you know, like scientists.

Possibly, but at their level, I think experimentation would have occurred at an earlier stage.

They passed over to the far side of the craft and began walking back until they reached the opposite end.

Jacko pointed to an area of gigantic clear panels:

Look, viewing panels. This must be the front of the ship.

They turned the corner and the end of the prism finished with six clear convex domes, became visible.

It would appear so. I'd need to look more closely to be certain. - said Morisson.

Just then they saw a light flash intermittently through one of the acrylic panels.

Look, that could be a recognition signal! - yelled Jacko.

Yes, it's possible. A light flickered on. Did you get a feeling something was trying to communicate with us?

Well, could be my imagination – but a light definitely flashed.

Morisson waved his arm. The light flickered again.

You try it.

Jacko waved his much bigger arm and the same light flickered.

They turned the corner and Charlotte and Danielle were visible in the distance. As they approached Danielle shouted:

Hey, you guys!

Morisson felt his blood pressure rising and checked himself. He gestured with his fingers over his lips and Danielle remained silent. Upon reaching the women, Morisson said:

A light flashed as we came around that corner. It went on each time we waved. I think this ship knows we're here.  We're being hunted and it makes sense to try and get on board. Any objections?

They shook their heads.

Follow me.

He walked back to the place where they'd seen the light and led them underneath the craft. Looking up the faint outline of an oblong etched into the smooth underside of the ship, was visible.

Look at that shape up there. Now imagine you want it to open. Try to project a message you want to get into the ship!

You crazy? - asked Danielle.

Shut up and just do it! - countered Charlotte.

They all gazed up, hoping access would be granted. After a minute, there was a quiet humming sound. The oblong slid away and a fluorescent flashing square lit up on the ground alongside them.

I think we're meant to stand in there. - said Charlotte.

The four stepped into the square and waited. The light surrounding them became intensely bright.

* * *

On a podium inside the craft, they rematerialised, unable to move. A slim cylinder topped by a clear globe rose up and surrounded them with intense projected light. For a minute the brilliance focused on them moving slowly around before disappearing. Danielle was the first to speak:

It's okay. I can move again now. That was scary. Do you think this thing means us any harm?

Morisson shook his head.

I doubt it. It brought us safely into the ship. It needed to scan us to learn about our biology and maybe our thoughts to ensure we're not hiding hostile intentions. Whatever runs this ship, I'm certain, is benevolent towards us.

We'll find out soon enough. How about we explore? suggested Charlotte.

* * *

They were in a large control centre. The end of the hanger was visible through one of the clear domes. Centred imposingly in the space was a streamlined command desk. Morisson sat on the elaborate swivel chair and touched a tiny switch on the curved console. A slim monitor rose up from the desktop. A screen mounted high up flickered into life displaying the other end of the hanger.

They're images from the direction of travel. This propulsion system works in the opposite way to our traditional ships. I think the propulsion exerts a pulling force.

Could have fooled me! - exclaimed Jacko.

Morisson was fully occupied with the monitor's display.

I’ve found a set of command control icons – I need to study these.

Look, I know you love computers but I want to look around and explore this place before you go messing with any controls. - said Charlotte.

Great idea. Could be food somewhere around. - said Danielle.

They exited the Control-Centre into a long corridor with doors on either side. Impulsively Danielle moved towards one of the doors causing it to open automatically. She looked inside:

Gee, this is nice. This can be my room.

Further on the corridor opened out into a large area where horizontal surfaces hovered above the floor. Jacko said:

Hey, I'm gonna see if a can get a drink.

He approached a surface resembling a bar and waited expectantly. A piece of articulated machinery popped up from somewhere under the counter. It stood before him waiting for an order. It was a strangely minimal creation, with a monitor screen displaying a face graphic of two circles for eyes and a straight horizontal line for a mouth. On its cylindrical chest were inscribed the numbers 45/39

I want an ice-cold beer.

Nothing happened.

Look, dude, are you dumb? I want an ice-cold beer!

The electronic machine emitted a raspberry sound and the graphic mouth turned downwards.

Morisson raised his voice:

Think of a detailed picture of an ice-cold beer as you say it.

Jacko complied and they heard an electronic bell sound. The mouth turned up. A