Warp Point Read online

  In his mind he began to realize just how expansive was their command of the ship. It was ready to obey their every wish insofar as it was capable of doing so. He thought of how he and Stacy had been holding hands when they were first “measured” by the red rays, and then induced to clasp hands together after seating themselves in the specially, and perhaps immediately, designed chairs. His thoughts confirmed that he and his wife were equal partners in control of the ship. He became aware that Stacy must have been having similar revelations for she moved into his arms, inducing him to hold her tight.

  “Dan ... oh gosh, what have we gotten ourselves into? What are we going to do? For God's sake, it's like we own a whole interstellar spaceship!"

  It was a quandary, that much was certain. He continued hugging her while letting his mind rove through the voluminous information they had become heir to. He could see in his mind the environs of the ship, the corridors and power plant, the living and cargo spaces, the control and navigation center designed for the captain of the ship and staff, now already being redesigned to accommodate two captains, but he saw with a hint of amusement that there was only one captain's stateroom. Much of the ship's inner design had been roughly arranged while they were being imbued with knowledge; the ship had used their minds as the basis for changing itself to accommodate humans. There was so much data to absorb and integrate into the normal functioning of his mind that part of it he decided to put off, except for one thing. “Honey, let's go look at ... at our stateroom. I guess it's ours. I think we need to sit down, or maybe lie down for a while before we go back outside, and decide what we're going to do then."

  They went and stepped to the side of the corridor outside the room they had been in, which he knew now was an emergency control center. They were holding hands, not wanting to lose the comforting sense of touching each other. He placed his other hand on the wall and moved it in a pattern that had been instilled in their minds. The side section of the corridor began moving, taking them with it. He looked down and could see no break in the section of the deck which was moving and the rest of it that remained in place. The knowledge of how it was done was there in his mind but he didn't understand the concepts which made it possible. That in turn, made him realize that even though he and Stacey might be in absolute control of the ship, there was an immense body of data neither of them could comprehend, and weren't likely to in the future, not without years of study.

  At intersections of corridors there were elevators, of sorts, which moved them farther into the interior of the ship. The lifts worked much like the moving slideways; press a portion of the wall in a certain pattern and the floor lifted, while a transparent force field enclosed them as they moved upward. The stateroom was everything a captain could ever want in a spacefaring vessel. There was a huge bed, king sized or more, a wet bar, though sparely stocked as yet, two big loungers and several smaller ones and numerous drawers and storage compartments.

  Stacey was ahead of her husband, both in thought and deed. She went directly to the wet bar, found glasses, then with a little exploration put her hand around a small bottle containing a familiar looking liquid. “I don't know how this cockeyed ship did it, but if this isn't brandy I'm going to be mighty surprised."

  It was, and proved to be exactly what they needed. The fiery liquid burned, then warmed as it settled into their bodies. They sat close together on one of the big loungers, not talking at first, each absorbed in thoughts of their present predicament and then of what the future would hold.

  “It's scary, isn't it?” Dan finally said.

  “Scary isn't quite the word for it, but I don't know what is. I doubt there's been a word invented yet for our situation. It almost makes me want to just stay inside here and not think about it."

  “I know, sweetheart. I feel the same way, but I don't guess we can do that. We'll have to face the world before long, and God knows how it's going to take the fact that an old, ordinary married couple holds the key to ... hell, the key to the stars, I guess ... uh, oh. Did that remark strike a spark in you, too."

  Stacey finished her glass of brandy before answering. “Yeah. The ship won't do but one thing at first, will it?"

  “Right on the money. It's been programmed that way. We can do just about what we want so far as other arrangements go but that part is set in stone. After that, we're free to do what we please, but look what comes first!"

  “And you know the military, the president and every person of importance in the world will insist on it. Lord help us, Dan. Of all the ways I thought we'd spend our retirement...” Her voice trailed off.

  Dan set his glass down and pulled her close. They sat together a long time, not speaking but both of them thinking of their future, a future which had changed irrevocably the instant they set foot inside the ship.

  They had already been inside the ship for more than half a day. He knew there would be people waiting outside, almost certainly the military, and most likely many others. He wondered if he and Stacy would possibly be able to make anyone else understand the immensely advanced technology that had gone into constructing the ship, then installing the means for its occupants to command it. The brain of the ship was a computer of sorts, but not like any he was familiar with. He was as out of his depth in trying to understand it as a newborn babe would have been. But all that could wait. There would be plenty of time to think about the ship. It was people that concerned him.

  Dan looked longingly at the almost full bottle of brandy, then reluctantly turned his attention from it. “Sweetheart, I think we'd better go outside and see what's happening. We could do it as well from here but we'll have to face the world sometime. We may as well do it now, if you feel up to it."

  “I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be,” Stacy responded. She leaned back from his embrace but took his hand and continued holding it as they proceeded back the way they had come.

  This time there was no problem with the exit. One of them had only to touch a portion of the entranceway and move their hand over it and the doorway to the outside world was there. It opened, and together they went out to face their destiny. Behind them, the exit closed, leaving a smooth expanse of the bluish material of the ship, with no sign an opening had ever been there.

  * * * *

  The two army troopers who had been standing guard near where it was thought the Saddlers had entered the ship had been looking out toward the pasture and woods rather than toward the ship. When they heard the noise of Dan and Stacy stepping down from the exit they both started, whirling around and raising their rifles as if all the devils of hell were after them.

  “Easy, easy, soldier,” Dan said. “Point those rifles somewhere else before you hurt someone."

  The troopers backed off, but kept their rifles aimed at a spot just to the right and left of them. They seemed not to know what they were supposed to do next.

  “Who's in command here?” Dan asked.

  “Uh, General Hawkins, sir. He arrived a few hours ago."

  Hawkins? He wondered if it was his friend, though probably not, he thought. There must be a number of Generals by the name of Hawkins. In any case...

  “One of you go find him. Tell him to meet us at our house."

  “Uh, sir, I don't think..."

  “Get a move on, soldier. This is our property, and I want the commander. Now.” To Stacey he said “Come on, sweetheart."

  Ignoring the befuddled guards, they headed toward the back door to their home while stealing glances around at the changes that had happened since they had entered the ship.

  There were tents and soldiers and civilians wandering around near the barn. In the near distance a helicopter rose from behind a tree line and headed off to the south. They could hear traffic from around a bend in the long driveway that was hidden by a growth of pines.

  The back door was unlocked, just as they had left it. They had no sooner entered and closed the door behind them than the doorbell rang.

  “I'll get it if you'll see w
hat you can find for us to eat,” Dan said, suddenly realizing how hungry he was.

  He opened the front door and found himself looking at his old friend, General Chester Hawkins.

  “Chet! When those guards said a General Hawkins was in command here, I was hoping it would be you. Come on in!” He shook Hawkins’ hand and led him on into the den. “Find yourself something to drink if you like. Stacy and I are going to eat before we do anything else. I'll be right back."

  Dan detoured for a quick stop at a bathroom, then went on into the kitchen to help Stacy. She already had sandwiches made and was pouring them glasses of milk. “Chet's in the den; that's who was ringing the bell. Would you believe he's in command here?"

  “Well, that's one good thing. At least we'll have someone we can trust here. Dan, I'm just now beginning to realize what a big deal this is going to be. The ship won't ever turn command over to anyone else if the data in my mind is correct. We're stuck with it until we die."

  “Which could be sooner than we think if we're not careful.” He picked up the glasses while Stacy carried the sandwiches. When they got to the den, Hawkins had already poured himself a mild scotch and water.

  “Hi Chet,” Stacy greeted him. “You'll have to excuse us while we eat. We're both ravenous for some reason."

  “We ate dinner before we went into the ship last night. Or was it last night?” Dan asked.

  “It was,” Hawkins confirmed.

  “Well, the only way I can explain how hungry we are is that having all that data downloaded into our minds somehow used up a lot of calories.” He took a big bite of his sandwich, emphasizing the point.

  “What do you mean by downloaded data?"

  Between bites, Dan and Stacy alternated in telling how the ship's command center had insinuated itself into their minds, giving them complete control of it. “Before you ask, I don't know why it did that to us, but I suspect it would have done the same to any other well adjusted person who entered it first."

  “Person? Then why the two of you?"

  “Well, we were holding hands when we went up those steps, then still holding hands when it ... well, evaluated us, I guess is the best term I can think of. Anyway, it somehow decided to give us equal billing so far as controlling the ship and its various functions."

  “What functions are you talking about. Flying it? Or more?"

  Dan glanced at Stacey and saw that she had the same reservations he did. On the other hand, Chet was an old and valued friend. Stacey nodded to him and he first asked, “Chet, can what we tell you be kept between us, or will you be obligated to reveal it to your superiors?"

  General Hawkins rubbed his chin thoughtfully before answering. “Dan, I guess it would depend on what you tell me. If it has anything to do with the security of the country, of course I'd have to kick it upstairs. Otherwise ... well, I'll follow your advice as closely as I can on what and what not to reveal. How's that?"

  “About all I could reasonably hope for. Okay, we can operate the ship, no question of that. In fact, we're the only ones who can operate it. Besides its propulsion and life support facilities, it's also armed with some rather formidable weaponry. That's the part I'd rather you not repeat for the time being."

  “Weaponry. Such as?"

  “High energy laser type cannon, anti-matter bombs, plasma guns and lighter weapons for occasions when the heavy stuff isn't called for."

  “And it's controlled the same way you said you could operate the propulsion and directional mechanisms, simply by thought alone?"

  Stacey laughed and Dan was quick to correct the misconception. “Oh, no! Sorry, I guess I gave you the wrong impression. We can think about what we want done, then the information is available to us, the same way if you think about firing a rifle, the information is there in your mind immediately. The actual operation of the ship is by mechanical means, but it's being made as simple as can be for us poor humans. For instance, once I give the ship permission to fire, say a laser cannon, the operation would be done from a gunnery compartment using an extension of the ship's computer—if it could be considered an extension. Actually, I think the ship's brain is infused throughout the ship, wherever it's needed. However, there is a really large area toward the middle of the ship, the control center. That's where the captain and his or her officers will stand duty."

  “There's another aspect, too,” Stacey interjected. “Dan or I can give the ship considerable leeway to act as it thinks best in protecting our interests. It also has a protective force field that I doubt even a hydrogen bomb could penetrate.” She looked amused for a second before revealing the rest of it. “The defensive field is geared to protect Dan and me first and foremost, then anyone else and any equipment we designate afterward."

  “Whew! We're going to have to lock you two up just for security measures. How far does the protection extend?"

  Dan had to think for a moment since he hadn't considered that aspect of the ship's armament and defensive systems yet. “Mmm, we're under its protection right now. It contracts and expands as necessary and can form an extension, like a pseudopod, to put most of its energy in one spot, like if Dan or I get very far away. And it's much more effective in space than on the ground. Here, it only goes out a hundred yards or so."

  “Be damned. And we haven't had an inkling of it or alarms would be going off all over the place.” He shook his head in a negative fashion. “I sure don't envy you two. You have no idea yet how the world is reacting, and no one knows what you've just told me yet. Kids, as soon as that gets out you're going to come under unbelievable pressure, from every faction imaginable, from religious to political to military. They'll all want access to the ship and to its secrets."

  “There aren't any secrets we could reveal even if we wanted to, Chet. Neither of us understands the theories behind all the ship's assets. All we know is that we can use them. For instance, I have no idea how the laser cannon can have so much power from such a small source, and the ship couldn't tell me. It's a different type laser anyway, I think, sort of like directed energy, but I'm not even sure of that much. Also, the ship is powered by a gravity drive, and I sure don't have the underlying knowledge necessary to understand it. That's not to say I couldn't learn, or a physicist couldn't, but it would be no simple task, I can assure you of that."

  “Hardly anyone is going to believe it about you two being in sole control of the ship; in fact, it's almost certain you won't be. We'll just have to take problems as they come, but one is sure to be a source of contention. An empty ship coming through a warp point is like an invitation to take it back and see what or who sent it. A lot of the factions already want to know what's on the other side of the warp and when they find out the ship was empty, they'll really begin agitating for you take it and find out—with them along to help and guide your thinking into the proper channels, of course."

  “Oh, Lord. I suppose the State Department and military both will want that as well, won't they?” Stacey asked.

  “Almost a certainty. And not just our State Department and military. We can keep the military from other nations away, but their state departments are going to insist on participating. Religious leaders want a role, too. You'll see all this when you start watching the news, if you ever have time to do that again.” Hawkins grinned sympathetically at them. “Now I need to call and report to my boss, if you don't mind."

  “We don't mind,” Dan assured him. “Who is your boss, by the way?"

  “My immediate superior is General Binds, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, but ultimately, the president will make the final decisions. I have no idea yet how much he'll delegate and how much he'll leave to others."

  Dan and Stacey left Hawkins in the den by himself while they went to make another sandwich. He was on the phone a long time.

  * * *

  Chapter Eight

  Matt and Tara ate a light breakfast and put away the dishes, then Matt abruptly pulled her close and kissed her. “It's nice having someone to share meals with
again. Among other things."

  Tara rubbed her cheek against his chest. They were standing together by the breakfast bar, waiting on the second pot of coffee to finish dripping. “Too bad we have to go back to work tomorrow. I've really enjoyed this time with you, Matt."

  “It won't be the last, will it?"

  She chuckled warmly. “Not if I get a vote."

  He was bending to kiss her again when the phone rang. He took two steps to where it hung on the wall, convenient to reach while cooking. “Hello."

  Tara watched as he listened for a moment, then decided he might want some privacy. She had started out of the kitchen when he grabbed her hand and stopped her.

  “Uh, yeah. Hell yes, in fact. I'd love to. Really? A helicopter? Great! I've never ridden in one. Uh, Dan ... would it be all right if I brought a friend? If she wants to come, that is."

  Tara had no idea who he was talking to, but found herself holding her breath, glad he was including her in whatever plans that were being discussed and hoping she could be included.

  “Uh huh. Boy, you really fell into it, didn't you? Okay, we'll be waiting at the Spring airport at noon, that is if she agrees to come with me.” He put down the phone and smiled at Tara. “How would you like to go see the spaceship?"

  “Would I! You mean we have an invitation?"

  “Yup. Believe it or not, the damn thing landed right on Dan and Stacey's place I was telling you about, up near the Indian reservation. He said he's got lots of things to tell us when we get there."