Chapter 3- theories and facts
"Alright everyone is up to date with all that is known about the white mass infecting the Eagles", John told the people gathered around the table. He'd deliberately included representatives from all sections as he wanted to represent a united Moonbase where everyone's opinion was valued. "We now need to brainstorm how we deal with this situation". He waited for someone to be the first to talk.
Paul Morrow stood. "Well firstly we need to know if all the Eagle's have actually been infected"." Because that will mean we must approach the infection from angle of eradication not prevention. 'We did send all of them ". Perhaps over time the others will also end up the same way". He had eyeballed John when he'd said " we did send all of them". John thought it was a subtle dig at his order. He knew Paul was actually saying if you 'd only ordered a few Eagles out into this new Galaxy we would not be facing a potentially life altering event. John did not make any response because sometimes silence worked better.
Victor muttered loudly, it was his thinking sound, he stood a lot slower than Paul. "You raise an interesting point", he stated. "All the Eagles have been out there, yet only 4 are showing any signs of problems. Why is that? We know this infection spreads rapidly, overwhelming the Eagle's systems, then eventually encasing the whole ship in that cocoon " . Once the ship is encased, all attempts to obtain any type of readings fail. Thus we have no idea what is happening to the ship." So far the only deviation in the pattern is that Eagle 3's systems were immediately overwhelmed. We have yet to recover that craft".
John nodded soberly. The next hour was going to be crucial in the survival of Eagle 3's Pilot Leonard Gibson.
"All of the ships can't be infected", Alan stated firmly. He did not stand John noted. "We have scanned the other ships, and cannot detect any signs of infection".
"But if we don't know the cause then it can still happen. The others may be infected. Perhaps there is a period of dormancy in this infection. It cannot be detected in this phase. Then when the ship is out in space it comes into contact with a catalyst that activates the problem", Paul pointed out.
John found his hands going sweaty. This proposal was frightening. He looked at Victor hoping desperately this theory was going to be vetoed.
Victor did not hesitate in his reply. He stood taller and when he spoke his voice dripped confidence. Nobody would doubt he knew what he was talking about. "Your theory puts forth two factors that are not detectable, the catalyst, and the infection. I don't believe there can be that many random factors here. Yes, this is a new galaxy, and an unknown substance. But the requirements of being able to live in space do not change. We need to remember that fact. Alan already gave us an idea. He said we cannot detect any signs of infection. But perhaps it is just our equipment that need to change. We need more advanced scanners. Let's look at the equipment we already possess. We have machines that can recognize even the tiniest cells, not visible to the naked eye".
"I speculate that this is why we cannot detect this infection until it is too late. Initially it's too small to be detected. Once it gets inside our Eagles it must multiply. If we can detect it before the Eagle's come into contact, then we can simply avoid infection".
"Usually the types of instrumentation needed would stay within our labs, ready to receive specimens for analysis. However we need that analysis to happen while we are in space. Thus we'll have to adapt some of this technology for the use of the Eagles", Victor concluded
"So avoidance is our plan", Alan clarified. He was still hoping for a way to restore the Eagle's that were already infected.
"At the moment yes", John stated. "Triggering that defensive response in this substance has proved very dangerous. So the infected Eagles will be treated passively. Perhaps this infection will run its course, and leave the Eagles undamaged." That was the most hopeful of all the outcomes. In his nightmares, a monster crawled out of the cocoon and tried to consume all of them. He did not mention this nightmare to anyone else.
John made sure he sounded confident when he told them the plan. "While we work on this device, I will ground all the Eagles." Once the construction is complete, we will test it, with one Eagle only". John's eyes swept across the room, before settling upon Alan. "Captain Carter, I want you to pilot that Eagle", he commanded.
"Yes sir", Alan stated. His agreement sounded a little distant, and unsure. Mostly because the fate of Eagle 3 was still very much on his mind.
Almost as if his thoughts were heard, the comm system pinged , alerting them to an incoming message. "This is Frazer Michaels aboard Eagle 2 reporting. I am experiencing engine difficulties. I think my systems have also been infected. Thus I am not going to be able to reach Eagle 3 in time".
Everyone in the room felt sudden cold envelop them. The memory of the loss of Earth was close to the surface. Nobody wanted to be the first one that acknowledged that everyone they'd known was now dead. Pretense had kept them all going. Only now, they were facing the death of a colleague and they could not deny the truth.
Leonard Gibson was the pilot of Eagle 3, he was from Ottawa in Canada. On Thursday the 12th, the day before breakaway, Leonard had turned 29 years old.
As yet Leonard did not know that he was not going to be rescued. John needed to inform him. "I'll talk to him", Alan said softly. He considered Leonard to be a friend. It was better if a friend delivered bad news. "We can keep conversing with him until...Alan could not finish that sentence. He really wanted to scream, and rant, and then finally cry. But was holding it all inside , tightly afraid he'd be unable to function if he let his emotions loose.
"Alright Alan", Commander Koenig agreed. He activated the link. "Hey Len, it's Alan", Alan greeted. He was amazed that his voice sounded steady.
Leonard Gibson was feeling cold, and alone. He could see the small dot that was Eagle 2 in the distance. Strangely it did not appear to be getting any closer. He wondered why Alan Carter was calling him. Surely the call should come from Eagle 3. It should be an update on his rescue. He looked again at that Eagle. It still looked a long way off. Too far in fact.
Suddenly, with a dreaded certainty he knew exactly why Alan was calling. "Eagle 3 is not going to make it", Leonard stated . His voice only shook a little. There was a numb feeling all over. It's because the oxygen levels are falling his mind told him.
"No", as Alan said those words he felt tears well up in his eyes. Around him, he could see the others also reacting. Sandra was crying, in soft sobs. Paul held her gently.
Leonard wondered what he should say. He could feel his mind becoming detached and knew he did not have long left. What did he want to remember in this time. "Talk to me about home Alan", Leonard decided. "I want to believe I am there, right now".
" I remember you telling me all about where you were from, "Alan began. He repeated the story Leonard had told him, about 2 years ago, when they'd first started working together. He described Len's town passionately with a sense of realism that surprised John Koenig. He could almost imagine he was there. Alan was barely managing to keep his voice steady and strong. John silently moved to his side, and placed one reassuring hand on Alan's arm.
Leonard smiled, in his mind he was at his favourite fishing spot. He'd just caught the biggest fish ever. If he breathed in he could smell that wonderful fresh fish aroma. He'd be lighting a fire and roasting this beauty. But first he had to get it home. That walk seemed to be taking a long time. In the distance there was just light. It called him and he welcomed it. Leonard's eyes fluttered shut.
When Leonard's life signs flat lined silence fell over the room.
John had moved his arms to around Alan's shoulders. The young Captain had not reacted yet. He was so quiet and so pale. John knew reaction would hit him later.
Around him the others also mourned.
Finally John had to break into their thoughts' "It's time to get back to work", he stated gently.
The others did not need to be told twice. Work took them away from dwelling on all they had lost.
"I'll go and pack up Len's things", Alan said softly. He could not escape dealing with the loss.
"Do you need some help", John asked gently. Alan shook his head, "I would like to do this on my own", he replied.
John understood. "Very well. I'll contact you later with an update in the scanner."
Alan quickly hurried away from all of them. Once in the security of his office, he finally let himself mourn.
xxxxxx
Two days later.
"Alan we are ready to try out the scanner", John Koenig said. He'd had everyone involved working hard to perfect this technology. But the only way they'd know if it was going to work was conducting a 'field test'. The scanner did not work on the ships already infected, as it could not penetrate the cocoon like mass. That mass had not changed. John had no idea if the 3 infected Eagle's were even still inside those cocoons.
Deciding the Alan should have a co pilot this time, John had elected himself. "No", Paul Morrow told him. John stared, "excuse me?", he stated. He was surprised Paul would question his orders. "I don't think you should go", Paul said firmly. "This is a risky operation, and we cannot afford to lose the base Commander."
"We can't afford to lose Alan either", John replied pointedly. "Yes, that's true. But he is the best pilot we have. Having him pilot that Eagle does give it a better chance of succeeding. However something may go wrong", he added . "It is better if we don't put two vital members of the team in danger at this time", Paul finished.
John was going to veto this suggestion again. He needed to go with Alan. Surveying the others made this thought freeze. Everyone looked shattered. They were barely hanging onto hope. The loss of Earth was finally hitting them hard.
The last two days had been a sobering reminder that their existing resources were actually not going to last more than one year. Even then they'd have to ration many things. Every day was going to be a struggle. One mistake could mean the end of all life on the moonbase.
He had to be their hope. The one who was the confident and assured leader. He would not let them die a slow death. If he left the base now, the others may lose their focus, and give into despair. That was not going to happen, not now, not ever". "Very well Paul", I will stay. "I'll appoint Alan with another co pilot".
Paul nodded.
John gave the orders.
xxxxx
Alan had chosen his favourite Eagle for this journey, Eagle one. He looked around carefully making sure nobody was listening, "hey babe", he said to the ship. "It's time to go out on an adventure".
Young plot Xavier Bing was the one selected to accompany Alan. "So I guess this can't be a one way mission if you are going", was the greeting he gave Alan.
Shocked by he candid way he seemed to be facing death Alan replied passionately. Leonard's death was still on everyone's mind. They all felt vulnerable . But it was the pilots who were the most afraid, as they were the ones who put themselves in direct danger. "You are not disposable Xavier. So don't talk like that. You have been given an honest review of this mission. Of course it has its dangers , nobody has denied that. It's not a one way trip because I will make sure we both get back to base. However if you'd rather not go, I can appoint someone else", Alan concluded. He did not want this mission put at risk by Xavier's attitude.
Now Xavier coloured, he felt embarrassed. He did have the habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Captain Carter needed an assured, confident and competent pilot, not one too afraid to even look out the window. "Sorry sir", he muttered. Xavier looked at his feet. Alan assessed his posture and attitude and knew why he was acting this way. Fear, held a tight grip upon them all. He could reply not as a commanding officer, who just snapped out orders and expected them to be followed, but as a pilot who was well aware of what could go wrong. "It's normal to be afraid Xavier. But being defeatist is only going to lead to trouble. So can I rely on you?", Alan asked.
"Absolutely sir", Xavier acknowledged. He stood taller and looked Alan straight in the eye. Alan was satisfied that Xavier would do his best on this mission..
This young pilot would normally still have a couple of months of supervised flying to complete before he began solo flights. But they'd just fast tracked him. His inexperience showed . At least today he would not be on his own.
"Let's get going then", Alan told him. 'Yes sir", Xavier said stiffly. "Just call me Alan", Alan responded.
He was one of the most informal department heads and sometimes that did lead to problems. It was why Simmons had wanted to replace him. But Alan was not going to change. He believed that pilots needed to be comfortable with each other to perform at their best. If they were always thinking they were going to be pulled up on some infraction it would inevitably affect their performance. He smiled to himself, if there was going to be someone in trouble, let it be him. He'd stand up for himself.
Alan lead the way inside the Eagle. He noted that the new equipment had been fitted into the rear section of the Eagle. That was probably because the engineers did not want to interfere with the Eagle's normal operating systems too much. The positioning meant that someone would have to sit out here and monitor the screen while the other person piloted the craft.
"You can sit here and tell me what you see", Alan told Xavier.
The younger pilot looked somewhat relieved.
Alan lifted off.
He waited until Moonbase Alpha looked like a small round ball beneath them before asking "well anything"?
Xavier looked at the screen and grimaced, "yeah", he replied. He did not elaborate. Alan sighed inwardly, he had forgotten what it was like to work with younger officers, who had limited experience at giving reports. "He's just a puppy", he told Eagle One. "I guess that means I have to give the commands and be specific". "What exactly do you see?'", he asked.
"Everything", was the confusing answer he received. "Come up here and take the controls while I look at the scanner", Alan replied. He waited until Xavier was settled in the co pilots seat before moving into the other compartment.
When he glanced at the scanner, he saw immediately what Xavier had meant. There were small white dots all over the screen. They were flying through these things right now. But as yet nothing had happened to the ship. Alan watched the screen and noted that soon there was a denser mass of white appearing. "I would change direction now", he told Xavier. Xavier piloted away from the more solid mass. 'Maybe it's to do with the density of this stuff, whatever it is", Alan mused. "You are behaving yourself, so far, but don't give me any trouble", Alan whispered to Eagle one.
He moved back to the controls and reported their findings. "There is something floating all around us Commander. But it is not affecting any of the systems. The scanner does detect more dense masses of whatever they are. Perhaps the other Eagles encountered these masses, and that is what infected the ships. The only way to prove this theory would be to enter one of these dense masses ourselves", Alan stated.
John knew that would mean potentially deliberately sacrificing another Eagle. He was confident that Alan could handle an emergency situation, yet was still reluctant to make the order. "What do you think", he asked Victor Bergman.
"I can't see any other way of finding out the answer John", Victor replied. "We may be sacrificing Eagle One, however we will be saving the other Eagles".
John sucked in a breath. "Go ahead and enter one of the denser masses Alan", he ordered.
"Acknowledged", Alan responded. "Strap yourself in firmly Xavier I am going to fly the craft through one of those dense mass of white whatevers". Be prepared for an emergency".
Xavier found his hands had gone sweaty. He dried them on his pants. Then in a clear calm voice he gave Alan the location of one of the white dense patches showing on the screen.
"Right steady as we go old girl", Alan said. He looked ahead, at the beauty of space, there was no sign of anything dangerous. But that was the problem, sometimes you don't see danger coming until its too late. "Are we inside the mass yet", he asked Xavier.
"Yes sir we are flying in it right now. There are no individual dots of whiteness, the screen is completely white", Xavier replied. He gripped the side of his chair hard, and awaited the moment the Eagles engines began to play up.
"Nothing is happening", Alan stated.
"Yeah well I suppose it could be about the amount of time you spent within the mass", Xavier speculated.
"Yes, I agree". So let's stay up here a couple of hours and see what happens", Alan remarked.
"We can do this", he told the Eagle. "Just keep flying old girl, and you'll prove to everyone your the best Eagle in the entire fleet".
Alan blushed, it really sounded like he was talking to a person. It was nerves. Some part of him was afraid that Eagle one would end up stranded out here.
All he could do was hope for the best.
For 5 hours Alan kept Eagle one flying through the dense white masses. The ship had not experienced any power losses in that time. "I think that might prove that the time factor is not relevant", he told Xavier.
"Then why were those Eagles infected", Xavier asked. " We still have no idea", Alan responded. He did not feel good about reporting this piece of news.
They headed back to the base.
Alan felt exhausted by the time he landed. There would be no time to rest until he'd given his report, and they'd discussed the implications of his findings.
John was relieved that Alan and Xavier had not encountered any issues. But they had not provided any answers either. "Alright, so if the time, and amount of exposure to that white matter are not factors. What else could be", he asked the team around the table.
"We have put all the available data into the into the computer, and asked it to look for commonalities, David Kano reported. "As yet though it had not come up with any".
"So perhaps it was just a one off event", Sandra suggested. These entities, if that's what they are, just targeted a few of our craft, because that was all they needed". They may have achieved their aim."
Victor did think this theory was probable. There were too many infected Eagles. But if he countered Saundra's idea, then he'd have to come up with an alternative. It was rather shocking that he did not have one. Science was usually logical. He had expected Eagle one to encounter difficulties, yet it had not. Was some random factor at work here. He did not like that idea. Taking a breath he decided to go for the easier option. "I suppose it is possible that will will not experience further problems with the Eagle", he stated reluctantly. "The only way to know that answer is to keep the fleet flying ", Alan said soberly. Perhaps the whatever's chose to ignore Eagle one today. We might not be so lucky tomorrow or the day after. Unfortunately we can't just stop going out there."
"No we can't ", John agreed. "But we can't risk all the ships at one time anymore. From tomorrow we will only have 5 eagles flying at one time. I think it is wise to avoid flying through these large concentrations of white matter .We cannot predict the effects of long term exposure to this substance. Eagle one is going to have to be the lead Eagle as it is the only one fitted with a scanner. We do not have the available parts to build more. "Sacrificing other parts of the base to acquire the parts is not an option".
"By using only 5 Eagles we reduce the chances of finding resources down to 10 percent , according to computer", David told Commander Koenig.
Koenig did not like that fact. "Alright we'll go for 7 Eagles." He looked over at Alan. "Very well Commander I'll organize the rotation of pilots and Eagles". We might as well start right away".