Chapter 15 – Amazing Discoveries

Silence reigned on the bridge of the ND-005 Excalibur as Saturn loomed large in the view screen. They were now farther than almost any UEF battleship had ever been. There had never been the need for an armed presence outside of the Mars Perimeter where most human habitation was concentrated. The territory, however, was well charted from the old Pioneer and Voyager probes of the nascent space effort to the later massive mapping and exploration of the following centuries. However, there were no human souls for tens of astronomical units* and no amount of cartographic knowledge could fill the void of dread and loneliness as they approached the unknown.

*Astronomical units (AU) is the standard measure of interplanetary distances and is equal to the distance of Earth to the sun (about 8 light minutes or roughly 149 millions km/93 million miles)

Jun stared at the view screen with a look of intent and courage that was the trademark of every great captain. Jun, however, was a human being and his courageous visage served only to allay the fears of his crew and to hide his own doubt. The fact was, no one knew what they hell they were about to get into. They were two hours from arriving at a mysterious orbital object that had somehow been missed by all previous explorations of manned or unmanned spacecraft. To add to the confusion, they had an injured crew member of the Nadesico who had not only lied about her past but probably about her very nature. A final discouraging piece of news came from the remote probes the ships had launched to guard their rear. A massive Jovian fleet was emerging from chulips at a distance of only half a day at most and they seemed very intent on exacting revenge for the past grievances.

Jun sighed and tried to think on the bright side. The fact that they were alive was no small miracle. Rescuing Inez had been a huge boost to morale and injuries had been surprisingly light from the last battle. However, what they needed now was not wishful thinking. What they needed was more than a miracle. Jun did the mental calculations. In the next twenty-four hours they had to find out what this artifact was, take whatever information or cargo they could, possibly destroy it if it posed a huge threat, take on a Jovian fleet, fly back through Jovian territory to UEF space, and then face a UEF which was probably more likely to court martial them for disobeying orders, treason, and who knows what else. Jun then remembered he had been discharged and was a civilian again. It didn't mean easier treatment. It just means he may get a few more appeals before the firing squad.

"Captain Aoi, we have an incoming message from the Nadesico," his communications officer informed him. Jun nodded.

"Let it through," he replied. As expected, he saw Yurika's somber face that was seemed wearied from hours of contemplation and insomnia.

"Jun, do you think we are ready for this? The Nadesico will go in since we have the most experienced personnel. Can you and Erina handle covering us?" she asked.


"You're in good hands Yurika. However, I would like to know if you have any idea how long this will take? The shorter the better since I would like to try to avoid any more fun times with the Jovian forces."

"I can't guarantee anything. Akito has no idea what it is and we aren't sure if we should salvage it or destroy it. The craziest thing is we keep scanning the coordinates and nothing is there. It's like this is one big joke. That is what disturbs me the most. If we came out here for nothing," Yurika finished.

"I understand. Update me on all developments. I'll get a defense perimeter established. Good luck," Jun told her.

"Thanks!" Yurika said giving the big "V" with her fingers and disappearing from the screen.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Admiral Kusakabe's nerves were shot. Not only had the past two days been humiliating, he had just got back off of a secure conference with one of his allies in the Jovian High Command. According to his contact there was active debate within the command to relieve him before the upcoming battle. He would be returned to Europa to face a board of inquiry and disgrace. It was hard to imagine that only eighteen months earlier he had become the most popular leader among the Jovian masses for his stirring eulogy for Shiratori Tsukumo.

But he still had hope. As much as he was politically vulnerable, so were his enemies. If he could hold them off for just this one battle he could secure a much needed victory and hopefully the means to repulse the accused UEF forces from their back doorstep. He needed time. And he needed that damn Akatsuki to perform. Neither of them trusted each other, but both needed each other now more than ever. All they needed was time. But time was never on your side in war and time could be a greater adversary than the most cunning opponent.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Darkness. Deep darkness. However, she was aware of the darkness now. That awareness meant that it no longer consumed her senses and thoughts. She was becoming conscious. She was becoming conscious again after such a long sleep. How long had it been? One year? Two years? Five? She felt her cognition slowly stirring from lethargy and she began to grasp control of her situation. She did not yet feel anything. Her senses had not yet come back. That was fine though. They were always the last things to return. She expected to wake up, say hello to friends and colleagues, go back to work…

NERGAL

The thought jolted her ruminations like a thunderbolt. Nergal? Wait…This was wrong. This was all wrong. Her memory came back in a flood. She hadn't slept for a few years. She had overslept by far too many and the first thing she remembered coming back to reality was the blue and red insignia of Nergal. Her memory was still hazy as she struggled to reconstruct what else she could.

TENKAWA

Tenkawa…oh yes, Tenkawa. Mr and Mrs. Tenkawa were her new employers. At her newest in a string of jobs she had taken up in this new world. Her disguise was seemed to work well. They were hard-working but kind. They even had a party at their house once that she had come to and met their darling two year old son….

AKITO

Akito…the only survivor of the Tenkawa line. She had wanted to help him, she really had but she had more important things to do. But they had met again and he had been older…and he had the secret to everything she had been looking for.

She felt a tingling now. Yes, her sense of touch was returning, soon would follow hearing, and the smell and taste, and finally sight.

An audible alarm alerted Inez to that Suzuki's SQUID brain scan showed increasing activity that could be construed as a return to consciousness. Suzuki's brain also proved to be a bit of a mystery containing structures that had no analogue in a normal person's. Inez was so intrigued she hoped that Suzuki would consent to becoming a long-term study in exobiology. At least she was waking up though, so maybe they could get some answers. Following protocol, she alerted the Captain.

"Captain Misumaru," Inez said her face appearing on the view screen of Nadesico's bridge. "Our patient is regaining consciousness. As soon as she is coherent I think we should begin an interrogation. Your presence or Akito's, however, is not needed until that time." Yurika nodded.

"I'm happy she is alright. She is a 'she' isn't she Inez?" Yurika inquired.

"That is a question I cannot answer, Captain," Inez replied.

"I will come now if you don't mind," Admiral Misumaru said getting up and heading off the bridge.

"Thank you Inez. Keep us informed," Yurika said. Inez nodded and closed off the viewscreen.

"Captain, we are nearing the coordinates," Minato informed her.

"Is anything there?!" Yurika demanded.

"Still nothing, Captain," Ruri replied. However, Ruri had spoken too soon. Moments later as they continued their approach to the destination, all hell broke loose. The ship rocked violently and instrumentation went haywire.

As she struggled to stay in her seat, Minato reported the strangest of readings. "Captain! Our engines are at full power but we are being pushed back! It's as if there were some sort of external force..." she stammered struggling to regain control. Yurika desperately looked to Ruri for answers.

"Captain, it seems we have run into a massive, distortion-like field. It has significantly different features though than a regular gravitational field including an electromagnetic component. It seem impenetrable!" Ruri said as she crunched through Omoikane's data.

"Minato, Ruri get us under control! Megumi send out an SOS now!" Yurika yelled.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jun jumped as the SOS blared across the communicator. Yurika was in trouble!

"Pull the Nadesico up now! See what assistance they need!" Jun commanded. The communications officer frantically complied pulling up the noise-filled screen where Yurika's face and voice were barely recognizable.

"Hel…someth…ield..trange," the image's garbled voice said. Suddenly as quickly as the panic had started everything cleared. The image became clear and Yurika's voice was understandable.

"Jun, we have…I mean we had a situation. We've stopped shaking. Report!" Yurika cried.

"We are no longer under the influence of the field Captain," Ruri started. "It seems once we pass a certain border the field's influence stops. All systems are normal again."

"Full stop!" Yurika commanded and Minato replied.

"Yurika! Is everything OK?" Jun asked.

"What happened? Did she finally get herself killed?" Erina asked as she joined the conversation.

"It was almost as if we were bounced back by some protective field. Does anyone have any idea of how do deal with this?" Yurika asked. The other two captains just had blank stares. Another obstacle. Could this get any worse?

The violent shaking of the ship was enough to rouse Suzuki from the remnants of her coma and into full awareness.

"Ai, what's happening!?" she croaked barely able to speak. Inez, trying to clean the mess made from falling articles and papers walked over to her side. Admiral Misumaru who had just picked himself up from a fall was astonished at the fact she was awake.

"That was a damn quick recovery!" he observed.

"We were approaching the coordinates when we encountered some sort of massive energy surge. It seems to have stopped for the moment. Are you all right?" she asked Suzuki. Suzuki nodded motioning for a cup of water. The Admiral kept viewing her quizzically. Inez went to the sink and began to fill a cup. As she watched the water level slowly rise in the cup she suddenly realized that Suzuki had not called her Inez. She had called her Ai. Inez's mind suddenly began moving at a thousand miles an hour. She ignored the cup as the water overflowed its sides onto her hand and into the drain. No one had called her Ai. No one since she was a young Martian….

Inez snapped back to reality and seeing her carelessness, turned off the faucet and emptied some of the water in the cup to lower the water level. When she turned around and looked at Suzuki, the latter was shocked at the look in Inez's eyes. The normally rational face of the scientist had been replaced by a look of shock and surprise. Suzuki knew she had slipped. Oh well, it was all out of the bag anyway so why keep up appearances.

"I know it's been a long time Ai," Suzuki said. Inez stopped walking towards her. Carelessly, she dropped the cup and it rattled against the sterile floor spilling water into an abstract puddle at her feet.

"Good Lord…who and what the hell are you. How can you call me by this name?!" Inez started.

"Inez, I know you don't remember much of me. We meant it that way. However, I was there with you for all the time you visited us. Why else would I have risked myself so recklessly to save you?" Suzuki continued. Inez stood staring for a moment. Then, not letting her eyes leave Suzuki, she filled up the cup again and walked over towards her. Admiral Misumaru walked up to her and stopped her with an outstretched arm.

"Dr. Fressange, we know nothing of her or what she is capable of. I would advise you to keep your distance," the Admiral replied glaring at Suzuki with suspicion in his eyes.

"Admiral, I can jump anywhere in this star system with a thought. If I had wanted to injure you, could I not have easily done so already?" she said. The Admiral's expression did not change but he lowered his arm and allowed Inez to pass. Inez went and sat next to her, giving her the cup of water. Suzuki gratefully hydrated her parched throat and continued.

"I have many things I could tell you about all the time we shared, but right now we have more important problems. Inez, you must tell Yurika not to directly approach those coordinates. Even trying to blast your way through would be futile."

"Should I tell them to come here?" she asked.

"That would be productive. How much time do we have?" Suzuki asked.

"Not much. The Jovians are massing their forces to chase us," Inez replied.

"Then we must hurry. And I must regain my strength. Can we work together admiral?" she asked turning towards the still distant Misumaru. He continued to frown but she construed his lack of rejection as an affirmative.

As soon as they received Inez's message, Yurika accompanied by Akito, Ruri, and Ryoko rushed down to the sick bay. There waiting were Inez, the Admiral, Jun and Erina via hologram, and an awake and smiling Suzuki.

"Good Lord," Akito said repeating Inez's swearing. Just a day ago she had been riddled with bullets like swiss cheese and now she was smiling?!

"Aren't you happy to see me, Akito?" Suzuki asked. Akito nodded and went to her side.

"I don't know what to say. I would say thank you again, but I don't even know who or what I am saying thank you to," Akito started.

"How could you have lied to us all this time?" Yurika pleaded.

Suzuki's smile slowly faded and she looked down at her lap. "I have lied to everyone for the past thirty years. Ever since I was woken by the excavation from Nergal. Ever since I struggled with my human form and passed through human society, my life has been a lie. But now that you know the truth, I can assure you Captain, there will be no more lies," she continued.

"We'll see. You've already betrayed two of your benefactors, why shouldn't we expect to be the third?" Admiral Misumaru said with a huff glancing at Ryoko.

"Two? I only betrayed Erina and it was because I saw the path she was heading on. If you mean the Tenkawas I was powerless and as taken off-guard as they were when they explosion hit the lab. I was barely able to jump out alive."

"OK, hold on. We're jumping around too much here," Inez interjected. "Suzuki, is that your real name? Please start from the beginning."

Suzuki sighed and began to tell the details of her life. "I am indeed a member of the race you call the Ancients. We occupied this solar system for a long period of time millions of years before the arrival of the sentient creatures on Earth known as humanity. To describe ourselves and our civilization to you could take years. We do not have that kind of time though if the information Inez gave me on the Jovians is correct." Jun nodded.

"All this time…all these years I've had an alien as my confidante!" Erina exclaimed seemingly more shocked and disturbed than anyone else by this revelation.

"We created the technology behind the boson jump processing system and the manufacturing complex in Jovian orbit among other artifacts. In fact, when I awoke I was surprised so little of us was left," Suzuki explained.

"What is this about waking?" Akito asked.

"Well, though we are intelligent beings our evolution gave us a need to periodically undergo long-term hibernation, much like some animals of Earth. Usually it lasts two to five years. I went to sleep for what I thought was a short nap…"

"And you woke up a bit late. Bad alarm clock?" Admiral Misumaru asked.

"Very bad. In fact about twenty million years bad," Suzuki said with a sigh.

"The next thing I knew I had waken up by an automated Nergal excavation robot. I checked for any other occupants and all of the other hibernation pods contained dead bodies who had been asphyxiated or were already empty."

"So then, you did what?" Yurika asked with her usual innocent curiosity.

"I struggled from both the shock of being awake and finding that my world as I knew it was gone. It was an even greater shock than that which you feel right now. Almost all of the computer databanks had long since been deactivated. In fact, one of the few systems that was still left operating was the boson jump computer, which figures since it was built to not need maintenance." Suzuki asked for more water and Inez quickly went to the sink to refill her cup.

"What happened to your people?" Jun asked. "Didn't they like leave a note or something for you to follow?" he asked.

"That's what disturbs me the most. Nothing was wrong when I fell asleep, however, I can't believe that they would just forget us and leave us behind and all so suddenly! It was as if there was suddenly a huge event and they were all gone. They didn't even bother to clean up many things including the boson computer."

"But they left you all the same. No clues, no messages, just their absence," Inez remarked. Suzuki frowned and nodded taking the water from Inez.

"Maybe it wasn't a coincidence though since I woke up in your time Ai. After all, we knew we would eventually be gone…," she said looking at Inez. "We had known that since you had visited us. I know you don't remember me. It wasn't a long time you stayed with us but we learned a lot from each other in the brief time we had. The knowledge of human DNA we gained from you allowed us to make the nanomachines to leave in the soil awaiting humanity's arrival. But you also told us about a future where we did not exist here. It frightened us but then again what could we do? Nothing lasts forever."

"But couldn't you have just jumped into the future and seen things for yourself?" Inez asked.

"Jumping into a future past your own existence never seems to work. The computer won't let the traveler jump back. The only way you were able to jump into the past and future as a child was that you belonged to this time frame. We obviously did not."

"This is all fascinating, but how does it connect to our current situation? How did you get into Nergal?" Erina asked.

"The knowledge from Inez's DNA allowed me to make my own human body. I actually modeled myself after a centerfold from a magazine a Nergal worker was reading at the excavation site," she said chuckling.

"And so you began to find your way through human society. Learning as you went. Obviously you are technically skilled since you have held a string of scientific jobs," Admiral Misumaru said.

"Yes, human society has been very interesting but I have always been bothered about where the Ancients went. Why was I left alone? I tried to find answers but with limited resources I soon found an organization that I could work through to get answers," she continued.

"Nergal," Akito said with sudden clarity. "That's why you worked at my parents lab and later for Akatsuki and Erina."

"Oh great, so we were the ones being used. How ironic!" Erina exclaimed.

"It was all for a good cause Erina," Suzuki said. "All this time I had been looking for what we have found here in the orbit of Saturn. It seems they had moved it because it used to be farther out, but perhaps they wanted it to be within humanity's reach." Suzuki paused and looked down again. "But if we could have known all this war would have resulted then we probably should have destroyed everything and left no remnants. Dr. Tenkawa apparently discovered it but kept it a closely held secret, even from me. Its location I had thought died with him and his wife. Until now…"

"So what is this thing then?" Jun asked everyone waiting with baited breath.

Suzuki smiled. "Inez, I think you have probably already concluded one thing about our origins. What is it?"

"The level of the ruins seems to indicate that your settlement here was more like a colony, not a full fledged civilization." Inez replied.

"Very good. This is, to tell you the truth, a rather boring section of the galaxy. We were a permanent settlement but not a large one. In fact most of the technology you see we left here was hardly the most impressive. The boson jump computer was pretty standard for transportation within star systems. Now to get between star systems you would need something bigger. Which is exactly what we have at the given coordinates. The little working equipment that was left I believe was left for humanity's benefit though I'm not completely sure."

"Whoa! Are you telling us that we can go anywhere with the jump computer here?" Yurika asked with excitement.

"Well, almost. There is a certain range usually about 100 or so light years for the computer to process. But that's the general gist. But I'm sure they knew such a device could be dangerous. Not knowing what kind of civilization you would develop it could be harmful to allow you to jump into other systems. With the jump computer on the Nadesico you can only jump around in the solar system and be a menace to yourself. With this additional power you could menace others…"

"Which explains the massive shielding most likely," Inez reasoned. "So how would we get at this thing with such protection?"

"Always the scientist, Inez. You showed such a curiosity even as a little girl. Yes, that is why we have the field. You cannot even boson jump through the shielding, which is why I couldn't circumvent you all in getting here. The field can be lowered but in only one way. You have that way Inez if you kept what we gave you."

"The pad! I thought it was a message of some sort all this time," Inez exclaimed standing up in excitement.

"It is a message, but it's also a key as well. Akito," she said turning toward him. "What your father found was most likely information explaining the location and purpose of the device. I know this may sound cold, but it's good he protected it with his life."

"I understand," Akito said looking down. Yurika took his hand in her own to give him comfort.

"I may not be completely healed but it is essential we use the key to unlock the artifact and get down there immediately. We can probably dock the Nadesico on the installation," Suzuki finished.

Yurika nodded and looked at Jun and Erina who were still flabbergasted but consented as well.

"Wait," Admiral Misumaru said standing up. "This story is fantastic and maybe it is true but I'm still not convinced that everything you say is credible. For all we know we could unlock Armageddon with that thing. You have already shown that you are not afraid to kill if you believe it is right, what makes us sure you aren't leading us into a trap?"

"Agreed," said Erina. Jun reluctantly nodded as well.

"Fine," Suzuki started. "Then consider this. If my only concern was to get here and deactivate the device why am I telling you all this?"

"Because you got caught. If Inez had not found your true nature would you actually have told us all this?" Admiral Misumaru pressed.

"I had intended to reveal this to you eventually anyway, but if you need more credibility I will give you this. If I was really so cynical why would I have helped Akito and Hikaru? I nearly blew my cover there. And why risk bringing Inez back? I could have just snatched the pad from her and boson jumped straight here to Saturn in my Aesti without getting nearly killed by the Jovians. I know you are a wise man and my credentials look like crap right now but I have to have your trust here. I could easily jump out of here and let you all get killed by the advancing Jovian fleet but I won't. Because I realize the values of the people here and the people themselves are worth saving. Some truths are universal. If not for you I would barely have any hope for your kind."

"So you want us to disarm the field?" Ruri said.

"Yes, we can easily do it. Just let Omoikane interface with the pad and she'll figure out the rest."

"Yurika, this is your ship. I'll let you make this decision," the Admiral said.

Yurika sat in quiet contemplation for a moment and then became animated. "We'll do it. Let's get to the bridge immediately. Suzuki you stay here and rest."

"No, I'm fine and I'm coming as well. I'll meet you there," she said smiling. In a sudden flash, she was gone.

"There is no way I'm going to get used to that. Hikaru you well enough to come?" Ryoko asked.

"I think so. Inez?" Hikaru asked. Inez nodded and helped her into a wheelchair. They headed for the bridge where Suzuki waited for them with a shocked bridge crew staring at her.

"Captain, she just…" Megumi started.

"I know. Don't worry about it. Just work with Ruri to get this thing working," Yurika replied. Inez handed Ruri the pad and the electronic princess began to do her magic. Moments later the high energy readings of the field disappeared and a large object, previously transparent, appeared in front of the frothy upper atmosphere of Saturn. It looked like a giant high tech honeycomb. Six faces with countless hexagonal structures embedded in its surface. It's mystifying blue hue confirmed it was made of chulip crystal material.

Everyone was silent in shock, Minato and Yukina putting their hands to their mouths while Megumi just stared dumbly.

"Is this it?" Yurika asked Suzuki. Suzuki nodded. "Right. Minato prepare to dock." Yurika commanded.

"Yes Captain, but you see, it seems to be drawing us in already," Minato replied.

"Well I guess we just go along with the ride," Akito said.

"Yurika, we've got a problem," Jun said coming up on the screen. "It seems while we were being captivated by stories of aliens, the Jovians got on the move. They'll be here in eight hours."

"Do we have enough time Suzuki-san?" Yurika turned and asked her.

"Even I don't have that answer Captain," she said staring at the massive object on the viewscreen.

A/N – OK, I hope this didn't seem too rushed but only ONE MORE CHAPTER! It may be a bit long so give me some time to churn it out but everything is about to come together. Again thanks for all the helpful and encouraging feedback. I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years!