Chapter 13 (Vanguard, Marcus Cole)
"Where is that damn city?" Marcus waved his hands across his ship's controls as his small custom-made spacecraft glided through hyperspace. Marcus sighed, he decided to take the job in training new recruits and improved benefits, but he didn't anticipate the city would have drifted away from its anchor point and ended up completely lost. Brilliant. I wonder what Merlin would do in a time like this?
He had taken the time to build his vessel over the years, as most Vanguards did, so he knew the systems intimately. Most Vanguard ships resembled an old two-seater Earth airplane equipped with two pilots: one telepath and one highly skilled pilot capable of recognizing all hyperspace currents or natural markers.
Marcus had spent all his life studying how hyperspace worked, ever since his parents' ship strayed off the local beacon and was never seen again. He hoped that someday he could find their old vessel and bring them back home.
But as time went on, Vanguards had gradually become honored people. There was no greater honor than becoming a Vanguard, but he preferred to keep his profile low.
His Vanguard insignia reflected off the cockpit controls obscuring his readings. The symbol of two humans holding an old Earth sextant was widely recognized. He looked at the colored indicator band that around the outside of the insignia; it indicated his rank and status. But he chose to tuck it in whenever he left his vessel, as a sign of respect for his family. He didn't want glory.
Marcus had already explored the center of the anchor point. The hidden transmitters from the node-net sent out a continuous radio signal so that grid patterns could be established for any incoming ship. The transmitters also posed as an early warning system for the cities, if any vessels strayed too close, especially Minbari vessels.
But no sign of the city existed. He loaded his hyperspace module and input all the new data he received from the node-net. Using complex algebra mixed with other calculations known only to Vanguards, he estimated the drift patterns and plotted a rough course. He was confident of finding the lost city.
The nightmarish clouds and red environment of hyperspace seemed closer to him as he moved his head around inside his helmet. His space suit was the only protection he had from the strange vacuum of hyperspace. It was the only way Vanguards worked, a way they could feel hyperspace. Marcus had a bond with it, like all Vanguards.
But in this instant, he wished that he had the assistance of a telepath, as was standard for Vanguard crews. Both individuals would work as a team for as long as they were together. Their lives depended on it.
Time passed slowly as Marcus shifted through the calculations on his screen. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. But no matter how hard he looked, no trace of the city could be found. "Looks like this is going to take more effort. Never mind, I could practice that song I've made up."
It was common knowledge to everyone, including Marcus, that all telepaths could sense the thoughts of any life form in hyperspace. Not only that, but the strange physics of hyperspace would amplify someone's thought patterns extensively. But his last partner was a wretch of a man, someone who made his life hell and he was glad to see the back of him as he flew away many weeks ago.
Just as he thought that his search had come to a dead end, some traces of basic gases caught his attention.
Marcus sighed in relief as he input the coordinates into the navigation system; time was limited and he was already behind schedule. He ploughed on, through the red space with a new surge of hope.
After twenty minutes of searching, the misty clouds deep within hyperspace slowly uncovered a titanic city. When his proximity alarms sounded he managed to swerve and avoid an antenna array. After he regained his bearings, he looked in awe at the huge city beneath him. It resembled a huge deep-sea creature that would frighten any would-be aggressor. But as Marcus approached the familiar sight, he was abruptly interrupted by panicked control staff that seemed to recognize his ship.
"This is Jeffrey Sinclair of the Tyrone City. We're mighty glad to see you, Vanguard."
Marcus felt relieved that he'd managed to find the city, even after many years of experience and skill; he had never come close to losing an entire city before. "Just glad to find you. Your city has drifted far off its anchor point. Are you having problems?"
As Marcus listened to Sinclair's explanation, docking plans for his vessel were transmitted to him. His flight path was cleared from all the traffic in the area and a din of cheers were transmitted through the COM as he approached.
He'd never visited this city before. The limited reports he'd received beforehand stated that the last Vanguard assigned to this city was killed when the Minbari intercepted his vessel.
"You are clear for docking bay eight. Glad to have you on board, Vanguard," someone on the COM channel directed.
He piloted his custom-made vessel into the wide bay and the overhead hatch sealed. He heard a torrent of air as the area re-pressurized, making the environment breathable. Scanners ran over his vessel checking for damages and any contamination that might linger in hyperspace. After the all-clear, he was allowed to disembark. He assumed the automatic systems had the whole decontamination routine down to perfection because the last city he visited did not, and he was light headed for several months.
Upon leaving his vessel, Marcus expected to be greeted by someone. But as he removed his helmet and looked around the docking bay, it looked empty. Only the storage crates could be seen scattered around.
Someone must know I'm here by now.
He looked around and finally said. "Hello... I'm Marcus Cole… your savior. Anyone here?"
His humorous attempt to startle anyone out of the shadows failed. His ship cooled down behind him, smoke hissing in the stale background.
Unable to wait any longer for a reception, he walked along the corridors to the main cities control complex. He had no idea where he was going, but the layout of the city should be on similar designs as all the others. But as he progressed along the endless passageways and wide-open parks, he soon discovered that it was completely different.
Lost, or on walkabout -as he liked to call it- Marcus asked a few people, but they dismissively walked away before he had the chance to identify himself. Moments later Sinclair arrived with a relieved grin on his face.
"You must be the new Vanguard." Sinclair approached and shook Marcus's hand so hard that he nearly fell over. His wet palms obviously indicated that he was under great deal of pressure.
"And you must be Sinclair, just the man I needed to see." Marcus spotted the shocked and disbelieving expressions of the people that originally refused to help him.
Vanguard teams were highly respected. They saved countless lives every day. Vessels that were unfortunate enough to drift away from a hyperspace beacon and end up lost were often saved by a passing Vanguard. They were also responsible for keeping the titanic cities hidden from any enemy, especially the Minbari.
Payback is a good feeling.
"Yes, that's my name. Sorry no one was around to greet you but, as you can imagine, we have a bit of a crisis at the moment. We urgently need you to place this city back onto its anchor point. What do we call you?" With a gesture, Sinclair steered Marcus to the city's control center.
As if a fire was lit under his ass, Marcus arrived at the control center in breathtaking time and, as he expected, people rushed around like headless chickens.
This should be interesting. Marcus thought to himself.