Phoenix In Chaos (Exodus) Read online

  “Yes, captain,” said Julie.

  “John Captain, you will want to bring something to wipe your face, and maybe a change of clothes,” said Drix.

  “Why?”

  “Malnygun greets any new individual by spraying a purple liquid substance from the orifice hidden behind his entrails. It is a sign of respect.”

  John looked at Drix with wide eyes. In this instance, Julie was glad she was not going over there.

  CHAPTER TWO

  John thought he could handle almost anything, but he was wrong. As soon as the warm purple goo Malnygun sprayed hit his face, John’s stomach churned. Try as he might, he couldn’t hold in the bubbling nausea in his stomach, and puke spewed out of his mouth all over the ground in front of the facilitator.

  “Captain,” said Sandoval, grabbing him by the arm.

  “I’m ok,” muttered John. But once he realized the purple goo had a smell to it, a really awful stench, he threw up some more.

  Doctor Howl, who accompanied John and Sandoval to their meeting with Malnygun, took out her medical scanner and passed it over John’s head as the chief handed the young captain a towel to wipe himself off.

  “Organic compound, similar to human mouth secretion,” said Howl. “Odd, there are no bacterial or microbial elements.”

  “I can remove all microorganisms from my secretion so as not to endanger your physiological makeup,” said Malnygun. The alien looked down at the vomit on the floor, almost seeming to admire it. He knelt down and scooped some up with his hand. John had a sick feeling what was coming next and looked away, but Howl and Sandoval watched in gross fascination as the alien stuffed John’s former stomach contents into his entrails.

  “For gosh sakes,” muttered John.

  “I wonder if that’s a common behavior amongst his species,” whispered Howl to Sandoval.

  “If it is, I hope we never go to their planet,” said a disgusted chief.

  Malnygun spoke when he was finished with his meal. “Is the greeting concluded?”

  John didn’t know what came over him. Maybe it was a coping mechanism to deal with this disgusting introduction. Whatever the reasoning, he knew it would not go down in history as a prime diplomatic exchange.

  The captain stepped up to Malnygun and spat in the alien’s face. He then raised his arms up high and proclaimed, “I call upon our deity, Wigimo, mother of the human race, to bestow her blessing upon this creature.”

  Sandoval looked at Howl confused. “Wigimo?” he mouthed. Howl just shrugged her shoulders.

  John lowered his arms and looked at Malnygun. “You may now taste the blessing Wigimo placed in my spittle.”

  Malnygun licked John’s spit as Sandoval shook his head in disbelief. Doctor Howl was checking her medical scanner, certain that the captain was suffering from a psychological breakdown.

  “Now we’re done with introductions,” said John as he continued wiping the goo off of him. He made a mental note that if they ever encountered Malnygun’s race again, not to invite them on PHOENIX.

  Malnygun took a seat at his console station, which was cluttered with monitors. “You arrive in an impressive vessel, captain. I find it difficult to accept that anyone on this station can offer you anything that you do not already possess.”

  “We’re the first of our kind to explore space,” said John. “We’re interested in trading for different alien technology as a means to learn more about other races.”

  “Does that include procuring weapons?”

  John debated whether to lie, but didn’t see the point. Based on their scans of the station, PHOENIX was superior with its armaments. The facilitator wasn’t in a position to be the aggressor and Drix did say weapons were freely traded here.

  “Yes, that includes expanding our variety of armaments,” said John.

  Malnygun studied the captain for a few moments before returning to reviewing his monitors. “Considering your vessel is primarily based on plasma technology, it would be wise to have weapons powered by other energy sources. I would line up traders for you based on your offerings, but since this is the first time I have encountered your species and am unfamiliar with what you have to offer, I cannot conduct a preliminary analysis for you. You will have to deal with the traders yourself. But be warned, most do not take to new races. This region of space is dangerous.”

  “Because of the Screen?” said Sandoval.

  “I do not recognize that designation,” replied Malnygun.

  John pulled up an image of a Screen fighter on his DAT and handed it to the blue alien. “That is what we call the aliens that pilot these ships. We’ve been searching for them.”

  Malnygun’s tentacles flailed wildly as he looked at the image. “They are the reason why space travel is dangerous. You are chupars if you actively seek them out.” By his tone, John assumed that chupar was some derogatory term the micron couldn’t translate.

  “My ship’s defeated the Screen on several encounters,” said John. “We want to know why they’re terrorizing other races and stop them.”

  “You are the first to make such a claim, and given the size of your vessel, it is believable,” said Malnygun. I commend you if you are undertaking such a deadly mission. But you are alone. No one will join you.”

  “You seem awfully calm about all of this,” observed Sandoval. “Aren’t you worried that the Screen will show up and destroy your station?”

  “The…Screen, have visited us many times,” revealed Malnygun. “Each time they appear we evacuate the station and hide near the local stellar bodies. Without inhabitants to kill, the station holds no interest for them and they always leave.”

  So you’d rather spend your lives living in fear than jump at the chance of stopping them?” asked Howl.

  “As you have stated, you are new to space travel,” said Malnygun. “You know nothing of what we face out here. Most races travel using basic ship transports that have little amenities and can barely defend themselves. They do not have the blessing of living on such a large and well-armed ship as yours.”

  “So you have no information to offer us about the Screen?” said John.

  “All you need to know is that when they appear, you flee or face certain death.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Alex’sis was apprehensive about exploring an alien space station, but she was finding the experience fascinating and enjoyable. Drix, who was accompanying her, acted as her guide. He offered tidbits of information about some of the aliens they passed by as they walked around the main marketplace. Despite the positive experience, Alex’sis felt like an outsider. She could feel the stares from aliens who had never seen a human. Some left in a hurry as she approached; others pretended to be too busy with mundane tasks to bother with her.

  “Everyone’s afraid of me,” said Alex’sis as they walked through the main promenade corridor.

  “They are scared of what you might represent,” said Drix. “In time, when they learn humans are not dangerous, they will accept you.”

  “Did you go through the same thing when you first came here?”

  “I was fortunate. Cresorians have been visiting this station for many cycles. Our reputation was already established.”

  “What the hell is that?” said Alex’sis, pointing to a red-colored alien that had three long arm appendages. Two were in the same place as a human, attached to shoulders, but a third was sticking out of what Alex’sis assumed to be its stomach.

  “A Rifva,” answered Drix. “They are known to be even-tempered, but they are secretive about their race and homeworld. That particular individual I do not recognize.”

  “Think it might have anything worth trading for?”

  “Rifvas are experts with energy sapping technology,” said Drix. “However, bartering with them is difficult.”

  “Why?”

  “They believe they produce technology that no other race can replicate; therefore, they demand a premium price for exchange.”

  Alex’sis looke
d around. “Well, it seems we’ve been walking around here for hours, with nothing to show for it. We need to try and trade with someone.”

  I do not know if a Rifva would be a suitable merchant to approach for trade,” said Drix.

  “Look, you said it yourself. No one’s going to line up to trade with us because they know nothing about humans. We’re going to encounter resistance no matter who we approach.”

  Drix had to concede to Alex’sis’ point. “As you wish, Alex’sis Lieutenant. But I should take the lead as they are comfortable with Cresorians.”

  “Fine,” said Alex’sis. “Let’s do this.”

  Drix headed over to the Rifva, with Alex’sis right behind him. “Greetings, Rifva. What have you to trade?”

  The red alien looked at Drix briefly, but its three eyes zoomed over to Alex’sis, staring at her for a long time.

  “You are mistaken,” said the Rifva. “I am not here to barter on the market.”

  “But what of these items you have laid out?” asked Drix.

  The Rifva quickly swept his wares off the table with his three arms. “I have completed my business for this cycle.”

  Drix seemed perplexed by the Rifva’s actions. Despite her hope, Alex’sis wasn’t surprised. They watched as the alien scurried away.

  “I guess my presence was more than it could handle,” said Alex’sis.

  “Rifvas can be skittish, but I assumed my presence would have eliminated any fears about you,” said Drix.

  “The Screen’s got everyone running scared in this part of space,” said Alex’sis. She was disappointment at the aliens’ lack of willingness to barter with her, but she wasn’t giving up. She was here to do a job and she wasn’t leaving until she accomplished it.

  “Come on, Drix,” she said. “Let’s try another trader.”

  After concluding their meeting with the station facilitator, John, Sandoval, and Doctor Howl returned to the PHOENIX. They went through quarantine, but Sandoval and Howl were quickly cleared as neither was ‘blessed’ with Malnygun’s purple goop. John, on the other hand, was ordered to remain in medical until he was cleared of any effects from the goo.

  The young captain leaned against the main surgical bed with his arms folded. Visiting space stations and planets was fun, but John wondered if it was worth having to spend days in quarantine.

  Soon, Doctor Myers and Chris Anne entered the main surgical area.

  “Hey, shouldn’t you be in quarantine suits?” asked a perplexed John.

  “You’re not carrying any harmful contagion from the station,” said Myers.

  “No germs? Great, but that was quick,” said John.

  “I revised our quarantine protocols after reviewing our procedures with Drix, the Ni, and Aldarians,” said Myers. “Confinement to quarantine will last only a day now. As I already cleared you of carrying anything harmful, you’ll just remain in medical for the next eight hours for observation.”

  John was disappointed. He was hoping it meant he could leave medical. Well, at least eight hours was better than being stuck here three days.

  “So,” said Chris Anne, changing the subject. “Wigimo? Not too creative.”

  “Who told you?” said John. “The chief?”

  “Doctor Howl,” replied Chris.

  “You can tell her she has a big mouth,” said John to Myers.

  “She didn’t say anything to me,” said Myers.

  “Your encounter with Malnygun is already getting around the ship,” said Chris.

  “Look, it wasn’t my finest hour,” admitted John. “But you get sprayed with alien secretions and see how well you handle it.”

  “That must be the famous rebellious streak Commander Olson told me about,” said Chris. “I can only imagine what TERRA would think.”

  “They would add it to the already long list of charges they probably have against me,” said John.

  “I will say this,” said Chris. “I wouldn’t have puke.”

  “Oh, screw you,” John blurted back to Chris.

  Myers held his hands up. “Gentlemen, I need to interrupt. Are we expecting any visitors from the station?”

  “No,” said John. “Alex’sis and Drix said they weren’t having much luck getting any of the station inhabitants to sit down to barter. They’re too scared of us to engage in any trade negotiation.”

  “Maybe I should go over there and see if I can help,” said Chris.

  “I appreciate the offer,” said John. “But I don’t think even your most glamorous attire will convince them to deal with us. We may have to accept leaving here empty-handed.”

  “Captain, it’s not as if we’re on a timetable,” Myers reminded him.

  “I know, but how long do I keep PHOENIX here?” said John. “I’ve already got the science teams conducting their usual surveys. They’d be happy to stay here for months. But the Screen know we’re out here and I’m worried they may be altering their plans for humanity. We can’t assume we have the luxury of time on our side.”

  “That’s speculation, captain,” said Chris. “You can’t wrap yourself up with hypothetical scenarios. Lieutenant Brandus and Drix will get through to one of those aliens on the station, just you watch.”

  John appreciated Chris’ pep talk. He was beginning to doubt his ability to command PHOENIX since they left the solar system. They had no new information about the Screen, and the dead one in autopsy hadn’t yielded anything worthwhile as they couldn’t even open its body armor. Space was big, but John expected to have some information about the Screen by now.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen,” said Myers. “I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.” Chris waited until the doctor had left the main surgical area before speaking.

  “Captain, you’re feeling sorry for yourself and there’s no reason for it. You’ve done everything in your power to find the Screen.”

  “Then why don’t we know more about them?” said John.

  “We have learned something about them,” countered Chris. “They attack other races, and they have outposts throughout the area. So don’t sit there and think you’ve failed. If you have any doubts look at the three hundred Aldarians and one Cresorian living happily on this ship.”

  “Chris, next time I feel sorry for myself, I’ll be sure to give you a call,” said John, his spirits lifted. “Thanks.”

  Chris smiled. “That’s what you pay me for, to lift the crew’s spirits. That, and to show off my fantastic wardrobe.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Alex’sis was having difficulty focusing on the negotiations. Here she was, sitting across from an alien that was nothing more than a massive green blob. She was mesmerized looking at the transparent creature. Various small containers were embedded within it that she could see. According to Drix, as the alien had no permanent extremities, it carried its wares within itself and ejected them as needed. Alex’sis found the thought both disgusting and fascinating.

  Trading with this alien wasn’t appealing, but Alex’sis was glad to be engaging in trade negotiations with someone…or something. It took Drix fifteen minutes to convince the blob to talk to them. If it wasn’t for its past dealings with Drix, it would have never agreed to the meeting.

  Alex’sis and Drix waited as the alien scrolled through the list on Alex’sis’ DAT. She made a mental note to throw the DAT away when they were done. Hopefully, the alien wouldn’t leave any residue on it.

  “I see nothing here of interest to me,” said the alien.

  “You can’t be familiar with our items on the list,” said Alex’sis.

  “I have no time to learn what your trinkets do,” replied the alien.

  “Zygo,” said Drix. “You just arrived here and do not plan to depart for another quarter cycle. You are in no rush.”

  “Be satisfied I agreed to sit down with your new ally,” said Zygo. “I risk alienating my other associates by speaking to this plain looking creature.”

  Alex’sis tried not to get angry. “As Drix’s already sa
id, my people mean no harm to anyone here.”

  “It is because of the Cresorian that I remain here,” said Zygo. “But a species that travels on such a large ship can only have one purpose, conquest.”

  “Listen, you talking piece of gelatin,” said Alex’sis, her blood boiling. “You don’t know anything about humans. We’ve suffered just as must from the Screen as the rest of you. They’re the aggressors, not us, so stop equating us to them.”

  Drix put his hand on her shoulder. “Alex’sis Lieutenant, there is no need for anger.”

  “Sorry,” said Alex’sis. “But if your friend’s too simple-minded to look beyond his fears, maybe we’re wasting our time.”

  The alien vibrated, and Alex’sis had no idea what that meant. But she saw the grin from Drix from the corner of her eye, so she assumed she must have said something that placated it.

  “For such a fragile creature, you display a fiery nature,” said Zygo.

  “Look, Zygo,” said Alex’sis. “If there’s something we have that interests you, let’s negotiate. If not, we part ways and you never have to deal with us again.”

  Zygo looked over the list again. “Cow?” He read the description of it. “You are peddling an organic creature for trade? You deal in slavery!”

  “No,” said Alex’sis. “Cows are non-sentient life-forms indigenous to my homeworld.”

  “They are equivalent to your world’s ignophican,” said Drix. Alex’sis didn’t bother to ask what that was, but apparently Zygo understood the clarification.

  “You use these cows for food?” asked Zygo.

  “Yes,” replied Drix. “Alex’sis Lieutenant has educated me in their use. I can vouch for her explanation.”

  “Then tell me, Alex’sis Lieutenant,” said Zygo. “Convince me why I would have need of these cows.”

  Alex’sis felt like a salesperson. For the next hour she educated Zygo on cows and their place in the human food chain. Zygo was impressed by the pitch, and immediately demanded trade for twenty-two cows. When the alien saw pigs and sheep also on the list, his interest in trading with the pair increased.