investigate. Long-range scans detect no signs of wreckage from any of the Savior spacecraft.”
“I forgot about the Saviors. Weren’t they headed to a moon orbiting Jupiter?”
“No, Commander, they were headed to Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons. I detect no evidence of life on Enceladus and no technologically advanced civilizations anywhere in this solar system. I cannot locate anything that resembles the energy signatures from spacecraft of our time.”
“So MBR has power and a signal you can’t explain? I want to know what’s going on there, but we’ll save that for later. There’s a castle east of here—use our deployed satellites to scout it for me. And let me know if you detect large movements of people anywhere on the planet. I don’t want to be caught in the middle of a local war.”
“As you wish, Commander. Is there anything else you require?”
“No, Syn. Wake me at first light.”
“I will. Good night, Commander.”
“Good night, Syn.” Wolf smiled at how real the computer sounded. Its AI component had been programmed to simulate a realistic human voice, and he found himself talking to Syn as he would a human companion. He dropped off to sleep, thinking about what lay ahead of him.
Chapter 7
“C ommander, it is time to awaken.” Syn’s voice sounded from the computer strapped to Wolf’s wrist.
Wolf opened his eyes and yawned. He looked out at the blue sky, amazed at how clear it was. “Syn, is there any pollution at all on this planet?”
“No, Commander, I detect none whatsoever.”
“What’s the weather outlook for the next week?”
“My scans indicate Earth’s rotation has changed, and its axis is tilted nearly parallel to its orbital plane. The planet is rotating on its side, in other words, and this unusual orientation causes extreme, seasonal weather variations. Earth’s orbital path also has changed, and it is now just eighty-three million miles from the sun, placing it closer to Venus. Every three hundred and ninety days, Venus approaches within fifteen million miles of the planet. Analyzing the movement of geologic fault lines, I detect vast undersea disturbances that coincide with the orbit of Venus.”
“Let me guess…Venus will pass by soon and we’re in for really bad weather?”
“Travel will be difficult, Commander. I advise you to return to the ship and go to orbit until the storms have passed.”
“Is there any evidence of destruction on this part of the planet?” Wolf asked.
“Yes. Doppler radar shows supercell thunderstorms forming, and tectonic instability in the oceans will trigger earthquakes and tsunamis. The area where you are should be relatively safe, but it will experience severe weather, hurricane-force wind storms, and major flooding.”
“Who are you talking to?” a child’s voice inquired. Wolf glanced up and saw Reon standing in the doorway, his curious eyes searching for another person.
“Blackout silence, Syn,” Wolf whispered. Looking at the boy, he asked, “What?”
“I heard a lady in here with you. Where is she hiding?” Reon asked.
“You’re mistaken. I was singing,” Wolf answered.
“My mother often sings, but you sound like a girl when you try. I came to get you. The food is ready.”
“Tell your mother I’ll be there in a few minutes. I want to wash up.”
“Yes, sir, I’ll tell her,” Reon said, skipping off to follow Wolf’s directions.
“Syn, online discussion,” Wolf said in a low voice.
“Go ahead, Commander.”
“Run a continuous proximity scan on me at all times. Try not to speak unless we’re alone. Only break the silence in the event of extreme danger or if I tell you to communicate.”
“As you wish, Commander.”
Wolf went to the creek and dropped to his haunches. As he splashed water in his face and rinsed his mouth, he was startled by the sound of twigs snapping behind him. He turned and saw Leesa gazing at him with a lusty glimmer in her eyes. He
“I forgot about the Saviors. Weren’t they headed to a moon orbiting Jupiter?”
“No, Commander, they were headed to Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons. I detect no evidence of life on Enceladus and no technologically advanced civilizations anywhere in this solar system. I cannot locate anything that resembles the energy signatures from spacecraft of our time.”
“So MBR has power and a signal you can’t explain? I want to know what’s going on there, but we’ll save that for later. There’s a castle east of here—use our deployed satellites to scout it for me. And let me know if you detect large movements of people anywhere on the planet. I don’t want to be caught in the middle of a local war.”
“As you wish, Commander. Is there anything else you require?”
“No, Syn. Wake me at first light.”
“I will. Good night, Commander.”
“Good night, Syn.” Wolf smiled at how real the computer sounded. Its AI component had been programmed to simulate a realistic human voice, and he found himself talking to Syn as he would a human companion. He dropped off to sleep, thinking about what lay ahead of him.
Chapter 7
“C ommander, it is time to awaken.” Syn’s voice sounded from the computer strapped to Wolf’s wrist.
Wolf opened his eyes and yawned. He looked out at the blue sky, amazed at how clear it was. “Syn, is there any pollution at all on this planet?”
“No, Commander, I detect none whatsoever.”
“What’s the weather outlook for the next week?”
“My scans indicate Earth’s rotation has changed, and its axis is tilted nearly parallel to its orbital plane. The planet is rotating on its side, in other words, and this unusual orientation causes extreme, seasonal weather variations. Earth’s orbital path also has changed, and it is now just eighty-three million miles from the sun, placing it closer to Venus. Every three hundred and ninety days, Venus approaches within fifteen million miles of the planet. Analyzing the movement of geologic fault lines, I detect vast undersea disturbances that coincide with the orbit of Venus.”
“Let me guess…Venus will pass by soon and we’re in for really bad weather?”
“Travel will be difficult, Commander. I advise you to return to the ship and go to orbit until the storms have passed.”
“Is there any evidence of destruction on this part of the planet?” Wolf asked.
“Yes. Doppler radar shows supercell thunderstorms forming, and tectonic instability in the oceans will trigger earthquakes and tsunamis. The area where you are should be relatively safe, but it will experience severe weather, hurricane-force wind storms, and major flooding.”
“Who are you talking to?” a child’s voice inquired. Wolf glanced up and saw Reon standing in the doorway, his curious eyes searching for another person.
“Blackout silence, Syn,” Wolf whispered. Looking at the boy, he asked, “What?”
“I heard a lady in here with you. Where is she hiding?” Reon asked.
“You’re mistaken. I was singing,” Wolf answered.
“My mother often sings, but you sound like a girl when you try. I came to get you. The food is ready.”
“Tell your mother I’ll be there in a few minutes. I want to wash up.”
“Yes, sir, I’ll tell her,” Reon said, skipping off to follow Wolf’s directions.
“Syn, online discussion,” Wolf said in a low voice.
“Go ahead, Commander.”
“Run a continuous proximity scan on me at all times. Try not to speak unless we’re alone. Only break the silence in the event of extreme danger or if I tell you to communicate.”
“As you wish, Commander.”
Wolf went to the creek and dropped to his haunches. As he splashed water in his face and rinsed his mouth, he was startled by the sound of twigs snapping behind him. He turned and saw Leesa gazing at him with a lusty glimmer in her eyes. He
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