He was talking to his parents. Both of them appeared really happy. Now matter how hard the life was for them, how many problems they had, his parents always managed to stay happy. Way back, while still being a kid, this behavior looked to him as something wonderful, but - with time, and with age - the way he saw this changed a lot. He could not comprehend how they can bear with such fate, why were they satisfied with such life. They were intelligent, they were skilled, and still would not find better paid jobs, sticking to their beliefs, and staying in the area many considered to be already on the level of slums. His parents kept saying life is not only about your status and money, that there are more important things. Back then, such words sounded impressive, even motivating, but nowadays he no longer felt the same. After all, how can you feel happy and stay positive if you have no idea whether you will have a place to live the next day?
Nevertheless, feeling the warmth of the family home, having parents around again - despite remembering all the bad things, it still seemed like bliss. It was so nice to hear his parents' voices again, calling his name...
- So, how is John? I wanted to talk with him.
- Last time I checked, he was sleeping. If we had a fully functional capsule, he would be fully healed by now. To speed up things, we used modified bacteries and nanos to speed up internal regeneration, and make the new limbs connect. But this can weaken a person a lot.
Marlow woke up, feeling a slight numbness. It was all just a dream. His parents passed away years ago, and it was just a memory turned into dream.
- John, for god sake, be careful!
Major clenched teeth because of the pain he just felt. Apparently, he must have moved too rapidly. Yet again, he had trouble with seeing sharply just after waking up and needed a moment for his eyes to adjust, and let him see clearly.
- Colonel McRae, it's you again? Please excuse me, but I feel too numb to salute you.
It was much brighter around than the last time he woke up. He could now see his surroundings much better, though there were many screens separating patients.
- I see you are really getting better, being so sarcastic. Rest easy, I came to visit you and talk a bit.
Ryan appeared relaxed and kept smiling, but John could tell that colonel kept acting, probably as to not stress people around.
Lying down made it hard to look at McRae when talking, so Marlow pulled up on his hands, sitting up, and resting his back against the pillow. As he looked a bit more at his surroundings, John could actually tell this was a medical facility.
- How long was I out since the last time?
- About ten or eleven hours, I think. Something around that.
John quickly added up the numbers.
- Damn, so it's nearly sixty hours already... - sleeping for so long was a real shock as he never been hospitalized in his whole life - This shouldn't be the case with med capsule.
- Well, if we had any fully operation, so don't you complain. You were barely out for one local day, and some got it much worse.
If Marlow felt like this with these wounds he had right now, and there were people with worse condition than losing limbs, he did not want to even imagine what happened to others and how much pain they were in.
- So, how are the things around the camp, colonel?
- Just stay casual, John, you are not on active duty. As for the camp, I tried your suggestion and got some footage from above. We have confirmed our position now.
- Okay, so I get we are departing soon?
Colonel McRae shook his head.
- I recall telling you I'm hoping for departing in two days, but now I know it wasn't a realistic estimate so to speak. While taking the footage, we have found several alien constructions, and we have no idea what these are. I'd rather not rush into things before making sure we can safely pass through there. Besides, if we exclude the threat from wild animals, the current camp has a really good position for becoming the base of operations with access to useful resources, which our science team found recently. Engineers are working now on putting up a wall to strengthen the camp.
The point Ryan made was clear.
- What's the plan for now then? How long do you estimate we are staying here?
Colonel shrugged.
- If it's about exact numbers, I cannot assess that at the moment. We need to make proper preparations, get ready. Also, I don't plan to abandon this place anymore so it has to be properly reinforced. Since many people are not in shape to travel right now and a lot of equipment requires repairs, it should work perfectly.
John understood where McRae was coming from, but it still hardly sounded like a perfect plan.
- If I'm to be honest, Ryan, I can think about many things that could go wrong. Especially the wildlife.
- John, I'm fully aware - he made a hand gesture, asking his companion to calm down - Not only we are monitoring the situation around the camp, I have organized regular reckon, keeping an eye on these beasts. And one of our findings is the reason why I'm even more worried about passing near alien structures now, but at the same time - I feel much more confident about ways of keeping these dangerous animals away.
Marlow has always been a very curious person, and wanted to learn more.
- So, what did you find out?
- This planet may be long abandoned, but various systems are still functional as if regularly maintained, including weapons. Right now, I have no idea how this stuff works, though it's likely the technology is so advanced it can take care of staying operational on its own. It's what I hope at least, since having aliens watching us from hiding, wouldn't you agree? - he smiled slightly - Still, that's not the point here. You see, these beasts are quite smart things, so if we teach them it's dangerous to go nearby the camp, they won't dare to approach.
Based on colonel's words, this kind of plan sounded logical, but John knew that army's approach had a tendency to skip details if they started focusing on the target too much.
- Have you consulted this with zoologist? Do we have someone from this field in the camp?
Look on Ryan's face told John colonel did not investigate this matter yet, and already prepared for going with that plan.
- I heard it works that way from one of zoologists back on the ship. Why do you have concerns?
- Because animals on Earth and the ones here differ a lot, and the ones here are often deadly. I get your point, and you are right most animals will stay far away from dangerous places, but are we sure there aren't any animals that would attack regardless?
- Well, it's not like I wouldn't consult this matter properly. Thank you for the insight on that matter.
John was not so sure about McRae taking such precautions. Colonel might have been serious and carefult person, however, he had a flow typical among high ranking people - overconfidence, and proceeding with everything in accordance to his own knowledge and experience. While it was fine for military-related stuff, applying the same rules to other fields could pose problems.
- You said there were many systems scattered outside of the megacity zone - Marlow continued the topic to get a better grasp of situation - So, these are various structures, not limited to defense systems?
Ryan scratched his beard.
- Guys in reckon team work on shifts and continue with investigating the area, so we are getting new information each time the team returns. Until now, they came upon several different objects, each having specific shape and behaving differently when approached. Most of these buildings are accompanied by defense systems, which are hard to spot due to plants growing everywhere. Imagine going through the forest, when suddenly something like a turret pops up from the ground and shoots at you, or a tree trunk emiting energy ray. We've already lost quite a number of unmanned units during reckon.
Now that Marlow gave it a bit more thought, data they had about the planet was limited to begin with, and the most investigated area was megacity, so no wonder they would end up unaware of much smaller structures, maybe something in shape of small towns on Earth, though uncommon nowadays. Besides, if these defense systems triggered only when approached, there was no chance to check every inch of land and mark their positions. Even orbital scans would not be able to pick the signal due to electromagnetic interference in planet's atmosphere, which acted like a natural barrier blocking humanity's technology. It was not like all electronics were non-functional, but their output was heavily limited.
- If we could learn how these defenses operated - John was thinking about possible ways of finding dangerous zones beforehand, so they would not require marking each part by sending a party there - Systems like these we use on Earth are based on various sensors, so the case may be similar here. Capturing data on reactions of different types of systems existing on New Gaia could allow us to prepare robots with algorithm they could apply in searches, and just send them through the path we are going to follow.
Colonel nodded.
- We are already relying on unmanned units, but we may soon have problems with replacing them if we cannot run assembly lines.
- So it's not only med capsules, assembly lines are also the problem? How many modules do we have?
Future carried humongous amount of equipment onboard, including not only pre-prepared vehicles, but also modular assembly lines that could be used for production of necessary tools once they land on New Gaia's surface. These modules were assigned in specific number to every sector on Future's board. The problem was, modules were a cargo loaded on transporters which had to safely land, without damaging the contents. John did not require an amazing imagination to figure out what happened there.
Ryan sighed, before replying.
- First of all, we don't have fully operational excavation equipment, so civils responsible for procuring resources rely on machines that are not specifically built for that purpose. Incomplete assembly lines come up next. You know I'm not a specialist in that field, thus all I can tell you is that the one in best shape we have now is at eighty percent when it comes to parts we have. For details, you'd have to go to engineers and mechanics we have on the site.
John, kind of, expected such answer from colonel, though he still hoped for something more. Percentage status was good enough for someone at high managerial level, but what mattered for major was what parts were missing exactly. Still, it was enough information for now - he could figure out more details later on, once his treatment is finished.
- Ok, I get the gist of it. Back to these defense system, you are having soldiers record each patrol, right?
- Of course, it's a standard procedure after all.
- Good, I was worried we had some technical issues in that field too. Looking at the biology of this planet, intelligent race which used to live here likely had some similarities to how our organisms function. Since this is one of possibilities, they might have based their machines on living beings, just like we do, mimicking the nature. Of course, this is pure speculation on my side, but I think we can expect their machines to work on similar concepts ours do. After all, if we look at how machines work, they have many common points with humans and animals.
- When did you become alien race's specialist, John? - this was Manuela, who unexpectedly entered Marlow's treatment box.
- Do you always eavesdrop on people you treat?
Dr. Gomez chuckled.
- It may not look like it, but I still consider this place a hospital, and I'm a medical chief here - she said proudly - In other words, I'm free to walk around, checking on patients. It's you who should remember to keep your mouth shut if you are talking you don't want others to hear.
For some reason, each time John and Manuela talked, their conversations seemed more like quarrels. While major often complained about the medical chief, they could actually get along and agree on various matter.
- Still, I agree with you, to some point - dr. Gomez continued - Both machines and animals work in accordance to specific mechanism. Though, when I think about it, I can considere a mechanic who repairs people - she laughed out loud and left.
- Seems like Manuela got into a better mood - commented colonel McRae - Back to the topic. You may be right in that regard, but everything comes down to us learning about this planet. You said that yourself - better be careful if you don't know something. That's why I've started sending scouts, that's also why I consult with you. I'm reconsidering my plan now, hence the decision to keep this place as a base. We will start a proper mining and regularly increase output. With resources, we can fix assembly lines, repair equipment and construct transmitter to contact others. For now, securing the camp is my priority at the moment.
Marlow never considered himself a fighter. Back on Earth he preferred to stay away from conflicts and problems in general. Obviously, having a safe place to stay was something that mattered to him a lot. Though, he would have still preferred to join in with the others in the area where they were supposed to start a colony, colonel's solution was reasonable.
- I concur, though it's not like you need my opinion to make the final decision.
Ryan smirked.
- Apparently, not everyone thinks like you. Especially colonists. Those people keep saying they traveled here not to "loiter around", but to settle. Sure, I get their point. Still, I cannot risk everyone's lives because of minority. We have nearly 400 people here, and less than 100 colonists.
- To be honest, it's still quite a big number - John made a remark.
- So, if you were in my shoes, how would you react? Would you took everyone, taking into account that most of them cannot fight, and proceeded further? I know what I said at first, but after thinking more I'm now sure departing withing two days would've been a mistake. I think I was too optimistic back then.
They way colonel said that seemed as if he was assuring himself the decision he is making is the best possible one. Even such experienced soldier, when facing unfamiliar threats, had to re-asess standard tactics and come with different approach than the one originally planned. John knew that hesitation was something people within military considered a bad flow, but given the situation, he could understand this man.
- If I were you, I think I would also decide to stay here for a bit longer - he stated - Preparation is important considering the distance we need to travel, and regaining proper communication will surely require time. The best course would be to get in contact with Future...
The face McRae made did not suggest whatever he was about to say was a good thing.
- I didn't mention that to most of the people in the camp, but my reckon group saw what appeared to be one of Future's modules entering the planet's atmosphere. It might have been just a piece torn from the ship, though it's still enough to make you worried...
In reaction to Ryan's words, Marlow would have fallen off from the bed if not for colonel catching him at the very last moment.
- Tell me you're joking, Ryan - it was a terrible information, even if it was only a part of the ship - Future was not designed for entering the atmosphere. If it was a whole module, it's likely that other modules got damaged. Seriously, without a whole module we are unlikely to have output required for returning to Earth. Ryan, if what you are saying is true, this makes us...
- ...grounded? - colonel finished what he thought John was about to say - But yes, John, I'm well aware what does it mean. I've already had to change the plans several times. I also hope people won't start any rumors. I can't imagine how some of them may react.
Major swore ugly.
- Still, they will have a right to know if it's confirmed. Honestly, I hope it was just a fragment of coating. However, given what happened until now... Ok, let's not think about the worse case scenario. We have ways for obtaining resources, so we should be able to build transmitters in no time. Given sattelites on the orbit are operational, contacting Earth is something we can achieve, even without the spaceship.
- Well, you remember that we sent a message during evacuation too? Earth Army's command will surely receive it, but it doesn't change much for us, does it? You know really well how long it takes to build a spaceship.
Marlow's head suddenly started to hurt.
- It was supposed to be five years, and will be fifteen. It's not something I signed up for.
McRae put a hand on his shoulder.
- Neither did I. Let's hope we live through this.
They shook hands before colonel left the field hospital.