The Clones of Mawcett (21 page)

“For now we'll work together to disassemble the lab,” Jenetta said. “Once the Prometheus returns, we'll turn the matter over to Space Command for resolution.”

Using construction plans they were able to download from the facility's computer, the disassembly of the cloning equipment moved along at a brisk pace. The detailed schematics enabled the engineering people to disassemble the equipment without damaging it, and it took just four days to completely dismantle the entire lab. The unique equipment from the sickbay was also packed for transportation to Higgins Space Command Base. The engineers hadn't yet been able to determine the use of most of the more complex pieces, so specialists in medical equipment development would get a chance to examine it once the equipment reached the base. Knowing that it was designed for Nordakian physiology would help significantly. Everything from the facility's computer was downloaded into Jenetta's portable computer to serve as a backup, and then the facility's computer was taken off line for study. The ancient computer core was about the same size as current modules, so Jenetta carefully packed the fist-sized unit and placed it into her luggage. A smaller computer core, cannibalized from a piece of engineering equipment used in the search for the power source, was substituted, and would be sufficient to operate the life support systems, lights, doors, and monitoring functions.

With their primary task completed, the crew was able to stand down for a few days. There would be little to do now except wait for the return of the Prometheus, expected back in about three months. The former rotunda lab became the new command center for the base, now that the cloning equipment was packed and crated for shipment.

* * *

The three Jenettas were having lunch in the mess hall a couple of days later, when the communications chief entered and anxiously approached Jenetta.

“Excuse me, Commander, but there appears to be a problem with sending our normal com traffic! It's been encrypted, and compressed for burst mode, but every time we transmit, it bounces back!”

“Bounces back? Are you sure that the transmitter is working properly?”

“I've run the diagnostic routine several times. The problem occurs after we successfully transmit. Here's the result of a waveform test that I just ran,” he said, handing Jenetta a portable viewpad.

“What do you think the problem is, Chief?” she asked as she looked at the wave analysis.

“The only thing I can come up with is that IDS sigma-waves are being jammed in the planet's ionosphere.”

Jenetta stopped looking at the viewpad image and turned to the NCO. “Jammed?”

“Yes ma'am. We studied jamming techniques in com school. That's the only thing that makes any sense.”

“What about normal planetary communications?”

“The RF bands are unaffected and the planetary communication satellites appear to be working fine.”

Jenetta jumped up from her chair. “Tell Captain Greene that I want to see him immediately.”

The CPO, startled by Jenetta's sudden movement, took a quick step backward, but then responded with “Yes ma'am” and ran from the room.

Jenetta looked at her 'sisters,' and said, “Raiders?”

“Has to be,” Two said. “There wouldn't be any other reason to jam com traffic.”

“They must intend to take the relics directly this time, instead of intercepting a ship in space,” Three offered.

“It might even be worse than that,” Two said. “They might have learned about the clones and come here with the intent of seizing the lab equipment. What better way to replace the fifty thousand people that they've lost during the past year? They can make thirteen-hundred new people each year if they get their hands on this equipment. And if they manage to replicate the equipment first, they can produce an entire army in a couple of years.”

“We're not in a very strong position to defend against a full scale assault here,” Jenetta said. “Our two companies of Marines are adequate for holding off an attack by the entire combined scientific presence on this planet, but not for preventing a takeover by Raider forces with fighter aircraft and ground assault vehicles.”

Greene ran into the mess hall within thirty seconds of the com operator leaving.

“You need me, Commander?”

“Yes, Captain, our sigma-wave communications signals are being jammed. Check with security and see if any ships are in orbit around the planet. Then put your people on alert.”

“I was on my way to inform you that a ship was entering orbit when I received your message, Commander.”

“That gives us a little time, but not too much. Captain, clear everything out of the three shelters topside and bring it down here. Then open the end of each unit and put a shuttle inside it, in launch position. The thirty-ten shelters were designed to alternate as aircraft hangers. It'll be better if the Raiders don't know that we have transportation off the planet. If they're after the cloning equipment they'll be careful not to blast the three shelters for fear that they might destroy something critical to the process. Oh, and have messages sent to the other dig sites on the planet. Inform them that a Raider ship has entered orbit, objectives unknown. We know that there aren't any other ships in orbit, but ask them if they have any FTL transports or tugs available.”

“Aye, Commander. I'm on it,” Greene said as he raced out the door.

“Jen,” Two said, “Three and I will round up the scientists and dig site laborers and bring them down here.”

“Right, there's nothing to hide here anymore,” Three said. “But they can't be given access to the command center, since the crated cloning and sickbay equipment is being stored in that room.”

“I'll have the tables pushed aside in here. Have them bring their bedding, clothes, and personal effects.”

Captain Greene secreted the shuttles inside the shelters within the first hour and then reported to Jenetta while her two clones were still away. He said that answers to his query to the other sites about the availability of FTL ships had been negative. “Do you really mean to defend this location against a Raider incursion, Ma'am?”

“You don't agree, Captain?”

“No, ma'am. It's your call, but I'd blow the lab and take to the woods. If we remain here, we're just waiting to be overrun.”

Jenetta took a deep breath and expelled it slowly as she considered her response. “Besides being charged with protecting the cloning equipment, we have a responsibility to defend the scientific party. How long do you think most of them would last in the wild if the Raiders chose to pursue?”

“The Raiders might not bother with them if the equipment has been destroyed when they get down here.”

“Raider policy is to never leave witnesses behind, Captain. They'd either kill everyone or take them away as slaves; probably a bit of both as the older members of the scientific group would have little values as slaves.”

“Yes, ma'am. But if the Raiders get us bottled up down here, it's only a matter of time before they get all of us.”

“We'll do our best to see that doesn't happen. In any event, I see no alternative other than to remain here and protect this base, the seized equipment, and dig site people.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Have all our supplies and equipment been brought below ground?”

“Everything, except the weapons and ammunition we'll need to repel an assault. We're ready for whatever comes, ma'am.”

“Excellent. The Raider ship hasn't tried to make contact yet. While we're waiting, let's load some of the packed equipment into two of the shuttles, just in case we have to make a fast break.”

“Won't that be dangerous, ma'am. What if the Raiders intercept one or two of the shuttles?”

“I'll divide up the shipments into three groups. Capturing any one, or even two, of the three won't enable them to create clones. Let's leave one shuttle empty for personnel and leave the third part of the cargo down here.”

Greene grinned. “Aye, Commander.”

It took hours to round up all the scientific people working at the seven dig sites surrounding the complex and get them below ground. A few of the laborers refused to come, insisting that the Raiders couldn't take them if they couldn't find them. They grabbed their personal belongings and some food, and headed for the woods, while the rest of the laborers and support people came willingly.

There still wasn't any indication that the Raiders intended to attack the base. They might be going after the large warehouses on the other side of the planet, but Jenetta intended to be ready.

Once the scientific groups were settled in, Doctor Peterson sought out Jenetta. He wasn't allowed in the command center, so she came out into the corridor to meet with him.

“Yes, Doctor?”

“You lied to me about there being additional clones.”

“No I didn't. I said that we brought all the clones of your people to you, and we have brought you all the clones of— your people. I never had any intention of giving you clones of me.”

“They're clones, made from equipment that we discovered. They belong with us.”

“Do you mean with you, Doctor, or to you? They're people, with free will. If they wanted to be with your group, they could have left at any time. They still can. They're not being held here against their will. I think that I can speak for them since we think alike. This is where they feel they belong.”

“They're clones, Commander. They belong with their own.”

“I am their own, Doctor. And they're with me. There are a lot of issues to be decided on this topic, but this isn't the time or the place to debate them.”

“Very well then; just one more thing. Why did you choose to clone yourself?”

“I didn't. Someone put Zelem in my coffee cup and then cloned me while I was unconscious. You happen to be the prime suspect.”

“Me?”

“You use Zelem to help you sleep?”

“Lots of people use Zelem to help them sleep.”

“But not in this camp. You also told me that I'd be sorry for confiscating the cloning equipment.”

“What? Oh, I was just angry. I didn't intend to do anything other than file a complaint against you with Space Command. I even changed my mind about that, after I calmed down.”

“As I said, Doctor, you're the prime suspect. If I had any proof, the responsible party would be under arrest.”

“Arrest?”

“It's against Galactic Alliance law to attack a Space Command officer engaged in the performance of his or her duty, but an even more serious crime than that was committed. My attacker intentionally created a clone. Two in fact. The first cloning process, where the cloning of you and the others began, was entirely accidental, so no charges were ever being considered for that.”

“I assure you, Commander, that I had nothing to do with it.”

“Yet you keep seeking to have my clones turned over to you; clones that were created as a direct result of the attack on my person.”

“I only felt they would be happier with someone who didn't hate them.”

“Hate them? What makes you think that I hate them?”

“Just the way that you act; such as your insistence that the process was illegal under galactic law and had to be stopped immediately.”

Jenetta smiled. “I'm sorry if you misread me. I don't hate any of them; not a one. Their method of birth was no more their choice, than our birth was our choice. As to the process, it is illegal under galactic law, and it is my job to enforce galactic law, not circumvent it. The matter is academic now. The process has been stopped and the equipment dismantled. Right now my job is to make sure that it doesn't fall into Raider hands, so if you'll excuse me?”