Read Online The Agathon: Book One by Colin Weldon - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Colin Weldon
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this possibility. He entered a new algorithm into the search parameters, to detect energy signatures emitted from spacefaring craft, and let it run. He instructed the computer to begin filtering out background radiation, to try and lock onto signals being sent from both Phobos and any other ships in the vicinity. The computer began to process the data while Tyrell turned his attention to the expanding mass of rock.
“Computer, what is the status of the signal?” Tyrell said, while making his observations.
“Signal has reverted to previously established patterns, Doctor,” came the familiar female voice.
“They hit us hard and went to sleep?” he said out loud.
“Please repeat request,” the computer said.
“Never mind,” he said. Then something occurred to him. “Computer, can you scan the debris field and begin a trajectory plot for the debris fragments? Then begin a collision threat analysis.”
“Of course, Doctor, beginning now,” she said calmly.
“Doctor, I have found something which falls into the parameters, as outlined by your request. Could you please direct your attention to coordinates indicated on the screen?” He tapped some commands into the panel.
“Can you give me a visual?” he asked
“Of course, Doctor, one moment.” The screen lit up. An enormous black shadow filled the visual, almost completely blocking out the surrounding star field. At first Tyrell thought there had been a malfunction in the display, until he adjusted the visual contrast manually. The unmistakable contours of rock and ice formed on the screen. The surface of the rock was molten and had begun to glow with an eerie electric crimson. The surrounding edges left a trail of ice and companion debris fragments.
“Computer, size and course of object?” he asked.
“Object is approximately 1100 miles in diameter and is on a direct course for impact with planet Mars.”
Tyrell looked at the continent of rock, as it appeared motionless. A strange fear began to embrace him. It was a curious sensation. An odd urgency began to take hold. Perhaps the insects had not been so lucky after all. He glanced over at the sample of The Black and stood from his chair. He took a breath and made his way out of the lab and back towards the others. He caught the eye of Barrington, who immediately knew something was wrong. Walking over to the group, he called to Carrie.
“Carrie, I need you to input a new set of coordinates into the viewing chamber.” Carrie frowned with curiosity, but obeyed Tyrell’s request. She made her way over to the chamber and took her seat. As she tapped in the information sent to her control panel from Tyrell’s station, the viewing chamber came to life. The enormous piece of rock floated casually in the glass cube.
“What am I looking at, Tyrone?” Barrington said. There was silence in the group. Tyrell sighed.
“The apocalypse, John.”
3
Time since Evacuation – Four Hours
“C hancellor, can you hear me?” came a familiar, yet distant voice. The haze began to clear as the senator looked outwards towards the twinkling light. “The disorientation will pass. Try and open your eyes slowly. You are safe.”
She looked to her right, as the form of James Ryder came into focus. Her head felt groggy and her lips were dry. She cleared her throat, which felt tight.
“What the hell happened?” she said, holding her head.
“You are on board the Nexus,” came the reply. She looked around and noted the unmistakable appearance of her personal shuttle. The comfortable surroundings and high clean lines were something she had taken a liking to when she had first sat in the luxurious ship. Two members of her security detail were seated on the other side of the shuttle. They nodded to her.
“How are you feeling, Chancellor?” came the deep baritone voice of her head of security, Greyson Kane, a formidable ex colonial Marine from the Congo region of New Africa. She was relieved to see him. The other
“Computer, what is the status of the signal?” Tyrell said, while making his observations.
“Signal has reverted to previously established patterns, Doctor,” came the familiar female voice.
“They hit us hard and went to sleep?” he said out loud.
“Please repeat request,” the computer said.
“Never mind,” he said. Then something occurred to him. “Computer, can you scan the debris field and begin a trajectory plot for the debris fragments? Then begin a collision threat analysis.”
“Of course, Doctor, beginning now,” she said calmly.
“Doctor, I have found something which falls into the parameters, as outlined by your request. Could you please direct your attention to coordinates indicated on the screen?” He tapped some commands into the panel.
“Can you give me a visual?” he asked
“Of course, Doctor, one moment.” The screen lit up. An enormous black shadow filled the visual, almost completely blocking out the surrounding star field. At first Tyrell thought there had been a malfunction in the display, until he adjusted the visual contrast manually. The unmistakable contours of rock and ice formed on the screen. The surface of the rock was molten and had begun to glow with an eerie electric crimson. The surrounding edges left a trail of ice and companion debris fragments.
“Computer, size and course of object?” he asked.
“Object is approximately 1100 miles in diameter and is on a direct course for impact with planet Mars.”
Tyrell looked at the continent of rock, as it appeared motionless. A strange fear began to embrace him. It was a curious sensation. An odd urgency began to take hold. Perhaps the insects had not been so lucky after all. He glanced over at the sample of The Black and stood from his chair. He took a breath and made his way out of the lab and back towards the others. He caught the eye of Barrington, who immediately knew something was wrong. Walking over to the group, he called to Carrie.
“Carrie, I need you to input a new set of coordinates into the viewing chamber.” Carrie frowned with curiosity, but obeyed Tyrell’s request. She made her way over to the chamber and took her seat. As she tapped in the information sent to her control panel from Tyrell’s station, the viewing chamber came to life. The enormous piece of rock floated casually in the glass cube.
“What am I looking at, Tyrone?” Barrington said. There was silence in the group. Tyrell sighed.
“The apocalypse, John.”
3
Time since Evacuation – Four Hours
“C hancellor, can you hear me?” came a familiar, yet distant voice. The haze began to clear as the senator looked outwards towards the twinkling light. “The disorientation will pass. Try and open your eyes slowly. You are safe.”
She looked to her right, as the form of James Ryder came into focus. Her head felt groggy and her lips were dry. She cleared her throat, which felt tight.
“What the hell happened?” she said, holding her head.
“You are on board the Nexus,” came the reply. She looked around and noted the unmistakable appearance of her personal shuttle. The comfortable surroundings and high clean lines were something she had taken a liking to when she had first sat in the luxurious ship. Two members of her security detail were seated on the other side of the shuttle. They nodded to her.
“How are you feeling, Chancellor?” came the deep baritone voice of her head of security, Greyson Kane, a formidable ex colonial Marine from the Congo region of New Africa. She was relieved to see him. The other
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