Free Black Sun (Phantom Server: Book #3) by Andrei Livadny Page B

the Founders used to travel in groups too. We’ll try and automate the entire process but it would be safer if each of you who goes to Earth has his or her own navigator. You think you can make a few more?”
    “I can help,” Liori offered. “Together we can do it. But how do you want us to decrypt these icons?” she pointed at the symbols covering the outer ring of the device. “This seems to be an input panel but I’ve never seen most of the signs!”
    “Danezerath knows!” Charon growled. “He’ll help you! The programs controlling our yrobs are written in the Founders’ language. I want to go with you too,” he added, curt as usual.
    “Very well. We’ll start small,” I glanced at Arbido. “Are you ready?”
    He turned pale. “Already? Just like that? Don’t you want to make any preparations first?”
    “You’re the one who asked for it. No point dragging it out. The artifact has been tested. All you need to do is connect to your in-mode while Jurgen downloads the data.”
    “Wait a sec,” Jurgen motioned me to stop. “I’d rather we wait till Danezerath comes back. That’ll also give me some time to get some equipment ready. I’d like to copy the navigator’s settings. That might help me work out the Relic’s communications module.”
    “All right. It’s up to you. When will the Haash be back?”
    “They still have about an hour’s journey back.”
    “In that case, Liori and I will start making the artifacts. Foggs, I want you to billet your men in the meantime. Don’t meet Manticore representatives quite yet. Let them stew in their own juice.”
    “And I? What do you want me to do?” Novitsky asked, apparently impressed with the proceedings. The decisions we’ve just made seemed to have left the young player in some awe.
    A simultaneous hyper jump of several digitized identities was indeed a risky step born of our desperation. Still, the chance to service our in-modes and find out whatever had happened back on Earth was worth it.
    “I have a special task for you,” I said. “Have you ever used street vending machines?”
    I was already beginning to plan our future course of action in case of our success. Arbido shouldn’t hold his breath. I hadn’t dreamed up all those deserted cities and decomposing bodies.
    “Sure. They’re everywhere, aren’t they?”
    “Then you know, don’t you, that they use the principle of molecular replication?”
    “Yeah, why?”
    “I’d like you to write down the formulas of the most potent metabolites you know. Then check the Exo Clan’s databases and make a list of chemicals required to replicate them. Think you can do that?”
    “I’ll try. Can I come with you?”
    “I don’t think so. It’s a trip for those who have nothing to lose.”
    “Yeah, right. How about Charon, then?”
    “That’s his decision. Please don’t argue. At the moment, you’re the only exobiologist on board the Relic. We need you here. Understood?”
    “All right,” he grudgingly agreed. “But what if you don’t come back?” he blurted out.
    This question got me thinking.
     
    Liori? Need to talk.
     
    * * *
     
    On board the Relic. Five hours later
     
    Breaking the fragile ice from its edges, the hatch between decks clanked open.
    We were in zero gravity. Stars twinkled through the breach holes. Strange objects floated around. My mind expander enveloped them in an emerald shimmer, highlighting them, while trying in vain to identify them against the Technologist Clan database.
    No human had ever set foot here. At least I didn’t think so.
    Liori materialized next to the nearest entrance and cast a studying glance around. “Power’s down,” she said. “I can’t locate the interstellar communications module.”
    “It’s about a hundred feet further up the corridor,” Jurgen’s voice replied as he controlled our progress online. “Watch out. I’m powering everything up.”
    Stars distorted in the haze of the force field blocking the breach holes