"Better if we return to Atlantis and ask Chaya's advice," Kirik said, swallowing lump rising to throat.
The former Runner peered into endless void and very fearfully glanced at mangled nose part of Aurora.
"Fully agree," I supported. "We're strong and brave, never 'pussies.' At every problem, we'll turn for help to fragile modest girl."
Who older than whole human race.
Kirik carefully turned to me, trying not touch anything extra on his light EVA suit.
"Better little shame than death by suffocation."
Through helmet visor, could distinguish how former Runner's face sweated. And suit has climate control. Amazing how productive human body, overcame limits of clever electronics!
I, carefully, diligently clinging to airlock edges, looked out. Proximity of terrifying-with-destructions Aurora added not a bit optimism. Understand why Kirik doesn't think my plan good idea. Still! Who dare go where metal beams of varying sharpness stick under any known 3D geometry?
"Come on," I encouraged the man, slapping shoulder. "Not like running from Wraith risking life each time entering new world much scarier than one step?"
Former Runner swore.
"...yes!" that only censored I understood from his phrase. Heard of small boatswain's foul. But here clearly heavier artillery from Pegasus galaxy resident lexicon applied.
Need note. For expanding horizons, naturally.
"Don't worry, Alvar said these suits withstand impact with solid object if needed," encouraged former Runner as could. "Military development, after all. They flew in them in near-planetary space! And without any inertia dampeners, by the way!"
Recalled Yensen's face with whom discussed my plan.
"Bold," he said. "But you must understand these are pilot suits. They can withstand impact with solid object, doubtless. But not when object flies at speed of several hundred km/s! It'll just smear you against nearest wall!"
Last two phrases decided not tell scared Runner. Guy already pre-infarct state.
Ermen pilot military EVA suit.
Military suit not too differed from scientific. But difference noticeable. Made of camouflaged fabric, lighter, with more polymer protective pads. And completely absent mounts for small gas engines like on scientific suits. Well, pilots don't need correct flight in open space!
And now very regret not took one scientific suit. Yes, more inconvenient, slightly bulkier... But right now would come in handy most!
Also has less energy reserve, but has visor tinting. Useful when flying huge speeds in space fighter on planetary orbit. And clouds, ozone layer, magnetosphere don't save eyes from merciless stellar radiation. As said, can look at Sun through ordinary telescope only twice—once left eye, once right.
"Maybe check again?" Kirik clarified. "Must be some way stop ship remotely!"
"Must," agreed. "And would work if Aurora had at least part main onboard systems in order. But ship computer damaged, only part automation works. No life support, no life signs, only minimal energy use... Miracle it responded to Atlantis call at all. If you're done, time to start work," pointed at approaching ruined hulk.
"You sure can fix transporter chamber aboard Aurora?" Kirik asked me.
Starship too, like Hippaforalkus and Atlantis, equipped with transporter chambers. Obviously, most common way move between planet and ships in orbit.
But Aurora scan showed malfunctions in this system aboard. Primary circuit burned, secondary has row crystals not working. Have their stock, scanner help reroute energy. And essentially, to take ship control, no need show off too much. Enough reach backup command post. Which has no external damage. But disconnected—like most ship systems.
"Yes," announced. "In extreme case, if nothing works, reach hangar deck, take Jumper there and break out."
Aurora's sole hangar had significant damage and deformations. However, scanners showed two or three relatively undamaged Jumpers inside. Our reserve plan save number three. And ordinal number such because hangar doors deformed, itself badly mangled, no guarantee we reach there.
So for now implement plan number one: break aboard, reach backup bridge, use engines to brake ship and restore life support in internal compartments. Most external so badly damaged even landing there life-dangerous.
If succeeds, then repair transporter chamber and proceed per plan.
"Hope this Jumper survives," Kirik patted Jumper hull we were in.
I just leisurely overtook swiftly rushing ruin to time moment and reach needed hole for me. Task not simple. And one going with dozen stars.
So, given: need break aboard ancient battleship flying by inertia in vacuum at speed ten times exceeding third cosmic. Yes, exactly 167 km/s. Trifle for working sublight engines of such class ship as Aurora or Hippaforalkus.
And practically at limit of Jumper capabilities.
Yes, ship reacted to slow command, even used braking engines. But no noticeable changes.
Its speed changed insignificantly, and we have no indefinite time for it to stop itself.
Needed solve physics problem classic way.
Find: way make ship stop or find way evacuate crew members from its board.
Solution:... Here starts dance with tambourine.
Dock with Aurora impossible. Any way. After one and half hours digging in onboard computer logs of our ship, understood why not working.
For docking both starships must drop shields. Aurora has none, so no problem. But Hippaforalkus has them. And working scanners and safety protocols.
So, per them docking forbidden if damage risk exists. This protocol can bypass, but not with my abilities understanding Ancient programming language.
Hippaforalkus onboard computer, despite Chaya's code edits, refused drop shield and dock with Aurora. Simply because need approach damaged starship so close its mangled nose part will wreck us half side.
Yes, our battleship onboard computer demonstrated how "wonderful" that would be. No wonder couldn't beat Skynet so long—if as smart as Hippaforalkus onboard computer, wouldn't fight openly at all. Would do all covertly, assuring humans acts solely for their comfort and safety sake.
Maximum ship "agreed" to is practically equalize both ships speeds, stay maximally close to damaged brother, and hold parallel course with Aurora.
"Practically equalize" exactly meant Hippaforalkus now ahead of Aurora by decent distance, but slowing, preparing finally equal speeds and end lie in drift. Strangely, but starship in space can fully stop. And no need turn engines against initial course. For that invented maneuvering-braking engines. What they do think understandable from name.
Controlled ship Alvar. Didn't show, but terribly proud of honor given.
And manfully scared, understanding multi-km star battleship not same as fighter he commanded. Though this operation opens much new about Ancient tech for me.
For example, battleship launched by crew member with ATA Gene won't shut down until give corresponding command. Exactly why Alvar can control starship. While with Jumper similar tech doesn't work.
Curious. Think somehow related to Ancients division into titular and junior races.
Fine, all jitters before upcoming suicidal mission.
Why suicidal? Well all simple.
Sole way get aboard Aurora—physically move to it. In series for that Earthlings used Asgard beam tech. Allowed move object from one point to another turning into pure energy. Similar to how Stargates and Ancient transporter cabins work. Just without tying equipment to similar pad on other side. Take where want, carry where want. Yes, limitations like shields or special interference, e.g. Wraith have.
We'd too not mind such tech. Just nuance—for that need Asgard. Their splinter group in Pegasus galaxy, rest live... in own galaxy named Ida or Aida. And where that I absolutely not suspect.
So, without heraldic paper, use simple album sheets with wood bits.
Initially my idea linked to calculate ships speeds and jump on move from Hippaforalkus. Considering speed got from push, Aurora speed, distance between ships, latitude of damaged battleship hull, and built into soles and mittens suit magnets, at lucky circumstances had good chance end somewhere on Aurora hull, reach nearest doors, open manually and climb inside. Well, and further per plan end where needed, do what's important.
Minus in plan named "Foolhardiness and Courage" only one: most likely any jumper Aurora hull will smear across ancient bulkheads like fly on windshield. No, honestly, Hippaforalkus even helped with calculations, had good chances hit straight into one huge holes on hull, hook magnets to metal, damp inertia and...
Scared. For... And what if not work? Some unaccounted factor, and all, best case die—not sure even Ancient personal shield save from death on impact. Worst, acrobatics fail, Her Majesty Randomness intervenes, can't hook and fly off to deep space, swearing and calling higher powers. Because big doubts managing Hippaforalkus by buttons Alvar can "catch" me in open hangar doors of battleship.
So plan had to change. Small addition in form Jumper and provisions, meds, ammo stock in aft compartment for unforeseen, and voila!
We flew from Hippaforalkus hangar on Jumper, ahead of Aurora by several hundred thousand km. Using directed Jumper scanners, managed stabilize ship relative place we needed "hit," as could equalized speeds with Aurora so not happen like fly and glass...
Plan brilliant—fly parallel to battleship and slowly drag aft part straight into one notable hole, from where can reach internal battleship parts. If lucky, Jumper get minimal damage and become retreat path per plan number three but marked "alpha." What makes priority over trip to Aurora hangar for conditionally working Jumpers.
But...
Thanks you, Her Majesty Random!
Jumper engines, already working at limit (and bit over) speeds and under prolonged load, died. Speed gained in vacuum hardly damped. And Jumper systems wouldn't revive. Factually, now in small coffin drifting by inertia built by Ancients.
So we flew over Aurora hull, but in projection of huge hole right behind stern. And simultaneously hung on ourselves all can carry to starship board.
Simultaneously listening to Alvar words that stellar wind in surrounding space intensifies by so-many points... And for us now exactly that "wind correction" snipers consider when shooting long distances.
We have distance too not small—km or so. And situation complicated by that very bitch stellar wind blowing Jumper aside. Little more, and we'll exit zone where can hit where want.
So... Though not from Hippaforalkus board, but jump into unknown still have to.
And sole thing now can help in calculations—own brains. And they now too busy chewing thoughts what лютой death await me.
We have only two success attempts. Fail—we hardly saved by anything. Wizard in blue Jumper won't fly,
"Misha, in ten minutes you'll be blown off bridge completely," Alvar warned me.
Well, jitters gone, time act.
"I'll jump first," Kirik didn't look cheerier than minute ago when I delved into thoughts. "As soon as secure, pull you by tether," tugged metal cable attached to belt. "If see me blown further from target, try second attempt hit where needed or at least secure on hull. Then pull me. Don't forget your tool and parts bag. Now most important."
"Plan remember," Kirik replied shortly. "But better you'd manage solo."
Still would.
Besides tether linking us both, to belts attached two bags each with most necessary needed aboard damaged ship. Most stock had to leave in Jumper lockers.
Eh-h-h-h...
Grabbing both hands edges of Jumper exit hatch, looked at ugly giant of damaged Ancient ship. Feel like that man who signed for parachute jumps but at plane edge suddenly changed mind. For looked how small Earth under feet. But how solid looking...
"Nine minutes!"
"One small step for man..." began, bending knees and pushing from Jumper threshold.
Magnetic boots disengaged nominally.
And I rushed to disfigured ship superstructure.
*
When people say not scared, they lie. Well or psychos.
Fear—one natural instinct caring for self-preservation of foolish head.
Jump into open space toward rushing Ancient battleship oh how scary. Especially when understand in case miss life depends solely on guy who knows about space even less than you.
Weightlessness... Strange sensations from it. No gravity, no pressure from any side. Only in head pounds: "This ship not big enough to have own gravity!" Actually... And from what horn should it have at all, huh?
Silly thoughts crawl into brains to suppress fear and despair. Very wanted stay in safe Jumper, try reanimate it again. Very wanted suddenly someone fall on head and hold from such.
But Universe angry at me. Neither Ascended, nor Earthlings, nor Wraith, nor Asgards, nor even Chaya came help. Moreover, turned out Alvar without me aboard can't control at all turned-on systems. Including subspace comms. Didn't test hyperdrive either—chance smart ship lay reverse course to Atlantis, and that won't help us at all. Two weeks near Aurora we definitely won't last.
Sole salvation chance—this ruined battleship. And prayer to those who built it that something there to fix.
Alvar knows in extreme case if neither I nor Kirik achieve desired, he'll have to use Koschei help. Already disconnected from med coma, should come to soon. About hour. Oxygen in our suits left for three. That very salvation chance number four in full glory.
Mangled ship superstructure protruding semicircular dome from upper middle part of Aurora approached. Much faster than I'd want.
Scared so much cold paralyzed spine. We inexorably closed—I and mangled ten-thousand-year starship.
"Seven minutes," Alvar reported.
Stand, your mother! And where other two minutes went⁈ What distance from Aurora were we at all? Two minutes that's sixty seconds, battleship flies at 170 km/s, and that means...
A-a-a-a!!! Metal beam straight to face flies! And fuck it if stuck lower or from main hull! It protrudes right over bridge! Meters ten from Aurora hull! I missed the battleship! Jumped too "high"!
To ill-fated beam meters hundred or seems so, but clear opinion it simply skewer me through and no personal protective field help!
"Mikhail, you alive⁈" concerned Kirik asked.
"Won't wait, your mother!" gritted through teeth, understanding beam flies meter right from me... And if do stupidity!
Brain caught thought impulse not stupidity at all. Reached hand, activating magnets in gloves to hook beam. After all what difference where exactly grab ship, right?
Glove touched metal, activation light blinked, rejoiced...
And next second, getting охренительный jerk barely not tearing arm from shoulder with half suit, rushed opposite direction! Downstream for Aurora, not toward it!
Screaming hoarsely and tumbling in space, felt empty stomach stick to heart. Before eyes everything spun so swiftly momentarily seemed got into blender.
Several times caught swirling tether behind, there Hippaforalkus engines lights, here Aurora, oh! That's ruined Aurora bridge I planned hit! Only flies past! Five-ten meters eyeball. But that quite enough fly to hells in open space! Moreover, see gradually distancing from ship! That is, hello vacuum, we'll freeze together!
"I flew past!" adrenaline in blood made speak louder usual. Heart pounded as if going burst from chest like your Alien. Burst and beat stupid owner's face! "Kirik, on jump take lower than I did!"
"Cable still km," that quickly said. "It unspools very fast..."
Naturally fast! Because not flying straight but spiral, tumbling like idiot! There already how many loops wound around that beam and... If sharply go down, would...
During next somersault almost smeared against some Aurora part rushing to meet. Only chance saved. Your mother, here all happens in instant! Ship not infinite, such bitch! Need act!
Grabbed firearm on thigh. In head pounded thought succeed shoot in vacuum? For powder burning reaction or whatever Ermenians put in casings, need oxygen... Stop, your zh mother! What oxygen⁈ Bullet in casing crimped so nothing penetrates! Closed system there, else on primer strike chemical ignition would tear pistol to hell! Well or shot power would be piddling!
Very hope that's so!
Timing moment when back to ship, pressed trigger, aiming into boundless space. And praying inertia from shot stronger than rotation speed got on jerk...
Naturally soundless, but pistol fired. Understood by ejected casing from breech. Some time body experienced not pleasant sensations—forces fought each other... Rotation force won. But noticeably slowed.
Aha, bitch! Can't fool physics! Alchemists tried but burned!
After third shot inertia of closing with ship stronger than rotation speed giving me. Had to shoot once more not smear against some ship protrusion. Yes stop you old bitch! Stop! Brake! Where you rushing, mechanical beast! Came save you! Engage engines before I fly past! Hey, such blyat!
Aurora stern approached very fast. And if not now, end me...
"Misha, Kirik, prepare! Aurora now start braking sharply!" Alvar reported to me.
"Yes what you say⁈" hissed. From my side hardly changed. And from what horn ship suddenly needed brake? But fine, believe word! "Kirik, you ready⁈"
"I'm already flying!" was answer.
Such bitch, at least warned!
That very moment when already ready grab Aurora hull in superstructure area, my hand grabbed only vacuum. Middle starship section simply ended...
Reminding syringe spread to extreme position, Aurora now flashed before me "plunger." And quite bit till wide stern shows and all, write off.
Because out of ammo, mother them! And bag with ammo and tools tore off during spins! Good still tether in place and...
Before visor flashed free end of metal cable connecting me to Kirik. And on its end flashed that very loop tore from my back belt. Good not with piece of suit!
Bad day! Ohrenno bad day!
Now already noticeable Aurora really worked no worse than computer with packed full hard disk. That is braked concretely so. Only I not braked! But continued fly and...
Hand groped something on second thigh. Looking there, yanked spare pistol mag from pocket. Good still last guessed not throw! Or rather simply not had time!
Reloading in space not only for all. But second try succeeded! Aiming weapon opposite cable direction, shot.
Inertia carried to metal cable web, after grabbed nearest its part, wound on hand with all strength, gripped tighter and shot away from ship.
Impulse threw to ship. Next corrected course. Then again.
On fifth cartridge managed straight flight. Briefly outlined to Kirik way course correction, inwardly swearing didn't assume this myself beforehand!
Former Runner starts act only after my last mag ends. He much closer to ship now than me. But something tells me he may not manage fly on shots like me.
Aurora stern stood from me about km distance and saw before self its dim engines. But strange. Flew straight, and if ship moved, its parts would flash before face and...
Aurora stood in place. And two explanations possible.
And since see no energy signs aboard, then...
Raising head, quietly swore.
"Alvar, tell me that was best of options..."
"Sole one we could think of, Misha," Alvar said sadly. "Ship systems shutting down one by one. Koschei managed set battleship exactly on Aurora course and damp her speed on us. Shields held, hull undamaged. At least ours. Ships in dead drift... And think that's all we have left."
"Whatever you plan do, human," rasped Wraith voice, "do quick. In few hours even oxygen gone. Life support shuts next after..."
His signal lost. From such distance couldn't even notice Hippaforalkus viewports lights. Seems overestimated "turn on ship and leave to friends" ability.
Must assume link with ship disconnected before life support. And means have to strain properly...
With penultimate cartridge managed correct course so hit one big holes aboard Aurora. In tail part plenty. Probably exactly why ship flew by inertia.
Flying inside broken ship, with relief hit shoulder against bulkhead, turned on boot and glove magnets. Almost immediately relieved exhaled. So visor before face fogged.
On other glass side looked double doors leading ship inside. Smoke.
Grayed for sure, but could.
"I'm aboard," muttered, though knew hardly anyone can hear. Possibly only Kirik...
"If can, quick pull me to you," with relief in voice former Runner said. "Or I'm km from ship... Good still cable not broke."
Lucky son of bitch.
"Don't relax," advised. "Better climb by cable hands like on rope. Not sure we have time and I strength pull you."
Wish still recall what length this metal rope...