31.
Captain Moon sat alone in the bedroom of the Toormonda, where she had gone for privacy after the medical examination. She needed a moment to think.
“Stage two,” she whispered to herself. She swallowed.
She was cleared for duty. However, she was one of the thirty percent of the crew members whose condition had evolved beyond the initial stages of exposure. It was possible that she would begin to show symptoms soon. That she might have already been experiencing symptoms but had not realized it.
She sighed. She wished that she could trust her judgment, but the very nature of neurological diseases meant that judgment was impaired. It was frustrating and frightening. She hated to think that she might experience a loss of awareness, control, or autonomy. Like Sarah.
Poor Sarah, she thought to herself. Sarah remained sedated, although she had woken up. She was cooperative and apologetic for her behavior, especially when she had been informed that her case was the most progressed of any member of the crew’s. Some effort had been made to convince her that her feelings for Diego were a symptom, but she had resisted the idea. Not with any significant effort; she seemed to be simply exhausted.
The trouble with delusions was that the patient believed them to be true, even in the absence of evidence and proof to the contrary. Sarah believed that Diego loved her. While Sarah was currently aboard the Toormonda and it would be a simple matter to have Diego talk with her and clarify his feelings towards her, nobody was certain that that was the best thing to do.
Ji-eun sighed. Then she slapped her cheeks and her thighs to perk herself up. She was an officer, and this was no time to be feeling sorry for herself.
“You can hear me, correct? Ship? Toormonda?” she asked.
“That is correct, Captain Ji-eun Moon,” Said a non-sexed friendly voice. “I passively scan my entire interior to ensure that my passengers are safe every zero point zero one of your seconds, and I listen to all words that are spoken in my interior. The records of these recordings are promptly purged from my memory unless certain criteria are met, such as a safety event occurs or a serious or actionable threat of violence occurs.”
“What about actual violence?” Captain Moon asked.
“In that case all events leading up to the event are recorded depending on when the first violent impulses were detected,” the ship informed her.
“I understand,” Captain Moon said. “I’ll make certain that everyone knows to watch what we say while we’re aboard you.”
“I am designed for my presence to be as unobtrusive and inoffensive to my human passengers as possible. However certain things are hardwired into my being which prevent me from disregarding the safety of my passengers even at the extent of their privacy and autonomy. I apologize for this,” the ship said.
Captain Moon shook her head. “It’s okay. I understand. Thank you for ensuring that I was aware of your observations, and I will ensure that my crew is likewise aware. You’ll alert us if you detect any violent tendencies, right?”
“Yes, Captain. Due to the nature of the situation, my first step when I detect any violent impulses in my occupants will be to alert your medical team as well as your security team and command staff.”
“Thank you. I need to make a secure call to Commander Anders. I would appreciate it if you treat my words and the emissions caused by this radio device as diplomatic communications which are to be neither recorded nor examined.”
“I cannot be prevented from detecting them, but I can purge them from my memory immediately afterward,” the ship’s AI assured her.
“Thank you.” She picked up the handheld radio. While it had several frequencies baked in that were insecure, it also possessed encryption capability, and one of the secure frequencies was pared with a secure line that had never been used aboard the Seeker .
“This is Captain Ji-eun Moon, calling the Seeker of New Discoveries. Come in Seeker.” She repeated her words several times before she got a response.
“This is Radio, Captain,” Antoine said.
“I need to speak with Anders. As securely as possible. I’d come back and do it in a secure room, but there are reasons why it can’t wait for me to return to the Seeker ,” she said.
“Understood. Give me a few moments, I am securing your connection,” Antoine said.
Ji-eun waited patiently. After several moments, Anders’ voice came over the radio. “Hello Captain. How’s the good news?”
“How secure is this connection?” she asked.
“Well, you’re using your encrypted radio, and I’m in a soundproof closet. So you tell me,” Anders said.
“I would say that it’s as secure as any communication can be between the Toormonda and the Seeker at the moment,” She said. “At least while not using Yonohoan tech.”
“It’s unfortunate that we’re forced to take the Yonohoan at their word when they tell us something is secure,” Anders said. “Is this something that should wait until you’re back in command?”
“The ship was there for my examination, so it already knows. Anders, I’m level 2. It’s possible I may be experiencing symptoms and not have noticed them yet. It’s possible that my judgment is impaired,” she said.
There was a pregnant pause. “That is concerning. You are cleared for duty, however?”
“I am. However, now that I have the results, I am second guessing myself. I am worried that my decision to send Diego aboard the flagship was a lapse in judgment, among other things. I am uncertain that I am fit for command despite having been cleared for duty by our medical staff,” she said.
“If you’ve been showing symptoms, they’re very minor and haven’t risen to anyone’s awareness,” Anders argued.
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“We have two ships now, Anders. We need two captains,” she said. “Your exposure is less than mine, and you have displayed impeccable judgment throughout the mission. We have often disagreed on some matters, but I have always understood and respected your opinion. It is my opinion that, with the possibility of my judgment being impacted, I should not be allowed to make the decision on whether or not to reveal the location of Earth to the Yonohoans. As such, I will be handing over command of the Seeker of New Discoveries to my XO and assuming command of the Toormonda. Do you have any objections?”
Anders was silent for a moment. “I see your reasoning. I respect your sacrifice, Captain. I disagree with the necessity of this move at this time, but it is ultimately your decision to make. If you are stepping down as captain of the Seeker , then I will step into your place.”
“I’m sorry to place this burden on you, Anders. You are hereby promoted to the rank of Captain due to the situation in the field, officer.”
“How do we announce it?” Anders asked.
“I’m thinking about making a public broadcast from the Toormonda. You can handle informing the crew on the Seeker , right?” she asked.
“If you’re not coming back, then yes. I’ll make certain that everything shakes down in the best way we can manage,” he said.
“Okay. Is there anything else we need to discuss over this secure line?” she asked.
“Not over a secure line. Not right now,” he said.
“Okay. I’m going to take a minute to prepare the announcement, then I’ll broadcast using the Toormonda. Captain Moon out.”
“Anders out,” came the reply.
She set the radio on the bedstand and sighed. This was not an easy decision for her to make. On the one hand, she was abandoning her post. On the other hand, she was assuming command of a vessel which in many ways far exceeded the capabilities of the one she was leaving.
The difference was that the location of Earth was secured in the vaults aboard the Seeker . She couldn’t give over the data to the Yonohoans now if she wanted to.
“You’ll have to convince Anders, now, if you want to find out where Earth is,” she said to herself. “It’s out of my hands. Ship, are you listening?”
“I am always listening. However, every word that you spoke before ‘Ship, are you listening,’ has been purged from my memories. I have no record of what you have said between those words and when you informed me that you were about to make a diplomatic communication,” the ship informed her.
“Thank you. I need to make a public announcement. Can you help me with that?” She asked.
“How public do you wish the announcement to be?” the ship inquired.
“Broadcast to the Seeker , the Yonohoan fleet, and their government. Any public news organization which is monitoring the status of the Seeker should be given a copy as well. It’s fine if this statement is released to the public.”
“I am securing the lines of communication now. You may begin recording your message whenever,” the ship informed her.
Ji-eun nodded. “Will my image be attached to the message sent to the Yonohoans?” she asked.
“Unless you specifically request otherwise, yes,” the ship informed her.
“Do you have a mirror somewhere?” she asked.
Instead of a mirror, a hologram appeared of her. Ji-eun was surprised that she was surprised by the Yonohoan convenience. She spent a moment adjusting her appearance, noticing that she could walk around the hologram to inspect herself from the rear. When she was satisfied, she nodded. “Okay, I’m ready to broadcast now.”
“Recording your message,” the ship informed her.
Ji-eun smiled professionally. “Hello. I am Captain Ji-eun Moon, of the planet Earth, captain of the Earth vessel The Seeker of New Discoveries . I have not spoken in this format before, but I would like to officially thank the Yonohoan people, their fleet of protectors, and their government for the warm welcome that they have extended to my people as we have begun reaching out into the universe.
“I am especially grateful for the generous gift of the Toormonda vessel, which I am humbly accepting at this time in the name of my governments. I will be stepping down as the captain of The Seeker of New Discoveries in order to assume the command of the Toormonda Vessel.
“It is the tradition among the people of Earth to give a name to many of their vessels. I understand that this is something that we have in common, but it is a tradition which your allies, the Topokan, do not understand. I hope that this will not cause confusion between anyone. However, I have decided to name this specific Toormonda vessel The Keeper of Dreams .
“I have reflected upon this name for some time, and I believe that it is poignant. It is the dream of Earth to have allies among the stars. This vessel was given in earnest and good faith to the people of Earth by the first friends we have met since leaving our planet. More than that, I understand that the Toormonda type spacecraft has a very long and beautiful history in the education of children. I believe that, given the roll that Toormondas play in making the dreams of children a reality, that the name I have selected is fitting and proper.
“As of this broadcast, I, Ji-eun Moon, am no longer the captain of The Seeker of New Discoveries . That role now goes to my second in command, Captain Anthony Anders. While I remain a representative of planet Earth and hope that I continue to exemplify the values and principles of my people, I am no longer the leader of the mission which originally brought us into this star system. Any concern which would normally require my specific attention should be directed to Captain Anders. Any concern which affects the new mission of The Keeper of Dreams should be brought to mine. If there is any confusion regarding the chain, division, and continuity of command, please contact Captain Anders for clarification.
“On behalf of the people of Earth, I wish to thank the People of Yonohoah and their Topokan allies for the generosity, kindness, and understanding we have received since arriving in your system. I hope that we become and remain strong allies. That is all I have to say at this time.”
“Would you like to review the message before it is sent?” the Keeper’s AI inquired.
“Yes, please,” Captain Moon said.
She spent several minutes watching the broadcast through twice, then approved it.
Billions of souls watched it live. It was the second confirmed broadcast of an Earthling. A person from a confirmed and unregistered darkworld.
The universe quivered with excitement.