Alien: Covenant Origins E-Book

Alan Dean Foster

• Herausgeber: Titan Books
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

The Covenant mission is the most ambitious endeavor in the history of Weyland-Yutani. A ship bound for Origae-6, carrying two thousand colonists beyond the limits of known space, this is make-or-break investment for the corporation—and for the future of all mankind. Yet there are those who would die to stop the mission. As the colony ship hovers in Earth orbit, several violent events reveal a deadly conspiracy to sabotage the launch. While Captain Jacob Branson and his wife Daniels complete their preparations, security chief Daniel Lopé recruits the final key member of his team. Together they seek to stop the perpetrators before the ship and its passengers can be destroyed. An original novel by the acclaimed ALAN DEAN FOSTER, author of the groundbreaking Alien novelization, Origins is the official chronicle of the events that led up to Alien: Covenant. It also reveals the world the colonists left behind.

Leseprobe

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Prologue

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

XI

XII

XIII

XIV

XV

XVI

XVII

XVIII

XIX

XX

XXI

XXII

XXIII

XXIV

XXV

XXVI

XXVII

XXVIII

About the Author

THE COMPLETE ALIEN™ LIBRARY FROM TITAN BOOKS

The Official Movie Novelizations

by Alan Dean Foster

Alien

Aliens™

Alien 3

Alien: Covenant

Alien Resurrection by A. C. Crispin

Alien

Out of the Shadows by Tim Lebbon

Sea of Sorrows by James A. Moore

River of Pain by Christopher Golden

The Rage War

by Tim Lebbon

Predator™: Incursion

Alien: Invasion

Alien vs. Predator™: Armageddon

Aliens: Bug Hunt

Edited by Jonathan Maberry

The Complete Aliens Omnibus

Volume 1 by Steve and Stephani

Volume 2 by David Bischoff and Robert Sheckley

Volume 3 by Sandy Schofield and S. D. Perry

Volume 4 by Yvonne Navarro and S. D. Perry

The Complete Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus

by Steve Perry and S.D. Perry

Alien: The Illustrated Story

by Archie Goodwin and Walter Simonson

A NOVEL BY

ALAN DEAN FOSTER

TITANBOOKS

ALIEN: COVENANT – ORIGINS Print edition ISBN: 9781785654763 E-book edition ISBN: 9781785654770

Published by Titan Books A division of Titan Publishing Group Ltd 144 Southwark Street, London SE1 0UP

First edition: September 2017 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

TM & © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

For Frank and Barbie,

With thanks and in friendship.

PROLOGUE

They were all dying, and there was nothing they could do.

Dying in their sleep would not have been so bad. Dying of old age, or an inability to reproduce, or even of disease would have been tolerable. But the cosmos was a cold, uncaring place, and did not care what would have been preferable. At that moment, at that time, it was colder than ever.

Bodies were ripped apart, exploded, sundered, until dismembered skeletons began to pile up against the sides of buildings like white foam from a wave. A tsunami of blood ran down first one street, then another. The inhabitants of the city tried to fight back, and the more they fought, the faster they died. The shapes—the things that roved and raged and ravaged among them—were imbued with an implacable urge to kill.

This they did with an efficiency and soulless resolution that knew no satisfaction. The proponents of the interminable slaughter could never be sated. They killed and would keep on killing until nothing remained that could be called a victim.

* * *

Throughout it all the Prophet slept, and screamed, while around him a select gathering of acolytes shared his visions and shuddered. Shared, and grew ever more resolute in the knowledge of what it was they must do. The fate, the visions the Prophet was unleashing among them, could not be allowed to come to Earth.

If they had to die to ensure that this was so, they would not hesitate. Nor would they hesitate to kill on behalf of the greater good.

I

On the ground, the ship would never have been able to lift off. By contrast, its mass wasn’t a problem where it drifted in Earth orbit, like a sleeping whale in an endless dark ocean.

Its deep space drive was unmatched, its sustaining technology state-of-the-art, its life support systems backed up by back-ups, its purpose… its purpose was noble. To found a colony. To spread the seed of humankind beyond the single small blue-and-white globe on which the species had evolved.

It also would allow those selected to travel to a new world the opportunity to escape the corruption, exploitation, overuse, and sheer grime that had overtaken the home their criminally indifferent predecessors had carelessly fouled.

Secure in his jump seat on the shuttle, Jacob Brandon continued to admire the Covenant’s lines as he gazed out the nearby port. He was her captain, she was his ship. His future. Serving as an adjunct to Mother, the ship’s remarkable all-seeing, all-knowing AI, he would have little to do except estivate in deepsleep until they reached the distant chosen world of Origae-6.

En route, they would emerge from faster-than-light travel a set number of times in order to recharge the ship, but those were preplanned and routine. He looked forward to a command that, assuming all went as intended, would involve as little actual intercession as possible by him and the crew.

He knew Indri Mithun was watching him. The whip-slender dark-skinned man sitting in the opposite seat made repeated pretenses of fiddling with the computational lens that was affixed to his left eye. In reality, he was studying the captain. Having begun in the launch lounge, paused during liftoff, and continuing throughout the ensuing flight, the constant scrutiny was beginning to wear on Jacob.

“Look, Mithun, if there’s something you want to ask, if you have something on your mind, just come out with it. I’m not going to prompt you.”

Visible through the port behind the Weyland-Yutani representative, the curved edge of a lambent Earth rotated in concert with the shuttle as the compact vessel lined itself up for docking. While the other man fidgeted, he did his best to look and sound authoritative, but only came off as patently embarrassed.

“I didn’t ask to be assigned to watch you.”

Jacob pursed his lower lip and nodded sagely. “And I didn’t ask to be assigned a watcher, so we’re in agreement.” When Mithun offered no comment, an irritated Jacob forced the issue. “So, said the watched to his watcher, if you don’t mind your subject asking—what exactly are you watching me for?”

The company rep swallowed and, having fiddled with his eyepiece beyond reason, switched to adjusting the collar of his shirt beneath his dress jacket. He didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands. Jacob’s narrowed stare from across the aisle only made them fumble faster. Outside, beyond the port, a mesmerizing cosmos swung like the view from a carnival ride.

“You must understand, Captain, that as adept as our people and machines are at assigning values and squeezing parameters, selecting a crew for so momentous an undertaking will inevitably be subject to a lot of second-guessing.”

Jacob smiled pleasantly. “I wish you wouldn’t use the word ‘undertaking’ when talking about the mission.”

This time there was some rationale behind Mithun’s adjusting of his eyepiece. His expression twisted as realization followed understanding. Jacob was disappointed. He had hoped for a response in the form of a chuckle, or at least a smile. But then, he had already decided that the company rep wasn’t readily amused.

“A joke. I see,” Mithun replied, without seeing at all. “I suppose I should have used a different term to—”

“Just get to the point, Mithun.” Ahead of the shuttle and visible on the heads-up, the extraordinary bulk of the Covenant drew near. The representative nodded, appearing relieved at no longer having to play at tactfulness.

“To put it bluntly, there are some who are not sure if the company chose the right couple to put in charge of the mission.”

Jacob met the other man’s now steady gaze without flinching. “Mother is in charge of the mission. I’m just the human captain, and my wife is the supercargo. Oram’s my number two, not her.”

“We aren’t as concerned about Daniels,” the representative replied firmly, “as we are about you.”

“I see. And what is it about me that concerns your unidentified ‘we’?”

Now Mithun did smile, however slightly. “There are those who think you’re too ‘flighty.’ Insufficiently serious to be entrusted with command of such a vast and complicated enterprise.”

The shuttle slowed as it approached the main docking bay. A slight shiver ran through Jacob’s body as the much smaller craft began to fall under the influence of the Covenant’s artificial gravity field.

“On what basis did they arrive at the scientific determination that I am ‘flighty’?”

“Certain correspondence.” Mithun looked away, uncomfortable once again. “Between yourself and others. Correspondence that reflected an excess of enthusiasm for non-project-related matters. There are those in the company who feel that your enthusiasm for participatory sports, for example, might detract from your attention to duty.”

“Sports.” Jacob leaned so sharply in the representative’s direction that the other man flinched. “Listen, one of the reasons I was given command of the Covenant was my demonstrated empathy for the interests of the colonists. Once we get to Origae-6, I have to supervise the establishment of the colony. That requires a completely different set of skills from those needed to captain a starship.” He pressed back into his seat. “The company wanted someone who could incorporate both poles of experience. They chose me. The unnamed ‘those in the company’ can go hang.”

There was a soft bump as the shuttle settled into the docking bay. Jacob was grateful for the return of full gravity. It was hard to kick someone in zero gee, and he was feeling more and more like delivering such a message to the company representative’s backside.

Take it easy, he told himself. Mithun may make more in a week than you do in a year, but he’s just a glorified errand boy. You—you are the captain. Rise above the pettiness. You know what you’re capable of, and what lies ahead. Be confident in your abilities, in your knowledge, in your skills.

Be confident in the fact that it’s almost certainly too late for Weyland-Yutani to fill the position with someone else.

“It’s just that there have been some rumblings on the board.” Mithun kept talking even as they disembarked. “Most of the board is content with your appointment. So is Hideo Yutani himself, but there are some among the Weyland contingent who still feel the need to assert themselves.”

“You’re kidding,” Jacob said. “It’s all been one company for a while now. Weyland-Yutani.” He led the way out into a major corridor. “I thought that sort of nonsense was over and done with.”

“Corporate takeovers are never easy,” Mithun explained. “Most who survive such mergers quickly resign themselves to their new circumstances. But for a few, bad feelings can linger.”

Beginning to feel a bit sorry for his companion, Jacob softened his tone. “So these few on the board, they’re questioning my competency to hold the position of captain?”

Mithun’s reply was glum. “They question everything.”

“And that’s why you’ve been sent to follow me around, to see if I implode under pressure, prior to departure.”

“That’s it, more or less.” For the first time since the shuttle had lifted off, an honest smile creased the narrow face of the company rep. As it did, two stevedores escorting a large autonomous pallet of supplies forced them to hug one side of the corridor. Then they continued at a casual pace. The lighting within the Covenant was bright yet soft, easy on the eye while leaving nothing under-illuminated.

“If you don’t mind my asking, how am I doing?” Jacob inquired as they resumed their course.

“Except for a certain inclination to sarcasm,” Mithun told him, “quite well, I am happy to say.”

“Good. I’d hate to be fired so close to departure. Of course once I’m stuck, stuffed, and packed in deepsleep, it won’t matter. Except in the case of an emergency, it’s against the law to wake a crew member or colonist from deepsleep prior to arrival at their destination.” He grinned at the representative. “I don’t think the company could get a warrant executed in time.”

This time Mithun did not smile. “I find that I almost like you, Captain,” he said, “so I will tell you something. If Weyland-Yutani perceives that its investment in any project—larger or small—might be threatened, there is no limit to what it can or will do to protect it.”

Halting abruptly, Jacob frowned at the smaller man. “You’re saying they could pull me from deepsleep and replace me, even at this late a stage?”

Mithun straightened all of his sixty-five kilos. “I am saying that it would be just as well for you to perform perfectly as the captain of the Covenant and not do anything that might inspire uncertainty regarding your competency, at least until the ship passes the orbit of Neptune.

“Thanks.” Jacob smiled thinly. “I’ll try to operate strictly by the book until we’re under way.”

“I appreciate that,” Mithun replied, “as it will not only be better for you, but will also greatly simplify my reports.”

“Whose reports?”

Both men turned as Daniels approached. Though she was slightly overwhelmed by the final preparations for departure, Jacob’s wife and the Covenant’s supercargo and terraforming supervisor wore the quiet, intense look that had so impressed Weyland-Yutani’s personnel. While shorter than both men, she managed to give the impression of being much taller than she was. An inescapable air of competency clung to her that, according to Mithun at least, managed to evade her husband.

While Jacob had fought to acquire the position of captain through a rigorous barrage of tests, Daniels had sailed through the necessary requirements far more swiftly. It had never bothered him, however, that since couples were preferred to crew the colony ship, he might have slipped in as captain because of his wife’s unexcelled qualifications. They were both thoroughly qualified, he knew. The difference between them might be as simple as her not being as… well, as flighty as her husband.

They didn’t kiss in front of Mithun. Intimacies among crew couples were reserved for moments of privacy. Besides, there was no time.

“My reports.” The company rep was apologetic.

Jacob grinned at his wife as he nodded toward the company man. “Mr. Mithun here has been assigned to shadow me for a while. To make sure I’m not likely to do anything crazy, once we’re on our way. Or worse, anything flighty.”

Swiveling her dark-eyed gaze on the Weyland-Yutani representative, Daniels didn’t miss a beat. She spoke with the quiet intensity for which she was already well known among both the crew and the army of workers engaged in preparing the ship for its mission.

“Better watch him closely,” she said with a straight face. “He’s crazy flighty. Or flighty crazy. I’ve had to deal with it for years.” Before Mithun could comment she added, “He’s also the best-qualified colony ship captain Weyland-Yutani could possibly find. You can take it from me.”

Jacob smiled affectionately at his wife. “You’re prejudiced.”

“Damn right I am. The company’s lucky to have you. I’m lucky to have you. You’re lucky to have me.”

“And if I am lucky,” Mithun added, doing his best to loosen up, “I will be back on solid ground in a couple of days, free from these oppressive if brightly lit surroundings, and assured of stable earth under my feet and an atmosphere whose composition is not artificially renewed.”

Jacob nodded sympathetically, also relaxing a bit. “All right then. Let’s get you run through your assigned checkouts. If we move fast, maybe we can even fit you on the next empty cargo shuttle going back to the surface.”

The company representative’s eagerness was palpable. “I will happily travel as cargo. If necessary, you can stick me in a box. I freely confess that I don’t like space. It is dark, lethal, and wholly uninviting.”

Daniels concealed her expression as she replied. “You’d make a lousy colonist.”

“‘Colonist’…” Mithun shuddered visibly at the thought.

II

Continuing their impromptu inspection, the three were joined by Mithun’s colleague, Lykke Kajsa. Save for being far more deficient in melanin and half a dozen centimeters taller, she was the female equivalent of her newly arrived corporate representative. While it was Mithun’s responsibility to evaluate the performance of the Covenant’s crew, she was tasked with inspecting the ship itself.

As Jacob and Daniels discussed details of the pre-departure progress and problems, Kajsa supplemented the captain and supercargo’s comments with a steady stream of numbers, dates, and interpretations. The inescapable conclusion, which pleased all concerned, was that everything was proceeding more or less as intended and according to schedule.

Daniels was the officer in charge of stores, stocks, and all ship’s supplies both for the journey and for the eventual establishment of the colony on Origae-6. There was one nagging crew-related omission that she felt compelled to point out to the two company representatives. She did so as the quartet continued along a hallway while striving to avoid the steady flow of cargo shifters, equipment installers, electricians, line routers, and arriving colonists.

“As you can see, we’re on schedule,” she said. “Colonists are being placed in deepsleep for the journey, and except for filling out the Security team, the crew is up to full strength.” She paused, then added, “Save for one other.” Halting in the main crew bay beside the empty sleep pods she and Jacob would occupy, she ran a hand along the edge of the open, transparent canopy.

“The Covenant doesn’t have a big crew,” she continued. “It’s not necessary to have one, since while in transit Mother handles the majority of functions. We’ve all gotten to know each other pretty well by now, but we’re still missing one key individual.”

Looking down at her, Kajsa nodded knowingly. “Your synthetic is still being prepped.”

Jacob gave a casual wave. “So we’ve been told. Repeatedly. He—I presume the David series is still mostly male—should have been on board and interacting with the rest of us several weeks ago.”

The two company representatives exchanged a glance. Mithun looked uncomfortable.

“Your device is being—refined. Since the Prometheus was designated as lost, every effort is being taken to ensure that the Covenant mission includes the very latest in technological advances and developments.” He indicated the brightly lit but sterile surrounds of the crew’s sleep bay. “That desire on the part of the company extends to every aspect of the ship’s systems—including its assigned synthetic.

“As the company no longer has the genius of Peter Weyland himself on which to rely,” Mithun continued, “and since synthetics are not and have never been a specialty of Yutani, it has been determined that it is worth taking the time. We want to make absolutely certain your synthetic is the best that can be made, so it is worth the modest delay in bringing him aboard ship.”

He looked to his colleague for confirmation.

Though no less perfunctory in manner, Kajsa had a more winning smile than her counterpart. “Everyone at Weyland-Yutani is aware of the approaching departure date. Rest assured that the Covenant will not leave until every requisition has been filled and every component has been thoroughly vetted. We know how important it is to establish a confident working relationship between synthetic and crew, even though he will be conscious for the majority of the journey while all of you remain in deepsleep.

“Until you arrive at your destination, you won’t need to interact with him, save for scheduled recharging and general maintenance wake times. You can be confident, however, that you will have time prior to departure to meet and interact with your synthetic.”

“I don’t want to play poker with him,” Daniels groused. “It’s just that he’s a critical piece of equipment. I have an enormous manifest to sign off, and he’s at the top of the list. I’d like to check him off.”

Sensing rising tension, Jacob spoke up. “We’re not trying to rush the company.” He smiled broadly. “My wife is something of a stickler for detail. She won’t rest easy until every last piece of gear is on board and accounted for, whether it’s our synthetic or a half pack of dehydrated peas. The company hired her because she’s thorough…” He glanced at Daniels. “Not because she’s tactful.”

“Hey!” Her eyes flashed. “I can be tactful. Right upside somebody’s head, if that’s what’s necessary to get things done.”

Mithun gestured as they approached a portal. “I think we can move on.” He adjusted the AV recorder ring on his right forefinger. “I’m getting everything I need to make my report. Kajsa will get everything she needs to make her report, and you will get everything you need to sign off on your manifest before the Covenant departs Earth orbit. Rest assured.”

Daniels was only partly mollified. “It’s assured that we’ll get plenty of rest, anyway, but the sooner our synthetic boards and we get to know him, the sooner I’ll relax.”

Jacob eyed his wife knowingly. “You won’t relax until you’re in a house on Origae-6, and the Covenant is oxidizing on the ground.”

She gave him a nudge in the ribs. “I’ll have you know, Captain Crazy-Flighty, that I—”

“We’ve got a problem.”

Daniels was interrupted by the arrival of Sergeant Hallet. His superior, Sergeant Lopé, was still on Earth working to fill the final open slot on the ship’s Security team, so Hallet was the senior security officer on board. For someone who had experienced his share of actual combat, he didn’t especially look the part. With a light-colored beard and sensitive face, he was far from filling the tall, muscular image they’d portrayed in the recruitment advertisements.

Rather than resembling someone who could keep them safe from carnivorous alien lifeforms or rogue space pirates, he looked more like someone who would make a good after-dinner conversationalist.

Having seen his interview and training vids, though, Daniels knew better. Despite his gentle appearance, he could move fast, showed extreme endurance, and knew how to handle the unexpected. In fact, his slim build was a positive, since he wouldn’t require the food resources necessary to sustain a heavy set of muscles.

Hallet was also discreet. His deceptively placid demeanor drew no attention from the surrounding swirl of workers as he quietly inserted himself into the conversation between the ship’s captain, supercargo officer, and company representatives. The husband-and-wife team expressed mild surprise at the sergeant’s interruption. The two Weyland-Yutani executives, a mix of irritation and confusion.

* * *

Hallet spared the two reps a quick, appraising glance. He would have preferred to deliver his message to Jacob and Daniels alone, but that didn’t appear possible. Given the urgency of the matter, there was no time for delay.

“We’ve got a problem,” he repeated. “In the main cargo bay.”

Daniels perked up. Slowly filling with terraforming equipment—from giant earth turners to atmospheric water condensers to muscular mechanical excavators—the cargo bay was her principal area of responsibility. Anything that happened to, with, or concerning cargo drew her immediate interest.

“Problem with volumetric assignments?” she ventured. A week ago loading had almost come to a halt when several workers nearly came to blows over where to park a two-story highly automated boring machine. Neither wanted it in his area. She’d had to physically step between the two men to prevent a fight. The problem was solved when she soothed them by informing each man, separately, that he was “right,” after which she’d assigned the machine to a third, entirely different lane outside of their respective jurisdictions.

Hallet met her questioning gaze. Though he was outwardly calm, she could see that he was sweating slightly. He stole another uneasy glance at the two bemused Weyland-Yutani representatives before continuing.

“We’ve got a renegade tech holed up all the way in back. At least, I was told he’s a tech. I haven’t had time to research his file because I’ve been too busy trying to keep him from blowing the cargo bay door.”

Jacob blinked. “’Scuse me, Hallet?”

The sergeant nodded vigorously, looking around to make certain no one outside the small group was listening.

“The guy says he’s mined the main hinges, and will blow the whole door off if the ship’s departure isn’t cancelled.”

A stunned Mithun blurted out what everyone knew. “No one on board has the authority to do that, not even the captain.” He moderated his tone as he added an afterthought to Jacob. “No offense.”

“None taken,” the captain replied while maintaining his focus on Hallet. ”You’re right. Only the Board could cancel or postpone the mission. This guy probably knows that, too.”

The sergeant nodded again. “He demands that you contact corporate headquarters and get them to stop all preparations. He also wants media access via the ship’s system. He says he has a ‘manifesto’ that needs to be broadcast to the world.”

Kajsa looked horrified. “You can’t do that! Whoever this insane person is, we can’t give him a planet-wide platform to spread his views!” She struggled to regain her composure, then added, “Not that any ranting on his part would actually have any effect on the colonization program, but it would be bad—”

“—Publicity,” an equally anxious Mithun finished for her. He stared hard at Hallet. “You’re ship security. How did this person get on board with explosives?”

Daniels replied before Hallet had a chance to respond. “Explosives designed for clearing and excavating are part of the supplies for the colony. This person didn’t need to bring any with him, not if he found a way to bypass locks and cargo bay security. Then he could access what’s already been brought on board.”

“How could he do that?” Kajsa asked.

“I’ll be sure to ask him after we’ve prevented him from blowing up an important part of the ship,” Daniels replied tartly. “If he goes through with this, and if he’s used enough explosive material, he could do more than blow the cargo bay door. He could damage that portion of the Covenant’s superstructure as well. That could delay departure for months. In addition to which there’ll be enough negative air pressure to suck out anything not locked down or properly braced for travel. A lot of that equipment—especially the special terraforming vehicles—was custom-built, not off the shelf. That might take years to replace. This guy probably knows that, too.” She looked over at Hallet. “Let’s go.”

Mithun took a step as if to follow. “Are you going to try and reason with him?”

Her reply was matter-of-fact. “If Sergeant Hallet can’t get a clear shot, yeah, I’ll reason with him. First have to see what kind of explosive setup he’s put in place. If it’s something that will ignite if he’s taken down, then preemptively removing his head won’t work.” Turning, she hurried off, walking fast while blistering Hallet’s ears with one query after another.

* * *

Now it was Kajsa’s turn to move to follow. Putting out an arm, Jacob gently but forcefully restrained her.

“Nothing we can do except get in the way. Leave it to my wife. She knows the cargo bay and the cargo better than anyone else on board.”

Visibly uneasy, the tall company rep swallowed hard. “I was thinking… I was thinking maybe if Mithun and I were present, we could try reasoning with him. As ranking representatives of the company, we could make him an offer to stand down. Money, a future platform on which to safely express his views—anything to keep him from carrying out his intentions.”

Jacob’s reply was kindly but firm. “We don’t know who he might be working with or what else he might want besides putting a stop to the mission. Unless Weyland-Yutani is prepared to comply with his demands, in a public forum, it doesn’t sound like you’d have much luck trying to persuade him.” When the rep still looked ambivalent, the captain added, “Besides, you want this kept as quiet as possible, right?”

Mithun muttered aloud. “How do you keep ‘taking someone’s head off’ quiet?”

Jacob put a reassuring hand on the smaller man’s shoulder. “Hallet will already have cleared the area. None of the workers in the cargo section has access to the Covenant’s ship-to-surface relay system, so they can’t contact anyone on the ground. After this is over we’ll get them all together in one place and explain that the future of the mission, as well as a number of jobs, will be at risk unless this incident can be kept under wraps.” He paused. “We won’t have to specify whose jobs. I think we can keep a lid on this.”

Kajsa eyed him approvingly. “I didn’t think publicity management fell within a starship captain’s purview.”

He smiled slightly. “Then you don’t know how many careful answers I’ve had to give in the course of dozens of interviews during the past several years.” As he looked past her, his expression turned somber. “It’ll be a lot easier, of course, to manage the consequences if the missus can resolve it while keeping that section of the ship intact.”

Mithun eyed him curiously. “You don’t seem overtly worried about your wife’s safety.”

“It isn’t that I’m not worried,” Jacob told him evenly. “It’s just that I have complete confidence in her abilities. I know she’ll handle it. Hallet’s fully qualified, too, and completely competent, even if our head of Security is down on Earth.” He gestured toward another corridor. “Let’s head over to the bridge. We can monitor everything from there.”

The two representatives chattered nervously as Jacob led the way. He’d meant what he had told them: barring catastrophe, it should be possible to keep the incident confined to the ship. If necessary, a few suitable lies should be sufficient to calm any hint of concern. Just like he had lied to Mithun.

Though he didn’t show it, Jacob was worried sick.

III

The plan was in motion. The decision had been unanimous. If some on the Covenant died as a result, it would be so that billions might live.

Whatever was necessary to stop the colonization ship from departing was justified. Action could be delayed no longer. Each passing day brought the extraterrestrial mission closer to departure. Each rotation of the Earth represented missed opportunities. They bent to their work.

If on occasion one of them expressed uncertainty or showed hesitation, their resolve was easily stiffened. The reluctant person disappeared for a short time, and was subject to a full sensory barrage of the Prophet’s visions. Following this, the hesitant acolyte would return, his or her resolve redoubled.

Terror was a powerful motivator.

* * *

“You okay?”

Daniels asked the question of her companion as they hurried through the ship’s corridors. She would have felt more secure had Lopé been on board and in charge, but the chief of Covenant Security was on the planet’s surface, striving to fill the last available position on his team. Not that Hallet was incompetent: far from it. As with the rest of the crew, every member of the security team had been selected for a combination of military skills, physical competency, and attitude—the latter would be especially important when they arrived at Origae-6, and ship security became the colony’s first police force.

Instead of speaking, Hallet replied with a terse nod.

Privates Cole, Ledward, and Ankor were waiting for them at one of the personnel entrances to the massive cargo bay. All of them were wearing EVA suits. As Daniels stopped and caught her breath, Hallet queried his team.

“Any change?”

His big F90 rifle held out in front of him, Ankor shook his head once. Daniels recovered enough to notice that the safety was off. She didn’t have to ask if the weapon’s velocity setting had been adjusted for use inside the ship.

“Nothing,” Ankor replied. “He’s still back there by the main loading door, behind something with six wheels and a main cabin thick enough to stop anything short of a shoulder-fired piercer round. Which we couldn’t use inside, anyway.”

“Can’t get a clean shot, even if we get permission to fire,” Ledward said. “He’s keeping the service tech in front of him, and—”

“Wait a minute,” Daniels interrupted. “He’s got a hostage?” When Hallet nodded, she glared at him. “You didn’t tell us that. Why the hell didn’t you tell us that?”

The sergeant’s deportment did not change. “You really wanted the two suits from company to hear that? Both of them looked like they were going to have a heart attack as it was.”

She conceded the point. “Right. Okay, so there’s a hostage. How is he behaving?”

“She,” Ankor corrected. “Pretty well, considering that she’s in the hands of a crazy person who might at any moment blow the two of them out into space.”

Daniels’ thoughts churned. “Any chance she could get away from him?”

Ledward let out a snort. “Sure. Right before he shoots her in the back of the head. Near as we can see, he’s got only a pistol, but that’d do it. No heavy weaponry. Won’t need any if he blows the door.”

“He doesn’t seem concerned for his own life,” Hallet put in.

“The rest of the bay is secure?” Daniels pressed him.

The sergeant nodded. “Monitors show every piece of equipment as unoccupied and service spaces between are clear. There’s nobody left inside except crazy guy and his hostage. Whoever he is, he’s working this alone.” He was silent for a moment before continuing. “As a security situation, this falls within my sphere of operations—but I know you’ve got company reps on board. Plus—” he gestured toward the vast storage bay on the other side of the door “—I know you’re responsible for every piece of gear in there down to the last self-setting screw. I don’t want to do anything without getting your say-so. Any thoughts on how you want to proceed?”

She considered. “You said he claims to have set explosives in the bay. Do we know what kind of explosives?”

Hallet exchanged a glance with his team members before turning back to Daniels. “No idea. He didn’t go into details. He did say that he’s set packages at multiple locations.”