A Matter of Balance

[Malaclypse 666]

Malaclypse and Commander Coyle had made good their "escape" from Pope Leonardo's Jinkusu. The small shuttle was approaching the "Episkopos Prime", a docking bay already opening to receive them.

"Bridge, Mal. Prepare to get underway. Set course for the Scrubby Farms. ETA 2 minutes."

The shuttle was "piped aboard" as it touched down in the bay. Mal noticed Sarah's amused smile at the anachronism. He returned the smile, and made a circular gesture with an index finger at his temple, acknowledging his "loopiness". He was rewarded with a delightful laugh.

Mal could feel that the ship was already accelerating, the soft vibration of engines confirming the feeling of inertia. Instead of entering the lift for the high, pagoda-shaped Bridge, Mal guided Sarah to the small Atrium abaft the ship's main tower. "Better view." he offered. As they approached the three Farms concealed within the nebula, he tapped his temple again.

"Bridge. Circuit of all the Farms, please. One-third impulse. Activate and log visual and full-spectrum sensor sweeps." He guided Doctor Coyle to a low teakwood table. The 'traditional' tatami mats replaced by comfortable cushions. "I'd order us saki, but my head needs to be clear. Oolong tea?"

As the Geisha approached the first Farm, Mal had the impression that it was deserted. He turned to a display for an "enhanced" view, finding that there were still immature "baby" Scrubbies congregated in the area. However, they appeared to be listless, flying aimlessly, nibbling only occasionally on their preferred diet of toxic detritus which the Farms provided.

It occurred to Mal that this was due to the lack of "mature" specimens in the vicinity. Scrubbies, like any species, seemed to rely on the "parental" model.. the old teaching the young how to "swim", how to explore, how to play. Disturbed by this change in behavior, Mal tapped his temple again.

"Bridge. Sedona, all possible speed. Continue sensor sweeps."

"Sarah, I can't explain fully yet, but it appears Reggie's fears have some substance. 'Something' seems to be affecting things here in Baffin.."

As they approached and circled the huge collection station that was Sedona, Sarah was on her feet, tea forgotten, nose pressed against the Atrium's "windows". Obviously her duties on MF-2 had not allowed her to explore the system. Again, only a few smaller Scrubbies approached, some looking back at Sarah in curiosity. She turned to Mal, silently raising an eyebrow in question.

"No, my dear, this is not good either. Mature Scrubbies are collected here for distribution to worlds undergoing the terra-forming process, or those requiring minor 'tweaks' in atmospheric conditions. Reggie was about to approach Bretonia about a contract for that cesspit, Leeds.." Another tap:

"Set course for the Geode! Include organism population count in survey data. Maybe my "pets" can shed some light on this."

Sarah had returned to the low table, negotiating the cushion easily, even in high heels and formal gown. As they approached the Geode Mal began to speak with some reluctance..

"Umm, Sarah, perhaps we should change into something more 'utilitarian' for the journey into'€¦"

He stopped abruptly, eyes wide. The "E.Prime" had approached close enough to the Geode for Mal to realize that a trip inside wouldn't be needed. His "pets" were literally abandoning the Geode, boiling out of crevices on the planetoid's surface and the tunnel which allowed the Skyhook's cars to enter, one car almost obscured by their frenzied migration. And they were headed en masse to'€¦

"Bridge!! Thirty degrees starboard! Maintain z-axis! Follow those Scrubbies!" Mal pointed to a monitor showing a forward view. Sarah reached across the table, grasping his hand as she noted his anxiety.

They were gaining on what had to be the largest school of Scrubbies Mal had ever encountered, all swimming with purpose in the same direction.

Suddenly the Geisha "bucked" wildly, shuddering as it regained course. It was as if they were being buffeted by a strong current. They continued to gain on the mass of Scrubbies, finally matching course and speed, which was barely a fraction of impulse speed.

It quickly became apparent that the massive school was also struggling against the unknown "currents", like salmon struggling upstream to spawn. They were barely making headway, but there was obviously some sort of migration in process. Even at this velocity, the Scrubbies could be on the far edges of the Baffin system within a month or two.

"Bridge!! Plot the exact course of that school! I need a destination!"

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