Waking in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 2)

by D Patrick Wagner

  Sean paused, took a sip of his drink and continued. “This next video is only about thirty seconds long. “ He nodded to Mrs. Grey.

  A straight on view of the dead-end gate showed hundreds of strange ships burst into the system, all charging at the camera. By that thirty second mark, the video stopped.

  “This video was recorded from the patrol ship stationed at the gate. The alien ships destroyed it, without provocation or communication. This next video was recorded from a long-range observation satellite. It too was destroyed.” Mr. Miller again nodded to Mrs. Grey.

  The next video displayed sixty-four of the ships peeling off, heading for the Dorogon gate. The remaining one hundred and thirty-six continued towards Sasania. Behind this wave more, larger ships began pouring through the gate. This time the video lasted almost ten minutes before it too went blank.

  “As you can see, an entire fleet came through the gate. A war fleet. From comparisons to our own navy, we saw attack corvettes, destroyers, battleships, spacecraft carriers and super dreadnaughts. These super dreadnaughts are half-again as large as the three dreadnaughts we currently have in our own navy.” He turned and faced the group. “This next video was shot about an hour after the second video. It is from a high-speed flyby. Apparently the Federacy was able to launch a drone that raced through the gate’s area of space and escape before the aliens could destroy it.”

  The third video played. No more ships came through the gate. The area around the gate had become so saturated with ships that the gate and the surrounding stars could not be seen.

  “We’ve done a count. There are five space craft carriers, ten super dreadnaughts, thirty cruisers, seventy-five destroyers, three hundred frigates and thousands of attack and landing craft.”

  The room turned into an uproar, everyone talking, pointing, gesturing. Some rose from their seats. All looked scared.

  Lawrence raised his hand for silence. Harriet slammed her hand on the table. The Gregor team quieted immediately. The Tolimar contingent took a while longer.

  “Mr. Miller, please proceed.”

  “Yes, Mr. Gregor.” Sean nodded to Patricia. The next video ran. An alien landing craft dropped and smashed into the parade grounds of Sasania’s government center. Ramps dropped. Four-legged monsters, armed and armored, charged down the ramps, took up firing positions and proceeded to shoot anyone moving. Mr. Miller nodded to Mrs. Grey. The picture froze.

  “These are the aliens. As you can see, they appear insectoid. Different from insects in that their legs are attached to their abdomen, for lack of a better label. Their arms and manipulating appendages are attached to the thorax. As you can see, there is a large range of motion between the abdomen and the thorax, giving the creatures an upright capability. The head, bullet-shaped appears to hold their brain and sensory organs, same as humans. They appear to use their tongue as another sensor. We’re not sure about that.”

  Again the room broke out in minor chaos. Again Gregor asked for order. Again Harriet slammed her hand. Once order was established, Lawrence nodded to his first executive.

  Sean Miller continued. “These creatures have shown themselves to be heartless, remorseless. And it seems they look upon us, the human race, as a food source.” He again nodded to Mrs. Grey.

  The screen jumped to another video, one with a different kind of ship squatting on the parade grounds. Its back opened like jaws. The lower jaw resembled a huge waste bin with a conveyor belt running into the ship’s belly. Smaller, unarmed monsters could be seen throwing live, quivering people into the bin. The conveyor belt moved them into the ship.

  Mr. Miller nodded. The screen went blank. He returned to his seat.

  This time there was no chaos, no nervous talk or gestures. Just dead silence. Lawrence Gregor took over.

  “This is what we are up against. This is what took over Yeni Persia. These aliens, these creatures, have thousands of ships. That is an armada designed for invasion. There is no reason to believe that those monsters will be content to stay in Yeni Persia. They will invade. Dorogon is next. Then Bridgelen. They’re coming and the Federacy can’t stop them.”

  Governor Kaufman raised his hand, pointed at the now-blank screen and spoke, “You’ve shown us what’s coming. Why are you here?”

  “To save humanity.”

  “Right.” This came from Garon Stein, the local manager of Planetary Security Services.

  “Actually, to save my people, my business. And I want to do it here, on Tolimar.”

  “Save your criminal empire, you mean,” Ernst Meier, Local Chief Executive officer of Galactic Consolidate Mining.

  “I prefer to think of myself as an anti-establishment capitalist.” That received a snicker from the Tolimar group. “I admit, some of my operations are less than legal. And that is my first offer. No more drugs. No more prostitution. No more underground gambling. I never got into the extortion or murder rackets. The Gregor Corporation goes legitimate.”

  “And what do we get out of this show of penitence?” The sarcasm came through in Garman Burkhart’s, owner of Tolimar Logging and Exports, question.

  “You, we, build a safe haven, a place that we can fortify and protect against the alien invasion.”

  Lawrence thought for a moment and then continued. “Look, my people are coming. I could have just steamrolled in, grabbed some land and set up another capitol for my enterprises. My cousin, Sheldon is the governor of Latina. And he runs it. He could have an army here in the time it takes to traverse the gate. But he and I don’t want that. We want to work with the people of Tolimar, you, the leaders of Tolimar to build a sanctuary, a bastion of humanity, if you will.”

  “I would need to speak with my superiors,” Ernst stated.

  “Are you sure you want to do that? What happens if it gets out that Tolimar is being prepared as a defense zone? What kind of immigration would occur? Actually, what kind of invasion? How could we stop this tide of humanity overrunning all of us, swallowing us up and spitting us out?”

  Shar inserted herself into the conversation. “We don’t have the resources for that rapid expansion. We’d run out of food, staples, everything that keeps our world running. Mr. Gregor is right.”

  Turning to his production manager, Gregor asked, “Mr. Thomas? Comments?”

  “For the first two years, resources will be a problem. It will take time to expand the agriculture and manufacturing capabilities on Tolimar. But it is doable. We already have all the heavy machinery we need. I’ve got it being collected all over the Federacy. And we’ve got the people to run it. In fact, we have so much equipment and people that we probably don’t have enough haulers. The agriculture isn’t going to be a problem. We’ve spent years refining low area/high yield produce growth.” Gregor’s production manager didn’t mention that the research occurred on the huge asteroid, Sanctuary.

  “Our one area that we will need to go outside is livestock handling. Our expertise is limited and we don’t have the manpower.”

  “We haven’t agreed to this,” Richelle Brandt, owner of Brandt Mineral Enterprises stated.

  “True. That’s why we are here. That’s why we are having this meeting. I want you, the power brokers of Tolimar to give the Gregor Corporation approval to settle on your planet.”

  “You’ve missed someone,” Dedrik stated. “You should have invited Kevin. Kevin Roth. He has the largest cattle ranch on the planet. And he heads the Rancher’s Association. He works with all the livestock and horse ranchers. He’s got a big voice in the community. And he’d know where to get any people to help with whatever your corporation would need. But like Richelle said, we haven’t bought in.”

  “Harriet? Please contact Mr. Roth and invite him to the meeting. Shar, if you would be so kind, could you help her with the connection?” Turning back to the group, Lawrence continued. “And I agree with your concerns, Mr. Stein. You don’t want some big organization, criminal or otherwise, steamrolling you and taking over your world. I wouldn’t either. Whic
h is why I have a second proposal. We establish a joint board of directors. Seven people. Three from Tolimar. Three from Gregory Corp. the seventh is replaced every two years, alternating between our two entities. The first two years go to Tolimar. The board controls the growth and resource distribution. No one entity overruns anything.”

  The mixed group spent the next two hours talking, arguing, offering and demanding. Kevin Roth arrived. The grey-haired, leathery cowboy walked into the bar, wide-brimmed hat on his head, horse-riding boots on his feet and a gun on his hip. The Tolimars greeted him and he was quickly swallowed up into the conversation. Lawrence, his daughter and Shar watched. Every time Harriet prepared to leap into the discussion her father held her back with a loving hand on her arm and a small shake of his head. Lawrence watched the going ons with satisfaction. He watched the two separate groups slowly join, agree on a common enemy and begin the slow process of working through to a solution. The discussion began to splinter into details, minutia.

  “Gentlemen, Ladies. I believe we have come to a good stopping point. We’ve crossed many barriers, began to understand our separate problems. Let’s retire, take time to collect our thoughts and write down our separate concepts, ideas, plans. Regroup in two days. Then we can begin hashing out the details. Thoughts? Opinions? Recommendations?”

  Everyone, a little ground down, shook their heads, agreed to the two day window and set themselves to closing the meeting. Hands were shook. In some cases, shoulders were grabbed.

  “A final thought. Mr. Stein, Mr. Meier. You both are working for large, intergalactic companies. If we keep this to ourselves, you will assume ownership positions of the local offices. I will take care of any disagreements. If either of you can’t accept this new direction, then I understand. I will reward you handsomely for your silence and, if you desire, transportation for you and your families to anywhere you wish to go. Thank you all. Have a good evening. Drinks and dinner for all of you and your families are on me.”

  Harriet walked over to and stood beside Shar. “What do you think?”

  “We’ve never been able to get those big dogs to agree on anything. It’ll practically be a miracle. But I don’t see how we are going to be able to stop that alien horde, if it sets its sights on Tolimar.”

  “Not yet. If we get Gregor Corp. here and we have a year to set up, we’ll be safe. My father has a plan. You’ll see.”

  Shar just nodded. She leaned against the bar while Harriet continued to stand in her rigid way. The two watched the Tolimar contingent file out, promising to return for the evening with families in tow. The Gregor team headed up the stairs, having booked their stay in Shar’s boarding rooms. A contented Shar took it all in, a swamped business, lots of good credits flowing in and a possibility that her home would be protected from the coming destruction.

  Suichuu-Shigai

  Suichuu-Shigai started as a small, single-domed mining experiment by the Royal House of Kaneko. To everyone’s surprise, it became wildly successful. Many years later the city now existed as a sprawling, multi-domed entity that covered hundreds of square kilometres and bored hundreds of feet into the ocean floor. Played out, deep core tunnels with multiple side chutes became living quarters, small shops and family businesses. The heart of each dome, the area resting on the seabed, comprised the main businesses, the main industries, the main centers of communion and local government. All the domes connected with underground passages, worked through the rock bed, strengthened and braced with thousands of man-hours of labor and tens of thousands of tons of steel.

  Transparent, crystallized transilium. The material used to make the portals and viewing shields of space ships. Also the material used to construct the domes which protected the city of Suichuu-Shigai from the crushing pressure and the dangerous denizens of the ocean.

  The Dorogon star’s rays refracted as they penetrated the enveloping sea and variegated the clear crystalline domes with constantly changing greens and blues. In the royal dome the recycled air smelled of lotus blossoms and oranges, the circulating currents softly rustled the leaves and swayed small branches. This dome, sitting at the bottom of the sea, housed a true royal palace with all of its associated splendor and opulence.

  In the center of this dome, the one protecting the Royal Water Palace stood the observation tower. The top of which Chamberlain Demura and former Ambassador, now Taishou, Suzume currently stood while they perused the surrounding buildings and great grounds. What had once been groomed gardens and tranquil walking paths now boasted every bit of equipment required to keep an army going, to keep an army ready to fight.

  Eight-person barrack tents littered the once-pristine royal landscape. Hastily erected Quonset huts housed mess halls, medical centers and conference rooms. Heavy equipment stood in their isolated areas, being swarmed over by mechanics and technicians.

  The two Nyu-Nippon leaders knew that this scenario played out in every dome, thousands of people flowing in, preparing for war, preparing to save their way of life.

  “We are fortunate that the aliens waited more than a month before invading Dorogon.”

  “Yes we are, Taishou. At least we have a chance to hold our own.”

  They’re observations and conversation broke when Emperor Kaneko entered, followed by his three bodyguards.

  Both turned, bowed deeply and held their poses. The Emperor nodded. They rose, and stood at civilian attention.

  “Lord Chamberlain, Taishou Suzume. Any news?”

  “Your Highness,” the High General of the Nye-Nippon forces began, “As surmised, the aliens began their invasion of Dorogon. Hundreds of their smaller ships were destroyed, but the larger ones seem indestructible. So far a skirmish has occurred with Vice-Admiral Weiskoff losing a ship. The Federacy fleet is pulling back to Nyu-Nippon. The aliens are holding, waiting as more ships keep arriving through the gate.”

  “More alien ships. How many?”

  “Hundreds, with more coming,” answered Taishou Suzume. “We have no idea on the final number.”

  “The Federacy will not be able to hold them off.”

  “No, Your Highness. I fear that we are on our own.”

  “Chamberlain?”

  “I agree with the Taishou, Your Highness. We are on our own.”

  “Do what you can. My counselors are at your command. Request whatever you want. Demand whatever you need. Our world is at stake.”

  Both Chamberlain Demura and General Suzume braced to attention, proclaiming, “Hai, Teiou!”

  Chapter 2

  Aboard the Ravage Maker

  War squatted at his command post aboard the Ravage Maker. Looking down, he watched its captain manage the operators as they deftly maneuvered the huge flagship into viewing position to watch the anticipated launch and subsequent attack. Checking his status screen, he approved of the tight formation the eight ships formed as they charged towards the lightly guarded planet. The five destroyers formed the fingers of the claw, the dreadnaught Despoiler of Planets nestled in as the claw’s palm. The two battleships cruised beneath the claw, prepared to lunge forward, attacking the one large ship in the alien formation.

  Watching his monitor, he also saw the blockade force steaming towards the northern gate. The super dreadnaught, Star Killer, led three cruisers, five destroyers and eight frigates. Again, he approved the tight formation, seventeen ships sailing as one.

  Aboard the Odin

  Vice-Admiral Weiskoff impatiently sat in his command pod, waiting for the arrival of his fast-approaching flotilla. “Mr. Bradley, arrival time?”

  “Ninety minutes.”

  “Keep me apprised.”

  Captain Brewer long ago had accepted that Vice-Admiral Weiskoff’s needs overrode the traditional chain of command.

  “There is one other thing on our sensors, Captain.”

  “And that is?”

  “The aliens have sent a flotilla towards the Bridgelen gate.”

  “What size?” Weiskoff interjected, again ignoring protocol.r />
  “Measuring by the signatures of our ships, a super dreadnaught, three cruisers, five destroyers and eight frigates”

  “So they’re closing our back door. And they’re preparing to invade Bridgelen. It just gets better and better. Captain Brewer, please set a conference call with the captains.”

  “Aye, aye, Sir.”

  Shortly the four remaining captains appeared on the vice-admiral’s display. Captain Brewer listened in. “Captains, today we have met the enemy. Today, for the first time, we have lost one of our own, the Mani. And, today the enemy, the aliens, learned that we are no pushovers. We destroyed more than three hundred of their ships. Currently, an eight-ship enemy force is steaming towards Nyu-Nippon. From their previous actions, it is to do harm. I plan to put a stop to that. We stand and fight.”

  Weiskoff paused, collected his thoughts, and then continued. “We’ve worked up a battle formation and a plan of action. Lieutenant Clark has the particulars and is ready to present the orders of the day. He is currently in the conference room. I will switch you to him. Good hunting.”

  Captain Brewer began to leave for the pending meeting but the Vice-Admiral interrupted his exit. “Captain Brewer, please have your engineers verify that the X-cannon is in prime condition. I plan on finding out if those monsters enjoy being micro-waved and EMP bombed.”

  “Aye, aye, Sir.” The captain redirected to his chief operations officer, issued some orders then continued on to the operations meeting.

  Vice-Admiral Weiskoff remained in his command pod, ruminating on the upcoming battle.

  * * * * *

  Ninety minutes later, the Vice-Admiral still sat in his command pod. The four surviving ships from the alien invasion had linked up with Odin and, per the plan, turned to face the enemy. The two destroyers and two battleships formed a vertical box with the two battleship cattycornered. The destroyers took up positions in the two remaining corners. The Odin positioned itself directly in the center and slightly forward.