Omina Uncharted

by Roland Starr

  They entered a large hall, and Vonner was relieved to see his entire crew waiting there. A large number of tables were set out at one end of the hall, and the crew were having a meal. Vonner looked around for Adah and Bardo, and saw the doctor at a table with Marr and Curran. A faint cheer lifted from the crew when Vonner was spotted, and Den Thol smiled at Vonner.

  “It seems that you are a popular captain! I am the commander of the force here on this planet, and I know what it means to be respected. I hope your stay in the First Odan System will be a pleasant one.”

  “Thank you.” Vonner nodded as he looked around. “I’m afraid I’m still very shaken by what’s happened.”

  “I understand. Now a meal and then some rest. Afterwards we shall talk. We both have a lot of problems, Captain!”

  “I can understand your problems,” Vonner said immediately. “But mine are not so obvious. I came here to check Omina for colonisation. As it is habited then we shall return to Earth.”

  “With our help your ship destroyed two Zukon ships. I am afraid that the Zukons do not share our non-aggressive attitude. They control the outer space around the First Odan System, and when you depart from our System you will have them to contend with.”

  “How is it that we arrived without trouble?” Vonner demanded.

  “Quite simple!” Den Thol spread his hands. “The Zukons will let every ship in!”

  “I see.” Vonner was thoughtful. “It’s getting out again that’s the problem. Well I never cross my bridges until I come to them, Den Thol.”

  “An admirable attitude for a space voyager. Now 1 will leave you with your crew. I must attend to my duties. Later we will talk some more.”

  “Thank you!” Vonner held out his hand again. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

  The Pravans departed, and Vonner went to the tables where his chief officers were seated. Philo Curran got to his feet, a huge smile on his beefy face.

  “I figured we’d seen the last of you, Captain, when things happened. One minute I was watching you and the next it was blackout! These Pravans do things in a grand style, and they’re far ahead of us with their technology.”

  Vonner nodded as he sat down. He looked across at Hanton.

  “What happened after we landed, Mr. Hanton?” he demanded. “Who is aboard Orion now?”

  “The Pravans are manning the ship for us, Captain. I thought under the circumstances that we ought to come down at their invitation. At the same time they were still a little bit suspicious of us.”

  “Sure, but what happened up there after I’d contacted you?”

  “I told you about the interference we were getting, sir.” Hanton shook his head. “Main drive was affected. The engines were being hit by some invisible source of probe ray. But I put up the shields and they were capable of withstanding the force. Then these two ships appeared. Strange looking craft. They attacked from two directions, but our shields held them off. We exchanged fire, and our Lasers were good enough to cause damage. There was some fire from the ground in the meantime, and both the attacking ships were destroyed. Then the Pravans made themselves known to us and we came down here.”

  “We didn’t hear anything of the battle,” Vonner said. “Were you above our horizon when the action took place?”

  “No, Captain. We’d completed half an orbit when they jumped us.” Hanton stared into Vonner’s face, half expecting trouble.

  “Well good work, Lieutenant! You did fine!” Vonner told him.

  “Thank you, sir!” Hanton’s face showed his relief.

  “But I want you and a skeleton crew at least back aboard the Orion as soon as possible,” Vonner added.

  “Are you expecting more trouble, Captain?” Curran demanded.

  “I’m refusing to accept anything here at its face value after the experience we had down on the surface,” Vonner said. “You know about the cattle we thought we saw, Philo!”

  “I’ll never forget them, Captain,” the Colonel retorted, smiling wryly. “I’ve experienced a few shocks in my time, but nothing like the moment I walked right through that cow.”

  “After you and the ship disappeared the whole scene changed to a desert, with the real conditions prevailing.” Vonner’s tones were taut and filled with determination.

  “None of us can afford to be off guard for a moment. Just don’t make any trouble, and let these people think that we’re going along with them with no suspicions at all. But don’t take any chances.”

  Quillon Reid took a seat at Vonner’s side, and they began to eat. The food was what they could have expected aboard the Orion.

  “Did this food come off the ship?” Vonner demanded. “No, Captain. They said they knew the kind of food we ate and they supplied it.”

  “That was impossible for them to do unless they took it off the ship.” Vonner stared down at his plate. “So how do we know it is food that we like? Perhaps it merely looks like the food we’re accustomed to!”

  Some of the faces turned towards him showed puzzlement, and Vonner nodded. He could see it was going to be difficult to get his crew to accept the suspicions in his mind. But he was the captain and it was his responsibility, not theirs.

  “Dalus, I want you to go aboard the Orion when the manning crew returns aboard,” he directed as he ate. “Check your department right through. If we are permitted to leave then we’ll have a quick turn-round and head for home at the earliest.”

  “But, Captain,” Reid interrupted almost angrily. “We can’t leave until we’ve completed the tasks that have been set for us. They are the object of the whole voyage.”

  “Only if Omina was found to be suitable for colonisation,” Vonner retorted. “The Pravans occupy it so we are unable to come here in force.”

  “But there’s a whole galaxy of humanoid life in this System,” Reid protested. “We must stay for the prescribed month and collect all the information that we can. I want to try and get permission to visit Prava itself and learn what we can about their way of life.”

  “I’ll talk to Den Thol when I see him,” Vonner said. “He’s sent messages about us to his headquarters. We may be asked to report there for questioning. They cannot let aliens come into their midst and depart again without some check being made. They have a perpetual war raging with a race from another planet.”

  “Zukons,” Aaron Marr put in. “I’d like to get a look inside one of the Zukon ships, Captain.”

  “You may get the chance before we’re through,” Vonner said grimly. “I understand the outer space around this System is blockaded by Zukon ships. They let us in, and sent two ships to deal with us. Those two failed, so can anyone not tell me what will happen next?”

  “The Zukons will send a bigger force the next time,” Hanton cut in. “And our shields took a real battering, Captain. They wouldn’t stand up to a concerted attack.”

  “That is why I want Dalus back aboard the Orion,” Vonner said gently. His gaze sought out the Chief Engineer. “Chief you’re going to have to do some work on our defensive systems,” he went on. “Strengthen those shields. Cut into the main power supply if you have to, but boost those shields so they will take anything thrown at us.”

  “I’ll do that, Captain, and as soon as I can get aboard,” Wayland replied instantly.

  Vonner finished his meal, and was still uneasy. He could not accept the situation as it was, but realised that it was probably because he had expected bad trouble when the desert scene fell upon them. He had been trained to a hair before venturing on this mission, and his instincts were truly developed. He could sense trouble, and preferred to rely upon his hunches. Now his sixth sense was warning him to be careful.

  Den Thol appeared shortly after Vonner finished eating, and the Pravan seemed uneasy. Vonner noticed the alien’s manner instantly and came to full alertness. When Thol took him to one side, Vonner guessed there was trouble.

  “I’ve just had reports that six Zukon ships are slipping into orbit around us, Captain,” the
Pravan said. “If your crew are ready perhaps you would take them aboard your craft and prepare to fight.”

  “I was about to ask you to put us aboard Orion,’' Vonner said. “We will fight if we are attacked, but we are aliens here, and I have strict orders not to participate in any action that does not involve me.”

  “You can rest assured that you will be attacked, Captain,” Den Thol said hurriedly. “Now if your crew will step along to the Transporter room we’ll transfer you to your ship and bring my men down.”

  Vonner called the crew to attention and gave orders, and two Pravans led the way out of the hall. Vonner wanted to know more about the Zukons but there wasn’t time. He walked with Den Thol into the Transporter room, and indicated which of his key men should be transported first. Wayland was amongst the first batch, and while the procedure went ahead, Vonner tried to elicit more news out of the Pravan.

  “We will support you, Captain,” Den Thol said hurriedly. “We have missiles which will be attracted to the Zukon ships by the propulsion units they carry. Your ship will not be affected because your propulsion unit is rather old-fashioned by our standards. After the action perhaps you will return to the planet. I will have news from Prava by then, and perhaps you and some members of your crew will take advantage of any invitation that is made for you to visit our home planet.”

  “There’s a bridge to cross now,” Vonner said, smiling faintly. “Let us concentrate upon that before we move on to others.”

  “Good luck! I must go to my post to be ready for the attack. We shall be in close contact, Captain.” Vonner nodded, and watched the tall, slim Pravan depart. Then he watched the batches of his crew being transported back to the Orion. He would feel easier with the hull of his own ship under his feet, he knew. But the fight that was coming up might not be his, and he was already being subjected to mental pressures that clamoured for immediate attention.

  He placed himself in the next batch to be transported, wanting to set foot on his bridge, and relief hit him when the process began. He and ten crew members slowly dematerialised and were beamed up to the orbiting space ship…

  CHAPTER III

  Vonner sat at his horseshoe desk, flicking switches and checking systems. Departments were calling up and reporting, and when the Engine Room came through, Way-land had a suggestion. “Captain, why don’t we Lapse out of it until this fight is over? We could be out of it long before they draw into range!”

  “I’ve thought of that, Dalus,” Vonner replied, glancing at the scanner screens while he considered. “But if we push off at above the speed of fight it would be easy for a following ship to conceal its presence, while we wouldn’t be able to cover our traces. We’re going to remain in orbit at our present speed and take what comes. Have you increased the power of our shields?”

  “They’ll be ready by the time you need them, Captain. Any word of the Zukons yet?”

  “They’re not appearing on the screens yet, but it will be only a few moments.” Vonner flicked a switch and glanced at the scanners. There were no images on its black screen.

  A bell jangled softly and green lights flashed. A red fight was blinking insistently, and Vonner depressed a switch. A metallic voice spoke in his ear.

  “Three unidentified craft have been picked up on the rear scanners, Captain. Laser banks are checked and ready for operation.”

  “Stand by,” Vonner instructed. He cut through to the engine room. “Dalus, erect the screens now! We have visitors!”

  “Screen erected, Captain,” Wayland reported instantly.

  A red light flashed on and off. Vonner flipped a row of switches. His teeth were clenched now, his eyes narrowed. There was the pounding of a pulse in his right temple as he concentrated. Two green lights winked. He cut open a line with a flick of a switch.

  “Captain here!”

  “Lasers are locked on to targets, Captain.”

  “Stand by! Await my order!” Vonner looked at the rear view scanners, and saw three pin-points of light rapidly growing into dots. He checked the forward scanners, and there was one dot growing rapidly. “Report fore and aft!” he called, opening two lines, and the reports came in, swiftly but unhurriedly.

  Vonner watched the indicators. He was at the centre of the brain of the ship. He was the activator nerve that operated the final decision. His brown eyes lifted to gaze at the scanner screens, and he saw the four Zukon ships closing in rapidly. Even as he considered the fact a voice spoke over the intercom.

  “Forward target in range, Captain.”

  “Stand by!”

  “Locks sealed!” Wayland came through again. “Your screens are up fifty per cent, Captain, but don’t ask for Lapse speed while they’re up, will you?”

  “Right, Dalus.” Vonner was watching the screens now. He saw a spurting beam of light emit from the craft on the forward scanner, and almost immediately Orion was jarred by an invisible force that threatened to engulf it. A blinding flash blotted out the screens for an instant, and Vonner realised that they had been fired at simultaneously from either flank. He nodded. Four ships had been sighted, but six had been reported. The other two were on either side, and they were concerting their efforts in an attempt to weaken the ship’s force fields.

  “Commence firing!” Vonner ordered crisply. The ship lurched as streams of power were emitted.

  Again the screens were suddenly filled with blinding white light. Vonner narrowed his gaze against it, awaiting its end to see the result. The forward screen lost some of its brilliance, and red and yellow flames seared up at the centre, folding in one upon another, until suddenly they winked and died, leaving the screen dark.

  “Forward target disintegrated, Captain,” an unemotional voice reported.

  “Select and engage flank targets.” Vonner spoke without thought. He braced himself as the ship shuddered again, then lurched under another concerted attack. The lights dimmed, and for a moment he thought they were going out, but they brightened once more. Vonner was just breathing a sigh of relief when they cut out. He tightened his lips, but almost immediately the emergency lighting came on.

  His gaze sought the rear scanner, and he saw a ball of fire glowing where one bright dot had shown previously. When he had blinked and looked again he saw a second flare-up, and knew half the attacking force was wiped out. But he was fighting a defensive action.

  “Captain, there is a message coming in from one of the attacking ships!” Howie Farrell’s excited voice cut in upon his thoughts, and Vonner shifted his gaze to the communications screen to his left.

  A triangular face showed on the screen, dark skinned, covered with black hair. Black scales on the top of the head and down the sides of its neck gleamed dully as the head moved slightly. The eyes were black, the slits vertical. A long red tongue flickered out of a pale dun under jaw. It looked like a nightmare come true, and Vonner caught his breath for a moment. This was a Zukon?

  “Star ship Orion, stand by!”

  “This is Captain Vonner of the Star ship Orion."

  “I am Captain Tryxx, commander of the Zukon Task Force. I call upon you to surrender!”

  “I am under attack by alien craft, and it is the first law of the Universe that a Star ship should defend itself. I will not surrender under any circumstances. You have already lost three of your six ships, and I call upon you to surrender or depart from orbit!” Vonner kept his voice steady, his tones rigidly under control. He let his gaze go to the rear scanner, and saw another blaze of light which signified the end of a fourth Zukon ship. He returned his gaze to the triangular face on the communications screen, and was just in time to see the light fade and the face disappear.

  “We’ve lost contact, Captain,” Farrell reported dryly. When Vonner returned his attention to the rear scanners he saw they were blank, and the attack was over. He sighed and prepared to consider the cost.

  The departments came through reporting damage and casualties, and they had escaped unscathed, thanks to the reinforcement of
the screens. Vonner felt easier as he ordered the crew to stand by. Then Farrell reported to him once more.

  “There’s a tracer ray on us, Captain.”

  “The screens are still up. Where is it from?”

  “Omina. Must be the Pravans.”

  “Then connect us.” Vonner got out of his seat and stretched. He looked at the communications scanner once more and saw the head and shoulders of Den Thol appearing. The Pravan commander was smiling.

  “That was a decisive battle for us, Captain. We got two apiece. The other two departed from orbit like shooting stars. I don’t think they’ll be back inside of an aeon.”

  “Do you get much trouble from the Zukons, Commander?” Vonner demanded.

  “They’re always in the background, but we have their measure. I understand Captain Tryxx was in contact with you.” Den Thol’s face turned serious for a moment.

  “He asked me to surrender the ship!” Vonner smiled.

  “But how did he communicate with you, Captain?”

  “He spoke in English!” Vonner narrowed his eyes and tensed. The significance of it hadn’t struck him before.

  “Then he had access to one of your crew! None of my men have gone missing.” Den Thol’s face took on a serious expression. “Check your crew, Captain. I fear one of your men has been taken prisoner by the Zukons.”

  “That is impossible!” Vonner shook his head. “But I’ll run a check on my crew, Commander. I’ll be in touch.”

  Den Thol nodded gravely and his face faded from the screen. Vonner twisted around and made for his seat, calling up his chiefs of departments. He had barely started a round of them when Farrell called his attention and gave him a picture of Den Thol once more. The Pravan commander was grim faced.

  “Captain Vonner, it has just been reported to me that a small craft left your ship as action was broken off, and a Zukon recovery probe fastened upon it and removed it from the protection of your screens. Which of your crew has gone missing, and what was the object of the exercise?”