Obsidian Ressurection

by T J Bryan

  Hilde turned to her control panel and then responded. "About 16 hours at 60% of our best speed. We can go faster but..."

  Before Hilde could finish Farn asked, "And how long to get to the single departure point to Severan.

  Hilde replied, "Both portals are only 230,000 kilometres apart so the travel time is the same."

  Farn stood. "What say you Siggy, that we take a leisurely walk while our repairs continue and mine the entry and exit portals. No need to press the ship hard, but it would make me feel better to know that we have locked both the backdoor and the front entrance."

  Siggy smiled, "A capital idea that."

  Moments later Mist headed to the departure portal that lead to Severan and New Hildr headed to the Larissa entry point. It took only an hour to mine both portals with half their complement the new seeker mines. The seekers had an advantage over the older stationary mines in that they had some limited mobility and could seek out a ship passing by, or if other mines were destroyed or swept away in the path of an advancing ship the seekers could fill the gap and still bring down a ship.

  As they returned to the gas shell intending to descend to a point where they could defend Breaking Dawn, Siv Dhal called out, "Dumbbell. I have a dumbbell headed directly to the departure portal. Five hours out and flying at the maximum speed we have reported for a dumbbell."

  Siggy looked at Farn. "I suggest we let him go. At that speed he will never see the mines."

  Farn agreed and both New Hildr and Mist continued on toward Saint Vardan and Breaking Dawn.

  Hours before Saint Vardan ceased to be a protective shield to the city of Breaking Dawn, New Hildr and Mist gently descended through the lowest shell of gas and dust ready to engage in combat with the dumbbell remaining. However when the probes were launched and reported that the space below was clear of ships they hailed Saint Vardan.

  Saint Vardan responded and told New Hildr the remarkable story of the victory and death of De Volta. De Volta had descended as planned, but rather than wait for New Hildr and Mist to spring its' trap she had headed at its' best speed directly into one of the stationary dumbbells just outside Saint Vardan's effective range. The dumbbell had been slow to react and when she did react she began firing her long range plasma cannons which badly damaged De Volta. But De Volta kept coming on at a speed that would have melted her engines if continued. The result was that the remains of the De Volta collided with one of the dumbbells which then broke in two. There followed anti-matter explosions from the dumbbells ammunitions stores. The collision had detonated one of the dumbbell torpedoes and the result was an enormous explosion. The second dumbbell appeared to have been damaged by the explosion.

  Moments after the attack the remaining dumbbell rose into the safety and obscurity of the second shell of gas and dust. Saint Vardan had said that the dumbbell had not reappeared.

  The Battle of New Horizons was over and executive Operator Sohail and Commodore Mayer transferred to Mist which descended to a landing point just outside the capital city. During the descent Farn saw that whole swaths of what was once a beautiful city of tall buildings, green parklands, and manicured forests, were now blackened and cratered. The Megra had destroyed perhaps a third of the city.

  After landing and allowing the hull of Mist to cool, Farn violated Abel's admonition about captains not leaving the ship and stepped onto the surface of New Horizons. After all thought Farn, I am no longer a Captain and Abel said nothing about restricting the movement of a Commodore.

  The air of New Horizons was brisk but with a tinge of smoke and ozone. As Farn stood on the tarmac of the landing pad a large goundcar painted a bright orange and with an open top approached from a distance. Farn looked up into the night sky. The moon Saint Vardan had set two hours before. This was the moonless night.

  Farn had worn her dress whites with Commodore's stripes on the lapels as well as her service cap. Sohail stood next to Farn and two OCN Marines in full armor. "That will be Governing Council Prolocutor and the High Navarch of the Armada, and perhaps a few dignitaries as well. They already know of your great victory and you will find them effusive in their complements, but their real concern will be the future defence of our system. I suspect they will be terrified at the prospect of your return to Jamon."

  Farn thanked Sohail for his frank assessment of the situation as the bright orange floater car came to a halt. Three men and one woman exited the car. They were dressed in flowing robes of bright primary colors. One yellow robe seemed to be more like a cape which covered a bright green housecoat like garment. The others were dressed much the same, however the man in the yellow robe wore a bright red rather floppy hat.

  Sohail said quietly, "The man with the red hat is the Prolocutor, or as you would say the chairman or governor of our system. The one dressed in black and red is the High Navarch of the Armada. The others are Voices of the Plenum which is our parliament."

  The Prolocutor rapidly approached Farn and Sohail. As he reached them he bowed deeply as did all the others. However Farn noticed that the High Navarch bowed less deeply than the others and he seemed very nervous.

  Sohail bowed in return as Farn simply stood and tried to smile and assume a friendly posture.

  "Welcome our saviours. Welcome to New Horizons," said the Prolocutor as he bowed deeply again.

  Farn felt compelled to reply, "Prolocutor, High Navarch, and Voices of the Plenum. We are not your saviours, we are your allies."

  Farn noticed that High Navarch seemed relieved at Farn's words. Farn wanted to be absolutely clear that the OCN was not here to conquer New Horizons, or force it into a relationship they did not want. In fact Farn's great concern was that continued protection of the New Horizons system was simply beyond the resources of her navy and she knew that they could not linger much longer in the system.

  "Come, let us celebrate your victory. The city awaits you," said one of the Voices.

  Moments later Farn, Sohail, and their two marine escorts entered the roomy open topped car and headed off into the direction of the city. The route chosen to what Farn assumed was the capitol building itself was indirect as whole sections of the city had been reduced to rubble. One moment she could see lovely parks, fountains, and white alabaster buildings and the next a blackened crater hundreds of meters across filled with rubble, rocks, and what must the remains of buildings and perhaps human beings.

  As they approached the city center crowds began to appear along the roadway and Farn noticed vid camera personnel filming the procession. The bright orange ground car slowed and Farn realized she was on display to the multitude. Farn was embarrassed by the attention, but she could hardly fault the people of New Horizons the happiness of their survival.

  Many of the people in the crowds that lined the streets were cheering and waving, but as Farn looked closer she could see the pain and anguish on the faces of many. If the bombardment by the Megra had continued on she knew that the city and its' population would have perished.

  The ground car entered what had once been a beautiful park, but was now just a crater and after passing over a makeshift bridge they entered a walled compound and approached a rather low but very large building.

  "The Capitol," whispered Sohail. "Most of the building is underground. I suspect the Plenum will be in session and wishing to hear from you."

  Farn almost groaned with the prospect of having to make a speech. But she remembered something Silvi had said long ago. 'With our allies and potential allies we must be brutally frank. We must not cover this war with happy talk. We are outnumbered, out shipped, and out resourced. Be strait.'

  The ground car descended into an underground garage and they departed near an elevator. The elevator car was the size of a small house and it quickly descended and stopped. The door opened on both sides and the Prolocutor motioned for Farn to follow. They walked down a short hallway and up a small flight of stairs. As they exited the stairs Farn realized they were on a central dais surrounded by hundreds of Voices of the Pl
enum, all of whom were shouting and clapping. The cacophony of welcome went on for minutes until the Prolocutor raised his hands for them to stop. But still they cheered. Finally the cheering faded away and the Prolocutor began to speak.

  "Voices of the Plenum, People of New Horizons, and to our saviours of the Obsidian Commonwealth Navy let us pray."

  The Prolocutor bowed his head and the room fell to complete silence. Farn, who was not a religious person bowed her head for a moment in respect.

  Moments later the Prolocutor began a rather long winded speech in which he outlined the evils of the Megra attack, the untold deaths, the suffering of the people, and the brave voyage of De Magnete to seek assistance. Then the Prolocutor launched into an effusive and embarrassing praise of the OCN and its' power and magnificence. He continued in his extravagant acclimation for almost half an hour.

  Farn listened attentively but knew she was being set up. New Horizons was without ships to defend itself and without the OCN they were exposed to a return of the Megra.

  Finally the Prolocutor finished speaking and received a rousing applause from the Voices of the Plenum

  The Prolocutor motioned for Farn to step forward. Farn hated public speaking, but she knew that she must set expectations at New Horizons to what could be immediately attained without sugar coating the dire straits of both the OCN and New Horizons.

  Again the assembly broke into cheers and clapping. Farn wanted it to stop but knew that was not possible. Eventually the Prolocutor stepped forward raised his hands and the clapping and shouting slowly faded away.

  Farn stood and spoke. "Voices of the Plenum, People of New Horizons. Thank you for your kind reception. However I wish to set the record straight. Today's victory is one for New Horizons. Without your brave Armada, your mighty fortress moons, and the determination of your people all would have been lost. And we, the Navy of the Obsidian Commonwealth, are proud to have played a small part in your victory."

  Farn paused a moment. I can be just as effusive she thought. Then she continued.

  "Today we saw the real courage of the people of New Horizons when the great ship De Volta destroyed a powerful Megra ship and sent another one fleeing in fright. And to the moon fortress fighters, to you we all owe the destruction of four of the offending Megra ships."

  Farn looked briefly at the High Navarch who and resumed his worried look.

  "Without the courage and sacrifice of your great Armada, and the tireless defence of your planet by Saint Vardan, Saint Menas, and Saint George, our few ships could not have provided the aid and assistance you needed. But now, thanks to your efforts, the Megra are defeated. They are gone and the last Megra ship, fleeing your system after seeing the strength of your people in the brave attack of De Volta, is now just dust and plasma having collided with our defensive emplacements at the exit portal. And rest assured, should the frightened Megra return, they shall be greeted by an equally powerful barrier to entry to your system."

  Farn thought to herself that she was laying it on rather thick, but she had no alternative. She needed to set these people up with realistic expectations.

  Chapter One Hundred One

  Jamon System - Fabrication Plant - Year 3248 March 8 ET 13:02

  Abel had been asked by Emmitt to join him at the fabrication plant where the components of the 'apparatus' were being assembled but no longer tested. Testing took place 108,000 kilometres away on a hollowed out asteroid named Coballo which had been abandoned by the miners over one hundred years ago. New Quark and her newly built identical twin Muon were able to both keep the shipping lanes open as well as ferry workers and the sub-assemblies of the 'apparatus' to and fro from the asteroid.

  Abel was glad that the testing of the units was no longer taking place within the Habitat, but the added delay in manufacturing and testing of the 'apparatus' made Abel anxious. So far in the war against the Megra the OCN had been playing an entirely defensive game, and Abel knew that a strategy based on defence against an enemy like the Megra was doomed. Abel hoped, in fact prayed to whatever gods there may be, that the 'apparatus' produced the decisive weapon needed to turn the tide of war.

  Abel had taken his time in walking to the fabrication building he knew Emmitt and his team occupied. It was just after lunch and the park contained many couples and young families cleaning up their picnic places and slowly headed home or back to work and school. A group of small children, no older than eight or nine came running by shouting and kicking a ball. When they saw Abel in his Admiral's dress whites they stopped and two of the boys saluted. Abel almost laughed as the others quickly join in on the salute. Abel returned the salute and the children ran off again chasing the ball.

  Abel entered the fabrications building amid the noise of metal working and hissing plasma welders and cutters. Four of the funnel like sub-assemblies were lined up against the far wall waiting for transport to Coballo. Nearer to the entrance the fabricators were working with intensity on bits of metal, carbon sheets, electrocene panels, and numerous other parts that Abel did not recognize. At first glance the scene looked chaotic, but upon a closer look the entire assembly process was a model of efficiency. Abel looked about for Emmitt but did not see him.

  Abel approached a foreman he had met on several visits but could only remember his name was Bob approached. Bob pointed toward the next building in which Abel would find Emmitt.

  As Abel entered the adjoining building he saw Emmitt in the distance surrounded by what Abel knew were grad students in physics and mathematics all examining three identical pieces of equipment. Further back in the building were three fusion engines and Abel could tell from the control panels and telltales that they were running hot.

  Emmitt had not noticed Abel's arrival and Abel remained quiet as he approached listening carefully at Emmitt's explanation of the equipment.

  "And of course we know that quarks under compression, as we might find in a neutron star, develop rather unusual characteristics not seen elsewhere in the universe. The up, down, and strange configurations are distorted within the pressure vessels of a neutron star as well as in this mechanism. Under this pressure the quarks become something entirely different. This state is called the 'hyperon' state. In this condition quarks adopt incredible energy levels as well as penetration power. The challenge is to control this power."

  Emmitt paused a moment and saw Abel standing nearby. Then he dismissed his students for the afternoon reminding them that they had research summaries to conclude before they met again at noon tomorrow.

  "Well. What do you think?" asked Emmitt pointing at the three mechanisms.

  Abel looked hard at the units. Each was standing on a rigid tripod that Abel could see had been fabricated here in the manufacturing area for the obviously alien units. The shape of each unit was almost fluid in appearance yet solid. Clearly made of some kind of composite metal the units resembled the marriage of a soccer ball and a pyramid with a long spiral appendage emanating from the tip of the pyramid. The unit looked almost delicate yet robust and the entire surface was covered with flowing lines and ripples that seemed to Abel to almost be organic or artistic.

  Before Abel could respond Emmitt began talking with enthusiasm. "Abel look over there at those fusion engines. It takes an entire fusion engine just to make one of these units simply run what are its' diagnostics. If we were to actually fire up the thing and try to shoot it, it might take well over a dozen fusion engines. Perhaps even more."

  Abel now recognized the machines as the long lost Epigoni Empire's neutron guns unearthed by the Theans.

  "Do they work?" asked Abel.

  "I think so," replied Emmitt. "But we will need to test them someplace far, far away from the Habitat. These things can be really dangerous if they perform as well as the ancient records indicate. The EG has a long description of these guns, but with the caveat that none of the editors of the Encyclopaedia Gallectica could actually confirm their existence. There are traces of old Epigoni technology still to be found
in human space, but most of that is rather devolved, simplified, and utilitarian. The most advanced of Epigoni technology was lost, until the Theans found these things buried deep under layers of rubble and dust on some remote Epigoni outpost."

  Abel was now intrigued. What do they do? These Epigoni neutron guns."

  Emmitt smiled. "The can shoot a beam of hyperons into space."

  "Ah," replied Abel trying to remember what a hyperon might be.

  "Abel these hyperons, even in the thinnest stream can cut through anything. Anything even an asteroid. Why you could cut old Dio in half in about an hour if you wanted to. And best of all the hyperons travel at the speed of light and they are unaffected by gravity wells and distortions."

  "And we have three of these?"

  "Yes, and they seem to be in working order. However we cannot be sure until we try them out. I had the linguistic department translating these control hallmarks but the translation from old Epigoni to English is questionable. I think we understand about 40% of the labels on these units."

  Abel though a moment. "So if you push the wrong button it might just blow up?"

  "Worse," replied Emmitt. "It might take out the entire Commonwealth."

  "And it takes a dozen Fusion engines to power this thing?"

  Emmitt replied, "Yes, probably more in actual use. And lead. It needs to be fed lead pellets. Lead is high in neutrons and the machine feeds on them. We might try Bismuth, Polonium, or Astatine, but frankly we are awash in lead here in the Jamon system."

  "And how far do they shoot before these hyperons dissipate and defuse. What is the range of one of these things."

  "Well," replied Emmitt. "That can be a problem."

  "Oh?"

  "They don't disburse. They keep going into infinity until they hit something and all at the speed of light."

  "So if I shoot one of these at say a ship orbiting a planet and I miss and the hyperons continue on to the planets' surface I can cut it, that is the planet, in half"

  "Well, its not that simple. You would have to keep firing for quite a while to cut the planet in half, and of course other planetary forces would set in before the cutting was complete, for example magma and atmospheric distortions..."