Dimension Lapse II: Return to Doomsday (Dimension Lapse Series Book 2)

by Nicholas Davis

  His other older brother, Zatilla, was leader of the Vanatu, the ancient clan of Zacharians, who refused to accept technology, and held on to the ancient beliefs and rituals. They used the compound Triachilite in their rituals, blending it from scratch and using the proper ingredients in proper amounts. Due to their limited mentality, however, it only produced minimal results, and allowed only the use of telepathy with one another, but not telekinesis.

  The Barok used the compound as well, but refined it to a science, which allowed the right formula to produce the results they needed for both. Their brains were developed enough that they were able to use it properly. There were some that abused the substance, however, and ended up dead or insane from overdoses. Over time, the Barok used the substance so much that it became part of their blood, and the effects were passed on to their offspring. It would be this inherited sense that would help Jeff in the near future.

  While he watched several of them dance about the fire, a rather large arthropod came out of one of the wooden structures. He carried a large scepter-spear, and walked with a slight limp; Jeff guessed it was Zatilla. Zarcon said he shouldn't trust him, and that he had gone against their father's wishes many times. Now that their father died in the attack against the Barok, he was the grand master of the clan. Zarcon said Zatilla hated humans, and what they tried to do to this planet, and would kill any that he ever saw.

  He lifted his top right arm with the spear, and began to let out loud clicks. When he did, the others began to click wildly as well, and four of them picked up spears and began jabbing the cage with them. Jeff frantically moved about the cage, trying not to get stabbed. The leader clicked again, then they stopped, and dropped the spears. One unlocked the lock with a large key, and as he did, another grabbed the human with his long four arms and yanked him out of the cage. The human rolled down the rocks, and onto the dirt ground below him. Another picked up a spear and poked him slightly to get up. He did so, weakly, and stared at the woodpile and post in front of him in fear and anxiety.

  Zatilla waved his arm again, and they pushed him forward toward it. "You read minds!" he yelled in desperation. "Why can't you understand I'm not your enemy?" He knew, however, it was a useless plea, because they couldn't understand him unless he could reach the headband. He wriggled his hands again, but still had no luck.

  One of the arthropods untied the knot so that he could place him on the pole. When he did, Jeff reached quickly inside his pocket, grabbed the headband and put it on his head. The insect took this as an act of aggression, lifted him up and tied him to the pole tightly. The stone on the headband began to glow a bright red, and the creatures backed up ten feet away from the pole.

  "I am not your enemy!" Jeff yelled.

  "Who you then?" Zatilla asked, as the others grew quiet. Jeff could now understand what they were thinking. "You not enemy, then who you?"

  "I am Walker," he said. "Jeff Walker, I am a friend of your brother."

  "Zator?" Zatilla asked. "Then you no friend of us!" The insects began to cheer and taunt Jeff by pointing spears at his legs.

  "Zarcon!" Jeff yelled. "He was my friend!"

  "Zarcon?" their leader said, as he waved them to stop. He bowed his head. "He is no longer brother of mine. He side with Zatar, and leave this place to join Republic!"

  "I'm with the Republic!"

  Zatilla lifted his three feet wide face, his mandibles opened wide in anger.

  "Then you enemy! You die!" One of his clan proceeded to take a torch to the woodpile and was about to light it.

  "Wait!" Jeff yelled. "Zarcon told me he forgave you before he died."

  He waved his arm again, and the leader started to come closer until he was in front of Jeff. "My brother dead? How?"

  "He was killed by a man named Riona."

  "He a human?" The insect was ready to have them light the fire, but stopped as Jeff talked.

  "No, he was a humanoid, but not a human."

  "Where is he? I kill him!"

  "I'm afraid that's impossible, he's already dead."

  "You killed him?"

  "The Republic killed him."

  Zatilla backed away, and the others followed his lead.

  "Is good Republic fight for brother," he said. "But Republic and Barok treat us as slaves, think we stupid."

  "Not me," Jeff answered. "Trust me."

  "Trust no one. Especially Republic."

  "You trusted Zarcon once."

  "Yes, he let Garlicians wreck our land, use us as slaves, make us fight, and steal our varbatu."

  "Varbatu?"

  "Our mind powder."

  "Mind powder?" Jeff suddenly remembered what he meant. "Triachilite!"

  "That what Garlicians call it."

  "Believe me, I mean no harm. Zarcon gave me this headband so I could communicate with other beings such as you. He was one of my best friends."

  "Me no like Republic, but me thankful to the one who knew brother. I know not what to do."

  "Let me go," Jeff pleaded.

  "I cannot!" he screeched. "The Vanatu law must be followed. Enemies must be burned, and if they human, eaten!"

  "You won't find me very tasty," Jeff barked. "I'm all bones, and not much meat."

  "We no eat you because you brother's friend, but you die anyway!" Zatilla said. "Light fire!"

  "Please, listen to me!" Jeff screamed. The torch fell on the pile, and it began to burn.

  "Thank you for being Zarcon's friend," he told Jeff. "Now die in honor."

  The fire began to burn around his feet, and Jeff closed his eyes to pray. 'Please God, if you're up there, please help me out of this mess,' he thought to himself. The post he was on began to shake and move, which led him to believe God was indeed listening. The post ripped out of the ground, and the Vanatu backed up in fear, as it began to levitate in the air over the fire, Jeff still tied to it. The leader fell on his back in disbelief.

  "We angered gods!" he yelled. "They not want us kill human!"

  The insects scattered about like hot water being dumped on an army of ants, the pole rose high in the air, and came down in the ground away from the fire. Zator came out of the jungle, and untied Jeff with his telekinetic power, and he fell down in the dirt.

  "Zator!" Zatilla yelled. "How you do that?"

  "If you didn't hold on to your old silly beliefs you'd understand," he said. "Let the human go, he's done nothing to you."

  "You no respect our beliefs," Zatilla said. "You not understand."

  "I came here to try to reason with you," he said, as Carver came out to help Jeff to his feet. Jeff was never so glad to see him in his life. Carver helped him back to the edge of the clearing. "To reach a truce between our clans."

  "No truce!" Zatilla said. "You and Republic evil, like Garlicians."

  "The Garlicians want Triachilite," Zator said. "Republic wants peace and freedom."

  "Want us for slaves! We destroy Republic, and Barok!" The Vanatu cheered, and began to stomp their spears against the ground wildly.

  "We came for peace," Zator said. "But we're prepared for war. If war is want you want, then war is what you'll get!"

  Batar lit one of the kiwi grenades and threw it into the ground, as it exploded, sending one of the arthropods into the air.

  "Attack!" Zatilla yelled, and the arthropods chased them into the jungle.

  Batar, Jeff and Carver ran in the direction of the tunnel which led to where the ship was, while Zatar and the other Barok threw grenades at the Vanatu. They held off the savage creatures as long as they could, until they reached the tunnel to retreat. One Barok arthropod kept throwing bombs at them from the entrance until their aggressors retreated into the jungle. They held them off for now, but they started an escalation of events which would lead to an all out war.

  The bomb throwing insect stayed at the entrance to ensure the others' safety, while Carver, Batar, Jeff, Zatar and the others descended into the caverns. Zatar turned to Jeff, and saw he wore a translating headband.

/>   "I am Zator, son of Zorax."

  "I am Jeff Walker," he said, as he limped through the cavern. "I knew your brother Zarcon. He gave me the headband."

  "Zarcon is a wise brother," Zator said. "If he is your friend, then you are our friend. We will help you in any way we can."

  "I'm sorry to tell you that he gave his life so that I may live." Jeff told him.

  "Then he was the best of friends, and a brother to you as well."

  "What about the ship?" Batar asked. "How can we fly it with just the seven of us?"

  "I will send two of the Barok with you. They will follow your orders, and help you in your mission. Help us by sending Republic troops to fight against the Vanatu, and the Garlicians."

  "It seems to me you and the Vanatu have a common enemy," Batar said. "The Garlicians."

  "All the more reason you need to work together," Jeff stated. "I'll talk to the Council myself. They will help you, if you agree to a truce."

  "We don't want war," Zator said. "If we can get the Vanatu to agree, we will agree as well."

  That moment, they heard a loud screech and the sound of scampering feet through the cavern tunnel.

  "They're coming!" Zator yelled, as he gestured for them to leave. Carver and Batar turned and ran, but Jeff stayed right where he was.

  "Right now, however, you must make a stand," Jeff told Zator.

  "Come on Jeff!" Carver yelled. "We have to get out of here now!"

  "I can't leave him, his brother was like my own brother," Jeff told him, holding his laser pistol tightly.

  "Well," Carver said, hitting the recharge button on his laser rifle. "I guess I'll have to stay as well."

  "I'll meet you at the ship!" yelled Batar, who started down the tunnel.

  Carver nodded, and they waited for the Vanatu to attack. The screeching became louder, and when they saw the bright blue eyes coming at them, they opened fire, killing several. Zator threw a grenade at them as Carver tried to stop him. "No!" he yelled, and half the cavern fell in on many more of the Vanatu. Rocks and dust spread everywhere throughout the tunnel, and the humans began to cough and choke. When it finally stopped after about two minutes, Carver reached for a glow stick from his pack, and twisted it.

  "Is everyone all right?" he asked, as the green light glowed in the cavern. Jeff dusted himself off and rose from the ground.

  "I'm fine," he said, as he picked up his laser pistol. "How bout you, Zator?"

  "I'm alive," he said, emerging from the darkness. "Are they gone?"

  "It appears that way," Jeff answered, and grabbed the other pack from the ground. "But I'm sure others will come."

  "What will we do?" he asked. "They want to start a war with us."

  Jeff picked up Carver's laser rifle, and handed it to him.

  "Your society is an intelligent society and much more civilized than theirs. You learn to build more of these, and you fight for your freedom. I hardly doubt, however, that they will defy you when they find out the power of your minds."

  "I cannot take this," Zator said. "It's an instrument of death. We want peace."

  "Until Zatilla is willing to negotiate, there'll be no peace," Jeff stated. "Take it as a gift from me, a balance for peace."

  "You are wise man, Jeff Walker," Zator said. "Zarcon was right to trust in you."

  "Well, not that wise," Jeff said. "I'm the one who got myself in this mess in the first place. I didn't mean to drag the Barok into it as well."

  "You are right about us," Zator replied. "We've been hiding down here too long in fear. It is time to fight for our place on this world.

  "I'll talk to the council, and see that troops will be sent here."

  "Thank you, Jeff Walker. I will look after my brothers and sisters of the Barok. The ship is that way. Two of my clan will take you there. Good luck, Jeff Walker and friend." He pointed toward a tunnel on the left that hadn't been damaged.

  "Goodbye, Zator," Jeff said, and offered his hand to shake. Zator extended his lower right claw, and Jeff grabbed it. "It's been a pleasure to meet you."

  "Pleasure to meet you," Carver said, even though the seven feet insect didn't understand him. "Thank you." Zator knew it was a sign of gratitude, so he nodded, and two of his clan stepped forward and lead the way toward the ship. The rest of the new clan joined Zator who held his new weapon, and slipped into the darkness.

  The four of them traveled about a mile down the cavern, until they came to a large steel door. One of the large arthropods pressed a button next to the door, and it opened, revealing an elevator. They stepped in, and it took them to the surface into the clearing where the Zacharian ship was located. They walked out of the elevator, which was in a rock formation, and towards the enormous triangular shaped spacecraft, which was at least a half mile wide.

  "It's gonna be hard to hide this thing from the Garlicians," Jeff jested.

  The insect on his right, chuckled.

  "They will not see you, it has a light refraction mirror system on it."

  "Won't their security screen pick it up?" Jeff asked.

  "By the time they do, we will be landed on Garlicia," the creature said. "You will see."

  "And your name is?"

  "You can call me Fallou," he said.

  "Pleased to meet you Fallou," Jeff said, as they walked up the spacecraft's entrance ramp. "How long will it take to get to Garlicia?"

  "About three weeks at maximum speed." Fallou said.

  "Well then," Jeff said. We better get moving. We haven't got a second to lose."

  The four of them entered the ship, and they walked through its long hallways and unusual interior, which seemed similar to the tunnels in design. The Barok that were guarding the craft saw that it was fully loaded with the provisions they needed on their voyage, including food they long missed such as; tropical fruit, fish, several different kinds of nuts, and strawberries, which Lori and the lingworts both loved.

  When they entered the bridge, they were greeted by an overjoyed crew, happy to see Jeff survived. Lori and the lingworts ran to him, and hugged him tight, and Wilson patted him on the shoulder. "Don't you ever do that to me again," Lori yelled at him.

  Batar worked with the other two arthropods onboard the ship to prepare the ship for liftoff. "Ready thrusters," Fallou told the helmsman. He pressed the correct buttons and the ship began to lift off. Two of the arthropods left the bridge to man other parts of the ship, and they all took their places, securing themselves in their seats.

  The bridge was similar to the battle cruiser, but with a smaller viewing screen, like that of an aircraft. Carver sat in the command chair, as Fallou manned the communication system. Fallou turned on the universal translating device so everyone would understand what he was thinking or saying.

  "Welcome aboard the intergalactic spacecraft Sarloton," he said. "Now I turn command over to you, Captain Carver."

  "Thanks," Carver said. "Well, on to Garlicia!"

  "And Balta," Jeff said. "I'm not looking forward to seeing him again, but somebody's got stop him."

  "Do you think he's attacked Sentros yet?" Batar asked.

  "I hope not," Jeff said. "We'll send a message to Sentros, and let them know we're en route. We've got three weeks to get there and stop the maniac. Hopefully, he hasn't killed the two Republic officers with him and Avery's daughter yet."

  "I'm not sure if our contact is there or not yet," Carver said. "We'll know when we get there."

  "Well," Jeff said. "I better get my rest if I'm gonna fight that bastard again. And get back in shape. I hear the Garlician air can be brutal on humans."

  "Not as brutal as their arena," Carver said. "I hear they enslave and battle aliens for their own entertainment."

  "Well," Jeff said, and bared a defiant grin. "I wouldn't want to disappoint them. If they want a show, We'll give them a show they'll never forget!"

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  During the tribal battle on Zacharas, Angelica struggled through her life in the laboratory, trying to pret
end she was still working on research. Varloo said he would arrange the time she could work on Cely's AI chip, but two and a half weeks passed, and he said nothing more to her about it. She knew that he sensed her watching Garlona and him, and mentioned nothing more about the chip.

  She thought about what Rollings said when she last saw him, and if he really meant it, or said it because he was under stress. She hadn't totally experienced these feelings in the beginning, but she since grew to love and respect him as a man. Maybe when this whole thing was over, they could somehow be together. She didn't care about his age; he was handsome, caring, loving, and treated her right; and that's all she ever wanted or needed.

  Maybe they could settle down on some earth-like planet somewhere, and raise a family together. She always loved children; and wanted a couple of her own one day. Rollings already had children, but hadn't seen them for some time, but if he ever did, she would accept them all the same. The more she thought about it, the more she realized it was just wishful thinking; it would be just a matter of time before Balta found her no longer useful as well.

  Still the same, she couldn't help the urge to try to see him again, but she knew Balta already changed the code. If she could somehow get Varloo to give her the new code, or perhaps watch someone type in the code, she could see him one more time. She reminded herself, however, of the consequences involved, and decided it wasn't a good idea.