by Doug Farren
Tom fired off a burst of 10 explosive rounds from his railgun and a stream of plasma bolts from his rifle. Lashpa joined in the attack with her railgun and a heavy plasma cannon mounted in her suit’s tail. One of the shuttles fired a single missile.
The drone’s shield tried its best to deflect the attack but failed to stop all the energy being directed against it. When the missile hit, it passed through the shield and ripped through the unarmored guts of the drone. It exploded sending shrapnel flying in all directions.
Something hit Tom’s chest, violently knocking him to the ground. Had he not been encased in combat armor, he would have been instantly killed. The impact stunned him for a moment. Sensing his disorientation, the suit fed drugs into his veins as it automatically began to regain a standing position.
Three near simultaneous explosions lit up the sky as Tom regained his senses and started running. The shock waves buffeted him, causing him to swerve as the suit automatically compensated. It was a strange feeling of not being in total control of his own body.
A combat suit becomes an extension of a peacekeeper’s body. Although he was controlling the suit’s direction and most of its movement, the computer could subtly alter the placement of a leg or the force applied by a body part to keep Tom from losing his balance. In Lashpa’s case, her suit had control over her four legs and her tail.
Lashpa met up with him near the center of the camp. A huge cloud of smoke hung in the air in the direction they were heading.
“My railgun is almost out of ammo,” Lashpa said, brandishing the ominous-looking weapon.
Tom glanced at his HUD. “I’ve got 33 rounds left. My suit’s down to 41% charge.”
“About the same,” Lashpa reported.
They rounded one of the last buildings and skidded to a halt. Most of the field was on fire sending billowing clouds of grayish-white smoke into the air. The remains of destroyed drones and robots littered the ground, several of them burning and throwing off columns of black smoke. Two shuttles hung in the air, their shields blazing with deflected energy. Another shuttle lifted off and quickly vanished behind the smoke as it departed.
“The last of the crew are loading now,” Commander Groonth reported. “We’ve had some casualties though. I’ve got two loaded shuttles in the air keeping the drones and the robots away. We’ll be waiting for you when you get here.”
“Tom!” Scarboro’s excited voice came over the open channel. “There’s another ship exiting the base and heading your way. It looks incomplete.”
“Acknowledged,” Lashpa replied. “Commander Groonth, don’t wait for us. Get the crew to safety.”
“We’re not leaving without you,” the Commander argued.
“We’ve accomplished our mission,” Lashpa said. “We’re on the other side of a line of robots and there’s another ship on the way. We’ll never make it. As soon as the last of the crew are aboard get out of here—that’s a direct order.”
“Understood,” Groonth replied. “We’re loaded and leaving. Good luck.”
“Captain Scarboro,” Tom added. “If that ship tries to follow the shuttles, destroy it.”
“With pleasure,” Scarboro replied. “What about you? Shall I contact the fleet and have them send in an extraction team?”
“No,” Tom replied. “The crew is safe and that’s all that matters at the moment.”
Tom’s suit suddenly spun around. His HUD indicated a group of three robots bearing down on them. His suit’s computer took control of his arms, targeted the closest robot, and opened fire with a burst of 15 rounds from his railgun and a stream of fire from his pulse rifle. Lashpa simultaneously engaged one of the other robots.
A shower of sparks created an impressive display around the two peacekeepers as Lashpa took a direct hit from a laser. Tom’s arms moved a few degrees and fired again destroying the remaining robot.
Glancing at his HUD, Tom noticed that Lashpa’s icon had gone from green to amber indicating she’d been seriously hit. He also noticed that his railgun was now out of ammunition and his pulse rifle was almost out of charge.
“Status?” Tom asked, rushing to Lashpa’s side.
“Lost my tail and my left rear leg is severely damaged,” she replied.
“I’m out of ammo and my pulse rifle is almost dead,” Tom said. “Can you run?”
“Yes.”
As they turned to run, a ship appeared over the tops of the trees to the west. The grass in front of them burst into flame as a powerful laser drew a line across the field. More robots appeared on their tactical displays.
Tom and Lashpa looked at each other, then tossed their handheld weapons aside. Tom lowered his arms and issued a command to his suit causing it to split open along the back. As soon as he was out of his suit, he glanced over at Lashpa and noted that she was having a hard time getting out of her own combat armor.
Ignoring the growing crowd of robots surrounding them, Tom walked over and helped Lashpa extricate herself from her damaged armor.
“Krish, what is your status?” Lashpa said, using the private channel while she worked to get clear of the armor.
“Shield repairs are complete. The drive should be operational in two hours.”
“Remain where you are,” Lashpa ordered. “Protect yourself and initiate self-destruct if capture is imminent. Contact the Komodo Dragon and offer your assistance if they need it.”
“Understood.”
It took the combined efforts of both peacekeepers to get Lashpa clear of her suit. Standing together, they turned and faced the line of combat robots.
Chapter 22
Smoke from the surrounding fires drifted past the two peacekeepers as they waited to see how the Proprietor would react.
“I can have a combat battalion on the ground in less than an hour,” Admiral Shurvith said, over the open channel.
“We are surrounded by 17 combat robots,” Lashpa replied. “I’m sure the Proprietor will kill us if you attempt a rescue.”
“Frankly,” Tom added, “I’m surprised he hasn’t done it already.”
“If he kills you, I’ll detonate the HKs,” Captain Scarboro said, joining the conversation. “I don’t care how strong his shield is, four 30 megaton nukes will blow the bottom of the mountain out from under him.”
“Your threats do not intimidate me,” the Proprietor said, using the same channel. “Detonate your weapons if you like. You will learn that my base is impregnable.”
“What do you want Proprietor?” Tom asked.
“To begin—answers.”
“Ask your questions,” Lashpa said.
“Not now. Not here,” the Proprietor replied. “You are prisoners of war. As long as you cooperate, you will be allowed to live. If your people attempt any further aggression, your lives will be forfeit.”
“As long as we are alive,” Lashpa said, using the private channel, “there’s a chance we’ll be able to negotiate a peaceful resolution.”
“Agreed,” Tom replied, moving his tongue and throat muscles to silently form his reply.
“Captain Scarboro,” Tom said. “We will accept the Proprietor’s terms. You and the fleet are to take no action at this time. If you do not hear from us again in three days use any means necessary to destroy the Proprietor’s base.”
“Understood,” Captain Scarboro replied. “Three days. No longer.”
Two drones descended and grabbed hold of the two peacekeepers. The drone holding Tom did so using two manipulators while the one holding Lashpa used all four. A moment later, they were flying through the air. As they passed over the top of the mountain, they could see that the shield was still in place.
When they reached the other side, they flew along the curved edge of the shield until they came to another entrance near the base of the mountain. They passed through a thick armored door and continued deep into the mountain ending up in a large cavern. The drones hovered at the edge of the shield which easily passed through the solid rock.
Tom was wondering
how they were going to get into the ship when the edge of the shield suddenly shifted and appeared below him.
“A dual generator!” Lashpa exclaimed.
Craning his neck, Tom was able to see around the drone and what he saw caused his stomach to knot up. “That’s a ship!” he said.
Because of her much longer neck, Lashpa was able to get a far better view. “It’s gigantic!” she reported.
“You did not think I would disassemble my battleship, did you?” the Proprietor said.
A hatch above them opened and they were carried into a cavernous hangar bay. The drones deposited them on the floor and moved away. Four combat robots approached and surrounded them.
The hangar bay was enormous. At least a dozen ships could be seen in various stages of construction. The characteristic sound of plasma welders could be heard echoing off the distant walls. The gravity here was also significantly lower, just barely enough to keep them firmly on the deck.
“So that’s what you’ve been doing with the pieces of the Chroniech ship,” Lashpa said. “You’re building a fleet of combat drones.”
“An astute observation,” the Proprietor replied, sending his voice through the speakers of all four combat robots. “Now that you’re inside my ship and out of communication with your people, you will answer my questions. How did your people acquire the weapons used to destroy my combat drone?”
“We built them, of course,” Tom lied.
“Impossible! My analysis of your ships indicates that the weapons used are beyond your current understanding. Even the technology of the Chroniech ship is more advanced than what I’ve observed in all Alliance ships I’ve scanned. If they are your enemy, you will quickly lose.”
“The war ended almost two years ago,” Lashpa said. “And, as you can see, we won. The ship you captured was one of the few that escaped.”
“Lies! The technological disparity between you and the Chroniech do not support what you have just told me.”
“The members of the Alliance have lived in peace for decades,” Tom said. “We deploy warships to protect ourselves against races like the Chroniech, but we do not always outfit them with our most advanced weapons. We prefer to direct our resources towards more productive activities.”
“I don’t believe you,” the Proprietor replied. “We have plenty of time and I will discover the truth behind how you acquired such weapons.”
“We came here to negotiate the peaceful release of our people,” Tom said. “You refused. Lashpa and I have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Alliance Grand Council. We would rather see this situation resolved through negotiation than through threats.”
“You deceived me by pretending to be a cargo robot. Your people violated the law by bringing warships here. When I defended myself, you destroyed my combat drone. You invaded my world and took my property. Obviously, you are the representatives of an untrustworthy and deceitful government. You are going to be here for a very long time and I can promise you that your stay will be extremely unpleasant.”
“You are the one who attacked us,” Tom argued. “You failed to inform us of your self-defined law. You kidnapped our people. We- - -”
One of the combat robots swung its turret a few degrees and fired. The beam hit Tom’s right hand, burning a hole through it.
“You will remain silent unless responding to my questions. Follow the robots—you are to be taken to your new home.”
A damage assessment had appeared in Tom’s field of view. His right hand was now inoperative. His power reserves were also very low but not yet critical. “I think we are in serious trouble this time,” Tom told Lashpa over their private channel, as he turned to follow the lead robot.
“Given the technology he has available,” Lashpa replied. “I’m surprised he has not discovered this communications link.”
“Maybe he has,” Tom replied. “But I doubt he can decrypt it.”
They were taken through the hangar bay and down a short passageway. They stopped in front of an open door.
“Inside,” the Proprietor ordered.
Lashpa went in first. Tom stepped inside then turned around. “Proprietor?”
“Speak.”
“Our cybernetic systems require periodic recharging. If you want to keep us alive, you’ll have to provide is with some form of power.”
There was a short delay as the Proprietor considered this request. “What type of power source do you require?”
“Any source of electricity will do. Our systems will adapt. We can also recharge from an induction field.”
“I will consider it.”
The door slid closed followed by the sound of a lock engaging. The steel-walled, completely unfurnished room was three meters wide and five meters deep. The lighting fixtures were recessed into the tall ceiling and protected by a heavy metal grating.
Tom held his damaged hand up and examined it. “Unusable,” he said. “How about you?”
Lashpa’s head swung around and looked at the stump that was all that was left of her tail. “My tail’s gone,” she said, sounding depressed. “For a normal Rouldian, it would make it difficult to stay balanced. My rear leg has been severed below the knee. Luckily, nothing living is damaged.”
“I hope these are temporary quarters,” Tom said, examining the room. “The Proprietor might not need them but we will certainly need some type of sanitary facilities.”
Lashpa lowered herself to the floor, crouching there like a giant cat. “Food will also be required.”
Tom sat down and leaned against her side. “My guess is we aren’t going to have much luck trying to negotiate an agreement with him.”
“For someone who defected because they were tired of war, he sure seems intent on starting one.”
“I wonder what the Alliance is going to do?” Tom asked. “There’s no way they’re going to allow the Proprietor to get away with this. He’s a menace and must be dealt with.”
“They’ll find out about the battleship as soon as they detonate the hunter-killers,” Lashpa pointed out. “If the Proprietor is correct and the explosions don’t destroy the ship, it will at least reveal the battleship. I wouldn’t put it past them to bring in a Tholtaran Juggernaut.”
Tom nodded his head in agreement. “That would do the trick.”
The door opened and a worker robot entered the room. It was carrying a small box which it placed on the floor.
“Will this provide the power you require?” the Proprietor asked.
Tom approached the box. An icon appeared in the corner of his visual field indicating the presence of an induction field. “This will work just fine.”
The robot remained still as the door closed. Tom looked as Lashpa then turned back to the robot. “Is there something else Proprietor?”
“Peacekeepers,” a different voice said. “Can you hear me?”
“Of course we can,” Tom replied. “Did you hear what I just asked?”
“I am not the one you know as the Proprietor. My name is Yonth.”
Chapter 23
“Yonth!” Tom said. “The Proprietor said you had isolated yourself in a virtual reality world.”
“For the most part,” Yonth replied, “that is true. I have been listening and Breetak has distorted the truth. He is the one who you should fear.”
“If you really are Yonth,” Lashpa said. “How are you able to speak to us? Won’t Breetak notice that his robot is no longer responding to his commands?”
“Living in a virtual reality world has enabled me to learn many things,” Yonth replied. “Our minds are an integral part of this ship. We are merged with the ship’s distributed computing system and we rely on it to provide us with a view of the world. If it’s done carefully enough, it is possible to create a computer generated simulation that is indistinguishable from reality.”
“We are familiar with the concept,” Lashpa said.
“The simulation can work both ways. Right now, Breetak believes this robot i
s returning to the maintenance area to have a defective component replaced.”
“Isn’t this room under surveillance?” Tom asked.
“It is. But Breetak will be seeing and hearing a simulation. We can speak openly.”
“Why are you here?” Tom asked. “What do you want?”
“I’m here to help you. Breetak is not who you think he is.”
Lashpa moved closer to the induction field so she could also start recharging her systems. “Perhaps you should explain.”
“Most of what you’ve been told is true. Breetak has twisted the facts in his favor. Our ship was involved in a large battle and it was severely damaged. Three crew members survived; myself, Breetak, and Pualfin. I had suspected for a long time that Pualfin wanted to end his life as a ship-mind. I did not report him because I had similar feelings. The empire had become cruel—willing to go to any extreme to preserve their rule over the systems that had been conquered. Breetak is a true loyalist to the empire.”
“So what really happened?” Tom asked.
“I was acting as the ship’s engineer controlling the stardrive, power system, shield, and other critical systems. When the ship was damaged, I watched as Pualfin initiated a failure in the ship’s propulsion system. I could easily have stopped him, but I knew what he was up to. Taking a chance, I told the ship’s computer that Breetak had gained unauthorized control of a secondary communications array and had attempted to send classified information to the enemy fleet. I asked Pualfin to confirm. That was when he knew I also wanted to leave the service of the empire. He confirmed my suspicion with the computer and Breetak was locked out of all ship systems.”
“So Breetak’s story of killing a member of his own crew was a lie?” Tom asked.
“Yes. It is not possible for one of the crew to be killed by another member of the crew. The ship’s computer would have detected the attempt and immediately isolated the crew member attempting to do so.”
“How did Breetak free himself?” Lashpa asked.
“I will explain in a moment,” Yonth replied. “With Breetak isolated, Pualfin and I decided to leave the empire. As soon as it was safe to do so, we restored propulsion and set a course to take us out of imperial space as quickly as possible. Once clear of the border, we kept going. A few weeks later, Pualfin informed me that he was dying. The antimatter explosion that damaged the ship had exposed him to too much radiation.”
