by Alex Guerra
“Where did you go, Princess? We feared that you died on your last mission. The conglomerate respected your wishes not to follow you, but they still sent covert drones to your last known location. They found nothing other than your destroyed ship,” said the commander.
“Please, don’t use that title anymore. I am your equal. I want no special treatment,” she replied.
“My apologies, Seya…” he said, dipping his head slightly.
“Negotiations failed miserably on Harkloon. I lost my friend and my ship and was stuck there until recently, when my new friend, Arthur, helped me,” she gestured a hand to me.
The commander glanced at me and I returned a stern nod.
“We are glad to see you are okay. Please, come in and settle down. I am sure it was a bit of a journey from Harkloon,” he beckoned us further into the hidden base.
The troops came in close, smiling at Seya as she passed—or at least what I could only assume counted as a smile for most of their species—while bowing their heads with respect.
“Okay, you seriously never thought to tell me you were a princess?” I muttered as we went in.
“It’s an empty title which I abandoned many years ago,” she replied.
“They seem rather attached to the title. Are you some kind of hero?” I asked.
“Old habits are difficult to get rid of. I’ve only been a part of the conglomerate for the past nine years, while some of these people may have been doing this their entire lives,” she replied.
“Nonsense, in her time with the conglomerate, she has accomplished a great many feats—all worthy of praise and honor. She is much too modest,” the commander interjected. “I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but there’s been a significant boost in morale ever since Seya joined us. Knowing that someone of her status recognized our plight has helped greatly and solidified our purpose,” he said leading us further inside the hidden lair.
“You doubted your efforts then?” I asked, scooping up my helmet from the ground.
“I am sure that whatever you did so far in your life, at one point you questioned if you were on the right path,” he said.
“There have been moments like that, sure,” I agreed.
“Then you know that there are some days that are better than others. We have doctors who could help you if you want. You look quite ill,” he added.
“I’m not…uh, I’m human, not Darkkon” I sighed in exasperation. I could see a trend here. I wasn’t exactly a looker, but on this side of the galaxy, I looked as if I was a terminally ill Darkkon. Great! I thought.
“What is human?” asked the large alien.
“It’s the species from a planet very far away called Earth. I can explain it later if you want,” I said.
“Interesting. I would like to hear more about your home when we have the time,” replied Nura.
Walking over to a table with a hologram projection centered above it, a model of the city floated displayed several different markers on it. Some new large rooms popped into view, housing various types of equipment. Although many were the sleeping quarters, I was sure to find a kitchen nearby if I continued looking. It looked as if the conglomerate were running a smooth operation here. I’ll admit, I was a bit apprehensive about this whole task beforehand. Seeing the conglomerate’s work put me at ease, knowing this was not some small, futile effort.
“As you can see, we have a good-sized arsenal. We marked patrol routes over the past few years and entered any variances seen over time. The imperials are becoming complacent, even a bit careless. We will strike soon and take back the city,” explained the commander, jabbing a long-clawed finger at the holo-field.
“What are your plans after taking back the city? The empire won't wait too long before sending reinforcements to reclaim it, right? Are there significant forces elsewhere on the planet?” I asked, trying to comprehend the scale of the operation.
“We expect to face swift retaliation from them. They may also choose to not send anymore off world reinforcements for some time. This is more of an outpost for the empires,” he replied.
“Okay, say they do send more reinforcements, what exactly would you have to fend them off?” I pressed.
The commander looked contemplatively at me. “We sent messages to the nearby conglomerate fleet in neighboring systems. They are to remain on standby should we need their aid. We can only hope the enemy doesn't send an overwhelming force for us,” he said.
“What about civilians? How would we warn them to leave the city before the engagement?” Seya chimed in.
“Hmm, that is a bit difficult. I am not keen on having innocent civilians caught in the middle of this skirmish. We would need to strike at night when the population has gone home for the day. Most of the buildings in the city are shops or restaurants, with few people actually living here. But, we can’t risk informing the general population ahead of the operation. Not if we want to increase our chances of success,” he said, a grim look falling upon his reptilian features.
A silence hung over the room.
“We plan on spreading out around each of the objectives, taking them over simultaneously. The empire wouldn’t know what happened before it was too late, or so we hope,” said the commander.
“What about the timing of fleet reinforcements? Wouldn’t it be easier to have them come in early and support the operation?” I asked.
“We don't want to reveal our numbers unless we absolutely need to. The fleet is the last resort,” he said.
Seya and I nodded in agreement.
Arthur, I am detecting a power core’s signature nearby.
“Really?” I blurted out, receiving confused looks from the others.
Yes, once we entered the base, I discovered a faint signature. I would have notified you sooner, but the soldiers were holding you at gunpoint.
Good call. Can you see it right now?
No, but the signature is strong enough to suggest it’s within one hundred fifty feet of this location, inside the base itself.
“Is everything okay?” asked Seya.
“Uh, yeah—sorry,” I said, brushing it off. “Dotty tells me there is a power core here,”
Commander Nura gave me a hard look. “What interest do you have in the power cores?” he asked in a stern hiss.
“I have plenty of interest in it, actually. I have been looking for these to power my ship, so I can go back home—to Earth,” I explained.
“Your ship uses power cores? Such a device provides a massive amount of energy to utilize for our entire base. No ship needs this kind of power,” Nura said, waving a hand at me.
“Mine does. It’s the same technology, from an ancient civilization called the Yau, right? The same civilization that made the power core you’re using right now. Let me guess, it looks like a clear sphere with a silver flame inside, wrapped in a golden filigree?” I said.
This had got the commander’s attention.
“If you came here to steal these, then you are a fool,” he sneered, reaching for his blaster.
“No, wait! I didn’t come to steal anything. I have been looking for power cores before I even met Seya. I didn’t know you had a power core here, exactly, only somewhere in the city." I rushed to explain myself as Commander Nura narrowed his eyes at me.
Dotty, any suggestions?
If The Pillar had more power, then I would also have enough power to separate myself from you. I could reintegrate with nearly anyone of their choosing. It would, however, take a considerable amount to be able to make the jump back to Earth, on power cores alone.
How much is a considerable amount? My face and ears began to turn hot with nervousness. How had I never bothered to ask how much power I would need to return to Earth before? You’re such an idiot, Art, I thought.
You are not an idiot, Arthur, it was simply something that we both overlooked.
You overlooked it?
I apologize, but it was not the highest priority for me. To answer your question, whil
e it only takes twelve percent of a single power core to transfer me from your mind to someone else’s, it would take a total of two full power cores to take you back one way.
That much? I’m never going to get home!
I did mention that you would most likely not be returning to Earth in the foreseeable future. If you did make such a trip, The Pillar would also need an equal amount to return to the conglomerate as well. Until we get four full power cores, you will be unable to return home. I will not allow you to make the trip one way. That is only fair.
God…I’m going to be stuck here for the rest of my days it seems.
Remember your mantra, ‘take one day at a time’. This thought was ingrained heavily during your second tour in Afghanistan, according to the memory.
While Dotty patronized me with my own words, there was no changing the fact that I was stuck here. Our mental dialogue only lasted a few seconds, but I needed to say something to the commander before he blasted me away. I needed to find a way to get the core from Nura.
“Look, I promise that you can keep the A.I. and the ships when I’m gone to help your cause, but I need a lot of energy to do so. These things are incredibly rare, I understand that, but I need each one I find, in order to get home,” I said, trying to explain the situation as calmly as I could.
Commander Nura removed his hand from the blaster’s grip. “I will make you a deal,” he said. “If you help us with the upcoming operation first, then I will allow you to have the power core. But only after the mission's completion—successfully.”
I frowned, considering my options. “Why do I need to fight? I only want to get home. I said I’d give you everything afterward. The A.I. even worked with a conglomerate agent before I had it. It wants to help you,” I protested.
“I wish it were so easy, but we are low on troops and everyone capable enough to fight, counts—you look capable enough. Additionally, you’re asking me to give up this power for one individual’s homesick desires. Meanwhile, the rest of us are preparing for a fight to take back the city. You need to shed blood to get blood. Those are my conditions,” said the commander, crossing his arms with finality.
I pursed my lips, looking to Seya. The only other alternative I had, was to fly around space in search of something that may not even exist. Meanwhile, there was a working core a short walk away from me right now, but it came with a price.
How long do you estimate before we would even reach the next possible power core location?
I have not been able to find any more potential power core locations at this time. Remember, even upon finding such a location, the integrity and power levels of the core are unknown, like on Harkloon.
I have a life to get back to, Dotty. You realize how difficult this is going to be to explain to everyone, the longer it takes for me to get back, right? No one is going to believe the truth.
My apologies, Arthur. It was not my intention to cause you more stress. But we are with the Galactic Conglomerate now, and The Pillar will not be essential for this engagement by the looks of it.
Look, I did my part and got you back into friendly hands, I thought with frustration.
Correct, and I commend you for completing that objective. However, there is a known power core nearby. With it, I will be able to remove myself from you, transferring myself to someone else, should you not want to continue with the journey. I understand you are upset, but it appears that the opportunity in front of you is the best immediate solution for the both of us.
And what do I do once you get rid of me? Stay on The Pillar until you work with someone else to get the power cores?
That could be an option, but as you can see, it would be easier if you worked with the conglomerate and myself in the meantime.
I clicked my tongue and stayed silent for a while, thinking this whole thing over.
This sucks.
I tapped the toe of my boot onto the metal decking of the room while letting out a sigh.
“Art, you have my word that the conglomerate and I will help you get back home,” said Seya, looking at Nura, who gave a small nod. “You just need to help us first. I swear it.”
“Fine, I’ll help out,” I said. “But, you give me the core as soon as we’re done.”
“Agreed,” said the commander, sticking his hand out.
I grabbed his forearm and we shook on it. “Deal.”
The meeting concluded, and I was now onto a more pressing matter—finding something to eat that wouldn't kill me and wasn't another protein bar.
SEVEN
I finished off a well-packaged portion of crunchy paste with an exotic flavor that made my mouth buzz with bits of tartness. Okay, I lied, it was another protein bar. At least it was different from the four other flavors I was working with for the past two weeks. According to some of the aliens, the tart bits were from a fruit found on this planet that was like a plum in appearance.
Over the last few days, I sat through meetings given by Commander Nura and his staff as they discussed preparations for the upcoming operation. two days from now. Once nighttime came, patrols were sparser and more relaxed. When the time came for the changing of the guard, it would present the best opportunity to strike.
As it turns out, “hurry up and wait” was a universal phenomenon and not only a human military tradition. I managed to explore the entirety of the base within five hours of our arrival. Well, everything minus the intelligence suite as it made sense not to let strangers peruse secret intelligence.
Seya or one of Nura’s troops always accompanied me. They did allow me to go anywhere alone. So much for being friends with Princess Aranis.
They kept a watchful eye over me. Most were actually nice, as they were interested in learning about Earth and my story so far, although, some others had conveyed that they had drawn the short straw among their friends. Those ones followed me around, muttering things Dotty didn’t bother to translate for me.
During our conversations, I kept thinking about the details I divulged about humans and Earth. I hoped that they wouldn’t use any details I gave them of my home and its people to attack us later. Not that I was the best history or social economics teacher for humanity. My current situation, however, made me the planet’s resident expert on all things human.
They would all gawk when I told them that humans never unified on a global scale. Apparently, they looked at our countries and politics as archaic, which I couldn’t disagree on. They told me that the fastest way for a species to prosper and grow would be under global unification. They said that a species tended to enter a golden age when personal gains were set aside for the good of the species. It also led to a higher satisfaction of a person’s self-worth. It sounded very un-American to me and even borderline communist. The aliens looked at mankind the same way we looked at ancient warring clans of old—always striving for conquest.
We had a long way to go it seemed.
Assigned to watch me today was one of the more exotic life forms I had the pleasure of running into since being here. The creature was a seven-foot-tall, gelatinous, purple monster, whose insides were moving in a gross manner. Granted, its insides were nowhere near as complicated as a human’s, but there were vital pieces at work. Its name was so complicated, that even Dotty couldn’t simplify it for me, so I dubbed him, or it, Bob the Blob, to which it didn’t show any strong feeling about, one way or another.
We had spoken at length about the jumps civilizations took as they aged. When I asked it how its species had come together, its explanation had taken me aback. Bob told me that it was clear from the beginning that it was the best course of action. Its people never once had infighting or wars. They didn’t even covet life-changing discoveries.
From the early days of gelatinous cave people, upon discovering fire, they went on missions spreading the discovery to others. This was the beginning of an exponential change among the entire species. They continually shared the knowledge to all those they encountered. The whole known continent they
lived on spread the discovery in a matter of months and started the age of fire.
“Did your people really live in caves?” I had to ask.
“Of course. It is where we spawned from the planet, after all. Where did humans come from?” it asked.
“We…can’t all agree exactly. Some say divine intervention, and others say it was through evolution from a primordial soup,” I said with a shrug. “Some say both, among other theories.”
“Interesting…” it replied, stroking a gelled tentacle over the top of its body.
I took the gesture as the equivalent of it thinking. I hoped that’s what it was at least.
“There were much larger expeditions across the planet many hundreds of years ago. Exploration and expansion were the primary goal. They also brought technology and beliefs with them," I explained.
“So, they enriched the civilization with new culture and a new wave of thought then,” it said, excitedly.
“Not quite,” I explained. “Unfortunately, they brought disease and war with them, engaging in conquest after conquest. The either killed people or turned them into slaves.”
“That is unfortunate. You say your people still do this today?” it asked.
“Well not exactly…it’s complicated,” I said, resigning from the question. I was clearly not the right person to be explaining the entire history of humanity to a kid, let alone a sentient alien blob.
Probably sensing my frustration with the subject, it placed a tentacle on my shoulder, its warmth surprising me. “I am sorry I pried. Know that I didn't mean to offend you.”
“None taken,” I said. “Hey, how did you learn about warfare if you never fought amongst yourselves?”
“Our days of warring did not begin until we initiated our expansion across the galaxy. We brought our knowledge to new planets and their inhabitants. We did not know that the galaxy could be so—” It paused. “Hostile.” Its tone seemed grim, possibly thanks to Dotty’s translation. The voice sounded like a garbled male and female blended together. I flicked between the true audio and the A.I.’s rendition, mostly for my own amusement.
