by Ivan Kal
Even now, Aileen still didn’t understand all the aspects of their society. The way they moved up and down the society's ladder seemed insane and illogical. But somehow it worked.
Dakar turned back to the holo, he pressed a few keys on the bottom of the holo and it changed to a series of reports. Vit’r’an locked his legs and started reading. Aileen steeled herself for another day of standing there unmoving as Dakar worked.
Chapter One
December 2170 – Sanctuary
Tomas Klein stood by a window in the Olympus palace receiving room, waiting for his guest to arrive. The room was bright, filled with warm colors, and had a homey feeling that came from its furniture. All of it was brought here from Earth, and was old even before it was loaded on a ship for a 60 year long trip. A bookshelf filled with real paper books lined one wall, real Persian carpet covered the floor. Wooden chairs and tables were placed in the middle of the room, two sofas and a small coffee table on the other side of the room close to the book shelf, and further behind them was the big wooden desk, similar in appearance to the Resolute desk used by the presidents of the United States, long ago. Tomas had it made long before Olympus ventured into space, and it was brought with them from his personal storage units. Tomas didn’t even know that it was here until one day he entered the room and found it inside. Anyone who entered the room would be very surprised at its appearance. There was no sign of technology there.
Looking through the window Tomas could see a big part of the Olympus city. It amazed him sometimes how fast it rose up. But then again with their technology the only limitation they had were materials. There were no politics, no need for endless bureaucratic maneuvering. They decided to do something and then just did it. Permission was given quickly and alternatives immediately suggested if for whatever reason something couldn’t be approved. And it showed. Fabricating technology meant that as long as they had the resources they could build anything in a fraction of time it would have taken anyone on Earth.
A ping on his implant informed Tomas that his visitor had arrived. He steeled himself and gave his permission. A moment later the doors slid open and his guest entered. He was struck with the visage of his visitor, even though it was not their first meeting. Lanai Sumia took a few steps in before she noticed the room and then stopped, she looked around at the objects in the room. Her hesitation gave Tomas time to observe her. Lanai Sumia was from a race called Nel, a race that Olympus met about a year ago. The first meeting was a shock to both parties, as they looked very similar to one another. Nel had gray colored skin, tails, talons instead of nails, and they had no hair on their body other than on the top of their heads. But those were the biggest differences. Sumia had long black hair, and her strange Nel eyes were light blue, speckled with many small black pupils that constantly moved. She wore a tight form fitting clothes with a kind of a coat over them that had short sleeves and fell down loosely to mid-calf length. She took a few steps toward the bookshelf, then reached with her hand and touched the hardcover of a book and then pulled back. She cast a hesitant look at Tomas as if she was asking permission. Tomas walked up to her, and then took the book she touched and offered it to her. Hesitantly, she reached for it, as if it was some great treasure. Slowly she turned it in her hands with an expression of awe on her face.
“I read about this, in the files your people translated for us. It’s how you used to record your history.” Sumia said in English, she had learned their language during her 10 month trip from Nuva to Sanctuary.
“Your people didn’t have anything similar?” Tomas asked.
She grimaced, her gray eyes dimming with sadness. “We had something similar, long ago. But my people are not like yours. We do not value things of the past, when something new and better comes along we discard the old. I believe that all the records we kept in a similar fashion were destroyed, when we switched to digital data storage. And our records are nowhere near as extensive as yours, we record only the most important events, things that affected our entire people, and our history doesn’t go nearly as far into the past as yours does. Of course we do record data concerning technology and laws. You on the other hand record every single thing, down to the smallest events of your history, you even keep records of things that you have long since proven false. I can’t imagine what it all could serve.”
“We have learned long ago that it is important to remember the past, the stories of our ancestors. It helps us avoid making the same mistakes.” Tomas said.
“Stories…” Sumia said, her strange eyes twinkling with amusement. “I have read a few of your fictional stories. They were… Interesting.”
“You don’t have stories? Made up stories I mean.” Tomas asked, intrigued.
“Not in the written form, and available to everyone. We have what we call Sufra Nim - family stories. Every family has them, and they are passed down from one generation to the next in oral form. Each generation adds something to it. It is a kind of family history. They are not shared with those outside of the family. And even those are not really made up, more something like embellishment of the truth.” Sumia said as she turned the big red book in her hands, studying the writing. Tomas could see that she was struggling with the artistic font the name of the book was written in, so he offered his help.
“It reads ‘The Lord of the Rings’. It is three books gathered in one big tome. You should read it, It is one of our greatest fictional works.” Tomas said.
Sumia narrowed her eyes, a gesture that Tomas learned was supposed to convey interest in something. “I don’t think that I am that proficient with your written language just yet. But perhaps when I feel confident enough.” She said as she put the book back in its place. Tomas moved his right hand over his chest in a Nel gesture that was meant to convey his acceptance and approval. He then gestured towards the two sofas. They sat opposite one another, with Sumia siting closer to the edge with her back straight to leave room for her tail.
“The facilities you provided are sufficient, and the food is excellent. The Guxcacul are thankful for the quarters you provided for them, they asked that I relay their thanks.” Sumia said, referring to the giant anthropoids that came with the refugees from Nuva, only a few of them were on Nuva as a Consortium diplomatic team. And now with the war, they could very well be the last of their kind.
“It was the least we could do. And the Mtural?” Tomas asked. Mtural were another member race of the Consortium, and four families that lived on Nuva came to Sanctuary as well.
“They are much more similar in stature and necessities to us. Their quarters are adequate.”
“Good. The transport with more of your people should arrive in nine months. And by then we will expand your facilities and flesh out any details and problems that might arise.” Tomas said.
“I can’t thank you enough for allowing the families of those already here to come from Nuva and live here on your planet.” Sumia said.
“Don’t mention it. But you didn’t request this meeting just to tell me this.” Tomas stated.
“No,” Sumia sighed in a very human like move. “I wanted to inquire about the tests you are conducting on the samples you took from my people.”
Now it was Tomas’s turn to sigh. “The tests were… Inconclusive.” He said.
“How so?” Sumia asked.
“Well, there is no doubt that our people are related. There is too much similarities in our DNA. The problem is all the extra stuff. We can’t find any way to explain the connection, and your samples pointed us towards some things that we missed in our own DNA, that we can’t figure out.” Tomas said.
“I would offer help, but none of my people have the expertise to help you.” Sumia said.
“It is appreciated, I promise that you will be one of the first to know if there is any breakthrough.”
Sumia turned her palm sideways and back agreeing.
“There is one more thing I wanted to ask you.” She said. “After you told me the truth about your peo
ple, how you are separated from your home world and the rest of your people, and that this one system is all that your people have, I wondered about the reason why you helped us. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful beyond measure. But going to war for the people you barely met even if there was a distant connection between us, just doesn’t seem…”
“Sane?” Tomas interjected.
“I would have chosen a different word, but yes.”
“Every one of my people chose to leave their home behind because they held certain values paramount. Values that the rest of humanity neglected. One of those is to help those in need. I am not going to lie and say that us involving in this war was an easy decision to make. Because it was not, but we wanted to help because it was the right thing to do.” Tomas said. “And the unprovoked attack on our ship, along with your data on the Sowir certainly helped the decision.” He added with a smile.
“But there are so few of you, even with your manufacturing capabilities you can’t possibly match the Sowir fleets. You just don’t have the people.” Sumia said sadly.
“Yes, we are few. But I never intended for us to be fighting an all-out war with the Sowir. I hope to come to an arrangement with your people, that is why I sent Fleet Commander Farkas alongside Retsar Isani to your home world. I hope to make an alliance with your people. What Sanctuary needs most is time to grow and expand. Your people have already survived for decades in this war. If they agree I am prepared to use our fabricating technology to build ships for them. It should be enough to give your people a chance to win the war.” Tomas said.
“I hope that my people agree, but I fear that they will see you as primitive and weak.” Sumia said.
“All they have to do is look at the records of battle for Nuva to see that is not the case.”
“I fear that they won’t believe you. My people… Those living on the home world are not like me and the rest that came from Nuva.”
“In what way?” Tomas asked, confused.
“Nuva was a young colony, but it was also a place to send… Well, social misfits and those of the lower class.” Sumia said hesitantly.
Tomas frowned, “I don’t understand, lower class? It was my understanding that your people were all equal.”
“On Nuva that is the case, but only because everyone living there was of the lower class, with the few exceptions being me, my team, and the military. But even the military were posted there because they were misfits, speaking against the class system or having the misfortune to fall on the bad side of a more powerful family.” Sumia said.
“Well, that’s…”
“Appalling.” Sumia added.
“I would have used a different word, but yes.”
Sumia smiled softly, “Yes, I have read your history. You passed a similar period in your history, hundreds of years ago. But you fought against it, and changed the way people perceive those around them. You have achieved a true equality.” Sumia said.
“No, not really, we just learned to hide the gap better. Olympus was partly my way of achieving that equality, amongst other things. And I like to think that I succeeded. Everyone has equal rights and opportunities in Olympus.”
“Yes, I can see it when I walk the streets of your city.” Sumia said.
“Thank you.” Tomas said softly. “But even if your people are divided so much, they must see that they can’t win this fight alone. The Sowir destroyed or captured your shipbuilding facilities, the more time passes the stronger the Sowir get, while your people stay behind. Rebuilding the same shipbuilding capability you had before will take decades, but with our technology you could close the gap in a few years.”
“I can see that. But the ruling families are another matter entirely. They won’t agree with you controlling the technology, they will want it for themselves. If they even believed that you have it.”
Tomas brought his hands to his face and rubbed his eyes for a bit. “If I was in a different position, I might consider giving it to them, but I can’t risk it, not when the future of my people depends on it. I hope you understand?”
“I do, and I would have done the same thing. The home world has abandoned us, we were on our own. They left us to die at the hands of Sowir. And we would have, if you didn’t come along. For that you have my thanks, and that of the people of Nuva. We will do anything to repay you.”
Tomas nodded, “I guess we will just have to see what comes of Fleet Commander’s visit to Nelus.”
Chapter Two
Olympia station
Johanna Stern Fleet Commander of the Olympus Second Fleet walked down the hallway on her way to meet with Fleets Master Laura Reiss. As she walked, she reviewed reports on her ships via her imp, the information projected in her field of vision on her “HUD”. The retrofits on her ships as well as the two additions to her fleet were finally completed, and as the Third or rather Home Fleet was finished one month ago, Johanna knew why she was called to meet with the Fleets Master. It meant that most likely she would now officially be assigned the mission she had been preparing for.
Ten months ago Olympus received a message from Earth, and learned that it was now under the rule of an alien race. People from Earth asked for help, and Tomas Klein decided that they will give it. Although with the threat from Sowir, and Olympus now having responsibility for another system the timing couldn’t have been worse. It was decided that before any help was sent to Earth, Sanctuary needed to be protected. The construction of the third fleet began almost immediately. The battle of Nuva showed them the weaknesses and strengths of their ships. And Fleet Commander Farkas’ report had a lot of insight concerning the future ships. From the battle they learned that Olympus ships had stronger hulls and could take a lot more punishment than their Sowir adversaries, while their offensive capabilities were slightly inferior. The kinetic weaponry was Olympus’ one advantage, but it also required them to close the distance enough for it to be effective or catch the enemy unprepared. Their laser and missile technology closely matched. With the dreadnoughts laser’s being a bit stronger. But it was Sowir particle weapons that gave them the greatest advantage. Olympus tech departments have made great strides towards copying the technology, but now that samples of the technology were on their way from Nuva they only had to wait. Fleet Commander Farkas managed to capture one of the Sowir ships with some of its tech intact. The damage it incurred in the battle drained it of atmosphere and there were no survivors.
The report that Fleet Commander Farkas gave and his opinion on the future of the fleet influenced the Fleet’s action greatly. The Third Fleet would be a lot different than the First and the Second. It was comprised out of two dreadnought class warships, and three battleships, all trans-capable. The outside of these ships was the same as that of their older siblings, but the inside looked a bit different. Each dreadnought had six additional “command rooms”, and each battle ship three rooms that will in the future be used as the command centers for each ships drone squadron. Fleet Commander Farkas pointed out that the smaller class ships took the brunt of casualties in the battle, and that with their limited population they couldn’t afford to lose people. Especially now when their life span was infinite, because that would mean losing people with decades, even centuries worth of knowledge and experience. So he proposed that the Fleet replace the smaller class of ships with drone ships. Humanity had extensive knowledge in the area, as they used drones back on Earth for almost a hundred years. The research and development department was now in the testing phase where they built a few prototypes and were now conducting tests.
Johanna closed the report feed on her HUD as she reached the briefing room, after the nod from the Adjunct in front of the room, she entered. Inside sitting behind a see-through desk was Fleets Master Laura Reiss. She approached the desk and saluted, Olympus style with fist to chest. Fleets Master returned the salute from seating position and gestured toward the chair. Johanna took her seat and remained silent. After a moment Fleets Master spoke.
“I h
ave called you here to give you your orders officially. And as we both know your mission, I will skip the mission briefing, I will send the official copy to your imp.” Laura Reiss said. “But there are a few things that I want to go over again. Primarily the two ships that have been assigned to your fleet.”
When Johanna nodded, Fleets master continued.
“The two trans capable ships will be your lifeline, if you lose them, you will be stuck however far you get, with years of travel time back. So your first priority must be the safety of those two ships.”
“I understand.” Johanna said.
“Good. Your mission is too important for you to lose those two ships. After your mission in Sol is accomplished one of the trans-ships along with a small task force should map out another trans-route back to Sanctuary or somewhere close enough for hyperspace travel.”
“Is there any certainty that we will find a route back?” Johanna asked.
“No. But everything we have seen and read in the Union database suggests that trans-lanes are common, and while they are random, there should be at least a few routes back to this area of space.” Laura said.
“It might take more time to come back than it will take us to get there.”
“That is unavoidable. After you secure the system we will start sending more ships, by then we should have enough resources to expand the fleet a bit more. But until then you will need to rely on what you bring with you. Your ships have been loaded with materials and fabricators to help you reinforce the system. Sol system is rich with resources so you shouldn’t be short on anything, and the mining facilities are already in place. But you should speak with the resistance leaders about that, after you reach halfway point to Earth you should open communications with them and start planning for the battle. They will need to take care of the ground fighting while you clear the system.” Laura said.
