Saturna and the Battle for Zard

by DP Scott

“Zard controls, this is Veectors Diplomat Razore, we will speak only to the highest in command.” A visual appeared and there in full military dress was the most powerful Veectoreze diplomat. Anton, Oron, Gondee and Yuko stood in silence as the Veectoreze launched into his prepared articulation.

  “Veectoreze military base was tracking a space pod, which left Zard at approximately midnight last night and traveled on a route directly leading into Caverous. The ship was on auto-pilot and although we tried to get a communication through, we could not. We were able to hear one transmission leaving the space pod however, and the voice identity perfectly matched the voice of Queen Saturna. Will you confirm she was aboard this ship?”

  “If you were tracking a space pod on such an unusual route last night, why did you not inform us before now?” questioned Anton angrily. “You know the recovery beam is on Zard! We could have attempted a rescue!”

  “Of course we should have informed you, Commander Anton and normally we would have, however with the unexpected arrival of Princess Detis on Veectors, all dignitaries were at the landing station to greet her. You see, it was not until a few moments ago that we realized if Queen Saturna was indeed on the ship, the outcome of the event is very significant for Veectors.”

  Anton, Oron, Gondee and Yuko maintained their composure with no facial expression although all of them were extremely surprised to learn Detis was on the planet Veectors. The recent and unusual happenings on Zard were beginning to fall into place. Veectors had assisted Detis in eliminating Saturna in order to take control of the Solar System.

  These are acts of treason, thought Anton, as Diplomat Razore rambled on. Blaming himself, he realized he had not acted fast enough when the warning signs were right in front of him. I vow to find and punish the inhabitant who took Saturna from us no matter how long it takes! Breathing heavily, Anton brought his attention back to the screen and again heard the repulsive croaking voice of the Veectoreze diplomat.

  “So, with great concern from Princess Detis, again I ask you, will you confirm that Queen Saturn was aboard this ship?” said Diplomat Razore.

  Challenging Diplomat Razore’s glare, Anton made eye contact and said, “Yes, we will confirm Queen Saturna is aboard a space pod near Caverous.”

  “Well, how unfortunate, Your Graces. I’m sorry to inform you the ship was crushed by Caverous’s gravitational field. We have a visual from a northern satellite if you’d like to see it.” The Veectoreze paused for a moment pretending to compose himself while the image of a space pod being crushed appeared on a side screen. “What an awkward situation for all of us. Queen Detis will be returning to Zard two days from today and asks for you to prepare a royal reception. Our Queen would now like a word with you.”

  Before the four of them could say anything to one another, Detis appeared looking extremely beautiful and happy.

  “It’s unfortunate Saturna chose to board a ship bound for Caverous. Saturna herself told me the running of the kingdom was too much and she longed to be with her father. We must remember that this was of Saturna’s choosing,” Detis emphasized the word “choosing”, then continued. “The kingdom is now mine and I’ll be moving the Realm to Veectors. Veectoreze troops are now landing on Zard and the Zardites will relinquish power to them or be banished from the Solar System. This is my final word.”

  Communication was severed and Detis’s image evaporated. Gondee, Anton and Oron stood completely still, unbelieving what they just had seen and heard.

  Distraught, Oron was the first to break the silence. “Is what they say true? The Veectoreze must be lying!”

  “We also had a visual of the ship, Oron. What the diplomat said happened. This is treason! The Veectoreze and Detis must be charged. Saturna didn’t get on a space pod bound for Caverous, she was kidnapped!” replied Anton, angrily.

  Gondee turned to face Anton and Oron. “You are correct it is treason, however we all must bear responsibility for what has happened. Although the space pod was crushed by the gravitational field of Caverous, Yuko and I both feel Saturna is safe. She is very strong in our auries at this moment.”

  Oron interrupted. “Then we must search for her. Detis can’t be allowed take over the realm before...”

  Suddenly ten armed Veectoreze marched into the room. “By order of Queen Detis, we are to take you into custody,” said one of the Veectoreze officers.

  A peaceful surrender was ordered. The Zardite army in celebration mode following the competition had been unprepared for the siege and an attempt to maintain hold of the castle, Yuko felt, would result in loss of life.

  The once empty prison now overflowed with Zardite and Urite detainees. There were so many inhabitants in the barracks that some of the individual cells had to hold three or four. At first the Zardites were separated by rank, and from the Urites, but as the task began to become too overwhelming, the Veectoreze just placed the detainees in any lockable cell. The Veectoreze were instructed to leave a skeleton crew of Urite servants in the castle to serve them, but were told by their superiors to watch them carefully.

  “Gondee, the Veectoreze have made a strategic error by placing Urites and Zardites together in the barracks. Once we develop a plan to regain control of the castle, we will communicate it through our auries and the Urites can share the information with the Zardites,” said Yuko through thought. “I am trying to remember the details about the advanced security system we installed at the prison. Do you recall any flaws in the way it was setup, some way to override the system?”

  “Unfortunately we created an impassable system, my friend. It is near to impossible to override. However there may be one inhabitant who might be able to help. Peep has the capability to learn the complete computer central processing unit in less than an hour. If there is any way to get into the system, she’ll find it. She is most likely hiding in Saturna’s chambers, and since Maize has been chosen by the Veectoreze to work in the kitchen preparing food, I’ll communicate to Maize to secretly go and locate Peep,” replied Gondee, looking out towards the castle from the window of his cell. He then added. “I still have not been able to contact Queen Saturna, what is your auri telling you?”

  “Saturna is strong in my auri, but I do not know where her physical being is,” replied Yuko with concern.