The Definitive SpaceFed Trilogy (SpaceFed StarShips Trilogy).: A thrilling, action-packed Sci-fi space adventure. (SpaceFed StarShips Series Book 8)

by Gerry A. Saunders

  “We have some more information about your past,” Frank said, hoping to change the subject. “And a few interesting questions I’m afraid.”

  “Then we’d better set up a meeting as soon as possible Frank,” Acarea said.

  “I think it should be a full council meeting, Acarea. But we’ll let you see the information first, and hope you’re not as shocked as we were.”

  “OK Frank, we’ll come back to you as soon as possible,” she replied and cleared the contact.

  “Are we going to tell all of them about Cazer, Frank?”

  “Well, at this stage I don’t think we should tell the council. Let’s see what Acarea and Bren can come up with. After all, we don’t even know which industrial plant Cazer was working at.”

  “It doesn’t bear thinking about, he could have visited them all.”

  He looked at the chronometer, ‘Time’s up’ he thought. “Are you staying Sues?”

  “I’ll listen in if that’s OK?”

  “Fine.” He hit the ‘All Captains’ Icon and the images of the ships captains appeared along the bottom of his screen. He tapped his tactical-pad and noted that every ship was ready to go, and to fight if necessary.

  “It’s been some journey hasn’t it,” he said to his captains.

  He looked at them and saw that although they smiled at his words. They were still, not moving, just waiting.

  “OK. I’ve seen all your status reports and they look OK.”

  Still no-one spoke.

  “Now, I need one ship to stay here with me. The other four can return to Earth for some well-earned rest.”

  Again no one spoke. No one offered either to go or to stay.

  “Geeze. I thought you’d all jump at the chance. Well, is anyone going to say something?”

  “We’ll all do what you need Frank,” Derrick finally replied. “We’ll all stay.”

  “Well, that’s gratifying Derrick. But you all need to restock your ships, your stores and so on, everything needs topping up.”

  “Why not let Argonaut stay Frank?” Hector put in.

  “That does make sense Hector. Your ship has the greatest firepower and we’d have the science teams.

  Yes, I think that would be best if you don’t mind?”

  “Consider it done Frank. It will be our pleasure to stay longer here.”

  “Good. OK, the rest of you zombies can go when you like,” he said.

  Then added. “However, we need to keep a bit of fire power here until we can verify that the Crillons and Solverons are actually working together. So, I need one of you to come back in about three weeks’ time, to replace us. In the meantime, I’ll send my recommendations to the Space Federation.”

  The next thing startled him. It had never happened to anyone before. They all clapped in appreciation.

  Chapter 28

  Death of a Friend.

  Acarea came back to Frank, giving him the start time for the meeting. It was to be in City Marca’s council chamber, at two o’clock the next day.

  The very same room where Susanna had given her first speech to the Pavonisiens.

  The four StarShips would leave for Earth tomorrow at eight o’clock. Now, they were in the middle of preparing their jump coordinates for Earth’s location, and double checking their systems and jump sync protocols with the Derringer.

  Susanna had stayed in the control room with Frank while they both decided on how to tell Acarea and Bren something different than what they would expect to hear. But they still weren’t sure just how much to say about Cazer’s exploits.

  It was now six o’clock in the evening, ships-time.

  It was usually best to ignore planet-time, but Andromeda had moved closer to the planet and was now in a geostationary orbit above City Marca, 390 kilometres below them. So, both were in the same time zone.

  Argonaut moved to a new position, two thousand kilometres from the planet.

  Frank and Susanna were both tired however and had done all they could until tomorrow, so decided to spend the night in Susanna’s cabin.

  They were just about to leave when a marine captain’s icon flashed on Frank’s screen.

  “Damn,” he said as he tapped the icon. “Yes?”

  “Are you coming?”

  “Yes, we’re just about to leave.”

  The icon turned off.

  “Andromeda, who called?”

  “There’s no ID, but it came from further down the corridor, outside your control room.”

  “OK, monitor us, please.”

  “Do you need assistance, Frank?”

  “No, we’ll be okay,” he replied, feeling Andromeda hadn’t quite left him.

  “Let’s go, Sues. Open.”

  The control room door opened, and they both stepped out.

  Looking each way, they could see that the corridor was clear, except for a marine who was in full body armour and standing about four metres away.

  Realising it was Jenny, they hesitated for a moment. Then saw that she was holding her powerful blaster in her hand, and pointing it directly at Frank.

  Jenny remained silent while Frank rapidly took in the situation.

  He saw her long blond hair cascading over the front of her suit. Then he saw that her retractable helmet was partially up, protecting her from anyone trying to fire at her from behind.

  She was very agitated, and her face was running with sweat and tears.

  “You lied to me! You lied. Why?”

  “No, that’s not true Jenny,” he said and began to move forward.

  “Yes, you did. And if you come one step closer, I’ll kill both of you here and now, just like bugs!”

  “Jenny, please don’t do this,” Susanna pleaded.

  “Shut up,” she screamed.

  Susanna almost burst into tears. Then trying to calm her, said.

  “Cazer did this, we can help you.”

  “I said shut up bitch!” Jenny yelled at her, moving the blaster her way.

  “No Jenny,” Frank shouted, trying not to sound afraid. “We will help you!”

  “How can this tin-can computer lie? You made it; I’m not pregnant!” she shouted venomously, shaking violently.

  “No, but you will be Jenny, in time.”

  “But, I’m not, I’m not!” she screamed. Then pointed the blaster aiming it back to him.

  He could see this ending badly.

  Then Jenny noticed another marine, coming from the far end of the corridor.

  “Go back Jimmy,” she yelled. “Or they’re both dead.”

  The marine stopped and waited, hoping for an opportunity to disarm her.

  “You’re mine Frank, not that slut’s,” she growled looking at Susanna. “You’re mine, and I want you now!” she screeched.

  “No.”

  Susanna’s heart stopped for a moment of time.

  Jenny screamed, her screams bending their eardrums, her finger twitching on the firing stud. Then, with furious rage; she swung the blaster’s muzzle to her own head.

  “No, Jenny,” Susanna screamed as the blue energy bolt flashed.

  Jenny slumped downward in her body armour then slowly rolled over, with no human head left to be seen.

  “No. No.” Susanna croaked and sobbed, unable to believe that Jenny was dead.

  Frank put his arms around her, comforting her. But he too was shaken; despite everything he would miss Jenny.

  He knew it was the injection that Cazer had given her. Cazer had basically taken her life. He fumed about that inside; Cazer was safe; no one could ever prosecute him not now, or ever.

  “Come, let’s go to your cabin Sues, we need time to recover,” he murmured.

  They both walked down the corridor, stepping over Jenny’s lifeless body laid there in her battle armour, with blood still ebbing out of the rim of her suit.

  As they approached the Marine sergeant, he said. “We’ll take care of her sir, we’ll do it well.”

  “Thank you for that, Sergeant.”
/>   They carried on and entered Susanna’s room; then both burst into tears.

  The next morning, Frank had to see the other ships away. He didn’t feel like it, but he knew that he had to show ‘bottle’ in this depressing situation.

  The four StarShips were showing on Frank’s screen, and virtually filling it.

  The Derringer, with Illustrious, Turpin and Repulse waited for the 8 o'clock jump time, all synced to Derringer.

  Frank’s atomic chronometer counted down. ‘Time to say goodbye,’ he thought as he tapped their icons.

  “Good morning gentlemen,” he said, trying to look better than he felt.

  All four captains’ images appeared on his screen.

  “Sorry, about Jenny, Frank,” Derrick said with sadness in his voice. “I imagine Susanna’s upset.”

  “We both are Derrick, but life has to go on. No matter how we all feel.”

  Hector’s image then popped on his screen to join the rest.

  “I just want to say sorry for your loss Frank. And to bid these layabout's a safe journey.”

  “Thank you, Hector,” Tony replied for them all.

  “And thanks to you all for being such fantastic captains and crews,” Frank added with passion.

  “OK. Frank,” Barry replied. Feeling a little disconcerted by Frank’s almost dramatic statement.

  Then added. ”We’ll see you later, Earthside, both of you.”

  The ten-second warning sounded, and they all clapped for three to four seconds, then the captains’ images were gone.

  The picture on his screen changed to show the four ships about to jump.

  The wormholes suddenly formed in front of each one. Then all four of them moved forward and were gone.

  “Andromeda.”

  “Yes, Frank?”

  “I assume there were no abnormalities.”

  “No, the jumps were clean.”

  “Good.”

  He tapped Hector’s Icon.

  “Yes Frank, it was a clean getaway.”

  “It certainly was. Now, Susanna and I will be going down to the surface for a meeting with the Pavonisien Council at 2 o’clock. So, while we’re away I need you to hold the fort.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Thanks, Hector. Oh, and draw up a rota for you and your crew to go down and enjoy some Pavonisien hospitality.”

  “Might just do that. You know where I am if you need me.”

  “Well, it should be much quieter now. Oh, and keep an eye on that cargo ship.”

  “Will do.”

  Hector’s image vanished from Franks screen, and he sat back and closed his eyes.

  Chapter 29

  Nearly the Truth.

  Frank and Susanna left the Andromeda, travelling down to DPav4 in their force-craft piloted by a Marine and accompanied by the Marine sergeant they had seen last night

  Another force-craft, with four Marines on board, followed them down along with stealth drone Echo 23.

  Both of their crafts landed in a vehicle park that had been cleared for them, and Acarea and Bren met them.

  After the customary greetings, Frank said, “As we told you yesterday, we’ve learned something that concerns both of you. Do you want us to go through it with you before we go into the meeting? Or, are you happy to learn about it along with everyone else?”

  Both looked at each other, shrugged, then said “No Frank, we’ll wait.”

  “Ok, but it may look bad to you at first. Until you’ve thought about it. Then we hope you’ll realise how special you both are.”

  “Let’s go,” Bren said urging them forward.

  Thinking about the situation again, Frank and Susanna then decided that they would talk to Bren and Acarea about Cazer, but not until after the meeting.

  Inside City Marca’s council chamber, the elders sat around an oval table. There were four groups now, as City Atreen was being rebuilt close to its original manufacturing plant.

  Each city had four delegates. Acarea and Bren were two of the four members of City Atreen’s council.

  They were all dressed in their usual colourful garments and looked very similar in the physical sense as they sat waiting patiently for Acarea, Bren, Susanna and Frank to arrive.

  Susanna and Frank, followed by Bren and Acarea, entered the council chamber amid a cacophony of chatter, which immediately ceased as they sat down and Frank placed a small Holo projector on the table.

  Looking around the room, Susanna could see that she knew many of the councillors. The three female councillors were always difficult to distinguish, but their blue scarfs seemed to be standard issue for that reason.

  Susanna began.

  “Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I’m Susanna, and I have met most of you before.

  Next to me is Captain Frank Richardson. In the flesh this time. He’s also my husband. Naturally, you know Acarea and Bren.”

  Another murmur.

  “Some catch-up first. The last time that we were here, the question was raised on what happened to your fifth City, Hero. Well, we do have an answer for you, which I’ll tell you about later.

  But we’ll start with our original scan of Hero’s supposed location.

  The Holoprojection was then switched on. As it lit up, everyone gasped with amazement, as stealth-drone SD 23 appeared.

  The drone appeared to be amongst them as it carried out a visual mapping of Hero's known area.

  They could all see that there was no sign of either the volcano or the devastated City Hero. Just rolling hills with no meteor craters.

  “As you can see, there’s nothing visible. Even though, it is unquestionably a habitable area.”

  The Holoprojection then changed to show a mapping grid.

  “This is the only thing we weren’t sure off. As you can see, the magnetic survey shows nothing out of the ordinary.

  But, our ‘radar mapping’ does!” she added, pointing to the projected holographic images in front of them.

  “This could have been natural of course, but it didn’t look right. It’s a compressed area, and we think that something substantial sat on it. Like a huge ship perhaps.”

  Susanna stopped as a murmur went around the room then quickly died.

  “Now for the recording from the drone, which was in your old ship, the Acarea,” she said.

  Then pressed a button and the images began to play.

  A massive electric-blue globe hung just a few metres off the ground. With small bed type things moving slowly along, each with humans laying on them, and all of them going into the blue ship.

  The scene suddenly switched to an orange ‘thing’ in a metal corridor. With a small wormhole, hovering just above the thing.

  “This next scene was sent back to us by one of our drones. It was following one of the two Crillon ships that had been sent back to their home planet.”

  They could all see a large electric-blue globe ship, crackling as it slowly drifted through the Crillon ship.

  The ship had seemingly come from nowhere and continuing to pass on through the Crillon ship until there was nothing left but empty space.

  “Now,” Susanna continued, “You’ll be glad to hear that we have made peace with both the Crillons and the Solverons.

  The Solverons are the aliens with these, up until now, indestructible blue ships.

  Another murmur ran around the chamber.

  “What do you mean? Is there a way to destroy them now?” asked a counsellor.

  “Yes, there is, and that’s why they’re talking to us,” Frank replied.

  “And why we have been able to solve the mystery surrounding City Hero for you,” he said. Then paused.

  “This is an actual recording that was taken at a conference we instigated between us, the Crillons and the Solverons.

  Savron, the Solveron Commander, explained everything to us through sound and images.

  So, what you will see and hear now, is exactly what we heard and saw, and commented on at th
e time.” Frank finished.

  The recording began, with the Solveron saying.

  “Our sensors picked up your settler ship, as it crash-landed on the planet that you call DPav4.

  The ship was severely damaged and the drive section, which was attached to a massive metal plate, was dangerously Radioactive,” he said.

  “Let me show you what we picked up,” the Solveron added and selected Holo-projection.

  Then a holographic image of the Acarea appeared, seeming to ‘float’ in front of everyone.

  The Acarea was laying on the surface of the planet and was stuck between two large rock formations.

  A skid mark, on the ground leading up to the Acarea, revealed that it had obviously crash-landed then slid for some distance before ending up between the rock formations.

  Another murmur went around the room.

  “So once the crew had removed everything they needed from their wrecked ship. We covered the Radioactive area with rocks,” the Solveron told them, then paused as if he was receiving updates via his implant.

  “We were also able to discretely check the crew members, and found that some of them had what seemed to be a prototype version of a transceiver implant.

  But, these implants appeared to be poorly made so when we left, we put a ‘monitor’ in their old ship to enable us to check their progress,” he added

  “Many years later, when the cities were being built. Our ‘monitor’ saw that some people had been provided with new implants.

  We think that these implants were made and fitted to the inhabitants in an underground complex near their first city which they called City Atreen.

  However, they were more dangerous to them, than the originals.

  So, we took a few of the inhabitants into our ship to modify and enhance their implants. To help them to survive, and so that we could keep an eye on them.

  I believe that this was the ‘episode’ to which you were referring Frank?” The Solveron said, looking at him as Frank nodded yes.