Jasper laughed. “Well, you were in the Middle East. I would think that already qualifies you for saving the world from dictators. As to this other mumbo jumbo? That has me rattled as well. I’m eighty plus years old! I’m not supposed to be out there fighting for our freedom! I’m supposed to be sitting here in this rocker, making funny faces at the kids coming into the gift shop while their parents are looking the other way!”
Johnny and Jane walked up holding hands. “Coming down here was a great idea,” said Johnny. “I know we’ve only been up there a couple days, but I haven’t been on the ground for a couple weeks now. Walking out there in that field, feeling the sunshine on my shoulders, smelling the fresh autumn air. It all puts what we’re fighting for into perspective. Or what we’re willing to fight for, that is.
“This right here. Jane, you, even Jasper. All this that surrounds us. Home. It’s our foundation. It’s what we believe in. It’s everything I could ever want, really. You ever have any moments like this when you were overseas?”
Mace nodded. “I did. Reminds you of what life’s about. Can’t tell you how many times I sat back and closed my eyes after a long day of clearing houses. Just sat back and dreamed of home. This is exactly what I dreamed about. Peace, calm, friends… I’d say family, but I’ve got none of that left.”
Johnny said, “Well, in case you didn’t know, Jane and I consider you family. I know you took the news about your mother hard, but there was nothing you could have done. We didn’t have the means to get out there. At least you got word of her passing. Not that it was good thing. But it was quick and likely painless, unlike Tres’ family. They uh, just… well, I’ll shut up now.”
Mace reached over, patting Johnny on the shoulder. “I know what you meant, brother. And just so you know, I consider you and Jane, and Jasper, and everyone on that ship my family now. Even Gnaga, although he’d be a very, very distant cousin… twice removed.”
Jane gestured toward her husband. “What foot in mouth here said. You all are our family now. We’re one big Hardy family.”
Mace laughed. “Well, I don’t know that you want to all be Hardys. Probably too many branches in that tree that folded back in.”
Jasper spoke up. “My parents were cousins.”
Johnny chuckled. “Now that explains a lot. Although I envisioned them being more like siblings.”
The comment drew a slap from Jane.
Jasper scowled. “That’s disgusting, Johnny Tretcher. You take that back!”
Johnny laughed. “Take it back? What are we, five years old?”
Jane threw a hard punch into his ribs.
“Ow! OK! I take it back. Guy can’t make joke around here?”
Jasper covered his mouth as he let out an uncontrollable snicker.
Chapter 12
*
A comm came in from Bontu Montak. “Mr. Hardy, I just wanted to touch base with you. How are you and your people doing?”
“We’re getting by. And thanks for that last food drop. That should keep us fully stocked for a couple months.”
Bontu hesitated. “Yes, I would like to meet with you personally, Mr. Hardy. Perhaps down by your cave, where we could take a walk.”
Mace nodded. “Just say when.”
Bontu glanced over his shoulder. “Twenty minutes?”
Mace replied. “I’ll be waiting.”
The comm closed as Mace stood.
Johnny spun around in his chair. “You need an escort?”
Mace shook his head. “No.”
Johnny asked, “What was that about? He seemed apprehensive.”
Mace shrugged. “Not sure. The only thing I know that would make him nervous would be the people above him. To my knowledge, he’s always been on equal footing with Fatso. Their superiors are not in this system. At least they haven’t been so far.”
Johnny put his open palms on his knees as if to stand. “I can go with, if you want.”
Mace held up a hand. “No. Hang tight. He seemed nervous, not suspicious. I’ll be fine.”
Fifteen minutes later a second shuttle landed in the field near the cave. Bontu Montak walked down the ramp into the grass of the field as Mace met up with him.
Mace gestured. “We’ll go up here on the road. The field is wet from the rain this morning.”
As they walked up the drive to the main roadway, Bontu opened up. “I fear things have changed, Mr. Hardy. The admiral has gotten the green light to push forward with building a Human army. Another thirty cruisers are on the way here. And I heard rumors that Military Command is preparing to send personnel transports.”
Mace asked, “Transports? What for?”
Bontu stopped. “I do not have all the information, Mr. Hardy. I’m forced to speculate. But I believe the military has been given the go-ahead to build a ground army. If the numbers are true, they are preparing to field an assault force of a quarter million soldiers. Human soldiers. And that can only mean one thing. They are preparing to assault a well-defended planet.”
“Ground assault? I knew they wanted to send Stark’s people out to fight in ships. Didn’t know they wanted boots on the ground.”
Bontu took a deep breath. “As I said, things have changed. Your King Stark is pushing all of this forward at a rapid pace.”
Mace placed his hand on Bontu’s shoulder. “Look, we know your original intent when you Mawga came here was to recruit Humans as warriors for your armies. Your use of the drugs in the community centers only reinforced that notion. But I wasn’t expecting this. At least not this soon. Stark has most of the Earth under his control. He’s obviously changing his focus toward conquest elsewhere.”
Bontu nodded. “I actually came here to talk to you about Malcolm Stark. I believe it is his intent to take the Rogers from you. You have become a symbol of rebellion among the Humans. There are rumors of many who want to join your force because they do not like the direction Stark is going. He is a smart man, and his spies have no doubt picked up on the grumblings. I believe my fears to have been confirmed while in a conversation with Admiral Geerok, two days ago. He mentioned an end to the split Human force was coming, and coming soon.
“For these reasons, I’ve taken precautions. You see, Mr. Hardy, you showed me that Humans could make valuable allies. Not just as warriors, but in all aspects of the empire. Yes, you are correct, our original intent was to come here and enlist your people into our armies. King Stark has accomplished that goal for us. But I see much greater things for us. I see Humans as a catalyst that can take us above tier three, easily seating us at the table of the tier two species. However, not because of the armies we could muster.”
Mace returned a half but confused smile. “You aren’t making much sense, Mr. Montak.”
Bontu bowed. “I must apologize, Mr. Hardy. This is quite difficult for me and my loyalties are torn. I believe Stark will be coming for you soon. As I’ve said, I’ve taken precautions.”
Bontu handed over a piece of paper. “On there you will find coordinates that fall on Saturn’s moon Enceladus. You will find storage containers there with nutrient bars. Enough to last you and your crew for several years.”
Mace held up a hand. “Wait. Are you suggesting we leave this planet? Our own planet?”
Bontu sighed. “Yes. Your lives are in danger. And you cannot hide out in your cave.”
Mace asked, “Why would you risk your own neck to help us?”
Bontu replied, “Because I believe you to be the reasonable Humans. The sane Humans. A species that the Mawga could ally with as partners. You are intelligent, highly resourceful, hard working, adaptable, and big. You are like the crown jewel of species. I fear that Geerok will take Stark’s forces into battle and win spectacular victories. And with that success will come the attention of the founders. Should one of the founders decide they want Humans for their own, it would surely mean the end of the Mawga species.”
Mace nodded. “So now we’re getting somewhere. You think Stark’s Human forces
will win so decisively the founders will want us for their own armies. And that this will lead to the demise of the Mawga.”
Bontu lowered his head. “I do. And I believe our Emperor to now be blind with ambition, his mind corrupted by the whispers of our Military Command.”
Mace crossed his arms. “OK, so we run and hide. We’re one ship. What are we supposed to do after that? Where will we go? And these supplies you’ve stashed, someone had to do that work for you. What if you or they get found out?”
Bontu replied, “I would suggest you move the supplies to another location as soon as possible.”
Mace looked up at the Rogers, hovering just above them. “If we up and leave now, won’t that throw suspicion on you?”
Bontu Montak glanced up and then over at his ship. “It will. It has. And for that reason I am asking that you take me and my most loyal companions with you. There are twelve of us aboard the shuttle.”
Mace raised his eyebrows. “You’re defecting?”
Bontu slowly nodded. “I’ve argued the merits of my plan before every committee I could. I’ve had others, friends that I trust, tell me Military Command may be preparing to move against me—trumped-up charges followed by a quick trial and execution. The planning of these can only happen with knowledge of the Emperor. Therefore, my fate has already been sealed.”
Mace walked over, seating himself on a bench at the building by the roadway. “This is quite the surprise, Bontu. I’ve felt like you always dealt with me in a fair manner. And now this? You realize there is no turning back from this once we start, right?”
Bontu nodded. “Yes. We have each chosen different paths than those directed by our leaders.”
Mace scowled. “Well, I don’t consider Stark my leader… but I get what you’re saying.”
Mace opened a comm from his arm pad. “Johnny? How are the updates going?”
“Last two are going on now. Give me an hour and we’ll be all spic and span.”
Bontu asked, “Updates?”
Mace replied, “Just a few minor mods we’re making to the ship.”
Mace propped his left elbow on his knee, stroking his beard with his fingers. “What’s our long-term plan, Bontu? How do we survive when our food runs out?”
Bontu slowly shook his head. “I do not know. I took great risk while acquiring those supplies. I would have stockpiled more if it was at all possible.”
“The refined hydrogen the ship fuses in those reactors, how do we replace it?”
Bontu replied, “Among the supplies you will find two refiners. They only require water as a resource. Two refiners, if we manage our resources, should supply the ship with fuel on a continuous basis.”
Mace frowned. “Manage our resources? What does that mean exactly?”
Bontu looked up. “Conserve.”
Mace asked, “And what if we get into a firefight with Stark?”
Bontu took a deep breath. “We will need to avoid that.”
Mace glanced up. “Any way for us to get more of those refiners? Where’d you get the two from?”
Bontu pursed his thin lips. “I had them smuggled in with a food shipment, marked as miscellaneous diplomatic supplies. There are only a dozen such refiners on this planet. They are heavily guarded. However, a cargo shipment of fifty is expected to arrive within the next two days. The Stark ships will need refueling.”
Mace laughed. “Wow. A raid? Now we are really talking about ‘no return’.”
Mace shifted on the bench. “I do have a question that I’ve been wanting to ask. “Stark’s ships, are your people able to control them?”
Bontu replied, “How do you mean?”
“I mean, if Stark turns on the Mawga, can they take control of his ships?”
Bontu nodded. “Yes. To not prepare otherwise would be foolish. The cruiser command consoles can be overridden.”
Mace chuckled. “How confident are you those overrides are still intact? Didn’t he override your comm system to take control in the first place?”
Bontu shook his head. “That was allowed.”
“You called us intelligent and resourceful. Do you not think Stark would take steps to eliminate any overrides? I would have suggested a test if I was in charge. But it looks like we’re too late for that. You’re here and ready to go.”
Bontu asked, “You haven’t answered my question. Will you take us aboard?”
Mace turned to face Bontu. “How do I know this isn’t a trap, designed to show that we intend to go against Stark? How do I know you aren’t working as an agent for your Military Command?”
Bontu clasped his hands together, rubbing them nervously. “You don’t. I only offer this reason: once we board that shuttle, my life will be in your hands. Should I betray you, I would expect to die. Mr. Hardy, I am not a martyr for the Emperor’s cause. For my people? Maybe. For our leadership? Given their direction of late? No.”
Mace replied, “OK. First though, I want the truth. If I determine that you have held anything back, or tried to twist your answers to try to portray events differently than they unfolded, I’ll walk you to the airlock myself. You ever seen a person get sent out of one without a suit?”
Bontu nodded. “I have. It is the preferred method of execution by our military. Typically done from orbit so the body will burn up during its descent.”
Mace stood. “Fine, then. I’ll leave you in the airlock for a few minutes with half oxygen.”
Mace began to walk toward the shuttles. “You coming or what?”
Bontu stood. “I thank you on behalf of myself and my crew.”
Mace said, “Let’s start from the beginning. When did the Mawga first arrive in this system? And what did you do from that point on? And then I want to know all about the Kaachi. And when that’s done, explain to me the electromagnetic storms and the EMP blasts. After that, we’ll get into the community centers.”
Bontu took a deep breath as they walked. “We first arrived almost three years ago. A Kaachi scout was detected leaving the system. We didn’t know if it was here already, or if it arrived after us and then left. We had been observing your planet for almost two years when the discovery of dark matter was made. From all indications, that should not have happened for several hundred years. Your technology, computers, and theories were not advanced enough to warrant such a discovery.
“As you know, the discovery of dark matter opened the Earth up to contact by members of the Galactic Union. Having detected the Kaachi, we ordered a fleet to your system. Just before its arrival, the EM storms began to bombard your planet. At first we believed them to be natural. That belief stopped when they were detected coming in from four directions.
“Scouts were sent to seek out the origins of those signals. They had already been traveling for months before our scouts detected the signal ends. No ships were found to exist at those endpoints. They had moved on.”
Mace interrupted. “So someone broadcast those signals from several light-months out?”
Bontu nodded. “Yes. And they were gone before we could find out who was sending them.”
Mace said, “The EMP blasts, I know that was you.”
Bontu nodded. “It was. Our scientists argued against it, but Military Command insisted. You see, the heavily ionized atmosphere was allowing deadly solar radiation through. Not something that would cause immediate harm, but over the course of five years, most of your animals, and most of your vegetation would have been heavily damaged or destroyed.
“Our scientists were working on another method to bleed off the ionization. They were overruled for the expedient fix, the result of which left you without most of your electronics and transportation.”
Mace stopped at the ramp to the shuttle. “Why did you wait so long to act?”
Bontu replied, “We sent word of the dark matter discovery to the Union, along with the belief that it should not have been found. We were waiting on approval from them before making contact. Once the approval arrived, our scientis
ts, my diplomats, and the military, argued with each other over the course of action to be taken. Meanwhile, your people starved and attacked one another. The decision to intervene was made just before you saw the arrival of our ships.
“The food and power drops were by order of my diplomatic corps. The scientists followed with the community centers, including the drugged nutrient bars. In the end, the military seized control of both of those operations, which turned out to be fortuitous.”
Mace said, “Wait. What? How was that beneficial to anyone?”
“The military, Admiral Geerok, enlisted your help to crew a ship with Humans. I was against the move. Our science teams were against it as well. Geerok used his connections back home to override our concerns. You proved yourselves to be fierce and capable warriors by crushing the Kaachi, thus sealing your own fates. From that point on, Geerok was given full control.
“Out of that, Malcolm Stark rose to power. His original attack on the D.C. community center drew the admiral’s attention. From there, he has been steered into his command of all Human forces, excluding you and the crew of the Rogers.”
Bontu looked into Mace’s blank stare. “Is that skepticism I’m seeing?”
Mace shook his head. “No. Just disbelief. I mean, your story fits perfectly with what’s happened. I’m just floored at what has taken place. The decisions, everything that’s happened, it just seems so haphazard. And you have no idea if the dark matter information was planted or not?”
“I do not. Only speculation.”
“And you are certain it was not planted there by your own people?”
Bontu rubbed his forehead as the whiskers around his nose twitched. “I have asked many questions with regards to that, Mr. Hardy. Nothing I heard leads me to believe it was from the Mawga. Suspicion has continuously been cast at the Kaachi.”
Mace chuckled. “Funny, the Kaachi think it was you.”
HADRON Incursion Page 11
