NEBULAR Collection 2 - The Expedition: NEBULAR Episodes 6 - 11

by Thomas Rabenstein

  »Actually twice: you’re forgetting the Soulwalker,« Lai Pi interjected, »but the downside to that is that it’s just a matter of time until they send someone to find out what’s going on in the Solar System.«

  »Hmm … and there’s another thing that bothers me – it concerns you, Vasina,«

  Vasina looked at Arkroid in annoyance.

  »What are you talking about, Arkroid?«

  »Two Rexas escaped. They saw you and they’ll report about a Progonaut encounter.«

  »I should hope so! Maybe it’ll teach them to stay away in the future,« Vasina hissed spitefully.

  »You don’t seem to get it, Vasina,« he replied levelly. »The Progonauts are long gone, history to the Dark Brotherhood, defeated and destroyed a million years ago and forgotten. What’s going to happen when these mighty rulers learn that a very lively, and real, Progonaut has killed some of their subjects?«

  Vasina frowned, but she understood.

  »They’ll take drastic measures when they find out that the Humans have left their enclave, supported by a Shwakan, allied with a Progonaut,« he continued.

  Scorge twitched all over his body after Arkroid’s last words. His gesture conveyed helplessness to the people in the room. It was clear that Scorge was worried about his people. Arkroid tried to calm him down.

  »It’s no help, painting a grim and scary picture of the future. What’s important is that we forge an alliance among ourselves to face them together. That’s our only chance to help our peoples.«

  »Well … one last point to discuss,« Lai Pi reminded Arkroid.

  »Right!« Arkroid acknowledged and inserted a holo-memory chip into the projector on the table.

  »We did not just find the wrecked Shwakan ship in Moontaap’s orbit but also a second, more mysterious object. I’m talking about a very big platform which appears to be a flying spaceport.«

  Vasina suddenly looked up, very interested in what Arkroid had to say. She inquired, »Is it circular, several hundred meters in diameter but not very thick, with a ziggurat-like gallery in the center, leading to a plateau?«

  Lai Pi and Arkroid exchanged quick glances.

  »Your description fits what we saw except the ziggurat-like gallery in the center. The center part of the platform has been totally destroyed by some unknown catastrophe.«

  Along with Pi’s report, Arkroid called up the pictures from the holo. Vasina jumped from her seat.

  »It really is,« Vasina started then corrected herself, »was a large Tachyon Portal platform. They were deployed in many solar systems in my time. They belonged to a large transportation and communication network, connecting many systems with each other.«

  She came back to the table and took a closer look at the holo.

  »This portal is worthless. The actual transport mechanism is located in the disk’s center – it’s destroyed entirely. Possibly by outside forces.«

  »The Techno-Ferry thinks that the destruction originated from inside the platform. Maybe there was a malfunction,« Lai Pi threw in.

  »Impossible! Those portals were flawless!«

  »Strange … I heard that same statement before, some time today,« Lai Pi mocked.

  »Who designed and built these platforms?« Arkroid asked quickly. »The Progonauts?«

  »No, they were built by people we knew only as Genorantans. We never met them. They must have created this network of portals long before us and just moved on – nobody knows where. There are artifacts and legacies of their people all over in the galactic center. They are not a myth, there were too many details and evidential finds that our scientists were able to decipher. We took over some of their portals and used them. The technology of tachyon portals was already common knowledge, but the platforms offered a very vital and durable design. They were built for eternity.«

  »Why was this valuable portal deployed around Moontaap in the Vega System? Does that make sense?«

  Vasina thought for a moment and shook her head like a Human.

  »The Vega System is obviously not inhabitable, and this Moontaap monster … no, it doesn’t make sense at all.«

  »The Techno-Ferry estimated that a planetary collision occurred about a million years ago. Does that mean anything to you?« Lai Pi asked.

  Vasina just waved her hands.

  »No doubt the portals can survive even that long a time span. Maybe the Vega System had some importance in the past, but I was never there or knew it existed.«

  »Well, we know now.«

  Arkroid ended the discussion.

  »Okay then, there’s only one thing left to do: We need to talk about our next destination!« Scorge suggested. »I have to repair my ship.«

  Skeptically, Arkroid looked around.

  »Since the Rexas know how to detect the Yax K’uk’Mo’, I don’t think it’s a good idea to return to Earth. Our technology might be able to help you, but we could lead the Rexas there.«

  Scorge gurgled aloud.

  »I’ve assessed the damages, and I’d like to fly to a familiar destination. We will be safe there for a while and I can even make some deals in the meantime. You, Arkroid and Lai Pi will have a great opportunity for sightseeing and learning and Vasina might be able to do some research. What do you think?«

  »Sounds good,« Li Pi replied. »Where are we going?«

  »I’d like to fly to the Freetrade World Coip-Pertyl. Unlike what you’ve seen so far, it’s a vital and busy world. Over four billion people of all kinds! A perfect place for dealing and wheeling and making plans. I will get my ship repaired and then we’ll see. It’s high time you Humans see what civilized space sectors have to offer.«

  Arkroid smiled and nodded.

  »Alright then, Scorge. Let’s go. I’m eager to see all of this; we trust you!«

  The Agitator

  Oberon

  The estate stretched for several square kilometers. A visitor would have to take the time to fly around the star-shaped building complex to get an impression of the real size of the estate and all its installations. Like an oasis, Fosset’s living quarters stood out on Oberon’s crater-sprinkled surface. It stretched in all directions and could be clearly seen from space. The living quarters and other buildings, coated with a special reflective film that shielded from harmful radiation, offered all sorts of comforts to their inhabitants and visitors.

  Hugh Fosset loved the contrast. It was therefore no wonder that he had established a paradise on this life-forbidding moon. The richest man in the Solar System didn’t have to make compromises in realizing his dream.

  A small spaceport was also part of the estate, located right in its center. Specially marked landing fields were reserved for four Eagles that were kept launch-ready around the clock. Like the Princess, they came from old Union Fleet stock which Fosset had bought up, refurbished and modernized to the latest technical standards. While the Princess was parked in a stationary orbit around Oberon, the Eagles served as shuttles, but they were fully spaceworthy as well and able to fly interplanetary distances.

  At the edge of the spaceport, directly accessible from the main complex, Fosset had built an impressive observation dome. The observation galleria gave a full view not only of the spaceport but of Uranus as well.

  Something is wrong with me

  His brief amazement faded away quickly. A pricklish current ran from his forehead to his neck, filling his body with a strange but satisfying quiver.

  Suddenly, he turned away from the observation window. He had seen enough of the gray and barren landscape.

  A barren and cold trabant without life – like so many billions in the cosmos. What had drawn Fosset here, to build his home? Why do people go to such extremes, just to live inside a hermetically sealed environment of pressurized domes and shielding? Are they trying to prove something to themselves, or is it an inexplicable urge? An unknowing need to flee the reservation, with space as their destination? What drives them to want to conquer space and to find answers to all their riddles?


  Deep in thought, McCord activated his private neuronal computer and manipulated the holo displays in his room for a different viewing angle and data feeds. McCord didn’t want to leave his current location since he didn’t consider himself a slave to technology – technology had to serve him, damnit! He would not leave this room and go to the communication and control center from where he usually conducted his daily business.

  Primitive technology!

  Samuel McCord briefly smiled and opened Fosset’s project dossier. Remote outposts, locations of company subsidiaries and outlets, accounts, private wealth, investments, on-going construction sites, colonization projects … Fosset’s list seemed endless.

  All of this belonged to him now, the legal heir to the Fosset Empire – he was in charge now. Fosset had employed millions of people, had been, to a great degree, the driving force in the exploration of the Solar System, and made a lot of people wealthy. He had had connections and influence – but that was over now! Morgotradon had chosen him, Samuel McCord, to exploit this might for higher goals.

  Morgotradon! Another shiver rocked McCord. He would not disappoint his new master! The Lord of the World, the Treugolans called him for lack of full knowledge. Morgotradon was far more than a ruler over a dusty and distant desert planet. He ruled countless star systems of this galaxy, called the Milky Way by these Humans. Ironically, most of his realm’s inhabitants knew nothing of him or his presence.

  A grim expression flew over McCord’s face. The new owner of Fosset Industries clenched his hands, crunching his knuckles audibly.

  The Humans have gone too far, they’ve overstepped their boundaries!

  McCord didn’t count himself as a Human any longer. Humanity was just an abstract term that he no longer identified himself with.

  Strange, why is that suddenly?

  Somehow, these pugnacious Humans had managed to defeat the weakened Globuster Lord and forced the guardians back into stasis, but that was only of secondary importance right now.

  The Soulwalker had failed, but the Globuster Matrix was still active! The beasts remained at their outposts, immobilized because of the Stinger’s silenced control impulses, but they were nevertheless alive!

  If he wasn’t able to fulfill Morgotradon’s orders, he had other explicit instructions. It was within his power to unleash the Globusters again. The system guardians would react to his signals and wake from petrified statues into raging and uncompromising combat machines. In just a couple of hours, they could halt the Human forward urge, terminate it once and for all. McCord knew that he had the Globusters if he needed them. The beasts had no choice but obedience!

  He preferred to use some coaxing strategies first. Most of the Human population was to remain alive and unharmed during the actions he had planned. It was better that they knew as little as possible of his outside interventions – as the Brotherhood and Morgotradon wanted it. He knew though that their patience would run thin over time. He had to follow a predetermined timeline with little leeway. Time was crucial! Morgotradon expected results, and soon – he wasn’t known for second chances!

  McCord’s face softened suddenly. He looked around, irritated, with fear in his eyes. His hands trembled – another stream of thoughts flared through his mind, gaining the upper hand for a moment.

  Something’s wrong with me!

  Slowly, his hands groped for the personal intercom.

  I need to warn them about myself before I become totally insane!

  His heart pounded strongly and a web of fine sweat accumulated on his forehead. Then he activated the video intercom to McCord’s main office. His personal secretary answered the call instantly.

  »Mr. McCord, what can I do for you?«

  The people in the Fosset Industries HQ had already adjusted to the new realities. McCord didn’t appreciate wasting time. The new boss of the Fosset Empire seemed to hesitate for a second, but then looked at his secretary with emotionless eyes.

  »I have decided to stop all excavation and mining operations in the outer system effective immediately! Can the workers, pay them and send them home.«

  His secretary couldn’t believe his ears.

  »Mr. McCord, what do you mean? Do you want to shut down specific outposts?«

  Samuel McCord looked sternly at his secretary.

  »Did you not understand what I just said?«

  His secretary became nervous.

  »We employ a lot of people out there. Our business partners rely on their work. We have bilateral contracts with our partners … the foundation of this entire industry …«

  »I’m obligated to Fosset Industries, nobody else! Cancel the contracts and pay the penalties if any and call back our exploration and mining teams. Fosset Industries will no longer participate in post expansions. I have analyzed the budgets and see no other alternatives.«

  »Yes, Sir … but that will cost us years and jeopardize the colonial projects,« the man tried again to protest. McCord severed the connection.

  Slowly, he leaned back in his seat and looked at his hands. They were no longer trembling. The strange, hesitant thoughts had vanished. It happened exactly as Morgotradon had told him. That he would become a new person and realize his true destiny. Samuel McCord began to realize that his former life had been unfulfilling … a pure waste of time. That was going to change drastically, though. He intended to re-write Humanity’s history!

  On the Treugolan world

  Knockmerg looked hatefully down on his prisoner. He was very obviously struggling with his self-control, hardly able to control his natural aggression. Maya Ivanova knew how brutal the Treugolan could be, but today he must have had a reason not to act out his impulses. The leader of the dreadful dwarves had not sent her out into the desert for two days and her physical punishments had ceased for unknown reasons. Instead she found herself confined with Paafnas to their stinking cell. She heard no news from outside, nor had she seen Sati or McCord or learned their fates. Her sense of time seemed to slip away under her fingernails and her isolation already seemed like an eternity.

  »Enjoy the days you have left,« Knockmerg hissed. Maya squinted at the two Treugolan guards who were standing in the doorway, aiming their shockers at her head. No way she could flee, nor anywhere to flee to.

  »The Lord of this world has given orders not to harm you, but do not try to run away again. He’ll lose his patience and forget about mercy.«

  »Mercy?« Ivanova hissed through her teeth. »You keep us locked up in this shithole, without food and water. That’s what you call mercy? Ever heard of something called hygiene or humane conditions?«

  The Treugolan looked at her in irritation for a moment. He still couldn’t believe that a prisoner would speak without permission. Like lightning his hand went for the shocker dangling from his belt – but he checked himself.

  »Mercy is a relative term. Compared to all the other prisoners, you have it damn good. Don’t think the Lord won’t eventually lose interest in you … probably very soon. Then my dear, I will do what I please with you. I can’t wait!«

  Maya swallowed dryly. She desperately hoped this nightmare would end soon. She could still hardly believe it was real.

  Why is this Lord so interested in me?

  »Where are my companions?« she dared to ask. Instead of an answer, however, she received a painful kick in the side.

  »Tomorrow morning you will clean your cell. When I come back on my rounds tomorrow night, I want this cell sparkling clean, so that even a Treugolan could live here.«

  »Huh … bring me a couple of loads of dung then!« she answered defiantly.

  Knockmerg’s eyes became two slits and tried to stare her down.

  »Nobody talks to me like that, but you are protected for the moment. Maybe your species is special and the Lord’s interests are genuine, but keep your tongue inside your snout or I will cut it out,« he paused and added menacingly, »perhaps we should pay more attention to your friend there on the ceiling!«

  Ma
ya ground her teeth. Knockmerg knew that Maya and Paafnas had become friends, almost a team. He had learned something about Human emotions and traits as well. One of them, Knockmerg knew, was sympathy for other beings. That to him was a weakness he could take advantage of.

  Maya bit back any more remarks, trying not to provoke him any further. She didn’t want to give him an excuse to turn his anger on Paafnas to remind her of his superior position.

  He had found Maya Ivanova’s weak spot. Laughing out loud, he started to leave the cell, but before he stepped into the corridor he quickly turned around.

  »We are expecting visitors by noon tomorrow. All of you will assemble before the fortress – and behave. Anybody disobeying my orders will not see day’s end.«

  The door was slammed shut behind him. Paafnas came down from the ceiling and looked at Ivanova.

  »Do not feel obligated to me,« he said in a whining tone. »My life will end on this planet, no matter what. I’m never going to see my home-world again.«

  Being able to talk to Paafnas still amazed Maya.

  »Baloney!« she scoffed at him, almost too harshly. »We’re both going to make it out of here! The opportunity will come and when it does we’re off this world! I don’t want to hear your whimpering, because if you give up on yourself, then you are doomed.« She allowed herself a feral look. »Not only that – but before we leave, I’ll get even. Could you make a contact?«

  Paafnas knew what Maya Ivanova wanted. She had purposely tried to keep Knockmerg talking as long as she could. She wanted to give Paafnas time to use his abilities against the gnome. Paafnas, though, just swayed his head, indicating a failure.

  »As I said before, I cannot detect the Treugolans’ neural net. It’s almost as if they don’t have a brain.«

  »Huh … I can believe that!« Ivanova tried to joke, but then began pondering. She had hoped to learn something about the Treugolan mind through Paafnas. No joy there; Paafnas wasn’t able to reconstruct the Treugolan brain structure even with his vertoflex organ.