by J W Murison
‘It uses a different form of energy, one which they are unaware of.’
‘You have done this before though, haven’t you, beaming people back and forth?’
‘Yes we have.’
‘Then they haven’t been able to isolate the energy signal yet. If I was you Ambassador, it is something I would use very infrequently. Once they have that energy signature, you won’t get away with it again.’
‘I understand sir, thank you for the advice, I will take it to heart.’
‘See that you do so. You and your crew are becoming very useful, it would be a shame to see you all die.’ He took Steven towards a big screen. ‘Would you bear witness with me Ambassador?’
‘What for sir?’
The Emperor pointed towards the screen and nodded to one of his officers. ‘Proceed.’
A picture appeared of a Modloch officer. It took Steven a moment to realise it was a live video feed. His uniform was in tatters.
‘The Captain told me that there was a tradition of stripping a man’s rank and insignia from his uniform before sentence was passed, is this true?’
‘I am not a soldier sir, never have been, but I know of what you speak. I think it is a tradition in some armies, or it was. I am not too sure. I believe it is considered a final humiliation.’
‘I liked it so much I have adopted it. That was why I wanted to see the Captain.’
‘Who is he sir?’
‘My first cousin, General Molava. The one who betrayed me.’
An officer partially blocked the screen and read out a list of charges and the sentence. There was no last words or last rights given. Steven’s mind was struggling to perceive what he was seeing. The look in the eye of the condemned Modloch was unfathomable. The officer marched out, and Steven recognised the sounds of an airlock closing.
‘What…’ Was as much as Steven was able to utter before the wall behind the officer shot open and he was propelled out into space.
‘The momentum should propel him across the border. If his new friends want to conduct burial services for him they can.’
The Emperor turned away. Steven almost ran from the Modloch ship, and spent the rest of the day being physically sick.
Chapter 38
Komoru was shown into the Emperor’s quarters. Darrick was still feeling quite morose after executing his cousin. He wasn’t really in the mood for the female Ambassador, however it was very rare to catch her on her own, and her mate normally did the talking for them. She bowed very low.
‘Emperor, please allow me to convey my sympathies on your loss.’
It was as though a jolt shot through him. ‘Very kind of you Ambassador, I appreciate your sentiments.’
‘I was told you two were very close once. Regardless of how life turns out, you must have warm memories of your youth together.’
‘It wasn’t an easy thing to do; yet what he did was inexcusable. You Humans do not execute traitors, do you?’
‘I am afraid it is not quite as simple as that sir. There are so many different countries with so many different traditions. Some still execute the worst offenders, but very few now.’
‘Of course, your world has many different cultures and races within itself, another unfathomable thing about Humanity.’
‘A few hundred Earth years ago, in my country, he would have been asked to commit ritual suicide.’
That intrigued the Emperor. ‘How so?’
‘They would have opened up their belly with their own sword.’
‘Would that not have caused a slow and painful death?’
‘No, they were always assisted by a friend, who would take their heads after the ritual disembowelment. Warriors in those days were called Samurai. The term means to serve. They served their master until death. If they displeased him, he could order them to commit suicide.’
‘Did that happen a lot?’
‘Yes, I believe it did. There is one famous case where forty-seven were ordered to commit suicide at the same time. Their lord was murdered by another lord. Masterless, they became Ronin. However, they were ordered not to take revenge for their lord by the Shogun, a supreme lord if you will. When they disobeyed him, they were ordered to commit suicide.’
‘They all did it?’
‘All of them.’
‘Remarkable! Is there a historical document or one of your films on this?’
‘There is a film called the 47 Ronin sir. It is very dramatized for the sake of entertainment.’
‘I will have to ask for it. What is it you wanted to see me about Ambassador?’
‘I wish you to keep the retrieval of the bee keepers secret.’
‘Why should I Ambassador? I would like to rub it in my opponents’ faces.’
‘In that case, could you keep it secret for just another twelve hours?’
‘What is going to happen in twelve hours?’
‘Something extremely unpleasant.’
The Emperor struggled to remember the Human word for a moment. ‘You have booby trapped something?’
‘Yes, it is both a booby trap and an explosive device. It is set to go off between star systems in twelve hours’ time.’
‘You mean if it is discovered that the people are not in those containers, and they open them, it will explode. If not, it will detonate in twelve hours?’
‘Exactly that sir.’
‘Is it one of your dirty nuclear devices?’
‘I am sorry, I cannot say.’
‘Why not? We will all find out soon.’
‘You won’t.’
‘Why not?’ He saw her lips tighten and knew what that meant, he had been married long enough. ‘Ambassador, I have no intention of saying anything, not until we get home anyway. We are far too close to the enemy as it is, and they might chance a battle to retrieve those Humans.’
She bowed. ‘Thank you. Then I shall leave you.’
‘No you won’t. You will explain yourself fully. Don’t try and leave Ambassador, you can neither talk to your ship nor beam yourself out either.’
‘You have special shielding?’
‘Yes I do, I always have it, everywhere I go. So tell me what you are up to Ambassador, or you won’t leave.’
‘Please sir, I would rather not.’
The Emperor sat back and studied her for a moment. ‘Ambassador, I am Humanity’s greatest ally in this part of the galaxy. I will hold anything you tell me in the strictest confidence.’
‘Even if it means breaking galactic laws?’
‘Especially if it means breaking galactic laws. If it is something that can ruin your chances of becoming a federation member, then I will arrest you and remove the information straight out of your head if you don’t tell me right now.’
Her head had been lowered, now her eyes came up to meet his. ‘Yes, it would stop our chances of becoming full members of the galactic federation.’
‘Tell me now, what have you done?’
‘I planted a bomb in one of the chambers, as you said earlier. It is one that we have just recently developed.’
‘What is so special about this bomb?’
‘It breaks article 007DFG.’
It took him a moment. ‘No!’
‘I am sorry, but that is a yes.’
‘How could a species so backwards develop such a weapon?’
‘By combining our methods of splitting atoms with new elements found in this part of the galaxy.’
The Emperor suddenly burst out laughing. He laughed until his sides hurt. ‘Wonderful.’ He finally managed. ‘Retribution; thank you Ambassador.’
‘You aren’t angry?’
‘No, very pleased in fact. Do you know one of the reasons that article came into being?’
‘Because of the danger to yourselves as well as the enemy.’
‘There is that, but it is also down to the cost of development. With a weapon of that size, the research is prohibitive. Yes, weapons have been developed in the past, and all are capable of produci
ng one. Most races anyway. You aren’t talking about an energy weapon though, are you?’
‘No, it is a simple device, a bomb.’
‘What does it exactly do?’
‘It is a Molecular Dehesion Device.’
‘Are you saying it turns everything to dust Ambassador?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Intriguing.’ The Emperor sat for a while thinking things through. ‘You have set this device to go off while they are travelling at top speed between solar systems?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘You have tested it, and you know it breaks article 007DFG.’
‘Yes sir; we tested it on an old Albany battle cruiser. We got the engines up and running and triggered the bomb. There wasn’t so much as a speck of dust left.’
‘What are you expecting to happen to the Albany battle group?’
‘I am expecting it to be completely wiped out.’
‘The whole group!’
‘Any ship within the blast radius of the bomb will suffer a catastrophic failure of the containment field around their engines. I expect the resulting explosions to cause a chain reaction amongst the other ships in the fleet. Probably.’
‘You aren’t quite sure?’
‘Not really.’
‘This is very interesting Ambassador. I will tell you what I will do for you. I will not mention the rescue at all. In fact, I will kick up a diplomatic stink, and keep it up until the relief beekeepers arrive from Earth in a few weeks’ time; then I will begin to let it slip. In the meantime, I will keep a diplomatic ear open to see if I can find out what happened to that fleet.’
‘That is very generous of you sir.’
‘It is, isn’t it? Tell me, why it wasn’t your mate that came to see me about this?’
Komoru hesitated. ‘He doesn’t know.’
‘Oh! I see. Would he not approve?’
‘Most likely not. I didn’t take the chance. He didn’t even know I had some of the element required.’
‘What they don’t know doesn’t hurt them. Is that the phrase?’
‘Yes, I believe so.’
‘Then I will keep it a secret Ambassador, from your mate as well. If, however, in the future, I require one of these devices; would you supply it?’
‘What would you use it for sir?’
‘Assassination most likely.’
‘You may have to supply the element sir; that was the last of my stock.’
‘That shouldn’t be a problem. Tell me though, why did you do it?’
‘Because I am sick of the Albany. I am sick of them believing they can do what they want to my people and my planet, without retribution. I am sick of this galactic federation that continually look down their noses at us. How dare they kidnap my people out from under our noses, to breed them, experiment on them, and then murder them so they can once more attack my planet, my people, my family. We are supposed to be at peace. Now we have our bid in, our planet is supposed to be safe. It is obviously not is it? Not if they are kidnapping our people to make more serum.’
‘I cannot fault your logic Ambassador. You are right, your planet is still in danger; you are not yet full members. Only that can give you full protection.’
‘In the meantime, I shall select my battles with care sir.’
‘What race do you belong to Ambassador?’
‘I am Japanese sir.’
‘One of those Human races that should not be trifled with, Ambassador.’
‘It is deemed unwise sir.’
‘Thank you for trusting me Ambassador. You may go.’
She bowed low. ‘Thank you for the audience sir.’
Twenty minutes later, his Chief Engineer arrived running.
The Emperor scowled. ‘Of all my staff you always take the longest to appear.’
‘I am sorry sire.’
The Emperor waved a hand. ‘Forget it, you were no doubt crawling about inside an engine somewhere. Just answer me a question. Let’s say we had a battle group travelling at faster than light speed. A battle cruiser in the middle suffers a containment failure. Complete failure. What would happen?’
‘It would depend on how close the formation is to the battle cruiser sire. Are they occupying the same position and time in space?’
‘They are in formation idiot, of course they are.’
‘Complete obliteration of the battle group.’
‘Would anything survive?’
‘No, but it would produce a lot of debris of various sizes.’
‘Okay you may go.’
The Chief left but the Emperor was still deep in thought, wondering how much debris would be left after the bomb went off.’
Chapter 39
In the darkest depths of space a strange light appeared. It shone for only a few heartbeats, then vanished forever. No one saw it, yet it travelled for light years through the darkness. In time, the dust produced from the intense pulse of light would strike far and distant planets. Strange beings would stare up at the night sky in wonder at the fantastic colourful display.
Captain Crae Han of the brand-new Albany destroyer Vault was filled with shame. He and his crew had been excited to face off against the Humans. Many of them, like himself, had lost family in the invasion of the Human solar system. He had lost a father. The high command had begged his father to extend his service to complete this last, final mission. His father and the battle cruiser he commanded had perished on the Black Planet.
The Vault had been plagued by problems since the beginning of its service, even though the ship’s shake-down space trials had gone without a hitch. The Captain couldn’t have been prouder of his new ship, but the moment they had joined the fleet, things had begun to go wrong. Twelve hours into their first mission they had come to a complete standstill and the engine had shut itself off.
Instead of joining their comrades in the left attack wing, the wing that was to seal the fate of joint Human and Modloch fleet if it had entered Catatarac space, they spent most of the time in the Catatarac repair station. Repaired once again, it had broken down half way to their ambush point. They drifted for a whole day before being towed back to the repair station by a fellow destroyer.
The Catatarac engineers finally found the fault and they had to wait until a new part arrived from the factory. Captain Han had been berated in front of his men by the Admiral, then by the senior Captain on the destroyer that had been forced to stay with them. The final humiliation had come from the high commander. He too had berated the luckless Captain on his shoddy crew.
Now he had his engineering crew in front of him, inside his small office. He listened to his Chief Engineer prattle on about intermittent faults, teething troubles, diagnostic problems, software problems. The tirade eventually stopped.
The Captain was silent for a long time. It was his first command, and he suspected his last. His eyes searched each and every one of them. There was a shortage of personnel throughout the whole fleet. He knew he had pulled the dregs, that was the norm: newest ship, young and inexperienced staff. Still he should have had a decent engineer. His record was exemplary. Was it too good? Had other Captains beefed up his sheets to get rid of him? Han knew it was already too late.
He waved a hand across the front of his body. ‘It is too late now. The chances are we will all be replaced when we get home.’
‘Captain, even the Catatarac engineers failed to find the fault at first.’
‘That Catatarac repair yard is in the arse end of the galaxy. No one would expect them to get it right straight away Chief. It is no excuse. You should have caught this on the shake-down trials. We should have caught it.’ He sighed and rubbed his muzzle vigorously with both hands. ‘I have just been berated by the high commander. I am sure you all know what that means. You will have plenty time to contemplate your own failures. Right now I want a complete and detailed account from each of you on the problems we are having. Do not try and plant the blame onto anyone else, or the Catatarac repair crew especially.
Facts only. Do not embarrass me any further than you already have. They will have to be ready by the time we reach home. Failure to hand in those reports will result in disciplinary action, and will also serve to focus the attention onto yourselves personally.’
‘If it is any consolation Captain, the ship is now working properly.’ The Chief Engineer tried to placate the frustrated Captain.
‘No, it isn’t a consolation. It may well be to the Captain who takes over from me. Maybe even the engineer that takes over from you. Just complete those reports, and no embellishments, no finger pointing. What happened, when it happened.’
His buzzer went. He touched a panel. ‘Yes, what is it now?’
‘This is comms sir, we have just lost the fleet.’
Han squeezed his eyes closed. ‘Is our communication system faulty now?’
‘I don’t believe so sir. Communications from the fleet have simply ceased.’
‘Have you tried communicating with anyone else?’
There was a second’s silence. ‘No sir.’
‘Then I suggest you get your fat arse onto it operator. Give out a general communications check.’
‘Immediately sir.’
He slammed his fists onto the table. ‘What the hell else can go wrong with this bloody ship!’ He roared at the engineers.
The buzzer went again. ‘Yes!’
‘I am receiving confirmation from all sectors sir. Our communications are working fine.’
He stood up. ‘Then try to re-establish communications with the fleet. What about our watch dog, where are they?’
‘They reached the fleet about an hour ago sir.’
‘Try them.’
‘I have sir, no reply.’
‘I will be right up.’ He regarded those gathered in front of him. ‘Get back to your stations, all of you. If there is something wrong with the communication equipment, there are going to be accidents around here. Am I making myself understood?’
The engineers snapped to attention and fled.
It only took him a few minutes to reach the bridge and take his chair.
‘Report.’ He snapped out.
