Aggressor Earth II

by Benetti, A.

  "Good job Baie."

  Baie had been very instrumental in keeping him alive up to this point and was doing it again. The Ai was out performing his projections by far. Or since he had created Baie had he been saving himself in some strange philosophical way? That was too much to think about whatever she was, she was one hell of an assistant.

  A warning light began to flash and Eric tapped the screen to see what was wrong now. It was some kind of spacecrafts flying to them, but unlike anything he or the computer had seen before. They were slow flying with minimal shielding and weapons power; although they had many weapons built into the ships they were older projectile weapons.

  "Mort come here and take a look at this," he said throwing the screen he was looking at into one large screen.

  Mort walked over and looked at the screen.

  "Have you seen these types of ships before?"

  Mort simply shook his head and continued to watch the screen.

  "Computer, hypothesize what these ships and their inhabitants might be."

  "Craft are unknown inhabitants unknown."

  "Thanks for both your input," Eric mumbled.

  Mort came to life with Eric's comment.

  "These ships are crude and indicate a civilization early in space exploration. Their weapons present no threat to us."

  "Usually I would have agreed with you Mort but your bomb damaged the ships weapons and shielding. The shape we are in they could throw rocks and cause us damage."

  "Impossible" Mort said like Eric was lying "I targeted only your life support."

  "That may be, but the fact is during the blast other systems were damaged here have a look."

  Eric pulled up the damages to the ship.

  "Computer, translate this information to Balyn."

  The information on the screen changed to the cryptic looking language of the Balyn. Mort let out grunts as he read it getting more agitated with ever line he read.

  "We need to get the shields back online immediately," he said.

  "Ideally yes, but currently we are fixing the life support and it could take days to fix the shielding. We have no idea where the problem is and we will have to trace the entire shielding network which encompasses the entire ship. These ships will reach us in forty five minutes not nearly enough time and don't forget we can't run because of the asteroid field. It is possible they are friendly just because we are at war doesn't mean the whole universe is."

  "Don't be naive these ships carry to many weapons to be on a mission of peace."

  "So what do we do? We can't out run them with the asteroid field at our backs, and the shields and weapons are offline."

  "Position the ship here," Mort said pointing at the screen, "Behind this asteroid that will protect one side of the ship. As for weapons do you not have redundancy built into this ship?"

  "You can manually fire a single gun but without the ships computer for trajectory I don't see how one laser will do much good."

  "Is it possible to let all the weapons fire without trajectory?"

  Eric looked at the Balyn, "are you saying to set up the guns to fire with one massive broadside?'

  "Is it possible?"

  "Yes it is possible. I could print out a simple trigger board connect them to each gun then set them off remotely. They would have no targeting and only fire blindly."

  "Then that is what we need to do, show me how to install one of these trigger boards and I will begin to install them."

  Eric nodded and began to walk back to the Lab. That was the first time the Balyn had offered to help maybe he was beginning to soften up, but more likely he was after his own self preservation.

  Reaching the lab he pulled up a schematic of the wireless trigger board he would need and sent it to the printer. The printer came to life and began to assemble the boards and send them down the conveyer belt. Picking one up he walked over to a wall.

  "Do you see here?" he said to Mort pointing to a break in the paneling.

  "When you see this you pull on it and the panel will come off."

  Pulling on the panel he moved it to the side, behind it was a arm with a hinge which he bent out exposing the laser. It had a small screen on it and a trigger that could be activated manually. Reaching to the side he pulled of a small plate and plugged in the trigger board.

  "That’s it; I have the printer printing a hundred of these so there should be plenty. Once they are plugged in I will be able to activate them at any time."

  Mort nodded his head and gathered up twenty or so boards.

  "I will install as many of these as I can before the ships arrive," with that he left the room.

  "Baie do you copy."

  "Yes Capt."

  "How close are you to being done?"

  "I estimate ten minutes Capt."

  "Baie, we are going to be having company soon, I want you back in the ship in fifteen minutes even if you are not done."

  "Acknowledge Capt."

  Back in the command center Eric moved the ship behind the asteroid Mort had suggested. When it came to tactics it seemed best to leave it to Mort or Baie, they both were doing better than him in that area. Since they were behind the asteroid it would force the incoming ships to attack from one side, if they came in close one giant broadside from the guns could cause a lot of damage even without the computer for guidance.

  Eric left the command room again gathered up several trigger boards and began going down a hallway installing them as he went.

  "Airlock ten has been opened" The computer said.

  It was Baie he saw her metallic humanoid body entering further down the Hallway. Walking up to him she said.

  "Objective complete, Capt."

  "Good job Baie, but we have another current ongoing crisis. We have some possible hostile ships approaching us and no weapons or shields, so we need to install these on ever gun possible."

  "Understood Capt., I will begin on the next level."

  With that Baie left and Eric continued down the Hallway installing the triggers. Once he had finished installing the devices the full length of the hallway he went back to the command center, the ships were no doubt getting close.

  Back in the command center Mort was already there looking at the screen watching the ships, which were five minutes away.

  "How many are there?" He said to Mort.

  "There are ten of them."

  "When they get here Mort let me talk to them there is still a chance they are peaceful."

  "Very well Human, but if they attempt any aggression we must react immediately."

  "Agreed, I am no hero I am just looking for us to survive."

  The Balyn did one of his grunting things again which was starting to annoy Eric. Obviously he didn't think much of him but Eric didn't think much of him ether he was a simple minded brute that thought strength and force would solve every problem. But without him to fix the ship he would have already been dead.

  The alien ships approached them circling around the asteroid and taking up a position a mile from their port side.

  "They are coming at us like they have no fear." Eric said, "I'm going to attempt to communicate with them."

  "Ships at our port we are the Earth cargo ship C240 we are here peacefully, if we have trespassed into your territory we apologize and will leave immediately."

  Eric and Mort both waited for a response. A static filled message of garbled clicks and taps came into the intercom.

  "Computer can you translate this?"

  "Negative Sir,"

  "Does it sound hostile to you?" Eric said looking at Mort.

  Mort held his hands up as if saying your guess is as good as mine.

  "I have the trigger right here" Eric held up the wireless trigger, "We will only have ten second of constant fire before we have to recharge."

  Bai walked it to the room and stood behind them. Eric turned to her.

  "Baie, can you translate what these alien ships are saying."

  Baie took a step forw
ard and began scanning the information.

  "Yes Capt. some of it I can. They are saying that we are prisoners unless we can pay them a certain amount. I cannot translate the amount."

  "There trying to extort us? I wonder what this amount is or how much, it might be some small amount we can pay and send them on their way."

  "No," Mort chimed in, "If we pay them they will only want more, or message ahead that we are a easy target. We will be stopped and attacked again and again until we have nothing left. We have to stand up to them now."

  "I agree with you Mort, but do we have the fire power to stand up to them. Paying them might buy us enough time to fix the shields and weapons. I'm going to try to communicate again."

  "Ships at our port we are the Earth cargo ship C240 we are having trouble translating your message. Please respond."

  Projectile weapon fire flashed from the ships then stopped. A message came over the communications.

  "Baie, translate please."

  "They are saying to either pay them or they will take what they want."

  "What kind of damage are their projectile weapons causing the ship?"

  "Although their weapons are primitive without the shields their weapons are creating many small holes throughout the ship. We are currently venting some of our atmosphere into space. It is not a great amount now but many more of these holes could cause us to vent more then we can replace or repair."

  “We need to attack now, Mort said, “Do not drain the weapons leave half a charge.”

  “Alright I’ll send out a blast from the lasers, with no targeting this is going to be a tossup if we hit any of them.”

  “We only need to put fear in them,” Mort responded.

  Eric pressed the button that activated the lasers which shot every which direction. Two of the alien ships were hit cutting them in half, their antiquated technology no match for the power the lasers unleashed. The other alien ships spread out and began firing, sending a wall of metal at them. The communications came alive again. This time the language sounded differently. Looking at the screen he saw more ships were closing in but these ships were different. The new ships began to fire at the other ships that scattered and retreated from the scene.

  “Baie, what are they trying to communicate?”

  “They are saying they are from a planet close by and had been chasing these pirates we have encountered. They are sorry they had not made it sooner and welcome us to follow them to their planet as guest. I would suggest we take their offer Captain; the ship is in need of massive repairs.”

  “I agree Eric said, they may not have our technology but we need to repair this ship and find some Levitan particles for the hyper drive. Baie translate a message and send it. ‘Thank you for your assistance and offer of aid, we are grateful and will come to your planet.’ Baie, work with the ships military Ai to find their planet and land at a suitable location.”

  “Yes Capt.”

  “Mort, what do you think can we trust them?”

  “You can never trust anybody.” Mort replied.

  The aliens ships broke formation and began to leave.

  "I have the coordinates of the planet they are from," Baie said, "I am setting a course to the planet now."

  "What is the atmosphere like on the planet?"

  "It is breathable for humans and Balyns but I would suggest a portable inhaler incase of dizziness."

  "How long until we reach the planet?"

  "Two hours Capt."

  "I am going to go lay down," Eric said, unsure how long he had even been awake.

  He left the room and went to his cabin, once inside he lay down and closed his eyes. How crazy things had been going for him. He had a Balyn on board, couldn't hyper jump, the ship had some major damage, and his experimental Ai was running around the ship in a construct. Hopefully this race of aliens was as peaceful as they seemed and could help repair the ship, along with some much needed rest. They might even possibly have Levitan particles or the capability to create them. He might be able to go home.

  Waking up he sat up unsure how long he had been asleep. Entering the shower he let the water run over him longer than usual then dried off and got dressed. Leaving his cabin he went to the command center but no one was there.

  "Baie, what is your location?"

  "Capt. I am at the outside port side of the ship."

  They must have landed on the planet. Reaching for an inhaler he walked to the closest port side air lock and entered it. The door sealed behind him and the outer door opened. The air from the planet entered his lungs and felt heavy, shrugging it off he stuck his head out the lock and looked around. It was quite an amazing sight with tall trees hundreds of feet up and green everywhere. The trees had walkways across them that had many of the local inhabitants peering from. They looked harmless and simply curious, very tall and thin with large eyes.

  Steps formed from the air lock to the ground and Eric walked down them. On the ground he looked up at the ship which was quite a mess, holes were everywhere. Reaching the point where Baie was he called up to her where she was working.

  "Baie, come here for a moment."

  Coming down to where he was she looked at him.

  "Yes Capt."

  "How bad is it?"

  "Capt. the damage is quite extensive; I do not have a full list of the damages yet."

  "How long do you think it will be before it is repaired?"

  "I am currently unsure but most likely weeks if not longer."

  "Where is Mort at?"

  "He left some time ago Capt. I assume he is conversing with the local inhabitants."

  "They do seem friendly enough," he said looking at them, "which direction did Mort go?"

  "He left in that direction with a greeting committee the locals sent."

  "I'm going to go find out what's going on here Baie work on a list of all the damages to the ship and an estimate of how long it will take to fix it."

  "Yes Capt."

  Eric walked away from the ship in the general direction Baie had told him that Mort had gone. Even if the planet was alien to him it did have a home like feel to it. Or maybe he had been gone from earth for so long that any planet would feel like home. The air was quite thick and caused him to breathe harder then usually but as long as he didn’t exert himself he felt like he would be fine. If not he had a breather with him.

  He approached the base of one of the large trees and it was a magnificent sight. Hundreds of feet around and he couldn’t see the top. The local inhabitants seemed to live in them, high above they had walk ways and structures built into the trees. Three of the locals inhabitants approached him walking hunched over slightly. They were tall maybe ten feet tall and arms that were quite long, it looked like they would be very at home swinging around in a tree.

  “Hello,” Eric said to them waving his hand.

  Not saying anything back they motioned slowly with their hands in a certain direction.

  “Follow you?” Eric said to them, “Ok”

  Eric followed one of them while the two others followed behind him. They moved gracefully and didn’t seem to be any hurry which didn’t bother Eric all he was currently worried about was if they were dangerous or violent. They gave off a peaceful feeling that put Eric at ease somehow.

  They reached what looked to be a lift and walked on it and began to rise up into the trees. Eric saw more dwellings and structures come into view, then he had seen from the ground. Reaching the top they walked onto a wooden walkway. The walkways stretched out everywhere and meet at intersections that opened up into large squares.

  This species must have evolved to live in the trees to stay away from predators that lived on the ground. Hopefully the predators were long gone since the ship was down there and they had a lot of work to do on it.

  They walked up to one of the large squares that was larger than the others. The wooden planks surrounded one of the larger trees that had many structures built into it. They walked up to one of the
structures and entered into it.

  It was a huge room with many seats surrounding a center table. Light filtered in from above from what looked like to Eric like thousands of fiber lines.

  Mort sat at the table in the center and Eric could see he was communicating somehow with the aliens. As they came closer he saw that Mort’s head was surrounded by the fiber lines forming a circle around his head. The aliens motioned to Eric toward a seat by Mort and Eric sat down in it.

  Thousands of the fiber lines came to life and surrounded his head as they were with Mort; Eric instantly began to understand what they were saying.

  One of the aliens was talking to Mort.

  “We don’t understand this concept of replacing one thing for another,” the alien was saying to Mort, “We have meet other beings who have talked this way before so we understand this is how you put value on a object but the concept still confuses us.”

  Eric tapped Mort on the shoulder.

  “What going on big guy?”

  Mort ignored him and continued to talk to the alien.

  “What do you value or what would it take for me to have one of your ships?”

  Eric looked at Mort, he was leaving? For some reason he felt a little sad by this.

  The alien replied back to Mort.

  “The only thing you have is technology or possibly information.”

  “Mort,” Eric said, “It may take some time but we can fix the ship and leave.”

  “We don’t have the time to fix that bucket of bolts.”

  “Bucket of bolts?, Well it didn’t used to be a bucket of bolts.”

  “I have information for you” Mort said, “but I need to be guarantee that you will give me one of your ships and help me to modify it to my needs.”

  “As you know that will depend on the information.”

  “Have you ever heard of the Heavy?”

  “We have met your species in the past and although it has been some time since we have seen your species our records indicate you were at war with a enemy you called the Heavy. We allowed many of your damaged ships to land and repair on our planet. This was although long before any of us were born and was in our ancestors time.”

  “Yes your records are correct we were at war with a enemy called the Heavy, but you don’t have the complete story.”