Copyright
Copyright © 2019 By Daniel Wagner, all rights reserved.
Reproduction or transmission of this book, in whole or in part, by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or by any other means is strictly prohibited, except with prior written permission from the author.
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This book is a work of fiction. All names, places and incidents described are products of the writer’s imagination and any resemblance to real people, living or dead, or events is purely coincidental.
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Books by D. Patrick Wagner
The Marston Chronicles
Book 1: Sleeping in the Stars
Book 2: Waking in the Stars
Book 3: Meeting in the Stars
Book 4 Battle in the Stars
Book 5 Victory in the Stars (December, 2019)
Table of Contents
Copyright
Books by D. Patrick Wagner
Table of Contents
Map
Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08
Chapter 09
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
To Be Continued
Map
Chapter 01
Aboard Wisdom Seeker
“Captain Kakkarna, I small, strange craft just appeared off of our starboard side.”
“Let’s have a look Mr. Jaham.”
The view operator reproduced the image on the main viewing screen.
Captain Kakkarna’s cat-like ears angled up and his tail flicked, both in high in curiosity.
“That would be the craft defined in Princess Analyn’s missive. Lieutenant Talwana, please lock on to that craft and bring it into the starboard cargo bay seven on deck one. Once it is secure, please have everyone exit the bay.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Mindspeaking to the Royal Guardsmen’s Commander, Captain Kakkarna, announced, “Commander Tarunga, your package has arrived. I am placing it in starboard cargo bay seven on deck one.”
“Thank you, Captain. I shall dispatch a security team immediately.”
“Sub-Captain Desinal, you are in command. I am going down to see what Our Princess has been so secretive about.”
By the time Wisdom Seeker’s captain left the bridge, descended twenty-three floors and reached the assigned bay, two of Commander Tarunga’s Royal Guardsmen had already assumed their security posts, guarding the hatch.
After their salutes, Captain Kakkarna entered. One guardsman pulled the door closed and resumed his post.
Wisdom Seeker’s captain saw the Royal Guardsmen’s commander bending over the now-docked, small rocket. Walking up, he also took a position to stare at the strangely designed craft.
On the top, a rectangular lid stood out from the otherwise completely smooth casing. Elonian writing on top of the lid spelled out ‘Open Here’.
“With a tail and ear flick, the Commander first glanced at his captain, received an approving ear-flick in return and found the latch. Unlocking the lid, he pulled it open. Then both of them stared at the big red button.
Under the button, again in Elonian, read, ‘Push Me’.
“Somebody has a sense of humor, Captain.”
“Droll.”
With a here-goes-nothing shrug, Commander Tarunga pushed the big red button. The top half of the front quarter hinged open. Both looked inside. The two saw a smooth, silvery ball suspended in the center of the nosecone, seemingly held in place by nothing.
Sliding Mack’s newly-made box over to sit alongside the nosecone, Tarunga opened the lid revealing that a black box occupied half of the rectangular container.
Commander Tarunga looked in the eyes of his captain, trying to summon up the courage to reach into the strange missile. His captain gave him a go-for-it gesture.
With eyes and ears refocused on the floating ball, the Commander reached in and grasped it. The fur on his paw stood straight out, loaded with static electricity. Pulling the ball out, his fur laid back down. Placing the silvery orb into its new container, his fur once again stood straight up.
“Static electricity.”
“Electromagnetic field. Keeps whatever that thing is suspended. What is it?”
“I’m sorry Captain. Princess Analyn has vowed me to secrecy. I can tell you that it is to be delivered to the King. And I will tell you that it greatly picked up the Princess’s spirits.”
“That is good to know. Our Princess has been in such doldrums. I feared that she would never recover.”
“I can say that she will recover. And, I can also say that this situation will be made right, regardless of what her brother does.”
“Glad to hear this. What now?’
“Now I take this,” Commander Tarunga pointed at the closed box containing the floating, silver orb, “To King Kaporine.”
Aboard Griffin
“How far are we from Wisdom Seeker, Sue?”
“Fifteen hundred miles, Captain,” Sue answered from her new position as navigator.
“Keiko, good flying. Ready?”
“I’m just along for the ride for this leg, Captain. I’m ready.”
Krag looked at Gopai, sitting in the weapons chair. “Gopai?”
“At your call, Captain Marston.”
“Mack, Master Varrini,” Krag asked to the air, “are you satisfied with the jump system?”
“Ya, Cap. Good to go.”
“And you are both in your bunks?”
“Snug as bugs, Cap. Feels weird not climbing into a pressure bag, though.”
“That is something I look forward to getting used to, Mack.”
“Same here.”
“Tribune Ambakai,” Krag asked, again to the air. “Are your people and the Doctors strapped in?”
“Yes, Captain Marston. The cargo bay is secure.”
“Princess Analyn, Sir Mahajani, we are ready for our first jump. Are you and the maids in your bunks and strapped in?”
Both answered in the affirmative.
“Igaklay. Have you checked all of the systems for our first jump?”
“Yes, Captain Marston. All systems have passed all tests. They are ready.”
Looking around the bridge and checking one more time that everyone was strapped into his or her proper seat, Krag turned to where Buster and Vidhee had anchored themselves.
“Buster, Vidhee, everything checked out?”
“Vidhee and I have rechecked Igaklay’s testing and we both agree. Griffin is ready.”
“What distance is our first jump?”
“Fifty light-years, Captain.”
“That’s a big jump, Igaklay.”
“Not really, Captain Marston. Maybe for your primitive systems and hardware. But for a Ballisonian ship, it is an average jump.”
“Then the sooner we get to Ballison, the sooner we can make Griffin more like a Ballisonian ship.”
“That is my intention, Captain Marston.”
“Everyone, check that your monitors are functioning correctly. For those who need them, recheck your cooling shields. We don’t want any failures while we are unconscious.”
Krag waited as he heard that eve
ryone had checked their equipment and had verified their status.
“Buster, Ready?”
“And waiting, Cap.”
“She’s all yours. See you on the other side.”
* * * * *
Fourteen hours later, being in the best shape, Krag and Gopai were the first to regain consciousness on the bridge. Shaking out the cobwebs, Krag turned to Gopai. “How do you feel?”
“About like I do after Buster thrashes me for a sedeca, Captain Marston.”
“I think of you as one of the crew. Just call me Captain, or Cap, like Mack does. You can ease up on the formality.”
“Yes, sir, Captain.”
“That’s a start. Anyone awake, please report in,” Krag requested.
“All of the Guardsmen are awake and performing exercises, Captain Marston,” Tribune Ambakai reported. “I have checked the doctors. Their monitors indicate that they appear to still be sleeping.”
“Let them sleep, Tribune. They have nothing to do until we reach Ballison, anyway. Master Varrini?”
“He is also sleeping, Captain Marston.”
Let him sleep. All three for another thirty minutes. Then wake them up. Let’s set up mess in an hour. We will all eat in the bay. You know where the surplus tables and chairs are stored.”
“Yes, sir, Captain Marston.”
“I am awake, Captain Marston.”
“Thank you, Sir Mahajani. The Princess? Maids?”
“I have accessed their monitors. And, like the doctors, they are sleeping.”
“We are just sitting in dead space. Nothing special. We will be serving a meal in an hour. In the bay. Buffett style.”
“I will insure that Princess Analyn and her attendants will be present.”
“Thank you, Sir Mahajani. Buster, Vidhee, Igaklay. How is Griffin?”
“Everything checks out, Captain Marston.”
“Thank you, Igaklay. You have done wonders in helping us get Griffin ready. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Ya, Cap. Like I said, Right as rain.”
“You’re awake, Mack?”
“Been listening in. doing some checking of my own. Like Iggy said, top shelf.”
“Some appliances shook loose in the galley, Mack. They need to be re-anchored before our next jump.”
“You just had to spoil the moment, didn’t you, Tinman.”
“Just doing my part, Wrenchy.”
“Krag listened and enjoyed the humor growing between his two crewmates.”
“Nice nap. I’m starved.”
“And good morning to you, Sleepy Head. Sleep well?”
“Like a rock. Looks like Sue is stirring. I’ll get coffee,” Keiko responded as she stood and stretched.
“I can get real used to not having to strap into pods every time we do a burn.”
“You and me, both, Keiko. Gopai, scan the area. Make sure we are alone.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Looking at the observation chair, Krag asked, “Sue, how’s the head?”
“Mushy.”
“Me too. Like before, it wears off. When you are ready, please find our location.”
“We’re completely alone, Captain. Nothing within a light-year.”
“Thank you, Gopai. Report to Tribune Ambakai. We’re setting up a buffet for our first successful jump.”
“Yes, sir.”
Just then, Keiko returned with three steaming cups and one lukewarm.
“Gopai, mint tea. No caffeine,” Keiko commented as she handed the Elonian the lukewarm cup then watched as he exited, cup in paw. “Coffee?” Keiko asked as she handed out the other two, keeping one for herself.”
“Ah. Nectar of the Gods,” Sue commented as she continued to study her board.
“We jumped our fifty light-years, Captain. I don’t have any precise target location, so I don’t know if we are on the mark.”
“I understand. Go get cleaned up. Buffet in the cargo bay in just under an hour.”
“Ok, Cap.”
“And have Mack bring Igaklay’s holo-projector to the bay.”
“Sure thing, Cap.”
Both Krag and Keiko noticed Sue picking up more and more of Mack’s mannerisms as they continued to bunk together.
After she left, Krag turned to Keiko. “You think their sleeping together?”
“No. a woman can tell. But they will. Sue may be the quiet one, but, make no mistake, she’s the one who is ruling that roost.”
“Yeah. My mom and dad are like that. He runs the farm. She runs everything else.”
“You never talk about your family.”
“Sore spot. They thought I abandoned them when I left for the military. I guess I’m the black sheep of the family.”
“Do you communicate with them?”
“Sometimes. We don’t have a lot in common. Mom and Dad are getting along in years. My two brothers are married, with children of their own. Each has a portion of the farm. Their own homes. Very country. Very Norman Rockwell.”
“An art lover?”
“Hey, I’ve read some books, seen some pictures.”
“That life. Not for you.”
“Not for me.”
“You haven’t done so badly. I like where you are. Who you are.”
“Back at ya, Half Pint,” Krag responded, throwing off the nostalgia. “Let’s get cleaned up. A shower.”
“Me first.”
“Not a chance. Twofer or we wrestle for it.”
“I think another form of wrestling is in order, Big Guy.”
Krag and Keiko arrived late. Everyone had already filled plates, grabbed drinks and found spots at the tables set in a square. As always, Vidhee and Buster stood side-by-side, observing the going-ons.
“Glad you could make it, Cap.”
“Glad to be here, Mack. Your Highness.” Krag and Keiko saluted Princess Analyn who bowed her head in acknowledgement. “
“All of you, thank you for getting us here.”
Everyone quieted while Griffin’s captain and her lead pilot filled plates, grabbed drinks and took their places at the head of the square.
Mack rose and raised his glass. “To Captain Marston. The man who flew the stars, brought us to a new star system. And to a new race, to new friends!” Mack finished with a gulp.
“Here, here,” Sue chimed in as she stood and raised her glass to the captain. Everyone followed suit, standing, raising their glasses and gulping.
“To Princess Analyn and Ambassador Suzume,” Sue continued. The two women who steered us through the shark-infested waters of diplomacy and joined our peoples into a single goal.”
This brought more standing, raising and louder ‘here, here’s’ from the group, with the Elonians joining in on the mantra.
Princess Analyn took her turn. “We couldn’t have done it without our intrepid engineers, Master Varrini and Sir Mack.” More celebration.
After the princess retook her seat, Keiko stood. “It is time for all of you to be introduced to our Intellectual patron. Mack, please activate Igaklay’s holo-projector.”
Mack pulled the remote from a pocket and clicked the button. Just beside the gangway, the black box, with the mounted projector, rose. A grey-green light popped and Igaklay’s hologram blinked into existence. As the mechanism floated towards the table, all who had never before seen the electronic apparition froze in awe.
"Kokali!” “Blessed Seed Bringer!” “God of Life!”
The Elonians not previously introduced to Igaklay forgot their technology and remembered their religion.
“I would like to introduce you to Igaklay. This is not Kokali,” Keiko emphasized. “Igaklay is the Central Logic Center for all of Ballison. He is an artificial moon which orbits the planet. To bring his presence to Griffin, Igaklay chose this image. The image of Kokali. For reasons which will be explained when we reach Ballison.”
“My people,” Princess Analyn spoke as she stood. “All. We are on a wondrous voyage. We are travelling to
the Human home worlds. But first, we are travelling to Ballison. We are going to meet the star people who visited us those thousands of years ago. Please welcome Igaklay, the representative of Ballison.” The princess raised her glass towards the Igaklay apparition.
“Ya, Iggy helped us modify Griffin to get us this far.”
The doctors, the guardsmen, the maids looked at each other in confusion.
“Oh. Iggy. I call our Ballisonian friend ‘Iggy’. Igaklay is too long. Say ‘hello’, Iggy.”
“Hello. I am pleased to meet you all. Especially, Doctor Roshnak and Doctor Ganakin. I am looking forward to you all visiting my world.”
Keiko sat back down and watched the interaction of the newly introduced Elonians.
“Hello, Sir Igaklay.”
“Just Igaklay, Doctor Roshnak.”
“I apologize. Igaklay. Ambassador Suzume described you as an artificial moon orbiting Ballison?”
“That is correct. I am so large, that as a structure on Ballison, the gravity would affect my processing. And the gravity could harm my construction. Also, no corrosion due to atmospheric chemicals can occur in space.”
Scratching his chin with a single claw, Doctor Roshnak commented, “I see. how big is your planet? How many Ballisonians are on the planet?”
“There are none of my Creators on Ballison, Doctor Roshnak. ” Igaklay answered in a mournful tone. “Everyone left. I am alone.”
“That is sad, Igaklay. But, as Princess Analyn stated, we are coming to visit.”
“Yes! That is why I have been preparing Ballison! You will love it!”
“I’m sure we will, Igaklay. I have a question. Which name do you prefer? Igaklay or Iggy?”
“Well, Mack is my best friend. He calls me ‘Iggy’. But Krag and Keiko are my overseers. They call me ‘Igaklay’. So, I guess it is based upon our relationships. Either will do.”
Keiko stepped in. “Thank you Igaklay for sharing your time with us. Now we have a lunch to finish and two more jumps before we reach your home.”
“You are welcome, Ambassador Keiko. My time is your time.”
Doctor Ganakin and Doctor Roshnak grabbed their plates and drinks, slid their chairs closer to Igaklay’s hologram then proceeded to monopolize Igaklay’s time for the rest of the afternoon. The Royal Guardsmen ate, drank and talked among themselves as the rest of the group did the same.
Battle in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 4) Page 1
