Battle in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 4)

by D Patrick Wagner

  “Excellent thought, Sir Mack. And strength. And speed. Give the avatar only the strength and speed of sir Mahajani.”

  “Why Sir Mahajani, Princess Analyn?”

  “We don’t want it weak and vulnerable. But we also don’t want it super strong and super fast.”

  “Excellent point. Other thoughts?”

  “Have a Quant-Com implanted. Then we will have a mobile communicator.”

  “Right.”

  “This feels like Aladdin trying to come up with the perfect wish, Cap.”

  “And Igaklay is our Genie.”

  “Ya, Wee-One. And you know how that goes. There’s something always left out.”

  “Well, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen here.”

  “Ya, Cap.”

  “Captain Marston?”

  “Yes, Doctor?”

  “With the Quant-Com, the avatar will always have immediate access to Igaklay?”

  “That is correct, Doctor Roshnak.”

  “Why don’t we have communicators created that hold these Quant-Com devices? Then, no matter where we are, we are in constant contact.”

  “Great idea, Doctor. Mack?”

  “I’m so dense. I’ll get with Igaklay as soon as we get out of here.”

  “Captain, may I?”

  “Of course, Sue.”

  “Igaklay calls these Quant-Coms ‘travelers’. And the ones he controls are ‘bases’.”

  “That’s right, Lassie. I see where you are going.”

  “Could we create a central processor which holds these bases? Something independent from Igaklay?”

  ‘Iggy would never go for that. Those are the only way he gets to see outside of his moon.”

  “I agree with Mack, Sue. Igaklay would never go for that. But it is a good idea. Keep it on file. We may be able to follow-up in the future.”

  “I stored it in my priority folder, Captain.”

  “You got that folder encrypted, Lassie?”

  Sue just gave Mack ‘the look’.

  “Just askin’, is all.”

  Krag and Keiko exchanged knowing glances. They knew who ruled in that pair.

  “It is a good idea, Sue. Maybe we can figure out a way to get a bunch of those pairs without having Igaklay throwing a fit. What else? Any more ideas?’

  “I think we’re good, Krag. Let’s formalize the command and get it to Igaklay.”

  “Then I’ll get on the communicators.”

  It took almost an hour of head-banging and cross-talking, but, finally, Keiko thought they had hashed out the command.

  “This is what I think we’ve got,” Keiko stated as she distributed the command to everyone’s personal tablet.

  “Looks good to me, Keiko.” Krag looked at the others in the room.

  Everyone had carefully read through the command and now gave their affirmations to Keiko. Seeing this, Krag stood. The others followed. He led his group to the galley where everyone took their now familiar seats or spots.

  “Keiko, you’re up.”

  “Ok, Krag. Here it goes.”

  Eight pairs of living eyes and ears, along with two sets of artificial, focused on Keiko.

  “Igaklay, the following is a command to give you permission to build one avatar, a mobile extension of your awareness, logic matrix and emotional algorithms.

  “I’m ready, Ambassador Suzume.”

  Everyone heard the excitement in the artificial voice.

  “You may construct one quant-com enabled avatar in the shape and size of Kokali as a mobile extension of your awareness, logic matrix and emotional algorithms. It will have no processing capabilities of its own. It has no physical attributes outside those of sir Mahajani, including strength, speed and size. It has no weapons capabilities, including the capacity to use weapons. And it will be incapable of causing harm to anyone or anything without expressed permission from Captain Marston, Ambassador Suzume, Princess Analyn, Sir Mahajani, Mack, Sue or Tribune Ambakai.”

  Keiko looked at the group gathered around the table. After seeing everyone nod, she asked. “Is this command clear and limited in scope, Igaklay?”

  “Yes it is, Ambassador Suzume. However, you must give me a command which allows me access to the robotics plant so that I may construct the actual avatar.”

  “I give you permission to access the robotics plant.”

  “Thank you, Captain Marston. I will get right on it!”

  “Do it right, Iggy.”

  “Of course, Mack. It will be ready when you arrive.”

  Roth Winter Cabin

  Retrieving the alien harness pack and loading the utility vehicle with gear went off without a hitch. Six people casually strolled to the control van while four people sped to the testing site. The long drive to the winter cabin left the four draggy and drowsy. Once they arrived, their energy picked back up, in anticipation of the coming efforts. Within five minutes, the loader android arrived, its land-speed almost as fast as the utility vehicle’s.

  “This is more than a cabin, Doc.”

  All four members of the testing team stared at the two-story, granite-built rectangular building. The steep roof lines attested to snow, as did the heavily shuttered windows and sturdy door.

  “Let’s see what’s inside.” Hank approached the building, grabbed the latch and pulled. The thick door easily swung open.

  “Randy did say that no one locked the place. Any thievery would just be stealing from someone who needed the shelter. Lanzo, begin setting up your monitoring equipment near the back, with a good sightline onto the plain.”

  Pointing to a corner containing four of many bunks, Hank continued, “We’ll set our personal gear over there. We might be here for a while.

  “Yes, sir, Doctor McCauley.”

  “Telly, could you get the generator going? And check the well?”

  “On it, Doc. Merle, that makes you the mule. You get to unload the equipment.”

  “You always give me the grunt work.”

  “That’s why we call you ‘the Grunt’,” Telly answered good-naturedly.

  “I’m going to attach the contraption to the android.”

  After two hours of hauling and setting up, the four men huddled in front of the android.

  “Good jimmy-rig, Doc.”

  “Best I could do, Telly. With the straps being too short, I couldn’t get under the android’s crotch. So, those straps turned into a waistband.”

  “No electronics or sensors in the harness?”

  “Nah. Just straps. Lanzo, have you tested the com link with Mr. Gregor?”

  “Yes, Doctor. They have an open channel into our sensors and can watch on a live feed.”

  “Then let’s do it. Fire up your drones.”

  Lanzo raced back into the cabin and shortly five drones flew out the front door. After they assumed observation positions around the android, Hank mumbled into his throat mic and the android started a slow jog out into the plain, the five drones swirling around it like bees drawn to flowers.

  Hank, Telly and Merle went inside and took their observation positions around the room. All watched and snacked for almost an hour as the android trotted ten kilometres away from the cabin and into the middle of nowhere.

  Hank mumbled some more and the android stopped. Lanzo worked his controls and set his drones at their most advantageous viewing spots. One zoomed in on the metal hand holding the controls.

  “Mr. Gregor, are the pick-ups clear?”

  “Yes, Hank. All five drones have video and sensor readings.”

  “Well, Boss, here it goes.”

  Hank mumbled. The android pressed the button.

  “I picked up an energy surge, Doctor.”

  “Thank you, Lanzo. What kind?”

  “Not sure. The readings don’t match anything in our data banks.”

  “Keep recording. Mr. Gregor, are you getting this?”

  “Loud and clear, Hank. We’re recording at our end, also.”

  “Good to know.”<
br />
  Hank mumbled some more. The android put its thumb on the miniature joy stick and nothing happened.

  “Well, that was disappointing.”

  “Patience, Telly.”

  Hank mumbled some more. The android released the joy stick, lightly touched the slide lever. Then it slid it a minute bit.

  “Something happened, Doctor.”

  “What, Lanzo?”

  “Not sure. Readings changed.”

  Hank mumbled into his mic. The android slid the slide a little more.

  “Hold right there, Doctor.”

  Hank held.

  “I need to reposition a drone.”

  Lanzo worked his tablet and one of the drones lowered to the point that its belly rested on the ground, with all its sensors pointed at the android’s feet.

  “The android. It’s off the ground. Not much, but there’s a gap between its pads and the ground.”

  “Mr. Gregor, are you getting this?’

  “Every millisecond, Hank.”

  Hank again mumbled into his throat mic. Again, the android slid the slide a bit further. It rose some more.”

  “I’ve got two inches clearance, Doctor.”

  Hank issued more commands and the android again put its thumb on the joy stick. With a slight forward push, the android floated forward. Hank issued more commands. After more testing, it became apparent that the joy stick controlled direction and the slide controlled lift.

  “That there, that’s an anti- gravity pack. I want to try it!”

  “Slow down, Telly. We need to find out what the radiation is doing. If it is dangerous.”

  “You’re no fun, Doc.”

  “If I can deem it safe, we all get a chance, Telly. Now, let’s keep testing.”

  At sunset, Hank felt ready to finalize his results. With him and his three compatriots in front of the com screen, Hank began the conversation with his boss and the others in the command van.

  “Telly was right on, Mr. Gregor. You saw what we saw. It’s a gravity harness.”

  “Is it safe?”

  “There isn’t any radiation, just energy readings. If a user achieves top speed and hits something, he’d be in a world of hurt. But, as far as the unit, itself, it’s safe.”

  “Top speed?”

  “Can’t really say. The android is much more massive than a person. The android hit close to thirty miles per hour. For now, I’d use that as the upper limit.”

  “I want you to stay there. I’m going to send out all of the packs. And some enhanced soldiers.”

  “You’re thinking military applications?”

  “Yes, Doctor.”

  “May I interrupt?”

  “Of course, Randy.”

  “Chameleon suits. If these anti-gravity packs work out and the wearers are in chameleon suits, they would make a pretty dangerous infiltration force.”

  “Excellent idea. “I’ll contact Shelly. See if he can get his hands on some. Get hold of Lieutenant Rosser. Have him pick his best patrol.”

  I’ll do it now, Mr. Gregor.”

  “And, keep this secret. Top secret. We can’t let anyone know we have this equipment.”

  “I’ll let him know.”

  “You’re not going to tell Admiral Weiskoff?”

  “Not a chance, Harriet. He’d grab everything for himself. Leave us high and dry. Randy, you tell that to Rosser. Let him know that these are only for Tolimar.”

  “That will keep him and his team quiet.”

  “You’ll need to send supplies with the troops, Mr. Gregor. It’s pretty barren here.”

  “I’ll be sure to let them know, Hank. We’ll keep the line open.”

  “I think I am going to test the harness, myself. It seems safe enough.”

  “No, Hank. You’re too valuable. Telly seems gung-ho. Let him have first crack at it. Besides, him being a spacer, he’s used to floating around.”

  “Now, you’re no fun, Boss. But, you’re right. Telly first.”

  “Yeah, baby!”

  Nyu-Nippon Weapons Cache

  The small, catalytic heater radiated just enough heat to keep Taketa and Juro warm as they ate their evening rations. As winter approached, more and more heating units needed to be run to keep the increasing cold from invading the giant, weapons-filled cavern. Just finishing, Juro heard his tablet ping.

  “Sousui, another drone is approaching.”

  “Bring it in and take it to the communication van. I will clean up then join you.”

  “Hai.”

  Juro worked his tablet and guided the small drone through the hidden cave opening then directed it towards the van. Trailing after, he left his superior officer and proceeded to download the drone’s memory banks into the banks of the van.

  Taketa crushed up the disposable, biodegradable meal containers and placed them in the hand-powered compactor. After working the lever a few times, he followed his subordinate to the communications van, where he entered and took his now-familiar seat.

  “Sa-Janto Sato has discovered about two thousand civilians in the mountains, Sousui.”

  “Good. That is two thousand that the aliens haven’t eaten or enslaved.”

  “According to the videos, they are living in makeshift dwellings. With winter coming, not insulated enough for them to survive.”

  “Easily solved. We bring them here.”

  “Of course. We have the room and supplies.”

  “What is their location?”

  Juro brought up a three-dimensional hologram and placed a red dot signifying the hidden encampment. Taketa studied the map, obviously thinking of logistics.

  “Place a message in the drone. Have them pack up everything they can and hike up and over the ridge. Have them hike across the back of the mountain.”

  “They are less than a mile from the snow line. That route will keep them in the snow all the way here.”

  “Yes. That is the plan. We have seen that the bugs do not like water. Let’s see if they do not like snow.”

  “This will be a hard trek.”

  “Only for two days. Those people have survived this long. They are the hardy ones. They can survive two more days. Even with the hardship of traveling through the snow.”

  “You are correct, Sousui. The storms have not arrived, yet. The travelling should not be that burdensome.”

  “Tell Sa-Junta to keep them on the far side of the ridge until they are directly above us. Then have him filter them over the crest.”

  “Hai. Maybe there will be some ex-military in the group.”

  “It would be nice.”

  * * * * *

  True to his word, Sa-Janto Sato led the first refugees through the cave’s opening two days later. Shivering and hungry, the women and children shuffled in, at first intimidated by the six giant warbots standing sentry at the opening. Taketa took over.

  “Do not be afraid. These belong to the Emperor and are here to protect you. Look upon them in comfort. Not fear. Juro, please lead our people to their lodging area.”

  “Hai,” Taketa’s Mappai responded with a quick bow. He then proceeded to make gestures and give directions on where this first group of women and children should go.

  “Any casualties?”

  “An elderly woman, Sousui. Just the one.”

  “Did you bring her in?”

  “Her husband said that she wanted to be buried on the peak, closer to her gods. He and their family stayed behind. They will be about half a day back.”

  “We will take over from here, Sa-Janto. Keep them coming.”

  “Hai.” Sato bowed and quickly left to help guide more refugees to their new sanctuary.

  Taketa saw Juro already leading the first group over to a previously prepared location against the cave’s wall. Catalytic heaters had been set up and activated, making that section much warmer. Bedrolls had been stacked up, ready for distribution. Multiple burners with large vats of steaming, hearty stew bubbled, ready to be served.

  The women
immediately took over. They organized the children, got them all wrapped in the bedrolls and began distributing metal cups of hot stew. Juro did the right thing. He got out of the way. Heading back, he joined Taketa just as the next group arrived.

  Seeing that more women and children arrived, he led those over to the first group. Over the next hour over five hundred women and over eight hundred children arrived. Broaching no nonsense or horseplay the women got the children warm, full of stew and drowsy. The women huddled into groups either keeping an eye on the children or quietly talking of things past and things to come. The silence of such a large group of children went against all things normal.

  By then the men began filtering in. Taketa met this group. He saw hard, angry eyes and fierce scowls. All carried weapons. Many clutched rifles or pistols. Some, mostly the older, walked with man-height staffs. He didn’t doubt for a second that these older, more traditional men knew how to use them.

  Others carried farming tools – hook-bladed scythes for harvesting grains, picks for gouging out earth, nunchakus for grinding rice and corn. In knowledgeable hands, he knew that these tools of peace could become deadly weapons of combat.

  He led the men to another section of cave, again previously prepared for the arrival of many people.

  By midday, all survivors had found their spots, gotten warm and eaten their fill. Sousui Oishi, Sa-Janto Sato, Kaiheis Ariyama and Hayashi gathered at the cave’s opening, looking into the deeply-shadowed cavern filled with people.

  “Has the family of the passed woman arrived?”

  “Hai, Sousui.”

  “How many have we got?”

  Sato gave the answer. “Five hundred, sixty-two women. Eight hundred, fourteen children. Seven hundred, ninety-four men.”

  “How many men are too old to fight?”

  “Don’t ask them that, Sousui. They will tell you ‘none’.”

  “True. We’ll sort them out as we go.”

  Taketa left the group, grabbed a megaphone from the communication van and climbed up onto its roof. Slowly turning a full circle, he took in his new charges. As he spun, first a few, then all, saw him and quieted down, women shushing children, elder men shushing the younger, boisterous ones. He raised the megaphone to his mouth.

  “People of Nyu-Nippon! First, let me introduce myself. I am Sousui Taketa Oishi of the Royal Nightshades. You have met Sa-Junto Sato. And standing with the Sergeant are Kaiheis Ariyama and Hayashi. There are more Nightshades out patrolling, searching for other survivors and tracking the alien enemy.”