The message ended with the data on genetic information appearing on the monitor. Lumiar stood with a look of shock and amazement on her face while Fran smiled.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” Fran said. “All that remains is proving this is true.”
“Are you the only one who’s viewed this?” she asked after collecting herself.
“Yes,” he answered. “The two of us are the only ones who know about this. I leave the decision to act up to you my lady, as it’s not my place to question your decisions.”
“Secure a channel for me to speak with Brian and the others of the Avoni,” she ordered.
“As you wish,” Fran said. “I’ll endeavor to arrange this by the evening.”
“You may take your leave,” she said. “And Fran, thanks for bringing this to me.”
“Is there anything else you wish?” he asked.
“Schedule a meeting tomorrow morning for all of the ministers of our government. If this is true, it’s important for us to remain transparent. We’ll show them first and then the people.”
* * *
“You should take a break and get some sleep,” Baed said. She looked at Brian. They were the only two on the bridge at the moment.
“I’m alright,” Brian said while looking at images of the planet below. “From space one can barely tell their planet’s inhabited.”
“The Braiden are one with their environment,” Baed said. “My people didn’t think like that until we achieved faster than light capability.”
Brian laughed. “My people still haven’t figured it out.”
“What’s Earth like?” she asked. “You’ve said a few things here and there but not much in all the time you’ve been with us.”
“That’s because there’s not much to be proud of,” he said. “I doubt much has changed since I left. But I can tell you a few things. My people are divided in nearly every way. We’ve divided ourselves religiously, culturally, technologically, racially, economically, etc. Humans have a long way to go before they’ll ever join the Confederation. I often wonder what it’ll be like the first time I meet another human. I have a feeling that when that day comes those humans will look upon me as a relic of the past.”
“Are you saying you’re a barbarian?” she asked.
“In a very real way Baed, I am. My people are exposed to war and bloodshed every day. Violence is glorified. That’s why when I sent your fellows into the Mardok bases and the experimental colony they had such a negative reaction. I was exposed to so much violence on television and through games I’m numb to such scenes.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible,” Baed said. “Disturbing is disturbing, no matter how much of it has been seen.”
“True, but one gets used to it,” he said. “The truth is in the part of the world I come from violence is rare. But there are murderers we call serial killers that are very much like the Greys. They’re unfeeling, dark, hidden, with motives only they can understand.”
“Is murder a common thing on Earth?”
“Yes,” he said. “And despite all the war and murder happening our population’s still growing. It should have reached eight billion by now.”
“Murder’s quite rare amongst Kalaidians,” Baed said. “Violence has been for the most part removed from our society. Since the males died out it’s even more so. Life is precious to us, more so than anything else.”
“I wish that were the case on my world,” he said with a cynical laugh. “But sadly, the greed of a few keeps much of humanity in poverty. Poverty breeds dissent. This leads to violence. When a man and his family are starving they care little for law and order.”
Baed turned around and an incoming message from the planet below. “It looks like someone’s ready to speak with us.”
Brian stood up and straightened his rank circlet. “Put them through.”
Chapter 29 - Theocratic Politics
On the screen appeared Lumiar. She was alone in her home. She saw Brian and Baed on the bridge and no one else. For a moment she stared in amazement seeing a life form other than her own kind for the first time.
“I apologize if I’m staring rudely, but you’ll have to forgive me Lieutenant Commander Peterson,” she said. “My name is Lumiar Wavecrest, High Priestess of this world. If you‘ve studied our culture as much as I assume you have, you know how our system of government functions. I also wanted to thank you from my heart for answering our call for help.”
“No offense taken, I can kind of understand the position you’re in,” Brian said. “My I call you Lumiar?”
“Of course,” she answered.
“Please call me Brian then.”
“Okay Brian.” Lumiar seemed flustered. “Before anything else, can I ask where your home worlds are located?”
“Sorry about not sending that,” Brian said. He looked to Baed.
“I’ll send the star map over immediately,” Baed said.
Lumiar looked over image as it came. “You’re homes are far away from our location. In your message you said something about gravity drives. Is that how you travel between stars?”
“Yes,” Brian said. “It uses massive particles to create small passageways in space. This basically folds space to shorten the distance between locations. But because space is curved and not flat the accuracy of where one appears isn’t perfect.”
“Quite interesting,” Lumiar said. “Tell me, how many species are there in the Confederation?”
“There are twenty six distinct species, with the twenty seventh being a mixed world named Dega Jul,” Brian explained. “Technically, I’m the twenty seventh species. But given I’m the only human off world I don’t count for much.”
“How is that possible?” Lumiar asked.
“Five years ago I was taken by the Greys for experimentation, much like some of your people,” he answered. “I was rescued by the Kalaidians on this vessel and because of certain laws set by the Confederation am unable to return home.”
“Tell me about the Strangers,” Lumiar said.
“The ones you refer to as the Strangers we refer to as the Greys,” Brian answered. “This section of the galaxy is under their control. No doubt your surveillance satellites have had a good look at the planet they inhabit. What we can’t tell you are their motives or plans for your species.”
“We’ve attempted contact for a hundred and twenty years, since we first had the capability to use radio waves for communication purposes,” Lumiar said. “Not once have we received a response. We began suspecting the worst when the sightings began fifty years ago. They’ve virtually ended within the last few years though. By plans for our world are you speaking of domination?”
“No Lumiar, the Greys don’t bother with that,” he said. “If they need your planet for something they’ll euthanize the populace.”
“What?!” she shouted.
“If you wish for proof we’ll send you what we have,” Brian said. “Kalaidians like Baed here have no males surviving from a plague sent to them a hundred and sixty years ago. They can only reproduce artificially now. We also have data on something we encountered early in our journey in this part of the galaxy that shows how the Greys deal with species like yours. The Mardok were a race much like yours, on the edge of living in space permanently. The Greys used some method we haven’t discovered to burn the atmosphere off the planet.”
“You can’t be telling the truth,” Lumiar said. “I can’t believe an intelligent race would be capable of such a thing.”
“Sadly, it’s true,” he said. “We have the evidence if you wish to see it yourself. But to explain why the Greys would do such a thing I think it’s important to tell you how they function as a society.”
“Go on,” Lumiar said.
“As you may or may not know the Greys are telepathic,” he explained. “Through this method a machine god of their creation controls them. They created it to bring peace to their people. It worked, too well in fact. All individua
lity has been lost to them. Now they function as a hive mind controlled by their machine god.”
“So if they’re controlled by this machine god as you put it, what are its motives?” Lumiar asked.
“Order and peace,” Brian answered. “The most effective way to peace is through pacifying one’s enemies. The only choices are to enslave other races and dominate them or destroy them.
“Terrible,” Lumiar said. She sat silent for a moment deep in thought. “If what you say is true then what chance do we have? Our military could do nothing to stop a foe with such a technological edge.”
“We can’t do much either,” Brian said. “Two ships alone can’t stand against their military strength. But what we can do is help you protect your world. Even if the odds aren’t good it’s better to try surviving the ordeal and live on. I’m sorry to deliver this news to you. It must seem like we’ve dashed any hopes of your people’s future by coming here.”
“No,” she said. “We’ve suspected for a long time the Strangers may do something like this. How should we proceed forth?”
“I’d like to meet you in person Lumiar,” Brian said. “Speaking like this is dangerous, as the signal may be picked up by the Greys. In return for the small amount of aid we can give we’d like some fresh food and water. We still have a lot of emergency rations but fresh food will help with morale.”
“I think I can do that,” she said. “My minister of intelligence is already working on a secluded island location in the southern hemisphere. Is there anything else you need?”
“If possible we’d like if a small number of the crew could go down to the secluded island,” Brian said. “We’ve been on ship for almost six months. After that long on a ship claustrophobia begins taking its toll.”
“I see,” she said. “The second request may be difficult but I’ll insist on it. I’ll contact you shortly on what we’re planning. On the behalf of all those who live on this world, I thank you Brian. All we asked for were answers to our questions and now the time has come to move forward. I look forward to meeting you in person soon.”
“As do I Lumiar,” he said.
The conversation ended with the two making prayer. After her image vanished from the screen Brian sat down and looked exhausted.
“That was pretty good for a first contact situation,” Baed said. “But we’re violating the Edict of Geluke Don doing this.”
“I know Baed,” he said. “But I think the circumstances in this situation are very different from that incident. I’m sure the Mylors would understand.”
“You’re probably right,” Baed said.
* * *
In a special sealed dome at the center of the capital city of the Braiden gathered all the ministers of various titles and ways. Lumiar took the center of the circle before nodding to Fran as he took his place on the inner ring of importance. After the inner nine and the second ring of the circle of twenty seven arrived the doors were closed. The larger outer two rings stayed empty.
“Tell me Lady Lumiar, why have you asked only the inner two circles to come?” asked Kaleb Stonegrate, the Minister of Public Relations. “To the outside such a thing will draw attention.”
“I understand your concern Minister Stonegrate,” Lumiar said after turning to speak with him. “But what I have to reveal today is of the most secretive in manner. I had a hard time allowing the second circle to hear this.”
“This must be something you don’t want the general public to know about,” remarked Silvia Waterway, the Minister of Defense.
“Yes, this qualifies as that kind of thing,” Lumiar said. “The Minister of Intelligence, Fran, received an answer to our call early this morning. I’ve confirmed the message did come from another species. They’re currently in orbit of our planet. Fran, please play the message and my meeting with Brian afterwards.”
“Yes my lady,” Fran said. He activated the video system above the governing ministers. The thirty six men and women watched in amazement to the message Brian had sent earlier. Once it was finished playing, Fran played a recording of Lumiar’s conversation with Brian and Baed. When the videos were finished playing shock took over the ministers.
“If this is true, and I trust it is, how can we survive the wrath of the Strangers?” Doria Highstock, the Minister of Agriculture asked. A number of ministers echoed her feelings.
“Militarily we’re at a major disadvantage,” Silvia Waterway said. “Not only do we lack a means of defending the planet, our weapons would be of little use to us.”
“If they can destroy a planet’s atmosphere then everything we’ve worked for up to this point in history would be gone in a flash,” said Crane Riverman, the Minister of Industries.
“What options do we have?” asked Ray Mountaintop, the Minster of the Arts.
“We have few paths before us,” Lumiar said. “I’ve decided to meet with Brian and his crew. Then I can gauge a better assessment of what to do next.” She turned to Mayla Plentyboon, the Minster of Technology. “One of the options before us is to save as many of our people as possible. We have two choices, to flee somehow, or dig in. Given we have a population of seven billion fleeing is next to impossible. As of now I want Minister Mayla to set out on that possibility.”
“If Brian and his fellows agree to share their technology with us, I’m sure we can come up with something,” Mayla said. She turned to the others. “I’m going to need all of your agencies to help me in this endeavor.”
The other ministers nodded in agreement. “All of those who can work will do so at your command,” said Soren Silentwind, the Minister of Labor.
“For now I say we dig in and hope,” Lumiar said. “Brian’s promised to aid us in any way he can. As of now we may have only a few months until the Strangers act. Assume the worst and if we’re lucky we’ll get more time. Right now our world faces a danger greater than any in its history. It’s time we unite as one world of one mind.” Lumiar made a religious sign. Each of the ministers stood and did likewise. “This is top secret. Tell only those who need to know what is going on. I don’t want our people to panic.”
“I’ll do my best my lady,” Kaleb Stonegrate said.
“I thank all of you for your support,” Lumiar said. “May the gods watch over all of us and deliver us from this terrible fate.”
Chapter 30 - Seles’s Vision
Seles opened her eyes. She found she was floating in space, removed from all physical limitations. Turning around she saw a gas giant below her. Turning back she saw a heated battle. Near the planet were the Avoni and a pair of ships. Seles saw a number of mobile suits surrounding the Avoni and the other attack vessel. The third ship was much further away from the battle and retreated to a cluster of asteroids and moons on the opposite side of the planet. What is this place? Where am I? She thought. She glanced at the Avoni once more before seeing the Mjolnir emerge. It glowed with a strange reddish hue. Brian, is that you? Why is the Mjolnir glowing like that? She reached out with her incorporeal hands and found she couldn’t move. She tried calling out only to find her voice had no sound behind it. As the battle progressed she noticed a number of massive saucer shaped vessels, along with what looked like hundreds of smaller ships. They were attacking the Avoni and the other ship in waves. A moment passed as the Mjolnir charged into the fray. Seles watched as the strangely glowing mobile suit flashed out of sight. It reappeared and struck the Grey ships like their shields weren’t there. She watched as the Mjolnir slashed through the enemy ships with impunity. As the minutes passed and the Mjolnir made its way towards the larger ships, Seles heard a heartbeat coming from the mobile suit. Each passing second the beat became fainter until finally, the beating stopped. She reached out with her hands and cried out with all her might. The Mjolnir stopped flying and floated lifelessly as a mass of the remaining Grey ships closed in and fired.
* * *
Seles woke up covered in sweat. She was in her bed in the palace on Kalaidia Prime. Feeling uncomfortable she stood
up and went to the balcony. She stared out into the dark courtyard. In the distance she noticed the downtown of the capital was still fully at work.
“It’s like they never turn the lights off anymore,” Seles said before sighing. What in Kali’s name did I see?
“You seem quite disturbed Lady Seles,” Myden said telepathically. “But if those flashes I saw a few minutes ago were correct, I can see why.” He stepped out of the darkness and stood next to her on the balcony.
“Someday you’re going to have to tell me how you do that,” Seles said. “Also, when are you going to stop referring to me as Lady?”
“Sorry about that Seles, but its habit,” he answered in his raspy voice. “I’ve lived on Kalaidia for over a century and always call the Queen and her family by title. It’ll take me a century to shake the habit out of my speech patterns.”
“I’ve never asked you why, but what is it about Kalaidia that drew you here?” she asked. “You could have sought refuge amongst any race, so why ours?”
Myden pointed to the sky. “On my homeworld we have no sky. Not only that, but we destroyed all but a few surviving plants on my world. Our atmosphere is maintained by artificial methods rather than natural now. Kalaidia has trees and open streams. It feels alive.”
“Why not one of the older races, like the Mylor then?” she asked. “I’m sure they’d love to have your input on any number of subjects.”
“The Mylor and my people have had long and difficult relationship Seles,” Myden said. “It would be more complicated than you suspect.”
“The other question I have is you are really alone?” Seles asked while gazing at the stars above. “There had to have been others who escaped when you did.”
“There are a few of us left,” he said. “I suspect the machine god has kept a number of them around for specific situations. Without their experience and individuality the Naerendi could never hope to win any serious battles.”
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