by JD Clarke
“How many warships do we have operational now?” I asked the Sarge as he swallowed the last of his breakfast.
“All twenty ships are fit and ready. Construction on number 21 will be complete in eight days. We won’t have any other ships coming off the production line for several months. Our munitions stock is in good shape. I fitted your warship, the Tempest, with the new pulse weapons we captured from the Unity. There are two firing forward, just as you specified. I had to add a chin turret to fit them into so there would be no compromise to the forward shields. Additional shielding covers the pulse cannons. They can be retracted to allow the pulse cannons to deploy for firing. They won’t traverse horizontally, but you can adjust the pitch on them plus or minus twenty degrees. I have six more of the heavy pulse weapons ready to mount on the Typhoon and Cyclone warships.”
“What about the Fury and Inferno, Sarge?”
“I won’t have weapons ready for them for another three weeks.”
“As soon as those are ready, stop production and switch over to mine production.”
“Those funky little cloaked mines that Mako’s been playing with?”
“That’s right. He’s got them all analyzed and entered into the production computers.”
“More like Sybil’s got ’em figured out. OK, how many do you want me to crank out?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk over with you, Sarge. Up until now, our tactics have been a head-on run at the Unity’s warships, firing as we pass each other.”
“It’s about the only option we have given the sensors on the warships to prevent any surprise attack from other angles, and the speed of the warships makes them hard to maneuver.”
“I’ve got an idea, a new twist to add, and I want your opinion.”
The Sarge laughed a hearty chuckle. “You’ve always got little tricks to add. Can’t wait to hear this one.”
Fifth Ring
I crouched behind a large tree trunk; hidden by heavy brush, I peeked around one side. A huge head swung from side to side, seeking its prey. Like a mechanical T. rex, without the forearms, it stood on two massive legs that ended in thick metal talons. Its body was covered in metallic scales that picked up the light, reflecting the colors of the vegetation, shimmering as it swayed with movements of its sensor-studded head. The long tail swished around, sampling the air; it too had sensors along its length. In place of a lower jaw, two multibarreled cannons projected forward. It was hunting me.
I tried to contact my colleague. No reply. He was injured, possibly unconscious. Possibly dead. His little experiment had gone wrong, horribly wrong. These creatures were supposed to be our servants, our soldiers, but now they made no distinction. They simply killed anything and everything, a software glitch resulting in bloodlust. I attempted to shut down the experiment with a mental command. No response. I had to get back to the master controls in the clearing less than a hundred yards away. I turned my back to the predator, keeping the tree between us. I was alone. No help was coming, and this creature would never tire of waiting. It would continue its monitoring of the area until another arrived. Then they would start a search pattern, hunt, and kill. I had to move.
I pulled my legs up under me, ready to spring, ready to run. Then I closed my eyes and pictured the route back to the master controls, a route of evasion, through the densest trees, deadfalls—anything that gave me cover and would slow this monster down. A deep breath and I jumped for my life, sprinting, dodging between trees. I heard the instant response of the metal monster behind me as it sprayed the area with automatic fire. Then its heavy footfalls as it began the chase. Branches slashed at my face as I burst through brush to weave between two closely growing hard woods. I could hear the creature crashing through the woods behind me as I changed direction and headed downhill and around a large boulder. Shards of stone shattered and flew as the automatic fire riddled the side of the boulder. I ran, I ran as fast as I could, gulping air, grabbing small trees to help me zigzag my way through the forest. All the time, the monster was getting closer; it only slowed when he could not squeeze between the broad trunked trees. I burst into the open around the central console of the master controls and slapped the red circle. Nothing. I slapped it again. The power to everything on this ring should shut down. The lights should go out. The nightmare should end. The monster towered over me—shimmering, swaying, ready for the kill.
I awoke in a pool of sweat. Dena was still asleep beside me. I got up and went to the sink to wash my face and tried to calm my breathing. I had to hold the sides of the sink to steady my hands. A hand touched my shoulder, and I jumped like a startled cat.
“Are you all right?” It was Dena. My heart was racing all over again.
“Yeah, just another dream. I believe I know what’s on the Third Ring,” I told her, trying to will my heart back to normal.
“The Third Ring? We haven’t explored that one yet. Didn’t you say it was locked, access denied?”
“Yes, but in my dream, I was there. I think the Ancient Ones were trying to build autonomous war machines based on biological creatures. Something went wrong. They had to shut the whole ring down, and they sealed whatever is in there so it would never get out.”
“I thought they learned their lesson when the supercomputer Colossus turned on them. None of their other computer systems are anywhere near sentient.”
“They must have given it one more try, or maybe they thought they could build them and just turn them loose on their enemies. I don’t know. But this dream was different. It wasn’t so much a memory as a fear. A fear that the Ancient One had. Possibly a fear of what might happen.”
“Jason, I hate to think of what your nightmares might become if they take on the fears and anxieties of your predecessor.”
“I know.” But the thought had not occurred to me, and now that I thought about it, it was truly frightening.
“We have to find a way to stop these nightmares. I’ll put my full focus on a solution. We’ll find a way to correct this. I promise.”
After I showered, I decided to skip breakfast. Being the plat du jour for a mechanical monster kind of killed my appetite. I needed to talk to Legion, so I headed for his council hall on the Fifth Ring. The spokes that connected the rings to the Defiant’s fuselage also housed elevators. The elevators were not as rapid as the tram, but the ascent took only fifteen to twenty minutes on most of the rings, and again, there was no sensation of motion. The Fifth Ring had artificial gravity to match the Warrior home planet, which was less than Earth’s. But Legion had increased the gravity to match that of the Defiant, 1G. He believed it would make the Warriors stronger, and indeed, they did adapt rapidly. Muscle mass and bone density had increased until they were comfortable in the new gravity within a few short weeks. Dena believed their ability to adapt so quickly was due to the Ancient Ones’ genetic engineering.
Legion wore a neural net that had once belonged to the captain of the Defiant. In addition to the telepathic powers it bestowed upon him, it also gave him other advantages, such as access to restricted areas of the ship. I suspected that it also gave him access to our thoughts at times, but I was never sure, and he never admitted it. So whether it was the neural net or his own personal intuition, Legion seemed to understand me better than any of the other aliens.
Legion and his people were living in a medieval civilization when we first encountered them. The Fifth Ring was mostly temperate forests with the Warriors’ villages scattered about. For many generations, two major factions, or clans, ruled most of the ring. Each clan struggled to dominate the other. Legion had been able to unite all the clans together under his leadership. Legion was a unique individual, highly intelligent and gifted. He had been able to embrace the new technology far better than most of his race. The Ancient Ones had genetically manipulated the Warriors to be vicious and fearless. The Warriors were bred for war.
I stepped from the elevator onto a platform high above the ground. It overlooked the nearby village. I could
see the many houses of stone; some were truly majestic in their size and appearance, but the largest structure was in the center of the village. The Great Hall, its grey stone sides were deeply carved, depicting scenes of battles and great beasts. The slate roof had been coated with thick grease containing red pigments, making it appear as if it had been recently dipped in blood. The huge arched entryway was visible even from here. The stones at the top of the arch were carved like spikes or fangs; it looked like a gaping mouth of a demon ready to swallow any who dared approach. I descended from the platform and walked into the village. Legion was usually in the Great Hall, where he performed his duties as their leader—settling disputes, allocating lands, and hearing complaints on anything from arranged mates to family feuds. But the guards at the portal of the Great Hall informed me that no complaints were being heard today. Legion was on the practice field with his troops.
When I arrived at the practice field, I found at least one hundred Warriors gathered around a circle in which two young soldiers were fighting with swords and small shields. Each wore a light armor that protected their torso, shins, and forearms. About their waist they wore an animal bladder filled with liquid. It jiggled like a water balloon as they dodged and parried. Their shields rang out as the swords crashed down upon them. The larger of the two seemed tired, and his shield was badly distorted with dents and slashes. He was having a hard time defending against the lightninglike blade of his smaller opponent. His counterblows only glanced off the smaller Warrior’s shield as the smaller alien jumped and weaved about, preventing a solid strike form his larger adversary. Then the large one missed entirely, his sweeping sword arm leaving an opening. The smaller Warrior was quick to take advantage of the mistake, and his blade sang through the air and ripped the bladder across its entire length. A red liquid spilled out, signaling the end of the contest. Legion stepped to the center, slapping the young Warrior’s chest in a gesture congratulations. He then walked over to the loser of the match, snatched his shield away, and threw it into the dirt.
“Respect your enemy. Do not underestimate him. Large or small, death comes in many packages. Continue.” Legion left the ring as two more young Warriors entered. “Jason, you have come to watch us fight? Or have you brought word of battle?”
“Legion, I need your help to explore another of the rings. It will give you another excuse to hide from your duties as Lord Legion, Ruler of the Fifth Ring.” He hated that title.
“I tire of hearing the petty whining of those who would never complain of battle injuries or certain death. My people are restless for battle. I have set up a hard schedule of training to keep them busy, but even that is not enough. They tire of mock battles. Blasting distant targets with pulse rifles grows old when the targets do not shoot back.” He stood where he could see me and the contest that was taking place in the circle. His four eyes gave him a wide field of vision; and his height, taller than most Warriors, allowed him a good view. Legion was wearing his light-battle armor. Molded graphite plates covered his massive shoulders and chest. The Warriors had great upper-body strength. The plates were held together by a thin flexible fabric that was almost as resistant to puncture as the plates. Molded plates protected the front and rear of his legs as well. The Warriors had thin, lightly built lower bodies; their legs reminded me of a dog’s hind legs.
“Which ring, the Third Ring or the Second? I see you have not brought any neural nets to place upon the unsuspecting.”
“No, Legion. I don’t think anyone lives on the Third Ring, but I’ve got to check it out. I believe only machines are stored there.”
“Machines? Why do you need me then?”
“The Third Ring is locked. I have tried to access information about it in the ship’s computer, and all files are hidden, and I believe only the Defiant’s captain has access to the ring.”
“I see. You need my neural net, not my right arm. Sounds as boring as the council chamber, but I will assist you.”
“Don’t underestimate the assignment. I believe the machines to be very dangerous. That’s the other reason I need you.”
“Now you have my interest. I look forward to your request for me to save your buttocks.” Legion’s head began to nod in a quick motion that signified laughter.
Rex Attack
I suggested that Legion put on his heavy-combat armor. He laughed again and gave me the usual “I fear nothing” Warrior bravado and posturing, but he suited up and brought his pulse rifle. Sergeant Klanton met us at the entrance to the Third Ring elevator. He was wearing heavy armor as well, and he had brought mine as I had requested. He also brought Noomi, which was a surprise to me. Noomi was wearing heavy armor also. The Sarge must have fabricated it for her. It was lacking the twin .45 Colts and ammo belt, nor did it have a short sword.
“Hey, Sarge, Noomi,” I said in greeting.
“Good to see you again, Commander Hauptman,” Noomi said; the Sarge said hello, and then he and Legion did some kind of fist-to-wrist thing, soldier-to-soldier stuff.
“I haven’t finished Noomi’s armor yet,” the Sarge said in anticipation of my question. “Figured she’d just watch, and she might be handy if we have any computer questions.” The Sarge handed me my pulse rifle as I finished putting my armor on.
“She might at that.” I felt a little uneasy since I did not know Noomi well, and I could sense Legion’s unease. It was almost a mood of suspicion coming from him. I wondered if the Sarge or Noomi could feel it. They gave no indication if they did. “Legion and I will go in first. Sarge, you exit the elevator next, staying on the platform. Noomi, stay in the elevator until the sergeant gives you the signal it’s safe. You’re the only one that’s unarmed.” The Unity androids were notorious for being unreliable when trouble started. Their programming put their own safety and survival ahead of all others, especially humans. They were just as likely to run away as to help.
“OK, Legion, open the elevator door, if you please.”
Legion paused for a moment. “It will not respond to my thoughts.”
“Hope I didn’t dress up for nothin’. If it won’t open for the captain’s neural net, who will it open for?” the Sarge quipped.
“Wait a minute. The Ancient Ones used magnets to trigger some of their doors.” I took out four small magnets that I had brought along, just in case. Placing them against the area that I guessed was the control area of the elevator door, I told Legion to try again. Nothing. I moved them around in a different configuration. Again, no response. Then an image of a geometric shape popped up in my mind as if from a forgotten memory. I rearranged the magnets once again.
“Try again, Legion.” The elevator doors slid smoothly open.
“I can remove the locks in the system if you want,” Legion told me.
“Commander Hauptman, removing the locks will make the ring accessible to anyone. It also might make the elevator accessible to anything on the inside which might wish to leave the ring. The computer locks were obviously a safeguard placed for a reason. I would caution against removing the locks until we have established their purpose,” Noomi advised.
“We could also get locked inside if anything happens to Legion.”
“Good point, Sarge. Legion, remove the locks. We can replace the safeguards once we return if need be.”
“Very well, Jason. The doors are unlocked. Let us meet this new danger that so frightened the old devils that they locked it away.”
We entered the elevator and rose to the Third Ring. Most of the elevators opened onto a platform that was raised at least one hundred feet above the ground. We expected to have a good view of the world within the ring when the doors opened, but all we saw was blackness—absolute dark. The light from the elevator shined out across the platform, but beyond that, nothing was visible.
“Legion, I get no response from the lights. You?” I mentally tried to activate the lighting again.
“Nothing. It is as if there are no lights.”
“There’s gravity, so th
ere has to be some power source operating. In my dream, there was a manual override on the ground level. A master panel that was positioned directly under the platform. I’ll go down and try to find it.”
“I will go with you. In case your dream tries to follow you.”
I had to admit his company would be welcome, so would his pulse rifle. “Sarge, you stay on the platform and cover us, assuming we get the lights on.”
“Yeah, and assuming you don’t get your ass eaten before they do. I can’t see shit, even with the thermal imaging in the helmet. It’s useless.” He took his helmet off. “At least I can hear better now.”
