by Terry Frost
“We must give praise to Mount Orin for it has blessed us with a weapon that has defeated the Hive on Planet Daak,” said Empress Katin.
“We will announce the need for planet-wide praises by way of giving our thanks for this excellent noise. Shall I make the announcement, Your Grace?” asked High Mage Cina.
The Empress looked at her ever-present assistant and said, “No, I need you here to discuss our next mission in dealing with the insectoids. Mogan, it would please me greatly for you to make the announcement. And tell our warriors we will have a celebration in the Great Hall this evening.”
The stunningly beautiful Mogan bowed to her Empress and left the room to do as she was ordered.
“Caid Maalik, it is difficult for me to put into words to say how happy I am that those horrible insects have been destroyed in and around your homeworld. But, before you start thinking about taking the few ships you have and those that came with you on the transports, we must determine how far reaching the Hive infection as spread,” said Katin.
Maalik was about to speak but before he uttered a word, Cina spoke first.
“My Grace is correct, most honorable Caid. Surely you can see the importance of finding out if the Hive has been affected at their homeworld.”
“I do see the importance of knowing for sure if the virus had made its way back to the Helo System and the Hive homeworld. What are your thoughts, High Mage, on that effort?” Maalik asked. Cina looked at Katin for permission to answer Maalik’s question and Katin nodded her approval.
“First and foremost, we need to get in touch with Admiral Allen and his people to give them the wonderful information that the virus was very successful. Since their location is on the way to the Helo System we can discuss how to go about surveying the Hive homeworld.
“I’m fairly certain the Humans will want to know and probably want a member of their military to be included in any attempts we make when going to the Helo System. What is your opinion, Your Grace?” Cina asked.
“I agree with your assessment, High Mage. Who do you want to go to the Human’s location, and how soon are you wanting to do it?” Katin asked.
“We have three more Zurguts that are about to be completed with their builds, so Tage Doni should stay here to oversee their completion with Caid Maalik. I should be the one to command my Raptor on the way to inform the Humans and to discuss our mission’s plan if that would please you, Your Grace.”
“Well, it does please me, but I’m not sure my Navy’s commander should be gone from Abor on a mission that a subordinate could do so easily. But the Humans will want to speak to one of us that they are familiar dealing with.
“Should I sanction you to go on this mission, I must order you to not go to the Helo System without informing me of any plan to go there. Do you understand this, High Mage?” Katin asked.
“Yes, my beloved, Empress. I will begin making my Raptor ready for the trip to the Kilkin System if that would please you, my Grace.”
Just before High Mage Cina was about to board her Raptor, Empress Katin asked her to give her love to Colonel Hammer and to tell him she felt their baby move inside her, which that news thrilled Cina very much. She told her she would deliver her message, bowed, and walked up the ramp into her Raptor.
CHAPTER 18
The first thing Jak and Kenner saw was a large round sunken pit lined with cushions lying on a circular bench made of wood. In the center of the circle was a fire pit that had been cleaned of ashes from past fires and a new pile of wood was stacked and ready for the next time the pit was to be fired up. Jak initially thought the area was for tribal meetings or some other social type gathering.
Paintings of heroic hunts and many other stories that had come to past in the annals of the Huron life. Two pictures loomed large over the others and they were of two chieftains, from what Jak thought was leaders from long ago. The two men in the pictures wore immaculate headdresses completely full of beautiful bird feathers that ran down the length of each chief’s bodies.
To the left and right of the wall in the back of the building were doors leading to other parts of the massive two-story hut. In the center of the back wall was an elaborate set of steps made of a polished wood leading up to the second story. On each side of the first step of the stairs was a six-foot-tall statue of a Huron hunter carved from wood.
The lead alien hunter motioned for the Humans to step down into the pit and be seated facing in the direction of the staircase. The lack of communication from the lead hunter started to unnerve Kenner but he tried not to show it, especially to Jak, as he was his normal confident self.
The hunter that escorted the two Humans along with the lead hunter, sat next to Jak and Kenner as the lead hunter went up the stairs. Jak thought since they were obviously waiting for the Ancient One to come down to meet them he would see if he could get the hunter to talk.
“What do your people call you?” The hunter ignored Jak.
“Do you have a name? “I’m Colonel Jak Hammer and my partner’s name is Captain Kenner Slain.” Still no response from the hunter other than an annoyed sounding grunt.
“I’m just trying to get to know you.”
“Silence,” the hunter said, as he hit the floor with the end of his extremely sharp looking spear.
Jak looked at Kenner and said under his breath, “Social fella, huh?”
“It would probably do us both good if you did as he said, Colonel.”
Just as Jak was starting to question why there wasn’t anyone running around in the large hut, he heard the sound of women laughing along with several footsteps coming down the stairs. What the two men saw next was something quite unexpected.
The lead hunter came down ahead of six stunning, barechested beauties, with long braided blonde hair down to their waist and wearing only a thin strip of animal hide covering their vaginas and their butt cracks. They had an olive complexion and each wore gold bracelets and three different lengths of gold necklaces.
If Jak and Kenner looked awestruck who could blame them. Both men hated to take their eyes of the beautiful women but soon saw two powerful legs come into view. A few more steps and they saw the Ancient One.
Neither Human had ever seen such a formidable looking male. He stood at 6’ 8” tall, barrel-chested, arms that resembled two thick tree branches and biceps bigger than Jak or Kenner’s heads.
The Ancient One’s hair began with a Mowhawk in the middle then fell on his wide shoulders and was dark brown from his head to half its length and blonde down to the tips. He was quite handsome with his rugged looking face, and the most intriguing thing about his face was his eyes. His eyes were the color of turquoise, beautiful, yet slightly disturbing.
When the lead hunter reached the bottom of the stairs he told Jak and Kenner to rise. The beautiful women hurried down to the pit and came up to Jak and Kenner and began gently pawing at them while smiling.
Oh shit. I hope the big guy isn’t the jealous type Jak thought.
When the Ancient One stepped off the last step the lead hunter moved to the side, then walked behind his chief. The Ancient One stopped just short of stepping down into the pit, looked at his two guests or captives, depending on what he had in store for the two invaders of his realm, and in perfect English said to the women, “Leave us now. Go prepare something for us to eat.”
The six women stopped pawing Jak and Kenner, bowed their heads to their master and scurried quickly out of the pit and walked quickly to a door left of the stairs, opened it, and disappeared. The huge chief stepped down into the pit and stopped in front of Jak and Kenner while eyeing them from top to bottom, then without speaking turned to the lead hunter and motioned him over to his side. He turned back to face Jak and Kenner and said, “I see you have met Two hands. He is Huron’s bravest Warrior Chief.”
“Yes, we have met Two Hands. Though we didn’t get his name until you spoke it, Father of all Hurons,” Jak said.
“You speak good English. What is your name?” s
peaking to Jak.
“I am Colonel Jak Hammer of the Starship Colossus.”
“And you,” he said looking at Kenner.
“I am Captain Kenner Slain, also of the Starship Colossus.”
“Interesting. I have not seen star travelers in more than a thousand years.”
I’ll be damned. A thousand years. How in the hell can that be possible? Maybe he is ancient and that is why Two Hands refers to him as the Ancient One. He does look old, but no more than seventy I would guess and he said years, not periods, or some other word for time, Jak thought.
“May I ask if you have another name other than Father of all Huron?” Kenner asked.
“Yes, it is proper for you to know my name. I have many names, Captain Slain, but more know me as, Kondiaronk. Now, which star shines upon your homeworld? And what is the name of your world?”
Jak took the question and said, “Our home is called Earth, and our star is called Sol.”
“Ah, yes. Isanaklesh, Mother Earth.”
“You know about the Earth?” Jak asked while showing he was surprised.
“Huron has been my home for thousands of years, but I have seen too many worlds to count, Colonel Hammer.”
Before Jak could ask another question the big double entry doors opened as did the other set of doors on the back side of the stairs. Kondiaronk took three steps past Jak and Kenner and sat down at a bend in the cushion-lined pit sitting in a position where he could see the entry.
“We shall speak more after I speak to my winged one. A silver and black species of bird flew into the hut, landing only a couple feet inside. It was around the size of a Sparrow Hawk and had an impressively curved beak. It was obvious this bird hunted for its food. It raised it ’s beautiful feathered wings and flapped them two times, then looked at the Ancient One.
Kondiaronk stuck out his right arm with it bent at the elbow. With his left hand, he motioned for the bird to come to him. The bird flew the short distance and landed on the Ancient One’s arm and grasped it gently.
The Ancient One leaned his head forward and so did the bird as they touched heads. Though no sound came from Kondiaronk or the bird, it was clear to see they were speaking to each other. The bird and the man stayed connected for about thirty seconds before they ceased touching their heads together.
Kondiaronk said, “Go, Kyelngyam.” The bird flew out of the hut and climbed into the sky.
Jak and Kenner were awestruck and didn’t say a word, though they both were thinking something similar to what did we just witness.
Kondiaronk turned his attention back to the Humans and said, “You are wondering how it is possible that I could know about Mother Earth, and how it is that I have seen thousands of worlds, do you not?”
Jak said, “That is exactly what I would like to know. If you would be so kind as to explain.”
“I do not travel the stars in ways that you or any other species do. I am a living spirit, and my spirit travels, not my flesh.”
I know all about Indians believing in living spirits, but come on. Do you expect me to believe you are a living spirit, in the flesh? I’ll need more than just your word on that Jak thought.
“I’m sensing you do not believe my spirit travels the stars, Colonel Hammer.”
“I mean no disrespect, but we have known of many in our past that have said such things about being spirits. But the truth always shows itself and they were not what they said they were,” Jak said.
“I will tell you some of what I know about Mother Earth. You Humans have plagued Her with many wars. One of those wars put brother against brother, fathers against sons. I witnessed what was called the Trail of Tears. It was a sad time for my people.”
Jak and Kenner didn’t respond but both knew the Ancient One must be what he says he is.
Jak turned his eyes back to Kondiaronk and said, “I believe you are what you say you are. I need to report back to my superior on Colossus to let him know we are okay. Will you allow me to do that?”
“Yes. You can report to your superior then we shall share bread together. Our women have prepared a great meal for us. And while we eat you can tell me what you are doing on my world.”
Chapter 19
The Aborian Raptor uncloaked a few seconds after it dropped out of FTL only ten miles from the Generations Starship Colossus. Helmsman Gordo McManus notified Admiral Allen of their friendly visitor’s arrival.
“Hail them, Gordo.”
“Aye, aye, Admiral.” A few seconds passed and High Mage Cina appeared on the viewscreen.
“Hello, High Mage. What are you doing in my neck of the woods?”
“What woods, Admiral?”
“My apologies. It is just an expression. What can I and the Colossus do for the great Aborian Empire today?”
“I bring great news, Admiral. May I come aboard?”
“Yes, that would be a good idea. I love getting great news. By the way, we have teleportation capabilities now. Send me your coordinates and I will teleport you to my Ready Room.”
Allen closed the view screen, stood from his chair and said, “Admiral, I will be receiving the High Mage in my Ready Room. The ship is yours until I return.”
Vice Admiral Petrov took command of the ship as Allen walked hurriedly to his Ready Room.
He had entered and just had time to allow the door to close as Cina appeared in the room. “Good to see you, High Mage. May I get you a beverage?”
“No thank you, Admiral.”
“Please take a seat,” Allen said as he motioned for her to sit on his small couch. Cina sat down and Allen sat in the chair directly across from the couch.
“Now, what is this great news you have come all this way to share with me?”
“Your doctor’s flu virus worked and has performed remarkably.”
“Well, I’ll be. That is better than great news, Cina, it is fantastic news. Tell me about your findings.”
“By order of my beloved Empress, I sent a Raptor commanded by Tage Doni and Caid Maalik to Planet Daak in order to see if the virus worked,” she said. Cina reached into her breast pocket and retrieved a small disc about the size of a silver dollar and handed it to Allen.
“That is a recording of the mission’s findings, Admiral. I believe you will be elated after watching it, as my Empress and I were when we saw it for ourselves.”
Allen stood and walked over to a button on the wall that when pushed, brought the large monitor down from its hidden location in the ceiling above. The monitor came down and when it stopped he inserted the disc at the bottom of the monitor, then walked back to his chair and sat down.
The sight of everything Hive being dead, gave Allen a remarkable sense of relief. Now if only the virus had made it to the Helo System. If it had, then those that have lived under the threat of being attacked by the insectoid race might be able to go on with their lives without that being such a major concern, especially for Allen and the small family of Humans on the Colossus.
When Allen finished the recording he addressed the High Mage and said, “I’m sure you know without me telling you this, but we must send a ship to the Helo System to find out if the virus has, in fact, reached the Hive homeworld. Does Empress Katin understand this is something we have to do?”
“Yes, Admiral. My beloved agrees we need to do just that. But, if we do find there is major Hive activity still operating in the Helo System her orders to me was to inform you that no attack on the Hive at their homeworld will begin without the help of our Navy.
“I am to inspect their homeworld and if you wish to have a member of your staff to travel with us, then all I need is for you to order those participating to be ready to depart within the hour.”
“Empress Katin has been so generous by having three of your Predators stay with us while we search for our new home. Since they are stealth capable I will have one of them go with you to the Helo System so they can return here with their report. Any further actions will have to wait until we get the resul
ts of the reconnaissance mission. I will be informing Commodore Jeeves he will be the one going with the Predator.”
Allen bid the High Mage farewell and wished her a successful trip to the Helo System. With Commodore Jeeves on the Predator the two Aborian warships left on their mission. As the admiral watched them make their jump his commlink chirped.
“Allen.”
“Admiral, Colonel Hammer has just contacted me and I need to meet you in your Ready Room so I can inform you of his and Captain Slain’s findings,” General Dubois said.
Five minutes passed and the two commanders were sitting down so the admiral could listen to the general’s report from Colonel Hammer.
“So, Alias, what has your illustrious Colonel discovered?”
“It seems that his and Captain Slain’s initial contact with the aliens was by way of being caught in some old-fashioned snares.”
“Did you say snares? As in animal snares.”
“Yes, sir. The aliens are hunters according to Colonel Hammer and our two explorers stepped into their snares and were hanging upside down until a small alien group found them and cut them down. Hammer said they tied their hands in front of them and took them to their village.”
Even though he hadn’t heard everything yet, and being captured was obviously a serious thing, Allen couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of seeing a pair of the general’s men hanging upside down.
“Sorry for laughing, Alias, but I couldn’t help the thought of Hammer and Slain hanging upside down. I’m assuming they are both okay and nothing detrimental has happened them.”
“No sir, they haven’t been harmed in any way other than their pride of being strung up like a couple of rabbits. And just so you know, when I pictured them hanging in the air, I too laughed. Hammer said the aliens look and dress much like the American Indians back in the days of Geronimo, Sitting Bull, etc., and call themselves Hurons.”
