by Saxon Andrew
“Sire, we have found the two humans on Lovely and there have been no jumps. It appears they are on the ground in the city.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I intend to raze the city.”
The Principal stared at the Commander and after a moment smiled, “If a jump is detected?”
“I will withhold our fire.”
The Principal nodded, “Your plan is sound. I will handle the repercussions.”
The Commander bowed and said, “Target the city with all blasters and open fire on my command.” He looked at his scanning Leader, “Any jumps detected?”
“No, Sire.”
The Commander saw his shuttles blasting off the surface of the planet and decided he couldn’t wait any longer. “Commence firing.”
• • •
The Lovely Official was just outside the edge of the blast zone when a beautiful city went up a gigantic blast. More than two million local inhabitants were blown into atomic fire. The Official’s eyes narrowed and he felt rage at what had been done to his people. Someone was going to pay for this. After a moment all he could do was weep for the destruction of what was once a beautiful place on his planet’s surface.
• • •
Grant looked at Cinny and said, “You have to go to Ana; I’ll follow the ship.”
“If you think I’m letting you go alone, you’re crazy.”
“Cinny, they have to pay for this. Ana does not have full power without one of us on board. I’ll go if it comes to it but one of us has to make them know that they can’t do this without paying a price.” Grant pointed toward the planet where the giant glow was moving high into the atmosphere.
Cinny shook her head and then nodded, “Please be careful.”
“I will.” Cinny reached across and squeezed Grant’s glove and disappeared. Grant watched the large transport enter the landing bay of the giant warship as hundreds of Lovely’s warships began jumping in and start firing on the yellow warships still in low orbit. Grant entered subspace and watched for what he knew was coming. He saw a large object appear and move away at an incredible speed. He activated the jump drive and followed it.
• • •
Cinny arrived at Ana’s location and flew quickly into the landing bay. She deactivated her armor and ran to the bridge on bare feet, “Ana, we’re going to join the battle.”
Whippet heard her and yelled, “You’re what?”
“All systems are at optimum. What are your instructions?”
“I want to destroy as many of those yellow warships as possible. Assume that the Lovely ships will fire on us if they are given an opportunity. Keep your distance from them as best as you can.”
“Jumping in three seconds. You have control of the weapons.”
Anna put her helmet’s faceplate down and saw the tactical scan appear on the center of her visor. She flew in on one of the yellow ships moving into high atmosphere and lined it up on her helmet’s crosshairs. She squeezed the button on the ship’s control lever and it blew up in a massive blast. The blue beam blew through its force field like it was non-existent. She whipped the ship around and fired instantly on another yellow ship and it blew up in an even larger blast. The Lovely Warships saw the small ship attacking the yellow warships and the fleet Commander said over his communications system, “We have a ship assisting us. Do not fire on it.” He received confirmation from his ships and saw that his ships were no match for the yellow warships but that small ship was blowing them apart at an incredible rate.
Ana announced, “I’ve intercepted a communication from the Lovely Fleet Commander. He’s ordered his ships not to fire on us. Cinny looked over her shoulder, “Whippet, take control of the missiles. Use your helmet to target them!”
Whippet rushed to the chair beside Cinny and put his hand on the missile controller. He immediately saw yellow warships scrambling to reach high orbit and jump away. The view on his faceplate was incredible and as ships would turn red on his visor he would launch a missile. He ignored what happened but continued to target yellow ships and fire missiles. The view in his helmet was unbelievable. It was like he was in open space watching everything happening around him. He lost himself in the moment as Yellow Ships were blasted into clouds of vapor and debris.
The Ship Leader on a Yellow Warship saw a blue colored missile moving in on his ship at high speed. He took control of his ship and dove back into the atmosphere hoping the speed of the missile would burn it up in the atmosphere. His Scanner Leader stared at his panel and said, “Impact in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”
The Ship Leader screamed as the missile blew through his force field and struck his ship in the center. It blew up in a massive blast and fragments rained down on the planet below.
• • •
The Yellow Fleet Commander activated his communicator, “Sire, we’re being attacked by the Lovely Fleet and a strange ship. We’ve lost ninety percent of our forces.”
The large Yellow Commander picked up his communicator, “WHAT? REPORT! I SAID REPORT!”
“Sire, I’m commanding one of the transports leaving the planet and all of our warships have been destroyed. The Lovely Ships are now turning on us and are attacking the transports that were on the surface. We can’t stand up to their beams.”
“Send me what you have on that strange ship!” He waited but heard nothing more. He looked over his shoulder, “Launch a probe.” The probe jumped away and when it arrived, it found nothing but a massive debris field above the planet. None of his ships had survived. He leaned back in his chair and felt a wave of fear wash over him. He now realized that unlike the first time where he had set a trap, this time he was set up for a trap and it had worked. He heard the Communications Leader say, “The Principal wishes to speak with you.”
The Commander activated his display and lowered his head knowing he had but a few moments to live, “Yes, Sire.”
“The Lovely Government tells me that they have destroyed all of our forces at their planet. Is this true?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“It was worth it if you managed to kill those two humans. Do you know if you were successful?”
“No, Sire. If they were in the city, I’m certain they died with the city.”
“It’s unfortunate our ships were overwhelmed by their forces but losses happen in wars. Continue to watch for the two humans but I think you managed to end the problem they represent.”
“Yes, Sire.” The display went dark and the Commander looked at the light on the self-destruct circuit. It was not illuminated. Evidently, the Lovely Fleet took full credit for the destruction of his ships. He knew better; the humans were still alive. He shook his head and looked down at his home planet. He sighed and said, “I’m going down to the surface. Contact me if you hear anything about the humans.”
The crew stared at the Commander and were astounded at the good fortune that followed him. No one was going to say anything about a strange ship helping the Lovely Warships. No one wanted to see the self-destruct circuit activate.
• • •
Grant remained in subspace above the planet where the large warship had arrived. He locked the coordinates in his helmet and jumped away.
Chapter Five
Cinny waited on Ana and was worried sick about Grant. She looked at Whippet and saw him shaking his head. “What?”
“It looks like you won’t be eating at that restaurant again.” His comment shocked her and then it struck her as funny. Millions had died but she started laughing and then laughed even harder. Whippet shrugged, “I’m just saying. The Head Server shouldn’t have ordered carry out.”
Cinny lost it and then heard, “Ana, I’m back.”
Cinny immediately started crying tears of joy. Whippet watched her and wondered at the complexity of this species called human. Laughing at tragedy and crying at joy. Go figure. “Grant, thank the Creator you’re ok.”
“I followed the large warship to its home base, I think. There’s la
rge ship building facilities on the surface and a large local population. How did the fight with the Yellow fleet go?”
“Between us and the Lovely ships, we destroyed them all.”
“Good; I’ll see you on board shortly.”
Grant entered the bridge and Ana said over the loudspeaker, “The Lovely Government has opened communications with all of the civilizations in this quadrant and is telling them that further cooperation with the Raiders should cease immediately. It appears many of them are in agreement with Lovely.”
Grant and Cinny stared at the ceiling and Whippet said, “Are they planning any action?”
“It does appear more than sixty of them have agreed to combine their fleets to confront any of them that enter this quadrant. More are joining as I speak.”
Grant smiled, “It appears there is now a safe area for us to use to plan our operations.”
Whippet shook his head, “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
“Why not?”
“The, what did you call them?”
“Raiders.”
“The Raiders have distributed millions of flyers saying the two of you are extremely dangerous. They may not turn you over to them but you can bank on them arresting you on sight.”
Cinny sighed, “I think he’s right. However, we can operate here and just avoid their warships. Whippet can go to the surface to purchase whatever supplies we need.”
Grant blew out a breath and nodded. Ana said, “I’ve done an analysis of that large yellow warship you followed and it appears that it can withstand our weapons for a short period of time.”
Cinny frowned, “How long?”
“If we launch multiple missiles and hit it with blasters for twenty seconds, its systems should fail. However, if there are more than one of them attacking, it wouldn’t be wise to linger.”
“Why?”
“I haven’t seen the weapons used on that ship but if it’s twice as powerful as their cruisers, it could defeat my shield in a minute.”
“Grant, did you seen any of those ships at the planet you found?”
Ana said, “I’ve looked at the data Grant’s scooter recorded and there were more than a hundred above that planet.”
Grant nodded, “I didn’t stay long enough to do a physical count but I know there were many of them on the side of the planet I was above. We won’t be able to use the ship to attack that planet.”
Whippet shrugged, “I guess this is where your genetically enhanced animals will have to be used.”
Grant nodded, “I guess. We need to think about how we’re going to do that.”
“I think you would just transport them there and drop them off.”
Grant looked at Whippet, “It’s not going to be that simple. There is only one of each of them and I’m not willing to risk losing both of them on the first planet they attack. We have to get them to produce some offspring before we take them there.”
Cinny tilted her head, “They can’t do it on the planet they’re on. Where do you suggest doing this?”
Grant shook his head, “Let me think about this. Ana, take us back to their planet.” The small ship’s jump field surrounded it and it disappeared.
• • •
The Choten-Zan High Priest stared at the monitor on the wall in his personal quarters and watched the feed being sent from a probe above Lovely. He watched the Raider warships blast the city into slag and the following space battle. His eyes were narrow and he pressed a button on his desk. The Head Servant entered and the High Priest looked at him, “Notify them that the plan is now operational.” The Head Servant nodded and left the room. The High Priest continued to watch the Raider forces being destroyed. He hoped for the best but expected the worse. This could get out of control quickly.
• • •
Cinny and Grant listened to Iggy and Slick argue about the plan they had developed to take them to the Raider planet. “I am not going to leave my children here to be devoured by the ants!”
Iggy snorted, “It’s not like you can’t have more on this planet we’re going to.”
“I don’t care, I won’t allow any of them to be placed in mortal danger.”
Cinny raised a hand and said, “Uhhh…excuse me.” Iggy and Slick looked at her and she said, “Are they not going to be in danger on the planet you’re going to attack?”
Slick stared at Cinny and could only raise his two front legs in disgust and turn his back on her. Grant said, “We’re going to place a force field around your offspring to keep the ants off them.”
“You don’t know those creatures. They’ll burrow under it and eat them. You can’t tell me the force field will extend far underground.” The Spider looked at Iggy, “The only reason you’re willing to do this is because the force field will protect your children.”
Grant stared at Slick and sighed, “I can’t risk sending the only one we have to use against the Raiders into an unknown situation. I need some insurance that if the worst happens, there will be one of your children to take your place.”
Iggy snorted, “Just take one of his children with you. The coward can stay here.”
Slick went up on his legs and turned bright blue. Cinny yelled, “Back off a minute. There has to be a way to make this work.”
Grant looked at the angry spider and rubbed his chin with his hand. After a moment he looked at Slick, “Why haven’t the ants attacked you here?”
Slick was shocked by the question and his color returned to silver. After a moment he went down on his legs and said, “I don’t really know. They have this area surrounded but they refuse to enter it.”
Iggy looked at Slick, “You know, I’ve wondered why they haven’t just walked up and made a meal out of you.”
Cinny said, “Don’t you think any offspring you leave here will be just as safe as you’ve been?”
“That’s something I have no way of knowing.”
Grant stared at the two giant creatures and said, “Well, let’s go see if we can find out.”
Iggy said, “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to take a look at them and see if I can understand the dynamics of what’s going on.”
Iggy shook his massive head, “I don’t know if I’d do that.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve seen those critters strip a huge animal bare in less time than you can imagine.”
“What was the creature doing at the time it happened?”
“It had wandered into this area.”
Grant stood up and looked at Slick, “Where are they?”
Cinny looked at Grant, “Perhaps you should listen to them.”
Grant looked at Cinny and repeated, “Where are they?”
Iggy snorted, “They have the area around this lagoon surrounded. Just start walking into the forest and you’ll find them.”
“Grant, don’t do this!”
“Cinny, relax. These creatures are not acting normal. We need to see what’s going on.” Grant stood up and turned toward the forest. A few moments later, Cinny jumped up and followed him.
Iggy watched them walk away and after a moment came out of the water and followed them. He looked at Slick, “Well, aren’t you coming?”
“Are you crazy?”
Iggy continued behind the two humans and Slick was left behind going up and down on his long legs. “This is asinine!” He scrambled after Iggy but stayed twenty yards behind him.
• • •
Grant walked three hundred yards into the forest and stepped through a row of trees and heard a loud rustling noise. He looked in front of him and saw them. The area in front of him was covered in ants that were over a foot long and there appeared to be millions of them. They extended to the left and right as far as he could see and they were moving over the ground and bunching up in front of him. The stack of ants grew to more than ten feet off the ground and appeared to be growing. The stack grew in both directions as millions of ants came rushing forward. Cinny arrived
beside Grant and said, “Oh my God!”
Grant looked at the ants and said, “Does this mean I can go no further?”
Cinny looked at Grant, “What are you doing?”
Grant stared at the growing wall of ants and said, “These creatures also lived on Earth. How did they get here?” Suddenly, the wall collapsed and a corridor appeared through their ranks. Grant looked at Cinny, “I guess we’re going to find out.” The corridor cleared in front of them as the huge army scrambled out of their path. Suddenly, more than a thousand of them moved into the center of the cleared path and seemed to move into some kind of formation. Grant stared at it and in a moment it resolved into a giant arrow pointing into the forest ahead of them. Grant shook his head and yelled, “May I bring my two friends with me?”
Slick said to Iggy, “He’s crazy if he thinks I’m going out there.”
The ants began moving and the corridor widened more than thirty yards on each side. Grant looked at Iggy, “Come on. We can ride you where they want us to go.”
“This is crazy. They could close in on us and we’d be dead in less time than you can imagine.”
“Not really, Iggy. Your hide is too tough for them to bite through.” Grant pressed his left index finger under his right ear and said, “Ana, could you cover us in a force field if they move in on us?”
“Yes.”
“How long would it take for you to do it?”
“Less than a second.”
“Keep us on your scanners and cover us if they make an aggressive move.”
“Scanners are locked on you.”
Grant looked at Iggy, “Well?” Iggy walked forward and extended a leg lifting Grant and Cinny to his back. He looked over his shoulder at Slick and said, “Come on you big baby!”
Slick was going up and down on his legs so fast he appeared to be a blur. He turned two circles and then ran forward and leaped on the middle of Iggy’s broad back, “I know I’m going to regret this.”
Iggy said, “What now?”
Grant looked at the huge arrow in the center of the corridor and it began moving away from them. “Follow the arrow.” Iggy took a deep breath and moved forward.
