Even though global warming had caused intense melting, seventy percent of the entire Earth’s fresh water was concentrated in the South Polar Region. The mainland ice was estimated to be at least two hundred thousand years old and Arkroid knew that this ice was in constant motion. Powerful glaciers had carried the ice to the coast for many millennia, where it broke off to form gigantic icebergs, drifting into the Antarctic Sea. This process had occurred for more than ten million years. It was assumed that Antarctica had been covered by ice for about fifteen million years.
Toiber wiped his hand across his eyes. He was short of sleep and plagued by worries. Was his family safe? What did the Soulwalker want? What did he mean by his claim that he had been beaten and paralyzed by Humanity about one million years ago?
Arkroid was still on board Orbital Station V and had endured one crisis meeting after another. On Earth, the highest level of alert prevailed and the government had transferred to secured, deep underground bunkers. So far, the population was orderly and calm.
There was no way to mount a massive defense. Humanity had no combat units ready for action. The fleets had been developed for research – not war. Arkroid hoped the Solar Union’s high priority armament program could be implemented in time. At the moment, they were all but completely defenseless against an alien power.
Arkroid straightened, exhausted, as the door signal sounded. He activated the door opener. A tall, slender man entered the room, greeted Arkroid by raising his hand and bowed slightly. Arkroid pointed to one of the many chairs and looked at the visitor inquiringly.
»What can I do for you?«
»My name is Marco Applos. I belong to a team, analyzing the Soulwalker’s statements,« the visitor answered.
Arkroid looked at him, his interest piqued.
»Are you a linguist?«
»Paleontologist,« Applos replied smoothly. »The Globuster Lord’s comments have greatly confused my colleagues and me. His claims are startling, to say the least.«
Arkroid could vividly imagine the researchers’ uncertainty. If the Soulwalker in his arrogance had spoken the truth, his comments weren’t consistent with Humanity’s state of development in 2113.
»Look, Mr. Arkroid, despite the new facts we’ve been accumulating, we’re unable to trace our history. The pieces of the puzzle don’t fit together. The ancestors of modern Humanity left Africa about 70,000 years ago and eventually settled over most of the Earth. They crossed the Arabian subcontinent to reach India during their migration and then followed the coast until, taking to the sea, they even reached Australia. Another group expanded throughout Asia as far as Siberia and Europe, and eventually sailed to the Americas. Other independently developed groups are known to have lived in Europe. The Neanderthals had already established a distinct culture about 50,000 years before Christ but were suppressed by Homo Sapiens.«
Arkroid raised his hand and interrupted the paleontologist’s dissertation.
»What do you really want, Applos? My time is in short supply and we’ve got a hell of a serious problem on our hands.«
The scientist cleared his throat, embarrassed.
»I know. The Stinger!«
Applos looked around, perplexed.
»According to what we know, the Soulwalker’s claims cannot be true. Homo Erectus can be traced about a million years into the past. They lived in small groups, had just discovered fire and predominantly lived from hunting and gathering fruit. It seems that the African population was rather small. That was in the middle of the Stone Age!«
Arkroid didn’t understand and looked at Applos with raised eyebrows. Applos interpreted this as a request for further information.
»If the Globuster Lord was overpowered and defeated by our race a million years ago, as he claims, then we cannot imagine which branch of our ancestors could have done that!«
Arkroid nodded and with a slight movement of his fingers scrolled through the holographic record of the encounter with the Shwakan.
»How do you interpret Scorge’s statements about our gene pool? You know the part I mean?«
Applos acknowledged and placed an old fashioned notebook on the desk, which he nervously began to leaf through.
»Humanity’s many lines of development can be traced back to a single origin. All of this was established in the twenty-first century by DNA tests and comparisons. Despite this, there are striking differences in physiognomy between Caucasian, Negroid, and Asian people. The idea that these differences cannot be entirely explained by adaptations to various living conditions and climate zones is news to us.«
Arkroid seemed dissatisfied.
»You’re groping in the dark! You can’t explain any of this. What exactly brought you to me?«
»The Soulwalker’s implications remain a riddle and there’s only one way to shed more light on it,« Applos answered grudgingly. »I need permission to talk to Atkins. He was taken over by this being and mentally connected to it. It may be that he had access to the Soulwalker’s deeper thoughts and intentions. If so, that information is vital.«
Arkroid frowned. Sammy was still under medical and psychological treatment.
After a brief inner debate, he raised a finger in warning.
»I know that. You may question him … but only in the presence of his doctors and only as much as the doctors permit! If I learn that you aren’t following my conditions, I’ll immediately withdraw my permission! Is that clear?«
Arkroid had come across much stronger than he had intended and apologized to Applos.
»It’s okay, Mr. Arkroid. I know this is a personal matter for you. Please, be assured that I’ll be as considerate and careful as I can. Trust me, please.«
Arkroid nodded and dismissed the paleontologist. Applos hurried from Arkroid’s cabin and went directly to sick bay.
Polar storm
The violent tremors started without any warning, spreading outward in waves which were registered across the southern hemisphere. At the first alarm, Arkroid had hurried to the command room of the orbital station and observed the event with growing concern.
»Earthquakes? What does that mean?« Arkroid asked sharply. His increasing dread was evident.
»Strength 10 on the Richter Scale, radial expansion from the epicenter of 80°S and 75°E,« reported one of the scientists. »The Stinger is located almost in the center of the Antarctic continent. The shock waves are certainly of artificial origin. They’re also traveling along the seafloor. We expect tidal waves along coastlines. Satellite images show fractured pack ice in many places. The ocean along the coast is in motion. We measure increased light phenomena around the Stinger, probably secondary effects associated with charging of the atmosphere. An intense storm has risen over Antarctica, centered above the tower.«
Arkroid felt overwhelmed. He had to sit down. The effects were catastrophic; frightening.
»What does the Globuster Lord want? Are any settlements in danger?«
A geologist answered quickly.
»We’re lucky that vast areas of the southern hemisphere are uninhabited. The shock waves weaken as the distance increases. Perhaps the Soulwalker wants to demonstrate his power.«
Arkroid got up and paced back and forth nervously.
»To intimidate or threaten us?«
The Merinian looked once more at the storm front, which had grown to a massive spiral cloud formation, and then gave instructions to the command crew.
»Request a Hawk from the Fleet. Have it bring the ten inertia attenuators and the eleventh object we got from the Shwakan as fast as possible to the research center on the Moon. Tell all orbital station crew members to prepare for an emergency evacuation at any time. What is being done against the Stinger on Earth? Has the government initiated anything?«
Everyone looked around uncertainly. Then the speaker of the geological team answered.
»A man was sent to check out the situation. He departed from an inland station, only twelve kilometers from the Stinger. Pilvi Leukonen, a
Scandinavian, and Antarctic specialist.«
Arkroid thought he had misheard.
»They did what? They’ve sent one man?«
The command central crew looked embarrassed.
»That’s correct. Pilvi Leukonen is an Antarctic expert and almost a legend. He lives an eccentric hermit’s life there while he researches the ozone hole. His work is financed by the Solar Union. Leukonen is the closest person to the phenomena and a very experienced scientist. He won’t take any risks.«
»Call this man back immediately!« Arkroid exclaimed. »That’s irresponsible! Have the people on Earth forgotten what happened to Sammy?«
»It’s too late! Leukonen is already on his way. The polar storm impedes communication between the space station and the Antarctic base. There’s nothing we can do from here.«
A million years ago
Vasina strolled by the row of her remaining warriors. Although most of her bodyguards had fallen, she still radiated the charm, beauty, and confidence that the leader of her House was expected to convey. Her golden eyes sparkled as they mirrored Atlantika’s rising sun while her long black hair blew lightly in the soft morning wind. She took her time and presented each of her guards with a smile, letting her men forget the situation they were in for a moment.
Her home world faced defeat and billions of Progonauts had already lost their lives. Vasina and a handful of loyal guards had succeeded in fleeing from the Rainbow Palace, reaching the secret escape portals. These escape portals, operating on the tachyon principle, could establish a link to the royal cruiser Atlantika, which bore the same name as the Progonaut’s home-planet.
»Vasina, please allow me to speak.«
A strong guard with an elegantly sculpted face knelt before his queen and respectfully lowered his eyes. The soldier held the golden helmet with the coat of arms of the Houses of Atlantika under his arm.
»Loyal Herkales, you don’t need permission to speak to me. You’ve been at my side since I was a young princess and took over the House from my dying father.«
»You were ten years old and already wise enough to lead the House. We thank you for everything.«
Vasina stepped directly before Herkales and with a gesture brought him to his feet. The bodyguard looked sad as if every trace of hope had disappeared.
»What troubles you, my shield-bearer?« Vasina asked in a tender voice. Herkales looked directly into her eyes.
»We have received a report that the combined fleet at the Great Fog Bank has been defeated. The Dark Brotherhood has a new weapon for which we have no defense. Further reports state that Deporter ships are landing on all of Atlantika’s continents, taking surviving Progonauts, especially the young. The old and sick are left to die. Fortune has fled us, Vasina. I fear the worst. Our home fleet is all but decimated and we can’t last much longer against these Brotherhood packs. The enemy is too numerous, and his actions unmerciful.«
The queen nodded with sorrow and laid her hands tenderly on her shield-bearer’s chest armor.
»Our nation is lost, my loyal Herkales. Nubia has already been defeated. We don’t know how the other Houses are doing, but just like us, they are fighting a losing battle. None of our sister peoples have answered our calls for help, neither Persia nor Asia.«
The royal guard soldiers were becoming nervous. Her men were experienced and fearless warriors, but Vasina saw tears running down the cheeks of a few.
»Don’t hide your feelings, mourn with me for our people. The Dark Brotherhood, thought defeated and destroyed forever, has at the last minute deployed a new weapon. Our world is lost. Only a few will be able to save themselves in the planet’s core and the fate of those taken is uncertain. I’ve decided to fly to the last battle with the Atlantika!«
The looks of the men became harder, more determined. Her words proved effective.
»You have to wear the Jamal-Comb, my Lady!« Herkales appealed forcefully. Soulwalkers are on the move, killing our leaders and generals. You must protect yourself!«
Vasina’s face stiffened. Suddenly, she no longer looked graceful, royal and beautiful but hard and fiercely determined. Her glance went to the horizon, then she turned to Herkales and took the comb. At one time, her father had worn the piece of jewelry, made from a mysterious material, acquired from an unknown world. The Maskooni traders had found the combs and claimed that the bearer would have special protection.
There were only five of these combs and each one had been in the possession of one of each of the Houses of Progonauts. Four of the pieces of jewelry were missing, each lost in the chaos of the war against the Dark Brotherhood.
Vasina followed the edges and grooves of the engraved, strange symbols with her fingers.
»What do they mean?«
Herkales looked at the comb in the tender hands of his queen and was blinded for a moment by a stray ray of sunlight, reflected from its mirror-like surface.
»Your father spent half his life studying these symbols, trying to divine their meaning, but he was never able to penetrate their secret. It’ll protect you, Vasina.«
The queen of Atlantika stuck the comb in her hair, and for a brief moment she resembled the small girl she had been long ago.
»Am I wearing it correctly?«
Herkales thumped his fist against his chest armor and nodded with respect.
»Your father would be proud of you. The guards and I will follow you to our deaths if necessary!«
Vasina’s slightly slanted eyes narrowed.
»And if it’s death that is required of us, then so it shall be! But first we’ll show the Dark Brotherhood that we know how to fight!«
A tornado
Pilvi Leukonen was entirely dedicated to his work. He had set himself the daunting task of understanding the origin of polar ozone depletion. The process was extremely complex, predominantly occurring in the upper atmosphere over the South Pole, resulting in the loss of the protective ozone layer. He hoped one day to present the Union Government with the means to begin its repair. The forty-year-old Scandinavian pursued his project with a spirit and determination that deeply impressed his colleagues. It was dangerous and unpleasant work under hostile conditions, but nothing deterred the Norwegian.
Leukonen was the only scientist in the Antarctica Group who declared himself ready to persevere for many months near the South Pole to perform his research on-site. The Union’s scientific faculty at first hesitated, but finally agreed to grant his wish under certain conditions. Leukonen had to carry numerous sensors and transmitters on his body, even a few implanted under his skin. These sensors transmitted the researcher’s biometric data to the different Union laboratories and Antarctica Central. The scientists knew everything about Leukonen’s vital signs and would be able to send help immediately if necessary.
Leukonen was considered to be a survival expert. His base camp met minimum requirements, contained only the essentials and was located on the surface of the continental glacier. The scientific igloo wandered with the movement of the ice, migrating slowly in the direction of the coast. However, it would take thousands of years for the glacier to reach the coast of Antarctica in this manner.
The daily position measurements the Norwegian recorded for the scientists led to a significant revelation. Leukonen didn’t believe that the Stinger had initially been hidden in the continental ice. It must have risen from a much deeper region. He decided that it must have come from the frozen underground of the primeval Antarctic continent. If the tower had been merely enclosed in ice, then the constant pull of glacial movements would have pulverized it long ago.
When the severe earthquakes began and the Union Government’s calls for help followed, Leukonen volunteered immediately for an exploration. As the weather worsened, the Antarctic researcher prepared for the worst and equipped himself accordingly.
Pilvi Leukonen was familiar with the weather in the polar zone. There were more than three hundred storm days every year in this area. The winter temperature sank to minus sixty
degrees Celsius and the precipitation was exclusively snow, which could result in meter high snowdrifts. The severe earthquakes, stemming from the Stinger’s location, a short while ago, were not natural.
Leukonen watched with great concern as deep crevices spread throughout the glacier. They would make his advance more difficult, but the scientist didn’t let this delay his quick departure.
Leukonen left his base camp with an ice glider. Under normal conditions, the fusion cell was robust enough to withstand the worst weather. His face was covered with an isolating paste while special protective goggles covered his eyes. Leukonen wore a protective suit similar to those used by the Space Fleet that resisted the ice cold wind. The researcher checked his equipment again. He didn’t intend to be gone for more than a day or two. Extreme wind velocity prevailed on the glacier and the temperature fell by another ten degrees. Leukonen didn’t dare to remove his protective glasses for even a second as his eyes would instantly freeze.
Strange light effects danced across the sky and the horizon. The nearby Southern Lights were like an announcement of calamity to him. He knew the polar lights and their origin well but what he saw in the distance had a wholly different cause. He had to circumnavigate deep crevasses in the glacier. They must have formed recently as they didn’t appear on the actual satellite maps. Beginning to worry, he registered new shock waves extending over all of Antarctica, shaking the glaciers.
What’s happening, Leukonen thought and steered toward the point where all of the evil seemed to originate.
About two kilometers from his destination, his ice glider suddenly failed. The fusion cell was new, fully charged and well maintained. Yet the energy cell was completely dead. Cursing, Leukonen climbed off the glider and looked up at the sky. The storm above the Stinger’s position had worsened. He still could not see the Stinger itself from his current location.
NEBULAR Collection 1 - The Triton Base: Episodes 1 - 5 Page 23
