NEBULAR Collection 1 - The Triton Base: Episodes 1 - 5

by Thomas Rabenstein

  »I’ll think of something,« Banduk replied and began to concentrate on his work.

  More than twenty of the robots had gathered around the barrels in the meantime, exactly as Banduk had predicted. Arkroid took the time to study the weird machines. He could see for the first time that they only seemed to be identical. A closer look showed that the one-meter-diameter, black, spherical bodies moved on long stilt-like legs. They were equipped with various devices of unknown function.

  »They’re trying to open the barrels … look!« a technician remarked.

  »They’re going to do it!« Arkroid shouted, fascinated.

  One of the robots held one of the barrels with two of its long legs and drew an extended tool across the surface. The circular motion produced no effect at first, then the contact lines began to glow brightly.

  »It’s cutting a hole in the barrel!«

  Arkroid nodded, captivated, and observed how a different robot started working on the second container. It used the same technology, and after a few seconds a circular cutout with glowing edges fell into the snow.

  Banduk twitched heavily and cramped up.

  »Contact,« one of the assistants whispered.

  The robot probed inside the hole with a different extension. It paused for a moment then retreated, returning to its routine business. The barrel remained in the snow, abandoned. Apparently, the machine had found the containers empty. The crew in the command control room breathed a collective sigh of relief.

  »First stage completed!« Hayes announced, relieved.

  »Now it’s up to Banduk!«

  The Thorn

  The Progonaut Queen had landed on a small hill with her shield-bearer and two guards. Although stuck in snow up to her calves, and swaying in the icy wind, she didn’t feel the cold. Vasina’s tightly fitting defense field protected her from every imaginable danger and environmental extreme.

  Her shield-bearer didn’t move a meter from her side as he studied the vicinity. Although his circular shield – about one meter in diameter, with the symbol of the Houses of Atlantika in its center – looked archaic and primitive, it meant far more than that. It had always been the duty of the shield-bearers to protect the lives of the Progonaut Kings and Queens.

  Herkales followed these traditions with heart and soul. The powerful Progonaut could become a mighty fighting machine at a moment’s notice and use his primitive looking weapon very effectively. The so-called shield, along with his golden harness, was tempered at a subatomic level and could resist a direct hit from an energy weapon. When needed, a slight finger press on a sensor pad, converted the shield into a projector which was able to envelop and protect up to three people inside an extremely powerful energy field. The sword at the fighter’s side looked like a relic from earlier times, best suited for display purposes at court. However, anyone fighting a shield-bearer had better not disregard the deadly weapon a mere ornament. Its flexible vibrating blade cut steel as if it was wax, but it was as light as a feather despite its length. Its edge was molecularly polished. It was the supreme honor to be trained by the masters to bear this weapon. Herkales also wore a heavy energy beamer capable of massive death and destruction. His people might be defeated, but the shield-bearer radiated confidence and enthusiasm. His mind was fixed on his queen’s protection.

  Vasina of Atlantika had lost none of her pride or dignity even where a lesser person might feel resignation. She had recognized that the enemy was stronger and the threat more dangerous than any she had known. She was aware of the strengths – and weaknesses – of a Soulwalker. Such a being had to return periodically to its original body to collect energy for the next possession. There were only two ways to stop a Soulwalker: kill the pitiable creature taken over, or destroy the Soulwalker’s original body before he could return to it.

  A single Soulwalker could be dealt with, but the object which towered over the ice in the distance caused serious concern.

  »Herkales, what is that?« Vasina asked.

  The shield-bearer raised a binocular-like device to his eyes and shook his head.

  »That is a Thorn of Cysan, a temple of the people from the Bosnor cluster.«

  Vasina’s face hardened.

  »The Cysans were among the first enslaved by the Dark Brotherhood. We can expect that the Soulwalker has usurped the thorn as a hiding place and base.«

  »Do you think that the enemy’s inside that structure?«

  Vasina confirmed.

  »The Thorns of Cysan are dangerous devices with limitless potential, especially in the wrong hands. In principle, they’re powerful accumulators, able to accept energy of any type, convert it and store it. The temples can also aim and release this energy, although the Cysans never used that potential, unless in self-defense. The Thorns are sanctuaries for the Cysans, holy places, which burrow deep into the planetary crust of their home-planet. They use them to prepare for their prayers which they believe will unite them with the universe. The Thorns collect geothermal energy the Cysans use to enhance their concentration. Each Thorn is also an ESP amplifier and can project the Cysans’ mental impulses far out into the universe. There’s no way to predict what could happen with a Soulwalker controlling that kind of power.«

  Herkales touched Vasina’s shoulder, a gesture of loyal support among Progonauts. It was his way of saying: Don’t worry.

  »We’ll stop him and destroy his temple! He shall not have power over our people.«

  Vasina shook her head in sorrow.

  »I’m afraid it has already begun. He must be using the Thorn to influence the survivors. That’s why they’re acting so bizarre.«

  »Yet he isn’t killing them!« Herkales answered with a firm voice.

  »But he’s forcing them to destroy their equipment! On an uninhabited planet, that amounts to the same thing! Only the strongest will survive. Most of the deportees will die here – and the rest will forget their origin and no longer know who we were and where we came from.«

  »What can we do?« Herkales asked morosely.

  »What choice do we have? We have to enter the temple, locate the Soulwalker and kill him!«

  »Perhaps the Atlantika could destroy the Thorn?« one of the guards proposed.

  »The Atlantika has to remain at a safe distance. The Soulwalker could concentrate his mental power and force Hellas to activate the self-destruction sequence or crash the ship on this planet. No, it’s all up to us, here and now!«

  »We’ll follow you!« the guards responded in unison.

  The Collector

  Banduk performed some strange hand movements but didn’t leave the pedestal. His distant look showed that he was focusing his total concentration on his task.

  »He’s now part of a virtual environment that he controls with gestures and movements. Images are being transmitted to him directly from the central neuronal computer. The suit’s sensors form an interface for his commands,« Hayes explained. It was obvious that he was out of his depth. He was a man used to direct action, not this type of virtual combat.

  »Can we see what he sees?« Arkroid asked tensely.

  Hayes gestured to one of the techs and one of the wall displays activated.

  It showed a blend of the real and virtual elements that represented the Stinger’s surroundings. Thousands of small points of light were visible in the air, on both barrels, in the snow, and on the ice, even on the enemy robots.

  Banduk’s movements coordinated the glowing points. A sweep of his hand caused the points to change position.

  »Banduk has managed to land swarms of nanobot colonies on the alien robots!«

  Hayes took a deep breath.

  »What does that mean?« Arkroid asked, fascinated, unable to turn away from the holographic images.

  »The replicators can reproduce themselves as well as generate new types of nanobots. They’re the most complex but also the heaviest types used in our attack wave. Their range is not very high in these weather conditions. The enemy robots found nothing to a
larm their sensors when they opened and examined the barrels. All of the nanobots employ stealth characteristics and react neutrally to chemical and sensory testing.«

  Arkroid smiled.

  »Exactly as Banduk predicted.«

  Arkroid’s growing respect for the scientist was clearly apparent.

  »Banduk will try to direct the replibots into the Stinger. There, they will find a place to settle and begin reproducing. The enemy robots will carry their microscopically small relatives inside with them where they can breed better. There’s another nanobot type among them that supplies the energy they need to reproduce. We call them ‘Logisticians’ or Logibots. They’re the orange lights on the display. They act like floating particles but with tiny whips and paddles to control their flight. The logibots are semi-organic and provide the replibots with raw materials produced in their cell bodies. They’re basically small, organic, chemical factories.«

  »That’s fascinating,« Arkroid whispered, »how do they find the replibots to deliver the material? The nanobots are so tiny!«

  »The logibots follow a particular locator signal continuously broadcast by the replibots. It involves a specific molecular secretion that the logibots can detect in minute quantities. Banduk says it’s like the signaling substance of a moth, which can be detected for kilometers. The logibots locate the replibots with the olfactory trail and dock at hybrid perforations, connecting with mechanical and biological receptors. In the process, tiny amounts of chemical materials are being exchanged, each of which the replibots can request as needed. If the logibots don’t have the molecular groupings for the raw chemicals the reps want, then they simply decompose whatever material they come into contact with.«

  Banduk performed circular movements with both arms. Many logibot colonies could clearly be seen on the display, heading toward the Stinger’s entrance.

  Hayes pointed to a man-sized hole in the Stinger’s hull.

  »That entrance can be opened and closed as required. We think the Soulwalker can control the conversion of energy into matter and vice versa. If he needs an entrance, he merely changes the molecular structure at the desired place and creates the opening.«

  Jubilation suddenly spread throughout the Uluru control center and drowned the admiral’s explanation. Arkroid turned to see the reason. A gust of wind had just blown several clusters of logibot colonies into the Stinger. The enemy robots who unknowingly acted as carriers had disappeared inside the Globuster Lord’s bastion. Hayes and the entire team were enthralled.

  Entire clouds of logibots began moving and following the replibots.

  The image changed again. The people in the room saw the events as through a fish-eye lens, always shifting and heavily blurred. The transmission was not originating from the exterior cameras, but from the nanobots inside the Stinger. Besides the few photographs Pilvi Leukonen had delivered these were the first actual images from inside the Stinger, showing a gloomy and unusual setting.

  »Banduk has just activated the messengers. They’re hybrid nanobots designed as reconnaissance and command transmitters. There are thousands of them with the colonies. Their job is to allow the specialists in Uluru to monitor the mission at a nanometric level,« Hayes explained.

  »They’re like news experts, forming short relay chains, transmitting video, audio and data streams. They’re an important mission component – we can even use them to transmit new programs if necessary.«

  »What happens when the Globuster Lord employs his infamous radio shield and communication becomes impossible?« Arkroid asked cautiously.

  Hayes grinned.

  »Won’t affect them. We have them programmed to automatically switch to the Globuster frequencies,« he stated triumphantly.

  »Sounds like everything’s according to plan.«

  He looked at the chief researcher; Banduk was visibly fatigued, sweat running down his face and neck. The control and coordination of the nanobots required utmost mental concentration.

  »Phase 2 begins!«

  Arkroid and Hayes heard the announcement.

  »The replibots are beginning their work.«

  Banduk switched back and forth between different messengers with elaborate gestures to maintain the connection between Uluru and the nanobots. The display showed clouds of nanobots disappearing into ventilation ducts, between alien machines and energy conductors. While the technicians followed them by their signatures and the neuronal computer plotted their positions, the stealth invasion went undetected.

  The messengers brought the men in the Uluru control room images from deep inside the bastion. Views from unusual angles and perspectives came in, each transmitted from the spot where a nanobot had settled. The rough surfaces of the walls and machines almost appeared organic. The messengers discovered micromolecular structures imprinted within the patterns. These seemed to be tiny energy circuits and junctions, which from time to time emitted flashes of light.

  »The enemy also seems to possess nano – even picometric – technology,« one of the scientists mentioned. He almost sounded disappointed.

  »That was to be expected,« Arkroid returned. »DEA specialist Lai Pi suspected as much after his examination of the Globuster cave on Quaoar.«

  Two assistants from the external observation section suddenly jumped from their chairs and waved their arms in the air. One of them ran to Hayes and Arkroid.

  »Admiral! There’s a reaction from the Stinger! The tip of the object has turned dark blue and there’s a strange acoustic signal. It almost sounds like the …,« the man’s breath stopped for a moment, »… the ringing of a bell!«

  While Banduk kept operating the virtual controls and his nanobots, Hayes attempted to connect to the confinement troop leader.

  »Something’s wrong!« Hayes shouted a warning. Then, all communication channels to the Antarctic Division died, one after another. The transmissions to the holographic display faded too and Banduk slipped out of his seat and slumped to the ground. He looked exhausted.

  »Lost contact with the nanobots,« he whispered with defeat.

  »Sir!« another technician called. »I hear explosions. Our people are under attack!«

  Hayes shot out of his seat, looking baffled. Only Arkroid kept his cool and roared over the growing chaos with a strong voice.

  »Stay calm and stay at your posts! Pull yourselves together, people! We can’t panic now! Reports! Are our people under attack from the Stinger and if so, how?«

  The men and women seemed paralyzed for a moment, then they went to work.

  The man who made the first report looked shocked, his eyes wide open. He couldn’t believe his own report.

  »Our soldiers are destroying their equipment, transponders, and weapons! The surrounding ring is falling apart, and some of the soldiers are openly running toward the Stinger. They’ve thrown away their guns. Others have torn off their protective clothing and are running around naked! They’ll be flash-frozen!«

  »The Collector!« Arkroid whispered, horrified. »The Globuster Lord is using his mental amplifier!«

  My God Maya

  Donald Day stood in the center of the control room, listening to reports from the various sections.

  »Triton-Hawks ready for action?«

  Bill Davis’ voice replied over the radio.

  »Twelve machines standing by for catapult launch.«

  »DEA commandos in position and ready,« Maya Ivanova reported.

  »Meteorite defense laser batteries primed,« David Morgenstern yelled.

  Day strode to the Space Surveillance Control Console.

  The officer in charge was having trouble maintaining his composure.

  »Commander, we have at least twenty radar echoes, approaching rapidly on various vectors. Globusterships, Sir – by their signatures!«

  Day nodded.

  »This is it! BATTLE STATIONS!«

  All around the Star Hall Dome, laser guns, protected by shutters, rose out of the ground, aimed into space in different directions. H
awk pilots primed their laser weapons as they assumed their ‘READY 2’ positions. The Shenzhou and the Ryan increased their distance from Triton and assisted Space Surveillance with long range radar information. Their large size and susceptibility to damage made them inferior to the faster Globusterships. Davis’ orders were to divert the attackers from the cruisers with his squadron.

  »Scientific staff, I want you to immediately abandon IRS – follow the other crews into the shelters!« Day ordered.

  »But we haven’t transmitted all of the data to Mars yet!« the IRS leader complained.

  »Execute – now!« Donald Day repeated, annoyed. »The attack may begin within a few minutes – you can’t send data to Mars anyway if your labs are hit!«

  DEA commandos had taken up positions around the Star Hall entrances. Other commandos secured the distant Triton-Hawks hangars. Both locations were designated as nerve centers by Day’s strategists. The enemy, if they knew the layout on Triton, would most likely land and try to force their way into the base through those two positions.

  Ivanova led the men and women assigned to defend the Star Hall. The soldiers wore insulated suits to make it as hard as possible for the Globusters to detect their heat signatures.

  »Close your helmets!« Ivanova ordered.

  Banoma Tanomo stood beside her with a brand new Globusterfist. He had earned command of his men the hard way – through combat experience. He calmly addressed his commandos.

  »Listen up! The Busters won’t be able to see you unless they’ve devised something new since last time. I don’t have to remind you: these creatures are dangerous in more than one way! Their mental emissions can completely incapacitate, even paralyze you. Don’t hesitate to shoot and sustain your fire as long as you can. They’re hunters – to them you’re the prey! Remember that!«

  His men and women clasped their weapons more firmly. Banoma wasn’t worried about frightening them. Anyone who claimed no fear was a liar and an idiot.

  The Maasai suddenly looked up and listened. He seemed to sense something.