In Search of the Alter Dom

by Jack Challis

  ‘Maybe or maybe not,’ replies the Cold-blood Karak, ‘but if we die, it will be with blooded swords. I want to destroy this rustic paradise of False Arcadia – with fire and sword – but first we dine on rare Satyr, gentlemen!’

  Back on Quilla Prime, Blodwyn and the Galla Quall Sebus, with two Ida Jaade warriors, stand by the placid lake. ‘What do we do now?’ Blodwyn asks. ‘Can your main war fleet return in time?’

  ‘Traveling at full warp and using the new Sirius Wormhole, which is still unknown to the Malis Afar, our warships will only arrive in time to witness the destruction of Quilla Prime – not to save it!’

  Blodwyn’s heart dropped as the truth sank in – she would never see Earth again – or her family!

  ‘Now I must lead the home fleet,’ says Sebus, ‘try to delay the attack, however, the Malis-Afar Battle Fleet will be hard to find under cloak in such a vast area of outer space.’

  ‘Look creator,’ says an Ida Jaade, ‘two Semmi-Tal – approaching!’

  The two thin Semmi-Tals are grateful to see the Galla Quall. ‘We were forced to cooperate on pain of death – please protect us,’ they plead.

  ‘What they say is true – I was there,’ Blodwyn confirms.

  ‘We are hardly in a position to protect ourselves,’ answers Sebus, ‘we are due to be attacked – but have no idea where the Malis Afar and Na Idriss war-fleet is situated – or from which direction they will attack.’

  ‘We know!’ a Semmi-Tal replies, ‘they are under cloak in the Canis Minor sector of the Vaga Triangle – we can take you to within scanner range – you will soon pick up their entire battle-fleet.’

  ‘Then we must hurry!’ says Sebus.

  ‘Where is everyone?’ Blodwyn asks. ‘Quilla Prime looks deserted.’

  ‘Our war fleet is underwater – I must join them,’ replies Sebus.

  ‘What about me?’ Blodwyn asks.

  ‘Return to False Arcadia,’ responds the Galla Quall.

  ‘Not likely,’ says Blodwyn. ‘Karak and the Na Idriss are still in False Arcadia – somewhere!’

  ‘False Arcadia has its own defenders,’ answers Sebus, gliding into the lake and slowly disappearing below the surface; with hardly a ripple. ‘Let me come with you,’ Blodwyn pleads. The Quall nodded to the Ida Jaade. ‘We will take you and the Semmi Tal underwater in the frigate,’ says an Ida Jaade warrior.

  Blodwyn was just about to turn when the placid surface of the lake seemed to erupt. Exploding from the water – six sleek, silver Galla Quall Typhon War Hawk warships shoot vertically into the sky – water gushing from their vents! The warships quickly disappeared into the blue, ending as small silvery specs of reflected sunlight – such was their speed! Blodwyn entered the frigate with a heavy heart. If Quilla Prime was lost – so was Earth; her home, family and friends. The frigate took off and dived into the lake. Blodwyn and the two Semmi-Tal joined Sebus on the bridge of the seventh and last Galla Quall Typhon War-hawk: the flagship.

  In a greenwood in False Arcadia: a roaring fire is ablaze. The hungry Na Idriss look on the two prancing Satyrs with unblinking, yellow eyes; mindless of their prey’s mental suffering! ‘Cut two Y-shaped sticks and a spindle, for the Commander’s spit,’ Captain Timasek orders. Above them and still unnoticed, the number of pale winged beings has increased – threefold. ‘It must be terrible to suffer with such a nervous disposition,’ says Karak sympathetically to the trembling Satyrs, removing the apples from their mouths.

  ‘Oh it is – you just don’t know how terrible,’ answer the two Satyrs, ‘we are nervous wrecks.’ ‘Sir,’ says Captain Timasek, ‘we Na Idriss love our meat red and kicking – while you like your meat burnt. May I suggest you choose your rump steak now – while these prancing pansies are alive?’

  ‘Yes of course,’ answers Karak the Cold-blood, drawing his sword; tapping each of the behinds of the prancing Satyrs. ‘Now let me see – from which rump shall I cut my steak?’

  A Na Idriss warrior returns with the makings of the spit. The Cold-blood takes the sharp pointed spindle, and looks along its length for true. This sent the two Satyrs into another panic attack, their feet stamping the ground quicker than ever. ‘Well, I have good news my nervous insult throwers,’ announces Karak, ‘this will be your last panic attack!’ The Cold-blood raises his sword!

  The Pale winged beings above, hiding in the clouds – began to blow. A freezing wind swept through the greenwood! Karak the Cold-blood looked up, sword raised and saw the green leaves turn first yellow; then gold and russet, then fall to the ground. Icicles formed on the bare branches!

  The wood had turned in seconds from high summer’s greens; to winter’s white blanket! ‘What is happening Commander?’ shouts Captain Timasek. ‘What should we do?’ But by now, the Cold-blood had frozen solid; he stood like a granite statue – sword above his head!

  The Na Idriss drew their swords: then froze themselves! The two cowardly Satyrs, who were unaffected; quickly recover from their panic attack and summon enough courage to kick the frozen Karak, in the shins; before skipping away holding hands.

  Millions of Stellar miles away; the main Galla Quall battle fleet, comprising two dozen sleek, shiny Typhon War hawks, streak through space at warp fourteen – too fast for the eye to follow. They will be outnumbered seven to one by the Alliance battleships, but their superior Hydra torpedoes and Orion cannon will shorten the odds.

  Taba, the Galla Quall Admiral is in the lead ship: he addresses his war fleet. ‘Warriors of the Ida Jaade, we find ourselves in a grave situation. Our home planet is in danger of annihilation – we must take risks. We will enter the new Sirius wormhole at warp four!’ A gasp of surprise rises from the Ida Jaade; their red crests shoot up with fear. (All Galla Quall warships usually travel at warp two at the most – when entering a wormhole which greatly accelerates their speed.)

  ‘I have made a calculation – trust my judgment,’ continues the Galla Quall Admiral Taba.

  ‘Will the hulls of our ships stand that speed – the speed of time, Creator?’ a Centurion asks.

  ‘We will not reach the speed of Time – only the speed to keep us in the present time. Yes there will be damage to our craft,’ replies the Galla Quall, ‘but we have no choice: both our races are near extinction! We Galla Qualls can no longer breed – our losses can never be replaced. Despite all our searches, we still cannot find females of your species. Once the Alliance have conquered Earth, the Malis Afar will use Terasils females, to internally incubate and carry their Queen’s eggs – the offspring will all be female Malisaraptors – formidable opponents! The humanoid Malis Afar males will spawn tepid-blooded hybrids when they mate with Terasil females.

  The Na Idriss union with Terasil mates will produce feline hybrids! All will be lost for both of our species – for the Alliance will then rule the Antares Cluster just by their sheer numbers – another age will then begin!’

  ‘Batten all hatches – check all hulls – un-arm all Hydra torpedoes – we have ten minutes to entry,’ announces an Ida Jaade Centurion.

  If we survive the journey through the Sirius wormhole,’ continues Taba the Galla Quall, ‘we will stay in the present time! In short gentlemen we will arrive at the same time that we leave – just enough time to set up an ambush, before the Alliance war fleet reaches Quilla Prime, but unfortunately – not in time to save our home fleet and their precious, irreplaceable crews!’

  ‘To your stations and duties,’ orders a Centurion.

  The Galla Quall home fleet of Quilla Prime, head towards the Canis Minor nebula where the alliance battleships move, hidden under cloak, towards Quilla Prime. Blodwyn sits strapped in her seat and grips it with white knuckles.

  The War Hawk is travelling at warp thirteen. Blodwyn looks through the Porthole; outer space is just a blue blur with orange flashes and white Meteor streaks.

  ‘Attack the Na Idriss battleships first – head on,’ orders Sebus, ‘they are the weak link.’

  ‘Our scanners have picked up over si
xty Alliance Battleships,’ announces an Ida Jaade warrior, ‘they seem unaware of our approach!’

  ‘Prepare to attack!’ orders the Galla Quall Sebus. ‘Range?’

  ‘Twenty parsecs – and closing!’

  ‘Open fire once they are in range!’ the Galla Quall orders. Blodwyn’s stomach tightens!

  On the Malis Afar flagship, in the Canis Minor Nebula, the reptilian Queen still paces the deck of the bridge in an aggressive mood – the delay by the mysterious being has annoyed her. ‘Mother Queen!’ the Admiral exclaims, ‘seven Galla Quall Typhon War Hawks heading straight in our direction – on an interception course.’

  ‘How did they find us – where have they come from?’ the Queen hisses.

  ‘They could only have come from the lake of Quilla Prime – it is their home fleet!’ the Admiral adds.

  ‘That useless fool Karak has failed us – sons, useless sons! When will they be in range?’ the Queen asks.

  ‘In seven parsecs,’ the Admiral answers.

  ‘Basta-rads!’ swears the raptor Queen. ‘They out-range us – we must stall them to gain time – trick them! Send ten Interceptor battleships to make a detour and attack them from the rear! Now open communication channels.’

  Back on the bridge of the Galla Quall flagship, leading the six Typhon War Hawks of the Galla Quall home fleet. ‘Creator, their flagship wishes to communicate!’ reports an Ida Jaade.

  ‘It has to be a trick,’ replies Sebus. ‘Open a channel – but once in range, open fire regardless.’ All eyes are fixed to the screen – waiting for the communication!

  The reptilian Queen is caught on screen – preening and admiring herself in the mirror – while pushing up her breasts; till she realizes she is on screen. ‘Fool!’ she hisses at one of her sons. ‘I am not ready yet!’

  After a few final touches to her hair, she turns to the screen and smiles. ‘Greetings Galla Qualls – you low pond-life. Are you surprised at my appearance – my feminine beauty? It has been a long time since you have seen a real, beautiful, female Malisaraptor!’

  A sigh of shock rises from the Ida Jaade crew – their crests spring upright – they had never seen a Malisaraptor before! Blodwyn could not believe her eyes! The reptilian Queen looked more frightening than any Tyrannosaurus Rex; simply because she was intelligent, wore clothes and could speak!

  ‘Your beauty is not to our taste,’ the Galla Quall Sebus answers.

  ‘But even if it was,’ says the raptor Queen with a suggestive wink, ‘there is little you could do about it Galla Quall – evolution has robbed you of your breeding organs! However, as I am in generous mood – I will spare your home fleet in return for information. I wish the activation code of your new time-travelling Warship – the one you call the Typhon Poseidon.’

  ‘Will you then spare Quilla Prime?’ asks Sebus

  ‘No chance!’ the reptile Queen responds. ‘I have given Quilla Prime to another form of pond-life – the Jed Bela – once I have raised it!’

  ‘And what of False Arcadia?’ Sebus asks. ‘False Arcadia will be our hunting ground – we will kill everything!’ the reptile Queen Raa announces.

  ‘Then we must resist your offer!’ the Galla Quall replies.

  ‘We are now in range Creator!’ whispers an Ida Jaade softly.

  ‘Fire!’ orders Sebus. Suddenly an Ida Jaade announces in alarmed tones…. ‘Malis Afar battleships – behind us and closing.’

  ‘Full warp ahead.’ orders Sebus. The G-force thrust wrenched Blodwyn’s head backwards!

  On the Malis Afar flagship, the Admiral cries out, ‘they have launched their Hydra torpedoes!’

  ‘Take evasive action!’ the reptile Queen orders.

  ‘I can’t – our ships are too close together!’ Three Malis Afar and five Na Idriss battleships are hit and explode! The dim light of outer space becomes ablaze with the colourful crimson and orange explosions of torpedoes and stabbing yellow tracer of Neutron cannon.

  ‘What are your orders Mother Queen?’ asks the Admiral. ‘Attack of course – idiot! The Queen screams. ‘Close the range, fool.’ The impatient Queen grabs the Admiral by the scruff of the neck and hauls him from his seat. ‘I will show you how to handle a battleship.’ The reptilian Queen then grabs the controls and yells into the intercom. ‘Three squadrons follow me – we attack head on!’

  Sebus sits calmly at the controls of the Typhon War Hawk, expertly handling the craft and weaponry: he reminded Blodwyn of a child genius, in front of a video game. Another two Na Idriss battleships are hit and destroyed. Blodwyn watches in terror as the Malis Afar battleships, led by their reptilian Queen, head straight for them on collision course! Another Malis Afar battleship is destroyed ahead. The warship Blodwyn is in flies straight through the explosion – amid sounds of debris striking the Tellium hull. Having closed the range, the Alliance fleet opens up a mass bombardment together. Three Galla Quall Warships are hit and explode!

  The battle commences: battleships weave in and out of the melee. Queen Raa skillfully handles the flagship – shooting down another Galla Quall Typhon War Hawk, which explodes. ‘Close in – close in,’ screams the Queen, ‘don’t allow them range.’ Another two Galla Quall Interceptor warships are hit by the Alliance’s overwhelming firepower – turning into fiery balls – falling, disappearing into the depths of bottomless space.

  The Galla Qualls are greatly outnumbered. They are soon reduced to one battleship; the flag-ship commanded by Sebus. It breaks away from the battle at full warp and disappears into space: Blodwyn grips the seat with white knuckles and holds her breath; desperately trying to keep her head upright as it is pulled backwards by the G-force!

  The reptilian Queen of the Malis Afar watches the fleeing Galla Quall warship. ‘Let it go – we can’t catch it anyway – we have done well my sons!’ ‘We have lost eighteen class one, battleships, Mother Queen!’ protests the Admiral.

  ‘We have won a great victory my son,’ replies the Queen picking up her son the Admiral with one arm, and placing him on her lap – stroking his head with her talloned claws. ‘You see, we have destroyed six Galla Quall War Hawks; each led by a single Galla Quall! I happened to know that is nearly a quarter of the total Galla Quall population – a great loss – never to be replaced! They have no beautiful, egg-laying Queen like me. Now,’ continues the reptile Queen; throwing the Admiral off her lap, ‘order all our battleships to re-group, adopt bombardment formations – prepare to attack Quilla Prime!’

  After the Malis Afar and the Na Idriss had won the battle and were heading for Quilla Prime, the main Galla Quall War-fleet fleet flash through the Sirius Wormhole travelling thousands of millions of miles in seconds. They were too late to help the Galla Quall home fleet of warships led by Sebus – that was an hour earlier. But they were now in present time. Just time enough to set up their ambush ahead of the Alliance battle fleet on their way to bombard Quilla Prime! The Galla Quall Typhon War Hawks take up ambush positions and cloak – completely disappearing. They had lost two Typhon War Hawks traveling through the Sirius Wormhole at speed; their hulls collapsing. More lives lost: bringing the Galla Qualls, and the Ida Jaade another step nearer to extinction!

  The Alliance battle fleet approach Quilla Prime, in bombardment order; unaware of the waiting danger. The Galla Quall Typhon War Hawk battleships of the grand fleet open a devastating fire. Hydra torpedoes and Orion cannon tore into the flanks of the Malis Afar and Na Idriss battleships.

  Caught off guard and suffering heavy losses, the Na Idriss were first to break and flee leaving the Malis Afar vulnerable.

  ‘Cowards!’ screams the reptilian Queen. ‘You feline pussycats – stay and fight.’

  ‘We have lost half our fleet,’ reports the Admiral, ‘we are no match for their weapons.’ Even the warlike reptile Queen knew all was lost! ‘Break off formation – make for the home Planets – we will be back!’ she screams over the intercom.

  The Galla Quall War Hawks pursues, the Alliance battleships – shooting
down stragglers till their air space was cleared.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Celebrations: A Lingly Wedding in True Arcadia.

  Join your hands: then join mine; let two wild woodbines entwine.

  With Venus the fairy star behind; let Lingly law two lovers bind!

  Blodwyn and Sebus the Galla Quall stood by the blue tranquil lake back on Quilla Prime, beneath a white streaked apricot sky. They looked skywards as the returning Galla Quall War-fleet circle the lake. Then like giant gannets, each warship dived with great speed vertically into the lake, with hardly a splash. ‘How deep is your lake?’ asks Blodwyn, amazed.

  ‘Over eight Earth miles!’ answers the Galla Quall: his large dark sad eyes gazing over the blue silky water.

  ‘Do you really have a spaceship called the Poseidon that is faster than the speed of time; that can travel into the past and the future? Can you change present history, or the future – is it dangerous going back in time?’ Blodwyn continues.

  ‘Yes we do have a Time-ship capable of speeds over warp sixteen that will take us into the past – but we cannot change present history. What has happened in the past is written in stone – we can only observe the past. The only danger will be to the observers – ourselves! You see each event in the past is written in indelible ink on indestructible paper; you can go back in time and see the written words – but cannot change time – for the events have already happened! We have travelled to the near future and were disappointed to observe that there is nothing to see – the future is a void – a blank piece of paper still to be written on – there is nothing to change!’

  ‘It would be wonderful to visit the past,’ says Blodwyn. ‘I would love to see everything as it once was and see Terasils in their everyday life and the dangers they faced to survive.’