by Ryk Brown
“From what little I have seen thus far, I am sure you will not be disappointed,” Yanni assured him.
“Then you have seen what knowledge the Ark holds?”
“Not all of it, of course,” Yanni explained. “However, I have scanned several of the directories, and even read a few of the more discipline-specific summaries… Mostly at the request of Deliza, I have to admit.”
“Yes, she can be quite persistent,” Casimir agreed. “So, based on what you have seen, the technologies contained within the Ark are more advanced?”
“Not all of them,” Yanni warned, “but, yes, many of the technologies are far more advanced than anything Deliza knows to exist in the Pentaurus sector, and more advanced than anything known to exist in the Sol sector as well. Of course, the ability to exploit such technologies first requires the implementation of lesser levels of technology, in order to support the more advanced production methods needed. This is why the people of my world decided to establish the Ark Foundation, to better control the release of these technologies to the world. Some of them, if not carefully controlled, could have easily led to our own destruction,” Yanni further explained. “In fact, many believe that the sudden, explosive, technological growth that occurred on Earth is what brought the Jung to our doorstep. So you see, their concerns were not unwarranted.”
“Yes, yes,” Casimir agreed. “Technology often requires wisdom and maturity. Unfortunately, they never seem to be a prerequisite. The Followers of Origin believe that it is this very lack of wisdom and maturity that led to the downfall of humanity due to the bio-digital plague.”
“Many on Earth believe much the same,” Yanni said. “They believe that God brought the bio-digital plague onto them because human technology had already far outpaced human maturity.”
“And who is to say that they are not correct?”
“Others believe that the ability to develop technologies capable of wiping out the human race acts as a self-limiting evolutionary device. If humanity is out of control, and its technology is surpassing its maturity, an event such as the bio-digital plague will serve as a trigger, resetting technological levels accordingly.”
“Interesting concept,” Casimir admitted. A small laugh left his mouth. “I can see why my daughter enjoys your company.”
“Deliza is a delightful young lady,” Yanni said, somewhat awkwardly.
“Yes, she is,” Casimir agreed. “I wonder, at times, if Takara is mature enough, responsible enough to be entrusted with the knowledge contained with those files,” he said, shaking his head in doubt.
“More so than the people of Earth,” Yanni said, “at least from a technological standpoint.”
“I was thinking more about the political and socioeconomic ramifications of that knowledge.”
“I would think that much of the knowledge contained within the cores would change Takara for the better,” Yanni surmised.
“Some of the nobles fear what is on those cores.”
“Why?”
Casimir sighed. “They fear that newer, more advanced technologies might replace the ones upon which their financial successes depend.”
“Even if such technologies improve the lives of every Takaran?” Yanni asked.
“Takaran nobles do not care about every Takaran,” Casimir explained, “only a select few… Usually ones that share their family name. I have no doubt that some would do whatever it took to bury whatever technologies might jeopardize their revenue streams, regardless of the ‘good’ it might do for Takara, or for that matter the entire cluster, as a whole.”
“It is hard to imagine that anyone could be that short-sighted.”
Casimir laughed. “Do not go into politics, Mister Hiller. You will be greatly disappointed if you do.” Casimir leaned back in his chair. “Tell me, how much do you think the nobles know about the contents of the Data Ark?”
“Security at the project is tight,” Yanni insisted, “even more so than it was on Earth. I would be surprised if any information had leaked out.”
“Yet, many of the scientists and technicians assigned to the project are not of my house,” Casimir reminded him.
“True, but it is my understanding that none of them are from rival houses. They are all, as you say, from common houses?”
“Again, true. However, such men could be easily tempted to sell what they know to curry favor from noble houses. Financial reward, appointment of position, even marriage into a noble family… These are all ways that men from common houses can transform themselves into Takaran nobility.”
“I was not aware.” Yanni’s eyes squinted slightly. “However, is it not the intent to share the knowledge contained within the Data Ark with all the people of the Pentaurus cluster? It was, after all, a requirement of the Alliance charter, was it not?”
“Indeed, it was,” Casimir assured him. “However, was that not also a requirement for your ‘Foundation’ as well?”
“It was.”
“And did your foundation share all knowledge from the Ark with every Terran?”
“As I said, it was decided that the release of knowledge would be controlled in order to avoid catastrophe. However, I do see your point, sir.” Yanni looked at his watch.
“I was sure that you would, Mister Hiller.”
“If there is nothing further, sir. I am supposed to meet Deliza for lunch shortly.”
“Ah yes, we would not want to keep Deliza waiting,” Casimir smiled. “I thank you for your time, Mister Hiller. It is always better to get reports directly from those involved, rather than through digital means. So many of the subtleties are lost.”
“It was my pleasure, sir,” Yanni said as he stood to leave.
Casimir also stood, shaking Yanni’s hand. “Good day, Mister Hiller.”
Casimir watched as Yanni stepped through the open door, and the middle-aged man in uniform closed it behind him, then turned to face his prince. “A bright and honest young man,” Prince Casimir commented as he moved toward his desk.
“Too honest, if you ask me,” the man in uniform said as he too moved toward Casimir’s desk.
“Major Bellen, you do not trust Mister Hiller?”
“I trust him to do what he believes to be the right thing to do,” the major replied. “I do not trust him to always know what the best thing to do actually is.”
“Agreed. A wise distinction, to be sure.”
“Sire, I know I am only a military man, unschooled in matters of interstellar politics and economics…”
“Soren, please,” Casimir insisted, “I have known you longer than anyone in this house, even longer than Dumar. Do not let the fact that you appear younger than me—despite the fact that I was but a boy when you were first assigned to this house—cause you to forget that you are my elder. After all, this is the third change in administration that you have witnessed, is it not? I would think that you are more qualified than most in such matters. If not by education, then by experience alone.”
“Would not the nobles be more likely to support the Alliance if they knew exactly what technologies were contained within the Data Ark?”
“And if those technologies did threaten their financial stability?”
“If given ample warning,” Major Bellen explained, “perhaps even in advance of the rest of Takara, their fortunes could be protected in the face of such change in economies.”
“Perhaps,” Casimir replied. “However, my father once told me that a man motivated by fear is far more unpredictable than one motivated by greed.”
* * *
Nathan stood at the forward end of the Aurora’s main hangar bay as the combat shuttle rolled to a stop and opened its main port-side door. Five Ghatazhak soldiers in full combat armor stepped down from the shuttle and promptly stepped aside to make room for Admiral Dumar to disembark.
The admiral stepped down from the combat shuttle and glanced around the bay, spotting Nathan near the main entrance along the forward bulkhead.
Natha
n stiffened, and raised his hand in salute at the presence of his commanding officer.
Dumar walked up to Nathan, returning the salute, and then offering his hand. “I suppose it is necessary to maintain protocol,” he said as they shook hands.
“Especially in the early days of the Alliance,” Nathan replied. “The commander’s shuttle is coming in now,” he added, pointing to the second combat jump shuttle rolling toward them from the far end of the massive hangar bay.
Admiral Dumar turned aft to see the combat shuttle rolling toward them. “The liberation of 61 Cygni went quite well.”
“It could have gone better,” Nathan admitted. “I agree with Commander Telles’s assessment that it was a mistake to attempt to capture the Jung base, rather than destroying it from orbit from the start.”
“We did not know if their base had shields,” the admiral reminded him. “If it had, we might well have lost the opportunity for a surprise attack. The Aurora had to deal with the cruisers first. There was no way around that fact. Besides, the delay probably allowed the civilians nearest the base to move to safe distances prior to the orbital strike.”
“The KIA count is up to one hundred and thirty-two Ghatazhak,” Nathan reported, “Another hundred and seventy-four will be combat ineffective for several weeks while nanites repair their injuries.”
“And civilian losses?”
“Just over two thousand confirmed, with another three hundred or so still unaccounted for.”
“It has raised since yesterday,” the admiral said, his eyebrow rising.
“Yes, but it has leveled off somewhat over the last few hours. Sensor teams are convinced that the rubble around the outside of the Jung base is free of bodies. However, it will take some time to clean up the rubble of the Jung base and dispose of the bodies. I suspect we will find additional Coporan casualties among the Jung dead as well.”
“Still, had we simply attacked all targets from orbit, the collateral damage would have been significantly higher,” the admiral insisted. “In addition, I believe the sight of the Ghatazhak in action had great psychological impact on the people of Copora as well. It is necessary for their leaders to see a strong Alliance, if we expect them to join in our fight against the Jung.”
“Which is why you came to meet with them in person, is it not?”
Dumar turned to look at Nathan, a slight smile on his face. “No offense, Captain, but you still look a bit young to be in command of a warship such as this, let alone the entire Alliance.”
“None taken, sir,” Nathan replied.
The second combat shuttle pulled up and parked next to the first, its side door sliding open as well. Four fully armored Ghatazhak soldiers stepped out, followed by Commander Telles and an elderly gentleman in Coporan civilian attire.
The commander and the Coporan man walked up to Admiral Dumar and Captain Scott. Commander Telles stepped to one side, allowing the Coporan to face the admiral and the captain directly.
“Minister Abrahms, allow me to introduce Admiral Travon Dumar, commander of the Alliance forces in the Sol sector, and Captain Nathan Scott, commanding officer of the Aurora. Admiral, Captain, may I present Mister Arturi Abrahms, Minister of Copora.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Minister Abrahms,” Admiral Dumar said, extending his hand in friendship.
“Am I a prisoner?” the minister inquired, without offering his hand in return.
“No sir, you are free to leave, if you so choose.”
“Then, if I so choose, you will return me to Copora?”
“Indeed we shall,” Admiral Dumar replied.
“And, if I so choose, you will remove your forces from the surface of my world, as well as from the 61 Cygni system?”
“If you so choose, yes. However, I would strongly urge you to hear what we have to say before you make any such decisions, as the continued survival of your world is quite likely to depend upon the decisions that you make this day.”
The minister looked into the eyes of both the admiral and the captain standing before him. He then looked at Commander Telles. “I wish to return to Copora,” he declared, looking at the admiral again.
“You are sure about that?” the admiral wondered, appearing somewhat surprised by the minister’s request.
“Quite sure,” he replied with determination.
Admiral Dumar sighed. “Very well.” The admiral looked at Commander Telles. “Commander, deliver the minister back to Gastien as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, sir,” Commander Telles replied, saluting.
The minister looked unsure. “I also wish you to remove all troops from the surface.”
“As you wish. Just as soon as Commander Telles is satisfied that all Jung personnel have been killed or captured.”
Minister Abrahms looked at the admiral, suspicion in his eyes. “And after that, your ships shall leave our system?”
“The Aurora is the only ship currently in your system,” the admiral promised. “It shall depart after the last of the Ghatazhak have returned from Copora. You have my word.”
“Minister?” Commander Telles said, gesturing toward their combat jumper, which was already beginning to restart its engines for departure.
The minister looked at Commander Telles, then at the shuttle as its engines began to spin up. He turned as if to head back to the shuttle, but hesitated. He turned back to face the admiral once again. “Perhaps, since I am already here, I will listen to what you have to say, as I am quite sure that the people of Copora will want some answers as to why their world was invaded yet again.”
“We would be more than happy to provide you with those answers, and much more,” Admiral Dumar promised.
“Very well, I shall stay… for now,” the minister declared.
“Excellent,” the admiral replied. “If you’ll follow these men, they will escort you to the command briefing room. We shall join you there shortly.”
They watched as two of the Ghatazhak soldiers escorted the minister out of the main hangar bay.
“Are they all like him?” Nathan asked Commander Telles.
“If you mean pompous and indecisive, then no,” the commander replied. “Those characteristics appear to be unique to Mister Abrahms.”
“Are you sure he is their leader?” Admiral Dumar asked.
“He is the only one who answered our broadcast,” the commander replied. “Only time will tell.”
* * *
A flock of large, reddish-brown birds cruised lazily over the canyon floor. Towering, rocky slopes on either side funneled the winds through the narrow portions of the canyons ahead, providing a consistent breeze that the massive predators used to hover nearly effortlessly as they scanned the surface for their next meal.
The bird leading the flock dipped its beak slightly downward and to the left, spotting a large, furry creature on the surface below, moving slowly as it made its way through the brush. The bird watched as it hovered in the breeze, waiting for the right moment.
The large, furry creature reached a clearing, paused, looked about, and then started to scurry across the open land, trying to get to the brush on the far side as quickly as possible. However, it failed to look upward.
The bird dipped its head down sharply as it pulled its wings back, decreasing its massive, two-meter-wide wingspan to less than a meter as it dove toward the surface. The other birds quickly followed, diving toward the furry creature running across the open ground below them.
The lead bird screamed out as if sounding a battle cry, spreading its wings wide again and dropping its tail as it spread its massive talons. It struck quickly, digging its talons into the back of the furry creature’s neck, ripping at its skin and tearing it open.
The large, furry creature roared out in pain as blood spurt from the back of its neck. The lead bird let go, flapping its wings to climb away and make room for the next attacker. The furry creature rolled over on its back, bringing its own claws between it and the next attacker, slashing ac
ross the second bird’s chest and tearing it open. The second bird fell to the side, flopping about on the ground as it bled out.
More birds swooped down, tearing at the furry creature with their sharp talons. The creature continued to defend itself, but there were too many of them. It was only a matter of time until…
A flash of blue-white light washed over the canyon, followed immediately by a thunderous clap. A shock wave of displaced air washed over the land, disturbing the usual wind patterns and sending the attacking birds scattering in all directions. The large, furry creature took advantage of the sudden disturbance in the birds’ attack and ran with all its strength toward the brush on the other side of the clearing.
A high-pitched whine of engines echoed against the rocky walls, as the furry creature disappeared into the brush. A combat jump shuttle roared in, coming to a hover only two meters above the ground. Its side doors opened, and three Ghatazhak troops jumped out of each side, hitting the ground running. The shuttle immediately began to climb, pointing its nose upward and disappearing in another blue-white flash of light.
The Ghatazhak troops reached the same brush where the large furry creature had disappeared only moments ago, taking cover in the thick brush while they scanned the area for any signs of Jung troops.
Lieutenant Kellen scanned the area, his eyes watching the tactical readouts on the inside of his combat helmet visor. Satisfied that they had made it to the ground undetected, he signaled his master sergeant to come to him. As the master sergeant approached, the lieutenant raised his visor, deactivating the displays. “Confirmations?”
“Yes, sir. All four teams are down clean, and jumpers are away.”
“Very well. Everyone shut down, dig in, and rest up. We wait for nightfall before we move out. We have a long way to go to reach the recon point.”
* * *
Nathan, Admiral Dumar, and Commander Telles crested the top of the ramp, stepping into the main intersection at the center of the Aurora’s command deck.
Lieutenant Commander Nash stepped out from the security office door at the corner of the intersection. “Sirs,” she said, calling their attention, “if I might speak with you a moment?”
