Carinae Sector: 01 - Traders' Scourge - Part 2 - Maveen Offer

by David Buck

  The captain gave the human female a grateful look mixed with approval as he answered.

  ‘Unfortunately you are correct Samantha. The Barus are a vassal race, and have to report or resolve complex issues relating to strict galactic edicts governing actions of both vassal and independent races in the galaxy. Now we have already infringed strict edicts by our being on your world due to the haven status it is under. However if we were to leave soon we should escape severe and lethal penalties by merely fleeing to deep space.’

  Samantha was confused in part by the answer and her questioning reply indicated this was the case.

  ‘I cannot see how your presence on this planet is less severe than the lack of glimmer tattoos on most of your crew?’

  Steve observed with interest the reaction of the bridge crew, as they had seemed to tense about the mention of galactic edicts, as Captain Narindestat answered Samantha.

  ‘The glimmer tattoos perform several roles in our civilisation over the many tens of thousands of years we have worn them. The main role of the tattoos is as a contraceptive device. The tattoos are filled with symbiotic glowing bacteria that restrict our otherwise robust breeding cycle, and they are also indicators of social standing and rank. Another role for them is to control our species aggression, and it is an auxiliary product of the contraceptive properties of the tattoo.’

  Steve noticed that several of the Trader crew were uncomfortable with the captain’s forthright discussion on Trader biology, even to the extent that two female Traders quietly left the bridge of the ship. Rebecca was quick on the uptake as well and stated her own questions.

  ‘So the losses of your tattoos, possibly due to our own diseases killing your symbiotic bacteria, are an infringement as far as these Barus are concerned? So this may lead to conflict between the two of you?’

  Captain Narindestat sighed in both resignation and agreement as he replied.

  ‘We would be classed as rogue and hunted down. The Barus ship would immediately leave to summon large numbers of fighting ships. I am concerned that they would even attack your planet as well.’

  Steve though about this matter for a moment, the stakes were getting high and he was now very concerned. Dan pulled the two full video data cartridges from his pocket and passed them over to Steve, who motioned the other three to talk with him over on one corner of the bridge control deck. Garendestat walked over to his father and the two Traders conversed quietly for a few minutes. Rebecca quietly voiced a comment to Steve about the day’s recordings in exasperation.

  ‘I can see the problem we face clearly, but we have so much recorded information of them now. It is not as if they have a cultural aversion to being recorded or anything.’

  Dan thought for a moment, and gave his fiancée a hug before he stated.

  ‘But no one could say otherwise if they did have such an aversion.’

  Steve could see the seeds of a solution and he led the humans back to the waiting Traders He now gave the two full data cartridges to Garendestat.

  ‘Please place these cartridges with the rest of the camera equipment for our collection later. We have an idea for you to consider based in part on a human premise or cultural observance.’

  The Traders on the bridge listened closely to what Steve had to say, and huge grins came to them as they quickly understood what the humans were suggesting.

  ***

  Gindane looked over the new information coming into her console with professional interest, even if her time on the bridge had progressed to several intense hours. She was loath to break high orbit and spiral down to low orbit based on her limited understanding of human military potential. In high orbit they had longer to react to any threats that might eventuate and Gindane was under no illusions as to how the humans might react to her earlier announcements. Fortunately they had managed to get some visual data of the Trader ship from high orbit before the sun set over the site.

  The Trader ship appeared to be undergoing both repairs and refuelling from what Gindane could establish. The shapes of the sneak ships and three smaller ships had then been identified, and she had to stifle a start of outrage.

  ‘Maveen probes here as well! Do we know the numbers of the probes and where they all are?’

  The answers had been in the negative, and Gindane now realised that the situation of just a Trader ship landing on a haven world had changed yet again. So how was a small Barus research ship supposed to deal with a powerful Trader ship and the Maveen as well?

  Gindane went over what footage she could glean from the human television networks. The Trader sneak ships appeared to be flying around a considerable distance from their main ship, almost as if they were on patrol over the ocean. She had even seen footage of two isolated Maveen probes that had appeared near human surface ships. The humans seemed to be focussing on these smaller Maveen probes as if they felt the Maveen had greater significance.

  Gindane watched as an apparently excited human media presenter flashed up images of her own ship taken obviously from low Earth orbit. She then watched with growing astonishment at the next sequence of video showing several human surface ships attacking two Trader sneak ships. The commander watched in total surprise as the weapons of one human ship knocked a Trader sneak ship from the sky.

  The commander congratulated herself for the decision to stay in high orbit at that point, even as she watched to video footage continue and sat back in sombre silence. Six Maveen probes had discharged an EMP field then attacked and disabled two larger human ships.Plainly they were driving away the humans, but why the attack? Gindane focused on an image of the sneak ships at the island and summoned her chief engineer. She had an idea of what might have happened, but she first needed technical input.

  ***

  Steve looked over the scene at the foot of the Trader ship ramp with satisfaction, as any bare headed or armed Traders were no longer on the island. The few Traders present each now wore white cloaks that covered the top halves of their bodies, together with wrap around sun visors, as Steve stood in front of the recording camera.

  ‘We were only given permission to video the Trader crew later in the day. They apparently have a cultural aversion to being placed on film, and that objection took awhile to overcome. Also they are finding our strong sunlight to be a risk to their health, hence the reason for the cloaks. Indeed we have been shown their medical bay were several obviously ill Traders are recovering from earth based pathogens they have little defence against.’

  The video camera panned across the island quickly, and missed the resting Maveen probes as it focussed on the damaged Trader sneak ships.

  ‘Now our attack has left the Traders with two damaged smaller ships that they needed to assist them to leave. They are attempting to repair these ships and they are also short on food. Earlier in the afternoon I spoke with the ship’s captain, Narindestat, about when he possibly could launch his ship.’

  Steve and Dan already had footage of the captain in his impressive uniform and they were hoping to use that to the advantage of the Traders. Importantly the captain was not covered in a cloak and his impressive tattoos were evident for all to see.

  ***

  Gindane had given orders to again transmit a message to the humans, even as she considered the most polite way to answer their most pressing demand. The Barus commander spoke slow and careful English as the second series of transmissions began.

  ‘I have a concern that I need to bring the attention of your leaders.’

  The communications officer sent images of the grounded Trader ship on the surface of the planet before switching the video feed back to Gindane.

  ‘This ship belongs to Traders who have illegally landed on your planet several days ago. Their presence on your planet is in direct disobedience to strict galactic edicts governing contact between galactic races and pre-contact haven worlds like your world. The Traders are lawbreakers and need to be taken into custody by galactic authorities. But in no sense do we ask or encourag
e that you attack them in any way. Note that due to their presence on your world your entire solar system has been placed in quarantine for the foreseeable future.’

  Gindane tensed for a moment as she prepared herself for the next part of the message, and taking a deep breath she continued on again.

  ‘Now with regards to your repeated request that we land and submit our crew and ship to your judgement, we advise we cannot allow that to occur. The reasons behind this are simple. We are citizens of a galactic society that had already subjected us to a trial and made judgement upon regarding our role in the pandemic several years ago. Also there is no singular corresponding authority on your planet that we would be willing to submit ourselves to and receive what we consider a fair judgement.’

  The commander finished the media broadcast and sat back to consider the status of the Traders further. She was concerned that she did not have enough information yet to qualify exacting what was going on down at their landing site. The chief engineer was still looking into the matter and would soon report on what he could establish about the Trader ships. Gindane was well aware that in the dynamics of space exploration that the lack of detailed information could be lethal.

  ***

  Steve led his tired team back aboard the Aurora Discovery in the early evening, and they all headed off for a quick shower in their own quarters. The deck crew patiently lifted the six metre runabout onto the rear deck as the team left. By agreement the team had only brought back the last two hours of film to aid in their reports. Within twenty minutes, the team had reassembled in Dan’s large research office. They were joined by Douglas Stoneham and the other three scientists who had joined the ship earlier in the afternoon.

  Steve looked around at the new people in the room and introductions were renewed from their earlier meeting at Garden Island. He detected a certain reserve with one scientist, Ian Mitchin, who he remembered as having a strong personality and somewhat fixed views. Ian had relentlessly advocated back at Garden Island that the recovered panels, now known to be from a Barus probe, be all sent to the US for continued research.

  A late dinner was being served mainly for the benefit of the Australians. As Steve began his report, he knew he could hold nothing back from anyone in this room.

  ‘The Trader ship is slightly damaged and needs time for repairs to be made and for more fuel to be manufactured. The crew are ill but still well capable of looking after themselves if they need to do so.’

  At this point Ian interrupted.

  ‘So when do we recommend that a combined force of US marines, and your excellent SAS troopers, storm the island and take them by force?’

  Douglas started to apologise, but Steve good naturedly held up a hand and smiled.

  ‘Well Ian, I can understand your technical interest in getting their ships. However as we all now know they are not responsible for the pandemic and only want to leave as soon as they can.’

  Steve knew that Ian was playing the devils advocate for a reason, as the commercial rewards from obtaining the Trader ships would be very large. He considered Ian, who stood obstinately with his arms folded, as he spoke again.

  ‘Now today we uncovered a whole lot of technical and political facts about the galaxy, and the more powerful inhabitants that you need to hear about. Also we have to consider that another section of their ship is out in space somewhere nearby.’

  Steve then ran through a summary of what had actually occurred on the island during the day. He especially mentioned the last two hours of so of their joint subterfuge with the Traders and the reasons why this was necessary. Ian sought clarification on several points, and Dan was able to provide the information to the respected astrophysicist. Steve decided to now keep silent and he ate pieces of his dinner as he listened.

  Samantha and Rebecca also weighed in with concise reports of their own on the illnesses affecting the Traders. Ian looked thoughtful for several minutes as the three other US scientists asked for further information from the Australians. He then looked Steve in the eye and commented.

  ‘Steve, this is a high stakes gambit for sure and you can count on my help to get this done. I definitely don’t like this situation and I will put aside my argument until I can talk to my superiors.’

  Steve nodded at Ian and the briefing progressed into what they would attempt to resolve tomorrow, with Steve later leaving Douglas to chair the briefing. He accessed his satellite phone messages, and within minutes had placed a call to Ian Ridge, Prime Minister of Australia, and introduced himself.

  ‘Prime minister, I am Steve Greene and my apologies for my delay in getting back to you this afternoon.’

  Steve listened to the prime minister for a few minutes, especially the news about the new alien ship in orbit, and when he had the break in the conversation he replied.

  ‘Sir, I have already spoken to the Trader captain about the Barus ship in orbit, and we have a situation we are managing. Now I request please that you keep this strictly confidential for reasons that will soon become clear.’

  Steve stepped the prime minister through the same series of facts he had presented to Ian Mitchin. The facts were simple and after lengthy pauses on the other end of the phone, Steve had both the agreement and the confidence of the prime minister. Ian had a few questions of his own now, and Steve listened critically to what he had to say.

  ‘Steve, we are concerned about the Maveen ships as they were responsible for the attack on that US fleet. We are primarily concerned that they might attack again. Also the Barus have not mentioned the Maveen even though they took great pains to talk about the Traders.’

  Steve promised that his team had already discussed that issue and were hoping to find an answer tomorrow when they returned to the Trader ship. The next question from the prime minister then had him really thinking about how he was going to reply.

  ‘Steve, I want you to consider coming out of retirement and resuming your military commission. We are already prepared to confirm your rank as Captain upon your return to the RAN.’

  Steve was honoured but nonplussed, and he responded in the best way he knew how, by stating he would think about it and talk to his wife. The two men talked for several more minutes, and promises were made to keep each other informed. After the conversation Steve sat and thought in silence for a few minutes. The budding science mission was already turning into one of misdirection towards the Barus aliens to give the Traders enough time to flee.

  ***

  Chapter 9

  Colonel Bill Ackerton stood impassively in the deep bunker behind the two seated launch technicians as they entered their launch codes into the controller. The launching method for ICBM missiles had changed little over the last fifty years. The senior launch technician verified that both codes were entered and spoke again.

  ‘On my mark turn the keys to launch, five, four, three, two, one, launch.’

  Bill switched his attention to an outside monitor that displayed a huge plume of smoke issuing from the launch silo. In moments the Minuteman IV missile had cleared the silo and was streaking for space. He knew from additional sites in the US, Russia and China that other missiles were being launched into space in a concerted response.

  ***

  The Barus lieutenant at the sensor console yelled out across the bridge to the senior researcher occupying the command chair during the third watch. Commander Gindane was off duty and getting some much needed sleep.

  ‘Missiles sir, I count four each from the USA and Russia, and now four also from China. The launches were set as late evening from the USA and early morning from Russia and China as a joint attack. All missiles were launched in moments of one another and are moving to our position.’

  The senior researcher, himself a former Barus fleet lieutenant, was unfazed by this news and gave a series of orders.

  ‘Navigation, I want some separation from those missiles. Take us out of high orbit and stagger your course to throw the missiles off. Weapons officer, I want firing solu
tions for those missiles if they get too close. You are to bear in mind that they are probably nuclear tipped, and I don’t want any humans killed if one comes down on their planet. Also stand by to launch missile defenders at my command.’

  The weapons officer on the Barus research destroyer waited until the human missiles had risen several hundred kilometres, before launching two flights of smaller defensive missiles. The research ship continued to climb out of orbit even as the human missiles attempted to intercept.

  The senior researcher watched patiently for half an hour as two of the twelve missiles went dead, possibly due to an onboard failure in the missiles themselves. From what he understood, the missiles were meant for wars with other humans, a concept he found to be both repugnant and dangerous. The defensive missiles from the research ship finally intercepted the human missiles. A series of bright flashes indicated where they had detonated and the nuclear warheads on the missiles then promptly exploded.

  The senior research looked over in consternation as the last four missiles continued to within five thousand kilometres of the ship. The missiles were flagged as the ones launched from the USA, and they had launched counter measures to defeat the first of the smaller Barus defensive missiles. The senior research quickly ordered another flight of missiles to be launched to defend the ship. He watched anxiously, and after several more minutes the defensive missiles had closed and destroyed the remaining missiles. The senior researcher looked at the distance of the last attacking missile before it had been destroyed. He realised that it had managed to fly within seven hundred kilometres before exploding, and he made a comment of appreciation on the bridge.

  ‘For such a primitive race, their weapons are surprisingly potent offerings. Our manoeuvrability is what saved the day as we are already over two thousand kilometres higher than our recent high orbit.’