by Karl Morgan
“Dave, you are welcome, but it was no trouble,” Zee replied. “We first attempted it as a treat for you, but when we found out how wonderful and powerful it was, we became addicted ourselves. If our relationship moves forward, we would be honored if you could provide some coffee plants and some farmers to help us learn to grow it.”
The dinner ended and the guests mingled with the High Consul and his ministers for a short time before they returned to their homes. Zee motioned to the group to move to the sand for their walk. Five waiters joined them with a bar that floated three feet above the sand. The bar was stocked with many bottles, ice and glasses. Dave recognized the Scotch and Gallicean whisky bottles. The air was slightly cool and the waves were gently rolling onto the sand. The sky was full of stars since there was little light on the surface to interfere, but there was no moon.
“Our guests would like to know more about The Hive, Var,” Zee said to the Minister of The Hive. “Why don’t you begin?”
“I will if you like, Zee, however you have run The Hive much longer than me,” Var began. “The Hive began as a global university. Our ancestors first began to work with what you call dark matter and dark energy while still on Ai-Makla, our world of origin. That work enabled them to construct the space and temporal portals your worlds use today. It also helped us escape the nova that eventually destroyed Ai-Makla.” A waiter rushed over and refilled Var’s glass. “Thank you. When our ancestors were deciding who to send on each colony ship, they determined that the top scientists should be together in order to continue this work. They were among the colonists who settled Don-Makla, the planet you found near Nanda.”
“Unfortunately, the plan did not work exactly as scheduled,” Zee interrupted. “For many generations, the colonists needed to focus on developing their new world. Those great scientists had to forego their studies to build factories and cities. No work on universal power, which we call the combination of dark matter and dark energy, was performed for millions of years. Please continue, Var.”
“Ultimately, our ancestors’ plan did work,” Var started. “The generations that followed those who jumped from Ai-Makla contained the genes of genius from their ancestors. After two hundred million years, the planet became highly advanced and a great center of learning. While a few hundred great scientists had jumped to Don-Makla, now there were millions of their descendants inhabiting the planet. Hundreds of universities joined together to work on the universal power project. Much of the knowledge from Ai-Makla was lost in the dust of time, and it took many generations to relearn. Our government sank more and more resources into the project. The economy stumbled over and again. Over the next hundred million years, the project raced ahead, only to be stopped when commerce crumbled and tekkans rioted in the streets.”
“The government and academia had become obsessed with universal power,” Zee said. “Yet, the people needed jobs and food. At one point, the situation was so bad that a warlord took power and burned many universities. Universal power was put on hold. We were fortunate that the warlord was also a great merchant. For the next thirty million years, we established relationships with thousands of other societies, including hundreds of maklan worlds. Our economy completely changed from production to trade. We became the richest culture in the galaxy. The last emperor converted the government to a republic, allowing free elections for the first time in hundreds of generations. Trade continued to dominate life. At last, the High Consul of the time, Tok Nokram, restarted the universal power project. With huge economic resources, the tekkans were happy and the project moved forward. That was when the most important discovery of universal power took place.”
Var said, “We discovered that universal power formed a net that filled the universe. Its power was focused along grids that reached across the cosmos. Where dark energy was the densest, it formed dark matter. Where dark matter clumped together, galaxies formed. It was revolutionary. In order to understand more, we knew we needed to be in the intersection of those lines to feel their impact and measure them.”
Fak said, “Unfortunately, Don-Makla was not near such a node. However, this spot in space was directly at the intersection of several lines.”
De-o-Nu drained his glass and said, “That’s why you moved to this planet! Now we understand why you abandoned Don-Makla.”
“Not quite, De-o-Nu,” Zee countered. “There was a planet here, but not this one.”
“I don’t understand,” Dave replied.
“I suppose that planet is still here,” Zee corrected himself. “It was a very small planet, less than one-tenth the size of Tak-Makla, and it was amazingly dense, almost like a collapsed nova. Using that planet as a foundation, we built Tak-Makla around it.”
Dave looked shocked. He said, “Are you saying this planet is a construction?”
“Yes, Dave, that is exactly correct,” Zee replied. “After the great discovery, we decided we needed a suitable planet here. Since there wasn’t one, we had to build it. It took many millions of years and untold generations, but here we are. We had to pull resource materials from hundreds of dead planets in the area, build massive factories and thousands of star ships to move and install what you see around you now.”
“But the mountains and oceans, they seem so real,” Charlie whimpered. “Are they fake?”
Tal, the Director of the Zoological Garden interrupted, “No, Charlie, nothing is fake. It is my role to take care of the top layers of the planet. When Tak-Makla was under construction, our ancestors knew that our people could not live in a giant building their entire lives. The structures below were arranged to allow for the top surface to be varied. For example, the mountains have structures under the top few hundred feet of rock and soil. Since they jut out of the surface, they make great locations for sensors and weapon systems. After the structures were built, we took rock, soil, fresh and salt water, flora and fauna from hundreds of different worlds. As Tak-Makla became as large as a planet, we started its rotation and imported an atmosphere. Once the oceans were in place, the planet began to function like a natural one.”
Zee jumped in, “While much of the surface behaves like a true planet, we have made some adjustments, as you saw in the park earlier with the large wolves. It would be unfortunate if our scientists were eaten by ravenous animals during their afternoon break. We tekkans can jump in space without a portal or implanted device like our friend, Jake. If someone wants to see wild animals, they can travel to Beacon Station 801, for example. We maintain our trading network as well, to provide continued funding to manage the planet and The Hive.”
“We still don’t know what The Hive is,” Jake reminded him.
“For tonight, let us say that The Hive exists at the exact intersection of the lines of universal power. It allows us to see, feel and understand what is happening throughout the universe. After a leisurely breakfast tomorrow, we will head there,” Zee replied. He raised his recently refreshed glass. “Dear friends, I must say that today has been a wonderful experience for me. I think we can all agree that we will immediately allow the two ships to join us here. I will advise them when I get inside. Rather than having them travel for several more days, we will jump them into orbit over the planet at sunrise tomorrow. Dave and Charlie, I have arranged little surprises for you in your rooms. Let us toast our new friends from Earth, Gallia, No-Makla and Kalidus!”
They raised their glasses and shared the toast. Afterward, they all said good night and returned to the mansion. Dave walked to his room and touched the panel to open the door. Darlene was sitting on the couch with two glasses of red wine on the table in front of her. She stood and rushed into Dave’s arms.
Chapter 32
Dave and Darlene woke early and prepared for their day. A heavy rain was falling outside and the sky was dark and gray. Dave found their uniforms had been cleaned and pressed while they slept. While Darlene was getting ready, Dave sat on the couch talking to Jon Lake on the communicator.
“Dave, it was the strangest
thing,” Jon said. “The High Consul contacted me and said they would jump Nightsky and Kong-Fa to Tak-Makla at 0700 local time. I can’t imagine how they did it, but here we are in orbit. One second we were twelve light-years away, and now we are here. What kind of power do those maklans have?”
“They have harnessed something they call universal power, Jon. It has to do with dark matter and dark energy,” Dave began. “Zee and his ministers told us a bit about it last night. I am hoping to learn more today. They also said they were going to form an alliance with us, so that’s good news.”
Darlene joined Dave on the couch. “Jon, have you had any discussions with Cara or Petrodus?”
“Negative, Darlene,” Jon replied. “I was told that the High Consul spoke with them and they too have been jumped down to the planet. I hope you find them.”
“Don’t fret, Jon. I think this is working out very well,” she said. “If they didn’t like us, I think they would have jumped our ships all the way to Earth. Meeting and negotiating with a new culture takes time.”
“I’m still unclear about the thing they call The Hive,” Dave interjected. “I want to know what’s going on here to give the tekkans so much power.” A tone sounded at the door, which then opened and Ton entered. “We have to go now, Jon. Tak-Makla out.”
Ton led them downstairs again and into a small dining room. Val, the High Consul’s wife was sitting down, enjoying a cup of coffee and some biscuits. “Good morning, Dave and Darlene. Please sit and I’ll get you both some coffee. I’m afraid I can’t pour like the waiter last night, but the coffee should be as good.” As they sat, De-o-Nu and Jake entered and joined them. Val brought a tray of coffee and biscuits for the group. “Zee has been called to The Hive on urgent business. He asked me to feed you a light breakfast and then make certain you meet him there,” she said.
“We hope there isn’t any problem, Val,” Darlene said as she sipped the coffee.
“There are always problems on Tak-Makla,” she replied. “With twenty billion tekkans to care for, including ten billion in The Hive, activity is always frenetic. But nothing serious, I can assure you. Since they rose early, Charlie and Aria went with Zee.”
They sat and enjoyed the food for another twenty minutes, learning the life of the High Consul’s wife. Val spent most days traveling around Tak-Makla visiting hospitals and schools, opening universities and businesses. Her role was to bring the warmth and compassion of the government to the tekkans. She and Zee had four children. Two were employed in The Hive. One was a merchant traveling to various trading partners to exchange goods. Vee was their oldest. After a distinguished career in The Hive, he had decided to be a farmer. Val told them that Zee tries to take a shuttle home most days so he can fly over Vee’s farm. The flour, spices and nuts in the biscuits they ate had come from his farm. After she sent her guests on their way today, she was scheduled to open a new adjunct to the top university on the planet to train more candidates for the most secret positions in The Hive.
“When will the shuttle come to take us, Val,” De-o-Nu asked. “We don’t want to keep you from your important duties.”
“I am very pleased you are here. Don’t worry about my schedule,” Val replied. “You won’t be taking a shuttle today. That was only so my husband could impress you with the scenery. You will be taking a tube today.”
“What is a tube, Val?” Dave asked.
“If you are all finished with your breakfast, I will take you there now,” she replied. “Then you will know firsthand how ninety-nine percent of tekkans travel around this planet. I’ll be taking a tube to all of my functions today.”
The group left the room and walked down another bright marble-clad hallway, which seemed to slope downward. After two hundred yards, they reached a doorway which opened when Val touched it slightly. She told them they could do the same with any door on the planet, except for very few requiring advanced security. There was a small control panel mounted on the left wall. The right wall was covered with a design of the tube networks in this area of the planet, which looked like an incomprehensible maze of intersecting lines. In front of them, just past a short step was a glass-like cylindrical shuttle with ten seats. The shuttle was closed at both ends with semi-circular clear end caps. Val stepped to the panel and touched the one button.
The panel said, “Destination please.”
Val replied, “Hive, Minister’s office.” The map on the opposite wall changed to dim other lines and highlight the course to the destination.
The panel said, “Ready.”
The door on the shuttle opened and Val climbed in. “Come on, I’m going with you. Zee recommended that we not leave you alone on the tubes just yet,” she said.
Reluctantly, they climbed in and strapped themselves down. De-o-Nu said, “Now I can see why they had to shrink me down. They’d have to build a new shuttle for the real me.”
Val touched a button on her seat and said, “Ready.” The glass door slid into place. The wall in front of them opened and they could see a glass tube stretching in front of them that led down into the planet. “I hope you enjoy this,” she said.
The shuttle rocketed forward. Dave felt himself plastered into his seat. He could not raise an arm or even a finger. The shuttle moved at incredible speed. They could see hundreds of other tubes around them going in every direction as they shot ahead. Other shuttles could be seen zipping through other tubes around them. The tekkans inside appeared to be chatting or reading with no concern for the speed. Their shuttle lurched and turned into a different tube, flying almost straight downward. Their tube went directly between two walls. Looking up and down, they could see a line of tubes moving in the same direction. Dave imagined that tekkans worked and lived in rooms on the other side of the walls around them. A shuttle shot past them in the tube directly over their heads, going the opposite direction. Dave thought he could hear them talking. Their tube reached the end of the two walls and turned ninety degrees. Above them now was a massive floor as far as they could see. There were lights suspended below them and a large underground garden or farm.
“Hydroponic and mushroom farm,” Val said. “No need to waste space on the surface for that.” It took their shuttle a couple minutes at breakneck speed to reach the end of the farm. It suddenly twisted and headed straight down again. The mesh of tubes here was so tight that it looked almost like woven fabric, with shuttles moving in all directions. Dave could see another shuttle in their same tube far ahead and they were gaining on it. Another shuttle was coming up on them from behind. When they got to within ten feet of the shuttle ahead, it turned and flew off into a perpendicular tunnel. The shuttle behind them was closing very fast. It seemed only inches away when their shuttle lurched to the left, slowed to a crawl, entered another tube room and stopped.
“Destination, Hive, Minister’s office,” the shuttle said.
Zee was standing in the room waiting for his guests. “Welcome to The Hive,” he said as the glass door slid open. The group climbed out, a bit wobbly at first. Val kissed Zee and went to the panel. After specifying her new destination, she climbed back into the shuttle. The door closed and she zipped back into the maze. Zee led them out of the room and down a short corridor. He touched the door at the end, which opened to reveal the anteroom for the Minister of The Hive. They walked to another door and opened it. Inside was a large glass conference table. At one end, helping themselves to coffee and pastries were Ambassador Petrodus, Ambassador Pakalanalan, Charlie and Aria. Another door slid open, and Var, Minister of The Hive joined them.
Chapter 33
The Predaxian battle cruiser, Pondi was high in orbit over Palus. On the emperor’s order, enough agents had been moved to the Palian systems to insure that every Palian soldier would be under Predaxian control. Emperor Nokalez Zendo paced back and forth in the ready room that had been converted to his throne room. Captain Anda Borka and Admiral Branak Zendo stood on the opposite side of the room, too frightened to disturb their liege.
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Nokalez was mumbling to himself about the upcoming battle to regain Localus and take Nom-Kat-La. Only five ships had yet to arrive at Palus and they were due in the next hour. After a few minutes, the emperor noticed the other two in the room. “My dear Branak and Captain, how good of you to come,” he said.
“I’m afraid we have bad news, Great Uncle,” Branak said weakly.
“Spit it out, nephew,” Nokalez shouted.
“A Pyrrian cruiser has captured the supply ship taking your bother and nephew to the Thuk prison planet,” Branak replied. “Our sensors read that the Pyrrian cruiser is still there, but our supply ship has been destroyed.”
“That is good news, Branak, my boy,” Nokalez smiled. “You should bring me bad news like that all the time. Either the ship was destroyed with my incompetent brother on board or they were jumped to the prison. Both are wonderful answers. Let’s have a drink!” The emperor personally poured full glasses of the best Predaxian brandy for himself and the other two.
“Majesty,” Branak said, “you have given me the fullest glass. You should have that, Great Uncle.”
“You are a good boy, Branak,” the emperor smiled as they exchanged glasses. “Your teachers have taught you well.” He turned to the captain and asked, “Anda, what is the status of the last five vessels?”
“Majesty, two have jumped here in the last five minutes,” Anda replied. “The last three have updated their itineraries and will arrive in the next ten minutes.” He sipped the brandy gingerly.
“More good news, Anda,” the emperor beamed. “When will all the ships be ready to begin our adventure?”
“On orders from Admiral Zendo, we have been making preparations for the last several hours. I have personally contacted all captains, and we will be ready to leave within five minutes after the last ships arrive,” Anda replied.
“Whew,” the emperor sighed. “When I saw you two with the hangdog expressions, I thought there was real bad news.”
