by Karl Morgan
“Thank you, Lina,” Alin said as he sat back on the couch, holding a cloth against his bloody head. “Jee, get a damage report.”
Jee sat at the governor’s desk and pressed a button. “General, the governor has been slightly wounded. He needs a damage report.”
“We have several hundred cracks in the inner shell, and many are now leaking atmosphere. Approximately five hundred cubic miles of rock have been blow off. One half of the tube network is offline due to the brief power failure. Fifty crew members were burned severely by the last blast and are on their way to hospitals. Several thousand others were hurt by falling objects and other incidents related to the shaking. I recommend that the Governor join them at a clinic as soon as possible.”
Alin walked over to the screen to see the general’s face. “Audy, what do you recommend we do now?”
“With your approval, I will jump some of my men to the Donnaki ships. We need to understand this new weapon of theirs. When that is complete, I recommend we dismantle the ships and use their material as a temporary fix to our inner core. Once our inner shell is patched, we need to get out of Donnaki space as quickly as we can. I can have our engines online in two hours. With our thrusters, we should leave their space in fourteen days. It would be preferable if the other Hives could jump us out sooner,” Audy said.
“Audy, I am declaring a military emergency and putting you in command of Hive 1008. Please do as you see fit. I’m going to take your advice and have Jee help me to the nearest clinic,” Alin said as he clicked off the screen.
Chapter 9
Loni Arrak sat quietly on the beach in front of the Banganu Resort with her face buried in her hands. A trickle of tears rolled down her alabaster cheeks. Fa-a-Di, Mak-Kal-a and Dave walked down to where she was seated. Dave dropped to his knees and touched her shoulders. “Loni, what’s wrong?” he asked. The two Galliceans sat next to her.
“I failed, Dave,” she cried. “There was an attack on one of our Hives in Donnaki territory. Without me on Tak-Makla to fuse with the other Hives, there wasn’t enough power to protect them.”
“What happened?” Fa-a-Di asked. “Were they killed?”
“No, but they could have been. Thousands were injured, many severely. The Hive has been damaged and they are trying to escape before more Donnaki war ships can reach them,” she said. “If I had been there, this would have been avoided. I’ve got to get back.”
“Why was there a Hive in Donnaki space?” Fa-a-Di asked. “That seems like an unnecessary provocation, in a way reminiscent of Nom-Kat-Zuk.”
“I don’t know, General. I frankly don’t understand it either,” she replied. “The Hives are due to fuse in two hours to jump the planet out of their territory.”
“Excellent news, Loni,” Fa-a-Di smiled. “That means you still have time for our flight!”
“I don’t think I would be good company, General,” she said.
“Nonsense, Loni. A change of scenery will do you a world of good,” he said as he lifted her off the ground and set her into the harness on his chest. He checked the latches and restraints to make certain she was locked in tightly. “I’ve asked Mak-Lak-a to fly Dave with us. Usually, I only allow Dave to fly with me, but today you are the lucky one.”
Mak-Lak-a lifted Dave into his harness and locked him in. “Dave, I hope you enjoy this trip as much as I have enjoyed the Dar-Fa on Jupiter. This world is probably more to your liking anyway. We Galliceans are not used to trees, calm winds and oxygen atmospheres. I made sure we have a plentiful air supply since we will likely use more carrying you two.”
Fongula and Kogala joined them on the beach. “Friends, we were hoping to join you today,” Fongula said. “I have seen many videos from the days when this planet was a great vacation spot for our people. I hope to come here myself from time to time.”
“Wonderful idea, Fongula,” Fa-a-Di said. “This will soon be your planet, so please lead the way.”
The Palians took wing and soared along the beach at fifty feet off the surface. The Galliceans followed just behind. Dave could feel the salt spray of the ocean on his face and looked down to see flying fish a few feet above the surface. Kogala dived toward the water and caught one of the fish in his beak. He chewed it up and swallowed it. “Those fish are wonderful, Field Marshall,” he shouted.
The group turned back to shore and rose to three hundred feet, just above the tree tops. They could see many small birds flying through the forest as well as other animals in the tree tops. A range of mountains rose far in the distance and the Palians turned in that direction.
“Loni, I hope this view is improving your mood,” Fa-a-Di said. “One day you must come to Gallia and fly with me there. That will be an experience you won’t forget.”
“It would be an honor, Fa-a-Di,” she replied. “I have spent most of my life at the bottom of Hives, away from the world. Breathing fresh air and feeling the warmth of the sun is a rare pleasure for me. Unfortunately, the life of a Chief Engineer is lonely. I work with the other Chief Engineer and a few hundred technicians who manage each Hive. I am also the only human on Tak-Makla. While I enjoy the tekkans, it’s not the same. That’s why I’ve been so happy to know Dave Brewster.”
“Dave and Darlene Brewster are my best friends, Loni,” he replied. “You couldn’t ask for better friends than them. They have done so much for me and my people. If either one of them needed help, there would not be enough Gallicean colony ships to carry those who would rush to their aid.”
“You’re making me blush, brother,” Dave said over the com-link.
“Must you listen to my every word, brother?” Fa-a-Di asked.
“You set up the com-link, not me,” Dave laughed. “But seriously, Fa-a-Di is a great friend. He and his brother-in-law have helped me more times that I can count. Not to mention that he personally ended the Second Predaxian War.”
“Not without Loni’s help and the billions in the Hives that came to our rescue,” Fa-a-Di said. “Where are you taking us, Fongula? We have a limited air supply!”
“We’re almost there, General,” Fongula said. “My father told me of this spot where he and his father had come for vacation. I heard the story so many times that the location is burned into my mind. Ah, we’re here.” The Palians spiraled downward and landed at the edge of a cliff. The Galliceans landed next to them.
The cliff loomed two thousand feet over a narrow valley below. The chasm was five hundred yards wide with an equally high cliff on the opposite side. Hundreds of waterfalls plunged off both sides of the cliff walls down to a raging river far below. On both sides, the cliffs backed into forests with trees three hundred feet tall. In the distance, tall mountains could be seen reaching up into the sky. Clouds and snow packs covered the mountain tops. Thousands of brightly colored birds flew between the waterfalls searching for insects or other food. Bright red and orange monkeys howled from among the trees at the top of the cliff.
“My father called this place Zanzanak,” Fongula said. “That is an old Palian word meaning paradise, I believe. He said every Palian should see this site once before they die. There are fifty thousand bird species in this forest alone, and they are all our brothers.”
“What about the valakars that Loni claims we are both related to?” Fa-a-Di said. “I agree there are some similarities between Galliceans and Palians, but the differences are stark too. My history tells me that we developed from small flying creatures living in the clouds of gas. Neither of our peoples could survive in the other’s worlds.”
“The valakars are an ancient race,” Loni said. “They may be much older than humanity, as a matter of fact. Don’t think it is an insult. They are our great allies in this and other galaxies. The valakars and maklans are the only sentient species known to have originated in this galaxy. Even today, the Donnaki have the largest civilization in this galaxy, and they are valakars too. They look more like Palians than Galliceans though with feathers and living in oxygen atmospheres. We haven’t spent m
uch time studying history for their origins, but I know there are quite a few valakar Hives working on that.”
“If valakars have Hives, then we must be able to join with them too,” Fa-a-Di said. “Can we contact them?”
“Yes, but there are no valakar Hives in this galaxy,” Loni continued. “From what I have been told, when the Donnaki culture started to gain dominance, the peaceful species scattered around this galaxy and others. They formed alliances to protect each other from predatory species like the Donnaki. It is possible that valakars originated here or on Palus. Only extensive research will determine that. I want you all to know we are adding resources to our research to allow your species to be part of the two Hives in this system. The valakar have been waiting for millions of years for their lost societies to find them again. When we told them about you both, they were very excited. Imagine how the maklans of No-Makla felt when they arrived at Tak-Makla, or how I felt when Dave Brewster walked into my office. Work with us, and the same will happen for you. I guarantee it.”
“We shall sign the agreement at sunset,” Fongula said. “You have my word on that.”
“Well, friends, our air supplies are running low, so we must head back now. You two may stay if you like. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience, my brothers,” Fa-a-Di said. After embracing, the two Galliceans took off with their human passengers.
Chapter 10
Aranar Zu was a cold planet orbiting at the outer edge of the habitable zone of the Aranar system, ten thousand light-years from Earth. A thin band of warmer climates was located close to the equator. The winters were long in both hemispheres with massive snowfall and temperatures below freezing. The Zu thrived in cold weather and mountain living. They lived in buildings with thick stone walls for insulation. They were avid hunters and gardeners who maintained greenhouses in the coldest areas to supplement their diets. Throughout the Society of Humanity, there were more than eight hundred Zu planets.
Aranar Zu was the first Society of Humanity colony in this galaxy for millions of years, and it marked the beginning of the Society’s plan to build a few thousand colonies and to find their lost worlds. The story of Admiral Dave Brewster casually walking into Chief Engineer Loni Arrak’s office circulated quickly across the planet. The Zu were the first to connect with the ancient Earth 47 colony survivors. Loni’s parents were bombarded with requests for interviews about their suddenly famous daughter.
When it was learned that Loni’s Hive paid a critical role is moving Hive 1008 out of Donnaki territory and into orbit around the Aranar sun, the requests for interviews began again. The quiet planet had only been known for ski resorts and beer and cheese production until Loni became their hero. President Jo Bango of the High Council received countless congratulatory messages from other planetary leaders and the Society High Council itself. She sent warm wishes to Loni along with two other Chief Engineers to allow her to return home and enjoy the spotlight she so richly deserved. When Jo learned Loni would bring the Brewster family with her, a national holiday was scheduled along with events in ten of the largest cities. Aranar Zu had made the big time. Two members of the Society High Council promised to join the celebration in capital city, Sakar.
The visitors were first jumped from Tak-Makla to Hive 1008, which was undergoing final repairs. The only reporters allowed were those who lived on Hive 1008. The Aranar Zu press would have to wait for them to arrive on the planet. Governor Lonk summoned his senior staff to a small auditorium at 1400 local time. They sat quietly discussing the status of the repairs. At precisely 1410, Loni Arrak appeared on the small stage with Dave, Darlene, Bill and Cybil Brewster. The assembled officers stood and applauded their guests. Alin Lonk rushed up onto the stage and hugged Loni.
“Here’s our hero!” Alin shouted. “Everyone come up here and meet the admiral and ambassador and their children!” Applause sounded again as the remaining officers came up on stage to meet the group. After the introductions, the governor led the group out of the building and into the artificial sunlight. A large square with streets and tall buildings ringing it surrounded them. Thousands of citizens of Hive 1008 stood in the square or looked out of windows lining it. They applauded wildly. Cameras flashed around them as they made their way up onto a dais to greet the crowd.
The group on the dais stood waving until the crowd noise began to drop. Dave noticed almost the entire crowd had the same complexion as Loni. He realized they must all be Zu. Loni had told him there were fifty official species of humans in the Society. Dave and his family with their twenty-first century stature and color were closer to Pa.
“Dear citizens of Hive 1008, it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Loni Arrak, Lead Chief Engineer for the Tak-Makla Hive,” Alin began to loud cheers. “This beautiful young scientist is the most famous Zu in the Society. First, she found Admiral Dave Brewster, the first connection we have found to our lost colony on Earth 47.” Applause rang out again. “Then, with her leadership, our Hive was jumped out of threatening Donnaki space to the safety of the Aranar system! We owe her our lives. Loni, please say a few words.” The crowd cheered again as Loni slowly stepped forward to the microphone. Her face blushed bright red and she smiled.
“Thank you Governor Lonk and the citizens of Hive 1008,” she said meekly. “I really appreciate your kind words, but I was just doing my job.” The crowd cheered again.
Dave noticed that Loni was trembling, so he took Darlene’s hand and they stepped forward to support her. “Don’t listen to her, she’s just shy,” Dave said. The crowd erupted with more cheers. “She is a hero to all of us. When I met this young lady on Tak-Makla, everything I thought about humanity changed forever. All humans from my home world have always believed we evolved there and were alone in the universe. My family and I have been very lucky to meet amazing Beings from other cultures, like maklans and valakars. We even found some remarkably human looking species that now turn out to be part of this Society. I had no idea there were thousands of human worlds. I cannot tell you what an honor it is for us to be here with you all today. My wife, Ambassador Darlene Brewster is here to negotiate treaties with your leaders so we can be an integral part of the Society of Humanity again. Thank you, Loni for finding us.” He kissed her on the cheek. Loni was crying now and Darlene held her tightly. “And thanks to all of you and all of the Society for allowing us back into the fold.”
The group spent the rest of the afternoon taking tubes to various stops to meet the citizens of Hive 1008. They went to inspect the repair operations, where General Zilma showed the repaired inner shell and explained how vast amounts of iron and stone had been pulled from storehouses in space to repair the surface. They took a tour of the Hive and met senior leaders there. They visited hospitals to see the wounded recovering from the incident with the Donnaki. The day concluded with a large dinner party with ten thousand guests.
After dinner, Darlene left the dining hall and stood on a broad balcony overlooking a large park deep inside the false planet. A ring of trees formed the outer edge of the park which was two miles wide and three long. A number of ponds sparkled in the artificial star light, while fountains shot pillars of water into the air. The breeze was slightly cool and felt wonderful after the big meal in the large ballroom. Dave joined her with two glasses of white wine from Aranar Zu. They touched their glasses in a toast and sipped the wine, which was fresh and dry, similar to a sauvignon blanc on Earth. They leaned on the railing enjoying the quiet of the evening. Deep in the park, they could see a small crowd gathered around a large gazebo, where a string quartet played love songs.
“I still can’t believe this is a manufactured planet,” Dave said. “Tak-Makla took my breath away, and now we learn there are many planets like this.”
“I feel the same way, sweetheart,” she replied. “Back in our time, people only lived in a tiny ring from just below the surface to a thousand feet or so above. Here, if they need more space for people, they just built a new planet!”
&nb
sp; “At least it takes the pressure off of me, Darlene,” Dave laughed.
“What do you mean?” she replied.
“I only have to find a thousand planets. These people have fifty times that number already. Now that’s impressive!” he said. “Maybe I’ll just ask the Society to build a thousand new ones for me, and I’ll be done!”
“Very funny, Dave,” she said. She pointed to the park and asked, “Dave, isn’t that Loni and Bill over there?” The two were holding hands and walking in the park toward the gazebo in the distance.
“I think you’re right, babe,” he replied. “I noticed those two making a lot of eye contact and flirting today.”
“Me too. That’s a big relief for me,” Darlene said.
“What do you mean by that?” Dave asked.
“I thought Loni was getting a bit too close to you. All that zipping around in The Hive and appearing on Nom-Kat-Un together,” she replied.
Dave laughed. “It sounds like someone is a little jealous, Darlene. You have to look at it from her point of view. This young and pretty girl leaves her home world and is stuck as the only human on a planet of twenty billion tekkans. She had to be real lonely.”
“I saw the way she looked at you, Dave,” Darlene replied. “Even Fa-a-Di noticed the electricity between you two.”
“Well, I am flattered that she would like me, but honestly, you know me better than that, Darlene,” he said.
“I am happy that she is focusing on a single man now,” she said. “Did I just see Bill kiss her?”
“Yes, I saw that too. From where I’m standing, it looks like she kissed him back too,” Dave smiled. “That’s the old Brewster charm at full speed.”
“If you insist, Prince Charming,” Darlene laughed. “Did I tell you about Cybil and Rob Watson?”
“No, but then I’m used to being the last person to learn anything,” Dave replied.
