The Dave Brewster Series

by Karl Morgan

  “Commander, our translation database is now complete,” Uli Habol said. “We should be able to interpret eighty percent or more of their signals. We are continuing to hail them and have sent a matching database on a carrier signal so they can upload it.”

  “Very good, Uli,” Vard smiled. He turned to his weapons officer, Paka Nopak and said, “What is the status of their weapons systems?”

  “Still cold, commander,” she replied. “We’ve been listening to the chatter among their ships and they seem to be calm. They are probably waiting for orders from their planet. Our systems are also offline.”

  “Thanks, Paka. Uli, please let Lord Valoo know the situation and advise him to come to the bridge at his convenience. I think he needs to be here to make the first connection,” Vard said.

  “Aye-aye, commander,” Uli replied.

  The view screen image split and the face of a valakar filled the right half. The creature was bird-like, as expected, with a thin beak and large green eyes. Its brown feathers were neatly combed. “Greetings, war ship,” the valakar said. “Thank you for the translation database. It has saved us many hours of work. Who are you and what are your intentions in our space?”

  “Captain, I am Commander Vard Kalak of the Maklakar battle station Mondor. I am bringing our senior ambassador, Lord Ont Valoo to engage with new cultures and civilizations. It is our goal to establish peace, trade and mutual defense treaties with other peaceful planets,” the commander replied.

  “Thank you Commander Kalak. I am Captain Zi At-at of the star cruiser Eet-O. I will pass your request back to our planet. Please maintain your current position until we get further instructions,” the valakar said. The image of the creature disappeared.

  Ont Valoo rushed onto the bridge, saying, “What did I miss, Vard?”

  “Lord Valoo, we have made first contact with a valakar captain,” Vard began. “I told him of our intentions and he has sent a message back to their world to get further instructions.”

  “Wow!” Ont exclaimed. “I hope it won’t take too long. I must admit the anticipation of our success is getting the best of me. If they tell us to go away, I’ll be depressed for a month.”

  Vard laughed. “Lord Valoo, please just relax. None of us are really diplomats. It’s not in our xenophobic nature. We could be sitting here a long time.”

  “Or not,” Uli said. He was pointing to the screen where the image of Captain At-at had returned. A second valakar filled the left side of the screen.

  “Commander, thank you for your patience,” Zi said. “On your screen you should also be seeing our Premier It Ka-la. When we informed his office of your intentions, he requested to speak to you himself. Premier, at your leave.”

  “Thank you Zi,” the Premier said. “Dear Maklakar guests, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Vilu-Zan, the home world of the Vilu people. I must admit we were quite relieved to learn of your peaceful intentions. Your ship is quite impressive. As you have no doubt learned, our star cruisers are minute in comparison.”

  “Premier, thank you for your kind words. I am Lord Ambassador Ont Valoo, representing the Maklakar Federation. I am quite surprised you have heard of us. We are a very simple people who love our isolation from others who might wish us harm. I can assure you that our weapons systems are for defensive purposes only. Our Supreme General Ulon Porto has asked me to visit planets in our vicinity in order to form new bonds of friendship. Our military is very strong, but we have no desire to expand. Those days are far in the past for our species. In fact, we are very willing to offer much of our technology to our new friends. Do you think we could meet Premier? I know a new relationship between our peoples will be mutually beneficial.”

  “I think that is possible,” It replied. “However, I do not think your ship in orbit around our planet would be accepted by our people. Do you have any smaller ships that can transport you to our planet?”

  “Of course, Premier,” Ont said. “This battle station has five star cruisers and dozens of shuttle craft. We can launch a single cruiser which my diplomatic group and I can take to your planet. Is that satisfactory?”

  “That would be perfect, Ambassador,” It smiled. “Captain At-at will arrange everything with our Central Command. It is early afternoon here in the capital city, so perhaps we can meet late tomorrow morning. Our local time stamp is 1745. Perhaps your diplomats can take a shuttle to our capital at 1000 tomorrow morning. The Captain will also send you a chronological translator. I look forward to our meeting.”

  “Thank you so much,” Ont replied. “That will be perfect. We have already measured your air pressure and atmosphere and will need no accommodations. We will see you tomorrow morning. Mondor out.” The view screen again showed open space and the Vilu cruisers. “Vard, I must tell you I am overjoyed right now. I didn’t think we’d find such an agreeable culture so easily.”

  “It is almost too good to be true, Lord Valoo,” Vard replied. “In my experience, that raises many red flags. Perhaps the Vilu are not as evolved as they appear. My science team is checking as much data as they can right now. My first fear was they were an offshoot of the Donnaki.”

  “You think they want to eat us?” Ont scoffed. “That seems highly unlikely. With their weak military, they can see that could never happen.”

  “I know, sir, but we must check everything. Fortunately, our scans of their ships and home world show them to be roughly our size, so we won’t look like a snack to them. Also, the technology is far behind ours, so I doubt they’ll be able to help us with Hive technology. I recommend caution on the first visits, until we can really understand their motivation,” Vard noted.

  Ont stood and paced around the bridge. “As always you are right, old friend. We should take a contingent of guards with us, although most of the troops should stay on the cruiser, ready for rapid deployment in case of emergency.” He sat again heavily. “Our past is catching up to us, Vard. I can’t tell if I’m afraid because of a potential threat or just due to our xenophobia. I can’t let that stop us from this great mission.”

  “Lord Valoo, you are correct,” Vard replied. “Perhaps we will keep all the guards on our cruiser. But we will have locked onto each of your team so we can jump them back if something happens. If we’re in a close enough orbit, we can track your every move.”

  “I suppose a level of risk comes with any enterprise,” Ont said. “There’s nothing to do now but go and see what happens. I doubt I’ll get much sleep tonight.”

  “If you would like, I can join you later for a whisky to calm our nerves,” Vard offered. “I will also accompany you on the mission if I may. The Vilu have to expect some kind of support team for our diplomats.”

  “Great. I agree with all of that,” Ont replied. “Having you around will calm my nerves, and your level headedness can only help in our mission tomorrow. Thank you, Vard. You are a true friend.”

  Chapter 12

  Dave Brewster was sleeping uneasily. As De-o-Nu had expected, there was no breathable atmosphere at the hotel in Sa-la-Na. Dave had never slept in his pressure suit. He could only sleep on his side due to the supply pack on his back. He could not roll over either. If he needed to change position, he had to rise and move to the opposite side of the bed. Jake was a problem too. Even as he slept, his body flashed different colors. Finally, Dave had to ask him to stay in the bathroom with the door closed. Still, he could see random flashes of light under the door. He sat up in bed frustrated that sleep was eluding him yet again. If the city was higher in the gas, he could have survived with just a breather. At this level, the atmosphere was too dense and the pressure would collapse his lungs. He desperately wanted to contact Darlene and tell her how he felt and ask her how she had survived in a pressure suit so long on her first visit to Gallia, but communications were strictly forbidden. So, he sat alone on the edge of the bed hoping sleep might find him again soon.

  He had become accustomed to seeing lights flashing in the corners of his vision since he set foot
in the city. With his eyes closed, they were still there, but much less bothersome. He sat quietly wondering how long this night might last. Suddenly, the flashes began again and were painfully strong. Something was wrong with him. This just wasn’t right. He thought about summoning Jake to jump him away from this dreadful place. He slowly opened his eyes and saw several blobs of light floating in the room. After a few seconds, they condensed into the light Beings of High Priest Obu Neela and three Nan elders. He did not know their names but remembered them from his meeting in the Andromeda Galaxy six months ago. “Obu, this is a surprise!” he said.

  “It is a joy to see you again, Dave,” Obu smiled. “Let me introduce you to Elders Olo Und, Zia Fal and Inu Atta of Nan. I don’t know if you remember them.”

  “I do, although I don’t think we were ever introduced,” he replied. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

  The light Being of Obu sat next to Dave and put his hand on his shoulder. “Dave, there is much to tell you tonight. We could sense your situation here, even from our galaxy. I was visiting Nan and the four of us were in the stone chamber near Odo’s home when we felt you.”

  “You felt me from two million light-years away?” Dave asked. “How is that even possible?”

  “At first, we had no idea either,” Zia replied. “You have a very strong connection to the Source, Dave Brewster. However, there is something else involved here.”

  “I know,” Dave said. “I have a feeling the two planets here might be natural Hives. I’ve felt very energized since I arrived here and have been seeing flashes of light in the corners of my eyes. It reminded me a lot of Nan.”

  “And we sensed your maklan friend as well,” Zia said. “The Source is coursing through every Being here. We’ve never seen anything like this.”

  “But somehow the Galliceans are blissfully unaware of any of it,” Dave replied. “They sense elation or dread, but believe it relates to the war that occurred here generations ago.”

  “Hmm, that seems familiar to me somehow, Dave,” Obu said. “Where have you heard that kind of thing before?”

  “When the Galliceans first encountered the maklan on Neptune,” Dave replied. “So, you’re saying that Beings on this planet or the terrestrial one are communicating and the Galliceans translate that into emotion?”

  “I think you said that, not me,” Obu laughed. “It’s the same with the feeling you had when you looked in Ulook’s face in the fish market, or when Jake saw the Boley in a cage for the first time. Misunderstanding opens the door to understanding.”

  “That is one reason we are here, Dave,” Olo said. “When we felt you from Nan, we knew something crucial must be happening. If you have indeed found a natural Hive planet, that will be a godsend. We need natural Hives now more than ever.”

  “Why? What’s going on?” Dave asked.

  “First, Odo Pak is dying,” Obu said. “Without the constant connection to Source he had on Nan, his body has begun to decay. We all knew it was a risk when he decided to move here to help the Nanda fulfill their destiny. He felt his life was the most reasonable one to lose since he was already nine thousand years old.”

  “But if one of these planets is a Hive, then he can come here and survive,” Dave said, dumbfounded by the shocking news.

  “Perhaps, Dave,” Zia replied. “But he is a stubborn old man. He won’t want to desert the Nanda. He came here knowing his remaining life would be short and won’t do anything to help himself if the Nanda suffer for it.”

  “Dave, please don’t worry about him,” Obu said. “We must have faith everything happens for a reason. We cannot change the course of the universe. If Odo is destined to survive, he will. But we have bigger problems.”

  “Things are deteriorating quickly in our galaxy,” Zia said. “Obu has predicted ten thousand years of war. That has already begun.”

  “But it gets worse than that,” Obu interrupted. “The Society is gone forever. With the planets of each race widely disbursed, those governments are collapsing as well. Wendo and Antar are working feverishly to set up regional governments, but they cannot succeed. The interracial hatreds are too ingrained. Many races claim they are superior and must be given power, but few accept that. There is a mad dash to build up militaries and civil wars break out every day. Several other species are beginning to invade the outer regions. Many planets are at risk of being overrun by the valakars from the Bandabar Fold. It is rumored the remaining Brotherhood agents will attempt to flee the galaxy to avoid prosecution and to rebuild their strength. We have sensed the Supreme Leader of the Brotherhood in this galaxy already.”

  “A great many planets are placing the blame for all of this on Nan and the Lagamar planets, and especially on you and Fa-a-Di,” Zia said. “If they can form some kind of alliance, I’m afraid we are all doomed in the home galaxy.”

  “Dave, it seems Odo and I lied to you,” Obu sighed. “We said you are not responsible for what happens in our galaxy. It now seems you have been drawn back into our affairs. I am so sorry for that.”

  “I am not afraid of the Brotherhood,” Dave said. “They are cowards and do not stand a chance against our Free Society. They may kill me, but their whole organization will be wiped out. But what about Lagamar and Nan?”

  “I doubt there will be time to save us, Dave,” Obu replied. “When we felt you, we realized perhaps you had found a natural Hive. That may be our only chance. Do you remember what Alda Nackly told you about Balthazar Opa?”

  “The Society relocated the entire planet by using thirty Hives,” Dave said. “But I can’t find thirty natural Hives so quickly. I swear I’ll try.”

  “God will decide what happens, Dave,” Obu replied. “But I don’t believe you need that many. When Balthazar was moved, they used constructed Hives. That relies on human mental energy to coerce the universe to change. A natural Hive is part of nature. Each is many times more powerful than a constructed Hive. But you will have to figure all of that out. Imagine though the terrestrial planet is a Hive and this gas giant is not. You were able to connect to that Hive from one hundred million miles away and send a signal that reached two million light-years to reach us. That’s unbelievable to all of us.”

  “I’m not sure that can happen,” Dave smiled. “The Galliceans are very protective of these planets. I don’t know how they’d feel about others running a Hive here.”

  “Who is to say they cannot do it, Dave?” Obu said. “Also, who is to say the original inhabitants of the planet are not still there? Perhaps they might even been Nan or Zula.” Obu stood up and walked over to the elders. “Dave, thank you so much for reaching out to us. You give us hope for the future. We are going to visit Odo now before we return to our stone temple. Please get some sleep and we hope to see you again soon.” He smiled again as the four shapes began to blur and finally disappear.

  Dave noticed Jake was sitting on the bed beside him. “How long have you been sitting here?”

  “Just a few minutes, Dave,” Jake said. “That was pretty amazing. I can’t believe they came from Andromeda because you called to them. By the way, I’m probably in big trouble with our Gallicean hosts, but I received a communication from No-Makla. There’s trouble in Predaxian space again.”

  “What’s happening?” he asked.

  “Altamar Zendo has disappeared along with most of his loyal agents. It’s feared they may set up a new alliance using their mind control abilities in another part of the galaxy,” Jake said. “That’s more trouble.”

  “Geez, as if we didn’t have enough to deal with right now,” Dave said. “Let’s get some more sleep and think about that tomorrow.”

  Chapter 13

  The early morning sun shone through the window in Dave Brewster’s room and onto his face. He opened his tired eyes and looked around. Every muscle and joint in his body was aching from being immobile all night. After a moment he noticed he wasn’t seeing the flashes of light on the periphery of his sight anymore. Perhaps he had beco
me accustomed to the surges of Universal Power that seemed to dominate this solar system. He clamored to his feet in the bubble pressure suit. Looking back, he could see Jake still sleeping on the bed next to where Dave had slept. He smiled at his old friend. They had been through so much since he found Jake on New Dawn in the supply dump used as a safe house by Horace Hildebrand. They had met so many new cultures and even traveled to the Andromeda Galaxy together. Dave knew that Jake would soon leave to join the DNA project on Earth, but wanted to really enjoy his company while they were still together.

  There was a knock at the door and Dave rushed to open it. Fa-a-Di and De-o-Nu were standing outside along with De-o-Nu’s brother. “Brothers, I hope you had a better night than me! This pressure suit is impossible to sleep in. Please come in.”

  “Not now, Dave,” De-o-Nu said. “We’re ready to head to the Ka-la-a as soon as you and Jake are prepared.”

  “Well, since I’m stuck in this suit, I’d say I’m ready,” he replied. “Jake is still sleeping. Let me go wake him up.”

  “I’m ready!” Jake said as he flew over and landed on Dave’s chest. “De-o-Nu, make sure the whisky is there too. I’m famished.”

  The Galliceans laughed. “Don’t worry my little friend, everything is there,” Fa-a-Di laughed. “I’m had some men take our things to the lodge on a shuttle already. I figure we can fly there now.” He held out his harness, saying, “As usual, I’ve got you Dave.”

  The group left the hotel and walked down the busy street toward a small park. Fa-a-Di had a spring in his step this day and Dave had to hurry to keep up. “Fa-a-Di, you must be feeling better today,” he panted. “Slow down please. Remember how short my legs are compared to yours!”