by Karl Morgan
Fa-u-Bay was sitting in the copilot’s seat and unbuckled his restraints after the shuttle left the thin atmosphere of Solander. He came back and sat with the two humans. “It should only take an hour to reach Fistan. We have been hailing the planet for two days and have not received any response. I’m not sure they are advanced enough for communications. What do you think we should do?”
“Let me try,” Lini said as she unbuckled her restraint and followed the Gallicean back to the command station. Fa-u-Bay was pressing the buttons to open a channel when she touched his hand. “Fa-u-Bay, I’m going to speak to them in the ancient Nan language, which I hope they understand. You don’t have that in your database and I’m betting they are terrified by your ships. The Nan are not aggressive. Don’t worry if you can’t understand me.” He nodded at her and pressed the final contact. “Nan planet,” she began in the Nan language. “My name is Dar Lini of Zulanan and I am a fellow Nan. This shuttle craft is bringing my superior, Fleet Admiral Dave Brewster of Earth and me to your planet. Can we have your approval to land?”
“You are a Nan?” came the voice over the speaker. “How is that possible? Can we have visual?”
“Fa-u-Bay, can you open a video link so they can see me?” she asked. He nodded and pressed more buttons. The screen in front of them now showed the face of a human with green eyes, dark skin and neatly cropped black hair. “I know it’s not easy to see me, sir, because I am wearing a pressure suit. The Beings delivering us cannot breathe an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere.”
“Please maintain a high orbit until I can get my superiors to decide what to do,” the man said. “Fistnan out.” The screen went blank.
“What did he say?” Fa-u-Bay asked. “Did I hear him call this place Fistan?”
“We have to wait while he asks for approval,” she smiled. “And he called their planet Fistnan. That’s an incredible coincidence, isn’t it?”
“Not really,” Dave said as he joined them. “We have to remember this planet is a natural Hive. I’m sure the Hive helped Fa-u-Bay pick this name.”
“What the heck is a Hive, Dave?” Fa-u-Bay asked. “You keep talking in code.”
Dave laughed. “I’m sorry, but the truth is harder to accept than the name, trust me. If we are invited down, I’d love to show you all about it.”
“More time in a pressure suit is not appealing, Dave,” Fa-u-Bay replied. “I think I might pass on that.”
“I know you won’t believe this, but you won’t need a pressure suit on the Hive planet,” Dave said. “You can ask Lini for confirmation. Her planet is much like this one and your descendants have learned they no longer need them either. It takes a big leap of faith, but if you or one of your men attempts it, you’ll be as amazed as I was.”
The face of the Nan was back on the screen saying, “Alien shuttle craft, you have permission to land. I am transmitting coordinates to you now. Please do not bring any weapons with you when you exit the ship. We need to take precautions.”
“What’s your name, son?” Dave asked.
“I am Lieutenant Samarti Gogalafar, Admiral,” he replied. “I am at your service, sir.”
“Samarti, please call me Dave,” he said. “The crewmen of this shuttle are Gallicean warriors from the mighty society known as Greater Gallia. I am an honorary Gallicean Marine as well. Our culture requires us to wear our daggers. I can promise you we will not bring any blasters or heavy weapons, but I cannot allow these brave men to leave their daggers behind. I hope that won’t be a problem.”
“I am certain that is okay, Dave,” Samarti replied. “We meant no disrespect to you or them. Fistnan out.”
Fa-u-Bay put his hand on Dave’s shoulder. “Dave, Lini told me what you just said to him. Thank you very much. You honor my men and me. Our descendants did right to honor you sir.”
The shuttle slipped into the atmosphere of the moon. Everyone was strapped in and the ride was quite bumpy as a major rain storm was moving through the small city that lay before them. The landing coordinates led to a small pad on the outskirts of town. Several large estates were gathered around it and a busy road led deeper into the city. The area was very green with rolling grassy hills and stands of tall trees. The ocean was only a few hundred feet away and gentle waves slipped up on a broad beach. The shuttle set down on the landing marks and the thrusters were turned off. The four man crew was busily putting on their pressure suits. Dave and Lini looked out the portholes and could see a rather large contingent of soldiers and a group of dignitaries. Everyone looked very nervous. The soldiers kept a large space between their ranks and the rest of the crowd. No visitors had been to Fistnan in many generations. The Nan here had fled the Society of Humanity when the first Nan planets were settled in the Ulagong Galaxy. These brave souls longed for more than servitude and were able to make it to this planet without being found, until today.
Fa-u-Bay stood next to Dave in his suit. His helmet was under his arm. “So Dave, you’re saying I don’t need this here, is that right?” he said pointing to the helmet.
“That’s right, Fa-u-Bay,” Dave chuckled. “But your men look pretty nervous waiting for you to put it on. You can certainly wear it if you like.”
“Dave, my life has changed so much since the attack on Gallicea,” Fa-u-Bay laughed. “I am a simple priest who has been thrown into the role of leader of Greater Gallia. Za-a-Za should have killed me. The Pal-No-Fa should have exploded like a star when I shut down the core. Then I found you and Lini on Solander. Can you imagine the odds of that? Screw it, I’m opening the door.” He walked toward the exit hatch on put his hand on the lever.
“Captain, don’t be stupid!” De-o-Nu shouted, grabbed his hand and pulled it away. “Don’t kill yourself for this simple man. How do we know any of this is true?”
Fa-u-Bay handed his helmet to the other and replied, “De-o-Nu, if I appear to be choking for air, just slam this on my head and pressurize it. Certainly I can last more than one breath?” De-o-Nu released the arm and held the helmet just over his captain’s head. Fa-u-Bay winked at his friend and pulled the lever. External air rushed into the chamber. Fa-u-Bay smiled but held his breath, not certain he should try this anymore. Finally, he took one hesitant breath. Then he took a deep breath and laughed out loud. “Dave Brewster, you certainly are a magician. All right men, you must leave your blasters here. The Admiral has received permission for us to wear our daggers. Let’s get off this scowl.”
“Fa-u-Bay,” Dave said as he finished removing his pressure suit, “I think Lini should exit first. She looks more like them than you guys do. You might give them heart attacks. That wouldn’t be diplomatically correct, if you know what I mean.”
When Lini stepped out of shuttle and onto the planet, the crowd erupted in cheers. It slowed but continued when Dave followed her out. It became dead quiet when the Galliceans exited the ship. Most of the Nan here were Lini’s height, and the ten foot Galliceans towered over them. The nearest Gallicean planet was thousands of light-years away and no one had ever seen anything like them. The soldiers were allowed to leave when they saw the landing party was not armed.
Samarti Gogalafar led the group to a neighboring house which was the home of one of the Elders of Fistnan named Paranaxis Sambolam. It seemed so familiar to Dave. The style of building was almost identical to Nan in the home galaxy. Dave and Lini were escorted to a bungalow with a broad porch opening onto a wide patio ringed by similar bungalows. Everyone was given a few hours to rest before a dinner party was held later in their honor. The atmosphere was electric on Fistnan, another similarity shared with Nan. He was surprised to find a coffee pot in the small kitchen and happily brewed a pot. He could hear Lini singing in the shower as she prepared herself for her first state dinner. Their dress clothes had been taken by one of the Elder’s children for cleaning and pressing before the party. Dave took a large mug of coffee and added some cream he found in the small refrigerator. Then he strolled out front and sat on a soft couch in front. A steady rain
poured down, creating little ponds and rivulets in the large patio. It seemed too similar to Nan to be true, he thought. Perhaps there was such a place on Zulanan, but he had not seen it, only the small village in the tress where Lini was raised. The coffee was strong, but quite tasty. It had been months since he had been able to put cream in his coffee and it reminded him of home, his real home on the Nightsky. He knew he was still imprisoned in the ancient past though.
After a few minutes, Lini joined him on the porch with another mug of coffee. She sat next to Dave and put her hand on his knee and leaned against him. “This is so amazing. It was only hours ago when we were on Solander looking up at the stars and wondering if we would ever escape. And now look at us.”
Dave stood and walked over to the edge of the porch, where the rain drops fell a couple inches in front of his face. The air was thick with moisture, a very rare occurrence on Solander. “I was thinking the same thing, Lini. But we’re still lost in time. I just hope the Nan can help us.” Across the courtyard, two men opened a door and stepped into the rain. Both wore hooded robes which obscured their faces and were heading toward Dave and Lini’s bungalow. After a few moments, the two approached their porch and Dave stepped back to give them room. One held a long bag. They removed their hoods, revealing an old man and a younger one.
“Hello Admiral Brewster, I am Elder Paranaxis Sambolam and this is my son, Orenades,” the Elder began. “Orenades has your clothing for the evening.” The younger handed the bag to Lini who smiled and thanked him. Then she went inside to hang up their clothes. “May I have a few words with you? You have to imagine your sudden arrival with the Galliceans is quite troubling to us.”
“Please sit down,” Dave replied. “I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.”
“Oren,” the Elder said to his son, “please return to the house and bring us a bottle of brandy and three glasses.” The younger Nan smiled, raised his hood and walked back across the courtyard. “First of all, please call me Sam. Our names are somewhat complicated, yet I am a simple man. Dave, if I may be so bold, who are you and why are you here?”
Dave told the Elder the story about Fola Untor and being sent back in time and imprisoned on Solander. He also told him how this star system was in extreme danger in his time and that he needed to get back home soon. Lini joined them after a few minutes. By the time they had finished the story, most of the brandy had been drunk. “Sam, in order to get back, we need to visit your Hive,” Dave finished.
“I’m sorry Dave, but I don’t understand,” Sam sighed. “What is this Hive you speak of? I have never heard of that except in regard to bees and other insects.” Dave looked shocked at the revelation.
Lini put her hand on Dave’s knee and said, “Don’t worry Dave. You must remember that I was unaware of the Hive on Zulanan as well.” She turned to Sam and said, “We need to speak to the Guardians, Elder. I am quite certain they manage this Hive as they do on my home planet.”
“Do you mean our soldiers, Lini?” Sam asked. “I’m afraid I know of no other guards here.”
“Have you heard of the Zula, Sam?” Dave asked.
The Elder’s face turned ash-white and his jaw moved back and forth, but no words came out. He refilled his glass and took a long drink of brandy. “How do you know of the Zula?”
“The Zula are the natural protectors of the Hive, Sam,” he answered. “They live on all planets with natural Hives, like Lini’s home planet and the planet Nan in the Andromeda Galaxy.
“You know of the planet Nan? It is two million light-years away from here. How could you know about that place?” Sam asked.
“I have been there and joined the Source there. Elder Odo Pak and I traveled back to this galaxy and retrieved my son while inside the Source,” Dave replied. “Don’t worry if you are not aware of Hive technology, Sam. Remember we come from very far in your future. Can you take me to the Zula? They will know what to do.”
“It has been so long since I heard the stories about the Society of Humanity, Dave,” Sam smiled. “Those were horrible times. Thanks to the Source, we were able to escape enslavement in this galaxy and find this place. How can I know you won’t use this power to enslave the Nan of your time?”
Dave put his hand on Sam’s knee and leaned close to him. “Sam, if we can find the Zula and enter the Source, I’ll take you back with me long enough for you to be certain. Please, this is important for my family and the people of Fistnan. You have to trust me a little, I’m afraid.”
“Well, I suppose while the future is known to you, anything could change it. You realize we may find a different world from the one you left,” Sam replied. “The seashore is nearby and we can try to summon a Zula if you like. If it works and they trust you, then I will trust you as well.” The three rose and Sam led them away toward the coastline.
Chapter 52
“Captain, we’re getting a distress call from the Maklakar battle station Mondor,” Lia said as she turned to face Jon Lake. “Shall I put it on screen?” Jon nodded his consent. They had been traveling for several weeks toward the edge of the galaxy. Within days, they would leave it and head out to the location of the legendary Lubna system. Jon knew the Paxran and Maklakar were also heading that way but had no idea why the incredibly powerful Maklakar vessel would be in distress.
“Mondor, this is Captain Jon Lake of the Nightsky. What is the nature of your emergency?” Jon asked.
“Captain, I am Commander Vard Kalak of the Mondor,” the maklan replied. “We were transiting the Bandabar system when we were attacked by a massive fleet of tiny robotic spacecraft. Many thousands of those robots have attached themselves to our surface and are ripping the metal off. We have fired four EMPs through the hull already. Most of the robots have been deactivated, but there are still some attacking and a large fleet still following us. Can you help us?”
“Commander, I am changing course to intercept now,” Jon said. “We also have a Gallicean cruiser with us that will also assist. We should arrive within fifteen minutes. Let us know if the situation degrades. Nightsky out.” He turned to Lia. “Did Ka-a-Fa get that message too?”
“Yes Jon,” she replied. “He has already turned to follow us. I have him on line now. Here he is.” The faces of Ka-a-Fa and De-o-Nu frowned back at them.
“This might be a trap, Jon,” Ka-a-Fa argued. “Remember these are the bastards who attacked Tak-Makla and the Nom-Kat-La system.”
“I’m aware of that, but we are also supposed to be forming an alliance with those maklans. If they are really in trouble, the problems will affect us too. They have the most advanced technology in this galaxy,” Jon replied. “We should have them and their attackers on our sensors any minute now. If it looks like they are faking it, we can turn before they can attack.”
“Nightsky, this is Mondor,” Vard interrupted. “The robots have already caused ten hull breaches and our power is dropping fast. I don’t have enough juice for another EMP. What is your status?”
“Just a minute Vard,” Jon said. He pressed the mute button and said, “What in God’s name is that?” On the screen they could see the Mondor, which was one thousand miles in diameter and bright silver. Just behind it was a cloud of tiny ships twice the size of the battle station. He pressed a button and Ka-a-Fa was on the screen. “What options do we have, Ka-a-Fa? Did you see the size of that attack fleet?”
“Mondor, this is Ka-a-Fa of the Kong-Fa,” the Gallicean said. “You need to use all five of your plasma bomb devices and fire into the cloud of robots behind you. And do it as fast as you can!”
“We will likely lose power if we do that, Ka-a-Fa,” Vard said. “Then they will be on us. Also, the ships are so small they will not detonate the bombs. Is there another plan?”
“Just do it, Vard!” Ka-a-Fa screamed. “Jon and I will fire on your plasma bombs to make them detonate. It is our only chance.”
Vard sat back in his command seat and groaned. “You’re right, Ka-a-Fa. Please don’t miss them
.” He pressed the contact to end the transmission. “Bring all plasma bomb units to full power now and aim them behind us. Let me know when I can fire.”
“Commander, we don’t know if that will work. How can we trust the humans and Galliceans?” the weapons officer asked.
“We’ll run out of power soon anyway,” Vard sighed. “If we wait, those things will kill us anyway. At least this way there is some small chance. And call Lord Valoo and offer my apologies for my failure.”
Five massive plasma bombs shot out of the Mondor and turned to head behind the vessel. Lights flickered all over the station which then went dark. The fleet of robotic vessels was only a few miles away when the first plasma bomb arrived. Laser fire from the Kong-Fa and Nightsky shot through the air and hit each plasma bomb in turn. The view screens went dark as the blindingly bright explosions overwhelmed the sensors. All three ships were buffeted by the pressure waves arising from the blasts.
Thirty seconds later, the screens came back to life. Mondor was still floating dead in space. The robotic fleet was decimated. A few hundred remaining robot ships turned and returned from where they came. “Captain, most of the robot fleet has been destroyed and the rest are fleeing. I am still reading a few robots on the surface of Mondor and they are still tearing away at it,” the helmsman said.
Ka-a-Fa scowled, “Send a platoon of Marines over there to clean them up.”
“Get some power on now!” Vard shouted. “And get some men on the surface to try and disable any remaining robots.”
Two emergency doors opened on the surface of Mondor. Two groups of heavily armed soldiers walked onto the surface of their false planet with their blaster rifles at the ready. These doors were the closest to the last known location of the attackers. Captain Olo Panak led his group of men toward the charred remains of one of the machines. It must have been destroyed by one of the EMPs, he thought. It was four feet tall and terrifying to look at. Its feet were welded to the surface by the EMP. It had two legs, four arms with pincher-like claws and a tiny head on a long neck which appeared to be nothing more than a camera platform. They looked at it for a moment until a clanging sound reverberated through their feet. Looking up they saw an exact duplicate approaching them quickly. Its pinchers were opening and closing rapidly as it closed on them. Olo gave the order to fire and the volley of laser blasts flew toward it. Every shot hit the robot in the chest. It stopped for a moment and looked about. Then it continued forward. They fired again to no effect. It was almost on them now. Just as it reached the group, several shots stuck the robot at the joints where its arms joined the body. All four arms fell to the surface of the station. The robot continued and attacked the men moving its torso back and forth as if controlling its now-absent arms. Olo took his pistol and shot it where the legs were attached. The torso fell to the surface and the machine laid there inert.
