Scorched Earth: (The Human Chronicles Saga Book #16)

by T. R. Harris

Advanced Plasma Objects was a huge complex, comprised of dozens of buildings surrounded by a high security wall. The cab let Adam and Riyad off at the front gate, where the driver insisted on waiting for their return, even if it took all day.

  At the security shack, Adam tensed. Two Juirean Guards were seated at the back of the room, a set of small white cubes being tossed on the table between them. They didn’t look up when the pair of creatures in white sheets approached the window.

  Adam and Riyad had their tactical gear and weapons hidden under the sheets, while Adam carried Pogo in a pouch on his utility belt.

  “Forgive us, we are seeking the attention of Dacus Zoffis,” Adam said, repeating the name Pogo had given him. He had been the main research scientist trying to unlock the secrets of the orb’s energy capturing panels.

  The Incus guards frowned—or what Adam took as frowns considering the already wrinkled faces of the aliens. “Is Zoffis expecting you? Walk-up visitors are not allowed.”

  Continuing with his religious-like speak, Adam said: “We are here to return an item he lost, and item of incredible importance.”

  He grimaced as the Juireans looked up from their game. An item of incredible importance had piqued their curiosity.

  “What is this item?” asked the native guard. The Juireans stepped up to the window.

  “It would not be of significance to you, yet it will be to Dacus Zoffis.”

  “To justify contact, I will have to know what to tell him.”

  “It is an orb of ancient origin.”

  The guard continued to frown—maybe. “That does not sound like something that would interest our lead technician.”

  “He will know the meaning. He will also be terribly upset to learn we were not able to gain entrance.”

  “Who are you?”

  “We are members of a religious sect tasked with the preservation of the ancient orb. We are the Guardians of the Galaxy.”

  Adam looked at Riyad, and through the narrow slit in the sheet, saw his eyes narrow.

  “We demand to see this object,” said one of the Juireans.

  Through a side slit in the sheet, Adam revealed his right arm with Pogo held in his hand.

  “What is it?” asked the Juirean.

  “As said, it is an object of ancient design, which has significance to the researchers working here. A simple link to Dacus Zoffis will confirm this.”

  The native guard looked to the Juirean. This was not good; he was asking for permission. Somewhere within the vast complex, Pogo had to manufacture several intricate electrical circuit boards. Success or failure would depend on how locked-down the facilities were by the Juireans.

  “Call the researcher,” said the Juirean. “I am curious to learn of his reaction.”

  As the link was made, the face of the native changed abruptly. His previously wrinkled skin now stretched out in shock; Adam could hear a voice coming through the guard’s earpiece, although it was too garbled for a translation. The native guard muttered several acknowledgements before cutting the link.

  “Zoffis will be here immediately,’ he said. He turned to Juireans. “Zoffis said we are not to let these beings leave.”

  The main-heads took this to mean Adam and Riyad should be restrained and prevented from leaving. They rushed through the doorway, drawing flash weapons. The Humans raised their hands.

  “Calm down; we’re not trying to leave,” Adam announced, lapsing momentarily back into Human-speak. Catching himself, he continued. “We have come voluntarily to return the sacred object.” Then under his breath, he whispered into his comm, “Stand-down.”

  There was a tall communication tower along the wall of the compound where the second team had taken up residency. Travis would have a scope on them—or more preciously—on the Juireans, ready to take them out if the situation escalated.

  Fortunately, Dacus Zoffis—along with about a dozen other Incus—hadn’t been too far away, because they came racing up to the gate in electric carts only seconds later.

  “Is this true?” asked one of the natives as he hopped out of the cart. He was surprisingly fast as his stubby legs moved almost in a blur, carrying him up to the two Humans in their white sheets. Adam still had Pogo gripped in his right hand.

  The native’s eyes grew impossibly large. “It is the device!”

  The scene outside the guard shack descended into chaos, as the contingent of native scientists swarmed around Adam and Riyad. Reluctantly, the orb was surrendered to Zoffis, who spun around displaying the globe to all the others. “It is a miracle!”

  After a few moments, Zoffis turned his attention to Adam and Riyad. “Who are you, and how did you come by the artifact? We assumed it had been stolen when it did not return after its last prolonged sojourn.”

  The lead Juirean stepped between Adam and Zoffis; Juireans did not like to ignored. “They claim to be members of a religious order called the Guardians of the Galaxy, creatures tasked with the protection and preservation of the metal ball.”

  “You know of the orb?” Zoffis asked Adam, having to look around the hulking alien to see him.

  “We know much. Perhaps we should move to your lab—your laboratory?”

  “Yes, surely. Come.”

  “We shall provide security,” said the Juirean.

  “That is not necessary,” said Zoffis. “The fact that they have returned such a strategic object proves they are not a risk. They did not have to do so.”

  The Juirean hesitated. Then: “We will report this to the commanding Overlord. He will demand more information about this object.”

  “Yes, and we will provide it. But first, please let us secure the device. It can be quite elusive should it decide to be.”

  Before the Juirean could ask the next logical question, the Incus herded Adam and Riyad onto the carts and they sped off into the complex. Ten seconds later they stopped outside a nondescript building among a long row of similar structures.

  “You still have eyes on us?” Adam whispered into his throat mic.

  “We can see over the wall; we have you,” came the voice of Travis Morgan. “The windows are obscured. We’ll lose you inside.”

  “That’s all right. I think we’re among friends.”

  “Understood. Standing by.”

  The pair of Humans were led into a stuffy foyer, and then down a short corridor before entering a large room full of high-tech equipment, from computers and huge scanners, to tables topped with analytical devices of alien design. Three of the Incus natives remained in the room with Zoffis and the Humans, while the others scurried off to other parts of the building.

  Dacus placed Pogo on a long counter near the center of the room and leaned in close to the globe. “You are not going to disappear again, are you?” he asked quietly, before pulling away, slightly embarrassed. He looked at Adam and Riyad. “You must be aware of the device’s ability to teleport?”

  “Yes, we are.”

  “We spent time trying to learn the secrets of the orb. We made progress in some regards, yet have failed in others. I was not aware others knew of the object’s origin. Please explain who you are and how you are associated with the ancient energy device.”

  “Before we do, we have to know how the Juireans factor into your research?” Adam said, dropping the pretense of the religious fanatic.

  “They do not, however, that will change once the Overlord learns of the device and its function.”

  Adam could tell this wasn’t something the researcher was looking forward to.

  “How involved are the Juireans in Incus affairs?

  The dog-faced worm looked around the room nervously. “I do not sense you are agents of the Juireans,” said Dacus Zoffis. “What is your relationship with them?”

  Taking a calculated risk, Adam untied the cord holding the top of the white sheet around his head, and then through the slot cut for the eyes and nose, was able to stick his head through the opening. “We’re at war with them, that’s our relationshi
p with the mane-heads.”

  The other Incus panicked and headed for the door. Riyad was already there, a mean-looking M-101 assault rifle held in his hands outside the white sheet. The natives stopped in their tracks, gawking at the weapon.

  “Is that an M-101,” asked one of the researchers, admiration in his voice. “May I examine it?” He stepped toward the weapon. Riyad lifted it and pressed the barrel against the wrinkled forehead of the worm. The alien backed away. “I withdraw my request.”

  “You are Humans!” said Zoffis. “We have had many delegations from your world and empire over the years, until the Juireans came and drove them away. Please forgive my associates. We are weapons designers, so very interested in the devices you have created.”

  “I’ll ask you again, what’s your relationship with the Juireans?”

  “The Incus had none, not until they annexed the Kidis. Now they have come here, very interested in our weapons and other electronic devices, as well as our small starship production facilities. Recently, we have been attempting to compete with MK and Xan-fi, with the goal of entering the Expansion’s weapons market, yet with little progress. Now the Juireans are taking all we can produce to be used in the war effort against the Union.”

  “Sounds like you got what you wanted,” said Riyad with disgust.

  “You misunderstand,” said Zoffis. “They are confiscating all items, without compensation. This has greatly disrupted our society. A worker’s uprising occurred recently, protesting the lack of compensation for their labors. The Juireans slaughtered thousands. Now most labor for free.”

  Zoffis looked down at Pogo again and then at the Humans. “But what are you doing here, and with the artifact? The Juireans will surely kill you and confiscate the orb if they know it is associated with your kind.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, Zoffis, but we won’t be staying, and neither will the orb.”

  Zoffis’ eyes grew wide. “But you have just returned the device. What do you mean it will not be remaining?”

  “Because we’ve come for a specific purpose. We need to use some of your facilities to produce a certain type of circuit board.”

  “I do not understand.”

  “We have a broken weapon and we need the boards to fix it.”

  “What sort of weapon?” asked one of the other scientists. Adam shook his head. These guys have a one track mind.

  “Never mind. Will you help us?” he asked Zoffis.

  “What is the design of this board?”

  One of the computer screens nearby lit up, displaying the schematic.

  “How did you do that?”

  “I didn’t…Pogo did.”

  “Pogo? So this is call a Pogo device?”

  “No. Pogo is the name I gave him. You do know the artifact—as you call it—has a form of intelligence?”

  Zoffis attempted a smile. It was hard to tell through all the wrinkles. “I always suspected. It displayed an intricate array of activities and vibrations when presented with stimuli. And then it would leave for days, and then return. I always sensed it was glad to be back. But then it did not return…. Can you communicate with this intelligence?”

  “Yes I can, and you can, too, through the computer. Pogo can hear you.”

  “Hello Dacus Zoffis,” came a voice through the computer’s audio function.

  “It speaks!” said one of the other Incus.

  “Why…why did you not reveal this to us before?” asked Zoffis.

  “I was not aware of this capability at the time. My design was not intended for such use. Only after communicating with my new master did I learn of this ability.”

  Zoffis looked at Adam. “Are you this new master it speaks of?”

  Adam smiled and nodded.

  “How…why?”

  “That’s not important now. What’s important is whether you’ll help us or not?”

  Zoffis looked to his colleagues and then back at the green-tinted ball. “You say you will be taking it—Pogo—away again?”

  “That’s right. We have a lot more to do, and Pogo’s an integral part of the mission.”

  Thank you, Adam, said Pogo within Adam’s mind.

  “Yet…he could allow the Incus—”

  “To what? Create more advanced weapons that the Juireans will use not only against my people, but yours as well?” Adam was getting angry. “We don’t have much time, Zoffis. Either you’re going to help us…or we’ll do it on our own. If you’re familiar with the M-101, then you know we have the means to make that happen.”

  “Yes, we will help, although I regret the loss of…of Pogo. I would like to spend time learning of his life and his times. You are aware it is over three billion years old?”

  “That I do. Now where do we go around here to make some circuit boards? Honestly, I don’t have a clue how it’s done.”

  Zoffis waved his short arms around, indicating the room they were in. “Here. We have what is required to operate the remote manufacturing equipment. The finished product will then be brought to us here. The fabrication process is mostly automated.”

  “How long will it take?”

  “That would depend on the nature of the board.”

  A schematic appeared on the computer screen. Zoffis leaned in close. “This is actually a very simple design. It is only unique in its circuitry. A finished board should be ready in forty cy-cycles.”

  “Cy-cycles?”

  The native looked to the others. “Fifteen Earth minutes, is that right?”

  The others nodded. Zoffis turned back to Adam. “Fifteen minutes.”

  “How long for a hundred of them?”

  “Once the design is programmed, the product can be mass produced. You could have that quantity within the same time.”

  “Great; get started,” Adam commanded. “The Juireans won’t stay away forever.”

  ********

  Adam’s prediction was prophetic. Soon after the specs for the circuit board were transferred to the manufacturing division, a native Incus came rushing in to warn Zoffis that a squad of Juireans were headed their way. Adam placed the white sheet back over his head and applied the cord. Both Humans held M-101’s under their robes.

  “Stand by, Travis,” he commanded. “Visitors on the way.”

  “Just arrived, entering the building now. Four Guards and an Overlord. Looks like you attracted the head-honcho himself.”

  “What shall we do?” asked Zoffis. He was visibly nervous, a dead giveaway to the mane-heads.

  “Relax. The boards are being made, but the Juireans won’t know about it. Call over to the manufacturing facility and have the boards left in a box near the exit door. We’ll pick them up on the way out.”

  “What should I tell them about…Pogo?”

  “Something obscure. Down play his significance, making it more of a curiosity rather than some new super-device.”

  “I don’t under—”

  The door to the room swung open and the Juireans entered.

  “Overlord Anan ra Corss,” said Zoffis emphatically. “I am pleased to see you once more at my facility.”

  “Your appearance does not match your words, Dacus Zoffis.”

  The seven-foot tall alien—with his billowing mane of blue hair adding another foot to his height—scanned the room, hesitating at the sight of Adam and Riyad dressed in their white sheets, before focusing on the tiny, green orb on the table. “Is this the object?”

  “Yes,” said one of the Guards from the security shack. “They were all quite excited to have it returned. It is not dangerous. Zoffis held it without fear.”

  “What does it do?” asked Anan. He lifted the tiny object in his huge hands and examined it.

  “It is a form of battery,” answered Zoffis. “Very ancient. More of a curiosity because of its abilities and considering its great age. As scientists, we find such items of immense interest.”

  “How old is it?”

  When the native hesitated, the Overlord cast an
intense glare at him. Zoffis crumbled.

  “It is approximately three billion standard years in age.”

  This evoked a reaction from the Overlord. He looked closer at the orb and the indecipherable writing on its surface. “Indeed. I see why it would be of interest. What are these markings?”

  “Writing of some sort. We do not know the meaning.”

  Anan looked suddenly at Riyad. “Do you know?”

  Riyad shook his head slowly, while tightening the grip on the M-101. Five Juireans weren’t a problem. It was the other thousand that would come to the aid of an Overlord who were.

  Adam spoke in his sing-song religious cadence again. “We worship the object for its profound age. The fact that beings from that time could construct such an orb is significant in its own right. Its creators are long gone, yet they were here long before any race currently in existence. We believe them to be The Creators. Is that not wondrous?”

  “Juireans care not for such things, only the utility of objects. Does it serve a purpose?”

  “Beyond giving hope for life beyond what we see now…none. As researcher Dacus Zoffis has said, it was a battery when it was functioning—”

  “It is not functioning at this time?”

  “My Lord, the object is three billion years old. How could it still be functioning?”

  “That was not my question.”

  “It no longer functions.”

  The Guard from the gate stepped forward. “My Lord, that was not my impression. There were several Incus, all very excited to see the device again. It was excitement well beyond what would be expected for a broken device.”

  The Overlord set Pogo back on the table and considered the Guard’s comments. “Seize and search them!” he called out unexpectedly.

  Two Guards each lunged for Adam and Riyad. Already on high-alert, the mane-heads were too slow for the Humans. M-101’s appeared from under their robes, firing the quieter plasma flash component of the weapon set at level-one, rather than ear-spitting lead bullets from the main barrel. The room lit up with blinding light, sending the Guards to the floor with simmering holes burned in their chests.

  The Overlord was unarmed, but swift. He bolted for the door, but was blocked by Riyad. The much taller and bulkier alien lashed out at the smaller creature with powerful arms. The eye slits in the sheet limited Riyad’s range of vision, so he didn’t see the huge fist coming. He took a hard blow to the temple, sending him tumbling to his right, stunned. Anan reached for the door handle.