HADRON Revelation

by Stephen Arseneault

Jane asked, “Where’d you get the outfits? They’re adorable.”

  Tres answered. “Gnaga and two of the Mawga created them out of some of the fabrics from this ship. They’re soft, warm, and easy to take on and off. Oh, and they don’t stain. The fibers are synthetic. They have a stain guard infused into them at the time of manufacture. Any… accidents, wash right out.”

  The baby-fest continued for most of an hour before Mace, Johnny and Jane left for their quarters and well-needed rests.

  Chapter 13

  *

  Mace returned to the bridge as the Rogers pulled within maximum sensor range of the Mawga capital. “What ships do we see, Mr. Mallot?”

  Humphrey replied, “A Muhatha, two Callista and two Dauntless. I also show thirty-two cruisers.”

  Geerok said, “That would be the Dellus fleet under Admiral Dekuk. If you get aboard his ship, he will offer little resistance.”

  Mace turned to face Johnny. “You and Jane are up. You can prep the shuttle as we’re taking you in. Mr. Hobbs, take us to the Muhatha. Approach at an angle so they don’t try to run from us.”

  The Rogers sped in. The Muhatha and Callista raced out to meet it. A volley of plasma rounds were exchanged with the great ship losing two cannon turrets before turning away. A hot round from the Rogers took one of the four gravity drives offline. Seconds later, a wormhole opened and the Muhatha slipped through.

  Mace pounded his fist on the armrest of his chair. “Mr. Hobbs! Get after one of those Dauntless ships! Mueller, target their drives!”

  Johnny and Jane exited bay one in the Collins. “We’ll take the far ship, you grab this one.”

  After a short chase, a wormhole opened in front of the closest Dauntless. The ship slipped through before the Rogers could disable her drives.

  Johnny came over the comm. “We have ours on the run! Could use a little help! We attached the grapple and they bolted. I’ve got our drive in full reverse, but we’re only slowing them down by a fraction!”

  The Rogers pulled in behind the fleeing warship. A single plasma round from the port cannon found its mark on the left gravity drive nozzle. However, the framework that held the drives in place fractured, rupturing the plasma feeds that supplied the drive heads. An explosion ripped the aft end of the Dauntless in half, sending the Collins with Johnny and Jane spinning.

  Johnny yelled, “Releasing grapple!”

  As the Collins regained control and moved safely away, Johnny said, “What happened?”

  Mace replied, “They had a catastrophic structural failure. You two OK?”

  Johnny nodded. “We’re good, but the grapple took damage. We’ll have to bring her in for repairs.”

  Fifteen minutes passed before Johnny walked onto the bridge with his helmet in hand. “Nothing like being strapped to a bomb when it goes off.”

  Mace said, “That explosion ripped through the gatrellium store. Nothing left to salvage without having a giant ship that can suck in that debris and filter it.”

  Johnny set his helmet next to the comm console. “So that’s it then? No gatrellium?”

  Mace replied, “Not unless we come up with a new plan.”

  Johnny scowled. “How about this, we take a few of those rat ships hostage until they turn over a sufficient quantity of that refined ore.”

  Mace shook his head. “And if they don’t agree to that?”

  Johnny shrugged. “Space ‘em?”

  Mace smiled as he declined. “You know we can’t do that. We aren’t Stark, and if we start doing things like that we’re no better than he is.”

  Johnny sat. “Well, what would you propose?”

  “Mr. Mallot. Give us a scan of all the ships within sensor range. See if any of them have gatrellium aboard. When complete, hit that planet with another scan. If there’s any to be had we go in and take it.”

  Humphrey carried out the order. “No sign of the element out here, Mr. Hardy. Give me a sec and I’ll have the info for down below. Mr. Hobbs, could you take us within fifty thousand kilometers and do a quick orbit?”

  Liam replied, “One orbit coming up.”

  Johnny asked, “And if there’s none?”

  Mace leaned back in his chair with a scowl. “Then we evaluate. We can wait here for a week and see if any of the Dellus ships return, or we can head back to the Gerty and jump to Earth space.”

  Humphrey pushed the scan data to the wall display. “No sign of gatrellium in or around Rhombia, Mr. Hardy.”

  Mace sighed. “Take us back to the Gerty, Mr. Hobbs. We’ll have to wait for an opportunity back at Earth. I don’t want us stuck out here with no way home.”

  The Rogers turned for the outskirts of the Rhombia system. The ride was again used for the main crew to rest. Fourteen hours later, they entered the space from where they had begun.

  Humphrey said, “Mr. Hardy, I was expecting the Gerty to show about five minutes ago. We’ll be on top of where we left her in about twelve minutes.”

  Mace replied, “Wonder if she was chased from the area?”

  Johnny pushed a starmap up to the wall display. “Closest thing out here is that mining planet. That’s five hours from here. I have a hard time believing someone just stumbled across them while we were gone.”

  As the Rogers slowed to a stop, another ship came on the sensor display. “Mr. Hardy, we have an incoming vessel. It’s a Callista.”

  A hail came over the general comm. Mace signaled Johnny to accept.

  An image of a Dellus diplomat came up on the wall display. “Mr. Hardy, it seems you have been negligent in the defense of a most valuable possession. Your friends on the Gertrude are now in our care.”

  Mace took a deep breath. “Tell me what you want, Admiral. And be direct.”

  The admiral grinned as he crossed his hands on his lap. “What is the rush, Mr. Hardy? You have somewhere to go? You’re an outlaw on your own world, and certainly an outlaw here.”

  Mace glanced over his shoulder toward Liam Hobbs. “You can tell me where our friends are and what you want or I can have my nav operator take us back to Rhombia for some fun. Fun for us, certainly not your Mawga people.”

  The admiral held up a hand. “Now, now, Mr. Hardy. No need to get worked up. I have a proposal for you that should square things between us. Would you be interested in discussing that?”

  Mace leaned forward. “Admiral, I’m two seconds away from giving the order to decimate the Mawga capital planet. We have the means to do so with this ship and there’s not a thing you could do to stop us.”

  The admiral leaned into the camera. “On the contrary, Mr. Hardy. There is much we can do. We can eliminate your friends and decimate your planet as well. And, given your actions to date, I don’t think murdering millions of innocent Mawga citizens is something you desire to do. So it would seem to be in your best interest to hear what I have to say.”

  Mace replied, “Spit it out, Admiral.”

  The Dellus admiral typed away on his arm pad, pushing an image to the comm channel. Six alien warships sat in formation just in front of a massive space station.

  “This is Delega station. It guards a rift that permits travel to the Kohamian United Front. The UF, as we call it, is a defense league of twelve systems that threaten several of our own systems. The rift was discovered three months ago and that station and those ships came through shortly after. The shields on their ships are too powerful for our cannons, as our shields are to theirs. However, the cannons on that station are more powerful than our shields. The ships of the UF have been raiding our two colonies in that region.”

  Mace asked, “And how do we play in this picture?”

  The admiral smiled. “You, Mr. Hardy, Are going to destroy that station for us. We’ve analyzed the power output of your cannons, and we believe they may have sufficient energy output to overcome its shields. You assist us in destroying that station and the United Front marauders and we return your friends, along with a generous supply of gatrellium.”

  Mace shift
ed in his chair. “And why aren’t you calling in the Union for help on this one?”

  The admiral replied, “Mr. Hardy, this is a tremendous opportunity for the Dellus and Mawga people. The rift takes us to a new civilization, a civilization that could be conquered, or perhaps allied with. We know they possess the secrets to more powerful weapons, and perhaps a shield technology that will complement our own. We would like those advances for our ships, Mr. Hardy.”

  Mace offered a half laugh and a scowl. “I didn’t think you were allowed to upgrade your ships, Admiral. The Union would come down hard on you.”

  The Dellus admiral held up a finger. “Indeed they would. Which is all the more reason why we need your assistance to take control of that rift. You see, Mr. Hardy, our cities are filled with Union spies. Without that rift, we would be unable to make updates to our ships without risking the wrath of the Union. However, should we have the means to make those updates on the other side of that rift, we could return with a most powerful fleet, putting an end to the Galactic Union rule of this territory.”

  Mace said, “Let’s say we help take out that station, and you defeat or ally with the species on the other side. What’s to stop the Union from making upgrades to all of their ships in an effort to stop you?”

  The admiral grinned. “That is where our friend King Stark comes in. I’ve been given the authority to make updates to his ships, should he ally with us against the Union. He seems very interested in that idea at the moment.”

  Mace shook his head. “You seriously think you have the means to take on the Union, Admiral? What if Stark says no? He seems to be getting everything he wants right now.”

  The admiral looked into the camera. “Mr. Hardy, the Union is using Stark and his forces to weaken one of our longstanding enemies. We expect that war to be ending in another eighteen months, when all of the forward bases and colonies of the Karthians will have been captured or destroyed.

  “When they collapse and the Union takes control of those territories, King Stark will be put back in his box until needed further. You see, Mr. Hardy, the Galactic Union has no desire to see Humans become a force of any power. You are like a fierce animal: only to be let out of its cage on occasion, and only under strictly controlled circumstances.”

  Mace said, “They keep Stark penned up in those cruisers. Something they could take out at any time.”

  The admiral nodded. “Precisely. However, given the opportunity, we would make him a full partner of the Dellus. Humans would be our equals. Earth would be developed into a capital world like this galaxy has never seen. The abilities of your scientists and engineers could be unleashed, pushing the capabilities of the Dellus forward with you.”

  The admiral leaned back in his ornate command chair. “What say you, Mr. Hardy? Will you leave the fate of your people with the Galactic Union? Or will you join us in our quest to take control of our own destinies?”

  Mace reached for the comm button on his arm pad. “Give us a few minutes to discuss this, Admiral.”

  The admiral gestured with his open hands. “Take as long as you need, Mr. Hardy. We’ll be waiting on your response.”

  The comm closed.

  Mace turned to face the others. “Anyone else feel like we’re being used?”

  Johnny shook his head. “We can’t trust any of them to do what they say. Look what they just did with the gatrellium and the food.”

  Liam Hobbs nodded. “I’d have to agree. Except for the Mawga on this ship, they have been dishonest with us from the beginning.”

  Fatso Geerok cut into the conversation. “The Mawga and the Dellus are not deceitful people. But just as any others, they will change their minds as new information comes to light. And they will take actions they consider in their best interest.”

  Jane said, “I don’t see that we have a choice but to take this deal. We attack the Mawga world and Jordan and Jenny are as good as dead. And that leaves us stuck in this system until we run out of food. This is a negotiation. We need to set our limits of what we’re willing to do, and then press for less than those limits.”

  Mace replied, “Are you saying we make a counter-offer?”

  Jane shrugged. “Maybe. We should at least have a short list of our demands ready. Our friends and our ship returned … food for our people on Earth … and a restart of all the farming so we become self-sustaining again. And enough gatrellium for let’s say … a couple hundred jumps?”

  Hans added. “And more of the heavy cannon heads and storage wells. I’d like to add a bit more firepower to our arsenal.”

  Mace stood and began to pace the deck of the bridge in thought. The others stared as he mumbled to himself before coming to a decision.

  Mace turned. “Johnny, connect us with the admiral.”

  A hail was sent and accepted. “I hope you have good news for me, Mr. Hardy.”

  Mace replied, “We do. But we have a few conditions.”

  The admiral nodded. “I’m listening.”

  Mace continued to pace as he talked. “In return for our help with securing this rift, we want enough gatrellium for three hundred jumps.”

  The admiral thought. “I believe I could provide enough for two hundred.”

  Mace smiled. “Done. Next we need you to make good on the food offers the you made before. I want two years worth delivered to Earth, and I want an emphasis put on bringing back our farming.”

  The admiral nodded. “I believe that can be arranged; and I would add that it would be in the best interest of my people as well. Supplying food on a continuous basis is a costly venture.”

  Mace stroked his beard as he walked. “Of course, our friends will be returned to us.”

  The admiral replied, “That is a given.”

  Mace stopped, crossing his arms as he looked at the comm camera. “We’d like a dozen of those high powered cannon heads and one of those Muhatha ships.”

  The admiral frowned. “I could no more turn a Muhatha over to you than I could cut off my own head, Mr. Hardy. As to the cannon heads, I will see that those are provided.”

  Mace nodded. “If you agree to those terms, we have a deal.”

  The admiral stood and bowed. “We have a deal, Mr. Hardy.”

  Mace asked, “When do we begin? I’d like to start with the return of our people.”

  The admiral smiled. “They are on their way.”

  Mace returned to his chair. “Admiral, send us the information you have on the rift and this United Front. We’ll look it over and come back with any questions we have.”

  The display wall was filled with data from the comm before the channel closed.

  Mace looked around the bridge. “Well, what are you people waiting for? Let’s put together a plan.”

  Chapter 14

  *

  Jordan Crawford sat in front of the comm camera. “It was my fault, Mr. Hardy. I thought it better to give up than to jump. Had we left, you would have been stuck here.”

  Mace replied, “Don’t worry about it. It was a valid decision.”

  Jordan said, “What’s the mission you’re planning?”

  Mace pushed a starmap to the display. “The Mawga had a new rift open near two of their systems. A species called the United Front came through, bringing with them a spacestation to guard the entrance. They’ve been conducting raids on the Mawga colonies there. Our mission is to take out that station. In return we get the food for Earth, enough gatrellium for two hundred jumps, and a dozen new cannon heads. And of course we got you back.”

  Jenny pushed herself into the camera view. “Hey, any chance I can come back over for that? I mean, the facilities here and the company are great, but it’s far more boring than working the drive room. I only get to see Jordo here for a few minutes each day when we’re switching shifts. You know, a third person would make this duty a lot better.”

  Mace nodded. “I wish we had the people. Maybe we’ll evaluate bringing you two back and rotating in another crew.”

  Jenny
sighed. “Please do. And keep us in the loop on the planning of this raid. You think we’ll be boarding that station?”

  Mace shook his head. “Not at this time. And I’d rather not go in without knowing the weapons and capabilities of the occupants. If they’re anything like the rest of the aliens we’ve encountered, then I don’t see it as a problem. Until we know for sure, our plans are to attack using the cannons on the Rogers. The Dellus should be giving us a dozen new cannon heads. Hans is working with Jeff to decide whether we add those to our four upgraded cannons or spread them across the others. We’re leaning toward the first, as the reports on that station say its shields are at least equal to that of a Muhatha.”

  Jenny said, “Well our shields are better than that of a Muhatha.”

  Mace nodded. “True, but we don’t yet know how much better theirs are. And we know their weapons are more powerful. The question is, are they more powerful than our shields.?”

  Jenny half smiled. “Only one way to find that out.”

  Mace frowned. “Yeah, I’m not looking forward to taking that first shot from them.”

  Johnny said, “Why don’t we add more transducers? Beef up our shielding.”

  Jeff replied, “Our shields are at the point of saturation. Adding more transducers doesn’t increase the field strength.”

  The conversation continued for a short while. When it had come to an end, Jane was standing next to Mace with a grin.

  Mace half smiled, “What?”

  Jane said, “Looks to me like there’s no romance going on between Jenny and Jordan. You might be back in the game.”

  Mace shook his head. “You don’t give up, do you?”

  Jane replied, “Nope.”

  The dozen power heads were delivered. The crew of the Rogers watched as the first shipment of food was sent through a portal to Earth. The gatrellium tanks of the Gerty were topped off, giving enough fuel for another dozen jumps.

  A hail came in from the Dellus admiral. “Mr. Hardy. Our colony on Canto is under attack by the Front. Prepare your ship for a jump to that system.”

  Mace help up a hand. “Whoa. Hold on, Admiral. We’re in the process of upgrading our cannons. We only have one available at the moment.”