NEBULAR Collection 3 - Morgotradon: Episodes 12 - 16

by Thomas Rabenstein

  »These Nova-Hawks …« he began, just to be interrupted by Nok.

  »… are new generation combat Hawks, faster, more maneuverable and better armed than their predecessors. We borrowed them from the Uranus base. Their deployment is top secret! I have no intention of issuing a full alert for the solar system – not yet!«

  Petrow cleared his throat.

  »You wanted me and my staff to simulate a landing mission. We used all means and strategies at hand.«

  Nok Daralamai looked at Petrow expectantly.

  »And?«

  Petrow folded his hands and looked at his boots.

  »To put it mildly,« he straightened in his seat, »there’s no way in Hell for us to reach the platform and fight these intruders. A mission like that would cost a lot of lives and wouldn’t achieve anything, very likely. Their defense would pluck our Hawks out of the sky – one by one!«

  Nok Daralamai nodded and took the memory chip with the tactical simulation from Petrow.

  »It might strike you a little bit odd, but I had expected as much. So, are you convinced that even if Maya Ivanova, her co-pilot and Fosset are prisoners down there, it would cost us more lives than it would be worth saving them?«

  Petrow’s cheeks twitched as he realized what Nok was saying.

  »You let me calculate and construct this simulation only to show me that a rescue mission isn’t workable?«

  Nok Daralamai nodded.

  »Not exactly. That was a side benefit, since I know that you’ll trust your facts. The simulation is still valuable. I need ship commanders who are not distracted by wishful thinking. I need you and your crew, Petrow!«

  Petrow took a deep breath.

  »I understand, Ma'am. The Blue Moon is at your disposal.

  Nok looked at Petrow for a moment.

  »We can’t help Maya Ivanova at the moment,« she told him with a soft voice, »but we have one thing left, Petrow – hope! I trust in Humanity and in each individual in times like this. We will persevere if we all pull at the same string as Maya Ivanova did.«

  »What are your orders, Commander?« Petrow inquired.

  »You will fly with the Blue Moon to Sedna!« she commanded, changing the subject matter. »We need to know what happened to the Globs! We were able to perform autopsies on some of them and capture some of their ships. The Globuster Matrix is still active. Find out what’s going on with it and if there’s still any danger. We assume Sedna to be one of their control stations. Your mission is reconnaissance, not combat.«

  Petrow stiffened.

  »I understand.«

  »Oh, and, Petrow … your mission is top secret. No radio contacts! Your mission must be executed within a narrow window of opportunity and time. If you don’t return in time, we’ll assume that you didn’t make it and the mission failed. Is that clear?«

  Petrow swallowed hard.

  »We won’t disappoint you!«

  »I know, Petrow. You have twelve hours to prepare. Dismissed!«

  Petrow got up, saluted and left the meeting room.

  Nok Daralamai waited a couple of minutes to make sure she was alone. She activated a secret comm-link with the highest priority. Although the holo remained dark, she knew that someone on the other side was listening to her.

  »Neptune is secured as well as possible. A landing is out of the question now. The strange occupation force, who look like Shwakans, has superior weapons which we cannot counter. If the intruders decide to leave the Neptune platform, I will not hesitate to have the platform bombarded. Even if success is questionable.«

  It took several minutes until the response from the other side arrived, a clear sign that the receiving station was not in the Neptune sector.

  »Understood, Commander. Our target person is behaving as expected. We have registered several covert actions against the Solar Union in the last few days. I still say we should arrest Diestel and shut down his operations. His meddling has caused a few problems but they’ve been dealt with; they have, nevertheless, set us back some. Diestel caused a lot of economic damage, but so far there’s no lead to Mole.«

  Nok Daralamai didn’t hesitate with her answer.

  »Diestel will remain under observation. Record all his activities and try to undo the web. Sooner or later we’ll find Mole!«

  Without waiting for a reply, she disconnected the secret link.

  Diestel, Mole …, Nok smiled. The archaic code-names were almost too obvious to be useful two hundred years ago. Today, nobody remembered what they’d meant, especially non-Human initiators.

  Officially, Nok Daralamai functioned as the new Triton Base commander. Unofficially she was something totally different. Only a selected few knew her real job.

  Nok was the director of ETIS and SIS (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence Service and Space Intelligence Service) newly created Solar Union departments formed to counter extra-terrestrial infiltration, agents and sabotage.

  While Toiber Arkroid, with his organization, was responsible for direct and new contacts, Nok Daralamai was in charge of the new Solar Union Secret Service.

  Pondering, she played with Petrow’s memory chip. Samuel McCord was not the agitator, even if he thought he was. Nok was sure of it. The heir of the Fosset Empire was just a puppet on a string. To sell McCord as the agitator was just part of the game plan, the enemy had concocted to confuse the authorities and deflect attention from the real perpetrator.

  The more Nok thought about it, the more she saw through the fog. The system seemed very simple, even one-dimensional. Did the extra-terrestrial opponent really think that Humanity could be deceived so easily? Who gave Fosset the information about the platform in Neptune’s atmosphere, knowing that the philanthropist could not resist outfitting an expedition to Neptune? Who in the Solar Union’s upper echelons had access to this information? Who was masterminding a secret web to which even high Solar Union parliament ministers belonged?

  Nok Daralamai took a deep breath and placed the memory chip on her desk. The agitator is a powerful man, but not necessarily in the mainstream’s lamplights. He holds a seat high in the chain of command.

  I’ll get you, bastard. I’ll find you. It’s just a matter of time!

  Do we have another choice

  Toiber Arkroid watched with relief as the Yax K’uk’Mo’ returned to Procyon C. Scorge had reversed his panic-driven flight and reversed the course of the ship

  »What’s a Trox-Altar?« Arkroid asked again, but Scorge ignored him as before. Scorge was sill enveloped with the fine mist of gas that sprayed down from the large mushroom heads. The gas was directed only at the Shwakan and did not affect the other team members.

  »I don’t know precisely,« Vasina replied in his place, »but we have always heard that the Trox carry something … an unknown source of radiation, on their ships. Something their entire clan worships. Whatever that power is, it is the reason for their nomadic and aggressive behavior. The sphere of emission is very strong and reaches over several astronomical units. It doesn’t seem to have an effect on Humans and Progonauts.«

  Worried, Lai Pi looked over at Scorge.

  »Seems?« he asked in low tones. »We can’t leave him like this, alone in his ship!«

  »I’m only safe inside my refuge. It protects me from the Trox-Altar emissions,« Scorge interjected weakly. »My loved ones will protect me, as long as they produce the neutralizing gas. It prevents my hormones from going haywire.«

  Arkroid was glad to see that Scorge seemed to be recovering well.

  »The emissions surprised and overwhelmed me at first. I’d never expected to have such an experience in my life.«

  Scorge’s words almost sounded like an apology.

  »It’s okay, Scorge, we were really concerned about you,« Arkroid replied softly.

  »You should be! What had been a rumor for thousands of years is now fact. There are still Trox in the galaxy and we’re unlucky enough to encounter them here in this system!« Scorge said depressed.

  »W
hat does a Trox-Altar look like? Like a shrine?« Pi inquired. »Perhaps the emissions are just an old forgotten artifact on one of the planets and the Trox are long gone, died or left the system … or from a ship stranded in this system a long time ago. It doesn’t mean the worst case scenario …«

  »According to legend, the Trox-Altar is a two cubic meter big, secure container, enveloped by a protective tachyon energy field; it contains an unknown energy source,« Scorge explained. »My forefathers didn’t build the containers, but brought them from the other side of the galaxy. Believe me, there’s at least one Trox clan ship in this system and we would be best advised to get far away from here and hope that the nomads never find your home system! It is certainly within range of their scanners.«

  »An unknown energy source, transforming the Trox into aggressive beings?« Arkroid asked in disbelief.

  »We Shwakans were like them many thousands of years ago, until we landed on Hexaquotl’ and came into contact with the neutralizing gas, raining down on us from the large Mushroom forests we settled. According to our legends, we threw the Trox-Altar into the sun, together with the clan ship.«

  Scorge’s voice changed and sounded mysterious.

  »Not long after, the star collapsed and turned into a Black Hole. The giant mushrooms on Hexaquotl’ helped us overcome the curse of the Altar. As of that day, we tend to them and appreciate them. In turn, we obtain food and shelter. Our nomadic drive subsided and we established ourselves on Hexaquotl’. But our need to travel was not entirely gone; that’s why all male Shwakans became galactic traders. We just can’t sit still – we have to roam about.«

  Vasina listened with wide open eyes. This was news even to the Progonauts!

  »We have to check this out!« Arkroid decided. »Pi, Vasina, let’s get the Techno-Ferry ready. If there’re Trox in this system, then the Myzel’s information was correct. I believe there is a central portal planet, and I’m convinced that it’s here – and guarded by the Trox!«

  »Then it seems pretty clear that the Trox work for the Dark Brotherhood!« Pi concluded. »Should we really risk flying to the planet?«

  »Do we have another choice? We can run from the danger, but they will catch up with us sooner or later; you heard what Scorge said about their scanners,« Arkroid replied grimly.

  »I remember you saying the same about the crystal intelligence in the Vega System,« responded Pi seriously.

  Arkroid pondered for a moment.

  »You’re right, Pi. The universe is more dangerous than we thought. Let’s just hope that we won’t get buried. Without the Globuster Matrix we wouldn’t have been able to develop as far as we have undisturbed …«

  Arkroid didn’t finish his sentence, and seemed to think about his last words.

  »What is it?« Pi asked.

  »Nothing. Let’s go, Pi. We can’t subject Scorge to this pain for too long.«

  »I’ll try to hold out here,« Scorge replied mutedly.

  Arkroid understood that Scorge’s words were not meant to guarantee that he would remain near Procyon C.

  Only the gods know

  Morgotradon had just received the biologists’ results regarding the moss and lichen phenomenon. As already assumed, the plants had developed a neutralizing substance, counteracting the crystals’ ability to replicate their DNA.

  The collected spore-pod specimen, drifting through space toward the crystal planet, was a wonder of nature. Each pod contained billions of different spores – a cross-section of the entire plant life on Lanuk. The scientists had learned that these spores lacked the neutralizing substance. That was apparently only produced by the mother plants.

  »Over time equilibrium developed,« Mandatt explained. »The moss forests cannot exist on Baldar, nor can the crystals exist on Lanuk. As far as we know, the crystals are a unique lifeform. They have their own laws of environmental development. If at one point in time either of these species finds a way to crack the other’s domain, then one eco-system will lose!«

  Morgotradon had listened without interrupting Mandatt. As Mandatt finished his report, Morgotradon put his right hand on Mandatt’s shoulder.

  »Good work, Mandatt. Now that we know the secrets of both worlds we can act accordingly. Which of these lifeforms is closer to us?«

  Mandatt didn’t need to think about that question.

  »Certainly the plant lifeforms. Any contact with the crystals is deadly for us, Raghoon. We were able to produce a vaccine and we’ve tested it on cultures in the labs. The crystal inhibitor can be injected without side effects to the Progonaut metabolism.«

  »I want all our crews to be vaccinated for as long as we stay in this system. Can we do that yet?«

  »Well … yes,« Mandatt acknowledged hesitantly, »although we cannot create an artificial vaccine – the molecular structure is too complicated – but our scientists have found a way to extract the substance relatively easy from the plants.«

  Morgotradon was satisfied for now.

  »Let’s talk about something else then,« he changed the subject. »What’s the fleet status? Repairs finished?«

  »Raghoon, I was waiting for you to ask that! The repairs are finished and the fleet status is operational. The crews, however … well, they are burnt out.«

  Morgotradon raised his eyebrows.

  »What do you mean?«

  Mandatt tried to find the right answer.

  »We’ve been at battle stations for weeks. It’s getting more and more difficult to maintain a high state of alert. Our crews need a break!«

  Morgotradon nodded his understanding.

  »We have detected no enemy tachyon signatures for a couple of days. I think we can release the guard ships at the edge of the system and give them a break. Give orders to lower the state of alert, but make sure we remain ready to act upon a moment’s notice.«

  A wide smile flashed over Mandatt’s face. He lost no time in establishing a comm-link to the Persia and gave the orders. Cheers sounded throughout the Progonaut fleet and Morgotradon’s hopeful mood was reflected in the eyes of the crews. While crew members celebrated on their ships, Morgotradon was pondering his future plans. He had some rough ideas already. He could finalize his thoughts in the coming days.

  500 ships of his fleet of 2,000 descended one by one on Lanuk. It was the first time after a long haul of space travel and duty that they were standing on solid ground. A rotation system made sure that all Progonaut crews received the privilege of a planetary visit.

  The time for departure from this system would be soon. Perhaps one day Progonauts would return. Proud Progonauts, who didn’t have to hide from an enemy.

  Only the gods know what the future will bring … Morgotradon thought.

  Let’s check them out

  »I’m glad to see you back within my body,« was the Techno-Ferry’s response as Toiber Arkroid entered the biological ship.

  Arkroid smiled.

  »I’m happy to be here too. Are you ready for a trip?«

  »I know from my data banks that Humans connect the word trip with something pleasant. Is this going to be fun?« the Techno-Ferry inquired.

  Arkroid grinned and looked at Vasina and Pi.

  »I wish it were. No, our next mission is dangerous and we’ll need all of your abilities. Can you assist us?«

  »All my functions are ready for you, Toiber,« responded the Techno-Ferry.

  The ship had adapted to the Human reaction delay and was waiting for Arkroid’s verbal commands, although it knew what they would want through the neuronal link it had established with them. The ship created the necessary space for the crew. This time it added one extra seat for Vasina.

  Vasina was surprised and highly impressed.

  »This technology is superior to my old ships!« she remarked.

  »Thank you very much for the complement, Your Highness!« the ship replied, although Vasina had not expected an answer.

  Vasina’s head flew around and she looked into Arkroid’s grinning face. It seeme
d that Arkroid had introduced her to the ship before she had entered it.

  »Vasina suffices, Techno-Ferry,« she responded.

  The Techno-Ferry, having assumed a drop-like shape, flew into space as soon as the Yax K’uk’Mo’s hangar gates opened.

  »Can you tell me more about our mission, Toiber?« the ferry asked politely.

  »First of all, I want you to activate your anti-detection shields. Then we’ll need to scan this sector for extraordinary emissions.«

  Arkroid’s commands were executed at once.

  »I have enveloped myself with a dimensional field. We cannot be detected from normal space; however, my sensor range is slightly lessened. So far, I have detected several anomalies. Would you like to see the results?«

  Arkroid nodded and moments later a holographic display appeared. Arkroid whistled through his teeth – the information was presented in English for Arkroid, Thai for Lai Pi … and for Vasina, the Progonaut main dialect – Farsikum.

  As always, the Techno-Ferry narrated the displayed data.

  »There’s a tachyon interconnection or a hub in this system. I also detect the special signature of an active Genorantan portal. However, there are no transfers taking place at this time.«

  Arkroid straightened.

  »Where’s that portal and the tachyon hub located?«

  New data appeared on the holo displays showing a complex schematic view of the solar system.

  »There’re the planets!« commented Pi.

  Eight differently sized planets were orbiting Procyon A while only one planet circled Procyon B. Additional planets were located beyond Procyon B’s orbit. Seven large and one small gas giants ringed the central star at a distance between 60 and 180 astronomical units. The last “planet” in this system was a brown dwarf with a diameter of 80,000 kilometers.

  Hundreds of small moons populated the system. Toiber needed a couple of minutes to study the holographic maps. Each of these celestial bodies would have kept terrestrial scientists busy for years. Arkroid could imagine scenarios where Humans were exploring and settling in such systems in the future. The Techno-Ferry’s comments interrupted his train of thought.