Stroph looked back at me, a questioning expression on his face. I nodded.
With remarkable speed for such a large being, Stroph reached out and plucked the rifle from the captain’s hands. The captain flinched. Staring up at the giant, I noticed warranted fear in the alien captain’s eyes.
“Look, there has been enough bloodshed for one day. Do you not agree, Captain? I see it this way . . . you have two choices: you can either assist us in our mission, or you can join your brethren outside. You know, where your compatriots are being held. Imprisoned within those electrified pens, near that atomizer dome. You are familiar with the atomizer dome, are you not?” I was unsure if they knew the dome was damaged or not, but I could see by their expressions that my implied intention to have them atomized was evident on all their faces.
The command center crew exchanged nervous glances amongst themselves. After several back and forth murmurs, the captain said, “We were never in favor of Earth’s invasion. What our forces were doing to Humans.”
“Yeah, sure you weren’t,” Karen snarled, her voice thick with sarcasm.
Jhally said, “Well, I guess you have an XL5 Crusher craft, Brian. What do you want to do now?”
I took in my surroundings, then eyed the six crewmembers again. “Learn. I want to know everything . . . what the Earupitan’s game plan intends. I want to know how far along they are in implementing their Phase II Human eradication program.”
Karen said, “And we need to know more about your ground forces; where they’ve been deployed thus far? And all further deployment schedules. As Brian said, we need to know everything . . . what the entire plan consists of to wipe out humanity.”
Jhally, turning to the captain, said, “I, too, wish to know all this. If you lie to us, I will know it.”
Captain Guart, seemingly resigned to the new order of things, moved to the closest bulkhead and fiddled with the console. A projected virtual display appeared in front of the command center, spanning the entire forward width of the compartment.
The captain spoke to Jhally in Earupitan. Jhally translated back what was said to Karen and me.
“We are looking at their tactical display feed. Here you can see Earth. Highlighted with red dots are the many OEC marshal stations located within each continent. Earupitan Situational Command ships are represented with blue dots, shown here in Earth’s upper orbit.”
“And the few green dots, and those big swatches of yellow dots?” Karen asked.
Again, the captain explained them to Jhally, who translated them for us: “The green dots indicate the progression of Phase II . . . the township of Valle d’Aosta, Italy, the township of Armonk, New York, and here, where we are now, Castle Rock, Colorado.”
I didn’t need the captain to explain the presence of the green dots—I had figured that much out already. They represented the locations where atomizer domes had been constructed and utilized, or were starting to be such as in Castle Rock. I stared at the yellow swatches—huge expansive areas, located on virtually every continent and extending across most countries. Multiple Earupitan blocks of text—alien symbols and characters—provided explanations, or maybe updated logistics, I wasn’t sure. “And what is the deployment schedule, moving forward?” I asked. Then frowning I added, “Wait, no way are there enough Gaps here to manage your Phase II endeavor.”
“That is true. That’s why Phase III was deemed necessary,” replied the captain, his voice apologetic. The captain and Jhally spoke quietly together. I could see a pained expression cross Jhally’s face as the captain further enlightened him. Jhally slowly turned back to face Karen and me. I sensed his reluctance to share.
“You first need to understand that many millions, even billions, of our kind were killed in the last war on Gahl. Our population dwindled even more in the years since . . . circumstances that involved our females becoming infertile.”
“You’ve already mentioned that to me,” I said. “Go on.”
“There are only millions of us left. Earth was defeated through the implementation of advanced technology and shrewd strategy. Not due to sheer numbers by any stretch of the imagination.”
“So what the hell then are you saying to us? We get it; you don’t have nearly enough Gaps to follow through with your original plan to eradicate the rest of humanity.”
Jhally didn’t answer right away. “The testing aspect in all three townships was well-documented. What you would call videotaped. The full horror of Phase III is that it would enlist Humans willing to . . . assist . . . Earupitan forces during this next phase. They will willingly do so. All in order to avoid experiencing a fate similar to that given to the previous, less fortunate, Humans.”
“Humans killing humans?” Karen asked, perplexed.
Jhally nodded. “I am sorry. It sickens me that this was ever part of the plan.”
Karen said, “Jhally, your brother Chancellor Vogthner . . . I’m telling you, he damn well knew about it too.”
“No, I don’t think—”
“Sure, he did! He was already prepping someone for a top management position here in town: Ronald Gant, along with his Friends For Friends group. Beyond doubt, there are many Ronald Gant types—similar traitorous Human groups all across the globe. Do you deny that?”
“I don’t know,” Jhally said.
Karen looked at me, then said, “All the local chancellors of communications . . . like Jhally’s brother Vogthner, they have to know. They are part of this clusterfuck of traitors.”
“I truly did not know this, Brian, Karen . . .” Jhally said, looking crestfallen at me. I decided to believe him.
“I did not know either,” Stroph said, exhibiting rare clarity of mind.
“And I believe you, too, Stroph,” I said. “But until we know for sure if Jhally’s brother is playing us, we have to limit his knowledge and his involvement with any of our plans.”
“And what plans are those?” Karen asked, studying the tactical feed.
“Can you call up a general overall display? One that shows the specific locations of all Gap military forces, including the ones in space?”
Together, we reviewed the updated display feed. We learned there were hundreds of craft, already en route from Gahl—Earupitan masses escaping from a doomed planet. And there are scores of military vessels, coming here from Gahl and other sectors within the galaxy—leaving invaded exoplanets that hadn’t made the grade.
I asked the captain, “Can you attest to the fact there are a million of your female species within that habitat ship?” I asked, pointing in the direction of Earth’s moon.
Captain Guart shot an angry glare toward Jhally. But I already knew the subject of their coveted females was a sore subject.
Karen said, “Wait . . . you’re telling me your population is a mere ten million, but only one million of them are female? I guess they are one hot commodity.”
None of the Gaps replied.
I asked, “How do we get onboard that Habitat ship? Our original plan is obviously a no-go now.”
Jhally said, “Brian, I will not condone any harm coming to those onboard that vessel. As abhorrent as you see us, Earupitan and Mannarians alike, I will not abide by any plans calling for our extinction.”
“And I won’t stand by, either, while the Human race is further defiled, soon to be exterminated. You know, as well as I, that the Habitat ship is our one and only means of coercion. Let’s just hope a heavy-handed threat will be enough motivation. But I’m not going to lie to you. I’m not playing games here, I’ll do whatever I must.” I looked at the captain. “Now, how do I get my team up to Solaris Habitat?”
“It would not be permitted. Not even for me. Too well-guarded, too many safeguards in place.”
“Would General Chiv be allowed access?”
“Perhaps, but only if granted permission by His Eminence, Overlord Skith.”<
br />
“And just where is this overlord fella?” Karen asked.
The captain didn’t attempt to hide his disapproval of Karen’s lack of respect. “He is well out of reach . . . aboard the Situational Command Ship Alcon.”
“The defensive armaments on that ship are significant,” Jhally added, shaking his head.
“Okay, so we need to have his eminence venture down to Earth for a visit. Tell me, what would be important enough, what would motivate him enough, to do such a thing?”
“His wife,” one of the captain’s junior officers said. “She already is here on Earth. In hiding, of course.”
chapter 36
A klaxon alarm began to chime. Bold symbols and characters began to scroll onto the tactical display. I looked to Jhally to interpret their meaning.
“I am surprised it’s taken this long. We are no longer safe here,” he said.
“What is it?” I asked.
“The events taking place in Castle Rock have been relayed to their military command. A task force will be dispatched to quell what they are calling a native rebellion.” Jhally scanned the rapidly streaming symbols. “Another three Crusher vessels, ships like this one, holding six hundred fresh ground troops, along with ten Shredders, are readying for engagement. We have one-half hour before they deploy, another fifteen minutes, maybe less, before they reach this location.”
I said, “We need to get back to my ranch, to our other two Shredders.”
“What about all the people outside?” Karen asked. “Many are miles from their homes, some too weak to walk.”
I thought about that. Karen, apparently, had reached the same conclusion as me. “Let’s get them onboard! Fast!” I addressed the captain: “Do you have a PA system? Some way to broadcast to the compound outside?”
He looked at me like I was an idiot, then gestured to his own ear puck. “Of course.”
I quickly realized we should have confiscated those ear-things from the crew right off. Now doing so, I said, “Sorry, but we can’t take the chance of your communicating with other Gaps.” I placed the ear pucks atop one of the consoles after first holding one out to Jhally. “Can you use this?”
“I have my own . . .” Removing an ear puck from his pocket, he flipped it up, close to the side of his head, where it settled into position over his ear.
“Cool trick,” I said. I watched as Jhally called up the virtual HUD, quickly tapping on various menu options. Within seconds, the virtual HUD was gone. He then plucked the ear device away from his ear and handed it to me.
“Place it up to your ear. It has Mike Post’s updated code . . . so it is Human compatible. Menus are translated into English.”
Doing as told, I felt the device swish automatically into place over my ear.
“It is ready to broadcast . . . your voice will be heard by everyone outside,” Jhally said.
I nodded, taking a few seconds to organize my thoughts. “Attention, this is Brian Polk. Some of you know me as Polybius. We need to leave this location immediately. For those of you who prefer to head out on your own . . . return to your homes, your families . . . do so now. Hurry! Others, including the Takebacks, need to get aboard this Crusher ship immediately. The vessel is the one located farthest away within this compound. We are lowering the ramp now. Hurry, we don’t have much time!”
Pointing to my ear puck, I asked, “Jhally, is there a way to configure these things for a closed hookup, exclusive to the Takebacks? Especially my pilots?”
Jhally hobbled over to the console with the stacked crewmember ear pucks atop it. First, he reconfigured his own ear puck, via his HUD. Then, one by one, he reconfigured the six others. Pointing then to the captain, he said, “I’m sure you have more of them around. Go get them . . . now!”
The captain moved to the opposite end of the control center near the entrance. Opening an integrated panel, he began handing Jhally ear pucks from a stockpile of about twenty. Jhally reconfigured each one. When finished, he said, “These ear pucks have been disconnected from the Earupitan Prime Network. They have been reconfigured for a closed-comms system. But first, I need to instruct you on how to operate them . . . it is not difficult. I’ll start with you and Karen.” He handed both of us an ear puck.
It took Jhally about ten minutes to go through the basics of ear puck operations. Since the ear puck HUD menus were similar to those onboard the Shredders, we caught on quickly, though twenty minutes had already elapsed.
I noticed on one of the compartment’s display feeds—the one that showed the hold area below—that people were still filing in.
“Jhally, can you pilot this ship back to my ranch?” I asked, not yet ready to trust this crew. Once we were airborne, they might try something harebrained. Like executing a suicide crash into the side of a mountain.
“I am somewhat familiar with this vessel. Perhaps we should keep the crew’s captain here, just in case I require assistance,” Jhally said.
Jhally didn’t look as confident as I would have liked.
“Fine . . . and we’ll get Yeager up here in a bit to give you a hand as well. But first things first. Let’s all go down to the hold. We’ll distribute these reconfigured ear pucks and provide instructions on their operation.”
“You sure we have time for that?” Karen asked, looking skeptical. “We need to be long gone before that attack team reaches us.”
“We should be fine,” I said. “If we’re going to survive the next few hours, we need to stay in constant communication with each other.”
Jhally, crutches positioned under his armpits, hurried from the compartment. I eyed Stroph. “I’m leaving the captain here with you. Can you watch him for a few minutes? Make sure he doesn’t touch anything . . . or try to communicate with anyone.”
“Yes, you can trust me, Brian. He will not so much as pass gas without first getting permission.”
“Okay . . . good to know.” Stroph, in spite of being a tad brain damaged from that plasma bolt to the head, no thanks to me, had already proven himself willing to go above and beyond to inflict painful retribution upon his own kind—most recently being that of General Chiv. I felt confident I was leaving the control center in good hands.
Armed with energy rifles and our pockets stuffed with ear pucks, Karen and I ushered the five crewmembers from the control center and down the central passageway. By the time we reached the hold area, it was jammed packed. Easily two hundred-plus bodies pressed close to one another.
Shawn McGee, a.k.a. Spartacus, greeted us as we stepped off from the lift.
“I think everyone’s now onboard, Brian.”
“Need to get these five Gaps out of here . . . into one of the confinement pens over by the dome.” I then caught sight of Jhally, already giving instructions to Takebacks on the use of ear pucks.
“I’m on it,” Shawn said, as he proceeded to herd the five Gaps through the multitude of Humans and down the ramp. The newly-released Human prisoners were mostly quiet, huddled together. More than a few still seemed to be in shock—perhaps suffering from a form of PTSD—having watched their friends and loved ones marched into that huge dome and not come back out. That would cause anguish to anyone.
Karen practically tripped over Mike Post. They set off together to distribute the ear pucks, providing cursory instructions on their use.
Farther aft, I spotted Donny keeping guard over a slumped-over General Chiv and Chancellor Sleept Vogthner. The latter, catching my eye as I approached, looked indignant at being treated like a common prisoner. I chose to ignore him, inwardly fuming about all his lies and treachery. I was tempted to leave him behind—penned-up near the atomizer dome with the other Gaps.
“Donny, take this,” I said, fishing an ear puck from my pocket and handing it to him. “Jhally, Karen, or Mike will show you how to use it. Enemy Shredders are fast inbound . . . along with more Gap t
roops.”
“How soon?”
“Only minutes. But it’s imperative we keep in communication with one another.”
“Copy that. You want to watch these two?”
“Sure.” Before he could head off, I asked, “What’s going on with those guys?” I gestured toward the bottom of the ramp where a small army of EMS marshals stood milling around. I noticed none had been disarmed, and they still had ear pucks levitating by the side of their heads.
Donny shrugged. “Hey, I don’t know . . . are they our fucking enemies, or new compatriots? You decide, boss . . . way above my pay grade.” Donny then hurried off.
Shit!
“You . . . come along with me,” I ordered the chancellor, already hurrying down the ramp.
“What about the general?”
“He’s not going anywhere in the shape he’s in. Hurry up!” I heard Vogthner’s heavy footfalls several paces behind me, scurrying to catch up.
The marshals, assembled below, turned their lizardy faces up and stared at me. Dressed in red, blue, and green cowboy shirts—most wearing Stetson cowboy hats—I pointed the muzzle of my energy rifle at Vogthner. “We have mere minutes before an assault team arrives from space. The Crusher full of Humans needs to be long gone by then. But the big question for me is this: What do we do with you and these others?”
“We go with you! I told you, we’ve already chosen sides . . . and it’s not with the military. I thought you and I were good now. Perhaps even friends.”
“Tell me, then, Chancellor, were you lying to me before? About what you knew concerning Phase II and Phase III of the invasion? Explain Ronald Gant and his Friends For Friends cohorts to me; how they were being prepped to work with your military to make up for the Gaps’ overall lack of military numbers and enlisted to kill their fellow man, when the proper time arose.”
The Hidden Ship Page 19
