by Jeff Walsh
“As your guests,” Anthony said. “Who can't leave.”
“You can leave,” Sir Halen said. “Once we put this Volja business behind us. All we need is your cooperation in accessing the planet's system. Once you transfer control to us, you'll be returned home to live as the wealthiest of the wealthy. Your grandchildren's grandchildren will be wealthy. You'll not just live a grand life, we're giving you the ability to establish an empire upon your world. You would own Earth, and as partners with the Central Core, your planet would then benefit from all we offer.”
Anthony looked to Genny who hadn't broken her gaze of the wall.
“It's a lot to ponder though,” Sir Halen continued. “Why not take some time and discuss it between yourselves. I can have these fine recruits,” Sir Halen said as he gestured toward the soldiers, “escort you to our dining facility. I'm sure you're famished.”
He motioned for the soldiers to come forth.
“Escort our guests to—“ Sir Halen said but was cut off.
“No need,” Anthony said.
Sir Halen smiled and said, “It really isn't a difficult decision is it?”
“I think it best,” Anthony said, but paused to look at Genny.
She glanced to the side catching his look.
“If you, what was it? Go suck on a pit until it pops?” Anthony said. “Sorry, I know that's not quite right, but I'm new here.”
Sir Halen balled his hands into fists.
“Take them to section eight,” he said. “Contact the science lab. Inform them two more are on their way for a mind scalp.”
“I'll do it,” Genny said quietly.
Sir Halen and Anthony both snapped their gaze to her.
“I'll give you what you want,” she said.
“Gens!” Anthony blurted out.
“Interesting,” Sir Halen said. “I do love it when things take a turn for the better.” He looked to Phoal and said, “Change of plans. Escort this one,” he then pointed to Anthony, “to quarters on section seven. Seal the door once he's inside.”
Phoal nodded and pushed Anthony. “Move.”
“With care,” Sir Halen commanded. “He is our guest and should harm befall him I assure you it will befall you ten fold. Allow his room to call for the service crew. Should he desire a hot meal, or other such wants, there's no reason he's to be denied, as long as his friend here cooperates.”
“Genny,” Anthony cried out. “What are you doing? He's playing you. C'mon, I know you see it. You're smarter than this.”
Sir Halen tapped the touchpad on the table a couple times. “I've ceased the sound disturbance caused by our roaming friend,” he said addressing the soldiers. “You're clear to escort our guest to his quarters.”
Anthony watched as Genny stood and turned toward him, her face stern and cold. She said nothing as the two soldiers escorted him from the room.
“What was that all about?” Genny said. “Sound disturbance?”
“A series of safety alarms have gone off suddenly; nothing to worry about I assure you,” Sir Halen said. “Maintenance crews are addressing the problem as we speak.”
Sir Halen sat and looked around the room; he smiled and said, “Ah, this is more pleasant don't you think?”
“Stop,” Genny stated. “I know what you're doing. It's just...I don't care.”
Sir Halen narrowed his eyes at her.
“You know we're new to space, and I'm guessing you know there were three of us aboard the Heezarian ship.”
“Yes, of course,” Sir Halen. “And you can say its name, the Platnium IV; it's a well known vessel.”
“Whatever,” she said. “I'm assuming you can do basic Earth math. There were three of us, but you have two.”
“And the third is special to you,” Sir Halen said. “What a delightful surprise.”
“You want my cooperation,” Genny said. “Get my husband back to me safely. I don't care how. I don't care if you destroy half the universe to do it. I get Marcus, you get Volja.”
“Love is such a powerful motivator,” Sir Halen said. “You have my word and guarantee; you will have your husband within your arms in no time.”
҉
“It'll be just another moment,” Alvin said through the pod's intercom. “We are making our descent now.”
“And you're sure this is a safe place to land?” Marcus asked.
“Absolutely,” Alvin responded. “Wex is a vacation spot. Taam planned well when he entered these coordinates.”
“Vacation spot?” Marcus blurted out. “But that means people. People who could probably report us to some group or space police or something.”
“While that would normally be very true,” Alvin responded. “The planet Wex is only gathered upon during the Estian Nebula Parade, which isn't for another eighty-two varnecs.”
Marcus sighed and stared blankly out of the ship's display.
The escape pod passed through the cloud cover and Marcus suddenly sat up.
Hills and plains of green grass spread out to the edge of the horizon. Off in the distance hung rocky formations, just floating, and from which lavender waterfalls poured. As the water fell it dissipated into the wind. The light of day, which caught each particle or liquid, caused a dazzling display of gleaming orbs. Pockets of golden trees reaching high into the sky swayed at the guide of a breeze. A rather large, pink colored sun hung off in the distance. Two moons rested side by side next to it.
“Wow,” Marcus aired out.
As the pod drew closer he watched a pack of white furry beasts dart out from the edge of the tree line and carry on across the grass.
Marcus snapped from his serenity for a moment. “Animals,” He said. “Do I need to worry about getting eaten or something?” He asked.
“Of course not my good friend,” Alvin replied. “Everything living thing upon Wex communes in harmony with all visitors.”
A few moments later the pod landed.
Alvin unsealed the door.
“Are you sure it's safe?” Marcus asked again.
“Absolutely,” Alvin said. “I assure you.”
Marcus stepped out from the pod and a cool breeze whipped across his face. He felt a burst of energy rise up from within.
“It's gorgeous,” he said.
“As long as you don't stray beyond the reaches of the pod's communications, feel free to roam and explore,” Alvin's voice came from inside the pod.
Marcus poked his head back through the doorway. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Alvin replied. “Just try and stay within a few dranecs of the pod.”
“Uhh,” Marcus muttered.
“My apologies,” Alvin said before Marcus could form the words. “About a hundred of your Earth feet.”
҉
Bartl dropped the soldier's comm unit to the floor. He watched as the drones didn't even notice him. Each remained focused on the door Bartl went through. Even the alarms had ceased.
Bartl smiled.
He turned and bolted down the corridor passing several drones. They were making their way to guard the door due to the orders of the now unconscious scav soldier.
“Okay old man,” Bartl said to himself. “We've made our way into ops, which means...” Bartl sped down the corridor, made a left and another quick right. He stopped and smiled. “Here we go.”
Door after door lined this corridor, none of which needed an access pad.
Bartl walked the corridor until he found a room labeled OP-R39.
“I love these Prime ships,” he said. “Always built the same.”
He stepped into the room and made his way to the far right corner. His fingers dug under a section of wall paneling and yanked it free revealing hundreds of wires, cables, and tubes. After moving a handful of wires to the side, he wriggled his hand behind a set of metal tubes.
“Where are you?” He muttered to himself.
He flicked his fingers as he searched about. Something brushed his middle finger.
“Ah,
” he exclaimed. “There you are.”
He grabbed a hold of the two wires he was searching for and yanked them out. He then pulled down hard, which tore the wires from their housing. He twisted the now two exposed ends together and spun around.
The opposite wall shifted and revealed an emergency work station. Bartl darted over to it and began working. After only a moment a very robotic voice came over the room's intercom, “OP-R39 haul breach protocol initiated. Series OSH seal activated.”
Bartl snapped his head toward the doorway as he heard dozens of footsteps gathering in the corridor beyond. “We'll need to blow it,” he heard someone say just outside the door.
“Got here faster than I thought,” Bartl said.
He turned his attention back to the workstation. His hands darted across the touchscreen interface.
“C'mon,” he said. “Don't tell me you still haven't upgraded this heap of scrap.”
A second later a the words “Enter Release Passcode,” flashed on one of the monitors.
“Flack!” Bartl yelled.
He stood and looked around the room.
“They've locked deck to deck trans-warps,” he said to himself. “Now what? You're in a sealed room with no way out. You have a energy pistol and probably thirty well trained guards just outside the door. Three minutes at most before they blow it open. Think!”
Chapter 12
Sir Halen and Genny strolled through the corridors of the Imperium. Genny remained quiet as they made their way past quite a few sections into which Genny peered through safety glass. At one point she paused and watched a group of workers assemble spider looking machines. The workers were being attaching two large cannon-like apparatus' to the bodies of the machines.
“Those are safety drones,” Sir Halen said. “Standard feature on all Prime class ships. They're called upon if the ship is boarded by unwanted guests, and at times have been used in planetary disputes. They're extremely safe in either case.”
“Yeah,” Genny said. “They look real safe.”
“They're unable to fire if any friendly targets are within their line-of-fire, even other drones” Sir Halen said. “Also, by using drones we keep the living citizens of the Central Core away from possible harm. We no longer have a need for countless, living and breathing, citizens to volunteer for military service.”
“Your personal guard looked alive and well to me,” Genny said. She turned and began walking down the corridor once more.
“Of course,” Sir Halen said. “We are not a fully automated society. There are times when a high functioning brain is needed to make the more difficult, harder to program, choices. Drones and computers are far too literal; they have no sense of emotion or attachment.”
Genny's mind flashed back to Alvin.
The two strolled along; minutes passed without another word being spoken.
“I imagine the process of dealing with all that's transpired is difficult,” Sir Halen said. “The decision you've made must be taking its toll on you.”
“Don't try and connect with me,” Genny stated. “You're a means to an end. I just want Marcus back.”
Sir Halen bowed his head slightly indicating he'd leave the subject alone.
More silent minutes passed. Genny began to wonder if Sir Halen was walking her around aimlessly in an attempt to draw information from her.
They passed more sections with dozens of workers scurrying about. At one point they passed by a vast open area. Huge machines that looked similar to turbines stood in row after row. Other, smaller, apparatus wound its way up and around. It looked almost maze like with all the machinery and piping weaving in and around the expanse.
“The Imperium's engine room,” Sir Halen stated.
Genny said nothing. She had simply stopped and marveled at all that went on.
Sir Halen pointed out a large pillar filled with the white glowing substance he called hessian. He explained it was the ship's light-slip containment unit, and that the large orbs on both sides were the storage containers for an element known as estroban. “Think of it as an extremely efficient and highly effective fuel.”
Genny lingered a moment, it was mesmerizing however, she forced herself to turn and leave. As they did Genny noted the small plaque on the wall that read EBC-07R3. She'd been tracking where Sir Halen escorted her since they left the Council room. Genny deciphered that each plaque indicated a section and location upon the Imperium.
The two wandered about for quite some time with not another word spoken. Turn after turn they made. Time felt like it stretched on and on, especially with no destination in sight. The silence and drawn out time spent with Sir Halen finally caused Genny to break.
“Where are we going?” She blurted out. “It took us no time to go from the docking bay to that room you had us in. Now we're just strolling along?”
“If you would like,” Sir Halen responded. “I can have one of my guards meet us up ahead and escort you to your room.”
Genny said nothing.
“I just felt as though a walk through the ship would allow you to see this is not some slave vessel,” Sir Halen said. “We aren't some pirate ship, or large destroyer class cruiser.”
Genny stared him directly in the eyes.
“All the workers you've seen,” Sir Halen said. “Each performing their duties to serve not only this vessel, but the Central Core itself, was a choice made of freewill. This is their career, their chosen professions. They support families through these jobs. As I told you, the Central Core, Prime Command, we aren't the bad guys. You're new to space; you aren't familiar with what it was like before the Central Core formed.”
“Okay,” Genny said. “I'll take your bait. What was it like?”
Sir Halen gestured for the two to keep walking. After a moment he started, “While your planet was discovering fire, there were those who already traveled the stars. Chaos and war reigned supreme not so long ago. Tyrants who wished to conquer more worlds, strip more places of their resources, gather up more people to sell, ran rampant. Space is not a docile and timid place.”
“Well,” he continued. “As would be expected, a group of people were tired of living in fear that some species would suddenly have need of their people, their planet. At first the gathering was comprised of a dozen or so worlds, but with combined resources they were able to pose a real defense against such oppression. As they pooled together their greatest minds, strategies were formed. Groups and councils were established to handle the great many demands of operating such a coalition. After a short while, more wished to join this core group. Before long hundreds of planets were petitioning to join the Central Core.”
“Quite the heroic story,” Genny said sarcastically.
“You don't have to believe me,” Sir Halen responded. “I can familiarize you with a device known as the Psionic Link Network—”
“I'm familiar,” Genny interrupted.
“Wonderful,” Sir Halen responded. “And since you are familiar with this device you're also aware that I can in no way influence its information.”
Genny said nothing.
Sir Halen looked to her for a second and continued. “Once the Central Core was formed it was quickly noted that not all planets within the surrounding area had advanced themselves into space travel. Earth was one such planet.”
Genny attempted to hide her surprise but failed.
“I see the Heezarians didn't inform you that your planet was under the watchful protection of Prime Command,” Sir Halen said. “The Protection Act of Sven II requires Prime Command to watch over, even guard if necessary, Earth and all other planets like her. Should some radical group suddenly decide to bring their highly advanced weaponry into Central Core space, desiring to claim a planet like Earth, well, we intervene on that planet's behalf.”
“And what happens when that planet ventures out into space and learns they've been drafted into some register of planets they don't wish to align with?” Genny asked.
“Once
a world is capable of space travel,” Sir Halen stated. “They are free to align with whomever they wish. The Central Core does not force themselves onto anyone.”
Genny dropped her gaze back to the floor and the two continued on in silence for a short while longer.
“Tell me,” Sir Halen said. “What were your professions on Earth, both you and your husband?”
Genny waited a moment before answering. Her mind flooded with thoughts of Marcus, of all they'd been through in the last few days. She looked to Sir Halen and said, “Professors. I teach at a university in California.”
Sir Halen made a quizzical face. “California?”
“Sorry,” Genny said. “I just assumed you knew what California was.”
“I assume this California is a place,” he said. “I do apologize as I've been unable to learn your world's entire geography as of yet.”
Genny chuckled. “As of yet.”
“Information is far easier to come by here in space. It was not a boast.”
Genny just nodded and continued. “I teach science, chemistry specifically. Marcus, he teaches...taught, physics and cryptography. Physics,” Genny blurted out. “What a joke.”
Sir Halen looked to Genny. His face inquisitive.
“It's just that,” she responded to his look. “Everything we know about physics has almost been proven wrong in less than three days.”
“Not wrong,” Sir Halen responded. “There are laws that govern the universe. Gravity being one such law. But, as most civilizations who have yet to discover light speed technology, your understanding of these laws are too rigid. Your belief in these laws hold you back from experimenting further. Your people may not be wrong about the laws of the universe, but instead may have possibly misinterpreted such laws.”
Genny chuckled.
“You make it sound so simple,” she said.
