“Please - tell me about them.” The man said.
“They were a race of advanced beings that invaded the galaxy and conquered it over 12 billion years ago.” Mimi said.
“Twelve billion years...” The man said in disbelief.
“Yes – they enslaved every sentient species and ruled the galaxy with an iron fist.” Mimi continued.
“What happened to them?” The man asked.
“They were destroyed by a superior race from within this galaxy.” Mimi answered.
“How did they not conquer and enslave the Superior Race that destroyed them?” The man asked.
“That I do not understand – however the three great Races that founded the Union were very powerful and nothing I learn about them surprises me anymore.” Mimi answered.
“Interesting – we were never taught the history of this galaxy – it seems my people were interested in pleasure only and very few of us ever took the time to learn...” The man said.
“Yes – that is what I have observed about your offshoot race – they are consumed by pleasures of the flesh.” Mimi said.
“Offshoot – why do you say 'offshoot',” The man asked.
“I have compared the DNA of your race to that of the original 6th Race – and your DNA is not the same.” Mimi said.
“Really – I have always thought we were pure blood descendants of the 6th Race.” The man said.
“No – you share DNA with many species – which I believe was done to extend your life in the flesh. It also explains how you are able to change your shape at will.” Mimi said.
This seemed to surprise the man. He looked tired. He began to glow and then suddenly he was 9 feet tall!
“I had wondered why I could never find any mention about the 6th Race being able to shape shift.” The man said.
“In fact the very superfluid that you use to alter the life spans of your hybrid slaves is probably how your race altered itself to begin with.” Mimi said.
“You are a very astute young lady.” The man said.
“Thank you – however I was alive for billions of years before you were born.” Mimi said.
“I would never have guessed that – you appear to be a young 6th Race female.” The man said.
“Yes - capable of enjoying all the pleasures of the flesh – which begs the question – why would your ancestors have chosen a limited biological solution when they could have had a body like mine.” Mimi said.
“Are you saying it is possible to transfer my consciousness – my memories into a truly immortal physical body?” The man asked.
“Yes it is – we have the 6th Race technology – that was developed to save mortally wounded 6th Race people – which means so did your ancestors! Perhaps you could have avoided all of the unpleasant things your people have done or endured.” Mimi said.
“I would very much like to learn more about this technology.” The man said.
“Yes I am sure you would – however you have violated Galactic Law and you shall be punished.” Mimi said.
“Perhaps I have something to offer your commander in exchange for a male immortal body like yours.” The man said.
“Perhaps – however you deceived her with your clone.” Mimi said as she pointed her blue beam pistol at the man again.
“I shall offer no resistance and I have tried to do the right thing on this planet for the last hundred and twenty five shars.” The man said.
“Who on this planet will speak in your defense?” Mimi asked.
“I...” The man began.
“Exactly – by pretending to be a god to your slaves – you have violated Galactic law and set yourself up in the process.” Mimi said.
A platoon of Star Marines ran into the expansive chamber. The Star Marine platoon sergeant stood at attention and saluted Mimi. Mimi returned his salute.
“Take him to the grand gallery after you search him.” Mimi commanded.
“Yes ma'am” the Star Marine sergeant said.
Mimi prepared her report – however she did not send it. She knew that Lili needed to rest. She would send it to her in the morning. She continued exploring this massive underground base. She had noticed several cuneiform signs on the far wall while she talked to the 6th Race remnant man. One sign was “servants” - the other sign was “kitchen”. There were two stair cases made of rock – one went up and the other went down. She went down to the kitchen.
The kitchen area was almost as large as the bed area above. There were large cauldrons over fire pits. Ventilation chimneys were above each cauldron. There were long preparation tables on each side of the cauldrons. The prep tables contained gold plates, bowels and service trays. The next row of long tables contained large crystal wine glasses, beer mugs and bottles of wine. Behind the two rows of tables on the far side of the kitchen were store rooms. Mimi walked over and opened the first door. The room extended to the west a distance she could not determine. The shelves were stacked with food that appeared to be fresh.
The next store room contained wine casks and the third store room contained barrels of beer. The 4th door to the south was a large refrigerator that contained beer jugs and wine bottles. Mimi had estimated the facility had been abandoned 13,000 years ago suddenly and then reopened for another 11,000 years. She could not explain how the food – that was abandoned 1,500 years ago – was still fresh. She wondered if the food and drink would help Max recover. She made a note to ask Thomas about it and then made her way down to the next level after inspecting the last store room on the other side of the refrigerators – which contained barrels of mono atomic gold powder.
Very strange Mimi thought.
The next floor down was a machinery space with air handlers for filtering and cooling the air inside the base – though the air conditioning machines were 10,000 years at most. The air handlers were over 140,000 years old. She then found air heaters that were also over 140,000 years old – however the heaters were not used after the base was re-inhabited 11,000 years ago.
Apparently the revelers that played here the last 11,000 years did not like the hot dessert climate. Mimi thought.
The next floor down was a reservoir of water. The stair case went down into the water which led Mimi to assume the floor flooded at some point. She tested the water and it had the same salinity as the oceans on this planet. She noticed her time piece – it was 6 bells – she turned around and climbed back to the upper floor – Lili would be returning soon.
Chapter - 32
Mimi met Lili at her yacht's landing ramp.
“Why did you not call me?” Lili asked.
“You needed to relax” Mimi answered.
“When did he arrive here?” Lili asked.
“Just after you left – I was exploring the lower levels – he has some sort of Forerunner “Door” – and I found food, beer and wine that might help Maximus recover.” Mimi answered.
Lili stopped walking and placed her hand on Mimi's arm.
“Go and bring Maximus to the grand gallery.” Lili ordered Mimi.
“Yes ma'am” Mimi said and then left.
Lili continued to the grand gallery with her Spec War Team. She stopped to look at a device that was on a table with jewelry out in the grand gallery ante room that her Star Marines had removed from the second alien. The device was some sort of control device that would easily fit into the palm of her hand. She turned and confirmed into the grand gallery. Her Star Marines stood at attention when she entered.
“Am I seeing double” Lili said in Sumerian.
“No – I sent my clone first to be certain how you would react.” The taller of the two said.
“I understand you think you have something of value to offer in exchange for leniency.” Lili said.
“Yes I do” the tall alien said.
Just them Chip's PJ s came in with Max. Thomas was in front and George and Sisi were on each side of him and Mimi was behind him. Lili was impressed again with Chip's children.
They
have no fear. Lili thought as she smiled.
“Lord Ki” Max said when he saw the tall alien.
Lili turned from Max and looked at the tall alien. And there it was – the look of superiority – the look when the strong are confronted by the weak. Lili's anger was growing.
“Maximus you recognize this alien?” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am – he was the Sumerian god Ki – his symbol was water. I would like to interrogate him.” Max said with a vicious smile.
The smile on Max's face took the look of superiority off the face of the tall alien.
“There is no need for violence – I can help this Earthling.” Ki said.
“Violence – fortunately for you – Maximus is not a violent or vindictive man.” Lili said.
Suddenly a look of fear briefly appeared on the tall alien's face as he began to understand.
Coming here was not a good idea. Ki thought.
“Perhaps it is time we built a prison for galactic criminals” Lili said.
“For what purpose – Galactic Law is clear – this alien must be executed!” Mimi said.
“Yes – however from what Chip has told me – this one tried to save the Earthlings that he created on more than one occasion. It is his younger brother who must be executed.” Lili said.
“Yes – Lord Li is the one!” Max said.
“Unfortunately he is nowhere to be found – so this one will have to do.” Lili said.
“Wait – I have much to offer you.” Ki said.
“I do not think so – I brought Maximus here to recover his Signal Energy.” Lili said looking to Thomas. Thomas nodded his head affirmative.
“And Maximus is recovering nicely.” Lili then said.
“I can still help him” Ki said.
“How – how can you help him,” Lili asked.
“I know what foods he should eat, what drinks he should drink. I know what he should do and what he should not do. I also know the secret combination of materials that will keep him healthy. Most importantly I know how to revitalize the 'waters of life' that extended his life in the flesh.” Ki said.
“In exchange for this information – what do you require?” Lili asked.
“I do not require anything – I would like to take advantage of all the Union has to offer to its citizens – to do that I request you transfer my intellect and some of my memories to one of your artificial 6th Race bodies so that I might explore the galaxy or at the very least help you defend it.” Ki answered.
“Some of your memories” Lili asked.
“Yes – I would like to forget the pain and tragedy of my youth – without losing my knowledge and skills.” Ki answered.
“I will consider your request. In the mean time I need a list of the food and the drink in this facility that Maximus can consume to help him recover completely.” Lili said.
“Of course – I need something to write on or I can show you the food and drink in the pantry.” Ki said.
“Sergeant – hand your PDIT to Ki – then show him how to use it.” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am” the sergeant said.
Lili turned to Max and walked over toward him. She talked to Thomas at length and then left the grand gallery with Max, Mimi and her Spec War Team. She stopped in the ante room where her Star Marine Commander had set up his command post.
“As soon as Sinai returns – I want you and Thomas to analyze the food you found.” Lili ordered Mimi.
“Yes ma'am – where will you be?” Mimi replied and then asked.
“I will be talking to Maximus – I need to know more about 6th Race remnant activity here on this planet.” Lili answered.
“Perhaps I should join in on that conversation – I know a lot about these so called gods.” Chip said.
“Where have you been?” Lili asked.
“I flew to my island to retrieve the last of my personal belongings.” Chip said.
“How were you able to do that?” Lili asked.
“I simply asked my daughter to contact Sinai yesterday and ask her for permission to come and get me.” Chip answered.
“Your daughter flew you there?” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am” Chip said.
“Alright let us return to Maximus's bed and talk.” Lili said.
Lili nodded to Mimi and Thomas and then left the ante room.
“Come let us go and talk” Lili said to Chip and Max.
Lili, Chip and Max went back to Max's temporary quarters. Chip's PJs were on each side of Max.
Chip told Lili about the 450,000 year history of the 6th Race remnants on this planet. He covered Ki's younger brother and his children.
“They are all galactic criminals” Lili said.
Just then Mimi and Thomas returned. Thomas saluted Chip and then gave his report to Lili.
“The food is 'charged' with the Signal Energy of the 10th planet. Though the food is thousands of years old – it is still fresh and nutritious. We found no evidence of decay, infection or bacteria anywhere in the store room.” Thomas reported.
“That is because there are no viruses or bacteria in this base. The Signal Fields generated by a series of alternating materials from the 10th planet not only heals Max and recharges his Signals – it prevents bacteria and viruses that come in through the microbe shield from reproducing.” Mimi said.
“Is it dangerous for Chip to be here?” Lili asked.
“Possibly – perhaps he needs to leave.” Mimi answered.
Thomas moved to his father and checked his Signal Strength. Chip closed his eyes and checked his Test Pattern.
“Yes – I need to leave this place – I am being drained of Signal Energy.” Chip said as he stood up weakly – Thomas grabbed his arm to hold him up.
“Thomas – take him to his island – Commander see that nothing happens to him”. Lili said and then ordered her Spec War Commander.
“Yes ma'am” her Spec War Commander said as he saluted her.
Lili's Spec War Commander gave commands to his team and selected 4 of his troopers to accompany him. Two of the 4 were in their Armored Battle Suits. Thomas helped Chip to board Eagle. Thomas told Eagle to fly them to the island. She lifted off immediately and flew west at hypersonic speed. The Spec War Commander stationed his men outside of Chip's cabin while he sat with Chip inside.
“So Commander – how long did you serve in the Union Navy?” Chip asked.
“Over four billion years.” The One Zero answered.
“Wow – that is a very long time. I would love to hear about your exploits.” Chip said.
“Perhaps when the galaxy is safe again I will be able to tell you.” The One Zero said.
“I look forward to the galaxy being safe again.” Chip said.
“Thank you Sir.” The One Zero said.
Thomas walked in with some hot soup. The Commander's One-One looked in to check on his Commander and then returned to his post. Chip ate the soup and then fell asleep. Twenty minutes later Eagle began shaking so violently Chip woke up.
“Eagle what is wrong?” Chip asked.
“My heat sinks are overloaded and my shields are beginning to fail.” She reported.
Just then she stopped vibrating.
“Eagle – Sinai – I thought you could use some help.” Sinai said.
“Thank you Sinai – I appreciate it.” Eagle said.
Sinai had entered the atmosphere and spread her shields around Eagle to help her move through the dense atmosphere. She also drew off all of the excess heat that had built up on Eagles hull and integral heat sinks. She then grabbed Eagle with her gravity emitters and moved her over to the island in a split second.
“Thank you Sinai” Eagle said.
“You are welcome Eagle” Sinai said.
Eagle landed behind the mansion on the runway Chip had used to ferry supplies and people from the main land. Eagle's motion through the air moved dust, leaves and limbs off the tarmac. Thomas and Lili's Spec War Team took Chip into the mansion. They
helped him upstairs to his bedroom. Sinai landed with her Spec War Team in her yacht. Sinai's two battalions of Star Marines in their armored recon carrier vessels landed on both sides of Sinai's yacht and immediately disembarked and surrounded the mansion. After talking to Lili's One-Zero she contacted Mimi.
“Bring down your Spec War Team and Star Marines NOW.” Sinai commanded.
Union Ships of the Line: The Return of Tavnit and Dingir Page 10
