It was the confusion that caught Tommy’s attention. Wouldn’t an artificial intelligence simply show patience in dealing with repetitive questions? He couldn’t shake the impression that he was dealing with much more than a collection of algorithms. Were you always the Dark Defiance?
There was a long pause.
Once… once I was something smaller and yet… greater.
You were humanoid.
I was an engineer, and a mother.
How did you become the ship?
Someone had to assume the role. I am the ninth soul of the Dark Defiance. Though each watch may last for countless thousands of years, the spirit eventually grows weary. I have watched the line of my descendants die out. I bore their remains to the crematorium, one by one. I have been alone for longer than you can possibly imagine. It has been more than forty thousand years since I emerged from the gases to inspect the progress of our mission.
“How do you control it?” Kobrak’s voice was directly behind Tommy. He hadn’t heard the conversation between the young man and the ship.
What do you wish to do?
“Take us out of the atmosphere.”
Very well, it is almost time to inspect progress on the moon.
They couldn’t feel any movement but the flow of gas, just several feet beyond the railing, changed from a lateral movement to a vertical. The billowing clouds now flowed down past their eyes, faster and faster.
Tommy took an involuntary step backwards as the gas fell away and the black of space suddenly loomed before them. His skin crawled as he looked out at the void. Will I ever learn to trust the shields?
In time.
Though he heard nothing, Tommy almost felt as though the ship had taken a sharp breath of surprise.
No! What has happened here?
Tommy suddenly realized that the Dark Defiance’s mission would have been on the moon, Internia. That was the original home of the Kholarii.
That moon was dead.
“A wormhole was opened inside the moon, twenty-five hundred years ago,” Tommy answered out loud for the benefit of the crew. It wouldn’t do to have everyone starting their own conversations with the ship.
Then all was for nothing. There was no mistaking the grief in her voice. She had watched the end of her own descendants, thinking that a higher purpose was being served.
“They moved to the second moon, known as Khola,” Tommy said. “Many millions of them now live there.”
So they do. Their cities show a remarkable harmony with their environment. Her voice showed relief, hope. It was short lived. How can they tolerate such chaos?
“The planet was almost attacked by another species. The panic got out of hand.”
Another species? The last time our ships emerged from concealment, no species was ready for inter-stellar travel. None were even close.
“There is more than one ship?” Tommy hadn’t missed the plural.
One ship remains near each world. Each is hidden, just as I was.
Tommy shivered. The great red spot on Jupiter was a relatively permanent fixture.
Our mission is a failure, nonetheless. Her words conveyed the sadness of an entire race. The subjects revel in anarchy. We must start over.
“What do you mean by ‘start over’?” Kobrak asked guardedly.
Here it comes, thought Tommy. His shoulders sagged. This is what comes of meddling.
We must cleanse the planet and re-seed it with basic life forms. Her voice was determined. Once we study the DNA from the failed attempt, we can guide the next phase more carefully.
“You can’t just arbitrarily kill millions of people because they don’t act the way you expect!” Kobrak yelled. “I’m telling you to…” He disappeared from sight in mid-sentence.
Our government decided to meddle in Afghanistan and my father disappeared, thought Tommy.
“There has to be a control panel here somewhere.” The pilot who brought them down in the drop ship raced to a collection of seats and terminals at the center of the bridge. Before he got halfway there, he blinked out of existence.
I tried go to Guernsey, to live with family, but some meddling government idiot thought it would be best for me to stay with uncle Leo. Tommy leaned on the railing and watched the stars swing past them, Khola coming into view. Five steps away from the bloody boarding ramp and he pulls me out of line and sends me to hell, just to make his paperwork more manageable.
Gelna walked towards the control panels, but halfway there, he looked out at the doomed planet and disappeared.
We tried to help the Cerrans and look at how that ended. Jim dead in a stupid accident and a bloodbath when we left. God only knows how many refugees were killed. Again, he saw the bloody doll slide down the boarding ramp as it closed.
Kale grabbed his shoulder. “We need to get our heads out of our asses before…” The grip disappeared.
Tommy narrowed his gaze, seeing Khola for the first time since they emerged from the mists of the gas giant. That was a tragedy, leaving Cera, but how many of them are alive because of what we did? With power restored, they’ll be able to maintain emergency services, heat, food production – millions will survive.
Sometimes, you can make a difference. He let out the breath that he had been holding. What was the reason for your mission?
We searched the galaxies, but we found no other life. When our own world was coming to an end, we resolved to bring life to as many suitable worlds as possible. She continued in a subdued tone. No one should ever have to endure such absolute loneliness.
Life exists right here, Tommy waved his hand towards Khola. Why would you destroy it? Isn’t this exactly what you set out to achieve?
We did not set out to achieve chaos.
You achieved diversity. Diversity allows us to survive chaos. Tommy smiled, somehow certain that the ship perceived facial expressions much as she had as a humanoid. Many may fail to survive a disaster, but a diverse population will always have some who find a way. You were a mother. Did your children always follow the path that you set out for them?
No. She sounded wistful. I had hoped that my son would become an engineer and take over my own work, but he was content to become a material-flow manager. My little girl exceeded all of my expectations: she became my captain.
What was your own name?
I was Keeva.
Keeva, when your son didn’t live up to your expectations, did you have him destroyed?
Certainly not. Her voice was filled with horror at the very thought.
There is an entire civilization on Khola. They wouldn’t be there if not for your people. They may not have lived up to your expectations, but they are the children of your own civilization. He turned his back on Khola, leaning on the railing. At some point, your ancestors were hunter-gatherers, yeah?
We were.
You discovered agriculture, metal working, domestication of livestock. You founded villages and cities. Nations emerged, vying for supremacy?
They did.
Chaos. Tommy shrugged. Do you really intend to kill everyone on Khola for making the same mistakes that you did?
Perhaps you have a point. That was clever of you. Your crewmates were openly confrontational and I had to remove them. They conflicted with my interpretation of the mission. You were more circumspect, challenging my interpretations rather than my actions.
Hah! I was too bloody self-absorbed to take sides. Tommy shook his head. I was arguing with myself as well as you. He stepped away from the railing, a frown on his face. Keeva, where are the other crewmen?
They have been sent to Khola, to crewman Kobrak’s house. They are safe.
Tommy shook his head. There are those who would eliminate Kobrak if they think it safe to do so. They were at his house when we left. Can we communicate with them?
I can project your likeness to them, and their likenesses here on the bridge, will that suffice?
Yes, if we can hear each other as well.
Pleas
e stand on the blue cross at the center of the bridge.
A soft blue glow appeared on the floor and Tommy walked over to stand in the middle of the marker. He suddenly found himself standing in Kobrak’s great room, looking out the windows at the sea.
“Tommy?” Kale’s voice came from behind him.
Feeling foolish, Tommy turned to find the missing crew as well as more than twenty uniformed civil defensemen. Standing by the fireplace was a Bolshari in a well-tailored tunic and dark over-tunic. His grin raised the hairs on the back of Tommy’s neck.
“The last of the interlopers, if I’m not mistaken.” He walked over to stand in front of Tommy, pulling out a pistol and cocking it.
Keeva, can that weapon harm me?
No.
Can we record this meeting?
Yes.
“Tommy, this is Dheeliami,” Kobrak said with an air of defeat, “the new chairman of the defense committee.”
“And you are the human, the last parasite in the sole of my foot.” Dheeliami looked up at Tommy as though regarding a dead man.
“Perhaps you could enlighten me before I die,” Tommy suggested. “What will you do with the ship, after we’re dead?”
“What do you think?” Dheeliami sneered. “We will have complete control over every aspect of life on Khola. The chancellor and his councillors will soon find themselves removed from office. This planet will be run properly, with a command economy. Any who oppose us will not have the courts to hide behind.”
“So who gave you this job?” Tommy gazed absently over the Bolshari’s shoulder as he mused aloud. “You’re just a replacement for Corelani, so somebody higher up the food chain is calling the shots. They made you the defense chairman in return for military support in the upheaval to come.”
“Zelayish.” Dheeliami waved the pistol. “We help to elevate him from vice-chancellor to chancellor and he grants us martial law. Anyone who gets in our way will end up in Khulmet Bay.”
“The crabs need food too, yeah?” Tommy nodded sagely.
“And you will be their first course.” Dheeliami raised the weapon and fired at Tommy.
Though he knew it was only a projection, it was so realistic that Tommy couldn’t help but throw up his hands and step backwards as the virtual bullet flew through him on the bridge. Down on Khola, the real bullet shattered the two-storey-high wall of glass that fronted the stately seaside home. Huge shards fell, killing two of the uniformed guards.
Tommy recovered his composure, turning back to face Dheeliami. “I’m starting to think you don’t like me.” The look of confusion on the councillor’s face was priceless. “Put the gun down. You’re in no position to harm me. In fact you’re in no position to harm anybody now.”
Dheeliami was quick to recover. He swung his weapon to point at Kobrak. “I can’t reach you, but I can certainly eliminate the rest of your conspirators. If you ever set foot on Khola again, we can easily finish you off as well. What harm are you, all alone on that ship, unless you think you can control the ship by yourself? Our version of events will be all that matters. Kobrak will die while resisting arrest for the murder of Corelani. We’ll deal with you when we get up there.”
Can you replay the sentence about Zelayish?
A second Dheeliami appeared, standing next to the original. “Zelayish.” The image of Dheeliami waved a pistol. “We help to elevate him from vice-chancellor to chancellor and he grants us martial law. Anyone who gets in our way will end up in Khulmet Bay.”
“Just imagine what it would do for your career when this conversation is replayed on every street corner in Khulmet.” Now it was Tommy’s grin making the defense chairman shiver. “If you want to enslave a population with a coup, you need to take them unawares. If they find out before you can mobilize… Somehow, I don’t think there will be enough of you left for the crabs to eat.”
History’s Fulcrum
The Völund
Just outside of Earth orbit
“My God…” Harry forced himself to remain in his chair. You may be a civilian now, but you still have an example to set. What he wanted to do was walk up to the windows and gaze out at the end of human freedom. The Dactarii were here as expected, but there were so many of them.
Earth, beautiful and delicate, was largely obscured by the ordered rows of enemy vessels.
“Reading five fleets of enemy ships, not four. Earth is on their starboard flank.” Carol’s clenched fists rested on her touch panels as she stared at her screen. “The only human fleet in sensor range is the UN, directly in front of them, and they’re taking a shit-kicking.”
“Where the hell are the real fleets?” A chill ran down Harry’s spine. Several countries had managed to develop weaponry like the Mosquitoes, but none of them had been foolish enough to donate them to the UN. Now, widely regarded as a cabal of corrupt diplomats clinging to their rock in the South Pacific, the UN was not to be trusted with advanced ships. Their fleet was little more than the leftovers from the first fight with the Dactarii around Mars. Those ships had been obsolete before they even made it home over a decade ago.
They were hopelessly outclassed. Even a trading ship like the Völund could have torn the heart out of their formation.
Still, they were refusing to fall back. The pale blue vessels were dying in place, the pyres flaring up all around the Ares. The last of the old carriers was desperately launching every small vessel she had. A swarm of shuttles and boarding sledges was moving past the escorts, no doubt carrying warheads in a desperate attempt to penetrate enemy shields.
“This is not the sort of defense we expected to see from your world.” Lothbrok’s eyes shone as he saw the strength of the enemy fleet. “That just means more Dactarii for us. Live or die, we shall have the honor of engaging in the most glorious battle in Midgaard history.”
“It only becomes part of your history if you survive to tell it,” Harry responded to Jan’s translation with no small irritation. The Midgaard may have better ships than the Dactarii, but one fleet against five? We’re only slightly less dead… Even worse, what if they do win? There’s nothing to stop them turning on us like wolves.
“Jan, warn Caul about the possible boarding.” Harry stared out the window. “Tell him we’re going to stay on this side of the fleet so we can support the UN. Tell ‘em to stay on the flanks – I have a feeling that there’s more to this fight than meets the eye. After you call them, get down to the lighter bay with Lothbrok. You can join the boarding party.”
Jan called the Ormen, passing the warning in English, through her daughter. It was a relatively safe bet that none of the Midgaard had been able to figure out a jumbled language whose rules varied from one word to the next. After the screen went blank, she sat there for a moment, her fingertips still brushing the side of the screen.
“We have a good plan,” Lothbrok said quietly. “She will be all right.”
The two of them moved off towards the empty elevator shaft. Keira had spent close to a week trying to get it running before Jan suggested that they simply shove it down to the bilge and leave the doors open.
“We really must have tweaked their pride the last time. They’re risking a few uprisings if they pulled these ships from their enforcement fleets.” Harry had learned of the schisms within the Dactarii Republic from Jan. Dozens of worlds were itching for independence. Only a constant presence kept the trade flowing. “How much you want to bet that news of their last defeat has already stirred the pot?”
“Yeah, that’s comforting.” If Carol was any drier, she would have turned into a martini. “If I have to die today, I can at least take comfort in one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I still owe the bank for most of my mortgage.”
Harry couldn’t help but laugh. “You mean you own that six-hundred-square-foot apartment? The place with a view of the stockyards, right?” He pretended to wipe away a tear. “Oh, mercy! What’s next, twenty cats?”
“You know, I go
tta step in here,” Walter interjected, still punching away at his screen as he talked. “The evidence is starting to pile up.”
Ray looked over from the weapons station. “Evidence?”
“Captain’s seen Carol naked, back at the academy, and he’s seen her current apartment, so I’ve got to wonder…”
“Get us moving, Wally,” Harry cut him off. “Take us in with the Midgaard vessels. Ray, let’s give ‘em an independent swarm.” Independence let the sub-munitions coordinate their own activities. More than ninety-five percent of the targeted enemy ships would have only one sub-munition targeting them. It made it easier for the Dactarii to intercept them, but at least it would keep the gunnery off Harry’s shaky alliance for a little while.
When the last of their forty-eight Mosquitoes were expended, they would become little more than an under-armed battering ram.
“The UN fleet is buckling!” Carol’s voice held the slightest tremor. “The Ares is taking damage now. She won’t last more than five minutes under that kind of punishment. Half the enemy ships are turning to face our fleet.”
“Ray, let’s concentrate on the enemy that are still firing on the UN. We might be able to buy them some breathing room.” Harry shuddered as one of the human ships broke apart, spilling crewmen into the cold void. “Give ‘em some sugar, then turn the bugs loose.”
The captain leaned over and tapped a spot on his tactical display as the ship’s twenty Vulcan Gatling guns came to buzzing life. “I want two Mosquitoes to concentrate on that big bastard. Looks like a command-and-control ship. Might even be carrying infantry for the ground invasion.”
“Ready for a two-bug shot on the possible C&C vessel, independent volley at remaining targets,” Ray announced. The Gatlings went quiet and the vessel shuddered as eight Mosquitoes were ejected from their launch tubes. The rocket motors ignited and the weapons streaked past the bridge windows, following behind the outgoing haze of more than a hundred thousand 20mm Vulcan rounds.
The Vulcan rounds – the sugar – gave the Mosquitoes a slightly better chance of closing with the enemy ships. Intercepting rounds might hit one of them before impacting the deadly, shield-penetrating sub-munitions.
The Dark Defiance Page 25
