Earth II - Emergence

by Ray Jay Perreault

  “Fleet Commander, before we go any further into our discussion, I want to know who you represent? I know that the Izod government and strong corporations like the Illiod and Mantare share much of the responsibilities?” asked Drummond.

  “That is true, I am the leader of the Illiod, and I have a small percentage of resources from the Mantare. The Izod government are merely functionaries that have no defensive forces. We provide the strength necessary to defend ourselves from the Terest,” Nortog answered.

  “Are you speaking for the Mantare and others?” Captain Herl asked.

  For some reason, Drummond and Herl sensed a reluctance on the Izod’s part to answer that question.

  “I represent those whom I need to represent,” was his curt answer.

  “How did you know that the Terest were attacking us?” Captain Drummond asked.

  “The Izod and Terest share many communication channels,” was his evasive answer.

  Captains Drummond and Herl sat for a moment, evaluating his statement.

  “Nortog, does the Terest have a central government or do they have a similar relationship like the Izod with powerful corporations?” Captain Drummond asked.

  The huge Izod was getting frustrated dealing with these … females. Drummond and Herl could sense the increased stress and frustration-his breathing was deeper, and his skin was getting moist.

  “Is there a large, powerful corporation within the Terest society that is bigger and more powerful than Illiod?” Drummond asked.

  Nortog’s stress level was increasing. It was hard for the two humans to discern if he was under stress or just angry with them. After all the two can demonstrate similar physical properties within humans.

  “There is no equal to Illiod. There is no other corporation more powerful than Illiod. There is one Terest group that feel they are equals, but there is no comparison.”

  “What is the name of this corporation that claims to be as powerful as the Illiod?” asked SIMPOC.

  Nortog was shocked and didn’t know how to react to a robot. He looked up at the huge machine standing behind the two human women. His eyes gave away the deep emotions within his mind, the turmoil and indignancy that he was enduring.

  “The Terest pretenders are the Fentora. They are a despicable group of creatures that look down on the rest of us. They claim supremacy, but their claims are hollow and faceless. They are nothing, compared to the Illiod.”

  But the end of Nortog’s little tirade he was shaking and yelling, with both of his hands tightly clasped into fists.

  “Was it the Terest or the Fentora that attacked us,” SIMPOC asked in noticeably dominant voice.

  Again, the huge Izod was offended by a robot asking questions, but he was beyond protesting. It was now a matter of pride and honor.

  “It was the cowardly Fentora that attacked you,” he yelled.

  “So, you came in time to make sure that we did most of the fighting and you could come in and claim victory. Did we do enough damage to the Fentora for you?” Captain Drummond asked.

  Suddenly the atmosphere of the room changed. Captains Herl and Drummond sensed that Fleet Commander Nortog had reached a conclusion and was taking the discussion in a different direction. They immediately sensed that he felt in charge. SIMPOC spoke up, “I must remind you, the president is very concerned that we have been away from the fleet for too long. There is much to be done.”

  Captain Herl looked at Captain Drummond, and Darlene knew immediately what was happening.

  “Fleet Commander, we appreciate the meeting you and tell your leadership that your support against the Terest will be remembered, but we must leave.”

  Fleet Commander Nortog didn’t move a muscle, but he had a smug look on his face as the doors behind him opened and guards streamed into the room. The lifted their odd-looking rifles, fired and the room went dark for Captain Herl and Captain Drummond.

  Captains Drummond and Herl

  Sergeant Robles didn’t leave the command section of the Chevesky. He wanted to go with Captain Herl, but it was supposed to be a political meeting.

  “Beta-Prime, how long has it been since Captain Drummond and Captain Herl entered the Izod ship?”

  “Sir, they entered the ship 118 minutes ago. There have been no transmissions from them.”

  “Open a channel to the Burlington.”

  “BG this is Sergeant Robles, I don’t like it.”

  “BG is not available. This is Beta-Prime.

  “Beta-Prime, I need to talk with BG,” he responded.

  “Sir, he and five other Marines were injured during the attack on this vessel. He is still in medical.”

  “I guess that you’re in charge.”

  “Sir, I am not as qualified as SIMPOC. I will do my best. What are your instructions?” Beta-Prime responded.

  “Sergeant Robles, the energy profile of the Izod ship is changing,” announced Beta-3.

  “I’m not a ship’s captain. But we’ve got to keep that ship here until we know what’s happening. What can we do?”

  “Beta-Prime, They’re powering up, I’ think they’re trying to leave. You’re in a better position that we are. Move your ship in front of the Izod ship and get as close as you can. When you’re in position turn around, so your engines are pointed at them. That way you can accelerate in the same trajectory as they if they try to get away. Try to block them.”

  “Moving now,” transmitted Beta-Prime from the Burlington.

  It was taking too long for the Burlington to take a position directly in front of the Izod ship and align with its trajectory.”

  “Sergeant, their power profile is increasing,” announced Beta-3.

  “Beta-Prime, move it,” shouted Sergeant Robles.

  A massive burn from the Burlington’s thrusters and it snuggled closer and assumed a position only 50 meters in front. For two ships that large, that was almost touching.

  “What is the purpose of this move?” the Burlington Beta-Prime asks over the radio.

  “They need to accelerate while they move to their jump point. If they turn and try to leave, it will take them a lot longer to make the maneuver. Now let’s figure out what to do. I suggest that we leave our mikes open, so we can coordinate better. Beta-5. Create an open and secure channel between the Chevesky and Burlington,”

  “Sir, the channel is open and secured,” responded the beta unit.

  “Are you up?” asked BG.

  “I am connected if that is your question,” responded Beta-Prime.

  “Beta-Prime, they powered down. It appears they aren’t going to move. But we’ve still got to keep our eyes on them. We don’t understand their weapons well yet. They might be able to fire on the Burlington, but they are afraid to start something with us here.”

  “Izod ship, this is the EDF Chevesky. I need to speak with my captain.”

  “Sir, they are not responding to your message,” announced Beta-5.

  “Izod ship, it is critical that I speak with my captain. Please acknowledge?”

  “Izod ship, If I do not hear from my captain, I must conclude that you are holding her against her will along with the captain from the EDF Burlington. If you don’t respond, I’ll consider that a hostile act.”

  “Paol, this is BG. What’s happening?”

  “BG, glad to have you up. I thought you were in medical?”

  “Long story. This looks like a standoff, have they kidnapped Darlene and Joan?”

  “Sure, looks like it. I had your Beta-Prime move in front to keep them here.”

  “Good call.”

  “In the briefings that I’ve had, they seem to be real negotiators. Maybe they’re playing for something,” Robles suggested.

  BG took the lead, “I’ll give it a shot. Izod ship, if you are holding Captains Herl and Drummond and you are expecting to negotiate for their release, communicate that to us.”

  “BG, I reviewed the battle tactics from the battle. The Izod have never used a rail gun. They may not ha
ve the technology. The Terest didn’t use one either, so maybe neither of them does,” pointed out Sergeant Robles.

  “You’re right. Beta-Prime, fire a couple of slugs near them, but miss.”

  “Acknowledged,” responded Beta-Prime.

  The huge ship barely vibrated as the slugs were launched.

  “Now what,” asked Sergeant Robles.

  “We wait,” responded BG.

  Tuesday, November 14, 2051

  Herl and Drummond Wake Up.

  Waking from deep sleep can be painful and disorienting. Waking from what had just happened to Captain Herl and Captain Drummond was far worse.

  Their brains were alert enough to feel every cell in their bodies scream as the nerve connections re-established themselves. Cell by cell, appendage by appendage, and organ by organ their parts fought their paths back to consciousness.

  Slowly, after the panting, grimacing, sweating, moaning, and some vomiting their eyes opened.

  Their human brains were a couple of steps behind the alien material that SIMPOC had implanted in them. The alien parts of their minds were making the adjustments necessary to regain control. The human parts were still confused and disoriented.

  30 seconds of blinking, listening, and heavy breathing transpired before their human elements were clear enough to pick up the load.

  Almost in unison both women moved their heads and saw the other, laying just as they were and in the same condition.

  Joan Herl tried to move her lips and speak, but little came out. Her lips were dry, and her throat felt like a rusty sewer pipe.

  “Are you okay?” she was finally able to whisper.

  Darlene Drummond could only smile and move her head a little in a nodding motion.

  After a few more minutes Darlene was able to speak, “Can you sit up?”

  “I think so,” was Joan’s weak reply.

  They sat up and rubbed their eyes trying to get the dirt and pain out. At almost the same moment they saw SIMPOC lying on the floor of their cell. He was motionless.

  The two women felt the loss and tried to get up to check on their friend.

  Joan was able, but Darlene stumbled, and her friend caught her. They helped each other the few feet to where their friend was laying on the floor.

  “SIMPOC, can you hear me?” Joan asked.

  He was silent, and they looked at each other.

  “SIMPOC, are you okay?” Joan asked again.

  “Is he dead?” Darlene asked.

  “I don’t know,” Joan responded.

  Joan reached out and put her hand on his chest. There was something that she sensed. He wasn’t breathing or moving, but there was something there that she could feel.

  “I think he’s alive, but I’m not sure,” Joan whispered.

  Darlene and Joan hugged so they could talk.

  “This place might be bugged We’ve got to do something,” whispered Joan.

  Darlene just nodded her head in agreement.

  “How’s your hand-to-hand?” Joan whispered.

  “I was a training officer and hand-to-hand was my favorite subject,” Darlene reassured her.

  “They’re pretty big,” Joan pointed out.

  “The bigger they are, the harder…you know the rest,” said Darlene.

  Get onboard

  “Commander, the slugs seemed to impress them. They have stopped powering up and now are motionless,” pointed out Beta-Prime.

  “Okay, now that they know we are serious, how do we get onboard,” Paol was asking.

  “That’s a good question. Beta-Prime, compare the configuration of this ship with the other Izod ships that we’ve encountered.”

  “Stand by,” was the computer’s response.

  “Lieutenant Commander, there are differences between this craft and the others. This has a much smaller energy signature than the others. It is also missing some of the external pods. My only conclusion is that this ship is much more ornamental than the others. It might not be heavily armed,” pointed out Beta-Prime.

  “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time. If she’s armored or not, I’m not going to let them take Darlene again. That ain’t going to happen,” announced BG.

  “If I might suggest, can we reduce the velocity of the rail guns?” asked Paol.

  “Yes, we can set them at any velocity that we want. What are you suggesting?”

  “If you have your 3D up, the port they entered is on the lower aft portion on our side. Do you see it,” Paol asked?

  “Yes, I see it. What do you want to do?”

  “A nice circular pattern of slugs should open that door up pretty easily.”

  “Yah think so?” asked BG.

  “Makes sense to me,” replied Paol. “Give me about 10 minutes to get both of my teams arranged. I put them on alert and be close then I’ll open it up.”

  “Okay, so we’re starting another war?” pointed out BG.

  “Unless you have another plan. This is the second time they’ve kidnapped Captain Drummond. That isn’t a good trend,” pointed out the sergeant.

  “Tell me about it. When you’re in position, tell me,” said BG.

  Attack

  Beta-Prime, give me a ten-meter circular pattern at 10% velocity centered on the middle of that door with a 3-meter radius,” directed Sergeant Robles.

  Cell Onboard the Izod Ship

  “Okay, you act like you’re sick and I’ll try to get them in here,” whispered Joan.

  Darlene immediately got into the act and yelled in agony. She collapsed on the floor and started to moan and thrash.

  “She’s dying. You shot us with something that’s killing her,” yelled Joan.

  “You better come in here and help us, or you’ll have another war on your hands,” she screamed as she looked around the room looking for find some kind of monitoring device or camera.

  After a few more minutes of pounding on walls and doors and yelling she heard a lock actuating.

  The door opened, and a huge Izod guard came entered. He had a weapon just like the ones that were used on them. He moved slowly checking out the scene in the cell.

  Joan stayed in the corner and yelled at him, “Look, she’s dying. You killed her with that gun, you brutal creature. You have murdered a …” Joan continued getting him to turn away from Darlene.

  As she yelled the small form of Darlene Drummond crept to her knees then sprinted across the cell. She planted her foot on the end of a cot and launched herself in the direction of the guard who was still standing listening to Joan scream at him.

  She hit him at his shoulder level and put all the force that she could muster with her 110 pounds of weight.

  The impact was enough to cause the guard to stagger and hit the wall next to where Joan was screaming at him.

  The effect wasn’t what they hoped for. He turned to face his assailant, and he was mad. He took on a combatant crouch and had a look that he was going to deal with the tiny creature that assaulted him.

  Joan knew that Darlene was in trouble. This huge creature was mad, and it was going to hurt and maybe kill her. She had to do something.

  His pose and her natural training left her one option. She took a step and swung her foot like she had done many times playing soccer. She found out two things, one she still had the kick, and two Izod males were built the same way as humans.

  Board the Izod ship

  The slugs were at the proper velocity, and they created a nice circular pattern of destruction. The last one was placed dead center in the middle of the door, and it bent back like the lid on a can of tuna.

  By the time the last slug hit, Sergeant Robles and his men were already moving their Cow-Robots towards the anticipated entrance. They reached it, just as it was peeled back and began boarding the Izod ship.

  They knew that they were taking a huge risk. A ship that size might have a thousand troops on board, and again, being an opulent yacht of sorts, it might not have any. They were lucky; it was a yacht, not a t
roop carrier.

  Sergeant Robles and his men stayed on their personal armed Cow-Robots, and it took only a few seconds to get their bearings. The first task was to deal with the vacuum of space on their side and the pressurized door they needed to get through.

  The Cow-Robots took a while, but they were able to tear up floor plates from the inside of the shuttle hanger and use them to block the entrance they just blew through. Once a bunch of material was in place, a tank of sealer was needed to fill the cracks. The seal was poor at best, but it was good enough for them to break through the next barrier without having to deal with the huge pressure differential.

  Now it was time to use a little tech and figure out how to open the pressure door between the shuttle bay and the main part of the ship. The assumption was that simple circuitry was used and that proved to be the case. Once the control panel was located, it took only 45 seconds to figure out the circuitry and open the door.

  “I’ll go through first,” announced Robles. “I’ll go right; then we’ll alternate sides. Let’s get this corridor under control.” Upon that statement, Sergeant Robles moved his cow-robot through the door, and he turned right, not knowing what he would find on the other side.

  The corridor was still dusty from the door opening and movement of air into the shuttle bay. By the time two of his team had followed him, Robles realized they weren’t facing any resistance.

  After the entire team was in and taking defensive positions, Robles announced, “I’m betting the command section is probably in this direction.” When he finished the statement, he moved out, and the team followed.

  Sergeant Robles moved cautiously, but he was suspicious. Why wasn’t there any resistance? Were they setting a trap?

  After the next turn into a broad and ornate hallway, his question was answered.