by TS Paul
Nestor got his question in. “What did you do?”
“Something incredibly stupid. I was young. Just a tiny bit older than the both of you. I got drunk one night and changed shape in front of a couple of girls from town. Human girls. They got video of it on their phones.” Peter shook his head in remembrance.
“Dude you should be dead! If it had been me my own father would have killed us. He would have been too ashamed to take it to Boris. Boris might have banished our family for violating that rule!” Nestor was in shock.
“I know that now. Then, I was the pack leader’s son. I thought I could do no wrong until it all came crashing down. Protect the secret of the UnknownWorld with your life and do not reveal its secrets to humans. I broke the biggest rule there was, and I paid for it too. Her guards ran me to within an inch of my life. In a month, I was a completely different person, and I liked it. So, what is your choice for the future? Have either of you decided yet? Ron too.”
Ron had been listening from the far corner of the pod. It was Wechselbalg stuff, but he already knew a bit of it. Tina really was a font of information. Hearing his name mentioned broke him out of his own contemplation. “Huh? What?”
“What does the future hold for Ron?”
“Not a clue. I thought maybe some sort of tech, but I like flying pods. I haven’t made my mind up yet.”
Peter smiled. “Good answer Ron. Take your time and think it through carefully. What about you two?” He looked at the cousins.
Maxim blushed a tiny bit. “I may go Guardian like my uncle. My own father stayed to fight with Boris. I don’t know his fate.”
Peter raised an eyebrow at that statement. Russia was a bit of an unknown to those in the Queen's service. As a country, it was a mess, and she had vowed to let it be and not interfere there. Her alliance with Boris being her only concession. He could make a few inquiries, but the fate of Maxim’s father was most likely unknown. “Stick with your classes here. Guardians are expected to know stuff. We aren’t just muscle and power.” Peter pointed to his head. “Use this, before you use this.” He pointed to his suddenly clawed fist.
“I think I want to build things. Jeo or Team BMW might be a good fit for me.” Nestor looked to his cousin and smiled trying to give him some reassurance.
Peter nodded. “Before you get your heart set working with those guys, check out some of the engineering chiefs on the QBS Archangel or even talk to Captain Thomas or Wagner. They can give you some help. Don’t give up your dreams.”
The control panel in front of all of them made a small noise. “We are here. Let me set up communications with Jeo.” Peter touched the screen in several places.
“Can everyone see outside?” Jeo’s voice could be heard in both pods.
“As I told you earlier. The Thule society along with the Nazis built a secret underground base in Schwabenland in the 1940s. The technology that was available at that time was primitive compared to now. But they still managed to build something that has lasted the ages. Or at least over seventy years without collapsing.” The two larger pods slowly augured in loops toward the hidden base.
A tone sounded in the cockpit of the Pod Two causing Peter to start typing on his tablet. The students saw movement outside the craft. One of the new Black Eagle fighter pods had moved into a formation position next to them. Peter’s voice was projected to Pod One. “Don’t worry about the fighter. He’s one of several that we have on constant patrol over this area. We are nominal allies with those that live in Schwabenland. The Queen has a commitment to protecting them and not allowing the world to plunder their technology.”
Jeo replied to him. “Thank you, Peter. What you see below us is called Queen Maud Land. It was named by a Norwegian explorer who was the first in the area in 1930. Norway claimed the entire area as their own in that same year. The 1938 expedition by the Nazis claimed a large chunk of the same area. They called it New Swabia which was later called Neuschwabenland. The Antarctic Treaty in 1961 demilitarized the entire continent voiding most territorial claims on it. If they had known about the existence of the Vril that particular treaty may have been different.”
The pods descended to less than ten thousand feet leaving the Black Eagle to finish his patrol.
“The Vril base is located just under those small mountains. Three main rock walls make up the basic structure of the base.” The pods dropped down, so they almost skimmed the surface of the water.
A large hole could be seen near the edge of the ice wall.
“That is the submarine entrance to the base. During the war, they built several new experimental types based upon, we think, a technology that they obtained from the Vril. Many of the designs were never built, but something was using this pen. We may never know.” Jeo paused while the pods moved slowly inside the opening.
“If you look to your left, you can see the outer edge of the base. That chunk of rock is estimated to weigh over one hundred tons. Ask yourself this, how did they manage to move it and its sisters into place using 1940s technology way out in the middle of nowhere? That is an engineering feat for the ages. Alien tech or mental power that is what makes engineering worth it to me. Anyone have any questions?” The pods slowly began to back out of the cavern.
Peter was only vaguely aware of the questions being asked of Jeo about possible construction techniques. They asked good questions. His concentration was on the pods themselves. This was an international hotspot as well as a war zone between Schwabenland and Majestic. He was not supposed to know about the mythical American organization but his briefing notes contained hints, and he could use a computer.
“We will perhaps one day learn the real secret of how this base was constructed, but for now we only have conjecture. Peter, do we have time to make another visit?”
“Where did you want to go?” If Jeo could see Peter, he would know the man was scared of what he was going to say.
“How about Giza? Let’s go look at the pyramids!”
CHAPTER TEN
“You think the pyramids of Giza are some kind of map? Is that what you’re saying?” Tina stared at Jeo in surprise.
Jeo used his hands to punctuate. “Sort of. They align perfectly with three bright stars in the Orion system. How did the ancient Egyptians do that so perfectly?”
“But that would mean they had outside help, right?”
“Yes, Ron. They did. Maybe your friends up on the moon? Just so you know, our scientists think that base and those robots could have been thousands of years old. If not older.” Jeo looked back down at the pyramids. The two pods were hovering to the left and right of the tip of the pyramid of Khufu.
Maxim shuddered. “Don’t mention those things to me. Tough bastards.”
Nestor looked at his cousin with surprise on his face. Maxim hardly ever cursed. He gave him a nudge. “You OK?”
“Yes. I thought we might die on the moon. The robots are not something I wish to remember.”
Nestor nodded. Yes, he too didn’t want to remember them. His moment was when they stepped off the elevator into the dark hallway. They opened a door and came face-to-face with hundreds of robot heads. He shivered at the thought of it. Then wave after wave of robots attacked them. Maxim, his cousin, and brother from another mother fought them. Howling as he beat them with an arm torn from one of the larger ones.
“Me too brother, me too.” Nestor patted Maxim on the arm.
Maxim looked up in surprise. ’Brother?’
Yana peered down at the half lion half human stone creation. “But what about that thing? The Sphinx. Why build it in the first place?” The pod re-oriented itself so the occupants could see better.
“Ah. Some believe it was built first. The pyramids were added later. Who is to say that it might be something left over from an alien civilization or even a tribute to one? Look at the Yollins. They have four legs. So does the Sphinx. Maybe there is some race that resembles that!” Jeo pointed toward the large lion-like creature.
“Th
e Yollins claim they haven’t been here before. The leader Kael-ven says that if they had found us in the past, and we could have been used, they would have conquered us. Their Emperor allows no world to be untouched by them in some form or another. We do know of at least three other alien groups that have visited Earth in the past. Why not more?”
“Not to interrupt while you are on a roll, Jeo. But what does any of this have to do with engineering of any sort.” Peter cut in.
“Uh. Oops? Sorry about that guys. Peter has a point. I was geeking out on you. Ancient aliens are something of a hobby for me. Having met actual aliens only makes it worse. I really did bring you here to talk about the construction of Khufu, not the origin. Sorry about that.”
Yana asked. “You make good points. Which theory do you believe in for how they built it, slaves or workers?”
“Excluding alien intervention, I would say, workers. Egypt was both a theocracy and a monarchy. The pharaoh was considered to be a God by many of the common people. Who wouldn’t want to please a God? The workers were volunteers. How would they even feed and house the thousands of slaves needed to build these?” Jeo pointed to the enormous structures.
On Pod Two a faint alarm started to sound. Peter grabbed his tablet and connected it to the main system. “This is Peter. What is happening?”
The voice of the EI assigned to them filled the speakers. “There are three squadrons of fighters’ en route to your position. Aircraft taking off from Almaza Air Base will be in a position to intercept you in less than 5 minutes. Additional fighters are taking off from Cairo West Air Base. Black Eagle Squadron Two is launching now but will be unable to reach you in time. Advise evacuation of the area.”
Peter broke into Jeo’s lecture. “We need to wrap this up now! The Egyptians may have decided we are unwelcome. They are sending half their air force straight at us.”
“I thought Egypt was friendly with the Queen? We sold them literally tons of metal and other materials from the asteroid belt.” Jeo checked his own feeds looking at the incoming aircraft.
“Doesn’t seem to matter now. Black Eagle Squadron we are leaving the area.” He motioned for the kids to buckle up. “EI emergency override Alpha one Alpha. Return both pods to Archangel space please.” Peter grabbed hold of one of the grab bars built into the side of the Pod as it suddenly jerked upward. Like a roller coaster ride on steroids. Pod Two, followed by Pod One, screamed into the upper atmosphere then through the thermosphere, and into the exosphere in less than a minute.
Both pods came to a sudden halt right at the edge of space. Alarms suddenly started to flash in both pods.
“What’s happening?” Tina yelled at Jeo.
Jeo clutched his seat restraints tightly and shook his head. He didn’t know.
Like lightening, Peter glanced at the readouts. “EI evasive maneuvers! Head toward the battleship!”
Both pods zipped away in a back and forth movement. Several explosions sent blast waves toward the space they once occupied.
“What was that?” Nestor and Ron both yelled at once.
Peter replied. His eyes never leaving the screen in front of him. “Those were ASAT weapons fired by those Egyptian Air Force planes that were after us. The F-16s and Mirage fighters I think. They are the only ones they have big enough to even carry the missile they shot at us.”
“What’s an ASAT?” Maxim asked while staring at the back of Peter’s head.
“It stands for air-launched anti-satellite. I thought the US didn’t use those anymore?” Ron answered before Peter could.
Peter’s voice sounded harsh. “This isn’t the US, remember. Disregard anything you think you know about what the US might have or not have. The computer says that was a Bold Orion 199B. No one has used that since the very early 1960s. According to this, Egypt isn't supposed to even have something like that in its arsenal.”
Peter turned back to look at the boys. “It may not have been able to get through our shields, but the shock wave may have crushed the outer shell of the pod. Next time, if there is one, put your helmets on. Earth is becoming a war zone.” He turned back to his screen.
The pod communications were still linked as Tina asked a question. “If they want the technology so badly, why try to destroy us? That doesn’t make any sense!”
“I don’t have an answer for you. They might have thought to damage us before we made it to space. It’s interesting that they are showing their cards now. Jeo could that missile have penetrated the shield?” Peter continued to type on his tablet as they talked.
“No. Maybe. What did you say those were again? Orions?” Jeo’s voice had calmed down considerably.
“Bold Orion. The very first American ASAT weapon developed in the 1950s, those things were over sixty years old. They are normally armed with a kinetic energy weapon, but what the Egyptian used? No idea.”
“If it was a kinetic weapon we are safe. The shields will hold. Only a tactical nuke or something larger could, in theory, break them. As for what would happen to those inside? That is not a problem BMW ever tried to solve. I could ask them if you like. Peter, how do you know so much about the weapons packages in use down there?” Jeo sounded concerned.
“It’s my job. As Guardians, we have to be prepared for anything. If you were to look in my quarters, you would see a bookshelf and digital display filled with books on weapons of war and destruction. All of us are studying. When we go out there the weapons will be different, but there are universal truths about how and why things work. All knowledge is valuable.”
“Well said, Peter. That is a good way to wrap up today's lecture. When we get back to base, remember what we learned today and apply it in the future. Tomorrow we will be less explosive and study how the QBS Meredith Reynolds was constructed.” He received a round of groans at his pun.
~~~~~~~
Ring! Ring!
General Chun reached for his cell phone. Only one person besides his mother had this number, and it was far too late for her to be up. “Did you get it?”
The general suddenly threw the phone across the room at the wall. It shattered into a dozen pieces! With a roar, he flipped his desk over scattering everything. His security force rushed into the room guns ready looking for threats.
“Get out!” He yelled at them to leave.
Now was not a good time.
His contact and the strike team intercepted General Xi, and he was accidentally killed in the process. The technology was a simple laptop that once belonged to the US ambassador. It had nothing to do with TQB or even the Sacred Clan. It was a ruse on the part of the General to gain power.
“Damn him to the hells of his ancestors! I needed that technology.” Now more than ever Chief Scientist Jìshù and his guide needed to be intercepted. They must have what he needed. Why else flee toward Russia?
~~~~~~
Bai Hu was in full flight once again. His beast was now in command. Only twice before had it forced its way out and now it intended to run like it hadn’t before. Bai Hu was too young and far too ignorant to realize what he thought of as ‘the beast’ was really just his own subconscious trying desperately to save him.
If only the soldiers hadn’t found his tree.
“Search that gully. Send the scouts out and have them watch the animal paths. Nothing gets by us, or we’re all dead.” The Chinese officer was so very tired. He and his men were just in from a long patrol when the call came in to search and blockade the Northern border. They were quite a bit more North than the border actually extended, but none of the Mongolian troops would ever say anything about it. Those that still lived, that is. Chinese troops in this part of the world were under orders to play the part of bandits whenever possible. It was much easier to invade peacefully a country overrun with bandits than to take one by force.
