by J Battle
He looked at the humans, then back at his tail leaking on the ground. They were deep underground and their convoluted journey through the twisting passages suggested that any pursuit would be unsuccessful. He had time, he felt, to perform the unpleasant but required task.
‘Perhaps Mandy and Bill would obtain benefit from time on their own together to consider the complexities and, indeed, novelties of the situation that now surrounds them?’
Bill held his hands up as if they might be better able to catch the meaning of the alien’s words than his ears had so far proved.
‘I think he wants to be alone, Dad.’ Mandy tugged his arm and dragged him further into the depths, his exo-skeleton clunking as he went.
‘Why didn’t he just say that?’
Finally alone, Sublan bent and sniffed at his tail. In the light from the glowing walls, he could see the tough outer skin and the pale smooth inner flesh at what had been the base of his tail. With a grunt he dug his snout into the meat and began to feed.
Chapter 20
Jashna slipped unnoticed into the great hall, dwarfed both by the kilometers high walls and the 100 meters tall occupants.
Although he'd accessed the place from the surface of a planet, he knew that this place and its inhabitants could never exist within the strictures of a planet’s gravity well.
The honored members of the Confederation's High Council had long ago cast aside the mundanities of planet dwelling life and allowed their bodies to grow and develop into beautiful but ultimately impractical forms.
Here was an enormous sphere, phasing through every possible shade of blue as it glided through the lower regions of the hall. There was a single wing; butterfly-like in its seeming fragility; translucent and colored like a spring sunset. Here was a long sinuous creature, black as a killer's soul, with eyes that a legion could fall into. There was a simple face, 50 meters across, wrinkled and lined by a thousand years of consideration.
Even with his shudder wings half opened and phased to gold, Jashna felt dowdy in their company.
The hall was a vertical cylinder, 10 kilometers in height, apparently open at both ends, and it spun lazily many light years distance from any star. The place had no official name, but over the many centuries of its existence it had become known simply as There.
Jashna had been called to There immediately upon his return from Tau Ceti and, in other circumstances, he would have considered that an affront. But the urgency of Heldon's request had brooked no refusal, so here he was, with his own plans put to one side once more.
Heldon glided down towards him, her stumpy dragon wings seeming inadequate to support her mass, but of course, they were mere decoration. Her control of her local gravity was complete, and barely required a thought.
'Accept multiple thanks, Jashna-del, for your recent role, for accepting our invitation and, most of all, for what you are about to do.'
Jashna studied her for a moment. She'd grown in the short time since they'd last met; did that mean something?
'Gratitude receives gratitude, but total knowledge is required before complete acceptance.'
Heldon invoked a field of privacy. Through its silver shimmer, Jashna could still see the giant councilors, but he and Heldon were invisible to them.
'The future accelerates towards us, Jashna, and time is an expensive commodity. We will all be much poorer before we reach a conclusion.'
Jashna made no response. He knew that Heldon would reveal her thoughts when she was ready.
The air between them spiraled into a three dimensional display. Jashna immediately recognized it as a representation of the Galaxy. He automatically sought out his own home star; left so long ago. He eyes flicked across the width of the display and found what he guessed was his current location. So far he’d travelled, and never yet returned. Perhaps one day he could forgive himself enough to ask others to do the same.
‘Do not let maudlin thoughts cloud your vision, or deflect your mind.’
Jashna snapped his focus away from the display and glared at Heldon. Did she know him so well? Was his every thought open to her consideration and dismissal?
‘Tell me what you see Jashna. Tell me what you see.’
He brought his eyes down to the representation as instructed, but he could feel his simmerglow building.
He saw it almost immediately. A string of red stars stretched across a small portion of the Galaxy, close to its lower edge.
‘I see 45 stars colored in red, Heldon. Hardly difficult to spot. What does the coloring indicate?’
‘All of the indicated stars were in early to mid-juvenile states. All were stable, with no perceptible irregularities.’
‘Were?’
‘No longer. They have all gone to a nova condition in the space of three years.’
Jashna studied the stars for a moment. It was certainly strange, maybe even amazing. Cosmologists would spend lifetimes studying this phenomenon, but what did it have to do with him? He was no scientist.
‘You do not see this as a natural occurrence?’
Heldon made no response, as if she was lost in the beauty and the horror before her.
‘There is intelligence behind this; it is a conscious act.’
‘You have a reason for that opinion, my Lord? Oh, please accept my apologies, my Lady; the years drew me back to them.’
Heldon was currently female but, for most of the time he’d known her, she’d been male.
‘The evidence is real and absolute, can you not see? The stars are close together, but the string is broken.’ She pointed her crimson claw at the affected stars and they grew and separated from the body of the display. ‘See.’
The string was made up of 48 stars. First, an unbroken line of 15 red stars, and then a single white star, followed by a further 18 red. Then there were two white stars together, and the line finished with 12 red stars.
‘The white stars were spared? Perhaps they were not capable of sustaining the catastrophic nova sequence?’
‘They are no more, and no less capable than the others were.’
‘They share something else?’
‘Each of those three star systems supports intelligent life. Low level, currently, but with potential to develop. They have been deliberately spared.’
‘What does this tell us? Can some answers be seen in this destructive process?’
Heldon moved her great head closer to him.
‘It is a warning, Jashna-del. Logic and experience and deep consideration tell us this.’
‘Where comes this warning? Who is being warned? Who is capable of such an abomination?’
‘The second question is answered, Jashna. You see that? How can it be otherwise? Do the very words need to be chiseled into your head?’
‘I see, Heldon del, I see. And the other questions? Who is trying to warn us?'
'Every possibility reduces to one when intellect applies.'
'Save my poor intellect the effort and tell me plain.'
'The effort has value in and of itself, as I believe we have previously discussed.'
Jashna spread his wings slightly and shook them in a gesture indicating low level irritation.
'But intellect requires data to reach conclusion, and such I will share.'
'Your kindness is legendary,' snapped Jashna.
'Your mockery will be remembered and a suitable response devised at more opportune times, Jashna del. For now, listen closely, with your ears and your mind.'
'Yes, Lady Lord.' Jashna folded his wings and eased a little closer.
'You are aware of the Second Intermodal Crescent? Of course you are; such a wise person you are. Many years in the past, they sought to expand their knowledge and experience, and their honor, by leaving this Galaxy of ours and seeking out a neighboring Galaxy. There was folly of course, but it was not absolute, so their action was supported by The Galactic High Council, if with some reservations.'
She stretched her neck and studied the barely visible pri
vacy barrier.
'A fleet of most sophisticated ships left with little fanfare and great hope, with the intent of reaching the Galaxy known as Andromeda and seeing what they might find. Nothing was heard from them again. The general opinion was that they had become lost in the nothingness that pertains between Galaxies. What you see before you suggests that perhaps they reached their intended destination and that their welcome was less than they hoped for.'
'That seems something of a mental leap to me.'
'A sufficiently developed mind finds few difficulties in such a leap.
Jashna studied the display for a moment longer.
‘Will they continue to spare stars that bear life?’
‘Absolute data is not revealed even by the most concerted consideration. But we see that the situation may develop where this apparent restraint is no longer applied.’
‘Something must be done; we cannot allow this assault to continue.’
‘What would you have us do Jashna-del? The benefit of your renowned intellect would be a true treasure.’
‘We must follow the path of the Crescent, travel to the Andromeda Galaxy, and seek to correct their failure.’
‘And who would you have us appoint as leader of this dangerous expedition?’
Jashna could see the trap he’d walked into, but he carried on regardless.
‘I’m sure you have a candidate at the forefront of your mind, great Heldon.’
‘Indulge me, Jashna. Name that person.’
‘You have invited me here, so, when do I leave?’
Heldon snorted.
‘You will not be going alone, Jashna. You have many splendid skills, but diplomacy cannot be counted amongst them. Your role will be to represent my interests, and, of course, if drastic measures become necessary, well, I need say no more.’
‘Who will accompany me?’
‘There is a certain Re-Dudd that I believe you are acquainted with.’
‘Surely you do not speak of Xlytes? You cannot send us together; not on such a critical mission. And what does he know of diplomacy? His mouth is a dangerous weapon.’
‘It is not my choice; I am bound by the requirements of others. There is politics in everything we do; even this.’
‘Are there others to prevent us killing each other before the journey ends?’
‘There will be one other, but, again, the choice is another’s.’
‘Can political loyalties and considerations not be put aside, to ensure success?’
‘Such naivety, Jashna del, from one as old as you. Politics drives everything we do, and in all of the possible outcomes of your mission, success is a wish, a hope, a desire. Surety is hardly a feature we see in your future.’
‘Yet you send me; knowing what I am capable of?’
‘Desperation breeds desperation, Jashna-del. I can say no more.’
The privacy field dissipated and Heldon glided up and away.
Jashna remained for a moment, his eyes studying the mighty behemoths that floated around the great hall. Despite the privacy field, how many of them knew the task he was about to take on? Did they look down on him as a symbol of hope, or were those fierce glances evidence of dismissal and despair?
Chapter 21
As Jimmy floated from his chamber, after being awakened by the ship, he called up an external visual, expecting his first sight of the Tau Ceti system. There was very little to see, just stars. Perhaps the viewing angle wasn’t right; he asked the computer to display Tau Ceti for him. A single star was ringed in red, with a rectangle of figures beside it, showing, amongst other things, the distance still to travel.
Jimmy shrugged. I expected it would stand out more, he thought, this close. Then the figures registered. Jimmy was in no way a trained astronaut, and science was one of several subjects, along with maths and physical education, he’d spent considerable energy to avoid at school. Even so, there seemed to be far too many zeros on that display.
‘Can I have our ETA, please?’ he asked; his voice a little hoarse.
‘Expected orbital entry at 12:30 hours: June 13: 2186 Solar Union time, plus or minus 12 hours.’
Jimmy breathed a sigh of relief; that was pretty much bang on schedule. He had thought that something had gone wrong.
‘What time is it now?’
‘Would you like current shipboard time, or Solar Union time?’
‘Is there much difference?’
‘Considerable; would you like to discuss the effects of time dilation on bodies moving close to light speed?’
‘No, thank you; I’ll just take Solar Union time, please, if that’s not too much trouble.’ Sighed Jimmy.
’18:58 hours: March 23:2186 Solar Union time.’
‘But that’s…Why have you awakened me nearly three months early?’
‘We have received an emergency message from the Tau Ceti system. The action to be taken in response falls outside the remit of our systems and human intervention is required.’
‘What form does the message come in?’
‘Audio only.’
‘Play it for me, please.’
‘Please note that the quality of the original message was poor. Everything possible has been done to enhance the message to aid clarity.’
‘Thanks; play it.’
There was a short period of static, then:
‘…they’re ….I don’t know where they…destroying every….energy weapons, missiles and….Must be alien…everyone’s dead…just….I don’t know what…help, we need help… just flown past us…they’re coming back and…’
That was it. There was a further period of static, and then the message was repeated.
‘Do we have a broadcast point for the message?’
‘Yes. It was broadcast from Tau Ceti E’s surface, close to the North Pole.’
‘Is there any more? Were there other messages?’
‘None.’
‘When was it broadcast?’
‘12:53 hours: January 22:2186 Solar Union time.’
‘Three months ago?’
‘If we are still on Solar Union time.’
‘What do we do about it?’
‘That is for you to decide.’
‘Thanks, you’re a big help.’
‘Thank you, Sir. That is our purpose.’
He glared at the speaker, high on the wall, because that was the only part of the computer that was exposed to view.
It was his decision, was it? And no clues or suggestions were on offer. Should they carry on and maybe help the victims of the attack? And risk getting killed themselves. Or perhaps divert the ship somewhere safer? If that was even possible.
He sighed and dragged his hands up and down his face.
Then he made a decision (not the decision, but definitely a decision) and floated towards the bar. It looked like some tough, hard thinking was required, and for that, he would need a drink.
**********
'Man! Hey, man!'
'What's wrong, son?'
'There's dinosaurs out there. They're just walking around, as if they own the place. Ain't never seen nothing like it, 'cept in a film. Take a look.'
Andreas instructed his suit to walk him over to the view screen, to see just what Iron was babbling about. He was quite surprised to find that his son was not completely mistaken; there were in fact a small number of creatures gathered about the base of the ship. They were reptilian, erect with blunt snouts and longer forelimbs than you'd expect if they were actually dinosaurs.
'Can we get a scale on this thing?' Andreas asked.
The AI obliged and they could see that the creatures were quite small; less than 1.5 meters in height and not really physically aggressive in demeanor, if you ignored the fact that they were all obviously armed.
'What weapons have you got on you?' He turned to his son.
Iron patted his jacket. 'I've just got a mini matter blaster, and a couple of toss and forget fragmentation balls. And a new remote semi auto ballistic m
issile launcher. Oh, I almost forgot my old faithfuls.' He pulled out two ancient handguns, modified to accept 50 shell loaders.
Andreas nodded. At least they wouldn't be helpless when they left the ship.
'Does the ship have any armaments?'
'This is a civilian vessel, and as such offensive weapons are proscribed. We have a small number of purely defensive cannons which can only be used when the ship or its occupants are threatened.' The AI's voice was calm and serious, but Andreas sensed an eagerness to shoot somebody.
'Would you say that the ship is currently under threat?'
'Well, they are armed, Mr. Barr.'
Andreas was about to suggest that violence should not be their first response and that perhaps an attempt to communicate would be wiser on their part, and he was fairly sure that he actually said something to that effect.
Unfortunately, his faulty implant took that moment to act up, and the words that actually came out of his mouth were, 'Violence should be our first response.'
'Your instructions are fully understood and I have targeted six potential threats. I am awaiting your go signal, sir.' The AI sounded actually excited at the prospect of shooting things. Andreas thought that it really should have picked up a couple of hobbies to help it maintain a healthy attitude through the 14 years of loneliness it had endured on its journey from Earth.
'No, no, no.' Andreas shook his head to reinforce his words.
His implant quite often reversed his speech when it was misbehaving, so the words came out as, 'On, on, on.'
The AI considered this response for almost half a second before it decided that the words were probably a colloquialism and, in any case, were definitely positive and proceeded to deal with its targets with extreme prejudice; it was really quite taken by that term, but found it hard to drop it into everyday conversation.
'Can I go outside and get me some, man?'
