NEBULAR Collection 7 - Guardians of the Continuum: Episodes 31 - 34

by Thomas Rabenstein

  Dunja reached for a glass of water. She took a large sip while looking at her displays and indicators. Then she took a brief glance through the panoramic window of the station.

  »The outside view … still blue as far as the eye can see! If you can’t get enough of blue and want to stare at Neptune’s atmosphere all day long, then come to Naiad!«

  A short tone caught Dunja’s attention.

  »This is Triton Space Surveillance. Dunja, is everything okay at your end?«

  At the same time, a holo established before her, showing a well-tanned spacefarer.

  Dunja squinted at her watch and raised an eyebrow.

  »You’re very early, Anton. You screw up my daily routine. Don’t forget, I have crucial things to do here. What happened? Has your shift schedule changed?«

  Anton chuckled and replied, »Not the shift schedule, but the alert status. I’d like to tell you that we have gone to Alert Level Three by orders of the Admiralty. The Hawk pilots are now permanently on standby, and I have a few large Krolakan ships on the sector scanner. Something is brewing out there. Perhaps, there will soon be trouble.«

  »Do you know something specific?« she wanted to know, but Anton shrugged.

  »Nobody knows exactly what’s going on. The rumor kitchen is cooking at full capacity. It is said that an attack on the Solar System could be imminent, but this wasn’t officially confirmed.«

  Dunja wiped her forehead theatrically.

  »Well, I’m relieved, then! I thought it was something serious. If any extraterrestrials should attack the Neptune System, then send them to me to Naiad, please. Here, the invaders be bored to death, and the danger is averted.«

  »Just watch yourself and take care of your little nymph moon,« suggested Anton.

  »Nymph moon?« Dunja asked perplexed.

  »Just look up the meaning of your moon’s name in the archives. You’ll understand what I mean then. You love to read, right?«

  Ruthless Counselor

  The Techno-Cleric hovered close to the half-erected Eternal Mother.

  As if he’s whispering something to her, Langlo thought angrily. She still believed to have heard wrong. The initial delight about the presence of the highly intelligent robot had just turned into the opposite.

  »These individuals should not be standing before you and have no influence on your decisions. They are only here because the timeline has already been massively manipulated.«

  The robot’s clear and pleasantly modulated voice didn’t fit what he was saying.

  »If you listen to them and let their words flow into your thoughts, then you will endanger the intended future.«

  »What kind of bullshit is this machine saying?« Bennett gasped. He could only look up with difficulty and was visibly under stress due to the stimulus treatment by the Phookan suit. »Robot! Don’t try to tell the Eternal Mother that someone could see the future!«

  The Techno-Cleric hovered threateningly toward Samura. When Bennet looked up for a moment, the sphere was right in front of his face.

  »It is very possible to have a look into the future, and some have done it. But what they did not know – as soon as one sees the future, one automatically becomes part of it and becomes inseparable from it.«

  »What does this have to do with our situation?« Langlo wanted to know energetically and immediately received an unpleasant, punishing shock from her Phookan suit.

  »You raise your voice only when the Eternal Mother allows it. Do not forget where you are!« Xipper shouted.

  The Techno-Cleric completely ignored Langlo’s question and condition and slowly hovered back to the Eternal Mother.

  »You have taken my advice and build your new empire in secret. So far the veil of secrecy was perfect. No one has noticed anything about your activities. Sending the scouts was a sensible measure, but the launch of the ambassadorship now ends in a disastrous situation! You can only reduce the changes in the timeline by killing these four individuals and throwing them into the Hydrogen Ocean,« the Techno-Cleric suggested.

  Langlo raised her head and stared at the Techno-Cleric in disbelief.

  »What are you saying? I thought our peoples and the Techno-Clerics are friends and allies? How can you demand our death? What have we done to deserve this harsh judgment?«

  »The Oracle is not concerned about what you have done, but what you will do,« the Eternal Mother said with a snarling voice. »We found the Oracle just after our arrival in the Eternal Ocean and knew that this planet is unique. The Oracle has always advised us well, and has also warned us more than once about your species.«

  »Oracles?« Bennett laughed aloud, risking once again to be tortured by Xipper. »These robots have nothing to do with Oracles. They are highly developed, but they can’t see the future as we all can’t do it either …«

  »… Xipper has acted correctly and reliably when she disarmed the invaders and took control,« the Techno-Cleric interrupted, Bennett. »Even if it seems unlikely, the four might have revealed their location. The existence of the Phookans and their crystal habitats would then be known, earlier than intended, and the effect of surprise would be lost.«

  »Then you still recommend us to start our fleet and risk a confrontation with the fleshoids?« The Eternal Mother wanted to know, letting her antennae sway back and forth while Langlo, Bennett, Samura, and Kel-Nar were groaning in pain.

  »I have offered you and your people to become a dominant factor in this part of the cosmos. The first step is the liberation of this planet and its moons, then to take over control of the outer ring of the Solar System.«

  The Eternal Mother was undecided and turned toward Langlo.

  »Why did you act as a shield between the ambassadorship and your battleships, risking your lives?«

  Langlo moaned silently, then she said with a hard voice, »Because, the attack was not right!«

  The Eternal Mother trembled all over her body and even interrupted laying eggs for several seconds – an unconscionable incident for the court, for the noise level in the Eternal Hall increased enormously.

  »Xipper! I do not like that the fleshoids be tortured!« the Eternal Mother snarled loudly at her maid. »Keep them under control, but do no longer cause them pain until I have reached my final decision.«

  The maid subserviently lowered her antennae and pressed a couple of sensor pads on her device. Immediately, the four cadets could breathe better again and the paralysis symptoms in legs and arms slowly subsided.

  »I see, you are already subjected to the changes to the timeline,« the Techno-Cleric said, sounding regretful. »It is not too late, though, if you follow my advice.«

  »Where has your Cosmic Moral Code gone?« Langlo shouted at the Techno-Cleric in a trembling voice. »We granted the Techno-Clerics asylum, and you’re thanking us by intriguing behind our backs?«

  »Start your fleet,« the Techno-Cleric recommended again, seeming to shrink a bit. He no longer paid attention to the cadets.

  »Don’t listen to him!« Langlo yelled. »If you appear in the Solar System with a fleet, then the Solar Union government must inevitably see this as an invasion, and the GCC will alert the alliance and declare the War Act. Admiral Friedberg will see his fears confirmed. It will certainly be a fight that you can’t win!«

  »It is not about starting an invasion, or a war between our peoples, but about mutual acceptance, respect, and recognition for my people,« the Eternal Mother said weakly. »We have built a new colony on this world and cannot reverse this step. With the foundation of the Mother Crystal, my children have already adapted to this world. Even I have changed and am now a part of this planet. It is impossible for us to leave this world and try a new beginning on another ice giant. This privilege will only be granted for the next generation of queens.«

  »These Humans will never accept you!« the Techno-Cleric threatened. »They will, with help of their alliance, find ways to get to you and destroy your habitats.«

  »Why is it in your interest to
betray Humanity?« Langlo asked calmly.

  She now looked at the Techno-Cleric with different eyes.

  There’s something wrong with this robot. He behaves differently than we have learned in the academy. Why was he retrieved from the hydrogen ocean? How did he get there, to begin with? she thought.

  »I am not betraying Humanity, but lead you to your true destiny,« the Techno-Cleric replied mysteriously.

  Strategy Meeting

  »Let’s summarize things,« Admiral Friedberg said in a deep, earnest voice. Together with a group of high-ranking commanders, he stood around a holographic table which displayed a tactical depiction of the Solar System and the current location of all Solar Fleet units and bases. The admiral was still wearing his space suit since he had just recently arrived on Titan. The silver combination with the subtle admiral insignia seemed simple. His large handgun, dangling loosely on his belt, however, showed determination. »No unknown ship movements have been reported for about five hours. The last incident we recorded is identical to the clash near Saturn, where we lost the Firedrakin and her crew. Since then, nothing.«

  The commander of the Krolakan Fleet, deployed to the Solar System, clenched his teeth until his cheekbones cracked. He was wearing a heavy combat suit, whose shoulder-armor consisted of a strange, shining leather. The commander carried his rank insignias on the arm supports of his space armor. Three crossed fangs symbolized his level of command over a pack, which consisted of two battleships and several cruisers.

  »The strangers have seen that they can’t operate in the Solar System unnoticed,« the commander of the GCC Protection Fleet growled. »We thwarted them off and gave them a lasting lesson.«

  »That cannot be ruled out,« agreed Friedberg, laughing roughly. But then the admiral raised his hand. »Perhaps, the aliens have only tested our determination and have already completed their explorations. Maybe, in these minutes, they are preparing an invasion.«

  Necebul, the Neo-Sapien Fleet representative, and Equinox’s chieftain, slammed his fist against his golden chest armor. The over two-meter-tall and physically well-trained commander pointed to the holographic table, »We have deployed ten battleships in Saturn’s vicinity. The units are on full alert and can jump to any point in the Solar System within ten minutes. We will stand by our brothers in the event of an attack, of course.«

  Admiral Friedberg nodded thankfully.

  »We have not yet informed the civilian populations about a possible threat. If details of the solar igniter, which we found on the Guardian Ship, makes the rounds then this would trigger a panic. The Hawk squadrons in the Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn Systems are at the highest state of alert to protect our bases. The Nebular is currently located near Mars. Our only FTL cruiser would, of course, also be ordered to the focal point of an attack, as well as our sub-light fleet.«

  »The Atlantika crew is currently preparing for a remote expedition to Scutum-Crux,« added Herimos, who was standing in the background.

  The officially appointed ambassador and liaison between Earth and Equinox approached the holo table and came into light. »I’m in touch with Vasina, and can assure that the Progonauts will immediately leave the Moon orbit with an alarm start and assist us if there is an attack.«

  »Please, give my thanks to the Progonaut Queen. The same I’d like to express to the officers present,« Friedberg said formally. »We shall never forget the support of our friends.«

  »It seems that we’re ready,« Herimos acknowledged contentedly. »The Conceptor on Sedna regrets, however, that the former System Matrix is still not available. The Chiropters are working on the re-activation and reprogramming of the matrix. So far, without success.«

  Friedberg nodded.

  »Activating a system-enveloping shield would be nice, and if the Chiropters are succeeding, some of our worries would be wiped away.«

  »Until then, we’d rather rely on the firepower of our ships,« barked the Krolakan commander, showing his fangs.

  Decision Time

  »What kind of destiny is this and who decides our destiny?« Simon Bennett shouted at the Techno-Cleric.

  Strangely, the Techno-Cleric showed a reaction and seemed to be quite receptive to this question. The perfect sphere slowly moved toward the cosmologist and stopped at about one meter before Bennett.

  The pleasantly sounding voice of the robot made Langlo cringe because it didn’t come from someone who heralded good and happy news, on the contrary, the robot wanted the death of the cadets.

  »The fate of Humanity is linked to the future of my people. We have understood this already a long time ago and will now implement our vision of the future!«

  »Your version of the future? Even if you should deviate from the path of Cosmic Morals and kill us?« Bennett asked provocatively, but the Techno-Cleric wasn’t bothered by his remark.

  »What has it got to do with morality to kill you?« the Techno-Cleric replied coldly.

  With an angry battle cry, Kel-Nar jumped, from a stand, two meters high, directly toward the hovering Techno-Cleric. The robot’s rude words had exceeded the limit of tolerance for the Krolakan. With bare claws and sharp teeth, Kel-Nar wanted to grab the robot, trying to ram them into the sphere. His action was so quick and surprising that none of the Phookan warriors showed a reaction. Only Langlo’s scream filled the court when Kel-Nar bounced against an invisible obstacle and was thrown to the ground as if struck by lightning.

  When Malin Langlo wanted to attend Kel-Nar, she was held back by the Phookan warriors who were holding flaming lances in their front arms.

  »Let me go to him!« Langlo shouted to the Eternal Mother, who signaled the warriors with a short chirp to retreat by a few steps.

  As Langlo leaned over Kel-Nar, he breathed frantically. The Phookan breastplate showed an ugly, burnt patch. Apparently, an energy discharge had hit his body, and the force had been reduced by the new Phookan suit armor. Kel-Nar opened his eyes and huffed softly, »I’m … alright.«

  Langlo straightened up angrily and resolutely. She ignored the robot. Her words were only intended for the Eternal Mother.

  »This machine apparently swam too long in the hydrogen ocean and has a malfunction. The Techno-Clerics are our friends and adhere to the highest moral standards amongst themselves and when dealing with other civilizations. This robot shows a completely abnormal and absurd behavior. This machine should be sent to Techno-Center for immediate repair.«

  The Eternal Mother raised her antennae.

  »Techno-Center? We know this artificial world. Together with the tachyon eye, it circles around this planet and has maintained the stability of our ice giant’s system.«

  Langlo froze.

  »Around this ice giant?« she asked confused.

  »The four individuals do not understand the scope of this encounter,« the robot proclaimed with a loud voice. »They only want to save their naked lives. Their intelligence and imagination are inadequate, they cannot be accepted as equal partners.«

  »Our intelligence is more than sufficient to understand that this robot is giving you wrong advice!« Langlo tried to drown the robot. »If we are on Neptune and still in the Solar System, then the presence of your fleet would be interpreted as a hostile act and the Solar Union as well as the GCC Protection Fleet would strike back with all their might.«

  »Hear it from the mouth of the female individual, and once again be reminded of the Krolakan’s attack,« the robot directed the voice to the Eternal Mother. »It is precisely these reactions that you will find, should you try to make a peaceful contact. The Humans and their allies will destroy your fleet and bomb the habitats until the last Phookan on Neptune has been killed. Humans will never tolerate you as new neighbors in the Solar System.«

  »We also tolerated the transfer of Techno-Centers to the Neptune System and cooperate with many friendly nations! We do not have any fear of contact and ask you to let us speak for you and communicate with the Triton Base. We can clarify the situation. There must be no
confrontation.«

  Unbelievable, Langlo thought. A colony of alien intelligences on a planet of our Solar System. Where did the Phookans come from?

  »You must use the moment of surprise and take control of the Neptune System,« the robot reiterated. »You can ignore Techno-Center. The Techno-Clerics will not interfere and disrupt your operation. This planet belongs to you, the moons of Neptune are therefore Phookan!«

  »Your Oracle is a war monger!« Malin Langlo shouted.

  Bennett and Samura followed the exchange of words with expressionless faces. They knew that this was a situation of do or die for them – but more importantly, possibly the outbreak of a war. The Phookans had formed a narrow circle around the Eternal Mother who was listening carefully to every word. The four cadets were surrounded by the warriors. Xipper could at any time continue her manipulations on the Phookan suits. For the four cadets, the situation was more than hopeless.

  »If the Phookans want to live and further develop themselves on this world, then this can only be done in agreement with us Humans,« Langlo said to the Eternal Mother with a hoarse voice. »We need to give both sides time to get used to this unexpected development! It was a mistake to build your state in secret, shielded from the events around you.«