by Gary Caplan
Chief of Staff Orlond stood up and said, "I would like to call upon Lord Garfield of Karro to give a logistics and intelligence update concerning the sabotage of Alliance of Worlds facilities.”
Sheppard remembered that Orlond was a stickler for formality.
“Your Grace,” Orlond said, “if you would please proceed.”
“Thank you, Mister Orlond. I was pleased to be asked to resume duties after an absence of almost three decades,” Garfield said. “I want to thank you for the opportunity to help. I have ascertained information about what and who are behind these acts of sabotage, and, in addition, some information about assassination targets. I have used several devices of my own design, as well as certain mentallic or psionic disciplines to ferret out those responsible.” He paused and briefly looked at the audience. “I have found two contingents that have been on this station for likely over one standard year. It is highly likely that they have been sent by two enemies of the Alliance of Worlds. There has also been evidence that they are collaborating to some degree, whether to enhance effectiveness or because they were ordered to do so.”
Garfield used one of his devices to interface with the central display projectors, including a secure zone of the Star One’s central computer data interlink system. Those who wanted to could link and get information using their personal interlink devices. The briefing display units portrayed pre-recorded, three-dimensional images of many individuals and areas that had been sabotaged. A recent imaging of the failed attempt on the secondary fusion reactors showed something odd. The close-up of a non-standard security spy device of some sort showed a facial change on an individual who also removed new clothing from a case. In another instance, there was an image of a humanoid leaving an air ventilation shaft and replacing the cover with considerable speed, then jumping down over seventy-five feet and landing with ease, with no apparent anti-gravity device. The fall was recorded by two sources, and the image was distorted and actually disappeared for a moment.
As the attendees looked on, Garfield said, “Many of the data recorders were also sabotaged and sections of data lost. Or in several instances in areas where the saboteurs could not avoid actually being recorded the recording devices later had data deleted or modified.”
He went on. "We are dealing with two groups: the Quarlusian on one hand, and a sophisticated android on the other. For those of you who do not know—and I can sense there are several—the Quarlusian people have a limited shape-shifting ability. They can alter facial muscles and other sections of their bodies to take on different appearances. These cosmetic changes extend to altering pigmentation and even skin thickness, if given enough time. Moreover, they are a subjugate race of the Varlon, one of the few cultures the Varlon will tolerate.”
There were some murmurs in the group.
“Sir, you said androids, but wouldn’t our scanners detect them?” asked Admiral Girok.
“Normally, yes, with ordinary androids,” replied Garfield. “However, these andro-synths are equipped with significantly advanced technology, and have defenses against detection. The one I showed you on my presentation will likely lead me to the others like it. It is being observed now by my operatives. These andro-synths have a sensor filter and sensor pattern shrouding unit, which allows them to mask scans and pass for a variety of individuals. This technology is even more sophisticated than what the Varlon have; these andro-synths posses Jiyarri subsystems. When I discovered this, I contacted the ambassadors that the Jiyarr have at my home world and the ambassador at one of the Betellian world spheres. Both denied knowledge of this. I have known both for over a century, and they have been honorable to their word.”
He continued. “I also probed the andro-synth and found another Jiyarri system, a psionic rebounding interface. I was still able to extract some information, which leads me to the conclusion that the Accadian Empire is involved and has acquired some Jiyarr technology through unusual channels. The Accads were assistants to the Jiyarr at one time. For several of you who aren’t familiar, the Jiyarr are from outside this galaxy, toward the large cluster of galaxies beyond Galaxy M100. I have not pursued further hyper subspace communications, since an answer—even with the Jiyarri version of the hyperspace communications network like our COMNET—would take a few months at the distances of over fifty million light-years.
“At this time,” he went on, “I have gathered enough information to realize that there are several saboteurs and assassins, and I have the Security and Logistics departments involved in capture operations at this time. It will take several more days before we can physically apprehend all of the individuals. I have designed special modules to be adapted to the security scanners and the personal hand multi-scanners. These modules will allow the systems in operation to better detect the andro-synths and the Quarlusians. They are presently being adapted to the multi-scanners and the security sensor grid from the designs and the prototype multi-scanner I constructed. Unfortunately, the security grid for the station will need significant modification, and until that is complete the hand-held multi-scanners will be used.”
The prime minister asked, “When do you estimate the project will be completed?”
“Prime Minister Desserix,” replied Garfield in an ambassadorial manner, “with a station of this size to modify, and with limited staff familiar with the technologic expertise necessary, I will need to personally supervise engineering modifications to the internal sensors and other local sensors in likely or potential sabotage sites. To do this effectively for Star One will take approximately five to six weeks. The first group of modified hand-held multi-scanners will be ready for distribution by this evening.”
Sheppard thought it was very like Professor Garfield to be efficient and to anticipate just about any question that might be put to him.
Garfield said, “If there are no further questions …” After glancing around, he resumed his seat.
Chief of Staff Orlond stood again and introduced one of the three Betellians. “I would like to present Admiral Veiss of the Betellian Union.”
Sheppard had met Veiss several years before, and as far as he could tell, the admiral was unchanged; he still used his communication crystal device that mimicked the standard language. Veiss only communicated telepathically to those he knew, and it had been some time since he had communicated to Sheppard, although he had sent a brief congratulatory thought message to Sheppard when he received his medal.
“Greetings to all,” the small crystal device that hung around his large neck area intoned in a melodic voice with a male timbre. “I am saddened that I must be the bearer of more grave news. The Varlon have grown bold indeed, and they have attempted a very large-scale assault upon our Alpha quadrant sphere, using long-range warp torpedoes. The first wave of that assault succeeded in only minor, easily repairable damage to our dwelling.”
Veiss began to use the image projection equipment to show three-dimensional visuals of the assault. The Betellain included some secondary interlink display information for those who wished to access the station-link database with their personal data interlink.
“This attack represents a considerable increase in what we had previously considered only interference with our world sphere building projects in the Milky Way,” Veiss’s communication device said. “Usually, the Varlon have been unsuccessful in their assaults upon my people.”
The visuals and graphic displays continued, one showing an analysis of the torpedoes used.
“They have improved their technology in this field. We realized it was a matter of time until they did, but they had various internal political problems that previously would have interfered with such an attack.”
Another display indicated the trajectories and reverse calculations of launch positions in the Rhendal sector.
“If they continue to deploy such long-range torpedo systems in some of the closer worlds in the Rhendal sector, many of the Alliance of Worlds systems will come under direct assault.” Viesse looked over at
Lord Garfield and a few other Karratin representatives. “It is highly probable that, eventually, several Karratin, Estrian, and Lyramenian worlds may come under attack as well,” stated Viesse.
“I have been informed that the internal political struggles in the Varlon Empire have been ended. I can conclude this was probably the reason for the following full-scale assault on my people.”
Admiral Veisse showed more visuals that had been accelerated for presentation purposes.
As Sheppard watched, he saw the Betellian tactical views of another wave of long-range torpedoes enhanced with cybertronic or positronic countermeasures, and the Varlon chameleon cloaking system move toward the Betellians Dyson-like worlds-sphere. This was followed by a full-scale assault, with the Varlon “H” and the “I” type of heavy or sometimes called super dreadnaughts.
Sheppard recalled that an earlier H-class was first encountered by one of the Earth-born captains of the Terran Space Exploration Council, or TERRASEC. That captain remarked that the ship resembled a giant letter H. That started the designation of the Varlon ships by letters. As the humans were one of the founding members of what was to become the Alliance of Worlds, the Earth letter designations were kept, even though some other races had their own designations. Over time as the Varlon names for their ships were not discovered the Alliance officially adopted the Terran alphabetic symbols for the Varlon ships’ names.
Sheppard recalled a battle during his time with Admiral Peregrine against three H-class ships, and he recalled his apprehension.
Today, Veiss briefly showed a sector map, with miniaturized images of four hundred of those H-class dreadnaughts scattered throughout the region. The visuals showed only selected sections of the battle, with plasma weapons blasting matter.
The Betellians were a very advanced civilization, much more technologically advanced than the Alliance of Worlds. The Betellians had been using energy-dampening energy fields and space-warping technology to reduce the damage and neutralize the Varlon threat.
Sheppard realized that, evidently, now the Varlon were primed and in position to threaten even the Betellians.
Veiss continued, “The Varlon did not know we had a contingent of our Starcruisers present within our sphere, and there was also a small Hegemony fleet composed of Karratin, Estrian, and Lyramenian starships that was close enough and came to our aid. We prevailed, but the Varlon antimatter torpedoes and plasma weapons had done moderate damage to one of our system spheres, and many of our ships were destroyed or damaged. From intelligence information, we ascertained the Varlon had hoped to do much better against us. We are presently rebuilding our dwelling sphere. Much of the Varlon fleet was destroyed or neutralized, although several of their starships retreated.”
As Veiss continued to give his presentation, Sheppard could hear the distress in the animated voice from the crystalline translator. He knew the Betellians did not like to take life or destroy things, and this preference extended even to those considered to be hostile. For that matter, the Hegemony acted to some extent the same as the Betellians. Sheppard thought about this; if an adversary was attempting to kill them, all they would do was try to hold them off and show them the futility of attack. Well, this battle was different; it had not been as futile as so many previous assaults.
“I wanted to make this presentation to provide an update on the Varlon, as we believed you in the Alliance of Worlds could use this data,” stated Veiss. He paused momentarily, and his trilaterally symmetric head rolled slightly, looking toward Prime Minister Desserix. “My people are willing to exchange intelligence on these matters, since it seems that the Varlon have increased their resources, and made at least one new ally.” He paused again. “I have been authorized to extend an option for an affiliation treaty to the Alliance of Worlds.”
At this note, Prime Minister Desserix became more animated; he had come to this meeting in hopes of hearing something along these lines. Desserix responded, “The Alliance of Worlds will happily consider this; I am myself pleased at the opportunity to go beyond the limited trade treaty we have at present.”
“This is not an offer of formal alliance, Prime Minister,” came the response from Veiss. “We are interested in exchange of information on the Varlon so we can determine a defense for our dwellings. I have been allowed to mention that we rarely need to travel much from the spheres and are content with what we have. The Preceptors do not wish to directly confront the Varlon in an aggressive manner. I see, however, that many of the Preceptors of my government do not recognize the potential threat of the Varlon. Our hope for this affiliation is that more of my people will come to enlightenment about this problem as we begin to interact more with your peoples.”
“Of course, I will take this matter up with the council, and I hope we can all come to a mutual agreement,” Desserix said.
Veiss nodded his large head and stepped away from the presentation control unit.
Grand Admiral Jeroloh stood briefly and introduced Fleet Admiral Peregrine.
Peregrine had been listening intently to the Betellian Admiral Veiss. Now, he stepped over to the podium and the console that controlled the displays.
He began to speak. “I would like to notify the officers here that most of what I am going to show you was alpha-level classified now, but now has been dropped to level beta.
“About two months ago, I had a large portion of the Third Fleet with me, patrolling various areas of the Rhendal sector. There had been reports of missing freighter ships at first, and then we lost communication from three different colonies, both subspace and the COMNET. A task force under one of my fleet captains engaged the Varlon in defending a fourth colony they had taken in the space of two days. This task force was defeated, and a single ship notified Starbase 245 of the situation. I gathered several task forces of the Third Fleet to investigate and respond to this attack.”
Peregrine activated a display record of the tactical situation using his imbedded personal data interlink unit.
“The Varlon were in the process of an initial assault of Caltha Three, one of the larger Alliance of Worlds colonies in the Rhendal sector. The orbital defense stations, starfighters, and ground weapon bunkers and its moon’s planetary defenses were being overwhelmed. I initiated a flanking maneuver and a hammer assault against the Varlon cruisers. After an exchange, we had the upper hand, until several Varlon cruisers and some carriers arrived after moving stealthily into position with their chameleon cloaks. Some Varlon starships appeared to resemble some of my ships or were masquerading as damaged orbital defense batteries or debris of destroyed orbital stations.”
Peregrine’s tactical display continued to follow his presentation.
“They launched some Scorpion attack craft and Spider ships, which counter-assaulted our starfighters and then dropped planetward. At this point, we held the line.”
Peregrine moved the time index and then showed a large mixed fleet of Varlon starships moving in with H-class dreadnaughts and a few other unidentified, non-Varlon vessels. Peregrine pointed out these other ships.
“We did not pay a great deal of attention to them, until they fired. The larger ones were over twenty-three kilometers in length. I’d say they were some kind super dreadnaught or warbase ship class. These were not Varlon ships; they did not use the same kind of stealth technology, and these ships were not in our databases.”
Sections of the battle were displayed on the central 360-degree surround viewer, which Peregrine utilized. The Varlon cruisers and H-class heavy dreadnaughts ships were beginning to force back Peregrine’s gathered fleet with heavy plasma weapons; his own Constellation-class battlecarrier was in the midst of the battle. Eventually, the unidentified alien ships closed, and a knife-like bolt shot out toward a Legendary-class battlecruiser and shattered the hull—a hull composed of a titanium alloy reinforced with additional ablative armor.
Peregrine continued. “These new starcraft were using antimatter cannons. Shearing anti-protons and anti-neutrons de
stroyed several cruisers and shattered three dreadnaughts into pieces. At this point, several other Alliance of Worlds task forces of the third fleet arrived. I had to order a retreat, and the recently arrived starships volleyed their antimatter torpedoes at them to facilitate an orderly retreat. The other ships were fast like the Varlon, but even faster—almost fifty percent faster using sub-lightspeed engines —than our ships. They probably had some kind of norpic generators. Our scans were partially disrupted when trying to lock on to the two largest vessels. It was our good fortune that there were only about twenty of these unidentified alien ships, and they were scattered in several adjacent star systems in the Rhendal sector. Of these starships, only the two largest ones and two of the others ships were armed with the antiparticle weapon. My science section estimated that they had only a limited supply of antimatter to fuel their cannons.”
Grand Admiral Jeroloh broke in. “You are reporting that not all the unidentified ships had these antimatter cannons.”
“Yes, that is correct, sir,” Peregrine said. “However, they also used plasma cannons and particle cannons, as well as phased particle-beam weapons that were superior to our own in terms of energy output and recharge. Their antimatter torpedo systems had similar yields but had a more sophisticated countermeasure system. Their plasma torpedoes were almost as devastating as the Varlons’, and the two larger ships had even higher energy yields. As you know It usually takes three of our ships to match a Varlon starship of similar size class. I would say that these aliens were somewhat superior. We did not remain close or long enough for more detailed scans.”
Peregrine continued. “As we know, the metal-organic hulls the Varlon have are their Spunril alloy. With an organic-metallic mesh hull much like the Hegemony’s ships, these new ships were of a different style to the Varlons’ and had different markings. We scanned the two largest ships, and they had somewhat different hull types compared to the other similarly styled ships. The hull was difficult to scan and seemed almost to brush off damage. Only the three largest unidentified vessels—similar in size but longer than the Varlon H-class super dreadnaughts—had this type of hull. It was evidently a superior organic-metallic configuration. The other ships, some type of large heavy battlecruisers, had perhaps a somewhat lesser hull and could be damaged by combining fire from multiple ships.”
