Mountain Range A was on the western border. It started about ten miles from the ocean. It was one of the high ones. It would take an army months to climb it and descend the other side. When it came to an end, there was a thirty mile break to Mountain Range B, smaller and shorter than A. An army, if for some reason it wanted to avoid the nearby valley, could get to the top in about four days. Then another four days to climb down. The trail would be rough and treacherous but not impossible. When it stopped, after another fifty miles, the third range protected the territory and curbed around to the sea. It would take months to traverse.
“So I need something to seal off the valleys. What do you suggest?”
If Devins was contemplative, Steph was meditation in motion. While I could see Devins pondering the existential questions of life in a solitary, sitting position, Steph moved around - at times gracefully, at times in a herky-jerky motion that tempted you to shoot her with a tranquilizer gun.
She swirled around a few times, gave a few kicks and crossed her arms. “Cobalt-Ironian bombs.” she finally said. “But they would have to be specially made, and I’m not sure we have that much expertise. But they could be fashioned for the specific targets. If the valley opening is, say, fifty miles long, explode one twenty miles into the valley and then place another one twenty miles from the first. You’d have enough dirty power to kill anything that walked into the valley. It would last for sixty to ninety days.”
“I was thinking atomic.” I said.
She nodded. “You could do that. The radiation from atomic explosives would cover a larger amount of ground than would the fallout from the Cobalt. A Cobalt explosion would give you a nice, condensed area of about ten miles total. Then it would dissipate. Any attacker in that zone for two minutes would keel over dead.”
“What if I had two million coming at me?”
“I’m guessing a 90 percent casualty rate.”
“That still leaves us with two hundred thousand to deal with.”
“But they wouldn’t be in good shape. Not after coming through a Cobalt bomb zone. Kindergarten kids could take them.”
“You must know some tough kids.” I said.
She laughed. “Yep, I was a tough kid.”
“A tough adult too. How long would it take to secure a Cobalt-Ironian bomb?”
“That’s the problem. You can’t build them privately. Then again, I guess you can but I don’t know of anyone doing it. Only governments have then, and I’m not sure how many are for sale. Well, none are for sale officially. We could find a government black market after spreading some money around.” She gave a quick smile. “I gather money is not a problem on this mission.”
“Not yet anyway. But it might take time.”
“How much time do you have?”
“Less than two weeks.”
She clicked her mouth and walked over to me, grabbing my chin with her gentle, yet firm fingers. “You are a very lucky man.”
“Why is that?”
“Have a warp ship I could use?”
“I think we could get you one. Why?”
“Two days would get me to Lystertem, a planet that has plenty of weapons, but not the most honest government officials in the galaxy. I happen to know a few of them. Give me a couple of days and I might be able to make a deal.”
I smiled. “Steph, you are talented beyond imagination.”
“Hold it. I’m not promising anything. I might run into the two or three honest Lystertem officials in the whole government. Or they might not have any cobalt bombs. But I’ll give it a shot.”
I buzzed Belen. We had a warp ship within an hour. In an hour and ten minutes Steph was heading to Lystertem. I looked up at the screen. The Cobalt-Ironian bombs would be effective, but I also needed a backup plan, in case they were unavailable. Atomic bombs. Small, cheap, effective. Almost every planet had some. Any number of large corporations had a few too. Hey, business is tough nowadays. What can I say? Although few galactic companies had ever actually used atomic weapons in corporate disagreements. But many CEOs did like to have them on hand. Belen should be able to buy a half-dozen without any problem. I’d request the Manna Ray bombs. They had a very good reputation and were easy to use. Devastating in impact. Only about three times the power of the first ones ever used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki but, even so, their blasts could stop an army in seconds.
I also need jets to deliver the bombs. I wondered what the going price of a TigerShark fighter was these days. My background is ground combat not Air Force dog fights. But three or four TigerSharks should be easy to buy. They would have to be first rate. I’d have Clint check them out. He’s done some aerial combat and can fly about everything that has wings.
When I took a break in the afternoon I cornered Fr. Diego and asked for a few minutes of his time. He graciously said yes. When he sat down he held a small glass half-filled with bourbon. I noted the glint of his wedding ring. At one time, Roman Catholic priests were celibate, but that had changed years back. I was thinking solemn thoughts about our mission, but Fr. Diego wore a huge smile. He wasn’t gloomy at all. His reddish complexion seemed to give up ruddy sparks. He looked like he was always ready to burst out laughing. If he had had a gloomy day in his life, you couldn’t tell.
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
“I assume you’re here, Father, because you put some credibility in Belen’s story about Vega.”
“Oh, yes. I think it’s very likely.”
“An unfallen race? Do the rules of your faith permit that?”
He laughed as he took a sip of the bourbon. “Yes, Mr. Ryvenbark, they do. The scriptures only tell the story of our race. They say nothing about other creations. It is entirely possible that the Lord made other creations, and it’s certainly possible that one did not fall.”
“Is that the official position of the church?”
“Yes, many Catholic scholars and theologians nowadays believe there were other creations before Adam on Earth. The scriptures give hints of it, but nothing specific. But I do think this theory explains the line about Cain knowing his wife. That has puzzled Christians since the scripture was written. If there were other creations, which had also fallen, then Adam and Eve were not the only people on the Earth. The scriptures also say Cain went and built a city. You can’t build a city by yourself. There would have to be other people to help him. If there were other people on the Earth when Adam was created, that explains how Cain met his wife.”
I sat back and blinked. “Father, I’m not a believer but I know something of the Bible. I was raised in church. I’ve never heard that theory.”
“It’s not really something new. They were scholars back in the 1800’s who speculated about a prior fallen race. They never gained acceptance. As I noted, there are hints in scriptures of another creation. Passages in Isaiah and in First Peter could be describing a creation before Adam. If other creations fell on Earth, there is no reason to believe that God didn’t create humans or beings on other planet. Just because Adam sinned doesn’t mean those other creations did. That’s why the church is so interested in this project. If the Vatican had a space program, we’d be heading to Vega. But since it doesn’t, we thank God for Belen. If true, this will be the most dramatic discovery for the church and the human race since… well, since the resurrection.” He sipped his drink again. “I feel very blessed to accompany you and Belen on this voyage.”
“There’s no contradiction between a sinless race and the scriptures?”
This time a more hearty, joyous laughter came from the priest. “No. Adam was created to be like Jesus. He was designed to rule the Earth, as overlord or god if you will, under the supreme God. But the Bible is silent about other worlds.”
“If your theory is true, wouldn’t Vega then be paradise? As it turns out, there is a rather large army of vicious creatures there.”
“I can’t explain that. Perhaps I will be able to in time. Right now we need to help the Aristolans, even if they have fall
en, just for humanitarian reasons.”
“I’m sorry the Vatican doesn’t have a space program.” I said. “I regret also that the Vatican doesn’t have a defense program. We could use some weapons.”
I was warmed by the glow of his smile. “Belen assures me that you will draw a plan using the available weaponry that will protect the Aristolans until we can get them off the planet.”
“What do we do with them?”
He looked puzzled. “Beg your pardon?”
“What do we do with them? I’m not so sure a fallen galaxy will welcome perfection in their midst. Wouldn’t they be a living rebuke to all the sinners running around? The other race on Vega is trying to exterminate them. Isn’t that rather symbolic of what evil tries to do to innocence?”
He sat back and took a longer sip of the bourbon. “Interesting point, Mr. Ryvenbark.”
“Call me Logan.”
“An interesting point, Logan.”
I walked to the small bar and fixed myself a drink. “I admit I’m curious. A race of pure saints. No corruption has touched them. No greed, envy, vanity, lust, or pride. Heaven on earth. Or at least on a planet similar to Earth.”
“Yes.” Fr. Diego agreed. “We have had saints in the past. Truly remarkable people who were in the world but not of it, but we’ve never seen a perfect race. To many, it is unbelievable. But I do believe it is possible. No race we know has achieved it so far but perhaps one, among many, never sinned.”
I raised my glass. “We’ll soon find out.”
“Amen.” he said.
When I walked out of the room, still holding my drink, I recognized the six-feet-six black gentleman coming up the stairs. As I shook his hand I was reminded to only salute soldiers. Their handshakes can crush bones.
“Hello, Tony.” I said.
“Major, good to see you again. Understand you have a mission.”
“Yes, but it won’t be easy.”
“You know our saying. The difficult we do today. The impossible will take a little longer.”
“Yes, I had almost forgotten that.” I raised my glass. “To the impossible.”
Chapter 4
The transports were huge. A few of them together would have blocked out the sun. Think cities in space. Belen's crafts were the stripped down versions. They held no football fields, planetariums, large convention halls or mini-skyscrapers. The passengers were not expected to take an extended voyage. The ships did have some recreation chambers, computers galore, living quarters and a number of cafeterias. But the accommodations were not for a first-class voyage. More like army basic training. You would be provided food, bedding and a place to sleep. But that’s it.
Belen and I walked along a line of apartments. “They’re all basically the same in layout.” she said. “We didn’t have time for fancy interior decorating. But, all in all, they should be comfortable to live in, at least for a while.”
“No doubt better than the accommodations the Aristolans have now.” I said. “And they don’t have to worry about rampaging armies attacking them here.”
Our shoes clanked along the metal walk outside the apartments. I wasn’t a builder but it appeared that the interior was well constructed. No building inspector would give it a failing grade.
“How do we transport the colonists to these ships?” I asked.
“The old-fashioned way. Smaller transport ships. Special ones built for this trip. But they can only handle a thousand people at a time. Two hundred thousand people, so we will have two hundred trips. I’m grateful the Molochs don’t have an air force. Once we get in the air, we should be safe.”
“Have you thought about where we will take them?”
She nodded. “To paradise.”
I showed a sour grin. “Really? Is that in this galaxy?”
TWO MONTHS EARLIER
“As out of place as a Presbyterian in Hell.”
The Twain quote came to James Mavers when he spied Oreno “Slippery Ed” Foner in the smoky atmosphere of the dimly-lit restaurant. Foner talked solemnly with three impressive-looking Kargar businessmen and another human.
There was no way Slippery Ed should be on Kargar, Mavers thought. Utterly incongruous. Kargars were known for their integrity, probity, and kindness. Slippery Ed was a notorious con man. Probably the best con artist in this section of the galaxy, an appellation that he would take pride in. But con men need marks who have a bit of larceny in their soul. Which most people do.
But not on Kargar.
These people are as honest as the day is long, Mavers thought. And the days are very long three out of the four seasons on the planet.
Not that it was any of Mavers’ business. He was there for the poker tournament. But he did wonder what Slippery Ed was doing there. Mavers also wondered how Ed’s reputation and police mug shot hadn’t yet made it to Kargar. No doubt a law enforcement oversight.
“A whisky sour, please.” he said, as the waiter took out his pad.
“Are you ready to order, sir?”
“The Prime Cut looks very good.”
The waiter blocked Mavers’ view, so he didn’t notice when Slippery Ed slid into the booth. He appeared a bit edgy. Ed was not laconic. Words shot from him like water from a hydrant. He nervously looked back at his companions. He had curly black hair, a mustache and dark eyes.
“Jimmy, should have known you’d be here.” he said.
“I had no idea you would be around. It’s the last place in the galaxy I would place you, Ed.”
The words jolted Foner like an electric shock. He leaned over the table and lowered his voice. “You’re not going to screw this up for us, are you? If you keep your mouth shut we’ll give you a cut. There’s enough for everyone. And don’t call me, Ed. My name is Arthur Samuelson Jalrick. Dr. Arthur Samuelson Jalrick. A distinguished historian known on three planets.”
“Don’t you mean wanted on three planets?”
Dr. Jalrick started to protest but quickly closed his mouth when the waiter brought a drink. He waited until the waiter was out of earshot. “I’m asking you not to interfere. We’ve got the perfect con. It is unbelievable. It’s not even illegal.”
Mavers took a sip from his drink and smiled. “If it’s not illegal, you wouldn’t be using fake names.”
“OK, let’s not get into details.”
He eased back into his seat as the waiter placed a small plate with two huge rolls on the table. Mavers picked up a knife and buttered one roll.
“I must admit I am curious, Dr. Jalrick. What type of con game could you possibly run on the Kargars?”
Ed beamed with joy. His smile went from ear to ear. “It’s perfect, Jimmy. Absolutely perfect. I will make more in one scam that I have in all my previous ones put together. Do you know much about the religion on this planet?”
“No, except everyone seems to observe it.”
“Yes, the planet of faith.” he said, but his tone held sarcasm. Slippery Ed didn’t have any respect for people who led honest lives. “A couple of hundred years ago a bright shining being, supposedly an angel, appeared to three Kargar scientists in a desert not too far from here, with revelations from heaven. The revelations were written in an ancient language on Berowle plates, a metal something akin to our silver. Two of the scientists were able to translate the writings. The three men, now known as the Three Apostles, began spreading the Word. That’s how the religion began. It was spread rapidly by young, dedicated, shining bright Kargars preaching the gospel to the heathen. They did a good job too.”
“So how does this put money into the bank account of Slippery Ed Foner?” Mavers raised his hand when Foner started to object. “I mean, how does this involve Dr. Arthur Jalrick?”
Deadly Voyage (Logan Ryvenbark's Saga Book 1) Page 4
