Prophet and the Blood March (Prophet of ConFree)

by Marshall S. Thomas

  "There it is!" Now the target planet had appeared on our d-screens, a lovely vision, a cloudy red orb girdled with that icy glittering ring.

  "Any signs of higher life?"

  "Not so far."

  "We've come a long way, haven't we, Prophet?" It was Arie, right beside me, gazing at the images on the screen.

  "Yeah, I guess," I said. "Fifteen thousand, four hundred light years."

  "That's not what I meant. I meant – you and me. Since we first met after walking through the Legion gate on Eugarat. A long way."

  "It's almost unbelievable."

  "I knew you'd become an officer. And I was hoping I could become your squire or something, and you'd say things like 'Boy, fetch me my sword,' and I'd run and do it."

  "You've got quite an imagination, Arie."

  "You're the one with the imagination. You were always peering into a dark future and wondering what we'd do and where we'd end up. That's why we called you 'Prophet'. But did you ever imagine all the things we've done and all the places we've been? Man! What a ride. And look at us now."

  "I'm not an officer, Arie."

  "That will be happening shortly – after all you've done. You and Ice and Saka and Bees. You four are a national treasure. They'll for sure make you officers, at the very least. And you deserve it. All four of you. Man! What a ride!"

  "You take care, Arie. Take good care of yourself. I sure don't want to have to explain to Blondie that you're not coming home."

  "Take care? Oh sure. If I believed in taking care, I'd never have walked through the Legion gate. Right?"

  "That's it, boys and girls. That's it!" It was the Prof, and he sounded excited. "We've got artificial structures. Bees, you can stop worrying. That's an order." Bees cried out in delight. The big wall screen showed a view from an eyemote rushing through rainy clouds and the clouds cleared here and there to show glimpses of a huge installation below, white building mods all linked together, forming an amazing geometric pattern with wide roads or walkways between the buildings. The clouds flashed past, then revealed what looked like part of a starport, two delta starcraft parked close together. What a spectacular, lovely view!

  A warbling, whooping shriek alarm suddenly ripped into my brain and set my teeth on edge, accompanied by an insane berserk chirping insect-like beep beep beep beep beep.

  "GENERAL QUARTERS! GENERAL QUARTERS! ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!"

  Arie took off like a shot, headed for the arms lockers, accompanied by Doggie, Scout, Smiley and our wolf Blackie. They were our security element and had shipboard duties for general quarters. As a member of the contact team I was already at my assigned battle station, before the big d-screen in the phantom boarding station, and all set in my A-vest with my comtop at my waist.

  "PROFESSOR REPORT TO THE BRIDGE!"

  The Prof took off, shouting back over his shoulder, "Prophet, follow me!"

  We were at the bridge after a short run along a corridor. It seemed perfectly calm with officers and techs strapped into their chairs before banks of glowing instruments but the entire bridge was illuminated in a bloody red light to enhance night vision. Outside, the panoramic simport revealed an icy, mind-numbing splendor, God's canvas, the Milky Way, mankind's own heaven, if you had the soul to appreciate it. Billions of cold stars softly burnt in eternity, swirling in spirals of cosmic wonder. God's brush strokes, painted in silver. It was heart-stoppingly beautiful. Those tiny stars were like dust mote sparks, cutting into my flesh. My blood was running cold in my veins and a chill trickled over my skin.

  "Captain?" The Prof was standing by the captain's command chair. I joined him. The captain looked up at the Prof. I could tell at a glance that this captain was exactly who we wanted in command of our ship. Pale short hair, dark eyes, and the character carved right into his face: aggressive, clearly in charge, resolute, determined, smart, experienced, and all set to make ConFree's enemies die for their cause. I noted the combat cross and blood badge on his black blouse.

  "Bright interceptors," the captain said, pointing out a D-screen that revealed two sleek ships, both closing fast according to the rapidly changing figures on the screens.

  "Stay uncloaked," the Prof said. "If they attack us, all bets are off but I don't think they will attack us."

  "Our shielding will stay up," the captain said. It didn't sound like a request.

  "Yes, of course. They will understand that. But the lack of cloaking says volumes about our intentions."

  As we neared the target planet in normal vac, the two Bright interceptors slipped into place behind us, taking their time. They were in perfect position to blast us out of existence at any time, and I had no doubt they could do it easily. But they didn't. They just followed us silently.

  Δ

  The Prof and I returned to the boarding station. The big D-screen focused on the two Bright interceptors.

  "Beautiful, aren’t they?" Ice commented. We had an excellent view by then. They were indeed lovely ships, a dark silver, fully sealed, reflecting only the light of distant stars. The Bright white hand insignia glowed on the fuselage up front, but not a single viewport or entry hatch could be seen.

  "Fleetcom would give a lot for the plans for those ships," I replied.

  "We can start the spying later," the Prof said. "Our initial plan is to stay alive long enough to give them our 'we come in peace' pitch, and then wing it."

  "We are in the hands of God," Bees said. "This is the right thing to do. I believe we have divine protection. I feel so good about this. It's a mission from God."

  "You may be right, Bees," the Prof said. "But it's also a mission from ConFree. Either way, it's the right thing to do. And if we fail, the consequences may be fatal to millions of innocents."

  "That's what it's all about," Nan said. "Don’t forget that."

  "They're not going to shoot at us," Saka said. "Why should they do that? They're all-powerful. They can shoot us any time they want. They must be curious to see what kind of crazies found them, all the way out here, and what it is we want."

  "Yes, Saka, it's clear they chose this place because they did not wish to be disturbed. And here we are. Their choices are to shoot us or listen to us, you're right."

  "Listen first, then shoot if they don't like what they hear," I suggested.

  "Have faith, Prophet," Bees said. "We are going to learn all about these wonderful beings, and their civilization."

  Δ

  The planet came into view on the D-screen. This time the view was from the Vampire, not from an eyemote. A sparkling rosy gem, girt with diamond dust. A haven, a welcome stop on the eternal cosmic highway.

  "We need a name," the Prof said. "For this planet."

  "Stormhaven," I replied immediately. I'm not sure where I got that – it just popped into my mind.

  "Stormhaven," the Prof repeated. "Excellent, Prophet! Stormhaven it is. We'll put it on the starcharts right now."

  Δ

  We went into orbit around Stormhaven, and those two interceptors accompanied us. We were in their sights, no question. What a magnificent planet. The rings seemed far away now, lost overhead as we cruised serenely over a seemingly endless ocean, tinted a pale rose color. The continent that housed the Bright base came into view below. It was daylight there – and it was a long day on Stormhaven.

  We dropped in the Mary from the Vampire, easing our way into the atmosphere. Bird was piloting, and the full team was there – the Prof and Captain Nan, four prophets: myself and Bees, Ice and Saka; and our security team Doggie and Scout and Smiley and Arie and our official smart wolf, Blackie. We were all in A-vests with comtops clipped to our u-belts. Our A-vests bore the Bright white hand, the Legion cross and the Delta Research seal. We were all unarmed – although the Mary had an arms locker that was full of armor and arms– just in case.

  A flight of four Bright delta fighters fell into place behind us as we cut through the atmosphere like a comet. We were not cloaked – a sign of good intentions. I nev
er could look at those lovely fighters without a hopeless thrill surging through my body. To me, they represented victory over the Demons.

  Δ

  We approached the starport slowly, gingerly, as if hesitant. Bees and Ice were on the tactical freescanner, scanning for DX messages from the Brights, but there was nothing. Only silence.

  "Touching down," Bird said. We had selected an open area off to one side of their starport, well away from any of their ships. The four fighters were hovering above us, their intentions unknown. The sky was clouded over; it was raining out there.

  Bird cut the power. We were down. A sullen silence fell over the interior of the ship. We could hear the pattering of raindrops against the fuselage.

  "All right, boys and girls," the Professor said. "Let's go earn our salaries." He stood and headed for the assault door. We followed. Into the breach. I had no idea what to expect.

  It was cold and the light rain drifted around us. The air initially tasted strange – cold and biting. The grav was not as bad as I had been expecting. We paused outside by the Mary's boarding steps, which were never used in combat. It seemed strange being unarmed. We were in A-vests. A loose line of Brights faced us in battle armor, holding their lightning Battlestorm rods alertly at port arms. Their visors were sealed. They had surrounded the ship. They didn't look friendly.

  Greetings from the Confederation of Free Worlds, Bees telepathed. She was our champion telepath so she got to do the honors.

  "What do they say?" the Prof asked on the net.

  "Nothing," Bees said. "No response. I can't read a thing."

  "Anybody catch any loose thoughts?" Prof queried

  "No sir," Saka said. "They're being guarded." I couldn't read anything either. The Bright soldiers surrounded our little group. Two of them boarded the Mary.

  "Bird, Smiley, you're getting two boarders. Do what they want," the Prof ordered. We had left Smiley behind with Bird in the cockpit so he would have access to our heavy weapons if we needed them. But I couldn't think of any situation where we would need them – short of suicide.

  "That's a ten," Bird replied. "Are these folks friendlies?"

  "Not so far," Prof said.

  We are friends, I thought, friends and comrades. We have fought by your side. We come in friendship. There was no response.

  They brought Bird and Smiley out of our ship, then herded us along towards what looked like a large cargo airvan that was parked, large rear door open. There were eleven of us – the Prof, Nan, Bees, Ice, Saka, me, Doggie with Blackie on a leash, Scout, Arie, Bird and Smiley. They gestured us into the vehicle, with no words or detectable DX thoughts. We sat along benches that lined both walls. The rear doors slid shut firmly. There was a light panel on the ceiling but no windows to see out. And no B's had accompanied us into the cargo compartment. The vehicle jerked abruptly and then slid forward smoothly, presumably riding the air.

  "Well, this could be better," Nan commented.

  "Looks like they don't know what they have yet," the Prof said. "We cooperate with them, and pass our message. If we're separated, we all do that individually. Just be calm, no matter what."

  Δ

  When the rear doors snapped open and we ventured out, we were met by more mute Bright armored storm troopers. We were in some kind of underground bunker or garage. The B's led us to a wide door that snapped open at our approach. They accompanied us into a large chamber bathed in white light. As we looked around, blinking at the light, we noted we were in a large interior enclosure with blinding white walls that cut off before reaching a ceiling that blazed with light. Several Brights were looking down from atop the walls where they were seated at a superstructure that ran along the top of one wall. We had to look up at them to see them. It was bright and airy but somehow it seemed suffocating and threatening. This was not a friendly greeting, I realized. This was an initial contact to determine whether we were a threat or not – or perhaps a preliminary to execution. A formality. The Brights gazed down at us curiously. They were clad in soft white robes but the Bright troopers were still posted all around us, alert and silent.

  "Can anyone pick anything up?" the Prof asked.

  "That's a twelve," Bees replied. "Not a single thought."

  Are you thinking beings? The question was icy clear in my mind.

  Yes! All four of us replied simultaneously, in DX thought, then paused. Bees resumed, as planned, looking up to the Brights atop the wall.

  Four of us have studied thought speech, and can communicate with you. We are delegates from the human Confederation of Free Worlds, on a peaceful diplomatic mission. I was interpreting Bees' DX comments into Inter on the tacnet, for the benefit of the Prof and anyone else in our party who wanted to know.

  We have invited no delegates from anywhere, the Bright spokesman responded. You are intruding into our timespace, uninvited. Are you pirates? Do you come here seeking slaves, or booty? If so we will exterminate you like troublesome bacteria.

  Do you not see the White Hand on our clothing? Bees responded immediately. Do you not recognize us as soldiers, who fought bravely by your side in Galinta and Kratar and Vezhedak and Veda? We raided the Demon's foul nest on Kratar, for you, and we rescued your enslaved females from subhumans, on Bliss, and returned them to you. I told my comrades you are angels and knights. I told them you are God's Army, and we fight for God as well. How dare you refer to us as troublesome bacteria? Who are you? Do you know nothing at all? Bring us someone who knows something! We are not afraid of you. We are your friends and allies. And we have come offering friendship. Do you think you are so strong as to need no friends? I advise you to seek God's mercy before you strike down your friends. God will not forgive you that! Bees was furious, her eyes blazing, glaring up at the Brights along the wall. I could hardly believe what she was saying, as I shakily interpreted it into Inter for the Prof.

  "Easy, Bees," Prof whispered. "Easy now." I was waiting for the B's to blast us to bits but it did not happen. They appeared to have been caught off guard by Bees' impassioned speech.

  Δ

  Bees' bold words seemed to have the desired effect. There were no further questions from the B's. The guards escorted us back to the airvan and we were taken to an unknown destination, not far off. When the van doors opened again we were in another underground bunker and the Bright guards showed us to a little room through a door that sealed shut as soon as we were inside. Two of the armored guards accompanied us. The room vibrated slightly and I had the sensation of movement. Then the door opened again and we walked out into a mini paradise, a large garden hall full of greenery, lots of little trees and bushes and tangles of colorful flowers and a little stream running through it all and wide panels on the ceiling that let in natural light and revealed it was still raining outside. I felt completely relaxed and happy the instant I entered the place. How did they do that? This was clearly a friendly place. Little angelic Bright girls appeared, clad in white robes, spectacularly lovely, smiles to melt your heart instantly, golden hair and golden eyes, holding trays of little cups of cold water. They urged us to drink and it was delightfully cold and tasted like…love. They showed us to little tables and soft lounge chairs and brought strange fruits and snacks and laid them out on the tables, all the time think-chatting to themselves and to us.

  The Black Angel! Are you really the Black Angel? We love you so much! We know all about you. Why do you love us so much?

  We thank you we thank you we thank you all so much, you are so brave to fight the Demons and to rescue our sisters from the unthinking dead. How can we thank you? We can only cry, in gratitude. Brave soldiers! Look, they wear the white hand!

  Can I touch the wild Blackie? Oh he is so aware! He hears us, he responds, I touch him, oh what a wonderful creature. He is full of love, he is brave and trustworthy and he loves us too!

  She is God's delegate, this Black Angel. May I touch you, Black Angel? Oh! She is overwhelming. Touch her and see! Some of the little angels were cupping the
ir hands around Bees' head.

  Look! This is Ice, the famous Ice who died for us and returned from the dead when one of our knights laid on his hands. She looks just like a Bright! Look, she's a golden angel, how sweet, how holy, can I touch her?

  "This bunch of kids seems to know a lot more than that last gang," the Prof remarked. "See what you can find out from their thoughts, boys and girls."

  The angels were about to direct us to the toilets – that was the first question on our list – when we were interrupted by a small delegation of Bright officers clad in active lizard camfax. We were familiar with those fatigues from our hectic crash landing on Vezhedak. The ranking officer, flanked by four others, was a glacially calm Bright with very pale glowing skin, silver eyes, and silver hair. All five Brights had the white hand insignia on their fatigues. They looked lean and mean. Military people – good!

  We all saluted the Brights – fist to our chests. They stopped, then repeated the gesture. They appeared to be unarmed, but I doubted that any Bright was unarmed.

  Greetings, soldiers of the human confederation, the ranking officer said. I am Martial Breakblade of God's White Knights. I greet you as fellow soldiers, in the name of God. We welcome you, and offer hospitality and friendship. We know of your gallant deeds. We wish to know why you visit us. What is your mission?

  "So much for foreplay," the Prof said. "Bees, thank him and tell him we are pleased to meet him and wish to discuss our mission in detail. Suggest that we sit around one of these tables here."

  Δ

  Martial Breakblade loosened up after awhile, and appeared most interested in what we had to say. We sat with him and his four companions around a large table in the garden lounge area, as the darling little angels continued watching over us and bringing us beverages and snacks. Some of the girls were on their knees around Blackie, rubbing his fur and touching his head, evidently delighted by him.

  Bees gave the B's the full official welcoming speech in DX thought – every detail. Breakblade took it all in calmly.

  "Ice, you're next," the Prof said. We were all going to get our turn to show off our DX fluency. "Ask if they have any initial questions." Ice did so. Breakblade thought a bit, then telepathed to us.