by Terry Frost
King Gaakin was a large male Daakie with gray dreadlocks that hung just below his shoulders. His eyes were close to black in color, and he had inch long well-manicured fingernails. He wore a chest plate made of gold and seated gemstones. Allen didn’t need to guess where the king might have come across so many large cut diamonds and sapphires.
Prior to meeting the king, Allen assumed he would be wearing a crown, as several kings did back in the days on Earth when kings were plentiful. But this king wore a gold band on his head covered with brilliant cut rubies.
No one ever saw King Gaakin alone. He had two tall warriors dressed in the common Daakie battle gear Allen had seen on all Daakie soldiers. While sizing the king up, Allen came to the conclusion this alien had seen and experienced many things during his long life, and he was going to be ever thoughtful of that while dealing with him.
Allen also noticed the king had a four to five-inch scar running parallel to his left eyebrow. He figured he probably won the prestigious scar on hand to hand combat with other aliens or received it while on his climb to power.
“Why is it, Admiral Allen, that I have not known about Humans and your world Earth before now?”
“As you well know the universe is a very big place, and that could be one reason. But closer to the truth of your inquiry is that Humans have just developed the technologies that are allowing us to travel through space.
“Our scientist discovered faster than light speed just over the last twenty periods. Prior to that, we have been able to colonize our moon and the world nearest to ours, that our astrologists named Mars. Our discovery of hyperspace technology has made it possible for us to get to other areas of our known universe.”
“I was informed by Burseq Maalik that you and your people had to abandon the Earth in great need of locating another homeworld. But I just heard you say you colonized your Earth’s moon and the world Mars. Why do you not make Mars your new homeworld?”
“We only have a small number of people living on Mars, and the only way they can survive in the world is to live in atmospheric domes. We cannot breathe the air on Mars, and our star’s radiation would kill us if we weren’t living and working in the domes.”
“As you say, the universe is a very big place, and I’m sure there is a suitable world out there for you and your people. But know this, Admiral Allen, the Daakie people have traveled many light years from the Buress System, and have not found a world suitable for those of our kind.”
“You would be doing us a great honor if you could give us a direction to start looking outside of the Buress System, gracious King Gaakin.”
“I will order my Prime Archivist to bring forward a list of those systems we have traveled to, and I believe this list will aid you greatly, and save Humans many unnecessary travels. But for now, let’s you and I discuss trade among our two species.”
“What kind of trade do you have in mind?”
“We Daakie are known as traders. We have traded with many different worlds, and our philosophy is everyone has something to trade. With the Nawi we trade for their fine gemstones. With the Venic we trade for their laborers. And as with both their worlds, we trade some of our food and the use of our weaponry against the Hive to help keep their worlds secure, for they have no spacecraft or weaponry and do not travel among the stars.”
“I’ll have to think about trading because at the moment I can’t think of anything we have on Colossus that you would want to trade for.”
“Ah, but you do, Admiral. You have something we don’t have, and I think his name is Commodore Jeeves, your Android.”
“You're not suggesting I trade you my Science Officer are you, and he does not like to be called an android? Commodore Jeeves prefers the designation of Humanoid.”
“No, Admiral, I don’t expect you to trade away your Science Officer, but I would be very interested if my scientists could take a look at your Commodore Jeeves to see what would be needed for us to have such a brilliant subject.”
“I can’t order Commodore Jeeves to participate in any studying of his body, but if you could tell me how much of his time would be used for the study, I will consider approaching him on the subject.”
“A King couldn’t ask for more than that. Now come, my people have put together a handsome festival for us to attend. I will order our Science Officer Faadin to calculate how much of Commodore Jeeves’s time will be needed. Then maybe tomorrow I can visit your Colossus.”
“I would be honored to show you my ship, Your Grace.”
Chapter 24
The Daakie put on a grand festival for their Human visitors, and it lasted late into the night. King Gaakin insisted that his visitors stay at his palace and without complaint, they accepted. During the morning Admiral Allen contacted his Rear Admiral to check in and to inform him the shuttle party would be on Planet Daak for another day and would be heading back to Colossus the next morning at 0800.
“Some advanced warning, Anatoly. King Gaakin wishes to visit Colossus, and I want the ship in tip-top shape. I would also appreciate you letting everyone on board know that we will be bringing the ruler of Plant Daak to visit our ship and some of its fine people.
“Remind them of all the hours they were in class learning USC’s expectations and rules for proper conduct while we receive dignitaries from alien worlds. I do expect them to conduct themselves accordingly.”
“Shall I tell them that those that don’t follow the protocols will be floated?”
Allen laughed and said, “I wouldn’t take that off the table if anyone doesn’t adhere. We will see you in the morning.”
Throughout the day, Commodore Jeeves was schooled on name designations of the Daakie people. The most remarkable thing he learned was that with over eighty million names in their birth registers no name was ever repeated. He also relented without much of a problem when Admiral Allen asked him if he would mind allowing his Daakie counterpart and a team of scientists to study him. But he did tell Allen he would be setting parameters for how far he would allow them to examine him.
Colonel Hammer, on the other hand, spent most of the next day frolicking with two beautiful Daakie females he spent the evening with, all evening. Jak was well known back on Earth for his adept abilities when it came to pleasing women, and from the way the two females seemed to be attached to his hips, it was quite clear he taught them something no Daakie male had ever tried.
General Dubois was invited by Burseq Maalik to attended the Daakie officers military training theater or Colosseum. The soldiers were very advanced in the art of hand to hand combat, and their use of their throwing discs with serrated edges amazed Dubois.
In the center of the Colosseum were life-sized figures dressed in light battle gear moving around on hidden tracks. Wherever the discs made contact with the figures that part of the body would be severed from its torso. Alias thought damn sure wouldn’t want to be hit by one of those things.
At one point and at two ends of the Colosseum, doors opened and several wekas (little horse type animals seen on the Nawi Planet Yopa) came running out two at a time. Four soldiers, two at each end, showed their skills with the cho-kas (lassos) to capture the wekas. Alias also noted the soldiers ran faster than any Human he ever saw run.
Now he understood the power in the Daakie men’s thick muscled thighs and calves. No Human would ever win a foot race against these aliens, as they ran almost as fast as the wekas.
The second day ended well, and the Humans were ready to get back to their ship. Jak had to sneak off from the Daakie women and begged Jeeves to hide him in his room. Jeeves was perplexed and found it amusing the big tough colonel needed to hide from two soft females.
****
King Gaakin and his entourage had just landed in the large hangar bay of the Colossus. Admiral Allen and Petrov were standing a few feet away from the Zurgut’s extending off-ramp when they saw two large Daakie soldiers come down the ramp first, then Burseq Maalik, followed by King Gaakin.
Af
ter welcoming the King and his escorts, Admiral Allen asked them to follow him and Admiral Petrov to the command center. Allen thought it proper to show the interested king the command center first.
King Gaakin was obviously impressed with the command center’s layout, and a few seconds after Allen finished telling the king about the stations on the lower level, Gaakin walked over to Admiral Allen’s chair and to Allen’s and Petrov’s surprise, the King helped himself to the admiral’s command chair.
He positioned his arms on the chair just as a seasoned commander might do, and put his right hand near the enlayed control console, but didn’t push anything.
Maalik took a short step toward Allen as both men were standing behind Gaakin, leaned close and whispered, “I apologize, Admiral. Daakie kings are not accustomed to asking for permission.”
Allen reciprocated by whispering, “Totally understandable.”
The king turned the admiral’s chair so he could look at him and said, “A handsome commanding throne, Admiral. I may have my engineer’s craft me one similar to this to replace the piece of stiffness I have for a throne in the Great Hall.”
“I can have one of our engineer's craft one for you. It would honor me, and my people, to present such a gift to the Honorable Daakie King.”
Gaakin stood up from the chair and faced Allen and said, “That would please me, Admiral.
Then he brought up his right hand up to his chin laying two fingers there while looking into Admiral Allen’s eyes and said, “I should, and will, learn more about you Humans,”
Rear Admiral Petrov thought well, he will have to hurry because we are scheduled to be back on Colossus in twenty-four hours to continue on with the USC’s mission.
Allen spent the next three hours giving King Gaakin an almost complete tour of the ship he was so proud of. Even though he was appreciative of finding out there were two more alien races besides the charming Nawi, that being the Daakie, and the Venic. Allen was a cautious commander.
Remembering when he debriefed Colonel Hammer on his visit to the Battlestar Zurgut, and learned Burseq Maalik didn’t have any plans on giving his Human visitors too much information about his warship, he concluded he should do the same with the King, and keep vital technologies the Daakie couldn’t know about hidden for the time being.
The king expressed many times his amazement of the size of the Generations Colossus. At one point he asked Allen if he wouldn’t mind showing him some of the Colossus’s weapons, as he was sure there had to be plenty on a ship of this size.
The weapon that made the biggest impression on the king was the railgun. As the weapon’s tech was educating the king on the gun, King Gaagin said he would like to try it out. The tech looked over to his admiral for confirmation and Allen nodded yes.
Gaagin sat in the control and fire chair, and when the all-clear was given, the king lit up the darkness of space as he rode down the rail firing the powerful gun. Admiral Allen smiled, as he could see the look of pleasure appear on the king’s face.
When he was finished, the king got up from the chair and said, “A wonderful weapon, Admiral. It should help you when you meet the Hive, which you most surely will.”
Admiral Allen took the king to the hangar bay and allowed him to see the firepower sitting in the bay. When he saw the multitude of wasps and hornets he commented, “You have a very formidable ship, Admiral.”
The final hour of King Gaakin’s tour was used to stroll down the large atrium filled with vendors and shops. And as ordered, the Colossians were on their best behavior, which made Allen wonder if during Anatoly’s announcement of the king’s visit, if he actually told them they would be floated if not representing the Human Race well.
Standing next to the loading ramp of the Battlestar they came on King Gaakin said,“Well, I must return to my people now. Thank you for showing me this amazing ship. You must be quite honored to be the commander of such a magnificent Battlestar.”
“I am very honored to command Colossus and am glad you approve of her.”
“Ah yes, calling something so powerful should be referenced as a female, because all men know the power and persuasion of our females.”
“How true indeed your, Grace.”
The king turned to one of his soldiers and reached out his hand. The soldier produced a tablet and handed it to his king.
“Here is the list of systems, and their worlds, we Daakie have dialogued over the many, many, periods we have traveled. I trust it will save you and your people a lot of wasteful exploration on your mission to find a homeworld.”
“You are most gracious, King Gaagin. We have been blessed to have met the Daakie people, and their magnificent King. I hope we can make the time to visit one another for many periods in the future.”
“As we will, Admiral Allen. For as I stated once before, I must learn much more about you Humans,” Gaagin said with a smile as they boarded the Battlestar and returned to Planet Daak.
Chapter 25
Admiral Petrov, General Dubois, Colonel Hammer, Commodore Jeeves, Major Hoser, Captain Slain, Captain Sokolov, Chief Medical Officer Stavens, and Admiral Allen were all sitting at the conference table in Room Forward listening to their admiral’s talk about star systems on a large screen that came down from the ceiling.
The Colossus’s general course kept them still traveling through the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. With Planet Daak many light years in their rearview window (so to speak) they had been referring to King Gaagin’s list of explored systems and had just passed the last one on the King’s list.
It was now time to begin exploring new and uncharted frontiers once again. After much discussion and input from Petrov and Jeeves, Admiral Allen chose a system with a star ten times larger than the Earth’s star known as Calphor. What made the decision an easy one was the Calphor System had thirty planets and numerous moons orbiting the planets.
“How many of the planets can we eliminate as non-inhabited, Commodore?”
“I assume you mean not capable of sustaining Human life, Admiral. There could be other forms of life on the outer reaches of the system, sir.”
Petrov saw his Admiral tense up for a split second and decided he should answer the commodore's statement as he knew Allen wasn’t in the mood to be schooled.
“I believe the Admiral is wanting clarification for only those planets that might be suitable for Human life, Commodore Jeeves.”
“Unless there is intelligent life in the Calphor System with the capability to establish colonies under protective structures as we did on Mars, the number I can quantify would be eighteen planets, Admiral. Beginning with these six planets (Jeeves said while pointing at the planets) and working our way closer to the star.”
“Thank you, Commodore,” Allen said.
“Captain Slain, you and Colonel Hammer will take this one. Captain Sokolov, you and Major Hoser will begin on this one. When you finish scanning your designated planet each of you will move to the remaining four planets. Alright, gentlemen. Start making preparations for your departure to begin scanning your assigned planets.
“While you gentlemen are scanning the six planets, the Colossus is going to begin searching the two large planets positioned here and here. Standard exploration protocol will be utilized with no deviations unless cleared by myself, or Admiral Petrov.
“General Dubois, when we get to the first planet on our agenda I want you to conduct a mock defensive scenario with your hornets and wasps. They have been idle for a long time and it would be wise to get our pilots some flying time.”
“Yes, sir, Admiral. I’m quite sure our pilots will be excited to get in some flying time.”
“Now gentlemen, if you don’t have any questions lets go find our new home. You are all dismissed, and happy hunting.”
As the men began walking out of Room Forward with their orders Allen asked his Chief Medical Officer Victoria Stavens to remain in the room.
With only the Admiral and Commander Stavens in the
room, Allen asked her to take a seat.
“Victoria, we haven’t had a chance to talk about our citizens on board for quite a while now. How are they holding up?”
“For the most part, the majority are doing fine. We have had a couple reports of people feeling homesick and missing their families, but we knew that would probably happen. I would say in general that we are doing exceptionally well for Human’s first and only trip into the universe.
“But I must say that I’m not doing very well, Admiral.”
“Why, Victoria, what’s wrong with you?”
“My Admiral hasn’t had the time to tend to my needs, sir.”
Allen stood up from the table and walked over to Victoria as she stood upon his approach.
He took her into his arms and said, “I apologize, Commander. I have been terrible at taking care of one of my most important duties.”
He kissed her passionately on her lips, and as he did he could feel her melt in his arms. They kissed for a long thirty seconds, and when he pulled back she grabbed him behind his head and pulled him forcefully back to her lips.
While kissing she felt down to his manhood and knew instantly that he was aroused and pulled her lips from his and said, “Why Admiral, it seems you have suddenly gotten tense. I believe a full physical is in order, or do you want me to tend to your physical distress right here, right now?”
“As much as I desire you right now I’m not the kind of gentleman to think of only my satisfaction. Besides, what I have in mind will take several hours, and as you know, I have to begin our mission. Come to my Ready Room tonight at 2100 hours if you like.”
“Oh, I like, Arvin.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on his cheek and said, “See you in 2100, Admiral.”
