by J W Murison
Steven slumped against the wall for a moment before finding Charlie, who was alone in a room nearby. ‘Charlie, are you sure about this? I can’t hear Babes anymore.’
‘Positive. They are bluffing. Babes says they are using a jamming signal but they can’t order her to self-destruct in the manner they have stipulated. In fact not in any matter at all.’
‘You can still hear her?’
‘Her and Ico.’
‘Is he OK?’ Komoru asked.
‘Worried you will do something rash. That’s all. You had better get back to the crews, they are getting nervous now. It’s a test Stevie. If you so much as try to raise your shields then you will have failed it. They will not kill us themselves, but they are not beyond putting a bounty on our heads. You really, really need to trust me on this.’
Steven clapped him on the shoulder. ‘I do Charlie.’
The Captains returned to their ships. When Steven arrived on the bridge it was to find everyone at their action stations. ‘Listen to me everyone and listen very carefully. The Builders will not take a life. They would not deconstruct the ship from under our feet. This is a test. If we so much as raise our shields we will have lost. Under no circumstances is anyone to take any offensive action.’
‘Are you sure sir?’ Howe asked.
‘I am positive.’
‘None of us can hear the ship.’
‘I am aware of that Colonel. The ships are fine. Our communications are being disrupted by the ambassadorial ships through the umbilical that they used to dock.’
‘Then may I suggest that we undock sir?’
‘No Colonel.’ Steven looked him straight in the eye. ‘May I have a quick word with you?’
‘Yes sir.’
Howe followed him out into the corridor. ‘Colonel, do you trust me or do I have lock down your terminal? I will if you force me to.’
Howe smiled, ‘No sir. In fact I have a project that I could be going on with. I will lock it down myself.’
‘Thank you, I appreciate your trust.’
Howe went in and locked down his terminal; then dragged Beaver away. With the two of them gone the crew began to relax a little. Some went to the canteen and others began to go about their normal routine. Buzz and Steven stayed at their posts. Charlie entered the bridge and sat at the other side of Steven. He kept his voice low. ‘I just came from Ico. Komoru has everything locked down. Our communications with the fleet have not been affected and they are expecting you to call for help.’
‘If we do?’ Steven asked, already knowing the answer.
‘Same deal, they are gone and we are in the shit with the Builder race. Ten minutes before the time is up they will try to frighten the crews into making a mistake.’
Steven nodded, ‘That’s why they left our comms untouched.’
‘Aye.’
‘Glad you’re here Charlie.’
‘Just doing my job Stevie.’ His head went up, ‘We got a wee lassie beginning to panic. I’ll hunt her down.’
‘Right. Anything else let me know right away.’
‘No probs.’
Ten minutes before the allotted time was up the ambassador got in touch with Steven through the same network that Babes used. Steven knew every member of the crew heard the message.
‘You have ten minutes before we order the destruction of your ships. We will allow you to abandon them peacefully.’
‘We will only abandon these ships when they are disintegrating around us. So either carry out your threat or leave.’
‘You have ten minutes.’
Members of the crew began to appear on the bridge. Someone mentioned calling for help and Steven stood to address them all. ‘Please listen to me everyone. The Builders are a non-violent race. Yes, they obviously don’t like the fact that we have two of their ships. But they would never risk the lives of anyone or any species in the manner they are suggesting. The original crew of this ship perished because they refused to fight back against those who tried to kill them. They want these ships back but the only way they can achieve that is if we abandon them willingly. They would then tow the ships back to their home world where they would be decommissioned. Stand fast and don’t panic.’
Steven sat back down and the minutes began to drag. It was five minutes after the deadline when the ambassador got back in touch. ‘You are an arrogant race. Remove yourself from these vessels, we have control of them.’
‘No you don’t,’ answered Steven, ‘you are merely disrupting our communications by the umbilical that joins our ships through the docking ports. All we have to do to re-establish communications with our ships is to undock.’
‘Then why haven’t you?’
‘Because you also have control over the docking port. To do so would mean wrenching ourselves free. The damaged caused would be minimal, but unnecessary. If you wish to talk ambassador then we will do so. If not then please just leave.’
The ambassador was silent as he thought it over, ‘Then let us talk. Please come aboard my ship.’
‘Before I do so I must inform you that I have ambassadorial status amongst our people. Even though we are not yet recognised as a sentient race this side of the great barrier our ambassadorial rights have been granted by the Modloch Empire and its alliance members.’
‘I see. If that is the case then I grant you ambassadorial rights and guarantee that no harm of any type shall befall you while on board my ship. We will receive you in ten minutes. Both captains only please.’
Steven looked to Charlie who nodded slightly.
‘We will be there in ten minutes.’
Steven and Komoru held hands as they walked on to the Builders’ ships. In their spare hands they held baskets. The ceilings were far higher than they were used to. Both loved the decorations on the walls. It gave the ships the feeling of homeliness. They were guided to a conference room, a very plush one. It was all both Humans could do not to stare open-mouthed. The ambassador and his mate were sitting at the table in beautiful silk robes.
He indicated two chairs, ‘Please sit.’ The Humans positioned themselves onto the large chairs. The ambassador looked from one to the other. ‘I apologise for the seating. I did not realise how inappropriate it would be. I would have got you a pair of children’s highchairs; however it has been quite a while since anyone in our crews have had children. We would normally entertain our guests with food. Unfortunately we have no meat aboard.’
It was the excuse the two captains were waiting for to place the baskets on the table. It was Komoru who took the lead, ‘We understand ambassador. We were aware of the tradition, and of how hard it would be for you to procure foods that Humans could consume. We took the liberty of preparing a basket for both races. Let me reassure you that there are no meat products. We Humans are omnivorous. Our world is full of wonderful fruit, nuts, berries, and vegetables that we consume. Our ships helped us select only those things your race can consume, along with a selection of grasses from our home world that you may wish to try.’
It seemed to catch them flatfooted. The ambassador’s opinion began to change as he observed the two diminutive creatures sitting at his table. They had obviously made preparations for the day. Komoru reached for the first basket with the intention of unpacking it, but the ambassador held up a hand to stop her and the baskets disappeared. A few moments later the contents appeared in dishes on the table, unpacked and unwrapped. They smell of newly cut grass permeated the room.
The ambassador and his mate inhaled deeply. Steven and Komoru took a few pieces of fruit, while their hosts began to devour the offering. There was a little of each for both. Babes had warned that if they enjoyed the meal they would go into a strange catatonic state for a short period of time after they had finished. Steven noticed they seemed to be falling into it while there were still a few dishes left.
The ambassador came out of it first, his mate a few minutes later. He blinked rapidly as his senses returned. ‘You didn’t eat much?’ It was almost
an accusation.
It was Steven’s turn to take over. ‘We had already eaten only a short while ago. Besides, this was for your benefit.’
‘I see. To prove that you are not entirely animals.’
His mate came to and heard his words. She placed a hand on his arm. ‘That was insulting darling. I do not wish you to continue in this tone. It is unwarranted.’ His reply was a grunt; she turned her attention to Komoru. ‘That was an exquisite meal my dear. You and your mate are to be congratulated on your choice.’
Komoru bowed her acceptance of the compliment, ‘Thank you, my lady. We have had a lot of time to prepare for this meeting. Our ships helped us choose what would be most appropriate.’
‘They made a good choice. Tell me my dear, was one of those grasses what we refer to as the blue grass?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is it not illegal?’
‘No my lady. It is a native species of our planet and grows wild on the vast savannas in a country called Africa.’
‘Yet it is known in our part of the galaxy. How can that be?’
‘We are in a war of extinction with a race called the Albany. I am sure you are aware of that. When the Albany first discovered our planet and solar system they began to covet it. They took seeds from our planet and sent them across the great barrier. This blue grass, as you call it, was then cultivated in secret, the profits used to build a great fleet and the city ship you no doubt saw on your arrival. This fleet then invaded our solar system with the intention of wiping out every species on our planet and claiming it for their own. They conducted experiments on members of our race that they abducted, and used them to produce a serum that would protect them from the harmful effects of our sun.’
‘Thank you my dear. That was concise and straight to the point. We have already heard much of this story. However, it is nice to hear it from your point of view. The one we receive is far more biased towards your race than the Albany. It is also known that you defeated the Albany in a great battle.’
‘There was a number of battles, my lady. To this day the Albany have not sued for peace and still covet that which is naturally ours.’
‘Did you really murder all of those prisoners?’
‘No my lady, they were responsible for their own death. Suspecting foul play, we built a bio-dome on an asteroid, where we replicated part of the great plains. When they released an agent that would have wiped out Humanity, the bio-dome’s automatic defences came online and opened up to the vacuum of space. If they had been in their homes they would have been safe. However, the Albany prisoners believed that they were actually on Earth and had scattered to prevent detection and extermination by our armed forces.’
‘I take it you did not inform them that they were in a bio-dome and not on Earth.’
‘We were forced by the Albany and a number of other races to sign the Balang treaty covering care for prisoners of war. According to the treaty, we were not obligated to tell prisoners suspected of plotting to do us further harm that they were not on the planet’s surface, specifically if the prisoners had previously used, or had intended to use, weapons of a biological nature.’
‘You have evidence of this?’
‘Yes my lady, the Albany were being closely watched. We can supply you with any evidence you require.’
‘Thank you my dear.’ She turned to her mate, who had sat silently throughout the conversation, and squeezed his arm.
The ambassador took over the questioning and directed his remarks at Steven. ‘Captain Gordon. Although every ship we build carry weapons, we rely on our stealth capabilities for protection. We find the present configuration of your ships extremely disturbing. Would you please explain to us why they are so?’
Steven leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table with his hands clasped in front of him. ‘As my mate has already stated ambassador, we are involved in a conflict. One that if lost will result in our race becoming extinct. But we do not fight for that reason alone. Our planet is rich in its diversity of life: animals, flora, fauna, insects, birds, aquatics, the list is endless. Millions upon millions of different species all dependent on us for survival.
‘At this time we are a race alone amongst many that would see us die, simply because we eat meat. You may know that there is a bounty on the head of every Human. The Albany have not given up their desire to take our world. With a live Human specimen anyone can make themselves quite wealthy. With a dozen you could make yourself stinking rich. The Albany require live Humans to make serum from. A serum that allows them to live in our solar system. From one Human thousands of Albany can be inoculated.
‘We know from the experience of the crews that went before us that stealth technology is no guarantee of safety. After the battle over the city ship we realised that we could not even defend ourselves from an Albany destroyer, let alone any other fighting ship. In our journeys we may well be a target for every criminal in the galaxy. With no formal agreement to protect us, in reality any race who wishes to could attack a Human vessel and, if they capture it, turn the crew over to the Albany for a reward.
‘We will not allow that to happen to us. We will go down fighting. Those guns are there to give us a chance of survival should we ever be attacked. To date, they have never been fired.’
The ambassador nodded his understanding, ‘I see. Are you saying that you took no part in the battles?’
‘The crews did, yes, but the ships did not.’
‘I see, so you and some of your people actually fought on the surface of the city ship?’
‘Yes ambassador, the ships did no more than keep us supplied with food, water and oxygen during the fight.’
‘How much of this meal could you have eaten Captain?’
‘Everything except the grass and the mushroom in the jelly.’
‘The mushroom in the jelly. Ah yes, that was exquisite. How is it that you cannot eat it? It isn’t grass.’
‘There are many such fungi on our planet ambassador. Some of them are edible to Humans, however many species are actually poisonous to us. That species just happens to be one of them.’
‘Is there somewhere we can procure them?’
‘Not at the moment ambassador. Fortunately the mushroom itself is not included in the treaties that we have already signed with the Modloch Emperor. It may well be made commercially available in the future.’
‘How did the Emperor miss that one?’
‘It is neither grass nor seed, ambassador. I think someone brought it to his attention a few weeks ago because he tried to have it included in the treaties. We refused.’
‘That must have upset him.’
‘I believe it did.’
‘Your people didn’t gave in?’
‘No.’
‘Then there is strength indeed in your race.’ His head lifted for a moment as if he was listening to something. ‘It would seem our presence has finally been detected by the powers that be. We have been called to appear before the Emperor’s ministers. We have a small embassy on the planet and shall retire there for the present. I shall convey what you have told me to my people. I will also make general enquiries about your race amongst the Modloch. Until then you will be under no pressure to return the ships to us. I have to admit, as a race you aren’t as repugnant as I thought you would be.’
Steven and Komoru were dismissed; the visiting ships undocked then descended to the capital city below.
CHAPTER 28
Charlie was laughing so hard his sides hurt. He had just completed a four week training program with recruits that he and Kelly had cooked up between them and was enjoying a few days off before they began with a new batch. The Chief looked hurt. ‘What’s so funny Charlie?’
Charlie drew breath and looked up at one of the massive generators, ‘You got all that money and spent the lot on generators for your Emperor’s ship?’
The Chief shrugged, ‘So?’
Charlie wiped away a tear, ‘Are you happy Chief?’
&
nbsp; ‘As a pig in shit, as you Humans say. Aren’t they great?’
The Chief then launched into a descriptive frenzy that only another engineer could truly have appreciated. Charlie simply went along with it. In the canteen he was welcomed like a long lost friend. The latest Human release was playing on the radio and in a few weeks time there was going to be a whole album. He was there for a couple of hours before deciding to return to the ship. Charlie had agreed to meet the Chief later on the surface of the planet where they were going to visit a few taverns.
He went to the spot where he normally beamed from and found a Modloch officer there.
‘Who are you Human?’
Charlie eyeballed him, ‘Sergeant Charlie Murison. I am here at the invitation of the Chief Engineer.’ The officer consulted a pad. ‘I can’t find your name on here. Come with me.’
Charlie was forced to follow and cursed his luck. He wasn’t too worried though, the Chief would soon clear it up. The officer led him to what had once been the headquarters. Charlie was sure that it was now the Emperor’s residence. Only once he was inside did he get the feeling that something was wrong. By the time he searched the Modloch officer’s thoughts it was too late to do anything about it. He considered calling on Babes to simply beam him out, but quickly dismissed the idea. What would happen would happen.
The Modloch officer had no idea that he had been compromised. As they entered the final door Charlie pounced, going for his sidearm. Before the Modloch could draw it he found himself flying through the air. The officer smacked into the wall and was knocked unconscious. The trouble was, Charlie could see another dozen waiting for him.
