Probe

by Eugene Wilson

  “I was always confused by this,” Ra’el admits. “I read somewhere that earlier, our government was involved in trade with the thaons. Why?”

  “Ra’el,” Quafeira continues, “much of this started about twenty years before I was born. During that time, Forasian Havor was the Aprincior. Although the thaons were initially welcomed, our government officials begin to distrust them. Our perceptions of them changed dramatically.”

  “Why?” Ra’el asks.

  “The records indicate that many thaon trade policies were reportedly aggressive and unfair. Many of our business owners were angered by unfair trade deals supported by thaon business agencies.”

  “Is that the reason for Aprincior Havor ordering all trade with the thaons terminated?” Thanor asks.

  “Not entirely, Thanor.”

  “What do you mean, Professor Sibekk?”

  “After being tipped by an informant, Sanstean Investigation Bureau special agents forced their way into a residence where some individuals were holding a meeting. The situation was later broadcast by the media. ”

  “Who were these individuals?”

  “Three thaons, three tendarians and three of our own people.”

  “Tendarians? Rahmik Sulbrin was a tendarian,” Thanor exclaims.

  “That and some more.”

  “Why were they arrested and detained?” Ra’el asks.

  “During a press meeting,” Quafeira answers, “Sanstean officials focused mainly on the thaons. Reportedly, the thaons were involved in an attempt to obtain information regarding exotic weapons technology.”

  “Most likely regarding the extraspatial otivicon,” Thanor surmises.

  “Regardless,” Quafeira continues, “the thaons were imprisoned.”

  “How did thaon government officials react?” Thanor asks.

  “Predictably, thaon government officials were angered. In a threatening tone, the thaon government demanded the release of their people. Havor obliged these officials by expelling all thaons from the planet.”

  “Professor Sibekk,” Ra’el interrupts, “how was the tendarians involved in this situation?”

  “Considering our government’s close relationship with the tendarian government, no mention was made of the tendarians. The tendarians were simply sent back to their homeworld.”

  “What military secrets were these thaons attempting to acquire?”

  “Thanor,” Aarath interrupts, “they were trying to obtain information about Dabenar’s defense grid along with military defense strategies.”

  “Obviously then, the thaons were just putting on a business front while actually planning an invasion,” Ra’el concludes.

  “I am afraid there is more to this than a single invasion concept.”

  “How so, Professor Sibekk?” Ra’el asks.

  “Back in 2144, four years after we married, Jebanathan and I went on an archaeological expedition to a planet called Saleas.”

  “Saleas? How far is it from Dabenar?” Thanor asks.

  “Planet Saleas is located near the outer periphery in the fourth galactic quadrant. Traveling aboard an older Faros class transport vessel, we spent nearly two days traveling through hyperspace before we reached Saleas.”

  “Who inhabits that world?”

  “Saleas is home to the indigenous malorians. They are highly advanced and possess an exquisite paradisiacal culture. There is an unusually huge number of the Genari among them. Still, I do not want to return there.”

  “Why do you refuse to return to Saleas?” Ra’el asks.

  “To this day, I am still troubled by what three Genari overseers had told me.”

  “What did they tell you?” Thanor asks.

  Briefly, Quafeira is silent. “Without getting into much detail, a Genari overseer indicated a new aspect of the coming time of galactic distress.”

  “I have read reports of many planetary societies that are troubled by that prophecy,” Thanor remarks.

  “I agree. Even more troubling, two malorian military officials had told my husband and I about what the thaons were reportedly doing in the fourth galactic quadrant.”

  “Which is?” Thanor asks.

  “Through their operatives, malorian officials had learned that the thaon government of planet Meiros had earlier formed a military alliance with four other planetary governments, including planet Thalos.”

  “What is the purpose of this multiplanetary alliance?” Ra’el asks.

  “Galactic conquest!” Aarath interrupts. “This multiplanetary alliance is reportedly called the Anatahn.”

  “Despite what some believe, I still find it impossible!” Thanor objects. “No single alliance could ever hope to conquer the entire galaxy. We are not talking the Cadician-Perasian Empire here. We are talking hundreds of billions of planets! You would need firepower akin to a supernova.”

  “I agree,” Quafeira admits. “Such an endeavor would be almost on an inconceivable scale. However, statistics suggest that less than one percent of these planets are inhabited.”

  “Even with the most highly conservative of estimates,” Thanor adds, “we are still talking of billions of inhabited worlds just within the galactic plane alone! Such an endeavor would take centuries!”

  “Also,” Ra’el states, “many alien planetary governments would use the Auracron Intergalactic Hyperspatial Communications Network to transmit an advanced warning of any massive invasion attempt.”

  “Provided these planetary governments are part of the Intergalactic Communications Network,” Quafeira acknowledges. “As far-fetched as this may sound, it appears that these planetary governments making up the Anatahn are convinced that galactic conquest is an achievable goal.”

  “Still,” Aarath interrupts, “the notion of a single alliance subjugating the entire inhabited galaxy is preposterous.”

  “Aarath,” Quafeira continues, “there have been verifiable reports of numerous planets within the fourth quadrant being attacked and subjugated by massive invasion forces. Malorian military officials are also speculating that these invasion forces may be part of the Anatahn.”

  “How can one be sure of this?” Aarath asks. “There are always armed conflicts breaking out between various worlds. I find it difficult to believe that, according to ancient records, the entire galaxy was once united.”

  “There are so many things that we may not be able to understand now,” Quafeira states. “Yet, the facts do indicate that various planets are being attacked. Whether the attacking forces are the Anatahn Alliance or of some other power is still being debated. We need additional facts.”

  “Professor Sibekk,” Ra’el interrupts, “obtaining these facts would most likely be very difficult as well as dangerous.”

  “Still, the Anatahn Alliance, in whatever form it has taken, may pose a serious threat to our region of the galaxy within the next two centuries.”

  “Two hundred years,” Thanor boasts, “is far more than enough time for a planetary government to organize a defense against any invader.”

  “Thanor,” Quafeira reasons, “you are assuming that a planetary government has advanced knowledge of an enemy invasion. Regardless of how long it may take, an enormously sized enemy force with super weaponry can neutralize nearly any planetary defense.”

  Thanor becomes troubled. “Professor Sibekk, we are located in the second galactic quadrant. Thus, you are implying that it would take four hundred years for this Anatahn Alliance to subjugate the entire galaxy.”

  “In all fairness, I have many doubts,” Quafeira concludes. For the next few moments, each gives thought to what appears to be a highly difficult, as well as a phenomenal military undertaking. “Time, however, will tell. For now, let us return to what we were doing.”

  Another listing,” she continues, “mentions a group calling themselves thenesians.”

  “Thenesians?” Aarath asks with a surprised look.

  “Yes, and I know what you are thinking.”

  “Quafeira, we were de
aling with a group of thenesian salvage traders for several years before they disappeared due to some unknown fatality.”

  “Aarath, who are these thenesians?”

  “They are the indigenous inhabitants of planet Erandos. Essentially, we were handing over scrap machinery and parts to them.”

  “Aarath,” Quafeira interrupts, “the name of their ship was the Tolasis. It made planetfall on 17 Uron 1519, about seventy-five of our years ago.”

  Aarath begins thinking hard. “That would put it around 2151.”

  “2151? That was one year after Selvon Jarrak and his associates were sentenced to prison,” Quafeira surmises.

  “I know,” Aarath adds.” The Tolasis disappeared fifteen years later. Her disappearance still remains an unsolved mystery.”

  Before another word is spoken, a graphic image of a flaming blue skull appears within the center of the window. “What is this?” Quafeira asks in shock as a voice begins emanating from the visual reader. “This message will be brief. I am the Settler. I am part of an organization known as the Skulards. All of you are in grave danger. Surăvian military officials may trail you. Send two of your people to meet me at the time and place specified on your screen. Also, I may have information on your lost ship.”

  After the message ends, the image vanishes. All are speechless.

  Ra’el makes the first response. “Is this on the level? Who is this Settler person?”

  “It does not matter. I do not trust this message or the one who sent it,” Thanor adds. Aarath mentally agrees with his nephew.

  “Whoever he is,” Quafeira finally points out, “he says that he may have information about the Illasius.”

  “Now I understand why Jaliras was acting nervous,” Aarath adds.

  “This is very troubling,” Thanor remarks. “Why would this Settler relay a voice message instead of coming to us in person?”

  In her mind, Ra’el begins going through various scenarios with regard to Thanor’s inquiry. “What if he does have information about the Illasius? This listing contains none of the information that we are seeking.”

  Despite any nervousness, Quafeira is compelled to act. “I am willing to take the chance and go meet him.”

  “Quafeira, let us not be hasty!” Aarath cautions. “We have no idea as to the identity of this individual!”

  “Aarath! He knows about the Illasius!” Quafeira is adamant.

  “No,” Aarath counters, “he only said that he may have the information that we are seeking.”

  “Actually,” Ra’el interrupts, “I am willing to take the chance with this Settler individual.”

  Thanor and Aarath turn toward her in surprise. Again, Ra’el is eager to prove her problem-solving abilities. “Let us think about this for a moment,” she continues. “This is our second message warning us that we are in some sort of danger. I do not think that he means us any harm.”

  “And how would you prove this, Ra’el?” Aarath asks angrily.

  “Aarath, I know you think that I am naive, but I can determine the authenticity of this message. I am going!”

  “Running headlong into the unknown is foolish, Ra’el,” Aarath objects.

  “Did you tell Professor Sibekk that when she wanted to come here?” Ra’el yells back in protest.

  Incensed, Aarath fires back in his thunderous voice. “You are a young and naïve female! Quafeira’s situation is far more important than you can ever comprehend. You were not even born when these things occurred!”

  “I am not naïve! I know what I am doing! I studied about all the things that occurred back then! I want to do my part!”

  “Stop this! Both of you!” Quafeira yells. “This bickering is pointless! We need to settle this matter peacefully and quickly!”

  “Professor Sibekk! Ra’el and I can go together to meet the Settler,” Thanor blurts out. “Both of us can then determine what he knows.”

  “That is much better,” Aarath agrees. “I can go for that.”

  “Oh really!” Ra’el protests. “When I volunteer to help, you think that it is too dangerous for poor, helpless Ra’el! Yet, when your favorite nephew volunteers to help, it is all fine and cozy!”

  “That is enough of you!” Aarath demands.

  “No, it is not enough! I do not need any of this. I am going!” In a fit of anger, Ra’el turns and storms out of the room. Although upset as well, Thanor, after a few seconds, follows Ra’el. Aarath shakes his head in disgust. “I knew she was going to be trouble.”

  “Aarath, you have to be patient with her. Ra’el has many ideas and ideals. She knows what she wants to do.”

  “I seriously doubt that,” Aarath responds unconcerned.

  Chapter 7Fearful Revelation

  The Clark Residence

  Thursday, 8 August 1974 (10:45 AM)

  Pulling numerous papers out of her carrying bag, Sylvia has decided to tell the others what she had deciphered earlier.

  “Are you certain of this?” David asks her. All three are in amazement over what she is revealing to them.

  “Yes!” Sylvia asserts. “All these events are definitely related to each other.” She begins laying various papers on the table. David is astonished as he looks intently at her work, all written in bright red ink.

  “Apparently,” she continues, “Hilexos is a joint scientific project between two research agencies and the Aweyan Science Institute is one of them.”

  “We got that part,” Nathan surmises. “What was the other agency?”

  “Tavus-Alverand Corporation!” Sylvia replies excitedly.

  “Have you found anything on the extraspatial otivicon?” David asks.

  “Not really! I find it strange that this device can hardly be found.”

  “At least in later periods,” David adds.

  Nathan becomes curious. “Why do you say that, David?”

  “It seems like the farther we go forward in time, the less information there is about the extraspatial otivicon, as if it had vanished completely.”

  “I don’t get it,” Tyrone interrupts. “So all this trouble over this thing and nobody can find any more information on the specifics.”

  “There may be additional information on it,” David states. “However, the information is password locked. I need to enter eight letters to unlock it and I have no idea what those letters are.”

  “If we could only correlate these dates, then we could see where we are in their historical time frame,” Nathan states.

  “That’s why I called you all here. I’ve done that!” Sylvia boasts.

  “Come again!” David objects with noticeable jealousy. Sylvia’s burgeoning expertise is beginning to aggravate him.

  “Yesterday,” she continues, “I went to visit my old elementary school history teacher. Tyrone, you remember her? Don’t you?”

  “Yeah,” Tyrone states while looking at a mildly angry David.

  “After doing some additional research on the deciphered information, I correlated two earth dates with their Dabenar calendar counterparts.”

  “Wow! Really? Which dates are you referring to?” Nathan asks.

  “Monday, September 17, 1860 and Wednesday, September 18, 1889. You guys were in the ball park about the first date.”

  Nathan is intrigued. “What did you learn to be the corresponding Dabenar calendar dates and how did you determine them?”

  “Tyrone told me what you guys were trying to do.”

  “Well, we were getting there,” David states defensively.

  “Yeah, but you missed something.”

  Nathan gives David a look of slight condemnation. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Tyrone also mentioned something about a star constellation that you and Nathan were discussing a few days ago.”

  “We know that,” David replies. “One of those stars is Dabenar’s sun.”

  “Yet,” Sylvia interjects, “in that same constellation, there is another star that the selothians call Atheon. On t
hat paper, it’s the top center star.”

  “Top center?” Nathan yells excitedly. “Wait a minute! Atheon is…”

  “What’s wrong?” David asks.

  “Our astronomers call Atheon Eta-Carsus, a white dwarf located 6,600 light-years away, which would put it equidistant from both worlds.”

  “Yes! That being the case,” Sylvia adds, “when Eta-Carsus flared up, the increased light finally reached Earth and Dabenar at the same time.”

  “How did you find this out?” David asks.

  “After talking to Mrs. Sawyers, I researched some astronomical records at your favorite library and found some information on several people.”

  “Who?” Nathan asks.

  “First, we have Richard T. Allenworth.”

  “Who is Richard T. Allenworth?” Tyrone asks.

  “Richard Thomas Allenworth was a runaway slave who settled in Rochester, New York. He had arrived in Rochester by 1858. Eventually, he became an astronomy professor, civil rights advocate and abolitionist.”

  “Interesting,” Tyrone adds.

  “Yeah. He accompanied Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips on various anti-slavery speaking tours.”

  Tyrone is perplexed. “He almost reminds me of Benjamin Banneker. Still, how does this relate to what you have found?”

  “Richard published two autobiographies, Call to Freedom and From Slavery to Freedom: A Narrative of the Life of Richard Allenworth.”

  “So how does an autobiography relate to all of this,” Tyrone asks.

  “In his second book, Richard indicated that he was traveling off the California coast aboard a passenger ship. On September 17, 1860, he saw Eta-Carsus flare up brightly for a short time before it went dim a few days later. Twenty-nine years later, Faheem Zeyad, an Egyptian archaeologist, saw Eta-Carsus flare up again on September 18, 1889.”