The Syndicate's Journey

by Nicholas Bogucki

  “Which is exactly where the ETD comes into place, Armitage.” She smiled proudly. “. Right now, it can only transport transhumans or objects that weigh less than three-hundred pounds. We are trying to transport not just transhuman across the galaxy, but ships and weaponry and anything else.”

  “Really? Well, what is taking so long then?” Lieutenant General Armitage asked.

  “Well... that’s where you come into play, Armitage.” She answered. “I need the mechanisms, tools, and the machinery at MOD to help create this.”

  Lieutenant General Armitage wasn’t convinced. Sure, the ETD sounds like a great idea on blueprints, but in the real world, could that actually be possible and work.

  “Hmm... what did General Deschner have to say?” he asked.

  Lieutenant General dee Veyra’s demeanor changed, her smile instantly faded away, and she turned around in her chair to face the screen. “General Deschner thought the ‘idea’ was well thought out and that it could help the Syndicate drastically, but...”

  “But what?” Lieutenant General Armitage asked, “What did he say?”

  “But...” she shook her head. “He said it wouldn’t work and that the Drakdels are our main focus right now. He rattled on about the mission, something about how the Drakdels will help us.”

  Lieutenant General Armitage became interested in what she had to say. “The mission, huh? What did he mean by that?”

  “I didn’t bother asking. I know the ETD can help the Syndicate in the transportation and exploration of new planets and regions. I think General Deschner just needs convincing.” Lieutenant General dee Veyra remarked.

  “Convincing, huh?” Lieutenant General Armitage replied. “Is that all?”

  “Well, I think he is too focused on worrying about Snakardekus and Varenok to realize that there are other ways we can help that are easier and more efficient.”

  “You think so?” asked Lieutenant General Armitage.

  “I do. Working as the Lieutenant General for TAT has taught me a thing or two, and one of the things is that technology can always enhance and help others. I mean, look at us, we’re transhumans!” She exclaimed.

  “You have a point there dee Veyra... but wait, you said that General Deschner is only focused on the Drakdels? What about the other ships like the Kradnak that we helped create?” Lieutenant General Armitage asked her.

  “I brought that up, too. General Deschner said that they were too heavy and that they would not be able to fly through warp-drive speeds and that something about the drag from the vehicles that they could not reach the speeds he wanted...”

  Lieutenant General Armitage thought for a moment, his forehead creased, and his eyes narrowed. He moved his left hand over his face and felt the scar that had been there for a while.

  That doesn’t make sense.

  Lieutenant General Armitage swiped his hand, and his INH opened. He tapped on “Files,” then “MOD” then “Test Run.” He swiped his hand and found a drop-down box that read “Vehicles” he found the Kradnak and tapped it, and it appeared on his INH

  “dee Veyra?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Watch this.” Lieutenant General Armitage projected his INH in front of both of them so she could see. “Look, here is a hologram of the Kradnak, which you know already, but this is in a test mode, so it isn’t one-hundred percent accurate.”

  “Okay...”

  “So, look, this is a test-run of the Kradnak. I’m going to increase its speed so that it can warp-drive.” On the hologram in front of them, the Kradnak was shown flying through ‘space.’

  On the left side of the hologram were knobs, buttons, and scales that Lieutenant General Armitage could change to increase the velocity, speed, acceleration, deceleration, and others. Lieutenant General Armitage tapped on “Acceleration” and slowly increased the speed so that it was as fast as warp-drive would allow it to. In the hologram, it showed the Kradnak moving back and forth, not as steady as the Drakdel was.

  “It looks like the Kradnak is... wobbling?” Lieutenant General dee Veyra asked.

  Lieutenant General Armitage was surprised. “I’ve run tests like this before, and it never did that... what’s different?” He looked and Lieutenant General dee Veyra and asked. “What happened?”

  She shook her head and dismissed him. “No clue I didn’t work on that portion of the Kradnak, but I guess General Deschner was right after all.”

  No. That’s not possible, how? I swear I ran this test before when I was building it.

  “It’s okay, Armitage, you don’t need to impress me. I believe you.”

  He looked at her then back at his hologram of the Kradnak now wobbling faster than before. “I don’t get it.”

  “It’ll be alright.” She continued. “So... since we came to the conclusion that the Kradnak is useless with warp-drive, what do you say and help me with the ETD?” she asked.

  Lieutenant General Armitage exhaled. “Okay, I’ll help. Whatever you need, I’ll be sure we can get it.”

  “Thank you. I knew you would come around.” She rejoiced. “Don’t worry, I won’t take all the credit.” She winked at him and stood up from the chair and walked to the doors and turned around. “Thanks again, Armitage. I knew you were a good guy.” She turned around and walked out of the Nexus.

  A good guy? He shook his head. What happened to the test-run? I don’t understand. He swiped right on his INH and tapped the Kradnak file, then a few objects appeared, mostly documents and some pictures. He tapped on “Last Saved,” then the latest report appeared, the one where he showed off to the generals and General Deschner at the meeting, that was the first one to appear. He tapped it and read what new changes happened.

  Made from Chromanium and Titanium...?’ Wait... that’s correct. I remember that. Wait for a second, Chromanium.

  Lieutenant General Armitage swiped down on his INH and then in the search bar typed in ‘Chromanium’ and pressed enter. The description appeared in front of him, displaying a few pictures of Chromanium and a synopsis of what that metal was and how it reacted to weather conditions, durability, where it was found on the periodic table, what it’s symbol was, and much more information. He scrolled down to read a section that listed “Weather Conditions.” He glanced through what it said and found the word “space.”

  Wait a second.

  He proceeded to read the entire paragraph.

  “Chromanium is an element that has the symbol Chr. Chromanium has a low density, high durability, and strength. Resistant to corrosion, water, extreme heat, and toxic radiation. Because of its massive durability and strongest metal known, Chromanium at high speeds will increase the heat, which will make Chromanium vibrate and shake. Therefore, causing the atoms to move faster. The faster the speed is, the faster the atoms and molecules will move, which could become almost liquified at such high speeds. The Chromanium could combust, turning the solid into gas in no time.”

  Well, that would explain a thing or two, but I don’t understand. I know MOD did not make the Kradnaks with Chromanium. It is still a new element that we are experimenting with. I think I’m going to pay General Deschner a visit.

  He swiped away his INH and turned around and walked to his right where the door was. He pressed the button for the doors to open, and he walked through, then walked in the hallway leading to General Deschner’s room.

  He walked to the door and knocked on it. He waited a moment and heard General Deschner speak from the inside, “Come on in.” General Deschner couldn’t see Lieutenant General Armitage, but he nodded as if he responded to him. He pressed the button, and the doors slid open, and he walked through them.

  “Ah, Lieutenant General Armitage. Hello.”

  “Hello, General Deschner.”

  “Come, sit down,” he motioned to Armitage to sit in front of him, and he nodded and followed directions. He walked to the chair and sat down in front of him, with the table in between them like before.

  “What brings you here,
Armitage?” he asked.

  “Well...” he started to speak. “A few things, actually...”

  “Like what?” asked General Deschner.

  “Well, for one, have you heard anything from Major Generals Reingle or Solbrig? What about Brentari or Lokhorst?”

  General Deschner chuckled and smiled. “You worry too much, Armitage. To answer you though, yes, I have talked to them. I actually did not too long ago.”

  “How are they doing?”

  “Well, they’re doing fine. A little tumble here and there, but the Major Generals are right on track.”

  “On track for what, exactly?” Lieutenant General Armitage asked curiously.

  “You are hostile today, aren’t you, Lieutenant?”

  “No, I...” he shook his head. “I wasn’t trying to be.”

  “It’s quite alright. I understand how it must feel...”

  “Do you? Do you really, though?” Lieutenant General Armitage cut General Deschner off as he was speaking.

  “Yes. Yes. I do, actually.” He looked at Armitage with his piercing blue eyes, almost as if he was telepathically talking to him.

  General Deschner cleared his throat and moved his hand to push his hair back in place. It didn’t move, but General Deschner always liked to look immaculate. “What did you come here for, Lieutenant General Armitage?”

  “This might be none of my business, but Lieutenant General dee Veyra was in here before I was, right?” asked Lieutenant General Armitage.

  “Yes, she was. Although I didn’t much care for that meeting, but yes.” He replied.

  “Oh, really? Did she tell you her ‘top secret’ plan?” asked Lieutenant General Armitage.

  General Deschner smiled widely. From that smile alone, Lieutenant General Armitage knew precisely what he was about to say. “Yes, she did. I laughed and told her it wouldn’t work.”

  “Pardon me, but why do you think that General Deschner?”

  “Well, for one, we don’t have the technology to do that.” He remarked.

  “You know she asked me afterward if I would help her with it.” Lieutenant General Armitage truthfully responded as he folded his hands together.

  “I’m not surprised. I know dee Veyra wants to build it.” General Deschner leaned back in his chair and moved his hands behind his head.

  “What if...” Lieutenant General Armitage was beginning to speak. “What if I help her build it, say it was your doing, and we go through with it?”

  General Deschner looked at him, trying to figure out what he had to lose. He started to weigh the options in his head. “What would be the point, Lieutenant?”

  “We could easily transport land vehicles to Snakardekus and Varenok, for one.” Lieutenant General Armitage explained as he moved his hands apart and turned them over. “This would be a win-win situation for us, for the Syndicate, and for you.” He continued speaking. “Just think about the endless possibilities of what we can do, who we can transport, and where we can go.”

  “Hmmm...” General Deschner scratched his shaven face that was slowly becoming red as he itched it. “You have some valid points there, Armitage.”

  “What do I have to lose, Lieutenant?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “What are the negative effects on this... this whole... what did she call it?”

  “ETD, General Deschner. The Emergence Transit Device.”

  “Yes, that.” He continued. “What are the negative repercussions from it?”

  Lieutenant General Armitage looked down at the table then looked to his left at the window. “You know, I have no clue. I suppose the only negative consequence I can think of is the testing part of it.”

  “Testing? Testing how?”

  “Oh, you know, trying to materialize transhumans from one place to another or ships or weaponry for that matter.” Lieutenant General Armitage admitted.

  “Well...hmm...” General Deschner stopped talking to think. If I could use this ETD for my own benefit in trying to mobilize and take over Snakardekus and Varenok, well, what’s a few more lives?

  “You got yourself a deal, Armitage.” He smiled at him. “Go tell dee Veyra. I want you to help her with it. You’ve convinced me.” General Deschner had to contain himself from laughing. Instead, he continued to smile really wide. “Go and create the ETD, Lieutenant.”

  “Yes, General Deschner. You got it!” Lieutenant General Armitage nodded as he turned around and walked towards the door.

  “Oh, Lieutenant General Armitage?”

  He turned to his left and looked at General Deschner.

  “Have fun with the ETD!” he smiled and chuckled.

  Lieutenant General Armitage smiled back and pressed the button and walked through the door, then the hallway, back into the Nexus, then to his room.

  General Deschner knows more than he is letting on, but what exactly? I need to find out. I have to continue to play along, so he doesn’t suspect anything. I still think it is a bit odd that dee Veyra needs my help. Why me, though? She did not want to help with the Kradnak at all. With General Deschner’s blessing, maybe she can use any resources at MOD without me. That would be nice.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Deep in the oceans of Varenok, at the bottom of the seafloor lies the Frochen Kingdom. Inside of the Frochen Kingdom is where most of the Frochen reside, along with the King and Queen.

  There is a pathway that leads throughout the Frochen Kingdom, and one of the paths leads into the Frochen Throne Room, which is a magnificent sight to behold. The walls all around the room are scarlet, and on each side of the pathway, every four feet stood the Imperial Frochen First Guards armed and decorated in their attire. They all wore red sashes that draped over their left shoulder.

  The Imperial Frochen First Guards are decorated soldiers. In their right hand, they are holding javelins. In their left hand are shields that the Imperial Frochen First Guards held. On the shield was the insignia of the sitting Frochen King or Queen, which was King Phyollywhog, and his symbol was two crescent moons upside down. The moon on top was smaller and facing upwards, and the moon below it was bigger and facing downwards.

  At the back wall was the Royal Throne, which was over twenty feet tall. When a new King or Queen took the Throne, they would be required to add something to it, such as a part of a creature, thus making it a sacred object for centuries. King Phyollywhog was the sitting Frochen King of Varenok. His stature was unlike the other Frochen. He was twelve feet tall and nine-hundred pounds. The Throne did not make King Phyollywhog look small by any means, but he did not fill the Throne.

  King Phyollywhog, also known as the Old King, was very influential throughout his reign. The Old King wanted to unite the three Frochen tribes, the Froach, Wiffroga, and the Frochen Kingdom together as one. In the past, no other King or Queen had ever succeeded in doing so. Ever since the beginning, the Tribes lived separately. The Frochen tribes were in disarray when King Phyollywhog first became King in 244 EBA, and he needed to fix it. The uniting of the Tribes became his sole priority as King.

  The first tribe that the Old King wanted to unite was the Froach. They were devoted to worshipping the sun as a deity. The Froach believe that the sun could talk to them, and they were adamant in listening to it. The Froach adapted to the shallow waters and would sit and lay down upon the land and icebergs and listen to what the sun had to tell them every day. The Froach did not believe in covering themselves. They believe that their race was not meant to be restrained by any sort of clothing. They would lay down to meditate and fast all day praying to the sun.

  During the night hours, the Froach would use their energy from the sun to hunt for food. They were only allowed to kill what they could eat for the night and not bring any back with them. Many of them soon died due to the long days of meditation and malnutrition. The Froach was a small group, but they were extremely devoted to it.

  The second group of Frochen was called the Wiffroga. The Wiffroga was a small organized group
of female Frochen. The Wiffroga ran independently, and they ruled themselves. They traveled anywhere and everywhere, holding no permanent settlement. The Wiffroga knew that they were charming and that they used their charm to get whatever they wanted, no matter if it cost their lives.

  Sometimes they would interrupt the Froach’s meditation by swimming in the water and capturing prey and then tempting the Froach by handing them the prey. The Wiffroga did not want the male Frochen to join them, and most of the time, they would use them for whatever they needed, and they would kill them after they had their pleasure.

  When the Wiffroga hunted, sometimes they would let the creature suffer instead of killing it. They enjoyed the feeling of being dominant and in control. Sometimes the Wiffroga would take something from the creature while they were letting it suffer, such as a tooth or a tusk.