The Jumpgate

by Robert Stadnik

  It was a common misconception that the bulk of TERRA’s operations was on Luna. Although the official headquarters was on the moon, many of the military’s operations were spread between Luna, Mars, even Earth. Even though many of Earth Security’s personnel were now integrated into TERRA, they still didn’t know where all of TERRA’s facilities were located.

  Admiral Vespia was at one of their clandestine facilities. It was located deep underground Mars, over 200 kilometers away from the dome that housed Crimson City. After the Screen were defeated, their two leaders were brought to Mars for interrogation. They were the last surviving members of their species, as the Io had eradicated the entire population when they attacked the Screen homeworld. The alliance governments were still debating what to do with the Screen leaders: should they be put on trial, imprisoned for life, executed? It was a complex issue with each government trying to convince the others why their wants should take precedent. While the debate raged on, TERRA kept them confined on Mars.

  It was these two individuals Vespia was here to see. A recent check of the Screen’s computers on their homeworld revealed nothing about the Jokabi or even any explanation as to why the Screen came to this galaxy. The admiral was hoping the last two Screen alive might have some information about their former masters.

  The admiral stepped off the lift as soon as the door opened. She was stopped by a force field blocking the hallway. A biometric scanner quickly scanned her. “Identification confirmed, Admiral Karla Vespia.” The force field dropped, and she continued down the hall. The entire floor was remotely monitored by cameras security officers watched from one level above.

  At the end of the hall, Vespia saw the translucent barrier housing the two Screen prisoners. They were kept in a giant room that was dotted with furniture and two beds. They pair constantly complained about their accommodations, that it was uncomfortable to be kept in a cell designed for humans. The cell could have been equipped with Screen accommodations, but Vespia found it to be poetic justice, making them sit on couches and sleeping in regular beds. They were so intent on keeping humans trapped in the solar system, it only seemed appropriate to force them to live in human-like accommodations.

  “Good evening,” Vespia greeted them as she stood in front of the cell.

  “It is the Vespia,” one of the leaders, named Furxexis, hissed.

  The other former leader, Luein, was laying on a bed. He sat up when he heard the admiral’s name. “We remember you. It has been borgonpu since you came here last.”

  The admiral wasted no time getting to business. “We found the jumpgate your people came through.”

  That caught both aliens’ attentions as they raced up to the barrier. Vespia was caught off-guard by their reaction and almost took a step back, but she held her ground. “What did you do?” Luein demanded.

  “We activated it and sent one of our ships to your galaxy. They encountered a race called the Jokabi.”

  Furxexis screamed out. “You have doomed us all!”

  The intensity of his response surprised Vespia. They certainly hadn’t forgotten about their oppressors. “We destroyed the gate on the other side and dismantled it on this end.”

  “It does not matter,” Luein said. “They are already on their way here. They now know where to come. You think you have eluded them, but you are wrong. They are coming for you.”

  The admiral was going to point out the Jokabi may not know the gate led to the Milky Way Galaxy, but she suspected they wouldn’t believe her. They were paranoid about the Jokabi. “Unless they have special knowledge of wormhole transportation, they can’t get here.”

  “Our ancestors destroyed all information on gate and wormhole science when they fled,” Furxexis revealed. “The Jokabi had taken the technology from a race who perfected it. They eliminated that race to ensure the technology remained with the Jokabi only.”

  Luein continued the story. “When we left our home galaxy, we knew the Jokabi would pursue us, even without the knowledge of wormholes. We know they sent ships out to travel to other nearby galaxies to locate us.”

  “You know how long it would take to travel between galaxies, even jumping?” Vespia asked. “They couldn’t have the resources to make such a trip.”

  “You are wrong,” Luein countered. “The morkanas are very large ships, holding millions of Jokabi. Your PHOENIX vessel is tiny in comparison. The morkanas can travel between galaxies, even if it takes many cycles.”

  “Now that they know where the gate wormhole went to, they will dispatch additional morkanas to this galaxy,” Furxexis added. “That is part of the reason we subjugated the races here. It was the first step in preparing for a Jokabi invasion.”

  “They destroyed most of the races in our own galaxy,” Luein said. “The few races they kept alive, they genetically modified them in researching how to improve their own genetic lines. They will do the same in this galaxy.”

  A lump developed in Vespia’s throat. “How long? How long until they get here?”

  “We do not know,” Luein admitted. “They have advanced their technology since our race escaped them. It could be lusei or azerti. All we can say with certainty is they will come.”

  “Then you’re going to tell us everything about them, so we can be ready for them,” Vespia insisted.

  Both the former Screen leaders laughed. “We have no incentive to help you,” Furxexis said. “We have nothing to live for, our race is gone. Our only solace is knowing you and the other races in this galaxy will suffer the same fate we did.”

  “We have means to make you talk,” Vespia threatened. “You will help us.”

  Luein waved his hand dismissively at the admiral. “Do whatever you want to us. We live in pain and misery now. Physical discomfort would be a welcome distraction for us. We are done talking with you.” Both he and Furxexis turned and walked to the back of the containment cell.

  “I’m not done talking to you.” But Vespia’s words fell on deaf ears. Both the Screen kept the backs turned towards her and refused to acknowledge her. She wasn’t going to give up. If they had information about the Jokabi, she was going to acquire it. “Vespia to security,” she said as she headed back down the hall. “I want our Screen prisoners prepped for interrogation.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “Cheers!” the officers said as the champagne glasses clinked in unison. Jacob, Michelle, and Jonas took a sip from their glasses. Jacob and Jonas enjoyed champagne, but Michelle was sipping water. She was still recovering from her overindulgence of alcohol at yesterday’s banquet. They had met up in the penthouse Jacob had been staying in.

  “I’m glad our debriefing sessions are over,” Michelle said. “I was starting to get a little tired of being treated like a prisoner.”

  Jonas agreed. “Maybe now we can get back to the SOLARA and help out there.” He looked at Jacob. “I know you said they’re scrapping her, but I figure they’ll want us back to help with the analysis work on our encounter with the Jokabi.”

  “Eventually, they’ll come to us about our little adventure,” Jacob replied as he fiddled with his glass. “For now, they’re going to want to conduct their studies independent of us.”

  “I wonder where they’re going to send us?” Michelle said.

  Jacob smiled. “I received our orders before you got here.” He went over and grabbed a DAT from the coffee table, activated it, and handed it to Michelle. She and Jonas read over the orders.

  Jonas got excited about reading the orders. “Oh wow! We’re going to be helping to build one of the new starships.” He was hoping to have a chance to help build a new ship with the various alliance technologies now available to them.

  “Not only that, but we’ll also command the ship we’re going to build,” Jacob added. “TERRA figures our experience is so valuable that we should only be serving on a starship.”

  Michelle was a little disappointed. “I’ve never been involved in starship construction.”

  “What? You d
on’t think this is a great opportunity?” Jonas asked.

  “It is, but after our trip through the gate, I was hoping for a nice boring job.”

  “We’re not going anywhere right away,” Jonas pointed out. “We’ll be stuck at the shipyard the next couple of years building the ship.”

  Michelle thought about it for a moment. “Good point. I guess working at the shipyard won’t be all that exciting.”

  “I’ll send the news to the rest of the crew tomorrow,” Jacob said. “Today’s the last day for anyone who doesn’t want to stay with the crew to resign their commission.”

  TERRA was explicit to all remaining crew members that if they didn’t want to serve with Captain Diego, they would have to resign from the military. TERRA would not allow them to serve anywhere in the fleet to ensure their mission through the jumpgate was kept buried.

  “So, captain…” Jonas started.

  Jacob interrupted him. “No titles here. We’re friends.”

  “Okay, Jacob…you’ve encountered more aliens than either of us. How bad are the Jokabi?”

  “I’ve been thinking about that.” In his experiences on PHOENIX, Jacob could easily point out the Io as the most sinister race they encountered. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make that comparison to his friends as the existence of the Io was classified. “All the races I’ve met had their agendas, some motivating force explaining their actions. When I faced that Jokabi, all I could see was pure hatred. If that one is representative of his entire race, I don’t think there’s any reasoning with them. They want to conquer us, maybe even destroy us.”

  His remarks sent a chill up Michelle’s spine. “We’re lucky they have no way of getting here.”

  “Just the same, TERRA better hurry up and build its space fleet,” Jonas remarked.

  There was a knock on the door that interrupted their conversation. “Come in,” Jacob said. The door opened, and a blue mail bot rolled in. “Priority message for Lieutenant Walters.”

  Jonas held up the DAT. “Put it through here.” The bot complied and transmitted the message before promptly heading out of the penthouse. Jonas read through the message. “Are you kidding me?”

  “What is it?” Michelle asked.

  “The engineering group wants me at the shipyard to tour the ship’s skeletal structure.” Jonas looked at Jacob. “I thought we wouldn’t have to start for a few more days.”

  Jacob smiled. “I guess they want your input.”

  Jonas held up his hands. “I better head over. I don’t know why they want me there so quickly. I was only chief engineer of an antiquated ship. What can I bring to the table?” He continued mumbling as he left the penthouse, forgetting to say goodbye to Jacob and Michelle.

  “Well, I hope they’re not expecting to see the XO or captain for a couple of days,” Michelle said. She felt bad for her friend having to report for duty but still wanted a few more days to relax.

  “We won’t have to report in for a couple of days. I made sure of it,” Jacob assured her. “Well, if I report back in.”

  His remark caught Michelle’s attention. “What do you mean?”

  Jacob took another sip of his champagne and walked over to the window. “I’m considering resigning from TERRA.”

  Michelle joined him by the window. She leaned up on the ledge and looked at the captain’s face. “It’s not what happened during the mission, is it?”

  “It’s my son. These last few days I’ve been thinking I’ve been given an opportunity make amends with him. I walked away from my family for something I believed in. I’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty, sacrificing a lot. Now I think it’s okay to be a little selfish and think about my life.” Jacob shook his head as he finished off his champagne. “I know it’s a long shot. He’ll probably want nothing to do with me. Who knows what his mother has said about me, but I have to try.”

  Michelle put her hand on his shoulder. “I don’t think it’s selfish at all. Just don’t rush into anything. Think about it. Much as I love the idea of being promoted to captain if you do resign, you have a lot to offer. Not to TERRA, but to this crew. You have a place with us. If anyone still tries to give you lip I’ll bust their jaws.”

  Jacob chuckled. “I’ll think about it.”

  Michelle nodded and stood up. “I’ll leave you be. If you need to talk some more, call me.”

  “I will. Good night, Michelle.”

  “Good night.”

  Jacob watched her leave the penthouse. He went over to the couch and picked up the red velvet book he had browsed through before Michelle and Jonas came over. It was the same book that contained the names of all the engineering personnel lost on PHOENIX during the Screen attack at the Ni star system.

  “I hope I did right by you,” Jacob smiled as he turned the pages one final time. He realized he had done his best back then, as he did his best on the SOLARA. There would be no more guilt.

  ********

  David was in his apartment, packing up his belongings. This would be his last night here in the apartment in Infinity City. Tomorrow would be a new day. Billy wound up staying over as the pair had way too much to drink at the banquet. It was like old times, the exception being John wasn’t with them. This morning a very hungover Billy had to leave to return to Mars for work. It gave David time to consider his future. After a few hours of contemplation, he sent his request to the necessary individuals about his decision.

  The door chime rang that interrupted David’s packing. It was late, whoever it was. Maybe Billy had come back, or it was Captain Diego coming by to talk to him. “Come in.” He never expected the person who walked through the door.

  “Hello, David.”

  “Mom…” David was surprised that it was his mother standing there. There’d be no reason for her to be here. She lived on Earth.

  “Is it alright if I come in?” Judith asked.

  “I’m…” David’s instinct was to hug his mother and feel comforted by her presence, but the message she sent him asserted itself in his mind. Like she had said, he was an adult now. He did not approach her. “I’m a little busy packing. I’m leaving in the morning.”

  Judith stepped inside the apartment. “Where are you going?”

  David snapped at her. “What do you care?”

  Judith never saw her son display anger at anyone, let alone her. It broke her heart, seeing him like this. “I…I just wanted…”

  But David interrupted her. There was no reason to be nice. “Why are you even here? You made it clear you want nothing to do with me, remember? Like you said, I destroyed the family. If you came here to rub that in, save it. I’m not the intimidated little boy you and dad knew. I went through shit neither of you could ever imagine. I’ve dealt with things involving the fate of humanity, so I can’t be concerned about dad losing his career or your lost social status of being married to an admiral. Like dad always told me, ‘Suck it up and deal with it.’ Well, I am. I’ve got people who care about me and a future for my career. I’m sorry you’d rather hear that I’m miserable, but I’m not. For once in my life I’m happy. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got things to do.”

  Judith was mortified hearing those words from her son. She had tried to hold in her emotions, but his outburst was too much for her to handle. She broke down crying, burying her head in her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

  David wanted to yell at her some more. There were so many things he wanted to say to her to make her feel bad, as bad as she made him feel. But seeing her so vulnerable and upset…he couldn’t do it. This was his mother. It didn’t matter that she was willing to turn her back on him. He couldn’t do the same to her. He wasn’t that type of person. He went over and wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly as she cried. “Ssshhh, it’s okay. I’m sorry.”

  Judith sobbed. “I missed you so much. I was so angry about your dad losing his position, our marriage falling apart. I blamed what you did for us losing everything. But as your dad got angrier, he started blamin
g me. Then he started blaming your brother and sister.” Judith looked up at her son. “I wanted you to have a career in TERRA, but I also taught you to do what’s right. It took me working through my anger to realize that. I’m so sorry I ever wrote that letter.”

  David smiled and took his mom over to the couch to sit down. He handed her some tissue to wipe the tears from her face. “We’ve both been through a lot. It wasn’t my intention for dad to lose his career, and for everything else.”

  “You couldn’t have known things would turn out like this,” Judith said. “You did what you thought was right. In some respects, I’m glad this happened. Your dad’s and my marriage hadn’t had much love in it for a long time. I was busy with you kids while your father was busy with his career. We rarely had time for each other. I had hoped him losing his position would pull us together, but all it did was reveal the man I knew he was. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be talking bad about your father to you.”

  David patted his mom’s hand. “It’s okay. You know dad and I never had the best relationship. He just wanted me to follow in his footsteps, so he could brag to all his friends about the sort of son he raised.”

  “That’s what I was afraid for Jenny and Travis,” Judith said, referring to David’s younger brother and sister. “Your dad has been pushing them to go to the Academy.”

  David couldn’t help but laugh at the notion. Jenny had no interest in joining any military group as it would involve getting dirty, and Travis was only interested in surfing and beaches. “Sorry, but I can’t see either of them in TERRA.”

  “We both know that, but your father thinks getting all his kids in TERRA will somehow allow him to get back in. Two days ago, I filed for full custody. Your dad isn’t contesting it.”

  It didn’t surprise David. His dad was not very paternal, and David couldn’t see him being a part-time father. “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know,” Judith admitted. “I left Jenny and Travis with your aunt to give myself time to figure things out. All I know is that I needed to see you and apologize for what I said.”