Kali's Fire

by Craig Allen

  “Or that wasn’t Ann.” Cody leaned back in his chair. “The real Ann Salyard died over two months ago.”

  Sonja’s lower lip trembled. Cody wanted to throw something. He had brought Ann on board and had vouched for her. In retrospect, he should have seen the potential danger. The fact she had survived Kali for two months and remained in good health should have been a red flag. He should’ve recommended she be placed in the brig, but he didn’t because it was Ann—the young, naïve, fresh-out-of-boot marine who had found herself in over her head when they crashed on Kali, and didn’t falter.

  Cody didn’t care what Jericho thought at that moment. Those people on the Washington were dead because of Ann. And if Cody had left Ann behind, those people would be alive.

  Sonja’s hand patted Cody’s under the table. That helped, but only a little.

  Jericho gestured at the ensign, who pulled up another image on the viewing globe. Ann’s face appeared in the upper right-hand corner, followed by rows of text that was largely technical, but some of which was commentary on Ann’s biology.

  “The Kali natives managed to create the perfect saboteur,” Jericho said.

  Regret filtered through Cody’s being as he stared at the image of Ann. “I don’t believe the toads could have created her.”

  “It’s unlikely they did.” Jericho leaned against the table, as if no problems existed in the universe to speak of. “Dr. Donaldson was onto something. The top brass in UEAF had been discussing it since your first reports about this world. The extraterrestrial equivalent of cavemen could not possibly have developed this technology in such a short time, even given their higher-than-average intelligence and the fact they had diagrams of said technologies.”

  “Who showed them, sir?” Sonja asked.

  “We’re certain the Tauns and Spicans are not involved. The Tauns have never cared about human affairs, and the Spicans wouldn’t instigate a conflict with us.” Jericho raised an eyebrow. “That’s no guarantee, of course.” He pointed at the wall with a thumb though he was obviously indicating something outside the ship. “Speaking of which, the Spicans want to destroy the planet, and I’m thinking of letting them.”

  Cody’s gaze was downcast. “What about the fliers?”

  Jericho pinched his lips together. “We’ll have to evacuate them before the Spicans decide to vaporize the surface down to the mantle. Not to mention find them new homes. Or perhaps we’ll get lucky and actually convince the Spicans to target areas believed to contain technology.”

  Cody raised an eyebrow. “Once the Spicans decide on something, it’s almost impossible to get them to change their mind. It’d have to be a big revelation of some kind, one they couldn’t ignore.”

  “That could be a problem.” Jericho tapped a section of the table, which brought up a holoconsole. “I’m going to show you this because you have a right to know, given all you’ve been through.”

  An image of planet Kali appeared on the viewing globe.

  “Based on the reports from Admiral Rodriguez,” Jericho continued, “we expected something like this to happen. Just not this bad.”

  The image of Kali grew smaller. In the foreground, several ships appeared. As the image pulled out farther, several Kali vessels appeared, with some hoppers peppered throughout the area.

  Jericho gestured at the image. “This is from Washington’s sensor logs from the battle two months ago. About a month ago, someone at Darci station noticed something.”

  The planet grew larger and larger until the outline of the planet looked like a horizon. Just over that horizon were several objects above the surface. At first, they were distorted, but they rapidly became clearer as the image enhanced. They were ships, all identical. A schematic appeared, showing a cross section of the ship, identical to the original Kali vessel.

  “There are no Daedalus struts,” Jericho said. “A deeper analysis showed pockmarks and deformations along the forward hull, caused by microscopic particles hitting the hull while traveling at significant fractions of the speed of light. Darci station believes they must have been traveling eighty percent of c or higher to incur that sort of damage.”

  Sonja leaned close. “Sir, they were returning from the globular cluster, weren’t they?”

  Cody pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course.

  “From the trajectory, it appears that way.” Jericho pointed at the image. “And they just happened to return when the Washington showed up.”

  Cody recalled the battle, which he had witnessed from the bridge of the Washington. “The attack on the Washington two months ago was a distraction?”

  “That’s the theory,” Jericho said. “UEAF Intel never could figure out why they attacked the Washington. At first, we assumed it was to damage her to the point where they could take the exotic-matter core, like Admiral Rodriguez suggested in his report. But now we know otherwise.”

  Cody stared at the image, a heavy feeling in his stomach. Very few space vessels approached the speed of light with gravity drives for that very reason. Particles on the hull would burst into ionizing radiation. Shielding within the hull would prevent the crew from dying, at least right away, but the hull would suffer for it. The toads had to have understood that as well, given all the information available to them in the UEAF Kali’s database. They would only take such a risk if the need, or the cargo, was great.

  “They were bringing back exotic matter,” Cody said.

  “Likely,” Jericho said. “But it’s not conclusive. They did attack Washington in such a way to avoid damaging the ex-mat core, after all. One could assume they attacked the Washington to get to her ex-mat.”

  “And they know how to use it, sir,” Sonja said.

  “Indeed.” Jericho brought up another image on the viewing globe, showing Dr. Roheim’s visage from the video embedded in the data Bodin had found. “I don’t blame Dr. Roheim for what he did, but it’s possible he gave the creatures of this world the ability to travel to other worlds.”

  Cody stared at the doctor’s gaunt visage for a moment. “Is that why you brought a fleet here? A final solution?”

  “If necessary.” Jericho’s expression almost showed disinterest. “If we find proof that they have exotic matter, then we do a show of force. If they resist, we take action.”

  And that was what Cody had been dreading, even though he expected it. “You mean starting a war.”

  “As in preventing a war,” Jericho said. “That has been the plan ever since the UET Council heard about this world. We are in no position to fight a protracted war. Not again. However, they destroyed the Washington. But they’ll claim self-defense and call us an occupying force.”

  Jericho waved a hand through the air. “Regardless, the politicians back home will want unwavering proof the denizens of Kali have access to exotic matter.”

  “They had ships near the neutron star,” Cody said. “The logs from Banshee Four Nine should show that.”

  “I’ve considered that.” Jericho sat and folded his hands. “The hopper spent most of its time trying to get away from the other vessels, and so its sensor readings of said ships is minimal. Thus, we have no proof those vessels had functional Daedalus drives. For all we know, they also arrived the hard way. Further, they didn’t impede Banshee Four Niner’s escape.”

  “Sir,” Sonja said. “Why else go to the globular cluster if not for the mining facility?”

  “They have access to the records in the UEAF Kali,” Jericho said. “Before we started creating our own ex-mat, we used to search for it. Near heavy stars was the best place, and prospectors often searched in globular clusters.”

  “The fact they were looking for ex-mat should be enough for the UET to realize Kali is a threat.” Cody couldn’t believe what he was saying. He didn’t want a war, but he wasn’t about to put lives at risk by sticking his head in the sand.

  “I wish it were.” Jericho gazed at the images hovering over the table. “We have no real evidence that the residents of Kali have a
ccess to exotic matter. Without that, the UET will not authorize a retaliation. The destruction of all life on any world is a political hot potato no politician wishes to be caught holding. And I cannot make the call. The Sol Conventions forbid any acting commander from using nukes or ASEBs on any world.”

  “But you brought a fleet here, sir,” Sonja said. “It looks to me like you came for a fight.”

  “Assuming we could find evidence they possessed exotic matter,” Jericho said. “The only evidence was an unmarked ex-mat pod, which was destroyed with the Washington.”

  Rodriguez had told Cody the threat of total destruction had always been a bluff, unless evidence existed, and he was sure it did.

  “Admiral,” Cody said. “We took several snapshots of the interior of that neutron star. Several images of stars were displayed. I’m certain they were star maps.”

  “Yes, I believe the images were included in Washington’s transmission.” Jericho glanced at the ensign, who mumbled a “yes, sir,” then manipulated his handheld viewer for a moment.

  A second image appeared next to the first, hovering over the table, displaying the star maps collected from inside the neutron star.

  Cody pointed at the second image. “Admiral, may I?”

  When Jericho shrugged, Cody reached for the image. Using his touch, he was able to pull it closer. He searched through the ship’s archives and pulled up the most recent local star maps from the ship’s database and flipped them around. With some quick calculations, he was able to adjust the image so the view of the stars was the same as if someone were looking toward Kali instead of away from it, just as if they’d viewed the stars from the globular cluster.

  It wasn’t an exact match, though. Everything was off by almost imperceptible amounts, but Kali’s star was the biggest difference. He calculated the movement of the surrounding stars over time, from a little over two years before. He put that star map on top of the image from the last image pulled from inside the neutron star. The match was perfect.

  Finally, Admiral Jericho spoke. “Doctor, would you care to explain?”

  Cody pointed at the star maps. “When we extracted the exotic matter, everything flashed around us. I believe the system was recording the positions of the stars, specifically of the Kali system, and comparing it to the background stars.”

  Sonja leaned close to the map. “It’s recording the time of the extraction, isn’t it?”

  “Exactly,” Cody said. “By showing how the surrounding stars appeared at the time of the extraction.”

  Cody did more calculations, trying to find points in the past where the surrounding stars matched with all the images they’d collected from the Antediluvian maps. He was able to create a program that did it in seconds. When the results returned, his jaw dropped.

  “My God.” Cody waved a finger over the results. “Most of the extractions happened over five hundred thousand years ago. That would be the Antediluvians who did that.”

  “Interesting,” Jericho said. “But what does that have to do with our current situation?”

  “A lot of these maps are recent, a little over two years ago. About the time the Kali ships would have left to arrive in system during the battle with the Washington.” Cody scrolled through the different maps, showing a time of the extraction at the bottom of each. “From what I can tell, someone did numerous extractions at the same point in time a little over two years ago. If this mine releases one point eight kilograms each time it is activated, then over eight hundred kilograms of exotic matter have been extracted.”

  “Eight hundred? Shit.” Sonja put a hand to her mouth. “Begging your pardon, Admiral, but that’s more exotic matter than every ship in known space.”

  “That’s a lot of fire,” Cody said. “And I’m sure we can prove that no Earth ships were in the area at the time. And the Spicans could probably do the same. Given the proximity of Kali to the Antediluvian mining facility, I’d say they’re the most likely suspect.”

  Jericho stared at the readings. “Good work, Doctor. It’s not conclusive but very convincing nonetheless.”

  Cody didn’t bother to say thank you. Convincing the UET that the toads were a threat would keep humans safe, but it meant, potentially, a direct assault on Kali. That would put the fliers at risk.

  “Well, ex-mat is the biggest fire there is, and now we have proof that Kali has way too much of it.” Jericho ran his hand over the controls, making both the images and the controls vanish. “By the way, the Spicans will join us in a few days and act as a reserve force. It’s the first joint human-Spican mission.”

  Sonja visibly stiffened in her seat. Cody reached under the table and patted her hand.

  Although Cody tried to keep it subtle, Jericho noticed anyway. “I understand your concern, Gunny. There are many people on board who were in the war, including me. I commanded the Huang back then. I don’t have to tell you what the war was like.”

  Sonja clenched her jaw. “No, sir, you don’t.”

  “Then you understand why we can’t risk another war.” Jericho clasped his hands and rested them in his lap. “Both our fleet and the Spican fleet have been greatly diminished because of that conflict. And, if that cavern you described is any indication, this world is completely devoted to creating a fleet of their own for the sole purpose of war. Not to mention they are already modifying this technology to suit themselves.”

  “And modifying themselves to suit the technology,” Cody said. “We did destroy that base under the plateau, though.”

  Jericho tilted his head slightly. “True, and unquestionably, that hurt them. But what evidence do we have that was the only such base on the planet? We can’t simply assume that we destroyed their only shipyard or the rest of their fleet, for that matter.”

  Cody wished he could prove that were the case. It would make everything easier.

  Jericho indicated the image of the star map on the table’s viewing globe. “I’ll transmit this information to Camp Murray, who will send it up the food chain. And then we’ll proceed to scourge this planet of technology, with help from the Spicans.”

  “That will devastate the planet, Admiral,” Sonja said.

  “Likely, but we have no choice. Three billion humans died in the Spican War. We’re not going to take that risk again. And we did warn them of the consequences. This is on their heads.”

  “What about the fliers, Admiral?” Cody asked. “I’d like to evacuate them before operations begin.”

  “Of course,” Jericho said. “I expect you to be involved, considering you are an ambassador on this world. As I said, we’re going to do everything we can to protect them. We recognize not every species on the planet is against us. We’ll need the fliers’ help on this, to separate the good from the bad. If the creatures on this planet can be made to see reason, they’ll steer clear of any technology.”

  Cody bowed his head. Two months earlier, when Admiral Rodriguez had argued the same point, Cody was furious. Sometimes, violence was necessary, but destruction on such a scale was horrifying, and if Kali had taught him anything, it was that only one side was needed to start a war, and the creatures of Kali were determined to be that one.

  A chime echoed through the room.

  “Jericho here.”

  Someone spoke in a calm voice. “Sir, we have a contact. Looks like an escape pod. The life-support system is active. It appears to be of UEAF design, but there are no markings on her. And there’s no transponder signal, either.”

  Jericho smiled. “Understood, Captain. Bring the pod aboard and secure it. I want to be there when you crack it open.”

  “Aye, sir.” The comm cut out.

  “Well. Things just got interesting.” Jericho stood, and Sonja stood with him. “Dr. Brenner, since you are technically an ambassador to this world, you should be there in case whatever is inside is alive.”

  Cody rose from his chair. “Of course, Admiral.”

  Jericho stared at Sonja, a smile barely registering. “I supp
ose our ambassador needs a bodyguard. Can you handle it, Gunny?”

  “Of course, sir.” She started to smile and then erased it at once. “I’ve managed so far, sir.”

  Chapter Twenty

  The docking tube spat out the escape pod onto the docking platform. A crane proceeded to lift it and set it on the main deck. Mist from the decontamination system drifted off the escape pod. Cody found it ironic that the pod looked like a giant metallic egg, considering they were about to crack it open and see what was living inside. It was big enough to hold two people—or three if they were cozy. Or one toad. Given the lack of markings and the simple design, Cody suspected the latter.

  At least a hundred sailors were in the docking bay, all armed with coil rifles. Cody was only a few meters away from the pod itself, next to Admiral Jericho. Sonja had her hand on the stock of a coil rifle hanging from her shoulder.

  Jericho appeared calm as he spoke. “Mr. Hastings, what do you make of it?”

  A petty officer who had been circling the pod with a portable scan unit spoke. “It’s fully functional, sir. However, there are no serial numbers indicating what company produced it. No dates or access ports either.”

  “I’m certain it’s locally designed,” Jericho said. “Can you crack it open?”

  “Yes, sir.” He pointed at a red sphere hovering over a control panel on the side. “It appears to work the same as ours, interestingly enough.”

  Jericho raised an eyebrow. “Very well. Everyone not armed take a step back.”

  People shuffled aside but not Jericho, who had a coil pistol at his side. Cody reached for where his pistol used to be, but it had been confiscated when he boarded. Civilians weren’t supposed to be armed on a military vessel. That made Cody feel naked, compelling him to take several steps away, though he kept the pod in sight. Sonja removed her rifle, checked it, and held it at the ready without actually aiming.

  Jericho nodded at one of the marines, who stepped forward and ran a hand through the red holographic sphere, which turned green, then he stepped back quickly. A seam appeared down the center of the pod, and it split open. Steam poured forth, and the scent of rot filled the immediate area for a few seconds before the environmental systems cleaned it up.