by TJ Viola
*****
As Muglar had predicted, resistance was sparse when his fleet landed at preselected sites around the globe to begin mining operations and construction of launch facilities. He had sent in fighter crafts to root out survivors, but it had been unnecessary. Those who had survived the nuclear blasts were suffering from radioactive fallout that had also contaminated water and food supplies.
As an act of mercy, Muglar gave the order to terminate any and all Earthlings on sight.
Chapter 4
Planet Grillion
A top-secret laboratory located deep in the bowels of the government’s advanced science facility was suddenly flooded with red light—an indication that the Thought-Time Machine had received a telepathic response from an Earthling. Excited, Zeiss nudged his assistant aside and took over the controls—peppering her with questions.
“Yolan, what Earth year are you in?”
“Twenty fifty-five.”
“How old is the subject?”
“He’s seventy-five—confined to a wheelchair.”
“Months of scanning Earth and this is what we come up with? He’s too old, too feeble, and even if he wasn’t, five years is not enough for Earth to mount a defense against the Ammagan invasion that takes place in 2060—we’re going about this all wrong.”
Yolan placed a hand on Zeiss’s shoulder, calming his aura. “We just proved that thought-time travel into the past—throughout the Universe—is possible, and with it, the potential to alter history. All we have to do now is find the right Earthling with telepathic ability.”
“At this rate it could take years before we find an appropriate specimen. I have to come up with a way to boost the power level of the thought transmitter, so we can scan through the years faster. Until then, continue searching for a new subject, but restart in the year 2030. Even if we give them the technology, the Earthling will need at least twenty years to prepare Earth for the Ammagan invasion.”
Just then Thorig, head of Grillion’s Council of Elders, appeared on a monitor asking permission to enter Zeiss’s research facility.
Zeiss didn’t bother to properly greet his guest; instead he swiveled his chair toward the entrance.
“I expected you sooner.”
“That’s unlikely. You’re the last person I would want to consult.”
“But you’re here, and I know why.”
“Impossible! I didn’t know myself until moments ago when a Council meeting ended with an edict to consult you on a matter of grave concern. The Council room is shielded to prevent telepathic energy from penetrating from either direction.”
“A shield that I developed, but don’t worry, that’s not how I know the purpose of your visit. You want to know if the Ammagans invade Grillion in the future.”
“How—”
Zeiss turned his attention back to the monitor he was studying. “Do you think I stopped working on my pet projects, including monitoring the bases on Earth, just because I gave up my position as the Council Science Advisor? I’m surprised it took you this long to take decisive action.”
“I did not think we were in danger until I was informed that several Ammagan space probes entered our cluster of galaxies.” Thorig took a deep breath. “The Council wants you to activate your grandfather’s telepathic Thought-Time Machine.”
Zeiss spun around. “Didn’t you outlaw the use of his invention—just before you had him terminated?”
“It was his time.”
“And there can be no exceptions? How old are you?”
“You know the law. We cannot allow everyone to live forever. Immortality is for a select few.”
“Yes, and those ‘select few’ happen to be the Council members who enacted the Law of Euthanasia.”
“This is getting us nowhere. Will you do as the Council directed?”
“I doubt you have ever studied the transmissions from our Earth bases. If you had, you would understand what we have sacrificed for immortality—freedom, choice, emotional love, natural death—to name a few.”
“We have evolved into a far superior species.”
“If that’s true, why was our evolution purged from recorded history—and why hasn’t the Council informed the populace about the existence of Earth?”
“Zeiss, I am tired of having this conversation whenever we meet. Will you do what the Council asked?”
“Let me remind you, we are not having a conversation. We lost the ability to speak generations ago. Our vocal cords are now an appendage. We are sharing our thoughts, as well as our emotions, as you can see from the color and strength of my aura.”
“Zeiss!”
“Like I said, I know all about your fears—the Ammagans and their search for uranium. I’ve already sent transmissions into our future.”
“What have you discovered?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you saying your grandfather’s invention doesn’t work, or that his theory of a space-time continuum was erroneous?”
“You know better. What I’m saying is—there is no future.”
“How is that possible? Our defenses are impenetrable.”
“Apparently not.”
“How much time do we have to upgrade our defenses?”
“If my grandfather had had more Time, his instrumentation would be more accurate. I have no way of knowing.”
Thorig sat at one of the consoles. “If you recognized the danger we face, why didn’t you inform the Council?”
“I do not like reporting a problem without a solution.”
“I’m listening.”
Zeiss sat opposite Thorig. “You banned thought-time travel because knowledge of the future would change the future in unpredictable ways. What if we could change the past?”
“Changing our past will not impact the end of our civilization. Most likely you are not receiving a response from the future because the Ammagans attacked us for our uranium.”
Zeiss’s aura glowed a golden hue. “What if we change Earth’s past so the Earthlings defeat the Ammagans?”
“That is impossible.”
“Improbable, but not impossible. I have made modifications to my grandfather’s work so that thought waves can be transmitted into the past. Not just our past, but selectively throughout the entire Universe.”
“How will that help? Earthlings have not yet evolved the ability to communicate telepathically. There is no one who can receive your transmissions.”
“Do not be so sure. Evolution is a slow process and starts with a mutation. It just takes one Earthling with that mutation. Once we make contact, we can enhance the Earthling’s brain utilization using the capabilities in one of our hidden bases on Earth and provide the knowledge needed to defeat the Ammagans.”
“What do you need?”
“Money, secrecy, and luck.”
“I will confer with the Council of Elders.”
“That would be unwise. If the Ammagans invade us before I can alter Earth’s past, they would have a greater chance of discovering my efforts if they interrogate the Council members—and they surely will. You and you alone need to decide now to give me the resources I require.”
“Consider it done.”
Thorig acknowledged Yolan’s presence with a nod as he reached the exit portal. As he was about to leave, he turned toward Zeiss and asked a final question.
“What will happen if the Ammagans attack before you complete your work?”
“I will find a way to continue. Besides, that is the least of your worries. If the Ammagans invade before we complete our assignment, I suggest you follow in my grandfather’s footsteps and obey our euthanasia laws.”
“And why is that?”
“I doubt you would stand up to their interrogation methods, which is why I will not inform you of my progress. All you have to do is provide the resources I request—when needed—without asking questions.”
Zeiss shut down the exit portal, preventing Thorig from leaving.
“Th
orig. If the Ammagans arrive, it will mean my efforts have failed or that I need more time. I suggest the Council agree to mine and ship uranium to Ammag and not test our defenses. If they attack, there will not be a second chance to negotiate.”
Chapter 5
Liftoff
T welve Earth months had passed since his armada left Ammag. In spite of Doran’s lack of respect, Muglar had become impressed with Doran’s ability to keep the mining and construction projects on schedule, but now he had concerns about the analysis Doran presented on Earth’s advanced technologies. As Muglar read the latest report, his holographic monitor activated, projecting an image of Doran standing outside the entrance to his quarters.
Muglar waved his palm over a security scanner in the image—deactivating a force field.
“I have good news, Commander.” Doran reached into the holographic field, opened a map of mining locations, and brought up a live image of Site 49. He then entered a code sequence and launched the first shuttle to deliver uranium to Ammag.
“Well done, Doran,” Muglar said. “This calls for a celebration. What can I get you to drink to mark this historic moment?”
“Ziglin juice.”
“Good choice. You will have some pleasant hallucinations tonight.”
“Just the thing one needs on a long journey.”
They both laughed as they toasted the occasion.
“Doran, your efforts will save many lives, especially the Undesirables since they require a higher level of radiation to survive.”
“Why don’t we use this opportunity to eliminate these mutants from our society? They represent a risk due to their superior strength and ferociousness and contribute nothing to the advancement of our species.”
“You need to review our history, Doran. We are the mutants. Our ancestors survived the migration away from the radiation pools that sustained life, which allowed for cultivation of more hospitable areas of the planet. Can you imagine how frightening we looked to the Earthlings? Our eyes glow red, scales cover our bodies, and our ears look more like horns to them.”
“They were a puny, weak species, on the brink of self-destruction.”
“Doran, some remorse and respect for the vanquished would go a long way to improve your character.”
Doran was about to respond when he noticed his report on Muglar’s console.
“I see you’re reading my final assessment of Earth’s technologies. As I suspected, we’ve found nothing of value. We are far superior to the Earthlings in every aspect of technology, intellect, and physiology.”
“Be careful, Doran. Throughout our history, arrogance has been the catalyst for the downfall of a few leaders. In fact, I find their laser weapons interesting. If our energy shields were down, and if they’d had spacecraft with such capabilities, our fleet would have been vulnerable.”
“Our shields are never down, and ifs don’t win wars. If such a scenario had unfolded, the results would have been the same. We have far superior weapons.”
“I asked you to evaluate their technology not for what they have, but for what their technologies could become. A point you clearly missed.”
“With all due respect, Commander, next time you might want to be more specific.”
“Doran, your father asked me to prepare you to rule over Ammag. A great leader looks beyond the obvious to create a new path, a new future. A skill you still need to develop.”
“My skills are adequate.”
“If you had studied the pre-invasion intelligence our Earth probe had gathered, you would have realized the potential of their laser capabilities. I agree, Doran, your physical and technical skills are adequate, but your strategic skills are not. Let’s hope, for the sake of Ammag, this mission provides the experience you need.”
Doran slammed down his goblet on Muglar’s console. “I’m not the commander. Strategy is your responsibility.”
“This conversation is over. You have one Earth month to dig deeper into their knowledge of laser technology and develop plans for a higher energy weapon we can use for both offense and defense—one using radioactive material with the required subatomic properties to generate a meta-stable quantum state that will emit a high-energy gamma ray.”
Doran’s orbs glowed a vicious red. “I don’t need a science lesson from you! Such a weapon would be useless since gamma rays would pass through most materials causing little or no damage.”
“Not if the stored energy is released in a burst in conjunction with a photon blast. Such a radiological weapon would have many times the destructive power of our current photon weapons. The gamma burst would weaken the lattice structure enabling the photon burst to create increased devastation.”
“What if it’s not possible?”
“Then, I will relieve you of all your duties and appoint someone who is more creative.” As Doran turned to storm out, the force field reactivated to prevent him from leaving.
Doran spun around to face Muglar.
“I’m not finished,” Muglar said as he tapped the holographic map to zoom in on a specific location. “If I were you, I would start by seeing if there is anything left of the University of Texas at Dallas. Their Center for Quantum Electronics was close to a breakthrough. I suggest you gather the best scientific minds we have on this mission and get to work.”
“Commander, I promise, you will regret the day I become Exalted Leader.”
“I hope not, because if I do, then I have failed your father.”
Chapter 6
Total Isolation
Y olan sat on an air stream, enclosed in a transparent bubble, focused on scanning through the Earth year 2035. She didn’t notice Zeiss standing beside her or hear his thoughts until he turned off the Thought-Time Machine.
“Yolan, we need to relocate the facility to a concealed location sooner than I anticipated.”
“Why?”
“Our androids monitoring Ammagan communications have determined they are on the verge of developing a weapon that can penetrate our defenses.”
Yolan exited the control module of the time machine and joined Zeiss at a holographic console. “I thought our planet’s protective electromagnetic gravity force field was impenetrable.”
“Until moments ago, I thought the same, thinking there was some other explanation why I didn’t get a response to the message I sent into our future. But the Ammagans are developing a radiological weapon, using material unique to Earth—one that has the potential to penetrate our protective barrier.”
“Grillion has the same metallurgical composition as Earth. Why don’t we develop the same weapon to defend our planet?”
“The Ammagans are experimenting with a composite radioactive material that is deadly to Earthlings, and because we have the same physiology, it is deadly to us.”
“If we’re delaying our search for an Earthling, and we can’t develop a counter weapon—how can I be of help?”
Zeiss looked directly into Yolan’s eyes—not a common occurrence on Grillion. “Are you sure you want to continue? If we can find a suitable place to relocate, this endeavor might take years in total isolation.”
“I still have three hundred years left before I’m terminated—I think I can spare a few to save the planet. Besides, you need me to find and prepare an Earthling to defeat the Ammagans.”
“Which is precisely why I selected you as my assistant. Your telepathic abilities are legendary. Sometimes I feel you can read my mind, even my innermost thoughts, which are impenetrable. If we didn’t have that ability, I believe society would have collapsed long before now.”
“Don’t be so sure I can’t,” Yolan said with an impish smile.
Concerned that Yolan wasn’t joking, Zeiss turned his attention to properly shutting down the time machine. He cleared his mind by focusing on complex mathematical calculations needed to design a more powerful thought transmitter for the machine.
“Your priority now is to find a hidden location to move our lab. I’ll focus my effor
ts on increasing the machine’s transmission frequency so when we recommence searching, you’ll have a higher probability of finding a suitable Earthling.”
“Are the Ammagans getting close?” Yolan asked.
“Several of their probes have entered our cluster of galaxies. With any luck we’ll have the time we need to prepare Earth, but we can’t take the chance that the Ammagans will arrive before we’re successful.”
*****
Yolan and Zeiss both moved their quarters into the lab, but had little interaction while they worked on their respective assignments. Zeiss bedded down in an isolation chamber adjacent to the sterile section of his lab to design and then fabricate higher frequency electronics for his thought-time transmitter. Yolan took over a small portion of the external lab where she analyzed various schemes for maintaining both physical and electronic isolation from Grillion and Ammagan surveillance capabilities.
Months passed before Yolan was satisfied that she had found a suitable location in total isolation where they could continue their search for an Earthling to defeat the Ammagans.
Confident, Yolan stripped down and entered the sterilization chamber attached to Zeiss’s cleanroom. Upon entering, a high-intensity ultraviolet beam scanned every nook and cranny of her body, destroying any microorganisms. She was then scrubbed down by hundreds of spray nozzles that removed dead skin and foreign particles. This was followed by a full body coating of an elastomer polymer that conformed to her features. Having completed the sterilization process, a portal opened to Zeiss’s inner lab, where she inserted and activated a breathing device. Such precautions were necessary due to the nanoscale geometries of the terahertz frequency circuits that Zeiss was fabricating to boost the speed of his thought machine. The smallest foreign air particle could cause a defect in his integrated circuits.
Zeiss didn’t acknowledge her presence until he finished micro-sealing the circuitry of his new thought transmitter. Satisfied, he activated the device.
“Yolan, you’re just in time to see if my efforts for the last three months were worthwhile. The monitor will display the output frequency and signal strength relative to the transmitter currently in the time machine.”