by TJ Viola
Danny talked directly to Yolan through the android while Crystal’s android could only react based on the information in its memory core.
“Yolan,” Danny said, “there are no words to erase your pain, but you must take comfort in the possible consequences of our combined efforts to change Earth’s future.”
Yolan looked deeply into Danny’s eyes, hoping against hope that he could remove her anguish, but she knew it was self-imposed and only she could control her feelings.
“Yolan, what you have been experiencing and all that has happened since Earth was invaded in 2060, and all that will take place on Grillion until the invasion occurs again, will change. Do you understand? Nothing will be the same if we defeat the Ammagans. In your new future, anything is possible.”
Yolan was confused by Danny’s words, but then a spark appeared in her eyes as she comprehended the implications of his desperate plea.
“If we defeat the Ammagans, there will be no need for this biosphere, your team won’t need to be assembled, and Zeiss might never even know Titch.”
The color that had drained from Yolan’s features returned, but faded once again. “I will eventually suffer the same fate since my relationship with Zeiss will never change. He is oblivious to my feelings, and he will always be oblivious to them.”
“You’re forgetting one critical aspect. Crystal and I are living in your past, prior to the invasion; therefore, we will retain our current experiences and we know how you feel about Zeiss.”
Yolan appreciated Danny’s efforts to help, but still had trouble following his logic. “But, Danny, we won’t be communicating with you in our new future, so how could you possibly have any influence over my relationship with Zeiss?”
“Think of the capabilities Earth is developing. We will be centuries ahead of where we would have been, and after the war, you can definitely count on a visit from Crystal and me. Now, let’s get you to your quarters.”
*****
The next day Yolan didn’t report to the control center as scheduled, but Zeiss wasn’t overly concerned because he knew she’d had a late night. However, he wasn’t very sympathetic since he assumed his night was far worse than Yolan’s. Instead of being pleased with the results of his meeting with the Earthling leaders, Titch argued the whole night about his policy of total isolation from what was happening on the surface of Grillion. It had been years since they monitored surface communications, and Titch thought this policy was detrimental to the team and, potentially, the project’s chances for success. At times the conversation became very animated and heated, so heated in fact that his blood started to boil again as he recalled some of the discussion.
“Sometimes you can be such a fool,” Titch had shouted. “Just because the emergency sensors were tripped, you terminated all contact with the surface. What if it was just a seismic disturbance? What if Zucan needs our help?”
“Titch, I’m getting tired of your constant complaining. The Council and I agreed to complete isolation. We must stay focused on our mission, independent of surface events.”
“You agreed, but I didn’t. Don’t be surprised if I decide to return to the surface before we’re done.”
“You know such an act could jeopardize our entire mission. Anyone monitoring communications would instantly detect our location.”
“Maybe that’s a risk worth taking!”
Zeiss’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Mylo, who was monitoring the telepathic receiver for any transmissions from Danny. “Sir, Danny is asking about Yolan. Apparently, she was quite upset last night and he’s concerned that she’s not available today.”
“Tell him she’s just getting some well-deserved rest. Meanwhile, I’ll check to see when she plans on relieving you.”
Zeiss was passing by the communications center on the way to Yolan’s quarters, when he noticed a cloaked figure at the controls of the transporter. He instantly thought of Titch’s threats from the night before.
“Titch, don’t!” he shouted.
Titch immediately came running out of his sleeping quarters, looking quite agitated. “Zeiss! What’s wrong?”
Zeiss looked from Titch back to the cloaked figure, wondering who was in the transporter. Slowly Yolan turned to see Zeiss and Titch standing together, and then she disappeared.
“Why would she do such a thing?” Zeiss shouted.
“Don’t you realize she’s in love with you and has been for years?”
“No, I didn’t. What a fool I’ve been.”
“I’ve been telling you that for some time—that should have been me using the transporter,” Titch said.
As she walked away leaving Zeiss to contemplate his loss, she was wondering if he even realized that her attraction to him was purely physical. Well, she would make that clear soon enough.
Chapter 35
Preparing for War
D uring the summit meeting, each of the member nation’s security advisors was assigned to work with Danny to develop a detailed strategic plan to defeat the Ammagans. The Cheyenne Mountain facility was chosen as the team’s headquarters and put under the command of a multinational security force. The site was also designated as a development and manufacturing facility for the evolution and mass production of Gaser weapons.
Danny led the planning process and had a great deal of difficulty convincing the team members that the primary objectives were to neutralize the attack and then aid the Ammagans in their quest for survival. The immediate reaction of the security task force was to defeat the Ammagans and use Earth’s new technological advantages to explore and colonize other planets and galaxies. After weeks of intense discussion, Danny’s objectives were accepted and the planning process began in earnest.
It was clear from the outset Earth had several strategic weaknesses that would need to be addressed. The areas of greatest concern were finding a defense against the Ammagan radiation rays, protecting the space fleet from unknown Ammagan weapon systems, and maintaining an element of surprise. It was also evident to the team that Danny would continue to need the help of Zeiss and his team to overcome many, if not all, of these obstacles.
Zeiss found the whole strategic planning discussion disturbing because it once again raised the specter of how the future would be altered by the direct involvement of Grillion into the internal affairs of Earth.
“Danny, I’m pleased you were able to get consensus, but you must admit, Earthlings have a long history of dominating their neighbors.”
Before Danny responded, Titch forcefully interjected her position. “Zeiss, how often do we need to revisit this issue? We agreed any future would be better than the one currently facing Grillion and Earth.”
“I agreed, Titch, but we must limit the capabilities we provide Earth, otherwise our future could remain the same with only the players changed.”
Danny agreed with Titch. “Zeiss, the one absolute truth we can’t deny is that if Earth is destroyed, your fate is unaltered. Even with your help, even if we resolve all the remaining issues, and even if we execute our plans flawlessly, I’m not confident we can defeat the Ammagans.”
This debate raged on throughout the strategic planning process, but in the end, Titch, Danny, and, more importantly, Zeiss agreed to aggressively help Earth and deal with any adverse consequences as they might arise.
As these discussions came to a successful conclusion, so did the planning process. In the final analysis, aside from developing the needed technologies, everything hinged on knowing how the Ammagans gathered their prewar intelligence. It was assumed that if the Ammagans found the same international dysfunction and lack of intergalactic defenses then they would develop the same attack plan. Knowing the Ammagan attack strategy would certainly give Earth a decided advantage. This knowledge, combined with the destructive capabilities of the Gaser and a well-executed military plan, should spell defeat for the Ammagans.
The defense plan was simple in concept, but as with all such plans, the preparation and executi
on would be difficult. The United States’ Strategic Defense Initiative, otherwise known as SDI, would be used to detonate the Ammagans’ salvo of neutron bombs. The International Space Station would be modified to conceal spacecrafts capable of launching an immediate surprise counterattack. This diversion would allow ground-based spacecrafts, hidden in nine strategic locations, time to join the battle before the Ammagans could inflict serious damage to Earth’s land-based Gaser defenses.
The technical challenges that lay ahead were immense, but morale was amazingly high. Earth was unified, research teams had been identified, and an effective defense strategy was in place. Everyone participating in this top-secret project knew the stakes involved, knew they could be successful, and knew that the only real obstacle to victory was the march of time—would their defenses be operational by 2060?
*****
Zeiss entered the molecular transporter with the intent to convince Yolan to return to the biosphere. Now that she was gone, he realized he never gave her the recognition she deserved. Slowly reaching for the controls, he hesitated just as his hand was about to enter the activation scanner—the risk to the mission was too great. It was possible their location was still secret; however, with each subsequent transmission, the probability increased that their encrypted location code would be successfully deciphered. He regretted not locking down the transporter until the project was successful, but he took solace in the fact that Yolan would be in good hands—that is, if the Ammagans hadn’t already conquered Grillion. As agreed with Zucan prior to embarking on his mission, he had set the transporter to override any coordinates unless they were preceded by a security code. Therefore, he knew exactly where Yolan had arrived on Grillion.
The moment Yolan activated the transporter she regretted her irrational behavior, but there was no turning back as her molecules went hurtling through space. As she materialized, something was terribly wrong. She expected to arrive at the research laboratory she worked at prior to joining Zeiss; instead she was in a small chamber that only contained the transporter, and as best as she could determine, there wasn’t any way in or out of the chamber. As she was searching frantically for an exit, a section of one wall opened and silhouetted in the frame was a tall figure whose aura was as strong as any Yolan had ever witnessed.
Suddenly the chamber was flooded with light and, just as suddenly, relief overwhelmed Yolan as Zucan beckoned her to join him.
“Yolan, you look quite frightened. Didn’t Zeiss inform you of your destination?”
“No, I left without his permission.”
Yolan noticed the change in Zucan’s aura.
“It was foolish of me and difficult to explain why I took such a risk.”
“No matter the reason, I’m grateful for your arrival. You can stay here for a few days before you return. In the meantime, we both have a lot of information to share.”
“Zucan, I have no intention of returning. My work is done. Zeiss has no further need for me.”
The firmness in Yolan’s thoughts caught Zucan by surprise because such rage had an emotional center, which had been genetically eliminated generations ago.
“Yolan, your work isn’t completed until Grillion’s future has been secured. I don’t know, nor do I want to know, why you deserted your position, but fortunately, much good will result from your decision.”
For the first time Yolan was able to put her actions into perspective and was ashamed that she had allowed her emotions to gain control over her reason. She regretted leaving, but to return to the biosphere, to face Zeiss, as well as her crewmates, would be difficult.
Zucan made arrangements for Yolan’s accommodations and for any other personal needs. They agreed to continue their discussion over dinner, at which time Zucan would introduce her to a new friend, someone he believed would convince Yolan to return.
*****
Zucan greeted Yolan as she entered his quarters for dinner.
“You look absolutely stunning. You should wear civilian clothes more often. I’m sure Zeiss would be jealous if he saw you now.”
“I doubt he would even notice,” Yolan responded with a bitterness detected by Zucan. “To be honest, I’m surprised you would make such a comment.”
“Contrary to Zeiss’s belief, I have been monitoring Earth’s progress for decades,
and I agree that our society has given up what it means to be human for immortality.”
Yolan had no desire to discuss the norms of both societies. “I understand you want a briefing on our progress, but would you like me to wait for your other guest’s arrival?”
Zucan couldn’t help but notice how abruptly she had cut off any further discussion about Zeiss, which certainly had the effect of increasing his curiosity as to why Yolan abandoned her responsibilities.
“Actually, I would prefer we begin our discussion in private; besides, I need to prepare you before my guest arrives.”
“Now I’m very curious. In the interest of time, I’ll provide you with a brief overview of our progress and you can ask questions if you desire more details.”
Zucan readily agreed and Yolan began her narrative.
“We were fortunate to contact an Earthling shortly after the biosphere was fully staffed and operational. We believe he is the only Earthling capable of communicating telepathically. Danny O’Malley was a young boy of fifteen when he was first contacted and, over the ensuing years, with the aid of a young female friend by the name of Crystal, has made remarkable progress.
“They discovered cold fusion soon after accepting the daunting responsibility we imposed upon them and have been following a fairly detailed road map to prepare for the war of 2060.”
Zucan was ecstatic with Yolan’s summary of events and bursting with questions. “Have the Earthlings been able to utilize cold fusion to enhance their space program, and has its unlimited source of energy had any lasting impact on the Earthlings’ culture?”
“We were fortunate that Danny’s father worked for the space agency and spearheaded the efforts to incorporate cold fusion into their space program with remarkable success. I cannot say the same for the cultural impact. The geopolitical strife that has always existed on Earth was only accelerated.”
“That is truly unfortunate,” Zucan responded. “It will be critical for the Earthlings to be united in their defense against the Ammagans.”
“Recently we have made significant progress to that end; however, we needed to reveal our presence to many world leaders to make any cooperation even remotely conceivable.”
Zucan found this revelation disturbing but understood the necessity—nothing like a common enemy to unite the fiercest foes.
“It took Danny and Crystal many years to discover the Gaser, but they now have a working model and are successfully implementing this technology into every aspect of their defensive strategy.”
Zucan literally jumped out of his chair upon hearing about the Gaser.
“Yolan, we have been trying to duplicate the Gaser for years. How is it possible that this young man was so successful?”
“I believe there was one critical factor: Zeiss made the decision to take a more direct role in assisting Danny in his quest.”
Zucan abruptly interrupted her, but this time with a fury that was uncharacteristic. “Are you telling me that Zeiss violated the most fundamental principle that has governed our intergalactic travel program since its inception?”
Yolan found herself responding as forcefully in defense of Zeiss, which revealed to Zucan her real feelings toward her boss. “The decision was certainly Zeiss’s, but I fully agreed and I believe so did every member of the team. The only other option was certain failure, which wouldn’t benefit Grillion or, for that matter, Earth.”
Zucan wasn’t satisfied with Yolan’s explanation but decided it would be best to discuss the matter with Zeiss when the opportunity arose. The deed had been done and there wasn’t much he could do other than hope the future that would evolve from this interven
tion would be a positive one. It was also getting late and he needed to prepare Yolan before his other dinner guest arrived.
“I’m looking forward to hearing more tomorrow, but now I need to brief you on the activities of the Ammagans. As you probably detected, the Ammagans arrived in our galaxy and demanded complete cooperation. We made every attempt possible to assist them in finding an alternative energy source; however, they eventually questioned our sincerity when they discovered the disappearance of our most prominent scientist.”
“Is that when they began to probe Grillion for hidden research facilities?”
“Yes, but what you probably don’t know is that Commander Muglar was forcibly removed from office and branded a traitor for not immediately destroying Grillion.”
Yolan found what she heard difficult to believe—for years she had viewed Muglar as one of the worst, if not the worst, monster in the history of the Universe.
“I see that you’re surprised. Then I’m sure you will be shocked to know that Muglar is living with us as my trusted guest. In fact, I believe he has just arrived for dinner.”
*****
Yolan was more shocked by Muglar’s presence than by his fierce appearance. He was a few inches taller than Zucan, who was considered massive by Grillion standards, but built much broader. Other than height and weight, there weren’t any other features that could be used to compare the two. It never ceased to amaze Yolan how many diverse, intelligent species inhabited the Universe.
Zucan and Muglar proceeded to give their perspectives on the circumstances of Muglar’s arrival on Grillion. Yolan was indeed impressed with both leaders: Zucan for having the foresight to deploy nano-androids at the first possible opportunity and Muglar for adjusting his beliefs and standing up for his convictions. She also had a nagging feeling that if Muglar were deceiving them, the results would be devastating. Yolan also realized that Muglar could be an invaluable asset to Zeiss and Danny. She now understood why Zucan wanted her to return to the biosphere—specifically to return with Muglar. It was Muglar who openly expressed what they were all thinking.