by TJ Viola
Danny gave the order to detonate the neutron bombs in the upper atmosphere to minimize damage; simultaneously, a staged nuclear response was launched with missiles containing dummy warheads designed to simulate a nuclear blast. As planned, this diversion was followed by a coordinated counterattack with Earth’s entire fleet of spacecrafts led by Danny and his father’s command ships. The plan was to surround Muglar’s attack force and with the superior firepower of the Gaser, force Muglar to surrender. As the attack force arrived at the designated coordinates, however, Muglar’s invasion fleet had disappeared.
Danny was enraged with frustration, twenty-five years of preparation and sacrifices for nothing.
“Muglar, what happened? Where did you and your fleet go?”
Yolan responded for Muglar in an effort to refocus Danny and to give Muglar time to analyze the situation.
“Danny, you need to understand that everything taking place now, once you detonated the neutron bombs, is the beginning of a new future. Muglar doesn’t know for sure what actions he’s taking in the past, because the past that he experienced has changed. From this point forward there are no records of how events will unfold; it’s really up to you now.”
“Yolan is correct. The best I can provide is an educated guess as to how I would react in any given situation. It’s obvious that I retreated, probably detected something that made me uneasy. I can assure you, however, I will return prepared to fight.”
For the first time Danny believed he and Crystal really could change the future. Up to this point, everything that happened could have been part of destiny. Now the future was really changing, but the urgent question was yet to be answered: Would they win the battle? The images they’d seen as children foretold of one possible future when, in reality, many alternatives now existed.
“Could someone explain how Muglar and his entire attack force could simply disappear? One moment we had them on our radar and the next they were gone.”
Zeiss decided to respond to Danny’s question, for no other reason than to reassure Danny that he was also at his side. “You asked us to explain intergalactic travel; in essence, that is what you just witnessed. We don’t have time now to explain the technology, but a good analogy is the difference between classical and quantum mechanics. The only thing you need to concern yourself with at present is that Muglar could reappear at any moment, in any location.”
Zeiss’s analogy instantly gave Danny a clear picture to understand intergalactic travel. He concluded that intergalactic travel was analogous to electrons tunneling through an energy barrier rather than traveling over the barrier. Quantum theory stipulates that under proper conditions there is a finite probability that the electron could instantly exist on the other side of an energy barrier. Therefore, he concluded space represented the energy barrier and Muglar’s spaceship the electron. Muglar could indeed reappear at any moment!
******
Muglar was monitoring the trajectory of the neutron bombs he fired to begin the invasion and recognized immediately that he was entering an ambush. The bombs detonated prematurely, and he wasn’t about to wait around when he could evaluate the situation from afar. He immediately ordered a retreat back to the dark side of the moon and sent out scout crafts to monitor any unusual military activity on Earth.
The reports from the scouting expedition were disturbing. An armada of spacecrafts had converged onto their coordinates just moments after his retreat. Somehow, Earth knew of his plans and they obviously felt prepared enough to counterattack. It was inconceivable to Muglar that Earth could have evolved its political and technological capabilities to such a level since he gathered his initial surveillance information. Muglar, however, was pragmatic and didn’t need to explain or fully understand how these changes came about. What was critical now was to adjust his strategy to the new circumstances and continue the attack.
His first priority, he reasoned, was to gather as much information about Earth’s new capabilities in the most efficient way possible. To accomplish this task, he sent a small fleet widely dispersed over the globe to attack major cities and directly encounter some of Earth’s spacecrafts, while avoiding contact with the two command-and-control spaceships.
The attacking spacecrafts literally appeared out of thin air, and just as suddenly, several major metropolitan areas were under direct attack and numerous spacecrafts were engaged in deep-space dogfights, reminiscent of classic engagements portrayed in World War II war films. The initial damage to the metropolitan areas was truly horrific, as several square miles of city centers were vaporized on initial contact. Fortunately, the attacks were brief as the ground-based Gasers responded and destroyed the incoming crafts. It was evident to Danny that the protective shield encasing each of Muglar’s crafts was useless against the penetrating capabilities of the gamma rays and photon bursts.
In a matter of minutes, all the attacking crafts were destroyed. More importantly, the radar signatures of the invading vehicles were characterized as they materialized in Earth’s atmosphere and automatically programmed into all global military satellites. As more spacecrafts entered Earth’s orbit, they were instantly destroyed before they could inflict additional catastrophic damage.
The battle in outer space wasn’t as successful as Danny had anticipated; the Gaser had very little effect on the attacking crafts. Each side fought bravely trying to find and take advantage of any weaknesses, but after many hours of hard fighting, the battle was at a virtual standstill with neither side able to gain an advantage. Danny and his father observed the intense fighting from a distance and were both frustrated with their inability to destroy the enemy in outer space. They were in constant communications trying to determine a winning strategy, but to no avail. It was Danny’s dad who finally made a critical observation.
“Danny, it’s apparent that their cosmic shields are unable to operate effectively in Earth’s atmosphere; however, they are very effective in space. The only logical explanation is that the magnetic fields attract cosmic particles, which are able to absorb or deflect gamma rays. Since Earth’s atmosphere doesn’t contain sufficient cosmic particles, the gamma rays easily penetrate the magnetic shields. This also explains why we have to momentarily deactivate a small section of our shields whenever we fire the Gaser. I suspect the same is true as they fire their weapons.”
Yolan was in contact with Danny as this communication was taking place, enabling her and Muglar to understand the essence of their exchange.
Suddenly, Muglar became animated and asked Yolan to transmit his thoughts to Danny. “Danny, your father is correct in his logic. As you know, the shields are created by cold fusion magnetic cells distributed along the skin of the crafts. Just as you need to deactivate a small window in order to fire the Gaser, so do the Ammagans. However, they are firing subatomic torpedoes, which require a much larger portion of their shields to be inactive. If you get close enough to the attacking craft, you should be able to electronically map its magnetic signature and detect the opening in its shield.”
“We should be firing at the magnetic voids before they close,” Danny shouted.
“Yes, but you should begin firing just before the void opens. I believe your equipment is sensitive enough to detect the initial breakdown in the field. If you review the recordings of the battle currently taking place,” Muglar continued, “you’ll see that I’m trying to use this tactic, but to no avail since our weapons are unable to penetrate the smaller opening in your shields.”
“I understand,” Danny responded. “We are firing a narrow ray of gamma photons, while your weapons are firing bursts of high-energy particles that are dissipated by our remaining shield.”
Danny immediately ordered his spacecrafts to scan all enemy crafts for their magnetic signatures and to attack in pairs of two—one craft to absorb the impact of the enemy fire and the other to return fire when their magnetic shields started to go down. The results were dramatic; Muglar lost several crafts in a matter of minutes. After ha
ving achieved a military standoff for several hours, Muglar recognized that the Earthlings found a weakness in their defenses and ordered his remaining crafts to retreat.
Chapter 38
Muglar vs. Muglar
T he loss of his men and spacecrafts were inconsequential to Muglar. He had gained valuable information, information he believed would enable them to develop a new attack strategy and ultimate victory. The Earthlings had developed a powerful weapon, his protective shields didn’t work in Earth’s atmosphere, and his enemy found a serious vulnerability in his defenses that they could exploit in any space conflict. The situation appeared hopeless, but he needed their uranium and he wanted Earth’s weapon. There would be no retreat!
“Doran, call together the military strategists and review all recorded information from the attacks. I want a detailed report on Earth’s defenses, their potential vulnerabilities, and a proposal on how best to defeat them. And I want this analysis completed within twenty-four Earth hours.”
Meanwhile Zeiss and his crew were celebrating Danny’s amazing victory, as was Earth’s military council. Everyone was elated—everyone, that is, except Muglar, who sat next to Yolan in the biosphere. He knew he would not retreat; he would adapt and attack again. In the middle of the celebration, he pulled Yolan aside and asked that they return to the control room to contact Danny. Seeing the urgency in his features, she complied, and soon Muglar and Danny were having a serious discussion.
“Danny, he will find weaknesses in your defenses and exploit them. Remember, I have no interest in occupying Earth; I want to destroy all life. I want your uranium and will stop at nothing to achieve my goal.”
“But, Muglar, we’ve clearly demonstrated we can defeat you in space and in our atmosphere. What more can you do?”
“You’ve just witnessed the firepower of my fighter crafts; look at the devastation they caused. If Muglar finds a way to penetrate your ground defenses, he will launch a massive barrage. My mother ship has enormous destructive capabilities.”
As Muglar was expressing his concerns, Danny was relaying the key points to his father, who was in the middle of analyzing satellite images of the skirmishes that had taken place. Like Muglar, he also knew that Muglar would return, and return with a vengeance.
“Muglar,” Danny continued, “if you’re correct and you continue to fight, I will need to break through your defenses and board the ship so I can confront you directly. Is there any way I can accomplish this?”
Muglar didn’t think there was any safe way of entering his ship, especially since Danny didn’t have teleportation capabilities—the only priority he listed that wasn’t achieved prior to the invasion.
“There are several launch bays for my fighter crafts located on both sides of the mother ship. Each bay is protected by two opaque portals. The portals act as a barrier between the vacuum of space and the ship’s environment. Each portal, however, is easily penetrated by any physical mass, thus allowing the crafts to exit and enter. If you can find a way to break through the cosmic shield and enter one of these launch pads, you will have open access to my entire ship. Once inside, I can direct you to the main control center.”
Muglar’s proposal didn’t seem practical to Danny, but he didn’t have a good alternative. Crystal was at his side as copilot and sensed Danny’s intensity with the task facing him as he tried to determine a course of action.
“Danny, one step at a time; trust Muglar. What is the first thing you need to accomplish in order to execute his plan?”
Danny turned and looked intensely into Crystal’s eyes and saw the strength that had sustained him for so many years. The one thing he knew for sure was that she wouldn’t leave his side, and he wouldn’t want it any other way. Whatever the outcome, they would be together.
“Muglar, if you found a weakness in our defenses, how would you exploit it? Where would you attack first?” Danny asked.
It didn’t take Muglar more than a few seconds to reply. “Washington, DC! Destroy the capital of the most powerful nation on Earth and panic would spread across the globe. Once fear became a major factor, the end would soon follow.”
Danny was struck by the fierceness of his response. He clearly understood that when Muglar, both Muglars, had a purpose and a strong commitment, they would be formidable adversaries.
Meanwhile, Muglar reviewed the analysis provided by his military advisors and was pleased with their findings and recommendations. The study concluded that the weapon used by the Earthlings was driven by a pulsating energy source and was, therefore, not a continuous beam of energy. The duration between the pulses was extremely short; however, by synchronizing their own weapons with a phase delay, it was conceivable they could destroy Earth’s ground-based defenses. The probability increased dramatically if his spacecrafts remained in outer space where their shields were effective. The report ended with the last bit of vital information he knew he would need to execute their proposal. The missile silos they had mapped on their initial reconnaissance mission were now being used to house Earth’s new weapons.
Muglar led the attack since his command ship had the required firing capabilities. His first target would be Washington, DC. He immediately gave the command to attack.
“Commander, the Earthlings have anticipated our target,” Doran said. “Their two largest spacecrafts are positioned over Washington.”
“It doesn’t matter,” stated a confident and aggressive Muglar. “They cannot penetrate our multilayered shields and neither can we theirs, but we can destroy their cities at will. Proceed with the attack and under no circumstances fire directly at the two command spacecrafts.”
Destiny was about to arrive at a crossroads in the space-time continuum—a crossroads created in the future for a time long past.
*****
The instant Muglar’s spacecraft appeared on Danny’s and his father’s holographic consoles, they started to fire to no avail. Satisfied that his craft was indeed immune from damage, Muglar directed all his firepower on the missile silos surrounding Washington. As predicted by his advisors, after repeated barrages of carefully synchronized firepower aimed at a single site, a direct hit destroyed the silo. It was now apparent to all involved in this life and death struggle that if someone didn’t come up with a way to disable Muglar’s craft, Earth would lose the battle and lose it quickly.
Danny’s dad suddenly appeared on Danny’s monitor and from the expression on his father’s face, he knew he had a plan.
“The magnetic scans I’ve been analyzing indicate the Gaser rays are penetrating the outer shields, but are being dissipated by the much stronger inner shield adjacent to the craft. This behavior is consistent with the diminished strength of the magnetic lines of force as they move away from their source.
“The outer shields repair themselves by attracting more cosmic particles.”
“Why then were we able to destroy the smaller fighter crafts?” Danny asked.
“Because the smaller crafts couldn’t generate as strong a magnetic field and, as a result, couldn’t repair their shields fast enough. Also, notice that Muglar hasn’t fired at us because he realizes this would create an opening in his shields that we could potentially exploit.”
Danny found his father’s observations interesting but didn’t see how they could utilize them to their advantage. Muglar, on the other hand, understood his father’s plan perfectly.
“Danny, your father has found a potential vulnerability in my defenses. If his craft continuously fires its Gasers while on a perpendicular course to ram my ship, your spacecraft could penetrate the outer shields and fire point blank at my ship’s inner shield. Eventually, the shield would fail.”
Danny now clearly saw the plan his father was hatching and took the initiative.
“Dad, I always knew you were a genius. I’ll lead the attack and you follow behind. Once we’re both inside his outer defenses, we can circle the craft and cripple his weapon systems.”
“It won’t work,”
his dad responded. “The shields will repair themselves before the second ship has a chance to penetrate the outer perimeter. The only way to get you safely on board is for me to lead and for you to follow in one of your craft’s smaller, faster fighter spaceships. Once I penetrate his inner shield, I’ll destroy one of the launch pads so you can enter without encountering any immediate resistance.”
Danny agreed and the plan was set in motion. He planned to take Rolo and Bounce and leave Crystal behind, but as expected, she insisted on confronting Muglar with him. He didn’t protest too much because it was also what he wanted.
Yolan noticed that Muglar was quiet while Danny and his father prepared to attack his vessel. “Muglar, what’s wrong?”
He turned to face her and it was evident from his expression that he was struggling with some aspect of their plan. Finally, the military commander within him spoke. “I know of no other strategy that can be implemented in time to save Earth. It really is their only hope. It is our only hope.”
Yolan wasn’t satisfied with his response. “What are you not sharing?”
“There are risks that Danny isn’t considering, but I’m confident his father is fully aware of the potential consequences of his actions.”
Yolan decided not to pursue the issue any further; they were at war and in war there are always risks.
Muglar and his crew were totally focused on destroying the ground defenses surrounding Washington, DC, when the control room emergency warning system sounded a shrill alarm and projected an image of a large spacecraft on the main viewing screen. The craft was firing all its weapons and clearly on a collision course with their own ship.
“Doran, what are they doing? How did they penetrate our outer perimeter?”
“The ship is on a collision course with us. They must have realized that our outer shields weren’t able to withstand the power of their high-energy beams, an absolutely brilliant strategy.”