by TJ Viola
“We don’t have time to admire their military abilities,” Muglar shouted. “Concentrate all our firepower at that ship and destroy it before it causes serious damage.”
“Sir, if we fire while they are adjacent to our last magnetic shield, we will open a window providing them with an opportunity to destroy our defenses, and possibly the ship itself. Our only recourse is to strengthen our magnetic shields and hope the inner field is strong enough to withstand their constant barrage.”
Danny was monitoring his father’s progress and the condition of Muglar’s inner shield. After a sudden increase in strength, the shield was rapidly degrading, but he also noticed that their own shields were also degrading at an alarming rate. Something was happening, something they hadn’t anticipated.
“Muglar, our shields are weakening even though Muglar’s not firing. How is this possible?”
This was the moment Muglar was dreading. Danny’s father was on a suicide mission, and he hadn’t said anything to prevent it.
“The cosmic energy stored in your shields is being absorbed by Muglar’s stronger magnetic field.”
Danny understood the implications of Muglar’s explanation; his father was in grave danger.
“Dad, we have to abort. You’re losing your protective shields. Dad, do you hear me? Abort now!”
There was a long moment of stark silence before his dad responded. “Son, I knew the risk we were taking; it was our only option. Remember, your job is to get on board that ship; my job is to get you there. Danny, I’m very proud of you and Crystal. I have every confidence that you will prevail, but remember the only way to truly win is to honor your commitments to Muglar and Zeiss. Good luck—I love you both.”
Danny and Crystal watched in horror as his father’s ship broke through Muglar’s inner shield, firing all Gasers, destroying as many gunnery placements as possible, and preparing the way for Danny’s landing in a burned-out launch pad. Then it happened—a direct hit and the command ship vaporized.
Under cover of the larger craft and in the heat of battle, Bounce had maneuvered their smaller spacecraft into a bombed-out launch pad, their presence never detected.
The loss of his father was devastating, and all Danny could think about was revenge—revenge that only he could administer.
*****
Muglar immediately sent instructions to Danny on how to reach the control center in the safest way possible.
“I don’t need, nor do I want your help. Where was your precious advice when my father flew into certain death? You knew he wouldn’t survive, yet you said nothing!”
Muglar didn’t reply and as far as Danny was concerned, his silence spoke volumes across the time and space that separated them.
As Danny, Crystal, and the androids entered the main body of Muglar’s ship, they were indeed a strange sight to behold. Danny was in the lead, his aura clearly visible as he absorbed energy from both Rolo and Bounce. Crystal walked behind Danny, shielded by his aura and protected on all sides by the androids. The androids had converted to their natural forms, spewing forth high-energy bolts in every direction as they moved along the corridors. There were no weapons or any obstacles that could withstand the raw energy Danny absorbed from them both. Over the years, his ability to control and manage the potential of his aura certainly rivaled that of Titch’s and with the rage that currently consumed him, his ability was even more awesome. Doors blew apart, fierce Ammagan soldiers swatted away like so many annoying insects. Nothing stood between Danny and the revenge that was consuming him.
Muglar couldn’t believe what was happening to his spacecraft as he watched the images on the control room monitors of the relentless approach of Danny and his entourage.
“Doran,” roared Muglar, “how could we have been so wrong with our intelligence? The destructive power of their space weapons, their spacecraft capabilities, and now androids, there must be some logical explanation. Just look at that human’s ability to manipulate his natural energy. How could we have been so wrong?”
Doran was wise enough not to answer. There was no answer because what they were witnessing was far beyond the capabilities of any Earthling.
Danny was rapidly approaching the control room guided by Rolo, whose sensors picked up the higher electrical activity generated by the advanced equipment in the control room. Finally, the only obstacle between him and the murderer of his father was a heavily reinforced portal that successfully resisted all his aura projectiles. Reaching for his portable Gaser, his mind unexpectedly exploded with Yolan’s voice pleading for him not to harm Muglar. She had been frantically trying to reach Danny without success because he had managed to block her transmissions; however, in a last-ditch effort, she increased the transmission power to a dangerously high level.
“Danny, if you harm Muglar the consequences could be devastating. You must gain control of your emotions and negotiate a peace agreement.”
“It’s about time you realize I’m not the young boy you’ve been manipulating for so many years. You wanted a victory and I’m about to give it to you, but I’ll do it my way.”
The combined force of his aura and the Gaser vaporized the portal leaving behind a cloudy mist of charred debris. Danny slowly walked through the portal opening, creating an eerie image as he emerged through the mist, coming face to face with his nemesis.
Danny slowly raised his Gaser and aimed it directly at Muglar; the hate in his eyes clearly telegraphed to Muglar that he was about to die. As Danny raised his weapon, Muglar activated a device on his left wrist and stared death in the eye with the courage of a true warrior.
Crystal came through the portal and reached out through the mist. She gently pushed Danny’s arm down.
“Remember your father’s last words: honor your commitment to Muglar and Zeiss.”
As Crystal touched his arm, the rage encased in his heart dissipated, as it did on a school bus so many years ago.
“Danny,” said Muglar through Yolan, “my ship is equipped with a doomsday device that will be automatically launched into Earth’s orbit if my life energy source stops. I can also launch the device by entering a code into my wrist communicator. You must negotiate or all life on Earth will be destroyed as before and all will be lost for so many civilizations.”
The tension in the room abated as Danny lowered his weapon, but neither side knew how to resolve the confrontation. Muglar needed to continue his conquest at all costs, and Danny needed to come to terms with his desire to avenge his father and negotiate a peace.
Crystal could tell Danny was still on edge and she desperately searched for the right words. “Your father knew what he was doing and he understood the risk. He gave his life so you could be here now. Don’t let his sacrifice be in vain.”
He put his weapon away and Muglar lowered his hand. Using his universal translator, Muglar spoke to Danny. “Earthling, you have fought well but you can’t win. My mission is to conquer Earth by any means possible, and I will. Others will follow to complete my task, if necessary.”
“Muglar, I know why you are here, and I also know how to solve your planet’s energy crisis. If you destroy Earth, this information will be lost forever and your civilization will also perish, the difference being, your planet’s demise will be prolonged over decades.”
Muglar and Doran were struck speechless by Danny’s comments. They wondered how he could know so much, even Muglar’s name.
“Earthling, you have been clever in concealing your capabilities and now you’re trying to use these skills to delay the inevitable.”
Danny could tell that Muglar wouldn’t be convinced by mere words, unless he could find some way to demonstrate he spoke the truth. “Yolan, I need to learn the Ammagan language and I need to learn it now!”
“The base computers are transmitting the language to one of the androids and it can feed the information to you. All you need to do is have physical contact.”
Danny pulled in his aura defenses, slowly removed his Gaser,
and handed it to Muglar, speaking perfect Ammagan. “Muglar, what I’m telling you is the truth. Together we can save both our planets.”
Muglar raised the Gaser trying to reconcile all that was taking place; nothing made sense. How could this Earthling be speaking his language without a universal translator? He ordered all hostilities to cease and he and Danny went into a private chamber where Danny explained to an amazed Muglar all that had taken place in the Universe, since he first destroyed Earth so many years ago.
EPILOGUE
A New Journey Begins
T he moment Danny sat across from Muglar, he knew Earth was saved. Since that fateful day so long ago when he first heard Yolan’s voice, he felt a continual presence by his side, a sort of archangel available to guide him. That presence was gone now, gone forever, and he deeply regretted he would never have the opportunity to apologize for the last harsh thoughts he shared with her.
The UN Security Council had authorized Danny to negotiate the terms of a peace agreement between Ammag and Earth. The Council had provided him with a long list of demands in exchange for providing Ammag access to Earth’s large supply of uranium. Many of those demands Danny chose to ignore, but there was one he and Crystal wanted to add. The discussions went on for several days as the citizens of Earth and Ammag anxiously waited to hear the final outcome.
*****
Muglar had argued long and hard to have an exchange of technology as a part of the agreement. In particular, he wanted the technology behind Earth’s space weapon, the Gaser. In the end, it was Crystal who broke the deadlocked discussions and helped to achieve the goal both she and Danny desired.
“Muglar, as a military commander you must understand our position. Ammag invaded Earth, and the only reason we’re negotiating this peace accord is we have the Gaser and you don’t. Ammag has nothing to fear from Earth. We don’t have intergalactic travel capability, and I’m confident by the time you provide Earth with the necessary technologies for such travel, you will have discovered the basic physics behind the Gaser, since it is pervasive on Earth.”
Muglar agreed to drop his demands, but was not satisfied with the terms of the agreement as negotiated—it was lopsided in favor of Earth. “Danny, when we started these discussions, you indicated you could solve our energy crisis. From my perspective, we’re just postponing our crisis, not solving it. Earth doesn’t have sufficient uranium to meet our long-term needs; therefore, we will have to continue our efforts to secure the remaining uranium supplies in the Universe.”
Danny and Crystal smiled at each other because the opportunity to insert their private desires into the negotiation just presented itself.
“There is one detail about your previous future that I’ve been saving for just the right moment to help conclude these negotiations,” Danny stated. “There is a planet that has the solution to your energy needs, but unfortunately, you destroyed the planet before realizing it held the answer to your quest.”
They had been negotiating for several days, and Muglar’s patience had reached its limits. It sounded to Muglar that Danny was talking in riddles and not delivering on his promise. Muglar angrily stood and shouted out his frustration. “How does this help if the planet no longer exists? Do you expect me to wallow in self-pity? What’s done is done and I don’t second-guess my actions!”
Danny stood and looked him in the eye pretending to match his anger and then broke out with a broad smile, which totally disarmed Muglar. “Because it does exist and we know where it’s located and we know the details of how they can help. You did destroy their civilization—in the future—remember we are now creating a new future, a future where we all have a second chance.”
It was at this point they finalized the formal peace accord and came to a mutual understanding. Danny and Crystal would return with Muglar to Ammag as Earth’s ambassadors and help negotiate a mutually beneficial trade agreement with planet Sorac for an ongoing supply of the material that Muglar’s people needed so desperately to fabricate regenerative uranium suits. In return, Muglar would provide Danny and Crystal with a spacecraft capable of reaching Grillion.
“I will take you there myself,” Muglar declared. “I’m anxious to meet those who possess the ability to change the future.”
Danny reached for Crystal’s hand. “We have decided that once we have met our obligations to Ammag, we would like to live on Grillion, if they will accept us as citizens.”
Muglar and Danny simultaneously transmitted the results of their negotiations.
“We’re pleased to announce that the planets, Earth and Ammag, have reached a peace agreement that is equally beneficial to both planets and binding for the next hundred years.
A land-based space station will be constructed on Earth’s moon and manned by both Earthlings and Ammagans. The purpose of this base will be to receive and store raw uranium to be exported to Ammag as needed.
It was anticipated that once sufficient quantities of insect-generated material were produced from the planet Sorac to supply Ammagan citizens with life-sustaining body suits that recycle the uranium their bodies utilize, the need for huge supplies of uranium would diminish.
In return for the uranium, Ammag would provide the UN Security Council with the following technological capabilities:
Molecular transportation
Galactic space travel
Universal translation technology
Advances in subatomic particle physics
Both parties agreed to establish diplomatic relations and to maintain local embassies to sustain a long-term political alliance and to seek out other opportunities for mutual trade and commerce.
Danny and Crystal became the first ambassadors to Ammag and never returned to Earth again.
*****
A LUKEWARM RECEPTION
The Grillion Council of Elders was in session reviewing the state of their economy and the various universal conflicts currently taking place, as well as those that would erupt in the near future. The Council had been monitoring the conditions on Ammag due to their energy crisis, and became alarmed when Ammag invaded Earth. They were pleased that the Earthlings were able to defend themselves and that the conflict was resolved to their mutual satisfaction. It appeared that the energy shortage on Ammag was somehow resolved and the Council now believed the Ammagans no longer presented a potential threat to their neighbors. There were some, however, especially Zucan, who believed Earth had the potential to become a menace as they continued their drive to explore and colonize planets in their own galaxy.
“As you all know, our remote surveillance bases on Earth were automatically deactivated when the Colorado facility was compromised. Based on the data gathered prior to the deactivation, it is inconceivable that the Earthlings could have developed sufficient technology to defeat the Ammagans. It is my belief that some outside influence enabled them to accelerate their development.”
“Why should this be a concern to us?” argued a Council member. “It isn’t uncommon for some of the more advanced civilizations to inadvertently influence underdeveloped planets.”
“Normally,” Zucan responded, “it wouldn’t be a great concern and would only warrant close monitoring. However, those of us who have used Zeiss’s Thought-Time Machine know a great storm cloud is on the horizon and that Earth is the primary antagonist.”
At that moment, the Council meeting was interrupted by an urgent message sent to Zucan by his chief security officer.
“Please excuse this intrusion. An Ammagan war vessel has entered our orbit and the commander of the vessel, a Commander Muglar, is requesting an audience with you and some of our top scientists.”
“Any sign of hostilities?” Zucan asked.
“No, sir, their shields are down and deactivated. It appears to be a friendly diplomatic visit.”
Zucan thought it was ironic that they were just discussing the outcome of the Ammagan invasion of Earth. “Respond to Commander Muglar that we will comply with his request and he has pe
rmission to materialize in our Council chamber once we have gathered the appropriate audience. We will notify him when we are ready.”
There was a noticeable hesitation in his security advisor’s response, which caught the attention of all Council members. Since Zucan had to pause the Council meeting to receive the message, out of courtesy, he opened up the conversation to all members.
“Sir, Commander Muglar also requested that two diplomats from Earth and two androids be allowed to accompany him on his visit.”
The Council chamber came alive with vibrant colors as the anticipation heightened due to the discussion they were having just prior to this unusual interruption.
“Permission granted.”
Zucan had gathered the scientists requested by Muglar at the head of the chamber and waited in anticipation as Muglar began to materialize in their midst. The fierceness of Muglar’s physical prowess was enough to activate most Council members’ natural defense auras; however, Zucan reassured the council.
“Commander Muglar, welcome. Allow me to introduce myself; I’m Zucan, chief elder of this council. Please excuse our reaction to your sudden appearance; we have never had the pleasure of a diplomatic visit from Ammag, and to be honest, your stature is quite warlike.”
Muglar turned to greet the Council members and gracefully acknowledged Zucan’s apology. “Perfectly understandable, I can assure you no offense was taken. With your permission, I would like to introduce two ambassadors to Ammag from the planet Earth.”
Danny and Crystal appeared next to Muglar followed by Rolo and Bounce in their natural state. Danny addressed the Council using the universal translator provided by Muglar.
“Zucan, my name is Danny O’Malley and this is my partner Crystal and these are two androids, Rolo and Bounce, who have been our companions for many years.”
It was apparent to Danny that no one recognized them; this wasn’t what he expected since he reasoned they should have had access to the Colorado base computer records that would contain information about their efforts to save Earth.