Star Yawns Episode 7. A Few Good Cadets by David & Sabine Williams Smashwords Edition Copyright 2014

by David Williams

  * * * *

 

  Not long after this Elgin246 was in a vehicle, which was heading for the compound. Behind his was an army of vehicles and all the men inside were well armed. From a distance he could see his men were no longer guarding the compound. He could see that the odds were now in their place and were holding phaser blasters, hand phasers and some small cannons. He had his convoy stop beyond weapons range and everybody gathered for the attack.

  “ It looks like they are well prepared for us and our raid has just become something a lot more serious. They will rue the day that they went up against me. Show no mercy! When I give you the word move into position within weapons range and start firing. The odds will be no match for us. We are soldiers and they are nothing but slaves. Our victory is assured.”

  A few moments later many of the soldiers maneuvered their way under cover towards the compound. The odds had spotted the vehicles and were ranging themselves behind cover also. Weapons were trained at the soldiers.

  Any second now there would be bloodshed, lives lost, men injured and the numbers alone would mean that the fighting would spread. Today one side would prevail over the other.

  However before they reached their objective Captain Hemorrhoid and the fifty crewmembers materialized and now stood between the two groups. The evens stood at the ready while some of the odds, having never seen anything like it, shifted uneasily behind their walls.

  The Captain appraised the situation and remained calm.

  “ Set your phasers on stun. Do not shoot unless we are fired upon.”

  He held up both hands, turning to make eye contact with as many of the opposing groups as he could. “ I am Captain Hemorrhoid of the DVD… This is a peaceful mission. Please put down all your weapons. We mean you no harm… however we shall act if you proceed with this battle. I have at my command a Starship with the capability to destroy this planet and our weapons are superior to yours. But please be assured that we desire a peaceful solution to this conflict.”

  Elgin246 was furious. He came out from behind his cover and walked up to the Captain. “ This does not concern you and your men Captain. We will fire on you if you do not let us through. Take your men and leave. You have no authority here whatsoever. This is our planet and we can take care of our own problems."

  “ Who are you?” The Captain asked smoothly.

  Elgin246’s eyes narrowed. “ I am Elgin246 and I am the authority here. I am in charge. You will not interfere. You will leave. Otherwise we shall fire upon your crew.”

  The Captain shook his head. “ That would not be advisable.

  There is a force field around us. We were willing to leave but you have detained one of our cadets. We wish for his return. But apart from that we believe that you are about to engage in a slaughter of the odds. Perhaps it is time that we intervened. No good can come of your attack here today.”

  “ We do not attack. We squash any resistance to our authority. The odds are our slaves and they must surrender their weapons or else face the consequences.”

  “ It is our belief that your attack on the odds will lead to civil war. We cannot allow that to happen. There is a solution that we can all come to if both sides can agree to communicate with one another.”

  “ Listen here Starship Captain. This is not your world. We don’t communicate with slaves except to put them in their place. We have always held the power and you have no rights here.”

  “ You are mistaken. I hold the power and I insist on talks between your leaders and their representatives. We will hold out for a peaceful solution. If you don’t agree I can have you beamed up to my ship and put in the brig.”

  “ You cannot do that. You must leave. If I give you your cadet will you leave our planet?”

  “ The only way you can get rid of us is to sign a treaty with the odd people. One that gives them equal standing with your people.”

  Elgin246 laughed. “ You jest! That is not possible. These people are slaves to us. That is all they will ever be. They will never be equal to us.”

  “ They are entitled to govern themselves.”

  “ How can they do that? It would not work. They aren’t intelligent enough to govern themselves and no evens would accept it. It has always been this way.”

  “ Then it is time for a change. If you don’t progress and learn peace with them, then there will always be a threat of war. I have a solution. Why don’t you let them relocate on the other side of the planet? You will not be bothered with them and the odds can build a new life for themselves.”

  “ Captain my people went to a planet two hundred years ago and brought these people here to be our servants. We see no need for things to change.”

  “ That was two hundred years ago. The odds will no longer accept being oppressed as you can see. I have been apprised of the situation here and I am fully aware of how uneven your laws are. There seems to be a double standard. Since they are a separate species, allow them to live their own lives in their own territory. I think it won’t take your people long to adjust to this change. From what I saw in your city you don’t need servants anymore. You certainly do not need slaves. They have worked for you for all this time and now they deserve the right to be independent. To be their own people with their own customs and laws.”

  “ Captain even if I agreed, how can I make my people understand this or agree to this? They will never believe me.”

  “ You must make them believe you. We intend to transport all the odd people and their weapons to the other side of the planet without delay. They have our protection. You will inform your council or higher authorities of our purpose.

  “Note that we do not ask for your permission. This is what will happen regardless of what you all decide. If you come for them after we have left then they certainly will defend themselves because we shall give them the means to do so, as well as furnish them with everything they need for their new life.

  You will agree to sign a treaty promising you will not come after them. You will give your word. I will lean on you very heavily about this and I will not back down. Do not make me give a demonstration of my Starship’s power. I can destroy your world in order to make it more equal for the odds but I would rather not do that.”

  There was silence while the evens consulted with one another. Elgin246 appeared to be very angry but it was plain that he was beaten. He returned to speak to the Captain.

  “ You have yet to speak to the odds about this.”

  “ I don’t foresee any problems. I think they will agree.”

  “ I have never been on the other side of the planet. Is it fit for people to live there?”

  “ Yes we have been monitoring the terrain and in a short period of time they will be self sufficient, and we will give them enough supplies to get started. Now go and tell your people what is going to happen and I will talk to the leader of the odds.”

  “ All right Captain I will do as you say.” He turned to walk away.

  “ One more thing!“ Elgin246 turned around. “ Don’t forget we would also like to have our cadet back so we can leave here soon.”

  “ Yes Captain Hemorrhoid, I will convey all your wishes.” With a grim face and angry eyes he turned away and the Captain prepared to speak to the other side and push his solution on them also. It would be better if they agreed but if they didn’t he was going to take matters into his own hands anyway and transport them against their will if he had to.

  A few hours later the army had been disbanded, the treaty had been signed and the odd people were already being transported to the other side of the planet where a fertile valley with lots of fresh water and game was the perfect place for their new home.

  A landing party was briefly helping the confused yet elated former slaves to get organized and at least have temporary quarters over night. They also all had to be fed and clothed and provided with provisions for their new lives. The Captain didn’t hesitate to provide the right technology also, to help them
settle in more quickly. It would take time for crops to grow and a lawful society to govern them so he provided replicators and numerous discs on law and the social studies of other cultures to give them a start.

  The evens were furious and resentful but powerless to stop what was happening. The threat of the Starship and its Captain had prevented any more oppression, revenge or war and their hands were tied. They could do nothing to protest the evacuation of the odds, who were lining up excitedly to board the shuttles.

  The Captain went to personally see to Flip’s release. Elgin246 personally walked Flip out to Captain Hemorrhoid who was waiting with Oh-No. He didn’t look any friendlier and he watched the crew warily but it was plain he had not harmed the cadet.

  “ Captain here is your Cadet back. I hope that this means there will be no delay in your exit from our world.”

  “ Cadet are you alright?”

  “ Sir! Yes sir, no harm done.”

  “ He has been cleared of all charges?”

  “ He has. I hope now that you will swiftly leave our orbit. We don’t need any other interference from you and your crew.” Elgin246 said bitterly.

  The Captain replied bluntly, “ If you are planning to travel to the other side of the planet to recapture the odds, you will fail. I have given them enough weapon power and sensors to make that difficult for you. They will be able to detect you from a large distance away. I suggest you find a way to communicate with them peacefully and perhaps you can even trade with them in future.”

  Elgin246 scowled. “ I can’t see that happening but I have enough experience to know that sometimes enemies become allies. I will not discount it but at this moment in time I am not willing to consider it.”

  “ That is your choice, your decision. So long as we understand one another. I’m very sure that in a couple of weeks you won’t even miss the odd people. In fact you won’t have to be even people anymore. You won’t require a numerical designation.”

  “ That will take some getting used to.” Elgin246’s lip curled with distaste. He stood back slightly from the Captain and Flip, as if he were afraid of being contaminated.

  “ We shall leave now Cadet.”

  “ Yes Sir.”

  Elgin246 escorted them out to the street, his eyes cold and watchful. Oh No scanned the area before giving the Captain the nod that it was safe to proceed in the area. They had wisely decided not to trust the evens. It would not be unexpected for some of them to want to capture the Captain and reverse what was happening.

  They were about to leave when to Flips surprise 22 came running up. She was smiling and spoke directly to the Captain with no sign of fear or embarrassment.

  “ Captain may I come with you on your journey?”

  “ I beg your pardon?”

  “Sir, this is Ynnej648622. She was detained with me by the odds.”

  The Captain studied her coolly. “ I see. Why do you wish to accompany us? This is your world. We are from another quadrant.”

  “ Oh Captain I long to travel through space. Please, could you find room for me on your ship?”

  The Captain frowned. “ I hardly think that would be appropriate. I think you should stay here with your people.”

  22’s face fell but then she raised her chin and looked him right in the eye. “ I think you should reconsider. I am carrying a child and it belongs to this Cadet, Flip.”

  “ Huh?” Flip’s jaw dropped. “ You said you wouldn’t know for awhile. How could you even know so soon?”

  “ Cadet, you had relations with this girl?” The Captain asked sternly.

  Flip blustered,” No I didn’t Sir. We just kissed a few times. How was I to know an even girl could get pregnant from kissing?”

  There was a bark of laughter from Elgin246 who spoke up. “ What is this nonsense? This is not true Captain but a fairytale the even children sometimes believe. There is no chance she could not be pregnant from kissing, this girl is lying.”

  Flip was confused. “ I don’t understand, every time I kissed her I became dizzy and light headed.”

  “ Then there was another cause for it. Perhaps a drug of some sort. Ynnej648622 what have you been up to? Must I deal with you again? You are nothing but trouble to your family.”

  She shot Flip a sulky look. “ I had no choice. I don’t mean to make trouble, I just want somewhere to raise my baby… you see, Captain you must help me. I am carrying….”

  “ I know!” Flip interrupted excitedly, “ She’s having 35’s baby! That’s it and she’s trying to foist it on me. That’s it isn’t it?”

  “ What? You are no serious! That is against the law!” Elgin246 was furious. “ You can be detained indefinitely for this.”

  “ May I suggest,” the Captain interrupted, “ That this is the dawn of a new era. There may be, in future, other instances of the odds and evens taking one another as partners. Obviously this girl is worried about her future and that of her baby.”

  22 started to weep, great tears rolling down her cheeks. “ You found me out. I am pregnant with 35’s baby. I am sorry Flip. I hated to use you but I had to…”

  “ What I can’t understand is why I got so dizzy each time we kissed… I would even lose time. What was that all about?”

  “ I was wearing lip balm that has a drug in it. It has an effect on the memory part of the brain. I was trying to fool you into believing this was your baby. You knew so little about my people, I could tell you anything.”

  Elgin246 was appalled. “ I am sorry Captain, this girl will be dealt with. You stupid girl, you have caused a problem we are not equipped to deal with right now. No even and odd have ever had any offspring. It has been forbidden for two centuries.”

  “ Perhaps we should beam her over with the odd people, if she is having an odd baby?” Flip suggested, feeling sorry for her as she continued to weep.

  “ No I think she will stay here for now with her own people.” Elgin246 said. “ I realise that what is done is done. I don’t think it would be to anyone’s benefit to arrest this girl. We have never had such a case but we will work it out. We view offspring as important and the babe will be half even of course.”

  “ 22 is this okay?” Flip asked worriedly. “ Don’t you want to be with 35?”

  She shook her head. “ No, not yet. Perhaps later when I want him to meet his child. But for now, I don’t think I would be welcome at their new home. With time, perhaps…”

  “ I worry how you will be treated there.” Flip frowned.

  “ She will be cared for, no harm will come to her,” Elgin246 replied abruptly, “ She is the daughter of my third cousin. I shall make sure she is cared for.”

  “Will there be reprisals against her?” The Captain asked.

  “ No Captain I don’t believe so. You may be rest assured that there won’t be. I think most of my people will be stunned but they will have to get used to it.”

  “ Then in that case, we can beam aboard our ship. We shall stay in orbit until we know that the odds will be safe… then we shall leave.”

  “ Captain I sincerely hope that you and your crew will never attempt shore leave on our planet again. We are in upheaval. I have dozens of complaints. We have no work force, no servants. You have caused us untold stress and trouble.”

  The Captain’s gaze did not waver. “ You must be made aware of something. If I had not intervened you would have wiped yourselves out in a bitter civil war and this planet would be barren in six years.”

  “ How do you know this Captain?” He was shocked at the comment and a wondering light was in his eyes.

  “ I have my ways.” He tapped his Comm badge. “ Three to beam up.”

  “ Goodbye Flip, take care,” 22 smiled through her tears.

  “ Goodbye 22. All the best to your and your baby.”

  A few moments later they were gone.