by Roland Starr
“Probably!” Den Thol nodded. “But he only spoke to you calling upon you to surrender.”
Vonner nodded. Orion shuddered then, and they grabbed at stanchions. Almost immediately Dalus Way-land was calling urgently, and Vonner set his teeth as he opened the line to the engine room.
“They’re using something more powerful, Captain,” the chief engineer reported. “I’ll have to divert more power to the shields. I’ll give you half a dozen orbits before warning you to do something else.”
“Thank you, Dalus!” Vonner turned to Farrell once more. “Keep trying to raise someone down there, Howie.”
Hanton came into the control room and moved to Vonner’s side. He waited for Vonner to look at him before speaking.
“Damage control reports superficial damage after that last attack, Captain. You need more power in the shields.”
“I’ve arranged for that,” Vonner said. He looked at the forward screen and saw two Zukon ships in orbit with them, and flashes showed against the shields Orion was putting out. They were still under attack. “It seems to me that if we can’t get the Zukons to come to us then we’ll have to go to them.”
“You’re not serious, Captain,” Den Thol said instantly, and for the first time his face registered alarm. “The Zukons have no soul, no regard for life. You would be killed out of hand.”
“I cannot abort this mission,” Vonner said. “If we had come upon the Zukons in the normal course of our voyage we should have left their system at the first signs of hostility, but in this situation we cannot run. Therefore we must contact those people. If we cannot do it through normal channels then someone has to go down to the surface of their planet and make the first move to communicate.”
“I suggest that it would be sheer suicide, Captain!” There was a note of panic in Den Thol’s voice. “I know these people, and I cannot let you attempt this madness. The Zukons know only strength and violence. If you presented yourself to them they would not accept it as an overture of peace but as a mistake on your part, and they’d kill you. If we must try something like that then we have to bargain from a position of strength.”
“I’m listening,” Vonner said, smiling. “We are prepared to put our lives on the line to succeed in this, Den Thol, but we are not ready to risk everything on a reckless venture. We shall take precautions against disaster.”
“I’m relieved to learn that.” The Pravan Commander smiled. “But I think our best plan is to deposit that explosive device in the main volcano on Zukon, and have the ignitors readied for instant use. Then we can try communicating again, giving them the ultimatum that if they don’t reply we shall destroy them entirely. I assure you that this is the only method that has a chance of success.”
Vonner nodded slowly. “The Zukons have shown themselves intractable,” he said. “It would be foolhardy to descend to their planet without taking all reasonable precautions. But this device of yours, Den Thol! Will it be immune from the heat of the volcano?”
“If you remember that on Prava we live amidst a temperature of 20,000 degrees Centigrade then you will accept that we have perfected insulation. It is so with this device. It will lie inert in the crater of the volcano until it is needed. Then a flick of a switch and it will explode.”
“How do you place the device?”
“One of my officers will work out the co-ordinates and we shall release the weapon and guide it to its target. We can be ready to release on the next orbit.” Den Thol spoke evenly, with no trace of emotion in his tones, and Vonner looked into the Pravan’s face, wondering what lay in the man’s mind. Den Thol seemed to understand the kind of doubts passing through Vonner’s thoughts for he nodded briefly. “You need have no fear that we shall detonate the device without due cause. I am a responsible man, and I imagine that by now you have deduced that the whole of the Pravan race are as responsible as I.”
Vonner nodded slowly. “It seems that we have to trust one another, Den Thol,” he said gravely. “Please use what equipment you may need aboard this ship. I’ll maintain orbit until you are ready.”
Den Thol nodded and went to his officers, and Vonner returned to the scanners. The attacks were still coming in, but the shields were working fine, and there was no danger to the ship. But Vonner was concerned about the cumulative damage that would arise. Great energy was needed to thwart the Zukon attacks, and despite the massive production of power the shields were draining the reservoirs. Output was exceeding input, and it would be only a matter of time before the situation became critical.
They whirled around in orbit, attacked incessantly by Zukon craft, and Vonner soon became aware that it was time forming the most essential factor. This could be the most crucial period of the mission, and at the moment it seemed like stalemate!
CHAPTER VII
Dalus Wayland called Vonner to report that the power situation was giving him cause for alarm. Vonner tried to reassure his Chief Engineer, but Wayland was too experienced a spaceman to accept any explanation when his computer showed him exactly how they stood.
“We’re on the last orbit before issuing an ultimatum, Dalus,” Vonner said. “Keep us going for another hour, will you?”
“It’s not up to me, it’s up to the ship, Captain,” came the stem reply.
Den Thol came back to Vonner, and the Pravan commander was tense. For a moment Vonner feared that something had gone wrong, but the Pravan shook his head as he interpreted Vonner’s questioning glance.
“We are ready for launching the device, Captain,” he reported. “If you will designate an ejector port for our use we will send the device on its way. It has been linked to a computer, and we have prepared the coordinates.”
“Fine. That’s a relief.” Vonner nodded. “But what if the Zukons pick it up on their scanners before it is in position? Can they destroy it?”
“No, Captain. They might be able to send it off course, but they certainly couldn’t destroy it.”
“Then let’s get it started on its way. Orion is entering a critical phase now. We can’t maintain our deflector shields at this present power level for much longer.”
“I wish now that we had decided to use one of our craft,” Den Thol said.
“We may yet have to go back to Omina and transfer to one,” Vonner retorted grimly.
The Pravan nodded and turned away. Vonner issued orders for an ejector port to be readied for use, then called Wayland and told the engineer that he wanted an opening in the force field surrounding them to permit the flight of the Pravan device. The Chief Engineer complained and protested, but Vonner cut him short.
“Sorry, Dalus, but this is an emergency. We’ll just have to take a chance on a few seconds the shield will be perforated. Feed the data into your computer and get on with it.”
“Right, Captain,” came the grim reply. “But I must report that power is draining at an increasing rate. As the reservoirs empty so the rate of decrease speeds up. It’s going to be a close thing. After launching this device we’d better get out of orbit and take the time to recharge.”
“I’ll come back to you later, Dalus,” Vonner replied. “But keep me informed of the power state, will you.”
“I certainly will, Captain,” Wayland retorted.
The Zukon attack had petered out, and Vonner hoped it would not be renewed before the device was launched. The Pravans were busy, and Vonner remained in the background, observing their preparations. He handed over to Lieutenant Hanton when the Pravans were ready to launch their device, and went along to the ejector port to watch. He called Wayland and arranged for the gap in their shield for the necessary period, and the Chief Engineer informed him that the computer was ready to handle it. The device was loaded into the ejector port and the computer took over.
As the device was ejected the ship was hit by a missile, and Vonner was flung to the floor. The lights went out and warning bleepers were started into action. Almost immediately the emergency lighting came on, dim and flickering, and Vonner hurl
ed himself to his feet and ran back along the corridor to the bridge.
Lieutenant Hanton was getting reports from damage control, his face haggard with tension. He sighed with relief when Vonner appeared.
“Captain, there is fire on the port side between Two and Three Airlocks! Damage has been caused by the absence of the lifeboat Bardo used to get from the ship. The missile struck the lifeboat position.” There was no fear in the Lieutenant’s sharp tones. “Chief Engineer reports that the missile was fired at us on the instant he opened the force field to permit the Pravan device to be ejected.”
“So the Zukons are scanning us, and they detected the gap in the screen!” Vonner rubbed his chin. He looked round as Den Thol came into the control room. The Pravan went to the computer to check on the progress of his device, and Vonner moved across to the alien’s side.
“The missile is running perfectly,” Den Thol said. “What damage have we received, Captain?”
“There’s a fire, but it is being dealt with. The deflector shields are back in position and we should be able to ride this out until your device is positioned. But then we’ll have to leave orbit and recharge in deep space.”
“The Zukons won’t give us any rest now, Captain.” Den Thol spoke reflectively. “Perhaps we’d better take a trip back to Omina and transfer to one of our craft. Then we could return and continue.”
“We’d better issue an ultimatum to the Zukons now,” Vonner said. “How long before your device is positioned?”
“Four minutes.” Den Thol glanced at the computer readings. “I still don’t think we can scare the Zukons into co-operating with us, Captain. But I’m willing to try this your way.”
The Pravan smiled bitterly, and Vonner could feel the pressures building up inside him as he considered the decision he was liable to make before this mission was at an end. But they were committed, and Vonner felt that they had considerable bargaining strength with the device up their sleeves.
The minutes passed steadily, and attacks continued against them. Twice Dalus Wayland called up Vonner to complain about the power reserves. Each time Vonner put him off, and as Den Thol reported that the device had found its correct location on Zukon, Wayland appeared on the bridge.
“Captain, I must urge you to pull out of orbit and give me the chance to recharge!” the Chief Engineer said sharply. “I won’t be responsible for anything if we don’t get away now.”
“In a few minutes, Dalus,” Vonner replied. “The device is in position and we can start bargaining.” He went to Farrell’s console, where the Communications Officer was seated, and gave Farrell a string of orders. Wayland departed hurriedly once more to attend to his department, and Vonner waited while Farrell tried to contact the Zukons. After several moments without success, Vonner moistened his lips. “Howie, stop trying to contact them and issue a statement to them. Warn them of the device and tell them that if they don’t reply to our signals we shall pull out of orbit and detonate the device.”
Farrell nodded grimly, and Vonner went back to Den Thol. The Pravan was grimly relieved, and looked expectantly into Vonner’s eyes.
“I’m wondering if the Zukons understand our message,” Vonner said.
“I’m sure Tryxx would have sent detailed reports on you and your ship to his superiors, Captain,” Den Thol said. “You can take it that the Zukons have your language now, and they’re listening to every word you transmit.”
“They’re getting the warning now; the ultimatum,” Vonner said. “But we cannot remain in orbit much longer, Den Thol. Orion is weakened by the attacks that have been made.”
The main lighting came on then, and Vonner sighed with relief. He looked round and caught Lieutenant Hanton’s eye, and his second in command came forward.
“Damage control report the fire is out, Captain,” Hanton volunteered. “The Zukon missile found the gap in our shield, but exploded before making contact with our hull.”
“A direct hit would have finished us,” Vonner said. He stiffened himself as fatigue caught at him. “Any reply from the Zukons, Howie?”
“Nothing yet, Captain,” Farrell reported grimly, and continued sending the message.
“Perhaps I should try to contact them, Captain,” Den Thol said. “It is possible that they are not understanding your message. But I know for certain that they do understand the Pravan tongue, so perhaps we’d better play it safe.”
“Go ahead,” Vonner said, and sat down at his console. He saw a warning light on the panel and opened the intercom line. Dalus Wayland spoke hurriedly in reply.
“Captain, we’ve got serious trouble. The generators are failing. We’d better get out of Zukon orbit before we are unable to make it. We’ve got seventy-five per cent power left now, and the level is dropping quickly.”
“Stand by for orders to pull out of orbit,” Vonner said instantly. He killed the power and turned to Den Thol. “Can we swing out of orbit now, Den Thol? We’re getting into serious difficulties. Our power is failing, and the Zukon attack will get through the shields if we delay much longer!”
The Pravan commander came across from the communications console, and his face was set in harsh lines. He shook his head as Vonner watched him.
“I’ve been unable to contact the Zukons,” he said. “They will not reply. I’ve come across their stubborn manner before, and I’ve never failed to be amazed at their attitude. They would rather die here and now than take a chance on us.”
“Can I get out of orbit?” Vonner repeated, and Den Thol nodded.
“Yes, Captain. Nothing more can be done now. Let’s leave for repairs, and then return later. If we give them time to think it over we may have some change of fortune.”
Vonner opened the line to the engine room and give Wayland orders, and the Chief Engineer almost whooped in relief. Vonner smiled tightly as he switched off and reached out to the command computer. He registered the order to leave orbit, and a moment later Orion kicked away from its course and they swung out of orbit.
The Zukons renewed their attack when it seemed likely that Orion would get away from them, and Vonner ordered speed Lapse Six. The next instant there was no sign of the Zukons, and Vonner was relieved when Wayland came through on the intercom to report that the generators were now functioning normally once more.
“Captain, I suspect that they had some kind of a beam locked on to us while we were in orbit,” the chief engineer said. “We were getting dangerously low on energy, but now that we’ve swung away from Zukon everything seems to be back to normal. I can’t explain it, but I don’t think we were in such a dangerous state as it appeared.”
“Carry on, Dalus,” Vonner replied. “We were doing no good in orbit anyway, and we’re going to have to rethink the next phase of this mission.”
Den Thol came to Vonner’s side as he closed the communication line to the engine room.
“I agree with you, Captain,” he said. “We are not going to contact the Zukons from orbit. For some unknown reason they will not trust us.”
“They seem intelligent enough to understand the plight they are in,” Vonner said slowly.
“They are intelligent, and cunning. But they do not trust us. They would approach us only to trick us and wipe us out.” Den Thol spoke bitterly. “They expect only treachery from us!”
“Then we shall have to go down to the surface of the planet to make contact,” Vonner said.
“I expected you to suggest it.” The Pravan commander shook his head. “It is not the method I would employ. But I have been ordered to assist you in every way possible, Captain, so I will agree to your suggestions. I will accompany any mission that sets out for the Zukon surface. I must warn you that I fully expect such an attempt to end in failure and death.”
“I shall be going along, of course,” Vonner said. “The problem seems to be in getting down on the surface in one piece.”
“Your shuttleship is not proof against the Zukon weapons.” Den Thol shook his head slowly. “I would
suggest that we return to Zukon orbit as soon as possible, and be ready to leave the Orion the instant we get within range. Orion can skim in and out of orbit, and we should separate from the ship in that instant of touching Zukon atmosphere. With luck we should be able to get down to the planet while the Zukons give chase to Orion, which could attempt to lead pursuit away from us.”
“I was going to suggest something similar,” Vonner said. “I think we have to arrange it in order to get as near as possible to the main Zukon city.”
“Their cities are beneath the surface of the sea,” Den Thol said. “We would have to find an outpost on the land and try to induce them to contact their leaders.” Vonner considered for a moment. “It’s likely that we shall be killed on sight,” he mused. “There’s nothing we can do about it. This chance must be taken. If you will accompany me, Den Thol, then I’ll call for three volunteers from my security guards. Five of us will make the trip.”
The Pravan commander nodded his agreement. “We shall need to wear space suits on Zukon,” he retorted. “The atmosphere there is foul. It will sustain our respiratory system, but we would suffer severely from aftereffects.”
Vonner called for Philo Curran, and ordered a shuttle-ship to be prepared for their mission. Curran appeared almost instantly, and when Vonner acquainted the Colonel with the details of the mission, the big security man insisted that he should be one of the guards to accompany Vonner.
“All right, Philo,” Vonner said. “Get two volunteers from your men to accompany us. But be sure you make it known that this will probably be a suicide mission.”
“Then you shouldn’t go, Captain,” Lieutenant Hanton put in from the side. “Let me command the trip, sir.”
“Sorry, Lieutenant!” Vonner shook his head. “You must stand by on Orion. We’ll be in contact with you as much as possible, and you’ll have to be ready to come back into orbit to pick us up or get out if we should fail. In the event that this mission does not succeed then you will have to report to President Treb on Omina and make your own decision about the device we’ve planted on Zukon.”