HADRON Emergent

by Stephen Arseneault

  “His secrets are safe.”

  Mace stood. “I should head back just to let the others know what’s transpiring. I’ll probably be back in a few days to see how things have gone.”

  Favia nodded. “I look forward to our continued friendship, Mace. You have been a man of honor and a man of your word.”

  Half an hour later, shuttle number five was settling on the stone floor of the landing bay at Gellos.

  Chapter 4

  *

  Jasper Collins was making his way to a shuttle.

  Mace asked, “Where you headed?”

  “To UF space. My scout has identified a cargo ship that we believe is loaded with hand weapons. They’re moving them from a depot deep inside their colonies. I’m guessing they’re either going to Stark or the Mawga on Earth.”

  Mace said, “I’d have thought the Mawga would be getting removed from there.”

  Jasper shook his head. “Nope. We think they’re being placed under Stark’s command. And that the UF wants them all in one place so they can keep an eye on them. I can’t say I like the idea of more than four million Mawga soldiers being stationed on Earth. Stark’s entire army is just over a million, including support.”

  “You have a scout at Rhombia?”

  Jasper nodded. “I do. They’re training more soldiers there. Probably another two to three million. The transports are already lining up to probably bring them to Earth. If we can grab these weapons it might slow down their ability to arm them.”

  “Sounds like a good plan. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

  “How’d the interrogation of Knuttin go?”

  Mace grinned. “Excellent. And please don’t mention it again. He doesn’t know he was interrogated. The Hoorka raided two gatrellium storage facilities and made off with everything there. As we speak they are cleaning out the mines of the Karthians. If this plays out the UF will be in dire straits when it comes to creating wormholes.”

  Jasper scowled. “How long before Stark gives them the gatrellium plating secret?”

  “They might already have it. They just don’t have the gatrellium needed for the plating. Anyway, if the Karthian supplies are totally denied them, they will be almost dead in the water when it comes to being able to conduct a long range campaign. And that will crush Stark’s plans.”

  Jasper crossed his arms. “You sure we can trust the Hoorka to not get involved? All we need is one more species coming in to dominate us.”

  Mace shook his head. “They haven’t given me any indication of desiring that. They just came off their centuries-long war. A new one is the last thing they want.”

  Jasper boarded the shuttle and was soon in the air.

  Mace bumped into Jeff as he came out of the lab. “You don’t look happy.”

  Jeff replied, “Just frustrated. Little Zax had the feedback issue pegged. Once the surrounding microgravities were taken into account, the circuit settled and behaved as expected. Unfortunately the section that followed is now acting up. It seems the distorted feedback was working to stabilize this new section. Now the field created either begins to run wild or completely collapses. It’s a maddening cycle of endless errors.”

  Mace laughed. “Good thing you have infinite patience, huh.”

  Jeff stopped and looked up. “Yes. That is a very good thing. Thank you for giving me perspective, Mr. Hardy.”

  Mace patted him on the back as he continued forward. “We all have our limits, Doc. Knowing when to not cross them is what keeps us sane.”

  Jane stepped in front of Mace with a box, shoving it into his hands.

  “What’s this?”

  Jane replied, “Take it and go to shuttle three.”

  Mace looked at the lid.

  “It’s wine and cheese, OK? We have this big beautiful planet out here. Take that box, take Jenny, and go on your own little adventure. Find a nice private spot where you can spend some quality time. Now go. She’ll be there shortly.”

  Mace turned and proceeded as directed. Ten minutes later Jenny Taub walked up the ramp.

  Mace said, “Sad that we have to be bullied into this.”

  Jenny smirked. “Not like we’ve had time. I have been wanting to check out this planet, though. It’s striking from the air. I’ve been wanting to check out those twin waterfalls just south of here.”

  Mace smiled. “Sounds like we have a location to scout. I’ll even let you drive.”

  Jenny laughed. “Driving I don’t mind. Just don’t ask me to stay aboard when we get there.”

  Mace nodded. “Deal.”

  Shuttle three circled the falls from a kilometer above. “How about by that pool at the bottom?”

  Mace returned a lukewarm smile. “Those falls are putting off a lot of mist. How about that outcropping over there? It overlooks that pool and the falls. And those trees look to offer some good shade. Sensors show it to be a bit warm out there today.”

  Jenny smiled. “Looks perfect.”

  The shuttle touched down and the ramp lowered. Mace carried the box of wine and cheeses as Jenny identified the perfect spot. Just under the trees was a patch of short, ultra-green grass. A cool breeze blew up from the valley, keeping the warm temperatures of the rock outcropping at bay. They spread out a blanket on the grass and set the box down.

  Jenny sat Indian-style, the legs of her battlesuit crossing each other. Mace sat, stretching out his legs before him.

  “This is nice,” Mace said.

  Jenny smiled. “Would be nicer with a little wine.”

  Mace reached into the box, pulling out the first of three bottles. “Looks like Jane wants us to get drunk.”

  Jenny nodded. “Has been a while. And we couldn’t have a better view. May I have a glass?”

  Mace looked in the box and chuckled. “No glasses. Looks like we get to go hobo-style.”

  Jenny picked at the cork. “I don’t suppose there’s a corkscrew in there, is there?”

  Mace glanced back in the box. “Nope. And no plates for the cheese and no utensils.”

  Jenny laughed. “Hobos have it better than that. That’s just savage.”

  Mace joined in the laugh. “Barbaric I say. Here… the little toolkit with the battlesuit has a spike tool. Similar to an ice pick. Let me see if I can make an adjustment to it.”

  Mace set the tool on a rock. Pulling his blaster rifle and setting the level to the minimum, he proceeded to use the weapon to heat the tool. As it glowed red, the tip was bent over and back, making a steep hook.

  “Inventive. You think it will work?”

  Mace waved it in the air to speed its cooling. “Only one way to find out.”

  The modified pick was jammed into the cork and twisted. A slow pull saw the stopper lift with a resulting suction sound as it came free.

  Jenny said, “I’m eager now to see you cut the cheese.”

  Mace chuckled. “I’m glad Johnny wasn’t here to hear you say that.”

  Jenny half smiled. “Don’t spoil the moment.”

  A blade was pulled from the same toolkit and a portion of the cheese block was sliced into a dozen wedges, suitable for consumption. Mace held out a wedge with a smile.

  Jenny held up her hand. “Hold that thought.”

  “What are you doing?”

  Jenny held up her arm pad as she typed away on it. “We didn’t think to check for bios. I’d rather not have some strange tiger pounce on me while I’m eating my cheese.”

  “And…?”

  Jenny smiled. “Looks clear. Nothing but small creatures for more than a kilometer.”

  “Anyone done a study of the nature on this planet?”

  Jenny nodded. “They did. And there’s lots of it. At least a half dozen species were identified that were bigger than us. Two were seagoing. One similar to a whale and the other looked way nastier than a great-white. Remind me to keep my swimming to fresh water only.”

  Mace opened a second bottle of wine, tapping it gently into the one in Jenny’s hand
. “Here’s to our first picnic on Gellos…”

  Jenny winked as she turned the bottle up, quickly squenching up her face. “Ugh. It’s sour and it’s warm.”

  Mace took a sip, wanting to spit his out, but instead swallowing to be polite. “I’d say Jane missed on one.”

  Jenny took a nibble of the cheese. “This is good though.”

  Jenny stood.

  Mace asked, “Where you going?”

  Jenny walked toward the shuttle. “To see if I can scrounge us a couple waters from the supplies.”

  She returned several seconds later, holding up two tubular containers. “Got it.”

  The two exchanged enamored looks while eating their cheese wedges and water.

  “I could get used to this,” Jenny said. “The foliage is bright green. The water and sky blue. And the floral smell… has a kind of blossomy coconut smell to it, don’t you think?”

  As Mace began to respond, a comm came in from Johnny.

  Jenny rolled her eyes. “Take it. He wouldn’t do this without good purpose.”

  The comm was accepted. “What is it?”

  Johnny said, “Just thought you would want to know: the Hoorka are invading Karthian space.”

  Mace nodded. “Yep. They are taking gatrellium. Gonna strip it away before the UF can get to it.”

  Johnny shook his head. “No, I’m talking a full invasion. Thousands of ships. They’ve already taken a half dozen colonies besides the gatrellium mines. Looks like they decided to take advantage of a greatly weakened enemy.”

  Mace sighed. “I wish they hadn’t made that move, but I can hardly blame them. This is a chance to put a government in place that isn’t hostile toward them.”

  Johnny frowned. “One big problem with that: they’re destroying cities. And those are defenseless cities. It seems your Hoorka might be genocidal like the rest of them.”

  Mace rubbed his temples.

  Jenny said, “Picnic’s over, huh?”

  Mace nodded. “I need to talk to Favia. This doesn’t seem like her.”

  The shuttle was soon rocketing up through the atmosphere. As they entered Hoorka space, they were met by two Hoorka dreadnoughts.

  “Mr. Hardy, the Hoorka Dominion is now in a state of war. Non-Hoorka travelers are not allowed access to Hoorka space. You will depart at once.”

  “I would like a word with your queen. She will accept my comm if you would be so kind as to forward it.”

  The Hoorka captain shook his head. “All communications are restricted by action of the war council. Command has instructed us to give you the opportunity to leave. Other ships are being boarded and confiscated. If you would prefer that treatment, I can make it happen.”

  Mace held up a hand. “My apologies, Captain. We will leave.”

  The comm closed.

  Mace said, “Take us somewhere distant, then bring us back a few hours away.”

  Jenny smirked. “I thought you might say that. You’re going to see her, aren’t you?”

  Mace nodded. “I don’t think she would have given that order. Something’s not right.”

  The jumps were made and the shuttle brought back to Promexa using stealth technologies. A slow descent through the thick atmosphere had the shuttle once again settling in the palace courtyard, hovering just above the ground. After an inspection of the area, the ramp was lowered enough for Mace Hardy to jump to the ground. A short walk had him standing in the throne room.

  Queen Favia sat on her throne at the top of the steps, speaking into a comm camera. A general was standing by her side. “… and for that reason, we chose to invade the Karthian Empire. No longer will we live in fear of their reprisals, as we have already claimed dominance over eight of their thirty-two known colonies. The Karthian fleet is nowhere to be found, running like glantha from our powerful ships. Already our raids have yielded stockpiles of gatrellium, a valuable asset that will not fall into the hands of our enemies.

  “My people… know that war is not something that we have chosen lightly. It is necessary in this instance for our continued security. Already the threat from a new species lurks on the horizon. With the Karthian threat annihilated, we will be in a better position to deal with what may come.

  “I finally ask that you honor your duty to our kingdom. Support this effort and our troops and the war council fully. In doing so, you help to ensure victory, and from that victory the lasting peace we desire.”

  The queen bowed as the comm was closed.

  Mace approached with his holo-projector still on.

  The queen said, “How was that?”

  The general replied, “Wonderful. You were stern and succinct. The added touch of patriotism at the end was superb. There will be no denying that you are the true queen.”

  Mace froze three steps below. After a moment’s hesitation, he began to move back to the floor.

  The queen removed a wig. “Uh… this thing was stabbing me in the back of the neck the entire time. Must I wear it constantly?”

  The general scowled. “Put that back on until the crew has left. I will send someone in to modify whatever issue you are having with it. You must play this part for every moment of the day from now until this conflict is over.”

  The queen gestured around at the room before her. “So what am I supposed to do all day?”

  The general pointed. “You sit in that chair and be the queen. Should anyone bring a question to you… you defer it to your new advisors. You don’t speak with anyone else. Just remember, we have another that can replace you. And this is not a position that you will lightly step away from. So play your part and you will not only live, but you will be fabulously wealthy when it is done… an inheritance from a long lost great uncle that you never knew you had.”

  The queen slowly nodded with a smile as the general turned to head off to his other duties.

  “Wait!” the impostor yelled out. “The gala tomorrow night. Will I be given further instruction on what to expect?”

  The general huffed. “You’ll arrive in the royal shuttle. You’ll give a short speech and you’ll then be surrounded by our people where you won’t have to answer any questions. Shortly after the festivities have begun, you will be whisked away to tend to your war duties. You’ll receive a full briefing on it tomorrow.”

  The general hurried down the stairs. Mace followed.

  A comm came in for the general. “What?”

  “Sir, just wanted to relay that the package has been secured.”

  The general scowled. “I told you that comms were not to be used, Major. Delivery of any messages should be in person.”

  The comm was closed.

  The general muttered under his breath as he walked, “Incompetence.”

  The general boarded a shuttle, Mace at his heels. After lifting off, the palace dropped away, replaced by the towers of the nearby city and then the domed buildings of a military base. The ramp lowered and the general hurried into a building and onto a tram that ran between buildings. An elevator took him to a top floor, where his administrative assistant guarded the door to his office.

  The assistant said, “Admiral Blogue is waiting.”

  The general nodded as he entered the room and closed the door.

  Blogue said, “Magnificent speech. I could not tell the difference. And I watched while seated beside her old advisors. They gave no indication of anything amiss other than wondering why they had been dismissed. She does have a slight temper, which has left them clueless.”

  The general sat behind a giant black marble desk with bright blue streaks running through it. “We have another three previously scheduled outings to manage before we’re off the hook. Anything after will only be done with our approval. And I’m not certain of this performer we hired. She seems a bit uppity, which plays well on camera but not well with me. Make certain our fallback is continuously briefed and ready to bring out should the need arise.”

  The admiral nodded. “She will be ready. And for what it’s worth,
General, I think your plan was and is genius. By grabbing the Karthian territories we strengthen our position. Leaving them to be taken by the United Front was ludicrous.”

  The general replied, “We will have to deal with the United Front in time. However, if what this Human tells us is true, they will not be able to defend their territories either. What good is a fleet if you are forced to keep it spread out? We can move our entire force at will. If our opponents cannot, our job becomes that much easier.”

  The admiral grinned. “You eventually plan to go after the Dedrus. I can see it in your eyes.”

  The general scowled. “Those cretins tormented us for centuries. Billions of our citizens were slaughtered. And what is our solution? To buy peace with half a planet’s worth of diamonds? This queen is not a peacemaker… she’s an appeaser. I’ll see to it the Dedrus are punished for what they did.”

  The admiral was giddy. “We will invade their territory?”

  The general nodded. “And we’ll use the Humans to do so. This Human king who contacted us, we’ll want to secure him before taking Earth from the Kohamians.”

  The conversation between the two Hoorka leaders ran on for another hour before the admiral was sent on his way. Mace left the office, riding atop local transportation for most of five hours before finding himself back at the palace. After walking into the courtyard and reaching up, five raps from his knuckled glove had the ramp opening enough for him to board.

  “Was starting to get worried,” said Jenny.

  Mace sat in the copilot’s chair and removed his helmet. “We’ve got problems. It’s happening again.”

  Chapter 5

  *

  “I’m gonna need more information than that. What’s happening?”

  Mace sighed. “Stark selling our services. He’s somehow made contact with the Hoorka and is working up a deal with them to invade some other empire called the Dedrus. I can only guess he’s willing to turn on the UF, which the Hoorka are planning to invade after the Karthian worlds. Favia has been replaced with an impostor.”

  Jenny sat back in her chair. “How’d that happen?”

  Mace shook his head. “Best I can tell, a General Keona and an Admiral Blogue have taken control by placing their fake queen in the palace. Could be their entire war council is behind this. I don’t have enough info yet. And before you ask, no, I don’t know where they are holding Favia, but I believe she’s still alive.”