by T. R. Harris
Fortunately, Dacus Zoffis—along with about a dozen other Incus—hadn’t been too far away, because they came racing up to the gate in electric carts only seconds later.
“Is this true?” asked one of the natives as he hopped out of the cart. He was surprisingly fast as his stubby legs moved almost in a blur, carrying him up to the two Humans in their white sheets. Adam still had Pogo gripped in his right hand.
The native’s eyes grew impossibly large. “It is the device!”
The scene outside the guard shack descended into chaos, as the contingent of native scientists swarmed around Adam and Riyad. Reluctantly, the orb was surrendered to Zoffis, who spun around displaying the globe to all the others. “It is a miracle!”
After a few moments, Zoffis turned his attention to Adam and Riyad. “Who are you, and how did you come by the artifact? We assumed it had been stolen when it did not return after its last prolonged sojourn.”
The lead Juirean stepped between Adam and Zoffis; Juireans did not like to ignored. “They claim to be members of a religious order called the Guardians of the Galaxy, creatures tasked with the protection and preservation of the metal ball.”
“You know of the orb?” Zoffis asked Adam, having to look around the hulking alien to see him.
“We know much. Perhaps we should move to your lab—your laboratory?”
“Yes, surely. Come.”
“We shall provide security,” said the Juirean.
“That is not necessary,” said Zoffis. “The fact that they have returned such a strategic object proves they are not a risk. They did not have to do so.”
The Juirean hesitated. Then: “We will report this to the commanding Overlord. He will demand more information about this object.”
“Yes, and we will provide it. But first, please let us secure the device. It can be quite elusive should it decide to be.”
Before the Juirean could ask the next logical question, the Incus herded Adam and Riyad onto the carts and they sped off into the complex. Ten seconds later they stopped outside a nondescript building among a long row of similar structures.
“You still have eyes on us?” Adam whispered into his throat mic.
“We can see over the wall; we have you,” came the voice of Travis Morgan. “The windows are obscured. We’ll lose you inside.”
“That’s all right. I think we’re among friends.”
“Understood. Standing by.”
The pair of Humans were led into a stuffy foyer, and then down a short corridor before entering a large room full of high-tech equipment, from computers and huge scanners, to tables topped with analytical devices of alien design. Three of the Incus natives remained in the room with Zoffis and the Humans, while the others scurried off to other parts of the building.
Dacus placed Pogo on a long counter near the center of the room and leaned in close to the globe. “You are not going to disappear again, are you?” he asked quietly, before pulling away, slightly embarrassed. He looked at Adam and Riyad. “You must be aware of the device’s ability to teleport?”
“Yes, we are.”
“We spent time trying to learn the secrets of the orb. We made progress in some regards, yet have failed in others. I was not aware others knew of the object’s origin. Please explain who you are and how you are associated with the ancient energy device.”
“Before we do, we have to know how the Juireans factor into your research?” Adam said, dropping the pretense of the religious fanatic.
“They do not, however, that will change once the Overlord learns of the device and its function.”
Adam could tell this wasn’t something the researcher was looking forward to.
“How involved are the Juireans in Incus affairs?
The dog-faced worm looked around the room nervously. “I do not sense you are agents of the Juireans,” said Dacus Zoffis. “What is your relationship with them?”
Taking a calculated risk, Adam untied the cord holding the top of the white sheet around his head, and then through the slot cut for the eyes and nose, was able to stick his head through the opening. “We’re at war with them, that’s our relationship with the maneheads.”
The other Incus panicked and headed for the door. Riyad was already there, a mean-looking M-101 assault rifle held in his hands outside the white sheet. The natives stopped in their tracks, gawking at the weapon.
“Is that an M-101,” asked one of the researchers, admiration in his voice. “May I examine it?” He stepped toward the weapon. Riyad lifted it and pressed the barrel against the wrinkled forehead of the worm. The alien backed away. “I withdraw my request.”
“You are Humans!” said Zoffis. “We have had many delegations from your world and empire over the years, until the Juireans came and drove them away. Please forgive my associates. We are weapons designers, so very interested in the devices you have created.”
“I’ll ask you again, what’s your relationship with the Juireans?”
“The Incus had none, not until they annexed the Kidis. Now they have come here, very interested in our weapons and other electronic devices, as well as our small starship production facilities. Recently, we have been attempting to compete with MK and Xan-fi, with the goal of entering the Expansion’s weapons market, yet with little progress. Now the Juireans are taking all we can produce to be used in the war effort against the Union.”
“Sounds like you got what you wanted,” said Riyad with disgust.
“You misunderstand,” said Zoffis. “They are confiscating all items, without compensation. This has greatly disrupted our society. A worker’s uprising occurred recently, protesting the lack of compensation for their labors. The Juireans slaughtered thousands. Now most labor for free.”
Zoffis looked down at Pogo again and then at the Humans. “But what are you doing here, and with the artifact? The Juireans will surely kill you and confiscate the orb if they know it is associated with your kind.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Zoffis, but we won’t be staying, and neither will the orb.”
Zoffis’ eyes grew wide. “But you have just returned the device. What do you mean it will not be remaining?”
“Because we’ve come for a specific purpose. We need to use some of your facilities to produce a certain type of circuit board.”
“I do not understand.”
“We have a broken weapon and we need the boards to fix it.”
“What sort of weapon?” asked one of the other scientists. Adam shook his head. These guys have a one track mind.
“Never mind. Will you help us?” he asked Zoffis.
“What is the design of this board?”
One of the computer screens nearby lit up, displaying the schematic.
“How did you do that?”
“I didn’t…Pogo did.”
“Pogo? So this is called a Pogo device?”
“No. Pogo is the name I gave him. You do know the artifact—as you call it—has a form of intelligence?”
Zoffis attempted a smile. It was hard to tell through all the wrinkles. “I always suspected. It displayed an intricate array of activities and vibrations when presented with stimuli. And then it would leave for days, and then return. I always sensed it was glad to be back. But then it did not return…. Can you communicate with this intelligence?”
“Yes I can, and you can, too, through the computer. Pogo can hear you.”
“Hello Dacus Zoffis,” came a voice through the computer’s audio function.
“It speaks!” said one of the other Incus.
“Why…why did you not reveal this to us before?” asked Zoffis.
“I was not aware of this capability at the time. My design was not intended for such use. Only after communicating with my new master did I learn of this ability.”
Zoffis looked at Adam. “Are you this new master it speaks of?”
Adam smiled and nodded.
“How…why?”
“That’s not important now. What’s i
mportant is whether you’ll help us or not?”
Zoffis looked to his colleagues and then back at the green-tinted ball. “You say you will be taking it—Pogo—away again?”
“That’s right. We have a lot more to do, and Pogo’s an integral part of the mission.”
Thank you, Adam, said Pogo within Adam’s mind.
“Yet…he could allow the Incus—”
“To what? Create more advanced weapons that the Juireans will use not only against my people, but yours as well?” Adam was getting angry. “We don’t have much time, Zoffis. Either you’re going to help us…or we’ll do it on our own. If you’re familiar with the M-101, then you know we have the means to make that happen.”
“Yes, we will help, although I regret the loss of…of Pogo. I would like to spend time learning of his life and his times. You are aware it is over three billion years old?”
“That I do. Now where do we go around here to make some circuit boards? Honestly, I don’t have a clue how it’s done.”
Zoffis waved his short arms around, indicating the room they were in. “Here. We have what is required to operate the remote manufacturing equipment. The finished product will then be brought to us here. The fabrication process is mostly automated.”
“How long will it take?”
“That would depend on the nature of the board.”
A schematic appeared on the computer screen. Zoffis leaned in close. “This is actually a very simple design. It is only unique in its circuitry. A finished board should be ready in forty cy-cycles.”
“Cy-cycles?”
The native looked to the others. “Fifteen Earth minutes, is that right?”
The others nodded. Zoffis turned back to Adam. “Fifteen minutes.”
“How long for a hundred of them?”
“Once the design is programmed, the product can be mass produced. You could have that quantity within the same time.”
“Great; get started,” Adam commanded. “The Juireans won’t stay away forever.”
Adam’s prediction was prophetic. Soon after the specs for the circuit board were transferred to the manufacturing division, a native Incus came rushing in to warn Zoffis that a squad of Juireans were headed their way. Adam placed the white sheet back over his head and applied the cord. Both Humans held M-101’s under their robes.
“Stand by, Travis,” he commanded. “Visitors on the way.”
“Just arrived, entering the building now. Four Guards and an Overlord. Looks like you attracted the head-honcho himself.”
“What shall we do?” asked Zoffis. He was visibly nervous, a dead giveaway to the mane-heads.
“Relax. The boards are being made, but the Juireans won’t know about it. Call over to the manufacturing facility and have the boards left in a box near the exit door. We’ll pick them up on the way out.”
“What should I tell them about…Pogo?”
“Something obscure. Down play his significance, making it more of a curiosity rather than some new super-device.”
“I don’t under—”
The door to the room swung open and the Juireans entered.
“Overlord Anan ra Corss,” said Zoffis emphatically. “I am pleased to see you once more at my facility.”
“Your appearance does not match your words, Dacus Zoffis.”
The seven-foot tall alien—with his billowing mane of blue hair adding another foot to his height—scanned the room, hesitating at the sight of Adam and Riyad dressed in their white sheets, before focusing on the tiny, green orb on the table. “Is this the object?”
“Yes,” said one of the Guards from the security shack. “They were all quite excited to have it returned. It is not dangerous. Zoffis held it without fear.”
“What does it do?” asked Anan. He lifted the tiny object in his huge hands and examined it.
“It is a form of battery,” answered Zoffis. “Very ancient. More of a curiosity because of its abilities and considering its great age. As scientists, we find such items of immense interest.”
“How old is it?”
When the native hesitated, the Overlord cast an intense glare at him. Zoffis crumbled.
“It is approximately three billion standard years in age.”
This evoked a reaction from the Overlord. He looked closer at the orb and the indecipherable writing on its surface. “Indeed. I see why it would be of interest. What are these markings?”
“Writing of some sort. We do not know the meaning.”
Anan looked suddenly at Riyad. “Do you know?”
Riyad shook his head slowly, while tightening the grip on the M-101. Five Juireans weren’t a problem. It was the other thousand that would come to the aid of an Overlord who were.
Adam spoke in his sing-song religious cadence again. “We worship the object for its profound age. The fact that beings from that time could construct such an orb is significant in its own right. Its creators are long gone, yet they were here long before any race currently in existence. We believe them to be The Creators. Is that not wondrous?”
“Juireans care not for such things, only the utility of objects. Does it serve a purpose?”
“Beyond giving hope for life beyond what we see now…none. As researcher Dacus Zoffis has said, it was a battery when it was functioning—”
“It is not functioning at this time?”
“My Lord, the object is three billion years old. How could it still be functioning?”
“That was not my question.”
“It no longer functions.”
The Guard from the gate stepped forward. “My Lord, that was not my impression. There were several Incus, all very excited to see the device again. It was excitement well beyond what would be expected for a broken device.”
The Overlord set Pogo back on the table and considered the Guard’s comments. “Seize and search them!” he called out unexpectedly.
Two Guards each lunged for Adam and Riyad. Already on high-alert, the mane-heads were too slow for the Humans. M-101’s appeared from under their robes, firing the quieter plasma flash component of the weapon set at level-one, rather than ear-spitting lead bullets from the main barrel. The room lit up with blinding light, sending the Guards to the floor with simmering holes burned in their chests.
The Overlord was unarmed, but swift. He bolted for the door, but was blocked by Riyad. The much taller and bulkier alien lashed out at the smaller creature with powerful arms. The eye slits in the sheet limited Riyad’s range of vision, so he didn’t see the huge fist coming. He took a hard blow to the temple, sending him tumbling to his right, stunned. Anan reached for the door handle.
Adam jumped on the Overlord’s back, wrapping a muscled arm around the neck of the giant. Although shorter, Humans carried an incredible amount of mass for their size, mass which weighed down the Juirean, causing him to drop to his knees. In desperation, the alien reached back with his long arms and grasped the white sheet. The fabric was pulled over Adam’s head, blinding him. The Overlord dropped a shoulder, sending Adam falling forward, slamming against the door.
Riyad had recovered by this time, and casting off his own sheet, now took aim with a bunched fist at the side of the Overlord’s scaly face. With leverage behind the punch, Anan didn’t stand a chance. He fell forward, smashing his head against the metal exit door before collapsing to the floor.
The two Humans were up a moment later, panting while surveying the room. The Incus stood off toward the far side, shock on their dog faces.
“This is unacceptable,” Zoffis shouted. “What is to become of us after this debacle? We will surely be put to death, even as you leave with no consequence.”
Adam looked at Riyad. “Find some rope or tape and tie them up. Make it look convincing.” Then he pointed the barrel of his M-101 at the head of the unconscious Overlord and pulled the trigger on the flash function.
“There’s a little more payback for Andy,” he whispered. Then turning to the natives, their expressions aghast
: “No witnesses. No one to contradict your stories. Now let my associate tie you up. You poor creatures were simply overwhelmed by the aliens in the white robes….”
A tap came on the door; everyone froze.
“It will be the circuit boards,” Zoffis said. “I did not have an opportunity to send amended instructions.”
Adam kicked the dead Overlord away from the door and opened it a crack. A young native worm stood outside with a green plastic case resting on a cart. “Leave it,” Adam commanded.
The worker hesitated, until Zoffis called out from the room, “Yes, leave the contents, Lonsi.”
The worm scurried off. Adam opened the door and pulled the cart inside.
He opened the lid and found four small packages inside, wrapped in plastic. “This is it, a hundred of them?”
They are small and lightweight, Adam, Pogo said in his mind.
“They are small and lightweight,” Zoffis echoed aloud.
“Fine,” said Adam…to both of them. “Riyad, hurry. Travis…any activity outside?”
“Could be. I hear sirens in the distance. Probably backup coming. You know most Overlords are equipped with lifesign monitors?”
“I didn’t know that?”
“That’s what you get for being out of the loop for a while, Captain. Someone will know the Overlord bought it.”
“Is the cab still at the front gate?”
“Yessir, and two electric carts outside your location, courtesy of the Juireans.”
Adam watched Riyad cinch down the last tie on the four native worms and then slip his white KKK sheet back over his head. “Time to go,” he said with laughing eyes.
Pogo vanished from the table, just as Adam felt a slight weight increase on his utility belt. The orb purred.
“We’re moving,” he said to Travis.
“Covering.”
Adam stepped over to Zoffis. “Thanks. I really hope things don’t go too badly for you.”
The scientist was too scared to comment.
Adam smiled. “We’ll create a little diversion on the way off the planet, something to take the spotlight off you and your people.”