by Dean Sault
Dr. Boroski led up several levels before turning left, passing through a solid wall, and leaving the unnerved young man alone on the platform. A doorway materialized where the hologram had disappeared, and Simon scrambled through the opening.
“This is our engineering center,” Dr. Boroski said in a room full of gauges and consoles. “It handles energy distribution and maintains human compatible atmosphere any place where it detects life in the ship.”
The old scientist guided Simon through several more control rooms, describing the functions of each as they passed. Finally, they stopped at the entrance to a small room with no instruments or chairs. Pulsing lights formed a brilliant curtain of color energy in front of the opposing wall. Dr. Boroski instructed Simon to step into the shower of energy, but the young man did not move.
“It’s okay,” he said. “That is just a light tunnel. It will transport you to our Master Control Room where I’ll join you. Holograms like me can’t use light lifts.”
Simon stepped cautiously into the bath of light. His fingertips tingled as they did when he originally passed through the ship’s skin. Frequency of the flashing lights increased quickly, and an instant later, he stood at one end of some kind of domed, electronics room. Light bars around him vanished, as did the tingling in his fingertips. The doctor was waiting for him next to a lone reclining chair in the center of the room.
Dozens of lighted gauges spanned a lower console in front of the chair and many more wrapped the base of the seat. Small monitors and gauges hung in strategic positions where a reclined person would have unobstructed views. Access to the seat was through a narrow space between the instruments, where a man could easily slide through.
“Welcome to Command Center,” the doctor said. “Come over here. I want to show you something. Have a seat.”
Simon obediently slid between monitors into the recliner. It was surprisingly comfortable.
“Good,” the hologram said with obvious excitement. “Lay back and relax while the ship tests you for compatibility.”
“Compatibility with what?”
Clamp-like devices rotated from underneath the chair, encircling Simon’s arms and legs. Another device, similar to his boomer helmet, swung up over the headrest and locked down on his head. Veins in his neck bulged as he pulled against the restraints.
“Doctor, what’s happening? Let me go!”
“Relax, Simon. We won’t harm you. You must trust us.”
Seven small round disks on thin stalks pivoted down from the headpiece, five attaching in a row on young man’s forehead. The remaining two swung out to each side and affixed themselves to his temples. Slight pinches marked each disk’s contact with his skin.
Panic set in. Simon thrashed violently, contorting his torso, trying to escape from the chair.
The hologram shouted, “Emergency release code, Dega 3. Cancel test!”
Chapter 22
The Council of Governors convened early that morning due to recent hostilities. First on schedule to speak was General Tragge. Everyone waited anxiously for his update on military actions, so he received immediate approval to address the assembly.
“My fellow Governors, it is with a heavy heart that I speak to you this morning. Let me begin with my personal apology for underestimating our risk from the Heptari Empire. As you know, our planet endured a violent attack by a small Heptari battle group. We successfully defended our home world, but had a few brave pilots injured in the effort. Quite a few local space fighters were lost, but they are easily replaced. I stand before you to answer questions.”
A light illuminated on the query board behind the podium. The Assembly General rose and spoke into his microphone.
“The podium yields to the Governor from the Province of Rivodd.”
“General Tragge, what have you done to improve our defenses since yesterday?”
As usual, the general was prepared.
“Our first order of business was to consolidate and reposition our deep space battle fleet. Most of our Battle Groups are redeploying to Wallow Minor. A couple are already on station. The 9th Battle Group was nearest to Tanarac, and they are now patrolling the periphery of our home system, providing security while planetary shields undergo repair.
“At this time, one fully operational shield defends Tanarac, and the other two shields should regain full function within a day. We’ve also reorganized the planetary power distribution grid to better support our shields in future emergencies.”
Several more lights illuminated.
“General, I am Governor-elect for the Outer Syntic System. Are you telling us there is no protection at this time for outlying systems? This is an outrage!”
“For the time being,” the general responded in a respectful tone, “we must consolidate our Battle Groups at Wallow Minor. Heptari technology created a new particle beam weapon that is much more powerful than anything intelligence reported. The only way our fleets can defend a planetary system is through strength in numbers. We plan to merge several Battle Groups, into new Super Groups. These Super Groups will patrol systems on a random basis so that the Heptaris never know which systems are vulnerable and which are strongly defended. We expect the new formations to be fully deployed in a few days. Obviously, the Outer Syntic System will receive equal protection.”
“And, just what are we supposed to do in the meantime?” The Syntic Governor became irate. “If Heptari ships show up, local fighters will be useless against deep-space battle cruisers. I demand this council override the general’s orders, and restore at least a permanent Battle Group to the Syntic System.”
The general became angry and struggled to maintain a civil tone.
“My esteemed colleague,” he said, voice dripping with contempt, “if every system demands the same thing, then Heptari heavies can take our fleet apart, one battle group at a time. All systems will lose. Can you understand that?”
The Assembly General muted continuing protests from the Syntic delegation and activated another query-light.
“Why don’t we just give them the humans? Our citizens would forgive us for such an action under present circumstances.”
On a hand gesture from the general, Dr. Hadje joined him at the podium. The general stepped aside, offering the podium to the head scientist.
“My fellow Governors, I do not claim to speak for anyone else in this deliberative body. I speak now only as a Tanarac citizen. Our civilization has thrived since ancient times without compromising our national conscience. Our value system, our Tanarac ethics, are not negotiable. If we ignore our founding principles, then we lose that which defines us uniquely as Tanarac. Compromise, to avoid risk, is a disgrace to our forefathers and cowardice. The only acceptable course of action is to defend our core values.”
The governor who posed the question responded with skepticism.
“Come on, Dr. Hadje. Your bias for humans is legendary. You speak eloquently about Tanarac values, but you’d let your own people die to save a few of those—”
General Tragge bulled past Dr. Hadje to the podium, momentarily knocking the scientist off balance.
“That’s uncalled for! No member of this Council loves Tanarac more than Dr. Hadje. You all know my history. The doctor and I have knocked heads for over a hundred years about these damned humans. At no time,” the general repeated, “at NO time, have I ever questioned his loyalty to Tanarac. I stand behind Rosh Hadje one hundred percent right now. Next question.”
After the general dressed down the questioner, remaining lights on the query board began flickering out, until only a single light remained. It was from Dr. Hadje’s own Council seat as Minister of Human Affairs. When acknowledged by the Assembly General, Jix rose and began speaking in an uncertain voice.
“Umm, I am Doctor Jix Lillip. I have been sworn to, umm, represent the Department of Human Affairs today.”
The young scientist enjoyed working long nights on computers with nobody else around, but here, in a public forum, he
was completely out of his element. Speaking in front of a hundred governors and their staff was the most daunting experience of his life. Despite initially stumbling through his words, he managed to deliver the required information.
“We . . . uh . . . I am transmitting a report to your desks as I speak. There has been a new development in the management of humans. Please direct your attention to channel three.”
Initially, a hush passed over the Council chambers as politicians digested the report. Faster readers reacted first, often motioning for subordinates to join them in reviewing the astonishing report. A few lights lit up on the Assembly question board, and in a short while, the entire panel lit up as virtually all the politicians demanded to ask questions. The Assembly General announced the first speaker and activated the Council wide public address system.
“General Tragge, I see you co-signed this report along with Dr. Hadje. Is it true that you support this proposal?”
The general looked over his shoulder at all the lights on the query board.
“I see there are many questions.” He laughed and shook his head before responding. “Not surprising. I was stunned, too, when I found out about the free humans. I will cover many of your questions, at one time.”
Dr. Hadje could only trust the general now. The future of the free humans would ride on the influence General Tragge could exert. A hush fell over the entire chamber as the general spoke.
“Members of the Council, all of you know my long disdain for our human experiment. I made no secret of my desire to end this episode of our history. Even now, I remain steadfast in my commitment to a Tanarac free from humans, but, when we choose a path to achieve this end, it must be consistent with promises of our forefathers.”
He glanced at the nearby scientist.
“Three days ago, Dr. Hadje went into the Central Jungle seeking the remains of two recent runners.”
A gasp rose across the chamber. Several members looked directly at Dr. Hadje and shook their heads in disapproval.
“He did not find them. Instead, he found something of far greater importance. My fellow councilors, an entire colony of free humans lives inside our Central Jungle. Details are in the report you received. For over two hundred years, these humans lived in complete peace. Our own scientists failed to cure humans of violent tendencies, yet these free humans accomplished that goal without help, and they have done so for many generations. I have actually met one of their leaders. I now believe humans can live peacefully in the galaxy. The noble experiment begun by our forefathers is complete. So, what should we do now?”
General Tragge panned across the assembly as if he was waiting for someone to answer his question. When there was no response, he offered his own.
“Three hundred years ago, our leaders established three goals for human behavior in the original Human Act. If achieved, the humans would receive citizenship protection under Tanarac law, and they would be set free. My friends, the goals of our fathers have been met. By law, these humans have earned the full protection of Tanarac citizenship.”
A low din filled the hall. The general sipped from his water glass. The speaker request board remained lit by those demanding to ask questions, but the general ignored them.
“My colleagues, our forefathers made a promise, a pledge to return humans to the galaxy, if we succeeded in their rehabilitation. They went so far as to pass their plan into law. Do we honor our parents? Or, should we break their law, and follow my recent plan to let them die off? Perhaps, we should surrender them to the Heptaris. Would we share guilt for their murder? What, my friends, what shall we do?”
The general had made their choices simple. One by one, lights on the speaking request board clicked off, until a single politician persisted. He was granted the open assembly microphone.
“General Tragge, this is intolerable. Humans must be removed immediately from our sacred land. This is not negotiable.”
A roar of agreement met the demand.
“I share your view, Councilor Mon-agee. To that end, I met with the free human leader to discuss such a plan. Humans agreed to return to our existing quarries, for the time being. But, they will be in charge of their own quarry management, with assistance from Taskers. That agreement will remove them from our Central Jungle immediately. After the present Heptari crisis is resolved, we can relocate them to one of our unpopulated planets in the outer rim. But, I completely agree that the first step is to remove them from our sacred Central Jungle.”
“How do we know the humans will honor their word? Consider their past.”
The general secretly shared that suspicion but tempered the discussion with a dose of the present reality.
“Councilor, we have a great deal more to fear from the Heptari Empire than we do from a small band of unarmed humans. We agree that they cannot stay in our Central Jungle and they agreed to do so, voluntarily. After that has been accomplished, we are honor bound to keep the promises of our fathers. Dr. Hadje, how long will it take to get the humans out of our sacred land?”
General Tragge looked to the scientist who stepped up to the microphone.
“We have already begun consolidating captive humans in several compounds to create two empty quarries for the free humans. Humans in the Central Jungle are preparing, as we speak, to rendezvous at agreed locations. I am confident we can completely clear our sacred ground of humans within a week.”
Some members nodded their approval. The general knew instinctively that this might be the best time to call for the first vote to approve this voluntary plan. His proposal was seconded immediately and heated debate followed. Hard liners fought against voluntary return of free humans, arguing for a military sweep to force humans back into captivity. They asserted that the Council of Governors needed time to study the situation, and formally approve any bestowing of citizenship. Until then, no humans had any rights.
Moderate council members appeared willing to accept the general’s approach, but in the end, the final vote was close. Despite General Tragge’s eloquent defense of his proposal, the measure fell two votes short of the sixty-five required to pass.
Immediately after the final vote, the hardline Governor called for a simple measure. He demanded the immediate removal of free humans from the sacred lands, by force. They would be rounded up and returned to captivity until the legislative body could determine their fate. The measure passed.
General Tragge walked out of the great hall with Dr. Hadje.
“I’m sorry, Rosh. You know I have no choice but to enforce the law. I’ll give you three days to bring the humans into the camps, unconditionally. It would be best for future negotiations, if they show respect for our government’s decision and cooperate, but, if I don’t have a thousand humans in those camps in three days, I will authorize my troops to begin the sweep.”
Chapter 23
The instant Dr. Boroski gave his command, all restraints and attachments on Simon retracted in a single, swift motion. He lurched out of the chair and ran right through the hologram scientist until stopped by the farthest wall in the room.
“Simon, I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to frighten you. This is the pilot’s chair. It’s the central interface of our ship. It was only attempting to integrate with you. It will not harm you, I promise. Please, will you try again? It’s very important.”
“What were those things on my head?” Simon wanted to trust the old man, but his heartbeat had not even slowed yet.
“We’re running out of time, son. This ship is our legacy to humanity, but it will not operate without a human interface, a special human interface. You are the only human we have scanned in two hundred years who has the special genetic markers needed to run this ship.”
“I don’t know anything about spaceships. Can’t you find somebody else?” Simon became agitated and refused to cooperate.
“Please calm down. We will not harm you in any way, but we do need your help . . . and we need it now. We cannot wait any longer.” Dr. Boroski t
hought for a moment. “Maybe this will change your mind.”
A large monitor dropped down next to him and pivoted to face Simon. It showed a spaceship firing an energy beam at a planet. The hologram narrated with great emphasis.
“That is a Heptari battle cruiser attacking this planet of Tanarac, as we speak. Tanaracs denied the Heptari government permission to scan for humans. Tanarac soldiers are risking their lives, right now, to defend our humans.”
“Why is Heptari doing this?”
Simon’s fear vanished, replaced by concern. He stepped closer to the monitor and watched the live battle scene.
“They are here to finish wiping out humans.” The hologram told the blunt truth.
“Why don’t they just leave us alone? What’s going to happen?”
The immensity of the situation was difficult for the newest free human to comprehend.
“I don’t know those answers,” Dr. Boroski said. “Tanarac is strong. They may successfully repel the Heptaris, or, they might not. In recent years, the Heptari Empire aggressively expanded their empire. We must consider the possibility they have grown strong enough to defeat Tanarac. If so, the Heptari government may use this small skirmish to justify broader military action. Only one fact is certain. If Heptari wins, it will surely mean the end of our people. This ship is the best hope for the survival of our race.”
The scientist moved closer to stand beside Simon. They watched together in silence as the big Heptari battle cruiser stopped firing on the planet and began accelerating into space. Suddenly, another large, deep-space warship entered the view from the side. It was completely engulfed in flames and carried tremendous speed. In seconds, the two ships collided.
Simon stepped back, stunned by the devastation.
“Did that really happen?” he asked the hologram.
He had enjoyed space video games as a child and knew programmers could create realistic electronic simulations, but this didn’t seem real.
“Yes. Thousands of soldiers just died on those ships.”