One of the challenges to this approach was the absence of natural Nitrogen. The Martian Space Program determined a possible source could be the asteroids that lay just beyond the red planet, if they could be mined properly. That, however, was not Rollings concern or area of expertise. His job was to prepare the ground operations, which he did with the help of twenty other people. Even though his official title was Director of Martian Intelligence, he still performed the mundane job of checking sensors.
He sometimes wished there was more to his job; most of his duties really had more to do with research and development than security or intelligence. There weren't any spies here; most of the base were trained for specific tasks, and none of them had to do with espionage. He regretted that his training onboard the Endromis for intelligence and security systems couldn't be totally implemented here; there were some systems developed, but once they were operational, they were self maintained by robotic systems. Bio-sensors were somewhat maintained this way as well, but it still took humans to make sure they were working properly. It only took one man to run the security system, and Rollings was labeled "too important" for such a job. He was to merely make sure that his security chief was doing his job, so he was checking sensors instead. George Thompson, who trained side by side with him in the academy, was also there in the terra-bio section of the base, about ten feet away from a long panel of controls.
"What are sensors 1-3 readings?" he asked his companion.
"They're operating normally, Steve," he answered.
"3-6?"
"Normal," George answered.
"And 6-10 are A-okay as well," Rollings said. "Go ahead and set up replication process of all ten probes. By March, we should have forty more installed."
"Do you think injecting organic microbes into the soil will really be enough to generate and sustain simple vegetation?" George asked. "Or are we just wasting time here?"
"Time will tell," Rollings answered. "Besides, what else have we got to do for the next thirty years?"
"I'd much rather be exploring another world capable of life, instead of fighting a lost cause on a dead one."
"Such is life."
There was an interruption over the intercom.
"Sir, " the voice said. "There's something we're detecting on the security system."
"What is it," Rollings answered. "An asteroid?"
"I don't know, Sir. It appears to be a cluster of some kind, rapidly approaching from just beyond Pluto. Estimated time of arrival is about five hours at their present speed."
"Probably just a comet. Let me know if it's on a collision course. Have Endromis send out a couple of ion propulsion deflector probes if you have to."
There was a short silence.
"Sir, whatever they were, they've disappeared. I have also just been informed by the Commander that two research scout ships have disappeared as well.
"Has the cluster collided with the ships?"
"I don't know, but there was a huge peak of magnetism just beyond Hydra before their disappearance, and just now as well, just beyond the asteroid belt."
"What could produce that much magnetism, a large asteroid?"
"Not as much as the readings I'm getting, Sir. They're off the scale. Twenty times the magnetism of the sun. They've distorted the space time around them."
"All right," Rollings answered. "Keep me informed."
He started to walk towards George, when the building began to shake, and there was a blinding white light which illuminated the top of the dome. The glass shattered, and fell to the floor below, sending Ferrous Oxide dust and wind that surged into the room. They ran into the hallway out of the section, as they heard the sound of an explosion in the section. Panic and mayhem was abundant around them, as they saw others running about through the base, as sections of the base fell around them. As Rollings and George ran towards the escape lava tube tunnels, they saw beings in space suits round up the colonists, who pointed laser pistols similar to those in the armory, but more advanced. He knew they weren't human, but he was too far away to see their faces through their helmets.
He and George were just about to head down a lower tunnel, when they were grabbed from behind. Rollings turned to face his aggressor, only to be shocked by his appearance. They were then held by four of the aliens, and administered some kind of sedative. Rollings slipped into a long, deep sleep.
When he awoke, he and the remainder of the survivors were captured and brought to the desert world of Alokia. Alokia was later destroyed by a rebel force of escaped prisoners, which took refuge below, in the various tunnels and passageways below the base. They were also assisted by a race who called themselves the Talokians, and the man called Jeff Walker. Rollings never personally met him, but his reputation became well known, and he knew he was one of the greatest leaders the Republic ever saw.
When Alokia was destroyed, he became part of the large invasion force that landed on Tolaria. When the fusion weapon detonated, Rollings and several others became trapped under the base, and when the Republic left, they were left as well. He could see why Malone was bitter, and rightfully so; he thought they abandoned him. He never guessed, however, that Varloo and Garlona were actually double agents. He felt that he failed as a leader to protect his people and Angelica. As he was deep in thought, Malone awoke from a short nap. He sat up next to Rollings.
"Steve, I want to apologize," he said. "I've been kind of an asshole. But I never suspected they were spies working for the Tolarions."
"Forget about it, " Rollings said. "It doesn't matter now anyway. Unless that battle cruiser can take on the Garlician fleet, we're as good as dead now."
"Do you think they will?"
"Not likely, unless they're attacked, or the Garlicians pass over Republic territory. And they're not prepared for an attack with a fusion based weapon."
"What do you think they'll do with us?"
"You heard them, they're going to execute us." Malone's forehead wrinkled, as he winced at the thought. "But don't worry, they probably won't do it right away. They'll watch us suffer first."
"What a lovely thought. I still don't trust the Earth girl, however. Or her android."
"Why not?" Rollings asked. "She's the only reason we're still alive."
"Maybe if she didn't find us, Balta would've took the reactors and left us alone."
"Don't kid yourself, Malone. Beings liked Balta take pleasure in the pain of others. Even in our own history. Have you forgotten about Hitler?"
"No. You're right. Why do you like her so much anyway?"
"She reminds me of my own daughter, and myself, when I was her age."
"I hope you weren't as cocky as she is."
"Cockier."
"I don't think she looks at you like a father." Rollings grimaced at his suggestion."
"I'm twice her age! I have no interest in her."
"Whatever you say. Just trying to make conversation."
"Well, find a different one," Rollings remarked, a little annoyed.
The hours passed, and the two of them began to wonder what became of Angelica, and what was going on up front. Their curiosity was answered at the door, as Varloo came in, with Garlona.
"You son of bitch," Malone yelled, as he ran towards the gray alien. He touched Malone on the forehead, and he dropped to his knees, dizzy.
"It is impossible to resist us," he said, as Rollings stood up from the bed. "Sooner or later you will find that the Tolarion alliance is a better way-or die."
"We'll never join an alliance that murders whole civilizations," Rollings said.
"Balta has sent me back here to make a deal with you," Varloo said.
"We're listening," Rollings said.
"If either of you join us, the other will live."
"What guarantee do we have that he won't just kill us both anyway?"
"Yes or no?"
"No!"
"Then you will both die, as scheduled."
Rollings was sure this was just a ploy t
o get their cooperation. Varloo started to walk back to the door, but then turned around.
"Oh, by the way, Balta and the Garlician commander have decided to test the weapon on the Republic battle cruiser after all."
He knew damn well he hit a nerve with the humans. Malone rose to his feet, and Rollings grabbed his shoulder, as he attempted to strike the Grey.
"Are you mad?" he yelled. "Don't you know that will start a war?"
"Exactly," Varloo said, with a tiny smile. "We'll let you know when, so we can let you watch. I'm sure that you wouldn't want to miss it." He left the room, as the two stared at each other in disbelief.
"Now what?" Malone asked.
Rollings wasn't the type of man who admitted defeat lightly, but he realized he was fighting a losing battle. With Angelica and Cely restrained, and two of them in the brig, the chances didn't fare well in their favor. If he could only grab a weapon or something; but with Varloo's ability to read minds, he knew their every move before they made it. He was hoping that the android could be some use to them, but apparently that wasn't an option either. All they could do is wait for a brief opportunity to escape, whenever and wherever that would be.
As he sat down again, he began to think about his academy training days, and some of the methods they were taught. Unfortunately, they never prepared him for one-eyed simian dictators or telepathic aliens; it wasn't in the program. They were, however, prepared for the possibility of an alien attack, which eventually became reality. He can remember training with his friend and fellow cadet, George, and what they were taught. Survival was the prime directive; knowing that any alien race that reached Mars was considerably advanced and much more powerful. They were advised to retreat, and only attack if they must.
On a planet with no oxygen, this proved difficult. Living in domes left them vulnerable to attack. There were, of course, the underground lava tubes which were below the bases, but without a steady supply of air, even these weren't an option. If there were no other choices available, and survival was futile, their only option was complete destruction of the base and planet.
Rollings considered that option now with the ship; but he had to gain access to the controls to do so, and at the moment, that was impossible, If he only had a laser, he could blast a hole in the side of the ship and end this, considering the metal wasn't impenetrable. Varloo and Garlona were perfect plants; neither Rollings nor Malone ever had a reason not to trust them. They seemed to be regular survivors like the humans, left accidentally by the Republic. It was shocking to believe that everything that Rollings discussed with them was being reported back to the Tolarions.
He didn't know much about the Republic, but he did know one thing. If the battle cruiser was attacked, they would retaliate and send out everything they had straight to Garlicia. That was the one saving grace he was counting on, but not for himself; he already knew his fate was sealed. He was thinking of the billions of beings on the Republic worlds, and the innocent ones who were just trying to live their everyday lives free from tyranny.
The hours passed, and they grew weaker from lack of food and rest. Garlona brought them some fruit earlier, but not enough to last them long. After all, their captors didn't want them to be too strong, just able to walk on their own and be compliant. Balta remained hidden from their view, towards the front of the ship. It was obvious he didn't want to make the same mistake twice.
The next morning, the craft was just about four billion miles away from their target, the Renake, just within Republic territory, and a half light year from the yellow sun Matari. Rollings and Malone were brought up front, and they could see that the android was immobilized, and Angelica was restrained and unconscious. Balta welcomed them to the bridge, as Garlona sat them down, and restrained them. afterward.
"Welcome, Gentlemen," he said. "Glad you could make it. In just one hour, you will witness the dawn of a new empire. The Renake is one of their best vessels, and after our attack, the Republic won't dare defy us! And there will be no more resistance from any of you from now on. Understood?"
"What did you do to her?" Rollings asked.
"Merely gave her a sedative," he answered. "She'll be awake shortly. After my next demonstration, you will all be sedated again until we reach Garlicia."
"And the android?" Malone asked.
"He is deactivated," Varloo answered. "He won't give us any more trouble."
"Why didn't I think of that?" Malone smirked.
"Because you're a bumbling idiot," Varloo stated.
"I will have him restarted when I need him," Balta explained. "In the meantime, Rollings, perhaps you can tell me a little more about your relationship with Major Jeff Walker?"
"I don't know much really," he answered. "I never met the man. Just because we were on Mars together, doesn't mean I knew him. There were almost sixty thousand people living there when you attacked."
"How about you, Mr. Malone?"
"I met him once, and only once."
"How disappointing," Balta said. "I was hoping you both could enjoy his death before your own. I have a feeling he is closer to us then we think."
"And where would you get such a feeling?" Malone stated. "From a telepathic traitor? Just why would you do this, Varloo. I don't understand."
"Probably greed, and the usual other reasons," Rollings said.
"You are so wrong, Rollings," Varloo recanted. "I have reasons that you as a human couldn't possibly understand."
"Enough of this," Balta snorted. "How long before we're in range, Garlona?"
"Twenty seven minutes," he answered. "My sensors show that their weapons systems have sustained some damage, already."
"Then they're as good as dead," Balta laughed.
"There's no need to kill them, Sir." Varloo suggested. "You could take them as prisoners and the ship as a souvenir."
"You know the Garlicians don't take prisoners, and neither do I," he said. "Besides, this ship is far more advanced than any in the Republic fleet. What use do I have for that piece of space junk?"
"A Republic battle cruiser isn't a piece of space junk," Rollings said. "It is a highly advanced vessel."
"Not as advanced as mine. Besides, their highly advanced vessel's weapons aren't working now, are they?"
His devilish grin worried Rollings as to what he might do next. He needed a way to stop this mad creature before he cost any more lives. It was up to him now: he thought if he could only buy a little time, he might find a way out.
"Time is something you have very little of," Varloo telepathically reminded him, reading his every thought. Rollings knew it was useless to try to defy them; and sat impatiently awaiting their gloomy fate.
CHAPTER TEN
Jeff, Lori and the lingworts were just about to turn in for the night. The excitement earlier of the gamma ray burst and the banquet tired them out. The lingworts said goodnight, and Lori turned in, even though Jeff was still wide awake. They were all worried about the weapon situation, but Lori was too exhausted to care. The amphibians only needed a few hours, and they would be right back up again. Besides, Jeff wanted to speak with Carver before things got any worse. He spoke to him on the intercom, and John told him to meet him in his quarters. Jeff entered, and John offered him a drink and a seat.
"So, Jeff," he said. "Tell me what's on your mind?"
"The fact that your battle cruiser has no weapons, for one," he answered, and took a sip.
"Well, I got my best men working on it, and they should be up and running in about an hour."
"And when we will reach Garlicia?"
"It's still about a day away," Carver said. "But the Garlician fleet won't attack within Republic territory because of the treaty."
"You don't know Balta," Jeff jested. "He doesn't believe in treaties. Even if Avery did."
"Is that the only thing on your mind?" Carver seemed to be rushing him for some reason; although he wasn't really sure why, because usually he enjoyed his company, especially to drink.
"I'm just nervous," Jeff said. "I've been out of practice in hand to hand combat. For the past year and a half, I've been mostly a farmer and fisherman. And I'm not getting any younger, you know."
"You'll be fine, you're in great shape. Well, if there's nothing else-"
"What are you hiding from me?" Jeff asked, and set his drink on the table.
"Jeff, what do you mean?"
"You're not telling me something." Jeff stared into his blue eyes with great concern. "Did Balta clone Riona as well?"
"No, no, nothing like that!" Carver laughed. "You always could see through me. No, Jeff, I'm afraid this is going to be my last mission. I'm retiring."
"Well," Jeff said, as he smiled. "It's about time, congratulations."
"I wish it were that simple."
"Why, what's wrong?"
"Jeff, I'm dying. I have a disease that's slowly going to kill me as I get older. The Republic is giving me this last mission, and then they want me to retire."
"But you look fine."
"I don't feel fine," Carver explained. "Mornings I get up and I'm still extremely tired, and feel weak. I forget simple tasks, have memory lapses. and fall asleep for no reason instantly."
"Sounds like narcolepsy. Or you're overworked."
"It's not."
"A brain tumor?"
"No cancer. It's some kind of rare disease the doctor said. Only a few people have it. It degenerates your muscle tissue and bones gradually. Dr. Louis Avery had it as well."
"You're kidding?" Jeff asked. "No wonder you didn't want to tell me. Is there a cure?"
"Not that I'm aware of. He was the closest scientist to even get close to a cure. Whatever he knew, died with him."
Dimension Lapse II: Return to Doomsday (Dimension Lapse Series Book 2) Page 12