CHAPTER TWELVE
By this time Jeff Walker and the crew of the Garlician interceptor craft were headed slowly toward the yellow giant sun Matari. Their destination was the fifth planet from the sun, much further out than Earth is from ours, in its Goldilocks zone. Maol was the sixth planet, and the only other habitable one in the system, but much too far in its orbit from their current heading. Maol was also known to harbor traitors and spies, due to its closeness to the neutral sector, and much less hospitable. It was colder and drier there, much like a tundra.
Zacharas was closer, but still at least a month away at their current speed. Without a warp drive, they had to result to more conventional means. Antimatter fusion drives propelled ships to near light speed, but not faster than light. Fortunately for them, the ship was fully stocked before departure with provisions. It seemed at the moment to be there only blessing.
Carver, Jeff, Batar, and the Ensign remained on the bridge of the vessel, while the others caught up on some much needed rest. Carver tried to open communications to Sentros by sending a delayed message to the council.
"Sentros, this is Commander Carver," he stated. "When you receive this message, you'll realize that the Renake was destroyed by a Tolarion ship traveling with the Garlician fleet. Our defense systems were compromised by a gamma ray burst, which left us vulnerable to attack. By now, some of the escape ships may have returned to the Republican sector of space. I am aboard one of the Garlician surveillance ships that was left in tact. Major Jeff Walker is with me, as well as three of my people, and three others that came with Walker. We have no choice but to land at the Zacharian Republic outpost. I wish I had better news. Balar, maybe you can get someone else to finish the mission. Balta's whereabouts at this time are unknown, but we have confirmed that he has another fusion weapon, although its range is much more limited than the Belorion death ray. The Republic needs to go on high alert, as they may be under attack at any time. We will contact you, Balar when we reach Zacharas. Out."
Carver turned toward Jeff.
"Do you think that the Zacharians will welcome us?" he asked, doubtful.
"They did on Belor," Jeff said. "But I've also been told that they're much more savage here, even the advanced ones."
"Let's hope not," Batar said. "They can't be any more savage than the Garlicians!"
"Size is the issue," Carver said. "Even small Zacharians are six feet tall, with 12 inch mandibles, and four arms. Walker can tell you all about them."
"I'm just lucky Zarcon was on my side," Jeff quipped.
"I've heard of them," Batar said through his thought transmissions. "I've never met one, however. I wouldn't worry about Balta following us, however."
"And why is that?" Jeff asked.
"Varloo is not the only Andronian with telepathic powers."
"Varloo?" Carver asked. "Who is Varloo?"
"He's an Andronian that I trained with. He's become a traitor, however."
"He has a being with telepathic powers on board that ship?" Jeff asked, upset.
"Yes, he and Balta are old friends," Batar said. The Tolarions have always formed their council on a triad foundation. When Avery and Riona were killed, Balta needed to replenish that alliance, so Varloo and the Garlician commander, Akira, were the logical choice."
"How do you know so much about it?" Ensign Vega asked.
"I 'm an agent for the Republic," he answered. "I shouldn't disclose that even to you because you're not authorized, but since you are with us-"
"Getting back to what you were saying," Jeff continued. "Where is Balta?"
"The last thought transmissions I received were when we left the Renake. He is not pursuing us, anyway. My guess would be that he is heading for Garlicia."
"To do what?" Vega asked.
"To build another death ray," Batar answered. "I couldn't obtain many telepathic transmissions due to Varloo's interference. That's all I was able to find out."
"How long will it take him to build one?" Carver asked.
"At least six to seven weeks, even with help," Batar stated. "Maybe even longer."
"In the meantime, we're heading toward a planet that may or may not want us there," Jeff said. "Even if we're able to get help, unless we have a warp drive engine or a wormhole generator, we'll never get there in time."
"That's why I brought you along," Carver told Jeff. "To find a solution."
"Well, we never would have been in this mess, if the Republic built their ships more solid against gamma ray bursts!"
"Touché, Walker," Carver laughed. "They don't happen that often, we just were in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Just like now," Jeff responded.
Carver smiled. "Ensign, any sign of Zacharian craft?" he asked.
"Negative," she answered. "We're still too far away."
"Keep me informed,” Carver said. "How about a drink, Jeff? I'll send Lieutenant Wilson up here with these two. I think while things are quiet, that we've earned one, how about you?"
"You're the captain," Jeff stated.
"Let's go then."
They walked to the back of the ship into the small lounge and cafeteria area. Jeff opened a compartment and pulled out two glasses.
"Scotch?" he asked Carver.
"Of course," he answered, Carver poured them each a drink, and handed one to Jeff. He took a sip, placed it on the table, and sat down. "I'm afraid I have more bad news."
"Such as?"
"The Zacharians and Garlicians are bitter enemies."
"What are you getting at?"
"Jeff, what I'm about to tell you can't leave this room. You can't tell Lori, Dormiton, or Milgic."
"What's wrong?" Jeff asked and began to get nervous.
"Before we were attacked, I received a message from Sentros that the Garlicians attacked the Republic outpost on Zacharas. A few survivors are running what's left, and the universal translator they used has been destroyed, so they have no way to communicate with us. I'm just hoping Batar can communicate with them. They have one ship there capable of warp drive."
"And you want to borrow a ship from a race of six feet insects that can't communicate with you and may be hostile toward a Garlician ship?"
"Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But it's our only chance to stop Balta from finishing his death ray. They have several small fusion-antimatter vessels that might attack us upon orbit."
"Might attack us, or will attack us?" Jeff asked, as he took a sip from his scotch. Jeff put his glass down and shook his head. "I don't know how you ever roped me into this. I'd much rather be under a palm tree with a cup of gojo Berry wine."
"There are palm trees on Zacharas."
"Yea, and six feet insects as well."
"Does your crew know?"
"Only Batar, he's telepathic, so I can't hide it from him.
"Well," he said, and lifted his glass to make a toast. "Here's to the six feet insects being peaceful." They clinked glasses, and finished their drinks.
Jeff left the lounge and headed down to where Lori and the others had settled into their quarters. They were quite shaken up from the chain of events that happened earlier, and found it hard to relax, but they were grateful to still be alive. The door opened to Jeff's quarters, where Lori, and the two lingworts were sat at the beds. Jeff found it a tight fit for the four of them, but they were in no position for luxury. He sat as well, next to Lori.
"What are we going to do?" she asked, as he touched her shoulder, and rubbed it.
"Whatever we have to do," he stated. "The same thing
we've always done. If it bothers you too much, you can fall asleep in one of the cryo-chambers until we get there."
"No, I'll be all right. They always made me feel like I won't wake up if I used them."
"What about you guys, are you doing all right?"
"Yea," Dormiton said. "A little dry, but all right."
"There is water in the lounge to drink, or there is a bathroom with a shower that was modified into the cra
ft for humans. When we get there, there will be water to swim in, but if any of us do, we'll have to use extreme caution. There are dangerous creatures there, including creatures that look like Zarcon, but don't think they will be peaceful like he was. Even the intelligent ones are savage and warlike."
"Do we have to go there?" Milgic asked. "Couldn't we land somewhere else?"
"There is nowhere else we could reach without dying first," Jeff told him.
"You always have a way of making things sound better," Lori said, sarcastically.
"Captain Carver has assured me that Batar will be able to communicate with the Zacharians, who are representatives of the Republic."
"I hope you're right," Lori snipped. "I'd hate to get there and become ant food. Boy, you sure know how to show a girl a good time on her honeymoon." Jeff smiled, and gave her a kiss goodbye, and headed back to the bridge.
They received a message back from Sentros the next morning, but it was a previous message sent from Balar. "Hello, Captain Carver, and Major Walker," he began. "If you are alive and you receive this message, you will hopefully be out of danger. Some of our ships have returned to base, and some have landed elsewhere. The council is meeting tomorrow to determine if we are to go to war. Two battle cruisers have been dispatched toward Garlicia to protect the neutral sector. Due to the fleet attack, and the attack on the Renake, an emergency meeting is to take place, and forces are on high alert. There is no other way at this point our mission will succeed without your intervention. The fusion weapon is too powerful for us to defend ourselves against it without major casualties. I know the situation may seem grave, but you must complete this mission. If you receive this message, please respond by replying back. We will look forward to your transmission. Good luck; I know we'll all need it. Over and out."
Carver turned towards Ensign Vega and Batar.
"Well, there's goes any help we might have had," he remarked. "Ensign, how long before we reach the Zacharian sector?"
"Twenty two days, Sir," she answered. "They usually don't travel that far out, though. They like to keep close to their own colonies."
"Well," Carver said. "There's no point in using up all of our oxygen and supplies until then. Why don't you, Wilson and the others go into cryo-sleep until then. Walker, Batar, and I can handle it up here."
"Yes, Sir," Vega said.
"Lori wants to stay awake," Jeff told him, as he manned the helm. She might be of some use up here."
"Very well," Carver said. "Will the lingworts die in cryo-freeze?
"No, even though they're internal functions are a little different," Jeff said. "They'll be fine in the cryo chamber."
"Very well. You, Batar, Lori and I will man the ship until we reach Zacharas." Carver turned to Jeff. "You better go back and explain to your friends what the cryo-chambers are used for."
"Yea, perhaps you're right," Jeff said. "I don't want them freaking out." He got up and walked down to the lower deck of the ship to where Lori and the lingworts were. They sat in the lounge eating and talking, as Jeff interrupted them.
"What's up, Honey?" Lori said to Jeff, as he sat with them at the table.
"Carver wants everyone in cryo-sleep until we get there."
"What is that?" Milgic asked, scratching his green spotted nose.
"It's when they freeze you to make you sleep. Zacharas is least a month away, and we'll need to conserve some of our supplies. It only takes three of us to operate the ship, and you two aren't really essential at the moment."
"We used to be essential," Dormiton said.
"Don't take offense, Guys," Jeff said. "It's just easier this way. We'll be in space a while, and I'm just thinking of you two and the boredom factor."
"We understand, don't we?" Lori asked them, trying to avoid an argument.
"Yes," whined Milgic. "It won't hurt, will it?"
"No," Lori answered, as she knelt down and grabbed his shoulders. "You count back from 30, and you'll fall asleep. When you wake up, we'll be there."
"I never really learned to count," Milgic announced.
"Well, just relax then," Jeff said. "Finish your lunch and I'll take you to the chambers, okay?"
"Yes, Jeff," Dormiton said.
"Yes, Sir," Milgic answered.
"Did we receive any transmission back from the Republic?" Lori asked.
"No," her newlywed husband answered.
"Did anyone ever tell you you're a terrible liar?"
She could see he was hiding something.
"I can't tell you, it's classified."
"Even from your wife."
"Especially from my wife. Please don't ask me disclose top secret information."
"Sorry," she answered. "I shouldn't pry, but it seems that we would have heard something from them by now."
"I told you that I can't discuss it, especially in front of our friends."
"Very well, have it your way, Mr. Walker!" The lingworts just finished their lunch. "Come on guys, let's head down to the chambers with the rest of the non essential people."
The two lingworts trotted out of the room with Lori, who Jeff stopped at the door.
"Carver said you could stay awake and help out to," he whispered to her.
"Well, that was awful nice of him, wasn't it?" she said, sarcastically.
"Do you resent him for asking us to come?"
"What do you think?"
Jeff shrugged his shoulders, and left the room, and followed them down the hall to the back part of the ship and into the laboratory, which was next to the cargo bay. When they entered, they could see that Vega and Wilson were both already in cryo-sleep. Milgic stared at the two of them, who were barely breathing and lifeless.
"They look dead," Milgic stated.
"They're not dead, I assure you," Jeff said. "They're hibernating."
"What is hibernating?" Dormiton asked.
"It's a form of deep sleep, almost to the point of death."
"They look peaceful." Dormiton said.
"They are," Lori said. "They're dreaming of home and their families."
"What is dreaming?" Milgic asked.
"It's something humans do while they're sleeping," Dormiton explained, being a little more knowledgeable than his amphibious companion. "We call it Proxitu, a state of spiritual well being. On cool nights is when we experience it the most."
"Okay," Jeff said, as he pressed the controls, which opened two of the six feet capsules. "Climb in, lie down and relax."
Milgic turned and grabbed Lori by the waist.
"I'm scared," he stated.
"It'll be fine," she said, and helped him in the chamber. Dormiton, who understood a little better, climbed in without a problem. "Now, Boys, close your eyes, and when you wake up, we'll be there."
"That's what I'm scared of!" Milgic blurted, as Jeff closed the door. He began to whimper and scream, until the cryo gas took effect, and he fell quickly asleep.
Jeff looked at Lori and shook her head.
"I knew they shouldn't have came with us," he said. She gave him a dirty look of anger. "All right, if you need me, I'll be on the bridge. Get some exercise, and blow off some steam. We'll all need our strength when we get to Zacharas."
"Why, what are you afraid of?" she asked, as he shook his head, and left the room. "What are you afraid of?"
He tried to ignore her repeated inquests as to what was going on. It was hard enough to keep it from the lingworts, let alone her. He thought to himself that it was going to be a long month if she kept this up. When he reached the bridge, Batar turned to Jeff, his dark black eyes fixed upon him. "The female gender of your species is most inquisitive, isn't she?" he asked.
"Yea," Jeff answered. "Too much for her own good. John, where the hell are we?"
"About a half light year away from Zacharas. We'll be entering Matari's ort cloud fairly soon. We'll have to compensate for celestial objects, especially asteroids. They're spread out far enough apart that we shouldn't have problem navigating them."
"Just like we weren't supposed to have problems with the weapons' systems?"
"Come on, Jeff, you knew that wasn't my fault."
"Whatever you say. I just don't like the way this trip has turned out so far."
"It could've been worse."
"How?"
"You could have left her at home, and had to deal with her when you got back!"
"You always have a way of brightening my day. Now that we're alone, where is this ship you were speaking of, at the Zacharian council headquarters?"
"Actually no," Batar explained. "It is about one mile north of it."
"In the jungle?" Jeff asked.
"In a clearing, on a mountain range. It was hidden from the other Zacharians and the Garlicians."
"Does the Zacharian council know it's there?"
"I'm afraid so," John said. "And we won't be able to fly it without their permission."
"That's why Batar has to talk to them," Jeff surmised. "Are you sure you'll be able to?"
"I'll try my best," he said. "They're very intelligent beings, but not very receptive to outside telepathic Andronians. Any of our kind who have been here have had hostile intentions toward them."
"I have something that might help," Jeff said, as he pulled the universal translator headband from his suit.
"What's that?" John asked.
"A universal translating device developed by the Zacharian-Belorion colonists," Batar stated. "Where did you get that?"
"A friend gave it to me," he said, sadly. "A very good friend, who I wish was with us now."
"Zarcon," John told Batar.
"Ah, yes, the Belorion ambassador once believed to be a traitor."
"He was never a traitor, it was Riona who was the traitor!"
"I never said I believed the rumors," Batar clarified.
"Well," John remarked. "If they don't listen to you, perhaps they'll listen to Jeff. But I kind of doubt it, because Zacharians have a taste for human flesh, remember?'
"Yea," Jeff said. "I remember. The Belorions were much more civilized than that."
Dimension Lapse II: Return to Doomsday (Dimension Lapse Series Book 2) Page 15