Sojourn
Page 28
Bethley returned,
Killian sent.
Trium selected the next star along the route and set the transit parameters. Without another word being shared, the Vivian’s Mirror disappeared into the deep dark.
The search returned to its former routine. The scout ship exited outside a system, received the telemetry, stored the data and coordinates, and transited away.
Killian repeated his broadcasts at each system. He was intent on leaving a trail for the fleet and Beryl’s ship to follow.
As the systems came and went, the SADEs often discussed the seemingly directed actions of the fleet they pursued.
The answer appeared swiftly and simultaneously to the SADEs.
In this manner, the scout SADEs stumbled on the identical answer as the one Julien learned from the Gotlians about how they knew of the water world.
The scout ship sat far outside the system’s outer belt. The SADEs had waited for telemetry to compile, and it showed the alien fleet sailing inward.
The fleet’s destination was easy to determine. There was a habitable planet a hundred and sixty degrees spinward of the Mirror’s position. It possessed bodies of water and foliage-covered land masses.
Killian sent the latest broadcasts. Then the SADEs sailed the Vivian’s Mirror above the ecliptic. They intended to transit and locate their ship above the habitable world. They wanted to be sitting quietly in the dark, when the fleet arrived.
The scout ship’s short transit placed it well in advance of the battleships, and the SADEs used the time to gain telemetry of the planet.
Trium remarked, as he studied the data.
Killian sent.
If the Dutterites hadn’t had such a cruel reputation, the SADEs wouldn’t have felt the concerns they did for the inhabitants of the world below.
At this moment, Killian felt anger manifesting itself within his kernel. He thought to reorder his algorithm’s code but chose not to bother. The emotion made it easier to deal with the dread he felt about the coming encounter. He dearly wished for an invincible fleet to command. He would teach an unforgettable lesson to the Dutterites, who he believed intended to use their power against the natives.
Reluctantly, Killian sublimated his emotional flare. He needed more control of his logical processes to be able to think clearly. In a moment of perspective, he understood the anger that drove Alex when he saw an injustice and what he had to do to control his emotions.
Then Killian perceived the humor in it. At least I can reorder my emotions and control my temper easier than you, Dassata, Killian thought.
The alien fleet arrived at the planet, and shuttles descended to the surface. They landed tail down on a grassy plain. Their engine flares ignited an enormous fire that spread through the grass and shrubbery. The flames lit the trees of the adjacent forest, which bordered one side of the broad meadow. The other two edges had natural firebreaks formed by the curve of a river and a wide, rocky outcrop.
The aliens stayed aboard their shuttles, while the fire raged. They were able to exit a cycle later, when a storm swept through the broad valley and dumped water over the smoldering grasses and burning trees.
When the visitors emerged from their shuttles, the pristine meadow was a muddy swamp.
Curiosity about the Dutterites’ intentions drove the SADEs to ease their scout ship closer to the planet to gain higher resolution. As the ship slid toward the planet, telemetry improved, enabling the SADEs to make out more details. Eventually, they could see clear details of the aliens and their weapons.
When Trium highlighted an area he was viewing, the SADEs observed several aliens enter a structure. They carried the carcasses of fauna over their shoulders. They were gone for only a moment and returned empty-handed, except for their weapons.
Bethley watched a second group of aliens, and she pointed them out to Killian and Trium.
The SADEs were horrified at the images. To them, the brutality of the scene was unfathomable.
-26-
Punishment
The Omnian fleet sailed, following the path of the scout ships. On the way to intersect the vector, they received Killian’s broadcast of his initial contact with the fleet, which was presumed to be the Dutterites.
On Alex’s order, Cordelia reoriented the fleet, programmed controllers with the coordinates, and signaled the fleet to transit. During the flight, they received Killian’s second broadcast that stated the fleet moved on after harvesting frozen gases.
The Omnians exited outside the system, where the alien fleet had rested. While Alex was deciding on his options, Beryl’s scout ship arrived.
Tatia grinned at Alex and mouthed the word approximately.
The fleet received Killian’s broadcasts that marked the Vivian’s Mirror’s tracks across the stars. Alex chose to wait until the scout ship made contact again. It came after many more broadcasts. Finally, Alex was informed that the Dutterite fleet was sailing inward toward a habitable planet.
Cordelia readied the fleet, which transited immediately. Many days later, the fleet exited at the provided coordinates, and Cordelia was contacted by Killian.
Cordelia regarded Alex, who was on the bridge with Renée and his staff. “Alex, the scout ship is on the star’s far side,” she said. “It’s above the ecliptic and observing the alien fleet, which they believe to be the Dutterites. The aliens have landed on the planet, and the SADEs are upset.”
The hairs on Alex’s neck stood up. SADEs were rarely, if ever, described as upset and certainly not by another SADE.
The bridge audience watched heavy-bodied aliens in environment suits, who were lugging large items over their shoulders. They entered makeshift structures, dropped their loads, and exited.
Alex knew better than to question the scout SADEs further. They would have far more proof of the hideous crime than they showed. The two images he and the others saw were meant to establish their case, and he, for one, preferred not to see anymore.
Tatia asked privately,
Returning to the conference with the admirals, Alex sent,
Alex regarded his friend for a moment. He respected Julien for asking the question, and he was careful to frame his response.
Julien argued.
Renée sent fervently.
Ser’s strong reaction surprised the conference group. They didn’t disagree with her. It was just an unexpected display from Renée.
Julien realized the prospect of communication was off the table. Emotions over the killing of primitive sentients were running high, and he abandoned the idea. In response to Renée, he sent,
Beryl’s telemetry streamed into the Freedom, and Alex examined the alien fleet’s deployment. He shared an image with the conference.
br />
Adding Mickey to the conference, Alex sent,
Tatia delivered her evil grin, and sent,
Requesting the earlier conference group, Alex sent,
Most of Alex’s staff was thinking the same thing, but Franz, the admiral who commanded the fighters, understood the concept. Alex was planning a rapid-fire attack.