“We’re all scared, Amelia, don’t be too hard on yourself,” replied Wayne.
“With your permission, I will scout the surrounding planets and return shortly,” said Anonoi. Before anyone could respond, his appeared thinner, like a drop of ink dropped in a pool of water that diffuses, and then disperses until it vanishes.
“Being a Shade has its advantages,” said Wayne.
“But at a horrible price.” Blackie watched as he disappeared.
“I guess there is nothing to do but wait,” said Amelia, “maybe I’ll take a nap.”
They all got in the car, Wayne and Amelia in front and Blackie and Joules in back. Five minutes later they were sound asleep.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE GIANTS
“They persist in their intrusions. We find our best kept plans are found out, and all too often they are waiting at our destinations, or arrive shortly after we deploy, to resist us or thwart our operations. If this continues, our reputations, and more importantly our mining ventures will decline significantly. We in this room, more than any others, realize what that means.”
“Mining other worlds supplements our own limited natural resources. Korganra’s further growth and development depends on an active mining program. It is the only means of sustaining our civilization. These wretched intrusions must be stopped, and they must be stopped now.”
The question then put to the Korganraim War Council was a simple one; how do we utterly destroy the Centorians?
On the outreaches of space, the Vertore Sector stretches beyond the reach of most business men and well beyond the desire of all but a few curious, and brave, travelers. To say it is remote is an understatement of vast proportions. In the Vertore Sector, out on the outskirts of the outskirts, lies the Sote-kiliet; a solar system measuring three-hundred thousand light years in length.
Its size is twice that of any other system in the sector. Not only is it enormous in size, but it is populated with 420 billion stars and 180 million planets. One of those is the home world of the Giants. It is known as Korganra.
It is a hard planet. There are no pleasant valleys or beautiful forests. The landscape is mostly rock and barren soil, and its air is thick with dust most of the time, in spite of the fact the wind rarely blows. It is said if the sand fields of Korganra were vacuumed away and used to form a planet, complete with its own population, it would be the third largest in the solar system.
Within the context of the Sote-kiliet, Korganra is grouped with the medium sized planets in the system, but it is the largest planet with a permanent population. At 27,000 meters in diameter it is 70 percent bigger than the second largest inhabited planet in the system. But Korganra is more known for its inhabitants than its incredible size. It is the home of the Korganraim Giants.
Its mountains and plains grow no vegetation bigger than scrub brush, and there is little of that. What little water occurs naturally on the surface of the planet lies in small shallow pools fed from natural springs. But there are no oases on Korganra; as the water pushes upward through fractured formations to the surface it becomes dangerously acidic.
Nothing can drink it, and only a few small, low lying scraggly plants have adapted to its dangerously high sulfuric acid content. The giants have a term for water that fills the small pools. It is roughly translated – The Liquor of Death.
The planet Korganra is a big, ugly, monstrosity. Those in the Sote-kiliet who are familiar with Korganra say it is poignant statement of fate that it would be the giant’s home planet - who themselves are ugly in the eyes of most other beings, and are monstrously large. But, if one were to evaluate their intelligence based solely on looks, you would be making a critical error, an error many have made, often resulting in dire consequences. Korganraim Giants are clever and should not be underestimated because of their looks.
Their heads are unusually large, and their arms are disproportionately long for their bodies. A famous artist once described them as looking like they were sculpted from massive slabs of stone, but the sculptor quit long before he was finished; never adding the finishing touches. Indeed, their faces seem to lack sufficient detail, and if it weren’t for slight variations in their rugged clothing, it would be difficult for those unfamiliar with them to tell one giant from another.
Giants born with any discernable facial structures, such as prominent cheek bones, are favored over others. It seems the giants are unsettled about their appearance. Unfortunately, as with many societies, those with a better appearance not only benefit from it personally, but they’re afforded greater influence and power to affect their society. The effects are not always for the best.
Historians are not sure if the Korganraim Giants originated on Korganra or migrated from another planet. Sparse historical records dealing with them are silent on the matter. The famous philosopher Exutte Formele, who was familiar with the planet Korganra and the giants by virtue of his many visits and extensive research, once said it appeared as if they sprang into existence from the planet’s barren soil, and mimicked their inorganic origins in every way possible.
They are rough and hard beings and their continued existence on Korganra requires they remain that way. Few natural resources exist on their planet. Virtually everything must be imported and because of that, Giants, of necessity, became miners, loggers, and raiders – of other planets.
The central government on Korganra is comprised of a loose association of all the planet’s villages. Few laws are issued by the central government; each village is free to rule its inhabitants as it sees fit. But sometimes when a matter is important to all Korganraim Giants, a national assembly is called and each village must send an emissary to the capital. The national assembly doesn’t convene often, but it is necessary for certain actions. The most important of those being a declaration of war.
From the east, a village near the base of a long row of barren hills elected one of its prominent residents as their representative. The position required an understanding of all the issues challenging Korganra, and in one particular area he was better suited to the task than most. Experiences in the military had informed his decision-making process and he was thoroughly persuaded against choosing war as a first resort for solving a problem.
It also gave him experience in battle tactics, and his recent experience gave him insight others at the National Assembly would not have. His name was Erg Balor. When his distaste for the 'fight-at-all-costs' mentality of the Korganraim military was more than he could stomach, he retired early and joined a mining company.
Now, he attended the National Assembly, as a representative of his village and as an expert. To that end, he had been summoned from the audience by the Assembly Chairman, to describe a failed mining initiative on Centoria. Erg had been on board the Korganraim mining ship, as its Chief Security Officer, when they went to take rock from the eastern cliffs of Umbreathe.
From the beginning, he had been against the venture, claiming it would end in lost revenue and have disastrous consequences. Now, Erg Balor stood before the National Assembly of Korganraim to describe the mining plan, their arrival at the eastern cliffs of Umbreathe, and how they were met by only two Centorians. But more so, he wished to somehow indicate the unacceptable outcome of that endeavor had its roots in the foolhardiness of the proposed venture.
“You are already familiar with Donnally Orion, the Centorian, since you offered a reward for his capture,” said Erg to the Assembly. “After we opened the cargo hatch and prepared to deploy outriggers, it was Donnally who told Captain Urlorh he could not mine rock on the eastern ridges of Umbreathe.”
“Our captain chose to ignore him, and indicated he would proceed to take rock, in spite of Donnally’s protests and warnings. Again, the Centorian told him we could not mine there. Again, ignoring the Centorian’s warning, the Captain instructed our crew to prepare the cutting machine and defied Donnally, telling him, you cannot stop us - we are giants - we are here for rock.
Erg Balor continued
his description of the ill-fated events. “The Centorian named Donnally then told the captain his crew members were not allowed to disembark, threatening to strike anyone who did so. In defiance, Srod Godu charged the Centorian with a laser lance, but his weapon was easily deflected; his lower leg and heart were severed in the exchange.”
“Tog Ordo came to the hatch door brandishing a particle gun to challenge the Centorian, but died before he could discharge his weapon. Both Bero and Kodor rushed Donnally, who met them halfway up the ramp. The Centorian easily dispatched both of them.”
“Officer Motgor, who was with me in the cargo bay, demanded another security guard take action; the Centorian side stepped his rush halfway down the ramp. Engaging the Centorian was pointless. Our security guard hit the ground hard and didn’t move again. When we loaded his remains, we discovered his spine had been severed.”
“Officer Motgor was enraged and retrieved a weapon from a gun rack next to the outer hatch door. I tried to prevent him, but he did not yield, and in the next instant he died when the Centorian’s sword found his chest as he stood on the threshold of the ramp.” Erg Balor hesitated briefly then continued.
“It was at that point our last officer, Vohr Gordt, appeared in the cargo bay. We spoke momentarily, and I told him there would be no victory that day, but he reached for the weapon on the floor alongside the captain’s body. I tried to restrain him, but he shook me off and retreated into the cargo bay.”
“It was then the Centorian, Donnally, indicated if we did not stand down he would be forced to kill every combatant on the ship. His intentions were unmistakable. If he was forced to act, Donnally and the other Centorian, Arton, would have boarded the ship and killed the entire crew.”
“Officer Gordt returned to the hatch and demanded I take action. When I reiterated my position, that it was foolishness and I would not engage, he grabbed the weapon from the cargo bay floor and fired. Gordt was killed when the Donnally returned fire.”
“It was then the Centorian, placed a tetratic sphere on the hull of our ship. It was preprogrammed with the coordinates and flight plan for Korganra, he indicated any deviation from the flight plan, or attempt to remove the device, would cause it to detonate. The sphere was programmed to explode one hour after entering Korganra’s atmosphere and establishing an orbit.”
“Before we embarked, he demanded the ship’s log. Knowing the lives of the crew hung in the balance, I gave it to him. Donnally indicated if the ship was not airborne by 9:00 IPT he would return with the Centorian named Arton, board the ship, and execute everyone.”
“As you know, the remaining crew members were evacuated when we reached Korganra, and shortly afterward our mining vessel, the second largest in our fleet, was destroyed when the Centorian tetratic sphere detonated. The few remains of the ship that survived the blast disintegrated as they fell through our atmosphere. It was a total loss.”
“I hope the Assembly will mandate a full review of the proposed endeavor at Umbreathe, including a careful evaluation of the officers assigned to the operation. Lastly, I must report the ship’s log book, which is now in the hands of the Centorians, contains detailed information about the ship’s crew, its mining and raiding operations, and detailed plans for the ship’s projects for the next twelve months.”
The Council members stirred nervously. It was bad enough Centorians were intervening when they accidently discovered a Korganraim operation, or were notified by inhabitants of a planet when the Giants arrived to mine. It was far worse now that they had a list of every mining target and the master schedule for the entire next year. Something had to be done; their meddling had to be stopped.
“If I might address the Council,” a voice rang out clearly over the nervous chattering of the Assemblymen.
“The Chair recognizes Lor Guldr from the village of Quin-tor.
A giant stood at the end of the long stone table wearing heavy leather clothing made from Belkie skins. His shirt and pants were cladded with saucer-sized metal caps that made it virtually impossible to strike the leather.
“Thank you, and I thank the National Assembly for calling this meeting.” he said bowing to those at the head table. “The loss of crew members, and loss of our second largest mining ship is undeniably a setback. In those losses, there is no opportunity for the joy we sought from a successful operation, but only grief and sorrow. But the stolen ship’s log is another matter altogether. While it is a regrettable loss at face value, the ship’s log may become our greatest weapon, if we were of a mind to use it.”
A nervous rustling echoed around the room as attendees shifted nervously in their seats. Lor Guldr was known as a hawk’s hawk, and a decidedly harsh war monger. His counsel was most often to 'throw down the gauntlet' and meet every circumstance with some form of combat. Lor Guldr eschewed mediation or negotiation. To him they were considered defeats.
During the Korganraim’s war with Loudistanca, he was credited with an infamous quote at a pivotal time when the war-torn planets were close to negotiating a truce. Lor Guldr stood before the National Assembly then, and stated arrogantly, “Why agree when you can fight. Are we not giants?”
On the strength of that statement alone the war lasted another two years. Neither side achieved victory, and ultimately a truce was negotiated after both sides had endured additional heavy and unnecessary losses. Korganra lost thousands of giants during those intervening years, thousands that would have lived had a truce been approved.
“Continue,” replied the Chair.
Lor Guldr cleared his throat and began, “Do we wish to rid ourselves of these meddling Centorians once and for all? Do we have the fortitude to do what is necessary? Are we interested in a future where Korganraim Giants flourish beyond our dreams; a future secured for our children’s children? Then hear me. I move we replace the lost mining ship. And, spend what is necessary to add to our fleet two more of its size, and ten tier-three ships besides.”
The room erupted in chaos. Assembly men were calling down Lor Guldr and began debating each other about what should be done.
“Order, order,” the Chair bellowed. “Order in the Assembly. Lor Guldr, you have the floor, do you retain or yield?”
“I retain, the details of my motion have not been presented.”
With this proclamation, a complete hush came over the Assembly. All eyes flitted between the Chair and Lor Guldr.
“Then, you may proceed Lor Guldr, but bring us your plan in full or I shall suspend the floor, and recognize another Assemblyman.”
“First, know this,” offered Guldr to the Assembly, “I do not propose such a capital expenditure as I have described without knowing we are fully capable of such an expense. It may strain us, but it will not break our collective finances. Furthermore, we should hasten the construction, with the finest available firms, so the new ships are serviceable at the earliest date.”
“I know from my own research and experience we have seasoned crew members that can fill the ranks of captains and officers. You know this to be true also, do you not? When the ships are ready, then we put them out to field service on every planned venture in the master schedule, but all on the same date.”
Again, nervous rustling filled the Assembly room as its representatives whispered to each other. Most thought it was brilliant; a few considered it madness. The Chairman brought the group to order and Lor Guldr continued.
“Beforehand, our mining plans will be leaked,” he said with a broad smile. His face had an unnatural look; contorted into a form it rarely experienced. But this was no smile of happiness. It was a shrewd look, one that prefaced his real intent and he couldn’t prevent the sinister appearance of pleasure.
Guldr continued, “By deploying all our ships on the same day it will appear as if we’re are trying to spread the Centorians, solely for the purpose of conducting our operations with as little interference as possible. But that will not be our intention at all. The Centorians will send help to the populated planets we inten
d to mine. Their meddling in the affairs of others is their greatest weakness and it will bring about their own destruction.”
“We will monitor their responses, and at the right time, when their cruisers and fighters are deployed to help others, we will strike Centoria. All of our military craft will translocate into space around their planet, one whose defenses have been weakened by the absence of many ships.”
Once again, the assembly room was the scene of complete bedlam. From every corner came loud arguments and discussions. But this time, only a few assembly men were actually calling down Lor Guldr. Instead, they were debating how to proceed.
“Order, order,” the Chair bellowed. “Order in the Assembly. Lor Guldr, do you retain the floor or yield?”
“Chairman, I retain, but only momentarily.”
“Then finish and take your seat,” bellowed the Chairman.
“Fellow Korganrans, before we take action we should be prudent, we must consider the potential outcomes of such an endeavor. Let us consider what is the worst that can happen? The Centorians don’t take our bait or don’t believe our leaked plan, and we own and operate more mining ships than we have ever had before. But, now let us ask what is the best that can happen? The end of Centorian meddling, when we reduce their cities and towns to rubble and ashes.”
Lor Guldr paused for a moment to let them consider his assertion. Then he offered a final statement, “I am a hawk, a fighter, and a military strategist – you are aware of this fact. I have not claimed to be anything else. I ask you, how do we avenge the deaths of our crew members on Centoria, and the destruction of our mining ship? I say we return destruction for destruction, and seize control of the future. Are we not Korganraim Giants?”
Lor Guldr sat down and nodded to the Chair that he relinquished the floor. Immediately, a number of Assemblymen vied for the chance to speak. When the Assembly Chair recognized Dur Rudnr a hush came over the chambers.
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