While Mark was in his gun turret lost in thought, the situation on the command deck had changed dramatically. Once again, the security alarm pierced the air. In the one place where precise conditions and actions were the order of the day, the situation might have been best described as “very fluid”.
Officer Kulla checked his equipment, “Captain Williams, we have a security breach. Once again, the doors to the com center slid closed as the alarm peeled throughout the ship.
“Where are they,” asked Williams.
“Right here on the com, Captain.”
The air in the corner of the room opposite the com doors was shifting and bending like it was being stretched and bent. Just as before, no corporeal body was evident at first; its translucent edges billowed slowly in and out. But the billowing mass began to change quickly this time, and the form of a humanoid body emerged with the same thin watery gel-like substance swirling around its exterior.
“Give me that gun,” ordered Williams, pointing to a sidearm strapped around one of the officers’ waist.
The intruder turned toward Williams and spoke in a whisper, “You must not interfere.” The translucent humanoid form retained its watery exterior, constantly shifting and shimmering as they watched.
“Our scanning instruments evaluated the capability of the missile in your launch silo,” he said. “Before you destroy us, both of our universes, and everything you know and love with them, we should talk.”
“Hail the fleet captains. Tell them, prepare to engage,” said Captain Williams to his officers, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. “Ordnance, this is captain Williams, the com will confirm the launch command for twenty stealth fighters in two minutes. I want the alien support craft targeted first.
As soon as his transmission ended the Alpha shuddered like it had been hit by a small tactical missile of some kind. Information onboard scanners was checked and double checked, but none of it contained evidence of a missile impact or other explosion.
“I assume that is your doing,” said Captain Williams, pointing the gun at the alien.
“I can assure you, we have not attacked your ship,” he said.
The Alpha shuddered again, and the com was flooded with reports from the other captains indicating their ships were experiencing the same trauma.
“Williams pushed the safety button on his weapon to red, and a distinctive high-pitched sound indicated the gun was ready to discharge, “Get off my ship.”
“We are not responsible for this,” responded the alien, “our ships are reporting a similar disturbance. You must not interfere,” repeated translucent humanoid, “all will perish if you interfere,” and once again he vanished from the com deck.
Before the stealth fighters could be launched, space around all the Alpha Class ships began to oscillate rapidly, and then twitched violently. The entire fleet was caught in a gigantic time-and-space shift. Navigation systems went haywire, preventing the crew’s attempts to translocate. Every ship’s command deck officers watched as their ships were hopscotched systematically through different subsectors of the Sote-kiliet, moving from one point to another in jerky spasms.
Crews were mesmerized by the staccato like movements. It was like seeing every fourth card of an old flip card comic book. The strobe effect was so intense some of the officers couldn’t watch as they catapulted through space. When the movements ceased, and the fleet became stationary again, every ship’s com deck exploded with activity, trying to figure out where they were and what had happened.
Before any of the ships could react and calculate their locations, the area around them twitched again. Another time and space shift carried them farther from their original location.
At the same time Captain Warrington’s fleet was being tossed across the Sote-kiliet, the alien command ship and all its support craft were also caught in a series of time and space shifts that transported them far from their original location.
As soon as the last twitch was finished, the oscillating space that engulfed the Centorian fleet returned to normal, and the Alpha ships stopped shuddering. As status reports from the other captains poured in, the intruder alert once again screeched throughout the fleet command ship.
The doors of the com deck closed automatically, and Officer Kulla yelled, “Captain...”
“I know, Officer Kulla. Where?”
Kulla checked his instruments and spun in his chair away from his monitor. “It’s outside the com doors, Captain.”
Every eye in the com was on the security doors, while in the opposite far-left corner of the com, a shadowy presence formed and hung in the air above the floor like a thin gray rain cloud. If you didn’t focus, it looked like someone had cleaned the wall with a dirty cloth and left a smudge. Kulla turned back to his monitor and watched as the image located outside the door faded from view.
Long streams of loosely entwined black and gray mists transmogrified from one nebulous shape to another, billowing occasionally like they were being blown by a soft breeze. Slowly, the mass thickened and elongated, and the semblance of a head and arms began to form.
“Captain, it’s in the com, Sir,” said Officer Corrigan and Kulla at virtually the same time. “The other ships are reporting, Sir. They’ve all been boarded.”
“Check your weapons,” said the captain as the shadowy mass completed its transformation, “make sure they’re on standby. No one shoots without my authorization.”
Fixing his gaze on the corner of the room, Williams engaged the intruder, “Who are you, and what are you doing on my ship?” he demanded, as the security doors of the com deck slid open and Captain Bert Warrington joined them.
“My name is Enoi. I am a Desredeedese Shade from planet Sombor in the Ashenian System.”
When he communicated, it was as if the specific frequencies of sound to communicate each word he spoke were gently played in their ears. It imparted perfect resonance, creating a pristine sound unlike any other they had ever experienced; completely clean and unaltered by background noise. Because of the distinctness of their communications, one’s first conversation with a Desredeedese Shade can be quite alarming, since it imparts the feeling someone is speaking to you from inside your own head.
Each Desredeedese Shade has its own voice, but most beings never have the opportunity to converse with them often enough to distinguish the subtle differences. With their permission, the famous Dervian linguist Ingbot Sordeesh spent much of his life with the Shades. It was fifteen years before he learned to distinguish the delicate differences in the inflection and rhythm of their communications. His book “I Have My Own Voice” was lauded by academics, but largely ignored by others, mostly because Shades rarely interact with other beings. They are a private and secretive species.
“You boarded this ship without permission,” said Bert. “You have one minute to tell me why I shouldn’t have my crew shoot you.”
One of the com deck officers raised his weapon, pointing it at the intruder.
When necessary, a Shade can move so fast other beings’ eyes rarely perceive the movement, and if they do, they only detect a thin shadow drifting past. By dispersing themselves as they move, optical signals sent to the observer’s brains don’t receive enough information to register a proper image, so a Shade can move virtually undetected.
“Your weapons are useless against me,” said Enoi, who was now hovering in front of the closed security doors. “If you discharge them, the only damage you will do is to your ship. I did not come here to cause you harm; only to stop your attack on the aliens invading the Sote-kiliet.”
“Then we have a problem. I have orders to stop them by any means necessary.”
“The Shades will not allow that to happen. Just as you and your fleet have been transported to a new location in the Sote-kiliet, the aliens have also been moved. Your location coordinates for them are no longer valid; you will not be able to find, or engage them. I ask you to remain here until you hear from Sly, your Centorian Cha
irman, he will be contacting you shortly. We have recently consulted with him and provided information on the history and intent of the aliens invading this universe,” responded Enoi.
“Why should we believe you?”
“Shades have assisted Sly in many of his official endeavors, the details of which are confidential. You don’t have to trust me, you will hear from Sly, soon.”
“We have an incoming transmission,” said the communications officer.
“Read it out loud.” Bert turned to the officer still pointing his gun at Enoi. “Make sure your output wattage is set to maximum. If I don’t like what I hear, we may test the effectiveness of that weapon.”
The communications officer activated the transmission’s auto-read program and Sly’s voice could be heard throughout the command deck. “Alpha One, this is Sly, Chairman of the Centorian Government. The situation in Sote-kiliet has changed. Cease all actions and attempts to intervene with the alien invaders’ at once. An explanation will be forthcoming. New intelligence indicates the threat of attack on Centoria by the Korganraim Giants has escalated. Prepare your ships and crew for a preemptive strike on Korganra; the probability of this action is high. The details of this new assignment are forthcoming and should arrive during your translocation. Thank you again for your service to Centoria.
“Verify the authenticity of that transmission,” demanded Bert, although he was quite sure he recognized Sly’s voice.
“Our code analyzer indicates the encryption has a 99.99 percent chance of being from a Centorian, Sir. Coupled with our voice pattern analytical software, the odds are 99.9999 percent that was our Chairman.”
“Figure out where we are and then plot translocation coordinates for Korganra, then send them to the fleet” said Bert to his navigation officer. “I assume you will not be staying once we are under way?” he said to Enoi.
“Only long enough to make proper introductions. We have invited an ambassador from the Statera autem Qui-er Metit to board the ship.
“You did what?” demanded Bert in total disbelief, “and who are they?”
“They are the World Eaters, the ones harvesting planets from the Sote-kiliet. They are known by many names: Harvesters, Illis autem Odiem, the World Eaters, and many others.”
“I can think of a few choice names for them myself,” replied Captain Williams, who was sure he wasn’t in favor of another visit.
“If you wish to mitigate the effects of their actions on our universe, then permit them to board your ship one last time. You will not be disappointed, although you may find the resulting situation more difficult to manage. Time is not on your side in this matter. If you chose to act, you must do so swiftly. Every minute you delay you may regret a thousand times later.”
No one on the com deck missed the soberness of Enoi’s tone. Bert felt compelled to consider the matter, though he was unhappy his ship had been boarded twice by the World Eaters; both times without permission.
“If I allow them to board, will you stay and guarantee the safety of this ship?”
“I will stay, and no time will you, your ship, or your crew be at risk.” Then Enoi added, “I believe you would be doing the right thing.”
Bert agreed to the meeting and in moments three aliens appeared outside the security doors. They resembled the previous interloper, but each of them had their own unique features. These were not clones, in fact, they were not unlike the Centorians in many ways.
“Contact the fleet and inform them we are delaying our departure,” said Bert. “Officer Chanan, escort Enoi and our visitors to the Captain’s conference room and remain with them. Officer Williams and I will be along shortly.
After Williams described the events that occurred while Bert was in his quarters, they went to the conference room. The meeting was brief and Enoi was right, although it was against their policy, the World Eaters shared information that complicated the Centorian’s situation considerably. Then, without incident they left the ship as suddenly as they appeared.
Soon the Centorian fleet would be leaving for Korganra. But for what purpose, they were now unsure. Bert reasoned to himself three distinct options should be considered. They could go to Korganra and conduct a preemptive strike to protect Centoria; that was their current directive. Secondly, the Illis autem Odiem had informed them Korganra would be the next planet in the Sote-kiliet to be processed. So, they could go to Korganra and simply observe, as the World Eaters destroyed the planet and most of its population.
That would take care of the imminent threat against Centoria - no Giants, no war. And, once and for all their reign of illegal mining, and war mongering, and every other problem associated with the Korganraim Giants would be settled. That seemed too good to be true. But to allow that to happen, meant the Centorians would be complicit with genocide. That option was inconsistent with their history as a people and their nature.
Centorians always rendered aid to those who were unduly mistreated, and they had always looked after weaker societies and fought oppression throughout the universe. A preemptive attack to destroy certain Korganraim assets to protect Centoria from an invasion was one thing, but to stand by idly and allow the genocide of an entire race of beings, even of the Giants, was something altogether different. The idea was revolting.
That left option three, and it was rife with problems, the least of which was the Korganraim Giants were the most odious and troublemaking species in the entire universe. Not to mention their tendency toward complete disrespect for the sovereign rights of other planets. This thought rolled around in Bert’s mind like a pinball that didn’t want to fall in the right hole. After much consideration he decided what they would do, but only if he could reach an agreement with Enoi. Scratching a long note on a piece of Quidlid paper he handed it to Officer Chanan.
Narrowing her eyes, she read the small hand writing. They were wide with surprise by the time she finished.
“Capisce?” asked Bert.
“Sure, but you’re not serious. This is a joke, right?
“No, not a joke at all. It will only work if the Desredeedese Shades help us.”
“I understand where you are going with this Captain, but the Shades may not agree, and we don’t have much time.”
“True, but if we’re not successful the problem takes care of itself without our involvement, doesn’t it,” replied Bert. “There won’t be anything left of Korganra and the race of Giants when the World Eaters are finished.”
Ellen thought for a moment then expressed her opinion, “Your idea is the right approach. It could solve the Giant problem once and for all; a permanently solution for a problem that has festered for too long,” she said, like she was trying to convince a tribunal of its merits. “But this option is an order of magnitude outside the scope of our orders. You know how Sly feels about the giants. That makes this doubly hard since we’ll have to obtain his consent before we proceed.”
“See to it then,” said Bert, “and the quicker the better. I’ve been itching for a long time to do something about the Giants and now is my chance. While you’re contacting Sly, I’ll meet with Enoi.”
Officer Chanan scurried off to the com deck while Bert met with Enoi. As he predicted, Enoi was noncommittal. For many reasons Desredeedese Shades are careful about getting involved with other species, as they are generally mistrusted, though their endeavors behind the scenes have helped beings in trouble throughout the universes.
“Look, you came to us,” Bert said, trying to persuade Enoi. “We would have destroyed the Illis autem Odiem or whatever you call them, but you insisted some planetary destruction was ultimately for the greater good. Now we have the advantage of knowing Korganra will soon be targeted, processed and destroyed. The question is, do you want to help save them or not?”
“You are convinced this is the best solution to the Giant problem?” asked Enoi.
“Yes, but I’m open to suggestions if you can think of a better one. We’re not breaking new ground here Enoi, the
Desredeedese Shades have done this before. I hate to push you, but as you said, time is of the essence. I’ve already sent word to Sly of my intentions and I indicated to him I would ask for your involvement. I can’t wait any longer. Agree or not, Sly’s consent in this new arrangement or not, I have orders to attend to. I’ll be on the bridge. I’m taking my fleet to Korganra. You know where to find me.”
Bert spun around and walked out of the room. Enoi hovered briefly, then began to dissipate. Within seconds, the Captain’s conference room was empty. He had thought Enoi would be quick to agree, but he underestimated the possibility Shades’ wouldn’t want to be involved. He was in a foul mood when he entered the com deck barked an order to his communications officer, “Hail the fleet, we’re leaving for Korganra.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
GOYSPERS OF ARUGUNE
“Now this is more like it,” said Amelia after she uncovered her eyes. “No tornadoes, no debris floating up into the air, and no black gash across the sky. I may like this place.”
“Finally, one with some pretty landscape,” said Joules. “When was the last time Anonoi left us someplace scenic?”
“I wouldn’t get too excited,” replied Wayne. “Especially before we talk to Anonoi.”
“Really, Wayne? After almost being bled out by those stupid plants on Horsh Gorbrey, don’t you think this is a little better.”
“Yeah, well, we thought that meadow on Horsh Gorbrey was a nice place for a walk didn’t we; until we actually went on the walk.”
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