HADRON Resurgent

by Stephen Arseneault

  Meggala was unsteady for a second. “The bracka are dead?”

  Mace nodded. “We encountered the same creatures on another planet. We thought we were doing anyone who was here a favor. If we’ve put you in danger, we’ll help to remedy that.”

  Meggala sat. “The texts speak of the visitors’ return. Are the rest of the Phobali with you?”

  Mace asked, “Phobali?”

  Meggala nodded. “We are Phobali. Are they coming home? Were you sent for us?”

  Mace slowly shook his head. “I don’t think so. We just came across this planet while exploring. We saw the ruins of this city and came down to investigate. That’s when we saw and killed off the bracka. So this planet is called Phobal or something like that?”

  “Phobas. These were once great cities.”

  Mace asked, “What happened?”

  Meggala stood. “Come with me. I’ll show you.”

  Mace and Jenny followed the keeper into the archives. It was a large room stacked high with books and maps.

  Meggala stopped in front of a yellowed wall map of the globe. “We were once six nations at peace. The cities thrived, the people were happy and well cared for. Industries were growing and life was improving for everyone.”

  Mace asked, “You said there was a collapse?”

  Meggala nodded. “Our great cities, businesses, and homes, were once all powered. Vehicles carried us on the ground and in the air. Travel between cities and nations was frequent and encouraged—unlike now, where you will be executed if found in another’s claimed territory. Either the collapse brought the loss of power or the loss of power brought the collapse. The record of that is unclear.

  “What we know is that without transportation, foods were no longer distributed and a great panic set in. Shortly after, millions became ill. Many died before the visitors arrived. They brought food and medicine, but could not stop the plague that subdued us. We were given a choice, go with them for treatment or remain and perish. Most went willingly, but a few, our direct ancestors, stayed hidden from the glorious fleet of transports that were sent on our behalf. The people boarded those ships and were swept away. The people here are born of those who were left behind.

  “When the great ships departed, the illness disappeared but the bracka came. We hid here in the tunnels beneath Lorban. The mound was established and many of those who had remained perished from the black death of the bracka. Our people fought back. They adapted. They learned the patterns of the beasts. Over the years we came to know how to live with the threat nearby. We learned the bracka were territorial and with that knowledge we began to use them for our defense. Those who survived in the cities surrounding us became our enemies. The bracka have kept them away.”

  Mace frowned. “How is it you can live with the bracka but they can’t? Aren’t there other mounds?”

  Meggala took a deep breath. “Yes. But the patterns the bracka develop are unique to each mound. Should we attempt to invade the territory of another mound, it would be disastrous for us.”

  Jenny shook her head. “So you’ve lived here for twelve hundred years with those things out there? And the others on this planet want you dead? How many of you are there in Lorban?”

  “Seventeen hundred and four.”

  Mace said, “That’s a lot of people to keep fed.”

  Meggala nodded. “The bracka provide.”

  Jenny grimaced. “Wait, you eat those things?”

  “No. They leave secretions about that stay in a gel form until disturbed. Aside from fruits, nuts, and berries, we survive by raiding the hardened secretion traps of any animals who fall prey to them. And the secretion itself burns well to provide light.”

  Mace said, “We’ve had a few experiences with that stuff. There’s no escape for the individual. Meggala, how would you like to once again have power?”

  The keeper shrugged. “We’ve never known it. What would we do?”

  Mace replied, “For one, you can get rid of those candles. Second, you could power machines and begin to rebuild your city… and defend it. We would be willing to help you get started, but I would ask that you use your new strength for peace. It’s time to reunite the Phobali and to rid your world of the bracka.”

  Meggala thought for a moment. “Such a mission would have to be put before the council.”

  Mace smiled. “Have your council meet. If they’re interested in a new life, we will help you get started. I’ll need to visit my ship in the meantime.”

  Meggala scurried away to assemble the Lorban council. Mace and Jenny made their way to the surface and then up to the Rogers.

  Johnny was waiting to discuss what had transpired. “You’re giving them a reactor?”

  Mace nodded. “Just one. We’ll show them how to use it. Maybe hook up a few lights for them. And we can revisit in a couple months.”

  Johnny asked, “Why are you doing this? They were surviving on their own.”

  “Three reasons. The first is because we killed off the bracka they used to defend their city. The second because we killed off the bracka that kept them in food.”

  “And the third?”

  Mace stopped, looking Johnny in the eye. “And the third is because I believe their world was attacked and their people enslaved. Think about it. Great cities. A thriving populace. And all of the sudden you have a complete collapse because of loss of power. Sound familiar? I’m wondering if they lost communications at the same time.”

  Johnny shook his head. “You’re not comparing this place to what happened on Earth, are you?”

  Mace shrugged. “Maybe. Aren’t you curious how two other planets that were at evolutionary levels similar to our own suddenly collapsed, followed by aliens showing up? The Galactic Union members have all denied being responsible for Earth’s demise. What if they weren’t responsible? What if there’s another species out there who goes around and does this and then enslaves the people?”

  Johnny half winced. “That’s a big stretch, don’t you think?”

  “Is it? Jasper has been through all the technology the Galactic Union members had available. None of them had anything like what was used to hit Earth.”

  Johnny crossed his arms. “I’m not sold. The Union members already admitted to invading because we discovered dark matter. If this other invasion was about to happen at the same time, that would be a galactic coincidence.”

  Jenny joined the conversation. “I have to side with Mace on this one. Too many similarities for us not to investigate further.”

  Mace nodded. “I think we return to Earth and grab Jeff and his team. And contact Jasper to bring out his team. I also think we may want to go back to Hardy to see what we can dig up there. If those electromagnetic storms did come from another species, who’s to say they won’t be back? While our main power is now coming from the fusion reactors, practically all of our industry is reliant on electricity. Another event like before could send us back to the stone age again.”

  Johnny said, “Well, this time we have the Rogers to put a stop to it.”

  Mace grimaced as he shook his head. “They could set up their bombardment half a light-year away, start it up, then leave five months later. By the time it reached Earth, they would have been gone for a month. We’d be stuck with five months of chaos after that. And if they just kept moving around doing the same thing, they could keep it going continuously and we wouldn’t have a way to stop it.”

  Johnny took a deep breath. “That must have taken some deep thinking to come up with that.”

  Mace nodded. “It did. Jeff proposed it to me about six months ago. Said if we could duplicate whatever they did to create those storms, we would have a much-needed deterrent to anyone attacking us. It would be the ultimate standoff weapon.”

  Johnny stood silent in thought for several seconds. “Wow. If that’s what happened, you’re right. Someone is sitting out there and they will do this again.”

  The transfer of investigators to Phobas only took hours.
They found a single stack of journals that outlined the events surrounding the collapse. Electromagnetic storms had arrived. Power and communications were lost. Transportation followed. Then the great panic ensued, just as it had on Earth, where everyone was scrambling to live, often doing things to their fellow Phobali they never thought possible, all in the name of survival.

  Jasper’s teams on Hardy uncovered similar materials, the writings of the last of the survivors, who’d eventually succumbed to the colonies of the spider beasts that had been left behind.

  Somehow, the small groups of Phobali had persevered. For twelve hundred years they had followed a daily routine that consisted of little more than following schedules and gathering food. All the while, the great cities surrounding them continued to crumble.

  In the months that followed, reactors were brought in and the bracka annihilated. Treaties were signed between the cities, and a global council was established to begin the reclamation and rebuilding of the Phobali world.

  The Rogers returned to Earth, where life was beginning to boom. Embryo implantations were taking place at increased levels. A third of the women of child-bearing age were now pregnant or in the initial planning stages of being so. The farms were producing an abundance of produce. Factories made machines that were used to build more factories. And the first ships of the new Human fleet were beginning to take shape.

  Trade with the old Union worlds was on the increase. On Canto, the protection tax was enacted. All progress at growing the colony, and with it the profits of the Knuttin Corporation, had come to a halt. Further attempts at trade with the Hoorka had hit a wall. With their war at an end, their efforts were focused on strengthening their worlds. The Hoorka mistrusted other species, and thus new relations were unwelcome.

  Jasper’s fleets had kept a close eye on the rift leading to the Karthian worlds. Activity through the wormhole was detected, but ships had not come through since the nuclear ships had been used.

  The old Union species, without the power and might supplied by Muhatha ships, squabbled among themselves over trade. Minor skirmishes developed over disputed territories as their underling species broke off relations to strike out on their own. The loose trade union that evolved consisted of twenty-two species, now all of equal stature.

  Tres and Vanessa expanded their restaurant into a chain. Johnny had his hands full of chores while following Jane’s orders in raising their two adopted children. Zax and Fina continued to grown rapidly, each of them reading at the fifth grade level while just under two years of age. Zax, being the only male of his age, received constant attention from a multitude of mothers who had triplet girls. There was no end to his scheduled playdates. Derwood and Molly were happy to stay out of their way.

  Jeff and Nancy joined the ranks of the parents-to-be. Liam, Humphrey, and Hans had found spouses of their own. Jordan Crawford returned to an old girlfriend. Gnaga Klept, after reuniting with his family, moved them to Earth. Bontu Montak and Fatso Geerok became Earth Ambassadors to the Mawga while Heeb, Hooba, and the others took jobs in Jeff’s science lab.

  Mace Hardy continued to enjoy the company of Jenny Taub, going on secluded picnics and taking long walks. Jane insisted on knowing all the details.

  Life on Earth had come full circle. What had once seemed an impossibility was again beginning to take shape. Even with all their daily problems, Humans were happy and thriving as a species. By all accounts and measures, the Earth and her Human population were resurgent. However, it was a big galaxy, largely still unexplored. And with hostile species known to be out there, the Humans of Earth would have to keep an ever watchful eye.

  What’s Next!

  *

  This Human is asking for your help!

  If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review on the site where it was purchased. And by all means, please tell your friends! Any help with spreading the word is highly appreciated!

  Also, I have a free science fiction eBook short story, titled “THE SQUAD”, waiting for anyone who joins my email list. Find out when the next exciting release is available by joining the email list at comments@arsenex.com. I like feedback!

  The following preview of the next book in the series is provided for your reading pleasure. I hope you enjoy!

  (Flip the page!)

  HADRON

  (Vol. 6)

  Chaos

  Chapter 6.1

  *

  Jenny rolled over on the blanket. “You’ve got moss all over your back.”

  Mace lay on his belly, hands up under his chin, eyes gazing at the rushing stream that roiled and dove over round rocks on its way down the mountain.

  “Moss doesn’t grow on a rolling stone.”

  Jenny rolled him over, pulling herself over atop him for a kiss. Several long, joyous seconds of passion were interrupted by the chime of a comm device.

  Jenny sighed as she reached for it. “It’s Johnny this time.”

  “Don’t answer it.”

  Jenny smiled. “He looks concerned.”

  Mace let out a deep breath before sitting up and gesturing. “Hand it to me.”

  Johnny’s image floated over the device. “Sorry to disturb the party, but Jasper says he’s been trying to reach you for twenty minutes.”

  “What’s he need?”

  “There’s been activity at the Karthian rift.”

  Mace frowned. “What kind of activity?”

  Johnny chuckled. “Well, I would suppose it’s the bad kind. He didn’t say, but he looked unhappy.”

  Mace nodded. “Thanks. I’ll comm him.”

  Jane stuck her head around Johnny and grinned. “Hey, Jenny.”

  Jenny smiled. “Hey, Jane.”

  Mace closed the comm.

  Jenny laughed. “They are the nosiest people.”

  Mace placed a comm to the Rogers.

  A new face answered. “Lieutenant French. How can I assist, Mr. Hardy?”

  “What happened to Clive?”

  The lieutenant answered: “Clive decided to move to London, sir. I’m his replacement.”

  Mace stood. “When did that happen? Oh never mind. I need you to open a wormhole comm to King Collins for me.”

  The lieutenant replied, “He’s been trying to contact you for a while now, sir.”

  Mace nodded. “So I hear. And please stop calling me ‘sir.’ Mace or Mr. Hardy is fine.”

  The lieutenant smiled. “Yes, Mr. Hardy. Comm is coming through now.”

  An image of Jasper Collins in his black battlesuit hovered in the air as Jenny brushed moss from Mace’s back.

  “Trouble at the rift?”

  Jasper scowled. “It’s those dumbass Union members. They’ve been busy building cruisers and nuke ships. My spies were watching, but they somehow missed the numbers they were putting together. A fleet of fifteen hundred ships just showed up at the rift. We think they’re waiting for several hundred more, after which they plan to attack.”

  Mace winced. “In those cruisers? They’ll get slaughtered.”

  Jasper nodded. “Exactly. I’ve attempted to hail their command ships, but they aren’t returning my calls.”

  “Well, if they go in and get their asses kicked, it shouldn’t affect us.”

  Jasper shook his head. “Not necessarily true. If the Karthians sense an overwhelming victory, they might think they have a clear shot at the colonies over here. This could bring them through before I have my new fleet at any kind of decent strength.”

  “How’s the buildup coming?”

  “We’ll be at sixty-eight by the end of this week. Fifty-six have been flight tested and crewed. I think they can hold their own against the Karthian ships, but not against that station and whatever that green energy beam is.”

  Mace said, “Well, at least they have to leave that station on the other side.”

  Jasper scowled. “I’m just concerned they’ll figure out how to package that in something smaller that will fit through there.”

  “We
ll, we haven’t seen any evidence of that yet. What exactly would you like me to do about the situation?”

  Jasper leaned his head to one side. “I don’t know, maybe get your fanny in gear and come out to support us? I know you’re busy with the little lady and all, but I think this needs your attention.”

  Mace nodded. “Fine. I’ll assemble a crew and we’ll head your way. You want us to meet you there or at the rift?”

  “I’m at the rift. Come here directly when you’re ready.”

  “Got it. Will probably need a couple hours to call everyone in.”

  Jasper leaned toward the comm camera. “Do it fast. We may not have a couple hours.”

  The comms went out to the crew of the Rogers. Liam Hobbs was the last to arrive, having to come by skybus from the community center in London. Mace sat in his command chair on the bridge as his senior staff took to their consoles or stood waiting.

  “It seems the old Galactic Union members have assembled a sizable fleet. They’re taking up position at the Karthian rift, massing for an invasion. Our problem is we don’t think they will win. And with the resounding beating that will be coming their way, Jasper and I presume the Karthians may decide to come through the rift, believing they now hold the upper hand.

  “The Targarians have just over five hundred ships now, including about sixty of the Collins class—not nearly as much as we want. So what are we doing with the Rogers, you ask? We’re going to offer whatever assistance we can if the Karthians do decide to come through. If we muster enough ships, we might just dissuade them from following up with an invasion of our space.

  “So I hope you’ve all said goodbye to your spouses and children. This could be a false alarm, or it could be all-out fighting for our survival.”

  The staff of the second and third shifts left the bridge.

  Mace looked around. “Good to see you all here. Wish it was under better circumstances. I hope you all remember how to work those stations. I know it’s been several months for a number of you.”

  Hans replied, “We’ll do our best, Mr. Hardy. Our lives count on it too.”

  Mace gave a nod. “Mr. Hobbs, jump us to the rift. Mr. Mallot, prepare for a full scan. Mr. Mueller, make sure all weapons are charged and ready to fire.”