“Won’t they hear us?” Susan asked.
“Not with five thermal layers between them and us.”
Within a few minutes they were right under the Key West and were matching her speed and course.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
- KEY WEST -
“Sonar?”
“Nothing sir.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Sorry sir.”
“Keep at it,” the Captain ordered.
“Could they be behind us?” the Admiral asked.
“I doubt it but it won’t hurt to look. We can take a quick look and then head south on down the length of the trench. We will clear baffles in two minutes.”
“Very well,” the Admiral responded.
“Sonar, bring in the tow array.”
A few minutes later the sonar man reported the tow array was secured.
“Helm, come to 163 degrees.”
They turned back in the direction they had just come from.
“All stop.”
They stayed stationary for some time, letting the noise of their displacement dissipate. The sonar man listened intently but could detect nothing. He did pick up several dolphins bearing 90 degrees at 200 feet but no vessel.
“Sir, all I have are dolphins, bearing 90 degrees.”
“Very well. Helms return to our previous heading. 8 knots. Maintain 1,200 feet.”
“Aye, Aye.”
“They have to be here someplace. The biggest problem is how deep they can go,” the captain said.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
- CHAMELEON -
“Bottom at 29,500 feet,” Luke reported.
“Take us to 28,000. Down 5 degrees,” Marcus ordered.
Several minutes later they were at 28,000 feet and holding.
“We are right on target. I can feel it,” Marcus said.
“I sense it too,” Peter confirmed.
“It’s not much further. An opening of some sort,” Marcus muttered.
“Yes. On your right side,” Luke added.
“Starboard, you landlubber,” Marcus corrected.
“Turn on the lights. Bring us to 29,000 feet. Decrease power to 5 percent.”
“There. Just up in front of us,” Susan said, pointing to the monitor.
“I see it. A cavern. That has to be it. Okay Luke, ease us on in there.”
They inched their way forward. The cavern’s floor continued to drop away. Marcus continued to steer them through the maze. Luke was busy making course changes as a constant stream of orders were given by Marcus. They entered the huge cavern and continued sloping down and once again saw the dome situated on the ocean floor.
“How do we get inside it?”
“We need to make a noise just like last time. We ping it,” Marcus said.
“What about the other sub?” Luke asked alarmed.
“We are at 44,000 feet. Countless thermal layers are between us and them and we are in a huge cavern. Even if they did detect something they could never figure out the location. Ping it sonar,” Marcus ordered.
Before the sonar man could react, a large dark opening appeared.
“Hold it. They know we are here. I guess we should have known. Let’s go inside. Ahead two percent. Aim for the center.”
They slowly closed the distance and entered the opening. Once inside, Marcus gave the order to stop and hover. The portal closed as soon as they were inside but it was not dark now. They could hear water rushing out and soon the Chameleon was resting on a firm foundation.
“Give it a minute or so. We won’t need the recirculation suits. Okeefer, I want you to stay with the boat. Peter and Luke will come with me. Susan I would like you to join us as well if that’s all right you?”
“We’re all in this together,” Susan said.
A few minutes later Marcus cracked the outer hatch and the same heavy sour smell filled their nostrils.
“Yuck,” Susan said.
“Now you know what a man’s locker room smells like.”
“I could have happily lived forever without knowing that,” she said.
They made their way down the side of the Chameleon. It was much easier with the light and not having to lug the heavy recirculation suits. Peter helped Susan with the last step down. They made their way carefully along the floor and started out on the crosswalk. They could see what looked like a never ending drop off.
“Man, if you ever fell off here you would die of old age before you hit the bottom,” Peter said.
“Some of you would,” Susan said indicating the difference in their ages.
Susan let out a loud gasp.
“It’s alright. Those are the Bhakktah. I told you they were big.
“Come,” they all heard in their heads at the same time.
They followed the two huge creatures. Susan hovered near Peter. He put his arm around her waist. They were led to a large room with a bench in the center. They sat down and waited. They did not have to wait long. Soon a large Bhakktah entered and made his way to the raised dias.
“You....bring....word....from...humans....to...DaJadar.”
“Yes,” Peter said, “We have done as you directed. We have met with the leaders form the different countries that make up our planet. We have worked out a plan that we think will assure the Bhakktah that no humans will come to your world.”
“DaJadar....judge.....tell....plan.”
“We have formed a league made up of the countries capable of space travel. They have all agreed to allow no missile to leave earth’s orbit without getting permission first. No probe or manned flight will be allowed into the region in which your world is located. Nothing will be allowed to go to Saturn or any of her satellites. Every member has vowed to protect your region. The league will assume responsibility for all vehicles entering into space. They have pledged that no humans will ever come to your world without your permission. Maybe someday we will advance enough that you will want to make further contact with us. Until then, we will never venture into your region of space.”
“This...not....assure....Bhakktah. Humans...lie.”
“No DaJadar. We know the consequences of our actions. We will not break our word. We understand that you have the power to destroy our world. We will do as you command.”
“Humans....plan....attack. Now...DaJadar...know...
Humans...attack.
“We did not come to attack you. We are here to deliver the proposal as you instructed. We have absolutely no plans to attack you,” Luke said.
“Not....true…humans....in....water….hunt...Bhakktah.”
“I think he means the Key West,” Peter said to the others.
“Humans....attack. Bhakktah....destroy....planet.”
“Wait. We know that some bad humans are out there but we can handle that. Our leaders will see to it that they are punished. They can be controlled. They will never threaten you again,” Peter told the alien.
“Please listen to us. We are here on a mission of peace,” Susan added.
“Humans....in....water....must....destroy. Humans...must... kill....humans.
“What? What does that mean?” Marcus asked.
“I think he is saying that we must stop the others from attacking.”
“And if we don’t do it?”
“Good....humans....Zygonnia. Bad....humans....die.” the creature told them.
“DaJadar is mighty. The Bhakktah are mighty. Why are you afraid of us? You are bigger and stronger. You should not fear a few puny humans.”
“Bhakktah....not....war. Bhakktah....survive.”
“If we take care of the humans in the water will you accept our plan?”
“DaJadar....consider. Humans....wait,” he said and stood up and walked across the room and disappeared behind an opening.
“What do you think?” Peter asked.
“Are you offering to go out and take on Zoren? Sink his boat?” Luke asked.
“In a word, yes. I don’t see any other opt
ions. If you have a better suggestion, please speak up.”
“I don’t even know if we can do that. Zoren is no fool. He chose his vessel wisely. He thinks they are a match for us. I’m not all that keen on destroying one of our own submarines,” Marcus said.
“We may have to. If we don’t try, they will take out the whole planet. Even if we fail, they may reconsider and give the world a chance.”
“That is some gamble,” Marcus said.
“Why are they so afraid of that sub?” Susan asked.
“That’s a good question. They could destroy it without working up a sweat,” Luke said.
“It’s a test. They are testing to see if we really will protect their world,” Peter said.
“I’m not so sure. Something is missing here,” Susan insisted.
“Maybe they just don’t enjoy killing the way we do,” Luke offered.
“I doubt if that is it. We have seen a room full of dead humans. Thousands of them, and on top of that, they are willing to destroy the earth. No. Susan is right. Something is missing,” Peter said.
“Do you think this DaJadar is the supreme power?”
“Maybe here on earth, but he has to answer to someone back home. They send transmissions back to Titan all the time. My best guess is that he is doing just that right now,” Peter said.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
- INSIDE THE DOME -
“About a mile further down in the dome, DaJadar was doing exactly as Peter had suspected. He was contacting his home world.
“You will destroy the planet?”
“They have a plan that could work. They have set up an alliance that will screen all future space flights. They have promised to keep all probes and manned flights out of our region of space. This would include what they call Saturn.”
“And you believe they will keep their word?”
“Humans are not honorable. They seldom, if ever, keep their word,” DaJadar said.
“We know this to be true. We see no choice but to destroy the planet. We must do so while they are weak. If we allow them to develop further they will come and take over our world.”
“KaVa, they have done just as we have asked. They have devised a plan. I do not know if they can keep their word but the plan is acceptable.”
“DaJadar you have been on their world for a long time. We know you do not want to see them destroyed but we are talking about protecting the lives of the Bhakktah.”
“What about sending them to Zygonnia?” DaJadar asked.
“That would be an impossible task. That was only offered to give them hope that if all else failed, some would be spared. We did not want them to attack because they thought they had no other options.”
“You did not tell me this. This is deceit. What makes us any different than the humans? Bhakktah are honorable. I would never had offered this to them had I known it was a lie.”
“We know. That is why we did not tell you. You are concerned with protecting the purity of our people; we are concerned with our survival. DaJadar, you know we have no weapons and can do little to defend our world if they decide to come. What can we really do? They are far too powerful. Look at the devices of destruction they already have at their disposal. It was necessary to capture weapons from them to acquire the means to protect ourselves. The form you have taken is nothing more than an illusion to keep the humans afraid. If they could see you as you really are they would not be making the same offer.”
“KaVa, it is wrong to destroy this planet. There are many good people. I am convinced that they just need longer to develop. We must not allow ourselves to come down to their level. If I destroy this planet we will be no better than they are. I have offered them a chance to prove that they mean what they say and will do everything in their power to protect the Bhakktah’s world. It will be their last chance. If they fail, I will activate the devices.”
“It is a great risk. DaJadar are you willing to risk your home world? That is essentially what you are doing.”
“It is my call. I believe they will prove worthy. There is much we could learn from them someday. I will give them this last chance to save their world.”
“It is your decision. The fate of our world is in your hands. We cannot win a war with the humans. You have the means to see that it would never happen.”
“I understand. If they fail, I will destroy the Earth and return to Bhakktahar.”
“Even if you do allow them to live, we feel you should return to Bhakktahar. You have been on that world for too long. You are losing your objectivity.”
“What you say may be true. Either way it is a risk. If we do destroy this planet it could cause the entire solar system to become unstable. The gravitational shifts could cause all of the planets to crash into the sun. We have no real way of knowing what will happen. What of the effects of the debris from such an explosion? I have seen all of your projections but is letting them live any greater an unknown? Our scientists have been wrong more times than right. Speculation will not save our planet if a chunk of this planet collides with Bhakktahar.”
“What you say is true. It is a risk either way. May the Creator grant you wisdom. We will wait for your decision.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
- INSIDE THE DOME –
“Boy. He has been gone for a long time. I wonder what this means?” Luke said.
“I think it means they don’t really want to destroy us and are weighing out if they can believe us,” Peter said.
“I think they are honorable and want to let us survive. It is a tough decision. We have a very poor track record to date. It is a huge risk if they let us live,” Susan said.
“I’m not so sure I would trust us,” Marcus said.
“We are lucky it isn’t a human making the decision. They would have activated the device first and asked questions later. Sadly, that’s how we operate,” Peter added.
“If they tell us we have to take out the ships back in the trench are you willing to do it?” Luke asked Marcus.
“If the fate of the world hangs on destroying a few zealots then I will do it. I don’t know if we can accomplish it but I would be willing to try,” he said.
“It’s still killing,” Luke reminded him.
“Luke, I’m against killing just as much as you are. Everyone thinks military people like to kill. That is simply not true,” Marcus said.
“I’m not saying that. I am just saying that killers always try to justify their actions.”
“Luke, I have never purposely hurt anyone in my life. I don’t even think in terms of killing but this is one time I would agree with Marcus. We cannot stand by and let Zoren, or whomever it is, attack the Bhakktah, and in turn cause them to destroy our world. I am as nonviolent a person as you will ever run across and I say we stop them,” Susan said determinedly.
“Luke, if it comes down to that I think we have to do everything in our power to stop them. The Bhakktah will detonate the devices and humanity will cease to exist. Are you willing to kill Liz?” Peter asked.
“No. I just wanted to be sure we had all thought this out.”
They waited, each engrossed in his or her own thoughts. Time passed by slowly. At last DaJadar returned to the chamber and took his place.
“You....destroy....humans....attacking. Bhakktah...no... destroy...Earth.”
“You're saying that we must stop the ships that are out there searching for you? You want us to destroy them?”
“You....destroy.”
“If we can find a way to stop them without killing them will that be acceptable to you?”
“Stop....humans. Humans...never...come...Bhakktahar.”
“What does that mean?” Marcus asked.
“I think he is saying that we have to stop them and ensure that no humans ever go to Bhakktahar.”
“But does that mean if we can stop them without killing them he will be okay with that?”
“DaJadar. If we allow the humans in the ships to live but st
op the attack on you, is that acceptable?” Peter asked.
“No....come....Bhakktahar.”
“Yes. We understand that part. We just want to be sure that if we can talk them out of aggression toward you, that it will satisfy your demands.”
“Satisfy.”
“Great. That gives some other options. Maybe we can contact them and tell them it is safe.”
“Do we know that for sure?”
“DaJadar. If we stop the humans in the ocean then the rest of the proposal will be honored? We will keep away from your world and you will let us continue to live and develop on Earth?”
He did not answer right away. He sat watching the Earth humans.
“DaJadar?”
“Yes. You...live...You...must...do...both. Not...both, you....die.”
“Got it,” Peter said turning to the others, “He is telling us that we have to accomplish both things. In the short term, we must eliminate the threat posed by the other ships out there. The second one is the keeping of our word that we will never approach their world.”
“So now what?”
“We go after the ships. We will try to negotiate with them. If that fails we will do our best to stop them.”
“I know that. I meant now, this minute, what do we do next?”
“Ah,” Peter said, “DaJadar. We will go now to stop the people in the water. We will try to talk to them first but if that fails we will do everything in our power to stop them. Even if it means we have to kill them.”
“You...go. No...return... DaJadar now. DaJadar...give...
four...your...hours.
“Wait. We can’t accomplish this in four hours. It took us almost that long to navigate the passageway leading to this place. We need a lot more time,” Marcus argued.
“Four....Earth....hours.”
“Please DaJadar. We need more time. We have to locate them first and then try to reason with them. It will take longer than four hours.”
DaJadar stood up and started to walk out of the room. Susan ran over and stood in front of him.
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