MILDRATAWA

by Nigel Clayton

  “It’s only been a couple of days, my lady. I think she understands the predicaments of our marriage and that my growing wont to meditate and to learn of all things in the galaxy is a new lead in my life.” He felt no embarrassment as he spoke those words. Queen Asti understood Doug’s predicament and past life on Earth as he’d spoken of it many times before, during secluded meetings in her personal chambers. She held high regard for him.

  “When will her quarters be ready?”

  “Two days, my lady,” he knew what the next question would be, “and my quarters are more than comfortable; thank you.”

  “And Tiny.”

  “My lady.”

  “How does the Boumutah go?”

  “The studies were completed yesterday evening. I was going to say nothing of it as I have a demonstration shoot for you first thing tomorrow morning. But as you have brought it up— I guess I should inform all.”

  “There’s no need, Tiny.”

  “It would save a lot of time anyway, my lady,” and without waiting prompt he continued. “It’s similar to that of a laser gun’s splintex shot, but more effective. It splinters at any given distance through the means of a fibre-optic tube that transmits the magnetic pulses of brain wave from the firer, to the weapon. Just by thought alone, the laser round will splinter at any distance concentrated upon. We have also experimented with a larger crystal that can be pre-positioned and fired on from a distance – dependent on line of sight to the target. Once the larger crystal is hit, it will shatter the beam into many splinters; this in turn acts similar to that of a round fired from any weapon; a prior thought wave could enable each of these to splinter again. Of course, all of this depends greatly on its size and the manner to which the crystal was cut and positioned.”

  “It sounds most deadly and accurate.”

  “Oh, it is, my lady, and with perfection we should be able to get more from it. Mimbar will also have a surprise for his queen, but he’ll be a little longer with his demonstration. I believe he’ll be a few more days at least.”

  “I knew of his urgency to depart,” Asti said. “But he didn’t notify me of his destination or task.”

  “Please, my lady.” Doug turned momentarily to Tiny before continuing. “I believe he is on investigation. A message was intercepted on a Mildratawa frequency just the other day by one of our Protectors on judicial duty in Quadrant Four. It was a report from a Zudomminium ship that reported a lone legion that had taken a few shots at the two of them. They both lived to tell the tale.”

  The Queen Dimala interrupted, bringing all to stare upon her. “That would be impossible. If it was legion, he would have had a mind scan.”

  “Apparently the mind scan failed to do its bidding.” Doug continued with his hypothesis. “They reported that the Fio-nop robe had protected them from the weapon. “I’ve done some personal research on the subject. The robe itself is manufactured from Stamai hide, the fur of the planet Erulstinan’s horned ape. They say that it has nine lives, as it is so hard to kill – due to a particular quality in the hide of the animal. I believe this was why the Zudomminiums arrived at their conclusions to use the Stamai hide as a robe – due to their beliefs in reincarnation back into their own world. They say that the robe prevents them from departing their body on death; in similarity; it would appear that the robe prevented the mind scan entry to their souls and minds.

  “Mimbar’s greed was overwhelming when he realised that the broadcast they had made to the Mildratawa wasn’t picked up, and that seconds later they’d lost all communications. There was a report that indicated that the ship was mysteriously blown apart. We happen to be the only people in the entire universe whom know of this robe’s power against the mind scan.

  “So, Mimbar has taken to Erulstina with many stones from Nougstia. It’s logged in the books of export that they were about to purchase over 1,500 tonne of the rock for the power they require to go into parsec. As our price is high, and the Stamai ape is numerous in number, I can’t see why a bargain couldn’t be reached, particularly if we get in before anyone else happens to hear of the story of the shooting; though we are keeping things tight-lipped. All planet systems and quadrants will want a Stamai hide if the information becomes available to them. I’m sure that Mimbar will be successful and that Quadrant Three will grow even more powerful with the knowledge of this new weapon of protection. Our science lab should also be able to render the robe helpful in protection against other weapons; including our own.”

  The Equatian queen was dumbfounded by all of the news. “Tiny. How long before the Boumutah weapon can be produced and handed out to the Protectors of the Federate?”

  “We have produced ten such weapons; these are to be used as a means of blue print. We should have a significant number by the time Mimbar returns.”

  “How many is that?”

  “About 20,000 units, my lady. Our main emphasis has been placed on these weapons; for our protection of course – not for war,” he then looked to Dimala.

  “20,000,” acknowledged Asti.

  “It is a simple matter of modification to the mind scan and Verton mercenary weapons. We call them the M.S.Boumutah and the V.Boumutah. M.S. for mind scan, and V for Verton mercenary, my lady – for easy identification. The M.S. appears to be far more accurate and reliable, it being able to better grasp the electromagnetic brain waves of thought in indication to target and distance.”

  “This is unbelievable. And what of the Stamai? What news do you hold there?”

  “A guess, my lady,” Doug said. “If all turns out as we have hoped, then you will be the most powerful quadrant in the entire galaxy as we know it.”

  The Empress Dimala was busy with he own decipher of what was being said. It certainly appeared to her that these were plans – or a conspiracy – to take control of the entire galaxy, in a possible manner as to that of Verton’s attempt. “I wish to know what this talk is about, Druad. You say I am a guest, and that I can come and go as I please; so long as there is an escort—”

  “For your own protection.”

  “Of course, how silly of me— and that you are disgusted in the manner to which other planets go about destroying their own populations, and those of other worlds; yet you muse to do the same.”

  Doug stared at her and understood her misconception. “I think that the Empress Dimala doesn’t grasp the manner in which we deceive the other quadrants to the galaxy. It’s okay, Sualimani.” She was suddenly taken back by the seemingly insubordinate name-calling. “We can all understand how misleading things appear. We won’t force ourselves upon anyone or anything. We’ll try our best to maintain peace. We can interact peacefully between warring planets and people once the robes are manufactured; but if all were told of the secret, then we would be powerless to bring about control, or maintain overall peace. The Mildratawa is still picking up the pieces from the destruction upon Earth. A lot of unrest is spread throughout the galaxy; you know that. We have the opportunity here to become powerful enough to be heard by other quadrants. We shall use this chip of fortune to the best of our ability; for example: – the Mildratawa has voted your planet for expulsion, but not all representatives were present. With the numbers of seats that are held in the Mildratawa, the vote could have been turned, if it hadn’t been for the newly constructed law – by Glaucuna – stating that those present at any arranged meeting wore the brunt of any decision, as those absent had relinquished their right to vote.

  “We’ll try and convince the Mildratawa not to kill off the Verton planet, but we need power to pursue them; we alone can then organise the control of all being upon the planet. I take it that you are aware of the way in which the planet is to meet its death?”

  “I am.”

  “Then you also understand that we have little time. We stand a five percent chance of success; not much is it Sualimani?”

  “No. It’s not.”

  PLANET VERTON.

  SPACE.

  Bahan Tumick watched i
n awe from the cockpit window as the Mildratawa space bus exit the portenium cruiser and headed towards one of the many temporary space stations that orbited the planet of Verton. Within just a few days the expulsion of the Verton race was nearer its end.

  Space stations, space mirrors, and large vessels of all descriptions, surrounded the entire space boundary in a cordon that permitted no entry or exit. Star destroyers and star cruisers could barely be made out as the huge ships glittered in the rays of the Verton sun, like specs of white dust. It required great concentration to distinguish them between a ship and a faraway star. In whatever direction Bahan looked he could see the basic shape of the sphere that hung around the violators of space. Most nations were here, each undaunted by any suggestion that retaliation may be dealt out by Vetty or Warlord Newtwon.

  Newtwon. Only one threat existed and that was from Newtwon himself, but four battle cruisers would last less than a minute against the force that now prepared to bring the final stages of expulsion upon the planet below.

  Bahan was here to witness the final stages of the operation being put into effect. The final alignment of mirrors and positioning of photon laser was nearly complete. He himself would give the command of execution; the process of which would take several days, before a void was left as the only mark of a Verton existence within the quadrant.

  Many photon lasers were pointing towards the surface in an arrangement that allowed for equilateral and equiangular properties of exertion to exist. The surface would soon be coming under an infinite amount of electromagnetic energy, which would cause many changes upon machinery, weapons, and the stability of the very core of the planet itself.

  Once the operation was put into effect, the power of all sources would diminish. No electricity would exist, engines of all descriptions – even nuclear – would fail to operate, communication would be bombarded by the radiation so that no one community could converse with another, medical facilities would become inoperable and the basic structure of the Verton society would collapse. And this was not all. Once all was magnetised, the power of such would increase, the very core of the planet bearing to a change, becoming stronger in its gravitational pull. This was where the expulsion of the planet was met. It was irreversible. The planet would involuntarily swing towards its sun, Tullana, a bright orange star that pulsated slowly, burning brighter one day than it had the day before. Once the change in Verton’s orbit was registered, all space stations and vessels of the cordon would abandon the planet. No one, not even Newtwon with his four battle cruisers, would dare to try a rescue at this stage. The planets population would find it impossible to stand up after a certain amount of time, and with this time, the planet would commence to collapse, to burn to a cinder as it reached unbearable speed and plummeted to the surface of Tullana in a streak of burning light. This was the expulsion, the authority that was held by the Mildratawa.

  Bahan entered the space station and peered out of the ship’s one-inch glass pane. He picked the mike up unceremoniously and wasted no time. “All stations, activate; now.”

  Red and green photon laser thrashed out from the sides of all spacecraft, merging to strike as one on the pre-positioned panels of space mirror surface, to arrive instantaneously at the core of the photon energy pods which were positioned nearer the surface of Verton. This was the act of arranged execution. The powerful photon lights unleashed their electromagnetic spasms of energy upon Verton, and unseen to the eyes that looked on from space, all energy on the surface of the planet was immediately spent. The core of Verton was growing in its pull, and the final days of countdown had commenced.

  The Verton’s on the planet’s surface knew something was forthcoming as the police robots had been extracted with such speed and organisation that a shock of disbelief, so heavy, prevented even the mightiest of criminal forces to retaliate in any way.

  It was only minutes after this that the laser struck out at the planet Verton, passing through cloud cover, leaving a fine signature, as spirals of white seemed to caress the beams of light. The spiral wisps danced around the thin lines of energy, each jetting down from space to the surface below. Fine clouds of dust also spurt up from the dry grounds upon the surface – not in reaction to any force for which the lights had hit with, but from the magnetising quantum energy given off by protons and nuclei. Bodies of water also gave off small sign to the effect of energy, by the minutest of ripples that grew in concentric circles.

  Verton females screamed in horror, but not all. Some of the males knew exactly what was being handed down to them; but said nothing to their mates. The law had been passed down to all, regardless of sex, age, affiliation, prior planet origin, or status. Sualimani was the only Verton to escape – between the period of Newtwon’s exodus and the withdrawal of the robots. None knew of Sualimani’s kidnapping, except those of the Queen Asti’s personal entourage.

  Doug wasn’t blind too much nowadays. He slumped in his favourite chair and felt the loss of dignity, saw the horror in the minds of Vertons whom had been manipulated and moulded to the like of Vetty, felt their complete sorrow and knew of their guilt-free souls. Why should a complete nation or planet have to suffer for the wrongdoing of one lord, a warlord? Why should they suffer the sacrifice to expulsion? Maybe he was the one. He couldn’t comprehend the question, but maybe. Would the robots of Irshstup mould to an unforeseen trust, to be allocated a task that was at present unclear? The Boumutah, what secrets did it really hold? He already knew that it could be controlled through the process of thought. The Stamai ape, the horned beast with nine lives, what was its destiny in the folds of time to come? Many questions were held unanswered, yet he knew they would come to bear fruit with time. Even his increasing meditative states couldn’t breach the curtain of darkness that was drawn on parts of his mind. He thought: ‘Protectors of the Scrolls.’

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  PLANET EQUATIA.

  THE PALACE.

  Queen Asti looked out upon the arena that Vetty had prepared in her palace, the very stage where the king had been executed. She sat comfortably and watched with a smile as the Stamai ape leapt pleasingly from one apparatus to the next, a maze of amusement that had been erected for the creature.

  His two horns were attached to the area between his nose and forehead, the upper most – and smallest of the two – positioned between its two black glistening eyes; in similarity to that of an Earth Rhinoceros – which had met with extinction over one hundred years before.

  Mimbar stood beside his queen with arms folded and a tiny smile portrayed his pleasure in showing off his prize. “This is the oldest of the bunch, my lady. I thought that it would be more appropriate to use the mind scan against him, just in case; he is near death anyway. After the demonstration with the mind scan I wish to try the Boumutah against it. I’d like to point out that this ape has also undergone treatment by which our science lab believes to be the requirement if it is to survive the Boumutah. I have 8,000 such apes, and it takes four and two thirds for the making of one Fio-nop robe. I estimate 1,738 robes, but we must cut this number drastically if we wish to breed.”

  “And what of their length of pregnancy?”

  “Eight months, my lady; and only one birth, per female, every five years, between the ages of fifteen and thirty.”

  The Queen sat silent for a short period before considering another option. “What about cloning.”

  “I don’t know. It may derive repercussions against its effect against the mind scan and other weapons. We also have to consider the equipment for such.”

  “We have the money, Mimbar.” She looked up at the leader of her Protectors. “You must purchase the equipment as soon as possible, before any system wises to our antics.”

  “I’ll get onto it right away.”

  “How long will cloning take, Mimbar; any ideas?”

  “For the complete article; you could be looking at three to four weeks; less if all you require is a cloning of the hide.”

  “Can you
clone the hide of the Stamai alone?”

  “That’s possible with a cell support system, such is required for the maintenance of reproduction. That too will have to be purchased.”

  “Then you should be on your way, Mimbar, as soon as the demonstration is over with.”

  Mimbar signalled to a guard on the far side of the room, who was presently peering through the pane of glass to the door that he stood behind. Only the top portion of his body could be seen.

  The guard look down at his mind scan and then up again before awaiting for the ape to move to the far reaches of the room – towards the panel of glass through which Queen Asti watched in safety. The guard burst through the door, aimed and fired three consecutive shots, two of which hit the Stamai in shock surprise to its now daunting look. It exposed its teeth and screamed his grunt before pounding his chest and leaping for a horizontal bar above his head, making his move towards his assailant.

  The guard stood aside nervously and another appeared with the Boumutah. The ape closed the distance and with increasing speed. The guard fired two shots before the door was slammed shut, one hit had been secured and the ape was now pounding at the closed door, smearing the square glass panel with its rabid breath. The largest of its horns tapped against glass, barely heard from the outside, and its teeth and gums were soaping with drawls of anger.

  The ape was alive and well. The Queen stood. “The ape has served our purpose well. He is old. Ensure he’s well treated and get about your task immediately, Mimbar.”

  “Yes, my lady.” He turned on his heel and was gone and the Queen turned to stare towards the Stamai ape with a faint smile showing her affection for the old and wise beast.

  PLANET BASBI TRIAD.

  DARKSIDE.