The breakthroughs in research were almost immediately felt; some of the top scientists of late Earth were paid handsomely to race ahead in their search for perfection in all areas of medicines, drugs, and the employment of plants’ DNA into other substances and materials. The birth of a new science, and in a new direction, was now reopened to the medical and scientific world.
The antiseptic moss of Equatia would become a refined product and a well-guarded secret that would never leave the confines of the science labs, where it was tested time and time again.
One such product was evidently astounding but yet, no apparent use found for its purpose – until Doug had returned to Equatia, along with the exploration team that he had accompanied to Earth.
It was leaked to Doug via a conversation between two scientists – whom would never dream of holding anything back from Doug in the first place – that a DNA particle from hydrogen mixed with that of refined moss was the by-product of an anti-gravitational fuel, which thrust at low pressure. This acted as to increase pressure up to five million times, hence, .35kg’s of pressure exerted upon any mass, would be increased to the equivalent of an estimated 1,750,000kg’s. But it acted as a repellent more than a thrust of power, like that of an invisible force emitted by a magnetic field. The scientists were planning some type of remote voyage into the Dead Zone in search of black holes, though Doug had a different plan in mind.
After great lengths to his arguments he had convinced the queen to push for a rescue mission to save the people of the planet Verton, which was coincidently taking longer to plummet into a fireball towards Tullana, than had been expected. Although the power of the anti-gravitational fuel couldn’t prevent the planet from increasing its speed to eventful extinction upon that of Tullana, he could save some of the lives which lived upon the planet’s surface; innocent beings.
Sualimani’s first choice for rescue was surprising. She chose the only known portion of the surface, which was squandered in disease, and an overcrowded population of degenerated Vertons. These were the people whom she believed to be more honest than most; no hiding legion officer would dream of hiding out here, and quite frankly, they deserved a break. Queen Asti, as well as Doug, was quite taken back by Sualimani’s plea; but it would be ventured.
But what of the Mildratawa?
The ships which had investigated the area to where the Ziggurat had been destroyed, had a fair knowledge that an Equatia ship was responsible due to some of the excretion of gases found at the sight, but another excretion was also evident; from a frigate of the planet Vudd. They also boarded the wreckage of the Stem and came to their own conclusions. The now four bounty hunters of Asti’s were reported to have gone missing from planet Vudd; they were now wanted men and already had a price on their heads: – destruction of Government squandered property, breaking of QEM regulation, Invasion of Earth space boundaries, just to name a few of the violations committed by them. Equatia would have to be challenged and the investigation continued. The Mildratawa would no doubt wish to venture to the surface to meet with the Queen, or bring about some sanction – which wouldn’t work in any case due to the astonishing growth of Quadrant Three’s intellectual wellbeing. And why were they sending a spaceship to Verton? Why were they intervening with galactic law and law of the Mildratawa? What actions, if any, could be taken against Equatia? Queen Asti, could she have pushed too far?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
QUADRANT TWO.
SPACE.
The ships came out of parsec to a view of the planet Verton. As the craft came out of parsec they commenced to vibrate violently. Although they were at present 200,000 kilometres from the Verton surface, the gravitational pull was making its effect known, and rather strongly.
A five-member crew manned each of the twenty-five Voyager spaceships, each of which had been bargained for from planet Irshstup, an old relic used by the force of old genetic robots prior to the newest breed being manufactured. Little to no work was required to turn the bridge into a controllable platform for which to be used by a hand of four fingers and one thumb; besides, the new breed of robot found the controls too simple for their intellectual Pulse-COMP brains. A simple exchange of resources for a vessel, which was to be scrapped, seemed a top prospect to Irshstuptian officials – no questions were asked.
All ship thrusters lay dormant, no resistance offered to the overpowering gravitational pull which was slowly grabbing Verton by the throat and swinging it in a never ending, dying trajectory. The planet would soon end up its life like a meteor on direct collision with Tullana.
Eighteen hours of life existed before the angle of approach towards its pulsating sun would become so great that instantaneous death would result from the gravity; many old and fragile, and young lives would already have met their death and become acquainted with the Verton God Vir-mai-na.
The pull of Tullana was so apparent that the ships sped faster now than what they would have done if their thrusters pushed them onto their top speed prior to parsec being engaged. And as the voyager craft were over 100 billion times lighter than the planet Verton, they slowly gained upon it.
The distance was still overwhelming and at present it seemed that they would never reach it in time. It was calculated that a journey of five hours lay ahead of them, leaving little time to ploy saviour upon the surface. Even as Doug and his band of Protectors contemplated the scene of death that confronted them, deaths were increasing in number.
“Captain,” said Doug as he turned his head to face that of the seated pilot.
“Yes, sir.” No matter what was said, he was always addressed in such a manner, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable. The young pilot was one of the first recruits of Tiny Ballow’s Officer Cadet School for Pilots, and had proved priceless during training.
Doug remained silent for a short second. “Our time of flight is too long. I want to shorten it.” Doug had no real idea on how it could be done. He was asking for a solution. The pilot sat steady, eyes fixed to Doug’s. “How do I do such a thing, Captain?”
Evidence of a smile came and withered. “I’m not sure; I— could you mean; you want to gain speed?”
“That is what I’ve asked.”
“Well, sir, I—” The captain peered out towards the burning ball of Tullana through the filtered screen, then the bleeping dot of Verton on the screen of his console. “Sir, I believe you wish to proceed with a jump into parsec.”
“Is that feasible?”
“Not at this distance. We’re very close to the planet and Tullana. Not far enough when considering parsec.” He paused for another second. “I guess if I could program the computer, that I could leap frog to the planet; but that would use all of our fuel for a return parsec, our return journey to the QEM-gate would take forever; and to refuel. No; we would be lost in space and eventually cornered by the Mildratawa.”
“If our return parsec was guaranteed through other means, would it be possible to leap frog to Verton, and if so, how long would it take?”
“15 minutes to program the computer, 20 seconds to relay the information to the other computers, on the other ships, and another 30 minutes to get there.”
“Yes, a possible saving of more than four hours and hundreds of lives. Let’s do it shall we?”
“Yes, sir.” He acted with hesitation but said nothing. Doug would know what to do in order to secure a return journey; he hoped.
Luck would have it that Doug was correct, that the area of concern was to the side of the planet furthest from Tullana. From their approach, a direct line of sight, theoretically, could be drawn to Equatia, through the QEM-gate, from where they were.
The evacuation process took a little under two hours to complete, by which time all voyagers had been loaded with Verton beings. The loading process was much like that in which cargo, or stores of large quantity, were taken to the bays: an under chute was opened to reveal the gaping cargo hold. The ship would manoeuvre over a mass of Vertons and then lower over these. Due to
the anti-gravitational effect of the refined moss and hydrogen DNA mixture, there was no effect of gravitation evident upon the ships, its occupants, or the area over which it was situated.
The Queen Asti’s Operation Noah was now near completion; all that remained was for the flight back, and only Doug was at present knowledgeable in the simplicity of such an act. He sent a program of instructions to the fleet of 25 spaceships.
He broadcast his plans to all 124 Protectors, and whether or not the Verton peasants understood what was going on, was of no real concern at present.
Each ship, one after the other, was to use no more than half the fuel in which they had remaining, to position themselves on a computer confirmed flight path of parsec towards QEM-gate and Equatia. Still no one understood what nonsense was occurring until the final explanation of execution came into effect.
Each of the ships, one after the other, was to open the thrusters of repulse and eject themselves as an increasingly speeding projectile towards their homeland. The idea had come to him when he thought about the scientists’ conversation, which he had recalled hearing the day before. They wished to use the moss against blackholes in the depths of the Dead Zone. All he had done was simply implement the idea and prove its worth.
It was feasible, and each Voyager sped off at top speed, exerting its building pressure, pushing ever increasingly away from Verton and Tullana. As they increased the gap, so speed was gained. No firm platform was required to thrust off from, just a starting point or berth, proof that a real scientific breakthrough had been made – to repulse the increasing gravitational pull.
Doug thought of what if, and had decided on two such prognostic variables. Firstly, if increasing speed was not possible, and parsec within QEM-gate could not be met, at least they were on the right path to be searched for by any number of rescue ships from Equatia. The second was less favourable and involved joining the Vertons in death, but at least it would have been a quick death.
A question posed during the plan was of some concern, and on hearing Doug’s explanation, slight panic – which was hidden well within the confines of discipline – was entered into. How were they going to stop?
The fuel that remained was not enough to cease a fight from parsec, but it was enough to slow down into a state where the spaceships would become manoeuvrable by computer. Each ship, as it came into the boundaries of space around Equatia, would spend all remaining fuel to cut a large chunk from the speed from that which existed.
A seemingly deadly game would then be ventured. The computers would shoot themselves along a path that circled the planet and the atmosphere would slow their descent enough to allow the refined moss to exert a controlled landing.
All was theoretical but completely feasible; so long as the Voyagers could take the heat offered by the edge of outer atmosphere. As it turned out, all vessels were successful.
It was on the very fast but skilful re-entry that spy ships from Glaucuna witnessed Doug’s return, the spy-ship computers then set about plotting the likely starting point of their flight. As no real parsec speed was used, no excretion was evident; therefore no real proof of Equatia’s interference could be lawfully justified and therefore little done to persuade a ceremonial handing over of probable prisoners.
Information on the remarkable encounter and skilful re-entry was passed on to the Mildratawa Headquarters on Glaucuna, and they in turn became somewhat worried that Equatia’s technological advance in science, resources, and idealism’s, were becoming too one-sided and went against everything lawful. Why was there no excretion?
It was over the next few days that Queen Asti announced that any space infringements or unwarranted entry upon her governed planets would result in sanctions, imposed by her, against the remainder of the galaxy. The Mildratawa laughed at this; a simple snicker towards her and her obvious thoughts that she had something the remainder of the galaxy did not. It only took a further three days for the Mildratawa to withdraw their proposed landing and all spy-ships from within the quadrant. They had said they wished not to act in a hostile manner, as their sole purpose and goal was to secure peace; Asti and Doug knew differently; the Mildratawa was running scared.
PLANET EQUATIA.
THE PALACE.
Doug sat in his personal chambers awaiting the arrival of Nakatumi Jassat. It was only twelve hours earlier that Nakatumi was found outside of the grounds of the prison on planet Nougstia, a heartbeat away from death.
Guard upon guard were undertaking the task of removing all mercenaries of old, from their villages around, who now wished to sign on with the newly found military force of Equatia. Most wished to join and become one with the Protectors of the Scrolls, but such couldn’t be permitted. They were however placed within the ranks of Quadrants Three’s growing defence force of regulars.
The columns of men were lined out for miles upon miles and water stores had been positioned along route as refreshment. It was here that one of the guards in the long winding column saw a shadowed figure lurking in the brush. “You there!” He stalked quickly over, his M.S.Boumutah pulled from its holster and held firmly in his right hand. “Who goes; come out at once?” The odd mercenary peered over as the column continued to move. “Come out; or I’ll be forced to shoot first and ask questions later. At once! I insist you show yourself this very minute.”
Slowly Nakatumi stood and stepped from the shrub, his hideous burnt features becoming evident and the jaw of the guard dropped open. “My God.” The weapon was lowered. This thing had no weapons visible, only a deformed body in tattered clothes. “Who are you?”
Nakatumi remained steadfast, a ten-metre gap between the two, only murmurs of horror could be heard being exchanged between mercenary in the column. “I am Nakatumi Jassat, specialist in Maritime Warfare, member of the Special operation Branch, Special Force to the Mildratawa; I am a defender of America, the Earth and Quadrant Three. I am a victim of your callus mercenary macebearers and—” A tear appeared upon his face and his voice rose in anger. “And scarred for eternity!” He dropped to his knees and his hands rushed to clutch his face. He continued to sob heavily as another two guards came from behind their friend.
They stopped momentarily and looked at each other before one spoke. “I know a Nakatumi Jassat.” Nakatumi peered up through drenched eyes. “He was— he is a great warrior of Earth and the Mildratawa.” The guard placed his weapon away and pushed past his colleagues. “Come here, Nakatumi, for I’m a friend.”
Nakatumi stood half bent, his chin touching his chest and hands held once again over his eyes. The guard put his arm around his shoulders and led him off. “Come with me, friend; for I know someone who will be surely glad to see you.”
That was the story that had been passed onto Doug. He could barely remember Jassat, but knew they had met long ago during briefing for incursions into Nicaragua. Now Nakatumi was about to be allowed entry into Doug’s quarters, to show Nakatumi that he still had friends amongst the populace of Earth.
It took courage for Doug to witness such a scarred face, and it was obviously torture for Jassat himself. He was a lot happier now though. He stepped into Doug’s chambers and walked right up to his open palm, accepting it with a smile; if that’s what you could call that crisping wrinkle where Nakatumi’s lips once were. Doug had been warned also, of his problems with speech. It flowed in a recognisable, but heavy, broken and vibrating sound, emitted between half closed leathery lips – which resembled the hide of a rhinoceros, not lips at all.
He had little hair on his head – that which did exist was somewhat patchy and lay down the right side, concealing his one good ear, the other one was nothing more than a gaping hole in the side of his deformed head.
Doug didn’t look down, but could feel the burnt flesh of Nakatumi’s hand as he shook it. “Good to see you Jassat.”
“I’m afraid there’s not much to see.” He tried smiling again.
“Nonsense man, not at all. I see your mind, not your shell.” Naka
tumi’s stare squint for an explanation that he didn’t receive and Doug continued. “I dare say the escorts have explained the few changes which have occurred during your absence; the home for the Mildratawa, the expulsion of Verton, the ever-changing concept of the galaxy.”
“The guard also tells me that you are somewhat of a leader, more mystic than natural, but nevertheless, quite effective.”
“They said that did they?”
“Certainly.” Nakatumi paused only briefly. “They hope for so much, I wander if you can give them what they ask.”
“I see no reason why they should be disappointed. Let’s sit down shall we. But things have come a long way already, even the Mildratawa is scared of us.”
“Is that your purpose?”
“My purpose is for eternal peace; and that Nakatumi, shall be a reality.”
“How do you propose to put such a concept into action?”
“It’s already been launched, Nakatumi. But my plans are still incomplete. We have a small problem that needs to be ironed out. There is a planet not far from here that lives; how should I say; not in fear, but controlled living, living by outlandish rules. They would do anything for anyone, within reason.” Doug decided to prod a response. “They are so serious, all of the time; no laughter exists there.”
“Oh; you speak of my home planet, Irshstup.”
“Does that surprise you?” He offered refreshments before Nakatumi had a chance to answer the question.
“No, thank you; I have to refrain from too much, too soon. I used to be the medical adviser for my group you know, and to indulge in too much too soon could be bad for my health, after all, I am part earth-human; remember?”
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