Verron_Birth of a Nation

by Douglas Varnell

  General Z reported, “Troubles on the way. Those troops inside the city have just exited the gates at a run, they’ll be there is a minutes.” Paul replied, “Try the Rapture Rounds, no point damaging that beautiful city.” Jim gave no reply to the order, he simply obeyed it. It only took four rounds bursting in a blinding flash into the running soldiers to determine that they were in fact human. There were actually some of the locals, probably slaves, running behind carrying equipment, like beasts of burden. They fell to their knees and threw-up, but were not harmed. The road exiting the city walls was suddenly covered with empty body armor and discarded weapons. Paul then told Jim to take care of the ones coming from the east. He and Justice could see the bright lights flash over the rise as 8 Rapture Rounds were fired into the approaching soldiers. Jim stayed cloaked overhead to keep an eye out for any additional soldiers. Paul approached the giants as they rose from their bowed position, asking if there were more soldiers in the area. He was informed that there were several thousand located in each town, but these were the guards of Ares. They were his best and were the most numerous. Paul decided to liberate one city at a time, beginning with this one. He and Justice walked the two mile stretch of road to the city gates that had been left open for them. Ares was not a popular man.

  The city streets were crowded with cheering humans and giants. With Jim still hovering overhead looking for trouble, Paul walked to the Palace in the center of town. Everywhere he looked was an architectural wonder; the walls, the city gates, virtually every building be passed, but the Palace surpassed them all. He turned to the giant he had been fighting and asked, “Who built all this?” He got a one word answer, “Klelta.” He shook the big man’s hand and said, “Well, it’s yours again.” As he entered the palace it appeared that the palace guards and employees had fled. They walked down empty corridors 40 feet wide with 80 foot arched ceilings with nothing but the sound of shoes on stone floors. Then, in the distance he heard the sound of a crying baby. He finally found the door where it had come from and used The Power to unlock it. He walked into the lush quarters to find a beautiful woman with dark auburn hair holding a crying baby, attempting to keep it quiet, and stroking the head of a frightened three year-old boy. She stood, holding herself erect and asked with tears in her eyes, “Kill me now, but please spare the children.” Paul asked, “Who are you?” She acted surprised that this man did not know who she was. “Queen Jesserrica was her answer.” Paul tried to comfort this woman who was obviously looking at a few dozen giants that would love to tear her apart. He told her, “I am King Paul Verron, and I do not kill innocent women or children and if you need asylum I will provide it, but I must tell you, that as of right now, you are simply Jesserrica, widowed mother of two beautiful children.”

  About the same time Paul got a transmission from General Z, he heard loud shouts and cheers from the people on the grounds. Jim reported, “You won’t believe this, but four large shuttles just came out of nowhere, from beyond the city walls, and Lucy informs me that the same is happening at the other cities. It looks like they decided to abandon this place without a fight now that ‘god is dead.’” Jim laughed. As a devoted Pentecostal, he would never say the same about his God. He continued, “I can’t believe I just said that. Anyway, I’ll still keep an eye out, just in case someone decides to put up a fight. Lucy reported that fifty shuttles are docking with two larger transport ships, now escorted by six Destroyers. Paul asked the Queen, “Any idea why your soldiers are running without a fight?” She informed him, “You have just killed an invincible god. No one has defied him in thousands of years. Even his indestructible palace guard is destroyed. No one is willing to die for someone they hate and Ares was hated by everyone except his two brothers.” She paused then added, “He was especially hated by me. He has put to death several Queens because they bore no sons. I have been his favorite since the birth of Linsarius, but he intends to kill my daughter and most likely me as well. You have made me a widow, but now my children will have a mother.” She bowed to Paul. He immediately told her, “Get up and get your things together. You and the children are going to Verron.”

  Just when they thought the worst was over, Paul received a panic call from General Z. “Evidently, one of the Destroyers has been ordered to do some damage before they abandon the planet, the others are escorting the transports, but one is headed toward you.” Paul looked at the Queen with a questioning expression. She declared, “No doubt my husband’s orders to destroy everyone and everything if he should be killed. He would no doubt give an order like that.” Paul immediately responded to Jim. “You have the element of surprise. He still hasn’t seen you. If you don’t get him before he opens fire on this city, a lot of innocent people are going to die.” Jim didn’t hesitate. He had Lucy direct him on an intercept course directly for the incoming Destroyer. Kary was in an adrenaline rush, ready for battle. Poor Benny was chewing his nails, as he felt the ship rotate and accelerate so hard it took his breath away. He was not physically enhanced and passed out almost immediately. Jim knew he would only have one chance at this. The other ship was obviously much larger and more heavily armed. He decided to get as close as possible and unload as much firepower at once as the little Light Destroyer was capable of delivering. If he had not been cloaked, he could have never closed the distance undetected. Five miles from his target Lucy informed Jim that the Destroyer’s targeting systems had been activated. Jim wasted no time, it had to be now. He unleashed four FTL Whitematter missiles and two Photon Torpedoes. The bigger ship exploded the instant he pushed the firing mechanism, and in a blinding flash of light, vanished into a mist. There was not one piece of shrapnel or falling debris. The two Photon Torpedoes didn’t even have a target and continued on out into space. In all his years as a jet and helicopter pilot, he had never seen such total destruction. He was certain the fleeing armada would not return or send out another ship to try again.

  Paul decided that it was safe for his ship to land with his three companions. Jim picked an area large enough for the Light Destroyer and put it down inside the palace grounds. He didn’t uncloak the ship until he had safely landed. Those who had entered the palace compound following Paul ran in fear at the suddenly visible ship. Benny had regained consciousness asking, “Do you guys do this sort thing all the time?” Kary answered, “No, sometimes we actually do things that are dangerous.” The tree of them stepped off the ship, but decided to go no further. They were surrounded by a continuous mountain of men. They just couldn’t grasp the immensity of these people or the palace from their observation place in the sky. These men did not appear happy to see them. At this stage, any human was considered an enemy. Paul and Justice soon appeared, accompanied by those who he had defended in the quarry. It was obvious these few men were serving to protect them from the wrath of angry alien giants. Once Paul appeared with his escorts, the tension seemed to be reduced.

  The giant of a man that had fought Paul said something in his native tongue to the others gathered around and the crowd soon dispersed. Paul turned to his new friend and asked in Xhondarian, “Now that the god of this planet is gone and his armies with him, who is in charge?” The others who had been in the quarry with him slowly moved back from the big man, as if there were going to be another confrontation. The man from Klelta extended his hand in friendship and replied, “I am Hon; King of the Klelta.” The others around him did a courtesy bow from the waist to acknowledge he had spoken the truth. He continued, “Ares made me and my family work in the rock pit to show everyone how the great Hon submitted to his power. That was 500 years ago. I am Hon the third. My father and his father died in those pits.” He turned to those behind him and introduced his son, Hon IV, who was only about 7 feet tall, obviously a youngster. Paul tried to keep a straight face when he introduced the person who had stepped into the circle and recognized his sword and dagger as his wife. She was just slightly shorter than Hon, maybe 8½ feet, wore a few more articles of clothing and slightly longer hair. She w
as not a pretty woman. Paul remembered the old sayings, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ and ‘beauties only skin deep.’ Then thought, “To them, I am probably one of the ugliest creatures they’ve ever seen.”

  The rest of Paul’s team decided that since people were shaking hands and bowing that it was probably safe to venture away from the ship. Paul quickly introduced General Zarman as General of the Army of Verron. He introduced Colonel Justice Hall as his friend and second in command of his military, introduced Kary Verron as his brother and Warlord over all weapons systems and Benny Barry as the Architect of Verron, responsible for the design and building of Verron’s Capital City. He then added, “Benny is the reason we’re here. The leaders of Xhondar told us of the wonderful things the people of Klelta did on their planet. I’ve come to request your help for Verron.” Hon looked down at Paul and his four man entourage and shook his head, saying, “I’ve never heard of a king that didn’t hide behind his army when the battle began, and yet you come here to liberate Klelta with only four men, and with little more than a Klelta made sword. Others have tried to defeat Ares and all have died. I have never seen anyone do the things you did. How can I refuse any request you would make of me. My people are free thanks to you and your men.” Paul said thank you, but continued, “First we need to make certain Klelta is stable and secure; what can I do to help?”

  Hon answered, “Kleltans have always been masters of stone and steel, a peaceful world that served other worlds with our skills in order to provide income for our people. We have never been at war with each other, nor have we ever had need for weapons other than steel to fight off those who would harm us. These men came in peace, promising to provide us with oil for our steel mills and foundries, which we no longer have, and to buy steel from us. When they realized we were defenseless against their advanced weapons, they came in larger numbers and took over our planet. We fought and many died, but what can a sword do against an energy rifle or laser cannon? We are a very strong people and do not die easily, like humans, but we can still die.” Justice interrupted at that moment, asking, “The man that got shot when I did, he lost an arm; is he dead?” Hon smiled and said something to the others; they all smiled. From the back of the little group that was following Hon stepped a man with a missing arm. Except that it was less missing than it had been and there was no longer any sign of blood. Paul and Justice commented, “There is no way he is the same man.” Hon smiled his canine smile and said, “I told you we don’t die easily. We will regenerate any lost limbs and self-heal any cuts or wounds. We can only be killed if someone is fortunate enough to destroy both our hearts or manages to separate our heads from our shoulders. Our heads do not grow back. Now, let’s take a look at my palace. My grandfather was the last Klelta to live in it. His grandfather built it.

  As the two kings and their followers proceeded to tour the palace they were soon appalled at the carnage of the humans who had not escaped the planet with the others. Paul could understand the revenge of an enslaved people, the same thing happened on Earth, in Haiti and Africa and other locations around the world as slaves took out their revenge on their masters. Paul said, “Hon, surely not all these people deserve to die. Can you get your people to stop their wrath if I can remove all the humans from Klelta?” Benny was disgusted by the mutilated bodies around the palace, and it brought back bad memories for those who had been in wars. They exited the palace to the city outside so King Hon could speak to his people. The large city square was littered with the dead and dying. Paul was certain the same scene was being played out in the other cities of Klelta. Their King stood on the steps above the square and in a voice that needed no P.A. system, bellowed. “Stop this madness! I say stop!” Many of the people did not know who he was, some didn’t care, but the majority stopped their killing and bowed to their king. He continued, “We have always been friends to humans. I know you hate the humans who have enslaved you and your families, but it is also humans who just set us free. Many of those who you’ve killed no doubt deserved to die, but many had nothing to do with your enslavement. It is wrong to treat them like the others. The evil that ruled this planet is gone. This man killed Ares and all his Palace Guard. The rest of his Army has fled, let these people do the same. I ask you, to kill no more. Go home. If someone is in your home, take it back, but do not kill them. This planet is once again ours. We will not be like the people who enslaved us, the future is ours; the past must be left behind.” The sea of blue/gray giants began to dissipate, leaving behind a literal garbage dump of human body parts. Hon turned to Paul, saying, “I believe it will be best if we remain inside the palace for now. I will have my people assure your safety.” He smiled that tusk faced grin and added, “Maybe it will also be safer for my people.”

  Paul decided that he should keep this trip short and allow King Hon to get his people settled into the routine of being free again. He knew from studying American history that people who have grown accustomed to slavery require some adjustment to a life of freedom, and these people had been enslaved for 100s of years. The Klelta cooks who had been servants in the palace put a meal together that was a grade above the fare on Xhondar I, but just barely. Paul and his crew were starved; they would have eaten anything. After dinner Paul decided to put his business on the table this night and go back to Verron in the morning. Benny left with a few of the King’s family to look around the palace and grounds. General Zarman, Justice and Kary were escorted to the nearby military base to see what the enemy had been capable of. Paul and King Hon sat in a large sitting room to discuss their future. Hon began, “I can’t very well refuse the man who delivered my planet from a sadistic tyrant, and who defeated me in battle, even if you did cheat.” Paul grinned and said, “Well, there is at least one thing we share in common.” Hon nodded his agreement and continued, “I have never seen anyone do the things you did, and Ares has been terrorizing this planet with his abilities for centuries. Where did you learn to do those things?” The reply he got, was, “Believe it or not, I think Ares and I had the same teachers. I guess I just turned out to be a better student. He had become over-confident. Now, let me offer you something that will help both of us. I will leave tomorrow so your planet can get settled, but I’ll return quickly before your people kill off the rest of the humans.” Hon responded with “Continue.”

  Paul proceeded to lay out his now slightly modified plan. “I came here because I need help in getting Verron’s building projects up and going, and finished as quickly as possible. It’s my intention to have over 1,000,000 citizens by the end of the next Verron calendar year and double that the following year. We currently have a residential capacity of a little over 400,000. I need to build factories, government buildings, transportation centers, housing units; basically everything a Nation needs to function properly. I don’t know how many you can spare, but I’ll use all who will help. You need oil. I’ve got plenty of oil and can provide you all the oil you need in exchange for the skills and abilities your nation has to offer. Now that I’m here, I’ve come up with some additional ideas. I have a steel mill and ore mines, but could use some of your people in both areas and I probably will need to buy steel from you as well to meet the demand on Verron. I have plenty of places to quarry stone, but I’ll need your help on that as well, plus, I may very well need to import stone from you also. Now, I can’t afford to have my trading partner and allies be taken over again by anyone and especially if these people who just vacated should return. If Klelta can tolerate having some humans here as technical advisors, I will teach your people how to make weapons superior to anything that you were held captive with. I know by looking at you and the weapons left behind, they are much too small for people of your size to use. You have steel, we have technology; you can make your own. Also, we will train you on how to use them efficiently. Last, you are totally defenseless against any kind of air invasion. I would like to station some Verron Fighters and Destroyers here to protect your interests and mine, but only temporarily. We
will build Klelta sized ships while you build Klelta sized weapons. We will teach your people to fly them. I consider us allies King Hon and hope to have a long and prosperous relationship. I will leave in the morning and take the Queen and her children with us. If it’s satisfactory with you, I will return in two weeks with transports to remove the rest of the humans from Klelta and hopefully to take some of your people to Verron.”

  Paul could tell the big guy was surprised by the generosity of the offer, he asked, “Why are you doing this?” Paul gave an honest answer, “We need each other. One day in the future, it could be 5 years, or it could be 30, but there will be people like those who just left here, who will try to conquer Verron, Xhondar, Klelta and everyone else who gets in the way. If we don’t fight as a team and build each other up, we’ll not have a chance to stand against them. You and hundreds of planets like you must become more technologically advanced. You yourself have seen that a sword is no defense against a rifle. We need to be able to meet them out there, pointing toward outer space, and keep them away from our families. I have a spaceship factory. I intend to sell or trade goods and services with every nation that needs them and form the largest Galactic Force in this universe. If we don’t, one at a time we will fall.” King Hon rose from his huge chair and shook Paul’s tiny little hand. He felt like a two year old holding the hand of his father. As he shook hands, Hon replied, “Better make it one week, I don’t think I can protect them much longer. In fact, it may already be too late.” Paul knew he was right, but with only a Light Destroyer, he was taking home all he could.