“It is much the same on my home planet right now. Someday we might get wise like your people did,” Jon said. He was still watching out the window.
“Your people will,” Deatra said. “You’re the first step in that direction. The ability to be space faring has a lot to do with how you treat the planet you live on and see the destruction being caused.”
“One can only hope,” Jon said.
The shuttle passed over an open plain, and a herd of deer like animals with six legs began to run. Their coats were a deep green and shimmered as the herd ran for cover. Their antlers were silver and reflected the sunlight. The grass was golden brown in color as it swayed in the breeze.
“What are those?” Jon said.
Deatra leaned over and looked out the small window. “Those are Anclasi they’re hunted for their antlers and meat. The meat is some of the best on the planet. It’s considered a delicacy by some of the tribes, since hunting them has been restricted. Their numbers have been slowly shrinking too, just like all life on Euthara. They used to fill the plains, and they were the main source of protein on the planet.”
Jon quickly connected the problems of the Eutharan people with the animals. “So, the population shrinkage wasn’t just happening to the people it was happening to everything on the planet,” Jon said.
“Not everything,” Deatra said. “Plant life has bloomed and because of that plants have replaced most of our diet.”
“Strange,” Jon said.
“We’ve been searching for the cause,” Deatra said.
Jon turned from the window and looked at Deatra. She seemed to glow with happiness and excitement. Jon smiled at her as he rubbed her cheek. “Being home suits you,” Jon said. “You’re glowing with excitement.”
“Thanks,” Deatra said. “I’m just really happy to have you here and for you to see my home planet. We’re about to pass over the northern most city, our capital.”
“What was it called?” Jon said as he tried to remember. “Wait I remember, Paskame, right?”
“Correct,” Deatra said as she smiled happily. “You remember what it means in Eutharan?”
“City of Kings,” Jon said. “It’s named that because every ruler has maintained a residence in the city during their reign.”
Jon watched as a small, almost flat, fighter took up position next to the shuttle. They would be escorted from one side of the city to the other. A preplanned route was uploaded to the shuttle when they entered the cities air space. Any deviation from that flight plan and the shuttle would be shot down no matter who was on-board. It was for the safety of the royal family and upper class citizens. Not everyone was happy with how things were going on Euthara.
The city was massive in size. Buildings of all shapes and sizes covered the land. A massive wall surrounded the city on all sides all the way up to the edge of water. The buildings sparkled in the sunlight made of some type of crystal substance that had veins of gold and silver running through it. It was beautiful, and most pleasing to the eyes as the hues cast by the buildings shifted as the shuttle flew over the city.
“There's the Royal Palace,” Deatra said as she pointed out a tall building.
The Palace was situated on two square miles of land and had four spires that reached for the sky. The spires looked as if someone had taken the top and twisted them slightly as they rose from the ground. It was the only building that was made of the crystal substance that had an amber hue to it.
“The amber crystal is a very rare type of crystal we use in building,” Deatra said. “It takes years to grow it and cultivate it correctly. The clear crystal only took months to grow and cultivate.”
“It’s grown?” Jon said.
“Oh yes,” Deatra said. “It’s a natural product from our planet made by a large insect similar to what you would call a wasp. They build their nests from it and once it sets it’s as strong as our hardest metal. We make almost everything from it, excluding our ships. For some reason, space breaks the substance down in months. We call it Ixantrau, named after the large insect that creates it, the Ixantrax.”
“Large insects like wasps,” Jon said. “Must be very dangerous to produce and cultivate.”
Deatra shook her head as she spoke, “They’re quite docile, and most of the tribes cultivate and sell the substance to the cities. A few tribes trade it for items they need. There are four tribes I know of that do patch work when needed and bring the insects with them for on-site repairs. The largest of the Ixantrax are used as mounts, they’re the ones who produce the amber Ixantrau, a very rare strain of the species, and I know of only one tribe that has them.”
“Very interesting,” Jon said as he watched the city pass below. The streets were almost devoid of life. “With a city this size and the Royal Palace here I would have expected the city to be full of life.”
Deatra sighed as she sat back and turned her head to look at Jon. She paused a brief moment before speaking, “The city, as well as every other city and even some of the villages, has about one eighth the population it used to. My people are dying out, and we have no idea why.”
“Our people,” Jon said as he squeezed her hand. “The animals too, yet the plants aren’t, they’re prospering. The two have to be connected and I promise you I’ll find out why and then if I can do anything, I will.”
“I know,” Deatra said. She laid her head on his shoulder. “I just hope it isn’t too late.”
I just hope what is affecting the planet and people here doesn’t affect us while we’re here Jon thought as he looked back out the window.
“Jon you might want to come up here,” Terri’s voice said from the cockpit.
Jon kissed Deatra on the forehead as he stood up. “Be right back,” he said.
Deatra nodded and smiled at him.
Jon made his way and climbed up into the cockpit. Terri was seated in the pilot’s chair, and a Drovasian was seated in the co-pilot’s chair. He nodded his head at the young female Drovasian as he entered.
“My Lord,” she said as she returned the greeting, bowing as far as she could.
“No need for all that… Uh… I’m sorry I don’t’ know your name,” Jon said
“I’m Ifata,” Ifata said. “I’m one of the personal guards assigned to you and your family.”
“Great more guards just what I need,” Jon said under his breath.
But it was loud enough for Ifata to hear, and she frowned slightly.
Terri smiled as she reached over and patted Ifata’s arm. “Don’t worry he’s always that way. You’ll get used to it soon enough. He thinks one guard is too many,” Terri said as she smiled. “He has yet to meet his Ga’sahde guards.” Terri gave Ifata a sly wink and smile.
Jon groaned as he spoke, “Yeah, yeah, so what’s up?”
“Oh,” Terri said as she got serious again. “The escorts are demanding we change course and it’s off our planned flight path. So, I don’t know what we should do.”
“Did you check with control?” Jon said.
“Yup, and they say to follow the fighters orders,” Terri said.
“So, what’s the problem?” Jon said.
“First, our flight plan hasn’t been changed, and that alone causes problems based on their rules for flight over the city,” Terri said. “Second, they want us to land at the Royal Palace as supposedly the King wants to see you.”
“Hmm,” Jon said as he looked out at one of the fighters.
“Mainly the first is what bothers me the most,” Terri said as she looked back at her brother. Ifata even gave a slight nod as if she agreed.
“You can speak Ifata; you’ll find out I like input from everyone and if something is on your mind say it,” Jon said.
“I think, Matriarch,” Ifata said.
“Ifata,” Terri said. “I told you there was no need to be formal when you’re around me.”
“Sorry,” Ifata said as she blushed slightly. “I agree with Terri, it smells like a trap. If we change course wit
hout a change in our flight plan then they have the right to shoot us down without explanation.”
“I thought as much,” Jon said. “But, do you really think the King and Queen would shoot their own daughter out of the sky?”
“No,” Deatra said from behind Jon. “But, if someone else in the military is calling the shots and does it before word is passed to my parents. Then we might very well be shot down, and there would be no repercussions from it as we deviated from our flight plan.”
Jon turned and faced Deatra and gave her a half grin.
“Uh, oh,” Deatra said.
“What?” Terri said.
“He did it again,” Deatra said.
“Did what?” Ifata said.
“His half grin?” Terri said.
“Yeah, you know the one,” Deatra said.
“Half grin?” Ifata said. She was confused as to what the women were speaking about.
“Oh, come on it’s not that bad, and I didn’t give you the half grin,” Jon said.
“Oh, yes you did,” Deatra said. “I know that grin anywhere.”
“I did not,” Jon said. “I was just smiling at you as I didn’t realize you were there.”
“Right,” Terri said.
“Um, what am I missing?” Ifata said. “Is there something I should know?”
“No,” Jon said. But, both girls overrode him with a double 'yes' as he spoke. Jon rolled his eyes as if he was ready to give up.
“The eye roll!” Deatra said.
“Oh shit,” Terri said. She had a huge grin on her face.
Ifata looked like she was ready to die as she was trying to figure out what was going on.
“If he ever gives you this little sly grin it means he’s thinking of doing something that will rub someone the wrong way,” Deatra said. “He kind of has a way of going against the grain.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Terri said as she grinned at Jon.
“Could you two stop,” Jon said. “We have pressing matters and poor Ifata is about to pass out from fright.”
Deatra stepped around Jon and patted Ifata on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about his hair-brained schemes; usually they come off without a hitch and for some reason no matter how deep he digs the hole he always manages to get out.”
“Hair-brained schemes?” Jon said. “When have I ever had a hair-brained scheme in my life?”
Both Deatra and Terri stared at him as he spoke.
“What?” Jon said. “Name one, I dare you.”
“Well,” Terri said. “There was that time at school when you decided to…”
“Er, I mean after we left earth,” Jon said, cutting Terri off.
“Oh, well in that case,” Deatra said. “There was the time when you decided to engage two Invaru ships with Atlantis even though she wasn’t done with her shakedown cruise and only had a quarter of the crew she needed.”
“That wasn’t a scheme,” Jon said triumphantly. “That was spur of the moment thinking.”
“Still it was hair-brained,” Terri said.
“I see what you two mean,” Ifata said quietly. “I’m going to have to be a bit more on guard than I thought.”
“Then there was the time…” Deatra said.
“You know what,” Jon said as he interrupted Deatra. “Never mind, I realize now that no man will win when he’s involved in a hen pecking party.”
Terri laughed as Ifata and Deatra stared at Jon wondering what he was talking about.
“I’ll explain it later girls,” Terri said when she saw their confusion.
“You do that,” Jon said as he stuck his tongue out at Terri.
“A bit childish too,” Ifata said.
“You have no idea,” Deatra said giggling.
“Live it up while you can,” Jon said as he tried to act hurt. The smile on his face gave away his true feelings to the three women around him.
“You know I love you,” Deatra said as she gave him a hug.
“Sure ya do,” Jon said as he returned the embrace.
The sound of the coms going off filled the air. ‘ADF shuttle, this is fighter escort leader you’re directed to change course and land at the Royal Palace,’ a male voice said.
Jon reached over and snatched a free headset off the wall behind Terri and put it on his head.
“Fighter escort, this is Captain Hunter-C’loth,” Jon said. “Sorry, but we can’t comply with that order. I’m ordering you to continue your escort of us over the city on our planned route.” It was then that Jon looked out at the fighter and realized it was made of the same crystal substance as the buildings. The fighter just had a coat of paint covering most of the crystal which made him overlook it before.
“I’m sorry Sir, but I have orders to escort you and your party to the Royal Palace. Your course is being updated,” the voice said.
“Jon tapped the side of his headset as he looked out the window at the fighter. “I’m sorry you’re garbled and I can hardly understand you. Did you say stay on our current course?” Jon said.
“No Sir, you’re to change course to the Palace,” the voice said. “I repeat, you’re to change course to the Palace. Do you understand?”
“Roger that, stay on course,” Jon said. “Will do, thank you for your assistance.” Jon pulled the headset off before he could hear a reply as he shut down the communications system and started waving his arms as if there was something in the air.
The pilot started pointing at the shuttle and making motions. Terri looked over and shrugged as though she didn’t understand what he was trying to say. But, she knew perfectly well what he was saying.
“You know you’re playing with fire,” Deatra said.
“There’s something going on here and I plan on finding out what,” Jon said. He slammed his hand down on the ship to ship communications back up and called the Atlantis.
“Jon to Commander Taldage,” Jon said.
“Yes Sir?” Carla said.
“Carla, I want you to send a communication to Eutharan Planetary Control and tell them we have had a communication failure, and you lost contact with us,” Jon said. “That we’re working on the problem now, and it should be back up soon.”
“Sir?” Carla said.
“Long story, I’ll explain it later,” Jon said.
“As you wish Sir,” Carla said. “Get me EPC on the line…” The communication went offline as Carla was speaking.
“That should take care of that,” Jon said. “How long do we have until we cross the edge of the city?”
“Another two minutes,” Terri said.
“Four more Eutharan fighters have intercepted us,” Ifata said.
“This is getting dangerous,” Terri said. “Someone out there means business.”
“Two of the fighters are locking on to the shuttle as well as a few of the ground batteries,” Ifata said.
“They wouldn’t,” Deatra said.
“Oh, I think they would,” Jon said.
“Not with the current leaders we have on board,” Deatra said. “It would be a political disaster and suicide for my people.”
“Our people,” Jon said. “And whoever it is isn’t thinking about that. They’re trying to think of how to get rid of any threat they see all at once. How better than to shoot down a shuttle carrying all the leaders that could be a threat to whatever they think they’re protecting?”
“My people would destroy this world if anything happened to you or me,” Nefeit said from behind them all. Everyone turned to look back at her. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help overhearing what was going on.”
Jon nodded as he spoke, “Maybe that’s what they want.”
“Well if they’re going to do something they will need to do it soon,” Terri said. “We’ll be out of the city limits in less than a minute.”
“They’re waiting for confirmation,” Deatra said. “They know who’s on board and they want to make sure of their orders.”
“Bring the shields online,”
Jon said.
“The shuttle has shields?” Deatra said.
“Of course,” Jon said as he smiled. “It was something Brad and Mike did awhile back when we had a lull on the station. Between those two and the engineering crew they had put together, they figured out how to miniaturize the shield emitters enough to fit on the shuttles and fighters.”
“The fighters too?” Deatra said in an amazed voice. “No one has figured out how to do that yet. The project was something that was scrapped years ago due to the power requirements.”
“Oh yeah,” Jon said. “The fighters have shields too. Brad and Mike figured out how to reduce the power requirements while they increased the power output from the plants in the fighters and shuttles. The new designs for the power plants from the Buranis combined with some tweaks of our own increased the power output by almost thirty percent.”
“Amazing,” Nefeit said.
“All the fighters and shuttles on Atlantis, as well as the ship itself, have new power cores installed,” Jon said. “The fighters and shuttles are all being upgraded. But that will take time to complete, and it’s being done both on ship and at the station.”
“I would have to say that was a well-kept secret,” Deatra said.
“I have a few more,” Jon said. “Just so you know, we’re not trying to keep anyone out of the loop. We’re just being cautious with our developments. It makes plugging leaks easier as I’m sure we have more than one spy and at least one saboteur.”
A small beep followed by a flash in the center of the cockpit made everyone turn to look at the small central table. Tatiana and another unknown Buranis female flashed into existence as holograms.
Tatiana spoke first, “Captain Hunter, the Titan has arrived, and all repairs are complete.
The Buranis spoke next, “Captain Hunter, I’m known as Zadra, it’s an honor to finally meet you. My counterpart Tatiana has spoken highly of you and the ADF. I would like to thank you for awakening me. The Scythe is at ninety five percent repair status, and we’re making our way towards the space dock to complete repairs and deliver personnel.”
“Thank you,” Jon said. “Nice to meet you Zadra, I’m happy the awakening went well for you. Both of you please contact Atlantis so you can get up to speed.”
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