by Ryk Brown
“You mean they once controlled more than just the five systems they control now?” Jessica asked.
“Oh yes. The Ta’Akar once controlled twice that number. But the war has forced them to abandon the outer systems in order to maintain control over their core worlds,” Tug explained. “In fact, this system was once under Ta’Akar control.”
“So they were spread too thin?” Jessica was hoping to get some information about the Ta’Akar forces.
“Yes. They did not expect such heavy resistance at first, and were caught unprepared. They lost many ships and had problems with mass defections amongst their forces. Had they not pulled out of the fringe systems, I doubt they would have defeated the rebels at all.”
“Then the war is over?” Nathan asked.
“Recently, the Ta’Akar launched an offensive against the last of the rebel forces that were in hiding. Rumor has it that only a small, insignificant number escaped and that the Ta’Akar are claiming victory. I suspect they will continue to hunt survivors down until all have been eliminated.”
Nathan noticed a melancholy in Tug’s voice. “You seem disappointed?”
“If this rumor is true, it is only a matter of time before the Ta’Akar reclaim their lost systems.”
“Many believe they will not stop there,” Jalea added.
“You think they’ll try to expand again?” Nathan asked.
“If the Ta’Akar wish to prevent future civil unrest,” Tug explained, “it would be wise for them to expand their domain in order to vastly increase their base of power.”
“Make themselves too big to overthrow,” Jessica commented.
“But if their forces are weakened, as you say, then wouldn’t expansion be difficult?”
“One would think,” Tug said. “However, it is believed that the Ta’Akar are close to perfecting a new power source, one that will give them nearly limitless energy. If this is true, there will be no stopping them.”
The conversation fell silent on that note. While Nathan was curious about this new power source, he couldn’t help but be annoyed by the fact that the information had been yet another fact that Jalea had kept hidden from them.
“What do you know about this power source?” Jessica asked.
“Only that the research is being conducted on the Ta’Akar homeworld, and that it is said to be nearing completion,” Tug said.
“How is it you know so much about it?” Jessica asked. “You would think something like this would be kept secret.”
“The Ta’Akar have continued to talk openly of this project. They consider their home system impenetrable. And knowledge of their coming power source serves to keep the restlessness of the Ta’Akar population under control. It gives them hope for a better, more stable future.”
The room fell silent once again, as they considered Tug’s statements. “But enough of this talk of rebellions and doctrine. It is too depressing for dinner conversation.” Tug turned to Vladimir. “We have heard little from you this night, Vladimir. Tell me of your world.”
Vladimir looked at Nathan, unsure of what to say. Nathan nodded slightly and shrugged. “Our world is a beautiful place,” he began, choosing his words carefully. “It has many diverse climates and environments, as well as many different cultures and civilizations, some of which date back thousands of years.” Vladimir was proud of his Russian heritage. His culture had been one of the few that had survived the great bio-digital plague without becoming diluted beyond recognition.
“Truly? Your civilization is that old?” Tug was surprised by the revelation. “Then how is it we have never come across your kind before?”
“We’ve only recently begun venturing out into distant space,” Jessica interrupted.
“Then you’re explorers?”
“Yes, in a manner of speaking,” Nathan admitted.
“But then, aren’t we all?” Tug concluded.
Vladimir, who had finished his food quickly as usual, moved to excuse himself. “If nobody has any objections, perhaps I could take a look at your ship, while the rest of you continue with your meal.”
“Of course,” Tug insisted. “The ship is in the large barn at the far end of the compound. Out the front door, and straight ahead. You cannot miss it.”
“Thank you,” Vladimir said as he rose.
Jalea uttered words to Danik in their language, after which he too rose to join Vladimir.
“Captain?” Tug began. “I am curious about something.”
The statement instantly raised Jessica’s concern. She nudged Nathan’s leg with her own as a reminder of caution.
“What might that be?” Nathan asked in his most diplomatic tone.
“This world you come from. Your friend says it is thousands of years old. Yet I have never heard of a civilization that was much more than a millennia old, save for one. Could your world be that one?”
Nathan felt backed into a corner. This farmer, who had not turned out to be as simple as he would have others believe, seemed to have considerable knowledge of the area of the galaxy they happened to be stranded in. As well, he suspected there was far more that the farmer was not telling him that undoubtedly would be useful information.
Being straight-forward and direct had always served Nathan well in the past, but the stakes were much higher now, and he quite possibly was out of his element under the current circumstances. “And if it were? What would that mean to you?” Nathan asked, trying to deflect a question with a question.
“That is a complicated question, Captain, with a complicated answer.”
“I’ll try to keep up,” Nathan told him, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth. He cast a side-long glance at Jessica, who didn’t seem terribly impressed with his efforts to avoid the topic thus far.
“Perhaps it would be best if I were to explain the legend more clearly,” Tug began. “The legend states that all human life began on a single, faraway world called Earth. Nearly two millennia ago, the people of this world began to venture out to nearby stars. But somehow, along the way, they angered their gods, and as a punishment were infested with a terrible evil that quickly spread throughout all their worlds. Many fled, seeking to escape the evil before they too were consumed by its horrors. Some groups managed to escape untainted and start anew on untouched worlds, while others were already infiltrated by those touched by evil. Such worlds fell even before they had started, causing some of their people to flee even farther out into the galaxy.”
“And this is one of those systems?” Nathan asked.
“In a manner,” Tug explained. “It is believed that several of these ships eventually settled in the Pentaurus cluster. Its five stars made possible an interstellar civilization that developed rapidly due to an abundance of resources and numerous habitable worlds. Being in such close proximity to one another enabled the settlements to share the technology and resources they had brought with them, in a way that benefited all. At least at first.” Tug picked up the bottle of drink and distributed the remainder of its contents equally amongst their glasses as he continued speaking. “Until one world decided they wanted more, and that the best way to get it was by force.”
“The Ta’Akar,” Jessica said.
“Yes. So rapid was their conquest that their leader believed himself a god, destined to rule all that he could conquer. Although I believe he claimed to be uniting the people he conquered.”
“How did they manage such rapid conquest?” Jessica asked.
“None of the other worlds had thought to arm themselves,” Tug explained. “None had thought it necessary.”
Nathan couldn’t help but think of the Earth, and how his father was running for office in order to stop the military buildup that he and so many others feared would provoke the Jung Dynasty into a preemptive invasion of Earth.
“When did the Doctrine of Origins begin?” Jessica asked.
“Not until after the Ta’Akar had also taken control of the systems surrounding the Pentaurus cluster. Tha
t’s when Caius Ta’Akar declared himself lord and ruler of all worlds.”
“That’s a bit narcissistic,” Jessica mumbled. “And no one tried to stop him?”
“Not at first. The Doctrine was so brutally enforced that no one dared defy it for fear of execution. Entire cities were leveled from space as a show of intolerance. It was a time of great madness and despair.”
“But the rebellion, these people refuse to follow the doctrine?” Nathan asked.
“The rebellion is not so much about refusing to believe in the Doctrine of Origins, Captain. No one really cares where we came from. The rebellion is about not being forced to believe the ramblings of a self-appointed potentate. The Ta’Akar have managed to paint the rebels as a group of fundamentalist terrorists in the eyes of the public. But do not be fooled. The rebellion is about freedom—nothing more, nothing less. The Legends of Origin versus the Doctrine—that’s really just a symbol of injustice and oppression.”
Nathan paused a moment before speaking. Being a student of history, he found the tale fascinating. His current concern, however, was how it affected his people, his ship, and more importantly, his world. “That’s an interesting tale, Mister Tugwell. But you still haven’t answered my question. If we were from Earth, what would it mean to you?”
“To me personally? Nothing. It would be an interesting revelation, to say the least. I mean, to have something that has heretofore been considered only a legend proven to be true?” Tug contemplated the idea for a moment. “On second thought,” Tug nodded, “I guess that might have a profound impact on me personally. But as for what impact it might have on others? That’s also a complicated question, Captain.”
Tug leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, bringing himself closer to the others as if to emphasize his words. “But if you were from Earth, and the Ta’Akar knew this, then your lives would be in grave danger.”
Nathan sensed the seriousness in Tug’s voice. “Why? How are we a threat to them?”
His slip did not go unnoticed by Tug, whose eyes widened at the inadvertent confirmation, causing him to exclaim something in his own tongue. Nathan immediately realized he had let the cat out of the bag, as did Jessica.
“Then you are from Earth?” Tug exclaimed. “Captain, Caius will see you as a direct threat to his sovereignty. Do you not see? You are proof that his doctrine is nothing but lies. When word of your arrival spreads—and trust me, Captain, it will—the people will rise up once more. It will be the end of Caius and his regime!”
“Or a fucking slaughter!” Jessica interrupted.
“Jess!”
“No! Nathan, you heard him before. They glassed cities from space just to make a point. Whattaya think they’ll do over this? Whattaya think they’ll do to us?”
“They will not harm your ship,” Jalea insisted.
“Bullshit! They’ll frag us good and leave no traces.”
“It is highly probable that they already know of your jump drive technology,” Jalea explained, “in which case they will want to capture your ship in one piece.”
“What is this jump drive?” Tug asked. Jalea began explaining to Tug in their native tongue, but before she got more than a few words out, Jessica jumped to her feet, her side arm out and pointed at Jalea’s head.
“You need to shut the fuck up, right now!” Jessica commanded.
“Whoa! Jess!” Nathan said, his hands coming up in surrender. She wasn’t pointing her weapon at him, but it was right in front of his face at the moment. “What the hell are you doing?”
“She’s telling him about the jump drive, Nathan!”
Suddenly, there was a high-pitched whining sound coming from the kitchen door. Jessica glanced to her left and saw Tug’s wife, Ranni, standing in the doorway with an energy weapon pointed at Jessica’s head, ready to fire.
Jessica turned her weapon a few inches to the left, training it on Tug instead of Jalea. “This weapon here, this one’s not exactly standard issue,” Jessica explained calmly, more for Ranni’s benefit than anyone else’s. “I adjusted the sensitivity on the trigger myself. It takes only the slightest pull to fire.” Jessica turned her gaze directly to Tug’s eyes, her own eyes narrowing into slits conveying the sense that she was ready for action. “When she shoots me, you’d better hope I don’t flinch.”
For several long seconds, everyone was silent, as each thought about their options. Finally, Nathan spoke. “All right,” he started in a low and calm voice. “Everyone needs to just relax, and take a deep breath.” Nathan looked at Jessica. “Tell me what’s wrong, Jess?”
“The little rebel princess here needs to stop blabbin’ about things that aren’t her business,” Jessica explained.
“Okay, that makes sense, I guess.”
“I apologize if I misspoke, Captain,” Jalea said.
“Apology accepted,” Nathan responded, holding up his hand to signal Jalea that it was not a good time for her to speak. “Now, how about we all just lower our weapons, and talk this out like civilized adults, okay?” Nathan looked at Jessica. “Is that okay with you, Jess?”
“I will if she will,” Jessica said.
Nathan looked at Tug. “Will she, Tug?”
Tug looked to his wife, nodding for her to comply. She began to slowly lower her weapon, switching it off as it came down. Jessica heard the sound of Ranni’s weapon charge winding down and began lowering her own weapon as well. Once her weapon was back in its holster under her cloak, Tug spoke up.
“I think I should tell you something, Captain. I am holding a weapon under the table, which I will now place on the table for all to see.” Tug moved his hand slowly, revealing a small energy weapon that he held between his thumb and forefinger, dangling it in a position that was as non-threatening as possible. He placed the weapon on the table in front of him. “In the interests of good will,” he said with a smile. “I apologize, Captain. But we live far from the city, and we do not know you or your people very well.”
“No problem,” Nathan promised. “I understand your precautions. Now, shall we all sit and resume our discussion?” Nathan began to sit down, Jessica following his lead.
“Stand down,” Jessica announced over her comm-set. Nathan looked quizzically at Jessica, whose eyes glanced over at the window behind Tug. Outside the window, standing on the dark front porch was Vladimir. In his right hand he held his close-quarters weapon and had it pointed through the window at Tug and his wife. In his left hand was his handgun, which was raised and trained on someone Nathan could not see. He could only assume it was Danik. Vladimir winked at them as he lowered his weapons. The sight was a little unnerving to Nathan, as until now he had never seen his friend and cabin-mate as anything but a gregarious, fun-loving guy who was great at keeping their ship running. After shaking the sight off, Nathan looked back at Jessica.
“Oops,” she said sheepishly. “Must’ve left my mic open.”
“Captain,” Tug began. “Perhaps it would be best if we were just honest with each other. This dancing around, trying to gain a superior position is getting tiresome. Do you not agree?”
“Yes, I do,” Nathan admitted.
“Nathan,” Jessica started, “if you’re going—”
“Don’t make me pull rank on you, Jess,” he warned. Nathan looked at her sternly, before turning back to face Tug. “Yes, Tug, we are from Earth. But we’re here by accident. We were testing an experimental faster-than-light propulsion system that we call a jump drive. With this, we can jump as far as ten light years, in the blink of an eye.”
Tug looked at him in disbelief. “But Captain, Earth is much farther than—”
“Yes, it is. A lot farther. But something happened. We were attacked by some Jung ships, and there was an anti-matter explosion just as we jumped away. To make a long story short, we ended up in the Pentaurus cluster. And from what we’ve learned so far, it appears we jumped right into the middle of the rebellion’s last stand.”
Tug looked at Nathan, his mout
h agape. He looked at Jalea next, hoping for some indication that it was all a joke. “It was you,” Tug whispered to himself. “We heard that someone had intervened, allowing a few to escape capture. That was you?” He looked at Jalea again, who nodded. “Oh, Captain, you are definitely in danger. The rumors are that a mysterious ship simply appeared in the middle of the battle, destroyed a Ta’Akar capital ship, and then simply vanished. There is surely a bounty on your ship by now. Every half-witted criminal with delusions of grandeur will be looking for you. And you’re sitting right in the middle of the biggest collection of ne’er-do-wells the galaxy has ever seen.”
“Great,” Jessica said. “We’re in it up to our eyeballs, yet again.”
“Well at least we know about it now,” Nathan added.
“Captain,” Tug added, leaning forward once again. “Did any of the Ta’Akar ships see you jump away?”
“Yeah,” Nathan said, looking at Jessica, unsure of the number. “At least one, maybe two. I’m not sure.”
“Jalea is correct. If they have realized you have the ability to jump between the stars, they will stop at nothing to obtain this technology.” Tug could see by the look in Nathan’s eyes that he did not see the seriousness of the situation. “You said you were hit by an anti-matter explosion just as you jumped?”
“Yes.”
“And that it propelled you much farther than you thought possible?”
“That’s the working theory, so I’m told.”
“When the Ta’Akar figure this all out, they will want to combine your jump drive with their new power source. With that combination, they will become an unstoppable power.” Tug shook his head in disbelief. “You must destroy it, Captain.”
“Destroy what?”
“The jump drive!”
“Are you nuts?” Nathan cried, suddenly standing. “That’s our only way of getting home.”
“It’s the only way to be sure—”