HADRON Axiom

by Stephen Arseneault

  Jane picked up and sniffed one of the nutrient bars. “Smells like blueberry, maybe with a hint of lavender.”

  Bontu opened another holo-display. “This is an image of the fruits and vegetables that went into the production of that bar.”

  The alien poked and pressed at his arm pad. “This is a list of near equivalents from this planet.”

  Jane looked over the list. “Interesting.”

  She took a nibble. “I like the texture, and the taste. Is this something your people eat?”

  Bontu shook his head. “Goodness no. We are strictly carnivores. Our digestive systems do poorly with natural fibers.”

  Bontu pressed and swiped on his arm pad until the images of a half dozen small alien animals displayed. “These six make up our primary meals on the ship.”

  Jane offered a half scowl. “They’re all so cute.”

  Bontu stood in silence for several seconds. “They are normally delicious, but less so when eaten for months at a time.”

  Johnny said, “That one looks a bit like our rats. Cities are probably overrun with them about now, if you’re feeling the urge for a snack.”

  Jane punched Johnny in the ribs.

  Mace gestured toward the large ship hovering above the town. “I can only guess those turrets are weapons.”

  Bontu brought up an image of a turret. “Your ships, they have armaments, do they not? At times the galaxy can be a dangerous place, Mace. Are we not entitled to protect ourselves?”

  Mace half smiled. “You say dangerous as if those have been used. Are we in danger?”

  Bontu shook his head. “Nothing immediate, but there may come a time when you seek our help. If your leadership decides on a trade pact with us, we can offer a minimal security agreement with such a deal. However, it isn’t my place to discuss these types of issues here.

  “For today, and for the coming weeks, I will be the diplomatic liaison for Ronceverte and the surrounding area. If your authorities choose to accept our help, my ship and my crew will work to coordinate meeting the region’s nutritional needs. Our efforts will also include the establishment of a power generation station, as well as communications filters. For the comm devices you call phones, should you choose to accept our help, my engineers can begin the restoration procedure. I believe I was told service could be restored within two months or less.”

  The sheriff held out his hand. “As the authority of the town of Ronceverte, I accept your assistance. When do we start?”

  Bontu spoke an alien language into his arm pad. “The process has begun. And just to settle any concerns you may have, if at any time you deem our assistance unwanted, we will withdraw it in its entirety.”

  The sheriff turned with a grin. “I think we just might have turned the corner, Mr. Hardy.”

  Johnny looked to Bontu. “I have a concern. You remain in your suit with your helmet on. Is our atmosphere not breathable?”

  Bontu pressed several buttons on his arm pad in rapid sequence. A set of latches could be heard as his helmet unlocked. The alien slowly lifted the helmet from around his head, exposing his large black eyes to the bright sunlight.

  Bontu squinted. “Please forgive me, Friendly Johnny. Your sun is 22 percent brighter than our own. Your atmosphere is acceptable, only the brightness of your sunlight is an issue.”

  Jane pulled a pair of sunglasses from a pouch she carried. “Try these. They’re big, which is the current style for the ladies here. I say big because they might offer you enough coverage for those large eyes.”

  The alien took the glasses, propping them on his small nose, his whiskers bristling against the bottom of the large lenses. “Hmm. Those are a significant help, Jane. May I borrow these until my engineers can craft a proper pair?”

  Jane nodded. “Keep ‘em. I have more.”

  Johnny began to laugh.

  Bontu asked, “Is there something I should be concerned with, Friendly Johnny?”

  Johnny shook his head. “No. And please just call me Johnny. Just Johnny.”

  Bontu crossed his arms. “Is there something you find humorous?”

  Johnny took a deep breath as he fought off another laugh. “Sorry, I was just caught a little off guard by the image of our first meeting with an alien species and having him wearing sunglasses. You are a him, aren’t you?”

  Bontu replied, “I am a male, yes. Our species is similar to Humans in that respect.”

  A bay on the ship above opened and a third shuttle dropped out. It landed on the field beside the other two. A ramp descended, followed by a half dozen aliens scrambling to bring a small mechanized train of nutritional food boxes to the ground.

  Bontu said, “Sheriff Dillings, if you would like to inform your townspeople of the food supplies, you may begin to distribute them as you see fit. We will deliver what we have for you to this field. Each box has instructions printed in your language that tells of the proper storage and handling for the nutrition bars. For the generator, if you would like assistance, I can have a team come down to bring your town’s power back on-line. I believe that task could be accomplished before nightfall.”

  Mace asked, “That generator, how many will this town require?”

  Bontu replied, “Only the single unit. It is a fusion system that merely requires a small water source to operate once the reaction has been brought on-line.”

  Johnny said, “Wait, that one unit will run this town? How’s it work?”

  Bontu nodded. “This town and the surrounding area that is within my directive. I would gladly talk further of its operation and capabilities, but I have been instructed to not entertain such questions. Other than to say it operates by the principles of fusion, my species is restrictive when it comes to the exchange of technologies with the natives of less developed planets. Perhaps as our peoples establish proper relations, these matters can be further discussed.”

  Jane asked, “Your species, what do you call yourselves?”

  Bontu smiled. “We are the Mawga. Our planet is Dubbius and our star Savaton. We are forty thousand light years distance from this planet.”

  Bontu held up a gloved hand. “Please excuse me. I have much work to do to coordinate the efforts of my workers. I would be more than happy to continue this conversation at a later date.”

  With that, Bontu turned and spoke into his arm pad as he walked back up the ramp of his shuttle. Seconds later, it lifted off toward the larger ship, soon disappearing inside the same bay they had witnessed now several times.

  The sheriff scampered about directing his townsfolk. The trio made their way back toward the cave.

  Chapter 5

  *

  As they walked back to the car, Johnny said, “I don’t like ‘em. Nothing is free. They just haven’t told us yet what the cost of all this is.”

  Jane sighed. “I want to agree with you, but nothing back there gave me reason to.”

  “That whole benevolent angle, there’s a catch there somewhere. Why establish trade when they could just as soon take what they want? What do we have to defend against them?”

  “We have size. If he’s typical of a Mawga, I wouldn’t see them as a threat without their technology. Take away that advantage, and how threatened do you feel?”

  Mace glanced at Johnny. “I can’t see where Gigantor here would have a problem with them.”

  Johnny laughed. “Heck, if that was the case, Tres would be a major threat. Even he has two feet of height on them.”

  Jane said, “Well, regardless of their size, I do feel a lot better about the situation than I did before. At least now we have an idea of what we’re dealing with.”

  The drive back to the cave was filled with attempted jokes by Johnny. When they stepped out onto the drive in front of the gift shop, Jane was shaking her head.

  “I love you, but please stop.”

  Tres asked, “What’d you find out?”

  Mace replied, “We walked into town and spoke with them.”

  Tres stepped back. �
��No you didn’t. What’s happening in town?”

  Johnny nodded. “It’s true. We walked in and talked to one of them. He called himself Bontu. He’s a gray alien, about a meter tall. Probably weighs in at fifty-five pounds, just like you.”

  Jane sighed. “I’ve had to listen to his jokes the whole way back. They’re a species that call themselves the Mawga. Their star system is forty thousand light years from here. He wouldn’t give us any details about their tech other than to say the generator they’re installing in town is fusion. He thinks they might have power restored by sundown.”

  Mace added, “They promised to enable our phones as well. If that’s true, you and I may finally be able to touch base with our families.”

  Tres sat on the edge of the gift shop porch. “What do they want in return?”

  Johnny pointed: “Exactly what I said. They claim to want nothing. I would bet they just haven’t told us yet.”

  Jasper raised an eyebrow. “You said power may be coming back on?”

  Mace replied, “That’s what they say.”

  Jasper stood. “We’ll need to get started on returning the cave to its prior state.”

  Johnny held up a hand. “Whoa there. Hold on a minute. Why don’t we wait to see where this goes? I’m not quite ready to pack up and leave just yet.”

  Jasper crossed his arms. “I believe the agreement was you could stay so long as power was out.”

  Mace put his hand on Johnny’s shoulder. “If we get power and comms back, there really is no reason for us to stay here.”

  Jasper grinned.

  Johnny argued, “While I don’t discount that, we aren’t quite there yet. I just don’t want to pull up our tent stakes before the camping trip is over, that’s all.”

  The remainder of the afternoon was filled with speculation. As the cave dwellers sat on the porch, a light inside the gift shop came to life.

  Jasper again turned toward Johnny and grinned. “Get… out.”

  “Why is it you hate me, old man?”

  “Gah! I didn’t think you were so sensitive. I’m just messing with you, same as you do me. If this power stays on for a week, we’ll talk about when you need to leave. What a baby.”

  Mace laughed and shook his head. “Never thought I’d see the day when Johnny Tretcher was bested. The old man has the upper hand.”

  “Maybe I do need to go back to Norfolk to work on some new material. Friendly Johnny is not having his best day.”

  Johnny turned to face Jane. “I wonder what the house looks like? Probably full of squatters.”

  “Squatters who are just trying to stay alive, like the rest of us?”

  “That’s it, pick-on-Johnny hour is over. I’m walking the perimeter.”

  The following day, Johnny and Mace returned to the football field. Bontu was in conversation with Sheriff Dillings and Chief Capp, from Caldwell.

  “Gentlemen,” Bontu said, “I’m looking for information pertaining to your military. I’m receiving word that some bases are resisting our help. We are not looking for weapons or strength information, only for information on how we can best talk to these individuals on a friendly level. Their assistance would go a long way toward easing this crisis.”

  Mace said, “I was in the military. They probably just need assurances that you really are here to help.”

  Bontu asked, “How would we best convey this? They do not seem interested in our assistance.”

  “Have you asked them about their weapons?”

  Bontu considered the question. “They were told their weapons would not be necessary.”

  “You have to tell them they can keep their weapons. At the moment, that’s the only security they have. Let them carry.”

  Bontu thought for a moment. “We do not have issue with that request. Mace, could I ask for the assistance of you and Friendly Johnny in this matter?”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  Bontu gestured toward the shuttle. “Perhaps a ride on a starship over to the encampment in question?”

  “Where’s this encampment?”

  Bontu pulled up a holo-image, displaying a map. “I believe you call the town Bedford. Yes, Bedford.”

  Johnny said, “If the captain is still there, might be a cakewalk.”

  Bontu inquired, “Cake walk?”

  “Just an expression.”

  Mace remarked, “We’ll go. If the captain is still in charge over there, he would accept our word.”

  The door closed and the ramp lifted. The shuttle was soon in the air, rising up into a ship’s dock inside a massive bay.

  Johnny asked, “Any chance of a tour?”

  Bontu smiled. “I’m afraid I am not authorized to allow that at this time. I’m certain you understand our security needs. Admission of locals at this point might lead to unprovoked attacks against vulnerable systems. Perhaps once our friendship has solidified?”

  Minutes later, the bay doors to the ship began to open over Bedford.

  Johnny asked, “That was it? We’re there? I didn’t feel us move.”

  Bontu pointed toward a display on the wall of the shuttle cabin. “The blue flashing indicators on the display show the inertial dampeners are engaged. Traveling without them is extremely limited. And please do not ask for an explanation of how they work, I am not at liberty to discuss that type of information.”

  An officer stood in the cockpit doorway. “Sir, the captain has agreed to meet with us.”

  Bontu bowed his head. “Thank you, Mr. Calg.”

  “Wait,” said Mace, “you all speak English?”

  Bontu stood. “We have been assigned to your planet for several years. My entire crew has studied the regional vernacular for this area for that time. They are all fluent in your language.”

  Johnny asked as they followed Bontu toward the door to the ramp. “Can we guess that ambassadors are parked in ships all across the globe?”

  “Diplomats. And, yes, each has an assigned area.”

  Johnny pressed: “West Virginia and Virginia are your territories?”

  Bontu cleared his throat as he stepped down the ramp. “My territory, as you say, runs from Virginia northwest through to your state of Michigan. I have four ships in my rescue fleet. We began our interventions in Michigan five days ago, working our way to here. In three days, we will have covered the region under my jurisdiction.”

  Bontu came to a stop in front of the Marine captain. “Sir, my name is Bontu Montak. I am a diplomat for the Mawga rescue fleet for this region. I believe you spoke to one of my associates yesterday?”

  The captain pointed to Mace and Johnny. “What are you two doing with him?”

  Johnny said, “He thought our presence might show that their efforts are not intended as confrontational.”

  Mace followed, “Mr. Montak would like to let you know that it was not his intent that you should be disarmed. You can keep your weapons. All he is asking is for logistical assistance on delivering food and getting power systems operational.”

  The captain crossed his arms. “That wasn’t the message I received yesterday. What I heard was, ‘We’re here, put down your weapons.’”

  Bontu bowed his head. “I must apologize for that, Captain. That was not our intended message. While my associates and I have been studying your language, this is our first opportunity to actually interact with Humans. As Mr. Hardy indicated, you may keep your weapons. We are not here as invaders, only assistants. In return, we hope for friendly relations and establishment of trade between our worlds. We are a peaceful species and wish for good relations.”

  The captain looked at Mace.

  Mace shrugged. “I can’t vouch for them other than to say they have restored power in our area and provided food for distribution. Nothing hostile so far.”

  The captain looked down at the gray alien with suspicion. “So, we get massive EM storms and you just happen to show up?”

  Johnny held up his hand. “I had the same response. They claim to have bee
n observing us for some time. They’re only intervening now because our population has dropped by two-thirds.”

  The captain frowned. “I’ve heard nothing but bad from the cities. The bigger the populace, the worse the problems.”

  Bontu nodded. “Our data show a density decrease of nearly 87 percent in cities that previously held more than one hundred thousand. Particularly hard hit were your Asian mega-cities with populations over five million.”

  The captain glanced toward the south. “I know Roanoke has been a hot mess. Probably 90 percent the residents are dead or moved away. And I hear Richmond is equally as bad.”

  Johnny looked down at the captain’s nametag. “J. Crawford. What’s the J stand for?”

  “Jordan. Friends call me Jordan.”

  Mace said, “Jordan, would you be willing to distribute food if Bontu provides it?”

  Jordan Crawford nodded. “I don’t have issue with that. Are we talking people coming here or do we need to take it to the cities?”

  Bontu replied, “I believe both to be required at the moment. However, we are willing to make drops wherever you designate. We have no desire to control this food source, only to distribute it freely and fairly to all your people.”

  Jordan turned to his second in command. “Lieutenant, get out the maps. We need to put together a plan for the distribution of food to the surrounding areas.”

  Jordan looked down at the meter tall alien. “Can I guess that Roanoke is in our area of coverage?”

  Bontu nodded. “It is.”

  Jordan scowled. “I was afraid of that. Last time over, we had some bad blood between us and a couple community groups. They were enforcing their own brand of justice and didn’t appreciate our interference. If we’re bringing food though, they might just fall in line. We’ll take care of your distribution, Mr. Montak. You can start by dropping enough for us to cover Bedford and we’ll go from there.”

  As they returned to the shuttle, Bontu took Mace by the forearm. “Mr. Hardy, would it be possible to enlist your services full time for the next three weeks? There are a number of military bases that we need to contact for the same reasons as you saw here today. Having your military establishment involved with the distribution would go a long way toward bringing your government out of the shadows. I know it is much to ask, but we are in need of your help.”