by J W Murison
‘I cannot see that being a problem Captain.’
He grunted his pleasure. ‘Also that those who make it to your planet be allowed to run free upon those grass lands for as long as they may live. I know that is a lot to ask captain; many species have rules and fear of contamination. However it is also a fact that those who may survive will not do so for long. Being so close to your sun will kill us like flies. I doubt if many will survive one revolution of your planet.’
Steven thought it over, ‘you are right of course, however I presume an area could be prepared for all of you and that area could be quarantined. What you bring to us is worth the risk in my estimate and I am sure the authorities on Earth will see it the same way.’
His number two suddenly cried out in pain. He snarled and shook his head. Steven could feel his fear factors rise until the being lifted his head again. A large bruise began to appear along the side of its face. Gairloch grabbed his chin and burst out laughing, ‘that was close Jorge. He laughed again and turned to Steven, ‘do you see the damage your sun does to my people captain.’
Steven nodded, ‘I do, that is remarkable, we had no idea that was the damage the neutrons from our sun could do to other races.’
‘Are your people not affected at all?’
‘Some believe that they have some contribution to the aging process of my race. Nothing has ever been proven. Physically they do tear tissue on the way through however you can only see it under the most powerful of microscopes. We don’t even feel it. We thought all suns had them.’
He shook his massive head, ‘no, we call your sun the death sun. It is the only one we know of in existence.’
‘May I ask why you Emperor wishes to trade with us. I thought our grass illegal in your universe.’
He barked what Steven presumed was a laugh, ‘not illegal if you are trading with the legitimate producers of the grass Earthman. The grass from your world is being sold on the black market at extremely high prices. A product needs to have a planet of origin on it before it can be sold as a legitimate commodity and confirmed by an official of the planets trading in it. That would be one from yours and one from mine. Anyone left alive when we reach your planet will be promoted to such a position so he can sign the agreement.’
‘Which would make your planet the sole legal distributors of any Earth grasses.’
He barked another laugh, ‘you catch on quickly captain but do not be upset by this. As the legal distributors it becomes our responsibility to stop any black-market sales of the product. As we now know who is responsible for the illegal import and distribution of the grasses from your home world, it gives us powers of investigation and pursuit. Do you understand what I am saying captain?’
‘I understand perfectly captain Gairloch.’
‘However we cannot pursue the matter until the treaties are signed and the first delivery made.’
Steven grinned, ‘and on that day the Albany are in for a big shock.’
Gairloch laughed, ‘trust me captain if you wish for a friend in our universe you want my people and my emperor. We have actually done a little investigation since you told us what has been happening here. The Albany are a race that doesn't mix well with other races and seems to keep itself to itself, rarely getting involved in any conflict.’
‘I have heard that.’
Gairloch nodded that massive head of his again, ‘they have strict codes on mixing their blood with other races as well. It would seem they had ulterior motives for staying out of other people conflicts for so long.’ He pushed a button in front of him and the walls lit up. The scene of a planet with three moons appeared on the wall. ‘This is their home planet; we sent a stealth probe to investigate. We didn’t think we would find anything but we were wrong.’ The scene zoomed in on the inner moon and then the screen split. The differences in the same moon were apparent. ‘A hundred years ago that was the inner moon on the left, the scene on the right is the inner moon; literally a few hours ago.’ The scene changed and zoomed in on the latest picture. The surface of the moon seemed to be covered in craft and on the dark side came the biggest shock. The probe had been able to sneak inside a large cavern.
‘What the hell is that?’ Steven asked.
‘That is a city ship. It is capable of supporting millions. Factories, spaceports, everything you need to support a massive invasion fleet. They have been illegal to build in our universe for over a hundred and fifty of your years.’
Stevens mind raced, ‘why has this never been seen before?’
‘The inner planet is serviced by a ring of outer planets; no ship is allowed to approach the home world of the Albany. They aren’t the only race that does this.’
Steven nodded, ‘I understand.’
‘We will make this footage available to you and your forces. We will also supply you with the number of ships, their types and armaments, also an approximation of the amount of your enemy you will be facing. A gift from the emperor. However we will not be able to intervene for you earthman, the first battle will be yours and yours alone. The best we can do is escort their battle fleet out of our galaxy. You will at least know they are coming.’
‘Any information would be welcome.’
‘Before the builders ships arrived on your world what level of technology did you have?’
‘We had reached our own moon but stopped there; we never explored farther. We used rocket fuel.’
‘Very primitive.’
‘I am afraid so.’
Gairloch shook his head, ‘then you have a very hard fight ahead of you Earthman. I will need as many of your people as you can spare on board my ship before you leave.’
‘Is that wise sir?’ Howe asked.
Gairloch growled, ‘are you his military advisor?’
‘I am sir.’
‘By the time we reach your planet most of my people will be dead. We will need every minute of that time to teach your people.’
‘Captain Gairloch is right colonel.’
Gairloch grunted in satisfaction, ‘do your people have hand held recording devices?’
‘Yes we do.’ Steven confirmed.
‘You will need them to record what is being taught. Our ship is faster than the freighter. You can leave before us and we will join you before you reach Earth. That may give some of us longer.’
Steven nodded, ‘I will send you a detailed plan of our intentions captain.’
‘Good, there is one more thing. The emperor requests to meet the narrator of those documentaries if at all possible.’
‘I am afraid that will not be possible, Sir David Attenborough died many years ago.’
‘That is a shame; I will convey that news to my Emperor. In the mean time I would transfer as much of your crew as possible along with what supplies they need if your people cannot eat grass. We have plenty water.’
‘As soon as we have finished preparations I will send the crews across with their supplies.’
Chapter 16
Buzz had overseen the lift-off of the transporter. When Steven arrived back the first two scout craft had already been locked down and the second two were on their way. He listened to Steven intently and paled considerably as he was shown pictures of the invading fleet. Now the freighter was in space Steven had the engineers do a complete diagnostic on the ship. He was worried something might go wrong on the homeward journey. He need all his engineering staff on The Burning Wind and was worried something would go wrong on the journey back to Earth. The diagnostics however helped reassure him. Babes created food packs with a strict daily intake guide for everyone. If they disobeyed it then they would be in trouble. Gairloch requested more documentaries for his emperor and Steven chose them carefully. He had any programs with primitive humans in them edited carefully to take out any scenes of humans killing animals or eating flesh. He knew the herbivores hated flesh eaters and didn’t want a knee jerk back lash. He also sent a few of Cookies personal videos on vegetarian cooking to help elevate any doubts or
fears their new friends might have.
The crew almost rebelled when they discovered where they were going to spend the next few weeks. Steven realised he was becoming tired of the attitude of many of them. Despite being told how important this mission was many of them shirked form the task. In the end it was Sergeant Kelly who resolved the situation. He told them how ashamed he was of them. To think that so many of his friends had died to produce such a ‘yellow livered bunch of selfish assholes.’
Steven had cringed from the tirade as Kelly turned the air blue with profanities. It had the desired effect though. Most picked up their bags and marched over to The Burning Wind without so much as a backward glance. Howe had wanted to stay with Steven but he bit his tongue. He knew the weapons systems on the battleship would take some getting used to. He left with all of the military personal. They also took their personal weapons with them to compare them to the weapons their hosts had and the weapons their enemy would have.
Steven was left with himself and Buzz on-board. Komoru was also alone apart from Lewis. On the freighter were the two pilots, Hailey and Ico’s navigator; all the medical staff from both vessels and the nine people already rescued. Amanda was in charge of the vessel and seemed to get a kick out of playing captain. They had a lot to do. Once the freighter was up Babes and Ico filled up a portion of the freighter with black sand from the planet. With this they were going to build the cots and amenities that their passengers would require once awake. There was now plenty cloth to provide clothing and blankets for everyone when they awoke.
The freighter was slower that the builder ships and slower than the battle cruiser. The journey home would take months instead of the weeks the outward journey had taken. Back home the world began to panic as news leaked out about the forthcoming invasion. Steven began making plans for the construction of a fleet based round the information he had been given by Captain Gairloch.
The three vessels began the long journey home side by side. Steven felt the tension ease a little knowing that they were on their way home. Even if the enemy arrived now they were months behind them. Only the smallest scout craft could make Earth in a few weeks from the barrier but there had been little sign of them amongst the fleet. Steven suspected that they would stick close to the huge city ship which was a lot slower than even the freighter. He knew every day was a gift and prayed there would be enough days.
Chapter 17
The medics went down the first row and the units began to open with a faint hiss. Nerves were stretched taught as the first figures appeared. All were in a daze and many collapsed to the floor. Kelly stepped forward, ‘common get on your bloody feet, this isn’t a Sunday school picnic. There is a towel in front of you if you are shy. Get it on and follow the white line.’ His sudden roar shocked many out of their stupor. Fifty people began to cry out and shout at once.
‘Keep the bloody noise down and follow that bloody line. Collect some clothing and get yourselves dressed, move your arses there are hundreds more of you buggers so get a move on. This a bloody rescue mission not a bloody Sunday school outing.’
Enough understood and obeyed for the rest to follow. Amanda was trying not to grin. Many of them had been on the sharp end of Kelly's tongue over that past couple of months but she was glad he was here now.
‘What the hell is going on?’ Squeaked a young woman who appeared in front of her.
Amanda handed her a light blue uniform, ‘everything will be explained soon. Move behind the screen and get dressed; then follow the white line. You will come to a series of tables where you will be supplied with socks and shoes something to eat and drink. You will be asked your age name and date of birth. Please follow whatever colour of line you are told to until you come to the accommodation area; pick a bunk and please stay there. A man appeared next and began jabbering in a language she did not recognise. She handed him an earpiece and showed him hers. He put it in his ear and began babbling. His words were translated to her. His look of surprise was comical as her words were translated to him. She repeated the instructions and he moved on.
An extensive runner system had been placed round the units. As the first units were emptied they were shuttled to the back of the freighter and another row brought forward. Men went from unit to unit and uncoupled them from the ships power before they could be moved. With each pod having enough internal power for a couple of months they weren’t worried about the units sitting for a while before being opened.
The day began to wear on and Kelly's voice was becoming hoarse. The level of noise in the freighter had slowly began to increase. When the last of them were emptied they began to take down the screens. Kelly decided he needed a drink of water. There was a queue of people waiting for water and a lot of folk milling about. Many sat on their bunks still in shock.
‘It is you isn’t it Sarge?’
Kelly snapped round and a lump of emotion almost prevented him from talking, ‘Roy Brennan, you old son of a bitch.’
The two burst out laughing and shook hands warmly and then on impulse embraced briefly. They split apart embarrassed by the display of emotion in front of others, ‘looks like we made it again Sarge, but what the fuck is going on?’
Kelly laughed louder, ‘oh man we made it alright Roy. It’s a long story but try and keep the bad language down bud. The captain is a bit of a hard ass about that.’
‘Yeah sorry Sarge, but what the hell is going on, where the hell are we?’
‘We are on our way back to Earth.’
He could see the confusion on Roy’s face, ‘we’re what!’
Kelly sighed, ‘the year is 2023 Roy.’
The smile slipped, ‘you're shitting me Sarge?’
‘I wish I was Roy.’
Roy's legs gave way and Kelly grabbed him and guided him to a nearby chair. Roy had been with him since Omaha beach. He shook his head, ‘I don’t understand Sarge. We were fighting on a hill in Korea, about to be wiped out for the last time, then I woke up here. Is this a ship?’
‘I know the feeling Roy. It is a ship but it’s a spaceship, we aren’t on Earth any more. We were abducted by aliens and brought to a planet where they were experimenting on us. We have just been rescued by the first humans to venture that far out into space and are on our way home. I know it’s hard to take in all at once but I need you to accept that as fact and suck it up bud.’
‘Holy shit you're not jesting are you Sarge?’
‘No Roy I'm not. Everyone here is in the same boat except the crew. They are wearing dark uniforms, the rest of us this light blue.’
‘You sound like you been awake a while Sarge.’
‘I have Roy, long story. You got a bunk yet?’
Roy shook his head, ‘nope.’
‘The bunk area is down the far end. Look for the American flag hanging from the bulkhead.’
Roy looked behind him, ‘oh yeah I see it. That’s a lot of flags Sarge.’
It had been Kelly's suggestion to decorate the walls with flags in the hope of attracting people from those countries and quickly identifying any potential trouble spots. ‘Yup.’
‘A lot of commie fuckers as well.’
‘I see you have found a friend who is as fond of profanities as yourself sergeant.’
Kelly tuned smiling slowly, ‘Roy Brennan, meet Lady Jane Montgomery Royce.’
Roy's mouth had dropped open, and Jane smiled, ‘another soldier.’
Roy found his voice, ‘sergeant ma’am.’
‘You Americans are very fond of your sergeants.’
They both laughed politely, ‘meet any more Brits?’
‘Unfortunately yes. They were extremely rude and Amanda sent me to the command deck for an hour.’
Kelly's smile slipped, ‘I am sorry to hear that. Still you received a letter from your King didn’t you?’
‘Ah yes, and electric letter, who would have thought it possible. I am afraid it brought bad news. Of course I knew all my immediate family would have passed however I wasn’t as l
ucky as you sergeant. Both my brothers were killed in the First World War and my only surviving nephew was killed in the Second World War. It would seem the war to end all wars didn’t actually end them, but I presume you already know that. Our titles and land were returned to the crown; it would seem they are now in the possession of a green grocer. The only good news is that I am being allowed to keep my title and he has invited me to come stay with him as a permanent guest of the royal family.’
‘I am sorry to hear about your family, but staying with the King can’t be bad.’
‘A gilded cage sergeant.’
Kelly shrugged, ‘that’s true but I’ll bet there are some here who will return to nothing.’
‘Yes of course.’
A young woman interrupted them, ‘Lady Jane, is that you?’
She snapped round, ‘Isobel, goodness, how did you get here?’
Tears erupted from the young woman’s eyes, ‘when your horse returned alone your father sent everyone out to look for you. I was checking the woods up by the mill meadow because I knew it was one of your favourite spot. I saw something in the woods and thought it was you, but it was a strange looking cow. Then I woke up here. What on earth is going on?’
Tears sprang from Lady Jane’s eyes, ‘oh Isobel, you have no idea how good it is to see a friend.’ The two embraced. ‘Come with me I will tell you everything.’ She turned back to Kelly, ‘excuse me will you sergeant?’
‘Of course, did she work for your family?’
‘Isobel is my personal hand maiden; if you will excuse us gentlemen.’
Roy waited until she was out of earshot, ‘wow that is some dame.’
Kelly grinned, ‘she is a piece of work that’s for sure. Want to go see if any more of the guys made it Roy.’
‘Sure thing Sarge.’
Kelly smiled, ‘why they hell do you keep calling me Sarge, we are the same rank and not even in the army any more Roy.’
Roy shrugged, ‘you’ve always been Sarge, always will be to me.’
Kelly shook his head with a grin, ‘let’s go see if anyone else from the unit has turned up.’