by T. W. Embry
“Ok then, we will plan the raid on ssSniggle in fourteen light cyclesss if all goesss azsss planned. That will give ssSSlice the time he needsss to find the layout of ssSniggle’s essstate. In the meantime we will train hard. You have all been getting sssoft I sssuspect. Get a good night’sss sssleep. You are going to need it, training ssstartsss at 0400,” hissed Snarth, ending the briefing.
PART TWO
The Discovery of a Lifetime
My name is Benji King and I am a mapmaker from the Alpha Centauri cluster. I chart star systems, uninhabited planets and asteroid fields. This information I sell to the highest bidder. I have spent many years searching for the locations of life worlds, those few planets capable of creating and sustaining complex life.
That is what we Kings do. It is our family's occupation. Many of my fellow kin were spread out in the far reaches of the known galaxy in small one-man scout ships. All of us searching for the next big score to support our family, for there are many of us.
I was on one such mission, when I was awakened from my dreams of fantastic wealth to the sounding of the ship’s alarm. Blindly I stumbled my way forward to the control room. I scrambled into the piloting chair and strapped myself in.
As I read the power readings, I realized I was in real trouble. There had been a faster than light drive failure and the ship’s main engine had lost all power. The ship had fallen out of folded space and was caught in the gravity well of a binary star, close to where the ship had entered normal space. I should have never napped while underway.
I still had scanners, and seeing planets orbiting the yellow star I began to look for a place to make an emergency landing. I scanned the closest planets first. I am in luck; the third planet had an atmosphere suitable for breathing and an abundance of water. There were no energy readings, orbiting satellites or other signs of technology however.
If I cracked up the ship, I would be marooned there for a very long time. That is if the ship survived entering the planet’s atmosphere. And if I survived the landing. Just before I began my semi-controlled descent toward the third planet’s moist and thick atmosphere, I ejected an emergency beacon. It carried my current coordinates and an intergalactic message mech with a holo-cube explaining my situation. I only hope it will have enough power to make it to one of the major shipping lanes. That is if it could escape the same gravity well that had doomed my ship. Inside the beacon was a message drone keyed to find my brother Thomi King. If anyone would come for me in time it would be him, he was closest.
~
I was recording data on the surface as I descended, I might get one or two planetary orbits at the most. That would depend on how thick the atmosphere was and how rapidly it slowed my ship to stalling. My ship had been designed to travel in space, so it was not the most aerodynamic shape.
As I studied the data from the scanners, I nearly choked. Most of my adult life I had been searching for one of these. I had finally found a life planet that was unknown and uninhabited by intelligent life. As if that was not enough, it is a water world. Unfortunately for me, I was about to crash land on it. Fate sure has a cruel sense of humor; I grimaced as I calculated my trajectory and orbit entry.
After my second orbit I reached stall speed about two hundred meters above the surface, heading toward a large area of vegetative growth on a long semi-flat earthen plain. The tug of gravity grabbed me as the braking thrusters fired, then failed. The largest of the vegetation slowed the ship enough to allow it to slide along the surface before coming to a stop in an upright position.
The computer readouts said the ship still had structural integrity and life support. I unstrapped myself from the pilot's chair. Putting on my atmospheric mask, I prepared to cycle the ship’s airlock. I would have to survey any damage to the outer hull from the outside. The main computer only told me that the ship’s inner hull still had structural integrity and no breaches. I might be able to repair some minor outer hull damage. However, the tools I have and the spare parts I carried are limited. With no technology on this planet, whatever I brought with me is all I will have to leave this planet.
As I stood in the airlock waiting for the pressure to equalize and for the computer to analyze the atmosphere, I realized that no one knows where I am; no one will come looking for me. If Thomi King, my brother, does not get my message drone, I am on my own. If I cannot repair the ship, I am marooned, forever.
Finally, the green light flashed, pressure had equalized. The atmosphere was safe to breath. I stepped into the bright light of the binary star that this planet orbited, squinting at the intensity. I began my assessment of the ship's condition.
After a thorough inspection, I found the outer hull was still intact and undamaged, as far as I can tell without the proper scanning equipment. However, I found out why I had lost main engine power. Somehow, a small meteor had punctured the housing of the faster than light drive, turning the inside electronics into a blackened ruin of circuitry. It must have struck from behind. Otherwise, the navigational deflector would have prevented it from hitting the ship. It was a one in a trillion accident.
So leaving in my own ship was out of the question, the faster than light drive control circuits would have to be replaced. As my luck continued to improve, I discovered the main engine’s plasma was nearly drained of power. I might have enough to power the survival equipment for a year, maybe two if I was careful with power consumption. However, not enough power to replicate the parts I needed to get back into space.
That left the option of contacting someone who was willing to trade the location of this planet for a rescue. To make matters even worse, my long distance communication’s transmitting emitter had been destroyed in the landing. In my line of work, secrecy is a necessity if you want to be successful. As a result, I do not know anyone, who was not family, who would not leave me stranded or kill me once they learned this planet’s location. It was just as well, all power reserves would be drained if I replicated a new transmitter. Then I would not have the power left to make any long distance transmissions anyway.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11541.99
One curious phenomenon about this planet, is when two air masses of different temperatures interact with each other, energy builds up and strikes the ground. Some of these energy strikes are actually quite powerful and might serve to recharge the remaining main engine plasma. That was a big if. It would depend on if I can construct an apparatus to attract and channel this energy into the main engine plasma energy storage capacitors, without destroying my ship in the process. Then I might have enough power to replicate a long distance emitter and call for help. I do not hold much hope for success, for it is a very remote possibility that it will work. On the other hand, it could very well cause an explosion and destroy the ship completely.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.14
It has been fourteen planetary light cycles since I crash-landed and I have fashioned a rudimentary attraction device to draw and collect the energy strikes. I have fashioned a small flexible cable with a device to ride the air currents high enough to cause an energy bolt to strike it once I give the cable an ionic charge. The energy will travel down the cable and into the power storage system on board the ship, recharging the main engine's plasma. If it works, I would be able to use the parts replicator to build a long distance transmitter emitter. I still hold some hope of success. I have written the replicating program for rebuilding the transmitter to its bare essentials in order to conserve power should I get lucky and actually succeed.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.18
It has been four light cycles since I completed my energy collection device and there have been no suitable environmental conditions for the development of energy strikes. On a personal note, I am getting used to this planet; in fact, it is quite nice. Everything is so clean, the atmosphere and the water are amazingly pure. Of more concern is the fact that main engine power
is at a critically low level. I cannot explain the power drain.
There are many different types of life forms on this planet, most simple. There is one dominant predator. It is a cross between an arachnid and a jointed insect. They seem to live in colonies. They seem to be a curious species and not dangerously aggressive toward non-food species. They have a hard exoskeleton and jointed flexible appendages. I actually found one of the larger creatures following me around while I prepared for the developing conditions for the energy strikes. When I approached, it moved away rapidly, taking notice of my interest in its actions. It has remained more elusive.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.20
It has been two more light cycles and the conditions for energy strikes remain unfavorable. I have been exploring the planet’s surface on foot in an ever-increasing circle from the ship. I now have a constant companion on my walks. I have not actually made physical contact yet. I am allowed to get a little closer each time I approach.
Late in this daylight cycle, I was finally able to touch the insectile life form for the first time. I found it odd that fine hairs covered the exoskeleton. They seem to be a sensory organ, as my friend I call George seems to like it when I brush them gently with my hand.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.22
This light cycle George brought a friend. I have realized that this planet must have weather patterns that correspond to its orbit and orientation to its star. I only hope this pattern does not last much longer. The energy reserves on the ship are almost exhausted. I have been unable to find the cause for the excessive energy drain. In a curious note, I was able to make physical contact with George’s friend within a few minutes. It also seemed to like it when I stroked its “fur.”
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.30
This light cycle while I was exploring with George and his friend, another and perhaps the final tragedy struck. When I returned, I found that all the energy components had been fused. An energy bolt must have struck my collector while unattended.
Now not only am I marooned but I have no main engine power as well. I will have to rely on the solar charger to recharge my survival equipment. While the liquid on this planet is more than adequate to maintain my life force, food that I am accustomed to eating is not.
George and his friend have learned to return any object that I throw. It has become a game we play. They seem to enjoy it as much as I do. My food is almost gone. I have enough for three more meals. Then I will have to try eating some of the local fauna. One life form may suit my needs well enough. It is a small four-legged furry creature that I have seen George chase.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.32
With my food supplies exhausted, I have resorted to hunting some of the smaller fauna. I have fashioned a bow and arrow, crude perhaps but adequate for my needs. With a little practice, I should be able to kill some of the larger fauna as they seem to have no fear of me.
I will have to resort to preparing whatever I kill over a natural heat source derived from the combustion of dried, native vegetation. While the smell of the cooking flesh and the fumes from the combustion are nauseatingly offensive, I am so hungry that I do not care.
George and his friend seem to take great interest in my activities. I have never seen how George's kind consumes their food.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.34
When I tossed George the scraps from my dinner, the most unusual thing happened. A long appendage I have never seen before extended from between the bulbous eyes and the upper appendages. When it reached the scraps, they slowly dissipated, seemingly dissolved at a cellular level. They appear to be feeding on the cellular energy.
That would explain the power drain from the ship. I had no way to check the ship’s sensor logs but I would bet that George was not alone when he visited me while I slept. If his brother or sisters feed on energy then my ship’s power supply must have been irresistible.
That meant they were capable of communication with each other and have a higher brain function than I had thought possible from their lack of technology. In my daily travels, I have found the location of what appears to be the entrance to an underground city. As I observed the comings and goings of the creatures from the entrance, I have noticed a hilltop they always avoid.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.50
This light cycle I am heading to the hilltop that overlooks the city's entrance. George constantly shadows me. I only hope he does not give my location away. In a curious note I found a fresh carcass of one of the animals that I have been eating lying at the fire pit of my home base campsite. It had been neatly cleaned and skinned. I have not seen any intelligent life forms since the crash. I do not know where it came from. I will be watchful. While unfriendly natives are possible, I think by this gesture that their intentions are friendly. Well, onward I forage, one mystery at a time today.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.50.5
I have reached the hilltop overlooking the city and found a small cave near the top. The top is flat and perfect for my observations. Judging by the number of creatures in and out of the entrance and the constant activity this must be quite a large city. My best guess would be 200,000 or so of George’s people. The corridors and tunnels must extend for miles underground. At the dark cycle, I can see a light source of some sort.
Yet I can see no sign of the power source or any evidence of an exhaust of atmosphere or reaction waste. I have found several other smaller entrances on the other side of my observation post. Curious note, I found another cleaned carcass at the beginning of this light cycle.
In addition, George is nowhere to be found. I am both puzzled and concerned by the identity of my mysterious benefactor. I must admit it is a big help not to have to search for food, leaving only the transport of water and sanitation to interrupt my observations.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.70
It has been ten light cycles since I moved to the hilltop from base camp permanently. At the beginning of each light cycle when I wake there is a freshly prepared carcass waiting by the cook pit, along with fresh vegetation for fuel. I have made up my mind that I am going to discover the identity of this mysterious gift giver.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.72
I have not slept in two light cycles and still no gift carcass. I do not know how much longer I can stay awake, I find myself nodding off almost uncontrollably.
I must have dozed off because when I awoke there was a carcass waiting for me. That would mean that they are watching me and that there is more than one. This carcass was still warm and I have still no idea of who or what left it there. I am quite sure that if evil was their intent I would be dead.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.100
The seasons seem set for change now. I have noticed the light cycles increasing in length and a corresponding increase in temperature and precipitation. The star of this planet is in the middle of its zenith with this planet. I found at the back of the cave a natural cistern that now fills daily after the late storm and electrical discharges. The animal carcasses continue to appear with unfailing regularity and mystery.
All of my physical needs are being meet with little to no effort. I have seen kept life forms with less consideration to the basic functions of life. With the exception of the lack of electronic technology, this would be an idealistic life style.
Wondering why I bother to make this log. If Thomas were coming, he would be here already. Yet I know I must have hope for that is all that remains to be taken from me.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.111
I am making this log now sure that it will never be studied. Or even found by anyone capable of understanding it. For I know I am truly marooned o
n this planet, forever lost to my family. I only have George, my only friend, George.
George has returned and it gives me hope once again. I am glad for the company even if he is an insectoid. Not only has he returned, I have learned that he is my benefactor. He brought friends.
I cannot tell them apart therefore I have no idea how many friends he brought with him. They are a very curious bunch and in constant motion. I can see that they communicate with each other but I cannot tell how. They hold their heads together for a brief time then one seems to know what the other one wants or does.
~
Personal log Galactic Star Date 11542.137
Today is the day I discovered the answer to the mystery surrounding the method of communication between George and his friends. It is some kind of electro-chemical transference from one creature to another.
The way I discovered this is that today is the first time I have actually made physical contact with George’s antennae, before any contact was always limited to a couple of brief strokes on one of his legs or back.
This time he actually stroked my arm with his antennae. The most amazing thing happened. I could instantly feel him in my mind, a connection of consciousness. I understood him and he understood me at the same instant.
They are a peaceful race, fascinated by my technology. Until I arrived, they had no knowledge of other life, electronics, fusion or metalwork. They are here to take me to the Queen; she wants to meet, to learn from me.
PART THREE
The Queen
From the depths of her meditation on the coming of the season of the Sun, the Queen of the Ones felt her aide at her side patiently waiting to be noticed. Slowly, as consciousness of her physical reality returned, she bade him speak.
“My Queen, I have news of a strange being that has fallen from the sky,” he began.