“Tibby, did you really live upon this planet?” Jenira signed to me.
“Yes, but it didn’t look like this then. There were trees everywhere, and it was green with grass and plants most places. The sky was clearer then and blue, not gray and cloudy like it is now and the oceans were blue and the water clear and there were people and towns everywhere. When I lived here there were billions of people on this planet, now nothing lives here.”
“That’s not exactly true Tibby,” Kala said, “Dr. Volkov said he found living cultures of some bacteria in the oceans and in the ice at Antarctica and that given time they will evolve into new life forms here.”
“Probably,” I answered, “but I doubt they will be anything like what was here before.”
“Maybe not the same, but most likely similar,” A’Lappe answered, “just as most life forms on the planets in the Federation have different but yet similar attributes, so too what evolves here in the future will be comparable.
The last place I decided to visit before we left was Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota but when we arrived over the area, I was disappointed to find the sculptures covered in snow so deep that we were unable to find the mountain and carvings, if they still existed at all, and so it was with great sadness that I returned to the NEW ORLEANS.
We were preparing to leave Earth’s orbit when I received a call from Commodore Stonbersa on the bridge. “Tibby, we are getting readings of a large ship heading this way. It should arrive here within an hour. Do you wish us to cloak or remain visible?”
“For now, I suggest we cloak,” I answered. Contact Captain Slater of the International Team and Ming, have them meet with me in the Conference room near the bridge, and have video feeds from the sensors sent to the vid screen in there. The Chinese refugees claimed a large ship was responsible for guiding the asteroid that hit the Earth and that it has been coming back from time to time. It’s possible this might be that ship. I would like to see if Ming or Slater can give us any insight when they see the ship. Once you have contacted them get Norkoda on the bridge and make sure there is at least one Nibarian in engineering. I have a hunch it might be the Tottalax and should they attack us with their sleep weapon at any time I want the Nibarians to keep this ship cloaked protective and active. Tell all the Nibarians aboard that their first priority is the ship and its safety, while the rest of us may not be in comfortable positions we won’t be aware of it. If we are attacked, I want Norkoda to fire a volley of nuclear missiles at the Tottalax. You can target them beforehand so all he needs to do is press a launch button.”
The Commodore replied, “I’ll see to it Tibby, but what makes you think it might be the Tottalax?”
“I’m not really sure. It’s just a hunch, but I want to take precautions just the same.” I answered.
I still didn’t feel comfortable allowing the immigrants to have access to the bridge, the use of a conference room near the bridge would allow them to witness what was happening without actually having them on the bridge.
When I arrived at the conference room Slater was already there, but there was no sign of Ming. Captain Slater didn’t wait before asking. “Tibby, what’s going on? Is there some problem? Commodore Stonbersa sounded like there was something critical happening when he asked me to come here.”
“I’d prefer to wait until everyone is here before I answer, they should all arrive shortly.” As I was saying this Kerabac, A’Lappe and Cantolla entered the room. I knew Marranalis was on the bridge at the battle station in the event action was required. Moments later Kala entered followed by Dr. Yamaguchi and one of the Chinese named Wong, who had been one of the military officers in Ming’s security force.
“I think everyone is here now except for Ming,” I said as I activated my wrist com. “Marranalis, could you please have someone find Ming and get him here to the conference room.”
“Right away. The computer indicates he is still in his suite.”
“We can’t wait for Ming to begin,” I sighed, “so we’ll begin without him. The reason I called you here is we have detected a large space craft headed this way. We were informed by individuals from the lunar colony that the asteroid which hit the Earth was accompanied by a large space ship that appeared to guide the asteroid to its impact on the planet. We were also told that this ship returns from time to time, for some reason. Wong can you add anything to this?”
Wong glanced about the room with a somewhat sour expression. While he had not expressed any displeasure about being on the NEW ORLEANS as a refugee he, like Ming, seemed to feel that he should have some special level or recognition and station above that of others aboard the ship. He seemed to be debating saying anything, but then he relaxed a bit and answered.
“The first time the ship returned after the asteroid impact we thought it was some advanced ship developed by the Americans and used to attack our land. Many of us were prepared to surrender, but Ming was against it. Things were on the verge of mutiny so Ming relented and said he would send our ship out to meet them to start negotiations. It was the only ship we had but Ming felt it was safer than having those on the large alien ship to come to us. Our ship made it half way to the strange ship before trying to contact them. There was no response, they tried again and still no response, then suddenly many of the people at our Moon base fell asleep. Those deeper underground stayed awake but many complained of headaches. We never heard from our ship again, but we saw on recording from cameras and other instruments that the large alien craft moved over and took our ship aboard it and then departed. After that, Ming initiated that all attempts at communication outside of the Moon were forbidden and punishable with death. He said it was necessary for us to institute martial law for self-preservation, or we would all die.”
“I see,” I answered, “how long has it been since this happened?”
“It was about two years ago.” Wong replied just as the door opened and Ming, in the accompaniment of one of my security team entered.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Ming fumed. “How dare you summon me and drag me here like a common servant?”
I shook my head and sighed, “Ming, get over your delusions of grandeur, you have no rank or status here, you are merely a refugee like all the others from Earth. I requested your presence here because it appears your friends are returning.” I pointed toward the vid screen where the now magnified image of the alien ship appeared. As I feared it clearly had the shape and size of the Tottalax ships we had encountered and had been reported by the Admiral as being present in attacks upon the Federation.
“That’s it!” Ming shouted. “That’s the ship that brought the asteroid that destroyed my empire!” I glanced at Wong who frowned and shook his head. “You must destroy them!” Ming yelled with a look of rage on his face. “I order you to open fire upon them at once, launch your fighters and destroy them!”
“Ming, we don’t; have the ability to destroy them. Their ship is too strong, but they can’t see us, and our shields can prevent them from destroying or capturing us. However, we still are susceptible to whatever they're paralyzing weapon is, though we have some crew members who are not affected by it. We’re safe here on our ship but there is little we can do against them. We will try to contact them if we can and see if we can find out their intent and perhaps negotiate a truce of some sort.”
“Load some of your fighters with nuclear war heads and command your pilots to fly them into the enemy ship. Blow them all to hell!” Ming growled. He seemed to not be hearing what I was saying.
“I’ll do no such thing! Nuclear war heads will have no effect on their ship.
Ming turned to me in anger and grabbed by me by uniform and began to pull me toward him as he yelled, “You will do as I say or…,” he never got to finish his threat as I stepped forward as he pulled me toward him and the lack of resistance caused him to lose his balance falling backward, as he did I grabbed hold of both of his arms and twisted to the side bringing him around with me,
so I now was behind him with my left arm was about his throat while my right hand holding his left arm behind his back. In the meantime, my security team member who had brought Ming to the conference room had drawn his weapon and had it aimed at Ming.
“Ming stop this insane action, or do I need to have you put into a cell?”
Ming resisted for a second and then relaxed. “I apologize, Tibby,” he said in an abnormally calm and smooth voice. Of course, I shall cooperate. It was the sight of that ship and the memory of the devastation they caused the Earth that caused me to react so strongly.” I didn’t believe for one second it was sympathy for the Earth that Ming was feeling, more likely it was the loss of his power and conquest that he was angry about. Nevertheless, I released my hold on him and stepped back as he straightened and tugged on his clothing to realign them. “I shall be pleased to assist you in any way I can First Citizen,” as he said the last, he bowed slightly with that sly grin across his face that made me feel he was planning something.
We watched as the ship approached the Earth and went into orbit, then we noted several doors on the exterior of the ship open and something that looked like black clouds issue from a nozzle like projection which moved forth from inside. At first, the clouds seemed to expand behind the ship like smoke trails of a rocket as the ship slowly continued to orbit the Earth, and then gradually the still expanding clouds began settling toward the surface.
“See, this is what we witnessed before!” Ming exclaimed. “When the clouds reach the black smoke and dust in the atmosphere you will see the smoke vanish. Where the clouds released from the ship touch the sea you will see the waters slowly clear.”
“What?” both A’Lappe and Cantolla exclaimed in unison? Cantolla continued, “Are you saying that whatever it is they are releasing is cleaning the atmosphere and the oceans?”
“I do not know what it is that they do, I only am telling you what we have observed.” Ming replied too humbly for it to appear genuine after his earlier tirades. I glanced at Wong, who looked at me and nodded in affirmation from behind Ming’s back.
As we watched we could already see the dark clouds of volcanic smoke beginning to thin as the substance released by the Tottalax ship touched them.
I looked at A’Lappe and Cantolla and asked, “What do you suppose it is?”
“Possibly some type of nanobots,” A’Lappe said as he glanced at Cantolla.
“I would have to concur with that,” Cantolla answered, “But I have no idea how they work or what they are doing. It would be nice if we could get some samples.”
“How long does the ship usually remain in orbit when it comes to visit?” I asked Ming.
Ming looked at Wong as though keeping track of time was something left to those he believed subservient to him.
“Usually for several hours,” Wong answered. “The last time they were here nearly a day.”
The entire time we had been talking there was a communication link open to the bridge and I now addressed Stonbersa. “Commodore, move the NEW ORLEANS into low orbit, as soon as the Tottalax ship moves behind the Earth in it’s orbits and when we are not in their sensor range I want you to drop the ships RMFF just long enough for Kerabac to take a patrol ship and crew and go down and get a sample of atmosphere with whatever that material is the Tottalax have released. Once they have acquired the sample and are returning you will need to again drop the RMFF and the cloaking long enough for them to re-enter the NEW ORLEANS. As soon as they are aboard turn the RMFF back on but leave the Cloaking off. As soon as the Tottalax ship comes back into view in its orbit of the Earth open a hailing channel, I wish to attempt to communicate with them.”
“As you wish Tibby,” Stonbersa said.
I turned to Kerabac, “You know what we need, contact whoever you need to accompany you and get to the hanger bay. Commodore, as soon as the Tottalax are out of sensor range notify Kerabac so they can get underway immediately, I want them back in plenty of time before the Tottalax reappear as they circle the Earth.”
“Understood,” The Commodores voice came back over the speakers; I glanced at Kerabac, who nodded and was preparing to leave the room when Captain Slater spoke up. “Tibby, might I go along with the team to collect the samples” I glanced at Kerabac, who looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I knew if I said yes that Kerabac would see to it that there were additional troopers from my security team aboard with them.
“Yes, you may and Wong, if you would like to accompany them you may also.” Wong looked at me and then glanced at Ming, who stood stoically staring at Wong in a manner that was hard to read.
“I would be honored, Wong replied, and both he and Captain Slater turned and followed Kerabac out of the room.
The exercise to retrieve samples of material the Tottalax ship had emitted in the atmosphere went smoothly and Kerabac and his team were back aboard the ship in shortly under an hour. A’Lappe and Cantolla quickly headed for the lab with the material to begin testing and analysis.
Once they had headed out of the room Captain Slater spoke up. “That ship Captain Kerabac flew us in is quite remarkable. Kerabac said that the basic design is over 600 years old and that it’s only recently been updated with new technology developed by A’Lappe and Cantolla.”
“Yes, the TRITYTE, which was the ship I discovered sunk in the swamp on Earth over 60 years ago, was just like the patrol ship you were in. It landed on Earth over 600 years ago.”
“Do you have the ship you found aboard the NEW ORLEANS? Is it still in operation?” Slater asked.
“No, I retired the ship. Today it’s a museum piece that is flown from one planet to the next for people to see. It’s the most famous ship in Federation history.” I replied.
“Really! I have heard the story from several of your crew aboard your ship. The awe they seem to have when referring to it somehow makes it seem like something very different and special.”
“The only thing different about the ship was that originally it had a solbidyum reactor for power instead of a fusion reactor. It gave the ship more power, but otherwise it was just like any other patrol ship in the Federation.”
“The TRITYTE has a solbidyum core reactor?” Ming spoke up suddenly alert.
“Had! It no longer does. The reactor was removed before the ship was put on display. I answered.
I could see questions arising in Ming’s mind and I didn’t like the direction things were moving in.
“And this solbidyum reactor, where is it now?” Ming asked in his smooth silky manner that made my skin crawl.
“It’s been repurposed.” I answered. Individuals are banned from owning solbidyum and it only is in the hands of Federation planets. A single grain is capable of supplying the entire power needs for an entire planet.”
“Interesting,” Ming mumbled as he tugged on a flab of loose skin beneath his chin, “so much power in a single grain of sand!”
It was nearly an hour later when the Tottalax ship reappeared in its orbit around the Earth.
“Open a hailing channel Commodore, “I said when I saw it on the screen.
“Hailing channel open.” The Commodores voice responded.
“Attention Tottalax ship orbiting the 3rd planet in this star system. This is the space yacht NEW ORLEANS wishing to have a discussion with you.” There I thought, that might get their attention.
There was a moment of silence and then suddenly a wave of pain followed by blackness.
“Tibby, wake up! Come on Tibby, we need you awake.” I heard Kerabac’s voice calling.
“Wake up Tibby,” the Tottalax attacked again and Norkoda got the nukes off. It seems that even though it didn’t do any surface damage to their ship that we can see, that it must have shaken them up pretty badly, and they headed out. Norkoda has been pursuing them while remaining cloaked, but he needs my help on the bridge so you’re going to have to handle things here for now.”
“Oh, my head,” I groaned as I sat up. All around the room I could see the others
still unconscious.
“Will you be okay?” Kerabac asked. “I really am needed on the bridge.”
“Yeah! Go! I’ll be all right.” I answered as I slowly got up off the floor with help from Kerabac. “How long have you been awake?”
“Not long, maybe a minute or so.” He answered as he headed out the door.
Kala was the next to regain consciousness; I was beginning to worry about the Tottalax attacks and what effect they might have on our unborn children. After the Tottalax's first attack A’Lappe had checked her out in the med unit and stated that there were no signs of harm to the fetuses and they both appeared to be healthy. I helped Kala to sit up just as I heard Captain Slater start to moan.
“Oh god!” He muttered in English. “What happened?”
“We were on the receiving end of the Tottalax sleep weapon. It doesn’t seem to have any lasting effect on us, just puts us to sleep long enough for them to make their exit and give us one horrid headache when we wake up.”
Solbidyum Wars Saga 4: Too Late for Earth Page 21