NEBULAR Collection 1 - The Triton Base: Episodes 1 - 5

by Thomas Rabenstein

  They didn’t expect a direct attack! Vasina exulted.

  Atlantika’s plasma cannons began firing. The enemy ships were enveloped in a barrage of energy. Two of the five destroyers exploded instantly while the others ceased firing at the planet’s surface and initiated uncoordinated escape maneuvers. Two of them collided and were destroyed.

  The command crew’s cheers were interrupted by the first enemy hits into the Atlantika’s defensive shields, but Vasina appeared unfazed.

  »Your Majesty! One of the carriers has changed course and is heading directly toward us.«

  »Evasive maneuvers – the polar route! Put our planet between the attacker and us then go to full acceleration! Retreat to the Zogmas Moon Fortress.«

  Hellas and Herkales looked at each other uncomprehendingly. Had Vasina forgotten?

  »Your Majesty,« the commander replied, »the moon fortress of the sixth planet was destroyed some time ago. The Brotherhood gangs have completely destroyed the moon.«

  Vasina smirked.

  »I know that. Fly us into the debris field and then bring me the Achmedorian Key!«

  Her orders were final. Hellas bowed quickly and stepped back. The drive flared and accelerated the flagship at maximum power. The leader of the Houses of Atlantika intended to play her last trump card.

  Swarming bees

  »… I estimate the structure to be about 130 to 150 meters tall,« Pilvi Leukonen spoke into his small radio transmitter. »The base diameter is about 60 meters, but I can’t say how deep it extends into the ice. It looks uncanny … alien. It seems to be covered with some sort of algae carpet, glowing from the inside out in many places. The surface is rough, seems to be almost organic, glittering in black and dark green colors. The Stinger’s diameter gradually tapers toward the top, is angular in many places and shows strong ionization effects at the tip. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. The object must have broken through the continental ice with incredible force. Broken ice fragments and surface fractures are scattered all around the tower. I estimate some of the fragments to be over thirty meters thick! The earthquakes have caused ring-shaped compressions in the ice. There’s no doubt, the shaking of the continental crust was caused by the Stinger! I’m very worried about the phenomenon at the object’s tip. Obviously, there’s an energy flow or transfer of some sort occurring. I have no explanation of the origin or type of energy involved. Small objects are moving around the Stinger’s base. It looks like swarming bees from here. I can’t recognize what the objects are from this location. I’ll leave my position and go closer.«

  Shoot

  Toiber Arkroid was among the last crew members to leave the control room. With great difficulty, he reached the orbital station’s docking section. A Hawk was waiting with primed propulsion systems.

  He had to interrupt his escape several times because of strong forces shaking the station, repeatedly initiating full lock conditions. The Merinian had to manually open some of the airlocks along his route.

  The critical phase had begun. The station would collide with Earth’s atmosphere in a short time. The gravimetric shocks had already put most of the huge rotating cylinder’s systems out of action, including the positioning control.

  If the station entered Earth’s atmosphere at this angle, it would immediately and helplessly break apart.

  Most of the crew had left the station as ordered with the rescue pods. The men and women had either transferred to other stations or were picked up by rescue ships in space.

  Arkroid had conferred with the Union Space Minister on his way to the docking bay.

  »Was that the last message we’ve received from Leukonen?« Arkroid shouted into the microphone over the bursting noises of overburdened structural hull parts and interior partitions.

  Admiral Hayes’ voice was low in self-recrimination.

  »There have been no more voice transmissions, but we receive signals from his body implants at irregular intervals … and they’re all riddles to us.«

  Arkroid could hardly understand a word, dodged a falling deck segment and pressed the wrist receiver harder to his ear.

  »You should’ve never sent that man, Hayes!«

  »It’s too late now!« The minister answered softly. »Get your own ass out of there. Our radars indicate that the station won’t be able to hold orbit much longer.«

  »You’re right, it’s becoming a little unpleasant here. What will you do about the Stinger?«

  Hayes cleared his throat, hesitating.

  »We’re still evaluating the data. We’re debating how to react to the Soulwalker’s aggression. We’re still trying to figure out what the greatest danger is and what this is all about.«

  Arkroid grinned bitterly.

  »If you were up here, you’d know what it’s all about! He’s destroying this station. What more do you need?«

  The minister ignored the sarcasm and continued, »I’ve ordered the Blue Moon into service ahead of schedule. It’s departing the Moon Shipyard. The Solar Union’s first available warship will have to see action way too early. The crew isn’t fully combat ready, but in any case, I’ll have it take a position in orbit and direct the weapons at the Stinger.«

  Arkroid reached the small docking bay hangar and with a single leap, jumped into the Hawk’s open airlock. He took a few seconds to orient himself. He recognized Marco Applos and the two doctors, who stood next to the special transport gurney with Sammy Atkins on it. The eleven objects from Scorge’s ship were stowed away in the Hawk’s small cargo space. The Hawk, BM–IV, evidently belonged to the warship Hayes had ordered to Earth.

  »Very well, Admiral! We’re about to take off! The orbital station is lost. It won’t withstand many more shockwaves. Warn the civilian population that debris may start raining from the sky!« Arkroid shouted.

  »The Hawk will bring you to the Blue Moon, which is already nearing Earth.«

  The pilot of the multipurpose fighter announced the takeoff with an up-thrust thumb, then the deck under Arkroid’s feet was gone as the station suddenly shifted. The attitude of the vehicle changed drastically and Arkroid lost his grip for a moment. His communicator flew in a high arc across the small passenger compartment.

  »Arkroid, out!« The Merinian shouted after his communicator, cursed and threw himself into one of the empty seats.

  »All of you, sit down and assume a safe position!« the pilot’s voice demanded. »I’m going to accelerate.«

  Arkroid slumped into the seat while the automatic safety belts closed over his chest. Arkroid’s body was now protected by the gel cushioning, making it possible to withstand high acceleration forces.

  Several seconds later the Hawk still hadn’t taken off. Arkroid glanced up nervously.

  »What’s wrong?« Applos hollered. »Why aren’t we taking off?«

  »The hangar airlock gate won’t open! We must have a massive power failure in the entire station! We can’t get out!« the pilot shouted.

  Arkroid’s hands clasped the arms of his seat as loud noises poured from the speaker from the Hawk’s outboard microphones. The sounds of rupturing metal could be heard, bursting rivets and the whoosh of escaping atmosphere.

  »The hull’s disintegrating! We’ve got to get out of here, right now!« Arkroid yelled.

  He ducked instinctively as an aluminum support sailed through the hangar, barely missing the Hawk.

  »Shoot it apart! Shoot at that damn gate!« Arkroid shouted into the intercom.

  »What?« The pilot asked in return.

  »This is a Battle Hawk! Shoot that damn hangar gate open, you moron! NOW!«

  »Roger!« the pilot quickly replied.

  A deep growling filled the cabin.

  »What’s that?« One of the doctors cried out, frightened.

  »Laser cannon charging.«

  Arkroid had hardly finished speaking, when a blindingly bright beam of energy discharged from the Hawk’s bow, cutting the hangar gates like a hot knife through melting
ice. The atmosphere escaped from the hangar into outer space in an instant, carrying numerous objects with it.

  »That’s it,« Arkroid whispered, clenched his teeth and awaited the blackout caused by the expected acceleration, but nothing happened! Something wasn’t right!

  A strange inner voice

  Pilvi Leukonen wondered what was happening to him. His viewpoint had changed in some strange way. He had an intense headache, and when it lessened in intensity, he noticed in astonishment how his hands moved uncontrollably. His legs began to move mechanically. He stood up awkwardly against his will, even though he had absolutely no desire to leave his hiding place! Every attempt to regain control over his body failed. The researcher saw how the towering Stinger grew in size before him. His field of vision kept changing constantly. He felt like an observer, not in control at all. Suddenly, Leukonen was surrounded by numerous, spider-like creatures.

  Real spiders? he thought, perplexed. No, that’s not right. They have ten legs and seem mechanical. Are they robots?

  It almost scared him to death as he received an immediate answer from a voice in his head!

  Those are my assistants. They’re investigating where I am! the inner voice explained.

  Leukonen perceived the words and his surroundings as if he was in a trance. He must be dreaming. He marched toward the Stinger determinedly, as if he knew exactly what he was doing and where he was going. Leukonen wanted to turn around, call for help, run away, yet his commands never made it to his limbs. A man-sized opening formed in front of him, and he stepped into a dimly illuminated room. He stood, breathing heavily. His chest rose and fell rapidly and his pulse pounded in his neck.

  What’s happening to me? he thought desperately.

  You’re within my body, unworthy creature. You’ll die when your time has come!

  The Norwegian still didn’t understand.

  Am I going crazy? Have to pull myself together!

  He used his utmost mental effort to lift his left arm but gave up after a short time. An ugly laugh suddenly spread through his mind, wicked enough to almost cause physical pain.

  Despicable primitive being! Your life is forfeit. You’re no longer the man known as Pilvi Leukonen. You’ll serve as my physical body until I have no more use for you!

  Leukonen finally understood that the voice in his mind was an entity that had taken over total control. Astounded, Leukonen could only watch as he proceeded farther into the Stinger’s interior and entered a central elevator. A transport field brought the scientist to a different level. His surroundings were so incomprehensible as to seem absurd to him. The entire interior of the tower was filled with alien technical equipment, little of which made any sense to him. Leukonen had heard of the extraterrestrial artifacts and technology on Quaoar and elsewhere in the solar system, but his research left him with too little time to deal with that.

  Don’t waste your time, traitor! Your inadequate brain would never understand what’s happening within my body! the strange inner voice spoke again.

  Leukonen dared to direct a thought impulse to the intruder in his mind.

  My body, you mean!

  An evil laugh escaped his own mouth and made him shudder. Then a burning pain extended down his spine, causing him to cry out loud.

  This body belongs to me now. You’re only alive because I allow it!

  Pilvi retreated into himself for a moment to collect his thoughts or what was left of them. He had never known that it was even possible for him to perform such an act as a mental retreat. Then he tried to assert himself with all his power and produced a silent mental cry.

  Soft laughter sounded in his head, then his mouth began to speak with his own voice.

  »What a wretched creature! You have no real intelligence. I have battled other creatures only to finally dominate them after a long struggle. Those opponents earned my respect. When I see how pitiful you creatures are, I ask myself why your race should be allowed to survive in the Reserve. Only the will of the Creators prevents me from steering this pitiful planet into your yellow dwarf sun along with everything on it!«

  Leukonen didn’t dare to think anymore. He desperately wanted to hide his thoughts from the entity.

  You can’t even control your thoughts, not in the slightest, soft laughter followed again, and no, it’s useless, negotiating with me. Enjoy your life, while it lasts!

  Leukonen gave up. His body stopped before an alien console while his eyes focused on numerous, unknown indicators, elements, and symbols. His hands moved with unbelievable speed across the many touchpads and initiated unknown functions. He caught himself feeling something like satisfaction overcoming him.

  Why am I feeling like this? Leukonen wondered.

  Suddenly, the piercing mental pain erupted again, almost stealing his sanity.

  Do not dare to share my feelings, worm!

  The scientist began to suspect that his martyrdom had just begun.

  I never knew how bad mental pain could be, he complained. Why do you do that to me when you already have control over my body?

  His tormentor seemed to be perplexed over the question for a moment. Then he answered in Pilvi’s mind, It gives me pleasure to make you see how weak and worthless you are!

  Leukonen’s hands performed further manipulations on the control console. The entity was intent on this activity.

  What am I actually doing? Pilvi thought despairingly.

  Surprisingly, the entity answered immediately.

  Your hands manipulate the controls necessary to destroy the object you barbarians call Orbital Station V. I forbid you to leave this planet. I’ll destroy all space stations, ships, and bases outside the Reserve!

  Leukonen cried out in sheer panic, No! I don’t want to do that! Stop using me! Who are you anyway that you think you can kill innocent people?

  The entity pushed back Leukonen’s consciousness, confined it and gave him unendurable pain. Pilvi suddenly knew that it could kill him this way just as easily. He retreated again and made no further attempts to communicate with the invader. The intruder was still there, its thoughts echoing like thunder in his head.

  I, THE GUARDIAN WILL NEVER PERMIT YOUR RACE TO ACT AGAINST THE WILL OF THE CREATORS AGAIN! You will lose your technological advances and be returned to the level the Creators intended. Who am I? I am the Globuster Lord, and I will show you your limits!

  What is a Progonaut Queen without her cape

  The flagship’s power stations were at maximum output. Large pieces of the former moon collided with the ship’s protective shields again and again, sending threatening discharges blazing in all directions. Zogmas, once the defense moon of the inner planets, impregnable in space and armed with deadly weapons, no longer existed. A debris field was all that remained of the former bulwark. The Atlantika dived into this hazard at far too high a velocity.

  Vasina sat on her throne with a frozen face as she observed the action in the control room. Hellas commanded the ship smoothly with Herkales at his side. Her shield-bearer was a bodyguard, friend and loyal servant, all in one person. Hollow rumblings sounded at intervals, making the command crew look up anxiously.

  »Your Majesty, we can’t hold this course much longer,« Hellas reported.

  Vasina and Herkales exchanged quick glances.

  »Did the Brotherhood carriers follow us into the debris field?«

  Hellas shook his head.

  »No, but they’ve taken up positions outside the field. At their size, they would soon be destroyed if they entered, but that applies to us as well. We can’t go much deeper.«

  Vasina knew that Hellas spoke not from fear but from his responsibility for the crew and refugees.

  »How is our people’s retreat on Atlantika progressing?«

  Hellas lowered his head.

  »A fraction of our population fled successfully, but too many more have died. There are reports the Brotherhood’s gangs have sent robot troops to follow them under the surface. We’re afraid that the rob
ots may be equipped with Genesplicers.«

  Vasina paled.

  »They wouldn’t dare! Even the Dark Brotherhood couldn’t use such a weapon of mass destruction. The entire galaxy would turn against them if they obliterated our people that way!«

  Herkales gently laid his hand on his queen’s shoulder.

  »Who, besides the Progonauts, represents the interests of the people of the galaxy? Face it, Your Majesty. Nobody will find out about the attack on our solar system and the other Progonaut worlds.«

  Vasina’s look became defiant.

  »But it’ll happen! If not today, then in a thousand years! Now fetch me the key!«

  Hellas was shaken by the heated words of his queen. Her decision to play her last trump was firm. She knew that activating the Achmedorian Key would have ramifications far beyond saving her people’s few survivors. On this terrible day, she could only opt for the lesser of evils.

  Two guards carried a golden chest into the control room and carefully set it down on a rostrum. Vasina got up and slowly walked to the object. An archaic looking control panel at the top, decorated with gold and silver ornaments, sealed the chest.

  As the Queen of the Progonauts approached the device, a holo-image formed directly over the chest. A whisper made its way through the command crew. Herkales jumped to his feet, weapon drawn. Vasina gave her shield-bearer a calm glance and bowed before the hologram, which showed an ancient Progonaut.

  »Who are you, to activate the Achmedorian Key? Do you understand the responsibility you are taking on?«

  Vasina shuddered. She faced Achmedos the Eldest, who had built the Key over one hundred thousand years ago when the Progonauts had begun to hollow out the core of their world.

  »I am Vasina of Atlantika, Ruler of the Progonauts, heir of Khomikon, my father.«

  Vasina knew that the long dead Achmedos was a computer generated projection, but she felt like he was looking right into her.