by Karl Morgan
The shuttle backed into the Balthazar Tube Station at 1325. A few dozen Zu were boarding and exiting shuttles from different parts of Hive 1008. Dave remembered the mob that filled the station the previous evening. A cleaning crew swept debris off the floor. Some wall and ceiling tiles had fallen during the jump, and Dave could feel bits of tile and sand under his boots. As he and Charlie approached the main exit, they could see several broken steps had been barricaded, leaving only room for one person at a time to ascend to street level. Fortunately, with the sparse crowd there was no need to wait.
The street was littered with more debris, as bricks had crumbled from some buildings. Two mangled wrought-iron balconies lay in the street. Several workers were using plasma torches to cut the metal into smaller pieces to be hauled away. Another worker was using a lift device to attach metal sheets over the broken walls where the balconies had been attached. It seemed to Dave that Alin had understated the damage to this part of town. Charlie touched Dave on the shoulder and pointed up. The overcast sky seemed almost real, except for a large section where a square hole seemed out of place in the gray cloud layer.
Through the opening, they could see a maze of pipes and conduits. Several electricity lines were arcing where the connections to the fallen panels had been severed. Two workers were approaching the broken section in a floating vehicle. Further up past the pipe and conduit, they could see several tubes from the tube network. They continued toward the brownstone and turned the corner. Now Dave knew why Governor Lonk was so interested in meeting Dave here. The broken piece of ceiling had fallen onto the building where the Brewsters and Watsons had been staying. The section was fifty feet square and several feet thick. The top two stories of the building were crushed. Charlie and Aria had been staying on the third floor while Dave and Darlene were on the second. As they moved closer, they could see Governor Lonk and several others in gold suits standing in the middle of the street waiting for them.
“It looks like we owe our lives to Jon Lake,” Charlie said.
“I guess we’re even with him now!” Dave exclaimed. “This is unbelievable. Now I do wish I was back in the twenty-first.”
Alin Lonk saw the two approaching and rushed forward to greet them. He grabbed both men and hugged them. “My dear friends, I am so glad you and your wives are safe. This kind of thing never happens during a jump. The last tragedy like this was recorded more than a thousand years ago. Please come with me.” They joined the others in front of the building. “Admiral Brewster and Commodore Watson, please let me introduce you to Senator Aon Nardu and Councilor Nola Balee. They have just arrived from Earth Prime and wanted to meet you.”
“Gentlemen, we are so proud to welcome the descendants of Earth 47,” Aon said. When Dave first saw her, he was certain she was Kalidean, with the same blue skin and large black eyes. “We are horrified by the damage here and what might have happened to you. There will be a full investigation and inspection of the entire planetoid. I guarantee you of that.”
“I certainly concur with the Senator,” Nola said. Nola was a Pa and looked remarkably like the barista Bea Watson, only thirty or so years older. “The inspection process could take several weeks though, but after our business is concluded, we can certainly jump you and your ships back to your own galaxy. I assure you we have no problems like this when we move an individual ship.”
“Thanks to all of you for your concern,” Dave began. “We don’t want a random accident to color our stay here, so don’t worry about that. It is a pleasure to be here in the home galaxy with all of you.”
“Thanks for your understanding, Dave,” Alin said, “but I must also tell you this was probably not an accident. Our Hive has calculated the odds of this happening randomly are less than one in one hundred million.” The others nodded their agreement.
“You’re saying someone did this on purpose?” Charlie asked. “Why would they do that?”
“We don’t know at this time,” Alin replied. “Immediately after the jump, I sent several security teams here to assess the damage. They saw evidence of tampering with the struts that connected that portion of the ceiling. They also checked other nearby panels and found everything normal.”
“So they were trying to kill us specifically,” Dave said. “That’s chilling. Who would want us dead?”
“Well, we can’t be sure it was aimed at you. The panel could have fallen in a number of directions. However, I’ve committed the Hive to find out what happened and why by checking the past for activity in this area. It may take a few days to complete,” Alin said. “Also, they may not find anything.”
“How can that be?” Dave asked. “Won’t they view every moment of time? How could they not find anything?”
“Dave, we will do our best. Space and time are not as simple as we might think. There are those who can cloud the past to avoid detection,” Aon said.
“I’ve think we’ve said enough already, Senator,” Nola interrupted. “There will be time for this later. Dave, I have recommended to Governor Lonk that all foreign space ships leave Hive 1008 for the time being. You are all welcome to orbit Earth Prime. That is where our meetings will take place. It will also give the crew here time to make repairs and finish their investigation. When you arrive there, contact my office and I will finalize the meeting dates and times.”
“Again, I am very sorry about this, Dave and Charlie,” Alin said with genuine concern in his voice. “We will figure this out and bring those responsible to justice. Let me know when your ship arrives at Earth Prime so I’ll know you are safe.” Everyone shook hands and the three walked toward the tube station.
“Let’s get that coffee, Charlie. I really need it now,” Dave said as he headed down the street. “Aria and Darlene are not going to be happy about this.”
“I just don’t get it, Dave,” he replied. “If they tried to kill Wendo Balak or Antar Arrak, I might understand it. Those two are central to the whole Free Society thing. You and I are just along for the ride.”
“Darlene is the ambassador here to help in the negotiation. But she has no dog in this fight. We only want the federation in our galaxy,” Dave said. “None of us care what happens here.”
The fragrance of chocolate and coffee rushed at them as they opened the door. The shop was crowded with patrons celebrating the jump. Fola Untor saw them and waved. He was busily placing trays of chocolates and pastries on top of the counters where the patrons eagerly filled small plates. Fola pointed over to a small table near the back of the store and they moved toward it. Sitting at the table was Alda Nackly, who had been crying. Her eyes were puffy and red. She smiled broadly as Dave and Charlie approached. She stood and hugged them both.
“I’m so glad you are safe,” she cried. “When I heard about the damage here, I rushed home to check on my baby sister. My place is only a couple blocks from where the ceiling collapsed. I overheard that some visitors from Earth 47 had been staying there and I immediately knew it was you.”
“Don’t cry, Alda,” Dave said. “We’re all fine. We rode out the jump on our ship. How is your family?”
“My sister is fine,” Alda smiled. “Lons and I were in the Hive, so we’re both fine too. It’s unbelievable that the sky could fall from a jump. When I was in college, we were told such a thing was practically impossible. I’m so happy you are safe.”
“Is it possible that someone would do this on purpose, Alda?” Charlie asked. “Are there people against the Free Society or who might have a grudge with us personally?”
“The Society of Humanity has plenty of problems,” she began. “Every race thinks they’re better than the others. Except the Opa, of course. They are always level thinking and kind. When I was a child, the other kids said the Opa were that way since there were so few of them. They had an inferiority complex as a race. At the university, many of my professors were Opa, and they were great. I think that’s when I realized that many of the things I was taught as a kid were just wrong.”
�
��I’m also surprised that there is a Society of Humanity, Alda. Didn’t anyone ever try to include other species?” Dave asked. Fola came to their table with a tray with four coffees and a sampling of the chocolate goodies.
“Can I sit with you?” he asked. They welcomed him and each took a coffee. “I overheard what you were talking about and just want to warn you,” he whispered. “There are lots of agents around all the time who frown on these discussions. Dave and Charlie are okay, since they are not from the Society. Alda, you know the trouble you could get into. Hold on a minute.” Fola stood and went to the counter. “Okay folks,” he shouted. “I’m out of chocolate and the big celebration starts in one hour. Time to go!”
The crowd hooted and complained but then quietly left the shop. Fola locked the door and returned to the table. He took a chocolate and chewed it. “Alda, you should probably tell the guys more about me.”
“Dave and Charlie, Fola used to be the Chief Engineer for the Hive on Earth Prime,” she began. “He also taught at the Earth Prime Engineering University, where I received my degree. Ten years ago, the High Council received a report identifying Fola as an operative for the Free Society. He was fired and disgraced.”
“Were you an operative?” Dave asked.
“Never, Dave,” Fola replied. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the arguments in the High Council about breaking up the Society. They never accomplished anything, and I didn’t really care. Being a Chief Engineer and university professor was more than a full time job. I had no time to worry about politics.”
“Apparently, a senior official with the Free Society group was apprehended with a list of names, including Fola’s,” Alda said. “It was just a list of names. The High Council assumed it was a list of members and everyone on it was fired. Fola and the others on the list complained and denied the charges, but the decisions had already been made.”
“After that, I moved to Aranar Zu in your galaxy and became a farmer,” Fola continued. “I had no desire for Hives or college or anything else. Time can play funny games on a person though. My farm was next to another that raised livestock and made cheese. The animals there loved my feed, and I became close to them for a long time.”
“Let me guess,” Dave said. “The cheese maker was Ipa Nota.”
“How could you know that?” Fola asked.
“I’ve had the opportunity to try her cheese,” Dave smiled. “I still remember talking to her about having utok with coffee.”
“That’s an amazing coincidence, Dave,” Fola laughed. “That is a great combination. I wish I had some here for us to share. Anyway, after a few years, I had the chance to meet her brother, the former High Councilor Antar Arrak. He and his wife had nothing good to say about the Free Society. I learned a lot from him. It was Antar Arrak who convinced me to take a job on Hive 1008. My son is now running the farm.”
“What about the danger of talking here, Fola,” Charlie reminded him.
“Yes, the agents. The Society has seen better days. Since the High Council was never able to find a way to peacefully break it up, they have become more and more paranoid about dissent. I’m amazed that Antar Arrak and Wendo Balak were allowed to make the jump here at all. Planets declaring independence is on the rise again. Two years ago, a group of ten planets formed an alliance and declared independence. It used to be the Society would wait a few years for them to crawl back when there was no trade or security. But this time there were Hives on two of the worlds. Four planetoids like this one were dispatched with hundreds of war ships. The Hives were destroyed and countless lives were lost. Finally, the alliance collapsed and the Society regained control.”
“If the Society knows it can’t last, why do they fight it?” Charlie asked. “Let the ten worlds live in peace. It seems like a natural way to let the Society move forward.”
“You’ll see when you arrive at Earth Prime, Charlie,” Fola replied. “It’s no longer about how to break up the Society. It’s all about power. The government is so big that it behaves almost like a living organism fighting for its life. No one in government really cares about the folks anymore, only their jobs and holding on to power.”
“Aren’t you afraid they may be spying on you now, Fola?” Dave asked. “With your past, it seems logical to check on you too.”
“The Chief Engineers are an exclusive club, Dave,” Fola smiled. “Each of us has a sacred responsibility to safeguard the others, even when we leave the service. Also, we have developed certain abilities that others do not possess.”
“Fola can see the strings of light of others even when he is not in the Hive,” Alda replied. “Very few agents can do that, but all Chief Engineers can.”
“There is more, but this is not a safe place to discuss that,” Fola said. “I have spoken with one of your maklan friends here. He said his name was Jake. He offered to jump me to your ship later. Would that be okay?”
“Of course, Fola,” Dave replied. “Just be sure to bring some of these chocolates for our wives.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Fola said. “I’m sensing several agents entering the room.” He stood and took the cups and tray from the table. “Okay folks, thanks for coming, but I’ve got to get ready for the celebration myself.” He walked over to the door and unlocked it. He turned and looked into an empty corner of the room. He smiled and waved. Turning back to Dave and Charlie, he said, “They hate it when I do that.”
Chapter 30
The Nightsky slowed and cruised into a high orbit over Earth Prime. The planet was unlike anything Dave Brewster could have imagined. The planet itself was close to Earth size, however only the land within ten degrees of the equator was visible, with large forests, windswept plains and rivers coursing toward a single sea. Outside that band in the middle, the remainder of the planet was covered with a giant city to both poles. Dozens of star ports were suspended in orbit around the equator with hundreds of star ships arriving and departing every day.
“Earth Prime Central Command, this is the star cruiser Nightsky requesting berthing instructions,” Lia Lawson said.
The view screen image split in two and a smiling face said, “Welcome to Earth Prime, Nightsky. Councilor Balee has advised us of your imminent arrival. I am Lieutenant Silva Odeen and I will be your main contact until you have berthed. Unfortunately, due to some over-scheduling of the ports, it may be a day or two before we can find a spot for you. Do you have any emergency needs in the meantime?”
“Not at this time, Lieutenant Odeen. I am Lieutenant Lia Lawson, Chief Communications Officer of the Nightsky. Please contact me if you need anything from us. We are carrying the Ambassador from Earth 47 as well as the ambassadors from Tak-Makla and No-Makla. We are expecting Antar Arrak and Wendo Balak to join us via shuttle in the next few hours as well. Please coordinate with your people there so they can attend any meetings in the meantime. We may require some stores after a couple of weeks, but so far we are in good condition. Silva, you can also just call me Lia,” she replied.
“Thank you, Lia. I hope we can meet sometime during your stay here,” Silva replied. “If I may be indelicate, which species are you, Lia? I’ve never seen anyone who looks like you.”
Lia blushed bright red as the rest of the bridge crew chuckled. “I’m sorry, Silva, I don’t know how to answer that. On Earth 47 at this time, we all look like this.”
“I’m sorry, Lia, I didn’t mean to be disrespectful,” Silva replied. Silva was a very handsome man with dark brown skin and piercing black eyes. He smiled and said, “I am an Ela. There are more than a thousand Ela planets in the Society.”
“Lieutenant Odeen, this is Captain Jon Lake of the Nightsky,” Jon laughed. “I will make certain that Lieutenant Lawson meets you in person later so you can chat. Nightsky out.” As the image of the planet filled the screen, the bridge crew began to laugh. “Looks like you have a hot date, Lieutenant.”
“You all are terrible!” Lia shouted. “Or maybe you’re just jealous.” She joined them in th
e laughter. Dave and Charlie walked onto the bridge and were surprised by the crew bent over laughing.
“What did we miss?” Dave said. “I could use a good laugh too.”
“It’s nothing Admiral,” Jon replied. “We were just having a little fun at Lia’s expense. No hard feelings, Lia?”
“Never, Jon,” she replied. “We were just laughing because the berthing officer we contacted was hitting on me.”
“Wow, in front of the bridge crew?” Charlie asked. “He must have been really smitten. That’s my little girl.” The laughter broke out again.
Fola Untor appeared suddenly on the bridge with Jake Benomafolays clinging to his chest. “I hate it when you do that, Jake,” Dave said. “I preferred it when you made the flash of light. At least then I knew what was happening.”
“They call it progress, brother,” Jake said as he flew off Fola’s chest and landed on a command chair. “I heard there would be a delay getting off the ship, so I thought it would be a good time to bring Fola over.”
“Good call, Jake,” Dave replied. “Welcome to the Nightsky, Fola. I’m glad you could come.” They shook hands. “Let’s go to my ready room. Lia, please signal Darlene and Aria to join us there.”
“Aye-aye, Admiral,” Lia replied. “I’m happy to do anything to stop the teasing.”
Charlie, Fola, Jake and Dave left the bridge and sat at the conference table in the ready room. “Thanks for the invitation, Dave,” Fola said. “Are you certain that the ship is secure?”
“As far as we know it is,” Dave replied. “I know maklans like Jake are very sensitive to life energy strings like you are. The ship has been manned during our entire stay on Hive 1008, so I have no reason to doubt it.”