“Roger that. Setting waypoints for a roundabout run. Should be passing back by here at half available speed.”
The shuttle silently sped away as the throttle was pushed to 50 percent. A long slow turn had her coming back toward the Rogers.
“Showing half throttle. Speed shows 29.6 percent light-speed. Gentlemen, I think we have a success story on our hands.”
The shuttle zipped by the Rogers with all indicators showing green.
Mace said, “She’s all yours, Miss Taub. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The throttle was pushed full. Two minutes later the shuttle had completed another turn.
“Coming back at you now. I’m showing 48.4 percent and climbing.”
Mace said, “Just tell us when you’re topped out.”
“Running 52 percent… now 53. All lamps are green. Power feeds say we still have room to push it. Drive temperatures all show normal. At 54 percent. Now 55. Wow! I just hit some debris that must have been fist sized! Dampener field shot up to 85 percent saturation. We might need to tweak our sensors a bit. Anything that size should be avoided.”
Mace sat forward nervously. “We hit our goal. Should we call it off?”
Liam replied, “Won’t hurt to know what she can do, Mr. Hardy.”
Humphrey said, “Just completed a scan. Didn’t pick up anything bigger than… an eyeball.”
Johnny laughed. “An eyeball? How’d you come up with that?”
Humphrey shrugged.
Jenny pushed her status to the display wall of the Rogers. “I think we’re topping out. 56.2 percent!”
Gnaga stood beside Mace. “Impressive. She may just be the fastest ship in the galaxy.”
Johnny replied, “Now, see, I don’t get that. If we can fiddle around and do this after a few weeks, why hasn’t someone else?”
Gnaga shook his head. “As I’ve said many times, the Galactic Union has strict rules about tinkering with technology. No one is to simulate or test such enhancements. To do so could upset the balance of power. Why would one species risk losing it all by being discovered, when they are all continuously gaining in wealth and property? Most scientific research into these fields has been held up for centuries. There are several ongoing studies at the Galactic Institute, which has personnel from all seven founders. However, the main thrust there has been into wormhole research. All other scientific ventures have a minimum of funding.”
Jenny said, “Stalled out at 56.3 percent. Looks like we found our ceiling.”
Mace replied, “Excellent. Bring her back in. Gnaga, Jeff, I want a full analysis of all the systems. If anything looks suspicious, let’s dig into it and see if it’s an issue. If the Revelation returns, we might just have to use that shuttle to get Jasper back.”
Two days were spent on the analysis. No issues were found.
Mace walked into bay three where Jeff was standing. “Nice work. This is why we need you here and not out there raiding ships.”
Jeff replied, “I suppose. But I’ll repeat what I said about you. We need you here also… commanding. If we lost you, it would be a huge blow to the crew’s confidence. That’s not something we should be risking either. So… now that we have her ready… what’s next?”
Mace stroked his beard. “First, we need to disperse the food like we planned. We need multiple stockpiles in case any get discovered and taken. After that, it might be time for a trip back to Earth. I’d like to see if we can cut Stark’s fleet down to size.”
The shuttle docked. The food was split up and multiple flights had it stowed at four locations. Twenty-eight hours later, the Rogers slowed as it came within range of Earth.
Humphrey said, “Sensors show eight cruisers. Stark’s fleet looks to be gone, Mr. Hardy.”
Mace opened a comm. “Jenny, can I see you in bay three?”
Jenny replied, “Be right there.”
The shuttle lifted out of the bay. Five minutes later, comm was lost. Jenny Taub piloted the ultrafast ship into and around the Earth. No other cruisers were found to be in the area.
“We got eight, just as Mr. Mallot said. Three appear to be non-operational. Four are sitting in high orbit. The other is in the repair dock. Looks like they have it half torn apart.”
Mace said, “Bring her back, Miss Taub. Mr. Hobbs, take us to within comm range of those cruisers.”
Johnny said, “They didn’t even make an effort to go after her.”
Hans replied, “Last time they lost eight ships.”
Mace stood. “I want to talk to Stark. Maybe we can get enough out of him to find out what’s going on.”
A hail of the cruisers was returned. “This is C5. You are in violation of Earth space.”
Mace replied, “Just patch us through to Stark. We want to talk. And you can skip all the violation nonsense. You know who we are and we know who you are.”
The image on the display switched to reveal Fatso Geerok. “Mr. Hardy. Your efforts to control us have failed. I commend you on your bravery. The full Galactic Union is now involved with this planet. You just missed no less than three Muhatha warships parked in the same space you now occupy. The Targarians are looking for their ship. It appeared to leave in pursuit of you, only it hasn’t been seen since.”
Mace shook his head. “I’d say losing ships doesn’t bode well for your Union, Fatso. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to talk to Stark.”
Fatso smiled. “I’m afraid the king is no longer here. He left on another Targarian Muhatha yesterday. I was not privy to his plans. I was given orders to protect this planet.”
Mace laughed, “With what? Those pathetic cruisers? We could flame the lot of you in ten minutes time.”
Fatso nodded. “That may be true, Mr. Hardy. But we are the keepers of the food. You take out these cruisers and your people will be nearing starvation in only weeks.”
Mace sighed. “Let me guess. All the promises made about setting up farms were lies.”
Fatso replied, “On the contrary, Mr. Hardy. We had every intention of doing just as we said. Had you not meddled and gotten the Union involved, farms would be covering much of your planet today. Instead, the Union has determined that Humans need to remain dependent.”
Mace said, “Yeah, well, either way, you’d have been dealing with Stark instead of us.”
Fatso nodded. “He is the chosen ruler of your people, Mr. Hardy. He has their complete backing.”
Mace scowled. “Don’t think so, Geerok. Those shuttles of women and children he sent up to the slaughter say otherwise. I tell you what, Geerok. You turn over your food rations and leave this system peaceably, and I won’t come over there and kill you.”
Fatso replied, “I am sorry, Mr. Hardy. I’ve been given orders to stay here. Should I violate those orders, I will receive a lengthy death sentence filled with much pain. And my family at home would receive the same.”
Mace said, “And what if I catch you and give you a long and painful death anyway?”
Fatso shook his head. “I know you well enough to know you are a fair man. I don’t see torture as something you thrive on. Now your counterpart, the king, he shows no empathy or remorse. If I am to choose to die, Mr. Hardy. I would rather it be by your hand. How is Mr. Montak, by the way?”
Mace replied, “Montak is fine. Look. If you won’t connect me with Stark, at least tell us what’s going on.”
Geerok laughed. “Do you take me for a fool, Mr. Hardy? I cannot give out information to everyone who asks. That again would be like signing my death warrant.”
Mace turned to face Johnny. “Mr. Mallot, do we know what ship he’s broadcasting from?”
Johnny nodded. “In fact, we do. The ship designated in green on the main display. The message is being passed to the ground and then up to the repair dock before being forwarded to us. It’s all encrypted until the final stream. And of course we have the key to the encryption. We hit that ship in green and we have the Admiral.”
Mace said, “Let’s make it h
appen. Johnny, you and Jane get ready. We can call this run a precursor to a Muhatha assault.”
The shuttle was readied. It would be piloted by Jenny Taub. Johnny and Jane loaded up with gear and fastened the exosuits onto their battlesuits. The shuttle departed and raced toward one of the other cruisers, veering at the last moment to come in close to the admiral’s ship. The shuttle clamped itself to the side of the Mawga cruiser. A hole was cut into the hull and the Tretcher team entered. After a second cut and seal, a blast door was opened though a bulkhead going out into a main hall.
Johnny went through first. “Stay behind me. Let me take the hits.”
Jane laughed. “Like you aren’t going to be the preferred target anyway. This is Jane! We’re in the main hall! Not getting any resistance yet!”
Two minutes later, the duo entered the bridge where Fatso Geerok sat. “Mr. and Mrs. Tretcher. A husband and wife team. Interesting.”
Several dozen Mawga crewmen peered from around a far corner.
Johnny said, “Up. Come on. You’re coming with us.”
The admiral rose. “This might be more pleasant for us all if you were to just bring the shuttle into the bay. I surrender. The Bovika is yours.”
Johnny shook his head. “Not gonna happen, Geerok. Let’s go. We do this our way.”
The Mawga admiral followed behind Johnny as Jane prodded him forward. Minutes later, the trio was on the shuttle, heading back to the Rogers.
Jane said, “You didn’t put up much of a fight.”
Fatso replied, “Would it have benefited anyone? You would have no doubt wiped out many of my crew. And for what purpose? You were going to take me anyway. Your decision to board my ship signed that death warrant I spoke of. I am now marked by the Union, and have nowhere to turn.”
Johnny said, “Fat shame. But you are responsible for the deaths of a few billion Humans, if you recall.”
Fatso shook his head. “That was not the Mawga, Mr. Hardy. We now believe that to have been the work of the Targarians. Evidence points to it being their agents who provided the dark matter material to your scientists. They planned to move on the planet, only we arrived first. With a rival Union species occupying the space, the Targarians had no further claim. Instead of leaving the Humans to the Mawga and the Dellus, they decided it would be better if no one had you. All of this is still of course speculative.”
Johnny said, “And whose to say you aren’t lying to us about all this?”
Fatso replied, “I have no further reason, Mr. Tretcher. As I said, I am as good as dead. And as is customary in my culture, it is not wise to take one’s sins to the grave.”
Johnny scowled. “OK then. Spill it. Tell us what else you’ve done to deceive us.”
Fatso sat back in his chair. “Where to begin…”
Jane said, “How about this. Hold those thoughts until we get you aboard the Rogers. You can tell us what you know then.”
The transfer was made and the interrogation begun.
Mace walked into conference room C, taking a seat at the table in front of Fatso Geerok. “So Admiral, you’re ready to confess?”
Geerok nodded. “I will tell you whatever you want to know.”
Mace said, “OK, for starters, I’ll talk and you agree or disagree with what I say.”
The admiral nodded.
“The information on dark matter was planted by another species and you have no definitive proof of who. The Kaachi were scouting this system until your fleet showed up. At about that same time, the electromagnetic storms began to bombard Earth. The Mawga just watched, either not sure of what to do or sure they wanted to reduce the Human population to something that was more easily controlled.”
Geerok replied, “Our initial reaction to the bombardment was one of confusion. We had no idea of what was happening until the second point of origin of the waves was discovered. After that came to light, we sent a pair of ships toward each origination point. There was a two month delay before we began, followed by five months of travel. When the ships arrived, the electromagnetic sources were gone. Shortly after, the waves stopped striking your planet.”
Mace continued, “So you fiddled around until your ships returned, after which you came up with the idea for the EMP blasts.”
Geerok nodded. “Your atmosphere was highly charged. We attempted a fix which only made conditions for you worse.”
“And the people taken from the airliners?”
“They were used to monitor your health and then returned unharmed. I will add that the EMP discharge allowed our ships to enter your atmosphere and to deliver food.”
Mace sat back in his chair. “Food that was good for a few weeks, after which it was changed out for food that was drugged.”
Geerok replied, “It was decided to be the least violent method to bring your population under control. As I’ve said before, our intent was to stabilize your world, once again making life sustainable for your large population. Admittedly, we had every intention of enlisting you into our armies.
“Mr. Montak’s work with you had us well on our way. The victory over the Kaachi had our Emperor’s eye placed squarely on you, Mr. Hardy. King Stark’s rise to power changed that. We suddenly had all the volunteers for our armies we desired.”
“Tell us what you know about Stark’s people. How many ships has he been given? And why did a Targarian Muhatha escort them back from whatever war they fought?”
Geerok sighed. “Yes. It seems the Kaachi sent word to the Dellus of the Human potential. We had hoped to develop you to the point of Humans having a claimed alliance with the Mawga. However, the Kaachi saw to it that our founder species, the Dellus, were alerted to the situation before we could register the alliance with the Union.
“And somehow a rogue Dellus ship found its way into this system. Stark’s ships destroyed it before it could be identified, but it was enough to bring the attention of the full Galactic Union. The Human victories at Redalt IV saw to it the Human assets would be shared. The Targarians were assigned as an impartial escort while the founders decided how to best deal with you.”
“Where are Stark’s ships now?”
Geerok replied, “They are at war on Miramont II. And from what I hear, they are devastating the enemy. The Mawga Military Council believes the full victory to be only weeks if not days away.”
Mace leaned forward. “And what of the loss of the Targarian Muhatha?”
The admiral looked confused. “The what?”
Mace repeated, “The Targarian Muhatha that was escorting Stark’s ships to here. What happened to it?”
Geerok replied, “The word we received was they had pressing business and left of their own accord. What loss are you referring to?”
Johnny twirled his hand, gesturing for Mace to continue.
“Mr. Geerok, since you are now in our custody, and since you won’t be going home, I’d like your opinion on a few things. First, the rogue Dellus ship was a Dauntless. They had been keeping it a secret, having claimed it had been lost centuries ago. We captured it. They wanted to form an alliance of their own, outside of the Union.”
Geerok frowned. “That is a serious accusation, Mr. Hardy.”
Mace laughed. “It’s no accusation, Fatso. It’s fact. Anyway, they sought an alliance all their own with us. They hoped to one day bring Humans under their control, where we would be used to overthrow the other six founders. Stark’s little bomb fiasco put that thought to an end.”
Mace again sat back, this time crossing his arms. “The second revelation I have for you is about the Revelation. The Targarian ship. It didn’t leave. It was captured by one of our people after he managed to slip aboard. And the Targarian commodore aboard her was quite anxious to make another secret alliance deal with us. He had even hatched a plan that would allow us to take control of all the Muhatha ships at once.”
Geerok shook his head. “That would not be possible, Mr. Hardy. Those ships are too powerful. They cannot be beaten.”
J
ohnny chuckled. “The only reason they can’t be beaten is because of the Union’s dumbass rules. A single human managed to take down that mammoth ship. We only need to replicate what he did to take them all. Your Union would have come to a quick end had we done so. The founder species all seem to be soft… no fight in them.”
Geerok asked, “Did your Human find any resistance?”
Johnny shook his head. “None. They all ran and hid. Let him walk right onto the bridge.”
Geerok replied, “And you don’t find that suspicious?”
Johnny sat silent.
Mace shook his head. “We really don’t know what to expect from your members, Mr. Geerok. Every contact is different.”
The conversation turned to talk of Earth. Fatso Geerok willingly answered every question thrown his way. After three hours of grilling, the group took a break for lunch.
Chapter 6
*
The questioning of the Mawga admiral resumed with Mace taking a seat in the conference room. “Before, when we were talking about the Muhatha, were you suggesting the Targarians let us take that ship?”
Geerok nodded. “What better way to converse with the rogue Humans through unofficial channels? All interaction with King Stark is recorded and transmitted to the Union. The founders want to be certain there are no side deals with the Humans that would upset the balance of power.”
Mace frowned. “And yet the founders are all eager to do so. Let me ask you something, Geerok. What do you know of our Australian friends? We had ten thousand volunteers who went through a portal for training with the Kaachi. We haven’t heard from them since. And the Kaachi claim the Dellus took them. Would they have been reported to the Union?”
Geerok replied, “Under the Galactic Union rules, they would have. However, if what you state is true, that the Dellus were planning an off-the-books alliance, they may be holding them for their own purposes.”
Jane said, “I have a question. Any day now there’s going to be a population explosion down there on Earth. What preparations have been made to handle that?”
Geerok turned to face Jane. “The community centers are fully capable of accommodating the load. The expectant mothers have all been trained in child rearing using the simulators. For many of them, the transition to the actual children will be seamless. Names have all been given to the unborn. The same is true of the harvests.”
HADRON Revelation Page 5