Phoenix In Chaos (Exodus)

by Robert Stadnik

  “We were a peaceful race, having enjoyed the benefits of our technological advancements,” explained Mimix. “We explored the stars and soon came into contact with a species who desired our technology.”

  Images of green triangular ships arriving at the Cresorian homeworld displayed. John’s heart sank, knowing that it meant the story would end in tragedy.

  “Our technology was far superior to what this race had. For many cycles they pressed us to trade away our secrets,” said Mimix. “But we refused all their overtures. Soon, our population began declining and eventually no one was able to produce offspring. Our scientists worked to uncover the cause and found the cause. The water supply had been tainted with a biological agent, designed to render Cresorians sterile. When the aliens learned we had uncovered this, they came to conquer us. But they could not penetrate the planetary shield we had erected to protect ourselves.

  “There was not enough clean water to sustain the entire population. Those who did not drink the tainted water or proved immune to the agent were placed on ships and sent out into space. Eventually, our enemy abandoned their efforts to conquer homeworld. Those who remained behind created the magnetic generator to hide our star system. Over time, so few of us remained that we could not maintain the maintenance of the planetary shield and it failed. Soon, our world turned from a marvel of beauty to the sad state you see today. Only five of us remain to guard what remains of our home.”

  “We recognize the ones who did this to you,” said John. “We call them the Screen.”

  “The humans, Onixins, Senfo, and Quix have all suffered under the misdeeds of the Screen,” explained Drix. “And now we know my people have also suffered because of them.”

  “Your presence gives us hope that others have survived,” said Mimix. “The water has long been cured of the agent, but without the knowledge of disabling the magnetic generator or activating the recall transmission, there was no way for us to bring our people home.”

  “We might be able to help with that,” offered John.

  “Captain, if we deactivate the generator we risk alerting the Screen to this place,” said Alex’sis.

  “Leave that to me,” said John.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  As soon as they returned to PHOENIX, John contacted the Onixins. He made a passionate plea to them to send ships to protect the Cresorian homeworld. Speaking directly with the council, he was able to get them to agree to send some ships. A few days after the magnetic generator was disabled, ten Onixin cruisers and one battleship arrived to the Cresorian homeworld.

  Drix spent most of his time on the planet, visiting different cities and getting a better understanding of his people and their culture. PHOENIX’s technicians and engineers tried to repair some of the equipment on the planet, but the technology was far too advanced for their understanding. The only support they could provide was provisions for the keepers to reactivate the recall transmitter.

  Luckily, the transmitter was in perfect working order and just needed a viable power supply. A quadrin generator was reconfigured and successfully reactivated the transmitter. The signal was only detectable by Cresorian communications systems, so there was no risk that the Screen would pick it up.

  John delayed their departure, only to give Drix as much time as he needed. But with everything they could get done completed, John had to face his friend and learn if Drix would be remaining behind, which John suspected would happen.

  John made a final visit to Mimix, who he found in his home in one of the main cities on the small continent. His advisors were busy coordinating the placement of the last delivery of supplies, giving the captain a chance to speak with the keeper alone.

  “My ship will be departing in a few hours,” said John, who found the keeper sitting at a table flipping through a heavily decorated book. “Vori Redestri has her fleet doing patrols through the system, so if the Screen appear they’ll be easily detected.”

  “You do not wish for him to stay,” said Mimix.

  “Excuse me?” asked John.

  Mimix closed the book and looked at the captain. “I see it every time you look at Drix. He has found his homeworld, yet you want him to remain on your vessel.”

  John thought of a million arguments to counter Mimix’s statement. But what was the point? “I’m sorry. Drix has been an integral part of…aw, nuts to that! He’s become a good friend to me and a lot of other people on PHOENIX. I don’t want to lose him.”

  “Even if it means his presence could provide a substantial means in rebuilding homeworld?” asked Mimix.

  “I can’t argue with you,” said John. “Your people went through a terrible time. My feelings about Drix staying is selfish, I can admit that.”

  “But you can accept his decision to stay?” asked Mimix.

  “Yes, because he’s my friend.” John looked at some of the books stacked on the table. “He never imagined he would ever find his homeworld, but I could tell in how he told me stories about the Cresorian race that it was his greatest wish.”

  “You humans are very complex creatures,” said Mimix. “You say one thing but act in the opposite manner. But in the end, it is your actions that define who you are.”

  Mimix stood up and approached the captain. “I thank you for bringing one of my people back home. I pledge to you that I will ensure Drix is safe here.”

  John nodded and looked down. He spotted a picture of Mimix, but it was the caption that caught his attention. According to it, the picture was taken over six hundred years ago.

  Mimix could see that John recognized him. “I was the last to make it through the trials, to be anointed as leader of our people. When the Screen destroyed homeworld, I pledged that I would not rest until the day I saw everything we built restored.”

  “How?” asked John, unable to comprehend that the Cresorian standing in front of him was so old.

  “Our geneticists modified my genetic structure, eliminating the aging process of my body.” Mimix looked out at the scenery through the window. “As long as homeworld stands, I will exist.”

  “Did they also implant something in the Cresorians to ensure they recognized the Screen as their enemy?” asked John.

  Mimix nodded. “I knew it could take many cycles before we could regroup and strike back at our enemy. I wanted to ensure that future generations of Cresorians recognized the face of their enemy.”

  It was almost verbatim what was stated in the Cresorian database.

  Mimix took John’s hand. “Although my people cannot fight the Screen, I entrust you will carry our spirit when you finally confront them.”

  “I will,” promised John.

  “Then go, John Roberts Captain. Go and confront the Screen in the name of all those they have wronged.”

  John left Mimix, intending to stop by and see Drix one last time. But in the end, he couldn’t do it. He never liked saying good-bye and this was no different. He’d rather leave with things unsaid than face his friend. But, unlike the captain, Alex’sis needed to say her good-byes. She went down to the planet to see her friend for the last time.

  The lieutenant found Drix in a house outside the capital city on the largest continent. Drix was rummaging through some things, locating any mementos of whoever lived here long ago.

  “Mimix told me I could find you here,” said Alex’sis as she entered the roundish structure. It took her a few moments to figure out the door opened diagonally.

  “I am attempting to locate material objects that my people valued,” explained Drix. “But too much time has passed. I have been unable to locate anything that is intact.”

  “PHOENIX will be leaving soon.”

  Drix only nodded. “I was made aware of the departure time.”

  “The captain offered to take the keepers, but Mimix declined,” said Alex’sis.

  “Mimix explained the enormous responsibility of rebuilding our world,” said Drix. “As I was the first to return, it is my duty to delegate jobs to Cresorians as they
return.”

  “Sounds important.”

  “It is, which is why it was difficult explaining to Mimix why I was leaving with PHOENIX.”

  The statement caught Alex’sis completely off-guard. “What?”

  “Rebuilding our world means nothing as long as the Screen continue to terrorize other races,” said Drix. “The safety of our world, all our worlds, rests on PHOENIX completing its mission.”

  Drix stood up and approached Alex’sis. “You left your world to free your people from the Screen, yet you have taken the time to help other races. You have shown kindness and generosity that I thought did not exist.”

  Alex’sis was at a loss for words. She wrapped her arms around Drix and hugged him tightly. For the first time in her life, Alex’sis didn’t know what to say.

  Drix smiled as he slowly brushed her hair. “Your friendship has meant so much to me. You have taught me about your people and I care as much about humans as I do my own race. I could not imagine staying here and losing that connection.”

  Alex’sis fought back her tears. “You’re going to make a lot of people on PHOENIX happy. We can delay our departure if you want to stay a little longer. I’m sure the captain…”

  “There is nothing for me here,” interrupted Drix. “This world will be home for future generations of Cresorians. For me, my home is on PHOENIX.”

  Drix looked around one last time before leaving the house with Alex’sis. As they made their way to the shuttle, the crew was making final preparations for departure.

  “Battleship Conex is reporting they’re ready to assume protection of the planet,” reported Julie at the operations table.

  “Communicate our gratitude to Vori Redestri and that we’ll be leaving once Lieutenant Brandus’ shuttle returns,” said John in a somber tone. Even with five thousand crew members, the ship wasn’t going to be the same without Drix.

  “Message coming in from Lieutenant Brandus,” said Bret as he patched it through the speakers.

  “Brandus to PHOENIX,” said an elated Lieutenant Brandus. “One human and one Cresorian requesting permission to board.”

  “Which Cresorian?” asked a confused John.

  “John Captain,” came the voice of Drix. “Permission to return to the PHOENIX.”

  John was so moved hearing his friend’s voice he almost couldn’t get the words out. “Permission granted.” He looked at Julie. “Inform the hangar bay the transport is cleared to land.”

  On the planet, Mimix watched as a small object moved away from the planet and disappeared in a flash of light. He was disappointed that Drix elected not to remain, but understood his choice. He could see the connection Drix had with the aliens. Drix would carry the fighting spirit of the Cresorian race when PHOENIX finally faced the Screen.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  “This is Captain John Roberts of the PHOENIX. I assure you we had nothing to do with the attack on the trading outpost. We mean you no harm.”

  “Stay away from us, human vessel. We will open fire to defend ourselves.”

  “All the freighter’s power is being pumped into their engines,” reported Alex’sis. “I doubt they could even power their weapons.”

  PHOENIX was notified by an Onixin cruiser that it had picked up the energy signature of a freighter that was nearby PHOENIX. The cruiser detected power fluctuations from the freighter and requested that PHOENIX render assistance. As soon as the human starship rendezvoused with it, the freighter took off. Those on the freighter apparently were convinced it was the PHOENIX, and not the Screen, that attacked the outpost. So far John had failed to convince them they meant no harm.

  “Freighter vessel,” said John. “Please decelerate and allow us to assist you.”

  “No,” was the reply. “We have nothing to offer you. Just leave us alone.”

  “We won’t leave you in the condition you’re in,” said John.

  “They’ve cut off the transmission,” reported Bret.

  “Great,” said John as he jumped down from his command chair.

  “Their engines won’t hold out much longer,” said Julie. “I’m also showing fluctuations in their life support system. That ship wasn’t designed to hold all the aliens on board.”

  “How many are on board?” asked John.

  “Eighty-seven,” replied Julie. Thirty-seven Patoli, two Rifva, three Onixins, six…”

  “Wait!” said John. “The Onixins, maybe we can get through to them.”

  “How?” asked Alex’sis. “They won’t even talk to us.”

  “But they will talk to one of their own,” said John. “Bret, contact the Nuimba. Have them contact the freighter and explain we weren’t responsible for the outpost attack.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Bret.

  “Even if we convince them to let us help, I don’t think we can do much for that freighter,” said Alex’sis. “Its systems are failing and the hull’s fracturing from being shot. It can’t continue supporting a crew.”

  “We can bring them on board PHOENIX and maybe ferry them to their homeworlds,” said Julie.

  “I doubt it,” said Alex’sis. “Even when Drix and I negotiated trade on the outpost, none of the aliens we dealt with would reveal their homeworld locations.”

  “We’ll deal with that later,” said John. “For now, we just need to get them to safety.”

  Suddenly, an alert beeped on the table, which Alex’sis checked. “Captain, we’ve got a Screen vessel inbound to our location.”

  “Battle stations,” said John and the ship’s klaxons blared. “Is it a cruiser?” he asked as he sat back down in his command chair.

  “Negative,” said Alex’sis. “It’s much bigger than a cruiser. I’m reading one hundred eighty Screen on it.”

  “They’re upping the ante,” said Julie. The biggest Screen vessel they had fought was a cruiser type craft.

  “Kevin, position PHOENIX between the freighter and the Screen ship,” ordered John. “Bret, send a message to the freighter to stay put. We can’t protect them if they decide to run. Alex’sis, raise shields and power particle bursts and load missile tubes one through four. Roberts to Donavin.”

  “Yes, captain.”

  “Any chance you’ve gotten that Quix weapon you hooked up to work?”

  “Are you kidding? I’m nowhere closer getting it compatible with our systems. You’d have better luck firing a water cannon.”

  “I had to ask. Roberts out.”

  “Screen vessel has exited jump and is heading right for us,” said Julie. “They’re powering weapons.”

  “Lock onto them and prepare an opening…” PHOENIX was hit with multiple shots, rocking the ship slightly.

  “That ship can fire farther out than the cruisers and fighters we’ve dealt with,” said Alex’sis. “Shields absorbed most of the hits and repelled the rest.”

  “Target their engines and weapons. Fire,” ordered John. Most of the PHOENIX’s opening salvo struck the Screen vessel.

  “Their starboard weapons are down, shields at eighty seven percent,” reported Julie.

  “Plasma missiles, fire!” said John. Another set of impacts from the Screen struck the PHOENIX.

  “Minor damage to hull, deck thirty-three to thirty-seven,” said Alex’sis. “Deploying maintenance bots to affected areas.”

  “Our last round inflicted significant damage to their engines,” reported Julie. “They’re slowing down.” Another set of blasts struck PHOENIX. “They don’t want to give up.”

  “Take out the rest of their weapons,” instructed John. He checked PHOENIX’s damage from the last round. More hull damage, but nothing critical.

  As the Screen ship turned around, PHOENIX struck it with another volley of particle bursts that ripped through its hull. The ship’s engines had been destroyed, and it was now floating out of control in space.

  “Target disabled,” reported Alex’sis. “I’m reading power fluctuations throughout the ship.”

  “Looks like they’re
self-destructing the ship,” said Julie.

  “Then we don’t have much time,” said John. “Bret, activate the Quix’s hacking device.”

  “Yes, captain.” Along with the cache of weapons, the Quix gave them a device designed to hack into alien systems and pull the data from the computer cores. The device was successfully integrated into the ship’s communication array and operated with no problem with power from PHOENIX’s plasma energy network.

  “We’ve successfully hacked into the Screen database,” reported Bret. “I’m showing a download of data.”

  “Estimate twenty seconds to ship self-destruct,” reported Alex’sis.

  “Back us off from the ship,” said John. “Make sure we buffer the explosion from the freighter.”

  PHOENIX moved away from the derelict Screen vessel. As it did, the ship exploded, but PHOENIX only rocked slightly from the explosion.

  “Screen ship has been destroyed,” reported Alex’sis.

  John looked over at Bret. “Well?”

  “The system reports one hundred percent download from the Screen’s computer,” said Bret. “The data’s heavily encrypted and the system is having problems decrypting the information.”

  “R’nixnifira said the system may not be able to decrypt the information on its own,” said John, referring to their Quix military officer liaison. “Let the system run through its computational sequence. If it can’t crack the codes, we’ll have to send it to the Quix for analysis.”

  “Understood,” said Bret. “By the way, the freighter’s hailing us.”

  “Maybe they’ll say thank you to us for saving their butts,” said Alex’sis.

  “Let’s see,” said John. “Patch them through.” A few seconds later the holographic display of a green blob appeared over the table.

  “Human vessel PHOENIX, this is Nooinca, appointed speaker for this Onixin freighter. We observed your battle with the Screen and are grateful for your protection; however, we have reservations about your motives.”

  “Nooinca, this is Captain Roberts. The Screen attacked the outpost and made it appear we’re responsible. If you want independent confirmation, we will contact a nearby Onixin cruiser who can verify our innocence.”