by T. R. Harris
Keller now understood the question. The debate had raged on for months about whether or not Humanity could afford to alienate – no pun intended – the alien Klin. It would leave the Earth to stand alone against the Juireans, plus any reprisals the Klin may choose to send their way. It had taken a Herculean effort to convince not only Ryan, but also most of the other world leaders, that Humanity was indeed ready. Keller was now fully convinced that mankind could stand alone against any threat thrown against her.
“Mr. President, this has to be done, and the sooner the better. For the past few months, the number of revelations coming from the Klin technology has dwindled to just about zero. There doesn’t seem to be too many more surprises left. Sure, we’re not as advanced as they are – how could we be in such a short time – yet we have the foundation we need to defend ourselves. And even with all their science and technology, the Klin have proven to be very backwards in their understanding of war, and even of Human nature. You would think that after all the hundreds of years of studying us that they would know us better. And the sooner we act, the sooner the world can learn the truth. It will be cathartic in a way.”
“I know you’re right, Bill; we’ve been over this so many times in the past. It’s just that once the order goes out, there’ll be no turning back.”
“I understand, Mr. President. But you are doing the right thing. War makes for strange bedfellows, but we do not have to sleep with the killer of our children any longer than is necessary.”
Ryan raised his eyebrows at the last comment. “That kind of sums it all up, doesn’t it? I wish you’d told me that a couple of months ago, I might have capitulated sooner.” His attempt at a smile failed miserably.
“Okay, Admiral, you have the order. Let’s clean house.”
Chapter 49
The six Humans and two aliens were completely surprised by the luxurious and familiar feel to the movie theater room they were escorted to. Each row consisted of four seats, so they were able to take up the first two rows in front of the large viewing screen. There were four other seats in the room, larger and more plush, set off to the side – obviously reserved for Linuso and his senior staff. On the screen before them was a graphic representation of a star system, detailing two large gas giants as well as various other planetary bodies.
Soon everyone was seated, including the Klin.
“All of you are to bear witness to one of the most significant events about to take place in galactic history,” Linuso began, with obvious satisfaction and excitement in his voice. “In a few minutes a battle will begin which will forever shift the balance of power in the galaxy, after which the rightful will be returned to their proper place in history.”
“And of course you mean the Klin, don’t you?” Riyad said, sarcasm barely hidden in his tone.
“Of course, Mr. Tarazi. It was the Klin who established all the systems and scientific advancements which have led to the unification of so many disparate worlds into what the Juireans so disgustingly call their Expansion. We are simply about to right a wrong.”
“But why did you have to use us to make it happen?” Sherri cried out. “Weren’t there any other races who would have worked just as well against the Juireans? Why us?”
“That is a legitimate concern, Miss Valentine,” replied the supreme Klin leader. “And yes, there are other races who could have sufficed. In fact, you will soon learn that the Humans are not the only ones assisting us in our master plan. In fact, your race was never expected to be the final arbiters of power in the galaxy.”
“The gray, leathery creature on the ship!” Adam blurted out.
The Pleabaen glared over at Ludl, now seated three chairs down from him. “So you have seen a Kracori?”
“A what…a who?” Riyad asked.
“You will learn soon enough,” said the Pleabaen dismissively. “I must now set the stage for the show – as you would call it.” He nodded to Limmore, who pulled a datapad from under his cape and began tapping the screen.
The image on the large screen now split in half, with one side still showing the graphic of the star system, and the other now displaying a crowded pilothouse aboard a starship.
“This is the scene aboard the flagship of the Klin fleet – yes we have one of our own – now sitting off the system of Falor-Kapel, which is shown on the left,” Linuso narrated. “This is a live image, so we will be watching events as they unfold in real-time.”
The pilothouse was filled with a number of aliens, with only a few Klin to be seen. However, Adam did see four, maybe five, of the leathery creatures from the hallway – Kracori, Linuso had called them. The Kracori appeared to be manning most of the important stations in the pilothouse.
A thin, pale-skinned Klin moved into view. “Greetings, Pleabaen,” the Klin said joyfully. “This is a great moment for our people.”
“Indeed it is. How are the preparations advancing?” Linuso said from a room a thousand light years away.
“Any moment now. The Humans are pursing the Juireans into the Kapelean Corridor. Damper fields are in position to be activated by the Juireans as soon as the fleet is inside the perimeter.”
“This is taking place now?” Tobias asked, interrupting the Klin. “And what’s a damper field?”
Linuso turned toward the Lieutenant and paused momentarily. “Forgive the interruption, Fleet Master. I have here with me Adam Cain and his team of Human and alien fighters.”
“Yes, I heard that Ludl had secured Mr. Cain. It was fortunate that we received the report from Hyben that made it all possible. And now you have him there to witness the event. Excellent.”
“And he and his companions may need more explanation as the events unfold.” Linuso said, now addressing Tobias. “Yes, these are real-time events, like I said. You are watching Fleet Master Hoden Felmore as he commands the Klin fleet. And a damper field is a static electricity shield that restricts a gravity drive from forming a deep-well. The Juireans have stationed a series of damper satellites across the entrance to the field of battle so as to prevent any of your combatants from escaping. Low intensity wells are possible, allowing for maneuvering during the battle. Yet if a deep-well interacts with a damper field, it will dissolve instantly. The ship will continue through the field, and can reactivate once outside, but in the meantime it becomes a target for any pursing craft. The system isn’t perfect, but it appears as though the Juireans want this to be a battle to the finish.”
Like a caged match, Adam thought, as he watched the hundreds of tiny dots converge on the screen to the left. He had viewed many a screen like this during his time in the SEALs, and he knew that thousands of Human beings were about to die.
“Whose side are you on, Linuso? Adam asked. “You sound as though you want the Juireans to win.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Cain, we don’t care who wins.” He turned back to the split screen and the view of the Klin pilothouse. “Are your forces in position, Ship Master?”
“Yes, we have been for days.”
“I think I get it now,” Adam said. “You just want the Humans and Juireans to fuck each other up so badly that you and your tiny fleet can sweep in and pick off any survivors.”
“Crude, Mr. Cain. And I would not call three hundred ships tiny. It will surely suffice to overcome any of the remaining forces, be they Juirean or Human.”
Adam felt his heart sink. The Klin plan was simple – and probably destined to succeed. He surveyed the graphic. The green colored dots, more-than-likely representing the larger Juirean fleet, were massing at the edge of a space between the two large planets. This would be the Kapelean Corridor, as the Klin had called it. The Human fleet, by contrast, was much smaller and colored in red. In fact, it appeared to be only about half as large as the Juirean fleet.
What had happened to all our ships? Adam asked himself. We had started out with so many more. Have the battles gone so badly for us, causing hundreds of more casualties?
Suddenly, the screen displaying th
e pilothouse itself split in two, with the lower half now displaying a Klin face that Adam vaguely recognized. And then it dawned on him – it was that bastard Klin from the war room back on Earth. He couldn’t remember his name, but the face he could.
Linuso did recognize the face immediately. “Ah, Senior Fellow Lumonsee, I am glad to see we have finally made contact with you. I have a special guest here with me, Mr. Adam Cain. I believe the two of you have met.”
“Pleabaen, you may want to have this conversation in private,” said the pale Klin, his voice low and serious.
“Nonsense. This is a glorious time for the Klin. Speak, Senior Fellow, what news have you from Earth. I’m sure our guests will find it interesting.”
Still the Klin hesitated, his eyes narrow, his lips tight. Finally, he spoke, “Linuso, the Humans have staged a purge.”
Linuso suddenly became very serious. “What do you mean?”
“They have begun arresting – or killing – all the surrogates they can find. Also, it appears as though most of our 2G’s have joined the native Humans in this effort, helping to identify the remaining surrogates.”
“Silence!” Linuso commanded, rising from his chair. “Off screen!” The image disappeared, to be replaced by a sold gray screen before expanding once again to show the interior of the Klin flagship.
Linuso and two of his aides headed for the door to the theater room. “Oops,” Adam said, sliding down a little further in the comfortable padded seat. This was getting interesting.
Chapter 50
Once in the command center, Linuso had the image of Lumonsee transferred to a nearby monitor. “Explain!” he yelled.
“The attacks have been coordinated across the entire planet, plus all the ships in orbit. Humans are now aboard my ship and are hunting me. I do not have much time.”
“So we are going to lose control of the planet.” It was a statement, not a question.
“That is true.”
“But what of our assistance – can the Humans survive without us?”
“From the few reports I have received from the surviving surrogates, the natives have apparently been building many of their own facilities, unknown to us until now. They have apparently mastered our technology – and they are prolific builders.”
“And what of this new fleet entering the Fringe?” Linuso asked. From the look on Lumonsee’s face, the Pleabaen could tell he knew nothing of it.”
“What new fleet? None have left from here. However, the Humans have commandeered all of our ships, both in orbit as well as those under construction. I estimate they are now in control of a fleet over twelve-hundred ships in strength.”
“Plus another five-hundred thirty-five that have just recently entered the Fringe Sector.”
“I am not aware of this.”
“You are apparently not aware of a lot of things happening under your jurisdiction, Lumonsee.”
“My failings, Pleabaen, will soon be paid for with my life; the Humans are very near. I only hope that this subterfuge isn’t a precursor to something more widespread.”
“What do you mean?”
“Simple. The Humans are proving to be very deceptive. If what you say is true – about a new fleet arriving in the Fringe – then they have managed to pull off a major coup in spite of all our efforts. It appears as though the Pleabaens – both now and in the past – may have underestimated the abilities of the Humans.”
“That is yet to be supported. So far the only failings I have seen have come from your jurisdiction.”
“And what of Adam Cain and his activities? That single Human has disrupted our timelines for three years already, so much so that our manipulation of the war had to be advanced by twenty years.”
“This line of conversation is getting us nowhere, Lumonsee,” the Pleabaen scolded. “I will deal with events as they unfold; you, however, should prepare yourself for your imminent demise.”
“I will do what is necessary. I have confidence that the Klin will survive; we always have. Just beware, Pleabaen, the Humans are not as we supposed.”
Lumonsee looked off to his right, as a disturbance was heard from that direction. He then turned back to the screen. “Farewell, Linuso—” and he cut the link.
Linuso remained staring at the blank screen for several seconds. He was desperately trying to correlate all the information he had just received and to determine how it all related to the current events taking place thousands of light years away. The new Human fleet – he was positive now that it did exist – was too far out to affect the outcome of the battle about to take place off Falor-Kapel. The Klin, with their Kracori allies, could still accomplish the ultimate goal of this phase of the master plan. Whatever was happening on Earth was of no consequence at this moment, or into the foreseeable future. Yes, the Humans would have to be dealt with, but that could wait. That situation was months away from having to be resolved.
Right now, the Pleabaen had a galaxy to take over.
Chapter 51
Linuso had been gone from the theater room for fifteen minutes, and by the time he returned – stern-faced and tight-lipped – the first engagements in the battle of Falor-Kapel had already taken place. The Pleabaen slipped into his seat and placed his chin on his hand, his elbow resting on the arm of the chair.
“So the people of Earth don’t want to play your games anymore,” Adam said, poking the bear.
When the Pleabaen didn’t reply, Adam pressed a little more. “So how does this affect your plans for galactic domination?”
Linuso lifted his head and glared at Adam. “You believe we Klin have been doing all of this for power and for domination? You are wrong! We do this for justice. The galaxy will be a better place with the Klin in…” he hesitated ever so briefly… “power.”
“That’s what they all say.”
“Silence,” Linuso commanded, “else I reconsider my decision to allow you and your companions to observe the battle!”
Adam glanced over at Sherri and smiled. She reciprocated and squeezed his arm a little tighter. If they were going to go out, they all preferred to go out with a bang.
The screen before them remained split, and on the left side they could see the cloud of green and red contacts begin to intertwine. To Adam, it reminded him of a Christmas ornament, even though he knew people were dying before his very eyes.
The green dots dominated, forming a sphere around the red contacts, who, even though outnumber two-to-one, appeared to be holding the integrity of their lines. And yet, despite their tenacity, the red dots were being compressed into an ever-smaller ball within the sphere. Adam could see the writing on the wall. The battle couldn’t last much longer.
“Fleet Master,” Linuso said, startling all the others in the theater room who had been intently watching the left screen. “You may begin your attack. The Humans are of no consequence; your priority will be to prevent any Juirean ships from escaping.”
“Understood, Pleabaen,” Hoden acknowledged. He turned on the screen and nodded to one of the Kracori seated at a console facing the back of his chair.
Just then, a large set of undesignated contacts appeared at the bottom of the left screen in the theater room, approaching the battle from a direction along the main entry point to the Kapelean Corridor.
“Your forces are out of position, Hoden,” Linuso stated sharply.
The Fleet Master turned his back on the screen again and had a quick and muffled conversation with an agitated Kracori behind him. When he turned back to the screen, his eyes were wide with shock.
“They are not our ships, Pleabaen.”
“More Juireans?”
Hoden turned back to the Kracori.
“Give me answers, Fleet Master!” Linuso lifted out of his seat and took a step toward the screen. At the same time, the senior military advisor seated next to him hurried out of the theater room and into the main command center.
Adam looked over at Riyad, who was seated to his left, and raise
d an eyebrow. “It appears as though our Klin friends do not like surprises,” Riyad said through a bright, toothy smile.
“Yes, the plot thickens,” Adam said, sitting up a little straighter in his chair and glanced around at the others seated around him. He caught Lt. Tobias’s eye, and sent him a wink.
“Classic,” was all the Lieutenant said.
Fleet Master Hoden leaned in toward the screen. “The gravity signatures match our own, Linuso, but they are not our ships. And we count over five hundred of them closing on the battle scene.”
Chapter 52
For two billion years, each of the gas giants had played host to a pair of massive asteroid rings, and for most of their orbital journeys, these tiny bodies of rock and metal remained at relative peace and stability with their sisters. Yet there was a place where the two rings merged, to intertwine in a complex and violent dance of unpredictable collisions and billiard-ball like disbursement. This place was called the meat-grinder.
It was here that the two gas giants of Falor and Kapel fought for dominance within their system, not allowing any smaller planetoids to gain footholds to become planets in their own right, not against the completing tidal pulls of the giants. It was through this invisible tug-o-war that the somewhat uniformed rings would enter, then scatter, only to be pulled back in line by the colossal gravities of the giants once emerging from the meat-grinder. And this had been going on for billions of years.
Near the confluence of these rings, there formed a narrow corridor of relative quite between the giants and the colliding asteroids, where gravity and matter were formed a tenuous alliance. Unfortunately, there was only one way in or out of what was known as the Kapelean Corridor. Arriving along the elliptical plane was suicide; the only approach came from the top, with the bottom of the corridor effectively blocked by the thickness of the completing asteroid belts.