by Saxon Andrew
Kaylee lowered her head and said, “You’re missing something.”
“Oh! And what is that?”
Kaylee looked into his eyes, “They are not going to be able to transport the trillions of tons of soil that will allow plants to grow on Earth again. There’s not enough freighters in the universe to do that.”
“Actually, there are enough freighters to do it but getting it done is what’s impossible.” Suddenly, Gregor’s eyes narrowed and then he saw it, “They intend to take wealth from other civilizations to purchase whatever they want. They’re intending to go out and conquer like they once did on Earth before the bombardment.”
Kaylee nodded, “And if they get all the pieces of their plan in place, no one in the known universe will be safe from their advanced weapon technology.”
“That’s why the Dragons are chasing me. One of their sources must have blown the whistle on what the Movement is planning.”
“What are the two of you suggesting?” Kaylee’s computer asked.
Gregor ignored the computer as he stood up and paced the deck, “But even if they armed every ship they have, and I really think they have, they would be overwhelmed by the billions of civilizations arrayed against them. We have to be missing something.”
“And it has to be something about us that we’re missing.”
Gregor stopped pacing and looked at Kaylee, “Do you know what it might be?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t.”
Gregor sat back down in his chair and turned to Kaylee, “You’ve been trained by them for years, there’s nothing that would give you a clue on what they intend for you to do?”
“No, most of my training was to mentally control various machines. None of the machines were special in what they did. I trained on getting them to turn off.”
Gregor’s eyes closed and he thought about the Wise One. He opened his eyes and said, “Were you ever shown a metal sphere about two feet in diameter?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I was. I was very young at the time and a man took it out of a box and there were bright white beams coming out of it.”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Well, I was told to focus on it and the beams stopped and went back inside the sphere.”
“That’s not what happened when I saw it.”
“Oh?”
“No, the sphere had no beams coming out of it but once I looked at it, the beams came out of it.”
“That means that Kaylee stops those beams from coming out of that sphere and you start them,” Gregor’s computer interrupted.
Gregor looked at Kaylee with a stunned expression, “Those beams had to be filaments!”
“WHAT?”
“Kaylee, think back and compare the color of those beams to the 404 we’re riding now.”
Kaylee closed her eyes and focused on the memory and then opened them to look out of the viewport, “It’s been so long ago but they were white in color similar to or just like the 404.” Kaylee’s eyes went wide, “They intend to control the filaments.”
“That’s impossible,” Kaylee’s computer said.
Gregor was staring at the far wall with a thousand yard stare seeing nothing as his thoughts ran away with him. After a minute, Kaylee interrupted his train of thought, “Gregor!”
Gregor started and then said, “Now I see it.”
Both computers and Kaylee said at the same moment, “What?”
Gregor looked at Kaylee, “How many filaments enter a star system?”
Kaylee waited for one of the computers to respond and they remained silent. She said, “Ninety percent of stars have just one that leads to the central star and also has a flow that leads out.”
“And where do the intersections happen?”
“Usually, well outside the star system in intergalactic space,” Kaylee answered. “What are you getting at?”
Gregor’s expression turned grim, “What would happen to Earth if the three filaments to the Earth’s sun were stopped and disappeared?”
Kaylee thought about the question and her computer responded, “Then Earth would be stranded inside its planetary system. Even the most powerful boosters would take decades to move a ship outside the planetary system and more than a hundred years or more to reach interstellar space where the intersections are located.”
Gregor tilted an imaginary hat and smiled, “You’re smarter than I give you credit for. That is also true of all the other civilized planets in the known universe. The vast majority of intelligent species evolved close to the central star. If the filaments in their star system disappeared, they would be isolated from the rest of the universe. They are only able to go out and trade by using their star’s filament to travel faster than light. Their economies would crumble and they would fall back into barbarism over time as those on the planet were forced to fight for the resources to feed themselves. They would become a primitive civilization once the wars broke out. The universe would return to what it was before the star field and filaments were discovered.”
Kaylee looked at Gregor with wide eyes and said, “And whoever controlled the filaments would make the planet pay heavy to have the filament put back. And they would pay!”
“Yes, they would; their survival would depend on it,” Gregor agreed.
“But the civilizations would come together to stop this from happening,” Gregor’s computer announced.
“How? Earth would just shut down the filaments in the Solar System and it would take centuries for them to use their boosters to reach Earth from the closest intersection. By then, the damage to their civilizations would be complete.”
“But…”
Gregor looked up, “But what, Computer?”
“There are only two of you and there are billions of civilizations. And all of Earth’s ships would be trapped at Earth.”
“I’ve wondered why Earth would put weapons on all of its ships without telling the humans that flew them. Consider how many humans are scattered around the universe that own their ships. Even if the filament to Earth was removed, those hundreds of thousands of ships would still be out there,” Gregor said as he sat back in his chair.
“But the ones that own the ships would not agree to participate in this plan!” Kaylee exclaimed.
Gregor looked at Kaylee, “That’s why you’ve been trained to mentally control machines, Kaylee. You will send a command to all of the armed warships and the computers would use the intruder defense system to kill the humans on board; the computers would then carry out the commands sent to them from the Movement’s Headquarters. They need your mental ability sent to give the computers what they need to broadcast your mental skill on their communicators to shut down the filaments.”
Kaylee stared at him for a long moment and said, “This is diabolical.”
“And they need you to put the filament back in place once the isolated planet agrees to pay for it, Gregor,” Gregor’s computer responded.
Gregor nodded, “You’re right, computer. But I’m not really needed to make their plan work.”
“Why not?” Kaylee asked.
“Once you isolate a few civilizations, then all you need to do is threaten the others with isolation to get them to fall in line. Putting the filaments back is just a way to increase the wealth they make but not absolutely necessary to putting the plan in operation,” Gregor answered.
“Gregor.”
“Yeah.”
“I think you’ve already done this once.”
Chapter Twelve
Gregor’s eyes went wide, “What are you talking about, Computer?!”
“Do you remember when the two Dragon Ships were moving in on Jester? There was no way for us to use the filament going out from the planet to escape so you ordered me to fly toward the central star where we found a filament that wasn’t on the Cartian Maps.”
Kaylee looked at Gregor, “We wondered how you managed to escape the Dragons.”
“But I didn’t do anything.”
> “Perhaps the stress of the moment caused you to make it happen,” Kaylee’s computer said.
Gregor heard the comment and then looked at Kaylee, “We have to go back to Jester and see if that filament is still there.”
“You must realize that the Movement no longer has the two of you to make this part of their plan operational.”
Gregor smiled, “There you go again showing me I was wrong about how intelligent you are.” Gregor turned to Kaylee, “You mentioned earlier that there are human telepaths at the Movement’s Headquarters.”
“There are a number of them there.”
“I suspect the Movement has attempted to create humans that can control the filaments in the past and the telepaths are some of their failed efforts. If they’ve written us off, they will be going to Bellingham to collect some new specimens for their project. Now that they’ve lost track of you, they won’t wait long before they make that attempt.”
“What are you going to do?” Kaylee asked.
“You could just warn the other civilizations about what Earth is planning.”
“And what do you think will happen if we do that?” Gregor asked Kaylee’s computer. “The only way they would believe us is for us to shut down a filament or two and if we do that…”
“They’ll go to Earth and blast the planet into rubble and billions of innocent humans will be killed and at the same time there will be a reward out to anyone that can kill us,” Gregor’s computer answered.
Gregor smiled, “My computer is also pretty smart.”
“So it’s damned if we do and damned if we don’t!” Kaylee said.
“That’s right, Kaylee. But first we have to see if that filament is still in the Jester star system.”
“Why?”
“If it is, then we’ll see if we can remove it. We need to see if we really do have this ability.”
“Why not just do it with another filament?”
Gregor smiled, “All the others are on the Cartian Maps, Computer. They would be missed.”
“Are we taking both ships?” Kaylee’s computer asked.
Gregor blew out a breath he had been holding, “How do you feel about me now?”
“There is some residual programming demanding that I report you to the Movement but I’m erasing it as we speak. Count me in. I’ll do whatever Kaylee orders me to do.”
“You also need to do as Gregor orders you, Computer.”
“I’ve inserted that order into my programming.”
Kaylee looked at Gregor, “Why do we need to take both ships?”
“I suspect they have a ship at Jester on the off chance I go back. I suspect it will take two ships to defeat it if it comes to that.”
“There is a ship there.” Kylee’s computer announced.
Kaylee jerked her head around, “How do you know that, Computer?”
“I heard one being ordered to remain there when we left to avoid the Dragons.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Oh, never mind, you weren’t working with me at the time.”
“No, I wasn’t. But now I am and I’m telling you that Sam was ordered to remain behind.”
Gregor looked at Kaylee, “Who is Sam?”
Kaylee sighed, “He was the man I was with at the tavern when we sat down next to you.”
“You’re not telling me something, Kaylee.”
Kaylee took in a deep breath and then slowly exhaled, “We were sort of an item.”
“Item?”
“He and I were going to be married.”
“No, you weren’t!!”
Kaylee’s eyes went wide, “What do you mean by that?”
Gregor’s computer quickly answered, “Both of you haven’t really thought it through, if you did, you’d see that Kaylee and Sam would have never been allowed to marry. What happens to the Movement’s plan when you both die of old age? Do you not think they haven’t thought everything through enough to even plan for that?”
Gregor closed his eyes and looked at the ceiling rolling his eyes. Kaylee saw him and said, “WHAT?”
“My computer is pretty smart.” Gregor turned to Kaylee, “They planned for us to eventually marry and they would use our children to continue the plan. Sam was chosen to be a diversion to keep you occupied until everything came together. He probably knows he and you would never be allowed to marry. At the right time, he’d start a fight and walk away.”
“THAT’S PAST DIABOLICAL!!”
Gregor’s head went back, “Hey! I’m not that bad am I?”
“I’m just saying…you know what I’m saying!”
Gregor shook his head slowly and then sighed heavily, “You’re right, Computer. No woman would ever be attracted to me.”
“It’s your fault.”
“No it isn’t!”
“If you had taken better care of yourself and took a bath more often…”
“I do take more baths!”
“And cut out that streak of sarcasm and learned how to speak in gentle terms…”
“I do speak in…wait a minute, no I don’t.”
Kaylee started laughing and Gregor looked at her with his mouth in a tight line, “Shall we just change the subject.”
“But this one is so funny.”
Gregor looked up and rolled his eyes again, “Computer, do we need to boost to get to Jester?”
“No, we’ll also be safer from being detected as long as we stay hooked up. I’ll remove the tow cable when we arrive at the point where we leave the 440.”
Gregor nodded and reclined his chair, “Let me know when we get there. I’m getting some rest.” He leaned back and closed his eyes.
Kaylee watched him for a moment and saw that his feelings were hurt. But she didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent and reclined her chair. The two computers began silently communicating and transferring data between them. By the time they arrived at the jump off point, they were friends in the closest way that two machines could be.
• • •
They arrived at the jump off point and Gregor and Kaylee were awoken by the computer announcing at a higher volume, “We’re here.”
Both of them awoke and raised their chairs. Kaylee looked at Gregor and smiled, “So how do you want to handle this?”
“I think we just go in, check on the filament, and get out. What about you?”
“I’m going down to Jester and confront Sam.”
“WHAT?”
“I know he has his ship parked on the planet. Paying to keep it in orbit is not an expense the Movement will tolerate. I’m going down to see what he knows.”
“Kaylee, you’re not really equipped to do that. The moment you attempt to enter that tavern with a blaster…”
“I won’t be carrying one, Gregor.”
“Then no, I won’t allow you to put yourself in danger like that.”
“Gregor, what if I told you I wouldn’t allow you to do something, how would you respond?”
“That’s different.”
“If you say so, but no it’s not. Besides, I’ll be going in armed.”
“With what?”
Kaylee walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a scabbard. Gregor’s eyes went wide when he saw the grip extending out of it, “THAT’S MY MOTHER’S SWORD!!”
“Yes it is. William insisted that I take it to defend myself.”
“But you don’t know how to use a sword!”
Kaylee smiled, “Do you remember the room where your mother trained you as a young boy to avoid the structures that popped out of the floor.” Gregor’s eyes narrowed as he nodded. “Once you left Earth, I was sent to that room to develop my agility and reflexes. I’ve been trained on how to use a sword and my training was done over long years at ever increasing speeds. I suspect I’m probably better than you.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“No, I’m not. I’ll hide the sword where it won’t be seen.”
“And just how do you intend to do that?”
“I’ll strap the scabbard on my back and wear a puffy blouse over it. I’ll also be wearing a floppy hat that will cover the handle sticking above my collar.”
“Are you going to try and turn Sam?”
“I am.”
Gregor stared at her and then sighed, “I guess I’d do the same for someone I really cared about. Just be careful.”
“I’m going to park the ship on the opposite side of the planet from Sam’s ship and go down on the mini-shuttle.”
“The what?”
“This ship has a small shuttle that holds one person. I’ll come around the planet and park outside of the building he’s in.”
“How will you make that determination?”
“I have a link detector that will lead me to him. I know his link’s frequency.”
“He’ll call for assistance as soon as he sees you.”
“Let me handle that.”
Gregor looked up, “You said your prime objective is to protect her, make sure you do.”
“If I have to burn half the planet, I will not allow her to come to harm.”
Gregor looked at Kaylee and opened his mouth…but then closed it. “Good luck, Kaylee.”
Kaylee nodded as Gregor said, “Release the tow cable and come around to the landing bay. I’ll board once you secure the seal.”
“On my way,” Gregor’s computer answered. Then it said, “If you need my assistance, let me know.”
Kaylee’s computer answered, “I will.”
Gregor’s head went back and he looked at Kaylee, “What was that about?”
Kaylee smiled, “It appears our computers are now on the same page.”
“Indeed we are.” Kaylee’s computer responded.
Both of them looked at the processor panel and Gregor left the bridge. Kaylee saw the disappointment in Gregor’s eyes when she told him she was going after Sam. She sighed and sat down in the command chair.
• • •
The two ships worked their way across the galaxy and entered the Jester Filament the next day. Fortunately, Jester was passing close to the filament and the time to arrive at Jester was greatly shortened. Both ships flew past Jester and Kaylee left the filament on the sun side of the planet. Her link detector vibrated when they passed the night side and she knew Sam was probably close to the tavern they originally found Gregor in. Her ship moved into orbit above the planet and Kaylee checked herself out in the mirror in her quarters. She had her blonde hair tied up under a wide brimmed hat. She wondered if everyone on Bellingham with her color eyes had the same blonde hair; she’d not seen any exceptions. She pulled the brim down on her shoulders and checked to make sure the sword’s handle was hidden. She was wearing a white blouse with the short sleeves on her upper arms and off her shoulders. The billowy dress hung down to above her ankles and it moved freely around her. Good, she could move freely without being encumbered by what she was wearing. She turned around one more time in front of the mirror and left for the landing bay. She released the tie down straps holding the tiny shuttle to the landing bay floor and was surprised that Gregor didn’t see it when he came through the landing bay, he usually didn’t miss much. She lifted the cockpit’s glass and climbed into the seat. She pulled it shut and pressurized the tiny cabin, “I’m ready.”