by Saxon Andrew
A strange voice said, “You have been cleared for landing at the main port. Please deactivate all weapons.”
G said, “That was the obelisk. I’ve never heard of it communicating with anyone but the Monarch.”
“Just get us down.”
“There’s a medical vehicle waiting.”
G rushed down to the planet’s surface and opened his landing bay. Abby had unbuckled the sled and pulled it to the door as the medical vehicle roared up. She heard Gary moan and knew the shot was wearing off. Two doctors rushed up and pulled the sled into the vehicle. Abby started to go with them but Cole rushed up and grabbed her arm, “What happened?”
Abby watched the vehicle lift and accelerate away. “Cole, I need to go make sure he’s ok.”
“In a moment, tell me what happened.”
Abby forced herself to focus and told him what had transpired. Cole listened and pressed his communicator, “G, download the readings you took on that new ship.”
“Commencing download.”
Cole pressed his communicator again and said, “What have you got?”
“He’s got severed tendons in his left shoulder and two displaced discs in his upper back that are pressing on nerves.”
“Anything else?”
“Our initial scan shows no internal damage to his major organs.”
Abby blew out a breath and said, “Thank God.” She put her head in her hands and cried. Cole put his arms around her shoulders and said, “You didn’t know, Abby?”
Abby sobbed and said, “But I did. He told me he was hurting and we put off treating it. I should have known better, especially an injury associated with high G maneuvers.” She continued to cry and Cole knew she was right. She allowed herself to get caught up in the moment with the discovery of the new ship. He looked at her and saw there was nothing he could say to relieve Abby’s tears. “I’ve got to go to him!”
Cole raised an arm and a major ran over, “Take Captain Montgomery to Lt. Lungen.” The Major nodded and Abby straightened her shoulders and followed the Major. Her tears still ran down her face.
• • •
“Ian, Gary is at the hospital!”
“What happened?”
“According to Cole, he injured himself coming to save us during the battle.”
“Where is he?”
“He’s at the port hospital.”
Ian grabbed Violet’s hand and pulled her out the door.
• • •
Abby stood next to the immersion tank Gary was floating in. He was connected to multiple electrical leads and she sighed as the surgeon told Ian, “I’m really surprised he was able to do anything. That shoulder was barely connected to his frame and the discs’ displacement should have been unbearable.”
Abby stared at Gary and said, “It was unbearable, Doctor. He refused to stop doing his duty.”
The surgeon looked at Abby and shook his head. Ian said, “So where is he?”
“We have the nano probes connecting all the tendons and ligaments in his back as well as repairing the damage done to his neck. His internal organs took a hit, but they should be fine. He’ll just experience some discomfort for a few weeks.”
Abby turned and said, “How much discomfort?”
“Nothing close to what he endured with the injuries. He’ll be fine, but I don’t want him taking pain medication. I need his body to heal without them interfering.”
Violet stared at Gary and said, “How long will it be before he can pilot a ship?”
“He’ll be out of the tank in eight days. As long as there is no heavy gravity loads, he should be ready to go twelve days later. I do ask you try to avoid combat for at least two weeks.”
Ian nodded and said, “He’ll be restricted to surveillance missions during that time.” Ian looked at Abby, “I need you to make sure he follows those orders.” Abby nodded and Violet came over and hugged her, “I hate we have to take him back but he’s the best we have.”
Abby shook her head, “Do you think you could stop him from going?”
Violet shook her head and said, “I’m so sorry, Abby. I know he means a lot to you.”
Abby sighed and nodded, “Thanks, Violet.”
“He saved us, Abby. We wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t come to our aid.”
Abby nodded and continued to stare at the young man floating in the tank. She absently said, “How’s E?”
“He’s being repaired and updated. G is also undergoing some changes.”
Abby absently nodded and Violet knew she was not herself. The normal Abby would have demanded to know what updates were being done. Violet looked at Ian and they walked away quietly leaving Abby staring at the tank.
The surgeon turned to leave and Abby said, “You should do a molecular scan on the ventricle artery.”
“Why?”
“The normal scan would miss it and it was under the arm that was injured.”
The surgeon saw the woman was not aware she had spoken. He thought a moment and called in a scan team. They ran the scan and the Surgeon yelled, “Get the heart nano probes injected. Do it now!” He looked at the young woman lost in another place as the cart rushed in and injected the probes. The tear was barely visible but the Surgeon saw that it had grown from the original tear. He had missed it and it was a very good thing that the woman had thought of it. The tear would be repaired in twenty four hours. Abby stood and continued to stare at the tank.
• • •
The High Councilman looked at the recording of the conversation with the alien and was nervous. That creature was an obvious carnivore and it was not worried in the least about the ship it was confronting. When it questioned why they attacked everyone they encountered, he knew the alien had been watching them. That was the only way it would know and the question about the dead planet had to be about using another species to attack. When the creature asked who said it was from this galaxy, his fear began emerging. He didn’t allow it to show; a High Councilor must maintain an air of superiority. He saw the disdain in the creature’s expression and could tell it didn’t care if they did know its origins. The following attack was to size up their defenses.
He looked at the Admiral and said, “What do you think about this?”
The Admiral looked at the ceiling briefly and the Councilor looked up as well, “I don’t want to believe it, but there is evidence to support them not being from here.”
“What evidence?”
“We know they mine heavy metals. We’ve seen their activities on the dead planet. They had a large presence there. That would indicate that if they were here they would have a presence near the core.”
The Councilor nodded, “Go on.”
“We have been searching the metal band around the black hole and have not turned up anything. I believe it would take a large civilization to produce ships like those we confronted. A large civilization near the core within the gravity that produces heavy metal deposits could not avoid being found.” The Admiral paused, “We have also not encountered any species of reptile that comes close to being intelligent. That leads me to believe that the conditions are not good for their development in our galaxy.”
“Where do you think they came from, Admiral?”
The Admiral knew this was the critical question and his life depended on if the Councilor accepted it. “The ships left on a track that would take them toward the middle of the cluster.”
The Councilor stared at the Admiral and said, “But…”
“I managed to get a ship to jump out behind it and followed the trail for six hundred light years before it faded. At that point the track veered toward Andromeda Galaxy. Andromeda is the closest galaxy to ours and is probably the most likely candidate.”
“Why not the others near the center of the cluster?”
“There are thousands of galaxies closer to any one located close to the center of the galactic cluster. A species located there would have to pass others to come here. I don’t think th
ey would do that.”
“Carry on the investigation. I’ll contact you if I need anything else.” The Admiral bowed and the Councilor left. The Admiral sat down in his command chair and felt his body start to shake.
After fifteen minutes his quivers subsided and he heard, “That idiot is broadcasting on an open frequency what the two of you discussed.”
“So are you.”
“Yes, but if the aliens are listening they already know what we’re saying.”
“What do you think the Council will do?”
The Hub Computer paused and said, “What was the Councilor’s ranking?”
“He’s new. He was just appointed. Why do you ask?”
“The High Councilor hates new appointees. They always arrive with popularity among the citizens. He’ll take every available opportunity to remove this newcomer. I would wager that he’ll be sent to lead the search in that other galaxy and he’ll probably insist you go with him.”
“He would never agree to go.”
“You asked; I answered.”
The Admiral sat in his chair and started to shake.
• • •
The High Councilor looked at the Second and said, “Do you believe any of this mess?”
“It was bound to happen eventually.”
“How can you say that?”
“Have you run the possibilities through the main computer?”
“You know I hate machines that think they’re alive.”
The Second shook his head, “Well I have.”
“And?”
“The probability of our galaxy being visited by another galaxy is ninety nine percent.”
“What!”
“That’s looking at eternity as a time frame. However, the possibilities are still greater than fifty percent over the next millennia.”
“How is that possible?”
“If you factor in that the universe had a start point, it is aging at the same time for everything. You only need to look at where we are at this moment. We can jump to another galaxy with no difficulty. It would seem logical that if there are intelligent civilizations out there, they could do the same. Some of those galaxies are older than ours as well.”
The High Councilor thought for a few moments and said, “You’re the scientist here. I’m the political expert. What would you do?”
“Those ships destroyed ten times their number. We can’t just sit here and blindly ignore the threat they represent. I would suggest a trip to that galaxy and send enough ships to do a quick search of the core. The black hole in Andromeda is huge compared to the one here. If there’s a major civilization there, we should be able to find it, although it may take some time.”
“That would weaken our forces here.”
“Who’s here to threaten us? I believe the threat is out there.”
The Highest thought again and said, “We need to get that new Councilor to lead the search.”
“He’ll never agree to go.”
“Here’s how you do it. Who sponsored him?”
“The Eighth.”
“Pull the Tenth aside and have a conversation with him where the Eighth can hear. Tell him I’m looking for someone to promote to a higher ranking to support my power and that whoever leads the search will be considered for the increased ranking.”
The Second started smiling, “That’s bait they can’t refuse.”
“If the Eighth doesn’t get the newbie to go, my position will be strengthened. It’s a foregone conclusion that the Eighth won’t take the risk and the only one below him that supports him is the newcomer.”
“You need to call a gathering where I can have this conversation.”
“This issue is the perfect reason and I’ll delay long enough for you to set the trap. Just contact me when it’s done.”
The Second smiled and knew he would never desire to replace the Highest Councilor. He would be gone in no time. The Highest was the best at manipulating the others. They were a good team.
The Highest watched the Second leave and knew the Second was not an adversary. He had no ambition. They were a good team; he had enough for both of them.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gary tried to open his eyes but the effort was too much. He tried to take a deep breath and stopped before he even started. The pain was too much to do it. He gathered his thoughts and forced his eyes to open. He immediately saw Abby sitting in a chair beside his bed with a worried expression. He tried to speak, but the pain took him again and all he could do was moan. Abby was out of the chair in an instant and had her hand rubbing his head, “You had me worried.” All Gary could do was stare at her and fight to keep his eyes open. “The doctors tell me you’re going to be fine. You’re going to be in pain for a couple of weeks but you should be able to fly in another four weeks.”
Abby saw the relief on Gary’s face. She leaned forward and whispered, “I’m so sorry. I knew you were hurt and didn’t think it through. If I lost you…” Abby took a deep breath and shook her head.
Gary looked at her and managed a small smile. He managed to whisper, “It’s ok.” Then he lost the fight and his eyes closed. Abby continued to rub his head and for the first time since she entered the hospital, she knew it was.
“I need you to come with me, Captain.” Abby turned and saw Cole. She leaned over and kissed Gary on the forehead and followed Cole out.
• • •
The next day Gary was awake in the morning and by the afternoon he was helped out of bed. He was unable to stand on his own and two orderlies lifted him to his feet and one said, “Take a step.”
Gary blew out a breath and said, “Which nonexistent leg should I use first?”
The orderly chuckled and said, “Surprise us.”
“I think I’m going to surprise myself as well.” Gary slid his right leg forward and the orderlies prevented him from falling. Gary looked at the one on his left and said, “Which one did I move?”
“The right one.”
“Oh; I thought it was the left.” Six hours later he found his legs and wished he hadn’t. He collapsed in bed and didn’t remember falling asleep.
The next two days were a nightmare of pain but Gary was determined to fly again and would not give in to the agony. He was able to walk alone with a walker the third day. On the fourth he was determined to do it alone. He made it out the door and to the end of the hall before the orderlies caught him. Abby arrived as he collapsed and Gary saw the pain in her expression. “You should have seen me yesterday. I only fell twice.”
The orderlies put him in a chair and rolled him back to his room. Abby followed them in and saw Gary wince from being laid in bed. He looked at Abby and said, “I’m not going to be able to fly.”
Abby pulled up a chair and took his hands in hers. “We’ve been delayed in our departure. You have another week to get your legs back under you.”
Gary shook his head, “I just don’t know if I can do it.”
Abby took his chin and turned his face to hers, “I’ve never met anyone with the strength of will you possess. You can do this and I won’t fly with anyone else.”
Abby saw his pain as he shook his head back and forth, “You deserve someone better.”
Abby shook her head, “That person doesn’t exist.” Gary turned his face back to her and saw something in her eyes. “I’ve learned something from this, Gary. I’ve learned that someone else can become more important than anything else in a person’s life. I will not fly with anyone else. I need you with me.” Gary stared at her and started moving. “What are you doing?”
“I’m getting up and walking down the hall. Will you help me?”
Abby saw his pain and suffered the entire time he struggled down the hall and back. He collapsed in the bed and Abby lifted his legs on the bed and rubbed his head. Gary saw her expression and said, “I couldn’t have done that without you.” He closed his eyes and sleep took him. Abby rubbed his head and looked at her watch. She leaned over, hesitated
, and kissed him gently on the lips. She turned and left for the space port.
• • •
“What are they doing?”
Drey stared at his monitor and said, “It looks like they took the bait.”
Andi shook her head, “How many ships are they going to use?”
“Andromeda is larger than this galaxy and the core is four times larger. The Milky Way has more mass but the bulk of it is in dark matter. Andromeda is twice the width and has a trillion stars compared to the Milky Way’s four hundred billion. The search is not going to be easy.”
“How many of the new ships we scanned are going?”
“I only see one at the space facility. I would have thought they would send more.”
“If like that computer said that only the leaders have one of them, there may be a limited number.” Drey shrugged and watched the thousands of ships arriving every minute. Andi thought a moment and said, “What do you think they’d do if we took that ship out?”
Drey looked at her, “You’re starting to sound like Gary. First of all, we want those ships to leave. It reduces their strength here and slows any possible search for the Union.” Andi nodded. “Second, if we’re going to do that we would do it in the other galaxy to solidify their suspicions about it being the location of our ships. Third, I’m not at all sure we could take that ship out even if we wanted.”
Andi stared at the huge fleet for a few minutes and sighed, “I’d still like to give it a shot.” Drey shook his head and knew Andi was becoming more like him. He didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.
• • •
Abby sat in the command chair and heard, “Permission to come aboard.”
She turned and saw Gary standing at the door to the bridge. She smiled and said, “Permission granted.” She returned his salute as he said thank you, Sir.
Abby stood and watched Gary come to the chair. She looked at him and said, “Do you want to continue this charade?”
Gary looked at her and said, “I still feel I’m not good enough, Sir.”
“We’re all born with different talents, Lieutenant. If we gravitate toward those exactly like us, we miss out on a lot of what life has to offer.”