The Star Cross: Galaxy in Peril

by Raymond L. Weil

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  A few hours later Kurt watched as Lieutenant Mays consistently blew large asteroids into vast fields of glowing debris. The ship’s particle beam cannons were now more potent as they were powered by the ship’s two antimatter chambers. The force beams and the direct energy projectors were just as impressive. As the Star Cross traveled across the massive asteroid field which dominated the system, the flagship left a trail of destruction behind it. On the main viewscreen, a ten-kilometer-long asteroid was split in two as the ship’s force beams disrupted the atoms holding the asteroid together. The four heavy battlecruisers were also involved in the weapons testing.

  “It’s hard to believe these weapons are ineffective against the black ships,” said Andrew as he watched the ship’s direct energy projectors demolish the rest of the asteroid.

  Kurt agreed. The weapons his new flagship possessed were so much more powerful than what was on the old Star Cross. “It’s that damn energy absorption screen. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to overload it, and beam weapons simply don’t possess the necessary punch.”

  “A neutronium marble would,” commented Lieutenant Mays as she targeted a nearby comet with the ship’s particle beam cannons.

  “Our KEW cannon is designed to handle a much larger round. How big of an engineering project would it be to redesign it to handle a neutronium marble?”

  Lieutenant May’s eyes widened. “Not that big. The system is designed to handle different size rounds through the use of magnetic fields.”

  “Would a magnetic field accept the neutronium?”

  Lieutenant Mays looked thoughtful and then replied. “It should. The problem’s the mass.”

  Kurt took a deep breath. They would stay in this system for two more days, running battle drills, and then they would return to Newton. Lomatz should have arrived by now, and Kurt would speak to him about the Glaymons. With some luck, Kurt just might get Lieutenant Mays her neutronium marble.

  Chapter Ten

  Kurt was on Newton Station meeting with Lomatz, Rear Admiral Susan White, Rear Admiral Jacob Wilson, Colonel Roger Simms, Mara Liam, and Thule Rasht. Under prodding from Kurt, Lomatz told his story about finding a Glaymon scout ship in distress.

  “Remarkable,” said Thule, his eyes wide in disbelief. “Are you certain this being you encountered was a Glaymon?”

  “Yes,” responded Lomatz. “He told me how they had been in hiding since the first incursion by the black ships over twenty-two million years ago.”

  Mara placed a small shiny disk on the conference table and pressed it. Instantly a hologram of the galaxy appeared, floating above the table. “Where did you say you encountered this ship?”

  Lomatz studied the hologram for a moment and then pointed out the region of space. Mara made an adjustment, and that section of the galaxy was greatly expanded until they had the exact coordinates of the encounter pinpointed.

  “In between these two stars,” said Lomatz, indicating a space between a red dwarf and a blue giant. “We found his ship drifting here.”

  Thule let out a deep breath. “That’s a heavily populated area of the galaxy. The star population there is extremely dense with less than a light-year separating most of them. Also some very old Enlightened Worlds are in that region.”

  Kurt stood, gazing at the representation of the targeted galactic region. Then he turned toward the others in the room. “How would you hide a world—or worlds—from the black ships for millions of years? Particularly in a heavily populated region of the galaxy?”

  “Interstellar space,” suggested Rear Admiral White. “The space between stars would be a good hiding place.”

  “But not in this section,” said Thule, shaking his head. “There’s too much traffic, and surely, by now, some cargo ship, passenger liner, or even a Protector World vessel would have found their hiding place. No, it has to be someplace else.”

  Kurt looked at Lomatz. “Do you have any idea what direction the vessel was traveling when you received your distress call?”

  “No, we could not detect the vessel until we were right up on it. We traced it by homing in on the distress call. Once the ship was repaired and left, it vanished immediately from our sensors.”

  Kurt looked at the depiction of the stellar region floating above the table. “Where else could you hide from the Destroyers of Worlds for twenty-two million years?”

  “A dust cloud or a nebula?” suggested Mara. “Though most would have been explored by now.”

  Kurt glanced at Lomatz, noticing how uncomfortable the weapons dealer looked. Kurt had a sudden suspicion Lomatz wasn’t telling them everything.

  “Lomatz, are you telling me that you encountered a ship this advanced and made no attempt to trace it to its point of origin?”

  Lomatz went silent and looked as if he wished he were someplace else.

  “You put a tracking device on that scout ship,” Colonel Simms said suddenly, his eyes opening wide. “You tried to track the Glaymon vessel.”

  “Is that true?” demanded Kurt. It was the only thing that made sense from the look on Lomatz’s face.

  With a deep sigh, Lomatz slowly nodded, his yellow eyes focusing on Kurt. “I did. We couldn’t track it with our long-range sensors, but the tracking device we placed on board the vessel allowed us to follow its beacon for nearly ten light-years. It suddenly ceased to function, and we received a warning message from the Glaymon. He informed me that, if I ever revealed I had tracked him, he would return and ruin my weapons dealing operation. He also insisted I destroy any evidence of what my ship had recorded of his course. He insinuated he would know if I failed to do so.”

  “And did you?” asked Mara, leaning forward.

  “Yes, I was too afraid not to. I ordered all computer files relating to tracking the Glaymon ship destroyed, as well as the backups.”

  Rear Admiral White let out a deep sigh. “Then we’re right where we began.”

  “Not necessarily,” said Lomatz, sounding nervous. “Before I erased the data, I used it to extrapolate the destination of the Glaymon vessel. I did it all by hand so there would be no electronic evidence of it.”

  “So you know the ship’s destination,” said Mara, focusing on Lomatz.

  “Where was the Glaymon ship going?” asked Colonel Simms. “We must know.”

  Lomatz stepped closer to the hologram and, reaching forward, made some adjustments. The view changed to show an area at the very edge of the galactic core. “A small discreet gaseous nebula is here,” he said, pointing it out. “The nebula is very dense and contains high levels of radiation.”

  “Radiation. So no reason for the black ships to investigate it,” said Mara in understanding. “The high radiation levels would prevent the development of life.”

  Lomatz nodded. “There are several regions in the nebula where the gas and dust density are so high they cannot be penetrated by any known sensors. The Glaymon world or worlds must be there.”

  “Is there anything else we know about this nebula?” Mara asked Thule.

  “It’s supposed to be extremely dangerous,” replied the weapons specialist, calling up some data on a handheld computer device he had with him. “Numerous exploration ships have been lost exploring it. It’s currently listed as too dangerous to investigate.”

  Kurt leaned back, nodding. “We have our target.”

  Rear Admiral Wilson slowly shook his head. “The only problem I see is that the Glaymons don’t want to be found. If they’ve been destroying all the exploration ships that ventured near their worlds, what will they do if they see a heavily armed fleet coming their way?”

  “There must be a way for us to communicate with them,” said Mara with a deep frown. “Surely, if they know how dire our situation is, they’ll agree to a meeting.”

  Lomatz shook his head. “Remember, they’ve been in hiding for over twenty-two million years. Why would they be willing to help us if they’ve allowed the galaxy to be stripped of life numerous times sinc
e they went into seclusion?”

  “What if we don’t give them a choice?” said Kurt. If it were true the Glaymons had been destroying unarmed exploration craft he had no compunction about forcing the issue. “What if we threaten to reveal their hiding place to the galaxy at large unless they allow contact?”

  Everyone at the conference table grew silent, and then Rear Admiral White spoke. “They have found a way to survive for all these years. Do we really want to take that away from them? This is the oldest race in our galaxy. If we force them to reveal themselves, they may perish. Do we really want to do this?”

  Colonel Simms shifted his gaze from the hologram to Kurt. “What if they have the technology to build the neutronium marble Lieutenant Mays wants? What would that mean in the war against the Destroyers of Worlds?”

  “We would have a way to fight the black ships,” Mara answered, her eyes lighting up. “It would make the battles winnable. We have no individual weapon now which can easily destroy a black ship. The neutronium marble can.”

  “Mara’s right,” Kurt said with a deep sigh. “I hate endangering the Glaymons’ seclusion, but we must have that weapon, or we can’t stop the Destroyers of Worlds. The Glaymons are the only race who may have the technology we need.”

  “That’s a five-week trip with our new hyperdrives,” commented Colonel Simms. “Figure five weeks there, two weeks on location, and then another five weeks back. Whoever goes will be gone from Newton for at least twelve weeks. A lot can happen in that time. What if the black ships show up while you’re gone?”

  Kurt took a deep breath. “It’s a risk we’ll have to take. I plan on taking the Star Cross, four of our new heavy battlecruisers, and the Aurelia. We’ll go to the nebula, find the Glaymons, and then return as rapidly as we can.” Kurt hoped the black ships stayed away during that time. So far none of the vessels had been seen in this sector of space or even around the Gothan Empire.

  Lomatz hesitated, and then he spoke up. “I’m going. I’ll bring my flagship as well as one of my construction ships. They’ve already been converted to the improved antimatter power system along with the advanced hyperdrives.”

  This was news to Kurt. He hadn’t been aware Lomatz had done that. He wondered what other surprises Lomatz had up his sleeves. “Your flagship and the construction ship can come.”

  Lomatz yellow eyes narrowed slightly. “If there’s a problem, the construction ship can make repairs to any ship in the fleet. I’ll make sure to include a number of scientists and extra technicians in case the Glaymons agree to aid us. But I feel I should warn you. I’m not very confident they’ll help. They’re more likely to impound our fleet and make us vanish as they have everyone else who has entered that nebula.”

  “We’ll take precautions to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Kurt had a few ideas which might work in that regard.

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  For the next two hours they planned the Glaymon mission and set a date for departure. When the meeting was over, they all went to their own ships, except for Mara, who stayed behind to speak with Kurt in private.

  Mara studied Kurt’s face for several long moments. “If we do find the Glaymons, which I have serious doubts about, will you share the technology with Fleet Commodore Dreen?”

  “Will Lakiam sign a treaty with Newton recognizing us as equals?”

  “But you’re not a Protector World,” objected Mara, her eyes widening. “How can you expect to be our equals?”

  “In twenty-two million years, no Protector World or Enlightened World has come up with a way to defeat the Destroyers of Worlds. Doesn’t that tell you something is wrong with this Protector World and Enlightened World system? How many worlds in this galaxy have you refused contact with because they don’t measure up to your lofty standards of civilization? You told me once how hundreds of small empires you consider too barbaric have been barred from joining the galactic community. You said tens of thousands of isolated barbaric worlds similar to mine are left cut off from galactic culture.”

  “But they’re barbaric,” stuttered Mara. “They have nothing to offer. If we allow them access to the civilized regions of the galaxy, they will contaminate the Enlightened Worlds, undoing hundreds of thousands of years of progress.”

  “Are you certain of that?” demanded Kurt, trying to drive his point home. “Their diversity might have found a solution to the Destroyers of Worlds long ago. You once said Earth was barbaric. Perhaps it’s not us but you who are the barbarians—the Enlightened and Protector Worlds who have turned away from the numerous and diverse cultures spread across the galaxy.”

  “No, it can’t be,” argued Mara, shaking her head in denial. “We are not barbaric!”

  Kurt grew silent, noting how flushed and angry Mara looked.

  “The Enlightened Worlds have known peace for hundreds of thousands of years. The Protector Worlds see to that.”

  “But they do away with diversity. Perhaps the current path to Enlightenment is a failure.”

  Mara didn’t seem to know what to say. This was probably the first time she had ever had her beliefs challenged in such a way.

  “No, we can’t be wrong!”

  “If we succeed in our mission, I can promise you there will be changes.” With a nod Kurt stood and left the conference room, leaving Mara behind. He hoped he had given her something to think about.

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  Later that afternoon Lomatz had requested a private meeting with Kurt. They met on board the Star Cross in a small briefing room.

  “Seeking out these Glaymons will be very dangerous,” said Lomatz, shaking his head. “They have maintained their isolation from the galaxy for so long they now disdain contact with any other intelligent beings. That was the impression I got from speaking to the one whose ship I repaired. I no longer believe they care about the fate of other civilizations as long as theirs continues.”

  “We won’t know until we go there,” replied Kurt. He just hoped Lomatz was wrong. “Is there another reason you asked for this meeting?”

  Lomatz nodded. “On Kubitz my weapon specialists have been working on a new defensive platform, powered by antimatter chambers, as are your new warships.” Lomatz leaned forward and activated a holographic projection disk. Above the table appeared a defensive platform with two large energy projectors.

  Kurt looked at the platform and then at Lomatz. “What have you created here?”

  Lomatz smiled. “The biggest problem with destroying a black ship is the amount of power needed to overload its shield. This platform stores up energy and then releases it in one intense burst. Most of the platform consists of energy storage cells and the two antimatter chambers providing the power. Unfortunately it takes over twenty minutes to build up a sufficient charge to fire one of the energy projectors and then an additional thirty minutes for the projector to cool down sufficiently to allow for a second shot. We had to come up with a new alloy that could sustain the heat of the energy discharge. That’s why there are two energy projectors. The second one can be fired while the first one is cooling.”

  “How difficult are these to build?” Had Lomatz actually come up with a weapon that was effective against the black ships?

  “They’re not easy,” admitted Lomatz with a deep frown. “My construction people have built four, and I brought them to Newton on one of my cargo ships. The problem is the energy cells. The type we need are produced by an Enlightened World. Through some of my contacts I’ve secured a contract for the delivery of a large number of the cells. Even so, we can only build eight or ten of these platforms a month.”

  “I don’t suppose all these new ones are for Newton.”

  “Unfortunately not,” replied Lomatz. “They are very expensive to construct, and I’ll offer some of them to Kubitz to cover the expenses. I’ve approached the Kubitz government using Controller Nirron as a go between. As you know the use of the type of technology these platforms are equipped with is illegal. I believe they’ll make an allowance in this instance
as Kubitz will want some of the platforms for their own defense. I am willing to furnish ten of them to aid in the defense of Newton.”

  “We’ll take them if they work as you claim. Have you tested them yet?”

  Lomatz nodded. “We built a prototype, and it worked as projected. We don’t know if it will actually destroy a black ship, but it is more powerful than our current energy projectors.”

  “It’s progress,” acknowledged Kurt. At least it would give them a weapon in place around Newton that might make the black ships hesitate in attacking the planet. “How familiar are you with the region of space we believe the Glaymons are in?”

  “I’ve been there a couple times. It’s a heavily populated region of the galaxy with several Protector Worlds overseeing the defense of well over four thousand Enlightened Worlds. It will be difficult to pass through without detection.”

  “What about the hyperspace dampening field?”

  Lomatz shook his head. “We can try it, but I fear the technology in that region of space is too advanced for that trick to work.”

  “Then how do we get to the nebula?”

  Lomatz’s eyes narrowed sharply. “An old smugglers’ route weaves through that region of space. If we follow it, we should be able to get close to the nebula without notice. However, once we drop from hyperspace, the danger of our fleet being detected increases substantially.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” replied Kurt. This would be a long trip to the galactic core. In other circumstances Kurt would be excited about exploring that region of the galaxy, but now too much was at stake.

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