“Aalik said they have changed over the countless millennia they’ve been in hiding,” responded Kurt. “They have developed mental powers and who knows what else. Our goals may now be so different that, in many ways, we may not be able understand one another.”
“Aalik indicated they had the technology to build a neutronium marble to use against the black ships,” said Lieutenant Mays. “How can they refuse to give us the weapon we need to defend our worlds against the Destroyers of Worlds?”
Kurt let out a deep breath. “At least they’ve agreed to talk about it. All we can do is wait and hope for the best.” What was frightening to Kurt was the fact that, if the Glaymons kept Kurt and his ships here inside the Dyson Sphere, they would never know what happened to Newton, Earth, much less the galaxy at large or their friends and families in particular. Back home Keera and Denise would be busy decorating the new house Kurt had purchased, readying it for his homecoming from this mission. A mission he might never return from.
-
Prince Brollen was at the staging area for the Vorn fleets. He had spun a story about how two Protector World civilizations, had joined together to set a trap for his fleet, sacrificing hundreds of large cargo vessels, which helped to give credence to his claims. It was unheard of for a Vorn prince to lie or attempt subterfuge.
These two food species must be eliminated before others join them, Prince Ortumad sent from the Intergalactic Transport Vessel which was his permanent headquarters. Ortumad was responsible for the operations of the staging area and seeing that Collector Ships were routinely sent to the habitats with their loads of food pellets.
They grow stronger every day, replied Prince Brollen. He stood in the Command Center of the Reaper, currently under repair by some of the repair vessels kept permanently in the system. We must summon a warfleet from the habitats to destroy the fleets of these two species as well as the powerful orbital defenses which protect all their worlds.
A warfleet? replied Ortumad. A warfleet has not been used against a food species since our arrival in this universe.
We have never faced such a threat before. We erred grievously in allowing extra time to pass in this galaxy so the food species would be more plentiful. Several of them have advanced to the point they have become dangerous.
I have seen the videos of your battle against these two food species. I believe you are correct in the danger they represent. I will send word to Queen Alithe at the Conclave Habitat that a warfleet is needed.
Until then I would recommend we do no harvesting in the regions of space these two Protector Worlds are responsible for, Prince Brollen suggested. It will give them a false sense of security, perhaps believing after what they did to my fleet that we will not return. When the warfleet arrives, I will show them the error of their ways. They will become food for the Vorn.
Prince Brollen was satisfied with what he had accomplished. An actual Vorn warfleet would shortly arrive. When it did, he would add thousands of Vorn cruisers to it and then proceed to the regions of space controlled by the two troublesome food species. He would make an example of their worlds. Normally a planet was only divested of its major life forms but left alone otherwise so new food species could someday arise. This time, after the harvesting, he would order the planets sterilized with nuclear fire. They would become lifeless husks, similar to the one the Vorn fleet now orbited in this system. Never again would life evolve on their surfaces.
Prince Brollen turned toward Military Commander Fraymot. It has been decided. A warfleet will be summoned.
It will be an honor to see such a fleet in action, replied Fraymot.
How soon before repairs on the Reaper are completed? The ship had been heavily damaged in the battle with the two food species.
Two weeks and all repairs will be complete.
See to it, ordered Prince Brollen. When the warfleet arrives, I expect the Reaper to lead it.
It will be done, Fraymot responded as he turned to go inspect the progress on the repairs.
Prince Brollen went to his quarters and opened up a sealed container, taking out several food pellets. The first was from a humanoid species harvested several months ago. He popped the pellet between his mandibles and crunched down on it. Invigorating strength flowed through his body. Crunching the second pellet, from the avian food species, he was rewarded with more strength. The taste was exquisite, and he felt drowsy. Two food pellets were more than he needed. However, he wanted the rest the overindulgence would give him.
Once renewed, he would work with Military Commander Fraymot on a battle plan to use against the two bothersome food species. He was also curious to taste the food pellets made of those two species. Already he had set aside several containers to be filled with specially chosen pellets to celebrate his great victory over them.
-
Several days passed, and Kurt and some others were in a large Glaymon shuttle, flying high above the Dyson Sphere. From what Aalik had told them, the Dyson Sphere was far enough from its sun to have the surface area of nearly ten million Earths. It was mind-boggling, and Kurt could well understand why the Glaymons would never need more living space.
A patchwork of colorful squares flew by underneath them into eternity, it seemed. These squares were slightly smaller than the total land mass of Earth. Some were covered in deep blue oceans, while others had massive mountain chains covered in mounds of snow, huge forests with trees larger than redwoods, deserts, flowing grasslands, and enormous river valleys. Every type of landscape found on Earth or Newton was repeated here hundreds of thousands of times, plus some environments which were completely alien.
“So you told us earlier that 274 different species of intelligent beings currently live on the Dyson Sphere,” Mara said, accompanied by four of her scientists from the Aurelia.
“By last count, yes,” answered Aalik. “Most of them have very advanced civilizations.”
“All from spacecraft crews who tried to explore the nebula?” asked Mals Bren, one of the scientists with Mara.
“Yes,” replied Aalik. “There were more, but some have died out, and others didn’t have sufficient population bases to reestablish their civilizations. In most cases they lived long and enjoyable lives before passing on.”
“And those still here don’t want to leave the Dyson Sphere?” asked Andrew in disbelief.
“Why would they? Everything they need is here, and it’s perfectly safe.”
“Can they expand to other sections of the sphere, or are they limited to a single world square?” asked Kurt. He could better understand now why the Glaymons had no interest in being found, but still, with their unimaginable population numbers, why not battle the Vorn?
“They are allowed to expand to a point,” replied Aalik, shifting his gaze to Kurt. “Most are encouraged to stay within one or two squares. Several of the more advanced races have been allowed to occupy ten.”
“How advanced are they?” asked Thule Rasht, one of the specialists with Mara.
“Similar to some of your Enlightened Worlds,” answered Aalik. “Some have been here for millions of years.”
“So Enlightened World civilizations are here?” said Mara, raising her eyebrows.
“No, not as you know them,” responded Aalik. “We found out many thousands of millennia ago that the path to Enlightenment was a dead end. It causes races to stagnate and cease to develop.”
Mara looked stunned and fell silent.
“What type of development do you encourage?” asked Kurt. He wasn’t surprised to find out Enlightenment was a dead end.
“Diversity,” replied Aalik. “Even among my own people we try to remain as diverse as possible. We practice and encourage diversity in all its forms.”
“Do all your people possess the mental abilities you have described?”
“Not all abilities are shared,” admitted Aalik. “In some of the habitat squares, where our people reside, we have used genetic manipulation to keep our people similar to when we fi
rst came to this nebula. It gives us a gene pool from a younger version of our race to keep our people viral and inquisitive. That’s why most galaxies never develop weapons which can stop the Destroyers of Worlds.”
“Are you saying other galaxies have stopped the black ships?” asked Andrew, his attention coming more into focus.
“We believe a few have,” responded Aalik.
“Who?” Kurt asked.
Aalik paused, then responded. “Again the council will decide on what you are to be told.”
Kurt went silent for a long moment as he thought over what Aalik had just said.
Mara looked at Aalik with sudden suspicion. “Do all your people support the council’s decision to avoid participating in the war against the Destroyers of Worlds?”
Aalik looked surprised at Mara’s question. It was one of the first times Kurt had seen real emotion on the face of a Glaymon.
“A few wish we were more involved. Their numbers are quite small, and their voices seldom heard.”
“How many are there?” asked Mara. “Do they number in the thousands?”
Aalik hesitated. “No, they number in the billions. They occupy four habitat squares with a total population of around eight billion.”
“Eight billion?” repeated Andrew, his eyes widening. “How many Glaymons are on the Dyson Sphere?
“Twelve trillion of us are spread out over eight thousand habitat squares.”
Kurt’s breath caught in his throat. No doubt the Glaymons possessed the manpower, the ships, and the technology to defeat the Destroyers of Worlds, if they so desired. Their population was even greater than the most inflated estimate for the Vorn. “Can you arrange for us to meet with the leaders of those wanting more involvement against the Destroyers of Worlds?”
Aalik went silent for a long moment as if communicating with someone. “No, there will be no communication with those Glaymons. They very seldom travel beyond their world squares.”
Mara and Kurt looked knowingly at one another. These particular Glaymons might be willing to help. The question was, how could Kurt get word to them?
-
Two days later Kurt was in his quarters on board the Star Cross when Andrew called him to the Command Center. Kurt found everyone staring at one of the long-range viewscreens. A disk-shaped vessel measuring about one thousand meters across was approaching the spacedock where Kurt’s fleet was.
“Who is it?” Kurt asked as he sat in his command chair.
“Unknown,” replied Andrew. “They haven’t responded to our hails.”
“Ship has stopped two kilometers from our position,” Lieutenant Brooks reported as she checked her sensors. “A Glaymon shuttle has left the vessel and is heading toward us.”
“I believe other Glaymon vessels are trying to communicate with it, but it’s refusing to respond to them as well,” added Lieutenant Pierce. “Several larger Glaymon ships are moving toward it.”
“Sounds like the other Glaymons don’t want whoever is on that ship to speak with us,” said Andrew. “It could be the Glaymons who wish to become more involved in the war, as Aalik mentioned.”
“Only one way to find out,” replied Kurt, hoping Andrew was right.
“Should I have some of our Marines and combat robots report to the shuttle bay?”
Kurt stared at the rapidly approaching shuttle. “It’s too large to enter the bay. I suspect it will dock to one of the ports. Lieutenant Mays, gather a couple Marines, and let’s go see who’s paying us a visit.”
-
A short time later Kurt, Lieutenant Mays, and two heavily armed Marines stood near a starboard docking port, where Andrew had determined the Glaymon shuttle would dock. Kurt waited as the airlock cycled and then opened. Two Glaymons stepped inside. Both looked far different from the ones Kurt had seen so far. These were shorter, had a thin layer of hair on their heads, and their eyes were not quite so round. Their build was a little stockier and their fingers not as slim as the other Glaymons.
“You are Fleet Admiral Kurt Vickers?” one of the Glaymons asked.
Kurt was surprised to note the different inflections in this Glaymon’s voice and how he was not like the other Glaymons they’d met so far. Kurt could sense emotions too. “Yes, I am Admiral Vickers.”
“I am Marshton, and this is Valan. We represent the Glaymons who are opposed to the council’s continued refusal to fight the Vorn.”
“Aalik mentioned four population squares with over eight billion Glaymons, similar to those who built the Dyson Sphere. Is that where you’re from?”
“Yes,” replied Marshton, his eyes widening. “We did not know you knew of us.”
“It came up on our tour of the Dyson Sphere.”
Marshton nodded his understanding. “I fear that many of our people who are quite advanced in their mental abilities are easy to fool at times. They give out information too freely.”
“We wish to speak to you about the Vorn,” Valan said. “It there a place we can speak in private? Your armed guards are not necessary. I can assure you that we are not a threat.”
Kurt nodded. He turned to Lieutenant Mays. “Have Andrew contact Mara, Lomatz, and Captain Hastings. I want them here for this meeting.”
“Yes, Admiral,” said Mays, dismissing the two Marines.
Kurt turned to the two Glaymons. “Follow me to one of our briefing rooms, where we can talk. My second in command has reported that several of the larger warcraft of your people are approaching your ship.”
“Don’t worry. They won’t do anything. I’m sure, by now, their commanders have reported our approach to your vessel. It will displease the council, and they will file a complaint against us. Nothing more will come of it.”
-
It didn’t take long for them to reach the briefing room, and Kurt asked the two Glaymons if they could wait to begin until the others arrived. He also had Andrew and Lieutenant Mays attend. When the others finally appeared, Kurt quickly introduced them to Marshton and Valan.
Taking a deep breath, Kurt looked across the table at the two Glaymons. “Why have you requested this meeting? You indicated earlier it involved the Vorn.”
“I am sure you know, by now, that our people possess the ships and the weapons to fight the Vorn,” began Valan.
“We suspected that,” said Kurt. “We just don’t understand why they don’t.”
“I fear the majority of our race has lost most of their aggressive tendencies over the long millennia we have been in the Dyson Sphere. For twenty-two million years our people have hidden here inside the nebula.”
“Are you saying your people are incapable of fighting?” asked Mara. “It is the same in our galaxy with the Enlightened Worlds. They too are incapable of fighting.”
“It is not quite that bad here,” replied Marshton. “Our people are capable of fighting but only in self-defense. Our warships are primarily controlled by intelligent AIs, programmed to defend this nebula and the Dyson Sphere from attack. A few Glaymons are also on board to offer the AIs advice and take command if necessary. However, the AIs are so advanced that the likelihood of that occurring is infinitesimal.”
“What about your own people, the ones in the four habitats?” asked Kurt.
Valan smiled. “We are different. We still possess most of our aggressive tendencies. Our people greatly feared we would stagnate, and our culture would no longer be dynamic and capable of growth once the Dyson Sphere was completed. It was decided to keep a large group of Glaymons at an earlier stage of our races development. We possess a number of warships, and, while the AIs are in command, full crews of Glaymons are on board and fully capable of fighting if necessary.”
“Will you help us?” asked Kurt. Perhaps here was the help he had been seeking.
“That’s why we’re here,” Marshton replied with a slight smile. “With the appearance of your ships, we now have the necessary intelligence to do something about the Vorn. The rest of our people, those Glaymons who you have met, a
re intent on sending the Vorn back to their home universe. Their planned method would mean minimal risk to our people. However, there is no guarantee it will work, and we are still two million years away from making that attempt.”
“Why so long?” asked Mara. “Why can’t it be done now?
“The science behind what we wish to do is extremely complicated, but the equipment to send the Vorn to another universe is ready. What we need next is to locate the bubble universe they came from.
“Two million years still seems impossibly long,” commented Andrew. “I would think it could be done much faster.”
“The biggest problem is sending them to the right universe,” said Valan. “We don’t want to force another bubble universe to have to deal with the Vorn and suffer the same fate as have so many galaxies in our universe. We know the Vorn fled their universe after near annihilation by a great enemy. We assume that enemy still has the capability to deal with the Vorn.”
“So why two million years?” asked Captain Hastings.
“We have scanned numerous bubble universes, and none match the one we believe the Vorn escaped from. In order for us to scan other universes, they must be touching the multiverse membrane which separates various bubble universes. We believe the Vorn’s universe will be touching ours in two million years.”
“What can you do to help us?” asked Kurt. Working with these Glaymons was the galaxy’s only real hope.
“It will be complicated,” replied Valan. “We have some leverage with the council. I think it can be arranged for a force of our ships to accompany you to your region of space. We can also help improve your weapons, like the neutronium marble Lieutenant Mays wants. However, I think we have a better option than neutronium.”
“What?” asked Lieutenant Mays. “I know a neutronium marble can destroy the Vorn ships.”
Marshton looked at Valan, who nodded.
“What about Zero-Point Energy?” suggested Marshton. “We can modify your main KEW gun to fire a round at nearly the speed of light. The round will actually be a container of Zero-Point Energy. When it hits the Vorn energy screen, it will overwhelm the screen instantly, annihilating the Vorn ship beneath it.”
The Star Cross: Galaxy in Peril Page 21