Unfortunately, they were much quicker on the uptake this time. I’d barely brought the moon and Earth into mental focus again when the prongs warmed in my hands and I felt them probing at me. Again I resisted, but either they were trying harder or I wasn’t nearly as strong as I’d hoped. In less than a minute I felt myself sweating and shaking. I was either going to have to give in and let them do their brain-sucking thing or let go—which would be the same as giving up.
As my resistance weakened, I felt them pulling out memories of what I’d done on Nuath since the last time I’d “talked” to them: Shim’s appointment as Regent, my going from town to town talking up emigration…
Suddenly, the series of images stopped—and I simultaneously became aware of Rigel’s hand on my forearm.
Together. We’ll do this together, he thought firmly to me. Too startled—and relieved—to argue, I nodded and tightened my grip on the prongs.
Now, with Rigel’s help, I had no trouble at all resisting the Grentl’s pull at my mind. Scrunching my face in concentration, I pushed outward again, determined to probe them instead. The Earth and moon snapped back into focus, then I found myself inside the Grentl ship, inside the Grentl’s very thoughts. In a blindingly fast kaleidoscope of images, concepts and emotions, I absorbed their entire appalling plan, along with the reason for it. The moment I was sure I had it all, I jerked my hands away from the copper prongs, breaking the connection and collapsing into Rigel’s waiting arms.
“Are you okay? You did it!” he murmured into my ear, his cheek pressed against mine.
Still shaking, overwhelmed by the experience, I nodded. “We did it. But… Oh, Rigel!”
His arms tightened around me as we shared our mutual horror at the enormity of what we’d just learned. For a long moment we clung to each other, drawing what comfort we could. Then, slowly, I became aware of everyone in the room watching us.
“Oh. Um.”
I felt myself reddening as we broke apart, but Rigel kept a firm grip on one of my hands as he led me to the couch, where he could sit beside me while I faced the others. “You’d…better tell them,” he said.
“You learned something?” Kyna’s image leaned forward eagerly. “You were actually communicating all that time?”
“How long?” I glanced curiously at Rigel, who shrugged, then at Sean.
“About twenty minutes this time.”
I wasn’t too surprised after my previous experiences with the Grentl, but Rigel was. I’ll explain about that later, I promised. Then, to Kyna, “I learned…everything. What they plan to do, how they plan to do it, and…why.”
“They actually told you all that?” Connor sounded disbelieving.
“Not exactly by choice,” Rigel said. “Right, M?”
“Right. I explained in my reports how the Grentl get information from us, by extracting memories through the device. They started to do that again just now but when Rigel touched me I was not only able to resist, I managed to reverse it—do to them what they’ve always done to me. I got memories, intentions, thoughts, everything.”
“And?” Kyna demanded impatiently.
“It’s still sort of unpacking itself in my brain, but it’s…not good.” I leaned back against the cushions. Rigel’s hand in mine was helping a lot but I still felt drained—and scared.
Rigel took up the explanation. “Once it started, it was sort of like…receiving a zipped computer file. It might take her a while to, um, unzip all the details.”
Kyna was clearly trying to rein in her frustration. “Can you tell us what you do know, Excellency? What do they intend to do with those smaller craft they’re launching? While you were, ah, communing with the Grentl, Ennis received another message from Nuath. Those craft now definitely number in the hundreds.”
“Seven hundred and twenty, to be exact.” The number popped into my mind, one of many details that were starting to come clear. “And they’re not craft, exactly, not with pilots. They’re satellites. Over the next four days, they’ll take up evenly-spaced positions all around the Earth. Then, once they’re in place, the Grentl plan to…to zap us all back to the Stone Age. It will be like a Carrington Event on steroids.”
“A what?” Connor exclaimed. “I’m afraid I don’t understand, Excellency.”
I’d assumed even Royals would know about an astrophysical phenomenon like that, but apparently not. “Basically, a huge EMP. Electromagnetic pulse,” I clarified when he still looked confused. Really? This guy was on the Echtran Council? I’d learned this stuff in eighth grade—though not, technically, in school.
“Surely you learned about this in elementary astrophysics, Connor?” Kyna also wore a rather condescending expression.
“Elementary astrophysics was a long time ago,” he mumbled.
“It occurred late in Sovereign Aerleas’ reign, Earth year 1859,” Kyna explained. “The Carrington Event was a series of solar flares of such magnitude that the rudimentary distance communications of the time were disabled. Some telegraph operators received severe shocks. Nuath, fortunately, was far enough beneath the surface of Mars to escape the worst effects. And, luckily for Earth, they were not yet reliant on electronics, satellites or electrical power grids. Now, however…”
“It would be devastating,” Mr. Stuart finished for her. Then, to me, “And you say this will be even worse?”
I nodded. “The Grentl plan to wipe out all our technology—everything we’ve developed since they transplanted that Irish village to Mars for their experiments nearly three thousand years ago.”
“But…why?” Mrs. O’Gara, her face still pale, clung to her husband’s hand for support.
Though I wasn’t sure I understood it all myself yet, I did my best to explain. “Apparently, ever since Faxon used the device last year, the Grentl have been concerned that their, ah, experiment—that’s how they think of the colony, Nuath—had become unstable and potentially dangerous. They really were planning to destroy Nuath, but when I sent my report and they saw how soon the power there was going to run out, they decided that wasn’t necessary. Not only was Faxon gone, but Nuath wouldn’t last much longer anyway. To them, fifty years is like nothing.”
Rapt faces nodded and Kyna motioned me to go on.
“Anyway, between what they got from Faxon and then me, the Grentl found out there’ve been regular comings and goings between Earth and Mars for the past few centuries and that worried them enough to take a good look at Earth for the first time since kidnapping the original colonists. And they, um, didn’t like what they saw. They’ve decided humans are a violent, greedy and power-hungry species that will eventually become a threat to the whole Galaxy if we’re not stopped. Since they feel partly responsible—I guess because Nuathans helped to spark the Renaissance and all—they seem to think it’s their duty to stop us. This is how they plan to do it.”
Mr. Stuart nodded slowly. “Ingenious. And probably effective. An evenly dispersed EMP of sufficient magnitude would render virtually all modern technology useless, destroying electrical transformers, communication satellites and most electronics. It would take months or even years to get the electrical grids up and running again. We’d have nothing to use as a jump-start, so to speak. By then, chaos and anarchy would likely spread across the globe, finishing what the Grentl began. Economic systems would collapse and communication would be all but impossible. We might indeed revert to the savages of the Stone Age.”
“But…the people!” Nara gasped. “Think. Such a catastrophe would kill millions, perhaps billions. If not immediately, then within a month or two.”
“I’ve read predictions that another solar storm similar to the Carrington Event could result in the eventual deaths of up to a fifth of the Earth’s population.” Dr. Stuart sounded as though she were holding back tears. “This sounds even worse.”
“There must be a way to stop them!” Malcolm sounded panicky. “Excellency, can’t you…talk them out of it? Like you did on Nuath?”
I bit my
lip to keep it from trembling. “I can try, but I doubt it. Even on Nuath, I didn’t really talk them out of anything. First I just…answered their call, which got them to stop the power outages. Then sending them that report on the colony’s status showed them Nuath would eventually fall apart on its own, without their help.”
Looking around at all the frightened faces, I shrugged helplessly. “Maybe if I could persuade them we—humans—aren’t really a threat they’d back off. But honestly? All the stuff they’ve learned about us is pretty much true. Given enough time, we really might become a scourge on the Galaxy.”
32
Phase discrimination
“That may be true of the Duchas,” Connor exclaimed indignantly. “But certainly not of Echtrans. If they no longer mean any harm to Nuath, maybe they’ll let us all go back there before they…” He trailed off at the scandalized expressions of some of the others.
“Connor, I’m surprised at you,” Kyna said severely. “Even if it were possible, do you really believe our best course would be to leave billions of Duchas at the mercy of the Grentl while we save ourselves? Is this an example of how comparatively ‘enlightened’ Echtrans are? No, we need another solution. We must either convince the Grentl that humans are not a threat—which I agree is likely to be impossible, given Earth’s history—or develop a defense against what they intend. Quickly. Thanks to the Sovereign, we at least have the advantage of four days’ warning. We must use those days to good effect.”
“But won’t the Grentl realize that?” Breann asked fearfully. “Suppose they change their plans because the Sovereign has learned of them?”
“I really don’t think they will,” I said. “They don’t consider humans—even Echtrans—to be any kind of threat, not yet. It’s what we might become in a century or two that they’re worried about. Their technology is way, way beyond ours, and they seem to have planned everything down to the smallest detail.”
“And you know all of those details?” Malcolm sounded skeptical but also hopeful.
My fear, which had spiked again at hearing the potential death toll, receded a tiny bit. “Things are still sort of unraveling in my brain, but yes, I think I do—or I will. I’m pretty sure I got all their specs, everything, even if I don’t understand most of them. I can give it all to our Scientists. Maybe it will help.”
“Which Scientists?” Mr. O was paler than normal, too. “For nearly three centuries, the secret of the Grentl has been kept from all but a select few. Now, however—”
Kyna nodded. “A good point. Once those satellites disperse, every Echtran with an enhanced telescope as well as some Duchas astronomers will likely notice them. Some sort of explanation will have to be given, one that will not induce global panic. That would be devastating in itself, even if we can somehow prevent what the Grentl plan.”
“I’ve thought all along that keeping the Grentl secret—from Martians, at least—was a bad idea,” I reminded them. “It’s led to an awful lot of trouble for me, anyway. If you want to prepare some kind of statement to send out to Echtrans and Nuathans, I’m willing to deliver it.”
Dr. Stuart suddenly stood. “It’s nearly eight-thirty. While we continue to discuss our options, I recommend we all eat something. Molly, will you help me warm up those pizzas?”
A few minutes later Molly and Dr. Stuart returned with half a dozen pizzas, a pitcher of lemonade and a pot of coffee for those physically present, while the others winked out briefly to grab something to eat for themselves before we continued our discussion. The pizza was good, but no one except Rigel and Sean seemed to have much appetite. I sure didn’t. Not when the world might end before the weekend.
“What I want to know—” Malcolm waved an uneaten slice of pizza in the air— “is what we’re going to tell the Duchas world leaders. Once their scientists notice those satellites, they’ll assume they were launched by some other nation. That could begin yet another war, if we don’t tell them something.”
Breann set down her coffee cup. “Do you think we’ll be able to stop them from doing something foolish even if we do explain everything? If they actually know the Grentl’s intentions are hostile, what’s to stop military leaders from firing missiles or even nuclear weapons at the satellites?”
“But isn’t that exactly what they should do?” Connor looked anxiously around at the rest of us. “If the Duchas military powers all join forces, maybe they can shoot down the satellites before they release the EMP.”
“We simply don’t know enough yet,” Kyna told him. “Nor am I hopeful that even news such as this will convince nations worldwide to join forces. Certainly not in time to do any good. I agree, however, that most of the top world leaders should be apprised of the situation. It’s as well we’ve already established relations with them. Again, with your help, Excellency.”
One of the things I’d done during my first month back on Earth was speak with a handful of heads of state or foreign ministers from the more developed countries, including the U.S. Secretary of State. It had been beyond weird, all those important men and women treating me like a dignitary from some foreign kingdom.
At least they weren’t learning about Martians for the very first time. Several decades ago, Shim had persuaded the Echtran Council to approach certain Duchas leaders to cautiously educate them about the existence of Nuath and Echtrans, since even then he’d foreseen the need for large-scale emigration. Since then, the knowledge had been kept on a strict need-to-know basis, with incoming leaders only briefed after they took office. Shim’s foresight would save us time now. I hoped.
“Meanwhile, we should get as many Echtran and Nuathan Scientists as possible working on the problem,” Mr. Stuart said. “Surely it would be useful to have a few options on hand before we spring the situation on any Duchas leaders?”
“Assuming any can be found.” Kyna didn’t sound hopeful. “But yes, I’d like the Council’s agreement to lay the matter before as many qualified Martian Scientists as possible, in hopes that collectively they might be able to produce those options.”
I could tell none of the Royals liked the idea, but they were too frightened by the alternative to argue against it. Finally, Breann said, “I suppose we must trust Kyna, Shim and Van to identify the most appropriate Scientists for the task.”
Mr. Stuart nodded. “I’ll message my father tonight.”
“I’ll start immediately, as well,” Kyna said. “Excellency, expect to hear from me within the next day or so to arrange for you to share everything you’ve learned with the Scientists we select.”
“Um, sure. Like I said, I’ll help any way I can.” Rigel squeezed my hand, giving me a much-needed boost of confidence.
Mrs. O’Gara cleared her throat. I thought it was because Rigel and I were still holding hands until she said, “It’s past nine o’clock. Unless we intend to inform the Sovereign’s Duchas guardians of the situation tonight, we should get her home. Surely anything else she must do can wait until tomorrow?”
“Certainly.” Kyna again looked around at those assembled. “We’ll adjourn for now, but everyone should feel free to contact me with any ideas or suggestions you might have on how we should proceed. Excellency, your very good health.” Fist over heart, her image bowed to me, then disappeared.
Nara and Connor did likewise, and then Mrs. O’Gara was ushering me toward the front door. “We haven’t much time if we want to avoid questions from your aunt, dear.”
“Okay. Just a sec.” Still clinging to Rigel’s hand, I stood up and gave him a kiss—a quick one, since everyone was watching. I’ll let you know anything else I figure out or hear, I promised him.
Deal. And ditto. We’ll beat this, M. Together we can handle anything, remember?
I could tell he was every bit as scared as I was, despite his bracing words, but I smiled. You’re right. We proved it again tonight and we’ll keep proving it.
Reluctantly, we loosed hands and I accompanied the O’Garas out to their van. Meanwhile, details I
’d obtained from the Grentl continued to surface into conscious knowledge I’d be able to share with the Scientists. I just hoped it would be enough.
* * *
No further word came before I left for school the next morning, so I did something I’d been cautioned not to—I stuck my omni in my jeans pocket so I could check it occasionally during the day. Surely, the stakes justified the minuscule risk of having it discovered? It’s not like any Duchas would know what it was, anyway.
On the bus I noticed a few curious looks aimed my way, but it wasn’t until Bri and Deb got on at their stop that I found out why.
“Is it true?” Bri asked in an excited whisper, plunking into the seat behind me and Molly. “Did you really ride home with Sean yesterday? Did you and Rigel have a fight?”
Deb’s eyes were also wide and worried. Really?
I laughed. “No, of course not! I missed my bus, that’s all. I saw Pete Griffin and Sean getting ready to leave, so I asked if they could give me a ride.”
Deb looked relieved, but Bri said, “Okay, but I also heard Rigel got a ride with Amber after practice…”
“To my house,” Molly said matter-of-factly. “He and M hung out with Sean and me for a while, then they both went home. Why is this a big deal?” Though Molly was every bit as keyed up as I was over the whole Grentl thing, she was doing an awesome job of hiding it.
Bri shrugged, seeming almost disappointed. “Guess it’s not.”
I almost made a crack about her needing to look somewhere else for the juicy gossip she craved but I didn’t need Bri mad at me on top of everything else.
The kiss Rigel gave me out in front of the school a few minutes later went a long way to silence any remaining rumors about us fighting. High school, I realized, was a lot like Nuath, with everyone eagerly pouncing on scandal after scandal, manufacturing them if there were no real ones. And while they were all busy following this or that bit of so-called “news,” nobody ever had a clue about the real dangers out there.
Starfall: A Starstruck Novel Page 29