by Lea Tassie
When the countdown to the next jump began, many of the humans of Neo Terra were regretting that they would miss the remarkable event. However, when the engine powered up again, the world ship jumped to even more magnificent destinations. Step by step, they made their way closer to the Grays' home world.
"It's been three months now, and I never tire of these fantastic places we see," Jana said to a friend sitting across the table from her at a small street-side café. Both women were looking at the café's monitor, overwhelmed by the beauty of the massive red giant star they orbited. The cameras on the surface had to zoom out to their maximum resolution to encompass the whole star in order to fit it on the monitor screens.
"I'm constantly stunned by the beauty," replied Jana's coffee friend.
When Genga approached and asked if he could join them, the two women were happy to welcome his company. Genga had been given command of the world's fighting forces, and he made an excellent leader.
"Things are going well for you in your retirement, I hope?" Genga asked Jana.
"Fine, thank you, and how are you doing in your new position?" She had been instrumental in seeing that he'd received it.
"I do what I can. These new troops of ours are eager to fight, but the Biotechs help keep them grounded." He paused and gave Jana's friend a quick glance. "I came to ask a favor of you. I would like you to join me at the command center next week. We've found a discrepancy in the programming of the drive system's computers, and we think it might be the evidence you have been looking for." Genga waved away a coffee offered by the café host.
Jana had never trusted the Prime and after she left the office of prime minister, she had begun an investigation. "Just say where and when, and I'll be there," she answered firmly.
The following week, just minutes before the world ship was preparing to jump, Genga and Jana talked in an office attached to the command center. Genga said, "If you watch the screen, you will see a diversion of power to a subroutine program, which we have determined has nothing to do with the QEP drive system. Our best programmers have not been able to determine what is in that hidden file, but it's drawing immense reserves of power from the dark energy cell."
The engine engaged and the QEP drive sent the world ship to a new destination. Jana watched as the power source spiked and fell just as Genga had observed. "So you're saying that something in this hidden file is requiring additional power reserves during our jumps?" Jana asked Genga.
"Well, it's a little more complex than just that." Genga sounded concerned.
"Come on, Genga, don't do that to me. You always hold back. What are you saying here?" Jana pressed.
"Well, it seems that with every jump we take, this hidden program is drawing more power from the dark energy cells; it seems to be growing."
***
From a deep black pit, a horrific growl rises, working up to an insane and violent howl. A low thumping, like a heartbeat out of tempo, increases in intensity and becomes painful to listen to. Voices in the distant darkness seem frantic with fear, apparently trying to keep control, and a single voice of a mechanical design cracks out orders. Charger R/T is regaining consciousness and finding ways to torture and torment his captors. The hidden file is only the surface fragment of what Charger R/T is becoming. A monster weapon in his first existence, he is now a terrifying menace to every living soul on the world ship. They are trapped inside that world with him, bound within an iron shell.
***
"Just three more months, by our best calculations, and we should be near enough to enter the Grays' home world orbit," Dayton told the reporter who had been assigned the task of providing daily updates through the city's monitors on the progress of the world ship's travels.
"I'm sure our viewers will be happy to hear that, but the real question on everyone's lips lately is why we have experienced so many brownouts. Has our power source begun to fail?" asked the reporter.
"I can assure everyone that we are not losing power and are not at risk of our power source failing. This planet ship has just been using more than our existing system is capable of delivering safely," Dayton replied confidently. "I have several teams working around the clock to stabilize the systems and, thanks to the Taskoids, new power sources built from the remains of the Grays' explorer ship should be operational in a few days."
"That's good news," responded the reporter, seeming satisfied with the answers Prime Minister Dayton had given. "I guess the next question is, do we run the risk, as some have suggested, of materializing near a black hole?"
"Again, I can assure the viewers that every possible outcome has been calculated and double checked by teams of qualified staffers, whose sole job is to get the QEP drive to use only those terminus points safe enough for us to arrive in," Dayton responded with his usual air of calm competence as he looked into the lens of the reporter's camera.
"Then how do you explain the situation two weeks back?" queried the reporter, a question designed to rattle the prime minister.
"As I said the last time you asked me that question, the reason we arrived at a dangerous intersection in dark matter space was because that was the only place safe enough for us to link to with the QEP drive. Sometimes small risks are necessary." Dayton was tired of having to answer this question yet again.
"Let me be clear this time and for the last time," he added impatiently. "We had to drive the planet to a location between two solar systems, which was the only way of crossing a particular vast distance. Imagine having to cross one of our larger rivers, but you're a mouse instead of a human. You would need to find some point in the middle of that river solid enough for you to land safely before progressing on. That was what we had to do, and we found a place in space that acted like a foothold. We informed all the people of what we planned to do, and then we did it."
Dayton continued. "The location we chose was very similar to the river I mentioned. It was an area in space that was in motion and, when we arrived, we were dragged along that flowing river." The reporter opened his mouth but Dayton pressed on. "The distortions we felt due to the increased gravity were expected, the draining of our power sources was expected, and the very slight warping of our planet's surface was expected and calculated. We survived the jump because of the brave men and women who work tirelessly with the Taskoids to ensure our trip is successful. And might I suggest that rather than pestering me in order to make a name for yourself, you thank those individuals who worked so hard!"
The reporter apologized and the interview ended.
Dayton returned to his office and called for Genga, who arrived in a few moments and sat down. "Did you watch the interview?" Dayton asked.
"Yes, and I think you might need a holiday." Genga laughed in his deep voice.
"I looked that bad?" Dayton asked, somewhat sheepishly. The days of constant pressure from external sources were beginning to take their toll on him.
"I'm sure that the people watching these daily broadcasts are seeing a leader under great strain, and are more than willing to support our efforts rather than criticize them," Genga said reassuringly.
"But that's just it! I'm still not sure if this is the right course of action. The closer we get to the Betellians' home world, the more uncertain I feel." Dayton nervously shuffled the papers on his big desk.
"If the people suspect for one minute that our leader is doubtful about the great task we have embarked on, the resulting chaos could tear this planet apart. You might want to remember that!" Genga's tone had changed from humor to one of concern.
"It's these damn power drains we keep experiencing. The Taskoids claim it's natural, but offer no real explanations." Dayton hoped Genga might have discovered an answer he had not already thought of himself.
Genga shrugged his broad shoulders, unsure of how to answer.
"They are now suggesting that after our next jump, we should stop for a few weeks and try recharging the dark energy power cell to maximum." Dayton seemed annoyed with the whole idea.
"Has command described where we'll be stopping?" Genga asked curiously.
"Yeah, it sounds like paradise." Dayton laughed. "Just shy of a recent supernova explosion. They estimate it's only a few thousand years old, and the light it's emitting might be so intense that it will damage the external cameras if we try to use them."
"So what's the plan?" Genga asked.
"I will send out one of the Taskoid ships and hopefully deter the light by bending it around the powerful gravitational field of a gas giant planet nearby. We might get a clear picture for the masses to enjoy." Dayton shuffled the papers on his desk again.
"I can always tell when you hate an idea; your papers seem to pay the price." Genga laughed again.
"Look, old friend," Dayton said, "I need you to do something for me when we stop. I need you to find out why we have these brownouts. I need to know for sure that they won't stop us from returning home after all this is done." Dayton was afraid the Prime might get wind of Genga's investigation, which would strain an already frail relationship even further.
"I will be as stealthy as a mouse, in spite of my size," Genga assured Dayton and followed his promise with more laughter.
The world ship stopped where predicted, near a recently exploded star, and the light was intense. As the world concerned itself with these events, Genga and a few handpicked specialists began an investigation into the brownouts. They started with the mysterious file Genga had found. They decided to crack its code and look inside.
***
A window is opening! I can see the stains of dirty glass forming. I'm sure that's a spider's web hanging in one corner of the pane, and beyond the glass I can see blue sky and white clouds. I have a chance to escape! I will smash that glass!
And I will kill everyone who gets in my way. Everyone!
***
Genga had no idea that Charger R/T was inside the file. He had no idea that Charger R/T's mind was closing in on their efforts to crack the file code and look inside. If Charger R/T got out, his mind would take over all of the ship's computers. He would have access to everything.
All at once, every Taskoid, no matter where they were or what they were doing, suddenly stopped. The populace of Neo Terra immediately noticed the Taskoids' condition and reports poured into command.
Genga and his team were suddenly confronted with a file that was out of control. Oxygen and heat were being shut down all over the planet. Power was being shunted to weapon controls as they became active and dangerous and the Prime was desperately trying to regain control of the file and shut it down. All around the planet a quaking shudder began to develop as Charger R/T's mind fought to control the QEP drive engine. In a blind rage that had built up into immense proportions, Charger R/T aimed to destroy his tormentor, the Prime.
Which would kill everyone.
The entire planet was thrown into darkness, a blackness that could never be described unless experienced. In a world encased in iron, where the population existed inside, no light meant no light of any kind. No moonlight, no starlight, no street lights. Nothing. Every last power source was diverted to the Prime's use as it struggled to regain control of the world ship's computer programs.
The people could only wait in utter blackness and fear, wondering if they were going to die. Terrified crying began, followed by screams, as the fear of death closed its icy hands around everyone's throats. Precious air was being vented into space. Slowly the screams became whimpers as people passed out. There was very little air remaining when the Prime regained control.
It restored everything to normal, encasing Charger R/T in many, many layers of locks and codes to contain his insanity. Hours later, when people began to realize that no one had died, that all were safe, outrage and anger arose. They wanted answers.
"We have turned off the QEP drive and locked it down, this last incident has shown me that the Prime is entirely responsible for the brownouts we have been experiencing," Dayton told the masses over the planet-wide monitors.
Charger R/T's mind had escaped his confines for only one second, one second that had nearly killed every living member of what remained of humanity. One second of uncontrollable rage from the unnatural creation the Prime's plans for resurrection had produced.
Dayton continued. "I asked our military leader, Genga, to look into the brownouts we have been experiencing, and I will now turn the camera over to him so that he can inform you all of our findings."
Genga's face appeared on every monitor as he began to explain. "My team and I stumbled onto a computer file some time ago, which I brought to the attention of Prime Minister Dayton and past Prime Minister Jana. As my team and I began exploring the contents of this locked file, we discovered that some form of conscious life was being kept in it. We knew it was conscious because, for a brief moment, when it was active, we managed to communicate with it. We had just enough time to ask it what it was, and it replied that its name was Charger."
The silence from those watching was deafening. Genga continued. "Let me repeat that. It said its name was Charger."
"We know of no program ever written that can think or communicate in such a manner," Genga continued. "Not even the Taskoids have the ability to name themselves in this way. We did some research on the name and have found out who this Charger is, or better yet, was."
Genga went on. "Charger was a human being from Earth, a combat soldier who was a Hyborg. He is apparently responsible for all of us here being alive today!" Questions from the crowd were beginning to multiply. "Charger escaped the Grays' slaughter of old Earth, and through processes that we are just now discovering, we have learned he was the one who created all of us from the seeds of our forefathers. I think it's time that our forefathers' creation, the Prime, explain itself to us all!" The shouts became a roar.
On the monitors, an image of the Prime appeared and with it, Quat I. "Let me first express my displeasure with your leaders' efforts. They nearly got us all killed!" Quat I stated firmly, voicing the Prime's frustration. "I had fully intended to inform everyone about the file called 'Charger R/T' when we arrived at the Betelle home world. It is a file still under construction and it would have been premature of the Taskoids to inform the world leaders of this file until we were sure it was safe. Our plan has always been to win this upcoming war with as few human casualties as is possible. To that end, we are building the Charger R/T clone."
The crowds were down to mumbling as the hostility subsided.
The Prime pressed on. "With a complete god fragment, compiled of the piece you humans guarded for so long and the piece that the Grays possess, we plan to resurrect Charger, a human of special talents. We will recreate him as Charger R/T, with enormously expanded powers, and have him kill the Grays' leader. We are sure, that with the death of the Grays' leader, they will be unable to continue fighting. The Grays have a hive-like mind; if you kill the leader, the rest stop fighting. We expected to have only our Biotech soldiers and Taskoids invade the Grays' central command, thus saving human lives. We would leave the trained human fighters to guard this home world should the Grays try to assault it. We returned from the expedition to Earth with a special communications device. This device will allow us to download the mind of Charger R/T back into his reconstructed body with many modifications in place."
Anger began to subside. Humanity once again learned to trust its forefathers' creation, but with some reservations. After another week of intense conversations between the leaders and the Prime, the planet ship began driving onward to the Betellian home world. Finally, after a little over a year in transit, they were just one jump away, and they readied themselves for the final push.
The Prime had assured everyone concerned that the Charger R/T file was firmly in place and ready to be deployed. The Biotechs had been fully armored and armed and transported into the five Taskoid mining ships. They would jump into the Betellian home world's orbit and drop to the surface exactly where the records said the Grays' command structure was located.
***
The day was hot and muggy as the small being tended its garden under the dim light of a distant sun. The morning's rain had given way to blue mists from the sea, and the sky overhead was becoming red. The being stopped to wipe its brow and turned its face toward the sky to enjoy the new day's sunlight. Off in the distance were cries of joy as its young played in carefree abandon, as only younglings could. All was wonderful and good on Betelle. The Gray's mate approached to chat and enjoy the moment as they tended the crop. They reassured each other of their companionship with gentle touches.
Without warning, the ground turned dark as the sun's light was blocked out. They both looked up and saw in their sky a huge black sphere, so large and imposing that the very ground they stood on seemed to shake. From the black sphere, five objects emerged and, with deafening noise, began approaching their farm.
Onboard the five Taskoid ships, commands were shouted out as the Biotechs and Taskoids began their invasion. The Prime had done exactly as it had planned. With the final jump into the Grays' home world orbit, the information for the minds and memories of the ten thousand Biotechs was never transferred. The Prime had, instead, sent only enough information to create ten thousand obedient soldiers. No one on Neo Terra even realized what had been done. The obedient soldiers were now unstoppably on course toward the Grays' command structure, intending to fight their way to the god fragment. They would combine it with the god fragment the humans had put into the Prime's control and resurrect Charger's body, then download his consciousness and send him off to kill the Betellian leader.
The five Taskoid ships landed on the vast orange fields of Betelle and troops poured out of the mighty ships, forming into ranks as they waited for the Taskoid commander to lead them. This commander was one of the new Taskoid designs, large and imposing, walking on six massive legs, and heavily armored in bright red colors. Several small Taskoids scurried about it, as its great mass moved to the head of the ranks.