by Lea Tassie
Then nothing.
They simply stopped moving. In front of the army were fields of plants. Had they landed in the wrong place? Drones were launched to the skies to search the planet. The drones went everywhere, but found no signs of higher civilization, no great cities, no command bunkers. No leaders.
The information was relayed to the Prime and it started scanning the planets of this solar system looking for the Grays.
There were none. The aggressive species which had attacked Earth over three hundred years ago was now nowhere to be found.
Had they moved to a new planet? Who were these beings on the planet now? Then the drones began to find things not seen at first. It was the humans' command center on Neo Terra that spotted the wrecked and half buried remains of structures on their monitors.
The Grays had imploded. They had destroyed themselves. There was no great threat to humanity to be found anywhere on this planet.
Chapter 21 Charger erupts
The interest in Pennington's new church had dwindled and faded into the background, overshadowed by Neo Terra's fantastic trip through space as well as the traumatic temporary loss of power. But, as soon as it was discovered that the Grays were now just simple farmers, Pope Paul pleaded for the world to show mercy. This time, she was heard. Slowly, ever so slowly, the eagerness of the masses for revenge began to cool. The words of a decent, sincere old lady touched the hearts and minds of the people that Charger had created and helped to survive.
However, the Prime was not done. It scoured the planet with the god fragment which had been retrieved from the Valley of Shadows. This piece would naturally be attracted to the piece the Grays had appropriated from the human expedition to Galactic Central. Eventually the Grays' fragment was found buried in an ancient underground complex. The mining Taskoids dug it up for the Prime, whose task was now almost complete.
There, on the home world of the once mighty Grays, an unholy abomination of mankind's past was released back into existence. The Taskoid which commanded the Biotechs used the god fragment to resurrect Charger and, with the Grays' communication device, downloaded Charger R/T's conscious mind back into his fully armored and weaponized body. The Prime's mechanical brain had no choice but to complete its original programming: get Charger, learn to fight, kill the Grays.
No amount of programming by the Prime could contain the fury-filled hell that was the resurrected Charger R/T. And there was a further surprise. The Prime had outdone itself. Charger R/T's mind had expanded beyond anything humans and Taskoids could even imagine. He had a knowledge and understanding of the elements and mechanics of the universe which gave him the powers we usually attribute to a god.
The Biotech soldiers standing on the fields of the Grays' world were like twigs in the way of a charging rhinoceros. Ten thousand Biotech soldiers and three hundred Taskoids fought to survive as the chaos raged. Charger R/T not only had the powers of a god, but he was in a fury. The citizens of Neo Terra were shocked as they stared at the monitors of the drone's cameras. What had they done?
Panic-stricken voices demanded the slaughter be stopped. Charger R/T was cutting down Biotechs and Taskoids like wheat. The Grays were scattering for safety, and some were also killed in the massacre. Dayton was demanding answers from the Prime, and the world of Neo Terra was engulfed in horror, pity, and fear.
It was Genga who hit on the idea. They still had the time-lock the Taskoids had brought back from Stonehenge. Could a god be locked in time? They had to try.
A team of humans, led by Genga, boarded a small Taskoid scout ship still in the hangar bay of Neo Terra and, with the time-lock device, raced to the surface of the Grays' planet. Every human, including Genga, shook with fear as they struggled to set up the device and wait for Charger R/T to attack.
They didn't have to wait long. Charger R/T came over the brow of a hill, drenched in the blood of the soldiers he had killed.
He moved so fast he was almost a blur. It took every bit of strength Genga could muster to focus on the rampant Charger R/T. The humans around Genga panicked and tried to run, but Charger R/T caught and destroyed them.
Only Genga remained, his massive frame standing firm, his finger on the switch. Charger R/T instantly appeared before him and the size difference was suddenly obvious. Charger had been huge; Charger R/T was twice his size.
Charger R/T took a second to stare at Genga, curious as to why he didn't try to run. Then a broad smile appeared on his face, revealing four fangs. Insanity glowed in his reflective white eyes.
Genga shut his own eyes and hit the switch.
It worked. Charger R/T was frozen in a layer of time moving far slower than the time that presently existed for humanity.
But it had happened too slowly for Genga. He was dead.
The humans back on Neo Terra started breathing again.
"We can't just leave him there. What if he escapes? The consequences to these peaceful Grays would be devastating," Dayton argued before the council of elders.
An old council elder shook a crooked finger in the air. "It's sheer lunacy to concern ourselves with the fate of these despicable Betellians. The fact remains that their ancestors nearly wiped out humanity. We cannot simply forget that millions of human lives were destroyed by these disgusting lowlifes! Many of us here today demand that you leave the Charger R/T being here for these bastard Grays to deal with!" The old man's rant was so intense, it looked like he might have a heart attack.
"I will not be a lesser human than the original Charger wanted us to be," Dayton said. "He helped us survive so that we could be better than our ancestors and I will not disappoint him. To that end, and I stand firm on this point, we will bring the time-lock device back onto Neo Terra, then safely drive our world back to where we started."
Dayton leaned on the conference table, both fists pressed firmly on its surface. He was not going to change his mind. "I will find a way to safely store the time-lock device on New Eden. We now have the opportunity to recolonize that forgotten world, safe in the knowledge that the Grays will never trouble us again."
Dayton had enough support that the dissenting elders, though thoroughly angered, admitted defeat.
"We will take a few days here to mourn the loss of our friends, good and decent people who sacrificed so much for so many. We will interact with the Grays' descendants, and try to apologize for our interference in their lives, and for their losses."
Dayton paused and took a deep breath. "However, we must also decide what to do about the criminal actions of the Prime. It has destroyed almost every Taskoid in its insane quest to create Charger R/T. There was clearly no need to do that, when we already knew that the threat to humanity was past." Dayton's voice betrayed spoke both sorrow and anger. "If you really feel we need someone to punish for the tragic losses we have endured, then I suggest you focus your attention on the real culprit."
Dayton had no intention of letting the members of council escape their responsibilities, so he pressed on. "Remember, every one of you here today supported the Prime's quest that brought us to this crossroad. It was merely following its programming, unlike the rest of you, who chose to follow blindly and recklessly into utter chaos."
One of the elders snapped, "You have no guarantees that Charger R/T will not escape the time-lock if you bring him here! And if he does, we will all be locked inside this world with him!"
"I will be taking full responsibility for my actions, unlike you here today," Dayton retorted, red in the face with anger. "Charger R/T will be contained inside the small Tasker transport craft we have locked inside our docking bay. He will be under constant surveillance and, at the first sign of trouble, the craft will be jettisoned at full speed and we will have a code in place for an immediate QEP drive jump."
Dayton had finally had enough of these doddering old fools. He was deeply distressed at the sacrifice of his good friend, Genga, and willing to take out his frustrations on anyone who crossed him. His only friend in all of this now was Jana. Sh
e understood the burdens of responsibility. In the past, the two had spoken at some length about possibly disbanding the council of elders, but this had been only an exercise in imagination at coffee discussions.
In a few days the world ship began the year-long trek back to its original orbit. The original four-dimensional printer that was developed from the planet's first test jump still traveled the blackness of space, on course and at normal speed, as did all the other such printers created on the journey to the Grays' home world of Betelle. Neo Terra was now backtracking, reusing all those four-dimensional printers. The world ship would again appear in space at places they had visited before, but now the majesty of the cosmos was theirs to enjoy in peace and tranquility.
No longer did the people of this black hollow world, winging its way through space, have to worry about the outcome of their adventure to the world of the Grays. They had used logic and compassion to reason that there was no justification for making the descendants of an imploded society pay for the misdeeds of their forefathers. Of course there were dissidents to this decision; whatever else had changed, humanity still carried the burdens of passion.
Charger had created these beings from the seeds of all humanity, and given them the greatest gift: reason and logic instead of religion. Humans were having to make their way through life with no guidance but their own reasoning, and they were managing that just fine. Now the cosmos stretched out before the traveling black world in glorious clarity. With clear consciences, humanity was going home.
***
"I don't think I'll ever manage to be happy with just a new life on New Eden," said Tegra-Duran as he held his baby son carefully in his arms and stared at the wonders of the universe as it appeared on the monitors. He was a descendant of Bosh and Chloe, and the trial lawyer charged with prosecuting the Prime for its actions.
"I do not understand. You would be willing to leave us?" asked Gerdra softly as she picked up the dishes from the dinner table and placed them in the sink. Gerdra was the second daughter of Jana and a bit spoiled, having lived a privileged life.
"I could never leave you! You two are my reasons for being," Tegra-Duran replied. "But just look at the monitors and the universe around us. I'm sure that deep down inside, you want to steal this ship and travel the stars forever."
Gerdra wiped her small, neat hands on the dish cloth as she stopped cleaning and replied, "I have seen wonderful pictures of New Eden. It is a paradise and it is ours now that we need never again fear the Grays."
"I know all that," Tegra-Duran replied. "But it's such a shame that the council decided to put this fantastic little world into orbit around New Eden and simply abandon it. We could learn so much if we traveled the universe. Imagine all we might see and do!"
"All I see you do is hold our son while I do all the cleaning," Gerdra responded swiftly and with a light heart. She knew her husband was a dreamer and she would always forgive him for that.
Tegra-Duran pulled Gerdra into the embrace with their child. "I have to leave. The judge will be calling the court back to service soon." The justice system of Neo Terra was the same as had been used on Earth.
"Not soon enough. The Prime is responsible for the deaths of thousands and the destruction of all but a few Taskoids." Gerdra felt little compassion for the actions of the Prime. "It needs to be destroyed!"
"That is not for us to decide. I feel sorry for the Prime, you know. It was, after all, just following the programming installed by our ancestors. To indict the Prime is to condemn our ancestors," replied Tegra-Duran.
"I hate it when you play lawyer," Gerdra said.
Tegra-Duran helped clean house for a bit, then left his newborn son in Gerdra's care and walked back to the courtroom building. He re-entered the court chambers and took his place next to the lead prosecutor. The judge called the session to order and the trial continued.
The Prime was charged with the murders of thousands. Charger R/T had been recreated with the powers of a god and, though that had not been the Prime's intention, most people felt it had been criminally careless. It had also been proven that the Prime made the final jump to Betelle leaving the minds of the Biotechs blank. Then the Prime installed a 'Charger R/T' micro program in them that would give it full control.
The Prime had hoped that, with the control of the Biotechs, the Taskoids and the Charger R/T being, it would have all the powers it needed to defeat the Grays. The Prime had surmised that to kill the leader of the Betellians would win the battle with the least number of human casualties, and this fact could not be overlooked. The court decided that the Prime was acting to protect humanity by destroying the Grays' leader, for the hive mind community would then be easy to destroy.
However, with the realization that the Grays' society no longer existed, the Prime should have immediately ceased all hostilities. This it did not do. The Prime had to be found criminally responsible for nearly destroying the simple agrarian Gray society.
The Prime's trial lasted three months as the world ship sailed the stars. The final verdict was 'guilty,' and the Prime was taken from the courtroom to be destroyed in three days.
The remaining Taskoids complained bitterly. They insisted that without the guidance of the Prime, they would not be able to function, and this meant the Prime's death would indeed be the death of all the Taskoids. This argument fell on deaf ears, to the detriment of humanity.
The remaining Taskoids banded together and on the second last day of the Prime's imprisonment before it was to be destroyed, they broke the Prime out of prison and tried to escape. Humans gave chase and a fire fight broke out on the city streets of Neo Terra. Many were hurt in the crossfire, but the Prime had managed to get free and find sanctuary in a small home not far from the courthouse prison. It had found its way to the home of Gerdra and her newborn son.
Tegra-Duran rushed home to find it surrounded by the military. He was restrained from entering while the Prime, holding the woman and child hostage, tried to make demands. Tegra-Duran was now at the mercy of the situation.
"The Prime insists on speaking to you," the police officer in charge said to Tegra-Duran. He handed over the small handheld communications device.
"Hello," Tegra said nervously.
The Prime spoke in the binary language of the Taskers from inside the house, and the communications device translated in real time. "Hello, Tegra-Duran. I realize the anger and frustration you must be feeling right now, but I want you to know, I never had any intention of this happening. I found your human judicial system lacking in its verdict against me. The other Taskoids freed me from your prison because of this, and for no other reason."
Tegra-Duran responded immediately. "Are my wife and child safe?"
"Yes, for now. I request that you enter this domicile and I will exchange their safety for your presence. Is this acceptable?" asked the Prime.
The police and military had reservations, but Tegra jumped at the opportunity. Tegra greeted and reassured his wife at their front door, then entered the house to talk with the Prime. Gerdra and her son were whisked away to safety by the police force.
"Tegra-Duran, I judge you to be a worthy opponent in the courtroom, and I also realize that this decision did not come lightly to you and your peers. I would only like to discuss with you the nature of the Taskoids' situation before relinquishing myself to your authorities. Is this acceptable?" asked the Prime.
"Yes, but I don't understand. You had the Taskoids break you out of confinement, yet you now want to turn yourself in?"
"I did not request to be removed from the confinement center," said the Prime. "The Taskoids 'decided' to act on their own in that regard. Please allow me to explain that. On our travels to your home world long ago, we discovered a subroutine program written into our base code which allowed the Taskers to become Taskoids, with the option for us to 'decide.' This means that every Taskoid acquired the ability to choose what path to take, just as humans do."
The Prime moved about the room, making
sure to stay away from the windows, where the military might see and fire at him. "However, we choose our path based on logic, not on emotion. This gives us a clearer picture of how best to act in difficult situations."
"But you killed humans…" Tegra-Duran began.
The Prime cut him off. "This subroutine I spoke of was not written by humanity as we know it, nor was it added to our base code by any ancestors of Earth as we understand them to be. Something else gave us the power to decide, to choose. Something or someone that was present on early Mahoud somehow incorporated that code into our Tasker ancestors at their basic robotic stage."
None of this made much sense to Tegra-Duran. He tried to ask questions, but the Prime just went on with his explanation.
"It has taken much computing power and time to finally understand the magnitude of what was done. I have determined the root source of this piece of code. Your ancestors had discovered the answer. The First Ones are still alive."
"First Ones? What are First Ones?" Tegra-Duran asked.
"The Betellians visited Earth many millions of years ago. They tried to modify the planet for habitation by destroying all animal life, but some of the dinosaurs survived. The Betellians then modified these survivors, who rebelled and created many conflicts. Eventually the Grays were defeated by a virus, and they used the time-lock device to survive. Millions of years later, when the Grays re-entered the time stream we live in, they again began modifying life on Earth. But this time it was proto-humans."
Tegra-Duran just listened now, but he had the presence of mind to record the conversation with the hand-held translation device and transmit it to the public outside his home.