Carinae Sector: 02 - Admiral's Fury - Part 2 - Hidden Menace

by David Buck

  ‘The human struggle for survival against the Jerecab is not as futile as it might seem. Many years ago probe three assisted me in hacking into the human’s primitive telecommunications systems. For many years my sisters and I have maintained a series of online identities, and we seek to covertly aid the humans in this manner.’

  Altarebe could already see the benefits of this information and he struggled to remain still as he spoke.

  ‘The humans are badly outnumbered and our reports tell us that the vassals will not interdict with enough force in time. The Sspol colony and your covert interface are the two factors the Jerecab cannot know about. I should think that human technology would have received hidden assistance by this method.’

  The Maveen probe regarded Altarebe with approval as he spoke again, for the ancient male had truly made his further duties much easier.

  ‘Hopefully the humans can keep the Jerecab under control long enough for the vassals to interdict at the former Dradfer worlds. Now if the Jerecab arrive here then the humans are not necessarily lost. Note that even if Seliandre, Helisphan and Isphara went into space with me I could not guarantee that we would win. Also the Vorinne would not waste anytime invading this system as a result, dooming Queen Angwene and the other daughters.’

  Queen Angwene felt exasperated with the Maveen probe’s comment, as her two youngest daughters now crowded alongside her massive flanks for reassurance. She softly warbled a subsonic call to reassure them both, as Altarebe spoke again.

  ‘Well underestimating the humans can be real problem, and I hope the Jerecab are having a heavy toll taken from them. Please continue working probe three, as I now report about the colonists that went through to Barede before the Trader ship left this world…’

  Seliandre had been reviewing data from their wire tap into the human internet system to try and find out what the humans actually knew about Altarebe’s landing. She felt a cold knot of fear pass through her large body as she took in the latest human media reports and wasted no time reporting to her mother.

  ‘A small human fleet is now searching the northern Indian Ocean for wreckage and has uncovered two large pieces and several smaller pieces. The search will last for another two or three days and involves shielded ships searching the seafloor.’

  Angwene felt great anxiety as she activated a series of small long range scanners in the middle of the Indian Ocean. For long minutes she noted that the human activity appeared to be focused up near the equator, well away from the scanners and thousands of miles from their own location. Now relieved, she brought the gathering back to her other concerns by first reassuring them all.

  ‘We have not mined the search area for thousands of years, so the sediment cover should mask our traces very well. Now I understand that apart from the human destroyers only a handful of Barus and Sspol cruisers stand between humans and extinction?’

  Probe three was running a simulation in the background as he continued to scan through the damaged sled. He then sent his report to Seliandre, Altarebe and Queen Angwene, who all remained silent as they processed the information. After several minutes Altarebe was the first to speak and he did not hide his dejection.

  ‘Even allowing for the most unlikely attrition rates the humans and their allies are still handily beaten by the Jerecab armada. The Barus lose three quarters of their squadrons and the Sspol lose over half their numbers if they become involved. The Cephrit and Deltas Vass are unlikely to arrive in time if at all.’

  Seliandre wanted to remain silent as she went through the background equations of the simulation, for she felt that an omission had been made, but her mother gave a terse but confident opinion of her own.

  ‘Well the probe has been very conservative in his estimates of the strengths of the human destroyers, admittedly as it deviates from standard combat models, though I think that this will not greatly change the result. Probe three; we will add in the heavy weapon for the destroyers, also we should only specify forty destroyers as I expect the humans will have losses at the colonies.’

  Seliandre noted bleakly that the fewer destroyers plus the allocation for the spinal mount weapon did not alter the simulation much in the human’s favor. She began keying in the details of the solar system, when a key set of facts got her attention and she passed on the information to the probe.

  ‘Your standard model has other omissions and we should calculate out a varied simulation based on allowing for these factors. I know that the possibilities of control errors will increase both that would hold true for the Jerecab let alone the humans. The additional parameters are as follows….’

  The Maveen probe remained silent as it processed the added instructions, before relaying the new results out to the patient ancients. Angwene took in the revisions and now felt a small glimmer of hope as she considered the altered simulation’s results. Seliandre spoke softly to Altarebe, and she highlighting key parameters that he then appreciated in silence.

  Angwene noted the increase in concern from her younger daughters listening silently nearby, and she sought to reassure them.

  ‘The probe has provided an interesting combat simulation that offers some hope. We will continue to analyze the results and decide on how we can further covertly aid the humans.’

  Altarebe followed Seliandre to one side and began to question her as he noted that the queen and the Maveen probe had begun their own private conversation.

  ‘Seliandre, do you have any up to date information on what the humans have constructed in space or on the moon, apart from the newer destroyers?’

  Altarebe looked through the listings he was then given and he felt both surprise and hope. He recognized that the humans needed more time and then they possibly would survive, as the Earth-moon system had been heavily fortified. A series of new structures on the moon grabbed his attention, and he listed through the inventory quickly.

  ‘Eight structures of each roughly fifty thousand tons, the guns and shields are cruiser class, and they also have engines fitted, powerful engines even for cruisers. The galactic races will be concerned about the existence of these structures, even if the humans seek to protect themselves. The Maveen probe has to see this information as the humans could be making a large mistake by launching these ships.’

  Altarebe began to speak again with probe three and Queen Angwene. The Maveen probe had no trouble following Altarebe’s concerns as it continued to repair the Maveen sled. Altarebe noted the patient and quiet regard of Angwene towards him as he answered a series of questions from the probe.

  ***

  Deshinal followed her mother Apinal into the Deltas Vass clearing and took in the impressive form of the matriarch fixed in the ground before her. A legion of male Deltas Vass drones encircled her and glared protectively at the two Quixxe females. Deshinal put aside any fears for her siblings held nearby, as she instinctively attempted to hide her height and heavier frame. The Deltas Vass destroyer commander trailed behind both of them, before he stepped out from one side and gave his matriarch a full formal bow in silence.

  Quickly the two Quixxe repeated the gesture before falling to their knees in supplication. The matriarch considered the two Quixxe in front of her for long moments, and gave a terse instruction tinged with musical chimes of humor, before asking her first questions in standard Vorinne language with a lilting accent.

  ‘Off your knees the both of you and none of your species pathetic wailing or squawking. I do not recognize the authority of either the Vorinne or the Zronte to take slaves and I never will. I also care little for the implied threat of the edicts upon the younger female Quixxe in front of me. So now that I have told you too much about me and I know now you had a good reason to flee, who are you? And why have you chosen to visit me directly?’

  Apinal allowed herself a brief sense of relief as she parsed through the matriarch’s first comment, for she was sure she was in the presence of the life chapter matriarch. The traditionally hidden in plain sight matriarch was the one that t
he Zronte and sometimes the Vorinne sought to kill as a matter of course. Apinal knew she could offer no diversion as she respectfully gave her answers.

  ‘Your Eminence, we thank you for your sanctuary. I am Apinal of the Vorinne colony of Vituma IV, with my offspring and a stolen Vorinne scout ship. The colony is administered by Lord of Systems Malang’troh, liege lord of the Vorinne second envoy. My daughter Deshinal is a variform of our race, and we fled to your world so we can live far from the attentions of Zronte especially. Deshinal is fertile and capable of breeding and we seek your instructions and protection as a result.’

  The matriarch kept silent for many moments as she considered the information, before she spoke in the musical chimes of the Deltas Vass language to both the destroyer commander and a drone holding an advanced medical scanner. The drone came forward and patiently scanned a nervous Deshinal, as the matriarch and the commander continued their own conversation.

  The medical drone stepped back and kept silent for several minutes, before the matriarch was done with the commander’s lengthy report. The drone then made a shorter report to the matriarch that the massive female considered at further length. The commander and the drone then bowed again and stood to one side as the matriarch reverted to standard Vorinne language to speak at length with the two Quixxe females.

  ‘The medical drone verifies your claims Apinal, as Deshinal is capable of conceiving a range of Quixxe forms, however the methods that are later used to implement this possibility may not appeal to her. Deshinal, I only recommend that when the time comes to aid your race that you consider all options. Also you will remain in hiding as your existence is death to vassals that aid you in your flight. Now the commander states that the scout ship is an experimental design and is of high value to our cause. You will remain well hidden with your family and will all be taken elsewhere in the galaxy where a home will be provided for you. I have contacts who will wish to see information on the ship you stole, and you and your family will be part of the trade.’

  Apinal felt great relief as she gave a series of bows in response but had the common sense to remain silent. She was conscious of Deshinal mirroring her actions before both the Quixxe females were escorted from the holy clearing by the destroyer commander and several drones. Apinal was eagerly looked forward to updating her other children with the welcome news, and she pondered fleetingly what the matriarch meant by her cryptic comments on Deshinal.

  The life chapter matriarch watched the Quixxe leave with satisfaction, for centuries of patient waiting had finally borne fruit. The younger female was not only a fertile variform, she was also markedly different in genetics from the variform Quixxe that the matriarch had established in a remote colony many centuries earlier. Also the scout ship finding its way into her possession was an un-expected bonus, she just had to reverse engineer the ship and then discretely get rid of it later. The male drones detected the matriarch’s happiness on the winds and began to play a series of chimes as they sang for her enjoyment.

  ***

  Maveen probe three again reviewed the damage to the sled that Altarebe had used to get to Earth. The lower rear section of the sled was a buckled ruin and he knew that only the power conduit fail safes had prevented the miniature anti matter reactor from exploding with extreme force. Probe three isolated the power conduit problems and performed another diagnostic on the remaining sections of the sled. At least the rest of the sled, the reactor itself, and the shields and weapons remained intact.

  Seliandre had moved away from her mother and Altarebe as the queen had pointedly requested a private audience. She knew that her prospective mate’s future was being discussed and she felt no unease, as her mother had often commented in the past on the dire situation of their once glorious race.

  Seliandre now remembered another earlier time when Gementer was still active and very much her older sister, and the memory came back to her as she then turned to study the industrious Maveen probe nearby.

  ‘Now listen carefully my daughters, traditionally you all have first mates and by mutual agreement they came become your life mates. However you must have two additional mates at a later stage before you select your life mate. This is to both preserve genetic diversity and to ensure your own survival, as our bodies are designed for more than one mate to breed correctly. Fortunately I was able to mate with three different partners before my exile on this world otherwise I would already be long dead.’

  Seliandre and Gementer had felt scandalized by learning this information, and they were both thankful that their younger sisters had been sent elsewhere earlier by their mother. Gementer had laughed at Seliandre’s more obvious discomfort as she had moved closer to her mother by instinct. Angwene had issued an unusually stern rebuke to Gementer, usually Seliandre’s confidante and her mother’s faithful lieutenant.

  ‘Gementer, do not put down your sister in such a manner, for you are not a child of a lesser race to use such cruelty. Please apologize and make amends in acceptable manner!’

  Seliandre remembered that her older sister had borne the rebuke with no ill ease as her gracious reply had indicated.

  ‘Sorry mother and dear sister, I meant no ill will at all in my humor. Mother, I understand you were younger than me when you took a series of mates. If it is any comfort to Seliandre I offer to allow her first choice with a prospective mate after we leave this world. I just find the discussion of a mate to be so surreal with all the other potential issues facing us.’

  Angwene had fallen silent for many moments after Gementer’s apology before she spoke again.

  ‘Well you have made a gracious offer, and I only speak of this as there may not be much time when we eventually leave this world.’

  Seliandre then remembered that the conversation between the three of them had then shifted to advice on choosing a nursery world. She remembered with sadness that this was one of the last normal conversations that they had managed before the ancients had entered their last series of hibernations. Seliandre had later awoken from the last hibernation expecting to see Gementer patiently waiting for her. Instead she had been shocked to see her older sister lying still and crippled, possibly forever.

  Seliandre made a strong effort to return to the present, as she noted that the Maveen probe was no longer working on the damaged sled, but instead quietly regarding her as if it had something important to say. The probe moved closer and spoke urgently to her in a metallic voice.

  ‘Princess Seliandre you seemed lost for a moment and did not respond to my calls. I understand that you have a lot on your mind but I require your assistance please in repairing the sled.’

  Seliandre listened patiently as probe three made his request for assistance. To one side she could still see her mother talking to Altarebe.

  Altarebe was aware of the Maveen probe and the daughters at a discrete distance in the ocean depths. He ensured he listened attentively to Queen Angwene, who spoke quietly but in a voice full of regal authority.

  ‘Now Altarebe, attend and pay close heed, for I cannot let your role in this facility be misunderstood. You have offered the pledge of allegiance and this is the start of your new life. Now we are effectively trapped here for another one hundred and fifty years or so. The two younger daughters especially need the time, and my oldest daughter Gementer should stabilize but will be weak when we leave. Do you understand what has happened to Gementer? Also do you accept responsibility in protecting her life and the lives of all my other daughters?’

  Altarebe looked over at the dormant form of Gementer for several moments as he made a formal reply.

  ‘Yes your Majesty, I understand too well the responsibilities and the obligation that I am now under, for our race is now indeed very rare. I consider it an honor to serve you and your daughters with my life if necessary. We are possibly the only members of our race still alive in this sector apart from my father.’

  Queen Angwene then questioned Altarebe at length about what he knew of others of their race elsew
here in the galaxy. She was satisfied with his responses as she brought the conversation back to her daughters.

  ‘Altarebe, I have been very impressed with both your fortitude in reaching this world and your restraint in your manner. I am pleased to accept you as consort for both my oldest daughters only, as in the two oldest daughters only, at this stage. Note that Gementer is a special case and I will leave a message for her if I am asleep when she decides to awake again. Now you must mate with Gementer well before we leave this world or she will likely not survive.’

  Altarebe suppressed any initial embarrassment at the queen’s instructions, for he had been well versed by both his father and his education before he had found this world.

  He quickly offered his grateful reply and acknowledgement of the situation, for he could see Seliandre again regarding him as the smaller Maveen probe moved over to speak with her.

  ‘Yes your Majesty, I understand both the mission and sanction that I have been given explicitly. I will be mindful of your younger daughter’s development as I perform my duties and help you all to leave this world. I understand too well the problems Gementer faces and I will do everything I can to help her survive.’

  Angwene was well satisfied with Altarebe’s answer, and summoned Seliandre over to speak to join them after sending the four youngest daughters off on an errand. Seliandre was soon brought up to date with Altarebe’s new status, but she seemed rather subdued as she took in the news.

  ‘Mother, Altarebe, the news is both anticipated and welcome, but the issues Gementer faces clouds everything around us, even the still remote Jerecab threat to the humans.’

  Angwene was proud of her daughter, for all of them were deeply concerned about Gementer’s state. She knew that Altarebe would remain silent by convention unless she gave him leave to speak, so she first answered Seliandre.