All The Frail Futures: A Science Fiction Box Set

by J Battle

  ‘Yes, Sir. Commands given as instructed. Death will become them, as victory becomes the Hru-argh.’

  ‘Indeed,’ grunted Hy-Dehone, feeling a sudden need for the services of all of his sub-dubs.

  Chapter 51

  Dan watched as the strange grey eggs were carried from the derelict building to the Hru-argh craft.

  The ship was egg-shaped itself, with lots of oval extrusions dotted apparently at random across its surface. It wouldn't have been an unattractive craft if it hadn't been painted in such ugly colors.

  When the ship had departed, he noticed a single Hru-argh leave the building carrying a third egg.

  These eggs were something of a puzzle to him. He was sure that they hadn't been there before, and they didn't look like anything the settlers would have used.

  Did the Sherdling leave them behind? Or was it Stave? If it was Stave, then there was certain to be a good reason for them. But what were they?

  An idea was snagged at the back of his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp it. It was Stave; he was certain of that, but what purpose would they serve?

  It came to him as a fully formed thought. Stave, the plane, the eggs; it was obvious what was about to happen.

  With a muffled exclamation his rose to his feet and raced up the hill, hardly caring that he might be spotted by a Hru-argh guard.

  If he was correct, then he had to get to the Evinesse as soon as he possibly could. Get to them and somehow explain to them what was about to happen, before events removed the need for such an explanation.

  **********

  ‘Sir! Report, Sir. If acceptable, Sir.’

  Hy-Dehone closed his eyes for a second; this wasn’t going to be good.

  ‘We will receive the report, officer.’

  ‘Yes, Sir. A ship is moving towards the fleet, Sir.’

  ‘A ship?’

  ‘Yes, Sir. One ship, Sir.’

  ‘Moving towards us? Is it approaching or attacking?’

  ‘It is accelerating towards us, Sir.’

  ‘So, that’s an attack, then, officer.’

  ‘It’s difficult to say, Sir. When we say it is accelerating, we mean that its speed is increasing from very slow to… not quite so slow, Sir.’

  ‘And you are sure that it is alone? That it is not the first of a very large force?’

  ‘Yes, Sir. We are… absolutely…, well, we can’t see them, Sir.’

  ‘We couldn’t see the force that destroyed a number of our ships the last time we were attacked.’

  ‘No, Sir.’

  ‘So, what are you telling me, officer?’

  ‘That there is a ship on an intercept course with us that may be the beginning of a substantial and sustained attack.’

  ‘In that case, we must work on the assumption that you are correct, officer. What do you say to that, officer?’

  His second in command lifted his head and dropped a load on the deck. His sub-dub rushed to clean up.

  ‘Sir, that is my considered opinion and I will take full responsibility for any harm that might result from any failure of judgment on my part.’

  ‘Very well, officer. Options?’

  ‘We could fire on the ship?’

  ‘But…?’

  ‘But…that is what they will be expecting us to do, Sir. We should be wary of falling into their trap, if there is one, Sir.’

  ‘So…?’

  ‘So…we should absolutely not fire on this ship, Sir. But that is merely my own lowly opinion, Sir. I would bow to the Commodore’s greater insight.’

  ‘You have already given you opinion, Officer. Backtracking will avail you not. Stand by your own judgment; if you do not, who will?’

  ‘Sir, if we are not going to destroy this ship, what are we going to do?’

  ‘Basing my decision on the guidance of my advisors, there is only one course of action open to us. We will withdraw to a holding position outside the orbit of the seventh planet of this system and wait for them to reveal themselves to us. When we are able to fully assess the capabilities of our enemy, we will strike with full and devastating force.

  ‘With their navy defeated, subduing their home planet and the rest of this system will be an easy matter.’

  He looked at the screen now displaying the little ship in all of its apparent lonely defenselessness. It was clearly a trap, and he wasn’t going to fall for it.

  ‘Considerations, Officer?’

  ‘A master plan, Sir. If I may say so.’

  ‘Then call out the instructions to the fleet.’

  **********

  ‘I have a plan.’

  Andreas looked up at the speaker; it was just a circular disc close to the ceiling of the control deck, but where else would he focus his attention?

  ‘Go on, then.’

  ‘We have Stave’s fabricator machines still producing shift engines on Mars, already set to produce shift engines with the correct setting preloaded.’

  ‘But we don’t have enough ships to make any sort of an impact on a force of that size. We’ve only got twenty ships nearby with the old disabled shift engines. Have we got time to gather together the rest of the ships scattered across the system?’

  ‘I have an idea for those engines with the self-destructive setting.’

  ‘But we can’t use them; we can’t waste that many ships.’

  ‘I did not mention the ships, Andreas. They do not have to be attached to ships to be an effective weapon. All they need is a power source and mass.’

  ‘Mass?’

  ‘Well, it’s not that far to the Asteroid belt, is it, Andreas?’

  ‘The Asteroid belt? Ah, I see what you mean. But, do we have time for all of this?’

  ‘We may have more time than you think, Andreas. The fleet seems to be pulling back.’

  ‘They’re leaving?’

  ‘That is one possibility, Andreas, but it may be a little optimistic.’

  ‘Why else would they be pulling back? Perhaps they’ve realized that Earth is dead and not worth attacking? Maybe that’s the explanation.’

  ‘That has reasonable levels of possibility, but low levels of probability.’

  ‘So, you don’t think…’

  ‘Excuse me, Andreas, for interrupting your speech, but I have received a message from a certain ex-commodore Evans.’

  ‘What does he say?’

  ‘The veracity of the communication is still to be verified.’

  ‘Play it please. I’ve heard his voice; I’m sure I’ll be able to recognize it.’

  ‘If you say so, Andreas, but I should just mention how easy it is to deceive the human ear.’

  ‘Play it anyway.’

  ‘This is Commodore Hestor Evans, retired I should say, I suppose. I’m currently mid-way between the Earth and the Moon, in my old ship Sun Tzu and we are armed and dangerous. We’re not going to sit back and roll over like a soppy dog and let them walk all over us. We’re going to stand up to them and show them what they’re up against. We might only be able to give them a bloody nose, but we’ll take out some of them with us.’

  There was thirty seconds or so of silence, then. ‘Right, I’ve got it. I’ve identified what must be the command ship. All of the radio traffic is from this ship, or back to it. There is little or no communication between the other ships. It’s the large, oval shaped one; well, they’re all oval shaped, but it’s the one at the very apex of the arch as seen from Earth.

  ‘I’ve fixed on it now, and I am going to full acceleration. If I only take out one ship, it might just as well be this one.’

  His voice became strained and slower as he fought against the force of the acceleration.

  ‘Right that’s it; I’ve used all of my fuel. There’ll be no way back for us now, but I don’t care a damn. This is what this ship was built for, and I don’t mind saying now, it’s what I was born for. It may not make a damned bit of difference, but I don’t care; really, I don’t care. Mary, if you’re listening, well, don’t worry, girl. I
’m not going to get all mushy and tell you that…well. You know all that already. Just…take care, girl, and don’t be too angry with me.’

  There was more silence following an indecipherable choking sound.

  ‘What the f…’

  Tapping of the computer keys was clearly audible for a further fifteen seconds.

  ‘That can’t be right. No wait…’

  Andreas stared up at the speaker, one hand covering his mouth.

  ‘The cowards! They’re retreating! They’ve turned tail and they’re heading for the hills!’

  There was some undignified whooping, then a period of silence.

  ‘Excuse me, if anyone out there is listening to me, I’ll never catch them now; they’re just too fast, so, if you can hear me, I’m in a ship without any fuel and I could really use some help right now. Can someone come and fetch me?’

  ‘Can you…’

  ‘I’ve already sent out a request to ships in the area, although it will be forty plus hours before they can reach and match speeds with him.’

  Andreas closed his eyes for a moment as if it might help him process the information more effectively.

  ‘So, what have we got? They’ve pulled back, maybe just in surprise at being attacked by a single ship. When they realize that it really is just one ship, and that it can’t even catch them, they’ll be back, won’t they?’

  ‘That is a reasonable assumption, Andreas.’

  ‘We’d better get to work then.’

  ‘Indeed, Andreas.’

  Chapter 52

  All-desy finally had a chance to get back to his quarters. It had been a busy day; but not what you'd normally expect when subduing a new planet. There was simply no resistance; and, apparently, no-one to provide that resistance. Just a few broken buildings here at the northern pole and some further development near the equator, where they came across the dead bodies of a small number of these strangely dangerous humans. Strange because they appeared physically frail and technologically backward; yet they had defeated the original force.

  For a few precious hours he could put his worries to one side and spend a little time with his new precious possession. He'd had it delivered to his personal quarters with strict instructions to keep the operation secret, or suffer the consequences of his displeasure; it was usually enough.

  Now, with his door locked behind him, he bent over the small grey egg. Carefully he studied its smooth matt surface, barely touching it with his broad clawed hands. There it was; a slight irregularity in its otherwise smooth shell. Then he found another; then another. Three slight depressions; not visible to the naked eye. The size and spacing was perfect for the three fingered Hru-argh hand.

  With a hiss of anticipation, he pressed his fingers into the declivities. There was a satisfying thrump as the shell split along its long circumference.

  In high orbit, with the bulk of the planet between them, the very same scene was being enacted on the last remaining ship.

  Captain Zse-Duln hadn't yet found the depressions, but he was surely only seconds from that discovery; then he too would be able to open the first of his eggs.

  He would, of course, not get a chance to open the second.

  **********

  He felt as though he’d been arguing for days; trying to explain to his two-time friend, Ardeenallwys, that they had to leave, and leave now. They didn’t have time to waste in argument; they had to trust him, they had to believe that this was something beyond their knowledge; beyond their ability to make an informed choice.

  ‘I am your two-time friend, Ardeenallwys. If you hear my words and accept my greater knowledge of this subject, then I will be honored to be your three-time friend.’

  ‘THREE-TIME FRIEND? AN HONOR INDEED FOR WE AND FOR YOU. WE JUDGE THE SINCERITY OF YOUR THOUGHTS DANROBINSON AND WE SEE THAT YOU ARE TRUE. BUT WE SUSPECT THE GREATER KNOWLEDGE YOU CLAIM IS HARDLY LESS LIMITED THAN OUR OWN. THEREFORE WE SEE YOUR EARNEST CLAIM, BUT WE HAVE OUR OWN RESPONSIBILTIES AND HONOR. WE CANNOT TURN OUR BACK AND ALLOW INVADERS FREE REIGN. THIS IS OUR HOME AND WILL REMAIN SO.’

  ‘Ardeenallwys, are my words somehow cloudy to you? Can you not see what I am trying to say? You will not be allowing them free reign; they will all be dead. You just have to leave these caverns and find a place of safety. A trap has been laid for them and when it is set off, they will all be blown to pieces. Stave has done this for you, but you must save yourselves, or it will all be for nothing.’

  He stared at Ardeenallwys, looking for some sign that his words were hitting home, but he’d never been able to read her face.

  ‘When we last met, friend of mine,’ he began, his face cupped in his hands as if he couldn’t bear to see her refusal any longer, ‘when we last met, you told me of an abomination you had dealt with. When you killed those humans.’

  ‘WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR DISTRESS AND THAT IS CAUSE FOR REGRET ON OUR PART. BUT THAT DOES NOT CHANGE WHAT HAPPENED, NOR WOULD IT SWAY US FROM DOING THE SAME AGAIN.’

  ‘That’s not what I’m talking about, Ardeenallwys! That abomination you talk about is anti-matter. We, well you might say we brought it to your world and, yes, you sensed how destructive it is. But you don’t know; not the way I do. And that abomination is about to explode just a few kilometers from here and, when that happens, the ground will be torn apart, the air will sucked from these tunnels and replaced with millions of tons of rubble and every living thing for many kilometers around will be killed.

  ‘No intelligence or strength of will can save you; no determination to save your world will act as a defense. You’ll all be dead, and there is absolutely no need for that to happen. So you have to leave, and it has to be now. Take this gift from Stave and save yourselves, because they will be back and then you will really have a fight on your hands; but not if you’re all dead.’

  He lifted his head and stared into her steady eyes. ’Hear me, please.’

  ‘ANTI-MATTER? WHY WOULD YOU BRING THIS THING TO OUR WORLD?’

  ‘That’s a discussion for another time, Ardeenallwys. For now, we have to go.’

  ‘YOUR WORDS ARE HEARTFELT DANROBINSON AND WE SEE THEIR WISDOM. SACRICE NOW WOULD GAIN NOTHING, AND MAY DENY SUCCESS AT A LATER TIME. WE WILL FOLLOW YOU DANROBINSON, OUR THREE-TIME FRIEND.’

  Dan was never one for bad language, but a couple of expletives sprang to his lips.

  Taking a deep breath, he restrained himself. ‘Time to go, then.’

  ‘AS YOU SAY DANROBINSON, TIME TO GO.’

  'Come on, then. Call everyone together.'

  'PLEASE ALLOW US A LITTLE TIME FIRST, IF YOU WILL. PREPERATIONS ARE REQUIRED.'

  'Just don't take too long. We may have days, but it could be only hours.'

  Ardeenallwys turned away from him and began to walk along the water course, her three feet scratching quietly against the hard stone floor.

  After a moment's hesitation, Dan began to follow her.

  As he turned the nearest bend he saw a great crowd of the creatures, all mingling together, silently touching each other.

  He felt a little guilty at witnessing this intimate moment, so he quietly made his way back to the exit, to wait as patiently as he could.

  Less than half an hour had passed but he was already striding back and forward; his patience long gone.

  'WE ARE READY, DANROBINSON. LEAD US WHERE YOU WILL, FOR WE PLACE OUR TRUST IN YOUR STRANGE HANDS.'

  Dan nodded at her and at the line of aliens behind her. 'Follow me,' was all he needed to say.

  He spun around and started up the slope towards the wall of heat waiting for them outside.

  When he emerged into the open, under a late evening sun, his implant chimed to show he'd received a message. He accepted it without breaking his stride and smiled almost immediately.

  At least now he had a destination.

  He glanced over his shoulder to pass the information on to Ardeenallwys, but stopped suddenly.

  'What...!' he snapped, looking back the way he'd come. 'Where's everyon
e else?'

  There were barely thirty of the creatures between him and the entrance to underground tunnels; and no sign of anymore coming through.

  'WE FOLLOW YOU DANROBINSON, BECAUSE WE TRUST IN YOU. IF YOU ARE CORRECT, WE FLEE AND FIGHT WHEN THAT BECOMES NECESSARY. IF YOU ARE WRONG, WE STAY AND FIGHT. THE SOLUTION APPEARS APPOSITE TO OUR MINDS. DO YOU NOT AGREE?'

  'But they'll all die! Do I have to keep repeating myself?'

  'NO FURTHER REPETITION IS REQUIRED, DANROBINSON, UNLESS YOU RECEIVE SOME BENIFIT FROM REPEATING YOUR CONCERNED ADMONITIONS. THEY WILL NOT DIE; WE WILL NOT DIE. WE HAVE EXCHANGED STRANDS. WE CARRY THEM WITH US, AND THEY US WITH THEM.'

  'But that just doesn't...'

  'ACCEPT OUR SOLUTION, DANROBINSON AND KNOW THAT WE ARE ALSO HERE ON YOUR BEHALF.'

  'On my behalf? What d'you mean by that?'

  'TO PROTECT OUR THREE-TIME FRIEND, OF COURSE.'

  Dan glared at her for a moment then stepped to one side, as if to pass her. The rest of the aliens appeared to form a solid barrier between him and the caverns. He knew that he could have brushed them to one side, but how could he hurt them? At least, in their attempt to save him, they'd end up saving themselves.

  'Come on, then.' He turned and began to run; his long strides devouring the distance between him and his destination.

  They followed him easily, almost silently matching their pace to his as night began to fall.

  Chapter 53

  'So, tell me again how you got to be the captain.'

  'It's just the natural order of things mate; don't fight it.' Jimmy turned to Nigel and gave him a little smile.

  Nigel was sitting to one side of the flight-deck, at his firing station; little more than a small screen, a child-sized joystick and a red fire button.