Zero Time

by M. P. Swinnerton

  This pleasant state of affairs was to last for some time but not forever. As they both realized at the time, nothing is really forever, and they knew they must take advantage of such blissful happiness while they could.

  CHAPTER 29

  It was one of those rare beautiful nights when you could see the wonderful panoramic sky views that were seldom visible due to the polluted atmosphere. The pure clearness of the night sky allowed the stars and moon and other planets to be seen quite distinctly through the overhead transparent covering of the walkways as Zon and Stef walked home after an evening visiting Zon's sister, Zargaret.

  They took a ride on the chairlifts that carried them almost to the roof of the canopy bubble covering the whole of Santa Barbara, and thrilled at the gorgeous sight of the whole town twinkling below their feet. They also took a ride on the hover-rail, which traversed the whole of the town, marveling again at the fantastic views. They laughed at the citrus fruit plantations, shining with lemons and oranges, passing below them, and Zon asked Stef if he should stop their chair-car and pick some fruit for ‘afters’, but she teasingly replied that the only ‘afters’ she wanted were not in the form of that kind of fruit!

  When they had finished their overhead tour of the town, Zon asked Stef if she would like to come with him to the Planetarium so that they could have a good look at the universe surrounding Planet Zero. It was such a rare occasion for the Zelites to enjoy perfect visibility that he knew he could not miss such an exceptional opportunity. The weather had been particularly difficult over the past week. They had endured strong hurricanes and massive thunderstorms, which had made extraterrestrial travel pretty hazardous, but the benefit had been that the winds had cleared away, albeit temporarily, the debris and pollution that normally prohibited any clear views of the rest of the universe.

  Stef asked Zon if he would excuse her from accompanying him to the Observatory, as she was feeling a little tired and she would prefer to return home and would wait for him there. Zon took Stef back to the apartment and, kissing her tenderly, told her he would not be gone long.

  The Great Leader was quite excited about having a chance to be able to observe the other planets so clearly and hurried towards the Planetarium Observatory. When he arrived, he was pleased to find that his friend Zenith and his brother Zerek were already there, excitedly gazing out into space through two of the high-powered Sight Enhancers that were available in the Dome for space observation purposes.

  “Quick, Zon, take a look at Planet Otto, there is something happening there that will mystify you,” Zerek exclaimed.

  Sitting at one of the Sight Enhancers and fixing the positioning lens to aim at Planet Otto, Zon soon saw what the other two men were getting so gee'd up about. Around the planet they were observing, thousands of flashing lights and moving, flying objects could be seen. Apart from the regular Gamma Ray bursts, much more insidious movements and flashes were visible.

  “For pity's sake, what on earth do you think is going on out there, Zon?” Zenith enquired.

  “I really don't know, but I think we had better find out, and fast,” replied the Planet Leader. “It looks rather ominous. Perhaps they are being invaded by one of the criminal planet inhabitants, or perhaps, more likely, they are preparing to invade someone else themselves; we must investigate immediately.”

  Zon put out calls on the IDEFM (internal direct emergency frequency machine) to his top space scientists and ordered them to meet him at the Space Observatory as soon as they could get there. The men, Zelites, GMs and robotic scientists, all arrived pretty promptly and one by one they scrutinized Planet Otto to try and fathom out what was the cause of the vast movements taking place there.

  The unanimous decision by all was that the Ottos were obviously planning some sort of attack. Zon ordered contingency plans to be put into operation as per instructions already laid out in case of such an emergency. Neighboring friendly planets were advised of the situation and put on alert as to the dangerous situation on Planet Otto and all defense strategies were put into action.

  Zon was particularly concerned about his children and friends living on Planet Uno. Although Zon was quite aware that as Planet Otto was at the other side of the asteroid belt situated between Planet Uno and Planet Duo this would possibly deter an attack from Otto directly on Uno, but still he was pretty uncomfortable with the situation. He told Zerek and Zenith that he was going to fly to Uno to bring his children back to Planet Zero until the danger was over. Both the other two men protested strongly against this and pointed out that Zon's official place was here on Planet Zero, particularly when an emergency situation was taking place.

  It was no good the two men trying to argue with Zon. He had made up his mind and arrangements were quickly put in place for Zerek to become Acting Leader if anything should happen to Zon whilst he was visiting Planet Uno. Zenith was to accompany him and he asked the GM man to ensure their Space Machine was equipped fully to be able to escort the children back to Zero safely.

  As soon as all the necessary arrangements had been made to set up emergency protection schemes for Planet Zero in case of an attempted attack by the Ottos, Zon said goodbye to Stef and his brothers and sisters and set off with Zenith to Uno. Zenith had ensured that the Space Machine was accompanied by a dozen other Protection Machines to ward off any attacks that could be made on them. He had also made sure the interior cabins were fitted out comfortably to carry Zon's children. In the event, nothing unusual happened on their journey and strict security was given them at the Unos’ International Space Landing Station.

  Uvella was there herself to meet them and rushed them through the formalities at the Space Port. Zon was a little annoyed that Uvella had not brought the children to the Space Station and asked her where they were. He had advised her in advance what his plans were and that the safety of the children was of paramount importance under the circumstances.

  Uvella just smiled at him. She was not distressed in any way by this great man's rebukes. She had the ace cards up her sleeve and all his reprimands meant nothing to her. She had possession of the children and she wasn't going to relinquish them that easily, and after all, was not possession nine-tenths of the law?

  Uvella led them to the Greeting Chambers that the Unos reserved for dignitaries and high-ranking personnel from other planets, and Zon was annoyed to see the full complement of top brass sat at the discussion tables waiting for him. It soon dawned on him that he was going to have to go through the procedure of persuading these people that the children would be safer on Planet Zero rather than here on Planet Uno, which was geographically much closer to Otto than Planet Zero. He also knew that time was of an essence and he would have to do some quick talking to get his children away safely and speedily.

  After the initial pleasantries were over, Zon thumped his large hands on the table and asked the Unos why they were wasting time. Did they not realize how dangerous the situation was? Uvella quietly asked Zon to watch his temper. She pointed out that though he happened to be the Great Leader on Planet Zero, his position held no jurisdiction on Uno and if he wanted something from them, he was definitely going about it in the wrong manner. As the great man was just about to blow his top, his dear friend, Zenith, caught him by the arm and urged him to listen to the reasons why the Unos were reluctant to surrender the children to him.

  Zenith had already fathomed out what was on the minds of the Unos. They knew that once the children were taken out of their jurisdiction, the Unos would no longer be able to get them back unless Zon agreed. It would be prudent to try and persuade these people that safety was of paramount importance in the matter and not pride of ownership of the children. He whispered to Zon to allow him to do the negotiations with the Unos.

  He suggested that Zon went with Uvella to see the children whilst he himself engaged in the delicate dialogue. Zon very reluctantly agreed, finally suggesting this to Uvella, who readily acquiesced.

  The pair left the Chambers and walked towards t
he side of the same building until they arrived at a tiny door leading into a lovely nursery surrounded by pretty designs and soft music playing in the background. He stopped dead when he saw his eldest son, Zarn. The boy was now about three years old and was certainly a striking toddler. He was blonde-haired, but his skin was quite olive colored and his eyes were as black as the ace of spades. He had a huge attractive dimple in his chin, just like Zon's, and the boy was really spectacularly beautiful. There was no other way to describe him.

  Zon was so taken up by the beauty of this child that it was a minute or two before he glanced at the other babies, the triplets. They were now two years old and also toddlers. His heart turned over when the little girl ran over to him and held her arms out to him to be picked up: she was so trusting, so innocent. The two twin boys looked at him skeptically for a moment and then continued playing with their toys.

  Zon felt an immediately affinity with the baby girl; he cuddled and kissed her and felt blessed to have fathered such a pretty child. The little girl giggled and then squirmed to be put down and ran to Uvella to be embraced by her. Zon walked over to the twin boys and felt a pang; it was almost like looking at his darling Uvarna in miniature duplication. He felt once more a wave of sadness flowing over him as he remembered his great love. He rubbed the boys’ blonde heads, but they were worlds apart from him; they were engrossed in their own little games and it seemed almost as though he did not exist in their minds, they were so utterly absorbed in their game playing.

  Uvella put her arm through Zon's and gazed tenderly at the mighty man saying, “There is an easy solution to this problem, my dear, you know”.

  Zon turned his attention away from his children and looked down at the Uno female by his side. “Oh, please tell me if you can see an easy solution, I don't want to put pressure on Planet Uno by calling out our attacking units, but I will if I have to, you know that don't you Uvella?” The woman smiled at him, blushing slightly, saying, “Zon, I did explain to you that you can take me as your wife now that my sister has gone and I am still awaiting your official acceptance or refusal, but if you agree to take me as your legal partner, then there will be no further problems regarding the children as I will then become their legal mother as well as your wife.”

  A few tense moments passed before the shocked Zon could gather his thoughts and then it dawned on him that here indeed was a solution to the problem. “O.K. Uvella, you know I am attracted to you. Who wouldn't be? You are a fine woman in every way, and in principle I would agree to your proposal but naturally I must discuss this with my Adviser Zenith, first, although ultimately I will be the one to make the decision. If I agree to our Unification, would you agree to accompany me, together with the children, back to Planet Zero, at least until the danger of attack by the Ottos is over?”

  Uvella did not hesitate, but confirmed immediately that it would probably be safer for them all to return to Zon's land rather than remain here on Uno but she, too, would have to get the approval of the High Priests and Judges of her people.

  Zon reluctantly agreed to remain on Planet Uno for that night and carefully explained the situation to Zenith. The GM man was relieved to hear that a solution had been found, as he had not yet been able to persuade the Uno Leaders that it would be best for the children to be evacuated to Zero until the crisis was over. He knew that Zon was not in love with Uvella, but it had occurred to him that Unification between Zon and Uvella would also ensure that Stef, who was literally a thorn in his side, was pushed out of the way.

  Try as hard as he might, he could not put out of his mind the mounting jealousy he felt for that female; he knew that she had quite a hold over Zon and it really could be a blessing in disguise now if Uvella became Zon's legally unified female, as that situation could push Stef completely out of the picture.

  The following morning Zon searched out Uvella and agreed that the best solution to the whole problem would be for the pair of them to become unified legally, and asked her to notify her people, while he would do the same to his. Zon felt a bit guilty, as he really had no intention of going through with this farce, but was sure that once he got the children back to Planet Zero, there was nothing Uvella or the Unos could do about the situation.

  Uvella, however, was not stupid and was well aware in her heart that Zon was not intending unifying with her once they were safely on earth, but she was pretty sure that Planet Uno was about to be invaded by the Ottos and thought that the safety of the children, apart from her own safety, was far more pressing at the moment than her Unification with Zon. Uvella's father and brothers were not at all happy with the arrangements, but they too feared for the safety of Planet Uno and knew they would have a hard battle on their hands to try and defeat an invasion by the Ottos.

  Not a lot was known about the fierce Ottos except from the information coming from other planets, which indicated that they were people not to be messed with. Apparently they were giants of men and had possession of sophisticated and powerful attacking units. The gossip was that they were merciless people who had no compassion or love in their hearts or minds. They were said to hold no respect for females or children, and whenever they had the urge to maraud a planet, it was just in order to satisfy their killing instincts. From what was known of them, they would attack, kill all the males, rape the females and abduct the children. What happened to the children when they were abducted? No one seemed to know. It did not take long for the Unos to agree to the Unification. They escorted all the return party most of the way back to Planet Zero, only leaving them as soon as they were within the safety region of the Touch Down Area above Europe. Before Zon left the Unos, he assured them that he would give them all the assistance they required from Planet Zero to combat any invasion and promised that his Robot Flying Squad would be sent immediately to surround Planet Uno and ward off any attacks from the Ottos.

  As soon as the party set down in the Landing Park, Zon signaled for living space to be arranged to accommodate Uvella and the babies in Paris rather than in California.

  He was reluctant to allow Stef to come into contact with them yet. He needed to discuss the position with Stef first. He knew that he was going to have trouble from that fiery redhead unless he could get her to understand the reason for him promising to Unify with Uvella. He said farewell to Uvella and promised her that she would be well looked after by his staff in Paris and that she could have as many maids as she required looking after the children. Zon explained that he had some pressing tasks to attend to in Washington, but he would be in touch with her very soon to make arrangements for the Unification. He kissed her meaningfully and then, gently hugging his children, sent them on their way to his living quarters in Paris.

  Zon told Zenith that he had to go and visit Stef and explain the situation to her, and Zenith laughingly wished him ‘Good luck’, knowing full well that Stef would not accept this arrangement willingly. As soon as the Uno party had left, Zon headed for home and he steeled himself to face the verbal onslaught he guessed he would receive from Stef when he explained the position to his hot-tempered lady.

  CHAPTER 30

  The Unos prepared themselves as best as they could to protect their planet from the notorious marauding Ottos. They managed to secure support from all their nearest neighbors and sent most of their womenfolk and children away to various other friendly planets until the danger was over.

  Not much had been heard from or about the dangerous Planet Otto for some time, and everyone had rather hoped that they had either calmed down to live decent lives on their own planet, or else were busy attacking some poor unsuspecting planet beyond the universal boundaries. It had been a nasty shock to see that they were indeed planning an attack on the area beyond their own natural boundaries, which included the home planets of Uno, Duo and, of course, Zero.

  Messages were being received from worlds living close to Otto warning what was happening and advising of an impending attack being planned. The warnings indicated that the most likely planet t
o be attacked would be Uno. As most of the stars surrounding Otto were too small to be of any assistance to Uno, there was no offer of help forthcoming from them. Just sympathetic warnings!

  Twenty-four hours after Zon and his children arrived back on Zero, Zon received a panic communication from Planet Uno that a very vicious attack had been launched on their planet and, although they were bravely defending as fiercely as they possibly could, the Ottos had managed to break through their defense barriers with extremely sophisticated sound and light cannons that broke down every known form of radar and other alarm systems that had been navigating via satellites around Uno to give advance warning of invading projectiles, etc. It would appear that the Ottos had managed to land on Uno before any sightings of them had been reported in the sky. It was almost as though they had arrived from nowhere and had somehow become invisible to the Unos’ own complex warning systems.

  Zon ordered his crack Robotic Army to be on alert in case of any intention by the Ottos to invade Planet Zero, and instructed Zenith to scan Planet Uno to find out what was actually happening. The GM man reported back to Zon that horrific battles were taking place on Planet Uno and he screened back scenes to Zon's personal Contact Base Machine to allow Zon to see for himself what massively crucifying battles were going on.

  The Ottos were giants of men, all being extremely tall and immensely built. They had clothed their whole bodies with spiked combat gear, plus a type of repelling ray that emanated from each spike whenever a foreign body touched it. What happened was that when a spike was in contact with a foreign body, this spike then, in turn, reversed and became an attacking ray aiming instantly at the object that had attacked that particular spike. The giants looked like huge luminous hedgehogs, brandishing further lethal acid ray guns in their gloved hands.