Waazh lifts his head, and states with pride, “With a new fleet, my clan will able to return to space as proud warriors, and not as cargo.”
Barbara’s head is spinning with ideas. She adds her thoughts, “Imagine a large community hall, where everyone could mingle.”
Regent Voknor looks at Cindy as he comments, “We also need to build a new ship, to replace the one you lost.”
Cindy raises her eyebrows as she retorts, “The Terran is not lost. It’s in orbit.”
“Yes, but it would be more efficient to build a new craft, than to repair yours.” Regent Voknor replies pointedly.
George steps toward Regent Voknor and states, “We are a people who need a symbol of hope. Repairing the Terran could be just the symbol our people need.”
Jukalore sneers, “Wasteful.”
George turns to him and replies, “Necessary.”
“Inefficient.” Counters Jukalore.
“To hell with efficiency. It would send a message to the Atlan’s the next time they see our ship. They will know that not only do we survive, but that we will not go without a fight.” George replies with conviction.
Jukalore considers George’s comments for a moment, then he turns to Regent Voknor and says, “These humans have spirit.”
“Yes they do,” Voknor replies.
Hemlax chimes in, “An admirable trait.”
George lowers his head and replies, “You honor us.”
Barbara senses that the exchange is over, and redirects the conversation to Waazh when she asks, “Where do you want us to build your housing?”
Waazh tilts his head as he asks, “I saw mountains as we approached. Do they have caves?”
Barbara nods her head excitedly as she replies, “We have indeed found, and explored, many cave systems.”
Emma’s eyes lose their glazed effect as she asks curiously, “Caves? I never saw any.”
“They were discovered after you left. In fact, some of the cave systems are quite extensive. I think you would like them.” Barbara replies.
Waazh turns to the other Gamin and says, “My people will stay, and assist.”
“As will mine,” Hemlax states with conviction.
Jukalore stares at Waazh for a moment, gauging him, then strides purposefully toward George. Stopping an arm’s length away, he stares intently into George’s eyes, then unexpectedly says, “My clan will also remain. We will test this alliance idea of yours.”
The room goes quiet with Jukalore’s comments. No one had expected him to agree.
Regent Voknor proudly says, “The Atlans have no idea what they have done this day. When we are ready, we will see to their demise. My clan will also remain and assist.”
“No.” States Regent Hemlax bluntly.
Everyone turns to look at Hemlax, particularly Voknor.
“Regent Voknor, you should report to the central council, and request their support.”
Voknor is about to protest, and then realizes that he has an opportunity he never thought he would have had. With a wide grin, one that shows a lot of teeth, he replies, “I will demand a full council meeting.”
Jukalore lowers his gaze as he states, “Your clan is too small to justify a gathering of all council members.”
“Normally yes, but this meeting is to inform them, not only of this alliance, but of Waazh’s clans survival. And we have these humans to thank for that.”
Regent Voknor casts his gaze across his counterparts, and asks them one by one, “For the Alliance? For the Empire.”
Each of them quietly mumbles their replies, while the rest of those in the room quietly observe.
The four Gamin stare at each other for almost a whole minute, then as one, they lift their right hands into the air. They clench their fists and roar, “For the Empire!”
Barbara jumps at the unexpected noise, as do most of the others.
Golward dances excitedly on the table as he adds his comments, “Let us begin!”
From the Ashes
Joe wanders with George and Peter up and down the rows of shuttles resting on the ground near the Liberty. They examine the shuttles that escaped Earth and made it to the Gamin ships. Some of them have distinctive smudge marks on their hulls from having flown through the Atlan gas.
Joe frowns as he spots one that is quite different. He turns to George, and asks curiously, “Is that a gravity plate on the nose?”
George walks over to the craft, and carefully examines it before replying, “Sure is. But I have no idea what it’s for.”
They all turn as a loud rumbling approaches, and see Walker riding his motorbike. He parks it on the road nearby, then walks to the group. Grinning, he glances back at his bike and says, “A fine piece of machinery.”
“I am surprised it runs,” Joe comments.
Walker’s face turns serious as he changes the subject. “I have just come from a meeting with Barbara.” He sighs, then continues. “We had a break-in at the storehouse last night. The thieves took food, blankets, and medical supplies.”
Peter shakes his head in disappointment. He looks at Walker and says, “Well, your timing is perfect. I have spoken to officers from each of the Engineering Corps, and they have decided to accept you as their commanding officer. Congratulations, you’re now in charge of close to twenty-five hundred additional men and women. That should help with security.”
Walker stares at Peter for a moment as he digests the unexpected news. He frowns as he asks, “Aren’t they from different countries?”
“I don’t think that matters anymore,” Peter replies bluntly.
George points to the Liberty, and changes the subject when he states, “We had better get Emma to improve the hydroponics bays once more. We’re going to need a lot more food.”
“I will get her on it,” Peter states as he gazes at the discolored hull plates.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Walker continues. He narrows his eyes, and lowers his voice as he speaks, “We found an alien spacecraft while you were gone.”
Joe spins around in alarm and fearfully asks, “Atlans?”
Walker shakes his head and grins, “No I don’t think so. It’s something else, something ancient. We’re still deciphering the ship’s controls, but have translated some of the pilot’s logs.”
George ponders this new development for a moment. He feels a strange clarity as he suggests, “We need to focus on our needs for now. You say the ship is ancient, then it can wait for a while. We have a lot to do.”
Peter nods his head in agreement as he rattles off the growing list of things that require their attention. “We have to build housing for six thousand people. Even though the Gamin are planning on living in the caves, they will require considerable effort to make them habitable. The Gamin plan to set up a series of construction docks on the other side of the mountains. As for the Kord, they want to fast-track a new space station. All of this will take resources, tons of resources.”
George turns his attention upward, and says, “I will ask Patrick to work with Barbara once more. He did a great job of organizing the construction teams last time.”
Joe follows George’s gaze and asks, “Is he still on the Terran?”
“Yeah,” George sighs. “He will be joining us when he can.” George wishes that he could help Patrick, but he took a massive radiation dose, and is waiting for his suit to fully charge before he goes anywhere near the reactors.
As the group walks up the Liberty’s ramp, a vehicle approaches. Robert parks the jeep, allowing an overweight man to step out. The man adjusts his tie and suit jacket, then hurries to follow the group of men inside.
The well-dressed man shouts out authoritatively, “Wait! I will speak with you.”
George lifts an eyebrow at the man’s demanding tone, shakes his head, and then hollers back, “We will be in hydroponics.”
The group arrives, and stares at the tall plants that grow in the cut out hull sections. Joe glances around as he speaks, “I think we sti
ll have some soil on the Terran, thanks to Emma, which means we will be able to set up a lot more of these.
The heavyset man is puffing when he catches up. He adjusts his jacket as he states arrogantly, “Do you know who I am?”
George turns and looks at the man. He shrugs his shoulders as he replies, “An American.”
The man huffs indignantly, “I am the Secretary of Homeland Security.”
George smiles broadly, hands him a shovel, and says, “You’re a farmer now!”
The Great Exchange
The days pass quickly as the residents of Hawking get used to seeing Gamin and Kord walk the streets. Patrick’s work crews begin construction of a new housing area on the outskirts of Hawking. Between the canal on one side, and the meandering river on the other, the available space for the expanding city is filling up. Walker’s troops patrol the streets in an attempt to halt a crime wave of night time petty thefts.
Waazh’s clan establishes themselves in the cave system. With the aid given by the people of Hawking, the Kord, and the three Regents, the caves are quickly made not only habitable, but comfortable. Underground power lines run from Hawking’s grid, to the caves, supplying and abundance of energy to meet all of their needs.
Elsewhere on the planet, construction efforts are proceeding at an astonishing rate. The tunnel through the mountain allows work crews access to the plains beyond, where eight Gamin construction docks are in various stages of assembly. Each dock has a spacecraft resting on the ground next to it to provide power and easy access for work crews. The beginning of an extensive monorail system is already visible crisscrossing the major continents. Specialized hubs, with massive shuttles, transport converted ore from hundreds of mines that dot the landscape to the construction docks.
The Kord have yet to start building their new space station, and instead, are committing their efforts to the construction of key buildings. John is extremely pleased when he discovers that Gustav is alive and well. He immediately requests that Golward allow Gustav’s people to be involved with the space station’s construction, and then be a part of the administrative team once it is completed.
As for the Terran, Regent Voknor’s clan has taken over all repairs, and not even Patrick or George are allowed back on board. Both of their bodysuits have been decontaminated, allowing them to assist with various construction efforts.
John receives a message from Regent Voknor, reads it, then with mounting curiosity, makes his way to Hawking’s City Hall. He arrives in time to see a large Gamin shuttle landing.
Cindy walks toward the Town Hall, and seeing George out of his bodysuit, enquires, “You were told to go to the Hall as well?”
“Yes, and Regent Voknor wouldn’t tell me why. I wonder if it has anything to do with my family?”
Cindy feels sympathy for George as she shrugs her shoulders. George has been keeping himself busy while maintaining hope that no news from Sharz, is good news.
Both of them turn to see Radclyf, Peter, Hayato, and Walker, striding toward them. A jeep races up the street, passes them, and pulls up near John. Robert and Patrick step from the vehicle, then look at the others.
Cindy arrives, nods to the others and asks, “Do any of you know what’s going on?”
Robert gazes at the group as he replies, “I received a message telling me to board a shuttle that was being sent down. That’s it.”
The group turns at the sound of footfalls. Joe is sprinting up the street as fast as his feet can carry him. Arriving, he asks between breaths, “What’s happening?”
A Gamin interrupts them all when he steps from the shuttle, and says, “I was instructed to come and get you all, and take you to the Terran.”
Peter frowns as he looks around for Emma, he asks, “Just us?”
The Gamin gazes at everyone, then glances down at an object in his hand. He states, “A Barbara is supposed to be here.”
Barbara leans against the door frame to the Town Hall, and says, “I have no idea what this is about either, but it had better be good, because I’m busy.”
John grins as he replies, “I have no idea what the Regent’s plan is, but I doubt he would want to meet us on the Terran if it were bad news.” He waves to the shuttle’s interior and says, “Shall we find out?”
The Gamin does not identify himself as he steps back into the shuttle. He is an efficient pilot, and gets them into space quickly. They are all surprised to see the Terran hovering in space, and no longer parked on top of the Regents flagship. It is still missing its main engines, but some of the hull damage appears to have been repaired. They fly in through the open ramp, and then land on the hangar deck near two other shuttles. The main ramp closes behind them as they exit their shuttle.
Waiting for them are Voknor and Golward. The pair stands in front of an array of bodysuits, computer consoles, and other unidentifiable equipment resting on tables.
Regent Voknor turns to George and says, “I will be departing shortly to find out what happened to Sharz, and your family.”
George smiles weakly and replies, “Thank you.”
“Before I go,” Voknor continues, “we will demonstrate our commitment to this alliance.”
He motions to Golward, who excitedly points to what looks like a computer console. Golward grins as he says, “This is a holographic projector. The same kind we have been trading with the various Gamin clans for some time.”
George recalls the first time he saw a Gamin, and it was holographic. He feels as though those days in Manhattan were a lifetime ago. He vividly recalls the day he and his wife placed their hands on a panel and selected the option to work. He sighs inwardly as he realizes that it was that day which set him on the path to where he is today. He brings his thoughts back to the present and brings his attention to Joe, who is having a deep discussion with Golward.
Golward glances at George, and then says, “I have another gift.” He steps over to the dull Kord Power Unit and presses a button on a small device that is in his hand. The unit begins to pulse. Golward waves at it and says, “It will now recharge from the power grid, when there is a power surplus.”
Joe’s jaw drops at the realization that Golward could have done this at any time. Suddenly, he recalls the unit being charged up during their repairs at the Kord Space Station and smiles.
Golward waves his furry arms at the unit and says, “We will be installing another one of these on this ship as soon as we get the battery plant operational, and plan to add them to every Gamin ship.”
Joe is dumfounded as he stares at the Power Unit. “Did you say, ‘Battery plant’?”
Golward replies, “Yes.”
Joe’s mind reals. The Kord use terawatt capacity batteries the way we use C-cells.
Golward replies with pride, “With the additional power these hold, plus the upgrades we plan to make to the shield emitters, the ships will survive much longer when attacked.”
Cindy’s jaw drops as she realizes that Golward plans to retrofit, not only the Terran, but the Gamin fleets, as well.
Regent Voknor waves to the Gamin bodysuits behind him as he proudly states. “George, your suit is a construction unit, and as it has been unlocked, makes you virtually invincible.” He smiles widely as he continues, “But these suits are combat units, and are far more powerful. They have seven connectors for their modules, instead of five, and do not require the same neural interface level, thus any of you should be able to use them. With them, you will be able to craft basic battlefield objects, and some weapons, but not complicated components.”
Voknor motions to George, who walks up to one of the suits and steps back into it. As the suit closes around him, his hands feels a gel-like substance, in which a bar rests. He grabs the bar, and is surprised when he feels three controls. He correctly surmises that the manual controls negate the need for a full neural interface. The visor lowers, and presents him with an impressive list of weapons and equipment the suit can craft. Most of the weapons are close quarters hand-to-
hand types, while the rest break down into either beam or particle weapons of various power and calibers.
George steps from the suit, and motions to Peter as he states, “You military boys will like that!”
Regent Voknor steps closer to George, and says, “We have never allowed a servitor race access to these combat units, until now.” He motions to a table and continues, “Though the suits are able to craft a variety of weapons, it is more efficient to reserve that power for other tasks.”
Peter, Radclyf, and Hayato follow where he is indicating, and immediately notice an array of weapons. The group walks over to the table and stares. Four hand guns, and two rifle-style weapons lay on the table beside what could only be described as a missile launcher.
Regent Voknor strides to the table and explains, “My people will train you in their use, in additional to instruction on the combat units.”
George feels subdued, and responds, “You are offering us much. Thank you.”
“There is more.” He retorts with a teeth filled grin. “Your crude reactors have been removed, and the areas decontaminated. Six of our power units are being installed, and in conjunction with the pair of Kord Power Units, will provide this ship with an energy quotient beyond anything your designers envisioned.” Regent Voknor strides across the floor as he continues, “The Kord are also supplying advanced shield emitters, which we will try on your ship, before retrofitting our own fleet. They draw enormous amounts of power to operate at full capacity, but will prove an effective deterrent to future Atlan attacks.”
Joe turns his head to the Regent and questions, “Six? I thought this class of vessel only had four.”
Voknor replies, “I see you have been busy. Yes, our Support Class is usually equipped with four Power Units, but you will have upgraded shields, and require more energy. I also know you won’t sit back here for long once the ship is repaired, and a solo ship is a tempting target for any Atlan commander.”
Cindy nods her head thoughtfully as she comments, “With powerful shields, and the energy to run them, we should be able to escape from future engagements without getting creamed in the process.”
Alliance (Terran Chronicles Book 4) Page 32