“No. Continue.”
Krag, Buster, Igaklay and the two Griffin Leopards watched the six Mortek fold their legs then settle their abdomens onto the deck.
“We are ready.”
“Captain Desinal, please jump to the mid-point.”
Reprieve slightly tremored. The Mortek appeared to not be affected.
“Very interesting, Commander. The Mortek physiology does not appear to be affected by mass negation.”
“Something for you to study, Preceptor.”
“And I will, Commander.”
“Well, Commander Marston?”
“Captain Desinal?”
“We are at midpoint, Commander. I am extending the sails now.”
“First Astrogator please return to the bridge and verify our location.”
“My Overlord?”
“Do as the jump-ship Commander requested.”
“At your command, My Overlord.”
Everyone watched the Mortek Astrogator return to the bridge.
“War, we have just jumped one hundred and twenty lightyears. As you heard, First Astrogator is verifying our location. Do you wish to return to the bridge?”
“Yes. Intelligence, accompany me. Science, stay with Preceptor Igaklay and question him more about this ship.”
“At your command, My Overlord.”
“Soldiers, stay here.”
“Leopards, also,” Krag ordered.
Krag and Buster, as Mr. Morris, led War and Intelligence to the bridge. the scene hadn’t changed. Pilot Briar in his hazardous environment suit without the helmet, watched from his chair. Captain Desinal immediately jumped to attention and saluted. First Astrogator energetically worked the navigation controls.
“Astrogator, report.”
“We are one hundred and nineteen lightyears from our point of origin, My Overlord.
“You have not been deceived? You are sure about that distance?”
“Yes, My Overlord. I have visually and electronically studied the star configuration then extrapolated the variances back to the constellation formation of our origination point. I have no reason to suspect that we are not where I believe this ship to be. We are one hundred and nineteen lightyears from our point of origin.”
“It appears that you have not been lying, Commander Marston.”
Internally, Krag celebrated at this small but important recognition.
“As you can see, we have extended our sails. We will be collecting dark matter to refill our storage tanks for about one Sasanian day. In the meantime, we are at your disposal for any questions or discussions which you might have. Also, we have a full replicator galley. Food and fluids are provided.”
Chapter 37
Aboard Reprieve - Ballison
After a day of discussions, in depth questioning, food and sleep, Reprieve’s tanks were full. The ritual repeated. Reprieve ended up floating in Ballisonian space. War and his five underlings towered over Krag and his four companions standing in Reprieve’s cargo bay. They waited for the temporarily installed view-screen to change from black to a display of Ballisonian space.
“War, before we begin our presentation, has Navigator verified our location?”
“He has, Commander Marston. So far, you have not lied. We are over two hundred and forty lightyears from what you call ‘Bridgelen’.”
Krag nodded to Igaklay. The large view-screen flicked to a display of Ballisonian space with Igaklay’s moon as its center.
“My Mortek fleet,” War growled as he saw the fifty-five Mortek war ships floating in space.”
“We are at War. Those ships are spoils of war. They are no longer Mortek ships, War. They are Federacy ships.”
“If you do not return our fleet, we will attack and destroy your systems!”
“No, you won’t. we have accepted your destruction of Yeni Persia. You will accept the loss of Sixth Fleet. we are here to avoid exactly that, War. We are here to avoid our mutual destruction. Let’s focus on your learning of HEB Alliance capabilities. Do you see that metallic moon?”
“We will talk of my ships again.”
“I understand, War. Again, do you see that metallic moon?”
“Yes. Is that your shipyard?”
“No. That is Preceptor Igaklay. He is that moon, the most powerful artificial intelligence in the galaxy.”
War, Intelligence and Science looked at the small, grey-green being standing next to Krag.
“You are looking at Preceptor Igaklay’s avatar.”
“Avatar. Are you saying that that entire moon is a single artificial intelligence and that it controls this robot?” Science asked as he waved a claw towards Igaklay.
“Yes, Science. Using quantum entanglement, Preceptor Igaklay presents himself through his avatar.
“This is why my best analysts could not anticipate your jump-ships’ random arrival points.”
“Very astute, Science. Preceptor Igaklay, with his enormous processing power, is able to create truly random number seeds.” Krag pointedly did not reveal how Igaklay did this.
“Also, Preceptor Igaklay handles all communication between every being, ship or anything with a quant-com communicator.”
“That must be thousands.”
“Actually, Science,” Igaklay interrupted. “Millions. At one point I monitored and communicated with over seven hundred million quant-coms.”
Krag saw the Mortek leaders look at Igaklay’s avatar with newfound knowledge.
“Where are the shipyards,” Intelligence asked.
“We don’t use shipyards. Preceptor Igaklay also controls tens of thousands repair and construction robots.”
“This artificial intelligence coordinated the robot attack on my fleet?”
“It wasn’t an attack, War. Preceptor Igaklay prepared your fleet for the installation of jump drive. The Preceptor is not capable of actions concerning conflict and war.”
“This is true, War. My Overseers have instructed me to not cause intentional harm or destruction without their expressed approval.”
“Overseers, Preceptor Igaklay?”
“Yes, Science. I was constructed with the requirement that there would always be biological beings controlling my decision process. Commander Marston and Ambassador Suzume are my Overseers.”
“Where is this Ambassador Suzume?”
“She is on Griffin, War.”
“She? You have an egg layer commanding you?”
“Yes, War. We call them ‘females’. A female is one of my Overseers.”
“Preceptor Igaklay has kindly allowed me and Ambassador Suzume to assume the positions of Overseers. As a result, we, all of Humanity, have benefited from Ballisonian technology.”
“This is why, when we first arrived at Nest One, we did not see your jump-ships.”
“And immediate communications. You have now formally been introduced to Preceptor Igaklay. Shall we visit his home world?”
“Lead.”
Krag saw three Morteks sink into deep thought at each new revelation.
“Preceptor, is everything prepared?”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Will you please contact Captain Desinal and have her land Reprieve?”
“Aye, aye, Commander.”
HEBA Headquarters - Ballison
Reprieve landed. The cargo bay doors opened, with one becoming the loading ramp. Everyone, except for Captain Desinal, exited, including Pilot Briar, Guardsman Negiani and Corporal Wadji.
Six mortek, War, Intelligence, Science, Astrogator and two guards, stared in wonder at the gigantic, silver pyramid. Ollie Briar matched their stares.
“Awesome!”
“This way, gentle beings,” Krag stated while he gestured.
Everyone approached the smooth, seemingly seamless slanted side of the square-based pyramid. As they grew closer, a portion of the shimmering wall irised into an opening large enough for all, including the Mortek, to enter. At first, War just stared at the seemingly magical opening
. His underlings duplicated his wonder.
“Please, gentle beings.” Krag led them into the HEB Alliance Headquarters and over to the communal meeting area. It had been arranged in a horseshoe format, with comfortable couches and chairs for the Humans and Elonians. At the open end, six silver stools stood, with one slightly forward.
“Preceptor Igaklay, you had your robots build us seating?”
“Something different, War. Let me demonstrate.”
All the Mortek flinched as a stream of nanites flowed from the wall, swirled and withdrew. Where they had performed their small tornado, a Mortek stool now stood.
“Micro-machines, Preceptor Igaklay?”
“We call them ‘nanites’, Science. They are Ballison’s primary creation tool.”
“In all of our science history, we have never witnessed anything like this.”
“Do you use these nanites to build your weapons?”
“My Overseers do not allow me to build weapons, War. I am tasked with building and installing the jump-drive systems, dark matter reservoirs and all defensive devices. The Elonians are tasked with the weapons building.”
“Speaking of which, let me introduce you to the Human, Elonian, Ballisonian Alliance Counsel.” Krag nodded to Igaklay.
Obviously choreographed, a single line entered from the conference room.
“FeldMarschal Rosser. General of the HEB Alliance ground forces.”
“Does this include the invisible, floating Elonians?”
“Only as required, Intelligence.
Tolimar’s military leader paused in front of War and saluted then took his proscribed seat. The rest of the people in the procession repeated his performance.
“Mr. Lawrence Gregor, financial executive of Humanity. Her Honor, the venerable Vidhee.”
“You have a robot as a ruler?”
“We use the term, ‘Synthetic’, Intelligence. Honorable Vidhee is a true sentient being, with all self-awareness, emotions and free thinking. As is Mr. Morris.”
“Mr. Morris?”
“Buster?”
Mr. Morris morphed into Buster, the silver-skinned, silver-haired Synthetic.
“I saw no indication that it was artificial.”
“Honorable Vidhee and Legate Buster may have been artificially created, but they are not artificial. They are every bit sentient beings, the same as you and I. Buster?”
Buster morphed back to Mr. Morris.
“Honorable Vidhee, Legate Buster and Preceptor Igaklay comprise the HEB Alliance legal court.”
“You are saying that you have artificial beings passing judgement?”
“That is correct, Intelligence. There is no better group of people to pass unbiased, uninfluenced rulings.”
Mistress Analyn, heir to Clan Kaporine and voice of Ballison.”
“What is a voice?”
“For all negotiation and discussions, Mistress Analyn speaks for Ballison and its people.”
“Why does not a Ballisonian speak for its people?”
“That is a very old story, War. If we keep our dialogue open, we will discuss this in the future.”
“If this green avatar is representative of the Ballisonian species, I have not seen any Ballisonians.”
“And you won’t. May I introduce Ambassador Suzume, Overseer to Preceptor Igaklay, voice of the HEB Alliance and interplanetary spokesperson.”
“Is this the egg layer which has been guiding you through these negotiations?”
“The very same, War. As a military man, I understand my strengths and weaknesses. Ambassador Suzume covers my limitations.”
“I am pleased to meet you, War, Science, Intelligence and Astrogator.”
“May I present Lord Kaporine, Ruler of the Kaporine Elonians and Chairperson of the HEB Alliance.”
Lord Kaporine’s entrance entailed four Elonian Guardsmen, one at each side and two trailing. The Elonian leader put all his pomp and circumstance into his bow.
“War. You have proven to be a mighty foe who fights with honor and respect. I am honored to be in your presence.”
“He’s laying it on pretty thick, Commander.”
“Royalty does what royalty does, Buster.”
“We shall see.”
“If you would be seated, I suspect that you are hungry, War. Allow me to serve you a meal.”
“Do you know our eating requirements?”
“Preceptor Igaklay reviews and remembers everything, War. I believe raw leg of lamb will be more than satisfying.”
“Very well.”
Once the six Mortek took their stools, again they flinched as a massive amount of nanites swarmed around the guests, creating individual dining tables. Service robots flew in setting cutlery and utensils where needed. First, drinks, then platters of food arrived.
Over the meal and into the evening, four species negotiated and diplomatically battled for space and power. With no conclusions reached, everyone retired, the Mortek returning to Reprieve, along with Krag’s people and her pilot.
Two days later, War, Intelligence, Science and Astrogator returned to Ravage Maker to dwell on all that they had seen and experienced.
Aboard Ravage Maker – Bridgelen
A thoughtful War sat at his desk, absentmindedly tapping the Globe of Pronouncement with a single claw. Thoughts swirled, scenarios formed as the leader of the Mortek war effort struggled to find a solution to this surprising development.
The Mortek were not at war with a soft skinned species with limited military might. The Mortek had picked a war against three species, two of which possessed technology centuries in advance of anything the Mortek had even dreamed of.
“Intelligence, Logistics, Science, my ready room, now,” War commanded into his now recognizably obsolete communicator.
The three immediately discontinued their tasks and hurried to comply with their Overlord’s demand. Arriving, the three took their places and waited for War’s beginning.
“Logistics, speak.”
“Logistics knew what War demanded.
“My Overlord, I say this with all reverence and deference. If we continue our conquest, the Mortek will be eradicated from these soft skin systems. It may take a year. It may take two years, but the outcome is unavoidable. Their technological advantage is overwhelming. What I do not understand is why the soft skins have not begun their counter-thrust already.”
“What do you mean?”
“If our positions were reversed, My Overlord, the Mortek would not hesitate to drive the invaders from our spaces. We would immediately cleanse our systems of all enemies.”
“Intelligence, why haven’t the soft skins counter-thrusted, as Logistics described?”
“From my study of all our interactions, the soft skins, nor the other two species, have desires of conquest, My Overlord. Their instincts are for survival and coexistence, not conquest.”
War took time to understand Intelligence’s statement.
“If we stop our conquest, the soft skins will not attack us.”
“That is my evaluation, My Overlord. That is what Commander Marston stated.”
“Science, you have studied the information supplied by the soft skins. How soon can we match their technical expertise?”
Science pulled in his wings and pressed his head comb.
“Never, My Overlord. The very foundation of the Ballisonian jump technology and the instantaneous communications is far beyond our ability to replicate. We only know of dark matter through theory. The Ballisonians actually manipulate and store it. The same is for quantum entanglement. We have tested single particles. The Ballisonians have created plasmatic condensates of multiple particles. We have no concept how this is being done.”
“Logistics is stating that, with the current technical discrepancy, we can not conquer the soft skins. Science states that we will never be able to close the technological gap between the Mortek and the soft skins. Intelligence, what is your recommendation?”
“Co-existenc
e, My Overlord. We have control of two star systems. We keep those.”
“What stops the soft skins from attacking us when they have expanded their war fleet?”
“I do not believe that they will do that, My Overlord. As I previously stated, I do not believe that they have instinctual conquest. Only survival and safety.”
“As long as they feel safe, we will not be attacked.”
“That is my belief, My Overlord. Our only other option is to take to our ships, abandon these worlds and search for other star systems.”
“There will come a time when the resources of Home One and Nest One are depleted.”
“That is in the future, My Overlord. Our current, continued existence is of more importance.”
“Recommendations,” War commanded.
For multiple hours, the four discussed solutions to an unsolvable problem.
Chapter 38
HEBA Headquarters - Ballison
Once again, the HEB Alliance Counsel assembled in the discussion area of the huge, silver pyramid. This time, Vice-Admiral Weiskoff, with his senior officers, joined the group.
“What do you anticipate, Commander?”
“I’m not sure, Lord Kaporine. War didn’t give any details on why he requested this meeting.”
“It has to be good, Krag. The enemy doesn’t call a meeting unless it wants something,” Lawrence Gregor stated.
“Or, the Mortek understand their position, Mr. Gregor.”
“Like they’re on the short end of the stick, Keiko.”
“My thoughts, exactly, Feldmarschal.”
“Commander, Reprieve has just landed. Her passengers will arrive shortly.”
“Thank you, Igaklay. Well, the show begins.”
Everyone waited, with Weiskoff sitting to the left of Lord Kaporine, rigidly glaring over the room. Captain Desinal entered, leading the same four Mortek as before. Again, the stools stood at the opening of the horseshoe-shaped arrangement. Again, the Mortek sat with War at the center.
Lord Kaporine rose and bowed. “War, welcome. Would you like some refreshments?”
“No. let us get on with this.”
Victory in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 6) Page 43