Nanomachine War series Box Set

by Don Viecelli

  “How much time do you think before the Yoyka return?” General Bradstone asked the Qumru leader.

  “My people and Holtu androids say it will be within a few Earth months. It has been confirmed that Imperial Leader Rahta escaped our trap on a shuttle. However his dreadnaught, the Yoyka Malee, has been destroyed and many large sections of the warship crashed on your planet Mars. I ordered some of my people and the Holtu android military to investigate the crash site and learn all we can about their space technology and weapon capabilities. Two of the Holtu warships will remain in this system to help protect your people after we return to Holtu and prepare our defenses. We will provide you with the necessary warships and weapons to defend yourselves when the Yoyka return. You will provide soldiers to learn our technology and build your own warships and weapons to fight. This must all be accomplished as quickly as possible. We do not have much time.”

  President Anderson knew the Qumru people were not warlike and needed the Holtu androids to defend them against the Yoyka. She also knew the Holtu could not win the war with the Yoykan Empire alone. They needed humans to fight alongside them. Humans had a long history of warfare and were only now reaching the level of civilization that did not require internal strife to survive. It looked like more war would be needed until the threat of the Yoyka was eliminated.

  Mary agreed to the preliminary terms and conditions of their new alliance. They would meet again with Holtu representatives in the near future to hammer out final details. In the meantime, Mary asked Cleota to show her around the Solruku before she returned to Earth. Cleota agreed and a ship tour had been arranged for the visitors from Earth.

  Doug, Janice, Doctor Mun, Vice Leader Di and Tumil decided to visit the science and research labs on Level 11. Meanwhile First Chair Cleota led the other visitors to the Passenger living quarters and recreation areas on various Levels of the starship.

  As they were walking, Mary was surprised to see so many Qumru people on the starship. She asked Cleota, “I thought most of your people were stored as passenger minds in the quantum computers. Where did all these people come from?”

  Cleota stopped to comment, “I began the Onutu process of regenerating the bodies of our people and downloading their consciousnesses. So far, one thousand Qumru have been regenerated. The Solruku can accommodate ten thousand live passengers. More Qumru will be regenerated on our journey to Holtu.”

  “Can I see your Passenger Mind center?” Mary asked.

  “It is on Level 12. We will stop there next.” Cleota led the group to the nearest elevators.

  Cleota and the visitors walked silently through the dimly lit Passenger Mind Data Center. They paused at one point and Cleota explained how the computers store the minds.

  “We learned how to transfer minds at the same time we created the first androids. The technology is similar. The regeneration of Qumru biological bodies took longer, but we had to decide whether or not to transfer our minds to android bodies. Most people objected to that option and so we developed DNA cell regeneration techniques that duplicated the exact bodies left behind when the mind was uploaded into quantum computers.

  “Once that was achieved, we developed synthetic DNA skin to create android bodies and used artificial brain intelligence, which eventually attained consciousness sooner than expected. We had become a peaceful world and most Qumru did not feel we needed a strong military presence on Qum, but there were signs in the galaxy that other alien races were not so peaceful, so we let the androids assume a more military role and explore the universe around us. It was agreed to let the androids colonize another planet a century ago, now called Holtu, which is twenty light years from your planet Earth. That is where I will go to meet with the Holtu leadership and discuss preparations for war with the Yoyka.”

  Cleota led the group to the Regeneration Center and showed them how it worked. Needless to say, the technology involved was very interesting to the people in the group and they asked a lot of questions.

  Finally, Cleota led the group to Level 28 to show everyone the FTL hyperdrive system. This technology would change all of human history and lead them into the spacefaring age. President Anderson was very impressed with all that she had seen so far. The group was getting tired from the long tour and Cleota led them back to the dining area on Level 6 where they received some refreshments.

  The visit was coming to a close. Carlo Russo and General Bradstone requested to see the weapon systems and Vice Leader Di promised to take them aboard one of the Holtu warships and give them a tour before they left the solar system.

  First Chair Cleota had one more surprise for the visitors from Earth before they departed the Solruku. Cleota turned to President Anderson. “Before the Holtu warships attacked the Yoykan Malee, we were able to rescue some of your people stranded in space when their spaceship was destroyed by the Yoyka. I am sorry to report that fifteen of your people died in the attack, but the rest survived.”

  At that moment Captain Jason Weston and Commander Susan Potter entered the room and walked up to the group. Captain Weston and Commander Potter stood at attention before President Anderson and saluted. They both limped a little from their injuries, but otherwise looked in good condition. “Captain Weston said to the President, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Madam President.”

  President Anderson was stunned. She looked at General Bradstone who was just as surprised as she was. They both thought everyone was lost when the USS Illinois was destroyed by the Yoyka. “Thank God you’re alive. We had no idea some of you survived.”

  Captain Weston spoke softly, “I’m sorry we lost the USS Illinois, Madam President. We lost a lot of good Marines.” He appeared calm and put on a good face in spite of the loss, but Mary could see he was determined to make up for it as soon as possible.

  Mary looked at Cleota. “Thank you! I won’t forget this.”

  Mary turned to Captain Weston and Commander Potter. “You both will get another chance to fight the Yoyka again. Next time you can pay them back for what they did to your ship and crew.”

  Captain Weston and Commander Potter thanked the President. General Bradstone took the two officers aside and asked what he could do for them and the rest of the survivors, some of whom were critically injured in the attack. The General made arrangements to take them all back to Earth when the visit was over.

  It was soon time to leave after spending several hours aboard the Solruku starship. Mary wanted to stay longer, but she had pressing duties back on Earth. One of the duties was a planned visit to the site of the UN Complex destruction in New York City. The disaster was being compared to the September 11, 2001 terrorist airplane attacks on the World Trade Towers in NYC and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Mary had prepared her speech, but was not looking forward to the trip. After that, Mary planned to visit the cities where the infected people had died from the unforgivable evil act committed by Imperial Leader Rahta. More than one million Americans had died in this attack and Mary had the unpleasant task of explaining how this happened. Mary learned that ten million people worldwide had been killed by the Yoyka when they sent the nanomachine termination code over the quantum link. It was the worst mass killing since World War II.

  Doug Martin and the rest of the group that was with him joined the President as they were walking back to the hangar bay. Mary approached him and asked, “Are you returning to Mars?”

  “Yes, Madam President. Vice Leader Di will escort us to another spacecraft and we will travel directly back to Mars. I have been instructed by General Bradstone to set up a military base at Haffen City.”

  “What about the other people from Mars. Will they be returning also?” Mary asked.

  “Most of them will be returning, Madam President. We’re asking for more volunteer colonists to join us now that space transportation will be provided by the Holtu androids.”

  “Well then, this is goodbye, Director Martin; or perhaps I should say Lieutenant Colonel Martin. Godspeed; I wish you all good fortune on M
ars.” Mary shook Doug’s hand and walked up the ramp into the departing shuttlecraft.

  Janice walked up to Doug and took his arm. “Vice Leader Di is waiting for us, Doug.”

  Doug turned to face his wife. “I’m ready.” He looked around the hangar bay in the Solruku and noticed several other Qumruku shuttles parked inside. Di was standing beside a different shuttle waiting for him, Janice and Doctor Mun. It was time to go back to Mars. Their work was just beginning. It wouldn’t be long before the Yoyka came back to attack them. This time it would not be so easy, Doug thought to himself. He grabbed Jan’s hand as they walked to the Qumruku that would return them to their home on Mars.

  Chapter 60

  Back to Mars

  The return trip to Mars lasted forty-four minutes. Vice Leader Di could have made the trip even faster, but there was no reason to travel faster than 10 percent light speed. Doug was impressed none the less at the capabilities of this midsized spacecraft. It could hold up to fifty passengers and supplies. It would make the recolonization of Mars so much more economical and practical for future colonists. The only problem limiting human population on Mars now was the threat of war with the Yoyka.

  “These Qumruku shuttles will make our job much easier, Di. It won’t take long to make Mars habitable again,” Doug commented as he sat next to Di in the pilot chairs.

  “First Chair Cleota is leaving ten of these Qumruku shuttles behind for Earth use. You will be able to build your own spacecraft from the design data. We will need hundreds of these to fight the Yoyka.”

  The red planet grew in size quickly as Di piloted the spacecraft to its destination. Doug could see two Holtu warships orbiting above the planet. Di was headed for the first one in view.

  “Where are we going, Di. Aren’t we going to land at Haffen City Spaceport?”

  “No, we must see High Leader Altek first. I am landing on his warship so we can meet.”

  Di glided the Qumruku inside Altek’s warship hangar bay and landed without incident. The hangar bay was well lit and Doug could see numerous military spacecraft out his window that looked like fighters. “What are those, Di?”

  “They are Zoltu space fighters, named after one of our clawed birds on Holtu. They are heavily armed with beam weapons and nuclear tipped missiles. They can be flown by people or act as automated drones with their own control AIs. Each one is capable of light speed and can travel in FTL hyperspace. This warship has one hundred Zoltu’s on board.”

  “Where have we landed, Doug?” Janice asked as she unbuckled her seatbelt and walked up to the cockpit to see what was happening.

  “We’re making a stop on a Holtu warship first to talk with High Leader Altek. I’m not sure why yet.”

  “Altek will explain when we meet him,” Di said getting out of his seat to leave the spacecraft. “Do not worry about the atmosphere. It has been set to Earth levels for you to breathe. Please follow me.”

  Doug, Janice and Doctor Mun followed behind Di. He led them out of the spacecraft through the hangar bay to a lift that took them straight up to the Command Center. They walked through a large hallway to a room off to one side. Inside the room, High Leader Altek and two of his officers were waiting.

  “Greetings, High Leader Altek,” Di said as they entered the room. Di made a salute Doug had seen earlier; right arm to the left chest with fist closed. “I brought the humans as requested.”

  Altek was shorter than Di, but just as tough looking as Di and the other two androids standing beside him. He seemed wiser somehow and Doug thought that remarkable considering he was an android. Altek spoke without a translator device, “Welcome humans to my warship, the Iconda. Who is the leader here?”

  Doug spoke up first, “I am. My name is Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Martin. I represent the United States Space Marine Corps and am the acting United Nations representative sent to recolonize Mars. What can I do for you, High Leader Altek?”

  “Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss. Do you need anything to drink? We have water on board if you wish?”

  “Water would be good; thank you. Let me introduce the people with me. This is Doctor Janice Martin, my wife. And this is Doctor Chang-Woo Mun who heads our Center for Disease Control and research. We were all on Mars when the Yoyka attacked us.”

  Altek ordered water over the speaker system for the humans. “I heard much about you, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Martin from Vice Leader Di. He says you can be trusted. These two officers are my First and Second Leaders. We command the Iconda. As you know we defeated the Yoyka Imperial Leader’s dreadnaught, the Yoykan Malee. It was a victory, but we did not kill Imperial Leader Rahta. He and many of his Yoyka crewmembers escaped back to their home world. They will return in greater numbers to attack both of our home worlds. You know this; correct?”

  “We do, High Leader Altek. That is why I returned to Mars. We must prepare defenses; together according to First Chair Cleota,” Doug said without hesitation.

  “First Chair Cleota is the leader of the Qumru people on Qum. On Holtu, our First Chair is named Brendu. He is our android leader. He and Cleota are of equal stature. They will determine what we do to prepare for the return of the Yoyka. However, I have been ordered to help Earth prepare its defenses quickly. To do this I would like your permission to investigate the Yoykan Malee debris that has fallen on your planet Mars. It will offer us much information about their weapon systems and how to defeat them. Will you permit this, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Martin?”

  Doug looked at Altek and the rest of the androids in the room. He grinned in spite of the situation. They looked so serious. “Certainly; you have my permission, High Leader Altek. But if we are going to become friends, you can just call me Doug.”

  *****

  The next few weeks on Mars were hectic and occasionally sad. Doug and Janice spent one whole day getting their home cleaned up and made suitable for living again. Doctor Chang-Woo Mun was asked to stay in Haffen City to reopen the MCDC so research could begin again on finding a cure for the Yoyka nanomachine infection and control mechanisms. Doctor James Colbert was put in charge of the research team working with the Holtu androids investigating the Yoykan Malee debris scattered all around Olympus Mons in the Tharsis Bulge area 750 miles west of Haffen City. It would take weeks to get the information High Leader Altek was looking for.

  Doug found time to greet all returning colonists to Mars. There were only 203 who returned. Fourteen people decided to stay on Earth. Almost 1300 colonists from Mars died when the Yoyka leader decided to kill all infected humans.

  Not every infected colonist living on Mars had been sent to infect people on Earth by the Yoyka. Doug found Haruto Nakamura, UN Deputy Secretary of Mars and his wife dead in their home. Marine Captain Shirley Tills found Colonel Hayward Jackson and many of his Marines lying on the ground at the Spaceport. They were all cremated and given a military funeral before being buried in a new cemetery that would eventually become a national Mars war memoriam for the dead killed in battle.

  The remaining dead were found near where they lived or worked. It took almost two weeks to find everybody and bury them properly. In the meantime, there was a large migration taking place from Earth to Mars. The Qumru spacecraft could make several trips filled will new colonists in the same time it used to take to just send one large space shuttle in the past. Now Mars was receiving over one hundred new colonists a day. Many were military support personnel sent by General Bradstone, but there were many others from multiple countries sent by the UN to help resettle Mars and prepare for the future.

  The war with the Yoyka was coming, that was certain. No one knew how much time they would have to prepare. High Leader Altek sent surveillance probes through hyperspace to spy on the Yoyka home world to try and get an early warning. Altek was certain the Yoyka would attack Holtu first, but he also knew if they failed to stop the Yoyka, then Earth and Mars would be next.

  After one tiring day, Doug returned home to his wife. Jan was in the kitchen pre
paring dinner. She told Doug to get a drink. He hugged his pretty wife, kissed her and took a beer from the fridge. “How was your day?” Jan asked stirring pasta cooking on the stove.

  “It was long. More people are coming from Earth every day. We must have over five thousand people on Mars now; two thousand are military. They want to expand the Spaceport so we can land more spacecraft each day. How about you? Anything new?” Doug sat down at the table and took a sip of his beer.

  Jan drained water from the pasta she was making. “We’re getting closer, Doug. Tumil is working on a way to reverse the effects of the nanomachines without harming the hosts.”

  “So you think you can disable the nanomachines and save the Qumru people?”

  “Maybe. Tumil and I are still working on it. He wants me to visit Holtu and see what he has found out.”

  Doug thought about it. General Bradstone was on his way to Mars to meet with Doug and others now in Haffen City. “I might be going to Holtu soon too. We need to start negotiations for our new Military Alliance. Our pilots need to begin training on flying the new Zoltu fighters we’re getting from the Holtu and learn how to use their weapon systems. We have a lot to learn.”

  Jan finished making dinner and set the food on the table to eat. Doug looked at her and she knew what he was thinking. “It’s too early for the baby to show, but I will be careful. You know that, Doug. I won’t let anything happen to our baby.”

  Doug got up to pour drinks for dinner. He pulled Jan close and whispered in her ear. “We’ll get through this together, Jan. It might be tough for awhile, but Mars is our home and I intend to protect it for our baby. The Yoyka picked on the wrong people this time. They just don’t know it yet.”