by Don Viecelli
Killian and Jopar along with other Qumru helpers who came back with them from Holtu were busy setting up relief centers to help the local people find their way back home again. Government facilities were starting to open up again in all major cities to aid the efforts.
Killian said, “It’s going to take a long time to get everything back to normal, Jopar.”
“Yes it will, but we must do what we can. The Holtu and Human allies will help us. Qum will not fall into Yoyka hands again.”
“We must open the Onutu regeneration centers again as soon as possible. It will be easier and faster if we regenerated the lost people on Qum than on Holtu,” Killian decided.
“I agree. It would be a better process. I will speak with First Chair Cleota. She can help us.”
“When is Cleota returning to Qum?” Killian asked.
“As soon as other First Chair Council leaders can be found and the Capitol Building re-opens. It won’t be long.”
“Good. Then I will begin work on the Onutu Centers. We must begin rebuilding them for the families missing loved ones. I hope the war ends soon. I don’t know if I can go through something like this a second time.”
Jopar hugged his wife close. It has been a terrible experience for the Qumru people. They had not experienced war of any kind for hundreds of simus (years). It was not civilized and should not be happening now except for the likes of the Yoyka. It was clear to him the Yoyka must be taught a lesson the Qumru learned long ago. War does not bring happiness or long life. It just brings sorrow and death.
Chapter 9
Mars
The day after returning to Mars, Doug was requested to attend a meeting at the United Nations Building in Haffen City called by the newly appointed UN Deputy Secretary Isabella Lopez Ruiz from Argentina. Doug was not sure who would be in attendance, but knew the meeting was to discuss current military defenses and future plans.
When Doug entered the room he was surprised to see Admiral Jason Weston and Captain Susan Potter. He assumed they were on training maneuvers in space. Also present was General William Bradstone, Colonel Shirley Tills, Gwen Rollins and Doctor James Colbert.
“Good morning, Captain Martin. Thank you for coming,” Isabella said with a noticeable Spanish accent. The Deputy Secretary was strikingly aristocratic looking with long black hair, slim figure, dark brown eyes, small nose and pretty smile. She was dressed in a two piece black suit with white blouse. She extended her hand and motioned for Doug to take a seat at the conference table with the others.
“Good morning, Deputy Secretary. It’s nice to be home again,” Doug said nodding his head at the others around the table.
“We were just about to start the meeting. You know everyone here, so I will begin by welcoming some of you back home from your trip to Holtu. I would also like to congratulate those of you who were honored by the Holtu and Qumru people for your bravery and service. It is justly deserved.
“Now let me explain why I called this meeting. I know some of you are preparing to leave on military duty. Before you leave I just want to get an update on military defense plans for Mars and Earth in case the Yoyka show up here again unexpectedly. Are we prepared? Perhaps General Bradstone can elaborate.”
General Bradstone put down his cup of coffee and leaned forward. “We are as prepared for war as we can be, Isabella. You have received our briefing reports. We are not expecting any Yoyka attacks here at Mars or Earth within the next month or so due to the losses the Yoyka experienced at Holtu. However, knowing the Yoyka as we now do, High Leader Altek and Vice Leader Di both expect Rahta to mount some sort of military retaliation against the Holtu or even Qum as soon as he can.”
“The Holtu have sent surveillance probes into Yoyka space territories to gather data on the Yoyka military defenses, number of warships and any offensive buildup activities they can find. So far it looks like the Yoyka are only interested in protecting their home worlds from enemy attacks by us or others. It seems some of Yoyka’s conquered races are beginning to fight back now that they know what the Yoyka did on Qum and that our Military Alliance is fighting back.
“As for our own military defenses, we have a dozen Holtu warships patrolling our solar system, plus two Earth built warships fully manned by UN Space Strike Force crews and pilots, with more warships and Zoltu fighters on the way.
“Our UN military forces stand at thirty million troops provided by UN Member countries. Our goal is fifty million by the end of the year. The Holtu have agreed to use as many of our pilots and crewmembers on their warships as we can send them. We all learned a lesson when the Yoyka tried to disable the Holtu ships and androids with Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse missiles. The Holtu have prepared countermeasures against EMP weapons so the effect it had on Holtu crewmembers won’t happen again.
“Holtu and Mars scientists have developed effective counter nano-agents for the Yoyka nanomachines. The Yoyka can no longer use this weapon to defeat us. Our scientists are actively working to develop a similar nanomachine weapon to use against the Yoyka. We are close to having one from what Doctor Janice Martin has told me. Once we have it, we will use it just as the Yoyka used it against us.
“The only other item of note is something the Holtu recently came across in Yoyka space territory from their surveillance probes. There are indications the Yoyka are developing a new type of nanoweapon to use against their subjugated races to put down rebellions. We are not sure what it is yet, but it will be deadly knowing the Yoyka. I will keep everyone informed once we have more information. That’s all I have. Colonel Tills can fill us in on the status of our troops on Mars and our new force of UN Space Marines.”
Colonel Shirley Tills pulled up a graph on the overhead screen. “Troop strength on Mars has been increased to over fifty thousand; all under the UN Space Defense Command. Ten thousand are experienced pilots waiting for final training on Zoltu fighters. Under my command we have five thousand US Space Marines training for ground assaults in Yoyka space territories and boarding enemy warships when needed. We are ready for war, General.” It was short and to the point.
“Thank you, General Bradstone and Colonel Tills.” Isabella finally said. “It’s reassuring to hear we are making good progress on the status on our military defenses. Will someone tell me what’s new with the Holtu and Qumru from your recent trip?”
Doug volunteered. “I will if no one objects. You know about the awards ceremony. It was nice of them to do this and invite us to attend. The only other important news is First Chair Cleota plans to return home to Qum soon. They have a lot of work to do helping the Qumru people recover from their ordeal with the nanomachine enslavement. They lost almost nine billion people when Rahta sent the quantum link nanomachine kill code. Fortunately, most of them will be brought back to life by the Onutu regeneration and mind transfer technology. Onutu is something the Yoyka want desperately and will do anything to possess. This must be prevented at all costs.
“The Qumru will need our help as well. The disposition of the bodies killed by the Yoyka will take months to clean up. Many people have been displaced and suffer from mental stress as I’m sure everyone in this room understands.
“Lastly, First Chair Cleota and the Holtu military are concerned about the loss of Tumil and the starship Solruku captured by the Yoyka during the Battle For Holtu. The Yoyka will undoubtedly learn how to build FTL hyperdrive systems like our own from the starship. The second concern is the Onutu technology still on board the Solruku. It’s possible the Yoyka will learn how to develop Onutu for themselves, but it will not be easy since the quantum link operating codes are top secret and almost impossible to break without Qumru help. The Holtu are searching for the starship now and will destroy it if they must. That’s all I have, Deputy Secretary.”
“The Onutu technology is mind boggling to me for sure. It will change our world and lives beyond imagining. I hope the Yoyka do not get a chance to use it,” Isabella said.
“I would like to thank Doctor James
Colbert for helping to reestablish satellite communication and QTL quantum transmission links with Earth and Holtu. It was a big job after what the Yoyka destroyed.
“I would also like to thank Gwen Rollins for filling in as acting UN Deputy Secretary until my appointment. I have appointed her as our UN Security Director taking over the role Doug Martin once filled.
“Is there anything else we should discuss before ending this meeting?” she asked.
Admiral Weston spoke us. “I have an announcement. We are departing Mars in two days. Captain Martin will rejoin my crew as my XO once again. Captain Potter has been promoted to Commodore and will take over command of the new warship, USS Washington. This is well deserved and I am happy to have her at my side in battle.”
Everyone clapped at the news, especially Doug. He was genuinely happy for Susan. He was also happy to go back to his role as XO under Admiral Weston. Doug did not feel he had the experience to take control of a warship yet, but he was close.
The meeting came to an end. It was time to leave and get back to work. In two days Doug would leave for space duty. He did not know when he would return. It depended on what the Yoyka decided to do next.
Chapter 10
New Yoyka Nanoweapon
“It is going to be a great day for the Yoykan Empire,” Rahta said to High Commander Anahta as he sat in the Command Center on the latest Imperial Dreadnaught Yoykan Malee Tre as they exited hyperspace. The Dreadnaught with two Yoyka warship escorts entered Synoran space heading towards the planet Synor.
“All clear, High Commander. No enemy rebel warships in the area,” Second Commander Zeeta announced on the Bridge.
“Very well. Move us closer to the planet,” Anahta directed; then turned to Rahta. “We will be ready to fire the new nanoweapon missiles as soon as we go into orbit around Synor.
Rahta looked pleased. He had waited impatiently for this day since his defeat at Holtu. It was finally time to test their latest nanoweapon—the Nanobot Drone Weapon (NDW)! What better planet to test it on than on this nest-hole of Synoran rebels! The Synoran race on the planet had already served their usefulness to the Empire as slaves. All of their mineral resources had been depleted. The planet was ready to be re-colonized by the Yoykan people. All he had to do was eliminate the race already on the planet. Instead of using a quantum link nanomachine kill code to do the job, Rahta would use his newest, most devastating nanoweapon ever invented; a swarm of miniature drones made of nanobots that would devour every living alien on the planet!
The Dreadnaught entered orbit high above Synor and made one complete revolution while Anahta prepared to fire the newest weapon in the Yoyka arsenal. Finally, he entered all the coordinates for the missiles and said to Rahta, “We are ready to fire missiles at your command, Imperial Leader.”
Rahta sat up straight in his command seat. “Fire them now, High Commander!”
Anahta did as ordered. He ordered his Second Commander to initiate the launch of fifty NDW missiles, “Fire all missiles now!”
The Dreadnaught shook as fifty NDW missiles left firing tubes and headed down to the planet below. Rahta watched as the missiles separated and blazed through the atmosphere to their targets leaving long, downward curved, white smoke trails.
Just before impact the missiles exploded releasing large dark clouds that began swirling and building in size until they looked like thunderstorm clouds and started raining down on the ground below them. Instead of raindrops, these clouds were composed of millions of tiny nanobot drones that would suffocate any living being on the planet and then devour the body for minerals to replicate. The drones were designed to seek out specific biological entities such as the Synoran people and kill them. In the process the bodies would be completely consumed, cleaning up the mess at the same time. This process would continue until the whole planet was wiped clean of people for the Yoyka to inhabit at their leisure. It was the ideal genocidal weapon designed to annihilate a whole race for the Yoykan Empire.
Rahta was fascinated by the scene on his video screens. He turned to Anahta and said spitefully, “This will teach the Synoran rebels a lesson they won’t forget. How long will this process take?”
Anahta answered, “I have been told by our scientists that the race on this planet will be gone within thirty days, Imperial Leader.”
“What about the drones. How do we get rid of them after they are finished destroying this race?” Rahta asked without showing any feelings whatsoever.
“We will send a quantum link command and the drones will self-destruct. They are programmed not to harm any Yoykan life form regardless, Imperial Leader.”
Rahta looked pleased, even ecstatic at this news. He had another question. “How will this weapon work against the Holtu androids?”
“The nanobot drones can be programmed to consume any type of synthetic skin or bones, Imperial Leader. The only thing the drones cannot do is consume metal alloys at this time.”
Rahta laughed out loud. “This I would like to see! When will we be ready to attack Holtu with this new weapon?”
“I have been told we will have enough NDW missiles produced in sixty day to take care of Holtu home worlds, Imperial Leader.”
“What of Qumru and Human worlds?” Rahta inquired.
“They will follow quickly if all goes well with the Holtu.”
Rahta took one more look at the large, dark drone clouds filling the sky above Synor. “I wish to see the drones working on the ground before we leave this place, High Commander. Send cameras down to the surface so I can watch what is happening.”
Anahta cringed inside, but looked stoic on the outside. It was one thing to kill an entire race of intelligent people, but watch it happening in real time was something he personally did not enjoy doing. “Yes, Imperial Leader.”
He instructed Second Commander Zeeta to send video drones to the surface of Synor in several large city locations. Synoran people could be seen gathering in the streets looking up at the darkening sky wondering what type of storm was brewing. They were already infected with Yoyka nanomachines, so they were not afraid, just perplexed.
Rahta watched as the tiny nanobot drones began to fly to the ground and attack the people. At first there was little reaction. Then the Synorans began to try and remove whatever was on their clothes and skin before cries of pain could be seen, but not heard. People began to run in all directions for shelter. It was too late. The drones were relentless. Whole bodies began to disintegrate right before Rahta’s eyes and anyone else watching the monitors in the Command Center. The sight was too horrific for most crewmembers to watch as they turned their eyes away from the monitors.
Only Rahta continued to view the scenes occurring on the planet’s surface without emotion. Finally, Rahta turned to Anahta and said, “We can leave now. I have seen enough. This weapon will help us defeat the Holtu, Qumru and Humans once and for all. Return to Yoykan, High Commander.”
Anahta did as commanded. He set course for home. The Nanobot Drone Weapon was by far the worst thing the military had ever devised and now he must use it on his enemies. He wondered what impact this weapon will have on this war once the enemy learns of its existence.
Chapter 11
The Solruku
Shonya materialized in the Regeneration Center spare chamber room on Deck Level 12. The maintenance service robots she needed were already in the room. It was time to wake up Tumil. His new body had regenerated and his consciousness uploaded from the Onutu quantum computer server bank. So far only Shonya was aware of this event. It was imperative no one else on board the Solruku learned of Tumil’s existence before they accomplished their mission.
One of the robots released the clear top chamber cover and it swung open. The gases inside escaped and dissipated quickly. A moment later the body moved and Tumil slowly sat up inside. He looked around and saw Shonya’s holographic image in the room beside him. Tumil struggled mentally to remember where he was and when: then why. The confusion in his mind was on
ly temporary.
“I am awake!” Tumil finally said. “How long was I gone?”
“Sixty Yoykan days, Tumil. I am glad you have returned. We can begin now.” Shonya did not elaborate. She waited for Tumil to understand.
“Is the Solruku still docked at the ring?”
“It is. Utor and his crew are still on board as are four other Yoyka guards,” Shonya answered.
“Has Rahta learned how to operate Onutu?”
“No, the quantum code to operate Onutu cannot be broken. Only you and the appointed Qumru leaders know the code to operate Onutu. However, the Yoyka have enough design plans now to build their own Onutu and are getting closer to operating this technology.”
“I see. Then we must prevent this at all costs. Help me get down, robot,” Tumil said to the closest service robot.
Tumil slowly made his way to a dressing table and chair. He put on fresh clothes and drank some water. He could walk, but not far yet. He would need close to a day to completely recover and become his normal self. In the meantime, he needed to plan his next moves with Shonya.
Tumil looked at Shonya. “Do Utor and the others know you are present on this ship?”
“No, I have been decommissioned by Utor until I am needed as far as the crew is concerned.”
“Good. How about the crewmembers still alive on board the Solruku after we were captured?” he asked.
“They have all been but in cryostasis for study and to prevent contamination by our nano-agents.”
“Are the original sixteen crewmembers infected with the Yoyka nanomachines still in cryostasis?”
“Yes,” Shonya answered.