by Don Viecelli
Florida’s face reappeared on the screen. “I am sorry for my reaction. I never thought this type of destruction would be done to my planet. How can my people help you, Senior Commander Koral?”
“I am on a mission to find any other rebel races with warships that will join us in our fight against the Yoyka. We plan to attack Yoykan soon and destroy the Yoykan Empire.” Koral spent a few moments explaining what happened at Qum and about the Military Alliance between the Holtu, Qumru and a race called Humans.
“Do you think we can defeat the Yoyka?” Florida finally asked.
Koral also described the battles the Alliance had won against the Yoyka and the reasons for it. He emphasized it was time to go on the offensive and attack Yoykan directly and stop the use of this terrible new nanoweapon before Emperor Rahta attacked more rebel home worlds.
Florida took another look at her devastated planet. She did not hesitate in making her decision. “I will ask my commanders to join you in this fight. I have thirty warships at my command and I am in contact with other leaders like myself who would be willing to join us in this fight. Let me know where we can meet when it is time to attack Yoykan!”
Koral gave Florida instructions when he would contact her again and where to meet when he called. He had another solar system to visit where word of the Yoyka nanoweapon had been used. Emperor Rahta had no idea what he was bringing upon himself by doing this unimaginable horror on other races. He would soon find out.
Chapter 43
Solruku Meeting
The last few days had been very difficult for Captain Martin as he helped repair the damage to the USS Illinois from its last space battle and make sure his crew was ready for battle. He was bone tired from lack of sleep and dark rings were visible under both eyes. He felt as bad on the inside as he looked on the outside.
Doug lost several crewmembers and even more Zoltu fighters and pilots during the fight to repel the Yoyka attack on Mars and Earth. He worked with a burning intensity that was beginning to wear him down. He couldn’t sleep most nights and did not mingle with his fellow officers and crewmembers. He kept to himself and knew everyone close to him wondered about his leadership abilities. Could he do the job as Captain of this warship in the days and fighting to come with Admiral Jason Weston still recovering from his wounds? He wondered the same thing himself. It was not a good feeling.
Doug went to his stateroom to get some rest before returning to duty on the Bridge. After he closed his door, he rolled up his sleeves, unbuttoned his shirt and hung up his jacket in the closet. Doug walked over to his desk and pulled out a bottle of whiskey for a drink. He was drinking more than normal lately and knew he should stop, but it was the only thing that slowed down the constant memories of what happened to his family. They were dead and there was nothing he could do about it except exact revenge upon the Yoyka bastards that killed them and his friends.
He sat down in his chair and picked up the photograph on his desk. It showed Jan holding Jules in front of their fireplace when Jules turned two months old. Both were smiling and Doug remembered taking the picture just before he and Jan took off for their trip to Holtu for the awards ceremony. Afterwards, he and Jan visited the Holtu Teotu Sempu canyon as he promised her. It was a happy memory and only made Doug feel sadder. He put the picture frame down and decided it was time to get some rest. He finally took a sleeping pill prescribed by the ship’s doctor. Maybe he would get some real sleep for first time in days. God knows he needed it.
Doug awoke with a start four hours later. His wristcom alarm was blaring. He looked at the time. He barely remembered lying down to rest. The pill must have worked quickly. He felt better. His mind was clear for the first time in days. Next time he would follow doctor’s orders when advised to do so. It definitely helped.
Doug shaved his face, took a quick shower and dressed for command on the Bridge. It was time to take the USS Illinois for a test ride and make sure all weapons were ready for battle. He knew High Leader Altek had left for Qum with his fleet ten hours ago. They were all to meet there for final preparations for the invasion of Yoykan space territories. It would be the beginning of the end of the Yoykan Empire. He was sure of it.
Commander John Drake was acting XO in the Command Center when Doug arrived on the Bridge to relieve him. He saluted Doug as he entered the room. “Captain on deck!” Drake announced as Doug saluted back and took his seat.
Doug looked around the Command Center. Ten officers were on duty as usual. A few new faces he barely recognized were seated where previous officers sat before the attack. He remembered their names. Two died; four seriously injured including Admiral Weston during the fighting to save Mars. He would make an effort to inspire confidence in these officers before he took them into battle. That’s what leaders do, he told himself, if he expected to survive in the days to come.
“Any new reports?” Doug asked Drake before he relieved him from duty.
“Nothing new, sir, in the last four hours. High Leader Altek and one hundred of our warships have arrived at Qum. We are to follow in five hours with one hundred fifty warships led by Vice Leader Di. Twelve warships will remain behind to defend our solar system in case the Yoyka return,” Drake answered.
“What is the status of our Zoltu fighters and pilots?”
“Lieutenant Commander Susan Wellsey, acting Wing Commander, reports all but ten fighters are safely back in our hangar bay, sir. Ten Zoltus are patrolling our solar sector as ordered.”
Doug looked at his viewscreen in front of him. The USS Illinois was currently orbiting Saturn while repairs where being completed. All indications were his ship was ready to rejoin the fleet for the trip to Qum.
“Very well, you are relieved from duty. I have command.”
Drake was ready to leave the Bridge when a call came over the comchannel from Vice Leader Di. His face appeared on the screen.
Doug was expecting new orders to prepare for departure. Instead, Di said, “Captain Martin. I will pick you up in ten minutes on my shuttle for a meeting with Tumil on board the Solruku. You are to attend alone.” He abruptly ended the call.
Doug looked surprised and turned to Drake. “You will have to wait to be relieved while I attend this meeting.”
“I understand, Captain. Any idea what this is about?”
“Not really. Maybe Tumil found a new solution for the Yoyka nanoweapon. I’ll let you know when I return.”
Doug left the Bridge and headed for the Flight Deck to meet Di. It has been awhile since he talked to Tumil since he was rescued from Yoykan. Doug had avoided calling him since the death of his wife and son. The memories were too painful still.
Di landed his shuttle on board the USS Illinois briefly; just long enough to pick up Doug. They exchanged greetings, but spoke little during the short flight to Mars where the Solruku was in orbit. Di did not offer to explain the purpose of the meeting. Doug did not press him. He figured Di would tell him when he was ready.
They landed in the hangar bay and immediately walked to the elevator. Instead of going up, Di pressed the button for Level 11, the Medical Research Center Deck.
Doug looked at Di who seemed not at all curious why they would be meeting Tumil in the Research Center. Doug assumed Di and Tumil had already talked and discovered something important about the Yoyka nanoweapon. Maybe they finally figured how to stop it without so many people dying first.
When the elevator doors opened Tumil was standing in the hall waiting for them. He smiled and said hello to Doug in English. “It’s good to see you again, Captain Martin. It’s been awhile.”
Doug walked up to Tumil and they both clasped hands and wrists per Qumru custom. “Good to see you again as well, Tumil. How was your trip to Holtu?” Doug knew Tumil had left Earth before the battle to return to Holtu to meet with First Chair Brendu and others. He did not expect to see Tumil again before the battle with the Yoyka was over and said so.
“It was fine. I met with First Chair Brendu and have begun my
work again; this time to find a counter to the nanobot drone weapon. It has proven to be a tougher problem to solve than anticipated.”
“I’m surprised to see you here before we leave for Qum,” Doug responded. He did not bring up the fact that Tumil’s first nanobot counter agent did not work as everyone hoped for. Millions of humans died on Mars and Earth instead.
Tumil seemed to sense the sadness in Doug’s voice and understood completely why he felt as he did. That’s was one of the reasons for retuning to see him.
“I meet with First Chair Cleota at Qum and First Chair Brendu at Holtu to explain what I have done on their orders. Please follow me.”
Tumil led Doug and Di to another room down the hall. Before he opened the door, he said, “I hope you will forgive me.”
Tumil opened the door and let Doug enter first. Standing in the center of the room was Janice holding their son Jules. They were smiling, but Jan’s eyes were full of tears.
Chapter 44
Janice
Doug was frozen in place. He could not comprehend what he was seeing in front of his eyes. He just stood there for a moment until he realized what he was seeing was real. Without another word he rushed to embrace his lovely wife and son. “You’re both alive!” he whispered into her ear, hugging and kissing both of them.”
Finally, Doug stepped back and Jan gave him Jules to hold and hug. Tears were still flowing down her cheeks. She let Doug kiss their son before answering, “Yes, Doug were both alive.”
“How? I thought you both were dead; killed in the shelter by the nanobot drones!” Doug was too confused to continue.
Jan looked at Tumil and said, “Tumil saved all of us. He will tell you.”
Doug looked at Tumil with surprise. A moment ago, he was angry at Tumil for not saving the people on Mars and Earth from the Yoyka nanoweapon. Now, he just wanted an explanation.
Di stood silently next to Tumil. He seemed to know what was going on. He let Tumil explain.
“The counter agent I developed and said would prevent the killer nanobot drones from harming humans was not entirely true. The injectors were filled with nanites infused with human DNA markers. They were programmed to work with our Onutu technology.”
When Tumil mentioned Onutu, Doug instantly understood what was going on. He asked Di, “Did you know about this?”
Di answered, “No, it was kept secret by Tumil under orders from First Chair Cleota, First Chair Brendu and High Leader Altek. I had no knowledge of this until Tumil returned from Holtu.”
Doug no longer cared who knew about this. He hugged and kissed Janice and Jules again before speaking. “Who else was saved?”
Tumil asked everyone to take a seat. This was going to take awhile.
“Everyone who received the nanite injections will be saved by Onutu. Their memories are stored in the quantum computer bays on board the Solruku. That is why I stayed in this solar system during the Yoyka attack. I knew your solar system has not been set up with Onutu transponders, so the Onutu equipment on board this ship received all memories transferred from those who died in the attack.”
“Why didn’t you tell us before?” Doug asked still holding his son in his arms.
“The decision to allow the human race to receive the Onutu nanite injections was made by First Chair Cleota after the Battle For Holtu. It was approved by First Chair Brendu and High Leader Altek as well. Even though the Military Alliance with Earth was written to exclude Onutu technology until after the Yoykan Empire was defeated, it was determined that your race was too important to lose if we wanted to survive extermination by the Yoyka.”
“So the story about the nanite injections ability to repel the Yoyka nanobot drones was a lie,” Doug said.
“Yes, we did not want anyone to know until after the Yoyka were gone. If they had defeated us here, we would still have a chance to rebuild and continue the fight later.”
Doug looked at Jan and smiled. Whatever the purpose, he was just happy to have his family back. He turned to Tumil and asked, “What now?”
Tumil looked at Doug and Janice before answering. “I brought Doctor Martin and your baby back first so you can see for yourselves what can be done with Onutu. I need Doctor Martin, Janice, so she can help me in my work developing a counter solution to the Yoyka nanoweapon. At the very least, we can turn the weapon against the Yoyka by reprogramming the nanobots.
“In time, we can bring everyone back who died in this attack. It can be started on the Solruku, but the proper solution is to create an Onutu center on Earth were it can be safeguarded and used for all your people just as it is done for the Qumru people and Holtu androids. It will be up to your leaders to decide.”
Doug let the information sink in slowly while he thought about the implications for the human race. It would be a monumental shift in human civilization and change the course of human history. The changes thrust upon governments and religious teachings alone would cause tremendous upheaval if not controlled properly. This needed to be handled slowly and carefully to prevent major disruptions in human society. It would take decades to accept what the Qumru people were offering to the human race.
Janice finally broke the silence. “Tumil, I don’t feel any differently than before, but I also don’t remember how I died.”
Tumil smiled and nodded his head slowly. “Onutu receives all memories and thoughts over the quantum link the instant someone dies. We have the ability to delete the last few moments of someone’s death to prevent unnecessary psychological trauma upon their return to the present. We have deleted the memories of your death caused by the nanobot drones on Mars.”
Janice looked at Doug and squeezed his hand. She did not want or need those memories to continue her life with her family. She said to Tumil, “I am grateful for what you have done for me and Jules. I cannot thank you enough.”
Doug added, “I am grateful too, Tumil. I appreciate what your people have given us. What happens next?”
Vice Leader Di spoke finally. “Tumil will go to Earth to explain to your leaders what the Qumru have done. You and I must leave for Qum to prepare to fight the Yoyka in their space territories before they grow stronger. High Leader Altek has already left for Qum. We are to meet him there.”
“Where will Jules and I stay?” Jan asked Tumil.
“I have room for you here on the Solruku until your home on Mars is secure under a new dome. We have a lot of work to do until then if you agree to stay with me.”
“That would be fine, Tumil. May I ask if my friends, Doctor Mun and Doctor Colbert, will join us here?”
“We are bringing everyone back who died on Mars first, “Doctor Martin. We have plenty of room on the Solruku to do this. I hope this is satisfactory.”
Doug looked at Janice and almost laughed. How could it not be?
Chapter 45
Qum
Doug did not get much time to spend with Jan and Jules on board the Solruku before he and Di left to rejoin their ships. It was time to go to Qum with the fleet. What time he did spend with Jan was spent updating each other what happened on Mars.
The last thing Jan could remember while staying in the shelter was how scared everyone was when the missile attack occurred above ground. The whole shelter shook violently before someone realized there was a crack in one of the walls. It seems the ground on Mars is not as firm in places as the building engineers thought. This allowed the Yoyka nanobot drones to enter and kill everyone in the shelter. Thankfully, Jan does not have memories of how she died, but she does remember watching others scream in horror at what was happening to them.
Doug told Jan how depressed and angry he was after he learned of their deaths. He only wanted revenge on the Yoyka who did this to his family. He still hated the Yoyka, but he felt the pain and stress on his mind lessen as they talked. He began to feel normal again and was ready to return to duty a better man than before.
They parted on board the Solruku sad but happy at the same time. Jan was looking forward
to helping Tumil work on a solution they could use against the Yoyka and also help him present the Onutu technology to the human race. She would not be alone. Tumil said Doctor Mun and Doctor Colbert would be available soon to help them. Doug promised to call her every day while he was away. Now, the meaning of life and death took on a whole new reality. It would take more than the killing of humans to end the human race. The Yoyka had no idea what was coming for them.
Doug returned to the USS Illinois. He was the acting Captain until Admiral Jason Weston was well enough to return to duty. Currently, the Admiral was recovering on another UN Space Strike Force warship equipped to provide medical support for the fleet. He was still in serious condition and no timeframe was given for his return. It was apparent Captain Martin would remain in command of the USS Illinois during the upcoming space battles with the Yoykan Empire.
Doug entered the Command Center ready for duty and took his seat on the Bridge. He gave the order, “Full speed ahead. Set course for Qum.”
Commander John Drake was still acting XO for Doug. He was a few years younger than Doug and had served as CAG or Wing Commander on other Earth based US Navy aircraft carriers similar to Doug’s experience before being assigned to the UN Space Strike Force. Doug had complete confidence in him.
“Course set for Qum, Captain!” Drake responded after entering the space coordinates for Qum. It would take ten hours to reach their destination at FTL speeds through hyperspace.
“What is our readiness status, XO?” Doug asked sitting in the command chair.
“All systems go. Weapons on standby. AIC confirms all systems green, sir.”
“Very good. How’s our Zoltu fighter status?”
Drake checked his comdisplay. “Wing Commander Wellsey confirms all fighters and pilots ready for action, sir.”
Doug looked at the officers manning the controls in the Command Center. They looked like they knew what they were doing, thanks in large part to all the training exercises held over the last few weeks. The coming days and weeks were going to test all of them to their limits and maybe more.