Chapter 1
Well after a month off, it's time to start beating the hell out of the keyboard and not the Khaak...
Completed the chapter below ========
Merc
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Ricc reviewed the data and spent a moment projecting the telemetry of the probe. It would make final orbit on the third pass of the planet, but with images being returned every few Sezura any significant discoveries would be picked up on the second orbit. The Roamer would be the launch vehicle for the probe sending it out at extremely high velocity and in little under three Tazura it would fire its reverse jets to reach orbital velocity before spiraling in using the gravitational pull of the planet.
He sat quietly watching the simulation and made some fine tweaks then reran the sequence. Behind him the rest of his team watched quietly. Happy that the probe passed over key areas of interest, Ricc stood up and turned to his team saying, "I think we're ready to tell the commander."
This announcement appeared to be met with a few nods but no one was expecting a compliment for the hard work they had put in.
Ricc announced, "Computer put me through to Commander Parrel."
The large AIC logo on the main lab display switched to the bridge and Parrel said questioningly, "What do you have for me?"
Ricc stood rigidly to attention, "The probe is ready Sir, and awaiting launch."
Parrel smiled, "Good work Ricc and thank the team for me."
Ricc beamed, "You already have Sir. Thank you Sir."
Parrel hesitated for a moment and glanced past the image of Ricc to the scientists just over his shoulder. One was making gestures behind Ricc but stopped when nudged by a colleague. Returning his attention back to Ricc he said, "We will launch in five Mizura."
Ricc commented, "Very good Sir." The comm closed. Turning back to his team the smile had already gone, "Back to work please, I hope that we can make some progress on the Khaak technology before the end of the Wozura."
Tor Grall had delivered the same speech to Wilasma and Zeelanamoula that he had to Daraman. Both looked slightly perplexed and surprised but said nothing.
As Tor and Broden wandered the corridors towards the final prisoner. Tor still felt uneasy and returned to the conversation relating to the brewing of ale and commented, "And you're reasonably sure the guys won't make anything stronger than Ale?"
Broden was beginning to wish he had not mentioned it and shrugged before answering, "Hard to say. But distilling is a dangerous game, the alcohol that's tapped off needs to be checked for purity, watered down and then cask conditioned for some time before being consumed. Takes ten to fifteen Jazura to get a decent space fuel."
Tors mind was not eased by this answer and commented, "Yeah, but how long to get something drinkable?"
Thinking for a moment Broden responded, "If the purity level is good, it can probably be watered down and used with a mixer anytime. If it's undiluted it'll probably kill you."
Tor looked a little bit surprised, "How?"
Broden glanced across, decided to tell a few half truths for effect and in a matter of fact voice replied, "Alcohol is a poison. It also has a strong affinity for water. A sufficient amount of pure alcohol getting in the system strips the water out of blood cells causing them to rupture and destroying organs." He paused for a moment and then added casually to Tors paling expression, "Diluted stuff is okay in moderation, too much and the dehydration gives you a hangover in the morning. Eventually though it'll destroy the kidneys and liver."
Tor asked quietly, "And the purity?"
Broden smiled briefly and reflected on his brief time doing guild work at the distillery in Herrons Nebula, "You can always pick up impurities from the still itself and improperly cleaned containers. Some can cause you to be very ill."
They reached the guard who deactivated the force fields and allowed them to pass before reenergising.
With a reflective sigh Tor said, "I've noticed this hasn't stopped you from drinking."
The door opened. Broden gave a slight laugh, "Everything in moderation, and if I worried about all the stuff that's bad for me I certainly wouldn't have found myself here. Anyway who want to live forever?"
Helass looked around from where she was sitting.
Tor commented thoughtfully, "Yeah, if I had spent more time studying than drinking then perhaps I wouldn't have found myself here either."
Broden smiled and remarked, "Ah, that's fate for you."
Helass watched and listened with a look of intense curiosity as to why they were visiting. Tor turned his attention toward her and said casually, "And speaking of fate. We have some good news for you."
Helass asked optimistically, "You're letting me go?"
Tor smiled and cheerfully said, "Better! We're giving you a job."
Helass glanced at Broden, who gave a slight nod, and then back to Tor, "I'd prefer freedom." She responded cautiously.
Tor sat down and sighed. With all the events that had taken place since the attack a lot of the ill feeling and animosity Tor once felt had faded and he said calmly, "I can understand that, but you were amongst the pirates that attacked the station, and if we ever find our way home then I'll need to know where to find you."
Helass looked confused for a moment, "Find our way home?"
Tor looked at Broden who appeared content to let him do all the talking, "You may have heard about a race known as the Khaak."
Helass looked uncertain as this was not a mission briefing detail she could recall, so she shook her head.
Looking thoughtful Tor responded sarcastically, "I wonder why they never mentioned it." Returning to his normal tone he continued, "Anyway, we and a few other surviving stations have been cut off from the rest of the universe by the Khaak. Which means there's nowhere to go, even if we let you."
Helass was quick in her response, "But you're not going to let me go."
Tor shook his head, "Not off this station, but if you choose to work with us you'll have your freedom on the station, with some restrictions to certain areas. If you say, 'no' then you can expect to spend a long time looking at the walls of this room."
Helass thought about it for a moment and then she nodded before saying quietly, "What do you want me to do?"
Tor gave a relaxed smile, "If our records on you are right, you're a computer programmer. So we want you to test the security of the station computers by hacking into them."
Helass looked surprised and glanced at Broden before returning her gaze to Tor, "Are you serious?"
With a nod Tor replied, "Absolutely. If you help us and show that we can trust you, we can guarantee that when we do get home you'll not face charges or have to go to prison."
Helass asked uncertainly, "You can do that?"
Broden interjected, "Despite appearances Mr. Grall has some influence in this area, and has assisted much less desirable people than yourself."
Helass said sharply in a disbelieving tone, "Name one?" She looked questioningly at Tor.
Tor shook his head slowly and thoughtfully, "I can't because I don't trust you enough not to tell others. That could make life difficult for everyone concerned." He reasoned that Helass was probably the last person he wanted to know that he had helped Nyeshta. It was certain that when they returned Caran would want to talk to her and at that point she might complain letting the secret slip out.
Helass considered Tors reaction for a moment, there was little choice but to believe him and if she stayed locked up for much longer she felt she would go crazy. Talking quietly she said, "Okay, I'll work for you. But you do promise to keep me out of prison!"
Tor looked steadily at her and could see a childlike fear reflected in her brown eyes mingled with a look of optimistic help. The promise would somehow make his previous statement more personal. He gave a brief nod, "If you help us and work with us without causing trouble then yes I promise to make sure you don't go to prison when we get back."
Broden had casually observed but said nothing. Tor stood up and looked towards him and then back to Helass and said, "Liann will be along in a while to get you set up and show you around."
Helass commented quietly, "She was the one in the interview?"
Tor nodded slowly but Helass said nothing else, both men turned and left the room. Looking at his time piece Tor commented, "He have a couple of Stazura before Parrels meeting."
Broden nodded as they walked past the guard and commented, "Holo-conference or face to face?"
Tor paced along still thinking about the promise he had just made and then answered, "I need to see him face to face and talk about finding more power plant core compounds from the planet."
Broden asked, "How are the new stations shaping up?"
Tor answered, "Slow progress but we nearly have a Cattle Ranch completed and there's been a start on the Crystal Fab. Sweety is still trying to get more of the construction robots up and running," Tor stopped talking for a moment and then commented, "We should really give the Alien city a name. For some reason it just doesn't seem right to keep referring to it as 'the Alien city' or 'the hidden base'."
Giving this a moments thought Broden responded, "I guess the 'lost city' isn't much better either. What about Mohrabas Station?"
Tor considered this, "Not bad, maybe ThaThwyns Station as he was its last commander."
Broden nodded slowly, "Seems appropriate."
Two Stazura later and Tor was sitting in the officers meeting room on board the Roamer. He was beginning to feel tired and that this had become a much longer day than normal. He spent a few moments reflecting on the meeting with Broden after returning to his own office. They had spent some time discussing ideas for running the station and the underlying message was for Tor to adjust some of his behaviour, to appear to be more in charge and not just one of the 'lads'. Tor knew that the real challenge was when he returned to the Silicon Mine and would be swept up in his birthday celebration. As Broden had said, "It's okay as the boss to have a few drinks and a laugh with the staff but it's quite another thing to get paralytic and make a fool of yourself." Tor had the distinct impression that on this particular occasion Broden would be looking out for him.
He glanced sideways at the door expecting Commander Parrel to enter at any moment. In the room sat two officers that were coordinating the holo-screens. All the other station commanders were calling in and Tor greeted each one. A Mizura before the official meeting time the door opened and the Commander walked in with Sheero Bhard.
Tor instinctively stood up and moved around the table.
Parrel shook hands with Tor and commented with a smile, "Good to see you on board, and I believe a happy birthday is in order."
Tor replied, "Thank you Commander." Then he turned and shook hands with Sheero.
They moved to their seats and Tor sat to Parrels' left whilst Sheero occupied the seat to the right of the Commander.
Parrel asked the two officers, "So do we have everyone?"
The officers nodded and replied, "Yes Sir."
Parrel commented as he glanced at his time piece, "Excellent, let's begin." He took a brief moment to open the console in front of him which listed the meeting agenda items. He started, "First item, the Cattle Ranch and Crystal Fabrication plant construction. Tor can you give us an update?"
Tor placed his technical datapad on the table and then said, "The Cattle Ranch is nearing completion, within the next Tazura we will be bringing systems online and pressure testing the facility. Providing there are no problems we will then progress to stage two and introduce the biomass for cultivation and the seeding of the dome. In another Wozura we will be able to move to stage three and introduce the Argnu Cattle stock."
Parrel asked the question, "How long before we can start to see any production?"
Tor glanced at the technical datapad, "Current estimate is the facility will not start yielding consumable beef until ten Wozura after initial stocking. Initial yields will be low until herd levels reach a sustainable quantity."
The commander of the Cahoona Bakery, Garet Hollant, looked perplexed and commented, "Is there any chance we can accelerate the program. To bring in a quicker yield return. Our current stock level means even at quarter production capacity we'll run out of beef in just over five Wozura."
Tor looked up, "There may be some scope to bring forwards some production, but it'll take longer to reach a sustainable turnover as we'll have to use some breeding stock to keep you guys ticking over. Remember this is a basic facility that won't have all the birthing tanks that can be found on normal factories."
Garet continued to look concerned and uncomfortable, however Tor wondered if it might be more to do with his clothes and the fact that the shirt appeared to be too tight, particularly around the collar. Garet asked, "Any chance you can install some tanks?"
Tor glanced towards Parrel and then back again, "We need to improve the stations core power plant and then synthesize the correct nutri-liquids in order for the tanks to be able to work."
Garet asked, "Then is the problem due to a lack of essential materials?"
Before Tor could respond Parrel interrupted them, "Before you both get carried away in the detail I believe this conversation should be saved for later. Garet your concerns are noted and the three of us should try and get to grips with this after this meeting." Parrel glanced at the holo-images of the other station commanders to see if they had any questions but none were forthcoming. So he turned his attention back to Tor and asked, "What about the Crystal Fab?"
Tor commented, "The Fab will be ready in another five Tazura."
Parrel once again turned his attention to the other station commanders and commented, "Looks like everything is moving along. Does anyone have any questions?"
Garet responded, "We will need to allocate an amount of processed Argnu Beef specifically for Crystal production. This could be difficult until we know how much beef we're going to see in the near term."
Parrel looked across and commented cautiously, "Understood. Again we can discuss this later."
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The meeting moved on with updates from each of the station commanders, each one listing their concerns and problems. Parrel made it clear he was only chairing the meeting and kept deferring comments and questions to Tor for a response.
They arrived at the last item on the agenda and Parrel took a moment before speaking, "Lastly we come to the reopening of the gate. From our observations of the Mohrabas home world we estimate that one hundred and ninety two solar cycles is equivalent to one Argon year."
There was a stony silence when Garet commented, "Doesn't that mean we'll be officially recorded as dead back home?" His small round eyes set in a plum face, darted around all the other station commanders.
Parrel commented, "Lets not tempt fate and prove them right once the gates reopened. And I don't believe the authorities will quietly bump us off just to avoid the paperwork."
Sheero muttered quietly, "Caran Belign might." Parrel and Tor were the only ones to hear him and the commander showed no indication of replying to the comment. Tor gave a wry smile.
The chip plant station commander spoke up, "But I and many others have assets in the core sectors."
Parrel looked at Tor briefly and then back at the holo-images, "I doubt any of you has as much to lose as Tor and I understand your concerns. However we are not in a position to try to influence the reopening and bring it forward."
There were a few despondent looks but only a murmur of dissatisfaction from the station commanders.
With the end of the meeting all the holo-projections disappeared leaving just Tor, Parrel and the three officers. Parrel dismissed the two junior officers and then turned to Sheero, "Could you organise some drinks for us?"
Sheero replied, "Yes, Sir." and also left the briefing room.
Parrel sighed, "I think after the next meeting we should just have these briefings once every two Wozura."
Tor felt the commander was right and was only glad to be saved from the discussion that was brewing on the production of Argnu Beef. He leapt in with a direct question, "So what are the chances of using the interplanetary shuttles to get minerals from the home world?"
Parrel leaned back in his chair, "At this moment in time. Next to zero."
Tor looked displeased and asked, "Any reason not to?"
Parrel commented, "Because there's someone still down there."
Tor was surprised, "How do you know?"
Parrel responded casually, "Because they left the lights on."
It took a brief moment before Tor asked, "Do you think they are survivors from the Khaak invasion or could they be Khaak?"
With a shrug Parrel answered, "We won't know until our probe reaches the planet."
Tor fired back the question, "How long's that going to take?"
Looking at his time piece Parrel replied, "A little under three Tazura."
Tor responded, "I would have thought a shuttlecraft could get there much faster than that?"
Parrel held his hand up and commented, "Questions, questions. Just slow down a moment and let me explain. But first I need a drink as I'm a little parched."
A Mizura later and Sheero returned with three drinks. Parrel took a long sip and sighed with contentment, "Right now to business and remember Tor what you hear now isn't to go beyond this room unless I give you the nod otherwise, understood."
Tor nodded in acknowledgement.
The Commander cleared his throat, "As I was saying and just to recap. There is a probe currently en-route to the Mohrabas home world and is expected to arrive in a little under three Tazura. Our suspicion is, that we will find Mohrabas survivors rather than Khaak, mainly because the Khaak would have already attacked us if they were here." He paused briefly, "And to answer your question, then yes an interplanetary shuttle would have been quicker, but we don't yet know what type of response we're going to get."
Tor chipped in with a question, "Do you think they would have recovered enough to be a threat?"
Parrel gave Tor a sharp look and with a wry smile, replied, "When an advanced civilisation takes a set back like this, don't always believe the calamitous views of the novelist and movie maker. You only need a few, and I mean a small number of people who know how stuff works and how to make things, and with enough labourers they can recover a large proportion of what's been lost in less than decade. No the biggest problem to be overcome is finding enough food to sustain the surviving population. But we digress."
Tor digested this information for a while but failed to really see how just a few people with 'the knowledge' could make a significant difference particularly if they had nothing left of their previous civilisation, like machines and power. For the moment however he would just take Parrels word for it.
Parrel noted Tors look of uncertainty but continued, "If the response we get is non hostile then we should be encouraged that they will be friendly and should respond positively when we try calling them."
Tor spoke up, "And if they're hostile?"
Parrel answered, "Then we need to understand why and damn quick."
Remembering a past conversation, Tor commented, "The Ancient gave the impression that the Mohrabas would be quite friendly."
Parrel gave a slight smile and replied, "Let's hope he's right. But that was probably reflecting on what they were once like. Now they've had their space fleets and stations destroyed, and the home world surface scoured of life, they may not be so well disposed to more aliens being in their system."
Tor could see the logic in this, as he himself would certainly think twice about letting someone onto his station if they had smashed up the place the last time around. He nodded, "So why don't we just try calling them. Let them know we're friendly."
Parrel sighed, "Well we appear to have hit a snag with that. Our scanners don't seem able to pick up any recognisable communications channels. Which is a problem in itself. Before initiating comms we want to be certain they get and understand the message."
Tor shrugged and said plainly, "Well doesn't that imply that perhaps their civilisation has regressed and they haven't advanced to a point where they'd have invented comms?"
Shaking his head Parrel answered, "Quite the opposite, they can generate artificial light and can mask their cities from our scanners which means they are well advanced. Advanced enough to have at least radio wave communication which we would pick up easily." Parrel paused for a moment and rubbed his chin, "No they have something far more sophisticated."
Sheero leaned forward, "In terms of advancement, we hope the probe will be able to discover if the Mohrabas have made any attempt to return to space."
Parrel nodded, "If they have and they don't like us we could be in real trouble. If they haven't then reopening the gate will give us a moral dilemma."
Tor looked questioningly at Parrel which then resulted in a dawning realisation, "Shit."
Parrel responded, "That's one way of putting it. Opening the gate will allow us to go home, but it will also allow the Khaak to return and finish the job."
Sheero then commented, "Which has another implication. If the Mohrabas are friendly towards us and have space capability, how will this 'friendship' continue when we tell them about re-opening the gate."
Parrel glanced across, "Very true, they may suddenly become very unfriendly with that news."
================
With a perplexed look Tor scanned the faces of the two men, "So what do we do?"
Parrel replied, "We assess the situation, build up a level of trust and diplomatically tell them we do not expect to stay in their sector."
Tor considered the response and tried to determine how it would help, "So we’re not going to tell them?"
Parrel frowned, "Not at first. We let them know that we are going to leave but don't elaborate further. Let them get used to the idea. We tell them everything we know about the Khaak and how we defeated them. Then when we drop in the minor detail of opening the gate, hopefully, they will come to us and ask to share technology. We then get to leave peacefully having made some new friends."
Tor did not feel convinced as it appeared to him to be all too vague, he said questioningly, "And that's the plan?"
Parrel gave a slight smile and responded quietly, "No, it's a plan. We can adapt to suit later." He paused for a moment, remembered a detail from the previous meeting and said, "We'd best call Garet Hollant and allay his fears and concerns, but no one is to mention possible life on the home world."
Sheero replied, "Yes, Sir." Tor just nodded as he mulled over what he might say to a Mohrab when the time came.
Time passed swiftly as Ricc Blathe waited for the probe to make its first pass of the home world. Almost invisible to him, his team watched the continuous stream of images being returned. The reverse thruster was already slowing the probe and Ricc took a brief moment to glance at the images, then wetted his lips in nervous anticipation. So far everything was in order, the telemetry and speed were exactly as predicted in the simulation.
He knew that a live feed was being sent to the bridge where Commander Parrel would be sitting patiently and watching. Noting the new speed he informed, "Stage one retardation complete. First level orbit obtained. Engaging control thruster for first planetary pass."
On the bridge the Commander sat calmly watching. Something about the image caught his eye, leaning forward to see if it would somehow make a difference being a little closer to the screen, he said out loud, "Freeze the image and magnify. Times fifty."
The main viewer complied with the request and Parrel muttered under his breath, "What the?" Hastily turning his chair to face the science officer, he asked, "Estimated time until final orbit."
The science officer replied, "Final orbit in approximately twenty Mizura."
Parrel looked thoughtful for a moment and then commented, "Go back to live feed." He sat back his mind apprehensive, as a nagging doubt crept into his mind. The image of what looked very much like a high orbit planetary defence grid firmly fixed in his minds eye and he hoped that he was wrong.
The probe continued to send images as it dipped behind the planet, drawn in by its gravity and the use of control thrusters it was nearly eight Mizura before it reappeared.
Over the comm Ricc announced, "First pass complete and entering second orbit."
High definition images of the surface of the planet were coming in however there appeared to be considerable cloud cover obscuring much of the view. The probe crested the rim to the far side of the planet.
Suddenly the screen went blank. An uneasy silence filled the bridge and the science labs. Ricc stared at the blank screen looking confused, then at the instrumentation.
Parrel spoke into the comm, "We appear to have lost contact with the probe. Can someone give me an update why?"
The image of Ricc frantically checking the last few transmissions flashed up on the main viewer. After a moment he quietly reported, "It's been destroyed, Sir."
Parrel asked, "Accidentally or deliberately?"
Ricc responded, "Deliberately, Sir."
Parrel frowned and with a deep sigh he ordered, "Compile all the data and be ready to report in thirty Mizura." He closed the comm and the viewer switched back to the AIC logo. The officers on the bridge watched him, waiting for instructions. Parrel rose rapidly from his chair and commanded, "You have thirty Mizura to review data and present your findings. I want to know what we're dealing with." Turning he strode purposefully towards the door and left the bridge in order to wander the ship and gather his thoughts.
ThaGorack glanced across at the junior officer before returning his attention to the main viewer and removing his finger from the panel. The object the aliens launched had strayed too close to the defence grid. A single pulse from the outer defence unit destroyed it completely.
The decryption of the alien signal revealed basic images of the planet and contained self diagnostic data. One fact was certain, the aliens now knew they were there and the destruction of the object might illicit a response. ThaGorack needed to alert the council but before he left the room he growled instructions to the two Mohrab officers.
They responded in kind and began to bring up command screens on the viewers. ThaGorack span on his heels and padded from the room.
Parrel returned to the briefing room a Mizura before his officers. He sat down and looked at the report and the question he asked himself was, should he be surprised that the probe was destroyed. To his mind it only proved the Mohrabas were as technologically advanced as he assumed they were. The real question was if they would do anything more.
The officers filed in and quickly took their places. Parrel scanned the faces to try and assess the mood of his officers, as he expected the general consensus was of apprehensive expectation.
Parrel started, "I see we're all here. So let's get started by reviewing the probes final few transmissions."
Sheero tapped on the touchpad in front of him, energising the viewing screens and the holo-projector in the centre of the table. Taking the control stick he began, "As you can see this is the flight path of the probe. As we move closer to the planet you begin to notice a number of small dark objects. Invisible to scanners, but visible to normal optics."
The image moved forward on the screen and Sheero continued, "As the probe approached it must have crossed into the firing range of the defence network and as the last image shows, it took a single well aimed shot."
Parrel looked across to Chareth and asked, "And we have been unable to detect any form of communication between the planet and this defence system."
The officer shook his head, "No Sir, nothing on any frequency. But that is not to say that they have some method of communications which is beyond our understanding."
Parrel nodded, "All things are possible. Any signs of further response?"
Several officers shook their heads and Sheero replied, "No Sir, there has been no movement of any kind."
Parrel sighed, "Well that is at least promising. However based on technology that we have already encountered, we should not ignore that they may have developed cloaking technology, and could already have us surrounded."
There was a moment of grim faced silence before Parrel asked, "Have you checked that this planetary defence system doesn't have any obvious connection with the Khaak weapons technology we have already encountered?"
Craydon Flaigal, the bridge science officer spoke up, "From what little data we have from the actual firing we would say, no, this is not like the Khaak weapon system."
Parrel asked slowly, "I'm taking it that the weapon that destroyed the probe was a beam weapon of some description?"
Craydon shook his head, "Slightly more sophisticated than that. The probe was moving at several thousand mps. Very difficult to hit with a beam weapon, the firing system would have to be incredibly accurate directionally and in its timing."
Parrel looked around the table, "Any suggestions what type of weapon this is?"
Sheero answered, "We think it may possibly be similar to the phased shockwave weapon that the Teladi and Paranid have been developing."
Parrel considered this, "Based on what we have seen from the Khaak and their attack strategy a wide field defence system seems somewhat appropriate." He paused for a moment as he gathered his thoughts, "At this time I am willing to consider this an unfortunate event. I would suggest that the probe entered into range of an automatic planetary defense system, which did not recognise it as friendly and destroyed it. Suggestions on how to proceed?"
Chareth spoke up, "Sir, might I suggest that we try for a direct communication. We can drop a relay satellite nearer to the planet to help pick up comms activity and also make sure it's outside the range of the planetary defence system."
Sheero commented, "However that might just upset them more than the probe did. The only thing we found out for certain is that they know we're here, and they know we know they're there."
Craydon chipped in, "In order for them to have positioned a defensive web around the planet shows they have mastered space flight."
Parrel sat forward, "And they have some powerful weapons. We have a difficult road ahead of us, made all the more complicated by the fact that our future goal may not meet with the goodwill of our neighbours. The choices we face are to either to go on as we are and ignore them, in the hope they don't notice what we're up to and react, or make contact now and understand this race, make friends and hopefully gain their support."
Sheero spoke up, "Sir, we have a logistics problem as well. When we open the gate, there are too many people to pack onto the Roamer and the other ships to make an escape. Over half would have to stay behind."
Parrel raised a questioning eyebrow and Sheero added, "Most people arrived as crew on the factories, and there's no way we can take those with us, Sir."
Nodding slowly, Parrel came to a decision, "Then we must try and establish communications and gain the goodwill of this race. Sheero, Chareth prepare the shuttle and nav sat."
" and one of these:
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