THE KANEN EXPEDITION - PART ONE
"THE PLANET OF THE BEAST"
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PROLOGUE
Jannat pulled irritably at the hood of his jacket. It was another futile attempt to keep it in place. He was impatient to shield his face from the thrashing sands that had viciously bombarded him and his son for the last six days. The winds had intensified considerably since they had reached the steep summit earlier that morning. Looking fondly at the boy beside him, he coveted the strength that he, too, had once enjoyed in his youth.
"Still nothing, Father," Aaroth reported with a clear note of disappointment, then handed his mentor the field lenses. Forcing as mature and deep a tone as possible, he hastened to add, "Maybe we should head straight for the cavern. I can scout it out for us."
His eyes scarcely visible through several thin layers of coats and scarfs, the older man managed a wink for his son. "Be patient. It is the initial code of the hunter."
Turning back toward the endless landscape of sand and rocks below him, Jannat surveyed the chasm nearly a kilometer away, hoping for any sign of activity. Earlier accounts he had gathered suggested that the prey he sought would be hiding there. This was the victory he had pursued for a lifetime. It didn't matter how many had tried vainly before him. Jannat was a proud hunter, from proud people. He knew well the cunning skills required to abolish this Beast.
His throat dry and sore, the pain in his head continuing to increase, he tried to redirect his attention toward the dim, red sun descending behind a neighboring peak. A muted signal sounded from the portable scanner lying on the ground next to him. Aaroth turned to him with ardent anticipation.
"Is it him?" the boy asked with hope filling his eyes.
"I don't think so," Jannat forced out the words in short labored breaths, then began coughing uncontrollably.
Aaroth tried to comfort his father, offering some water from the flask he carried. "Your cough is getting worse," he cautioned when the spasms had stopped. His excitement for the hunt was now overshadowed by his mounting concerns as he observed the undeniable deterioration his father had shown the last several hours.
"I'll be all right. It's this damn wind," Jannat insisted, his voice rasping as he strained to clear his throat. He leaned over his sparse equipment. "The readings suggest it's probably a ship entering orbit."
Upon arriving at Kanen-5, Jannat mistakenly landed his small craft nearly fifty kilometers short of their destination. A few meters before they reached the ground, a strong gust of wind buffeted the ship and pushed it into an outcropping of rocks. As metal scraped against granite, the backup containment field generator was split open. It would take several days to repair the damaged materials. Ignoring his poor health, spurred on by the adolescent exuberance of his offspring, Jannat reluctantly agreed to travel the remaining distance on foot.
It had become a popular obsession of scores of adventure seekers and scavengers from all over the galaxy to hunt the obscure creature that reportedly roamed Kanen-5. Jannat was confident that he and Aaroth could find and destroy it. Their success would mean a place of honor for his family, and immediate economic gains. The long excursion nearly completed, the two maintained a vigil behind withered stubbles of once majestic mountains, waiting for the creature to emerge.
"Another ship?" Aaroth asked.
"You would think so, my son, but I haven't been able to get a good reading of anything else on the planet. Either it's not landing, or too far away for us to read them on this old scanner." Jannat adjusted the device, hoping to increase its sensitivity, but it continued to register no other signs of life. Suddenly, he turned to look at Aaroth with widened eyes, then fell limply to the ground. His mouth opened as if to yell, but no sound emerged.
"Father!" Aaroth hurried to his father's side. "What's wrong?"
There was no reply. Aaroth grabbed the scanner from the ground, switched the equipment to medical readout, then directed it at his father. The display showed high levels of radiation emitting from Jannat. Running the scanner over his own body, a similar pattern was revealed. In instinctive preservation, Aaroth dropped the device to cover his ears as a deafening explosion erupted directly above the chasm before them. He stood up slowly to observe the remains of a ship plummeting to the ground - then felt the vibrations as the ship impacted the ground near the target they had so judiciously sought. Immediately following, a loud, shrill undulation surrounded the area. Aaroth dropped to his knees and screamed in pain as intense light blinded him and the noise increased to unbearable limits.
A moment later, the hill was deserted. Charred black sand, caught by the strong winds, scattered across the desolate planet.
CHAPTER ONE
The date is 2481 . . . nearly one hundred and fifty years since the last ship has sent its cries for help from the empty blackness of the Deltous Sector. Kanen-5 and the inexplicable Beast have been silent and almost forgotten by the inhabitants of Selet III. Devoting its energies to growth, the modest colony planet hasn't the time to keep legends alive or to investigate myths.
Shaanon is not yet thirty years of age. Like most recent graduates of the Tomah Science Academy, he zealously began his new career by immediately constructing distinctive space vehicles with which he and others could explore the boundless, unplotted reaches of their universe. His exceptional science and technical abilities did not go unrewarded. Selet III's United Province selected the youthful prodigy as their head designer for all military and commercial space transports. Shaanon's brilliance was unmatched. He personally designed, built and captained the fastest and most elaborate star ship known to Selet III: Universe.
This decorated scientist seemed driven by an intense desire to excel. Not out of conceit or some subliminal need to compensate for self-perceived shortcomings. It grew from an enormous curiosity and an uncanny perception that life held more than the present mysteries his colleagues sought to explain. Indeed, Shaanon's presence on Selett III was an enigma in itself. He was found wandering near the outskirts of the colony's principal city, with no recollection of any events prior to the moment he was discovered except his age of six and his unusual name. After medical and psychological exams were administered, it was determined that no apparant harm had befallen the child. His intelligence was deemed to be the highest of anyone on the planet, and he was placed in foster care under the guidance of the board of governors to ensure his academic needs were met. His relatives were never discovered, and Shaanon never recovered his early memories.
As Shannon unwaveringly continued his assignments, he became aware of other students' and graduates' desires for a return to the cultural system they had once enjoyed when Selett III had first been colonized. Saddened by what they saw happening to their once casual existence, they cautiously joined forces for a new direction amidst the backdrop of a changing political system. The allegiance of this newly-formed group proved solid and trustworthy. Soon, he and his earnest crew would set a course to the Deltous sector where Kanen-5 lies - the last surviving planetoid in the Kanen solar system.
Steadfastly refining his abilities and garnering his accomplices, Shannon was unaware of similar interests amongst confederates in the next solar system. On the planet Forneptus IV, a small ten-man space ship was being readied for departure from space dock. Captain William S. Brannon also planned a visit to the Deltous sector, but for reasons far different from Shaanon's.
Brannon intended to seize what he felt were much deserved recognition and revenge. Whether or not others subscribed to the galaxy's lore, the Captain understood that the Beast was not merely a mystical phenomenom. Its destruction meant his reinstatement in the government's hierarchy, as well as ending the creature's devastating visits. He was well versed in the historical documentation found on all regions of Forneptus IV:
"It came from the outer atmosphere at unbelievable speeds. In a matter of seconds, nearly one-fourth of Forneptus IV engulfed in flames . . . millions of lives lost to an unknown attacker."
Both manned and unmanned probes, battle cruisers and various other space vehicles immediately followed the enemy through hundreds of light years of cold, tenebrous space, only to lose sight of the invader upon entering the Deltous sector. The legends and myths of the Beast swiftly circulated throughout the galaxy. A search of the Deltous sector proved futile when further attempts were made to find the assailant. Star maps suggest only two planets in the area. The place of origin is therefore believed to be Kanen-5, the only sphere capable of supporting life. Forneptus IV has been quiet for over a century. Captain Brannon holds a plan to rid the universe of this creature; if, indeed, it still exists. This purpose only faintly obscured by an unrelenting obsession to regain the position once held in Forneptus IV's Committee.
K A N E N - 5
It is a dismal planet orbiting a red sun. Environmental conditions allow life forms, however scarcely. Kanen-5's sun generates hard radiation upon the exterior plane, organic life finding it tolerable for only brief periods of time. This situation would only intensify; as the star, Kanen, was nearing its expected nova just one thousand years ahead.
The planet's surface is primarily rock, though one can find areas of vegetation scattered occasionally about, and thin sheets of ice in isolated northern areas. Mountains which once towered into a pristine atmosphere now stand as broken, ravaged miniatures; their bases swept with the swirling grains of what was once their regal existence. Caves and fissures cut out by intense solar winds and relentless volcanic activity dominates the withering expanse. The eruptions have ceased, now, as if to make the last moment one of solemn contemplation before expelling its last breath with the death of its sun.
One crevice, about four kilometers long and five-hundred meters wide, is peculiar due to its unwitnessed sporadic activity. Within this breach are three tunnels concealed behind large slabs of granite. At the opening of each tunnel, hidden directly behind these rocks, are what appears to be a constructed door. Light can often be seen emanating from the cracks at the entrance leading to the southern tunnel.
Shaanon addressed his crew. "I hope to be in the infamous 'Beast sector' within two months. Let me repeat, just so it's crystal clear: I'm not leaving Selet III in pursuit of legendary monsters or mythical demons!" Shannon's jaw stiffened as he carefully punctuated his words, eyes narrowing to meet his fellow traveler's gaze with authority. "The Deltous sector is largely unexplored. With any luck, we'll locate a habitable planet to colonize."
A few muffled "yeas" resonated throughout the briefing room. Shaanon began to leave, then stopped abruptly when he noticed Katala approaching him. "I thought you weren't coming?" he questioned the attractive navigator.
"I can't stay on Selet III," she replied. "The next few weeks are going to be hell around here, and I don't want to be a part of it. Besides, who else could you possibly find to maintain course on this contraption?" She patted the shiny metal wall with a parental air, as if to confirm her loyalty and connection.
Shaanon smiled warmly. "Who else indeed. You rigged that navigation console so no one but you could steer this ship." He lowered his voice and moved closer to the young woman. Her deep brown eyes showed calmness despite their busy departure schedule. "I'm glad you changed your mind, Katie. I would have missed you very much. Just couldn't imagine going without you."
Katala smiled back at him, using slender fingers to brush back her hair. "You knew I'd come, Shaanon. I'd miss all of you . . . but especially you."
The first officer strolled passed the two on her way to the bridge. Green eyes snapping, her red hair tucked haphazardly beneath a small white transmission headset, Contenella Napes waved a small screwdriver, occasionally flipping and catching it with deliberate abandon.
"Okay, okay, let's go already! Your father's impetuous troops are gonna come storming in on us any minute if we don't get out of here." Contanella's clipped speech belied her educational background.
"Conts," Katala admonished, "my father won't even be back to Selet III for two more weeks! No one knows I'm here, and besides . . . how can anyone stop us now?"
"I hope you're right Katie, but I don't want to stick around and find out. Shaanon," the first officer turned to face her captain, straightening in the process, "everything's prepared for our departure from space dock. Whenever you give the word, sir."
It was at Selet III's Tomah Academy for Space Sciences that Shaanon met Katala for the first time. The two shared consoles during a Mission simulation exam. He was greatly impressed with her ability to set complex navigation parameters swiftly and accurately. An asset he foresaw as valuable in Universe's future missions. Over the course of their final year at Tomah, they developed a very solid friendship. The relationship remaining platonic despite the closeness of their surroundings.
Katala's father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the First Office of the United Provinces of Selet III. Colonel Richardson personally requested Shaanon's assistance on his Extraterrestrial Vehicular Transportation Development team. Months into the research, doubts began to emerge about his earlier choice. Shaanon's broad-minded views became alarming. The Colonel feared the youth might take his knowledge and acquired resources off-world and begin his own colony on another planet. As Universe made final preparations to leave Selet III, Richardson's concerns were about to be realized.
Colonized forty years ago, Selet III was a peaceful and quiet planet. Their tranquility was in stark contrast to its longstanding neighbor, Forneptus IV. Both settlements were ultimately controlled by the Committee of Off-World Colonization. This Committee of elite minds and elected leaders meted their control from the home world of Rinoltt. The migrants were given full authority over their destiny by the Rinoltt Committee when they first arrived. Nonetheless, being on your own in the galaxy had its advantages as well as its risks.
In spite of the colony's cooperative spirit, an underlying anxiety had developed. An apprehension of becoming overtaken by other, aggressive worlds. Colonies far more advanced and financially able to achieve the planet's industrial potential. The United Provinces of Selet III thought it wise to begin firming its defenses against a possible takeover. This would take time, however. Not all of the citizens readily agreed with the government's viewpoint. Mandatory armed service was only the first stage. The governing body began introducing cultural restrictions. Many felt it wouldn't be long until all aspects of their lives would be managed. Shaanon, who worked within the burgeoning bureaucracy, saw the potentially lethal pattern early in its infancy. He began decisively making plans to leave. Thus, the construction of Universe.
Shaanon's crew consisted of the best Selet III had to offer. The young and skillful navigator, Katala, was less eager to break free from the growing constraints. With strong familial ties, her decision to participate in this broad venture was a painful one. The brothers Camon, Jantz and Nathon Tapar joined in this vision of independence as engineering staff. Contenella Napes, a seasoned science specialist and communications expert, was appointed First Officer aboard Universe. She was also among the first inhabitants of Selet III to share in Shaanon's concern with its future.
Contanella's unquenchable appetite for passionately studying unknown or poorly researched areas of space directed her to the Deltous sector. These deliberations led to Shannon's suggestion to examine that zone for an alternate residence. Contanella believed there were at least two habitable and unknown planets in this area, small enough for the crew to conceal themselves with the aid of her recently developed cloaking screen. There they could begin a new life without the constraints rapidly being forced upon them by Selet III's administrative intrusions.
Twenty-five additional Tomah Academy graduates were also eager to participate in the mission. Each offered varied skills that would prove useful in space exploration and planetary colonization. The thirty-one crew members of Universe left space dock, anxious to begin a new life together on their own colony planet, far from Selet III.
"It's at least twice as powerful as the prototype," Captain Brannon promised his yeoman, Canton Boyds. "Boyds, you know I'm no fool. If that monster tries to pull us down to the surface of Kanen-5, it'll be in for one helluva shock!"
The yeoman wasn't satisfied with his captain's confidence. "I just want a chance to test this thing . . . that is, other than in battle."
Captain Brannon thought a moment. "Maybe you'll get a chance. The long-range scanners just picked up a ship about two days away from us. Maybe . . . "
Boyds stared at the Captain before responding, his mouth gaping wide at the reasoning. "You can't be suggesting we try the ESE on just any indiscriminate ship . . . someone we don't even know! If it's as powerful as you say, it'll . . . "
"Listen!" Brannon interrupted. "If it's a matter of us or that goddamned Beast, well, we must know. You just said you wanted a test run."
"That's not a valid reason to kill innocent lives!" Boyds countered. "Dammit Bill, if you're giving me a choice, I guess we'll have to wait to meet up with that creature on Kanen-5."
"Your decision," Brannon replied, his voice failing to reveal any sign of emotion. With eyes remaining fixed on the instruments before him, fingers punching pads and keys slowly and deliberately, no motive could be discerned other than duty and mission. Boyds' stomach knotted as he watched the man. Surely he can't be serious.
The Wing was on course for Kanen-5. On board, a new weapon: unproved and unstable, but presumably quite deadly. The Electrosystematic Emitter, or ESE as it was more commonly referred to, was partially designed by Captain Brannon, and engineered to reverse energy surges aimed in its direction. A weapon or any other power source directed at Wing would readily be detected by the ESE. The mechanism, after multiplying the strength of the focused energy by nearly 500 percent, would send these waves back to its source. Theoretically, energy output as slight as communications frequencies could cause a devastating effect.
Performance testing was never completed. A prototype demonstration had proven disastrous. While in the process of evaluation, the ESE destroyed two manned ships - causing the death of six people. Instead of redirecting the energy to the unmanned probes as expected, the device malfunctioned. The instrument directed its absorbed energy twenty-two degrees off course. Use of Brannon's weapon was subsequently forbidden in the entire Forneptus solar system.
Captain Brannon walked out onto the bridge of his ship, glancing casually at the stars on the forward view screen as he took the command chair. His thoughts were on the creature that they were en route to confront. If all went according to plan, he would be returned to his rightful place in the Committee. Terminated from his membership as a result of the premature testing, Brannon resolutely continued his analysis of this new weapon. Its success would mean absolution from his earlier transgressions. With each arousing reflection, Brannon lost his apprehension. The Wing would return from her mission. His honor would be restored.
Canton continued his inspection of the ESE connections. His body became suddenly rigid. Without warning, every muscle within him was seized as if by some gigantic force, then locked rigidly in place. A voice spoke from within his subconscious:
"STAY ON COURSE. I EXPECT YOU SOON. DO NOT FEAR ME, FOR I SHALL GIVE YOU POWER TO RULE OVER THE UNIVERSE."
First Officer Napes, walking down one of Universe's many corridors, noticed a nonoperative monitor terminal just outside engineering. Dammit, not another one! The First Officer reached for a pair of pliers from her tool belt.
"How 'ya doing, Conts?" Chief Engineer Jantz looked puzzled as he approached the short, stocky woman in the corridor. He watched as she pried open the face plate and examined the circuitry, her brow knitted in displeasure.
"Hi, Jantz. I'm doing all right, but this monitor circuit has seen better days."
"I thought you just put that thing back on line?"
"No, that was the monitor in corridor Four-A," Contanella corrected, wondering if repairing monitors was to be her sole task on this journey. Since leaving Selet III, six of the communication monitors had malfunctioned for no apparent reason.
"Well, I was close," the engineer replied with a smile. "Surely you know these things are built to malfunction every other day? Anyway, I was wondering if you've seen the Captain down here."
"Yeah, just about ten minutes ago," she continued to study the insides of the monitor. "I wonder if he's the one who's been destroying these things with those damn video games of his. I swear, if Shaanon uses these monitors to play one more game of 'Elgot's Revenge', I'll stick that . . ."
"Thanks Conts," Jantz interrupted, "I'll find him."
Jantz left Contanella mumbling her reprisal and continued the search for his captain. After replacing the damaged circuit, Contanella began to attach the monitor's cover. As she fastened the last corner, her body suddenly stiffened uncontrollably. Terror overwhelmed her as a voice began to vibrate within her head:
"CONTINUE ONWARD, BRAVE ONE. YOUR ARRIVAL IS GREATLY ANTICIPATED. I AM PLEASED YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO COME TO ME. DO NOT FEAR."
The words ceased as abruptly as they had begun. Contanella slowly relaxed. Her eyes darted about the room, hoping to find some plausible explanation for the event. She was not easily alarmed. Despite a highly disciplined background, toughened from years of struggle, Contanella couldn't recall ever being as frightened as she was at that moment. She also realized there was something strangely soothing in the voice. Quiet. Unobtrusive. Perhaps even mournful. The fear she had felt was gradually replaced with compassion. For no justifiable reason, Contanella felt a subtle urge to visit the planet Kanen-5.
"Captain to the bridge." The ship's intercom searched for its commander, who was presently helping Chief Engineer Jantz Taparr fasten a food dispenser in the recreation lounge. Both men were having a difficult time installing the stubborn piece of equipment. Shaanon targeted a final kick at the machine, causing it to produce a metallic grunting vibration before falling into place. He smiled at Jantz, then walked across the lounge to answer the page.
"Shaanon here. What's up?"
"Captain, we've got company out here," the second watch communications officer explained. "It looks like our neighbors are headed in the same direction."
"I'm on my way. Shaanon out."
Jantz followed Shaanon into the corridor. "Interesting technique you have there, Shaanon," he observed, referring to the deftly placed blow.
"Oh, you like that, do you? Learned it from an attractive science major about a year ago. She's a feisty one, that girl. From a military family. She loved to demonstrate self-defense moves on me, as well as other innocent equipment. Dated her twice. I was in the hospital recuperating from our second date when she called to make a third."
"You're kidding? She put you in the hospital?"
"You wanna see my scars?" he began fiddling with his upper garment.
"I believe you. Damn." Jantz shook his head in disbelief. "Sure hope you'll be safe out here. Guess there's not much chance of her finding you, anyway."
"I'd say the chances are pretty good, Jantz. I was talking about Katala." Jantz's eyes widened. "Oh, don't worry. We've come to an understanding since then. She doesn't use me as a kicking bag, and I get to stay alive."
Jantz shook his head, amused with his captains' anecdote, then departed for engineering.
Upon entering the bridge, Shaanon walked over to the communications officer. "Have you identified the craft?"
"Yes," she continued to scrutinize her instruments. "It's the Wing, registered to Forneptus IV, SCC-244. Fancy meeting them out this way . . . and on the same course we're on."
Shaanon mumbled something unintelligible in what sounded almost like a moan. If there were any expletives, he carefully concealed them. "Well, we might as well contact them and find out what they're up to. Try to connect with their communication system."
"Captain," Boyds called out, "we have the Universe on subchannel one. Captain Shaanon from Selet III wants to speak with you."
Shaanon, Brannon thought. He knew the name well. "Put him on-screen."
The comm-screen's view of the stars was replaced with the image of a young, boyish-looking man with short, blond hair and a slightly muscular build. His youthful voice filtered through the speaker. "My name is Shaanon. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
"This is Captain William S. Brannon, commanding the star cruiser Wing. Why are you out here, boy?"
Not as easily intimidated as Brannon had hoped, Shaanon smiled back at him. "It was such a nice day, thought we'd take a little cruise 'round the galaxy. Yourself, Captain?"
"I don't owe you an explanation, kid. It's none of your damn business what our mission is." He looked toward his yeoman and nodded. Boyds wanted an opportunity to test the ESE? Well, how about I give him that opportunity right about now.
Shaanon deliberated a moment before responding to the image on the screen. "Look Captain Brannon, insults aside, one doesn't usually run into anyone headed into the Deltous sector. We thought you may have had a navigation problem. That maybe you needed some assistance. At any rate, we are simply making a test run. This is the first time Universe has been out of space dock."
Contanella motioned for Shaanon to look at her monitor readout as Katala approached.
"What is it, Conts?" Katala asked.
"I'm not sure. It looks like a weapon buildup of sorts, but the energy is so low it could hardly do any damage - even when it peaks. And look at this power curve. Have you ever seen one that looked like this before?"
"I have." Shaanon spoke softly so that Brannon wouldn't hear over the open communications channel. "I saw the same curve when Forneptus IV used a portion of Selet III space during a weapon's demonstration. These readouts look identical to the analysis of one of the weapons that were tested."
After a few moments, his eyes sparkled with awareness. "Brannon . . . Hmm. That's right! Now I remember. It was Brannon who demonstrated this thing. I recall the hot water he got into after it was all over. The weapon malfunctioned. Killed some technicians during the test, too. Jantz and Nathon were with me - I'm sure they'll remember it. If Brannon's gotten the bugs out of it now, we could be in for some serious trouble. It was one mean weapon if it functioned properly. Damn, I wonder what he's up to."
"Captain," the communications officer interrupted, "Wing has cut off communications with us."
C H A P T E R T W O
Yeoman First Class Canton Boyds, sitting motionless in the chair at Wing's weapons console, speculated about the voice he had heard hours before. He was not unfamiliar with the allegories surrounding the Beast, although he wasn't convinced of their validity. For the present, he thought it best not to mention it to the ship's crew. Maybe he had imagined it. Maybe someone, somehow, was playing an elaborate prank on him. His captain was certainly devious and desperate enough to concoct such an insidious scheme. But, he also knew Brannon lacked the skills necessary to engineer the ploy. The yeoman's thoughts were suddenly interrupted as Captain Brannon approached.
"Come on, Boyds . . . what the hell are you doing? Get that system on-line, and make it fast."
Returning his focus to his duty station, Boyds responded hesitantly. "Yes sir. I'm loading the sequence now." He studied the ESE readout, then stood and faced the captain.
"Bill, I don't like this. You know who that is aboard Universe, don't you? How are you going to explain his disappearance, not to mention the ESE operating so close to our solar system? A coincidence? As soon as it's activated, everyone within twenty-five light days will know it."
Brannon wasn't interested in the yeoman's conclusions. The flat of his hand slammed onto the instrument panel. Nothing was going to stop this mission. "I don't give a damn about who knows. When we get back home, everyone will be praising us for ridding the galaxy of the Beast. They're not going to worry about how we did it - just the fact that we did."
"Maybe. But the excitement will wear off and we'll be expected to provide a full report and ship's log." The yeoman attempted to reason with Brannon. "You'll have to falsify the records."
"Look," the captain's manner relaxed somewhat. He tried to sound persuasive. "let's just give them a taste of the ESE so they'll get the hell out of here. They don't need to know our business, do they? Let's just frighten them a little."
Boyds shifted his weight slightly but maintained a determined stance while intently trying to read his captains expression. He was running short of options. His personal friendship with the man was doing little to diffuse the situation. He mustered a casual tone.
"It's against Forneptus IV's treaty, Bill. We can't do it. Besides, what do you have against this 'Shaanon', anyway? What's the big deal if they're heading for the Deltous sector, too?"
Brannon had heard enough. "You have my orders, Boyds. Do it. Right now. You can set the power level at point-zero-five. That's enough to knock out their shields and they'll be forced to return home. I hope that will meet with your approval, 'mister' Boyds?"
He punctuated his words with a self-righteous air, using his rank as a shield against further inquiry. At the moment, legal fine print wasn't enough to deter his fixed purpose.
The yeoman didn't answer him. Trained obedience forced him to sit back down and begin to set the parameters into the ESE console. His conscience knew that even at this low setting, the weapon would utterly destroy Universe. Quite probably a small moon, too. Whatever Brannon's grievances might be with Universe, it had nothing to do with their immediate mission. Boyds also knew of Shaanon. He was aggressive, but not unlikeable. Certainly he'd done nothing that would warrant his death along with that of his crew. It was probably a personal matter between Brannon and him. Knowing the captain as Boyds did, it was probably not worth arguing about, much less considering murder.
The yeoman decided to set the ESE's preactivation parameter to an unusual setting. Hopefully, Brannon wouldn't recognize the slight variation on the monitor screen. With luck, someone aboard Universe would take immediate notice.
"Obviously they plan to shoot first and to hell with any questions," Katala observed. "Are they close enough to do any damage, Shaanon?"
"It's hard to say. I assume he has improved the weapon after what happened during its initial demonstration. But, I still don't think the effective range is greater than five-hundred kilometers. At least not with any degree of accuracy."
Shaanon looked at the long-range scan display, then switched on the comm-panel. "Bridge to engineering."
"Engineering, Nathon here. How can I help you, Captain?"
"Look at this, Nathon." Shaanon adjusted several keypads so that the bridge readouts showed on the engineer's monitor. "The power level is still low, but you and Jantz should recognize this curve."
"Ah, yes. I seem to recall once analyzing a similar pattern," Jantz answered as he walked up directly behind his brother and co-engineer.
"You're right, it's awfully low, but that doesn't mean it's not dangerous!"
"Can you estimate its maximum power? I'd like to be sure we're far enough away to avoid any significant damage." Shaanon motioned for Katala to join him at the comm-panel while Nathon and Jantz studied the monitor for a moment.
"As long as we don't communicate with them and cease our scan, we'll be okay. But if the power goes up any higher while our scan is still on . . . well, you know the song. Shaanon, do you know if Brannon's got all the bugs out of that weapon, yet?"
"No Jantz, I haven't heard a thing about it. I would think he would have scrapped the design after what happened. Apparently he's had second thoughts. I'll tell you one thing . . . the man's not dealing with a straight deck. He has a short temper and a contemptible reputation."
"So I've heard," Jantz agreed. "We'll study this readout a bit more and let you know if we find anything."
"Thanks Jantz, Nathon. Bridge out." Shaanon gave orders to end scanning and bring the ship to a complete stop. He had an idea. "Katie, do you remember that little stir you caused at Tomah Academy during our final navigation exam?"
Katala released a quiet chuckle and nodded assent.
"Think you can do it again?"
"I suppose, why?"
Shaanon smiled. "Because I want Brannon to recognize himself for the vain fool he really is. Get my drift?"
Katala laughed as she remembered the playful stunt using fireworks to display a less than flattering commentary directed at a particularly arrogant instructor. "This ought to be good. But before I commit myself, let me make sure we have everything aboard that I'll need."
"One other thing, Katie. We're going to have to be able to communicate with your little contrivance, so put a two-way transmitter in there, okay? And a mini-scanner, too. You'd better double the fire power as well. Only this time, forget the fireworks. Use 'real' photon torpedoes."
"Right. Whatever you say," Katala threw up her arms in protest as she responded sarcastically, "Anything else? Why stop there? I'll just build another ship."
"I'm expecting too much from you, aren't I?" Shaanon's gentleness surfaced.
"Well, I didn't exactly say that, Captain."
"Then? Do you want to find out if they've improved that weapon of theirs by becoming a target?" Shaanon smiled at her and took both her hands. "Get with Napes and see if you two can rig up a low-energy means of subspace communications. A module or something. You know, something you can attach to your probe. Come on, Katie, this is right up your alley."
"Alright, I'll give it a shot. Who knows, it just might work. Hey, Conts!" She turned and walked away, talking to herself as she headed toward Contanella's science station.
Shaanon watched and shook his head. "They don't make 'em any better than that."
K A N E N - 5
Within the southern tunnel, a lone figure emerged from within a lighted cabinet. He picked up a log book from an adjoining table top and briefly leafed through the pages, his bony fingers tapping rhythmically at various points. Stopping at the last entry, he looked up.
"Phase Two complete."
The announcement was made to no one; his words echoed softly throughout the deserted chamber. Walking to the exit, the short, wiry man left the tunnel and proceeded out into the unstable planetoid's atmosphere. His shiny garment was instantly dulled by a coating of dust and sand which flew about wildly. Pulling his hood to protect his face from the piercing granules he approached The Beast. It lay still, filling the length of the long crevice and resting just meters from the three tunnel entrances.
"You're in fine shape my friend, but you must continue to rest and prepare for the task that nears," he called out to the looming figure before him. Moving closer to the creature, the dark robed, male figure attached a cable to its head. The hum of an electrical current echoed against the gray rock lining the long impenetrable walls.
Kanen-5's sands swirled viciously against the securely locked doorway to the northern tunnel. In consonance, ominous thunder pulsed throughout the atmosphere of the planet, underscoring the bleakness of the terrain. Beyond the doorway - protected from the wretched, inhospitable environment - two men, a woman and her daughter shared an evening meal together. This prison had been home to the captives for many years, though for reasons still unknown to them.
Hannah Livingston handed a cup of soup to her daughter, Lesdy, patting the child gently on top of the head in rhythmic motion. Returning to her place at the table in the tunnel's spacious interior, she resumed her discussion.
"There isn't any other explanation. He must be bringing others here. Besides, it's obvious, from all the commotion we've been hearing these past weeks that he's been preparing the vehicle for travel."
"You could be right, Hannah," one of the men agreed, "but there's nothing we can do about it. You know that. Whoever comes here will stay here, or die trying to escape."
"Dexon," Hannah pleaded, "we can't just sit around and do nothing. Lesdy's managed to get into the storage tunnel more than once. Surely there's got to be a way to enlarge that entrance hole. We've got to keep trying until we find our comm-packs and can warn whoever enters this sector!"
"Hannah, it's been many years since even Lesdy was small enough to squeeze through that hole. I doubt our possessions are still there." The man's voice betrayed his defeated spirit. "Besides, even if they are, I doubt the comm-packs still work."
Dexon dipped a piece of bread into his soup bowl, navigating the small morsels of protein-rich fiber that floated at the top of the warm liquid. After sufficiently soaking the bread, the doctor removed it from the soup, placed it carefully on a dinner plate and passed it to Lesdy.
"For you, little one. Enjoy."
"Why did you do that?" The child asked.
"Just something that reminds me of a time before this. Another planet, far from here."
If not for an unexplainable readout which the science officer aboard Charter had detected, they would not have been in this sector at all. When the source of the strange scan was verified to be emanating from Kanen-5, the ship cautiously approached and maintained an orbit. Within minutes, the vessel was in trouble. A powerful energy source overtook them, pulling the ship down into the planet's atmosphere. Escape pods were immediately launched. Six of the seven pods were destroyed a kilometer above the planet's surface. Only their's soft landed.
Lesdy was Hannah's daughter, born on Kanen-5 seven months after the three remaining crew members of the star cruiser, Charter, became imprisoned on the planet. Her father died during the capture and destruction of their ship. At ten-year-olds go, the pretty young lady was quite learned and discerning, having been attentively raised by three adult survivors.
A medical doctor, Dexon's training prepared him for the unexpected emergencies encountered in space. He was fortunate to have Hannah, temporarily on leave from her medical doctoral training, serving as his nurse. The two had worked well together in the past. Second Officer Dava Garson, the third survivor, was approaching death when first imprisoned in the tunnel. Dexon had miraculously managed to save his life with the few medical supplies he carried with him.
Though hardly pleased with their abductor, the captives had been very well cared for. The tunnel was clean, and some luxuries were offered. They were supplied with more than enough food, clean clothing . . . even some entertainment devices. But these benefits didn't begin until several months into their captivity. The first weeks were almost unbearable. Not before many more months did the captor make himself known. Now, after almost eleven years, no clues were evident as to why they were being held on the planet. Periodically they could see the captor through a small hole in the rocks. Supplies were brought in through a narrow tube by a conveyer-like device three meters above them at the top of the tunnel.
As far as they could determine from Lesdy's descriptions, only three tunnels were hidden within the long crevice. The center shaft was only used for storage. When Lesdy was much younger and smaller, she had managed, on occasion, to slip through a marginal opening and follow a narrow path to this center facility. Her third attempt almost ended in disaster when she suddenly found herself stuck while exiting. After several tense moments she worked her way loose, gratefully returning to her prison. The captives assumed that all their personal effects were being kept in the storage tunnel. If they somehow managed to escape this prison, there was still nowhere to go. They had no ship. The severe Kanen-5 climate would provide for a swift end if they couldn't find shelter fast enough.
"All right, that'll do it," Camon, the oldest of the three engineer brothers, declared proudly. A veteran of the original colonial move to Selet III, he was also Shaanon's partner on the final design and construction of Universe. He was a handsome man with just a touch of gray in his otherwise dark brown hair. A recently formed protruding belly - a tribute to his cleverly constructed and quite successful distillery - was the only other physical sign of his middle age..
"Looks good on this end, Camon. What do you think, Katie?" Nathon asked.
"I guess it'll work," Katala teased.
Shaanon, Jantz and Contanella walked onto the engineering deck and over to the two adjoining probes.
"We simply put the two together," Jantz explained to Shaanon, "and tied in their combined engine power. This little transmitter will emit a steady energy wave obtained from the two probes." Jantz picked up a small metal box attached to the side of one of the probes. "It will send out a single wave-signal while artificially boosting it. It'll be virtually impossible to tell that there are two probes and not one full-sized ship. That is, until it's close enough for a visual check. It matches our ships' energy output wave exactly, so . . . "
"So they'll think they're still on our trail," Shaanon finished for him. "Exactly as Katala did it at Tomah."
Katala pushed hard as she removed herself from within one of the small probes, now connected to an identical probe and forming one unit. "Well Captain? What do you think?"
"Maybe a promotion is in order," Shaanon smiled wryly.
"She can have mine," Contanella suggested, words tumbling forth as fast as she could speak them. "I'm no First Officer, Shaanon. You stuck me with it because I lost one of your video games. I know it."
"What? Why would I do that? What do you mean, 'stuck you with it'? I thought you wanted to be the First Officer on this cruise?"
"This cruise? Not really. Katala is officer material, not me. You need her to help make those 'command' decisions." There was no hostility in her voice. It was pouty. Her body bounced as she shuffled her weight from foot to foot, eyes looking down as she quickly spit out the mumbled words. The effect was almost comical. This rugged woman who juggled tools and arm wrestled with the men was suddenly cast in a new light.
"Are you sure about this, Conts?" Shaanon looked hurt by her confession. He had considered the appointment flattering.
"You're damn straight I'm sure. Shaanon, you've known me for a long time. You know that I like playing with the electronics, not with command decisions. Katala's a natural-born leader. She should be your second in command." Contanella smiled at Katie and assumed a more relaxed pose. "Well, now that that's out of the way . . . "
"Well, Katie. Congratulations. You're my new exec. officer."
"Wow!" Katala laughed. "Does this mean I get to have dinner at the Captain's table every night?"
Shaanon looked at her, questioning. Then Contanella and Katala began to laugh, uncontrollably.
"Cute, Katie. Really cute." The laughter continued for several moments until Shaanon interrupted with a clearing of his throat.
"Thanks Katala. You did a fine job with this probe decoy."
"The least I could do for a captain only satisfied with the impossible," Katala attempted to stifle her laughter. She walked over to Shaanon's side. "It's about time we let her out to see if she does what she's supposed to."
Contanella adjusted a couple of switches and sealed the hatches on the probes. "The 'probe-ship' is set to continue our present course while we change to seventy-four, point-two, mark two," Contanella confirmed to Katala. "We'll only be set back thirty hours, unless we meet some more of our neighbors out in these parts."
From the bridge, Shaanon and Katala watched as the probe-ship decoy left Universe's hanger bay. Shaanon placed one of his hands on Katala's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Care to join me later for some dinner, Katie?"
"Sure. First Officer for only an hour and already I'm getting perks 'those perks.' Anything special?"
"Dinner with me is always special." He turned her around to look at her. "As soon as we're a comfortable distance away from the area, we'll have lots of time on our hands. Say, have you ever played 'Elgot's Revenge'?"
"Obviously you've never read the fine print," Katala replied. Shaanon stood puzzled. His face twisted like a small puppy who can't find a stick just thrown. She kissed him on the cheek, turned and walked over to the navigator's console.
"See you about nineteen hundred?" Katala called out as she sat. Shaanon nodded. He moved into the center seat, staring in the navigator's direction, still confused.
Captain Brannon had just completed the course change instructions aboard Wing. "We'll stay with them until we enter the Deltous sector. Then we'll destroy them," he announced to his crew.
No one responded. Only their expressions revealed the apprehension felt as the crew made ready to follow their commanding officer. It was all too apparent that their captain was consumed with the intent to use the ESE's full power on Universe. For the past several hours, he had paced the bridge, fervently awaiting updates on Shaanon's position.
When the crew aboard Universe noticed the unusual ESE power curve on their monitors, they immediately shut down all equipment. The Wing lost sight of them on their scanners. Angered, Captain Brannon immediately ordered his crew to comb the sector until they were found. With the launch of Universe's decoy, the amount of energy used was enough to hide their change of course and abrupt departure from the area. The probes quickly settled to a natural power level, identical to the level the Wing had previously scanned.
Brannon had recognized Shaanon instantly when he had seen the youth on the comm-screen. He recalled all the attention several years back with the development of the now common invisible shielding found on all Selet III and Forneptus IV military vessels. It brought Shaanon galactic recognition in military circles for his expertise in physics and engineering design. Brannon's own similar project was soon scrapped when he lost financial backing as a result of Shaanon's work. He gathered information on this newcomer, bitterness welling within him. Now he had the chance to square things, and he'd be damned if he'd let this opportunity pass.
In Shaanon's quarters, Katala thought about the voice Contanella had heard earlier that morning. Napes was not one to frighten easily or create such elaborate fabrications. "It seems the only explanation is that someone knows we're heading into the Deltous sector."
"What makes you think that this . . ." Shaanon searched for the right word, "message is from there?"
"Come on, Shaanon, you know the legend." Katala pushed the emptied dinner dishes away and made herself more comfortable at the table. "Some that were traveling near the Deltous sector reported hearing voices."
Shaanon became annoyed. "Frankly, I've never thought much about the whole idea of a 'living' Beast. I mean, there's no evidence supporting it. If there is some creature on Kanen-5, let's just leave it alone, and it'll leave us alone."
"Wow! What a brilliant solution. Aren't you even curious to find out if the legends are true? Even more so since Conts heard that voice?"
"Katie . . . " Shaanon stood up from the dinner table and walked to his desk on the other side of the room. He picked up a holograph image. Hopefully, she was prepared to know his true intentions. "You don't think I'd come all this way and not peek in on Kanen-5, do you?"
"But you just said . . . "
"When I showed Jantz this holo, I told him to keep it quiet for awhile. I thought that if I announced my intentions to the crew everyone would start hearing voices and talking about the legends. You'd all be preoccupied with anticipation instead of tending to your stations. When we enter the Deltous sector next week, I'll let the crew decide if they want to fly past Kanen-5."
"You know they'll all want to,"
"Yes, I know. Makes my job easier. I won't have to convince them first," Shaanon pushed back his flaxen hair, his mouth curled up in smug humor as he pushed the small object toward Katala.
The holographic picture showed a metallic, monstrous animal shape moving in free space without a ship or other outer protection. The image was taken from one of the vessels that followed the creature after it had attacked Forneptus IV. However, it was widely reputed to be fake. Shaanon analyzed the holo and found it was not a hoax, but that the object was probably not organic. Although the image was of very poor quality, he noticed a few peculiarities when compared to living matter. Shaanon's conclusion was that the Beast was not a living being. There was clear evidence of fuel emissions, indicating a mechanical propulsion system. Which meant someone or something was controlling it.
C H A P T E R T H R E E
The red sun cast an aberrant glow through the clouds above Kanen-5. A planet whose future would be limited. The enormous structure lay in the subdued light. Opening a hatch, the man stepped out of his inherited offspring. He pressed several buttons on a small transmitter, and the hatchway was sealed tightly behind him.
"We are almost ready," he announced to the Beast, adjusting his ample robes as he spoke. He placed the transmitter in his pocket and walked to the northern tunnel door. Activating the comm-screen on the side of the door, he spoke to the captives within the tunnel:
"YOU WILL SOON KNOW WHY I HAVE KEPT YOU ALL THESE YEARS. YOUR FREEDOM IS AT HAND."
In errant confusion, he turned and walked away as abruptly as he had arrived. Within the northern tunnel, the four captives ceased their individual activity and looked intently at the viewscreen. When the brief message ended, they remained frozen. Silent.
"Our freedom?" Dava Garson repeated. Hannah looked at him hopefully from across the tunnels expanse and grabbed her daughter's hand, squeezing it gently.
"Mother, are we going to be leaving here?"
"I'm not sure, Lesdy," It was the most honest answer she could muster. Dexon rose from his studies at the large dining table and walked over to Hannah and her daughter.
"It's not likely that he plans to free us. If so, he's probably got others to take our place." Dexon knew that Hannah understood what he meant. Replacements would be needed after their Captor had terminated the present occupants of the prison. But why?
"If that's so Dexon, why has he kept us alive all this time, and in such good condition?" Dava's voice cracked with tension. He quickly realized the small child's presence and stopped short of his next thoughts. Maybe they had just been one long experiment. Maybe that was about to come to an end. Was death their freedom?
"Living within a hole in the side of a rock is not a life, Garson. I suppose we'll find out soon enough why we've been held for so long." Though no explanation could justify their imprisonment, Dexon thought. Those many years trying to create some sense of normalcy. Filling the hours teaching Lesdy to read. Making the effort to round out her education without the aid of materials. Keeping a journal to balance his sanity. Was it all a futile enterprise?
Katala sat on her bed considering whether to get more sleep or dress for duty. Shaanon had left her this morning with a head full of questions and a confused heart. Prior to last evening, their relationship was simple. They shared classes, friends and occasionally engaged in philosophical discourse. She had always known Shaanon admired her knowledge of space navigation, but things had changed rapidly since they boarded Universe.
Shaanon never talked about his personal life, or offered any explanations as to why he had no surname. While most students commuted from their homes, Shaanon shared quarters with several other students on the institute's grounds, and never entertained visitors. She had never met his parents, and there was no evidence they attended his graduation. His entire focus seemed to revolve around his education and a burning desire to free himself from the constraints of those currently empowered to shape their society.
His attitude, however, had sharply reversed since leaving Selett III. He seemed less preoccupied, more relaxed, as if his destiny was finally being fulfilled. There was a tranquility and softness about him that defied explanation. She gazed at the holograph sitting on the shelf in front of her. Fond memories flowed through her. The days at Tomah Academy. Their early training sessions in the mountains. Gatherings with her father and friends. Dextrous fingers pushed back thick, black hair, enabling her to see. The holo showed Contanella, Katala, Shaanon and Katala's father at her home. 'Dad' was explaining proper "barbecue" techniques while wearing an oversized chef's hat. The Colonel, out of character, was permanently captured on imagery. Katala grabbed her robe, walked over to the wall comm-panel and punched in the code for Shaanon's quarters.
"Yes, Shaanon here."
"Hi, captain. Sir. Thanks for dinner last night,"
"You know how it goes, Katie. Keeping up good relations with the crew is very important. Thank you."
Just before he was about to sever the communication, Shaanon remembered Katala's evasive remark. "You never did explain what you meant by the 'fine print'."
Katala laughed aloud. "Load up 'Elgot's Revenge' and read the third screen. Look right in the middle of that chaos. See you on the bridge, Shaanon."
Shaanon sat at his desk and loaded the game into his computer console. 'Elgot's Revenge' came alive with a vividly colorful introduction, while the wall speakers blasted the outlandish 'Elgot's Theme.' The opening screens passed, crediting the persons responsible for their various input to the game. On the third screen of credits was written:
"Artwork & Graphics Designed by:
KATALA M. RICHARDSON"
Shaanon let the introduction play out, then shut off the equipment. "Well, I'll be damned."
Waiting for his captain to report, Camon monitored the progress of their decoy. The probe-ship was rigged to relay sensor information directly to Universe. This allowed Camon to keep his scans inoperative while still being able to audit any activity that transpired outside the ship.
"Engineering, this is the bridge," Camon called to his brothers in engineering.
"Nathon here. More good news, Camon?"
"Well, it's not bad news, anyway." He adjusted a dial which enabled Nathon to see the decoy's latest sensor report. "It looks like we still have those irrational space cadets following our decoy. But they're closing the distance. They should be near enough for a visual sometime later today. Hopefully, we'll be so far away by then, they'll never find us."
"Don't worry, Camon. By the time those nimrods find us, we'll already be celebrating our fiftieth anniversary on a new colony world. I just hope and pray they try to destroy the probe when they finally catch up to it."
"Yeah. I think we can count on it, brother."
Jantz and Katala had programmed the decoy probe-ship to broadcast a radio signal toward all oncoming traffic. However, when the signal was detected, it would automatically cut off, returning a few minutes later. The pattern would continuously repeat. They estimated that after a short while, Captain Brannon would lose patience and destroy the probe, knowing it wasn't really Universe. The probe was loaded to capacity with guided photon torpedoes and sensors to direct them to the source of its attacker.
Contanella entered the bridge, a mischievous grin on her face. The crew, tired and anxious from their earlier encounter with the Wing, noted with disbelief her cheerful demeanor.
"All smiles today?" Shaanon asked from the center command chair.
"I've fixed the last goddamned monitor circuit on this ship that's gonna malfunction."
The confused crew glanced at one another. Monitor circuits weren't exactly topical.
"What are you talking about, Conts?"
"The relay monitors . . . " She was unaffected, as though everyone knew full well what she was talking about. "You know, the ones I've been fixin' since we left space dock! The circuits have been blowing one after another around here. I found out why." She walked over to her station and sat. Everyone on the bridge watched as she began normal routine.
"Ah, Contanella?"
"Yes, Captain?"
"What was it that caused the circuits to blow?" Shaanon became impatient with Contanella's casualness.
"Nothing, really. Just a little computer virus and a few bugs, compliments of Colonel Stephen Richardson. I killed them. And the Colonel too." She displayed a wicked smile.
Shaanon was aghast at what he was hearing. He jumped up screaming. "What! You're telling me Katala's father is monitoring us!" It was not a question.
"Take it easy, Captain. I said 'was'. Fortunately, whoever he hired to set the devices didn't know what they were doing. The monitors he bugged eventually malfunctioned."
Shaanon stabbed at the button on the wall comm-panel. "Katala Richardson to the bridge, on the double." He turned to face Contanella. "How could the Colonel have planted the bugs? He hasn't been onboard Universe since the hull was sealed almost a year ago."
"Yeah, but the inspectors were on the ship only two months before we left the docking bay. Who do you think they work for? Or should I say, who they screw things up for? The virus chips were installed half-assed. They should perform flawlessly - almost indefinitely."
"I want this ship turned upside down immediately! Conts, how many chips have you found so far?"
"I've got twenty-six. One for almost every monitor on board. I've already checked the other eight, and they're clean. The only alternate locations for an audio-visual pick up would be the computer consoles in each department and in our quarters."
Katala stepped onto the bridge and walked over to Shaanon and Contanella. "What's going on? Is something wrong?"
"Computer bugs. In every monitor on this ship. Obviously, your father has gotten wind of our intentions." Shaanon's eyes glowed with anger, his hands clenched at his sides.
"You knew my father was suspicious all along. He probably planted a few sensors to determine just where you might go."
Shaanon was enraged. "It was none of his business!"
Katala continued to defend her stance. "Wouldn't your parents go to any lengths to protect you if they felt you weren't making the right decisions? My father knew I'd go with you!"
Shaanon's demeanor changed immediately upon hearing the words. His shoulders relaxed and his eyes lowered. Slowly he sat in his command chair. Staring at the floor beneath him, he remained silent for several moments, his rage unexpectedly dissipating.
"They're not all the same devices, Katala," Conts tried to offer support to her friend and diffuse the crisis. "The military hierarchy are more than likely behind the majority of the plants. They could be securing a squad to find us."
Katala looked around helplessly. "They probably want to know why so many Tomah graduates left Selet III and what our plans are in the Deltous sector." Katala's console signaled. She walked over to it, studied it briefly, then looked up and announced: "We're entering the Deltous sector."
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Richardson opened the door to his office in the United Provinces building. A young woman, escorted by two soldiers, followed him in. He sat behind his desk. A short hand signal bid the two soldiers to exit. They locked the door behind them.
"Please have a seat, Miss." The Colonel motioned toward an available chair by his desk. "Would you care for a refreshment?" He noted the crispness of the woman's clothing. Her hair short, light brown. Nothing extraordinary about her.
The young woman appeared quietly resolute as she seated herself. "No, thank you. Why did you have me brought here?"
Colonel Richardson pulled the middle drawer of his desk open and removed a file. He lifted the security seal on the envelope, removed several photographs from it, and handed them to the woman.
"I'm sure you're familiar with these individuals."
"I attended Tomah Academy with them, as well as two other individuals you interviewed recently."
"The young lady is my daughter, Katala Richardson. I am Colonel Stephen Richardson."
The woman became visibly uncomfortable with this news. She was well informed about the Colonel and should have suspected he might detain her.
"You are," the Colonel looked at the list of names on his desk, "Daben Sherad, correct?"
"Yes sir."
"Miss Sherad, my daughter recently left Selet III with Shaanon, the young man in the top photograph you're holding. I believe you know why. Would you mind enlightening me as to their mission?"
"Sir," Dabin answered, her demeanor sincere and controlled, "I know nothing of this mission. I knew Katala briefly during a hyperspace simulation seminar at Tomah, but we weren't close. I read a few papers she had published in the Tomah Science Examiner. And, of course, everyone knew Shaanon. But I don't know anything about their personal lives."
The colonel glared at her, unconvinced. "There was talk about a 'new world' expedition. What do you know of this?"
"Sir, that's common knowledge. The goal of all graduates of Tomah is to seek knowledge of their universe. As you know, all six-year graduates must leave Selet and map out an unexplored planet, as part of their final examination."
Daben's anxiety lifted slightly when she noticed the despair in the man's eyes. He was worried about his daughter, as any father would be. This was concern for his daughter's safety, not necessarily her whereabouts. Daben felt obligated to offer a hopeful suggestion, but held back. "Colonel, Katala has probably left to fulfill the requirements of the examination."
"She's already graduated. She took the examination several months ago." Colonel Richardson gazed out his office window. Now she's left Selet III while he was away. Only a few, unsubstantiated clues pointing to the Deltous sector. The Colonel asked Daben a few more questions. Convinced she wasn't aware of his daughter's destination, he dismissed the woman, clearly disappointed in the results of the encounter.
Daben left the office. After walking several hundred meters from the building, she reached into her pocket and removed a small, round container. Opening it, she adjusted a dial setting the device to broadcast a signal.
C H A P T E R F O U R
Engaged in quiet play, Lesdy moved several loose stones to create a private niche for herself by their quarter's rear wall. As she raised her lantern atop the newly formed miniature partition, her eye caught the glint of metal as it reflected the light. She called to Dava. Upon further investigation, he uncovered a lever that, when pulled, produced an opening. An adequate breach, allowing everyone to exit their subterranean quarters.
Dexon, Hannah and Lesdy followed Dava's lead through the widening passageway leading from their tunnel to a newly discovered corridor. Hopefully, it would eventually lead to the storage tunnel. Dava continued a few steps ahead, watchful for any sign of trouble. After traveling only forty meters, he noticed the entryway which led into the storage tunnel. He motioned for the others to join him.
"I think this must be it." Dava pointed at the doorway.
"I see a light in that little hole!" Lesdy whispered a cheer as she pointed downward. "Maybe I can see inside the tunnel through it." The little girl knelt down and peered into the small hole near the floor of the passageway. Suddenly, she screamed and jumped up to her mother.
"Lesdy! What is it? Shh . . . it's okay, baby. What did you see?"
"Mother . . . someone was looking back at me in the hole," Hannah quickly calmed the squealing Lesdy. God, she thought. Don't let our captor find us. Not now!
Dexon bent down to look in the hole. "I don't see anything." He looked over at Dava, and nodded. "Hannah, you and Lesdy wait here. We're gonna go in."
"Be careful," Hannah cautioned. "He could be right on the other side of that door." She was shivering. Her clammy hands rubbed her only child's bare forearms, gaining some comfort in the feel of her offspring's warm skin.
"On second thought, why don't you take Lesdy back to our tunnel and wait there." Dexon handed Hannah a light. She took it hesitantly, then guided Lesdy back the way they had come. When they were out of sight, Dexon motioned for Dava to follow him.
The door opened easily. Slowly the two men moved inside. Dava grabbed Dexon by the arm as they passed through the entrance. "Look at this, Dexon." He positioned his light to shine at the floor of the tunnel.
"What the hell . . . "
"An electronic surveillance monitor! Lesdy saw the lens when it had reached the level of the hole." He pointed at a steel railing stretching the width of the tunnel. "There must be several monitoring ports throughout this tunnel. The camera looks like it's guided to that opening on the far wall. Dava, shine your light over there."
As they situated both beams of their auxiliary lamps to illuminate the wall, the door slammed shut behind them. After several attempts failed to reopen it, Dava gave Dexon a hopeless smile. "From one jail to another. What next, Dexon? I seem to recall hearing something about 'freedom' a little while ago."
Dexon shrugged and went about the business that brought them to the tunnel: finding their supplies.
In the many galaxies and star systems of the universe, it is difficult to imagine that such a vast expanse could be more barren of celestial life than the Deltous sector. The bridge crew aboard Universe looked at the forward viewscreen, their apprehensions dwarfed by the excitement of their voyage. What could this seemingly endless void be hiding from them? Contanella stood by the console at her station, mesmerized by an almost totally dark screen.
Katala broke the silence as she walked over to Contanella. "It's strangely compelling, don't you think?"
"The maps don't do it justice. Shaanon just announced to the rest of the ship that we're dropping by Kanen-5." She glanced away from her task, focusing on Katala. "To be honest Katie, I'm a little nervous about goin' there."
"I don't blame you, Conts. But Shaanon's a good captain. I think he knows when not to push things. If there's any trouble, he won't subject the crew to any unnecessary danger."
"Yeah, I know, but still . . . " Contanella was interrupted by a beeping at her console.
"What was that?"
Contanella studied her display station. "It's a transmitter signal from Selet III." She watched Shaanon head across the bridge toward her.
"Transmitter signal?" Katala questioned.
Shaanon walked up to the two. "Before we left," he explained, "I gave Daben Sherad a small communications transmitter. I asked her to signal us if the authorities - specifically your father - started asking questions. Apparently he has."
"Nice of you to tell me." Katala felt betrayed. Her voice displayed the hurt and anger welling within her.
"I didn't want you to worry, or change your mind about coming along. Your father knows you're on Universe. Because his 'bugs' all malfunctioned, he doesn't know where we're headed. But, he also knows you're safer here than on Selet III. I think we both know that he hoped you would someday leave. Before things got too much out of hand back home."
Katala sat alone in her quarters. Long, thin, well-manicured hands twirled an empty plain clay vase around and around on the small wooden table she faced.
"You know what the new administration has planned, Katala. I have no choice but to support that stand," her father had said to her more than a year ago. Colonel Richardson had been obviously uncomfortable sharing this information with his daughter. "Within a year, Selet III will be nothing less than a military outpost - if the council has its way. It always has in the past.
"You have an excellent education. When you graduate from Tomah Academy, your skills will be in high demand on Selet III. The military will need educated young minds. But that won't leave you a choice as to what you want to do with the education you've worked so hard to achieve.
"Your mother would have been so proud of you, Katala. She had always wanted you to seek a career in space sciences, just as she had done. It would be a waste to use your training for the military. Put it to good use in space exploration." Thoughts of her mother caused Katala's throat to tighten. Her eyes became moist. She stopped playing with the pottery, shoving it toward the center of the table.
Katala had listened to her father with admiration. She knew he hated what was happening to the government on Selet III. But he was one man. What could he do? "You know of Shaanon's construction of a new ship?" Katala had asked.
"Yes, I do," he responded. "As a matter of fact, he asked me to hasten the permits for the hull sealing."
"He's asked me to join his crew as navigator. I told him I couldn't accept."
"Why not?"
"I can't leave you, father. Who would take care of you?"
"Very funny, Katie. Who's taken care of whom all of these years?" He firmly hugged his daughter, then cradled her head in his hands.
"It's not just that. Selet III is my home. No matter what happens, I just couldn't leave the only home I've ever known."
"Katala, the need may arise for you to leave whether you want to or not. Don't pass up an opportunity that may be more beneficial for you . . . and for my grandchildren." Colonel Richardson released his hold and touched his daughter's cheek.
"Boy! You're really an optimist, aren't you father . . ."
Katala's thoughts were interrupted by the sounding of the ship's klaxon and intercom: "All bridge personnel report to your stations immediately." She jumped up and ran out of her quarters. In the corridor, Jantz quickly approached.
"Jantz, what's going on?"
"I don't know how," he replied, "but the Wing has found us."
"Full stop!" The helm officer complied immediately to Shaanon's order. "Conts, are we able to scan anything at all?"
"No, sir! We can't risk it. Any energy we throw in their direction means the show's over. There's no response from the decoy, either. It's gone."
Katala and Jantz walked onto the bridge and took their normal duty stations. Shaanon instructed the communications officer to silence all channels, then walked over to the engineer.
"Any suggestions, Jantz?"
"No, but maybe Camon has one." Jantz pointed at the comm-panel as the "incoming" message light flickered.
"Engineering to bridge."
"Go ahead, Camon, Jantz here."
"I've located our probes . . . they're inside the 'Wing'."
Shaanon and Jantz exchanged surprised looks. "How the hell did they get in there?" Jantz wondered aloud.
"They must not have fired on them, as we expected. But why did we lose contact with them?"
"Nathon's looking into that," Camon confirmed, "but in the meantime, have you noticed something odd on the visual?"
Shaanon and Jantz turned around to look at the Wing, which took up a large portion of the main view screen while at its current setting. Shaanon adjusted the screen, heightening the magnification. Something didn't look right on the aft thruster, but what was it?
"The ESE!" Shaanon shouted. "The directing plate is gone! The probe-ship must have gotten at least one hit before they captured it."
Jantz grinned. "That means they no longer out gun us!" His mouth widened to a full smile.
"Jantz," Nathon interrupted over the comm-panel from engineering, "as far as I can tell, they don't have the probes aboard their ship. Just the transmitter. And it indicates zero mass. They must have destroyed the decoy itself."
"Hold it a second, Nathon," Shaanon bent over the controls. "Without the directing plate, they can't use the ESE, can they?"
"No. But Brannon's been known to carry some pretty extensive weaponry. Better be careful, Captain."
Captain Brannon watched Universe from the monitor screen in his quarters. If Shaanon wasn't aware that their decoy knocked out the ESE's directing plate, he'd have a chance for a surprise attack. Although not recognized for outstanding battle strategy, he knew Shaanon was capable of putting up a good fight.
"Captain Brannon?" The wall speaker sounded.
Brannon walked over to the panel and punched the comm-button. "Brannon. What is it, Boyds?"
"We're being scanned by Universe," The yeoman answered. "They must know the ESE is not functioning."
"Dammit!" Brannon cursed the air. He turned and left his quarters without responding to his yeoman.
At that moment, Yeoman Boyds turned the last of the power switches for the ESE to 'off.' Although he knew little of Shaanon, he had no desire for an altercation with him. Or anyone else. The crew aboard the Wing consisted of a mix of restrained convictions. However, no one would disobey their captain's orders. Except Yeoman Boyds.
The communications panel sounded and Boyds pushed the 'Receive' switch.
"This is Science Officer Contanella Napes of the space vessel 'Universe'. Would you state your purpose for following us into this sector?"
Captain Brannon stepped onto the bridge. "No response, Boyds!" he ordered. "Go below and prepare the weapons' banks."
Boyds nodded assent. The captain grabbed Boyds' arm as he walked past.
"Boyds, I'm keeping an eye on you. For some reason, I don't trust you very much."
The yeoman tensed. "You need not mistrust me, sir. I did swear allegiance to this ship when signing on." Boyds put his hand on his captain's arm and removed his tightening grip. "If you don't trust me, you can always relieve me of duty."
"No. I can't. I need your weapons' expertise. But your sentiment is getting in the way of this mission, Boyds, and I won't . . . "
"I signed aboard to seek out and destroy the Beast on Kanen-5," Boyds interrupted, "not to go to war with Selet III."
"Goddamn you, Boyds!" Brannon snarled, "you will do as I tell you, or I will have you spend the remainder of your duty in the brig!" Captain Brannon turned and walked over to the command chair. Boyds stood in place for a moment before leaving the bridge. As he exited, the Captain called after him.
"I'll expect to have full weapons power when I ask for it, Boyds!"
The yeoman didn't answer as he disappeared into the turbolift. Boyds tried to figure out what was happening to Captain Brannon. They first met only weeks before leaving Forneptus IV. A friendship was immediately established. Brannon even entertained Boyds' family with an all-day field trip in his air shuttle and they explored the various natural crystal formations peculiar to Forneptus IV. Maybe he did recognize some odd behavior in the man. He had given it little thought while enjoying the expedition. Brannon's personality began to change drastically once leaving planet-side. Boyds was determined to prevent the destruction of Universe and her crew. No matter what Brannon had to say about it.
K A N E N - 5
"They're not in here," Dexon reported to Dava after searching the entire storage tunnel.
"I think you're right. Do you suppose he figured we'd eventually get in here?"
"I don't know, but it looks like a lot of things are missing - if we can rely on Lesdy's reports." Dexon pointed at the far wall. "Why don't we check that cavity again? I think there's more to it than we've seen so far."
The two men walked across the narrow tunnel, directing their lights at the wall. Suddenly, the ground shifted under their feet and the floor beneath them slowly moved downward.
"What the hell is going on!" Dexon yelled over the rumble of stone grinding against stone.
The two struggled to maintain their footing. The floor descended one hundred meters before coming to a gentle stop. For a few moments they stood without moving. Relieved they were still in one piece. Steel walls now replaced the characteristic rock found elsewhere. As they inspected their circular surroundings, a metal partition began to divide, exposing a large chamber. Bathed in artificial light, they switched off their lamps and cautiously entered. The walls were smooth steel with wood sporadically placed throughout. A material they hadn't yet seen on Kanen-5.
At the center of the immense hall rose a sizeable round, glossy, vibrant yellow platform. They remained transfixed as a rainbow of irradiant balls approximately eight centimeters in diameter danced and swirled in a wild pattern at the center of this raised floor. Dexon and Dava reluctantly walked closer to it. When they were about five meters from the display, Dava stopped. He pointed at two small devices emitting a narrow beam of light in front of them, preventing them from moving any closer.
"It looks like a force field," Dava informed the doctor. "See those two transmitters on the wall?"
"I suppose we can look but don't touch."
As if on cue, the choreography of light stopped - each ball suspended at various points in midair. After a brief pause, the glimmering orbs again glided into motion, descending rapidly into a cluster at the center of the raised surface. Their luminance faded, and a murky mist began rising where they had gathered. The spectacle beguiled them as they watched the smoke take form before it dissipated, leaving a white-robed figure sitting before them.
An almost transparent, ash-colored face, neck and hands were the only visible features, as the garment concealed the rest of the body. The gossamer material of this clothing draped in large soft folds, creating the illusion of a being without structure within.
Narrow, dark eyes, lacking the usual glisten, peered out beneath a sweeping hood. His nose was long and thin, coming not too abruptly to meet with a mouth which barely showed any evidence of being there, but visually melted into the surrounding skin. The features appeared to be male and, judging from the gnarled hands laid across his lap, of very advanced age.
Dexon looked with fascination at the creature sitting before them. This was not their rarely-seen captor. Dava moved as close to the man as he was able before speaking to him, carefully avoiding the force field.
"Who are you? Are you responsible for keeping us here all these years?" Dava asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I AM CHAPATH, OFFICER GARSON." The seated man never spoke. Instead, he addressed the two captives telepathically: gently, but indomitably.
"THOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN HERE MANY YEARS, I HAVE NOT. IT WAS NOT UNTIL RECENTLY THAT I DISCOVERED YOU IN THE NORTHERN TUNNEL."
Both the doctor and second officer were stunned at this news. Dexon moved up to join his companion. Nervously, he began, "I don't understand . . . If you didn't imprison us here, then who has?"
"THE CREATURE THAT COST THE LIVES OF YOUR FELLOW TRAVELERS AND KEPT YOU HIDDEN IN THESE ROCKS IS DEAD. HOWEVER, HIS ASSISTANT IS STILL LIVING, AND PRESENTLY ABOVE ON THE PLANET'S SURFACE."
"So, are you a prisoner on this planet too, Chapath?" Dava asked.
"IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING, I AM. I CANNOT LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR ASSISTANCE. IN EXCHANGE, YOU WILL ALSO GAIN YOUR FREEDOM."
"Yeah, lately we've been hearing a lot about our freedom." Dexon pointed toward the ceiling. "I don't know if this . . . "
"I AM HE WHO PROMISED YOU FREEDOM," Chapath interrupted. "THE ASSISTANT ONLY SPOKE THE WORDS THAT I PROJECTED TO HIM."
"Chapath," Dava addressed the being, perplexed. "You'd better start at the beginning. Frankly, we don't know what's going on. Or, who you are."
Chapath briefly told the two men of his home world - a planet unfamiliar to them. He explained about the Beast ship's act of carnage in his star system, and the vicious attack that devastated his planet. As far as he knew, he was the lone survivor. No others had escaped. He began tracking the murderous ship.
The being communicated by telepathy, his race having been born naturally without vocal cords. When needing to converse with other sapient life forms, he would - with very few exceptions - only enter the other's mind when spoken to. And although quite benevolent, Chapath could project powerfully convincing thought, forcing one to speak as he directed them to.
Several months ago, he had located Kanen-5 and landed his ship in the northern hemisphere - finding the underground caves by an empathic process. Soon after his arrival, he discovered that the premises had previously functioned as a concealed fortress. There were many force fields, trap doors, transporters and other similar devices throughout the lower levels. It was such a transporter that carried him to the platform on which he was seated. He studied the plats and structural graphics, then learned to use these apparently forsaken devices for his own protection.
His aged body was the foremost obstacle keeping Chapath bound to Kanen-5. He had lost the strength to travel the six-hundred kilometers back to his ship. When he learned of the captives confined in an adjacent tunnel, he set about the task of trying to free them.
He examined the Beast and found it to be a powerful star ship. One that could not be piloted alone. Controlling the assistant's mind to do the task would be foolish. Because of its appearance, and the mystery surrounding its origin, the ship was a threat throughout the galaxy. With the captives piloting the Beast, they could all escape, locate his ship and leave the planet. Or so he hoped.
Chapath's race, the Laticians, had a unique capacity for molecular change which allowed him to travel without natural form for short distances. He was able to enter this lower cavern and monitor the captor's assistant without being noticed. Having been unsuccessful in penetrating the tunnel wall where the captives were held, he waited for other opportunities before trying alternate means to contact them. He was pleased they had located the mechanism to free themselves from their area of confinement and stumble upon this room. Chapath had been meditating continually for the past several weeks. With the captives now able to move about at will, he believed he now had the strength to successfully carry out his plan.
C H A P T E R F I V E
Cursing under his breath, Captain Brannon studied the ship's status readouts. His face grew taut, hands slowly clenching tighter and tighter as he reviewed their results. The bridge crew was becoming increasingly tense. Their captain barked orders and endlessly paced between duty stations, digging his heels more stridently with each round. He was ready for battle. The Wing and her crew were not.
Contanella scanned the communication frequencies on their adversary's ship. "The Wing is not responding," she reported to Shaanon.
There was nothing to do but wait. Shaanon didn't want to run. It would only encourage Captain Brannon to follow them deeper into the Deltous sector. He also didn't want to fight him.
Katala let out a long sigh, absent-mindedly smoothing the creases on her royal blue slacks as she released the air. She walked over to where Shaanon sat in the command chair. The view screen before them a constant reminder of the events unfolding.
"I've completed the course change," she said, referring to the planned escape route should the Universe not be able to withstand the pounding in battle. "Why do you suppose they're so hell-bent on fighting us? It doesn't make any sense."
"I think Brannon has cracked over there," Shaanon asserted, no strain showing in his voice. Having never faced battle, his youth and inexperience were not interferring with his judgment.
"The original ESE power level we scanned . . . it was almost as if it were a warning," he continued. "Surely Brannon wouldn't give us any warning if he's planning to destroy us. I believe a crew member purposely tried to alert us. A crew member who's not all that thrilled with his captain."
"I don't know. Perhaps," Katala said. "Engineering says we're all set on this end - for whatever Captain Brannon has in mind. But, we can't just sit here forever."
"That's where you're wrong, Katie," the communications officer said as she joined the two at the center seat. "This ship could operate on reserve power for literally a year. They'll be forced to leave within a couple of weeks. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."
"It won't," Engineer Jantz declared. "I'm reading an enormous power build-up in their weapons system. Folks, I believe
the show's about to begin."
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Richardson sat alone at his dining table, worry replacing his appetite. His eyes stared blankly through the window out across the courtyard which separated his apartment from the United Provinces Building. The uniform against his body felt heavy and unyielding. Unbuttoning the top of the pristine white tunic, he pushed the material to one side.
Katala, his only child and the only family still remaining on Selet III, was now gone. The emotions within him were not the result of grief from her loss. The colonel knew where she was headed. It was overwhelming concern. The parental instinct that compels whatever action is necessary to protect their child from any pain. With his colleagues, he displayed little respect for Shaanon. But he trusted and admired the young man privately. If Katala had to leave, at least she had left with a man of good character.
From the next room, a soft, intermittant tone signaled an incoming call. He knew who it was before answering and what would result from the conversation.
"Yes, this is Richardson." He stood before the receiver, shoulders sagging under the weight of his dilemma. His words maintained the practised crispness and confidence imparted from his strict military career.
"Colonel. It is good to hear your voice," General Profis greeted. "I wanted you to be the first to know, Steve. The council reached a decision a few minutes ago."
"I think I already know the outcome, General," the Colonel replied. "The council agreed unanimously to go?" He shoved his tunic further away from his chest.
"As a matter of fact, it wasn't unanimous . . . only eight- to-three, in favor. But yes, you're right Steve. We're going."
Feeling powerless, Colonel Richardson signed off, indicating he'd see the general at launch in two days.
Richardson considered the council's decision as he prepared for an extended space journey. He knew the computer bugs placed aboard Universe would fail. What he hadn't considered was that the council would plant their own bugs on the ship. The Selet III Task Force would soon travel to the Deltous sector and attempt to bring Universe back home . . . forcibly if necessary.
"Not if I can help it," the Colonel thought aloud. He walked across the room, opened a panel on the opposite wall, then pressed the button that would alert the space port hangar crew to prepare his private transport.
In a few hours, a one-man shuttle piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Richardson, would push into the pale light of the evening sky and through the outer atmosphere of Selet III. Its course set for the Deltous sector and, with any luck, Universe.
K A N E N - 5
After discussing an escape plan with Chapath, the two men followed his instructions and hurried through unfamiliar passageways back to their own tunnel. The doctor was still somewhat skeptical about their new colleague who wandered into the bowels of the planet."So, Dexon, if I understand all of this," Dava remarked, "Chapath has some pretty strange . . . shall we say, 'powers.' But because of his age, his abilities are somewhat limited?"
"Essentially correct, Dava," the Doctor answered.
An anxious Hannah met them as they emerged through the inner doorway. The group gathered around a small table. Dexon and Dava related to Hannah and Lesdy what had transpired within the storage tunnel.
"What I don't understand," Hannah questioned the two, "is why this Chapath hasn't left on his own, or why he doesn't simply sneak up on the assistant and put him out of commission? Then he could let us out of here."
"It's not that easy, Hannah," Dava said. "The transporters only move matter from one area of these caverns to another. The passages we uncovered will not take us to the surface." Dava interupted his explanation briefly to drink a cool liquid Hannah had offered. "He's been observing the assistant for a while and still hasn't figured out how our tunnel door to the surface unlocks. It's not been opened in over ten years and it's our only way out. We can't leave as Chapath does . . . which I'm not too sure I understand. Dexon says that while he's invisible, Chapath's metabolism changes."
"His form changes. " Dexon corrected. "Something in his metabolism that allows it."
"Whatever. He's able to fit through very small openings and some solid materials, depending upon their molecular structure and density. He'll need some help once he sends some thoughts into the assistant's head.
"It all sounds a little strange, I know," Dexon said.
"I agree, Dexon," Hannah admitted, "but we don't have any other options available to us at this point. So in two hours, the door should open and we can leave this forsaken tunnel?"
"That's the plan," Dava affirmed. "And while Chapath has the assistant's mind occupied, it's up to us to restrain him. We fire up the ship outside, travel north to Chapath's ship and get off this rock."
"And," Dexon added, "we destroy the assistant's ship. According to Chapath, the ship outside - affectionately known as the Beast - is primed and ready to go. The assistant has been planning to attack two other vessels that have entered this sector."
"How does he know all this?" Lesdy asked Dexon.
Dexon smiled at the girl. "Simple. He's been following the assistant around. Remember, he can become invisible. By the way, Lesdy, Chapath has our communication packs. That's why we couldn't find them. Only problem is they no longer work. The assistant removed the transmitters for his own use."
"You said the one who put us in this tunnel is dead? That Chapath told you that?" Lesdy continued.
"That's right."
"Well, why didn't this man set us free?"
"Good question. I'm sure he has his reasons." Dava said. "We'll find out soon, I hope."
Chapath entered the southern tunnel unseen. As expected, he found the assistant within. Thought projection was becoming painful for the aging being. Hopefully, this would be the last time he would need to rely on it. Chapath concentrated on the assistant's mind. A single thought. One duty. One purpose.
"SET THE CAPTIVES FREE."
He projected the suggestion to the assistant's mind. Seconds later, his eyes widened as he stiffened abruptly. He walked to a nearby desk, opened a drawer and removed a small transmitter. The small, reedy, heavily clothed figure was unaware of the being following behind him as he left the tunnel and moved in the direction of the captives.
Chapath prepared for the most difficult part of the thought projection - keeping the man oblivious to what he was about to see and hear. The assistant moved with purpose toward the north tunnel entrance. He pressed a code into the small transmitter he carried. Nothing happened. He tried again but still the entrance remained closed.
Chapath took his natural form beside the assistant. The man noticed nothing as Chapath moved closer to the wall and projected his thoughts to the captives within the tunnel.
"THE DOORWAY APPEARS TO BE FROZEN WITH AGE. YOU MUST ASSIST."
All four prisoners pushed on the doorway from inside. Within moments, the metal barrier opened. For the first time in over ten years, the captives were free to walk beneath an outstretched sky.
Fighting fierce winds and sands, Dexon moved quickly over to the assistant, gripping him firmly while Dava placed restraints on his arms and legs. It was much simpler than they had imagined. The man's small frame provided an easy object to subdue. The two men carried the man into the tunnel. Hannah pulled the door shut, leaving a small crate in its path to block it from shutting completely. Pushing aside a thin, metal divider, Dava firmly shoved their victim onto one of their cots. Exhausted, Chapath discontinued the thought projection. He found an area near the back of the large room and sat crosslegged on the cold, stone floor. He watched his new-found companions with fascination.
Hannah and Lesdy stood warily at their dining table. They eyed the brown-caped figure with apprehension. The man, still unstable from the invasion of his mind, sat confused. He bent his head to his knees in utter resignation. "All the work," he began, "all the time we've prepared. Wasted!" He looked up on the last word, as if it had energized him. The hood on his garment flew back revealing his full head for the first time.
Dexon was first to speak. "We want an explanation before we leave you here."
"Don't you understand what you've done?" the small man asked. "All these years of planning?" His eyes were mournful, his face weathered and thin. He certainly did not look like the evil captor they had envisioned all these years. His appearance was almost pitiful.
"What the hell are you talking about!" Dexon demanded.
The assistant stared bewildered at the question. "The universe would have been mine," he moaned with visible bitterness. "You have caused the cessation of many years of planning." He once again bent his head down.
Dava moved up to join Dexon, rage rapidly erupting within him.
"Dammit, Why have you kept us imprisoned here?" Dava shouted, then walked towards the man as if to physically assault him. Hannah rushed to stop him. Dava looked into her fearful eyes and calmed the anger within him. Holding her close to him, he released a small sound of relief and sadness. Their ordeal was over. All the years of rage and frustration couldn't be vanquished by striking one small man.
The assistant thought a moment before speaking. He explained the plans of his past consort, a man he called Krysor. How Krysor, with his mammoth ships known as Beasts, hoped to conquer the universe, galaxy by galaxy.
The consort captured those that visited the planet of Kanen-5 so as to prevent any word of his plans spreading past this world prematurely. Capture however, usually meant death. The Beast's weaponry was awesome and powerful. Those not destroyed when captured were held briefly in the northern tunnel. After their minds were obliterated by chemical and electrical hypnosis in a failed attempt to control them, they were executed. When the last group of survivors was imprisoned, the consort became ill and died. The assistant was apprehensive about continuing alone. After many weeks of deliberation, he felt compelled to persist in the preparations. He would reconstruct and refine the Beast as Krysor had directed, thus perpetuating his master's dictum. To employ this universal Armageddon, he would enlist the help of the captives. His work was almost complete.
The assistant had developed a new drug which would control the captives, enabling them to help in his undertaking. By injecting them with the substance, he could control them for weeks at a time. But the formula was still too strong and would kill them in a few days at its present strength. The latest changes to the formula looked promising, but the opportunity for testing never presented itself.
"This inferior breed of life form would have soon been abolished," the assistant continued, "and I would have sought only the superior; joining with them and together ruling the universe."
Chapath joined the two men, Hannah and Lesdy trailing quietly behind him.
"I checked out his laboratory," Hannah reported. "You wouldn't believe what he's got in there. I think he's taken the transmitters from our comm-packs to build some sort of long-range communications system."
"IT IS A MENTAL BROADCASTER, HANNAH." Chapath informed her. "IT IS CAPABLE OF BROADCASTING GREAT DISTANCES ON SUBCONSCIOUS MENTAL FREQUENCIES. HE USES IT TO LEAD OTHERS HERE, BUT FOR WHAT PURPOSE, I DO NOT KNOW. UNTIL YOU WERE IMPRISONED, HE WAS UNABLE TO DO THIS. THE PARTS FROM YOUR COMMUNICATION DEVICES SERVED TO REPAIR A PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED BROADCASTING UNIT HIS CONSORT BUILT LONG AGO. HE HAS NOW CONTACTED OTHERS WHO ARE CURRENTLY EN ROUTE TO THIS PLANET."
"And then he would test the new, improved ship out on his new guests," Dexon concluded.
Successfully leaving the crevice on the Beast ship, the captives headed north in search of Chapath's abandoned ship. The group left the small, now pitiful "assistant" in the tunnel with adequate provisions for many months. Upon returning home, they would send a ship back to deal with him.
"IT IS GONE, AS I FEARED IT WOULD BE," Chapath said. "THE ASSISTANT ONCE LEFT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. HE MUST HAVE DESTROYED IT WHILE AWAY."
"Looks like we'll have to make do, Chapath," Dava said.
"We're leaving Kanen-5's gravitational pull now." Dava announced. "Course set for . . . home. Chapath, where do you want us to drop you?"
"I NO LONGER HAVE A HOME WORLD. I WILL ACCOMPANY YOU, IF PERMITTED."
"How can we deny the one responsible for our rescue?" Dexon laughed.
After setting up lodging on a lower deck
with what few belongings and sustenance the group was able to carry, Hannah
and Dexon joined the two on the bridge of the Beast
ship. Lesdy assumed a dutiful role and inspected their work. Satisfied, she
played in the newly created quarters they had prepared.
"Shield's up," Shaanon commanded. "Bring all weapons on line."
Universe's ship-wide speakers announced the 'battlestations' decree as the crew prepared their departments for combat. Katala initiated the preprogrammed course change, while Jantz continued scanning the Wing.
Then it began. A full spread of laser cannon blasts hit the hull of Universe. Unrelenting, the Wing quickly followed the assault with two photon torpedoes, throwing all hands to the floor and destroying Universe's port thrusters. The ship responded sluggishly but was able to deflect the next barrage of photon torpedoes streaking at her.
"Fire!"
Recovering after the bombardment, Shaanon lifted himself from the floor to his command station. Two pairs of photon torpedoes rushed from Universe and successfully met their target.
"Assessment, Jantz," he ordered.
"The scan shows little damage, sir," Jantz replied.
"He's crazy!" Katala yelled over the noise of crackling circuits and sizzling bridge control panels.
Universe's bridge filled with smoke and the smell of burning wires. She was unable to maintain sufficient power under Captain Brannon's assault.
"Shield's holding," Jantz continued his analysis.
Holding, but taxed to the limit. Universe would soon be vulnerable to Brannon's smaller weaponry, once he depleted the shielding surrounding the vessel.
"Maintain target, and release all available phalanx beams in weapons bay four," Shaanon made a conscious effort to speak in calming tones. He needed to maintain a sense of security to keep his inexperienced crew from losing their sense of optimism against the odds they were now facing.
"Target affirmed, Captain. Laser cannons destroyed," Camon responded.
"Photon torpedoes continuing their assault," Jantz reported, as he labored to refine his readings with the partially disabled scanners. His concern mounted as he surveyed the gradual gnawing of the shielding around their succumbing ship.
"Engineering to bridge," Nathon called up from his station below.
"Go ahead Engineering, Napes here."
"We're down fifty percent on main engine power. Any more forfeiture and we won't be able to get out of here!"
"Understood, Nathon. Bridge out." Contanella gave Shaanon a sidelong glance, knowing he had heard the warning.
Shaanon confirmed the preprogrammed course change with Katala before giving the order. "Implement emergency course change, now!"
Immediately, Universe sped away from the Wing, deeper into the Deltous sector. Brannon had prepared for Shaanon's predictable retreat and raced to follow him.
The solitary shuttle entered the Deltous sector on a course that placed it near the quadrant where Kanen-5 lay. It was the most logical place to start his search. The entire Deltous sector encompassed a radius of approximately twenty-five billion kilometers. Richardson knew Shannon well. Universe had to be somewhere near these two stars. A determined Colonel began his probe of the sector one quadrant at a time. Blessed with a little luck, the instruments would soon locate its target.
Minutes into the venture, the Colonel picked up a ship on the long-range scanner. It disclosed a power source completely alien to him. The origin of these readouts could not be interpreted with his equipment. Selet III had not previously encountered anything resembling these readings, thus the computer's library files held no reference codes.
"They're still with us, Shaanon." Jantz reported from the science station. "We'll be in range of their weapons within ten minutes unless we enable our light-speed engines."
The long-range scanner signaled and Contanella gazed disbelieving at the read-out.
"Shaanon," she slowly looked up at him, "I'm picking up two ships on long-range scan. One is extremely small, and the other," she paused - not for effect but because of it," reads as a life form of incredible size."
"A life form?" Shaanon questioned. "What's their heading?"
"Both ships are on a direct course for intercept," Conts answered.
Without warning, the bridge rocked violently and repeatedly beneath their feet. Universe shook as the shielding collapsed completely around her. The Wing moved in quickly, effectively utilizing its repaired weaponry. Shaanon helped Katala to her feet, glancing over the bridge to survey the damage. They both looked behind them and gasped. Contanella lay spread on top of her science station panel. Blood poured from her head, matting the hair to her face.
Jantz recovered his position and immediately called to sick bay for an emergency medical team. Shaanon and Katala crossed the bridge to where Contanella lie. As they reached her, another blast of power rocked the ship. Jantz was thrown up against the panels near the view screen and lay crumpled on the floor below.
Katala wrestled to unlodge her leg from the torn circuitry panels scattered about her. She saw Jantz and Contanella, now under the console. Beside her was Shannon. Finally freeing her foot, she grimaced at the sight of the deep cut in her thigh just as the medical team emerged on the bridge. Katala directed them to Contanella.
"Shaanon," She called softly, with no response. "Oh my god, Shaanon!" Moving over to him, she noticed the Wing on the viewscreen, closing in for the kill.
C H A P T E R S I X
Captain Brannon's mouth curled back in a malevolent grin, his brow furrowed in intense fervor as he glared at the viewscreen. Watching the imminent demise of Universe brought him renewed vigor; his stomach and muscles tightened as the adrenalin raced through his system. The bridge was uneasy, but controlled. He ordered his engineers to start repairs on the ESE directing plate in preparation for their encounter with the Beast. Composed in the knowledge that he need not rely on its power to combat Shaanon's ship, he called down to Yeoman Boyds in the weapons room. There was no response. Brannon, his anger fueled by deepening paranoia, stormed off the bridge in crazed fury and headed for the weapons room.
The science officer, glancing up to observe his Captain's outburst, maintained silence as his monitor displayed two unidentified vessels aproaching - the larger ship only a few hundred kilometers behind Universe.
The captain saw no sign of his yeoman as he entered the weapons room. He questioned the two duty officers manning the console, then returned to the bridge to give ship-wide orders for Boyds' seizure.
"Prepare final firing sequence!" The captain ordered the three-member bridge crew. "Fire when ready!"
Universe sat eerily motionless in the darkness of the Deltous sector. The last barrage from the Wing had left her completely crippled. Although engineering might manage to supply enough power to move the ship slightly, she was no match for the Wing in her current condition.
An emergency bridge crew was in place. Katala, her thigh wrapped in tight bandages, remained to command the dying ship. She thought of her injured companions as she strived desparately to keep Universe from certain doom. These were her friends. This bastard is not going to destroy us without a damn good fight. Katala lowered her head and vowed no such defeat.
She swung around to offer encouragement to the new crew, but stopped short as the forward viewscreen caught her attention. Her determination quickly turned to bewilderment as she watched the Wing being pulled from its position.
"What the hell . . . " she muttered and punched at the comm- panel. "Nathon! Camon! Get up here on the double!"
She continued to observe the Wing slowly moving away. The ship didn't appear to be under its own power but was literally being pulled sideways and downwards away from them. Camon entered the bridge alone.
"Camon, look at that!" Katala pointed at the screen. Camon's mouth dropped open in astonishment.
Rising up from beneath them was an incredibly large, monstrous looking object. "My gawd!", Camon grabbed Katala's chair for support.
"I'm reading a life form!" Science Officer Goden reported.
The crew remained transfixed as the Wing disappeared in a fiery explosion. In its place, a mammoth object emerged, its bulk slowly filling Universe's viewscreen as it approached. They watched in silent terror, too stunned to continue their duties. The sudden signal at the communications station startled Katala. Her heart pounded loudly causing her ears to throb. For a moment she couldn't respond. Her mind raced with thousands of bits of training, but she could find no answer. This was beyond comprehension - beyond her experience. Somehow, she managed to walk to the panel and opened the channel.
"This is Second Officer Lieutenant Dava Garson. Don't be frightened. We monitored your intership communications and thought you needed some assistance."
Katala reacted slowly to the message, finally activating the communication's monitor to see a bearded man smiling at her. His hair was unkempt and his dark uniform appeared non-regulation. Behind him stood two others who also lacked any identifiable attire. Katala was further taken aback when she spotted a fourth crew member sitting in one of the console chairs near the rear of the bridge. A child.
"You're probably wondering about the ship, right? Don't be alarmed," Dava grinned widely. "We sort of borrowed it from the planet just ahead."
Camon walked over to join Katala. Everything seemed to be playing out in slow motion as the crew sought to make sense of the events unfolding. "My name is Camon Taparr, Engineer aboard Universe. This is Katala Richardson, our navigator and first officer."
Katala regained her composure. "What happened to the Wing?"
"Ah, that'll take a little explaining. It was an accident. We recognized the markings on your ship. You're from Selet III aren't you?" Both Camon and Katala nodded assent.
"We were also monitoring Captain Brannon after we had entered this quadrant. Anyway, we knew what was going on, and we wanted to help."
Dava briefly explained where they had been, and how they acquired the Beast. Soon the crew of Universe relaxed and prepared to welcome aboard the crew from the Beast ship. Chapath maintained a vigil of the sector onboard the Beast.
The recently freed captives spent many hours aboard Universe catching up on the years they had lost while imprisoned on Kanen-5. Before enjoying conversation with the satisfying new relationships, Dexon assisted with the casualties in sickbay while Hannah helped with the routine medical check-ups of the remaining crew members.
"You mean it really wasn't your intention to destroy the Wing?" Camon asked Dexon, trying to conceal his amusement.
"Not at all." Dexon pointed towards the viewscreen on Universe's bridge. The vast size of the Beast could be clearly seen. "That ship is pretty potent. We're only beginning to understand how it works. For instance, the architecture and materials used in construction causes other vessels to scan it as a life form."
"Yeah, tell me about it." Camon laughed. "We didn't know what the hell to expect after we scanned it."
"Krysor, the man . . . " Dexon searched for a better word. Not finding one, he continued, " . . . responsible for designing the ship was pretty potent, too. Chapath told us that this character destroyed dozens of populated planets over the years."
Katala entered the bridge and walked over to Camon and his new friend. Camon waited hopefully for a report on the casualties in sickbay.
"Good news! Jantz has only minor internal injuries and a broken leg. Thanks to the assistance of the good doctor," Katala motioned towards Dexon, "Contanella will be just fine and back on duty in a few days."
"What about Shaanon?"
"He's just got a little bump on his head." Dexon answered. "He's all right . . . just needs a little rest. Your medical team was quite competent in an emergency. Reminds me of myself, just after I graduated." Dexon laughed softly.
"By the way, we still have that small ship on our scanners," Katala reminded Camon as she pointed at the science console. "It's getting closer. And something strange happened a few moments ago - it appears to have doubled its size, though it's still quite small."
Nathon joined the group on the bridge. "We've been watching that ship from engineering. I called over to Chapath and told him to keep an eye on it as well. However,I don't think we have to worry about an attack."
"It should be in communications range soon." Katala added.
"Sickbay to bridge."
"Bridge. Katala. Is that you, Shaanon?"
"It's me, Katie. How's everything going up there?"
"Don't worry, Shaanon. Everything's quiet at the moment. How do you feel?"
"I'm fine, just got a hell of a headache. Listen, I'm going over with Officer Garson and take a look at their ship. Can you mind the store till I get back?"
"Sure, no problem. How's Conts doing?"
"She's conscious now. Maybe you should come down and pay her a visit. Oh, by the way, let me know as soon as we're in communications range of that approaching ship, okay?"
"I will. Should be soon. Tell Conts and Jantz I'll be down there in a few minutes. Katala out."
Shaanon felt like a child in a candy store upon boarding the Beast.
"Incredible! This is unbelievable. Too bad this guy's not around to explain some of this stuff."
"I BELIEVE IT BENEFICIAL HE IS NOT, CAPTAIN SHAANON." Chapath materialized on the bridge of the Beast. He had been resting while the crews continued repairs aboard Universe.
A startled Shaanon turned sharply around, grabbing his forehead. Before him stood an ethereal figure. "Chapath, I presume," he said, fascinated by the being's entrance.
"CORRECT. I AM PLEASED WE WERE ABLE TO AVERT THE DESTRUCTION OF YOUR VESSEL. HOWEVER, I MUST APOLOGIZE FOR THE ERROR WITH THE SMALLER SHIP. WE DID NOT COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE WEAPON SYSTEM AT OUR DISPOSAL."
"Don't apologize, Chapath," he objected, trying to adjust to the voice he heard within him. "You saved our lives. Captain Brannon would have obliterated us in a matter of seconds if you hadn't shown up. Thank you."
"IN THAT CASE, YOU ARE WELCOME."
Dava showed Shaanon around the ship, explaining its design to the best of his abilities. He described how they were captured by the Beast eleven years ago, and how they met Chapath, who helped them escape from Kanen-5.
Shaanon's communicator signaled. "Shaanon here. Is that you, Katie?"
"Yes captain. Would you please return, immediately!" Shaanon sensed the tension in Katala's voice.
"Katie, what's wrong?"
"Shaanon, just get over here, now! Please!"
Dava directed Shaanon to the shuttle, and Chapath accompanied the two back to Universe. After docking, the three hurried to the bridge.
Shaanon stopped abruptly as he walked through the archway. On the viewscreen, a stranger in military dress. Sitting next to the stranger . . .
Colonel Stephen Gantor Richardson, Katala's father.
"Before you blow up, Shaanon, listen to what he has to say," Katala said, trying to calm what she perceived as an outraged captain.
Shaanon approached the viewscreen, never averting his gaze from the Colonel.
"Colonel." His voice was cool and deliberate.
"Greetings, Captain. I appreciate you not shooting first," the Colonel laughed, attempting to ease the tension they both felt. "Shaanon, I've left Selet III, too. I know you expected I would support the imminent militia - but I despise it. Katala will tell you. I came out here to warn you of Selet III's approaching Task Force."
"She's told me of your concerns, sir. But, I still have many questions for you."
"Of course. I'll be happy to answer anything you ask."
Shaanon relaxed only slightly, then instructed Nathon to prepare the hangar bay for docking the Colonel's shuttle. He sat in silence awaiting the Colonel's arrival. As he watched Richardson enter the bridge followed by another man in Forneptus military attire, his sense of purpose and control was amplified
"I don't recognize your companion, Colonel Richardson."
The stranger spoke, appearing obviously uncomfortable. "I'm Canton Boyds, Captain. Former yeoman aboard the Forneptus Cruise Ship, Wing."
"Very interesting." Shaanon glanced at Katala; his jaw stiffened and his mouth tightened in contempt. "Quite frankly, I thought you folks had all died."
"I don't blame you for your rancor. I left the Wing before she was destroyed. I met up with Colonel Richardson several hundred kilometers away. Since I only had a short supply of fuel on board my shuttle, the Colonel offered to give me a lift. My shuttle's in the bay, too, after the Colonel towed me behind his ship."
Katala rolled her eyes impatiently.
"The hell with this small talk. Why in the god's names did you try to kill us, Yoeman?"
"I tried to warn you, miss. I sent a falsified weapons build-up transmission over an extremely low amplitude wave, hoping you would pick up on what our ship was doing. When we caught up to you the second time, I sabotaged the photon torpedo guidance system before leaving the ship.
"Brannon became obsessed with the idea of destroying you. Our original mission was to destroy the Beast . . . which it appears you control. I had no desire to fight you or your planet and I mutinied for that reason."
Shaanon smiled at the stranger's confusion regarding the Beast ship.
"I'll explain everything to you when we get a bit more settled."
"I look forward to it, Captain."
All three crews gathered around a table in Universe's cafeteria sharing the events that had transpired over the last several days. Within relatively little time, smiles and laughter filled the room as each shared his or her story. Katala sat next to her father and teased him innocently. She was happy to be with him again.
Even Chapath was in good spirits as Shaanon introduced the being to 'Elgot's Revenge.' Canton Boyds was elated upon learning that the Beast was not a living being after all. He spent much time listening to the captives account of their imprisonment on Kanen-5.
"Hey, is anybody down there?" A voice emanated from the wall's comm-panel.
Katala walked over to the panel and activated it.
"Contanella! How do you feel?"
"I feel like partying, Katie. Sounds like you're having fun down there."
"We are. Care to join us?"
"You better believe it! I'll be down as soon as I can convince one of these medical prison guards to let me out of here."
"Be nice, Conts. You didn't look so good a little while ago. You want them to put you back the way they found you? I'll meet you in sickbay. I have a little surprise for you." Katala looked across the room and smiled at her father.
The two ships orbited Kanen-5 for several days while repairs and decisions were discussed. Morale was high. On their third day together, Chapath returned to the Beast and began studying the ship's records and logs. He had seen the assistant often retrieving data from the ship's computer and was curious as to its nature. To his dismay, he found what he was looking for: a log of the Beast's planet termination missions.
Several hours later, after completing his task of restoring the ship's records, Chapath piloted one of the many shuttles from the Beast over to Universe. He sought Dexon, as he felt the doctor was the best choice to handle the grave news. Finding the doctor in sickbay, Chapath asked him to join him in one of the small offices adjacent to the room.
"DOCTOR, I'M AFRAID I HAVE SOME DISTURBING NEWS FOR YOU AND YOUR COMPANIONS. WHILE INVESTIGATING SHIP'S RECORDS, I FOUND THIS LISTING." Chapath handed a computer print-out to Dexon, who looked at it warily.
"That Goddamn son-of-a-bitch! He destroyed my home! My family!" Dava wept uncontrollably. He was unprepared for the news of the destruction of his home world. Finally free from captivity, he had now lost the very essence of what had kept him from disintigrating during his prolonged imprisonment. Regaining his composure, he managed to continue examining the list Chapath had given him, his hand shaking slightly as the macabre testament was unveiled. He scanned the print-out of over two hundred populated planets and dozens of other satellite outposts before handing it back to Chapath.
"Chapath, I need your help."
"I UNDERSTAND, DOCTOR. HOWEVER, THE TEACHINGS OF MY PEOPLE DO NOT ALLOW ME TO PARTAKE IN THIS VENTURE. I WILL THEREFORE ADDRESS COLONEL RICHARDSON. HE WOULD SEEM TO BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE CHOICE TO HELP WITH YOUR DILEMMA" The being read the message in Dexon's mind before the doctor had spoken it.
Contanella marveled at the size and appearance of the Beast as she sat in the command chair on the bridge of Universe. The viewscreen provided many options for her. She magnified the image, admiring the detailed contours of the ship, then reduced magnification, attempting to accurately measure its size.
"Incredible, simply incredible."
"What's that, Conts?" Jantz asked as he joined her on the bridge, accompanied by a medical technician.
"Oh hello, Jantz. I was just looking at the ship. It's easy to see how it became confused with a living creature. It not only scans as one, but it looks like one, too."
"Yeah, I see what you mean. The monitors in sickbay don't capture it well."
The medical technician helped Jantz into a nearby chair, then left to wait by the doorway until he was ready to resume his therapeutic walk. Jantz pointed at the viewscreen.
"Who's in that shuttle, Contanella?"
Contanella adjusted the viewscreen's magnification. "Don't know. It's one of theirs. They've been comin' and goin' all week."
Shaanon stepped onto the bridge, Yeoman Boyds and Katala behind him. Upon seeing Contanella and Jantz, Katala ran over to them.
"Hey, how are you two feeling today?" Katala messed Jantz's hair playfully.
"Not bad, Katala."
"Hello, Boyds." Jantz greeted. "I haven't seen you in a while, sir. How have you been?"
Canton walked over to shake Jantz's hand. "Apparently somewhat better than you, Jantz." A trace of regret laced his words. "I'm extremely sorry for all of the grief that my former captain provoked."
Shaanon interrupted the pleasantries. "Conts, what's going on over there?"
Attention on the bridge turned to the viewscreen. The Beast began to move slowly, turning away from Universe and moving closer to Kanen-5. When the ship was fifty kilometers away, it stopped.
"Universe, this is Dava aboard the Beast. Put your shields up and move to the coordinates I'm sending to your navigations console."
Shaanon and Katala exchanged confused glances. She walked over to her navigations console.
"Shaanon here, Dava. What's going on, my friend?"
"No time to explain, Shaanon," Colonel Richardson interjected from the Beast's command center. "We'll wait for you to reach those coordinates before we begin. You'll be safe at that distance. Richardson out."
Shaanon nodded for Katala to implement the course change, then called down to engineering and requested maneuvering thrusters to be engaged. Once they reached the requested coordinates, their attention was unwaveringly focused on the viewscreen, watching the Beast deploy near Kanen-5. For several brief moments, all was calm.
Contanella walked over to her science station, scanning the area while trying to discover what the two were up to. Then it caught her eye. The previous readings she had obtained when Kanen-5 was scanned were rapidly changing. She called for Shaanon to join her. From her navigations console, Katala's eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the viewscreen.
"Hey guys . . . " Katala called out nervously. "The planet's - shrinking!"
Contanella and Shaanon turned to look. "Oh my god! I don't believe it!"
Contanella joined Katala at her console while Shaanon stayed at the science station and monitored Kanen-5. Within the space of one minute, Kanen-5 ceased to exist. The force of the oncoming implosion, combined with the newly developed vacuum, rocked Universe gently. The ship's shielding spared it from the extremely powerful force.
"All right Universe, You can come back now," Dava reassured the crew.
No one spoke. Katala guided the ship back to its previous position as well as she could. There was no planet to orbit, no planetary reference points, just an addition to the already somber emptiness of the Deltous sector. Kanen-5's sun glowed dimly in the distance.
The conference room aboard the Beast ship was quiet. Dexon, Canton, Hannah, Lesdy, Contanella, Shaanon and Jantz sat around a long table waiting for Dava to join them. The door to the room slid open and Camon entered, joking with one of his fellow engineers from Universe.
"Mind if we join you?"
"Please have a chair." Dexon motioned to several empty chairs on the opposite side of the table.
Katala's father accompanied Dava into the room, both seating themselves at the table. Hannah stood up, apparently heading the forthcoming discussion. She smiled as she looked around the table at the various crewmembers.
"Thank you all for coming. As you know, we have a dilemma. But before I address that, Dexon would like to talk to everyone about the earlier incident involving Kanen-5. Dexon?"
Dexon remained seated as he began speaking to the informal group.
"As we've discovered," he began, "our home planet was destroyed several years ago. What you don't know is that Chapath also discovered some data in the ship's computer regarding both Selet III and Forneptus IV. It seems the assistant had made alternate plans in the event the Beast couldn't perform the destruction. The data isn't specific, but as long as Kanen-5 was around . . . which would have been only nine hundred and forty years according to Dava . . . the assistant had the means to continue his plans."
"Doctor," Katala interrupted, "what did the planet have to do with anything? It's the ship, the Beast that performed the destruction."
"IF I MAY, DOCTOR." A quiet whoosh filled the room.
"Damn, I love the way he does that!" Shaanon mused as Chapath materialized out of nowhere next to the conference table.
"KATALA," Chapath looked directly at the first officer, "DAVA AND DEXON FIRST MET WITH ME ONE-HUNDRED METERS BELOW THE PLANET'S SURFACE. HOWEVER, BEYOND THE TUNNEL WHERE I WAS DWELLING, MANY OTHER CORRIDORS AND TUNNELS EXISTED. I COULD NOT EXAMINE THEM NOR COULD I OBTAIN ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONTENTS OF THESE TUNNELS. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER, AN ALARM WAS ACTIVATED, AN ALARM WHICH I COULD NOT LOCATE."
"And according to the ship's computer, this Beast ship is an original prototype for an entire fleet!" Dexon concluded. "The tunnels were filled with ships like this one, perhaps even more powerful in their later design, and programmed to attack various planets. "
The room filled with gasps of horror as they assimilated the information. Colonel Richardson stood and faced Dexon. "Chapath approached me and asked for my help in putting an end to this threat of carnage. Now, the only remaining question is what do we do with this Beast?"
"Hmm . . . I don't know."
Hannah called the small group back to order and continued with the meeting. "That brings us to our other quandary. We have no home world to return to. I can't speak for Dexon, Dava or Chapath," she looked over the table at her daughter, her voice choking with emotion, "but I'd like to take Shaanon up on his offer to join them, wherever they end up. That is, if the offer still stands."
"Of course it does, Hannah." Katala smiled warmly. "I feel like we're family after the ordeal we've been through together these past few weeks."
"Yes, I don't see that we have many alternatives," Dexon acknowledged. "What'd ya say, Dava? Ready to pioneer a new world?"
The meeting soon transformed into a small celebration, as the group teamed up and organized into one colonization. Having a wife and child on Forneptus IV, Canton Boyds gave the only objection.
Canton made arrangements with Shaanon and Dava to pilot a shuttle back to Forneptus IV. He agreed to leave the group before they were to begin their search for a new world to colonize. Since he would not know their whereabouts, there would be no threat of discovery.
Colonel Richardson took Canton aside as the crew disbanded to the docking bay to bid farewell as he prepared for departure.
"On your way home, Canton, you'll probably run into some troops from my planet. I'm somewhat surprised they haven't shown up yet." The Colonel demonstrated the operation of a transmitter, then handed it to Canton. "Give us a signal if you see them, alright?"
"You got it, Stephen. Best of luck to you."
Boyds called out to get everyone's attention. "I want to wish you the best, and . . . thanks for everything. I'm going to miss you all, but I guess our mission wasn't a total loss. The Beast is out of commision."
Chapath led Boyds over to a large, unusually shaped box which was about to be loaded into the shuttle.
"I HAVE PROVIDED YOU WITH SOME ITEMS THAT MAY HELP YOU PROVE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BEAST." The box contained a metallic panel, burned and pitted. Chapath had removed the side panel from the ship's bow and prepared it to look as though it had been in battle. Also within the box were several records from the ship's computer, and the strangely contoured command chair from the bridge of the Beast.
"Thank you, Chapath. My people will be glad to know of the Beast's fate."
Yeoman Canton Boyds boarded the shuttle and began the long journey home.
The Beast and Universe moved away from their positions where Kanen-5 previously orbited the dying star, Kanen. After many weeks of repairs and construction, the new 'Universe II' began its search for a new home world as a combined ship. Universe served as the main bridge and command center, while the Beast portion of the double ship served as living quarters, main propulsion and defense systems.
Contanella and Katala accepted Dava's and Chapath's assistance with the search. Contanella's theories quickly paid off, as she scanned the Deltous sector with her own uniquely designed science scanner.
"There it is, Dava." Contanella fine-tuned the scanner so that Dava could better see the readout.
"I see it, Contanella. The question is, will everybody else see it too?"
"Not a chance. You haven't seen the other half of this system in operation. Once we get planetside, the scanner will double for a cloaking screen. The planet will be nonexistent to anyone traveling by." She proceeded to explain exactly how the system functioned while the crew made preparations to land.
Once grounded, the crews organized temporary shelters and other necessities. The first night on their new world turned into a festival of thanksgiving and enjoyment. Shaanon and Dava decided to wait a few days before beginning plans to organize the details of leadership after the colonists had agreed that they would be elected to handle the duty.
The next priority was to name their new world, which they did the first night. Jantz and Katala worked on a colorful banner and displayed it over the doorway of a large shelter where they all gathered . . .
WELCOME TO HAVEN!
Canton Boyds, in accordance with his flight plan, left the Deltous sector on schedule. Shaanon had given him some of his favorite computer games to help keep him occupied on the way home, but he didn't mind the solitude. He wanted the time to think. He had been part of a plan he believed brought peace to the Deltous sector. He fell asleep thinking of the community he had left behind.
After several hours had elapsed, the perimeter alarm pulsed noisily, shattering the silence aboard the vessel. Canton, jolted from his slumber, hurried to bring the shuttle's sensors and scanners on-line. Peering through the shuttle's port windows, he saw nothing that might have set off the alarm. Moving the shuttle closer to the area which had activated the alarm, he began to notice debris: various sized pieces of jagged metal, burnt panels and several bodies floating lifelessly.
Partial words remained on scattered, larger fragments. Frantically, Canton fed the bits of data into his computer. The answer slowly unscrambled on his monitor.
"The Task Force!" he cryed aloud.
Boyds widened his scan and measured the mass of the destroyed ships. Entering his calculations, the computer sped through the numbers, signaling his anxiously awaited total with a soft tone. At least twelve ships made up this space-bound graveyard.
A movement on the scanner suddenly grabbed his attention. He directed the shuttle's sensors. They followed an unusually large mass in the distance, heading away from the area he occupied. The vessel measured more than twice the size of the Beast ship he recently left.
Boyds removed the small transmitter that Colonel Richardson had given him, hesitating before pressing the 'send' button. The colony would understand the coordinates - but he was unable to explain what he had found.