HADRON Revelation, Page 3

  Jane squeezed her husband with a lasting hug. “I’ll walk you to the bay.”

  Mace followed. “Just keep in the back of your mind that they fear you.”

  Johnny shook his head. “Just wish I knew why they asked for me. What was it Jasper told them?”

  The trio walked into bay three. Final goodbyes were said and hugs given. The cargo doors were opened with the Targarian shuttle hovering just outside. Johnny Tretcher floated across the twenty meters of void to the shuttle ramp, where four Targarian crewmen were waiting to assist. The ramp closed followed by the cargo bay door.

  As Mace and Jane walked back to the bridge, he said, “What are we doing out here, Jane? We just handed Johnny over to a species of people we don’t even know.”

  Jane replied, “Like he said, we didn’t have a choice. The question is, what do we do now?”

  As they walked onto the bridge, Mace gestured toward the comm. “You fill in for a few minutes while we wait for the commodore’s response. This whole thing has an odd feel to it.”

  The shuttle docked and the large Human was escorted to the bridge of the massive Muhatha warship. The camera image showed Johnny walking up to stand in front of the commodore.

  Johnny said, “You’ve got me, Mr. Rolic. What is it you want?”

  The commodore sat silent for several seconds.

  Jasper Collins popped up from behind the commodore’s ornate chair with a plasma rifle in his hand. “Gotcha!”

  Johnny’s expression turned to one of confusion. “What? What’s happening?”

  Jasper moved around to the side of the commodore. “Welcome to my ship.”

  Johnny replied, “What are you talking about?”

  Jasper waved his free hand around himself. “This ship. It’s mine. I captured it. And these people, including the commodore, are now my crew. Ain’t that right, Rolic?”

  The commodore nodded. “Mr. Collins is in control. We are his captives.”

  Johnny shook his head. “I still don’t understand.”

  Jasper scowled. “Come on, ape-man. Don’t be an idiot. I kicked the crap out of the Mawga, got back on my shuttle, switched the power feed back to the transducers, powered over to this ship; took a half dozen cannon shots on the way in, by the way. Anyway. I clamped onto the side of this beast and cut myself a hole to the inside.

  “The little flounder-heads were running everywhere. I have to say, I felt a little guilty at first. It was kind of like I was attacking a preschool. They all scattered in terror. I grabbed one, asked for the bridge, and made my way here. The commodore was kind enough to surrender immediately.”

  Johnny stood in disbelief. “You’re telling me… your old, decrepit ass… captured this warship by yourself?”

  Jasper nodded. “I am. And I would say the crew here has been very nice about it all since we came to an understanding.”

  Johnny asked, “What understanding?”

  Jasper grinned. “That I wouldn’t cook ‘em all and eat ‘em. They seemed to be agreeable to that. And here we are.”

  Johnny chuckled as he shook his head. I should be mad at your prank — that was out of line — but I’m not. We’re all just glad to have you back in one piece.”

  “Oh, I’m better than back, ape-man. I’m in charge!”

  Chapter 3

  *

  The commodore raised his hand. “Mr. Collins. May I speak?”

  Jasper nodded. “Sure, why not?”

  The commodore cleared his throat. “I just wanted to say that I believe we have an opportunity here. You have captured a Targarian Muhatha. My people are now at a distinct disadvantage to the other six founders of the Galactic Union. The balance of power will shift with calls for our expulsion for losing control of this ship. Territories may be seized.”

  Jasper propped the tip of his plasma rifle on the arm rest of the commodore’s chair. “Spit it out, Rolic. What are you trying to say?”

  The commodore replied, “I am talking an alliance. An alliance led by you… Supreme Emperor Jasper Collins.”

  Johnny asked, “Supreme Emperor?”

  Jasper shrugged. “I may have had a little fun with it.”

  The commodore continued. “I have seen firsthand what an army of Humans can do. Your King Stark and his men just took an entire planet in four days, a planet and people we have been fighting with for many years. If the Targarians were to be allied with such an army, we could rule the Galactic Union together!”

  Jasper looked into the comm camera. “Looks like the founders really do all hate each other.”

  Jasper turned back. “Mr. Rolic, we have one big problem. King Stark is in control of most of the Earth right now. For us to have any kind of alliance with the Targarians, we would have to wrest that control back from him. He’s a thug and a hooligan and is nothing but bad news for Humans. If he stays in power, the seven founders will all be working for him, as will the rest of the Union.”

  The commodore smiled, “Then we need to move forward quickly with an alliance. Of course, there can be no mention of this to anyone other than the Targarian Quartet.”

  Jasper laughed. “The what?”

  Commodore Rolic replied, “The Targarian Quartet. It is made up of representatives of the four families of the realm. They rule all of Targ space. I must be allowed to talk with them directly and with no one else.”

  Mace asked, “I have a question before we do anything here. What were you doing with Stark? What is his relationship with the Galactic Union?”

  Using buttons on his armrest, Rolic pushed several images to the comm display. “This is an image of Redalt IV. We, the Union, have been at war with the Karthians for most of the past decade, putting time in your terms, of course. Our progress with that war has been stalled on Redalt for several years. Thousands of our troops have died in a bloody, back-and-forth ground war. We lose a city or an island, we take it back.”

  Jasper asked, “Well, what about this ship? Why haven’t you used it to kick the crap out of the Karthians?”

  The commodore replied, “The largest ships of either species are not able to damage the large ships of the others. Therefore, an agreement was signed that any conflict would be settled on the ground. No flying ships, missiles or dropped bombs may be used. The laser energy blasters of the Karthians and our plasma rifles are equally lethal.”

  Jasper said, “Let me guess. You dropped in Stark’s people and the Human monsters overran the place?”

  The commodore nodded. “In four days. Forty-six cruisers carrying thirty-eight thousand soldiers landed troops on each of the twelve battlefronts. Those thirty-eight thousand Humans forced the surrender of more than half a million Karthians. The Karthians withdrew their ships from that star system the very next day. We believe their leadership to be in a panic over the incident.”

  Mace asked, “I still don’t get it. If the Union already has Stark’s support, why would you want to mess with us at all?”

  The commodore replied, “We are now in a weakened position. You control this ship. The Targarians worship strength. We have been in complete awe of the Humans we have been witness to. However, those humans will be controlled by the Union, not allied with Targarians. We as a species need you. I believe the Quartet would rally behind you. I also believe they would provide whatever assistance you need to topple your King. Back at Earth, we came through the wormhole with the Humans as a representative of the Galactic Union. Out here, now, I represent the Targarian Quartet, at the grace of our Supreme Emperor Collins of course.”

  Jasper looked at Johnny and grinned, “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that. What about you?”

  Johnny shook his head. “Heard it too much already.”

  Mace said, “Mr. Rolic. I would ask that you come over here to our ship for a talk. We can discuss a possible alliance with the Targarians. Jasper, you can hang out there for the time being. Johnny, bring back the commodore.”

  The commodore looked to his new master for approval. A
nod was given.

  Johnny again shook his head. “Well, for what’s it’s worth, I’m glad you’re OK. Even if you are a major jerk for pulling this stunt.”

  Jasper replied, “You will address me as his Supreme Emperor.”

  Johnny laughed as he escorted the Targarian commodore towards the shuttle. “I would agree with supreme, but emperor was not what comes to mind with that.”

  Mace sat at a table across from the commodore in conference room C. “Mr. Rolic, let’s start by you telling me about the Targarians and your Quartet. How many people you have, planets, colonies, and basically, what your strengths are and how we could make use of them with an alliance.”

  The commodore set his hands on the table. “This is nice, this table height. I was expecting something much taller.”

  Mace said, “Well, it’s left over from the Kaachi we took it from. Now, about the Targarians, please.”

  “We are a people ruled by four families. The Messa, the Garonde, the Herolic, of which I am a member, and the Voske. Those are the four kingdoms that make up our home world of Divinia. The Quartet, as they are called, rule the twenty-six star systems under Targarian control. We were given the escort duty to bring back the Humans from Redalt IV because we are in line to take possession of that system. It would have gone to the Billia, a species under our command, but they were unable to complete the mission on their own. So the system will revert to us.

  “Consequently, the next system to fall, likely Miramont II, will go to the Dellus. They were hoping to acquire Earth, but the Union has decided it should be shared among us all. Humans are seen as too valuable an asset for any one founder to control. The Miramont system is now scheduled to receive King Stark’s soldiers, three of your weeks from now.

  “As to our holdings, there are six moderately to heavily populated planets, fifteen general colony outposts, two mining colonies, and four space stations. We have five subject species, of which two are completely worthless. Efforts are under way to eliminate both of them, as they are more of a burden than an asset. They should never have been allowed to join the Galactic Union, but at the time, the Quartet was worried we would appear weak governing so few species.

  “The species of merit are the Billia, whom I mentioned, the Antees, and the Pojatta. The Billia are our warriors. Only slightly better than the average Union species, but the best we have. The Antees make up most of our science and engineering community. They are well suited for research and the tedium that is academia. The Pojatta are our traders, miners and farmers. They are hard workers, making them good producers. Their efforts support three quarters of the trade and other general commerce in and among the twenty-six star systems.”

  Mace held up his hand. “How did the Union come about?”

  The commodore sat forward. “Ah, good question. Our first interaction was with the Sarkesians. We both arrived in a star system at the same time. Claims and counter-claims led to a number of skirmishes before a peace pact was made. It wasn’t much after that when we came across the Dellus, the Quelli, and the Gorange. Those three had worked out their own treaty. With a new treaty we had five. The Dunden Heap and the Zinka came not long after, rounding out the seven founders.

  “Keep in mind that, at this time, there was no wormhole travel. Journeys between the stars took many years. From one end of the treaty alliance to the other would take as much as three hundred fifty-two years to traverse. That was the norm for centuries until the Great Rift was discovered. Travel between our home world of Divinia and the Dellus world of Nineka could be made in nine months. Soon, other connecting rifts were found and the Galactic Union was born.

  “The Union existed as it was, with the rifts, for centuries. It wasn’t long before contact was made with several other species, all of whom were behind us on the technology scale. The rules were adopted shortly thereafter and have been refined and added to ever since.

  “With the further discovery of gatrellium and the wormhole generator, trade among our colonies burgeoned. So did exploration of other star systems. The Union itself has been a boon to all species involved, even the least of the contributors.”

  Mace said, “And the founders have all profited, so much so that they have each been content with sticking to the rules. I find it interesting that each of you founders is looking for a way out. You’re each looking for a way to take control of the others. And you’re each looking to the Humans to do this for you.”

  The commodore nodded. “It is true. We each seek our path to dominance. The Mawga sought that without the consent of the Dellus. They are now paying for that. Our spies told of a Dellus attempt to take full control, an attempt which failed, and which we believe has cost them a Dauntless, the first such ship lost in more than a hundred years. All rumors, of course, but we believe our sources to be accurate.”

  Mace frowned. “Yeah, we were there. Stark’s people set of a nuclear bomb inside a docking bay. Wasn’t much left.”

  The commodore’s attention sharpened. “So it is true. The Dellus attempted to acquire a Human force?”

  Mace winced. “They have one of sorts. We sent through ten thousand Australians, Humans also, to be trained and equipped with ships. We hoped to use them to dethrone Stark. Anyway, when the Dauntless ship was lost, the Dellus decided to keep the Australians. I suspect they already have them trained and equipped somewhere, just waiting to make a move on the rest of you. We sent them through to the Kaachi, and the Dellus intervened.”

  The commodore rubbed his chin. “Interesting. This is news, Mr. Hardy. News that makes an alliance with your team here all the more possible. How many ships and men do you have at your disposal?”

  Mace again frowned. “This is it, Mr. Rolic. The Rogers and her crew.”

  The commodore stood and began to pace. “Even a single ship is an asset, Mr. Hardy. And a ship full of Humans, that have managed to take control of a Muhatha, is quite the asset indeed.”

  Rolic’s pace quickened. “Oh, I can see it now: with a single strike, all three of the Dellus Muhatha could be taken. And with those ships, control of all the Dellus systems and assets… including the Australians you speak of. Yes… yes… this is precisely the pitch we will use with the Quartet!”

  Rolic turned with a smile. “Mr. Hardy. We are at your mercy. Please tell me you wish to pursue this alliance. With a handful of shuttles, manned with your Australians, we could take control of all of the Muhatha ships with one fell swoop. The Alliance would then be in control of the entire Galactic Union! Your King Stark would be working for you!”

  Mace nodded. “I do like the sound of that. I’ll have to talk with my team, Mr. Rolic.”

  Mace opened a comm to the bridge. “Johnny, Jane, Mr. Crawford, please come down to C3. I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

  Mace stood as the three arrived. “I wanted to hit you three up first, then we’ll take it to the senior staff. The commodore here is suggesting an alliance. This alliance would be along the lines of the one the Dellus were attempting to form with us. Mr. Rolic thinks we can seize control of the entire Galactic Union with one set of actions. The proposal is, we build shuttles similar to what we have on Neso. We’ll need to pack them with enough reactors and transducers to attack every Muhatha ship at once. Just as with that one sitting out there, we could take control of all twenty-one with a single action. All manned by a four person team.”

  Jordan said, “Eighteen attacks times four people. That leaves us a bit short, Mr. Hardy. We don’t have that many people.”

  Mace nodded. “OK. Two person teams then. Jasper took that ship by himself. It doesn’t appear as though it will be too difficult.”

  The commodore stood. “Mr. Hardy, I believe you do not fully understand the technology we have available to us. With the wormhole generator, a portal could be opened in close proximity to the ship, within kilometers, allowing you to breach the hull without being fired upon. In order to accomplish such we would only need the coordinates of the ship. And of cou
rse it would have to be at a standstill, but the Muhatha ships typically are. We only brought this one through to Earth because of Earth’s importance to the Union.”

  Mace sat and crossed his arms. “So you could put us right beside the hull? Why not inside?”

  Rolic nodded. “Unfortunately, the generator will not open a wormhole where any significant mass exists. That would include within an atmosphere, which prevents its use during ground assaults. The technology does have its limits.”

  Jane said, “I can’t say that I fancy a one-way ticket. What happens if something prevents us from getting inside? We could still make use of the wormhole, but I would like to see a shuttle that had sufficient shielding, and fast enough drives to get us out of there.”

  Mace replied, “Agreed. Mr. Rolic, what are your repair or construction capabilities on that Muhatha? And what’s its name, by the way?”

  Rolic asked, “What did you have in mind? We have a standard repair bay aboard.”

  Mace said, “We’ll need to modify a shuttle to add another drive, and I’d like to cover the hull in transducers so it has adequate shielding. We need to be able to outrun a Muhatha if we have to retreat for whatever reason.”

  Rolic replied, “I see. We can have my engineers work up a design for you. And the name of the ship is the Revelation. It was the first of our Muhatha ships and was named for a passage in our religious scripts that mention a great vessel being used to save us from ultimate destruction.”

  Johnny nodded. “Finally, a decent name. Beats the heck out of Lousy and Petunia, for a warship name anyway.”

  Rolic said, “We prefer to call the Muhatha peace ships, Mr. Tretcher.”

  Johnny held up a hand as he chuckled. “Pardon me, Commodore. Didn’t mean to disparage it, although I find it odd that a ship constructed to fight wars is called a peace ship.”

  Rolic smiled, “The intention of the Muhatha was to prevent wars, Mr. Tretcher. Since its shielding prevents it from being destroyed by another ship, it becomes a deterrent. That deterrence has served us well for centuries.”