Confrontation: Aliens and Humans. Allies and Enemies. (Space Fleet Sagas) Read online

  Seventeen hours later, away from the system star’s gravitational influence, Elie, back in the pilot’s seat, set course for the Rys’ system. The return trip required twenty-four hours in space-fold, and another ten to eleven hours from the rim to Rys itself. They had ten people in a ship built for three.

  In space-fold and safe, everyone wanted to take part in any conversations. Two could sit in the cockpit seats, one at com-tac, three around the galley table, and three on bunks. Leaving one to sit on the floor.

  Storm fussed over the two girls, making sure they had plenty to eat. Obviously going without proper nutrition for the past few months, she intended to mother-hen them with food. Elie kept the IV’s going, with added vitamins and supplements. She tied them off on the bunks, above where the girls would sit. While it was impossible to be far from anyone in the cramped quarters, neither wanted to be out of sight of their family, or separated from the comfort of the group.

  Much to Coop’s embarrassment, and to Elie and Mag’s utter delight, Storm explained how she and Sky ‘earned’ their nicknames.

  “Not true,” Coop protested. “No one had to have sex to earn a nickname. No one had to have sex for any reason.”

  “You had no reason to have sex with both of them?” Elie asked innocently. “Did you feel obligated?”

  “No, I did not feel obligated,” he said.

  “Is that why you started calling me Elie after we had sex?” she asked. “I had been Elena my entire life. How many nicknames have you awarded?”

  “Star is a nickname, and I didn’t have sex with her,” he protested. “Sparks is a nickname, and I didn’t have sex with him. Sky and Storm gave Star, Silla, and Patric their nicknames. Nicknames are easier to say.”

  “Isn’t Sparks the nickname given to every radio operator in World War Two?” Mags asked. “Not exactly original, Coop. You meet a galaxy-class communications engineer, and you nickname him Sparks.”

  “His name is ASparquila,” Coop returned. “Would you prefer I call him Sarsaparilla?”

  “What’s sarsaparilla?” Sparks asked.

  “Root Beer, a kid’s soda drink,” Mags said, making it no more clear for the Fellen.

  “Can ASarasha and I have nicknames?” AStasaei asked from her place on the bunk.

  “Can we have sex with Coop?” ASarasha asked.

  Unified, eight voices responded, “NO!”

  “No, you cannot have sex with Coop,” Sky said, less vehemently. “I’m afraid he belongs to Storm, and me. He can, however, give you nicknames. Storm and I, at a later date, will pay the price.”

  “For that kind of payment, these better be good,” Mags said from the co-pilot’s seat. “And, boy, was I ever right about coming along on this trip?”

  “Fine,” Coop said, looking at the two lovely girls who suffered and endured. AStasaei appeared more sullen, and stayed more to herself. Asarasha acted as if she had been on an adventure, but stayed close enough to touch someone, unless asleep.

  “AStasaei, I nickname thee Stacey. ASarasha is henceforth called Sarah.”

  The two girls, joyous over their Earth names, repeated them back and forth to each other, laughing.

  Silla reached across the table, taking Coop’s hand in her’s. “Thank you,” she said. Not for the nicknames, but for the laughter they brought.

  Storm unfolded herself from the floor and moved to Coop. She kissed him on a cheek, and asked, “What’s henceforth?”

  CHAPTER 28

  “Sparks,” Coop kept his voice low, to not disturb those sleeping. “How sure are you Mischene controlled the battlecruisers?”

  “We do not have translation baselines for Zenge,” the communications expert told him, “but we do have it for the races in the Aster system, including the Mischene. The communications from and to the battlecruisers were in Mischene. They tried to mask the signals, and the messaging encrypted, but they used Fellen technology. My family developed a lot of their communication system’s components.”

  “Did you learn anything?” Coop asked.

  “Not much,” he admitted. “They transmitted orders, or set flight patterns. I got the impression they realized their coms were vulnerable to compromise. After all, they were invading Fell. Many of the messages arranged private, in-person conferences. I also saw Mischene at the bunker.”

  “What were they doing there?” Elie asked. The impromptu meeting taking place between the cockpit and the com-tac station. Elie and Coop sat in the cockpit, and Sparks at com-tac, facing them.

  “There were only a few, but they appeared to give the Zenge orders,” he replied. “Mischene are easy to identify, with their white hair and dark skin. They wore Mischene fleet uniforms. Black with silver markings, and those high, shiny boots. I saw a lot of those uniforms while installing updates to their communications arrays three years ago. Stand-offish bunch. More about orders and orderly activities. I also met people from Aster Farum 2. They were friendly, and enjoyed conversation.”

  “Sparks, Demon’s databanks contain the information we gathered regarding the Zenge. Most of it came from your sister and cousin, or the files downloaded from the Star Gazer. There is data on attacks, eye-witness accounts, stories and even speculations in the data base. Can you pull those records up?” Coop asked.

  “Easy,” the Fellen said. “Anything specific you need?”

  “See if you can put the systems attacked in chronological order, from the earliest suspected Zenge incursion to the attack on Rys. Don’t factor in Earth’s solar system. That happened as a result of a chase from Osperantue, and not a true invasion,” the Captain said.

  Sparks took a couple of minutes to frame the request, and then ordered the system to compile the data sequentially. “Done,” he said, replacing the com-tac monitor with a holo-board. A graphic representation materialized.

  “Let’s see if we can make any assumptions from the order,” Coop explained. “Maybe we’ll see a strategy.”

  “Okay, but keep in mind there are a lot of worlds not in the trading lanes,” he told the human. “Worlds not capable of intergalactic travel are pretty much left alone. Some of these worlds are visited from time to time out of curiosity. Academics study their cultures, and track development. There is even a community of vacationers who pay to secretly observe pre-space travel life. Only those raided for minerals and materials by unscrupulous traders may have had any previous contact with aliens. If the Zenge invaded any of these, they would have no way of reporting the attack.”

  “Earth has probably been visited by aliens over the centuries,” Elie said. “UFOs are real.”

  “I do not know what a ‘UFO’ is, but Earth has likely been visited. You now know of a wormhole gate near enough to make it viable,” Sparks replied.

  “Could aliens abduct humans for experimentation?” Elie asked.

  “Maybe,” Sparks said, and then joked, “I know I would like to experiment on Mags.”

  “I heard that,” came a voice from the nearest bunk, and Mags pulled back her privacy screen.

  “Oh, Coop, look,” Elie said, stifling a laugh. “Men from Fell can blush.”

  “I am not blushing,” the Fellen, with decidedly dark blue cheeks said. “It was a joke. I meant no disrespect.”

  Mags joined them, sitting lotus-style on the deck beside the embarrassed engineer. “None taken,” she assured him. “Obviously, I was listening. Sounds like the Zenge night have selected planets off the grid for trial runs.”

  “They could have invaded several,” Sparks said. “There is not enough contact data available for systems outside the Trading Alliance.”

  “I agree with the assessment,” Coop said. “Which system does our information rate as most likely to have been first?”

  “Thasor system, the planet Shumalah 3. It is the home of the Pagora,” Sparks told them. “The obvious reason would be to sack the Pagoran libraries. Their files are filled with priceless wormhole channel charts. The Pagoran barter with a limited number of the channels the
y successfully mapped over the centuries. With the charts, the Zenge could map attacks throughout the galaxy, using the shortest routes, and selecting the nearest gates. The information they obtained could make an invasion more efficient, and give the world attacked less time to react.”

  “If I remember correctly,” Coop interjected, “the Pagora use scout ships to chart unfamiliar wormholes. Sky called it dangerous, and many never returned.”

  “Correct. No species knows more about wormholes,” Sparks said.

  “They might even have information on how to build wormholes,” Coop mused aloud. “By taking Shumalah 3, they gained a major strategic advantage. They now possess the ability of mapping the best invasion routes throughout the known galaxy.”

  “They invaded Sequerra next.” He flicked Shumalah 3 aside, and expanded the image of a planet, predominantly brown, with patches of green and blue. “It is a planet Rys re-claimed. Dead for thousands of years, but they were able to reheat the surface, and recreate an atmosphere. They established a colony of agricultural farms. Why would they attack such an outpost?”

  “Crystals,” Coop said. “The colony used Rys’ technology. A quick and easy way of getting their hands on crystals. They could start reverse engineering energy arrays.”

  “Makes sense,” Mags agreed. “Even before we introduced the tachyon cannons, Rys had a decent planetary defense. This little colony probably had nothing.”

  “Reports suggest they then entered the Testerray system. There are no evolved races on the two worlds supporting life,” Sparks continued.

  Sparks replaced Sequerra with two planets. Both consisted of lush greens, golds, and shades of blue.

  “The animal life,” Coop said. “They held carvide, and other species from the Testerray system in the cargo ship we captured. Zenge eat meat. That was a shopping trip.”

  “You think they were already making plans for long-distance invasions?” Elie asked.

  “I would say yes,” Sparks answered. “The planet attacked next was Parria.” A hazy globe appeared. “The planet offers little in trade. The population became adept as cargo haulers for other worlds. You find Parrian cargo ships on practically every planet and trading post in the known galaxy. The Parrian act as neutral haulers for hire by everyone. Only non-affiliated pirates ever attack a Parrian cargo ship.”

  “There are pirates out here?” Mags asked, perking up. “Real pirates?”

  “I do not know what you mean by ‘real pirates’, but there are unaffiliated ships crewed by criminals who survive by stealing what belongs to others, then offering it at a reduced price to buyers on worlds with unscrupulous resale agents,” the Fellen replied.

  “Real pirates,” Mags gleefully said. “They ambush ships, plunder their goods, and sell ‘em on the black market. Arr..”

  “Pirates are not the problem, Mags. Sparks, would you like to stay on course?” Coop recommended.

  Sparks finished his original thought. “They attacked Parria, and gained the means of carrying supplies, equipment, soldiers and armament anywhere and everywhere in the galaxy.”

  “Next, they attacked another Rys colony. Fathom Oren is eighty-percent water, and no sentient life. Rys claimed it, then built several factories on islands around the planet.”

  “Factories?” Elie asked.

  “Among the plant life in the oceans is an algae farmers process into a nutrient-rich food substitute, or as a supplement,” Sparks explained, referencing the data generated by the computer. “The colonists barter the product to those making protracted trips. The substitute lasts forever, does not need refrigeration, and can absorb flavoring to taste like anything you prefer. It is nutritionally healthier than foods many species eat naturally. Newer food replication systems utilize it for the base material.”

  “They get another crack at crystals, and stock up on a food source which will allow them to travel in space for extended periods. A pretty good haul,” Elie said. “If they can force the colonists to continue working, or if they can figure out how the factories operate, they maintain a source of food, as long as the oceans produce the algae.”

  “Tarn is system number six,” Sparks says. “Tarn is a single-planet system with a dwarf star named, Tarn Star. Not an imaginative race, but lucky. A half-dozen wormhole gates open near Tarn, and with no solar system to speak of, the planet acts as a trading post every day and night. The people of Tarn get a percentage from every transaction occurring on the planet, or aboard the orbital platforms designed for traders.

  “They have two dozen space ports on the surface, and six orbital platforms. The platforms are equipped with plasma weapons. The Tarn military dissuaded anyone from trading in their system and not paying tribute for the privilege. They also keep disputes between traders to a minimum." The Fellen looked up, and asked aloud, “How did the Zenge take Tarn?”

  “Where did the report regarding the Zenge invasion of Tarn originate?” Coop asked.

  “A Mischene trade ship escaped during the battle. The last thing they reported hearing, before exiting the system, was Tarn had fallen and the orbital platforms were overrun by the Zenge,” Sparks read directly from the script hanging beneath the hologram of the planet and platforms.

  “There’s your answer,” Coop said. “The Mischene probably set the Tarn up for the Zenge. Hell, they may have taken the system themselves. The Tarn wouldn’t expect it from the Mischene. Don’t battlecruisers accompany traders from the Aster system to protect valuable assets?”

  “Yes,” Sparks confirmed. “It would not have been unusual for a number of Aster traders, with Mischene battlecruiser escorts, to dock on, or orbit over Tarn.”

  “Neuvarusry followed. Another Rys colony. This one reclaimed from a dead planet. Colonized by Dwards. I assume it is a mining colony. Nothing listed in the data regarding what they mine.”

  The ensuing holo-image required expansion for everyone to see the clutter of planets and moons orbiting a giant yellow star.

  “The next incident is the Aster system. With most of the other systems, I am using reports of loss of contact, or failure for trade ships to report within specified times. I even factored in rumors to help determine when, and where the Zenge may have attacked.

  “I have detailed messages from the Mischene, reporting, and confirming Aster Farum 3’s invasion by the Zenge fleet. They entered through the wormhole nearest Aster Farum 3, and began an invasion with no warning. They also reported Zenge warships appearing through other gates. They established blockades around the other two inhabited planets, as well as the five life-supported moons.

  “The Mischene managed to get several ships through the blockades, and out of the system. They sent specific alerts and warnings to known systems to avoid Aster because of the Zenge presence. The escaped Mischene ships planned on regrouping, and starting a counter-offensive. They warned non-combatants to stay clear. The reports indicated Aster 3 did fall, but held out long enough to provide the other worlds within the system time to shore up defenses. The Mischene commanders who escaped concluded the other worlds were likely fighting the Zenge for control of the system.”

  “Interesting how the Zenge stepped up from barely space-worthy planets, with little to no defensive capabilities, to a system well defended, with the best tech-savvy systems in the entire galaxy,” Coop said.

  “And the Mischene who escaped made sure no one would entertain traveling to Aster to check on conditions,” Mags added.

  “With what we know now, it was a ruse,” Coop said. “They wanted the Aster system quarantined to allow them time to finalize their plans for attacking the other worlds in the galaxy, without needing to remain covert in front of visiting traders.”

  Sparks continued his estimation of events.

  “They overran a multi-gate location next. The assault captured a Ventierran mediation ship and several trade vessel from multiple worlds.”

  “Judge Korr,” Elie said.

  “Osperantue and Fell were the next attacked, and near to
simultaneously,” Sparks tells them. “Zenge ships, Parrian cargo vessels, a mix of stolen and refitted ships from other worlds, as well as Mischene battlecruisers participated in both invasions. Of course everyone thought the battlecruisers captured and controlled by Zenge at the time of both invasions.”

  Sparks continued his education of the humans.

  “Osperantue is a rich planet with a lot of trade-valuable products. The planet is a hub for intellectual and medical sciences. They boast the largest cruise ships in the galaxy, with the finest optical arrays. Any number of reasons the Zenge would want Osperantue. You know Fell is the technology leader in the galaxy, especially with advanced communications.

  “Rys represents the last in line. Obviously a raid designed to obtain crystals as power sources for engines, factories, and weapons.” Sparks turned the holo-imager off. “The Zenge are making preparations to invade and overwhelm every world in the trade alliance. But why?”

  “What is the Mischene’s part in this?” Elie asked.

  “I have some ideas,” Coop said. “We’ll wait until we have a chance to speak with Captain Canedee. Elie, if you’ll get Sky and Storm, we’ll trade places. Mags, you, and Sparks need to sleep as well.”

  “Okay,” Mags said, rising from her position on the floor to stand over Sparks. “What kind of experiments, exactly?” she asked.

  CHAPTER 29

  Demon exited into natural space at the edge of the Quentle system. Sky re-engaged space-fold, at significantly less speed, for the flight from the rim to Rys.

  Elie, now in control, dropped them out of space-fold well beyond the outer reaches of Rys’ exosphere. Coop, in the co-pilot’s seat, contacted Kennedy immediately.

  “Kennedy, this is Demon, do you copy?”

  “Copy, Captain Cooper. Welcome back,” the AI replied. “Was your trip successful?” she asked.

  “Just another rodeo,” Coop replied. “We weren’t able to get close to Fell. Too many Zenge ships, and not enough cover. We waited for a while, and then decided to return. Is everything on schedule here?”