ALTERNATE TALES OF THE STAR FORCE
STAR BLAZERS---PASSICAGLIA AND FUGUE IN C MINOR
Being the eighth part of THE RIKASHA INCIDENT--- BY: Frederick P. Kopetz
ACT FIVE--FAREWELL,
ISCANDAR
I. THE MORNING AFTER
Planet Iscandar
Space Battleship Argo
Captain's Quarters
Thursday, March 4, 2202
0525 Hours Spacetime
"Urrrrr,"
grumbled Captain Derek Wildstar as the alarm in the cabin he shared with Nova
jerked him out of sleep. "Nova, can I shoot that thing?"
"No, you'd set off so
many sensors it wouldn't be funny," she grumbled. "I'll try to ge' it..."
Nova sat up in bed,
crab-walked to the edge of the bunk, and stuck her foot out. With a bit of a
stretch, she was able to tap the alarm clock (which was built into a console by
the bubbletop) off with her big toe. Then, she turned on her stomach, smiled,
and said, "Derek, it's 0530 and you have a naked
woman in your bunk. What are you gonna do about it?"
"Kiss her like crazy
before I take my shower."
They cuddled, kissing
themselves somewhat more awake, skin-to-skin. They knew damn well that they
couldn't spend an hour doing this (and more intimate stuff) like they had last
night, but they figured they'd make the best they could out of a stolen kiss
and a few minutes before duty.
"Don't hog all the hot water in there,"
teased Nova as Derek snuggled her and then got up. "And turn up the
heat...I'm cold," she said, pulling the covers up over herself.
"Don't you dare fall
asleep again, Lieutenant," said Captain Wildstar with a smile while he
covered his midriff with a towel.
"Oh, I won't,"
said Nova. "I remember that time you threw cold water on me to wake me up
after that happened."
"Yeah...you were so
mad..."
"You
big silly boy.
And be sure you shave and get that hair looking a little less like a mop that
mated with a paintbrush."
"Excuse me?" said
Derek. "I'm getting yakked at by a woman who
needs a haircut."
"Ohhh,
I'll go see Doctor Sane later," huffed Nova.
"I hate it when he cuts my hair."
"Why?"
"He never gets it
right! One time he almost took my curls off!!" said Nova as she fingered
the locks that usually hung at her cheekbones.
"Guess what,"
said Derek with an impish grin.
"What, Skipper?"
"Your hair looks like
a mop when you wake up too!"
Derek then ran out the
hatch to avoid the slipper that Nova threw at him.
A bit later on that
morning, after showers, breakfast, PT, and working on paperwork in their
offices, Nova and Derek met again in the Central Planning Room a few minutes
before the morning officers' briefing.
"You need a
haircut," said Nova quietly.
"Do I?" said
Derek.
"When it hangs in your
eyes too much, you need a haircut, too. I'll see Doctor Sane today to get mine
cut if you see him too. Deal?"
"What's the reason for
the change? Thought you hated the Doc to cut your hair."
"After PT, Natalie
said I looked like a neglected sheepdog."
"Oh," said Derek.
OK, they listen to other women, but not us, he thought. Fact Number 535 about females.
"Good morning, you
two," said Mark as he showed up.
"Where's your better
half?" said Nova.
"Yeah, the pretty
one?" said Wildstar.
"Idiot!" said
Mark as he playfully punched his Captain and friend in the shoulder. "Are
you saying I'm ugly?"
"No, I'm saying that
Holly looks prettier than you do. I wouldn't be insulted if you said Nova
looked prettier than me, Mark."
Mark then grabbed Nova's
hand. "You're pretty. He's ugly."
"Am not!" said
Wildstar.
"May I have this
dance, m'lady?" said Venture, who wouldn't let
go of Nova's hand.
"Derek, should I waltz
with him or put my boot in his instep?" asked Nova.
"Your call," said
Derek. Nova's eyes lit up right before Sandor came in with a thoughtful
expression on his face. Everyone suddenly turned more serious.
"What's up?"
asked Derek.
"I've been up all
night analyzing the results of the scans we took right before the Fortress
disappeared."
"Steve," said
Nova softly. "There is such a thing as sleep. You need at least seven
hours of it a night on this ship to function. Please don't let me hear about
you doing that again."
"Thanks," said
Sandor, "But I needed to make sense of this. Wildstar, one of two things
happened to that Fortress. It either was sucked into a naked singularity it
created, or it executed a space warp. I'm 98% sure it went into a singularity
and destroyed itself, but there is a 2% chance that thing survived, albeit with
structural damage."
"How will you know for
sure what happened?"
"More analysis is
necessary. I have IQ-9 working the problem now."
"Good," said
Nova. "He doesn't need sleep."
IQ-9 came in a moment
later. "I have finished calculating the results, Sandor. Have a
look."
Sandor took a sheaf of
papers from IQ-9. "We're now 99.8% sure he destroyed himself," he
said a moment later. "The likelihood that Ekogaru survived that cataclysm
is extremely remote."
"In other words,
Ekogaru's threat to Earth is over?" said Derek.
"Yes. I'm now sure
that Aliscea did her job."
"Thank God," said
Nova.
Soon afterwards, the
briefing began.
With the briefing over,
Captain Wildstar was meeting with Hemsford and Rosstowski in his cabin.
"Do you two know why I
ordered you to come up here?"
"No, sir," they
said in unison.
Captain Wildstar looked
both men up and down. "Well, both of you men need your records updated.
And, I wanted to let you know why."
He handed both of them
letters. Rosstowski opened his first. It was addressed to "Junior
Lieutenant Paul J. Rosstowski."
"Sir, I'm an Ensign.
You've made a..."
"No, I haven't,"
said Derek with a tight smile. "Read the letter. You're a Junior
Lieutenant now. Same with you, Lieutenant Paul Hemsford.
Both of you have done great jobs, and I think this is long overdue.
Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir,"
said Rosstowski.
"Thanks, sir,"
said Hemsford. "Now, I feel like I'm the proper rank. Ensign just doesn't sound
right as a Space Marine rank."
"Yeah, I know,"
said Derek with a bit of a grin. "Tradition,
right?"
Hemsford nodded.
"If I were you, I'd
let your men know as soon as possible," said Captain Wildstar.
"Are we doing more
drills?" said Rosstowski.
"We may in a day or
two. It's more important that we get the ship repaired, first," said
Captain Wildstar. "We've just won a great victory, and soon, we'll be
doing some other things."
"Such as?" said
Rosstowski.
"Such as helping many
of the Pellians resettle here on Iscandar under Astrena's leadership. Queen
Starsha's permitted it. And, also, we're going to scout the planet for a good
location for a base. I've been in touch with the Commander, and he and Starsha
agree that it might be a good idea for us to start a small base and scientific
colony here on Iscandar in another one of the cities. If we can find a good
location for such a base and colony, we'd start setting things up so that some
Earth ships could bring some scientists out here to do long-term study
here."
"What do the Gamilons
think of this?" asked Hemsford. "After all, aren't they moving back
in next door if Gamilon prove to really be livable again?"
"Well, Desslok asked
Starsha to allow some of the Pellians to live here, so he has no objection to
that idea," said Derek. "As for our base, it appears he's asked
Starsha for permission to have a base of his own here on Iscandar. Alex told me
that Starsha is still considering the request, but may turn it down, since he
might be resettling Gamilon if it proves to be livable again."
The cabin door opened and
Nova came in...with Desslok. Captain Wildstar noticed
that the Gamilon had to duck to get through the hatchway.
Captain Wildstar was quite
surprised at the Gamilon Leader's sudden presence. "Leader Desslok...I...I
wasn't expecting you. Nova?"
"I'm sorry, Derek. He
just came on board a few minutes ago. He said that he's giving us permission to
send a survey team down to Gamilon with his survey team in a few days once the
surface stabilizes so that we can, perhaps, learn about the technology of the
Technomugar by observing how it remade Gamilon."
"I'm sorry to catch
you by surprise like this," said Desslok. "I thought it was quite
important to see you as soon as possible."
"Why is
that...uh...with no advance warning?"
"I was speaking with
your Commanding General Singleton via communicator. He's quite an interesting
man..."
"And?"
"He said that due to
certain factors..."
The communicator beeped.
Captain Wildstar said, "Please excuse me, Leader Desslok. Yes,
Homer?"
"Sir, the Commander's
on the line. Shall I patch it to your cabin?"
Derek nodded. A moment
later, Commanding General Singleton's image came up on one of the small
screens. "Captain Wildstar."
"Yessir?"
Singleton looked around and
then started a little. "Oh. I see he's arrived before my message. Could you please send those other men out? I need only you,
Nova, and Leader Desslok present for this."
"Yessir," Derek replied.
"Rosstowski, Hemsford...?"
"Of course," they
said. They saluted and left, dogging the hatch behind them. Desslok began to
leave, as well.
"Leader, he didn't say
you should step out."
"I think you'd prefer
to receive his instructions in private before we speak," said Desslok.
"I'll be waiting outside."
"Of course," said
Derek, who was a bit mystified as to what was going on. Nova also looked a bit
puzzled. Desslok stepped out a moment later.
"Captain, I wish to
emphasize that this is for your ears only, as well as Nova's. She has been
authorized by the President to assist you in what I am about to tell you."
"Of course, sir,"
said Captain Wildstar. "May I ask what's going on?"
"Captain Wildstar, on
the President's authority, relayed through me, you are to negotiate a draft
understanding with the governments of Iscandar, Pellias, and the Gamilon Empire
formalizing our wartime alliance with these powers. When you complete this
protocol, relay it directly to me and I will see that the President receives it.
We have agreed not to put this through the Defense Council because there has
been opposition to such a move on the Council's part. The President is
discharging the Council members responsible for this dissension, but, in order
to make this stick, it will be promulgated as an Executive Order. You and Nova
will be our negotiators. Both of you are young, but we know that you know
Desslok, Starsha, and Astrena better than anyone else on Earth. That's why
you're being empowered to negotiate with them."
"Sir, that's quite a
responsibility," said Derek.
"I know, but I feel
you can handle it."
"Sir...neither of us
are diplomats," said Nova.
"It is very important
that both of you secure the cooperation of these nations," said Singleton.
"The Rikashan attacks on Earth shipping have been increasing. Even though
Ekogaru is, as you have said, most likely dead, his followers continue to be a
major threat. What's more, one of our scout ships has picked up transmissions
in Cometine code near Sirius. We think that Cometine forces may be trying to
reclaim that base, and we also think that Rikasha may be trying to either
attack the same base or attack Procyon. We don't need either of those powers in
our interstellar backyard. Also, with the Gamilon Empire rebuilding, I think it
is vital that we secure our flank towards the Magellenic Clouds by making sure
that Desslok remains friendly to us. I think we can best do so by making sure
that all four of our races stand together against Rikasha...and, if need be,
against the Cometines as a united front. I will transmit some basic
instructions for the negotiations."
"Of course, sir,"
said Derek.
"That will be
all," said the Commander. "Desslok has indicated an interest in
setting up a first session with all of you within a few days. You can speak
with him about the timing of this session."
"Yessir," said
Derek. Both he and Nova saluted as the Commander's image faded out.
"Uh...you can come
back in now," said Nova.
"Thank you," said
Desslok. He ducked again at the hatchway.
"Leader, if you need a
better place to speak to us," said Derek.
"That's all
right," said Desslok in a calm voice. "I don't mind the exercise. Is
this your office?"
"Yes, and our
cabin," said Derek. "Nova and I share these quarters. These books
over here were Captain Avatar's."
Desslok picked up one of
the books. "I note he liked history. I believe this book is on your
twenty-first century, as you call it?"
"Yes, it was our
greatest time of change ever as a race," said Nova. "It began with
terrorism, continued with a great regional war, carried on with a world war
which became a great war of unification, and concluded with a world government
and the first phases of the war with your people."
Desslok opened the book and
hit on a page at random. He began to read out loud. "The architect or
ruler who began the Gamilon War is still, to this day, unknown to the people of
Earth. While it was apparent that Earth's solar system was being scouted by an
alien race, it remained unknown for some time that this race had hostile
intentions; or so it remained until the new colony at Titan fell under attack
in the year 2074..."
Desslok closed his eyes a
moment. "My great-grandsire Severus began the effort. He knew that Gamilon
was doomed. He thought he had found Garuman at the site of Earth. The War was a
great crusade for our people. The circle began with Leader Severus. It now ends
with myself. As long as I live, Gamilon lives,"
he murmured. "It appears that my words are coming true today...look."
Desslok pointed; the planet
Gamilon was rising in the sky. It had cooled substantially; it was now a
greenish globe covered with impact craters with mottlings of blue here and
there that might have been seas.
"Gamilon," said
Desslok. "It's hard to believe what the Dark Lord has delivered back into
my grasp, although I am sure it was not his intention
to do so. We should both learn what the extent of his power is...or, rather,
was. That's why I've invited you to join us as we survey Gamilon."
"How are the reports
from your sensor satellites coming?" asked Captain Wildstar.
"Promising. The planet seems to be stabilizing,
and there doesn't seem to be very much acid in the ecosystem. It seems to be
raining heavily on Gamilon right now, but raining regular water, if you'd
believe it. We are hoping that we can begin rebuilding Planet Gamilon at some
point in the next few weeks. Gamilon reborn. I never
thought I would see it."
Derek sat down in his chair
and closed his eyes. "So, you're going to rebuild your Empire?"
"Eventually,
although with a different end, this time. I hope to rebuild in order to ensure peace for the
Pellians, the Iscandarians, and, at a great distance, your world. As I told you
before, we would hate to see your Earth fall into enemy hands of any sort,
whether it be the hands of the Rikashans or the
Cometines. I'm glad that some on Earth are coming to realize that we can best
face this onslaught together. "
"So am I,
Desslok," said Derek.
The Gamilon stood in
thought a moment longer. "Wildstar, permit me to assure you and Nova that
you and the people of Earth shall remain our eternal friends. It is quite an irony; through you, Gamilon was destroyed, and, through
you, Gamilon may be reborn. It is my dearest hope that we can live in peace
with secure borders and a strong military on our reconstructed homeworld.
Captain, I have invited you and the rest of the Star Force to assist me in the
survey of the planet. Even though we are the greatest scientific power in the
Cosmos, I think that we shall find your observations interesting and can both
learn what our enemies are like from observing their power, and also, learn how
to defeat them. In the meantime, I would like our negotiating sessions to begin
ten days from now. Starsha has asked that these sessions take place in
Derek and Nova nodded.
"Of course," said Derek.
"Thank you. Now, if
you will pardon me, I shall be going. Don't worry about an escort; I was able
to find my way here on my own. I hope to speak to both of you soon...hopefully,
on the motherland of Gamilon."
Derek and Nova saluted, and
then, Desslok left.
Captain Wildstar sat
looking at the hatch for a long while. "Nova, why do I
feel uneasy about this?"
"I think we can trust
him," said Nova.
"But, what if we
can't?" responded Derek. "What if he goes back to his old, arrogant
ways again someday?"
"I think the treaty
we're supposed to negotiate is to keep that from happening."
"But what if he, or
some successor of his, abrogates the treaty, Nova?"
"Or what if we can't
reach an agreement?"
At that, both of them fell
into an uneasy silence. They really didn't have an answer for this.
II. CHANGES
The Grand Technomugar
Fortress
Lord Ekogaru's Audience
Chamber
Friday, March 5, 2202
1315 Hours Spacetime
"They think I'm
dead," muttered Ekogaru. "They think I'm dead, but, things are
different from what they think. I live. We live."
Yvona looked at Ekogaru.
She lay in her bed, breathing hard. "How badly did they hurt me?"
"They had to replace
many parts. You were, basically, torn apart. Were it not for the
doctors..."
"I know. I would have
died. Then, why is it so hard for me to breathe?"
"Because you are still
adjusting to the new parts," said Ekogaru. "And, don't think I wasn't
harmed, as well," he said as he slammed a metal fist on the table.
"Do you see this hand? It is a replacement. Much of me needed to be
replaced. Much of my Fortress requires repair."
"How bad is it?"
"We are 48,000
lightyears away from Iscandar right now. We can warp only 1,000 lightyears at a
time now. It will take us at least eighty to a hundred days to get to
Earth."
"Well, why aren't we
on our way now?"
"Who says we aren't,
Yvona? You just regained consciousness. You weren't awake when we last warped.
But, we will take at least eighty days to get to Earth at the very least, maybe
more, as I just said!"
"Why? I want my
vengeance upon Aliscea. I want my vengeance upon the Star Force. I want...my
vengeance upon my damned niece!"
"All
in due time, Yvona. I have something in mind. It will take us forty days' worth of travel,
but I am beginning to prepare a trap at a planet that Rikasha is conquering for
us."
"The
name of the planet?'
"Carufax,
at the edge of the Milky Way, at the Eastern Rim of the Orion Arm. My Baron Cha'rif shall manipulate
the Argo there. There, in forty days, I shall teach the Argo who
is the Master...and who is the Slave."
At that, Ekogaru began to
laugh like a madman.
Yvona just nodded, knowing
that, imprisoned in her capsule, her clone, her sick trump card, was still
struggling as the forced growth process continued.
III. THE COMMANDER'S
CHOICES
Planet Earth
The Presidential Palace
Tuesday, March 9, 2202
1100 Hours Spacetime
"Commander, this is a
very interesting report," said Earth Federation President James
Mendellsohn in his office. "So, you suspect Senate Liaison General Weiner
and Minister of Xenocultural Studies Doctor Piper Sandberg of treachery?"
"Sir, these are not
unfounded charges," said Commanding General Singleton in a calm voice.
"Over the past few days, these two men have been bringing ideas up in
Council that I can only consider...outrageous."
"Yes, I know of their
surrender motion," said Mendellsohn. "I saw them last Friday and told
them that they had better have a deeper justification to request that we
surrender than the justification that they gave."
"Thank you, sir."
"As for this
report...you're certain that you found alien fibers in a place where they were
meeting?"
"Yessir. I found some black fragments of
cloth in the old Earth Defense Headquarters down below in the underground city.
I had just found Weiner and Sandberg down there, having a meeting of some type.
It looks like there were others there, too."
"Did you hear what was
said?"
"No,
sir."
"I can't arrest them
on this basis alone, Commander. However, I can suspend them from the
Defense Council and have Military Intelligence's Special Services watch their
every move. I'm sure that you're well aware of the capabilities of the
SS."
"I am, sir," said
Singleton, who was glad that Mendellsohn was putting a tail on these men.
However, he felt a bit sorry for them. The Special Services of the EDF's
Military Intelligence section could be quite...ruthless as well as tenacious.
As a secret police, they were quite efficient at their job.
"Would you like me to
call for Weiner and Sandberg today?" asked the President.
"I think it'd be a
good idea."
"Then, I'll do it. And
remember; this conversation doesn't leave this office, Commander."
"Of
course, sir.
And, sir..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Best of luck to you and the Defense Forces on fighting the Rikashan
threat. It's a good thing that the Star Force has reported that the
threat from Ekogaru is now virtually non-existent. I'm sure this should make
the decisive battle with the Rikashans easier."
"Of
course, sir."
"We're suspended from
the Defense Council?" said Sandberg to the President in an incredulous
voice later that day. He and Weiner had just been told the President's decision
in his office.
"Yes, and I'm also
pulling your Alpha-Gamma Security clearances until further notice, pending the
results of any investigation," said President Mendellsohn.
"Why are you doing
this, sir?" said Weiner. "How can I report to the Senate Armed
Services Committee if I'm not on the Council?"
"It won't be necessary
for you to report, as you are being suspended from your post altogether until
further notice," said Mendellsohn. "Colonel Weishaupt will take over
your post, effective immediately, until further notice. The same goes for you,
Dr. Sandberg. You will turn over your reports and papers to Dr. Vanessa
Hartmann, your deputy at the
"Is there any appeal
from this, sir?" asked Sandberg.
"None. My decision is final," said
Mendellsohn. "I regret that I had to take this course. I hope that you can
be cleared."
"What are the charges?
What's the evidence?" fumed Weiner.
"I am not at liberty
to discuss these at this time… and I'm sorry. But I would recommend that you
hire an attorney. Good day, gentlemen."
Mendellsohn turned his
chair around, signaling that the meeting was over.
Two days later, Sandberg
sat in yet another office in the Megalopolis. He was trying to hire a lawyer.
"So, you're telling me
that you and Weiner were railroaded out of the Defense Council?" said Karl
Forrester of Forrester, Fisher, Smith and Pellman, PC.
"That's right,"
said Sandberg. "Can I have some of that whiskey, please?"
Karl cleared his throat.
"Piper, I'm afraid I usually reserve that malt for family or very close
friends. Yes, you and I were college classmates at the
"No, Karl," said
Sandberg in a cold sweat. "It was...uhh...at her high school graduation;
remember?"
"Oh, yes. That would
have been over five…almost six years ago; Nova was eighteen then. Now, she's
twenty-four. Time does fly," laughed Forrester. At that, Karl made certain
that a picture of his daughter and Wildstar together was facing outwards as a
subtle message. "You know, that if the President suspended you from the
Defense Council, he had to have a good reason."
"He didn't. It's a
personality conflict between myself and Singleton,
Karl."
Karl exhaled a deep breath.
"The President of the Federation has a lot of discretionary authority,
Piper."
"So, you're saying you
don't have the competence to be my lawyer?"
"Calm down," said
Forrester. "You see those certificates behind me? I've argued cases before
the Federation Supreme Court, Piper. I won Langford v. Callandra on
appeal, you know. And I don't work cheap, either. No, I have the competence. I
don't wish to...how shall I put it," laughed
Karl. "I don't wish to take up your case. You might do better with someone
else. Someone who chases ambulances for a living."
"You know, Forrester,
that's damn close to an insult?" snapped Sandberg as he abruptly stood up.
"Whoa; careful
there," said Forrester, putting up his hands. "I didn't say a single
thing about you. You just might want a different lawyer, that's all. Because
it'll be a cold day in Hell before I represent you. Are we clear? And I didn't
like you barging in past my secretary, either. It's a good thing I'm in a
charitable mood today. Otherwise, I might just call the police?"
"I'll find someone
else," hissed Sandberg. "You know, this is the end of our friendship?
You're a damn walrus, your wife is an artsy-fartsy
fool who plays with oil paints...and your daughter? She's a bimbo, Karl. Look
up bimbo in the dictionary."
Karl gritted his teeth. He
wanted to strike Sandberg for insulting his wife and daughter, but before he
could react, the disgraced government official turned on his heel and headed
for the door.
"Don't slam the door
on the way out!" snapped Karl.
Sandberg slammed the door.
"They always slam it
when they get mad," said Forrester in a sad voice. He picked up the
portrait of Nova and Derek off his desk. "Kids...I think we've got a
problem, here. Now, what should I do? I wonder if the Commander would remember
me from the old days...or if I have his number...hmmm..." said Forrester
as he began to look through a Rolodex on his desk.
"So, he tried to hire
you?" said the Commander.
"That's right,"
said Karl Forrester. "It seems that Sandberg is trying to fight the
President's decision."
"You didn't offer to
work for him, of course?"
"No, I didn't."
"Good," said
Singleton. "Did he indicate his plans?"
"No, he stalked out.
He said he'd find someone else."
"I'll let the
President know that he might be causing trouble. And, thanks, Karl. It's been a
long time since we were Midshipmen together at the Space Fighters' Training
School."
"I'm glad you
remembered me, sir."
The Commander laughed.
"How can I forget an Academy classmate? Take care."
IV. GAMILON REBORN?
Planet Gamilon
Near the Former Site of
Gamilstadt
Thursday, March 11, 2202
0900 Hours Spacetime
"My sensors confirm
it," said IQ-9 as he and Nova hovered in for a possible landing on
Gamilon. The two of them were flying her recon Cosmo Tiger. "The surface
is cool enough for us to walk on now. It's also stable."
"That's good to
know," said Derek from his Super Starfighter nearby. "Hmm...there's quite a few Gamilons down there already," he
said.
"Derek, they're giving
us landing clearance at RX-11, on that plain not far from that sea over
there."
"Okay," said
Derek. Sandor was flying beside him as his other wingman. Alex Wildstar himself
happened to be riding in Sandor's plane.
The scene around them liked
both alien and familiar. The ground was rather rocky, harsh, and rugged for the
most part. Everything looked green; even the sky had a greenish tint to it. The
only thing that broke the relative greenness of the landscape was the startling
blueness of the sea against the green rock.
"Much of the crust
seems to be filled with copper oxides and crystal not unlike jade," said
IQ-9 from his plane. "That explains why things are green all around."
"What about the
sky?" asked Derek.
"A slightly different
factor of refraction; that's all," said Nova. "The oxygen content is
slightly higher than on Earth, and there's no
poisonous gasses I can detect in my sensors. I think we can work with our
helmets open. Just watch out for the slightly higher gravity; we might get
tired a little more quickly than we would on Earth."
"I think I remember
that from the last time we were here," chuckled Derek.
"Yes. But when we were
last here, we weren't really taking a survey," said Nova in a very quiet
voice.
"I know what she
means," said Sandor. He looked down at the surface, and noticed, with
disbelief, that some of the ruins of the old city were still here, although it
looked as if they now were embedded deep in the ground.
"I wonder what those
towers were made out of that they could withstand our attack and then the whole
planet being melted around them," said Sandor.
"The Gamilons made
some of their towers out of a type of volcanic rock that they further
hardened," said Alex. "But, I never knew they were that
strong."
"Reminds me of
Isengard," murmured Nova.
"Hmh?" said
Derek.
"Lord of the Rings
reference," said Nova. "We haven't gotten to that part yet."
"You're reading
it?" said Sandor.
"On some nights when I
can't sleep, she's been reading it to me on and off," said Derek.
"She says it's going to be a very long read."
"Enjoy it," said
Alex with a grin. "It's a long book, Derek."
"IQ-9," said
Nova.
"Yes?"
"Sandor's going to
upload some information from his plane to ours, and I'd like you to pick up the
results of our scans from our computers. Do you think that you can have that
ready to give to the Gamilons?"
"You underestimate me,
Nova. I've already thought of it. I'm a true genius! I don't know about
you."
"Can it, tinwit,"
muttered Nova in a dangerous voice. She exhaled a deep, annoyed breath.
"You sound tough,
Nova."
"Oh? Any
comments?" she said while glaring at him.
"No comment."
"Good," said Nova
with a frosty smile. "Remember, we have work to
do. No games today."
"I understand."
Finally, Wildstar began to
bring his Super Star in for a landing. Nova and Sandor followed him in, using
their planes' belly jets to slow down and land.
Derek opened his canopy and
then popped open his helmet. The air smelled slightly metallic but clean; quite
a switch from the eternal "rotten-egg" odor that had hung over
Gamilon when the planet had been polluted by sulfur compounds and excessive
volcanic activity. He was followed by the others a moment later.
Helmeyer was there to greet
them. "So far, Captain, the results of our survey have proved to be
promising. What have your people discovered?"
"They had their
sensors going on the way in," said Derek. "They can give you a report
now, if you like."
"What have you
discovered?" asked Alex. "Queen Starsha is particularly interested.
That's why I was sent here."
"We'll go off to
discuss those results," said Helmeyer. Derek noticed not only a few planes
and ships but also a few small prefabricated buildings near the site of the
city. Alex, Nova, Sandor, and IQ-9 followed Helmeyer into one of those buildings.
Derek remained outside for a moment, looking at the remains of Gamilstadt that
jutted out of the rocky surface like broken teeth.
"If it is truly
livable, the capital will be rebuilt here," said a voice behind Captain
Wildstar.
Derek turned and noticed
Desslok standing behind him. Astrena was with him. She was now visibly pregnant
and walked carefully over the uneven ground.
"How quickly do you
think you can rebuild?" asked Derek.
"If the results of the
survey prove to be favorable, I will have ships bringing resources from other
base worlds of the Empire within a few weeks," said Desslok.
"I am hoping that I
can use some of my powers to help him rebuild," said Astrena in a quiet
voice. "Also, given my presence here as his Empress, we shall make certain
that his new Empire does not repeat some of the mistakes of his old Empire. He
tended to underestimate people. He tended to exploit people. He shouldn't make
those mistakes again."
"As for
Iscandar," said Desslok. "We have taken surveys there, too. The loss
of Sanzarat has shifted the orbit of both planets slightly. Gamilon is now a
little further from Iscandar than it used to be. With the gravitational balance
changed somewhat, Iscandar should also prove to be more stable, as well. It's
an odd chance, isn't it? Gamilon and Iscandar were both doomed. Now, it appears
they are not...not any longer. Interesting, isn’t it? It
appears that a Providence beyond Ekogaru’s ken seems
to have taken his evil and hatred and turned it into something good instead."
"Many of my people
like Iscandar, and Starsha has welcomed them," said Astrena. "With
the presence of about two hundred of my people on Iscandar, and Starsha's
children, and those who survived on those survey ships, such as Conor, once
again, Iscandar will be populated. It is a thrill, being here to see the
rebirth of two planets."
I hope that you two
aren't hoping for something that's impractical, thought Derek. I hope that
Gamilon can be rebuilt, and I hope that Iscandar can be rebuilt. I hope that
nothing comes up that will keep either of you from realizing your dreams.
"Interesting,"
said Helmeyer as he and another scientist, a Major Frausky (one of the few
Garumans that Desslok had found and brought back from the ruin of Garuman)
looked over the results of the Gamilon surveys with Sandor, Nova, and IQ-9.
They were also looking over the scans from the Earth planes that had been
collated by IQ-9. "Your ships' scans would tend to support what we've
found so far: Gamilon is now more stable and is developing an ecosystem
suitable for intelligent life."
"Based on my scans,
what looks like water over there in your small sea really is...water,"
said IQ-9. "Not sulfuric acid. The pH levels are normal."
"That's good,"
said Frausky. "We can't rebuild a civilization without ready water
sources."
"It seems a bit cooler
than Iscandar," said Nova, pointing at a line on a graph from a printout
that had come from IQ's memory. "But, it looks like it would be within
limits for ordinary life."
"Gamilon was always
cooler than Iscandar," said Helmeyer.
"You have a very
interesting robot," said Frausky. "Why did you program him to have a
personality?"
"He was built to work
with survey specialists," said Sandor. "But, over the years, he's
gotten quite a few...quirks."
As Sandor spoke, a female
Gamilon officer strode past IQ.
The robot couldn't resist.
A moment later, his hand was up her uniform skirt.
And, a second later, the
robot had a gun leveled at him.
"Idiot!" snapped
the officer.
"Oh, no, Nova never
did that!" cried IQ-9 as he ran to hide behind Nova. "Save me!"
"Why?" said Nova tartly. "If you're such a genius, get yourself
out of this predicament."
"Should I shoot
it?" asked the officer.
"I'd try a warning
shot, Ivlis," said Helmeyer.
"Does he do this
often?" snapped Ivlis as she stared at Nova.
"I'm usually the one
he follows around," said Nova. "IQ, you know you can't pick on the
Gamilons. They won't tolerate that."
"I can see that,"
said IQ. Ivlis still had her gun leveled at him. Finally, she lowered it.
"He lives, for now," she said.
"Why?" said IQ.
"Because, compared to
us, you are really stupid," said
Ivlis.
At that, the whole
structure began to ring with laughter, from both the Terrans and the Gamilons
and Garuman.
IQ-9 just stood there. He
murmured, "Nova, why are they laughing?"
"You figure it out,
genius," said Nova as she wiped tears of laughter out of her eyes.
"Maybe I'm not such a
genius?" said IQ-9. "This does not compute."
V. THE SURVEYS CONTINUE
Planet Gamilon
Scientific Base Camp
Sunday, March 13, 2202
0420 Hours Spacetime
Captain Derek Wildstar woke
up beside Nova in one of the temporary structures on Gamilon at the survey base
camp a few days later. The previous night's work had been quite long, so Derek
had told Venture via communicator that he and Nova would be spending a night on
Gamilon.
"Hard to believe we're
here on Gamilon," muttered Derek.
"How's
the surveys going?" asked Nova.
Derek kissed her, then he got up and threw on a robe. The little temporary
structure was like a small hut for them with its own head. Derek then looked
out a view port. "Well, it looks like the Gamilons have brought more heavy
construction equipment, and now...I see regular buildings beginning to go up in
the night under those lights."
"Regular
buildings?" said Nova. She got up and threw on her caftan. "Oh,
where's my flip-flops?" she muttered as she felt around on the unfamiliar
cold floor for her slippers.
Derek pushed them towards
her and then Nova shoved her feet into them. She joined him beside the view
port a moment later. "They are building," she said.
A moment later, someone
banged at the hatch outside. "We're just getting up!" yelled Derek.
"Come back in half an hour!"
"I have important news
for both of you!" piped up a familiar electronic voice.
"IQ-9, get OUT of
here!" yelled Nova. "Wait until we're decent! Don't you know it's 0400? I'm rubbing sleep outta my eyes!"
"Your eyes are
beautiful no matter what time of day it is, Nova..."
"IQ, she said, beat
it!" snapped Derek. "That means scram!"
"Make like a tree and leave!"
cried Nova.
"Guess you don't want
to hear my news. Okay," said the robot as he left.
"Good, he's
gone," said Derek. "Who gets the shower first?"
"Actually, why don't
we share?" asked Nova in a soft voice.
"Good idea," said
Derek.
Some time passed...about
twenty-five minutes. Both of them were still in the shower together (where they
hadn't been simply washing up; after all…well, they had only been married for
about two and a half months). They were now washing each other's hair when
another set of knocks came at the hatch.
Nova tensed.
"Hey, it must be IQ-9
again," said Derek. "Ignore him. He'll go away."
"Yeah, guess you're
right," said Nova. "Get that lather out of my hair, would you?"
"You and your girly
shampoo," he teased.
"Oh, shut up,"
giggled Nova.
The knocking came again.
Sandor's voice yelled. "Are you two alive in there?"
"Is that Steve?"
growled Derek.
"Sounds like it."
"We're in the
shower!" yelled Derek.
The knocking came again.
"Damnit!" yelled
Captain Wildstar. "Nova, I'm gonna..."
"No, let me give them a piece of my mind,"
snapped Nova. She turned off the water, threw a towel around herself, and
stalked to the door with a soaking wet body and hair, leaving wet footprints on
the deck.
Nova threw open the door a
crack. "Listen!" she snapped. "I'm in the shower, damnit,
and the Captain is shaving! What the heck is so...?"
"I thought you were a
commissioned diplomat," said a familiar dulcet voice.
Nova blinked and then
realized she was screaming at Leader Desslok.
"I'm sorry, Desslok,
but I'm in nothing but a towel, and my hair is still wet," muttered Nova,
who was praying that Desslok wasn’t seeing much of her soaking wet. "Could
you please come back in a few minutes?"
"Sandor, I thought the
robot said they'd be ready," said Desslok. "My apologies," he
said with a hasty bow. "I'll return at a time when it's more convenient.
Kindly see if you could ready yourself as soon as possible, Nova. We have
business to tend to."
"Of
course."
"Who is it?"
grumbled Derek.
"Guess," said
Nova after she shut and locked the hatch. "We'd better hurry up. Leader
Desslok wants us."
"Damnit...but this is
his planet, I guess...okay...let's get ready..."
A while later, Nova and
Derek came out to behold construction beginning on Gamilon. They were a little
surprised at the buildings going up.
"I have good news to
share," said Desslok. "We have completed our survey. Gamilon is again
livable. As you may have noted, I have ordered the reconstruction to begin.
Once again, my people have a home."
"That's wonderful,
Desslok," said Captain Wildstar in a subdued tone of voice. "How
large is the
"Quite
large, and quite beautiful, as well. It should take one or two of your years to construct. But,
at last, the effort has begun. It appears that the one of the major objectives
of my wanderings over the past few months is now completed. The other one is
securing us against a war from our enemies. We shall begin discussing that
tomorrow, Captain Wildstar."
"Thank you," said
Derek.
"Leader Desslok,"
said Nova. "Congratulations on your success here."
"Thank you,
Nova."
VI. VALKYRIE
DEPARTS
Alpha Centauri System
Monday, March 14, 2202
0912 Hours Spacetime
In the meantime, near
Earth's solar system, a squadron of eleven Earth ships was approaching Alpha
Centauri.
The squadron was led by the
space battleship
Lieutenant Denise
Carroway's ship, the gunboat Valkyrie, was one of the escort ships in
this squadron. On her ship, she was now sitting on her bridge, opening a set of
sealed orders that had just been transmitted from the
"Eager," she
said.
"Yes,
ma'am?"
"Look at this..."
Christopher Eager, the Valkyrie's
pilot, sat looking at his skipper's orders, which read, in part:
...you are ordered to
see that the Pioneer
and Ranger arrive safely at Iscandar to commence a special scientific
mission. You are also ordered to help Captain Peronada
of the
"Looks like we've got
quite a mission ahead of us, huh, ma'am?" he said.
"Yes, it looks like we
do," said Carroway. "And I mean to get there safely, no matter what.
Especially since one of those scientists on the Pioneer is a
friend."
"Who?"
"Lieutenant Mio
Hoshiyama."
On the Pioneer, Mio
was in the midst of writing to her boyfriend, Lieutenant Jefferson Hardy. Some
of her letter read as follows:
"...So, after a
month's journey, I'll be on Iscandar. It'd be nice if I could see you there,
but you said I probably wouldn't since you'd be leaving Iscandar in a few days.
Maybe a rendezvous can be scheduled between your ship on the way out and mine
on the way in? It would be nice to see you again; please pray that we can get
together and this might happen. It would be so nice to see you again.
Love, Mio...."
Mio hit the
"send" button on her computer and sent her e-mail to Hardy on the Argo.
She smiled to herself, hoping she would hear from Hardy soon.
What she didn't know was
that this was the last letter she would ever be sending him...or anyone else.
VII. DISCUSSIONS ON
ISCANDAR
Planet Iscandar
Friday, March 18, 2202
1238 Hours Spacetime
"I don't think these
discussions are going anywhere," said Desslok of Gamilon in an acid voice.
"You know that the
problems have been between us," responded Starsha of Iscandar.
"Yes, because of your
intransigence," said Desslok.
"No, because of
yours," demanded Starsha.
"Please," said
Nova as she stood up at her place at the negotiating table. "Leader
Desslok, we're happy with the understanding that you've set up between your
people and Earth. Why can't you give a little and settle with Starsha?"
"Our grievances go
back too far to be simply wished away," said Desslok.
"There's much that
Gamilon still has to answer for," said Starsha.
"And we need an
understanding hammered out," said Captain Wildstar. "You are aware
that we have to leave Iscandar in two days?"
"We are," said
Desslok. "I think it would be best if you left with the negotiations
between Iscandar and Gamilon incomplete..."
"What will happen,
Desslok," said Astrena, "If Ekogaru is alive and he comes back at
some point in the next few weeks and the two of your are
still quarreling about how to protect your worlds?"
"Astrena," said
Desslok. "There's only so far I can bend."
"You're not the only
one who needs to bend a little," said Astrena. "Starsha, I think that
you need to forget that you and Desslok were lovers who split up and remember
that you and he are rulers. Rulers who need to unite to protect your worlds.
Why can't you two forget your old quarrels and compromise?"
Desslok sat in silence.
"Starsha, I can withdraw our demand for a full base on Iscandar if you
like."
"And I can change my
mind...and let you and Earth have a joint military
presence here on a single base, at least until the independent Defense Force my
Consort desires is built up."
"Good," said
Astrena. "I think we can carry on negotiations from that point."
Beside her, Aliscea smiled, and beside Starsha, Alex finally took a deep
breath.
At that, the talks
continued.
One day later, a Draft
Understanding between Earth, Gamilon, Iscandar, and Pellias was signed. Earth
and Gamilon would continue to join together for the war against the Rikashans
and Cometine, and the war against Ekogaru if he somehow still lived. Iscandar
would aid both peoples by allowing a base on the planet and allowing the bulk
of the Pellians to live there. Starsha and Desslok were also setting aside
their old differences. The Pellians would continue to offer whatever aid they
could offer, and Aliscea would head for Earth on the Argo with Paul
Rosstowski to plead her mother's case on Earth...not that much convincing was
needed.
Later that day, on Gamilon,
Desslok held a farewell party for the Star Force at the site of his Capital.
Some of those from Iscandar were also there. Starsha wasn't there, but Conor
and Astra were.
They sat near the water
with little Jonathan while Nova and Derek talked to them. Derek had on his
uniform and peacoat, while Nova wore her pink dress.
"So, you're staying on
Iscandar with Conor and Astra?" asked Derek.
Jonathan nodded.
"They're kinda like my parents now. It'll be more fun to stay there and
learn more about Iscandar for now."
Astra said, “We’re
arranging to adopt Jonathan…and trying for one of our own,” she said as she
winked at Conor, who blushed very
deeply at that. “Nova, are you and Derek going to…try for your own?”
"Not…uh…yet,” said
Nova who was blushing a little herself at that as she
looked at Derek. “If we survive all of this, uh…I think we’ll be trying soon…one
of these days. Astra, I hope you, Conor and Jonathan will be happy. You know
we're leaving tomorrow."
"I think you'll be
back soon," said Astra. “Or we may come to Earth. Mother has been talking
about making me the ambassador to Earth someday. Either way…”
“I think we’ll all meet
again soon,” said Conor.
"I'm not so
sure..." said Derek. "We still have to fight
the Rikashans."
"Nonetheless, I think
I'll see you before the end of the year," said Astra.
Not far away, Jonathan was
pushing the water with his fingers. "So, this isn't acid?" he said.
"Of course not,"
said Nova. "I'll show you."
Nova kicked off her sandals
and waded into the sea, shivering a little. "Cold, but do you see my feet
dissolving?" she said. She splashed Jonathan a little with a kick, and
both of them laughed.
My God, it's just like
that dream or prophecy that Aliscea described, thought Derek. Maybe if that's
going to come true, maybe the rest of her prophecies will come true...and we'll
win, and beat the Rikashans I hope the one about Nova dying…doesn’t come true,
though. Please, Lord, not that….
"Nova, if you and the
boy are done playing in the water, I have a drink here you'd enjoy" said
Desslok with a smile. "You know we'll meet again in a few weeks, but it
will probably be in battle."
"Oh, sorry," said
Nova. She stepped out of the water, found a rag, dried off, and put her shoes
back on. "Derek, shall we go?"
"Yeah," said
Derek. "We might as well enjoy ourselves before we leave."
A day later on March the 20th, after having said
their farewells to Alex, Starsha, Astrena, Astra, Conor, and Jonathan, as well
as to Desslok and the rest of their allies on Gamilon, the Argo cruised
up over Gamilon. The ship was suspended over both Gamilon and Iscandar,
beginning to set course for the first of many space warps that would finally
bring the Star Force back home to face the expected Rikashan invasion.
So much has changed in
the past few weeks,
thought Captain Wildstar on the first bridge. Now, Iscandar has many people
on it again; other Earth people will be coming here, and, on Gamilon, Desslok
is beginning to rebuild his civilization. Ekogaru is dead, so far as we know,
but we will have to fight the Rikashans. I wonder what the war will be like?
"Captain?" said
Venture from his post.
"Venture, you know our
course," said Derek. "Take us to STX-137. Then when we get there,
let's warp; it's about time we were on our way back home."
"Roger."
And, at that, the Argo gathered
speed and began to make its turn. At last, the Star Force was heading back
home.
"So, you think that
you're home free?" muttered Ekogaru as he watched the Argo's
departure from the twin planets of Gamilon and Iscandar. "No, you're far
from it. We shall meet again soon....at the trap I have laid for you at Planet
Carufax. There, there, my friends, we shall have our revenge."
TO BE CONTINUED WITH
PART SIX: "Nightmares and Dreamscapes"
THERE ARE NOW 65 DAYS
TO THE ARRIVAL OF EKOGARU IN EARTH'S SOLAR SYSTEM
To return to the Introduction to the Rikasha Incident please click here