Lens of Time: Book 06 - Star Rover-Running Out of Time (19 page)

• • •

Blacky and Dat sat on his Rover and watched the transport arrive to take the Madators back to their planet. “Blacky, what does this discovery mean? How does it impact our agreements?”

Blacky stared at Dat and had never looked so serious. “For all practical purposes, we are still a tool for you to use.”

“But…”

“We intend to take on this species whether you choose to do it or not. We are driven to prey on them.”

“How can you possibly do that without our help? They are technologically more advanced than we are and their ships are twice our tonnage.”

Blacky stared at Dat and said, “Their ship technology is not important to us.”

“But you wouldn’t stand a chance against that creature. I know it’s faster and I suspect it might be stronger than your species.”

Blacky forced himself to smile, “Dat, have you ever seen a group of Madators attack a single prey?”

“A pride of lions would do just that.”

“That’s true, but a real predator goes into large numbers of its prey to make a kill.”

“I’m really wondering who would be the prey in that situation, Blacky.”

“That is why it’s the Ultimate Prey. We would not have any restrictions in attacking it. We would take it on using all of our talents and skills; success is not guaranteed against that creature.”

“If that think stung you…”

“Our body would eject that larva as fast as it was injected. Our bodies can do things genetically that would shock you, Dat. The Stinger may have a poison that would affect us, but we would never be a tool for their reproduction.”

“Are you certain?”

“We’ll find out soon enough.”

“Blacky, we have to stop this species from attacking us. Our intent is to destroy them.”

“As long as you leave a few for us, you can do whatever you want.”

“Let’s hold off making any decisions until we see what we’re up against.”

“That’s reasonable. I think you’ll find that we’ll be much more restrained in taking them on. A good predator learns all it can about its intended Prey.”

“You weren’t restrained against the Grillen.”

Blacky waved an arm, “They really don’t offer much of a challenge, even with their armor and blasters.”

Dat smiled, “You were able to make that determination?” Blacky shrugged. “I’ll send whatever information we gather on this species and you can use it to get ready.”

“That would be great.”

“I’ve got my shoes on board; do you want to make a run?”

Blacky smiled, “Please don’t take this personally; I need to work on developing my skills and need the time to get ready.”

Dat paused and looked at his huge friend, “Will I ever see you bob again?”

Blacky smiled, “It is my fervent hope you do.” Dat landed on the Madator’s planet and watched his friend leave the ship at full speed. He saw Gresha walking toward him and she stopped as Blacky shot past her and furled his body into a wing. Dat rushed out to meet her. He knew he couldn’t match the huge Madator’s speed leaving the ship, but Gresha was impressed. That was all that mattered at that moment.

• • •

The King saw his panel illuminate and he nodded to the Admiral. He came forward and took the King’s place on the throne and answered the call, “It is good to hear from you. We’ve been worried about you after your ship was destroyed.”

“We’ve been reluctant to return until it was safe.”

“You shouldn’t come back until we get a grip on the situation.”

“How are things going?”

“We’re surviving and it’s due to the gift you gave us. Our leader you had been meeting with was killed in one of the Union’s attacks and a new King has taken his place. We’re holding our own but it isn’t safe in any of our systems.”

“We wish you success; contact us if you have any questions about the gift we gave you.”

“We will. Thank you for your kindness.”

The display went dark and the King looked at the Admiral, “Are you sure about this meeting?”

“You saw what that creature can do.”

“Can they be trusted to not attack me?”

“I wish I could say it differently but they have never broken their promises; I can’t say the same about us.”

“So you think going in an unarmed ship is the best choice?”

“I do.”

“My father told me that having someone whom you could count on to be honest is a gift beyond measure. I know I can’t do this alone and I’m going to need to depend on you to help me through this. Can I trust you, Admiral?”

The Admiral smiled, “I will defend you to the death, Your Majesty. You’ve just proven to me that you are worthy of my obedience. You are not the egomaniac your father was.”

“Get the ship ready.”

• • •

Katherine sat on board the Mars and looked at the four ships surrounding her vessel. The four Jukebox Battleships were intimidating and the sixteen hundred Rovers surrounding them added to their deadliness. She looked over at Jon Anders, “I’m really glad that you and Jill came out of retirement.”

“Truth be told, Sir, I’ve missed it.”

Jillian looked up from the Second’s chair, “He has been impossible.”

“Oh, and you haven’t been irritable?”

“It’s my nature, Dear.”

Katherine smiled, “Let me know when they arrive.”

Jill nodded, “Yes Sir. It’s good to be back.”

• • •

Shane looked at his display and wondered what force the Grillen King would arrive with. He looked at the other three modified Jukeboxes and knew their power. He wasn’t worried about escaping if the situation called for it. Kelli now had her own command and Captain McCagg was now commanding the fourth ship. Gem appeared on his display, “How do you want to play this?”

“We’ll maintain our position around the Admiral’s ship. We’re here to make sure it can jump away if needed.”

Shane heard over his panel, “All guns and tubes are ready, Sir.” Shane pressed the received button and turned back to Gem, “Is your ship ready?”

“We arrived ready, Sir.”

“You weren’t calling me Sir last night.” Gem smiled and the display went dark.

• • •

Jill looked up, “I have a jump signature a thousand miles out.” Katherine stared at her display and saw a small shuttle emerge into normal space. Jill stared at her panel, “Sir, it is an unarmed shuttle. It’s sending a message.”

“Put it on the speaker.”

“We will meet you on the planet’s surface.”

Katherine hit her communicator, “Is the King present?”

“He is. He’s looking forward to meeting with you.”

Katherine jerked her head around and stared at Dat who was smiling, “What is this all about?”

“It’s pretty simple, Sir; they trust us. I guess the same can’t be said about us.”

Katherine shook her head. This king has some pretty big cojones to do this. She didn’t want to but her opinion of the new King went up. “We’ve never violated a promise. The same can’t be said about them.” Dat tilted his head and nodded.

• • •

Shane watched the shuttle land on the planet and was impressed. The Grillen were not acting in character; something must have happened. His communicator beeped and he saw Admiral Hull on the screen, “Matthews, get your butt down to the planet.”

“Sir?”

“You’ll be attending the meeting.”

“Why?”

“Admiral Gibbs won’t be present and he wants you to be his eyes.”

Shane looked over at Adam Everly, his new second-in-command, “The Ship is yours, Captain.”

“I relieve you, Sir.”

Shane hit his panel, “Gem, the squadron is yours.”

“Why?”

“I’ve been ordered to the planet to attend the meeting.”

Gem started to respond and looked away, “It looks like Admiral Hull wants me there as well.”

Shane shook his head and contacted Kelli, “Commodore, the squadron is yours. Gem and I have been ordered to attend the meeting.”

“I’m not sure I’m up to this, Sir.”

“The very fact you doubt it tells me you are. Keep an eye out for anything that jumps in.”

“Yes Sir.”

Shane went to the Saturn’s tubes and boarded a car, “Landing bay.” The car accelerated through the ship. He arrived and boarded a shuttle that was standing . Everly was good. He hadn’t called for a shuttle; Everly had.

• • •

The Grillen King had brought his Fleet Admiral and the Commander of his ground forces. The Union had four fleet admirals attending the meeting. Katherine walked into the room; her immediate thought was that the new King was rather young. The King rose and said, “I’m glad you agreed to meet with me.”

Katherine smiled, “I believe the circumstances justify it, Your Majesty. I’m Fleet Admiral Hull and this is Vice-Admiral Arvolo. I believe your Admiral has already met him. This is Rear Admiral Matthews and Commodore Darley.”

“I’m pleased to meet you. Is either one of you the one that attacked the Bronze Ship in my home system?”

Shane was startled by the question, “Commodore Darley and I commanded that mission.”

“You did an excellent job of planning. I commend you on your fine work.”

Shane smiled, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Katherine decided this King had poise. She took a chair across the table from him as the other Union Officers sat down beside her. “It appears your former ally is more than they appear to be.”

“They are. Have you examined the scans my Admiral gave you?”

“We have; our scientists agree that they are a very dangerous species.”

“Have you been able to learn anything about their location?”

Dat shook his head, “We managed to get ten probes on their ship but we aren’t going to activate them until they have time to move to multiple ships.”

“Oh?”

“The probe we’re using will not attach itself to a ship that already has one of our probes attached. The other nine are programmed to go after ships that are leaving the location of the initial probe. We’re hoping they will be taken to multiple planetary systems of those creatures. By the way, what do you call them?”

“They call themselves Servants.”

Shane snickered and Kat looked at him, “Do you find that funny?”

“They’re only servants when they’re serving dinner. Guess what they’re having for dinner.”

Everyone at the table smiled until Katherine said, “Actually, they’re not carnivorous.” Everyone’s smile was replaced with shock. Katherine saw their reaction and continued, “My lead geneticist says that the larva will consume the body of the host it develops in but after that it’s pretty much a vegetarian.”

The Fleet Admiral shook his head, “Our scientists didn’t see that in their genetics.”

“Your scientists were probably biased by the death of your King and made some assumptions. The creature’s jaws are powerful but the edges are not curved to tear flesh. They’re shaped to cut through tough plants. They can cut through flesh but that is not their main purpose. They’re dangerous but they do not eat meat as a diet.”

Dat shook his head, “They’re like a cross between a locust and a wasp.”

Katherine nodded and the King said, “What are locusts and wasps?”

Katherine pulled up the information on her computer and copied it to a memory chip. She handed it to the King, “Have your scientists look at this.”

“Thank you; I will.”

Katherine looked the King in the eyes and said, “Why would I ever ally my forces with you to fight anyone?”

The King looked right back at her and tilted his head, “You do get right to the point.” Katherine nodded. “Actually, you should want us to ally with you. The Servants are not coming after us; they want you.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Did your scientists determine that the intelligence level of that species is determined by the ones they use as hosts?”

Katherine looked at Dat and he nodded. “Yes, they made that determination.”

“Then you should know that a good parent is always looking for ways to improve their children and their species. I may be wrong, but I believe the Servants are not located anywhere near you or us. They search for the best host for their larvae and, if you had to say where the most intelligent species in this corner of the universe are located; what would you say?” Katherine was stunned by the King’s remarks.

Dat said, “They found us first. Now it makes sense why they wanted you to ally with them.”

Katherine looked at Dat, “Why?”

“By getting the Grillen into a war with us, when they finally come in and attack us, the Grillen will stand back and allow them to defeat us without intervening.”

The King smiled “You see it as well. We are beneath them; they don’t really see us as a worthy host.”

Katherine looked at the King with her eyebrows lowered, “Then it begs the question why you would want to ally with us? If you are in no danger from them, why would you want this?”

“What happens when they come and discover we have not fought a war with you? I suspect they will not be at all happy with us, especially after sharing some of their technology. If we do fight a war with you, both of us will have our strength greatly reduced. They may choose to go ahead and remove a possible future enemy by destroying us.”

Dat leaned forward, “You left out one other very important possibility.”

The King shook his head and laughed, “You are very smart, Admiral.”

Katherine looked at Dat and then back at the King, “What point is that?”

The King leaned forward, “We know that this species operates with a kind of feudal system. I suspect their high royalty will reserve your species for themselves but the lower lords may find us to be just what the doctor ordered. We are not in the clear by any means.”

“Do you think they’ll attack if we join our forces?”

The King looked at the Admiral and he lifted his shoulders. He turned back to Katherine, “I guess the answer to that question lies in how many warships they have at their disposal.”

Katherine struggled with what to do. She believed the King was being honest but she just couldn’t bring herself to trust a civilization that had recently been attempting to conquer her. The King saw her struggle and leaned forward, “I don’t blame you for not wanting to trust us. It’s our fault.”

“Why did you do this?”