Return to Revein'sev, page 8
“What ssshipssss? Who are they?”
“They are Eridonian, my Chancellor!” Zeythea exclaimed.
“Eridonianssss!?” Relegon hissed again. “They have sssaved ussss!”
A shimmering figured materialized on the deck of the transport, a man of medium build, wearing plain, simple clothing with a felt fedora positioned on his head, spoke. “Greetings, Chancellor Relegon. My name is Malcom. I assure you; the Guardian is safe. You can all return to your ship.”
“What about Zetaal?”
“I am sorry, Chancellor,” Malcom explained, “I am afraid they succeeded in taking Zetaal. We arrived too late. The only thing we were able to do was trick them in thinking they had destroyed your ship. That is why they jumped away.”
“Return to the Guardian at oncssse!” Relegon ordered.
Malcom’s image began fading, “Chancellor, I will come to your ship in physical form.
All the escape pods turned back toward their ship as Zeythea navigated the Chancellor’s escape transport to the Guardian landing bay. Extending the transport landing skids, the ship gently settled within the landing bay.
After the bay pressurized, Captain Zeythea opened the hatch and they all exited. The Chancellor motioned as he pressed his lizard hands on each of the Centaurians, allowing them to pass, “Get to your ssstationsss at oncesss!”
A few moments later, Relegon, with Captain Zeythea, returned to the bustling command center on his ship.
The captain read his consoles, “All ssystemsss are functioning properly, Chancellor.”
“What isss the current sstatusss of the Eridonian fleet?”
“Sscanning two hundred battle type sshipsss. They all bear Eridonian ssignaturesss,” Captain Zeythea reported, “One ssaucer sship isss on courssse to usss.”
“That mussst be Malcom’sss ssship,” Relegon nodded, “Make contact and provide docking insstructionsss.”
“Thosse insstructionsss have already been relayed, Chancellor. The Eridoniansss have accessssed the mindsss of our crew. They are currently docking now.”
“I am to meet with Malcom and Artemisss in my war room,” Chancellor Relegon added. “Malcom hasss relayed thessse insstructionsss to me. Captain Zeythea, take usss in formation at the Eridonian’sss rear posssition.”
“Underssstood,” Captain Zeythea nodded his way as the Chancellor left the command center.
Quickly making his way to the war room, the Chancellor entered the room. Malcom and Artemis were already present in their physical form. He glanced from the floor where their blue glistening smock flowed just on the deck, making the short Eridonians appear as if they floated. His eyes traveled from the floor to their spindly arms and hands and finally their bald and enlarged heads.
“Malcom. Artemis,” Relegon began, “I thank you for sssaving usss and my ssship. You have done a great thing.”
“Yes, we are here to assist in the defense of Antares. I know you already understand that they pose no threat,” Malcom began.
Artemis took over from there, “It is imperative that we stop Zetaal’s movement.”
Malcom again spoke, “This entire galaxy depends on keeping balance. You must also know—”
“—now that we’re present,” Artemis interjected.
“That, the Truven have joined forces with Zetaal’s movement.”
“Yesss, I am aware of thisss,” Relegon answered.
Then, Malcom continued, “The Truven’s main objective is to eliminate any force they cannot overcome alone.”
“Once the Antarians and Draconians are eliminated as an opposing force, they will turn on all Centaurians.”
“Their goal,” Artemis once more continued, “is to become the main force in this galaxy.”
“Yes,” continued Malcom, “They wish to bring their rule to this galaxy and will stop at nothing to accomplish this.”
“I understand. I know their leader, Boldmane. He is known too never back down from a sssskirmish. Kumiko will never conssscede in battle.”
“You are quite correct Chancellor Relegon,” Malcom explained. This is why we Eridonians have agreed to intervene.”
Artemis continued, “We happened upon your ship on our way to our fleet destination. There, we will set up a blockade to stop their fleet from attacking.”
“Our Eridonian mental telepathy will cause any ship in our fleet’s sector to see different sector positions than they are actually at,” Malcom finished.
“Thisss isss how you fooled us in ssseeing the Guardian destroyed,” Relegon surmised.
“You are quite correct, Chancellor. It was necessary in order to have that ship depart this sector,” Artemis answered.
“You should continue on to Theta Centauri where the remaining ships in your fleet will be awaiting your arrival,” Malcom added.
“Where ssshould we go after we’ve assssembled our fleet?”
Malcom answered first, “We suggest you make your way to Betelgeuse to help protect the wormhole. Zetaal’s fleet will attempt to attack there as a distraction to their main fleet moving to Antares.”
“Very well, we are two jumpsss from Theta Centauri,” Chancellor Relegon noted.
“Yes, very well, then,” Artemis nodded their agreement, “we shall depart and move to our staging sector where we will encounter Zetaal’s first attacking fleet.”
The two turned without another word and left the war room, heading to their saucer ship in the Guardian’s landing bay.
Chancellor Relegon called his Captain, “Continue our course to Theta Centauri, Captain Zeythea.”
“Yesss, Chancellor. We will be jump ready in five santrons.”
The Eridonian saucer left the landing bay.
________________________
Kappa Centauri
________________________
When Zetaal’s transport arrived he called the Kappa administrator, “Thisss isss Zetaal! I have been freed. Request permission for docking.”
“This is the administrator’s aid, Dalya. Proceed to docking port on the Agamemnon.”
“Where isss Administrator Bemono?”
“Administrator Bemono is busy—”
“—Busssy?!” Zetaal spat, “What do you mean, he’sss busssy?
“Yes, he’s busy preparing you for your rehab.”
“Rehab?”
“Yes, you’ll understand, Captain Zetaal, once you arrive. What is your current ETA?”
Turning to his pilot, the Centaurian answered for his captain, “Two santrons.”
“Very well,” Dalya answered over the comm, “The Agamemnon is ready for your arrival.”
The transport captain masterfully flew the ship into the Agamemnon’s landing bay, lowered the skids and gently settled down to the deck. After waiting for the bay to pressurize, the captain opened the airlocks. Then, he assisted the stiff muscled Centaurian down where they were met by Dalya.
“Good to see you again, Captain Zetaal,” said Dalya, “Follow me.”
Zetaal walked with stiff legs and arms, following Dalya as she exited the landing bay. She glanced back and slowed her pace to allow Zetaal to catch up before continuing, “I’m sorry you went through that experience, Captain. What Chancellor Relegon did to you was totally wrong.”
“Yesss,” answered Zetaal, “Putting me in a cold cell sssuch asss he did, isss torture to usss Theta Centauriansss. He will pay for thissss!”
The two slowly made their way through the ship, finally coming to a stop at a door. She pressed a sequence and slid the door into the bulkhead.
Inside the room was Admiral Gilmore and Administrator Bemono. As he entered the room, he felt the warmth from the lights above.
“Ahhh, this is nicesss, Admiral Gilmore. Thank you for accommodating me in thissss manner.”
“You’re welcome,” answered Gilmore, “But you should thank the Administrator and his aid for setting this up.”
“Yessss, Administrator Bemono, I do thank you. You are doing well in redeeming yourssself from withdrawing your attack,” said Zetaal as he reclined on a chair under the powerful heating light. “Ssso, Admiral Gilmore. Now that I have been freed from my captorsss, I am interesssted in hearing your plansss for wiping out the Antarianssss?”
“In a short time,” Admiral Gilmore began, “hours really. The remaining Truven fleet will have assembled here at Kappa. We’re ready to launch a decoy attack at Betelgeuse. Once they are fully engaged, our main fleet will be on their way to each planetary system at Antares; starting with Serintin’s collector station.”
“Very good, Admiral Gilmore,” Zetaal nodded as he basked in the heat lamps. “Very good, indeed. What isss the ssstatusss of Chancellor Relegon? Did we kill him when I wasss ressscued?”
“The report from your transport pilot, it that the Guardian was destroyed. There were several escape pods that made it out, but there was no sign of the Chancellor.
“Ssso, we can assssume he wasss killed in the attack,” Zetaal smiled wide, “That makesss me the new Chancellor, once again!”
“Yes, it does,” Dalya added, “Congratulations, Chancellor Zetaal.”
“How sssoon can we launch thisss decoy attack?”
“We’re ready for them to disembark, now,” Admiral Gilmore nodded.”
“Then, you have your ordersss. Lunch our firssst wave!”
________________________
The Eridonian Fleet
________________________
Malcom and Artemis stood at their command center on their main battleship and nodded to one another as they communicated telepathically, the fleet has arrived in position, Malcom.
Yes, the fleet is ready. We can begin to hide our ships, telepathically.
I agree. They are launching their first offensive.
They will arrive here in two of their jumps, Malcom relayed, we will be ready.
Very well, I will inform our captains to begin, Artemis nodded her agreement.
________________________
Kappa Centauri
________________________
The captain of the first attacking wave, Leanmane, turned to his navigation officer, “what is our fleet status?”
Eyetooth, the ship’s navigator reported, “I have plotted three jumps to the Betelgeuse corridor. Our fifty attacking battleships are tied into my console. We are ready for our first jump as soon as we are at safe distance.”
The ship’s communications officer, Sharpclaw, pressed a few commands before reporting, “Captain, I have Boldmane for you, sir.”
“Yes, put him on.”
“Captain Leanmane,” the ship’s radio crackled Boldmane’s gruff voice, “What is your status?”
“I am having my pilot move my attacking wave to a safe distance now,” Leanmane reported as he waved the command to his ship’s pilot. “I am told, we will be at safe jump distance shortly.”
“Very well, Leanmane,” Boldmane voiced, “As soon as you arrive at Betelgeuse, begin your attack.”
“Yes, Boldmane,” Leanmane acknowledged, “Once we commence our attack, we will send word for you to begin your fleet movement to Antares.”
“We shall be ready,” Boldmane answered, “May the solar winds be at your backside. Boldmane out.”
“Pilot; how soon before the fleet jumps?”
“Ninety kalendrons, my captain,” Eyetooth reported.
“Attention:” Leanmane shouted, “Prepare for jump!”
“The fleet has confirmed sync status,” Sharpclaw reported, “we are at safe distance, now.”
“Count us down, navigation.”
“Ten kalendrons— five— four— three— two— one— jumping fleet!”
One by one, each of the fifty attacking Truven ships vanished from Kappa Centauri and arrived at their first coordinates.”
“Fleet status!”
“All fifty fleet ships are accounted for. First jump was successful, captain.”
“How long before our next jump, Eyetooth?”
“We will cool-down for twelve Halendrons.”
“Excellent,” Leanmane smiled.
“Cool-down in process,” engineer, Strongjaw, reported. “Next jump in twelve halendrons.”
Artemis turned to Malcom and nodded, the first attack wave has moved from Kappa Centauri and has arrived at their first coordinates.
Yes, I can sense this as well. We should prepare our fleet after their next jump.
Which is in less than twelve hours, Artemis finished.
We will be ready by this time tomorrow, added Malcom.
The two touched foreheads together before separating. Then, they relayed their battle readiness to their pro-council leader on Epsilon.
Chapter Nine
________________________
The Rocinante – Medical Bay
________________________
Race and Ruki, along with Danielle and her two prisoners exited the cross-way from Antares. Doctor Lambert came to them with panic written across his face, “Chipper’s not doing well. You all better get the little critter back to the realm and fast!”
Danielle shoved the two cuffed prisoners away from the cross-way, “We need these two secured in the brig. Call the Admiral and let him know about these two.”
The two prisoners struggled against their restraints. Then, Darnash growled at the two, “You better not try anything! I will not hesitate knocking you out. I won’t kill you, but I will hit you!”
Nick spat at the tall Antarian, “I’m not afraid of you!”
Balling his fist, Darnash rose his hand over the man’s head and slammed it down, causing him to collapse on the deck.
“Mister Hudson,” Darnash began, his fist still balled up and held over the other man’s head, “What say you?”
Marco looked at the knocked-out Nick on the floor and gulped, “I’m good. Don’t worry about me. I’ll comply, I’m complying!”
Darnash lowered his fist and smiled, “Good. Doctor Lambert, bring Race, Ruki and Chipper.”
“I’ll call the admiral,” Race said with raised brow.
“Okay,” said Doctor Lambert, “Ruki, come with me.”
Race stepped over to the comm and called the CSC, “I need the admiral, pronto!”
“Colonel Jennings?” Lieutenant Henderson responded.
“Yes, that’s right. C’mon, I need to talk to Jed ASAP!”
Lieutenant Henderson’s voice echoed over the comm, “Admiral; I have Colonel Jennings for you. He sounds rather urgent, sir.”
Jed donned his headset and ordered his comm officer to pass him over, “This is Jed. What’s going on, Race?”
“We’ve got two prisoners that need to be escorted to the brig, Jed—I mean, Admiral.”
“It’s okay, Race. Who do you have down there?”
“We brought back Nick Bridges and Marco Hudson.”
“You have Nick and Marco?” Jed exclaimed, “That’s great news, Race.”
“We’ll need the marines right away, sir. Oh, and one of them will need to be wheeled down there on a gurney. The doc will supply that.”
“What happened?”
“Darnash happened.”
“No need to say anymore. They must have resisted?”
“Well, Nick kind of did, but Darnash put that to a quick halt.”
“Tell Darnash, I appreciate that.”
“He’s right here, sir and he nodded his understanding.”
“I’ll send a team of marines right over. What’s your status?”
“Well, sir,” Race continued, “We just returned from Antares. Gor’con has passed away and Chipper’s not far behind.”
“I won’t keep you, then. Sounds like you all are pretty busy down there.”
“Thank you, sir. But, there’s more.”
“Okay, I can’t wait to find out, what’s up?”
“Danielle and Darnash need to head back to Earth. There’s a part of the scroll there that needs to be retrieved.”
“The Blood Scroll?”
“Yeah, that’s the one.”
“Okay, so, you’re taking Chipper to the realm and they’re going to Earth, first.”
“You got it, Admiral.”
“Okay, well, we’re sitting at these coordinates for a few more hours before we jump to the next set. You sure you can lock on this cross-way if we move?”
“Yes sir. That’ll be no problem as long as it’s online.”
“Well, I’ll do everything I can to keep us from being attacked so, power shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Thank you, sir. We’ll be heading out in a couple minutes,” answered Race, “Oh, and the team of marines just arrived. That was fast, sir. Thanks again, and we’ll contact you as soon as we can.”
“Very good, Colonel. Fitz out.”
The channel returned to static before Race shut of the comm off. Then, he turned to the five marines, “Take these two to the brig.”
Darnash wheeled a gurney over to Nick’s limp body, reached down and picked him up and plunked him down on the gurney before smiling at the guards, “Not to worry. He’ll recover in a few ma’na’ta,” Darnash laughed with the guards as they wheeled Nick and escorted the very compliant Mister Hudson.
Ruki rejoined them, holding Chipper in her palm with Doctor Lambert by her side, “Here she is, Race. We better go, now.”
“Okay, Darnash. Let’s get the fixer set to the gate. After we cross, head on over to Earth. We’ll see you both real soon inside the realm.”
Darnash adjusted the cross-way, “The fixer is set,” he smiled as the image shimmied on the bulkhead.
“After you, my Ruki,” Race motioned.
Ruki nodded as she stepped through. Then Race followed, disappearing through the cross-way. Then, Darnash readjusted the fixer and opened the passage to the cavern deep within the Earth.
“Doctor, I thank you for all you did to keep Chipper alive. We’ll be back as soon as we can,” Danielle said, shaking his hand. Then, the two stepped through the image and vanished before the cross-way powered down, returning the bulkhead to normal.
