Aurora Saga Books 1-3, page 26
He shook his head. Now I’ve seen everything. Even a floating kiol!
James pushed upwards, letting go of the seatra. He grabbed the edge of the opening. He could now see the surface of the cylinder, which had an infinite number of colored dots on it.
A purple light appeared again.
‘James, can you touch the surface?’ Kalrea asked apprehensively.
James ran his fingers over it. Where he touched it, a white light was produced. He felt a tingling sensation in his fingers. A pink glow started to shine within the cylinder. He could see it increase in intensity. Then he stopped. The color changed suddenly to a dark-purple. Kalrea seemed to be extremely embarrassed.
‘What’s wrong?’ James asked.
‘Nothing. No, nothing,’ Kalrea said, in a very sheepish way. ‘I’ve… I’ve never felt like that before. It was… It was a fantastic feeling.’
James suddenly realized that Kalrea liked him touching her. He felt very uneasy, and many images flashed through his mind, which he knew Kalrea would have read. There was an uneasy moment of silence, which James broke:
‘Would you like me run my hand over the surface again?’
‘James, thank you, but I think I need to concentrate on the repairs.’
‘Of course. I’d better let you get dressed,’ James said cheekily.
Chapter Twenty-Six
James felt powerless and frustrated at being unable to do anything to help Kalrea repair the ship. For him time passed very slowly, and he spent many hours sitting on the edge of the seatra, watching Londuo resting peacefully inside. He wanted so much to be able to speak to her and wondered if he would ever hear her voice again.
Kira brushed up against his legs and then sat staring up at him in expectation.
‘Kalrea, Kira needs feeding again, please.’
A few moments later, a micnorit construction drone exited the lift, and Kira rushed over to get her food.
‘Given we’re unsure how long we’ll be stuck on this planet, I suggest you think about having something to eat as well,’ Kalrea said.
‘What sort of food do we have on board, Kalrea, and most important of all, where can I find it?’
‘There’s a selection of dried food in a storage box next to the consoles,’ Kalrea replied.
A section of wall moved inwards, revealing a hidden cabinet. Inside was a brightly colored stack of food bars.
James removed a random selection of them. They were similar to small bars of chocolate, but of different colors and without any packaging. Attracted by a red one, he took a bite of it.
Grimacing at its salty taste, he asked Kalrea,
‘What’s this? It’s disgusting.’
‘That’s condensed tolu. Supposedly, it’s very good for you.’
‘I’m sure it is; but I bet you haven’t tried it.’
James suddenly realized what he had just said.
‘Sorry, Kalrea. I sometime forget you don’t eat.’
‘Sounds like I’m not missing much anyway.’
‘No, you’re not.’
James picked up another bar.
‘What’s this blue one called?’
‘Yimp.’
He took a small bite. It tastes a bit like banana, he thought, pleasantly surprised, and then asked,
‘What are the ingredients?’
‘Eighty-three percent of a yimp bar is made from extract of giolp, a plant which was extensively farmed on Qintaino. It gives it the distinctive blue color. Fifteen percent comes from polk, which is used as a preservative, then there’s some kilp, lemin and donli.’
‘Oh, I see,’ James replied. ‘I’ve no idea what any of those ingredients are! I think I’ll just try them, Kalrea.’
‘James, I’ve just finished deciphering one of the encryption keys to the diary.’ Kalrea sounded pleased.
‘What! Just one? But you said there are four hundred in all. At this rate it will take a year.’
‘Sorry, James, but it’s a start.’
‘Have you found anything useful in the diary?’ James asked, while eating.
‘I’m afraid one key has only unlocked very few words scattered throughout the data. I’ve done an analysis, and I think the diary belongs to a woman. The fragments seem female in nature.’
‘Can you tell whose it is?’
‘No, but within the data the name Frasin comes up a lot, and Antaio is also mentioned a few times.’
‘Do you think it could be referring to the same Frasin and Antaio we know?’
‘The probability is very high, so yes, I believe it could be.’
‘Could the diary belong to Londuo’s friend, Frasin?’
‘James, writers do not normally use their name in their diary, so it can’t be Frasin’s. When I decipher another key, then other names or references may emerge and it should be clear.’
‘Kalrea, Londuo is a very close friend of Frasin and she also knows Antaio. Do you think it could be hers?’
James gazed in thought down at Londuo. She looks so relaxed there, her eyes closed… He remembered back to their kiss, recalling her gaze and distinctive green eyes, and said with conviction,
‘Kalrea, the diary must be hers!’
‘Why are you so certain?’
‘I believe I’ve already met Londuo back on Earth. The day my mother died, she received a visit from an old woman. I was not sure up to now, but now I know that old woman was Londuo. She had the same eyes, and I remember her hiding something on her face, that must have been the symoi that Londuo has on her cheek.’
‘I’ve just scanned her, and she doesn’t have a diary. If you’re right, then I suggest when she’s recovered, you ask her for her diary.’
‘Don’t worry, I will.’
James finished eating the yimp bar. He picked up another.
That’s if we make it back, James thought to himself. If it’s Londuo’s diary, then that means she travelled back in time. But if she could travel in time, then why did she not do it when she was younger? She was old on Earth. It doesn’t make sense, yet.
‘This yimp bar is excellent, Kalrea. Are there anymore similar to this amongst—’
Kalrea interrupted.
‘James, I’ve picked up two Treitan heavy cruisers entering the system. They’re heading towards Ghuno. Get into the seatra!’ she said.
James’ heart quickened. He dropped the bar.
‘What’s the status of the drive?’
‘It’s barely functioning. If I by-pass all the fail-safes, I might be able to move the ship.’
‘Do it!’ James said. ‘Kira!’
He climbed into the seatra and glanced over at Londuo. She lay there peacefully. He held her hand and waited for Kira to jump in. The lid then closed.
James peered down into the drive room at the only operational event horizon drive. He watched it pulse erratically, until, with a loud bang, it started. The Aurora shifted, before slowly lifting into the air. He glanced nervously up into the sky, as three bright red dots emerged from the clouds, heading straight towards the ship.
‘INCOMING!’
Two of the mass-converters struck the ship. It was forced back into the ground with a jarring boom. The drive was silenced.
I’ve lost the stabilizers again, Kalrea said. It’ll take ten minutes, before I can try again.
Through the clouds appeared two large Treitan assault ships and four fighters. The assault ships held station in the distance, while the fighters rapidly descended towards the Aurora.
They’re going to test our defenses, Kalrea said.
Two of the fighters passed close in front of the Aurora. Pulses of light left the Aurora’s front laser and the remains of the fighters rained down onto the surface. The other two fighters were now behind the Aurora. James tried hard to target them, but each time he fired the rear laser it flashed harmlessly by the Treitan ships.
Damn, James thought, frustrated by his efforts.
The fighters turned.
They’ve got a lock on the laser port! Kalrea said.
The fighters fired, but their lasers just flashed harmlessly across the hull of the Aurora.
James focused and fired again. He managed to get the rear laser to slice through the port drive of one of the fighters. It flipped over and spun into the ground. Flames leaped in the air.
Yes! James thought.
At that moment, four Treitan scout ships dropped down into view in front of the fighters. They fired their plasma missiles instantly, destroying the laser and ending his attempts to protect the rear of the ship. The assault ships then descended into the furrow behind the Aurora.
Now they’ll board us, Kalrea said.
How are they going to get on board? James thought.
He quickly viewed the rear of the ship.
The Plyane hull will—
He stopped abruptly, as he inspected the wrecked drive room. At the back were two gaping holes where the event horizon drives once stood.
I’ve activated the ships internal defenses, Kalrea said. We can’t allow them to capture the Aurora.
You mean you will activate the self-destruct?
James felt a deep sadness. He knew that meant Kalrea would not survive.
Yes, it is just a question of time before they reach the bridge I’m afraid, then I’ll have no choice.
The Treitan assault ships touched down on the surface. Clouds of dust lifted into the air obscuring them.
James watched on nervously. Out the dust suddenly sped a large vehicle, then two seconds later three more appeared. The sand-colored vehicles were the size of a house and hovered across the surface. Each had a plasma tube mounted on either side of the main body and a circular turret on the roof. He gazed at them transfixed, while they raced toward the Aurora. When they got closer he could make out a thin yellow window on the front of the closest vehicle, behind which he could just make out some movement. The vehicles one by one dropped to the ground near the back of the Aurora. They opened their doors, and many Treitans rushed out, most carrying what looked like laser rifles and others grouped in pairs carrying large tubes.
James almost laughed to himself as the cumbersome bodies of the Treitans tumbled over the surface, their tentacles flailing in the air, juggling their weapons. His ship was about to be boarded and all he could do was laugh.
Treitans massed around the event horizon drive cones. Suddenly a small missile exploded inside the ship. Yellow smoke filled the drive room.
I can’t see them anymore. Where are they? James thought, trying to see inside the drive room. He could hear laser fire as the Treitans rushed in.
They’re about to enter the cargo bay through one of the breaches in the blast walls, Kalrea said.
Six Treitans moved slowly into the now smoke-filled cargo bay. Pulses of light leaped out from the red eye in the roof of the cargo bay. The Treitans were instantly atomized. A red glow, which turned orange, marked their positions, before fading away.
More Treitans moved into the room.
James saw the red eye fire once more, but there was also an explosion which shook the ship. Part of the ceiling of the cargo bay fell to the floor.
Two of the Treitans who were carrying a plasma tube moved towards the lift door. One sprawled out in front of the other with the plasma tube held above it, its tentacles were wrapped around the bulk of the tube pointing it towards the lift door. A bolt of red light emerged from the tube, and then the lift door, surrounding walls and floor turned white before melting. A molten river of material flowed for a second before solidifying. A team of ten Treitans then entered the lift shaft.
James felt completely helpless and was now resigned to the fact it was the end of Kalrea and the Aurora.
Kalrea, I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. Before you die, I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me. I’ve really enjoyed your company. I will miss you—
The cruisers, they’re starting to turn away from the planet, Kalrea said suddenly.
What? James thought. His mind focused on the scanners.
*****
Four Qinant ships had just dropped from light speed, catching the Treitan cruisers by surprise. The Lonori and three destroyers thundered towards the turning cruisers.
‘All ships, fire!’ Isistia ordered.
A volley of torpedoes screamed into the distance, striking the event horizon drives of nearest Treitan cruiser. A burst of white light erupted from its rear.
Fighters suddenly emerged from the other Treitan ships.
‘Captains Gani and Lexu, finish that cruiser off,’ Isistia ordered. ‘Captain Treno, keep your ship close to me. Launch all fighters! Atenopila fighters, protect the Aurora!’
The Atenopila and Beruopila continued towards the stricken Treitan cruiser, while the Lonori and Yemolopila turned towards the other.
Five more torpedoes from the Qinant destroyers struck the damaged Treitan cruiser. Drawn in by the planet’s gravity well, it started to drift slowly into the green atmosphere, where it floated like a sinking ship at sea. The green atmosphere pierced through the hull, then as it slowly sank, explosions rippled through the ship. Sections of the hull imploded.
*****
Back on the Aurora the Treitans had reached the door to the bridge. The red eye in the bridge started to glow.
They’re almost here, Kalrea said.
One of the Treitan assault ships, which had landed behind the Aurora, lifted quickly away. The scout and remaining Treitan fighters turned as a swarm of Qinant fighters burst through the clouds. Laser fire suddenly filled the air. Explosions erupted from one of the assault ships banking over the front of the Aurora.
Fire! James thought.
The front laser of the Aurora lashed out at the Treitan assault ship. The rear of the ship was torn open, and sections of the hull fell to the ground. Its drives gave out a burst of orange light before the ship exploded. A Qinant fighter suddenly crashed into the side of the Aurora.
James gazed out from the Aurora in amazement. The massive bulk of a Treitan cruiser appeared through the clouds in the distance. The burnt out and discarded remains hurtled into the ground. Huge explosions blanketed the green sky, like fireworks, as fragments burnt up in the atmosphere.
*****
In space, above Ghuno, two missiles struck the Yemolopila, which was now engaging the other fleeing Treitan cruiser.
‘Why isn’t that Treitan ship fighting?’ Adonti said to Isistia.
‘Try and jam their communications,’ Isistia said.
‘It’s too late; they’ve already signaled the main fleet,’ Adonti replied.
The Treitan cruiser accelerated away, leaving its fighters stranded behind.
‘Do you want to pursue?’ he asked Isistia.
‘No,’ Isistia ordered. ‘Break off the attack, and head back to Ghuno. Commander, contact the Aurora.’
‘LONORI TO AURORA. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE!’
‘AURORA RECEIVING.’
Captain Brasdoi, are you all right? Kalrea placed Adonti’s voice in James’ mind.
Yes commander, I’m glad to hear you, James’ thoughts were converted into words, over the ship to ship communication system.
Sir, we need to get you out of there. We don’t have much time. Is the Aurora operational, or do you want a shuttle sent down? Adonti’s voice said in James’ mind.
James checked the status of the systems.
Kalrea, I don’t want to leave you here. Can the ship operate on the one drive? James thought.
The only operational event horizon drive that the Aurora had started.
I’m not finished, yet. I’ll get us into space, Kalrea replied, determined.
We’re on our way, Commander, James said.
The thrusters were operated erratically causing the ship to shudder and creak. Slowly it began to rise drunkenly skywards.
James, the Treitans are still at the control room door! Kalrea said.
What? James thought. I forgot about them. Give it all you’ve got, Kalrea.
Come on, Captain Brasdoi. You need more power, Adonti said.
The noise from the event horizon drive increased, and the Aurora was thrown clumsily through the atmosphere. James watched the Treitans at the bridge door panic. Some slithered back along the lift shaft heading for the exit. Others looked at each other when the air started to thin. They slowly sunk to the floor, one after the other, and their skins shriveled like dried-out prunes.
*****
The Aurora breached the atmosphere and was greeted with the welcoming sight of the Lonori flanked by the three destroyers.
Commander, the thrusters are operating erratically, James said with concern. We won’t be able to maneuver into the docking bay.
Don’t worry, Sir. Get as close as you can to the Lonori and cut power, Adonti said calmly in James’ mind. We’ll use the Golp cranes to bring you on board.
The Aurora’s drive became silent, and the ship drifted silently in space. James watched on as the huge mass of the Lonori maneuvered with great precision alongside the Aurora.
‘CLAMPING STATION ONE PREPARED FOR DOCKING.’
‘GOLP CRANES ACTIVATED.’
Two large cranes extended out from the open docking bay of the Lonori and flexible claws gripped the edge of the Aurora, front and rear. Then, slowly they pulled the ship into the internal docking bay. As soon as the Aurora cleared the docking bay doors they started to close.
*****
Six symbols illuminated on Adonti’s console.
‘Docking bay doors locked, Captain,’ Adonti said.
‘All ships synchronize control.’ Isistia ordered. ‘Turn to a heading of 236 sectors.’
‘Synchronization confirmed,’ Adonti replied.
Isistia stared across at Adonti. ‘Let’s be somewhere else.’
The ships turned and accelerated.
Isistia glanced at one of the monitors to see the Aurora being slowly guided into a clamping station.
‘Well done, Captain Brasdoi; you did it! They aborted their attack on Moulo and Earth,’ Isistia said.
Thank you, Sir, but Lieutenant Besic was badly hurt in the attack. She needs urgent medical care, James thought.
