Inclusion, page 10
“How long would it take to get representatives from the other two races?”
“Ninety-one days,” said Mary. “They are already on their way.”
“How is that possible?”
"From what I understand, the Croth were dropping communication buoys all the way here. The Captain, being in the resistance, dropped one near the alliance base.”
“So the alliance knows everything that has happened?”
“Yes, but they were also receiving encoded instructions. And sending false information back to the Caltaire.”
"I got it." Rick was starting to feel guilty. Maybe Neman was right; perhaps they should have contacted them.
“You should not feel guilty. The resistance members are willing to give their lives for freedom.”
“That’s something they share in common with humans,” said Rick. “So, why was the Captain willing to go down fighting?”
“Because most of the crew was loyal to the Caltaire because of the power they gave the Croth.”
"We have a new enemy, so I need to know as much about them as possible. What can you tell me about the Caltaire?”
“The only thing Thang knows for sure is that they are an insect race. He has had no direct contact with them. It is rumored that they have humanoid form but an insect social structure.”
“I don’t know what that means, but I’ll have some research on the subject,” said Rick. “In the meantime, is there anything else I should know?"
At this point, they had arrived at Mary's quarters. "No," she said, putting her hand on the knob. "I don't think so."
Rick was always amazed to see the ‘door’ open. “Good. Let’s get to it.”
Chapter 16 Microbes
“SO,” SAID RICK, “WE have a deal?”
In the last three weeks of negotiations, Rick had come to understand some of Thang's langue. On the other hand, Thang had learned the human langue quite well. Rick was sure that Mary had much to do with that happening.
At first, it was a little rough going back and forth with a translator. It was easier for the two to understand each other as time passed. "We have a deal," said Thang.
“Will the other two races agree to our arrangement?”
“It is best for all; I see no reason for them not.”
It was interesting that Rick understood things from Thang that he would have questioned others. “Good; then we will get the alliance set up when they arrive.”
“Your CEO agrees?”
"My CEO trusts me to make arrangements for the greatest good. This arrangement will do good for both our peoples." Rick stood, and so did Thang. "I need to go inform my CEO about this. It has been good working with you."
"And you," said Thang. They shook hands, and Rick left.
As Rick returned to the flight deck, he told Goliath, "Once we make it back to the Farris, get refueled and get ready to go to Anteagen."
"Yes, Sir," said Goliath with an air of excitement. Over the last three weeks, he had heard about what was happening. He knew the talks were over.
“By the way, before we leave the planet, I want to do a fly-by of the decoy site.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Langston had come up with a beautiful plan. In the last three weeks, they had hollowed the area for the reservoir in what they called the anvil. It was a large flat expanse. The site was chosen to make the decoy because it was easy to spot from orbit.
Digging equipment and anti-aircraft guns were placed around the area. This gave the effect that they were trying to defend the place.
Rick was told that they were almost ready to fill the reservoir. He wanted to see if it looked like they were building a base.
“We are coming up on the decoy site now, Sir,” said Goliath.
Rick went forward and sat in the co-pilot’s seat. He noticed that the auto guns were tracking the shuttle. “Woh, tell those boys to stand down!”
"Nothing to worry about, Sir. The auto guns are powered down."
Along with the auto guns, several pieces of heavy equipment had half-dug-out holes near them. There was also scaffolding that made it look like they were building a tower.
“Langston has done a good job; it does look like we are building a base here."
“Yes, Sir, it does. With everything at the real base underground, this looks like the most likely target," said Goliath.
"Yes, it is. All right, get us back to the Farris. Oh, and pack a bag. We are going to be on Anteagen for a few days."
“Yes, Sir,” said Goliath.
Rick sat and thought about everything he had learned about the power struggle in the galaxy. He was given hints about the other races. It seemed that there were more races than was initially thought. Some were more hostile than others, but still, the galaxy was full of conflict.
They touched down on the flight deck of the Farris. Rick went to open the hatch and was surprised to see Ted standing there. "Permission to come aboard, Admiral?"
“Granted.” Ted seemed a bit subdued. “We need to talk.”
Somehow Rick knew by Ted’s posture that this conversation should not be held here. “All right, let’s go to your office.”
Ted led the way. Once they were inside with the hatch shut, Rick said, "Okay. What's the problem?"
“That helmet we got from Rossom is no longer effective.”
“Does Justin know why?”
“Not yet,” said Ted. “I have him pulling it apart now. If he can’t figure it out, we are in a world of hurt.”
Rick understood the implications. The stealth fighters would be worthless if the enemy could hear the pilots' thoughts. "Okay, the helmets have a limited shelf life. We can make liners that can be replaced after one use if we need to."
“That’s a good idea, but I still don’t understand why they go dead after a short period of time.”
“Justin is a smart boy. Give him a chance to figure it out," said Rick. "By the way, I need to ask a favor of you, Admiral."
“Oh, when you say it like that, I can already guess what it will be."
Rick smiled, "Okay, guess."
"Because you called me Admiral, it is a military request. Because you said favor, it is something outside the standard operating procedure. That means Nancy.”
"Wow, that was a good guess. I'm heading back to Anteagen and want to take her with me.”
"Rick, you can't keep doing this to me. She is part of my crew, and I can’t show her any special treatment.”
Rick had anticipated this objection. “All right, she is being ordered back to Anteagen for supplies and equipment for the research lab.”
The blank look on Ted’s face changed to a smile. “That I can do.”
“And because I happen to be going that way, I can give her a ride. Send orders through official channels. Will that solve your problem?"
Before Ted had a chance to answer, his desk started beeping. He went around the desk and hit the button “Hornsby.”
“Admiral,” it was DeWitt. “Mr. Justin requests your presents in the lab.”
"Thank you, Hornsby, out." He turned to Rick and said, "Let's go see what little brother has for us."
Rick followed Ted out of the office. Once they were in the corridor, he said, "I thought you would get rid of DeWitt."
“I got no place to put him. I can’t demote him without cause,” said Ted.
“Being a spy for another admiral isn’t just cause.”
"Rick, you, of all people, should know the difference between what you know and what you can prove. Don't worry; I'm keeping a close eye on him."
They made their way down to Justin’s lab. As they opened the hatch, Justin was staring at the computer screen.
“Justin,” said Ted.
“Oh, you’re here, good. I found out why the helmets don’t work anymore.”
“Why is that,” said Rick.
“Here, take a look at this.” Justin got up so they could get a better look at the computer.
Rick looked at the screen. It had a florescent green color with tiny green blobs. “Okay, what am I looking at?”
“The Methane-Hydrate pulled out of the helmet. Now take a look at this." Justin hit the button on the keyboard. The florescent looked the same, but tiny green worms were moving around.
“Where did this come from?” asked Rick.
“That barrel over there,” said Justin. “It came from the planet's surface. This is what I think. We made the mistaken assumption that it was the Methane-Hydrate that was the cause of the mental noise."
“I’m confused,” said Rick. “You are going to have to explain this to me.”
"Okay. That," said Justin as he pointed to the worm-like creature, "is a microbe. A tiny lifeform." He switched the view back to the original picture. "Those lifeforms are dead. I had a theory and got John to help me test the idea. We discovered that it was not the Methane-Hydrate that caused the mental interference. It was the lifeforms in the Methane-Hydrate."
Rick got the concept. “That’s why it didn’t work when they tried to recreate it. So why did these lifeforms die?”
“This is just a guess,” said Justin. “I think they dried out.”
“Is there any way to keep that from happening? Or should I ask, is there any way we can put them in the helmets without drying out?”
“That’s what I was thinking about when you showed up. Everything I have,” said Justin as he pointed to the barrels, “is teeming with those microbes. They have been sealed ever since they arrived. I don’t know what they eat or how they stay alive. They have lived in a completely sealed environment for, who knows how long."
“So what are you saying?” asked Rick.
“I think if we can figure out a way to keep them in a sealed container in the helmet structure, I believe it will keep the microbes alive."
“Run test,” said Ted. “Do whatever you need to do. Just get it done."
"Yes, Sir, but there is one more thing you need to know. In contrast, the Methane-Hydrate evaporates faster than water, and the levels on the planet increase. Even with all we took, the levels are almost back to where they were when we broke into the crystal temple.”
“What’s causing that?” said Rick.
“I don’t have a clue.”
“All right. Keep me posted. Right now, I have to meet with the CEO."
Rick turned and left the lab, followed by Ted. "By the way, Admiral, as we know so little about these microbes, I think we need to turn the research over to Dr. Weller for study. We need to send Lt. Commander Weller to Anteagen for the necessary equipment to study them."
Ted smiled, "I think that is a good idea. I'll send her under top priority. I’ll go push those orders through now.”
“Thank you, my friend. I'm going to go pack." Ted left him, and Rick went to his quarters. He pulled out the overnight bag. He was struck with the memory of buying this bag while escaping Anteagen with Bannic. He filled it with a few changes of clothes and went to the flight deck.
Goliath was standing by the shuttle as Rick came up. “Are you ready to go?”
“Not yet,” said Rick as he went and sat. “We are waiting on another passenger.”
“Who?”
"Lt. Commander Weller," said Rick, and Goliath smiled.
A moment later, Nancy came rushing into the hatch. The moment she saw Rick, all thought of hast left her. “So it was you?”
Chapter 17 Anteagen
GOLIATH WAS SMART ENOUGH to close the hatch and get underway.
“Me what?”
She dropped her bag. Still standing, she said, "You ordered me to Anteagen?"
“What did your orders say?” said Rick.
"It said that I was ordered to Anteagen to pick up supplies and that I would be briefed in route."
“So the Admiral didn’t tell you what this was about?”
“No! it just said that I would be given information in route.” Nancy sat. Rick noticed that she was a little upset. “We were right in the middle of an experiment when I got yanked away.”
“I’m sure what you are about to do will be more important,” said Rick. As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized it was the wrong thing to say. Nancy looked like she wanted to slap him. “Let me put it another way. We have made a discovery that we need your help with.”
“You know what’s going on?”
“Yes, I do,” said Rick. “Who do you think is going to brief you?”
“And this has nothing to do with us?”
“The reason you are being sent to Anteagen has nothing to do with us.”
“So what is this discovery of yours?” said Nancy.
Rick gave her all the information he had just gotten from Justin. As he told her what was happening, Nancy went from angry to interested. She could see that this was important. "Knowing you the way I do, I figured you would be the best person to get Dr. Weller what he needs to study the microbes."
“So let me get this straight,” said Nancy, “It’s the microbes, not the Methane-Hydrate, causing the mental interference?"
“That is correct.”
“And you want dad to study these microbes?”
“Yes,” said Rick.
“To what end?”
“We need to know how to keep them alive. What do they feed on and that sort of thing? We need their abilities to protect our people.”
“I see,” Nancy looked like she was thinking hard about the situation.
“Why do you ask?”
"I need a clear objective to know what direction dad would take. I think I can have everything ready when he needs it."
"Good, now that is settled, we can have dinner together while we are at home."
“I thought you said that this wasn’t about us,” said Nancy with a smile.
“It’s not. But I don’t see why we can’t spend time together.”
For the rest of the trip, they laughed and talked. Rick was glad for the time, even if it was only for a short while. In the back of his mind, he thought the times they shared went too fast and were too far apart.
As they made the last jump, Goliath yelled, “Director, you better get up here!”
The agitation in Goliath’s voice, Told Rick that something was wrong. At once, he went forward. Out the front viewport were several large Rossom battleships. “Get Tim Slattery on the line.”
Like always, Goliath was one step ahead. "He's on."
"Tim, did you know you have Rossom battleships in orbit around the planet?"
"Well, hello to you too, Director."
Tim's answer to the call made Rick realize there was nothing to worry about. Rick claimed his voice and said, “Hi, Tim. What is going on? I see Rossom battleships in orbit?”
“No, what you see is McTech ships in orbit.”
“Oh,” said Rick feeling a little foolish. “What are they doing here?”
"They are having a conference with the CEO. Hobbs wants to ratify the agreement between the two sides before he pulls the Titan out. He wants to make sure that everyone understands their positions.”
“I thought they had that all worked out?” said Rick.
"They did and did have it worked out for the most part. Yet, a few things have come up while you've buried your head in the Methane-Hydrate."
“Like what?” Rick felt responsible for the situation, and he wanted to make sure that it worked out.
“Rick, we can talk about this later. What did you call about?”
“Well, I was going to say that I needed to see Hobbs, but it looks like that's not going to happen."
"I don't know how the talks are going, but I will say he will be freed up in a couple of days."
Rick had an idea. “What time is it there?”
"It's 9:30 AM. Why?"
“Good; I would like to invite you and the CEO to my place for dinner.”
“Can I bring a guest,” said Tim with a smile.
"Sure, but I need you to do me a favor. Contact Benson, and tell him I'm home and that we will have a dinner party tonight. I’ll talk to the CEO after dinner.”
“That sounds like a plan,” said Tim.
"Good; when Hobbs comes out for a break, tell him about the invite. I'll see you tonight, Rick, out." The screen went blank. Rick turned to his pilot, "Goliath, take me to my home. I know you know where it's at."
“Yes, Sir.”
Rick turned and was startled by Nancy standing behind him. In this respect, she was just like her father; she had to know. “As soon as we get home, you can take the car and go shopping for what you need.”
“The truth is that I can do most of that on the net. I probably won’t need to go out until tomorrow.”
"Then, would you mind playing hostess for this evening?"
Nancy smiled and said, “What do I get out of it?”
“The pleasure of the company of some great people.”
“Not enough,” she said with a giggle.
Rick had to laugh. The tease was one of the things he loved about Nancy. “I’ll tell you what, you do this for me, and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“You may regret saying that.”
“I think I already do.” Nancy slapped him playfully on the arm.
During the playful banter, Rick had not realized that Goliath was almost to the house. He was coming in for a landing.
Rick looked out the front viewport and remembered that the word house never really fit the sight he was looking at. The word palace was a better description of his home.
Benson was standing outside the door as they got out of the shuttle. The last time Goliath brought Rick home, Benson greeted him with a shotgun. The thought made Rick smile. The prim and proper Benson was trying to defend his home. This time Benson wasn't even surprised. Then Rick remembered that he had told Tim to let him know he was on his way.
"Welcome home, Sir."
“It’s good to be back,” said Rick as Benson took his bag.
"Is there anything special you want for your evening dinner party?"
“All I ask is that you make one of your fabulous dinners. But you should ask the lady of the house what she would like.”
"Very good, Sir."
