Chroniech! (37 page)

The Komodo Dragon had never been expected to land on a planetary surface and as such there were no ground-level entrances. Trel'mara walked over to the edge of the open hatch and looked down for a moment then turned around and looked at Ken.

The captain stepped up to the edge and took in a deep refreshing breath. The view was breathtaking. Without a frame of reference it was impossible to judge the scale of the Kyrra hanger. Ken's eye scanned the vast chamber taking in its immense scale. No other ships were visible from their vantage point and the details on the distant walls were too small to be made out by the unaided eye.

Just as he was about to turn back around he saw a vehicle approaching from the port side of the ship. The transport smoothly and silently flew into the hanger, slowed to a stop, then dropped a section of its side down to form a ramp. There was no place for a driver to sit and no form of locomotion could be seen.

Ken stepped up the ramp and settled into a seat that was much too large for his Human frame. He was surprised, however when the seat shifted beneath him and adjusted itself to accommodate him. After the seat had stopped moving he found that it was very comfortable. As the last passenger settled into their seats the ramp silently closed and the vehicle started off on its own.

As the transport moved away from the Komodo Dragon, Stricklen was able to see more of the interior of the Kyrra ship. The scale of the hanger was even larger than Stricklen had imagined. The Komodo Dragon stretched for 1,300 meters from stem to stern. It sat in the center of the hanger with at least another 200 meters to spare on all sides. Ken looked up and guessed that the ceiling rose over 500 meters above him but such distances were hard to guess.

Ken turned around and looked back at his ship. It was suspended several meters above the floor of the hanger. He could just make out some sort of device attached to the hanger's ceiling and an identical device located beneath the ship. He reasoned the devices must be some sort of gravity field generators, probably very similar to those used aboard the Komodo Dragon to generate the artificial gravity field.

As they approached the wall of the hanger, Ken could see several Kyrra waiting for them. A few meters away from the group, the transport slowed to a stop and the travelers exited. Without hesitation, the five long-lost Kyrra walked over to the waiting group and for a long time Ken was ignored as they talked and hugged each other. Ken noticed that each of the new Kyrra had a small device hanging from their neck, probably their version of a language translator.

After the reunion had died down, Trel'mara and another Kyrra approached Ken. "This is Norpock," Trel'mara made the introduction. "He will be speaking with you. The device around his neck is a translator much like your own. We are being taken to another location but I assure you we will see you again. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done captain."

As Trel'mara walked away, Norpock said through his translator, "Please follow me." Obediently, Stricklen followed the Kyrra through a small door, down a short hallway and finally into a large, well furnished conference room. Norpock indicated that he should sit and Ken settled into the chair. Like the chair on the transport, this one quickly adjusted to his human dimensions.

Before he could think of anything to say, a door at the other end of the room opened and six more Kyrra filed into the room. Without saying a word, the new arrivals took their seats at the table.

After everyone was seated Norpock said, "We are the central advisory council of the Kyrra. Yours is the first alien ship to have contact with our race in over forty thousand years. Although you have done us a great service in returning our people to us, your presence has created a problem. We have remained isolated by our own choice and your arrival here endangers this isolation."

Ken felt his stomach knot up - he had a bad feeling about where this was going. "If you are so intent on maintaining this isolation, why did you contact us? We were making preparations to return home when your tractor beam hooked us."

An older, gray-furred Kyrra answered. "We detected your ship as it entered this area of space several weeks ago. Our curiosity was immediately aroused when we detected the unique drive wake created by your Kyrra-built stardrive. We watched as you explored the planet we had started to terraform, the old planetoid that once housed the stasis machines, and then the dark star system.

"We were very curious as to how you came to be in possession of one of our stardrives and the knowledge of where our people had established themselves in the past. We concluded that you had discovered a deactivated Hess observatory and had somehow extracted the information from its databanks. When you began transmitting an old Kyrra distress signal we became even more curious since the signal you were using had not been used in centuries.

"Eventually, you made your way here, to our home system. We still had not come to any conclusion as to how you knew about us. Curiosity finally won out and the decision was made to contact you. To our surprise, you did not respond to our transmissions. When we detected that your ship was preparing to leave we prevented your departure via the use of a tractor beam. We were very surprised when Trel'mara sent his message."

"You tried to contact us? We did not pick up any transmission."

"Our initial attempt was made using a communications method that you apparently could not detect. After picking up Trel'mara's transmission we could not allow you to leave. Our only possible course of action was to bring you here."

Ken leaned forward and placed both hands flat on the table. "And now you are trying to decide if you will allow us to leave, correct?"

The older Kyrra, whom Ken had decided was the spokesperson for the group, replied, "No decisions have been made concerning this problem. Forcing you to remain here would be no different than if you had refused to return our people to us thus forcing them to live in your society. Since this issue concerns you, I will ensure that you be kept informed as to the progress of the debate."

"What do you mean by debate? Does not this council govern the Kyrra?"

"Not directly. Major issues involving the entire population are debated and then voted upon by all Kyrra. This council makes decisions which require quick actions. We also make decisions regarding other issues for which this council has been granted authority. We don't actually govern but we do perform many of the functions of a governing body."

A very light furred Kyrra then said, "Your journey has been a long one and the quarters on your ship are cramped. We are preparing accommodations for your entire crew so they may rest. Several guides will be available to answer any questions and to bestow our hospitality upon you. You are free to go wherever you wish. We have also noticed that your ship has been damaged. It will be repaired while you are here."

"There is no need to trouble yourselves," Ken replied. "The Dragon carries a crew of over 300 and although this station is the largest I have ever seen, there is no need to make room for us. We are anxious to begin our journey home. My crew can remain on the ship.”

"As for allowing us to return home — please consider the fact that we do not know where your homeworld is located and as long as we remain on this station we will never find out. If you wish to remain isolated we will respect that request."

The Kyrra looked at each other for a moment then began making the small yipping noises Ken had learned was their equivalent of laughter. Norpock put his hand on Ken's shoulder and explained. "I am sorry, but you do not understand. This is our home. You are inside a sphere having a diameter of over 2,000 kilometers. All Kyrra live here."

Stricklen was stunned into silence. An artificial world 2,000 kilometers in diameter that was for all intents and purposes completely undetectable by any means! Ken could not even begin to imagine the level of technology required to accomplish this feat. His emotions ran wild as he tried to put it all into perspective. At first he was awed by the Kyrra and the powers they possessed. Awe gave way to fear as he imagined how helpless they would be against such power. Fear was finally pushed aside by respect as he fitted what he knew of Kyrra mentality into the picture.

Eventually, Ken found his voice. Norpock's answer had raised Ken's level of concern over the Kyrra's suggestion they leave their ship. "If this is indeed your home, then why keep us any longer? We are anxious to return to our own home. The Alliance is currently at war with the Chroniech — you know of them as the slavers."

A look Ken could not identify suddenly appeared on Norpock's face. There was a rapid-fire conversation between the council members. Norpock's attention finally returned to Ken and in a much different voice said, "This is disturbing news. Your voyage has been a long one, your ship requires repair and resupply, and we must decide how to proceed. This type of decision cannot be made quickly. There is no need for your crew to remain in their cramped quarters. Please accept our hospitality."

Despite the strong desire to return home, it would be nice to spend some time off the ship before starting the long trip back. There was also the remote possibility that the Kyrra would be willing to help the Alliance defeat the Chroniech. A few more days would not make that much of a difference.

"We will accept your kind offer," he replied. "I would like to learn more of this place. How was it built? How do you manage to cloak it? Why have you remained isolated for all these years?"

Norpock rose and said, "All of your questions will be answered in time. For now, please accept our hospitality. The transport will return you to your ship. As soon as your accommodations are ready, we will contact you. Please consider yourselves our guests."

Stricklen was led back to the waiting transport which then returned him to the Komodo Dragon. While he had been gone, the Kyrra had installed a large structure next to ship. The transport landed near the base of this structure and Ken was surprised to find that it was an elevator. It took him up to the level of the wide open hanger bay.

Once aboard, he informed the crew of what had transpired. He then had Scarboro make up a minimum watch rotation for the ship. After listening to his captain's orders Doug said, "Are you sure you want to let the crew leave the ship? What if the Kyrra aren't as benevolent as we have been led to believe? We will be leaving ourselves wide open."

"Doug, if the Kyrra wanted to harm us they could have done so at any time. These people control technologies that dwarf anything the Alliance has access to. They could crush us like a bug if they wanted. The Kyrra have extended their hand in thanks and I have accepted. Now go pack your things and get ready — we're both going to be on that first transport."

Ken had just started packing when there was a knock at his door. Tasha walked in as soon as he opened the door and said, "Boy you sure know how to shake things up!"

The couple quickly kissed hello before he replied, "I'm not sure I understand. What have I done now?"

"There are all sorts of rumors flying around the ship," Tasha explained. "Everyone's glad to get the opportunity to go outside and experience some fresh air, yet they also want to return home as soon as possible. There are rumors that the Kyrra are going to give us all the advanced weapons we can handle to deal with the Chroniech. There are rumors that we will not be allowed to leave. Other rumors say the Kyrra themselves are going to join forces with us. People are confused Ken — and you're to blame."

"They're confused! I don't know what's going to happen to us. Do you think I should have insisted on keeping the crew cooped up inside the Dragon while we are here? I think it will be good for them to get off this ship and relax even if it's only for a day or two."

Tasha grabbed Kens hands and looked lovingly into his eyes. "I think you made the right decision. In my professional opinion the crew needs a break. I hear the Kyrra are putting us up in cottages. Do you think it would be inappropriate for us to share one?"

Ken had been so intent on packing that he had not given any consideration to who he wanted to share his cottage with. His growing relationship with Tasha had not seemed to interfere with his ability to command the respect of the crew. There was probably some regulation against it but circumstances were definitely not normal. "My dearest Tasha — would you be willing to share a cottage with me?"

Tasha performed a small curtsy as she said, "I would be most honored sir. We had better keep separate rooms though," she added. "We can't have too many rumors flying around the ship."

Six hours later, several transports larger than the one Ken had first used, arrived. A message from the Kyrra informed him that the crew would be transported in five groups of up to 50 per group. The message also requested that Falnath join the first group. Special quarters had been prepared for her larger bulk. Ken had the computer randomly select 45 of his crew and had them muster outside the ship where he joined them.

After being loaded, the transport began its journey. They passed through a large metal door which opened only long enough for them to pass through. After traveling through a long, well-lit tunnel, they passed through another metal door. On the other side lay an almost unbelievable sight. Stricklen could not believe his eyes.

The transport had exited the tunnel not at ground level, but at a height of several hundred meters. Below them lay a vast expanse of forest. Tasha squeezed Ken's hand that she was holding and exclaimed, "It's beautiful! It looks like were planetside."

Quickly turning around, Ken saw the metal wall which they had just passed through and gasped. The wall extended as far as his eye could see in either direction and appeared to rise many kilometers above his head. Looking up, he was shocked to see what appeared to be light wispy clouds and a warm sun in the sky. If it were not for the receding wall behind them, he would have sworn that they had just been transported to a warm, comfortable, planet.

The transport moved without a sound. Although the passenger compartment was open, the wind was not whipping in their face despite the fact they were now traveling at a very high rate of speed. A force field similar to the containment field used at the entrance to the hanger bay had obviously been erected.