Star Rover-Chosen to Die (Lens of Time) (28 page)

Dat stared at his old friend and was reluctant to tell him the hard facts but Leon spared him. “Father, we wouldn’t last a week.” Jolam looked at his son in shock. “They can smell us and they have tools that would make it impossible to hide. We would be forced to live inside a personal stealth field and if we came out, they’d have us. They also have ten galaxies under their dominion and every planet in their civilization is dedicated to building warships.”

Jolam stared at Leon and Ringie said, “Can you defend us if they find us here?”

Dat slowly shook his head, “We can’t defend ourselves at the moment. Their fleets would overwhelm our fleets.”

“I know we’ve not allowed you to put the planetary force field here but would that prevent them from destroying us?”

Dat shook his head, “First, we couldn’t build the system before they arrive here; and second, the force field will fail if enough of their warships fire on it continuously.”

Leon looked at Dat, “They’re a very long way from this galaxy. Why do you say they’ll arrive before you could build the system?”

“General Robinson has determined that they didn’t just launch their probes in all directions. They’ve sent them on a direct line toward the Pumgas Galaxy and they are searching all the galaxies on that line. As luck would have it, the Milky Way is on that line.”

Leon said, “Bad luck.” Dat nodded.

“But there still must be millions of galaxies between them and us?”

Dat sighed, “Jolam, there are but they’re sending out more than a billion probes. General Robinson thinks they’ll be here in less than a year.”

Ringie looked at Dat, “What about the Servant’s Galaxy?”

Dat looked at her, looked up at the sky, and rolled his eyes, “I didn’t think of that. I’m losing my mind. They had to have been watching the Pumgas when they attacked the Servants in their galaxy. They would know about the Servant’s home galaxy.”

Jolam head rolled down his chest, “We have thousands of colonies in that galaxy.”

Dat hit his communicator, “Admiral Hull!”

There was a slight pause and they heard, “Yes, Dat.”

“Jolam just pointed out that there are thousands of planets in the Servant’s Galaxy with Matador Colonies.”

“Angel reported that piece of information two days ago. We are discussing what can be done but so far none of our suggestions seem practical.”

Jolam said, “What ideas have you come up with so far?”

“Transport all of your species out of that galaxy is all we’ve been able to come up with so far.”

Leon shook his head, “It won’t work.”

Dat, Jolam, and Ringie looked at Leon. Admiral Hull said, “Why not?”

“If they could model my species from a few cells I left behind in those creatures I bit, they will still be able to see the cells of our presence even after we leave. I’m reasonably certain we couldn’t find all of the dead bodies that died in the war with the Servants. They’ll know we were there.”

Jolam stared at Leon, “If that’s true, they’ll also know we are here.”

Leon’s head didn’t move, “If we leave, they will still know that we had a recent, massive presence here. They will be able to determine that we left after their two planets were scouted.”

Ringie said, “But if we leave, that would cause them to try and follow us, wouldn’t it?”

Dat shook his head, “No, Ringie.”

“Why not?”

“Because they’ll see that this planet did not produce any warships. They’ll know that the ships used to take the two scouts to their planets had to have been built elsewhere. They’ll saturate this galaxy with probes and they’ll find Earth. There were enough Matadors on the planet to confirm there was a relationship with your species and humans.”

“But if we’re not there, they should leave.”

Dat blew out a breath, “If they stop long enough to take a look at Earth, they’ll see that humans are carnivores; they’ll see our livestock. They will decide to take action and the war will be on in earnest when we activate the planet’s force field.”

Leon’s head rolled under his body, “This is my fault.” Jolam’s head rolled in agreement.

Dat said, “We ordered you in to the planet, Leon.”

“I know; but I didn’t think it through. It never dawned on me to suspect the local inhabitants would be able to smell me. I should have stayed inside the stealth field and not eaten. This is my fault.”

Jolam’s head rolled back and forth on top of his body, “All of us would have made the same mistake. We’re often blinded by our superior skills. However, self-blame won’t change what happened.” Jolam looked at Dat, “What do you think we should do?”

“Get the hell out of here. You should board transports and have them take you back to the galaxy you were in originally. I’m sure there’s a planet there that will support you until you can find one on the other end of the universe. I’ll contact Haven and have them find one for you.”

“We could stay here and fight with you.”

Leon said, “You’ll never get the opportunity. I suspect they will blast any planet they find our genetic pattern into rubble.”

Ringie put an arm around Jolam, “Fortunately, we travel light.”

Dat lifted his wrist, “Admiral, we need transports to move the Matadors off this planet.”

“Where are they going?”

“Back to Haven. They’ll stay there until they can find another planet several billion light years away from this part of the universe.”

“Do you think Haven will provide a planet?”

“Get Gresha to make the call. However, in the mean time you need to get the transports moving.”

“You’re right; they’ll do whatever Gresha asks of them. The first transports will arrive in two days. Make sure they’re ready to leave.”

“They’ll be ready.”

Jolam looked out at the vast plain with the herds of animals dotting it and his head rolled down his body, “What is going to happen to them?”

Dat shook his head, “I suspect they will die. I’ll try to get as many as possible transported after your population has been moved. I hope we can spare the transports but we may be moving our own populations and they will have priority over the animals.”

“Thank you, my friend.”

Dat smiled softly, “Good luck. I don’t believe we are going to be able to move the Matadors in the Servant’s Galaxy.”

Jolam’s frown was an indication of his sorrow for what was coming.

• • •

A week later, Dat and Gresha stood at the temple and looked out at the giant transports scattered around the wide plain. A giant transport would complete loading and it would ignite its thrusters and move up into the atmosphere. The plain looked like giant hot air balloons were rising as others descended. Gresha stared at one of the closer transports and saw a large group of Matadors carrying something on the vessel, “What are they doing, Dat?”

“They are taking thirty of every species of animal on board with them. They’ve stunned the strongest of the prey animals and they’re not going to risk that we’ll be able to take them later.”

“That’s a wise decision.”

“Truth be told, we couldn’t handle the task even if we wanted. The herds of impala are too fast to capture and there’s no way we could insure we selected the best animals to take. With the thousands of transports coming in, they should have enough to have a good breeding stock for their new home.”

Gresha watched a hundred transports lift and move rapidly into the sky. The view was incredible to behold. “It looks like they have a good chance to survive.”

“I wish we could say the same.”

Gresha nodded, “The Colonial Government has ordered all the scientists and specialists to leave and go to the colonies.”

“I know. Most of the planets in the Union are shipping huge numbers of their populations out as well. The process will stop when the enemy probes are searching close by galaxies.”

“Have they been to the Servant’s Galaxy?”

Dat shook his head, “No, it appears they are going to search it when they arrive at it within their normal search pattern.”

They stood at the temple and watched as the Matador’s Planet emptied of intelligent life. The millions of Matadors gliding into the transports were awe inspiring and still they arrived from over the horizon. Most of them were juveniles, the species was prolific in the numbers they produced but the youngsters could fly with the agility of the adults. Dat sighed and felt the full impact of the bitter-sweet moment. The future looked dark but he was there with the love of his life and he just couldn’t force himself not to glory in having her close.

Gresha shook her head, “It’s so hard to believe that just one being caused all of this.”

Dat heard her but didn’t say anything. Suddenly his mind gripped her comment and he turned and looked at her, “What did you just say?”

Gresha looked at him, “I said it’s amazing that that original being, I think they call him the chosen, could cause all of this.”

Dat’s eyes narrowed and he lifted his communicator, “Admiral Young!”

After a moment they heard, “Yes Sir?”

“Report to the Matador’s planet immediately. Meet me on the planet’s surface with an officer in your fleet that you trust implicitly.”

“Uhhh, Yes Sir.”

Gresha stared at Dat, “What’s going on?”

“I’m going to create a fail-safe device.” Gresha shook her head in confusion. Dat looked out at the transports and his face was grim, “Perhaps we can be the nemesis of this civilization coming to destroy us.”

An hour later a Rover moved out of high atmosphere and landed at the temple. Bret and Jillian stepped out and walked over to Dat, where they came to attention and saluted. Dat returned their salute and said, “I am giving you an assignment and you will keep this information as a State Secret Priority. Is that clear?”

Bret said, “Yes Sir.”

“I am removing you from your current assignments and you will not take part in any combat operations from this time forward.”

“But Sir, I have a fleet to command.”

“Angel will have to find another. You will do as I order!!”

Bret took a deep breath, looked at Jillian and said, “Yes Sir.”

Dat started talking and after a few moments, Gresha, Bret, and Jillian sat down. Bret started shaking his head and Dat said, “You will do this, Admiral.”

Bret blew out a breath, “Do you honestly think it will come that?”

Gresha said, “I can answer that; it will.”

Bret stared at Gresha and said “You should know that I love your daughter.”

Dat smiled, “Get in line. This may be the only way to save her.”

Bret sighed and Dat said, “Einstein.”

“Yes.”

“Open file CCJCendtimetrumpet.”

“Are you sure about that, Admiral?”

“Yes I am. You will also accept Admiral Young as your new commander until I notify you otherwise and transfer the contents of that file to him and Commodore Connor.”

“Sir, meaning no disrespect, Loree and I feel we need to be with you in light of where the current situation is headed.”

“I understand; however, this is a direct order and you will maintain communication silence until I order otherwise. This is a Fleet Priority Protocol and you will not go over my head for confirmation or answer any message. You may use the code JENZE, JENZE, JENZE for confirmation.”

“Code accepted, Sir.”

Bret said, “Sir, what if I have to contact you?”

“You won’t be able to do it. You are going to have to do this on your own.” Bret’s face showed his concern and Dat put his hand on Bret’s shoulder, “I’ve chosen you because I know your abilities and because you love my daughter. Now take Einstein and follow the directions in the file. I’m sending six thousand advanced probes with you for you to record what you need to make this happen.”

Bret stood and Dat extended his hand, “Good luck, Admiral.” Bret shook and Jillian shook it and went to the Rover parked next to the temple. Dat and Gresha watched it rise into the atmosphere and Gresha shook her head, “Will this make any real difference to us?”

“It will if he does it right.” Gresha sighed and watched the Rover disappear high above them. Dat pressed his wrist unit and saw Angel appear on the small display, “Admiral Arvolo.”

“Yes Sir.”

“I have reassigned two of your officers for the duration of the coming conflict. Admiral Young and Commodore Connor have been given a priority assignment and will not be part of your unit after this moment.”

Angel’s face showed her shock and then he saw her anger. “Admiral, I need them to command one of my Task Forces.”

“Admiral, you will find replacements for them and you will not mention this assignment to anyone; is that clear!?!”

Angel stared at her father and knew that he had just removed any possibility of her going over his head. Gresha pulled Dat’s wrist unit over and looked at Angel. Angel was shocked to see her mother. “Angel, you are going to have to trust us that we are making the right choices. You must do as we ask!”

Angel stared at Gresha and said, “You know how I feel about him?”

“That’s why he’s been put on this assignment.”

Angel took a deep breath and blew it out, “I’ll do as you order.”

Dat moved his wrist unit back and said, “I never doubted you wouldn’t. If I might offer a suggestion, there is a Rover Pilot by the name of Mitch Mitchells that would be an excellent choice to replace Commodore Connor.”

Angel nodded and the display went dark.

T
he Senior Fleet Admirals sat at the table and waited on Grand Admiral Hull to arrive. Shane looked at Gibbs and shook his head, “Has anyone developed a plan on how to handle the coming invasion?”

Gibbs shook his head, “Not really. Their tactics are pretty simple; they pick a spot and send millions of ships through it.”

Matt looked at them and said, “It appears to me that if we’re at the place they’re coming through, we should be able to provide a heck of a welcome for them.”

Gem’s eyes narrowed, “Have they shown any consistency in where they choose to enter?”

Kune looked at his computer and said, “I’ve just checked the locations at fifteen planets and they jumped in at the jump point closest to the planet’s location.”