Lens of Time: Book 05 - Star Rover-The Worst of Time (18 page)

The image faded and the two leaders looked at each other. “What do you think?”

“I’ve read my history. If they promise not to attack us, they won’t.”

“But we can’t leave such a powerful civilization behind us.”

“You need to listen. They are no longer an issue. I don’t trust any civilization in our galaxy and that includes yours; however, the humans keep their promises. Have you ever heard of them breaking one?”

The leader thought a moment and said, “No…they are known for their integrity.”

“I’ve heard from one of our adversaries that it has been estimated that they have more than forty million of those small ships.”

“Can that be true?”

“Do you want to find out? Let someone else take them on.”

“Then that means we can now start our hostilities.”

“It does.”

“Do you really want to do that?”

“Not really.”

“Then what about having an armistice until this war sorts itself out and then we’ll look at whether or not we want to continue our fight.”

“We certainly have a better chance of survival if we work together.”

“Then together it is.”

• • •

The second Leader ended the communication and looked at his War Admiral staring at him, “What?”

“Our ships are ready; does this agreement mean I should recall them?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Launch the attack.”

The fleets fell on the planets of the first leader as the second Leader’s planets were being blasted by the first. The anger and mistrust had been building too long and fifty thousand planets were turned into rubble.

• • •

Kat looked at her panel and saw the war in M87 had begun in earnest. She knew that if her fleets were removed from the board in the civil war that those that were hesitant would strike. The numbers being killed were too high to count. But, there were no more attacks in the Milky Way or in the Hive and Horde’s territories. She knew that many bleeding heart historians would condemn her in the future but she didn’t care. There was a much more dangerous enemy to face and she might have acted differently in different circumstances. She smiled; Dat was right. The safety of those under her command was more important than policies that called for preventing loss of life. Safety before policy.

“H
ow are we going to get down to the planet?”

“The hard way; Stein are you ready?”

“I’m right where I need to be. You should take Gresha to the storage bay and get ready to leave. I’ve timed your arrival and you need to get moving.”

Dat looked at himself in the mirror and said, “I’m glad I saved this outfit.”

Gresha looked at her Academy Uniform and said, “Well, I left all my clothes when we departed. I’m sure my Father has not disposed of them.”

“Oh?”

“He misses me too much. I’m sure he’s kept them. You still haven’t answered my question. This ship doesn’t have a shuttle. How are we going down?”

“We’re going to take the elevator.”

Gresha raised an eyebrow and lowered her chin, “We’re taking the what?”

“Come on; I’ll show you.” Dat took Gresha’s hand and led her to the storage bay. It was originally called a landing bay but the only thing small enough to land in it is was pigeons or chickens. Dat yelled, “Give us just a moment.”

“Hurry up; just say when.”

Dat walked over to the port and said, “I need you to put your arms around my neck and get as close as possible.”

Gresha smiled, “You’re kidding, right?”

“No.”

“I’ve wanted to do this for the last hour.” Gresha put her arms around Dat’s neck and pulled herself so close Dat thought she could be a second skin.

“Now, don’t let go.”

“Why.” Suddenly Gresha saw a dark field appear around them and she recognized it as a dark matter force field. The inside of the field had a distinctive color. “How did you do that?”

“My rings produce it. Alright, Stein, open it up.”

Gresha saw the port open and the air in the small bay pushed them out as it blew out. Dat didn’t know how she could be any closer but somehow she pulled it off. The two ejected from the ship and headed toward the ship’s force field. Dat said, “When we cross the force field, we will be kicked out of green space into normal space above the planet. I’ll manipulate the field and start us dropping toward your community.”

Gresha held Dat tight and felt her heart go into her throat when the planet suddenly appeared below them and they fell toward it. Dat controlled the thrust and directed them toward the ground. Gresha watched and saw her community as a small dot far below. “This is amazing.”

“This is how I arrived the first time. I’m going to try to stop us just outside your quarters. I’ll stay between you and the street and you go in first. Come and get me when your parents calm down.”

“Calm down?”

“They don’t expect to ever see you again. This could be somewhat shocking.” Gresha nodded and watched as the community grew larger. It looked so small from high altitude. She glanced around and saw hundreds of communities scattered across the continent; so many suffering in the arms of the Masters. “Get ready.” Gresha saw the ground coming up quickly and nearly choked Dat. She heard him, saw his expression and quit squeezing his neck. They slowed and came down silently outside Gresha’s home just as the sun moved below the horizon. The streets were deserted. Gresha stepped away from Dat and knocked on the door. Her father opened the door slightly and saw Gresha. Gresha saw his shock and then his love as he threw the door open and pulled her inside. Dat waited outside looking around and after ten minutes he knocked. The door opened and Gresha’s face was red with embarrassment, “I’m sorry. I got caught up telling my parents all that has happened.” Dat pushed his lips together and shook his head. Gresh came up and snatched him off the street in a bear hug and walked into the room. After Gresha’s choking and Gresh’s hug; he didn’t know if he would ever breathe normally again. Gresha laughed and said, “Don’t hurt him, Father.” Gresh put him down and Dat collapsed in a chair. Darn these people are strong.

• • •

Dat discussed what they had discovered below the fields around the community. Gresh and Kyley listened and Dat was surprised that they didn’t show more amazement at the information. He decided to ask why, “You don’t appear to be surprised about this?”

“We know that something is there. Whenever we dig deep enough, whatever it is we encounter, is too hard for us to break through.”

Dat stared at Gresh, “There’s more to it than that.”

Gresh looked at Kyley and turned back to Dat, “We have been forbidden from discussing our ancestors with any outsider. It is a taboo that no one would ever violate.” Gresh looked at Gresha, “Have you discussed this with him?”

“No Father; I have not. I’ve only mentioned the legends.”

Dat looked at Gresha and she took a deep breath, “This is part of our religion and faith prevents me from talking about it with anyone outside my people.”

“And that includes me?”

“Dat, you could choose to just walk away and leave me here. I honestly don’t expect you to do that but I cannot violate the trust of my people. Only those who are members of our society may know our history and even then it is never discussed openly.”

“Then how am I going to find out how to get it activated?”

Gresha sighed, “You probably won’t find out. I’m the one that will have to search for the key.”

Dat stared at Gresha and slowly shook his head, “Gresha, you know I would never walk away from you.”

Gresha stared at Dat, “In my heart, I believe you.”

Gresh said, “But she is still bound by the oath and faith she agreed to follow as a child.”

Dat stared at them and after a long moment of silence he said, “You know there is advanced technology hidden on this planet.” The three gave no indication he was right. “And these beliefs are in place to prevent it ever being discovered by anyone outside of your species.”

Kyley said, “Well, I don’t know that species is correct. It may not be revealed to anyone outside our families.”

Dat looked at Gresha and said, “Then tell me what I need to do to help you.”

“At the moment, you should be patient and allow me to see if I can find the means of activating the ship. If I can do that, I’ll see if the ship will allow me to communicate with you about it.”

Gresh said, “That’s enough, Child. You’ve said too much.”

“Father, he needs to know that he may not be given an answer.”

“Even so, that’s enough.”

Dat saw that this taboo was a powerful compulsion among Gresha’s people. He looked at Gresha and she saw his small smile, “I will honor your beliefs and not push you for answers. If I can assist you, I will. I will never ask you to violate your faith; I love you too much for that.”

Gresha leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Dat’s neck and said, “Thank you; I know how difficult this is for you to step back.”

Gresh slowly nodded, “You are more than I thought.”

Dat looked at Gresh, “I love your daughter. She makes everyone she encounters better than they were.”

• • •

Kune contacted Gibbons, “It’s really getting bad.”

Gibbons sighed, “There is a lot of hatred between them. It’s been festering for three hundred years.”

“Could we have stopped this killing?”

“In a perfect world, yes; but this is not a perfect world and it’s populated by imperfect beings that are driven by their emotions. Those feelings have been screaming for release and this is what falls out when they’re vented.”

“We could step in and force a ceasefire.”

Gibbs stared at Kune on his display and shook his head, “Have you ever tried to break up a fight between two people that really hate each other?”

“Not that I remember; why do you ask?”

“Well, I have. You don’t want to do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because both of them turned on me and beat me silly; then they returned to their fight. If we stepped in, all of them would turn on us and remove us for preventing them from doing what they are driven to do. We can’t take on all of them.”

Kune sighed, “I guess you’re right. It’s just so hard to stand by and watch the billions of innocent civilians being killed.”

“You need to check your scanners. Most of the civilians are cheering on their military. The hatred is pandemic and this disease must run its course before this galaxy can return to normalcy. Perhaps we might step in and help them rebuild.”

Kune sighed, “We won’t do that.”

“Oh; why not?”

“Because if we step in and assist anyone without assisting them all, the ones omitted will hate us for aiding their enemies. I suspect we will try to remain neutral and try to get this galaxy to see that we are not going to ever be involved in their activities again.”

“Back to isolationism?”

“Yes, but we’ll make sure they know we still have a very large stick with which to beat them if they intrude on us.”

“Kune, I guess you’re right. If I had just told those two hotheads that I would not stand by and watch their foolishness and just walked away, they would have at least respected me afterwards. As it was, they didn’t like me and I lost two close friends.”

Kune laughed, “You would have to make sure you never invited both of them to a soiree.”

Gibbs laughed, “There is that.”

“Did they ever forgive you?”

“Well…no. I married the woman they were fighting over. They became good friends afterward agreeing on what a I bum I was.” Kune started laughing and Gibbs said, “Hey, she liked that I was brave enough to step in.”

“Don’t you mean stupid?”

“Same thing.” Kune continued to laugh and Gibbs sighed and watched the reports coming in.

• • •

Six weeks had passed and Dat spent most of the days following Gresh around the community helping out wherever he could. He saw Gresha’s frustration growing and knew she was not making progress. He tried to comfort her at night but he saw she was beginning to give up. One night she turned to him and said, “I can’t find it.”

“Want to talk about it?”

Gresha shook her head, “There’s nothing that even remotely resembles a trace; NOTHING!”

Dat pulled her into his arms and said, “You have to know that whatever it might be; it has been hidden by advanced intellects. It will not be easily recognized.”

“I don’t think it exists anymore. It may have in the distant past, but time and the Masters have erased it. I’m telling you that it is not here.”

“Shhhhh, just relax. I know you’ve searched to the best of your ability. You can’t blame yourself.”

Gresha snuggled in under his arm, “Thank God you’re here to help me deal with this stress.” She looked up at him, “What do we do if I can’t find it?”

Dat tilted his head and straightened it back up, “We’ll go home. We can’t excavate for that ship without the Masters seeing it.”

“Give me another week and if it doesn’t turn up, we’ll leave.” Dat pulled her close and she closed her eyes.

• • •

Dat sat on the wall looking out at the field and knew an undetectable starship was just under the surface. He finally came to terms with the prospect that it may remain there. He thought about Gresha’s remark about the possibility that he could just walk away. He looked at the ground at the base of the fence and realized that he had made no promises to her. He thought about it and looked up at the couples working together in the fields. He swung his legs back over the wall and walked up the hill to Gresha’s house. He went in and found Gresh home having lunch.

“Gresh, I want to ask your permission to marry, Gresha.”

“Do what?”

“I want to marry her.”

“What is marry?”

“It’s where two people choose to officially join in a union for the rest of their lives.”

“Oh, you mean you want to have her.”

“Do what?”

“Have her; you want her to be yours.”

“She’s not a piece of property, Gresh.”

“No but she will be your mate. You will have her. Have you asked her?”

“In my society, it is traditional to ask the Father’s permission first.”

“What do I have to do with it? You need to ask her.”