Terra Dawning (11 page)

“Vessel has changed course and accelerated; ETA now thirty seconds... mark,” Mother reported.

“Wow that was fast!” Deirdre said.

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E
R/SAR Command and Control ship Tiderius

Sector 3421 (5 miles south of the Great Falls crater.)

Terral III, Duchy of Cassius (Earth)

Hyclarion Imperial Consortium

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“T
ask Commander! There is a flare in the sky near the shore of the Great Inland Sea!”

“Alter course for intercept, stand by to launch armed skimmers, ready the troops,” TC Warmake ordered.

Ranger Commander Jance was impressed with how quickly the crew replied to his orders. She had little doubt that elsewhere in the ship, the six armed skimmers were already manned and ready to launch.

Warmake turned to his companion. “This is an odd move. That flare has to be for us, since we are the only ones out here. Do you suppose the pirates want to talk?”

“Such an action would only get them to the gallows faster and they know it. No, I agree this is for us, but I don't believe it is the pirates. Either way, we are going to find out shortly. May I recommend a full spectrum scan of the entire area as we approach?” Jance offered.

Warmake nodded. “You may. I am leery of this; it feels like an ideal trap and we know the pirates have the weapons to bring us down. Somehow, I doubt My Lord Duke will respond to our distress call with all due haste.”

The big being then turned back to his console to issue orders and make the report back to his control base.

Seeing as the Task Commander was busy, the scanner tech, having finished her scan of the area, reported to the Ranger standing next to him. “Scans complete, Commander. A small, highly camouflaged armed shuttle that is unoccupied and two human females one of which is wearing a sidearm, standing on the beach. They appear to be waiting for us.””

“No other life signs?” Jance asked. “Weapons status on the shuttle?”

The tech shook her head. “Hundreds of life signs in the tree lines, Commander. Nothing unusual considering the area. The shuttle is powered down and the weapons appear secured. There certainly isn't any power to them.”

“Well done, thank you, Officer,” Jance replied.

The tech hesitated a moment. “I don't know if its relative, Commander, but the weapons on that shuttle are archaic and of a design not seen in centuries. However, the camo-screen on it is really good. I doubt we would have found it if we hadn't been meant to. The shuttle itself is of a design we can't identify at all.”

Warmake had been listening and raised his overly bushy eyebrows in question. “Just two humans and an unidentified, ancient shuttle? Now, I'm really nervous about this.”

“Very unusual, indeed. The question for the moment is; are these more pieces to the puzzle, or will this help us fit them together?” Commander Jance replied. “Huh, they're not wearing breathers.”

“We are about to find out; either way, we have arrived,” Warmake said, getting up and heading for the door.

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G
reat Inland Sea shore

Sector 5634 (Delta Quad)

25 Apr. 10266 CE (AD)

Earth, Sol system

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“W
ell, it's too late to chicken out now,” Deirdre said, more to herself than to Gail.

Gail chuckled. “It was too late once they got into the area. They would have detected the shuttle leaving.”

Deirdre smiled at her. “Smart ass! I just hope this works.”

They watched the big ship maneuver into a landing on the wide beach; it was a tight fit. A ramp lowered from under the front of the ship and six people walked out. Four of them spread out as if guarding the other two. The two in the center, a woman in armor and what looked like a huge man, wearing different armor, were focused on Deirdre and Gail. Deirdre smiled as she noticed that the woman and two of the guards were wearing respirators. The woman would be the Ranger that Elrond was supposed to take to the Duke.

Addson had coached Deirdre to memorize the word 'translator' so when she held out the device the visitors wouldn't panic. Really, the device was just an open comm to Mother.

Deirdre and Gail advanced down the beach toward the newcomers so as to meet in the middle. Deirdre showed them the small device, and said what it was. After turning it on, she explained. “We have not yet learned the language you call 'standard', so I had to bring this device with us. I apologize for the inconvenience.” 

Jance bowed her head in acceptance and made introductions. Deirdre introduced herself and Gail.

“How is it you do not know the common tongue?” Warmake asked.

Deirdre smiled at the alien, since it was now obvious he certainly wasn't human. “There is a long story behind that, but suffice it to say, we are not from 'here'.” She said it in a way as to make sure the word here was emphasized.

“My friend and I are here to speak to you and possibly invite the Rangers to come back with us. We have a lot of information that will help you in your investigation. However, we are in a precarious position ourselves. You see, we are not vassals of any lord. We are natives of this planet and we can prove it,” Deirdre said.

Warmake snorted. “Over half the humans on the planet can claim that they are native since they were born here!”

“Every human in the galaxy can claim they are native to this planet and they would be correct, Task Commander. This is our home world. Humans left the planet after a war against the Sal'andori and the Lizards made the surface uninhabitable,” Deirdre explained.

“Pardon me, but there has been no war on this planet in thousands of years,” Jance pointed out.

Deirdre nodded. “That is correct, Commander. The war I speak of took place thousands of years ago. Our records go back to before the fall of Earth. Which is the real name for this planet. As I said before, we can back all of this up, but the information is stored elsewhere.”

“If you are affiliated with those we have come here to catch, you have little to offer us that would have much of a bearing on the case. Any information you could offer would be tainted and at best be considered circumstantial,” Warmake replied.

“Task Commander, we are not associated with the group you call the pirates, although we do know who and what they really are. We are taking a very large risk contacting you like this, but we feel this insanity has to stop. We are offering you a look under the surface, so you can see the true architect behind these atrocities. If you do not wish to avail yourselves of our information, then we will simply part ways and find another way to place our claim to this planet with the Empire,” Deirdre said getting tired of the man's seeming intransigence.

“I could simply detain you as escaped slaves and get the information out of you in another way,” Warmake said. “You are failing to convince me that you are who you say you are.””

“That isn't unexpected. Addson Dee told us you wouldn't believe us until you had proof. She suggested that you run an ident scan on the both of us. You will find that neither one of us is in your or the Imperial database,” Deirdre said.

“Addson Dee is a deceased prospector. That proves nothing," Warmake replied, getting more frustrated with the situation.

Gail grinned. “We rescued her escape pod during a hurricane. She would have died waiting for rescue in that storm. Since then she has been helping us to understand this new world and how to get ourselves ready to become a part of it. She is still very much alive.” She paused. ““We also know that she was a new transfer from Great Falls Aerie and that she was no longer working as a prospector. She had been reassigned to the anti-piracy group and was on her first mission.

“The group you know as the pirates had been told where she would be and ordered to kill her. They retarded the warhead yield and also set the weapon to optical search mode so she would have the best chance of surviving. The 'pirates' were greatly relieved when they found out she had actually survived.”

Jance put her hand on Warmake's arm, to keep him from continuing. “How did you get that information?”

“As I said,” Gail replied. “We recovered her and her escape pod, all of its data is still intact.”

Warmake looked down at Jance. “This could still be a trap, Commander.”

Jance was about to reply, but Deirdre interrupted her. “Excuse me, Commanders, but in the interest of fairness, you should know that the pirates have been ordered to kill the entire Ranger team, except for you Commander. You were to be taken alive if at all possible.”

“You're not making this decision any easier, you know,” Jance said grinning at Deirdre.

“Better to let you know now, then after you agreed. Besides, I can honestly tell you that no harm will come to you or your team at the hands of either the pirates, or my own group.” Deirdre said, trying to reassure both commanders. ““We will also do our best not to put you in a situation, or give you information that will compromise your duty. All we would need is your word of honor before we can take you along, Commander.”

“Will my team be allowed to accompany me?” Jance asked.

“Of course, although I would recommend that you leave two behind to keep track of you. You will also need a friend off planet that you can report to in the case something unforeseen happens. There is a lot here to learn and understand. I would feel better if I knew there was someone that was already in orbit ready to blast out of here if we get caught.””

“Caught by whom?” Warmake asked.

“The Duke of Cassius,” Gail said. “This goes far deeper than just pirates. We can prove it, but we need the chance to do so. Just giving you all of our data simply won't be enough. Not for this.”

Deirdre looked Jance in the eyes. “Although we do not claim the Duke of Cassius as our lord, we would like to claim membership in the Empire, as such, we are requesting the assistance of the HRO in this matter.”

Jance nodded. “You have been coached on exactly what to say.” She turned to Warmake. “Task Commander, please take these two,”” she indicated the two least human members of her team. “Back to our ship so they can depart immediately. Tell your crew that we are in conference and will be departing as soon as we get back to the star port. The four of us will accompany Miss Bedouin and learn what needs to be learned. Keep your head down, and I'll try to keep you in the loop on this. In the meantime, I'd continue your investigation just as you would as if this never happened.”

Warmake nodded. “I'll report that your investigation was inconclusive and make sure to allow for your return if needed. I doubt anyone will look at this too closely.”

Jance nodded agreement and called her troops in to issue orders. Very shortly, the big ship left with Gail and Deirdre standing on the beach with Jance and three of her troopers.

“So, what next?” Jance asked.

Gail grinned. “We need to call in our guards so we can load up and head out. I just didn't want to freak you, or the Task Commander out.”

“What guards? We did a full scan, there are only the two of you,” Jance said.

Gail's grin got deeper. “Okay everyone, mount up! We're heading out!”

From the edge of the forest, up and down the shoreline, a dozen heavily camouflaged troops stepped out and began trotting toward the shuttle in a relaxed manner.

“Where the...” Jance said as she watched them appear. “Never mind, I'm not sure I want to know.”

“Chameleon tech developed during the wars. We had to be able to hide from the lizards as well as infected humans and other things. This was the answer. I'm just really surprised this stuff still works after so many years,” Gail replied.

“Somehow, I don't think this is going to be the last surprise you have for us during our stay with you,” Jance said.

Gail nodded. “When we get to where we're going. I'd like to ask you to check your heavy weapons. You can keep your side arms, but no one else except guards will be carrying weapons and those don't ever leave the base.”

“How is it that you can breathe this atmosphere?” Jance asked.

“You can too actually, but there is an adjustment period. This is our natural atmosphere, not what you’re used to breathing. If any records from the ships that departed had remained, you would have known that humans nominally breathe a higher concentration of oxygen... uh, ohto is what you call it.

“Our medical people are concerned that humans might have already begun genetically adapting to what you're breathing right now. If that's happened, then this atmosphere might be lethal to them. We'll make sure your quarters have the correct atmosphere so you won't have to go through adjustment unless you want to.” Deirdre explained. “The one concern I have is that our medical people have no experience with nonhuman races. However, we do have access to the medical AI on Addson Dee's skipper, so there is probably some information there.”

They were boarding the shuttle so the conversation lapsed while everyone stowed weapons and found a seat. Gail climbed into the flight area and began her preflight checklists while everyone else settled.

“I think you are far more than a simple messenger, Deirdre Bedouin,” Jance said.

“Well, I am, but I can't tell you what, or even what that means, yet,” Deirdre replied. “I hope you can understand that.””

Jance nodded. “I can accept that for now. You mentioned claiming this planet as the human home world. Can you tell me about that yet?”

“Well, what do you know of the history of this world, or of our race?” Deirdre asked.

“Other than it belonging to the Duke of Cassius and it being one of the more important ohto producing worlds in the empire, I don't know much about it. As for our history, no one really knows for certain. There are too many differing accounts for any of them to be creditable,” Jance replied.

“I can tell you the story, but I don't have any of the proof with me. As a race, we originated here, on this world. A few thousand years ago, we were attacked by a race we called the Sal'andori. At the time, we were poorly equipped to counter an attack from space, since we had yet to develop our own form of space travel.