Test of Magnitude (The Torian Reclamation) (23 page)

Lan2 and the general both smiled broadly.

“That is the control pit for the Reep-2 canon,” Lan2 said.

Olut6 cocked his head. “It fires from the rear?”

“Exactly,” Lan2 said. “Should be quite effective against enemy craft up to three times the size of the ITF1. Also good for taking out gun mounts and missile batteries on larger vessels, such as those enemy warships.”

Olut6 shook his head and began walking in circles muttering again. “Unbelievable. What a day. First we get attacked by giant interstellar warships, many times the size of anything we deemed possible to engineer. Who would have thought such a thing could exist? Now I find out we have small interstellar fighters, and those don’t look like they should exist either. New technology everywhere—that I knew nothing about. New technology attacks us, and it turns out we have new technology that could have staved off the attack.”

Renal5 chose to ignore Olut6 and turned to the general.

“How big is this fledgling ITF1 fleet?”

“We have three operational craft at present, with three more on the way that should be ready by…” the general turned to Lan2. “When?”

“They are built and just need the systems tested, General. We can have them delivered in 6 to 8 days’ time.”

“Delivered to where?” Renal5 asked.

“Niptil,” the general answered. “We have them docked at a small station orbiting Niptil.”

Renal5 cocked his head, then straightened it again and nodded. Niptil was the sixth planet in the Tora star system; a rocky, reddish-colored dead planet that was of great interest to physicists because of the atomic structure of some of the rocks.

Olut6 spoke. “That is wise, General. And I see now why it was not practical to engage them in today’s battle.”

The general nodded. “Our boys aren’t quite ready to use them yet, either.”

“What do you mean?” Olut6 said. “One hundred hours logged, they should be surgeons with them by now.”

Lan2 answered him. “We have been disappointed with both the simulation results and the initial drills with the actual craft. It seems we have designed the ships to be capable of more than what Torian pilots are. Reaction times, change of focus, and instantaneous decision making are skills we lag in as compared to many other galactic species. In addition, the configuration of the Reep-2 canon in the rear of the hull results in a small sonic reverberation when fired. This causes the gunners to suffer short lapses in alertness. Occasionally, even the pilots have shown signs of shock from it. Therefore, it is best used as a rear defense mechanism, rather than an assault weapon.”

“I disagree with that assessment,” the general said. “The boys involved in this project have shown great enthusiasm and excitement as a result. Even with the limitations just mentioned, one ITF1 crew can do more in a simulated battle than ten regular fighters.”

“General,” Lan2 said, “if I may be so bold, one properly-crewed ITF1 operating at peak capacity should be capable of more than twice that. In fact, the comparison is spurious. These craft can literally pop in and out of space, appearing for brief moments and firing missiles, lasers, or even Reep repulsion blasts. Erob forbid we should ever have enemies who attack us with similarly-designed ships.”

“Well,” Renal5 said, “if we can design them, others can, too. I suggest assigning a team to begin engineering defense strategies against this type of weapon.”

The general nodded. “That’s already being worked on, Chancellor, but the ramifications are challenging. That’s why the ITF1 project is so encouraging. If there is to be a rescue effort for the Banorian hostages, these new ships are the appropriate tool for the job.”

“Agreed,” Olut6 interjected. “But we had better learn to use them—or get someone who can.”

Lan2 and the general both cocked their heads at Olut6.

Renal5 noticed something new was happening on one of the video screens, so he turned the volume on it.

“We repeat,” the newscaster said, “Banorian authorities suspect the invaders were from Azaar, a world approximately 2,800 light years from Tora towards the outer arm of our galaxy. Formal relationships with Azaar began only weeks ago, when they sent an ambassador to visit Cardinal-4. Could this have been an act of blatant treachery? The description of the invaders given by eyewitnesses matches the images of the Azaarian species recently added to the Torian galactic registry. Further analysis of the design of the attacking warships bears an architectural resemblance to the design of the Azaarian transport ship which arrived at Cardinal-4 just weeks before the attack.”

“Looks like they are on to the enemy already,” Renal5 said.

The general shook his head. “The arrogance. A feigned act of diplomacy, followed by a vicious, outright attack. It makes no sense, especially if they didn’t bother to disguise themselves.”

“It’s up the astronomers now,” Renal5 said. “If Banorian intelligence is correct, we could have the location of the hostages discovered fairly quickly. I think you two have some work to do.” He motioned to the general and Lan2, who then looked at each other and nodded.

Lan2 disconnected his lightpad. He and the High General bowed before Renal5 and said “Tulros.”

“Tulros,” Renal5 said. “Keep me constantly updated, please.”

The High General and Director Lan2 left the office.

Commander Olut6, however, sat down in front of Renal5.

“Chancellor.”

“Yes?”

“Get me two dozen more of these Earthlings. Males in early adulthood.”

“Commander—”

“Just do it. I’ll handle the High General.”

Renal5 sat quietly for a moment, reflecting upon everything that happened today. The space battle. The treachery from Azaar, if that’s really who it was. The damage to Cardinal-4 and the pending cost to repair it. The dead citizens and soldiers. The hostages. Then there was that abducted Sheen, who, not surprisingly, is suddenly supposed to be a new prophet. The things Arkan9 had said before were difficult to dismiss now, foreboding as they may have been at the time. Perhaps if everyone had paid him more heed, today would not have been quite so disastrous.

There was still a lobby full of people to see, and Renal5’s head was starting to hurt. He grabbed the box of Blackflower-20, poured himself a drink, and looked up at Olut6 before recapping the bottle. Olut6 nodded, so he handed him the tube and filled another for himself. They sat and drank in silence.

“All right, Commander. I’ll see what I can do.”

Chapter Eleven

“How can they be gone?” Brandon said. “And why? Why?”

Mip7 sat on the ground and rubbed his eyes for a long moment before looking up at Brandon and shaking his head.

“I have no answers,” he said, “only anguish.”

“Well I need some answers because I’m losing it, man. I didn’t risk my life in that battle up there for Tora. I did it for my people in those tanks on Amulen, and for the only other conscious Earthling in this godforsaken place, my friend and companion who we left ‘safe’ here on Banor. He’s supposed to be here! What did the attackers want with these Sheen, and why would they take Derek hostage?”

Mip7 didn’t answer. The two of them were back at Uden surveying the destruction after having spent the night in a hotel room at the spaceport. Brandon didn’t get much sleep. They watched the news reports in their room last night, and had learned about the attack on Uden then, including the abductions of Arkan9 and Derek. Up until just a few minutes ago, though, Brandon had been holding out hope that Derek was really hiding out in the bushes somewhere.

Now that they were here, that hope was quickly dissipating. Many of the shacks and huts were burned to the ground. The halcyon arc was gone. The modern building that housed the bar and arcade was only minimally damaged, however, probably from an errant laser. But Arkan9, Derek, and dozens of other Sheen were missing and confirmed by witnesses as taken hostage by the invaders. On the local hilltops, smoke from funeral fires could be seen. Mip7 explained to Brandon that the Sheen burned their dead, as was the custom with all Torians.

A figure approached them walking through the scattered pieces of burnt wood. When he drew close, Brandon recognized him as Nunon4, the Sheen whom Brandon had played the Othello-style game with by the campfire one night.

“Tulros,” he said, and sat down on the ground next to Mip7. Brandon sat down now as well. The three of them were almost in the same spot where Brandon had beaten Nunon4 at the game, near where the halcyon arc had been.

“Nunon4,” Brandon said, “I’m glad to see you’re safe. What can you tell us about what happened? I’m having a terrible time trying to understand it.”

“Lawlessness only makes sense to the lawless,” Nunon4 said, “but perhaps I can help you regain some balance. I saw the attack, from up there.” He pointed towards the hills. “I went up to watch the sunset. What I witnessed instead was the sun setting on the Erobian era of peace. Now there will be wars, I’m afraid, and troubled times.”

“You saw them land?” Mip7 asked.

“Yes. They landed in the village, right on top of our homes, destroying many of them. Most of those who were killed were burned and crushed right in their own house by the attackers’ landing craft. The others were shot with laser weapons when they came running up to see what happened. Some thought it had been an accident, but more craft kept landing. The invaders killed the first ones they saw, and burned down other houses, in order to instill fear it seemed. After that, they mostly just shot at structures as they made their way through the village, until they found the halcyon arc. That must have been what they came for. They killed two more Sheen who foolishly tried to stop them from taking it. Your friend, Derek, was fortunate not to be killed with them, as he was also running towards the arc before the other two were slain in front of him. Once they had the arc secured, the invaders began rounding up prisoners, probably as a way to ensure their landing craft would not be attacked on the return journey. Quite devious.”

“They definitely took Derek as one of the hostages?” Brandon asked.

“Yes.”

“What of Arkan9?” Mip7 asked.

“He was nearby with some of the elders. They had been discussing the things of the prophet tests before the sudden attack. They were also corralled and taken by the invaders. I witnessed it. Derek was taken into a different craft than Arkan9 and the elders.”

Brandon held his face in his hands. “This is a nightmare. Poor guy has been kidnapped twice now by aliens. These Azaarians don’t figure to be nice captors, either.”

“Perhaps the hostages will be given their freedom when they reach their destination,” Nunon4 said. “The lawless killings, as atrocious as they were, all appeared to have a purpose. The only purpose of taking hostages may have been to aid in the escape.”

“That could very well mean the hostages will be killed as soon as their usefulness is ended,” Brandon said.

Nunon4 looked to the sky and said, “The remaining elders and I do not feel that is what has happened. We sense the life force of our friends still, and believe they may live through the ordeal—especially since the prophet had foretold distant visions of his future. He also felt Derek would have a part in the reclamation of Tora.”

“Prophet?” Mip7 said. “Isn’t that title premature?”

Nunon4 smiled and said, “Perhaps, but not by much. It is almost certain he would have been confirmed as a prophet shortly.”

“But the tests had not even started yet when we left,” Mip7 said. “From what I remember in school, they would take many weeks to conclude. How much progress could he have made in a day or two?”

Nunon4 removed his hood. “Arkan9 didn’t realize it, but he had actually been performing the ancient prophet tests for many weeks already. It was part of the procedure specially designed for him. He did, after all, predict the first interstellar war, and the involvement of you and your governor. Did he not also know specific details about the Torian leaders, which no one could have known? And also about these Earthlings? His visions propelled him through the highest government offices, and he successfully began the revival of the Earthmen, which he stated would be a vital resource in the coming battle.”

Nunon4 then turned to Brandon. “Which you were. Thank you for your valiant effort. You are the hero of Tora, although it is doubtful you will be a sung hero. Also, I fear your job is not over.”

“I’m not doing anything else unless more of my people are freed, or unless it involves getting Derek back,” Brandon said.

“Of course,”  Nunon4 said. “That is your purpose.”

“I don’t understand,” Mip7 said. “If he is a true prophet, wouldn’t he also know about the tests? You say he didn’t even know he had been taking them. How can that be, if he really is a prophet?”

“A natural question from an outside observer,” Nunon4 said, “albeit an uninspired one.” Mip7 frowned.

 “It is part of the ways of the tests to fool the one who is taking them,” Nunon4 explained. “We have ways of doing that, which we go to great lengths to achieve. I regret I am unable to be more explicit about this, but understand we did not originally expect Arkan9 to progress so far. The great majority of prospective prophets fail the first test by actually desiring to take the tests. Arkan9’s stubborn resistance, his unwillingness to submit to them, made him quite unique. No true prophet ever seeks the recognition of being such.”