Trial by Ordeal

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  Brian Goddard had not been idle since Tyler Burrows had disappeared in hot pursuit of the Helionians. He had sent inquiries to the authorities on all of the other planets situated in and along the spiral arm of Perseus. The answers that had come back indicated that a second Helionian ship had visited the sector prior to the Swiftsure, and they had appeared more than interested in the tales of Tyler Burrows and his battle with the Heliot army. When Brian Goddard received the message from Ray Connors, together with all of the news features, and an update regarding Caroline and her children, he gave it all to the super computer that they had brought back to Orion from Genesis, and within seconds it gave Brian its analysis of the situation.

  “Brian the writing is that of the ancient Heliot nation, I believe that Tyler Burrows has been decoyed back to the planet for more than just the reason given by the Helionians. I believe that someone, probably Ares Fortuna, wants revenge for the total annihilation of the Heliot fleet and its army, and I believe that he may think of the ancient Heliots as his own relatives. This event happening only eleven years ago is what is causing his anger. He disregards the fact that fifty thousand years have actually passed on Helionia between the fleet leaving and its final destruction at the hand of our friend Tyler Burrows.”

  The super computer thought that it was now a true life form and Brian had yet to come up with any proof to disprove this theory, and the computer had come to look upon the people of Orion and Tyler in particular as its friends.

  “I think Brian that you should send everything that you have acquired regarding our present problem to President Parkinson. I feel that we may be facing a bigger problem that we appeared to be when Caroline Burrows and her children were kidnapped. If Ares Fortuna wins the coming election on Helionia then we may see the Heliot nation reborn to terrorise the galaxy again. Until we re-establish contact with Tyler Burrows there appears to be no immediate hurry to notify Ray Connors, while Earth may need every possible moment to react to this news.”

  Brian Goddard thought that the computer was probably correct as regards who should be the first to receive their rather disquieting news.

  “It is a pity that you didn`t scan the two Helionian ships when they visited Orion, knowing the level that they have reached with their technology would have helped us to plan accordingly computer.” Brian Goddard said rebuking the computer.

  “The first starship was not much more than a small privately owned starship armed with a light Phaser, the second cruiser was of a similar design although it had a Matter Transporter fitted. Unfortunately I was busy on another problem, one that you set me, at the time of the second ship`s arrival, so I was only able to scan it as it departed our planet, and so was not able to warn Tyler Burrows about the Matter Transporter being made ready for immediate use. That they have a Matter Transporter puts their level of technology on a par with our own, as we too have fitted out our latest ships with such a device; however, I believe our Heliot technology is in advance of the Helionian. Ironical isn`t it?” The computer said to a very sorry Brian Goddard, who sent everything that he had on the Helionian problem to President Tom Parkinson who had been elected to the presidency just nine months ago.