CHAPTER THREE
Jeff followed Zarcon to the end of a long, oval shaped tunnel. Two doors opened and revealed a large room of computers. There were even more here than the Tolarion base on the island.
“This is our main control center,” Zarcon replied. “With our advanced technology, we can find out anything we want to know within our galaxy, and even outside of our galaxy. Is there anything that you wish to ascertain?”
“Where is Mars base, and how do I get there?”
“Computer operative,” a voice answered. “Mars-the fourth planet around Sol, in the Milky Way galaxy, star sector 555-78-90, in alternate universe 34677.”
“How long will it take to get there from here, even if I was to go back to my own universe using this vessel?”
“Three hundred and fifty nine years, two hundred and fifteen days, fourteen hours, twenty seven minutes, and forty two seconds, using current transportation.”
“I’d be happy just to see another human,” Jeff sighed in disgust. He hesitated, as he thought about Lori for a second or two. He began to miss her again.
“I’m sure your friend Lori is fine,” Zarcon assured him as he read his thoughts.
“Would you mind not reading my mind?” Jeff requested, a bit annoyed.
“Forgive me, Mr. Walker, I didn’t mean to offend. Do you have another question for the computer?”
“Yea. How is it possible for the Tolarions to move from one universe to the next so swiftly?”
“I can answer that,” Zarcon said to enlighten him. “They have improved the device to an extent, but it’s not perfected, and is still highly unstable. They could be transferring to another universe and create a void between universes behind them, trapping any other vessel in it. The ship could implode from the enormous pressure placed upon it if the wormhole collapses. The Republic knows how to perform this operation safely. Time and space travel are not matters to be taking lightly.”
“Which is why I came here,” Jeff said. “I was hoping that you could tell me how they found me so quickly?”
“Are you aware that each of their ships has a homing device?” Zarcon asked.
They left the room and walked down another corridor until they came to two sliding doors. They opened as Jeff turned towards him.
“No,” he answered. “Well how come they haven’t captured us yet?”
“Maybe the device is no longer functioning, or they are waiting to see what
your next move is, who knows? At any rate, I’ll have it dismantled so they can’t follow you any longer. If they’ve lightened up at all, it’s because they are toying with you. If you ask me, I think you ought to wait to leave. The Tolarions are extremely powerful, and unless you catch them off-guard, as you have in the past, they have the upper hand. You were fortunate enough to get three of their craft without being attacked. They will not let you do that again. I suggest waiting for one of their attacks. Then you can disrupt them at their source-the main control center on the planet Tolaria.”
“Where is that?” Jeff asked, as they entered a room containing large nuclear fusion turbines.
“This is our main power source,” Zarcon said, as he evaded the question for a moment. “It manages the entire power of this base and city. It runs on three fusion reactor chambers, which are located below us. This entire city can be converted into a spacecraft if there is a major disaster.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Very well, Mr. Walker. If you must know, you’ll find the Tolarion base at the edge of this galaxy. It will take approximately four weeks Mars time to get there from here, depending where you emerge from the wormhole.”
“Have they ever attacked this planet?”
“No, not yet. We can be a formidable enemy when we want to be. Let’s continue our tour, shall we?”
Jeff was bothered by his appearance considerably; his large protruding mandibles clicking but not speaking, the two large blue compound eyes staring down at him with an emptiness in them, and the long four arms and claws that could break his hand with one snip, and his uncertainty if he could trust him or not. He never had a conversation with an insect before, let alone one that was able to read his thoughts.
After they visited the power room, they ventured through the remainder of the complex. He was completely bewildered by their architecture; everything was made of shiny silver steel, and shaped in ways he never thought possible. Their city under a dome had a style of it own, totally alien to anything on Earth or Mars. He firmly believed if they were attacked, they would only sustain minimal damage. Towards the end of his tour, Zarcon came to a room marked ‘investigative research.’ They entered it and the doors shut behind them.
“This is why the Tolarions will not attack us,” he replied, as he waved his claw like hand. “In this room are some of the most devastating devices you will ever see. We don’t like war, but in a universe of violent races it becomes necessary to protect ourselves from those which mean to harm us.”
He walked over to two doors on the far side of the large room and pressed a button on a panel that opened them. They revealed a large thirty feet weapon pointed out into space; its tip extended through the roof of the large dome in the ceiling, similar to a planetarium. It had several sections on it and went into larger sections until it reached the base. Jeff gathered that this was so it could retract into itself for it to be more compact. He had no idea as to exactly what it was, but he knew it wasn’t just to say hello to their neighbors.
“We call it the Belorion death ray,” the insect explained. “It’s the only one of its kind in either of our universes. It is capable of destroying an entire planet anywhere in this galaxy just by operating the controls in the briefing room next door.”
This proved to Jeff their intentions were not peaceful. Maybe it was just a gut feeling, but Jeff was skeptical, and didn’t trust their rhetoric.
“Why would beings of peace such as yourselves create such a thing?”
“Deterrence, my friend, deterrence. Life is a precious commodity. It doesn’t matter if someone is constructive or destructive; they still deserve to live. Surely as humans have made mistakes on your own planet you understand that by using it, we would make a grave mistake. There is no reason to destroy the Tolarions until they become a serious threat.”
“You don’t consider them a serious threat? When will they become one, after they take over half the galaxy?”
“Until now, they have only been gaming with us, watching us carefully. We are at a stalemate with them, but if we could get somebody on the inside-”
“You mean to tell me that the Tolarions have this weapon too?”
“I’ve only heard rumors that they have spies here. I have no evidence yet. Is it possible that maybe you could help us with a little mission of our own?”
“We’re all outsiders to all this!” Jeff barked. He wanted no part of their battle with the Tolarions, and he couldn’t figure out why they wanted him of all people. “We just landed here because we felt it was a safe place to land, not get involved in an intergalactic war!”
“I understand what you’re saying, but if they have stolen the plans to the death ray, it could be the end of life as we know it for all of us,” Zarcon remarked. “You said that you destroyed three of their ships, and you obviously stole one as well. After the tracking device is removed, and our own tracking system is installed, it will be impossible for them to find you. It’s similar to what you call a jamming device.”
“We can’t fight them alone!” Jeff pleaded with the Belorion.
“Of course not. We’ll help you. You’ll be accompanied by your friends, my best analyst and a security crew will follow you in another craft. I would assist you myself, but I have my duties here.” They exited the room and started down the hallway. “I’m having a banquet for the Republic committee tonight. As a spokesman for the human race, I think you should attend. Perhaps your friends would also like to attend representing their small planet?”
“Yes, of course,” Jeff answered. “We’d be honored.”
Two guards approached Zarcon as they saluted. Jeff felt a little uneasy about the whole situation, but he felt now he could trust them after knowing a little more.
“Show our guest to his quarters, and bring him anything he wants,” Zarcon said. He turned to Jeff. “I’m sure you’re as anxious to learn about us as we are about you. There is a computer in your quarters that will be of some use to you. I will contact you when dinner is about to begin.”
He nodded, and followed the guards to the end of the corridor until they came to a room on the right. The room wasn’t very large, and the only items in it were two beds, two chairs, a small table, and a computer implanted into the wall. Dormiton approached Jeff, who waited diligently for the aliens to leave the room. Jeff held his finger to his lips, and searched the room for hidden microphones or cameras. He found nothing noticeable to the naked eye. As the Belorions exited the room and started down the hallway, the door slid shut behind them.
“Well,” his amphibian friend asked. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know,” he answered.
"They seem peaceful enough. They took Milgic down to be treated. They said he’d be on his feet by dinner."
"I think we should be cautious. I know they seem peaceful, but they have instruments of violence. I’ve seen one of their weapons, and they’re just as bad as the Tolarions. It seems that they’re currently at war with them, and neither side is capable of winning without destroying the other. They have a gun capable of wiping out an entire planet. I don’t like it!”
“What do you suggest we do then?”
“We’ll have to go along with them until we can find out what their motives really are. We’re all invited to a banquet tonight. Maybe we can get some answers there.”
Having not rested for a day and a half, he slept quite comfortably for a few hours. When he awoke, Dormiton was lost in concentration. “What are you thinking about?” Jeff asked, yawning.
“About what happened on Lingwort. Why did they kill our people, we didn’t do anything to them? All we wanted was peace.”
"And all they wanted was conquest,” Jeff stated, as he stretched and sat up in the bed. His tone was firm, but he tried to consider the amphibian’s point of view. “Look, Dormiton-you made a choice. You had to choose between running and making a stand. You’ll soon find that most places aren’t like Lingwort. Sometimes you have to fight for your freedom! If you’re blaming yourself for your friends’ deaths, don’t. It wasn’t your fault. If you must blame someone, blame your enemies that brought this upon you.”
“I will kill no one, and blame no one. There has been enough bloodshed already. We should not get involved.”
“We’re already involved, whether you like it or not! We’re going to have to come up with a plan of our own.”
He was interrupted by the voice of the intercom calling his name. He pressed a red transmitter button.
“This is Walker,” he answered.
“This is Zarcon. The banquet is to begin shortly. There are two guards outside your quarters. They will escort you to the briefing room.”
“Thank you,” Jeff answered. “We will be there shortly.”
He turned off the transmitter and the door opened. They followed the guards as they were instructed until they came to a large room with three tables at its center. There were ten chairs at each of them, eating utensils, plates, and glasses at each place setting. The glasses were an uneven peculiar design he never saw before.
Zarcon was already in the room, and greeted them at the door.
“Make yourselves comfortable, gentlemen,” he said. They walked over to where their friend Milgic was. He was much better, and fully alert. Zarcon addressed the guards as the guests seated themselves. “Have the Republic members arrived yet?”
“Yes, Sir,” one of them answered. “They are on their way up now. The ambassador of Zeloria refused to meet our advisors, however.”
“That is unfortunate,” their leader sighed and shook his head. “And I was so sure that they would be on their way to peace. They refuse to believe that the Tolarions are a threat to them, typical human characteristics.” Jeff was a little offended by this remark but tried to stay on the topic of the conversation anyway.
“The Zelorion people are human beings?” he asked.
“They’re human beings, all right,” he answered. “They are primitive, savage, arrogant humans. They refuse to accept policies that would only benefit them, and are currently trading weapons with the Tolarions. If they refuse to listen to us, the Tolarions will take their planet. We have tried to become their allies, but they accuse us of interfering. We have no other alternative than to discontinue our conferences with them.”
“You would just let the Tolarions invade them?”
“Well there is nothing else we can do. We’ve tried deploying troops there, but it’s getting so you don’t know who is fighting whom. The Republic suggests that there be no further interference, and I willing to go along with that. Let their own ignorance be their undoing.”
“You can’t save lives by condemning them!” Jeff said. “The Republic doesn't decide for everybody, does it?”
“Who is this?” a voice interrupted.
All eyes were fixed upon the door. A guest who arrived was disturbed by his words. He was an alien, resembling a humanoid, but had long sharp black nails at the end of his fingers. He wore no masks, so he obviously could breathe Oxygen as well. He had no body or facial hair, was white in complexion, and his red eyes were narrow, and were black around his eyelids. Unlike Zarcon who used thoughts, he actually spoke English. Again, this surprised Jeff.
“A native of Zeloria, perhaps?”
“No, Riona,” Zarcon answered. “This is Jeff Walker, an inhabitant of a planet called Mars. He and his friends came here in a spaceship they stole from the Tolarions. He believes that we should defend Zeloria, rather than choose not to interfere.”
“Nonsense!” the humanoid barked. “If we do that, we would jeopardize our own resources. They must combine their forces with the Republic for their own protection. That will not be possible if they continue to buy weapons off our enemies.”
“I see your point,” Jeff stated. “But I think you should help them anyway. Perhaps if a human were to talk with them-”
“Being human yourself, you should know that they would kill you as a spy,” Riona laughed. “No, Mr. Walker, it would be best for you to stay out of affairs that don’t concern you.”
Jeff was willing to cooperate, but he was growing impatient with his mind games.
“Zarcon invited me as his guest!” Jeff said. “My friends’ home planet has been attacked; my home planet has been attacked, possibly by these Tolarions! Not to mention that I’ve been chased halfway across two universes by them, and you tell me that it doesn’t concern me? I’d like to know what someone is going to do about this situation.”
“You,” Riona sneered. “Shall do nothing. Zarcon was wrong to invite you to this private conference. You are not a member of the Republic. It is in the Republic’s hands, as it will always be. I suggest you leave before the other members arrive.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If you do anything to prevent our agenda, then you may find your life considerably shorter, my friend!”
From his dark blue cloak that resembled a friar or monk’s, he pulled out a laser and pointed at Jeff. The guards prevented the other guests from entering during the incident.
“Is this your idea of peace?” Jeff asked, as he watched the laser in his hand close.
Two guards’ headbands glowed brightly as they approached him. He stared at Zarcon in distrust, but he just waved his four arms as if he knew nothing of Riona’s actions.
“Zarcon!” Riona yelled in anger. “You were a fool for allowing these intruders here! It’s obvious that they are siding with the Zelorions and are spies! I’m holding you personally respo
nsible for this outrage and you will pay the penalty!”
He pointed his gun towards the insect, but Jeff kicked it from his hand, knocking it to the floor. Before he was able to grab it, Riona waved his arm, and sent Jeff across the room against the far wall. Riona held open his hand, and the laser seemed to fly into it. The human couldn’t believe what he was seeing; telekinesis was impossible as far as he knew.
“Do you really believe you can hurt me?” he laughed. “I have twice your physical strength, Human, and five times your mental strength. You are no match for me! Guards, take these intruders and President Zarcon to the brig. Tomorrow they will be brought to Sentros for trial. I am assuming command of this planet until further notice. It will be my personal pleasure to see you executed Zarcon. I always knew you were a traitor to the Galactic Republic.”
The crowd of ambassadors in the hallway stared at their leader in astonishment as the prisoners were pushed through the doors. He couldn’t believe his own people treated him this way. When they reached the brig, the same officer who earlier followed Zarcon’s orders now shoved him inside the room. He held his four arms out to his guests in sympathy.
“Why is it that when I question orders I am punished?” he asked. “If I agree to help you, they accuse me of being a spy. You are no more spies than I am the leader of Tolaria. There is something going on here, but I can quite put a ‘finger on it’, as you humans say, but in my case that would be a claw.”
“It doesn’t feel right to me either,” Jeff replied. “Why doesn’t the Republic want to intervene with Zeloria?”
“Probably because Riona is right. To help them would be senseless. They would only turn their weapons against us. They have been siding with the Tolarions for years.”
“How do you know that?” Dormiton asked. He didn’t fully understand this thing called ‘war’, but he was beginning to. “Have you ever been there?”
“Of course not,” Zarcon answered.
“Then how do you know they are in league with the Tolarions?” Jeff asked. “Maybe it’s a propaganda stunt by the Republic to get your race to hate them. Maybe they have a hidden agenda that you’re unaware of?”
“That is highly unlikely,” Zarcon replied.
“There’s always that possibility,” Jeff said. “We’ll never know by staying here. We have to find a way out.”
Jeff paced the room as he thought of an escape strategy. Zarcon and the lingworts eyed each other over carefully, still not fully trusting one another. Jeff turned to the large insect.
“What are the headbands for?” Jeff asked, as he watched it faintly illuminate. “A weapon?”
“No, it’s my thought translator,” he explained. “It allows us to communicate with other beings such as yourselves. It is essential that we try to open relations with all forms of life.”
“Where do they keep the weapons here?” Jeff asked, still focused on escape.
“There are no hand held weapons, as you are thinking, Mr. Walker,” he answered. “Our weapon is the mind, which in some ways can be more effective. Our spaceships, however, are armed with photonic lasers, as yours is as well.”
“Considering that we’re all about to be executed, you can skip the formalities and call me Jeff,” the human remarked. “What happens if two minds fight each other?”
“The stronger one wins, of course.”
“Who has the stronger mind, you or the guard?”
“I do, but Riona is here, and if we escape he will know.”
“He is not a Belorion, how can his mind be so strong?”
“No, he is not,” explained the insect. “He is from a planet long dead. He is also the President of the council of the Galactic Republic, unfortunately.”
“No wonder he speaks so highly of it,” Milgic added.
“When did he acquire this power?” Jeff asked.
“No one knows,” Zarcon remarked. “We just know that he has too powerful a mind to suppress. He is in charge, and if you disobey him, then you suffer the consequences.”
“We’ll worry about him when the time comes,” Jeff said. “We have to at least try. Can you get the guard to deactivate the force field?”
“You like to live dangerously, don’t you, Human?” Zarcon asked.
“Can you get them to open the door,” he repeated.
“Yes, but we’ll be captured the minute we get to the spaceship, if not before,” Zarcon said, doubtful, as the guards turned their heads towards the four of them.
“Can you keep Riona occupied until we can make it to the ship?” Jeff asked.
“I can try, but he’ll probably kill me and come after you. He is very powerful.”
“And I am very persistent,” Jeff remarked. “We have to at least give it a try. We’re going to die anyway and I for one am not looking forward to being executed.”
The force field was deactivated, and Riona entered the room, aware of their whole attempt at a plan.
“I underestimated you, Mr. Walker,” he announced. “You’re much more defiant than I expected. It won’t happen again, I assure you.”
“If you know what I’m thinking than you know I’m telling the truth about Mars,” Jeff said.
Riona walked over to him, his face just inches away from his own.
“I know that,” he whispered, raising his right index nail to Jeff’s throat and narrowing his evil red eyes. “As you may know by now, I’m not all that I appear to be. Being leader of the Galactic Republic has given me certain advantages, including executing anyone I see fit. No one can defy my powers. I just thought that you wouldn’t catch on to me so quickly. Justice has to be served, my foolish friend, and your primitive human brain is no match for mine. I’ve arranged a presentation for you and my dear old friend Zarcon, I hope you enjoy it. Guards, take them to the viewing room.”
“What are you up to?” Jeff hissed as he stepped forwards, only to be intercepted by two of the guards. Riona then turned to Zarcon.
“Trying to test my mind, Zarcon?” he laughed. “Shame on you. Test this!”
He waved his hand which lifted Zarcon in the air and threw him against the far wall, bumping his head, and rendering him unconscious. Dormiton stepped in, only to be stopped by Milgic. The guards picked up Zarcon from the floor and dragged him from the room. Riona pointed the laser at the others.
“Let’s go,” he snapped, as he backed up and kept his distance. They were led down the hallway to a briefing room. Jeff couldn’t quite understand why someone as powerful as him insisted on using a laser. Perhaps he only had limited power over what he could do with his mind
“Your friend Zarcon will be fine,” Riona said, as he read Jeff’s mind. He wanted to do something, but with Riona’s extraordinary abilities, he found it difficult to escape. They were guided into the viewing room and instructed to sit down. There was a large viewing screen in its center, as well as a computer panel. Zarcon began to come out of his daze. “I know that our friend Zarcon here gave away classified information to you, Mr. Walker. “It makes no difference that his intentions were harmless. I have no way of knowing you are who you say you are. Spies have come before me, trying to successfully block my thought patterns. You have all committed treason. What is the sentence for treason, Zarcon?”
He raised his head, still somewhat dazed, but aware of what was happening.
“Death,” he said.
“That is correct, my friend,” Riona jeered and pressed some buttons on the panel. “There are billions and billions of stars in this galaxy and in your own universe. We can destroy any planet that orbits them just by pushing a series of coordinates. The Galactic republic is trying to negotiate a peaceful and profitable coexistence with most planets, regardless of their own personal interests. However, we cannot condone a society of humans who insist on aiding our enemies. Now I have two choices- I can either destroy Zeloria, which will surely start an unavoidable war with the Tolarions, or I can destroy your puny little red planet, Mr. Walker. What is it going to be?
”
“What do you want from me?” Jeff asked, puzzled.
“The truth, Mr. Walker, the truth,” he sneered with an evil grin. Jeff tried to keep his mind off the location of the Mars base the best he could, but found it extremely difficult. Riona approached him and pressed the laser against his temple. “Try to defy me, and I’ll blow your head off!”
Jeff didn’t want to see any planet destroyed, but he also didn’t want his own race obliterated either, assuming that the Tolarions hadn’t retaliated and destroyed it already. Why did Balta and Riona have such an interest in where Mars was anyway? His only alternative was to bluff him.
“Just to show you how human I am,” he joked. “You can go ahead and destroy my planet.”
Riona smiled, as he anticipated his behavior.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “The Republic has had just enough of Zeloria, so I choose Zeloria. Goodbye, Traitors.”
He entered the proper coordinates for the planet, and a bluish-green world appeared on the viewing screen. He pressed a button on the panel, which activated the death ray at the helpless planet. They watched in anguish, as the world exploded, sending fragments across space and the viewing screen. Over fifty million lives were lost instantly. The Tolarions would probably find out about it, if they hadn’t already. If Zarcon was telling the truth about Riona’s powers, and the capabilities of this new weapon, they’d better prepare to meet their match in any universe.