Tag: Caveman Chronicles

Visiting Wiag (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

Kpleeb paced in his room. The wall showed Niot below them, lines of fire, smoke, and ash spreading quickly across its surface. His hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly.

[I’ve done it again.] He sighed and closed his eyes [But they deserved it. They took my Thoka from me. They stole me from my home. They kidnapped my daughter and tried to kill her as well. They rejected my attempts to play nice. Obviously, they are entirely evil.]

Despite reminding himself of all the reasons he had to take revenge on the Xi, his words sounded hollow. He forced the doubts from his head. [I need to discuss with Zara the next jump.] Just then, his console blooped at him.

“Da,” Zara said, appearing on his wall in place of Noit. Her eyes were wet and teary. “Da, you can’t keep doing this.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Kpleeb knew the answer but decided to ask anyway. He shrugged half-heartedly. “Doing what?”

Zara scowled. “You know what! Bombing whole orbs full of Xi into oblivion.”

Kpleeb grimaced and felt frustration well up inside him. His voice rose with a growl. “They’ve taken or killed or tried to kill everything I love! What am I supposed to do, forgive? Forget?” He slammed his wall with his palm.

“I know, Da, but– we need them, and many of these Xi are innocent. They’re just Xi and don’t make the decisions.”

“There are no innocent Xi, Zara! Their riiat is on the Predominant’s hands, not mine. They made this choice and need I remind you that they did the same to countless other peoples. The tough decisions I make are a message to the Predominant.” He paused and shoved his fingers through his shaggy hair. “But believe it or not, I feel bad about it.”

“You don’t sound like it.”

“I really do feel bad. I do, but I also feel like it is necessary to make the Xi pay.”

Zara sighed. “Da, we need to change the approach. We need the Xi.”

Kpleeb was skeptical. “How do we need them?”

“We need to find the Predominant, and we have no idea where Nidix is located. I want to find out where the Xih come from and what kind of technology they have. I also want to know more about Qon. None of this information is going to come upon us without the Xi. They have such a large civilization and so many orbs. Surely there are records and other clues stored on their orbs.” Zara stopped and looked earnestly at Kpleeb. “Da, if you bomb every orb, we will never, ever find answers. We will never find the Predominant.”

Kpleeb pondered his daughter’s words. He tried hard to keep emotions from corrupting his thought processes. After a few long moments, he nodded. “You have a good point, Zara. We need to use Xi communications and records to find Nidix. We can always destroy the orbs after we search, unless we find an orb that builds Xi vessels.”

“No! Da, we will search and leave. We have some advantages, and we do not need to destroy everything we encounter! If we do that, it will come back to haunt us later. You need to promise me that you’ll only destroy the Predominant, and the ships and Xi that fight with us. Surely, revenge on the leaders who made these decisions will be enough satisfaction.”

Kpleeb finally nodded in agreement. “Okay Zara. Let me do the fighting and you do the searching. We will push toward the core together. First, we have to go to Wiag and see if there is a ship building facility there.”

“I’m ready when you are, Da.”

###

In an hour, Kpleeb’s fleet coalesced near the terminal at Wiag. Two small Xi ships were detected moving at a high rate of speed toward them from the Wiag’s orbit. Kpleeb sighed and tapped the nearest red-tiered console. “Xi vessel, we have come to meet your Iteek. If you attack us, we will destroy you.”

There was no response.

“Oiitr, prepare to fire, but hold off unless they shoot first. Let me know if you see any change in their status. Let’s approach Wiag quickly.”

Oiitr lifted its chin slightly and rapidly issued commands to the Greki.

In a few minutes, the two Xi ships became close and communicated a simple message. “The Iteek will see you on the platform.” The Xi ships slowed and began to follow them as they approached Wiag.

“What is this platform?” asked Kpleeb.

“It is the structure orbiting Wiag. Perhaps the Iteek wishes to risk only the platform and not the orb if you decide to ambush them.”

“Yes, I suppose every Xi has heard of me by now.” Kpleeb scratched his beard and remembered his conversation with Zara. “The fear it has instilled will be useful.”

Oiitr glanced at him and said nothing.

Kpleeb contacted Zara. “We are going to meet the Iteek on Wiag’s orbital platform. You will need to analyze everything there for ship building and conduct the searches we talked about.”

“I’m ready, Da. I’ll bring Viinox with me to assist.”

“Oiitr, the Greki and the Hsstak will dock with this platform. Instruct the remaining ships to remain nearby as guards.” He pointed at the platform. “Let’s go.”

###

Kpleeb was impressed. The platform was the largest structure he had ever seen. It was reminiscent of the Xi ships in its design, yet on a far larger scale. The walls were lightly textured and colored in a muted tan, and its ceilings were more than to arm’s length above his head. He stepped out of the doorway and saw many Xi standing at various distances. Clouds peppering the surface of Wiag were visible through a large viewport. The Iteek and his attendants stood closer in a small group, and they started toward Kpleeb immediately as a half-dozen Ganix warriors filed in behind Zara.

“Greetings,” said Kpleeb carefully. He knew that Zara held them in a shield that would probably protect them from attacks. “I am Kpleeb, also called The Builder. This is Zara,” he said gesturing. “And this is Viinox.”

“Hello Kpleeb. I am Iteek Oliat.” The Xi that stepped forward was much like the other Xi Kpleeb had met. It gazed at the group with emotionless, blue eyes that analyzed the visitors and finally rested on Kpleeb’s face. “Why have you come to Wiag? We are but an insignificant orb. We have no quarrel with you.”

Kpleeb smiled and spread his hands. “I have come to use this facility to repair my ships and to obtain organic supplies. We mean you no harm unless you attack us first.”

There was a short pause while the Iteek slowly looked around as if considering its options. Its long, grey robes shifted and Kpleeb caught a tinge of green embedded within the fabric. “While we have no quarrel with you, use of this facility is not allowed. We are loyal Xi, and we cannot aid the enemy.”

With a sigh, Kpleeb turned to Viinox. “Is this true?”

Viinox lifted its chin slightly. “This statement rings true. I believe so.”

Zara turned away.

Kpleeb turned and lifted his lightning spear. “Alright.” With a whine and a sharp crack, the spear bucked in Kpleeb’s grip. The Iteek was blasted backward and fell in a crumpled heap.

Kpleeb shook his head slowly and opened his eyes again. “I don’t know who the Iteek will be now, but the terms of surrender have changed. I will take this platform and all the vessels in the Wiag system.” He raised his voice slightly. “You will not fight me. In return, you will live in peace on Wiag.” He turned to Viinox. “Make it happen and destroy anyone who resists.”

The Xi on the platform stood silent until Kpleeb commanded them to board shuttles back to the surface. Viinox selected a technical representative to remain and then worked with the Ganix warriors to start the evacuation. After the shuttles departed, Kpleeb and Zara took a tour of the facility with Viinox and the Xi named Foawii.

If Foawii was offended, Kpleeb could not say. It strolled stiffly through the ship building section pointing out the various pieces and systems that transformed the stockpiled materials into functional vessels. There were three ships in partially assembled state, and Foawii explained the Xi personnel that conducted the work and the amount of time needed for each one. Zara remained alert but silent during the tour.

###

Hours later, Kpleeb stretched out on the floor in his room aboard the Greki and smiled.

[I guess today went well. Better than expected really. Zara was right. She was so right! There is no need to punish entire orbs full of Xi just because of what their leadership has done. I got everything I wanted from Wiag and only had to turn the Iteek into riiat. It’s a good day.]

[She turned away when I jolted it with the lightning. I’m surprised. I haven’t really noticed how sensitive she is? She is so young, but in a way, she seems so much older and wiser. She is certainly wiser. It’s a good sign that she is concerned about harming others. I’m proud of her for that… but what does that say about me?]

Kpleeb sighed. [Am I heartless? Maybe I am callous, but the Xi have really hurt me. They deserve payback. Yeah, I am a little cold-blooded. Far too callous.]

Planning the next jump (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

Zara sighed and pushed away the cluster of glowing dots. The map of Xi space collapsed into nothing.

[The terminals must be intentionally spaced out to use their power to jump between prominent colonies. It’s the only logical explanation. The distances are not equal, and some of them are not in direct vicinity of a star.]

With a few more moments of poking and prodding, she was able to scan the nearest terminal. It was almost invisible to the visible spectrum, and her sensors did not register any significant source of power. Yet, the pyramid shaped object did appear on her active scans. It showed minimal heat and no aji, yet when she prodded with a thread of Qon, it came alive.

[Clearly this device is a combination of multiple power types with aji being one of them.]

Zara stood and made her way to the command center.

“Viinox,” she said. “What is the source of power for the terminals?”

“Our instructional documents tell us that power was fed into the system when it was created. The records indicate that an entire star was drained of energy, and a second star was drained to sixty percent as well. The energy is contained in a mesh and does not need to be recharged.”

“Thank you. Can we use the terminal to jump directly to the core?”

Viinox tilted its head downward slightly. “No. That distance is far too great for a single jump. The network is intended to be used node-to-node.”

“So, what is the maximum distance that a jump can traverse?”

Viinox tapped a few times and then spoke. “The system’s theoretical maximum is around fifty kitrond, but in practical terms the distance falls to around forty-six.”

Zara nodded and thought for a few long moments. “I don’t suppose there is any way to increase that distance? What about using a smaller vessel?”

Tiirw spoke up. “The terminal network has been in existence for 641.6 ko, or just over 1,110 years as defined by the length of time it takes for Phaedro to orbit its star. There has been no known extension of the terminal transmit distance, but one must assume it is being researched. I was never informed that a smaller vessel would transmit farther, but I have been a part of fleets with larger ships that have used the terminals to travel the maximum distance.”

“If the XC vessels can travel the same forty-six while being more than twice the size of the XF-” said Zara slowly. “So, mass has no effect on the distance. Thank you.”

###

“I have something of a plan, Da,” Zara said pulling up the Xi empire map. She could see her Da peering at the map as it was shown to him within his room the Greki. “Viinox tells me that the terminals can transmit a vessel up to fifty kitrond. I’ve placed a radius mark on each of the terminals.”

Kpleeb nodded slowly. “It looks like almost every terminal can transmit to its immediate neighbor, and in some rare cases it may be able to reach a closer second neighbor.”

“Right. From here at Iriop we can move directly to Wieh or Giale.”

“That leaves the Xi with the choice of defending both which helps us. Clearly, we will have more directions to go once we are further into the Xi space.” Kpleeb frowned slightly. “I really don’t see much of a plan though.”

Zara smiled. “I’ve poked the terminal and have found some useful information. When I introduce a thin stream of Qon here,” she pointed, “the terminal power is amplified. Viinox has verified that the terminal at Noit responded despite that being fifty-one kitrond from here, and I am not done testing so it may even go a bit further.”

“Okay, your plan is to go farther than they expect?” Kpleeb scratched his head. “This advantage will help us in the short term, but they will discover the new limit soon enough.”

“It is enough for now, Da. We must move forward in a way that leave the Xi in confusion. Noit is a good test for us. Erit, Hioma, and Foir are all within range, but Kiep is not.” Zara paused and sighed. “I feel like we need to discuss our motivations and let these guide our path.”

Kpleeb shrugged as if it was obvious. “I plan to kill all the Xi I find on the way to Nidix, and then wipe out the Predominant there. It’s simple.”

It’s not as simple as you think since we don’t actually know where Nidix is,” said Zara. “I am more concerned with the Xih. They seem to have a significant technological advantage over the Xi. What’s worse is that every Xi I’ve spoken to believes the Xih as a myth.”

“Not Viinox, Tiirw, and Oiitr,” scoffed Kpleeb.

“Okay, every Xi except for those working on Xih ships believes the Xih are a myth. This kind of secrecy and technology is very powerful, and the Xih may be very hard to find. There are other things to consider, Da. We need more vessels, and Jorqu is incredibly far from where we are now, especially with the terminal at Juma being destroyed. We cannot rely on Jorqu as a repair base. We need to capture Wiag without destroying it, because Oiitr has stated that there is a ship manufacturing station there.”

Kpleeb nodded. “Fine, we can send one of the biggest ships back to Jorqu now and pick up all of the Ganix trainees along with the last ship being rebuilt. After that, we move to Noit and then to Wiag.”

“Another complication is that the kerflk needs time to grow, and these instant terminal jumps don’t give us time for that. I’m certain that the kerflk is giving us an upper hand that we desperately need. We need to take enough time to search for Nidix and the Xih.”

“Well, what should we do?” Kpleeb threw his hands up in frustration. “Fly around flapping our hands like little Rog wings and hope to live through the battles?”

“I know, Da. We can’t just take the slow path to the core, but we can’t win by just punching a hole straight through either.”

“Maybe we can partially though.” Kpleeb ran his fingers through his shaggy hair. “We can send every new ship on the slow path to the next terminal. We’ll lose the benefit of those ships in the moment, but it will give the kerflk time to grow. The random arrivals will sow confusion with the Xi. I would hope our terminal strategy will give us enough cover for the short term.”

“I guess that might work,” said Zara. “I have not found a way to make kerflk grow any faster. We’re agreed then. We will send the four new ships to Giale while they grow kerflk. It should take them about fifty days to arrive fully kerflkized. Meanwhile, we can jump straight to Noit with the rest of the fleet.”

Kpleeb nodded. “This sounds like a plan. After Noit, then Wiag.”

Zara nodded. “Okay. I need some sleep, then we’ll make the jump.

“I’m proud of you, Zara.” Her Da’s face crinkled into a rare smile. “You are so smart, and I rely on you so much.” He sighed.

Zara grinned at him. “Thank you, Da. I love you. I’m going to sleep now.”

The connection dissipated.

Iriop (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

Kpleeb yawned and stretched before swinging his hairy feet over the side of his sleeping sling. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and tapped his console to display the fleet’s status.

[Fourteen hours.]

The map showed that the closest Xi orb with a terminal, Iriop, was close after a long and tiresome journey. Kpleeb stretched again, this time standing and bending at the waist. Sleeping in a Xi sling caused his spine to ache, and he was irritable because of it.

[Almost five months stuck inside this bucket is far too much. I can’t live like this!]

He poked his belly and grimaced. “I need to spend more time practicing with the warriors.” With a shake of his head, he tapped his console again to contact Zara.

“Greetings, pater-unit,” said Zara with a smile. Her curly, brown hair shaking as she turned toward his view.

“Pater-unit?”

Zara laughed. “It’s a joke. Kanta was telling me a story from her childhood, and her Da was named Pater, and… well anyways. It’s just a joke.”

Kpleeb nodded and chose to move on. “Did you see that we are finally nearing Iriop? I was thinking that we need to start using the terminals. The travel time is just too long.”

Zara nodded. “Da, I’ve consulted the Xih viewer triangle, and I see a number of objects near Iriop. They might be Xi ships. We need to prepare to attack the moment we can. We can see them first, but they will also see us as we draw near.”

Kpleeb thought for a moment. “Have the two newer ships completed their kerflk shell?”

Zara nodded. “Yes, both are covered. It’s a slow process.”

“It’s a slow trip,” Kpleeb complained. “If we used the terminals in the future, we would instantly arrive and regain the element of surprise. The Xi would also be able to surprise us, but we can work on a strategy for that.”

“I’ve had a conversation with Oiitr about the terminals and learned some things. I will need to spend some time near a terminal to determine if there is some way I can tap into the slipnet. Perhaps we can use the terminal closest to Iriop?”

“Yes, maybe. We also need to decide how we retrieve and repair more of the Xi ships.” Kpleeb shrugged. “With the terminal nearest Jorqu destroyed, it will take too much time to bring ships there to repair and train the Ganix before they join the fleet.”

“Da, we need a safe place to do this. You’re right though. Perhaps we can find a place on Iriop that will be suitable for repairing ships. We need to focus on this cluster of vessels at Iriop for now.”

“Do you think we should change our course and avoid them? I think with kerflk and our numbers, we have the upper hand.”

After a long moment Zara replied. It is concerning, but we should be able to win. Anyway, with the terminal at their disposal, they can easily be waiting at any of the other orbs if we change course. For now, they are not prepared for us, but the more we fight the Xi and they learn our ways, the more our advantage will dwindle.”

Kpleeb nodded. “It’s settled then.”

###

“Huwt, fire as quickly as possible!” Kpleeb bellowed. The floor of the Greki’s command center buckled under him, and he staggered and held onto one of the slings with a death-grip.

The Ganix warrior Zara had assigned as Greki’s gunner did not reply, but Kpleeb saw his fingers rapidly manipulating the controls. Bolt after bolt of twisted blue fire was emitted and sped toward the largest of the Xi XC-class vessels. The Greki shuddered again, and a thin, acrid smoke began to emanate from under one of the red-tiered devices.

“Oiitr. We will die if you do not avoid these attacks.” Kpleeb’s forehead broke out in a sweat. He eyed the internal sensors and shook his head.

“Yes, Builder,” said Oiitr. “The engines are slow to respond because most of the power is used by the weapon systems. The XC-class ship is now disabled and drifting.”

Kpleeb bared his teeth. [The kerflk has finally killed its engines.]

Ahead of the Greki on the far side of the largest Xi ship, Kpleeb could see a vortex of the smaller, XF-class ships rapidly spewing bolts at each other. He tapped to zoom and saw that there were in fact four Xi ships and two of Kpleeb’s that were easily recognized by the kerflk that covered their hulls. One of his own, the Haartik, was venting atmosphere into the void while valiantly dodging all that it could.

[Haartik was captured at Liret. This crew is still inexperienced.] He sighed. [You must survive!]

The vortex broke apart as the Haartik responded to a flurry of bolts by exploding violently into pieces. The other kerflk covered ship fired upon one of the Xi ships, causing it to impact its nearest neighbor and spin away from the group engulfed in flames where oxygen vented from a puncture in its hull. In a moment, it too broke apart, and its neighbor also spun through a hail of blue bolts and disintegrated.

Huwt barked a Ganix curse and slapped his console in a surprising show of emotion. “Need faster!”

The large XC-class Xi ship began to crumble under a hail of weapon-fire as its engines failed to provide any ability to avoid the onslaught. “We must keep our distance!” Kpleeb was thrown backward into the nearest red-tiered device, and he felt a sharp pain. The Greki’s display flickered as it attempted to reduce the instantly bright glare of the XC’s demise. “Maintain focus!” he commanded. “We are not done yet.”

“There is just one Xi ship left, Da,” came Zara’s voice over the comms. “Please help. The Hsstak is unable to fire at this time.”

Kpleeb stood carefully holding his side that burned with a dull, throbbing pain. “We are still fighting. Huwt, target that remaining ship!”

The Greki turned over on its back and pursued the final Xi ship. It appeared to be trying to putting Iriop between it and Kpleeb’s fleet. “All ships, target that XF with kerflk and bolts.” It must not be allowed to escape.”

After a short flurry of attacks, the final Xi ship was destroyed, and Kpleeb began to take stock of his fleet.

Later he addressed his fleet solemnly via broadcast. “We lost four ships and many of our companions. The Jiti with my Hkkli friend, Nairo and his crew, Haartik with Kiz and his warriors, Giuk with Kopi and his warriors, and Jelit with Roaty and his crew. They will be missed, and… I promise that we will learn from this fight. The Xi will pay for what they’ve done. For now, the Greki will go to the orb and destroy their communication hubs.”

Two hours later, Zara called Kpleeb and her face was bruised. “Da, were there any extra ships on Iriop?”

Kpleeb shook his head. “None. I think they had launched all that they had and brought even more via the terminal. How could they know we were going to Iriop? Are you sure they cannot see us from a great distance? And what happened to your face?!”

Zara shook her head. “It’s nothing. The Hsstak was hit quite badly, and I fell. I am fairly certain the Xi cannot see us coming. The only thing that makes sense is that we targeted the nearest orb with a terminal, and they were able to predict this.”

“Well, I didn’t want to spend another month on the ship,” Kpleeb grumbled angrily.

“Me neither, Da. If we start using the terminals instead, we will have quicker travel, and our destination will be less obvious. I expect that the Xi have been informed of our success and will send another fleet here soon. We should leave as soon as the ships are repaired.

Kpleeb nodded thoughtfully. “Oiitr showed me the map, and there are three terminals within reach. I have chosen Wieh as our destination because I think Giale would be where the Xi would expect us to go. There we will stop and analyze the terminal and repair our ships as best as we can.”

Zara nodded thoughtfully.

“By the way, Zara. Do you think I should dress differently when going to visit the Iteek?”

“Uh,” said Zara with a confused look on her face.

“You know, like a ceremonial robe or something that shows my position as a leader.”

“I don’t know, Da. Why?”

Kpleeb grimaced and pushed his shaggy hair away from his face. “I- I feel like the Xi leaders look down on me. They clearly do not respect me.”

“You are alien to them. The Xi can’t help but see you as a slave. Dressing differently won’t make any difference. Only actions will convince them to respect you.”

“I suppose you’re right. You are wise for your age, my dear. Thank you. Let’s go toward Wieh now.” Kpleeb disconnected and issued the order to travel to the terminal nearest Wieh and they were under way.

[My girl is right. The Xi know nothing except action. They know me as nothing except a slave. They come to kill no matter that I saved their people on Liret. They’ve done nothing but destroy and steal and harm. The only way to stop them is to do the same.]

Long-term planning

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

I’ve been writing Kpleeb’s story for a while now – over five years – and intentionally winging it with each chapter. It’s an experiment of writing as time allows and not really knowing where the story goes. The problem is that a storyline with baggage needs to be toted. If Kpleeb is a meter tall today, he can’t plausibly show up being two meters tall in the next chapter…. Sure, it’d be cool as heck, but… Well anyway, once the past is written, it needs to be drug along behind the way a turkey buzzard drags a juicy carcass off the road. The burden is real.

I recently had time to drive for 15 hours in a day, alone. This time was useful in that I could plan ahead in a way I could never get working all day and feeling absolutely braindead at the end. There was no way I could end this story without planning, so I did. Meandering is not entertaining.

Then I had to figure out the logistics, and calculate how the slipnet works and the power draw over distances. I usually like visualizing, and I guess I’m a nerd… So I made a map that I’ll update with orb names and paths traversed as I move forward.

On my version, 0.168 pixel is a day’s travel without the Xi terminals. There are no conversions to kilometers, guinea pig feet, or lightyears. Gonna be a fun trip.