Tag: short-story

The Energy Shield (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

“Lights off,” Kanta said quietly.

The room became pitch black except for minuscule indicator lights that peppered the red-tiered consoles. Zara waited while the entire front wall began to glow. In a moment, the view clicked into sharp focus.

It was a view of the void, black as night with random stars poking through the curtain of the galaxy.

Zara waited for something to happen and then noticed a slight quiver off to one side that was gone before she could truly focus on it. She watched the region intently and after a few moments it happened again. A faint refractive shimmer appeared for a split second as if touched by a passing speck.

“I see it. Right there,” Zara said pointing.

“Exactly,” said Kanta quietly. “There is a bubble of some sort that circles a large part of the void ahead of us. We will approach slowly now, and analyze the perimeter as we approach.”

The Hsstak slid forward silently and imperceptibly. Nevertheless, very slowly after many long moments she noticed that the shimmering edges began to extend to the extreme edges of her view as if they were coasting into a dark and endless maw.

Concern overwhelmed her psyche all at once. “Stop!” yelled Zara, turning anxiously toward Viinox. “What will the barrier do to the Hsstak?”

Viinox tapped its console twice and then remained silent for a long moment. “It is merely an energy barrier of some kind that reflected light away.” It paused as if reassessing the previous decision. “I have probed the area ahead of the Hsstak with many wavelengths. None of them affected the surface of this… whatever it is.”

“Can you probe beyond the shield with anything that might pass through?” Zara shrugged. “You know, a way to feel beyond the barrier blindly to see if anything is on the other side. It just seems…” she raised her hands and then started her thought over. “Let us assume this is what we have come for. This is Nidix’s hiding place. If this is true, Xih ships must come and go through this barrier in some way.”

“It could be at a specific point where they pass through, or perhaps the ships are equipped with a special shield or a key.” Kanta’s flipper hands glided effortlessly over the console in front of her. A cloud of data fluctuated wildly in front of her. “Or it could be safe to pass through anywhere. The spectrum of energy that this shield reflects is amazing.” Her lips pursed in apparent concentration. “Nothing really gets through except neutrons.”

Viinox lifted its chin. “Based on the heat emanating from the shield, it’s possible that the Hsstak will be damaged if we pass through. Perhaps the kerflk will protect the vessel in some wau, but it would be unwise to gamble with our existence. This may be a plasma field, and if so, the solution will be to generate a sufficiently powerful magnetic field to bore a hole in the surface.”

Zara nodded. “Right, if it is plasma, it will be contained by magnetic fields.” She grinned with excitement. “Viinox, let’s try your theory.”

A laser shot out from the Hsstak and the point where it ended pinpointed the Hsstak’s distance from the invisible surface ahead of them. After a few moment’s work, Viinox looked up at the forward view and tapped silently on its console. The Hsstak moved forward slowly, and to Zara’s great satisfaction, the barrier began to deform ahead of them. Particles were shoved aside as the fields melded and morphed, some scattered, momentarily glowing like sparks blown in a summer wind. Slowly a depression formed, expanded, and then finally, a space opened into the void beyond.

Qon flickered unexpectedly on the edge of her vision in a way it had only done a handful of times. Zara ignored it.

“Hold us here!” she said quickly. “Capture all the information we can through this puncture, and then withdraw. I’ll take the lower wavelengths.” The Hsstak spat forth a tiny probe that jumped through the break in the barrier, and in seconds, clouds of data flooded into the air inside the command center. In a few long moments, Zara raised her hands and looked at Viinox. “We have what we need, and I’ve not yet seen an alarm raised, at least not yet. Take the Hsstak out slowly.”

###

Hours later, Zara stepped back into the command center with a grin on her face. “Let’s talk about what we’ve found!”

“We found Nidix,” said Kanta, turning from her console. “This great shield is the most incredible thing I have ever encountered. I have studied much of the Xi library regarding the nature of their universe and technology, but nothing I found was described like this.” She shook her head in amazement, and water sloshed in her helmet. “And to think, I was a dumb being a short time ago. Thank the deep that I can be here!”

Zara nodded in agreement. “The same for all of us, Kanta, and yes this must be Nidix. It matches the location we saw on Yefrtil and the shield itself has no explanation other than to protect the most important orb in the Xi empire. Nidix’s star is probably the shield’s power source. It boggles my mind to imagine the engineering to put this in place.”

Viinox lifted its chin slightly. “The shield is as reflective inside as it is on the outside, and the Xi cannot easily see out. I believe they must have sensors located outside the shield, at regular intervals. Otherwise, they would never know if there was a fleet of vessels outside waiting to attack.”

“I bet the defenses inside are also breathtaking,” muttered Zara thoughtfully. “But Xih ships can come and go in some way. Another interesting item to note: The aji are not affected by the shield, and Mangas’ Xih viewer can see through it as well. I tried the viewer earlier today and am still able to see our small probe, Nidix, and two vessels that appear to be located in its orbit.” She looked at Viinox, “and yes, I can see that there are sensors outside the shield. I don’t know what their capabilities are, but it is only logical to assume they were placed to have full coverage, which means they know we’re here.”

Kanta blew a small stream of bubbles. “We should probably leave then. Xih technology is quite amazing. There are many energy sources radiating from the orb itself. Many appear to be omnidirectional communication streams that must reflect off the inside of the shield.”

“Is there anything that we need to know before we can enter and land on Nidix?” Zara shrugged. “We can’t just go in unprepared.”

Viinox spoke. “I believe with only the Hsstak and Greki we might be able to make it to Nidix, but it would be especially wise to fully research every option before acting.”

“I agree,” said Zara thoughtfully. “We just don’t have enough information yet, plus I would not want to face the Predominant without my Da. Will our probe pick up any of the transmissions between Nidix and the ships there?”

“Those communications will be encrypted and may not be readable, but the probe will collect everything it can.” Viinox glanced down at its console. “Perhaps we should return to the nearest terminal and plan for our next visit?”

“I agree,” said Zara. “It’s time. Da will be excited to hear the news.”

A Jump (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ 1 Comment

The Index -|-

Kpleeb woke two days later, and Zara’s face appeared above him almost immediately, her brown analyzing his own. The lights shone through her curly brown hair and he likened her to an angel that had come to bring him good tidings of great joy.

“Da, how do you feel?” she said with evident concern. Her hands flickered as if to rest on his chest but then rebounded unexpectedly, her fingers twitching with indecision.

Kpleeb took inventory of himself. His mind was vaguely groggy, but underneath he felt mentally sharp and ready to leap to his feet. There were various aches as he scanned downward: dull pain in his right side, arm, and upper leg, and a semi-sharp pain in his left knee. He turned his head and saw Viinox standing with another Xi dressed in red. With his eyes back on Zara’s face, he answered. “It seems I have aches and pains, but I’m alive. The last I remember,we were going to the First Terminal command center. What happened to me?”

Zara gingerly touched his face with the tips of her fingers. “We were attacked. The Xi commander set an ambush, but the issue has been resolved.”

Kpleeb looked around again and saw the Ganix guarding the doorway. “We made it through, obviously. Your shield saved us, right?”

“How did you know, Da?”

Kpleeb grinned knowingly. “The Xi would plan for us and try to overcompensate for our power. They probably could not fail except for the unknown, and your shield was the unknown.” He grasped Zara’s hand, and began to sit up.

Zara pulled and helped him, her slight frame providing only a fraction of the force needed to actually elevate his position. “My shield took the brunt, and because of it, I was injured too. Don’t worry though, I’m fine!” she said quickly.

Kpleeb did notice a few superficial scrapes on her face and arms. With a deep gratitude, he reached out and wrapped his hairy arms around her. “You are my life. I could not stand to lose you. Now tell me how this issue was resolved.” He swung his legs over the side of the table he rested on and faced Viinox and the strange Xi.

Zara turned toward the other Xi. “This medical officer, Olpre-wa, has healed you.”

Kpleeb noticed that Olpre-wa appeared to be calm. He nodded at Olpre-wa. “Thank you.”

Olpre-wa tilted its chin upward slightly. “My training allows for success, but I fear that by healing you I may have doomed many of my own species by allowing one such as yourself to continue his path of destruction. I hope you will consider my efforts an act of peace.”

“I have become more selective in who I destroy. My daughter is to thank for that.” Kpleeb looked back toward Zara. “What of the First Terminal commander?”

Zara hung her head, and after a long moment her damp eyes rose to meet his. “The Xi leadership here has been eliminated and their riiat given back to the Xi. Those in charge were without honor, blaming and hiding behind their underlings. In the last two days, the Ganix have crushed all resistance on the First Terminal. Many Xi warriors were killed. She looked at Viinox. “And- we have almost completed the system alterations that we came here for.”

“Incredible,” said Kpleeb looking at Zara with new eyes. He knew just how sensitive she was and how she wished to save all life, and yet she had acted to destroy enemies that had risen against them. “I’m proud of you,” he said putting his hand on her shoulder, “and I know how hard that must have been.”

Zara shrugged. “I’m not proud of me, but I did what I had to do to protect us. Like you say, Da, we come in peace and only destroy those who resist.”

“Peace at the end of a weapon.” interjected Olpre-wa.

Kpleeb turned toward it with a scowl. “A complaint from the Xi rulers?! We give what the entirely galaxy has already received at the hand of the Xi, yet we also offer real friendship. It seems the Xi only understand displays of strength. Perhaps you wish to resist as well?”

“I do not wish to resist, only to speak openly. Your daughter has also promised to spare me if you lived. For this I am grateful.”

“Maybe you can become an ambassador for the Xi.” Kpleeb turned away dismissively. “Zara, tell me about the progress with the terminal system.”

Zara nodded at Olpre-wa. “You may go.”

The doctor lifted its chin stiffly and exited between the two Ganix warriors.

Zara watched it leave and then answered her Da. “The Xi technicians here claim that the terminal system cannot be altered, but we have a workaround. Instead of accepting only vessels with hu-class systems, which emit a very specific identification code tailored for the individual ship, we have added a special code into the First Terminal database. This code can be transmitted at any time. Actually, any ship with the ability to transmit could use the special code if they were aware of it.”

“That seems easy,” said Kpleeb.”I mean, for someone as smart as you of course.”

Zara smiled. “So very simple. The harder part is that the normal identification code allows the terminal system to adjust its power for the requesting vessel because it is already known. The terminal system needs to know the mass that is being transmitted, and without the mass, the end result could be catastrophic for the vessel. We decided to calculate and transmit the required mass embedded within our special identification code. Now the system will conduct an extra step, parsing the mass, and using that mass to adjust the power.”

“Like I said: smart!” He slipped off the table and stood carefully on unsteady feet. He looked down and noticed that his toes were covered in blood. “I must have been really hurt. I don’t remember any of this. It’s probably time for you and Viinox to go conduct your search for Nidix. Right?”

Zara glanced at Viinox. “What do you think? Can Tiirw finish the terminal adjustments?”

Viinox lifted its chin. “Certainly. The work is almost complete. We have also discovered the mechanism to disable tracking on the Xih ships. The Hsstak and Greki can now successfully hide from the Xi tracking systems.”

“That gives us options we didn’t have before. Thank you, Viinox.” Zara gently tapped Kpleeb’s arm. “You should get cleaned up, make sure the security here is acceptable, and get some rest.”

“How long will you be gone?”

Zara shrugged noncommittally. “Biortl is closest to the region we need to search, but it may be well-guarded. The quickest path is through Biortl. We hope that the Xi are not amassed at the terminal, but we have decided to send through two probes without kerflk shields. They will exit only moments after the Hsstak and then continue toward Biortl to provide information and act as a screen for the Hsstak if the terminal is closely watched. Then we have at around forty days of travel to the region. Then another day or two of scouting.” She paused. “We’ll be gone for around 85 days if we return through the terminal at Biortl, longer if we are attacked or find something interesting.”

###

A few hours later, Zara, Viinox, Kanta, and a handful of Ganix warriors boarded the Hsstak and began the short task of preparing for jump.

Zara reached for the third point of the triangle as the ship approached the terminal followed by the two probes. The air above the silvery triangle began to glow as soon as her hand touched the final point [Despite the danger, this really must be done. If I can finally pinpoint the location of Nidix, a thousand years of Xi lies will begin to unravel. We will finally be within sight of fulfilling Da’s quest for vengeance. Maybe there will be answers about the Xih there as well. I hope so.]

Kanta’s voice from the command center broke through Zara’s mental focus. “We are ready to jump.”

“Let’s go,” said Zara. “Waiting won’t change anything.” The points on the shimmering three-dimensional map in front of her displayed almost two dozen glowing dots that represented Kpleeb’s fleet and the First Terminal.

“Transferring now,” Kanta said in a garbled voice. The effect was silent and invisible, but after a few seconds, the void around the Hsstak warped slightly and then changed.

When the Hsstak coalesced at the Biortl terminal, it immediately began to move away in the direction Zara believed Nidix lay. All of the points of light within Zara’s display blinked out and were replaced by a cluster of new points that were between the terminal and Biortl, close enough to notice incoming vessels, but not close enough to be in immediate danger.

[Our fleet would have been wiped out if we had come here.] “Viinox, I am counting forty-three possible vessels between here and Biortl. Take the Hsstak to her fastest speed.”

“Yes, Zara,” said Viinox. Its fingers tapped rapidly on the console.

The probes arrived just a minute after the Hsstak, appearing on Zara’s display as two small dots that began to move toward Biortl. To expand the distance between itself and the probes, Hsstak accelerated it’s mass in the opposite direction. “The Xi have begun to move toward our position,” Zara said, tapping to direct the Hsstak’s detectors toward the distant orb. After a moment in thought, she shrugged to herself. [We are as fast as they are, so we will at least stay ahead of them… until we have to stop and search for Nidix.]

“Kanta, let me know when the Xi fleet nears the probes. It will be interesting to see how they react.

“I agree, Zara,” came the watery reply. Kanta’s airo-walker helmet sloshed silently and she turned her large eyes on Zara. “I suspect they will analyze the probes and then destroy them.”

“As long as it slows them down, it will make me happy.”

###

40 days later, Zara woke to a blinking indicator on her messaging device. She stretched under her thin blanket and let out an expansive yawn.

Kanta’s voice began to speak as soon as Zara summoned the message. “I didn’t want to wake you, but we have arrived and there is something interesting to observe. We’ll show you in the command center when you are ready.

Terminal Reception (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

Kpleeb raised his hand emphatically. “Biortl is out of the question. You think they haven’t fortified it with every vessel and defense array they could muster? It’s their most ancient stronghold beyond the twin orbs of Jiwlat and Qaplas.”

“There are not many orbs left to conquer, sir,” said Oiitr. “It will be more dangerous whichever way we decide to go.”

Kpleeb shook his head. “I know that we are running out of options. I know this, but Biortl is directly across the core and has the most natural resources while Qaplas and Jiwlat are in the direction away from the core. I believe they will expect us to take Biortl, and yes, I could be wrong. We are in a game of lynx and hare.”

Oiitr paused. “Lynx and hare? I am not familiar with this comparison.”

Kpleeb nodded absentmindedly. “An old saying from Fab Elder Shoofit… about the lynx and the hare. I never understood it until the Xih altered my brain, but the main point is… His eyes suddenly widened. “What about sending a spy probe through the terminal to Biortl?”

“Uhm-” Oiitr looked down at its red tiered device momentarily while adjusting to Kpleeb’s thought shift. “A spy probe. Unfortunately, we do not have a terminal registration for any probe. We could send a vessel, but it would not seem wise to waste a vessel and crew just to see if it comes back alive.”

Kpleeb grunted. “How many days to send a probe to Biortl without the terminal?”

“595 days.”

Kpleeb grunted again. “We are effectively stuck. What will it take to register more vessels for the terminal?”

Oiitr responded quickly. “The vessel has to have at least a hu-class control system, and then the vessel’s identifier must be added to the terminal database. This can only be done at the First Terminal.”

“That’s near Jiwlat, correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

Kpleeb raked his hair back with his fingers and paced across the command center twice. “It seems the noose will only tighten around our necks as we carry on. We have to go the First Terminal and change the balance of the future in our favor.”

“If you mean to register more vessels, we cannot unless we have vessels that are ready. We could travel to the great lutu manufacturing facility at Diport and take all of the smaller vessels for registration.”

“No,” said Kpleeb.”We will make the terminals allow any ship that can transmit a request code. I bet Zara can set this up with your help, and perhaps Tiirw can help as well.” He cracked his knuckles. “Someone will get it done, one way or another. I’ll talk to Zara about it.”

When her communicator beeped, Zara answered and spoke first. “Yes, Da?”

“We will need the terminals to work for us. Oiitr and I were talking about going to the First Terminal and changing the system to allow any ship to pass through as long as they can identify themselves using a simple code transmission. Can you work with Oiitr and Tiirw to make that happen?”

Zara paused to think. “Well- It’s a good idea. It will give us options we did not have before. Also, perhaps we can find a way to mine the First Terminal records for Xih ship patterns and locations of Nidix. That reminds me as well. Viinox and I went to the Yowiil Observatory and have not spotted anything where I believe Nidix is hiding. Our plan is to take the Hsstak to the region and obtain closer scans. We will first alter the Hsstak and Greki to make them appear invisible to the regular Xi vessel tracking systems.”

Kpleeb shook his head. “Seems like a waste. If the observatory can’t see Nidix, how will you see it by going there? Seems like a lot of risk.”

“If Nidix is there and cloaked, it would have been tuned to appear invisible to all known observatories. There is nothing more real than being there in person with our own eyes and sensors.” Zara smiled at her Da. “I would prefer to take the Hsstak to Nidix alone in secret, but first we can go to the First Terminal. Perhaps I will find more information about the Xih and Nidix.”

“Okay,” said Kpleeb gruffly, “We’ll start making plans.”

If seems like there are never ending tasks. Never ending barriers between the Predominant and my vengeance. … but I suppose that’s why they set all this up, to protect themselves.

###

Kpleeb felt an uncommon tension as the Hsstak and Greki coalesced into the void at the terminal nearest to Jiwlat. Tiirw had expressed uncertainty about whether the alteration to the Xih ships would function as expected.

According to Tiirw, “Only the Xih vessels have this extra hardware, the combination of certain hu-flugens and other exotic materials I have not seen before. I see the interface and the effects on the vessel, but I don’t fully understand the source.”

Now, the void around the terminal was empty, and the two ships approached the First Terminal. It glittered in the distance, and to Kpleeb, it looked like a needle. On one end, the gleaming tip was as sharp as anything. On the other end, a teardrop bulb spun lazily. As they approached, the structure grew in size until it dwarfed the two ships “So, very huge,” said Kpleeb quietly.

The ships both landed in a large slot that was set in the side of the First Terminal, and passed through a faintly glowing field that appeared to protect them from the void. Twenty-eight Xi in silvery armor stepped forward from the edges and surrounded the ships where they rested.

Kpleeb grinned to himself. “They want to show power?” He tapped a nearby console and spoke. “Dear Xi. If you attack us, I will destroy you. We wish to talk with your Iteek.”

Oiitr spoke softly. “Sir. If they attack, it will be directed at you and Zara. They will not harm the vessels while we are docked at the First Terminal as it would also harm the structure.”

Kpleeb nodded. “Zara, exit together prepared to defend.”

The doors to both the Hsstak and the Greki opened in unison, and there was a long pause before seven Ganix warriors trotted out from each ship and stopped in front of the Xi guard. Zara and Kpleeb exited at the same time as well, followed by Viinox and Oiitr.

Kpleeb looked at the Xi warriors as if he was a commander surveying his troops. He had become confident in Zara’s ability to shield him from harm, and after a moment, he walked out to the Xi, passing in front of their lines slowly. He eyeballed each of the warriors slowly as he passed them. They were identical in every way. Their eyes a cold blue and petite mouth closed. Their burnished silvery armor extended to the crown of their head, completely covering the breathing slits, yet still leaving a bare circle of skin exposed on the very top.

“Well,” said Kpleeb, stopping in front of what appeared to be a large doorway, “take us to your leader.” He gestured at the door. “I don’t want to stand here here all day.”

After a few moments of silence, Zara approached. “Da, Viinox says there are no messages and no movements. I am sensing nothing odd about the aji in this place.”

“Does it know where the command center is located?”

Zara nodded. “Viinox says it is not far from here.”

Kpleeb looked at one of the nearby Xi. “We will visit your command center now.” Looking at Viinox he said. “You lead the way.”

Fourteen Xi warriors pivoted and walked through the door followed by Viinox and seven Ganix bringing up the rear, disciplined and wary. Zara walked with Kpleeb. “Da, I have a bad feeling about this. It’s all just too strange, the warriors, and lack of a receptive leader.”

“We will be very cautious. You do have an aji shield ready?”

“Yes,” said Zara. “I am covering me and you, Viinox and Oiitr mostly, but a little on the Ganix as well. I am trying to grow stronger with the coverage, but…”

“Just do your best.” He winked. “We’ll be fine.”

The squadron exited the landing bay, their footsteps echoing down the corridor. They’d barely reached the first set of doors flanking the passage when twin explosions ripped through the metal. Shards of lak tore into the front line of Ganix warriors.

The impact slammed against Zara’s shield, her cry lost in the deafening blast. Her vision stuttered, and suddenly the hallway tilted—the floor now a vertical stripe to her right. Through swirling dust, she glimpsed the broken forms of her friends. Qon grew slippery in her palm; she clutched it tighter.

Silver-booted feet pivoted in slow motion. Lightning spears discharged behind her with their distinctive whine-crack. Her ears rang, muffling everything else. Xi warriors fell, their armor catching the light in one final gleam before darkness swallowed her consciousness and Qon slipped away.

Consciousness returned to Zara in an instant. Above her, shadows gathered on the ceiling, while harsh light flooded in from the sides of her vision. When she shifted her gaze toward the light, she found her Da stretched out on a lak table nearby. A Xi loomed over his body, its lanky form draped in a soft red cloak, while crimson droplets dripped steadily onto the floor below.

Instantly and without thinking, Zara reached for Qon’s familiar power and let out a hoarse scream as a blunt jackhammer of Qon erupted from her outstretched hand. The Xi’s red cloak ballooned violently outward as its torso erupted. Viscous gray goo sprayed in all directions as the Xi crumpled into a formless heap of cloth and ooze.

Viiinox immediately appeared before her with its neck-slits fluttering rapidly. “Zara, you’ve killed Jiartl-wa, the primary medical officer here at the First Terminal.”

“I don’t understand,” said Zara with a shake of her head.

“The Builder is injured, and Jiartl-wa was repairing his body.”

It took Zara a long moment to realize what she had done. “Da!” she cried. She lurched upward only to collapse as needles of pain shot through her. Viinox firmly pressed down on her shoulder with gentle insistence. Beyond them, she could see a teardrop-shaped device methodically vacuuming the gelatinous remains of what had once been Jiartl-wa.

“Zara, we have already called another medical officer. This one will arrive soon and continue its work.” Viinox blinked as if the loss of the primary doctor was no issue.

Tears welled in Zara’s eyes at the sight of her Da on the table. His exposed chest rose and fell with shallow, uncertain breaths while crimson droplets marked time against the floor below.

Moments later, a red-cloaked Xi hurried into the chamber. Two Xi warriors followed in its wake, only to find their path blocked by a cluster of Ganix standing guard at the entrance.

The doctor brushed past Zara without acknowledgment, focusing instead on Kpleeb’s prone form. After a brief examination, it turned, addressing Zara first before shifting attention to Viinox. “Your Builder, as you refer to this primitive specimen, suffers critical injuries. Death approaches. Treatment must commence immediately.” The doctor’s gaze returned to Zara, voice dropping. “Please do not kill me.”

Zara nodded. “You must heal him.”

The red-cloaked Xi worked rapidly over Kpleeb, as Zara watched anxiously. Each labored breath from her Da felt like a countdown. Viinox grasped her hand. “You are injured as well. Sleep.”

Zara focused inward, still holding Qon. Each of her own pains registered again through an incoming haze. Viinox patted her hand. Then, nothing.