You have a lot to offer as a species if you revert to being the Meéjeirans of old. The Unation of your reality do not need another Unation species, they need a species that are growing and by growing, also awakening them again.
I can empathise with the way they feel. They have too suddenly been thrown out of their comfort zone. As expected, they felt insulted, tried to hide it, but among themselves they spoke of Robbie with anger. Slowly their backbones stiffened and the talk changed to how they would show everyone what they are made of. We learnt that trivial luxuries are no longer requested and careful planning is gone into as they plan for a future where they will have to rely on themselves.
“We’ve been here seven months, Haven are you in the middle of anything or is it time for us to leave?”
“Since your speech I have not been involved in anything that cannot carry on without me, since I’m not that popular anymore.” She gave him a grin to show she was not upset. “About a week Robert?”
“Fine. Cherine, a party in the Spartan world for the entire population and all the crews of the ships that happen to be here?”
She laughed. “Are you hoping to make them forget about being angry with you?”
“No, all I ask is that they love all of you. Speaking about that, what is going on Samantha? It’s been far too long since you had a private chat with Arthur, did I miss out on something, are you two not speaking?”
“Not that I know of. He regularly comes with his ‘hi and bi’ in case Michael wants to communicate with us, but otherwise nothing. Maybe something I wrote upset him.”
“Maybe he’s in love with another girl and doesn’t know how to tell you.” Cassie said, her eyes twinkling. That got them all going and even Robbie chuckled a few times.
I’ll wait. He can’t hold out, he’ll tell me what he thinks we did wrong some time soon.
The party was a great success. Towards the end of it Robbie made an impromptu emotional speech to a small group of Meéjeirans, so Cherine decided we must do a telling. They were shocked to learn of what has happened and were quick to reassure us that they will remain loyal to Robbie. All the captains and admirals of the visiting ships added their oath of allegiance, making it a very emotional moment for all of us.
We are jumping to the reality of Iziko to visit eight hundred years since our last departure, as requested. Robbie joked about forgetting to tell them to tell him so we came up with alternative things we would remember to tell them to tell him. Because we were all in a good mood, Freddie took days to arrive.
It turned out we asked to be told to come to this period for a reason. The nomadic species are just entering the galaxy and are obviously aiming for the same planets they’d attacked in the third reality.
“I’m not going through the same rigmarole again. It should be easier to deal with the nomads.”
“How, they’ve never responded to any of our broadcasts.”
“We’ll work it out once we meet up with their armada.”
The family of Iziko left, leaving his younger brother with us. The kind of sentimental reasoning that prompted us to invite him to stay, we thought only belonged to us, but he was mainly invited because we felt his wish to be allowed to travel with us. It turned out that though Iziko had not known him yet, his brother had met him a number of times. Iziko did not want to open up to his brother as we wanted him to, but their feelings of family are very strong and with Candy as an in-between he came to know and like him. Take a moment to think of how funny this time problem can be. Iziko does not know his brother so it takes time for them to become friends. Then, at some later time, Iziko will jump back to his time and meet his brother who will not know him and they’ll have to become friends all over again.
We first had to collect council members from each species as it was felt they should have the right to make decisions if we are to affect their people. That took up a lot of time, but the distances the nomads are travelling are so huge that even at the speed they’re travelling we have years if we need the time. Along with each council member came family in some instances and a retinue of assistants. More importantly, to them, along came also whatever warships they had available. They were too many for attaching to Freddie so they were taken into the Spartan World.
We were alarmed when we felt Freddie suddenly jump to a different reality and looked to Robbie for an explanation.
“Haven, would your people want to help?”
“Yes! How Robert?”
“They must provide us with warships.”
“But…they don’t have any!”
“Not even fifty years in their future?”
We arrived by their planet, Haven and Robbie jumped, returned, and Freddie did a double jump. We stared at the screens, excited. They had built two major warships and sixty fighters. We waited for the Unation council members and the Meejeiran to hold their official ceremonies, the Meéjeiran admiral was sworn to obey the Unation Council for the duration of this crisis (at Robbie’s insistence, to avoid them swearing to him). Two members of the local council joined us and we jumped.
“At the speed they are travelling they’ll take nearly a year to reach hailing distance.”
“We’ll have to over-jump so as to return towards them at the same speed they are travelling.”
“You are planning to attack them from the center of their fleet? That could be dangerous Robert.”
We jumped past them, the computers calculated the speed we needed to match them and Robbie was about to help Freddie do so when an excited Unation officer jumped to us at the taverna.
“Please wait Robert. We have found something strange. There are two vessels following the space nomads. Their design shows they are not of the same species.”
“You think we should contact them first?”
“We suspect they are from the galaxy the nomads came from. It is only a possibility but it has been suggested they might be of a species that were attacked. If they are here seeking revenge, they could disrupt our negotiations with fatal results - if the nomads respond to us.”
“Makes sense. We’ll jump to them first.”
We hailed them for a long time before receiving any kind of response. We sent a picture of two persons arriving at their one vessel. We trusted this implied we wanted to enter.
“Are you certain Claudia? We’ll be sheathed and I’ll be the void, but it could be dangerous.”
“Samantha is friend of aliens? That is one of her jobs? This is mine.”
“Okay, give me a moment.”
He returned as the void, sheathed Claudia after fitting her with the belt from the future and they left Freddie. We watched on the screens as they floated next to the alien spaceship while also sharing with them directly. An opening appeared and the two of them floated in.
About fifty aliens were waiting for them, all in spacesuits and each of them pointing what we presumed were weapons at the two. Robbie started talking immediately, causing a few to talk among themselves. As words began to have meaning, Robbie sent a greeting.
“Your translator is faster than ours, follow us.” Only eight aliens escorted them as they were led to a different room. “We cannot risk infections, our officers will talk to you through the force field.” The eight stayed with them as one of the walls became transparent.
“You understand us?”
“Yes, greetings, we come in peace from a solar system ahead of you. Why are you following the space nomads? Are you here to join them in attacking us?”
Angry voices came through until an officer silenced them. “They have destroyed our planets without reason, killing all our people. We are here to destroy them. As they approach your system they will slow down and we will attack. If you are here in the hope of preventing them from destroying your people, we suggest you join us.”
“Why didn’t you attack them while they were attacking your planet?” Claudia asked. “If you could not then, what ensures your victory now?”
“Victory? We cannot stop them, but it is a race without honour that dies without exacting a price - however small.”
Robbie nodded. “I agree. I’ll make you an offer, join us and obey without attacking unless I order and I undertake to bring all your people back to life and to repair your planets.”
“I need to know how long ago she died.” They told him and after conferring with them Robbie felt he could approximately work out the time in our units. He demanded he be shown where in the ship she was when she died. After arguing they agreed to take him if he agreed to be enclosed in a portable sterile environment. He agreed. Once he had been returned he explained to Claudia and told her to jump back to Freddie should they make any moves not agreed.
“My daughter will remain with you while I return in time to collect her soul and a sample of her cells. Bring clothing for she will appear unclothed.”
Within half an hour a body materialised on the deck. Claudia projected a sheet to cover her until she could dress. As she moved, Robbie returned.
For a while things went crazy among the aliens. When order was restored they questioned the female and then Robbie. He explained as well as he could. He still sounded crazy to them, but they could not refuse to believe their own senses. They began to treat the two of them with less bitter arrogance.
It took the arrival of the female for us to realise that all the aliens were elderly. They had developed methods of slowing down the ageing of their bodies, but just crossing the gulf between galaxies had taken centuries. Seeing the female young again had impressed them just as much as seeing her appear in a new body while her elderly body still lay frozen in its casket.
It took a while for Robbie to convince them that they are sheathed. They tested the room and finding it unpolluted they agreed to meet face to face. Robbie explained that the sheaths only keep enough air for them to breath for a limited time and they have to return to Freddie.
“How do you expect to stop the murderers? Your ship is large, but it cannot stop thousands of warships.”
“We carry enough warships in Freddie, should they be needed. Will two or three of you allow us to take you to our ship so that you see for yourselves? We promise to return you unharmed.”
They negotiated. They wanted Claudia to stay as surety. Robbie had to refuse as she did not have enough air left to wait there. I quickly supplied myself with air for a couple of days, grabbed a couple of litres of water and some chocolates and jumped. “It is now my turn Claudia, return with Robert.”
To say I enjoyed myself would be stretching the truth somewhat. They would not allow me to move around, guards surrounded me the entire time and only the officers on the other side of their shield communicated with me. Their sole mandate it seems was to question me about our armaments, the speed Freddie could travel and so on and never answered any of my questions. I soon dried up and refused to converse with them. Seven hours later one of the officers who had gone to Freddie appeared on the other side of the shield. I grinned as the others gaped at him in shock, for my family had been up to their usual tricks and he’d returned looking younger. He gave orders abruptly, but I could sense his barely controlled excitement. The shield was lowered and he stepped through.
“We apologise for our discourtesy friend of aliens. Robert asks that you take me with when you jump back.”
I grinned. “You mean I’ll not get to see your ship? …Come, let’s go.”
Name of species: Simfiroox (the ‘x’ is almost silent.)
Home planet: Afiaa
Description: Upright, like us. Two legs plus a rear leg. Rear leg is very powerful, providing the kick when they run. When standing talking they lean back to rest on the rear leg - also shows they are not feeling aggressive. Two eyes, but further apart than ours. Upper and lower lip and jaws stick out more than ours. Otherwise they are quite a handsome species and once they believed in us and relaxed, I liked the twinkle in their eyes when teasing.
A couple of names: Deffrepi (Admiral). Sogghar (Officer). Mahisso (female brought back).
“In our early years in space we found a planet in a nearby system. Ruins proved that a sapient species had once occupied it and our scientists spent over a hundred years exploring their ruins and learning their language. It was there that we first found reference to what they called the Mindless Killers. We do not know on what they based their theories but they believed the horde of spaceships are not manned. They believed the machines are mindlessly continuing as if their creators still existed.”
“Your galaxy must be older than ours then.” Captain Wasoúda said. The idea boggled our minds. Just how far back would we have to go to find the first species that came into existence?
Robbie told them, “Why would machines need water and air? Even if they cited what proof they had, I would still have to refuse to attack. If they were right, we’ll have to find a way to reprogram them.”
“We should be among the stragglers within fourteen hours Robert.”
“Prepare for an influx of spaceships Freddie. Leonida, do you wish me to assist you?”
“Do you want all the ships within Freddie!”
“No, just the admiral ships of each species. If the rest are required you should take them outside so that they are instantly available.” All conversations died as everyone stared as our sky filled with massive spaceships.
Robbie became the void, placing his body in stasis and we waited with baited breath as we came among the stragglers. We expected them to attack, but they ignored us. Our telescopes told us that at the heart of the armada were thirty one massive ships. Studying the formation of smaller ships it became obvious they were there to protect the big ships. Among the smaller ships were some larger ones built to land on planets. Those had to be the ones that collected water and everything else they needed.
“They can’t allow us to enter their center without trying to stop us!”
“I’m not waiting for them to try. Claudia and Samantha. Go to the Spartan World, I’ll collect your souls there.”
Just before we did as Robbie asked, the Unation ship tacticians warned us that the formations outside were changing, battleships taking position for attacking Freddie. It did not worry us as Freddie already knew what to do if they did, he would instantly jump to the void and continue travelling at the same speed and in the same direction.
We chose to enter one of the foremost massive ships. Robbie jumped us to its outer hull about midway along it length and then probed until he found a large open space within. We passed through. In a space that could have comfortably catered to hundreds, we saw five aliens. Without giving away our presence we drifted closer to them and listened as they talked. Because we were not talking to them it took a long time for Claudia’s gift to kick in.
Their conversations were trite or not what I would consider suitable subjects relating to survival in a sophisticated spaceship. It sounded more like the kind of conversations I’ve heard in backward tribes, nothing was said that did not deal with day to day problems of finding food, being careful of enemies, where to find something called ‘krahg’. Nothing was said about a crew or about space outside. What I found odd was that they did not discuss the slowing down of their fleet and the attack that the crew must already be preparing for. *I don’t think we’ll learn much more from them and they don’t give me the impression that they’re officers. Lets wander around to find someone of higher rank.*
There was what looked like a bridge area with equipment for monitoring the vessel and space but no aliens were in those areas and the litter on the floor showed some of the equipment had been destroyed. As a matter of fact, all entrances to such areas were sealed.
Robbie decided to return to Freddie. We found him in the void. Thanks to his science fiction books Robbie had already decided what had happened. “These are generation ships. From what we saw I think something happened to their crew and the colonists cannot access the control rooms.”
“The crew in all ships Robert!?”
“It seems so.”
“That’s impossible!”
He shrugged. “Answers to those questions can be searched for later. I’m going to check on the other generation ships and then a few of the smaller ones. If I do not find any crew in charge, we’ll need a few computer experts for analysing the onboard computers and finding a way to take control. Our first priority has to be the prevention of any further attacks. Our second priority is to get the colonists out of the ships and see to their numerous health problems. I suspect they may be the last of their species - I find it unlikely any species would send out such a massive fleet if their home world was not in danger and known to be dying.” I hid my grin, loving it. It is so long since I’ve seen everyone decide on a course of action because of unsubstantiated assumptions by Robbie.
This species follow the same conventions we do, naming their vessels and writing the name on the hull. Most species do not find it necessary and have no writing on the hull. A few have a symbol and some of the symbols are works of art. We noticed, as we went from one colony ship to the other, that one of them had the usual writing but it also had a stylised but ornate picture of a creature (it did not resemble the aliens inside). Robbie decided this must be the ship their leaders travel or travelled in.
The moment we entered we all froze in surprise. The bridge was also sealed off with evidence of a battle having been fought, desiccated bodies lying on the floor and wall panels and instruments damaged. The main difference was in the decor of the bridge. It was all decorated in a bright green with instruments and seating in different shades of green. Strips of glittery yellow broke the monotony of the green colours. The other ships had all been a utilitarian but boring brown.
We passed through to the passenger areas and gawked like tourists. Originally these areas must have been glorious. They must have filled the rooms with the best art their species had created over the millennia. Though their clothes showed signs of wear and tear, they were still studded with gems or showed where gems had been fixed but lost. Robbie wanted to spend some time watching them and listening to what they talked about. Feeding time arrived and servants brought in platters filled with food.
We sensed they were bored by the ritual but stubbornly clung to the last memories or else, to the familiar. “When skies were green.”
“When water was pure.”
“When the sun was whole.”
“The water leans, we must be slowing again. At last we’ll have fresh water and our plants will grow healthy.”
The rest ignored the one who’d spoken as they squabbled over petty gossip and slights. The one who’d spoken obviously did not expect anyone to respond to him and he emoted contempt for the others. Despite that, he soon joined them, his barbs sharper than those of the others.
*They don’t sound like a nice people.* Robyn said to us.
Robbie led us through the rest of the ship without making a comment. They were the only ship that still had a hydroponics section and we saw a number of people working in there. At another place it looked as if we’d entered a park with trees, shrubs and other plants of various colours. Even to our alien eyes it could be seen they were not healthy. Robbie returned to the first group and waited for them to disperse. He followed the one who’d noticed the ship was slowing until he entered a cabin and closed the door. Robbie took shape.
“Peace, no harm is intended.”
We did not sense any fear, just interest. “You are from the system we’re stopping at?”
“What do you want from our system?”
“Water, certain minerals.”
Robbie said, “That would have been granted or traded for. Why do you kill and destroy?”
“So, you came to whine and plead? You’ve chosen the wrong one for that, speak to the ship.”
“You are not the masters? Your machinery decide for you?”
“They have their functions and we have ours.”
Robbie’s head tilted slightly as he asked, “What is yours?”
“To survive, as with all species.”
“And those of your machines?”
“To see to our survival efficiently and with logic.”
“Does that include all your people, in this ship and the others?”
It was his first sign of real interest. “They survive? How many ships?”
“They do not survive, not like you do. Most of the ships only have a few hundred or thousand still alive. They are starving, ill and will soon all be dead, leaving the ships empty for your machines to run for themselves.”
He made a gesture. “Does it matter? We are no longer what we were, they are little better than animals, those of my ship too.”
Robbie smiled. “You do not include yourself?”
“There are a few of us who still think and plan.”
He reached for a button on the wall and pressed it. A panel slid aside and we saw a screen.
“Master Frin?”
“I have a visitor and he has questions.”
“He is not of a known species. Scanning shows he has no internal organs. Method of arrival?”
“Not known, probably teleportation.”
“Their vessel was sensed, but it disappeared. Teleportation is not possible for machinery.”
“Even though their vessel disappeared?”
“It was assumed they projected the vessel as its presence was not clear, same as your visitor.”
“The alien has questions.”
“I am not authorised to answer questions by non-Herminids.”
“I authorise.”
“Question?”
“You could trade for water and minerals. Why do you attack and destroy?”
“Not efficient. Your technology could grow to be a threat to our masters.”
“You follow the same path every time. Why?”
“It is known and collection points established.”
“That is efficient?”
“Explain teleportation. Is technology used or is it species orientated?”
“Neither.”
“That does not make sense.”
“Neither does teleportation. I am from thirteen million years in the future.”
“Time travel is impossible.”
“I agree.”
Frin started off by being puzzled, but he quickly changed to amusement. He kept quiet, waiting to see how the conversation would develop.
“Your species is illogical. There is little point to continuing.”
“To my continuing or our conversation?”
“Conversation. Your continuance will soon be dealt with.”
“I hope it will be efficiently? Bombs, lasers, those systems cannot harm us.”
“I always do. By the way, my apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I am called Robert. Would you like to visit my spaceship?”
“You can get me out of our ship?”
“Yes.”
“Would it be possible to take me to your planet? Dying there cannot be worse than living here to no purpose. To see the sun and sky, whatever their colour, that is all I ask.”
“Our spaceship is an entire world. I regret we do not have a sun but we do have a sky, if that will suffice.”
“Master Frin, it is forbidden to leave the ship.”
“If I am abducted by a teleporting alien, it is not under my control. Is it Robert?”
Robbie laughed. “When you sat at the table to eat, one elder mumbled to himself, what is your opinion of him?”
“The one who calls us idiots? Her mind is gone. She tried to break through to the bridge and her mind was damaged.”
“Can you bring her here?”
He shut the panel and left for the elder. Robbie faded and followed him. They found her mumbling to herself in the common room, ignored by all. Robbie formed his body again as Frin touched the elder, making her look up. “This alien wishes to speak to you.”
“I am called Robert.”
“Have you found a way?”
“Yes. Will you come with me?”
He wrapped them in his energy and we returned to Freddie. Robbie delivered the elder to the Unation ship, explained about her and they put her to sleep. They promised to let Robbie know once they’ve healed her mind. We went to the taverna.
“Frin, there is the sky you asked for. Still willing to die?”
“This is your spaceship? How many species?”
“Hundreds.”
Robbie left to return to his body. Even before Cherine opened her eyes she was surrounded and kept out of direct sight of Frin. We have the same attitude towards Tseri, though she does not like it.
His coffee and cigarettes were already waiting for him so Robbie sat down. “Your seating requirements are similar to ours, why don’t you join me. Frin, if you wish I’ll provide you with food and water and you may spend a few days walking around. First we have to discuss the plans of your ships and the future of your people - if there is to be one for them. You have brought too many species to extinction for your survival to be guaranteed at this time.
Do you see those two ships that have directed their weapons at us? They are a species from your own galaxy. They have been following you for hundreds of years in the hope of destroying your species. I cannot order them to refrain from killing you, not once you are not my guest.”
“Would it be the correct form of address to call her lady Wirla? I wish to know why she tried to break into the bridge.”
“Ah, that! It is no secret. She wishes to order the ships to die, in the hope it will kill all of us. She says it is the only way we will find release.”
For a moment Robbie hoped as he asked, “She has the authority to give such an order?”
“No. None of us do.”
“I have a meeting to attend. My family will keep you company until I return.”
Robbie spoke his thoughts to our friends. “I do not know yet what system of government they had. The opulence and manner of those in the leading colony ship suggest a kind of monarchy or decadent democracy. I’m making conjectures so I’ll be happy to listen to your ideas also. As seems to happen with most species, the ship carrying the leaders was constructed with the best materials. It probably means they had the best AI system available at the time.
I have not seen any signs of major laboratories. That surprises me. Their AI is not advanced and is inflexible. I would have expected them to concentrate on improving it while they travelled, but there is no evidence of that.
We have to stop them attacking any planets from now on and train those capable of being trained to control their ships. It means we’ll need to hack the computer system and reprogram it. I don’t envy any who take on that job as it must be an impossible task since we don’t know their computer languages. What is important is that we do not lose any data they hold. Their history and culture that are held in their data banks must be the only copies available. The people themselves have little memory of their origins and culture. Has anybody got any ideas how we go about doing the aforementioned?”
He was assured that the job of learning to communicate with and reprogram the AI was not as impossible as he thought as advanced computers can handle that side of it. They also reassured him they will make copies of all data so that nothing can be lost. What was a problem was the prevention of attacks on the Unation systems drawing close. There would not be enough time to make the necessary changes in the programming.
One of them asked Robbie, “Would it be possible for you to create a stasis shield and move them back to the gulf?”
“All those ships! They occupy a space far larger than any planet. No, I can’t.”
“Can you protect our people?”
“Why me? I thought that was the purpose of your ships joining us.”
“Robert, you can’t expect a few hundred to fight thousands of ships!”
“Alki, they don’t need to fight them. All they have to do is warn them that they’ll attack if they don’t move on.”
Deffrepi looked affronted and disappointed, he’d heard otherwise about Robert. “You do not make sense!”
Robbie smiled. “Shall we check my theory? Send out your ships, make an ultimatum, but do not attack unless I authorise it. If you are forced to defend yourselves, do not attack the colony ships. I’ll meet you here six hours after your ships have taken their positions and delivered your ultimatum.”
