The Death Filament: Some Places Should Be Avoided Read online

  Sam rolled his eyes, “Get serious. The reason we wouldn’t send our ships is because we don’t have enough to send. The Tronan could use thirty-million warships to defend their important planets and still send twenty-million to attack us here!”

  “There is one other possibility,” the Computer interrupted.

  Leo’s head went back slightly, “What is that?”

  “We allow them to launch another invasion.”

  Sam smiled, “That idea has merit.”

  Leo looked at him, “Why do you say that?! They’ll send multiple fleets to investigate the loss of their warships at Heaven.”

  Sam shrugged, “But they won’t send more than five or six fleets to investigate. We could take them out and give ourselves another three or four years.”

  “You’re assuming we could defeat them,” Gregor replied.

  Sam shrugged, “We should be evenly matched in numbers and our ships are able to defeat them one-on-one. We just have to make sure that none of them manage to get a message probe back to their leaders letting them know about our technology.”

  “There’s no way we could stop millions of message probes without at least one getting through,” Gregor said rolling his eyes. “You know how hard it was just stopping the probes from two hundred Tronan Warships.”

  Sam shrugged, “Even if one does manage to get by us, it will take it more than a year to get back and another year or two for them to respond. That’s another two years and maybe by then we could go to their territory and start our attacks on important targets, which will delay their next invasion for a while.” Sam looked up, “Do you agree with that analysis, Computer.”

  “I suspect it will delay them if a message probe gets through but not for a long period.”

  “Why not?” Leo asked.

  “Like you said earlier, they’ll keep enough ships to defend their important planets and send the remainder here to eliminate us. It will take them some time to determine how many ships they’ll need to defend their planets but once that’s done, they will launch a major invasion,” the Computer answered.

  Gregor shook his head, “Then I see no reason to wait for them to launch a fleet to investigate.”

  Sam smiled, “Gregor, there’s four years we may have to develop something that will make the difference in defeating them. Allowing them to launch another investigation buys us additional time. We need to delay the final confrontation as long as possible.”

  Gregor snorted, “I just hate the waiting. Knowing there’s a sword hanging over us just drives me crazy.”

  Sam smiled, “You and Kaley are going to have a lot to do during that time.”

  Gregor’s eyes widened, “Why do you say that?”

  “Because you are going to have to develop the ground forces we’re going to need to remove the Tronan from any planet they invade here. Defeating them in space is only part of what we’ll have to do. Have no doubt, they will manage to land on some planets in our space if they bring troop transports in the next invasion and we can’t allow them to consume the populations.”

  Gregor stared at Sam and then exhaled sharply, “I’ll need a lot of time to make that happen.”

  “Use it wisely, my friend. I think using the warriors on Bellingham along with the Dragon Warriors would be a good place to start building your forces.” Sam looked at Leo, “We’re going to need to send ships out to keep an eye on the filament that the Tronan will take to get here.”

  Embree, who had remained silent during the discussion, said, “I’ll use the ships in my fleet to handle that issue. I’ll keep you informed about when they launch and how many warships are coming.”

  “Don’t allow them to detect your ships!” Leo said.

  “I won’t. I’ll use long-distance stealth-probes to do the heavy lifting.”

  Leo nodded, “That would be wise.”

  Gregor looked at the three and said, “So when do we go after this coming invasion?”

  Sam smiled, “When they arrive at Heaven.” Gregor nodded and smiled with him. That would be appropriate place to start.

  • • •

  The Prime Director hear a tone on his panel and pressed a button. He listened to a recording he made earlier and then pressed another button. A Major Fleet Director appeared on his panel and he said, “I’m curious about the status of the two-hundred warships we sent to investigate the loss of one of our warships. Have you heard anything from them?”

  “No, the last report was that they were going to have to take a longer, different route to arrive at the last reported coordinates of the original ship. I suspect they would have to explore the filament network in that space to find another way to get there.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It could very likely take an additional year.”

  The Prime Director stared at him and then shrugged, “I’ll check back with you in a year. If you hear anything, notify me immediately.”

  “I will, Prime Director.” The panel’s display went dark and the Major Fleet Director sat back in his chair. He almost sent more ships to investigate but decided that wasn’t a good idea. The Squadron he sent could have handled the issue already and it would be wasted effort. He should be hearing something within a year. He looked at his panel and ordered the ground assault to commence. He almost regretted sending the squadron that far to investigate. But it is what it is. He set his panel to remind him in a year and turned his attention to the planet one of his fleets was invading. Once this invasion was moving ahead, he needed to go to four other planets to check on the status of the invasions taking place. He had more important things going on than the status of two-hundred warships.

  • • •

  Elena left sword practice and walked slowly toward her house. She was weary and the walk seemed to take forever. She entered and heard Angel said, “How is practice going?”

  Elena collapsed into her chair, “Sword training is a lot harder than archery practice. Our trainers are really good and it’s getting increasingly harder to keep up with them.”

  Angel hugged her daughter and smiled, “I’ve been told you’re doing quite well.”

  Elena sighed, “I guess. I’m doing better than most of the trainees but I just expect more of myself after so much practice.”

  “How do you like the new swords?” Angel asked.

  “They’re…different.”

  “In what way?”

  “The blade is wider than the previous swords and the blades are sharper.”

  Angel’s eyes narrowed, “Why is that?”

  “Our trainers believe a projectile or blaster beam can be deflected by our swords. Of course, that would require a high level of concentration to get the blade in the path of a projectile or blaster beam.”

  “Does it work?”

  “Some of us have had some success blocking them. The training beams shock us when they get through, so the trainees are trying their best to block them. I’ve found it easier to just step out of the way.”

  “You’re developing your talents.”

  “I guess. Fighting in light armor inhibits some freedom of motion but we’ve been told we will survive a blaster beam if we’re hit. Multiple hits will kill us but we’re making progress.” Elena paused and said, “Mom.”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you had a vision about those creatures coming back?”

  Angel looked at Elena and frowned, “No, have you?”

  “I had one during a break in our training.”

  “What did you see?”

  “I was fighting on a planet and saw one of their mobile blasters firing a huge beam at my unit.”

  “Do you know what planet you were on?”

  Elena shook her head, “No, I know it wasn’t on Bellingham.”

  “I want you to tell Sam what you saw when he comes home.”

  Elena nodded and began taking off her sweaty clothes. She was tired to the bone and went t
o her bed after her bath. She had to be awakened to get up and eat her dinner.

  • • •

  Sam arrived at dinner time and Angel told him about Elena’s vision as he cleaned up. He waited for the meal to be completed and then looked at Elena, “Tell me about this vision you’ve had.”

  “I am in a city fighting those creatures that destroyed Heaven. One of their mobile weapons fired a heavy blaster at my unit.”

  “Did it hit you?”

  Elena hesitated before saying, “I’m not…really sure.”

  Sam stared at her and said, “Does this happen soon?”

  Elena’s eyes narrowed and she shook her head, “I don’t think so.”

  “Why not?” Angel asked quickly.

  “Because I was fighting in a unit of warriors. I’m ten-years old now and I won’t by our covenants be allowed to join the warriors until I’m sixteen. So, I suspect it will have to be at least six years from now.”

  “And you have no idea what planet you were on?”

  “I didn’t recognize the city we were fighting in, Father.”

  Sam looked at Angel, “That means it will be the second invasion and not the first one they send to investigate. It should happen within the next three-years.” He turned back to Elena, “Did you see anything in the city that was a name or do you have a description on one of the buildings?”

  Elena closed her eyes and focused on the vision. She was silent for a long moment and said, “I saw a temple with the name Mogushu on the front of the building. It was surrounded by numerous tall skyscrapers.”

  Sam pressed his communicator and connected with Delilah’s Sword’s computer, “Yes, Fleet Admiral.”

  “I want you to go into your databanks and see if you can find anything about a religion called Mogushu. Contact me if you find anything.”

  “Yes, Admiral.”

  Elena looked at him and Sam said, “I’ll let you know if I find out anything.”

  Elena nodded and stood up, “I’m going to the archery range and get in some practice before bedtime.”

  Angel frowned, “You don’t think it’s getting too dark? Besides, you’re worn out from the sword training.”

  Elena smiled, “My armor has night vision. I need to work with it. Eating has made me feel better. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

  Angel hugged her and watched her put her armor back on and leave with her bow and two quivers of practice arrows. Angel shook her head, “She really doesn’t need the practice,” Sam announced.

  Angel looked at Sam, “Why do you say that?”

  “Her archery instructors tell me that she’s possibly the best archer on Bellingham. They tell me they can no longer instruct her. They’ve asked if she can be used to instruct other archers. I suspect she knows it and that is what’s driving her to practice.”

  “Really.”

  Sam shrugged, “That’s what they tell me. Our daughter is going to be quite the warrior.”

  “That frightens me, Sam.”

  “We can’t prevent her from becoming who she chooses to be, Angel.”

  “I know. I just worry about her.” Angel picked up her one-year old son and he giggled at her. “At least Sonny isn’t worried.”

  Sam laughed, “That’s probably a good thing, Love.”

  Sam’s communicator activated, “Admiral, I’ve found a reference for Mogushu.”

  “What did you find?”

  “It’s a religion practiced on Bandasar.”

  Sam sighed and Angel asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “Bandasar is the closest populated planet to Heaven’s Star System. This appears to confirm that the next invasion the Tronan send will go to Heaven.” Sam looked at Angel, “It also confirms that the Tronan will invade Bandasar after the next invasion. Elena saw her unit being fired on by Tronan Warriors on the surface. That means we will be attempting to stop them.” Angel sighed and closed her eyes. She wasn’t going to tell Sam, but the limiting age of sixteen was not cast in stone.

  Chapter Two

  Gem looked at the planet below his ship and shook his head as he said to Ana, “I’m shocked at how much of this planet is covered with urban areas. And the air-traffic is incredible. Matter of fact, it looks even more crowded than the last time we came to Romania.”

  Ana was staring at the wall monitor as he spoke and she nodded at his last statement, “It’s more than double what it was a few years back. I wonder what caused the huge increase in traffic?”

  “There is a new type of personal conveyance being used by the population,” the ship’s computer replied to her question.

  “What do you mean?” Gem asked. The image on the wall monitor changed and they saw a small white ship appear. Gem stared at it and said, “That looks like an arrowhead with a wedge attached to it.”

  “The four fins on the front of the ship are used to assist the air-thrusters in changing direction,” the computer remarked.

  Ana looked up, “Air thrusters?”

  The image on the screen moved in close to the craft and they saw recessed nozzles on the front and the rear of the hull. “There are four air nozzles on both ends of the ship; one on the top and bottom of the hull and one on each side. Those four nozzles can be moved to direct the air thrust in four-different directions.”

  “Computer, if that craft uses air-thrusters to fly, what’s the purpose of the boosters on the rear of the ship.”

  “From what I can determine by scanning the ship, it is fully capable of space flight. The boosters are used when the ship leaves a planet’s atmosphere.”

  “Computer, how many people can that craft transport?” Ana asked.

  “Give me a moment to scan some other ships.” There was a slight pause and the Computer answered, “It appears eight seats can be put inside it but the clear majority of them only have two seats.”

  Ana nodded, “This ship makes perfect sense for the businesses on Romania. Most of them do business with other civilizations and this small ship makes going back and forth easier. I would think that they would run out of compressed air if they went a long distance.”

  “That’s not an issue, Ana. The ships have compressors attached to each tank that pulls in outside atmosphere and feeds it to the tanks under pressure. It won’t run out of air unless the reactor fails and stops powering the compressors. By directing the air nozzles below the ship, it is fully capable of landing and taking off vertically. It doesn’t need a runway.”

  Ana looked at Gem and smiled, “Romania is the most technologically developed planet is this quadrant. I suspect they have built these ships for trade and the most recent records I’ve seen indicate the GDP has gone up considerably.”

  Gem chuckled, “I guess that makes you even richer than before.”

  Ana smiled, “Who’s counting?”

  Gem laughed and said, “Jack, take us down and notify Gregory and Heather that we’re coming down to visit.”

  Jack nodded and began speaking into his microphone.

  • • •

  Ana and Gem exited the ship and immediately heard a scream. They turned at the bottom of the ramp and saw Heather’s four-year old son running toward them. Ana bent down and scooped him up into her arms. “How’s my favorite nephew!?”

  “Aunt Ana, I’m your only nephew,” the little boy said with a serious expression.

  “Doesn’t matter. If I had ten more you’d still be my favorite!”

  The little boy laughed out-loud and hugged her neck as Heather walked up and smiled, “Be careful there, Sis. You may have to eat those words later.” Ana tilted her head and Heather smiled, “I’m expecting another child in about six months.”

  Ana’s smile was huge as she reached with a free arm and hugged her sister, “You’ll just have to save me by having a girl.”

  Heather laughed, “Consider yourself saved; it’s going to be a girl.”

  Ana laughed and looked at little Serge, “What do y
ou think about having a sister?”

  “It’ll be fun, Aunt Ana.”

  Ana looked over Heather’s shoulder and said, “How are you doing Gregory?”

  Gregory stepped forward and shook Gem’s hand and then hugged Ana, “I thank the heavens every day that you made me stay here.” He looked at Heather and smiled, “I couldn’t have asked for more than what I have. I’ve never been happier.”

  “Or richer,” Ana responded.

  “I never think about that.”

  Gem saw one of the small ships flash by overhead and said, “Tell me about that ship. That’s a new development, isn’t it?”

  Gregory lifted his communicator and spoke a few words. A few moments later, a police craft flew overhead at high-speed. Gregory smiled, “We can’t have traffic speed limits ignored. Yes, those ships are a new product that we’ve been working on for a few years.”

  Ana put Serge down and said, “What took so long to finish it?”

  “We wanted a small personal craft that would function in a planet’s atmosphere as well as having the capability to make interstellar trips. We wanted to keep it small but the issue was that the tanks for the booster’s fuel supply made that impossible.”

  The four turned and started walking toward the limo parked beside the ship. “So, what did you do?” Gem asked.

  “We developed a way to use dark matter as fuel. It’s abundant in space and in the filaments. It will never run out of fuel.”

  Gem stopped walking, “You what?”

  Gregory smiled, “Let’s get in the limo and head to the palace. I’ll tell you about it on the way.” The five entered the limo and it lifted off the tarmac. Gregory turned to Gem, “One of our engineers found a way to collect dark matter and compress it in a special tank. There’s so much of it out in space that collecting enough for the storage tanks was not an issue.”

  “Why didn’t you contact us and tell us about this development?”

  Heather shook her head, “It wouldn’t help you, Gem.”

  Ana looked at her sister and asked, “Why not?”

  “Because there is a size limitation on how much dark matter can be compressed into the walls of a collection tube and tank. The tanks are barely large enough to keep the small boosters on the new craft operational. One of your warships would deplete both tanks in less than thirty seconds. It couldn’t collect enough dark matter to keep your boosters operational longer than a minute,” Heather answered. “It’s not a fuel that our warships could use.”