The Czarian Wars Collection

By Karl Thorn

This is a collection of the 6 full length novels and 1 short story that consists of the Czarian Wars universe.

1. Titan Showdown: A disaster on Titan starts a chain of events that leads to the first space war and the possible collapse of the western world or worse the destruction of the entire surface of the Earth. Mark Garrette must prove his theories and perfect his discoveries in time to divert annihilation.

2. Hidden Agendas: A short story that shows how the destruction of a space ship could be much more than it appears.

3. Exploits to Regal: The ISA is attacked by Czarian forces at Meira, crippling the Baseship Horizon and her support fleet. On a desperate rescue mission, Brytestar and Garrette learn that their shattered flotilla is the only remnants of a once proud fleet. They must flee the Czarian Empire.

4. Sequian Escape: While investigating a distress call, Ron Garrette‘s ship is shot down by an unknown enemy. He must find a way to escape the planet and report back to Admiral Harrington of this new threat. Ignoring the needs of the fleet, Brytestar steals a ship to go find them.

5. Rise to Power: The desperate remnants of the ISA fleet must find resources just to stay alive. The baseship Horizon cannot be repaired and must be abandoned if they are to evade the Czarian forces. They waited too long.

6. Strategic Retreat: Richard Quinn, skipper of Pt 824, Stellar Knight, rescues a woman from a destroyed Czarian scout ship. Confirmation of the beautiful girl’s identity had to wait. The entire Guardian Fleet must retreat just to survive the advancing Czarian armada! If they don't find a way to stop the Czarians, the fledgling society will collapse.

7. Stellar Freedom: Nick hated the Czarian Empire even before they killed his wife and son. He wasn’t a violent man so his only hope was escape. This goal would prove near impossible even after finding an individual that could make it happen. Now he will do anything to keep this chance alive! It put him in the gun sights of the Czarian Empire. Little did he know how important he really was!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karl Thorn
• Release date: Mar 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310418013

Karl Thorn

Technical Support Engineer Two degrees in electronics

Book preview

Chapter One

Breaking news from Titan, the radio announcer interrupted the regular program. We’ve just received a report that the Titan scientific research facility as been involve in a severe quake…

Mark instantly stopped his test, powered off the device and sprinted to the wall speaker of his lab to hear the report more clearly. The scientist had the radio tuned to his favorite information station. Mark had friends at the Titan research facility. He had even been there a few times.

The survivors have indicated there were several casualties. The announcer said. It is still unclear how many deaths there are. Mark felt weak in the knees. The faces of those he knew flashed through his mind. The quake has inflicted severe damage to the structure’s dome. Collins Rodine of NASA reported that the quake had hit suddenly. The reporter explained. Nothing on this order of magnitude was ever expected, Rodine said.

Darla, Mark's wife, came into the room. Mark waved her over and indicated for her to listen. After the report finished, Mark found a chair and slumped into it. Darla sat in the chair next to him and laid a hand on her husband's thigh. She didn't know any of them personally like her husband, yet, she felt the anguish just the same.

Collins will let us know how badly they were hurt. Darla said, trying to console her husband.

Mark nodded silently. He had worked with many of them for years. He looked at his project sitting on the lab bench. He was getting close to proving his theory. At the moment it didn't seem important. I need a break. He finally said. I have a couple of phone calls to make. He stood to leave.

Without asking, Darla knew to whom. I'll have Bruce make us some coffee. Darla added, following him out of the lab.

* * *

I trust you have just heard the report. Nicholous Bordolv said to his trusted aid. The Security Chief had just entered the office. Bordolv turned the television off. A wooden panel slid in front of it, hiding the set behind the mahogany wall. When Bordolv smiled, as he was now, his friendly blue eyes and pleasant looking baby face did not show the true power he held in the new Russian Government. He did not bother to stand from his mahogany desk as Comench approached.

Yes, sire. Comench said after a slight bow and salute. Not one thread was out of place on his perfectly pressed black uniform. Red pin striping ran up the legs and high-lighted his jacket. The uniform was a good refection of his hard chiseled face and dark eyes. Those eyes rarely showed

any emotion. From all indications, our ships managed to land, plant the nuclear devices and lift to space without being noticed. Each device was planted deep in the ground, within meters of the fault's pressure points. Our scientists were right. The explosions made it appear that a major tectonic shift had taken place. No radioactive residue would be detectable from the surface. And if there were any, though doubtful, they would have to know precisely where to look.

Bordolv's normally appealing face turned into a sinister smile. He stood from his dark wooden desk and went to his aid's side. Good, the charges went off just as I ordered. Have you verified the U.S. or their European allies cannot render aid?

Yes sire.

Well done. The pleasant smile returned to his face. He thought of those casualties who fell to his will. Those Titan victims had served him well. Now the next step… Comench, set up a press conference. A low chuckle rumbled deep within his throat.

It will be done, Sire. Comench bowed. If I may, for a moment, there is one more thing on another subject that you will want to know.

Yes? He looked questioningly at his security chief.

Governor Hurley Morcough has been speaking Russian in public again, Sire.

Bordolv had given standing orders that all public speech was to be conducted in English. This would help in his ultimate goal.

Bordolv's face flushed. He stood, walked around his desk and faced Comench eye to eye. Where?

In his office, to his secretary, the English delegates were there with him.

Apprehend him. The Czar grumbled. I needed him, but I need obedience more. Bordolv clicked his nails. He had given the governor a warning and proper punishment before. To do it in front of an outsider was outright insubordination. Take him to Moscow square and execute him at high noon. Bordolv's voice lowered. Insure there are no foreigners around to witness the punishment. Outsiders need never know. It was meant as a demonstration to keep the Russian masses in line.

Comench bowed slightly. It will be done, and his secretary?

Give her the standing punishment, a one year stay at a Siberian labor camp.

Comench nodded once. That too, shall be done your highness.

The Czar peered into Comench's dark eyes. He tried to read any emotion that might be there. Anything else?

No sire.

Then you’re dismissed.

Comench saluted.

Bordolv returned the salute and watched him give a slight bow before leaving. The Russian leader returned to his plush chair and pulled himself to his desk. He fingered the hand carving along the desk's edge. He smiled at his achievements. His plans were years ahead of schedule.

Becoming Czar, the first true dictator since Russia’s experiment with elected officials, was just his first hurtle. Curtailing the Chinese and Indian ambitions in space was the second step, now the American and European powers were next.

Getting two ships to Titan's surface, planting some low radiation nukes, then getting his people back into space without being noticed was no easy task. This was the first phase of the operation. He'll have to give proper rewards to those involved with the mission.

Bordolv had a high connection within the United States Government. Before his speech, he planned to contact that person. He leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head without messing his well-groomed hair. He smiled again, thinking how the U.S. and their allies would react. It would be the first step that will ultimately lead the world and the solar system into his total control.

* * *

What's all that commotion about? Mark Garrette asked his wife when she opened the door. He moved to the only window in his private lab. It was a small round window designed and approved by the U.S. Government to prevent electronic ease dropping. He peered through the grounded metal blinds. All he could see of his mansion in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas was the driveway. It led to the main entrance. Several vans were now in view. Their microwave dishes pointed to the sky.

Reporters Mark, explained the petite woman with wide hips and a narrow waist. Darla slammed the door behind her with more strength than her small form would suggest. They've found out you are connected to the Titan Project. I'm sure they are looking to find blame for the disaster.

Mark sighed, thinking of the men he knew that had died during the incident. He put his hands in his white lab coat. The coat hid the spare tire that he carried around his waist. It didn't come from over eating or laziness. He was just always busy with something; family, work or personal projects. He rarely had time to do anything physical. Have our servants invite them into the study and entertain them. Tell them that I'm in the middle of an experiment and can't stop for about thirty minutes.

Darla nodded and smiled. They wouldn't like that.

And Darla, get back as quickly as you can. I'll need your assistance.

She nodded again as she left.

Mark admired her beautiful form as she left. The way her wide hips and narrow waist waved gave her a grace all her own. Her blond hair, tan eyes and oval face were other features that added to her beauty. Through the years she had managed to keep in excellent shape. Mark appreciated her efforts and never once regretted marrying this graceful and logical lady.

Professor Mark Garrette was an independent quantum research scientist specializing in energy fields. Throughout his thirty-eight year life, he worked for several companies around the world. He even managed to teach at a couple of universities during that time. Today, his main source of income was for the classified work he performed for United States Government. He had ended his ties with most companies and stopped teaching altogether. He wanted to devote more time to his projects and his home life.

Mark married his top assistant, Darla Maclevain, ten years ago. They had two children, a girl, age eight and a boy, age five. Mark knew Darla cherished her privacy so they moved to this Ozark estate shortly after their marriage.

Six years ago a large outbreak of rare cancers appeared in Phoenix Arizona. One reporter researching the story found proof that a nuclear accident of some type had happened at a government research facility in Arizona. The radioactive dust it created had settled in Phoenix. This incident was far worse than the Rockyflats cover-up. The reporter concluded that it nearly reached the scale of the Chernobyl accident in Russia. The U.S. Government had managed to keep the incident from the public for over a year.

Environmental organizations grew in strength and concerned citizens formed special interest groups. They joined forces and influenced Congress to ban all nuclear research from all government agencies on Earth. After this, another accident happened in Russia, killing an entire town outright. The anti-nuclear support grew worldwide. The U.N. finally issued a decree that nuclear research by any government on the Earth would not be tolerated. All radio-active research was moved off planet.

Along with other demands such as space based solar power, space activities grew exponentially. With the private sector now involved, access to space became relatively cheap.

Mark Garrette was one of the few people on Earth who had the education with the right facilities to pass the U.S. security qualification. His Ozark mansion was isolated and secure. Mark had enough money of his own to support a quality laboratory. His personal back ground was rated the highest. So, a lab in Mark's home became one of the few places on Earth where the government could legally pay him to do quantum research. They wanted his services, even if it were on a limited scale. His knowledge in plasma energy was unequaled and Mark refused to leave Earth on a permanent bases. He was paid quite well for his work.

Darla stepped back into the room about the time Mark finished hooking up the equipment for the next set of tests. The reporters are impatiently waiting. She said, smiling. She knew how unconcerned he would feel.

Good, I'm sure they will still be there when we're through. He was in no mood to talk about his dead comrades on Titan.

Darla went to her station.

See the changes I made to the settings? Mark asked, pointing to a couple of parameters on her console. I've also made other changes to the hardware to bring the resonate frequency closer to the theoretical value. We should now be able to sync it with the magnetic vortex.

Darla nodded.

I think it will work this time. Mark explained, at least through the vertical plain. Mark examined the device. The main component was a ring with black rollers sticking on it. More hardware filled the center with coils placed strategically around the ring. It was the size of a laptop computer. Switch on all recorders.

Recorders on. Darla repeated in a smooth soft voice.

Turn power on and raise the voltage until we achieve twelve amperes of current.

Switch on, Darla announced and began turning a knob. Current is rising to twelve.

Mark studied the readings for a few seconds. Satisfied they were holding steady, he began turning on other circuits within the device. Energizing starter coils,

Magnetic rollers, started. Darla confirmed, glancing over at the physical devise. Black dowel rods were now racing around a black ring that was surrounded by induction coils. RPM is rising.

Starting modulator, Mark stated, tuning to resonance.

Its weight is starting to drop! Darla exclaimed. Her eyes widened to show the whites around her tan pupils. It's working! She turned to look at the ringed device as it began to float into the air. The power and control cables connected to it prevented it from drifting away.

Current and temperature raising sharply. Darla exclaimed. I can’t maintain twelve amps.

Mark frowned. Power the device off!

The device burst into flame as it fell to the table with a loud thud. A thin line of smoke streamed to the ceiling of the lab. He reached for a fire extinguisher and smothered the flame before the alarm system could activate.

He sighed. Another attempt at his personal project failed, this time it went up in flames. He had been working on this project for years now. Would he ever get a working model? If he could, it would revolutionize transportation of all types. He frowned. I guess I'm ready to see those reporters now.

Darla put her arm around Mark. Hay, cheer up, it did worked! Even if it was for just a few seconds. She kissed him on a cheek. You've proven your theory.

He wrapped his arms around his wife and stared deeply into her tan eyes. I wish I didn't have reporters waiting. He smiled. There is one thing I know that I can successfully accomplish. He raised his brows. She would know what he meant.

Darla blushed slightly and smiled. Oh Mark! Your mind is always busy, either in the lab or in the bedroom.

He shrugged. Well, when I have a lab assistant as beautiful as you, I can think of both things at once.

It's not a wonder then, why your experiments go up in flames. She said in her melodic voice, smirking.

I guess I deserve that. Mark smiled. It won't hurt those reporters to wait another hour.

One side of her rosy mouth turned up. I'll hold you to that offer later, but I think you better tackle those reporters first.

Mark walked into the study, still wearing his lab coat. He carried the smile from his earlier conversation with his wife. He let Darla enter the room first so he could watch her wide hips wiggle smoothly as she walked.

The crowd of reporters swarmed around Mark. All of them started talking at once, ignoring the petite, beautiful blond.

Mark raised his hands and motioned for them to back off. When they finally complied, he pointed to a tall black haired lady. She had interviewed him before. You first.

What can you tell us about your involvement with the Titan Project?

I personally designed some of the test equipment that was sent there. Mark answered in the most generic way he could without revealing any secrets. The equipment was so sensitive that it required me to fly to Titan to do the final calibrations. I understand the quake damaged some of them. So, I imagine NASA will ask me to return there soon. He wasn't looking forward to it. Mark pointed to another person.

Why risk sending men to Titan in the first place? Or for that matter, anywhere else in space? The man asked. This disaster is a perfect example that we do not have the ability to perform any type of rescue mission.

Mark sighed at the narrow and simple minded man. It seemed the media always attracted such dead heads. Garrette filed that man's face away for future reference. He would never call on him for a question again. "As I have explained several times before, the government, by law is required to

do all of their nuclear research off planet. Unless, of coarse, they can find individuals, such as himself, he thought, that was willing to put up with the security involved to perform these experiments in their home. Second, Mark said out loud, and most important is the fact that the environment of Titan has preserved records of complex organic compounds and liquid hydrocarbons. They date back to the creation of the solar system. That alone should justify our presents, not to mention all the research being performed. I have no doubt we'll find practical uses for the unique material found there."

Simultaneously, other reporters burst into questions. They were soon silenced when one of Professor Garrette's servants escort a tall gray haired man into the room. They recognized him immediately as Collins Rodine. He headed the Research Facilities for NASA and the U.S. Government.

Sorry people, Collins said, I'm forced to ask you to leave. I have some important business to discuss with Professor Garrette that can't wait.

Is it about the Titan Project? Several reporters asked, almost in unison.

I'm sorry. Collins repeated. I'll schedule a press conference to clarify the situation.

At the servant's persistence, the mob finally relented and slowly filed out of the room. The servant followed the reporters out and closed the door behind him.

Thanks for rescuing me from that mob. Mark said, glancing back at the door.

I wish I could say that it was the reason I came. What I had told the reporters was the truth. Despite Collins' thinning gray hair, he always managed to keep a fresh appearance. If asked, Mark would not be able to recall a time when he had seen stubble on the man's face.

Mark cocked his head. What do you mean?

The Titan facility was more severely damaged from that quake then we reported. Collins explained.

Are there more dead? Darla exclaimed.

No, those figures are accurate. Collins replied, not meeting her eye.

Isn't the hull breach contained yet? Mark asked.

It was, but too much poisonous atmosphere leaked in. It killed the biological recycling system. Collins explained. We thought the cold had put the system into a temporary stasis, that wasn't the case. He shook his head. "If their own support ships hadn't been destroyed in the quake, they

could have solved most of the problems themselves. Every person, including the injured will be living in their environmental suits soon. Half of their bottled air supply had been lost by the quake as well. Without their utility vehicles they have no way of replenishing it. Collins looked Mark directly in the eye. I need to get you and every available person who is qualified, launched with the supplies, in twenty-four hours. Their air supply will run out in eight days."

Mark frowned, suspecting what Collins was about to say. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Was there an alternative? He could not think of one. This adventure would be risky with worldwide ramifications. Aren't there any other ships available. Mark finally asked, grasping at straws. "We

can't use the Dart. There is too much media attention. We've never tested her at full acceleration."

No choice. Collins shook his head. I know it will be only its second voyage, but no other vehicle can make it to Titan in time to save those people.

What about any Russian vehicles? Darla asked, puzzling over their comments.

The first thing Nicholous Bordolv did in space after he came into power was to take control of the Chinese nuclear research station on Mars and then he grabbed the Indian moon base after it had been abandoned. Collins explained. Just last week a Russian vessel docked at the European asteroid mining camp, the one with high grade uranium. The station has been silent since. I don’t trust the Russians anymore.

That does explain something I read on the net. Mark answered.

That information won't be made public until we learn what has happened there. Collins explained. The President doesn't trust the 'Czar', as he calls himself now, to do anything he says.

And the UN has been useless for years. Mark added.

So they are going to sit back and allow our people to suffocate! Darla couldn't believe it.

Just the opposite, Collins stated. Just forty minutes ago the Czar got on worldwide television and boasted how he was going to save us Americans from our own failings. Collins shook his clean shaven face. We don't know how, but he learned what the real situation was. Apparently those reporters hadn't heard about his speech yet, or I wouldn't have gotten them to leave so easily.

Mark grunted. The Russians are likely to take control of the base and claim it for their own. They know it is our most advanced research station.

Precisely. Collins nodded.

Darla started to put the pieces together. She wasn't sure that she would like it. Wait a minute. She declared. If no trust worthy ship in the solar system can make it to Titan in time, then how can we send one from Earth and get there in seven days? Saturn has got to be eight hundred and fifty million miles away at this time of year!

Both men looked to her then at each other.

Can you get her clearance? Mark asked. She is competent to operate several stations on the Dart. You know her back ground isn't a problem and she'll be a big help to me at the lab. Mark knew his wife had always wanted to see Saturn with her naked eyes. This may be the only opportunity she may get for a very long time. He felt convincing her to go would not be a problem. Just her being there with him would help ease his own pain. She would distract him from those feelings. You are low on personnel. Mark added.

Collins Rodine rubbed his clean shaven face. For this mission, I have been given full authority to authorize anyone I choose, to fly on the SFR. He smiled. Of course my neck is on the line if something should happen.

I hope the President realizes that everything is coming to light. Mark stated. A large segment of the population and especially the media will be outraged. You know what happened to the last President that got tangled up in a nuclear controversy. He was forced to resign.

Oh, he does. Collins nodded. He clearly does.

Will one of you please explain to me what is going on?

Darla exasperated.

We can't here. Collins said looking back to Darla.

We'll explain things on the way if you agree to come.

She saw the seriousness on their faces. What could they possibly have to say that couldn't be said here? Their mountain home had to be one of the most secure facilities on Earth. What about my children? She finally asked. I don't want to leave them alone with the servants.

Collins looked at his watch. I've already sent for a helicopter. It should be arriving within twenty minutes. If you can't get someone by then, I'll have my wife come up here to watch them.

Darla's parents were on vacation in Europe and Mark's dad lived on the moon. They were the only people she wanted to leave them with. Those options were impossible at such a short notice. Kim Rodine, Collins' wife, did baby sit one evening. The kids seemed to like her. When can your wife get here?

Collins smiled. In about twenty minutes, she'll be on that helicopter.

Chapter Two

Comench here with his daily report, Sire. A female voice said over the intercom. Her voice was deeply accented English.

Tell him to enter Nicholous Bordolv said in perfect English. Since Bordolv gained control of the Russian Government, he had mandated that all official business and public forum to be done in English. The transition has proven difficult though most Russian citizens had already knew English. The success of his long range plans required this.

Nicholous Bordolv lived in the U.S. during his college years and a few afterward. When the political climate was right he returned to Russia and entered politics. With his father's money and the skill of speech that he learned in the U.S., he became very popular. He quickly moved up in the political structure of the democratic Russian government. He took every opportunity to grab power, ethically or unethically. He didn't care. When the right political and economic situations arose, he created a crisis that allowed him to take complete control of the Russian military. The resulting aftermath left a hundred square miles quarantined, due to high radiation.

During the overthrow, Bordolv had all his internal enemies killed, including the ex-Russian president. Shortly after, he began calling himself a Czar, claiming he had heritage with the original Czar family of the nineteenth century. He knew it not to be true, but that couldn’t be proven. It served his political purposes. He argued that he alone had the right to use the title. He proclaimed to his supporters that Russia would soon return to its once greatness.

A black suited figured opened the large wooden door to Nicholous Bordolv's state room. During the Russian Democracy it had been the Russian President's office. Behind book shelves at the back of the room a private elevator connected it directly to the Russian Command Center. The Command Center was built deep beneath Moscow and renovated by the previous government. Learning that the Russian President had direct access to the Command Center proved instrumental in the overthrow. It allowed Bordolv to take control. Bordolv had set up certain safe guards to prevent the same thing from happening to him.

The Czar's chief security officer and intelligence agent approached the hand carved mahogany desk in smooth confident strides. Comench developed this long before he met Bordolv. He was a key player that helped put Bordolv in power. Therefore, Comench was the Czar's most trusted aid. The chiseled faced man tipped his head then stood erect. Sire! He said in accented English.

Your report is favorable, I trust? Bordolv grinned, showing two rows of straight white teeth. Years of dentistry in the U.S. had given him the perfect smile. His blond hair and blue eyes were as youthful appearing as his oval baby face. He could easily pass for a person ten years younger than his actual age of forty-two.

Yes sire, the world media's reaction to your speech was exactly as you expected. His hard black eyes showed genuine respect for the Czar. He earned his position by showing strength and dedication, especially at the right time, when it counted the most. They rushed to every U.S. official remotely connected to the Titan Project.

The Czar's smile grew. The information that he purchased from his old college buddy, now in the U.S. Senate, had paid off handsomely. And the reaction from the Whitehouse?

They have been very quiet. They had one press conference with Collins Rodine. He gave assurances that U.S. aid would reach Titan.

Bordolv smirked and his baby blue eyes sparkled. What else could he possibly have said? Anything else, Comench?

Yes, he did say something that seemed suspicious. Comench stated. He announced they would have a very important follow up report in eight days, seven now.

Eight days? Why eight days? Bordolv said, clicking his fingernails. A bad habit he had since childhood. It only surfaced when his mind became deeply occupied. The people on Earth involved with the Titan Project, what are their movements?

The intelligence chief suppressed an urge to swallow. It seems some of them have disappeared.

Explain! Bordolv said, leaning over his desk.

For example, Professor Mark Garrette and his wife decided to go on a second honeymoon the same day reporters showed up at their door. None of our agents have been able to verify where they went. Their parents don't even know. There are several of those convenient coincidences.

Nicholous Bordolv mentally searched for that name. He leads the research on plasma energy fields. Does he not?

That is correct, Sire. He reviews the work being done in a lab at the Titan Installation.

The Czar nodded, knowing that to be true. What's our ships' ETA?

They will be there in seven days, Sire. A day sooner than we first projected. They will be accelerating and decelerating all the way there. The Americans cannot beat us there.

Bordolv clicked his nails a few times, then stopped when he realized what he was doing. What about that new ship the Americans are testing? Is it ready to go? And if so, could it make it there in time?

The man tilted his head forward. I will find out.

The Czar smiled. You may approach my contact in the U.S. Senate to get that information. Bordolv preferred to use him only when it was necessary. With the time constraints, he may be the only source. If a member of the Appropriations Committee didn't know, chances are he would never find out in time.

Chapter Three

Mark, Darla and several other people destined for the Dart spent several hours in transit to the moon. Darla already missed her children. Their teary eyed faces were still vivid in her mind. I wish I could have had more time to say good bye.

Darla and Mark wore full space suits and had their visors open. They had just left from the transport ship that carried them to moon orbit. Both Darla and Mark had experience in space before, and knew how to handle themselves in weightlessness. They easily floated to their assigned seats in the moon shuttle and strapped themselves in. This shuttle would be the final leg of the trip.

Mark frowned and nodded his head. I missed them every time I'm forced to leave too. He put his gloved hand on her leg. I'm sorry I got you into this.

Don't be. I'm sure Collins would have asked me anyway.

Mark nodded. He had forgotten that Collins already had his wife in route to their home. I just hope you will be prepared for what you will learn on this trip.

Darla raised her brow, looking at him through her open visor. All her previous experience in space had been on near Earth orbit operations.

There are a lot of things going on out here in space that the public doesn't realize.

They felt a slight jar as the shuttle detached from the transport ship. The moon shuttle now maneuvered for orbital route to a secret destination on the far side of the moon.

The moon shuttle had no wings nor was it streamlined like some of its counterparts on Earth. It consisted of an engine module, a pilot module and an interchangeable module for either freight or personnel carrier.

Descending to the moon’s surface was still considered hazardous so the passengers were required to strap in and leave their environmental suit on in case of a mishap. They were allowed to have their visors open so they could talk easily and breath the cabin’s air. However, the visors would automatically snap shut if decompression should occur.

The personal module was lined with windows on both sides. Two seats were by each window. Darla sat next to the window with her husband sitting beside her. Both Mark and Darla had excellent views out the oversized windows. Neither spoke much while they watched the moonscape pass beneath them. To Darla, the thirty minute trip seemed to take forever.

That must be it! Darla finally said pointing to a dull floating speck of light in the distance.

Probably so. Mark agreed after studying it for a few seconds.

The shuttle confirmed their prognosis by firing its engines to slow their approach. The object slowly grew into a giant rectangular box orbiting several miles from the moon's surface. Its dark exterior disguised its actual bulk.

I assume the ship is inside that thing. Darla proclaimed. She clearly saw that the object was nothing more than a metal frame with some sort of non-reflective foil spanning between the metal.

Correct. Mark said as the closest end of the floating structure began to fold open, like a curtain. It only opened wide enough for the shuttle to pass through. The interior was dark. That frame is four hundred feet square by twelve hundred feet long.

The ship is that big! Darla said, trying to keep her voice down.

Mark nodded.

The moon shuttle entered the dark maw in the upper corner. A large silhouette appeared amongst the darkness. It seemed to fill most of the interior. The giant curtain began to close, once completed, bright lights snapped on.

Wow ... Darla's voice trailed off as she took in the ship. Darla knew instantly where the ship got its nickname. It was indeed shaped like a dart. Only this dart had no fins and was fatter at the rear. It had a huge reflector dish mounted on the ship's axis at the stern. The dish had to be three hundred feet in diameter and built rather bulky. Darla knew it was no radar reflector dish. It was the main object that attracted the eye's attention, yet it was over a thousand feet away at the far end of the rectangular box.

They were passing the nose of the ship. It was wedge shaped and highly streamlined. It resembled an arrow head. Three sections separated the wedge from the deflector dish. The diameter of each section grew as it extended toward the rear of the ship. The first section, nearest the wedge, had a smooth surface with antenna and sensors protruding from it. The second was slightly larger and had cargo hatches. The third had the deflector dish mounted to it in the rear. It was longer than the first two sections put together. It consisted of tanks, support struts, piping and conduit, obviously, the heart of the engine that required such a large deflector dish.

The moon shuttle docked with the module just behind the wedge shaped section.

After passing through the airlock, Mark and Darla floated into an area nearly the length of the module. It was filled with rows of strange, bulky chairs that went from floor to ceiling. Each chair had built in control panels on each arm rest, right at the fingers touch. There wasn't a single standard console in the entire room.

Welcome aboard, Professor Garrette. The captain greeted, floating over to them and stopping himself by the closest chair. He was a tall wiry man with close set brown eyes, a narrow nose and a flat top military hair cut that accentuated his thin face. I see you brought your lovely assistant. They had met at the Garrettes' Ozark home a few years back. The tall wiry man had visited their home a few times since. He now wore the blue military uniform of SDI.

SDI was first set up, a century earlier, by President Ronald Reagan way back in 1983. It has always been a secret organization and has evolved into a secret branch of the military.

I had no idea you were connected to this project Mr. Marshal. Darla returned. Nor SDI. She had been given access to secret military clearance, from the project she had worked with her husband on. With that information, she had learned that SDI had expanded to manned space operations. She just didn’t know the scope.

He's actually the captain of this ship. Mark explained.

Technically, I'm still the captain of the Legacy. Marshal looked to Darla. But you wouldn't have known that either. The Legacy was labeled as an interplanetary cargo ship, designed to support outposts such as Titan. It though, like all SDI ships along with all the other nations’ ship were more than advertised.

Captain Marshal wasn’t married. He rarely spent any long periods of time on Earth. Therefore, he never tried to get into a serious relationship with any earth bound woman. He loved space flight too much and didn’t want to subject any woman to his long periods of absents.

Darla raised her brow, something else she supposed was a secret. So, tell me what I should now know! Darla declared, looking straight at her husband. From what I saw of this ship, I don't think I'm going to like it!

Mark cleared his throat. The project title is called, S.F.R. Dart. It has a type of nuclear engine that no other ship has.

Darla frowned. Nuclear? She did not like the ramifications of 'that no other ship has', either.

Mark nodded. Unknowing to the public, all the space fairing nations has used nuclear powered ships for decades. Most were long distance ships that made voyages between the planets. Seldom did they ever land on Earth.

Darla raised her brow. Nuclear ships! That's against all the treaties that's ever been signed regarding space exploitation!

Technically no. Mark elaborated. Those treaties specifically mention the banning of open nuclear explosions in space. The basic design of most nuclear ships is different. They have a 'fission burn' inside controlled combustion chambers. The radioactive exhaust is then directed out thrust nozzles.

The public will go wild. They won't buy that argument. They won't understand the difference. And it is a small difference, as far as I'm concerned, and I understand it!

You see why none of the governments have bothered to reveal any of this. Captain Marshal stated. Technically none of the governments are violating the agreements and they purposely didn't bother correcting the public's misconceptions.

And when the public learns how we made this rescue trip so quickly, they will be more fearful. Darla fumed. Especially if this ship is different in the way I now suspect!

Well, the Titan disaster will show the need for this type of ship. Captain Marshal defended. The President hopes the rescue of thirty-two personal will minimize the impact.

Creases formed between Darla's eye brows. "Thirty-two?

That's correct. Marshal answered.

The public has been led to believe there were only twenty stationed there. Darla stated. Eight people died in the quake. How many were actually there?

Technically there are only twenty stationed there on a permanent basis. They are the research workers. Mark explained. The rest are on temporary assignment. They keep the base operational.

Darla grunted. She began to wonder what else was going on out here in space that the public didn't know.

All that information is accessible by the public, if they chose to look it up. Captain Marshal added. It took this disaster before the media even bothered to check in on it.

Darla thought about it for a moment. She realized the media reports she had heard never mentioned Titan's total population. She began to wonder how much influence the government did have on the media. She sighed. So, how is this ship different?

This ship can sustain an acceleration or deceleration of two gee's for eight full days! Mark explained. It was designed specifically with the Titan run in mind.

Darla frowned, trying to hide her amazement. How?

Mark swallowed. By a Sustained Fusion Reaction.

Not fission, but fusion?

Mark nodded. How do you think we got the efficiency up so high? And with our new technique, the radiation levels are much lower than a normal fusion explosion of the same magnitude.

It was more than she suspected. The public won't care about the differences. Neither will the media.

We have found a way to control the fusion reaction and keep it at the focal point of the ship's dish. This is another reason the efficiency is so much greater.

It also gives full radiation exposure directly to space. Darla argued.

You know as well as I that the solar wind will blow the residue away in short order. Mark defended, knowing he was running out of arguments.

The press won't care, nor the public. Darla blared. They will see this as a direct violation of the treaty!

None of the major governments will protest.

I bet some certainly will! She thought Russia would be one of them.

Captain Marshal cleared his throat. I'm sorry you'll have to settle this argument later. We need to think of those people's lives on Titan. Marshal floated over to a large bulky chair. Let me show you your station. He explained to Darla.

Frowning, Darla sighed and pushed herself toward Marshal.

When are we expected to depart? Mark asked, trying to change the subject.

As soon as we show the new people their positions.

Captain Marshal explained, helping Darla into her chair. Fortunately, everyone here as been involved with this project in one form or another. He looked to Darla and smiled. Even if they didn't know where the equipment was actually going. He pointed to a panel on the armrest. Recognize these.

All the control buttons were within a fingers touch. The flat screen monitors were very visible, mounted just above them. It was the main control panel for the stress monitoring system she had helped with the year before.

She nodded.

So, the captain continued, only brief explanations will be needed for those who have never been aboard before. Fortunately, there is only three, including Darla.

So you'll be at full crew.

No, some of the chairs will be occupied by the Titan repair crew. A couple of the permanent crew will pull double duty.

Wow, was all Darla could think. She was overwhelmed with too many facts. How would the world react? How would Russia? Surely they already had hints of this ship. They would surely protest, with good excuse. Were they building one of their own? She wondered if the nations could keep the public from rioting when they learned most interplanetary ships were powered by nuclear propulsion.

Chapter Four

We are clear of the Earth-moon system. The navigator announced.

No space traffic in the specified zones. Mark reported. He monitored the radar and visual scanners. However, a solar sail barge, identified as the 'Brutis', owned by the Startech Company will be coming within their sensor range. They will spot us soon.

Captain Marshal nodded in understanding. Letting everyone on Earth see the drive plume was one thing. They couldn't do anything about that. They could speculate on what it was but would have no proof. Letting a private cargo vessel get visuals of the actual ship and removing all doubt was unacceptable. Unfortunately there was nothing they could do about it. Begin countdown to Sustained Fusion Reaction!

Everyone aboard the Dart wore special flight suits. They were not pressure suits, but were special high gee equipment similar to fighter pilot suits. They also had sensors connected directly to the ship's computer. It would monitor every vital function of every person in the ship.

These suits didn't even have helmets. This worried Darla, for they were now dependent on cabin pressure for oxygen. If a hull rupture should occur, they would be dead in seconds. Traveling without a helmet was common practice with slow civilian craft, but running at high acceleration in an experimental space craft for an extended time period did not sound safe to her. When she commented on it, Marshal acted as if it were no big deal, commenting they had adequate protections.

The chair that Darla was strapped in was far more comfortable than its appearance would suggest. Without gravity, the belts held her snugly against the gel filled cushions. In fact the chair molded itself to the shape of her body.

Now that she had been briefed, Darla understood her role in the operation of the ship. She would monitor the stresses and vibrations the ship would undergo. She had helped her husband, Mark, design and test the monitoring system. She knew it like the back of her hand. She would report any anomalies to the Captain.

Before the final seconds of the count, Darla risked looking to the chair to her left, forgetting one of Captain Marshal's commands, to keep her head straight forward.

Mark sat in that chair. He showed intense excitement on his round, middle aged face. He steadily watched the armrest consoles. At Darla's movement, he looked her way, smiled with bright blue eyes and gave a thumb’s up. He was clearly enjoying this. She looked forward thinking all men must have the same attitude. She was apprehensive at best, not looking forward to the high gee run.

Ignition! The chief engineer said.

Instantly, Darla felt a force pushing her into the soft chair. The gel in the cushions, changed shape to compensate. She watched her arm rest indicators. Holding steady at one gee. She stated. The vibration and noise of the ship hid the nervousness in her voice. All stresses are nominal.

All stats on the crew are within acceptable parameters. The ship’s doctor announced.

Engines nominal! The engineer shouted over the roar. Sustained fusion reaction stabilized.

Increase to two point five gees. Captain Marshal commanded.

Darla sunk deeper into her chair as the gee forces increased. The gelled seat molded around her body, protecting her from most of the stresses. Now half her head was submerged within the cushion, covering her ears. She now had to depend on the chair's built in speaker system for communication.

The head rest was designed to be 'sound isolated' from the rest of the ship. However, the gel was highly conducive to sound waves. Inducers imbedded in the gel were wired into the communication system. They regenerated the voices that were picking up over the comm channels. The gel in turn would carry the voices to the person's ears. The person could actually ear better when their ears were covered by the gelled cushions. All engine noises and ship vibrations were all filtered out.

Engine is still in the green. The reaction is stable.

Increase acceleration to four gees. Marshal ordered. Maintain until we reach tolerance.

The ship's computer monitored all personal along with the doctor. When a person began showing signs of hitting their limit, physically, the computer would automatically reduce acceleration if it wasn’t done manually by the crew. This helped to prevent blackouts, heart attacks and other physical ailments.

Darla slowly felt more and more pressure on her body. It got to the point where she barely could move a finger. She felt the bladder on her legs and abdomen inflate to push more blood to her head. Her chest hurt. Her legs hurt. Even her eyes hurt. She wondered how her husband was fairing. She couldn't even turn her head now to see, even if she wanted too. Her head was planted deeply in the head rest. The cushion wrapped around her face, clear to her eye sockets. She barely could see past them to her armrest console.

How long will this last? She wondered.

After what seemed like an eternity, her vision began to shrink in on her. Red spots appeared and objects became blurry. Suddenly the pressure on her body released. At first she thought she was in free fall, but after her vision cleared, her arm rest console told her differently. Still accelerating at two gee's. She announce with effort. All stresses are still nominal.

Maintain acceleration until further notice. Captain Marshal ordered, unless medical condition requires shutdown. The last thing they needed was a crew to develop a medical problem. The human body was determining factor on how fast the ship could go.

Darla already knew the flight plan. Every two hours they were supposed to drop acceleration down to zero. At those times the crew were allowed out of their seats to stretch and to freshen up for ten minutes. Three of the breaks during the day would be thirty minutes long to allow for meals. The crew was expected to sleep in their chairs. All this was necessary so the ship could reach Titan in seven days. A remarkable time, considering the distance involved.

Darla knew the chair would be her home for the whole seven day voyage. True, the chair had a built in entertainment center, complete with movies, games and study sources for when they were off duty. But it lacked what she desired the most. She wanted to be home with her children. She wondered how they were doing. It aggravated her, for she would not find out until they reached Titan. For some reason, the President insisted on radio silence. She couldn't understand that logic. Any person with a telescope would be able to see the bright, massive drive plume of the Dart's engine.

Her frustrations grew as the days went on, however, her professionalism wouldn't let it show. She understood her job could be critical if something went wrong. She did not want to be the reason they didn’t reach Titan in time to save those people.

On the fourth day they turned the ship around and began to decelerate. With the occasional four gee bursts, they were slightly ahead of schedule so the captain decided to celebrate and give the crew an extra thirty minutes of rest before they started their long grueling deceleration.

The seventh day came all too slow and it was the hardest day yet. The Dart was still decelerating at two gee's while the crew prepared for the final four gee burn. They had to do the four gee burn now or risk contaminating Saturn's moon, Titan. They could have done it sooner at a lower gee, but that would have made them arrive too late to help. Once they lost the velocity, they would use conventional thrusters to insert the Dart into orbit.

Captain! Mark said, monitoring the radar and optical scans. I'm picking up three ships, flying in formation. They are in route to orbit Titan as well. They will come dangerously close to our drive plume.

What is their identity?

Russian.

Captain Marshal studied his armrest console, of course, he should have known they would be Russian. They are trying to go in under us. Marshal explained. They want to get there first, so they can have a claim. He couldn't let that happen. Marshal looked at his clock. Break radio silence. Warn them off, tell them the danger and explain that we have no choice. We must go to four gees in thirty seconds.

They are ignoring us Captain. Mark informed a few seconds later. Unless the radioactivity is interfering with radio communication.

Marshal frowned knowing the bands they were using wasn't as susceptible to that type of noise. Continue countdown to full burn. Those Russian ships had to know they were approaching. Next to Saturn and the moon Titan, the Dart's drive plume would be the brightest object in the sky. The Russians were trying to force the Dart to cut her engine and make her fly past Titan. That simply could not happen.

Ten seconds!

Still no course change. Mark warned.

No choice, continue count.

The count hit zero and the full power of the Dart crushed everyone into their seats.

Darla's body ached, every muscle, every joint, even her bones moaned for relief. These seven days were torture. This time she knew the ship would not thrust down if someone should pass out. Captain Marshal had removed those restraints to the ship's programming. They had to slow the ship enough to get into orbit. The people on Titan had less then three hours of air left. They had reported earlier that they were now sharing tanks. It was a risk the crew had to take.

Soon the pressure was more than Darla could bear. It felt worse than four gees, but she knew differently from reading her instruments. Her body was just in a weakened condition. Red spots appeared in her vision, earlier this time, it seemed. Tunnel vision then set in. Her ability to focus, failed. Blackness soon came and so did the relief from the pain.

Chapter Five

Ohh .... oh! Moaned the beautiful blond in Nicholous Bordolv's arms. He ran his hands up and down her soft smooth skin, caressing every shapely curve he found. He pulled her away to visually explore her in the faint lighting of his bedroom suite. He loved American women above all others. This girl had to be one of the best he had experienced.

Getting American women to come to Russia proved easy. All he had to do was promise them anything they desired in return for their services. He didn’t even have to sugar coat what he wanted. Most of the time, just living in the Presidential Palace with a chance to become his wife was enough to persuade many to come. Of course he didn’t tell them they would be living with other women from around the world with the same promise. If he decided to hold up his side of the bargain depended on the girl.

This one, he may keep.

Is everything as I promised? He grinned, motioning around the room indicating the Presidential Palace.

She nodded The U.S. couldn't offer this to me! She whispered.

You keep me happy and I'll see to it that you remain happy. Bordolv gave a lopsided grin. Does your plush suite, gold and jewels fulfill your needs?

She nodded, and gently pulled him to her. She began kissing his naked body.

A soft chime sounded.

The Czar sighed and turned to the monitor at the side of his bed. He turned it on. The chiseled face of his chief intelligence officer appeared on the screen.

Sorry to interrupt you, sire, at this hour. Comench said. I felt this information to be urgent.

The Titan Project? He slid his legs from under the woman and over the side of the bed, sitting up.

Correct, Sire.

I'll meet you in the command center in a few minutes. He flipped off the viewer and turned to his mistress. Sorry you'll have to stay in this room until I get back. I don't have time to reset the security systems to let you pass. He gave her an innocent smile. This shouldn't take too long.

She smiled and nodded as she watched him pull out a fresh red and black uniform from his closet. His suit was altered from a standard issue uniform to indicate his authority. His uniform had more red in his jacket with gold buttons. A standard uniform only had red pin striping with brass buttons.

Feel free to use any of the entertainment devices. He said after getting clothed. He had everything imaginable available in this room; TV, stereo, computers, exercise equipment, even sex toys. She would not be bored.

Bordolv left his private chambers and headed for his state room. As he walked down the plush halls, security doors instantly recognized him and opened to his presents. He entered his office, took his private elevator down to the command center. The whole trip took only minutes.

What's the news? Bordolv asked, frowning, as he stepped out of the elevator.

Comench bowed slightly then stood at attention. We have received a communiqué from one of our ships at Titan.

Bordolv smiled. Our ships have landed.

No Sire, everyone aboard the ship that contacted us was suffering from severe radiation poisoning. They have self-destructed their ship to prevent the Americans from capturing them.

What happened? A snarl appeared on Bordolv's smooth face.

Comench was expecting the worst, but he refused to let anything show. That experimental ship we learned about yesterday arrived sooner than we expected. The American ship was in a high gee deceleration when our ships got too close. One was destroyed in the drive plume while the other two were irradiated.

So all three of our ships were destroyed by that American vessel? Bordolv's baritone voice dropped in pitch.

That is correct Sire.

The Czar frowned, not that he cared about the loss of life, but because his plans were ruined. How could he remedy the situation? He began clicking his nails. After a minute or so, he smiled. The attractive youthful characteristics reappeared on his face. This turn of events was better than he had hoped for, far better than just taking control of an outpost. This was the type of event he was looking for, something that would put the U.S., the European Union and the U.N. on the defensive. Perhaps he could use this as a spring board to even break up the U.N., not that it had much power any more with his veto power.

NASA's strategy was now clear. Collins Rodine had scheduled a news conference later today. He obviously had planned to explain how they managed to reach Titan in seven days. Bordolv knew this would be the best opportunity they would have to reveal the existence of nuclear powered vehicles. Bordolv knew this to be the most important element of the speech. Then in turn, Rodine could showcase their new super-fast monster they had built.

The Czar burst out laughing. Rodine's news conference will not go the way they had planned. In fact the fall of the U.N. was coming and they don't even see it coming.

Indirectly, the United Nations controlled about eighty-five percent of the major media market of the 'Free Nations', but they did not have total control. Nicholous Bordolv, however, through bribery, blackmail and through other unconventional means, had influence over people in key positions. This included the media under the United Nations. His laughter turned into a roar. The control of the media will slip through the fingers of Earth's Big Brother. Ultimately, the whole world will fall into his trap.

Comench tried to hide his puzzlement from the Czar.

Nicholous Bordolv was too amused to notice. Inform the media that a very angry Czar is setting up a press conference at nine o-clock New York time in my state room. This was just an hour before Collins Rodine's speech at the United Nations building. And have all of our exhibitionist out demonstrating on the streets of New York.

The corner of Comench's mouth turned up in understanding. It will be done.

Chapter Six

Darla awoke to a tremendous headache. She heard voices, although they seemed distant and fuzzy. She opened her eyes. At first, she could not focus. All she saw was a blurry image looming in front of her. When the object finally cleared, she saw that the blurry object had been her husband, floating over her.

I was beginning to worry about you. Mark said with a relieved expression. The other people in the module continued about their business, ignoring their conversation. Those gee forces must have hit you harder than the rest of us. You were out quite a while.

Her memory returned. With Mark floating above her, she knew they had to have made a successful orbit. She tried to move and found she was still lightly strapped to her seat. She loosened the belts, floated out and flexed her limbs. Every muscle and joint still ached, but not as bad as she remembered.

How do you feel? Mark asked. Got a headache?

Darla managed to nod.

The doctor thought you would. Mark stated. He gave you medication earlier and told me to make sure you take these when you awake. They will help too.

She took them from Mark without saying a word and grabbed the bulb of water that was in his other hand. She sipped on the water while Mark watched her attentively. Neither paid attention to the activity around them. Darla realized her husband was more concerned than he pretended. Where is the doctor? She asked after looking throughout the module. The medication was acting quickly. She was beginning to feel better.

He had to leave with the first team to Titan's surface. Before he left, he examined you and said you should be fine. Mark explained. He said he would look at you again when he returned on the 'Arrowhead'.

The Arrowhead?