Dark Force Invasion

By Larry Cockerham

Scientists aboard the deep-space vessel COBE discover a complex of subterranean tunnels on the planet Omicron-2, located deep within the Cygnus region. When they track a mysterious craft to the distant Lalande system, they uncover an alien species intent on depleting the resources of the planet using forced labor. As the Galactic Federated Systems (GFS) battles to regain the system, Dr. Ken Ferguson and Lt. Carla Roessler find themselves becoming deeply attracted to each other. Part III opens with an expeditionary task force bent on destroying the aliens in their own home system along with the liberation of the remaining captives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Larry Cockerham
• Release date: May 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781386620198

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DEDICATION

Dedicated to Sci-Fi fans everywhere.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To my wife, Diane, my fellow-helper and loving companion, and

to our children, Sharon, Barbara, and Emily, who inspire us each day

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS....................................................v

Table of Contents...................................................vii

PART I: THE INVASION

1 THE ENCOUNTER

2 ZEN SETI

3 THE VILLAGE

4 THE PROPOSAL

5 LALANDE 21185

6 THE INVASION......................................................45

7 SACRIFICIAL LAMBS

8 THE ALIEN

9 ENGAGE THE ENEMY

10 THE RESCUE

11 BATTLE LINE

12 FORGET-ME-NOT

13 PREPARE TO ENGAGE

14 THE INTERVIEW

15 ON STANDBY

PART II: THE GROUND WARS

16 GROUND ASSAULT

17 THE RARE ELEMENT

18 THE NOTE

19 THE MACHINE

20 BEHIND ENEMY LINES

21 TRAPPED

22 THE MEMORIAL

PART III: THE FINAL SOLUTION

23 ENEMY TERRITORY

24 GENERAL QUARTERS!

25 PLANET PHOEBUS

26 THE SIGN

27 THE DISCOVERY

28 BETRAYAL

29 THE SHADOW

30 ICE PLANET ALKA

31 DANGER!

32 A STRANGE WORLD

33 STALKED

34 CONFRONTATION

35 THE DISTRESS SIGNAL

36 PLANET EREBUS

37 THE MISSION

38 AMBUSHED

39 INTERROGATION

40 COUNTDOWN

EPILOGUE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Part i: The Invasion

1 THE ENCOUNTER

As we entered the large , tubular shaft, the dim lights below seemed to flicker softly in the distance.  A slight whirring sound coming from beneath indicated machinery still in operation. The monitors checked out all right. Now over thirty-five minutes had passed since we had started our descent, and as we reached the bottom of the shaft, the floor seemed to spread out in all directions.

Piland and Bertram had both agreed to explore the shafts that headed in an easterly direction. We had nothing to guide our search, no maps, nothing but an urge to hurry and finish the assignment as soon as possible. We were to check for signs of life and note all infrastructure to Systems Analysis.

I was assigned to the deep-space vessel COBE, a research and exploration vessel specializing in intelligent life-forms indigenous to binary star systems.  I had signed on for one more stint in Systems Analysis, but had been transferred to Research and Retrieval for this last probe.

Nothing on the surface gave any indication of signs of life except these tunnels in the southern quadrant. I enjoyed researching ancient civilizations, especially these in the Cygnus region. They were a little more advanced technologically, with signs of dawning religious and philosophical predilections. Yet, so far, I had seen little indication of either.

Piland took the lead, with Bertram behind. Two of the attendants were in the rear. I tried to position myself between Piland and Bertram. Bertram seemed to be the most level-headed. Piland was a hot-dog who threw caution to the wind. All I wanted was to make the roundtrip with my body parts intact.

The shaft seemed to extend for miles, with a slight downward sloping which I had barely noticed until I looked back in the direction we had come. We were now coming to a section where one tunnel headed in almost a right angle to the other. Piland decided we would split up, with him and one attendant exploring the upper branch, while Bertram, myself and the other attendant explored the lower segment. The lighting we had been so graciously afforded earlier was no longer available. The passage gradually grew darker and darker as we descended. We had decided to meet back at the branch in one hour unless something warranted further investigation.

Not only had the shaft become darker, it also had become narrower as it quickly dropped downward. We eventually found ourselves on another level, possibly several hundred feet below the first. Two passages beckoned as we made the decision to explore both, with Bertram and the other attendant moving away to the left, leaving the other tunnel to me. We were to keep in frequent contact, in case of trouble. It also would take the edge off, being able to hear someone's voice.

Within a few hundred yards, my shaft led quickly to a dead-end. I could faintly make out to my right a humming sound behind an enormous entrance door. I checked in with Bertram and was told to proceed with caution and keep him informed. As I turned the huge wheel, the humming increased until I opened the door...then the humming ceased. Some sort of alarm, I thought.

With the door open I could still see very little, as it was pitch dark except for my light. It was a very large chamber several hundred feet long, and perhaps hundreds of feet in height. Was this some sort of storage facility used long ago and now forgotten? Or possibly it had been used for living quarters by the now absent inhabitants. This was what we were here for, so I proceeded to explore further.

I moved deeper into the chamber and soon realized I was approaching some sort of fenced-in area. As I edged along the wall, I came to an opening or gate. I could see very little inside, but apparently, some type of structure was there. I also had begun to detect a faint, putrid odor of something that smelled like burnt flesh. I quickly checked in with Bertram and requested his immediate presence. It would be at least twenty minutes before they would arrive. Piland and his man had already ascended the upper shaft, which only surfaced topside. They would not come back down unless necessary.

I decided to proceed further into the compound and investigate the origin of the smell, but it seemed to be all around me. I was coming up on something large, which seemed to be rectangular in shape. Several small vessels were grouped next to one end. The vessels seemed to be smeared with stains, evidently from the contents of whatever they had contained.

The object was at least seven or eight feet in length, as well as width, with a large metal grating that completely covered the top. I had to assume that this was some form of primitive sacrificial altar. Most I had seen were either earthen or hewn from rock and were somewhat crude. But this was seemingly more advanced, more intelligent in design, with much better detail.

A sample from one of the stains indicated a DNA structure of animal rather than human. I was somewhat relieved to learn this tidbit of information. Where were Bertram and the others? It had been over twenty minutes! Bertram was one of the most methodical of all in Research and Retrieval and slow as a snail. I didn't have time for his quirkiness, but he was handy to have around in a pinch.

As I slowly moved forward, another vessel caught my eye, but this one was much smaller. It seemed to have been used to hold considerable quantities of liquid but was now empty. My analyzer showed traces of H₂0 so obviously, this object had been used for cleansing, in conjunction with the large altar. But what were these objects doing in an abandoned underground facility hundreds of feet below the surface?

While I thought about the possibilities of this, Bertram's voice cracked into my receiver.

Ferguson, what's the trick with this door?

No trick, just put some muscle behind it, I replied.

Bertram was a small-framed man, and I thought he just wasn't giving it enough effort. But it had been a little hard to turn, so I walked back to see if I could help.

I was still thinking of the large altar and basin I had discovered. Finally, I reached the door and tried to give the wheel a turn. It was no use. The wheel was unwilling to budge an inch. I looked around for something to wedge into it, but there was nothing around but bare floor.

Bertram, I can't seem to budge it either! I exclaimed.

Of all the luck. Here I was, stranded hundreds of feet below ground in a pitch-black chamber with who-knows what behind me and the door stuck. I began to get a sinking feeling that I would be here for awhile. Bertram relayed back that they had called for help, but it might be a few hours before they arrived. They were heading back to the surface, and if I needed anything, I was to signal immediately. Sure, I thought, thanks for nothing, Bertram.

I checked the time to find that only a few minutes had passed, so I decided that I would go back and investigate the structure I had seen earlier. It would be at least an hour or two before the rescue team made it down. The drill they were bringing would be heavy and would take time to navigate through the narrow shafts.

Looking from the outside, the structure seemed to be covered in a drab, coarse material. Probably animal skins, I thought. But, as I entered the enclosure, it seemed to be overlaid with beautifully colored fabric, while intricate engravings of winged creatures were overhead. Other furnishings were made entirely of or were covered with, a highly lustrous, shiny metal. My analyzer indicated the metal to be 79-AU, a common element used in the past for jewelry, coins and even dentures. Behind this was another curtain, also embroidered with large winged creatures.

I looked behind the curtain and saw another chamber that was perfectly square, possibly fifteen feet in diameter. In the midst of the cubicle was a rectangular object covered completely in the same metal as those in the other room. A heavy, solid plate, possibly three feet long, covered the top, with two winged creatures, one on each end, molded into the covering. In the center of the covering were stains which showed traces similar to those of the huge altar out front. I assumed there was a connection of some sort with the altar in the courtyard.

As I walked back toward the main entrance, I could hear the drill already whining as it bore through the heavy door. The rescue team finally had arrived, and I felt a sense of relief already. I decided to prop up next to the wall and try to catch a quick nap before they peeled the door back. Finally, I dozed off, thinking about the strange contents of this place and what they possibly could mean.

Soon I awoke, half-dreaming, half-awake, as the high-pitched drill whined against the door. Then, intuitively I turned toward the opening in the enclosure. Could I be dreaming, or did I not see a bright light coming from the structure inside the courtyard? I arose shakily and tried to signal outside, but the noise of the drill masked my transmission. I decided to carefully investigate the source of this light, even though something told me to wait for the others.

When I reached the gate of the courtyard, I noticed the light was coming from inside the inner structure and seemed to pulsate in a steady rhythm. However, by the time I reached the inner chamber it had disappeared without a trace. To my dismay, both rooms were now empty. There was nothing in either room, and all the furnishings were missing! Only the large altar and basin in the courtyard were left along with the central structure.

I tried to signal again, but the drill was still whining as I walked back toward the gate in the courtyard. Then something startled me enough to make me lose my breath and cause my heart to start pounding fiercely. Out of the corner of my eye I could barely make out something moving parallel with me across the inner courtyard. I kept my light facing forward so that whatever it was wouldn't realize that I had spotted it.

It seemed to be above average in size, with elongated features, somewhere around seven or eight feet in height. I could feel my heart pounding as I adjusted the setting on my weapon for low impact. As I walked behind the altar, I quickly ducked down behind it. Just as I lifted my head enough to see above the altar, a short blast passed by my left ear and took out the top three feet of one of the columns in the courtyard wall. I responded with a low impact burst that wobbled the creature and sent it to its knees, finally falling face down by the courtyard wall.

By now the rescue team had broken through the door and scrambled through, taking positions outside the courtyard gate. I waved them off and then took a deep breath before moving. This was one time I wished I were back at my desk in Systems Analysis. My legs were wobbly, but I made the effort to check out whatever this was that had stalked me.

We all stood around the creature in a circle watching for any signs of movement. The creature seemed very still, except for shallow breathing. It also was very large, at least seven feet in height, with elongated arms and markings unknown to any of us.  The helmet, as well as other gear, was totally foreign to any in the rescue team. We decided we had better move the creature to the main vessel topside, but it wouldn't be easy, especially as we were already encumbered with the heavy drill. When the creature revived, we could probably get some answers to our problems.

I asked myself a lot of questions as we made our way topside. What was the creature doing in this facility? Was it guarding the structure in the courtyard? Where had all the furnishings gone? Topside had reported that a small, unknown craft had left orbit earlier from the far side of the planet, destination unknown. Why had the creature stayed behind? However, all I could think about for the present was a hot meal and a bath. Then I would finish that nap I had started earlier.

All I had to show for the night's effort were a few stained vessels I had brought back with me and a strange metal bracelet I had picked up on the floor of the inner structure. The markings along the length of the plate had been worn off except for a few cryptic symbols. I was eager to get back and run these through the database, hoping for any clues to their origin. Perhaps it would be enough to give us some answers to the night's terrible ordeal and the mysterious events surrounding the creature we had found below.

2 ZEN SETI

An intensive search through the database had turned up nothing of significance, but I was sure the strange symbols on the metal plate were some form of language, though none that I had ever seen. A final blow was the sudden death of the creature we'd brought up from the underground chamber. He had been our only real hope in discovering some of the answers concerning the structure and the mysterious disappearance of the items that night. Now we were left with little to pursue. Perhaps when we returned to central headquarters, we would find something more to go on here.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Lieutenant Carla Roessler standing beside my work station. She was the only military personnel stationed aboard the research vessel and was usually around for a very good reason. She was normally cheerful, but today she seemed a little more uptight than usual. Find anything interesting? she inquired, as if we hadn't been in almost constant contact since the incident in the underground chamber.

Nothing so far, Lieutenant. But I will be sure and contact you the minute something turns up. Nothing in the database shows any connection with the markings on the plate and those found on the instrumentation throughout the shaft infrastructure.

I didn't think it would. If there is anything, would you please contact me immediately? My liaison has instructed me to follow this very closely and keep him updated on any new information that turns up. With this, she curtly turned and proceeded out through the doorway. Either something was up, or she was just trying once again to score points with her superiors. Nevertheless, I couldn't trust her to be truthful, unless it came down to the wire. Although we were working together, our loyalties were vested in different camps.

We were to rendezvous shortly with the main battle group moving through the Cygnus region and then be escorted to the great binary star system 61 Cygni. There we were to begin research operations until further notice. Hopefully, this would be our last operation before heading home. After three years of intensive research and constant round-the-clock shifts, I had just about reached the limits of my endurance. After all, this was to be my last mission aboard the COBE research vessel.

Following a night of sporadic episodes of sleep, I was awakened to hear Bertram's methodical voice informing me to be on board at 0900 for briefing. After arriving at Research and Retrieval, I was surprised to learn that we would be accompanied by a small detachment of troopers who would be along for our safety. Sensors had detected intermittent life-forms in and around the areas designated for observation. Somehow, I felt relieved that I didn't have to depend on Piland and Bertram for support if anything should happen.

Lieutenant Colonel Werner Hoth would be in charge of the research operation and would have the final say if it came down to it. Lieutenant Roessler had requested the detachment of troopers and seemed to be well-pleased with the morning's operations.

As we began to board the shuttle, she spoke sharply in my direction: Ferguson, try to use a little more discretion the next time you decide to tangle with the locals. A little less firepower and we probably would have had a few more answers.

Of course, Lieutenant, I remarked, hoping there wouldn't be a next time. If there was, Colonel Hoth and his men could make the life and death decisions. A few inches lower and I wouldn't have been around to talk about it anyway. I wondered now if that quick burst above my left ear had only been a warning by the creature, after all. However, if he had taken me out, he may have damaged the very objects he was there to protect. Hopefully, it had been the former and not the latter.

As we approached the massive planet 61 Cygni C, we focused our attention just north of the equatorial belt where sensors had detected the densest concentration of life-forms. Within a few thousand feet of the surface, the outline of the tropical terrain became evident. Also, several structures could now be seen as they protruded through the dense vegetation. The planet was beautiful beyond description and was truly an oasis for a weary traveler who had seen only barren, uninhabited worlds for the past three long years.

As we approached the massive planet 61 Cygni C, we focused our attention just north of the equatorial belt where sensors had detected the densest concentration of life-forms. Within a few thousand feet of the surface, the outline of the tropical terrain became evident. Also, several structures could now be seen as they protruded through the dense vegetation. The planet was beautiful beyond description and was truly an oasis for a weary traveler who had seen only barren, uninhabited worlds for the past three long years.

There below us a small clearing was sighted just large enough for our shuttle to attempt a landing. Softly the shuttle touched down on a thick carpet of tall grass that reminded me of the meadows I had known back home as a boy. Then, somewhere in the midst of my reminiscing I was snapped back to reality with the sharp commands of Colonel Hoth: All right, men! All research personnel will stay to the rear of the detail. There will be no firing unless fired upon. Remember, our primary mission is the security of the research team and their equipment. If there is any contact, set for low impact first. All right, Sergeant, let's move out!

We advanced swiftly through the dense vegetation. Soon we were picking up various foot trails that branched off in multitudinous directions. While proceeding in an easterly direction, the trails seemed to broaden until finally we came upon a vast, open area. At one end were two roads that branched off, one moving north and the other continuing in an easterly direction. Colonel Hoth decided it would be better if we stayed together, rather than splitting up. I also felt that it would be better to stay together. I was beginning to appreciate the colonel, after all.

After a few miles, the road moving east began to narrow and once again became nothing more than a thin trail through the dense jungle. As we tediously hacked our way through the thick vegetation for almost an hour, we gradually began to notice an opening, about a hundred yards or so ahead. Approaching the clearing, we saw several abandoned buildings that were almost completely overgrown with knotted vines and every conceivable sort of foliage. It was a botanist's dream, with every type of flora and greenery imaginable. Beyond the buildings several columns ascended to a large structure, several hundred feet above us, and lying across an extended plateau carved out of the mountainside.

When we reached the huge plateau, we began to dimly recognize the rectangular dimensions of a large, enclosed courtyard. At one end was an enormous vine-entangled temple, so overgrown that we could barely make out its shape. It seemed as if it had been abandoned for years, perhaps even centuries; it was difficult to tell. The jungle could overtake and swallow a civilization in just a short time.

Colonel Hoth decided that it would be best to set up camp beside the structure, rather than inside it. Then we could explore it in more detail that afternoon. The heat was overbearing, but it was the humidity that was making it hard to breathe. I hoped we could finish up by nightfall and make our way back to the shuttle the next morning.

That afternoon the colonel and his men took up positions in and around the courtyard while the research team prepared to explore the inner recesses of the temple. Piland and Bertram decided to stay behind and collect samples while Sergeant Braun, myself and two of his men explored the edifice.

After several hours of intense searching, we returned with little to show for our efforts. The sanctuary was basically abandoned and empty of all artifacts. Only the huge altar and elaborate basins outside in the courtyard gave any hint of civilization. The place obviously had been left to its lowly fate many years before.

That evening we all settled down for the night while I lazily propped up on one of the two massive, ornate columns in the inner courtyard. Bertram seemed to be in a good mood this evening as we began to discuss the day's events.

Have you noticed anything unusual about the courtyard and temple structure? I asked.

Yes, I have, Bertram replied, nodding. There seems to be an amazing similarity between what we have here and the one we observed in the underground chamber.

That's what I think. The only difference is in the proportion. The scheme is very similar to the structure in the chamber, only here, everything is on a much larger scale.

And more advanced, Bertram added.

As I gazed toward the entrance of the temple, I could only imagine the connection between this structure and the one I'd discovered in the underground chamber. Had the participants of this temple anything in common with those in the chamber? As the light faded behind the dense forest jungle, the evening shadow seemed to advance down the courtyard like a giant sundial, announcing the end of a very long and tedious day.

Ferguson, what's that behind you? Bertram asked, somewhat excitedly, then he quickly pushed aside the vines clinging to the column, just enough to allow me to see markings engraved on the base of the ornate column that I'd been resting against. What do you think, Ferguson? he asked.

Seems the same, I replied calmly, trying not to sound too excited. I had brought the metal plate along in my pack, so I placed it next to the markings on the column, and it was obvious they were similar. Bertram, I think we have a match!

We both smiled for the first time that day as we thought of all the implications this might raise. We knew now there had to be some connection between the two structures. When we called Piland over to examine the markings, we noticed similar markings on the base of the other column, as well.

Good work, men, Piland exclaimed. Now if we can just figure out what they mean.

Let's sleep on it, Bertram suggested.

We were all tired from the day's trek through the jungle, and I was really looking forward to a good night's sleep before we headed back to the shuttle in the morning. Colonel Hoth and his men had retired early, leaving one sentry at the entrance to the courtyard from below. I could hear Piland and Bertram snoring from the other side of the courtyard. They were paired up nicely, I thought. Neither was married, and this was their first stint on a research vessel. All they knew was what they had learned at the research institute, and I was confident they had a lot more to learn before it was over.

After tossing and turning half the night, I awoke to hear voices whispering in the distance. I thought at first it might be some of the soldiers, but I didn't see anyone moving around. In fact, I