Beyond Salvation

By A K Boswell

After defeating Intermind in Salvation earth, our hero, the android Danfour and their barbarian warriors are now faced with an alien invasion. These reptilian aliens need Earths water after their own planet dried up through global warming. Our hero takes up the challenge of a dual fighting their champion in hand to hand combat using swords to the death. Will he survive against this oversized reptile. The second book in the salvation series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A K Boswell
• Release date: Dec 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005219833

A K Boswell

A K Boswell was born in East London in 1950. Has run his own business since 1971 and lives in Ipswich UK. He has worked for two stockbrokers and went self employed in 1971. He spent many years in the motor trade and ended with a service station in Sudbury Suffolk. He went on to design bathrooms and finally found time to write his first novel with ideas from over the years and reading many Sci-fi novels in hi early years. He is now retired and living in Thailand writing the Salvation series. He suffered back pain for years. Now he is totally free of it and would like to share how with you in his back pain relief book. Read to find out how.

Book preview

Beyond Salvation

A. K. Boswell

Copyright 2008 A. K. Boswell

Alan Boswell asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this book.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. All characters and corporations in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, or businesses and organisations, is purely coincidental.

www.akboswell.com

[e-mail]

This novel is dedicated in memory of my son Lee who died in Mexico on Christmas day 2018

Contents

1 Prologue

2 Back to Earth

3 Before Time

4 Over the Pond and Beyond

5 Worlds Apart

6 War Dogs

7 Moles

8 Search Party

9 Duel

10 Arrested

11 Cyborgs

12 Attacked

13 Enslaved

14 Tyrant

15 Bunker Blues

16 Buffalo

17 Hell and Back

1 Prologue

Nadine was staring at the stars. I didn’t know there was so many. It’s unbelievable, seems impossible. Shame you can’t see them from earth. I feel like I am amongst them, I suppose I am in a way, but this wall size window scares me. If it broke? We’d be sucked out into space.

Blown out actually.

Blown out, sucked out, it hardly matters. We won’t feel the difference, we’ll boil and explode and stuff if it breaks. Said Nadine.

It won’t, put in Arran, it’s laminated, you know, like our bows. Thin strips glued together, when we can find wood good enough.

Glued? But it is so clear and so large. The only bits of glass we had were warped and dull. How do they do it? And look at the table. The surface is as smooth as the glass. It is smoother than ice on a pail. Said Nadine.

They must get robots to polish it for days, I don’t know. We are lucky; they have given us a high official’s apartment. Spacious and luxurious. Don’t look a gift rabbit in the mouth. Just look at the size of this suite, everything automated and done for us, and compare it to the small room the lads are all crammed in. the walls are panelled in wood, ok fake wood, but it gives the feel of luxury. Something we have never had. Enjoy Nad.

Well, I’m bored, that will just make us lazy. There is nothing to do, complained Nadine.

The people here keep themselves busy, replied Arran.

Doing what, I ask? They spend their time on trivia. We are used to working hard, everything we did kept us fit. I am going to grow fat and lazy.

No you won’t, the food here is balanced to our needs and activity. The server robots have to put in your ID for every meal, so you get the right nutrients and your new communicator records you’re every movement, calorie burn and transmits it to the data bank. Pointed out Arran.

Yeah, what about Vargen then? He has put on eight kilos since we have been here. How do you account for that then? said Nadine.

You know Vargen and food. I think he wrangled two ID’s. Vargen is not the brightest of lads, but, when it comes to sniffing out food, he deserves a doctorate. You can take exercise; go jogging up on the top level, the park level, it is beautiful and shows you what earth was once like, and will be again. That’s what a lot of people do.

That’s just aimless running, getting nowhere. You run and run and just get back to where you started.

That’s why it’s called an orbital, the clues in the name. And it’s not pointless if it keeps you fit.

It’s boring and I get lost. It all looks the same; you don’t know where you are.

How can you get lost if you end up back where you started? And there are signs Nad. Explained Arran.

Signs, signs, we never found our way around by signs. Landmarks, that’s what we used, not bloody signs and everywhere looks the same. How the hell do you know when you are back where you bloody well started if it all looks the same? Exclaimed Nadine.

I can’t help that. Don’t go out then, stay in bed and get fat and lazy. Said Arran not too helpfully.

And the people, they are so stuck up. They look down their nose at me as if I was a piece of dirt. The only ones I get on with are the soldiers.

Well, they are the ones that know just what we went through to save their hides. The snobs live in a world of their own, complete fantasy.

I am not happy here, and I miss my friends now I have got over the novelty. Most of our men up here are not happy. Always moaning, and as for Groucha, he doesn’t stop.

Well he always has, you won’t change him. I’ll think about getting the men out on a march, even if we get nowhere. Said Arran sarcastically.

Even Tarrak is not his normal gay self. Said Nadine.

Yes, he is a bit of a fish out of water. They seem to have edited the gay gene out of humanity.

The entrance chimed interrupting them. A server robot announced Marshal Strighton.

Let him in. Said Arran.

Strighton marched in as soon as the door slid to one side, boots squeaking on the floor and wearing his best navy-blue uniform with brass buttons and an array of colour on his chest.

Good morning Arran, Nadine

Marshal.

You are looking well Marshal, and what’s with all those buttons? You fasten with Velcro. Said Nadine.

Tradition, my dear. Sighed Strighton.

Yes, somewhat dapper this morning, what’s the occasion? asked Arran.

The corporations have finally got their act together, stopped their infighting and formed a grand council. Under the present crises, they realise that together we stand, divided we fall, as the saying goes. Moreover, they have awarded you the position of Proconsul, answerable only to the council itself err… Sir.

Me? Why me?

Well, they recognise your abilities as a leader with all that you have done and think you are a very formidable character. You are braver than any of our people, you have no fear.

Oh, don’t believe that. A man without fear is insane.

Yes well, I have sometimes wondered about you. I have viewed some videos on medieval times, tried to put myself in your place and my stomach turns over. How you can go into a battle with sword and shield is beyond me. None of my people could do that. We are all soft. Said Strighton.

My dear marshal, we are all a product of our environment, so it stands to reason, don’t you think?

Even so, the very thought of being hacked to pieces by a sword makes my blood run cold.

It does to everybody, but if you are defending your family and home, you have to get on with it. Yes, while you are waiting for battle to start and you are staring at the enemy, fear goes through you, your bowels may turn to water, and your legs feel weak. However, when the battle starts, when the shield walls crash together, adrenaline takes over. The fear goes, you have super strength, and you are invincible. Said Arran.

OK, so it is environment, my people are soft because we had a soft upbringing. That still makes you the bravest of the brave. The council value your leadership. They are having a meeting at fifteen hundred hours and you are to be there.

Yes, I’ll go. We have plenty of time, would you like some refreshments Marshal?

Just tea please, lemon and ginger would be nice.

"Shall I bring on some go-go girls for you marshal? Said Arran with a big grin.

Err, not now, I don’t think the entertainments appropriate right now. Replied Strighton looking at Nadine.

Bloody hell, cried Nadine, any excuse to ogle naked girls. It’s disgusting, how can these young girls happily parade themselves around like that? Demanded Nadine.

Well, things have changed since the, err, Victorian era, I have studied history as I said. Morals are somewhat err; lacking I suppose, and these girls take great pride in their training and beauty. Only about one in ten get accepted you know, and the female form is considered a work of art in itself. Explained Strighton.

I’ll go along with that. Grinned Arran ducking an empty cup.

They were interrupted as a servabot appeared with the tea and being a well programmed bot, a few biscuits on a tray. Strighton made himself comfortable. You know, we have all got to evacuate to the earth’s surface. I haven’t any details yet, but there is quite a panic going on.

Sounds like that will liven things up around here. I find it so boring here Marshal. Said Nadine.

Well, you would think that after what you have lived through. Arran was just saying that we are all a product of our environment, see. Hmm, good tea. You have your bots trained well.

Nothing to do with me, all Danfour’s doing. Replied Arran.

Oh, another thing, I’m afraid you are going to have to put up with me. They have made me your second in command.

That’s fine by me. I need someone that knows how it all works round here. But on one condition however.

Oh, what’s that?

That I get Danfour as my assistant.

That’s no problem, he’s at a bit of a loose end anyway, and we don’t quite know what to do with him. How are your people getting on, down at the commune?

Oh, they can manage without me, everything is ticking over OK, from what I’ve heard. All back to normal now since your people chased those troublesome barbarians back to where they belong, seeing as it was your people that set them on the warpath in the first place. The Baron’s people are back in Cam. Life carries on you know. We were more concerned with my men up here. They are bored to say the least, and they have no purpose in life here. I am worried it will lead to trouble. Said Arran.

Don’t worry, we’ll all be shipped down to the surface soon. Replied Strighton.

Marshall, why did you never marry? asked Nadine.

Oh, you know, life at the top, well nearly the top. It’s a busy life.

What, your soft life.

"Soft, but it is all paperwork, well, IT work, masses of it. I’m afraid that a few of us here are inundated with it. Anyway, that has all been taken out of my hands, now that I am Arrans underling.

Yes, he has really shot up the ranks in no time, hasn’t he? Does that mean he will be getting a huge pay income?

Ha, women……….

Grand Council

That afternoon, the meeting was held in the Great Hall. Arran was impressed with the size of it, taking up the full width of the orbital and the lower two floors with a gallery running around at the second level accessed from that level. Apart from its size, it was plain and simple although it was the only area panelled out in wood, apart from the private executive suites, which made it look more elegant. Concerts and plays were performed here, and it had to be converted as to what was required. Just four men sat at a large round table in the centre, a number of robots stood around the perimeter. Arran and the Marshal with Danfour in tow approached the table.

Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to Arran of Greyhaven. Arran, Adel Diedrick of Powercon, Adolph Debro of 3M, Bernardo Hartman of Nutradom and Conrad Herricks of Worldtranscom. Said Marshall Strighton.

Sirs, I am greatly honoured. And grateful for the appointment you have bestowed on me.

No need to grovel Arran. Said Adolph. You’ve got the position, and it does not become a hero, sit down.

Ha, OK, but no more of the hero stuff please.

Gentlemen, to business, said Bernardo, we need to pool our knowledge, what little there is. The war is going badly. We are losing ships, about twenty percent, but most seem to have surrendered, and it is only a matter of time. So, we have decided to push ahead our move back to the planet. We have no idea why some have surrendered, and we have recordings relayed back to us from those that were destroyed in action. Perhaps you would like to review those Arran?

Worth a look I suppose.

Good man, I will arrange it, put in Adel, we are stripping the mining facilities from the moon and bringing back the AI computer. We will reinstall its operating system now that the overlords have been destroyed. It is too valuable a tool to be left behind. We will take most of the robots, just leaving a few for maintenance. Powercon are constructing some new bunkers and silos. We will open up some old ones. We are going to the deepest one, under the Rockies. That is completely blast proof.

Running away is not the way of a warrior sir. said Arran.

You did a bit yourself in your exploits I’ve so I hear, didn’t you? Put in Conrad or was it tactical retreats?

Actually, it was to lure them into traps, string them out, fight on ground of my choosing, the way of the warrior.

Oh yes, cried Adel I told you he was our man.

Enough, cried Bernardo Arran, these orbitals cannot be defended, they are like eggshells to munitions. They were never build with invasion in mind.

But at least we of 3M had the forethought to build battleships. Put in Adolph Debro.

Yes, it has always amazed me, how in all our history, in times of peace, the military of all nations are crying out for more and more weapons. If they had been controlled, we would not be in this position now. In fact, we would not be up here, the earth would not have been devastated. Said Adel,

You can’t change history, what’s been done is done. Just be glad that we had the forethought to give us some protection.

Lot of good it’s doing though. Snapped Adel.

I said, enough. Demanded Bernardo. "We must get our heads together, we agreed no more in fighting. So, what we do know. The aliens have made a base on Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s moons. I suppose they needed a base somewhere in the solar system, after all, it’s taken them generations to get here. They must really want this planet. But why Ganymede? It could be helpful to know. Arran, I had better fill you in on Ganymede. It is not like our moon. Ganymede is the largest and most massive moon of Jupiter and in the Solar System. The ninth largest object in the Solar System, it is the largest without a substantial atmosphere. It has a diameter of 5,268 km (3,273 miles) and is 8% larger than the planet Mercury, it is composed of approximately equal amounts of silicate rock and water ice. It is a fully differentiated body with an iron-rich, liquid core, it is unusual, not only in its size, but the fact that water is rare in the galaxy. So why Ganymede? Any thoughts? They could have landed on something with a better surface.

I don’t know anything about moons, but I have met these aliens. Said Arran.

You have? How.

The Zargillian, we call them Zargs, many years ago their ambassador to us was shot down. I came across their descendants while fighting the barbarians. They had lost all technology, but are very warlike, and helped us in battle. They are much like us, two arms and legs but, they are covered with scales and their faces lizard like. We had formed a shield wall across a neck of land. We were tiring and inching back. Just as I thought we were lost, the Zargs rose out of the………

What?

WATER. They must have been under the water for some time, then rose and outflanked the barbarians. We won, and I did not give it a thought. But they must be amphibious. The ice on Ganymede, they need water.

But it takes a lot of energy to melt, say an iceberg. The more energy you throw at it, the more the surface evaporates, and like air-con, evaporation takes away a huge amount of heat, ice also reflects energy, they are not going to get much energy from the sun out there, and I can’t imagine they try to melt it slowly, take forever. Explained Adolph Debro.

Well, it’s only a stop gap. Its Earth they want. You say water is rare in the galaxy. Said Arran.

Yes, it used to be thought that there was water on many systems, but it was not to be. A lot of ice, and not always water ice. No liquid water anywhere. Anyway, you are right Arran. It looks like we may have a desperate fight on our hands. Might be that their planet is drying up? If it is, then we have a serious fight on our hands, said Bernardo Hartman.

If they take the orbitals? Can all the water be jettisoned? asked Arran. They would then have to send tankers down for water. I am sure you could pick them off. That would make them suffer.

We can get the maintenance bots to do that. Shame we can’t do it with the air, they would suffer then all right. Even if we blew a hole, the section would seal off until the service bots repaired it.

On second thoughts, leave the water.

Why is that?

In battle, always leave the enemy an escape route. They will not then fight with desperation. If they are comfortable on the orbitals, and we attack any attempt to land on the surface, they may not try too hard and it might give us more time. If we get rid of the water, they must fight with desperation. That will make our task all the harder. If they depend on water so much, they will have to try to come down for more. We can try our hand at picking them off. Once we are entrenched on earth, we should fare better than in space battles. They will have the disadvantage. I have Danfour searching the archives and deleted files for info on their first arrival. We know that their ambassador brought soulreaper, my sword as a gift. Said Arran.

It does not really reap souls you know. It destroys the nervous system. Commented Adolph."

Oh, is that all, and I thought it was harmful, now I am disappointed. But why a sword we do not know, why a high-tech civilisation should put so much on an ancient weapon? added Arran.

And why not? said Adolph, you said they are war like, and we still have sword play.

No way, I did not know that, you are kidding.

I am not. But ours are for sport and exercise, we have fencing and Kendo. As a great swordsman, yourself, perhaps you would like to try your hand?

Wow, yes I would love to. Grinned Arran.

Then I will arrange it. I’ll let the marshal know in due course.

Well, that’s about all we know for now. We had better get on, order the evacuation and prey it goes smoothly. Said Bernardo Hartman.

The next day, Strighton took Arran to 3M’s flight simulator where, they could not only see the fight action but experience a simulation of it. Arran was introduced to the instructor; whose name was Captain Stein. He showed them into a capsule and got them seated in front of the consul.

I will run a typical recording of a fight which ends with the destruction of our ship. After watching a couple of these, you can at any time, take the controls and the simulator will take over and you can see if you can change the outcome.

As they watched, the Captain explained to Arran that flight in space was not like you see in the movies, ships cannot not swerve and weave all over the place, but gently nudge themselves one way or another. It made it difficult to avoid incoming. You have to keep changing course for although a missile can lock on to its target and is more manoeuvrable than a ship; at high speed, missiles are slower at changing course in a vacuum. If your course changes were regular, your enemy can predict your next move and hit you. The moves were limited as well, only up, down, right and left. Anything more complicated took so long that you were a sitting duck. Arran studied many combats and discussed them with the Marshal and Captain until he had a good idea of what was going on.

To win against a superior force, you need surprise and tactics, which you can’t have in such a void. Therefore, it is down to firepower and manoeuvres. I think we are missing something here, we can see the incoming ok, but can you zoom in on their ship as it fires? There, they fired another two missiles, aimed at where they thought we might be. So, they are covering two of our possible positions. Said Arran

You are right Arran, by god why did we not see that? We only have three possible moves, if we had gone down previously, the next move could not be up because that could put us Back in the same position. You would think in the path of their missiles, so, we can only go left, right or down again and while we are desperately firing anti-missile rounds, we are not getting away much attack. They are drawing our fire by firing early when they don’t have much chance of hitting us.

That’s right, said Arran fire early and I noticed that we tend to move three times in the same direction before being hit. They always fire at the third position even if we do not make it. Tell your ships to do the unexpected and move back into the last position, they never fire at our last position.

You are right. Thanks Arran, you have a keen eye and I suppose it’s worth a chance.

2. Back to Earth

Nadine, I have sorted my exercise program. Want to come and watch me in a sword fight?

I had hoped to never see you fight again, so no.

This is a friendly, for sport. No one’s going to get hurt. It’ll be fun.

Hmm, OK, it’ll kill the boredom I suppose. Although you could take me to bed, they say that half hour of sex is worth two hours in the gym.

You think I can manage half an hour?

They made their way to the stadium, a large hall on the middle floor and only one story high where Marshal Strighton, who, explained that he had arranged some contests for Arran, met them. They entered the fencing room and Arran was handed some protective clothing.

Look at this lot Nad, in their tight fitting white tunics. They look like a bunch of fairies, soft upbringing I suppose. Better not let Tarrak up here. Said Arran.

No, he’d have a field day, laughed Nadine.

Arron put the foil lame and plastron on to protect his torso, took up his foil and swished it through the air.

This has no weight at all, couldn’t do much damage.

It will kill without protection, said Strighton, although they are not used as clubs like your broadswords.

Arran walked onto the centre piste to face his opponent and touched foils.

On guard

Before Arran could blink, his opponent made a lunge straight into Arrans chest.

What? I wasn’t ready. Arran was taken aback at the speed of his opponent. In a real fight the two might take several minutes to weigh each other up.

On guard.

This time Arran quickly stepped backwards to try and judge his opponent, as his opponent came forward to meet him, Arran made his own lunge as swift as he could, but his opponent merely made a parry and a riposte straight into Arrans chest again.

"On guard.

This time Arran was determined to put pressure on his opponent. The words had hardly been spoken when Arran jumped forward thrusting his foil out.